Religion

The Tsae Héen

by Shi Jing (The Book of Songs) poems c. 1000–600 BC; compilation traditionally ascribed to Confucius

Translated by James Legge (1876) · From The She King (1876), Part IV, Book I

Religion

Before their sovereign king the lords appeared,
To seek the rules that he for them ordains.
Their banners bright with dragon blazonry
Waved grandly in the air. Upon their reins
Rings glittering shone, while on their broidered flags
And carriage fronts bells gave a tinkling sound.
Thus full of majesty, they came to court,
And splendid were their equipages found !

The king then led them on the left, and laid,
With filial heart, before his father’s shrine,
His offerings, that long life he might obtain,
And still preserve the honours of his line.
Favours he gets, both great and manifold.
Tis from those brilliant and accomplished lords
They spring; and there shall long through them descend
Blessings unmixed and bright that Heaven affords.

✦ ✦ ✦

Appropriate to an occasion when the feudal princes were assisting king Ching at a sacrifice to king Woo.

MLA

Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Tsae Héen.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/278/.

Chicago

Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Tsae Héen.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/278/.

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