Cr. Do you commit your Book to a Mouse?
Hi. More safely than my Wine. Let me never stir, if Sbrulius has not spoken the Truth.
Ca. Give me the Book, I'll shew you another doubtful Place. This Verse is not found in the Prologue of Eunuchus:
Habeo alia multa, quæ nunc condonabuntur.
I have many other Things, which shall now be delivered.
Although the Latin Comedians especially take great Liberty to themselves in this Kind of Verse, yet I don't remember that they any where conclude a Trimetre with a Spondee, unless it be read Condonabitur impersonally, or Condonabimus, changing the Number of the Person.
Ma. Oh, this is like Poets Manners indeed! As soon as ever they are set down to Dinner they are at Play, holding up their Fingers, and poring upon their Books. It were better to reserve your Plays and your Scholarship for the second Course.
Cr. Margaret gives us no bad Counsel, we'll humour her; when we have fill'd our Bellies, we'll go to our Play again; now we'll play with our Fingers in the Dish.
Hi. Take Notice of Poetick Luxury. You have three Sorts of Eggs, boil'd, roasted, and fry'd; they are all very new, laid within these two Days.
Par. I can't abide to eat Butter; if they are fry'd with Oil, I shall like 'em very well.