mee mischievous
harlot, or rather slay me.

And thinke you not that I did willingly procure this anguish and sorrow
unto you, I call the gods to witnesse. For I had rather myne owne body
to perish, than that you should receive or sustaine any harme by my
means, but that which I did was by the commandement of another, and
wrought as I thought for some other, but behold the unlucky chance
fortuned on you by my evill occasion.

The I, very curious and desirous to know the matter, answered, In faith
(quoth I), this most pestilent and evill favoured whip which thou hast
brought to scourge thee withal, shal first be broken in a thousand
pieces, than it should touch or hurt thy delicate and dainty skin. But I
pray you tell me how have you been the cause and mean of my trouble and
sorrow? For I dare sweare by the love that I beare unto you, and I will
not be perswaded, though you your selfe should endeavour the same, that
ever you went to trouble or harm me: perhaps sometimes you imagined an
evil thought in your mind, which afterwards you revoked, but that is not
to bee deemed as a crime.

When I had spoken these words, I perceived by Fotis eys being wet with
tears and well nigh closed up that shee had a desire unto pleasure and
specially because shee embraced and kissed me sweetly. And when she was
somewhat restored unto joy shee desired me that shee might first shut
the chamber doore, least by the untemperance of her tongue, in
uttering any unfitting words, there might grow further inconvenience.
Wherewithall shee barred and propped the doore, and came to me againe,
and embracing me lovingly about the neck with both her armes, spake with
a soft voice and said, I doe greatly feare to discover the privities
of this house, and to utter the secret mysteries of my dame. But I have
such confidence in you and in your wisedome, by reason that you are come
of so noble a line, and endowed with so profound sapience, and further
instructed in so many holy and divine things, that you will faithfully
keepe silence, and that whatsoever I shall reveale or declare unto
you, you would close them within the bottome of your heart, and never
discover the same: for I ensure you, the love that I beare unto you,
enforceth mee to utter it. Now shal you know all the estate of our
house, now shal you know the hidden secrets of my mistres, unto whome
the powers of hel do obey, and by whom the celestial planets are
troubled, the gods made weake, and