MASC. Stop, chairman, stop. Easy does it! Easy, easy! I think these
boobies intend to break me to pieces by bumping me against the walls and
the pavement.
1 CHAIR. Ay, marry, because the gate is narrow and you would make us
bring you in here.
MASC. To be sure, you rascals! Would you have me expose the fulness of
my plumes to the inclemency of the rainy season, and let the mud receive
the impression of my shoes? Begone; take away your chair.
2 CHAIR. Then please to pay us, sir.
MASC. What?
2 CHAIR. Sir, please to give us our money, I say.
MASC. (_Giving him a box on the ear_). What, scoundrel, to ask money
from a person of my rank!
2 CHAIR. Is this the way poor people are to be paid? Will your rank get
us a dinner?
MASC. Ha, ha! I shall teach you to keep your right place. Those low
fellows dare to make fun of me!
1 CHAIR. (_Taking up one of the poles of his chair_). Come, pay us
quickly.
MASC. What?
1 CHAIR. I mean to have my money at once.
MASC. That is a sensible fellow.
1 CHAIR. Make haste, then.
MASC. Ay, you speak properly, but the other is a scoundrel, who does not
know what he says. There, are you satisfied?
1 CHAIR. No, I am not satisfied; you boxed my friend's ears, and ...
(_holding up his pole_).
MASC. Gently; there is something for the box on the ear. People may get
anything from me when they go about it in the right way. Go now, but
come and fetch me by and by to carry me to the Louvre to the _petit
coucher_.
[Footnote: Louis XIV. and several other Kings of France, received their
courtiers when rising or going to bed. This was called _lever_ and
_coucher_. The _lever_ as well as the _coucher_ was divided into _petit_
and _grand_. All persons received at court had a right to come to the
_grand lever_ and _coucher_, but only certain noblemen of high rank and
the princes of the royal blood could remain at the _petit lever_ and
_coucher_, which was the time between the king putting on either a day
or night shirt, and the time he went to bed or was fully dressed. The
highest person of rank always claimed the right of handing to the king
his shirt.]