Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 19.djvu/222

210 what should I have had? A couple of lobsters; ay, that would have done very well; two shillings tarts, a shilling: but you will drink a glass of wine with me, though you supped so much before your usual time only to spare my pocket?'  'No, we had rather talk with you than drink with you.'  'But if you had supped with me, as in all reason you ought to have done, you must then have drunk with me. A bottle of wine, two shillings two and two is four, and one is five; just two and sixpence apiece. There, Pope, there's half a crown for you, and there's another for you, sir; for I will not save any thing by you, I am determined.' This was all said and done with his usual seriousness on such occasions; and, in spite of every thing we could say to the contrary, he actually obliged us to take the money."

In the intercourse of familiar life, he indulged his disposition to petulance and sarcasm, and thought himself injured if the licentiousness of his raillery, the freedom of his censures, or the petulance of his frolicks, was resented or repressed. He predominated over his companions with very high ascendency, and probably would bear none over whom he could not predominate. To give him advice was, in the style of his friend Delany, "to venture to speak to him." This customary superiority soon grew too delicate for truth; and Swift, with all his penetration, allowed himself to be delighted with low flattery.

On all common occasions, he habitually affects a style of arrogance, and dictates rather than persuades. This authoritative and magisterial language he expected to be received as his peculiar mode of jocularity: but he apparently flattered his own arrogance Rh