miraculous. I was dedicated from my cradle to the altar; and my head was
universally declared to be the orthodox shape for a cowl. As I grew up,
the monk took great pains with my education; and I learned Latin and
psalmody as soon as less miraculous infants learn crowing. Nor did the
holy man's care stint itself to my interior accomplishments. Although
vowed to poverty, he always contrived that my mother should have
her pockets full; and between her pockets and mine there was soon
established a clandestine communication; accordingly, at fourteen,
I wore my cap on one side, stuck pistols in my belt, and assumed the
swagger of a cavalier and a gallant. At that age my poor mother died;
and about the same period my father, having written a History of the
Pontifical Bulls, in forty volumes, and being, as I said, of high birth,
obtained a cardinal's hat. From that time he thought fit to disown your
humble servant. He bound me over to an honest notary at Naples, and gave
me two hundred crowns by way of provision. Well, signor, I saw enough of
the law to convince me that I should never be rogue enough to shine in
the profession. So, instead of spoiling parchment, I made love to the
notary's daughter. My master discovered our innocent amusement, and
turned me out of doors; that was disagreeable. But my Ninetta loved
me, and took care that I should not lie out in the streets with the
Lazzaroni. Little jade! I think I see her now with her bare feet, and
her finger to her lips, opening the door in the summer nights, and
bidding me creep softly into the kitchen, where, praised be the saints!
a flask and a manchet always awaited the hungry amoroso. At last,
however, Ninetta grew cold. It is the way of the sex, signor. Her
father found her an excellent marriage in the person of a withered old
picture-dealer. She took the spouse, and very properly clapped the door
in the face of the lover. I was not disheartened, Excellency; no, not I.
Women are plentiful while we are young. So, without a ducat in my pocket
or a crust for my teeth, I set out to seek my fortune on board of a