Page:The Fables of Bidpai (Panchatantra).djvu/153

Rh night he receyued his dayes wages agreed vpon. It happened there was brought to this merchant a goodly intrument, and excellent to playe vpon (muche like to a Harpe), to ee if he would buye it. The next morning betimes came this workemaiter to follow his worke, and the firt thing that the merchant did was to hewe him the Harpe. The workeman taking it in his hande (being an excellent muition, and playing well of this intrument), he ayd: Sir, is it your pleaure I hall playe? yea, fayd the merchant. This cunning man paingly handling this intrument, playde o weetely, and hewed uch muicke in uch traunge and rare toppes, with uch voluntarye wythall, that the merchaunt delighted with his heauenly harmonie made him play all daye long. At night this cunning workeman demaunded his dayes hire, as if he had wrought the whole daye in his Jewels. The merchaunt denied it, and would not paye him. The other alledged that he had bene in his houe all that day (at his requet) as he was the other dayes before. This matter called before the Judges and brought in tryall, the Judge gaue entence againt the merchaunt, and forced him to paye the workemaiter for the daye (uch umme of money as they were agreed vppon) as if hee had wrought all daye. The merchaunt