A modest Gentlewoman being compelled to accuse her Husband of defect, and being in the Court, she humbly desir’d the Judge, that she might write what she durst not speak for Modesty; the Judge gave her that liberty, and a Clerk was presently commanded to give her Pen, Ink, and Paper; Whereupon she took the Pen without dipping it into the Ink, and made as if she would write. Says the Clark to her, Madam, there is no Ink in your Pen, Truly, Sir, says she, that’s just my Case, and therefore I need not explain my self any further.
116
Une Demoiselle modeste ètant forcée d’accuser son Mari d’impuissance, & ètant à l’audience, elle pria tres humblement le Juge de lui permettre d’écrire ce qu’elle n’osoit dire, par Modestie; le Juge lui accorda cette liberté, & commanda d’abord àu Greffier de lui donner une Plume, de l’Encre & du Papier; Elle prit la plume, sans y mettre de l’Encre, & fit semblant d’écrire; Le Greffier luit dit, Madame, Il n’y a point d’Encre à votre plume: Urayment, Monsieur, dit elle, c’est là justement mon cas, & ainsi il n’est pas nécessaire que je m’explique d’avantage.
117
An Excise-man walking by a River, espy’d a Boy fishing, who knew him to be of that honourable Profession. My pretty Lad, says he, what dost thou fish for? I fish for the Devil, reply’d the Boy, but I want the right Bait to catch him. What Bait is that, say’s the other? Indeed, Sir, I have been told, there is no better Bait in the World, than an Excise-man.
117
Un Maltotier se promenant prés d’une Riviere vit un Garçon qui peschoit, & qui savoit qu’il étoit de cette honnorable Profession. Petit Garçon, lui dit il, Que pesches tu? Je tâche de pescher le Diable, repliqua le Garçon, mais je n’ai pas la bonne amorce pour l’attraper: Quelle est cette amorce, dit l’autre? Urayment, Monsieur, j’ai entendu dire qu’il n’y à pas de meilleure amorce qu’un Maltotier.
118
One having been a long Journey, and to make the more hast, rid Post, being come home very weary, desired his Wife to excuse him from embracing of her that Night: She seem’d pretty well contented, but curs’d those in her Heart that invented riding Post. The next day walking with his Wife into the Yard, he espy’d the Cock asleep in the Sun, by the Hens; then he ask’d his Wife, what made the Cock so dull and sleepy. Truly, says she, I don’t know, unless he has rid Post.
118