ship comming from England after they had a while feasted with the Marchantes of the Citie desiring their company and frollickt with his friends which done Robert and Iohn willing to shew their thankfulnes to the Lady Abbas which would receiue no money they procured two of the best Iewels and rarest they could finde which in all humblenesse they presented her which she thankfully accepted with a heauy heart giuing a loth farewell to her beloued Robert with whom when shee had in secret conuersed shee commended them to their prosperous iourney whom she promiseth in her prayers to remember giuing vnto Robert a paire of Beades so rich and beautifull as he neuer saw the like a Crucifire and chayne valued at a thoutand crowns with rewardes to Iohn which don she gaue commandement for her coach and twelue of her honest Tenants well mounted to accompanie them to Burduex Robert receiuing these great fauours in requitall tendered his loyall seruice with many humble duties by vow to be performed which was more vallued at her Ladiships handes then all the wealth he could offer such was the Ladies affection vnto him whose absence howsoeuer she for fashion sake coloured it causeth her heartes extréeme sorrow But howsoeuer the time is now come to leaue then his company brauely mounted attend to bring him on his way which made knowne the Abbas bids farewell with many kinde fauours and a million of Paternosters Aue-maries and Créedes long fastings often watchings and a worlde of religious ceremonies for his good successe what the other prittie pure soules doe for their loues good Gentle-men imagine for it is like they would be as well vsed as their mistresse Onwardes nowe are our Gallants towardes Burdeux where by the way Robert acquainted his friende William and the rest of his company with his fortunes continuing these pleasant discourses till they came to their lodging where that night they had mery chatting and carousing to their friendes the Lady Abbas and the sisters healths the next morning they tooke their leaue one of another Oliuer and his two friendes for Burdeux and William and his companions to Roane William had not long continued at Roane but a ship arriued from Exeter by the marchants whereof he receiued the wofull newes of his masters death with commandement from his mistresse and the executors to gather in his debtes make sale of such goods as hée had perfect his accounts and with the first ship to come for England All which when hée had ouerpast his sudden sorrowe for the losse of so good a friend like a carefull man to please the liuing as hée had his disceased maister with such effect followed his busines that by the ships returne hée was ready with the first to goe aboord For which voyage hauing shipped his prouision and such goods as hée had hée inuited sundry his good friendes to banquet which ended with kinde imbrasings hée biddeth farewell to them that wish his prosperitie at sea CHAP. VI. How VVilliam after his returne to England traded for himselfe in the Citie of Exeter and wooed a wife GOod Fortune fauourable windes hath safely landed William other his frends who being carefull could not be quiet nor mery with any company vntil he had deliuered his accounts which to the good lyking of the widow and the Executors he performed hauing their quittance generall which done aduised by his friendes he seated him in a good place trading for himselfe with good successe in which he so profited that wealth increased aboundantly gaining by his good behauiour charitie and good conscience the generall good opinion of the whole Cittie vnto whoÌ„ many men tendred their daughters with great dowries but that life liked he not When he had with great care and labour spent some two or thrée yeares substance encreasing and customers flocking he tooke to Prentise an honest Farmers sonne named Iames shortly after this as time ouercommeth all things and experience maketh men wise especially where man with man perswade William after many kind aduertisements of friends continually putting him in minde of the comfort of marriage and pleasures therein the ioyes fathers haue of their children and honours thereby obtained was wonne at length to consider thereoft and resoluing to marry offer was made him of a proper Mayden the onely childe of a very honest and wealthy man not farre from the Citie with whose Parents the friendâ— of William hauing conference hearing a very good report of the man her Father agreed promising a good portion with his daughter if they could like Therevpon William was by his friends inuited to her Fathers house the Sunday following to dinner against which time Ione for so the Maydens name was called in the best maner apparelled her selfe knowing to what end this iolly wooer came where he was welcome to her father but better to the childe that longed to be a wife Dinner ended where wanted no good cheare euery man betaketh himselfe to passe the time as best contenteth him William not forgetting his errant was for a wife if he could get her desired the maiden to be his conducter to the Garden where after they had walked two or thrée turnes viewing the bewtie thereof and commending the pleasure of the same William being a bashfull young man after many friuolous questions fearing to be counted a coward hauing such aduantage solicites her for loue with such pretie questions and her wittie answeres that William after the first assault became valiant whetting his wittes to answere her parley wherein he so preuailed that the skirmish waxing faint his hope was the greater to scale the Forte without more danger And like a conquerer might vaunt with honor the Towne â—â— his though with some faint denialls for modestie the said nay yet vpon conditions her father said Amen Ioane writes Content This short worke contented William well who was now pleased in thought of marriage hauing such hope in his sute hating to be long a wooing and rather chusing to liue euer without a wife then tied long to lingring suites yet to please Ioane whose ioy he now is how well soeuer his choise and her answeres pleased kept it to himselfe comforting her father and his friends that all should be well he doubted not but as they wished after this first méeting and loue of either giuen secret to other William euery day with letters solicited his Ioane betwéen whom many pretie tokens was enterchanged and of both parties accepted all furthering loue and good liking and was pleasing to father mother and his friends before whom shortly after they were made sure CHAP. VII How Iames Williams seruant abused his maister to Ioane hindering their loue WIlliam assured by promise to his Ioane and the Banes publikely asked many his familiar friendes some in iest others in good sooth bad God giue him ioy his seruant Iames enquiring of his masters forwardnesse of many was somewhat discontented and greeued considering the vncontrolled life hee then liued
either one or other of them two must part if William entended to liue in quiet William wisely waying the benefit of so good a seruant was loth to leaue him vntill by continuall clamours of his wife he was enforced whom to content he found meanes to send Iames his man to the ports of Cales and Saint Lucas in Spaine with his marchandise that he had then shipped as Marchant and chiefe Factor on which motion made to Iames by his Maister and assurance there to continue thrée yeares which was all the time he had to serue Iames was wel pleased being perswaded of his Maisters loue how much soeuer he was discontent with his Mistresse whose enuy he was assured to be principall cause thereof which with patience hée tooke in as good part as he could prouiding himselfe to go with the ship which being readie his Maister deliuered him his chartie partie and Billes of lading with many good and graue aduertisements So taking his farewell of Maister and Mistresse all his fellow seruants he left behinde him this Adieu in writing and so betooke him to his affaires Thogh parting be mourning Where friendship is deere Yet better be packing Then stay longer heere Our William sweet William Is matched with Ione Whose will not VVilliams Doth cause me to mone The wrath of a woman May no man endure For where they maligne Their woe they procure Experience hath taught it And true it doth proue The Diuel and a woman Seld conquerd by loue A woman enuious Whose chance is to wed Were better be troubled With a diuel in his bed Therefore my good fellowes From whom I must part Forget not to learne This lesson by hart What euer your Maister Appoint to be donne Regard your Mistresse If blowes you will shunne The night Crowes fauour Seeke you to obtaine More shall be your quiet But better your gaine For women how euer They chance speak you faire Will alwaies be readie Your woe to prepare If in the least sort You crosse their intent They 'l dye in the quarell But they wil cause you be shēt Say Iames for his farwell This lesson doth giue And please your Mistresse So long as you liue CHAP. XIIII How the Kings Army marched to Exeter to relieue the Citie besieged by the Cornish Rebelles AMongst sundry Tumults and rebellious assemblies wherewith in times past this lande was afflicted a route of Traytors were gathered togither in the West verie mightie was their power and their tyrannie more who spared not to waste spoyle and ruinate all along the whole Countrey as they marched together without regard of God Prince or naturall affection of that clymat where they receiued life The tyrannie of these Rebels bruted throughout the Country euery man fled for safegard of their liues wiues and children to the noble Citie of Exeter as a place of sanctuary from those blood-thirstie reprobates Where the Rebels followed with their mercilesse army and with strong siege begirt it vsing all possible means they could by force and pollicie to gaine the possession thereof which in vaine they practised many assaults they made which were manfully resisted by the honourable and true liegemen Citizens of the same and sundry valiant and daungerous scalies made by them vpon the enemy weakening their force with great slaughter and pulling from them of their store of victualls to reléeue their wants which were very many and great yet dismayed they not but continued their defence with great valour and euerlasting honour vnto them In this time of trouble was William called to high office amongst them in his owne person doing great and worthie seruice to the incouragement of the multitude whom of his owne bountie and charge of victualls he reléeued sauing their liues both by valour and liberall store of prouision famine had so generally possessed the same Of these outrages by the Rebels committed the King was aduertised who gratiously tendering their distresse and pittying those his louing subiects whose vatour and constancy to him was such spéedily leuied a power of men at armes and with such hastie iournies as was requisite marched towards Exeter for their reliefe Of whose comming the Rebels hauing knowledge like a rable of faint hearted miscreants raised their siege and departed with bagge and baggage The tydings of whose departure by Postes to his highnesse was signified who notwithstanding continued his iourney to Exeter to sée their battered walles and by his presence to encourage them and others his subiects to like loyaltie if such chaunces should happen Unto whom his Maiestie was most ioyfully welcommed as appeared by their entertainment which was graciously accepted as by his honourable thankes giuen did appeare CHAP. XV. How VViliiam and his companions Oliuer Otho and the rest to make the King sport chalenged all commers at wresling foote-ball and hurling which he performed THe King whose countenance hath purchased the Cities libertie reposed him amongst those his loyall subiects of Exeter who to shewe their loue inabled their greatest diligence Amongst which William and Oliuer whose wealth was matchlesse and best able to performe what they vndertooke entending to shewe their Countries accustomed exercises of actiuitie before his Highnesse made generall challenge throughout the Countrey of Deuon and Cornwall 24. men to 24. chuse them where they could at Exeter before the King on a day prefixed at these sportes viz. wrestling hurling and footeball This challenge giuen out William that had his felicitie in kéeping men of actiuitie chiefly excelled in these qualities sent likewise to his friends Walter of Totnes Otho of Plymouth Iohn of Barnestable and Robert of Tyuerton to furnish him with such men as as they could of their owne which were able to maintaine the chalenge Who hauing notise thereof and knowing the assured day fayled not their old friend William but accordingly brought to Exeter twelue good men of theirs to ioyne with William and his twelue To encounter which according to the proclamation repaired to Exeter many worshipfull Gentlemen with their followers and sundry chiefe and well experienced in those qualities William and his companions willing to encourage their people hath for the purpose against the first day suted all their company in Crimson Satten with scarlet Cappes and Feathers vnder which euery man to play in wore a Wastcoate of like coloured Taffata The time assgned come and the King taking his place to behold this exercise of wrestling appointed for the first dayes pastime William and his friends aboue named apparelled in Coats of black Ueluet and Chaines of Gold accompanied with many Whiflers to guard the place marched on to the Greene called Southing-Hay without the Citie walles followed with his appointed troupes attyred as you haue heard who taking their places were instantly followed by the Country men Then to answere them apparelled in suites of purple Satten and ledde by a Knight of great name who passing by his highnesse place bowed themselues and marching once or twise about the rayles
kinde of game Shooting and foote-ball Wresling with all A hundreth pound a fall To any that call Come that come will They should haue their fil For any round summe As many as come For thousaÌ„ds they card not For cheer they sparde not Come Prince come King They wanted nothing For all that come Be he Lord or Groome Mirth was their delight Their purposes of might Great charge to defray Either to feast or play The king they intertainde And his fauour gainde By great bountie There minde were so free Since other are named And for their deeds famed Let these mery men With fames golden pen Be brought to vew Of that worthy Crew Which take delight Such praises to write That in obliuion They rest not vnknowne For merry they were As to you shall appeare If you will read Each seuerall deede By them performed Their myrth and glee When you shall see Say Deuonshirs Laddes Are no clowns or swaddes Your delight ended Let them be so friended In their behalfe to say Would more such this day In this land there liued That so our foes greeued And our enemies quell So Gentilles farewell My Rime here I ende And to you commend Their storie at large As I tooke the charge Whose actions to vew Shall better please you FINIS A Table containing the contence of this Booke HOw these gallant Marchants of the West began first their familiaritie and what happened them Chap. 1. How these newe acquainted friendes iournied to Roane in Normandy and what happened them Chap. 2. How Robert and Iohn were lodged in the Nunnery of Saint Bennets in Roane and were by the Lady Abbesse cured of their wounder Chap. 3. How Oliuer for his vnreuerence in time of Procession was committed to prison and all his companions Chap. 4. How Oliuer Robert and Otho departed to Burdeux and William and his two compainions arriued in England Chap. 5. How William after his returne to England traded in the Citie of Exeter where he wooed a wife Chap. 6. How Iames Williams prentise abused his master to his loue to hinder the marriage Chap. 7. How the father and mother of Ioane VVilliams loue sent for him Chap. 8. How Iames V 〈…〉 troubled in minde for his bad doings and wha 〈…〉 because of his greife Chap. 9. How the sixe marchants in their iourney to Bristow met by chance and what chanced Chap. 10. How VVilliam in his journey home from Bristow was robde and how in mer 〈…〉 t his companie paid his losse Chap. 11. How these famous Marchants for wrongs done them by the French nation furnished the 〈◊〉 shippes to the sea with their victories Chap. 12. How Ioane VVilliams wife could not indure her seruant Iames with his departâ—e to Spaine Chap. 13. How the king with his army marched to Exeter and releeued the Citie besieged by the Cornish rebels Chap. 14. How VVilliam and his other friendes to make the king sport made challenge to all commers at wresling hurling and footeball Chap. 15. How the Cardinall leauing the king at Exeter iournied to London and what iests happened Chap. 16. How Iames VVilliams seruant being his Factour in Spaine at one cast at dice lost to the Dukes of Florence and Medina fitie thousand Duckets Chap 17. How Iames trauelling from Callice to saint Lucas encountred a Lady widowe to a Cauileere of Spaine in mans apparrel Chap. 18. How Iames lay with the Spaniard and found her to be a woman Chap. 19. How Iames accompanied the Lady to Cheryes and what entertainement she gaue him Chap. 20. How VVilliam by one of hir neighbours was made acquainted with Iames his mans fortunes with his answere to him Chap. 21 How VVilliam Otho and Oliuer from Plimouth passed to Spaine and their fortunes Chap. 22. How the English Marchantes arriued at Cheres at Iames his marriage Chap. 23. How Iames with his wiues honourable friendes being at their cheere VVilliam and his companie visited them with their welcomes Chap. 24. How Otho and Oliuer at the house of a Curtizan was robde of their moneyes and apparrell Chap. 25. How Iames at his master VVilliams departure cleered all his accounts with recompance and his wiues kinde fauors Chap. 26. FINIS AA A pleasant discourse of six gallant Marchants of Deuonshire CHAP. I. How these gallant Marchants of the West beganne their first familiaritie and what happened them THe famous Citie of Burdeux is scituated in Brittaine part of the French Confines in which Citie yearely neare the moneth of September is held a Mart of long continuance to which Mart or Uyntage from all places Marchants make their trafficke for such wines as the countries thereabouts doth plentifully yéeld Amongst many of sundry countries which made their voyage to this famous Porte thrée gallant youthes Marchants of great reputation wealth credit hauing to names William Robart and Otho all from the well knowne and honourable Citie of Exeter had residence at Roane in Normandie where their great affaires ended hauing some idle time and waying not the expence of a hundreth or two of Crownes in a merriment gaue faithfull promise each to other to passe for Burdeux as well to sée the manner of the Uyntage and order thereof as witnesse to themselues whether report of the great fléete which yearely there laded might be true as also to méete with some their countreymen of Deuonshire and with them to frolicke for which iourney according to time prefixed being prouided To Burdeux they are come where they frequent the gallantest company of all Nations thereof demeaning themselues in such manner that their company was acceptable and desired of all men coÌ„panions for al sportes or exercises whether gaming drinking sporting or reuelling what any durst do they neuer refused it such Boone companions they are and so of all men estéemed Not long after their comming to Burdeux fortune bringeth with happinesse from the Westerne shore of England a tall ship well equipped and furnished fit for the voiage of whose arriuall William and his accomplisses being aduertised as men glad to heare of their countries welfare and friends make such enquirie for the ships company that in good time they are met with three other gallants Merchants viz. Walter Oliuer and Iohn with whom as straungers méeting and questions propounded and answered William knowing curtesse in kindnesse enuited the new arriued Marchants to his lodging that night to supper which with thankes they accepted and accordingly at the appointed houre came where make no question they were all as welcome as friends in forrain parts may be to friends spending the euening sometimes in discoursing of their Country and acquaintance there sometimes in gaming and often carowsing hralths to their Country kindred and friends Amongst this delight albeit Oliuer Iohn and Walter were as wel pleased in their company as countreymen might be yet were their mindes other where especially Oliuer and Iohn who yearely traffickt for that Porte had there loues neare adioyning one dwelling at Bloys
those and their Adherents which spoiled them wherevpon the Marchants of Fxeter furnished and manned in warlike manner sixe tall ships at their owne proper charge of which Fléete they made choise of William for Admirall who hauing the charge minding carefully to accomplish what he had vndertaken sent vnto his Consorts of the other Townes requesting their companies and aide who willing to accompany their friend as also to recouer part of their losse furnished in like manner other sixe ships themselues seruing for Captaines of their owne goods William hauing the charge of Generall with such countenance demeaned himselfe valiant and courteous that euery man presaged good successe in his fortunes that sundrie Gentlemen and men of valour made suite for to accompanie him William carefull of what he had in hand hauing the most his owne charge slacked no time but hearing of the arriuall of his Fléete at Dorthmouth the place appointed of méeting frollikes with his friends viewing and mustring their companies which were all goodly men and well furnished Not long after a faire winde blowing to the fauour of God they commended their actions and the equitie of their cause putting forward with great resolution to the sea At their going forth taking their farewell after the manner of such seruice as all the country admired and cheared their friends which were beholders thereof These Gallants leauing our owne coast according to directions plied for Bell I le the trade and other places fit to find their enemies Of whose being vpon the Coast the Admiral of France was aduertised who by chance was then in the Road of Charleboyes sharing English goods lately taken and hearing of these warlike shippes in the night fell lower to the mouth of the riuer and in the morning taking the aduantage of the Tyde came to sea Where shortly by our Fléete which looked sharpely out for them they were discouered and a view taken of their Fleete which were twise as many and more goodly ships but William resolued to sée their courage and trie it after he had called his fléete togither and giuen direction for the fight assured of his company and their faithfull industrie prouided euery way fit for the same they Bare with the French displaying Saint George ouer their toppes The Frenchmen séeing these Gallants rather thought them mad then otherwise so to boorde them hauing the oddes especially on their owne Confines stood with them entending to haue compassed the whole Fléete and so to haue made quick dispatch Boording them and carrying them away wherein they were deceiued For Williamâ—â—â—â—â— â—â—â—â—â— with more resolution as they afterward found to theyr cost Our Fléete comming vp with them after a defiance with Trumpets giueth William and his Uice-Admirall Oliuer thrust amongst the Fléete and in despite loorded the Admirall and tooke the Generall into their owne ship leauing some men aboorde to kéepe her and sending the French men all away with their boates to séeke their fortunes This onset beginning with good successe added courage to our companies and greatly discomforted the French hauing lost their Admirall Yet coÌ„tinued the fight very hotly foure or fiue houres In which time many of the French lay drenched in the déepe both men and ships William keeping his owne who was so well followed by his companions that the French wearied with the fight and their hope past hope to escape William and his company hauing the aduantage of the shore lying betwéene them and the sea yéelded themselues to his mercie of whom being possest he tooke the principall men prisoners made choise of the best ships and manned them with their Ordinance such Marchandise and money whereof they had a boundance aboord freed many Englishmen they had taken sincking the most part of the ships sauing the worst to carrie men a shore Which done in despite of those on land which should contradict his doings went into the Road of conquest fired the ships in the Roade and brought two Gallies away This finished when he had houered vpon the coast two whole wéekes to sée if any durst come and finde fault with what was done with great wealth and more honour to the countrey he returned to Dorthmouth recompencing his company well satisfied for their losse and richly stoaring the kings treasure to the good liking of his Maiestie who gaue theÌ„ many thanks and generall ioy of the whole land whose honour it was CHAP. XIII How Ioane UUilliams wife for sundrie mad parts plaied could not indure her seruant Iames and his departure to Spaine MIstresse Ioane growing now to more reckoning of her selfe standing on her husbands aduancement béeing Maister Captaines wife expected from her neighbours more honour then had of custome bene tendered especially of her seruants which Iames her man perceiuing scorned to doo as she commanded being the eldest seruant the principall dealer for his Maister hauing charge of all which Mistresse Ioane stomacked much and often wold crosse him with tanting spéeches not forgetting the knauish pranke played betwéene his Maister and her albeit she consealed the same Amongst many the madde tricks Iames offered his Mistresse this one she tooke most exceptions at In the time of her husbands absence her selfe lying in of a young sonne many her neighbors banquetted with her as the custome is in that Country at which time with other Williams friends sundry the best in the Cittie oft times to William bad themselues to supper against whose comming all daintie vyands that money or friends could procure was prouided all things fit to content on these guestes Ioane gaue strict charge diligent attendance by her seruants be giuen for the better credit of themselues and their Maister which they promised to doo The guests set and their Cates orderly serued Iames wayted in good sort yet not to Mistresse Ioanes content hauing many to imploy some by chance wanted cleane Trenchers for which she tooke occasion in open presence to checke her man Iames commaunding him to see if there wanted nothing on the Table and willed him to bring in a whéele-Barrow to carry away the bones and foule trenchers Iames hereat moued following her counsell like a diligent seruant ranne hastily for the same and brought it to the Table At which ieast the company had good sport and long time busied them with laughter But Mistresse Ioane séeing her selfe before her friendes so scorned frowned powted and swelled on Iames and hardly could forbeare wéeping yet let it passe amongst many other prankes vntill her husbands returne from seas vnto whom with teares she complained her of sundry wrongs done by her seruant Iames. Which William like a kinde Maister waying his youth and good seruice he had receiued from him sought to excuse with gentle words perswading his wife to the like Which Ioane hearing passing the bounds of modestie she protested that if he kept him longer in his house he accounted more of him then of his wife nor might she be brought otherwise to beléeue and so vowed that
credit or dareth not spend an Angell with the best being better men of byrth then my selfe for as they spend they get therfore if thou fearest their expences and doubtest thy people kéepe thée at home with them and looke better to their doings and for my man Iames I wil be thy pay-maister bring thy bils receiue thy money but vse him in thy words well least thou heare of it and so when you will begone but neuer hereafter trouble me more with thy complaints for it shall not any thing auaile thée Here shewed William the perfect loue of a Maister to his seruants whom he loued more deare then his children neither should any wrong the poorest he kept such was his care of them that euery day their dyet was prouided with his own and if his guests were but ordinary they diet at his own table or very neare him where they would amongst themselues in name of good Beare which they plentifully had dranke Claret Wine and Sacke with Sugar in Stone Pottes which though he suddenly met with diuers times yet would he rather smile then take in ill part any of their honest doings CHAP. XXII How William and his friend Oliuer accompanied with Otho of Plimouth passed to Spaine WIlliam that had a great stay on his man Iames albeit he consealed troÌ„ the worlds watchfull eyes his conceit of him and the greefe for his losse had this comfort that Iames being so braue and gallant a Marchant either by his credit or friends would make all whole againe Yet could he not be pacified vntill hee might know the certaine estate of his Iames which hee was perswaded wold neuer be by reports men being so diuersly ginen some to speake well others to deiame for his better contentment he acquainted his old friend Oliuer who concluded to fraight a small Barke with some commodities to defray charges and vnknowne to any no not to their wiues to passe for Spaine and for this voyage hauing prouided their goods left their homes in charge to their seruants and to Plymouth they are come of whose arriuall there wheir Otho had notise hee sought and found them Whom he inuited as his guestes to lodge in his house where they were very welcome and royally feasted Otho walking on the hooe with his companions demaunded whether they came to buy commodities or to ship some from thence From whom they concealed their pretence framing an answere that past for currant betooke them to other parley and sundry whyes day by day deferring time vntill their Barke was ready and halled into the sound onely attending the comming of William and Oliuer who onely had made the Maister priuie to their voyage to Cales and their intent to carrie Otho with them for company laying the plot to get him aboorde which they easily accomplished séeing the Bark in the sound framed an excuse to deliuer Letters for their men at Cales so aboord in the ships beate they came and were entertained in the Maisters Cabine with such vyands as was for them prouided passing the timè so merrily that by the time Otho thought to go a shore they had sight of the Lyzard whereat he being astonied the company in merriment comforted when acquainting him with their businesse he was better content his chiefest care was for linnen and apparell which they promised to supply Otho when he saw no remedie began to frolike with the best shortning their voyage with pleasant conceits Scantly had one whole wéeke past his course but drawing neare the Coast and the day faire and cleare a boy from the top descried the Clitts of Cales the Roade recouering in good time where displaying S. George well were they could first get aboorde to learne the newes no sooner our English Liâ—gers entred the Barke but finding those thrée friends to most of them well knowne they heartily welcommed them to that shore Like entertainment gaue the visitors vnto them who albeit they were straungers by their factors had knowledge of their great wealth and what countnance they beare in their Countrey Their salutations ended William enquireth of a trustie friend so Iames the newes of him and where he was Marrie Sir in good time quoth the Marchant you arriue to be a guest at his marriage And drawing a Letter which by Poste from Cheryes that day he receiued gaue it him to read wherin he inuited all his countreymen to his marriage with a relation of the fortunes befallen him since his leauing Cales which was great ioy to them all to heare but most contented William whom most it concerned which made him thus pleasantly to beséech the company to conceale their being and with all expedition to land their commodities Which done quoth he like Countrey men and good fellowes we will all go to him as he requesteth Iames is a good fellow and may do as much for you T is a very good motion quoth the company wherefore to dispatch our businesse let vs a shore and prouide our necessaries To which they condiscended taking their lodging in the English house where their welcome was great there that night they reposed themselues and the next day entered their goods in the custome house and laid it a shore against which time waggons and horses were prouided for their iourney to Cheryes where merrily they went each one glad of others company sunderly decoursing of Iames and his fortunes with much varietie to beguile time CHAP. XXIII How the English Marchants arriued at Cheryes with their welcomes THis pleasant company made such spéede that they drewe neare their iourneys ende whither by the height of the Sunne they perceiued it was likely holding on theyr way that they should come thither too early wherefore instantly finding a place both pleasant and delightfull they reposed themselues vnder the Pomegranet and Orenge trées pleasing their owne fancies with those fruites and spending the day with such pastimes as was méet Time that stayeth not calleth them forwards before their taking horse the auncient English Marchants William Oliuer and Otho hauing a desire to trie their welcomes thought it fit to enter the Towne before the company and lodge secretly in some other Inne vntill the solemnitie of the wedding was consumate And to this ende desired the company of kindnesse so to let it passe and to conseale their béeing there The young men which durst not gainesay their Maisters condiscended granting them license to take their own course and therevpon directions being giuen the Maisters hastneth to the towne taking their lodging closely kéeping them in their Chambers About two houres after and not long before the Sunnes downe full in the West these gallant Marchants in their brauerie all curiously mounted entered the Towne taking their lodging in the best Osterie in the Towne of whose comming Iames being aduertised he suddenly made his repaire vnto theÌ„ before they could shift their apparell where you néed not doubt of their welcome by Iames giuen to that place where he entended
Iames and his wife with whom their counterfeit coyne went for currant and was of them pittied but most of the Spanish Gentlewoman bemoned that tendered more their welfare then her owne nearest of bloud The Punelles glad that it past so well of their sides without more suspect kept their owne counselles and was neuer knowne but in ieast in England betwéene themselues CHAP. XXVI How Iames at his Maister William his departure cleared his accounts and his recompence with the courtesie of his wife THe time of Williams promise with his ancient seruant Iames for his stay after the marriage grew now to end and a parting time was come how loath soeuer against which Iames by his Factors had prouided readie at Cale to be laden the best Spice Wines and Suger with costly and rich Marchandise the Countrey could affoord or money in many sought places might procure William and his friends being all wearied of that ydle life hauing some businesse for fraught of their ship could not be intreated longer to make their abode there But prouiding for their iourney Iames and his wife protested by religious oathes to accompanie them to their Porte which they performed passing the time by easie iournies pleasantly solacing themselues till they came to Cales against whose arriuall the seruants of Iames had puruayed their lodgings verie bountiful in which they reposed them that night Next morning gaue order for sale of their goods and lading the Barke which albeit by those that vnderlook it was suddenly done yet Iames his owne ship and goods was as readie to set saile for whom the wind fauourably blowing the Maister gaue notice to William and his friends At their leaue taking Iame hauing his billes of lading ready and small hope euer to sée his Maister after that time made him tender of the moneys he owed him and those summes due to such other Marchants of Exeter he dealt for Which by no meanes he would be drawne to accept but for his neighhours willed him to haue regard otherwise it might proue his greefe to heare him ill spoken of Which kindnesse Iames with teares accepted And on his knees crauing pardon besought his Maister to grant him one request which William vouchsafed Then Syr for your neighbours quoth he for whom you wish recompence to my honest Countreymen there left behinde you their stocks with interest I will deliuer for the whole time I haue detained the same For your selfe whom I know not how to deserue so great fauour be now your words warrantife for so I challenge your graunt that seeing money or other commodities for that great summe lewdly wasted by me you wil not accept in all humblenesse to my good Mistresse commend mee and as a poore votary to her and you deliuer these Letters and other Papers therein closed This ship halled into the Roade shall waite vpon you wherein I haue some seruants to attend you if for your better ease you will vouchsafe of her before your owne appointed Barke and so in gods peace at your pleasure goe aboord William circumuented by Iames could not tell what thankes to giue him waying his loue and dutifull minde though loath would not gaine say his vrgeant request but returned him many thankes and after a solemne farewel taken by their friends aboord they wēt commended by Iames and his wife to happie fortune at sea who could not forbeare effusion of many teares for the losse of so good company Who with rich Iewels and much store commended her to the father and mother of Iames and Williams wife Taking their last Adieu they stayed to sée them vnder saile sorrowing at full for their departure whom the heauens so fauoured that in lesse then eight dayes they recouered the hauen of Dorthmouth from whence taking horse they posted to Exeter where they were all heartily welcome Hauing reposed themselues two or three dayes William by his seruants gaue order for discharge of his goods feasted the Spaniards and them richly rewarded deliuered Iames and his wiues tokens to all his friends in presence of his men to whom he made a great banket recounting at large their sonnes estate with his happie fortune enioying so louing and kinde a wife Shortly after furnishing the Sparash ship with vendable commodities into that countrey he dispatched them with his kind Letters and many Tokens from sundry friends So resting himself in quiet he enioyed the blessing of God in that most famous Citie a Patrone and father of the state vntill the end of his dayes which was not sudden as hereafter shall be shewed FINIS