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Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio (Volumes 1 and 2)

FOOTNOTES

Herbert Allen Giles translation

“Ber.—It was about to speak, when the cock crew. Hor.—And then it started like a guilty thing Upon a fearful summons. I have heard, The cock, that is the trumpet to the morn, Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding throat Awake the God of Day; and, at his warning, Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air, The extravagant and erring spirit hies To his confine.”

Hamlet.

“O fair white silk, fresh from the weaver’s loom; Clear as the frost, bright as the winter’s snow! See! friendship fashions out of thee a fan, Round as the round moon shines in heaven above. At home, abroad, a close companion thou, Stirring at every move the grateful gale. And yet I fear, ah, me! that autumn chills, Cooling the dying summer’s torrid rage, Will see thee laid neglected on the shelf, All thought of by-gone days, like them, by-gone.”

“Marriage is not a trifling thing— The Book and the Vermilion String! On ice by moonlight may be seen The wedded couples’ go-between.”

—A Thousand Character Essay for Girls.

“... Move these eyes? ... Here are severed lips.”

—Merchant of Venice, Act iii., sc. 2.

“The [wo]man that deliberates is lost.”

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“Her rustic home stands by the Tung-t‘ing lake. Ye who would there a pure libation pour, Look for mud walls—a roof of rushy make— And Judas-tree in flower before the door.”

“The frog is not drowned in the river; The medicine hare lives for ever.”

“The pulse of human nature throbs from England to Cathay, And gambling mortals ever love to swell their gains by play; For gold in this vile world of ours is everywhere a prize— A thousand taels shall meet the prayer that on this altar lies.”

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