the mirror of kong ho(空赫的镜子)-第24节
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for my observance。
At this point let it be set forth deliberately that there existed no
treachery in the advice； still less that this person is incapable of
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competently achieving the destined end of any hazard upon which he may
embark when once the guiding signs have been made clear to his
understanding。 Whatever entanglement arose was due merely to the
conflicting manners of expression used by two widely…varying races； even
as our own proverb says； 〃What is only sauce for the cod is serious for the
oyster。〃
At the station indicated as bearing the sign of the ruler of the country
（which even a person of little discernment could have recognised by the
highly…illuminated representation bearing the elusively…worded inscription；
〃In packets only〃）； I left this fire…chariot； and at once perceiving another in
an attitude of departure； I entered it； as the casual barbarian had definitely
instructed； and began to assure myself that I had already become expertly
proficient in the art of journeying among these Beneath Regions and to
foresee the time； not far distant； when others would confidently address
themselves to me in their extremities。 So entrancing did this contemplation
grow； that this outrageous person began to compose the actual words with
which he would instruct them as the occasion arose； as thus； 〃Undoubtedly；
O virtuous and not unattractive maiden； this fire…engine will ultimately
lead your refined footsteps into the street called Those who Bake Food。
Do not hesitate； therefore； to occupy the vacant place by this insignificant
one's side〃； or； 〃By no means； honourable sir； the Cross of Charing is in
the precisely opposite direction to that selected by this self…opinionated
machine for its inopportune destination。 Do not rebuke this person for his
immoderate loss of mental gravity； for your mistake； though pardonable in
a stranger； is really excessively diverting。 Your most prudent course now
will assuredly be to cast yourself from the carriage without delay and rely
upon the benevolent intervention of a fire…chariot proceeding backwards。〃
Alas； it is truly said； 〃None but sword…swallowers should endeavour to
swallow swords；〃 thereby signifying the vast chasm that lies between
those who are really adroit in an undertaking and those who only think
that they may easily become so。 Presently it began to become deeply
impressed upon my discrimination that the journey was taking a more
lengthy duration than I had been given to understand would be the case；
while at the same time a permanent deliverance from the terrors of the
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Beneath Parts seemed to be insidiously lengthening out into a funereal
unattainableness。 The point of this person's destination； he had been
assured on all hands； was a spot beyond which even the most aggressively
assertive engine could not proceed； so that he had no fears of being
incapably drawn into more remote places； yet when hour after hour passed
and the ill…destined machine never failed in its malicious endeavours to
leave each successive tarrying station； it is not to be denied that my
imagination dwelt regretfully upon the true civilisation of our own
enlightened country； where； by the considerate intervention of an all…wise
government； the possibilities of so distressing an experience are
sympathetically removed from one's path。 Thus the greater part of the day
had faded； and I was conjecturing that by this time we must inevitably be
approaching the barren and inhospitable country which forms the northern
limit of the Island； when the door suddenly opened and the barbarian
stranger whom I had left many hundred li behind entered the carriage。
At this manifestation all uncertainty departed； and I now understood
that to some obscure end witchcraft of a very powerful and high…caste kind
was being employed around me； for in no other way was it credible to
one's intelligence that a person could propel himself through the air with a
speed greater than that of one of these fire…chariots； and overtake it。
Doubtless it was a part of this same scheme which made it seem expedient
to the stranger that he should feign a part； for he at once greeted me as
though the occasion were a matter of everyday happening； exclaiming
genially
〃Well； Mr。 Kong； returning？ And what do you think of the Palace？〃
〃It is fitly observed； 'To the earthworm the rice stalk is as high as the
pagoda；'〃 I replied with adroit evasion； clearly understanding from his
manner that for some reason； not yet revealed to me； a course of
dissimulation was expedient in order to mislead the surrounding demons
concerning my movements； and by a subtle indication of the face
conveying to the stranger an assurance that I had tactfully grasped the
requirement； and would endeavour to walk well upon his heels； 〃and
therefore it would be unseemly for a person of my insignificant
attainments to engage in the doubtful flattery of comparing it with the
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many other residences of the pure and exalted which embellish your
Capital。〃
〃Oh；〃 said the one whom I may now suitably describe by the name of
Sir Philip； 〃that's rather a useful proverb sometimes。 Many people there？〃
At this inquiry I could not disguise from myself an emotion that the
person seated opposite was not diplomatically inspired in so persistently
clinging to the one subject upon which he must assuredly know that I
experienced an all…pervading deficiency。 Nevertheless； being by this more
fully convinced that the disguise was one of critical necessity； and not
deeming that the essential ceremonies of one Palace would differ from
those of another； no matter in what land they stood （while through all I
read a clear design on Sir Philip's part that the opportunity was craftily
arranged so that I might impress upon any vindictively…intentioned spirits
within hearing an assumption of high protection）； I replied that the
gathering had been one of unparalleled splendour； both by reason of the
multitude of exalted nobles present and also owing to the jewelled
magnificence lavished on every detail。 Furthermore； I continued； now
definitely abandoning all the promptings of a wise reserve； and reflecting；
as we say； that one may as well be drowned in the ocean as in a wooden
bucket； not only did the sublime and unapproachable sovereign graciously
permit me to kow…tow respectfully before him； but subsequently calling
me to his side beneath a canopy of golden radiance； he conversed genially
with me and benevolently assured me of his sympathetic favour on all
occasions （this； I conjectured； would certainly overawe any Evil Force not
among the very highest circles）； while the no less magnanimous Prince of
the Imperial Line questioned me with flattering assiduousness concerning
a method of communicating with persons at a distance by means of blows
or stamps upon a post （as far as the outer meaning conveyed itself to me）；
the houses which we build； and whether they contained an adequate
provision of enclosed spaces in the walls。
Doubtless I could have continued in this praiseworthy spirit of delicate
cordiality to an indefinite amount had I not chanced to observe at this
point that the expression of Sir Philip's urbanity had become entangled in
a variety of other emotions； not all propitious to the scheme； so that in
