The Duke of York is in love with truth, the King with chastity, Buckingham with modesty of demeanour, Rochester with seemliness, Arlington with sincerity, and I, Simon--I do fairly worship discretion!" "Indeed I fear I can boast of little, sir." "You shall boast of none, and thereby show the more, Simon.

Come, there's the King." And he darted on, in equal good humour, as it seemed, with himself and me.

Moreover, he lost no time on his errand; for when I reached his side (since they who made way for him afforded me no such civility) he had not only reached the King's chair, but was half-way through his story of my answer to the Duke of York; all chance of stopping him was gone.
"Now I'm damned indeed," thought I; but I set my teeth, and listened with unmoved face.
At this moment the King was alone, save for ourselves and a little long-eared dog which lay on his lap and was incessantly caressed with his hand.

He heard his son's story with a face as impassive as I strove to render mine.

At the end he looked up at me, asking, "What are these liberties which are so dear to you, sir ?" My tongue had got me into trouble enough for one day, so I set its music to a softer tune.
"Those which I see preserved and honoured by your Majesty," said I, bowing.
Monmouth laughed, and clapped me on the back; but the King proceeded gravely: "And this Reformed Religion that you set above my orders ?" "The Faith, Sir, of which you are Defender." "Come, Mr Dale," said he, rather surly, "if you had spoken to my brother as skilfully as you fence with me, he would not have been angry." I do not know what came over me.