A _Tavern Reckoning_ paid with a _Song_.
A Hungry Traveller stept into an Eating-House for his Dinner, and when
he had filled his Belly, mine Host brought him his Reckoning. Well, says
the Traveller, I must e’en Pay you with a Song now; for I have not one
Penny of Money. T’other told him in short, that his Business was Money,
not Musick. But what if I should give you a _Song_ yet that shall Content
you? (says the Man again,) Will you not take that for Satisfaction? Yes,
says the Victualler, if I like it. So he fell to Singing I know not how
many Songs, one after another; But the Master told him in one Word, that
Songs would pay no Scores where he had to do. Well (says the Songster,)
Let me try but once more now, and I shall go near to fit ye. So he took
out his Purse as if he would open it, and at the same time Sung him a
Song with this _Bob_ to’t, _Out with your Purse, and Pay your Host_. How
d’ye like this now? (says the Traveller!) Oh very well, says mine Host.
Why I thought I should fit you at last with a Song that would Please you,
quoth the other, and so he went away.
The MORAL.
_There are some ways of Fooling that do the Business of Skill and
Address._