Eu. Prithee let’s leave the blind Beggar and his Gain:  We are Philosophers.

Ti. So was Socrates a Philosopher, and yet he preferr’d a Town Life before a Country one; because, he being desirous of Knowledge, had there the Opportunity of improving it.  In the Country, ’tis true, there are Woods, Gardens, Fountains and Brooks, that entertain the Sight, but they are all mute, and therefore teach a Man nothing.

Eu. I know Socrates puts the Case of a Man’s walking alone in the Fields; although, in my Opinion, there Nature is not dumb, but talkative enough, and speaks to the Instruction of a Man that has but a good Will, and a Capacity to learn.  What does the beautiful Face of the Spring do, but proclaim the equal Wisdom and Goodness of the Creator?  And how many excellent Things did Socrates in his Retirement, both teach his Phaedrus, and learn from him?

Ti. If a Man could have such pleasant Company, I confess, no life in the World could be pleasanter than a Country Life.

Eu. Have you a Mind to make Tryal of it?  If you have, come take a Dinner with me to Morrow:  I have a pretty neat little Country House, a little Way out of Town.

Ti. We are too many of us; we shall eat you out of House and Home.

Eu. Never fear that, you’re to expect only a Garden Treat, of such Chear as I need not go to Market for.  The Wine is of my own Growth; the Pompions, the Melons, the Figs, the Pears, the Apples and Nuts, are offered to you by the Trees themselves; you need but gape, and they’ll fall into your Mouth, as it is in the fortunate Islands, if we may give Credit to Lucian.  Or, it may be, we may get a Pullet out of the Hen-roost, or so.

Ti. Upon these Terms we’ll be your Guests.

Eu. And let every Man bring his Friend along with him, and then, as you now are four, we shall be the just Number of the Muses.

Ti. A Match.

Eu. And take Notice, that I shall only find Meat, you are to bring your own Sauce.

Ti. What Sauce do you mean, Pepper, or Sugar?

Eu. No, no, something that’s cheaper, but more savoury.

Ti. What’s that?

Eu. A good Stomach.  A light Supper to Night, and a little Walk to Morrow Morning, and that you may thank my Country House for.  But at what Hour do you please to dine at?

Ti. At ten a Clock.  Before it grows too hot.

Eu. I’ll give Order accordingly.

Boy. Sir, the Gentlemen are come.

Eu. You are welcome, Gentlemen, that you are come according to your Words; but you’re twice as welcome for coming so early, and bringing the best of Company along with you.  There are some Persons who are guilty of an unmannerly Civility, in making their Host wait for them.

Ti. We came the earlier, that we might have Time enough to view all the Curiosities of your Palace; for we have heard that it is so admirably contrived every where, as that it speaks who’s the Master of it.