300	THE PATTERNS
the vse of their bodies the day before. And when it was demaunded of Tharsia, she brought him the mony, as the price and hire of her virginitie. Then said the bawd vnto hir : It is wel doone Tharsia : vse diligence hencefoorth, and see that you bring mee thus much mony euery day. When- the next day was past also, and the bawd vnderstoode that she remained a virgin stil, he was offended, and called vnto him the villaine that had charge ouer the maides, and said vnto him: Sirra, how chanceth it that Tharsia remaineth a virgin still? Take her vnto thee, and spoile her of her maidenhead, or be sure thou shalt be whipped. Then said the villaine vnto Tharsia, tel me, art thou yet a virgin ? She answered, I am, and shalbe as long as God will suffer me. How then, said he, hast thou gotten all this mony? She answered, with teares falling downe vpon her knees, I haue declared mine estate, humbly requesting all men to take compassion on my virginitie. And nowe likewise, falling then downe at his feete also, take pitty on me, good friend, which am a poore captiue, and the daughter of a king, and doe not defile me. The villaine answered : Our master the bawd is very couetous and greedie of money, and therefore I see no meanes for thee to continue a virgin. Whereunto Tharsia replied: I am skilful in the liberal sciences, and well exercised in all studies, and no man singeth or playeth on instruments better than I, wherefore bring mee into the market place of the citie that men may heare my cunning. Or let the people propound any maner of questions, and I will resolue them : and I doubt not but by this practise I shall get store of money daily. When the villaine heard this deuise, and bewailed the maidens mishappe, he willingly gaue consent thereto, and brake with the bawd his master touching that matter, who hearing of her skill, and hoping for the gaine, was easily perswaded.