Ti. Who could be tired with this House?
Eu. No Body that has learn’d to live by himself. Upon the upper Border (as though not fit to be among the rest) are all the Popes Heads with their Titles, and over against them the Heads of the Caesars, for the better taking in the Order of History. At each Corner, there is a Lodging Room, where I can repose myself, and have a Prospect of my Orchard, and my little Birds. Here, in the farthest Nook of the Meadow, is a little Banquetting House; there I sup sometimes in Summer, and I make Use of it, as an Infirmary, if any of my Family be taken ill, with any infectious Disease.
Ti. Some People are of Opinion, that those Diseases are not to be avoided.
Eu. Why then do Men shun a Pit or Poison? Or do they fear this the less, because they don’t see it? No more is the Poison seen, that a Basilisk darts from his Eyes. When Necessity calls for it, I would not stick to venture my Life: But to do it without any Necessity, is Rashness. There are some other Things worth your seeing; but my Wife shall shew you them: Stay here this three Days if you please, and make my House your Home; entertain your Eyes and your Minds, I have a little Business abroad: I must ride out to some of the Neighbouring Towns.
Ti. What, a Money Business?
Eu. I would not leave such Friends for the Sake of receiving a little Money.
Ti. Perhaps you have appointed a hunting Match.
Eu. It is a Kind of Hunting indeed, but it is something else I hunt, than either Boars or Stags.
Ti. What is it then?
Eu. I’ll tell you: I have a Friend in one Town lies dangerously ill; the Physician fears his Life, but I am afraid of his Soul: For I don’t think he’s so well prepar’d for his End as a Christian should be: I’ll go and give him some pious Admonitions that he may be the better for, whether he lives or dies. In another Town there are two Men bitterly at odds, they are no ill Men neither, but Men of a very obstinate Temper. If the Matter should rise to a greater Height, I am afraid it would be of ill Consequence to more than themselves: I will do all I can in the World, to reconcile them; they are both my Kinsmen. This is my hunting Match, and if I shall have good Success in it, we’ll drink their Healths.