55
An Astrologer advised a Prince to settle his Affairs, because within three Days he was to die a violent Death; the Prince ask’d him, whether he had foreseen what kind of Death he himself should die? and he assuring him that he was to die of a Feaver he told him, that to let him see the vanity of his Science he should be hang’d that very Hour. Now as the Astrologer was seized to be led to the Place of Execution, he said to the Prince: Pray see, my Lord, whether my Prediction be not true: Feel my Pulse, and you’ll be sensible that I have got a Feaver. Which subtle Answer saved his Life.
55
Un Astrologue avertit un Prince de mettre ordre à ses Affaires, parce qu’il devoit mourir dans trois Jours d’une Mort violente; le Prince lui demanda s’il avoit preveu de quelle Mort lui même devoit mourir? & sur ce qu’il affura qu’il mourroit d’une Fievre chaude, il lui dit, que pour faire connoitre la Vanité de sa Science, il seroit pendu sur l’heure même. Comme on s’étoit déjà saisi de l’Astrologue pour le conduire au Supplice, il dit au Prince, Voyez, Monseigneur, si ma Prediction n’est pas veritable, tâtez moi le Poux, & vous sentirez, si je n’ai pas la Fievre. Cette subtilité lui sauva la Vie.