wherein was laid the whole substance of Milo:
neither was there small cause given to judge him culpable,
since as the very same night that this robbery was
done he fled away, and could not be found in no place:
and to the intent hee might cleane escape, and better
prevent such as made hew and crie after him, he tooke
his white horse and galloped away, and after this,
his servant was found in the house, who (accused as
accessary to the fellony and escape of his Master)
was committed to the common gaole, and the next day
following was cruelly scourged and tormented till
hee was welnigh dead, to the intent hee should confesse
the matter, but when they could wreast or learne no
such thing of him, yet sent they many persons after,
towardes Lucius Countrey to enquire him out, and so
to take him prisoner. As he declared these things,
I did greatly lament with my selfe, to thinke of mine
old and pristine estate, and what felicity I was sometimes
in, in comparison to the misery that I presently susteined,
being changed into a miserable Asse, then had I no
small occasion to remember, how the old and ancient
Writers did affirme, that fortune was starke blind
without eies, because she alwaies bestoweth her riches
upon evil persons, and fooles, and chooseth or favoureth
no mortall person by judgement, but is alwaies conversent,
especially with much as if she could see, she should
most shunne, and forsake, yea and that which is more
worse, she sheweth such evill or contrary opinions
in men, that the wicked doe glory with the name of
good, and contrary the good and innocent be detracted
and slandred as evill. Furthermore I, who by
her great cruelty, was turned into a foure footed
Asse, in most vile and abject manner: yea, and
whose estate seemed worthily to be lamented and pittied
of the most hard and stonie hearts, was accused of
theft and robbing of my deare host Milo, which villany
might rather be called parricide then theft, yet might
not I defend mine owne cause or denie the fact any
way, by reason I could not speake; howbeit least my
conscience should seeme to accuse me by reason of
silence, and againe being enforced by impatience I
endevored to speake, and faine would have said, Never
did I that fact, and verely the first word, never,
I cried out once or twise, somewhat handsome, but the
residue I could in no wise pronounce, but still remaining
in one voice, cried, Never, never, never, howbeit
I settled my hanging lips as round as I could to speake
the residue: but why should I further complaine
of the crueltie of my fortune, since as I was not
much ashamed, by reason that my servant and my horse,
was likewise accused with me of the robbery.