He measured out and commenced his spirit-tower;
The people addressed themselves to it.
And in less than a day completed it.
When he measured and began it, he said to them — Be not so earnest:
But the multitudes came as if they had been his children.
The king was in his spirit-park;
The does reposed about.
The does so sleek and fat:
And the white birds shone glistening.
The king was by his spirit-pond;
How full was it of fishes leaping about!
Mencius [Meng Ke or Mengzi] (372 – 289 BC) China
Translated by James Legge
Source: The Sacred Books and Early Literature of the East Vol. XII, Chrales F. Horne, ed., Parke, Austin and Lispcomb, 1917 (from: Mencius, Book 1, Part 1: King Hûi of Liang, Chapter 2)
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