_Esop._ What think you of this Story, Friends, ha? Come, you look like wise Men; I'm sure you understand what's for your good; in giving part of what you have, you secure all the rest: If the King had no Money, there cou'd be no Army; and if there were no Army, your Enemies would be amongst you: One Day's Pillage wou'd be worse than twenty Years' Taxes. What say ye? Is't not so? _2 Tra._ By my troth, I think he's in the right on't, again. Who'd think that little Hump-back of his Shou'd have so much Brains in't, Neighbour? _Esop._ Well, honest Men, is there any thing else that I can serve you in? _1 Tra._ D'ye hear that, _Humphry_?----Why, that was civil now. But Courtiers seldom want Good-breeding; let's give the Devil his due. Why, to tell you the truth, honest Gentlemen, we had a whole Budget full of Grievances to complain of. But I think----a----Ha, Neighbour? We had e'en as good let 'em alone. _1 Tra._ Why good feath I think so too; for by all I can see, we are like to make no great hond on't. Besides, between thee and me, I began to daubt, whether aur Grievances do us such a plaguy deal of Mischief as we fancy. _2 Tra._ Or put the Case they did, _Humphry_; I'se afraid he that goes to a Courtier, in hope to get fairly rid of 'em, may be said (in our Country Dialect) to take the wrong Sow by the Ear. But here's Neighbour _Roger_, he's a Wit, let's leave him to him. [_Exeunt._ _Enter ~Roger~, a Country Bumkin, looks seriously upon ~Esop~; then bursts out a laughing._ _Rog._ Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Did ever Mon behold the like? Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! _Esop._ Hast thou any business with me, Friend? _Rog._ Yes, by my troth, have I; But if _Roger_ were to be hang'd up for't, Look you now, he cou'd not hold laughing: What I have in my Mind, out it comes: But bar that; I'se on honest Lad as well as another. _Esop._ My time's dearer to me than yours, Friend; have you any thing to say to me? _Rog._ Gadswookers, do People use to ask for Folks when they have nothing to say to 'em: I'se tell you my Business. _Esop._ Let's hear it. _Rog._ I have, as you see, a little Wit. _Esop._ True.