Scribbo and Shagoth, with their Cousin Apgomer.

"I cannot, for my part," said Scribbo, "see the propriety of elevating
these contemptible captives to share equal privileges with the native
sons of Chaldea. Surely the king, in this, has betrayed a lamentable lack
of discernment."

"Truly!" replied Shagoth, with an air of consequence. "And if he does not
ere long see his folly, and retrace his steps, he will lose my
confidence, and that of all the members of our house."

"May the gods pity the king!" cried Apgomer, with a feigned solemn
visage. "Peradventure, that in the great pressure of business he forgot
that the confidence of my illustrious cousins was so essential to his
well-being, as well as the safety and perpetuity of the empire."

"My remarks were called forth by the sensible statement of my brother,"
said Shagoth, peevishly; "and it would have been perfectly excusable in
thee to have remained silent, until I should have thought fit to make
some remarks suitable to the capacity of thy mind."

"My worthy cousin will, I trust, in the plenitude of his overflowing
generosity, pardon the officiousness of his unworthy servant of limited
capacities, and believe him when he assures thee that those remarks were
offered as an humble apology for the great sovereign of the Chaldean
empire; and I still hope that, in the richness of thy clemency, thou wilt
forgive him."

"I trust," replied Scribbo, "we are able to appreciate thy remarks, and
undoubtedly they will receive the respect they deserve. If thou couldst