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Whether a Prisonner goinge at libertie
vppon his faith be bounde to appeare
at his takers call, hauinge any lett.

Ca. 19.

Twoe noble gentlemen vppon quarrell of
great importannce and the condicions aforesaide
came to combatt wthin a liste made for the purpose
nere vnto the campe of Francesco Sforza the generall in Italy
& thone beinge vanquished was suffred by his vanquisher to
goe vppon his faith & retorne whensoeuer he were called
It hapened shortlye after that the noble man victorious ha:
vinge warre wth an other lorde, called for his prisonner pre:
pared for the warrs, & he vppon knowledge therof happened
& in that seruice behaved him self so couragiouslie & politi:
quelye, that thorough his virtue the victorie was gained
The victorie by his virtue thus wonne desireth his taker
that in respecte of this seruice he might be dischardged of
his promise, & remitted to libertie, and was demaunded of the
Iudge whether for this greate meritt and seruice he maye
iustlie require libertie, wherto was answered, that yf a
bondman by his virtue and valewre doth deliuer his lorde from
any dannger, by lawe & conscience he deserueth libertie, to
thende that others by example therof maye take hope & harte
by such meanes to enter into perill for their maisters And
the Emperor have commannded that yf any Mr shall for
so great a meritt refuze to enfraunchize his slave, he
may be compelled therunto, for it is a thinge belonginge to
religion, & iustice, to rewarde seruices, & the contrarie is
an acte bestiall. ffor publique favours arewth precious
guifts & no ingratitude to be rewarded, because ingratitude
plucketh vp good deserts by the roote, & stretcheth in sonder