Roger L'Estrange

“ XANTHUS laid hold of the Present Occasion, and was willing enough to be furnished with a Staffe to beat a Dog. Well Sirrah, says he, since this Learned Gentleman is too Curious; go you your way's and find me out a Man that has no Curiosity at All, Or I'le Lace your Coate for ye. ”

“ After a very little While, in comes Xanthus to Supper, and asks Æsop who That Man was? Why This is the Man, says Æsop, that you sent me for; that is to say a Man that has no Curiosity in him at All. Oh that's very well, says Xanthus, and then told his Wife in her eare, That if she would but be a Loving and Obedient Wife to him, and do as he bad her, he would now save her Longing, for, says he, I have been a Great while Seeking for an Occasion to pick a Quarrell with Æsop, and I have found it at last. After this Whisper, Xanthus takes a Turn in the Parlour, and calls aloud to his Wife. ”

“ The Clown made no Ceremony of promising, but fell Presently to asking what kind of Man his Master was? And what, says he, are we going just now? (for this Poor Devill look'd upon a Meales Meat Gratis, as a Blessing Dropt into his Mouth out of the Skies) Come (says Æsop) we are going this very Moment; and Wonderfully Glad he was to find by the Booby's Discourse, That he had met with a Man so fit for his Purpose. ”