Pao-ch'ai and her companions again with one voice eulogised their fine diction.

T'an Ch'un then continued:

Could e'er the beauteous snow dread the nipping of frost?

In the deep court the shivering birds are startled by its fall.

Hsiang-yun happened to be feeling thirsty and was hurriedly swallowing a cup of tea, when her turn was at once s.n.a.t.c.hed by Chou-yen, who gave out the lines,

On the bare mountain wails the old man Hsiao.

The snow covers the steps, both high and low.

Hsiang-yun immediately put away the tea-cup and added:

On the pond's surface, it allows itself to float.

At the first blush of dawn with effulgence it shines.

Tai-yu recited with alacrity the couplet:

In confused flakes, it ceaseless falls the whole night long.

Troth one forgets that it implies three feet of cold.

Hsiang-yun hastened to smilingly interpose with the distich:

Its auspicious descent dispels the Emperor's grief.

There lies one frozen-stiff, but who asks him a word?

Pao-ch'in too speedily put on a smile and added: Glad is the proud wayfarer when he's pressed to drink.

Snapped is the weaving belt in the heavenly machine.

Hsiang-yun once again eagerly quoted the line:

In the seaside market is lost a silk kerchief.

But Lin Tai-yu would not let her continue, and taking up the thread, she forthwith said:

With quiet silence, it enshrouds the raised kiosque.

Hsiang-yun vehemently gave the ant.i.thetical verse:

The utter poor clings to his pannier and his bowl.

Pao-ch'in too would not give in as a favour to any one, so hastily she exclaimed:

The water meant to brew the tea with gently bubbles up.

Hsiang-yun saw how excited they were getting and she thought it naturally great fun. Laughing, she eagerly gave out:

When wine is boiled with leaves 'tis not easy to burn.

Tai-yu also smiled while suggesting:

The broom, with which the bonze sweepeth the hill, is sunk in snow.

Pao-ch'in too smilingly cried:

The young lad takes away the lute interred in snow.

Hsiang-yun laughed to such a degree that she was bent in two; and she muttered a line with such rapidity that one and all inquired of her: "What are you, after all, saying?"

In the stone tower leisurely sleeps the stork.

Hsiang-yun repeated.

Tai-yu clasped her breast so convulsed was she with laughter. With loud voice she bawled out:

Th' embroidered carpet warms the affectionate cat.

Pao-ch'in quickly, again laughingly, exclaimed:

Inside Selene's cave lo, roll the silvery waves.

Hsiang-yun added, with eager haste:

Within the city walls at eve was hid a purple flag.

Tai-yu with alacrity continued with a smile:

The fragrance sweet, which penetrates into the plums, is good to eat.

Pao-ch'ai smiled. "What a fine line!" she e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed; after which, she hastened to complete the couplet by saying:

The drops from the bamboo are meet, when one is drunk, to mix with wine.

Pao-ch'in likewise made haste to add:

Betimes, the hymeneal girdle it moistens.

Hsiang-yun eagerly paired it with:

Oft, it freezeth on the kingfisher shoes.

Tai-yu once more exclaimed with vehemence:

No wind doth blow, but yet there is a rush.

Pao-ch'in promptly also smiled, and strung on:

No rain lo falls, but still a patter's heard.