The Bible, King James version, Book 35: Habakkuk
Book 35 Habakkuk 35:001:001 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. 35:001:002 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! 35:001:003 Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. 35:001:004 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth. 35:001:005 Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously: for I will work a work in your days which ye will not believe, though it be told you. 35:001:006 For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to
"That's true enough," said Raleigh; "but he's strong, and he's bound to
say something that will put the audience in sympathy with the man that he
introduces, and that's half the success of a Story-tellers' Night. I've
told stories myself. If your audience doesn't sympathize with you you'd
be better off at home putting the baby to bed."
And so it happened. Doctor Johnson was made chairman, and the evening
came. The Doctor was in great form. A list of the story-tellers had
been sent him in advance, and he was prepared. The audience was about as
select a one as can be found in Hades. The doors were thrown open to the
friends of the members, and the smoke-furnace had been filled with a very
superior quality of Arcadian mixture which Scott had brought back from a
haunting-trip to the home of "The Little Minister," at Thrums.
"Friends and fellow-spooks," the Doctor began, when all were seated on
the visionary camp-stools--which, by the way, are far superior to those
in use in a world of realities, because they do not creak in the midst of
a fine point demanding absolute silence for appreciation--"I do not know
why I have been chosen to preside over this gathering of phantoms; it is
the province of the presiding officer on occasions of this sort to say
pleasant things, which he does not necessarily endorse, about the sundry
persons who are to do the story-telling. Now, I suppose you all know me
pretty well by this time. If there is anybody who doesn't, I'll be glad
to have him presented after the formal work of the evening is over, and
if I don't like him I'll tell him so. You know that if I can be counted
Book 35 Habakkuk 35:001:001 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. 35:001:002 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! 35:001:003 Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. 35:001:004 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth. 35:001:005 Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously: for I will work a work in your days which ye will not believe, though it be told you. 35:001:006 For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to