WHY does a virtuous man take delight in landscapes?
It is for these reasons: that in a rustic retreat he may
nourish his nature; that amid the carefree play of
streams and rocks, he may take delight; that he may
constantly meet in the country fishermen, wood-
cutters, and hermits, and see the soaring of the cranes,
and hear the crying of the monkeys. The din of the
dusty world and the locked-in-ness of human habita-
tions are what human nature habitually abhors;
while, on the contrary, haze, mist, and the haunting
spirits of the mountains are what human nature seeks,
and yet can rarely find. When, however, in the hey-
day of great peace and prosperity, the minds, both of
a man's sovereign and of his parents, are full of high
expectations of his services, should he still stand aloof,
neglecting the responsibilities of honour and righteous-
ness? In the face of such duties the benevolent man
cannot seclude himself and shun the world. He can-
not hope to equal in spirit virtuous hermits such as
Chi Tzu + ̆ and Yin Hsü-yu or to share the good name of
Hsia Huang-kang and Ch'i Li-chi. ³

The ode entitled the "White Colt" and the song of

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