" A busy town is Tientsin, A land and water thoroughfare; Traders, as thick as clouds, flock in; Masts rise in forests everywhere.
" The officiafs chair, the runner's cap, Flit past like falling rain or snow. And, musing on the boatman's hap, His doubtful shares of weal and woe,
" / note the vagabonds who live On squeezes from his hard-earned due; And, boatmen, for your sakes I give A public register to you.
" Go straightway there, your names inscribe And on the books a record raise; None then dare claim the wicke.d bribCj Or waste your time in long delays.
" The services your country claims Shall be performed in turn by all The muster of the boatmen 's names Be published on the Yamen wall.
" Once your official business done, Work for yourselves as best you can; Let out your boats to any one ; P II give a pass to every man.
u And lest your lot be hard to bear Official pay shall ample be ; Let all who notice aught unfair Report the case at once to me.
" The culprit shall be well deterred In future, if his guilt is clear; For times are hard, as I have heard, And food and clothing getting dear.
" Thus, in compassion for your woe, The scales of Justice in my hand, I save you from the Yamen foe, The barrack-solaier? threatening band.
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