Book IV 293
He seemed almost invincible.
At the sound of the drum and with redoubled courage,
Our king ran into the heart of the enemy.
He shot down the vice chief first,
And Nahachu himself with another arrow.
Like a meteor, he pursued the enemy,
Who ran away, leaving their weapons behind.
They got scared even by the blowing wind
And suspicious of croaking cranes.
All their strength being spent,
Our northeastern border regained peace.
The victory His Majesty won at this battle
Will be handed down for a thousand years.
(This song is about the battle with Nahachu, a warlord of the Manchu
reg ion.)
- Song of a Beast Running Away (Kungsubun kok)
The beasts driven into a corner ran away to rugged cliffs.
Our army ran after them, and they were scattered on both sides.
They were either killed or captured, or fled or hid.
The bodies of the dead were broken into pieces,
And the spirits of the living hardly remained in their bodies.
Even before half a day was over, the troubles were all cleared up.
Your Majesty returned triumphantly, and the lives of the people became
comfortable.
(This song is intended to celebrate the king’s victory over the Japanese
invaders.)
- Song of Maintaining Peace in the Eastern Kingdom (Chŏngdong
bang kok)
Ah! In the Eastern Kingdom^21 surrounded by the sea
A cunning child usurped the throne.
He was crazy enough to raise an army [against China].
Who could prevent the calamities from his mischief?
- Chosŏn, Korea.
