This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1868 Excerpt: …burthen on his hands? He knew his doors, that guests so lately thronged, Would soon be thronged as thick with creditors; And he himself, by law, be forced to pay In person, where he had no gold to give: He must escape that very hour–but how? Without one good piastre to defray His cost upon the road, or bribe the porters To set his creditors on some false scent. Then rose a thought within him, and, it seemed, Was gladly welcomed by a sudden start, And a half-cruel, half-compassionate, smile. The Syrian’s Story. 12 For straight he sought the Abyssinian King, -Whom he found watching with a quiet smile The gold fish in the fountain gleam and glide. He led him, ever ductile, by the hand Down many streets into a close-built court Where sat together many harsh-browed men, Whom he accosted thus:
Friends, I want gold; Here is a slave I brought with me last year From Abyssinia; he is stout and strong, And, but for some strange crotchets in his head Of his own self-importance and fond dreams, Which want a little waking now and then By means that you at least know well to use, A trusty servant and long-headed man; Take him at your own price–I have no time To drive a bargain.
Well, so much, –one cried
So much
another.
Bring your purses out, You have bid most, and let me count the coin. Dumb as a rock the Abyssinian King, Gathering the meaning of the villany, Stood for a while; then, in a frantic burst, Rushed at his base betrayer, who, his arm Avoiding, gathered up his gold and fled: And the slave-merchant, as a man to whom All wild extremities of agony Were just as common as his daily bread, Shouted, and like a felon in a cage The King was soon forced down by many hands. None know what afterwards became of him: Hapl…
