yet (indeavouring by all kind of meanes to enterprise the matter, and
remembring the fragility of man, that might be intised and corrupted
with money, since as by gold the adamant gates may be opened) on a day,
when he found Myrmex alone, he discovered his love, desiring him to shew
his favour, (otherwise he should certainly dye) with assurance that
he need not to feare when as he might privily be let in and out in the
night, without knowledge of any person. When he thought, with these and
other gentle words to allure and prick forward the obstinate mind of
Myrmex he shewed him glittering gold in his hand, saying that he would
give his mistresse twenty crowns and him ten, but Myrmex hearing these
words, was greatly troubled, abhorring in his mind to commit such a
mischiefe: wherfore he stopped his eares, and turning his head departed
away: howbeit the glittering view of these crownes could never be out of
his mind, but being at home he seemed to see the money before his eyes,
which was so worthy a prey, wherefore poore Myrmex being in divers
opinions could not tell what to doe, for on the one side lie considered
the promise which he made to his master, and the punishment that should
ensue if he did contrary. On the other side he thought of the gaine, and
the passing pleasure of the crownes of gold; in the end the desire of
the money did more prevaile then the feare of death, for the beauty
of the flowrishing crownes did so sticke in his mind, that where the
menaces of his master compelled him to tarry at home, the pestilent
avarice of gold egged him out a doores, wherefore putting all shame
aside, without further delay, he declared all the whole matter to his
Mistresse, who according to the nature of a woman, when she heard him
speake of so great a summe she bound chastity in a string, and gave
authority to Myrmex to rule her in that case. Myrmex seeing the intent
of his Mistresse, was very glad, and for great desire of the gold, he
ran hastily to Philesiterus, declaring that his Mistresse was consented
to his mind, wherefore he demanded the gold which he promised. Then