t liberality whych he hath imployed vpon me, deeming
my selfe henceforth so much bound vnto him, as if I were his
brother or Seruaunt." The Gentlewoman hearing those wordes, the
best contented that euer was, sayd vnto him: "All the worlde
could neuer make me beleue (your great honesty considered) that
other thing could happen vnto mee by my commyng hyther, than
that which presently I see: for which I recken my selfe
perpetually bounde vnto you." And takynge hir leaue, honorablye
returned in the aforesayde company home to hir husband, and
tolde hym what had chaunced, which engendred perfect loue and
amytye betweene hym and mayster Ansaldo. The Necromancer to whom
maister Ansaldo determined to gyue the price, couenanted betwene
them, seyng the liberality which the husbande had vsed towards
mayster Ansaldo, and the like of mayster Ansaldo towards the
Gentlewoman, sayd: "God defend, that sith I haue seene the
husband lyberall of his honour, and you bountiful of your loue
and curtesie, but that I be likewyse franke in my reward: for
knowing that it is well employed of you, I purpose that you
shall keepe it still." The knyghte was ashamed, and would haue
forced him to take the whole, or part: but in offryng the same,
he lost his laboure: and the Necromancer the third day after,
hauying vndon his Garden, and desirous to departe, tooke his
leaue. Thus Ansaldo extinguishing the dishonest loue kindled in
hys hearte, for inioying of his Lady, vpon consideration of
honest charity, and regard of Curtesie, repressed his wanton
minde, and absteyned from that which God graunte that others by
lik Example may refrayne.

THE EIGHTEENTH NOUELL.

_Mithridanes enuious of the liberality of Nathan, and goinge aboute
to kill hym, spake vnto him vnknowne, & being infourmed by himself
by what meanes he might do the same he found him in a little wood
accordingly as hee had tolde him, who knowinge him, was ashamed, and
became his friende._

Straunge may seeme thys following Hystory, and rare amonges
those, in whom the vertue of liberality neuer florished: many we
reade of, that haue kept Noble and bountifull houses,
entertayninge Guestes, both Forrayne and free borne, plentifully
Feastinge them with variety of cheere, but to entertayne a Guest
that aspyreth the death of his hoast, and to cherishe hym after
hee knew of it, or liberally to offer his life, seldome or neuer
we reade, or by experience knowe: but what moued the co