t apparent to the eies of all men, the Sergeant charged
me by commandement of the Judges, and thrust me forward to do the
same. I being then forced by necessity, though it were against my wil,
uncovered the bodies: but O good Lord what a strange sight did I see,
what a monster? What sudden change of all my sorrows? I seemed as
though I were one of the house of Proserpina and of the family of death,
insomuch that I could not sufficiently expresse the forme of this new
sight, so far was I amased and astonied thereat: for why, the bodies of
the three slaine men were no bodies, but three blown bladders mangled
in divers places, and they seemed to be wounded in those parts where
I remembred I wounded the theeves the night before. Whereat the people
laughed exceedingly: some rejoyced marvellously at the remembrance
thereof, some held their stomackes that aked with joy, but every man
delighted at this passing sport, so passed out of the theatre. But I
from the time that I uncovered the bodies stood stil as cold as ice,
no otherwise than as the other statues and images there, neither came I
into my right senses, until such time as Milo my Host came and tooke mee
by the hand, and with civil violence lead me away weeping and sobbing,
whether I would or no. And because that I might be seene, he brought me
through many blind wayes and lanes to his house, where he went about to
comfort me, beeing sad and yet fearfull, with gentle entreaty of talke.
But he could in no wise mitigate my impatiency of the injury which I
conceived within my minde. And behold, by and by the Magistrates and
Judges with their ensignes entred into the house, and endeavoured to
pacify mee in this sort, saying, O Lucius, we are advertised of your
dignity, and know the genealogie of your antient lineage, for the
nobility of your Kinne doe possesse the greatest part of all this
Province: and thinke not that you have suffered the thing wherfore you
weepe, to any reproach and ignominy, but put away all care and sorrow
out of your minde. For this day, which we celebrate once a yeare in
honour of the god Risus, is alwaies renowned with some solemne novel,
and the god doth continually accompany with the inventor therof, and wil
not suffer that he should be sorrowfull, but pleasantly beare a joyfull
face. And verily all the City for the grace that is in you, intend to
reward you with great honours, and to make you a Patron. And further
that your statue or image may be s