"There are women left you," said the King.
"It is more expense than profit," sighed the Earl. "Although indeed the kind creatures will most readily give for nothing what is worth as much."
"So that the sum of the matter," said the King, "is that he who refuses no bargain however iniquitous and performs none however binding——"
"Is a king among men, Sir," interposed Rochester with a low bow, "even as your Majesty is here in Whitehall."
"And by the same title?"
"Ay, the same Right Divine. What think you of my reasoning, Mr Dale?"
"I do not know, my lord, whence you came by it, unless the Devil has published a tract on the matter."
"Nay, he has but circulated it among his friends," laughed Rochester. "For he is in no need of money from the booksellers since he has a grant from God of the customs of the world for his support."
"The King must have the Customs," smiled Charles. "I have them here in England. But the smugglers cheat me."