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Profoundly wise were [the lords of] Shang, |
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And long had there appeared the omens [of their dignity ]. |
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When the waters of the deluge spread vast abroad, |
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Yu arranged and divided the regions of the land, |
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And assigned to the exterior great States their boundaries, |
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With their borders extending all over [the kingdom]. |
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Then the State of Song began to be great, |
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And God raised up the son [of its daughter], and founded [the Family of] Shang. |
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The dark king exercised an effective sway. |
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Charged with a small State, he commanded success; |
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Charged with a large State, he commanded success. |
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He followed his rules of conduct without error; |
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Wherever he inspected [the people], they responded [to his instructions]. |
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[Then came] Xiang-tu, all-ardent, |
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And all [within] the seas, beyond [the middle region], acknowledged his restraints. |
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The favour of God did not leave [Shang], |
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And in Tang was found the subject for its display. |
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Tang was not born too late, |
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And his wisdom and virtue daily advanced. |
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Brilliant was the influence of his character [on Heaven] for long, |
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And God appointed him to be model to the nine regions. |
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He received the rank-tokens [of the States], small and large, |
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Which depended on him, like the pendants of a banner; -- |
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So did he receive the blessing of Heaven. |
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He was neither violent nor remiss, |
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Neither hard nor soft. |
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Gently he spread his instructions abroad, |
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And all dignities and riches were concentrated iin him. |
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He received the tribute [of the States], large and small, |
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And he supported them as a strong steed [does its burden]; -- |
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So did he receive the favour of Heaven. |
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He displayed everywhere his valour, |
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Unshaken, unmoved, |
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Unterrified, unscared: -- |
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All dignities were united in him. |
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The martial king displayed his banner, |
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And with reverence grasped his axe. |
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It was like [the case of] a blazing fire, |
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Which no one can repress. |
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The root, with its three shoots, |
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Could make no progress, no growth. |
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The nine regions were effectually secured by him. |
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Having smitten [the princes of] Wei and Gu, |
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He dealt with [the prince of] Kun-wu, and with Jie of Xia. |
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Formerly in the middle of the period [before Tang], |
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There was a time of shaking and peril, |
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But truly did Heaven [then] deal with him as its son, |
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And sent him down a minister, |
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Namely A-heng, |
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Who gave his assistance to the king of Shang. |