Sacred Books of the East/Volume 3/The Shih/The Minor Odes of the Kingdom/Decade 1/Ode 5

 

The First Decade, or that of Lû-ming.

Ode 5, Stanza 1. The Fâ mû.

 

The Fâ Mû is a festal ode, which was sung at the entertainment of friends;—intended to celebrate the duty and value of friendship, even to the highest.

On the trees go the blows kăng-kăng;
And the birds cry out ying-ying.
One issues from the dark valley,
And removes to the lofty tree.
Ying goes its cry,
Seeking with its voice its companion.
Look at the bird,
Bird as it is, seeking with its voice its companion;
And shall a man
Not seek to have his friends?
Spiritual beings will then hearken to him^[1];
He shall have harmony and peace.

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1. This line and the following show the power and value of the cultivation of friendship in affecting spiritual beings. That designation is understood in the widest sense.