And, because of these things I did, I demanded homage.
Nor was it refused. I moved through wind-swept groves of limber
backs; across sunny glades, lighted by the beaming rays from a
thousand obsequious eyes; and when I tired of this, basked on the
greensward of popular approval. Money was very good, I thought, and
for the time was content. But there rushed upon me the words of
Erasmus, "When I get some money I shall buy me some Greek books, and
afterwards some clothes," and a great shame wrapped me around. But,
luckily for my soul's welfare, I reflected and was saved. By the
clearer vision vouchsafed me, I beheld Erasmus, fire-flashing,
heaven-born, while I--I was merely a clay-born, a son of earth. For
a giddy moment I had forgotten this, and tottered. And I rolled over
on my greensward, caught a glimpse of a regiment of undulating backs,
and thanked my particular gods that such moods of madness were
passing brief.
But on another day, receiving with kingly condescension the service
of my good subjects' backs, I remembered the words of another man,
long since laid away, who was by birth a nobleman, by nature a
philosopher and a gentleman, and who by circumstance yielded up his
head upon the block.
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