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art thou much beholding to Fortune； for falling （though in a foule
place） yet in a succesfull manner； and entring no more backe into
the house。 For beleeve mee friend； if thou haddest not falne； but
quietly gone to sleepe in the house； that sleepe had beene thy last in
this world； and with thy money； thou hadst lost thy life likewise。 But
teares and lamentations are now helpelesse； because as easily mayest
thou plucke the Starres from the Firmament； as get againe the least
doyt of thy losse。 And for that shag…haird Slave in the house； he will
be thy deathsman； if hee but understand that thou makest any
enquirie after thy money。 When he had thus admonished him； he began
also in this manner to comfort him。 Honest fellow；… we cannot but
pitty thy present condition： wherfore if thou wilt frendly associate
us； in a businesse which we are instantly going to effect； thy losse
hath not bene so great； but on our words we will warrant thee； that
thine immediate gaine shall farre exceede it。 What will not a man
（in desperate extremity） both well like and allow of； especially
when it carryeth apparance of present comfort。 So fared it with
Andrea； hee perswaded himselfe； worse then had already happened； could
not befall him； and therefore he would gladly adventure with them。
The selfe same day preceding this disastrous night to Andrea； in the
cheefe Church of the Cittie； had beene buried the Archbishop of Naples
named Signior Phillippo Minutulo； in his richest pontificall Robes and
Ornaments； and a Ruby on his finger valued to be worth five hundred
duckets of gold： this dead body they purposed to rob and rifle；
acquainting Andrea with their whole intent； whose necessitie
（coupled with a covetous desire） made him more forward then well
advised； to joyne with them in this sacriligious enterprize。 On they
went towards the great Church； Andreaes unsavourie perfume much
displeasing them； whereupon the one said to his fellow： Can we
devise no ease for this foule and noysome inconveniences？ the very
smell of him will be a meanes to betray us。 There is a Well…pit hard
by； answered the other； with a pulley and bucket descending downe into
it； and there we may wash him from this filthinesse。 To the Well…pit
they came； where they found the rope and pulley hanging readie； but
the bucket for safety was taken away； whereon they concluded； to
fasten the rope about him； and so let him downe into the Well…pit； and
when he had washed himselfe； hee should wagge the rope； and then
they would draw him up againe； which accordingly they forthwith
performed。
Now it came to passe； that while he was thus washing himselfe in the
Well…pit； the Watch of the Citie walking the round； and finding it
to bee a very hote and sweltring night； they grew dry and thirsty； and
therefore went to the Well to drinke。 The other two men； perceiving
the Watch so neere upon them； left Andrea in the pit to shift for
himselfe； running away to shelter themselves。 Their flight was not
discovered by the Watch； but they comming to the Wellpit； Andrea
remained still in the bottome； and having cleansed himselfe so well as
hee could； sate wagging the rope； expecting when hee should be haled
up。 This dumbe signe the Watch discerned not； but sitting downe by the
Welles side； they layde downe their Billes and other weapons；
tugging to draw up the rope； thinking the Bucket was fastened thereto；
and full of water。 Andrea being haled up to the Pits brim； left
holding the rope any longer； catching fast hold with his hands for his
better safety； and the Watch at the sight hereof being greatly
agrighted； as thinking that they had dragd up a Spirit； not daring
to speake one word； ran away with all the hast they could make。
Andrea hereat was not a little amazed； so that if he had not taken
very good hold on the brim： he might have falne to the bottome； and
doubtlesse there his life had perished。 Being come forth of the
Well； and treading on Billes and Halbards； which he well knew that his
companions had not brought thither with them； his mervaile so much the
more encreased； ignorance and feare still seizing him； with silent
bemoaning his many misfortunes； away thence he wandred； but hee wist
not whither。 As he went on； he met his two fellowes； who purposely
returned to drag him out of the Well； and seeing their intent
already performed； desired to know who had done it： wherein Andrea
could not resolve them； rehearsing what hee could； and what weapons
hee found lying about the Well。 Whereat they smiled； as knowing；
that the Watch had haled him up； for feare of whom they left him；
and so declared to him the reason of their returne。
Leaving off all further talke； because now it was about midnight；
they went to the great Church； where finding their enterance to be
easie： they approached neere the Tombe； which was very great； being
tall of Marble； and the cover…stone weighty； yet with crowes of yron
and other helps； they raised it so high； that a man might without
perill passe into it。 Now began they to question one another； which of
the three should enter into the Tombe。 Not I； said the first； so
said the second： No nor I； answered Andrea。 Which when the other two
heard； they caught fast hold of him； saying。 Wilt not thou goe into
the Tombe？ Be advised what thou sayest； for； if thou wilt not goe
in： we will so beat thee with one of these yron crowes； that thou
shalt never goe out of this Church alive。
Thus poore Andrea is still made a property； and Fortune （this fatall
night） will have no other foole but he； as delighting in his hourly
disasters。 Feare of their fury makes him obedient； into the grave he
goes； and being within； thus consults with himselfe。 These cunning
companions suppose me to be simple； and make me enter the Tombe；
having an absolute intention to deceive me。 For； when I have given
them all the riches that I finde here； and am ready to come forth
for mine equall portion： away will they runne for their owne safety；
and leaving me heere； not onely shall I loose my right among them； but
must remaine to what danger may follow after。 Having thus meditated；
he resolved to make sure of his owne share first； and remembring the
rich Ring； whereof they had tolde him： forthwith hee tooke it from the
Archbishops finger； finding it indifferently fitte for his owne。
Afterward； hee tooke the Crosse； Miter； rich garments； Gloves and all；
leaving him nothing but his shirt； giving them all these severall
parcels； protesting that there was nothing else。 Still they pressed
upon him； affirming that there was a Ring beside； urging him to search
diligently for it； yet still he answered； that he could not finde
it； and for their longer tarrying with him； seemed as if he serched
very carefully； but all appeared to no purpose。
The other two fellowes； as cunning in craft as the third could be；
still willed him to search； and watching their aptest opportunity：
tooke away the proppes that supported the Tombe…stone； and running
thence with their got booty； left poore Andrea mewed up in the
grave。 Which when he perceived； and saw this miserie to exceede all
the rest； it is farre easier for you to guesse at his