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A Form of asking Questions at the first meeting.

The ARGUMENT.

     This Colloquy teaches Forms of enquiring at the first
     meeting.  Whence come you?  What News bring you?  How do you
     do? &c.

GEORGE, LIVINUS.

George. Out of what Hen-Coop or Cave came you?

Liv. Why do you ask me such a Question?

Ge. Because you have been so poorly fed; you are so thin a Body may see thro’ you, and as dry as a Kecks.  Whence came you from?

Liv. From Montacute College.

Ge. Then sure you are come loaden with Letters for us.

Liv. Not so, but with Lice I am.

Ge. Well then you had Company enough.

Liv. In truth it is not safe for a Traveller now a Days to go without Company.

Ge. I know well enough a Louse is a Scholar’s Companion.  Well but do you bring any News from Paris?

Liv. Ay, I do, and that in the first Place that I know you won’t believe.  At Paris a Bete is wise, and an Oak preaches.

Ge. What’s that you tell me?

Liv. That which you hear.

Ge. What is it I hear?

Liv. That which I tell you.

Ge. O monstrous!  Sure Mushrooms and Stones must be the Hearers where there are such Preachers.

Liv. Well, but it is even so as I tell you, nor do I speak only by hear say, but what I know to be true.

Ge. Sure Men must needs be very wise there where Betes and Oaks are so.

Liv. You are in the right on’t.

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Of enquiring concerning Health.

Ge. Are you well?

Liv. Look in my Face.

Ge. Why do you not rather bid me cast your Water?  Do you take me for a Doctor?  I don’t ask you if you are in Health, for your Face bespeaks you so to be; but I ask you how you like your own Condition?

Liv. I am very well in my Body, but sick in my Mind.

Ge. He’s not well indeed that is sick in that Part.

Liv. This is my Case, I’m well in my Body, but sick in my Pocket.

Ge. Your Mother will easily cure that Distemper.  How have you done for this long Time?

Liv. Sometimes better, and sometimes worse, as human Affairs commonly go.

Ge. Are you very well in health?  Are your Affairs in a good Condition?  Are your Circumstances as you would have them?  Have you always had your Health well?

Liv. Very well, I thank God.  By God’s Goodness I have always had my Health very well.  I have always been very well hitherto.  I have been in very good, favourable, secure, happy, prosperous, successful, perfect Health, like a Prince, like a Champion, fit for any Thing.