the wallet of kai lung-第42节
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From the mountain path which led to Yang Hu's cave came a voice； like
an expressly devised reply to this speech。 It was that of some person
uttering the 〃Chant of Rewards and Penalties〃：
〃How strong is the mountain sycamore！
〃Its branches reach the Middle Air； and the eye of none can
pierce its foliage；
〃It draws power and nourishment from all around； so that weeds
alone may flourish under its shadow。
〃Robbers find safety within the hollow of its trunk； its
branches hide vampires and all manner of evil things which
prey upon the innocent；
〃The wild boar of the forest sharpen their tusks against the
bark； for it is harder than flint； and the axe of the
woodsman turns back upon the striker。
〃Then cries the sycamore； 'Hail and rain have no power against
me； nor can the fiercest sun penetrate beyond my outside
fringe；
〃'The man who impiously raises his hand against me falls by
his own stroke and weapon。
〃'Can there be a greater or a more powerful than this one？
Assuredly； I am Buddha； let all things obey me。'
〃Whereupon the weeds bow their heads； whispering among
themselves； 'The voice of the Tall One we hear； but not
that of Buddha。 Indeed； it is doubtless as he says。'
〃In his musk…scented Heaven Buddha laughs； and not deigning to
raise his head from the lap of the Phoenix Goddess； he
thrusts forth a stone which lies by his foot。
〃Saying； 'A god's present for a god。 Take it carefully； O
presumptuous Little One； for it is hot to the touch。'
〃The thunderbolt falls and the mighty tree is rent in twain。
'They asked for my messenger；' said the Pure One； turning
again to repose。〃
〃Lo； HE COMES！〃
With the last spoken word there came into the sight of those who were
collected together a person of stern yet engaging appearance。 His
hands and face were the colour of mulberry stain by long exposure to
the sun； while his eyes looked forth like two watch…fires outside a
wolf…haunted camp。 His long pigtail was tangled with the binding
tendrils of the forest； and damp with the dew of an open couch。 His
apparel was in no way striking or brilliant； yet he strode with the
dignity and air of a high official； pushing before him a covered box
upon wheels。
〃It is Tung Fel！〃 cried many who stood there watching his approach； in
tones which showed those who spoke to be inspired by a variety of
impressive emotions。 〃Undoubtedly this is the seventh day of the month
of Winged Dragons； and； as he specifically stated would be the case；
lo！ he has come。〃
Few were the words of greeting which Tung Fel accorded even to the
most venerable of those who awaited him。
〃This person has slept； partaken of fruit and herbs； and devoted an
allotted time to inward contemplation；〃 he said briefly。 〃Other and
more weighty matters than the exchange of dignified compliments and
the admiration of each other's profiles remain to be accomplished。
What； for example； is the significance of the written parchment which
is displayed in so obtrusive a manner before our eyes？ Bring it to
this person without delay。〃
At these words all those present followed Tung Fel's gaze with
astonishment； for conspicuously displayed upon the wall of the Temple
was a written notice which all joined in asserting had not been there
the moment before； though no man had approached the spot。 Nevertheless
it was quickly brought to Tung Fel； who took it without any fear or
hesitation and read aloud the words which it contained。
〃TO THE CUSTOM…RESPECTING PERSONS OF CHING…FOW。
〃Truly the span of existence of any upon this earth is brief
and not to be considered； therefore； O unfortunate dwellers of
Ching…fow； let it not affect your digestion that your bodies
are in peril of sudden and most excruciating tortures and your
Family Temples in danger of humiliating disregard。
〃Why do your thoughts follow the actions of the noble Mandarin
Ping Siang so insidiously； and why after each unjust exaction
do your eyes look redly towards the Yamen？
〃Is he not the little finger of those at Peking； obeying their
commands and only carrying out the taxation which others have
devised？ Indeed； he himself has stated such to be the fact。
If； therefore； a terrible and unforeseen fate overtook the
usually cautious and well…armed Ping Siang； doubtlessperhaps
after the lapse of some considerable timeanother would be
sent from Peking for a like purpose； and in this way； after a
too…brief period of heaven…sent rest and prosperity； affairs
would regulate themselves into almost as unendurable a
condition as before。
〃Therefore ponder these things well； O passer…by。 Yesterday
the only man…child of Huang the wood…carver was taken away to
be sold into slavery by the emissaries of the most just Ping
Siang （who would not have acted thus； we are assured； were it
not for the insatiable ones at Peking）； as it had become plain
that the very necessitous Huang had no other possession to
contribute to the amount to be expended in coloured lights as
a mark of public rejoicing on the occasion of the moonday of
the sublime Emperor。 The illiterate and prosaic…minded Huang；
having in a most unseemly manner reviled and even assailed
those who acted in the matter； has been effectively disposed
of； and his wife now alternately laughs and shrieks in the
Establishment of Irregular Intellects。
〃For this reason； gazer； and because the matter touches you
more closely than； in your self…imagined security； you are
prone to think； deal expediently with the time at your
disposal。 Look twice and lingeringly to…night upon the face of
your first…born； and clasp the form of your favourite one in a
closer embrace； for he by whose hand the blow is directed may
already have cast devouring eyes upon their fairness； and to…
morrow he may say to his armed men： 'The time is come； bring
her to me'。〃
〃From the last sentence of the well…intentioned and undoubtedly
moderately…framed notice this person will take two phrases；' remarked
Tung Fel； folding the written paper and placing it among his garments；
'which shall serve him as the title of the lifelike and
accurately…represented play which it is his self…conceited intention
now to disclose to this select and unprejudiced gathering。 The scene
represents an enlightened and well…merited justice overtaking an
arrogant and intolerable being whoneed this person add？existed
many dynasties ago； and the title is：
THE TIME IS COME！
BY WHOSE HAND？〃
Delivering himself in this manner； Tung Fel drew back the hanging
drapery which concealed the front of his large box； and disclosed to
those who were gathered round； not； as they had expected； a passage
from the Record of the Three Kingdoms； or some other dramatic work of
undoubted merit； but an ingeniously constructed representation of a
scene outside the walls of their own Ching…fow。 On one side was a
small but minutely accurate copy of a wood…burner's hut； which was
known to all present； while behind stood out the distant but
nevertheless unmistakable walls of the city。 But it was nearest part
of the spectacle that first held the attention of the entranced
beholders； for there disported themselves； in every variety of
guileless and attractive attitude； a number of young and entirely
unconcerned doves。 Scarcely had the delighted onlookers fully observed
the pleasing and effective scene； or uttered their expressions of
polished satisfaction at the graceful and unassuming behaviour of the
pretty creatures before them； than the view entirely changed； and； as
if by magic； the massive and inelegant building of Ping Siang's Yamen
was presented before them。 As all gazed； astonished； the great door of
the Yamen opened stealthily； and without a moment's pause a lean and
ill…conditioned rat； of unnatural size and rapacity； dashed out and
seized the most select and engaging of the unsuspecting prey in its
hungry jaws。 With the expiring cry of the innocent vic
