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⟨him,⟩ there was a merchant very lately arrived with ⟨the⟩ 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. (illegible text)n this he desired the host to send for the ⟨merchant⟩, to bring his horses with him: which he ⟨accordingly⟩ did, though within himself he laughed ⟨heartily⟩, seeing him so meanly clad, and knowing (illegible text) were of great price; yet, contrary to his ⟨explanation⟩, he bought the two the earl had bid for, ⟨he⟩ gave 400 crowns for them; then the host ⟨supposed⟩ him to he some nobleman in disguise, ⟨specially⟩ as he bought costly saddles and other ⟨furniture⟩, and inquired for two servants. The ⟨duke⟩ hearing that Fortunatus had bought the ⟨horses⟩ out of his hand, was very angry, and sent the innkeeper to know who he was. The host (illegible text) the messenger he was a stranger in plain ⟨having⟩ newly come, which he at first did not think ⟨capable⟩ of purchasing an ass. whereupon the earl (illegible text) 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, (illegible text) 300 crowns, as a fine set upon him, and ⟨observed⟩ to depart his territories, with an oath never ⟨to⟩ discover what passed between them.
