History & Politics

The Choh

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

History & Politics

Oh! powerful was the mighty host,
By which the throne to Chow was given.
Woo nursed it, while the time was dark,
Submissive to the will of Heaven.
But when the day propitious came,
He armed himself, and marched to fame.

And what the martial king achieved,
We have. been favoured to obtain.
That we may rightly use the lot,
Which thou for us didst nobly gain,
Thy course, O king, we on our part
Will follow with sincerest heart.

✦ ✦ ✦

An ode in praise of king Woo.

MLA

Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Choh.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/288/.

Chicago

Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Choh.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/288/.

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