god can save your skin.
While Mathura wants his pay. 3

_Mathura._

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.

_Mathura._ [_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.

_Mathura._ All right. [_They enter the temple and take a good look,
then make signs to each other._]

_Gambler._ What! a wooden image?

_Mathura._ 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]

_Mathura._ Not much! it's my turn.

_Shampooer._ [_Coming up quickly from behind._] Isn't it _my_ turn?

_Gambler._ We've got our man.

_Mathura._ [_Seizing him._] You jail-bird, you're caught. Pay me
my ten gold-pieces.

_Shampooer._ I'll pay you this very day.

_Mathura._ Pay me this very minute!

_Shampooer._ I'll pay you. Only have mercy!

_Mathura._ 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._]

_Mathura._ 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?

_Mathura._ Well then, you must give surety.