Page:A history of Chinese literature - Giles.djvu/260

 248 CHINESE LITERATURE

rial Academy was opened. But he could not forgive WEN T'iE\ 7 -HSiANG (1236-1283), the renowned patriot and scholar, who had fought so bravely but unsuccessfully against him. In 1279 the latter was conveyed to Peking, on which journey he passed eight days without eating. Every effort was made to induce him to own allegiance to the Mongol Emperor, but without success. He was kept in prison for three years. At length he was sum- moned into the presence of Kublai Khan, who said to him, " What is it you want ? " " By the grace of the Sung Emperor," Wen Tien-hsiang replied, " I became his Majesty's Minister. I cannot serve two masters. I only ask to die." Accordingly he was executed, meeting his death with composure, and making a final obeisance southwards, as though his own sovereign was still reign- ing in his own capital. The following poem was written by Wen T'ien-hsiang while in captivity :

" There is in the universe an Aura which permeates all things and makes them what they are. Below, it shapes forth land and water ; above, the sun and the stars. In man it is called spirit ; and there is nowhere where it is not.

" In times of national tranquillity this spirit lies perdu in the harmony which prevails ; only at some great crisis is it manifested widely abroad."

[Here follow ten historical instances of devotion and heroism.]

" Such is this grand and glorious spirit which endureth for all generations, and which, linked with the sun and the moon, knows neither beginning nor end. The foun- dation of all that is great and good in heaven and earth, it is itself born from the everlasting obligations which are due by man to man.

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