WILLOW-PATTERN. PLATE. 741 
—Next, on the Island far across the ocean, 
Where has been made the fruitful home of Lin, 
Who by the gardener’s son, with much devotion, 
Was saved, we find the Second Act begin ; 
Together Lin, and he, escaped the water, 
And, by a marvel, reached this distant shore ; 
Meantime at home the gardener’s faithful daughter 
Was placed by Fang to guard Tsing’s chamber door. 
Through her comes round at length the glad assurance, 
Told secretly to Tsing, that Lin survives ; 
Through her to let Lin know what long endurance 
She suffers, Tsing by needle-work contrives. 
Wrought by her skill in silk, a plain recital 
Of Fang’s perfidious wiles thus reaches Lin ; 
With Deeds she finds which clearly show his title 
Herself and all his birthright back to win. 
True to her troth she bids him cross the water, 
And, grown to manhood, claim her as his wife, 
Confronting Fang by ways her wit has taught her 
On chance occasions in her captive life. 
Lin joyfully obeys when backward beckoned, 
And meets her purpose with responsive heart ; 
He straight sets sail ;—and thus on Act the Second 
The curtain drops as Lin prepares to start. 
—In Act the Third, and last, our Play, proceeding, 
Conveys a Moral, helpful, and divine ; 
Its scene the Bridge ; its characters the leading 
Performers on our Stage,—arranged in line: 
Lin on the right speeds forward, swiftly bearing 
His box of Deeds for refuge towards the strand ; 
Sweet Tsing, whose rescue tells of dauntless daring, 
Takes middle flight, with distaff in her hand ; 
Fang from the left pursues, intent on slaughter, 
With scourge upraised (and hirelings at his heels) ; 
He drives the luckless pair into the water, 
Half slain already by the blows he deals. 
When, lo! a change of scene we view with wonder ! 
The powers on high work for their children’s good ; 
With flash of lightning, and loud peal of thunder, 
A rugged Willow looms where Fang had stood ; 
Its knotted trunk, and downcast branches drooping, 
Tell of fraud punished by avenging fate ; 
A record of remorse—amid the grou 
Of Actors on our Willow-pattern Plate. 
Above, the sun — —- where, fondly mated, 
A loving pair of turtle-doves appears ; 
Sweet Tsing, and Lin, thus happily translated 
As plighted spirits to celestial spheres. 
