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BK. XLVI.
SANG FÛ SZE KIH.
467
(by the mourning) for the dead. Not protracting the mourning rites beyond three years; not mending even the coarsest sackcloth ; making no addition to the mound (raised at first) over the grave; fixing the day for the sacrifice at the end of the second year ; playing (at first, on the conclusion of the rites) on a plain, unvarnished lute:-all these things were to make the people aware of the termination (of the several rites), and constituted the defined regulations.
The service due to a father is employed in serving a mother, and the love is the same for both. (But) in the sky there are not two suns, nor in a land two kings, nor in a state two rulers, nor in a family two equally honourable :-one (principle) regulates (all) these conditions. Hence, while the father is alive, the sackcloth with even edges is worn (for a mother), (and only) for a year, showing that there are not in the family) two equally honourable.
7. What is meant by the use of the staff? It is (a symbol of) rank. On the third day it is given to the son; on the fifth day, to Great officers; and on the seventh day, to ordinary officers ; — (at the mourning rites for a ruler). Some say that it is given to them as the presiding mourners; and others, that it is to support them in their distress.
A daughter (not yet fully grown) and a son (while but a lad), do not carry a staff ;-being supposed) not to be capable of (extreme) distress.
When all the array of officers is complete, and all things are provided, and (the mourner) cannot speak (his directions), and things must (still) proceed, he is assisted to rise. If he be able to speak, and things will proceed (as he directs), he rises by the help of
Hh 2
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