Page:Famous history of the learned Friar Bacon (2).pdf/5

 of his bed-chamber, to deſire him to come to him. The knight delayed not the meſſage; and finding him at his ſtudy, did his errand. The Friar told him he would be with his Majeſty, and bid him make haſte, or he ſhould be there before him. 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;" ſo mounting, rode laughing away, and thinking to be at the King's quarters in a ſhort ſpace, he ſpurred his horſe violently: But ſuddenly a miſt aroſe, that he knew not which way to go; and miſſing the way, he turned down a bye lane, and rode over hedge and ditch, backwards and forwards, till the charm was diſſolved.

When the Friar came into the King's preſence, he did him obeiſance, and was kindly welcomed by him. Then ſaid the King, Worthy Bacon, having heard much of your fame, the cauſe of my ſending for you, was to be a ſpectator of ſome fine curioſities in your art. The Friar excuſed at firſt, but the King preſſing it, promiſed on his royal