ersonages, and far more worthy of estimation then he thought
before. Wherefore, he was very angry wyth himselfe, that he had
no greater company and better intertaynment for them that night,
which he purposed to recompence the next day at dinner.
Wherefore hee sent one of hys men to Pauie, being not farr from
thence, to his wife, that was a very wise and noble gentlewoman,
and afterwards he brought them into the garden where he
curteously demaunded what they were. To whom Saladine answered:
"we be marchaunts of Cypres trauailing to Paris, about our
businesse." Then said maister Thorello: "I would to God that
this country brought forth such gentlemen as the land of Cypres
maketh marchants," and so passed the time from one talke to
another, vntyll supper time came: Wherefore to honour them the
better caused them to sit downe at the Table, euery of them
according to his degree and place: And there they were
exceadingly wel intreated and serued in good order, their supper
being farre more bountifull than they looked for. And they sate
not longe after that the table was taken away, but maister
Thorello supposing them to be weary, caused them to be lodged in
gorgeous and costly beds: and he likewyse within a while after
went to bed. The seruaunt sent to Pauie, did the message to his
mistresse, who not like a woman wyth a womanish heart, but like
one of Princely Mind, incontinently caused many of her husband's
frends and seruaunts to be sent for. Afterwards she made ready a
great feast, and inuited the noblest and chiefest Citizens of
the City: apparelling hir house wyth clothe of gold and silke,
tapistrie and other furnitures, putting in order all that which
hir husband had commaunded. The next day in the morning the
Gentleman rose, with whom maister Thorello mounted on
horsebacke, and carying with him his Hawks, he brought them to
the Ryuer, and shewed them diuers flightes. But Saladine
demaunding where the best lodging was in Pauie, maister Thorello
sayd: "I wyll shew you my selfe, for that I haue occasion to go
thither." They beleeuing him, were contented, and rode on their
way, and being about nine of the clock, arriued at the City,
thinking they should haue ben brought to the best Inne of the
towne: but maister Thorello conueyed them to his owne house,
where fiftye of the chiefest Citizens ready to receiue them
sodaynly appeared before them. Which Saladine, and they that
were wyth him perceyuinge, coniectured by and by