Au. He excused me for that a great While ago.  He discharg’d me of that Obligation.

Ch. Pray who gave him that Power?  The Pope himself can hardly dispense with this Obligation.  You know the ancient Law of Drinking, Either drink or go your Way.

Au. He that an Oath is made to has Power to suspend it, and especially he, whose Concern it was to have it kept.

Ch. But it is the Duty of all Guests to observe Laws inviolably.

Au. Well, come on, since this is the German Custom, I’ll drink what is left.  But what Business have you with me?

Ch. You must pay for all.  Why do you look pale?  Don’t be afraid, you may do it very easily, do as you have often done, that by some Elegancy we may rise from Table more learned; nor are you ignorant that the Ancients over the second Course used to dispute of some more diverting Subjects.  Come on then, by what, and after how many Ways may this Sentence be vary’d, Indignum auditu?

* * * * *

It is not worth hearing.  The Form.

Au. You have very fitly made Use of the latter Supine.  It is not worth hearing.  It is unworthy to be heard.  It is not worthy to be heard.  It is so light it ought not to be heard.  It is scarce worth While to relate.  It is not of such Value as to be heard.  It is too silly to be heard.  It is not worth While to tell it.

Ch. How many Ways may this Sentence be turn’d, Magno mihi constat?

* * * * *

The Ratio of varying this Sentence.

Magno mihi constat.

Au. By these Words, impendo, insumo, impertio, constat, as:  I have taken Pains much in teaching you.  I have taken much Pains in that Matter.  I have not spent less Money than I have Care upon that Matter.  I have not spent a little Money, but much Time, and very much Labour, and some Study.  I have spent much Study.  This Thing has cost me many a Night’s Sleep, much Sweat, much Endeavour, very much Labour, a great Expence, a great Deal of Money.  It has cost me more than you believe.  My Wife stands me in less than my Horse.

Ch. But what is the meaning, Austin, that you put sometimes an Ablative, and sometimes a Genitive Case to the Verb constat?

Au. You have stated a very useful and very copious Question.  But that I may not be troublesome to the Company by my too much Talk, I will dispatch it in a few Words.  But I desire to hear every Man’s Opinion, that I may not be troublesome to any Man, as I have said.

Ch. But why may not the Damsels desire the same?