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


Book II. The Praise Odes of Lu

I

The Kung; narrative. Celebrating some marquis of Lu for his constant and admirable thoughtfulness, especially as seen in the number and quality of his horses.

1  On the wide plains, our frontiers near,
  The stallions, sleek and large, appear.
  There, sleek and large, they meet our sight;
  Some black, with their hind quarters white;
  Pale yellow, some; some black; some bay:—
  For carriage teams good horses they! p. 463
To the duke's thoughts we can assign no bound;
Turned to his steeds, lo! thus good are they found!

2  On the wide plains, our frontiers near,
  The stallions, sleek and large, appear.
  Those stallions, sleek and large, are seen;
  Some piebald,—white and flushed with green,
  And others white, with yellow sheen;
  Some chestnuts; and some dapple gray:—
  From carriage teams strong horses they!
To the duke's thoughts no limit can we set;
Turned to his steeds, such is the strength they get!

3  On the wide plains, our frontiers near,
  The stallions, sleek and large, appear.
  Oh! sleek and large, those sprightly males!
  Some that appear as flecked with scales;
  Some black, with manes of spotless white;
  Some white or red, manes dark as night:—
  In carriage yoked, obedient quite!
The duke's thoughts never cease and never tire;
Turned to his steeds, lo! thus they rule their fire! p. 464

4  On the wide plains, our frontiers near,
  The stallions, sleek and large, appear.
  Oh! sleek and large, those stallions bright!
  Cream-colored, some; some, red and white;
  Some, with white hairy legs; with eyes
  Like those of fishes, some:—men prize
  Such horses, grand in strength and size.
His thoughts without depravity, our prince
Thinks of his steeds, and such powers they evince!


Next: II. Yu Pi