The young Roman hero was represented by a broadfaced Batavian, in
a burgomaster's gown and a fur cap, sitting smoking his pipe at a
table furnished with a can of beer, a drinking glass, and a plate
of tobacco. The lady was such a person as Scipio might well be
supposed to give away, without any great effort of generosity; and
indeed the Celtiberian prince seemed to be of that opinion; for,
upon receiving her from the hand of the victor, he discovered none
of those transports of gratitude and joy which Livy describes in
recounting this event. The Dutch Scipio, however, was complaisant
enough in his way; for he desired her to sit at his right hand,
by the appellation of Ya frow, and with his own fingers filling
a clean pipe, presented it to Mynheer Allucio, the lover. The
rest of the economy of the piece was in the same taste; which was
so agreeable to the audience, that they seemed to have shaken off
their natural phlegm, in order to applaud the performance.
From the play our company adjourned to the house of their friend,
where they spent the evening; and the conversation turning upon
poetry, a Dutchman who was present, and understood the English
language, having listened very attentively to the discourse, lifted
up with both hands the greatest part of a Cheshire cheese that lay
upon the table, saying, "I do know vat is boetre.
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