attack cities and seize territories

fame and gain

sit up and take notice

Through all ages

a widow and her son

in the final analysis

beg for peace by ceding territory

powerful families and great lans

with black silk ribbon scarf and feather fan

In the dead of the night all is quiet.

The melon is sweet but the stalk is bitter.

compasses,set square,spirit level and plumb line(standards)

One's high morality reaches up to the clouds.

see sky through a funnel

rest easy

lose the ship for a halfpennyworth of tar(pay too big a price for mere trifles)

pose(play hard to get; put on airs)

spout

one's appearance and temperament reminiscent of ancients

A tortoise grows hair and a rabbit grows horns.