Page:Famous history of the learned Friar Bacon (2).pdf/3

 prevail, if poſſible, with his father, that he might be ſent to the univerſity, where he had a deſire to go to learn the liberal ſciences.

His ſchool-maſter denied him not his requeſt, but went home with him, and taking the old man aſide, told him, he had learned his ſon as far as he was able, that he took it in extremely well, and was willing to improve it at the univerſity; and that he was verily perſuaded, by the promptneſs he perceived in him, if he would be at a little charge with him there, he would be ſo great a proficient, as would advance him to an eminent ſtation.

The old man heard this with ſome indignation, but conceal'd his anger till the ſchool-maſter was gone; and then taking his ſon to taſk, ſaid, “How now, ſirrah! Have I not been at coſt enough already, but are you itching to put me to more? Methinks I've given you ſuch learning as to enable you, in time, to be a Conſtable or Church-warden of the pariſh, and far outdo thoſe in the office, that can neither read nor write; let that ſuffice: As for the reſt of your buſineſs for the future, it is to learn horſe-language, and whiſtle well, that you may be dextrous in driving the plough and, and managing the ſheep and oxen; ſirrah! continued he, Have I any body to leave my farm to but you and yet  take upon you, forſooth, to be a