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nydus/The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, GentlemanPublic

A man describes his birth and upbringing through the adventures of his family.

Page 369 of 810
Table of Contents

XX

What a rate have I gone on at, curvetting and frisking it away, two up and two down for four volumes together, without looking once behind, or even on one side of me, to see whom I trod upon!⁠—I’ll tread upon no one⁠⸺⁠quoth I to myself when I mounted⁠⸻I’ll take a good rattling gallop; but I’ll not hurt the poorest jackass upon the road.⁠⸺⁠So off I set⁠⸺⁠up one lane⁠⸻down another, through this turnpike⁠⸺⁠over that, as if the arch-jockey of jockeys had got behind me.

Now ride at this rate with what good intention and resolution you may⁠⸺’tis a million to one you’ll do someone a mischief, if not yourself⁠⸻He’s flung⁠—he’s off⁠—he’s lost his hat⁠—he’s down⁠⸻he’ll break his neck⁠⸺⁠see!⁠⸺⁠if he has not galloped full among the scaffolding of the undertaking criticks!⁠⸺⁠he’ll knock his brains out against some of their posts⁠—he’s bounced out!⁠—look⁠—he’s now riding like a madcap

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