Hung Lou Meng, or, the Dream of the Red Chamber - LightNovelsOnl.com
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Pao-ch'ai and her companions again with one voice eulogised their fine diction.
T'an Ch'un then continued:
Could e'er the beauteous snow dread the nipping of frost?
In the deep court the s.h.i.+vering birds are startled by its fall.
Hsiang-yun happened to be feeling thirsty and was hurriedly swallowing a cup of tea, when her turn was at once s.n.a.t.c.hed by Chou-yen, who gave out the lines,
On the bare mountain wails the old man Hsiao.
The snow covers the steps, both high and low.
Hsiang-yun immediately put away the tea-cup and added:
On the pond's surface, it allows itself to float.
At the first blush of dawn with effulgence it s.h.i.+nes.
Tai-yu recited with alacrity the couplet:
In confused flakes, it ceaseless falls the whole night long.
Troth one forgets that it implies three feet of cold.
Hsiang-yun hastened to smilingly interpose with the distich:
Its auspicious descent dispels the Emperor's grief.
There lies one frozen-stiff, but who asks him a word?
Pao-ch'in too speedily put on a smile and added: Glad is the proud wayfarer when he's pressed to drink.
Snapped is the weaving belt in the heavenly machine.
Hsiang-yun once again eagerly quoted the line:
In the seaside market is lost a silk kerchief.
But Lin Tai-yu would not let her continue, and taking up the thread, she forthwith said:
With quiet silence, it enshrouds the raised kiosque.
Hsiang-yun vehemently gave the ant.i.thetical verse:
The utter poor clings to his pannier and his bowl.
Pao-ch'in too would not give in as a favour to any one, so hastily she exclaimed:
The water meant to brew the tea with gently bubbles up.
Hsiang-yun saw how excited they were getting and she thought it naturally great fun. Laughing, she eagerly gave out:
When wine is boiled with leaves 'tis not easy to burn.
Tai-yu also smiled while suggesting:
The broom, with which the bonze sweepeth the hill, is sunk in snow.
Pao-ch'in too smilingly cried:
The young lad takes away the lute interred in snow.
Hsiang-yun laughed to such a degree that she was bent in two; and she muttered a line with such rapidity that one and all inquired of her: "What are you, after all, saying?"
In the stone tower leisurely sleeps the stork.
Hsiang-yun repeated.
Tai-yu clasped her breast so convulsed was she with laughter. With loud voice she bawled out:
Th' embroidered carpet warms the affectionate cat.
Pao-ch'in quickly, again laughingly, exclaimed:
Inside Selene's cave lo, roll the silvery waves.
Hsiang-yun added, with eager haste:
Within the city walls at eve was hid a purple flag.
Tai-yu with alacrity continued with a smile:
The fragrance sweet, which penetrates into the plums, is good to eat.
Pao-ch'ai smiled. "What a fine line!" she e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed; after which, she hastened to complete the couplet by saying:
The drops from the bamboo are meet, when one is drunk, to mix with wine.
Pao-ch'in likewise made haste to add:
Betimes, the hymeneal girdle it moistens.
Hsiang-yun eagerly paired it with:
Oft, it freezeth on the kingfisher shoes.
Tai-yu once more exclaimed with vehemence:
No wind doth blow, but yet there is a rush.
Pao-ch'in promptly also smiled, and strung on:
No rain lo falls, but still a patter's heard.
