ght, to view and marke
euery thinge done in the same, bearing about them counterfait
Iewels and lingots, guilt of S. Martine's touche, to deceiue him
that would playe the foole to buy them. One of them was called
Liello and the other Dietiquo. These two Marchantes being at
good leasure to wander the streates, beholding the passangers to
and fro, by fortune espied the Goldsmithe's man, who (to set
forth the workemanship and making of the cup) caried the same
open. These gallants bearing a spite to the cup, more for the
siluer than for other malice, purposed to inuent some sleight to
get the Cuppe, and a farre of with slie pase, followed the
Goldsmithe's man, of whom they craftelie inquired of the owner
of the Cup, and where hee had left maister Florien. When they
had concluded vppon their enterprise, Liello (the finest boye of
them both) went straight to buy a Lamprey of great price, and
hiding the same vnder his cloake, repayred directly to Maister
Doctour's house, where finding his wife of semblable wit and
behauiour that her husband was, with vnshamefast face and like
grace, said vnto her: "Maistresse, Maister Florien your husbande
hath sent you a fishe, and prayeth you to dresse it and to make
dinner readie, because he bringeth a company of other Doctoures
with him: in the meane time he requireth you, to retorne vnto
him the Cuppe againe, whiche hee sent you this morning by the
Goldsmithe's man, because he had forgotten to stampe his armes
vppon it." The woman receyuinge the fishe, franckly deliuered
him the Cup, and went about to prepare dinner. Liello (which
hunted after gaine but better caught his prey) hied him a pace
and conueyed himselfe with speede to the house of one of his
Countriemen, and there reioyced with his companion, attending
for the comming of the Royster Dietiquo, who taried in the
Towne, wayting and viewing what pursute was made after his
fellowe. Sone after maister Florien retourned to his house and
finding his dinner more delicate than it was wont to be,
marueyled, and asked his wyfe who was at all that coste. His
wyfe very scornefully aunswered: "Why sir, haue you forgotten
that you sente me word this morning that you woulde bring home
with you diuers Gentlemen to dinner?" "What" (quoth the Doctour)
"I thincke you be a foole." "I am not" (sayd shee) "and for
better witnesse you sent mee this fishe, that I would you had
been better aduised before you had bestowed such coste."
"I assure thee:"