"Why, that's what Fools do every Day," he readily replied; "but this is _All Fools' Day_, mine own special Holiday; and I told my _Lord Mayor_ overnight, that if he lookt for a Fool this Morning, he must look in the Glass. In sooth, Mistress _Meg_, I should by Rights wear the Gold Chain and he the Motley; for a proper Fool he is, and I shall be glad when his Year's Service to me is out. The worst o' these Lord Mayors is, that we can't part with 'em till their Time's up. Why now, this present one hath not so much Understanding as would foot an old Stocking; 'twas but yesterday when, in Quality of my Taster, he civilly enough makes over to me a half-eaten Plate of Gurnet, which I wave aside, thus, saying, I eat no Fish of which I cannot affirm, '_rari sunt Boni_,' few are the Bones ... and I protest to you he knew it not for Fool's Latin. Thus I'm driven, from mere Discouragement, to leave prating for listening, which thou knowest, Mistress, is no Fool's Office; and among the sundrie Matters I hear at my Lord's Table ... for he minds not what he says before his Servants, thereby giving new Proof 'tis he shoulde wear the Motley ... I note his saying that the _King's_ private Marriage will assuredlie be made publick this coming Easter, and my Lady _Anne_ will be crowned ... more by token, he knows the Merchant that will supply the _Genoa_ Velvet and Cloth of Gold, and the Masquers that are to enact the Pageant. For the Love o' Safety, then, Mistress _Meg_, bid thy good _Father_ e'en take a Fool's Advice, and eat humble Pie betimes, for doubt not this proud Madam to be as vindictive as _Herodias_, and one that, unless he appease her full early, will have his Head set before her in a Charger. I've said my Say." _April 4th._ Three Bishops have been here this Forenoon, to bid _Father_ to the Coronation, and offer him twenty Pounds to provide his Dress; but _Father_ hath, with Courtesie, declined to be present. After much friendly pressing, they parted, seemingly on good Terms; but I have Misgivings of the Issue. _April 9th._ A ridiculous Charge hath beene got up 'gainst dear _Father_; no less than of Bribery and Corruption. One _Parnell_ complaineth of a Decree given agaynst him in favour of one _Vaughan_, whose Wife, he deponeth, gave _Father_ a gilt Flaggon. To the noe small Surprise of the Council, _Father_ admitted that she had done soe: "But, my Lords," proceeded he, when they had uttered a few Sentences of Reprehension somewhat too exultantlie, "will ye list the Conclusion of the Tale? I bade my Butler fill the Cup with Wine, and having drunk her Health, I made her pledge me, and then restored her Gift, and would not take it again." As innocent a Matter, touching the offering him a Pair of Gloves containing Forty Pounds, and his taking the first and returning the last, saying he preferred his Gloves without Lining, hath been made publick with like Triumph to his own good Fame; but alack! these Feathers show which way sets the Wind.