Page:A history of Chinese literature - Giles.djvu/435

 such knowledge. To remedy this, a Terrace of Oblivion was built, and all shades are now sent thither, and are forced to drink the cup of forgetfulness before they can be born again.

" Whether they swallow much or little it matters not ; but sometimes there are perverse devils who altogether refuse to drink. Then beneath their feet sharp blades start up, and a copper tube is forced down their throats, by which means they are compelled to swallow some. When they have drunk, they are raised by the attendants and escorted back by the same path. They are next pushed on to the Bitter Bamboo floating bridge, with torrents of rushing red water on either side. Half-way across they perceive written in large characters on a red cliff on the opposite side the following lines :

" To be a man is easy, but to act up to one's responsibilities as such

is hard; Yet to be a man once again is perhaps harder still,

" For those who would be born again in some happy state there is no

great difficulty ; // is only necessary to keep mouth and heart in harmony"

" When the shades have read these words, they try to jump on shore, but are beaten back into the water by two huge devils. One has on a black official hat and embroidered clothes ; in his hand he holds a paper pencil, and over his shoulder he carries a sharp sword. Instruments of torture hang at his waist ; fiercely he glares out of his large round eyes and laughs a horrid laugh. His name is Short- Life. The other has a dirty face smeared with blood ; he has on a white coat, an abacus in his hand, and a rice-sack over his shoulder. Around his neck hangs a string of paper money ; his brow contracts hideously and he utters long sighs. His

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