Explore "The Rope-Dancer" by Tomás de Iriarte on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
As an unpractised urchin lessons took / In dancing, of a veteran of the ring, / On slack or tight rope, -- it is all one thing, -- / The youngster said, -- "Good master, prithee, look; / How this great staff bothers and wearies me, / Which you call balance-pole or counterpoise!
In rope-dancing, what use one can devise / For such a clumsy load, I cannot see.
Why should you wish my motions so to fetter?
I lack not strength, nor yet activity.
For instance, now -- this step and posture -- see / If I, without the pole, can't do it better.
Look, master, there's not one whit of trouble in it."
As he says this, he throws the pole away -- / "What's coming now? What are you doing, pray?"
He's flat upon his back in half a minute!
"At your best friend you grumble -- silly wretch," -- / The master said, -- "and if you choose to scout / The aid of art and method, -- you'll find out / This is not the last tumble you will catch. "