Black Beetles in Amber - читать онлайн бесплатно полную версию книги . Страница 101

FOR PRESIDENT, LELAND STANFORD

Mahomet Stanford, with covetous stare,Gazed on a vision surpassingly fair:Far on the desert's remote extremeA mountain of gold with a mellow gleamReared its high pinnacles into the sky,The work of mirage to delude the eye.Pixley Pasha, at the Prophet's feetPiously licking them, swearing them sweet,Ventured, observing his master's glance,To beg that he order the mountain's advance.Mahomet Stanford exerted his will,Commanding: "In Allah's name, hither, hill!"Never an inch the mountain came.Mahomet Stanford, with face aflame,Lifted his foot and kicked, alack!Pixley Pasha on the end of the back.Mollified thus and smiling free,He said: "Since the mountain won't come to me,I'll go to the mountain." With infinite pains,Camels in caravans, negroes in trains,Warriors, workmen, women, and fools,Food and water and mining toolsHe gathered about him, a mighty array,And the journey began at the close of day.All night they traveled—at early dawnMany a wearisome league had gone.Morning broke fair with a golden sheen,Mountain, alas, was nowhere seen!Mahomet Stanford pounded his breast,Pixley Pasha he thus addressed:"Dog of mendacity, cheat and slave,May jackasses sing o'er your grandfather's grave!"