Dagnen (continued from our last issue

conspiring with the lovers. Koong-se had given the casket of jewels to Chang and the Mandarin, who was also a magistrate, swore that he would use the jewels as a pretext to execute Chang when he caught him.

One night the Mandarin's spies reported that a man was hiding in a house by the river and the Mandarin's guards raided the house. But Chang had jumped into the ragging torrent and Koong-se thought that he had drowned. Some days later the guards returned to search the house again. While Koong-se's maid talked to them, Chang came by boat to the window and took Koong-se away to safety.

They settled on a distant island, and over the years Chang became famous for his writings. This was to prove his undoing. The Mandarin heard about him and sent guards to destroy him. Chang was put to the sword and Koong-se set fire to the house while she was still inside.

Thus they both perished and the gods, touched by their love, immortalised them as two doves, eternally flying together in the sky.

The Willow Pattern

by B. L. Bowers

Whilst we sit around the table, Please allow me to relate, The entrancing ancient fable Of "The Willow Pattern Plate." Every picture tells a story, Like the Willow Pattern Plate, Where two lovers dwelt in glory, And defied paternal hate. By elopement from the castle You observe upon the ridge, Where the violent old rascal Chases them across the bridge. Tries to catch the rogue and whip him, 'Ere he steals the daughter fair; But the loving pair outstrip him, Let him languish in despair. Thrown upon their own resources, In a junk they emigrate, To a splendid little oasis, Near the margin of the plate. Dwell in peace, whilst unmolested, In most perfect harmony; Till at length they are arrested, by his Nibs' gendarmerie. Then the tyrant lord appeals to Law and lucre, with their pow'r; Caught, confined, they have their meals too, In that horrid little tow'r. When the pair are executed, To appease their lord irate, To a pair of doves transmuted, Still they fly upon the plate. Every picture tells a story, Like the Willow Pattern blue,

And true love will reign in glory, To infinity! Adieu”

In closing, a bit of trivia about its widespread appeal: Wikipedia posts, “Blue Willow, specifically gold-rimmed pieces coming from Gilman Collamore, New York, was the china of choice at William Randolph Hearst's "La Cuesta Encantada" estate in San Simeon, California, being Hearst's mother's favorite pattern.”