Eulogy of Chung Shan-fu

Heaven gave the hosts of men their being,
And all things their appointed groove;
And what men hold as varying never,
'Tis virtue's highest art to love.

Heaven cast its glance on Chow's great ruler,
Saw what great worth below could do,
And to uphold this Son of Heaven
Called into being Chung Shan-fu.

And Chung Shan-fu evinces virtue —
Ideal virtue, gentle, good;
Has noble mien, has noble manners,
Shows care and wise solicitude.

The ancient teachings are his models,
Decorum strict his strenuous care;
True follower of the Son of Heaven,
He spreads his wise laws everywhere.

The King gave Chung Shan-fu commandment:
"Be thou a guide to every Prince;
Continue thou as thy forefathers,
The King's own mainstay and defence.

Deliver thou tlie royal mandates,
Be thou thy Master's throat and tongue;
And promulgate abroad his measures,
So to strike root all lands among."

Grave was indeed the King's commandment;
But [well he took the task in hand;
Domain or State, true or disloyal,
Well did he each one understand.

Clear intellect he had, and wisdom,
And thus himself from ill preserved;
Early and late, no moment idle, —
Thus, too, the Man of men he served.

"A tender morsel one may swallow,
A tough one will the stomach rue:"
So runs indeed the common adage,
But so 'tis not with Chung Shan-fu.

He does not swallow up the tender,
His stomach does not spurn the tough:
He hectors not the lone and widowed,
Nor cowers before the strong and rough.

Men have again the common adage:
"Light though be virtue, as a hair,
Yet few are strong enough to lift it.'
Yet, when I measure and compare,

One Chung Shan-fu aloft can lift it,
Nor cares that others help should lend.
When royal robes have rents appearing,
'Tis Chung Shan-fu the faults can mend.