Page:A history of Chinese literature - Giles.djvu/439

 " A busy town is Tientsin, A land and water thoroughfare; Traders, as thick as clouds, flock in; Masts rise in forests everywhere.

" The officiafs chair, the runner's cap, Flit past like falling rain or snow. And, musing on the boatman's hap, His doubtful shares of weal and woe,

" / note the vagabonds who live On squeezes from his hard-earned due; And, boatmen, for your sakes I give A public register to you.

" Go straightway there, your names inscribe And on the books a record raise; None then dare claim the wicke.d bribCj Or waste your time in long delays.

" The services your country claims Shall be performed in turn by all The muster of the boatmen 's names Be published on the Yamen wall.

" Once your official business done, Work for yourselves as best you can; Let out your boats to any one ; P II give a pass to every man.

u And lest your lot be hard to bear Official pay shall ample be ; Let all who notice aught unfair Report the case at once to me.

" The culprit shall be well deterred In future, if his guilt is clear; For times are hard, as I have heard, And food and clothing getting dear.

" Thus, in compassion for your woe, The scales of Justice in my hand, I save you from the Yamen foe, The barrack-solaier? threatening band.

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