I
entered into the town to learn where I was, and addressed myself to
a tailor that was at work in his shop; who, perceiving by my air
that I was a person of more note than my outward appearance bespoke
me to be, made me sit down by him, and asked me who I was, from
whence I came, and what had brought me thither? I did not conceal
anything that had befallen me.
The tailor listened with attention to my words; but after I had
done speaking, instead of giving me any consolation, he augmented
my sorrow.
'Take heed,' said he, 'how you discover to any person what you have
now declared to me; for the prince of this country is the greatest
enemy that the king your father has, and he will certainly do you
some mischief when he comes to hear of your being in this city.'
I made no doubt of the tailor's sincerity, when he named the
prince, and returned him thanks for his good advice: and as he
believed I could not but be hungry, he ordered something to be
brought for me to eat, and offered me at the same time a lodging in
his house, which I accepted. Some days after, finding me pretty
well recovered from the fatigue I had endured by a long and tedious
journey, and reflecting that most princes of our religion applied
themselves to some art or calling that might be serviceable to them
upon occasion, he asked me if I had learnt anything whereby I might
get a livelihood, and not be burdensome to any one? I told him that
I understood the laws, both divine and human; that I was a
grammarian and poet; and, above all, that I understood writing
perfectly.
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