the marquis of 𝖅in, saying, "A man-at-arms at the Yang gate having died, 𝖅ze-han wailed for him bitterly, and the people were pleased; (Sung), we apprehend, cannot be attacked (with success)."
When Confucius heard of the circumstances, he said, "Skilfully did those men do their duty as spies in Sung. It is said in the Book of Poetry,—
"If there was any mourning among the people,
I did my utmost to help them."
Though there had been other enemies besides 𝖅in, what state under the sky could have withstood one (in the condition of Sung)[1]?"
23. At the mourning rites for duke Kwang of Lû, when the interment was over, (the new ruler) did not enter the outer gate with his girdle of dolichos cloth. The ordinary and Great officers, when they had finished their wailing, also did not enter in their sackcloth[2].
24. There was an old acquaintance of Confucius, called Yüan Zang. When his mother died, the Master assisted him in preparing the shell for the coffin. Yuan (then) got up on the wood, and said, "It is long since I sang to anything;" and (with this he struck the wood), singing:—
"It is marked like a wild cat's head;
It is (smooth) as a young lady's hand which you hold."
The Master, however, made as if he did not hear, and passed by him.
