and we have received his well-ordered charges, (sufficient to direct us) for myriads of years, but let (the people) ever (be able to) observe the virtue cherished by my son.'
7. On the day Wû-khăn, the king, being in the new city[1], performed the annual winter sacrifice, offering (moreover) one red bull to king Wăn and another to king Wû.* He then ordered a declaration to be prepared, which was done by Yî[2] in the form of a prayer, and it simply announced the remaining behind of the duke of Kâu. The king's guests[3], on occasion of the killing of the victims and offering the sacrifice, were all present. The king entered the grand apartment, and poured out the libation.* He gave a charge to the duke of Kâu to remain, and Yî, the preparer of the document, made the announcement;—in the twelfth month. (Thus) the duke of Kâu grandly sustained the decree which Wăn and Wû had received through the space of seven years[4].
- ↑ The duke had asked the king to come frequently to the new city; he is there now accordingly.
- ↑ Yî was the name of the Recorder who officiated on the occasion.
- ↑ All the princes present and assisting at the sacrifices, and especially the representatives of the previous dynasties.
- ↑ These seven years are to be calculated from the seventh year of king Khăng, after the duke had served as administrator of the government seven years from the death of king Wû. Many think, however, that the 'seven years' are only those of the duke's regency.
