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V3 43. THE FAIR QUEEN OF WU

V& The breeze passes through the lotus flowers — y^L All fragrance is the waterside pavilion. ^y The king of Wu is feasting on the Ku-su Tower. ^Zf*- Hsi-shih, the queen, flushed with wine, dances — She is fair and unresisting. Now, smiling, she leans near the east window Against a couch of white jade.

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��Hsi-shih (5th century B. C.) was queen to Fu Ckai, the king of Wu, and is one of the most famous court beauties of China. Her dalliance cost the king hi* king- dom as well as his life.

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