Eu. I presently ran in a-Doors to congratulate your safe Delivery.

Fa. Congratulate my safe Delivery if you will, Eutrapelus, you may congratulate my happy Delivery, when you shall see him that I have brought forth give a Proof of himself to be an honest Man.

Eu. Indeed, my Fabulla you talk very piously and rationally.

Fa. Nay, I am no Body’s Fabulla but Petronius’s.

Eu. Indeed you bear Children for Petronius alone, but you don’t live for him alone, I believe.  But however, I congratulate you upon this, that you have got a Boy.

Fa. But why do you think it better to have a Boy than a Girl?

Eu. Nay, but rather you Petronius’s Fabulla (for now I am afraid to call you mine) ought to tell me what Reason you Women have to wish for Boys rather than Girls?

Fa. I don’t know what other People’s Minds are; at this Time I am glad I have a Boy, because so it pleased God.  If it had pleased him best I should have had a Girl, it would have pleased me best too.

Eu. Do you think God has nothing else to do but be a Midwife to Women in Labour?

Fa. Pray, Eutrapelus, what should he do else, but preserve by Propagation, what he has founded by Creation?

Eu, What should he do else good Dame?  If he were not God, he’d never be able to do what he has to do. Christiernus King of Denmark, a religious Favourer of the Gospel, is in Exile. Francis, King of France, is a Sojourner in Spain. I can’t tell how well he may bear it, but I am sure he is a Man that deserves better Fortune. Charles labours with might and main to inlarge the Territories of his Monarchy.  And Ferdinand is mightily taken up about his Affairs in Germany. And the Courtiers every where are almost Famished with Hunger after Money.  The very Farmers raise dangerous Commotions, nor are deterred from their Attempts by so many Slaughters of Men, that have been made already.  The People are for setting up an Anarchy, and the Church goes to Ruin with dangerous Factions.  Christ’s seamless Coat is rent asunder on all Sides.  God’s Vineyard is spoiled by more Boars than one.  The Authority of the Clergy with their Tythes, the Dignity of Divines, the Majesty of Monks is in Danger:  Confession nods, Vows stagger, the Pope’s Constitutions go to decay, the Eucharist is call’d in Question, and Antichrist is expected every Day, and the whole World seems to be in Travail to bring forth I know not what Mischief.  In the mean Time the Turks over-run all where-e’er they come, and are ready to invade us and lay all waste, if they succeed in what they are about; and do you ask what God has else to do?  I think he should rather see to secure his own Kingdom in Time.

Fa. Perhaps that which Men make the greatest Account of, seems to God of no Moment.  But however, if you will, let us let God alone in this Discourse of ours.  What is your Reason to think it is happier to bear a Boy than a Girl?  It is the Part of a pious Person to think that best which God, who without Controversy is the best Judge, has given.