United States or Ireland ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"From that time forth," said Braid-Beard, "young Uhia spread like the tufted top of the Palm; his thigh grew brawny as the limb of the Banian; his arm waxed strong as the back bone of the shark; yea, his voice grew sonorous as a conch." "And now he bent his whole soul to the accomplishment of the destiny believed to be his.
At last all is lost in scud and vapor, as the overgrown billow bursts like a bomb. Adroitly emerging, the swimmers thread their way out; and like seals at the Orkneys, stand dripping upon the shore. Landing in smooth water, some distance from the scene, we strolled forward; and meeting a group resting, inquired for Uhia, their king. He was pointed out in the foam.
But though the viands were rare, and the red wine went round and round like a foaming bay horse in the ring; yet we marked, that despite the stimulus of his day's good sport, and the stimulus of his brave good cheer, Uhia our host was moody and still. Said Babbalanja "My lord, he fills wine cups for others to quaff." But whispered King Media, "Though Uhia be sad, be we merry, merry men."
'Most miserable of demi-gods, he cries, 'here am I cooped up in this insignificant islet, only one hundred leagues by fifty, when scores of broad empires own me not for their lord. Yet Uhia himself is envied.
'Here am I made to trudge, sweat, and labor all day, when Donno my master does nothing but command. But others envy Flavona; and those who envy him are envied in turn; even down to poor bed- ridden Manta, who dying of want, groans forth, 'Abandoned wretch that I am! here I miserably perish, while so many beggars gad about and live! But surely; none envy Manta! Yes; great Uhia himself.
'Ah! cries Karrolono, one of his chieftains, master of a snug little glen, 'Here am I cabined in this paltry cell among the mountains, when that great King Uhia is lord of the whole island, and every cubic mile of matter therein. But this same Karrolono is envied. 'Hard, oh beggarly lot is mine, cries Donno, one of his retainers.
But presently drawing nigh, he embraced Media, bidding all welcome. The bathing over, and evening at hand, Uhia and his subjects repaired to their canoes; and we to ours. Landing at another quarter of the island, we journeyed up a valley called Monlova, and were soon housed in a very pleasant retreat of our host. Soon supper was spread.
The test of legitimacy in the Ohonoo monarchs is to stand hereon, arms folded, and javelins darting by. And there in his youth Uhia stood. "How felt you, cousin?" asked Media. "Like the King of Ohonoo," he replied. "As I shall again feel; when King of all Mardi."
Not by hands, but by calling in the magicians. Thus far, nevertheless, in vain. But Uhia had hopes. Now, informed of all this, said Babbalanja to Media, "My lord, if the continual looking-forward to something greater, be better than an acquiescence in things present; then, wild as it is, this belief of Uhia's he should hug to his heart, as erewhile his wives.
And merry some were, and merrily went to their mats. As beseemed him, Uhia was royally lodged. Ample his roof. Beneath it a hundred attendants nightly laying their heads. But long since, he had disbanded his damsels. Springing from syren embrace "They shall sap and mine me no more" he cried "my destiny commands me. I will don my manhood. By Keevi! no more will I clasp a waist."
Word Of The Day