Eu. O Timothy, thou hast not only got grey Hairs on this Head, but you have likewise a Mind venerable for experimental Knowledge.  And I would to God, that we had more such Kings as this King of yours among Christians, who, indeed, all of them ought to be such.  But we have dwelt long enough upon our Eggs and Herbs; let them be taken away, and something else set in their Room.

Ti. We have done so well already on this Ovation, that there is no Need of any more, either of Supplication or Triumph.

Eu. But since, by God’s Assistance, we have succeeded so well in the first Verse, I wish your Umbra would explain the other, which seems to me a little more obscure.

Soph. If you’ll put a good Construction upon what I shall say, I will give you my Thoughts upon it.  How else can a Shadow pretend to give Light to any Thing?

Eu. I undertake that for all the Company; such Shadows as you give as much Light as our Eyes will well bear.

Soph. The same Thing seems to be meant here, that Paul says:  That there are several Ways of Life, that lead to Holiness.  Some affect the Ministry, some Celibacy, others a married State; some a retired Life, others publick Administrations of the Government, according to the various Dispositions of their Bodies and Minds:  Again, to one Man all Meats are indifferent, another puts a Difference betwixt this Meat and that; another he makes a Difference of Days, another thinks every Day alike.  In these Things St. Paul would have every one enjoy his own Freedom of Mind, without reproaching another; nor should we censure any Man in those Cases, but leave him to be judg’d by him that weigheth the Heart.  It oftentimes happens, that he that eats may be more acceptable to God, than he that forbears; and he that breaks a Holy-day, than he that seems to observe it; and he that marries, is more acceptable to God, than a great many that live single.  I who am but a Shadow, have spoken my Mind.

Eu. I wish I could have Conversation with such Shadows often.  I think you have hit the Nail on the Head:  But here is one that has lived a Batchelor, and not of the Number of Saints, who have made themselves Eunuchs for the Sake of the Kingdom of God but was made so by force, to gratify our Bellies, till God shall destroy both them and Meats.  It is a Capon of my own feeding.  I am a great Lover of boil’d Meats.  This is a very good Soop, and these are choice Lettuces that are in it.  Pray every one help himself to what he likes best.  But that you may not be deceiv’d, I tell you, that we have a Course of Roast a coming, and after that some small Desert, and so conclude.

Ti. But we exclude your Wife from Table.

Eu. When you bring your own Wives, mine shall keep them Company.  She would, if she were here, be nothing but a Mute in our Company.  She talks with more Freedom among the Women, and we are more at Liberty to philosophise.  And besides that, there would be Danger, lest we should be serv’d as Socrates was, when he had several Philosophers at Table with him, who took more Pleasure in talking than they did in eating, and held a long Dispute, had all their Meat thrown on the Floor by Xantippe, who in a Rage overturn’d the Table.