Jia Le (The Happy Feast)

"Jia Le"

Preface: "Jia Le" is a poem in praise of King Cheng of Zhou.

The joyful and benevolent lord, whose virtue is brilliant and manifest, brings peace to the people by wisely employing many worthy talents, receiving blessings and emoluments sent down from Heaven.

Heaven protects and appoints him, bestowing blessings and emoluments in abundance from on high.

He seeks all blessings and a thousand emoluments, and his descendants multiply to a thousand million. Dignified, reverent, and kind, he is fit to be lord and king.

He commits no errors and does not forget his origins, following the ancient statutes of former kings.

His demeanor and conduct are very dignified; his speech and teachings are orderly. There is no resentment or aversion, and he follows the worthy ministers and all the nobles.

He receives blessings and emoluments without end, and the myriad states in all directions take him as their model.

He acts as the guiding principle and law, spreading peace and joy to his ministers and friends. The feudal lords, all officials, and the nobles all love the Son of Heaven of Zhou.

Diligent and untiring in his duties, the common people thereby attain peace.

"Jia Le" has four stanzas, each stanza with six lines.