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hearers。 My mother therefore was forced to use her own industry；
and while I was soothing the ears of the crowd； she applied to
their pockets； and that generally with such good success that we
now began to enjoy a very comfortable subsistence； and indeed；
had we had the least prudence or forecast； might have soon
acquired enough to enable us to quit this dangerous and
dishonorable way of life： but I know not what is the reason that
money got with labor and safety is constantly preserved； while
the produce of danger and ease is commonly spent as easily； and
often as wickedly； as acquired。 Thus we proportioned our
expenses rather by what we had than what we wanted or even
desired； and on obtaining a considerable booty we have even
forced nature into the most profligate extravagance； and have
been wicked without inclination。
〃We carried on this method of thievery for a long time without
detection： but； as Fortune generally leaves persons of
extraordinary ingenuity in the lurch at last； so did she us； for
my poor mother was taken in the fact； and； together with myself；
as her accomplice； hurried before a magistrate。
〃Luckily for us； the person who was to be our judge was the
greatest lover of music in the whole city； and had often sent for
me to play to him； for which； as he had given me very small
rewards； perhaps his gratitude now moved him： but； whatever was
his motive； he browbeat the informers against us； and treated
their evidence with so little favor； that their mouths were soon
stopped； and we dismissed with honor； acquitted； I should rather
have it said； for we were not suffered to depart till I had given
the judge several tunes on the fiddle。
〃We escaped the better on this occasion because the person robbed
happened to be a poet； which gave the judge； who was a facetious
person； many opportunities of jesting。 He said poets and
musicians should agree together； seeing they had married sisters；
which he afterwards explained to be the sister arts。 And when
the piece of gold was produced he burst into a loud laugh； and
said it must be the golden age； when poets had gold in their
pockets； and in that age there could be no robbers。 He made many
more jests of the same kind； but a small taste will suffice。
〃It is a common saying that men should take warning by any signal
delivery； but I cannot approve the justice of it； for to me it
seems that the acquittal of a guilty person should rather inspire
him with confidence； and it had this effect on us： for we now
laughed at the law； and despised its punishments； which we found
were to be escaped even against positive evidence。 We imagined
the late example was rather a warning to the accuser than the
criminal； and accordingly proceeded in the most impudent and
flagitious manner。
〃Among other robberies； one night； being admitted by the servants
into the house of an opulent priest； my mother took an
opportunity； whilst the servants were dancing to my tunes； to
convey away a silver vessel； this she did without the least
sacrilegious intention； but it seems the cup； which was a pretty
large one； was dedicated to holy uses； and only borrowed by the
priest on an entertainment which he made for some of his
brethren。 We were immediately pursued upon this robbery （the cup
being taken in our possession）； and carried before the same
magistrate； who had before behaved to us with so much gentleness：
but his countenance was now changed； for the moment the priest
appeared against us； his severity was as remarkable as his candor
had been before； and we were both ordered to be stripped and
whipped through the streets。
〃This sentence was executed with great severity； the priest
himself attending and encouraging the executioner； which he said
he did for the good of our souls； but； though our backs were both
flayed； neither my mother's torments nor my own afflicted me so
much as the indignity offered to my poor fiddle； which was
carried in triumph before me； and treated with a contempt by the
multitude； intimating a great scorn for the science I had the
honor to profess； which； as it is one of the noblest inventions
of men； and as I had been always in the highest degree proud of
my excellence in it； I suffered so much from the ill…treatment my
fiddle received； that I would have given all my remainder of skin
to have preserved it from this affront。
〃My mother survived the whipping a very short time； and I was now
reduced to great distress and misery； till a young Roman of
considerable rank took a fancy to me； received me into his
family； and conversed with me in the utmost familiarity。 He had
a violent attachment to music； and would learn to play on the
fiddle； but； through want of genius for the science； he never
made any considerable progress。 However； I flattered his
performance； and he grew extravagantly fond of me for so doing。
Had I continued this behavior I might possibly have reaped the
greatest advantages from his kindness； but I had raised his own
opinion of his musical abilities so high； that he now began to
prefer his skill to mine； a presumption I could not bear。 One
day as we were playing in concert he was horribly out； nor was it
possible； as he destroyed the harmony； to avoid telling him of
it。 Instead of receiving my correction； he answered it was my
blunder and not his； and that I had mistaken the key。 Such an
affront from my own scholar was beyond human patience； I flew
into a violent passion； I flung down my instrument in a rage； and
swore I was not to be taught music at my age。 He answered； with
as much warmth； nor was he to be instructed by a strolling
fiddler。 The dispute ended in a challenge to play a prize before
judges。 This wager was determined in my favor； but the purchase
was a dear one； for I lost my friend by it； who now； twitting me
with all his kindness； with my former ignominious punishment； and
the destitute condition from which I had been by his bounty
relieved； discarded me for ever。
〃While I lived with this gentleman I became known； among others；
to Sabina； a lady of distinction； and who valued herself much on
her taste for music。 She no sooner heard of my being discarded
than she took me into her house； where I was extremely well
clothed and fed。 Notwithstanding which； my situation was far
from agreeable； for I was obliged to submit to her constant
reprehensions before company； which gave me the greater
uneasiness because they were always wrong； nor am I certain that
she did not by these provocations contribute to my death： for；
as experience had taught me to give up my resentment to my bread；
so my passions； for want of outward vent； preyed inwardly on my
vitals； and perhaps occasioned the distemper of which I sickened。
〃The lady； who； amidst all the faults she found； was very fond of
me； nay； probably was the fonder of me the more faults she found；
immediately called in the aid of three celebrated physicians。
The doctors （being well fee'd） made me seven visits in three
days； and two of them were at the door to visit me the eighth
time； when； being acquainted that I was just dead； they shook
their heads and departed。
〃When I came to Minos he asked me with a smile whether I had
brought my fiddle with me； and； receiving an answer in the
negative； he bid me get about my business； saying it was well for
me that the devil was no lover of music。〃
CHAPTER XVI
The history of the wise man。
〃I now returned to Rome； but in a very different character。
Fortune had now allotted me a serious part to act。 I had even in
my infancy a grave disposition； nor was I ever seen to smile；
which infused an opinion into all about me that I was a child of
great solidity； some foreseeing that I should be a judge； and
others a bishop。 At two years old my father presented me with a
rattle； which I broke to pieces with great indignation。 This the
good parent； being extremely wise； regarded as an eminent symptom
of my wisdom； and cried out in a kind of ecstasy； 'Well said；
boy！ I warrant thou makest a great man。'
〃At school I could never be persuaded to play with my mates； not
that I spent my hours in learning； to which I was not in the
least addicted； nor indeed had I any talents for it。 However；
the solemnity of my carriage won so much on my master； who was a
most sagacious person； that I was his chief favorite； and my
example on all occasions was recommended to the other boys； which
filled them with envy； and me with pleasure； but； though they
envied me； they all paid me that involuntary respect which it is
the curse attending this passion to bear towards its object。
〃I had now obtained universally the character of a very wise
young man； which I did not altogether purchase without pains； for
the restraint I laid on myself in abstaining from the several
diversions adapted to my years cos