Long Development
"Long Hair" is a piece from the "Hymns of Shang," used in grand di sacrifices.
The deep and wise Shang clan long manifested auspicious omens. In ancient times, the floodwaters were vast and boundless; Yu the Great ordered the lands of the world, demarcated the boundaries of the four quarters' feudal states, and the territory was vast and extended far. When the house of Yousong was flourishing, the Supreme Lord established Qi (the ancestor of Shang), and the Shang clan was born.
Xuan Wang (Qi), intelligent and resolute, could govern with understanding when receiving small states, and also govern with understanding when receiving large states. He followed ritual laws without transgression, and after inspecting the four quarters, he promoted transformation and education. Xiangtu (Shang ancestor) was awe-inspiring and illustrious, and the overseas states all submitted in order.
They dared not defy the command of the Supreme Lord, until Cheng Tang (Tang of Shang) inherited the mandate. Cheng Tang was born at the right time, and his sagely reverence increased daily. Long did he pray to Heaven, reverently awed the Supreme Lord, and the Supreme Lord appointed him as a model for all under Heaven.
Receiving the greater and lesser statutes bestowed by Heaven, he became an exemplar for the feudal states, and bore the blessings of Heaven. He was neither contentious nor hasty, neither rigid nor soft; his governance was lenient and composed, and all kinds of blessings gathered upon him.
Receiving the greater and lesser statutes bestowed by Heaven, he became a shelter (steed) for the feudal states, and bore the glory of Heaven. Vigorously displaying his martial prowess, he was neither startled nor shaken, neither fearful nor alarmed, and all kinds of blessings converged upon him.
King Wu (Tang of Shang) raised his great banner, grasping his axe with dignity and awe, blazing like a fierce fire; none dared to obstruct me. A tree trunk produced three branches (referring to Wei, Gu, and Kunwu, allies of Jie of Xia), but none could grow and thrive; the nine provinces were uniformly ordered. Wei and Gu had been chastised, and Kunwu along with Jie of Xia were also destroyed.
In former times, during the middle period of Shang, there were upheavals and achievements; truly he was the Son of Heaven of the Supreme Lord, and the Supreme Lord sent down worthy ministers. This was Aheng (Yi Yin), who indeed assisted the Shang king.
"Long Hair" has seven stanzas: the first stanza has eight lines, the middle four stanzas have seven lines each, one stanza has nine lines, and one stanza has six lines.