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！
general analogy of their sayings； but beneath this may be found an even
subtler edge； for in order to inure themselves to the requirement of a high
destiny their various games and manners of disportment are； with a set
purpose； so rigorously contested that in their progress most of the weak
and inefficient are opportunely exterminated。
There is a favourite and well…attended display wherein two opposing
bands； each clad in robes of a distinctive colour； stand in extended lines of
mutual defiance； and at a signal impetuously engage。 The design of each is
by force or guile to draw their opponents into an unfavourable position
92
… Page 93…
THE MIRROR OF KONG HO
before an arch of upright posts； and then surging irresistibly forward； to
carry them beyond the limit and hurl them to the ground。 Those who
successfully inflict this humiliation upon their adversaries until they are
incapable of further resistance are hailed victorious； and sinking into a
graceful attitude receive each a golden cup from the magnanimous hands
of a maiden chose to the service； either on account of her peerless outline；
the dignified position of her House； or （should these incentives be
obviously wanting；） because the chief ones of her family are in the habit of
contributing unstintingly to the equipment of the triumphal band。 There is
also another kind of strife； differing in its essentials only so far that all
who engage therein are provided with a curved staff； with which they may
dexterously draw their antagonists beyond the limits； or； should they fail to
defend themselves adequately； break the smaller bones of their ankles。 But
this form of encounter； despite the use of these weapons； is really less fatal
than the other； for it is not a permissible act to club an antagonist
resentfully about the head with the staff； nor yet even to thrust it rigidly
against his middle body。 From this moderation the public countenance
extended to the curved…pole game is contemptibly meagre when viewed by
the side of the overwhelming multitudes which pour along every channel
in order to witness a more than usually desperate trial of the hurl…headlong
variety （the sight； indeed； being as attractive to these pale； blood…thirsty
foreigners as an unusually large execution is with us）； and as a
consequence the former is little reputed save among maidens； the feeble；
and those of timorous instincts。
Thus positioned； regarding a knowledge of their outside amusements；
it has always been one of the most prominent ambitions of this person's
strategy to avoid being drawn into any encounter。 At the same time； the
thought that the maidens of the household here （of whom there are several；
all so attractively proportioned that to compare them in a spirit of definite
preference would be distastefully presumptuous to this person；） should
regard me as one lacking in a sufficient display of violence was not
fragrant to my sense of refinement； so that when Sir Philip； a little time
after our arrival； related to me that on the following day he and a chosen
band were to be engaged in the match of a cricket game against
93
… Page 94…
THE MIRROR OF KONG HO
adversaries from the village； and asked whether I cared to bear a part in
the strife； I grasped the muscles of the upper part of my left arm with my
right handas I had frequently seen the hardy and virile do when the
subject of their powers had been raised questioninglyand replied that I
had long concealed an insatiable wish to take such a part at a point where
the conflict would be the most revengefully contested。
Being thus inflexibly committed it became very necessary to arrange a
well…timed intervention （whether in the nature of bodily disorder； fire； or
demoniacal upheaval； a warning omen； or the death of some of our chief
antagonists）； but before doing so I was desirous of understanding how this
contest； which had hitherto remained outside my experience； was waged。
There is here one of benevolent rotundity in whose authority lie the
cavernous stores beneath the house and the vessels of gold and silver； of
menial rank admittedly； yet exacting a seemly deference from all by the
rich urbanity of his voice and the dignity of his massive proportions。 In the
affable condescension of his tone； and the discriminating encouragement
of his attitude towards me on all occasions； I have read a sympathetic
concern over my welfare。 Him I now approached； and taking him aside； I
first questioned him flatteringly about his age and the extent of his yearly
recompense； and then casually inquired what in his language he would
describe the nature of a cricket to be。
〃A cricket？〃 repeated the obliging person readily； 〃a cricket； sir； is a
hinsect。 Something； I take it； after the manner of a grass…'opper。〃
〃Truly；〃 I agreed。 〃It is aptly likened。 And； to continue the simile； a
game cricket？〃
〃A game cricket？〃 he replied； 〃well； sir； naturally a game one would be
more gamier than the others； wouldn't it？〃
〃The inference is unflinching；〃 I admitted； and after successfully
luring away his mind from any significance in the inquiry by asking him
whether the gift of a lacquered coffin or an embroidered shroud would be
the more regarded on parting； I left him。
His words； esteemed； for a definite reason were as the jade…clappered
melody of a silver bell。 This trial of sportiveness； it became clear；less of
a massacre than most of their amusementsis really a rivalry of leapings
94
… Page 95…
THE MIRROR OF KONG HO
and dexterity of the feet： a conflict of game crickets or grass…hoppers； in
the somewhat wide…angled obscurity of their language； or； as we would
more appropriately call it doubtless； a festive competition in the similitude
of high…spirited locusts。 To whatever degree the surrounding conditions
might vary； there could no longer be a doubt that the power of leaping
high into the air was the essential constituent of success in this barbarian
match of cricketsand in such an accomplishment this person excelled