him at thirty two, and so computed with himself he had better make that Profit of him, than restore the Horse.  I go away, as if I was vex’d in my Mind, and scarcely pacified, tho’ the Money was paid me:  He desires me not to take it amiss, he would make me Amends some other Way:  So I bit the Biter:  He has a Horse not worth a Groat; he expected that he that had given him the Earnest, should come and pay him the Money; but no Body came, nor ever will come.

Aul. But in the mean Time, did he never expostulate the Matter with you?

Ph. With what Face or Colour could he do that?  I have met him over and over since, and he complain’d of the Unfairness of the Buyer:  But I often reason’d the Matter with him, and told him, he deserv’d to be so serv’d, who by his hasty Sale of him, had depriv’d me of my Horse.  This was a Fraud so well plac’d, in my Opinion, that I could not find in my Heart to confess it as a Fault.

Aul. If I had done such a Thing, I should have been so far from confessing it as a Fault, that I should have requir’d a Statue for it.

Ph. I can’t tell whether you speak as you think or no; but you set me agog however, to be paying more of these Fellows in their own Coin.

The BEGGARS DIALOGUE.

The ARGUMENT.

The Beggars Dialogue paints out the cheating, crafty Tricks of Beggars, who make a Shew of being full of Sores, and make a Profession of Palmistry, and other Arts by which they impose upon many Persons.  Nothing is more like Kingship, than the Life of a Beggar.

IRIDES, MISOPONUS.

Ir. What new Sort of Bird is this I see flying here?  I know the Face, but the Cloaths don’t suit it.  If I’m not quite mistaken, this is Misoponus.  I’ll venture to speak to him, as ragged as I am.  God save you, Misoponus.

Mis. Hold your Tongue, I say.

Ir. What’s the Matter, mayn’t a Body salute you?

Mis. Not by that Name.

Ir. Why, what has happen’d to you?  Are you not the same Man that you was?  What, have you changed your Name with your Cloaths?

Mis. No, but I have taken up my old Name again.

Ir. Who was you then?

Mis. Apitius.

Ir. Never be asham’d of your old Acquaintance, if any Thing of a better Fortune has happen’d to you.  It is not long since you belong’d to our Order.

Mis. Prithee, come hither, and I’ll tell you the whole Story.  I am not asham’d of your Order; but I am asham’d of the Order that I was first of myself.

Ir. What Order do you mean?  That of the Franciscans?

Mis. No, by no Means, my good Friend; but the Order of the Spendthrifts.

Ir. In Truth, you have a great many Companions of that Order.