Volume Ii Part 85 (1/2)

Pao-ch'ai and her companions again with one voice eulogised their fine diction.

T'an Ch'un then continued:

Could e'er the beauteous snow dread the nipping of frost?

In the deep court the s.h.i.+vering birds are startled by its fall.

Hsiang-yun happened to be feeling thirsty and was hurriedly swallowing a cup of tea, when her turn was at once s.n.a.t.c.hed by Chou-yen, who gave out the lines,

On the bare mountain wails the old man Hsiao.

The snow covers the steps, both high and low.

Hsiang-yun immediately put away the tea-cup and added:

On the pond's surface, it allows itself to float.

At the first blush of dawn with effulgence it s.h.i.+nes.

Tai-yu recited with alacrity the couplet:

In confused flakes, it ceaseless falls the whole night long.

Troth one forgets that it implies three feet of cold.

Hsiang-yun hastened to smilingly interpose with the distich:

Its auspicious descent dispels the Emperor's grief.

There lies one frozen-stiff, but who asks him a word?

Pao-ch'in too speedily put on a smile and added: Glad is the proud wayfarer when he's pressed to drink.

Snapped is the weaving belt in the heavenly machine.

Hsiang-yun once again eagerly quoted the line:

In the seaside market is lost a silk kerchief.

But Lin Tai-yu would not let her continue, and taking up the thread, she forthwith said:

With quiet silence, it enshrouds the raised kiosque.

Hsiang-yun vehemently gave the ant.i.thetical verse:

The utter poor clings to his pannier and his bowl.

Pao-ch'in too would not give in as a favour to any one, so hastily she exclaimed:

The water meant to brew the tea with gently bubbles up.

Hsiang-yun saw how excited they were getting and she thought it naturally great fun. Laughing, she eagerly gave out: