Ode 5. The Han Lû

ODE 5. THE HAN LÛ.

IN PRAISE OF THE VIRTUE OF KING WĂN, BLESSED BY HIS ANCESTORS, AND RAISED TO THE HIGHEST DIGNITY WITHOUT' SEEKING OF HIS OWN.

Look at the foot of the Han ³, How abundantly grow the hazel and arrow-thorn ⁴. Easy and self-possessed was our prince, In his pursuit of dignity (still) easy and self-possessed.

Massive is that libation-cup of jade, With the

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yellow liquid sparkling in it ¹. Easy and self-possessed was our prince, The fit recipient of blessing and dignity.

The hawk flies up to heaven, The fishes leap in the deep ². Easy and self-possessed was our prince:--Did he not exert an influence on men?

His clear spirits were in the vessels; His red bull was ready ³;--To offer, to sacrifice, To increase his bright happiness.

Thick grow the oaks and the buckthorn, Which the people use for fuel ⁴. Easy and self-possessed was our prince, Cheered and encouraged by the spirits ⁴.

Luxuriant are the dolichos and other creepers, Clinging to the branches and stems. Easy and self-possessed was our prince, Seeking for happiness by no crooked ways.

Footnotes

386:3 Where mount Han was cannot now be determined.

386:4 As the foot of the hill was favourable to vegetable growth, so were king Wăn's natural qualities to his distinction and advancement.

387:1 As a cup of such quality was the proper receptacle for the yellow, herb-flavoured spirits, so was the character of Wăn such that all blessing must accrue to him.

387:2 It is the nature of the hawk to fly and of fishes to swim, and so there went out an influence from Wăn unconsciously to himself.

387:3 Red, we have seen, was the proper colour for victims in the ancestral temple of Kâu.

387:4 As it was natural for the people to take the wood and use it, so it was natural for the spirits of his ancestors, and spiritual beings generally, to bless king Wăn.