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.

CHAP. IX.

Another Misfortune befalls Ragotin.

RAncour and Ragotin lodged together, as for Olive, he wasted part of the night in sowing his Cloaths which were ripped in divers places when he grappled with the Cholerick Ragotin. Those that were acquainted with this little fellow particularly, have observed, that when ever he scuffled with any one, which was frequently e∣nough, he had always either unripped, or torn part or all his enemies Cloaths. That was his sure re∣venge, so that such as were to deal with him at fisty-cuffs, must have been as watchful to defend their Cloaths from his direful Claws, as others are wary to save their faces at Foils. Rancour asked him when he was going to bed whether he felt any hurt, because his countenance looked very ill; Ragotin replied he never found himself better. It was not long ere they fell asleep, and it hapned well for Ragotin, that Rancour bare some respect to the good Company that was then at the Inn, and would not disturb their repose: had it not been for them, the small Mounsieur had probably passed, but an unquiet Night. Olive the mean while was hard at work about his Cloaths, and ha∣ving

finished all that was amiss about them, he stole up Ragotins Cloaths, and as artificially as any Tailor could have contrived it, he cut both the Breeches and Doublet a great deal less in the waste, and put them, after they were neatly sow∣ed into the same place again, and having wasted the greatest part of the Night in ripping, cutting and sowing, crept into the same bed with Ragotin and Rancour. They rose early, as people usually do in such Inns, where there is a perpetual noise as soon as day appears. Rancour told Ragotin, again, that he looked, very ill; Olive assured him so to: he began to believe them, and finding his Cloaths at the same time too strait for him, by an Inch or two, he apprehended that his body was swollen to that proportion, and was affrighted at the sud∣den accident. Rancour and Olive continued to exagerate his unhealthy Meen, and Destiny and Leander whom they had acquainted with the plot, did each of them tell him he was hugely changed. Poor Ragotin stood amazed with tears in his eyes, which made Destiny smile a little, at which he was extreme angry. He went into the Kitchin be∣longing to the Inn, where every body repeated what the Comedians had before said to him, which seconded likewise by the strangers who having along Journey to go that day, had made themselves ready very early. They invited the Comedians to Breakfast with them, where every man drank poor sick Ragotins health, who instead of returning their civilities, went snarling away, to the Chirurgeon of the Town, to whom he rela∣ted his malady. The Chirurgion discoursed of

the cause and the effect of his swelling Disease which he understood as little as the Algebra, and talked to him a quarter of an hour in his terms of Art, which were no more to the purpose of that subject, then if he had talked of Prester-John. Ragotin grew impatient, and swearing admirably for a little man, asked him, whether he had no∣thing else to say. The Chirurgeon would have continued his prating; and Ragotin would needs beat him, and had done so, if he had not humbled himself before his impatient patient, from whom he drew three Sawcers full of blood, and applied Cupping-glasses to his Shoulders at all adventure. The Cure was no sooner done, when Leander came, and told him that if he would promise him not to be angry, he would discover a piece of Roguery that had been practised against him. He promised more then the other desired, and enga∣ged upon his eternal damnation to observe all he had promised. Leander told him, he would witness to what he swore, and so led him home to the Inn, where in the presence of all, both Ma∣sters and Servants, he made him swear afresh, and then declared how they had used his Cloaths. Ragotin did at the first grow red with shame, and was going to break his execrable Oaths, when se∣ven or eight of them did put him in mind of the danger he ran, with so much vehemence, that al∣though he swore heartily, there were none could understand him. He left speaking; but the o∣thers ceased not from bawling in his Ears, so loud, and long, that the poor man thought he should have lost his hearing. In fine, he came off

better then they expected, and began to sing with all his might, any Song that came first to his me∣mory, which converted their clamorous speaking into a greater shout of laughter, which was an∣swered, not only from the gazing Servants in that place, but thorow all the Rooms of the Inn, to which different occasions had called in a great di∣versity of Company. Whilst the Eccho's of so much laughter does by little and little vanish in the air, the faithful Chronologist ends this pre∣sent Chapter, with the leave of the Courteous or Discourteous Reader, or what ever he be that shall be so fond as to read this Story.