THE LIFE OF AESOP

Translated by Sir Roger L'Estrange

CHAPTER VIII
An Entertainment of Neats Tongues

 

SOME few days after the Ratification of this Peace, Xanthus invited
several Philosophers of his Acquaintance to supper with him, and
charges AEsop to make the best Provision he could think of, for
their Entertainment. AEsop had a Wit waggish enough, and this
general Commission furnish'd him with Matter to work upon. So
soon as ever the Guests were set down at the Table, Xanthus calls
for Supper, and expected no less than a very splendid Treat. The
first Service was Neats Tongues sliced, which the Philosophers took
occasion to discourse and quibble upon in a grave formal way, as
the Tongue (for the purpose) is the Oracle of Wisdom, and the like.
Xanthus, upon this, calls for a second Course, and after that for a
third, and so for a fourth, which were all Tongues, over and over
again still, only several ways dressed, some boiled, others fry'd,
and some again serv'd up in Soupe, which put Xanthus into a
furious Passion. Thou Villain, says he, is that according to my
Order, to have nothing but Tongues upon Tongues? Sir, says AEsop,
without any Hesitation, since it is my ill Fortune to fall under this
Accusation, I do appeal to all these learned Persons whether I have
done well or ill, and paid that respect to your Order which I ought
to do.
  Your Order was, That I should make the best Provision that
I could think of, for the Entertainment of these excellent Persons,
and if the Tongue be the Key that leads us into all Knowledge, what
could be more proper and suitable than a Feast of Tongues for a
philosophical Banquet?

  When Xanthus found the Sense of the Table to be on AEsop's
side: Well, my Friends, says he, pray will you eat with me to
Morrow, and I'll try if I can mend your Chear; and Mr. Major
Domo, says he to AEsop, let it be the Care of your Gravity and
Wisdom to provide us a Supper to morrow, of the very worst
things you can think of.

 

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