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They gather the beans , they gather the beans ,
In their baskets , square and round .
The princes are coming to court ,
And what gifts have I to give them ?
Although I have none to give them ,
There are the state carriages and their teams .
What more have I to give them ?
The dark-coloured [upper] robes with the dragon ,
And the [lower garments with the] hatchet .

Right up bubbles the water from the spring ,
And they gather the cress [about it] .
The princes are coming to court ,
And I see their dragon flags ;—
Their dragon flags moving [in the wind] ,
While the sound of their bells comes hui-hui .
There are the two outside horses , there are the whole teams ,—
Proofs that the princes are come .

Their red covers on their knees ,
And their buskins below ,
There is no remissness in their demeanour ;—
Of such should the son of Heaven approve .
To be rejoiced in are the princes ,
And the son of Heaven gives them the badges of his favour .
To be rejoiced in are the princes ,
And their happiness and dignities are renewed and extended .

On the branches of the oaks ,
How abundant are the leaves !
To be rejoiced in are the princes ,
Guardians of the regions of the son of Heaven .
To be rejoiced in are the princes ,
Around whom all the blessings collect .
Discriminating and able are their attendants ,
Who also have followed them hither .

It floats about , the boat of willow wood ,
Fastened by the band of the rope .
To be rejoiced in are the princes ,
And the son of Heaven scans [their merits] .
To be rejoiced in are the princes ,
And their happiness and dignities are enlarged .
How joyous , how happy ,
Is their coming here !