_Mr. Punch_. Nay, Kaiser; 'tis not the actual Triple, but the
conceivable Quadruple, that perturbs the importunates. _We_ Three form
an informal but fast-knit trinity, that can offend none but churls,
and affright none but dullards. Peace, Goodfellowship, Wit! By my
bauble, a triad that PYTHAGORAS himself might have favoured! Talking
of Threes, Kaiser, it's your third visit to us--and, believe me, you
are thrice welcome.
_Emperor_. "Yea, and I thank your pretty sweet wit for it. But
look you, pray, all you that kiss my lady Peace at home" (as _Jack
Falstaff_ put it), that--you gird not too suspiciously at those who
would fain embrace her abroad!
_Mr. Punch_. Well quoted, Sir, though not directed to _mine_ address.
But "A good wit will make use of anything. I will turn diseases to
commodity." Two diseases of the time are, faction and fussiness--the
one a fever, the other a prurigo. The one makes little of greatness,
the other makes much of littleness. You have been the mark of both,
young Hohenzollern!
_Emperor_. "An't please you, it is the disease of not listening, the
malady of not marking, that _I_ am troubled withal.
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