and
gear about in a strait place, without letting a single footboy escape.
This done, he despatched to the abbot one, the most sufficient, of his
men, well accompanied, who in his name very lovingly prayed him be
pleased to light down and sojourn with the aforesaid Ghino in his
castle. The abbot, hearing this, answered furiously that he would
nowise do it, having nought to do with Ghino, but that he would fare
on and would fain see who should forbid his passage. Whereto quoth the
messenger on humble wise, 'Sir, you are come into parts where, barring
God His might, there is nothing to fear for us and where
excommunications and interdicts are all excommunicated; wherefore, may
it please you, you were best comply with Ghino in this.'

During this parley, the whole place had been encompassed about with
men-at-arms; wherefore the abbot, seeing himself taken with his men,
betook himself, sore against his will, to the castle, in company with
the ambassador, and with him all his household and gear, and alighting
there, was, by Ghino's orders, lodged all alone in a very dark and
mean little chamber in one of the pavilions, whilst every one else was
well enough accommodated, according to his quality, about the castle
and the horses and all the gear put in safety, without aught thereof
being touched. This done, Ghino betook himself to the abbot and said
to him, 'Sir, Ghino, whose guest you are, sendeth to you, praying you
acquaint him whither you are bound and on what occasion.' The abbot,
like a wise man, had by this laid by his pride and told him whither he
went and why. Ghino, hearing this, took his leave and bethought
himself to go about to cure him without baths. Accordingly, he let
keep a great fire still burning in the little room and causing guard
the place well, returned not to the abbot till the following morning,
when he brought him, in a very white napkin, two slices of toasted
bread and a great beaker of his own Corniglia vernage[441] and
bespoke him thus, 'Sir, when Ghino was young, he studied medicine and
saith that he learned there was no better remedy for the
stomach-complaint than that which he purposeth to apply to you and of
which these things that I bring you are the beginning; wherefore do
you take them and refresh yourself.'

[Footnote 441: See p. 372, note.]

The abbot, whose hunger was greater than his desire to bandy words,
ate the bread and drank the wine, though he did it with an ill will,
and afte