"And that is why I say:
It argues utter want of sense
To pardon obvious offense, . . . .
and the rest of it.
"We are certainly uprooted and undone. For the proverb is right in saying:
Shrewd men unmask a foe
Who seems a friend,
Whose speech is kind, whose acts
To hatred tend.
And again:
Before fools' counsel flees
Prosperity, though won;
Its place and time are lost,
Like dark before the sun."
But they all disregarded his advice, picked Live-Strong up, and started to carry him to their fortress. And on the journey Live-Strong said: "O King, I have done nothing yet, and I am in a sad state. Why are you so kind to me? Nay, I desire to enter the blazing fire. Pray put me under obligations by providing fire."
Now Red-Eye pierced his purpose and said: "Why do you wish to enter fire?" And Live-Strong replied: "For your sake I have been plunged into this calamity by Cloudy. Therefore I wish to be reborn as an owl in order to requite their enmity." Now Red-Eye, being a master of diplomacy, rejoined: "My dear sir, you are wily and plausible. Even if
