The meeting between Ling and Mian was affecting to such an extent that the blind and deaf attendants wept openly without reproach, notwithstanding the fact that neither could become possessed10 of more than a half of the occurrence. Eagerly the two reunited ones examined each other’s features to discover whether the separation had brought about any change in the beloved and well-remembered lines. Ling discovered upon Mian the shadow of an anxious care at his absence, while the disappointments and trials which Ling had experienced in Canton had left traces which were plainly visible to Mian’s penetrating11 gaze. In such an entrancing occupation the time was to them without hours until a feeling of hunger recalled them to lesser12 matters, when a variety of very select foods and liquids was placed before them without delay. After this elegant repast had been partaken of, Mian, supporting herself upon Ling’s shoulder, made a request that he would disclose to her all the matters which had come under his observation both within the city and during his journey to and from that place. Upon this encouragement, Ling proceeded to unfold his mind, not withholding13 anything which appeared to be of interest, no matter how slight. When he had reached Canton without any perilous14 adventure, Mian breathed more freely; as he recorded the interview at the Office of Warlike Deeds and Arrangements, she trembled at the insidious15 malignity16 of the evil person Li Keen. The conversation with the wise reader of the future concerning the various states of such as be officially dead almost threw her into the rigid17 sickness, from which, however, the wonderful circumstance of the discovered properties of the gold fluid quickly recalled her. But to Ling’s great astonishment18 no sooner had he made plain the exceptional advantages which he had derived19 from the circumstances, and the nature of the undertaking20 at which he had arrived with Chang-ch’un, than she became a prey21 to the most intolerable and unrestrained anguish22.
“Oh, my devoted23 but excessively ill-advised lover,” she exclaimed wildly, and in tones which clearly indicated that she was inspired by every variety of affectionate emotion, “has the unendurable position in which you and all your household will be placed by the degrading commercial schemes and instincts of the mercenary-souled person Chang-ch’un occupied no place in your generally well-regulated intellect? Inevitably24 will those who drink our almond tea, in order to have an opportunity of judging the value of the appointments of the house, pass the jesting remark that while the Lings assuredly have ‘a dead person’s bones in the secret chamber25,’ at the present they will not have one in the family graveyard26 by reason of the death of Ling himself. Better to lose a thousand limbs during life than the entire person after death; nor would your adoring Mian hesitate to clasp proudly to her organ of affection the veriest trunk that had parted with all its attributes in a noble and sacrificing endeavour to preserve at least some dignified27 proportions to embellish28 the Ancestral Temple and to receive the worship of posterity29.”
“Alas!” replied Ling, with extravagant30 humiliation31, “it is indeed true; and this person is degraded beyond the common lot of those who break images and commit thefts from sacred places. The side of the transaction which is at present engaging our attention never occurred to this superficial individual until now.”
“Wise and incomparable one,” said Mian, in no degree able to restrain the fountains of bitter water which clouded her delicate and expressive32 eyes, “in spite of this person’s biting and ungracious words do not, she makes a formal petition, doubt the deathless strength of her affection. Cheerfully, in order to avert34 the matter in question, or even to save her lover the anguish of unavailing and soul-eating remorse35, would she consign36 herself to a badly-constructed and slow-consuming fire or expose her body to various undignified tortures. Happy are those even to whom is left a little ash to be placed in a precious urn1 and diligently37 guarded, for it, in any event, truly represents all that is left of the once living person, whereas after an honourable38 and spotless existence my illustrious but unthinking lord will be blended with a variety of baser substances and passed from hand to hand, his immaculate organs serving to reward murderers for their deeds and to tempt39 the weak and vicious to all manner of unmentionable crimes.”
So overcome was Ling by the distressing41 nature of the oversight42 he had permitted that he could find no words with which to comfort Mian, who, after some moments, continued:
“There are even worse visions of degradation43 which occur to this person. By chance, that which was once the noble-minded Ling may be disposed of, not to the Imperial Treasury44 for converting into pieces of exchange, but to some undiscriminating worker in metals who will fashion out of his beautiful and symmetrical stomach an elegant food-dish, so that from the ultimate developments of the circumstance may arise the fact that his own descendants, instead of worshipping him, use his internal organs for this doubtful if not absolutely unclean purpose, and thereby45 suffer numerous well-merited afflictions, to the end that the finally-despised Ling and this discredited46 person, instead of founding a vigorous and prolific47 generation, become the parents of a line of feeble-minded and physically-depressed lepers.”
“Oh, my peacock-eyed one!” exclaimed Ling, in immeasurable distress40, “so proficient48 an exhibition of virtuous49 grief crushes this misguided person completely to the ground. Rather would he uncomplainingly lose his pigtail than—”
“Such a course,” said a discordant50 voice, as the unpresentable person Wang stepped forth51 from behind a hanging curtain, where, indeed, he had stood concealed52 during the entire conversation, “is especially forbidden by the twenty-third detail of the things to be done and not to be done.”
“What new adversity is this?” cried Mian, pressing to Ling with a still closer embrace. “Having disposed of your incomparable body after death, surely an adequate amount of liberty and seclusion53 remains54 to us during life.”
“Nevertheless,” interposed the dog-like Wang, “the refined person in question must not attempt to lose or to dispose of his striking and invaluable55 pigtail; for by such an action he would be breaking through his spoken and written word whereby he undertook to be ruled by the things to be done and not to be done; and he would also be robbing the ingenious-minded Chang-ch’un.”
“Alas!” lamented57 the unhappy Ling, “that which appeared to be the end of all this person’s troubles is obviously simply the commencement of a new and more extensive variety. Understand, O conscientious58 but exceedingly inopportune Wang, that the words which passed from this person’s mouth did not indicate a fixed59 determination, but merely served to show the unfeigned depth of his emotion. Be content that he has no intention of evading60 the definite principles of the things to be done and not to be done, and in the meantime honour this commonplace establishment by retiring to the hot and ill-ventilated chamber, and there partaking of a suitable repast which shall be prepared without delay.”
When Wang had departed, which he did with somewhat unseemly haste, Ling made an end of recording61 his narrative62, which Mian’s grief had interrupted. In this way he explained to her the reason of Wang’s presence, and assured her that by reason of the arrangement he had made with that person, his near existence would not be so unsupportable to them as might at first appear to be the case.
While they were still conversing63 together, and endeavouring to divert their minds from the objectionable facts which had recently come within their notice, an attendant entered and disclosed that the train of servants and merchandise which Ling had preceded on the journey was arriving. At this fresh example of her lover’s consistent thought for her, Mian almost forgot her recent agitation64, and eagerly lending herself to the entrancing occupation of unfolding and displaying the various objects, her brow finally lost the last trace of sadness. Greatly beyond the imaginings of anticipation65 were the expensive articles with which Ling proudly surrounded her; and in examining and learning the cost of the set jewels and worked metals, the ornamental66 garments for both persons, the wood and paper appointments for the house—even incenses67, perfumes, spices and rare viands69 had not been forgotten—the day was quickly and profitably spent.
When the hour of sunset arrived, Ling, having learned that certain preparations which he had commanded were fully33 carried out, took Mian by the hand and led her into the chief apartment of the house, where were assembled all the followers70 and attendants, even down to the illiterate71 and superfluous72 Wang. In the centre of the room upon a table of the finest ebony stood a vessel73 of burning incense68, some dishes of the most highly-esteemed fruit, and an abundance of old and very sweet wine. Before these emblems75 Ling and Mian placed themselves in an attitude of deep humiliation, and formally expressed their gratitude76 to the Chief Deity77 for having called them into existence, to the cultivated earth for supplying them with the means of sustaining life, to the Emperor for providing the numerous safeguards by which their persons were protected at all times, and to their parents for educating them. This adequate ceremony being completed, Ling explicitly78 desired all those present to observe the fact that the two persons in question were, by that fact and from that time, made as one being, and the bond between them, incapable79 of severance80.
When the ruling night-lantern came out from among the clouds, Ling and Mian became possessed of a great desire to go forth with pressed hands and look again on the forest paths and glades81 in which they had spent many hours of exceptional happiness before Ling’s journey to Canton. Leaving the attendants to continue the feasting and drum-beating in a completely unrestrained manner, they therefore passed out unperceived, and wandering among the trees, presently stood on the banks of the Heng-Kiang.
“Oh, my beloved!” exclaimed Mian, gazing at the brilliant and unruffled water, “greatly would this person esteem74 a short river journey, such as we often enjoyed together in the days when you were recovering.”
Ling, to whom the expressed desires of Mian were as the word of the Emperor, instantly prepared the small and ornamental junk which was fastened near for this purpose, and was about to step in, when a presumptuous82 and highly objectionable hand restrained him.
“Behold,” remarked a voice which Ling had some difficulty in ascribing to any known person, so greatly had it changed from its usual tone, “behold how the immature83 and altogether too-inferior Ling observes his spoken and written assertions!”
At this low-conditioned speech, Ling drew his well-tempered sword without further thought, in spite of the restraining arms of Mian, but at the sight of the utterly84 incapable person Wang, who stood near smiling meaninglessly and waving his arms with a continuous and backward motion, he again replaced it.
“Such remarks can be left to fall unheeded from the lips of one who bears every indication of being steeped in rice spirit,” he said with unprovoked dignity.
“It will be the plain duty of this expert and uncorruptible person to furnish the unnecessary, but, nevertheless, very severe and self-opinionated Chang-ch’un with a written account of how the traitorous85 and deceptive86 Ling has endeavoured to break through the thirty-fourth vessel of the liquids to be consumed and not to be consumed,” continued Wang with increased deliberation and an entire absence of attention to Ling’s action and speech, “and how by this refined person’s unfailing civility and resourceful strategy he has been frustrated87.”
“Perchance,” said Ling, after examining his thoughts for a short space, and reflecting that the list of things to be done and not to be done was to him as a blank leaf, “there may even be some small portion of that which is accurate in his statement. In what manner,” he continued, addressing the really unendurable person, who was by this time preparing to pass the night in the cool swamp by the river’s edge, “does this one endanger any detail of the written and sealed parchment by such an action?”
“Inasmuch,” replied Wang, pausing in the process of removing his outer garments, “as the seventy-ninth—the intricate name given to it escapes this person’s tongue at the moment—but the ninety-seventh—experLingknowswhamean—provides that any person, with or without, attempting or not avoiding to travel by sea, lake, or river, or to place himself in such a position as he may reasonably and intelligently be drowned in salt water, fresh water, or—or honourable rice spirit, shall be guilty of, and suffer—complete loss of memory.” With these words the immoderate and contemptible88 person sank down in a very profound slumber89.
“Alas!” said Ling, turning to Mian, who stood near, unable to retire even had she desired, by reason of the extreme agitation into which the incident had thrown her delicate mind and body, “how intensely aggravating90 a circumstance that we are compelled to entertain so dissolute a one by reason of this person’s preoccupation when the matter was read. Nevertheless, it is not unlikely that the detail he spoke56 of was such as he insisted, to the extent of making it a thing not to be done to journey in any manner by water. It shall be an early endeavour of this person to get these restraining details equitably91 amended92; but in the meantime we will retrace93 our footsteps through the wood, and the enraptured94 Ling will make a well-thought-out attempt to lighten the passage by a recital95 of his recently-composed verses on the subject of ‘Exile from the Loved One; or, Farewell and Return.’”
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1
urn
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| n.（有座脚的）瓮；坟墓；骨灰瓮 | |
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expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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3
armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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5
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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6
benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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7
sumptuous
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| adj.豪华的，奢侈的，华丽的 | |
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8
coffin
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| n.棺材，灵柩 | |
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aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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10
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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12
lesser
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| adj.次要的，较小的；adv.较小地，较少地 | |
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13
withholding
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| 扣缴税款 | |
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14
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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15
insidious
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| adj.阴险的，隐匿的，暗中为害的，（疾病）不知不觉之间加剧 | |
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16
malignity
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| n.极度的恶意，恶毒；（病的）恶性 | |
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17
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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19
derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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20
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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22
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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23
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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inevitably
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| adv.不可避免地；必然发生地 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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graveyard
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| n.坟场 | |
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dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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28
embellish
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| v.装饰，布置；给…添加细节，润饰 | |
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posterity
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| n.后裔，子孙，后代 | |
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30
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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humiliation
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| n.羞辱 | |
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32
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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34
avert
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| v.防止，避免；转移(目光、注意力等) | |
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remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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consign
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| vt.寄售（货品），托运，交托，委托 | |
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diligently
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| ad.industriously;carefully | |
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honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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40
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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41
distressing
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| a.使人痛苦的 | |
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42
oversight
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| n.勘漏，失察，疏忽 | |
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43
degradation
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| n.降级；低落；退化；陵削；降解；衰变 | |
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44
treasury
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| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
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45
thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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46
discredited
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| 不足信的，不名誉的 | |
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47
prolific
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| adj.丰富的，大量的；多产的，富有创造力的 | |
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48
proficient
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| adj.熟练的，精通的；n.能手，专家 | |
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49
virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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50
discordant
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| adj.不调和的 | |
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51
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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52
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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53
seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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54
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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55
invaluable
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| adj.无价的，非常宝贵的，极为贵重的 | |
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56
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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57
lamented
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| adj.被哀悼的，令人遗憾的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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58
conscientious
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| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
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59
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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60
evading
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| 逃避( evade的现在分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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61
recording
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| n.录音，记录 | |
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62
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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63
conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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64
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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66
ornamental
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| adj.装饰的；作装饰用的；n.装饰品；观赏植物 | |
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67
incenses
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| 香( incense的名词复数 ) | |
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68
incense
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| v.激怒；n.香，焚香时的烟，香气 | |
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69
viands
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| n.食品，食物 | |
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70
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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71
illiterate
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| adj.文盲的；无知的；n.文盲 | |
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72
superfluous
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| adj.过多的，过剩的，多余的 | |
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73
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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74
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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75
emblems
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| n.象征，标记( emblem的名词复数 ) | |
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76
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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77
deity
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| n.神，神性；被奉若神明的人(或物) | |
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78
explicitly
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| ad.明确地，显然地 | |
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79
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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80
severance
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| n.离职金；切断 | |
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81
glades
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| n.林中空地( glade的名词复数 ) | |
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82
presumptuous
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| adj.胆大妄为的，放肆的，冒昧的，冒失的 | |
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83
immature
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| adj.未成熟的，发育未全的，未充分发展的 | |
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84
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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85
traitorous
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| adj. 叛国的, 不忠的, 背信弃义的 | |
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86
deceptive
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| adj.骗人的，造成假象的，靠不住的 | |
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87
frustrated
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| adj.挫败的，失意的，泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的过去式和过去分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧 | |
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88
contemptible
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| adj.可鄙的，可轻视的，卑劣的 | |
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89
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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90
aggravating
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| adj.恼人的，讨厌的 | |
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91
equitably
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| 公平地 | |
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92
Amended
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| adj. 修正的 动词amend的过去式和过去分词 | |
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93
retrace
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| v.折回；追溯，探源 | |
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94
enraptured
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| v.使狂喜( enrapture的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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recital
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| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
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