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much more esteeme； then there he could use towards them： wherefore； it
did highly distast him； that he had no more friends there this night
to keepe them company； or himselfe better provided for their
entertainment； which hee intended （on the morrow） to recompence with
larger amends at dinner。
Heereupon； having instructed one of his men with what hee
intended； he sent him to Pavia； which was not farre off （and where
he kept no doore shut） to his Wife； named Madam Adialetta； a Woman
singularly wise； and of a Noble spirit； needing little or no
direction； especially when she knew her husbands minde。 As they were
walking in the Garden； Thorello desired to understand； of whence；
and what they were？ Whereto Saladine thus answered。 Sir； wee are
Cyprian Marchants； comming now from Cyprus； and are travalling to
Paris； about affaires of importance。 Now trust me Syr； replyed
Thorello； I could heartily wish； that this Countrey of ours would
yeeld such Gentlemen； as your Cyprus affordeth Marchants。 So；
falling from one discourse unto another； Supper was served in； and
looke howe best themselves pleased； so they sate at the Table； where
（we need make no doubt） they were respected in honourable order。
So soone as the Tables were withdrawne； Thorello knowing they
might be weary； brought them againe to their Chambers； where
committing them to their good rest； himselfe went to bed soone
after。 The Servant sent to Pavia； delivered the message to his Lady；
who； not like a woman of ordinary disposition； but rather truely
Royall； sent Thorelloes servants into the City； to make preparation
for a Feast indeed； and with lighted Torches （because it was
somewhat late） they invited the very greatest and noblest persons of
the Citie； all the roomes being hanged with the richest Arras； Clothes
and Golde worke； Velvets； Silkes； and all other rich adornments； in
such manner as her husband had commanded； and answerable to her owne
worthy mind； being no way to learne； in what manner to entertaine
strangers。
On the morrow morning； the Gentlemen arose； and mounting on
horsebacke with Signior Thorello； he called for his Hawkes and Hounds；
brought them to the River； where he shewed two or three faire flights：
but Saladine desiring to know； which was the fayrest Hostery in all
Pavia； Thorello answered。 Gentlemen； I wil shew you that my selfe；
in regard I have occasion to ride thither。 Which they beleeving；
were the better contented； and rode on directly unto Pavia； arriving
there about nine of the clocke； and thinking he guided them to the
best Inne； he brought them to his owne house； where； above fifty of
the worthiest Citizens； stood ready to welcome the Gentlemen；
imbracing them as they lighted from their Horsses。 Which Saladine； and
his associates perceiving； they guessed as it was indeede； and
Saladine sayd。 Beleeve me worthy Thorello； this is not answerable to
my demand； you did too much yester night； and much more then we
could desire or deserve： Wherefore； you might wel be the sooner
discharged of us； and let us travaile on our journey。
Noble Gentlemen； replyed Thorello （for in mine eye you seeme no
lesse） that courtesie which you met with yester…night； I am to
thanke Fortune for； more then you； because you were then straited by
such necessity； as urged your acceptance of my poore Country house。
But now this morning； I shall account my selfe much beholding to you
（as the like will all these worthy Gentlemen here about you） if you do
but answer kindnes with kindnes； and not refuse to take a homely
dinner with them。
Saladine and his friends； being conquerd with such potent
perswasions； and already dismounted from their horses； saw that all
deniall was meerly in vaine： and therefore thankfully condiscending
（after some few ceremonious complements were over…past） the
Gentlemen conducted them to their Chambers； which were most
sumptuously prepared for them； and having laid aside their riding
garments； being a little re reshed with Cakes and choice Wines； they
descended into the dining Hall； the pompe whereof I am not able to
report。
When they had washed； and were seated at the Tables； dinner was
served in most magnificent sort； so that if the Emperor himself had
bin there； he could not have bin more sumptuously served。 And although
Saladine and his Baschaes were very Noble Lords； and wonted to see
matters of admiration： yet could they do no lesse now； but rather
exceeded in marvaile； considering the qualitie of the Knight； whom
they knew to bee a Citizen； and no Prince or great Lord。 Dinner
being ended； and divers familiar conferences passing amongst them：
because it was exceeding hot； the Gentlemen of Pavia （as it pleased
Thorello to appoint） went to repose themselves awhile； and he
keeping company with his three guests； brought them into a goodly
Chamber； where； because he would not faile in the least scruple of
courtesie； or conceale from them the richest jewell which he had； he
sent for his Lady and wife； because （as yet） they had not seene her。
She was a Lady of extraordinary beauty； tall stature； very
sumptuously attired； and having two sweet Sonnes （resembling Angels）
she came with them waiting before her； and graciously saluted her
guests。
At her comming； they arose； and having received hir with great
reverence； they seated her in the midst； kindly cherishing the two
Children。 After some gracious Language past on eyther side； she
demanded of whence； and what they were； which they answered in the
same kind as they had done before to her husband。 Afterward； with a
modest smiling countenance； she sayd。 Worthy Gentlemen； let not my
weake Womanish discretion appeare distastable； in desiring to crave
one especiall favour from you； namely； not to refuse or disdaine a
small gift； wherewith I purpose to present you。 But considering first；
that women （according to their simple faculty） are able to bestow
but silly gifts： so you would be pleased； to respect more the person
that is the giver； then the quality or quantity of the gift。
Then causing to be brought （for each of them） two goodly gowns or
Robes （made after the Persian manner） the one lyned thorough with
cloth of Gold； and the other with the costlyest Fur； not after such
fashion as Citizens or Marchants use to weare； but rather beseeming
Lords of greatest account； and three light under…wearing Cassocks or
Mandillions； of Carnatian Sattin； richly Imbroidred with Gold and
Pearles； and lined thorow with White Taffata； presenting these gifts
to him； she sayd。 I desire you Gentlemen to receive these meane
trifies； such as you see my Husband weares the like； and these other
beside； considering you are so far from your Wives； having travailed a
long way already； and many miles more yet to overtake； also
Marchants （being excellent men） affect to be comely and handsome in
their habits； although these are of slender value； yet （in
necessity） they may do you service。
Now was Saladine and his Baschaes halfe astonyed with admiration； at
the magnificent minde of Signiour Thorello； who would not forget the
least part of courtesie towardes them； and greatly doubted （seeing the
beauty and riches of the Garments） least they were discovered by
Thorello。 Neverthelesse； one of them thus answered the Lady。 Beleeve
me Madame； these are rich guiftes； not lightly either to be given；
rich or receyved： but in regard of your strict imposition； we are
not able to deny them。 This being done； with most gracious and
courteous demeanour； she departed from them； leaving her Husband to
keepe them still companie； who furnished their servants also； with
divers worthy necessaries fitting for their journey。
Afterward； Thorello （by very much importunitie） wonne them to stay
with him all the rest of the day； wherefore； when they had rested
themselves awhile； being attyred in their newly given robes； they rode
on Horsebacke thorow the Citty。 When supper time came； they supt in
most honourable and worthy company； beeing afterwards Lodged in most
faire and sumptuous Chambers； and being risen in the morning； in
exchange of their horses （over…wearied with Travaile） they found three
other very richly furnished； and