Page:The Famous History of the Learned Friar Bacon.djvu/10



kept a man to wait upon him, who, though a simple, was a merry fellow: his name was Miles, and though his master and those of the order often fasted on set days, Miles loved his belly too well, and though outwardly he seemed to fast for compliance, he always kept a private reserve in the corner: which Bacon knew by his art, and resolved to put a trick upon him. It so happened on Good Friday a fast was held, and Miles seemed very devout; for when his master bid him take a bit of bread and a cup of wine, to keep him from fainting, he refused it, saying, He was a great sinner, and ought to do more than this, for his mortification, and to gain absolution, making a great show of sanctity, and how he was inclined to keep the fast. It will be well, said the Briar, I don't catch you tripping. Hereupon Miles' went into his cell, pretending to pray, but indeed to eat a line pudding he