1. Majestic Heaven from kings below, That they illustrious virtue show, With strictest law requires. They must not on its grace rely, Nor think that they can change defy. The house of Yin long ruled the land, Called to the throne by Heaven's command. But its last monarch, from it driven, Lost by supreme decree of Heaven The kingdom of his sires.

2. What time in Chou ruled our King Chi, Among the princesses of Chi, In the domain of Yin, The second daughter of her name Had through the land a noble fame. Her from her parents Chi had sought, And to his capital he brought, And wedded her, Ta-jen. They both could perfect virtue claim, No duty left undone. A mother soon the wife became; The child was our King Wen.

3. This our King Wen in all his way Did watchful reverence display, With clearest wisdom serving God, Who, pleased to see the course he trod, Him with great favor crowned. His virtue no deflection knew, But always to the right was true. The states beheld, and all approved; With loyal ardor stirred and moved, Wen as their head they owned.

4. Throughout the land Heaven sent its glance; Whom should it to the throne advance? To Wen came the decree. While he was still in early years, By Heaven's arranging there appears She who his bride should be. North of the Hsia, on Wei, she shone, The child of a great house. Then Wen, to years of manhood grown. Tendered to her his vows.

5. Like a fair denizen of Heaven Was she to whom those vows were given. The gifts he sent were deemed complete, And to the Wei, his bride to meet, Our Wen in person went. A bridge of boats across the stream He Made, as did her state beseem. She crossed; to Chou they held their way. Great was the glory of the day, And glorious the event!

6. Heaven thus its grand appointment made, And Wen to all the land displayed, While still he ruled in Feng. Hsin's eldest daughter was the wife, Whom Heaven prepared to bless his life, And take his virtuous mother's place. And Heaven soon gave them further grace; 'Twas from them King Wu sprung. Heaven kept and helped the child, until Its summons to him came. Then Wu marched forth to do its will, Smote Yin, and won his fame.

7. Countless as forest leaves, Yin's hosts, Collected from its utmost coasts, Were marshaled in Mu's famous plain, To meet King Wu;—but all in vain. Chou to the crisis rose. Wu viewed their multitudes with fear, But Shang-fu's words soon gave him cheer:— "With you is God; your doubts dispel. With Him as helper, we shall quell The pride of all our foes."

8. Vast was the plain. Each sandal car, That brightly shone amidst the war, Dashed rapidly along. Each team of steeds, black-maned and bay, Against all obstacles made way. Like mighty eagle on the wing, Shang-fu was ever near the king, Whose heart was thus made strong. At the first charge Yin's troops gave way, And took to shameful flight. That morn a long and brilliant day Displaced the previous night.