Likewise it is unsavourie, to talke of things out of time, not fitting the place and company: although the matter it selfe, and spoken in time, were otherwise both good and godly. We must not then reherse Friers sermones to young gentlewomen, when they are disposed to sporte them selves: as y^t good man did, that dwelles not farr hence, nere to S. Brancatio. And in feastes & at table, wee must beware wee doe not rehearse any sorowfull tales, nor put them in minde of woundes, of sicknes, of deathes, of Plagues, or of other dolefull matters. But if another man chaunce to move suche matter: it shalbe good, after an honest and gentell sorte, to exchaunge that talke, and thrust in some other, y^t may give them more delighte and pleasure to heare it. Albeit, not long since I heard it said to a worthy gentleman our neighbour, that Men have many times more neede to weepe then to laugh. And for that cause hee said, these dolefull tales, which wee call Tragedies, were devised at first, that when they were playd in the Theatres (as at that time they were wont) they might draw fourth teares out of their eyes, that had neede to spend them. And so they were by their weeping, healed of their infirmitie. But albeit it bee good to doe so: yet it will il become us to drive men into their dumpes: especially where they bee mett to feaste and to solace themselves, & not to mourne. For if there be any, y^t hath suche weeping disease: it will bee an easie matter to cure it, w^t stronge Mustard or a smoaky house. So that, in no wise, I can excuse our friend Philostrato, for his worke that hee made full of dule and of death, to suche a company as desired nothing more then mirthe. Wee must the rather use silence, then discourse of suche sorrowfull matters. And they doe asmuche amisse too, that never have other thing in their mouthe, then their children, their wife, and their nourse. "My litle boy, made mee so laughe yesterday: heare you: you never sawe a sweeter babe in your life: my wife is such a one, Cecchina told mee: of troth you would not beleeve what a wit shee hath:" There is none so idle a body, that will either intend to answer, or abide to heare suche foolishe prittle prattle. For it ircks a mans eares to harken unto it.