Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 8.djvu/359

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DIALOGUE II.
349

Miss drinking part of a glass of wine.


Neverout. Pray, let me drink your snuff.

Miss. No, indeed, you shan't drink after me; for you'll know my thoughts.

Neverout. I know them already; you are thinking of a good husband. Besides, I can tell your meaning by your mumping.

Lady Smart. Pray, my lord, did not you order the butler to bring up a tankard of our October to sir John? I believe, they stay to brew it.


The butler brings up the tankard to sir John.


Sir John. Won't your ladyship please to drink first?

Lady Smart. No, sir John; 'tis in a very good hand; I'll pledge you.

Col. [to lady Smart.] My lord, I love October as well as sir John; and I hope, you won't make fish of one, and flesh of another.

Ld. Smart. Colonel, you're heartily welcome. Come, sir John, take it by word of mouth, and then give it the colonel.


Sir John drinks.


Ld. Smart. Well, sir John, how do you like it?

Sir John. Not as well as my own in Derbyshire; 'tis plaguy small.

Lady Smart. I never taste malt liquor; but they say 'tis well hopp'd.

Sir John. Hopp'd! why, if it had hopp'd a little farther, it would have hopp'd into the river. O my lord, my ale is meat, drink, and cloth; it will make a cat speak, and a wise man dumb.

Lady