Sitting at the tavern amidst the clatter of ninepins and the laughter of the drinkers , he would suddenly snatch up a menu and dash off upon the back of it a melody that bubbled like wine out of his overflowing heart .
Just since 2006 , batterings from the 50-member parliament , which has tended lately to be dominated by islamists and conservative tribal leaders , have sent five successive governments tumbling like ninepins .