The Toy Shop (1735) The King and the Miller of Mansfield (1737) — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The Toy Shop (1735) The King and the Miller of Mansfield (1737)
John Stuart Mill · en
_King._ I have the Honour to belong to the King as well as you, and,
perhaps, should be as unwilling to see any Wrong done him. I came down
with him to hunt in this Forest, and the Chace leading us to Day a
great Way from Home, I am benighted in this Wood, and have lost my Way.
_Mil._ This does not sound well; if you have been a hunting, pray where
is your Horse?
_King._ I have tired my Horse so that he lay down under me, and I was
oblig'd to leave him.
_Mil._ If I thought I might believe this now.
_King._ I am not used to lie, honest Man.
_Mil._ What! do you live at Court, and not lie! that's a likely Story
indeed.
_King._ Be that as it will. I speak Truth now I assure you; and, to
convince you of it, if you will attend me to _Nottingham_, if I am near
it; or give me a Night's Lodging in your own House, here is something
to pay you for your Trouble, and if that is not sufficient, I will
satisfy you in the Morning to your utmost Desire.
_Mil._ Ay, now I am convinc'd you are a Courtier; here is a little
Bribe for to Day, and a large Promise for To-morrow, both in a Breath:
Here, take it again, and take this along with it----_John Cockle_ is no
Courtier, he can do what he ought----without a Bribe.
_King._ Thou art a very extraordinary Man I must own; and I should be
glad, methinks, to be further acquainted with thee.
_Mil._ Thee! and Thou! Prythee don't thee and thou me; I believe I am
as good a Man as yourself at least.
_King._ Sir, I beg your Pardon.
_Mil._ Nay, I am not angry, Friend, only I don't love to be too
familiar with any-body, before I know whether they deserve it or not.
_King._ You are in the Right. But what am I to do?
_Mil._ You may do what you please. You are twelve Miles from
_Nottingham_, and all the Way through this thick Wood; but if you are
resolv'd upon going thither to Night, I will put you in the Road, and
direct you the best I can; or if you will accept of such poor
Entertainment as a Miller can give, you shall be welcome to stay all
Night, and in the Morning I will go with you myself.
_King._ And cannot you go with me to Night?
_Mil._ I would not go with you to Night if you was the King.
_King._ Then I must go with you, I think. [_Exeunt._
_Scene changes to the Town of_ Mansfield.
DICK _alone_.
Well, dear _Mansfield_, I am glad to see thy Face again. But my Heart
aches, methinks, for fear this should be only a Trick of theirs to get
me into their Power. Yet the Letter seems to be wrote with an Air of
Sincerity, I confess; and the Girl was never us'd to lie till she kept
a Lord Company. Let me see, I'll read it once more.
_Dear_ Richard,