Quattuor Colloquiola - Colloquium Primum

Good morrow, Edward, and good speed to you.

And good morrow and good speed to you too, George.

Dost thou not marvel what business I may have here?

Whether should I marvel that an idle boy walks up and down the streets and goes to places far separated from school, so that he may loiter more easily?

You jest prettily and wittily. Thou knowest that I covet the knowledge of learning greedily before much riches, and that I am not willingly absent from school.

Truly I know it. What cause therefore hath brought thee hither?

Thou shalt hear, if it please thee to hearken a little while.

It pleaseth me — I hearken — do thou declare it.

There be two causes, but the latter requireth the greatest haste.

Which is the former?

That man which is the master of that school which was raised up of late, when he supped with us yesterday at our house, intreated my parents very much that I should come to see him today at his house.

Is he a good man and learned, as he is reported?

So they say. But whether dost thou think that I do regard those things which belong nothing to me? Thou knowest the two verses of Cato:

If thou lookest into the life of men, if finally thou lookest into their manners,
when they blame others, no man liveth without fault.

But thou and thy father, unless you foresee this thing warily, you will both be deceived, and to accustom oneself to evil persons from the tender years doth often destroy the best wits.

Dost thou not remember what our Cato hath said in verse?

To counterfeit folly in fit place is the highest wisdom.

And open speech is judged a token of a heedless mind: it hurteth no man to have held his peace; it hurteth to have spoken.

They be nothing but conceits, George, whatsoever thou speakest. Tell me in earnest — whether hath much acquaintance passed or been between thee and that man?

O Edward, I will hide nothing from thee, who art to be loved of me for many causes. I and my brother the eldest were happy who have tried the acquaintance of this man: than whom I have known no man more wise, nor another of greater piety. He hath likewise a wife, a most fair woman and a most modest, sober matron.

Whether hath he begotten any children?

His wife hath brought forth to him one only son and two daughters: all of whom men say to be of most happy disposition and of excellent towardness.

Very blessed is this his condition, whom God hath enriched with so great wealth.

But hold — having met me, thou hast been a hindrance to my journey with this thy babbling. For now I must hasten to another place, and this is that later cause which hath brought me this way.

How many miles art thou to go forward?

I shall not run forth many furlongs, I hope. Dost thou know the street which is called the shambles?

Why should I not know it?

I pray thee, shew me the way.

Mark thyself those houses, in which provender is kept for the King's mares and the King's mules. From hence thou shalt come to St. Paul's; afterwards, when thou shalt have gone forward to the next turning, being turned to the left hand, thou shalt find hard by the place which thou seekest. But what business hast thou there?

Truly it is such as I would wish least — I go to call a physician.

Why so?

My brother John is sick, not without danger of death — which God turn from him. And since I understand he is vexed with cruel torments, I cannot but be grieved.

Whoo! I know well enough what medicines he hath need of — namely, abstinence and exercise of the body. For he eateth much, sleepeth often, drinketh excessively; all which things are hurtful to the body.

I think the same thing with thee. Notwithstanding I will obey the commandement of my Father, and will go to call a physician, that I may have regard to the life of my brother. Farewell.