IV. P‘o Fu

The P‘o Fu; narrative. Responsive to the last ode. His soldiers praise the duke of Chou for his magnanimity and sympathy with the people.

1  We splintered our axes, and brought
  Our hatchets all to the same plight.
But the duke of Chou meant, when eastward he went,
  What was wrong in those, four 'states to right.
    Oh! the pity was great
    Which he felt for their state!

2  Our axes and chisels we broke
  To pieces, and splintered and rent.
But the duke of Chou meant, when eastward he went,
  The four states all reformed to present.
    Oh! the pity was good
    That on them he bestowed!

3  Our axes we broke, and our clubs
  To fragments were splintered and split. p. 179
But the duke of Chou meant, when eastward he went,
  The four states in close union to knit.
    Oh! the pity was rare
    That he showed for them there!