Juan A (The Winding Slope)
Preface: “Juan A” is a poem by the Duke of Shao Kang admonishing King Cheng of Zhou, discussing the principles of seeking worthy talents and employing good officers.
The winding and stretching mountain ridges, with a whirlwind blowing from the south. The gentle and affable noble man comes to wander and sing, thereby expressing his heartfelt thoughts.
You wander freely and rest leisurely. The gentle and affable noble man grants you, for your entire life, longevity like that of the former lords.
Your territory is vast and bright, truly abundant. The gentle and affable noble man grants you, for your entire life, to be the chief sacrificer to all the spirits.
You have received Heaven’s mandate for a long time, with blessings and emoluments bringing you peace. The gentle and affable noble man grants you, for your entire life, great blessings forever possessed.
With assistance and protection, with filial piety and virtue, thus guiding and thus supporting. The gentle and affable noble man, the four quarters take him as their standard.
Dignified and exalted, like a jade gui and a jade zhang, with fine fame and reputation. The gentle and affable noble man, the four quarters take him as their guiding principle.
The phoenix soars in flight, its wings rustling loudly, now gathering, now resting. The many good officers of Zhou obey the noble man’s commands and cherish the Son of Heaven.
The phoenix soars in flight, its wings rustling loudly, now soaring high into the sky. The many worthy men of Zhou obey the noble man’s orders and cherish the people.
The phoenix cries out, upon the high ridge; the wutong tree grows, on the eastern sunny side of the mountain. The plants and trees are lush, and the phoenix’s cry is harmonious.
The noble man’s chariots, both numerous and grand; the noble man’s horses, both skilled and galloping. The poem presented is not excessive, merely used to complete this song.
“Juan A” has ten stanzas, of which six stanzas have five lines each, and four stanzas have six lines each.