University of Virginia Library

On the trees go the blows ding-ding ;
And the birds cry out ying-ying .
One issues from the dark valley ,
And removes to the lofty tree ,
While ying goes its cry ,
Seeking with its voice its companion .
Look at the bird ,
Bird as it is , seeking with its voice its companion ;
And shall a man ,
Not seek to have his friends ?
Spiritual beings will then hearken to him ;
He shall have harmony and peace .

Xu-xu they go , as they fell the trees .
I have strained off my spirits , till they are fine ,
And the fatted lambs are provided ,
To which to invite my paternal uncles .
It is better that something should keep them from coming ,
Than that I should not have regarded them .
Oh ! brightly I have sprinkled and swept my courtyard ,
And arranged my viands , with eight dishes of grain , along with my fatted meat ,
To which to invite my maternal uncles .
It is better that something should keep them from coming ,
Than that there should be blame attaching to me .

They fell down the trees along the hill-side .
I have strained off my spirits in abundance ;
The dishes stand in rows ,
And none of my brethren are absent .
The loss of kindly feeling among people ,
May arise from faults in the matter of dry provisions .
If I have spirits I strain them , do I ;
If I have no spirits , I buy them , do I ;
I make the drums beat , do I ;
I lead on the dance , do I .
Whenever we have leisure ,
Let us drink the sparkling spirits .