Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/77

 enemy. After a very few bouts Tsan turned and fled, Lü Pu following at the topmost speed of “The Hare.”

“The Hare” was a thousand-li-a-day horse, swift as the wind. As they watched “The Hare” gained rapidly upon the flying horseman and his rider’s spear was poised ready to strike Tsan just behind the heart. Just then dashed in a third rider with round glaring eyes and a bristling moustache, and armed with a long snake-like spear.

“Stay, O thrice named slave!” roared he, “I, Chang Fei, await you.”

Seeing this opponent Lü Pu left the pursuit of Tsan and engaged the new adversary. Fei fought with all his energies. They two were worthily matched and they exchanged half a hundred bouts with no advantage to either side. Then Kuan Yü rode out with his huge and weighty moon-curved sword and attacked Lü Pu on the other flank. The three steeds stood like the letter T and their riders battered away at each other for nearly two score bouts, yet still Lü Pu stood firm. Then Liu Yüan-tê rode out to his brothers’ aid, his double sword raised ready to strike. The steed with the flowing mane was urged in at an angle and now Lü Pu had to contend with three warriors at whom he struck one after another, and they at him, the flashing of the warriors’ weapons looking like the revolving lamps suspended at the new year. And the spectators gazed rapt with amazement at such a battle.

But Lü Pu’s guard began to weaken and fatigue seized him. Looking hard in the face of Yüan-tê he feigned a fierce thrust thus making him suddenly draw back. Then, lowering his halberd, Lü dashed through the angle thus opened and got away.

But was it likely they would allow him to escape? They whipped their steeds and followed hard. The men of the eight armies cracked their throats with thunderous cheers and all dashed forward, pressing after Lü Pu as he made for the shelter of the Pass. And first among his pursuers were the three heroic brothers.

An ancient poet has told of this famous fight in these lines: The fateful day of Han came in the reigns of Huan and Ling, Their glory declined as the sun sinks at the close of day. Tung Cho, infamous minister of state, pulled down the youthful sovereign from his throne. It is true Liu Hsieh was a weakling, too timid for his times. Then Tsʻao Tsʻao proclaimed abroad these wicked deeds, And the great lords, moved with anger, assembled their forces. In council met they and chose as their oath-chief Yüan Shao, Pledged themselves to maintain the ruling house and tranquillity. Of the warriors of that time peerless Lü Pu was the boldest. His valour and prowess are sung by all within the four seas. He clothed his body in silver armour like the scales of a dragon, On his head was a golden headdress, fastened with a massive pin,