Petrarch. Though you place me on the block itself, I will not acknowledge any such thing.
S. Augustine. If you do not ignore my questions and conclusions, you will soon make both those confessions. Tell me, then, can you recall the years when you were a little child, or have the crowding cares of your present life blotted all that time out?
Petrarch. My childhood and youth are as vividly before my eyes as if they were yesterday.
S. Augustine. Do you remember, then, how in those times you had the fear of God, how you thought about Death, what love you had for Religion, how dear goodness and virtue were to you?
Petrarch. Yes, I remember it all, and I am sorry when I see that as my years increased these virtues grew less and less in me.
S. Augustine. For my part I have ever been afraid lest the wind of Spring should cut that early blossom off, which, if only it might be left whole and unhurt, would have produced a wondrous fruitage.
Petrarch. Pray do not wander from the subject; for what has this to do with the question we were discussing?
S. Augustine. I will tell you. Recall each step in your life, since your remembrance is so complete and fresh; recall all the course of your life, and recollect at what period this great change you speak of began.
Petrarch. I have run over in my mind all the course and number of my years.
S. Augustine. And what do you find?