owne, I dissembled the matter for that time, bicause I would not be such an one in∣deede, by wilfully resisting a whole towne: But nowe with witnesses I come to de∣fend my cause, which accustomed proof, if perhaps you wil not allow, as insufficient, or call their sinceritie in suspicion of my supposed right, for better proofe and testi∣monie thereof, I meane (by your permission) to make my claime in such sort, as shall best please mine aduersarie; whereby I thinke not onely to conuict him, but also to make the standers by beleeue, their opinions to be as false, as their words iniurious, that they haue vniustly conceiued and vttered against me: So that, command mine aduersarie (most rightfull Iudges) to choose out some way or other to try the truth, if yet (at the least) he claimeth this childe in controuersie to be his sonne. To this Sarcordus answered thus. The matter brought heere before you (most reuerend and iust Iudges) being accounted of all most bad of it selfe & most vntrue, I thinke so farre vnfit (for the high respect due vnto you) to trouble your graue eares withall, that were it not by the dissuasion of my friends, but especially by the due regarde of iustice (wherein he falsely claimes to haue the onely title) and by maintaining of the kings inuiolate peace (whereof I am a member) this controuersie had beene (with∣out troubling you) long since decided. But since for iustice he cals and cries, which (though supposed) is not woont to be denied any here, I was content to condescend to his owne request, assuredly knowing when by your graue censures the matter shal be thorowly scanned, to ouercome him with his owne weapons. All which conside∣red, you must either iudge this man a very foole in that he speakes (and as I meane to prooue him no lesse) or else thinke, that he comes to importune and mocke you, procuring you come to iudgement of a matter cleerer then the brightest light. But bicause his impudencie may be thorowly knowen, and that you may inflict due punishment vpon him for it, Commaund him, I beseech you, to bring hither the childe, which with the testimonie of all the towne I will prooue to be mine. If this proofe be sufficient (said Carpostus interrupting him) I will also prooue it by the vni∣forme voice of all my towne to be as well mine. Why then graue Iudges (said Sar∣cordus) we will no longer detaine you heere about this matter. Let the childe be brought and set betweene vs both, and let him be deemed the right Father to whom it will goe. Carpostus (for that was the thing he most of all desired) immediately an∣swered. Beare witnes all good people what he saith. And depriue him (graue Iud∣ges) of a Sonne, whom the childe shall forsake, and let not the offender & condem∣ned person escape vnpunished: he, for his theft committed; me, for my folly & shame that is spread abroad of me. When hee had spoken these wordes, he turned him about to a boy that he brought with him on purpose, and said vnto him. Run to the Inne and bring the child hither, who brought me straight waies thither, leauing Par∣thenius still in the Inne, whose coats I did then weare, for Calasta my nurce had taken off his to put them vpon me, and in chaunge of them, had put mine vpon him. But now when I was come neere, the people made way, Sarcordus standing on the one side, and Carpostus on the other. Then the boy that carried me in his armes, brought me in sight of them both, and I with a merrie countenance (being called by the name of louing sonne) ran to my Father, not turning so much as mine eies to Sarcor∣dus, who was with great griefe & anguish of minde calling in vaine vpon me. This being done to the great wonder of all the towne (for there was none there that durst not haue laid his head, but that I was Parthenius) Carpostus tooke me vp and set me neere to Sarcordus (himselfe going away) but I ranne by and by after him, making no account at all of Sarcordus. At this sight, as they were all astonished, so were they
