III Hours of Teaching and Repetition
Spud. Several times. One hour before sunrise; two hours in the morning; two hours in the afternoon.
Tyro. So often?
Spud. An old custom of the Academy so establishes it. And in addition the scholars repeat and think over what they have received in instruction from their masters, like as if they were chewing the cud of their lessons.
Tyro. With so much noise over it?
Spud. Such is now their practice!
Tyro. To what purpose?
Spud. So as to learn.
Tyro. On the contrary, so as to shout. For they don’t seem to meditate on their studies, but to be preparing themselves for the office of public crier. That one there is clearly raving. For if he had a sound brain, he would neither so call out, nor gesticulate, nor so distort himself.
Spud. They are Spaniards and Frenchmen, somewhat impetuous, and as they hold divers opinions, they contend the more warmly as if for their hearths and altars, as it is said.
Tyro. What! are the teachers here of different opinions?
Spud. Sometimes they teach contradictory views.
Tyro. What authors are they interpreting?