The comical romance, or, A facetious history of a company of stage-players interwoven with divers choice novels, rare adventures, and amorous intrigues / written originally in French by the renowned Scarron ; and now turned into English by J.B.

CAAP. VIII.

What became of Ragotins Foot:

COuld Ragotin by his own strength, and with∣out the assistance of his friends have un∣potted his foot, I mean, have drawn it out of the Pewter Gin, where it was so unhappily engaged, his anger would have lasted that whole day at least, but he was forced to abate somewhat of his natural Pride, and become meek, humbly intreat∣ing Destiny and Rancour to do their utmost to∣wards the recovery of the liberty of his left or right foot, I cannot justly tell which. He made no address to Olive, because of the late contest be∣twixt them: yet Olive came to his relief without any invitation, and both himself and his two As∣sociates did what they could to release him. The little Fellow's struglings to draw forth his foot himself, had made it swell very much, and their striving to wrench it out also, made it swell the more. Rancour had at first been very officious, but so unskilfully, or rather so maliciously, that

Ragotin feared he had lamed him to•• perpetuity; He prayed him earnestly not to trouble himself a∣ny more, and intreated the rest likewise to let it alone, and so laid himself down upon a bed till they should send for a Smith to file, or cut it off from his foot. The rest of that day passed over quietly enough in the Inn, and as sadly betwixt Destiny and Leander, the one very much troubled that his Messenger was not returned to bring him some News of his Mistress, as he had promised, and the other having no joy whilst absent from his dearest Madam Star; besides that, he resented the loss of Madam Angelica, and was grieved for Le∣ander, upon whose face he beheld such Characters of a deep affliction. Rancour and Olive soon made a match with some of the Inhabitants of that Village, who were playing at Bowls, and after Ragotin had set the Smith to work about his weigh∣ty clog, which was artificially taken away, he slept the remainder of the day, whether he were drow∣sie, or ashamed to appear amongst those that were witnesses of his Misfortunes, I know not. The dead man, was carried to his last home, and the Widdow, notwithstanding the thoughts and I∣mage of death was yet in her mind, did not forget to make a couple of strangers pay unreasonably for what they had of her, who baited there in their passage from Brittany to Paris. The Sun was newly set, when Destiny and Leander, who could not quit the Windore, beheld a Coach and four Horses, followed by three Horse-men and four or five Foot men that stopped at the Inn. A Maid Servant, came and desired them to surrender their

lodgding to the Company that was newly arrived, ••nd so Ragotin was forced to shew himself, though ••e was more willing to be confined to his Cham∣••er, and followed Destiny and Leander into that other Room, where he thought he had seen Ran∣cour give up the Ghost. Destiny was known in ••he Kitchin by one of these new comers, who was the same Counsellor of the Parlaiment of Renes, with whom he had contracted a kind of Friend∣ship during the Wedding, which proved so un∣happy to Madam Cave. This Senator of Brittany demanded of Destiny what News they had of Ma∣dam Angelica, and seemed sorrowful that they had not found her. He was called la Garouffiere, which makes me imagine he was rather an Angevin then a Bretton, for we do not meet with more of the low Trettons names beginning with Ker, then of Angevins that terminate in Jere, of Normans in Ville, of Picards in Cour, and of the people Borde∣ring the Garonne in Ac. To return to Mounsieur de la Garouffiere, he had wit enough as I have al∣ready told you, and did not look upon himself as a Country Gentleman only, having often quitted the place of his Birth, to spend his money and buy his breeding at the Ordnaries in Paris, cloathing himself either in a Mourning or Festi∣vous Garb, according to the Court standard, which being truly verified, and Registred, ought to be Patent not of absolute Nobility altogether; but of Non-Peasantry, or meer Citizen, if I may thus express it. Wit he had, moreover, as I say, which I infer from hence, because all the World almost is ambitious of being skilful in the Diver∣tisements

of Wit, as well those that really under∣stand, as the Ignorant, Presumptuous or Brutish, who judge rashly both of Verse and Prose; al∣though they think it some dishonour to write well, and would upon occasion reproach a man for having Printed some Books, as highly as if he had coined false money. The Comedians fare the better for this fondness to Wit and Poetry; They are the more welcome in those places where they go to Act: for they being the Poets Parrots or Mag-pies, and which is more, some of them being born to some small Talen••s in the Art, undertaking now and then to write a Play, either of their own stock, or of borrowed fragments, there is some honour and pleasure in being ac∣quainted with them. In these days, we have in some measure done justice to their Profession, for they are far better esteemed of, then they were wont, and truly, our Comedians does afford the people an innocent and happy Divertisement, which at the same instant instructs and pleaseth; They being purged at least of late, of all that was prophane or licentious. It were to be wished the houses were purged as severely from Pick pockets, Pages, and Footmen, and other ordures of the lower world, whom the hopes of stealing invites as much to come now, as the filthy Ribaldry and Farcing did heretofore. But now that Brothel-House jesting is quite abolished, and I dare affirm they have formerly approved and clapped up such pitiful, nay, Scurrilous Clinches and Equivocati∣ons, as would now make the most confident audi∣ence blush and hiss it down. But to end the di∣gression,

la Garouffiere was raised with joy to meet Destiny at the Inn, and made him engage to sup with the Company that came in the Coach, which consisted of the Bridegroom that came from Manse, and his Bride whom he was carrying to his Estate at Laval; besides Madam his Mo∣ther, a Gentleman of Provence, an Advocate of the Counsel, and Mounsieur de la Garouffiere, all of a kindred, and such as Destiny had conversed with at the Wedding where Madam Angelica was stoln away; add to all these I have just now named an Attendant or Chamber Maid, and you will guess the Coach was well filled, especially considering that Madam Bouvillon, so was the Bridegrooms Mothers name, was one of the most corpulent Women in France, though she were one of the shortest, for I have been seriously told that she carried about her most commonly, were it a dear or cheap year, at least thirty Quintals of flesh, besides the other materials weighty and solid, which go to the making up of a humane body. Having told you this, it will not be difficult to make you believe that she was very succulent or moist, as all such Women are; Supper was served in; Destiny appeared with his handsome Meen which never was changed, nor was then eclipsed by his foul Linnen, Leander having newly fur∣nished him with clean. He spake little as his cu∣stom was, but had he spoken as much as the rest, who indeed talked very much, perhaps he would not have said so many frivolous things as they did; la Garouffiere carved him of every thing that was on the Table, Madam Bouvillon did the like to

out-vie the other, with so little discretion, that all the dishes were emptied in a moment, and Destiny's Plate so full of wings and legs of Pullets, that I have since often wondred how they could with that haste and carelesness pile up such a vast Pyramide of meat, upon so small a Basis as the belly of a Trecher-plate; la Garouffiere took no no∣tice of it so earnestly was he repeating & discour∣sing of Poems to Destiny, and setting forth the sharpness of his wit and judgment. Madam Bou∣villon having her designs likewise, continued her good offices towards the Comedian, and finding no more Pullets to carve, was compelled to cut him some pieces of a Gigot of Mutton. He knew not where to place them and so held a piece in ei∣ther hand, as she had forced it upon him, looking about where he might bestow them; when the Gentleman, who was resolved not to hold his peace so much to the prejudice of his hunger, smil∣lingly, asked Destiny, whether he should eat all that which loaded his Plate? at wh••ch question Destiny cast his eye upon it••▪ and was amazed to see a heap of carved meat almost up to his mouth, which la Garouffiece, and Bouvillon had erected as a Trophy of his merits. He blushed, and could not refrain from laughter, which discountenanced Bouvillon, and made la Garouffiere laugh so hear∣tily, that it made the whole Company do the like four or five times together. The waiters began when their Masters left of, and laughed in their turns, which the young Bride found so pleasant, that breaking out into the like passion just as the Cup was at her mouth, she besprinkled her Mo∣ther

ther-in-laws, and Husbands face with all that was in the Glass, unless it were a little which flew a∣bout the Table, and their Cloaths that sate near her. The merry game began afresh, and all but Bouvillon laughed, while she grew red with anger, and looked upon the new Bride with a severe countenance, which somewhat abated her jollity, at last their laughing ceased, because one cannot laugh ever, every one wiped their eyes, Bouvillon and her Son dried their dripping faces, and the Bride craved their pardon, having much ado still to keep in her smiles. Destiny placed his Tren∣cher-plate in the midst of the Table, and so every one took their share. Nor could they talk of any other subject during the whole Supper-time, and the Raillery was carried on to the highest pitch, although the seriousness where with Bouvillon arm∣ed her self, might justly have been some allay to their Gaiety: As soon as they had taken away the Service, the Ladies retired to their Chambers; the Advocate and the Gentleman called for Cards and went to Piquet, la Garouffiere and Destiny who were none of those that know not what to do un∣less they plaid, entertained one another very spi∣ritually, and held the best conversation that ever was perhaps in any Inn belonging to the lower Main. La Garouffiere discoursed purposely, of such things as he thought stood in the dark, or were above a Comedian, whose judgments have most commonly limits more narrow then their memory, and Destiny entertained him like a very intelligent person, and one that was not a Novice in the world. Amongst other things, he did with

all the discretion imaginable, observe the distin∣ction betwixt Women that have a great deal of Wit, and do not make a show of it but when a fit occasion requires it, and those that have no more then what they prostitute every minute to make it be thought they have a greater stock. Besides, those that envy some petty Jeasters, Drolling qualities; laugh at Allusions and licen∣tious Equivocations; make dry Clinches of their own, and then applaud and admire them, and, in fine, are the make-Sports of such a Ward or Pa∣rish, from those that make up the Noble Society of the bravest Companies, and are of the truly renowned Caballas. He likewise discoursed of Women that knew as well how to write as many men that undertake it, and though they do not many times publish the productions of their wit, that shews only their greater modesty, not their meaner ability. La Garouffiere who was a very honest man, and was well skilled in the breeding of persons of all qualities, did much admire, that a man of the profession Destiny was of, should have such parts, above the rate of most of those that fol∣lowed such an employment. Whilst he admired him in his thoughts, the Advocate and Gentleman having left off their play, wrangling about a Card that was turned up, they all gaped as if they want∣ed sleep, and so a Servant came and made ready three beds in the same room, where they supped, Destiny retiring to his own Chamber where Le∣ander was in bed.