2240Quoth she, 'Thy trust, and skill I must employ

And for thy pains thou shalt have treasures, boy.'

The greedy porter, like a goshawk, seized

With griping talons on this pheasant cock,

'Madam', says he, 'my skill is not diseased,

Nor dwells dissembling with the honest frock.

Disclose your secrets, and be sure if man

Can do you service, then Avaro can.'

Felice then, as prologue to her suit,

Gave him a purse full fraught with pseudo-gold;