Nevves from Malta written by a gentleman of that iland, to a friend of his in Fraunce. Shewing the desperate assault and surprising of two castles of the Turkes, by the Italians forces, vpon the eight day of September last past. Translated according to the Italian copie.

The comming thether of Pierce Plowman, beeing newly come from London. His request to the Hoste to lend him fiue pound vpon a paune. The refusall of the Hoste, the questi∣on thereupon moued, beeing the matter of the conference. Chap. 2. (Book 2)

BY that time we had talked scant half an hou∣re: there came in a Cuntrie man a Neigh∣boure, a iolly olde fatherly man, bringing vn∣der his arme a fardell of Bookes, as many as hée might well holde vnderneath one of his armes, he gaue vs the time of the day. What Neighbour Pierce (quoth our Hoste) welcome from London Sir (quoth he to me) this Neighboure of mine is lately come from where you are going God willing. Truely (qooth I) and this is happily met by grace of God, and as I verily sup∣pose néere in the mid way betwéene Edenborough and Lon∣don. With that Neighbour Simon quoth this Pierce Plow man (for that was his name) I am come to desire your help. What is the matter Neighbour Pierce (quoth our Hoste?)

Neighbour (quoth hée) to lend mée fiue pound for half a yéer, for truely (quoth hée) I haue spent all my mony at London, and haue not left my self so much as to buy my séed Wheat, wherwith to sowe my land this season. No haue neighbour Pierce (quoth hée) that was very ill handled, ye sh••ould al∣waies so vse your matters that y^e main stock be sau••d whole. Fye neighbour Simon quoth he, speak no more of th••t for the reuerence of God, for truely I am ashamed of my self, but what remedy now saue patience, and to learne to ••e wiser héeafter. What meanes all these paper Books (quoth our Hoste. Mary neighbour quoth Pierce they shalbe s••retie vn∣to you for the repaiment of your fiue pound. With that they were vnbound, and béeing opened and looked vpon: t••ey were Billes, Answers, Replications, Reionders Coppie•• of Depo¦sitions, and such like. Some out of one Court, some out of an other. When our Hoste had séen them all: why Neighbour (quoth hée) doo you think to méet with any man that is so mad to lend v. pence vpon such trash? Trash Neighbour quoth Pierce they stand me in aboue fiftie pound. Peradventure so quoth our Hoste, but that prooueth not that they a••e woorth fiftie points, sauing vnto him that were as mad to ••uy them of you: as you bought them at their hands that s••lde them vnto you. But or you méet with any such chapman: I beléeue you will be weary of kéeping them. With that Pie••ce began to be half offended. Neighbour Pierce quoth our Hoste, fiue pound is a small matter betwéen vs twain, you s••all haue it vpon your woord. But as for your Books: héer d••elleth a Lady not far hence, carie them to her, for they are f••r fet and déer bought, and such things men say are good for Ladies.