The Wise and Ingenious Companion, French and English; / or, A Collection of the Wit of the Illustrious Persons, Both Ancient and Modern

by Abel Boyer

78

The late Duke of Guise’s Steward was telling him the necessity he lay under of regulating his domestick Affairs, and gave him a List of several Persons, that were of no use in his house. The Prince having examin’d it, ’Tis true, says he, I might make shift without them all; but did you ask them whether they could make shift without me?

78

L’Intendant Du feu Duc de Guise lui representoit la nêcessité qu’il y avoit de mettre ordre à ses affaires domestiques, & lui donna une liste de plusieurs personnes inutiles dans sa Maison. Le Prince l’ayant examinée, il est vray, lui dit il, que je pourrois bien me passer de tous ces Gens là: Mais leur avez vous demandé, s’ils pourront aussi se passer de moy.