Part 11 (1/2)
How can gold from stones be made?
'Levy after levy driven, Treated more like dogs than men, Over mountains, tempest riven, Through the salty desert fen.
'There by Hun and Tartar harried-- Ever fighting, night or day; Wounded, left to die, or carried Far from kith and kin away.
'Better bring forth daughters only Than male children doomed to death, Slaughtered in the desert lonely, Frozen by the north wind's breath.
'Where their bodies, left unburied, Strew the plain from west to east, While above in legions serried Vultures hasten to the feast.
'Brave men's bones on desert bleaching, Far away from home and love, Spirits of the dead beseeching Justice from the heaven above.'
[43] This poem is an attempt to describe the miseries of the people under compulsory military service during the long wars carried on by the Emperor Hsuen-Tsung of the Han Dynasty.
_Estimating the Value of a Wife_
UNKNOWN: ANCIENT
Once upon a time a husband, weary Of the selfsame face before him day by day, Determined to dismiss his goodwife promptly, And take a new one--to her great dismay!
Without delay the little deal was settled,-- The husband on his purpose being bent,-- The new wife through the front door entered grandly, The old one from a side-door sadly went.
One day the old wife to her home returning From gathering wild flowers on the mountain side, Met with her quondam master in the valley, And, kneeling, asked him how the new one vied.
'The new wife', said the husband very slowly, 'Has beauty that is equal to your own, But still her hands are not so deft and useful, Nor can she compa.s.s so much work alone.
'The new wife's hands are very skilled in weaving Embroidered satins with her dainty touch; The old wife's fingers, faster and unwearied, Of useful fabrics weave five times as much.
'So when I reckon up the charms and uses Of goodwives, number One and number Two, There's little room within my mind for doubting, I had the better bargain when I'd you.'
_The Lady Lo-Fu_
HAN DYNASTY, OR EARLIER
On a bright and sunny morning, From her mother's house there came, One who needed no adorning,-- Lo-Fu was the lady's name.
On her arm a basket swinging, Made of silk her own hand weaves, Forth she wanders blithely singing, Bent on gathering mulberry leaves.
From her head in graceful tresses Falls the fine and l.u.s.trous hair, While each shapely ear caresses Just one pearl of beauty rare.
Purple bodice, broidered quaintly, Silken skirt with amber lace, Gave the touch demure and saintly To her sweetly winsome face.
Travellers dropped the loads they carried, And in wonder stroked their chin; Young men, whether free or married, Doffed their hats a glance to win.
Farmers stay their hand in ploughing, Peasants stand as in a dream, Now and then the trees allowing Of the girl a pa.s.sing gleam.