Sacred Books of the East/Volume 3/The Shih/The Major Odes of the Kingdom/Decade 2/Ode 5

 

Ode 5, Stanza 1. The Kiâ Lo.

 

In praise of some king, whose virtue secured to him the favour of Heaven.

Perhaps the response of the feasted personators of the ancestors.

Of our admirable, amiable sovereign
Most illustrious is the excellent virtue.
He orders rightly the people, orders rightly the officers,
And receives his dignity from Heaven,
Which protects and helps him, and (confirms) his appointment,
By repeated acts of renewal from heaven.