The Duke of Milan being Besieg’d, and hard put to it in a Castle by the Florentines, could find no manner of Meat that pleas’d his Palate when he was at Table, and as he often quarrell’d with his Cook about it, this cunning Servant after many other Excuses, told him at last: My Lord, will you give me leave to be plain with you? The Meat is good and well drest, but, Faith, the Florentines have taken away your Stomach-
61
Le Duc de Milan assiegé dans un Chateau par les Florentins, qui le pressoient fort, ne trouvoit aucune Viande à son goût lors qu’il étoit à Table; et comme il en querelloit souvent son Cuisinier, ce domestique adroit, aprés plusieurs autres Excuses, lui dit enfin: Voulez vous, Monseigneur, que je vous parle nettement? les Viandes sont bonnes, & bien preparées mais franchement les Florentins vous degoutent.
62
The Life of Pope Bonifacius VIIIth. was so irregular that it was said of him: That he came to the Soveraign Pontificate like a Fox, liv’d like a Lion, and died like a Dog.
62
La Vie du Pape Boniface VIII. fût si peu reglée, qu’on a dit de lui: Qu’il entra au Souverain Pontificat, comme un Renard, qu’il vécut comme un Lion, & qu’il mourut comme un Chien.
63
King Henry the IVth. being importun’d by a man of Quality, who begg’d a Pardon for a Nephew of his guilty of Murder, answer’d him: I am sorry I cannot grant your Request; it becomes you to act the Part of an Uncle, and me that of a King: I excuse your Demand, excuse my Denial.
63