Ode 8. The Ko
ODE 8. THE KO.
AN ODE IN PRAISE OF KING WÛ, AND RECOGNISING THE DUTY TO FOLLOW HIS COURSE.
This was sung, according to the Preface, at the conclusion of the dance in honour of king Wû;--see on the last piece of the second decade.
Oh! powerful was the king's army, But he nursed it, in obedience to circumstances, while the
time was yet dark. When the time was clearly bright, He thereupon donned his grand armour. We have been favoured to receive What the martial king accomplished. To deal aright with what we have inherited, We have to be sincere imitators of thy course, (O king).