Alas what a pittifull sight it was to see our poore Thrasileon thus
environed and compassed with so many dogs that tare and rent him
miserably. Then I impatient of so great a misery, ranne in among the
prease of people, and ayding him with my words as much as I might,
exhorted them all in this manner: O great and extreame mischance, what
a pretious and excellent beast have we lost. But my words did nothing
prevaile, for there came out a tall man with a speare in his hand, that
thrust him cleane through, and afterwards many that stood by drew out
their swords, and so they killed him. But verily our good Captaine
Thrasileon, the honour of our comfort, received his death so patiently,
that he would not bewray the league betweene us, either by crying,
howling, or any other meanes, but being torn with dogs and wounded with
weapons, did yeeld forth a dolefull cry, more like unto a beast than a
man. And taking his present fortune in good part, with courage and
glory enough did finish his life, with such a terror unto the assembly,
that no person was hardy until it was day, as to touch him, though hee
were starke dead: but at last there came a Butcher more valiant than
the rest, who opening the panch of the beast, slit out an hardy and
ventrous theefe.
In this manner we lost our Captain Thrasileon, but he left not his fame
and honour.
When this was done wee packed up our treasure, which we committed to
the sepulchre to keepe, and got out of the bounds of Platea, thus
thinking with our selves, that there was more fidelity amongst the dead
than amongst the living, by reason that our preyes were so surely kept
in the sepulchre. So being wearied with the weight of our burthens, and
well nigh tyred with long travell, having lost three of our soldiers,
we are come home with these present cheats.
Thus when they had spoken in memory of their slaine companions, they
tooke cups of gold, and sung hymns unto the god mars, and layd them
downe to sleep. Then the old woman gave us fresh barley without
measure, insomuch that my horse fed so abundantly that he might well
thinke hee was at some banquet that day. But I that was accustomed to
eat bran and flower, thought that but a sower kinde of meate. Wherfore
espying a corner where lay loaves of bread for all the house I got me
thither and filled my hungry guts therewith.
THE TWENTY-FIRST CHAPTER
How the Theeves stole away a Gentlewoman, and brought her to their den.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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