Vi. What if we should play at Cob-Nut?

Pa. Let us let Nuts alone for little Chits, we are great Boys.

Vi. And yet we are but Boys for all that.

Pa. But they that are fit to play at Cob-Nut, are fit to ride upon a Hobby-Horse.

Vi. Well then, do you say what we shall play at; and I’ll play at what you will.

Pa. And I’ll be conformable.

SCHOLASTIC STUDIES.

The ARGUMENT.

This Colloquy treats of scholastic Studies, and School Plays, I. The Boys going into the School.  The striking of a Clock.  A whipping Master.  Of saying a Lesson.  Fear hurts the Memory. 2.  Of Writing, the Paper sinks.  Of making a Pen.  Of a hard Nip.  A soft Nip.  Of writing quick, well.

SYLVIUS, JOHN.

Sy. What makes you run so, John?

Jo. What makes a Hare run before the Dogs, as they use to say?

Sy. What Proverb is this?

Jo. Because unless I am there in Time, before the Bill is called over, I am sure to be whipp’d.

Sy. You need not be afraid of that, it is but a little past five:  Look upon the Clock, the Hand is not come to the half Hour Point yet.

Jo. Ay, but I can scarce trust to Clocks, they go wrong sometimes.

Sy. But trust me then, I heard the Clock strike.

Jo. What did that strike?

Sy. Five.

Jo. But there is something else that I am more afraid of than that, I must say by Heart a good long Lesson for Yesterday, and I am afraid I can’t say it.

Sy. I am in the same Case with you; for I myself have hardly got mine as it should be.

Jo. And you know the Master’s Severity.  Every Fault is a Capital one with him:  He has no more Mercy of our Breeches, than if they were made of a Bull’s Hide.

Sy. But he won’t be in the School.

Jo. Who has he appointed in his Place?

Sy.  Cornelius.

Jo. That squint-ey’d Fellow!  Wo to our Back-Sides, he’s a greater Whip-Master than Busby himself.

Sy. You say very true, and for that Reason I have often wish’d he had a Palsy in his Arm.

Jo. It is not pious to wish ill to ones Master:  it is our Business rather to take Care not to fall under the Tyrant’s Hands.

Sy. Let us say one to another, one repeating and the other looking in the Book.

Jo. That’s well thought on.

Sy. Come, be of good Heart; for Fear spoils the Memory.

Jo. I could easily lay aside Fear, if I were out of Danger; but who can be at Ease in his Mind, that is in so much Danger.

Sy. I confess so; but we are not in Danger of our Heads, but of our Tails.