See what euphony does; just to put two lines straight,
The translator, alas! is compelled to write eight.)

Mr. Skipjack* and Mr. Grasshopper were waiters,
To attend to the wants of the guests and spectators;
These were, Mr. Louse, Messieurs Fowl and Wood-
Louse ;+

(Mr. Snag, and the latter, each brought his own house.)
Miss Lady-bird‡ came, with Ant, Earwig and Bug;
Caterpillar, with Grub, Maggot, Weevil and Slug.
Mr. Mantis was there, so was young Little Mite ;
Mr. Worm crawled in late, with him came Mr. Blight.
Messieurs Fly, (House, Gad, Fire, Bluebottle and Horse,)
Made themselves busy on each side the corse.
Mr. Tick, though an invalid, managed to come;
All knew Mr. Gnat's whereabouts by his hum.

Messieurs Cockroach and Beetle appeared clad in mail;
Mr. Scorpion came, with his sting in his tail.
The Centipede § family came in full force;
Poor Buzzing Musquito, he cried himself hoarse.

* 賣油的“Oil-seller," and 跑堂兒的“Hallrunner," or, "waiter," are the terms most commonly used for "skip-jack."

"Damp-damp-insect."

"Love-to-whirl."

§ Among the centipedes mentioned is one called Cash-strings." This sort is very plentiful in most houses, and is perfectly harmless.

White, yellow and painted, there mustered a score

Of the Butterflies-with them they brought 'Hei lao

po'r,*

Whose son, Master Moth, though reputed a scamp,

For this once neglected his old flame Miss Lamp.
Fighting Cricket-he chaunted the prayers for the nonce,
And a full choir of Crickets chirped every response.
Cantharides came with Cockchafer and Flea ;
The music was led by our friend Humble Bee.
Assisted by Honey Bee, Wasp and Old Drone-
As the latter was bass he played the trombone.
Young Grig played the flute and the talented Hornet
Brought out some melodious strains on the cornet;
The cymbals were beaten by Master Gold Bell ;+
Gnat played on the trumpet remarkably well.
Death-Watch beat the drum with an incessant knock;
Most excellent time too was kept by the Clock.§

The procession was formed, and of course, at its head Went Young Locust, who carried the "board" of the dead.

*

* 黑老婆兒 "Dame Black," a large black kind of

moth.

† 班毛or班貓

a species of cricket, much admired by Chinese for the pleasant bell-like sound it makes with its wings.

§ English local name for "beetle.”

It is the duty of a son to go in front of his deceased parent's funeral procession, carrying his, "Spirit tablet," or "board as is here translated.

There were four hoarse Cicadas to keep the road clear,
And sixty-four Locusts to carry the bier;

Eighty Scorpions, two and two, went on before,

And the funeral paraphernalia bore ;

The Fireflies and Glowworms a brilliant light showed

For 'twas dark ere the cortége set out on their road.
The widow, in white, followed next to the bier;

Swarms of friends and relations then brought up the

rear.

When they started the M.C. some brief orders gave,

And, conducted by Lizard, they soon reached the grave,— For Mole-Cricket and Beetle had already made

A nice roomy grave with their pickaxe and spade.

As they stood round the grave, the deep silence was broke By an unearthly sound-the Bull-Frog's hoarse croak; (His hoarseness was probably brought on by damp)This sound made a good many mourners decamp. Alas! they well knew what that dread sound implied, 'Twas the cry of their foe; soon, their mouths open wide, Came squadrons of Frogs, with Bull Frog at their head, Their martial array struck the mourners with dread. Some, who had wings, were soon seen in full flight, But all who had stings were determined to fight.

On bounded the Frogs, they were met by the Bees,
But nothing could stay them, they gobbled up these:

Re-forming again, they rushed on at full speed,
Charging madly the troops led by Old Centipede; *
The carnage was dreadful, cut, parry, and thrust.
And many a brave Centipede bit the dust.

They next put the Hornets and Wasps to the rout;
Dead bodies on all sides were scattered about.

The Scorpions bravely defended the corse,

And three times repulsed the ferocious Frog Horse;
Each Scorpion making good use of his tail—

Their courage, alas! was of little avail;

Every charge of the Frogs in their ranks left great gaps;
One by one they went down some rapacious Frog's chaps.
Overpowered at length, they all turned tail and fled,
And left on the ground many wounded and dead;
These the Frogs ate at leisure, and soon swallowed all,
Including the bier, corpse, coffin and pall;

Then retired to their pool, which they quickly regained,
And once more o'er the battle-field deep silence reigned.
Not a vestige, when dawn first appeared in the east,
Remained of the Funeral, Battle, or Feast.

*. Probably the "royal centipede" is here

meant.

THE INSECTS' PROPHECY,

OR

THE DEATH OF KING PA.*

Closely pressed by his foes in the darkness of night, Faint and weary King Pa still continued his flight; His troops had been scattered and slain in the strife, He, alone, and a fugitive, fled for his life.

He reached the Black River and paused there to rest,
Looking hopelessly out on its dark turgid breast ;
When, chancing to cast round his eyes, he espied
A boat safely moored to a bush near his side.

* Han Hsin, the general by whom the troops of King Pa, E, were defeated, is said previously to have written the prophecy with honey-probably anticipating such result as the above from the well-known superstition of his opponent. The insects were naturally attracted to the stone by the honey, and unconsciously formed with