citizens of Tao-chou

in Tao-chou

many are dwarfs

never more than three feet tall

once slaves and sent to Court

“an offering of products from Tao-chou”

strange “offering” whoever heard of one that

parted men forever from their loved ones

old men beweeping grandsons mothers their children

then Yang Ch’ēng became Governor

he refused mandates for dwarf slaves

told the Emperor “it is the law

‘offered products must be tangible and not utterly nonexistent’

of all that live in Tao-chou

there are people no slaves”

the Emperor moved sent a sealed scroll

“the tribute of slaves is annulled”

citizens of Tao-chou

old and young rejoiced

father son brother and brother henceforward together

from that day on free men

citizens of Tao-chou

continue in it

speak of the Governor

and tears appear

and lest their descendants should forget the Governor

boys often have “Yang” in their forename

Po Chü-i
tr. after Waley