The Pwan-Shwuy

Fair is the pool, half-circling round
The college of our land.
The plants of cress that there abound
We pluck with eager hand.
To it our prince of Loo draws nigh ;
We see-his dragon banner fly,
Free waving in the wind.
And as he moves, his horses’ bells
Tinkle harmonious, and fast swells
The crowd that comes behind.

Fair is the pool, half-circling round
The college of our land.
The pond-weed plants that there abound
We pluck with eager hand.
Arrived is now our prince of Loo,
With team of steeds that grandly show,—
Steeds, each of highest worth.
His fame is great. With winning smile,
And blandest look, no haste the while,
His lessons he gives forth.

Fair is the pool, half-circling round
The college of our land.
The mallow plants that there abound
We pluck with eager hand.
The college now our prince contains.
Joyous, the festive cup he drains,—
The cup of spirits good.
His be the strength that knows not age!
His be the noble course and sage,
By which men are subdued!

Our prince of Loo has virtue rare ;
His reverence we see.
His every step he guards with care ;
The people’s mould is he.
In peace and war his powers are proved,
‘His mighty sires are deeply moved ;—
O’er him with love they bend.
Through filial duty ever paid,
And without farther effort made,
Blessings on him descend.

Our prince of Loo has wisdom great ;
His virtue brighter grows.
This college, glory of the State,
To him its beauty owes.
The tribes of Hwae will own his sway ;
His tiger chiefs down here will lay
The ears cut from their foes.
His questioners, like Kaou Yaou wise,
Will here rehearse their enterprise,
And captive kerns expose.

His numerous officers, all true,
And of a virtuous mind,
Will haste with martial zeal to do
The part to them assigned ;—
Those tribes from south and east expel,
Then back their triumphs come to tell,
And here themselves report.
The duke no judge’s help will need,
As calm and truthful here they plead
Their claims before his court.

They draw their bows, with bone made strong.
How whiz the arrows fleet !
Their cars of war dash swift along,
Eager the foe to meet.
Drivers and footmen weary not,
Till o’er the tribes of Hwae is got
A victory entire.
Your plans, O prince, be firm and true!
So shall you all those tribes subdue,
And quench rebellion’s fire.

On wing they come, those owls, and rest
The college trees among.
Our mulberry fruits they eat with zest,
Grown birds of sweetest song.
So shall the Hwae tribes change their minds,
And bring their tribute in all kinds
Of produce rich and rare ;—
The ivory tusks, the tortoise big,
The metals from their mines they dig ;—
Their fealty to declare.