Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 17.djvu/225

Rh against thee, my friend, for supposing it possible that thou and I should ever quarrel: what houndsfoot is it that puts these whims in thy head? Ten thousand last of devils haul me, if I don't love thee as I love my life." [No question, as the devil loves holy water!] "Does not thy own hand and seal oblige thee to purchase for me, till I say it is enough? Are not these words plain? I say it is not enough. Dost thou think thy friend Nicholas Frog made a child's bargain? Mark the words of thy contract, totâ pecuniâ, with all thy money." [Very well! I have purchased with my own money, my children's, and my grandchildren's money, is not that enough? Well, totâ pecuniâ let it be, for at present I have none at all: he would not have me purchase with other people's money sure? since totâ pecuniâ is the bargain, I think it is plain, no more money, no more purchase.] "And whatever the world may say, Nicholas Frog is but a poor man in comparison of the rich, the opulent John Bull, great clothier of the world. I have had many losses, six of my best sheep were drowned, and the water has come into my cellar, and spoiled a pipe of my best brandy: it would be a more friendly act in thee to carry a brief about the country to repair the losses of thy poor friend. Is it not evident to all the world, that I am still hemmed in by Lewis Baboon? Is he not just upon my borders?" [And so he will be, if I purchase a thousand acres more, unless he get sonebody between them.] "I tell thee, friend John, thou hast flatterers, that persuade thee that thou art a man of business; do not believe them: if thou would'st still leave thy affairs in my hands, thou should'st see how handsomely I would deal by thee. " That