Page:The whole familiar colloquies of Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam.djvu/415

CONFLICT LET1TEEX THALIA AND BARBARISM. 411 them ; though man cannot number the sand, yet the number of them is finite, but the mercy of God knows neither bound nor end. tip. But there is but little time to one that is at the point of death. He. The less time he has the more ardently he ought to call upon God. That time is long enovigh with God that can reach from earth to heaven ; and a short prayer can penetrate heaven if it be but sent with a strong force of spirit. Mary Magdalene is recorded to have spent her whole life in repentance ; but the thief got a grant of paradise from our Saviour even at the point of death. If he shall but cry with his whole heart, My God, have mercy on me, according to the multitude of thy mercies, the Lord will remove that Tantalean stone, and make him hear that sound of joy and gladness ; the bones broken by contrition shall rejoice for the pardon of sins.  Tli. O good God ! what sort of monster is that which I see rising out of the ground yonder? I beseech you, look upon it. Oct. Oh, admirable ! what a vast body it has, the top of its head readies almost up to the stars. Th. In truth, I cannot tell what it is ; but it is coming nearer to me. A new sort of a composition, do you see it ? It has a face like a virgin ; from the breast downwards it is like an ass. Ca. It is so, as I hope to be saved. But, madam, do you observe what monstrous horns grow out of the forehead of it 1 Th. They are huge ones indeed. But do you take notice what ears there are by the horns ? Ca. I do mind them, they are- like asses' ears, and they are whitish, and full of motion ; and I perceive it approaches neai-er and nearei', but I cannot tell what is in the mind of it to do. Alas ! I am in pain, lest it has some mischief in its head. Th. May God our father prevent it. Me. If my memory do not fail me, I have some knowledge of this monster. Th. Prithee, tell us what it is. Me. There is no danger in it. Th. But I am cruelly afraid it is an enemy to us ; is it or not '? Me. It is ; this is our only and most cruel adversary. Th. God con- found it. Me. It never ceases envying and assaulting us. They sav it has its residence in the western climates : there it brings all things under its yoke, is worshipped, loved, and honoured. What need is there of a great many words? In short, it expects to be appeased with suppliant presents, like a goddess. Th. If I mistake not, I have heard so. But what is the name of the city where she reigns ? Me. Why, it is Zwoll, I think. Th. Very right, that is it. Me. Her name is Barbarism. Th. It is she, in truth, I know her very well ; but see, she is coming hither at a great pace ; let us halt till she comes up. Ba. Companions, is this Thalia herself that I see hard by ? Why I thought she had been dead long enough ago. It is certainly she, I espy her laurel ; she is come to life again, and has the impudence 