按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
who are compelled to use the caverns daily； freely confess that the
surroundings to not in any material degree purify their lives of tranquillise
the nature of their inner thoughts。
In this emergency I did not neglect to write out a diversity of charms
against every possible variety of evil influence； and concealing them
lavishly about my head and body； I presented myself with the outer
confidence of a person who is inured to the exploit。 Doubtless thereby
being mistaken for one of themselves in the obscurity； I received the
inscribed safeguard without opposition； and even an added sum in copper
pieces； which I discreetly returned to the one behind the shutter； with the
request that he would honourably burn a few joss sticks or sacrifice to a
trivial amount； to the success of my journey。 In such a manner I reached an
awaiting train； and； taking up within it a position of retiring modesty； I
definitely committed myself to the undertaking。
At the next tarrying place there entered a barbarian of high…class
appearance； and being by this time less assured of my competence in the
matter unaided； both on account of the multiplicity of evil omens on every
80
… Page 81…
THE MIRROR OF KONG HO
side； and the perverse impulses of the guiding demon； whereby at sudden
angles certain of my organs had the emotion of being left irrevocably
behind and others of being snatched relentlessly forward； I approached
him courteously。
〃Behold；〃 I said； 〃many thousand li of water； both fresh and bitter；
flow between the one who is addressing you and his native town of Yuen…
ping； where the tablets at the street corners are as familiar to him as the
lines of his own unshapely hands； for； as it is truly said； 'Does the starling
know the lotus roots； or the pomfret read its way by the signs among the
upper branches of the pines？' Out of the necessities of his ignorance and
your own overwhelming condescension enlighten him； therefore； whether
the destination of this fire…chariot by any chance corresponds with the
inscribed name upon his talisman？〃
Thus adjured； the stranger benevolently turned himself to the detail；
and upon consulting a book of symbols he expressed himself to this wise：
that after a sufficient interval I should come into a certain station； called in
part after the title of the enlightened ruler of this Island； and there
abandoning the train which was carrying us； I should enter another which
would bring me out of the Beneath Parts and presently into the midst of
that Palace which I sought。 This advice seemed good； for a reasonable
connection might be supposed to exist between a station so auspiciously
called and a Palace bearing the harmonious name of the gracious and
universally…revered sovereign…consort。 Accordingly I thanked him
ceremoniously； not only on my own part； but also on behalf of eleven
generations of immediate ancestors； and in the name of seven generations
who should come after； and he on his side agreeably replied that he was
sure his grandmother would have done as much for mine； and he sincerely
hoped that none of his great…great…grandchildren would prove less obliging。
In this intellectual manner； varied with the entertainment of profuse bows；
the time passed cordially between us until the barbarian reached his own
alighting stage； when he again repeated the various details of the strategy
for my observance。
At this point let it be set forth deliberately that there existed no
treachery in the advice； still less that this person is incapable of
81
… Page 82…
THE MIRROR OF KONG HO
competently achieving the destined end of any hazard upon which he may
embark when once the guiding signs have been made clear to his
understanding。 Whatever entanglement arose was due merely to the
conflicting manners of expression used by two widely…varying races； even
as our own proverb says； 〃What is only sauce for the cod is serious for the
oyster。〃
At the station indicated as bearing the sign of the ruler of the country
（which even a person of little discernment could have recognised by the
highly…illuminated representation bearing the elusively…worded inscription；
〃In packets only〃）； I left this fire…chariot； and at once perceiving another in
an attitude of departure； I entered it； as the casual barbarian had definitely
instructed； and began to assure myself that I had already become expertly
proficient in the art of journeying among these Beneath Regions and to
foresee the time； not far distant； when others would confidently address
themselves to me in their extremities。 So entrancing did this contemplation
grow； that this outrageous person began to compose the actual words with
which he would instruct them as the occasion arose； as thus； 〃Undoubtedly；
O virtuous and not unattractive maiden； this fire…engine will ultimately
lead your refined footsteps into the street called Those who Bake Food。
Do not hesitate； therefore； to occupy the vacant place by this insignificant
one's side〃； or； 〃By no means； honourable sir； the Cross of Charing is in
the precisely opposite direction to that selected by this self…opinionated
machine for its inopportune destination。 Do not rebuke this person for his
immoderate loss of mental gravity； for your mistake； though pardonable in
a stranger； is really excessively diverting。 Your most prudent course now
will assuredly be to cast yourself from the carriage without delay and rely
upon the benevolent intervention of a fire…chariot proceeding backwards。〃
Alas； it is truly said； 〃None but sword…swallowers should endeavour to
swallow swords；〃 thereby signifying the vast chasm that lies between
those who are really adroit in an undertaking and those who only think
that they may easily become so。 Presently it began to become deeply
impressed upon my discrimination that the journey was taking a more
lengthy duration than I had been given to understand would be the case；
while at the same time a permanent deliverance from the terrors of the