To cut off blind ambages(='Circuitous ways leading nowhither')
by the highway side, we made a long stride and got to Venice in
short time, where having scarce looked about us, a precious
supernatural pander, apparelled in all points like a gentleman, &
having half a dozen several languages in his purse, entertained
us in our own tongue very paraphrastically and eloquently, &
maugre (=In spite of) all other pretended acquaintance, would
have us in a violent kind of courtesy to be the guests of his
appointment.