Poore Frederigo, although his necessity was extreame, and his greefe great,--remembering his former inordinate expences, a moity whereof would now hauve stood him in some stead; yet he had a heart as free and forward as euer, not a iotte dejected in his minde, though vtterly overthrowne by fortune. Alas! how was his good soule afflicted, that he had nothing wherewith to honour his lady! Up and downe he runnes, one while this way, then againe another, exclaiming on his disastrous fate, like a man enraged or bereft of his senses; for he had not one penny of mony, neither pawne or pledge wherewith to procure any. The time hasted on, and he would gladly (though in meane measure) expresse his honourable respect of the lady. To begge of any his nature denied it; and to borrow he could not, because his neighbours were all as needie as himselfe. At last, looking round about, and seeing his faulcone on her perch, which he felt to be very plumpe and fat; Being voyde of all other helpes in his neede, and thinking her to be a fowle meete for so noble a lady to feede on, without any further demurring or delay he pluckt off her neck, and caused the poor woman presently to pull her feathers: which being done, he put her on the spit, and in a short time she was daintily roasted. Himselfe couered the table, set bread and salt on,--and laid the napkins, whereof he had but a few left him. Going then with chearfull lookes into the garden, telling the lady that dinner was ready, and nothing was wanted but her presence; shee, and the gentlewoman went in, and being seted at the table, not knowing what they fed on, the faulcon was all their foode: and Frederigo not a little ioyfull that his credit was so well saued. When they were risen from the table and had spent some small time in familiar conference, the lady thought it fit to acquaint him with the reason of her comming thither; and therefore (in very kinde manner) thus began: “Frederigo, if you do yet remember your former carriage towards me (as also my many modest and chaste denials) which (perhaps) you thought to sauour of a harsh, cruell, and vn-womanly nature, I make no doubt but you will wonder at my present presumption, when you vnderstand the occasion which expressely mooued me to come hither. But if you were possessed of children, or euer had any, whereby you might comprehend what love in nature is due vnto them: then I durst assure my selfe that you would partly hold me excused.