Mathematics," and began a poem of his own on the "Plurality of Worlds." 

In 1746, at the age of seventeen, Lessing was sent to the University
of Leipsic.  There he studied with energy, and was attracted
strongly by the theatre.  His artistic interest in the drama caused
him to be put on the free list of the theatre, in exchange for some
translations of French pieces.  Then he produced, also for the
Leipsic stage, many slight pieces of his own, and he had serious
thought of turning actor, which excited alarm in the parsonage at
Camenz and caused his recall home in January, 1747.  It was found,
however, that although he could not be trained to follow his
father's profession, he had been studying to such good purpose, and
developing, in purity of life, such worth of character, that after
Easter he was sent back to Leipsic, with leave to transfer his
studies from theology to medicine. 

Lessing went back, continued to work hard, but still also gave all
his leisure to the players.  For the debts of some of them he had
incautiously become surety, and when the company removed to Vienna,
there were left behind them unpaid debts for which young Lessing was