大dà雅yǎ·荡dàng之zhī什shén

25-1

荡dàng荡dàng上shàng帝dì，下xià民mín之zhī辟pì。疾jí威wēi上shàng帝dì，其qí命mìng多duō辟pì。天tiān生shēng烝zhēng民mín，其qí命mìng匪fěi谌chén。靡mí不bù有yǒu初chū，鲜xiān克kè有yǒu终zhōng。文wén王wáng曰yuē谘zī！谘zī女nǚ殷yīn商shāng，曾céng是shì彊jiàng御yù，曾céng是shì掊póu克kè。曾céng是shì在zài位wèi，曾céng是shì在zài服fú。天tiān降jiàng滔tāo德dé，女nǚ兴xìng是shì力lì。文wén王wáng曰yuē谘zī！谘zī女nǚ殷yīn商shāng，而ér秉bǐng义yì类lèi，彊jiàng御yù多duō怼duì。流liú言yán以yǐ对duì，寇kòu攘rǎng式shì内nèi。侯hóu作zuò侯hóu祝zhù，靡mí届jiè靡mí究jiū。文wén王wáng曰yuē谘zī！谘zī女nǚ殷yīn商shāng，女nǚ炰páo烋xiū于yú中zhōng国guó，敛liǎn怨yuàn以yǐ为wèi德dé。不bù明míng尔ěr德dé，时shí无wú背bèi无wú侧cè。尔ěr德dé不bù明míng，以yǐ无wú陪péi无wú卿qīng。文wén王wáng曰yuē谘zī！谘zī女nǚ殷yīn商shāng，天tiān不bù湎mián尔ér以yí酒jiǔ，不bú义yì从cóng式shì。既jì愆qiān尔ér止zhǐ，靡mí明míng靡mí晦huì；式shì号hào式shì呼hū，俾bǐ昼zhòu作zuò夜yè。文wén王wáng曰yuē谘zī！谘zī女nǚ殷yīn商shāng，如rú蜩tiáo如rú螗táng，如rú沸fèi如rú羹gēng。小xiǎo大dà近jìn丧sàng，人rén尚shàng乎hū由yóu行xíng。内nèi奰bì于yú中zhōng国guó，覃tán及jí鬼guǐ方fāng。文wén王wáng曰yuē谘zī！谘zī女nǚ殷yīn商shāng，匪fěi上shàng帝dì不bù时shí，殷yīn不bú用yòng旧jiù。虽suī无wú老lǎo成chéng人rén，尚shàng有yóu典diǎn刑xíng。曾céng是shì莫mò听tīng，大dà命mìng以yǐ倾qīng。文wén王wáng曰yuē谘zī！谘zī女nǚ殷yīn商shāng，人rén亦yì有yǒu言yán，颠diān沛pèi之zhī揭jiē。枝zhī叶yè未wèi有yǒu害hài，本běn实shí先xiān拨bō。殷yīn鉴jiàn不bù远yuǎn，在zài夏xià后hòu之zhī世shì。

How vast is God, The ruler of men below! How arrayed in terrors is God, With many things irregular in his ordinations. Heaven gave birth to the multitudes of the people, But the nature it confers is not to be depended on. All are (good) at first, But few prove themselves to be so at the last. King Wăn said, 'Alas! Alas! you sovereign of Shang, That you should have such violently oppressive ministers, That you should have such extortionate exactors, That you should have them in offices, That you should have them in the conduct of affairs! "Heaven made them with their insolent dispositions;" But it is you who employ them, and give them strength.' King Wăn said, 'Alas! Alas! you (sovereign of) Yin-shang, You ought to employ such as are good, But (you employ instead) violent oppressors, who cause many dissatisfactions. They respond to you with baseless stories, And (thus) robbers and thieves are in your court. Hence come oaths and curses, Without limit, without end.' King Wăn said, 'Alas! Alas! you (sovereign of) Yin-shang, You show a strong fierce will in the centre of the kingdom, And consider the contracting of enmities a proof of virtue. All-unintelligent are you of your (proper) virtue, And so, you have no (good) men behind you, nor by your side. Without any intelligence of your (proper) virtue, You have no (good) intimate adviser or minister.' King Wăn said, 'Alas! Alas! you (sovereign of) Yin-shang, It is not Heaven that flushes your face with spirits, So that you follow what is evil and imitate it. You go wrong in all your conduct; You make no distinction between the light and the darkness; But amid clamour and shouting, You turn the day into night.' King Wăn said, 'Alas! Alas! you (sovereign of) Yin-shang, (All round you) is like the noise of cicadas, Or like the bubbling of boiling soup. Affairs, great and small, are approaching to ruin, And still you (and your creatures) go on in this course. Indignation is rife against you here in the Middle Kingdom, And extends to the demon regions.' King Wăn said, 'Alas! Alas! you (sovereign of) Yin-shang, It is not God that has caused this evil time, But it arises from Yin's not using the old (ways). Although you have not old experienced men, There are still the ancient statutes and laws. But you will not listen to them, And so your great appointment is being overthrown.' King Wăn said, 'Alas! Alas! you (sovereign of) Shang, People have a saying, "When a tree falls utterly, While its branches and leaves are yet uninjured, It must first have been uprooted." The beacon of Yin is not far distant;— It is in the age of the (last) sovereign of Hsiâ.'

Legge · 1879 · public domain

25-2

抑yì抑yì威wēi仪yí，维wéi德dé之zhī隅yú。人rén亦yì有yǒu言yán，靡mí哲zhé不bù愚yú。庶shù人rén之zhī愚yú，亦yì职zhí维wéi疾jí。哲zhé人rén之zhī愚yú，亦yì维wéi斯sī戾lì。无wú竞jìng维wéi人rén，四sì方fāng其qí训xùn之zhī。有yǒu觉jué德dé行xíng，四sì国guó顺shùn之zhī。𬣙xū谟mó定dìng命mìng，远yuǎn犹yóu辰chén告gào。敬jìng慎shèn威wēi仪yí，维wéi民mín之zhī则zé。其qí在zài于yú今jīn，兴xìng迷mí乱luàn于yú政zhèng。颠diān覆fù厥jué德dé，荒huāng湛zhàn于yú酒jiǔ。女nǚ虽suī湛zhàn乐lè从cóng，弗fú念niàn厥jué绍shào；罔wǎng敷fū求qiú先xiān王wáng，克kè共gòng明míng刑xíng。肆sì皇huáng天tiān弗fú尚shàng，如rú彼bǐ泉quán流liú，无wú沦lún胥xū以yǐ亡wáng。夙sù兴xìng夜yè寐mèi，洒sǎ埽sào庭tíng内nèi，维wéi民mín之zhī章zhāng。修xiū尔ěr车chē马mǎ，弓gōng矢shǐ戎róng兵bīng，用yòng戒jiè戎róng作zuò，用yòng逷tì蛮mán方fāng。质zhì尔ěr人rén民mín，谨jín尔ěr侯hóu度dù，用yòng戒jiè不bù虞yú。慎shèn尔ěr出chū话huà，敬jìng尔ěr威wēi仪yí，无wú不bù柔róu嘉jiā。白bái圭guī之zhī玷diàn，尚shàng可kě磨mó也yě。斯sī言yán之zhī玷diàn，不bù可kě为wèi也yě。无wú易yì由yóu言yán，无wú曰yuē苟góu矣yǐ。莫mò扪mén朕zhèn舌shé，言yán不bù可kě逝shì矣yǐ。无wú言yán不bù雠chóu，无wú德dé不bú报bào。惠huì于yú朋péng友yǒu，庶shù民mín小xiǎo子zi。子zi孙sūn绳shéng绳shéng，万wàn民mín靡mí不bù承chéng。视shì尔ér友yǒu君jūn子zǐ，辑jí柔róu尔ěr颜yán，不bù遐xiá有yǒu愆qiān。相xiāng在zài尔ěr室shì，尚shàng不bú愧kuì于yú屋wū漏lòu。无wú曰yuē不bù显xiǎn，莫mò予yǔ云yún觏gòu。神shén之zhī格gé思sī，不bù可kě度dù思sī，矧shén可kě射shè思sī。辟pì尔ěr为wèi德dé，俾bǐ臧zāng俾bǐ嘉jiā。淑shū慎shèn尔ér止zhǐ，不bù愆qiān于yú仪yí。不bú僭jiàn不bù贼zéi，鲜xiān不bú为wèi则zé。投tóu我wó以yǐ桃táo，报bào之zhī以yí李lǐ。彼bǐ童tóng而ér角jiǎo，实shí虹hóng小xiǎo子zi。荏rén染rǎn柔róu木mù，言yán缗mín之zhī丝sī。温wēn温wēn恭gōng人rén，维wéi德dé之zhī基jī。其qí维wéi哲zhé人rén，告gào之zhī话huà言yán，顺shùn德dé之zhī行xíng。其qí维wéi愚yú人rén，覆fù谓wèi我wǒ僭jiàn，民mín各gè有yǒu心xīn。于yú乎hū小xiǎo子zi，未wèi知zhī臧zāng否pǐ。匪féi手shǒu携xié之zhī，言yán示shì之zhī事shì。匪fěi麺miàn命mìng之zhī，言yán提tí其qí耳ěr。借jiè曰yuē未wèi知zhī，亦yì既jì抱bào子zi。民mín之zhī靡mí盈yíng，谁shuí夙sù知zhī而ér莫mò成chéng。昊hào天tiān孔kǒng昭zhāo，我wǒ生shēng靡mí乐lè。视shì尔ěr梦mèng梦mèng，我wǒ心xīn惨cán惨cǎn。诲huì尔ěr谆zhūn谆zhūn，听tīng我wó藐miáo藐miǎo，匪fěi用yòng为wèi教jiào，覆fù用yòng为wèi虐nüè。借jiè曰yuē未wèi知zhī，亦yì聿yù既jì耄mào。于yú乎hū小xiǎo子zi，告gào尔ěr旧jiù止zhǐ。听tīng用yòng我wǒ谋móu，庶shù无wú大dà悔huǐ。天tiān方fāng艰jiān难nán，曰yuē丧sàng厥jué国guó。取qǔ譬pì不bù远yuǎn，昊hào天tiān不bú忒tè。回huí遹yù其qí德dé，俾bǐ民mín大dà棘jí。

Outward demeanour, cautious and grave, Is an indication of the (inward) virtue. People have the saying, 'There is no wise man who is not (also) stupid.' The stupidity of the ordinary man Is determined by his (natural) defects. The stupidity of the wise man Is from his doing violence (to his proper character). What is most powerful is the being the man;— In all quarters (of the state) men are influenced by it. To an upright virtuous conduct All in the four quarters of the state render obedient homage. With great counsels and determinate orders, With far-reaching plans and timely announcements, And with reverent care of his outward demeanour, One will become the pattern of the people. As for the circumstances of the present time, You are bent on error and confusion in your government. Your virtue is subverted; You are besotted by drink. Although you thus pursue nothing but pleasure, How is it you do not think of your relation to the past, And do not widely study the former kings, That you might hold fast their wise laws? Shall not those whom great Heaven does not approve of, Surely as the waters flow from a spring, Sink down together in ruin? Rise early and go to bed late, Sprinkle and sweep your courtyard;— So as to be a pattern to the people. Have in good order your chariots and horses, Your bows and arrows, and (other) weapons of war;— To be prepared for warlike action, To keep at a distance (the hordes of) the south. Perfect what concerns your officers and people; Be careful of your duties as a prince (of the kingdom). To be prepared for unforeseen dangers, Be cautious of what you say; Be reverentially careful of your outward behaviour; In all things be mild and correct. A flaw in a mace of white jade May be ground away; But for a flaw in speech Nothing can be done. Do not speak lightly; your words are your own. Do not say, 'This is of little importance; No one can hold my tongue for me.' Words are not to be cast away. Every word finds its answer; Every good deed has its recompense. If you are gracious among your friends, And to the people, as if they were your children, Your descendants will continue in unbroken line, And all the people will surely be obedient to you. Looked at in friendly intercourse with superior men, You make your countenance harmonious and mild; Anxious not to do anything wrong. Looked at in your chamber, You ought to be equally free from shame before the light which shines in. Do not say, 'This place is not public; No one can see me here.' The approaches of spiritual beings Cannot be calculated beforehand; But the more should they not be slighted. O prince, let your practice of virtue Be entirely good and admirable. Watch well over your behaviour, And allow nothing wrong in your demeanour. Committing no excess, doing nothing injurious, There are few who will not in such a case take you for their pattern. When one throws to me a peach, I return to him a plum. To look for horns on a young ram Will only weary you, my son. The tough and elastic wood Can be fitted with the silken string. The mild and respectful man Possesses the foundation of virtue. There is a wise man;— I tell him good words, And he yields to them the practice of docile virtue. There is a stupid man;— He says on the contrary that my words are not true:— So different are people's minds. Oh! my son, When you did not know what was good, and what was not good, Not only did I lead you by the hand, But I showed the difference between them by appealing to instances. Not (only) did I charge you face to face, But I held you by the ear. And still perhaps you do not know, Although you have held a son in your arms. If people be not self-sufficient, Who comes to a late maturity after early instruction? Great Heaven is very intelligent, And I pass my life without pleasure. When I see you so dark and stupid, My heart is full of pain. I taught you with assiduous repetition, And you listened to me with contempt. You would not consider me as your teacher, But regarded me as troublesome. Still perhaps you do not know;— But you are very old. Oh! my son, I have told you the old ways. Hear and follow my counsels:— Then shall you have no cause for great regret. Heaven is now inflicting calamities, And is destroying the state. My illustrations are not taken from things remote:— Great Heaven makes no mistakes. If you go on to deteriorate in your virtue, You will bring the people to great distress.

Legge · 1879 · public domain

25-3

菀wán彼bǐ桑sāng柔róu，其qí下xià侯hóu旬xún。捋lǘ采cǎi其qí刘liú，瘼mò此cǐ下xià民mín。不bù殄tiǎn心xīn忧yōu，仓cāng兄xiōng填tián兮xī。倬zhuō彼bǐ昊hào天tiān，宁níng不bù我wǒ矜jīn。四sì牡mǔ骙kuí骙kuí，旟yú旐zhào有yǒu翩piān。乱luàn生shēng不bù夷yí，靡mí国guó不bù泯mǐn。民mín靡mí有yǒu黎lí，具jù祸huò以yǐ烬jìn。于yú乎hū有yǒu哀āi，国guó步bù斯sī频pín。国guó步bú蔑miè资zī，天tiān不bù我wǒ将jiāng。靡mí所suó止zhǐ疑yí，云yún徂cú何hé往wǎng？君jūn子zǐ实shí维wéi，秉bǐng心xīn无wú竞jìng。谁shuí生shēng厉lì阶jiē？至zhì今jīn为wèi梗gěng。忧yōu心xīn慇yīn慇yīn，念niàn我wó土tú宇yǔ。我wǒ生shēng不bù辰chén，逢féng天tiān𫢸dàn怒nù。自zì西xī徂cú东dōng，靡mí所suǒ定dìng处chù。多duō我wǒ觏gòu痻mín，孔kǒng棘jí我wó圉yǔ。为wèi谋móu为wèi毖bì，乱luàn况kuàng斯sī削xuē，告gào尔ěr忧yōu恤xù，诲huì尔ěr序xù爵jué。谁shuí能néng执zhí热rè，逝shì不bù以yǐ濯zhuó，其qí何hé能néng淑shū，载zài胥xū及jí溺nì。如rú彼bǐ溯sù风fēng，亦yì孔kǒng之zhī僾ài。民mín有yǒu肃sù心xīn，荓píng云yún不bù逮dǎi。好hǎo是shì稼jià穑sè，力lì民mín代dài食shí，稼jià穑sè维wéi宝bǎo，代dài食shí维wéi好hǎo。天tiān降jiàng丧sàng乱luàn，灭miè我wǒ立lì王wáng。降jiàng此cǐ蟊máo贼zéi，稼jià穑sè卒zú痒yǎng。哀āi恫dòng中zhōng国guó，具jù赘zhuì卒zú荒huāng。靡mí有yóu旅lǚ力lì，以yǐ念niàn穹qióng苍cāng。维wéi此cǐ惠huì君jūn，民mín人rén所suǒ瞻zhān。秉bǐng心xīn宣xuān犹yóu，考kǎo慎shèn其qí相xiāng。维wéi彼bǐ不bú顺shùn，自zì独dú俾bǐ臧zāng，自zì有yǒu肺fèi肠cháng，俾bǐ民mín卒zú狂kuáng。瞻zhān彼bǐ中zhōng林lín，甡shēn甡shēn其qí鹿lù。朋péng友yóu已yǐ谮zèn，不bù胥xū以yí谷gǔ。人rén亦yì有yǒu言yán：进jìn退tuì维wéi谷gǔ。维wéi此cǐ圣shèng人rén，瞻zhān言yán百bái里lǐ。维wéi彼bǐ愚yú人rén，覆fù狂kuáng以yí喜xǐ。匪fěi言yán不bù能néng，胡hú斯sī畏wèi忌jì。维wéi此cǐ良liáng人rén，弗fú求qiú弗fú迪dí，维wéi彼bí忍rěn心xīn，是shì顾gù是shì复fù。民mín之zhī贪tān乱luàn，宁níng为wèi荼tú毒dú。大dà风fēng有yǒu隧suì，有yǒu空kòng大dà谷gǔ，维wéi此cǐ良liáng人rén，作zuò为wèi式shì谷gǔ。维wéi彼bǐ不bú顺shùn，征zhēng以yǐ中zhōng垢gòu。大dà风fēng有yǒu隧suì，贪tān人rén败bài类lèi，听tīng言yán则zé对duì，诵sòng言yán如rú醉zuì。匪fěi用yòng其qí良liáng，覆fù俾bí我wǒ悖bèi。嗟jiē尔ěr朋péng友yǒu！予yú岂qǐ不bù知zhī而ér作zuò？。如rú彼bǐ飞fēi虫chóng，时shí亦yì弋yì获huò。既jì之zhī阴yīn女nǚ，反fán予yǔ来lái赫hè。民mín之zhī罔wǎng极jí，职zhí凉liáng善shàn背bèi。为wèi民mín不bú利lì，如rú云yún不bú克kè。民mín之zhī回huí遹yù，职zhí竞jìng用yòng力lì。民mín之zhī未wèi戾lì，职zhí盗dào为wèi寇kòu。凉liáng曰yuē不bù可kě！覆fù背bèi善shàn詈lì，虽suī曰yuē匪féi予yǔ，既jì作zuò尔ěr歌gē！

Luxuriant is that young mulberry tree, And beneath it wide is the shade; But they will pluck its leaves till it is quite destroyed. The distress inflicted on these (multitudes of the) people, Is an unceasing sorrow to my heart; My commiseration fills (my breast). O thou bright and great Heaven, Shouldest thou not have compassion on us? The four steeds (gallop about), eager and strong; The tortoise-and-serpent and the falcon banners fly about. Disorder grows, and no peace can be secured. Every state is being ruined; There are no black heads among the people. Everything is reduced to ashes by calamity. Oh! alas! The doom of the kingdom hurries on. There is nothing to arrest the doom of the kingdom; Heaven does not nourish us. There is no place in which to stop securely; There is no place to which to go. Superior men are the bonds (of the social state), Allowing no love of strife in their hearts. Who reared the steps of the dissatisfaction, Which has reached the present distress? The grief of my heart is extreme, And I dwell on (the condition of) our land. I was born at an unhappy time, To meet with the severe anger of Heaven. From the west to the east, There is no quiet place of abiding. Many are the distresses I meet with; Very urgent is the trouble on our borders. Heaven is sending down death and disorder, And has put an end to our king. It is (now) sending down those devourers of the grain, So that the husbandry is all in evil case. Alas for our middle states! All is in peril and going to ruin. I have no strength (to do anything), And think of (the Power in) the azure vault.

Legge · 1879 · public domain

25-4

倬zhuō彼bǐ云yún汉hàn，昭zhāo回huí于yú天tiān。王wáng曰yuē于yú乎hū，何hé辜gū今jīn之zhī人rén？天tiān降jiàng丧sàng乱luàn，饥jī馑jǐn荐jiàn臻zhēn。靡mí神shén不bù举jǔ，靡mí爱ài斯sī牲shēng。圭guī璧bì既jì卒zú，宁níng莫mò我wǒ听tīng。旱hàn既jì大dà甚shèn，蕴yùn隆lóng虫chóng虫chóng。不bù殄tiǎn禋yīn祀sì，自zì郊jiāo徂cú宫gōng。上shàng下xià奠diàn瘗yì，靡mí神shén不bù宗zōng。后hòu稷jì不bú克kè，上shàng帝dì不bù临lín。耗hào斁yì下xià土tǔ，宁níng丁dīng我wǒ躬gōng。旱hàn既jì大dà甚shèn，则zé不bù可kě推tuī。兢jīng兢jīng业yè业yè，如rú霆tíng如rú雷léi。周zhōu余yú黎lí民mín，靡mí有yǒu孑jié遗yí。昊hào天tiān上shàng帝dì，则zé不bù我wǒ遗yí。胡hú不bù相xiāng畏wèi？先xiān祖zǔ于yú摧cuī。旱hàn既jì大dà甚shèn，则zé不bù可ké沮jǔ。赫hè赫hè炎yán炎yán，云yún我wǒ无wú所suǒ。大dà命mìng近jìn止zhǐ，靡mí瞻zhān靡mí顾gù。群qún公gōng先xiān正zhèng，则zé不bù我wǒ助zhù。父fù母mǔ先xiān祖zǔ，胡hú宁níng忍rén予yǔ？旱hàn既jì大dà甚shèn，涤dí涤dí山shān川chuān。旱hàn魃bá为wèi虐nüè，如rú惔tán如rú焚fén。我wǒ心xīn惮dàn暑shǔ，忧yōu心xīn如rú薰xūn。群qún公gōng先xiān正zhèng，则zé不bù我wǒ闻wén。昊hào天tiān上shàng帝dì，宁níng俾bí我wǒ遯dùn？旱hàn既jì大dà甚shèn，黾mián勉miǎn畏wèi去qù。胡hú宁níng瘨diān我wó以yǐ旱hàn？憯cǎn不bù知zhī其qí故gù。祈qí年nián孔kǒng夙sù，方fāng社shè不bú莫mò。昊hào天tiān上shàng帝dì，则zé不bù我wǒ虞yú。敬jìng恭gōng明míng神shén，宜yí无wú悔huǐ怒nù。旱hàn既jì大dà甚shèn，散sàn无wú友yǒu纪jì。鞫jū哉zāi庶shù正zhèng，疚jiù哉zāi冢zhóng宰zǎi。趣qù马mǎ师shī氏shì，膳shàn夫fū左zuǒ右yòu。靡mí人rén不bù周zhōu，无wú不bù能néng止zhǐ。瞻zhān卬áng昊hào天tiān，云yún如rú何hé里lǐ？瞻zhān卬áng昊hào天tiān，有yǒu嘒huì其qí星xīng。大dà夫fū君jūn子zǐ，昭zhāo假jiǎ无wú赢yíng。大dà命mìng近jìn止zhǐ，无wú弃qì尔ěr成chéng。何hé求qiú为wèi我wǒ？以yǐ戾lì庶shù正zhèng。瞻zhān卬áng昊hào天tiān，曷hé惠huì其qí宁níng？

Bright was the milky way, Shining and revolving in the sky. The king said, 'Oh! What crime is chargeable on us now, That Heaven (thus) sends down death and disorder? Famine comes again and again. There is no spirit I have not sacrificed to; There is no victim I have grudged; Our jade symbols, oblong and round, are exhausted;— How is it that I am not heard? 'The drought is excessive; Its fervours become more and more tormenting. I have not ceased offering pure sacrifices; From the border altars I have gone to the ancestral temple. To the (Powers) above and below I have presented my offerings and then buried them;— There is no spirit whom I have not honoured. Hâu-kî is not equal to the occasion; God does not come to us. This wasting and ruin of our country,— Would that it fell (only) on me! 'The drought is excessive, And I may not try to excuse myself. I am full of terror, and feel the peril, Like the clap of thunder or the roll. Of the remnant of Kâu, among the black-haired people, There will not be half a man left; Nor will God from his great heaven exempt (even) me. Shall we not mingle our fears together? (The sacrifices to) my ancestors will be extinguished. 'The drought is excessive, And it cannot be stopped. More fierce and fiery, It is leaving me no place. My end is near;— I have none to look up, none to look round, to. The many dukes and their ministers of the past Give me no help. O ye parents and (nearer) ancestors, How can ye bear to see me thus? 'The drought is excessive;— Parched are the hills, and the streams are dried. The demon of drought exercises his oppression, As if scattering flames and fire My heart is terrified with the heat;— My sorrowing heart is as if on fire. The many dukes and their ministers of the past Do not hear me. O God, from thy great heaven, Grant me the liberty to withdraw (into retirement). 'The drought is excessive;— I struggle and fear to go away. How is it that I am afflicted with this drought? I cannot ascertain the cause of it. In praying for a good year I was abundantly early. I was not late (in sacrificing) to (the spirits of) the four quarters and of the land. God in great heaven Does not consider me. Reverent to the intelligent spirits, I ought not to be thus the object of their anger. 'The drought is excessive;— All is dispersion, and the bonds of government are relaxed. Reduced to extremities are the heads of departments; Full of distress are my chief ministers, The Master of the Horse, the Commander of the Guards, The chief Cook, and my attendants. There is no one who has not (tried to) help (the people); They have not refrained on the ground of being unable. I look up to the great heaven;— Why am I plunged in this sorrow? 'I look up to the great heaven, But its stars sparkle bright. My great officers and excellent men, Ye have reverently drawn near (to Heaven) with all your powers. Death is approaching, But do not cast away what you have done. You are seeking not for me only, But to give rest to all our departments. I look up to the great heaven;— When shall I be favoured with repose?'

Legge · 1879 · public domain

25-5

崧sōng高gāo维wéi岳yuè，骏jùn极jí于yú天tiān。维wéi岳yuè降jiàng神shén，生shēng甫fǔ及jí申shēn。维wéi申shēn及jí甫fǔ，维wéi周zhōu之zhī翰hàn。四sì国guó于yú蕃fān，四sì方fāng于yú宣xuān。亹wéi亹wěi申shēn伯bó，王wáng缵zuǎn之zhī事shì。于yú邑yì于yú谢xiè，南nán国guó是shì式shì。王wáng命mìng召zhào伯bó，定dìng申shēn伯bó之zhī宅zhái。登dēng是shì南nán邦bāng，世shì执zhí其qí功gōng。王wáng命mìng申shēn伯bó，式shì是shì南nán邦bāng。因yīn是shì谢xiè人rén，以yǐ作zuò尔ěr庸yōng。王wáng命mìng召zhào伯bó，彻chè申shēn伯bó土tǔ田tián。王wáng命mìng傅fù御yù，迁qiān其qí私sī人rén。申shēn伯bó之zhī功gōng，召zhào伯bó是shì营yíng。有yǒu俶chù其qí城chéng，寝qǐn庙miào既jì成chéng。既jì成chéng藐miáo藐miǎo，王wáng锡xī申shēn伯bó。四sì牡mǔ𫏋juē𫏋juē，钩gōu膺yīng濯zhuó濯zhuó。王wáng遣qiǎn申shēn伯bó，路lù车chē乘chéng马mǎ。我wǒ图tú尔ěr居jū，莫mò如rú南nán土tǔ。锡xī尔ěr介jiè圭guī，以yǐ作zuò尔ér宝bǎo。往wǎng近jìn王wáng舅jiù，南nán土tǔ是shì保bǎo。申shēn伯bó信xìn迈mài，王wáng饯jiàn于yú郿méi。申shēn伯bó还hái南nán，谢xiè于yú诚chéng归guī。王wáng命mìng召zhào伯bó，彻chè申shēn伯bó土tǔ疆jiāng。以yǐ峙zhì其qí粻zhāng，式shì遄chuán其qí行xíng。申shēn伯bó番fān番fān，既jì入rù于yú谢xiè，徒tú御yù啴chán啴chǎn。周zhōu邦bāng咸xián喜xǐ，戎róng有yǒu良liáng翰hàn。不bù显xiǎn申shēn伯bó，王wáng之zhī元yuán舅jiù，文wén武wǔ是shì宪xiàn。申shēn伯bó之zhī德dé，柔róu惠huì且qiě直zhí。揉róu此cǐ万wàn邦bāng，闻wén于yú四sì国guó。吉jí甫fǔ作zuò诵sòng，其qí诗shī孔kǒng硕shuò。其qí风fēng肆sì好hǎo，以yǐ赠zèng申shēn伯bó。

Grandly lofty are the mountains, With their large masses reaching to the heavens. From those mountains was sent down a spirit, Who produced the birth of (the princes of) Fû and Shăn. Fû and Shăn Are the support of Kâu, Screens to all the states, Diffusing (their influence) over the four quarters of the kingdom. Full of activity is the chief of Shăn, And the king would employ him to continue the services (of his fathers), With his capital in Hsieh, Where he should be a pattern to the states of the south. The king gave charge to the earl of Shâo, To arrange all about the residence of the chief of Shăn, Where he should do what was necessary for the regions of the south, And where his posterity might maintain his merit. Of the services of the chief of Shăn The foundation was laid by the earl of Shâo, Who first built the walls (of his city), And then completed his ancestral temple. When the temple was completed, wide and grand, The king conferred on the chief of Shâo Four noble steeds, With the hooks for the trappings of the breast-bands, glittering bright.

Legge · 1879 · public domain

25-6

天tiān生shēng烝zhēng民mín，有yǒu物wù有yǒu则zé。民mín之zhī秉bǐng彝yí，好hǎo是shì懿yì德dé。天tiān监jiān有yǒu周zhōu，昭zhāo假jiǎ于yú下xià。保bǎo兹zī天tiān子zi，生shēng仲zhòng山shān甫fǔ。仲zhòng山shān甫fǔ之zhī德dé，柔róu嘉jiā维wéi则zé。令lìng仪yí令lìng色sè，小xiǎo心xīn翼yì翼yì。古gǔ训xùn是shì式shì，威wēi仪yí是shì力lì。天tiān子zi是shì若ruò，明míng命mìng使shǐ赋fù。王wáng命mìng仲zhòng山shān甫fǔ，式shì是shì百bǎi辟pì。缵zuǎn戎róng祖zú考kǎo，王wáng躬gōng是shì保bǎo。出chū纳nà王wáng命mìng，王wáng之zhī喉hóu舌shé。赋fù政zhèng于yú外wài，四sì方fāng爰yuán发fā。肃sù肃sù王wáng命mìng，仲zhòng山shān甫fǔ将jiāng之zhī。邦bāng国guó若ruò否fǒu，仲zhòng山shān甫fǔ明míng之zhī。既jì明míng且qiě哲zhé，以yí保bǎo其qí身shēn。夙sù夜yè匪féi解jiě，以yǐ事shì一yī人rén。人rén亦yì有yǒu言yán：柔róu则zé茹rú之zhī，刚gāng则zé吐tǔ之zhī。维wéi仲zhòng山shān甫fǔ，柔róu亦yì不bù茹rú，刚gāng亦yì不bù吐tǔ；不bù侮wǔ矜jīn寡guǎ，不bú畏wèi彊jiàng御yù。人rén亦yì有yǒu言yán：德dé𬨎yóu如rú毛máo，民mín鲜xiān克kè举jǔ之zhī。我wǒ仪yí图tú之zhī，维wéi仲zhòng山shān甫fú举jǔ之zhī。爱ài莫mò助zhù之zhī。衮gǔn职zhí有yǒu阙què，维wéi仲zhòng山shān甫fú补bǔ之zhī。仲zhòng山shān甫fǔ出chū祖zǔ，四sì牡mǔ业yè业yè，征zhēng夫fū捷jié捷jié。每měi怀huái靡mí及jí，四sì牡mǔ彭péng彭péng，八bā鸾luán锵qiāng锵qiāng。王wáng命mìng仲zhòng山shān甫fǔ，城chéng彼bǐ东dōng方fāng。四sì牡mǔ骙kuí骙kuí，八bā鸾luán喈jiē喈jiē。仲zhòng山shān甫fǔ徂cú齐qí，式shì遄chuán其qí归guī。吉jí甫fǔ作zuò诵sòng，穆mù如rú清qīng风fēng。仲zhòng山shān甫fú永yǒng怀huái，以yǐ慰wèi其qí心xīn。

Heaven, in giving birth to the multitudes of the people, To every faculty and relationship annexed its law. The people possess this normal nature, And they (consequently) love its normal virtue. Heaven beheld the ruler of Kâu, Brilliantly affecting it by his conduct below, And to maintain him, its Son, Gave birth to Kung Shan-fû. Kung Shan-fû went forth, having sacrificed to the spirit of the road. His four steeds were strong; His men were alert, He was always anxious lest he should not be equal to his commission; His steeds went on without stopping, To the tinkling of their eight bells. The king had given charge to Kung Shan-fû, To fortify the city there in the east.

Legge · 1879 · public domain

25-7

奕yì奕yì梁liáng山shān，维wéi禹yǔ甸diān之zhī。有yǒu倬zhuō其qí道dào，韩hán侯hóu受shòu命mìng。王wáng亲qīn命mìng之zhī，缵zuǎn戎róng祖zú考kǎo，无wú废fèi朕zhèn命mìng，夙sù夜yè匪féi解jiě，虔qián共gòng尔ěr位wèi。朕zhèn命mìng不bú易yì，干gàn不bù庭tíng方fāng，以yí佐zuǒ戎róng辟pì。四sì牡mǔ奕yì奕yì，孔kǒng修xiū且qiě张zhāng。韩hán侯hóu入rù觐jìn，以yǐ其qí介jiè圭guī，入rù觐jìn于yú王wáng。王wáng锡xī韩hán侯hóu，淑shū旗qí绥suī章zhāng。簟diàn茀fú错cuò衡héng，玄xuán衮gǔn赤chì舄xì。钩gōu膺yīng镂lòu钖yáng，鞹kuò鞃hóng浅qiǎn幭miè，鞗tiáo革gé金jīn厄è。韩hán侯hóu出chū祖zǔ，出chū宿sù于yú屠tú。显xiǎn父fù饯jiàn之zhī，清qīng酒jiú百bǎi壶hú。其qí殽xiáo维wéi何hé？炰páo鼈biē鲜xiān鱼yú。其qí蔌sù维wéi何hé？维wéi笋sǔn及jí蒲pú。其qí赠zèng维wéi何hé？乘chéng马mǎ路lù车chē。笾biān豆dòu有yóu且qiě，侯hóu氏shì燕yàn胥xū。韩hán侯hóu取qǔ妻qī，汾fén王wáng之zhī甥shēng，蹶jué父fù之zhī子zi。韩hán侯hóu迎yíng止zhǐ，于yú蹶jué之zhī里lǐ。百bái两liǎng彭péng彭péng，八bā鸾luán锵qiāng锵qiāng，不bù显xiǎn其qí光guāng。诸zhū娣dì从cóng之zhī，祁qí祁qí如rú云yún。韩hán侯hóu顾gù之zhī，烂làn其qí盈yíng门mén。蹶jué父fù孔kóng武wǔ，靡mí国guó不bú到dào。为wèi韩hán姞jí相xiāng攸yōu，莫mò如rú韩hán乐lè。孔kǒng乐lè韩hán土tǔ，川chuān泽zé𬣙xū𬣙xū。鲂fáng𫚈xù甫fú甫fǔ，麀yōu鹿lù噳yú噳yǔ。有yǒu熊xióng有yǒu罴pí，有yǒu猫māo有yóu虎hǔ。庆qìng既jì令lìng居jū，韩hán姞jí燕yàn誉yù。溥pú彼bǐ韩hán城chéng，燕yàn师shī所suǒ完wán。以yǐ先xiān祖zǔ受shòu命mìng，因yīn时shí百bǎi蛮mán。王wáng锡xī韩hán侯hóu，其qí追zhuī其qí貊mò。奄yǎn受shòu北běi国guó，因yīn以yǐ其qí伯bó。实shí墉yōng实shí壑hè，实shí亩mǔ实shí籍jí。献xiàn其qí貔pí皮pí，赤chì豹bào黄huáng罴pí。

Very grand is the mountain of Liang, Which was made cultivable by Yü. Bright is the way from it, (Along which came) the marquis of Han to receive investiture. The king in person gave the charge:— 'Continue the services of your ancestors; Let not my charge to you come to nought. Be diligent early and late, And reverently discharge your duties:— So shall my appointment of you not change. Be a support against those princes who do not come to court, Thus assisting your sovereign.' When the marquis of Han left the court, he sacrificed to the spirit of the road. He went forth, and lodged for the night in Tû.

Legge · 1879 · public domain

25-8

江jiāng汉hàn浮fú浮fú，武wǔ夫fū滔tāo滔tāo。匪fěi安ān匪fěi游yóu，淮huái夷yí来lái求qiú。既jì出chū我wǒ车chē，既jì设shè我wǒ旟yú，匪fěi安ān匪fěi舒shū，淮huái夷yí来lái铺pù。江jiāng汉hàn汤tāng汤tāng，武wǔ夫fū洸guāng洸guāng。经jīng营yíng四sì方fāng，告gào成chéng于yú王wáng。四sì方fāng既jì平píng，王wáng国guó庶shù定dìng。时shí靡mí有yǒu争zhēng，王wáng心xīn载zài宁níng。江jiāng汉hàn之zhī浒hǔ，王wáng命mìng召zhào虎hǔ。式shì辟pì四sì方fāng，彻chè我wǒ疆jiāng土tǔ。匪fěi疚jiù匪fěi棘jí，王wáng国guó来lái极jí。于yú疆jiāng于yú理lǐ，至zhì于yú南nán海hǎi。王wáng命mìng召zhào虎hǔ，来lái旬xún来lái宣xuān。文wén武wǔ受shòu命mìng，召zhào公gōng维wéi翰hàn。无wú曰yuē予yú小xiǎo子zi，召zhào公gōng是shì似shì。肇zhào敏mǐn戎róng公gōng，用yòng锡xī尔ér祉zhǐ。厘lí尔ěr圭guī瓒zàn，秬jù鬯chàng一yī卣yǒu，告gào于yú文wén人rén。锡xī山shān土tǔ田tián，于yú周zhōu受shòu命mìng，自zì召zhào祖zǔ命mìng。虎hǔ拜bài稽qí首shǒu，天tiān子zi万wàn年nián。虎hǔ拜bài稽qí首shǒu，对duì扬yáng王wáng休xiū。作zuò召zhào公gōng考kǎo，天tiān子zi万wàn寿shòu。明míng明míng天tiān子zi，令lìng闻wén不bù已yǐ。矢shǐ其qí文wén德dé，洽qià此cǐ四sì国guó。

The king gave charge to Hû of Shâo:— 'You have everywhere made known (and carried out my orders). When (the kings) Wăn and Wû received their appointment, The duke of Shâo was their strong support. You not (only) have a regard to me the little child But you try to resemble that duke of Shâo. You have commenced and earnestly displayed your merit; And I will make you happy. 'I give you a large libation-cup of jade, And a jar of herb-flavoured spirits from the black millet. I have made announcement to the Accomplished one, And confer on you hills, lands, and fields. In (Khî-)kâu shall you receive investiture, According as your ancestor received his.' Hû bowed with his head to the ground (and said), 'May the Son of Heaven live for ever!'

Legge · 1879 · public domain

25-9

赫hè赫hè明míng明míng，王wáng命mìng卿qīng士shì。南nán仲zhòng大dà祖zǔ，大dà师shī皇huáng父fù，整zhéng我wǒ六liù师shī，以yǐ修xiū我wǒ戎róng。既jì敬jìng既jì戒jiè，惠huì此cǐ南nán国guó。王wáng谓wèi尹yǐn氏shì，命mìng程chéng伯bó休xiū父fù，左zuǒ右yòu陈chén行xíng，戒jiè我wǒ师shī旅lǚ。率lǜ彼bǐ淮huái浦pǔ，省shéng此cǐ徐xú土tǔ。不bù留liú不bú处chù，三sān事shì就jiù绪xù。赫hè赫hè业yè业yè，有yǒu严yán天tiān子zi。王wáng舒shū保bǎo作zuò，匪fěi绍shào匪fěi游yóu。徐xú方fāng绎yì骚sāo，震zhèn惊jīng徐xú方fāng。如rú雷léi如rú霆tíng，徐xú方fāng震zhèn惊jīng。王wáng奋fèn厥jué武wǔ，如rú震zhèn如rú怒nù。进jìn厥jué虎hǔ臣chén，阚kàn如rú虓xiāo虎hǔ。铺pù敦dūn淮huái𣸣fén，仍réng执zhí丑chóu虏lǔ。截jié彼bǐ淮huái浦pǔ，王wáng师shī之zhī所suǒ。王wáng旅lǘ啴chán啴chǎn，如rú飞fēi如rú翰hàn，如rú江jiāng如rú汉hàn。如rú山shān之zhī苞bāo，如rú川chuān之zhī流liú。緜mián緜mián翼yì翼yì，不bú测cè不bú克kè，濯zhuó征zhēng徐xú国guó。王wáng犹yóu允yǔn塞sāi，徐xú方fāng既jì来lái。徐xú方fāng既jì同tóng，天tiān子zi之zhī功gōng。四sì方fāng既jì平píng，徐xú方fāng来lái庭tíng。徐xú方fāng不bù回huí，王wáng曰yuē还hái归guī。

August and bright, The king commands the minister. Nan-zhong, the great ancestor, The Great Master, Huang-fu — Marshal my six armies, To repair my weapons. The king commands the army, To gather on the borders. The ministers, the officers, Have warned the king of the calamity. The king commands Nan-zhong, To build the wall at Fang. The king commands Huang-fu, To inspect the six armies. The war-cars go rumbling out, The bells ringing clear. The king commands Yin-ji-fu, To offer the northern captives. The beasts of the field, the deer and the wild-boar, Will not suffer each other. We have smitten the Xian-yun — As far as the great plain. At first, when we set out, The grain was in flower. Now, when we return, The snow lies thick on the ground. The king has trusted us, And we have not failed him.

GLM · 2025 · machine-generated

25-10

瞻zhān卬áng昊hào天tiān，则zé不bù我wǒ惠huì。孔kǒng填tián不bù宁níng，降jiàng此cǐ大dà厉lì。邦bāng靡mí有yǒu定dìng，士shì民mín其qí瘵zhài。蟊máo贼zéi蟊máo疾jí，靡mí有yǒu夷yí届jiè。罪zuì罟gǔ不bù收shōu，靡mí有yǒu夷yí瘳chōu。人rén有yóu土tǔ田tián，女nǘ反fán有yǒu之zhī；人rén有yǒu民mín人rén，女nǚ覆fù夺duó之zhī。此cǐ宜yí无wú罪zuì，女nǘ反fǎn收shōu之zhī；彼bǐ宜yí有yǒu罪zuì，女nǚ覆fù说shuō之zhī。哲zhé夫fū成chéng城chéng，哲zhé妇fù倾qīng城chéng。懿yì厥jué哲zhé妇fù，为wèi枭xiāo为wèi鸱chī。妇fù有yóu长zhǎng舌shé，维wéi厉lì之zhī阶jiē。乱luàn匪fěi降jiàng自zì天tiān，生shēng自zì妇fù人rén。匪fěi教jiào匪fěi诲huì，时shí维wéi妇fù寺sì。鞫jū人rén忮zhì忒tè，谮zèn始shǐ竟jìng背bèi。岂qǐ曰yuē不bù极jí？伊yī胡hú为wèi慝tè！如rú贾jiǎ三sān倍bèi，君jūn子zǐ是shì识shí。妇fù无wú公gōng事shì，休xiū其qí蚕cán织zhī。天tiān何hé以yǐ刺cì？何hé神shén不bú富fù？舍shé尔ěr介jiè狄dí，维wéi予yǔ胥xū忌jì。不bú吊diào不bù祥xiáng，威wēi仪yí不bú类lèi。人rén之zhī云yún亡wáng，邦bāng国guó殄tiǎn瘁cuì。天tiān之zhī降jiàng罔wǎng，维wéi其qí优yōu矣yǐ。人rén之zhī云yún亡wáng，心xīn之zhī忧yōu矣yǐ。天tiān之zhī降jiàng罔wǎng，维wéi其qí几jí矣yǐ。人rén之zhī云yún亡wáng，心xīn之zhī悲bēi矣yǐ。觱bì沸fèi槛kǎn泉quán，维wéi其qí深shēn矣yǐ。心xīn之zhī忧yōu矣yǐ，宁níng自zì今jīn矣yǐ。不bú自zì我wǒ先xiān，不bú自zì我wǒ后hòu。藐miáo藐miǎo昊hào天tiān，无wú不bú克kè巩gǒng。无wú忝tiǎn皇huáng祖zǔ，式shì救jiù尔ěr后hòu。

I look up to great Heaven, But it shows us no kindness. Very long have we been disquieted, And these great calamities are sent down (upon us). There is nothing settled in the country; Officers and people are in distress. Through the insects from without and from within, There is no peace or limit (to our misery). The net of crime is not taken up, And there is no peace nor cure (for our state). Why is it that Heaven is (thus) reproving (you)? Why is it that Heaven is not blessing (you)? You neglect your great barbarian (foes), And regard me with hatred. You are regardless of the evil omens (that abound), And your demeanour is all unseemly. (Good) men are going away, And the country is sure to go to ruin. Heaven is letting down its net, And many (are the calamities in it). (Good) men are going away, And my heart is sorrowful. Heaven is letting down its net, And soon (all will be caught in it). (Good) men are going away, And my heart is sad. Right from the spring comes the water bubbling, Revealing its depth. The sorrow of my heart,— Is it (only) of to-day? Why were these things not before me? Or why were they not after me? But mysteriously great Heaven Is able to strengthen anything. Do not disgrace your great ancestors:— This will save your posterity.

Legge · 1879 · public domain

25-11

旻mín天tiān疾jí威wēi，天tiān笃dǔ降jiàng丧sàng。瘨diān我wǒ饥jī馑jǐn，民mín卒zú流liú亡wáng。我wǒ居jū圉yǔ卒zú荒huāng。天tiān降jiàng罪zuì罟gǔ，蟊máo贼zéi内nèi讧hòng。昏hūn椓zhuó靡mí共gòng，溃kuì溃kuì回huí遹yù。实shí靖jìng夷yí我wǒ邦bāng。皐gāo皐gāo訿zí訿zǐ，曾céng不bù知zhī其qí玷diàn。兢jīng兢jīng业yè业yè，孔kǒng填tián不bù宁níng。我wǒ位wèi孔kóng贬biǎn。如rú彼bǐ岁suì旱hàn，草cǎo不bú溃kuì茂mào。如rú彼bǐ栖qī苴jū。我wǒ相xiāng此cǐ邦bāng，无wú不bú溃kuì止zhǐ。维wéi昔xī之zhī富fù，不bù如rú时shí？维wéi今jīn之zhī疚jiù，不bù如rú兹zī？彼bǐ疏shū斯sī粺bài，胡hú不bú自zì替tì？职zhí兄xiōng斯sī引yǐn。池chí之zhī竭jié矣yǐ，不bù云yún自zì频pín？泉quán之zhī竭jié矣yǐ，不bù云yún自zì中zhōng？溥pǔ斯sī害hài矣yǐ，职zhí兄xiōng斯sī弘hóng，不bù烖zāi我wǒ躬gōng？昔xī先xiān王wáng受shòu命mìng，有yǒu如rú召zhào公gōng，日rì辟pì国guó百bái里lǐ，今jīn也yě日rì蹙cù国guó百bái里lǐ。于yú乎hū哀āi哉zāi，维wéi今jīn之zhī人rén，不bú尚shàng有yǒu旧jiù。

Compassionate Heaven is arrayed in angry terrors. Heaven is indeed sending down ruin, Afflicting us with famine, So that the people are all wandering fugitives. In the settled regions, and on the borders, all is desolation. Heaven sends down its net of crime;— Devouring insects, who weary and confuse men's minds, Ignorant, oppressive, negligent, Breeders of confusion, utterly perverse:— These are the men employed.

Legge · 1879 · public domain