the poor trembling priſoner, interrogated him as follows———
"Nicolas Pedroſa, we have liſtened to the account you give of yourſelf, your buſineſs and connections, now tell us for what offence or offences, you are here ſtanding a priſoner before us: Examine your own heart and ſpeak the truth from your conſcience, without prevarication or diſguiſe." “May it pleaſe your excellency, replied Pedroſa, “ with all due ſubmiſſion to your holineſs and this reverend aſſembly, my moſt equitable judges, I conceive I ſtand here before you for no worſe a crime, than that of cudgelling a refractory mule; an animal ſo reſtive in its nature, (under correction of your holineſs be it ſpoken) that though I were bleſt with the forbearance of holy Job, (for like him too I am married, and my patience hath been exerciſed by a wife,) yet could I not forbear to ſmite my beaſt for her obſtinacy, and the rather becauſe I was fummoned in the way of my profeſſion, as I have already made known to your moſt merciful ears, upon a certain crying occaſion, which would not admit of a moment's delay.”
"Recollect yourſelf, Nicolas," ſaid his excellency the Inquiſidor General, "was there nothing elſe you did, ſave ſmiting your beaſt?"
"I take ſaint Nicolas de Tolentino to witneſs," replied he, "that I know of no other crime for which I can be reſponsible at this righteous tribunal, ſave ſmiting my unruly beaſt.”
"Take notice bretheren," exclaimed the Inquiſidor, “this unholy wretch holds trampling over friars to be no crime.”
"Pardon me, holy father," replied Nicolas, "I hold it for the worſt of crimes, and therefore willingly ſurrender my refractory mule to be
