Strona 819 z 1116

Now the dame had informed her husband how the case stood (my

brother knowing naught of this); and the two had agreed to make

him tailor for nothing, the better to mock and laugh at him. Next

morning he went to his shop, and, as he sat there, the handmaid

came to him and said, "Speak with my master." So he accompanied

her to the husband who said to him, "I wish thee to cut out for

me five long sleeved robes."[FN#639] So he cut them out[FN#640]

and took the stuff and went away. Then he sewed them and carried

them to the gentleman, who praised his sewing and offered him a

purse of silver. He put out his hand to take it, but the lady

signed to him from behind her husband not to do so, and he

replied, "O my lord, there is no hurry, we have time enough for

this." Then he went forth from the house meaner and meeker than a

donkey, for verily five things were gathered together in him

viz.: love, beggary, hunger, nakedness and hard labour.