Chinese Poems Part 11

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.

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.