ence to the people and sayd, Verily I was
poisoned by the meanes of my wicked wife, and so thereby yeelded my
bed unto an adulterer. Whereat his wife taking present audacity, and
reproving his sayings, with a cursed minde did deny it. The people were
bent against her sundry wayes, some thought best that shee should be
buried alive with her husband: but some said that there ought no credit
to be given to the dead body. Which opinion was cleane taken away, by
the words which the corps spoke againe and sayd, Behold I will give
you some evident token, which never yet any other man knew, whereby
you shall perceive that I declare the truth: and by and by he pointed
towards me that stood on the stone, and sayd, When this the good Gard of
my body watched me diligently in the night, and that the wicked Witches
and enchantresses came into the chamber to spoyle mee of my limbes, and
to bring such their purpose did transforme themselves into the shape
of beasts: and when as they could in no wise deceive or beguile his
vigilant eyes, they cast him into so dead and sound a sleepe, that by
their witchcraft he seemed without spirit or life. After this they did
call me by my name, and never did cease til as the cold members of my
body began by little and little and little to revive. Then he being of
more lively soule, howbeit buried in sleep, in that he and I were named
by one name, and because he knew not that they called me, rose up first,
and as one without sence or perseverance passed by the dore fast closed,
unto a certain hole, whereas the Witches cut off first his nose, and
then his ears, and so that was done to him which was appointed to be
done to me. And that such their subtility might not be perceived, they
made him a like paire of eares and nose of wax: wherfore you may see
that the poore miser for lucre of a little mony sustained losse of his
members. Which when he had said I was greatly astonied, and minding to
prove whether his words were true or no, put my hand to my nose, and my
nose fell off, and put my hand to my ears and my ears fell off. Wherat
all the people wondred greatly, and laughed me to scorne: but I beeing
strucken in a cold sweat, crept between their legs for shame and escaped
away. So I disfigured returned home againe, and covered the losse of
myne ears with my long hair, and glewed this clout to my face to hide my
shame. As soon as Bellephoron had told his tale, they which sate at the
table replenished with