But latterly he has lived more regularly, his advanced age requiring it.

I have often heard him say: "_Ascanio, rich man as I have made myself, I have always lived as a poor one._" And as he took little food so he took little sleep, which, as he says, rarely did him any good, for sleeping almost always made his head ache, and too much sleep made his stomach bad.

When he was more robust he often slept in his clothes and with his buskins on; this he made a habit of for fear of the cramp, from which he continually suffered, besides other reasons; and he has sometimes been so long without taking them off that when he did so the skin came off with them like the slough of a snake.

He was never miserly with his money, nor did he hoard it, contented with enough to live honestly.

Works from his hand were sought for more and more by the gentry and rich people with large promises, but he has rarely satisfied them; and when he has done so, it has been from friendship and goodwill rather than for hope of reward.
LXVII.