Page:Witty and entertaining exploits of George Buchanan (17).pdf/17

( 17 ) and cries aloud, I publiſh the hands between theſe cherries and my mouth, if any know any juſt cauſe or impediment, why theſe ſhould not be joined together let them declare it. The maſter being in the next room, overheard all that was ſaid, a d coming into the ſchool, he redered the boy who had eaten his cherries to be taken up, or as he called it, hors'd on another boy's back; but before he proceeded to the uſual, diſcipline, he cried out as loud as the delinquent had done. I pubilſh the banns between the boys breeches and my twas if any one know any juſt cauſe or impediment, why theſe two ſhould not be goined together, let them declare it. George paſſing by in the mean time, overheard this proclamation. I found the banns cried be. Why ſo! ſays the ſchool maſter! Becauſe the parties are not agreed replied he. Which anſwer ſo pleaſed the maſter, that the boy was ſet down without any puniſhment.

A young gentleman that wanted to be witty on the ſcriptures, eating ſome cheeſe full of mires one night at a tavern, Now, ſaid he, I have done as much as Sampſon, for I have ſlain my thouſands and ten thouſands. Yes, replied George, who happened to be in his company, and with the ſame weapon too the jaw bone of as aſs, which anſwer ſet the whole company a laughing to ſee the young gentleman bear with his own weapon

George being in company where three biſhops were preſent at dinner; they knowing George to be a great ſcholar and comical awithal, they put upon him to ſay the grace, which he did as follows:

Here are three brethren of the coat, Who for thy bleſſing thank thee not, Curſe them Lord and bleſs them not. Amen.

Fall on gentlemen, the cauſe is good. This grace made the biſhops to look like fools to one another, while George laughed heartily at the confuſion they were in.

A candlemaker having ſome candles ſtolen was telling it in comgany where George was preſent, who bade him be of cheer, for in a ſhort time, ſays he, they will come to light.

George being ſent to Paris about ſome buſineſs, went from thence to Verefalles to ſee the French king's court, and being known there to ſeveral of the courtiers, who had been as the Engliſh court, one of them took occaſion to tell the French King, that George was one of the wiseſt men in England, upon which the French king deſired to ſee him, which he did; but George it ſeems was out humour, or at leaſt ſeeming ſo, ſpoke but very little to the purpoſe, ſo that the French king told the nobleman that recommened him.