d about, and had her pleasure with me, whereby I
thought the mother of Miniatures did not ceaseless quench her inordinate
desire with a Bull. When night was passed, with much joy and small
sleepe, the Matron went before day to my keeper to bargain with him
another night, which he willingly granted, partly for gaine of money,
and partly to finde new pastime for my master. Who after he was informed
of all the history of my luxury, was right glad, and rewarded my keeper
well for his paine, minding to shew before the face of all the people,
what I could doe: but because they would not suffer the Matron to abide
such shame, by reason of her dignity, and because they could finde no
other that would endeavour so great a reproach, at length they obtained
for money a poore woman, which was condemned to be eaten of wilde
beasts, with whom I should openly have to doe: But first I will tell you
what tale I heard concerning this woman. This woman had a husband, whose
father minding to ride forth, commanded his wife which he left at home
great with child, that if she were delivered of a daughter, it should
incontinently be killed. When the time of her delivery came, it fortuned
that she had a daughter, whom she would not suffer to be slaine, by
reason of the naturall affection which she have unto her child, but
secretly committed her to one of her neighbours to nurse. And when her
husband returned home, shee declared unto him that shee was delivered of
a daughter, whom (as hee commanded), shee had caused to be put to death.
But when this child came to age, and ready to be married, the mother
knew not by what meanes shee should endow her daughter, but that her
husband should understand and perceive it. Wherefore shee discovered the
matter to her sonne, who was the husband of this woman, condemned to be
eaten of wild beasts: For shee greatly feared least hee should unawares
fancie or fall in love with his owne sister. The young man understanding
the whole matter (to please and gratify his mother) went immediately to
the young maiden, keeping the matter secret in his heart, for feare of
inconvenience, and (lamenting to see his sister forsaken both of mother
and father) incontinently after endowed her with part of his owne goods,
and would have married her to one of his especial and trusty friends:
But although hee brought this to passe very secretly and sagely, yet in
the end cruell fortune sowed great sedition in his house. For his wife