The Saint's Tragedy by Charles Kingsley
page 27 of 249 (10%)
page 27 of 249 (10%)
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Wal. So? There are those come from Rome then will whip you and
Ovid out with the same rod which the dandies of Provence felt lately to their sorrow. Oh, what blinkards are we gentlemen, to train any dumb beasts more carefully than we do Christians! that a man shall keep his dog-breakers, and his horse-breakers, and his hawk- breakers, and never hire him a boy-breaker or two! that we should live without a qualm at dangling such a flock of mimicking parroquets at our heels a while, and then, when they are well infected, well perfumed with the wind of our vices, dropping them off, as tadpoles do their tails, joint by joint into the mud! to strain at such gnats as an ill-mouthed colt or a riotous puppy, and swallow that camel of camels, a page! Page. Do you call me a camel, Sir? Wal. What's your business? Page. My errand is to the Princess here. Eliz. To me? Page. Yes; the Landgravine expects you at high mass; so go in, and mind you clean yourself; for every one is not as fond as you of beggars' brats, and what their clothes leave behind them. Isen [strikes him]. Monkey! To whom are you speaking? Eliz. Oh, peace, peace, peace! I'll go with him. Page. Then be quick, my music-master's waiting. Corpo di Bacco! as |
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