The Porcelain Tower, Or, Nine Stories of China

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1842 edition. Excerpt: ... THE PORCELAIN TOWER. THE STUDENT OF HANLAN: A TALE OF OPIUM-SMOKING Wee-Ping-Wa-Ling-Tuh-Ye Kura Hoo-be-Pi-Ping Ho-Pi-Hum.t Hoo.kah. Oh, the gentle Fum-Fum was a worshipful youth A student of talent, of trust, and of truth! Pi-ping, an eminent modern poet of China, wrote a series of poeins with the excellent design of warning his countrymen against the vices which most prevailed amongst them. From these we have selected the one devoted to the subject of OpiumSmoking; but we have found it impossible to preserve, in an English version, the epic gravity and high moral dignity of tone that characterize the serious poetry of the Chinese. It may give additional interest to the subject to mention, that the author died but a few years since, of the pernicious habit he deprecates; having sought inspiration from the pipe whilst engaged in the composition of this poem. t These lines contain a beautiful moral reflection and warning, applicable to this story; but are printed in the i riginal language? from having baffled every attempt at translation. Of excellent parentage, Wit with an arrant edge, Eloquence burning, And subtle discerning; Of manners most excellent, Formed to enchant; And when to the sex he leant, Gay and gallant As fat as a pig, And as sleek as a Cadi; As fresh as a fig, And as fair as a lady. In learning he beat all competitors hollow; And, in short, Was a sort Of a pig-tailed Appollo. He could tell you by heart Any part Of the works of the sages Who shined in past ages, Meng-tze, Laou-tze, and Confucius; And of all whom the Muse Of the Central Land Imbues With her dews, Up to this very day--A great many they, But I only can name one or two she has. There's exquisite Nin-Kum, Whose pen makes the tin come, And Hum-Drum the poet, ...