When I had said this, the fire-dog acted as if mad with envy. “What!” cried he, “the most important creature on earth? And people think it so?” And so much vapour and terrible voices came out of his throat, that I thought he would choke with vexation and envy.

At last he became calmer and his panting subsided; as soon, however, as he was quiet, I said laughingly:

“Thou art angry, fire-dog: so I am in the right about thee!

“And that I may also maintain the right, hear the story of another fire-dog; he speaketh actually out of the heart of the earth.

“Gold doth his breath exhale, and golden rain: so doth his heart desire. What are ashes and smoke and hot dregs to him!

“Laughter flitteth from him like a variegated cloud; adverse is he to thy gargling and spewing and grips in the bowels!