call his men back into the Galley which Fortunatus perceiving and being desirous to Travel went to the Earl and offered him his Service When the Earl perceiving him a goodly Youth and having by reason of sickness lost two of his men by the way he entertained him when as the Earl and Fortunatus being on Board they set Sail and in a short time arrived at Venice CHAP. II. How Fortunatus departed his Country and how he became greatly esteemed by the Earl AFter some Contests with the Winds and Sea the Galley safely arrived at Venice where the Earl and his Men landed and there by the help of Fortunatus who amongst all his men could onely speak the Language he bought rich Iewels and Gold Imbroderies in order to his Marriage he being to Wed the Duke of Cleves Daughter at his return to whom he had been Contracted before his departure By these and such other Services Fortunatus gained the Love of his Lord insomuch that the rest of the Servants began to envy him A while after the Earl coming into his own Country bought all his Servants Horses and gave to Fortunatus the best next what himself rod on so that it greatly grieved the rest of the Servants who wished the Devil had had the Italian before he came into their Lords Service A while after the Marriage being Celebrated a great number of Nobility being present Tilts and Iusts were prepared where after the Nobles had done great Feats the Earl set up two Iewels valued at a hundred pounds for the Servants who should do best upon which Fortunatus prepared his Horse and soon with his Lance overthrew one of them that run against him whereupon he carried away the Prize then one Timothy having won the other Iewel the Servants urged Timothy to Iust with Fortunatus who should have them both but in the Conflict Timothy was born down Horse and Man so that Fortunatus got not onely both the Iewels but the great Applause of the Spectators and the greater Favour of the Earl who highly praised him telling them by what chance he had met with him whereupon the Nobles and Ladies gave him many Presents this more and more raised the Malice of his Fellow-servants against him but when they well perceived that they could do nothing against him fairly they wrought by subtilty for there being amongst the rest one Robert an ancient Servant to the Earl who promised for Ten Crowns to make Fortunatus run away to this they gladly hearkned and every one paid his Dividend most joyfully when this was done he insinuates himself into the company of Fortunatus expressing more than ordinary kindness carrying him abroad to Treats and other Meriments without suffering him to pay ought this Fortunatus imagining to proceed from the intire good will he bore him he gave the greater credit to all he said not perceiving his subtilty When the Money was almost spent and the Servants began to put Robert in mind of his Promise he one day taking Fortunatus into a private Apartment after several Discourses he began to sigh and look sad which Fortunatus well noting demanded the Cause who told him it was for his sake then was he earnest to know the Reason truly said Robert it was told me by my singular good Friend who upon a great Penalty enjoyned me Secrecy but for the Love and good Will I bare to you I shall reveal it Then thus our Lord intends to Morrow to Ride to Lausan to wage Law against the Earl of St. Paul where for the jealousie he had lately conceived of his Chamberlains least they should either have carnal Copulation with his beateous Wife or any of her fair Ladies and Gentlewomen that attended her he is resolved to have them all Gelded and though he entirely loves you above any of his Servants yet he cannot serve the rest so while you take part with them in the same you being chief Chamberlain and the most comely amongst them after which he will only reveal it ho his Lady forbidding her to reveal it but as the manner of Women is it cannot be expected that she will keep the Secret long so that it being spread abroad it will redoun to your utter Disgrace if the cutting do not hazard your Life this I learned from him who is appointed to Geld you he telling it me as thinking I might be one of the Chamberlains in requital of some singular Favours I had done him When Fortunatus heard this he looked as pale as Death and desired Robert by all the Ties of Friendship that he would be assisting to him in making his escape for said he I would not be Gelded if my Lord would give me his Earldom When he talked of Flight the Hypocrite Robert feigned himself sad and desired his stay the better to perswade him into a Belief of what he had related telling him he was sorry that ever he had Imparted it to him but Fortunatus standing as it were upon thorns thought every hour ten till he was gone then Robert bid him in what place soever he resided send him a Letter that when the Earl was supplied with Gelded-men he might give notice to return But Fortunatus replied he would never return though he endured never such necessity or want Vpon this Robert inwardly cejoyced and helping him to a horse he rod out of the City as if he went on hunting and having passed the Gate set on full speed and never looked behind him till he thought himself out of Danger and purchasing another horse he sent back the Earls lest upon that account he might be pursued CHAP. III. How the Earl grieved for the Departure of Fortunatus and what befel him afterwards NO sooner the flight of Fortunatus came to the Earls Ear but he was exceeding sorry musing with himself what should be the Cause but when he could think of none he demanded of his Servants if they were privy to the Occasion of his Departure but they denied they knew ought then he examined his Lady and her Gentlewomen who were there at the same time saying that the Evening before he was very pleasant and had discoursed to them about several Affairs of Women and other things at which the Earl marvelled the more saying Although he could not then learn the true Cause of his Departing without taking leave of him he doubted not but that he should find it out and he would severely punish the Occasioner of it This terrified Robert so that he grew very Melancholy lest any of the Servants should betray him and thereupon he took an Oath of Secrecy of them all and when they were importunate to know by what means he had effected it he told them a story of his Fathers Advancement by the King of Cyprus quite contrary to what he had practised But to return to Fortunatus Fortunatus being on his way made what spéed he could to Calice where espying an English Ship he bargained with the Master to Transport him into England where
THE HISTORY OF THE Birth Travels Strange Adventures and DEATH of Fortunatus Wherein is Contained such Variety BOTH OF COMICAL AND Tragical Discourse That the like is not afforded in any Histories of this Nature There being added likewise several new Additions which was not in the Original Copy from whence it was Translated It being not onely Useful but very Necessary for Old and Young Wherein they may plainly see the Follies of Riches and greatness and learn how to avoid temptations of that nature that often brings Men into danger of life As also Youths may by this be instructed how to behave themselves in their Travels or upon any occasion whatsoever With the Illustration of several New Pictures London Printed by and for T. Haly and are to be Sold by the Book-sellers of London 1682. THE EPISTLE TO THE READER I Need not say much in the praise of this Book but rather leave it to the censure of the impartial Reader who I doubt not will find such pleasure in perusing it that he will never think his time ill bestowed upon that occasion for in it as in a mirror is plainly demonstrated all the follies of extravagant Youth the vanity of aspiring greatness the trouble perplexity and hazards that commonly attend upon Riches as likewise the malice subtilty and cunning devices of wicked men together with the snares that are layed by false and dissembling Women to intrap the too too credulous Youths and then to plunge them into an Ocean of misery which many times drives them upon the dangerous Rock of dispair or causes them to take bad courses to maintain that pride and gallantry from whence they are fallen which in the end most commonly brings them to shame and disgrace In it are likewise contained many cautions how to avoid danger and to foresee the same It being composed of large experience partly Commical and partly Tragical giving not only an account of the Life strange Adventures and Death of the party from whom it takes its name but likewise of several as well Kings and Princes as others As also a description of many strange Countries with their manners customes and commodities And to conclude is so delightful that none of this nature have excelled it it being written as well for pleasure as profit The Contents of the BOOK IN Cyprus Isle liv'd Theodorus fam'd In a fair City Famagosto nam'd Extravagant and wild he spent his store That by excess he grew so wondrous poor That Fortunatus all the Sons he had Was forc'd to wander as kind fortune led When oft he death and danger did escape Encountring Bares or worse in humane shape When as by chance he did Dame Fortune meet Who him lost in a darksome Wood did greet Gave him a Purse that he should ne'r be poor And bid his Sons likewise possess the store With this he roves the world from coast to coast Leopoldo hires who kills the faithless Host To Cyprus he returns his Parents dead There builds a Pallace and a Wife does wed Leaving Two Sons again to Travel bent When in strange Countries sixteen years he spent Returning from the Souldan King does bear A Hat which wishing bares him through the air Returns and dying to his Sons bequeaths His Hat and Purse and all their vertues leaves Ampedo eldest Andolocia next Their Mother dyes with grief so sore perplext When Andolocia with the Purse does rome And mild Ampedo stays content at home After much fame acquir'd in Princes Courts To England Andolocia straight resorts And spends his time in feasting and in sports Till Agrippina's beauty proves a snare And makes him whence his Riches flow declare Then whilst he is with drowsiness opprest He of his Purse is quickly dispossest Then from his Brother he conveys the Hat With which after much toil the Purse he got The Princess is to Theodorus Wed Young Cyprus Prince and to that Court is led There Andolocia by his martial feats The envy of some envious Nobles gets Who in a wood at his return do slay His Men and him in a deep Dungeon lay Bereave him of his Purse and then his life For which 2 Earls did dye to end the strife Ampedo hearing of his Brothers death Burns his swift Hat and then resigns his breath THE HISTORY OF FORTUNATUS CHAP. I. Of the Parentage and Birth of Fortunatus IN Famogosta a Famous City in the Isle of Cyprus lived one Theodorus descended of Noble Patentage who by the Decease of his Father had a plentiful Estate fell into his hands but he being of a haughty Mind gave himself wholly up to the Pleasures and Vanity of the World He associated himself with the Great Men of the Country and lived riotously spending his time for the most part in Gaming Hunting Hawking and Sumptuous Entertainments the which in a short time greatly diminished his Estate which his Friends perceiving and being much grieved thereat thought there was no better way to restrain his Licentious manner of Life than by matching him to a Wife This being resolved upon and he not contradicting the Motion they sought for a fair young and vertuous Lady throughout all the Citys of Cyprus and at last in Nicova found one that well-liked them she being Daughter to a Wealthy Merchant and adorned with all the Perfections that appertain to Womankind her Name being Gratiana to this Lady by the Consent of her Father Theodorus was shortly married and for a time lived in great Splendor the first Year having by her a fair Son whom they named Fortunatus but this little or nothing restrained his Extravagancies Insomuch that in a short time after the Marriage notwithstanding the large Portion he had with his Wife he was brought to extream Poverty which made him repent though now too late so that oftentimes being hunger-pined and in great want he looking upon his Son who by this time was a comely Youth would sigh and let fall Tears which so afflicted the Young-man that he one day demanded the Cause desiring to know whether he had offended him in ought the which if he had he would strive to amend it To whom the sorrowful Father replied He had never offended him but it was the exceeding Penury to which by his Extravagancies he was reduced to that maded as he saw To which the Youth replied Let not that trouble you for as for me I have received such good Education under you that I can shift for my self in any place of the World but he perceiving his Father still troubled and alwaies sigh when he looked upon him he conjectured it was for his sake and therefore resolved to be no longer chargeable to him Whereupon one Day taking his Stick in his hand he went to the Sea-side where he had not staied long but a Gasly put to shore in which was the Earl of Flanders who was returned from Jerusalem they had not been long on shore to refresh themselves but the Earl caused the Trumpet to sound to
those he had in charge the which he readily did not dreaming of his design When Andrew had well viewed them and by their fairness could not imagin less but that they were of a great value he told the Gentleman that many of his exceeded them not only in Lustre but in Virtue as being Stones of a different Nature especially one Locket of Black Diamonds which he had purchased of a Jew who lately came from the Indies upon this the Gentleman told him that if he might but see them he doubted not but that the King would at least purchase some of them and thereupon he desired him to stay and dine with him the which he did and after dinner Andrew invited the Gentleman to come the next Day to Jeronimus Roberti's House to dine with him and that there he should have a sight of them this he consented to and leave taken Andrew went to Jeronimus Roberti and informed him that he had met with a Gentleman of a good Estate who for the love he bore to the Merchant would become bound for the 3000 Crowns and withal told him that he intended to be there the next Day and therefore he advised him to prepare a dinner to entertain him and not to speak any thing to him about his Surety-ship till he should give the Signet to this Jeronimus consented as well knowing he should have good Interest for his Money The next Day the Gentleman came and the Table being spread they sat down to dinner and there discoursed of Divers Affairs when after they were risen from the Table Andrew took the Gentleman by the hand and led him up stairs pretending to shew him his Iewels and there taking his opportunity before the Gentleman was aware with a Dagger that he had provided for the purpose he stobb'd him so that he sunk down dead and then taking his Signet and his Keys he got away unespyed and hasted to the Gentlemans House where meeting with his Wife he told her that her Husband had received Orders instantly to depart for the Duke of Burgundies Court and that she must send the Iewels by the same token there was his Signet and his Keys of his Cabinet which the Gentlewoman taking of Andrew went and unlocked the Cabinet and not finding the Iewels there returned and told him that her Husband must come and look them himself for they were not there upon this Andrew departed much perplexed that he had missed of his aim and long time he Pondered whether he should return to Jeronimus or fly during which space Jeronimus coming into his Hall perceived blood to drop through the Sealing and thereupon commanded his Servants to run up and find out the cause where they no sooner came but they found the Gentleman Murthered at which they were much amazed and hasted down to relate the same to their Master who took an hateing that any such thing should be done in his House and knew not what to do in the business as being but a stranger in England and not well acquainted with the Laws CHAP. V. How Andrew returned to Jeronimus's House and disposing of the dead body afterward made his escape and how the Murther being found out Jeronimus and all his Servants were Imprisoned The Gentleman being two days missing at Court many began to wonder and the third day acquainted the King thereof who began to mistrust that the great value of his charge might have made him false though otherwise a Gentleman of undoubted Reputation and Fidelity upon which a Messenger was sent to his House to Inquire for him and was informed by his Wife that she had not seen him in three days but that at his departure he went in the Company of a Florentine who pretended to have great store of Iewels at the House of one Jeronimus Roberti a Florentine Merchant in Lombard-street and that a while after their departure the same person came with her Husbands Keys and Ring desiring her to send the Iewels but she looking for them in his Cabinet found them not there With this answer they returned to the King who was greatly displeased but that he might not seem over rashly to censure the Fidelity of the Knight although he concluded he was fled he gave order that nothing more should be done in it till the end of two days in which space Fortunatus returning from on Ship-board where he had been taking an account of the ladeing perceived not only his Master but all his fellow Servants very melancholly upon which he demanded of the Maid what was the cause of such their suddain alteration to whom she answered as having before-hand premeditated an excuse that her Master had received a Letter of the Death of a dear Friend of his which had occasioned that sadness in him and that with him the rest Simpathized as is the Custom of their Country but that he not being his near Relation he would not go into Mourning for him with which Fortunatus was well pleased But now the two days being expired and no tidings of the Gentleman the King in a great rage sent his Pursevants to search his House who broke open as many Trunks Chests and Cabinets as they found locked in it found not the Iewels upon which at the Supplication of the Gentlewoman who said she verily believed her Husband was Murthered they went to the House of Jeronimus where having the Kings Warrant they apprehended him and all his Family upon Suspicion of Murther but they all denied it saying Indeed there was such a man there but that he departed thence in the Company of the Person who brought him thither and that since they saw him not but this excuse availed not for they all being nine in number of which Fortunatus was one were delivered to the Sheriffs who carryed them to Newgate where they were kept asunder and were strictly examined but they all declared as before as for Fortunatus he was ignorant of the matter and therefore could not confess upon which the Sheriffs were ordered to search Jeronimus's House the which they accordingly did and looked in all the Chests Trunks Closets Cellers Pantries and Stables but found not the dead Body and so were about to depart when one amongst the rest having a Torch in his hand lighted some Paper and threw it down into the Privy whereby reason of the shallowness of the Ordure the Legs of the party Murthered appeared he being cast in with his Head downward which he no sooner perceived by the Light but he called to the rest telling them that he had found the Murthered Corps and thereupon they all coming together drew it out and after having cleansed it with Water they layed it in the Street before the Door of Jeronimus for to be seen of all People who with great Detestation and shaking of their Heads abhorred the Fact as also a Messenger was sent to acquaint the King what they had found upon which he gave order for the Racking Jeronimus and the
all things were in a readiness there was he met in the great Court by all manner of Musitians playing Melodiously and entring the Hall presented with Gorgious sights brave Dancing and Odoriferous smells Seeling being frested with Silver Shells wrought in the Curiousest manner and the sides of Cedar Guilt with Gold as likewise several Lamps of Silver burning Spicecy Oyl that cast a fragrant smell When the Table was spread the King and all the Nobility wondred at the store saying that they had not seen the like in Cyprus before and all that day continued they exceeding merry but when night came Fortunatus was desireous to go to Bed with his Bride for as yet he had not bedded her whereupon the King Queen Lords and Ladys accompanied them to their Chamber and there used such Diversion as is usual upon the Wedding Night which made the young Bride blush but they retireing left her to the imbraces of Fortunatus who 't is to be supposed in the like case would have been The Feast lasted 14 days and then urgent business at Court calling the King away he sent for Fortunatus as likewise the Earl his Father-in-Law and the Countess and gave them all thanks for his entertainment but the Countess appearing somewhat Melancholly the King asked the cause when as she told him that she feared her Son-in-Law would soon waste all he had so that her Daughter would be reduced to Poverty therefore she should not be content unless he would settle some Dower in Land upon her to which Fortunatus replyed that he confessed his Lands were small but as for ready mony I will give 8000 Duckates into my Father-in-Laws hands to dispose of as he shall think fit for the good of my Wife which the King no sooner heard but he told them it was very opportunely hit for said he the Earl of Litgorn is about to sell a Lordship with a Castle and other Appurtenances being necessitated for ready mony and if you think good I will send for him to this they all agreed and when the Earl was come the King acquainted him with the matter upon which to the great content of all parties a bargain was driven the Earl of Litgorn in lieu of 7000 Duckets delivering up his Title to the said Lordship with the Government of the Village to Fortunatus who delivered the Charge thereof to his Father-in-law for the use of Cassandra which pleased the Countess beyond measure CHAP. XVIII How after the Departure of the King Queen and Nobility Fortunatus ordained a Feast for all the chief Citizens DVring the Kings stay Fortunatus set up three Iewels of great price the first the Nobility Tilted for he that did best being to possess the same the second was provided for the Esquires and Gentlemen the third for the Citizens Yeomen and Servants which caused them to Iust for nine days which Pastime exceedingly pleased the King and all present Now the time came that at the end of Fourteen days the King and Queen with the rest of the Nobility would depart Fortunatus with all his Attendants accompanied them Ten Miles outward of their way and then the King desiring him to return he came back to his Bride and calling his Servants together gave order that within two days they should provide another Feast for the Citizens and Gentlemen thereabouts which was accordingly done it holding Four days with great plenty of Mirth The Feast ended Fortunatus taking Leopoldus aside said Forasmuch as thou hast faithfully served me hitherto I will now propose to thee three Things take thy choice of either First if thou art minded to return into Ireland I will give thee four Servants to attend thee and as much Money as shall maintain thee during life Secondly If thou wilt live in the House with me for I am not now mindful of Travel I will maintain thee to thy hearts content Thirdly If it shall otherways like thee I will give thee a Horse in this City and maintain Servants to wait upon thee and thou shalt lack nothing during life For these kind Offers Leopoldus greatly thanked him saying he was unworthy of them As for the first I being now spent with Age and Travel by reason of the tediousness of the way shall hardly get thither and for the second seeing you have a fair Lady to accompany you and many Servants my being in the House will be needless therefore if it shall so please you I will imbrace the latter with which Fortunatus was content and bought him a Horse provided him Servants and all Necessaries allowing him 20 Duckets a week Then Leopoldus prayed that he might be still of his Councel in all weighty Affairs and that he would not suffer his love towards him to decay which he solemnly swore to observe In awhile after Leopoldus sent into Ireland for his Wife and Children acquainting them by Letters of the prosperous Condition he was in and wished them to sell off what they had and come to him but before their arrival he by reason of a grievous sickness died to the great grief of Fortunatus and his Lady who caused him to be buried in a fair Tomb in the Chancel of the Church which he had built and upon the arrival of Leopoldus his Wife and Children he entertained them courteously comforting them in the best manner and placing them in the house he had given to Leopoldus and there maintaining them so long as they lived CHAP. XIX How fair Cassandra was brought to Bed of two fair Sons whom Fortunatus caused to be Baptized naming the elder Ampedo and the younger Andolocia NOw Fortunatus being in the height of Ioy dasly solacing with his fair Bride the beautiful Cassandra he wanted nothing but Children the dearest Pledges of mutual Love for which he often prayed and cau ed the Priests to pray till at last God heard him and the tender Bride grew big with her fiâ—st Son which afterwards was Christ'ned with great Solemnity and called Ampedo scare had they made an end of rejoycing for this Son before the teeming Lady perceived her self quick with another Child which proved a Son also and was named Andolocia this brought a double Ioy and the rather because Fortunatus remembred the words of Dame Fortune which were That if he had no Issue the Vertue of his Purse should fail with his Life but Cassandra knew not of this nor of the Purse Fortunatus not thinking it convenient to trust a Woman with so weighty a Secret After they came to years of Maturity he caused them to be brought up in Learning providing for them the ablest Tutors he could get as likewise to Fence Iust play upon Musick and all other Arts and Sciences that belonged to a compleat Gentleman for these were all the Children he was likely to have by the fair Cassandra CHAP. XX. How Fortunatus prevailed with his Wife to Travel again and what befel him during his being abroad WHen Fortunatus had lived with his Wife about sixteen