There was one named Melisus [77] who was exceedingly learned in many
sciences and especially in astrology, as can be read in the sixth book
of De Civitate Dei [78].
And it is said that this wise man once passed the night in the house of
a poor woman.
When he went to his rest in the evening, he said to the woman: look
you, woman, leave the house door open to-night, for I am accustomed to
get up and study the stars.
The woman left the door open.
That night it rained, and before the house there was a ditch filled
with water.
When the wise man rose, he fell into it. He began to cry for help. The
woman asked: what is the matter? He answered: I have fallen into a
ditch. Oh you poor fellow, said the woman, you gaze up at the sky and
cannot mind your feet.
The woman got up and helped him, for he was perishing in a little ditch
of water from absentmindedness. [79]