Cap. IX.
Æſop brings hit Maſter a Gueſt That had no ſort of Curioſity in him.
XANTHUS laid hold of the Preſent Occaſion, and was willing enough to be furniſhed with a Staffe to beat a Dog. Well Sirrah, ſays he, ſince this Learned Gentleman is too Curious; go you your way's and find me out a Man that has no Curioſity at All, Or I'le Lace your Coate for ye. Æſop, the next day, Walked the whole Towne over on This Errand; and at Laſt, found out a Slovenly Lazy Fellow, Lolling at his Eaſe,as if he had Nothing to do, or to take care for; and ſo up to him he went in a Familiar Way, and Invited him to his Maſters to Supper. The Clown made no Ceremony of promiſing, but fell Preſently to asking what kind of Man his Maſter was? And what, ſays he, are we going juſt now? (for this Poor Devill look'd upon a Meales Meat Gratis, as a Bleſſing Dropt into his Mouth out of the Skies) Come (ſays Æſop) we are going this very Moment; and Wonderfully Glad he was to find by the Booby's Diſcourſe, That he had met with a Man ſo fit for his Purpoſe. Away they went together, and ſo ſtrait into the Parlour, where the Blockhead Throws Himſelfe downe Dirty and Beaſtly as he was, Upon a Rich Couch. After a very little While, in comes Xanthus to Supper, and asks Æſop who That Man was? Why This is the Man, ſays Æſop, that you ſent me for; that is to ſay a Man that has no Curioſity in him at All. Oh that's very well, ſays Xanthus, and then told his Wife in her eare, That if ſhe would but be a Loving and Obedient Wife to him, and do as he bad her, he would now ſave her Longing, for, ſays he, I have been a Great while Seeking for an Occaſion to pick a Quarrell with Æſop, and I have found it at laſt. After this Whiſper, Xanthus takes a Turn in the Parlour, and calls aloud to his Wife. Heark ye Sweet Heart, ſays he, go fetch ſome Water, and Waſh the Feet of my Gueſt here. Away ſhe goes, brings a Baſon to the ſide of the Couch, where the Clown was lay'd at his Length, and bad him put forth his Feet for her to Waſh them. Xanthus Little thought he would have done it. But the Clown, after a Little Stumble within himſelf, that 'twas fitter for the Maid to do't, then the Miſtreſs; Well ſays he, If it be the Cuſtome of the Family, 'tis
