Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1874 edition. Excerpt: ...gain (While singing the last verse the lad has been putting on his coat, hat, eic. and taking his weapons). (Liu, looking afler Dear lad! there he goes, as light-hearted and happy as possible. I don't know how it is, but whenever he quits my sight, I always feel as if I had lost himas if he had gone for ever, or that something must happen to him; my mind is racked with a thousand fears for his safety, and I am wretched till he returns. (Goes into hovel. Scene closes.) The river is near, With its water so clear, Noiselessly wending its way to the west; My pupil Ting-shan Must pass by anon, So I'll sit me awhile on its margin and rest. (Retires up R. C. Enter Ting-shan, L. Boy sings.) I've just left my mother at our old cottage door, And trudged all this way over field, brake and moor; In hopes near 'Ho-wan a wild goose to kill, Or in its broad waters on carp try my skill. In the world there are thousands of lads poor as me, But, excepting myself, never once did I see A fatherless lad. Oh! what have I done? I know not my father, he knows not his son! I wear a straw hat and a blue gaberdine, --Though made of coarse stuff it is spotless and clean; I grasp with my left hand my bow--ready strung, Which over my shoulder is carelessly slung. In my right hand I hold my fish-basket and spear, Thus lightly equipped I could outrun a deer: -Here I am at the river, and now then to see, Bow or spear, which is first of some service to be. Here they come, --the bright sky is obscured by wild geese, How they cackle, --the cackle of one shall soon cease: Quick ere they pass by--ah, that arrow went true, -He's struck, --now another, and down topple two. G I'll now try my spear on the carp and the bream, That glitter and...