NATIONAL MELODIES.

For better far

That man should die

Than live a life

Of misery.

"Look at the sheep!

They are so thin,

They are but head
And bone, and skin.

The star which rises

Out the sea

Shines through the net
Where fish should be.

With nothing left

To eat or drink

Into the grave

We starving sink."

231

In

But it would be impossible to give anything like an accurate idea of this remarkable book by a few examples taken, hap-hazard, from its pages. order to be thoroughly understood the "She-King" has to be studied. What I have done may suffice for the general reader, whilst the student will find all the information he may seek for in the works of the authorities which have been already quoted.

Yet I feel I ought not to close this notice without giving some evidence of the deep religious feeling which pervades this ancient classic, by adding a few lines taken from various odes, in Legge's version, which bear upon this point.

Speaking of Wan-wang, it is said

"He watchfully and reverently and with entire intelligence served God. . . . He conformed to the example of his ancestors, and their spirits had no occasion for complaint. . . . His example acted on his wife, extended to his brethren, and was felt by all the clans and states."

Again, with reference to the establishment of the Chaou dynasty :—

"Great is God. Beholding this lower world in majesty... He sought for one on whom to confer the rule.

"God surveyed the hills. . . . God who had raised the state raised up a proper ruler for it.

"God said to Wan-wang, 'Be not of those who reject this, and cling to that; be not like those who are ruled by their likings and desires;' and so it was that he grandly ascended before others to the height of virtue.

"God said to Wan-wang, 'I am pleased with your intelligent virtue'"-and this virtue a little further on is said to have been-" in accordance with the pattern of God."

In an ode, which ends with a description of a great sacrificial rite, it is said

"As soon as the fragrance ascends, God, wellpleased, smells the sweet savour."

When describing the miserable condition to which

SACRIFICIAL ODES.

233

the people had been reduced by a series of calamities, these terms are used:

"God has reversed His usual course of procedure, and the lower people are full of distress. . . . Heaven is now sending down calamities. . . . Heaven is now displaying its anger;" and, further on, after speaking of the enlightening power of Heaven, it is said, "Good men are a fence; the multitude of people are a wall; great states are screens; great families are buttresses; and the cherishing of virtue secures repose;" and, in the last strophe, "Revere the anger of Heaven. . . . Revere the changing moods of Heaven. . . . Great Heaven is intelligent, and is with you in all your goings. Great Heaven is clearseeing, and is with you in your wanderings and indulgences."

And, in a warning addressed to the tyrant Chow, by Wan-wang, the latter says, "It is not Heaven that has flushed your face with spirits. . . it is not God that has caused this evil time.”

Passages, too, are frequently to be found like

these:

"Thou didst confer on us the wheat and the barley, which God appointed for the nourishment of all.

How beautiful the wheat and the barley! The bright and glorious God will in them give us a new year.

"A sovereign with the gifts both of peace and war, giving rest even to great Heaven.

"How is it, O great Heaven, that the king will not hearken to the justest words? He is like a man going astray, who knows not where he will proceed to. All ye officers, let each one attend to his duties. How do ye not stand in awe of one another? not stand in awe of Heaven."

Ye do

These extracts might be greatly multiplied, but those which have been given will, I think, be found sufficient. It will be seen that one of the most striking features of the "She-King," and one which distinguishes it from the ancient poetry of all other nations, with the exception of that of the Hebrews, is its entire freedom from all mythology, taking that word in the sense in which it is generally used.

CHAPTER XV.

The remainder of the "Five Classics: " the "Le-King," or the "Book of Rites and Ceremonies ;" and "Spring and Autumn."

Of all the classical works the "Le-King," or book of ritual and ceremonial observances, is by far the most voluminous, Legge's translation, with copious annotations, occupying the twenty-seventh and twentyeighth volumes of the "Sacred Books of the East" series.

It is a kind of digest of the laws and canons of the ancient sovereigns, with respect to the administration of justice, the distribution and tenure of land, and the collection of revenue; regulations for the proper performance of the sacrificial rites; and a code of observances, often extremely minute, connected with mourning, marriage, various minor ceremonies, the conduct of children to their parents, and a variety of circumstances belonging to everyday life; and it includes a chapter on music.

The "Le-King" held a very high place in the esti