Page:History of Fortunatus (2).pdf/14

14 refused Fortunatus went into his chamber took out of his purse 600 crowns, and bid his host; send for the merchant to bring his horses to him. The host supposed he had been in jest, seeing him so meanly apparelled: At length he brought him to the merchant, and liking the horses, he bought two of those the Earl had cheapened, and gave 300 crowns for them; he bought costly saddles and other furniture for them, and desired his host to get him two servants: the Earl hearing that Fortunatus had bought the horses out of his hand, was very angry, and sent to the inn-keeper, to know who this was that had bought the horses out of his hand; and being informed he was a stranger and no gentleman, commanded his men to lay hold on him, saying that he had committed some robbery, or murdered some men, so he was seized and cast into prison. Afterwards the Earl sent for Fortunatus out of prison, and examined him who he was; he answered, that he was born in Cyprus, and was the son of a poor gentleman. Then the Earl asked him how he got so much money; he told him