Erasmus Colloquies VI
(Taken from Erasmus, Twenty-two select colloquies out of Erasmus Roterodamus pleasantly representing several superstitious levities that were crept into the Church of Rome in his days (1689), pp.66-68.)
EUSEBIUS, TIMOTHEUS, THEOPHILUS, CHRYSOGLOTTUS, URANIUS.
...
Eu.
You're welcome, my Masters, for coming according to your words; but you're twice as wellcome, for coming so
Early, and bringing the best C[o]mpany in the World along with ye. It is a kind of unmannerly Civility, methinks, in
some people, to make their Host wait.
Ti.
We came so much the sooner, that we might have time enough to look over all your Curiosities; for they say you
live like a Prince here; and that the very contrivances about your House, tell who's the Master of it.
...
Eu.
And you will find it a Palace (I can assure ye) worthy of such a Prince: This Nest is, to me, more than an Imperial
Court; and if Liberty be a Kingdom, here do I Reign. But what if we should take the Cool of the morning now, to
see the Gardens, while the Wench in the Kitchin provides us a Sallad?
Ti.
Never was any thing in better order. The very Design of this Garden bids a man welcome to't. Have you any more
then this?
Eu.
Here are Flowers, and Greens, that will serve to put by a worse Scent.