The three families used the YUNG ode, while the vessels were being removed, at the conclusion of the sacrifice. The Master said, '"Assisting are the princes;--…
1The three families used the YUNG ode, while the vessels were being removed, at the conclusion of the sacrifice. The Master said, '"Assisting are the princes;-- the son of heaven looks profound and grave:"-- what application can these words have in the hall of the three families?'
The notes printed with this passage in Chinese editions, kept in Chinese, for readers who come to the text that way.
三家：鲁国当政的三家大夫孟孙、叔孙、季孙。《雍》：《诗经·周颂》中的一，为周天子举行祭礼后撤去祭品、祭器时所唱的诗。彻：同“撤”，古代祭礼完毕后撤祭馔，乐人唱诗以娱神。
“相维辟公，天子穆穆”二句：诸侯都在助祭，天子恭敬地主祭。见《雍》诗。相，助祭的人。维，用于句中的助词，可以译为“是”。辟公，诸侯。穆穆，庄严肃穆。