Page:A history of Chinese literature - Giles.djvu/275

 a slave-girl to the tutor's room, himself following close behind with his naked weapon ready for use, bearing a message from her mistress to say she was awaiting him in her own room ; in response to which invitation the voice of the tutor was heard from within, saying, 4< What ! at this hour of the night ? Go away, you bad girl, or I will tell the master when he comes back ! " Still uncon- vinced, the jealous General bade his trembling wife go herself and summon her paramour ; resolving that if the latter but put foot over the threshold, his life should pay the penalty. But there was no occasion for murderous violence. The tutor again answered from within the bolted door, " Madam, I may not be a saint, but I would at least seek to emulate the virtuous Chao Wen-hua (the Joseph of China). Go, and leave me in peace." The General now changes his tone ; and the injured wife, she too changes hers. She attempts to commit suicide, and is only dissuaded by an abject apology on the part of her husband ; in the middle of which, as the latter is on his knees, a slave-girl creates roars of laughter by bringing her master, in mistake for wine, a brimming goblet of vinegar, the Chinese emblem of connubial jealousy.

The following is a translation of the acting edition of a short play, as commonly performed, illustrating, but not to exaggeration, the slender and insufficient literary art which satisfies the Chinese public, the verses of the original being quite as much doggerel as those of the English version :

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