the mirror of kong ho(空赫的镜子)-第30节
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a widely…circuitous direction； having the point where I meant to open an
attack clearly before my eyes； yet seeking to deliver a more effective
onslaught by reaching it to some extent unperceived and to this end
creeping forward in the protecting shadow of the long grass and
untrimmed herbage。
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Whether the one already referred to had incapably failed to express his
real meaning； or whether he was tremulous by nature and inordinately
self…deficient； concerns the narration less than the fact that he had
admittedly produced a state of things largely in excess of the actual。 There
is no longer any serviceable pretext for maintaining that those guarding
any point of their position were other than mild and benevolent； while the
only edged weapon displayed was one courteously produced to aid this
person's ineffectual struggles to extricate himself when； by some obscure
movement； he had most ignobly entangled his pigtail about the claws of
his sandal。
Ignorant of this； the true state of things； I was still advancing subtly
when one wearing the emblems of our band appeared from among the
brown insects and came towards me。 〃Courage！〃 I exclaimed in a guarded
tone； raising my head cautiously and rejoiced to find that I should not be
alone。 〃Here is one clad in green bearing succour； who will； moreover；
obstinately defend his stumps to the last extremity。〃
〃That's right；〃 replied the opportune person agreeably； 〃we need a few
like that。 But do get up on your hind legs and come along； there's a good
fellow。 You can play at bears in the nursery when we get back； if you
want。〃
Certainly one can simulate the movements of wild animals in a
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 one
unworthy 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
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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
