¶ Of Th’ Emperour Augustus and the Olde Men. Cv
¶ As the noble emperour Augustus on a time cam in to a bayne,293 he behelde an olde man, that hadde done good seruice in the warres, frotte294 him selfe a gaynste a marble pyller for lacke of one to helpe to wasshe him. Th’ emperour, moued with pite, gaue an annuite to fynde hym and a seruaunt to wayte vpon him. Whan this was knowen, a great sorte of olde men drewe them to gether, and stode where as the emperour shulde passe forth by, euerye one of them rubbynge his owne backe with a marble stone. The emperour demaunded why they dyd so? Bycause, noble emperour, sayd they, we be not able to kepe seruantes to do it. Why, quod the emperour, one of you maye clawe and frote an others backe well inough.