History & Politics

Response of the Princes to the King

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

Translated by William Jennings (1891) · From The Shi King (Jennings, 1891), Part II, Book vii

History & Politics

Pairs of teal are on the wing;
To the nets and snares decoy them. —
Live ten thousand years, O king,
And in health and wealth enjoy them!

Teal in pairs are by the weirs,
And their left wings they are folding. —
Live, O king, ten thousand years,
Long thy rightful blessings holding!

To the stalls the teams they bring,
And of grain and grass they give them.
Live ten thousand years, O king;
And in health and blessing live them!

To the stalls the teams they bring,
And with grass and grain they feed them.
Live ten thousand years, O king;
And may health and blessing speed them!

MLA

Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “Response of the Princes to the King.” Translated by William Jennings. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/421/.

Chicago

Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “Response of the Princes to the King.” Translated by William Jennings. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/421/.

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