_Tempore mutato de nobis fabula narratur._
Decio, a man of great figure, that had large commissions for sugar from
several parts beyond sea, treats about a considerable parcel of that
commodity with Alcander, an eminent West India merchant; both understood
the market very well, but could not agree. Decio was a man of substance,
and thought nobody ought to buy cheaper than himself. Alcander was the
same, and not wanting money, stood for his price. Whilst they were
driving their bargain at a tavern near the Exchange, Alcander’s man
brought his master a letter from the West Indies, that informed him of a
much greater quantity of sugars coming for England than was expected.
Alcander now wished for nothing more than to sell at Decio’s price,
before the news was public; but being a cunning fox, that he might not
seem too precipitant, nor yet lose his customer, he drops the discourse
they were upon, and putting on a jovial humour, commends the
agreeableness of the weather; from whence falling upon the delight he
took in his gardens, invites Decio to go along with him to his country
house, that was not above twelve miles from London. It was in the month
of May, and as it happened upon a Saturday in the afternoon, Decio, who
was a single man, and would have no business in town before Tuesday,
accepts of the other’s civility, and away they go in Alcander’s coach.
Decio was splendidly entertained that night and the day following; the
Monday morning, to get himself an appetite, he goes to take the air upon
a pad of Alcander’s, and coming back meets with a gentleman of his
acquaintance, who tells him news was come the night before that the
Barbadoes fleet was destroyed by a storm; and adds, that before he came
out, it had been confirmed at Lloyd’s coffee-house, where it was thought
sugars would rise twenty-five per cent. by change time. Decio returns to
his friend, and immediately resumes the discourse they had broke off at
the tavern. Alcander who, thinking himself sure of his chap, did not
design to have moved it till after dinner, was very glad to see himself
so happily prevented; but how desirous soever he was to sell, the other
was yet more eager to buy; yet both of them afraid of one another, for a
considerable time counterfeited all the indifference imaginable, till at
last Decio, fired with what he had heard, thought delays might prove
dangerous, and throwing a guinea upon the table, struck the bargain at
Alcander’s price. The next day they went to London; the news proved
true, and Decio got five hundred pounds by his sugars. Alcander, whilst
he had strove to overreach the other, was paid in his own coin: yet all
this is called _fair dealing_; but I am sure neither of them would have
desired to be done by, as they did to each other.
_Fable of the Bees_, 1725.
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