"In Baghdad a thousand years ago," I told the ghost
Of my grandfather Joe, "well-advised men were not
Blacksmiths, butchers, conjurors, policemen,
Night watchmen, dung collectors, tanners,
Bathhouse stokers, makers of women's shoes,
Well diggers, masseurs, pigeon racers or chess players."
"Better-advised men," he said, "left Baghdad
And played chess in peace."
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