Page:The whole familiar colloquies of Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam.djvu/231

 TEE LYING-IN WOMAN. 227 taken up about his affairs in Germany. And the courtiers everywhere are almost famished with hunger after money. The very farmers raise dangerous commotions, nor are deterred from their attempts by so many slaughters of men that have been made already. The people are for setting up an anarchy, and the church goes to ruin with dangerous factions. Christ's seamless coat is rent asunder on all sides. God's vineyard is spoiled by more boars than one. The authority of the clergy with their tithes, the dignity of divines, the majesty of monks is in danger ; confession nods, vows stagger, the pope's constitutions go to decay, the eucharist is called in question, and antichrist is expected every day, and the whole world seems to be in travail to bring forth I know not what mischief. In the meantime the Turks overrun all wherever they come, and are ready to invade us and lay all waste, if they succeed in what they are about ; and do yoxi ask what God has else to do 1 I think He should rather see to secure His own kingdom in time. Fa. Perhaps that which men make the greatest account of, seems to God of no moment. But, however, if you will, let us let God alone in this discourse of ours. What is your reason to think it is happier to bear a boy than a girl 1 It is the part of a pious person to think that best which God, who without controversy is the best judge, has given. Eu. And if God should give you but a cup made of crystal, would you not give Him thanks for it 1 Fa. Yes, I woxild. Eu. Bxit what if He should give you one of common glass, would you give Him the like thanks ? But I am afraid instead of comforting you by this discourse I shoxild make you uneasy. Fa. Nay, a Fabulla can be in no danger of being hurt by a fable. I have lain in now almost a month, and I am strong enough for a match at wrestling. Eu. Why do you not get out of your bed then 1 Fa. The king has forbid me. Eu. What king ] Fa. Nay, a tyrant rather. Eu. What tyrant, prithee 1 Fa. I will tell you in one syllable (Mos) custom. Eu. Alas ! how many things does that tyrant exact beyond the bounds of equity ? But let us go on to talk of our crystal and our common glass. Fa. I believe you judge that a male is naturally more excellent and 'Strong than a female. Eu. I believe they are. Fa. That is men's opinion. But are men anything longer lived than women ? Are they free from distempers "? Eu. No, but in the general they are stronger. Fa. But then they themselves are excelled by camels in strength. Eu. But, besides, the male was created first. Fa. So was Adam before Christ. Artists use to be most exquisite in their latter performances. Eu. But God put the woman under subjection to the man. Fa. It does not follow of consequence that he is the better because he commands, he subjects her as a wife, and not purely as a woman ; and besides that, He so puts the wife xinder subjection, that though they have each of them power over the other, He will have the woman to be obedient to the man, not as to the more excellent, but to the more fierce person. Tell me, Eutrapelus, which is the weaker per- son, he that yields to another, or he that is yielded to 1 Eu. I will grant you that, if you will explain to me what Paul meant when he wrote to the Corinthians that Christ was the head of the man, and man the head of the woman; and again, when he said that a man was the image and glory of God, and a woman the glory of the man. Fa.