42 



The renowned censer of white porcelain is celebrated by this quatrain : 



A lump of white porcelain was the original foundation; 

 Nobody knows that, in the whole universe, we are pledged together. 

 We wear a sword to defend us, though our mouths are sweet; ( 1 ) 

 Let us take the censer, till Heaven gives an opportunity. 



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The feared Red staf, with which justice is done to the offenders of the law of Hung, is 

 three feet and six inches long, and f our pound eight ounces heavy. It is made of a fir growing 

 on the mountain Pao-nan. ( 2 ) The name of this fir is the rare red wood. ( 3 ) 



The Precious sword ( 4 ) is celebrated by the following two quatrains: 



I. 



The Dragon-pool was drawn first to regain the country; 

 It has exterminated several myriads and thousands of Tartars. 

 It smashes phantoms and demons, and kills generals; 

 It shall help the state, and protect the prince of Ming. 



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ii. 



The peach-wood seven-starred sword 



Eemains in the flower-pavilion at the Emperor's side. 



The flashing of it's edges strikes against (the star) Niu-tao. 



It protects the land of our lord, and settles the imperial patrimony. 



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I 1 ) i. e. Although we are in appearance friendly to them, we wear poniards with us to kill them if necessary. 



(2) =||Ê 1È£ , the precious South; it is written also / fij£ tÖ |_|j , Protecting-South-mountain. 



(3) ■yit -^ ~fc See Catechism, Q. 315 — 317. ( 4 ) See page 14. The sword is named Dragon-pool 

 because it is twisted like a dragon in a pool. 



