Page:Witty & entertaining exploits of George Buchanan.pdf/18

18 French king when he asks if you be a strong man Why, says he, I'll say I am. Then, ways George he'll possibly get a stronger man than you, who will kill you, and affront your country. What shall ! say then, said the strong man ! Why, says George tell him you are strong enough untried. Then said he to the wise man, and what will you say to the king, when he asks if you are a wise man ! Why, I'll tell him I am, and answer him all the questions I know. Very well, says George, but what if he asks what you do not know, then you'll affront your country, and be looked upon as a greater fool than me. Well, and what shall I answer then, said the wise man? Why, says George, tell him he is only A wise man that can take care of himself; and I shall come in after you, and take care of you alto- gether. An soon as they arrived at the king of France's palace, the king sent for them to try them. The strong man was first called for, and in he went: then the king asked him if he was a strong man to which lie answered, O king! I am strong enough tried very well, said the king. After him the wise man was called; and the king asked him if he was a wise man 1 to which he answered, he is only a wise man who can take care of himself. Very well, says the king. On which George pushed up the door, and in he went, with loud laughter, and p-directly in his Majesty', face, which blinded his eyes, and put the whole court in amaze. Now, now, said bin Majesty, it is true enough what the wise man says, for if I had taken care of myself, I need not have been p-upon by the English fool. O, he, says George, fools always strive to make fools of others, but wise men make fools of themselves. By this his Majesty seemed to think