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FERISHTAH'S FANCIES.
27
FERISHTAH'S FANCIES. 27
Whom, cutting gourds, a serpent bit, whereon The offended limb swelled black from foot to fork. The husband called in aid a leech renowned World-wide, confessed the lord of surgery. And bade him dictate — who forthwith declared
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' Sole remedy is amputation.' Straight,
The husband sighed ' Thou knowest : be it so ! '
His three sons heard their mother sentenced : ' Pause ! '
Outbroke the elder : ' Be precipitate
Nowise, I pray thee ! Take some gentler way.
Thou sage of much resource ! I will not doubt
But science still may save foot, leg and thigh ! '
The next in age snapped petulant : ' Too rash !
No reason for this maiming ! What, Sir Leech,
Our parent limps henceforward while we leap ?
