of his comming thither or any other blame that could concerne her Which hee both instantly knowing and beleeuing made no more ceremonie but putting on his Garments tooke the dead bodie vpon his shoulders and carried it to the Mothers doore where he left it and afterward returned to his owne house againe When day light was come and the dead body found lying in the Porch it moued very much greefe and amazement considering he had bin seene the day before in perfect health to outward appearance Nor neede we to vrge any question of his Mothers sorrow vpon this straunge accident who causing his body to bee carefully searched without any blow bruise wound or hurt vppon it the Physitians could not giue any other opinion but that some inward conceyte of greefe had caused his death as it did indeed and no way otherwise To the cheefe Church was the dead body carried to be generally seene of all the people his mother and friends weeping heauily by it as many more did the like beside because he was beloued of euery one In which time of vniuersall mourning the honest man in whose house he dyed spake thus to his wife disguise thy selfe in some decent manner and go to the Church where as I heare they haue laide the body of Ieronimo Crowde in amongest the Women as I will doe the like amongst the men to heare what opinion passeth of his death and whether wee shall bee scandalized thereby or no. Siluestra who was now become full of pitty too late quickely condiscended as desiring to see him dead whom sometime she dearly affected in life And being come to the Church it is a matter to bee admired if aduisedly we consider on the powerfull working of loue for the heart of this woman which the prosperous fortune of Ieronimo could not pierce now in his wofull death did split in sunder and the ancient sparks of loue so long concealed in the embers brake foorth into a furious flame and being violently surprized with extraordinary compassion no sooner did she come neere to the dead body where many stoode weeping round about it but strangely shrieking out aloud she fell downe vpon it euen as extremity of greefe finished his life so did it hers in the same manner For she moued neither hand nor foot because her vitall powers had quite forsaken her The women labouring to comfort her by al the best means they could deuise did not take any knowledge of her by reason of her disguised garments but finding her dead indeede and knowing her also to be Siluestra being ouercome with vnspeakable compassion danted with no meane admiration they stood strangely gazing each vpon other Wonderfull crowds of people were then in the Church and this accident being now noysed among the men at length it came to her Husbands vnderstanding whose greefe was so great as it exceeded all capacitie of expression Afterward he declared what had hapned in his house the precedent night according as his wife had truly related to him with all the speeches which past between Siluestra and Ieronimo by which discourse they generally conceiued the certaine occasion of both their sodaine deaths which moued them to great compassion Then taking the yong womans body and ordering it as a coarse ought to bee they layed it on the same Biere by the yong man and when they had sufficiently sorrowed for their disastrous fortune they gaue them honourable buriall both in one graue So this poore couple whome loue in life could not ioyne together death did vnite in an inseparable coniunction Messer Guiglielmo of Rossiglione hauing slaine Messer Guiglielmo Guardastagno whom hee imagined to loue his wife gaue her his heart to eate Which she knowing afterward threw her selfe out of an high window to the ground and being dead was then buried with her friend The ninth Nouell Whereby appeareth what ill successe attendeth on them that loue contrarie to reason in offering iniurie both to friendship and marriage together WHen the Nouell of Madam Neiphila was ended which occasioned much compassion in the whole assembly the King who wold not infringe the priuiledge graunted to Dioneus no more remaining to speake but they two began thus I call to minde gentle Ladies a Nouell which seeing we are so farre entred into the lamentable accidents of successelesse loue will vrge you vnto as much commisseration as that so lately reported to you And so much the rather because the persons of whom we are to speake were of respectiue quality which approueth the accident to bee more cruell then those whereof wee haue formerly discoursed According as the people of Prouence do report there dwelt sometime in that iurisdiction two noble Knights each well possessed of Castles followers the one beeing named Messer Guiglielmo de Rossiglione and the other Messer Guiglielmo Guardastagno Now in regard that they wer both valiant Gentlemen and singularly expert in actions of Armes they loued together the more mutually and held it as a kinde of custom to be seene in all Tiltes and Tournaments or any other exercises of Armes going commonly alike in their wearing garments And although their Castles stood about fiue miles distant each from other yet were they dayly conuersant together as very louing and intimate friends The one of them I meane Messer Guiglielmo de Rossiglione had to wife a very gallant beautifull Lady of whom Messer Guardastagno forgetting the lawes of respect and loyall friendshippe became ouer-fondly enamoured expressing the same by such outward meanes that the Lady her selfe tooke knowledge thereof and not with any dislike as it seemed but rather louingly entertained yet she grew not so forgetfull of her honour and estimation as the other did of faith to his friend With such indiscretion was this idle loue carried that whether it sorted to effect or no I know not but the husband receiued some such maner of behauiour as hee could not easily digest nor thought it fitting to endure Whereuppon the league of friendly amity so long continued began to faile in very strange fashion and became conuerted into deadly hatred which yet hee very cunningly concealed bearing an outwarde shew of constant friendshippe still but in his heart hee had vowed the death of Guardastagno Nothing wanted but by what meanes it might best be effected which fell out to bee in this manner A publicke lust or Tourney was proclaimed by sound of Trumpet throughout all France wherewith immediately Messer Guiglielmo Rossiglione acquainted Messer Guardastagno entreating him that they might further conferre theron together and for that purpose to come and visit him if he intended to haue any hand in the businesse Guardastagno being exceeding gladde of this accident which gaue him liberty to see his Mistresse sent answer backe by the messenger that on the morrow at night he would come and sup with Rossiglione who vpon this reply proiected to himselfe in what maner to kill him On the morrow after dinner arming himselfe and
my constancie and vertue both which I finde conquered in me to my eternall confusion and shame But my best hope is that I shal shortly be requited as I haue in iustice deserued namely with death which will be a thousand times more welcome to me then a loathed life with remembrance of my base deiection in courage which because I can no longer conceale from thee not without blushing shame I am well contented for to let thee know it Then began hee to recount the whole occasion of this straunge conflict in him what a maine battaile hee had with his priuate thoughts confessing that they got the victory causing him to die hourely for the loue of Sophronia and affirming withall that in due acknowledgement how greatly hee had transgressed against the lawes of friendship he thought no other penance sufficient for him but onely death which he willingly expected euery houre and with all his heart would gladly bid welcome Gisippus hearing this discourse and seeing how Titus bitterly wept in agonies of most mouing afflictions sat an indifferent while sad and pensiue as being wounded with affection to Sophronia but yet in a well-gouerned and temperate manner So without any long delaying hee concluded with himselfe that the life of his friend ought to be accounted much more deare then any loue hee could beare vnto Sophronia And in this resolution the teares of Titus forcing his eyes to flow forth like two Fountaines thus he replyed Titus if thou hadst not neede of comfort as plainly I see thou hast I would iustly complaine of thee to my selfe as of the man who hath violated our friendship in keeping thine extreamitie so long time concealed from mee which hath beene ouer-tedious for thee to endure And although it might seeme to thee a dishonest case and therefore kept from the knowledge of thy friend yet I plainly tell thee that dishonest courses in the league of amitie deserue no more concealment then those of the honestest nature But leauing these impertinent wandrings let vs come to them of much greater necessitie If thou doest earnestly loue faire Sophronia who is betroathed and affianced to me it is no matter for me to maruaile at but I should rather be much abashed if thou couldst not intyrely affect her knowing how beautifull she is and the nobility of her minde being as able to sustaine passion as the thing pleasing is fullest of excellence And looke how reasonably thou fanciest Sophronia as vniustly thou complainest of thy fortune in ordaining her to be my wife although thou doest not speake it expresly as being of opinion that thou mightst with more honesty loue her if she were any others then mine But if thou art so wise as I haue alwayes held thee to be tell me truely vpon thy faith to whom could Fortune better guide her and for which thou oughtest to be more thankfull then in bestowing her on me Any other that had enioyed her although thy loue were neuer so honest yet he would better affect her himselfe then for thee which thou canst not in like manner looke for from me if thou doest account me for thy friend and as constant now as euer Reason is my warrant in this case because I cannot remember since first our entrance into friendship that euer I enioyed any thing but it was as much thine as mine And if our affaires had such an equall course before as otherwise they could not subsist must they not now be kept in the same manner Can any thing more perticularly appertaine to me but thy right therein is as absolute as mine I know not how thou maist esteeme of my friendship if in any thing concerning my selfe I can plead my priuiledge to be aboue thine True it is that Sophronia is affianced to me and I loue her dearely daily expecting when our nuptials shall be celebrated But seeing thou doest more feruently affect her as being better able to iudge of the perfections remaining in so excellent a creature as she is then I doe assure thy selfe and beleeue it constantly that she shall come to my bed not as my wife but onely thine And therefore leaue these despairing thoughts shake off this cloudy disposition reassume thy former Iouiall spirit with comfort and what else can content thee in expectation of the happy houre and the iust requitall of thy long louing and worthy friendship which I haue alwayes valued equall with mine owne life Titus hearing this answer of Gisippus looke how much the sweet hope of that which he desired gaue him pleasure as much both duty and reason affronted him with shame setting before his eyes this du consideration that the greater the liberality of Gisippus was farre greater and vnreasonable it appeared to him in disgrace if hee should vnmannerly accept it Wherefore being vnable to refrain from teares and with such strength as his weaknesse would giue leaue thus he replyed Gisippus thy bounty and firme friendship suffereth me to see apparantly what on my part is no more then ought to be done All the Gods forbid that I should receiue as mine her whom they haue adiudged to be thine by true respect of birth and desert For if they had thought her a wife fit for me doe not thou or any else imagine that euer she should haue beene granted to thee Vse freely therefore thine owne election and the gracious fauour wherewith they haue blessed thee leaue me to consume away in teares a mourning garment by them appointed for me as being a man vnworthy of such happinesse for either I shall conquer this disaster and that wil be my crowne or else will vanquish me and free me from all paine whereto Gisippus presently thus answered Worthy Titus if our amity would giue me so much licence as but to contend with my selfe in pleasing thee with such a thing as I desire and could also induce thee therein to be directed it is the onely end whereat I aime and am resolued to pursue it In which regard let my perswasions preuaile with thee and thereto I coniure thee by the faith of a friend suffer me to vse mine authority when it extendeth both to mine owne honour and thy good for I will haue Sophronia to bee onely thine I know sufficiently how farre the forces of loue doe extend in power and am not ignorant also how not once or twice but very many times they haue brought louers to vnfortunate ends as now I see thee very neere it and so farre gone as thou art not able to turne backe againe nor yet to conquer thine owne teares but proceeding on further in this extremity thou wilt be left vanquished sinking vnder the burthen of loues tyrannicall oppression and then my turne is next to follow thee And therefore had I no other reason to loue thee yet because thy life is deare to me in regard of mine owne depending thereon I stand the neerer thereto obliged For this cause Sophronia must and shal be thine for thou canst
that my comfort may some way or other auaile the common needie yet methinkes where greefe is greatest and calamity most insulteth there ought to be our paines soundly imployed and our grauest instructions and aduise wholly administred And who can deny but that it is much more conuenient to commisserate the distresse of Ladies and Gentlewomen then the more able condition of men They as being naturally bashfull and timorous haue their soft and gentle soules often enflamed with amorous afflictions which lie there closely concealed as they can best relate the power of them that haue bin subiect to the greatest proofe Moreouer they being restrained from their wils and desires by the seuerity of Fathers Mothers Bretheren and Husbands are shut vp most part of their time in their Chambers where constrainedly sitting idle diuersity of straunge cogitations wheele vp and downe their braines forging as many seuerall imaginations which cannot be alwayes pleasant and contenting If melancholly incited by some amorous or louely apprehension oppresse their weake and vnresisting hearts they must be glad to beare it patiently til by better Fortune such occasions happen as may ouercome so proud an vsurpation Moreouer we cannot but confesse that they are lesse able then men to support such oppressions for if men grow affectionate wee plainely perceiue when any melancholly troublesome thoughts or what greefes else can any way concerne them their soules are not subiect to the like sufferings But admit they should fall into such necessity they can come and go whither they will heare and see many singular sights hawk hunt fish fowle ride or saile on the Seas all which exercises haue a particular power in themselues to withdraw amorous passions and appropriate the will to the pleasing appetite either by alteration of ayre distance of place or protraction of time to kill sorrow and quicken delight Wherefore somewhat to amend this error in humane condition and where least strength is as we see to bee in you most gracious Ladies and Gentlewomen further off then men from all fraile felicities for such as feele the weighty insultations of proud and imprious loue and therby are most in neede of comfort and not they that can handle the Needle Wheele and Distaffe I haue prouided an hundred Nouelles Tales Fables or Histories with iudicious moralles belonging to them for your more delight and queinter exercise In a faire and worthy assembly of seuen Honourable Ladies and three Noble Gentlemen they were recounted within the compasse of ten dayes during the wofull time of our so late dangerous sicknesse with apt Sonnets or Canzons for the conclusion of each seuerall day In which pleasing Nouels may be obserued many strange accidents of Loue and other notable aduentures happening as well in our times as those of grauer antiquity by reading whereof you may receyue both pleasure and profitable counsell because in them you shal perceiue both the sin to be shunned and the vertue to be embraced which as I wholly hate the one so I do and euer will honor the others aduancement The Table The First Day Gouerned by Madam Pampinea  MEssire Chappelet du Prat by making a false confession beguiled an holy religious man and after dyed And hauing during his life time bene a very bad man at his death was reputed to be a Saint and called S. Chappelet 2. Nouell ABraham a Iew beeing admonished or aduised by a friend of his named Iehannot de Cheuigny trauailed from Paris vnto Rome And beholding there the wicked behauiour of men in the Church returned to Paris againe where neuerthelesse he became a Christian 3. Nouell MElchisedech a Iewe by recounting a tale of three Rings to the great Soldan named Saladine preuented a great danger which was prepared for him 4. Nouell A Monke hauing committed an offence deseruing to be very greeuously punished freed himselfe from the paine to be inflicted on him by wittily reprehending his Abbot with the very same fault 5. Nouell LAdy Marquesse of Montferrat with a Banket of Hens and diuers other gracious speeches beside repressed the fond loue of the King of France 6. Nouell AN honest plaine meaning man simply conscionably reprehended the malignity hypocrisie and misdemeanor of many religious persons 7. Nouell BErgamino by telling a Tale of a skilfull man named Primasso and of an Abbot of Clugni honestly checked a new kinde of couetousnesse in Master Can de la Scala 8. Nouell GVillaume Boursieur with a few quaint familiar word checkt the miserable couetousnesse of Signior Herminio de Grimaldi 9. Nouell HOw the King of Cyprus was wittily reprehended by the words of a Gentlewoman of Gascoignie and became vertuously altered from his vicious disposition 10. Nouell MAster Albert of Bullen honestly made a Lady to blush that thought to haue done asmuch to him because she perceiued him to be amorously affected towardes her The second Day gouerned by Madam Philomena 1. Nouell MArtellino counterfetting to bee lame of his members caused himselfe to bee set on the body of Saint Arriguo where hee made shew of his sodaine recouery 〈◊〉 but when his dissiâ—ulation was discouered he was well beaten being afterward taken prisoner and in great 〈◊〉 of being hanged and strangled by the necke and yet escaped in the end 2. Nouell RInaldo de Este after he was rolled by theeues arriued at Chasteau 〈◊〉 where he was friendly lodged by a faire Widow and recompenced likewise for all his losses returning afterward safe and well home vnto his owne house 3. Nouell OF three yong Gentlemen being Brethren and hauing spent all their Landes and possessionâ— vainly became poore A Nephew of theirs falling almost into as desperate a condition became acquainted with an Abbot whom hee afterward found to be the King of Englands Daughter and made him her Husband in marriage recompencing all his Vnckles losses and seating them again in good estate 4. Nouell LAndolpho Ruffolo falling into pouerty became a Pirate on the Seas and beeing taken by the Genewayes hardly escaped drowning Which yet neuerthelesse he did vpon a little chest or coffer full of very rich Iewels beeing carried thereon to Corfu where he was well entertained by a good woman and afterward returned richly home to his owne house 5. Nouell ANdrea de Piero trauelling from Perouse vnto Naples to buy Horses was in the space of one night surprized by three admirable accidents out of all which he fortunately escaped and with a rich Ring returned home to his owne house 6. Nouell MAdame Beritola Caracalla was found in an Island with two Goates hauing lost her two sons and thence trauailed into Lunigianaâ— where one of her Sonnes became seruant to the Lord therof and was â—ound some-what ouer-familiar with his Maisters daughter who therefore caused him to be imprisoned Afterward when the Country of Sicily rebelled against King Charles the aforesaid Sonne chanced to be known by his Mother was married to his Masters daughter And his brother being found likewise they
their attending seruants to dinner paced foorth a daunce very maiestically And when the daunce was ended they sung sundry excellent Canzonets out-wearing so the time vntill the Queene commaunded them all to rest because the houre did necessarily require it The Gentlemen hauing their Chambers farre seuered from the Ladies curiously strewed with flowers and their beds adorned in exquisite manner as those of the Ladies were not a iote inferiour to them the silence of the night bestowed sweet rest on them all In the morning the Queene and all the rest being risen accounting ouermuch sleepe to be very hurtfull they walked abroade into a goodly Meadowe where the grasse grew verdantly and the beames of the Sunne heated not ouer-violently because the shades of faire spreading trees gaue a temperate calmenesse coole and gentle winds fanning their sweet breath pleasingly among them All of them being there set downe in a round ring and the Queene in the middest as being the appointed place of eminencie she spake in this manner You see faire company that the Sunne is highly mounted the heate else-where too extreme for vs and therfore here is our fittest refuge the aire being so coole delicate and acceptable and our folly well worthie reprehension if we should walke further and speede worse Heere are Tables Cards and Chesse as your dispositions may be addicted But if mine aduice might passe for currant I would admit none of those exercises because they are too troublesome both to them that play and such as looke on I could rather wish that some quaint discourse might passe among vs a tale or fable related by some one to vrge the attention of all the rest And so wearing out the warmth of the day one prety Nouell wil draw on another vntil the Sun be lower declined and the heates extremity more diminished to solace our selues in some other place as to our minds shal seeme conuenient If therefore what I haue sayde be acceptable to you I purposing to follow in the same course of pleasure let it appeare by your immediate answer for til the Euening I think we can deuise no exercise more commodious for vs. The Ladies Gentlemen allowed of the motion to spend the time in telling pleasant tales whereupon the Queene saide Seeing you haue approoued mine aduice I grant free permission for this first day that euery one shall relate what to him or her is best pleasing And turning her selfe to Pamphilus who was seated on her right hand gaue him fauour with one of his Nouels to begin the recreation which he not daring to deny and perceiuing generall attention prepared for him thus he began Messire Chappelet du Prat by making a false confession beguyled an holy Religious man and after dyed And hauing during his life time bene a verie bad man at his death was reputed to be a Saint and called S. Chappelet The first Nouell Wherein is contained how hard a thing it is to distinguish goodnesse from hypocrisie and how vnder the shadow of holinesse the wickednes of one man may deceiue many IT is a matter most conuenient deare Ladies that a man ought to begin whatsoeuer he doth in the great and glorious name of him who was the Creator of all thinges Wherefore seeing that I am the man appointed to begin this your inuention of discoursing Nouelties I intend to begin also with one of his wonderfull workes To the end that this beeing heard our hope may remaine on him as the thing onely permanent and his name for euer to be praised by vs. Now as there is nothing more certaine but that euen as temporall things are mortall and transitory so are they both in and out of themselues full of sorrow paine and anguish and subiected to infinite dangers So in the same manner we liue mingled among them seeming as part of them and cannot without some error continue or defend our selues if God by his especiall grace and fauour giue vs not strength and good vnderstanding Which power we may not beleeue that either it descendeth to vs or liueth in vs by any merites of our owne but of his onely most gracious benignity Mooued neuerthelesse and entreated by the intercessions of them who were as we are mortals and hauing diligently obserued his commandements are now with him in eternall blessednes To whom as to aduocates and procurators informed by the experience of our frailty wee are not to present our prayers in the presence of so great a Iudge but only to himselfe for the obtaining of all such things as his wisedome knoweth to be most expedient for vs. And well may we credit that his goodnesse is more fully enclined towards vs in his continuall bounty and liberality then the subtilty of any mortal eye can reach into the secret of so diuine a thought and sometimes therefore we may be beguiled in opinion by electing such and such as our intercessors before his high Maiesty who perhaps are farre off from him or driuen into perpetuall exile as vnworthy to appeare in so glorious a presence For he from whom nothing can be hidden more regardeth the sincerity of him that prayeth then ignorant deuotion committed to the trust of a heedlesse intercessor and such prayers haue alwaies gracious acceptation in his sight As manifestly will appeare by the Nouell which I intend to relate manifestly I say not as in the iudgement of God but according to the ahprehension of men There was one named Musciatto Francesi who from beeing a most rich and great merchant in France was become a Knight and preparing to go into Tuscany with Monsieur Charles without Land Brother to the King of France who vvas desired and incited to come thither by Pope Boniface foūd his affaires greatly intricated here and there as oftentimes the matters of Merchants fall out to bee and that very hardly hee should sodainly vnintangle them without referring the charge of them to diuers persons And for all he tooke indifferent good order onely he remained doubtfull whom he might sufficiently leaue to recouer his debts among many Burgundians And the rather was his care the more herein because he knew the Burgundians to be people of badde nature rioters brablers full of calumny and without any faithfulnesse so that he could not bethinke himselfe of any man how wicked soeuer he was in whom he might repose trust to meete with their lewdnesse Hauing a long while examined his thoughts vpon this point at last hee remembred one master Chappelet du Prat who ofttimes had resorted to his house in Paris And because he was a man of little stature yet handsom enough the French not knowing what this word Chappelet might mean esteeming he should be called rather in their tongue Chappell imagined that in regard of his small stature they termed him Chappelet and not Chappell and so by the name of Chappelet he was euery where known and by few or none acknowledged for Chappel This master Chappelet was of so good and
how triumphantly shee had finished her discourse without attending any thing else spake thus Gracious Ladies wee shall neuer behold in mine opinion a great act of Fortune then to see a man so suddainly exalted euen from the lowest death of pouerty to a Royall estate of dignity as the discourse of Madame Pampinea hath made good by the happy aduancement of Alessandro And because it appeareth necessary that whosoeuer discourseth on the subiect proposed should no way varie from the very same termes I shall not shame to tell a tale which though it containe farre greater mishaps then the former may sort to as happy an issue albeit not so noble and magnificent In which respect it may perhaps merit the lesse attention but howsoeuer that fault shall be found in you I meane to discharge mine owne duty Opinion hath made it famous for long time that the Sea-coast of Rhegium to Gaieta is the onely delectable part of all Italy wherein somewhat neere to Salerno is a shore looking vpon the Sea which the inhabitants there dwelling doe call the coast of Malfy full of small Townes Gardens Springs and wealthy men trading in as many kindes of Merchandizes as any other people that I know Among which Townes there is one named Rauello wherein as yet to this day there are rich people there was not long since a very wealthy man named Landolpho Ruffolo who being not contented with his riches but coueting to multiply them double and trebble fell in danger to loose both himselfe and wealth together This man as other Merchants are wont to doe after hee had considered on his affaires bought him a very goodly Ship â—ading it with diuers sorts of Merchandizes all belonging to himselfe onely and making his voyage to the Isle of Cyprus Where he found ouer and beside the Merchandizes he had brought thither many Ships more there arriued and all laden with the selfe same commodities in regard whereof it was needefull for him not onely to make a good Mart of his goods but also was further constrained if hee meant to vent his commodities to sell them away almost for nothing endangering his vtter destruction and ouerthrow Whereupon grieuing exceedingly at so great a losse not knowing what to doe and seeing that from very abundant wealth hee was likely to fall into as low pouerty hee resolued to dye or to recompence his losses vpon others because he would not returne home poore hauing departed thence so rich Meeting with a Merchant that bought his great Ship of him with the money made thereof and also of his other Merchandizes hee purchased another being a lighter vessell apt and proper for the vse of a Pirate arming and furnishing it in ample manner for rouing and robbing vpon the Seas Thus hee began to make other mens goods his owne especially from the Turkes he tooke much wealth Fortune being alwayes therein so fauourable to him that hee could neuer compasse the like by trading So that within the space of one yeare hee had robd and taken so many Gallies from the Turke that he found himselfe well recouered not onely of all his losses by Merchandize but likewise his wealth was wholly redoubled Finding his losses to be very liberally required and hauing now sufficient it were folly to hazard a second fall wherefore conferring with his owne thoughts and finding that he had enough and needed not to couer after more he fully concluded now to returne home to his owne house againe and liue vpon his goods thus gotten Continuing still in feare of the losses he had sustained by traffique minding neuer more to imploy his mony that way but to keep this light vessel which had holpen him to all his wealth he commanded his men to put forth their Oares and shape their course for his owne dwelling Being aloft in the higher Seas darke night ouer-taking them and a mighty winde suddainly comming vpon them it not onely was contrary to their course but held on with such impetuous violence that the small vessell being vnable to endure it made to land-ward speedily and in expectation of a more friendly wind entred a litle port of the Sea directing vp into a small Island and there safely sheltred it selfe Into the same port which Landolpho had thus taken for his refuge entred soone after two great Carrackes of Genewayes lately come from Constantinople When the men in them had espied the small Barke and lockt vppe her passage from getting foorth vnderstanding the Owners name and that report had famed him to be very rich they determined as men euermore addicted naturally to couet after money and spoile to make it their owne as a prize at Sea Landing some store of their men well armed with Crosse-bowes and other weapons they tooke possession of such a place where none durst issue forth of the small Barke but endangered his life with their Darts Arrowes Entering aboord the Barke and making it their owne by full possession all the men they threw ouer-boord without sparing any but Landolpho himselfe whom they mounted into one of the Carrackes leauing him nothing but a poore shirt of Maile on his backe and hauing rifled the Barke of all her riches sunke it into the bottome of the sea The day following the rough windes being calmed the Carrackes set saile agame hauing a prosperous passage all the day long but vppon the entrance of darke night the windes blew more tempestuously then before and sweld the Sea in such rude stormes that the two Carracks were sundered each from other and by violence of the tempest it came to passe that the Carracke wherein lay poore miserable Landolpho beneath the Isle of Cephalonia ran against a rocke and euen as a glasse against a wall so split the Carracke in peeces the goods and merchandizes floating on the Sea Chests Coffers Beds and such like other things as often hapneth in such lamentable accidents Now notwithstanding the nights obscurity and impetuous violence of the billowes such as could swimme made shift to saue their liues by swimming Others caught hold on such things as by Fortunes fauour floated neerest to them among whom distressed Landolpho desirous to saue his life if possibly it might be espied a Chest or Coffer before him ordained no doubt to be the meanes of his safety from drowning Now although the day before he had wished for death infinite times rather then to returne home in such wretched pouerty yet seeing how other men stroue for safety of their liues by any helpe were it neuer so little he tooke aduantage of this fauor offred him and the rather in a necessitie so vrgent Keeping fast vpon the Coffer so well as he could and being driuen by the winds waues one while this way and anon quite contrarie he made shift for himselfe till day appeared when looking euery way about him seeing nothing but clouds the seas and the Coffer which one while shrunke from vnder him and another while supported him according
should both shamefully be put to death The Mother to this regardlesse Daughter hauing heard the angry words of her Husband and how hee would be reuenged on the faultie could not endure that he should be so seuere wherefore although shee was likewise much afflicted in minde and reputed her Daughter worthy for so great an offence of all cruell punishment â—yet shee hasted to her displeased husband who began to entreate that he would not runne on in such a furious spleene now in his aged yeares to be the murtherer of his owne childe and soile his hands in the blood of his seruant Rather he might finde out some milde course for the satisfaction of his Anger by committing them to close imprisonment there to remaine mourne for their follie committed The vertuous and religious Lady alledged so many commendable examples and vsed such plenty of moouing perswasions that she quite altred his minde from putting them to death and he commanded onely that they should separately bee imprisoned with little store of foode and lodging of the vneasiest vntill hee should otherwise determine of them and so it was done What their life now was in captiuity and continuall teares with stricter abstinence then was needefull for them all this I must commit to your consideration Iehannot and Spina remaining in this comfortlesse condition and an whole yeere being now out-worne yet Conrado keeping them thus still imprisoned it came to passe that Don Pedro King of Arragon by the meanes of Messer Iohn de Procida caused the Isle of Sicily to reuolt and tooke it away from King Charles whereat Conrado he being of the Ghibbiline faction not a little reioyced Iehannot hauing intelligence therof by some of them that had him in custody breathing foorth a vehement sigh spake in this manner Alas poore miserable wretch as I am that haue already gone begging through the world aboue fourteene yeares in expectation of nothing else but this opportunity and now it is come must I be in prison to the end that I should neuer more hope for any future happinesse And how can I get forth of this prison except it be by death onely How now replied the Officer of the Guard What doth this businesse of great Kings concerne thee What affaires hast thou in Sicily Once more Iehannot sighed extreamly and returned him this answer Me thinkes my heart quoth hee doth cleaue in sunder when I call to minde the charge which my Father had there for although I was but a little boy when I fled thence yet I can well remember that I sawe him Gouernour there at such time as King Manfred liued The Guard pursuing on still his purpose demanded of him what and who his Father was My Father replyed Iehannot I may now securely speake of him being out of the perill which neerely concerned me if I had beene discouered He was the named and so still if he be liuing Henriet Capece and my name is Geoffrey not Iehannot and I make no doubt but if I vvere free from hence and might be returned home to Sicily I should for his sake be placed in some authority The honest man of the Guard without seeking after any further information so soone as he could compasse the leysure reported all to Messer Conrado who hauing heard these newes albeit he made no shew therof to the reuealer went to Madam Beritola graciously demaunding of her if she had any sonne by her husband who was called Geoffrey The Lady replyed in teares that if her eldest sonne were as yet liuing hee was so named and now aged about two and twenty yeares Conrado hearing this imagined this same to be the man considering further withall that if it fell out to proue so he might haue the better meanes of mercie and closely concealing his daughters shame ioyfully ioyne them in marriage together Hereupon he secretly caused Iehannot to be brought before him examining him particularly of all his passed life and finding by most manifest arguments that his name was truly Geoffrey he the eldest son of Henriet Capece he spake to him alone in this manner Iehannot thou knowest how great the iniuries which thou hast done me my deare daughter gently entreating thee as became a good honest seruant that thou shouldest alwayes haue bin respectiue of mine honor and all that do appertain vnto me There are many noble gentlewomen who sustaining the wrog which thou hast offred me they would haue procured thy shameful death which pitty compassion wil not suffer in me Wherfore seeing as thou informest me that thou art honorably deriued both by father mother I will giue end to all thine anguishes euen when thy self art so pleased releasing thee from the misery captiuity wherein I haue so long time kept thee and in one instant reduce thine honor mine into compleat perfection As thou knowest my Daughter Spina whom thou hast embraced in kindnesse as a friend although farre vnfitting for thee or her is a widow and her mariage is both great and good what her manners and conditions are thou indifferently knowest and art not ignorant of her Father and Mother concerning thine owne estate as now I purpose not to speake any thing Therefore when thou wilt I am so determined that whereas thou hast immodestly affected her she shall become thy honest wife and accepting thee as my Son to remain with me so long as you both please Imprisonment had somewhat mishapen Iehannot in his outward forme but not impaired a iot of that noble spirit really deriued from his famous progenitors much lesse the true loue he bare to his faire friend And although most earnestly he desired that which Conrado now so franckly offered him and was in his power onely to bestow on him yet could he not cloude any part of his greatnesse but with a resolued iudgement thus replied My Lord affectation of rule desire of wealthy possessions or any other matter whatsoeuer could neuer make me a traytor to you or yours but that I haue loued do loue for euer shal loue your beautious daughter if that be treason I freely coÌ„fesse it wil die a thousand deaths before you or any else shal enforce me to denie it for I hold her highly worthy of my loue If I haue bin more vnmaÌ„nerly with her then became me according to the opinion of vulgar iudgment I haue committed but that error which euermore is so attendant vpon youth that to denie it is to denie youth also And if reuerend age would but remember that once he was young measure others offences by his own they would not be thought so great or greeuous as you many more account them to be mine being coÌ„mitted as a friend not as an enemy what you make offer of so willingly to do I haue alwayes desired if I had thought it would haue bin granted long since I had most humbly requested it and so much the more acceptable would it
haue found no mean inducement to loue in regard of my husbands far distance from me medling in the rude vnciuill actions of warre when he should rather be at home in more sweet imployment You see Sir that these Orators aduance themselues here in your presence to acquaint you with the extremity of my ouer-commanding agony and if the same power hath dominion in you which your discretion questionlesse cannot be voide of then let me entreate such aduise from you as may rather helpe then hinder my hopes Beleeue it then for trueth Sir that the long absence of my husband from me the solitary condition wherein I am left ill agreeing with the hot blood running in my veines the temper of my earnest desires haue so preuailed against my strongest resistances that not onely so weake a woman as I am but any man of much more potent might liuing in ease and idlenesse as I doe cannot withstand such continuall assaults hauing no other helpe then flesh and blood Nor am I so ignorant but publique knowledge of such an error in me would be reputed a shrewd taxation of honesty whereas on the other side secret carriage and heedfull managing such amorous affaires may passe for currant without any reproach And let me tell you Noble Counte that I repute Loue highly fauourable to mee by guiding my iudgement with such moderation to make election of a wise worthy and honourable friend fit to enioy the grace of a farre greater Lady then I am and the first letter of his name is the Count D'Angiers For if error haue not misled mine eye as in Loue no Lady can be easily deceiued for person perfections and all parts most to be commended in a man the whole Realme of France containeth not your equall Obserue beside how forward Fortune sheweth her selfe to vs both in this case you to be destitute of a wife as I am of an husband for I count him as dead to me when he denies me the duties belonging to a wife Wherefore in regard of the vnfaigned affection I beare you and compassion which you ought to haue of Royall Princesse euen almost sicke to death for your sake I earnestly entreate you not to denie me your louing society but pittying my youth and fiery afflictions neuer to be quenched but by your kindnesse I may enioy my hearts desire As shee vttered these words the teares streamed aboundantly downe her faire cheekes preuenting her of any further speech so that deiecting her head into her bosome ouercome with the predominance of her passions shee fell vpon the Countes knee whereas else shee had falne vpon the ground When hee like a loyall and most honourable man sharply reprehended her fonde and idle loue and when shee would haue embraced him about the necke hee repulsed her roughly from him protesting vpon his honourable reputation that rather then hee would so wrong his Lord and Maister he would endure a thousand deathes The Lady seeing her desire disappointed and her fond expectation vtterly frustrated grewe instantly forgetfull of her intemperate loue and falling into extremity of rage conuerted her former gentle speeches into this harsh and ruder language Villaine quoth shee shall the longing comforts of my life be abridged by thy base and scornefull deniall Shall my destruction bee wrought by thy currish vnkindnesse and all my hoped ioyes be defeated in a moment Know slaue that I did not so earnestly desire thy sweet embracements before but now as deadly I hate and despise them which either thy death or banishment shall dearely pay for No sooner had shee thus spoken but tearing her haire and renting her garments in pieces shee ranne about like a distracted woman crying out aloude Helpe helpe the Count D'Angiers will forcibly dishonour mee the lustfull Count will violence mine honour D'Angiers seeing this and fearing more the malice of the ouer-credulous Court then either his owne conscience or any dishonourable act by him committed beleeuing likewise that her slanderous accusation would bee credited aboue his true and spotlesse innocency closely he conueyed himselfe out of the Court making what hast hee could home to his owne house which being too weake for warranting his safety vpon such pursuite as would be vsed against him without any further aduice or counsell he seated his two children on horsebacke himselfe also being but meanly mounted thus away thence hee went to Calice Vpon the clamour and noise of the Lady the Courtiers quickly flocked thither and as lies soone winne beleefe in hasty opinions vpon any silly or shallow surmise so did her accusation passe for currant and the Counts aduancement being enuied by many made his honest carriage in this case the more suspected In hast and madding fury they ran to the Counts houses to arrest his person and carry him to prison but when they could not finde him they raced his goodly buildings downe to the ground and vsed all shamefull violence to them Now as il newes sildome wants a speedy Messenger so in lesse space then you will imagine the King and Dolphin heard thereof in the Camp and were therewith so highly offended that the Count had a sodaine and seuere condemnation all his progeny being sentenced with perpetuall exile and promises of great and bountifull rewards to such as could bring his body aliue or dead Thus the innocent Count by his ouer-hasty and sodaine flight made himselfe guilty of this foule imputation and arriuing at Callice with his children their poore and homely habites hid them from being knowne and thence they crossed ouer into England staying no where vntill hee came to London Before he would enter into the City he gaue diuers good aduertisements to his children but especially two precepts aboue all the rest First with patient soules to support the poore condition whereto Fortune without any offence in him or them had thus deiected them Next that they should haue most heedfull care at no time to disclose from whence they came or whose children they were because it extended to the perill of their liues His Sonne being named Lewes and now about nine yeares old his daughter called Violenta and aged seauen yeares did both obserue their fathers direction as afterward it did sufficiently appeare And because they might liue in the safer securitie hee thought it for the best to change their names calling his sonne Perotto and his daughter Gianetta for thus they might best escape vnknowne Being entred into the Citty and in the poore estate of beggers they craued euery bodies mercy and almes It came to passe that standing one morning at the Cathedral Church-doore a great Lady of England being then wife to the Lord high Marshall cōming forth of the Church espied the Count and his children there begging Of him she demanded what Countrey-man he was and whether those children were his owne or no The Count replyed that he was borne in Picardy and for an vnhappy fact committed by his eldest sonne a stripling of more
very least mitigation And being vtterly vnable to relinquish his loue diuers times he resolued on some desperate conclusion which might yet giue the world an euident testimony that he dyed for the loue he bare to the Queene And vpon this determination hee grounded the successe of his future fortune to dye in compassing some part of his desire without either speaking to the Queene or sending any missiue of his loue for to speake or write were meerely in vaine and drew on a worser consequence then death which he could bestow on himselfe more easily and when he listed No other course now beleagers his braines but onely for secret accesse to the Queenes bed and how he might get entrance into her Chamber vnder colour of the King who as he knew very well slept manie nights together from the Queene Wherefore to see in what manner what the vsuall habit was of the King when he came to keepe companie vvith his Queene he hid himselfe diuers nights in a Gallery which was betweene both their lodging Chambers At length he saw the King come forth of his Chamber himselfe all alone with a faire night-mantle wrapt about him carrying a lighted Taper in the one hand and a small white Wand in the other so went he on to the Queenes lodging and knocking at the doore once or twice with the wand and not vsing any word the doore opened the light was left without and he entered the Chamber where he stayed not long before his returning backe againe which likewise very diligently he obserued So familiar was he in the Wardrobe by often fetching and returning the King and Queenes furnitures that the fellowe to the same Mantle which the King wore when he went to the Queene very secretly he conueighed away thence with him being prouided of a Light and the verie like Wand Now bestowes he costly bathings on his body that the least sent of the Stable might not be felt about him and finding a time sutable to his desire when he knew the King to be at rest in his owne Lodging and all else sleeping in their beds closely he steals into the Gallery where alighting his Taper with Tinder purposely brought thither the Mantle folded about him and the Wand in his hand valiantly he aduentures vpon his liues perill Twice hee knockt softly at the doore which a wayting woman immediately opened and receyuing the Light went forth into the Gallery while the supposed King was conuersing vvith the Queene Alas good Queene heere is sinne committed without any guiltie thought in thee as within a while after it plainely appeared For the Querry hauing compassed what he most couered and fearing to forfeite his life by delay when his amorous desire was indifferently satisfied returned backe as he came the sleepy waiting woman not so much as looking on him but rather glad that she might get her to rest againe Scarcely was the Querrie stept into his bed vnheard or discerned by any of his fellowes diuers of them lodging both in that and the next Chamber but it pleased the King to visite the Queene according to his wonted manner to the no little meruaile of the drowsie wayting woman who was neuer twice troubled in a night before The King being in bed whereas alwayes till then his resort to the Queene was altogether in sadnesse and melancholly both comming and departing without speaking one word now his Maiestie was become more pleasantly disposed whereat the Queene began not a little to meruaile Now trust mee Sir quoth shee this hath been a long wished and now most welcome alteration vouch-safing twice in a night to visite me and both within the compasse of one houre for it cannot be much more since your being here and now comming againe The King hearing these words sodainly presumed that by some counterfeit person or other the Queene had been this night beguiled wherefore very aduisedly hee considered that in regard the party was vnknowne to her and all the women about her to make no outward appearance of knowing it but rather concealed it to himselfe Farre from the indiscretion of some hare-braind men who presently would haue answered and sworne I came not hither this night till now Whereupon many dangers might ensue to the dishonor and preiudice of the Queene beside hir error being discouered to hir might afterward be an occasion to vrge a wandring in her appetite and to couet after change againe But by this silence no shame redounded to him or her whereas prating must needes be the publisher of open infamie yet was hee much vexed in his minde which neither by lookes or words hee would discouer but pleasantly said to the Queene Why Madame although I was once heere before to night I hope you mislike not my second seeing you nor if I should please to come againe No truely Sir quoth she I onely desire you to haue care of your health Well said the King I will follow your counsaile and now returne to mine owne lodging againe committing my Queene to her good rest His blood boyling with rage and distemper by such a monstrous iniurie offered him he wrapt his night-mantle about him and leauing his Chamber imagining that whatsoeuer he was needes he must be one of his owne house he tooke a light in his hand and conuayed it into a little Lanthorne purposing to be resolued in his suspition No guests or strangers were now in his Court but onely such as belonged to his houshold who lodged altogether about the Escurie and Stables being there appointed to diuers beds Now this was his conceite that whosoeuer had beene so lately familiar with the Queene his heart and pulse could as yet be hardly at rest but rather would be troubled with apparant agitation as discouering the guilt of so great an offender Many Chambers had hee passed thorow where all were soundly sleeping and yet he felt both their brests and pulses At last he came to the lodging of the man indeede that had so impudently vsurped his place who could not as yet sleepe for ioy of his atchieued aduenture When he espied the King come in knowing well the occasion of his search he began to waxe very doubtfull so that his heart and pulse beating extremely he felt a further addition of feare as being confidently perswaded that there was now no other way but death especially if the King discouered his agony And although many considerations were in his braine yet because he saw that the King was vnarmed his best refuge was to make shew of sleepe in expectation what the King intended to doe Among them all he had sought yet could not find any likelihood wherby to gather a grounded probability vntill he came to this Querry whose heart and pulses laboured so sternely that he said to himselfe yea mary this is the man that did the deede Neuerthelesse purposing to make no apparance of his further intention he did nothing else to him but drawing foorth a paire of
a man in the skin of a Beare or in the shape of a sauage man or any other forme of better deuice Which being so done he is brought vpon S. Marks market place where being hunted a while with dogs vpon the huntings conclusion the Feast is ended and then each man leades his monster whether him pleaseth If you can accept any of these shapes before you bee seene heere in my poore abiding then can I safely afterward bring you where you would bee Otherwise I see no possible meanes how you may escape hence vnknown for it is without all question to the contrary that the Gentlewomans brethren knowing your concealment in some one place or other wil set such spies and watches for you throughout the City as you must needs be taken by them Now although it seemed a most seuere imposition for Albert to passe in any of these disguises yet his exceeding feare of Lisettaes brethren and friends made him gladly yeelde and to vndergo what shape the poore man pleased which thus he ordered Annointing his naked body with Hony he then couered it ouer with downy small Feathers and fastning a chaine about his necke and a strange vgly vizard on his face hee gaue him a great staffe in the one hand and two huge Mastiue dogs chained together in the other which he had borrowed in the Butchery Afterward he sent a man to the Rialto who there proclaimed by the sound of Trumpet That all such as desired to see God Cupid which the last night had descended downe from the skies and fell by ill hap into the Venetian gulfe let them repaire to the publike Market place of S. Marke and there he would appeare in his owne likenesse This being done soone after he left his house and leading him thus disguised along by his chaine hee was followed by great crowds of people euery one questioning of whence and what he was In which manner he brought him to the Market place where an infinite number of people were gathered together as well of the followers as of them that before heard the proclamation There he made choise of a pillar which stood in a place somewhat highly exalted wherto he chained his sauage man making shew as if he meant to awaite there till the hunting shold begin in which time the Flies Waspes and Hornets did so terribly sting his naked body being annointed with Hony that he endured therby vnspeakable anguish When the poore man saw that there needed no more concourse of people pretending as if he purposed to let loose his Saluage man he tooke the maske or vizard from Alberts face and then he spake aloud in this manner Gentlemen and others seeing the wilde Boare commeth not to our hunting because I imagine that he cannot easily be found I meane to the end you may not lose your labour in comming hither to shew you the great God of Loue called Cupid whom Poets feigned long since to be a little boy but now growne to manly stature You see in what maner he hath left his high dwelling onely for the comfort of our Venetian beauties but belike the night-fogs ouer-flagging his wings he fell into our gulfe and comes ow to present his seruice to you No sooner had he taken off his vizard but euery one knew him to be Friar Albert and sodainly arose such shoutes and out-cries with most bitter words breathed forth against him hurling also stones durt and filth in his face that his best acquaintance then could take no knowledge of him and not any one pittying his abusing So long continued the offended people in their fury that newes therof was carried to the Conuent and six of his Religious brethren came who casting an habite about him and releasing him from his chain they led him to the Monastery not without much mollestation and trouble of the people where imprisoning him in their house seueritie of some inflicted punishment or rather conceite for his open shame shortned his dayes and so he dyed Thus you see faire Ladies when licentious life must be clouded with a cloake of sanctity and euill actions dayly committed yet escaping vncredited there will come a time at length for iust discouering of all that the good may shine in their true luster of glory and the bad sinke in their owne deserued shame Three yong Gentlemen affecting three Sisters fledde with them into Candie The eldest of them through iealousie becommeth the death of her Louer The second by consenting to the Duke of Candies request is the meanes of sauing her life Afterward her owne Friend killeth her and thence flyeth away with the elder Sister The third couple both man woman are charged with her death and being committed prisoners they confesse the facte And fearing death by corruption of money they preuaile with their keepers escaping from thence to Rhodes where they died in great pouerty The third Nouell Heerein is declared how dangerous the occasion is ensuing by anger and despight in such as entirely loue especially being iniuried and offended by them that they loue WHen the King perceiued that Madame Pampinea had ended her discourse he sat sadly a prety while without vttering one word but afterward spake thus Little goodnesse appeared in the beginning of this Nouell because it ministred occasion of mirth yet the ending proued better and I could wish that worse inflictions had falne on the venerious Friar Then turning towards Madam Lauretta he said Lady do you tell vs a better tale if possible it may be She smiling thus answered the King Sir you are ouer-cruelly bent against poore Louers in desisiring that their amourous processions should haue harsh and sinister concludings Neuerthelesse in obedience to your seuere command among three persons amourously perplexed I will relate an vnhappy ending whereas all may be saide to speede as vnfortunately being equally alike in enioying the issue of their desires and thus I purpose for to proceede Euery vice choise Ladies as very well you know redoundeth to the great disgrace and preiudice of him or her by whom it is practised and oftentimes to others Now among those common hurtfull enemies the sinne or vice which most carrieth vs with full carrere and draweth vs into vnauoidable perils and dangers in mine opinion seemeth to be that of choller or anger which is nothing else but a sudden and inconsiderate mouing prouoked by some receiued iniury which hauing excluded all respect of reason and dimde with darke vapours the bright discerning sight of the vnderstanding enflameth the minde with most violent furie And albeit this inconuenience happeneth most to men and more to some few then others yet notwithstanding it hath been noted that women haue felt the selfe same infirmity and in more extreme manner because it much sooner is kindled in them and burneth with the brighter flame in regard they haue the lesser consideration and therefore not to be wondred at For if we will aduisedly obserue we shall plainely perceiue that
lamented Being deliuered out of the Court it was carried to buriall not like a Burgesse or ordinary Citizen but with such pompe as beseemed a Lord Baron and on the shoulders of very noble Gentlemen with very especiall honor and reuerence Within some few dayes after the Potestate pursuing his former motion of marriage and the Father mouing it to his daughter she wold not by any meanes listen thereto And he being desirous to giue her contentment deliuered her and her Chamber-maid into a Religious Abbey very famous for deuotion and sanctity where afterwardes they ended their liues Faire Simonida affecting Pasquino and walking with him in a pleasant garden it fortuned that Pasquino rubbed his teeth with a leafe of Sage and immediately fell downe dead Simonida being brought before the bench of Iustice and charged with the death of Pasquino she rubbed her teeth likewise with one of the leaues of the same Sage as declaring what shee saw him do and thereon she dyed also in the same manner The seauenth Nouell Whereby is giuen to vnderstand that Loue Death do vse their power equally alike as well vpon poore and meane persons as on them that are rich and Noble PAmphilus hauing ended his Tale the King declaring an outward shew of compassion in regard of Andreanaes disastrous Fortune fixed his eye on Madam Emillia and gaue her such an apparant signe as expressed his pleasure for her next succeeding in discourse which being sufficient for her vnderstanding thus she began Faire assembly the Nouel so lately deliuered by Pamphilus maketh me willing to report another to you varying from it in any kinde of resemblance onely this excepted that as Andreana lost her louer in a Garden euen so did shee of whome I am now to speake And being brought before the seate of Iustice according as Andreana was freed her selfe from the power of the Law yet neither by force or her owne vertue but by her sodaine and inopinate death And although the nature of Loue is such according as wee haue oftentimes heeretofore maintained to make his abiding in the houses of the Noblest persons yet men and women of poore and farre inferiour quality do not alwayes sit out of his reach though enclosed in their meanest Cottages declaring himselfe sometimes as powerfull a commaunder in those humble places as he doth in the richest and most imperious Palaces As will plainly appeare vnto you either in all or a great part of my Nouell whereto our Citie pleadeth some title though by the diuersity of our discourses talking of so many seuerall accidents we haue wandred into many other parts of the world to make all answerable to our owne liking It is not any long time since when there liued in our City of Florence a young and beautifull Damosell yet according to the nature of hir condition because she was the Daughter of a poore Father and called by the name of Simonida Now albeit shee was not supplied by any better meanes then to maintaine her selfe by her owne painfull trauell earne her bread before shee could eate it by carding and spinning to such as employed her yet was she not of so base or deiected a spirit but had both courage and sufficient vertue to vnderstand the secret solicitings of loue and to distinguish the parts of well deseruing both by priuate behauiour and outward ceremony As naturall instinct was her first tutor thereto so wanted she not a second maine and vrging motion a chip hewed out of the like Timber one no better in birth then her selfe a proper young springall named Pasquino whose generous behauiour and gracefull actions in bringing her daily wooll to spin by reason his master was a Clothier preuailed vpon her liking and affection Nor was he negligent in the obseruation of her amorous regards but the Tinder tooke and his soule flamed with the selfe-same fire making him as desirous of her louing acceptance as possibly she could bee of his so that the commanding power of loue could not easily be distinguished in which of them it had the greater predominance For euerie day as he brought her fresh supply of woolles and found her seriously busied at hir wheele her soule would vent forth many deepe sighes and those sighes fetch floods of teares from her eyes thorough the singular good opinion she had conceyued of him and earnest desire to enioy him Pasquino on the other side as leysure gaue him leaue for the least conuersing with her his disease was euery way answerable to her for teares stood in his eyes sighes flew abroad to ease the poore hearts afflicting oppressions which though he was vnable to conceale yet would hee seeme to clowd them cleanly by entreating her that his masters worke might be nearly performed and with such speed as time would permit her intermixing infinite praises of her artificiall spinning and affirming withall that the Quilles of Yearne receiued from her were the choisest beauty of the whole peece so that when other worke-women played Simonida was sure to want no employment Heereupon the one soliciting and the other taking delight in beeing solicited it came to passe that often accesse bred the bolder courage ouer-much bashfulnesse became abandoned yet no immodestie passing betweene them but affection grew the better setled in them both by interchangeable vowes of constant perseuerance so that death onely but no disaster else had power to diuide them Their mutuall delight continuing on in this manner with more forcible encreasing of their Loues equall flame it fortuned that Pasquino sitting by Simonida tolde her of a goodly Garden whereto hee was desirous to bring her to the end that they might the more safely conuerse together without the suspition of enuious eyes Simonida gaue answer of her well-liking the motion and acquainting her Father therewith he gaue her leaue on the Sunday following after dinner to go ferch the pardon of S. Gallo and afterwards to visit the Garden A modest yong maiden named Lagina following the same profession and being an intimate familiar friend Simonida tooke along in her company and came to the Garden appointed by Pasquino where shee found him readily expecting her comming and another friend also with him called Puccino albeit more vsually tearmed Strambo a secret well-willer to Lagina whose loue became the more furthered by this friendly meeting Each Louer delighting in his hearts chosen Mistresse caused them to walke alone by themselues as the spaciousnesse of the Garden gaue them ample liberty Puccino with his Lagina in one part Pasquino with his Simonida in another The walke which they had made choise of was by a long and goodly bed of Sage turning and returning by the same bed as their conference ministred occasion and as they pleased to recreate themselues affecting rather to continue still there then in any part of the Garden One while they would sit downe by the Sage bed and afterward rise to walke againe as ease or wearinesse seemed to inuite
was much commended and wrought such a miracle on penitent Ruggiero that after his marriage which was graced with great and honourable pompe he regained the intimate loue of all his kindred and liued in most Noble condition euen as if he had neuer beene the disordered man If the former Nouels had made all the Ladies sad and sighe this last of Dioneus as much delighted them as restoring them to their former iocond humor and banishing Tragicall discourse for euer The King perceyuing that the Sun was neere setting and his gouernment as neere ending with many kinde and courteous speeches excused himselfe to the Ladies for being the motiue of such an argument as expressed the infelicity of poore Louers And hauing finished his excuse vp he arose taking the Crowne of Lawrell from off his owne head the Ladies awaiting on whose head he pleased next to set it which proued to be the gracious Lady Fiammetta and thus hee spake Heere I place this Crowne on her head that knoweth better then any other how to comfort this fayre assembly to morrow for the sorow which they haue this day endured Madame Fiammetta whose lockes of haire were curled long and like golden wiers hanging somwhat downe ouer her white delicate shoulders her visage round wherein the Damaske Rose and Lilly contendeâ— for priority the eyes in her head resembling those of the Faulcon me senger and a dainty mouth her lippes looking like two little Rubyes with a commendable smile thus she replyed Philostratus gladly I do accept your gift and to the end that ye may the better remember your selfe concerning what you haue done hitherto I will and commaund that generall preparation bee made against to morrow for faire and happy fortunes hapning to Louers after former cruell and vnkinde accidents Which proposition was very pleasing to them all Then calling for the Master of the Housholde and taking order with him what was most needfull to be done shee gaue leaue vnto the whole company who were all risen to go recreate themselues vntil supper time Some of them walked about the Garden the beauty whereof banished the least thought of wearinesse Others walked by the Riuer to the Mill which was not farre off and the rest fel to exercises fitting their own fancies vntill they heard the summons for Supper Hard by the goodly Fountaine according to their wonted manner they supped altogether and were serued to their no mean contentment but being risen from the Table they fell to their delight of singing and dancing While Philomena led the dance the Queene spake in this manner Philostratus I intend not to varie from those courses heeretofore obserued by my predecessors but euen as they haue already done so it is my authority to command a Song And because I am well assured that you are not vnfurnished of Songs answerable to the quality of the passed Nouels my desire is in regard we would not be troubled heereafter with any more discourses of vnfortunate Loue that you shall sing a Song agreeing with your owne disposition Philostratus made answer that he was readie to accomplish her command and without all further ceremony thus he began The Song Chorus My teares do plainly proue How iustly that poore heart hath cause to greeue Which vnder trust findes Treason in his Loue. WHen first I saw her that now makes me sigh Distrust did neuer enter in my thoughts So many vertues clearly shin'd in her That I esteem'd all martyrdome was light Which Loue could lay on me Nor did I greeue Although I found my liberty was lost But now mine error I do plainly see Not without sorrow thus betray'd to bee My teares do c. For being left by basest treachery Of her in whom I most reposed trust I then could see apparant flatterie In all the fairest shewes that she did make But when I stroue to get forth of the snare I found my selfe the further plunged in For I beheld another in my place And I cast off with manifest disgrace My teares do c. Then felt my heart such hels of heauy woes Not vtterable I curst the day and houre When first I saw her louely countenance Enricht with beautie farre beyond all other Which set my soule on fire enflamde each part Making a martyrdome of my poore hart My faith and hope being basely thus betrayde I durst not mooue to speake I was affrayde My teares do c. Thou canst thou powerfull God of Loue perceiue My ceasselesse sorow voide of any comfort I make my moane to thee and do not fable Desiring that to end my misery Death may come speedily and with his Dart With one fierce stroke quite passing through my hart To cut off future fell contending strife An happy end be made of Loue and Life My teares do c. No other meanes of comfort doth remaine To ease me of such sharpe afflictions But only death Grant then that I may die To finish greefe and life in one blest houre For being bereft of any future ioyes Come take me quickly from so false a friend Yet in my death let thy great power approue That I died true and constant in my Loue. My teares c. Happy shall I account this sighing Song If some beside my selfe doe learne to sing it And so consider of my miseries As may incite them to lament my wrongs And to be warned by my wretched fate Least like my selfe themselues do sigh too late Learne Louers learne what t is to be vniust And be betrayed where you repose best trust The words contained in this Song did manifestly declare what torturing afflictions poore Philostratus felt and more perhaps had beene perceiued by the lookes of the Lady whom he spake of being then present in the dance if the sodaine ensuing darknesse had not hid the crimson blush which mounted vp into her face But the Song being ended diuers other beside lasting till the houre of rest drew on by command of the Queene they all repaired to their Chambers The End of the Fourth Day THE FIFT DAY Whereon all the Discourses do passe vnder the Gouernement of the most Noble Lady Fiammetta Concerning such persons as haue bene successefull in their Loue after many hard and perillous misfortunes The Induction NOW began the Sunne to dart foorth his golden beames when Madam Fiammetta incited by the sweete singing Birdes which since the breake of day sat merrily chanting on the trees arose from her bed as all the other Ladies likewise did and the three young Gentlemen descending downe into the fields where they walked in a gentle pace on the greene grasse vntill the Sunne were risen a little higher On many pleasant matters they conferred together as they walked in seuerall companies til at the length the Queene finding the heate to enlarge it selfe strongly returned backe to the Castle where when they were all arriued shee commanded that after this mornings walking their stomackes should bee refreshed with wholsome Wines as
most mooued me is a matter highly importing to me and very easie for you to graunt and so enioy your present peace I desire to haue faire Iphigenia from you whom I loue aboue all other Ladies liuing because I could not obtain herof her Father to make her my lawfull wife in marriage Loue is the ground of my instant Conquest and I must vse you as my mortall enemies if you stand vppon any further tearmes with me and do not deliuer her as mine owne for your Pasimondo must not enioy what is my right first by vertue of my loue now by conquest Deliuer her therefore and depart hence at your pleasure The men of Rhodes being rather constrained thereto then of any free disposition in themselues with teares in their eyes deliuered Iphigenia to Chynon wo beholding her in like manner to weepe thus spake vnto her Noble Lady do not any way discomfort your selfe for I am your Chynon who haue more right and true title to you and much better doe deserue to enioy you by my long continued affection to you then Pasimondo can any way pleade because you belong to him but only by promise So bringing her aboord his owne ship where the Gentlemen his companions gaue her kinde welcome without touching any thing else belonging to the Rhodians he gaue them free liberty to depart Chynon being more ioyfull by the obtaining of his hearts desire then any other conquest else in the world could make him after hee had spent some time in comforting Iphigenia who as yet sate sadly sighing he consulted with his companions who ioyned with him in opinion that their safest course was by no meanes to returne to Cyprus and therefore all with one consent resolued to set saile for Candye where euery one made account but especially Chynon in regard of ancient and newe combined Kindred as also very intimate friends to finde very worthy entertainement and so to continue there safely with Iphigenia But Fortune who was so fauourable to Chynon in granting him so pleasing a Conquest to shew her inconstancy as sodainly changed the inestimable ioy of our iocond Louer into as heauy sorow and disaster For foure houres were not fully compleated since his departure from the Rhodians but darke night came vpon them and he sitting conuersing with his fayre Mistris in the sweetest solace of his soule the winds began to blow roughly the Seas swelled angerly a tempest arose impetuously that no man could see what his duty was to do in such a great vnexpected distresse nor how to warrant themselues from perishing If this accident were displeasing to poore Chynon I thinke the question were in vaine demanded for now it seemed to him that the Godds had granted his cheefe desire to the end hee should dye with the greater anguish in losing both his loue and life together His friends likewise felte the selfe same affliction but especially Iphigenia who wept and greeued beyond all measure to see the ship beaten with such stormy billowes as threatned her sinking euery minute Impatiently she cursed the loue of Chynon greatly blaming his desperate boldnesse and maintaining that so violent a tempest could neuer happen but onely by the Gods displeasure who would not permit him to haue a wife against their will and therfore thus punished his proud presumption not only in his vnauoidable death but also that her life must perish for company She continuing in these wofull lamentations and the Mariners labouring all in vaine because the violence of the tempest encreased more and more so that euery moment they expected wracking they were carried contrary to their owne knowledge very neere vnto the Isle of Rhodes which they being no way able to auoid and vtterly ignorant of the coast for safety of their liues they labored to land there if possibly they might Wherein Fortune was somewhat furtherous to them driuing them into a small gulfe of the Sea whereinto but a little while before the Rhodians from whom Chynon had taken Iphigenia were newly entred with their ship Nor had they any knowledge each of other till the breake of day which made the heauens to looke more clearly gaue them discouerie of being within a flight shoote together Chynon looking forth and espying the same ship which he had left the day before hee grew exceeding sorowfull as fearing that which after followed and therefore hee willed the Mariners to get away from her by all their best endeauour let fortune afterward dispose of them as she pleased for into a worse place they could not come noâ— fall into the like danger The Mariners employed their very vtmost paines and all prooued but losse of time for the winde was so stern and the waues so turbulent that still they droue them the contrary way so that striuing to get foorth of the gulfe whether they would or no they were driuen on land and instantly knowne to the Rhodians whereof they were not a little ioyful The men of Rhodes being landed ran presently to a neere neighbouring Village where dwelt diuers worthy Gentlemen to whom they reported the arriuall of Chynon what fortune befell them at Sea and that Iphigenia might now be recouered againe with chastisement to Chynon for his bold insolence They being very ioyfull of these good newes tooke so many men as they could of the same Village and ran immediately to the Sea side where Chynon being newly Landed and his people intending flight into a neere adioyning Forrest for defence of himselfe and Iphigenia they were all taken led thence to the Village and afterwards to the chiefe City of Rhodes No sooner were they arriued but Pasimondo the intended Husband for Iphigenia who had already heard the tydings went and complayned to the Senate who appointed a Gentleman of Rhodes named Lysimachus and being that yeare soueraigne Magistrate ouer the Rhodians to go well prouided for the apprehension of Chynon and all his company committing them to prison which accordingly was done In this manner the poore vnfortunate louer Chynon lost his faire Iphigenia hauing won her in so short a while before and scarsely requited with so much as a kisse But as for Iphigenia she was royally welcommed by many Lords and Ladies of Rhodes who so kindely comforted her that she soone forgotte all her greefe and trouble on the Sea remaining in company of those Ladies and Gentlewomen vntill the day determined for her mariage At the earnest entreary of diuers Rhodian Gentlemen who were in the Ship with Iphigenia and had their liues courteously saued by Chynon both he and his friends had their liues likewise spared although Pasimondo laboured importunately to haue them all put to death onely they were condemned to perpetuall imprisonment which you must thinke was most greeuous to them as being now hopelesse of any deliuerance But in the meane time while Pasimondo was ordering his nuptiall preparation Fortune seeming to repent the wrongs shee had done to Chynon prepared a new accident whereby
do offend any other For iealous husbands are meere insidiators of their Wiues liues and most diligent pursuers of their deaths being lockt vp in their houses all the Weeke long imployed in nothing but domesticke drudging affayres which makes them desirous of high Festiuall dayes to receiue some litle comfort abroad by an honest recreation or pastime as Husbandmen in the fields Artizans in our Citie or Gouernours in our iudiciall Courtes yea or as our Lord himselfe who rested the seauenth day from all his trauailes In like manner it is so willed and ordained by the Lawes as well diuine as humane which haue regard to the glory of God and for the common good of euery one making distinction betweene those dayes appointed for labour and the other determined for rest Whereto iealous persons in no case will giue consent but all those dayes which for other women are pleasing and delightfull vnto such ouer whom they command are most irksome sadde and sorrowful because then they are lockt vp and very strictly restrained And if question wer vrged how many good women do liue and consume away in this torturing hel of affliction I can make no other answere but such as feele it are best able to discouer it Wherefore to conclude the proheme to my present purpose let none be ouer rash in condemning women for what they do to their husbands being iealous without occasion but rather commend their wit and prouidence Somtime faire Ladies there liued in Arimino a Merchant very rich in wealth and worldly possessions who hauing a beautifull Gentlewoman to his wife he became extreamly ielous of her And he had no other reason for this foolish conceit but like as he loued hir dearly and found her to be very absolutely faire euen so he imagined that althogh she deuised by her best meanes to giue him content yet others would grow enamored of her because she appeared so amiable to al. In which respect time might tutor her to affect some other beside himselfe the onely common argument of euery bad minded man being weake and shallow in his owne vnderstanding This ielous humor increasing in him more and more he kept her in such narrow restraint that many persons condemned to death haue enioyed larger libertie in their imprisonment For she might not bee present at Feasts Weddings nor goe to Church or so much as to be seen at her doore Nay she durst not stand in her Window nor looke out of her house for any occasion whatsoeuer By means whereof life seemed most tedious and offensiue to her and she supported it the more impatiently because shee knew her selfe not any way faulty Seeing her husband still persist in this shamefull course towards her she studied how she might best comfort her selfe in this desolate case by deuising some one meane or other if any at all were to bee founde wherby he might be requited in his kind and wear that badge of shame whereof he was now but onely affraid And because she could not gain so small a permission as to be seene at any window where happily she might haue obserued some one passing by in the street discerning a litle parcell of her loue she remembred at length that in the next house to her Husbands they both ioyning close together there dwelt a comely yong proper Gentleman whose perfections carried correspondencie with her desires She also considered with her selfe that if there were any partition wall such a chinke or cranny might easily be made therein by which at one time or other she should gaine a sight of the young Gentleman and finde an houre so fitting as to conferre with him and bestow her louely fauour on him if he pleased to accept it If successe in this case proued answerable to her hope then thus she resolued to out-run the rest of her wearisome dayes except the frensie of iealousie did finish her husbands loathed life before Walking from one roome to another thorough euery part of the house and no wall escaping without diligent surueying on a day when her Husband was absent from home she espyed in a corner very secret an indifferent cleft in the Wall which though it yeelded no full view on the other side yet she plainly perceiued it to be an handsome Chamber and grew more then halfe perswaded that either it might be the Chamber of Philippo for so was the neighbouring yong Gentleman named or else a passage guiding thereto A Chambermaid of hers who compassioned her case very much made such obseruance by her Mistresses direction that she found it to be Philippoes bed Chamber and where alwayes he vsed to lodge alone By often visiting this rift or chinke in the Wall especially when the Gentleman was there and by throwing in little stones flowers and such like things which fell still in his way as he walked so farre she preuailed that he stepping to the chinke to know from whence they came shee called softly to him who knowing her voyce there they had such priuate conference together as was not any way displeasing to either So that the chinke being made a little larger yet so as it could not be easily discerned their mouthes might meete with kisses together and their hands folded each in other but nothing else to be performed for continuall feare of her ielous husband Now the Feast of Christmasse drawing neere the Gentlewoman said to her Husband that if it stood with his liking she would do such duty as fitted with so solemne a time by going earely in a morning vnto Church there to be confessed and receiue her Sauiour as other Christians did How now replied the iealous Asse what sinnes haue you committed that should neede confession How Husband quoth she what do you thinke me to be a Saint Who knoweth not I pray you that I am as subiect to sinne as any other Woman liuing in the world But my sins are not to be reuealed to you because you are no Priest These words enflamed his iealousie more violently then before and needes must he know what sinnes she had committed hauing resolued what to do in this case made her answer That hee was contented with her motion alwaies prouided that she went to no other Church then vnto their owne Chappel betimes in a morning and their own Chaplaine to confesse her or some other Priest by him appointed but not any other and then she to returne home presently againe She being a woman of acute apprehension presently collected his whole intention but seeming to take no knowledge thereof replyed that she would not swerue from his direction When the appointed day was come she arose very earely and being prepared answerable to her owne liking to the Chappell shee went as her Husband had appointed where her iealous Husband being much earlier risen then she attended for her comming hauing so ordred the matter with his Chaplaine that he was cloathed in his Cowle with a large Hood hanging ouer his eyes that she
them and afterwarâ— had his owne head smitten off 5. Nouell THe three Brethren to Isabella slew a Gentleman that secretly loued her His ghost appeared to her in her sleepe and shewed her in what place they had buried his body She in silent maner brought away his head and putting it into a put of earth such as Flowers Basile or other sweet herbes are vsually set in she watered it a long while with her teares whereof her Brethren hauing intelligence soone after she died with meere conceite of sorow 6. Nouell A Beautifull yong virgin named Andreana became enamored of a young Gentleman called Gabriello In conference together shee declared a dreame of hers to him and he another of his vnto her whereupon Gabriello fell down sodainly dead She and her Chamber-maid were apprehended by the Officers be oâ—ging vnto the Seigneury as they were carrying Gabriello to lay them before his owne doore The Potestate offering violence to the virgin and she resisting him vertuously it came to the vnderstanding of her Father who approued the innocence of his daughter and compassed her deliuerance But she afterward being wearie of all worldly felicities entred into Religion became a Nun. 7. Nouell FAire Simonida affecting Pasquino and walking with him in a pleasant garden it fortuned that Pasquino rubbed his teeth with a leafe of Sage and immediately fell downe dead Simonida being brought before the bench of Iustice and charged with the death of Pasquino she rubbed her teeth likewise with one of the leaues of the same Sage as declaring what she saw him do thereon she dyed also in the same manner 8. Nouell IEronimo affecting a yong Mayden named Syluestra was constrained by the earnest importunity of his Mother to take a iourney to Paris At his returne home from thence againe he found his loue Siluestra maried By secret meanes he got entrance into her house and dyed vpon the bed lying by her Afterward his body being caried vnto the Church to receiue buriall shee likewise died there instantly vpon his coarse 9. Nouell MEsser Guiglielmo of Rossiglione hauing slaine Messer Guiglielmo Guardastagno whom he imagined to loue his wife gaue her his hart to eat Which she knowing afterward threw her self out of an high window to the ground and being dead was then buried with her friend 10. Nouell A Physitians wife laid a Louer of her maids supposing him to be dead in a chest by reason that he had drunke water which vsually was giuen to procure a sleepy entrancing Two Lombard Vsurers stealing the chest in hope of a rich booty caried it into their owne house where afterwardes the man awaking was apprehended for a Theefe The Chamber-maid to the Physitians wife going before the bench of Iustice accuseth her self for putting the imagined dead body into the chest wherby he escaped hanging and the Theeues which stole away the chest were condemned to pay a very great summe of money The Fift day Gouerned by Madame Fiammetta 1. Nouell CHynon by falling in loue became wise and by force of Armes winning his faire Ladye Iphigema on the seas was afterward imprisoned at Rhodes Being deliuered by one name Lisimachus with him he recouered his Iphigenia againe and faire Cassandra euen in the middest of their mariage They fled with them into Candye where after they had maried them they wer called home to their owne dwelling 2. Nouell FAire Constance of Liparis fell in Loue with Martuccio Gonâ—â—to and hearing that hee was dead dâ—sperately she entred into a Barke which being transported by the winds to Susa in Barbary from thence she went to Thunis where she fouÌ„d him to be liuing There she made her selfe knowne to him and he being in great authority as a priuy Counsellor to the King he maried the saide Constance and returned richly home to her to the Island of Liparis 3. Nouell PEdro Bocamazzo escaping away with a yong Damosel which he loued named Angelina met with Theeues in his iourney The Damoseâ— flying fearfully into a Forest by chaunce commeth to a Castle Pedro being taken by the theeues hapning afterward to escape from them accidentally came to the same Castle where Angelina waâ— marying her they then returned home to Rome 4. Nouell RIcciardo Manardy was found by Messer Lizio da Valbonna as he sat fast asleep at his daughters chamber window hauing his hand fast in hirs and sleeping in the same manner Wherupon they were ioyned together in mariage and their long loyall loue mutually recompenced 5. Nouell GVidotto of Cremona departing out of this mortall life left a daughter of his with Iacomino of Pauia Giouanni di Seuerino and Menghino da Minghole fel both in loue with the yong Maiden and fought for her who being afterward knowne to be the sister to Giouanni shee was giuen in mariage to Menghino 6. Nouell GVion di Procida being found familiarly conuersing with a yong Damosel which he loued and had bene giuen formerly to Frederigo King of Sicily was bound to a stake to bee consumed with fire From which danger neuerthelesse hee escaped being knowne by Don Rogiero de Oria Lorde Admirall of Sicily and afterward marryed the Damosel 7. Nouelâ— THeodoro falling in loue with Violenta the daughter to his Master named Amarige and she conceyuing with childe by him was condemnd to be hanged As they were leading him vnto the gallowes beating and misusing him all the way hee happened to bee knowne by his owne Father whereupon he was released and afterward inioyed Violent a in mariage 8. Nouell ANastasio a Gentleman of the Family of the Honesti by louing the daughter to signior Pauâ—o Trauersario lauishly wasted a great part of his substance without receiuing any loue from her againe By perswasion of some of his kindred and friends he went to a countrey dwelling of his called Chiasso where hee saw a Knight desperately pursue a yong Damosell whom he slew afterward gaue her to be deuoured by his hounds A tastasio inuited his friends and herâ— also whom he so â—eâ—â—rly loued to take part of a dinner with him who likewise sawe the sâ—â—e Damosell so torne in peeces which his vnkind loue perceiuing fearing least the like ill fortune should happen to her she accepted Anastasio to bee her husband 9. Nouell FRederigo of the Alberighi Family loued a Gentlewoman and was not requited with like loue againe By bountiful expences and ouer liberal inuitations hee wasted and consumed all his lands and goods hauing nothing lefte him but a Hawke or Faulcon His vnkinde Mistresse happeneth to come visit him and he not hauing any other food for her dinner made a dainty dish of his Faulcon for her to feed on Being conquered by this his exceeding kinde courtesie she changed her former hatred towards him accepting him as her husband in marriage and made him a man of wealthy possessions 10. Nouell PEdro di Vinciolo went to sup at a friends house in the City His wife in the meane while had a
doe as diuers before vs haue done and yet daily endeauour to doe shunning death by the honest example of other make our retreate to our Countrey houses wherewith all of vs are sufficiently furnished and thereto delight our selues as best we may yet without transgressing in any act the limits of reason There shall we heare the pretty birds sweetly singing see the hilles and plaines verdantly flourishing the Corne twaning in the field like the billowes of the Sea infinite store of goodly trees and the Heauens more fairely open to vs then here we can behold them And although they are iustly displeased yet will they not there denie vs better beauties to gaze on then the walles in our City emptied of Inhabitants can offoord vs. Moreouer the Ayre is much fresh and cleere and generally there is farre greater abundance of all things whatsoeuer needefull at this time for preseruation of our health and lesse offence or mollestation then wee find here And although Countrey people die as well as heere our Citizens doe the griefe notwithstanding is so much the lesse as the houses and dwellers there are rare in comparison of them in our City And beside if we well obserue it here wee forsake no particular person but rather wee may tearme our selues forsaken in regard that our Husbands Kinred and Friends either dying or flying from the dead haue left vs alone in this great affliction euen as if we were no way belonging vnto them And therefore by following this counsell wee cannot fall into any reprehension whereas if we neglect and refuse it danger distresse and death perhaps may ensue thereon Wherefore if you thinke good I would allow it for well done to take our waiting women with all such things as are needfull for vs and as this day betake our selues to one place to morrow to another taking there such pleasure and recreation as so sweete a season liberally bestoweth on vs. In which manner we may remaine till we see if death otherwise preuent vs not what ende the gracious Heauens haue reserued for vs. I would haue you also to consider that it is no lesse seemely for vs to part hence honestly then a great number of other Women to remaine here immodestly The other Ladies and Gentlewomen hauing heard Madam Pampinea not onely commended her counsell but desiring also to put it in execution had already particularly consulted with themselues by what means they might instantly depart from thence Neuerthelesse Madam Philomena who was very wise spake thus Albeit faire Ladies the case propounded by Madam Pampinea hath beene very wel deliuered yet for all that it is against reason for vs to rush on as we are ouer-ready to doe Remember that we are all women and no one among vs is so childish but may consider that when wee shall be so assembled together without prouidence or conduct of some man we can hardly gouerne our selues We are fraile offensiue suspicious weake spirited and fearefull in regard of which imperfections I greatly doubt if we haue no better direction then our owne this society will sooner dissolue it selfe and perchance with lesse honour to vs then if we neuer had begunne it And therefore it shall be expedient for vs to prouide before wee proceede any further Madam Elissa hereon thus replied Most true it is that men are the chiefe or head of women and without their order sildome times doe any matters of ours sort to commendable ende But what meanes shal we make for men we all know well enough that the most part of our friends are dead and such as are liuing some be dispearsed here others there into diuers places and companies where we haue no knowledge of their being And to accept of strangers would seeme very inconuenient wherefore as we haue such care of our health so should wee be as respectiue withall in ordering our intention that wheresoeuer wee aime at our pleasure and contentment reproofe and scandall may by no meanes pursue vs. While this discourse thus held among the Ladies three young Gentlemen came forth of the Church yet not so young but the youngest had attained to fiue and twenty yeeres in whom neither malice of the time losse of friends or kinred nor any fearefull conceit in themselues had the power to quench affection but perhaps might a little coole it in regard of the queazy season One of them called himselfe Pamphilus the second Philostratus and the last Dioneus Each of them was very affable and well conditioned and walked abroade for their greater comfort in such a time of tribulation to trie if they could meete with their faire friends who happily might all three be among these seauen and the rest kinne vnto them in one degree or other No sooner were these Ladies espyed by them but they met with them also in the same aduantage whereupon Madam Pampinea amiably smiling saide See how graciously Fortune is fauourable to our beginning by presenting our eyes with three so wise and worthy young Gentlemen who will gladly be our guides and seruants if we doe not disdaine them the office Madam Neiphila beganne immediatly to blush because one of them had a loue in the company and saide Good Madam Pampinea take heed what you say because of mine owne knowledge nothing can be spoken but good of them all and I thinke them all to be absolutely sufficient for a farre greater employment then is here intended as being well worthy to keepe company not onely with vs but them of more faire and precious esteeme then we are But because it appeareth plainely enough that they beare affection to some here among vs I feare if wee should make the motion that some dishonour or reproofe may ensue thereby and yet without blame either in vs or them That is nothing at all answered Madam Philomena let mee liue honestly and my conscience not checke me with any crime speake then who can to the contrary God and truth shal enter armes for me I wish that they were as willing to come as all wee are to bid them welcome for truly as Madam Pampinea saide wee may very well hope that Fortune will bee furtherous to our purposed iourney The other Ladies hearing them speake in such manner not onely were silent to themselues but all with one accord and consent saide that it were well done to call them and to acquaint them with their intention entreating their company in so pleasant a voyage Whereupon without any more words Madam Pampinea mounting on her feete because one of the three was her Kinsman went towards theâ— as they stood respectiuely obseruing them and with a pleasing countenance giuing them a gracious salutation declared to them their deliberation desiring in behalfe of all the rest that with a brotherly and modest minde they would vouchsafe to beare them company The Gentlemen imagined at the first apprehension that this was spoken in mockage of them but when they better perceiued that her words tended to
seruant with him Falling from one discourse to another they began to talke of such prayers as men in iourney vse to salute God withall and one of the Theeues they being three in number spake thus to Rinaldo Sir let it be no offence to you that I desire to know what prayer you most vse when thus you trauell on the way Whereto Rinaldo replyed in this manner To tell you true Sir I am a man grosse enough in such Diuine matters as medling more with Marchandize then I do with Bookes Neuerthelesse at all times when I am thus in iourney in the morning before I depart my Chamber I say a Pater noster and an Aue Maria for the souls of the father and mother of Saint Iulian and after that I pray God and S. Iulian to send me a good lodging at night And let me tell you Sir that very oftentimes heeretofore I haue met with many great dangers vpon the way from all which I still escaped and euermore when night drewe on I came to an exceeding good Lodging Which makes mee firmely beleeue that Saint Iulian in honour of whom I speake it hath begd of God such great grace for me and mee thinkes that if any day I should faile of this prayer in the morning I cannot trauaile securely nor come to a good lodging No doubt then Sir quoth the other but you haue saide that prayer this morning I would be sory else saide Rinaldo such an especiall matter is not to be neglected He and the rest who had already determined how to handle him before they parted saide within themselues Looke thou hast said thy praier for when we haue thy money Saint Iulian and thou shift for thy lodging Afterward the same man thus againe conferd with him As you Sir so I haue ridden many iournies and yet I neuer vsed any such praier although I haue heard it very much commended and my lodging hath prooued neuer the worser Perhaps this verie night will therein resolue vs both whether of vs two shall be the best lodged you that haue sayde the prayer or I that neuer vsde it at all But I must not deny that in sted thereof I haue made vse of some verses as Dirupisti or the Iutemerata or Deprofundis which are as my Grandmother hath often told mee of very great vertue and efficacy Continuing thus in talke of diuers things winning way and beguiling the time still waiting when their purpose should sort to effect it fortuned that the Theeues seeing they were come neere to a Towne called Casteau Guillaume by the foord of a Riuer the houre somewhat late the place solitarie and thickely shaded with trees they made their assault and hauing robd him left him there on foote stript into his shirt saying to him Goe now and see whether thy Saint Iulian will allow thee this night a good lodging or no for our owne we are sufficiently prouided so passing the Riuer away they rode Rinaldoes seruant seeing his Master so sharply assayled like a wicked villaine would not assist him in any sort but giuing his horse the spurres neuer left gallowping vntill hee came to Chasteau Guillaume where hee entred vpon the point of night prouiding himselfe of a lodging but not caring what became of his Master Rinaldo remaining there in his shirt bare-foote and bare-legged the weather extremely colde and snowing incessantly not knowing what to doe darke night drawing on and looking round about him for some place where to abide that night to the end he might not dye with colde he found no helpe at all there for him in regard that no long while before the late warre had burnt and wasted all and not so much as the least Cottage left Compelled by the coldes violence his teeth quaking and all his body trembling hee trotted on towards Chasteau Guillaume not knowing whether his man was gone thither or no or to what place else but perswaded himselfe that if he could get entrance there was no feare of finding succour But before he came within halfe a mile of the Towne the night grew extreamely darke and arriuing there so late hee found the gates fast lockt and the Bridges drawne vp so that no entrance might be admitted Grieuing greatly hereat and being much discomforted rufully heâ— went spying about the walls for some place wherein to shrowd himselfe at least to keepe the snow from falling vpon him By good hap hee espied an house vpon the wall of the Towne which had a terrace iutting out as a penthouse vnder which he purposed to stand all the night and then to get him gone in the morning At length hee found a doore in the wall but very fast shut and some small store of strawe lying by it which he gathered together and sitting downe thereon very pensiuely made many sad complaints to Saint Iulian saying This was not according to the trust he reposed in her But Saint Iulian taking compassion vpon him without any ouer-long tarying prouided him of a good lodging as you shall heare how In this towne of Chasteau Guillaume liued a young Lady who was a widdow so beautifull and comely of her person as sildome was seene a more louely creature The Marquesse Azzo most dearely affected her and as his choysest Iewell of delight gaue her that house to liue in vnder the terrace whereof poore Rinaldo made his shelter It chaunced the day before that the Marquesse was come thither according to his frequent custome to weare away that night in her company she hauing secretly prepared a Bath for him and a costly supper beside All things being ready and nothing wanting but the Marquesse his presence suddenly a Post brought him such Letters which commanded him instantly to horsebacke and word hee sent to the Lady to spare him for that night because vrgent occasions called him thence and hee rode away immediately Much discontented was the Lady at this vnexpected accident and not knowing now how to spend the time resolued to vse the Bath which hee had made for the Marquesse and after supper betake her selfe to rest and so she entred into the Bath Close to the doore where poore Rinaldo sate stoode the Bath by which meanes shee being therein heard all his quiuering moanes and complaints seeming to be such as the Swanne singing before her death whereupon shee called her Chamber-maide saying to her Goe vp aboue and looke ouer the terrace on the wall downe to this doore and see who is there and what hee doth The Chamber-maide went vp aloft and by a little glimmering in the ayre she saw a man sitting in his shirt bare on feete and legges trembling in manner before rehearsed Shee demaunding of whence and what hee was Rinaldoes teeth so trembled in his head as very hardly could hee forme any words but so well as he could tolde her what hee was and how hee came thither most pittifully entreating her that if shee could affoord him any helpe not to suffer him starue
there to death with colde The Chamber-maide being much moued to compassion returned to her Lady and tolde her all she likewise pittying his distresse and remembring shee had the key of that doore whereby the Marquesse both entred and returned when he intended not to be seene of any said to her Maide Goe and open the doore softly for him we haue a good supper and none to helpe to eate it and if he be a man likely we can allow him one nights lodging too The Chamber-maide commending her Lady for this charitable kindnesse opened the doore and seeing hee appeared as halfe frozen shee said vnto him Make hast good man get thee into this Bath which yet is good and warme for my Lady her selfe came but newly out of it Whereto very gladly he condiscended as not tarrying to be bidden twise finding himselfe so singularly comforted with the heare thereof euen as if hee had beene restored from death to life Then the Lady sent him garments which lately were her deceased husbands and fitted him so aptly in all respects as if purposely they had beene made for him Attending in further expectation to know what else the Lady would commaund him hee began to remember God and Saint Iulian hartily thanking her for deliuering him from so bad a night as was threatned towards him and bringing him to so good entertainement After all this the Lady causing a faire fire to be made in the neerest Chamber beneath went and sate by it her selfe demaunding how the honest man fared Madame answered the Chamber-maide now that he is in your deceased Lords garments he appeareth to be a very goodly Gentleman and questionlesse is of respectiue birth and breeding well deseruing this gracious fauour which you haue afforded him Goe then quoth the Lady and conduct him hither to sit by this fire and sup here with mee for I feare he hath had but a sorrie supper When Rinaldo was entred into the Chamber and beheld her to be such a beautifull Lady accounting his fortune to exceede all comparison hee did her most humble reuerence expressing so much thankefulnesse as possibly hee could for this her extraordinary grace and fauour The Lady fixing a stedfast eye vpon him well liking his gentle language and behauiour perceiuing also how fitly her deceased husbands apparell was formed to his person and resembling him in all familiar respects he appeared in her iudgement farre beyond the Chambermaides commendations of him so praying him to sit downe by her before the fire shee questioned with him concerning this vnhappy nights accident befalne him wherein he fully resolued her and shee was the more perswaded by reason of his seruants comming into the Towne before night assuring him that he should be found for him early in the morning Supper being serued in to the Table and hee seated according as the Lady commanded shee began to obserue him very considerately for he was a goodly man compleate in all perfections of person a delicate pleasing countenance a quicke alluring eye fixed and constant not wantonly gadding in the iouiall youthfulnesse of his time and truest temper for amorous apprehension all these were as battering ensignes against a Bulwarke of no strong resistance and wrought strangely vpon her flexible affections And though hee fed heartily as occasion constrained yet her thoughts had entertained a new kinde of diet digested onely by the eye yet so cunningly concealed that no motiue to immodesty could be discerned Her mercy thus extended to him in misery drew on by Table discourse his birth education parents friends and alies his wealthy possessions by Merchandize aud a sound stability in his estate but aboue all and best of all the single and sole condition of a batchâ—ler an apt and easie steele to strike fire especially vpon such quicke taking tinder and in a time fauoured by Fortune No imbarment remained but remembrance of the Marquesse and that being summond to her more aduised consideration her youth and beauty stood vp as conscious accusers for blemishing her honour and faire repute with lewd and luxurious life farre vnfit for a Lady of her degree and well worthy of generall condemnation What should I further say vpon a short conference with her Chambermaide repentance for sinne past and solemne promise of a constant conuersion thus shee deliuered her minde to Rinaldo Sir as you haue related your fortunes to me by this your casuall happening hither if you can like the motion so well as shee that makes it my deceased Lord and husband liuing so perfectly in your person this house and all mine is yours and of a widow I will become your wife except vnmanly you denie me Rinaldo hearing these words and proceeding from a Lady of such absolute perfections presuming vpon so proud an offer and condemning himselfe of folly if he should refuse it thus replied Madam considering that I stand bound for euer hereafter to confesse that you are the gracious preseruer of my life and I no way able to returne requitall if you please so to shadow mine insufficiency and to accept me and my fairest fortunes to doe you seruice let me die before a thought of deniall or any way to yeeld you the least discontentment Here wanted but a Priest to ioyne their hands as mutuall affection already had done their hearts which being sealed with infinite kisses the Chamber-maide called vp Friar Roger her Confessor and wedding and bedding were both effected before the bright morning In briefe the Marquesse hauing heard of the marriage did not mislike it but confirmed it by great and honourable gifts and hauing sent for his dishonest seruant he dispatched him after sound reprehension to Ferrara with Letters to Rinaldoes Father and friends of all the accidents that had befalne him Moreouer the very same morning the three theeues that had robbed and so ill entreated Rinaldo for another facte by them the same night committed were taken and brought to the Towne of Chasteau Guillaume where they were hanged for their offences and Rinaldo with his wife rode to Ferrara Three young Gentlemen being brethren and hauing spent all their Lands and possessions vainely became poore A Nephew of theirs falling almost into as desperate a condition became acquainted with an Abbot whom he afterward found to be the King of Englands Daughter and made him her Husband in marriage recompencing all his Vncles losses and seating them againe in good estate The third Nouell Wherein is declared the dangers of Prodigalitie and the manifold mutabilities of Fortune THe fortunes of Rinaldo de Este being heard by the Ladies and Gentlemen they admired his happinesse and commended his deuotion to Saint Iâ—lian who in such extreame necessity sent him so good succour Nor was the Lady to be blamed for leauing base liberty and conuerting to the chaste embraces of the marriage bed the dignity of womens honour and eternall disgrace liuing otherwise While thus they descanted on the happy night betweene her and Rinaldo Madam Pampinea
Laiazzo Being thus come to Laiazzo Osbech who was a braue and gallant young man vpon a reuiew of the pillage found the faire Lady whom hee knew to be the beloued of Constantine because shee was found lying on his bed Without any further delay he made choyse of her to be his Wife causing his nuptials to be honourably sollemnized and many moneths hee liued there in great ioy with her But before occasions grew to this effect the Emperour made a confederacy with Bassano King of Cappadocia that hee should descend with his forces one way vpon Osbech and hee would assault him with his power on the other But he could not so conueniently bring this to passe because the Emperour would not yeeld to Bassano in any vnreasonable matter he demanded Neuerthelesse when he vnderstood what had happened to his Son for whom his griefe was beyond all measure he granted the King of Cappadociaes request solliciting him withall instancy to be the more speedy in assailing Osbech It was not long before hee heard of this coniuration made against him and therefore speedily mustered vp all his forces ere he would be encompassed by two such potent Kings and marched on to meete the King of Cappadocia leauing his Lady and Wife for her safety at Laiazzo in the custodie of a true and loyall seruant of his Within a short while after he drew neere the Campe belonging to the King of Cappadocia where boldly he gaue him battell chancing therein to be slaine his Army broken and discomfited by meanes whereof the King of Cappadocia remaining Conquerour marched on towards Laiazzo euery one yeelding him obeysance all the way as he went In the meane space the seruant to Osbech who was named Antiochus and with whom the faire Lady was left in guard although hee was aged yet seeing shee was so extraordinarily beautifull he fell in loue with her forgetting the sollemne vowes he had made to his Master One happinesse hee had in this case to helpe him namely that he vnderstood and could speake her language a matter of no meane comfort to her who constrainedly had liued diuers yeeres together in the state of a deafe or dumbe woman because euery where else they vnderstood her not nor shee them but by shewes and signes This benefit of familiar conference beganne to embolden his hopes eleuate his courage and make him seeme more youthfull in his owne opinion then any ability of body could speake vnto him or promise him in the possession of her who was so farre beyond him and so vnequall to be enioyed by him yet to aduance his hopes a great deale higher newes came that Osbech was vanquished and slaine and that Bassano made euerie where hauocke of all whereon they concluded together not to tarrie there any longer but storing themselues with the goods of Osbech secretly they departed thence to Rhodes Being seated there in some indifferent abiding it came to passe that Antiochus fell into a deadly sicknesse to whom came a Cyprian Merchant one much esteemed by him as being an intimate friend and kinde acquaintance and in whom hee reposed no small confidence Feeling his sicknesse to encrease more and more vpon him dayly hee determined not onely to leaue such wealth as hee had to this Merchant but the faire Lady likewise and calling them both to his beds side he brake his minde vnto them in this manner Deare Loue and my most worthily respected friend I perceiue plainly and infallibly that I am drawing neere vnto my end which much discontenteth me because my hope was to haue liued longer in this world for the enioying of your kinde and most esteemed company Yet one thing maketh my death very pleasing and welcome to me namely that lying thus in my bed of latest comfort in this life I shall expire and finish my course in the armes of those two persons whom I most affected in all this world as you my euer dearest friend and you faire Lady whom since the very first sight of you I loued and honoured in my soule Irksome and very grieuous it is to me that if I dye I shall leaue you here a stranger without the counsaile and helpe of any body and yet much more offensiue would it become if I had not such a friend as you here present who I am faithfully perswaded will haue the like care and respect of her euen for my sake as of my selfe if time had allotted my longer tarying here And therefore worthy friend most earnestly I desire you that if I dye all mine affaires and she may remaine to your trusty care as being by my selfe absolutely commended to your prouidence and so to dispose both of the one and other as may best agree with the comfort of my soule As for you choise beauty I humbly entreate that after my death you would not forget mee to the end I may make my vaunt in another world that I was affected here by the onely fairest Lady that euer Nature framed If of these two things you will giue me assurance I shall depart from you with no meane comfort The friendly Merchant and likewise the Lady hearing these words wept both bitterly and after hee had giuen ouer speaking kindly they comforted him with promise and solemne vowes that if hee dyed all should be performed which he had requested Within a short while after he departed out of this life and they gaue him very honourable buriall according to that Country custome Which being done the Merchant dispatching all his affaires at Rhodes was desirous to returne home to Cyprus in a Carrack of the Catelans then there being mouing the Lady in the matter to vnderstand how shee stood enclined because vrgent occasions called him thence to Cyprus The Lady made answere that she was willing to passe thither with him hoping for the loue hee bare to deceased Antiochus that he would respect her as his Sister The Merchant was willing to giue her any contentment but yet resolued her that vnder the title of being his Sister it would be no warrant of security to them both wherefore hee rather aduised her to stile him as her husband and hee would terme her his wife and so hee should be sure to defend her from all iniuries whatsoeuer Being abord the Carrack they had a Cabine and small bed conueniently allowed them where they slept together that they might the better be reputed as man and wife for to passe otherwise would haue beene very dangerous to them both And questionlesse their faithfull promise made at Rhodes to Antiochus sicknesse on the Sea and mutuall respect they had of each others credit was a constant restraint to all wanton desires and a motiue rather to incite chastity then otherwise and so I hope you are perswaded of them But howsoeuer the windes blewe merily the Carrack sayled lustily and by this time they are arriued at Baffa where the Cyprian Merchant dwelt and where shee continued a long while with him no one
and not returne him any answer The Lady with a modest blush much condemned this folly in him that his couetousnesse should serue as a cloake to couer any vnfitting speeches which her chaste eares could neuer endure to heare neuerthelesse being to obey her Husbands will shee promised to doe it and followed him downe into the House to heare what the Magnifico would say Againe he there confirmed the bargaine made with her Husband and sitting downe by her in a corner of the Hall farre enough off from any ones hearing taking her curteously by the hand thus he spake Worthy Lady it appeareth to me for a certainty that you are so truly wise as you haue no doubt a long while since perceiued what vnfained affection your beauty farre excelling all other womens that I know hath compelled me to beare you Setting aside those commendable qualities and singular vertues gloriously shining in you and powerfull enough to make a conquest of the very stoutest courage I held it vtterly needlesse to let you vnderstand by words how faithfull the loue is I beare you were it not much more feruent and constant then euer any other man can expresse to a woman In which condition it shall still continue without the least blemish or impaire so long as I enioy life or motion yea and I dare assure you that if in the future World affection may containe the same powerfull dominion as it doth in this I am the man borne to loue you perpetually Whereby you may rest confidently perswaded that you enioy not any thing how poore or precious soeuer it be which you can so solemnely account to be your owne and in the truest title of right as you may my selfe in all that I haue or for euer shall be mine To confirme your opinion in this case by any argument of greater power let me tell you that I should repute it as my fairest and most gracious fortune if you would command me some such seruice as consisteth in mine ability to performe and in your courteous fauour to accept yea if it were to trauaile thorow the whole world right willing am I and obedient In which regard faire Madame if I be so much yours as you heare I am I may boldly aduenture and not without good reason to acquaint your chaste eares with my earnest desires for on you onely dependeth my happinesse life and absolute comfort and as your most humble seruant I beseech you my dearest good and sole hope of my soule that rigour may dwell no longer in your gentle brest but Lady-like pitty and compassion whereby I shal say that as your diuine beauty enflamed mine affections euen so it extended such a mercifull qualification as exceeded all my hope but not the halfe part of your pitty Admit miracle of Ladies that I should die in this distresse Alas my death would be but your dishonour I cannot be termed mine owne murtherer when the Dart came from your eye that did it and must remaine a witnesse of your rigour You cannot then chuse but call to minde and say within your owne soule Alas what a sinne haue I committed in being so vnmercifull to my Magnifico Repentance then serues to no purpose but you must answere for such vnkinde cruelty Wherefore to preuent so blacke a scandall to your bright beauty beside the ceaselesse acclamations which will dogge your walkes in the day time and breake your quiet sleepes in the night season with fearefull sights and gastly apparitions houering and haunting about your bed let all these 〈◊〉 you to milde mercy and spill not life when you may saue it So the Magnifico ceasing with teares streaming from his eyes and siâ—hes breaking from his heart he sate still in exspectation of the Ladies answere who made neither long or short of the matter neither Tilts nor Tourneying nor many lost mornings and euenings nor infinite other such like offices which the Magnifico for her sake from time to time had spent in vaine without the least shew of acceptation or any hope at all to winne her loue Moued now in this very houre by these solemne protestations or rather most preuailing asseuerations she began to finde that in her which before she neuer felt namely Loue. And although to keepe her promise made to her husband shee spake not a word yet her heart heauing her soule throbbing sighes intermixing and complexion altering could not hide her intended answere to the Magnifico if promise had beene no hinderance to her will All this while the Magnifico sate as mute as she and seeing she would not giue him any answere at all he could not chuse but wonder thereat yet at length perceiued that it was thus cunningly contriued by her husband Notwithstanding obseruing well her countenance that it was in a quite contrary temper another kinde of fire sparkling in her eye other humours flowing her pulses strongly beating her stomack rising and sighes swelling all these were arguments of a change and motiues to aduance his hope Taking courage by this tickling perswasion and instructing his minde with a new kinde of counsell he would needes answere himselfe on her behalfe and as if she had vttered the words he spake in this manner Magnifico and my friend surely it is a long time since when I first noted thine affection towards me to be very great and most perfect but now I am much more certaine thereof by thine owne honest and gentle speeches which content me as they ought to doe Neuerthelesse if heretofore I haue seemed cruell and vnkinde to thee I would not haue thee thinke that my heart was any way guilty of my outward seuerity but did euermore loue thee and held thee dearer then any man liuing But yet it became me to doe so as well in feare of others as for the renowne of mine owne reputation But now the time is at hand to let thee know more clearely whether I doe affect thee or no as a iust guerdon of thy constant loue which long thou hast and still doest beare to me Wherefore comfort thy selfe and dwell vpon this vndoubted hope because Signior Francesco my husband is to be absent hence for many dayes being chosen Podesta at Millaine as thou canst not chuse but heare for it is common through the Country I know for my sake thou hast giuen him thy goodly ambling Gelding and so soone as hee is gone I promise thee vpon my word and by the faithfull loue I beare thee that I will haue further conference with thee and let thee vnderstand somewhat more of my minde And because this is neither fitting time nor place to discourse on matters of such serious moment obserue heereafter as a signall when thou seest my crimson skarfe hanging in the window of my Chamber which is vpon the Garden side that euening so soone as it is night come to the Garden gate with wary respect that no eye doe discouer thee and there thou shalt finde me walking and ready to
most kindly kissed and embraced her said Sweete wife time will not now allow vs those ceremonious curtesies which indeede so long a separation doe iustly challenge but I must about a more weightie businesse to haue your Father safe and soundly deliuered which I hope to doe before to morrow at night when you shall heare tydings to your better contentment And questionlesse if I speede no worse then my good hope perswadeth me I wil see you againe to night and acquaint you at better leysure in such things as I cannot doe now at this present So putting on his Pilgrimes habite againe kissing her once more and comforting her with future good successe he departed from her going to the prison where Aldobrandino lay whom he found more pensiue as being in hourely expectation of death then any hope he had to be freed from it Being brought neerer to him by the prisoners fauour as seeming to be a man come onely to comfort him sitting downe by him thus he began Aldobrandino I am a friend of thine whom Heauen hath sent to doe thee good in meere pitty and compassion of thine innocency And therefore if thou wilâ— grant me one small request which I am earnestly to craue at thy hands thou shalt heare without any failing before to morrow at night the sentence of thy free absolution whereas now thou expectest nothing but death whereunto Aldobrandino thus answered Friendly man seeing thou art so carefull of my safety although I know thee not neither doe remember that euer I saw thee till now thou must needs as it appeareth no lesse be some especiall kind friend of mine And to tell thee the trueth I neuer committed the sinfull deede for which I am condemned to death Most true it is I haue other heynous and grieuous sinnes which vndoubtedly haue throwne this heauy iudgement vpon me and therefore I am the more willing to vndergoe Neuerthelesse let me thus farre assure thee that I would gladly not onely promise something which might to the glory of God if he were pleased in this case to take mercy on me but also would as willingly performe and accomplish it Wherefore demand whatsoeuer thou pleasest of me for vnfainedly if I escape with life I will truly keepe promise with thee Sir replied the Pilgrime I desire nor demand any thing of you but that you wold pardon the foure brethren of Thebaldo who haue brought you to this hard extremity as thinking you to be guilty of their brothers death and that you would also accept them as your brethren and friends vpon their crauing pardon for what they haue done Sir answered Aldobrandino no man knoweth how sweete reuenge is nor with what heate it is to be desired but onely the man who hath been wronged Notwithstanding not to hinder my hope which onely aymeth at Heauen I freelie forgiue them and henceforth pardon them for euer intending moreouer that if mercy giue me life and cleere me from this bloody imputation to loue and respect them so long as I shall liue This answer was most pleasing to the Pilgrime and without any further multiplication of speeches he entreated him to be of good comfort for he feared not but before the time prefixed he should heare certaine tydings of his deliuerance At his departing from him he went directly to the Signoria and preuailed so farre that he spake priuately with a Knight who was then one of the States chiefest Lords to whom he saide Sir a man ought to bestow his best paines and diligence that the truth of things should be apparantly knowne especially such men as hold the place and office as you doe to the ende that those persons which haue committed no foule offence should not be punished but onely the guilty and haynous transgressors And because it will be no meane honor to you to lay the blame where it worthily deserueth I am come hither purposely to informe you in a case of most weighty importance It is not vnknowne to you with what rigour the State hath proceeded against Aldobrandino Palermini and you thinke verily he is the man that hath slaine Thebaldo Elisei wherevpon your law hath condemned him to dye I dare assure you Sir that a very vniust course hath beene taken in this case because Aldobrandino is falsly accused as you your selfe will confesse before midnight when they are deliuered into your power that were the murderers of the man The honest Knight who was very sorrowfull for Aldobrandino gladly gaue attention to the Pilgrime and hauing conferred on many matters appertaining to the fact committed the two brethren who were Thebaldoes Hostesse and their Chamber-mayd vpon good aduise giuen were apprehended in their first sleepe without any resistance made in their defence But when the tortures were sent for to vnderstand truely how the case went they would not endure any paine at all but each aside by himselfe and then altogether confessed openly that they did the deede yet not knowing him to bee Thebaldo Elisei And when it was demanded of them vpon what occasion they did so foule an act They answered that they were so hatefull against the mans life because he would luxuriously haue abused one of their wiues when they both were absent from their owne home When the Pilgrime had heard this their voluntary confession hee tooke his leaue of the Knight returning secretly to the house of Madame Hermelina and there because all her people were in their beds she carefull awaited his returne to heare some glad tydings of her father and to make a further reconciliation betweene her and Thebaldo when sitting downe by her hee said Deare Loue be of good cheare for vpon my word to morrow you shall haue your father home safe well and deliuered from all further danger and to confirme her the more confidently in his words hee declared at large the whole cariage of the businesse Hermelina being wondrously ioyfull for two such suddaine and succesfull accidents to enioy her husband aliue and in health and also to haue her father freed from so great a danger kissed and embraced him most affectionately welcomming him louingly into her bed whereto so long time he had beene a stranger No sooner did bright day appeare but Thebaldo arose hauing acquainted her with such matters as were to be done and once more earnestly desiring her to conceale as yet these occurrences to her selfe So in his Pilgrimes habite he departed from her house to awaite conuenient opportunity for attending on the businesse belonging to Aldobrandino At the vsuall houre appointed the Lords were all set in the Signioria and had receiued full information concerning the offence imputed to Aldobrandino setting him at liberty by publique consent and sentencing the other malefactors with death who within a fewe dayes after were beheaded in the place where the murther was committed Thus Aldobrandino being released to his exceeding comfort and no small ioy of his daughters kindred and friends all knowing perfectly that this had
them At length Pasquino chanced to crop a leafe of the Sage wherewith he both rubbed his teeth and gummes and champing it betweene them also saying that there was no better thing in the world to cleanse the teeth withall after feeding Not long had he thus champed the Sage in his teeth returning to his former kinde of discoursing but his countenance began to change very pale his sight failed and speech forsooke him so that in briefe he fell downe dead Which when Simonida beheld wringing her hands she cryed out for helpe to Strambo and Lagina who immediately came running to her They finding Pasquino not onely to be dead but his bodie swolne and strangely ouer-spred with foule black spots both on his face handes and all parts else beside Strambo cried out saying Ah wicked maide what hast thou poisoned him These words and their shrill out-cries also were heard by Neighbours dwelling neere to the Garden who comming in sodainly vppon them and seeing Pasquino lying dead and hugely swoln Strambo likewise complaining and accusing Simonida to haue poysoned him shee making no answer but standing in a gastly amazement all her senses meerely confounded at such a strange and vncouth accident in loosing him whome she so dearely loued knew not how to excuse her selfe and therfore euery one verily beleeued that Strambo had not vniustly accused her Poore woful maide thus was shee instantly apprehended and drowned in her teares they led her along to the Potestates Palace where her accusation was iustified by Strambo Lagina and two men more the one named Atticciato and the other Malageuole fellowes and companions with Pasquino who came into the Garden also vpon the out-cry The Iudge without any delay at all gaue eare to the busines and examined the case very strictly but could by no meanes comprehend that any malice should appeare in her towards him nor that she was guiltie of the mans death Wherefore in the preâ—ence of Simonida hee desired to see the dead body and the place where he fell downe dead because there he intended to haue her relate how she saw the accident to happen that her owne speeches might the sooner condemne her whereas the case yet remained doubtfull and farre beyond his comprehension So without any further publication and to auoid the following of the turbulent multitude they departed from the bench of Iustice and came to the place where Pasquinoes body lay swolne like a Tunne Demanding there questions concerning his behauiour when they walked there in conference together and not a little admiring the manner of his death while hee stood aduisedly considering thereon She going to the bed of Sage reporting the whole precedent history euen from the original to the ending the better to make the case vnderstood without the least colour of ill carriage towardes Pasquino according as she had seene him do euen so did she plucke another leafe of the Sage rubbing her teeth therewith and champing it as he formerly did Strambo and the other intimate friends of Pasquino hauing noted in what manner she vsed the Sage and this appearing as her vtmost refuge either to acquit or condemne her in presence of the Iudge they smiled thereat mocking and deriding whatsoeuer shee saide or did and desiring the more earnestly the sentence of death against her that her body might be consumed with fire as a iust punishment for her abhominable transgression Poore Simonida sighing and sorrowing for her deere loues losse and perhappes not meanly terrified with the strict infliction of torment so seuerely vrged and followed by Strambo and the rest standing dumb still without answering so much as one word by tasting of the same Sage fell downe dead by the bed euen by the like accident as Pasquino formerly did to the admirable astonishment of all there present Oh poore infortunate Louers whose Starres were so inauspicious to you as to finish both your mortall liues and feruent loue in lesse limitation then a dayes space How to censure of your deaths and happines to ensue thereon by an accident so straunge and ineuitable it is not within the compasse of my power but to hope the best and so I leaue you But yet concerning Simonida her selfe in the common opinion of vs that remaine liuing her true vertue and innocency though Fortune was other wise most cruell to her would not suffer her to sinke vnder the testimony of Strambo Lagina Atticciato and Malageuole being but carders of wool or perhaps of meaner condition a happier course was ordained for her to passe clearly from their infamous imputation and follow her Pasquino in the verie same manner of death and with such a speedie expedition The Iudge standing amazed and all there present in his companie were silent for a long while together but vppon better re-collection of his spirits thus he spake This inconuenience which thus hath hapned and confounded our senses with no common admiration in mine opinion concerneth the bed of Sage auouching it either to bee venomous or dangerously infected which neuerthelesse is seldom found in Sage But to the end that it may not be offensiue to any more heereafter I will haue it wholly digd vp by the rootes and then to bee burnt in the open Market place Hereupon the Gardiner was presently sent for and before the Iudge would depart thence he saw the bed of Sage digged vp by the roots and found the true occasion whereby these two poore Louers lost their liues For iust in the middest of the bed and at the maine roote which directed all the Sage in growth lay an huge mighty Toad euen weltring as it were in a hole full of poyson by meanes whereof in coniecture of the Iudge and all the rest the whole bed of Sage became envenomed occasioning euery leafe thereof to be deadly in taste None being so hardie as to approach neere the Toade they made a pile of wood directly ouer it and setting it on a flaming fire threw all the Sage therinto and so they were consumed together So ended all further suite in Lawe concerning the deaths of Pasquino and Simonida whose bodies being carried to the Church of Saint Paul by their sad and sorrowfull accusers Strambo Lagina Atticciato and Malageuole were buried together in one goodlie Monument for a future memory of their hard Fortune Ieronimo affecting a yong Maiden named Siluestra was constrained by the earnest importunity of his Mother to take a iourney to Paris At his return home from thence againe hee found his loue Siluestra married By secret meanes he got entrance into her house and dyed vpon the bed lying by her Afterward his body being carried to Church to receiue buriall she likewise died there instantly vpon his coarse The eight Nouell Wherein is againe declared the great indiscretion and folly of them that think to constraine loue according to their will after it is constantly setled before With other instructions concerning the vnspeakeable power of Loue. MAdam Emillia had no sooner concluded
her Nouell but Madame Neiphila by the Kings command began to speake in this manner It seemeth to mee Gracious Ladies that there are some such people to be found who imagine themselues to know more then all other else in the world beside and yet indeede doe know nothing at all presuming thorough this arrogant opinion of theirs to imploy and oppose their senselesse vnderstanding against infallible grounded reason yea and to attempt courses not only contrary to the counsell and iudgment of men but also to crosse the nature of diuine ordination Out of which saucy ambitious presumption many mighty harmes haue already had beginning and more are like to ensue vppon such boldnesse because it is the ground of all euils Now in regard that among all other naturall things no one is lesse subiect to take counsell or can bee wrought to contrariety then Loue whose nature is such as rather to run vpon his owne rash consumption then to be ruled by admonitions of the very wisest my memory hath inspired it self with matter incident to this purpose effectually to approue what I haue already said For I am now to speake of a woman who would appeare to haue more wit then either she had indeed or appertained to her by any title The matter also wherein she would needs shew hir studious iudgement and capacity was of much more consequence then she could deserue to meddle withall Yet such was the issue of her fond presuming that in one instant she expelled both loue and the soule of her owne sonne out of his body where doubtlesse it was planted by diuine fauour and appointment In our owne City according to true ancient testimony there dwelt sometime a very worthy and wealthy Merchant named Leonardo Sighiero who by his wife had one onely Sonne called Ieronimo and within a short while after his birth Leonardo being very sicke and hauing setled al his affaires in good order departed out of this wretched life to a better The Tutors and Gouernours of the Childe thought it fittest to let him liue with his Mother where he had his whole education though schooled among many other worthy neighbours children according as in most Cities they vse to do Yong Ieronimo growing on in yeares and frequenting dayly the company of his Schoole-fellowes and others hee would often sport as the rest did with the neighbors and much prety pastime they found together In the harmlesse recreations of youth grauer iudgements haue often obserued that some especiall matter receiued then such original as greater effect hath followed thereon And many times parents and kindred haue bene the occasion although perhaps beyond their expectation of very strange and extraordinary accidents by names of familiarity passing betweene Boyes and Girles as King and Queene sweet heart and sweet heart friend and friend husband and wife and diuers other such like kind tearmes proouing afterwards to be true indeede It fell out so with our yong Ieronimo for among a number of pretty Damosels daughters to men of especiall respect and others of farre inferiour qualitie a Taylors daughter excelling the rest in fauour and feature albeit her Father was but poore Ieronimo most delighted to sport withall and no other titles passed betweene them euen in the hearing of their parents and friendes but wife and husband such was the beginning of their young affection presaging no doubt effectually to follow Nor grew this familiarity as yet any way distasted till by their dayly conuersing together and enterchange of infinite pretty speeches Ieronimo felt a strange alteration in his soule with such enforcing and powerfull afflictions as he was neuer well but in her company nor she enioyed any rest if Ieronimo were absent At the length this being noted by his Mother she beganne to rebuke him yea many times gaue him both threatnings and blowes which prouing to no purpose nor hindering his accesse to her she complained to his Tutors and like one that in regard of her riches thought to plant an Orange vpon a blacke thorne spake as followeth This Sonne of mine Ieronimo being as yet but fourteene years of age is so deeply enamored of a yong Girle named Siluestra daughter vnto a poore Tailor our neere dwelling neighbour that if we do not send him out of her company one day perhaps he may make her his wife and yet without any knowledge of ours which questionlesse would be my death Otherwise he may pine and consume himselfe away if he see vs procure her marriage to some other Wherefore I hold it good that to auoid so great an inconuenience we shold send Ieronimo some far distance hence to remaine where some of our Factors are employed because when he shall be out of her sight and their often meetings vtterly disappointed his affection to her will the sooner ceasse by frustrating his hope for euer enioying her and so we shall haue the better meanes to match him with one of greater quality The Tutors did like well of her aduice not doubting but it would take answerable effect and therefore calling Ieronimo into a priuate Parlor one of them began in this manner Ieronimo you are now growne to an indifferent stature and almost able to take gouernment of your selfe It cannot then seeme any way inconuenient to acquaint you with your deceased Fathers affaires and by what good courses he came to such wealth You are his onely sonne and heire to whom hee hath bequeathed his rich possessions your Mothers moity euermore remembred and trauaile would now seeme fitting for you as well to experience in Traffick and Merchandize as also to let you see the worlds occurrences Your Mother therfore and we haue thought it expedient that you should iourney from hence to Paris there to continue for some such fitting time as may grant you full and free opportunity to suruey what stocke of wealth is there employed for you and to make you vnderstand how your Factors are furtherous to your affayres Beside this is the way to make you a man of more solid apprehension perfect instruction in ciuill courses of life rather then by continuing here to see none but Lords Barons and Gentlemen whereof wee haue too great a number When you are sufficiently qualified there and haue learned what belongeth to a worthy Marchant such as was Leonardo Sighiero your famous Father you may returne home againe at your owne pleasure The youth gaue them attentiue hearing and in few words returned them answer That he would not giue way to any such trauaile because hee knew how to dispose of himselfe in Florence as well as in any other place he should be sent too Which when his Tutors heard they reproued him with many seuere speeches and seeing they could win no other answer from him they made returne thereof to his Mother Shee storming extreamly thereat yet not so much for denying the iourney to Paris as in regard of his violent affection to the Maide gaue him very bitter and
wife and for her he had presumed in that manner closely was he kept in prison till the next morning When he came into the Kings presence and there boldly iustified the goodnesse of his cause Restituta likewise was sent for who no sooner saw her deare Loue Guian but shee ran and caught him fast about the necke kissing him in teares and greeuing not a little at his hard fortune Hereat the King grew exceedingly enraged loathing and hating her now much more then formerly he did affect her and hauing himselfe seene by what strange meanes he did climbe ouer the wall and then mounted to her Chamber window he was extreamely impatient and could not otherwise be perswaded but that their meetings thus had beene very many Forthwith he sentenced them both with death commanding that they should be conueyed thence to Palermo and there being stript starke naked be bound to a stake backe to backe and so to stand the full space of nine houres to see if any could take knowledge of whence or what they were then afterward to be consumed with fire The sentence of death did not so much daunt or dismay the poore Louers as the vnciuill and vnsightly manner which in feare of the Kings wrathfull displeasure no man durst presume to contradict Wherefore as he had commanded so were they carried thence to Palermo and bound naked to a stake in the open Market place and before their eyes the fire and wood brought which was to consume them according to the houre as the King had appointed You need not make any question what an huge concourse of people were soone assembled together to behold such a sad and wofull spectacle euen the whole City of Palermo both men and women The men were stricken with admiration beholding the vnequalled beauty of faire Restituta the selfe same passion possessed the women seeing Guian to be such a goodly and compleat young man but the poore infortunate Louers themselues they stood with their lookes deiected to the ground being much pittied of all but no way to be holpen or rescued by any awaiting when the happy houre would come to finish both their shame and liues together During the time of this tragicall expectation the fame of this publike execution being noysed abroade calling all people farre and neere to behold it it came to the eare of Don Rogiero de Oria a man of much admired valour and then the Lord high Admirall of Sicily who came himselfe in person to the place appointed for their death First he obserued the Mayden confessing her in his soule to be a beauty beyond all compare Then looking on the young man thus he saide within himselfe If the inward endowments of the mind doe paralell the outward perfections of body the World cannot yeeld a more compleate man Now as good natures are quickly incited to compassion especially in cases almost commanding it and compassion knocking at the doore of the soule doth quicken the memory with many passed recordations so this noble Admirall aduisedly beholding poore condemned Guion conceiued that he had somewhat seene him before this instant and vpon this perswasion euen as if diuine vertue had tutured his tongue he saide Is not thy name Guion di Procida Marke now how quickly misery can receiue comfort vpon so poore and silly a question for Guion began to eleuate his deiected countenance and looking on the Admirall returned him this answere Sir heretofore I haue been the man which you spake of but now both that name and man must die with me What misfortune quoth the Admirall hath thus vnkindly crost thee Loue answered Guion and the Kings displeasure Then the Admirall would needs know the whole history at large which briefly was related to him and hauing heard how all had happened as he was turning his Horse to ride away thence Guion called to him saying Good my Lord entreate one fauour for me if possible it may be What is that replyed the Admirall You see Sir quoth Guion that I am very shortly to breathe my last all the grace which I doe most humbly entreate is that as I am here with this chaste Virgin whom I honour and loue beyond my life and miserably bound backe to backe our faces may be turned each to other to the end that when the fire shall finish my life by looking on her my soule may take her flight in full felicity The Admirall smyling saide I will doe for thee what I can and perhaps thou mayest so long looke on her as thou wilt be weary and desire to looke off her At his departure he commanded them that had the charge of this execution to proceede no further vntill they heard more from the King to whom hee gallopped immediately and although hee beheld him to be very angerly moued yet he spared not to speake in this manner Sir wherin haue those poore young couple offended you that are so shamefully to be burnt at Palermo The King told him whereto the Admirall pursuing still his purpose thus replyed Beleeue me Sir if true loue be an offence then theirs may be termed to be one and albeit it did deserue death yet farre be it from thee to inflict it on them for as faults doe iustly require punishment so doe good turnes as equally merit grace and requitall Knowest thou what and who they are whom thou hast so dishonourably condemned to the fire Not I quoth the King Why then I will tell thee answered the Admirall that thou mayest take the better knowledge of them and forbeare hereafter to be so ouer-violently transported with anger The young Gentleman is the Sonne to Landolfo di Procida the onely Brother to Lord Iohn di Procida by whose meanes thou becamest Lord and King of this Countrey The faire young Damosell is the Daughter to Marino Bolgaro whose power extendeth so farre as to preserue thy prerogatiue in Ischia which but for him had long since beene out-rooted there Beside these two maine motiues to challenge iustly grace and fauour from thee they are in the floure and pride of their youth hauing long continued in loyall loue together and compelled by feruency of endeared affection not any wil to displease thy Maiesty they haue offended if it may be termed an offence to loue and in such louely young people as they are Canst thou then find in thine heart to let them die whom thou rather oughtest to honour and recompence with no meane rewards When the King had heard this and beleeued for a certainty that the Admirall told him nothing but truth he appointed not onely that they should proceede no further but also was exceeding sorrowfull for what he had done sending presently to haue them released from the Stake and honourably to be brought before him Being thus enstructed in their seuerall qualities and standing in duty obliged to recompence the wrong which he had done with respectiue honours he caused them to be cloathed in royall garments and knowing them to
they be abused The harsh and vnciuill vsage in her grew very distastefull to Anastasio and so vnsufferable that after a long time of fruitlesse seruice requited still with nothing but coy disdain desperate resolutions entred into his brain and often he was minded to kill himselfe But better thoughts supplanting those furious passions he abstained from any such violent act gouerned by more manly consideration determined that as she hated him he would require her with the like if he could wherein he became altogether deceiued because as his hopes grew to a dayly decaying yet his loue enlarged it selfe more and more Thus Anastasio perseuering still in his bootelesse affection and his expences not limited within any compasse it appeared in the iudgement of his Kindred and Friends that he was falne into a mighty consumption both of his body and meanes In which respect many times they aduised him to leaue the City of Rauenna and liue in some other place for such a while as might set a more moderate stint vpon his spendings and bridle the indiscreete course of his loue the onely fuell which fed this furious fire Anastasio held out thus a long time without lending an eare to such friendly counsell but in the end he was so neerely followed by them as being no longer able to deny them he promised to accomplish their request Whereupon making such extraordinary preparation as if he wer to set thence for France or Spaine or else into some further distant countrey he mounted on horsebacke and accompanied with some few of his familiar friends departed from Rauenna and rode to a country dwelling house of his owne about three or foure miles distant from the Cittie which was called Chiasso and there vpon a very goodly greene erecting diuers Tents and Pauillions such as great persons make vse of in the time of a Progresse he said to his friends which came with him thither that there hee determined to make his abiding they all returning backe vnto Rauenna and might come to visite him againe so often as they pleased Now it came to passe that about the beginning of May it being then a very milde and serrene season and he leading there a much more magnificent life then euer he had done before inuiting diuers to dine with him this day and as many to morrow and not to leaue him till after supper vpon the sodaine falling into remembrance of his cruell Mistris hee commanded all his seruants to forbeare his company and suffer him to walke alone by himselfe awhile because he had occasion of priuate meditations wherein he would not by any meanes be troubled It was then about the ninth houre of the day and he walking on solitary all alone hauing gone some halfe miles distance from his Tents entred into a Groue of Pine-trees neuer minding dinner time or any thing else but only the vnkind requitall of his loue Sodainly he heard the voice of a woman seeming to make most mournfull complaints which breaking of his silent considerations made him to lift vp his head to know the reason of this noise When he saw himselfe so farre entred into the Groue before he could imagine where he was hee looked amazedly round about him and out of a little thicket of bushes briars round engirt with spreading trees hee espyed a young Damosell come running towards him naked from the middle vpward her haire disheuelled on her shoulders and her faire skinne rent and torne with the briars and brambles so that the blood ran trickling downe mainly shee weeping wringing her hands and crying out for mercy so lowde as shee could Two fierce Blood-hounds also followed swiftly after and where their teeth tooke hold did most cruelly bite her Last of all mounted on a lusty blacke Courser came gallopping a Knight with a very sterne and angry countenance holding a drawne short Sword in his hand giuing her very vile and dreadfull speeches and threatning euerie minute to kill her This strange and vncouth sight bred in him no meane admiration as also kinde compassion to the vnfortunate woman out of which compassion sprung an earnest desire to deliuer her if he could from a death so full of anguish and horror but seeing himselfe to be without Armes hee ran and pluckt vp the plant of a Tree which handling as if it had beene a staffe he opposed himselfe against the Dogges and the Knight who seeing him comming cryed out in this manner to him Anastasio put not thy selfe in any opposition but referre to my Hounds and me to punish this wicked woman as she hath iustly deserued And in speaking these words the Hounds tooke fast hold on her body so staying her vntill the Knight was come neerer to her and alighted from his horse when Anastasio after some other angry speeches spake thus vnto him I cannot tell what or who thou art albeit thou takest such knowledge of me yet I must say that it is meere cowardize in a Knight being armed as thou art to offer to kill a naked woman and make thy dogges thus to seize on her as if she were a sauage beast therefore beleeue me I will defend her so farre as I am able Anastasio answered the Knight I am of the same City as thou art and do well remember that thou wast a little Ladde when I who was then named Guido Anastasio and thine Vnckle became as intirely in loue with this woman as now thou art of Paulo Trauersarioes daughter But through her coy disdaine and cruelty such was my heauy fate that desperately I slew my selfe with this short sword which thou beholdest in mine hand for which rash sinfull deede I was and am condemned to eternall punishment This wicked woman reioycing immeasurably in mine vnhappie death remained no long time aliue after me and for her mercilesse sinne of cruelty and taking pleasure in my oppressing torments dying vnrepentant and in pride of her scorne she had the like sentence of condemnation pronounced on her and sent to the same place where I was tormented There the three impartiall Iudges imposed this further infliction on vs both namely that shee should flye in this manner before mee and I who loued her so deerely while I liued must pursue her as my deadly enemy not like a woman that had any taste of loue in her And so often as I can ouertake her I am to kill her with this sword the same Weapon wherewith I slew my selfe Then am I enioyned therewith to open her accursed body and teare out her hard and frozen heart with her other inwards as now thou seest me doe which I giue vnto my hounds to feede on Afterward such is the appointment of the supreame powers that she re-assumeth life againe euen as if she had not bene dead at all and falling to the same kinde of flight I with my houndes am still to follow her without any respite or intermission Euery Friday and iust at this houre our course is this way
where shee suffereth the iust punishment inflicted on her Nor do we rest any of the other dayes but are appointed vnto other places where she cruelly executed her malice against me being now of her dear affectionate frend ordained to be her endlesse enemy and to pursue her in this manner for so many yeeres as she exercised monthes of cruelty towards me Hinder me not then in being the executioner of diuine iustice for all thy interposition is but in vaine in seeking to crosse the appointment of supreame powers Anastasio hauing attentiuely heard all this discourse his haire stoode vpright like Porcupines quils and his soule was so shaken with the terror that he stept back to suffer the Knight ro doe what he was enioyned looking yet with milde commisseration on the poore woman Who kneeling most humbly before the Knight sternly seised on by the two blood hounds he opened her brest with his weapon drawing foorth her heart and bowels which instantly he threw to the dogges and they deuoured them very greedily Soone after the Damosell as if none of this punishment had bene inflicted on her started vp sodainly running amaine towards the Sea shore and the Hounds swiftly following her as the Knight did the like after he had taken his sword and was mounted on horseback so that Anastasio had soon lost all sight of them and could not gesse what was become of them After he had heard and obserued all these things he stoode awhile as confounded with feare and pitty like a simple silly man hoodwinkt with his owne passions not knowing the subtle enemies cunning illusions in offering false suggestions to the sight to worke his owne ends thereby encrease the number of his deceiued seruants Forthwith hee perswaded himself that he might make good vse of this womans tormenting so iustly imposed on the Knight to prosecute if thus it should continue still euery Friday Wherefore setting a good note or marke vpon the place hee returned backe to his owne people and at such time as hee thought conuenient sent for diuers of his kindred and friends from Rauenna who being present with him thus hee spake to them Deare Kinsmen and Friends ye haue a long while importuned mee to discontinue my ouer-doating loue to her whom you all think and I find to be my mortall enemy as also to giue ouer my lauish expences wherein I confesse my selfe too prodigall both which requests of yours I will condiscend to prouided that you wil performe one gracious fauour for mee Namely that on Friday next Signior Paulo Trauersario his wife daughter with all other women linked in linage to them and such beside onely as you shall please to appoynt will vouchsafe to accept a dinner heere with mee as for the reason thereto moouing mee you shall then more at large be acquainted withall This appeared no difficult matter for them to accomplish wherefore being returned to Rauenna and as they found the time answerable to their purpose they inuited such as Anastasio had appointed theÌ„ And although they found it somwhat â—n hard matter to gain her company whom he so deerely affected yet notwithstanding the other women won her along with them A most magnificent dinner had Anastasio prouided and the tables wer couered vnder the Pine-trees where hee saw the cruell Lady so pursued and slaine directing the guests so in their seating that the yong Gentlewoman his vnkinde Mistresse sate with her face opposite vnto the place where the dismall spectacle was to be seene About the closing vp of dinner they beganne to heare the noise of the poore prosecuted Woman which droue them all to much admiration desiring to know what it was and no one resoluing them they arose from the tables and looking directly as the noise came to them they espied the wofull Woman the Dogges eagerly pursuing her and the armed Knight on horse back â—â—â—lopping fiercely after them with his drawn weapon and came very nere vnto the company who cryed out with lowd exclaimes against the dogs and the Knight stepping forth in assistance of the iniuried woman The Knight spake vnto them as formerly hee had done to Anastasio which made them draw backe possessed with feare and admiration acting the same cruelty as hee did the Friday before not differing in the least degree Most of the Gentlewomen there present being neere allyed to the vnfortunate Woman and likewise to the Knight remembring well both his loue and death did shed teares as plentifully as if it had bâ—n to the very persons themselues in visiall performance of the action indeede Which tragicall Scene being passed ouer and the Woman and Knight gone out of their sight all that had seene this straunge accident fell into diuersity of confused opinions yet not daring to disclose them as doubting some further danger to ensue thereon But beyond al the rest none could compare in feare and astonishment with the cruell yong Maide affected by Anastasio who both saw and obserued all with a more inward apprehension knowing very well that the morall of this dismall spectacle carried a much neerer application to her then any other in all the company For now she could call to mind how vnkinde and cruell she had shewn her selfe to Anastasio euen as the other Gentlewoman formerly did to her Louer still flying from him in great contempt and scorne for which shee thought the Blood-hounds also pursued her at the heeles already and a sword of due vengeance to mangle her body This feare grew so powerfull in her that to preuent the like heauy doome from falling on her she studied by all her best commendable meanes and therein bestowed all the night season how to change her hatred into kinde loue which at the length shee fully obtayned and then purposed to prosecute in this manner Secretly she sent a faithfull Chamber-maide of her owne to greete Anastasio on her behalfe humbly entreating him to come see her because now she was absolutely determined to giue him satisfaction in all which with honour he could request of her Whereto Anastasio answered that he accepted her message thankfully and desired no other fauor at her hand but that which stood with her owne offer namely to be his Wife in honourable marriage The Maide knowing sufficiently that hee could not be more desirous of the match then her Mistresse shewed her selfe to be made answere in her name that this motion would bee most welcome to her Heereupon the Gentlewoman her selfe became the solicitour to her Father and Mother telling them plainly that she was willing to bee the Wife of Anastasio which newes did so highly content them that vppon the Sunday next following the mariage was very worthily sollemnized and they liued and loued together very kindly Thus the diuine bounty out of the malignant enemies secret machinations can cause good effects to arise and succeede For from this conceite of fearfull imagination in her not onely happened this long desired conuersion of a Maide
rare inuention The lacke of these being life and motion giuing Are sencelesse shapes and no true signes of liuing Eyes when you gazde vpon her Angell beauty Eares while you heard her sweete delicious straines Thoughts sleeping then did yet performe their duty Wit then tooke springtly pleasure in his paines While shee did liue then none of these were scanting But now being dead they all are gone and wanting After that Dioneus by proceeding no further declared the finishing of his Song many more were sung beside and that of Dioneus highly commended Some part of the night being spent in other delightfull exercises and a fitting houre for rest drawing on they betooke themselues to their Chambers where we will leaue them till to morrow morning The end of the Fifth Day FINIS The Errata of such faults as haue vnwillingly escaped in the Printing Folio a. b. the seuerall sides Line correction FOl. 4. a. Line 32 for been reputed reade haue reputed 5 b. 8 for twaining r. wauing 7 b. 6. for fearefully r. fairely Eod. b. 18 for flames r. floures 12 b. 24 for Nigilles r. Vigilles 14 a. 39 for within himselfe r. saide within himselfe Eod. b. 14 for shift r. shrift Eod. b. 22 for Daughters doore r. Dorter doore Eod. b. 35 for veniall r. veneriall 21. a. 12 for paired r. payed 28 b. 20 for commanding r. commanded 29 b. 29 for for the r. forth 33 a. 19 for ensignes r. engines 37 b. 12 for great r. greater Eod. b. 13 for death r. depth 39 a. 2 for some doe r. seene some doe 40 b. 26 for Naupertuis r. Malpertuis 46 a. 3 for instrust r. enstruct Eod. b. 20 for he r. she 47 b. 3 for his r. their Eod. b. 17 for the two with her children r. the two children with her 48 a. 4 for houres r. yeeres Eod. a. 42 for who r. and 4â— a. 5 for iniuries which r. iniuries are which Eod. a. 8 for Gentlewoman r. Gentlemen Eod. b. 5 for was as a little r. was not a little 52 a. 21 for badly r. kindly Eod b. 35 for Gentlewoman r. Gentleman Eod b. vlt. for them r. him 53 b. 11 for instructing r. mistructing 55 a. 31 for Duke r. Prince 56 a. 42 for horse r. force Eod. b. 41 for not so far r. now so far 64 a. 19 for both r. loth 68 a. 22 for eare r. Earle Eod. a. 26 for Ambrosio r. Ambroginolo Eod. b. 32 for name r. owne 70 a. 14 for vnapt r. iumpt 74 b. 30 for he r. her Eod. b. 16 for him r. himselfe Eod. b. 19 for Gentleman r. Gentlewoman 75 a. 2 for she was r. he was 77 b. vlt. for parted r. played 78 b 16 for with r. them with 81 b. 34 for an easie r. such an easie 82 a. 39 for mine r. nine Eod. b. 40 for meanes r. craft 90. a. 18 for must r. he must Eod a â—9 for is a great r. is no great Eod b. 31 for mighty r. nightly 85 a 20 for her selfe r. turning her selfe Eob b 24 for and onely r sauing onely 86 a. 8 9 reade thus If I should do any thing contrary to his liking and honour no woman could more worthily c. 91 a. 14 for asking r. looking Eod. b. 22 for house r. horse 96 b. 19 for husband r. father 98 b. 40 for hath not r. hath 99 a. 7 for repeate r. repent 101 a. 14 for vndergoe r. vndergoe it Eod. b. 8 for Hostesse r. Hostes 102 a. 41 for and r. or 104 b. 40 for hither r. come hither 105 a. 42 for darge r. darke 107 b. 27 for a King r. liking 114 b. 23 for your r. our 116 b. 12 for these r. then 118 a. 8 for no spare r. made no spare 122 a. 27 for mine respect r. mine owne respect Eod. a. 29 for honour r humours Eod. b. 13 for quickly r. quietly 155 a. 34 for and and r. one Eod. b. 27 for she r. he 156 a. 10 for shame r. flame 158 a. 4 for writing r. waiting 159 a. 4 for like r. life Eod. a. 19 for diuert them r. diuert him 167 b. 22 for neighbours r. neighbors children 168 a. 24 for to experience r. to gaine experience 169 b. 9 for instantly r. constantly 170 b. 24 for receiued r. perceiued 187 a. 6 for imputed r. inured 190 a. 13 for places r. parts 191 a 5 for spared froÌ„ r. lodged Eod a. 26 for hardy r. hardly 192 b 22 for Forenza r. Faenza 194 b 7 for spake he r. speaketh THE Decameron CONTAINING An hundred pleasant Nouels Wittily discoursed betweene seuen Honourable Ladies and three Noble Gentlemen The last Fiue Dayes London Printed by Isaac Iaggard 1620. TO THE RIGHT HOnourable Sir PHILLIP HERBERT Knight Lord Baron of Shâ—rland Earle of Montgomery and Knight of the most Noble order of the Garter HAuing by your Honorable command translated this Decameron or Cento Nouelle sirnamed Il Principe Galeotto of ten dayes seuerall discourses grounded on variable and singuler Arguments happening betweene seauen Noble Ladies and three ver-Honourable Gentlemen Although not attyred in such elegant cy of phrase or nice curiosity of stile as a quicker and more sprightly wit could haue performed but in such home-borne language as my ability could stretch vnto yet it commeth in all duty to kisse your Noble hand and to shelter it selfe vnder your Gracious protection though not from the leering eye and ouer-lauish tongue of snarling Enuy yet from the power of his blasting poyson and malice of his machinations To the Reader BOokes Courteous Reader may rightly be compared to Gardens wherein let the painfull Gardiner expresse neuer so much care and diligent endeauour yet among the very fairest sweetest and freshest Flowers as also Plants of most precious Vertue ill sauouring and stinking Weeds fit for no vse but the fire or mucke-hill will spring and sprout vp So fareth it with Bookes of the very best quality let the Author bee neuer so indulgent and the Printer vigilant yet both may misse their ayme by the escape of Errors and Mistakes either in sense or matter the one fault ensuing by a ragged Written Copy and the other thorough want of wary Correction If then the best Bookes cannot be free from this common infirmity blame not this then of farre lighter argument wherein thy courtesie may helpe vs both His blame in acknowledging his more sufficiency then to write so grosse and absurdly And mine in pardoning vnwilling Errours committed which thy iudgement finding thy pen can as easily correct Farewell THE SIXT DAY Gouerned vnder the Authority of Madam Eliza and the Argument of the Discourses or Nouels there to be recounted doe concerne such persons who by some witty words when any haue checkt or taunted them haue reuenged themselues in a sudden vnexpected and discreet answere thereby preuenting losse danger scorne and disgrace retorting them on the busi-headed Questioners The Induction THe Moone haning past the heauen lost her bright splendor by
sight was so irkesome to Rinaldo that being ouercom with extreame rage hee could hardly containe from running on them with a violent intent to kill them both but feare of his owne life caused his forbearance meaning to be reuenged by some better way Such was the heate of his spleene and fury as setting aside all respect of his owne shame he would needs prosecute the rigour of the deadly Edict which he held lawfull for him to do although it extended to the death of his Wife Heereupon hauing witnesses sufficient to approoue the guiltinesse of her offence a day being appointed without desiring any other counsell he went in person to accuse her and required iustice against her The Gentlewoman who was of an high and vndauntable spirite as all such are who haue fixed their affection resoluedly and loue vppon a grounded deliberation concluded quite against the counsell and opinion of her Parents Kindred and Friends to appeare in the Court as desiring rather to dye by confessing the trueth with a manly courage then by denying it and her loue vnto so worthy a person as he was in whose arms she chanced to be taken to liue basely in exile with shame as an eternall scandall to her race So before the Potestate shee made her apparance worthily accompanied both with men and women all aduising her to deny the acte but she not minding them or their perswasions looking on the Iudge with a constant countenance and a voyce of setled resolue craued to know of him what hee demaunded of her The Potestate well noting her braue carriage her singular beautie and praise-worthy parts her words apparantly witnessing the heighth of her minde beganne to take compassion on her and doubted least shee would confesse some such matter as should enforce him to pronounce the sentence of death against her But she boldly scorning all delayes or any further protraction of time demanded again what was her accusation Madame answered the Potestate I am sory to tel you what needs I must your husband whom you see present heere is the cōplainant against you auouching that he tooke you in the act of adultery with another man and therefore he requireth that according to the rigour of the Statute heere in force with vs I should pronounce sentence against you and consequently the infliction of death Which I cannot do if you confesse not the fact and therefore be well aduised how you answer me and tell me the truth if it be as your Husband accuseth you or no. The Lady without any dismay or dread at all pleasantly thus replied My Lord true it is that Rinaldo is my Husband and that he found me on the night named betweene the Armes of Lazarino where many times heeretofore he hath embraced mee according to the mutuall loue re-plighted together which I deny not nor euer will But you know well enough and I am certaine of it that the Lawes enacted in any Countrey ought to be common and made with consent of them whom they concerne which in this Edict of yours is quite contrarie For it is rigorous against none but poore women onely who are able to yeeld much better content and satisfaction generally then remaineth in the power of men to do And moreouer when this Law was made there was not any woman that gaue consent to it neither were they called to like or allow thereof in which respect it may deseruedly be termed an vniust Law And if you will in preiudice of my bodie and of your owne soule be the executioner of so vnlawfull an Edict it consisteth in your power to do as you please But before you proceede to pronounce any sentence may it please you to fauour me with one small request namely that you would demand of my Husband if at all times and whensoeuer he tooke delight in my company I euer made any curiosity or came to him vnwillingly Whereto Rinaldo without tarrying for the Potestate to mooue the question sodainly answered that vndoubtedly his wife at all times and oftner then he could request it was neuer sparing of her kindnesse or put him off with any deniall Then the Lady continuing on her former speeches thus replyed Let me then demand of you my Lord being our Potestate and Iudge if it be so by my Husbands owne free confession that he hath alwaies had his pleasure of me without the least refusall in me or contradiction what should I doe with the ouer-plus remaining in mine owne power and whereof he had no need Would you haue mee cast it away to the Dogges Was it not more fitting for me to pleasure therwith a worthy Gentleman who was euen at deaths doore for my loue then my husbands surfetting and hauing no neede of me to let him lye languishing and dye Neuer was heard such an examination before and to come from a woman of such worth the most part of the honourable Pratosians both Lords and Ladies being there present who hearing her vrge such a necessary question cryed out all aloud together with one voice after they had laughed their fill that the Lady had saide well and no more then she might So that before they departed thence by comfortable aduice proceeding from the Potestate the Edict being reputed ouercruell was modified and interpreted to concerne them onely who offered iniurie to their Husbands for money By which meanes Rinaldo standing as one confounded for such a foolish and vnaduised enterprize departed from the Auditorie and the Ladie not a little ioyfull to bee thus freed and deliuered from the fire returned home with victorie to her owne house Fresco da Celatico counselled and aduised his Neece Cesca That if such as deserued to be looked on were offensiue to her eyes as she had often told him she should forbeare to looke on any The Eighth Nouell In iust scorne of such vnsightly and ill-pleasing surly Sluts who imagine none to be faire or well-fauoured but themselues ALL the while as Philostratus was re-counting his Nouell it seemed that the Ladies who heard it found themselues much mooued thereat as by the wanton blood monting vp into their cheekes it plainly appeared But in the end looking on each other with strange behauiour they could not forbeare smiling which the Queene interrupting by a command of attention turning to Madame Aemillia willed her to follow next When she puffing and blowing as if she had bene newly awaked from sleepe began in this manner Faire Beauties My thoughts hauing wandred a great distance hence and further then I can easily collect them together againe in obedience yet to our Queene I shall report a much shorter Nouell then otherwise perhappes I should haue done if my minde had beene a little neerer home I shall tell you the grosse fault of a foolish Damosell well corrected by a witty reprehension of her Vnckle if shee had bin endued but with so much sence as to haue vnderstood it An honest man named Fresco da Celatico had a
you yet for that Ladies sake whom you haue elected worthy to enioy your loue and so farre excelleth mee in Wisedome vouchsafe to pardon mee and suffer my garments to be brought me wherewith to couer my nakednesse and so to descend downe from this Tower if it may stand with your gentle Nature to admit it Now beganne Reniero to laughe very heartily and perceiuing how swiftly the day ran on in his course he saide vnto her Beleeue me Madame Helena you haue so coniured me by mine endeered Ladie and Mistresse that I am no longer able to deny you wherefore tell me where your garments are and I will bring them to you that you may come downe from the Turret She beleeuing his promise tolde him where she had hid them and Reniero departing from the Tower commanded his seruant not to stirre thence but to abide still so neere it as none might get entrance there till his returning Which charge was no sooner giuen to his man but hee went to the house of a neere neighboring friend where he dined well and afterward laid him downe to sleepe In the meane while Madame Helena remaining still on the Tower began to comfort her selfe with a little vaine hope yet sighing and weeping incessantly seating her selfe so well as shee could where any small shelter might yeelde the least shade in expectation of the Schollers returning one while weeping then againe hoping but most of all despairing by his so long tarrying away with her Garments so that beeing ouer-wearied with anguish and long watching she fell into a little slumbering But the Sunne was so extreamly hot the houre of noone being already past that it meerly parched her delicate body and burnt her bare head so violently as not onely it seared all the flesh it touched but also cleft chinkt it strangely beside blisters and other painfull scorchings in the flesh which hindred her sleeping to help her self by all possible means waking And the Turret being couered with Lead gaue the greater addition to her torment for as she remoued from one place to another it yeelded no mitigation to the burning heate but parched and wrinkled the flesh extraordinarily euen as when a piece of parchment is throwne into the fire and recouered out againe can neuer be extended to his former forme Moreouer she was so grieuously payned with the head-ake as it seemed to split in a thousand pieces whereat there needed no great maruaile the Lead of the Turret being so exceedingly hot that it affoorded not the least defence against it or any repose to qualifie the torment but droue her still from one place to another in hope of ease but none was there to be found Nor was there any winde at all stirring whereby to asswage the Sunnes violent scalding or keepe away huge swarmes of Waspes Hornets and terrible byting Flyes which vexed her extreamely feeding on those parts of her body that were rifte and chinkt like crannies in a mortered wall and pained her like so many points of pricking Needles labouring still with her hands to beate them away but yet they fastned on one place or other and afflicted her in grieuous manner causing her to curse her owne life hir amorous friend but most of all the Scholler that promised to bring her Garments and as yet returned not Now began she to gaze vpon euery side about her to espy some labouring Husbandmen in the fields to whom she might call or cry out for helpe not fearing to discouer her desperate condition but Fortune therein also was aduerse to her because the heats extreamity had driuen all the village out of the fields causing them to feede their Cattle about theyr owne houses or in remote and shadie Valleyes so that shee could see no other creatures to comfort her but Swannes swimming in the Riuer of Arno and wishing her selfe there a thousand times with them for to coole the extreamity of her thirst which so much the more encreased onely by the sight thereof and vtterly disabled of hauing any She saw beside in many places about her goodly Woods fayre coole shades and Country houses here and there dispersed which added the greater violence to hir affliction that her desires in all these could no way be accomplished What shall I say more concerning this disastrous Lady The parching beames of the Sunne aboue her the scalding heat of the Lead beneath her the Hornets and Flyes euerie way stinging her had made such an alteration of her beautifull bodie that as it checkt and controlled the precedent nights darkenesse it was now so metamorphosed with rednesse yea and blood issuing forth in infinite places as she seemed almost lothsome to looke on continuing still in this agonie of torment quite voyde of all hope and rather expecting death then any other comfort Reniero when some three houres of the afternoone were ouerpast awaked from sleeping and remembring Madame Helena he went to see in what estate she was as also to send his seruant vnto dinner because he had fasted all that day She perceyuing his arriuall being altogether weake faint and wonderously ouer-wearied she crept on her knees to a corner of the Turret and calling to him spake in this manner Reniero thy reuenge exceedeth al manhoode and respect For if thou wast almost frozen in my Court thou hast roasted me all day long on this Tower yea meerly broyled my poore naked bodie beside staruing mee thorough want of Food and drinke Be now then so mercifull for manhoods sake as to come vppe hither and inflict that on me which mine owne hands are not strong enough to do I meane the ending of my loathed and wearisome life for I desire it beyond all comfort else and I shall honour thee in the performance of it If thou deny me this gracious fauour at least send me vppe a glasse of Water onely to moisten my mouth which my teares being all meerly dried vp are not able to doe so extreame is the violence of the Sunnes burning heate Well perceiued the Scholler by the weaknesse of her voyce and scorching of her body by the Suns parching beames that shee was brought now to great extremity which sight as also her humble intercession began to touch him with some compassion neuertheles thus he replied Wicked woman my hands shal be no means of thy death but make vse of thine owne if thou be so desirous to haue it and as much water shalt thou get of me to asswage thy thirst as thou gauest me fire to comfort my freezing when thou wast in the luxurious heat of thy immodest desires and I wel-neere frozen to death with extremity of cold Pray that the Euening may raine downe Rose-water on thee because that in the Riuer of Arno is not good enough for thee for as little pitty doe I take on thee now as thou didst extend compassion to me then Miserable Woman that I am answered Helena Why did the heauens bestow beautie on mee vvhich others haue admired
to be there when the Beast shall be sent for you I speake it the rather because it is cold weather and you Gentlemen Physitians can hardly endure it You are carefull of mee quoth the Doctor and I thanke you for it but I applaud my faire Starres I am none of your nice or easie-frozen fellowes because cold weather is very familiar to me I dare assure you when I arise in the night time for that naturall office whereto all men are subiect I weare no warmer defence then my thin wastcoat ouer my shirt and finde it sufficient for the coldest weather at any time When Bruno and Buffalmaco had taken their leaue the Physitian so soone as night drew neere vsed many apt excuses to his wife stealing forth his Scarlet Gowne and Hood vnseene of any wherewith being clothed at the time appointed he got vpon one of the Marble Tombes staying there quaking with cold awaiting when the Beast should come Buffalmaco being a lusty tall man of person had got an vgly masking suite such as are made vse of in Tragedies and Playes the out-side being of black shagged haire wherwith being cloathed he seemed like a strange deformed Beare and a Diuels vizard ouer his face with two gastly horrible hornes and thus disguised Bruno following him they went to behold the issue of the businesse so farre as the new Market place closely adioining to Santa Maria Nouella Hauing espyed Master Doctor vppon the Tombe Buffalmaco in his mishapen habite began to bound leape and carriere snuffling and blowing in mad and raging manner which when the Physitian saw his haire stood on end he quaked and trembled as being more fearfull then a Woman wishing himselfe at home againe in his house rather then to behold a sight so dreadfull But because he was come forth and had such an earnest desire to see the wonders related to him he made himselfe so coragious as possibly he could and bare all out in formall manner After that Buffalmaco had an indifferent while plaide his horse-trickes ramping and stamping somewhat strangely seeming as become of much milder temper he went neere to the Tomb whereon the Physitian stood and there appeared to stay contentedly Master Doctor trembling and quaking still extreamely was so farre dismayed as he knew not what was best to be done either to mount on the beasts backe or not to mount at all In the end thinking no harme could happen to him if he were once mounted with the second feare hee expelled the former and descending downe softly from the Tombe mounted on the beast saying out a lowde God Saint Dominicke and my good Angell helpe to defend mee Seating himselfe so well as he could but trembling still exceedingly he crossed his armes ouer his stomacke according to the Lesson giuen him Then did Buffalmaco shape his course in milde manner toward Santa Maria della Scala and groping to finde his way in the darke went on so farre as the Sisters of Ripole commonly called the Virgin Sanctuary Not farre off from thence were diuers trenches ditches wherein such men as are imployed in necessary night-seruices vsed to empty the Countesse di Cimillari and afterward imployed it for manuring Husbandmens grounds Buffalmaco being come neere one of them he stayed to breath himselfe awhile and then catching fast hold on one of the Doctours feete raysed him somewhat higher on his back for the easier discharging of his burthen and so pitched him with his head forwardes into the Lay-stall Then began he to make a dreadful kinde of noise stamping and trampling with his feete passing backe againe to Santa Maria della Scala and to Prato d'Ognissanti where hee met with Bruno who was constrained to forsake him because he could not refraine from lowde Laughter then both together went backe once more to see how the Physitian would behaue himselfe being so sweetely embrued Master Doctor seeing himselfe to ben in such an abhominable stinking place laboured with all his vtmost endeuouâ— to get himself released thence but the more he contended and stroue or getting forth he plunged himselfe the further in being most pitifully myred from head to foot sighing and sorrowing extraordinarily because much of the foule water entâ—ed in at his mouth In the end being forced to leaue his hood behinde him scrâ—mbling both with his hands and feet he got landing out of his stinking Labyrinth hauing no other means home he returned to his own house where knocking at the doore he was at length admitted entrance The doore being scarse made fast againe after his letting in Buffalmaco and Bruno were there arriued listning how M. Doctor should bee welcomd home by his angry wife who scolding and railing at him with wonderfull impatience gaue him most hard and bitter speeches terming him the vilest man liuing Where haue you bin Sir quoth she Are you becom a night-walker after other Women And could no worse garments serue your turne but your Doctors gown of Scarlet Am I to suffer this behauiour Or am not I sufficient to content you but you must be longing after change I would thou hadst bin stifled in that foule filth where thy fouler life did iustly cast thee Behold goodly Master Doctor of the Leystall who being maried to an honest woman must yet go abroad in the night time insatiatly lusting after whores and harlots With these and the like intemperate speeches she ceased not to afflict and torment him till the night was almost spent and the Doctor brought into a sweeter sauour The next morning Bruno and Buffalmaco hauing colourd their bodyes with a strange kinde of painting resembling blisters swellings and bruises as if they had bin extreamly beaten came to the Physitians house finding him to be newly vp al the house yet smelling of his foule sauour although it had bin very well perfumed and being admitted to him in the Garden hee welcommed them with the mornings salutations But Bruno and Buffalmaco being otherwise prouided for him deliuering stearne and angry lookes stamping and chafing Bruno thus replyed Neuer speake so faire and flattering to vs for we are moued beyond all compasse of patience All misfortunes in the worlde fall vpon you and an euill death may you dye like the most false and perfidious Traitor liuing on the earth We must beate our braines and moue all our most endeared friends onely for your honor and aduancement while wee were well neere starued to death in the cold like Dogs and by your breach of promise haue bin this night so extreamly beaten as if like Asses we should haue beene driuen to Rome But that which is most greeuous of all is danger of excluding out of the Society where wee tooke good order for your admittance and for your most honourable entertainment If you wil not credit vs behold our bodies and let your owne eyes be witnesses in what cruell manner we haue bin beaten So taking him aside vnder the Gallery where they might not be discouered by ouermuch
it constantly that there is no man liuing whom I loue and honour as I do thee considering the greatnesse of thy minde which consisteth not in the heaping vp of money as wretched and miserable Worldlings make it their onely felicity but contending in bounty to spend what is thine didst hold it for no shame to kil me thereby to make thy selfe so much the more worthily famous Nor is it any matter to be wondred at in regard that Emperors and the greatest Kings hadde neuer made such extendure of their Dominions and consequently of their renowne by any other Art then killing yet not one man onely as thou wouldst haue done but infinite numbers burning whole Countries and making desolate huge Townes and Cities onely to enlarge their dominion and further spreading of their fame Wherfore if for the increasing of thine owne renowne thou wast desirous of my death it is no matter of nouelty and therefore deseruing the lesse meruaile seeing men are slaine daily and all for one purpose or other Mithridanes excusing no further his maleuolent deliberation but rather commending the honest defence which Nathan made on his behalfe proceeded so farre in after discoursing as to tel him plainely that it did wondrously amaze him how he durst come to the fatall appointed place himselfe hauing so exactly plotted and contriued his owne death whereunto Nathan returned this aunswere I would not haue thee Mithridanes to wonder at my counsel or determination because since age hath made mee Maister of mine owne will and I resolued to doe that wherein thou hast begun to follow me neuer came any man to mee whom I did not content if I could in any thing he demanded of me It was thy fortune to come for my life which when I saw thee so desirous to haue it I resolued immediately to bestow it on thee and so much the rather because thou shouldst not be the onely man that euer departed hence without enioying whatsoeuer hee demanded And to the end thou mightst the more assuredly haue it I gaue thee that aduice least by not enioying mine thou shouldest chance to loose thine owne I haue had the vse of it full fourescore yeares with the consummation of all my delights and pleasures and well I know that according to the course of Nature as it fares with other men and generally all things else it cannot bee long before it must leaue mee Wherefore I hold it much better for me to giue it away freely as I haue alwayes done my goods and treasure then bee curious in keeping it and suffer it to be taken from me whether I will or no by Nature A small gift it is if time make me vp the full summe of an hundred yeares how miserable is it then to stand beholding but for foure or fiue and all of them vexation too Take it then I intreate thee if thou wilt haue it for I neuer met with any man before but thy selfe that did desire it nor perhaps shall finde any other to request it for the longer I keepe it the worse it wil be esteemed and before it grow contemptible take it I pray thee Mithridanes being exceedingly confounded with shame bashfully sayde Fortune fore-fend that I should take away a thing so precious as your life is or once to haue so vile a thought of it as lately I had but rather then I would diminish one day thereof I could wish that my time might more amply enlarge it Forthwith aunswered Nathan saying Wouldst thou if thou couldst shorten thine owne dayes onely to lengthen mine Why then thou wouldest haue me to do that to thee which as yet I neuer did vnto any man namely robbe thee to enrich my selfe I will enstruct thee in a much better course if thou wilt be aduised by mee Lusty and young as now thou art thou shalt dwell heere in my house and be called by the name of Nathan Aged and spent with yeares as thou seest I am I will goe liue in thy house and bee called by the name of Mithridanes So both the name and place shall illustrate thy Glorie and I liue contentedly without the very least thought of enuie Deare Father answered Mithridanes if I knew so well howe to direct mine owne actions as you doe and alwayes haue done I would gladly accept your most liberall offer but because I plainlie perceiue that my very best endeauours must remayne darkened by the bright renowne of Nathan I will neuer seeke to impayre that in another which I cannot by any means increase in my selfe but as you haue worthily taught me liue contented with my owne condition After these and many more like louing speeches had passed between them according as Nathan very instantly requested Mithridanes returned back with him to the Pallace where many dayes he highly honored respected him comforting counselling him to perseuer alwayes in his honourable determination But in the end when Mithridanes could abide there no longer because necessary occasions called him home he departed thence with his men hauing found by good experience that hee could neuer goe beyond Nathan in liberality Signior Gentile de Carisendi being come from Modena took a Gentlewoman named Madam Catharina forth of a graue wherin she was buried for dead which act he did in regard of his former honest affection to the said Gentlewoman Madame Catharina remaining afterward and deliuered of a goodly Sonne was by Signior there Gentile deliuered to her owne Husband named Signior Nicoluccio Caccianimico and the yong infant with her The Fourth Nouell Wherein is shewne That true loue hath alwayes bin and so still is the occasion of many great and worthy courtesies BY iudgment of all the honorable assembly it was reputed wonderfull that a man should be so bountifull as to giue away his owne life and to his hatefull enemy In which respect it passed with generall affirmation that Nathan in the vertue of liberallity had exceeded Alphonso King of Spain but especially the Abbot of Clugny So after euery one had deliuered their opinion the King turning himselfe to Madame Lauretta gaue her such a signe as well instructed her vnderstanding that she should be the next in order whereto she gladly yeelding began in this manner Youthfull Ladies the discourses already past haue been so worthy and magnificent yea reaching to such a height of glorious splendour as me thinkes there remaineth no more matter for vs that are yet to speake whereby to enlarge so famous an Argument and in such manner as it ought to be except we lay hold on the actions of loue wherein is neuer any want of subiect it is so faire and spacious a field to walke in Wherefore as well in behalfe of the one as aduancement of the other whereto our instant age is most of all inclined I purpose to acquaint you with a generous and magnificent act of an amourous Gentleman which when it shall be duely considered on perhaps will appeare equall to any of the rest
but she was as carefully respected euen as if she had been his owne Wife Secretly he repaired to Modena where hauing giuen direction for his place of authority he returned back againe to Bologna and there made preparation for a great and solemne feast appointing who should be his inuited guests the very chiefest persons in Bologna and among them Signior Nicoluccio Caccianimico the especiall man After he was dismounted from horsebacke and found so good company attending for him the Lady also more faire and healthful then euer and the Infant liuely disposed he sate downe at the Table with his guests causing them to be serued in most magnificent manner with plenty of all delicates that could be deuised and neuer before was there such a Iouiall feast About the ending of dinner closely he made the Lady acquainted with his further intention and likewise in what order euery thing should be done which being effected he returned to his company vsed these speeches Honourable friends I remember a discourse sometime made vnto me concerning the Countrey of Persia and a kind of custome there obserued not to be misliked in mine opinion When any one intended to honour his friend in effectuall manner he inuited him home to his house and there would shew him the thing which with greatest loue he did respect were it Wife Friend Sonne Daughter or any thing else whatsoeuer wherewithall hee spared not to affirme that as he shewed him those choyce delights the like view he should haue of his heart if with any possibility it could be done and the very same custome I meane now to obserue here in our City You haue vouchsafed to honour me with your presence at this poore homely dinner of mine and I will welcome you after the Persian manner in shewing you the Iewell which aboue all things else in the world I euer haue most respectiuely esteemed But before I doe it I craue your fauourable opinions in a doubt which I will plainely declare vnto you If any man hauing in his house a good and faithfull seruant who falling into extremity of sickenesse shall be throwne forth into the open street without any care or pitty taken on him A stranger chanceth to passe by and moued with compassion of his weakenesse carryeth him home to his owne house where vsing all charitable diligence and not sparing any cost he recouereth the sicke person to his former health I now desire to know if keeping the said restored person and imploying him about his owne businesse the first Master by pretending his first right may lawfully complaine of the second and yeeld him backe againe to the first master albeit he doe make challenge of him All the Gentlemen after many opinions passing among them agreed altogether in one sentence and gaue charge to Signior Nicoluccio Caccianimico because he was an excellent and elegant speaker to giue answere for them all First he commended the custome obserued in Persia saying he iumpt in opinion with all the rest that the first Master had no right at all to the seruant hauing not onely in such necessity forsaken him but also cast him forth into the comfortlesse street But for the benefits and mercy extended to him it was more then manifest that the recouered person was become iustly seruant to the second Master and in detayning him from the first hee did not offer him any iniury at all The whole Company sitting at the Table being all very wise worthy men gaue their verdict likewise with the confession of Signior Nicoluccio Caccianimico Which answere did not a little please the Knight and so much the rather because Nicoluccio had pronounced it affirming himselfe to be of the same minde So sitting in a pretended musing a while at length he said My honourable guests it is now more then high time that I should doe you such honour as you haue most iustly deserued by performing the promise made vnto you Then calling two of his seruants he sent them to Madame Catharina whom he had caused to adorne her self in excellent manner entreating her that she would be pleased to grace his guests with her presence Catharina hauing deckt her child in costly habiliments layed it in her armes and came with the seruauts into the dyning Hall and sate down as the Knight had appointed at the vpper end of the Table and then Signior Gentile spake thus Behold worthy Gentlemen this is the Iewell which I haue most affected and intend to loue none other in the world be you my Iudges whether I haue iust occasion to doe so or no The Gentlemen saluting her with respectiue reuerence said to the Knight that he had great reason to affect her And viewing her aduisedly many of them thought her to be the very same woman as indeed she was but that they beleeued her to be dead But aboue all the rest Nicoluccio Caccianimico could neuer be satisfied with beholding her and enflamed with earnest desire to know what she was could not refraine seeing the Knight was gone out of the roome but demaunded of her whether she were of Bologna or a stranger when the Lady heard her selfe to be thus questioned and by her Husband it seemed painefull to her to containe from answering Neuerthelesse to perfect the Kinghts intended purpose she sate silent Others demaunded of her whether the sweet Boy were hers or no and some questioned if she were Gentiles Wife or no or else his Knisewoman to all which demaunds she returned not any answere But when the Knight came to them againe some of them said to him Sir this woman is a goodly creature but she appeareth to be dumbe which were great pitty if it should be so Gentlemen quoth he it is no small argument of her vertue to sit still and silent at this instant Tell vs then said they of whence and what she is Therein quoth he I will quickely resolue you vpon your conditionall promise that none of you do remoue from his place whatsoeuer shall be said or done vntill I haue fully deliuered my minde Euery one bound himselfe by solemne promise to perform what he had appointed and the Tables being voided as also the Carpets laid then the Knight sitting downe by the Lady thus began Worthy Gentlemen this Lady is that true and faithfull seruant wherof I moued the question to you whom I tooke out of the cold street where her parents kindred and friends making no account at all of her threw her forth as a thing vile and vnprofitable Neuerthelesse such hath been my care and cost that I haue rescued her out of deaths griping power and in a meere charitable disposition which honest affection caused me to beare her of a body full of terror affrighting as then she was I haue caused her to become thus louely as you see But because you may more apparantly discerne in what manner this occasion happened I will lay it open to you in more familiar manner Then he began
of two worthy friends At such time as Octauius Caesar not as yet named Augustus but only in the office called Triumueri gouerned the Romane Empire there dwelt in Rome a Gentleman named Publius Quintus Fuluius a man of singular vnderstanding who hauing one son called Titus Quintus Fuluius of towardly yeares and apprehension sent him to Athens to learne Philosophy but with letters of familiar commendations to a Noble Athenian Gentleman named Chremes being his ancient friend of long acquaintance This Gentleman lodged Titus in his owne house as companion to his son named Gisippus both of them studying together vnder the tutoring of a Philosopher called Aristippus These two yong Gentlemen liuing thus in one Citty House and Schoole it bred betweene them such a brother-hoode and amity as they could not be seuered from one another but only by the accident of death nor could either of them enioy any content but when they were both together in company Being each of them endued with gentle spirits and hauing begun their studies together they arose by degrees to the glorious height of Philosophy to their much admired fame and commendation In this manner they liued to the no meane comfort of Chremes hardly distinguishing the one from the other for his Son thus the Schollers continued the space of three yeares At the ending wherof as it hapneth in al things else Chremes died whereat both the young Gentlemen conceiued such hearty griefe as if he had bin their common father nor could the kinred of Chremes discerne which of the two had most need of comfort the losse touched them so equally It chanced within some few months after that the kinred of Gisippus came to â—ee him and before Titus auised him to marriage and with a yong Gentlewoman of singular beauty deriued from a most noble house in Athens and she named Sophronia aged about fifteen years This mariage drawing neere Gisippus on a day intreated Titus to walk along with him thither because as yet he had not seene her Comming to the house and she sitting in the midst betweene them Titus making himselfe a considerator of beauty especially on his friends behalfe began to obserue her very iudicially euery part of her seemed so pleasing in his eie that giuing them al a priuat praise yet answerable to their due deseruing he becam so enflamed with affection to her as neuer any louer could bee more violentlie surprized so sodainly doth beauty beguile our best senses After they had sate an indifferent while with her they returned home to their lodging where Titus being alone in his chamber began to bethink himselfe on her whose perfections had so powerfully pleased him and the more he entred into this consideration the fiercer he felt his desires enflamed which being vnable to quench by any reasonable perswasions after hee had vented foorth infinite sighes thus he questioned with himselfe Most vnhappie Titus as thou art whether doost thou transport thine vnderstanding loue and hope Dooest thou not know as well by the honourable fauours which thou hast receiued of Chremes and his house as also the intire amity betweene thee and Gisippus vnto whom faire Sophronia is the affianced friend that thou shouldst holde her in the like reuerent respect as if shee were thy true borne Sister Darest thou presume to fancie her Whether shall beguiling Loue allure thee and vaine immaging hopes carrie thee Open the eyes of thy better vnderstanding and acknowledge thy selfe to bee a most miserable man Giue way to reason bridle thine in temperate appetites reforme all irregulare desires and guide thy fancy to a place of better direction Resist thy wanton and lasciuioâ—s will in the beginning and be master of thy selfe while thou hast opportunity for that which thou aimest at is neyther reasonable nor honest And if thou wert assured to preuaile vpon this pursuite yet thou oughtst to auoide it if thou hast any regard of true friendship and the duty therein iustly required What wilt thou do then Titus Fly from this inordinate affection if thou wilt be reputed to be a man of sensible iudgement After he had thus discoursed with himselfe remembring Sophronia and conuerting his former allegations into a quite contrarie sense in vtter detestation of them and guided by his idle appetite thus he began againe The lawes of loue are of greater force then any other whatsoeuer they not only breake the bands of friendship but euen those also of more diuine consequence How many times hath it bin noted the father to affect his own daughter the brother his sister and the step mother her son in law matters far more monstrous then to see one friend loue the wife of another a case happening continually Moreouer I am yong and youth is wholly subiected to the passions of Loue is it reasonable then that those should be bard from me which are fitting and pleasing to Loue Honest things belong to men of more years and maturity then I am troubled withall and I can couet none but onely those wherein Loue is directer The beauty of Sophronia is worthy of generall loue and if I that am a yongman do loue her what man liuing can iustly reproue me for it Shold not I loue her because she is affianced to Gisippus That is no matter to me I ought to loue her because she is a womaÌ„ and women were created for no other occasion but to bee Loued Fortune had sinned in this case and not I in directing my frends affection to her rather then any other and if she ought to be loued as her perfections do challenge Gisippus vnderstanding that I affect her may be the better contented that it is I rather then any other With these and the like crosse entercourses he often mockt himselfe falling into the contrary and then to this againe and from the contrary into another kind of alteration wasting and consuming himselfe not only this day and the night following but many more afterward til he lost both his feeding sleepe so that through debility of body he was constrained to keepe his bed Gisippus who had diuers dayes noted his melancholly disposition and now his falling into extreamitie of sicknesse was very sorry to behold it and with all meanes and inuentions he could deuise to vse hee both questioned the cause of this straunge alteration and essayed euerie way how hee might best comfort him neuer ceassing to demaunde a reason why he should become thus sad and sickely But Titus after infinite importuning which still he answered with idle and friuolous excuses farre from the truth indeede and to the no meane affliction of his friend when he was able to vse no more contradictions at length in sighes and teares thus he replyed Gisippus were the Gods so wel pleased I could more gladly yeild to dye then continue any longer in this wretched life considering that Fortune hath brought mee to such an extremity as proofe is now to be made of
late for the safety of my life Titus on the other side said Noble Praetor this man as thou seest is a stranger heere and was found without any weapon fast asleepe by the dead body thou mayst then easily perceiue that meerely the miserable condition wherein he is hath made him desperate and he would make mine offence the occasion of his death Absolue him and send me to the Crosse for none but I haue deserued to die for this fact Varro was amazed to obserue with what earnest instance each of them stroue to excuse the other which halfe perswaded him in his soule that they were both guiltlesse And as he was starting vp with full intent to acquaint them a yong man who had stood there all this while and obserued the hard pleading on either side he crowded into the Barre being named Publius Ambustus a fellow of lewd life and vtterly out of hopes as being debauched in all his fortunes and knowne among the Romaines to be a notorious theefe who verily had committed the murder Well knew his conscience that none of them were guilty of the crime wherewith each so wilfully charged himselfe being therefore truely toucht with remorse he stept before Marcus Varro saying Honourable Praetor mine owne horrid and abominable actions haue induced me thus to intrude my selfe for clearing the strict contention betweene these two persons And questionlesse some God or greater power hath tormented my wretched soule and so compunctually solicited me as I cannot chuse but make open confession of my sinne Here therefore I doe apparantly publish that neither of these men is guilty of the offence wherewith so wilfully each chargeth himselfe I am the villaine who this morning murdered the man in the Caue one of no greater honesty then my selfe and seeing this poore man lie there sleeping while we were diuiding the stolne booties betweene vs I slew my Companyon because I would be the sole possessor As for Noble Lord Titus he had no reason thus to accuse himselfe because is a man of no such base quality let them both then be deliuered and inflict the sentence of death on me Octauius Caesar to whom tydings was brought of this rare accident commanding them al three to be brought before him would needs vnderstand the whole History in euery particular as all had happened which was substantially related to him Whereupon Octauius pleased them all three the two noble friendes because they were innocent and the third for openly reuealing the very truth Titus tooke home with him his friend Gisippus and after he had sharpely reproued him for his distrust and cold credence of his friendship he brought him to Sophronia who welcomed him as louingly as if he had bin her naturall borne brother bemoaning his hard and disastrous fortune and taking especiall care to conuert all passed distresses into as happy and comfortable a change fitting him with garments and attendants beseeming his degree both in Nobility and vertue Titus out of his honourable bounty imparted halfe his lands and rich possessions to him and afterward gaue him in marriage his owne Sister a most beautifull Lady named Fuluia saying to him beside My deare friend Gisippus it remaineth now in thine owne election whether thou wilt liue liue here still with me or returne backe to Athens with all the wealth which I haue bestowed on thee But Gisippus being one way constrayned by the sentence of banishment from his natiue City then againe in regard of the constant loue which he bare to so true and thankefull friend as Titus was concluded to liue there as a loyall Roman where he with his Fuluia and Titus with his faire Sophronia liued long after together in one and the same house augmenting daily if possible it might be their amity beyond all other equalizing A most sacred thing therefore is cordiall amity worthy not onely of singuler reuerence but also to be honoured with eternall commendation as being the onely wise Mother of all magnificence and honesty the Sister of Charity and Gratitude the enemy to hatred and auarice and which is alwayes ready without attending to be requested to extend all vertuous actions to others which she would haue done to her selfe Her rare and diuine effects in these contrary times of ours are not to be found between two such persons which is a mighty fault and greatly checketh the miserable couetousnesse of men who respecting nothing but onely their particular benefit haue banished true Amity to the vtmost confines of the whole earth and sent her into perpetuall exile What loue what wealth or affinity of kindred could haue made Gisippus feele euen in the intyrest part of his soule the feruent compassion the teares the sighes of Titus and with such efficacy as plainely appeared to make him consent that his faire elected Spouse by him so dearely esteemed should become the wife of his Companion but onely the precious league of Amity What Lawes what threatnings what feares could cause the yong armes of Gisippus to abstaine embraces betaking himselfe to solitary walkes and obscure places when in his owne bedde he might haue enioyed so matchlesse a beauty who perhaps desired it so much as himselfe but onely the gracious title of Amity What greatnesse what merits or precedence could cause Gisippus not to care for the losse of his kindred those of Sophronia yea of Sophronia her selfe not respecting the dishonest murmurings of base minded people their vile and contemptible language scornes and mockeries and all to content and satisfie a friend but onely Diuine Amity Come now likewise to the other side What occasions could compell Noble Titus so promptly and deliberatly to procure his owne death to rescue his friend from the crosse and inflict the pain and shame vpon himselfe pretending not see or know Gisippus at all had it not bin wrought by powerfull Amity What cause else could make Titus so liberall in diuiding with such willingnesse the larger part of his patrimony to Gisippus when Fortune had dispossest him of his owne but onely heauen-borne Amity What else could haue procured Titus without any further dilation feare or suspition to giue his Sister Fuluia in marriage to Gisippus when he saw him reduced to such extreame pouerty disgrace and miâ—ery but onely infinite Amity To what end doe men care then to couet and procure great multitudes of kinred store of brethren numbers of children and to encrease with their owne monyes plenty of seruants when by the least losse and dammage happening they forget all duty to Father Brother or Master Amity and true friendship is of a quite contrary nature satisfying in that sacred bond the obligation due to all degrees both of parentage and all alliences else Saladine the great Soldan of Babylon in the habite of a Merchant was houourably receiued and welcommed into the house of Signior Thorello d'Istria Who trauelling to the Holy Land prefixed a certaine time to his Wife for his returne backe to her againe wherein
neere expiring within very few dayes and no newes now possibly to be sent thither of his life his Wife would questionlesse be marryed againe he fell into such a deepe conceited melancholly as food and sleepe forsooke him whereupon he kept his bed setting downe his peremptory resolution for death When Saladine who dearely loued him heard thereof he came in all haste to see him and hauing by many earnest perswasions and entreaties vnderstood the cause of his melancholly and sickenesse he very seuerely reproued him because he could no sooner acquaint him therewith Many kind and comfortable speeches he gaue him with constant assurance that if he were so minded he would so order the businesse for him as he should be at Pauia by the same time as he had appointed to his Wife and reuealed to him also the manner how Thorello verily beleeued the Soldanes promise because he had often heard the possibility of performance and others had effected as much diuers times else-where whereupon he began to comfort himselfe soliciting the Soldan earnestly that it might be accomplished Saladine sent for one of his Sorcerers of whose skill he had formerly made experience to take a direct course how Signior Thorello should be carryed in one night to Pauia and being in his bed The Magitian vndertooke to doe it but for the Gentlemans more ease he must first be possessed with an entraunced dead sleep Saladine being thus assured of the deeds full effecting he came againe to Thorello and finding him to be setled for Pauia if possibly it might be accomplished by the determined time or else no other expectation but death he said vnto him as followeth Signior Thorello if with true affection you loue your Wife and misdoubt her marriage to some other man I protest vnto you by the supreme powers that you deserue no reprehension in any manner whatsoeuer For of all the Ladyes that euer I haue seene she is the onely woman whose carriage vertues and ciuile speaking setting aside beauty which is but a fading flowre deserueth most graciously to be respected much more to be affected in the highest degree It were to me no meane fauour of our Gods seeing Fortune directed your course so happily hither that for the short or long time we haue to liue we might reigne equally together in these Lingdomes vnder my subiection But if such grace may not be granted me yet seeing it stands mainly vpon the perill of your life to be at Pauia againe by your own limitted time it is my chiefest comfort that I am therewith acquainted because I intended to haue you conueighed thither yea euen into your owne house in such honourable order as your vertues doe iustly merit which in regard it cannot be so conueniently performed but as I haue already informed you and as the necessity of the case vrgently commandeth accept it as it may be best accomplished Great Saladine answered Thorella effects without words haue already sufficiently warranted your Gracious disposition towards me farre beyond any requitall remayning in me your word onely being enough for my comfort in this case either dying or liuing But in regard you haue taken such order for my departure hence I desire to haue it done with all possible expedition because to morrow is the very last day that I am to be absent Saladine protested that it should be done and the same euening in the great Hall of his Pallace commanded a rich and costly Bedde to be set vp the mattras formed after the Alexandrian manner of Veluet and cloth Gold the Quilts counter-points and couerings sumptuously imbroydered with Orient Pearles and Precious Stones supposed to be of inestimable value and two rarely wrougâ— Pillowes such as best beseemed so stately a Bedde the Curtaines and Vallans euery way equall to the other pompe Which being done he commanded that Thorello who was indifferently recouered should be attyred in one of his owne sumptuous Saracine Roabes the very fairest and richest that euer was seene and on his head a Maiesticall Turbant after the manner of his owne wearing and the houre appearing to be somewhat late he with many of his best Baschaes went to the Chamber where Thorello was and sitting downe a while by him in teares thus he spake Signior Thorello the houre for sundering you and me is now very neere and because I cannot beare you company in regard of the businesse you goe about and which by no meanes will admit it I am to take my leaue of you in this Chamber and therefore am purposely come to doe it But before I bid you farewell let me entreat you by the loue and friendship confirmed betweene vs to be mindfull of me and to take such order your affaires being fully finished in Lombardie that I may once more enioy the sight of you here for a mutuall solace and satisfaction of our mindes which are now diuided by this vrgent hast Till which may be granted let me want no visitation of your kind letters commanding thereby of me whatsoeuer here can possibly be done for you assuring your selfe no man liuing can command me as you doe Signior Thorello could not forbeare weeping but being much hindred therby answered in few words That he could not possibly forget his Gracious fauours and extraordinary benefits vsed towards him but would accomplish whatsoeuer hee commaunded according as heauen did enable him Hereupon Saladine embracing him and kissing his forehead said All my Gods goe with you and guard you from any perill departing so out of the Chamber weeping and his Baschaes hauing likewise taken their leaue of Thorello followed Saladine into the Hall whereas the Bedde stood readily prepared Because it waxed very late and the Magitian also there attending for his dispatch the Phisitian went with the potion to Thorello and perswading him in the way of friendship that it was onely to strengthen him after his great weaknes he drank it off being thereby immediately entraunced and so presently sleeping was by Saladines command laid on the sumptuous and costly Bed whereon stood an Imperiall Crowne of infinite value appearing by a description engrauen on it that Saladine sent it to Madame Adalietta the wife of Thorello On his finger also hee put a Ring wherein was enchased an admirable Carbuncle which seemed like a flaming Torche the value thereof not to bee estimated By him likewise hee laid a rich sword with the girdle hangers and other furniture such as seldome can be seene the like Then hee laid a Iewell on the Pillow by him so sumptuouslie embelished with Pearles and precious Stones as might haue beseemed the greatest Monarch in the World to weare Last of all on either side of them hee set two great Basons of pure Gold full of double ducates many cords of Orient Pearles Rings Girdles and other costly Iewells ouer-tedious to bee recounted and kissing him once more as hee lay in the bedde commanded the Magitian to dispatch and be gone Instantly the bedde and Thorello
she started and throwing downe the Table before her cried out aloud This is my Lord and Husband this truely is my Lord Thorello So running to the Table where he sate without regard of all the riches thereon down she threw it likewise and clasping her armes about his necke hung so mainly on him weeping sobbing and kissing him as she could not be taken off by any of the company nor shewed any moderation in this excesse of passion till Thorello spake and entreated her to be more patient because this extremity was ouer-dangerous for her Thus was the solemnitie much troubled but euery one there very glad and ioyfull for the recouery of such a famous and worthy Knight who intreated them all to vouchsafe him silence and so related all his fortunes to them from the time of his departure to the instant houre Concluding withall that hee was no way offended with the new Bride-groome who vpon the so constant report of his death deserued no blame in making election of his wife The Bridegroome albeit his countenance was somewhat cloudie to see his hope thus disappointed yet granted freely that Adalietto was Thorello's wife in equitie and hee could not iustly lay any claime to her She also resigned the Crown and Rings which she had so lately receiued of her new Spouse and put that on her finger which she found in the Cup and that Crowne was set vpon her head in honor sent her from great Saladine In which triumphant manner she left the new Bridegrooms abiding and repayred home to Thorello's house with such pompe and magnificence as neuer had the like been seene in Pauia before all the Citizens esteeming it as a miracle that they had so happily recouered Signior Thorello againe Some part of the Iewells he gaue to him who had beene at cost with the marriage feasting and some to his Vncle the Abbot beside a bountie bestowed on the Monkes Then he sent a messenger to Saladine with Letters of his whole successe and confessing himselfe for euer his obliged seruant liuing many yeeres after with his wife Adalietta and vsing greater curtesies to strangers then euer before he had done In this manner ended the troubles of Signior Thorello and the afflictions of his dearely affected Lady with due recompence to their honest and ready courtesies Many striue in outward shew to doe the like who although they are sufficiently able doe performe it so basely as it rather redoundeth to their shame then honour And therefore if no merit ensue thereon but onely such disgrace as iustly should follow let them lay the blame vpon themselues The Marquesse of Saluzzo named Gualtiero being constrained by the importunate solliciting of his Lords and other inferiour people to ioyne himselfe in marriage tooke a woman according to his owne liking called Grizelda she being the daughter of a poore Countriman named Ianiculo by whom he had two children which he pretended to be secretly murdered Afterward they being grown to yeres of more stature and making shew of taking in marriage another wife more worthy of his high degree and Calling made a seeming publique liking of his owne daughter expulsing his wife Grizelda poorely from him But finding her incomparable patience more dearely then before hee receiued her into fauour againe brought her home to his owne Pallace where with her children hee caused her and them to be respectiuely honoured in despight of all her aduerse enemies The Tenth Nouell Set downe as an example or warning to all wealthie men how to haue care of marrying themselues And likewise to poore and meane women to be patient in their fortunes and obedient to their husbands QVestionlesse the Kings Nouell did not so much exceed the rest in length but it proued as pleasing to the whole assembly past with their generall approbation till Dioneus in a merry iesting humour said The plaine honest simple man that stood holding the Candle to see the setting on of his Mules tayle deserued two penny-worth of more praise then all our applauding of Signior Thorello And knowing himselfe to bee left for the last speaker thus he began Milde modest Ladies for ought I can perceiue to the contrary this day was dedicated to none but Kings Soldanes and great Potentates not in fauour of any inferiour or meaner persons And therefore because I would be loth to dis-ranke my selfe from the rest I purpose to speake of a Lord Marquesse not any matter of great magnificence but rather in a more humble nature and sorted to an honest end which yet I will not aduise any to immitate because perhaps they cannot so well digest it as they did whom my Nouell concerneth thus then I begin It is a great while since when among those that were Lord Marquesses of Saluzzo the very greatest and worthiest man of them al was a young Noble Lord named Gualtiero who hauing neyther wife nor childe spent his time in nothing else but hawking hunting nor had he any minde of marriage or to enioy the benefit of children wherein many did repute him the wiser But this being distastfull to his subiects they very often earnestly solicited him to match himselfe with a wife to the end that hee might not decease without an heire nor they be left destitute of a succeeding Lord offering themselues to prouide him of such a one so well descended by Father and Mother as not only should confirm their hope but also yeeld him high contentment whereto the Lord Marquess thus answered Worthie friends you would constraine me to the thing wherewith I neuer had any intent to meddle considering how difficult a case it is to meet with such a woman who can agree with a man in all his conditions and how great the number is of them who daily happen on the contrarie but most and worst of all the rest how wretched and miserable prooues the life of man who is bound to liue with a wife not fit for him And in saying you can learn to vnderstand the custome and qualities of children by behauiour of the fathers and mothers and so to prouide mee of a wife it is a meere argument of folly for neither shall I comprehend or you either the secret inclinations of parents I meane of the Father and much lesse the complexion of the mother But admitte it were within compasse of power to know them yet it is a frequent sight and obserued euery day that daughters doe resemble neither father nor mother but that they are naturally gouerned by their owne instinct But because you are so desirous to haue me fettered in the chains of wedlocke I am contented to grant what you request And because I would haue no complaint made of any but my selfe if matters should not happen answerable to expectation I will make mine owne eyes my electors and not see by any others sight Giuing you this assurance before that if she whom I shall make choice of be not of you honoured and respected as your