had a scolding, and the dogs a beating. Thus
there were no wolves, yet the flock dwindled away, and I was dumb, all
which filled me with amazement and anguish. O Lord! said I to myself,
who can ever remedy this villany? Who will have the power to make known
that the defence is offensive, the sentinels sleep, the trustees rob,
and those who guard you kill you?

_Scip._ You say very true, Berganza; for there is no worse or more
subtle thief than the domestic thief; and accordingly there die many
more of those who are trustful than of those who are wary. But the
misfortune is, that it is impossible for people to get on in the world
in any tolerable way without mutual confidence. However, let us drop
this subject: there is no need that we should be evermore preaching. Go
on.

_Berg._ I determined then to quit that service, though it seemed so good
a one, and to choose another, in which well-doing, if not rewarded, was
at least not punished. I went back to Seville, and entered the service
of a very rich merchant.

_Scip._ How did you set about getting yourself a master? As things are
now-a-days, an honest man has great difficulty in finding an employer.
Very different are the lords of the earth from the Lord of Heaven; the
former, before they will accept a servant, first scrutinise his birth
and parentage, examine into his qualifications, and even require to know
what clothes he has got; but for entering the service of God, the
poorest is the richest, the humblest is the best born; and whoso is but
disposed to serve him in purity of heart is at once entered in his book
of wages, and has such assigned to him as his utmost desire can hardly
compass, so ample are they.

_Berg._ All this is preaching, Scipio.

_Scip._ Well, it strikes me that it is. So go on.

_Berg._ With respect to your question, how I set about getting a master:
you are aware that humility is the base and foundation of all virtues,
and that without it there are none. It smooths inconveniences, overcomes
difficulties, and is a means which always conducts us to glorious ends;
it makes friends of enemies, tempers the wrath of the choleric, and
abates the arrogance of the proud: it is the mother of modesty, and
sister of temperance. I availed myself of this virtue whenever I wanted
to get a place in any house, after having first considered and carefully
ascertained that it was one which could maintain a great dog. I then
placed myself near the door; and wh