Chapter XIV

Chapter XIV In the Fairy Lists

AFTER the arrival of Wildgoose and Moon-

light at the Master's home his maids and

attendants daily grew greater . in number.

He appointed to each their particular place of resi-

dence. Palaces, halls, galleries and pagodas were

called into requisition.

In the palace enclosure there were eight hundred

musicians, the most beautiful in the Empire. They

were divided into two divisions to east and west. To

the east were four hundred of whom Moonlight had

charge ; and to the east a like number with Wild-

goose for overseer. These were taught singing and

dancing and were given lessons in music. Each month

they all met in the Chong-wha Pavilion and engaged

in contests of skill.

The Master, along with his mother, the two Prin-

cesses accompanying, would act as judge, give prizes

or require forfeits. Each winner would get three

glasses of wine and a wreath of flowers for her brow

crowning her with glory. The loser was given a glass

of cold water and a dot of ink was imprinted on her

forehead. This mark was such a disgrace and shame

that they laboured to escape it and advanced in skill

day by day, so that the musicians of Prince Wee and

Prince Wol were the finest in the world.

One day the two Princesses and the other women

were in attendance on the mother, when the Master

brought a letter to where they were seated and gave

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The Cloud Dream of the Nine

it to Princess Orchid, saying : " This is a letter from

your brother, Prince Wol."

The Princess opened it and read : " The spring

weather is so beautiful, may all blessing and happiness

be yours. Heretofore so many affairs of State have

engaged you that you have had no leisure. No horse-

men have been seen on the Festal Grounds, and no

boats have been moored at the head of Kong-myong

Lake. The fathers of the city talk of the splendour

and life that accompanied the days of Cho and weep

over the departed glory of the past with tearful faces.

By the grace of the Emperor, and your Excellency's

skill, we are at peace on every hand and the people

are well content. This is the time to recall the happy

days of the past. Spring is not yet too far advanced,

the weather is agreeable and the flowers and willow

catkins make a man's heart glad. No time is more

suitable for an agreeable outing or for sights to see

than now. I suggest that we meet on the Festal

Grounds and try a spell at the chase and at music,

and help the world a little toward the perfection of

its joy. If your Excellency will kindly consent to

choose a day and let me know, I shall avail myself of

the privilege of joining you."

When the Princess had read it she said to the

Master : "Do you know what lies behind Prince

Wol's thought ? "

The Master said : " Why,has he some deep thought

or other hidden underneath this ? Nothing more, I

should think, than an ordinary outing among the

flowers and willows. It is the proposal of one who

enjoys pleasure."

The Princess answered : " Your Excellency does

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In the Fairy Lists

not understand it fully. Prince Wol likes pretty girls

and good music. The prettiest girls in the world are

not all in the Palace. Recently one arrived at Prince

Wol's, a special favourite, a noted dancing-girl from

Mu-chang whose name is Ok-yon. The maids-in-

waiting have seen her and lost their hearts to her.

They are almost beside themselves, feeling that they

are mere nothings and nobodies in comparison. Ok-

yon's skill and beauty are without a parallel, and now

my brother, Prince Wol, hearing that there are many

beautiful women in our home, wants to do as did

Wang-kai and Sok-soong in days of yore and have

a trial of skill."

" I read it indifferently," said the Master ; " your

Highness knows his thought better than I do."

Cheung See said : " Even though this is to be a

trial of skill entered on but once, let us see to it that

our side wins." She nodded to Wildgoose and Moon-

light and added : " Though you train soldiers for

ten years, yet the trial you put them to may be only

for a morning. Our success rests altogether on the

skill of you two leaders. Do your best I pray you."

Moonlight made reply : "I am afraid we cannot

beat them. Prince Wol's band has the highest repu-

tation in the world ; and Ok-yon from Mu-chang is

echoed from mouth to mouth through all the Nine

Provinces. Prince Wol has already got such an

orchestra in hand, and such a skilful performer as she

to assist, that I fear that he will be a very difficult

opponent to face. With our one-sided small force,

unacquainted with the rules that govern a perform-

ance like this, I am afraid that before ever the battle

begins our people may decide to run off and make

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The Cloud Dream of the Nine

their escape. Our own shame is not to be specially

thought of, but our family would be put to eternal

disgrace."

The Master said : " When I first met Moonlight

in the Chong pavilion of Nak-yang, they said that

she was the prettiest girl by far, and Ok-yon was there

as well. It must be the same person referred to here.

When I have Che Kal-yang [42] on my side, why

should I fear to meet Hang-00 or Han Pom-jing ? "

The Princess said : " In the palace of Prince Wol

Ok-yon is not alone the special beauty."

Moonlight added : "In Prince Wol's palace the

number of those who paint their faces and put on

rouge is like the blades of grass on Pal-kang Moun-

tain. There is no help for it but quickly to make our

escape. How can we ever hope to meet them ?

Please, your Highness, ask Wildgoose to take charge

of it ; I am a person of such small courage that when

I hear an5^hing like this my throat closes up, and I

am not able to utter a word."

Wildgoose apparently grew very angry and said :

" What do you mean. Moonlight ? Is this true ? We

two have travelled over seventy counties of Kwan-

dong and not a noted player was there that we did

not hear, and not a single singer that we did not

listen to. My knees have never yet bowed to another, .

why should they yield the first place to Ok-yon ? If

the ladies of Han were there who upset cities and

kingdoms by their beauty, or the fairy maids of Cho,

who could at will become clouds and rain, I might

possibly be startled, but with only this Ok-yon to

face, why should I be anxious ? "

Moonlight said : " Wildgoose, you talk as if it

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In the Fairy Lists

were so easy a matter. True, when we were together

in Kwan-dong, we took part on many great occasions

at which there were magistrates, governors, and

nobles present ; at lesser ones, too, where there were

literati and scholars, but we never once met any

capable opponents. Now, however, it is a question

of Prince Wol with a critical eye, who has grown up

among gems and jewels. He regards great mountains

and wide seas as nothing. How can one mistake a small

hill the size of the hand or the little stream like a

thread of silk for one of these ? This is like combat-

ing Son-o, or like trying one's strength with Poon-

yok. A great general cannot be opposed by a little

child ; how much less Prince Wol's household by this

poor weakling ? To beat him lies beyond a hundred

miles of probability. How can you look at it so lightly ?

I see in Wildgoose's boastful word that she has spoken

like Cho-kwal, foretelling her own defeat." Then

she added, speaking to the Master : " Wildgoose has

a boastful spirit ; I should like to tell you some of

her defects. When she first followed your Excellency

she stole one of the fine steeds of the King of Yon,

rode it, calling herself a young man from Ha-book,

and then from the side of the Hai-tan roadway, along

which you were to pass, she greeted you. If Wild-

goose be really so graceful and pretty, how was it

that your Excellency mistook her for a man ? On

the first night, too, that she was with you, taking

advantage of the darkness, she usurped my place. Yet

after all this she says these boastful words."

Wildgoose laughed as she replied : " Truly there's

no knowing people's minds. Before I followed your

Excellency, Moonlight praised my beauty and looked

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The Cloud Dream of the Nine

upon me as Hang-a of the moon, and now she regards

me as more worthless than a cash piece. It must

mean that you love me better than you love her and

she wants to have all your love to herself."

Then Moonlight and the others laughed, and

Blossom said : " Since Wildgoose's refinement and

delicacy are such, the fact that the Master took her

for a boy must be due to his defective eyesight. It is

nothing to Wildgoose's credit to be so regarded, for

Moonlight's words are true. It is not ladylike to

assume the guise of a boy and wear men's clothes ;

neither would a man's putting on women's clothing

to deceive another be considered manly. Because of

their weakness and defects in each case they assume

a disguise."

The Master laughed and said : " Your ladyship

has evidently pointed this joke at me, but I may say

in reply that your dear eyes were not bright, for

though you could distinguish the different tunes

you did not know a man from a woman. This was

due to the fact that though you have ears to hear,

your eyes are defective in seeing. If one set of facul-

ties is defective, would you call the person perfect ?

Though you make light of me, still the people who

see my picture in the Neung-yoo Pavilion all praise

the majesty of its proportions, its strength and its

dignity."

Those assembled laughed delightedly when Moon-

light went on : " Just now it is a question of falling

in and marching out to meet a powerful enemy ; why

do we sit idly by and waste time ? We two alone

cannot be fully trusted to win the day. Suppose

we have Cloudlet to help us. Since Prince Wol is not

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In the Fairy Lists

an outsider, Cloudlet could have no special objection

to seeing him."

Then Chin See said : " If the two, Moonlight and

Wildgoose, are to go alone into the arena, I should

like to help, but when it comes to singing and dancing

what use would I be ? If I go I fear Moonlight will

never win."

Cloudlet said : " Although I do not excel in

dancing and singing, still if the question pertain only

to my own person, why should I not have a view of

such a gathering as this ? But if I should go the

people will assuredly point me out and say with

smiles : ' Yonder is Prince Wee's wife, second to the

Princesses Blossom and Orchid.' Such would mean

contempt for the Master, and would prove a source

of anxiety to the ladies. I certainly cannot go."

The Princess said : " In what possible way could

the Master be dishonoured by Cloudlet's going, or

what anxiety could that be for us ? "

Then Cloudlet answered : " If we pitch the wide

silken awning and the sky-coloured tent, the people

will naturally say : ' The General's beloved wife

Cloudlet is coming,' and they will rub shoulders and

crowd heels, and strive to see and push up for a place,

and after all will behold only my ill-starred face and

frowzy head, and they will say with amazement :

* General Yang must have disease of the eyes to have

chosen such as she for wife ' ; and will this not be a

cause of disgrace to the Master ? Prince Wol has

never yet set eyes upon a contemptible performer,

and if he should see me he would undoubtedly be

filled with nausea and be made ill. Will not the two

ladies be disgraced likewise ? "

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The Cloud Dream of the Nine

The Princess said : " Cloudlet, really your mod-

esty is amazing. Once upon a time you changed from

a girl into a spirit ; now you want to change from a

peerless beauty into a perfect fright. I cannot trust

you, Cloudlet, at all." So she referred the matter to

the Master, saying : " In your reply what day have

you decided upon ? "

The Master replied : " We have decided upon to-

morrow."

Wildgoose and Moonlight gave a start of dismay,

saying : " No orders have as yet been issued to the

two divisions of dancing-girls. How can you possibly

have it in as short a time ? " They then called their

leaders together and said : " The Master has ap-

pointed a general gathering for to-morrow with

Prince Wol at the Festal Grounds, when all the

dancing girls of the two divisions are to gather in

their best outfits, setting forth at earliest dawn."

Eight hundred dancers heard this command, drew

long faces and lifted their eyebrows. But they took

their instruments in hand and began to tune up in

preparation.

On the next day the Master arose early, dressed in

ceremonial robe, took bow and arrows, and mounted

his snow-white charger. With three thousand chosen

huntsmen to attend him, he passed through the

South Gate of the city. Moonlight and Wildgoose,

specially dressed and bedecked in gold ornaments

and chiselled green stones, and wearing flower em-

broideries, were in command of the dancers. They

rode mounted on beautifully caparisoned horses,

seated in gilded saddles, with silver stirrups hanging

by the side, and jewelled bridle reins in hand. They

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In the Fairy Lists

raised their coral whips and followed close behind

the Master, while eight hundred dancers mounted

on beautiful horses brought up the rear.

On the main roadway they met Prince Wol, and

lo ! he had hunters and musicians enough to equal

those of Master Yang.

Thus they rode side by side, when Prince Wol

asked of General Yang : " What breed of horse is

that you ride, sir ? "

The Master replied : "A Persian horse. It seems

to me that the one your Highness rides is the same."

Prince Wol made answer : " Yes, that is so. This

horse's name is ' Thousand Mile Cloud Breed.' Last

year, in the autumn, while out hunting along with

the Emperor, there were over ten thousand horses

from the Imperial stables present. There were perfect

wild wind flyers among them, but none of them

could equal this one. Now Nephew Chang's fast

horses and General Yi's black steeds are both said to

be specially fine, but compared with mine they could

hardly be dignified by the name of horse."

The Master said : ** Last year when I led the attack

on Tibet over deep and dangerous waters and by

precipitous cliffs where a man could not go, this

horse walked as freely as if he were on level ground,

and never once missed his footing. Any success I had

was largely due to this good steed's efficiency. You

know Too-jami says : * One in heart with man and

equal to him in merit.' He refers to the horse.

" After I had brought back the forces my rank was

raised and I laid down office, so that I rode lazily in

a palanquin and went softly along the easy way of

life till both horse and man were ready to fall ill.

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The Cloud Dream of the Nine

Please let xis lay on the whip and have a race and see

which of these two steeds will win. Let us show the

ancients what we can do in the daring field of cour-

age.

Prince Wol was greatly delighted and said :

" Those are my sentiments exactly."

Then they ordered the leaders who followed them

with the two companies of guests and dancers to wait

in the tent pavilion. They were about to lay on the whip

when suddenly a huge stag that had been awakened

by the hunters dashed past Prince Wol. The Prince

called to the two keepers of the seal to shoot. Several

let fly their arrows simultaneously, but they all

missed, and the Prince, disgusted, dashed forth on

his horse and with one shot in the side felled the huge

beast. The soldiers shouted : " Long live the Prince."

The Master said : " Your marvellous bow outdoes

King Yo-yang."

But the Prince said in reply : " What is there to

praise in a little thing like that ? I would like to

see your Excellency shoot ; won't you give me a

sample ? "

Before he had done speaking, a pair of swans came

sailing along in the rifts of the cloud, and the soldiers

shouted : " These birds are hardest of all to hit ;

we must use a Hadong falcon."

The Master said : " Don't disturb them," but

carefully fitted an arrow to his bow and let fly, hitting

a bird and driving the shaft straight through its head

so that it fell before the horses.

The Prince gave a shout of applause and remarked :

" Your Excellency's skill is equal to that of Yang-

yoo."

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In the Fairy Lists

Then the two suddenly raised their whips and away

they dashed on horseback, like shooting stars, or like

devils of the night, with demon flashes of fire accom-

panying. In an instant they had crossed the wide

plain and had scudded up the hill.

The two riders drew rein exactly even. For a time

they stood gazing out over the wide expanse and

talked of music and archery. Little by little the ser-

vants began to approach them, bringing the deer and

the swan on bearers, which they offered to the Prince

and to the Master.

The two dismounted, sat on the grass, drew the

sword that was in the hilt and cut some of the meat,

which was cooked and eaten. They passed the glass

in mutual congratulation. As they gazed into the

distance they saw two red-coated yamen servants

running towards them at great speed with a host of

people following.

One rushed forward to say : " The Emperor and

the Empress have sent out refreshments."

The Prince and the Master then returned, went into

the pavilion and waited. Two officers of the Court

poured out the Imperial wine and ordered two others

to bring specially decorated writing paper.

They each took one in hand, knelt down, opened

the roll and the subject suggested was ** The Hunt,"

and the command was given to write.

What the Master wrote ran as follows :

" In early morning, with all the combatants, off we

go,

With glittering swords and arrows like shooting

stars.

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The Cloud Dream of the Nine

The tent is filled with the prettiest faces in the

land ;

In pairs, before the horses, are the keen-eyed fal-

cons.

We unite to taste with grateful hearts the sweet

wine of the king.

We draw the glittering sword and cut from the high

roast before us.

I think of last year, and the wild western hordes,

While I go forth on this happy hunt to-day."

Prince Wol wrote :

Flying dragons go by us like the lightning.

Fitted to the saddle, and accompanied by the

rattling drum.

Swift like shooting stars, like arrows that strike the

deer.

Round as the moon, flash the bows and the falling

wildgoose answers.

The joy of the hunter rises in the keen zest of the

play.

While all faces shine from the royal wines that flow.

Let's no more talk of the fine shots of Yo-yang ;

How could he ever equal the feats of this happy

day ? "

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In the Fairy Lists

The officials received the compositions, bade fare-

well and returned within the city, while the two com-

panies of guests sat each in rows and the stewards

passed refreshments. Who can tell of the delightful

flavour of wine mixed with milk and of the tender

lips of the monkey ? Fruit was there from Wol, and

potatoes from Yong piled high on the green stone

platters, and such a banquet none had ever seen even

at the Lake of Gems with the Western Queen

Mother presiding. One need not speak of gatherings

under Moo-jee of Han or of such delicacies or de-

lights ever having been seen before.

Behold the dancers ready, a thousand strong, in

ranks three deep with the broad silk awning shad-

ing them. The sound of gems and ornaments was like

rippling thunder ; the slender waists of the dancers

were more lithe than the willow ; the hundred pretty

faces vied with the flowers in freshness and beauty ;

the sound of harps and flutes surpassed the music of

many waters ; the singing made the whole South

Movmtain to tremble.

When the glass was passed Prince Wol said to the

Master : "I, your humble servant, have been the

recipient of your abundant favour, and there is no

way by which I can return my lively appreciation.

I want once to make you glad through the maids-of-

honour that I have brought with me, so, if you

please, I will call them and make them sing and dance

before your Excellency."

The Master thanked him and said : " How should

your humble servant look upon the ladies of my lord's

household, but since we are brothers, bound together

by your sister's gracious favour, I shall venture to be

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The Cloud Dream of the Nine

so bold. I, too, have my household here who desire

to see the celebration, and I shall call upon them to

accompany the ladies of your palace, each following

the music according to her own special skill, and so

add cheer to the occasion."

The Prince replied : " Good, how happy your

suggestion is."

Then Moonlight and Wildgoose and four dancers

of Prince Wol came forth, and made their obeisance

before the dais.

The Master said : "In ancient times King Yong

had one famous dancing-girl whose name was Lotus

Bud. Yi Tai-baik earnestly requested King Yong

that he might hear her sing, but he never dreamed of

asking to see her face. Now I, your himible servant,

see all these pretty dancers and behold their beauty,

and am therefore blessed many times beyond Yi

Tai-baik. What are the names of these four,

please ? "

The four then advanced and gave answer for them-

selves, saying : " I am the Cloud Fairy of Keiun-

neung ; I am Hair Pin of Chin-joo ; I am Ok-yon

of Moo-chang ; I am Soft Whirmy of Chang-an."

Then the Master remarked to Prince Wol : " When

I was a young scholar and travelled from place to

place, I heard the famous name of Ok-yon. Now that

I see her face to face she far surpasses in beauty the

renown that preceded her."

Prince Wol hearing the names of Moonlight and

Wildgoose, and recognising them, said : " These two

famous women are noted the world over, and now

they have become attached to your Excellency's

household. They certainly have been very fortunate

258

In the Fairy Lists

in the master they have chosen. I wonder where you

first met them ? "

The Master replied : " Moonlight I met on my

way to examination. When I reached Nak-yang she

came to me of her own accord. Wildgoose was origin-

ally attached to the palace of the King of Yon, but

when I went there as envoy she made her escape and

followed me."

The Prince clapped his hands, laughed, and said :

" Wildgoose had courage indeed."

The Master went on : " When I think of those

days, really it is amusing. A poor scholar like me,

riding a mean little donkey, with but a boy to accom-

pany me, started out on my way. I was overtaken

with thirst, and drank overmuch fragrant wine, and

when crossing Chon-jin Bridge found several score

of the literati youth enjoying themselves with music

and dancing. I took courage and went in. My poor

clothes and headgear were put to shame by the dresses

of the slaves that served. But I took a seat and there

was Moonlight. In the exhilaration of the moment I

never thought of making a laughing-stock of myself

but wrote a verse or two. I do not know now what I

wrote or what it was like, but Moonlight chose it

before all the others and sang it. There had been an

agreement in the first place that Moonlight should

be given to the one whose verse she chose to sing, so

there was no question that she was mine ; besides it

was a predestined affinity that settled the matter be-

tween us."

Prince Wol laughed and said : " You are winner

in more than one field. Certainly to win her was more

marvellous and delightful than being crowned with

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The Cloud Dream of the Nine

laurel. I am sure what you wrote must be very fine

indeed. Might I hear it ? "

The Master repUed : " How can I possibly recall

what I wrote then ? "

Then the Prince said to Moonlight : " The

Master has forgotten the verse that he wrote when he

first met you. Can you not recite it for me ? "

Moonlight said : "I remember it well ; shall I

write it out and hand it to your Highness, or shall

I sing it?"

The Prince, pleased with the reply, said : " If you

would sing it, as well as give it to me, I should be

delighted."

Then Moonlight advanced and sang, so that the

assembled guests were transfigured with joy. The

Prince, overcome with a sense of wonder and awe,

praised her, saying : " Your Excellency's gift in

writing and Moonlight's soft compelling song are

nowhere to be equalled. The bouquets of flowers that

bloom forth from that song of yours rival the pretty

girl's soft robes and ornaments. It would make even

Yi Tai-baik take a second place. How can those who

make a pretence at writing nowadays ever venture to

look at such ? "

Wine was then passed in a golden goblet filled to

the brim, and thus were Moonlight and Wildgoose

rewarded.

The four dancers from Prince Wol's palace and

these two sang together the tune of " Long Life,"

and the assembled guests announced them angels

from heaven. Ok-yon's name was rated with that of

Moonlight and Wildgoose. The three others, while

not equal to Ok-yon, were yet wonderfully skilful.

260

In the Fairy Lists

The Prince , congratulating himself on the occasion ,

and highly pleased, now asked all the guests to step

forth from the tent to see the military master's sword

exercise, spear drill and charging in the lists.

He said : " The women's horsemanship and

shooting with the bow are worth seeing. Several

among my palace maids are adepts. Your Excellency

has among yours, no doubt, women from the north,

who would, if you gave command, shoot a rabbit or

pheasant for the amusement of the assembled com-

pany."

The Master was pleased at this and gave the order

for a score or more to be chosen who were practised

with the bow and in dashing horsemanship. These,

with the maids from the palace of Prince Wol, laid

wagers. Suddenly Wildgoose stepped forward and

said : " Though I am not trained with the bow, still

I have seen a great deal of riding and shooting and

to-day I should like to try."

The Master gave ready assent, unfastened the bow

from his own belt and handed it to her.

Wildgoose took it and said to the combatants :

" Even though I do not hit the mark you girls must

not laugh at me." At once she mounted as if by wing

one of the fast horses and sped away from before the

tent. Just then a pheasant came flying from the copse.

Wildgoose instantly straightened her slender back,

grasped the bow, and the arrow went singing through

the air, when a bunch of feathers in all the five

colours fell before the horse's head.

The Master and the Prince clapped their hands

and gave a ringing outburst of applause.

Wildgoose turned rapidly, rode back and alighted

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The Cloud Dream of the Nine

before the tent. She walked slowly to her place and

sat down while all the girls congratulated her, saying :

" We have trained for ten years and all to no purpose."

But Moonlight turned to her and said : " Though

we two have not been beaten by the dancers from

Prince Wol's palace, still there are four of them and

we only two. This is hard work. Our not bringing

Cloudlet was a great mistake. Though dancing and

singing are not Cloudlet's speciality, her beauty and

grace are such as would hold their own with Ok-yon's

company." She gave a sigh. Suddenly two women

were seen coming from the farther side of the grounds

in a swift palanquin across the blooming green sward.

They reached the entrance of the pavilion, when the

gate-keeper said : " Do you come from Prince Wol's

palace, or from the home of the Prince of Wee ? "

The charioteer replied : " These two ladies are

from the household of General Yang. They have

been delayed, and so did not get here at first with

the others."

The soldier guards then went in and reported the

matter.

Master Yang said : " It is evidently Cloudlet who

has come to see, but why has she come in this un-

accountable way ? Call her in."

The two ladies wearing embroidered shoes alighted

from the palanquin. In front was Swallow, and be-

hind was the maiden seen so clearly in the dream,

the daughter of the Tong-jong Dragon King. The

two came forward before the Master and bowed.

Then Yang pointed towards Prince Wol and said :

" This is his Highness Prince Wol ; go and make

your obeisance to him."

262

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In the Fairy Lists : Swallow and White-cap Enter

In the Fairy Lists

When they had done so, the Master gave orders

that they should be placed beside Wildgoose and

Moonlight. Then he said to Prince Wol : " These

two maidens I met first on my campaign against the

Tibetan. I have been so busy recently that I did not

have opportunity to bring them before. They have

come in order that they might enjoy the music and

see the sights of the day."

When the Prince had looked at them again he saw

that they were beautiful, like sisters to Moonlight

and Wildgoose, with their grace of form even en-

hanced if that were possible.

The Prince was astonished, and all the faces of the

galaxy from his palace turned pale as ashes.

He asked : " What are the names of these two

ladies and where are they from, please ? "

One of them replied, saying : " I am Sim, the

Swallow. I come from west Yang-joo." And the

other replied, saying : " I am White-cap, who came

originally from the neighbourhood of the So-sang

River. Unfortunately I met with trouble and made

my escape from home and have taken refuge with

the Master."

The Prince said : " These two maidens are not

mortals, I am sure. Do they know how to play the

harp ? "

Swallow replied : "I am a humble person from

a distant part and never heard the harp in my early

days. By what possibility could I entertain your

Highness ? In my childhood I learned the sword

dance, but this is an entertainment of the camp and

not of the drawing-room."

The Prince was now all excitement and said to the

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The Cloud Dream of the Nine

Master : "In the days of Hyon-jong, the great

dancer, Kong-son was renowned the world over for

her skill in sword-dancing. Later generations lost

the art and I have always felt sorry that I have not

seen it. Now that you say the maid is skilled in sword-

dancing I am more delighted than ever."

Then the Prince and the Master each drew from their

belt the sword that they carried and gave it ; Swallow

fastened up her sleeves, put off her belt ornaments

and stepped forth to dance. At once from top to floor

came the flashing of the blades, and the swift fierce

passings from side to side. The red cheeks and bright

sword blades melted into one, like the snows of the

third moon that fall on the red buds of the springtime.

Suddenly the speed of the sleevelets increased, and

the whirling edges went faster and fiercer, till a blaze

of white light filled the tent and Swallow's form was

lost entirely to view. Mysteriously a rainbow halo

suddenly appeared and a cool wind was felt to pass

between the cups and glasses of the feast board. All

the assembled company felt a shuddering in their

bones and their locks stood on end.

Swallow intended to give an exhibition of the

various forms she had learned, but fearing that it

would cause alarm to the Prince, stopped, threw

down the sword, bowed and retired.

The Prince was some time in recovering his

senses; then he said : " How could any mortal attain

to such skill as that ? I have heard that many fairies

are skilled in the sword-dance. Tell me are you not a

fairy ? "

Swallow said in reply : " The custom of the west

is to practise feats of skill with military weapons, so

26 ij.

In the Fairy Lists

I learned this when I was a child. Why should you

think me a fairy ? "

The Prince said : *' When I go back to my palace,

the best dancers among my maids shall be chosen and

sent to you in the hope that you will kindly teach

them."

Swallow bowed and gladly assented.

The Prince then asked White-cap : " What special

skill have you, young lady ? "

White-cap replied : " My home overlooked the

So-sang River, the place where A-whang [43] and

Yo-yong played together, where the skies seem so

far away, and the nights are so quiet, with soft

breezes and a clear moon. From between the gentle

rifts of the clouds I have heard again and again the

strains of the harp, and these from earliest childhood

I set myself to imitate. I used to play there alone and

was so happy. I am afraid your Highness would not

care for it, however."

The Prince said : " In the writings of the ancients

we read that A-whang and Yo-yong played upon the

harp, but I have never heard that their tunes were

passed on to mortal generations. If you have learned

and know them let us hear them. Why should we

compare them with the common music of the day ? "

Then White-cap drew from her sleeve a small harp

and played in tones indescribably tender, clear and

persuasive, like waters hurrying through the mountain

passes, or like the wildgeese clamouring the long

length of heaven. All the guests were deeply moved,

and tears began to flow. Suddenly the petals of the

flowers trembled and the rustlings of autumn broke

in upon the scene.

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The Cloud Dream of the Nine

The Prince, mystified, said : " I never heard be-

fore that music could move the seasons in their

course. If you are only a mortal, how is it that you

can turn spring to autumn, or cause the leaves to

fall ? Could any mere human being ever learn a

tune such as this ? "

White-cap replied : " I have passed on merely the

dregs of what I have heard, and have shown no special

skill in the little that I have played for you."

Ok-yon here interrupted and addressed the Prince,

saying : " Though I have no special skill of my own,

yet there is one tune that I should like to play to

your Highness. It is called the Song of the White

Lotus. Shall I play it ? "

She took up a harp such as was used in Chon-

king's time, went forward and began to twang the

strings. Across the twenty-five of them that lined

the board, passed her hands in sweet and lovely

music, well worth the hearing. The Master as well as

the two dancers. Moonlight and Wildgoose, praised

its beauty and the Prince was greatly delighted.

266