The Ch‘ang Fah

The lords of Shang wisdom profound had shown,
And omens of their greatness long were known.
When the great flood its waters spread around,
And Yu alone to curb its power was found,—
Yu who the regions of the land defined,
And to the great fiefs boundaries assigned,
Till o’er the realm was plainly marked each State,—
Even then the House of Sung ’gan to be great.
God viewed its daughter’s son with favouring grace ;—
He founded Shang; to him its kings their lineage trace.

He, the dark king, ruled with a powerful sway,
Success attendant on his glorious way.
First with a small State charged, then with a large,
He failed not well his duties to discharge.
His rules of conduct he himself obeyed,
And prompt response all to his lessons made.
Next came Seang-t‘oo, the prince of ardent soul,
And from Hea’s centre, to the four seas’ goal,
Submissively all owned and bowed to his control.

God in His favour Shang’s House would not leave,
And then T‘ang rose that favour to receive.
T‘ang’s birth was not from Seek too far removed.
His sagely reverence daily greater proved.
For long to Heaven his brilliant influence rose,
And while his acts the fear of God disclose,
Tang as fit model God for the nine regions chose.

To him gave up the princes, great and small,
The ensigns of their rank; on him they all,
Like to the pendants of a banner, hung :—
So from indulgent Heaven his greatness sprung !
T‘ang used no violence, nor was he slow ;
Nor hard, nor soft, extremes he did not know.
His royal rules abroad were gently spread ;—
All dignities and wealth were gathered round his head.

To him from all the States their tribute flowed,
And like a strong steed, he sustained the load.
Such was the favour he received from Heaven !
Proof of his valour through the realm was given.
His steadfast soul ’mid terrors never quailed ;
Nor wavered he by troublous doubts assailed ;—
On to the sovereign seat he struggled, and prevailed.

The martial king aloft his banner reared,
And in the field against his foes appeared.
He grasped his battle-axe with reverent hand ;
?Gainst the attack his foes could make no stand.
His progress was like march of blazing fire ;
None could resist the torrent of his ire.
Like root with three shoots was the chiefest foe ;—
Advance none made he, and no growth could show.
Of the nine regions Tang possession got ;
First with the lords of Wei and Koo he fought,
And then Keun-woo’s strong chief, and Keeh of Hea he

In the mid time, between Seang-t‘oo and Tang,
A shaking came, and peril threatened Shang.
But Heaven approved T‘ang as its chosen son,
And gave for minister the great E Yun,—
A-hang, who for the king a prosperous issue won.