In Slaves of the Lamp in Stalky & Co, when Stalky Turkey and Beetle are
conferring on how to visit retribution on King, Beetle quotes from a
Browning poem that I have been unable to trace.
"..Or who in Moscow toward the Czar, with the demurest of footfalls,
Over the Kremlin's pavement white with serpentine and cyenite,
Steps with five other generals.
That simultaneously take snuff, for each to have pretext enough,
And kerchiefwise unfold his sash, which - softness' slef is yet the stuff
To hold fast where a steel chain snaps and leaves the grand white neck no
gash..."
If any subscriber to this list can give me the reference I shall be
eternally grateful.
John Radcliffe
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|