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sanctified body） into the great Church； where people； halt； lame；
and blind； or troubled with any other diseases； were brought about it；
even as if every one should forth…with be holpen； onely by their
touching the body。
It came to passe； that in so great a concourse of people； as
resorted thither from all parts； three of our Citizens went to
Trevers； one of them being named Stechio； the second Martellino； and
the third Marquiso； all being men of such condition； as frequented
Princes Courts； to give them delight by pleasant and counterfetted
qualities。 None of these men having ever beene at Trevers before；
seeing how the people crowded thorow the streetes； wondered greatly
thereat： but when they knew the reason why the throngs ranne on heapes
in such sort together； they grew as desirous to see the Shrine； as any
of the rest。 Having ordered all affaires at their lodging； Marquiso
saide； It is fit for us to see this Saint； but I know not how we shall
attaine thereto； because （as I have heard） the place is guarded by
Germaine Souldiers； and other warlike men； commanded thither by the
Governour of this City； least any outrage should be there committed：
And beside； the Church is so full of people； as we shall never
compasse to get neere。 Martellino being also as forward in desire to
see it； presently replied。 All this difficulty cannot dismay me； but I
will go to the very body of the Saint it selfe。 But how？ quoth
Marquiso。 I will tell thee； answered Martellino。 I purpose to go in
the disguise of an impotent lame person； supported on the one side
by thy selfe； and on the other by Stechio； as if I were not able to
walke of my selfe： And you two thus sustaining me； desiring to come
neere the Saint to cure me； every one will make way； and freely give
you leave to go on。
This devise was very pleasing to Marquiso and Stechio； so that
（without any further delaying） they all three left their lodging；
and resorting into a secret corner aside； Martellino so writhed and
mishaped his hands； fingers； and armes； his legges； mouth； eyes； and
whole countenance； that it was a dreadfull sight to looke upon him；
and whosoever beheld him； would verily have imagined； that hee was
utterly lame of his limbes； and greatly deformed in his body。 Marquiso
and Stechio； seeing all sorted so well as they could wish； tooke and
led him towards the Church； making very pitious moane； and humbly
desiring （for Gods sake） of every one that they met； to grant them
free passage： whereto they charitably condiscended。
Thus leading him on； crying； Beware there before； and give way for
Gods sake； they arrived at the body of Saint Arriguo； that （by his
helpe） he might be healed。 And while all eyes were diligently
observing； what miracle would be wrought on Martellino； he having
sitten a small space upon the Saints body； and being sufficiently
skilfull in counterfeiting； began first to extend forth the one of his
fingers； next his hand； then his arme； and so （by degrees） the rest of
his body。 Which when the people saw； they made such a wonderfull noyse
in praise of Saint Arriguo； even as if it had thundered in the Church。
Now it chanced by ill fortune； that there stood a Florentine neere
to the body； who knew Martellino very perfectly； but appearing so
monstrously mishapen； when he was brought into the Church； hee could
take no knowledge of him。 But when he saw him stand up and walke；
hee knew him then to be the man indeede； whereupon he saide。 How
commeth it to passe； that this fellow should be so miraculously cured；
that never truly was any way impotent？ Certaine men of the City
hearing these words； entred into further questioning with him；
demanding； how he knew that the man had no such imperfection？ Well
enough （answered the Florentine） I know him to be as direct in his
limbes and body； as you； I； or any of us all are： but indeede； he
knowes better how to dissemble counterfet trickes； then any man else
that ever I saw。
When they heard this； they discoursed no further with the
Florentine； but pressed on mainely to the place where Martellino
stood； crying out aloude。 Lay hold on this Traytor； a mocker of God；
and his holy Saints； that had no lamenesse in his limbes； but to
make a mocke of our Saint and us； came hither in false and counterfeit
manner。 So laying hands uppon him； they threw him against the
ground； having him by the haire on his head； and tearing the
garments from his backe； spurning him with their feete； and beating
him with their fists； that many were much ashamed to see it。
Poore Martellino was in a pittifull case； crying out for mercy；
but no man would heare him； for； the more he cryed； the more still
they did beat him； as meaning to leave no life in him： which Stechio
and Marquiso seeing； considered with themselves； that they were
likewise in a desperate case； and therefore； fearing to be as much
misused； they cryed out among the rest； Kill the counterfet knave； lay
on loade； and spare him not； neverthelesse； they tooke care how to get
him out of the peoples handes； as doubting； least they would kill
him indeede； by their extreame violence。
Sodainly； Marquiso bethought him how to do it； and proceeded thus。
All the Sergeants for Justice standing at the Church doore； hee ran
with all possible speede to the Potestates Lieutenant； and said unto
him。 Good my Lord Justice； helpe me in an hard case； yonder is a
villaine that hath cut my purse； I desire he may bee brought before
you； that I may have my money againe。 He hearing this； sent for a
dozen of the Sergeants； who went to apprehend unhappy Martellino；
and recover him from the peoples fury； leading him on with them to the
Palace； no meane crowds thronging after him； when they heard that he
was accused to bee a Cutpurse。 Now durst they meddle no more with him；
but assisted the Officers； some of them charging him in like manner；
that hee had cut their purses also。
Upon these clamours and complaints； the Potestates Lieutenant （being
a man of rude quality） tooke him sodainly aside； and examined him of
the crimes wherewith he was charged。 But Martellino； as making no
account of these accusations； laughed； and returned scoffing answeres。
Whereat the Judge； waxing much displeased； delivered him over to the
Strappado； and stood by himselfe； to have him confesse the crimes
imposed on him； and then to hang him afterward。 Being let downe to the
ground； the Judge still demaunded of him； whether the accusations
against him were true； or no？ Affirming； that it nothing avayled him
to deny it： whereupon hee thus spake to the Judge。 My Lord； I am heere
ready before you； to confesse the truth； but I pray you； demaund of
all them that accuse me； when and where I did cut their purses； and
then I wil tell you that； which （as yet） I have not done； otherwise
I purpose to make you no more answers。
Well （quoth the Judge） thou requirest but reason； and calling
divers of the accusers； one of them saide； that he lost his purse
eight dayes before； another saide six； another foure； and some saide
the very same day。 Which Martellino hearing； replyed。 My Lord； they
all lie in their throats； as I will plainly prove before you。 I
would to God I had never set foot within this City； as it is not
many houres since my first entrance； and presently after mine
arrivall； I went （in evill houre I may say for me） to see the Saints
body； where I was thus beaten as you may beholde。 That all this is
true which I say unto you； the Seigneurie Officer that keeps your
Booke of presentations； will testifie for me； as also the Host where I
am lodged。 Wherefore good my Lord； if you finde all no otherwise； then
as I have said； I humbly entreate you； that upon these bad mens
reportes and false informations； I may not be thus tormented； and
put in perill of my life。
While matters proceeded in this manner； Marquiso and Stechio；
understanding how roughly the Potestates Lieutenant dealt with
Martellino； and that he had already given him the Strappado； were in
heavy perplexity； saying to themselves； we have carried this businesse
very badly； redeeming him out of the Frying…pan； and flinging him into
the fire。 Whereupon； trudging abo