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likewise told him； how kindly they had bin initeated by Ghinotto。
But when dinner time was come； the Lord Abbot and all his company；
were served with costly viands and excellent Wines； without Ghinottoes
making himselfe knowne to the Abbot： till after he had beene
entertained some few dayes in this order： into the great Hall of the
Castle； Ghinotto caused all the Abbots goods and furniture to bee
brought； and likewise into a spacious Court； wheron the windowes of
the said Court gazed； all his mules and horses； with their sumpters；
even to the very silliest of them； which being done； Ghinotto went
to the Abbot； and demaunded of him； how he felt his stomacke now；
and whether it would serve him to venter on horsebacke as yet； or
no？ The Lord Abbot answered； that he found his stomacke perfectly
recovered； his body strong enough to endure travell； and all things
well； so hee were delivered from Ghinotto。
Hereupon； he brought him into the hall where his furniture was； as
also all his people； and commanding a window to be opned； wherat he
might behold his horses； he said。 My Lord； let me plainely give you to
understand； that neither cowardise； or basenesse of minde； induced
Ghinotto di Tacco （which is my selfe） to become a lurking robber on
the high…wayes； an enemy to the Pope； and so （consequently） to the
Romane Court： but onely to save his owne life and honour knowing
himselfe to be a Gentleman cast out of his owne house； and having
（beside） infinite enemies。 But because you seeme to be a worthy
Lord； I will not （although I have cured your stomacks disease） deale
with you as I doe to others； whose goods （when they fall into my
power） I take such part of as I please： but rather am well
contented； that my necessities being considered by your selfe； you
spare me out a proportion of the things you have heere； answerable
to your owne liking。 For all are present here before you； both in this
Hall； and in the Court beneath； free from any spoyle； or the least
impairing。 Wherefore； give a part； or take all； if you please； and
then depart hence when you will； or abide heere still； for now you are
at your owne free liberty。
The Lord Abbot wondred not a little； that a robber on the high
wayes； should have such a bold and liberall spirit； which appeared
very pleasing to him； and instantly； his former hatred and spleene
against Ghinotto； became converted into cordiall love and kindnes；
so that （imbracing him in his armes） he said。 I protest upon my vow
made to Religion； that to win the love of such a man； as I plainely
perceive thee to be： I would undergo far greater injuries； then
those which I have received at thy hands。 Accursed be cruell
destiny； that forced thee to so base a kind of life； and did not
blesse thee with a fairer fortune。 After he had thus spoken； he left
there the greater part of all his goods； and returned backe againe
to Rome； with few horses； and a meaner traine。
During these passed accidents； the Pope had received intelligence of
the Lord Abbots surprizall； which was not a little displeasing to him：
but when he saw him returned； he demaunded； what benefit he received
at the Bathes？ Whereto the Abbot； merrily smyling； thus replyed。
Holy Father； I met with a most skilfull Physitian neerer hand； whose
experience is beyond the power of the Bathes； for by him I am very
perfectly cured： and so discoursed all at large。 The Pope laughing
heartely； and the Abbot continuing on still his report； moved with
an high and magnificent courage； he demaunded one gracious favour of
the Pope： who imagining that he would request a matter of greater
moment； then he did； freely offered to grant； whatsoever he desired。
Holy Father； answered the Lord Abbot； all the humble suit which I
make to you； is； that you would be pleased to receive into your
grace and favor； Ghinotto di Tacco my Physitian； because among all the
vertuous men； deserving to have especial account made of them I
never met with any equall to him both in honour and honesty。
Whatsoever injury he did to me； I impute it as a greater in…fortune；
then any way he deserveth to be charged withall。 Which wretched
condition of his； if you were pleased to alter； and bestow on him some
better meanes of maintenance； to live like a worthy man； as he is no
lesse： I make no doubt； but （in very short time） hee will appeare as
pleasing to your holinesse； as （in my best judgement） I thinke him
to be。
The Pope； who was of a magnanimious spirit； and one that highly
affected men of vertue； hearing the commendable motion made by the
Abbot； returned answere； that he was as willing to grant it； as the
other desired it； sending Letters of safe conduct for his comming
thither。 Ghinotto receiving such assurance from the Court of Rome；
came thither immediatly； to the great joy of the Lord Abbot： and the
Pope finding him to be a man of valor and worth； upon
reconciliation； remitted all former errors； creating him knight； and
Lord Prior of the very chiefest Hospitall in Rome。 In which Office
he lived long time after； as a loyall servant to the Church； and an
honest thankefull friend to the Lord Abbot of Clugny。
THE TENTH DAY； THE THIRD NOVELL
SHEWING IN AN EXCELLENT AND LIVELY DEMONSTRATION； THAT ANY
ESPECIALL HONOURABLE VERTUE； PERSEVERING AND DWELLING IN A
TRULY NOBLE SOULE； CANNOT BE VIOLENCED OR CONFOUNDED； BY THE
MOST POLITICKE ATTEMPTES OF MALICE AND ENVY
Mithridanes envying the life and liberality of Nathan； and
travelling thither； with a setled resolution to kill him： chaunceth to
conferre with Nathan unknowne。 And being instructed by him； in what
manner he might best performe the bloody deede； according as hee
gave direction； hee meeteth with him in a small Thicket or Woode；
where knowing him to be the same man； that taught him how to take away
his life： Confounded with shame； hee acknowledgeth his horrible
intention； and becommeth his loyall friend。
It appeared to the whole assembly； that they had heard a matter of
mervaile； for a Lord Abbot to performe any magnificent action： but
their admiration ceasing in silence； the King commanded Philostratus
to follow next； who forthwith thus began。
Honourable Ladies； the bounty and magnificense of Alphonso King of
Spaine； was great and that done by the Lord great in Abbot of
Clugny； a thing （perhaps） never heard of in any other。 But it will
seeme no lesse mervailous to you； when you heare； how one man； in
expression of great liberality to another man； that earnestly
desired to kill him； should bee secretly disposed to give him his
life； which had bin lost； if the other would have taken it； as I
purpose to acquaint you withall； in a short Novell。
Most certaine it is； at least； if Faith may bee given to the
report of certaine Genewayes； and other men resorting to those
remote parts； that in the Country of Cathaya； there lived somtime a
Gentleman； rich beyond comparison； and named Nathan。 He having his
living adjoyning to a great common rode…way； whereby men travayled
from the East to the West （as they did the like from the West unto the
East； as having no other means of passage） and being of a bountifull
and chearfull disposition； which he was willing to make knowen by
experience： he summoned together many Master Masons and Carpenters；
and there erected （in a short time） one of the greatest； goodliest；
and most beautifull houses （in manner of a Princes Pallace） that
ever was seene in all those quarters。
With movables and all kinde of furnishment； befitting a house of
such outward apparance； hee caused it to be plentifully stored onely
to receive； entertaine； and honor all Gentlemen or other Travailers
whatsoever； as had occasion to passe that way； being not unprovided
also of such a number of servants； as might continuallie give
attendance on all commers and goers。 Two and fifty severall gates；
standing alway wide open； and over each of them in great golden
carracters was written； Welcome； welcome； and gave free admission to
all commers whatsoever。
In this honourable order （observed as his estated custom） he
persevered so long a while； as not onely the East parts； but also
those in the west； were every where acquainted with his fame and
renown。 Being already well stept into yeares； but yet not wearie
（therefore） of his great charge and liberality： it fortuned； that
the rumor of his noble Hospitality； came to the eare of another
gallant Gentleman； named Mithridanes； living in a Countrey not farre
off from the other。
This Gentleman； knowing himselfe no lesse wealthy then Nathan； and
enviously repining at his vertue and liberality； determined in his
mind； to dim and obscure the others bright splendor； by making
himselfe farre more famous。 And having built a Palace answerable to
that of Nathans； with like windings of gates； and welcom inscriptions；
he beganne to extend immeasurable courtesies； unto all such as were
disposed to visite him： so that （in a short while） hee grew very
famous in infinite places。 It chanced on a day； as Mithridanes sate
all alone within the goodly Court of his Pallace： a poore woman entred
at one of the gates； craving an almes of