nothing that they could aske which he would denie them, in somuch that
his fathers treasures were soone consumed, by reason whereof he was put
to his shifts to prouide more. For though substance wanted to shew his
liberalitie, yet there failed not in him a mind still to be bountifull,
sith continuall vse of giuing rewards, was in manner turned in him to a
nature, so that to furnish himselfe with monie and necessaries, he was
put to extremities vnbeséeming a king; and to bestow his beneuolence
vpon some, he spared not to impouerish others. [Sidenote: The liberall
hart of king William.] For in such sort he was liberall, that therewith
he was prodigall; and in such wise stout of courage, as proud withall;
and in such maner seuere, as he séemed cruell and inexorable. But what
meanes he vsed to make his best of benefices and spirituall liuings,
partlie appeareth before.

[Sidenote: Jewes.] In déed such was his condition, that who soeuer would
giue, might haue, & that oftentimes without respect, whether their sute
was reasonable and allowable or not, in somuch that it is said of him,
that being in Roan on a time, there came to him diuerse Jewes who
inhabited that citie, complaining to him, that diuerse of their nation
had renounced their Jewish religion, and were become christians:
wherefore they besought him, that for a certeine summe of monie which
they offered to giue, it might please him to constreine them to abiure
christianitie, and turne to the Jewish law againe. He was contented to
satisfie their desires, and so receiuing the monie, called them before
him, & what with threats, and putting them otherwise in feare, he
compelled diuerse of them to forsake Christ, and returne to their old
errors.

There was about the same time a yoong man a Jew, who by a vision
appearing vnto him (as is said) was conuerted to the christian faith,