Page:Frank Owen - The Scarlett Hill, 1941.djvu/196

RV 191 (LI PO) "Hush!" cautioned Ho Chih-chang, "that is only a fable."

"What a pity," sighed Li Po. Then he brightened. "What matter? I have visible proof that they are in truth the Dwarf Nation."

The affairs of the Court proceeded. The usual routine interested Ming Huang little. Near by Li Lin-fu, shrewd, ambitious, cold, attended to those matters which the Emperor with a wave of the hand turned over to him. Ming Huang held a few hibiscus flowers which Yang Kuei-fei had given him when he left her side for the Court.

"Come back to me soon," she whispered. He bent forward and kissed the pink fragrance of her breasts.

"My heart," she told him, "is among these few hibiscus flowers. Guard them well."

"Above my throne," he said fervently.

Ho Chih-chang bided his time. When the opportune moment arrived, he stepped forward quickly and prostrated himself before the Emperor. Ming Huang was alert at once. After all, was not Ho Chih-chang a poet? Poets were deserving of complete attention.

"Arise, Chih-chang," he said cordially. "See, I step down from my throne. I, too, am a poet. I meet you on common ground."

"That is impossible when men and mountains meet."

"A graceful thought; perhaps that accounts for the RV 191 (191)