1. Nan Chung's descendant, Huang the Great, Grand master, now draws near Before the king, and to him straight The king's charge, loud and clear, Comes thus:—"My armies six forth call; What war requires make ready all;— South we our course direct. Your duties reverently fulfill, And wary be lest our good will Those southern states reject."

2. Next to the chief of Yin 'twas said:— "Charge Hsiu-fu, earl of Ch'eng, The ranks to range, and warning dread Make through the host to ring. Our march along the Huai's bank lies; Against Hsu must our enterprise Rapid and sure be made. Delay we brook not, nor to hold The land we take, lest the threefold Work in the fields be stayed."

3. The son of Heaven calm, trustful was, Majestic in his strength. His troops advanced, no crowded mass, Nor lines of broken length. From stage to stage, as on they went, The land of Hsu with terror rent, Its people all unmanned. As when men hear the thunder's roll, Or sudden crash, and quake in soul, So now shook all the land.

4. The king aroused his martial might, As he were moved with rage. His tiger chiefs he sent to fight; And eager to engage Well named were they! Along Huai's banks Soon grandly moved the royal ranks. A captive crowd was held. Securely kept the country round, No rebel hosts a passage found, Succor to Hsu to yield.

5. Numerous the legions, moving fleet, As if on wings they flew; Grand as the Chiang and Han, when meet Their mingled streams the view. Solid as mountain mass they seemed, And brightly as the river gleamed, Whose waters ceaseless rush. Continuous, in order sure, Inscrutable, success secure, They marched revolt to crush.

6. The king's plans truthful and sincere, Hsu's tribes at once sought peace. Its chiefs assembled all; their prayer Was for the royal grace. And quickly by the son of Heaven Was order to the country given; In solemn court he shone. Before him came the chiefs, and swore That they would break their faith no more. "The war," he said, "is done."