cial tie
And bond of rule is snapt.
The Heads of Boards are all perplexed;
My premier's mind is sorely vexed;
In trouble all are wrapt.
The Masters of my Horse and Guards;
My cook, and men of different wards:--
Not one has from the struggle shrunk.
Though feeling weak, they have not sunk,
But done their best to aid.
To the great sky I look with pain;--
Why do these grievous sorrows rain
On my devoted head?

"Yes, at the mighty sky I gaze,
And lo! the stars pursue their maze,
And sparkle clear and bright.
Ah! Heaven nor helps, nor seems to ken.
Great officers and noble men,
With all your powers ye well have striven,
And reverently have sought from Heaven
Its aid in our great fight.
My death is near; but oh! keep on,
And do as thus far you have done.
Regard you only me?
No, for yourselves and all your friends,
On whom for rule the land depends,
You seek security.
I turn my gaze to the great sky;--
When shall this drought be done, and I
Quiet and restful be?"

[NOTE *: Selections from Book II. are omitted.--EDITOR.]

PART IV.--ODES OF THE TEMPLE AND ALTAR

BOOK I

SACRIFICIAL ODES OF CHOW

~Appropriate to a Sacrifice to King Wan~

My offerings here are given,
A ram, a bull.
Accept them, mighty Heaven,
All-bountiful.

Thy statutes, O great king,
I keep, I love;
So on the realm to bring
Peace from above.

From Wan comes blessing rich;
Now on the right
He owns those gifts to which
Him I invite.

Do I not night and day,
Revere great Heaven,
That thus its favor may
To Chow be given?

~On Sacrificing to the Kings Woo, Ching, and K'ang~

The arm of Woo was full of might;
None could his fire withstand;
And Ching and K'ang stood forth to sight,
As kinged by God's own hand.

We err not when we call them sage.
How grandly they maintained
Their hold of all the heritage
That Wan and Woo had gained!

As here we worship, they descend,
While bells and drums resound,
And stones and lutes their music blend.
With blessings we are crowned.

The rites correctly we discharge;
The feast we freely share.
Those Sires Chow's glory will enlarge,
And ever for it care.

THE TRAVELS OF FA-HIEN

[Translation by James Legge]

TRANSLATOR'S INTRODUCTION

Nothing of great importance is known about Fa-hi