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Page 25
In this intelligent disposition thoughts of Mian recurred to him with
unreproved persistence, and in order to convey to her an account of
the various matters which had engaged him since his arrival at the
city, and a well-considered declaration of the unchanged state of his
own feelings towards her, he composed and despatched with impetuous
haste the following delicate verses:
CONSTANCY
About the walls and gates of Canton
Are many pleasing and entertaining maidens;
Indeed, in the eyes of their friends and of the passers-by
Some of them are exceptionally adorable.
The person who is inscribing these lines, however,
Sees before him, as it were, an assemblage of deformed and
un-prepossessing hags,
Venerable in age and inconsiderable in appearance;
For the dignified and majestic image of Mian is ever before him,
Making all others very inferior.
Within the houses and streets of Canton
Hang many bright lanterns.
The ordinary person who has occasion to walk by night
Professes to find them highly lustrous.
But there is one who thinks contrary facts,
And when he goes forth he carries two long curved poles
To prevent him from stumbling among the dark and hidden places;
For he has gazed into the brilliant and pellucid orbs of Mian,
And all other lights are dull and practically opaque.
In various parts of the literary quarter of Canton
Reside such as spend their time in inward contemplation.
In spite of their generally uninviting exteriors
Their reflexions are often of a very profound order.
Yet the unpopular and persistently-abused Ling
Would unhesitatingly prefer his own thoughts to theirs,
For what makes this person's thoughts far more pleasing
Is that they are invariably connected with the virtuous and
ornamental Mian.
Becoming very amiably disposed after this agreeable occupation, Ling
surveyed himself at the disc of polished metal, and observed with
surprise and shame the rough and uninviting condition of his person.
He had, indeed, although it was not until some time later that he
became aware of the circumstance, slept for five days without
interruption, and it need not therefore be a matter of wonder or of
reproach to him that his smooth surfaces had become covered with short
hair. Reviling himself bitterly for the appearance which he conceived
he must have exhibited when he conducted his business, and to which he
now in part attributed his ill-success, Ling went forth without delay,
and quickly discovering one of those who remove hair publicly for a
very small sum, he placed himself in the chair, and directed that his
face, arms, and legs should be denuded after the manner affected by
the ones who make a practice of observing the most recent customs.
"Did the illustrious individual who is now conferring distinction on
this really worn-out chair by occupying it express himself in favour
of having the face entirely denuded?" demanded the one who conducted
the operation; for these persons have become famous for their elegant
and persistent ability to discourse, and frequently assume ignorance
in order that they themselves may make reply, and not for the purpose
of gaining knowledge. "Now, in the objectionable opinion of this
unintelligent person, who has a presumptuous habit of offering his
very undesirable advice, a slight covering on the upper lip,
delicately arranged and somewhat fiercely pointed at the extremities,
would bestow an appearance of--how shall this illiterate person
explain himself?--dignity?--matured reflexion?--doubtless the
accomplished nobleman before me will understand what is intended with
a more knife-like accuracy than this person can describe it--but
confer that highly desirable effect upon the face of which at present
it is entirely destitute . . . 'Entirely denuded?' Then without fail
it shall certainly be so, O incomparable personage . . . Does the
versatile Mandarin now present profess any concern as to the condition
of the rice plants? . . . Indeed, the remark is an inspired one; the
subject is totally devoid of interest to a person of intelligence
. . . A remarkable and gravity-removing event transpired within the
notice of this unassuming person recently. A discriminating individual
had purchased from him a portion of his justly renowned Thrice-
extracted Essence of Celestial Herb Oil--a preparation which in this
experienced person's opinion, indeed, would greatly relieve the
undoubted afflictions from which the one before him is evidently
suffering--when after once anointing himself--"
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