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
So the good Gratiana was of necessity forced to dress her own Meat and to wash her own Cloaths like a Hand-maid or poor slave They on a time sitting together at a simple Dinner pretending to make good chear if they had wherewithal the Father beholding his Son sighed from the bottom of his Heart which when his Son perceived who was then eighteen Years Old and could Write and Read simply but was expert in Praying on the Lute in Hunting and Hawking which were his chief Pastimes he said to his Father Dear Father what aâ—leth you For I well perceive that whensoever you beho d me you become sad and shew an heavy Countenance I pray you Father have I by any means provoked you to be offended tell me truly and hide not your secret thought from me for I am wholly determined to Accomplish your Will in reasonable Points Then answered the Father saying My dear Son the occasion of my grief cometh not by thee neither may I blame any Creature therefore but my self only for the pinching penury and distress which now I sustain have I my self caused And therefore I call to mind the great Honour and Wealth that I lately enjoyed and now am utterly deprived of which my Ancestors have so carefully spared as I also ought to have done for the maintenance of our stock and progeny in Honour and Dignity the which alas I have altogether neglected And when I call to mind how far unable I am to help and succour thee my only Child this is the Vexation and hearts grief that vexeth me both night and day This moreover doubleth my Sorrows that all these my most familiar Companions to whom I so frankly imparted my goods have now abandonned my Company and that I am so little welcome unto them To this answered Fortunatus saying Dearly beloved Father cast off your mourning and take no such immoderate care for me for I am young strong and in perfect health I will traâ—el into far and unknown Countries to serve In the World by hardy adventuring there happeneth to many good chance and fortune whereof I doubt not but by the help of God some part shall fall to my Lot As for you Father you have business of the Kings him may you serve and it is not like that he will suffer you or my Mother long to continue in any great want Leave off therefore I say again these tears on my behalf For I have not been so ill trained up I thank God and you for it but I can shift for my self With this went Fortunatus out of the house with a Hawk on his Fist toward the Sea-coast pondering with himself what he might best do to absent himself from his Fathers sight that he might be no more grieved thereby As he thus walked up and down by the Sea-side he saw a Galley of Venice coming from Jerusalem wherein was an Earl of Flanders who had lost two of his Men by the way But forasmuch as the Earl had no business with the King and that the Patron of the Galley caused a Sign to be given by the sound of a Trumpet that every one should speedily come aboard the Ship the Earl with many other Gentlemen came forthwith into the Galley Which Fortunatus seeing he thought in his mind Would God I might be one of this great Lords men to accompany him into his Country that I might be rid of my Country Cyprus With that he stepped boldly to the Earl making low obeisance and courtesie whereby the Earl well perceived that he was no Rustical Clown And therewithal said Gracious Lord I understand your Honour hath lost two of your Men and therefore pleaseth you now to entertain one Then asked the Earl What canst thou do He answered I can Hunt and Hawk and do all that pertaineth thereto I have also some skill in riding and Feats of Arms. To this said the Earl thou shouldst like me well but to my Country we have a long and tedious journey wherefore I suppose thou wauldst be loth to travel so far Not so my Lord said Fortunatus that shall be to me no let at all but I would willingly adventure the travel though it were four times as far Then demanded the Earl saâ—ing What Wages shall I give thee Fortunatus answered I require no wages if it so like your honour but to be rewarded according to my deserts These words of the young man liked the Earl very well saying unto him The Galley forthwith shall be lanched from the shore art thou therefore ready to depart with us He answered When it pleaseth you my Lord. And so casting the Hawk that he had upon his fist up into the Ayr departed without blessing of Father or Mother with the Earl and became his man carrying with him very simple furniture and little or no money in his Purse So hoiâ—ing up their Sail in short time they luckely arrived at Venice How Fortunatus sailed away with the Earl without Knowledge of his Father or Mother Chap. 2. Fortunatus perceiving his Lords good affection towards him became the more serviceable applying himself to be always in the Evening the last and in the morning the first in his Lords presence Now the Earl had bought many Horses for his servants of the which some were haply more fair to the eye than fit for any good purpose He therefore would have them mustred before him and so distributed them among his men giving to Fortunatus one next the best which grieved much the other Servants and thereupon they envyed him saying among themselves What Devil hath sent this Italian to put us out of conceit and credit Howbeit it lay not in their power to stay him from riding with the Earl neither could they blame him in any point The Earl was now returned home joyfully and at his coming was received of his Subjects most honourably for he was both affable just and vertuous and so the better beloved of his subjects for that he loved them and was careful for their Estate The Nobles likewise and other his friendly neighbors came together to welcome him thanking God for his prosperous journey before all other matters they took special care for the present accomplishing of the wedding which pleased him very well So that with full consent he was Espoused with all convenient speed unto the Duke of Cleave his Daughter For this Wedding was made great preparation and thither did resort many Lords and great Estates where many valiant Knights and Gentlemen in gorgeous attire mounted on barbed Stéeds at the Tilts and Turney and other such feats of Chivalry extended their manly force before the fair and Noble Ladies there present And although there were assembled at that Wedding no small number of proper and comely Servitors attending on the â—hief Estates yet there was none of them all whose service and behaviour was more commended than the service of Fortunatus whereupon divers demanding of the Earl where he â—ad gotten him
heard afterwards that Fortunatus did well Who when he had sent back his Lords horse yet fearing least he should be pursued travelled with all speed possible till he come to Calis where he took shipping and yet thought himself scantly out of danger even in the midst of the Seas the fear of gelding so sore-troubled his Conscience When he was arrived in England setting all fear aside he took courage again and came to London which is a great and goodly City frequented of Merchants from all Countreys of Europe Thither at his arrival was come a Ship from Cyprus freighted with costly wares the factors whereof were two young Merchants who had in Cyprus rich parents and this being the first journey that ever they undertook were very unexpert how to behave themselves in strange countreys but only by their Fathers instructions When their ships therefore were unloaden their Wares sold great sums of Money received and the custome discharged they were lusty and jocund as such youths commonly be which have not been accustomed to the handling and use of great treasure Into the company of these young men chanced Fortunatus with whom he fell in acquaintance shewing each other friendly countenance in a strange country These three hapned moreover into a rout of other roitous Roisters and usually frequented with them by whom they were soon allured to the haunt of Harlots Gameing and other riotous demeanour so that if one had gotten a fair woman the other would assay to get a fairer whatsoever it cost him this life led they the space of half a year till their money was so wasted that it was time to look to themselves How the two Cyprus Merchants when their money was consumed returned to their Country Chap. 6. FOrtunatus had the least spring so that his Well was soonest emptied and the others also were drawn almost dry and had consumed all that they received of their wares on sumptuous banquets and fair women and then was all the hot love soon quenched with a cold purse though they perswaded themselves otherwise and had often heard that it was scoffingly said unto them go and fetch more money In the mean while were the other Merchants of Cyprus ready to repair homewards and the Master of the Ship gave warning unto the young men to be in a readiness who went forthwith to their Lodging to make their accounts with heavy hearts finding that they had received great sums of money but that which they should have bestowed in Cloth Wool Tin Lead and other Merchandise they had consumed on English Beer Delicate Fare and Womens Flesh And notwithstanding though they were now but bare Merchants yet took they Ship with the rest and came home without Wares But how they were entertained of their Father at their return let them see thereto How Fortunatus was entertained into Service and how one Andrew a wicked varlet brought Fortunatus Master to great trouble by murthering a Gentleman in his house Chap. 7. VVHen Fortunatus was now also clean money-less he bethought himse f that if he might get two or three Crowns he would go into France there to get him a Master so went he to his Love requiring her to lend him a Rival or xv shillings saying that he would go into Flanders to his Vncle to fetch 400 Crowns which he had in his custody before my departure said he I would fain make good chear with thee She coldly answered saying Goest thou to fetch Money God speed thee well so it be not to my hinderance whereby he perceived that he had but a cold suit to wait for money at her hands and then too late thought thus in his mind If I had my money again I would be more wary on whom I bestowed it and yet once more tryed her saying My best Beloved send for some Wine and let us yet drink once together e're we depart Whereupon she said to her Maid go and fetch him a pint of Beer and let the Ass drink e're he go This was the thin thanks that a harlot rendred him for his costly courtesie Fortunatus being thus abandoned thought with himself I must needs serve until I have gained two or three Crowns So he went to Lombard-street where was great resort enquiring who was destitute of a Servant There was a rich Merchant of Florence that retained many Servants who he set at work in his Traffick of him was Fortunatus hired for two Crowns a Month which liked him well Being Entertained he was brought Home to his Master named Jeronimus Roberti whom he served at the Table very handsomly whereby he perceived that Fortunatus had been well trained up in civil company so that in process of time he sent him to Bestow the Merchandize into the Ships and to receive other that came into the Realm in which Affairs he behaved himself very well About the time when Fortunatus served Jeronimus Roberti there was a Florentine named Andrew the Son of a rich Merchant to whom his Father had given much Goods and sent him therewithal to Bruges in Flanders which he unthriftily in short time consumed And being therewith not satisfied took up also more Money by Bills of Exchange making his Father believe that he would send him many Rich Merchandizes This he used so long till his Father was able to disburst no more Money but waited still to receive the Wares which he looked for from his Son which are yet to come When he unthrifty Varlet had consumed all and lost his credit so that no man would lend nor give nor trust him for any more he pretended to return again into Florence to spie out there some old Widow whom he might abuse As he travelled home he came into a Town of France called Turn where there lay in Prison a Rich Gentleman of England a Citizen of London which thing when his Host had declared unto him he asked if he might speak with the Prisoner The Host said I will bring you thither but he is so fast imprisoned that it is pittiful to behold When Andrew came to the Prisoner he spake good English whereof the Prisoner was glad asking him whether he knew one Jeronimus Roberti at London He answered I know him right well and he is my good friend Then answered the Prisoner Good Andrew would God I might intreat thee to go to London and require Jeronimus Roberti to do his best that I may be delivered he is my near acquaintance and knoweth my ability whatsoever he shall lay out for me I shall restore it to him in threefold For if thou wouldest do this diligently in my behalf I will give thee for thy pains five hundred Crowns and also procure thee a good Office Thou shalt shew my friends also that thou hast spoken with me and request them to become sureties for me to Jeroâ—imus Andrew made a promise to the Prisoner to deal truly in the matter and so travelled towards London where deâ—â—â—â—ing the matter to Jeronimus Roberty he was
agreed they upon the gests of their journey determining first to Travel over the whole Empire of Rome and so took their neâ—â— way by Norem-Berge Word Ausburg Norlingen Usme Constance Bazil Strasburg Ments Colen and so from Colen to Bruges in Flanders and from thence to London in England which is the chief City of the Realm and so next to Edenbourgh the head City in Scotland which is nine days journey from London How Fortunatus accompanied his man home where they went together to St. Patrick's Purgatory Chap. 15. ANd when they were there they had yet three days journey into Ireland whereas Leopoldus dwelt when they were arrived in London Leopoldus requested his Master to go with him to his House which was in a Town called Waldrink where at his return he found his wife and children as he had left them saving that one of his sons one of his daughters were married which all were glad of his coming And whereas Fortunatus considered that Leopoldus had no more Provision than was needful for his houshold he gave him an hundred crowns to ordain all things after the most sumptuous manner against he should come to make good chear with him Wherefore Leopoldus made provision of great plenty of delicate victuals and bad his Children with their husbands and wives and many other friends and neighbours to accompany his Master at that Feast So there was kept such bountiful hospitality for that time that all the Town fared the better for him Fortunatus after the feast was ended called unto him Leopoldus and said Thou must now again take thy leave of thy Wife and Children Wherefore receive here of me three Purses in each of them is five hundred Crowns whereof thou shalt give one to thy wife another to thy son and the third to thy daughter for a farewel that they may have sufficient whereby to live when thou art gone Leopoldus greatly thanked him for his liberal gifts and therewith made his wife and children exceeding glad Fortunatus understanding that two days journey from thence was St. Patrâ—cks Purgatory he was very desirous to see the same Whereupon they rode unto the City Vernecks wherein is an Abby and there behind the high Altar in the Church is a door within the which is a deep dark Hole the same do men call St. Patricks Purgatory But none may go into it without licence of the Abbot Whereupon Leopoldus obtained leave of him of whom he was demanded of what Country his Master was he answered of the Isle of Cyprus Whereupon the Abbot invited Fortunatus to Dinner which pleased him well So at his coming he presented the Abbot with a Vessel of the best Wine he could get The Abbot yielded unto him great Thanks for in that Country they seldome use any Wine except it be in Ministring the Sacrament When the Dinner was finished Fortunatus said unto the Abbot May it please your Honour to let me understand upon what occasion this Hole first was named St. Patricks Purgatory The Abbot answered saying Many hundred Years sithence was this Town and this Abby a Desolate Wilderness and not far from it dwelt an Abbot called Patrick who was a very Devout Man He oftentimes resorting to this Desart to do some work of penance one day by chance found this long and deep Hole into the which he went so far that he could not return With that he fell on his knees praying unto God instantly that if it were his pleasure he would deliver him out of that dark dungeon whilest he thus devoutly prayed it seemed to him that he heard yet further of a piteous cry In the mean while suddenly he was delivered out of the Hole Wherefore he joyfully Praising the Lord for his mercy went again into the Cloister and became more devout than ever he was before And so in perpetual memory of this chance was this Abby builded by devout men Fortunatus then asked farther what the Pilgrims reported that came thence out again The Abbot said I seldom enquire of them but some say they have heard a pittiful screeking others report they have neither seen nor heard any thing at all but that they have been sore afraid Then said Fortunatus I am come from far Countries to this place and if I should return home without some certain Trial of such a Monument in my own Person it should be a reproach to me therefore will I not go hence till I have been in the Hole Then said the Abbot If you will needs adventure beware you go not too far in for there be many by-ways wherein you may go astray as many others have done in my time which have not been found till three days after Fortunatus asked of Leopoldus whether he would adventure in with him He said Yea I will go into any place with you so long as God spares me Life That liked Fortunatus well Whereupon they receiving the holy Sacrament on the next morrow the Priest let them in blessed them and shut the Door after them There they wandring in the dark at the length wist not to go backward or forward for they soon went astray neither could they hear the calling of the Priest in the morning whereon they trusted and the bolder adventured Thus they not knowing how to help themselves and being very hungry and faint they wholly despaired of all succour dreaded their lives they sat down as men forlorn neither hearing nor seeing any thing at all and therewith made their humble prayers unto God Saying Almighty Lord assist us with thy Power by some means or other for in this loathsom Den neither Silver nor Gold can ought avail though we have it at will but in thee only is our trust The Priest in the mean while signified unto the Abbot that the Pilgrims were not as yet come out again whereof he was very sorry especially because of Fortunatus who had presented him so liberally The Servants also at the Door watched continually and greatly lamented for their Masters But the Abbot notwithstanding remembred himself of an old Man who many years before had measured the Hole with a Cord for him he sent and requested him to try whether he could bring forth the men The Servants also promised him an hundred Crowns for his pains The old man said if they be yet alive I shall sure bring them forth and therewith prepared a musical instrument played on it and so passed from one hole to the other until he had found them being very feeble and faint whom he willed to take hold of him and so follow the sound of his Instrument as the blind followeth his guide So by the help of God and the old mans assistance came they again to the light whereof the Abbot was very glad for he feared if those two Pilgrims had been lost that no more would have resorted thither whereby he and his Covent should fare the worse The men also told Fortunatus that they had promised an hundred Crowns to