THE KNIGHTS. 35

to be especially precious. Bluster, he explained, had
been so fast asleep that he knew nothing of what
was being done. Hearty took the writing and looked
at it and asked for another cup of wine. ‘ Well,”
said his companion after a pause, “what says the
prophecy?”

ff, “ Another cup.”

V. “Does it say ‘another cup’?”

ff, “O Bacis!”}

V. “What is it?”

ff.. “ Quick with the cup!”

V. “Bacis seems to have been very fond of cups.”

AZ. “O scoundrel of a Bluster! I don’t wonder you
kept this prophecy so close, for it shows how your
fall will be brought about.”

V. “Quick, tell me — what does it say?”

ff. “It says that it is ordained that first of alla ~
hemp-jobber shall rule the city.”

V. “That’s jobber number one. Go on.”

Ai, “After him a calves-jobber.” -

V. “Jobber number two. But what is to happen
to him?”

Hi. “Heis to prosper till a greater. scoundrel than
he shall come, a daring, thieving rascal, a tanner by
- trade, and Bluster by name.”

V. “And what of him? Is there another jobber
to come?”

1 Bacis was a well-known author of prophecies, the Nostradamus or
Mother Shipton of those days.