Page:A history of Chinese literature - Giles.djvu/185

 SPIRIT-LAND. A Taoist priest of Lin-cKung,

of the Hung-tu school. Was able, by his perfect art, to summon

the spirits of the dead. Anxious to relieve the fretting mind

of his sovereign, This magician receives orders

to urge a diligent quest. Borne on the clouds, charioted upon ether,

he rushes with the speed of lightning High up to heaven, low down to earth,

seeking everywhere. Above, he searches the empyrean;

below, the Yellow Springs, But nowhere in these vast areas

can her place be found. At length he hears of an Isle of the Blest

away in mid-ocean, Lying in realms of vacuity,

dimly to be descried. There gaily decorated buildings

rise up like rainbow clouds, And there many gentle and beautiful Immortals

pass their days in peace. Among them is one whose name

sounds upon lips as Eternal, And by her snow-white skin and flower-like face

he hnows that this is she. Knocking at the jade door

at the western gate of the golden palace, He bids a fair waiting-maid announce him

to her mistress, fairer still. She, hearing of this embassy

sent by the Son of Heaven, Starts up from her dreams

among the tapestry curtains. Grasping her clothes and pushing away the pillow,

she arises in haste, And begins to adorn herself

with pearls and jewels.

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