The Colloquies of Erasmus, Volume I. Erasmus Desiderius

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      Gi. Ay, a great While ago, and had two at a Birth too.

      Le. How, two at once!

      Gi. 'Tis as I tell you, and more than that she's with Child again.

      Le. That's the Way to increase your Family.

      Gi. Ay, but I wish Fortune would increase my Money as much as my Wife does my Family.

      Le. Have you disposed of your Daughter yet?

      Gi. No, not yet.

      Le. I would have you consider if it be not hazardous to keep such a great Maid as she at Home, you should look out for a Husband for her.

      Gi. There's no Need of that, for she has Sweet-hearts enough already.

      Le. But why then don't you single out one for her, him that you like the best of them?

      Gi. They are all so good that I can't tell which to chuse: But my Daughter won't hear of marrying.

      Le. How say you! If I am not mistaken, she has been marriageable for some Time. She has been fit for a Husband a great While, ripe for Wedlock, ready for a Husband this great While.

      Gi. Why not, she is above seventeen, she's above two and twenty, she's in her nineteenth Year, she's above eighteen Years old.

      Le. But why is she averse to Marriage?

      Gi. She says she has a Mind to be married to Christ.

      Le. In Truth he has a great many Brides. But is she married to an evil Genius that lives chastly with a Husband?

      Gi. I don't think so.

      Le. How came that Whimsey into her Head?

      Gi. I can't tell, but there's no persuading her out of it by all that can be said to her.

      Le. You should take Care that there be no Tricksters that inveagle or draw her away.

      Gi. I know these Kidnappers well enough, and I drive this Kind of Cattel as far from my House as I can.

      Le. But what do you intend to do then? Do you intend to let her have her Humour?

      Gi. No, I'll prevent it if possible; I'll try every Method to alter her Mind; but if she persists in it, I'll not force her against her Will, lest I should be found to fight against God, or rather to fight against the Monks.

      Le. Indeed you speak very religiously; but take Care to try her Constancy throughly, lest she should afterwards repent it, when it is too late.

      Gi. I'll do my utmost Endeavours.

      Le. What Employment do your Sons follow?

      Gi. The eldest has been married this good While, and will be a Father in a little Time; I have sent the youngest away to Paris, for he did nothing but play while he was here.

      Le. Why did you send him thither?

      Gi. That he might come back a greater Fool than he went.

      Le. Don't talk so.

      Gi. The middlemost has lately enter'd into holy Orders.

      Le. I wish 'em all well.

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      3. MOPSUS, DROMO.

      Mo. How is it? What are you doing Dromo?

      Dr. I'm sitting still.

      Mo. I see that; but how do Matters go with you?

      Dr. As they use to do with unfortunate Persons.

      Mo. God forbid that that should be your Case. But what are you doing?

      Dr. I am idling, as you see; doing just nothing at all.

      Mo. It is better to be idle than doing of nothing; it may be I interrupt you, being employ'd in some Matters of Consequence?

      Dr. No, really, entirely at Leisure; I just began to be tir'd of being alone, and was wishing for a merry Companion.

      Mo. It may be I hinder, interrupt, disturb you, being about some Business?

      Dr. No, you divert me, being tired with being idle.

      Mo. Pray pardon me if I have interrupted you unseasonably.

      Dr. Nay, you came very seasonably; you are come in the Nick of Time; I was just now wishing for you; I am extreme glad of your Company.

      Mo. It may be you are about some serious Business, that I would by no means interrupt or hinder?

      Dr. Nay, rather it is according to the old Proverb, Talk of the Devil and he'll appear; for we were just now speaking of you.

      Mo. In short, I believe you were, for my Ear tingled mightily as I came along.

      Dr. Which Ear was it?

      Mo. My left, from which I guess there was no Good said of me.

      Dr. Nay, I'll assure you there was nothing but Good said.

      Mo. Then the old Proverb is not true. But what good News have you?

      Dr. They say you are become a Huntsman.

      Mo. Nay, more than that, I have gotten the Game now in my Nets that I have been hunting after.

      Dr. What Game is it?

      Mo. A pretty Girl, that I am to marry in a Day or two; and I intreat you to honour me with your good Company at my Wedding.

      Dr. Pray, who is your Bride?

      Mo. Alice, the Daughter of Chremes.

      Dr. You are a rare Fellow to chuse a Beauty for one! Can you fancy that Black-a-top, Snub-nos'd, Sparrow-mouth'd, Paunch-belly'd Creature.

      Mo. Prithee hold thy Tongue, I marry her to please myself, and not you. Pray, is it not enough that I like her? The less she pleases you, the more she'll please me.

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      4. SYRUS, GETA.

      Sy. I wish you much Happiness.

      Ge. And I wish you double what you wish me.

      Sy. What are you doing?

      Ge. I am talking.

      Sy. What! By yourself?

      Ge. As you see.

      Sy. It may be you are talking to yourself, and then you ought to see to it that you talk to an honest Man.

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