John William Waterhouse Hylas and the Nymphs

John William Waterhouse Hylas and the NymphsJohn William Waterhouse Waterhouse OpheliaLeonardo da Vinci Portrait of Ginevra Benci
creature as this? A bull, yes, of course, an eagle, certainly, and I think on one occasion a swan . . . but a tortoise?"
"Your sexual organs to sprout wings and fly away!"
"After all," Nhumrod went on, oblivious to the secret chorus in Brutha's head, "what kind of miracles could a tortoise do? Mmm?"
"Your ankles to be crushed in the jaws of giants!"
"Turn lettuce"Your intestines to be wound around a tree until you are sorry!"
Nhumrod looked around the garden. It seemed to be full of melons and pumpkins and cucumbers. He shuddered.
"Lots of cold water, that's the thing," he said. "Lots and lots." He focused on Brutha again. "Mmm?"
He wandered off toward the kitchens. into gold, perhaps?" said Brother Nhumrod , in the jovial tones of those blessed with no sense of humor. "Crush ants underfoot? Ahaha.""Haha," said Brutha dutifully."I shall take it along to the kitchen, out of your way," said the master of novices. "They make excellent soup. And then you'll hear no more voices, depend upon it. Fire cures all Follies, yes?""Soup?""Er . . ." said Brutha.