Explore "The Case of Ho Ling" by Thomas Burke on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Truly the ways of mandarins are inscrutable. / My estimable and upright friend, Ho Ling, / Long had desired to return to his own country. / He bore himself in Limehouse without reproach, / A reputable stranger, mild of manner and gentle of address. / Against him none could bring a charge or speak a word of upbraiding. / He conformed in all ways to the laws of correct conduct.
Yet when he sought assistance to return to his own country, / Being without means, / And hung at the ear of notable men who could help him, / They refused to hear him, / And would in no way help him to go where his heart was set. / Even the charitable ones regretted / That his case was not for them.
Wherefore my friend forsook his quiet and regular ways, / And went about as one possessed by thunder and fire, / Stormily; doing many things of a reprehensible character, / Committing grave misdemeanours in the public streets, / And following evil ways in a manner to attract attention.
Whereupon, / The lords of this country placed him upon a boat, / And commanded that he should be carried, at their own cost, / To his own country, whither he most desired to go.