Page:Auerbach-Spinozanovel.djvu/138

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116
SPINOZA.

when I was of that age, already made such a Carmen that Vergil himself could not have pointed out a Germanism or a false quantity in it. Fifteen! But we will see: diligentia est mater studiorum—that is, you must be industrious."

Baruch promised, and the Magister continued:

"You can come to me every day at this time, but you must not awaken me if I am asleep. You need not bring any books; I have everything here."

When the physician had repeated his congratulations on the lucky guess, he left the house of the Magister with Baruch and his father.

"You know I wish my children to learn everything, I never spare in that; but I must not make myself out to be greater than I am. I am not a rich man, so I must know what the Magister requires. I cannot give too much for Baruch alone, but if I win my lawsuit I may be able to spend more on him; now, however, I must remember that I have two more children." So spoke the father, and the physician burst into a loud laugh.

"What are you laughing at now?" he asked irritably.

"Nothing, except that you take the Magister for a merchant; why, if he had nothing to eat to-morrow, he would rather starve than ask a penny in pay for instruction. Like the Rabbis who think it a sacred task to instruct any one in the Bible and