The Bravo of Venice - A Romance

"By my life, 'tis a pity, Matteo, that you should be a bravo; the

schools have lost an excellent teacher of philosophy."

"Do you think so? Why, the fact is thus, Abellino. I was educated

in a monastery; my father was a dignified prelate in Lucca, and my

mother a nun of the Ursuline order, greatly respected for her

chastity and devotion. Now, Signor, it was thought fitting that I

should apply closely to my studies; my father, good man, would fain

have made me a light of the Church; but I soon found that I was

better qualified for an incendiary's torch. I followed the bent of

my genius, yet count I not my studies thrown away, since they taught

me more philosophy than to tremble at phantoms created by my own

imagination. Follow my example, friend, and so farewell."