An _Italian_ Parson, _Il Piovano Arlotto_ by name, going through the City of _Naples_, went to pay his Respects to King _Alphonsus_, who was told by one of his Courtiers, that this Parson was a jocose sort of a Man, who freely and pleasantly deliver’d his Thoughts to Persons of the highest Quality, and had a Book wherein he used to write down all the Follies of the Chief Men in his time. The King, being disposed to be merry, _Messer_ Piovano, said he to him, _Am I set down in your Book_? You may see, answer’d _Piovano_, and having given him the Book, he found there amongst other things: _A Piece of Folly committed by_ Alphonsus _King of_ Naples, _in sending to_ Germany, _a_ German _that was in his Court, with two Thousand Ducats to buy him Horses_. How do you find that I have done amiss, said the King a little moved, in giving that Commission to a _German_? Why! answer’d _Piovano_, because he will stay in his own Country with your Money; What if he returns with Horses, or brings me my Money back again, what wilt thou say then? Said the King: _Well then_, replied _Piovano_, _I’ll blot your Name out of my Book, and put the_ German’s _instead on’t_. 149 Un Curé _Italien_ nommé _Il Piovano Arlotto_ passant par la ville de _Naples_, alla saluër le Roy _Alphonse_, qui apprit par un de ses Courtisans que ce Curé ètoit un homme plaisant, qui disoit librement & agréablement ce qu’il pensoit aux Personnes les plus élevées, & qu’il avoit un Livre où il écrivoit toutes les Fautes des Principaux de son tems. Le Roy, ètant d’humeur à rire, lui dit, _Messer Piovano, ne serois je point écrit sur vôtre livre_? Vous pouvez voir, repondit _Piovano_, & lui ayant donné le Livre, il y trouva entr’autres choses, _Faute faite par_ Alphonse _Roy de_ Naples, _d’avoir envoyé en_ Allemagne _un_ Allemand _qui ètoit en sa Cour pour lui acheter des Chevaux_. En quoi trouves tu que j’aye failli, dit le Roy un peu ému, de donner cette Commission à un _Allemand_? c’est, répondit _Piovano_, parce qu’il restera en son Païs avec vôtre argent; Et s’il revient avec des Chevaux, ou qu’il me rapporte mon argent, que diras tu alors? repartit le Roy: _Alors_, repliqua _Piovano_, je vous effacerai de mon _Livre, & j’y écrirai l’_Alemand _en vôtre_ place. 150