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They were gathering the white millet, |
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In those new fields, |
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And in these acres brought only one year under cultivation, |
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When Fang Shu came to take the command. |
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His chariots were three thousand, |
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With a host of well-disciplined warriors. |
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Fang Shu led them on, |
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In his carriage drawn by four piebalds, |
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Four piebalds orderly moving. |
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Red shone his grand carriage, |
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With its chequered bamboo screen, and seal-skin quivers, |
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With the hooks for the trappings of the breast-bands, and the rein-ends. |
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They were gathering the white millet, |
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In those new fields, |
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And all about these villages, |
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When Fang Shu came to take the command. |
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His chariots were three thousand; |
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His banners, with their blazonry of dragons, and of serpents and tortoises, fluttered gaily. |
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Fang Shu led them on, |
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The naves of his wheels bound with leather, and his yoke ornamented. |
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Tinkle-tinkle went the eight bells at the horses' bits. |
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He wore the robes conferred [by the king]; |
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His red knee-covers were resplendent, |
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And the gems of his girdle-pendant sounding. |
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Rapid is the flight of the hawk, |
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Soaring to the heavens, |
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And again descending and settling in its place. |
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Fang Shu came to take the command. |
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His chariots were three thousand, |
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With a host of well disciplined warriors. |
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Fang Shu led them on. |
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With his jinglers and drummers, |
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He marshalled his hosts and addressed them. |
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Intelligent and true is Fang Shu, |
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Deep rolled the sound of his drums; |
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With a lighter sound he led the troops back. |
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Foolish were the savage tribes of King, |
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Presuming to oppose our great region. |
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Fang Shu is of great age, |
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But full of vigour were his plans. |
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He led his army on, |
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Seized [the chiefs] for the question, and made captives of a crowd [besides]. |
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Numerous were his war chariots, |
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Numerous and in grand array, |
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Like the clap or the roll of thunder their onset. |
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Intelligent and true is Fang Shu. |
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He had gone and smitten the Xian-yun, |
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And the tribes of King came, awed by his majesty. |