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The Book of Poetry, tr. by James Legge, [1876], at sacred-texts.com


X

The Chan Lu; allusive. A festal ode, appropriate to the convivial entertainment of the feudal princes at the royal court.

1The dew lies heavy all around,
Nor, till the sun shines, leaves the ground. p. 210
Far into night we feasting sit;
We drink, and none his place may quit.

2The dew lies heavy, and its gems
Stud the luxuriant, grassy stems.
The happy night with wassail rings;
So feasted here the former kings.

3The jujube and the willow tree
All fretted with the dew we see.
Each guest's a prince of noble line,
In whom the virtues all combine.

4The t‘ung and i their fruits display,
Pendent from every graceful spray.
My guests are joyous and serene,
No haggard eye, no ruffled mien.


Next: I. T‘ung Kung