172
Pyrrhus King of Epirus, being inform’d that some of his Soldiers had spoke ill of him at a Feast, he sent for them, and asked them whether that report was true; whereupon the boldest of them, seeing all was discover’d, made him this subtile Answer; Sir, had not our Wine failed us, we would have said a great deal more. This comical Excuse, and plain Confession, made the King laugh, and pacified his Anger.
172
Pyrrhus le Roy des Epirotes, ayant sçeu que quelques uns de ses Soldats avoient fort mal parlé de lui dans un festin, les fit venir, & lui demanda si ce qu’on lui avoit rapporté étoit véritable? Alors le plus hardy d’entr’eux, voyant la chose decouverte, répondit subtilement, Seigneur, si le vin ne nous eut pas manqué nous en aurions bien dit davantage. Cette plaisante excuse, & cét aveu veritable, fit rire le Roy, & appaisa sa colere.