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se； marvellous rich； liberall； and wel deserved that which he had and had prepared many showes and pleasures for the Common people； insomuch that there is no man can either by wit or eloquence shew in words his worthy preparations ： for first he had provided all sorts of armes； hee greatly delighted in hunting and chasing； he ordained great towers and Tables to move hither and thither ： hee made many places to chase and encounter in ： he had ready a great number of men and wilde beasts； and many condemned persons were brought from the Judgement place； to try and fight with those beasts。 But amongst so great preparations of noble price； he bestowed the most part of his patrimony in buying of Beares； which he nourished to his great cost； and esteemed more than all the other beasts； which either by chasing hee caught himself； or which he dearely bought； or which were given him from divers of his friends。
Howbeit for all his sumptuous cost； hee could not be free from the malitious eyes of envy； for some of them were well nigh dead with too long tying up； some meagre with the broyling heat of the sunne； some languished with lying； but all having sundry diseases； were so afflicted that they died one after another； and there was well nigh none left； in such sort that you might see them lying in the streets pittiously dead。 And the common people having no other meat to feed on； little regarding any curiosity； would come forth and fill their bellies with the flesh of the beares。 Then by and by Babulus and I devised a pretty sport； wee drew one of the greatest of the Beares to our lodging； as though wee would prepare to eat thereof； where wee flayed of his skinne； and kept his ungles whole； but we medled not with the head； but cut it off by the necke； and so let it hang to the skinne。 Then we rased off the flesh from the necke； and cast dust thereon； and set it in the sun to dry。
THE TWENTIETH CHAPTER
How Thrasileon was disguised in a Beares skin； and how he was handled。
When the skin was a drying we made merry with the flesh； and then we devised with our selves； that one of us being more valiant than the rest both in body and courage （so that he would consent thereto） should put on the skin； and feigning that he were a Beare； should be led to Demochares house in the night； by which means we thought to be received and let in。 Many were desirous to play the Beare； but especially one Thrasileon of a couragious minde would take this enterprise in hand。 Then wee put in into the Beares skin； which him finely in every point； wee buckled it fast under his belly； and covered the seam with the haire； that it might not be seen。 After this we made little holes through the bears head； and through his nosthrils and eyes； for Thrasileon to see out and take wind at； in such sort that he seemed a very lively and natural beast ： when this was don we went into a cave which we hired for the purpose； and he crept in after like a bear with a good courage。 Thus we began our subtility； and then wee imagined thus； wee feigned letters as though they came from one Nicanor which dwelt in the Country of Thracia； which was of great acquaintance with this Demochares； wherein we wrote； that hee had sent him being his friend； the first fruits of his coursing and hunting。 When night was come； which was a meet time for our purpose； we brought Thrasileon and our forged letters and presented them to Demochares。 When Demochares beheld this mighty Beare； and saw the liberality of Nicanor his friend； hee commanded his servants to deliver unto us x。 crowns； having great store in his coffers。 Then （as the novelty of a thing doth accustom to stir mens minds to behold the same） many persons came on every side to see this bear ： but Thrasileon； lest they should by curious viewing and prying perceive the truth； ran upon them to put them in feare that they durst not come nigh。 The people said； Verily Demochares is right happy； in that after the death of so many beasts； hee hath gotten maugre fortunes head； so goodly a bear。 Then Demochares commanded him with all care to be put in the park with all the other beasts ： but immediately I spake unto him and said； Sir I pray you take heed how you put a beast tired with the heat of the sun and with long travell； among others which as I hear say have divers maladies and diseases； let him rather lie in some open place in your house nie some water； where he may take air and ease himself； for doe you not know that such kind of beasts do greatly delight to couch under the shadow of trees and hillocks neer pleasant wells and waters？ Hereby Demochares admonished； and remembring how many he had before that perished； was contented that we should put the bear where we would。 Moreover we said unto him； that we ourselves were determined to lie all night neer the Bear； to look unto him； and to give him meat and drink at his due houre。
Then he answered； Verily masters you need not put yourselves to such paines； for I have men that serve for nothing but that purpose。 So wee tooke leave of him and departed ： and when we were come without the gates of the town； we perceived before us a great sepulchre standing out of the highway in a privy and secret place； and thither we went and opened the mouth thereof； whereas we found the sides covered with the corruption of man； and the ashes and dust of his long buried body； wherein we got ourselves to bring our purpose to passe； and having respect to the dark time of night； according to our custome； when we thought that every one was asleepe； we went with our weapons and besieged the house of Demochares round about。 Then Thrasileon was ready at hand； and leaped out of the caverne； and went to kill all such as he found asleepe ： but when he came to the Porter； he opened the gates and let us in； and then he shewed us a large Counter； wherein we saw the night before a great aboundance of treasure ： which when by violence we had broke open； I bid every one of my fellows take as much gold and silver as they could carry away ： and beare it to the sepulchre； and still as they carried away I stood at the gate； watching diligently when they would returne。 The Beare running about the house； to make such of the family afeared as fortuned to wake and come out。 For who is he that is so puissant and couragious； that at the ougly sight of so great a monster will not quayle and keep his chamber especially in the night？ But when wee had brought this matter to so good a point； there chanced a pittifull case； for as I looked for my companions that should come from the sepulchre； behold there was a Boy of the house that fortuned to looke out of a window； and espied the Bear running about； and he went and told all the servants of the house。 Whereupon incontinently they came forth with Torches； Lanthornes； and other lights； that they might see all the yard over ： they came with clubs； speares； naked swords； Greyhounds； and Mastifes to slay the poore beast。 Then I during this broyle thought to run away； but because I would see Thrasileon fight with the Dogs； I lay behinde the gate to behold him。 And although I might perceive that he was well nigh dead； yet remembred he his owne faithfulnes and ours