It commences with his apprenticeship to the barber; describes his first visit to the theatre, his reading of Florian's romances and poems, his solitary meditations, and the birth and growth of his imagination.

Then he falls in love, and a new era opens in his life.

He writes verses and sings them.

He opens a barber's shop of his own, marries, and brings his young bride home.

"Two angels," he says, "took up their abode with me." His newly-wedded wife was one, and the other was his rustic Muse--the angel of homely pastoral poetry: "Who, fluttering softly from on high, Raised on his wing and bore me far, Where fields of balmiest ether are; There, in the shepherd lassie's speech I sang a song, or shaped a rhyme; There learned I stronger love than I can teach.
Oh, mystic lessons! Happy time! And fond farewells I said, when at the close of day, Silent she led my spirit back whence it was borne away!" He then speaks of the happiness of his wedded life; he shaves and sings most joyfully.