: Chap-books of the Eighteenth Century With Facsimiles Notes and Introduction by Ashton John - English literature 18th century; Chapbooks; Chapbooks English History 18th century; Popular literature Great Britain; Popular literature Great Britain History and

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home his master's horse, travelled with all speed to Calais, where he took shipping and arrived safe in England--Coming to London, he met with some young Cyprus Merchants, his countrymen, who riotously spent his money in gaming and wenching; so that in about half a years time their cash was quite spent. Fortunatus having least his was soonest exhausted. Being moneyless, he went to some of his Landladies to borrow three Crowns, telling them he wanted to go to Flanders, to fetch four hundred crowns that were in his uncle's hands; but he was denied, and none they would lend him. He then desired to be trusted a quart of wine, but they refused, and bid the servants fetch him a pint of small beer.

He then took shipping, and soon arrived at Piccardy in France. Travelling through a wood, and being benighted, he made up to an old house, where he hoped to find some relief, but there was no creature in it; Then hearing a noise among the Bears, he got up into a tree where one of them had climbed. Fortunatus being surprised, drew his sword, and stuck the bear, that he fell from the tree.

The rest of the beasts being gone, Fortunatus came down from the tree, and laying his mouth to the wound, he sucked out some of the blood, with which he was refreshed; and then slept until the Morning.

CHAP. 4.

LADY FORTUNE BESTOWS UPON FORTUNATUS A FAMOUS PURSE; SO THAT AFTERWARDS HE NEVER WANTED MONEY.

As soon as Fortunatus awoke, he saw standing before him a fair Lady with her eyes muffled--I beseech thee said he, sweet virgin, for the love of God to assist me, that I may get out of this wood, for I have travelled a great way without food. She asked what country he was of? he replied Of Cyprus, and I am constrained by poverty to seek my fortune--Fear not, Fortunatus, said she, I am the Goddess of Fortune, and by permission of heaven have the power of Six gifts, one of which I will bestow on thee, so chuse for yourself: they are, Wisdom, Strength, Riches, Health, Beauty, and Long Life--Said Fortunatus, I desire to have Riches, as long as I live. With that she gave him a purse, saying, As often as you put your hand into this purse, you shall find ten pounds of the coin of any nation thou shalt happen to be in.

Fortunatus returned many thanks to the Goddess. Then she bid him follow her out of the wood, and so vanished. He then put his hands in his purse, and drew out the first fruits of the Goddess's bounty, with which he went to an inn and refreshed himself. After which he paid his host, and instantly departed, as doubting the reality of his money, notwithstanding the evidence of his hands and eyes.

CHAP. 5.

FORTUNATUS BUYS SOME HORSES OUT OF AN EARLS HANDS; FOR WHICH HE IS TAKEN UP AND EXAMINED ABOUT HIS PURSE.

Two miles from this wood was a little town and castle, where dwelt an Earl, who owned the wood.--Fortunatus here took up his lodgings at the best inn, and asked the host if he could help him to some good horses--The host told him there was a dealer, who had several fine ones, of which the Earl had chosen three, but was refused though he offered three hundred crowns for them. Fortunatus went to his Chamber and took out of his purse six hundred crowns, and bid the host to send for the dealer with his horses--The host at first supposed he had been in Jest, seeing him so meanly apparelled; but on being convinced by the sight of the money, the dealer and horses were sent for, and Fortunatus with a few words bargained for two of those the Earl had cheapened, and gave three hundred crowns for them. He bought also costly saddles and furniture, and desired his host to get him two servants.

The Earl hearing that the two horses had been bought out of his hands, grew angry, and sent to the innkeeper to be informed who he was--The Earl being told he was a stranger, commanded him to be apprehended, imagining he had committed some robbery, and being examined who he was, answered, He was born in Cyprus, and was the son of a decayed gentleman. The Earl asked him how he got so much money? He told him he came by it honestly--Then the Earl swore in a violent passion, that if he would not discover, he would put him to the rack.--Fortunatus proposed to die rather than reveal it.--Upon this he was put upon the rack, and being again asked how he got so many crowns, he said he found them in a wood adjoining.--Thou villain, said the Earl the money found is mine, and thy body and goods are forfeited. O, my gracious Lord, said he, I knew not it was in your jurisdiction--But said the Earl, this shall not excuse you, for to day I will take thy goods, and tomorrow thy life.

Then did Fortunatus wish he had chose Wisdom before Riches.

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