ever and anon lying into the Bargain.  The King heard ’em all very patiently, and approv’d of what they said.  This Consultation held a long Time, that he might teaze them the more, by keeping them betwixt Hope and Despair.  Among the rest stood the Great Chancellor, for the King had order’d him to be sent for too; he, being wiser than the rest, says never a Word of his own good Services, but was only a Spectator of the Comedy.  At Length the King turning toward him, says, Well, what says my Chancellor to the Matter?  He is the only Man that asks nothing, and says never a Word of his good Services.  I, says the Chancellor, have receiv’d more already from your royal Bounty, than I have deserved.  I am so far from craving more, that I am not desirous of any Thing so much, as to behave myself worthy of the royal Bounty I have receiv’d.  Then, says the King, you are the only Man of ’em all that does not want Money.  Says the Chancellor, I must thank your Bounty that I don’t.  Then he turns to the others, and says, I am the most magnificent Prince in the World, that have such a wealthy Chancellor.  This more inflam’d all their Expectations, that the Money would be distributed among them, since he desired none of it.  When the King had play’d upon ’em after this Manner a pretty While, he made the Chancellor take it all up, and carry it Home; then turning to the rest, who now look’d a little dull upon it, says he, You must stay till the next Opportunity.

Philog. Perhaps that I’m going to tell you, will not seem so entertaining.  However, I entreat you that you would not be suspicious, that I use any Deceit or Collusion, or think that I have a Design to desire to be excus’d.  One came to the same Lewis, with a Petition that he would bestow upon him an Office that happen’d to be vacant in the Town where he liv’d.  The King hearing the Petition read, answers immediately, you shall not have it; by that Means putting him out of any future Expectation; the Petitioner immediately returns the King Thanks, and goes his Way.  The King observing the Man’s Countenance, perceiv’d he was no Blockhead, and thinking perhaps he might have misunderstood what he said, bids him be call’d back again.  He came back; then says the King; Did you understand what I said to you?  I did understand you, quoth he:  Why, what did I say?  That I should not have it, said he.  What did you thank me for then?  Why, says he, I have some Business to do at Home, and therefore it would have been a Trouble to me to have here danc’d Attendance after a doubtful Hope; now, I look upon it a Benefit that you have denied me the Office quickly, and so I count myself to have gain’d whatsoever I should have lost by Attendance upon it, and gone without it at last.  By this Answer, the King seeing the Man to be no Blockhead, having ask’d him a few Questions, says he, You shall have what you ask’d for, that you may thank me twice, and turning to his Officers; Let, says he, Letters patent be made out for this Man without Delay, that he may not be detain’d here to his Detriment.