Page:Leaves from my Chinese Scrapbook - Balfour, 1887.djvu/193

 ever, he invited her into the pavilion, where the attendant sylphs had set out materials for an exquisite repast. He placed the Lady Wind in the seat of honour, and all the others took their ranks in order. In a twinkling the table was covered with delicious viands and jars of fragrant wine as luscious as the purest honey. The moon increased in splendour, till the room was as bright as day; rich perfumes rose into the air, sweet and heavy, permeating the persons of the revellers; host and guests drank to each other repeatedly; cups and goblets were mixed together on the table, presenting a scene of most luxurious confusion. At last, when the fumes of the wine were beginning to take effect, a sylph in a red robe filled a huge goblet to the brim and presented it to the Lady Wind, saying, "I have a song to sing to you." Upon which she broke forth as follows:—

The singer's voice was sweet and winning, but the listeners seemed to have no great relish for the burden of her song; whereupon a sylph in a white robe presented another goblet to the Lady Wind, saying, "I have also a song, which I will let you hear."

"She is pure as the priceless jade, whiter than driven snow; Luminous as the lovely moon shining on flow'rs below; Sighing and singing a sorrowful song, as the sweet spring zephyrs die—