II. Lieh Tsu
II
The Lieh Tsu; narrative. Appropriate, probably, like the last piece, to a sacrifice to Tang,—dwelling on the spirits, the soups, and the gravity of the service, and on the assisting princes.
Ah! from our sire, whose merit vast we own,
What blessings ever upon us come down,
Abiding, oft-repeated, deeds of grace!
And you, O king, receive them in this place. p. 480
Here in our vessels shine the spirits clear,
And Tang himself, much wished for, shall appear.
Here too are set the soups of flavor rare,
Tempered, and mixed, with cunning and with care.
These offerings we set forth, without a word,
Without contention, and with one accord,
To beg the presence of the honored lord.
He will the eyebrows of long life confer,
And face of wrinkled age, and whitening hair.
What blessings ever upon us come down,
Abiding, oft-repeated, deeds of grace!
And you, O king, receive them in this place. p. 480
Here in our vessels shine the spirits clear,
And Tang himself, much wished for, shall appear.
Here too are set the soups of flavor rare,
Tempered, and mixed, with cunning and with care.
These offerings we set forth, without a word,
Without contention, and with one accord,
To beg the presence of the honored lord.
He will the eyebrows of long life confer,
And face of wrinkled age, and whitening hair.
With yokes adorned, and naves with leather bound,
While at the bits the eight bells tinkling sound,
The feudal princes come, to take their part
In all the offerings made with rev'rent heart.
To us the mighty sovereignty was given;
And prosperous fortune long sent down from Heaven
Our fruitful harvests clearly prove. And now
Himself pleased with our service Tang will show,
And on us blessings without end bestow.
May Tang regard the rites his son thus pays,
As round the summer comes, and autumn days!