had in holde the
thynge furthest from him. For the King neuer saw hir, before he
heard hir praised, and when hee hearde hir praised, for purpose
to winne her, he trauailed oute of his way, so sure to enioy
hir, as if he had neuer seene hir. This historie, although
briefe, yet sheweth light to noble dames that be pursued by
Prynces, and teacheth them wyth what regarde they ought to
interteine such suters. The Marquesse then of Monferrato,
a citye in Italy, beynge a Gentleman of great prowesse and
valiance, was appointed to transfrete the Seas in a generall
passage made by the Christians, wyth an huge Armie and great
furniture. And as it chaunced, vpon a day greate talke was had
in the court of king Philip surnamed Luscus (bicause he was
poreblinde) who likewyse was making preparation to depart out of
Fraunce in the said iorney. Report was made by a knight which
knewe the said Marquize, that in all the world there was not the
like maried couple, as the Marquize and his wyfe were, as well
bicause the Marquize was bruted to be an excellent gentleman, as
also for that his wyfe amonges al the troupe of Ladies, that
liued in the world that time, was the fairest and most vertuous.
Which words so entred the French king's head, as sodainely
(neuer seeing hir in all his life) he began to loue hir, and for
that purpose determined to imbarke him selfe at Genoua, that by
trauailyng that way by lande, he myght haue good occasion to see
the Marchionisse, thinking that her husband being absent, hee
might easily obtein that he desired. And as he had deuised, he
began his enterpryse: who sending al his power before, toke his
iorney wyth a meane trayne of Gentlemen: and beynge within one
Daye's iourney of the Ladye's House, hee sent hir worde that the
nexte Daye hee would visite her at Dynner. The sage and discrete
lady ioyfully aunswered the Messanger, that she would accompt
his comming for a great and singuler pleasure, and sayd that hys
grace should be most heartily welcome. Afterwards she maruelled
why sutch a king as he was, would in hir husband's absence, come
to hir house: and in that maruel and consideration she was no
whit deceyued, coniecturinge that the fame of hir beauty was the
cause of hys comminge. Neuerthelesse, like a wise Lady and
honest gentlewoman, she determined to do him honour, and caused
the worshipfull of hir country sutch as remayned behinde, to be
assembled, for aduice in all thinges that were necessary for hys