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although I might perceive that he was well nigh dead； yet remembred he his owne faithfulnes and ours； and valiantly resisted the gaping and ravenous mouths of the hell hounds； so tooke hee in gree the pagiant which willingly he tooke in hand himself； and with much adoe tumbled at length out of the house ： but when hee was at liberty abroad yet could he not save himself； for all the dogs of the Streete joyned themselves to the greyhounds and mastifes of the house； and came upon him。
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。
When night was come the Theeves awaked and rose up； and when they had buckled on their weapons； and disguised their faces with visards； they departed。 And yet for all the great sleep that came upon me； I could in no wise leave eating ： and whereas when I was a man I could be contented with one or two loaves at the most； now my huts were so greedy that three panniers full would scantly serve me； and while I considered these things the morning came； and being led to a river； notwithstanding my Assie shamefastnesse I quencht my thirst。 And suddenly after； the Theeves returned home carefull and heavy； bringing no burthens with them； no not so much as traffe or baggage； save only a maiden； that seemed by her habit to be some gentlewoman borne； and the daughter of some worthy matron of that country； who was so fair and beautiful； that though I were an Asse； yet I had a great affection for her。 The virgin lamented and tare her hair； and rent her garments； for the great sorrow she was in； but the theeves brought her within the cave； and assisted her to comfort in this sort； Weep not fair gentlewoman we pray you； for be you assured we wil do no outrage or violence to your person ： but take patience a while for our profit； for necessity and poore estate hath compelled us to do this enterprise ： we warrant you that your parents； although they bee covetous； will be contented to give us a great quantity of mony to redeeme and ransome you from our hands。
With such and like flattering words they endeavoured to appease the gentlewoman； howbeit shee would in no case be comforted； but put her head betwixt her knees； and cried pittiously。 Then they called the old woman； and commaunded her to sit by the maiden； and pacify her dolor as much as shee might。 And they departed away to rob； as they were accustomed to doe； but the virgin would not asswage her griefes； nor mitigate her sorrow by any entreaty of the old woman； but howled and sobbed in such sort； that she made me poore Asse likewise to weepe； and thus she said； Alas can I poore wench live any longer； that am come of so good a house； forsaken of my parents； friends； and family； made a rapine and prey； closed servilely in this stony prison； deprived of all pleasure； wherein I have been brought up； thrown in danger； ready to be rent in pieces among so many sturdy theeves and dreadful robbers； can I （I say） cease from weeping； and live any longer？ Thus she cried and lamented； and after she had wearied herself with sorrow and blubbered her face with teares； she closed the windowes of her hollow eyes； and laid her downe to sleepe。 And after that she had slept； she rose again like a furious and mad woman； and beat her breast and comely face more that she did before。
Then the old woman enquired the causes of her new and sudden lamentation。 To whom sighing in pittifull sort she answered； Alas now I am utterly undone； now am I out of all hope； O give me a knife to kill me； or a halter to hang me。 Whereat the old ＇woman＇ was more angry； and severely commanded her to tell her the cause of her sorrow； and why after her sleep； she should renew her dolour and miserable weeping。 What； thinke you （quoth she） to deprive our young men of the price of your ransome？ No； no therefore cease your crying； for the Theeves doe little esteeme your howling； and if you do not； I will surely burn you alive。 Hereat the maiden was greatly feared； and kissed her hand and said； O mother take pitty upon me and my wretched fortune； and give me license a while to speake； for I think I shall not long live； let there be mercy ripe and franke in thy venerable hoare head； and hear the sum of my calamity。
There was a comely young man； who for his bounty and grace was beloved entirely of all the towne； my cousine Germane； and but three years older than I； we two were nourished and brought up in one house； lay under one roofe； and in one chamber； and at length by promise of marriage； and by consent of our parents we were contracted together。 The marriage day was come； the house was garnished with lawrel； and torches were set in every place in the honour of Hymeneus； my espouse was accompanied by his parents； kinsfolke； and friends； and made sacrifices in the temples and publique places。 And when my unhappy mothe