Over. Faith now, Sir John, that would be keeping Gentlemen to d—d hard Meat. What, not allow Men to stoop at small Game, that have been beating about for many Years in vain? Pshaw! Gad! ’tis quite ungenteel and unconscionable.
Sir John. My Quarrel is not to the Gentlemen’s Humility, but to their Want of Prudence. Mr. Broadbottom, I hope, will pardon the Expression.
Broad. With all my Heart. Sir John Probeum can say nothing, because I am sure he means not, to offend me.
Sir John. Sir, you do me but Justice; I intend an Affront to no Man, much less to you, whom I have always esteemed.
Broad. And of whom you shall have no Cause to alter your good Opinion.
Sir John. I hope not, tho’ I cannot so readily digest your Seasons for redressing the People’s Grievances.
Blunt. Times and Seasons were Cant Words with the late Deserters, as soon as the People expected they would act according to their Professions.
Over. Ha, ha! Courtiers act up to their Professions! Ha, ha! What a Solecism wou’d that be? Why Man, you forget that Double and John, and Long Bib, and Dismal, and the Rest of that precious deserting Gang were become Courtiers, when they found out that it was unseasonable to weaken the Ministerial Power, and strengthen that of the People.
Sir John. Experience, they say, is the Mother of Wisdom; but I am sorry we Englishmen are seldom instructed by that sagacious Lady. I have lived to see the People deluded and injured by those whom they themselves had screw’d up into Power; and I have seen them receiving those very Deluders a second and third Time into their Favour.
Rose. A Proof of their Lenity and Good-nature, Sir John.