“While they rested, beholding where the beast mantichora lay in his blood, Juss spake and said, “It is to be said of thee, O Brandoch Daha, that thou today hast done both the worst and the best. The worst, when thou wast so stubborn set to fare upon this climb which hath come within a little of spilling both thee and me. The best, whenas thou didst smite off his tail. Was that by policy or by chance?” “Why,” said he, “I was never so poor a man of my hands that I need turn braggart. ’Twas handiest to my sword, and it disliked me to see it wagging.” HumourAdventureBraveryBanterSelf Defence Book:The worm Ouroboros Source: The worm Ouroboros
“But Brandoch Daha laughed, and answered him, “To nought else may I liken thee, O Juss, but to the sparrow-camel. To whom they said, ‘Fly,’ and it answered, ‘I cannot, for I am a camel’; and when they said, ‘Carry,’ it answered, ‘I cannot, for I am a bird.’ ” “Wilt thou egg me on so much?” said Juss. “Ay,” said Brandoch Daha, “if thou wilt be assish.” “Wilt thou quarrel?” said Juss. “Thou knowest me,” said Brandoch Daha. “Well,” said Juss, “thy counsel hath been right once and saved us, for nine times that it hath been wrong, and my counsel saved thee from an evil end. If ill behap us, it shall be set down that it had from thy peevish will original.” HumourWitCowardiceBanterTeasingUndecided Book:The worm Ouroboros Source: The worm Ouroboros