that hee had conveyed the whole speare within the closure of his body,
and brought it out againe behind, there appeared on the top thereof
(which caused us all to marvell) a faire boy pleasant and nimble,
winding and turning himself in such sort, that you would suppose he had
neither bone nor gristle, and verily thinke that he were the naturall
Serpent, creeping and sliding on the knotted staffe, which the god of
Medicine is feigned to beare. But turning me to him that began his tale,
I pray you (quoth I) follow your purpose, and I alone will give credit
unto you, and for your paynes will pay your charges at the next Inne we
come unto. To whom he answered Certes sir I thank you for your gentle
offer, and at your request I wil proceed in my tale, but first I will
sweare unto you by the light of this Sunne that shineth here, that
those things shall be true, least when you come to the next city called
Thessaly, you should doubt any thing of that which is rife in the
mouthes of every person, and done before the face of all men. And that I
may first make relation to you, what and who I am, and whither I go, and
for what purpose, know you that I am of Egin, travelling these countries
about from Thessaly to Etolia, and from Etolia to Boetia, to provide for
honey, cheese, and other victuals to sell againe: and understanding that
at Hippata (which is the principall city of all Thessaly), is accustomed
to be soulde new cheeses of exceeding good taste and relish, I fortuned
on a day to go thither, to make my market there: but as it often
happeneth, I came in an evill houre; for one Lupus a purveyor had bought
and ingrossed up all the day before, and so I was deceived.

Wherefore towards night being very weary, I went to the Baines to
refresh my selfe, and behold, I fortuned to espy my companion Socrates
sitting upon the ground, covered with a torn and course mantle; who was
so meigre and of so sallow and miserable a countenance, that I scantly
knew him: for fortune had brought him into such estate and calamity,