But Eat your Pudding, Fool, and Hold your Tongue.
Prior.
The Author of these excellent Lines not only shews his Wisdom, but his Good-Breeding, and great Esteem for the Memory of Sir John, by giving his Poem the Title of Merry Andrew, and making Merry Andrew the principal Spokesman: For if I guess aright, and surely I guess not wrong, his main Design was, to ascertain the Name of Merry Andrew to the Fool of a Droll, and to substitute it instead of Jack Pudding; which Name my Friend Matt. cou’d not hear with Temper, as carrying with
it an oblique Reflection on Sir John Pudding the Hero of this Dumpleid.
Let all those therefore who have any Regard to Politeness and Propriety of Speech, take heed how they Err against this Rule laid down by him who was the Standard of English Elegance. And be it known to all whom it may concern, That if any Person whatever shall dare hereafter to apply the Name of Jack Pudding to Merry Andrews and such-like Creatures, I hereby Require and Impower any Stander or Standers by, to Knock him, her, or them down. And if any Action or Actions of Assault and Battery shall be brought against any Person or Persons so acting in pursuance of this most reasonable Request, by Knocking down, Bruising, Beating, or otherwise Demolishing such Offenders; I will Indemnify and bear them Harmless.
FINIS.
