...All endeavours which are directed to a purely worldly end...contain within themselves the germs of their own corruption. - T. H. White

Yes Wart' said Merlyn 'Or rather, as I should say (or is it have I said?), Yes, King Arthur

The Wart’s own special one was called Cavall, and he happened to be licking Cavall’s nose - not the other way about - when Merlyn came in and found him.
That will be regarded as an unsanitary habit,” said Merlyn, “though I cannot see it myself. After all, God made the creature’s nose just as well as he made your tongue.

There were thousands of brown books in leather bindings, some chained to the book-shelves and others propped against each other as if they had had too much to drink and did not really trust themselves. These gave out a smell of must and solid brownness which was most secure.