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
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
he declared unto them that he â—y Fortune chanced on him in the way coming â—rom Jerusalem and told them moreover that â—e was so expert in Hunting and Hawking â—hat neither Wild Beast of the Field nor Fowl of the Air might hardly escape him Beâ—â—des that also he especially commended him â—or his diligent and pliable service and for â—hat he could so circumspectly apply and frame â—imself to all Estates By means of which commendation of his Lord he had many gifts giâ—en him of Noble-men and women How Fortunatus did his endeavour in justing a his Lords Wedding and gained both thâ— Jewels Chap. 3. AFter that the Lords and Nobles had â—nished their tryumphs and martial gameâ— the Duke of Cleve and the Bridegroom tâ— Earl of Flanders agreed that their Servitoâ— and retinues should likewise have their pastiâ—â— and try Masteries in justing for two Iewelâ— esteemed to the value of an hundred Crownâ— and he that might obtain the prize should haâ— one of them Of this were all the servants glâ—â— and every man put forth himself to do his beâ— So it befel that one of the Duke of Burgunâ— his servants had one of the Iewels on the one side and Fortunatus won the other on the contrary part which misliked the most part of the servitors and thereupon they intreated Timothy the Duke of Burgundies man making many fair promises to recompence him with the like deserts if he would undertake to challenge Fortunatus to try in justing who should have both the Iewels Timothy having no power to deny the request of so many good fellows made open challenge unto Fortunatus before the Ladies and Gentlewomen to just with him and that whosoever obtained the prize should posess both the Iewels When Fortunatus heard that he took no great deliberation but accepted the challenge with a valiant courage This being noised among the Lords they gladly drew together to see this bickering The challenger defender each of them well appointed came to the Tilt-yard where they encountred with a manly and violent courage being on either part stirred with a fervent desire both of lucre and fame At the fourth course Fortunatus hoised Timothy from his Horse the space of a Spears length wherewith he won the victory and obtained the Iewels esteemed more worth than two hundred Crowns By this was the envy of his fellow-servants more vehemently increased but the Earl himself rejoyced greatly that one of his retinue had so victoriously won the chief Prize Howbeit he understood not the Grudge and Malice that his men had against Fortunatus neither durst any man disclose it unto him Among the Earls Servants there was one an old wise fellow named Robert who offered himself to practise a cast of knavery in the behalf of all his fellows promising unto them that if they would give unto him ten Crowns in ready money he would bring to pass that the Italian should depart of his own accord without taking leave of his Lord or of any other and that none thereof should be suspected Then said his fellows If thou canst do as thou hast said why dost thou linger any stay to attempt the same He answered Soft a while for I cannot do it without present money but if every one of you will give me half a Crown I will repay unto each of you a whole Crown if I work not this feat according as I have said They were all willing to grant to his request so that they speedily collected this sum of fifteen Crowns and gave them to Robert who willed them to speak no more unto him concerning that matter and that every one should behave himself according as he had done before From henceforth this Robert became a daily companion unto Fortunatus shewing himself very friendly unto him inveagling him with pleasant communication and recounting of things done in the Countrey which was to Fortunatus delectable He enured and enticed him to the company and haunt of fair women where he of his proper charges would always send for Wine and other Banquetting Iunquets meet for such company Robert also would collogne with him praising his Riches Nobility and valiant courage which Fortunatus could well endure And when he would always offer his money also for their expences Robert would not suffer him to pay any part saying that he loved him better than any of his brethren and therefore thought all too little that was bestowed on him This Company of good fellowship continued so long that their fellows were therewith grieved saying one to another Doth Robert mean to drive away Fortunatus with such a life It is rather to be supposed that if he were in Cyprus again and wist to have such pleasant entertainment he would think it long ere he were returned thither surely he doth not fulfil his promise and therefore it is meet that we have our money again Robert being advertised thereof scoffed thus at his fellows saying Would they have me make better chear with their money than I have done Notwithstanding at the last when the money was near hand spent on an evening when the Earl and his Wife were gone to rest cometh Robert to Fortunatus into his Chamber secretly and said Even now hath the Master Chancellor told me a secret for he is my singular good friend and did earnestly forbid me upon pain to lose his friendship that I should disclose it to no man but yet I cannot for the friendship that is between us conceal this thing from thee which so nearly toucheth thine estate Thus stands the cause as thou knowest our Lord hath a fair woman to Wife and hath many fair Gentlewomen with her He hath of late conceived a durable Fantasie and is become very jealous in the behalf of his Espouse and the other Gentlewomen fearing lest his young Chamberlains might be on them enamoured and so provoked to Carnal Lust and although he dare repose such confidence in them that they would consent to no dishonesty yet can he not well put out of his mind what a blind thing Love is and when it is once kindled how hardly it is quenched and that when true Lovers be linked with like Affections nothing may separate them but only Death To prevent this he is counselled yea and fulâ—y minded on the morrow to ride to Lausan where he must wage Law with an Earl concerning certain Money and Land and meaneth to come thither stately furnished with all his Men about him because he knoweth that the Earl of St. Paul his adversary will be there also with no small company gorgeously appointed And whilest he remaineth there he will cause the four Chamberlains to be Gelded whether they will or not and then set them in their Office as before He will also shew the matter unto his Wife forbidding her to disclose it unto any person Howbeit he knoweth well that she cannot long conceal it from her waiting Gentlewomen who will most likely utter it further unto others so shall it pass
from one to another until it be spread all abroad And by this means he pretendeth to prevent all Mischief that eft-soons might chance among you through Amorous Love for he considereth that no woman regardeth a gelded man When Fortunatus had heard this report he was therewith amazed and first of all asked him whether he knew any secret way whereby he might convey himself with speed out of the City saying I will not in any case abide the presence of my Lord though he would give me all his Lands no though he would make me King of England would I serve him any longer I pray thée therefore said Fortunatus help me my good friend Robert and give me some counsel how I may speedily depart Robert answered saying Thou knowest all the Gates of the City be now shut and none can issue out or in until to morrow when the Bell warneth to service and then is the Cow-gate opened But my beloved Fortunatus if I my self were in your case I would not greatly refuse it considering the great Love and Affection that thy Lord hath conceived toward thee whereby thou art like to come to great preferment Then said Fortunatus I would rather become a begger to wander as a vagabond from place to place than to endure such a shame and villany Then spake Robert again saying I am now sorry that ever I advertised thee of these things sithence thou wilt so depart For I trust we should have lived together in friendly amity as loving brethren and to have passed our time joyfully one delighting in the other But sithence thou wilt by no means here longer remain let me yet be advertised by Letters from thee where thou art become that when our Lord shall be sufficiently provided of gelded men to his Chamberlains I may write to thee that thou mayst repair hither again for I doubt not but at any time thou shalt have entertainment of the Earl to this answered Fortunatus saying You shall little need either to write or send unto me for so long as I live I mean not to come to this court any more And therefore I instantly require thee not to disclose my departure until I have been three days away which thing Robert promised him and so he took his leave of him making semblance as though he were very sorry Thus this traiterous Judas wrought this knavish device It was about midnight when every one was at rest but Fortunatus head was full of bées so that every hour séemed unto him three for he feared lest the Earl should understand of his departure and so cause him to be stayed So passing all the night in fear and grief at the break of day he took his journey on Horse-back with Hounds following him as though he had pretended to Hunt and rode so swiftly that if one of his eyes had fallen out of his head he would scantly have stayed to take 〈◊〉 up How the Earl was exceeding sorry for the sudden departure of Fortunatus Chap. 4. WHen Fortunatus had ridden ten miles he bought another horse and sent back again unto the Earl his Horse and his Hounds that he might have no occasion to pursue after him When the Earl understood that Fortunatus had departed without leave forasmuch as he knew of no cause whereat he might be offended neither had paid him his wages he greatly marvelled and thereupon demanded of all his servants generally and particularly whether they knew any occasion of his departing They all denyed that they wist thereof and took their Oaths that they had not by any means to their knowledge grieved him Then went the Earl to the Ladies Gentlewomen requiring likewise of them whether they had moved him to any displeasure or whether they misdeemed any cause of his going away without leave The Countess and all the other Gentlewomen answered that they wist not of any thing that might offend him either by word or deed but that in the Evening before his departure he was exceeding merry and pleasant reporting unto them of the attire of Women and of many other Vsages and Customes of his Country and that in such corrupt language as we could not refrain from Laughing and he himself Laughing with us also and so with no worse countenance he left our company Then said the Earl although the cause of his flight be now concealed from me I doubt not but hereafter I shall be advertised thereof and verily if I shall know that any of mine was the occasion of it I shall be sharply revenged on him for I know that Fortunatus is not fled without some great cause I am sure that he hath gotten about 500 Crowns whilst he hath been here and I had thought he would not have departed hence during his live But now I perceive well he is not minded to return seeing he hath taken with him all his Iewels and his Substance When Robert perceived that his Lord was so grieved for Fortunatus great fear fell on him for he dreaded lest any of his fellows should bewray him that he was weined away by his procurement whereupon he went to every one particularly requiring them not to disclose his doings which they faithfully promised him and were very instant to know by what means he brought his purpose so subtilly to pass and that he was so suddenly fled away At the length to one that was most in his favour and was more importunate than the rest he told that Fortunatus had shewed him the state of his Father how he was become poâ—â— and served in the King of Cyprus Court Whereupon said Robert I have shewed him that a Post was passed this way from the King of Cyprus towards the King of England to advertise him of the King of Cyprus death for they were near of Kindred which Post reported unto me that the King had exalted the state of Theodorus his Father and had given him the Earldom of Anclemus de Teraceno who died without any Heir by reason whereof the Earldom was fallen into the Kings hands for which Theodorus making the first suit obtained it and both he and his Heirs were therein confirmed by his Letters Patents When I had told him he scarcely believed me and thereupon said I would my Father had sped no worse notwithstanding upon this only he is departed When the other of his fellows heard this they said among themselves how uncircumspect was Fortunatus For if such good fortune chanceing unto him he had advertised our Earl thereof doubtless he would have worshipfully set him forth with certain of us to accompany him and so should he have been honourably received into his own Country and also still have retained the favour and friendship of his Lord and Master How Fortunatus came to London and consumed his Money in the company of Riotous Persons and Harlots Chap. 5. NOw leave we the Earl of Flanders with his men who knew little how Robert had deceived Fortunatus with a devised lie howbeit they