Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 8.djvu/351

Rh Miss. Sir John, here's a little bit left; will you please to have it?

Sir John. No, thankee; I don't love to make a fool of my mouth.

Col. [calling to the butler] John, is your small beer good?

Butler. An please your honour, my lord and lady like it; I think it is good.

Col. Why then, John, d'ye see, if you are sure your small beer is good, d'ye mark? then, give me a glass of wine.

[All laugh.

''Ld. Smart''. Sir John, how does your neighbour Gatherall of the Peak? I hear he has lately made a purchase.

Sir John. O! Dick Gatherall knows how to butter his bread as well as any man in Derbyshire.

''Ld. Smart''. Why he us'd to go very fine, when he was here in town.

Sir John. Ay; and it became him, as a saddle becomes a sow.

Col. I know his lady, and I think she is a very good woman.

Sir John. Faith, she has more goodness in her little finger than he has in his whole body.

''Ld. Smart''. Well, colonel, how do you like that wine?

Col. This wine should be eaten; it is too good to be drunk.

''Ld. Smart''. I'm very glad you like it; and pray don't spare it.

Col. No, my lord; I'll never starve in a cook's shop. Rh