Chapter 4: Kwoketsu Stupidly Grasps at the Moon's Shadow

From: The Fortunate Union, a Chinese Romance. Translated from the Chinese Original by John Francis Davis (London, 1829)

Note: This text was digitized via OCR from the original 1829 print. Some scan errors may remain -- compare with the modern translation and Chinese original to verify.

CHAPTER. IV.

KWOKETSU STUPIDLY GRASPS AT THE MOON’S

- SHADOW.”

. Ob wondrous dulness to which some are prone, Unapt to see what stares them full in view! The spring dream fied, they still brood over it— The autumn clouds dispers’d, they fancy still They see them changing !— Unless heaven befriend, The acutest become dull—the powerful steed

Unrein’d, ungovern’d, spends his speed in vain :— Adventurous though their plots, and boldly plann’d, Lo, a weak maiden’s prudence foils them all !

WE have already described the anger of _Kwoketsu on finding that he had been deceived, and the terror he experienced when his new wife, after a volley of irresisti- ble arguments, made him believe she was going to destroy herself. He gave the lady in strict charge to her female attendants, and then having dressed himself, proceeded forthwith in secret to the residence of the Chefoo.

He told that magistrate a piteous tale of the trick which had been played him by Shueyun ; how he had first of all taken him to steal a look at his niece, and then contrived that he should marry his daughter. “ The sums I have spent,” exclaimed he, “ are the least part of the evil, but it is a sore thing to be so befooled by

that

that fellow! and I come, sir, to conjure you, by the regard you bear my father, to afford me some redress in punishing him.”

The Chefoo, after a little consideration replied, “Tt id true enough that Shueyun has deceived you ; but how remiss and unmindful you were of your own interests in this business! What made you receive the nuptial ticket without inquiring into the age of the bride? You have occasioned my being taken in, as well as your- self. But, allowing that such deceit could not easily be foreseen, how happened you not to send the presents to the bride’s own house, instead of her uncle’s; and when the uncle returned a card for his niece, and called her his daughter, you might very well have suspected some trick. You went, besides, to Shueyun’s house to receive the lady; a very plain way of espousing his daughter. The thing, however, is settled, and she is fairly your wife. Should you complain of your bargain, very few people will believe the story. With regard to your stolen interview, it was an irregular transaction, and not rashly to be brought forward in court. Say nothing about this business at present; but go home, and wait quietly until I have had a private interview with Shueyun ; I may, perhaps, gain some intelligence from him which shall enable me to assist you.”

Kwoketsu was obliged to be content with this: he went home, and tried to pacify his wife as well as he could ;—and there we will leave him for the present.

' From

From the moment. his daughter had quitted the house, the terror of the unhappy Shueyun threw him into a cold sweat. He endeavoured to sleep away his fears ;—but there was no sleep for him, and he rose with the ‘first dawn of light, for the purpose of sending a secret messenger to reconnoitre the premises. The mes- senger came back, and reported that every thing was very quiet ; ‘upon which he thought to himeelf, “ This Kwoketsu is a decidedly violent character: he is not the man to bear an injury patiently!” Thus it was that he remained full of the most horrible apprehen- sions, nutil about mid-day, when a messenger came from the magistrate, with a request that he would watk over and see him. Though in miserable plight, Shueyun was obliged to muster sufficient resolution to carry him to the audience ; where having arrived, he was desired by the Chefoo to retire to a back apartment and sit down. The attendants being dismissed, the following

discourse was addressed to him by the magistrate : “You know very well that the person whom I intended as a wite for Kwoketsu was your niece ; instead of whom you have, in a very artful and eri- minal manner, passed off your daughter ; thus imposing upon myself as well as the young man; who has this morning presented an address, begging me to subject you to the fullest penalties of the law in return for your vile deceit. In consideration of your connexions, I first of all send for you in this manner, thinking there may

may be something yet undivulged ; and should such be the case, your only chance is to make a full and free confession of all.” ‘

Shueyun, in an extacy of terror, fell down on his knees. “ Alas! sir,” cried he, “ how should I, who am under your worship’s especial government, and have my life in your hands, dare to think of deceiving you! The transactions of yesterday were the result of mere necessity on my pert, and involve details which I would gladly explain to your worship, and hope for pardon and indulgence.”

“ Well,” said the magistrate, “ sit down here, and let me hear them.”

Shueyun rose up immediately, and taking his seat, gave a circumstantial relation of the whole affair from beginning to end, in which he shewed that the ex- pedient of passing off his daughter had originated with his niece, and been adopted by him merely to escape @ more dangerous predicament.* He concluded with urging that his daughter, with all her defects, being now the lawful wife of Kwoketsu, might be regarded in some measure as the award of heaven; and he trusted that his worship would consider her with indulgence. —

° rhe Cinee ath bere det, with the mont tious mintenees, what the reader is already in possession of; end the latter will probably thank the translator for not following the example of those, who would insert every such useless repetition, for no better reason than because it exists in the original. —“ Truly, for mine own part,” says honest Dog-

berry, “I could find it in my heart to bestow al] my tediousness on your worship.” .

The magistrate could not help listening with delight to the tale of Shueypingsin’s prudence and address. “‘ Whence,” exclaimed he, “could your niece have acquired such wonderful discretion at her tender years! She is truly worthy of esteem and affection. But though the event has been sufficiently accounted for by your statement, it cannot be expected that the young man should readily submit to such treatment.”

“* His vexation,” said Shueyun, “ arises entirely from losing my niece ; and had she been disposed of, at the same time that he espoused my daughter, to some other person, the case would be irreparable: but though she has escaped him on this occasion, she yet remains in her primitive single state ; and if he is unable to dismiss her from his mind, let me try if I cannot contrive by some means to cajole her yet, in expiation of my past fault.* There is no reason why we may not succeed.”

- “ Well,” said the magistrate, who seemed pleased by the proposal, “ should she revert to Kwoketsu at last, we will say no more about the matter: but how can you impose upon your niece, with all her penetration ?”

“ As long as my daughter remained single,” replied the other, my niece stood upon her guard, and succeeded. in

' © It will be seen that they endeavour to set aside the former marriage by altering the nuptial ticket, which would have reduced Shueyun's daughter from a wife to a concubine. The Chinese author loses no opportunity of placing Shueyun in the most contemptible and ridiculous light, and never more so than on this occasion, where he is made to propose his own daughter’s disgrace : so different from the conduct of the scholar Hanyuen, on a similar occasion (p. 32.)

in opposing us; but quite at ease on that head now, she can hardly be prepared against another stratagem. Let me beg your worship to send for the young man him- self, and ‘propose to him an excellent scheme which occurs to me.”

The magistrate told him that, in consideration of the zeal he now displayed, no further notice should be taken of the past; but he had better not play false agairi, as he could hardly expect a repetition of such lenity. A messenger was then despatched for Kwoketsu, who being made acquainted with the drift of the late conversation, expressed great satisfaction thereat. He told Shueyun that it was not from any wish to treat his daughter lightly, but in consequence of the sense he entertained of his niece’s merita, that he still desired to make the latter his wife. “‘ May I ask by what means you pro- pose to effect this?” added he.

“ Simply in this way,” replied Shueyun: “do you go back to my daughter, and by your cheerful and satisfied demeanour make her quite easy, until the celebration of the third, sixth, or ninth* day arrives, when you must make great festive preparations, and invite all your friends. Among those of the male sex assembled in the outer hall will be their worships the magistrates ; and among the females, to whom the inner chamber will

and its multiples, particularly nine, in common with other nations.

¢ Neete tribus nodis ternos, Amarylli, colores.””

82 ‘THE: FORTUNATE UNION.

be devoted, my niece cannot avoid coming, a8 a near relation. This being effected, you have only to produce the marriage ticket, with her own eight characters in- scribed instead of my daughter’s, and boldly claim her as your lawful wife, calling on the two magistrates pre- sent to settle the question. I myself shall be there to put in a word, and we need have no fear of her escaping us:* why should not my scheme succeed ?”

The young man was delighted, and exclaimed that it was excellent. But the magistrate remarked, that though the plan was not a bad one, he feared Shueypingsin was too cunning to be prevailed on to attend.

“If she finds the third and sixth days pass without observation,” said the uncle, “ and my daughter seems fairly established in her new home, her suspicions will be entirely lulled; and when the ninth or twelfth day arrives, there will be stronger reasons for her feeling se- cure. She can hardly fail to attend.”

The consultation thus ended, the two others took their leave of the magistrate, and having renewed their mutual exhortations, separated each to his own home.

Reason’s highway is straight and plain—unlike The crooked, devious paths of worthless men : Did not a faultless heroine sometimes shine, Virtue’s great cause entirely would fail !

Kwoketsu proceeded without loss of time to make the requisite preparations at his house ; where we will leave

him,

Literally, ‘ of her flying away up to heaven.’

him, and secempany Shueyun, who on his retum went over with a semblance of joy to visit his niece. “ Child,” exclaimed he, “ I wronged you much in what my pas- mon urged me to say yesterday ; for. unless every thing _ had happened as you arranged it, we should have been in a terrible condition* to-day!” The young lady dis- claimed all pretensions to credit on the occasion, and maintained that nothing whatever had taken place be- yond the ordinary rules of propriety. “I was very ap- prehensive,” observed Shueyun, “ of evil consequences this morning ; but no stir seems to be made about it, and we may hope all parties are disposed to rest satis- fied.”

“ That does not follow,” replied his niece; “they may think it useless to resort to unavailing reproaches, and yet be devising some scheme among themselves.”

“ ‘What schemes should they devise?” said he as he left her—exclaiming to himself at the same time with astonishment, “‘ How comes this young girl to have such a clear insight into character! I very much fear she may yet refase the invitation.”

Three days previous to the twelfth moming of the mariage, five invitation tickets appeared, one for the uncle, three more for his three sons, all of them in the name of Kwoketsu, and a fifth for Shueypingsin, written in the name of her cousin, as both the father and mother

of that lady’s husband were absent. . Shueyun took all Gc 2 the

® Literally, ‘ The skies would have come down upon us.’

the tickets to his niece. “‘ This whole business,” said he, laughing, “seems to turn out according to your prediction ; our sorrow and perplexity have been con- verted into joy. . There can remain no doubts after this invitation to our whole party to celebrate the marriage. Let us then accept it, and by our personal attendance confirm the union.” “ Doubtless,” replied his niece, “ we must all of us attend.” Shueyun now observed, that instead of going empty- handed, they should send some presents on the day pre- ceding, in order that due notice being thus given, their friends might be prepared. His niece assented to this also, and he presently brought a large red ticket, re- questing she would specify such articles as she wished to be procured. Shueypingsin, without the least hesita- tion, took up a pencil and wrote a long list of presents, which she requested he would take the trouble to provide. Her uncle now considered the plot as more than half successful, and joyfully conveyed a private notice to Kwoketsu ; after which he gota calculator of nativities * to furnish him with the eight characters of his niece, which he likewise conveyed to the young man, with a request that he would have the nuptial ticket altered accordingly. Still he could not help feeling apprehensive lest his niece might

FHE FORTUNATE UNION. 85

might yet change her mind, and went about here and there, prying and eaves-dropping, for the chance of pick- ing up what she said—while Shueypingsin, with her ac- customed reserve, uttered not a word.

In the extremity of his anxiety, he sent a request to his daughter that she would, on the day previous to the festivities, despatch two of her women with a particular invitation to Shueypingsin; and accordingly they came, saying that their mistress felt herself under infinite obli- gations to her cousin for all she had done for her, and most earnestly entreated she would come at an early hour on the following day to receive her acknowledg- ments in person. “ To-morrow being your mistress’s marriage festival,” said Shueypingsin, “ I cannot fail to attend and present my congratulations ;” then turning to her attendants, she ordered tea to be handed to the two women, and while they were taking it, addressed her conversation to them, inquiring if her cousin were just now engaged in any particular occupation ?

“ Nothing particular,” replied one of the women. “ Yes,” said the other, ‘“ she was this morning sewing something on a piece of red silk, but I do not know what they call it.”*

. “ I sup-

© The ignorance of this attendant, and the incuriosity of her mistress on the subject of what she was working, seem rather strange, as one might imagine that a nuptial ticket must be familiar to all classes. The only way of explaining it, is on the supposition that the use of red silk, with gold letters, in lieu of the usual writing on crimson-coloured paper, is

“I suppose they might be gold letters that your mistreas was sewing on?” observed Shueypingsin ; and when the attendant replied that they were, she turned the conversation at once, and asked no more ques- tions. The two women having drank their tea, she diemissed them, with a repetition of her promise to at- tend on the followmg day.

Shueyun, when he heard of this, was exceedingly happy, and by daylight next morning the two attendants again made their appearance, bringing with them a golden casket containing eight large pearls of a fine colour, which they presented to Shueypingsin, telling her these were sent by their mistress for her acceptance. “These beautiful pearls,” said the young lady when she had inspected them, “ are of such a size and value, that I could not afford to purchase them myself; and if your mistress wishes to bestow them on me, carry them back, and wait until I have seen and spoken to her.” The women, not knowing what to do, took their leave with the pearls; and Shueyun immediately came over to ask his niece how many men she would require with the sedan and state umbrella ?*

Shueypingsin replied, “ that her father being in dis- grace with the emperor, it did not become her to use the great sedan and yellow umbrella; and she should,

therefore,

is uncommon, and exclusively confined to the very highest rank. We have seen before, that the author's drift is to expose to scorn the ignorance of Shueyun and his family with regard to les convenances.

To which she was entitled from her father’s rank.

therefore, proceed in a small chair: that on the pre- ceding day, when her tenant at the southern farm brought his rent in grain,* she had engaged two of the country people to carry her; and her uncle need give himeelf no further trouble.

“ What,” exclaimed Shueyun, “ when Kwoketsu has assembled all his relatives in such state to meet us, should not we too, who have just become allied to his family, observe some state and ceremony? If you go in a shabby sedan, with two bearers, and without the umbrella, will not people laugh at you?”

“ Let them laugh,” said his niece; “I am deter- mined to do nothing incorrect.”

Seeing he could not prevail on her, “ Well then,” said he, “if you have engaged your chair, we will precede you in a befitting style, and you may follow in any way you please.” So saying he went out, and hurried with his three sons to the meeting.

Like rolling grindstones their unsteady plots

Still changing shift ;—ber's fix'd as rocks remain! Now this way tend their efforts, and now that, Devoid of principle.

When Kwoketsu heard that Shueypingsin was really coming, he could not dissemble his joy, but sent re- peatedly to the two magistrates, reminding them of their promise to assist him. He had, at the same time, engaged three or four young men of his own violent and unprin-

cipled

Ina country like China, with a smal} amount of circulating medium,

the payment of rent in kind might be expected.

‘cipled character to be present on the occasion. The spearls, he wished to pretend, had been received as mar- riage presents ; and the nuptial ticket, with the date of Shueypingsin’s birth in gold letters, was to be produced in proof of the contract. Seven or eight stout waiting- maids were then chosen, and these were instructed, as soon as the young lady left her chair and entered the gate, to surround her, and in case she attempted to do herself any violence, to prevent it. He also prepared one of his most retired apartments in a style of sump- tuous elegance, hoping this might have some effect in reconciling her to her situation. Nor did his female emissaries cease going ‘to the house of Shueypingsin from daybreak until noon, about which time messengers came to announce that she had got into her chair; then presently it was.reported that she was half-way, upon which the joy and satisfaction of Kwoketsu were at their height,* and he cried out to the musicians to arrange themselves to the nght and left of the great gate, strik- ing up in full band as soon as the chair arrived.

In his impatient anxiety, the young man ran out at the gate to look, and perceived at some distance a small sedan, preceded by four waiting-maids, and followed by a number of men-servants; the whole appearing to his eyes like the descent of some superior being among mortals. However, he was obliged by decorum to re-

enter the house before they reached the gate, and when

. the

Literally, ‘his heart’s flowers were all full blown.”

the two magistrates heard him say that Shueypingsin was actually coming, they could not help exclaiming to themselves, ‘‘ What intelligence and penetration did not this young woman display before !—It is a pity she has fallen into the snare at last !”"*. The chair had by this time reached the gate ; and when it was set down, the four waiting-maids displaced the blind in front. Shueypingsin was already half out of the sedan, when the seven or eight women within the gate ran out to assist her, the whole band striking up a loud peal at the same time. Shueypingsin on a sudden changed countenance, and exclaimed, “ There is something in that music which persuades me they have laid a trap for my unwariness ; if I go in, I shall fall into the snare;” so she instantly re-seated herself, and told her people to be away back in a moment. The two countrymen who bore the sedan had received their instructions, and hardly waited for the order before they had the chair on their shoulders, and were hurrying away home, with the attendants after them.

How near the prey to the fell dragon's jaws !t —To beard the tiger tempts no common risk! Like gems and gold, her mind superior shines ; Their plots in naked worthlessness appear. Kwoketsu,

They were acting contrary to their duty and inclination, through

awe of Kwoketsu’s family.

+ The allusion is to a huge serpent or dragon, which the Chinese fre- quently carry in their processions, borne by fifty men—its body hollow, transparent, and full of lights, and having suspended to its nose a ball swinging backwards and forwards.

Kwoketsu, on hearing the band strike up, waited in eager expectation to see her enter, and stole into a corer to catch a passing glimpse ; but to his surprise the music stopped at once, and the seven or eight female attendants ran in to seek him. “ Why does not the lady come in ?” said he, advancing to meet them. They told him how Shueypingsin had ordered the chair home upon hearing the band, with her speech on the occasion. “ And you did not detain her ?” cried he, stamping with rage.—They replied, that he could not have stopped her himself, she went away in such a hurry!

People were instantly sent in pursuit of the chair, but it was already far beyond their reach. Kwoketsu stood for a moment stupified with rage and vexation, and then rushing into the hall, told the magistrates what had happened. They heard it with astonishment, though not without some secret satisfaction. “‘ This young woman, is really a wonder,” said the Chefoo, “ to dis- cover your intentions at once from the sound of the music!” Then turning to Shueyun, he inquired if his niece had any skill in divination ?* ‘“‘ She used to read learned books with her father,” replied he, ‘‘ and to pre- dict good or ill-fortune ; though we paid no regard to

what

® The most commor mode of divination among the Chinese is by means of wooden slips, inscribed with characters, and tossed on the ground at random. This custom is described almost to the letter by Tacitus in his account of the Germans ;—“ Sortium consuetudo simplex ; virgam frugiferee arbori decisam in surculos amputant, eosque notis quibusdam discretos super candidam vestem temere ac fortuito spargunt.”"— Germ. x.

what she said; on this occasion, however, she seems to have divined rightly to our cost.”

The whole party present expressed their surprise and admiration. As for Kwoketsu, he could not give up‘all thoughts of her yet, but despatched two females with a message, “‘ that they were all waiting for the young lady to assist at the celebration of the twelfth day ;—that he himself had no intentions distinct from this,—why then so suddenly run away from the gate ?”

Shueypingsin, however, sent them back with this answer: “ I went to your lord’s house without hesita- tion, confident of his good intentions, and little suspect- ing his designs against myself. I am now certain of the forgery of the nuptial ticket, and of his scheme regarding the pearls; not to mention the presence of the two magistrates on the occasion. Had the music not happily warned me, I might by this time have been caught in the snare. Go and present my most profound respects to your lord,—let him be contented with the wife that he has got, for he and I were never intended to come together, and he had better give up such foolish schemes and idle imaginations for the future.”

The guests, on hearing this, renewed their ex- pressions of admiration, and declared that the young lady was no ordinary person. When they had talk- ed together confusedly for some time, and agreed

that nothing more could be done, the entertainment was

was served up, and the company departed to their houses.

Kwoketsu, however, in the bitterness of his disap- pointment, detained Shueyun. “I suspect,” said he, “ that your niece, talented as she is, and allowing her to be something more than human, could never have obtained this knowledge without assistance. You cer- tainly have been leagued with her against me !”

’ In the utmost tribulation at such a charge, Shueyun fell down on his knees before heaven, and uttered this imprecation. “ If I have been leagued with my niece to deceive you, may my whole house be involved in misery with myself !” *

“ Then,” said the other, hastily raising him from the ground, “ if it be true that she bas acted for hereelf on this occasion, I declare to you honestly, that her talents are an additional reason why I will never give her up !”

“ My good son,” exclaimed Shueyun, “ if you will not give her up, at least cease to persecute me !— though I have still a desperate scheme in store, which you may try.”

“ What is that ?” inquired his son-in-law.

“ The 20th of the 9th moon,” replied he, “ is the anniversary of her mother’s death,+ when my niece never fails to proceed to the tomb near the southern

farm,

® Literally, Zsaou wun, ‘ catch the pest.’ t+ Called Keshin, ‘ hateful, or dreadful hour.’

farm, to sacrifice, and perform the sepulchral rites. Her rents are at the same time presented to her, and she passes a portion of the day in visiting the flower gardens. This is so established a custom with her, that not a year passes without her repeating it: do you then, when the day arrives, mount a fast horse, and ordering your people to conceal themselves near the southern farm, wait until she has performed the oblations, and is returning home, when you may disperse her attendants and carry her off to your own house. I leave it to you to settle the plan with your own people; and whether it fails or succeeds, pray remember that you are not to persecute me farther on this subject.”

“ Good ! good!” exclaimed the young man in the same breath ; “ the plan is straight-forward and easy, and shall be adopted :—but suppose the day proves stormy, she may perhaps not go ?”

“ My niece,” answered Shueyun, “ has such a filial regard for her mother’s memory, that let the weather be what it may, she is sure to go.” His son-in-law was delighted to hear this, and their plans being settled, they parted.

Let not presumptuous mortals hope t’obtain A goddess—but beware the iron scourge

Of the avenging power !—Still unreform’d, He madly holds his course—still dares to feed His liquorish hopes !

We leave Kwoketsu to prepare his enterprize, and

accompany

accompany Shueyun, who on teaching home went over to see his niece. “ How could you come to the door,” said he, “and then hurry away again so strangely, while people were actuated by the best intentions? -¥ou not only destroyed the festivity of the meeting, but involved me in the suspicion of being a party to ‘such rudeness.”

“ It is needless for me,” replied Shueypingsin, “ to discuss the young man’s intentions, since they are best known to himself.”

Here Shueyun joined his palms together, and ex- claimed, “I swear by the god F% himself, that you do him wrong! He had no intention to-day except to bring the family together; I can vouch for the probity of his conduct.”*

“‘ When I heard the three beats of the drum,” said his niece, “ I was aware some deep scheme must be in agita- tion; and though I have succeeded in foiling him this time, I feel certain that he will not give up the pursuit until he has made another attempt or two. You will learn hereafter that I did:him no injury by my suspicion.”

Shueyun had not a word to say in reply; but, con- founded and abashed, slunk away home as quick as he

could. On

© By this oath he is made to appear at once in an odious and a ridiculous light, as he not only asseverates to what is false, but betrays his subservience to a superstition which is pretty generally despised among the Chinese. The sequel will shew the author's opinion of the priests of F&, or Buddha.

On the morning of the 20th, Shueypingsin failed not to proceed with all the requisite preparations to perform the sepulchral rites at her mother’s tomb.* On the pre- ceding day she had invited her uncle to accompany her, with his three sons; but he, considering within himself that the seizure of his niece must necessarily be followed by some trouble, and that if he went in person, part of the responsibility might attach to himself, told her that he should be confined to the house by business of con- sequence.

“ Well then,” said she, “ if you cannot go yourself, why not let my three cousins attend me?”

“The two elder,” replied Shueyun, “ have business at home; but the youngest may go and perform the rites with you.” This being settled, he privately in- formed Kwoketsu of his motives for staying away— adding, that his youngest son might be found useful as @ spyt on the occasion.

The southern farm being about four miles distant from the city, the young lady rose at daylight to pre- pare herself, having a large state chair ready, closed on the four sides with dark blinds, together with the yellow umbrella to lead the way. Four waiting maids followed in as many small sedans, and the young cousin, with some attendants, brought up the rear on horseback.

In

These are detailed in the drama called ‘an heir in old age,’ trans-

lated by the author of the present version.

+ Literally, ‘ an ear and eye.’

In this order they proceeded leisurely on their way to perform the sepulchral rites. In the clearmirror the flow'r-spangled sprig Reflected blooms—the moon’s pale image lurks In the bright wave—to mock the gazer's grasp ! Each effort vainly spent, his prey remains Intangible, as shadows in the stream.

On the arrival of Shueypingsin at the farm, her tenant opened the gate, and conducted her chair straight to the principal room, upon which the door was closed, and the attendants on horseback remained without the enclosure. The farmer's wife brought in tea, and when Shueypingsin and her young cousin had partaken of it, the young lady inquired if all things were prepared at the tomb? The woman replied that all was ready ; upon which she rose, and proceeded with her cousin to the sepulchre at the back of the farm, where they made the proper offerings to the departed, and burnt the gilt paper.

The rites being ended, Shueypingsin went to visit a pavilion on the west side of the farm, to view the beds of crysanthemum* in full bloom. To the east and west were two lofty summer-houses, of which the eastern was surrounded with young peach trees, for the sake of their blossoms in spring ;+ and the western pavilion,

. being

® The crysanthemum Indicum (Keith hwa) is esteemed by the Chi- nese on account of the variety of its colours, and towards winter the curious in flowers display large collections of this gaudy plant round their

houses. t There are two annual periods for visiting the tombs, corresponding nearly

being intended for autumnal visits, was provided in like manner with large collections of the crysanthemum. It was now autumn, and the young lady paid her visit to the latter, admiring the abundant richness and beauty of the flowers, which spread around the base of the building like a variegated carpet of gold.

Their slender shadows fill the enclosure, and a scattered scent pervades the Slower-beds, planted in triple rows: the deeper and lighter tints reflect a yellow light, and the leaves shine varied from beneath the drops of dew. Each hungry flowret inhales the pass- ing breeze, as it sheds around its incomparable lustre. The gazer sympathizes with the languishing blossoms, bending their heads all faint and delicate: the mournful view awakes in his mind thoughts suitable to autumn. Say not that it is a sight to satiate the eyes of the indifferent beholder—know that such flowers as these once inspired the poet Taouyuenming,* as he indulged his genius amidst verses and wine.

When she had admired the crysanthemums, Shuey- pingsin took a view of the country on the four sides of the pavilion, and observed the country people busily

VOL. 1. H occupied

nearly to the equinoxes, and those who cannot go in the spring (which is the principal occasion), are expected to attend in autumn.

® Taouyuenming flourished towards the conclusion of the Tsin dynasty. He was celebrated for his contempt of every thing but lite- rature and ease, in which he indulged his whole life, amidst flowers, willows, and wine.

occupied with the autumnal harvest.* To her surprise, however, she perceived two idle-looking fellows standing by the side of a mat shed, gazing at the people carry- ing the grain. Struck by this circumstance, she looked round and perceived three more, seated on a heap of straw on the west side of the building, who, on finding that they were.observed, immediately rose. On the other side of the wall, too, she caught a glimpse of her cousin, deeply engaged in conversation with a young ‘ man in a blue dress. She instantly suspected some mischief was in agitation—but said not a word.

In a short time the farmer’s wife invited her to take some refreshment within, and the young lady, des- cending from the pavilion, sent a message to her cousin to come and partake of it. When the repast was over, the latter urged their departure, proposing that, as they had nothing more to do, they should return home imme- diately. ‘‘ Do you amuse yourself a little while longer,” said Shueypingsin, “ I must give directions to the dif- ferent tenants, and obtain from them some arrears of rent.” When he was gone, she first settled with the people, whom having dismissed, she retired with her females to a small back-room, and seating herself there, made them turn all the clothes out of a leathern box, which was immdiately filled with broken stones and rubbish, collected for her by a trusty domestic who was called in to assist. The box was then quietly deposited

under

There is a summer harvest, in contradistinction.

under the seat of the state chair; a large. stone was next bundled up in some clothes, and placed upon the seat itself; after which the door of the chair was locked, and the blinds carefully secured on all sides, The faith- ful domestics being then called in, and properly in- structed, Shueypingsin dressed herself like one of her maids, and stepped into a small chair, the girl whose place she occupied being secretly left at the farm-house, with a charge to the tenant to send her home afterwards, Every thing duly arranged, the doors were thrown open, and the chair-bearers summoned. These immediate- ly entered from the enclosure, and each set of men going to their proper chair, and taking it up as before, carried it out; while the umbrella-bearer led the way, and the cousin followed on horseback attended by the servants. They had not proceeded above a bow-shot from the farm, when between ten and twenty fellows started wp in various directions, two from one side and three from another, some of whom laid hold on the state-chair, while others began to belabour the carriers. “This is our ground,” cried they, “ what right have you to interfere with our livelihood ?”* The four chair- men being beaten away from their load, an equal num- ber of the assailants took it up on their shoulders, and ran away at full speed: upon which the mounted at- H 2 tendants

monopoly in their own boundary, by way of recompense for doing all government work gratis.

tendants in the rear gallopped after them, exclaiming, “ Ruffian slaves, it is the daughter of the President Shueykeuyih that you are carrying off in this insolent manner!” The others, however, only ran the faster, and when the pursuers had nearly reached them, Kwo- ketsu, who was on horseback under some fir trees by the road side, with a party of mounted followers, threw himself in the way. ‘That young lady,” cried he, “is my bride—what do you mean by detaining her?”

They pulled up in haste, and replied, ‘“‘ We did not know it was you, sir; but followed, lest our neglect should displease our lady.”

“ Go away home,” said he, waving his hand, “ I will be answerable for all consequences.” With this he gave his horse the whip, and rode forwards with his attendants towards the sedan. The servants of Shueypingsin, being in her secret, were glad to bor- row this pretext for joining their young mistress in the small chair, and quietly attending her in safety to her home.

As for Kwoketsu, he escorted the state sedan in joy and exultation into the city—but to see his joy con- verted into rage, and his exultation into shame, it will be necessary to read the next chapter.

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Hao Qiu Zhuan/en-davis/Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Kwoketsu Stupidly Grasps at the Moon's Shadow

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