did so; he touched it, and brought melody from it. He rose up and said, "The ancient kings framed the rules of ceremony, and I do not dare not to come up to them."
31. At the mourning rites for Hui-jze, who had been minister of Crime, Зze-yû (went to condole), wearing for him a robe of sackcloth, and a headband made of the product of the male plant. Wǎn-jze (the brother of Hui-jze), wishing to decline the honour, said, "You condescended to be the associate of my younger brother, and now further condescend to wear this mourning; I venture to decline the honour." Зze-yû said, "It is in rule;" on which Wǎn-jze returned and continued his wailing. Зze-yû then hastened and took his place among the officers (of the family); but Wûn-jze also declined this honour, and said, "You condescended to be the associate of my younger brother, and now further condescend to wear for him this mourning, and to come and take part in the mourning rites; I venture to decline the honour." Зze-yû said, "I beg firmly to request you to allow me (to remain here)."
Wǎn-jze then returned, and supporting the rightful son to take his position with his face to the south, said, "You condescended to be the associate of my younger brother, and now you further condescend to wear this mourning for him, and to come and take part in the rites; dare Hû but return to his (proper) place?" Зze-yû on this
hastened to take his position among the guests[1].
- ↑ The object of Зze-yû in all the movements detailed here is supposed to have been to correct some irregularity in the proceedings on the occasion. Kǎng Hsüan thinks that Wǎn-jze was supporting a grandson, instead of Hû, his deceased brother's rightful son, to be the principal mourner, and consequently to succeed Hui-gze as his representative and successor. Hui-jze and Wǎn-jze (called Mei-mâu) were of the state of Wei.
