made small account howbeit that all men said openly that Andolocia had better deserved it And when this rumor came to Theodorus ears it spighted him greatly and thereby he conceived inward malice against Andolocia Wherefore he concluded a conspiracy with the Earl of Limose who had his House in an Isle not far from Famagosta to put Andolocia to shame and reproach or else to destroy him for envy that he carried the greatest honour and praise of Knightly manhood so far from them that no Lord Knight nor Squire might compare with him Wherefore they appointed at his return towards Famagosta after the Feast to set upon him to slay all his men and carry him Prisoner to Limose out of the Kings Land where the Earl had a Castle and that there they would rack him and put him to such intollerable pain that he should confess where his greatest treasure lay and should by some privy token send for the most part of it whereby they should keep a stately port and his pride should be much abated How Andolocia after the Feast riding homewards to Famagosta was taken Prisoner by the two Earls and all his men slain Chap. 44. SO when Andolocia after the Triumph had taken his leave and was returning to Famagosta the two Earls having appointed an ambush of men they took Andolocia Prisoner slew all his men and carried him into the Castle of Limose where he was so straightly kept that in no wise he could come out Then promised he unto the Keepers a great sum of money if they would let him go frée but they durst not so do lest that when he were at liberty he would not keep promise with them neither durst he tell them of any great sum of money before-hand lest they should thereby perceive the vertue of his Purse and so might lose both the Purse and his life also Soon after came tidings to the King that Andolocias men were slain he himself gone no man knew whither neither was it known who had committed that hainous murther The two Earls after this wicked fact rode again unto the Court behaved themselves as if they knew nothing thereof When Ampedo likewise was certified what had chanced to his Brother he requested the Kings assistance to lay privy wait throughout his dominions for Andolocia The King answered That he was as sorry for him as himself and that on condition he could learn whether he was safe and alive he would spare no money to look him though it should cost him half his Kingdom How Ampedo burned the wishing-hat Chap. 45. AMpedo imagining with himself that his Brother was come into some distress by occasion of his Purse and that by racking and torments he might be forced to confess of the Hat also whereby he might in like manner come into the like danger in a great fury he cast the Hat into the fire and stood by it till it was burned to ashes And when he could by no means hear tell what was become of his Brother he conceived thereby such an inward grief that for thought he fell sick and shortly after ended his life The King had caused Proclamation to be made that whosoever could bring word whether Andolocia were dead or alive he should have a thousand Duckats in ready money but no tidings could be heard of him Then the Earl of Limose took his leave of the King and departed home to his Castle where he found Andolocia in a deep dungeon When Andolocia saw him he was glad beseeching him to be merciful unto him and to deliver him out of prison for said he I wot not whose prisoner I am neither for what cause I am thus straitly penned up if I hade done wrong to any man I will recompence it either with body or goods The Earl said Andolocia thou art not brought hither to be delivered again thou art my prisoner and before thou depart shalt thou tell me how and from whence thou hadst to much money to maintain such a sumptuous and Princely Port as thou hast so long time done or else I will so torment thee that thou shalt be glad to shew it When Andolocia heard those cruel and threatning words he was exceedingly afraid his hope failed him and he wist not how to dissemble the matter but said on a suddain My Father when he died shewed me a Privy which is in our House at Famagosta wherein I should find more money than I were able to spend during my Life and if it please you to carry me as a Prisoner thither I will shew you the experience thereof The Earl would not be perswaded that this was the truth but took him out of the Stocks and racked him grievously which he a while endured but at the length he was so bitterly tormented that he might no longer refrain but shewed plainly the vertue of the Purse When the Earl heard that he took the Purse of him and by trial finding his saying to be true caused Andolocia to be again set in the Stocks and committed him to one whom he trusted well The Earl then paid his Debts stored his Castle with victuals and furniture and rode forthwith to his Companion the Earl Theodorus who rejoyced at his coming to the court And when they had communed together concerning the purse that the Earl had gotten of Andolocia by racking there was no small triumphing between them on either part But Theodorus liked not that Andolocia was left alive For said he I hear it reported in the Court that he is a Doctor in Negromancy and can fly in the Ayr Therefore it is to be feared that he will by some means escape whereby we may both come in Danger of death But the Earl said he lieth so fast sure in Prison that I warrant you he cannot come forth Then went they together and took out as much money as they listed and were both alike desirous to have the purse but to eschew all controversie they agreed that one should have it one half year and the other should have it another half and that whoso had the purse should not suffer the other to want or remain in danger and that forasmuch as the Count of Limose was the elder he should first enjoy it The two elders having now money at will yet were they circumspect and durst not seem very liberal or wastful for fear of suspition But Theodorus could not be yet satisfied as long as Andolocia was alive for dread lest they should again lose the purse Besides that he purposed when he had the possession of the purse to go so far with it that he would be safe and sure both from the King and the Earl of Limose And therefore he entreated of the Earl that he might have his Letters and one of his men to see Andolocia in Prison which the Earl granted Then took the Lord Theodorus his leave of the King and said he would travel to see the pleasant commodity of his Dominion
for your Daughter On the next morrow went the King the Earl and the Countess and requested him that he would assign some certain dowry unto Cassandra what casualty soever might befal Then said Fortunatus I have neither Land Lordship nor yearly Revenues but I will give to her five thousand Duckats in ready money wherewith I will put you my Lord and Father in trust to purchase for her some mannor-house with Lands where you and she shall think most convenient Then said the King I wot well how it is best to do in this matter Here is the Earl of Lâ—gorn which is forced of necessity to sell a parcel of his Living for ready Money He hath a Castle and a Town three miles hence called Larganenbo at the Rainbow the same you may buy of him with the Title that he hath both of the Land and People So sent they presently for the Earl who was contented to bargain with them for seven thousand Duckats Fortunatus therfore without delay told out the money and the Earl of Legorn concluded with him to yield up all his right title interest and jurisdiction that he had in or to the Countiship Castle and Town of Legorn unto Cassâ—ndra and never to make more challenge thereto When this matter was throughly accomplished then was the Countess in all points well pleased How the King and the Queen departed and Fortunatus ordained a new Feast for the Citizens Chap. 23. First If thou be disposed to return into Ireland again then will I give thee four servants to bring thee worshipfully thither and will give thee also as much money in thy purse as shall maintain a competent living for thee and thine during thy life Or if thou list hereto remaine Eamagosta I will provide thee a House and allow thée yearly as much as shall maintain thrée servants and two maidens to attend on thee and will not suffer thée to want during thy life or if thou wilt still abide in house with me thou shalt have all things that are necessary as good as I my self Now choose of these three proffers which thou likest best and I will faithfully perform my promise in either of them Then said Leopoldus This is much more than I have deserved either of God or Man that such honour and courtesie should be proffered to me in my old Age wherefore I yield to you as hearty thanks as one man may tender to another But as concerning this choice to ride home again for one of my years it is very painful and unmeet and perhaps I may dye by the way yea though I might come safely home Ireland being a hard and uncivil country where are no good wives nor delicate victuals well prepared whereto I have been long accustomed my life most like would be the sooner shortned And to remain still in houshold with you for me is more unfit For whereas you have now a Fair young lusty Wife many goodly Gentlewomen and jolly Fellows about you I being old and feeble shall be loathsome unto them for the behaviour of old men is irksome unto the younger sort Howbeit I mistrust not your vertuous disposition Therefore if it shall please you I especially request you to buy me a house in the City wherein I may end my life beseeching you notwithstanding that I may not be secluded from your counsel so long as we both live Fortunatus thereto yielded not attempting any weighty cause without his advice so long as he lived He also bought him a house according to his desire gave him men maidens alow'd him for his charges an hundred duckats every month Leopoldus was glad to be frée at his own liberty to eat or drink rise or go to bed when he lifted and not bound to any kind of service Nevertheless he went daily to the Church there to shew himself to Fortunatus and other his attendants when need required whereby appeared his fidelity When Leopoldus had now lived half a year in his estate he was taken with a grievous sickness which when no Physitians could remedy soon after he died whereof Fortunatus was exceeding sorry causing him to be worshipfully buried in his own Church How Fortunatus had by his Wife two Sons the first named Ampedo the younger Andolâ—ciâ— Chap. 24. FOrtunatus and Cassandra his wife now living in joyful and happy Estate found lack of no earthly thing but only of Children for he knew that the vertue of his Purse would end after his decease if he had no lawful heirs of his body howbeit he made not his wife a counsel thereof but prayed daily together with her that God would make them Fruitful Insomuch that the Lord hearing their requests Cassandra was conceived with a Son whom they Baptized with the Name of Ampedo Shortly after she came with Child again and brought forth another Son which was Christened by the name of Andolocia Thus Fortunatus was not a little joyful that he had now two such fair and well-proportioned children whom he and his Espouse trained up carefully and tenderly loved Howbeit Andolocia was always of stouter courage than Ampedo as after it appeared And although Fortunatus would gladly have had more Children by Cassandra especially a daughter or twain also yet from thence forth she conceived no more by him How Fortunatus got leave of Cassandra to go unto the Heathen Nations Chap. 25. FOrtunatus having now lived joyfully with Cassandra twelve years and perswading with himself that it was unlikely he should have any more Children it seemed irksome and grievous unto him to abide any longer at Famagosta though he there wanted no kind of pleasant Recreation and Pastime but purposed to travel among the Heathen through both the greater and lesser India and over all the Kingdoms of Prester John For the which he demanded the good will of Cassandra and told her that forasmuch as he had already ranged through one half of the earth he was minded to see the other half also though he should lose his life thereby When Cassandra heard him so earnestly bent to depart so far from her she lamentably entreated him to desist from his purposed Voyage saying If you thus without cause will adventure your quiet estate it is no other likelyhood but that you will greatly repent it For although heretofore you have passed throughout most Christian Nations in your youthful strong and lusty age yet now you being long accustomed to a quiet life may not so well endure to travel in these elder years into the Savage and Heathen Countries who also be most envious unfaithful and tyrannous to all Christians therefore oh my well-beloved Fortunatus oh my dear and faithful spouse on whom I repose all my trust I beseech thee for Gods sake and the love thou owest unto me that having respect unto thy Wife and Children thou wilt cast out of thy mind such dangerous and unneedful travel and abide still with us and if I have displeased you in any thing or have done
ought that misliked you let me understand of it and I will endeavour to eschew the same with that she wept bitterly and shewed her self very sorrowful Then said Fortunatus my dearly beloved bed-fellow take not the matter so grievously I intend to be but a small time absent and when I return from thenceforth I will continue with you so long as we both live Then said Cassandra If I were sure of your return I would patiently abide your departure Or if you went else-where than amongst an unfaithful people that coveteth the blood of Christians it shouâ—d the less grieve me Then said Fortunatus I am so fully minded to accomplish this journey that no creature save God and death only shall alter my pretence howbeit at my departure I will leave you so much ready money as shall maintain you and your Children during your lives though I never come again When Cassandra perceived that no entreaty would prevail she said Well-beloved husband sithence it cannot be otherwise I beseech you hasten your return and let not the love and faithfulness which you have hither shewed be banished out of your heart and we will all pray unto the Lord day and night that you may have health peace and good weather and favour of all them with whom you shall be conversent and under whose power you shall fall Then said Fortunatus God grant your prayer take effect and I trust to return the sooner How Fortunatus departed from Cyprus again to visit more strange countries Chap. 26. SOon after Fortunatus taking leave of his Wife and Children desiring God to bless them all departed in a Ship of his own and sailed to Alexandria where when they had attained licence to come on land they were demanded who was Lord of the Ship to whom they answered That Fortunatus of Famagasta in the Isle of Cyprus was the only owner thereof then required they Fortunatus to be brought into the Kings presence to present a Gift unto him for such was the Custom there And every Merchant at his first arrival at Alexandria should give some present unto the Souldan Wherefore the Courtiers were ready and diligent to bring him unto the Court where he willed a Cup-Board to be prepared and thereon he set many fair and costly Iewels for the King to behold When the Souldan came forth and beheld them he marvelled supposing they were brought to be sold And thereupon enquiring the price of them Fortunatus again caused to be demanded of the Souldan whether they liked him The Souldan answered I have not lightly seen fairer therefore I cannot but like them well Then requested Fortunatus that his Grace would take them in good worth for that he would freely give them all unto him when the King heard that he marvelled that one Merchant should present him with such a rich gift for he esteemed them worth 5000 Duckats which he thought was a sufficient Present for the Commonalty and â—att of a whole City such as Venice Florence or Genua Howbeit he would not refuse them but accepted it for a gift recompencing him with an hundred barrels of Pepper which amounted to the value of the Iewels When the Factors of Venice Florence and Genua and Catholonia who were then at Alexandria had heard that the King had given unto Fortunatus such a reward forasmuch as they abiding there continually brought great commodity unto the Realm and gave Gifts once or twice a year unto the King and yet none of them at any time received any reward great or small they envied Fortunatus Besides that he bought all the best Merchandize not sticking at any price Wherefore they fearing their Hinderance sought to bring Fortunatus in displeasure with the Souldan Whereupon they gave unto the Lord Admiral great Gifts to the end he might conceive the worse of Fortunatus and so Discredit him to the King But Fortunatus having intelligence thereof gave unto him privily every time so much more than they This fell out well for the Admiral who took Money on both Parties and yet did what he thought good and was nevertheless friendly unto Fortunatus wishing that many more such would come unto Alexandria After Fortunatus had been there certain days behaving himself very worshipfully the King invited him and the chief Masters of the Ship to Dinner giving them honourable entertainment which grieved the Merchants greatly Soon after the Admiral did in like manner feast them And then did the Merchants plainly perceive that their gifts were in vain bestowed for the which they inwardly fretted When the time drew nigh that the Ship must needs depart for the custom was that no vessel might stay at Alexandria above six weeks whether he had sold or not Fortunatus had appointed another Patron over his Ship in his stead whom he charged to sail with his Merchandize to Cathalonia Portugal Spain Flanders and England and to augment his stock by exchange of Wares at all those Coasts He also charged him that after two years he should repair again with the Ship unto Alexandria For in the mean while he purposed to sée many strange Countries and at the two years end would he there meet him again but if they found him not there that they should make no account that he were alive then they should return to Famagosta and there deliver the ship and the goods into the possession of his Wife Cassandra and his Children which Commandment of his the Patron faithfully promising to accompâ—ish took his leave and so departed How Fortunatus departed to travel towards the Indies and many other strange countries and at the length returned again to Alexandria Chap. 27. FOrtunatus forthwith made request unto the Lord Admiral that he would procure him of the Souldan a sport a guide and letters of commendation to those Princes and Monarks by whom he minded to travel The Admiral accomplished his request in all respects whereof he was glad and incontinently furnished himself and all that should accompany him with all things necessary expedient at his own charges so made his first journey through the land of Persia from thence he passed through the dominions of the great Cham of Cathay and so through the desart came to the Court of Prester John who had under him both of the Isles and firm Land lxxii Kings every one of the which Countries is full of People fair Cities and strong holds There Fortunatus gave unto Prester John many goodly Iewels and presents such as were rare and strange in those Countries He gave also many gifts unto the Gentlemen of the privy Chamber and such as were in authority requesting them to assist and further him that he might take up certain Men and have the Kings Letters to address him to Calicuate whereas the best Pepper groweth like unto Grapes and the men of the country for extream heat go all naked Fortunatus therefore not able for parching heat to travel any farther that way and now remembring his beloved wife and his two
days in great solace with the pastime and pleasure that he conceived with the Hat and also by Hawking with Andolocia and fair Cassandra When they had thus many years enjoyed all earthly pleasures Fair Cassandra was summoned with a Grievous and Deadly Sickness to yield up her immortal Soul from the transitory and corruptible Body were it never so near whereof Fortunatus also conceived such an inward thought that he languished with a deadly consumption and an imposthumation in the head When the feeble estate of his Body put him in fear of death he sent far and near for the best Physitians that might be had but they only prolonged his life for a small time but could give him no comfort of recovery How Fortunatus on his death-bed declared unto his Sons the vertue of the Purse and the Hat Chap. 30. FOrtunatus therefore perceiving no amendment but rather that Death approached sent for his two Sons Ampedo and Andolocia saying to them My dear Children your Mother that so carefully trained you up is departed out of this world and I likewise perceive by the feebleness of my tormented body that death is nigh at hand therefore I will shew you how you may continue in honour and wealth as I have doâ—e until my dying day With that he declared unto them the vertue of the Purse and that it should last no longer than their two lives and also told them the vertue of the Hat and how much the Souldan would have given for it He commanded moreover that they should not part the Iewels but use them in common friendly together neither that they should make any person privy to the vertue of the purse were she or he never so well beloved unto them for so said he have I concealed it this xl years and never uttered it save now to you only With that he ceased speaking and gave up the Ghost whom his Sons caused to be honourably buried in the Minster which he had erected Ampedo and Andolocia having now left off all kind of martial Exercises and mourned twelve months for the death of their Father Andolocia having read over his fathers books wherein was registred in how many Nations he had travelled was therewith greatly delighted and earnestly moved to do the like Wherefore he said to Ampedo My dear brother that we may not pass these our lusty and youthful years together in vanity idleness and obscure behaviour let us travel into strange Countries to get experience and purchase Honour as our Father hath done a memorial whereof he hath left to us in writing which I greatly deâ—ight to read Ampedo answered saying Let them wander that is disposed for I mean nothing less lest perhaps as most like it is I should come into many a place where I should gladly wish me at home again So that God willing I am determined to remain here at Famagosta and to end my life in this fair Palace Then said Andolocia Sithence you are so minded let us part the Iewels Ampedo said wilt thou so transgress our Fathers commandment wotest thou not that by his last will he charged us that we should not divide them Andolocia said What need we care for that he is dead and we be alive therefore sithence we mean to part company let us also divide them Then said Ampedo Take the Hat for thy share and go whither thou wilt Andolocia said take thou it thy self and abide here thus when they could not agree for that they both desired the Purse Andolocia said Good Brother then I pray you hearken to my Counsel which shall be indifferent for us both We will privily fill two coffers full of gold wherewith thou spending at thy pleasure maist live merrily during thy Life Thou shalt have the Hat also to make thee pastime and let me only have the Purse during the space of six years wherein I will travel to purchase experience and honour And at my return thou shalt enjoy the purse at thine own use six years in like manner thus shall we not break our Fathers Will. Ampedo thinking this to be a reasonable demand was contented that so it should be How Andolocia having the Purse went well furnished unto the Frenâ—h Kings Court Chap. 31. WHen Anâ—olocia had the Purse he attired himself gorgeously entertained forty tall and comely Men whom he apparelled at his own cost after the bravest manner And taking leave of his Brother he departed in a Ship of his own and sailed towards France until he came to the Haven called Aquamorte where he went on Land and passed to the French Kings Court where he was well Entertained of the King and all the Courtiers There he accompanied himself with Earls Lords and Knights for he maintained his Estate as sumptuously as the best of them Wherefore he was had in great estimation with every man attending also daily on the King as if he had been an ordinary Servant In the mean time it befel that a Challenge was made by certain Lords and Gentlemen to Iust Wrastle and leap with any one that would contend with him Andolocia advanced himself to try his force in all these Games wherein he excelled them all And in the evening when the Nobles and Ladies should dance before the King he was also called and preferred to Dance with them wherein likewise he behaved himself so well and with such a comely grace that the Gentlewomen had him in great favour delighting to recreate themselves and pass the time in his company whereof he was glad yielding unto them again pleasant communication and familiar courtesie After the Revels was ordained a Banquet whereto the King also invited Andolocia and as he sat at the Table it chanced that he was fuddenly pricked with a passion of hot love towards a fair Gentlewoman whose Husband was most familiar with him of all the other in the Court Wherefore as soon as he was risen from the Table without delay or long circumstance he rounding her in the ear offered her a thousand Crowns on condition she would grant to lye with him but one night The Gentlewoman being a Faithful and Chast Wife would not Consent thereto but presently detected the great offer of Andolocia unto her husband who said unto her A thousand Crowns would do us great pleasure and were soon earned howbeit honesty passeth Riches and the infamy that thereby to us both might ensue can with no Money be taken away notwithstanding if so be you think it good we may so use the matter to have most part of the money without destraining of your own body by this policy You know we have a fair and well-proportioned Neighbour who is nothing nice of her flesh neither refuseth any clean mans bed for money to her you may promise an hundred Crowns to lye with Andolocia in your stead and the rest may we reserve unto our selves I need no further to instruct you for a Woman I trust is not commonly to seek in such a shift The