‘The King.—But the singular modesty of that nobleman.
‘Rochester.—He would certainly conform himself to your majesty’s bright example. How gloriously would the two grand social virtues flourish under his auspices!
‘The King.—O, prisca fides! What can these be?
‘Rochester.—The love of wine and women!
‘The King.—God bless your majesty!
‘Rochester.—These attachments keep the world in good humour, and therefore I say they are social virtues. Let the bishop of Salisbury deny it if he can.
‘The King.—He died last night. Have you a mind to succeed him?
‘Rochester.—On condition that I shall neither be called upon to preach on the 30th of January nor the 29th of May.
‘The King.—Those conditions are curious. You object to the first, I suppose, because it would be a melancholy subject; but the other—
‘Rochester.—Would be a melancholy subject too.