The World’s Tragedy

94 THE WORLD’S TRAGEDY. ALEXANDER Here come the bottle back, washed bright. Yes, this is certainly the seal Of Solomon. GOVINDA Ifeel That we are on the brink of some strange sight. CHAU The whole event has seemed improbable. Scribes, you record this well ! Or I will have you sliced with the keen steel My cook keeps razor-sharp for salted swine. Nine thousand cuts, nine hundred cuts, And ninety cuts and nine Cut exquisitely fine, And the last slash in your guts If by an hair’s breadth your recital Obscure the true, omit the vital ! ALEXANDER Out springs the screw. Ho ! the mannikin slim and sprightly