Then I answered and sayd, Have no care of me Fotis, for I esteeme the
pleasure which I have with thee, above the dainty meats that I eat
abroad, and therefore I will returne againe quickly. Neverthelesse I
minde not to come without company, for I have here my sword, wherby I
hope to defend my selfe.
And so in this sort I went to supper, and behold I found in Byrrhena’s
house a great company of strangers, and the chiefe and principall of
the city: the beds made of Citron and Ivory, were richly adorned and
spread with cloath of gold, the Cups were garnished pretiously, and
there were divers other things of sundry fashion, but of like
estimation and price: here stood a glasse gorgeously wrought, there
stood another of Christall finely painted. There stood a cup of
glittering silver, and there stood another of shining gold, and here
was another of amber artificially carved and made with pretious stones.
Finally, there was all things that might be desired: the Servitors
waited orderly at the table in rich apparell, the pages arrayed in
silke robes, did fill great gemmes and pearles made in the forme of
cups, with excellent wine. Then one brought in Candles and Torches, and
when we were set down and placed in order, we began to talke, to laugh,
and to be merry. And Byrrhena spake unto mee and sayd, I pray you
Cousine how like you our countrey? Verily I think there is no other
City which hath the like Temples, Baynes, and other commodities which
we have here. Further we have abundance of household stuffe, we have
pleasure, we have ease, and when the Roman merchants arrive in this
City they are gently and quietly entertained, and all that dwell within
this province (when they purpose to solace and repose themselves) do
come to this city. Whereunto I answered, Verily (quoth I) you tell
truth, for I can finde no place in all the world which I like better
than this, but I greatly feare the blind inevitable trenches of
witches, for they say that the dead bodies are digged out of their
graves, and the bones of them that are burnt be stollen away, and the
toes and fingers of such as are slaine are cut off, and afflict and
torment such as live. And the old Witches as soone as they heare of the
death of any person, do forthwith goe and uncover the hearse and spoyle
the corpse, to work their inchantments. Then another sitting at the
table spake and sayd, In faith you say true, neither yet do they spare
or favor the living. For I know one not farre hence that was cruelly
handled by them, who being not contented with cutting off his nose, did
likewise cut off his eares, whereat all the people laughed heartily,
and looked at one that sate at the boords end, who being amased at
their gazing, and somewhat angry withall, would have risen from the
table, had not Byrrhena spake unto him and sayd, I pray thee friend
Bellerophon sit still and according to thy accustomed curtesie declare
unto us the losse of thy nose and eares, to the end that my cousin
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account