might be compelled by menaces and threatnings, and such as were willing
might be incouraged forward with reward. Further be said, that there
were some, which (seeing the profite which they had) would forsake their
base and servile estate, and rather bee contented to live like tyrants
amongst them. Moreover he declared, that for his part he had spoken with
a certaine tall man, a valiant companion, but of young age, stout in
body, and couragious in fight, whom he had fully perswaded to exercise
his idle hands, dull with slothfullnesse, to his greater profit, and
(while he might) to receive the blisse of better Fortune, and not to
hold out his sturdy arme to begge for a penny, but rather to take as
much gold and silver as hee would. Then everyone consented, that hee
that seemed so worthy to be their companion, should be one of their
company, and that they would search for others to make up the residue
of the number, whereupon he went out, and by and by (returning againe)
brought in a tall young man (as he promised) to whom none of the residue
might bee compared, for hee was higher then they by the head, and of
more bignesse in body, his beard began to burgen, but hee was poorely
apparelled, insomuch that you might see all his belly naked. As soone
as he was entred in he said, God speed yee souldiers of Mars and my
faithfull companions, I pray you make me one of your band, and I will
ensure you, that you shall have a man of singular courage and lively
audacity: for I had rather receive stripes upon my backe, then money or
gold in my hands. And as for death (which every man doth feare) I passe
nothing at all, yet thinke you not that I am an abject or a begger,
neither judge you my vertue and prowesse by ragged clothes, for I have
beene a Captaine of a great company, and subdued all the countrey of
Macedonia. I am the renowned theefe Hemes the Thracian, whose name all
countreys and nations do so greatly feare: I am the sonne of Theron
the noble theefe, nourished with humane bloud, entertained amongst
the stoutest; finally I am inheritour and follower of all my fathers