Page:Frank Owen - The Scarlett Hill, 1941.djvu/178

RV 173 (LADY T'AI CHÊN) perfect accord. Being Emperor of China, what need had he for jealousy? Besides he admired and trusted the poet. Tu Fu was a man of sterling reputation. He was bound to Yang Kuei-fei by their mutual love of rain. Occasionally after a shower they were carried in sedan chairs to one of the oddest attractions of Changan, the Stone Bamboo Sprouts that had stood for over seven hundred years outside the western gates of the city.

These consisted of two great pillars sixteen feet high and nine feet round; with a miraculous reputation, for always after a rain-shower people used to gather about them to look for pearls. These odd jewels were of a greenish-yellow glow resembling millets. Usually Yang Kuei-fei could not withstand the desire to slip from her chair to join the people in their search. And when she found a pearl she was consumed with joy.

While he waited, Tu Fu remained in his sedan chair, composing a poem:

Do you know that outside of Changan Beside the road, there are a pair of bamboo pillars standing high? Ancient tradition declares near-by is an eye of the sea, As the stones show wave-marks, now with moss overgrown; When summer rains come you may find small jadelike stones. I think this very uncertain and hard to clearly explain. I think perhaps 'tis an ancient noblemans tomb, With these stones erected to mark his last home. RV 173 (173)