Part 11 (2/2)

On this morn an Envoy pa.s.sing, From a mission to the sea, Where much wealth he'd been ama.s.sing, Saw Lo-Fu beneath a tree.

For her silkworms food providing, Work she did with greatest zest; All her friends around residing Owned her silk was of the best.

Near the tree the Envoy stopping With his escort in array, Soldiers boughs of mulberries lopping Helped to make a fine display.

From his retinue emerging Came the Envoy's trusty man, Who his master's message urging, Gently asked her name and clan.

'Lo-Fu,' came the answer proudly, 'Of the ancient house of T'sin!'

Adding, too, a little loudly, 'And my age is seventeen.'

'Will you join me?' asked the Envoy, 'Sharing all my wealth and power, All the treasures of this convoy Would not far exceed your dower!'

'You have a wife,' she answered coldly, 'And most foolish are, I fear; I,' she added firm and boldly, 'Also have a husband dear.

'And my husband is the leader Of a thousand hors.e.m.e.n brave, Midst whom not one base seceder Would another captain crave!

'On his charger, white and fiery, 'Mongst the troop he's first espied, Soldier-like, erect and wiry, With his keen sword by his side.

'When but fifteen he enlisted Without patronage or fame, And at twenty, una.s.sisted, Officer at Court became.

'Then at thirty, unexpected, Captain in the Royal Clan; Now at forty he's selected Chief commandant of Ch'ang-an.

'Gallant, but of gentle bearing, When the battle's fought and won, For the praise of men less caring Than the meed for duty done.

'Yes, a clear-eyed, clean-souled hero Is the man I'm praising now, And your value sinks to zero When compared with his, I vow.

'True, a lowly work I'm doing, And the silk we use I spin, But remember you are wooing Lo-Fu of the House of T'sin.'[44]

[44] The ancient State of T'sin, which finally embraced the whole of Shen-si and Kansuh. In 221 B.C. this State under s.h.i.+ Hw.a.n.g Ti subdued all China, and thereafter the ruling sovereigns are known as the T'sin Dynasty.

_An Autumn Evening in the Garden_

BY LI YI

The Summer's gone, but summer heat remains, And sleepless nights still leave us all repining; So to the garden I have moved my couch, And on it I am peacefully reclining.

The white clouds spread themselves across the sky, And through the rifts the moon's soft light is falling On dewy gra.s.s and flowers and trees around, While from the towers night birds are faintly calling.

The gentle rustling of the tall bamboos In subtle symphony of tone is blending With the waters of the fountain and the brook, Which flow and murmur on their ways unending.

While through the gauzy garments which I wear The cooling evening breeze is gently blowing, My feeling of contentment is more deep Than when I'm where the ruby wine is flowing.

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