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55 



Say also this quatrain: 



The lieroes are assembled together this night 



To assist the dynasty of Ming with sincere and faithful hearts. 



To night I have succeeded in seeing the face of the master, 



This is better than to approach the Emperor in his iraperial palace. 



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After having said these verses you swear to your certificate of birth ( 2 ) , which you hand to the 

 master, cominunicating your name and surname to the Vanguard, as also the Introducer must 

 gives his names to the hearing of all the brethern. 



When the master asks you the capital ( 2 ), you onght to take it in your stretched-out Ie ft 

 hand and say this quatrain: 



All the purses in the world are the same, 



My paren ts ( 3 ) gave it me to carry it upon my person. 



Above. are embroidered the five dragons accompanying the true lord; 



Below are embroidered the words ; three ages united peaceably together. 



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Having said these verses pray the master to accept it, and look then how he receives it. 

 If he stretches forth one finger, do not open your hand, neither if he stretches fovth 

 three or four fingers; hut if he stretches forth five fingers, open then your hand. 



If the master stretches forth two fingers, making the character ITung ( 4 ), gay then this 

 quatrain : 



The capital is within my hand; 



Throughout the world it is similar. 



I should wish to open it, and show it to the elder brother. 



But I fear the drafts of wind. ( 5 ) 



^ ft Ift ( 2 ) 2|£ §| > the Hung-cash are printed on the diploma. Sec pag. 31. 



( 3 ) i. e. the master. 



( 4 ) ^t ( 5 ) i.e, Strangers. 



