or better conditioned than this is. And if Christian
kings for their part be sutch, I meane indued with sutch kingly
qualities as this Gentleman is, the Souldan of Babylon shall
haue inough to do to deale with one, and not to attend for all
those which we see to be in preparation for inuasion of his
Country." But seeing that to refuse them or render them agayne,
serued to no purpose, they thanked him very humbly, and got
vppon their horse. Mayster Thorello wyth many of his frends,
accompanied them out of the Citty a great peece of the way: And
albeit that it mutch greeued Saladine to depart from mayster
Thorello (so farre in he was already in loue with him) yet being
constrayned to forgo his company, hee prayed him to returne, who
although very loth to depart, sayd unto them: "Syrs, I will be
gone, sith it is your pleasure I shall so do, and yet I say vnto
you, that I know not what you be, ne yet demaund to know, but so
farre as pleaseth you. But what soeuer yee be, you shall not
make me beleue at this tyme, that yee be marchauntes, and so I
bid you farewell." Saladine hauing taken hys leaue of those that
accompanied mayster Thorello, answered him: "Syr, it may come to
passe, that we may let you see our marchaundise, the better to
confirme your beleefe." And so departed. Saladine then hauing
thus taken his leaue, assuredly determined if he liued, and that
the Warres he looked for did not let him, to do no lesse honor
to mayster Thorello, then he had done to him, and fell into
great talke with his companions of him, of his Wyfe and of his
things, acts and deedes, greatly praysing all his entertaynment.
But after he had trauayled and vewed al the west parts,
imbarkinge himselfe and his company, he returned to Alexandria,
throughly informed of his enemies indeuors, prepared for his
defence. Mayster Thorello returned to Pauie, and mused a long
time what these three might be, but he coulde not so mutch as
gesse, what they were. When the tyme of the appoynted passage
for the Chrystians was come, and that great preparation
generally was made, Mayster Thorello notwithstandinge the teares
and prayers of his Wyfe, was fully bent to go thither, and
hauinge set all thinges in order for that Voyage, and ready to
get on horsebacke, he sayd vnto hir whom he perfectly loued:
"Sweete Wyfe, I am goinge as thou seest, this Iourney, aswell
for myne honour sake, as for health of my soule: I recommende
vnto you our goodes and honor: And by