1. O pitying Heaven, why see we thee In terrors thus arrayed? Famine has come. The people flee, And homeless roam, dismayed. In settled spots, and far and near, Our regions all lie waste and drear.

2. See o'er the land Heaven's net of crime! And lo! in place appear Men idle, knowing not the time, Locusts looked at with fear, Oppressive, perverse, fond of strife!— Can such as these bring peace and life?

3. Slanderers and insolent, the king Yet sees in them no ill. Us to dread peril's brink they bring; Our minds with care they fill. Not for a moment dare we rest, Degraded oft, and sore opprest.

4. As when the dry parched grass we see Wither for want of rain; As water plants graft on a tree Cannot their life retain; So all things now to ruin haste. Who can their fatal course arrest?

5. 'Twas merit once that riches gained; The case how different now! Troubles through all our time have reigned, And greater still they grow. Like grain unhulled those men in place! Like fine rice these who find no grace! Ye villains, of yourselves retire! Why thus prolong my grief and ire?

6. Now empty stands and dry the pool;— No streams into it flow. The spring is idle, once so full;— Unfed now from below! So for those evils all around Sufficient causes could be found; But they increase my anxious care, Lest I be caught in evil snare.

7. When our first kings the throne received, Such ministers they had As Chao's great chief, whom all believed. In one day he would add A thousand li, from states which came Our king's protecting care to claim. Now in one day that space is lost! Can none the ancient virtue boast?