Of the Parents and Birth of Fryer Bacon , and how he addicted himselfe to Learning .

HE was borne by most mens opinions on the West part of England , & was sonne to a wealthy Farmer , who put him to Schoole to the Parson of the Towne where hee was borne : not with intent that he should turne Fryer ( as he did ) but to get so much vnderstanding , that he might manage the better that wealth hee was to leaue him . But young Bacon tooke his Learning so fast , that the Priest could not teach him any more , which made him desire his Master that he would speake to his Father to put him to Oxford , that he might not lose that little learning that hee had gained : his Master was very willing so to doe : and one day méeting his Father , told him , that hee had receiued a great blessing from God , in that he had giuen him so wise and hopefull a child , as his sonne Roger Bacon was ( for so was he named ) and wished him withall to doe his duty , and to bring vp so his Child , that hee might shew his thankfulnesse to God , which could not better be done then in making of him a Scholler ; for he found by his sodaine taking of his learning , that hee was a childe likely to proue a very great Clerke : hereat old Bacon was not well pleased ( for he desired to bring him vp to Plough and to the Cart , as hee himselfe was brought ) yet he for reuerence sake to the Priest , showed not his anger , but kindly thanked him for his paines and counsell yet desired him not to speake any more concerning that matter ; for hee knew best what best pleased himselfe , and that he would doe : so broke they off their talke , and parted .

So soone as the old man came home , he called to his Sonne for his bookes , which when he had , he lock'd them vp , and gaue the Boy a Cart whip in the place of them , saying to him : Boy , I will haue you no Priest , you shall not be better learned then I , you can tell now by the Almanack when it is best sowing Wheat , when Barley , Pease , and Beanes : and when the best libbing is , when to sell Graine and Cattell I will teach thée ; for I haue all Faires and Markets as perfit in my memory , as Sir Iohn our Priest has Masse without Booke : take mee this whip , I will teach thée the vse of it , it will be more profitable to thée then this harsh Latin : make no reply , but follow my counsell , or else by the Masse thou shalt féele the smart hand of my anger . Young Bacon thought this but hard dealing , yet would he not reply , but within the whole world had bin there prepared in the best manner that Art could set them out : whilst hée feasted thus their smelling , hée waued his wand againe , and there came diuers Nations in sundry habits ( as Russians , Polanders , Indians , Armenians ) all bringing sundry kinds of Furres , such as their Countries yéelded : all which they presented to the King and Quéene : these Furres were so soft in the touch , that they highly pleased all those that handled them , then after some odde fantasticke dances ( after their Countrey manner ) they vanished away : then asked Fryer Bacon the Kings Maiesty , if that hée desired any more of his skill ? the King answered that hée was fully satistied for that time , and that hée onely now thought of something that hée might bestow on him , that might partly satisfie the kindnesse that hée had receiued . Fryer Bacon said , that hée desired nothing so much as his Maiestice loue , and if that he might be assured of that , hée would thinke himselfe happy in it : for that ( said the King ) be thou euer sure of it , in token of which receiue this Iewell , and withall gaue him a costly Iewell from his necke . The Fryer did with great reuerence thanke his Maiestie , and said : as your Maiesties vassall you shall euer finde me ready to doe you seruice , your time of néede shall finde it both beneficiall and delightfull . But amongst all these Gentlemen , I sée not the man that your Grace did send for me by , sure he hath lost his way , or else met with some sport that detaines him so long , I promised to be here before him , and all this noble Assembly can witnesse I am as good as my word ; I heare him comming : with that entered the Gentleman all be durted ( for he had rid through ditches , quagmires ▪ plashes , and waters , that hée was in a most pittifull case ) hée séeing the Fryer there looked full angerly , and bid a pore on all his Deuils , for they had led him out of his way , and almost drowned him . Be not angry Sir ( said Fryer Bacon ) here is an old friend of yours that hath more cause ; for shée hath tarried these thrée houres for you ( with that hee pulled vp the Hangings , and behinde them stood a Kitchin-maide with a hasting ladle in her hand ) now am I as good as my word with you : for I promised to helpe you to your swéet-heart , how do you like this ? So ill , answered the Gentleman , that I will be reuenged of you . Threaten not ( said Fryer Bacon ) least I do you more shame , and doe you take héede how you giue schollers the lye againe : but because I know not how well you are stored with money at this time , I will beare your wenches charges home ; with that she vanished away : the King , Quéene , and all the company laughed to sée with what shame this Gentleman indured the sight of his greasie swéet-heart : but the Gentleman went away discontented . This bone , Fryer Bacon tooke his leaue of the King and Quéne , and receiued from them diuers gifts ( as well as thankes ) for his Art he shewed them .

How Fryer Bacon deceiued his Man , that would fast for his conscience sake .

FRyer Bacon had one onely man to attend on him , and hée too was none of the wisest , for hee kept him in charity , more then for any seruice he had of him . This man of his ( named Miles ) neuer could indure to fast as other religious persons did , for alwayes hee had in one corner , or another , flesh , which hee would eate when his Maister eat bread only , or else did fast and abstaine from all things . Fryer Bacon séeing this , thought at one time or other to be euen with him , which he did one Fryday in this manner . Miles on the Thursday night had prouided a great blacke-pudding for his Frydayes fast ; this pudding put he in his pocket ( thinking belike to heate it so , for his Maister had no fire on those dayes ) on the next day , who was so demure as Miles , hee looked as though hee would not haue eat any thing : when his Maister offered him some bread , hée refused it , saying , his sinnes deserued a greater penance then one dayes fast in a whole wéeke : his Maister commended him for it , and bid him take héed that he did not dissemble : for if he did , it would at last be knowne ; then were I worse then a Turke said Miles : so went he forth as if he would haue gone to pray priuately , but it was for nothing but to prey vpon his blacke pudding ; that pulled he out , ( for it was halfe roasted with the heate of his bum ) and sell to it lustily ; but he was deceiued , for hauing put one end in his mouth , he could neither get it out againe nor bite it off , so that hee stamped out for helpe : his Maister hearing him , came , and finding him in that manner , tooke hold of the other end of the pudding , and led him to the hall , and shewed him to all the Schollers , saying : Sée here my good friends and fellow Students what a deuout man my seruant Miles is , he loueth not to breake a fast day , witnesse this pudding that his conscience will not let him swallow : I will haue him to be an example for you all , then tyed hee him to a window by the end of the pudding , where poore Miles stood like a Beare tyed by the nose to a stake , and indured many floutes and mockes : at night his Maister released him from his penance ; Miles was glad of it , and did vow neuer to breake more fast dayes whilst that he liued .

How Fryer Bacon saued a Gentleman that had giuen himselfe to the Deuill .

IN Oxfordshire there liued a Gentleman , that had through his riotous expences wasted a faire Inheritance that was left him by his father : After which hee grew so poore , that hee had not wherewith to buy himselfe so much bread as would maintaine his miserable life : the memory of his former state that hee had liued in , and the present want that he now sustained , made him to grow desperate and regardlesse both of his soule and bodies estate ; which gaue the Deuill occasion to worke vpon his weaknesse in this manner following .

On a time , hee being alone full of griefe and care , ( griefe for his follies past , and care how to get a poore liuing for the remainder of his dayes ) the Deuill came to him and asked him what hée wanted ( hée came not in a shape terrible , but like an old penny-father . ) This Gentleman was amazed at his sodaine presence , but hearing him demand of his wants , hée tooke to him courage and said : I want all things , I want money to buy my apparell , money to buy mée meat , money to redéeme my Land , and money to pay my debts : Can , or will you helpe mée in this misery ? I will , answered the Deuill , on some conditions helpe you to money for to supply all these wants , and that sodainly . On any condition , said the Gentleman , helpe mée , and I sweare for to performe them : I take no oathes ( answered the Deuill ) I must haue bonds , if you will doe so , méet mée by the Woods side to morrow morning , and there I will haue the moneys ready : I will , said the Gentleman ( for hée poore man was glad of it on any conditions , as hee said ( before . ) The next day hee went to the Wood where the Deuill had promis●d to méet him : long had hée not béene there , but hée beheld the Deuill comming , and after him two other like Seruingmen with Bagges of money : this reioyced the poore Gentlemans heart to thinke that hée should once againe liue like a man . The Deuill comming to him said : sonne I will performe my promise vnto you , if that you will seale to the conditions that I haue here already drawne : willingly said-the Gentleman , I will , I pray read them The Deuill read them to this effect ; that he lent him so much money as he should haue néed of , to be imployed to these vses following : First , to redéeme his morgag'd Land ; next to pay his debts : lastly , to buy him such necessaries as hée wanted : this to be lent on this condition , that so soone as he had paid all his debts , that he should be at the lenders disposing , and without any delay , fréely to yéeld himselfe to him vpon the first demand of the aforesaid lender . To this the Gentleman sealed , and had the money carried to his Chamber , with which money hée in short time redéemed his Land , and bought such things as he néeded , and likewise payed all his debts , so that there was not any man that could aske of him one penny .

Thus liued this Gentleman once againe in great credit , and grew so great a husband that hée increased his estate , and was richer then euer his father before him was : but long did this ioy of his not continue , for one day hée being in his Studie the Deuill appeared vnto him , and did tell him that now his Land was redéemed , and his debts paid , and therefore the time was come that hee must yéeld himselfe to his mercy , as hée was bound by bond . This troubled the Gentleman to heare , but more to thinke how that he must become a slaue to a stranger that hée did not know ( for hée knew not as yet that he was the Deuill ) but being vrged to answer for himselfe ( by the Deuill ) hée said that hée had not as yet paid all his debts , and therefore as yet hée was not liable to the bonds strait conditions . At this the Deuill séemed angry and with a fearefull noyse transformed himselfe to an vgly shape , saying : Alas poore wretch , these are poore excuses that thou framest , I kn●w them all to be false , and so will proue them to thy face to morrow morning , till when I leaue thée to despaire : So with great noyse he went his way , leauing the Gentleman halfe dead with feare .

When hée was gone , the Gentleman reuiuing bethought himselfe in what a miserable state he was now in , then wished he that he had liued and died poorely , then cursed he all his ambitious thoughts , that led him first to desire againe that wealth which he had so vainly by his riot lost : then would hee curse his prodigall expences that were the originall of all his misery : thus was he tormented along time in his minde , at last he fully resolued to end his wretched life by some violent death , and to that end he went forth thinking to kill himselfe , which he had done , had it not béene for the Fryer : for as he was falling vpon his sword , Fryer Bacon came by and called to him to hold , which he did . Fryer Bacon demanded of him the cause why he was so desparate that he would run headlong to hell ? O sir , said he , the cause is great , and the relation is so terrible to me , that I would intreat you not to trouble me any more , but to leaue me to my owne wil : his answer filled the Fryer with amazement & pitty both at once , which made him to vrge him in this manner . Sir , should I leaue you to his wilfull damnation , I were vnfit euer hereafter to weare or touch any robe that belongeth vnto the holy Order , whereof I am a Brother ; you know ( I doubt not ) that there is giuen power to the Church to absolue penitent sinners , let not your wilfulnesse take away from you that benefit which you may receiue by it : fréely confesse your selfe ( I pray ) you vnto me , and doubt not but I will giue your troubled conscience ease : Father ( said this Gentleman ) I know all that you haue spoken is truth , and I haue many times receiued comfort from the mother Church , ( I dare not say our , for I feare that shee will neuer receiue me for a childe ) I haue no part in her benediction , yet since you request so earnestly the cause , I will tell you , heare it and tremble . Know then that I haue giuen my selfe to the deuill for a little wealth , and he to morrow in this Wood must haue mée : now haue you my griefe , but I know not how to get comfort . This is strange ( quoth Fryer Bacon ) yet be of good comfort , penitentiall teares may doe much , which sée you doe not spare : soone I will visit you at your house , and giue you that comfort ( I hope ) that will beget you againe to goodnesse : the Gentleman with these words was somewhat comforted and returned home . At night Fryer Bacon came to him and found him full of teares for his haynous offence , for those teares he gaue him hope of pardon , demanded further what conditions hee had made with the Deuil : the gentleman told him , how that he had promised himselfe to him so soone as he had paid all his debts : which he now had done , for he owed not one peny to any man liuing . Well , said Fryer Bacon , continue thy sorrow for thy sinnes , and to morrow meete him without feare , and be thou content to stand to the next mans iudgement that shall come that way , whether thou doest belong to the deuill or no : feare not , but do so , and be thou assured that I will be he that shall come by , and will giue such iudgement on thy side , that thou shalt bee free from him : with that Fryer Bacon went home , and the Gentleman went to his prayers .

In the morning the Gentleman ( after that he had blessed himselfe ) went to the Wood where he found the deuill ready for him , so soone as he came néere , the deuill said : now deceiuer are you come , now shalt thou sée that I can and will proue that thou hast paid all thy debts , and therefore thy soule belongeth to me . Thou art a deceiuer ( said the gentleman ) and gauest me money to cheat me of my soule , for else why wilt thou be thy own Iudge : let me haue some other to iudge betwéene vs . Content said the Deui●l , take whom thou wilt : then I will haue ( said the gentleman ) the next man that commeth this way : hereto the Deuill agréed . No sooner were these words ended , but Fryer Bacon came by , to whom this Gentleman spake , and requested , that he would be iudge in a waighty matter betwéene them two : the Fryer said , he was content , so both parties were agréed : the Deuill said they were , and told Fryer Bacon how the case stood betwéene them in this manner .

Know Fryer , that I séeing this prodigal like to starue for want of food , lent him money , not onely to buy him victuals , but also to redéeme his lands and pay his debts , conditionarily that so soone as his debts were paid , that hée should giue himselfe fréely to mée , to this here is his hand ( shewing him the Bond ) now my time , is expired , for all his debts are paid which hée cannot denie . This case is plaine , if it be so that his debts are paid : his silence confirmes it said the Diuell , therefore giue him a iust sentence . I will said Frier Bacon : But first tell me ( speaking to the Gentleman ) didst thou neuer yet giue the Deuill any of his mony backe , nor requite him any wayes : neuer had hée any thing of me as yet ( answered the Gentleman ) then neuer let him haue any thing of thée and thou art frée : deceiuer of mankind , said he ( speaking to the Deuill ) it was thy bargaine , neuer to meddle with him so long as hée was indebted to any , now how canst thou demand of him any thing , when he is indebted for all that hée hath to thée , when hée payeth thée thy money , then take him as thy due ; till then thou hast nothing to doe with him : and so I charge thée to be gone . At this , the Deuill vanished with great horror , but Fryer Bacon comforted the Gentleman , and sent him home with a quiet conscience , bidding him neuer to pay the Deuils money backe as he tendred his owne safety : which he promised for to obserue .

How Fryer Bacon made a Brasen head to speake , by the which hee would haue walled England about with Brasse .

FRyer Bacon reading one day of the many conquests of England , bethought himselfe how hée might kéepe it hereafter from the like conquests , and so make himselfe famous hereafter to all posterities : This ( after great study ) hée found could be no way so well done as one ; which was to make a head of Brasse , and if he could make this head to speake ( and heare it when it speakes ) then might hée be able to wall all England about with Brasse . To this purpose hée got one Fryer Bungey to assist him , who was a great Scholler and a Magician , ( but not to bée compared to Fryer Bacon ) these two with great study and paines so framed a head of Brasse , that in the inward parts thereof there was all things ( like as is in a naturall mans head : this being done , they were as farre from perfection of the worke as they were before , for they knew not how to giue those parts that they had made motion , without which it was impossible that it should speake : many bookes they read , but yet could not finde out any hope of what they sought , so that at the last they concluded to raise a spirit , and to know of him that which they could not attaine to by their owne studies . To do this they prepared all things ready and went one Euening to a Wood thereby , and after many ceremonies vsed , they spake the words of coniuration , which the Deuill straight obeyed and appeared vnto them , asking what they would ? know , said Fryer Bacon , that wée haue made an artificiall head of Brasse , which wée would haue to speake , to the furtherance of which wée haue raised thée , and being raised , wée will here kéepe thée , vnlesse thou tell to vs the way and manner how to make this Head to speake . The Deuill told him that he had not that power of himselfe : beginner of lyes ( said Fryer Bacon ) I know that thou dost dissemble , and therefore tell it vs quickly , or else wée will here bind thée to remaine during our pleasures . At these threatnings the Deuill consented to doe it , and told them , that with a continuall sume of the sir hotest Simples it should haue motion , and in one month space speake , the Time of the moneth or day hée knew not : also hée told them , that if they heard it not before it had done speaking , all their labour should be lost : they being satisfied , licensed the Spirit for to depart .

Then went these two learned Fryers home againe , and prepared the Simples ready , and made the fume , and with continuall watching attended when this Brasen head would speake : thus watched they for thrée wéekes without any rest , so that they were so weary and sléepy , that they could not any longer retaine from rest : then called Fryer Bacon his man Miles , and told him , that it was not vnknowne to him what paines Fryer Bungy and himselfe had taken for thrée wéekes space , onely to make , and to heare the Brasen-head speake , which if they did not , then had they lost all their labour , and all England had a great losse thereby : therefore hée intreated Miles that he would watch whilest that they sléep , and call them if the Head speake . Feare not , good Master ( said Mailes ) I will not sléepe , but harken and attend vpon the head , and if it doe chance to speake , I will call you : therefore I pray take you both your rests and let mée alone for watching this head . After Fyer Bacon had giuen him a great charge : The second time , Fryer Bungy and he went to sléepe , and left Miles alone to watch the Brasen head : Miles , to kéepe him from sleeping , got a Tabor and Pipe , and being mercy disposed , sung this Song to a Northren tune ,

Of cam'st thou not from New-Castle . To couple is a custome , all things thereto agree : Why should not I then loue ? since loue to all is free . But I le haue one that 's pretty , her cheekes of scarlet die ? For to breed my delight , when that I ligge her by . Though vertue be a Dowry , yet I le chuse money store : If my Loue proue vntrue , with that I can get more . The faire is oft vnconstant , the blacke is often proud . I le chuse a louely browne , come fidler scrape thy crowd . Come fidler scrape thy crowd , for Peggie the browne is she , Must be my Bride , God guide that Peggie and I agree .

With his owne Musicke , and such Songs as these spent he his time , and kept from sleeping , at last , after some noyse the Head spake these two words , Time is . Miles hearing it to speake no more : thought his Master would be angry if hee waked him for that , and there●ore hee let them both sleepe , and began to mocke the Head in this manner : Thou Brazen-faced Head , hath my Master tooke all this paines about thee , and now dost thou requi●e him with two words , Time is : had hée watched with a Lawyer so long as he hath watched with thee , he would haue giuen him more , and better words then thou hast yet , if thou can speake no wiser , they shall sléepe till doomes day for me : Time is : I know Time is , and that you shall heare good-man Brazen-face .

To the tune of Daintie come thou to me . Time is for some to plant , Time is for some to sowe ; Time is for some to graft The horne as some doe know . Time is for some to eate , Time is for some to sleepe , Time is for some to laugh , Time is for some to weepe . Time is for some to sing , Time is for some to pray , Time is for some to creepe , That haue drunke all the day . Time is to cart a Bawd , Time is to whip a Whore , Time is to hang a Theefe , And time is for much more .

Doe you tell vs Copper-nose , when Time is , I hope we Schollers know our Times , when to drinke drunke , when to kisse our Hostis , when to goe on her score , and when to pay it , that time comes seldome . After halfe an houre had passed , the Head did speake againe , two words , which were these : Time was . Miles respected these words as little as he did the former , and would not wake them , but still scoffed at the Brasen head , that it had learne no better words , and had such a Tutor as his Master : and in scorne of it sung this Song .

To the tune of a rich Merchant man . Time was when thou a Kettle wert fill'd with better matter : But Fryer Bacon did thee spoyle , when he thy sides did batter . Time was when conscience dwelled with men of occupation : Time was when Lawyers did not thriue , so well by mens vexation . Time was when Kings and Beggars of one poore stuffe had being : Time was when office kept no Knaues : that time it was worth seeing . Time was a bowle of water , did giue the face reflection , Time was when women knew no paint : which now they call Complexion .

Time was : I know that Brazen-face , without your telling . I know Time was , and I know what things there was when Time was , and if you speake no wiser , no Master shall be waked for mée . Thus Miles talked and sung till another halfe houre was gone , then the Brazen-head spake againe these words ; Time is past : and therewith fell downe , and presently followed a terrible noyse , with strange flashes of fire , so that Miles was halfe dead with feare : At this noyse the two Fryers awaked , and wondred to sée the whole roome so full of smoake , but that béeing vanished they might perceiue the Brazen-head broken and lying on the ground : at this sight they grieued , and called Miles to know how this came . Miles halfe dead with feare , said that it fell downe of it selfe , and that with the noyse and fire that followed hée was almost frighted out of his wits : Fryer Bacon asked him if hée did not speake ? yes ( quoth Miles ) it spake , but to no purpose . I le haue a Parret speake better in that time that you haue béene teaching this Brazen head . Out on thée villaine ( said Fryer Bacon ) thou hast vndone vs both , hadst thou but called vs when it did speake , all England had bin walled round about with Brasse , to its glory and our eternall fames : what were the words it spake ? very few ( said Miles ) and those were none of the wisest that I haue heard neither : first he said Time is . Hadst thou call'd vs then ( said Fryer Bacon ) wée had béene made for euer : then ( said Miles ) halfe an houre after it spake againe and said , Time was . And woulst thou not call vs then ( said Bungry ? ) Alas ( said Miles ) I thought he would haue told me some long Tale , and then I purposed to haue called you : then halfe an houre after he cried Time is past and made such a noyse , that hée hath waked you himselfe mée thinkes . At this Fryer Bacon was in such a rage , that hée would haue beaten his man , but he was restrained by Bungey : but neuertheles for his punishment he with his Art struck him dumbe for one whole months space . Thus that great worke of these learned Fryers was ouerthrown ( to their great griefes ) by this simple fellow .

How Fryer Bacon by his Art tooke a Towne , when the King had lyen before it three months , without doing to it any hurt .

IN those times when Fryer Bacon did all his strange trickes , the Kings of England had a great part of France , which they held a long t●me , till ciuill warres at home in this Land made them to lose it : it did chance that the King of England ( for some cause best knowne to himselfe ) went into France with a great Armie , where af●er many victories , hee did besiege a strong Towne , and lay before it full thrée moneths , without doing to the Towne any great damage , but rather receiued the hurt himselfe . This did so vexe the King , the hée sought to take it in any way , either by policy or strength : To this intent hee made Proclamation ▪ that whosoeuer could deliuer this Towne into his hand , hée should haue for his paines ten thousand C●ownes truely paid . This was proclaimed , but there was none found that would vndertake it : At length she newes did come into England of this great reward that was promised . Fryer Bacon hearing of it , went into France , and being admitted to the Kings presence , hee thus ●pake vnto him : Your Maiestie I am sure , hath not quite forgot your poore subiect Bacon , the loue that you shewed to mee being last in your presence , hath drawne mée for to leaue my Countrey , and my Studies , to doe your Maiestie seruice : I beséech your Grace , to command mée so farre as my poore Art or life may doe you pleasure . The King thanked him for his loue , but told him , that hée had now more néed of Armes then Art , and wanted braue Souldiers more then learned Schollers . Fryer Bacon answered , Your Grace saith well ; but let mée ( vnder correction ) tell you , that Art oftentimes doth those things that are impossible to Armes , which I will make good in some few examples . I will speake onely of things performed by Art and Nature , wherein shall be nothing Magicall : and first by the figuration of Art , there may be made Instruments of Nauigation without men to rowe in them , as great Ships to brooke the Sea , onely with one man to steere them , and they shall sayle farre more swiftly then it they were full of men . Also Chariots that shall moue with an vnspeakable force , without any liuing creature to stirre them . Likewise , an Instrument may be made to flye withall , if one fit in the midst of the Instrument , & doe turne an Engine , by which the wings being Artificially composed , may beat ayre after the manner of a flying Bird. By an Instrument of thrée fingers high , and thrée fingers broad , a man may rid himselfe and others form all Imprisonment : yea , such an Instrument may easily be made , whereby a man may violently draw vnto him a thousand men , will they , nill they , or any other thing . By Art also an Instrument may bée made , wherewith men may walke in the bottome of the Sea or Riuers without bodily danger : this Alexander the Great vsed ( as the Ethnick Phylosopher reporteth ) to the end he might behold the secrets of the Seas . But Physicall Figurations are farre more strange : for by that may be framed Perspects and Looking-glasses , that one thing shall appeare to be many , as one man shall appeare to be a whole Army , and one Sunne or Moone shall seeme diuers . Also perspects may be so framed , that things farre off shall séeme most nigh vnto vs : With one of these did Iulius Caesar from the Sea coasts in France marke and obserue the situation of the Castles in England . Bodies may also be so framed , that the greatest things shall appeare to be the least , the highest lowest , the most secret to bée the most manifest , and in such like sort the contrary . Thus did Socrates perceiue , that the Dragon which did destroy the Citie and Countrey adioyning with his noysome breath , and contagious influence , did lurke in the dennes betwéene the Mountaines : and thus may all things that are done in Cities or Armies be discouered by the enemies . Againe , in such wise may bodies bée framed , that venemous and infectious influences may be brought whether a man will : In this did Aristotle instruct Alexander ; through which instruction the poyson of a Basiliske , being lift vp vpon the wall of a Citie , the poyson was conuayd into the Citie , to the destruction thereof : Also Perspects may be made to deceiue the sight , as to make a man beléeue that hée séeth great store of riches , when that there is not any . But it appertaineth to a higher power of Figuration , that beames should be brought and assembled by diuers flexions and reflexions in any distance that we will , to burne any thing that is apposite vnto it , as it is witnessed by those Perspects or Glasses that burne before and behinde : But the greatest and chiefest of all figurations and things figured , is to describe the heauenly bodies , according to their length and breadth in a corporall Figure , wherein they may corporally moue with a daily motion . These things are worth a Kingdome to a wise man . These may suffise , my royall Lord , to shew what Art can doe : and these , with many things more as strange , I am able by Art to performe . Then take no thought for winning this Towne ; for by my Art you shall ( ere many dayes be past ) haue your desire .

The King all this while heard him with admiration : but hearing him now say , that hée would vndertake to win the Towne , hée burst out in these spéeches : Most learned Bacon , doe but what thou hast said , and I will giue thée what thou most desirest , either wealth , or honour , choose which thou wilt , and I will be as ready to performe , as I haue béene to promise .

Your Maiesties loue is all that I séeke ( said the Fryer ) let mee haue that , and I haue honour enough , for wealth , I haue content , the wise , should séeke no more : but to the purpose . Let your Pioners raise vp a mount so high ( or rather higher ) then the wall , and then shall you see some probability of that which I haue promised .

This Mount in two dayes was raised : then Fryer Bacon went with the King to the Top of it , and did with a perspect shew to him the Towne , as plainely as if hée had beene in it : at this the King did wonder , but Fryer Bacon told him , that hée should wonder more , ere next day noone : against which Time , he desired him to haue his whole Army in readinesse , for to scale the wall vpon a signall giuen by him , from the Mount . This the King promised to doe , and so returned to his Tent full of Ioy , that hée should gaine this strong Towne . In the morning Fryer Bacon went vp to the Mount and set his Glasses , and other Instruments vp : in the meane time the King ordered his Army , and stood in a readinesse for to giue assault ; when the signall was giuen , which was the wauing of a Flagge : Ere nine of the clocke Fryer Bacon had burnt the State-house of the Towne , with other houses onely by his Mathematicall Glasses , which made the whole Towne in an vprore , for none did know how it came : whilest that they were quenching of the same , Fryer Bacon did waue his Flagge : vpon which signall giuen , the King set vpon the Towne , and tooke it with little or no resistance . Thus through the Art of this learned man the King got this strong Towne , which hée could not doe with all his men without Fryer Bacons helpe .

How Fryer Bacon ouer-came the German Coniurer Vandermast , and make a Spirit of his owne carry him into Germany .

THE King of England after hée had taken in the Towne , shewed great mercy to the Inhabitants , giuing some of them their liues fréely , and others hée set at libertie for their Gold : the Towne hée kept as his owne , and swore the chiefe Citizens to be his true Subiects . Presently after the King of France sent an Ambassadour to the King of England , for to intreat a peace betwéene them . This Ambassadour being come to the King , he feasted him ( as it is the manner of Princes to doe ) and with the best sports as he had then , welcomed him . The Ambassadour seeing the King of England so free in his Loue , desired likewise to giue him some taste of his good liking , and to that intent sent for one of his fellowes ( being a Germane , and named Vandermast ) a famous Coniurer , who being come , hée told the King , that since his Grace had béene so bountifull in his loue to him , he would shew him ( by a seruant of his ) such wonderfull things , that his Grace had neuer séene the like before . The King demaunded of him , of what nature those things , were that hée would doe ? The Embassadour answered , that they were things done by the Art of Magicke . The King hearing of this , sent straight for Fryer Bacon , who presently came , and brought Fryer Bungey with him .

When the Banquet was done , Vandermast did aske the King , if hée desired to sée any Spirit of any man deceased ; and if that he did , hée would raise him in such manner and fashion as he was in when that hée liued . The King told him , that aboue all men hée desired to sée Pompey the Great , who could abide no equall . Vandermast by his Art raised him , armed in such manner as hée was when hée was slaine at the Eattell of Pharsalia : at this they were all highly contented . Fryer Bacon presently raised the ghost of Iulius Caesar , who could abide no Superiour , and had slaine this Pompey at the Battell of Pharsalia : At the sight of him they were all amazed , but the King who sent for Bacon : and Vandermast said that there was some man of Art in that presence , whom hée desired to sée . Fryer Bacon then shewed himselfe , saying ; It was I Vandermast , that raised Caesar , partly to giue content to this royall presence , but chiefely for to conquer thy Pompey , as he did once before , at that great Battell of Pharsalia , which he now againe shall doe . Then presently began a fight being Caesar and Pompey , which continued a good space , to the content of all , except Vandermast . At last Pompey was ouercome and slaine by Caesar ; then vanished they both away .

My Lord Embassadour ( said the King ) me thinks that my Englishman hath put downe your German : hath he no better running then this ? Yes , answered Vandermast , your Grace shall sée me put downe your Englishman , ere that you goe from hence : and therefore Fryer prepare thy selfe with thy best of Art to withstand me . Alas , said Fryer Bacon , it is a little thing will serue to resist thée i● this kind . I haue here one that is my inferior ( shewing him Fryer Bungey ) try thy Art with him ; and if thou doe put him to the worst , then will I deale with thée , and not till then .

Fryer Bungey then began to shew his Art ; and after some turning and looking on his Booke , he brought vp among them the Hysperian Tree , which did beare golden Apples ; these Apples were kept by a waking Dragon , that lay vnder the Trée : Hée hauing done this , bid Vandermast finde one that durst gather the fruit . Then Vandermast did raise the ghost of Hercules in his habit that he wore when that he was liuing , and with his Club on his shoulder : Here is one , said Vandermast , that shall gather fruit from this Trée : this is Hercules , that in his life time gathered of this Fruit , and made the Dragon couch : and now againe shall hée gather it in spight of all opposition : As Hercules was going to plucke the fruit , Fryer Bacon held vp his wand , at which Hercules stayed and séemed fearefull . Vandermast bid him for to gather of the fruit , or else hée would torment him . Hercules was more fearefull , and said , I cannot , nor I dare not ; for here great Bacon stands , whose charmes are farre more powerfull then thine , I must obey him Vandermast . Hereat Vandermast curst Hercules , and threatned him : But Fryer Bacon laughed , and bid him not to chafe himselfe ere that his iourney was ended ; for séeing ( said he ) that Hercules will doe nothing at your command , I will haue him doe you some seruice at mine : with that hée bid Hercules carry him home into Germany . The Deuill obeyed him , and tooke Vandermast on his backe , and went away with him in all their sights . Hold Fryer , cried the Embassadour , I will not loose Vandermast for halfe my Land . Content your selfe my Lord , answered Fryer Bacon , I haue but sent him home to sée his wife , and ere long he may returne . The King of England thanked Fryer Bacon , and forced some gifts on him for his seruice that hee had done for him ; for Fryer Bacon did so little respect money , that he neuer would take any of the King .