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Virgines
jocantur
de senio
autoris.
Convivium
cum virginibus.
Sermones
conviviales.
Autor
maestus ob
senium.
Jocosum
solatium
accipit a
Virgine.
Socio.
Virg. lucif .
150
HISTORY OF THE ROSICRUCIANS.
who, the musitians, being already present, led us down the
winding stairs, the door being diligently locked and bolted.
As soon as we were come again into the hall, one of the
"
:
virgins began I wonder, Sister, that you durst adven-
"
ture yourself amongst so many persons." My Sister,"
reply ed our president, " I am fearful of none so much as of
this man," pointing at me. This speech went to my heart,
for I understood that she mocked at my age,
and indeed I
was the oldest of all ; yet she comforted me by promising,
that in case I behaved myself well towards her, she would
easily rid me of this burden.
Meantime a collation was again brought in, and every
one's Virgin seated by him, who well knew how to shorten
the time with handsom discourses, but what these and
their sports were I dare not blab out of school. Most of
the questions were about the arts, whereby I could lightly
gather that both young
and old were conversant in the
sciences. Still it run in my thoughts how I might become
young again, whereupon I was somewhat the sadder. This
the :
Virgin perceived, and, therefore, began "I dare lay
anything, if I lye with him to-night, he shall be pleasanter
in the morning." Hereupon they began to laugh, and
albeit I blushed all over, I was fain to laugh too at my
own ill-luck. ]S"ow there was one there that had a mind to
he said :
return my disgrace upon the Virgin, whereupon
"
I hope not only we but the virgins themselves will bear
witness, that our Lady President hath promised
herself to
be his bed-fellow to-night." "I should be well content
with it," replyed the Virgin, " if I had not reason to be
afraid of these my sisters ;
there would be no hold with
them should I choose the best and handsomest for myself/'
" My Sister," presently began another, " we find hereby