IX. Chang Wu

The Chang Wu; narrative. Celebrating an expedition of king Hsüan against the more northern tribes of the Huai,—its imposing progress and complete success.

1Nan Chung's descendant, Huang the Great,
  Grand master, now draws near
Before the king, and to him straight
  The king's charge, loud and clear, p. 424
Comes thus:—"My armies six forth call;
  What war requires make ready all;—
South we our course direct.
  Your duties reverently fulfill,
And wary be lest our good will
  Those southern states reject."

2Next to the chief of Yin ’twas said:—
  "Charge Hsiu-fu, earl of Ch‘êng,
The ranks to range, and warning dread
  Make through the host to ring.
Our march along the Huai's bank lies;
  Against Hsü must our enterprise
Rapid and sure be made.
  Delay we brook not, nor to hold
The land we take, lest the threefold
  Work in the fields be stayed."

3The son of Heaven calm, trustful was,
  Majestic in his strength.
His troops advanced, no crowded mass,
  Nor lines of broken length. p. 425
From stage to stage, as on they went,
  The land of Hsü with terror rent,
Its people all unmanned.
  As when men hear the thunder's roll,
Or sudden crash, and quake in soul,
  So now shook all the land.

4The king aroused his martial might,
  As he were moved with rage.
His tiger chiefs he sent to fight;
  And eager to engage
Well named were they! Along Huai's banks
  Soon grandly moved the royal ranks.
A captive crowd was held.
  Securely kept the country round,
No rebel hosts a passage found,
  Succor to Hsü to yield.

5Numerous the legions, moving fleet,
  As if on wings they flew;
Grand as the Chiang and Han, when meet
  Their mingled streams the view. p. 426
Solid as mountain mass they seemed,
  And brightly as the river gleamed,
Whose waters ceaseless rush.
  Continuous, in order sure,
Inscrutable, success secure,
  They marched revolt to crush.

6The king's plans truthful and sincere,
  Hsü's tribes at once sought peace.
Its chiefs assembled all; their prayer
  Was for the royal grace.
And quickly by the son of Heaven
  Was order to the country given;
In solemn court he shone.
  Before him came the chiefs, and swore
That they would break their faith no more.
  "The war," he said, "is done."