按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
market…garden if the impersonation is thought to be desirable； yet the
reasonable analogy of the saying is elusive in the extreme； and I
followed the ally who had thus betrayed my presence with a deep…set
misgiving although in the absence of a more trustworthy guide； and in
the suspicion that some point of my every ordinary strategy had been
inept； I was compelled to mould myself identically into his advice。
Scarcely had he left me； and I was endeavouring to dispel any idea of
treachery towards those about by actions of graceful courtesy； when
oneunworthy of burialstanding a score of paces distant； （to whom；
indeed； this person was at the moment bowing with almost passionate
vehemence； 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 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
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 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 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