C.).
Unlike the long twilight which precedes the dawn in high latitudes,
the semi-mythical age was brief, covering no more than two reigns,
those of Yao and Shun. Confucius regarded these as included in
the "five rulers." To make room for them, he omits the first two;
and he seldom refers to the others, but appears to accept them as
real personages. He is no critic; but he has shown good sense in
drawing the line no further back. He has made the epoch of these
last a golden age (2356-2206) which is not the creation of a poet,
but the conception of a philosopher who wished to have an open space
on which to build up his political theories. He found, moreover,
in these primitive times some features by which he was
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greatly fascinated. The simplicity and freedom which appeared to
prevail in those far-off days were to him very attractive.
It is related that Yao, the type of an unselfish monarch, while
on a tour of inspection in the disguise of a peasant, heard an
old man singing this song to the notes of his guitar:
"I plough my ground and eat my own bread,
I dig my well and drink my own water:
What use have I for king or court?"
Yao returned to his palace, rejoicing that the state of his country
was such that his people were able to forget him.
Another feature which the Chinese hold up in bold relief is the fact
that in those days the occupancy of the throne was not hereditary.
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