pore fearfull
runawayes, as though they mocked theyr sodaine flyghte. Within a
while after ye might haue seene Hercules lyinge a Bed with his
wife, towards whom a Faunus came thinking to enjoy the beauty
and embracements of the sleping dame: But fayrer it was to see
how that strong Amphitrionian gaue him the mocke, and strained
him so hard, as he thought his belly would burste. The Duke
beholding as he thought, the fayrest Chamber of the house so
shut, by and by suspected the truth of the cause: For the
Gentleman knowing the comming of the Duke, had withdrawen his
woman into the same for that it was the most secrete of his
house, and the furdest from all ordinary seruice. Vpon surmise
the Duke demaunded wherefore that Chamber was not opened so wel
as the rest: "I suppose the same to be your treasure house?"
(quod hee) "and the storehouse of your most delicate things: Wee
pray you let vs looke into it." "My Lord" (sayd the Gentleman)
"the place is to farre out of order, at this time to shew your
grace: Moreouer I knowe not where the Keyes be, for thys morning
the keeper of my house is gone into the city, and I can not tell
to whom hee hath delyuered them." The Duke which heard the end
of his excuse, not accepting the same for the pryce which the
Courtier woulde and thoughte to haue solde it, was sure then of
that which before he did suspect. Wherfore with furious
countenaunce he sayd vnto him: "Goe too, goe too, either with
the key, or without the Key, let this door be opened, that I may
see all thy secretes within." The rauisher seeing the Duke to be
earnest, could not tell at the first Face, of what Woode to make
his arrowes, stode stil astonned, and was surprysed wyth a newe
feare. In the end notwythstandyng, playinge the good fellowe,
hee went vnto the Duke, in whose eare smilinge hee whispered
(bicause he knew right well that the Duke was an indifferent
good companion, and loued so well his neighbor's Wyfe, as his
owne:) and sayd: "My Lord there is a prety wench within, whome I
do kepe, and would not shewe hir to any lyuing man but to you."
"That is the cause I aske" (sayd the duke) "let vs see hir that
I may geue iudgement of hir beauty, and tell you whither shee
bee worth the keeping or not." The mayster of the house opened
the chamber dore, thinking to haue gained mutch, and supposed to
insinuate himselfe the better into the fauor of the Duke, but
immediatlye hee saw himselfe farre deceiued of his accompt. For