The famous Moliere being dead, many Poetasters writ Epitaphs upon him. One of them went one Day and presented one of his own making to a Prince much renown’d for his Wit: Would to God, Sir, said the Prince, receiving the Epitaph, that Moliere presented me yours.
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Quand le fameux Moliere fut mort, plusieurs mauvais Poëtes lui firent des Epitaphes. Un d’entr’eux, alla un jour en presenter une de sa façon à un Prince fort célébre par son Esprit: Plût à Dieu, Monsieur, lui dit le Prince en la recevant, que Moliere me presentât la vôtre.
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A French Courtier was suspected of defect, but would never own it; one Day meeting the Poet Benserade, who had often jeer’d him about it; Sir, said he, for all your silly Jests, my Wife was brought to Bed two Days ago: Faith, Sir, reply’d Benserade, I never questioned your Wife.
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Un homme de la Cour de France ètoit soupconné d’être impuissant, & ne vouloit jamais demeurer d’accord qu’il le fût; il rencontra un jour le Poëte Benserade, qui l’avoit souvent raillé là dessus. Monsieur, lui dit il, nonobstant toutes vos mauvaises Plaisanteras, ma Femme est accouchée depuis deux jours: Hé, Monsieur, lui repliqua Benserade, on n’a jamais douté de vôtre Femme.
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A petty Prince of Italy being informed that a French Gentleman who was at his Court, had made a jest of him and his designs, sent one to bid him depart his Dominions within three Days: He does me too great a Favour, answered the French Man, in granting me so much time: I don’t want above three quarters of an Hour to obey him.
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