Ant. How neat it is, I can’t tell, but I’m sure, it is not very becoming, either a Maid or a Matron.

Mag. Why so?

Ant. Because here’s Books lying about every where.

Mag. What have you liv’d to this Age, and are both an Abbot and a Courtier, and never saw any Books in a Lady’s Apartment?

Ant. Yes, I have seen Books, but they were French; but here I see Greek and Latin ones.

Mag. Why, are there no other Books but French ones that teach Wisdom?

Ant. But it becomes Ladies to have something that is diverting, to pass away their leisure Hours.

Mag. Must none but Ladies be wise, and live pleasantly?

Ant. You very improperly connect being wise, and living pleasantly together:  Women have nothing to do with Wisdom; Pleasure is Ladies Business.

Mag. Ought not every one to live well?

Ant. I am of Opinion, they ought so to do.

Mag. Well, can any Body live a pleasant Life, that does not live a good Life.

Ant. Nay, rather, how can any Body live a pleasant Life, that does live a good Life?

Mag. Why then, do you approve of living illy, if it be but pleasantly?

Ant. I am of the Opinion, that they live a good Life, that live a pleasant Life.

Mag. Well, but from whence does that Pleasure proceed?  From outward Things, or from the Mind?

Ant. From outward Things.

Mag. O subtle Abbot, but thick-skull’d Philosopher!  Pray tell me in what you suppose a pleasant Life to consist?

Ant. Why, in Sleeping, and Feasting, and Liberty of doing what you please, in Wealth, and in Honours.

Mag. But suppose to all these Things God should add Wisdom, should you live pleasantly then?

Ant. What is it that you call by the Name of Wisdom?

Mag. This is Wisdom, to know that a Man is only happy by the Goods of the Mind.  That Wealth, Honour, and Descent, neither make a Man happier or better.

Ant. If that be Wisdom, fare it well for me.

Mag. Suppose now that I take more Pleasure in reading a good Author, than you do in Hunting, Drinking, or Gaming; won’t you think I live pleasantly?

Ant. I would not live that Sort of Life.

Mag. I don’t enquire what you take most Delight in; but what is it that ought to be most delighted in?

Ant. I would not have my Monks mind Books much.

Mag. But my Husband approves very well of it.  But what Reason have you, why you would not have your Monks bookish?

Ant. Because I find they are not so obedient; they answer again out of the Decrees and Decretals of Peter and Paul.

Mag. Why then do you command them the contrary to what Peter and Paul did?