was but whatsoever prayer she could make or reasons she could allege nothing would mollifie his heart nor overcome the heady resolution he had taken with himself to be revenged on her for without answering his Wife one Word he withdrew himself from her as fast as he could and forgetting God and the honour of his House without any form of Justice he most cruelly caused the Maid to be apprehended I will not in this place undertake to describe unto you the perplexity of the Dutchesse which was such that a Lady of Honour and of a good spirit ought to have who on the obligation of her faith did see her to die whom she desired to preserve But much lesse may the lamentations of the poor Gentleman be represented who was his Servant and failed not to use the utof his endeavour as much as it was possible for him to doe to save the life of the Maid offering to lose his own life for her but it would not be accepted and no pity could touch the heart of the Duke who knew no other felicity but to revenge himself of those whom he hated In this manner was the innocent Maid put to death by this cruel Duke against all Law of honesty to the great grief of all those who knew her See here Ladies what are the effects of malice when power is joyned unto it I have heard it spoken said Longaren that the greatest part of the Italians I say the greatest part for no doubt there are some honest men amongst them as in all other Nations are subject to their Vices in which none do exceed them but I though that Vengeance and Cruelty had not been so predominant as upon every small occasion to give so cruel a death Saffredant smiling did say unto her Longaren you have given us a true Account of one of the three Vices I would fain know what are the other two If you do not know them already said Longaren I will tell them you but I am confident you are not to learn what they are By your words said Saffredant you would make me a very vicious Man Not by deeds said Longaren but in knowing the filthinesse of Vice you can better than another know how to avoid it Wonder not said Simontault at their cruelty for those who have travelled into Italy will tell you such incredible things of them that this in the comparison will appear but a little Sin or no Sin at all Believe me said Guebron when Rivoli was taken by the French there was an Italian Captain who was esteemed to be a Gentleman who seeing one dead who was not his Enemy in particular but only took part against the Gibelins did tear his heart out of his belly and rosting it upon the Coals did greedily devour it and some present demanding of him what tast it had he made answer that he never did eat a sweeter or a more voluptuous morsel And not content with this goodly Act he killed the Wife of the Dead Man and tearing her young child out of her belly being almost ready to be delivered did dash it into pieces against the walls and afterwards filled the two Bodys of the Husband and Wise with Oats and threw them to his Horses to seed on How do you think he would have used this Girl whom he had suspected to have done him a displeasure It might well be affirmed said Emarsuite that the Duke was very much afraid that his Son should have married poorly and that was the reason that he would not suffer him to have a Wife according to his own mind You are not to doubt said Simontault that the Nature of them is to love that more than Nature which was only created for the use of Nature Behold said Longaren the second Sin which I would have represented to you for we all know well enough that to love money beyond the use of it for which it serves which is only to aid us in our necessities is to make an Idol of it Parlament added that Saint Paul had not forgot their Vices nor the vices of those men who think they do surpasse and excell all others in wisdom and humane reason in which they do confound themselves because they render not to God the glory which is due unto him Therefore God who is jealous of his Honour hath renderd them more insensible than Beasts who believed they had more sense than all other men and by their lusts against Nature they do show that they are delivered up to a reprobate sense Longaren interupted her in her discourse and said this is the third Sin to which the greatest part of the Italians are subject In good earnest said Nomerfide I take an extraordinary delight to hear this discourse for since those Spirits which we esteem to be the most subtle and the greatest Discoverers do endure such a punishment as to be more sencelesse than beasts We ought to conclude that those who are humble and dejected in their beauty as I my self am shall be filled with the wisdom of Angels and with the grace of God I assure you answered Oysilla I am not far from your opinion for no man is more ignorant than he who thinks he knows something I never said Guebron saw a mocker but he was mocked nor a deceiver but he was deceived nor a vain glorious person but he was humbled You do make me to remember an Imposture said Simontault which if it had been an honest one I would willingly have recited It is no great matter said Oysilla for since we are met here to speak the truth be it of what quality it will I do give you my voice to speak it Since the place is given to me said Simontault I must take it and will give you an Account thereof The Slovenly Breakfast prepared by an Apothecaries man for an Advocate and a Gentleman The second Novel IN the City of Alençon in the time of Charles the last there was an Advocate named Anthony Bachet an honest man and a great Lover of a good Breakfast in a Winters morning One day sitting very early at his door he observed a Gentleman to passe by who was called Monsieur de Tyrelier who by reason of the great Frost which was that morning was come a foot from his own house into the City to dispatch some businesse and he had put on a long Coat furred with Fox-skins When he beheld the Advocate who was of his own complexion he told him that he had been in the Town almost two hours and already done all his businesse and that nothing remained but to goe to some place of resort to find out a good Breakfast The Advocate made answer to him that the Breakfast was easily to be found but then he must pay for it And taking him by the Arm he said unto him Let us goe my Companion we may possibly find one fool or another who will pay the shot for us both By fortune there was
hearing of his lamentable and Christian death changed the roughnesse of her language with which she thought to have entertained him at his return into tears and sighes in which her Husband did keep Company with her being thus sadly disappointed of his hopes in his Journey to Jerusalem I cannot here forget That a Damosel who lived with this Gentlewoman whose Name was Joan and loved the Gentleman that was given to the Captain better than the loved her self on the same morning that the Captain and the Gentleman were slain did come unto her Mistresse and told her That she had seen him in her sleep last night whom so well she loved cloathed all in white who was come unto her to take his Farewell of her being on that day to go into Paradise with his Captain But when she found that her Dream was true she made so great a lamentation that her Mistresse had enough to do to comfort her Some moneths afterwards the Court removed into Normandy of which Province the Captain was whose Wife never failed to come to do Reverence to Madam the Mother Regent And to be presented to her she addressed her self to that Gentlewoman whom her Husband so much loved And attending the hour in which they were to go unto the Church to hear Mattens the old woman began to praise and to lament her Husband and amongst other discourses she said unto her Madam My misfortune is greater than ever did befall any woman for just at the time that he began to love me better than ever he did before God took him from me And speaking those words she shewed her the Ring which she had upon her fingers as the token of his perfect love which was not without many tears at which the Lady though she was sensible enough of the old Womans grief had so great a desire to laugh especially since her deceit produced this good that she was unable to present her to Madam the Regent but gave her to another and retired her self into the Chapel where having laughed her fill she passed away the defire she had to laugh any more Ladies It seems to me that they unto whom such gifts are presented should desire to do works that may come to so good an end as this Gentlewoman did for they only by experience do find that good Deeds do redound to the joy of the Doers And we ought not to accuse this Gentlewoman of Deceit but to esteem of her good Intentions who converted that into a Benefit which of it self is worth nothing Will you say so said Nomerfide Is a fair Diamond of two hundred Crowns price worth nothing I dare assure you that if it had fallen into my hands neither his Wife nor any of his Kinred should ever have seen it again There is nothing better to any one self than that which is given The Captain was dead No man knew any thing of it Upon my word you have reason for it said Hircan for there are some women who to shew themselves more excellent than others do some works apparently against their Natures for we all know well enough that there is nothing more covetous than a woman and yet their Glory doth oftentimes exceed their Avarice which doth inforce their hearts to do those things which they would not And I believe that she who forsook the Diamond was not worthy to wear it Hola Hola said Oysilla I do suspect I know the Gentlewoman I do beseech you therfore not to condemn her before you see her Madam said Hircan I do not condemn her but if the Captain were as virtuous as you say he was she had been honoured to have had such a Servant and to have worn his Ring but it may be that one lesse worthy to be beloved did take so fast hold on her finger that his Ring could not come on Truly said Guebron she might well have kept it because there was not one who knew any thing of it How is that said Guebron Are all things lawfull to those that love because no man knows of them Take my word for it said Saffredant I never saw any mis-deed punished but only foolishness for there is neither Murderer Thief nor Adulterer but let him be as cunning as he is wicked that was ever either condemned by Justice or reproved amongst Men but oftentimes their subtilty is so great that it doth blind them so that they become fools and as I have said only the fools and not the vicious are punished You may speak what you please said Oysilla God only can judge of the heart of that Lady but as far as I can conjecture I do find the Deed most honourable and virtuous And to debate no more upon it I pray you Parlament to give your voice to some one I give it most willingly said she to Simontault for after these two sad Novells he will give us one you may be sure of it that will not make us weep I thank you said Simontault for in giving me your voice you do not now as lately call me pleasant which is a word I love not and to revenge myself on you I will demonstrate that there are women who make a great appearance that they are wondrous chast to some and for a time but the event doth show them to be as they are as you will find by this Story which is undoubtedly true The Subtilty of a Lover who under the pretence of a true Friend did gather of a Lady of Milan the fruit of his passed labours The Fourth Novell IN the Dutchie of Milan in the time when the great Master Châ—umont was Governor there was a Gentleman called Signior de Bonninet who afterwards for his virtues was made Admiral of France and was highly esteemed at Milan by the great Master and by all the world for the rare parts that were in him He was often invited to the Banquets where the chiefest of the Ladies met by whom he was better beloved than ever Frenchman was as well for his Beauty Gracefulnesse and Language as for the great Name he had in Arms being second therein to none of his Time One day being in a Mask he did lead in the Dance one of the most brave and most beautifull Ladies that were in that City and when the Hoboyes ceased he did alwayes discourse unto her of Love which he could better do than any other but she would make no answer to him but oftentimes to interrupt him in his Discourse and to give a stop to his desires she would assure him That she neither did nor ever would love any but her Husband and would by no means seem to understand him At this answer this refused Gentleman would not desist and vigorously prosecuted his sute untill the Middle of Lent But for all his endeavours he found her firm in her resolutions neither to love him nor any else which he could hardly beleeve seeing the hard favour and course deportment of her Husband and the excellent beauty
were by Death did goe both to bed also to sleep out their fill And when she heard them to sleep so soundly that they did snort again she did rise in her Smock and did goe out of the Chamber listning if she could hear any noise about the House but being assured that all was quiet she took a Staff in her hand and did goe out at a little Garden door which was not shut and all that night in her Smock only she travelled bare foot towards Autun to her Saint that did preserve her from death But because the way was long she could not reach to the end of her journey before the break of day Not long afterwards she looked behind her and observed two Horsemen in a full gallop riding towards Autun and suspecting that it was her Husband who did ride in the pursute of her she did hide her self in the Fens hard by and covered her head with the Rushes and her Husband in full speed passing clole by she heard him to speak unto his Man as if he were in some great perplexity O wretched Woman who would have thought that under the covert of the holy Sacraments of the Church she would cover so wicked and so abhominable a design His Servant said unto him Sir Judas who was one of the Apostles taking such a Morsel did not fear to betray his Master think not the treachery of a Woman to be so strange and speaking those words her Husband passed by and his Wife continued amongst the rushes more joyfull that she had deceived him than she was at home in a bed of down in Slavery Her poor Husband searched over the whole City of Autun and found for certain that she was not there Wherefore he returned by the same way which he came and did nothing but complain of her all the way he did ride and of the losse which he received threatning her with death without mercy if ever he should find her again of which she had no more fear in her Soul than she felt cold in her body although the season of the year and the place wherein she covered her self might give her just reason to complain of her cold and melancholy voyage And by the imagination only how the fire of Hell doth burn those who are punished therein we may conceive the wonder how this poor wretch coming out of a Warm bed could be able to continue a whole day together in that extremity of cold Howsoever she lost not her resolution or her way for as soon as ever night appeared she did begin her journey again and in the dusk of the Evening when the Gate of the City was about to be shut this poor pilgrim arrived and failed not to goe directly to the place where her Saint lived who was so amazed at the sight that he could hardly believe that it was she but having diligently examined her with his eye and found by his hand that she had flesh and bones which a Spirit hath not he did rest himself assur'd that it was no Apparition and immediately did comply so well with her that she after wards did continue with him fifteen years together Having concealed her self for a certain time at the last she lost all fear and modesty and which is worse she took such a glory that she had such a friend that she shewed her self openly at the Church before the greatest part of the Ladies of that City and before the Magistrates the Officers and others and had many children by the Canon and amongst others a Daughter who was married to a very rich Merchant and so gorgeously apparelled at her Wedding day that all the good women of the City did murmur very greatly at it but it was not in their power to give any redresse unto it It so came to pass that in those dayes Queen Claudia Wife to the late King Francis travelling that way did lodge in that City and had in her Company Madam the Regent Mother to the King and the Dutchesse of Alençon who was her Daughter A Gentlewoman of the Chamber named Peretta did come unto the Dutchess and said unto her Madam I must beseech you to hear me you may peradventure do a greater work than if this day you had heard the Masses in all the Churches of France The Dutchess stayed very willingly to give ear unto her knowing that from her nothing but good Counsels could proceed Peretta immediately declared to her That she had taken a little Girl to assist her in the Queens Landry and having asked of her what was the Newes in the City she acquainted her with the Indignation of a great many Ladies and Gentlewomen of that City to see the Canons Lemman to be so impudent as to take the wall of them and informed her of a great part of her incontinent life The Dutchesse immediatly repaired to the Queen and to Madam the Regent and repeated the story unto her and they without any form of processe at all did send to seek out this ungracious Woman who did not conceal her self from them for she had turned her shame and her infamy into a glory to be the Mistresse of the house of so reverend and so rich a Man And being nothing dismayed she came without the least alteration of her Countenance to present her self before the Ladies who were so amazed at her Impudence that on the sudden they knew not what to say unto her And after that Madam the Regent had made such Demonstrations to her that they would have fetched tears from the eyes of any Woman that was of a modest understanding she stood before them without the least apprehension at all and with an extreme confidence did say unto them I must beseech you Ladies to take care that my Honour may not be brought into Question for God be praised I have lived with Monseiur the Canon so well and vertuously that there is neither man nor woman living that can reprove me neither ought any one to think but that I live after the will of God for it is now full three years since the Canon hath had any carnal knowledge of me and we do live as chastly and in as great love as two Angels there being not betwixt him and me the least crosse word or contrariety of disposition And they who shall go about to part us shall commit a great sin for the good Man who is almost fourscore years of age will never endure to live without me who am my self five and forty yeers of age You may conceive with your selves that these Ladies could not forbear to speak unto her as she deserved and what were the Remonstrances which every one of them did make unto her seeing her obstinatenesse which could not be molified by the words which they did speak unto her nor by the consideration of her own Age nor by the presence of those honourable personages Wherefore to humble her they did send for the Archdeacon who did condemn her
either Cushion or Cloath of Arras Simontault began to speak Who shall be that Person amongst us that shall have Command over the rest Hircan made answer Because you have first made the motion it is reason you command for at Game we are all equal I would to God said Simontault that I had the power to command all this Company I would desire no other happinesse in this world Parlament did well understand what he intended by those words who began to look red upon it but Hircan perceived not the colour which mounted into her cheeks but said unto Simontault Begin to speak on some good Subject and we are ready to hear you who being likewise invited to it by all the Company did speak in this manner Ladies I have been so ill requited for my long services that to revenge my self on Love and on her who hath been so cruell to me I will endeavour to make a repetition of all the ill offices the injuries under which Women do make poor men to suffer and I will speak nothing but what shall be perfect Truth The End of the Preface THE NOVELLS Of Queen MARGARET A Gentlewoman of Alençon had two friends the one for her pleasure and the other for her profit Of the two she procured him to be murdered who first detected her for which she obtained pardon for her self and her fugitive husband who afterwards to save a little money did resort unto a Negromancer and their Enterprise was discovered and punished The First Novell IN the City of Alençon in the time of Duke Charles the last there was a Proctor called St. Aignan who had married a Gentlewoman of that Country more fair than virtuous who for her beauty and delightfullness was much covered by a Prelat of the Church whose name in reverence to his profession I shall conceal He the better to arrive unto his own ends did so cunningly entertain her husband that he not only perceivd not any thing of the vice of his wife and of this Prelat but he had made him also to forget the duty which he always carried to the service of his Masters and Mistress Insomuch that of a Loyal Servant he became so contrary that in the end he betook himself to sorceries to procure the Death of the Dutchesse Long time did this Prelate live thus with this unhappy womam who was obedient to him more for avarice than for affection her husband also did sollicit her to entertain him But there was a young man in the said City of Alençon the Son of the Lieutenant General whom she affected with so much passion that she was almost transported with the violence of it and often times she would make use of the Prelat to imploy her husband in some Commission abroad that more opportunely she might be enabled to be with the Son of the Lieutenant of the City This conversation of life did continue a long time she had for her profit the Prelat and for her pleasure the Son of the Lieutenant to whom she did swear that all the indearments of affection she professed to the Prelat were but only more freely to continue their own and whatsoever the thing was the said Prelat had but only a fair word and he might be assured that no man in the world should have an interest in any other thing but himself only One day when her Husband was going to the Prelat she demanded leave of him to take the air of the fields alleging that the closenesse of the City was obnoxious to her health She no sooner arrived at her Country house but immediatly she did write to the Son of the Lieutenant desiring him that he would not fail to come to her about 10 of the clock in that Evening which the poor young Man did and being come into the entrance at the Door he found there the Chamber-maid who was accustomed to let him in who said unto him Sir You may go some where else for your place is taken up The Young man conceiving that her Husband was come home demanded what was the Business The Maid taking pity of him seeing him so young so lovely so ingenious and withall to love so well and so little to be beloved again declared to him the folly of her Mistresse conceiving with her self that when he understood what she was he would reprove himself for the excesse of his affection She therefore did inform him that the Prelat did make his daily visitations to her and was now in bed with her This was howsoever a meeting which her Mistresse expected not for the Prelat was not to come untill the next Morning who having detained her Husband at his own house did steal away privately by Night to come unto her Who was almost sunk now into the bottom of Despair It was the Son of the Lieutenant who nevertheless could hardly give credit to it but did hide himself in a house hard by where he watched untill three of the clock in the Morning at what hour he saw the Prelat come forth not so well disguised but that he knew him better than he desired In this Discontent he returned to Alençon whither not long afterwards his unfaithfull Mistresse did arrive and thinking to abuse him as she had been accustomed heretofore she did send to communicate with him But he made answer That she was too great a Saint having been touched with holy things to confer with such a Sinner as himself whose repentance howsoever was so great that he hop'd his offence should suddenly be pardon'd When she apprehended that her Case was discover'd and that neither Excuse Oath nor Promise could induce him to return unto her but were all of no effect she made her complaint unto her Prelat and having consulted with him about it she came unto her Husband and told him That she durst no longer continue in the City of Alençon by reason that the Son of the Lieutenant whom she had placed in the first rank of all her friends did of late incessantly importune her to the violation of her Honour She desired him to make his aboad at Argentan to take away all suspition Her Husband who in all things suffer'd himself to be govern'd by her did accord unto it where they were not long but this mischievous woman did write unto the Son of the Lieutenant That he was the most wicked man in the world and that she sufficiently understood that publickly he had spoken disgracefully of her self and of the Prelat for which she would make him to do pennance This young Man who had never made the least mention of it to any but to her self and who fear'd to suffer in the bad opinion of the Prelat did repair to Argenlan with two of his servants where he found his Lady at her Evening Devotions in the Jacobins and having kneeled down close unto her he said Lady I am come hither to protest unto you before God that I have not spoken to any in
his enterprise And this Example doth not move me at all from the opinion I maintain that there was never any Man who loved perfectly or was beloved by a Lady that ever failed in the event if he followed his sute as he ought to do Neverthelesse I must here praise Amadour that he did some part of his Duty Duty what Duty said Oysilla Do you call it Duty in a Servant to take his Mistresse by force to whom he oweth all reverence and obedience Saffredant took the word and said unto her Madam when our Mistresses do keep their ranks either in Chambers or in Halls and do sit at their own ease an our Judges we are on knees before them and when in all humility of observance we lead them forth to dance and serve them so diligently that we even prevent their Commands and seem so fearfull to offend them and so desirous to serve them that those who see us have pity on us and esteem us out of our wits and more sottish thaâ— Beasts and attribute all the glory to our Ladies whose countenances are so bold and whose words so attractive that they make themselves to be feared loved and esteemed by those who look not but only on the out-side But when we are by our selves and Love is the only Judge of our countenances we understand well enough that they are Women and that we are Men and then the Name of Mistresse is converted into Sweet-heart and the Name of a Servant into Friend it is from thence that the Proverb finds its beginning To serve well and to be loyal is from a Servant to become a Master They have the honour which Men at their pleasure can give and take from them and beholding that we patiently do endure it is reason they conceive that our sufferance should be recompenced when their Honour is not wounded You do not speak of true Honour said Longaren which is the only contentment of this World for when all the World shall speak me a virtuo us woman and I am conscious to my self to the contrary their praise doth increase my shame and doth render me more confused in my self and on the other side when they speak evil of me and I perceive my Innocence their blame doth turn into my contentment for there was never any one that ever did find content but only in himself Because all have spoken now said Ouebron it seems to me that Amadour was at gallant virtuous a Gentleman as a man can be and because the Names are feigned I suppose I did know him but seeing that Parlament would not give him his right Name no more will I. And I am most confident that if he be the same whom I conjecture his heart did never entertain any fear nor was ever void of Love and Courage Oysilla said unto them It seems to me that this Dayes work is passed away with joy and that if in this manner we shall continue the rest we shall make the time seem short with the variety of our honest Discourse For see yonder how far the Sun is gone and you may hear the Bell of the Abbey which a long time hath called us to the Vespers of which I have not advertised you for the Devotion to hear the end of this Account was more great than that to hear Vespers And in speaking those words they did all arise and comming to the Abbey they found there the religious Men who had attended for them above an hour Vespers being heard they repaired to Supper and all the Evening they discoursed of stories which they had heard and examined their Memories to see if they could make the following Dayes work as delightfull as was the former and after a thousand sports and courses in the Meadow they resorted to their Rests crowning the first Dayes work with a most joyfull period The End of the First days Work The Second Dayes Work of the Novells of the Queen of NAVARRE The Preface ON the next morning they did arise with a great desire to return into the place where the day before they had received such pleasure and everyone had his Account so ready that it seem'd long unto them until it was brought unto the light After they had heard Madam Oysillas Lecture and after that the Mass where every one recommended himself to God and besought Elocution and Graâ—e of him in the continuation of this Assembly they repaired to Dinner repeating to one another many histories of things passed After Dinner having reposed themselves a little in their Chambers they returned upon the appointed hour into the Meadow where it seemed to them that both the time and the day did favour their enterprise and being all sat down upon the natural cushion of the green grass Parlament said Because last night I did put an end to the Tenth Novell it belongs I conceive to me to choose one who shall begin the continuation of yesterdays discourse And because that Madam Oysilla was the first of all the Women who did speak yesterday as being the most wise antient I will this day give my voice to the most young I will not say to the most weak in apprehension being assured that if we should all but follow her Example we shall not make them to stay so long for us at Vespers as yesterday they did wherefore Nomerfide you shall have this day the first place in the discourse but I must beseech you that you will not make us to begin our Dayes work with tears You need not to intreat me said Nomerfide for I was before resolved to the contrary remembring myself of an account which was told me about a year agoe by a Burgesse of Tours who was born in Amboys and affirmed to me that he was present at the Preachment of the Frier of which I will now speak unto you THE NOVELLS Of Queen MARGARET The facetious passages of a Frier in his Sermons The First Novell NEer unto the City of Blere in Tourain there is a Town called St. Martin le-beau to which place a Frier of the Covent of Tours was called to preach on the Advents and in the Lent ensuing This Frier more lowd than learned having not wherewith to inform his Auditors did deliberate with himself to begin his hour with some account that might give some satisfaction to the people of the Village On Maundy-Thursday preaching of the Paschal Lamb when he came to speak that it was to be eaten at night and beheld so many young and fair Women of Amboys to be present at his Sermon who were lately arrived to keep there their Easter and to continue in that place some dayes afterwards he began to be on a merry pin and demanded of all the Women that were present if they knew not what it was to eat raw flesh at night Ladies I assure you I speak his own words after him The young Men of Amboys who were present and came commonly with their Wives Sisters and
love only which she did hear unto her Children and I doe believe it And doe you find any great patience in this woman said Nomerfide to put fire under the bed where her Husband was afleep Yes said Longaren for when ever she saw the smoak about him she awaked him and peradventure it was in that only that she committed the greatest fault for to such Husbands Fire and Cinders are the best admonitions Longaren you are too cruel said Oysilla you have not so lived with your Husband No said Longaren for God be praised I had no such occasion but instead of complaining of him I shall grieve all the remnant of my life that I have lost him But if you had such a Husband said Nomerfide what would you have done with him I doe believe said Longaren that I should not have loved him so well but that I should have killed him first and afterwards my self for to die after such a vengeance had been a thing more agreeable unto me than to live loyal with one that is disloyal For ought that I can see said Hircan you only love your Husbands for your selves if they are good according to your desire you doe love them but if they commit the least fault in the world they have lost the labour of all their week for one Saturday And this is the reason that you will be Mistresses but for my part I am resolved and if all Husbands would be but of my mind It is reason said Parlament that the man should goveru us as our Head but not that he should forsake us or intreat us â—udely God said Oysilla hath given so good an order â—oth to the man and to the Wife that if it be not abuâ—â—d I doc believe marriage to be the most delightful â—nd the most sure estate that is in this world and I am â—â—nfident that all those who hear me whatsoever they â—â—etend to the contrary doe think my thoughts and peradventure more than my self and by how much the man is said to he more wise than the woman he shall by so much be the more grievously punished if the fault doth proceed from him But having discoursed enough let us see to whom Dagoucin will give his voice I doe give it said he to Longaren You have done me said she a great pleasure therein for I have an account that is worthy to follow yours and because we are now upon the praise of the virtuous patience of Ladies I will shew you one examrle more commendable than any that hath been yet recited and so much the more to be esteemed in that she was only the Wife of an ordinary Citizen who for the most part are not bâ—ed up so virtuously as those of the Gentry or in the Court are The memorable Charity of a Woman of Tours towards her Husband who was a whoremaster The eighth Novel IN the City of Tours ther was the wife of a Burgess a fair and an honest woman who was not only beloved for her Virtues but highly esteemed by her own Husband who following the frailty of men that are weary to feed always on good bread did become amorous of a Dairy maid he had and oftentimes would travel into the Country to see how his Dairy thrived where he would constantly stay two or three days and when he returned to Tours he would be so full of the Morphy that his poor Wife and all the Doctors of that City had enough to doe to recover him and as soon as ever he was on his leggs and well again he failed not to return to his Dairy where for a short pleasure he did forget all his former weaknesses His Wife who above all things did love the life and the health of her Husband observing him ordinarily to return in this weak Estate did repair her self unto the Dairy where she found the young Woman whom her Husband loved to whom with an unclowded and most pleasant Countenance without the least shew of discontent or choler she said That she knew very well her Husband came oftentimes to see her and that nothing troubled her but that she did not use him well for he alwayes returned unto her full of fâ—intnesse and a discoloured Infirmity The young Wench as well for the reverence she did bear unto her Dame as constrained unto it by the force of the Truth did not deny the fact but required pardon of her Her Dame desired to see the Bed and the Chamber in which her Husband being there was accustomed to lodge which she found so cold so dampish and so musty that she had great Compassion on him wherefore immediately she did send for a good Bed and Curtains and Valance correspondent to it as also for pillows sheets and coverlets She also caused the chamber to be hung with Tapestry and sent in fair bowles and good dishes in which her Husband might eat and drink she sent in also a pipe of good Wine and Confects and other Restoratives and desired the Dairy-maid that she would not send back her Husband any more unto her so full of his former Morphy Her Husband being all this while at Tours and not knowing what his Wife had done thought long to return unto his Dairy as he had been accustomed to do whither being come he much wondred to see all things there in so good order and much mote when the Maid did give him Wine to drink in a great Bowl of Silver He demanded of her How she came by those Goods The poor Maid melting into tears told him That his Wife had sent them who taking compassion of her ill usage of him when he was there had sent in all those moveables into the house and desired her at her departure to have a great Care of his health The Husband observing the great Goodnesse of his Wife and that she had returned him so many good offices for all the bad ones which he had performed to her esteeming his Fault as great as was her Virtue did give a sum of money to the Dairy-maid and desired her for the time to come to live in the reputation of an honest Servant and returning to his Wife he confessed his trespasse unto her as also that without that incomparable goodnesse and sweetnesse of her disposition it was impossible for him to forsake the life he lived After this they lived together in great peace and he altogether abandoned his former Incontinence Believe me Ladies that there are few Husbands whom the Patience and the Love of their Wives cannot gain at the last unlesse they have hearts more hard than a stone which the water maketh soft and hollow by the length of time Behold said Parlament a Woman without a heart and without wit what would you have her do said Longaren she hath put that in practise which God hath commanded to do good unto those who do evil I do believe said Hircan that she was in love with some Frier who in penance did command
and happinesse It is true that the Honour you have done me will make me the more to be esteemed amongst People of my condition but what Man is there after I have seen you that I shall take care to look upon And by this means my heart shall be in a perpetual liberty but only for the obligation with which it always shall be charged to pray to God for you for there is no other service which I can doe you The young Prince observing this honest answer although it was not according to his desire did not esteem lesse of her than he did before and used the utmost of all his art and eloquence to perswade her to a belief that he would never love any other Woman but her self but she was so discret that so unreasonable a thing could never enter into her understanding During this discourse although it was often represented to him that his Cloaths were brought from the Castle yet he took such a delight to hear her that he caused it to be reported that he was asleep until the hour of Supper was come at which he durst not but be present by reason of his Mother who was one of the wisest Ladies in the world And thus this young Prince departed from the house of his Butler and mote highly than ever esteemed of the honesty of this Maid He oftentimes discoursed of her to the Gentleman that did lie in his Chamber who conceiting that money would prevail more than love did counsell him to offer her a round sum of money to condescend unto his will But the young Prince whose Mother was his Treasuresse had no large allowances for such petty pleasures howsoever he did take up all he could borrow and made up a sum of five hundred Crowns which he did send unto her by his Gentleman desiring her to alter her resolution But she when ever she did behold the present did say unto the Gentleman I pray Sir tell your Master that I have a heart so upright and honest that if I must obey him in that which he commands me the beauties and the graces that are in him had already overcome me to it but if they have not prevailed upon my honour all the money in the world can never corrupt me to it wherefore I pray you to return it back unto him for I preferr an honest poverty above all the Goods that can be desired The Gentleman seeing her obstinatenesse had recourse unto thoughts of Cruelty and did proceed so far that he did threaten her with the power and the Authority of his Master But she smiling did reply unto him Make those afraid with that who do not understand it for I know well enough that he is so wise and so virtuous that such words cannot proceed from him and I am most confident that he will disavow them when you shall repeat them to him But if it should be as you say there is neither Torment nor Death so cruel that shall make me to alter my resolution for as I have told you since Love cannot turn my heart not all the Good nor all the Evil that in this world can arrive unto me shall ever be able to divert me from the fastness of my Counsels The Gentleman who had made a Promise to his Master that he would gain her for him did with a marvellous despite bring back this answer to him and did perswade him to use all means possible to obtain his Desires of her telling him that it was not for his Honour to be denyed by a Maid of her Condition But the young Prince who would use no other means but what Honesty did command fearing also the report that might ensue thereon if it were brought to his Mothers ear who being a very austere Lady would be very angry with him did not dare to undertake it But his Gentleman at last contrived a way so easie for him that he did think he had her already in his Arms and to put it in execution he did speak unto the Butler who resolving with himself to serve his Master in any way whatsoever it were did one dey desire his Wife and his Sister-in-law to go with him to a House which he had near unto a Forest to see his Vineyard there which they both promised to do When the Day was come he did acquaint the young Prince with it who determined with himself to go thither without any Companion at all but his Gentleman who lodged in his Chamber and gave order to have his Mule in readinesse on the appointed hour But God so pleased that on that day his Mother did accouter a marvelous rich Cabinet which she had made and to assist her in it she had all her Children with her where amongst the rest the young Prince was busied until the appointed hour was passed Being with-held by his Mother the young Prince could not keep his word with his Butler who had taken his Sister-in-law on horseback behind him and advised his Wife to counterfeit her self sick so that when they were ready to set forth there came one to tell him that she was fallen ill on the sudden and could not go with them When the Butler was at his Farm in the Country and saw that the hour was passed in which he expected the young Prince he said unto his Sister-in-law It is in vain to stay any longer we will return from whence we came His Sister asked him who it was he stayed for I did expect the young Prince here said the Butler who did promise to give me a meeting When his Sister-in-law did understand that wickednesse she said unto him Make no stay at all my Brother for his occasions at the Court are so importunate that on this day I doe know he cannot come Her Brother did believe her and did ride back to the City with her When she was come back she told her Brother in the height of her choler that he was the Varlet of the Devil and did more than he was commanded by the Prince for she was assured that this design of carrying her abroad was an invention of his own and of the Gentlemans and not of the Princes whose money he had rather gain to encourage him in his follies than perform the office of a good Servant and because she had found him to be such a man she would stay no longer in his house and immediately she departed from her Sister and did goe to her own inheritance The chief Butler having failed in his enterprise did repair unto the Castle to understand the reason why the Prince did not come according to his promise and in the way he found him on his Mule and none with him but the Gentleman in whom so much he trusted The Prince said unto him what now is she there The Butler declared every thing to him according as it fell out The young Prince was heartily sorry that he performed not his promise and the rather because he
another for sufficient for the day is the sorrow thereof without so much as taking the least care for to morrow It is necessary sometimes said Oysilla to enquire after things which may concern the honour of a House to give some Order therein but not to pass any evil Judgment upon persons for there is none but doth sometimes fail Many great incoveniences have come to divers men said Guebron for being too inquisitive after the faults of their Wives I pray you said Longaren if you can give us any Example that you would not concâ—al it from us I can give you a memorable instance of one said Guebron and because you will have it I will in this place exhibite it unto you A Citizens Wife of Paris did abandon her Husband to follow a Chanter and afterwards counterfeiting her self to be dead he caused her to be buried The tenth Novel IN the City of Paris there was a Man of so good a disposition that he made it a point of Conscience to believe that another Man was in bed with his Wife although that he himself had seen it This poor Man espoused a Wife of so loose a government that it was impossible to be mote which he himself would never perceive but did intreat her as if she had been the best Woman in the World One day when King Lewis the twelfth did come to Paris this Woman did forsake her Husband to follow a Chanter who was one of the Musicians in the Chappel of the King and when she saw that the King was departed out of the City of Paris she resolved with her self come what would of her Husband to follow the Chanter wheresoever he did goe The Chanter was very glad of it and did bring her unto a house he had not far from Blois where they did live a long time together The poor Husband could not be at rest and searched every place round about the City for his Wife and at the last it was told him that she was gone away with the Chanter He who had a great mind to recover the lost sheep whom he had not looked to so well as he ought did write unto her several Letters intreating her to return unto him which if she would he would take her still to be a good Woman but she who did take so much pleasure to hear the Charm of the Charmer that she had forgot the voice of her Husband did make no reckoning of his Letters and but mocked at them at the which her Husband being much moved did send the Chanter word that he would complain to the Church and demand Justice of the Cleegie if he would not return his Wife unto him The Woman fearing that if she should come once into the hands of Justice the Chanter and her self would have enough to do did think of a remedy worthy of her invention and feigning her self to be sick she sent for some of the chiefest Women of the City to come unto her and visit her which willingly they did hoping that her sicknesse would withdraw her from her wicked course of life and every one made unto her the best Remonstrances that possibly they could and she counterfeiting her self to be most grievously sick did seem to weep and to acknowledge her sin insomuch that all the Company had pitty on her and did firmly believe that what she did speak did proceed from the bottom of her heart Wherfore seeing her so much dejected in Spirit and so repentant they did the best they could to comfort her saying that God was not so severely terrible as many Sinners did rashly propound unto themselves and that he never refused mercy to any who from their hearts being touched with the grievousnesse of their offences did desire it and speaking those words they sent for a holy Man to confesse her On the next morning the Curat of the place did resort unto her to administer the holy Sacament which she received with so many devout apparences that all the good Women of the City who were there present did weep to see her penitence praising God whose goodnesse did take pity of so poor a Creature pretending she could live no longer the extream Vnction was brought unto her by the Curat which she received with many good signs for to the conjecture of the standers by she could hardly speak or draw her breath she for a pretty while so continued and then by little and little she seemed to them to lose her sight her hearing and all her other senses whereat they all began to cry out Jesus And because that night drew on and many of the Women had a long way to go home they did all depart They were no sooner out of the Doors but word was brought them that she was dead wherefore every one saying their De profundis did return to their houses The Curate demanded of the Chanter in what place he would have her buried who made answer to him That she gave order her self to be buried in the Church-yard whither he would have her carried in the time of night One of the Maids of the House did put a shrowd on that unhappy body and took a special care not to hurt it And thus with many burning Torches she was carried to the Grave which the Sexton had made for her And when the Hearse passed by their Houses who assisted to see the Unction on her they came all again out of their Houses and did accompany the dead Body to the grave where they and the Priests left her but the Chanter did not go with them For when ever he saw the Company departed and that they were gone a good way off he and his Chambermaid did with all speed digg open the Grave from whence he took his Friend more alive than ever and secretly brought her unto his house where he kept her a long time concealed Her Husband who followed her and had served a Processe against the Chanter did come as far as Bloys to demand Justice and sound there by the attestation of all the good Women of the City that his Wife was dead and buried who did all acquaint him with the good end she made at which the honest man was very joyfull and believed that the Soul of his Wife was in Paradise And being glad that he was well rid of so insatiate a Creature he returned with great contentment unto Paris where he married a handsom a young and an honest Woman and which is worth all a good Houswife by whom he had many children and lived with her fourteen or fifteen years But Fame which can conceal nothing doth at last bring to her Husbands ear that his Wife was still alive and lived with the ungracious Chanter which the poor Man for a time dissembled as well as he could as if he had known nothing of it desiring with all his heart that it might prove untrue but his Wife who was a very wife woman being advertised of it also was surpriyed
Novell to us which yesterday in the Evening you did promise I protest unto you Madam said Saffredant I shall get no dishonour amongst Detractors by speaking the truth neither shall I lose the good opinion of virtuous Ladies by declaring those Errors which Fools commit for by experience I have found what a misery it is to be far removed from the Honour of their society and if I had been out of their Favour I should not have been now alive And speaking those words he turned his eyes towards her who was the cause of all his grief and joy and looking on Emarsuite he made her so to blush as if she had known that she was the Lady to whom those words did address themselves howsoever he was no lesse understood by her by whom he desired to be heard Madam Oysilla assured him that he might speak the truth freely to the expence of those only whom it properly concern'd Wherefore said Saffredant I doe begin THE NOVELLS Of Queen MARGARET The Marvellous obstinacy of the most impudent and bold Love of a Woman of Burgundie to a Canon in the City of Autun The first Novel IN the City of Autun there lived a beautiful Woman tall fair and of the best features in her face that ever I have seen She was married to an honest Gentleman who seemed to be younger than her self wherewith she had reason to be contented Not long after that he had married her he brought her unto the City of Autun having some affairs there to dispatch which required his presence And whiles the Husband followed the Courts of Justice his Wife altogether followed the Church to pray to God for him she so much frequented the holy place that one of the Canons a very rich man did fall in love with her and did court her so affectionately that in the end the poor Gentlewoman did consent unto him Her Husband had not the least suspition of it and had a greater care to look to his money than to his Wife His business being ended and the time being come that he must depart and return to his own house which was at the least seven leagues from the City it was not without great grief unto the Gentlewoman but the Canon promised her to come oftentimes to visit her which he did pretending some great journey but his way lying alwayes by that Gentlemans house He was not so foolish but perceived it well enough wherefore he gave that Order that when the Canon came he should not see his Wife but caused her to hide her self that he might not speak unto her The Wife understanding the Jealousie of her Husband did not seem to be displeased at it but resolved with her self to find out a way to come unto him for she esteemed it to be a Hell unto her to to lose the sight of her Heaven One day when her Husband was gone abroad she so imployed all her Grooms and Chambermaids that she was left alone by her self and taking with her what she conceived to be necessary she immediately without any Companion at all but Love only did go on foot to the City of Autun where she came not so late but her Canon knew her well enough who kept her locked up and concealed from her Husband above a year for all the Admonitions and Excommunications which her Husband did bring forth against him At the last when he could find no other remedy he made his Complaint to the Bishop who had an Archdeacon as pious a Man as any was in France who so diligently searched all the Houses of the Canons that at last he found her whom he thought to be lost the Bishop put her in prison and the Canon was censured to suffer a very great penance The Husband finding that his Wife was reclaimed by the Admonitions of the Archdeacon and many other honest Gentlemen was content to take her again upon the Oaths she made for the time to come to live a chast and a virtuous life The good Man her Husband did willingly believe her because he did bear an extraordinary affection to her and bringing her home to his house did use her as respectfully as before only he did imploy two old Chambermaids whose busines it was never to suffer her to be alone but the one or the other of them were alwayes with her But whatsoever good entertainment he did give her the inordinate love which she did bear unto the Canon did make her esteem all her pleasures but torment And although she was a goodly and a most beautifull women and her Husband a man of an excellent complexion and of a very strong body yet she had never any children by him for her heart was alwayes seven leagues from her body which she so well dissembled that her Husband thought she had forgotten all that had been passed as he did for his own part But her desires could not be contained within the Compass of her Husbands house for at the very same time that she saw her Husband most loving to her and least of all suspitious she counterseited her self to be sick so well did carry the dissimulation that her Husband was in a great perplexity for her and spared for no costs to relieve her in her counterfeit Extremities And she played her part so cunningly that both he and all in the house with him did think that she was even sick unto Death and that by little and little she did pass away She observing that her Husband was as sad as he ought to be joyfull did intreat him that he would give her leave to make her Will which weeping most bitterly for her he did willingly give way unto She did give unto her Husband all that which she could give and desired pardon of him for the faults she had committed against him Having sent for the Curat she confessed and received the holy Satrament of the Altar so devoutly that every one did weep tears of joy to see her make so glorious an end When the Evening came she entreated her Husband that she might have the extreme unction for she grew so weak that she was afraid she should not be able to receive it alive In great diligence her Husband caused it to be brought unto her and she received it in so great humility that she stirred up every one to praise God for her After she had received all these Mysteries she said unto her Husband that seeing God had vouchsafed her so great a grace as to have taken all that which the Church commandeth she found her Conscience in so great a peace that she had a desire to take a litle rest desiring her Husband to do the like having great need of it by reasoo of the many tears he had shed and his long watchings with her When her Husband was asleep and all his Servants with him the two old Chambermaids who had so long watched her in her health being consident they could not lose her now unlesse it
as the Subject is the weaker We are not sorry said Oysilla that you praise the Graces of God in us for to speak the truth all Virtues doe proceed from him And in this we must make no distinction for we are builded up of the same materials and Woman is of the workmanship of God as well as Man It is neither one nor the other that by their desires or indeavours can do any more than plant It is God only that doth give the increase If you have read the Scripture advisedly said Saffredant you shall find that Saint Paul saith It is Paul that planteth and Apollo that watereth but you shall never read that Women did put their hands to the Work of God You would follow said Parlament the opinion and practice of some evil Men who will make use of and wrest some place of the Scripture for themselves and will leave out that which doth make against them If you had read the Epistles of Saint Paul throughout you would find that he commends himself to some good Women who had laboured with him in the Work of the Gospel Howsoever it be said Longaren that Woman was worthy of great praise as well for the Love which she did bear unto her Husband for whom she did put her life in jeopardy as the faith which she had in God who as we find in the story did not forsake her As to the first I believe said Emarsuite that there is no Woman present here who would not willingly do as much to save the life of her Husband I do delieve said Parlament that there are Husbands who are such beasts that those Women who live with them cannot think it strange to live with their like Emarsuite supposing that she was included in that number could not forbear from speaking to her And if those beasts do not bite their company is more pleasant than the Company of those Men who are so cholerick that they are not to be indured But I will follow my discourse and will affirm that if my Husband were in such danger I would die before I would forsake him Take heed said Nomerfide that you do not love him so well that too much love doth not deceive both your self and him for there is a moderation to be had in all things and oftentimes Love being not rightly understood doth beget hate I do believe said Simontault you had not proceeded so far in this discourse unlesse you had a a desire to confirm what you have spoken by some President And therefore if you have any Account to that purpose I give you my voice to relate it Well then said Nomerfide according to my Custom I will make it both short and merry for I will not inlarge it unto tediousness but so deliver it unto you that you shall find as much mirth to understand it as I shall to represent it to you It is briefly thus A Woman caused her Husband to eat Cantharides to delight her self the more with him in the wanton exercise of Love on which he thought he should have dyed The eighth Novell IN the City of Pau in Bearn there lived an Apothecary called Master Estienne who had espoused a virtuous Woman a good Houswife and beautiful enough to give him content But as he did make tast of divers Druggs so he did oftentimes of divers Women to enable himself the better to discourse of all Complexions whereat his Wife was so much tormented that she lost all patience for he made no reckoning of her but only in Ember weeks for penance One day this Apothecary being in his shop and his Wife close behind the Arras where she did conceal her self the better to listen to what he said there came unto him one of his Gossips a Woman of the City and troubled with the same disease as was his Wife and sighing to the Apothecary she said unto him Wo is me my Friend I am the most unfortunate woman in the world for I do love my Husband as I do love my self and do think on nothing else but to serve him and obey him but all my labour is but lost for he loveth the most wicked the most deformed and the most nasty Slut in all the City better than he loveth me I do therefore pray you my good Neighbour if you have in your Shop any Drugg that may serve to change his complexion that you would let me have it for I am not well used by him and I assure you when I am able I will give you to the uttermost of my power for it The Apothecary having a great desire to comfort her did say unto her That he had a powder which if she did put it into something boyled or rosted and so give it unto her Husband it would make him to give her the best and fullest contentment in the world The poor woman desirous to see that Miracle did ask of him What it was and if it were of so easie a price that she was able to purchase it He represented to her that it was of no great value it was only the powder of Cantharides of which he had great store in his shop and before she did go away she constrained him to prepare and weigh out some of that powder for her and she took with her so much as he knew would serve to do the businesse for which she afterwards did pay him and thanked him many times very heartily for it for her Husband who was a strong and an able bodied Man and did not take too much of it did not find himself the worse for it and she did find him the better The wife of the Apothecary who understood all this discourse did think with her self that she stood altogether in as much need of the receipt as her companion And observing the place where her Husband did put the powder that was left she resolved that she would make use of it her self when ever she found opportunity which within three or four dayes afterwards she did her Husband desiring her to make him some good pottage for he was troubled with a great cold in his Stomach she told him that something rosted would doe better and be more profitable wherefore he commanded her to go presently to the Market and to buy something to rost and to take Cinamon and Sugar out of the Shop to put into the Sauce which she did accordingly and did not forget the remainder of the powder which he did give to her Companion and did put it in without regard either of Ounce Weight or measure Her Husband did feed on the rost meat which she had prepared and found it very good and not long afterwards he found the heat and the effect of it which he thought to qualifie with his Wife which was not possible for him to do for the heat within him and the instigation was so extraordinary that he did not know on which side to turn him He did bear his Wife down that
before they began to distrust that on this day they were not so well able to discharge their tasks wherefore the better to prepare themselves they did every one retire into their own Chambers untill the hour came that they were to go from their Chamber into the Fields to deliver one by one their accounts there upon the green carpets of the grasse where already they found that the Monks were come and behind the neighbouring hedge had taken their places in the expectation of them When every one of them were sat It was demanded amongst them Who should begin Saffredant said You have given me the honour to begin two Journals It appears to me that we should wrong the Ladies if one of them should not begin this Madam Oysilla replyed we are like then to stay long enough for ought that I can see before we can agree upon the person for my part said Dagoucin if the question had been propounded to me I should have given my voice again to Saffredant And I said Nomerfide should have given mine to Parlament for I am so much accustomed to obey that I know not how to command All the Company did agree to what Nomerfide did say and Parlament did thus begin Ladies Our Accounts hitherto delivered have been so full of gravity that I could wish the Accounts of this day might be as full of delight to which they all gave consent and Parlament did begin THE NOVELLS Of Queen MARGARET A woman being sick and at the point of death did grow into such a passion seeing her Husband did kiss her Chambermaid that by the Extremity of her Rage she was restored to her health The first Novel of the Eighth dayes Account IN the City of Amboise there lived a Sadler whose name was Borihaudier who was Sadler to the Queen of Navarre He was a Man of whose Nature if one might judge by the complexion of his face that he was a greater Servant to Bacchus than to the Priests of Diana He had espoused a Woman of good fortunes and good reputation and who governed her Family and Children very discreetly whereat her Husband was much contented One day it was told him that his Wife was fall'n very sick on the sudden and was in great danger of Death whereat he seemed to be as sorrowfull as possibly a man might be and in great diligence did make hast to her relief he found her in that desperate condition that she had more need of the Priest to confesse her than of the Physician to cure her and therefore he made for her the greatest lamentation in the world And the better to represent it he spake faintly and with a hollow accent in the throat as did the dying woman his Wife and that Painter must be a good workman who could lively set forth the sadness of his look and countenance After that he had done her all the services that possibly he could she commanded that a Crucifex should be brought unto her which the good man perceiving he did cast himself upon the bed thinking his Wife past all hopes of Recovery he cryed out and fumbling with his tongue did expostulate O God! what shall I do I shall lose my poor Wife what shall become of me wretched and unhappy man with divers other complaints At the last when he perceived that there was no body in the Chamber but his dying Wife and a young Chambermaid beautiful enough and in good liking he called her softly to him and said unto her Sweet-heart I am even dying my self to see thy Mistresse to be a dying Woman I know not well what to say or what to do but onely to recommend my self to thee and to desire thee to take care of my house and Children Here take the keys which are hanging by my side and look well to my Houshold for I shall not be able to look after them any more The poor Girl being touched with compassion to hear those words did comfort him what she could and did beseech him that he would not fall into so great a Despair for if she must lose her Mistresse she hoped she should not lose her good Master also He made answer to her Sweet-heart it is impossible for I find my self to be but a dying Man See how the cold sweat stands upon my Brow put your Cheek unto mine and your Lip to my Lip And speaking those words he did thrust his hand into her Brest whereat the Maid begun to make some difficulty but he desired her to put away all fear for if she hoped for his recovery she must come nearer to him and with those words he did take her in his Arms and did throw her on the bed His Wife who had no other Company but the Crucifix and the Holy water and had not spoken in two days before did begin with her weak voice to cry out as loud as possibly she could Ah Ha! what do you doe I am not dead as yet and threatning them with her hand she said unto them You wicked Creatures I am not yet dead Her Husband and the Chambermaid hearing of her voice did immediately rise but she was so extremely incensed against them that her choler consumed all the moisture of her Catarrhe by the abundance whereof she before ratled in the throat not colud speak a word but now she did give them all the opprobrious terms that possibly she could devise And from that minute she began to recover and perpetually afterwards did reproach her Husband for the little love he did bear unto her By this Ladies you may observe the Hypocrifie of Men and that for a little pleasure they will forget all the pains and the sorrows that their Wives endure What will you say said Hircan if he heard it spoken that is was the only remedy that his Wife could possibly have for her recovery for seeing that by his good usage he could not mend her he would make an experience if the contrary could do any good upon her of which it appears he made an excellent proof And I do much wonder that you being a Woman should be so unadvised as to declare against the Condition of your Sex who amend more by spite than love Without all doubt said Longaren such a despite would cause me not only to come out of my Bed but of my Grave also to be revenged on such a Husband What wrong said Saffredant did he do her to comfort himself a little after he thought that she was dead For it is known well enough that the bond of Matrimony doth continue no longer than life and the knot is then untyed But how untyed said Oysilla the obligation of the Oath is of no effect any more but a good heart would always preserve the obligation of love He had quickly enough laid aside his mourning who could not attend until his Wife had passed away her last breath But that which I find most strange said Nomerfide is that seeing both