“No. He’d be too small to help,” said Ambloome, “Think of that man’s grudge.”

Alicindra talked the matter over with her friend the judge.

Then Admyra (with Kayte’s Mom) both shrank, while Queen and crooked lawyer

Didn’t notice that the castle now had new guests in its foyer.

While the Queen was outside, shouting to Duguda, both would run.

Alicindra grew to giant size, and used Duguda’s gun

To surprise him, while Admyra pulled the red tape off the raiment

Of each hostage. He would never represent another claimant.

Ambloome had the man disbarred and charged with treason, as she said,

“I expected that you would have learned from precedents (instead

Of this madness), like Deevawsidadde and Alban going crazy.

That you’ve thrown your whole career away is something to amaze me.”

It was not yet time for Bryce’s party. Now the man heard, “Hark!

Christmas time is here. He took Admyra walking in Hyde Park

(As in Sydney’s Hyde Park, in Australia). Then the decorations

Of the city’s fine department stores were glowing invitations.

They went walking hand in hand throughout the city, where he bought

Her some jewelry and a dress. He even showed her Sydney court,

Where she watched a minor earth case, as its judge convened the hearing.

Then they toured the town some more with Christmas time forever nearing.

They had lunch, with window views. The restaurant linked two second floors

Of adjacent buildings, like a walkway. Then came Santa Claus,

Whom Admyra hadn’t heard of. She saw children, sitting posing

For their photographs with him. Then came the time for most stores closing.

So they walked up near the gallery, and had a look at art.

Bryce was feeling such exhilaration in his happy heart,

As they walked across the freeway overpass, and through the setting

Of the sun in scenic gardens: moments they’d not be forgetting.

They enjoyed a gardens café, with some juice and apple pie.

When they reached the opera house, the moon was rising in the sky.

Then they caught the harbour ferry to a place they could have gone to

By the train. The wharf looked even better, which they both stepped onto.

As they walked up to the station (Milson’s Point), and caught the train,

Bryce was dying to express to her how much he’d come to gain.

Once they’d crossed the Harbour Bridge, he took her through The Rocks. While walking

In the oldest streets of Sydney, he was still just idly talking.

Then he stopped at the Observatory, when they had climbed the stairs,

And he said, “You’ve been the answer to my worries and my cares,

That I might have gone on lonely. On my last walk here at Christmas,

I could not have had the loveliness of joy for two that this has.

When I walked these places all alone, I struggled with defeat,

Thinking only someone lovely could make all of it complete.

Christmas always left me lonelier, when all my friends went missing

On their holidays, and I was not with someone here for kissing.

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