the mirror of kong ho(空赫的镜子)-第32节
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approaching old age； the vile…intentioned mendacity of outcasts envious of
the House of Kong； and； perchance； the irritation brought on by a too
lavish indulgence in your favourite dish of stewed mouse。
Having thus re…established himself in the clear…sighted affection of an
ever mild and perfect father； and cleansed the ground of all possible
misunderstandings in the future； this person will concede the fact that； not
to stand beneath the faintest shadow of an implied blemish in your
sympathetic eyes； he had no sooner understood the attitude in which he
had been presented than he at once plunged into the virtuous society of a
band of the sombre and benevolent。
These； so far as his intelligence enables him to grasp the position； may
be reasonably accepted as the barbarian equivalent of those very high…
minded persons who in our land devote their whole lives secretly to killing
others whom they consider the chief deities do not really approve of； for
although they are not permitted here； either by written law or by accepted
custom； to perform these meritorious actions； they are so intimately
initiated into the minds and councils of the Upper Ones that they are able
to pronounce very severe judgments of torturea much heavier penalty
than merely being assassinatedupon all who remain outside their league。
As some of the most objurgatory of these alliances do not number more
than a score of persons； it is inevitable that the ultimate condition of the
whole barbarian people must be hazardous in the extreme。
Having associated myself with this class sufficiently to escape their
vindictive pronouncements； and freely professed an unswerving adherence
to their rites； I next sought out the priests of other altars； intending by a
seemly avowal to each in turn to safeguard my future existence effectually。
This I soon discovered to be beyond the capacity of an ordinary lifetime；
for whereas we； with four hundred million subjects find three religions to
be sufficient to meet every emergency； these irresolute island children；
although numbering us only as one to ten； vacillate among three hundred；
and even amid this profusion it is asserted that most of the barbarians are
unable to find any temple exactly conforming to their requirements； and
after writing to the paper to announce the fact； abandon the search in
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despair。
It was while I was becoming proficient in the inner subtleties of one of
these ordersthey who drink water on all occasions and wear a badge
that a maiden of some authority among them besought my aid for the
purpose of amusing a band which she was desirous of propitiating into the
adoption of this badge。 It is possible that in the immature confidence of
former letters this person may already have alluded to certain maidens
with words of courteous esteem； but it is now necessary to admit finally
that in the presence of this same Helena they would all appear as an
uninviting growth of stunted and deformed poppies surrounding a
luxuriant chrysanthemum。 At the presumptuous thought of describing her
illimitable excellences my fingers become claw…like in their confessed
inadequacy to hold a sufficiently upright brush； yet without undue
confidence it may be set down that her hands resembled the two wings of
a mandarin drake in their symmetrical and changing motion； her hair as
light and radiant…pointed as the translucent incense cloud floating before
the golden Buddha of Shan…Si； thin white satin stretched tightly upon
polished agate only faintly comparable to her jade cheeks； while her eyes
were more unfathomable than the crystal waters of the Keng…kiang； and
within their depths her pure and magnanimous thoughts could be dimly
seen to glide like the gold and silver carp beneath the sacred river。
When this insurpassable being approached me with the flattering
petition already alluded to； my gratified emotions clashed together
uncontrollably with the internal feeling of many volcanoes in movement；
and my organs of expression became so entangled at the condescension of
her melodious voice being directly addressed to one so degraded； that for
several minutes I was incapable of further acquiescence than that
conveyed by an adoring silence and an unchanging smile。 No formality
appeared worthy to greet her by； no expression of self…contempt
sufficiently offensive to convey to her enlightenment my own sense of a
manifold inferiority； and doubtless I should have remained in a transfixed
attitude until she had at length turned aside； had not your seasonable
reference to a Swatow limb…contorter struck me heavily and abruptly
turned off the source of my agreement。 Might not this all…water
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entertainment； it occurred to this one； consist in enticing him to drink a
potion made unsuspectedly hot； in projecting him backwards into a vat of
the same liquid； or some similar device for the pleasurable amusement of
those around； which would come within the boundaries of your refined
disapproval？ As one by himself there was no indignity that this person
would not cheerfully have submitted to； but the inexorable cords of an
ingrained filial regard suddenly pulled him sideways and into another
direction。
〃But； Mr。 Kong；〃 exclaimed the bee…lipped maiden； when I had
explained （as being less involved to her imagination；） that I was under a
vow； 〃we have been relying upon you。 Could you not〃and here she
dropped her eyes and picked them up again with a fluttering motion which
our lesser ones are； to an all…wise end； quite unacquainted with〃could
you not unvow yourself for one night； just to please ME？〃
At these words； the illuminated proficiency of her glance； and her
honourable resolution to implicate me in the display by head or feet； the
ever…revered image of a just and obedience…loving father ceased to have
any further tangible influence。 Let it be remembered that there is a deep
saying； 〃A virtuous woman will cause more evil than ten river pirates。〃 As
for the person who is recording his incompetence； the room and all those
about began to engulf him in an ever…increasing circular motion； his knees
vibrated together with unrestrained pliancy； and concentrating his voice to
indicate by the allegory some faint measure of his emotion； he replied
passionately； 〃Let the amusement referred to take the form of sitting in a
boiling cauldron exposed to the derision of all beholders； this one will now
enter it wearing yellow silk trousers。〃 *
It is characteristic of these illogical out…countries that the all…water
diversion did not； as a matter to record； concern itself with that liquid in
any detail； beyond the contents of a glass vessel from which a venerable
person； who occupied a raised chair； continually partook。 This
discriminating individual spoke so confidently of the beneficial action of
the fluid； and so unswervingly described my own feelings at the moment
as of head giddiness； an inexactitude of speech； and no clear definition of
where the next step would be arrived atas the common lot of all who did
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not consume regularly； that when that same Helena had passed on to speak
to another； I left the hall unobserved and drank successive portions； in
each case； as the night was cold； prudently adding a measure of the native
rice spirit。 His advice had been well…directed； for with the fourth portion I
suddenly found all doubtful and oppressive visions withdrawn； and a new
and exhilarating self…confidence raised in their place。 In this agreeable
temper
