Pagina 795 di 1116

As for the corn-chandler he brings more skill to it than any; he

dances and sings,

'O Keener,[FN#623] O sweetheart, thou fallest not short'

and he leaves no one's vitals sound for laughing at him. But the

scavenger sings so that the birds stop to listen to him and

dances and sings,

'News my wife wots is not locked in a box!'[FN#624]

And he hath privilege, for 'tis a shrewd rogue[FN#625] and a

witty; and speaking of his excellence I am wont to say,

My life for the scavenger! right well I love him, * Like a waving

bough he is sweet to my sight: Fate joined us one night, when to

him quoth I * (The while I grew weak and love gained more might)

'Thy love burns my heart!' 'And no wonder,' quoth he * 'When the

drawer of dung turns a stoker wight.'[FN#626]

And indeed each is perfect in whatso can charm the wit with joy

and jollity;" adding presently, "But hearing is not seeing; and

indeed if thou make up thy mind to join us and put off going to

thy friends, 'twill be better for us and for thee.