149
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.