TRANSLATION OF THE INSCRIPTION. 57 heavens. He came into the world to effect an infinite salvation. He ascended like the sun, and darkness was dispersed ; he has made visible the mysterious depths of truth. " 16. The illustrious and learned emperor, who has surpassed in wisdom the ancient monarchs, has known how to profit by the fa- vourable time, and pacify that which was disturbed. He has expanded the heavens, and dilated the earth. The luminous religion entered the empire under the dynasty of Thang. The sacred books were translated, temples were built, and the living and the dead were passed in the book. A hundred felicities arose at the same time, and ten thousand kingdoms were pacified. " 17. Kao-Tsoung * continued his race ; the roofs of the pure edi- fices arose again ; the temples of Concord cast a glory which illumi- nated the country of the centre. The true law was clearly made known. The chiefs of the doctrine were instituted ; mortals again found peace and happiness, and there were no more miseries and ca- lamities. " 18. Hiuen-Houng inaugurated the ways of sanctity and rectitude. He made the imperial tables shine in the front of the temple ; the celestial inscription beamed with marvellous glory ; the august tablet was perfectly dazzling, the people paid homage to it. The empire was at peace, and men lived in felicity. " 19. Lou-Tsoung, having recovered the empire, returned into the imperial city, after having directed from afar his august chariot. The sun displayed its splendour, and a fortunate wind swept away the night; then felicity returned into the palace, the monstrous vapour of revolt was dissipated for ever. He had arrested its ebullition and its dust ; thus our country became great. " 20. Tai-Tsoung, the Pious and the Just, equalled by his virtue both heaven and earth. He forwarded what he had begun, and per- fected what he forwarded ; he knew how to obtain in all things mar- vellous advantages. He burnt perfumes in acts of thanksgiving ; his liberalities were scattered about everywhere. The vallies of the East f came to render him homage ; the rents in the moon were re- paired. |
- The author of the inscription enumerates the emperors who up
to this period had favoured Christianity, f The barbarians of the East. X Perhaps this means that the empire was restored to tranquillity.
