Page:Famous history of the learned Friar Bacon (2).pdf/21

 I, ſaid Miles: I believe he was in this plaguy head; for when it fell, it gave a bounce like a cannon. Wretch that thou art! ſaid Bacon, trifle not with my impatience! didſt thou hear it ſpeak? varlet! anſwer to that.

Why truly, ſaid Miles, it did ſpeak; but very ſimply, conſidering you have been ſo long a tutoring it; I proteſt I could have taught a jackdaw to have ſpoke better in two days. It ſaid, Time is. Oh, villain! ſays Bacon, hadſt thou called me then, all England had been walled with braſs, to my immortal fame. Then, continued Miles, about half an hour after, it ſaid, Time was. Oh, wretch ! how my anger burns againſt thee; had you but called me then, it might have done what I deſired. Then, ſaid he, it ſaid, Time is paſt, and ſo fell down with the horrible noiſe that waked you, and made me, I'm ſure, befoul my breeches; and ſince here's ſo much to do about time, I think it's time for me to retire and clean myſelf. Well, villain! ſays Bacon, thou haſt loſt all our coſt and pains by thy fooliſh negligence. 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