執念

解説

付記

その握りの執念深さたるや―― 彼の手から逃れられるものは何もない。 バターを塗ったウナギを滑り樹液に満ちた桶に放り込もうと、 彼の掴みにかかれば無駄である。 指の間から半インチたりとも抜け出せぬ！ 幸運なのは―― もし彼が手で呼吸していたなら、 その貪欲さゆえに最後の一息まで吸い尽くし、 けして放さなかっただろうからだ。

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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!