n the likeness of a man, and
said, "My son, what has made you so sorrowful?"

_Celest._ "Never mind; it is no use telling you."

_Devil._ "You know not that; tell me, and I will help you."

_Celest._ "I am charged, under a heavy punishment, to make some verses
about a scabby horse and two sheep, and I don't know how."

_Devil._ "Young man, I am the devil in a human form, and the best poet
going; care nothing about your master, but promise to serve me
faithfully, and I will compose such delectable verses for you that they
shall excel those of your pedagogue himself."

Celestinus, tempted by this insidious proposal, gave his word to serve
him faithfully if he fulfilled his engagement.

The devil then produced the following verses:--

Bound by a thong, that passed along
A horse's mangy hide;
Two sheep there lay, as I you say,
One upon either side.

The steed uprose, and upward goes
Each sheep with dangling breech;
Borne by the horse's rapid course,
The miller's hut they reach.

Scattering the fire, with reckless ire,
The rafters caught the flame;
And bleating breed and scabby steed
Were roasted in the same.

Now had that wight, that miller hight,
Vouchsafed his house to keep;
Ere he returned, it had not burned,
Nor burned his horse and sheep.[8]

The boy, made happy by the present, returned home.

_Master._ "My child, have you stolen your verses, or made them?"

_Celest._ "I made them, sir."

He then read what we have given above; and the master, struck with the
greatest astonishment at their uncommon beauty, exclaimed, "My dear boy,
tell me if any one made these verses for you?"

_Celest._ "No, sir; no one did."

_Master._ "Unless you tell me the truth, I will flog you till the blood
run."

The lad, fearful of what might follow, declared all that occurred, and
how he had bound himself to the devil. The preceptor, grieved at the
communication, induced the youth to confess himself, and renounce this
fearful confederacy. When this was done he became a holy man; and after
a well-spent life, gave up his soul to God.

XXVIII.--BRED IN THE BONE.

There reigned some time in Rome a wise and mighty emperor, named Anselm,
who did bear in his arms a shield of silver with five red roses. This
emperor had three sons, whom he loved much. He had also continual war
with the king of Egypt, in which war he lost all his temporal goods
except a precious tr