passed by like theeves, and devoure both them and their
beasts. Moreover, we were advertised that there
lay in the way where we should passe, many dead bodies
eaten and torne with wolves. Wherefore we were
willed to stay there all night, and on the next morning,
to goe close and round together, whereby we might
passe and escape all dangers. But (notwithstanding
this good counsell) our caitife drivers were so covetous
to goe forward, and so fearefull of pursuite, that
they never stayed till the morning: But being
welnigh midnight, they made us trudge in our way apace.
Then I fearing the great danger which might happen,
ran amongst the middle of the other Horses, to the
end I might defend and save my poore buttocks from
the Wolves, whereat every man much marvelled to see,
that I scowred away swifter then the other Horses.
But such was my agility, not to get me any prayse,
but rather for feare: at that time I remembered
with my selfe, that the valiant Horse Pegasus did
fly in the ayre more to avoyd the danger of dreadful
Chimera, then for any thing else. The shepheards
which drave us before them were well armed like warriours:
one had a speare, another had a sheepehooke, some
had darts, some clubbes, some gathered up great stones,
some held up their sharp Javelings, and some feared
away the Woolves with light firebrands. Finally
wee lacked nothing to make up an Army, but onely Drummes
and Trumpets. But when we had passed these dangers,
not without small feare, wee fortuned to fall into
worse, for the Woolves came not upon us, either because
of the great multitude of our company, or else because
[of] our firebrands, or peradventure they were gone
to some other place, for wee could see none, but the
Inhabitants of the next villages (supposing that wee
were Theeves by reason of the great multitude) for
the defence of their owne substance, and for the feare
that they were in, set great and mighty masties upon
us, which they had kept and nourished for the safety
of their houses, who compassing us round about leaped
on every side, tearing us with their teeth, in such
sort that they pulled many of us to the ground:
verily it was a pittifull sight to see so many Dogs,
some following such as flyed, some invading such as
stood still, some tearing those which lay prostrate,
but generally there were none which escaped cleare:
Behold upon this another danger ensued, the Inhabitants
of the Towne stood in their garrets and windowes,
throwing great stones upon our heads, that wee could
not tell whether it were best for us to avoyd the gaping
mouthes of the Dogges at hand or the perill of the
stones afarre, amongst whome there was one that hurled
a great flint upon a woman, which sate upon my backe,
who cryed out pitiously, desiring her husband to helpe
her. Then he (comming to succour and ayd his
wife) beganne to speake in this sort: Alas masters,
what mean you to trouble us poore labouring men so
cruelly? What meane you to revenge your selves
upon us, that doe you no harme? What thinke you