Hymnes Sanscrits, Persans, Égyptiens, Assyriens et Chinois; Chi-King ou livre des vers…

Paris: Maisonneuve et cie, 1872. First Edition. . Hardcover. See Description. ("Bibliothèque orientale: Chefs d’oeuvre littéraires de l’Indie, de la Perse, de l’Égypte et de la Chine" Vol. II.) 4to. pp. [4], 423, [3]. Double columned text. Bound in quarter vellum with blue cloth boards. A library bookplate is located on the inside front cover. Interior pages show scattered light marginal foxing, staining and soiling. Several leaves are mildly creased in the upper corner. Both the title page and p. 29 display a small library impress stamp; a 2 cm tear (neatly sealed) is present on the upper edge of the title. Pages 3-5 contain three small marginal tears (also neatly sealed). An accession number is stamped on the lower part of the first sectional half title. Between 1872 and 1903 Maisoneuve et Cie published 7 volumes in their "Bibliothèque Orientale" series. The first three volumes also contained the general title of "Chefs d’oeuvre littéraires de l’Indie,… [etc.]" The present volume (volume II in the series) is divided into 5 parts. The first four parts contain selections of ancient hymns and prayers translated into French by various scholars – includes hymns from India (Vedic and Buddhist), Persia (Avestan), Egypt, and Mesopotamia. The fifth section is the complete French translation by M.G. Pauthier of the "Shijing" (Chi-King), the "Classic of Poetry", a large collection of Chinese prayers, hymns and odes which date from the 11th-7th centuries b.c.e. Hymns of Lao-Tzu (Lao-Tseu) are also included.