argesse nor dismissal, abode behind, in the
hope that his stay might prove to his future advantage. But Messer
Cane had taken it into his mind that what thing soever he might give
him were far worse bestowed than if it had been thrown into the fire,
nor of this did he bespeak him or let tell him aught.

[Footnote 59: _i.e._ gleemen, minstrels, story-tellers, jugglers and
the like, lit. men of court (_uomini di corte_).]

Bergamino, after some days, finding himself neither called upon nor
required unto aught that pertained to his craft and wasting his
substance, to boot, in the hostelry with his horses and his servants,
began to be sore concerned, but waited yet, himseeming he would not do
well to depart. Now he had brought with him three goodly and rich
suits of apparel, which had been given him of other noblemen, that he
might make a brave appearance at the festival, and his host pressing
for payment, he gave one thereof to him. After this, tarrying yet
longer, it behoved him give the host the second suit, an he would
abide longer with him, and withal he began to live upon the third,
resolved to abide in expectation so long as this should last and then
depart. Whilst he thus fed upon the third suit, he chanced one day,
Messer Cane being at dinner, to present himself before him with a
rueful countenance, and Messer Cane, seeing this, more by way of
rallying him than of intent to divert himself with any of his speech,
said to him, 'What aileth thee, Bergamino, to stand thus disconsolate?
Tell us somewhat.'[60] Whereupon Bergamino, without a moment's
hesitation, forthright, as if he had long considered it, related the
following story to the purpose of his own affairs.

[Footnote 60: _Dinne alcuna cosa._ If we take the affix _ne_ (thereof,
of it), in its other meaning (as dative of _noi_, we), of "to us,"
this phrase will read "Tell somewhat thereof," _i.e._ of the cause of
thy melancholy.]

'My lord,' said he, 'you must know that Primasso was a very learned
grammarian[61] and a skilful and ready verse-maker above all others,
which things rendered him so notable and so famous that, albeit he
might not everywhere be known by sight, there was well nigh none who
knew him not by name and by report. It chanced that, finding himself
once at Paris in poor case, as indeed he abode most times, for that
worth is[62] little prized of those who can most,[63] he heard speak
of the Abbot of Cluny, who is believed to be, barring the