Most excellent and delightful history of Fortunatus
THE
Most excellent and delightful
HISTORY
of
FORTUNATUS;
setting forth
His Birth, Life, Travels, and Adventures, in most Parts of the World.
also,
How the Lady FORTUNE appeared unto him, and gave him a Rich Purse, that never wanted money; with the great Riches he got thereby.
Likewise,
To which are added, the
LIVES AND ADVENTURES
OF
AMPEDO & ANDOLOCIA,
HIS TWO SONS.
George Angus, Printer, Side, Newcastle
THE
HISTORY
OF
FORTUNATUS.
CHAP. I.
IN the isle of Cyprus there is a stately city, called Famagosta, where once lived one Theodorus, descended of noble parents, who left him with a great estate; but being brought up to nothing but pleasures, he soon wasted the greatest part of his riches, to the great grief of all his relations, who thinking to make him leave these courses, determined to match him to a rich merchant's daughter in the city of Nicovia, named Gratiana, a discreet woman, whose prudence and good humour might be a means of bringing him to live soberly and frugally; and proposing it to him, with many persuasive reasons and arguments how much it would be for his good, he resolved to visit her; and after a few months courtship they were married in a splendid manner, most of the principal gentlemen of either city being at the wedding, and so they lived together in content and great felicity for the space of one year, in which time they had a son, whom they named Fortunatus; at whose christening an old woman, taken to be a prophetess, came in and uttered these words:—
This child is fortune’s darling, he shall share
Unsought, those riches which he will prepare;
To travel he his thoughts full soon will bend,
Tho’ cross’d in some, yet all shall happy end.
This was noted of many, but more particularly when the success answered her prediction. As he grew up, his father, not to be restrained by the tears and intreaties of his wife, began to follow his former oad courses, insomuch that he squandered away all his patrimony, so that they fell into extreme poverty. Fortunatus being then eighteen years of age, and seeing no ways to have their wants relieved, begged leave of his parents to quit them of the charge he put them to by suffering him to travel, not doubting but he could shift for himself. His father easily consented, but his mother not without great reluctance; so with many tender embraces they parted. Fortunatus having the world to ramble in, made to the sea; and at the next haven found a great many armed men landed, under the command cf Balwin, Earl of Flanders, who had put on shore to refresh him: he took courage, and kneeling before the Earl, offered him his service, and that he would be very subserviant to his commands. The Earl perceiving him a very promising youth, and after enquiry into the circumstances of his parentage and former life, he made him his chief servant: in which station he behaved himself so well, that he gained this great lord’s entire affection, and sailed with him in the galley to the famous city of Venice.
Fortunatus knowing the language of that country, he had orders from his lord to buy several costly jewels, garments of velvet, and other rich merchandize, which wonderfully pleased him. And at his return home, he was soon after married to the Duke of Cleves’ daughter, to whom he was contracted before his going to the war, a fair and beautiful lady. At his wedding was many valiant lords and knights, mounted on stately horses, to tilt and tourney before the noble ladies there present. After they had finished their triumphs and mortal games, the Duke of Cleves, the bride and bridegroom, agreed to let their servants try their manhood at several pastimes for two rich jewels, valued at three hundred crowns, which made them all strive one against another to do their best; so the duke of Burgundy’s servant won one, and Fortunatus the other, to the great displeasure of the other servants. Upon this they desired the duke’s servant to challenge Fortunatus to fight him before all the ladies, who should have them both; which challenge was soon accepted, and they encountered each other very briskly, till at last Fortunatus hoisted the duke’s servant off his horse at his spear’s length. Whereupon he won the victory and obtained the jewels, which enreased the envy of the other servants, but greatly rejoiced the Earl.
Among the Earl's servants there was a crafty old fellow called Peter, who consulted with the rest how to remove this favourite, which they effected by this stratagem: Peter, who pretended great friendship to Fortunatus, went to him one day as he was reading, and told him that their lord, having conceived a great jealousy of his chamberlains, (of whom Fortunatus was one) had ordered the surgeon to come next morning to have them gelt. Which when Fortunatus heard he was much surprized, and therefore desired this old fellow (Peter) to tell him how he might convey himself with speed out of the city undiscovered. Peter observing this, told him he was loath to part with so good a companion; but if he would go, he could not get out of the city till the morning, as the gates were shut. Fortunatus desired Peter by all means to conceal his departure, and then in much trouble of mind he departed, taking his journey on horseback.
———
CHAP. II
Of the travels of Fortunatus, &c.
FORTUNATUS getting away in a manner aforesaid, travelled with all speed to Calais, where he took shipping for England, and coming to London, he fell into company with two Cyprus merchants, with whom he riotously spent all his money, and being in a poor condition, void of succour, he conveyed himself over the sea to France, where he arrived in Picardy, and resolved to go for Paris. When passing through a wood, and being at a loss which way to go; as he gazed about, he saw a beautiful lady crossing his way, to whom he made up, saying, I beseech thee, sweet virgin, for the love of God, to assist me, that I may come out of the wood, for these three days have I travelled without meat. Then demanded she of him what countryman he was. He answered, I am of the isle of Cyprus, and poverty hath constrained me to wander to seek my fortune. She said, fear not, Fortunatus, I the goddess fortune; and by the influence of the great disposer of all things, are given me fix things to such as stand in need thereof, which is wisdom, riches, strength, health, beauty, and long life: and therefore chuse one quickly, and be prudent, for you may not chuse again. Fortunatus made no longer stay, but said, then I desire riches. With that she gave him a purse, and said, receive the same of me, and in what country thou art in, as often as thou shalt put thy hard therein, thou shalt draw forth ten pieces of gold of the same nation’s coin; and this purse shall retain its virtue as long as thou livest, and thy own children during their lives.
Fortunatus returned her a thousand thanks, to which she replied, return thanks to the giver of all good gifts, for I am but the hand to distribute them as he directs, and of thy riches, bestow it on the poor and needy. Then setting him out of the wood, she vanished from his sight: which made him greatly wonder, and scarcely believe but it was a vision, and nothing, of reality in it, till coming to an inn he tried the experiment, and found it otherwise but his garments were so poor, that the host, till he saw his money, scrupled to let him have any victuals or drink; but seeing him draw out gold so fast, he began to be sweet upon him, made him a fire, and carried him into the best room, ordering his daughter to attend him, where he staid all night. In the morning he enquired of his host if he could help him to some horses; who told him that there was a merchant very lately arrived with three very stately ones out of Barbary, for which the Duke Rodolphus, who lived hard by in a stately castle, had offered 300 crowns, but it was refused. Upon this he desired the host to send for the merchant, and to bring his horses with him; which he accordingly did, though within himself he laughed heartily, seeing him so meanly clad, and knowing they were of great price; yet contrary to his expectation, he bought the two the Earl had bid for, and gave 400 crowns for them: then the host supposed him to be some nobleman in disguise, especially as be bought costly tables and other furniture, and enquired for two servants. The Duke hearing that Fortunatus had bought the horses out of his hand, was very angry, and sent to the inn-keeper to know who it was. The host told the messenger he was a stranger, in plain habit, newly come, which he at first did not think capable of purchasing an ass. Whereupon the Earl sent to apprehend him, suspecting him to have committed some robbery, and notwithstanding all the excuses he could make, sent him to prison, and was compelled to deliver the horses up to him, pay 300 crowns as a fine set npon him, and obliged to depart his territories, with an oath never to discover what passed between them.
CHAP. III.
How Fortunatus travelled to the isle of Cyprus, with his marriage, &c.
FORTUNATUS rejoiced that he was so well escaped, and was not bereft of his precious prse; he then thought of travelling to his own country In his journey he passed through many strange cities, wherein he viewed the greatest curiosities. Having now purchased several horses and rich apparel, with several servants to attend him, he at last came to Venice, and from thence sailed to the isle of Cyprus. Upon his arrival at Famagosta, he found his father and mother dead, through sorrow for their great poverty, which much grieved him; yet, that he might not be wanting in what lay in his power, he built a stately monument over their grave, with a suitable epitaph.
Fortunatus thinking how to settle in his own country, built him a noble house at Famagosta, so curiously adorned that the like was not in the island. He then made splendid entertainments for the king and queen, who highly favoured him, and wondered whence he should be master of so great a treasure; but he kept that as a secret. At last the king advised him to marry, in order to keep up a family that was so ancient, and promised him his choice of the three daughters of the Lord Neniva; upon which, having seen and discoursed with them, he made choice of the youngest, whose name was Cassandra. The Countess and Earl liked well of the match, only they objected against him as he had no lands, which Fortunatus understanding, he purchased a lordship to settle on her a jointure. The wedding was kept fourteen days with great splendour; the king, queen, nobles, and all of any note on the island being entertained. And the first year of this happy marriage his beautiful Cassandra brought him a son, whom he named Ampedo; and the next year another, whom he named Andolocia.
———
CHAP. IV.
How Fortunatus was bent to travel again, which he did, in Egypt, Persia, and India, &c.
FORTUNATUS having lived twelve years with his loving wife, now began to think of travelling into other countries where he had not been, which his dear Cassandra much opposed. But being fully resolved to travel, appealed her, promising that he would return in a year; and so leaving her, besides his estate, ten thousand crowns in ready money.——In a ship he had hired for his own use he departed, resolving to turn merchant as well as traveller.
The first port he touched at was Alexandria, in Egypt, where, as the custom was, he immediately went to make a present to the Soldan, which he did in such rich jewels, that that mighty prince admired it, and therefore entertained him very nobly, sending him in requital very rich merchandize, and left him at liberty to traffic in the good things of Egypt, above the liberty granted to other merchants; so that having richly freighted his ship, he sent it by the master to Cyprus, consigned to the use of his wife and children, resolved with ten servants to travel over land; an so taking his leave of the Soldan, who gave him letters of fate conduct directed to divers princes, he determined to pass over the desarts of Arabia and Persia and so to India, taking Tartary in his way, where he had a view of the great Chain's court at Cathia. From thence he travelled through a vast large forest that leads to India, where he flew a monstrous tyger, that had destroyed many hundreds of people, and left the way almost unfrequented by passengers, which was scattered with the skulls and bones of those that had been devoured. This forest took up two days and two nights' travel; and so passing through many countries, he came to India, where the emperor Preston John reigned, who, of all those countries, was the only Christian prince; that country being converted to the Christian faith by St Thomas the apostle. He he has under him sixty-two kings, and is lord of thirty islands, besides a vast country on the continent. And though most strangers are forbid to enter the Emperor’s palace without his leave. Fortunatus, by making large presents, soon gained admittance, and beheld such riches as the like he had never seen; for the walls were plated with fine silver, whereon were engraved the stories of knights, and battles of former emperors. Some rooms were hung with panthers skins, casting a fragrant smell: the pillars that supported the roof were cedar, overlaid with gold, and embossed with precious stones. Fortunatus having seen all he could, obtained leave of the emperor to depart with thirty camels laden with the richest goods of the country, and having appointed his ship-master to meet him at Alexandria, he set out for thence.
The Soldian having notice of his arrival in Egypt, sent divers of his officers to meet and welcome him in his name; whom Fortunatus presented with jewels, odours, and spices, and the Soldian with many rarities. So unloading his camels, he shipped all his goods, and remembering his promise to his beloved Cassandra, he ordered them to weigh anchor, resolving to sail; but the Soldian desired him to partake of a banquet before he went, after which he shewed him his curiosities in his jewel-house, which were such as scarcely to be found in the world. But whilst Fortunatus was admiring their richness, the Soldian unlocked a cabinet of gold, and pulled out of it an old hat, (to all appearance) saying, this is a jewel I esteem above all the others, for (continued he) it has that secret virtue in it, given by a great magician, long since dead, that put it upon your head, and wish to be where you will, you shall be immediately carried thither invisibly. Fortunatus, from that moment, thought within himself, if he had this to join with his purse, they would be the two greatest advantages in the world; and said to the Soldian, since this hat hath such virtue, sure it must be very heavy on his head that weareth it. Then said the Soldian, it is no heavier than another hat; whereupon he gave it into his hands, and bid him put it on his head, asking him if it felt otherwise. Then said Fortunatus, I did not think it had been so light, nor supposed you would have set it on my head with that he wished himself in his ship, and immediately he flew out of the window, as swift as lightning, and, to the amazement of the sailors, alighted on the deck, without any harm: they then set all the sail they could, and, notwithstanding they were pursued, safely reached the isle of Cyprus, with his ship richly laden, to the great joy of Cassandra and his two sons.
Fortunatus having lived long in pleasure and plenty, his two sons being grown to men’s maturity, he fell sick, and calling them to him, bestowed his riches on them revealed to them the virtue of his purse, and show it would last only for their lives; he also told them the virtue of his wishing hat; so desiring them to live lovingly together, and not to part with these jewels, or ever discover the virtues of them, but to (illegible text)ase them by turns: and in a most devout manner, recommending his foul unto the hands of his maker, he gave up the ghost. Soon after Cassandra, through exceeding grief, falling sick of a fever, died, and both were buried in a stately tomb he had caused to be built in his life time, in the chancel of the new church he had erected: having left bountifully to the poor, and for other charitable uses.
CHAP. V.
How Andolocia, the youngest son, got the purse from Ampedo, his brother, &c.
FORTUNATUS and his dear consort were no sooner laid in their tomb, but Andolocia, the youngest son, agreed with his elder brother to fill four coffers with gold out of the purse; that he should have the wishing hat and all the visible estate, and he only the purse to bear him company in his travels. So setting forward he came to the court of Paris, in France, where he appeared so splendid in his equipage, and so extravagant in his expenses, that he was wondered at by all, who took him for some strange prince, and rather by reason or his courage; for in the justs that were made for entertainment, he unhorsed divers of the nobility. He soon after left the city and travelled for Spain, viewing all the rarities
of that country, and at length arrived at Madrid; there he found them preparing for a war with Portugal, and he resolved to take this opportunity, raised an hundred men, and proffered the king his service. The wars ending he sailed for England, where in like manner he assisted the king in his war with the Scots. And one day as the king was entertaining him at dinner, he was so smitten in love with the fair princess Agrippina, the king's daughter, that he forgot to eat, and feasted his eyes only on her, insomuch that great notice was taking of it. He likewise entertained the queen and princess at a splendid dinner, and afterwards the king giving liberally to the guards and servants, so that they marvelled how he having no visible estate, could live at such a rate, and were desirous to know what secret he had to carry on his grandeur at such a height.
This, by the advice of the king and queen, the princess undertook to discover, as she perceived he was deeply in love with her; and in a little time shewed him such kindness that he was admitted to be in private with her in the chamber, a favour which none before had received: and there being none but they, he thought it was now time to declare his passion, which he did in such obliging terms that she seemed to be pleased with it, only saying, your lavishing expences I fear will bring us both to poverty should I marry with you. He told her that could not be, for his treasure during life was inexhaustible and could not be spent, spend what he would. Let me know, said the princess; from whence you have these great riches? Ah, said he, it was my dying father's command not to discover it to any; yet so dearly do I love you that I can deny you nothing. To this she obliged herself, and he drunk with love, thereupon shewed her his purse, told her how it was come by, and all the secrets of it ⟨letting⟩ her see it experimentally, by pulling out several handfuls of gold which he presented her with, telling he could do so all day long, and every day as long as she lived. This made her inwardly rejoice, and from that time plotted how to get it, which she effected under the colour of a promise he should he lie with her before marriage if he would swear to be true to her when she had rendered up to him her virgin treasure But whilst she expected, with a multitude of joy, the fruition of her delicate body, she contrived with her woman to give him drugs in his wine; and so drinking him lustily he fell fast asleep. Then turning aside his coat, she took his purse and fastened another of the same likeness to his girdle, but different in virtue: so that waking in the morning and finding himself in a chair, he began to wonder what had befallen him. But just as he remembered the assignation with Agrippina, in came her woman, who told him in a sorrowful tone, that the fair princess going to bed and keeping awake in expectation of him, and he deceiving her, she was risen very angry. This made him very blank and sorrowful that he had lost an opportunity which he could not reasonably expect again. And so rising he went to his own house, little dreaming he had loft his treasure.
By this time Agrippina had shewn the purse to the king and queen, and told them the virtue of it — And now they resolved to put a trick upon Andolocia, and accordingly the king sent to tell him he designed to come with the queen and princes to dine with him that day. The messenger had no sooner delivered his message and was departed, but he called his steward and bid him immediately provide provision: but he told him, in the two last feasts his money was all expended, and therefore he must have more. Whereupon Andolocia put his hand readily into his purse, but found nothing; when looking wishfully on’t, he perceived it was changed, This made him look blank, not knowing for a time what to say or do. He knew the virtue of it was so rare that those who had it would never part with it by fair means. And so pretending his brother was dead, he turned off his servants, sold his household furniture, and privately getting on shipboard, he sailed for Cyprus, telling his brother Ampedo the lementable news of the loss of the purse, which greatly grieved him and made him blame Andolocia for his folly and the breach of his father's last commands. Yet he relieved his wants plentifully, but he as badly rewarded him, for having got what treasure he could, he desired him to lend him his wishing hat, but he a long time refused it, saying, that should be his last reserve when all his money was spent, and he doubted not but when some great prince would come to know of its virtue, to get ten thousand pounds for it and if he let him have it he would loose it foolishly as, he had done the purse. To this he said nothing, but one day desiring to see it, when having it in his hand, he clapped it on his head, wishing himself at Venice, and he was immediately there; leaving his brother to repent his folly in the loss of his hat, as he had done his in the loss of his purse. Being in this rich city, he found out several Jews who were rich jewellers, and cheapening divers of great value, grasping them fast in his hand, and wishing himself in England, he was immediately carried through the air, to their great admiration, who concluded him to be no less than the devil.
———
CHAP. VI.
How Andolocia carried away Agrippina with the purse to Ireland, &c.
BEING in England, he disguised himself in the habit of an Italian merchant, and going to court, enquired for the princess Agrippina: and being brought before her, he laid out his jewels, so proffered her them for sale, and in a little time they agreed. Now that which he looked for was the purse, out of which he supposed she would take the money, for he suspected she had it, and accordingly it succeeded; for going to a coffer and taking it out, she fastened it to her girdle: when he having his wishing hat on, clasped her in his arms, and wishing himself in a wild desart, away they flew together over sea and land, till they came to a vast wilderness in Ireland; there he set her down, faint and almost breathless, under a tree on which grew very curious apples to look toAgrippina casting her eyes upon them, she intreated him to pull some of them to quench her thirst, for she was almost ready to perish with drought. yet he still loving her though she had played him such a slippery trick, and clapped unadvisedly his cap on her head to keep off the scorching sun, as knowing she knew not the virtue of it, so climbing up fell to gathering. In the mean while she sat pensive and sad, and wishing to God she was out of that desolate place, and in her father's courts, all on a sudden, contrary to her expectation, she was carried away, leaving Andolocia to fret at his folly, and vex himself more than ever: so that wandering up and down, faint and weary, at length sat down by a brook and fell to eating his apples, when immediately a grievous pain seized his head, so that he supposed them infectious, and began to fear his life: but on the contrary a great pair of goat's horns sprung out of his forehead, and then the pain ceased. This made him wonder at himself and stand amazed; but as he was sad and pensive, an old hermit came to him, and seeing him a stranger, and in that condition, invited him to his cave, and gave him such poor refreshment as he had, which consisted of nuts, wild apples, and roots, and his drink proceeded from a pleasant brook hard by: but Andolocia was more solicitous about his horns than any thing else; and entreated the hermit if he knew any way to cure him, and he would give him ten crowns which was all the money he had left; for Agrippina had carried away the jewels as well as the hat: but though he promised to cure him, yet he refused his money, telling him he had retired from the world and the vanities of it, and money to him was useless; but going abroad, he brought home six fair apples, two of which Andolocia had no sooner eaten but his horns dropt off, which made him greatly rejoice.——So the good old man bidding him give glory to God, led him out of the forest, and at the edge of it they parted.
Andolocia having some of the hornify'd apples, and likewise four of the contrary quality, began to meditate revenge on Agrippina, and so coming with all speed to England, he got an opportunity to present them to her ⟨as⟩ fruit grown in the holy garden of Jerusalem, to restore decayed beauty and health for several years, make the aged look young, and other wonders. But he had no sooner eat two of them, and finding a drowsiness, lying down to sleep, and dreamed she was turned into a goat; but awaking she found a strange alteration, and going to her glass and seeing her horns, affrighted, she startled and scrieked out, whereupon her ladies came about her and were as much affrighted at the sight as she: but a grave matron who had been her nurse, desired them to be silent to prevent the disgrace that might follow, till physicians were consulted whose skill might take them away. She kept close in her chamber, and the old woman was sent to divers doctors but none of them would undertake it, on the penalty she would impose on them, which was two thousand crowns if she revealed the lady’s name, and they did not cure her. But as she was coming back again very pensive, Andolocia in the garb of a physician met her and told her by her sadness, and coming from such ⟨a⟩ doctor’s house, he guessed she had some dear friend ⟨in⟩ danger of life, at some other great distress, which ⟨if⟩ she would accept of his service as a physician, ⟨he⟩ would not doubt, with the blessing of God, to ⟨cure⟩ her. The old woman believing him, greatly rejoiced that she had found him so opportunely; and telling him the whole matter, which he very well knew before, conveyed him to the princess' chamber ⟨privately⟩ at a back door, where he found her lying on her bed very much troubled: but she was comforted when ⟨he⟩ told her he was come to cure her, so he began ⟨to⟩ make application, and gave her so little of the apple among other drugs that they only wasted by degrees then telling her he wasted some costly drugs to make them come off by the roots, and so she should be more beautiful than ever. She arose and went to her coffee in the mean while, searching about the room he found his wishing hat carelessly thrown under the bed, for she knew not the virtue of it, but supposed some spirit had conveyed her backward and forward before. By this time she called him to receive his money, and he drawing her toward the window that he might, as ⟨he⟩ pretended, the better discern it, drew his hat from under his coat, clapped it on his head, grasped her in his arms, and away he flew with her, purse and all. ⟨In⟩ this airy voyage she was carried to Flanders, where presenting himself to her in his true shape, and with stern countenance reproached her with treachery and inconstancy, she fell on her knees and begged his pardon. Whereupon taking pity of her, and at her request he put her into a nunnery, giving the abbess two hundred crowns for her admittance, promising to fetch her as soon as he could find a remedy to take off her horns, and so departed for Cypres with his hat and purse, the sight of which greatly rejoiced Ampedo, to whom he told all the passage of his travels: and so extolled the beauty of Agrippina, that the Prince of Cyprus, enamoured on bare report, prevailed with the king his father to send an empassy to desire her in marriage. On this Andolocia was desired to free her from the nunnery, which he did, taking off her horns and carrying her through the air to London; and so with a noble train of lords and ladies they sailed for Cyprus where she shas royally received and splendidly married.
This made many of the nobles envy Andolocia, especially the earls of Armundalia and Limouse vowed his death, who had so much eclipsed their honour; and so setting on him and his six men as he passed one day
through a wood, they and their hundred attendants after a long fight killed his men, and took him prisoner, for he had not with him his wishing hat, and casting him into a loathsome dungeon, set him in the stocks and loaded him with irons to make him confess whence he had those vast riches; which, through torment, he discovered, and gave them his purse, and they having proved the experiment thought themselves not safe whilst he was alive, because they knew he could fly through the air, so might escape, they offered the gaoler money to dispatch him, but he refusing, the earl of Armandalia strangled him as he sat in the stocks.
In the mean time while Ampedo was inconsolable for the loss of his brother, having in vain offered great rewards for his discovery, at length supposing him dead, burnt his wishing hat, and through grief died. Soon after the earls were apprehended and examined, who confessed the fact in all its circumstances, for which they were both broken on the wheel.
FINIS.
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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