The Works of Henry Fielding, vol. 11

  Chapter xiii.

  _Julian passes into a fop._

  "My scene of action was Rome. I was born into a noble family, and heirto a considerable fortune. On which my parents, thinking I should notwant any talents, resolved very kindly and wisely to throw none awayupon me. The only instructors of my youth were therefore one Saltator,who taught me several motions for my legs; and one Ficus, whose businesswas to shew me the cleanest way (as he called it) of cutting off a man'shead. When I was well accomplished in these sciences, I thought nothingmore wanting, but what was to be furnished by the several mechanics inRome, who dealt in dressing and adorning the pope. Being therefore wellequipped with all which their art could produce, I became at the age oftwenty a complete finished beau. And now during forty-five years Idrest, I sang and danced, and danced and sang, I bowed and ogled, andogled and bowed, till, in the sixty-sixth year of my age, I got cold byoverheating myself with dancing, and died.

  "Minos told me, as I was unworthy of Elysium, so I was too insignificantto be damned, and therefore bad me walk back again."