And yet, I sinned herein, O Lord God, the Creator and Disposer
of all things in nature, of sin the Disposer only, O Lord my God,
I sinned in transgressing the commands of my parents and those of
my masters. For what they, with whatever motive, would have me learn,
I might afterwards have put to good use. For I disobeyed, not from
a better choice, but from love of play, loving the pride of victory
in my contests, and to have my ears tickled with lying fables, that
they might itch the more; the same curiosity flashing from my eyes
more and more, for the shows and games of my elders. Yet those who
give these shows are in such esteem, that almost all wish the same
for their children, and yet are very willing that they should be beaten,
if those very games detain them from the studies, whereby they would
have them attain to be the givers of them. Look with pity, Lord, on
these things, and deliver us who call upon Thee now; deliver those
too who call not on Thee yet, that they may call on Thee, and Thou
mayest deliver them.