Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-04-25
MEsgEAH:asyNls'ElEsous q N F
Specimens Of Wit.
SOME HISTORIC FLASHES OF SPON-
FAMOUS HUMOR.

Generally speaking, the strong
have refused to put up with testing
from the weak. The Car Nicholas,
who had some fine qualities, was
hardened against meditated act Of
clemency by the undaunted spirit of
of a prisoner. Relief, man of
letters, had been implicated in the
conspiracy Of 1925 and sentenced to
be hanged. He was launched from
the fatal ladder, when the rope broke
and he was thrown to the ground,
severely bruised, but conscious. He
picked himself up and said quietly,
"They can do nothing in Russia,
not even twine cord properly" 1t
was customary in Russia to pardon
the condemned after similar fiascO,
but on Relieff's words being re-
ported to the cZar and his pleasure
demanded he replied, Prove him
the contrary"
Henry VIII, with all his violence
and Tyranny, could bear with a re-
tort as well as give one, for he loved
wit. When it was told that the pope
had sent the cardinals hat to Fisher,
bishop Of Rochester, he said, "He
may have the hat, but he shall have
no head to wear it with" and the
bishop was brought to the block.
On one occasion the turbulent Earl
of Kildare was brought before the
king, charged with setting fire to
the cathedral of Cashel. 81 own
it," said the earl, "but l never
wonld have done it had / not be-
lieved the archbishop was in it,"
Henry laughed and pardoned the
culprit. His bitterest enemy was
the bishop of Meath, who accused
him to Henry of divers misdeeds and
closed his arraignment with, "Thus,
my liege, you See that all Ireland
cannot govern the earl"
"Then," said the perverse mon
arch, "the earl shall rule all Ire
land" and instantly made him lord
deputy because his good humor
equaled his valor.
Elizabeth resembled her father in
her willingness to put up with re.
torts from saucy subjects and to pay
them back in kind, not always with
the greatest refinement. The little
scene with the ill-fated Earl of Es-
sex, when she boxed his ears for in
sOIence and he laid his hand on his
sword, saying that he would not take
such treatment even from her father,
is familiar to every one.
Going back TO still earlier dates,
we constantly find the imperious
Plantagenet kings giving and receiv'
ing retorts that bear witness OF great
Independence among some OF their
powerful subjects. 1t was Edward
/ who, on the refusal of the " Black
Dog of Warwick" to join the king
with vassals and supplies for war,
I" Sir Earl, you shall either go OF
hang" The retort was, "SiX lex,
| will neither go nor hang"
Henry w of France was good
natnred above most monarchs in rep
artee. As a rule, it is Impossible &c
reproduce in conventional English
dress the tests of this wise and witty
ring. On one occasion 1t was the
turn of NJ. d'Aubigne TO sleep in the
kings antechamber. Fancying the
monarch was asleep, he began tt
talk to NJ. de la Force, who shared
his watch, saying, Your master IL
the most ungrateful Of men," L'
Force, half asleep, asked him VIVA
he was talking about, when Henry
cried out: Wake up! He is tell
ing you I am the most ungratefui o.
men," .,
"Pray, go to sleep, sire" inter
rupted D'Aubigne. we nave
a great deal more to say about you
Henry never showed less kindlines'
to his servant on account OF what M
had overheard. 81
But the cynical generosity o.
Frederick the Great is unique. A
Iackev who owed him grudge hao
determined to poison him. one
mornInp he brought in the king''
chocolate and appeared visibly trou
bIed in countenance. "What an
von on said Frederick, looking hx
sdIv at him. "You look as you lns mac
, nut poison in my food" @ In'
ppretch p fell at his feet and avowet
Sis crime. "Get out Of my sight
uou @ scoundrel ~ said Frederick ane