The war with the Dutch on these accounts.
"When I used to reprimand him for his tricks he would talk saucily, lie, and brazen it out as if he had done nothing amiss.

'Will nothing cure thee of thy pranks, Nic. ?' quoth I; 'I shall be forced some time or other to chastise thee.' The rogue got up his cane and threatened me, and was well thwacked for his pains.

But I think his behaviour at this time worst of all; after I have almost drowned myself to keep his head above water, he would leave me sticking in the mud, trusting to his goodness to help me out.

After I have beggared myself with his troublesome lawsuit, with a plague to him! he takes it in mighty dudgeon because I have brought him here to end matters amicably, and because I won't let him make me over by deed and indenture as his lawful cully, which to my certain knowledge he has attempted several times.

But, after all, canst thou gather grapes from thorns?
Nic.