My steeds, worn out, relaxed their strain;
My driver also sank oppressed:--
I'll never see my lord again!



~Celebrating the Goodness of the Descendants of King Wan~

As the feet of the _lin_, which avoid each living thing,
So our prince's noble sons no harm to men will bring.
They are the _lin!_

As the front of the _lin_, never forward thrust in wrath,
So our prince's noble grandsons of love tread the path.
They are the _lin!_

As the horn of the _lin_, flesh-tipped, no wound to give,
So our prince's noble kindred kindly with all live.
They are the _lin!_

[NOTE.--The "lin" is the female of "K'e"--a fabulous animal--the
symbol of all goodness and benevolence; having the body of a
deer, the tail of an ox, the hoofs of a horse, one horn, the scales of a
fish, etc. Its feet do not tread on any living thing--not even on live
grass; it does not butt with its forehead; and the end of its horn is
covered with flesh--to show that, while able for war, it wills to have
peace. The "lin" was supposed to appear inaugurating a golden age,
but the poet finds a better auspice of that in the character of Wan's
family and kindred.]