phoenix was a delicate morsel, but that it produced headache, Plutarch

was a little out of his reckoning, inasmuch as the phoenix never

existed."

"A detestable speech! The cinnamalker which makes its nest with sticks

of cinnamon, the rhintacus that Parysatis used in the manufacture of his

poisons, the manucodiatas which is the bird of paradise, and the

semenda, which has a threefold beak, have been mistaken for the phoenix;

but the phoenix has existed."

I do not deny it."

You are a stupid ass."

I desire to be thought no better."

You have confessed that the elder tree cures the quinsy, but you added

that it was not because it has in its root a fairy excrescence."

"I said it was because Judas hung himself on an elder tree."

"A plausible opinion," growled the theologian, glad to strike his little

blow at Æacus.

Arrogance repulsed soon turns to anger. Æacus was enraged.

"Wandering mountebank! you wander as much in mind as with your feet.

518

The Man Who Laughs