Log In
Or create an account ->
Imperial Library
Home
About
News
Upload
Forum
Help
Login/SignUp
Index
The Golbin Tower by L. Sprague DeCamp
Chapter One
A LENGTH OF ROPE
"The gods, who from their puerile pipes a billion bubbles blow, Have blown us here. We waft and wobble, iridesce and glow, Then burst; but from these pipes a billion bubbles more shall flow.
Mansalmu darm rau antarau, Nodo zaro terakh hid zor rau…
Chapter Two
THE GRAND BASTARD'S SWORD
"Who joys in the galloping destrier's gait? Not I! Who's happy to ride with a pot on his pate? Not I! Who loves to bear on his body the weight Of iron apparel of mail or of plate, And seek in a bloody encounter his fate? Not I! "Who yearns to thrust with the sword and the spear? Not I! Or draw the goose-feathered shaft to the ear? Not I! Who's filled by the clatter of battle with fear, Preferring a peaceable flagon of beer, But lacks the astuteness to bolt for the rear? Tis I!
Chapter Three
THE SILVER DRAGON
"O lady fair, Why must you be So sharp with me, When all can see For you I care? I'm not aware That nagging me And ragging me Is how to be My lady fair. If handsome is As handsome does (The saying was), Then cease to buzz And sting and whiz. Or else, beware! If like a flea You pester me, You shall not be My lady fair!"
Chapter Four
THE CASTLE OF THE AX
"Oh, I am a headsman; they blanch at my name; I chop and I hang and I stretch and I maim; But that I be shunned, it is really a shame— I'm a virtuous fellow at heart! My tools are the ax and the rope and the rack; I execute rogues with my head in a sack; I swink at my trade and I've never been slack; It's a fearfully difficult art. At home, I am good to my children and wife; I pay all my taxes and keep out of strife— The kindliest man that you've seen in your life! Oh, why must they set us apart?"
Chapter Five
THE BUTTERFLY THRONE
Chapter Six
THE SERPENT PRINCESS
Chapter Seven
THE RUIN IN THE JUNGLE
Chapter Eight
THE SEA OF GRASS
"Oh, some like the steaming jungle hot, Where serpents swarm and the sun shines not, And sweat runs off and your garments rot; But I prefer a more temperate spot— Novaria, sweet Novaria. Some yearn for the boundless, grassy plain, Where rolls the nomad's creaking wain, And horsemen gallop through wind and rain; But I love the land of fruit and grain— Novaria, sweet Novaria. And some to the sea with its howling gales, And mountainous waves and wallowing whales Where tall ships heel till they dip their rails; But I'll take the friendly hills and dales Of Novaria, my Novaria."
Chapter Nine
THE SMARAGDINE GOD
Chapter Ten
THE FACELESS FIVE
Chapter Eleven
THE GOBLIN TOWER
"I used to think that magic was the key to life's charade, And therefore of its learned devotees I sought the aid: Of necromancers whom the ghosts of men of yore obeyed. Of hoary seers who, they said, the future could foretell, Of sorcerers who to their lairs could summon spirits fell, And wizards who could utter many a dark and deadly spell. But when it was all done, I found a better spell was made By counting on my own resource of eye and arm and blade, My native reason, and between my knees a sturdy jade. So now I'm through with horoscopes and pentacles as well, And words to summon spirits who in strange dimensions dwell. To every kind of spookery, I bid a last farewell!
← Prev
Back
Next →
← Prev
Back
Next →