ODE 2. THE WEI THIEN KIH MING.


CELEBRATING THE VIRTUE OF KING WAN 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 Win by the duke of Kau,
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 Wan [3]!

How does he (now) show his kindness? We will receive it, Striving to be
in accord with him, our

[1. These would be the princes who were assembled on the occasion, and
assisted the king in the service.

2 That is, the officers who took part in the libations, prayers, and
other parts of the sacrifice.

3 See what Dze-sze says on these four lines in the Doctrine of the Mean,
XXVI, par. 10.]