Page:Pieces People Ask For.djvu/67

Rh So you're old friend Isaac's nephew?
 * Born in Granville! Sho! Well, well!

—What! Policeman! Did you call me?
 * That a rascal going there?

Well, sir, do you know, I thought so,
 * And I played him pretty fair;

Hundred-dollar bill I gave him,—
 * Counterfeit,—and got his ten!

Ten ahead! No! You don't tell me!
 * This bad too? Sho! Sold again!

THE RAJAH'S CLOCK. Balpoora, Prince of Jullinder,
 * Reigned in the land where the Five Rivers ran;

A lordly tyrant, with none to hinder
 * His wildest pleasure or maddest plan.

His hall was beauty, his throne was splendor,
 * His meat was dainties of every zone;

Nor ever a joy that wealth can render,
 * His whimsical fancy left unknown.

For afar, in sight of his palace windows,
 * His realm was gardens on every hand;

And the feet of a hundred thousand Hindoos
 * Came and went at his least command.

But one thing, worthy his pride to show it,
 * Among his treasures, eclipsed them all;

'Twas the marvel of sage and the praise of poet,—
 * The wonderful clock in his palace hall.

Brain and fingers of matchless cunning
 * Patiently planned the strange machine,—

Framed, and balanced, and set it running,
 * With a living heart in its wheels unseen.

Behind the dial, the iron pallet
 * Counted the seconds; and just below

Hung a silver gong, and a brazen mallet
 * For every hour had a brazen blow;

And near, like windrowed leaves in the weather,
 * Or battle-wrecks at a charnel door,

Lay mock men's limbs all huddled together
 * In a shapeless heap on a marble floor.