/ . ang &c. 9 < t\ ♦ ♦ ♦ 8 I i 9 9 rt? ^1 w .^n. ^■-'^ W' S i^> ^ K *>^ » a €) #i* ♦ ♦ ANG- rill-WE-WING-TZONGA-FOII; OR, MUSINGS OVER A CUP OF NEW YORK : TMK "KVKNIMi MAII> " OKKICt;, No. •>'!'.> HliOADWAY. 1808. t/ n TO THE HONORABLE AisrSON BURLINGAME, ENVOY EXTRAORDINARY TO THE WESTERN NATIONS AND HIGH MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE FIRST CHINESE RANK, AND TO THE MOST MIGHTY MANDARINS, CHIH-KANG- AND SUN-CHIA-KEE OF THE SECOND CHINESE RANK, AND TO THE ASSOCIATED HIGH ENVOYS AND MINISTERS, AND TO ALI^ THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ANCIENT AND CENTRAL FLOWERY KINGDOM WHO COMPOSE THE CHINESE EMBASSY, III frcifcr/hil iroiiil fccl/ng tli/s falumc is dedicated^ by AN AMERICAN CIHINAMAN. Eutered accordiug to Act of Congress, in the year 1SC8 by J. W. Wakd, .Tr., in the Clerk's Office of the United States Coiirt for the Southern District of New York. £o tl)f (fl)nusr (fnooii (Ertracriiinanj. I would not task you, I only ask you, Kiud Euvoy, to listen a minute ; Do you remember One bleak December You took your scat tii-st in the Senate? At Boston, I mean, Forty members therein, And yo»i the youngest man in it ? MjTou Lawrence was there ; — In the President's chair lie years before had jircsided ; — His age and his weight Were acknowledged so gi'eat. All mattu could see Rattle and shake. As if an earthf many nations, ages, ranks. 4 XIV. Thy mighty rivers with their fertile banks Have yielded many a rich and ani])le store Of blessings, destined everywhere to pour Pleasure and comfort all the wide world o'er ! Celestial chemist, with thy dangling queue, Who first the virtues of saltpetre knew, Thy praises ever shall gunpowder tell, And loud-mouthed cannon shall the chorus swell. I see thee stand before me proudly now, A wreath of glory on th}^ yellow brow. Approach, ye mighty warriors, one by one ; Come, Wellington and great Napoleon, Come, Hero of the West, our Washington, McClellan, Hooker, Butler, G-eneral Grant, All who can conquer Richmond, all who can't ; Come, Andrew Jackson, Taylor, Winfield Scott, Ye heroes all, remembered or forgot ; — Come, the inventor of gunpowder greet, And kneel, and pay your homage at his feet ! Shout out old China's praise in tones of thunder, XV. I'litil llic very iii"Uiiil:iiiis start with wttiidcr ! TInii slink away, abashed, iiiuible to requite her, Fuv oaves, whijse nilliiig pavements eflloiesce with nitre! Yc young anil free and |ialiintic boys, Who celebrate " tlie Fonrtli ' with wondrons noise, Send up your rockets whizzing through the air. And throw your crackers, snajiping, everywhere ; Crack your torpedoes at old ladies" I'eet, And scare the plunging horses in the street! Yes, blaze away! Burn Portland, if you will ; 'Tis but a l)on-lire — do not take it ill — A bon-fire, all in patriotic style, A good big squib, that 's measured by the mile ! Ah, Young America, your fiery toys, Your patriotic, pyrotechnic joys. Came first from China, and celestial hands First wrought the fireworks of a thousand lands I How but for her, aspiring boys, could ye Commemorate the birth-day of the free ? XVI. Yuiir rocourse else would be to rise ;it luoni, Strike brazen kettles, blow (he big- lisii-liorii ! Ye prudent housewives, riL-li ia thrift and care, To China's skill ^^ou owe 3'our China ware. Ye landlords, differing not from birds of prey, Save having larger, longer bills than they, By Chinese art you start each slumbering guest From unsubstantial dreams of soothing rest ; Ye drowsy lodgers, sleepy travelers, The gong that wakes you China claims as hers ! Thou horrid gong, what screeching imp resides Within the leanness of thy brazen sides? The greenhorn hears thee, wakes, and, strange to tel He shudders, shrieks, and thinks himself in — well, At least in some annoying neighborhood, Where all the neighbors are not over good ! Machine infernal, tell us why on earth Thou wert a creature of celestial birth ! XVII. Tlinii iioeii'st not answer, lioli) iliy clainni-oiis tonu 'r( destined ever to be widely used ; Though music's dulcet tones 3-ou strangely lack. While use demands it, men will pound your back ! Thus (.'hina shows her long established worth By scattering blessing over all the earth, Kicb silks and satins for our girls and wives. Gunpowder, swift to shorten traitors' lives, Bright fireworks for onr indepeiidriit boy.s, (iay China ware to swell the matrons' joys, And gongs jo rouse the sleeping willi llieir noise. But not content with these, she strove to find A universal boon for all niaidiind ; XV III. The gods above, her aim were pleased to see, And down from heaven they caine, and phmliMl tea There is a Chinese baHad, quaint and old. And in it the story of tea is told. A philosopher wise, With great squint eyes. Once lived in the days of yore ; His queue was as white As a ray of light. And grave was the look he wore ! Long he studied in vain, The secret to gain That should gladden all mankind : He sought for a charm That should banish harm Away from body and mind ! A certain relief For human grief, The elixir of joy to find ! XIX. ( )iit of doors he sat On n lianil)()(> mat 111 sulk'ii ami sorrowfiil mood ; 111 siU'iicc lie iiniscd, And linidy rcriiscd To lasto a iiiorsi'l of food. At Iciigtli ill do.s|iair, Hotli liaiids ill llir air, He iiiiiilorod the (rods on high : Ye si>irits, whose home Is t'.ie bright, lihic dome or the lofty, beauliful sky! Confucius, thou Til whose worship we bow, Whose name we honor and love, Oh, list to me now. And break me a bough From the trees in the groves above. Its leaves with care XX. I '11 steep, and prepare A draught for the sons of men ; They shall quaff the cup, And their woes give up, And never more wee}^ again ! He paused, and there came On wings of flame A goddess of beautiful mien ; And he saw her stand And wave in her hand A branch all lovely and green. Go, plant it, she said. And its roots will spread All over the laud ere long ; And among mankind Though, always you '11 find Some traces of sorrow and wrong ; This herb shall share Your burdens of care, And fill your homes with song! XXI. Tliis Wii.s iill that sliL' said, Ami away slie sped Faraliifi (ui llic wings ol' ilic wind ; Kill (Ir- nation.s now Ihink liicii- tea IVoim the Ixmuii That the goddc'ss left l.ohind ! Snrh were thi' strains of oriental hire The Chinese minstrels sung in days of \'ure ; — How fnlly is their |iroi)lieoy fullilled ; No power ean change what once the gods have willed ; And Chinas mighty realms nnite to bless The draught that brings them peace and happiness ; And all mankind with one accord agree Tile rare concoction suits them to a T ! Avaiuit, ye reformers, who rant and rate On the cost of tea In the country and state ; Begone I for I tell von 1 never will hear Your pilifid cry of seven millions a year ! 1 give up my wine to l)e turned in the lake. My box of cigars, exulting, yon take ; 6 xxir. But beware, oh, Alcott and G-rahain and Trask, What more of my comforts you venture to ask ; For, oh, ye bh:)od-suckers, so hmg as I 'm free, I never, no ucYcr will give j^ou my tea! tea, thou hast fired the patriot's blood. And nerved him to fight for his country's good, When England oppressed our free-hearted sires, Long patient they stifled their pent-up fires ; But justice, outraged, in anger awoke, And tore from her neck the infamous 3^oke, And Liberty silent no longer could be. When tyranny touched our forefathers' tea ! The laborer, when his task is done. Delights to return at set of sun To his waiting board — How frugally stored With the comforts the poor man's purse can afford ; And his toils are forgot, and his troubles flee, As with ease-loving lips He leisurely sips, XXllI. In his dcarlv lovcil liniuc, his Imt ciiii of loii ! O tea, tlioii idol of ;ill wmiiniikiiiil. Tilt HI l)cvoi:i,ii, and many millioii.s more! And in nnr Iieart of hearts the world sliall lind Thi' nnivcrsal homestead of mankind ! And so we shout, wilii voiee of living thunder: " What (iod hath Joined, let no man put asunder!" And, while to eoipiclry we "re slightly given Although we know " matches arc made in heaven," We iling the angel chorus back again With shouts of "Peace on earth, good will to men !" Our latch-string is out to men braving the sea, More closely ami truly our brothers to be ; Now together we '11 drink a strong cup of tea. Pledging the health of the embassy ! And, bidding our Pegasus gallop along. We '11 visit tlie land of the clamorous gong. Thou country of junks and (piaint old pagodas, I can snuff with delight your sweet smelling odors, That are (loating around me, boi'ue by the l)reczc From aloe and ca.ssia and camphor trees 7 XXYI. And a thousand tea-gardens, all lying in view, On the banks of the mighty Ki-ang-ku ! And lo ! as I stand in speechless surprise, And gaze on the wonders that meet my eyes. I see from amid the tea- trees near. The form of a Chinese maiden appear, As she plucks the leaves with dexterous care, And strips the slender branches bare. Her form and her face As she bends o'er the plant. Display such a grace As well might enchant The heart of old Jove, Were he suffered once more To wander and rove, As he did of yore, From Olympus above, And woo and adore The daughters of men, Who again and again Shall tearfully rue XXVII. Tlio wool'iil hour wlioii lie raine to woo. Her stature is short, and her loatures are thin. With nn pheasant eix^'s voile she eolors her skin, Like the hidies of rank who live in Pekin ; ]Jnt her coimtenanee glowri with that natural yellow, Thul tinges the lemon when goMeii and mellow. And her teeth, like rubies, are red with the hue Of the l)rt(l-nnt paste whieh maidens chew. And she stains her eye-brows, silky and dark. "(^'ith the ebony dye of the Zanya Ixirk And her little siiuiut eyes lilimmer out through their lashes Like a spark when it lies Half hid in the ashes! Her hair is as black As a raven's wings, Ami it hangs down her back In plaited strings ; \im1 clusters of jasmin with cunning arrayed, An; twisted and wcnen into llu- lu'aid' Her little feet, How snug ami neat. xxviir. In many a silken bandage bound ! How tin}' and small, As they timidly fall With a delicate and bewitching sound, Like the feet of the fawn. That bounds o'er the lawn, When it hears the bay of the hunter's hound ! And her nimble hand, Like a fairy's wand, Over the foliage lightly passes, And her fingers fly Mid the leaves that lie Tangled together in clustering masses ! And the leaflets all Are held in thrall, Before the sway of her queenly beck ; And, bowing, thej' all, As by magic, fall. Into the basket that swings from her neck ! Few maidens of China such graces know. As the beautiful Yang-Pih-We-Wing-Tzonga-Foh. XXIX. She wears a louse rube of yelltiw ami giecn, And her truwsers are made of pink iiaidieer., And are gathered about an ankle,.! ween, or as phiinp a pattern as ever was seen ; And lier cx(|uisitc foot, So tempting ti> vifw, is daintily pnt In a wooden shoe ! And a kerchief uf blue is jauntily laid O'er the head of the saffron-tinted maid ; And primly 't is pinned Snug under lier chin, Lest the sportive wind Its gambols begin, And in rollicking rout, And frolicksome freak. Should frisk it about The maiden's check ! A curious pi|)e of porcelain made, Doth daintilv rest Against her Ijreast, XXX. And here her opium paste is laid. Ye ladies, whose lovely forms and faces Ten thousand charms invest ; Ye smile, perhaps, at the curious graces This Chinese maiden possessed. America boasts of her beautiful daughters. Of her comely matrons and dames ; And admiring nations over the waters Accord her the trijjute she claims. And though it is ever our pleasing duty To bow to your charms with delight, If China proclaims her title to beauty. Why should we refuse her the right? For doubtless the Hottentot glories to honor His black and frizzled-haired maid. And, charmed with her beauty, gazes upon her In her girdle and trinkets arrayed. XXXI. The Kanitsi'hatka serf, in his underjiroiiiul ilwelliiig, Beholds his daugiilcr.s wilh pride, And when north winds roar, Jic clings all the more To his stunted and fur-eUid bride! And Patagonia's stalwart son. With admiring ardor expresses, In accents low, his love-lorn woe To sunbnrnt giantesses ! * While eliarmed and amazed I stood and gazed, 'i'runslixed by the sight, There bnrst on my ear Strains didcet and clear, AVhieh. eager to hear, I drank with delight! And her silver voice rang With that musical twang, Which only is heard in jjrovince of Kwaug, And this was the song the maiden sang : XXXII. " where is the maiden who ever could say That she was as happy as merrj' and gay As I am, while picking these tea-leaves to-day! And throughout all China, no one can deny, There ne'er was a lover as brave as Tchangsi, And never a maiden as happy as I ! My woes all are done, And my joj's begin. For I marry the son Of the mandarin ! From the lirst gray dawn Of the earliest morn. To the fading light Of descending night, All alone do I stand : Through the long summer day, In the hot sun's ray. And with trembling hand, All blistered and tanned, I gather the tea From the fragrant tree : XXXI 1 1. And wlicn at length The day i.s o'er, With wiistcd strength I sit at the door Of my hut, and spin The silk-\vorni'.s thread With fingers tliin And aching head ! My Innnble board is never graced With ricli rat-brotii to tickle my taste ; No tender young kittens arc served up for me, And they even begrudge me my rice and my tea ; And when I come home from my dail}' toil My meal is locusts and castor oil ! Yet all this is nothing so long as I win The love of the son of the mandarin ! My woes all are done, And ray Joys begin, Fur I marry tiie son ( M' till' mandarin ! 9 XXXIV. My Tchangsi lives in luxurious ease, And all that can comfort, and all that can jilease, Magnificent dress. Or dainty dish, Are his to possess By simply a wish ! With chop-sticks of iv'ry he eats his rice, And his savory dish of fricasseed mice. Or whatever else his palate may choose, Whether bird-nest puddings or shark-tail stews, And the tender roast puppy, so luscious to taste, All steaming and hot, on his table is placed ! And he comforts his soul With a cheerful bowl Of rich arrack punch. Or a goblet of wine Pressed fresh from a bunch Just plucked from the vine ! Yet he swells not with pride like the haughty and great, But kindly he looks on my lowly estate ; And when he goes out in his sedan chair, And rides through the fields in the morning air, XXXV. lie liids Ill's sliivos, wlio carry liiin, j^o Wliuro liL' st't's his Yiiiig-I'ih-Wc-Wiiig-T/.uii^a-Fuli, Ami. sitting, he tloigii.s to smile on mo, As, blushing, I i)luck tlic Iciidii- bulica ! My woes all arc dune, And my joys begin. For I many the son Of the mandarin ! The mandarin i.s iianghty and great ; And he lives liUe a Uing in sumpluons state, .\iid lie wears the three-eyed peacock plume And the crimson luUtoii lliat |iriuces assume ; And the people in Tear all make him room, And bend low the knee Whenever they see Their imperial lord. The old mandarin. As lounging in Ilis palanquin, He journeys abroad ! And the four-elawed dragon over his head Frightens and freezes his vassels with dread! XXXVI. In his lofty palace with tent-like roof, From the lowly and the humble he keeps aloof, And delights to thrust The poor in the dust ; And what would he say, If he only knew What Tchangsi to-day Has plotted to do ! His mother may tear Her long grey hair. And his father may get In a furious fret And a terrible stew, And in his pet May fume and sweat, And-jerk off his queue ! But little I care How they may fare, For I know my Tchangsi is true ! Then let them storm, And let them rave. XXXV II. His heart is warm Ami his .-(111! is brave ! My wiics all arc dniie, And my ji»ys begin, For I marry tiic sou Of (ho mamhiriii ! Ami soon i siiall see My h)Vo by my side, And happy and free, Together we'll Hec O'er the ocean wide ; And gaily we '11 ride O'er the billowy tide, And I Ami my Tchangsi In peace will abide, Where a father's pride fan never ilivide 10 xxxviir. Those Souls that are tied By the gods above In the bonds of love ! Then joy, joy to me ! I 'm happy and free As the humming-bee, Careering along in careless glee Through the groves of tea, For a merry young bride I am soon to be ! My woes all are done, And my joys begin. For I marry the son Of the mandarin !" When thus she had sung her jubilant lay, I leisurely strolled on my curious way, And, wondering much what it all could mean, I strayed through fields sweet-smelling and green, Through mulberry groves, and orange trees, Whose branches swayed in the murmuring breeze, XXXIX. Where the humiuiiig-bird llit.s On its tiuv wiiiKS, ♦ And the cockatoo sits In his pride and sings ! — Wlicre tlie wild hean clinil).s witli its tendrils on higb, And the onion points its stem to the sky ! — Where sweetly blooms the azalia Qower, And the clematis twines in many a bower ; Where the lordly peony stands in its pride, And the gorgeons poppy Ihiiints by its side ! And, looking about. As I strolled i)n my mute, A trille dazed, Astounded, amazed, By the scenes upun wliidi my eyes had gazed, A wonder new Burst on my view And opened my eyes In unwonted surprise! A stripling I met, XL. Who was, as t ween, » About sixteen, All drenched and wet. And reeking with sweat, And, excited his tread. And nervous his gait, As onward he sped At a furious rate ! His scarf of blue Hung loose in the wind. And his long black queue Swung out behind ! And wildly he sang As he jerked_ along ; And the valley rang With his desperate song ! To get some idea Of the strains that I heard. Imagine you hear In a single word. XLI. Kverv possible sound Of discord and jargon That ever was ground From a street liand-organ ! And blended with these We will add, if you jilease, The lugubrious owl, With its dirge of woe ; The clucking bai'u-fowl, And the caw of the crow ; The cry of llic (juail, The orang-outang's wail ; The h^'cna's howl, The catamount's growl, The mouse's s(|ueal\, And the kitten's mew. And the jtiercing shriek. Of the kangaroo ! Let all be combined On a Chinaman's tongue, And imagine the kind 11 XLTT. Of music he snug ! This ditty he sang As I watched him go : " beautiful Yang, " heavenly Yang, " rapturous Yang-^ " Pih-We-Wing-Tzonga-Foh ! " His satin hat was of pea-green hue, And his velvet gown of imperial blue ; In his girdle of scarlet all richly begilt. There glistened a dagger of iv'ry hilt ; And a fan-case of silver, fitted to hold His tortoise-shell fan of inwrought gold ! Of royal yellow his breeches of silk, And his stockings the delicate tint of skim-milk ; Of crimson velvet his boots were made, And gaily were tinselled with silver braid ; And wildl}'^ he ran O'er valley and playi, With the air of a man XLIII. Coinpk'tcly insane ! And every wonl Of all lluit I lu-:u-.l The poor fellow sing As he frautic did go, \Va.s, " Yang-Pih-Wc-Wiiig, " Dear Yang-Pih-We-Wing, " Dear adorable Yantr- •■ Pih-Wo-Wing-Tzonga-Foh ! " Willi eager sight I wateli his Might, And I see him stand By his Tzonga-Foh. He seizes her hand, >Vnd away ihcy go ! Xo merry lliroug Slug the marriage song With loml and deaf'ning din;- As they waddle along No cymbal or gong XLIV. Or notes of the merry tikin Charm the ear of the bride, As well satisfied, She trots b}' the side Of the son of the mandarin ! And in a trice They force their way through The fields of rice And the groves of bamboo ! No band-box she carried ; — And he had no trunk ; — But eager they hurried To reach the junk ; For they feared the wrath of old Chow-Yono-, For the mandarin was cruel and strong ; And woe to the maid, and woe to her lover, If Chow-Yong should their flight discover ; And reeking and wet With sweltering sweat. Impatient they leap Aboard the good ship, XLV. W'liiili .v|ir(>;iils its wliiti' wiiiff.s And sails o'er ijir sea Wliili- Tcliaiiifsi siiif^s III tlic In-iirlit (iC liis ^Ict ! Ami iVrcil IVniii the paiiL^ ( )!' many a woe. O'er llic ualiT.^ tlioy gi>, Tcliaiiirsi ami his Yaii^- J 'ill - W c ■- W iiig-Tzoiiga-Foh ! What iiiadmaii is that. I>art'-lira(k'(l ami fat, Tearing his way thmugli the baiiiboo brakes; — The iiiaddcst of wights, III the saddest of plights, .I.crkiiig his queue every stride that lie takes? It is old Chow Yoiig, Ami bi'liiml liiiii a lliroiig, Kiishiiig d<»wii like a fierce tornado ; Willi lii'in|M!i liiiiids 12 XLVI. For Teliaiigsi's hands, And for her the bastinado. 'Tis vain ! 't is vain ! Far out on the main The junk bears the lovers awav ; But he lifts his eyes To the conscious skies, Which listen when fathers pray. "Gods, shall an impious youth, unchecked, disgrace " The storied honor of a stainless race ? " Is there a crime of heaven so much abhorred. "As his, who_ scorns to obej" his father's woi*d ? " Avenge, ye gods, this most ungrateful deed, "And leave behind him no degenerate seed ! "Ye clouds, whose blackness belts the western sky, " Roll up your columns ! bid your lightnings fly ! " Ye winds, break forth from out your prison caves, " Beat down the junk, and smite the yielding waves ! " Thou hungrj^ sea, thy jaws stretch open wide ; "The unfilial lover and his base-born bride " Be food for fishes underneath thv tide !" XI.Vll. Xi ^ifS' i- ^ 4 « ► * '';■, ^ i .>v. ?' # ■•»■ V. I :4^x< ^ I I ^ I vC^ w Vv^ w 'yC^ w vC^ W Vv^ ^►> Vx^ ^ vC^ ► * LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 016 165 950 2 • i f