216. Napas rémié fimié sec. (Ne remuez pas le fumier sec.)
“Don’t stir up dry manure.”—Said to those who desire to resurrect forgotten scandal.—[Mauritius.]
217. Napas vous sangsie qui a monté làhaut moi. (Ce n’est pas votre sangsue qui montera sur moi.)
“Your leech isn’t going to climb on me.” That is: you shan’t take advantage of me.—[Mauritius.]
218. Napas vous laliane darzent qui a monté làhaut mo tonelle. (Ce n’est pas votre liane d’argent qui montera sur ma tonnelle.)
“It isn’t your silver creeper that is going to climb over my summer house.”[90]—[Mauritius.]
[90] Said by young girls to those whose advances are disagreeable. Khè lanmou pas ka sauté (“heart-of-love does not yet leap”) would be the more polite response of a Martinique girl.
219. * Napas zoué av difé; wou a boulé vous çimise. (Ne jouez pas avec le feu; vous vous brûlerez la chemise.)
“Play with the fire and you’ll burn your shirt.” This proverb appears to be current wherever any form of the patois prevails.—[Mauritius.]