Page:The Famous History of the Learned Friar Bacon.djvu/6

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Young Bacon was much displeased and highly grieved, but durst not reply, seeing his father in a passion.—This sort of living so very little agreed with his genius that in a short time he gave them the slip, and going to a monastry, and making his desires known, to the superior, he kindly entertained him, and made him a brother of the society of Augustine Friars. There he profited so much, that in a short time he was sent to Oxford, where, he soon grew so great a proficient, that his fame spread not only in the University, but all over England, and reached the King's ears, who, taking progress with his Queen and Nobles, was desirous to see him.—Being at a Nobleman's house about four miles from the city, he sent a gentleman of the bedchamber to desire Bacon to come to him. The courtier delay ed not his message, and finding Bacon at his study, did his errand, The Friar bid him make haste back, or he would be with his master before him.—At this he smiled, being well mounted, saying, Scholars and travellers may lie with authority.—Well, said Friar Bacon, to convince you, I will not only be there before you but shew you the cook-maid you lay with last. Well, said the gentleman, I suppose one is as true as the other. Away he rode thinking to be at the King's quarters in a short space, but a great mist arose so that be knew not which way to ride, and missing the road,

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