177 



„In a certain year Chang-fi cried to cut off one plank (*); so there remained still twoplanks. 

 Why then is there only one plank?" „The sisters-in-law, also, took a plank; so there remained 

 only one plank ( 2 )." Having said this, continue your road. 



Or you may also say this distich: 



The sisters-in-law meet each other on the road — 

 They are Ching-yuh-lien and Kwoh-siu-ying. ( 3 ) 



*fr « * & ffi X * 

 7} iÊ 95 ïE 31 ^ ^ 



HoW TO ACT ON MEETING PIRATES. 



If you are passenger on board of a ship, and a piratical vessel approaches to plunder the 

 snip on which you are, write then the following verses on a white fau, and throw it on 

 board of the pirate. You may then be assured that he will not harm you: — 



Spotless is the frozen autumnal water! 



Confused are the bones of the Spirits and Genii! 



Clear water does not take colouring! 



It's jade-like purity awakens our desires ! 



The bird who hops across the branches has a white head! 



The fish who pierces the waves is bright underneath! 



Yv T e are Only united for the twinkling of an eye; 



And I fear to hear the sound of the lute. ( 4 ) 



m ® m * & 



JBL. 



w 



# I ^ i 



3£ m X * 



èM 



(') Episode from the »History of the three states." (A. D. 168—265), In a battle between Thaao-thsao 

 and Liu-pi, Chang-fi gave order to cut off the bridge Chang-pan Ijg ^| f near the pass Tang- 



yang (& j^). that the soldiers of Thsao-thsao should not pass over it and attack Liu-pi frora 



behind. 

 ( 3 ) The sister and wife of Ching-thian. (Compare pag. 90, note 1.) This is probably an allusion to s< 



episode from the one or the other historical novel, treating of the rebellion of' Hwang-tsao. We could 



not succeed, however, in finding out which this novel is. 

 ( 8 ) The first is the sister, and the second the wife of Ching-thian. 

 (*) Canou and guns. 



!3 



