Explore "The Shaving of Shagpat" by George Meredith on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
When Shibli Bagarag had finished his narration of the case of Roomdroom the barber, the King of Oolb said, "O thou, native of Shiraz, there is persuasion and sweetness and fascination on thy tongue, and I am touched with compassion for the soles of Baba Mustapha, that I bastinadoed but yesterday, and he was from Shiraz likewise."
Now, the heart of Shibli Bagarag leapt when he heard mention of Baba Mustapha; and he knew him for his uncle that was searching him. He would have cried aloud his relationship, but the hawk whispered in his ear. Then the hawk said to him, "There is danger in the King's muteness respecting me, for I am visible to him. Proclaim the spirit of prophecy."