Ge. We give our Votes for the Passing the Bill our King has brought in. But who must tell the first Story?
Eut. Who should, but the Master of the Feast?
As. But, Mr. King, may I have the liberty to speak three Words?
Eut. What, do you take the Feast to be an unlucky one?
As. The Lawyers deny that to be Law that is not just.
Eut. I grant it.
As. Your Law makes the best and worst Stories equal.
Eut. Where Diversion is the Thing aim'd at, there he deserves as much Commendation who tells the worst, as he that tells the best Story, because it affords as much Merriment; as amongst Songsters none are admir'd but they that sing very well, or they that sing very ill. Do not more laugh to hear the Cuckoo than to hear the Nightingal? In this Case Mediocrity is not Praise-worthy.
As. But pray, why must they be punish'd, that carry off the Prize?
Eut. Lest their too great Felicity should expose them to Envy, if they should carry away the Prize, and go Shot-free too.