family. Whereunto I (being joyous of by unhoped gaine, and ratling my
money in my hand) did answer, I pray you madam esteeme me as one of
your servants, and if you want my service at any time, I am at your
commandement. I had not fully declared these words, when as behold all
the servants of the house were assembled with weapons to drive me away,
one buffeted me about the face, another about the shoulders, some strook
me in the sides, some kicked me, and some tare my garments, and so I was
handled amongst them and driven from the house, as the proud young man
Adonis who was torn by a Bore. And when I was come into the next street,
I mused with my selfe, and remembred myne unwise and unadvised words
which I had spoken, whereby I considered that I had deserved much more
punishment, and that I was worthily beaten for my folly. And by and by
the corps came forth, which because it was the body of one of the chiefe
of the city, was carried in funeral pompe round about the market place,
according to the right of the countrey there. And forthwith stepped out
an old man weeping and lamenting, and ranne unto the Biere and embraced
it, and with deepe sighes and sobs cried out in this sort, O masters, I
pray you by the faith which you professe, and by the duty which you owe
unto the weale publique, take pitty and mercy upon this dead corps, who
is miserably murdered, and doe vengeance on this wicked and cursed woman
his wife which hath committed this fact: for it is shee and no other
which hath poysoned her husband my sisters sonne, to the intent to
maintaine her whoredome, and to get his heritage. In this sort the old
man complained before the face of all people. Then they (astonied at
these sayings, and because the thing seemed to be true) cried out, Burne
her, burne her, and they sought for stones to throw at her, and willed
the boys in the street to doe the same. But shee weeping in lamentable
wise, did swear by all the gods, that shee was not culpable of this
crime. No quoth the old man, here is one sent by the providence of
God to try out the matter, even Zachlas an Egypptian, who is the most