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The XCV. ADVERTISEMENT.
A very famous Literato, who was imprisoned by the Iudges of Assise for being a pratler, is freed by Apollo, as not guilty of such a crime.
THe Vertuosi of this State are bound to speak with as much preme∣ditation and weighing of their words, as other men write in other parts; for •…•…pollo's pleasure is, for the general good, that to hear his Li•…•…erati discourse upon any whatsoever business, be as profitable as to study books; wherefore the speeches of every one be so narrowly watcht, as every least error is sure to receive exemplary punishment. It hapned some three daies ago, that a very learned Vertuoso discoursing upon some Poetical matter, fell into an incidental digression, wherein he so far expatiated himself, as when he had finished it, he could not re∣assume the thread of his former discourse, which was not only noted for a great error, but the Censors being forthwith acquainted with it, he was imprisoned. And the fault appearing to be true, not only by the testimony of divers, but by his own confession, the Judges proceeded with much rigour against him, and inhibited him the use of writing or reading. This miserable Literato, to the end that this severe sentence might either be totally taken off, or at least much mitigated, had recourse to Apollo, who, though he much abhor'd that one of his Vertuosi should be esteemed a prater, yet that he might upon better grounds judge this Literato, he would know from the accused partie's own mouth, what the matter was; which is certainly an excellent way of proceeding, and which if it were imitated by Princes who govern the world, they would not be so much troubled with other mens faults. The Vertuoso acquainted Apollo with all that had been laid to his charge; who having heard his confession, did immediately revoke the sentence (so far doth the Justice differ which God infuseth into the hearts of Princes, from what Judges learn in their Decrees) for finding that the digression into which that Literato had falne, and wherein he had so in∣larged himself, was much more delicate than his first discourse, his Ma∣j•…•…sty thought he had no waies misdemerited by that his forgetfulness, since the error committed was not occasioned through his desire to prate, but out of ambition to purchase honour to himself, by making that digression. And therefore he commanded the Judges to set him at li∣berty, for he was not to be blamed for much discourse, who discoursed well.