The Book of Poetry, tr. by James Legge, [1876], at sacred-texts.com
The Huang Huang Chê Hua; allusive and narrative. An ode appropriate to the dispatch of an envoy; complimentary to him, and suggesting instructions as to the discharge of his duty.
2"Fresh and young are my steeds," so he sang as he sped,
"And the six reins in hand look with ointment o’erspread.
So hurrah! my good horses, dash on at your best,
As now here, and now there, I am pushing my quest.
3"Many-spotted my coursers, whose hues finely blend,
And the six reins in hand, soft as silk, freely bend.
So hurrah! my good horses, strain tendons and thews,
As now here, and now there, I am searching for news.
4"With black manes and white coats are the steeds of my car,
And the gleam of the six glossy reins shines afar.
So hurrah! my good horses, ply muscle and leg,
As now here, and now there, for wise counsel I beg. p. 187
5"Dark, with white interspersed, are the coursers I drive;
’Gainst my hands, the reins grasping, in vain would they strive.
So hurrah! my good horses, speed onwards and fly,
As now here, and now there, much inquiring I pry."