As Ever Like the Sun & Moon at War

5- ☼☼ -II

They follow after Tamer t'ward the cage

around a couple corners ere he stops,

which causes Pilgrim t'almost bump into

the lion's rear before he catches self,

and with a scuffing shoe he takes a step

away whilst Tamer seems t'adjust his suit

and hair and hat and moustache on his lip.

"What's going on?" our Pilgrim asks him, vex'd

at almost having stepp'd on lion's heels

for lack of warning given for the stop.                10

The Tamer straightens out as much he can

whilst holding lion's mane in fingers firm.

"The Master's pacing by the lion's cage,

so I must look my best and get it straight

the story that I'll tell and which you'll back

or else I'm like t'receive his vitriol

most undeserv'd for th'work I do for him.

You too should set yourselves to looking right

if you would like a lighter talking to

for trespassing whilst still we're unprepar'd."                20

The Tamer slides the coiled whip into

his crooked arm and spits into his hand

to wipe across our Pilgrim's tousl'd hair,

and whilst he pulls away the Tamer moves

with hand the same to fix the Spouse's locks

who've fallen out of place, which causes her

t'recoil at the pungent scent in palm

of his saliva drying on his skin.

The lion, having turn'd as well with him

doth turn its head away from Pilgrim's form,                30

but when it's led toward the Spouse it sniffs

her stomach, and surprisingly it licks

the fabric of her dress with soft intent

as if to groom protectively with care.

"You see?" the Tamer says upon this sight.

"I've got it train'd so well it wouldn't harm

a gnat upon its nose—on better days."

The Spouse—uncertain what to make of this—

is taken with a nervousness, but not

because the predator is close to her.                40

The Tamer turns again, and now he walks

toward the cage and Master pacing round,

who turns upon the sight of them and goes

from pinkish face to red with temper's rise,

and says: "Where hast thou been with th'animal?

I heard it roar and thou as well alack'd