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（questionlesse） cannot be voide of； then let me entreate such advice
from you； as may rather helpe； then hinder my hopes。 Beleeve it then
for trueth Sir； that the long absence of my husband from me； the
solitary condition wherein I am left； il agreeing with the hot blood
running in my veines； and the temper of my earnest desires： have so
prevailed against my strongest resistances； that not onely so weake
a woman as I am； but any man of much more potent might； （living in
ease and idlenesse as I do） cannot withstand such continuall assaults；
having no other helpe then flesh and blood。
Nor am I so ignorant； but publike knowledge of such an error in mee；
would be reputed a shrewd taxation of honesty： whereas （on the other
side） secret carriage； and heedfull managing such amorous affaires；
may passe for currant without any reproach。 And let me tel you；
noble Count； that I repute love highly favourable to mee； by guiding
my judgement with such moderation； to make election of a wise； worthy；
and honorable friend； fit to enjoy the grace of a farre greater Lady
then I am； and the first letter of his name； is the Count D'Angiers。
For if error have not misled mine eye； as in love no Lady can be
easily deceived： for person； perfections； and all parts most to bee
commended in a man； the whole Realme of France containeth not your
equall。 Observe beside； how forward Fortune sheweth her selfe to us
both in this case； you to bee destitute of a wife； as I am of an
husband； for I account him as dead to me； when he denies me the duties
belonging to a wife。 Wherefore； in regard of the unfained affection
I beare you； and compassion which you ought to have of a Royall
Princesse； even almost sicke to death for your sake； I earnestly
entreat you； not to deny mee your loving society； but pittying my
youth and fiery affections （never to be quenched but by your
kindnesse） I may enjoy my hearts desire。
As shee uttered these words； the teares streamed aboundantly downe
her faire cheekes； preventing her of any further speech： so that
dejecting her head into her bosome； overcome with the predominance
of her passions； she fell upon the Counts knee； whereas else shee
had falne uppon the ground。 When he； like a loyall and most honourable
man； sharpely reprehended her fond and idle love： And when shee
would have embraced him about the necke to have kissed him； he
repulsed her roughly from him； protesting upon his honourable
reputation； that rather then hee would so wrong his Lord and
Maister； he would endure a thousand deaths。
The Ladie seeing her desire disappointed； and her fond expectation
utterly frustrated： grew instantly forgetfull of her intemperate love；
and falling into extremity of rage； converted her former gentle and
loving speeches； into this harsh and ruder language。 Villaine （quoth
she） shall the longing comforts of my life； be abridged by thy base
and scornefull deniall？ Shall my destruction be wrought by thy most
currish unkindenesse； and all my hoped joyes be defeated in a
moment？ Know Slave； that I did not so earnestly desire thy sweete
embracements before； but now as deadly I hate and despise them；
which either thy death or banishment shall deerely pay for。 No
sooner had she thus spoken； but tearing her haire； and renting her
garments in peeces； she ranne about like a distracted Woman； crying
out alowd； Helpe； helpe； the Count D'Angiers will forcibly dishonour
mee； the lustfull Count will violate mine honour。
D'Angiers seeing this； and fearing more the malice of the
over…credulous Court； then either his owne Conscience； or any
dishonourable act by him committed； beleeving likewise； that her
slanderous accusation would be credited； above his true and
spotlesse innocency： closely he conveyed himselfe out of the Court；
making what hast he could； home to his owne house； which being too
weake for warranting his safety upon such pursuite as would be used
against him； without any further advice or counsell； he seated his two
children on horsebacke； himselfe also being but meanly mounted； thus
away thence he went to Calice。
Upon the clamour and noise of the Lady； the Courtiers quickly
flocked thither； and； as lies soone winne beleefe in hasty opinions；
upon any silly or shallow surmise： so did her accusation passe for
currant； and the Counts advancement being envied by many； made his
honest carriage （in this case） the more suspected。 In hast and madding
fury； they ran to the Counts houses； to arrest his person； and carry
him to prison： but when they could not finde him； they raced his
goodly buildings downe to the ground； and used all shamefull
violence to them。 Now； as ill newes sildome wants a speedy
Messenger； so； in lesse space then you will imagine； the King and
Dolphin heard thereof in the Campe；…and were therewith so highly
offended； that the Count had a sodaine and severe condemnation； all
his progeny being sentenced with perpetuall exile； and promises of
great and bountifull rewards； to such as could bring his body alive or
dead。
Thus the innocent Count； by his overhasty and sodaine flight； made
himselfe guilty of this foule imputation： and arriving at Callice with
his children； their poore and homely habites； hid them from being
knowne； and thence they crossed over into England； staying no where
untill hee came to London。 Before he would enter into the City； he
gave divers good advertisements to his children； but especially two
precepts above all the rest。 First； with patient soules to support the
poore condition； whereto Fortune （without any offence in him or
them） had thus dejected them。 Next； that they should have most
heedfull care； at no time to disclose from whence they came； or
whose children they were； because it extended to the perill of their
lives。 His Sonne； being named Lewes； and now about nine yeares old；
his Daughter called Violenta； and aged seaven yeares； did both observe
their fathers direction； as afterward it did sufficiently appeare。 And
because they might live in the safer securitie； hee thought it for the
best to change their names； calling his Sonne Perotto； and his
Daughter Gianetta； for thus they might best escape unknowne。
Being entred into the City； and in the poore estate of beggars； they
craved every bodies mercy and almes。 It came to passe； that standing
one morning at the Cathedrall Church doore； a great Lady of England
being then wife to the Lord high Marshal； comming forth of the Church；
espied the Count and his children there begging。 Of him she demanded
what Countrey…man he was？ and whether those children were his owne； or
no？ The Count replyed； that he was borne in Piccardy； and for an
unhappy fact committed by his eldest Sonne （a stripling of more
hopefull expectation； then proved） hee was enforced； with those his
two other children； to forsake his country。 The Lady being by nature
very pittifull； looking advisedly on the young Girle beganne to grow
in good liking of her； because （indeede） she was amiable； gentle；
and beautifull； whereupon shee saide。 Honest man； thy daughter hath
a pleasing countenance； and （perhaps） her inward disposition may
proove answerable to her outward good parts： if therefore thou canst
bee content to leave her with me； I will give her entertainment； and
upon her dutifull carriage and behaviour； if she live to such yeares
as may require it； I will have her honestly bestowne in marriage。 This
motion was very pleasing to the Count； who readily declared his
willing consent thereto； and with the teares trickling downe his
cheekes； in thankfull maner he delivered his pretty daughter to the
Lady。
She being thus happily bestowne； he minded to tarry no longer in
London； but； in his wonted begging manner； travailing thorough the
Country with his sonne Perotto； at length he came into Wales： but
not without much weary paine and travell； being never used before；
to journey so far on foot。 There dwelt another Lord； in office of
Marshalship to the King of England； whose power extended over those
parts： a man of very great authority； keeping a most noble and
bountifull house； which they termed the President of Wales his
Court； whereto the Count and his Son oftentimes resorted； as finding
there good releefe and comfort。 On a day； one of the Presidents
sons； accompanied with divers other Gentlemens children； were
performing certaine youthfull sports； and pastimes； as running；
leaping； and such like； wherein Perotto presumed to make one among
them； excelling all the rest in such commendable manner； as none of
them came any thing nere him。 Divers times the President had taken
notice thereof； and was so well pleased with the Lads behaviour；
that he enquired of whence he was？ Answere was made； that he was a
poore mans Son； that every day came for an almes to his gate。
The President being desirous to make the boy his； the Count （whose
dayly prayers were to the same purpose） frankly gave his Son to the
Nobleman： albeit naturall and fatherly affection； urged some
unwillingnesse to part so with him； yet necessity and discretion；
found it best for the benefit of them both。 Being thus eased of care
for his Son and Daughter； and they （though in different places）