The Golden Lotus


The Golden Lotus

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CHAPTER 6 (The Golden Lotus) The Funeral

CHAPTER 6The FuneralWhen Ximen Qing left the old woman's house, it was broad daylight. Old woman Wang went out and bought a coffin, some paper offerings, incense, candles and paper money. When she came back, she lighted a lamp, and set it before Wu Da's body. The neighbors came to offer their condolences, and Pan Jinlian covered her lovely face and pretended to sob."How did the gentleman die?" the neighbors asked."There was something amiss with his heart, and, although we never expected anything like this, he got worse and worse and at last we saw that he could not get better. Last night, abou...


CHAPTER 5 (The Golden Lotus) The Murder of Wu Da

CHAPTER 5The Murder of Wu DaWhen deep in mystic contemplationSounding the shallows of this world's emptiness,Even the marriage most blessed by Fate seems full of evil.Men in their folly crave for love,Yet, when in calm collectedness they study it,Hateful it seems.Leave the wild grassesGather not the idle flowersSo, thy truest self, the vigor of thy manhood,Will know the peace of Nature.A simple wife, young children, and plain fareWith these need no man suffer the pangs of loveOr lose his fortune.Yun'ge could not contain his anger at the way old woman Wang had treated him. He took his basket an...


CHAPTER 4 (The Golden Lotus) Ximen Qing Attains His End

CHAPTER 4Ximen Qing Attains His EndThe sun streams through the painted doorway into the bedchamber.There stands a maiden whom no gold can buy.She leans against the doorHer lovely eyes, like beams of sunshine, seek to pursue her loverBut he has gone so far, her tender feet may never hope to follow.Old woman Wang took the money and started for the door. Smiling, she said to Jinlian, "I must go to the street to buy a jar of wine; you will keep his Lordship company, won't you? If there is a drop left in the jar, warm two cups and drink them with him. The best wine is to be had in East Street. I sh...


CHAPTER 3 (The Golden Lotus) The Old Procuress

CHAPTER 3 The Old ProcuressXimen Qing was desperately anxious to possess Pan Jinlian. He gave the old woman no peace."Stepmother," he said, "if you bring this business to a happy end, I will give you ten taels of silver.""Sir," said the old woman, "you may have heard, perhaps, of setting a love snare. The expression implies much that is difficult and is, indeed, what is more commonly known as wife stealing. Before a man can set about this wife-stealing business with any prospect of success, five things are essential. He must be as handsome as Pan An. His member must be at least as ...


CHAPTER 2 (The Golden Lotus) Pan Jinlian

CHAPTER 2Pan JinlianWu Song went to the inn near the Town Hall, packed his baggage and his bedclothes, and told a soldier to carry them to his brother's house. When Pan Jinlian saw him coming, she was as delighted as if she had discovered a hidden treasure. She bustled about preparing a room for her brother-in-law and setting everything to rights. Wu Song sent back the orderly, and stayed the night at his brother's home. The next day, he rose very early, and Jinlian hastened to heat water for him. He washed, combed and tied his hair, and then made ready to go to the office to sign the r...


CHAPTER 1 (The Golden Lotus) The Brotherhood of Rascals

The Golden LotusCHAPTER 1When wealth has taken wing, the streets seem desolate.The strains of flute and stringed zither are heard no more.The brave long sword has lost its terror; its splendor is tarnished.The precious lute is broken, faded its golden star.The marble stairs are deserted; only the autumn dew visits them now.The moon shines lonely where once were dancing feet and merry songs.The dancers are departed: the singers have gone elsewhere.They return no more.Today they are but ashes in the Western Tombs.Beautiful is this maiden; her tender form gives promise of sweet womanhood,...


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