en that mine aduice being a
woman, is come well to passe. And therefore I pray you, that of
your special grace you will do me this pleasure, as not to
refuse or disdain the litle present that I shall bring before
you, but that you take it, in consideration that women according
to their little ability, giue little things, and that yee regard
more the affection of the person whych offreth the gist, then
the value of the giuen thing." And causing to be brought before
euery of them two fayre Roabes, the one lined with silke, and
the other with Meneuayr, not in fashion of a Citizen, or of a
Marchant, but Noblemanlike, and III. Turkey gownes with sleeues
of Taffata, lined with linnen cloth, she sayde vnto them: "Take
I pray you these roabes, with the like whereof this day I
apparelled my husband, and the other things may also serue your
turnes, although they be little worth, considering that yee be
farre from your Wyues, and the greatnesse of your iorney, which
you haue taken, and haue yet to make, and also for that
Marchantmen loue to be neat, and fine in things appertinent to
their bodies." The Gentlemen mutch maruelled, and playnly knew
that Maister Thorello was disposed not to forget any one part of
curtesie towards them, and doubted (by reason of the beauty and
richesse of the roabes not marchantlike,) that they should not
be knowne of mayster Thorello, notwithstandinge one of them
aunswered her: "These be (Gentlewoman) very great gifts, and
ought not lightly to be accepted, if your intreaty did not
constraine vs, against which no denial ought to be made." That
done, when mayster Thorello returned into the chamber, the
Gentlewoman tooke her leaue, and went hir way: and then shee
furnished the seruants with diuers other things necessary for
them, and Mayster Thorello obtayned by earnest request, that
they should tary all that day. Wherefore after they had rested
themselues a while, they did put on their roabes, and walked
forth on horsebacke into the Citty: and when supper tyme was
come, they were bountifully feasted in honorable company: and
when bed time approched, went to rest. And so soone as it was
day they rose, and founde in steade of their weary Hackneyes,
three fat and fayre Palfreyes, and also the like number of fresh
and mighty horsses for their seruaunts: Which Saladine seeing,
turned towardes his companions, and sayd vnto them: "I sweare by
God that ther was neuer a more liberall Gentleman, more
courteous