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I perceive there is one particular card in the pack you have not explained to me.
J. What is that my Lord?
N. Jack, when you were ſhuffling the cards, you paſt from the Queen to the ten and laid by the Knave, doth it put you in mind of nothing?
J. That is right, my Lord I had like to have forgot, when I look upon the Knave, it puts me in mind of your Lordship——
N. What villain, do you count me a Knave before my face?
J. No my Lord, you miſapprehend me, I mean your Lordſhip’s informer.
N. If ſo Jack, I freely forgive you; ’tis pretty well turned.
On which the Nobleman was ſo well pleaſed with the ready turns of wit and humour which he found in Jack, that he preferr’d him to the higheſt place in his ſervice, doubled his wages, and diſcharged the informer, who ſoon after died, and the following Epitaph was ſet over his grave.
EPITAPH.
STAY, Reader, and piſs here, for it is ſaid,
Under this ſtone a ſly informer's laid,
| Who ſtudied nothing all his life throughout, | |
| But miſchief, till his own deſtruction wrought, | |
| His neighbour's ill was what he chiefly fought. |
If Heav'n be pleas'd, when Mortals ceaſe to ſin;
If Hell be pleas'd, when Villains enter in;
Or Earth be pleas'd, when it entombs a Knave,
Sure all are pleas'd—the Rogue is in his grave.
FINIS.
