Volume II Part 27 (1/2)
But whathis territorial acquisitiveness, and aversion to relinquishi+ng stolen nations, he was yet a glorious old king; rather choleric--a word and a blow--but of a right royal heart Rail at hiht, at bottom, all the isles were proud of him And almost in spite of his rapacity, upon the whole, perhaps, they were the better for his deeds For if sometimes he did evil with no very virtuous intentions, he had fifty, ways of acco good withoutto an ancient oracle, the hump-backed monarch was but one of the most conspicuous pieces on a board, where the Gods played for their own entertainment
But here itBello had somewhat abated his efforts to extend his doht it arose from the fact that already he found his territories too extensive for one scepter to rule; that his ely contributed to his tribulations, without correspondingly contributing to his revenues Others affirhty for hi too strong for hies averred that he was growing older and older had passed his grand clie with hih he was daily getting rounder, and rounder in girth, and more florid of face, that these, howbeit, were rather the symptoms of a morbid obesity, than of a healthful robustness These wise ones predicted that very soon poor Bello would go off in an apoplexy
But in Vivenza there were certain blusterers, who often thus prated: ”The Huored by the nations he's yoked; his game is done,--let him show his hand and throw up his scepter; he cumbers Mardi,--let him be cut down and burned; he stands in the way of his betters,--let him sheer to one side; he has shut up rows blind; he hath co career, the old sinner!
--now, let him quickly say his prayers and be beheaded”
Howbeit, Bello lived on; enjoying his dinners, and taking his joru lease of life, thought he over his wine; and like unto so, in spite of the prognostications of the nephew nations, which at his demise, perhaps hoped to fall heir to odd parts of his possessions: Three streaks of fat valleys to one of lean mountains!
CHAPTER XLIII They Land At Do on the best ter of Dohty state; he (Media) being upon excellent ter, strea, and Vee-Vee in the shark's mouth, cla into a fine broad bay we beheld its ly pebbled in the distance with heads; so populous the land
Winding through a noble valley, we presently carove The upright canes co row of spear-heads fluttering with scarlet pennons; while below, froly thrust three tiers of decorated lances A warlike aspect! The entire structure looking like the broadside of the Macedonian phalanx, advancing to the charge, helmeted with a roof
”Ah, Bello,” said Media, ”thou dwellest a thy quills like the porcupine”
”I feel a prickly heat co over me,” cried Mohi, ”my lord Media, let us enter”
”Ay,” said Babbalanja, ”safer the center of peril, than the circu under an arch, forets in prospective, for certain flingers of javelins, with poised weapons, occupying the angles of the palace
Fronting us, stood a portly old warrior, spear in hand, hump on back, and fire in eye
”Is it war?” he cried, pointing his pike, ”or peace?” reversing it
”Peace,” said Media
Whereupon advancing, King Bello courteously welcomed us
He was an arsenal to behold: Upon his head the hereditary crown of Do all over with spikes, in front displaying a river-horse's horn, leveled to the charge; thrust through his ears were barbed arrows; and fro javelins
The broad chest of Bello was the chart of Mardi Tattooed in sea-blue were all the groups and clusters of the Archipelago; and every time he breathed, rose and fell the isles, as by a tide: Dohs were his triumphal arch; whereon in numerous medallions, crests, and shi+elds, were blazoned all his victories by sea and land
His strong right arm was Dominora's scroll of Fame, where all her heroes saw their names recorded--An endless roll!
Our chronicler avouched, that on the sole of Bello's dexter foot was sta, his hereditary foe ”Thus, thus,”
cried Bello, sta, ”thus I hourly crush him”