Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/458

446 It may, at least it should, correct a zeal, That hurts the public, or the private weal.


 * Two honest tradesmen meeting in the Strand,

One took the other briskly by the hand; 'Hark ye,' said he, tis an odd story this About the crows!' I don't know what it is. Replied his friend. 'No! I'm surprised at that, Where I come from it is the common chat. But you shall hear—an odd affair, indeed! And that it happened, they are all agreed, Not to detain you from a thing so strange, A gentleman that lives not far from 'Change, This week, in short, as all the alley knows, Taking a puke, has thrown up three black crows!'

'Impossible!' 'Nay, but indeed 'tis true; I had it from good hands, and so may you.' From whose I pray? So having named the man, Straight to enquire, his curious comrade ran. Sir, did you tell—relating the affair, 'Yes, sir, I did; and if 'tis worth your care, Ask Mr. Such-a-one, he told it me; But, by the bye, 'twas Two black crows, not .' Resolved to trace so wondrous an event, Whip to the third the virtuoso went.