Oh! solemn is the ancestral temple in its pure stillness. Reverent and harmonious were the distinguished assistants[1]; Great was the number of the officers[2]:—(All) assiduous followers of the virtue of (king Wăn). In response to him in heaven, Grandly they hurried about in the temple. Distinguished is he and honoured, And will never be wearied of among men.
Ode 2. The Wei Thien Kih Ming.
Celebrating the virtue of king Wăn as comparable to that of Heaven, and looking to him for blessing in the future.
According to the Preface, there is an announcement here of the realization of complete peace throughout the kingdom, and some of the old critics refer the ode to a sacrifice to king Wăn by the duke of Kâu, when he had completed the statutes for the new dynasty. But there is nothing to authorize a more definite argument of the contents than I have given.
The ordinances of Heaven,—How deep are they and unintermitting! And oh! how illustrious Was the singleness of the virtue of king Wăn[3]!
How does he (now) show his kindness? We will receive it, Striving to be in accord with him, our
- ↑ These would be the princes who were assembled on the occasion, and assisted the king in the service.
- ↑ That is, the officers who took part in the libations, prayers, and other parts of the sacrifice.
- ↑ See what Zze-sze says on these four lines in the Doctrine of the Mean, XXVI, par. 10.
