The First Banquet for Guests
"Guests at the First Feast"
Preface: "Guests at the First Feast" is a poem by Duke Wu of Wei satirizing the times. King You of Zhou neglected state affairs, favored petty men, and drank without restraint, so the whole realm imitated him. Both rulers and subjects, high and low, wallowed in wine and women. After Duke Wu entered the court, he composed this poem.
When guests first arrive at the feast,
They are arranged in orderly rows left and right.
Bamboo and wooden vessels are set in place,
Dried fruits and dishes are fully arrayed.
The fine wine is already fragrant and mellow,
All drink together in harmony and accord.
Bells and drums have been set up,
Cups are raised and toasts made with calm composure.
The target has been erected high,
Bows and arrows have been drawn.
The archers have assembled,
Each displaying their skill in shooting.
One hits the center of the target,
And thus prays for you to drink a penalty cup.
Holding the panpipes, they dance;
Blowing the reed-organ, they strike the drums,
Music is played in harmony.
They present offerings to entertain the ancestors,
To accord with all the rituals.
All the rituals are complete,
The scene is grand and numerous.
They bestow upon you abundant blessings,
Your descendants will all be joyful.
They are joyful and delighted,
Each presents his own talent.
Guests each seek their own opponent,
The host again enters the feast.
Fill those broad cups to the brim,
To offer the seasonal rites.
When guests first arrive at the feast,
Their demeanor is gentle and respectful.
Before they become drunk,
Their conduct is dignified and cautious.
When they become drunk,
Their conduct becomes frivolous.
They leave their seats and wander about,
Dancing again and again in a flurry.
Before they become drunk,
Their conduct is careful and restrained.
When they become drunk,
Their conduct becomes unrestrained.
This is being drunk,
Not knowing the proper rules.
When guests are already drunk,
They shout and cry out.
They mess up my bamboo and wooden vessels,
Dancing again and again in a tottering way.
This is being drunk,
Not knowing their faults;
They wear their caps askew,
Dancing again and again unsteadily.
If drunk, they leave the feast,
Then all may gain benefit;
If drunk and do not leave,
This is called spoiling virtue.
Drinking wine is originally a good thing,
But one must have proper decorum.
All these people who drink,
Some are drunk, some are not.
Supervisors have been appointed,
And recorders assist them.
Those who are drunk are not good,
Those not drunk feel ashamed instead.
Do not urge the drinking on,
Do not cause people to be too remiss.
Do not speak what should not be spoken,
Do not utter words without reason.
Because what a drunkard says,
Forces one to produce a hornless ram.
After three cups, one loses clarity;
How dare one drink even more?
"Guests at the First Feast" has five stanzas, each stanza of fourteen lines.
The "Fu Tian Zhi Shi" section contains ten pieces, thirty-nine stanzas, and two hundred ninety-six lines.