CHAP. III.
WHEN Friar Bacon flouriſhed at Oxford, a young gentleman, by his prodigality, having run out his eſtate, and involved himſelf in debt, grew exceeding penſive and melancholy, purpoſing to make himſelf away, in order to put an end to his miſeries, and the ſcorns that were daily put upon him by his former companions, being alſo utterly caſt off by his friends; ſo walking by a wood-ſide, full of ſorrow, he met, as he thought, an old man in good clothing, who ſaluted him, and demanded the cauſe of his melancholy, and why he walked ſo ſolitary. At firſt he refuſed to tell him as thinking he could do him no good: but the other urging it, promiſed to aſſiſt him if he wanted any thing: he ſaid, I am in want. I want fine clothes as I uſed to have; I want money to buy food, pay debts, redeem my mortgaged land, and many things more: can you help me to enough to do it? I can, ſaid the old man, on one condition. What's that? ſaid the gentleman: if it be any thing tolerable I ſhall not refuſe it; for I cannot be well worſe, or in greater hardſhip than I am now. Why, ſaid
