( 52 )
With your sword, too, girt, you respectfully presented your morning salutation.
Though the days were bright, and leisure at your command, yet for you there was no relaxation.
Esteeming each moment of time as more precious than gems, you diligently devoted yourself to study.
With books are you well acquainted, in all literature have you become deeply versed.
In military affairs are you well skilled; these are your delight. Perfect in letters and the art of war.
Being at all times diligent as the ant, no study escaped your grasp. And you aimed at a knowledge of philosophy, labouring with assiduity and understanding.
Into science you extended your enquiries, working with energy and attention.
Gifted with all accomplishments, your mind full stored with learning, you still panted for more.
Wishing to enlarge your mind, a new thought came to you- You chose to traverse the seas, and great was the delight experienced.
Your desire to visit the Central land occupied your thoughts by night and day.
In China there is a spot which in times long past was opened to commerce; Hongkong is its name, where congregate many merchants and many ships.
Looking from Canton as far as the eye can reach, nothing is to be seen but a succession of islands and peaks.
Mounting the ruins of Ut Toy, and travelling eastward, many waters must be passed.
In the midst of these islands and this expanse of water, guarded by Heaven rises this isle, overflowing with merchandize and abounding in wealth.
For years it has appeared mirrored in the unruffled deep.
Its thousand houses, sheltered by the hills, present a picture of surpassing beauty.
This picture-this scene-how rapid its completion! Report of it reaching you in your far off palace, how great your joy.
( 53 )
You had no dread of stormy waves; from the long voyage you did not shrink.
You resolved on traversing the roaring seas, which like swift coursers bore you hither.
Across the boundless ocean, with its thousand myriad leagues. Passing many lands and seas, the mighty ship arrives at last.
With kindly feelings cherished deeply in your breast (have you come among us.)
Having watched from a distance, to-day we see your standard hoisted.
You have come, but there is no haughty bearing.
All are treated with the greatest condescension.
Such kindness and such condescension cause all to regard you with the profoundest respect.
All clap their hands with delight at the sight of your noble countenance.
In your honour are the banquets spread; everywhere may be heard the sounds of music welcoming your Royal retinue-
Day and night the music and the feast continue.
For what is thus worthless, you have rewarded us right royally. Throughout the whole City are the sounds of praise and prayers on your behalf.
In the markets and in the streets are sung ballads and songs.
By these expressions of joyous song may you learn that there is no limit to our affection for you.
Yet, with all this exuberance of feeling, your great fame can with difficulty be proclaimed.
We blush when we think how unskilled is the pen that has written the few words which we now present.
For so rude an Address will doubtless raise a smile around us. Still, though smiles arise, how can we decline to express our feelings!
We trust that you will take this with you to distant lands, and that great may be the result--
Namely, that for thousands of years our countries may be firmly bound together in peace and amity;
And that throughout the world there may continue joy and gladness and universal peace.
57
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( 52 )
With your sword, too, girt, you respectfully presented your morning salutation.
Though the days were bright, and leisure at your command, yet for you there was no relaxation.
Esteeming each moment of time as more precious than gems, you diligently devoted yourself to study.
With books are you well acquainted, in all literature have you become deeply versed.
In military affairs are you well skilled; these are your delight. Perfect in letters and the art of war.
Being at all times diligent as the ant, no study escaped your grasp. And you aimed at a knowledge of philosophy, labouring with assiduity and understanding.
Into science you extended
attention.
your enquiries, working with energy and
Gifted with all accomplishments, your mind full stored with learning, you still panted for more.
Wishing to enlarge your mind, a new thought came to you- You chose to traverse the sens, and great was the delight expe- rienced.
Your desire to visit the Central land occupied your thoughts by night and day.
In China there is a spot which in times long past was opened to
commerce;
Hongkong is its name, where congregate many merchants and many ships.
Looking from Canton as far as the eye can reach, nothing is to be seen but a succession of islands and peaks.
Mounting the ruins of Ut Toy, and travelling eastward, many waters must be passed.
In the midst of these islands and this expanse of water, guarded by Heaven rises this isle, overflowing with merchandize and abounding in wealth.
For years it has appeared mirrored in the unruffled deep.
Its thousand houses, sheltered by the hills, present a picture of
surpassing beauty.
This picture-this scene-how rapid its completion! Report of it reaching you in your far off palace, how great your joy.
( 53 )
You had no dread of stormy waves; from the long voyage you did
not shrink.
You resolved on traversing the roaring seas, which like swift coursers bore you hither.
Across the boundless ocean, with its thousand myriad leagues. Passing many launds and seas, the mighty ship arrives at last. With kindly feelings cherished deeply in your breast (have you come among us.)
Having watched from a distance, to-day we see your standard hoisted.
You have come, but there is no haughty bearing.
All are treated with the greatest condescension.
Such kindness and such condescension cause all to regard you with
the profoundest respect.
All clap their hands with delight at the sight of;
nance.
In your bonour are the banquets spread;
your noble counte-
Everywhere may be heard the sounds of music welcoming your Royal retinue-
Day and night the music and the feast continue.
For what is thus worthless, you have rewarded us right royally. Throughout the whole City are the sounds of praise and prayers on
your behalf.
In the markets and in the streets are sung ballads and songs.
By these expressions of joyous song may you learn that there is no limit to our affection for you.
Yet, with all this exuberance of feeling, your great fame can with difficulty be proclaimed.
We blush when we think how unskilled is the pen that has written
the few words which we now present.
For so rude an Address will doubtless raise a smile around us. Still, though smiles arise, how can we decline to express our feelings!
We trust that you will take this with you to distant lands, and that great may be the result--
Namely, that for thousands of years our countries may be firmly bound together in peace and amity;
And that throughout the world there may continue joy and gladness and universal peace.
57
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