Page:The whole familiar colloquies of Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam.djvu/353

 THE SOBER BANQUET. 349 if a man was dead it would fetch him to life again. Gy. If it was possible I would add to your hyperbole. Je. Upon my word, all things look wonderfully pleasant. Ja. In short, this garden ought to be dedicated with a drinking match. La. Our James speaks much to the purpose. Al. This place has been formerly initiated with such ceremonies. But I would have you observe by the way, that I have nothing here to make you a dinner, except you will be content with a collation without wine. I will treat you with lettuces without either salt, vinegar, or oil; here is not a drop of wine but what flows out of this fountain. I have here neither bread (to eat with the salad) nor cup (to drink out of). And the season of the year is such that it is more proper for feeding the eyes than the belly. Ba. But I suppose you have got playing tables or bowls; we will dedicate the garden with playing, if we cannot with feasting. Al. Since there is such a set of .jolly fellows of us met together, I have something to propose as to the consecration of the garden that, I am of opinion, you will confess is far before either gaming or banqueting. Ch. What is that] Al. Let every one furnish his quota, and I dare engage we shall have a noble and delicate feast. jEm. What can we furnish, that are come hither itnprovided? Al. Unprovided, who have your intellectuals so well furnished ! Fr. We long to hear what you would be at. Al. Let every one produce the neatest obser- vation that his week's reading has furnished him with. Gy. Very well proposed; nothing can be more agreeable to such guests, such an entertainment, and such a place. Do you begin, we will all follow you. Al. If you agree to it I will not stick out. I was mightily pleased to-day to find so Christian-like a sentence in a man who was no Chris- tian; it was that of Phocion, a man than whom there was not a more divine one, nor more regardful of the public utility in all Athens. When he had been invidiously sentenced to death, and was about to drink his poison, being asked by his friends what message he had to send to his children, he answered, he only required of them that they would ever banish this injtiry out of their memories. Ba. You will scarce find an example of such notable patience amongst either the Dominicans or Franciscans. And I will present you with one instance that is something like this, though it does not come up to it. Aristides was very like Phocion for integrity, so that the common people gave him the surname of the Just; which appellation raised him so much envy, that this good man, that deserved so well of the commonwealth, was banished for ten years from his native country. When he under- stood that the people were offended at nothing but that appellation, though that had always been to their advantage, he patiently sub- mitted. Being in banishment, his friends asking him what punish- ment he wished to the ungrateful city, he replied, I wish them nothing, but so much prosperity that they may never once remember Aristides. Ch. I wonder that Christians are not ashamed of themselves, that are in a rage upon the occasion of every trifling affront, and will have revenge, cost it what it will. The whole life of Socrates, in my opinion, is but one continued example of temperance and patience. And that I may not be scot-free, 1 will mention one instance that