NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 41 



plenty, and the nation superabound with luxu- 

 rious inhabitants, may not a war in such case be 

 thought requisite to purge the kingdom of su- 

 perfluous vagrants ? 



Am. Where excess and intemperance extend 

 the veins by surfeit or pleurisy beyond their na- 

 tural bounds, it's better to bleed than blow up a 

 kingdom. 



Theoph. I'm of your opinion in that matter : 

 in all acute distempers, there ought to be ade- 

 quate and expeditious expedients : but, without 

 offence, may I ask you one question ? 



Am. Two, if you please, if I can answer them. 



Theopli. Why those signal interruptions so 

 oft invade you, that seemingly discover some 

 odd apprehensions ? 



Am. If they do, what then ? is it more than 

 the consideration of distracted times ? 



Theoph. Sooner may the tides forget their 

 natural course, than I forget to sigh a penance 

 for my native country. 



Am. But then, have you considered the pas- 

 sion of such corrumpant grandees, that think 

 whole kingdoms gobbets not great enough to 

 gobble down, to satiate their appetites, till com- 

 pleatly made victorious over life and fortune ? 



Theoph. The only way, then, to stop the glut 

 of such furious drivers, is to interpose ourselves, 

 whilst others more innocent escape their fury. 



