Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 8.djvu/350

340 ''Ld. Sparkish''. [drinks to Neverout.] Come, Tom; not always to my friends, but once to you.

Neverout. [drinks to Lady Smart] Come, madam; here's a health to our friends, and hang the rest of our kin.

Lady Smart. [to lady Answ.] Madam, will your ladyship have any of this hare?

Lady Answ. No, madam; they say, 'tis melancholy meat.

Lady Smart. Then, madam, shall I send you the brains? I beg your ladyship's pardon; for they say, 'tis not good manners to offer brains.

Lady Answ. No, madam; for perhaps it will make me hairbrain'd.

Neverout. Miss, I must tell you one thing.

Miss. [with a glass in her hand.] Hold your tongue, Mr. Neverout; don't speak in my tip.

Col. Well, he was an ingenious man that first found out eating and drinking.

''Ld. Sparkish''. Of all vittles drink digests the quickest: give me a glass of wine.

Neverout. My lord, your wine is too strong.

''Ld. Smart''. Ay, Tom, as much as you're too good.

Miss. This almond pudding was pure good; but it is grown quite cold.

Neverout. So much the better, miss, cold pudding will settle your love.

Miss. Pray, Mr. Neverout, are you going to take a voyage?

Neverout. Why do you ask, miss?

Miss. Because you have laid in so much beef.

Sir John. You two have eat up the whole pudding between you. Miss.