Blunt. Let him but abstain from entering into any Covenants, and he may swill as much as he will of his Majesty’s Old-Hock.
Broad. Covenants! What Covenants do you suppose, should be expected from me?
Blunt. The direct contrary of those you entered into with our Corporation at your last Election.——Perhaps, you forget them.——Shall I refresh your Memory?
Broad. You need not. I am come down to make you fresh Assurances of serving my Country to the utmost of my Power.
Blunt. I know you are come down to be re-elected; and that this Company have been invited here to-day, to receive your Excuses for your late Acceptance of an Employment.—
Smooth. Mr. Blunt, your Corporation could not expect that their Representative would never accept of a Place under the Crown; therefore what Excuses has the Gentleman to make?
Blunt. More, I fear, than you can make for him with all your Quirks of Law. If he accepted of a Post without any Salvo, and forgets that he has a Post whenever he is to vote in Parliament, I will then say that he needs not make Excuses for going to Court.
Sir John. Ay, Mr. Blunt, provided my worthy Neighbour, Broadbottom, turns not a mere Courtier, by going to Court, he shall have all our Consents to stay at Court and rise there.
Blunt. A Man may rise in the Army and Navy, and meritoriously; but what dirty Work must a Man trudge thro’ to rise at Court?
Over. Why should a Man be obliged to do more servile Work at Court than in the Church, where we see the Learned and Pious rise, and are translated every Day?——I expect my good Friend here, Mr. Roseband, to rise to a Deanery soon, now his Patron has taken a Stride to Court.