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In thick patches are those rushes, springing by the way (-side); |
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Let not the cattle and sheep trample them. |
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Anon they will burst up; anon they will be completely formed, |
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With their leaves soft and glossy. |
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Closely related are brethren; -- |
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Let none be absent, let all be near. |
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For some there are spread mats; |
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For some there are given stools [besides]. |
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The mats are spread, and a second one above; |
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The stools are given, and there are plenty of servants. |
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[The guests] are pledged, and they pledge [the host] in return; |
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He rinses the cup, and the guests put theirs down. |
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Sauces and pickles are brought in, |
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With roast meat and broiled. |
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Excellent provisions there are [also] of tripe and cheek; |
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With singing to lutes, and with drums. |
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The ornamented bows are strong, |
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And the four arrows are all balanced. |
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They discharge the arrows, and all hit, |
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And the guests are arranged according to their skill. |
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The ornamented bows are drawn full, |
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And the four arrows are grasped in the hand. |
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They go straight to the mark as if planted in it, |
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And the quests are arranged by the humble propriety of their demeanour. |
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The distant descendant presides over the feast; |
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His sweet spirits are strong. |
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He fills their cups from a measure, |
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And prays for the hoary old [among his quests]; -- |
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That with hoary age and wrinkled back, |
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They may lead on one another [to virtue], and support one another [in it]; |
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That so their old age may be blessed, |
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And their bright happiness [ever] increased. |
Published
by The Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities, © Copyright 2003
by Anne Kinney and the University of Virginia