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that George would not metre the first words that he would say to him in the morning. when newly awaked out of his sleep; so the gentleman went the night before and told George the story, and bade him be on his guard for in the morning they would certainly come, and that very early. At midnight, if they will, says George, I will order my servant to let them in.
So the English squire sat up all night conferring with his friends, whether to put a high verse to him, or mean simple words; thinking that George would be sitting up all night meditating on an answer: so they all agreed, that mean and simple words he would not be thinking on, and have no answer provided for such. So away they came in the morning very early, with several gentlemen in company to hear the diversion. George's servant opened the door, according to his master's orders. The squire entered the room first and awaked George out of his sleep, then said,
Rise up you madman and put on your clothes.
[To which George answered]
O thou hast lost thy wad man, for I am none of those,
The 'squire confessed he was fairly beat, and would match with him no more. Then another gentlemen would hold five guineas, that he would give him a word or line which he could not metre at the first answer, and to answer it directly as soon as he was
done speaking: but George ordered him first to table the money, and then to proceed, which he did in all haste, and said as follows:
My belly rumbled, and then I farted.
(George gripping the money, answered),
A fool and his money is soon parted.
Then they all cried out lie was fairly beaten, and what George had said was really true: but he would never lay any more wagers concerning poetry.
