Page:The Famous History of the Learned Friar Bacon.djvu/19

 it known, till they saw what they could make of it.

Bacon proposed his man Miles, and Bungey approved him, so he was called, and told the nature of the head, and what was intended by it, giving him a strict charge, as soon as ever he heard it speak to awake them.

For that, said he, master, let me alone, I warrant you I shall do your, business for you effectually, never fear it. So he got a long sword to guard himself, and also a tabor and pipe, to play and keep himself awake if any drowsiness should overtake him.

The charge being given him, and he thus accoutred, the Friars went to rest in the next room within call. Miles upon this began to pipe and sing merrily.

While this merriment passed, after a sad noise, like thunder almost spent, the head spoke distinctly these two words—TIME IS.—O, O! said Miles, is this ail the news you can tell me? Well, Copper Nose, has my master taken all this pains about you, and you can speak no wiser? Dost think I sees such a fool to break his sweet slumber