1722: Prophet and Loss 原文及翻译(Book of Hours)
1722: 先知与损失
威尼斯，达里奥宫
1722年10月15日
女士
我对我接下来的不克制感到遗憾，但这封信是我在仓促中满怀怒火写成的，甚至现在我的袖子上还沾着滑溜溜的粘液。您允许我从您的图书馆借走那本杰出的著作《墨水史》(the History of Inks)，我曾经，并且现在也仍对此表示感激，但是，女士，您行为显得您并不专业。
女士， 这样说吧。我为自己准备了一个神圣领域来混合第五种墨水。同时对我所在的地方设置了某些保护措施。我不想被强盗或我的对手打扰。我的杰出成就和高贵的地位深受那些无足轻重的修习者的嫉妒。女士，您必须知道，我是Wit（魂质之一）和无形之术技艺(skill)的专家，因此这些保护措施的范围和强度都足够强大。我借助它们防范着蠕虫、风暴、咬伤、视域、八大准则和那四百个名字。(Worm and Storm and Bite and Sight and the Eight Principles and the Four Hundred Names.)
但是，女士，我并未特意花费精力防范那些最琐碎最弱小的存在。毕竟当一个人租下一座宫殿时，他显然会带着自己的卫兵和随从来防御不速之客，但他不会想到布置猫和狗来防范老鼠。女士，这是理所当然的事。所以，女士，我以为作为一位称职的知识保管者，您会设置一个行之有效的保护措施来保护我们免受原生先知这种害虫的侵害!!
...
女士，我已经花了必要的时间让自己镇定下来，我将简单地讲讲剩下的事。原生先知被《墨水史》所吸引过来，但我不知道。 当我转身补充钙石时，它落在了书上，当我转回身子时，书已经几乎被吞没了。 我用我手臂的力量——强大的力量——与原生先知进行了激烈的斗争。但是原生先知是灵活而粗俗的生物，我最终只得到了粘液、脏污和侵害性的攻击，这对我的尊严造成了不小的损害。
因此，女士，我现在坚持并要求——
首先，您放弃对“墨水史”的所有主张。 这本书已经不见了，我不想探究它现在具体在哪里，但我可以想象是遗失在原生先知的所作所为中。
第二，为您的不称职补偿我。我想一份未删节的《德霍里斯》(De Horis)的第二卷就足够了。
第三，也补偿我清洗衣物的费用,我会附上完整账单。
谨致您的荣幸，
波辛德的霍科巴尔德。（HOKOBALD, of POCSIND）
[信上的注释写道：罚款者被派去对付霍科巴尔德大师。如果未收到付款，请向忘却会( Society Obliviate )寻求全额赔偿]
原文
1722: Prophet and Loss
PALAZZO DARIO,
VENICE 15th October, 1722
MADAM
I regret the Intemperacy of what must follow but I write in Haste and Full Wroth. Even now my Sleeves are beset with Slither-Slime. You permitted me to bear away from your Library that Noble Book 'the History of Inks', for which I averred and still aver my Gratitude, but, Madam, you have behaved in a Manner Inconsonate with Professional Care.
I regret the Intemperacy of what must follow but I write in Haste and Full Wroth. Even now my Sleeves are beset with Slither-Slime. You permitted me to bear away from your Library that Noble Book 'the History of Inks', for which I averred and still aver my Gratitude, but, Madam, you have behaved in a Manner Inconsonate with Professional Care.
But, Madam, I warded not against the Pettiest and the Meanest. When one takes a Lease upon a Palace, one expects to bring one' s own GuardLosss and Retainers to defend against Uninvited Ill-Wishers, but one does not expect to deploy Ratting-Cats and Mousing-Terriers for defence against the Rodentry. That, Madam, is a Given. So, Madam, I had assumed that as a Competent Preserver of Knowledge you would PLACE A WARD SALUTIFEROUS TO PROTECT AGAINST SUCH VERMIN AS RAW-PROPHETS!!
...
Madam, I have taken the necessary Time to compose Myself, and I will tell the Rest but briefly. The Raw-Prophet was drawn to the 'History of Inks', by what I know not. E'en as I turned to fill the Calcin, it fell upon the Book and by the Time I had turned back the Book was all but Engulfed. I strove mightily against the Raw-Prophet with the Strength - the great Strength - of my Arms but Raw-Prophets are Flexile and Indelicate Creatures and I won only Slime and Besmirchment and Intimate Assault, at no small Cost to my Dignity.
Therefore Madam I do now insist and demand that
FIRST, you abandon all Claims upon the 'HIstory of Inks'. The Book is Gone, I do not wish to enquire exactly Where, but I imagine within the Doings of the Raw-Prophet.
SECOND, that you compensate me for your Incompetence. A Gift of the Second Volume of the Unexpurgated 'De Horis' will I suppose suffice.
THIRDLY that you compensate me also for the Cleansing of my Garments. I attach the Bill in Full.
Yours in honour,
HOKOBALD, of POCSIND.
[A note on the letter reads: Fine-Takers dispatched against Master Hokobald. In case of Non-Payment, seek Full Compensatory Redress from Society Obliviate]
