"Who am I that I should solve it ?" "It baffles you, sir Fool ?" quoth he.
"In very truth it does." I ruefully wagged my head so that my bells set up a jangle.

"For the rider is a man and the ridden a horse.

But," I pursued, in that back-biting strain, which is the very essence of the jester's wit, "were you to make a trio of us, including Messer Ramiro del' Orca, Captain in the army of his Holiness, no doubt would then afflict me.

I should never hesitate which of the three to pronounce the ass." "What shall that mean ?" he asked, with darkening brows.
"That its meaning proves obscure to you confirms the verdict I was hinting at," I taunted him.

"For asses are notoriously of dull perceptions." Then stepping forward briskly: "Come, sir," I sharply urged him, "whilst we engage upon this pretty play of wit, his Excellency's business waits, which is an ill thing.