IF by Lord Dunsany

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JOHN

There is a need. [He rises.] People of
Shaldomir, behold I know your plottings. I know the murmurings that you murmur
against me. When I sleep in my inner
chamber my ear is in the market, while I sit at meat I hear men whisper far hence and know their innermost thoughts. Hope not to
overcome me by your plans nor by any manner of craftiness. My gods are gods of brass; none have escaped them. They cannot be
overthrown. Of all men they favour my people. Their hands reach out to the uttermost ends of the earth. Take heed, for my gods are terrible. I am the Shereef; if any dare
withstand me I will call on my gods and they shall crush him utterly. They shall grind him into the earth and trample him under, as though he had not been. The uttermost parts have feared the gods of the English. They reach out, they destroy, there is no escape from them. Be warned; for I do not permit any to stand against me. The laws that I have given you, you shall keep; there shall be no other laws. Whoso murmurs shall know my
wrath and the wrath of my gods. Take heed, I speak not twice. I spoke once to Hussein. Hussein heard not; and Hussein is dead, his ears are closed for ever. Hear, O people.


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