第19部分(第5/7 页)

music　began。　Wang　Yun　plied　his　guest　with　assiduous　flattery　and　studied　deference。　When　it　grew　late　and　the　wine　had　done　its　work；　Dong　Zhuo　was　invited　to　the　inner　chamber。　So　he　sent　away　his　guards　and　went。

Here　the　host　raised　a　goblet　and　drank　to　his　guest；　saying；　〃From　my　youth　up　I　have　understood　something　of　astrology　and　have　been　studying　the　aspect　of　the　heavens。　I　read　that　the　days　of　Han　are　numbered；　and　that　the　great　Prime　Minister's　merits　mand　the　regard　of　all　the　world；　as　when　King　Shun　succeeded　King　Yao；　and　King　Yu　continued　the　work　of　King　Shun*；　all　by　the　strength　of　their　own　merits；　conforming　to　the　mind　of　Heaven　and　the　desire　of　people。〃

〃How　dare　I　expect　this？〃　said　Dong　Zhuo。

〃From　the　days　of　old；　those　who　walk　in　the　way　have　replaced　those　who　deviate　therefrom；　those　who　lack　virtue　have　fallen　before　those　who　possess　it。　Can　one　escape　fate？〃

〃If　indeed　the　decree　of　Heaven　devolves　on　me；　you　shall　be　held　the　first　in　merit！〃　said　Dong　Zhuo。

Wang　Yun　bowed。　Then　lights　were　brought　in　and　all　the　attendants　were　dismissed；　save　the　serving　maids　to　hand　the　wine。　So　the　evening　went　on。

Presently　Wang　Yun　said；　〃The　music　of　these　everyday　musicians　is　too　monplace　for　your　ear；　but　there　happens　to　be　in　the　house　a　little　maid　that　might　please　you。〃

〃Excellent！〃　said　the　guest。

Then　a　curtain　was　lowered。　The　shrill　tones　of　reed　instruments　rang　through　the　room；　and　presently　some　attendants　led　forward　Diao　Chan；　who　then　danced　on　the　outside　of　the　curtain。

A　poem　praises　her：

For　a　palace　this　maiden　was　born；

So　timid；　so　graceful；　so　slender；

Like　a　tiny　bird　flitting　at　morn

Over　the　dew…laden　lily　buds　tender。