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with a stern countenance； began to handle a weapon he wore by his
side； with which I am persuaded he would have instantly
dispatched her； had I not very gallantly； and with many
imprecations； asserted her innocence and my own guilt； which；
however； I protested had hitherto gone no farther than design。
She so well seconded my plea （for she was a woman of wonderful
art）； that he was at length imposed upon； and now all his rage
was directed against me； threatening all manner of tortures；
which the poor lady was in too great a fright and confusion to
dissuade him from executing； and perhaps； if her concern for me
had made her attempt it； it would have raised a jealousy in him
not afterwards to be removed。
〃After some hesitation Roderic cried out he had luckily hit on
the most proper punishment for me in the world； by a method which
would at once do severe justice on me for my criminal intention；
and at the same time prevent me from any danger of executing my
wicked purpose hereafter。 This cruel resolution was immediately
executed； and I was no longer worthy the name of a man。
〃Having thus disqualified me from doing him any future injury； he
still retained me in his family； but the lady； very probably
repenting of what she had done； and looking on me as the author
of her guilt； would never for the future give me either a kind
word or look： and shortly after； a great exchange being made
between the Romans and the Goths of dogs for men； my lady
exchanged me with a Roman widow for a small lap…dog； giving a
considerable sum of money to boot。
〃In this widow's service I remained seven years； during all which
time I was very barbarously treated。 I was worked without the
least mercy； and often severely beat by a swinging maid…servant；
who never called me by any other names than those of the Thing
and the Animal。 Though I used my utmost industry to please； it
never was in my power。 Neither the lady nor her woman would eat
anything I touched； saying they did not believe me wholesome。 It
is unnecessary to repeat particulars； in a word； you can imagine
no kind of ill usage which I did not suffer in this family。
〃At last an heathen priest； an acquaintance of my lady's；
obtained me of her for a present。 The scene was now totally
changed； and I had as much reason to be satisfied with my present
situation as I had to lament my former。 I was so absolutely my
master's favorite； that the rest of the slaves paid me almost as
much regard as they showed to him； well knowing that it was
entirely in my power to command and treat them as I pleased。 I
was intrusted with all my master's secrets； and used to assist
him in privately conveying away by night the sacrifices from the
altars； which the people believed the deities themselves
devoured。 Upon these we feasted very elegantly； nor could
invention suggest a rarity which we did not pamper ourselves
with。 Perhaps you may admire at the close union between this
priest and his slave； but we lived in an intimacy which the
Christians thought criminal； but my master； who knew the will of
the gods； with whom he told me he often conversed； assured me it
was perfectly innocent。
〃This happy life continued about four years； when my master's
death； occasioned by a surfeit got by overfeeding on several
exquisite dainties； put an end to it。
〃I now fell into the hands of one of a very different
disposition； and this was no other than the celebrated St。
Chrysostom； who dieted me with sermons instead of sacrifices； and
filled my ears with good things； but not my belly。 Instead of
high food to fatten and pamper my flesh； I had receipts to
mortify and reduce it。 With these I edified so well； that within
a few months I became a skeleton。 However； as he had converted
me to his faith； I was well enough satisfied with this new manner
of living； by which he taught me I might insure myself an eternal
reward in a future state。 The saint was a good…natured man； and
never gave me an ill word but once； which was occasioned by my
neglecting to place Aristophanes； which was his constant
bedfellow； on his pillow。 He was； indeed； extremely fond of that
Greek poet； and frequently made me read his comedies to him。
When I came to any of the loose passages he would smile； and say；
'It was pity his matter was not as pure as his style；' of which
latter he was so immoderately fond that； notwithstanding the
detestation he expressed for obscenity； he hath made me repeat
those passages ten times over。 The character of this good man
hath been very unjustly attacked by his heathen contemporaries；
particularly with regard to women； but his severe invectives
against that sex are his sufficient justification。
〃From the service of this saint； from whom I received
manumission； I entered into the family of Timasius； a leader of
great eminence in the imperial army； into whose favor I so far
insinuated myself that he preferred me to a good command； and
soon made me partaker of both his company and his secrets。 I
soon grew intoxicated with this preferment； and the more he
loaded me with benefits the more he raised my opinion of my own
merit； which； still outstripping the rewards he conferred on me；
inspired me rather with dissatisfaction than gratitude。 And
thus； by preferring me beyond my merit or first expectation； he
made me an envious aspiring enemy； whom perhaps a more moderate
bounty would have preserved a dutiful servant。
〃I fell now acquainted with one Lucilius； a creature of the prime
minister Eutropius； who had by his favor been raised to the post
of a tribune； a man of low morals； and eminent only in that
meanest of qualities； cunning。 This gentleman； imagining me a
fit tool for the minister's purpose； having often sounded my
principles of honor and honesty； both which he declared to me
were words without meaning； and finding my ready concurrence in
his sentiments； recommended me to Eutropius as very proper to
execute some wicked purposes he had contrived against my frend
Timasius。 The minister embraced this recommendation； and I was
accordingly acquainted by Lucilius （after some previous accounts
of the great esteem Eutropius entertained of me； from the
testimony he had borne of my parts） that he would introduce me to
him； adding that he was a great encourager of merit； and that I
might depend upon his favor。
〃I was with little difficulty prevailed on to accept of this
invitation。 A late hour therefore the next evening being
appointed； I attended my friend Lucilius to the minister's house。
He received me with the utmost civility and cheerfulness； and
affected so much regard to me； that I； who knew nothing of these
high scenes of life； concluded I had in him a most disinterested
friend； owing to the favorable report which Lucilius had made of
me。 I was however soon cured of this opinion； for immediately
after supper our discourse turned on the injustice w