Jiong

Preface: The poem "Jiong" is a eulogy to Duke Xi of Lu. Duke Xi was able to follow the governance methods of Bo Qin, being frugal to ensure ample resources, generous to care for the people, devoted to agriculture and valuing grain production, and pasturing horses in the distant outskirts. The people of Lu all respected him, so Ji Sun Xingfu (Ji Wenzi) requested (a ceremony of praise) from the King of Zhou, and the historian Shi Ke created this hymn.

The stout and tall stallions are pastured in the distant outskirts.

Speaking of those stout and tall horses, there are yu (white-bodied with red flanks) and huang (yellow and white mixed). There are pure black li horses, and yellow-red huang horses; when they draw the chariots, their vigor is pengpeng (strong and forceful).

(His) thoughts are boundless, and thus these horses are so excellent.

The stout and tall stallions are pastured in the distant outskirts.

Speaking of those stout and tall horses, there are zhui (pale with mixed white hairs) and pi (yellow with mixed white hairs). There are red-yellow xing horses, and blue-black striped qi horses; when they draw the chariots, their vigor is pipi (forceful).

(His) thoughts are without limit, and thus these horses are so capable.

The stout and tall stallions are pastured in the distant outskirts.

Speaking of those stout and tall horses, there are tuo (blue-black with scaled markings) and luo (white with black manes). There are red-bodied black-maned liu horses, and black-bodied white-maned luo horses; when they draw the chariots, their ranks are yiyi (continuous and unending).

(His) thoughts are without weariness, and thus these horses are so invigorated and rise up.

The stout and tall stallions are pastured in the distant outskirts.

Speaking of those stout and tall horses, there are yin (light black mixed with white) and xia (red mixed with white). There are zhan (with long hair on the hocks) and yu (with white eyes); when they draw the chariots, their vigor is ququ (strong and healthy).

(His) thoughts are without depravity, and thus these horses are so galloping forward.

"Jiong" has four stanzas, each with eight lines.