He was frank, generous, noble, and endowed with no small share
of natural wit. For his conceited cousins he was anything but a pleasant
companion; and daily was their arrogance rebuked by his far-searching
repartees. Thus have we introduced to the reader three young Chaldeans,
Scribbo and Shagoth, with their Cousin Apgomer.
"I cannot, for my part," said Scribbo, "see the propriety of elevating
these contemptible captives to share equal privileges with the native
sons of Chaldea. Surely the king, in this, has betrayed a lamentable lack
of discernment."
"Truly!" replied Shagoth, with an air of consequence. "And if he does not
ere long see his folly, and retrace his steps, he will lose my
confidence, and that of all the members of our house."
"May the gods pity the king!" cried Apgomer, with a feigned solemn
visage. "Peradventure, that in the great pressure of business he forgot
that the confidence of my illustrious cousins was so essential to his
well-being, as well as the safety and perpetuity of the empire.
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