Page:Repository of Arts, Series 1, Volume 01, 1809, January-June.djvu/27

15 THE STORY OF FAN-HY-CHEU.

Translated by a Gentleman in China, and presented to the Editor by, Esq. who accompanied Lord Macartney in his embassy to Pekin.

the reign of Kien-yen, and in the 27th year of the current cycle, Fan-juy raised the standard of rebellion at Kien-cheu; and in consequence of a dreadful famine which then afflicted the country, above an hundred thousand were persuaded to listen to his voice and fight under his banner.

In the course of the following spring, it happened that the Mandarine Leu-cheng-ye was appointed from Quan-see to the office of collector of the customs at Foo-cheu, and he was obliged to pass Kien-cheu in his road thither. A party of the rebels intercepted his retinue, and his daughter, a young lady about seventeen, who accompanied him on his journey, unhappily fell into their hands.

At this time, the leader, Fan-juy, had a son, named Fan-hy-cheu, a young man of good abilities, and about twenty-five years of age. He never had been married, but on seeing the fair captive, who was delicately beautiful, he was smitten with her charms; and learning that her family was noble, he chose a fortunate day, and having received the consent and approbation of his family, she soon became, by all the rites and ceremonies of espousal, his lawful wife.

In the winter of the same year, the emperor sent one of his own sons, the Prince Han-kuin-vany, with a great army, to put an end to the rebellion.

On hearing this intelligence, the daughter of the Mandarine Leu-chung-ye said to Fan-hy-cheu, I have been taught that no virtuous woman can serve two husbands: since we are united by lawful ceremonies, I shall ever owe to you the duties of conjugal obedience and affection. Your city is now almost defenceless, a victorious enemy will soon overcome all resistance; as you are the son of a distinguished leader in the rebellion, your fate seems inevitable: suffer me, then, now to end my life with this dagger, that I may not live to witness my husband’s death.

Fan-hy-cheu, interrupting her, said, It is not from inclination that I am now unhappily a rebel. Tho’ you were unjustly forced away from your noble parents, do not now, by seeking to put an end to your existence, aggravate my crime and my misfortunes. The imperial army now in the field against us, is from the North; the soldiers are your countrymen; you will understand their language; you may perhaps even meet with your family and friends: live therefore for them, and be comforted.

Be assured, she rejoined, that your wife will never submit, during life, to the embraces of another husband: I fear, however, the brutal violence of the soldiers, and have resolved to die rather than to be dishonoured.

This proof, said Fan-hy-cheu, of your faithful attachment to me, shall not prove unrequited, and I here solemnly promise you never to take another partner to my bed.