y made for the next place in his lordship's gift.
The eighth pretended great losses, and what he had suffered for the church,
what pains he had taken at home and abroad, and besides he brought
noblemen's letters. The ninth had married a kinswoman, and he sent his wife
to sue for him. The tenth was a foreign doctor, a late convert, and wanted
means. The eleventh would exchange for another, he did not like the
former's site, could not agree with his neighbours and fellows upon any
terms, he would be gone. The twelfth and last was (a suitor in conceit) a
right honest, civil, sober man, an excellent scholar, and such a one as
lived private in the university, but he had neither means nor money to
compass it; besides he hated all such courses, he could not speak for
himself, neither had he any friends to solicit his cause, and therefore
made no suit, could not expect, neither did he hope for, or look after it.
The good bishop amongst a jury of competitors thus perplexed, and not yet
resolved what to do, or on whom to bestow it, at the last, of his own
accord, mere motion, and bountiful nature, gave it freely to the university
student, altogether unknown to him but by fame; and to be brief, the
academical scholar had the prebend sent him for a present. The news was no
sooner published abroad, but all good students rejoiced, and were much
cheered up with it, though some would not believe it; others, as men
amazed, said it was a miracle; but one amongst the rest thanked God for it,
and said, _Nunc juvat tandem studiosum esse, et Deo integro corde servire_.
You have heard my tale: but alas it is but a tale, a mere fiction, 'twas
never so, never like to be, and so let it rest. Well, be it so then, they
have wealth and honour, fortune and preferment, every man (there's no
remedy) must scramble as he may, and shift as he can; yet Cardan comforted
himself with this, [3966]"the star Fomahant would make him immortal," and
that [3967]after his decease his books should be found in ladies' studies:
[3968]_Dignum laude virum Musa vetat mori_. But why shouldst thou take thy
neglect, thy canvas so to heart? It may be thou art not fit; but a
[3969]child that puts on his father's shoes, hat, headpiece, breastplate,
breeches, or holds his spear, but is neither able to wield the one, or wear
the other; so wouldst thou do by such an office, place, or magistracy: thou
art unfit: "And what is dignity to an unworthy man, but (as [3970]
Salvianus holds)