Page:Merry humours, wise sayings, and curious adventures of George Buchanan.pdf/17

 qualities. The first was to be a mighty strong man; the second a very wise man; and the third a very great fool; so that he might have none in all France to match them. So, accordingly, there were two men chosen; the one a strong man, and the other a very wise man, but George was to act as the fool; nevertheless, he was the teacher of the other two. On their way to France, George asked the strong man, what will you answer the French king when he asks if you be a strong man. Why, says he, I'll say I am. Then, says George, he'll possibly get a stronger man than you, who will kill you, and affront your country. What shall I say then, said the strong man? Why, says George, tell him you are strong enough untried. Then said he to the wise man, and what will you say to the king, when he asks if you are a wise man? Why I'll tell him I am, and answer him all the questions I know. Very well, says George, but what if he asks what you do not know, then you'll affront your country, and be looked upon as a greater fool than me. Well, and what shall I answer then? said the wise man. Why, says George, tell him he is only a wise man that can take care of himself; and I shall come in after you, and take care of you altogether. As soon as they arrived at the king of France's palace, the king sent for them to try them. The strong man was first called for, and in he went: then the king asked him if he was a strong man? to which he answered, O King! I am strong enough untried. Very well, said he king. After him the wise man was called; and the king asked him if he was a wise man? to which he answered, he is only a wise man who can take care of himself. Very well, says the king. On which George pushed up the door, and in he went, with loud laughter, and p——— directly in his Majesty's face,