University of Virginia Library

Pleasant is the semi-circular water ,
And we will gather the cress about it .
The marquis of Lu is coming to it ,
And we see his dragon-figured banner .
His banner waves in the wind ,
And the bells of his horses tinkle harmoniously .
Small and great ,
All follow the prince in his progress to it .

Pleasant is the semi-circular water ,
And we will gather the pondweed in it .
The marquis of Lu has come to it ,
With his horses looking so grand .
His horses are grand .
His fame is brilliant .
Blandly he looks and smiles ;
Without any impatience he delivers his instructions .

Pleasant is the semi-circular water ,
And we will gather the mallows about it .
The marquis of Lu has come to it ,
And in the college he is drinking .
He is drinking the good spirits ;
And may there be given him the old age that is seldom enjoyed !
May he accord with the grand ways ,
So subduing to himself all the people !

Very admirable is the marquis of Lu ,
Reverently displaying his virtue ,
And reverently watching over his deportment ,
The pattern of the people .
With great qualities truly civil and martial ,
Brilliantly he affects his meritorious ancestors .
In everything entirely filial ,
He seeks the blessing for himself .

Very intelligent is the marquis of Lu ,
Making his virtue illustrious .
He has made this college with its semicircle of water ,
And the tribes of the Huai will submit in consequence .
His martial-looking , tiger leaders ,
Will here present the left ears [of their foes] .
His examiners , wise as Gao-tao ,
Will here present their prisoners .

His numerous officers ,
Men who have enlarged their virtuous minds ,
With martial energy conducting their expedition ,
Will drive far away those tribes of the east and south .
Vigorous and grand ,
Without noise or display ,
Without having appealed to the judges ,
They will here present [the proofs of] their merit .

How they draw their bows adorned with bone !
How their arrows whizz forth !
Their war chariots are very large !
Their footmen and charioteers never weary !
They have subdued the tribes of the Huai ,
And brought them to an unrebellious submission !
Only lay your plans securely ,
And all the tribes of the Huai will be got !

They come flying on the wing , those owls ,
And settle on the trees about the college ;
They eat the fruit of our mulberry trees ,
And salute us with fine notes .
So awakened shall be those tribes of the Huai ;
They will come presenting their precious things ,
Their large tortoises and their elephants' teeth ,
And great contributions of the southern metals .