Chinese and Arabian Literature - E. Wilson - The Search For Mecca

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THE SHI-KING 171
With anxious care looked on our leader brave
Watchful the carriage-officers appeared and grave.
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Nan Chung, our chief, had heard the royal call
To go where inroad by Heen-yuns was made,
And 'cross the frontier build a barrier wall.
Numerous his chariots, splendidly arrayed
The standards—this where dragons were displayed,
And that where snakes round tortoises were coiled
Terrific flew. " Northward our host," he said,
" Heaven's son sends forth to tame the Heen-yun wild."
Soon by this awful chief would all their tribes be foiled.
When first we took the field, and northward went,
The millet was in flower ;—a prospect sweet.
Now when our weary steps are homeward bent.
The snow falls fast, the mire impedes our feet.
Many the hardships we were called to meet.
Ere the King's orders we had all fulfilled.
No rest we had; often our friends to greet
The longing came ; but vain regrets we stilled
By tablets stern our hearts with fresh resolve were thrilled.
" Incessant chirp the insects in the grass
All round about the nimble hoppers spring.
From them our thoughts quick to our husbands pass.
Although those thoughts our hearts with anguish wring.
Oh !
could we see them, what relief 'twould bring
Our hearts, rejoiced, at once would feel at rest."
Thus did our wives, their case deploring, sing;
The while our leader farther on had pressed,
And smitten with his power the wild Jung of the west.
The spring days now are lengthening out their light;
The plants and trees are dressed in living green
The orioles resting sing, or wing their flight
Our wives amid the southern-wood are seen,
Which white they bring, to feed their silkworms keen.
Our host, returned, sweeps onwards to the hall,
Where chiefs are questioned, shown the captives mean
Nan Chung, majestic, draws the gaze of all.
Proud o'er the barbarous foe his victories to recall.
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