| 236 | 237 | 238 | 239 | 240 |
| 1 | 187 | 374 | 560 | 747 |
|
"
The day's results are meagre, good my lord. An abbot and a dozen
beggarly friars is all we have."
"
Hell and furies! Is the estate going to seed? Send hither the
mountebanks. Afterward, broil them with the priests."
The robed and close-cowled harlequins entered. The grim Leonardo sate in
state at the head of his council board. Ranged up and down the hall on
either hand stood near a hundred men-at-arms.
"
Ha, villains!" quoth the count, "What can ye do to earn the hospitality
ye crave."
"
Dread lord and mighty, crowded audiences have greeted our humble efforts
with rapturous applause. Among our body count we the versatile and
talented Ugolino; the justly celebrated Rodolpho; the gifted and
accomplished Roderigo; the management have spared neither pains nor
expense--"
"
S'death! What can ye do? Curb thy prating tongue."
"Good my lord, in acrobatic feats, in practice with the dumb-bells, in
balancing and ground and lofty tumbling are we versed--and sith your
highness asketh me, I venture here to publish that in the truly marvelous
and entertaining Zampillaerostation--"
238
Page
Quick Jump
|