he sat by her; when night came he went with her to the baines, holding her by the garment, so faithful he was to fulfill the commandment of his master: howbeit the beauty of this matron could not be hidden from the burning eyes of Philesiterus, who considering her great chastity and how she was diligently kept by Myrmex, thought it impossible to have his purpose, yet (endeavouring by all kind of means to enterprise the matter, and remembering the fragility of man, that might be enticed and corrupted with money, since as by gold the adamant gates may be opened) on a day, when he found Myrmex alone, he discovered his love, desiring him to show his favour, (otherwise he should certainly die) with assurance that he need not to fear when as he might privily be let in and out in the night, without knowledge of any person. When he thought, with these and other gentle words to allure and prick forward the obstinate mind of Myrmex he showed him glittering gold in his hand, saying that he would give his mistress twenty crowns and him ten, but Myrmex hearing these words, was greatly troubled, abhorring in his mind to commit such a mischief: wherefore he stopped his ears, and turning his head departed away: howbeit the glittering view of these crowns could never be out of his mind, but being at home he seemed to see the money before his eyes, which was so worthy a prey, wherefore poor Myrmex being in diverse opinions could not tell what to do, for on the one side he considered the promise which he made to his master, and the punishment that should ensue if he did contrary. On the other side he thought of the gain, and the passing pleasure of the crowns of gold; in the end the desire of the money did more prevail than the fear of death, for the beauty of the flourishing crowns did so stick in his mind, that where the menaces of his master compelled him to tarry at home, the pestilent avarice of gold egged him outdoors, wherefore putting all shame aside, without further delay, he declared all the whole matter to his mistress, who according to the nature of a woman, when she heard him speak of so great a sum she bound chastity in a string, and gave authority to Myrmex to rule her in that case. Myrmex seeing the intent of his mistress, was very glad, and for great desire of the gold, he ran hastily to Philesiterus, declaring that his mistress was consented to his mind, wherefore he demanded the gold which he promised. Then incontinently Philesiterus delivered him ten crowns, and when night came, Myrmex brought him disguised into his mistress’ chamber. About midnight when he and she were naked together, making sacrifice unto the goddess Venus, behold her husband (contrary to their expectation) came and knocked at the door, calling with a loud voice to his servant Myrmex: whose long tarrying increased the suspicion of his master, in such sort that he threatened to beat Myrmex cruelly: but he being troubled with fear, and driven to his latter shifts, excused the matter saying: that he could not find the key: by reason it was so dark. In the mean season Philesiterus hearing the noise at the door, slipped on his coat and privily ran out of the Chamber. When Myrmex had opened the door to his Master that threatened terribly, and had let him in, he went into the chamber to his wife: in the mean while Myrmex let out Philesiterus, and barred the doors fast, and went again to bed. The next morning when Barbarus awaked, he perceived two unknown slippers lying under his bed, which Philesiterus had forgotten when he went away. Then he conceived a great suspicion and jealousy in mind, howbeit he would not discover it to his wife, neither to any other person, but putting secretly the slippers into his bosom, commanded his other servants to bind Myrmex incontinently, and to bring him bound to the justice after him, thinking verily that by the mean of the slippers he might boult out the matter. It fortuned that while Barbarus went towards the justice in a fury and rage, and Myrmex fast bound, followed him weeping, not because he was accused before his master, but by reason he knew his own conscience guilty: behold by adventure Philesiterus (going about earnest business) fortuned to meet with them by the way, who fearing the matter which he committed the night before, and doubting lest it should be known, did suddenly invent a mean to excuse Myrmex, for he ran upon him and beat him about the head with his fists, saying: Ah mischievous varlet that thou art, and perjured knave. It were a good deed if the goddess and thy master here, would put thee to death, for thou art worthy to be imprisoned and to wear out these irons, that stealest my slippers away when thou werest at my baines yesternight. Barbarus hearing this returned incontinently home, and called his servant Myrmex, commanding him to deliver the slippers again to the right owner.
The old woman had scant finished her tale when the baker’s wife gan say: Verily she is blessed and most blessed, that hath the fruition of so worthy a lover, but as for me poor miser, I am fallen into the hands of a coward, who is not only afraid of my husband but also of every clap of the mill, and dares not do nothing, before the blind face of yonder scabbed ass. Then the old woman answered, I promise you certainly if you will, you shall have this young man at your pleasure, and therewithal when night came, she departed out of her chamber. In the mean season, the baker’s wife made ready a supper with abundance of wine and exquisite fare: so that
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