gentleman and expelled
from his house and poor and having many and puissant enemies, and not
evilness of mind, that brought Ghino di Tacco (who is none other than
myself) to be, for the defence of his life and his nobility, a
highway-robber and an enemy of the court of Rome. Nevertheless, for
that you seem to me a worthy gentleman, I purpose not, now that I have
cured you of your stomach-complaint, to use you as I would another,
from whom, he being in my hands as you are, I would take for myself
such part of his goods as seemed well to me; nay, it is my intent that
you, having regard to my need, shall appoint to me such part of your
good as you yourself will. It is all here before you in its entirety
and your horses you may from this window see in the courtyard; take,
therefore, both part and all, as it pleaseth you, and from this time
forth be it at your pleasure to go or to stay.'

The abbot marvelled to hear such generous words from a highway-robber
and was exceeding well pleased therewith, insomuch that, his anger and
despite being of a sudden fallen, nay, changed into goodwill, he
became Ghino's hearty friend and ran to embrace him, saying, 'I vow to
God that, to gain the friendship of a man such as I presently judge
thee to be, I would gladly consent to suffer a far greater affront
than that which meseemed but now thou hadst done me. Accursed be
fortune that constrained thee to so damnable a trade!' Then, letting
take of his many goods but a very few necessary things, and the like
of his horses, he left all the rest to Ghino and returned to Rome. The
pope had had news of the taking of the abbot and albeit it had given
him sore concern, he asked him, when he saw him, how the baths had
profited him; whereto he replied, smiling, 'Holy Father, I found a
worthy physician nearer than at the baths, who hath excellently well
cured me'; and told him how, whereat the pope laughed, and the abbot,
following on his speech and moved by a magnanimous spirit, craved a
boon of him. The pope, thinking he would demand otherwhat, freely
offered to do that which he should ask; and the abbot said, 'Holy
Father, that which I mean to ask of you is that you restore your
favour to Ghino di Tacco, my physician, for that, of all the men of
worth and high account whom I ever knew, he is certes one of the most
deserving; and for this ill that he doth, I hold it much more
fortune's fault than his; the which[442] if you change by bestowing on
h