As if 'twas the "Sacred Will"—this did not last long.
He slew among others, the faithful Shun-chang.

The azalea's six petals are even and red.

The thunder of heaven struck Sai-lo-i dead.

Tou-o' tightly bound was awaiting death's blow
On the third of the sixth, when it came on to snow.

The azalea opens-its petals are brown.

Cheng-yüan-ho wandered through hamlet and town;
The "Fall of the Lily" he sang for his bread,

Of the "Forest of Pencils " he at last was the head:

He became so presumptuous that he made no hesitation in using the emperor's name to further his own nefarious schemes, causing the deaths of many loyal ministers. He was, however, finally detected and executed.

1 See "Snow in Summer," p. 115.

2 Cheng-yüan-ho was a young man of the Tang dynasty, who having squandered all his patrimony in profligacy was reduced to beggary. One of the courtezans, however, on whom he had formerly lavished much money, really loved him, and persuaded him to study, she herself supporting him in the meantime and encouraging him in his studies; he afterwards passed his examination successfully and became a Chuang-yüan, Chief of the 'Han-lin literati. In gratitude to the girl for her kindness to him in his poverty, and efforts for his good, he, on obtaining this rank, made her his wife.

The azalea opens-its petals are blue.

To the gates of Peking Li-chuang' ravaged and slew ; Chung-chên died on "Coal Hill," on his death being known

The first of the Ch'ings, Shun-chih, sat on the throne.

The azalea opens-its petals are grey.

Next Kang-hsi, then Yung-cheng, then Chien-lung2 had sway;
He travelled his subjects' affection to gain;
Delighted, all wished him a long happy reign.

The azalea opens-its petals are white.

Chia-ching was discerning, and governed aright;
Propitious seasons made poverty cease,

In his reign the empire enjoyed a long peace.

Li-chuang was a notorious rebel chief who overrun the Chinese empire at the close of the Ming dynasty. He at last entered the city of Peking. Chung-chên, the last of the Ming dynasty, hung himself on Mei-shan, Coal Hill, or as it is oftener called by foreigners "Prospect Hill." See "Journal of the N. C. Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society," vol. vii., "Chinese Legends" by G. C. Stent.

2 Chien-lung did more to gain the affection of his subjects than any other monarch before or since; he made a tour of inspection to Hangchou in Kiang-nan, thus proving that the "Son of Heaven" is not compelled to remain within the precincts of the palace invisible and unapproachable.

The azalea opens-its blooming is done.

Tao-kuang' the Just governs "all under the sun;" "Within the four seas" peace and plenty appears, May he live to rule over us myriads of years.

'This ballad was evidently written in the reign of Tao-kuang. Since then, as the reader may be aware, two other emperors have ascended the throne-Hsien-fêng and T'ung-chih, the present youthful emperor.

THE FIVE WATCHES.1

I.

In the first watch,

The moon shone on the flower terrace.

I had heard from my lover that at night he would come.

I bade my maid buy a few ounces of wine,

With four plates of vegetables, and spread the table.

I waited a little, but he did not come.

Again I waited, still he came not.

And I knew not where he was, or what detained him.

I took up my embroidered shoes,

But I had no heart to change them.

I slowly wiped away the falling tears from my eyes.

1 The Chinese night is divided into five watches :— The first begins about 9 P. M., called Ting-ching, Setting the watch"; the second begins about II P.M., called Erh-ching, Second Watch; the third begins about I A.M., called San-ching, Third Watch; the fourth begins about 3 A.M., called Ssù-ching, Fourth Watch; the fifth begins about 5 A.M., called Wu-ching, Fifth Watch.

The watches are arranged according to the length of the night, commencing earlier or later as the case may be.

2.

In the second watch,

The moon was high.

How annoying of my lover! Why has he not come? Tears fell from my "autumn wave almond eyes."

I wept till in hue they vied with the cherry.

I railed.

"You thief! Oh, how vexing!

How is it you come not?

You should not deceive me,

And

you have done so often.

One may kill by deceit, that's no capital crime.

Methinks, if you are this kind of person

How can we continue intimate?"

3.

In the third watch,

The moon was in the west.

I was in my room lonely and disconsolate;

Yet full of kind loving thoughts.

"Ah! you do not wish to come !

You say 'I'll come,' yet you come not!"

The lamp even is not bright.

My bed is cold as ice.

M