Versatile ingenium, The Wittie companion, or Jests of all sorts. From citie and countrie, court and universitie. : With an account of the life of the laughing philosopher Democritus of Abder̀a. / By Democritus Junior.

(22.)

A Clown in Flanders had a very pritty Woman to his Wife, and both came to an Inne six miles from Gaunt that night, and a lusty Spanish Soul∣dier happened to lie there that night also, and when they were both in Bed, he seeing she was handso∣me, made up the number three in the Bed, without saying by your leave; and the Woman it seems lay in the middle; and the Clown hearing the Soul∣dier, as he thought something too bold with his Wife; durst not speak at first; at last he took a cou∣rage (for you must know he was wonderful valiant) and bid her desire the Spaniard to lie still, and she being a very discreet and good natur'd Woman and to avoid any further quarrelling: said, Sweet Husband, you know I can't speak Spanish, but let me entreat you to rise and go to the Sexton, for he speaks Spanish very well: So the good man follo∣wed his dear Wives advice and rose and went to

him; and what was done then is quite out of my head now; but before he came back the Spaniard was gone, which when he perceiv'd he began to domineer: swearing if he had him here how he would cudgel the Rogue, for troubling of them so that night: In truth Husband, says she, (very discreetly) I am heartily glad you did not come whi∣le he was here, for in your anger I am sure you'd a kill'd him; and I know you are very desperate: But prithee sweet-heart, says he, how long did he stay when I was gone; truly Husband, says she, you were scarce out 'oth door but he ran away: Well, says he, I can't chuse but laugh to see how I have scar'd him; you see what comes of pollicy and discre∣tion now; for if I had been hasty, the Rogue might have kill'd me for ought I know, and then what wouldst thou have done for such a good Husband again my dear. Truly Husband, says she, 't was best as 't is, and I am very well pleas'd with what was done.