Page:Most excellent and delightful history of Fortunatus.pdf/5

 embraces they parted. Fortunatus having the world to ramble in, made to the sea; and at the next haven found a great many armed men landed, under the command cfof [sic] Balwin, Earl of Flanders, who had put on shore to refresh him: he took courage, and kneeling before the Earl, offered him his service, and that he would be very subserviant to his commands. The Earl perceiving him a very promising youth, and after enquiry into the circumstances of his parentage and former life, he made him his chief servant: in which station he behaved himself so well, that he gained this great lord’s entire affection, and sailed with him in the galley to the famous city of Venice. Fortunatus knowing the language of that country, he had orders from his lord to buy several costly jewels, garments of velvet, and other rich merchandize, which wonderfully pleased him. And at his return home, he was soon after married to the Duke of Cleves’ daughter, to whom he was contracted before his going to the war, a fair and beautiful lady. At his wedding was many valiant lords and knights, mounted on stately horses, to tilt and tourney before the noble ladies there present. After they had finished their triumphs and mortal games, the Duke of Cleves, the bride and bridegroom, agreed to let their servants try their manhood at several pastimes for two rich jewels, valued at three hundred crowns, which made them all