AN OSTLER

Is a thing that scrubbeth unreasonably his horse, reasonably himself. He

consists of travellers, though he be none himself. His highest ambition

is to be host, and the invention of his sign is his greatest wit, for

the expressing whereof he sends away the painters for want of

understanding. He hath certain charms for a horse mouth, that he should

not eat his hay; and behind your back he will cozen your horse to his

face. His curry-comb is one of his best parts, for he expresseth much by

the jingling; and his mane-comb is a spinner's card turned out of

service. He puffs and blows over your horse, to the hazard of a double

jug, and leaves much of the dressing to the proverb of _muli mutuo

scabient_, one horse rubs another. He comes to him that calls loudest,

not first; he takes a broken head patiently, but the knave he feels it

not; utmost honesty is good fellowship, and he speaks northern, what

countryman soever. He hath a pension of ale from the next smith and

saddler for intelligence; he loves to see you ride, and hold your

stirrup in expectation.

Character Writings of the Seventeenth Century · 第 58 / 429 题