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They gather the beans, they gather the beans, |
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In their baskets, square and round. |
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The princes are coming to court, |
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And what gifts have I to give them? |
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Although I have none to give them, |
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There are the state carriages and their teams. |
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What more have I to give them? |
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The dark-coloured [upper] robes with the dragon, |
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And the [lower garments with the] hatchet. |
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Right up bubbles the water from the spring, |
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And they gather the cress [about it]. |
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The princes are coming to court, |
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And I see their dragon flags; -- |
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Their dragon flags moving [in the wind], |
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While the sound of their bells comes hui-hui. |
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There are the two outside horses, there are the whole teams, -- |
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Proofs that the princes are come. |
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Their red covers on their knees, |
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And their buskins below, |
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There is no remissness in their demeanour; -- |
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Of such should the son of Heaven approve. |
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To be rejoiced in are the princes, |
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And the son of Heaven gives them the badges of his favour. |
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To be rejoiced in are the princes, |
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And their happiness and dignities are renewed and extended. |
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On the branches of the oaks, |
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How abundant are the leaves! |
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To be rejoiced in are the princes, |
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Guardians of the regions of the son of Heaven. |
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To be rejoiced in are the princes, |
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Around whom all the blessings collect. |
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Discriminating and able are their attendants, |
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Who also have followed them hither. |
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It floats about, the boat of willow wood, |
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Fastened by the band of the rope. |
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To be rejoiced in are the princes, |
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And the son of Heaven scans [their merits]. |
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To be rejoiced in are the princes, |
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And their happiness and dignities are enlarged. |
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How joyous, how happy, |
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Is their coming here! |
Published
by The Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities, © Copyright 2003
by Anne Kinney and the University of Virginia