He acquire any tincture of humane letters!--yes, when prowling foxes and yelling wolves become musicians.

He read the glorious blazoning of the firmament!--ay, when sordid moles shall become lynxes.

Post tot promissa--after so many promises made, to entice me from the Court of the magnificent Matthias, where Hun and Turk, Christian and Infidel, the Czar of Muscovia and the Cham of Tartary themselves, contended to load me with gifts--doth he think I am to abide in this old castle like a bullfinch in a cage, fain to sing as oft as he chooses to whistle, and all for seed and water?
Not so--aut inveniam viam, aut faciam--I will discover or contrive a remedy.

The Cardinal Balue is politic and liberal--this query shall to him, and it shall be his Eminence's own fault if the stars speak not as he would have them." He again took the despised guerdon, and weighed it in his hand.

"It may be," he said, "there is some jewel, or pearl of price, concealed in this paltry case--I have heard he can be liberal even to lavishness, when it suits his caprice or interest." He emptied the purse, which contained neither more nor less than ten gold pieces.