[Westward Ho! by Charles Kingsley]@TWC D-Link bookWestward Ho! CHAPTER VIII 20/21
Your blood alone is wanted to fill up the goblet.
Sit down, John Brimblecombe, and bare your arm!" "But, Mr.Frank!--" said Jack, who was as superstitious as any old wife, and, what with the darkness and the discourse, already in a cold perspiration. "But me no buts! or depart as recreant, not by the door like a man, but up the chimney like a flittermouse." "But, Mr.Frank!" "Thy vital juice, or the chimney! Choose!" roared Cary in his ear. "Well, if I must," said Jack; "but it's desperate hard that because you can't keep faith without these barbarous oaths, I must take them too, that have kept faith these three years without any." At this pathetic appeal Frank nearly melted: but Amyas and Cary had thrust the victim into a chair and all was prepared for the sacrifice. "Bind his eyes, according to the classic fashion," said Will. "Oh no, dear Mr.Cary; I'll shut them tight enough, I warrant: but not with your dagger, dear Mr.William--sure, not with your dagger? I can't afford to lose blood, though I do look lusty--I can't indeed; sure, a pin would do--I've got one here, to my sleeve, somewhere--Oh!" "See the fount of generous juice! Flow on, fair stream.
How he bleeds!--pints, quarts! Ah, this proves him to be in earnest!" "A true lover's blood is always at his fingers' ends." "He does not grudge it; of course not.
Eh, Jack? What matters an odd gallon for her sake ?" "For her sake? Nothing, nothing! Take my life, if you will: but--oh, gentlemen, a surgeon, if you love me! I'm going off--I 'm fainting!" "Drink, then, quick; drink and swear! Pat his back, Cary.
Courage, man! it will be over in a minute.
<<Back Index Next>> D-Link book Top TWC mobile books
|