marvellously at the remembrance thereof, some held their stomackes that
aked with joy, but every man delighted at this passing sport, so passed
out of the theatre. But I from the time that I uncovered the bodies
stood stil as cold as ice, no otherwise than as the other statues and
images there, neither came I into my right senses, until such time as
Milo my Host came and tooke mee by the hand, and with civil violence
lead me away weeping and sobbing, whether I would or no. And because
that I might be seene, he brought me through many blind wayes and lanes
to his house, where he went about to comfort me, beeing sad and yet
fearfull, with gentle entreaty of talke. But he could in no wise
mitigate my impatiency of the injury which I conceived within my minde.
And behold, by and by the Magistrates and Judges with their ensignes
entred into the house, and endeavoured to pacify mee in this sort,
saying, O Lucius, we are advertised of your dignity, and know the
genealogie of your antient lineage, for the nobility of your Kinne doe
possesse the greatest part of all this Province: and thinke not that
you have suffered the thing wherfore you weepe, to any reproach and
ignominy, but put away all care and sorrow out of your minde. For this
day, which we celebrate once a yeare in honour of the god Risus, is
alwaies renowned with some solemne novel, and the god doth continually
accompany with the inventor therof, and wil not suffer that he should
be sorrowfull, but pleasantly beare a joyfull face. And verily all the
City for the grace that is in you, intend to reward you with great
honours, and to make you a Patron. And further that your statue or
image may be set up for a perpetuall remembrance.
To whome I answered, As for such benefits as I have received of the
famous City of Thessaly, I yeeld and render the most entire thanks, but
as touching the setting up of any statues or images, I would wish that
they should bee reserved for myne Auntients, and such as are more
worthy than I.
And when I had spoken these words somewhat gravely, and shewed my selfe
more merry than I was before, the Judges and magistrates departed, and
I reverently tooke my leave of them, and bid them farewell. And behold,
by and by there came one running unto me in haste, and sayd, Sir, your
cousin Byrrhena desireth you to take the paines according to your
promise yester night, to come to supper, for it is ready. But I greatly
fearing to goe any more to her house in the night, said to the
messenger, My friend I pray you tell to my cousine your mistresse, that
I would willingly be at her commandement, but for breaking my troth and
credit. For myne host Milo enforced me to assure him, and compelled me
by the feast of this present day, that I should not depart from his
company, wherefore I pray you to excuse, and to defer my promise to
another time.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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