ABRAZZA—But so it would not have been, to me.
BABBALANJA—Nor would it have been natural, for my noble lord Abrazza, to have worn Lombardo’s head:—every man has his own, thank Oro!
ABBRAZZA—A curious work: a very curious work. Babbalanja, are you acquainted with the history of Lombardo?
BABBALANJA—None better. All his biographies have I read.
ABRAZZA—Then, tell us how he came to write that work. For one, I can not imagine how those poor devils contrive to roll such thunders through all Mardi.
MEDIA—Their thunder and lightning seem spontaneous combustibles, my lord.
ABRAZZA—With which, they but consume themselves, my prince beloved.
BABBALANJA—In a measure, true, your Highness. But pray you, listen; and I will try to tell the way in which Lombardo produced his great Kortanza.
MEDIA—But hark you, philosopher! this time no incoherencies; gag that devil, Azzageddi. And now, what was it that originally impelled Lombardo to the undertaking?
BABBALANJA—Primus and forever, a full heart:—brimful, bubbling, sparkling; and running over like the flagon in your hand, my lord. Secundo, the necessity of bestirring himself to procure his yams.