Charles Sheppard

“ The Friar well weighing, the matter, asked the gentleman, whether he had paid the Devil any of the money he had borrowed of him? No, said he, not a farthing. Well, then, said he, Mr. Devil, his debts are not paid: you are the principal creditor; and according to the writing, you can lay no claim to him till his debts are discharged. How, now, replied the Devil, am I out-witted then? O, Friar, thou art a crafty knave. ”

“ WHEN Friar Bacon flourished at Oxford, a young gentleman, by his prodigality, having run out his estate, and involved himself in debt, grew exceeding pensive and melancholy, purposing to make himself away, in order to put an end to his miseries, and the scorns that were daily put upon him by his former companions, being also utterly cast off by his friends ”

“ Then Bacon charged him, he should never pay the Devil a farthing of his debt, whatever shape he came in, or artifice he used to wheedle him out of it, and then he could have no power over him. The gentleman on this, living a temperate frugal life, grew very rich, and leaving no children at his death bequeathed his estate to Brazen-Nose-College, because Friar Bacon, a member of it, had delivered him from so great a danger of body and soul. ”

“ Why, said Miles, I thought it would not have stopped when it once began, but would have gone on and told me some pleasant story, or have commanded me to have called you, and I should have done it; but I see the Devil is a cunning sophister, and all Hell would not allow him tinkers and brass enough to do the work, and therefore has put this trick upon us to get off from his promise. ”

“ There he profited so much that in a few years he was sent to Oxford to study at their charge; where he soon grew such a proficient, that his fame soon spread, not only in the university, but also over all England, and came to the ears of King Edward the Third, who then reigned. And he taking a progress with his Queen and nobles, was desirous to see him, and have an experiment of his art; so that being at a nobleman's house, within four miles of the city of Oxford, he sent a gentleman of his bed-chamber, to desire him to come to him. ”

“ Then the King said, Worthy Bacon, having heard much of your fame, the cause of my sending was to be a spectator of the fine curiosities of your art. The Friar excused himself at first, but the King pressing it, and promising on his word that no harm would come to him, he bid every one keep silence, and then waving his magic wand, there presently ensued the most melodious music they bad ever heard, which continued very ravishing half an hour. Then waving his wand, another kind of music was heard ”

“ Methinks I have given you learning enough to enable you to be constable or churchwarden of the parish, and far outdo those in that office, who can neither read nor write; let that suffice, the rest of your business for the future must be to learn horse language and whistle well; that you may dexterously drive the plow and cart, and well manage sheep and oxen; for, sirrah, said he, have I any body else to leave my farm to but you? and yet you take upon you forsooth to be a scholar, and consequently a gentleman, for they profess themselves so; you live upon the fruit of other men's labour? ”

“ At this he smiled, being well mounted, saying, "Scholars and travellers might lye by Authority." Well, said Friar Bacon, to convince you, I will not only be there before you, ride as fast as you can, but I will there shew you the cook-maid you lay with last, tho' she is now busy dressing the dinner at Sir William Bolton's an hundred miles distance from this place. Well, said the gentleman of the bed chamber, "I doubt not but one will be as true as t'other;" ”

“ Bacon upon this concluded to frame a Head of Brass, and if by their art they could make it speak, and answer their demands, they would require that all the sea-girt shores of England and Wales be walled with brass, and brazen towers raised on the frontiers of Scotland to hinder the incursions of the hardy Scots. ”

“ When she arose in the morning, her father seeing her look much concerned asked her what was the matter with her she replyed, I believe my sister Molly is for this night I heard the voice of my mother lamenting her death. Says the father, I heard the same myself, and her voice seemed to me to be in my study. ”