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Hu Yan : Kirin Fu  (d1443)

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Taken from: http://www.bjshkx.net/article/2020/1208/1002-3054-2020-9-114.html

Political Power& Visual Spectacle: a Reassessment of Kirin (giraffe) Coming to China through the Zheng He's Navigation by MAO Rui

(Note: I found only an extract of the poem; used by Mao Rui in his article to prove his point that the Kirin is brought from across the ocean, but the image and meaning of the unicorn are all derived from historical records.)

There are divine beasts, and most benevolent is their noise.

Reconcile, by summoning and reinterpreting.

The body of a deer with an oxtail, and the horse's hoof but bi-toed.

Come grass soft and thick and wide-spread, and moving along up into the corners.

The harmony is based on the law,  the law should be in all places and times.

It travels without living in groups, it must choose a place to stay.

The mountain spirit is guarding, and the mountain is only effective and auspicious.

Sea waves are not of interest, hurricane wind is not good.

After the ginseng came first, the scorpion is eager to hide.

Making a sound so friendly, said to travel to the holy and return prosperous.

 

爰有神兽,至仁所钟。

以和召和,重译来通。

麕身兮牛尾,马蹄兮碧趾。

草茸茸兮弗践,角振振兮不抵。

音谐钟以诣律,行应规而入矩。

不群居而旅游,必择土而后处。

山灵为之翊卫,岳祇为之效祥。

海波为之不兴,飓风为之不扬。

驺虞参兮后先,猰貐遁兮榷藏。

聆和鸣兮雝雝,曰游圣归昌