執念

解説

付記

彼の握りは非常な粘着力で、 何も彼の握りから滑り落ちることはない。 よくバターを塗ったウナギを、 液体状のヌルヌルしたニレの樹皮の桶に 沈めても、無駄である―― 彼の締め付けるような指から、 彼らは半インチたりとももがくことはできない！ 幸運なことに、彼はそのように計画されている、 呼吸をその手で吸い込まないようにと。 もし彼がそうすれば、その貪欲さゆえに、 彼は熱心な速さで最後の呼吸を引き込むだろう。 いや、それは良いことだと、あなたは言う。そうではない。 彼は引き込むだけで、決してそれを手放さないだろう！

管理人コメント

Original

A certain quality of the human hand in its relation to the coin of the realm. It attains its highest development in the hand of authority and is considered a serviceable equipment for a career in politics. The following illustrative lines were written of a Californian gentleman in high political preferment, who has passed to his accounting:

Additional notes

Of such tenacity his grip That nothing from his hand can slip. Well-buttered eels you may o'erwhelm In tubs of liquid slippery-elm In vain—from his detaining pinch They cannot struggle half an inch! Tis lucky that he so is planned That breath he draws not with his hand, For if he did, so great his greed He'd draw his last with eager speed. Nay, that were well, you say. Not so He'd draw but never let it go!