Sacred Books of the East/Volume 3/The Shih/Odes of the Temple and the Altar/The Sacrificial Odes of Kâu/Decade 3/Ode 9

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Sacred Books of the East, Vol. III, The Shih King
translated by James Legge

Odes of the Temple and the Altar, The Sacrificial Odes of Kâu, Decade iii, Ode 9: The Hwan

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Huán (桓), doubled, corresponds to "The martial" on the fourth line.

3742610Sacred Books of the East, Vol. III, The Shih King — Odes of the Temple and the Altar, The Sacrificial Odes of Kâu, Decade iii, Ode 9: The HwanJames Legge

Ode 9. The Hwan.

Celebrating the merit and success of king Wû.

According to a statement in the Zo-Kwan, this piece also was sung in connexion with the dance of Wû. The Preface says it was used in declarations of war, and in sacrificing to God and the Father of War. Perhaps it came to be used on such occasions; but we must refer it in the first place to the reign of king Khăng.

There is peace throughout our myriad regions.
There has been a succession of plentiful years:—
Heaven does not weary in its favour.
The martial king Wû
Maintained (the confidence of) his officers,
And employed them all over the kingdom,
So securing the establishment of his family.
Oh! glorious was he in the sight of Heaven,
Which kinged him in the room (of Shang).