Page:The whole familiar colloquies of Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam.djvu/242

 dangerous diseases, and so it conies about, that while care is taken to preserve the shape of one body, the lives of two bodies are not regarded ; and while they provide against old age coming on too early, they throw themselves into a too early death. What is the boy's name 1 Fa. Cornelius. Eu* That is the name of his grandfather by the father's side. I wish he may imitate him in his unblemished life and good manners. Fa. We will do our endeavour what in us lies. But hark ye, Eutrapelus, here is one thing I would earnestly entreat of you. Eu. I am entirely at your service ; command what you will, I will undertake it. Fa. Well, then, I will not discharge you till you have finished the good service that you have begun> Eu. What is that 1 ? Fa. First of all, to give me instructions how I may manage my infant as to his health, and when he is grown up, how I may form his mind with pious principles. Eu. That I will readily do another time, according to my ability, but that must be at our next conversation ; I will now go and prevail upon your husband and parents. Fa. I wish you may succeed. 

Me. What novelty is this? Don’t I see my old neighbour Ogygius, that nobody has set their eyes on this six months? There was a report he was dead. It is he, or I am mightily mistaken. I will go up to him and give him his welcome. Welcome, Ogygius. Og. And well met, Menedemus. Me. From what part of the world came you 1 for here was a melancholy report that you had taken a voyage to the Stygian shades. Og. Nay, I thank God, I never was better in all my life than I have been ever since I saw you last. Me. And may you live always to confute such vain reports. But what strange dress is this 1 It is all over set off with shells scolloped, full of images of lead and tin, and chains of straw-work, and the cuffs are adorned with snakes' eggs, instead of bracelets. Og. I have been to pay a visit to St. James at Compostella, and after that to the famous virgin on the other side the water in England ; and this was rather a re-visit, for I had been to see her three years before. Me. What ! out of curiosity, I suppose? Og. Nay, upon the score of religion. Me. That religion, I suppose, the Greek tongue taught you.

Og. My wife's mother had bound herself by a vow, that if her daughter should be delivered of a live male child, I should go to present my respects to St. James in person, and thank him for it. Me. And did you salute the saint only in your own and your mother- in-law's name? Og. Nay, in the name of the whole family. Me. Truly I am persuaded your family would have been every whit as well if you had never complimented him at all. But, prithee, what answer did he make you when you thanked him? Og. None at all, but upon tendering my present he seemed to smile, and gave me a gentle nod, with this same scollop shell. Me. But why does he rather give those than anything else? Og. Because he has plenty of them, the neighbouring sea furnishing him with them. Me. O gracious saint, that is both a midwife to women in labour and hospitable to travellers too! But what new fashion of making vows is this, that one who does 