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Ah! ah! our meritorious ancestor! |
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Permanent are the blessings coming from him, |
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Repeatedly conferred without end: -- |
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They have come to you in this place. |
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The clear spirits are in our vessels, |
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And there is granted to us the realization of our thoughts. |
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There are also the well-tempered soups, |
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Prepared beforehand, the ingredients rightly proportioned. |
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By these offerings we invite his presence, without a word, |
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Nor is there now any contention [in any part of the service]. |
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He will bless us with the eyebrows of longevity, |
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With the grey hair and wrinkled face, in unlimited degree. |
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With the naves of their wheels bound with leather, and their ornamented yokes, |
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With the eight bells at their horses' bits all tinkling, |
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[The princess] come and assist at the offerings. |
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We have received the appointment in all its greatness, |
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And from Heaven is our prosperity sent down, |
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Fruitful years of great abundance. |
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[Our ancestor] will come and enjoy [our offerings], |
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And confer [on us] happiness without limit. |
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May he regard our sacrifices in summer and winter, |
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[Thus] offered by the descendant of Tang! |
Published
by The Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities, © Copyright 2003
by Anne Kinney and the University of Virginia