Page:Konx Om Pax.pdf/74
II.
Wednesday cardiac symptoms come;
Thursday diabetic.
Blow the fiddle, strum the drum!
Friday I'm paretic.
Chorus.
III.
If on Saturday my foes
Join in legions serried,
Then, on Sunday, I suppose,
I'll be beri-beried!
Chorus.
One need not be intimately familiar with the Japanese character to understand that Kwaw and his feat were forgotten in a very few days; but a wealthy Daimio, with a taste for observation, took it into his head to inquire of Kwaw for what purpose he had entered the country in so strange a manner. It will simplify matters if I reproduce in extenso the correspondence, which was carried on by telegram.
(1) Who is your honourable self, and why has your excellency paid us cattle the distinguished compliment of a visit?
(2) This disgusting worm is great Tao. I humbly beg of your sublime radiance to trample his slave.
(3) Regret great toe unintelligible.
(4) Great Tao—T. A. O.—Tao.
(5) What is the great Tao?
(6) The result of subtracting the universe from itself.
(7) Good, but this decaying dog cannot grant your honourable excellency's sublime desire, but, on the contrary, would earnestly pray your brilliant serenity to spit upon his grovelling "joro."
(8) Profound thought assures your beetle-headed suppliant that your glorious nobility must meet him before the controversy can be decided.
(9) True. Would your sublimity condescend to defile himself by entering this muck-sweeper's miserable hovel?