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ON ANGLING. |
265 |
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Fish, flesh, or fruits, Choice plants, rare roots, To him were all the same ; His avarice stretching to the utmost height.
The Caliph view'd the h'sh with longing eyes, " By Alia," cried, " this is a precious prize ! Let Hassan here be brought;" Who enter'd in a trice, When Ali ask'd him, where the fish he caught ? Demanding too the price.
'■ Light of the sun," said Hassan, "not one mark I'll take, for sooner I'd be swallow'd by a shark ;
I only crave a boon." " .'Tis granted, Hassan ; name at once thy prayer : And by our holy prophet do I swear,
'Tis thine ere wanes the moon."
" Dread sir," said Hassan, as he prostrate lay, " My labours then you amply will repay,
I heed not scars or gashes ; Your royal mandate issue then with speed, Which let your myrmidons as quickly heed,
And give—one hundred lashes !"
" 'Tis an odd fancy, for a man so poor,"
Said Ali, '" and that I have sworn, do much deplore."
Then call'd his mutes,
Two sooty brutes, While Hassan fifty bastinadoes bore. |
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