the mirror of kong ho(空赫的镜子)-第30章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
outer garment inevitably suggested that he had borne an honourable share
in the recent campaign in a distant land。 As I had frequently met many of
similar rank drinking tea at the house of the engaging countess to whom I
have alluded； I did not hesitate to prevail upon this Captain Miggs to
accompany me there upon an occasion also； assuring him of equality and a
sympathetic reception； but from the moment of our arrival the attitudes of
those around pointed to the existence of some unpropitious barrier
invisible to me； and when the one with whom I was associated took up an
90
… Page 91…
THE MIRROR OF KONG HO
unassailable position upon the central table； and began to speak
authoritatively upon the subject of The Virtues； the unenviable condition
of the proud and affluent； and the myriads of fire…demons certainly laying
in wait for those who partook of spiced tea and rich foods in the afternoon；
and did not wear a uniform similar to his own； I began to recognise that
the selection had been inauspiciously arranged。 Upon taxing some around
with the discrepancy （as there seemed to be no more dignified way of
evading the responsibility）； they were unable to contend against me that
there were； indeed； two； if not more； distinct varieties of those bearing the
rank of captain； and that they themselves belonged to an entirely different
camp； wearing another dress； and possessing no authority to display the
symbol of the letters S。A。 upon their necks。 With this admission I was
content to leave the matter； in no way accusing them of actual duplicity；
yet so withdrawing that any of unprejudiced standing could not fail to
carry away the impression that I had been the victim of an unworthy
artifice； and had been lured into their society by the pretext that they were
other than what they really were。
With the bitter…flavoured memory of this； and other in no way
dissimilar episodes； lingering in my throat； it need not be a matter of
conjecture that for a time I greeted warily all who bore a title； a mark of
rank； or any similar appendage； who wore a uniform； weapon； brass
helmet； jewelled crown； coat of distinctive colour； or any excessive
superfluity of pearl or metal buttons； who went forth surrounded by a
retinue； sat publicly in a chair or allegorical chariot； spoke loudly in the
highways and places in a tone of official pronouncement； displayed any
feather； emblem； inscribed badge； or printed announcement upon a pole；
or in any way conducted themselves in what we should esteem to be
fitting to a position of high dignity。 From this arose the absence of outward
enthusiasm with which I at first received Sir Philip's extended favour； for
although I had come to distrust all the reasonable signs of established
power； I distrusted； to a much more enhanced degree； their complete
absence； and when I observed that the one in question was never
accompanied by a band of musicians or flower…strewers； that he mingled
as though on terms of familiar intercourse with the ordinary passers…by in
91
… Page 92…
THE MIRROR OF KONG HO
the streets； and never struck aside those who chanced to impede his
progress； and that he actually preferred those of low condition to approach
him on their feet； rather than in the more becoming attitude of
unconditional prostration； I reasoned with myself whether indeed he could
consistently be a person of well…established authority； or whether I was not
being again led away from my self…satisfaction by another obliquity of
barbarian logic。 It was for this reason that I now welcomed the admitted
power which he has of incriminating persons in a variety of punishable
offences； and I perceived with an added satisfaction that here； where this
privilege is more fully understood； few meet him without raising their
hands to the upper part of their heads in token of unquestioning
submission； or； as one would interpret the symbolism into actual words；
meaning； 〃Thus； from this point to the underneath part of our sandals； all
between lies in the hollow of your comprehensive hand。〃 *
There is a written jest among another barbarian nation that these
among whom I am tarrying； being by nature a people who take their
pleasures tragically； when they rise in the morning say； one to another；
〃Come； behold； it is raining again as usual； let us go out and kill
somebody。〃 Undoubtedly the pointed end of this adroit…witted saying may
be found in the circumstance that it is； indeed； as the proverb aptly claims；
raining on practically every occasion in life； while； to complete the
comparison； for many dynasties past this nation has been successfully
engaged in killing people （in order to promote their ultimate benefit
through a momentary inconvenience；） in every part of the world。 Thus the
lines of parallel thought maintain a harmonious balance beyond the
general analogy of their sayings； but beneath this may be found an even
subtler edge； for in order to inure themselves to the requirement of a high
destiny their various games and manners of disportment are； with a set
purpose； so rigorously contested that in their progress most of the weak
and inefficient are opportunely exterminated。
There is a favourite and well…attended display wherein two opposing
bands； each clad in robes of a distinctive colour； stand in extended lines of
mutual defiance； and at a signal impetuously engage。 The design of each is
by force or guile to draw their opponents into an unfavourable position
92
… Page 93…
THE MIRROR OF KONG HO
before an arch of upright posts； and then surging irresistibly forward； to
carry them beyond the limit and hurl them to the ground。 Those who
successfully inflict this humiliation upon their adversaries until they are
incapable of further resistance are hailed victorious； and sinking into a
graceful attitude receive each a golden cup from the magnanimous hands
of a maiden chose to the service； either on account of her peerless outline；
the dignified position of her House； or （should these incentives be
obviously wanting；） because the chief ones of her family are in the habit of
contributing unstintingly to the equipment of the triumphal band。 There is
also another kind of strife； differing in its essentials only so far that all
who engage therein are provided with a curved staff； with which they may
dexterously draw their antagonists beyond the limits； or； should they fail to
defend themselves adequately； break the smaller bones of their ankles。 But
this form of encounter； despite the use of these weapons； is really less fatal
than the other； for it is not a permissible act to club
