[Mardi: and A Voyage Thither, Vol. I (of 2) by Herman Melville]@TWC D-Link bookMardi: and A Voyage Thither, Vol. I (of 2) CHAPTER LXVII 3/5
All objects look well through an arch. But to return to Peepi, the inheritor of souls and subjects.
It was an article of faith with the people of Valapee, that Peepi not only actually possessed the souls bequeathed to him; but that his own was enriched by their peculiar qualities: The headlong valor of the late Tongatona; the pusillanimous discretion of Blandoo; the cunning of Voyo; the simplicity of Raymonda; the prodigality of Zonoree; the thrift of Titonti. But had all these, and similar opposite qualities, simultaneously acted as motives upon Peepi, certes, he would have been a most pitiable mortal, in a ceaseless eddy of resolves, incapable of a solitary act. But blessed be the gods, it was otherwise.
Though it fared little better for his subjects as it was.
His assorted souls were uppermost and active in him, one by one.
Today, valiant Tongatona ruled the isle, meditating wars and invasions; tomorrow, thrice discreet Blandoo, who, disbanding the levies, turned his attention to the terraces of yams.
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