shall be victor:He giueth to Zelauto his hand to be a Chri∣stian, and with him to taste of any trou∣bles. It shall be verie hard but I will reskew you from their rigor, and my selfe take part of your paynes what∣soeuer. And héere in token, my woords shall turne into déedes, I giue you the hande of a Turke, chaunged to a Christian, With you to lyue and lacke, with you to be true and trusty, Vsque ad mortem.Syr (quoth I) neyther do my déedes deerue halfe the good report you haue vttered, nor my simple self woorthy to weare such commendation.Zelauto de∣sireth him in the mor∣ning to bring his armor, and he wyll discharge his pro∣mise. But as the béeing touched, fol∣loweth so farre as it can: so I béeing praised, presume as farre as honesty may holde me. What I haue promised, I purpose to performe, and what you haue offered, I shall still ampt of: in the morning set e brought defence as shall serue the turne: and I am héere your Champion ready to the Com∣bat.Our Hoste hauing sitten all this whyle, and heard what woords had passed betwéene vs▪ right ioyfull that I would ad∣uenture for the Lady,The Hoste rendreth thankes to Zelauto. sayd thus. Now surely Gentlemn, were the vttermost of my able to aunswer your sin∣guler courtesie, or any action (whatsoeuer) I your poore fréend could performe: you should not finde me so forward to vtter the same, as I would be in the verifying thereof, but in token that I would discharge what héere I haue spoken: I, and all mine resteth at your commaundement. Then turned he to the Gentleman saying.The Hoste speaketh to Mica Shef∣fola. And you Syr (for your part) haue good occasion to thinke your comming fortunate and your time not yll bestowed: when you finde a fréend so ready to graunt your request. I should thinke you verie much discour∣teous, and that small humanity harbored in you, if you should séeme to be obliuious of so courteous an offer, but I knowe your wisdome wyll the so wisely: that my simple selfe néede not to make mencion thereof, yet as one that wisheth your good redite should be blased by your good déedes: and that so noble a Gentleman should not be lightly remem∣bred: I was so bolde to interrupt your patienee with my fri∣uolous talke, and to occupie the tyme, better then to stande ydle.0