In your way, the
wit of man shall not prevent this or the like inconvenience; but
if this (for I have conferred with artists) be a mathematical
demonstration, I could kneel to you, that ere it be too late we
might return to some kind of sobriety. "If we empty our purses
with these pomps, salaries, coaches, lackeys, and pages, what can
the people say less than that we have dressed a Senate and a
prerogative for nothing but to go to the park with the ladies?"
My Lord Archon, whose meekness resembled that of Moses,
vouchsafed this answer:
"My LORDS:
"For all this, I can see my Lord Epimonus every night in the
park, and with ladies; nor do I blame this in a young man, or the
respect which is and ought to be given to a sex that is one-half
of the commonwealth of mankind, and without which the other would
be none: but our magistrates, I doubt, may be somewhat of the
oldest to perform this part with much acceptation; and, as the
Italian proverb says, 'Servire e non gradire e cosa da far
morire.' Wherefore we will lay no certain obligation upon them in
this point, but leave them, if it please you, to their own fate
or discretion. But this (for I know my Lord Epimonus loves me,
though I can never get his esteem) I will say, if he had a
mistress should use him so, he would find it a sad life; or I
appeal to your lordships, how I can resent it from such a friend,
that he puts king piper's politics in the balance with mine.
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