Page:Mirror of wit.pdf/4

( 4 ) to cuſtomers; and over the door was ſcrawled the following lines:

Here lives Jemmy Wright, Shaves as well as any man in England, Almoſt-not quite.

Foote, who loved any thing eccentric, obſerving the inſcriptions and hoping to extract ſome wit from the author, whom he juftly concluded to be a very odd character, he pulled off his hat, and thruſting his head through one of the paper panes called out, Is Jemmy Wright at home? The Barber immediately forced his own head through another pane, into the ſtreet, and replied, No, Sir. he has jut popt out'-Foot laughed heartily at the Barber, and gave him a guinea.

9. Ben Johnſon being owing a Vintner ſome money, refrained his houſe; the Vintner meeting him by chance, demanded payment; but, at the ſame time, told him, if he would come to his houſe, and anſwer him four queſtions, he would forgive him the debt.- Ben very gladly agreed, and went at the time appointed called for a bottle of clarer and drank to the Vintner prailing the wine ar a great rete Says the Vintner. This is not our buſineſs Mr. Johnſon; you muſt anſwer me my four queſtions, or elſe pay me my money: or go to jail. (for he has got two bailiffs waiting at the door to arreſt him.) Pray, ſays Ben, propoſe them. Then ſay the Vintner. Tell me, 1ft. Net pleaſes God? 2dly. What pleaſe the devil? 3dly, What beſt pleaſes the world? and, laſtly, What beſt pleaſes me? Well, then, ſaid Ben,

GOD is beſt pleas'd when man forſakes his ſin; The Devil's beſt pleas'd when man delights therein: The world's beſt ploa'd when you do draw good wine And you ll be pleas'd when I do pay for mine.

The Vintner was ſatisfied, gave Ben a receipt in full, and a bottle of claret to the bargain.