Page:Sacred Books of the East - Volume 27.djvu/158

 long Streamers pendent from them, after the manner of Hsiâ.

23. At the mourning for Зze-kang, Kang-ming Î made the ornaments of commemoration. There was a tent-like pall, made of plain silk of a carnation colour, with clusters of ants at the four corners, (as if he had been) an officer of Yin.

24. Зze-hsiâ asked Confucius, saying, "How should (a son) conduct himself with reference to the man who has killed his father or mother?" The Master said, "He should sleep on straw, with his shield for a pillow; he should not take office; he must be determined not to live with the slayer under the same heaven. If he meet with him in the market-place or the court, he should not have to go back for his weapon, but (instantly) fight with him."

"Allow me to ask," said (the other), "how one should do with reference to the man who has slain his brother?" "He may take office," was the reply, "but not in the same state with the slayer; if he be sent on a mission by his ruler's orders, though he may then meet with the man, he should not fight with him."

"And how should one do," continued Зze-hsiâ, "in the case of a man who has slain one of his paternal cousins?" Confucius said, "He should not take the lead (in the avenging). If he whom it chiefly concerns is able to do that, he should support him from behind, with his weapon in his hand."