the mirror of kong ho(空赫的镜子)-第25章
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inspired by the conviction that he； for his part； was engaged in a like
attention；） suddenly cast a missilewhich； somewhat double…facedly； he
had hitherto held concealed in his closed handwith undeviating force and
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accuracy。 So unexpected was the movement； so painfully…impressed the
vindictive contact； that I should have instinctively seized the offensively…
directed object and contemptuously hurled it back again； if the
consequence of the blow had not deprived my mind of all retaliatory
ambitions。 In this emergency was manifested a magnanimous act worthy
of the incense of a poem； for a person standing immediately by； seeing
how this one was balanced in his emotions； picked up the missile； and
although one of the foremost of the opposing band； very obligingly flung
it back at the assailant。 Even an outcast would not have passed this without
a suitable tribute； and turning to him； I was remarking appreciatively that
men were not divided by seas and wooden barriers； but by the unchecked
and conflicting lusts of the mind； when the unclean and weed…nurtured
traitor twenty paces distant； taking a degraded advantage from this
person's attitude； again propelled his weapon with an even more
concentrated perfidy than before。 At this new outrage every brown cricket
shrank from the attitude of alert vigour which hitherto he had maintained；
and as though to disassociate themselves from the stain of complicity all
crossed over and took up new positions。
Up to this point； majestic head； in order to represent the adventure in
its proper sequence； it has been advisable to present the details as they
arose before the eyes of a reliable and dispassionate gazer。 Now； however；
it is no less seemly to declare that this barbarian sport of leaping insects is
not so discreditably shallow as it had at first appeared； while in every
action there may be found an apt but hidden symbol。 Thus the presence of
the two green locusts in the midst of others of a dissimilar nature
represents the unending strife by which even the most pacific are ever
surrounded。 The fragile erection of sticks （behind which this person at first
sought to defend himself until led into a more exposed position by one
garbed in white；） may be regarded as the home and altar； and adequately
depicts the hollowness of the protection it affords and the necessity of
reliantly emerging to defy an invader rather than lurking discreditably
among its recesses。 The missile is the equivalent of a precise and
immediate danger； the wooden club the natural instinct for defence with
which all living creatures are endowed； so that when the peril is for the
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time driven away the opportunity is at hand for the display of virtuous
amusements； the exchanging of hospitality； and the beating of professional
drums as we would say。 Thus； at the next attack the one sharing the
enterprise with me struck the missile so proficiently that its recovery
engaged the attention of all our adversaries； and then began to exhibit his
powers by running and leaping towards me。 Recognising that the actual
moment of the display had arrived； this person at once emitted a
penetrating cry of concentrated challenge； and also began to leap upwards
and about； and with so much energy that the highly achieved limits of his
flight surprised even himself。
As for the bystanders； esteemed； those who opposed us； and the
members of our own band； although this leaping sportiveness is a
competition more regarded and practised among all orders than the pursuit
of commercial eminence； or even than the allurements of the sublimest
Classics； it may be truly imagined that never before had they witnessed so
remarkable a game cricket。 From the pagoda a loud cry of wonder
acclaimed the dexterity of this person's efforts； the three tiers of maidens
climbed one upon another in their anxiety to lose no detail of the
adventure； and outstanders from distant points began to assemble。 The
brown enemy at once abandoned themselves to a panic； and for the most
part cast themselves incapably to the ground； rolling from side to side in
an access of emotion； the two arbiters clad in white conferred together；
doubtless on the uselessness of further contest； while the ally who had
summoned me to take a part instead of being encouraged to display his
agility in a like manner continued to run slavishly from point to point；
while I overcame the distances in a series of inspired bounds。
In the meanwhile the sounds of encouragement from the ever…
increasing multitude grew like the falling of a sudden coast storm among
the ripe leaves of a tea…plantation； and with them the voices of many
calling upon my name and inciting me to further and even higher
achievements reached my ears。 Not to grow small in the eyes of these
estimable persons I continued in my flight； and abandoning all set
movements and limits； I began to traverse the field in every direction；
becoming more proficient with each effort； imparting to myself a sideway
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and even backward motion while yet in the upper spaces； remaining
poised for an appreciable period； and lightly； yet with graceful ease；
avoiding the embraces of those who would have detained me。
Undoubtedly I could have maintained this supremacy until our band might
justly have claimed the reward； had not the flattering cries of approval
caused an indiscreet mistake； for the alarm being spread in the village that
a conflagration of imposing ferocity was raging； an ornamental chariot
conveying a band of warriors clad in brass armour presently entered into
the strife； and discovering no fire to occupy their charitable energies they
misguidedly honoured this offensive person by propelling a solid column
of the purest and most refreshing water against his ignoble body when at
the point of his highest flight。 This introduction of a thunderbolt into the
everyday life of an insect must be of questionable authenticity； yet not
feeling sufficiently instructed in the lesser details of the sportiveness to
challenge the device； I suffered myself to be led towards the pavilion with
no more struggling than enough to remove the ignominy of an unresisting
surrender； pleasantly remarking to those who bore me along that to a
person of philosophical poise the written destiny was as apparent in the
falling leaf as in the rising sun； pointing the saying thus： 〃Although the
Desert of Shan…tz is boundless； and mankind number a million million； yet
in it Li…hing encountered his mother…in…law。〃 Changing to meet another of
our company setting forth with a club to make the venture； I was permitted
for a moment to engage him； whereupon thrusting into his hand a leather
charm against ill…directed efforts； and instructing him to bind it about his
head； I encouraged him with the imperishable watch…word of the Emperor
Tsin Su； 〃The stars are indeed small； but their light carries as far as that of
the full moon。〃
At the steps of the pagoda so great was the throng of those who would
have overwhelmed me with their gracious attention； that had not this
person's neck become practically automatic by ceaseless use of late； he
would have been utterly unequal to the emergency。 As it was； he could
only bestow a superficial hand…wave upon a company of gold…
embroidered musicians who greeted his return with appropriate melody；
and a glance of well…indicated regret that he had no fuller means of
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conveying his complicated emotions； in the direction of the uppermost tier
of maidens。 Then the awaiting Sir Philip took him firmly towards the inner
part of the pavilion； and announced； so adroitly and with such high…
spirited vigour had this one maintained the conflict； that it had been
resolutely agreed on all sides not to make a test of his competence any
further。
Thereupon a band of very sumptuously arrayed nymphs drew near
with offerings of liquid fat and a variety of crimson fruit； which it is
customary to grind together on the platterunapproachable in the result；
certainly； yet incredibly elusive to the unwary in the manner of bruising；
and practically ineradicable upon the more delicate shades of silk garment。
In such a situation the one who is now relating the various incidents of the
day may be imagined by a broad…minded and affectionate sire： partaking
of this native fruit and oil； and from time to time expressing his insatiable
anguish that he continually fails to become more proficient in controlling
the oblique movements of the viands； while the less successful crickets are
constrained to persevere in the combat； and the ever…present note of
evasive purport is raised by a voice from behind a screen exclaiming； 〃Out
afore？ That he may have been； but do ee think we was a…going to give he
out afore？ No； maaster； us doant a…have
