Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/101

 Her beauty captivates the guest yet saddens him within,
 * For he must soon depart and leave her there.

She smiles; no gold could buy that smile, no other smileth so,
 * No need to deck her form with jewels rare,

But when the dance is over and coy glances come and go,
 * Then who shall be the chosen of the fair?

The dance ended, Tung Cho bade them lead the maiden in, and she came, bowing low as she approached him. He was much taken with her beauty and modest grace.

“Who is she?” said he.

“A singing girl; we call her Sable Cicada.”

“Then can she sing?”

The master bade her sing and she did so to the accompaniment of castanets. There is a measure describing her youthful beauty:—

Tung Cho was delighted and praised her warmly. She was told to present a goblet of wine to the guest which he took from her hands and then asked her age.

She replied, “Thy unworthy handmaid is just sixteen.”

“A perfect little fairy!” said Tung Cho.

Then Wang Yün rose and said, “If the Minister would not mind I should like to offer him this little maid.”

“How could I be grateful enough for such a kindness?”

“She would be most fortunate if she could be your servant,” said Wang.

Cho thanked his host warmly.

Then the orders were given to prepare a closed carriage and convey Sable Cicada to the palace.

Soon after Tung Cho took his leave and Wang Yün accompanied him the whole way.

After he had taken leave he mounted to ride homeward. Half way he met two lines of men with red lamps who were escorting Lü Pu on horseback and armed with his halberd. Seeing Wang Yün he at once reined in, stopped, seized him by the sleeve and said angrily, “You promised Cicada to me and now you have given her to the Minister: what foolery is this?”

Wang Yün checked him. “This is no place to talk; I pray you come to my house.”

So they went together and he led Lü Pu into a private room. After the usual exchange of polite greetings Wang said, “Why do you find fault with me, Commander?”

“Somebody told me that you had sent Cicada to the Minister’s palace in a covered carriage: what does it mean?”