Oh, whither flee you, nimble rambler. You that cheat an honest gambler? You that shake with fear and shiver. All a-tremble, all a-quiver; You that cannot trip enough. On the level ground and rough; You that stain your social station, Family, and reputation! 4 _Gambler._ [_Examining the footprints._] Here he goes. And here the tracks are lost. _Māthura._ [_Gazes at the footprints. Reflectively._] Look! The feet are turned around. And the temple hasn't any image. [_After a moment's thought._] That rogue of a shampooer has gone into the temple with his feet turned around. _Gambler._ Let's follow him. _Māthura._ All right. [_They enter the temple and take a good look, then make signs to each other._] _Gambler._ What! a wooden image? _Māthura._ Of course not. It's stone. [_He shakes it with all his might, then makes signs._] What do we care? Come, let's have a game. [_He starts to gamble as hard as he can._] _Shampooer._ [_Trying with all his might to repress the gambling fever. Aside._] Oh, oh! Oh, the rattle of dice is a charming thing, When you haven't a copper left; It works like a drum on the heart of a king, Of all his realm bereft. 5 For gamblers leap down a mountain steep-- I know I shall not play. Yet the rattle of dice is as sweet as the peep Of nightingales in May. 6 _Gambler._ My turn, my turn! P. 56.10] _Māthura._ Not much! it's my turn. _Shampooer._ [_Coming up quickly from behind._] Isn't it _my_ turn? _Gambler._ We've got our man. _Māthura._ [_Seizing him._] You jail-bird, you're caught. Pay me my ten gold-pieces. _Shampooer._ I'll pay you this very day. _Māthura._ Pay me this very minute! _Shampooer._ I'll pay you. Only have mercy! _Māthura._ Come, will you pay me now? _Shampooer._ My head is getting dizzy. [_He falls to the ground. The others beat him with all their might._] _Māthura._ There [_drawing the gamblers ring_] you're bound by the gamblers' ring. _Shampooer._ [_Rises. Despairingly._] What! bound by the gamblers' ring? Confound it! That is a limit which we gamblers can't pass. Where can I get the money to pay him? _Māthura._ Well then, you must give surety. _Shampooer._ I have an idea. [_He nudges the gambler._] I'll give you half, if you'll forgive me the other half. _Gambler._ All right. _Shampooer._ [_To Māthura._] I'll give you surety for a half. You might forgive me the other half. _Māthura._ All right. Where's the harm? _Shampooer._ [_Aloud._] You forgave me a half, sir? [31.24. S. _Māthura._ Yes. _Shampooer._ [_To the gambler._] And you forgave me a half? _Gambler._ Yes. _Shampooer._ Then I think I'll be going. _Māthura._ Pay me my ten gold-pieces! Where are you going?