: Graham's Magazine Vol. XXXIV No. 4 April 1849 by Various Graham George R Editor - Literature Modern 19th century Periodicals; Literature Periodicals

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Editor: George R. Graham J. R. Patterson J. B. Taylor

Table of Contents

GRAHAM'S MAGAZINE.

A FRAGMENT FROM THE CHINESE.

Do not draw upon you a person's enmity, for enmity is never appeased--injury returns upon him who injures--and sharp words recoil against him who says them.

Moreover, he was of a most beautiful countenance, while the antelope that fed among the hills was not more swift of foot. Who like L? could draw such music from the seven silken strings of the Kin! or when with graceful touch his fingers swept the lute, adding thereto the well-skilled melody of his voice, youths and maidens opened their ears to listen, for wonderful was the ravishing harmony.

Yet L? was of a merry heart--and, as all the world knows, there is no better panacea for the ills of fortune than the spirit of cheerfulness. Thus, although poverty barred the way to promotion, it could not materially affect his happiness--no more than the passing wind which for a moment ruffled the surface of the lake, yet had no power to move its depths.

Now it happened that one day taking his nets L? went down to the lake, and as he cast them within the waters, not knowing any one was near, he broke forth into a merry song, which sent its glad burthen far off to the lips of mocking Echo, like Ariel, seeming to "ride on the curled clouds." Now it also chanced, that within a grove of the graceful bamboo, which skirted the path down which L? had passed on his way, walked the great Mandarin Hok-wan.

If the mere melody of the voice had so charmed the mandarin, how much more was he captivated by the wit and learning of the youth, who, thus poorly appareled, and humbly employed, seemed to share wisdom with the gods! Hok-wan stroked his eye-brows in astonishment, and then bidding L? leave his nets, he bore him off as a rare prize to his own house, where he that day feasted a numerous company.

First conducting L? to an inner apartment, he presented him with a magnificent robe richly embroidered, together with every article necessary to complete the toilet of a person of distinction, and when thus appareled, introduced him into the presence of his guests. And truly L? walked in among them with all the stateliness and hauteur of a man who feels that he is conferring an honor, instead of being honored, as no doubt L? should have considered himself, in such an august assemblage of grave mandarins. With what an air he seated himself at the sumptuously loaded table! where, according to Chinese custom of the higher classes, the various dishes of meats, soups, fish, preserves, etc., were all nearly hidden by large bouquets of beautiful flowers, and pyramids of green leaves.

And now no sooner had Hok-wan delivered with all customary formality the speech of welcome, and drained to the health of his guests the tiny goblet of crystal, embossed with gold, than rising to his feet, and joining his hands before his breast, in token of respect to his host, L? called a servant, and bidding him take a part from all the good things spread before him, said:

"Carry these to the dwelling of Whanki, the mother of L?. Say to her that as the sands on the lake shore, countless are the blessings of the gods, who have this day smiled upon her son. Bid her eat--for although from hunger he should gnaw his flesh, and from thirst drink his blood, yet not one morsel of this banquet shall pass the lips of L? unless his aged mother be also sustained by the same delicacies."

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