’Tis an Old Saying, That _Listners never hear Well of Themselves_; and
_Mercury_’s Curiosity Sped accordingly in this Fable. All Vain Men that
Affect Popularity, are apt to Fancy, that Other People have the same
Opinion of Them, that they have of themselves; but nothing goes Nearer
the Heart of ’em then to meet with Contempt, instead of Applause, Esteem,
and Reputation. They Muster up All their Commissions and Charters; as
_Mercury_ Values himself here, upon the Relation he had to _Jupiter_;
whose _Pimp_ he is, and That’s his Bus’ness. He gives to Understand also
what a Friend the _Artizans_ had at Court, and All too Little, to gain
him the Respect, but so much as of a Common Messenger.