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Heaven, in giving birth to the multitudes of the people, |
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To every faculty and relationship annexed its law. |
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The people possess this normal nature, |
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And they [consequently] love its normal virtue. |
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Heaven beheld the ruler of Zhou, |
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Brilliantly affecting it by his conduct below; |
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And to maintain him, its Son, |
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Gave birth to Zhong Shan-fu. |
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The virtue of Zhong Shan-fu, |
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Is mild and admirable, according as it ought to be. |
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Good is his deportment; good his looks; |
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The lessons of antiquity are his law; |
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He is strenuously attentive to his deportment. |
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In full accord with the Son of Heaven, |
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He is employed to spread abroad his bright decrees. |
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The king gave charge to Zhong Shan-fu: -- |
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'Be a pattern to all the princes; |
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Continue [the services of] your ancestors. |
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You have to protect the royal person; |
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Give out the royal decrees, and report on them. |
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Be the king's throat and tongue; |
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Spread his government abroad, |
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So that in all quarters it shall be responded to. ' |
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Most dignified was the king's charge, |
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And Zhong Shan-fu carries it into execution. |
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In the States, the princes, be they good or bad, |
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Are clearly distinguished by Zhong Shan-fu. |
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Intelligent is he and wise, |
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Protecting his own person; |
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Never idle, day or night, |
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In the service of the One man. |
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The people have a saying: -- |
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'The soft is devoured, |
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And the hard is ejected from the mouth. ' |
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But Zhong Shan-fu, |
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Does not devour the soft, |
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Nor eject the powerful. |
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He does not insult the poor or the widow; |
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He does not fear the strong or the oppressive. |
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The people have a saying: -- |
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'Virtue is light as a hair, |
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But few are able to lift it. ' |
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When I think of the matter, |
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It is only Zhong Shan-fu that can lift it. |
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I love him, but can do nothing to help him. |
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Any defects in the king's duties, |
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Are supplied by Zhong Shan-fu. |
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Zhong Shan-fu went forth, having sacrificed to the Spirit of the road. |
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His four steeds were strong; |
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His men were alert; |
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He was always anxious lest he should not be equal to his commission; |
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His steeds went on without stopping, |
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To the tinkling of their eight bells. |
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The king had given charge to Zhong Shan-fu, |
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To fortify the city there in the east. |
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With his four steeds so strong, |
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And their eight bells, all tinkling, |
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Zhong Shan-fu proceeded to Qi; -- |
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And he will soon return. |
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I, Yin Ji-fu, have made this song: -- |
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May it enter like a quiet wind, |
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Among the constant anxieties of Zhong Shan-fu, |
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To soothe his mind! |