Court Torches

"Courtly Torches"

Preface: The poem "Courtly Torches" praises King Xuan of Zhou, while also using it to admonish him.

What hour of the night is it? The night's darkness has not yet ended! The light of the courtly torches shines bright; the feudal lords and ministers have already arrived, their carriage bells jingling.

What hour of the night is it? The night's darkness has not yet faded! The courtly torches blaze brightly; the feudal lords and ministers have already arrived, their carriage bells chiming.

What hour of the night is it? The night nears the break of dawn! The courtly torches flicker; the feudal lords and ministers have already arrived, and their banners can be seen.

"Courtly Torches" has three stanzas, each of five lines.