PY.
Enclosure 4.
274
Translation.
Cantonese Ballad.
(Appeared in the "Shut Po" on Monday the 2nd. November,
The Story of the Far Cutting.
DA DA DA DO Jn de de de de de de
1908.)
A Satire on a Merchant who had his ear cut off in Hongkong.
Hello, My man I How many ears have you got ?
You had better be careful of your ear in future.
You had two and you let one he cut off.
It makes you look out of shape.
Who could be so unkind
As to make you such a laughing stock ?
It is far worse than thieves in Canton
Who are paraded in the street *with a notion stuck down the
back of their neck*. (4)
It is indeed dangerous to have an ear that is so unpopular.
Although it was not cut right off
Yet it will make you frightened for some time to come.
After this it will be harder for
You to save your ears than it will be to save your life.
If any Company is willing to insure it
You had better hurry up and come to terms.
You have only so far lost one ear.
You still have one left.
Take care that you do not lose both.
There is a saying "I must draw an ear on the wall to listen to
you". (Z)
If you lose the other you will be
Like a urinal pot without a handle (ear)
People will then object to your occupying space.
Baskets without handles (ear) are no use.
It is very hard to put cording on them.
Every