305.

Virgil the famous Poet, was much in favour, through his great learning and Page  124 judgment, with Augustus; in so much that he had his bread from him. Augustus, one day, knowing his deep discretion, asked him privately if he could guess who was his Father? To which he replied, Truly Sir, I do verily believe he was a Ba∣ker. And when that Cesar asked the rea∣son? Because, said he, you always reward me with bread. With which answer, Augustus being well pleased, rewarded him afterwards with money.