Черный тюльпан
The Hymn of the Flowers
”
“Andthesecond,”continuedCornelius,“whichisnotwrittenintheregulation,butwhichistobefoundelsewhere:—
“‘Whosoevertakesupthestickwillbethrashedbythestick.’”
Gryphus,growingmoreandmoreexasperatedbythecalmandsententioustoneofCornelius,brandishedhiscudgel,butatthemomentwhenheraiseditCorneliusrushedathim,snatcheditfromhishands,andputitunderhisownarm.
Gryphusfairlybellowedwithrage.
“Hush,hush,mygoodman,”saidCornelius,“don’tdoanythingtoloseyourplace.”
“Ah,yousorcerer!I’llpinchyouworse,”roaredGryphus.
“Iwishyoumay.”
“Don’tyouseemyhandisempty?”
“Yes,Iseeit,andIamgladofit.”
“YouknowthatitisnotgenerallysowhenIcomeupstairsinthemorning.”
“It’strue,yougenerallybringmetheworstsoup,andthemostmiserablerationsonecanimagine.Butthat’snotapunishmenttome;Ieatonlybread,andtheworsethebreadistoyourtaste,thebetteritistomine.”
“Howso?”
“Oh,it’saverysimplething.”
“Well,tellitme,”saidGryphus.
“Verywillingly.Iknowthatingivingmebadbreadyouthinkyoudomeharm.”
“Certainly;Idon’tgiveityoutopleaseyou,youbrigand.”
“Well,then,I,whoamasorcerer,asyouknow,changeyourbadintoexcellentbread,whichIrelishmorethanthebestcake;andthenIhavethedoublepleasureofeatingsomethingthatgratifiesmypalate,andofdoingsomethingthatputsyouinarage.”
Gryphusansweredwithagrowl.
“Oh!youconfess,then,thatyouareasorcerer.”
“Indeed,Iamone.
