¶ One dialogue, or
Colloquye of Erasmus (entituled Diuersoria) Transla-
ted oute of Latten into Englyshe: And
Imprinted, to the ende that the Judgemẽt
of the Learned maye be hadde
before the Translator pro-
cede in the reste.
By E. H.
¶ Imprinted at London in Fleetstreete, at the
signe of the Faucon by William Grif-
fyth, and are to be solde at his shop
in S. Dunstons Churchyard
in the west.
1566
¶ The Translator to the indifferent reader.
f I were throughlye perswaded (gẽtle reader) yt mine attempt of the learned were in all points allowed and the order in my translation correspondent thereunto, I woulde at this present proceede in mine enterprise, with entent by gods helpe to finishe the translation of the whole boke: But because I am vnlearned & therfore must not be mine owne iudge therein, I geue the here a tast of my store for proofe of mine abilitie: desiring the at the least wise not to be offended at the same so boldly attemted and simplye perfourmed. For sithe mine entent is good, & my good wil not small I dare at this present yelde it to thy curtesye. Fare wel.
¶ Thine in will (though not in power) E.H.
Diuersoria.
¶ The speakers.
Bertulphe.William.
hy haue men taken suche pleasure and felicity (I pray you) in tariynge ii. or iii. dayes at Lions together, when they trauaile through the contrey? if I fall to trauailinge once, be fore suche time as I be come vnto my iourneyes ende, me thinks I am neuer at quiet in my mind.
William.
¶ Say ye so indeede? And I put you out of doubt, I wonder howe men can bee withdrawen thence againe after they be once come thether.
Bertulphe.
¶ Yea doe? And how so I pray you?
William.
¶ Mary sir because that is the verye place from whence Ulisses companions coulde in no wise be gotten by perswasion. There are the sweet Mermaides (that are spoken of) I warrant ye. Assuredlie, no man is better vsed at home at his own house then a guest is entertained there in a common Inne.
Bertulphe.
¶ Why? What is their order and vsage there?
William.
¶ Some woman or other did alwayes attende vpon the table to cheere the company with pleasaunt talke and prety conceites. And I tell you the women are meruailous bewtiful and wel fauoured there. Firste of all the good wife of the house came & welcomed vs, praying vs all there to bee merye, and to take well in woorthe suche poore cheere as shee hadde prouided: when shee was gone, in commeth her Daughter (beeinge a verye proper w