The toad beneath the harrow knows Exactly where each tooth-point goes. The butterfly upon the road Preaches contentment to that toad.
Pagett, M. P., was a liar, and a fluent liar therewith — He spoke of the heat of India as the “Asian Solar Myth”; Came on a four months’ visit, to “study the East,” in November, And I got him to sign an agreement vowing to stay till September.
March came in with the koil. Pagett was cool and gay, Called me a “bloated Brahmin,” talked of my “princely pay.” March went out with the roses. “Where is your heat?” said he. “Coming,” said I to Pagett, “Skittles!” said Pagett, M. P.
April began with the punkah, coolies, and prickly-heat,— Pagett was dear to mosquitoes, sandflies found him a treat. He grew speckled and mumpy — hammered, I grieve to say, Aryan brothers who fanned him, in an illiberal way.
May set in with a dust-storm,— Pagett went down with the sun. All the delights of the season tickled him one by one. Imprimis — ten day's “liver” — due to his drinking beer; Later, a dose of fever — slight, but he called it severe.
Dysent'ry touched him in June, after the Chota Bursat — Lowered his portly person — made him yearn to depart. He did n't call me a “Brahmin,” or “bloated,” or “overpaid,” But seemed to think it a wonder that any one stayed.
July was a trifle unhealthy,— Pagett was ill with fear. ‘ Called it the “Cholera Morbus,” hinted that life was dear. He babbled of “Eastern Exile,” and mentioned his home with tears; But I have n't seen my children for close upon seven years.
We reached a hundred and twenty once in the Court at noon, ( I've mentioned Pagett was portly ) Pagett, went off in a swoon. That was an end to the business; Pagett, the perjured, fled With a practical, working knowledge of “Solar Myths” in his head.
And I laughed as I drove from the station, but the mirth died out on my lips As I thought of the fools like Pagett who write of their “Eastern trips,” And the sneers of the traveled idiots who duly misgovern the land, And I prayed to the Lord to deliver another one into my hand.
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