Hung lou meng book 1

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Title:HungLouMeng,BookI
Author:CaoXueqin
ReleaseDate:January,2006[EBook#9603][Thisfilewasfirstpostedon
October9,2003]
Edition:10
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HUNGLOUMENG,BOOKI
OR,THEDREAMOFTHEREDCHAMBER,ACHINESENOVELINTWO
BOOKS


BY


CAOXUEQIN
TranslatedbyH.BENCRAFTJOLY

BOOKI.

PREFACE.
Thistranslationwassuggestednotbyanypretensionstorangemyselfamongthe
ranksofthebodyofsinologues,butbytheperplexitiesanddifficulties
experiencedbymeasastudentinPeking,when,atthecompletionoftheTzu
ErhChi,IhadtoplungeinthemazeoftheHungLouMeng.
Shortcomingsare,Ifeelsure,tobediscovered,bothintheprose,aswellas
amongthedoggerelanduncouthrhymes,inwhichthetexthasbeenmore
adheredtothanrhythm;butIshallfeelsatisfiedwiththeresult,ifIsucceed,
evenintheleastdegree,inaffordingahelpinghandtopresentandfuture
studentsoftheChineselanguage.
H.BENCRAFTJOLY,H.B.M.Vice-Consulate,Macao,1stSeptember,1891.

THEDREAMOFTHEREDCHAMBER.

CHAPTERI.
ChenShih-yin,inavision,apprehendsperceptionandspirituality.ChiaYüts’un,inthe(windyanddusty)world,cherishesfondthoughtsofabeautiful
maiden.

Thisistheopeningsection;thisthefirstchapter.Subsequenttothevisionsofa


dreamwhichhehad,onsomepreviousoccasion,experienced,thewriter
personallyrelates,hedesignedlyconcealedthetruecircumstances,and
borrowedtheattributesofperceptionandspiritualitytorelatethisstoryofthe
RecordoftheStone.Withthispurpose,hemadeuseofsuchdesignationsas
ChenShih-yin(truthunderthegarboffiction)andthelike.Whatare,however,
theeventsrecordedinthiswork?Whoarethedramatispersonae?
Weariedwiththedrudgeryexperiencedoflateintheworld,theauthorspeaking
forhimself,goesontoexplain,withthelackofsuccesswhichattendedevery
singleconcern,Isuddenlybethoughtmyselfofthewomankindofpastages.
Passingonebyoneunderaminutescrutiny,Ifeltthatinactionandinlore,one
andallwerefaraboveme;thatinspiteofthemajestyofmymanliness,Icould
not,inpointoffact,comparewiththesecharactersofthegentlesex.Andmy
shameforsooththenknewnobounds;whileregret,ontheotherhand,wasofno
avail,astherewasnotevenaremotepossibilityofadayofremedy.
OnthisverydayitwasthatIbecamedesiroustocompile,inaconnectedform,
forpublicationthroughouttheworld,withaviewto(universal)information,
howthatIbearinexorableandmanifoldretribution;inasmuchaswhattime,by
thesustenanceofthebenevolenceofHeaven,andthevirtueofmyancestors,my
apparelwasrichandfine,andaswhatdaysmyfarewassavoryandsumptuous,
Idisregardedthebountyofeducationandnurtureoffatherandmother,andpaid
noheedtothevirtueofpreceptandinjunctionofteachersandfriends,withthe

resultthatIincurredthepunishment,offailurerecentlyintheleasttrifle,andthe
recklesswasteofhalfmylifetime.Therehavebeenmeanwhile,generationafter
generation,thoseintheinnerchambers,thewholemassofwhomcouldnot,on
anyaccount,be,throughmyinfluence,allowedtofallintoextinction,inorder
thatI,unfilialasIhavebeen,mayhavethemeanstoscreenmyown
shortcomings.
Henceitisthatthethatchedshed,withbamboomatwindows,thebedoftow
andthestoveofbrick,whichareatpresentmyshare,arenotsufficienttodeter
mefromcarryingoutthefixedpurposeofmymind.AndcouldI,furthermore,
confrontthemorningbreeze,theeveningmoon,thewillowsbythestepsandthe
flowersinthecourtyard,methinksthesewouldmoistentoagreaterdegreemy
mortalpenwithink;butthoughIlackcultureanderudition,whatharmisthere,
however,inemployingfictionandunreconditelanguagetogiveutterancetothe
meritsofthesecharacters?AndwereIalsoabletoinducetheinmatesofthe
innerchambertounderstandanddiffusethem,couldIbesidesbreakthe


wearinessofevensomuchasasinglemoment,orcouldIopentheeyesofmy
contemporaries,willitnotforsoothproveaboon?
ThisconsiderationhasledtotheusageofsuchnamesasChiaYü-ts’unandother
similarappellations.
Morethananyinthesepageshavebeenemployedsuchwordsasdreamsand
visions;butthesedreamsconstitutethemainargumentofthiswork,and
combine,furthermore,thedesignofgivingawordofwarningtomyreaders.
Reader,canyousuggestwhencethestorybegins?
Thenarrationmayborderonthelimitsofincoherencyandtriviality,butit
possessesconsiderablezest.Buttobegin.
TheEmpressNüWo,(thegoddessofworks,)infashioningblocksofstones,for
therepairoftheheavens,prepared,attheTaHuangHillsandWuCh’icave,
36,501blocksofroughstone,eachtwelvechanginheight,andtwenty-four

changsquare.Ofthesestones,theEmpressWoonlyused36,500;sothatone
singleblockremainedoverandabove,withoutbeingturnedtoanyaccount.This
wascastdowntheCh’ingKengpeak.Thisstone,strangetosay,afterhaving
undergoneaprocessofrefinement,attainedanatureofefficiency,andcould,by
itsinnatepowers,setitselfintomotionandwasabletoexpandandtocontract.
Whenitbecameawarethatthewholenumberofblockshadbeenmadeuseofto
repairtheheavens,thatitalonehadbeendestituteofthenecessaryproperties
andhadbeenunfittoattainselection,itforthwithfeltwithinitselfvexationand
shame,anddayandnight,itgavewaytoanguishandsorrow.
Oneday,whileitlamenteditslot,itsuddenlycaughtsight,atagreatdistance,of
aBuddhistbonzeandofaTaoistpriestcomingtowardsthatdirection.Their
appearancewasuncommon,theireasymannerremarkable.Whentheydrewnear
thisCh’ingKengpeak,theysatonthegroundtorest,andbegantoconverse.But
onnoticingtheblocknewly-polishedandbrilliantlyclear,whichhadmoreover
contractedindimensions,andbecomenolargerthanthependantofafan,they
weregreatlyfilledwithadmiration.TheBuddhistpriestpickeditup,andlaidit
inthepalmofhishand.
“Yourappearance,”hesaidlaughingly,“maywelldeclareyoutobea
supernaturalobject,butasyoulackanyinherentqualityitisnecessaryto


inscribeafewcharactersonyou,sothateveryonewhoshallseeyoumayat
oncerecogniseyoutobearemarkablething.Andsubsequently,whenyouwill
betakenintoacountrywherehonourandaffluencewillreign,intoafamily
culturedinmindandofofficialstatus,inalandwhereflowersandtreesshall
flourishwithluxuriance,inatownofrefinement,renownandglory;whenyou
oncewillhavebeenthere…”
Thestonelistenedwithintensedelight.
“WhatcharactersmayIask,”itconsequentlyinquired,“willyouinscribe?and
whatplacewillIbetakento?pray,prayexplaintomeinlucidterms.”“You

mustn’tbeinquisitive,”thebonzereplied,withasmile,“indaystocomeyou’ll
certainlyunderstandeverything.”Havingconcludedthesewords,heforthwith
putthestoneinhissleeve,andproceededleisurelyonhisjourney,incompany
withtheTaoistpriest.Whither,however,hetookthestone,isnotdivulged.Nor
canitbeknownhowmanycenturiesandageselapsed,beforeaTaoistpriest,
K’ungK’ungbyname,passed,duringhisresearchesaftertheeternalreasonand
hisquestafterimmortality,bytheseTaHuangHills,WuCh’icaveandCh’ing
KengPeak.Suddenlyperceivingalargeblockofstone,onthesurfaceofwhich
thetracesofcharactersgiving,inaconnectedform,thevariousincidentsofits
fate,couldbeclearlydeciphered,K’ungK’ungexaminedthemfromfirsttolast.
They,infact,explainedhowthatthisblockofworthlessstonehadoriginally
beendevoidofthepropertiesessentialfortherepairstotheheavens,howit
wouldbetransmutedintohumanformandintroducedbyMangMangtheHigh
Lord,andMiaoMiao,theDivine,intotheworldofmortals,andhowitwouldbe
ledovertheotherbank(acrosstheSanSara).Onthesurface,therecordofthe
spotwhereitwouldfall,theplaceofitsbirth,aswellasvariousfamilytrifles
andtrivialloveaffairsofyoungladies,verses,odes,speechesandenigmaswas
stillcomplete;butthenameofthedynastyandtheyearofthereignwere
obliterated,andcouldnotbeascertained.
Ontheobverse,werealsothefollowingenigmaticalverses:
Lackinginvirtuesmeettheazureskiestomend,Invainthemortalworldfull
manyayearIwend,Ofaformerandafterlifethesefactsthatbe,Whowillfora
traditionstrangerecordforme?
K’ungK’ung,theTaoist,havingponderedovertheselinesforawhile,became
awarethatthisstonehadahistoryofsomekind.


“Brotherstone,”heforthwithsaid,addressingthestone,“theconcernsofpast
daysrecordedonyoupossess,accordingtoyourownaccount,aconsiderable
amountofinterest,andhavebeenforthisreasoninscribed,withtheintentof

solicitinggenerationstohandthemdownasremarkableoccurrences.Butinmy
ownopinion,theylack,inthefirstplace,anydatabymeansofwhichto
establishthenameoftheEmperorandtheyearofhisreign;and,inthesecond
place,theseconstitutenorecordofanyexcellentpolicy,adoptedbyanyhigh
worthiesorhighloyalstatesmen,inthegovernmentofthestate,orintheruleof
publicmorals.Thecontentssimplytreatofacertainnumberofmaidens,of
exceptionalcharacter;eitheroftheirloveaffairsorinfatuations,oroftheirsmall
desertsorinsignificanttalents;andwereItotranscribethewholecollectionof
them,theywould,nevertheless,notbeestimatedasabookofanyexceptional
worth.”
“SirPriest,”thestonerepliedwithassurance,“whyareyousoexcessivelydull?
Thedynastiesrecordedintherustichistories,whichhavebeenwrittenfromage
toage,have,Iamfaintothink,invariablyassumed,underfalsepretences,the
merenomenclatureoftheHanandT’angdynasties.Theydifferfromtheevents
inscribedonmyblock,whichdonotborrowthiscustomarypractice,but,being
basedonmyownexperiencesandnaturalfeelings,present,onthecontrary,a
novelanduniquecharacter.Besides,inthepagesoftheserustichistories,either
theaspersionsuponsovereignsandstatesmen,orthestricturesuponindividuals,
theirwives,andtheirdaughters,orthedeedsoflicentiousnessandviolenceare
toonumeroustobecomputed.Indeed,thereisonemorekindoflooseliterature,
thewantonnessandpollutioninwhichworkmosteasyhavocuponyouth.
“Asregardstheworks,inwhichthecharactersofscholarsandbeautiesis
delineatedtheirallusionsareagainrepeatedlyofWenChün,theirthemeinevery
pageofTzuChien;athousandvolumespresentnodiversity;andathousand
charactersarebutacounterpartofeachother.Whatismore,theseworks,
throughoutalltheirpages,cannothelpborderingonextremelicence.The
authors,however,hadnootherobjectinviewthantogiveutterancetoafew
sentimentalodesandelegantballadsoftheirown,andforthisreasontheyhave
fictitiouslyinventedthenamesandsurnamesofbothmenandwomen,and
necessarilyintroduced,inaddition,somelowcharacters,whoshould,likea

buffooninaplay,createsomeexcitementintheplot.
“Stillmoreloathsomeisakindofpedanticandprofligateliterature,perfectly
devoidofallnaturalsentiment,fullofself-contradictions;and,infact,the


contrasttothosemaidensinmywork,whomIhave,duringhalfmylifetime,
seenwithmyowneyesandheardwithmyownears.AndthoughIwillnot
presumetoestimatethemassuperiortotheheroesandheroinesintheworksof
formerages,yettheperusalofthemotivesandissuesoftheirexperiences,may
likewiseaffordmattersufficienttobanishdulness,andtobreakthespellof
melancholy.
“Asregardstheseveralstanzasofdoggerelverse,theymaytooevokesuch
laughterastocompelthereadertoblurtouttherice,andtospurtoutthewine.
“Inthesepages,thescenesdepictingtheanguishofseparation,theblissof
reunion,andthefortunesofprosperityandofadversityareall,ineverydetail,
truetohumannature,andIhavenottakenuponmyselftomaketheslightest
addition,oralteration,whichmightleadtotheperversionofthetruth.
“Myonlyobjecthasbeenthatmenmay,afteradrinkingbout,oraftertheywake
fromsleeporwheninneedofrelaxationfromthepressureofbusiness,takeup
thislightliterature,andnotonlyexpungethetracesofantiquatedbooks,and
obtainanewkindofdistraction,butthattheymayalsolaybyalonglifeaswell
asenergyandstrength;foritbearsnopointofsimilaritytothoseworks,whose
designsarefalse,whosecourseisimmoral.Now,SirPriest,whatareyourviews
onthesubject?”
K’ungK’unghavingponderedforawhileoverthewords,towhichhehad
listenedintently,reperused,throughout,thisrecordofthestone;andfindingthat
thegeneralpurportconsistedofnoughtelsethanatreatiseonlove,andlikewise
ofanaccuratetranscriptionoffacts,withouttheleasttaintofprofligacy
injurioustothetimes,hethereuponcopiedthecontents,frombeginningtoend,
totheintentofchargingtheworldtohandthemdownasastrangestory.

HenceitwasthatK’ungK’ung,theTaoist,inconsequenceofhisperception,(in
hisstateof)abstraction,ofpassion,thegeneration,fromthispassion,of
voluptuousness,thetransmissionofthisvoluptuousnessintopassion,andthe
apprehension,bymeansofpassion,ofitsunreality,forthwithalteredhisname
forthatof“Ch’ingTseng”(theVoluptuousBonze),andchangedthetitleof“the
MemoirofaStone”(Shih-t’ou-chi,)forthatof“Ch’ingTsengLu,”TheRecord
oftheVoluptuousBonze;whileK’ungMei-chiofTungLugaveitthenameof
“FengYüehPaoChien,”“ThePreciousMirrorofVoluptuousness.”Inlater
years,owingtothedevotionbyTsaoHsüeh-ch’inintheTaoHungstudy,often


yearstotheperusalandrevisionofthework,theadditionsandmodifications
effectedbyhimfivetimes,theaffixofanindexandthedivisionintoperiodsand
chapters,thebookwasagainentitled“ChinLingShihErhCh’ai,”“TheTwelve
MaidensofChinLing.”Astanzawasfurthermorecomposedforthepurpose.
Thisthen,andnoother,istheoriginoftheRecordoftheStone.Thepoetsays
appositely:—
Pagesfullofsillylitter,Tearsahandfulsourandbitter;Allafooltheauthor
hold,Buttheirzestwhocanunfold?
YouhavenowunderstoodthecauseswhichbroughtabouttheRecordofthe
Stone,butasyouarenot,asyet,awarewhatcharactersaredepicted,andwhat
circumstancesarerelatedonthesurfaceoftheblock,reader,pleaselendanear
tothenarrativeonthestone,whichrunsasfollows:—
Inolddays,thelandintheSouthEastlaylow.InthisSouth-Eastpartofthe
world,wassituatedawalledtown,KuSubyname.Withinthewallsalocality,
calledtheCh’angMen,wasmorethanallothersthroughoutthemortalworld,
thecentre,whichheldthesecond,ifnotthefirstplaceforfashionandlife.
BeyondthisCh’angMenwasastreetcalledShih-li-chieh(TenListreet);inthis
streetalane,theJenCh’inglane(HumanityandPurity);andinthislanestood
anoldtemple,whichonaccountofitsdiminutivedimensions,wascalled,by

generalconsent,theGourdtemple.Nextdoortothistemplelivedthefamilyofa
districtofficial,Chenbysurname,Feibyname,andShih-yinbystyle.Hiswife,
néeFeng,possessedaworthyandvirtuousdisposition,andhadaclear
perceptionofmoralproprietyandgoodconduct.Thisfamily,thoughnotin
actualpossessionofexcessiveaffluenceandhonours,was,nevertheless,intheir
district,concededtobeaclanofwell-to-dostanding.AsthisChenShih-yinwas
ofacontentedandunambitiousframeofmind,andentertainednohankering
afteranyofficialdistinction,butdayafterdayofhislifetookdelightingazingat
flowers,plantingbamboos,sippinghiswineandconningpoeticalworks,hewas
infact,intheindulgenceofthesepursuits,ashappyasasupernaturalbeing.
Onethingalonemarredhishappiness.Hehadlivedoverhalfacenturyandhad,
asyet,nomaleoffspringaroundhisknees.Hehadoneonlychild,adaughter,
whoseinfantnamewasYingLien.Shewasjustthreeyearsofage.Onalong
summerday,onwhichtheheathadbeenintense,Shih-yinsatleisurelyinhis
library.Feelinghishandtired,hedroppedthebookheheld,leanthisheadona
teapoy,andfellasleep.


Ofasudden,whileinthisstateofunconsciousness,itseemedasifhehad
betakenhimselfonfoottosomespotorotherwhitherhecouldnotdiscriminate.
Unexpectedlyheespied,intheoppositedirection,twopriestscomingtowards
him:theoneaBuddhist,theotheraTaoist.Astheyadvancedtheykeptupthe
conversationinwhichtheywereengaged.“Whitherdoyoupurposetakingthe
objectyouhavebroughtaway?”heheardtheTaoistinquire.Tothisquestionthe
Buddhistrepliedwithasmile:“Setyourmindatease,”hesaid;“there’snowin
maturityaplotofageneralcharacterinvolvingmundanepleasures,whichwill
presentlycometoadenouement.Thewholenumberofthevotariesof
voluptuousnesshave,asyet,notbeenquickenedorenteredtheworld,andI
meantoavailmyselfofthisoccasiontointroducethisobjectamongtheir
number,soastogiveitachancetogothroughthespanofhumanexistence.”

“Thevotariesofvoluptuousnessofthesedayswillnaturallyhaveagainto
enduretheillsoflifeduringtheircoursethroughthemortalworld,”theTaoist
remarked;“butwhen,Iwonder,willtheyspringintoexistence?andinwhat
placewilltheydescend?”
“Theaccountofthesecircumstances,”thebonzeventuredtoreply,“isenoughto
makeyoulaugh!Theyamounttothis:thereexistedinthewest,onthebankof
theLing(spiritual)river,bythesideoftheSanSheng(thrice-born)stone,a
bladeoftheChiangChu(purplepearl)grass.Ataboutthesametimeitwasthat
theblockofstonewas,consequentuponitsrejectionbythegoddessofworks,
alsolefttorambleandwandertoitsowngratification,andtoroamaboutat
pleasuretoeveryandanyplace.Onedayitcamewithintheprecinctsofthe
ChingHuan(MonitoryVision)Fairy;andthisFairy,cognizantofthefactthat
thisstonehadahistory,detainedit,therefore,toresideattheCh’ihHsia(purple
clouds)palace,andapportionedtoitthedutiesofattendantonShenYing,afairy
oftheCh’ihHsiapalace.
“Thisstonewould,however,oftenstrollalongthebanksoftheLingriver,and
havingatthesightofthebladeofspiritualgrassbeenfilledwithadmiration,it,
daybyday,moisteneditsrootswithsweetdew.Thispurplepearlgrass,atthe
outset,tarriedformonthsandyears;butbeingatalaterperiodimbuedwiththe
essenceandluxurianceofheavenandearth,andhavingincessantlyreceivedthe
moistureandnurtureofthesweetdew,divesteditself,incourseoftime,ofthe
formofagrass;assuming,inlieu,ahumannature,whichgraduallybecame
perfectedintothepersonofagirl.
“EverydayshewaswonttowanderbeyondtheconfinesoftheLiHen(divested


animosities)heavens.WhenhungryshefedonthePiCh’ing(hiddenlove)fruit
—whenthirstyshedranktheKuanch’ou(dischargedsorrows,)water.Having,
however,uptothistime,notshewnhergratitudeforthevirtueofnurture
lavisheduponher,theresultwasbutnaturalthatsheshouldresolveinherheart

uponaconstantandincessantpurposetomakesuitableacknowledgment.
“Ihavebeen,”shewouldoftencommunewithinherself,“therecipientofthe
graciousbountyofrainanddew,butIpossessnosuchwateraswaslavished
uponmetorepayit!Butshoulditeverdescendintotheworldintheformofa
humanbeing,Iwillalsobetakemyselfthither,alongwithit;andifIcanonly
havethemeansofmakingrestitutiontoit,withthetearsofawholelifetime,I
maybeabletomakeadequatereturn.”
“Thisresolutionitisthatwillevolvethedescentintotheworldofsomany
pleasure-boundspiritsofretributionandtheexperienceoffantasticdestinies;
andthiscrimsonpearlbladewillalsobeamongthenumber.Thestonestilllies
initsoriginalplace,andwhyshouldnotyouandItakeitalongbeforethe
tribunaloftheMonitoryVisionFairy,andplaceonitsbehalfitsnameonrecord,
sothatitshoulddescendintotheworld,incompanywiththesespiritsofpassion,
andbringthisplottoanissue?”
“Itisindeedridiculous,”interposedtheTaoist.“NeverbeforehaveIheardeven
theverymentionofrestitutionbymeansoftears!WhyshouldnotyouandI
availourselvesofthisopportunitytolikewisegodownintotheworld?andif
successfulineffectingthesalvationofafewofthem,willitnotbeawork
meritoriousandvirtuous?”
“Thisproposal,”remarkedtheBuddhist,“isquiteinharmonywithmyown
views.ComealongthenwithmetothepalaceoftheMonitoryVisionFairy,and
letusdeliverupthisgood-for-nothingobject,andhavedonewithit!Andwhen
thecompanyofpleasure-boundspiritsofwrathdescendintohumanexistence,
youandIcanthenentertheworld.Halfofthemhavealreadyfallenintothe
dustyuniverse,butthewholenumberofthemhavenot,asyet,cometogether.”
“Suchbeingthecase,”theTaoistacquiesced,“Iamreadytofollowyou,
wheneveryoupleasetogo.”
ButtoreturntoChenShih-yin.Havingheardeveryoneofthesewords
distinctly,hecouldnotrefrainfromforthwithsteppingforwardandpaying

homage.“Myspirituallords,”hesaid,ashesmiled,“acceptmyobeisance.”The
BuddhistandTaoistpriestslostnotimeinrespondingtothecompliment,and
theyexchangedtheusualsalutations.“Myspirituallords,”Shih-yincontinued;
“Ihavejustheardtheconversationthatpassedbetweenyou,oncausesand
effects,aconversationthelikeofwhichfewmortalshaveforsoothlistenedto;
butyouryoungerbrotherissluggishofintellect,andcannotlucidlyfathomthe
import!Yetcouldthisdulnessandsimplicitybegraciouslydispelled,your
youngerbrothermay,bylisteningminutely,withundefiledearandcareful
attention,toacertaindegreebearousedtoasenseofunderstanding;andwhatis
more,possiblyfindthemeansofescapingtheanguishofsinkingdowninto
Hades.”
Thetwospiritssmiled,“Theconversation,”theyadded,“referstotheprimordial
schemeandcannotbedivulgedbeforetheproperseason;but,whenthetime
comes,minddonotforgetustwo,andyouwillreadilybeabletoescapefrom
thefieryfurnace.”
Shih-yin,afterthisreply,feltitdifficulttomakeanyfurtherinquiries.“The
primordialscheme,”hehoweverremarkedsmiling,“cannot,ofcourse,be
divulged;butwhatmannerofthing,Iwonder,isthegood-for-nothingobjectyou
alludedtoashortwhileback?MayInotbeallowedtojudgeformyself?”
“Thisobjectaboutwhichyouask,”theBuddhistBonzeresponded,“isintended,
Imaytellyou,byfatetobejustglancedatbyyou.”Withthesewordshe
producedit,andhandeditovertoShih-yin.
Shih-yinreceivedit.Onscrutinyhefoundit,infact,tobeabeautifulgem,so
lustrousandsoclearthatthetracesofcharactersonthesurfaceweredistinctly
visible.Thecharactersinscribedconsistedofthefour“T’ungLingPaoYü,”
“PreciousGemofSpiritualPerception.”Ontheobverse,werealsoseveral
columnsofminutewords,whichhewasjustintheactoflookingatintently,
whentheBuddhistatonceexpostulated.
“Wehavealreadyreached,”heexclaimed,“theconfinesofvision.”Snatchingit

violentlyoutofhishands,hewalkedawaywiththeTaoist,underaloftystone
portal,onthefaceofwhichappearedinlargetypethefourcharacters:“T’aiHsü
HuanChing,”“TheVisionarylimitsoftheGreatVoid.”Oneachsidewasa
scrollwiththelines:


Whenfalsehoodstandsfortruth,truthlikewisebecomesfalse,Wherenaught
bemadetoaught,aughtchangesintonaught.
Shih-yinmeantalsotofollowthemontheotherside,but,ashewasaboutto
makeonestepforward,hesuddenlyheardacrash,justasifthemountainshad
fallenintoruins,andtheearthsunkintodestruction.AsShih-yinutteredaloud
shout,helookedwithstrainedeye;butallhecouldseewasthefierysunshining,
withglowingrays,whilethebananaleavesdroopedtheirheads.Bythattime,
halfofthecircumstancesconnectedwiththedreamhehadhad,hadalready
slippedfromhismemory.
HealsonoticedanursecomingtowardshimwithYingLieninherarms.To
Shih-yin’seyeshisdaughterappearedevenmorebeautiful,suchabrightgem,so
precious,andsolovable.Forthwithstretchingouthisarms,hetookherover,
and,asheheldherinhisembrace,hecoaxedhertoplaywithhimforawhile;
afterwhichhebroughtheruptothestreettoseethegreatstiroccasionedbythe
processionthatwasgoingpast.
Hewasabouttocomein,whenhecaughtsightoftwopriests,oneaTaoist,the
otheraBuddhist,cominghitherfromtheoppositedirection.TheBuddhisthada
headcoveredwithmange,andwentbarefooted.TheTaoisthadalimpingfoot,
andhishairwasalldishevelled.
Likemaniacs,theyjostledalong,chatteringandlaughingastheydrewnear.
AssoonastheyreachedShih-yin’sdoor,andtheyperceivedhimwithYingLien
inhisarms,theBonzebegantoweepaloud.
TurningtowardsShih-yin,hesaidtohim:“MygoodSir,whyneedyoucarryin
yourembracethislivingbutlucklessthing,whichwillinvolvefatherandmother

introuble?”
ThesewordsdidnotescapeShih-yin’sear;butpersuadedthattheyamountedto
ravingtalk,hepaidnoheedwhatevertothebonze.
“Partwithherandgivehertome,”theBuddhiststillwentontosay.
Shih-yincouldnotrestrainhisannoyance;andhastilypressinghisdaughter
closertohim,hewasintentupongoingin,whenthebonzepointedhishandat
him,andburstoutinaloudfitoflaughter.


Hethengaveutterancetothefourlinesthatfollow:
Youindulgeyourtenderdaughterandarelaughedatasinane;Vainyouface
thesnow,ohmirror!foritwillevanescentwane,Whenthefestivaloflanternsis
goneby,guard‘gainstyourdoom,‘Tiswhattimetheflameswillkindle,andthe
firewillconsume.
Shih-yinunderstooddistinctlythefullimportofwhatheheard;buthisheartwas
stillfullofconjectures.Hewasabouttoinquirewhoandwhattheywere,when
heheardtheTaoistremark,—“YouandIcannotspeedtogether;letusnowpart
company,andeachofuswillbethenabletogoafterhisownbusiness.Afterthe
lapseofthreeages,IshallbeatthePeiMangmount,waitingforyou;andwe
can,afterourreunion,betakeourselvestotheVisionaryConfinesoftheGreat
Void,theretocancelthenameofthestonefromtherecords.”
“Excellent!firstrate!”exclaimedtheBonze.Andattheconclusionofthese
words,thetwomenparted,eachgoinghisownway,andnotracewasagainseen
ofthem.
“Thesetwomen,”Shih-yinthenponderedwithinhisheart,“musthavehad
manyexperiences,andIoughtreallytohavemademoreinquiriesofthem;but
atthisjuncturetoindulgeinregretisanyhowtoolate.”
WhileShih-yingavewaytothesefoolishreflections,hesuddenlynoticedthe
arrivalofapennilessscholar,Chiabysurname,Huabyname,Shih-feibystyle
andYü-ts’unbynickname,whohadtakenuphisquartersintheGourdtemple

nextdoor.ThisChiaYü-ts’unwasoriginallyadenizenofHu-Chow,andwas
alsoofliteraryandofficialparentage,butashewasbornoftheyoungeststock,
andthepossessionsofhispaternalandmaternalancestorswerecompletely
exhausted,andhisparentsandrelativesweredead,heremainedthesoleand
onlysurvivor;and,ashefoundhisresidenceinhisnativeplaceofnoavail,he
thereforeenteredthecapitalinsearchofthatreputation,whichwouldenable
himtoputthefamilyestateonaproperstanding.Hehadarrivedatthisplace
sincetheyearbeforelast,andhad,whatismore,livedallalonginvery
straitenedcircumstances.Hehadmadethetemplehistemporaryquarters,and
earnedalivingbydailyoccupyinghimselfincomposingdocumentsandwriting
lettersforcustomers.ThusitwasthatShih-yinhadbeeninconstantrelations
withhim.


AssoonasYü-ts’unperceivedShih-yin,helostnotimeinsalutinghim.“My
worthySir,”heobservedwithaforcedsmile;“howisityouareleaningagainst
thedoorandlookingout?Isthereperchanceanynewsastirinthestreets,orin
thepublicplaces?”
“Nonewhatever,”repliedShih-yin,ashereturnedthesmile.“Justawhileback,
myyoungdaughterwasinsobs,andIcoaxedheroutheretoamuseher.Iam
justnowwithoutanythingwhatevertoattendto,sothat,dearbrotherChia,you
comejustinthenickoftime.Pleasewalkintomymeanabode,andletus
endeavour,ineachother’scompany,towhileawaythislongsummerday.”
Afterhehadmadethisremark,hebadeaservanttakehisdaughterin,whilehe,
hand-in-handwithYü-ts’un,walkedintothelibrary,whereayoungpageserved
tea.Theyhadhardlyexchangedafewsentences,whenoneofthehousehold
camein,inflyinghaste,toannouncethatMr.Yenhadcometopayavisit.
Shih-yinatoncestoodup.“Prayexcusemyrudeness,”heremarked
apologetically,“butdositdown;Ishallshortlyrejoinyou,andenjoythe
pleasureofyoursociety.”“MydearSir,”answeredYü-ts’un,ashegotup,also

inaconcedingway,“suityourownconvenience.I’veoftenhadthehonourof
beingyourguest,andwhatwillitmatterifIwaitalittle?”Whiletheseapologies
wereyetbeingspoken,Shih-yinhadalreadywalkedoutintothefrontparlour.
Duringhisabsence,Yü-ts’unoccupiedhimselfinturningoverthepagesofsome
poeticalworktodispelennui,whensuddenlyheheard,outsidethewindow,a
woman’scough.Yü-ts’unhurriedlygotupandlookedout.Hesawataglance
thatitwasaservantgirlengagedinpickingflowers.Herdeportmentwasoutof
thecommon;hereyessobright,hereyebrowssowelldefined.Thoughnota
perfectbeauty,shepossessedneverthelesscharmssufficienttoarousethe
feelings.Yü-ts’ununwittinglygazedatherwithfixedeye.Thiswaiting-maid,
belongingtotheChenfamily,haddonepickingflowers,andwasonthepointof
goingin,whensheofasuddenraisedhereyesandbecameawareofthe
presenceofsomepersoninsidethewindow,whoseheadgearconsistedofa
turbanintatters,whilehisclothesweretheworseforwear.Butinspiteofhis
poverty,hewasnaturallyendowedwitharoundwaist,abroadback,afatface,a
squaremouth;addedtothis,hiseyebrowswereswordlike,hiseyesresembled
stars,hisnosewasstraight,hischeekssquare.
Thisservantgirlturnedawayinahurryandmadeherescape.


“Thismansoburlyandstrong,”shecommunedwithinherself,“yetatthesame
timegotupinsuchpoorattire,must,Iexpect,benooneelsethantheman,
whosenameisChiaYü-ts’unorsuchlike,timeaftertimereferredtobymy
master,andtowhomhehasrepeatedlywishedtogiveahelpinghand,buthas
failedtofindafavourableopportunity.Andasrelatedtoourfamilythereisno
connexionorfriendinsuchstraits,Ifeelcertainitcannotbeanyotherperson
thanhe.Strangetosay,mymasterhasfurtherremarkedthatthismanwill,fora
certainty,notalwayscontinueinsuchastateofdestitution.”
Assheindulgedinthistrainofthought,shecouldnotrestrainherselffrom
turningherheadroundonceortwice.

WhenYü-ts’unperceivedthatshehadlookedback,hereadilyinterpreteditasa
signthatinherheartherthoughtshadbeenofhim,andhewasfranticwith
irrepressiblejoy.
“Thisgirl,”hemused,“is,nodoubt,keen-eyedandeminentlyshrewd,andone
inthisworldwhohasseenthroughme.”
Theservantyouth,afterashorttime,cameintotheroom;andwhenYü-ts’un
madeinquiriesandfoundoutfromhimthattheguestsinthefrontparlourhad
beendetainedtodinner,hecouldnotverywellwaitanylonger,andpromptly
walkedawaydownasidepassageandoutofabackdoor.
Whentheguestshadtakentheirleave,Shih-yindidnotgobacktorejoinYüts’un,ashehadcometoknowthathehadalreadyleft.
Intimethemid-autumnfestivitiesdrewnear;andShih-yin,afterthefamily
banquetwasover,hadaseparatetablelaidinthelibrary,andcrossedover,inthe
moonlight,asfarasthetempleandinvitedYü-ts’untocomeround.
ThefactisthatYü-ts’un,eversincethedayonwhichhehadseenthegirlofthe
Chenfamilyturntwiceroundtoglanceathim,flatteredhimselfthatshewas
friendlydisposedtowardshim,andincessantlyfosteredfondthoughtsofherin
hisheart.Andonthisday,whichhappenedtobethemid-autumnfeast,hecould
not,ashegazedatthemoon,refrainfromcherishingherremembrance.Henceit
wasthathegaveventtothesepentameterverses:
Alas!notyetdivinedmylifelongwish,Andanguishceaselesscomesupon
anguishIcame,andsadatheart,mybrowIfrowned;Shewent,andoftherhead


tolookturnedround.Facingthebreeze,hershadowshedothwatch,Who’smeet
thismoonlightnightwithhertomatch?Thelustrousraysiftheymywishbut
readWouldsoonalightuponherbeauteoushead!
Yü-ts’unhaving,afterthisrecitation,recalledagaintomindhowthatthroughout
hislifetimehisliteraryattainmentshadhadanadversefateandnotmetwithan
opportunity(ofreapingdistinction),wentontorubhisbrow,andasheraisedhis
eyestotheskies,heheavedadeepsighandoncemoreintonedacoupletaloud:

Thegeminthecaskahighpriceitseeks,Thepininthecasetotakewingit
waits.
Asluckwouldhaveit,Shih-yinwasatthemomentapproaching,andupon
hearingthelines,hesaidwithasmile:“MydearYü-ts’un,reallyyour
attainmentsareofnoordinarycapacity.”
Yü-ts’unlostnotimeinsmilingandreplying.“Itwouldbepresumptioninmy
parttothinkso,”heobserved.“Iwassimplyatrandomhummingafewverses
composedbyformerwriters,andwhatreasonistheretolaudmetosuchan
excessivedegree?Towhat,mydearSir,doIowethepleasureofyourvisit?”he
wentontoinquire.“Tonight,”repliedShih-yin,“isthemid-autumnfeast,
generallyknownasthefull-moonfestival;andasIcouldnothelpthinkingthat
living,asyoumyworthybrotherare,asamerestrangerinthisBuddhisttemple,
youcouldnotbutexperiencethefeelingofloneliness.Ihave,fortheexpress
purpose,preparedasmallentertainment,andwillbepleasedifyouwillcometo
mymeanabodetohaveaglassofwine.ButIwonderwhetheryouwillentertain
favourablymymodestinvitation?”Yü-ts’un,afterlisteningtotheproposal,put
forwardnorefusalofanysort;butremarkedcomplacently:“Beingtherecipient
ofsuchmarkedattention,howcanIpresumetorepelyourgenerous
consideration?”
Ashegaveexpressiontothesewords,hewalkedoffthereandthen,incompany
withShih-yin,andcameoveronceagainintothecourtinfrontofthelibrary.In
afewminutes,teawasover.
Thecupsanddisheshadbeenlaidfromanearlyhour,andneedlesstosaythe
wineswereluscious;thefaresumptuous.
Thetwofriendstooktheirseats.Atfirsttheyleisurelyreplenishedtheirglasses,
andquietlysippedtheirwine;butas,littlebylittle,theyenteredinto


conversation,theirgoodcheergrewmoregenial,andunawarestheglasses
begantoflyround,andthecupstobeexchanged.

Atthisveryhour,ineveryhouseoftheneighbourhood,soundedthefifeand
lute,whiletheinmatesindulgedinmusicandsinging.Abovehead,theorbof
theradiantmoonshonewithanall-pervadingsplendour,andwithasteady
lustrouslight,whilethetwofriends,astheirexuberanceincreased,drainedtheir
cupsdrysosoonastheyreachedtheirlips.
Yü-ts’un,atthisstageofthecollation,wasconsiderablyundertheinfluenceof
wine,andthevehemenceofhishighspiritswasirrepressible.Ashegazedatthe
moon,hefosteredthoughts,towhichhegaveventbytherecitalofadouble
couplet.
‘Tiswhattimethreemeetsfive,Seleneisaglobe!Herpureraysfillthecourt,
thejadelikerailsenrobe!Lo!intheheavensherdisktoviewdothnowarise,
Andintheearthbelowtogazemenlifttheireyes.
“Excellent!”criedShih-yinwithaloudvoice,afterhehadheardtheselines;“I
haverepeatedlymaintainedthatitwasimpossibleforyoutoremainlonginferior
toany,andnowtheversesyouhaverecitedareaprognosticofyourrapid
advancement.Alreadyitisevidentthat,beforelong,youwillextendyour
footstepsfarabovetheclouds!Imustcongratulateyou!Imustcongratulateyou!
Letme,withmyownhands,pouraglassofwinetopayyoumycompliments.”
Yü-ts’undrainedthecup.“WhatIamabouttosay,”heexplainedashesuddenly
heavedasigh,“isnotthemaudlintalkofamanundertheeffectsofwine.Asfar
asthesubjectsatpresentsetintheexaminationsgo,Icould,perchance,also
havewellbeenabletoenterthelist,andtosendinmynameasacandidate;butI
have,justnow,nomeanswhatevertomakeprovisionforluggageandfor
travellingexpenses.ThedistancetootoShenChingisalongone,andIcould
notdependuponthesaleofpapersorthecompositionofessaystofindthe
meansofgettingthere.”
Shih-yingavehimnotimetoconclude.“Whydidyounotspeakaboutthis
sooner?”heinterposedwithhaste.“Ihavelongentertainedthissuspicion;butas,
wheneverImetyou,thisconversationwasneverbroached,Ididnotpresumeto
makemyselfofficious.Butifsuchbethestateofaffairsjustnow,Ilack,Iadmit,

literaryqualification,butonthetwosubjectsoffriendlyspiritandpecuniary


means,Ihave,nevertheless,someexperience.Moreover,Irejoicethatnextyear
isjusttheseasonforthetriennialexaminations,andyoushouldstartforthe
capitalwithalldespatch;andinthetriposnextspring,youwill,bycarryingthe
prize,beabletodojusticetotheproficiencyyoucanboastof.Asregardsthe
travellingexpensesandtheotheritems,theprovisionofeverythingnecessaryfor
youbymyownselfwillagainnotrendernugatoryyourmeanacquaintancewith
me.”
Forthwith,hedirectedaservantladtogoandpackupatoncefiftytaelsofpure
silverandtwosuitsofwinterclothes.
“Thenineteenth,”hecontinued,“isapropitiousday,andyoushouldlosenotime
inhiringaboatandstartingonyourjourneywestwards.Andwhen,byyour
eminenttalents,youshallhavesoaredhightoaloftyposition,andwemeet
againnextwinter,willnottheoccasionbeextremelyfelicitous?”
Yü-ts’unacceptedthemoneyandclotheswithbutscantyexpressionof
gratitude.Infact,hepaidnothoughtwhatevertothegifts,butwenton,again
drinkinghiswine,ashechatteredandlaughed.
Itwasonlywhenthethirdwatchofthatdayhadalreadystruckthatthetwo
friendspartedcompany;andShih-yin,afterseeingYü-ts’unoff,retiredtohis
roomandslept,withonesleepallthrough,neverwakinguntilthesunwaswell
upintheskies.
Rememberingtheoccurrenceofthepreviousnight,hemeanttowriteacoupleof
lettersofrecommendationforYü-ts’untotakealongwithhimtothecapital,to
enablehim,afterhandingthemoveratthemansionsofcertainofficials,tofind
someplaceasatemporaryhome.Heaccordinglydespatchedaservanttoask
himtocomeround,butthemanreturnedandreportedthatfromwhatthebonze
said,“Mr.Chiahadstartedonhisjourneytothecapital,atthefifthwatchofthat
verymorning,thathehadalsoleftamessagewiththebonzetodelivertoyou,

Sir,totheeffectthatmenofletterspaidnoheedtoluckyorunluckydays,that
thesoleconsiderationwiththemwasthenatureofthematterinhand,andthathe
couldfindnotimetocomeroundinpersonandbidgoodbye.”
Shih-yinafterhearingthismessagehadnoalternativebuttobanishthesubject
fromhisthoughts.
Incomfortablecircumstances,timeindeedgoesbywitheasystride.Soondrew


nearalsothehappyfestivalofthe15thofthe1stmoon,andShih-yintolda
servantHuoCh’itotakeYingLientoseethesacrificialfiresandflowery
lanterns.
Aboutthemiddleofthenight,HuoCh’iwashardpressed,andheforthwithset
YingLiendownonthedoorstepofacertainhouse.Whenhefeltrelieved,he
camebacktotakeherup,butfailedtofindanywhereanytraceofYingLien.In
aterribleplight,HuoCh’iprosecutedhissearchthroughouthalfthenight;but
evenbythedawnofday,hehadnotdiscoveredanyclueofherwhereabouts.
HuoCh’i,lacking,ontheotherhand,thecouragetogobackandfacehismaster,
promptlymadehisescapetohisnativevillage.
Shih-yin—infact,thehusbandaswellasthewife—seeingthattheirchildhad
notcomehomeduringthewholenight,readilyconcludedthatsomemishap
musthavebefallenher.Hastilytheydespatchedseveralservantstogoinsearch
ofher,butoneandallreturnedtoreportthattherewasneithervestigenortidings
ofher.
Thiscouplehadonlyhadthischild,andthisatthemeridianoftheirlife,sothat
hersuddendisappearanceplungedtheminsuchgreatdistressthatdayandnight
theymournedherlosstosuchapointastowellnighpaynoheedtotheirvery
lives.
Amonthinnotimewentby.Shih-yinwasthefirsttofallill,andhiswife,Dame
Feng,likewise,bydintoffrettingforherdaughter,wasalsoprostratedwith
sickness.Thedoctorwas,dayafterday,sentfor,andtheoracleconsultedby

meansofdivination.
Littledidanyonethinkthatonthisday,beingthe15thofthe3rdmoon,while
thesacrificialoblationswerebeingpreparedintheHuLutemple,apanwithoil
wouldhavecaughtfire,throughthewantofcareonthepartofthebonze,and
thatinashorttimetheflameswouldhaveconsumedthepaperpastedonthe
windows.
Amongthenativesofthisdistrictbamboofencesandwoodenpartitionswerein
generaluse,andthesetooprovedasourceofcalamitysoordainedbyfate(to
consummatethisdecree).
Withpromptness(thefire)extendedtotwobuildings,thenenvelopedthree,then
draggedfour(intoruin),andthenspreadtofivehouses,untilthewholestreet


wasinablaze,resemblingtheflamesofavolcano.Thoughboththemilitaryand
thepeopleatoncerantotherescue,thefirehadalreadyassumedaserioushold,
sothatitwasimpossibleforthemtoaffordanyeffectiveassistanceforits
suppression.
Itblazedawaystraightthroughthenight,beforeitwasextinguished,and
consumed,thereisinfactnosayinghowmanydwellinghouses.Anyhow,pitiful
torelate,theChenhouse,situatedasitwasnextdoortothetemple,was,atan
earlypartoftheevening,reducedtoaheapoftilesandbricks;andnothingbut
thelivesofthatcoupleandseveralinmatesofthefamilydidnotsustainany
injuries.
Shih-yinwasindespair,butallhecoulddowastostamphisfeetandheavedeep
sighs.Afterconsultingwithhiswife,theybetookthemselvestoafarmoftheirs,
wheretheytookuptheirquarterstemporarily.Butasithappenedthatwaterhad
oflateyearsbeenscarce,andnocropsbeenreaped,robbersandthieveshad
sprunguplikebees,andthoughtheGovernmenttroopswerebentupontheir
capture,itwasanyhowdifficulttosettledownquietlyonthefarm.Hetherefore
hadnootherresourcethantoconvert,ataloss,thewholeofhispropertyinto

money,andtotakehiswifeandtwoservantgirlsandcomeoverforshelterto
thehouseofhisfather-in-law.
Hisfather-in-law,FengSu,byname,wasanativeofTaJuChou.Althoughonly
alabourer,hewasneverthelessineasycircumstancesathome.Whenheonthis
occasionsawhisson-in-lawcometohiminsuchdistress,heforthwithfeltat
heartconsiderabledispleasure.FortunatelyShih-yinhadstillinhispossession
themoneyderivedfromtheunprofitablerealizationofhisproperty,sothathe
producedandhandedittohisfather-in-law,commissioninghimtopurchase,
wheneverasuitableopportunitypresenteditself,ahouseandlandasaprovision
forfoodandraimentagainstdaystocome.ThisFengSu,however,only
expendedthehalfofthesum,andpocketedtheotherhalf,merelyacquiringfor
himsomefallowlandandadilapidatedhouse.
Shih-yinbeing,ontheotherhand,amanofbooksandwithnoexperiencein
mattersconnectedwithbusinessandwithsowingandreaping,subsisted,by
hookandbycrook,foraboutayearortwo,whenhebecamemore
impoverished.
Inhispresence,FengSuwouldreadilygiveventtospeciousutterances,while,


withothers,andbehindhisback,heonthecontraryexpressedhisindignation
againsthisimprovidenceinhismodeofliving,andagainsthissoledelightof
eatingandplayingthelazy.
Shih-yin,awareofthewantofharmonywithhisfather-in-law,couldnothelp
givingway,inhisownheart,tofeelingsofregretandpain.Inadditiontothis,
thefrightandvexationwhichhehadundergonetheyearbefore,theanguishand
suffering(hehadhadtoendure),hadalreadyworkedhavoc(onhisconstitution);
andbeingamanadvancedinyears,andassailedbythejointattackofpoverty
anddisease,heatlengthgraduallybegantodisplaysymptomsofdecline.
Strangecoincidence,ashe,onthisday,cameleaningonhisstaffandwith
considerablestrain,asfarasthestreetforalittlerelaxation,hesuddenlycaught

sight,approachingfromtheoffside,ofaTaoistpriestwithacrippledfoot;his
maniacappearancesorepulsive,hisshoesofstraw,hisdressallintatters,
mutteringseveralsentimentstothiseffect:
Allmenspirituallifeknowtobegood,Butfametodisregardtheyne’er
succeed!Fromoldtillnowthestatesmenwherearethey?Wastelietheirgraves,
aheapofgrass,extinct.Allmenspirituallifeknowtobegood,Buttoforget
gold,silver,illsucceed!Throughlifetheygrudgetheirhoardingstobescant,
Andwhenplentyhascome,theireyelidsclose.Allmenspirituallifeholdtobe
good,Yettoforgetwives,maids,theyne’ersucceed!Whospeakofgratefullove
whilelivestheirlord,Anddeadtheirlord,anothertheypursue.Allmenspiritual
lifeknowtobegood,Butsonsandgrandsonstoforgetneversucceed!Fromold
tillnowofparentssoftmany,Butfilialsonsandgrandsonswhohaveseen?
Shih-yinuponhearingthesewords,hastilycameuptothepriest,“Whatwere
yousogliblyholdingforth?”heinquired.“AllIcouldhearwerealotofhaoliao
(excellent,finality.”)
“Youmaywellhaveheardthetwowords‘haoliao,’”answeredtheTaoistwitha
smile,“butcanyoubesaidtohavefathomedtheirmeaning?Youshouldknow
thatallthingsinthisworldareexcellent,whentheyhaveattainedfinality;when
theyhaveattainedfinality,theyareexcellent;butwhentheyhavenotattained
finality,theyarenotexcellent;iftheywouldbeexcellent,theyshouldattain
finality.MysongisentitledExcellent-finality(haoliao).”
Shih-yinwasgiftedwithanaturalperspicacitythatenabledhim,assoonashe


heardtheseremarks,tograsptheirspirit.
“Waitawhile,”hethereforesaidsmilingly;“letmeunravelthisexcellentfinalitysongofyours;doyoumind?”
“Pleasebyallmeansgoonwiththeinterpretation,”urgedtheTaoist;whereupon
Shih-yinproceededinthisstrain:
Sordidroomsandvacantcourts,Repleteinyearsgonebywithbedswhere
statesmenlay;Parchedgrassandwitheredbaniantrees,Whereoncewerehalls

forsonganddance!Spiders’websthecarvedpillarsintertwine,Thegreengauze
nowisalsopastedonthestrawwindows!Whataboutthecosmeticfresh
concoctedorthepowderjustscented;Whyhasthehairtoooneachtemple
becomewhitelikehoarfrost!Yesterdaythetumulusofyellowearthburiedthe
bleachedbones,Tonightundertheredsilkcurtainreclinesthecouple!Goldfills
thecoffers,silverfillstheboxes,Butinatwinkle,thebeggarswillallabuseyou!
Whileyoudeplorethatthelifeofothersisnotlong,Youforgetthatyouyourself
areapproachingdeath!Youeducateyoursonswithallpropriety,Buttheymay
someday,‘tishardtosaybecomethieves;Thoughyouchoose(yourfareand
home)thefattedbeam,Youmay,whocansay,fallintosomeplaceofeasy
virtue!Throughyourdislikeofthegauzehatasmean,Youhavecometobe
lockedinacangue;Yesterday,poorfellow,youfeltcoldinatatteredcoat,Today,youdespisethepurpleembroidereddressaslong!Confusionreignsfarand
wide!youhavejustsungyourpart,Icomeontheboards,Insteadofyours,you
recogniseanotherasyournativeland;Whatutterperversion!Inoneword,it
comestothiswemakeweddingclothesforothers!(Wesowforotherstoreap.)
ThecrazylimpingTaoistclappedhishands.“Yourinterpretationisexplicit,”he
remarkedwithaheartylaugh,“yourinterpretationisexplicit!”
Shih-yinpromptlysaidnothingmorethan,—“Walkon;”andseizingthestole
fromtheTaoist’sshoulder,heflungitoverhisown.Hedidnot,however,return
home,butleisurelywalkedaway,incompanywiththeeccentricpriest.
Thereportofhisdisappearancewasatoncebruitedabroad,andplungedthe
wholeneighbourhoodincommotion;andconvertedintoapieceofnews,itwas
circulatedfrommouthtomouth.
DameFeng,Shih-yin’swife,uponhearingthetidings,hadsuchafitofweeping
thatshehungbetweenlifeanddeath;butheronlyalternativewastoconsultwith