Page:Sacred Books of the East - Volume 27.djvu/125

 circumstances, must (also) ask leave, and when he comes back, must announce his return. If the ruler condole with them on their toils, they should bow. If he ask about their journey, they should bow, and afterwards reply.

15. 29. When the ruler of a state (is proposing to) leave it, they should (try to) stop him, saying, "Why are you leaving the altars of the spirits of the land and grain?" (In the similar case of) a Great officer, they should say, "Why are you leaving your ancestral temple?" In that of an (inferior) officer, they should say, "Why are you leaving the graves (of your ancestors)?" A ruler should die for his altars; a Great officer, with the host (he commands); an inferior officer, for his charge.

16. 30. As ruling over all, under the sky, (the king) is called "The son of Heaven ." As receiving at court the feudal princes, assigning (to all) their different offices, giving out (the laws and ordinances of) the government, and employing the services of the able, he styles himself, "I, the one man ." 31. When he ascends by the eastern steps, and presides at a sacrifice, if it be personal to himself and his family, his style is, "I, so-and-so, the filial king;" if it be external to himself , "I, so-and-so, the inheriting king." When he visits the feudal princes, and sends to make announcement (of his