Page:History of Fortunatus (4).pdf/7

 there was a merchant very lately arrived with  very stately ones out of Barbary, for which  duke Rodolphus, who lived hard by, in a stately, had offered 300 crowns, but it was refused. n this he desired the host to send for the, to bring his horses with him: which he did, though within himself he laughed , seeing him so meanly clad, and knowing  were of great price; yet, contrary to his , he bought the two the earl had bid for,  gave 400 crowns for them; then the host  him to he some nobleman in disguise,  as he bought costly saddles and other , and inquired for two servants. The hearing that Fortunatus had bought the  out of his hand, was very angry, and sent the innkeeper to know who he was. The host the messenger he was a stranger in plain  newly come, which he at first did not think  of purchasing an ass. whereupon the earl to apprehend him, suspecting him to have  some robbery, and notwithstanding all  excuses he could make sent him to prison, and  compelled to deliver the horses up to him,  300 crowns, as a fine set upon him, and  to depart his territories, with an oath never  discover what passed between them.