(on Heaven) for long. God he revered, And God appointed him to be the
model for the nine regions.

He received the rank-tokens of the states, small and large, Which
depended on him like the pendants of a banner:--So did he receive the
blessing of Heaven. He was neither violent nor remiss, Neither hard nor
soft. Gently he spread his instructions abroad, And all dignities and
riches were concentrated in him.

He received the tribute of the states, small and large, And he supported
them as a strong steed (does its burden):--So did he receive the favour
of Heaven. He displayed everywhere his valour, Unshaken, unmoved,
Unterrified, unscared:--All dignities were united in him.

The martial king displayed his banner, And with reverence grasped his
axe. It was like (the case of) a blazing fire which no one can repress.
The root, with its three shoots, Could make no progress, no growth[1].
The nine regions were effectually secured by Thang. Having smitten (the
princes of) Wei and Ku, He dealt with (him of) Kuen-wu and with Kieh of Hsia.

Formerly, in the middle of the period (before

[1. By 'the root' we are to understand Thang's chief opponent, Kieh, the
last king of Hsia. Kieh's three great helpers were 'the three
shoots,'--the princes of Wei, Ku, and Kuen-wu; but the exact sites of
their principalities cannot be made out.]

Thang), There was a time of shaking and peril[1]. But truly did Heaven
(then) deal with him as a son, And sent him down a high minister,
Namely, A-hang[2], Who gave his assistance to the king of Shang.