Tale of a Tub (Vol. i., p.326.).—Your correspondant J.O.W.H. may find some curious remarks on this subject in Sir James Mackintosh's Life of Sir Thomas More. I cannot give a precise reference; but as the book is small, the passages may be easily found.
H.G.T.
Painting by C. Bega (Vol. ii., p. 494.).—The translation of the lines is, I believe,
"We Sing certainly what is new, and have still a prize." "A Cracknel is our gain, but the ditty must first (come) out."
In modern Dutch most probably,
"Wÿ singen vast wat nienw, en hebben nog een buit. Een Krakeling is onze winst maar het Liedker moet eerst uit."
I should think there is a lake somewhere in the picture, and the lines are probably part of an old Dutch song. As to the painter C. Bega, I have at hand a Catalogue of the Munich Gallery, and find there "Cornelius Bega, geb. 1620, gest. 1664." His picture is described as "Eine Rauch- und Trinkgesellschaft belustiget sich mit Tanz in einer Schenke." In a Catalogue of the Louvre, I have the following description:
"Bega, Corneille ou Cornille, né à Harlem en 1620, mort de la peste dans la même ville en 1664; élève d'Adrien Van Ostade."
His picture is
"Intérieur d'un ménage rustique. Un homme et une femme sont assis près d'une table."