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No doubt, answered Phanor, and you will find I understand this finesse; for my play ends with four verses, which tell the spectators it has a moral purport; though I can assure you, without seeking to raise myself in your esteem, I had no other purpose but that of displaying my superior abilities. But let us go on to the fourth act.
Pray, my lord, must we laugh still? said Tarsis.
O! I understand you, returned Phanor: silence, if you please, and listen.
During the last three scenes of this act, Learchus and Tarsis several times endeavoured to burst into a laugh, and the genius, reclining toward Zoram, said softly, Do you not observe? Envy will not let them laugh, only from the teeth outward; how the hag gnaws their hearts! This is much more flattering to me, than all the praises they could possibly give, for my vanity is equally clear-sighted and delicate.
As soon as he had ended, the genius rose, rubbed his hands, and smiling, said, These
