Scientiarum atque Literature politioris _vindici et omnium præstantissimo, ac nominis immortalitatem scriptis æviternis jure _consecuto_, S.P.Q. ROTERODAMUS.
Ne quod tantis apud se suosque posteros _virtutibus_ præmium deesset, _Statuam_ hanc ex sere publico erigendam curaverunt.
On the right Side are these Verses of _Nicholas Heinsius_.
_Barbariæ talem se debellator_ Erasmus, _Maxima laus Batavi nominis, ore tulit.
Reddidit, en, fatis, Ars obluctata sinistris, De tanto spolium nacta quod urna viro est.
Ingenii cæleste jubar, majusque caduco Tempore qui reddat, solus_ Erasmus _erit_.
On the left Side, and behind, there is an Inscription in the _Dutch_ Language, much to the Purport of the first Inscription. On the House where _Erasmus_ was born, formerly was this Inscription.
_Hæc est parva Domus, magnus quâ natus_ Erasmus.
The same House being rebuilt and enlarged, has the following Inscription.
_Ædibus his ortus Mundum decoravit_ Erasmus, _Artibus ingenuis, Religione, Fide_.
As for his Stature, he was neither very low nor very tall, his Body well set, proportioned and handsome, neither fat nor lean, but of a nice and tender Constitution, and easily put out of Order with the least Deviation from his ordinary Way of Living; he had from his Childhood so great an Aversion to eating of Fish, that he never attempted it without the Danger of his Life, and therefore obtain'd a Dispensation from the Pope from eating Fish in _Lent_, as appears by the Story of _Eras_, (as he stiles himself) in the Colloquy call'd _Ichthyophagia_. He was of a fair and pale Complexion, had a high Forehead, his Hair, in his younger Years, inclining to yellow, his Nose pretty long, a little thick at the End, his Mouth something large, but not ill made, his Eyes grey but lively, his Countenance chearful and pleasant, his Voice small, but musical, his Speech distinct and plain, pleasant and jocose, his Gaite handsome and grave; he had a, most happy Memory and acute Wit, he was very constant to his Friend, and exceeding liberal to those that were under Necessity, especially to studious and hopeful Youths, and to such as were destitute in their Journey: In his Conversation he was very pleasant and affable, free from peevish and morose Humours, but very witty and satyrical. It is related, that when _Erasmus_ was told, that _Luther_ had married and gotten the famous _Catharine Bora_ with Child, he should in a jesting Manner say, that, if according to the popular Tradition, _Antichrist_ was to be begotten between a Monk and a Nun, the World was in a fair Way now to have a Litter of Antichrists.
I shall conclude with the Character given of _Erasmus_ by Mr. _Thomas Brown_, who comparing him with _Lucian_, says, That whereas _Erasmus_ had translated Part of his Dialogues into _Latin_, he had made _Lucian_ the Pattern of his Colloquies, and had copied his Graces with that Success, that it is difficult to say which of the two was the Original.
That both of them had an equal Aversion to austere, sullen, designing Knaves, of what Complexion, Magnitude, or Party soever. That both of them were Men of Wit and Satyr, but that _Erasmus_, according to the Genius of his Country, had more of the Humourist in him than _Lucian_, and in all Parts of Learning was infinitely his Superior. That _Lucian_ liv'd in an Age, when Fiction and Fable had usurp'd the Name of Religion, and Morality was debauch'd by a Set of sowr Scoundrels, Men of Beard and Grimace, but scandalously lewd and ignorant, who yet had the Impudence to preach up Virtue, and stile themselves Philosophers, perpetually clashing with one another about the Precedence of their several Founders, the Merits of their different Sects, and if it is possible, about Trifles of less Importance; yet all agreeing in a different Way, to dupe and amuse the poor People by the fantastick Singularity of their Habits, the unintelligible Jargon of their Schools, and their Pretentions to a severe and mortified Life. This motly Herd of Jugglers _Lucian_ in a great Measure help'd to chase out of the World, by exposing them in their proper Colours.
But in a few Generations after him, a new Generation sprung up in the World, well known by the Name of Monks and Friars, differing from the former in Religion, Garb, and a few other Circumstances, but in the main, the same individual Imposters; the same everlasting Cobweb-Spinners as to their nonsensical Controversies, the same abandon'd Rakehells as to their Morals; but as for the mysterious Arts of heaping up Wealth, and picking the Peoples Pockets, as much superior to their Predecessors the _Pagan_ Philosophers, as an overgrown Favourite that cheats a whole Kingdom, is to a common Malefactor.
These were the sanctified Cheats, whose Follies and Vices _Erasmus_ has so effectually lash'd, that some Countries have entirely turn'd these Drones out of their Cells, and in other Places where they are still kept, they are grown contemptible to the highest Degree, and oblig'd to be always upon their Guard.
THE OF DESIDERIUS ERASMUS, OF _ROTERDAM_.
_This Colloquy teaches Courtesy and Civility in Saluting, who, when, and by what Title we ought to Salute_.
_At the First Meeting_.
A Certain Person teaches, and not without Reason, that we should Salute freely. For a courteous and kind Salutation oftentimes engages Friendship, and reconciles Persons at Variance, and does undoubtedly nourish and increase a mutual Benevolence. There are indeed some Persons that are such Churls, and of so clownish a Disposition, that if you salute them, they will scarcely salute you again. But this Vice is in some Persons rather the Effect of their Education, than their natural Disposition.
It is a Piece of Civility to salute those that come in your Way; either such as come to us, or those that we go to speak with. And in like Manner such as are about any Sort of Work, either at Supper, or that yawn, or hiccop, or sneeze, or cough. But it is the Part of a Man that is civil even to an Extreme, to salute one that belches, or breaks Wind backward. But he is uncivilly civil that salutes one that is making Water, or easing Nature.
God save you Father, God save you little Mother, God save you Brother, God save you my worthy Master, God save you heartily Uncle, God save you sweet Cousin.
It is courteous to make Use of a Title of Relation or Affinity, unless when it carries something of a Reflection along with it, then indeed it is better not to use such Titles, tho' proper; but rather some that are more engaging, as when we call a Mother in Law, Mother; a Son in Law, Son; a Father in Law, Father; a Sister's Husband, Brother; a Brother's Wife, Sister: And the same we should do in Titles, either of Age or Office. For it will be more acceptable to salute an antient Man by the Name of Father, or venerable Sir, than by the Sirname of Age; altho' in antient Times they used to make use of [Greek: hô geron], as an honourable Title. God save you Lieutenant, God save you Captain; but not God save you Hosier or Shoe-maker. God save you Youth, or young Man. Old Men salute young Men that are Strangers to them by the Name of Sons, and young Men again salute them by the Name of Fathers or Sirs.
_A more affectionate Salutation between Lovers_.
God save you my little _Cornelia_, my Life, my Light, my Delight, my Sweet-heart, my Honey, my only Pleasure, my little Heart, my Hope, my Comfort, my Glory.
_Either for the Sake of Honour or otherwise_.
_Sal._ O Master, God bless ye.
_Ans._ Oh! Good Sir, I wish you the same.
_Sal._ God bless you most accomplish'd, and most famous Sir. God bless you again and again thou Glory of Learning. God save you heartily my very good Friend. God save you my _Mæcenas_.
_Ans._ God save you my Singular Patron, God save you most approv'd Sir.
God save you, the only Ornament of this Age. God bless you, the Delight of _Germany_.
_Sal._ God bless you all together. God bless you all alike.
_Ans._ God bless you my brave Boys.
_Sal._ God save you merry Companion. God bless you Destroyer of Wine.
_Ans._ God bless you Glutton, and unmerciful Devourer of Cakes.
_Sal._ God bless you heartily President of all Virtue.
_Ans._ God bless you in like Manner, Pattern of universal Honesty.
_Sal._ God save you little old Woman of Fifteen Years of Age.
_Ans._ God save you Girl, eighty Years old.
_Sal._ Much good may it do you with your bald Pate.
_Ans._ And much good may it do you with your slit Nose. As you salute, so you shall be saluted again. If you say that which is ill, you shall hear that which is worse.
_Sal._ God save you again and again.
_Ans._ God save you for ever and ever.
_Sal._ God save you more than a thousand Times.
_Ans._ In truth I had rather be well once for all.
_Sal._ God bless you as much as you can desire.
_Ans._ And you as much as you deserve.
_Sal._ I wish you well.
_Ans._ But what if I won't be so? In truth I had rather be sick, than to enjoy the Health that you want.
God bless your Holiness, Your Greatness, Your Highness, Your Majesty, Your Beatitude, Your High Mightiness, are Salutations rather us'd by the Vulgar, than approv'd by the Learned.
_In the Third Person_.
_Sapidus_ wishes Health to his _Erasmus_.
_Sapidus_ salutes his _Beatus_, wishing him much Health.
_Sal._ God bless you _Crito_, I wish you well good Sir.
_Ans._ And I wish you better. Peace be to thee Brother, is indeed a Christian Salutation, borrow'd from the _Jews_: but yet not to be rejected. And of the like Kind is, A happy Life to you.
_Sal._ Hail Master.
_Ans._ In truth I had rather have than crave.
_Sal._ [Greek: Chaire].
_Ans._ Remember you are at _Basil_, and not _Athens_.
_Sal._ How do you then dare to speak _Latin_ when you are not at _Rome_?
And to wish well is a Sort of Salutation.
God send you a good Delivery, and that you may make your Husband Father of a fine Child. May the Virgin Mother make you a happy Mother. I wish that this swell'd Belly may asswage happily. Heaven grant that this Burthen you carry, whatsoever it is, may have as easy an out-coming as it had an in-going. God give you a good Time.
_To Guests_.
Happy be this Feast. Much good may it do all the Company. I wish all Happiness to you all. God give you a happy Banquet.
_To one that sneezes._ May it be lucky and happy to you. God keep you. May it be for your Health. God bless it to you.
_To one that is about to begin any Business._ May it prove happy and prosperous for the Publick Good. May that you are going about be an universal Good. God prosper what you are about. God bless your Labours. God bless your Endeavours. I pray that by God's Assistance you may happily finish what you have begun. May Christ in Heaven prosper what is under your Hand. May what you have begun end happily. May what you are set about end happily. You are about a good Work, I wish you a good End of it, and that propitious Heaven may favour your pious Undertakings. Christ give Prosperity to your Enterprise. May what you have undertaken prosper. I heartily beg of Almighty God that this Design may be as successful as it is honourable. May the Affair so happily begun, more happily end. I wish you a good Journey to _Italy_, and a better Return. I wish you a happy Voyage, and a more happy Return.
I pray God that, this Journey being happily perform'd, we may in a short Time have the Opportunity of congratulating you upon your happy Return.
May it be your good Fortune to make a good Voyage thither and back again. May your Journey be pleasant, but your Return more pleasant. I wish this Journey may succeed according to your Heart's Desire. I wish this Journey may be as pleasant to you, as the want of your good Company in the mean Time will be troublesome to us. May you set Sail with promising Presages. I wish this Journey may succeed according to both our Wishes. I wish this Bargain may be for the Good and Advantage of us both. I wish this may be a happy Match to us all. The blessed Jesus God keep thee. Kind Heaven return you safe. God keep thee who art one Half of my Life. I wish you a safe Return. I wish that this New-Year may begin happily, go on more happily, and end most happily to you, and that you may have many of them, and every Year happier than other.
_Ans._ And I again wish you many happy Ages, that you mayn't wish well to me _gratis_.
_Sal._ I wish you a glorious Day to Day. May this Sun-rising be a happy one to you.
_Ans._ I wish you the same. May this be a happy and a prosperous Morning to both of us.
_Sal._ Father, I wish you a good Night. I wish you good Repose to Night.
May you sleep sweetly. God give you good Rest. May you sleep without dreaming. God send you may either sleep sweetly or dream pleasantly. A good Night to you.
_Ans._ Since you always love to be on the getting Hand, I wish you a thousand Happinesses to one you wish to me.
* * * * * Fare ye all well. Farewell. Take care of your Health. Take a great Care of your Health. I bid you good by, Time calls me away, fare ye well. I wish you as well as may be. Farewell mightily, or if you had rather have it so, lustily. Fare you well as you are worthy. Fare you as well as you deserve. Farewell for these two Days. If you send me away, farewell till to-morrow. Would you have any Thing with me? Have you any Thing else to say to me?
_Ans._ Nothing but to wish you well.
_Sal._ Take Care to preserve your Health. Take Care of your Health. Look well to your Health. See that at the next Meeting we see you merry and hearty. I charge you make much of your self. See that you have a sound Mind in a healthful Body. Take Care you be universally well both in Body and Mind.
_Ans._ I'll promise you I will do my Endeavour. Fare you well also; and I again wish you prosperous Health.
_Of saluting by another._ Remember my hearty Love to _Frobenius_. Be sure to remember my Love to little _Erasmus_. Remember me to _Gertrude's_ Mother with all imaginable Respect; tell them I wish 'em all well. Remember me to my old Companions. Remember me to my Friends. Give my Love to my Wife. Remember me to your Brother in your Letter. Remember my Love to my Kinsman. Have you any Service to command by me to your Friends?
_Ans._ Tell them I wish them all heartily well.
_Sal._ Have you any Recommendations to send by me to your Friends?
_Ans._ Much Health to them all, but especially to my Father.
_Sal._ Are there any Persons to whom you would command me any Service?
_Ans._ To all that ask how I do. The Health you have brought from my Friends to me, carry back again with much Interest. Carry my hearty Service to all them that have sent their Service to me. Pray do so much as be my Representative in saluting my Friends. I would have written to my Son in Law, but you will serve me instead of a Letter to him.
_Sal._ Soho, soho, whither are you going so fast?
_Ans._ Strait to _Louvain_.
_Sal._ Stay a little, I have something to send by you.
_Ans._ But it is inconvenient for a Footman to carry a Fardel? What is it?
_Sal._ That you recommend me to _Goclenius, Rutgerus, John Campensis_, and all the Society of Trilinguists.
_Ans._ If you put nothing into my Snapsack but Healths, I shall carry them with Ease.
_Sal._ And that you may not do that for nothing, I pray that Health may be your Companion both going and coming back.
_How we ought to congratulate one that is return'd from a Journey._ We are glad you are come well Home. It is a Pleasure that you are come Home safe. It is a Pleasure to us that you are come well Home. We congratulate your happy Return. We give God Thanks that you are come safe Home to us. The more uneasy we were at the Want of you, the more glad we are to see you again. We congratulate you and ourselves too that you are come Home to us alive and well. Your Return is the more pleasant by how much it was less expected.
_Ans._ I am glad too that as I am well myself I find you so. I am very glad to find you in good Health. I should not have thought myself well come Home if I had not found you well; but now I think myself safe, in that I see you safe and in good Health.
* * * * * _A Form of asking Questions at the first meeting._ The ARGUMENT.
_This Colloquy teaches Forms of enquiring at the first meeting. Whence come you? What News bring you? How do you do? &c._ _GEORGE, LIVINUS._ _George._ Out of what Hen-Coop or Cave came you?
_Liv._ Why do you ask me such a Question?
_Ge._ Because you have been so poorly fed; you are so thin a Body may see thro' you, and as dry as a Kecks. Whence came you from?
_Liv._ From Montacute College.
_Ge._ Then sure you are come loaden with Letters for us.
_Liv._ Not so, but with Lice I am.
_Ge._ Well then you had Company enough.
_Liv._ In truth it is not safe for a Traveller now a Days to go without Company.
_Ge._ I know well enough a Louse is a Scholar's Companion. Well but do you bring any News from _Paris_?
_Liv._ Ay, I do, and that in the first Place that I know you won't believe. At _Paris_ a _Bete_ is wise, and an _Oak_ preaches.
_Ge._ What's that you tell me?
_Liv._ That which you hear.
_Ge._ What is it I hear?
_Liv._ That which I tell you.
_Ge._ O monstrous! Sure Mushrooms and Stones must be the Hearers where there are such Preachers.
_Liv._ Well, but it is even so as I tell you, nor do I speak only by hear say, but what I know to be true.
_Ge._ Sure Men must needs be very wise there where _Betes_ and _Oaks_ are so.
_Liv._ You are in the right on't.
_Liv._ Look in my Face.
_Ge._ Why do you not rather bid me cast your Water? Do you take me for a Doctor? I don't ask you if you are in Health, for your Face bespeaks you so to be; but I ask you how you like your own Condition?
_Liv._ I am very well in my Body, but sick in my Mind.
_Ge._ He's not well indeed that is sick in that Part.
_Liv._ This is my Case, I'm well in my Body, but sick in my Pocket.
_Ge._ Your Mother will easily cure that Distemper. How have you done for this long Time?
_Liv._ Sometimes better, and sometimes worse, as human Affairs commonly go.
_Ge._ Are you very well in health? Are your Affairs in a good Condition? Are your Circumstances as you would have them? Have you always had your Health well?
_Liv._ Very well, I thank God. By God's Goodness I have always had my Health very well. I have always been very well hitherto. I have been in very good, favourable, secure, happy, prosperous, successful, perfect Health, like a Prince, like a Champion, fit for any Thing.
_Ge._ God send you may always enjoy the same. I am glad to hear it. You give me a Pleasure in saying so. It is very pleasant to me to hear that.
I am glad at my Heart to hear this from you. This is no bad News to me.
I am exceeding glad to hear you say so. I wish you may be so always. I wish you may enjoy the same Health as long as you live. In congratulating you, I joy myself, Thanks to Heaven for it.
_Li._ Indeed I am very well if you are so.
_Ge._ Well, but have you met with no Trouble all this while?
_Li._ None but the Want of your good Company.
_Ge._ Well, but how do you do though?
_Li._ Well enough, finely, bravely, very well as may be, very well indeed, happily, commodiously, no Way amiss. I enjoy rather what Health I wish, than what I deserved, Princely, Herculean, Champion-like.
_Ge._ I was expecting when you would say Bull-like too.
_Li._ I wish I were. Not altogether so well as I would be. Indeed I am so, so. Pretty well. I am as well as I can be, since I can't be so well as I would be. As I use to be. So as it pleases God. Truly not very well. Never worse in all my Life. As I am wont to be. I am as they use to be who have to do with the Doctor.
_Ge._ How do you do?
_Li._ Not as I would do.
_Ge._ Why truly not well, ill, very ill, in an unhappy, unprosperous, unfavourable, bad, adverse, unlucky, feeble, dubious, indifferent, State of Health, not at all as I would, a tolerable, such as I would not wish even to my Enemies.
_Ge._ You tell me a melancholy Story. Heavens forbid it. God forbid. No more of that I pray. I wish what you say were not true. But you must be of good Chear, you must pluck up a good Heart. A good Heart is a good Help in bad Circumstances. You must bear up your Mind with the Hope of better Fortune. What Distemper is it? What Sort of Disease is it? What Distemper is it that afflicts you? What Distemper are you troubled with?
_Li._ I can't tell, and in that my Condition is the more dangerous.
_Ge._ That's true, for when the Disease is known, it is half cured. Have you had the Advice of any Doctor?
_Li._ Ay, of a great many.
_Ge._ What do they say to your Case?
_Li._ What the Lawyers of _Demiphon_ (in the Play) said to him. One says one Thing, another he says another, and the third he'll consider of it.
But they all agree in this, that I am in a sad Condition.
_Ge._ How long have you been taken with this Illness? How long have you been ill of this Distemper? How long has this Illness seiz'd you?
_Li._ About twenty Days more or less, almost a Month. It's now near three Months. It seems an Age to me since I was first taken ill.
_Ge._ But I think you ought to take care that the Distemper don't grow upon you.
_Li._ It has grown too much upon me already.
_Ge._ Is it a Dropsy?
_Li._ They say it is not.
_Ge._ Is it a Dissentery?
_Li._ I think not.
_Ge._ Is it a Fever?
_Li._ I believe it is a Kind of Fever; but a new one, as ever and anon new ones spring up that were unknown before.
_Ge._ There were more old ones than enough before.
_Li._ Thus it pleases Nature to deal with us, which is a little too severe.
_Ge._ How often does the Fit come?
_Li._ How often do you say? Every Day, nay every Hour indeed.
_Ge._ O wonderful! It is a sad Affliction. How did you get this Distemper? How do you think you came by it?
_Li._ By Reason of Want.
_Ge._ Why you don't use to be so superstitious as to starve yourself with Fasting.
_Li._ It is not Bigotry but Penury.
_Ge._ What do you mean by Penury?
_Li._ I mean I could get no Victuals, I believe it came by a Cold. I fancy I got the Distemper by eating rotten Eggs. By drinking too much Water in my Wine. This Crudity in my Stomach came by eating green Apples.
_Ge._ But consider whether you han't contracted this Distemper by long and late Studying, by hard Drinking, or immoderate use of Venery? Why don't you send for a Doctor?
_Li._ I am afraid he should do me more Harm than good. I am afraid he should poison me instead of curing me.
_Ge._ You ought to chuse one that you can confide in.
_Li._ If I must dye, I had rather dye once for all, than to be tormented with so many Slops.
_Ge._ Well then, be your own Doctor. If you can't trust to a Doctor, pray God be your Physician. There have been some that have recover'd their Health, by putting on a Dominican or a Franciscan Fryars Cowl.
_Li._ And perhaps it had been the same Thing, if they had put on a Whore-master's Cloak. These things have no Effect upon those that have no Faith in 'em.
_Ge._ Why then, believe that you may recover. Some have been cur'd by making Vows to a Saint.
_Li._ But I have no Dealings with Saints.
_Ge._ Then pray to Christ that you may have Faith, and that he would be pleased to bestow the Blessing of Health upon you.
_Li._ I can't tell whether it would be a Blessing or no.
_Ge._ Why, is it not a Blessing to be freed from a Distemper?
_Li._ Sometimes it is better to dye. I ask nothing of him, but only that he'd give me what would be best for me.
_Ge._ Take something to purge you.
_Li._ I am laxative enough already.
_Ge._ Take something to make you go to Stool. You must take a Purge.
_Li._ I ought to take something that is binding rather, for I am too laxative.
The ARGUMENT.
_Of interrogating a Person returning from a Journey, concerning War, private Affairs, a Disappointment, great _George._ Have you had a good and prosperous Journey?
_Li._ Pretty good; but that there is such Robbing every where.
_Ge._ This is the Effect of War.
_Li._ It is so, but it is a wicked one.
_Ge._ Did you come on Foot or on Horse-back?
_Li._ Part of the Way a Foot, Part in a Coach, Part on Horse-back, and Part by Sea.
_Ge._ How go Matters in _France?_ _Li._ All's in Confusion, there's nothing but War talk'd of. What Mischiefs they may bring upon their Enemies I know not; but this I'm sure of, the _French_ themselves are afflicted with unexpressible Calamities.
_Ge._ Whence come all these tumultuary Wars?
_Li._ Whence should they come but from the Ambition of Monarchs?
_Ge._ But it would be more their Prudence to appease these Storms of human Affairs.
_Li._ Appease 'em! Ay, so they do, as the South Wind does the Sea. They fancy themselves to be Gods, and that the World was made for their Sakes.
_Ge._ Nay, rather a Prince was made for the Good of the Commonwealth, and not the Commonwealth for the Sake of the Prince.
_Li._ Nay, there are Clergymen too, who blow up the Coals, and sound an Alarm to these Tumults.
_Ge._ I'd have them set in the Front of the Battel.
_Li._ Ay, ay, but they take Care to keep out of Harm's Way.
_Ge._ But let us leave these publick Affairs to Providence. How go your own Matters?
_Li._ Very well, happily, indifferently well, tolerably.
_Ge._ How goes it with your own Business? As you would have it?
_Li._ Nay, better than I could have wish'd for, better than I deserve, beyond what I could have hop'd for.
_Ge._ Are all Things according to your Mind? Is all well? Has every Thing succeeded?
_Li._ It can't be worse. It is impossible it should be worse than it is.
_Ge._ What then, han't you got what you sought for? Han't you caught the Game you hunted?
_Li._ Hunt! Ay, I did hunt indeed, but with very ill Success.
_Ge._ But is there no Hope then?
_Li._ Hope enough, but nothing else.
_Ge._ Did the Bishop give you no Hopes?
_Li._ Yes, whole Cart Loads, and whole Ship Loads of Hope; but nothing else.
_Ge._ Has he sent you nothing yet?
_Li._ He promis'd me largely, but he has never sent me a Farthing.
_Ge._ Then you must live in Hopes.
_Li._ Ay, but that won't fill the Belly; they that feed upon Hope may be said to hang, but not to live.
_Ge._ But however then, you were the lighter for travelling, not having your Pockets loaded.
_Li._ I confess that, nay, and safer too; for an empty Pocket is the best Defence in the World against Thieves; but for all that, I had rather have the Burthen and the Danger too.
_Ge._ You was not robb'd of any Thing by the Way, I hope?
_Li._ Robb'd! What can you rob a Man of that has nothing? There was more Reason for other Folks to be afraid of me, than I of them, having never a Penny in my Pocket. I might sing and be starved all the Way I went.
Have you anything more to say?
_Ge._ Where are you going now?
_Li._ Strait Home, to see how all do there, whom I han't seen this long Time.
_Ge._ I wish you may find all well at Home.
_Li._ I pray God I may. Has any Thing new happen'd at our House since I went away?
_Ge._ Nothing but only you'll find your Family bigger than it was; for your _Catulla_ has brought you a little _Catulus_ since you have been gone. Your Hen has laid you an Egg.
_Li._ That's good News, I like your News, and I'll promise to give you a Gospel for it.
_Ge._ What Gospel? The Gospel according to St. _Matthew_?
_Li._ No, but according to _Homer_. Here take it.
_Ge._ Keep your Gospel to yourself, I have Stones enough at Home.
_Li._ Don't slight my Present, it is the Eagle's Stone; It is good for Women with Child; it is good to bring on their Labour.
_Ge._ Say you so? Then it is a very acceptable Present to me, and I'll endeavour to make you Amends.
_Li._ The Amends is made already by your kind Acceptance.
_Ge._ Nay, nothing in the World could come more seasonably, for my Wife's Belly is up to her Mouth almost.
_Li._ Then I'll make this Bargain with you; that if she has a Boy, you will let me be the Godfather.
_Ge._ Well I'll promise you that, and that you shall name it too.
_Li._ I wish it may be for both our Good.
_Ge._ Nay, for all our Good.
* * * * * _MAURICE, CYPRIAN._ _Ma._ You are come back fatter than you used to be: You are returned taller.
_Cy._ But in Truth I had rather it had been wiser, or more learned.
_Ma._ You had no Beard when you went away; but you have brought a little one back with you. You are grown somewhat oldish since you went away.
What makes you look so pale, so lean, so wrinkled?
_Cy._ As is my Fortune, so is the Habit of my Body.
_Ma._ Has it been but bad then?
_Cy._ She never is otherwise to me, but never worse in my Life than now.
_Ma._ I am sorry for that. I am sorry for your Misfortune. But pray, what is this Mischance?
_Cy._ I have lost all my Money.
_Ma._ What in the Sea?
_Cy._ No, on Shore, before I went abroad.
_Ma._ Where?
_Cy._ Upon the _English_ Coast.
_Ma._ It is well you scap'd with your Life; it is better to lose your Money, than that; the loss of ones good Name, is worse than the Loss of Money.
_Cy._ My Life and Reputation are safe; but my Money is lost.
_Ma._ The Loss of Life never can be repair'd; the Loss of Reputation very hardly; but the Loss of Money may easily be made up one Way or another. But how came it about?
_Cy._ I can't tell, unless it was my Destiny. So it pleas'd God. As the Devil would have it.
_Ma._ Now you see that Learning and Virtue are the safest Riches; for as they can't be taken from a Man, so neither are they burthensome to him that carries them.
_Cy._ Indeed you Philosophize very well; but in the mean Time I'm in Perplexity.
_Ba._ And I to see you alive _Claudius_.
_Cl._ You are welcome Home into your own Country again.
_Ba._ You should rather congratulate me as a Fugitive from _France_.
_Cl._ Why so?
_Ba._ Because they are all up in Arms there.
_Cl._ But what have Scholars to do with Arms?
_Ba._ But there they don't spare even Scholars.
_Cl._ It is well you're got off safe.
_Ba._ But I did not get off without Danger neither.
_Cl._ You are come back quite another Man than you went away.
_Ba._ How so?
_Cl._ Why, of a _Dutch_ Man, you are become a _French_ Man.
_Ba._ Why, was I a Capon when I went away?
_Cl._ Your Dress shows that you're turn'd from a _Dutch_ Man into a _French_ Man.
_Ba._ I had rather suffer this Metamorphosis, than be turn'd into a Hen.
But as a Cowl does not make a Monk, so neither does a Garment a _French_ Man.
_Cl._ Have you learn'd to speak _French?_ _Ba._ Indifferently well.
_Cl._ How did you learn it?
_Ba._ Of Teachers that were no dumb ones I assure you.
_Cl._ From whom.
_Ba._ Of little Women, more full of Tongue, than Turtle Doves.
_Cl._ It is easy to learn to speak in such a School. Do you pronounce the _French_ well?
_Ba._ Yes, that I do, and I pronounce _Latin_ after the _French_ Mode.
_Cl._ Then you will never write good Verses.
_Ba._ Why so?
_Cl._ Because you'll make false Quantities.
_Ba._ The Quality is enough for me.
_Cl._ Is _Paris_ clear of the Plague?
_Ba._ Not quite, but it is not continual, sometimes it abates, and anon it returns again; sometimes it slackens, and then rages again.
_Cl._ Is not War itself Plague enough?
_Ba._ It is so, unless God thought otherwise.
_Cl._ Sure Bread must be very dear there.
_Ba._ There is a great Scarcity of it. There is a great Want of every Thing but wicked Soldiers. Good Men are wonderful cheap there.
_Cl._ What is in the Mind of the _French_ to go to War with the _Germans_?
_Ba._ They have a Mind to imitate the Beetle, that won't give Place to the Eagle. Every one thinks himself an _Hercules_ in War.
_Cl._ I won't detain you any longer, at some other Time we'll divert ourselves more largely, when we can both spare Time. At present I have a little Business that calls me to another Place.
_FAMILY DISCOURSE._ The ARGUMENT.
_This Colloquy presents us with the Sayings and Jokes of intimate Acquaintance, and the Repartees and Behaviour of familiar Friends one with another. 1. Of walking abroad, and calling Companions. 2. Of seldom visiting, of asking concerning a Wife, Daughter, Sons. 3. Concerning Leisure, the tingling of the Ear, the Description of a homely Maid. Invitation to a Wedding. 4. Of Studying too hard, &c._ PETER, MIDAS, _a Boy_, JODOCUS.
_Peter_, Soho, soho, Boy! does no Body come to the Door?
_Mi._ I think this Fellow will beat the Door down. Sure he must needs be some intimate Acquaintance or other. O old Friend _Peter_, what hast brought?
_Pe._ Myself.
_Mi._ In Truth then you have brought that which is not much worth.
_Pe._ But I'm sure I cost my Father a great deal.
_Mi._ I believe so, more than you can be sold for again.
_Pe._ But is _Jodocus_ at Home?
_Mi._ I can't tell, but I'll go see.
_Pe._ Go in first, and ask him if he pleases to be at Home now.
_Mi._ Go yourself, and be your own Errand Boy.
_Pe._ Soho! _Jodocus_, are you at Home?
_Jo._ No, I am not.
_Pe._ Oh! You impudent Fellow I don't I hear you speak?
_Jo._ Nay, you are more impudent, for I took your Maid's Word for it lately, that you were not at Home, and you won't believe me myself.
_Pe._ You're in the Right on't, you've serv'd me in my own Kind.
_Jo._ As I sleep not for every Body, so I am not at Home to every Body, but for Time to come shall always be at Home to you.
_Pe._ Methinks you live the Life of a Snail.
_Jo._ Why so?
_Pe._ Because you keep always at Home and never stir abroad, just like a lame Cobler always in his Stall. You sit at Home till your Breech grows to your Seat.
_Jo._ At Home I have something to do, but I have no Business abroad, and if I had, the Weather we have had for several Days past, would have kept me from going abroad.
_Pe._ But now it is fair, and would tempt a Body to walk out; see how charming pleasant it is.
_Jo._ If you have a Mind to walk I won't be against it.
_Pe._ In Truth, I think we ought to take the Opportunity of this fine Weather.
_Jo._ But we ought to get a merry Companion or two, to go along with us.
_Pe._ So we will; but tell me who you'd have then.
_Jo._ What if we should get Hugh?
_Pe._ There is no great Difference between _Hugo_ and _Nugo._ _Jo._ Come on then, I like it mighty well.
_Pe._ What if we should call _Alardus?_ _Jo._ He's no dumb Man I'll assure you, what he wants in Hearing he'll make up in Talking.
_Pe._ If you will, we'll get _Nævius_ along with us too.
_Jo._ If we have but him, we shall never want merry Stories. I like the Company mainly, the next Thing is to pitch upon a pleasant Place.
_Pe._ I'll show you a Place where you shall neither want the Shade of a Grove, nor the pleasant Verdure of Meadows, nor the purling Streams of Fountains, you'll say it is a Place worthy of the Muses themselves.