On Stanley’s first trip through Africa he came to the King of Uganda, who most cordially asked, first of all, for the health of Queen Victoria and of the German Emperor. Then he somewhat disconcerted the great traveler by asking him, “What news do you bring me from above?” This heathen king had a perfect right to expect that his visitor was one in heart and idea with that greater explorer, David Livingstone. But as Stanley proceeded westward he could tell the character of those with whom the natives were acquainted. The first question put by the natives nearer the West Coast was, “Have you any gin?”
(2287)
PAIN
You eat the heart of life like some great beast,
You blacken the sweet sky—that God made blue,
You are the death’s-head set amid the feast,
The desert breath that drinks up every dew.
And no man lives but quails before thee, Pain!
And no man lives that learns to love your rod;
The white lip smiles—but ever and again,