《麟之趾》

麟之趾

麟之趾，

振振[1]公子。

于嗟麟兮！

麟之定，

振振公姓。

于嗟麟兮！

麟之角，

振振公族。

于嗟麟兮！

麟的脚趾不踏生物，

好比仁厚的公子。

值得赞美的麟啊！

麟的额头不顶生灵，

好比仁厚的公孙。

值得赞美的麟啊！

麟的头角不触万物，

好比仁厚的公族。

值得赞美的麟啊！

注释：

[1] 振振：仁厚的样子。

The Good Unicorn[1]

The unicorn will use its hoofs to tread on none

Just like our Prince's noble son.

Ah! they are one.

The unicorn will knock its head against none

Just like our Prince's grandson.

Ah! they are one.

The unicorn will fight with its corn against none

Just like our Prince's great-grand-son.

Ah! they are one.

[1]The unicorn was 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 in the middle of the forehead. Its hoofs were mentioned because it did not tread on any living thing, not even on live grass; its head because it did not butt with it; and its horn because the end of it was covered with flesh, to show that the creature, while able for war, would have peace. This song celebrated the goodness of the ofspring of King Wen (1184—1134 B. C.), founder of the Zhou dynasty.