In Italy a cock is sometimes painted, with the following inscription:—
“Quando questo gallo cantarà
Allora credenza si farà.”[642]
The inventive genius of the French, with its usual fondness for romance, has constructed a little dramatic incident to express the idea:—
“Crédit est mort; les mauvais payeurs l’ont tué.”[643]
Which phrase was seen by Coryatt, nearly two centuries ago, on one of the inns where he put up at in France: a similar idea is expressed at Smethwick in the following inscription:—
“Sacred to the memory of Poor Trust, who fought hard at the battle of Deception, but fell under General Bad Pay.”
A print hung up in a public-house in Nottingham, depicting a black tombstone (or signboard,—it is difficult to say which) spotted with briny white tears, gives the inscription with still greater force:—
“This monument is erected to the memory of Mr Trust, who was some time since most shamefully and cruelly murdered by a villain called Credit, who is prowling about, both in town and country, seeking whom he may devour.”
Others have the picture of a dead dog, and under him:—
“Died last night, Poor Trust! Who killed him? Bad Pay.”