L'Estrange's translation (1692)
A BRAGGING TRAVELLER
A vain Fellow that had been abroad in the World, would still be tiring all Peoples Ears at his Return with Stories of his wonderful Actions and Adventures in his Travels; and particularly, he told of a Leap he took at Rhodes, that no Body there could come within six Foot on't. Now this (says he) I am able to prove by several Witnesses upon the Place. If this be true (says one of the Company) there's no need of going to Rhodes for Witness: Do but you fansy this to be Rhodes, and then shew us the Leap.
THE MORAL. Travellers have a kind of Privilege to romance it, and to tell Stories at large. And for those that doubt the Truth of the Matter, they had e'en better pass it over than go to disprove it.
Townsend's translation (1887)
The Boasting Traveler
A Man who had traveled in foreign lands boasted very much, on returning to his own country, of the many wonderful and heroic feats he had performed in the different places he had visited. Among other things, he said that when he was at Rhodes he had leaped to such a distance that no man of his day could leap anywhere near him as to that, there were in Rhodes many persons who saw him do it and whom he could call as witnesses. One of the bystanders interrupted him, saying: "Now, my good man, if this be all true there is no need of witnesses. Suppose this to be Rhodes, and leap for us."
