Page:Sacred Books of the East - Volume 27.djvu/378

 2. King Wû acted according to the example (of Wǎn), not presuming to go (in anything) beyond it. When king Wǎn was ill, Wû nursed him without taking off his cap or girdle. When king Win took a meal, he also took a meal; and when king Wǎn took a second, he did the same. It was not till after twelve days that he intermitted his attentions.

King Wǎn said to Wû, "What have you been dreaming?" "I dreamt," was the reply, "that God gave me nine ling?" "And what do you think was the meaning?" King Wû said, "There are nine states in the west;—may it not mean that you will yet bring them all under your happy sway?" Wǎn said, "That was not the meaning. Anciently they called a year ling. The age is also called ling. I am 100; and you are 90. I give you three years." King Wǎn was 97 when he died, and king Wû was 93.

3. King Khǎng, being quite young, could not perform his part at the eastern steps. The duke of Kâu acted as regent, trod those steps, and