When noone was come, Byrrhena sent to me a fat Pigge, five hennes, and
a flagon of old wine. Then I called Fotis and sayd, Behold how Bacchus
the egger and stirrer of Venery, doth offer him self of his owne
accord, let us therefore drink up this wine, that we may prepare our
selves and get us courage against soone, for Venus wanteth no other
provision than this, that the Lamp may be all the night replenished
with oyle, and the cups with wine. The residue of the day I passed away
at the Bains and in banquetting, and towards evening I went to supper,
for I was bid by Milo, and so I sate downe at the table, out of
Pamphiles sight as much as I could, being mindfull of the commandement
of Byrrhena, and sometimes I would cast myne eyes upon her as upon the
furies of hell, but I eftsoones turning my face behinde me, and
beholding my Fotis ministring at the table, was again refreshed and
made merry. And behold when Pamphiles did see the candle standing on
the table, she said, Verily wee shall have much raine to morrow. Which
when her husband did heare, he demanded of her by what reason she knew
it? Mary (quoth shee) the light on the table sheweth the same. Then
Milo laughed and said, Verily we nourish a Sybel prophesier, which by
the view of a candle doth divine of Celestiall things, and of the Sunne
it selfe. Then I mused in my minde and said unto Milo, Of truth it is a
good experience and proof of divination. Neither is it any marvell, for
although this light is but a small light, and made by the hands of men,
yet hath it a remembrance of that great and heavenly light, as of his
parent, and doth shew unto us what will happen in the Skies above. For
I knew at Corinth a certain man of Assyria, who would give answers in
every part of the City, and for the gaine of money would tell every man
his fortune, to some he would tel the dayes of their marriages, to
others he would tell when they should build, that their edifices should
continue. To others, when they should best goe about their affaires. To
others, when they should goe by sea or land: to me, purposing to take
my journey hither, he declared many things strange and variable. For
sometimes hee sayd that I should win glory enough: sometimes he sayd I
should write a great Historie: sometimes againe hee sayd that I should
devise an incredible tale: and sometimes that I should make Bookes.
Whereat Milo laughed againe, and enquired of me, of what stature this
man of Assyria was, and what he was named. In faith (quoth I) he is a
tall man and somewhat blacke, and hee is called Diophanes. Then sayd
Milo, the same is he and no other, who semblably hath declared many
things here unto us, whereby hee got and obtained great substance and
Treasure.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account