Page:Political history of the devil upon two sticks.pdf/13

 on his physician; the other let nature take her course, yet they are both dead; the former from taking all the physic the doctor ordered, and the latter because he would take nothing.

This is very perplexing, said Leandro: Alas! what must then a poor sick man do? That is more than I can tell you, replied the devil: I know very well there are such things as good remedies, but cannot say whether there are any good physicians.

Let us change the scene, continued he; I will shew you something more diverting. Do not you hear a frightful din in the street? A widow of sixty has this morning married a young fellow of seventeen, upon which all the merry fellows in that quarter are met together to celebrate the wedding, with a jingling concert of pots, frying pans, and kettles. You told me, interrupted, the student, that the making rediculous matches was your province; yet you had no hand in this. No truly, replied the cripple; I was far from having any hand in it, for I was confined: but had I been at liberty, I would not have meddled in it. This widow had a scrupulous conscience and only married to enjoy her darling pleasures without remorse. I never make such marriages: I have a much greater pleasure in troubling conscience, than in setting them at rest.

Come Signior Student, added he, now let us go and punish that base woman who so ill returned your tenderness. Upon which Zambullo took hold of the end of Asmodeo's cloak, who cleft the air a second time with him, and sat him down on Donna Thomasa's house.

The baggage was at a table with the four bullies, who had pursued the student over the tiles; he trembled with outrageous resentment to see them eat a brace of patridges [sic] and a rabbit, and empty several bottles of wine, for which he had paid, and sent thither. To crown his vexation, he saw there was nothing but mirth going forward, and found by the