The traveller was hastening with all diligence to get to Strasburg that night. What a fool am I, said the traveller to himself, when he had rode about a league farther, to think of getting into Strasburg this night.— Strasburg! ⸺the great Strasburg! ⸺ Strasburg , the capital of all Alsatia! Strasburg , an imperial city! Strasburg , a sovereign state! Strasburg , garrisoned with five thousand of the best troops in all the world!—Alas! if I was at the gates of Strasburg this moment, I could not gain admittance into it for a ducat—nay a ducat and half—’tis too much⸺better go back to the last inn I have passed⸺than lie I know not where⸺or give I know not what. The traveller, as he made these reflections in his mind, turned his horse’s head about, and three minutes after the stranger had been conducted into his chamber, he arrived at the same inn.
⸻We have bacon in the house, said the host, and bread⸻and till eleven o’clock this night had three eggs in it⸺but a stranger, who arrived an hour ago, has had them dressed into an omelet, and we have nothing.⸻
Alas! said the traveller, harassed as I am, I want nothing but a bed.⸻I have one as soft as is in Alsatia , said the host.
⸺The stranger, continued he, should have slept in it, for ’tis my best bed, but upon the score of his nose.⸺⸺He has got a defluxion, said the traveller.⸺Not that I know, cried the host.⸺But ’tis a camp-bed, and Jacinta , said he, looking towards the maid, imagined there was not room in it to turn his nose in.⸻Why so? cried the traveller, starting back.—It is so long a nose, replied the host.⸺The traveller fixed his eyes upon Jacinta , then upon the ground—kneeled upon his right knee—had just got his hand laid upon his breast⸻Trifle not with my anxiety, said he, rising up again.⸺’Tis no trifle, said Jacinta , ’tis the most glorious nose!⸺The traveller fell upon his knee again—laid his hand upon his