第9部分(第6/7 頁)

was　the　generosity　of　the　tyrant。

Meanwhile　the　deposed　ruler；　his　mother；　and　his　consort　were　immured　in　the　Palace　of　Forever　Calm　and　found　their　daily　supplies　gradually　diminishing。　The　deposed　Emperor　wept　incessantly。　One　day　a　pair　of　wallows　gliding　to　and　fro　moved　him　to　verse：

〃Spring　and　the　green　of　the　tender　grass；

Flushes　with　joy　as　the　swallows　pass；

The　wayfarers　pause　by　the　rippling　stream；

And　their　eyes　will　new　born　gladness　gleam；

With　lingering　gaze　the　roofs　I　see

Of　the　Palace　that　one　time　sheltered　me。

But　those　whom　I　sheltered　in　all　righteousness；

Let's　not　stay　in　silence　when　the　days　pass　useless？〃

The　messenger；　sent　by　Dong　Zhuo　from　time　to　time　to　the　palace　for　news　of　the　prisoners；　got　hold　of　this　poem　and　showed　it　to　his　master。

〃So　he　shows　his　resentment　by　writing　poems；　eh！　A　fair　excuse　to　put　them　all　out　of　the　way；〃　said　Dong　Zhuo。

Li　Ru　was　sent　with　ten　men　into　the　palace　to　consummate　the　deed。　The　three　were　in　one　of　the　upper　rooms　when　Li　Ru　arrived。　The　Emperor　shuddered　when　the　maid　announced　the　visitor's　name。

Presently　Li　Ru　entered　and　offered　a　cup　of　poisoned　wine　to　the　Emperor。　The　Emperor　asked　what　this　meant。

〃Spring　is　the　season　of　blending　and　harmonious　interchange；　and　the　Prime　Minister　sends　a　wine　cup　of　longevity；〃　said　Li　Ru。

〃If　it　be　the　wine　of　longevity；　you　may　share　it　too；〃　said　Empress　He。

Then　Li　Ru　became　brutally　frank。

〃You　will　not　drink？〃　asked　he。

He　called　the　men　with　daggers　and　cords　and　bade　the　Emperor　look　at　them。

〃The　cup；　or　these？〃　said　he。

Then　said　Lady　Tang；　〃Let　the　handmaid　drink　in　place　of　her　lord。　Spare　the　moth