Page:The Shaving of Shagpat (1856).djvu/320

and my conception of his case and the remedy was perfect, for he seized the tackle, and commenced soaping the sheep dreamily; then with a livelier hand; then with a hand of vigour; then fiercely, fiercely; then so that his hand was like a wind, wild as a fly, swift as a wheel, invisible in motion; he crying, "I have thee, Shagpat! I have thee!" crying, "What! thou and thy creatures deluded me! Wullahy! this is vengeance, this!" crying, "Even without the aid of the Sword my nephew seeketh at such a risk, trouble, labour!" Then he began to shave the sheep, putting forth all his science and dexterity, vainly turning his wrist, coxcombically elevating the bend of his elbow, tenderly handling the animal while his blade swept over it. Never I wot was sheep-shearing performed with that extreme of care and skill! So when 'twas done, I watched him, and he collected the wool under one arm, and breathed a deep inflation; and he was as if too light on his feet for the earth he trod, his head menacingly challenging the remoteness of the four quarters of the universe for one equal to him in the thing he had achieved. Wah! 'twas a madness of laughter to look upon him. Then on a sudden he cried, addressing himself proudly, "Proclaim Shagpat shaved!" and lo! ere I could divine his purpose and arrest him, he slanted swiftly from the hall, and his heels were twinkling beyond the portals of the palace, and up the street towards the market-place. Awahy! then was I in the abysms of despair, and saw myself no match for the ills that threatened, for he