220 CREATIVE INVOLUTION 



such a tutor as his master; and in scorn of it sung this 

 song: 



Time was when thou a kettle wert filled with better 



matter, 

 But Friar Bacon did thee spoil, when he thy sides did 



batter. 



Time was when conscience dwelled with men of occupa- 

 tion; 



Time was when lawyers did not thrive so well by men's 

 vexation. 



Time was when kings and beggars of one poor stuff had 



being; 

 Time was when office kept no knaves, that time it was 



worth seeing. 



Time was a bowl of water did give the face reflection ; 

 Time was when women knew no paint, which now they 

 call complexion. 



' Time was ! ' I knew that, Brazen-face, without 

 your telling. I knew Time was and I know what things 

 there was when time was, and if you speak no wiser, no 

 master shall be waked for me." Thus Miles talked and 

 sung until another half hour was gone ; then the Brazen- 

 Head spake again these words : " Time is past " ; and 

 therewith fell down and presently followed a terrible 

 noise, with strange flashes of fire, so that Miles was half 

 dead with fear. At this noise the two Friars waked and 

 wondered to see the whole room so full of smoke, but 

 that being vanished, they might perceive the Brazen Head 

 broken and lying on the ground. At this sight they 



