Illustrious brother of the sun and moon – Behold thy servant prostrate before thy feet. I kow-tow to thee and beg of thy graciousness thouh mayest grant and live. Thy honored manuscript has deigned to cast the light of its august countenance upon me. With raptures I have perused it. By thy bones of my ancestry never have I encountered such wit, such pathos, such lofty thoughts. With fear and trembling I return the writing. Were I to publish the treasure you sent me, the Emperor would order that it should be made the standard, and that none be published except such as equaled it. Knowing literature as I do, and that it would be impossible in ten thousand years to equal what you have done, I send your writing back. Ten thousand times I crave your pardon. Behold my head is at your feet. Do what you will.
Your servant’s servant.
- The Editor
