Li. I ought to take something that is binding rather, for I am too laxative.

* * * * *

Of enquiring of a Person upon his Return.

The ARGUMENT.

     Of interrogating a Person returning from a Journey,
     concerning War, private Affairs, a Disappointment, great
     Promises, a Wife Lying-in, Dangers, Losses, &c.

George. Have you had a good and prosperous Journey?

Li. Pretty good; but that there is such Robbing every where.

Ge. This is the Effect of War.

Li. It is so, but it is a wicked one.

Ge. Did you come on Foot or on Horse-back?

Li. Part of the Way a Foot, Part in a Coach, Part on Horse-back, and Part by Sea.

Ge. How go Matters in France?

Li. All’s in Confusion, there’s nothing but War talk’d of.  What Mischiefs they may bring upon their Enemies I know not; but this I’m sure of, the French themselves are afflicted with unexpressible Calamities.

Ge. Whence come all these tumultuary Wars?

Li. Whence should they come but from the Ambition of Monarchs?

Ge. But it would be more their Prudence to appease these Storms of human Affairs.

Li. Appease ’em!  Ay, so they do, as the South Wind does the Sea.  They fancy themselves to be Gods, and that the World was made for their Sakes.

Ge. Nay, rather a Prince was made for the Good of the Commonwealth, and not the Commonwealth for the Sake of the Prince.

Li. Nay, there are Clergymen too, who blow up the Coals, and sound an Alarm to these Tumults.

Ge. I’d have them set in the Front of the Battel.

Li. Ay, ay, but they take Care to keep out of Harm’s Way.

Ge. But let us leave these publick Affairs to Providence.  How go your own Matters?

Li. Very well, happily, indifferently well, tolerably.

Ge. How goes it with your own Business?  As you would have it?

Li. Nay, better than I could have wish’d for, better than I deserve, beyond what I could have hop’d for.

Ge. Are all Things according to your Mind?  Is all well?  Has every Thing succeeded?

Li. It can’t be worse.  It is impossible it should be worse than it is.

Ge. What then, han’t you got what you sought for?  Han’t you caught the Game you hunted?

Li. Hunt!  Ay, I did hunt indeed, but with very ill Success.

Ge. But is there no Hope then?

Li. Hope enough, but nothing else.

Ge. Did the Bishop give you no Hopes?

Li. Yes, whole Cart Loads, and whole Ship Loads of Hope; but nothing else.

Ge. Has he sent you nothing yet?