A Comical Blade 



most comical blade in all Christendom." He took out a 

 pencil and the back of a letter, and began to turn about his 

 materials. In a minute or two he hit off this — 



TIMETOLETVM, 

 which (I need scarcely tell the erudite reader) reads, either 



TIME TOLETVM (honour Toledo), or 

 TIMETO LETVM (fear death). 



Here are some of mine, merely general mottoes for a 

 small-sword, without reference to Toledo, which I could 

 make nothing of. 



I. 



Though slight I am, no slight I stand, 

 Saving my master's sleight of hand. 



II. 



'Gainst words or deeds my wearer may resent, 

 I'm a cool, polished, pointed argument. 



III. 



Come to the point — unless you do, 

 The point will shortly come to you. 



IV. 



If the hints written on my blade. 

 Through eye or ear may not persuade ; 

 I to your heart a way can find, 

 Perhaps not so much to your mind. 



B also suggested, as a proper motto for the hilt, this 



Spanish one, which Ford gives as used on some old Toledo 



blade : — 



No me saques sin razon, 

 No m' envaines sin honor. 



(Do not draw me without reason — 

 Do not sheathe me without honour.) 

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