Scar. It was perhaps some phantome, or some amorous Devil, who to do himself honour, had taken the archbishop’s goodly form and sanctify’d mien.
Furet. Still excusing the priests! You were not such an advocate of theirs in the other world, witness your answer to your parish-priest, some few hours before you pack’d up for this place.
Scar. I have since drank a swinging draught of Lethe’s forgetful stream; I remember nothing of it: You would, perhaps, scandalize me.
Furet. It was thus, Sir, the grave hypocrite administring the last idolatrous ceremonies, asked if you knew what you received; to which you made this short answer: The body of your God carried by an ass.
Scar. ’Tis true, ’tis true, Monsieur l’Abbé; pray who can endure to be disturb’ by an impertinent coxcomb, when he’s going to take a long voyage? But go on, I will not speak one word more in their behalf.
Furet. The marquis, convinced by what he had seen, went the next morning to Versailles, and told all the young nobility of his acquaintance what had pass’d; which by being buzz’d about, in four and twenty hours became the talk of all the court.
Scar. Oh brave archbishop of Rheims! Was no body worthy of being made a cuckold by you, but your brother in-law?
Furet. Again mistaken, Mr. Scarron, for the charitable archbishop has assisted his nephew too, as well as his brother-in-law, and intends to go round the family.
Scar. The Devil! This is the most insatiable hog I ever heard of! He devours both the hen and her chickens. Pray excuse me, Monsieur l’Abbé: I cannot but think you wrong him now.
Furet. You may judge of that by the following relation. The archbishop being passionately in love with Madam d’Aumont his niece, and the marquis de Crequi’s wife, was resolv’d, the better to insinuate himself with her, to make her jealous of her husband, which he found no difficult matter to do. This done, he went to visit her, and finding her melancholy, said, Madam, I know no reason you have to be so much concern’d at your husband’s infidelity, since it lies in your power to be reveng’d. If he has a mistress, why don’t you get a gallant? I know no injustice in it; and it is the only recompensing counsel I can give you.