Auspicious Day

Preface to "Auspicious Day": "Auspicious Day" is a poem praising King Xuan's hunting. He was able to widely bestow kindness and treat his subordinates with humility, so none of his ministers failed to exert their utmost effort in serving their lord.

On the auspicious day of Wuchen, they sacrificed to the Horse Ancestor and prayed. The hunting chariots were prepared, four stallions strong and tall. They ascended that great hillside, chasing the herds of beasts.

On the auspicious day of Gengwu, they had already chosen their horses. In the place where beasts gathered, does formed flocks in rows. They followed along the Qi and Ju Rivers, arriving at the Son of Heaven's hunting grounds.

They gazed over that plain, the land vast and rich in products. The beasts ran swiftly, in groups and in pairs. They led all the attendants left and right, to bring joy to the Son of Heaven.

Already they had drawn their bows, already they had fitted their arrows. They shot that small wild boar, they slew this great rhinoceros. They used them to feast the guests, and filled the cups with fine wine.

"Auspicious Day" has four stanzas, each of six lines.

The "Southern Fish Abound" section has ten pieces, forty-six stanzas, and two hundred and seventy-two lines.