Esop. _They frown, as they wou'd stand their Ground, But (like some of our Friends) they found 'Twas safer much to scour._ _Rog._ Tantive, Tantive, Tantive, _&c._ Esop. _At length the 'Squire, who hated Arms, Was so perplext with these Alarms, He rose up in a kind of Heat, Udswookers, quoth he, with all your Meat, I will maintain, a Dish of Pease, A Radish, and a Slice of Cheese, With a good Desert of Ease, Is much a better Treat. However, Since every Man shou'd have his due, I own, Sir, I'm oblig'd to you For your Intentions at your Board: But Pox upon your courtly Crew----_ _Rog._ _Amen_, I pray the Lord. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Now the De'el cuckold me if this Story be not worth a Sermon. Give me your Hond, Sir.----If it had na' been for your friendly Advice, I was going to be Fool enough to be Secretary of State. _Esop._ Well, go thy ways home, and be wiser for the future. _Rog._ And so I will: For that same Mause, your Friend, was a witty Person, gadsbudlikins! and so our Wife _Joan_ shall know: For between you and I, 'tis she has put me upon going to Court. Sir, she has been so praud, so saucy, so rampant, ever since I brought her home a lac'd Pinner, and a pink-colour'd pair of Shoe-strings, from _Tickledowne_ Fair, the Parson o'th' Parish can't rule her; and that you'll say's much. But so much for that. Naw I thank you for your good Counsel, honest little Gentleman; and to shew you that I'se not ungrateful--give me your Hond once more----If you'll take the pains but to walk dawne to our Towne--a Word in your Ear----I'se send you so drunk whome again, you shall remember friendly _Roger_ as long as you have Breath in your Body. [_Exit ~Roger~_ _Esop. ~solus~._ Farewel, what I both envy and despise! Thy Happiness and Ignorance provoke me. How noble were the thing call'd Knowledge, Did it but lead us to a Bliss like thine! But there's a secret Curse in Wisdom's Train, } Which on its Pleasures stamps perpetual Pain, } And makes the wise Man Loser by his Gain. } [_Exit._ [Illustration] +ACT+ III. _Enter ~Esop~._ _Esop._ Who waits there? [_Enter Servant._ If there be any body that has Business with me, let 'em in. _Serv._ Yes, Sir. [_Exit Serv._ _Enter ~Quaint~, who stands at a distance, making a great many fawning Bows._ _Esop._ Well, Friend, who are you? _Quaint._ My Name's _Quaint_, Sir, the profoundest of all your Honour's humble Servants. _Esop._ And what may your Business be with me, Sir?