ter Thorello, and hys wel beloued Wyfe, and
the recompence of their franke and honest curtesies.

THE TWENTY-FIRST NOUELL.

_A Gentleman of meane callinge and reputation, doth fall in loue
with Anne, the Queene of Hungarie, whom shee very royally requited._

Following the preceding arguments treated in certayne of the
former Nouelles, I wyll now discourse the princely kindnesse and
curtesy done to a poore Gentleman, by a Lady of later dayes,
Anne the Queene of Hungary. whych Gentleman, though beyonde hys
reache to catch what he aspired, fell in loue with that
bountifull and vertuous Gentlewoman, thinkinge (by like) that
she in end woulde haue abased her Maiesty, to recline to hys
vayne and doting trauayle. But she like a Queene, not despisinge
the poore mans loue, vouchsafed by familiar speech to poure some
drops of comfort into his louinge minde, and once to proue, on
whom he fixed his fansie, reached him a Nosegay, and prayed him
to bestowe it vpon whom hee liked best. All which familiar
dealings she vsed, to keepe the poore pacient from despayre,
that so highly had placed hym selfe. But in end perceyuinge his
continuaunce, would not reiect and geue hym ouer, or with
Scornes and Flouts contemne the Amorous Gentleman: and that
longe loue myght gayne some deserued guerdon, she neuer left hym
vntyll she had preferred him to a Noble office in Spayne. The
noble disposition of this chast and gentle Queene, I thought
good to adioyn next to that of maister Thorella and Saladine:
who for curtesie and passinge mutuall kindnesse, are worthy of
remembraunce. And for you noble Dames for a Christall to sharpen
your sightes, and viewe the recompence of loue, done by a Queene
of passing beauty, and yet most chast and vertuous, that it
might somewhat touch your squeymish stomackes and haulty hearts,
and lenifie that corrosiue humor, which with frowning face,
forceth you to ouerperke your humble suppliants. A helpinge
preseruatiue I hope this Hystory shalbe to imbolden you, in
sutes and petitions to their prince and soueraygne: An
incoragement (I hope) to be mediators for sutch, as by seruice
and warfare haue confirmed their faythfull deuoirs for defence
of their Countrey. Remember the care the Romane matrones had for
those that deserued well of their Common wealth: as how they
mourned for Lucius Brutus one whole yeres space, for his good
reuenge ouer the rauishers of Lucrece: and for Martius
Coriolanus, for hys piety