The ARGUMENT.
This Colloquy shews the various Customs of Nations and their Civility in treating Strangers. An Inn atLeydenwhere are nothing but Women. The Manners of theFrenchInns, who are us'd to tell Stories, and break Jests. TheGermans,far more uncivil in treating Travellers, being rude, and wholly inhospitable: The Guests look after their own Horses: The Method of receiving them into the Stove: They provide no Supper, till they know how many Guests they shall have: All that come that Night, sit down to Supper together: All pay alike, tho' one drinks twice as much Wine as another does.
BERTULPH and WILLIAM.
Bert.I wonder what is the Fancy of a great many, for staying two or three Days atLyons? When I have once set out on a Journey, I an't at Rest till I come to my Journey's End.
Will.Nay, I wonder as much, that any Body can get away from thence.
Bert.But why so?
Will.Because that's a Place the Companions ofUlyssescould not have got away from. There areSirens. No Body is better entertain'd at his own House, than he is there at an Inn.
Bert.What is done there?
Will.There's a Woman always waiting at Table, which makes the Entertainment pleasant with Railleries, and pleasant Jests. And the Women are very handsome there. First the Mistress of the House came and bad us Welcome, and to accept kindly what Fare we should have; after her, comes her Daughter, a very fine Woman, of so handsome a Carriage, and so pleasant in Discourse, that she would make evenCatohimself merry, were he there: And they don't talk to you as if you were perfect Strangers, but as those they have been a long Time acquainted with, and familiar Friends.
Bert.O, I know theFrenchWay of Civility very well.
Will.And because they can't be always with you, by Reason of the other Affairs of the House, and the welcoming of other Guests, there comes a Lass, that supplies the Place of the Daughter, till she is at Leisure to return again. This Lass is so well instructed in the Knack of Repartees, that she has a Word ready for every Body, and no Conceit comes amiss to her. The Mother, you must know, was somewhat in Years.
Bert.But what was your Table furnish'd with? For Stories fill no Bellies.
Will.Truly, so splendid, that I was amaz'd that they could afford to entertain their Guests so, for so small a Price. And then after Dinner, they entertain a Man with such facetious Discourse, that one cannot be tired; that I seemed to be at my own House, and not in a strange Place.
Bert.And how went Matters in your Chambers?
Will.Why, there was every where some pretty Lass or other, giggling and playing wanton Tricks? They ask'd us if we had any foul Linnen to wash; which they wash and bring to us again: In a word, we saw nothing there but young Lasses and Women, except in the Stable, and they would every now and then run in there too. When you go away, they embrace ye, and part with you with as much Affection, as if you were their own Brothers, or near Kinsfolks.
Bert.This Mode perhaps may become theFrench, but methinks the Way of theGermanspleases me better, which is more manly.
Will.I never have seenGermany; therefore, pray don't think much to tell how they entertain a Traveller.
Bert.I can't tell whether the Method of entertaining be the same every where; but I'll tell you what I saw there. No Body bids a Guest welcome, lest he should seem to court his Guests to come to him, for that they look upon to be sordid and mean, and not becoming the German Gravity. When you have called a good While at the Gate, at Length one puts his Head out of the Stove Window (for they commonly live in Stoves till Midsummer) like a Tortoise from under his Shell: Him you must ask if you can have any Lodging there; if he does not say no, you may take it for granted, that there is Room for you. When you ask where the Stable is, he points to it; there you may curry your Horse as you please yourself, for there is no Servant will put a Hand to it. If it be a noted Inn, there is a Servant shews you the Stable, and a Place for your Horse, but incommodious enough; for they keep the best Places for those that shall come afterwards; especially for Noblemen. If you find Fault with any Thing, they tell you presently, if you don't like, look for another Inn. In their Cities, they allow Hay, but very unwillingly and sparingly, and that is almost as dear as Oats. When you have taken Care of your Horse, you come whole into the Stove, Boots, Baggage, Dirt and all, for that is a common Room for all Comers.
Will.InFrance, they appoint you a separate Chamber, where you may change your Cloaths, clean and warm your self, or take Rest if you have a Mind to it.
Bert.There's nothing of that here. In the Stove, you pull off your Boots, put on your Shoes, and if you will, change your Shirt, hang up your wet Cloths near the Stove Iron, and get near it to dry yourself. There's Water provided for you to wash your Hands, if you will; but as for the Cleanness of it, it is for the most Part such that you will want another Water to wash that off.
Will.I commend this Sort of People, that have nothing of Effeminacy in them.
Bert.If you come in at four a-Clock in the Afternoon, you must not go to Supper till nine, and sometimes not till ten.
Will.Why so?
Bert.They never make any Thing ready till they see all their Company together, that one Trouble may serve for all.
Will.They are for taking the shortest Way.
Bert.You are right; so that oftentimes, there come all together into the same Stove, eighty or ninety Foot-Men, Horse-Men, Merchants, Marriners, Waggoners, Husband-Men, Children, Women, sick and sound.
Will.This is having all Things in common.
Bert.There one combs his Head, another wipes off his Sweat, another cleans his Spatterdashes or Boots, another belches Garlick; and in short, there is as great a Confusion of Tongues and Persons, as there was at the Building the Tower ofBabel. And if they see any Body of another Country, who by his Habit looks like a Man of Quality, they all stare at him so wistfully, as if he was a Sort of strange Animal brought out ofAfrica. And when they are set at Table, and he behind them, they will be still looking back at him, and be staring him in the Face, till they have forgot their Suppers.
Will.AtRome,ParisorVenice, there's no Body thinks any Thing strange.
Bert.In the mean Time, 'tis a Crime for you to call for any Thing. When it is grown pretty late, and they don't expect any more Guests, out comes an old grey-bearded Servant, with his Hair cut short, and a crabbed Look, and a slovenly Dress.
Will.Such Fellows ought to be Cup-Bearers to the Cardinals atRome.
Bert.He having cast his Eyes about, counts to himself, how many there are in the Stove; the more he sees there, the more Fire he makes in the Stove although it be at a Time when the very Heat of the Sun would be troublesome; and this with them, is accounted a principal Part of good Entertainment, to make them all sweat till they drop again. If any one who is not used to the Steam, shall presume to open the Window never so little, that he be not stifled, presently they cry out to shut it again: If you answer you are not able to bear it, you'll presently hear, get you another Inn then.
Will.But in my Opinion, nothing is more dangerous, than for so many to draw in the same Vapour; especially when their Bodies are opened with the Heat; and to eat in the same Place, and to stay there so many Hours, not to mention the belching of Garlick, the Farting, the stinking Breaths, for many have secret Distempers, and every Distemper has its Contagion; and without doubt, many have theSpanish, or as it is call'd, theFrenchPox, although it is common to all Nations. And it is my Opinion, there is as much Danger from such Persons, as there is from those that have the Leprosy. Tell me now, what is this short of a Pestilence?
Bert.They are Persons of a strong Constitution, and laugh at, and disregard those Niceties.
Will.But in the mean Time, they are bold at the Perils of other Men.
Bert.What would you do in this Case? 'Tis what they have been used to, and it is a Part of a constant Mind, not to depart from a Custom.
Will.And yet, within these five and twenty Years, nothing was more in Vogue inBrabant, than hot Baths, but now they are every where grown out of Use; but the new Scabbado has taught us to lay them down.
Bert.Well, but hear the rest: By and by, in comes our beardedGanymedeagain, and lays on the Table as many Napkins as there are Guests: But, good God! not Damask ones, but such as you'd take to have been made out of old Sails. There are at least eight Guests allotted to every Table. Now those that know the Way of the Country, take their Places, every one as he pleases, for there's no Difference between Poor or Rich, between the Master and Servant.
Will.This was that ancient Equality which now the Tyrant Custom has driven quite out of the World. I suppose Christ liv'd after this Manner with his Disciples.
Bert.After they are all plac'd, out comes the sour-look'dGanymedeagain, and counts his Company over again; by and by he comes in again, and brings every Man a Wooden Dish, and a Spoon of the same Silver, and then a Glass; and then a little after he brings Bread, which the Guests may chip every one for themselves at Leisure, while the Porridge is boiling. For sometimes they sit thus for near an Hour.
Will.Do none of the Guests call for Meat in the mean Time?
Bert.None who knows the Way of the Country. At last the Wine is set upon the Table: Good God! how far from being tasteless? So thin and sharp, that Sophisters ought to drink no other. And if any of the Guests should privately offer a Piece of Money to get a little better Wine some where else; at first they'll say nothing to you, but give you a Look, as if they were going to murder you; and if you press it farther, they answer you, there have been so many Counts and Marquisses that have lodg'd here, and none of them ever found fault with this Wine: If you don't like it, get you another Inn. They account only the Noblemen of their own Nation to be Men, and where-ever you come, they are shewing you their Arms. By this time, comes a Morsel to pacify a barking Stomach: And by and by follow the Dishes in great Pomp; commonly the first has Sippits of Bread in Flesh Broth, or if it be a Fish Day, in a Soup of Pulse. After that comes in another Soup, and then a Service of Butcher's Meat, that has been twice boil'd, or salt Meats warm'd again, and then Pulse again, and by and by something of more solid Food, until their Stomachs being pretty well staid, they bring roast Meat or stewed Fish, which is not to be at all contemn'd; but this they are sparing of, and take it away again quickly. This is the Manner they order the Entertainment, as Comedians do, who intermingle Dances among their Scenes, so do they their Chops and Soups by Turns: But they take Care that the last Act shall be the best.
Will.This is the Part of a good Poet.
Bert.And it would be a heinous Offence, if in the mean Time any Body should say, Take away this Dish, there's no Body eats. You must sit your Time appointed, which I think they measure by the Hour-Glass. At length, out comes that bearded Fellow, or the Landlord himself, in a Habit but little differing from his Servants, and asks how cheer you? And by and by some better Wine is brought. And they like those best that drink most, tho' he that drinks most pays no more than he that drinks least.
Will.A strange Temper of the Nation!
Bert.There are some of them that drink twice as much Wine as they pay for their Ordinary. But before I leave this Entertainment, it is wonderful what a Noise and Chattering there is, when once they come to be warm with Wine. In short, it deafens a Man. They oftentimes bring in a Mixture of Mimicks, which these People very much delight in, tho' they are a detestable Sort of Men. There's such a singing, prating, bawling, jumping, and knocking, that you would think the Stove were falling upon your Head, and one Man can't hear another speak. And this they think is a pleasant Way of living, and there you must sit in Spight of your Heart till near Midnight.
Will.Make an End of your Meal now, for I myself am tir'd with such a tedious one.
Bert.Well, I will. At length the Cheese is taken away, which scarcely pleases them, except it be rotten and full of Maggots. Then the old bearded Fellow comes again with a Trencher, and a many Circles and semi-Circles drawn upon it with Chalk, this he lays down upon the Table, with a grim Countenance, and without speaking. You would say he was someCharon. They that understand the Meaning of this lay down their Money one after another till the Trencher is fill'd. Having taken Notice of those who lay down, he reckons it up himself, and if all is paid, he gives you a Nod.
Will.But what if there should be any Thing over and above?
Bert.Perhaps he'll give it you again, and they oftentimes do so.
Will.Does no Body find fault with the Reckoning?
Bert.No Body that is wise. For they will say, what Sort of a Fellow are you? You pay no more than the rest.
Will.This is a frank Sort of Men, you are speaking of.
Bert.If any one is weary with his Journey, and desires to go to Bed as soon as he has supp'd, he is bid to stay till the rest go too.
Will.This seems to me to bePlato's City.
Bert.Then every one is shew'd to his Chamber, and truly 'tis nothing else but a Chamber, there is only a Bed there, and nothing else that you can either make Use of or steal.
Will.Are Things very clean there?
Bert.As clean as they were at the Table. Sheets wash'd perhaps six Months ago.
Will.What becomes of your Horses all this While?
Bert.They are treated after the Manner that the Men are.
Will.But is there the same Treatment every where.
Bert.It is a little more civil in some Places, and worse in others, than I have told you; but in general it is thus.
Will.What if I should now tell you how they treat their Guests in that Part ofItalycall'dLombardy, and inSpain, and inEngland, and inWales, for theEnglishhave the Manners both of theFrenchand theGermans, being a Mixture of those two Nations. TheWelshboast themselves to be the originalEnglish.
Bert.Pray relate it. I never had the Opportunity of travelling in them.
Will.I have not Leisure now, and the Master of the Ship bid me be on board by three a Clock, unless I would lose my Passage. Another Time we shall have an Opportunity of prating our Bellies full.
The YOUNG MAN and HARLOT.
The ARGUMENT.
This is certainly a divine Colloquy, that makes even a Bawdy-House a chaste Place! God can't be deceiv'd, his Eyes penetrate into the most secret Places. That young Persons ought in an especial Manner to take Care of their Chastity. A young Woman, who made herself common to get a Livelihood, is recovered from that Course of Life, as wretched as it is scandalous.
Lu.O brave! My prettySophronius, have I gotten you again? It is an Age methinks since I saw you. I did not know you at first Sight.
So.Why so, myLucretia?
Lu.Because you had no Beard when you went away, but you're come back with something of a Beard. What's the Matter, my little Heart, you look duller than you use to do?
So.I want to have a little Talk with you in private.
Lu.Ah, ah, are we not by ourselves already, my Cocky?
So.Let us go out of the Way somewhere, into a more private Place.
Lu.Come on then, we'll go into my inner Bed-Chamber, if you have a Mind to do any Thing.
So.I don't think this Place is private enough yet.
Lu.How comes it about you're so bashful all on a sudden? Well, come, I have a Closet where I lay up my Cloaths, a Place so dark, that we can scarce see one another there.
So.See if there be no Chink.
Lu.There is not so much as a Chink.
So.Is there no Body near to hear us?
Lu.Not so much as a Fly, my Dear; Why do you lose Time?
So.Can we escape the Eye of God here?
Lu.No, he sees all Things clearly.
So.And of the Angels?
Lu.No, we cannot escape their Sight.
So.How comes it about then, that Men are not asham'd to do that in the Sight of God, and before the Face of the holy Angels, that they would be ashamed to do before Men?
Lu.What Sort of an Alteration is this? Did you come hither to preach a Sermon? Prithee put on aFranciscan's Hood, and get up into a Pulpit, and then we'll hear you hold forth, my little bearded Rogue.
So.I should not think much to do that, if I could but reclaim you from this Kind of Life, that is the most shameful and miserable Life in the World.
Lu.Why so, good Man? I am born, and I must be kept; every one must live by his Calling. This is my Business; this is all I have to live on.
So.I wish with all my Heart, myLucretia, that setting aside for a While that Infatuation of Mind, you would seriously weigh the Matter.
Lu.Keep your Preachment till another Time; now let us enjoy one another, mySophronius.
So.You do what you do for the Sake of Gain.
Lu.You are much about the Matter.
So.Thou shalt lose nothing by it, do but hearken to me, and I'll pay you four Times over.
Lu.Well, say what you have a Mind to say.
So.Answer me this Question in the first Place: Are there any Persons that owe you any ill Will?
Lu.Not one.
So.Is there any Body that you have a Spleen against?
Lu.According as they deserve.
So.And if you could do any Thing that would gratify them, would you do it?
Lu.I would poison 'em sooner.
So.But then do but consider with yourself; is there any Thing that you can do that gratifies them more than to let them see you live this shameful and wretched Life? And what is there thou canst do that would be more afflicting to them that wish thee well?
Lu.It is my Destiny.
So.Now that which uses to be the greatest Hardship to such as are transported, or banish'd into the most remote Parts of the World, this you undergo voluntarily.
Lu.What is that?
So.Hast thou not of thy own Accord renounc'd all thy Affections to Father, Mother, Brother, Sisters, Aunts, (by Father's and Mother's Side) and all thy Relations? For thou makest them all asham'd to own thee, and thyself asham'd to come into their Sight.
Lu.Nay, I have made a very happy Exchange of Affections; for instead of a few, now I have a great many, of which you are one, and whom I have always esteem'd as a Brother.
So.Leave off Jesting, and consider the Matter seriously, as it really is. Believe me, myLucretia, she who has so many Friends, has never a one, for they that follow thee do it not as a Friend, but as a House of Office rather. Do but consider, poor Thing, into what a Condition thou hast brought thyself.Christlov'd thee so dearly as to redeem thee with his own Blood, and would have thee be a Partaker with him in an heavenly Inheritance, and thou makest thyself a common Sewer, into which all the base, nasty, pocky Fellows resort, and empty their Filthiness. And if that leprous Infection they call theFrenchPox han't yet seiz'd thee, thou wilt not escape it long. And if once thou gettest it, how miserable wilt thou be, though all things should go favourably on thy Side? I mean thy Substance and Reputation. Thou wouldest be nothing but a living Carcase. Thou thoughtest much to obey thy Mother, and now thou art a mere Slave to a filthy Bawd. You could not endure to hear your Parents Instructions; and here you are often beaten by drunken Fellows and mad Whoremasters. It was irksome to thee to do any Work at Home, to get a Living; but here, how many Quarrels art thou forc'd to endure, and how late a Nights art thou oblig'd to sit up?
Lu.How came you to be a Preacher?
So.And do but seriously consider, this Flower of thy Beauty that now brings thee so many Gallants, will soon fade: And then, poor Creature, what wilt thou do? Thou wilt be piss'd upon by every Body. It may be, thou thinkest, instead of a Mistress, I'll then be a Bawd. All Whores can't attain to that, and if thou shouldst, what Employment is more impious, and more like the Devil himself?
Lu.Why, indeed, mySophronius, almost all you say is very true. But how came you to be so religious all of a sudden? Thou usedst to be the greatest Rake in the World, one of 'em. No Body used to come hither more frequently, nor at more unseasonable Hours than you did. I hear you have been atRome.
So.I have so.
Lu.Well, but other People use to come from thence worse than they went: How comes it about, it is otherwise with you?
So.I'll tell you, because I did not go toRomewith the same Intent, and after the same Manner that others do. Others commonly go toRome, on purpose to come Home worse, and there they meet with a great many Opportunities of becoming so. I went along with an honest Man, by whose Advice, I took along with me a Book instead of a Bottle: The New Testament withErasmus's Paraphrase.
Lu.Erasmus's? They say that he's Half a Heretick.
So.Has his Name reached to this Place too?
Lu.There's no Name more noted among us.
So.Did you ever see him?
Lu.No, I never saw him; but I should be glad to see him; I have heard so many bad Reports of him.
So.It may be you have heard 'em, from them that are bad themselves.
Lu.Nay, from Men of the Gown.
So.Who are they?
Lu.It is not convenient to name Names.
So.Why so?
Lu.Because if you should blab it out, and it should come to their Ears, I should lose a great many good Cullies.
So.Don't be afraid, I won't speak a Word of it.
Lu.I will whisper then.
So.You foolish Girl, what Need is there to whisper, when there is no Body but ourselves? What, lest God should hear? Ah, good God! I perceive you're a religious Whore, that relievest Mendicants.
Lu.I get more by them Beggars than by you rich Men.
So.They rob honest Women, to lavish it away upon naughty Strumpets.
Lu.But go on, as to your Book.
So.So I will, and that's best. In that Book, Paul, that can't lie, told me, thatneither Whores nor Whore-mongers shall obtain the Kingdom of Heaven. When I read this, I began thus to think with myself: It is but a small Matter that I look for from my Father's Inheritance, and yet I can renounce all the Whores in the World, rather than be disinherited by my Father; how much more then ought I to take Care, lest my heavenly Father should disinherit me? And human Laws do afford some Relief in the Case of a Father's disinheriting or discarding a Son: But here is no Provision at all made, in case of God's disinheriting; and upon that, I immediately ty'd myself up from all Conversation with lewd Women.
Lu.It will be well if you can hold it.
So.It is a good Step towards Continence, to desire to be so. And last of all, there is one Remedy left, and that is a Wife. When I was atRome, I empty'd the whole Jakes of my Sins into the Bosom of a Confessor. And he exhorted me very earnestly to Purity, both of Mind and Body, and to the reading of the holy Scripture, to frequent Prayer, and Sobriety of Life, and enjoin'd me no other Penance, but that I should upon my bended Knees before the high Altar say this Psalm,Have Mercy upon me, O God: And that if I had any Money, I should give one Penny to some poor Body. And I wondring that for so many whoring Tricks he enjoin'd me so small a Penance, he answer'd me very pleasantly, My Son, says he, if you truly repent and change your Life, I don't lay much Stress upon the Penance; but if thou shalt go on in it, the very Lust itself will at last punish thee very severely, although the Priest impose none upon thee. Look upon me, I am blear-ey'd, troubled with the Palsy, and go stooping: Time was I was such a one as you say you have been heretofore. And thus I repented.
Lu.Then as far as I perceive, I have lost mySophronius.
So.Nay, you have rather gain'd him, for he was lost before, and was neither his own Friend nor thine: Now he loves thee in Reality, and longs for the Salvation of thy Soul.
Lu.What would you have me to do then, mySophronius?
So.To leave off that Course of Life out of Hand: Thou art but a Girl yet, and that Stain that you have contracted may be wip'd off in Time. Either marry, and I'll give you something toward a Portion, or go into some Cloyster, that takes in crakt Maids, or go into some strange Place and get into some honest Family, I'll lend you my Assistance to any of these.
Lu.MySophronius, I love thee dearly, look out for one for me, I'll follow thy Advice.
So.But in the mean Time get away from hence.
Lu.Whoo! what so suddenly!
So.Why not to Day rather than to Morrow, if Delays are dangerous?
Lu.Whither shall I go?
So.Get all your Things together, give 'em to me in the Evening, my Servant shall carry 'em privately to a faithful Matron: And I'll come a little after and take you out as if it were to take a little Walk; you shall live with her some Time upon my Cost till I can provide for you, and that shall be very quickly.
Lu.Well, mySophronius, I commit myself wholly to thy Management.
So.In Time to come you'll be glad you have done so.
The POETICAL FEAST.
The ARGUMENT.
The Poetical Feast teaches the Studious how to banquet. That Thriftiness with Jocoseness, Chearfulness without Obscenity, and learned Stories, ought to season their Feasts. Iambics are bloody. Poets are Men of no great Judgment. The three chief Properties of a good Maid Servant. Fidelity, Deformity, and a high Spirit. A Place out of the Prologue ofTerence's Eunuchusis illustrated. AlsoHorace'sEpode toCanidia.A Place out ofSeneca. Aliud agere, nihil agere, male agere.A Place out of the Elenchi ofAristotleis explain'd. A Theme poetically varied, and in a different Metre. Sentences are taken from Flowers and Trees in the Garden. Also some Verses are compos'd inGreek.
HILARY, LEONARD, CRATO, GUESTS, MARGARET, CARINUS, EUBULUS, SBRULIUS,PARTHENIUS, MUS,Hilary's Servant.
Hi.Levis apparatus, animus est lautissimus.
Le.Cænam sinistro es auspicatus omine.
Hi.Imo absit omen triste. Sed cur hoc putas?
Le.Cruenti Iambi haud congruent convivio.
Hi.I have but slender Fare, but a very liberal Mind.
Le.You have begun the Banquet with a bad Omen.
Hi.Away with bad Presages. But why do you think so?
Le.Bloody Iambics are not fit for a Feast.
Cr.O brave! I am sure the Muses are amongst us, Verses flow so from us, when we don't think of 'em.
Si rotatiles trochaeos mavelis, en, accipe:Vilis apparatus heic est, animus est lautissimus.
If you had rather have whirling Trochees, lo, here they are for you:Here is but mean Provision, but I have a liberal Mind.
Although Iambics in old Time were made for Contentions and Quarrels, they were afterwards made to serve any Subject whatsoever. O Melons! Here you have Melons that grew in my own Garden. These are creeping Lettuces of a very milky Juice, like their Name. What Man in his Wits would not prefer these Delicacies before Brawn, Lampreys, and Moor-Hens?
Cr.If a Man may be allow'd to speak Truth at a Poetic Banquet, those you call Lettuces are Beets.
Hi.God forbid.
Cr.It is as I tell you. See the Shape of 'em, and besides where is the milky Juice? Where are their soft Prickles?
Hi.Truly you make me doubt. Soho, call the Wench.Margaret, you Hag, what did you mean to give us Beets instead of Lettuces?
Ma.I did it on Purpose.
Hi.What do you say, you Witch?
Ma.I had a Mind to try among so many Poets if any could know a Lettuce from a Beet. For I know you don't tell me truly who 'twas that discover'd 'em to be Beets.
Guests.Crato.
Ma.I thought it was no Poet who did it.
Hi.If ever you serve me so again, I'll call youBliteainstead ofMargarita.
Gu.Ha, ha, ha.
Ma.Your calling me will neither make me fatter nor leaner. He calls me by twenty Names in a Day's Time: When he has a Mind to wheedle me, then I'm call'dGalatea, Euterpe, Calliope, Callirhoe, Melissa, Venus, Minerva, and what not? When he's out of Humour at any Thing, then presently I'mTisiphone,Megaera,Alecto,Medusa,Baucis, and whatsoever comes into his Head in his mad Mood.
Hi.Get you gone with your Beets,Blitea.
Ma.I wonder what you call'd me for.
Hi.That you may go whence you came.
Ma.'Tis an old Saying and a true, 'tis an easier Matter to raise the Devil, than 'tis to lay him.
Gu.Ha, ha, ha: Very well said. As the Matter is,Hilary, you stand in Need of some magic Verse to lay her with.
Hi.I have got one ready.
[Greek: Pheugete, kantharides lukos agrios umme diôkei.]
Be gone ye Beetles, for the cruel Wolf pursues you.
Ma.What saysÆsop?
Cr.Have a Care,Hilary, she'll hit you a Slap on the Face: This is your laying her with yourGreekVerse. A notable Conjurer indeed!
Hi.Crato, What do you think of this Jade? I could have laid ten great Devils with such a Verse as this.
Ma.I don't care a Straw for yourGreekVerses.
Hi.Well then, I must make use of a magical Spell, or, if that won't do,Mercury'sMace.
Cr.MyMargaret, you know we Poets are a Sort of Enthusiasts, I won't say Mad-Men; prithee let me intreat you to let alone this Contention 'till another Time, and treat us with good Humour at this Supper for my Sake.
Ma.What does he trouble me with his Verses for? Often when I am to go to Market he has never a Penny of Money to give me, and yet he's a humming of Verses.
Cr.Poets are such Sort of Men. But however, prithee do as I say.
Ma.Indeed I will do it for your Sake, because I know you are an honest Gentleman, that never beat your Brain about such Fooleries. I wonder how you came to fall into such Company.
Cr.How come you to think so?
Ma.Because you have a full Nose, sparkling Eyes, and a plump Body. Now do but see how he leers and sneers at me.
Cr.But prithee, Sweet-Heart, keep your Temper for my Sake.
Ma.Well, I will go, and 'tis for your Sake and no Body's else.
Hi.Is she gone?
Ma.Not so far but she can hear you.
Mus.She is in the Kitchen, now, muttering something to herself I can't tell what.
Cr.I'll assure you your Maid is not dumb.
Hi.They say a good Maid Servant ought especially to have three Qualifications; to be honest, ugly, and high-spirited, which the Vulgar call evil. An honest Servant won't waste, an ugly one Sweet-Hearts won't woo, and one that is high-spirited will defend her Master's Right; for sometimes there is Occasion for Hands as well as a Tongue. This Maid of mine has two of these Qualifications, she's as ugly as she's surly; as to her Honesty I can't tell what to say to that.
Cr.We have heard her Tongue, we were afraid of her Hands upon your Account.
Hi.Take some of these Pompions: We have done with the Lettuces. For I know if I should bid her bring any Lettuces, she would bring Thistles. Here are Melons too, if any Body likes them better. Here are new Figs too just gather'd, as you may see by the Milk in the Stalks. It is customary to drink Water after Figs, lest they clog the Stomach. Here is very cool clear Spring Water that runs out of this Fountain, that is good to mix with Wine.
Cr.But I can't tell whether I had best to mix Water with my Wine, or Wine with Water; this Wine seems to me so likely to have been drawn out of the Muses Fountain.
Hi.Such Wine as this is good for Poets to sharpen their Wits. You dull Fellows love heavy Liquors.
Cr.I wish I was that happyCrassus.
Hi.I had rather beCodrusorEnnius. And seeing I happen to have the Company of so many learned Guests at my Table, I won't let 'em go away without learning something of 'em. There is a Place in the Prologue ofEunuchusthat puzzles many. For most Copies have it thus:
_Sic existimet, sciat,Responsum, non dictum esse, quid laesit prior,Qui bene vertendo, et ects describendo male, &c.
Let him so esteem or know, that it is an Answer, not a common Saying; because he first did the Injury, who by well translating and ill describing them, &c._
In these Words I want a witty Sense, and such as is worthy ofTerence. For he did not therefore do the Wrong first, because he translated theGreekComedies badly, but because he had found Fault withTerence's.
Eu. According to the old Proverb,He that sings worst let him begin first.When I was atLondoninThomas Linacre'sHouse, who is a Man tho' well skill'd in all Manner of Philosophy, yet he is very ready in all Criticisms in Grammar, he shew'd me a Book of great Antiquity which had it thus:
Sic existimet, stiat,Responsum, non dictum esse, quale sit priusQui bene vertendo, et eas describendo male,Ex Graecis bonis Latinas fecit non bonas:Idem Menandri Phasma nunc nuper dedit.
The Sentence is so to be ordered, thatquale sitmay shew that an Example of that which is spoken before is to be subjoin'd. He threatened that he would again find Fault with something in his Comedies who had found Fault with him, and he here denies that it ought to seem a Reproach but an Answer. He that provokes begins the Quarrel; he that being provok'd, replies, only makes his Defence or Answer. He promises to give an Example thereof,quale sit, being the same with [Greek: oion] inGreek, andquod genus, veluti, orvidelicet, orputain Latin. Then afterwards he brings a reproof, wherein the Adverbpriushath Relation to another Adverb, as it were a contrary one, which follows,viz. nupereven as the Pronounquianswers to the Wordidem. For he altogether explodes the old Comedies ofLavinius, because they were now lost out of the Memory of Men. In those which he had lately published, he sets down the certain Places. I think that this is the proper Reading, and the true Sense of the Comedian: If the chief and ordinary Poets dissent not from it.
Gu.We are all entirely of your Opinion.
Eu.But I again desire to be inform'd by you of one small and very easy Thing, how this Verse is to be scann'd.
Ex Græcis bonis Latinas fecit non bonas.
Scan it upon your Fingers.
Hi.I think that according to the Custom of the Antientssis to be cut off, so that there be anAnapaestusin the second Place.
Eu.I should agree to it, but that the Ablative Case ends inis, and is long by Nature. Therefore though the Consonant should be taken away, yet nevertheless a long Vowel remains.
Hi.You say right.
Cr.If any unlearned Person or Stranger should come in, he would certainly think we were bringing up again among ourselves the Countrymens Play of holding up our Fingers (dimicatione digitorum,i.e.the Play of Love).
Le.As far as I see, we scan it upon our Fingers to no Purpose. Do you help us out if you can.
Eu.To see how small a Matter sometimes puzzles Men, though they be good Scholars! The Prepositionexbelongs to the End of the foregoing Verse.
Qui bene vertendo, et eas describendo male, ex Graecis bonis Latinas fecit non bonas.
Thus there is no Scruple.
Le.It is so, by the Muses. Since we have begun to scan upon our Fingers, I desire that somebody would put this Verse out ofAndriainto its Feet.
Sine invidia laudem invenias, et amicos pares.
For I have often tri'd and could do no good on't.
Le. Sine inis an Iambic,vidiaan Anapæstus,Laudem inis a Spondee,veniasan Anapæstus,et amianother Anapæstus.
Ca.You have five Feet already, and there are three Syllables yet behind, the first of which is long; so that thou canst neither make it anIambicnor aTribrach.
Le.Indeed you say true. We are aground; who shall help us off?
Eu.No Body can do it better than he that brought us into it. Well,Carinus, if thou canst say any Thing to the Matter, don't conceal it from your poor sincere Friends.
Ca.If my Memory does not fail me, I think I have read something of this Nature inPriscian, who says, that among the Latin ComediansvConsonant is cut off as well as the Vowel, as oftentimes in this Wordenimvero;so that the partenimemakes an Anapæstus.
Le.Then scan it for us.
Ca.I'll do it.Sine inidiis a proseleusmatic Foot, unless you had rather have it cut offiby Syneresis, as whenVirgilputsaureoat the End of an heroick Verse forauro.But if you please let there be a Tribrach in the first Place,a lauis a Spondee,d'invenia Dactyl,as et aa Dactyl,micosa Spondee,paresan Iambic.
Sb. Carinushath indeed got us out of these Briars. But in the same Scene there is a Place, which I can't tell whether any Body has taken Notice of or not.
Hi.Prithee, let us have it.
Sb.ThereSimospeaks after this Manner.
Sine ut eveniat, quod volo,In Pamphilo ut nihil sit morae, restat Chremes.
Suppose it happen, as I desire, that there be no delay inPamphilus; Chremesremains.
What is it that troubles you in these Words?
Sb. Sinebeing a Term of Threatning, there is nothing follows in this Place that makes for a Threatning. Therefore it is my Opinion that the Poet wrote it,
Sin eveniat, quod volo;
thatSinmay answer to theSithat went before.
Si propter amorem uxorem nolit ducere.
For the old Man propounds two Parts differing from one another:Si, &c. IfPamphilusfor the Love ofGlycerierefuseth to marry, I shall have some Cause to chide him; but if he shall not refuse, then it remains that I must intreatChremes. Moreover the Interruption ofSosia, andSimo's Anger againstDavusmade too long a Transposition of the Words.
Hi.Mouse, reach me that Book.
Cr.Do you commit your Book to a Mouse?
Hi.More safely than my Wine. Let me never stir, ifSbruliushas not spoken the Truth.
Ca.Give me the Book, I'll shew you another doubtful Place. This Verse is not found in the Prologue ofEunuchus:
Habeo alia multa, quæ nunc condonabuntur.
I have many other Things, which shall now be delivered.
Although theLatinComedians especially take great Liberty to themselves in this Kind of Verse, yet I don't remember that they any where conclude a Trimetre with a Spondee, unless it be readCondonabiturimpersonally, orCondonabimus, changing the Number of the Person.
Ma.Oh, this is like Poets Manners indeed! As soon as ever they are set down to Dinner they are at Play, holding up their Fingers, and poring upon their Books. It were better to reserve your Plays and your Scholarship for the second Course.
Cr. Margaretgives us no bad Counsel, we'll humour her; when we have fill'd our Bellies, we'll go to our Play again; now we'll play with our Fingers in the Dish.
Hi.Take Notice of Poetick Luxury. You have three Sorts of Eggs, boil'd, roasted, and fry'd; they are all very new, laid within these two Days.
Par.I can't abide to eat Butter; if they are fry'd with Oil, I shall like 'em very well.
Hi.Boy, go askMargaretwhat they are fry'd in.
Mo.She says they are fry'd in neither.
Hi.What! neither in Butter nor Oil. In what then?
Mo.She says they are fry'd in Lye.
Cr.She has given you an Answer like your Question. What a great Difficulty 'tis to distinguish Butter from Oil.
Ca.Especially for those that can so easily know a Lettuce from a Beet.
Hi.Well, you have had the Ovation, the Triumph will follow in Time. Soho, Boy, look about you, do you perceive nothing to be wanting?
Mo.Yes, a great many Things.
Hi.These Eggs lack Sauce to allay their Heat.
Mo.What Sauce would you have?
Hi.Bid her send us some Juice of the Tendrels of a Vine pounded.
Mo.I'll tell her, Sir.
Hi.What, do you come back empty-handed?
Mo.She says, Juice is not used to be squeez'd out of Vine Tendrels.
Le.A fine Maid Servant, indeed!
Sb.Well, we'll season our Eggs with pleasant Stories. I found a Place in the Epodes ofHorace, not corrupted as to the Writing, but wrong interpreted, and not only byMancinellus, and other later Writers; but byPorphyryhimself. The Place is in the Poem, where he sings a Recantation to the WitchCanidia.
tuusque venter pactumeius, et tuo cruore rubros obstetrix pannos lavit, utcunque fortis exilis puerpera.
For they all takeexilisto be a Noun in this Place, when it is a Verb. I'll write downPorphyry's Words, if we can believe 'em to be his: She isexilis, says he, under that Form, as though she were become deform'd by Travel; by Slenderness of Body, he means a natural Leanness. A shameful Mistake, if so great a Man did not perceive that the Law of the Metre did contradict this Sense. Nor does the fourth Place admit of a Spondee: but the Poet makes a Jest of it; that she did indeed bear a Child, though she was not long weak, nor kept her Bed long after her Delivery; but presently jumpt out of Bed, as some lusty lying-in Women used to do.
Hi.We thank youSbrulius, for giving us such fine Sauce to our Eggs.
Le.There is another Thing in the first Book ofOdesthat is not much unlike this. TheOdebegins thus:Tu ne quæ sieris.Now the common Reading is thus,Neu Babylonios Tentaris numeros, ut melius quicquid erit pati. The antient Interpreters pass this Place over, as if there were no Difficulty in it. OnlyMancinettusthinking the Sentence imperfect, bids us addpossis.
Sb.Have you any Thing more that is certain about this Matter?
Le.I don't know whether I have or no; but in my Opinion,Horaceseems here to have made Use of theGreekIdiom; and this he does more than any other of the Poets. For it is a very common Thing with theGreeks, to join an infinitive Mood with the Word [Greek: hôs] and [Greek: hôste]. And soHoraceusesut pati, forut patiaris: Although whatMancinellusguesses, is not altogether absurd.
Hi.I like what you say very well. Run,Mouse, and bring what is to come, if there be any Thing.
Cr.What new dainty Dish is this?
Hi.This is a Cucumber sliced; this is the Broth of the Pulp of a Gourd boil'd, it is good to make the Belly loose.
Sb.Truly a medical feast.
Hi.Take it in good Part. There's a Fowl to come out of our Hen-Coop.
Sb.We will change thy Name, and call theeApicius, instead ofHilary.
Hi.Well, laugh now as much as you will, it may be you'll highly commend this Supper to Morrow.
Sb.Why so?
Hi.When you find that your Dinner has been well season'd.
Sb.What, with a good Stomach?
Hi.Yes, indeed.
Cr.Hilary, do you know what Task I would have you take upon you?
Hi.I shall know when you have told me.
Cr.The Choir sings some Hymns, that are indeed learned ones; but are corrupted in many Places by unlearned Persons. I desire that you would mend 'em; and to give you an Example, we sing thus:
Hostis Herodes impie,Christum venire quid times?
Thou wicked EnemyHerod,why dost thou dread the Coming of Christ?
The mis-placing of one Word spoils the Verse two Ways. For the Wordhostis, making a Trochee, has no Place in anIambick Verse, andHerobeing aSpondeewon't stand in the second Place. Nor is there any doubt but the Verse at first was thus written,
Herodes hostis impie.
For the Epitheteimpiebetter agrees withHostisthan withHerod. BesidesHerodesbeing aGreekWord [Greek: ê or ae] is turned into [Greek: e] in the vocative; as [Greek: Sôkrataes, ô Sokrates]; and so [Greek: Agamemnôn [Transcribers Note: this word appears in Greek with the ô represented by the character omega.]] in the nominative Case is turned into[Greek: o]. So again we sing the Hymn,
_Jesu corona virginum,Quem mater ilia concepit,Quæ sola virgo parturit.
O Jesus the Crown of Virgins,Whom she the Mother conceiv'd,Which was the only Person of a Virgin that brought forth._
There is no Doubt but the Word should be pronounc'dconcipit.For the Change of the Tense sets off a Word. And it is ridiculous for us to find Fault withconcipitwhenparluritfollows.
Hi.Truly I have been puzzled at a great many such Things; nor will it be amiss, if hereafter we bestow a little Time upon this Matter. For methinksAmbrosehas not a little Grace in this Kind of Verse, for he does commonly end a Verse of four Feet with a Word of three Syllables, and commonly places acæsurain the End of a Word. It is so common with him that it cannot seem to have been by Chance. If you would have an Example,Deus Creator. Here is aPenthemimeris, it follows,omnium; Polique rector, then follows,vestiens; diem decoro, and thenlumine; noctem soporis, then followsgratia.
Hi.But here's a good fat Hen that has laid me Eggs, and hatch'd me Chickens for ten Years together.
Cr.It is Pity that she should have been kill'd.
Ca.If it were fit to intermingle any Thing of graver Studies, I have something to propose.
Hi.Yes, if it be not too crabbed.
Ca.That it is not. I lately began to readSeneca'sEpistles, and stumbled, as they say, at the very Threshold. The Place is in the first Epistle;And if, says he,thou wilt but observe it, great Part of our Life passes away while we are doing what is ill; the greatest Part, while we are doing nothing, and the whole of it while we are doing that which is to no Purpose. In this Sentence, he seems to affect I can't tell what Sort of Witticism, which I do not well understand.
Le.I'll guess, if you will.
Ca.Do so.
Le.No Man offends continually. But, nevertheless, a great Part of one's Life is lost in Excess, Lust, Ambition, and other Vices; but a much greater Part is lost in doing of nothing. Moreover they are said to do nothing, not who live in Idleness, but they who are busied about frivolous Things which conduce nothing at all to our Happiness: And thence comes the Proverb,It is better to be idle, than to be doing, but to no Purpose. But the whole Life is spent in doing another Thing. He is said,aliud agere, who does not mind what he is about. So that the whole of Life is lost: Because when we are vitiously employ'd we are doing what we should not do; when we are employ'd about frivolous Matters we do that we should not do; and when we study Philosophy, in that we do it negligently and carelesly, we do something to no Purpose. If this Interpretation don't please you, let this Sentence ofSenecabe set down among those Things of this Author thatAulus Gelliuscondemns in this Writer as frivolously witty.
Hi.Indeed I like it very well. But in the mean Time, let us fall manfully upon the Hen. I would not have you mistaken, I have no more Provision for you. It agrees with what went before.That is the basest Loss that comes by Negligence, and he shews it by this Sentence consisting of three Parts. But methinks I see a Fault a little after:We foresee not Death, a great Part of it is past already.It is my Opinion it ought to be read;We foresee Death.For we foresee those Things which are a great Way off from us, when Death for the most Part is gone by us.
Le.If Philosophers do sometimes give themselves Leave to go aside into the Meadows of the Muses, perhaps it will not be amiss for us, if we, to gratify our Fancy, take a Turn into their Territories.
Hi.Why not?
Le.As I was lately reading over againAristotle's Book that he entitles [Greek: Peri tôn elenchôn], the Argument of which is for the most Part common both to Rhetoricians and Philosophers, I happen'd to fall upon some egregious Mistakes of the Interpreters. And there is no Doubt but that they that are unskill'd in theGreekhave often miss'd it in many Places. ForAristotleproposes a Sort of such Kind of Ambiguity as arises from a Word of a contrary Signification. [Greek: ho ti manthanousin oi epistamenoi ta gar apostomatizomena manthanousin oi grammatikoi to gar manthanein omônymon, to te xunienai chrômenon tê epistêmê, kai to lambanein tên epistêmên.] And they turn it thus.Because intelligent Persons learn; for Grammarians are only tongue-learn'd; for to learn is an equivocal Word, proper both to him that exerciseth and to him that receiveth Knowledge.
Hi.Methinks you speakHebrew, and notEnglish.
Le.Have any of you heard any equivocal Word?
Hi.No.
Le.What then can be more foolish than to desire to turn that which cannot possibly be turn'd. For although theGreekWord [Greek: manthanein], signifies as much as [Greek: mathein] and [Greek: mathêteuein], so among theLatins,discere, to learn, signifies as much asdoctrinam accipere, ordoctrinam tradere.But whether this be true or no I can't tell. I rather think [Greek: manthanein], is of doubtful Signification with theGreeks, ascognoscereis among theLatins.For he that informs, and the Judge that learns, both of them know the Cause. And so I think among theGreeksthe Master is said [Greek: manthanein] whilst he hears his Scholars, as also the Scholars who learn of him. But how gracefully hath he turn'd that [Greek: ta gar apostomatizomena manthanousin oi grammatikoi],nam secundum os grammatici discunt: For the Grammarians are tongue-learn'd; since it ought to be translated,Nam grammatici, quæ dictitant, docent: Grammarians teach what they dictate. Here the Interpreters ought to have given another Expression, which might not express the same Words, but the same Kind of Thing. Tho' I am apt to suspect here is some Error in theGreekCopy, and that it ought to be written [Greek: homônumon tô te xunienai kai tô lambanein]. And a little after he subjoins another Example of Ambiguity, which arises not from the Diversity of the Signification of the same Word, but from a different Connection, [Greek: to boulesthai labein me tous polemious],velleme accipere pugnantes. To be willing that I should receive the fighting Men: For so he translates it, instead ofvelle me capere hostes, to be willing that I take the Enemies;and if one should read [Greek: boulesthe], it is more perspicuous.Vultis ut ego capiam hostes? Will ye that I take the Enemies?For the Pronoun may both go before and follow the Verbcapere. If it go before it, the Sense will be this,Will ye that I take the Enemies?If it follows, then this will be the Sense,Are ye willing that the Enemies should take me?He adds also another Example of the same Kind, [Greek: ara ho tis ginôskei, touto ginôskei]. i.e.An quod quis novit hoc novit.The Ambiguity lies in [Greek: touto]. If it should be taken in the accusative Case, the Sense will be this;Whatsoever it is that any Body knows, that Thing he knows to be.But if in the nominative Case, the Sense will be this,That Thing which any Body knows, it knows;as though that could not be known that knows not again by Course. Again he adds another Example. [Greek: apa ho tis hora, touto hora; hora de ton kiona hôste hora ho kiôn].That which any one sees, does that Thing see; but he sees a Post, does the Post therefore see?The Ambiguity lies again in [Greek: touto], as we shew'd before. But these Sentences may be render'd intoLatinwell enough; but that which follows cannot possibly by any Means be render'd, [Greek: Ara ho sy phês einai, touto sy phês einai; phês de lithon einai sy ara phês lithos einai]. Which they thus render,putas quod tu dicis esse, hoc tu dicis esse: dicis autem lapidem esse, tu ergo lapis dicis esse.Pray tell me what Sense can be made of these Words? For the Ambiguity lies partly in the Idiom of theGreekPhrase, which is in the major and minor. Although in the major there is another Ambiguity in the two Words [Greek: o] and [Greek: touto], which if they be taken in the nominative Case, the Sense will be,That which thou sayest thou art, that thou art.But if in the accusative Case the Sense will be,Whatsoever thou sayst is, that thou sayst is;and to this Sense he subjoins [Greek: lithon phês einai], but to the former Sense he subjoins [Greek: sy ara phês lithos einai].Catullusonce attempted to imitate the Propriety of theGreekTongue:
_Phaselus iste, quem videtis, hospites,Ait fuisse navium celerrimus.
My Guests, that Gally which you seeThe most swift of the Navy is, says he._
For so was this Verse in the old Edition. Those who write Commentaries on these Places being ignorant of this, must of Necessity err many Ways. Neither indeed can that which immediately follows be perspicuous in theLatin. [Greek: Kai ara eoti sigônta legein; ditton gar esti to sigonta legein, to te ton legonta sigan, kai to ta legomena.] That they have render'd thus;Et putas, est tacentem dicere? Duplex enim est, tacentem dicere; et hunc dicere tacentem, et quæ dicuntur.Are not these Words more obscure than the Books of theSibyls?
Hi.I am not satisfy'd with theGreek.
Le.I'll interpret it as well as I can.Is it possible for a Man to speak while he is silent?This Interrogation has a two-Fold Sense, the one of which is false and absurd, and the other may be true; for it cannot possibly be that he who speaks, should not speak what he does speak; that is that he should be silent while he is speaking; but it is possible, that he who speaks may be silent of him who speaks. Although this Example falls into another Form that he adds a little after. And again, I admire, that a little after, in that kind of Ambiguity that arises from more Words conjoin'd, theGreekshave chang'd the WordSeculuminto the Letters, [Greek: epistasthai ta grammata], seeing that theLatinCopies have it,scire seculum. For here arises a double Sense, eitherthat the Age itself might know something, orthat somebody might know the Age. But this is an easier Translation of it into [Greek: aiôna] or [Greek: kosmon], than into [Greek: grammata]. For it is absurd to say that Letters know any Thing; but it is no absurdity to say,something is known to our Age, orthat any one knows his Age. And a little after, where he propounds an Ambiguity in the Accent, the Translator does not stick to putVirgil'sWords instead ofHomer's, when there was the same Necessity in that Example,quicquid dicis esse, hoc est,What thou sayst is, it is.Aristotleout ofHomersays, [Greek: ou kataputhetai ombrô], if [Greek: ou] should be aspirated and circumflected, it sounds inLatinthus;Cujus computrescit pluviâ;by whose Rain it putrifies; but if [Greek: ou] be acuted and exile, it sounds,Non computrescit pluviâ; it does not putrify with Rain; and this indeed is taken out of theIliad[Greek: ps]. Another is, [Greek: didomen de oi euchos aresthai]: the Accent being placed upon the last Syllable but one, signifies,grant to him; but plac'd upon the first Syllable [Greek: didomen], signifies,we grant. But the Poet did not thinkJupitersaid,we grant to him; but commands the Dream itself to grant him, to whom it is sent to obtain his Desire. For [Greek: didomen], is used for [Greek: didonai]. For these two ofHomer, these two are added out of our Poets; as that out of the Odes ofHorace.
Me tuo longas pereunte noctes,Lydia, dormis.
For if the Accent be onmebeing short, andtube pronounc'd short,it is one Wordmetuo; that is,timeo, I am afraid: Although thisAmbiguity lies not in the Accent only, but also arises from theComposition.
They have brought another Example out ofVirgil:
Heu quia nam tanti cinxerunt aethera nymbi!
Although here also the Ambiguity lies in the Composition.
Hi.Leonard, These Things are indeed Niceties, worthy to be known; but in the mean Time, I'm afraid our Entertainment should seem rather a Sophistical one, than a Poetical one: At another Time, if you please, we'll hunt Niceties and Criticisms for a whole Day together.
Le.That is as much as to say, we'll hunt for Wood in a Grove, or seek for Water in the Sea.
Hi.Where is my Mouse?
Mou.Here he is.
Hi.BidMargaretbring up the Sweet-Meats.
Mus.I go, Sir.
Hi.What! do you come again empty-handed?
Mus.She says, she never thought of any Sweet-Meats, and that you have sat long enough already.
Hi.I am afraid, if we should philosophize any longer, she'll come and overthrow the Table, asXantippedid toSocrates; therefore it is better for us to take our Sweet-Meats in the Garden; and there we may walk and talk freely; and let every one gather what Fruit he likes best off of the Trees.
Guests.We like your Motion very well.
Hi.There is a little Spring sweeter than any Wine.
Ca.How comes it about, that your Garden is neater than your Hall?
Hi.Because I spend most of my Time here. If you like any Thing that is here, don't spare whatever you find. And now if you think you have walk'd enough, what if we should sit down together under this Teil Tree, and rouze up our Muses.
Pa.Come on then, let us do so.
Hi.The Garden itself will afford us a Theme.
Pa.If you lead the Way, we will follow you.
Hi.Well, I'll do so. He acts very preposterously, who has a Garden neatly trimm'd up, and furnish'd with various Delicacies, and at the same Time, has a Mind adorn'd with no Sciences nor Virtues.
Le.We shall believe the Muses themselves are amongst us, if thou shalt give us the same Sentence in Verse.
Hi.That's a great Deal more easy to me to turn Prose into Verse, than it is to turn Silver into Gold.