Pope, the
richest prelate of his revenues that the Church of God possesseth, and
of him he heard tell marvellous and magnificent things, in that he
still held open house nor were meat and drink ever denied to any who
went whereas he might be, so but he sought it what time the Abbot was
at meat. Primasso, hearing this and being one who delighted in looking
upon men of worth and nobility, determined to go see the magnificence
of this Abbot and enquired how near he then abode to Paris. It was
answered him that he was then at a place of his maybe half a dozen
miles thence; wherefore Primasso thought to be there at dinner-time,
by starting in the morning betimes.

[Footnote 61: _i.e._ Latinist.]

[Footnote 62: Lit. was (_era_); but as Boccaccio puts "can"
(_possono_) in the present tense we must either read _e_ and _possono_
or _era_ and _potevano_. The first reading seems the more probable.]

[Footnote 63: _i.e._ have most power or means of requiting it.]

Accordingly, he enquired the way, but, finding none bound thither, he
feared lest he might go astray by mischance and happen on a part where
there might be no victual so readily to be found; wherefore, in order
that, if this should betide, he might not suffer for lack of food, he
bethought himself to carry with him three cakes of bread, judging that
water (albeit it was little to his taste) he should find everywhere.
The bread he put in his bosom and setting out, was fortunate enough to
reach the Abbot's residence before the eating-hour. He entered and
went spying all about and seeing the great multitude of tables set and
the mighty preparations making in the kitchen and what not else
provided against dinner, said in himself, "Of a truth this Abbot is as
magnificent as folk say." After he had abidden awhile intent upon
these things, the Abbot's seneschal, eating-time being come, bade
bring water for the hands; which being done, he seated each man at
table, and it chanced that Primasso was set right over against the
door of the chamber, whence the Abbot should come forth into the
eating-hall.

Now it was the usance in that house that neither wine nor bread nor
aught else of meat or drink should ever be set on the tables, except
the Abbot were first came to sit at his own table. Accordingly, the
seneschal, having set the tables, let tell the Abbot that, whenas it
pleased him, the meat was ready. The Abbot let open the chamber-door,
that he might pass into the saloon,