Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/55

 measured ten feet from head to tail and from hoof to neck eight feet. When he neighed the sound filled the empyrean and shook the ocean.

Pu was delighted with the horse and said, “What return can I hope to make for such a creature?”

“What return can I hope for? I came to you out of a sense of what is right.”

Wine was brought in and they drank.

“We have seen very little of each other, but I am constantly meeting your honourable father,” said Li Su.

“You are drunk,” said Pu. “My father has been dead for years.”

“Not so; I spoke of Ting Yüan, the man of the day.”

Lü Pu started. “Yes, I am with him but only because I can do no better.”

“Sir, your talent is higher than the heavens, deeper than the seas. Who in all the world does not bow before your name? Fame and riches and honours are yours for the taking. And you say you can do no better than remain a subordinate!”

“If I could only find a master to serve!” said Lü Pu.

“The clever bird chooses the branch whereon to perch; the wise servant selects the master to serve. Seize the chance when it comes, for repentance ever comes too late.”

“Now you are in the government. Who think you is really the bravest of all?”, asked Lü Pu.

“I despise the whole lot except Tung Cho. He is one who respects wisdom and reveres scholarship; he is discriminating in his rewards and punishments. Surely he is destined to be a really great man.”

“I would that I could serve him, but there is no way, I fear.”

Then Su produced his pearls and gold and the jewelled belt and laid them out before his host.

“What is this? What does it mean?" said Lü Pu.

“Send away the attendants,” said Li Su. And he went on, “Tung Cho has long respected your valour and sent these by my hand. The Hare was also from him.”

“But, if he loves me like this, what can I do in return?”

“If a stupid fellow like me can be an officer in The Tigers, it is impossible to say what honours await you.”

“I am sorry I can offer him no service worth mentioning.”