The sweet and fragrant perfume’s like that from the aglaia; In goodness and appearance my tea will be the best in Wuyuen, When all are picked, the new buds, by next term, will burst forth, And this morning the last third gathering is quite done. Each picking is with toilsome labor, but yet I shun it not. My maiden curls are all askew, my pearly fingers all benumbed; But I only wish our tea to be of a superfine kind, To have it equal the “sparrow’s tongue” and “dragon’s pellet.” For a whole month when can I catch a single leisure day? For at earliest dawn I go to pick and not till dusk return; Then the deep midnight sees me still before the firing pan; Will not labor like this my pearly complexion deface? But if my face is thin my mind is firmly fixed, So to fire my golden buds that they shall excel all besides; But how know I who shall put them in the jewelled cup? Whose taper fingers will give them to the maid to draw? At a bright fire she makes the tea, her sorrows flee away; Where shall she learn our toil who so tender picked it all? How that without a sign the fierce winds and rains did rise, Drenching and soaking our persons as if plunged into a bath. But though my heaving bosom like a well-sweep rise and fall, Still patient in my poverty and care I’ll never shun my usual toil; My only thought shall be to have new tea well fired, That the flag and awl be well rolled and show their whitened down. THE MENDER OF CRACKED CHINAWARE. _Dramatis Personæ_: NIU CHAU, a wandering tinker. WANG NIANG, a young girl. SCENE: A STREET.—[_Niu Chau enters. Across his shoulder is a bamboo, to each end of which are suspended boxes containing the various tools and implements of his trade, and a small stool. He is dressed meanly; his face and head are painted and decorated in a fantastic manner._] [_Sings._] Seeking a livelihood by the work of my hands, Daily do I traverse the streets of the city. [_Speaks._] Well, here I am, a mender of broken jars, An unfortunate victim of ever-changing plans. To repair old fractured jars Is my sole occupation and support. ’Tis even so, I have no other employment. [_Takes his boxes from his shoulder, places them on the ground, sits beside them, and drawing out his fan, continues speaking._]