beauty and bodily strength not foreseeing with any iudgement that these wishes were not without perill when being endued with them they either haue beene the occasion of their death or such a lingering lamentable estate of life as death were a thousand times more welcome to them But because I would not speake particularly of all our fraile and humane affections I dare assure ye that there is not any one of these desires to be elected among vs mortals with entire foresight or prouidence warrantable against their ominous issue Wherefore if we would walke directly wee should dispose our willes and affections to be ordered and guided onely by him who best knoweth what is needfull for vs and will bestow them at his good pleasure Nor let me lay this blamefull imputation vpon men onely for offending in many things through ouer lauish desires because you your selues gracious Ladies sinne highly in one as namely in coueting to be beautifull So that it is not sufficient for you to enioy those beauties bestowne on you by Nature but you practise to encrease them by the rarities of Art Wherefore let it not offend you that I tell you the hard fortune of a faire Sarrazines to whom it happened by strange aduentures within the compasse of foure yeares nine seuerall times to be maried and onely for her beauty It is now a long time since that there liued a Soldane in Babylon named Beminidab to whom while he liued many things happened answerable to his owne desires Among diuers other children both male and female he had a daughter called Alathiella and shee according to the common voyce of euery one that saw her was the fayrest Lady then liuing in all the world And because the King of Cholcos had wonderfully assisted him in a valiant foughten battaile against a mighty Armie of Arabes who on a suddaine had assailed him hee demaunded his faire daughter in marriage which likewise was badly granted to him A goodly and well armed Ship was prepared for her with full furnishment of all necessary prouision and accompanied with an honourable traine both Lords and Ladies as also most costly and sumptuous accoustrements commending her to the mercy of heauen in this manner was shee sent away The time being propitious for their parting thence the Mariners hoised their sayles leauing the part of Alexandria and sayling prosperously many dayes together When they had past the Country of Sardignia and as they imagined were well neere to their iourneyes end suddainly arose boisterous and contrary windes which were so impetuous beyond all measure and so tormented the Ship wherein the Lady was that the Mariners seeing no signe of comfort gaue ouer all hope of escaping with life Neuerthelesse as men most expert in implacable dangers they laboured to their vttermost power and contended with infinite blustring tempests for the space of two dayes and nights together hoping the third day would proue more fauourable But therein they saw themselues deceiued for the violence continued still encreasing in the night time more and more being no way able to comprehend either where they were or what course they tooke neither by mariuall iudgement or any apprehension else whatsoeuer the heauens were so clouded and the nights darknesse so extâ—eame Being vnknowne to them neere the Isle of Maiorica they felt the Ship to split in the bottome by meanes whereof perceiuing now no hope of escaping euery one caring for himselfe and not any other they threw forth a Squiffe on the troubled waues reposing more confidence of safety that way then abiding any longer in the broken Ship Howbeit such as were first descended downe made stout resistance against all other followers with their drawne weapons but safety of life so farre preuailed that what with the tempests violence and ouer-lading of the Squiffe it sunke to the bottome and all perished that were therein The The Ship being thus split and more then halfe full of water tossed and tormented by the blustring windes first one way and then another was at last driuen into a strand of the Isle Maiorica no other persons remaining therein but onely the Lady and her women all of them through the rude tempest and their owne conceiued feare lying still as if they were more then halfe dead And there within a stones cast of the neighbouring shore the Ship by the rough surging billowes was fixed fast in the sands and so continued all the rest of the night without any further molestation of the windes When day appeared and the violent stormes were more mildly appeased the Lady who seemed well neere dead lifted vp her head and began weake as she was to call first one and then another but she called in vaine for such as she named were farre enough from her Wherefore hearing no answere nor seeing any one she wondered greatly her feares encreasing then more and more Raysing her selfe so well as shee could she beheld the Ladies that were of her company and some other of her women lying still without any stirring whereupon first iogging one and then another and calling them seuerally by their names shee found them bereft of vnderstanding and euen as if they were dead their hearts were so quailed and their feare so ouer-ruling which was no meane dismay to the poore Lady her selfe Neuerthelesse necessity now being her best counsailour seeing her selfe thus all alone and not knowing in what place she was she vsed such meanes to them that were liuing that at the last they came better to knowledge of themselues And being vnable to guesse what was become of the men and Mariners seeing the Ship also driuen on the sands and filled with water she began with them to lament most grieuously and now it was about the houre of mid-day before they could descry any person on the shore or any else to pitty them in so vrgent a necessity At length noone being past a Gentlewoman named Baiazeth attended by diuers of his followers on horseback and returning from a Country house belonging to him chanced to ride by on the sands Vpon sight of the Ship lying in that case he imagined truely what had happened and commanded one of his men to enter aboord it which with some difficulty hee did to resolue his Lord what remayned therein There hee found the faire young Lady with such small store of company as was left her fearefully hidden vnder the prow of the Ship So soone as they saw him they held vp their hands wofully desiring mercy of him but he perceiuing their lamentable condition and that hee vnderstoode not what they said to them their affliction grew the greater labouring by signes and gestures to giue them knowledge of their misfortune The seruaut gathering what he could by their outward behauiour declared to his Lord what hee had seene in the Ship who caused the women to be brought on shore and all the precious things remaining with them conducting them with him to a place not farre off where with
often times hast thou beene angry Oh Sir said Maister Chappelet therein I assure yee I haue often transgressed And what man is able to forbeare it beholding the dayly actions of men to be so dishonest No care of keeping Gods commaundements nor any feare of his dreadfull iudgements Many times in a day I haue rather wished my selfe dead then liuing beholding youth pursuing idle vanities to sweare and forsweare themselues tipling in Tauernes and neuer haunting Churches but rather affecting the worlds follies then any such duties as they owe to God Alas Sonne quoth the Friar this is a good and holy anger and I can impose no penance on thee for it But tell me hath not rage or furie at any time so ouer-ruled thee as to commit murther or manslaughter or to speake euill of any man or to doe any other such kinde of iniurie Oh Father answered Maister Chappelet you that seeme to be a man of God how dare you vse any such vile words If I had had the very least thought to doe any such act as you speake doe you thinke that God would haue suffered me to liue These are deedes of darknesse fit for villaines and wicked liuers of which hellish crue when at any time I haue happened to meete with some one of them I haue said Goe God conuert thee Worthy and charitable words replied the Friar but tell me Sonne Didst thou euer beare false witnesse against any man or hast spoken falsly or taken ought from any one contrary to the will of the owner Yes indeede Father said Maister Chappelet I haue spoken ill of another because I haue sometime seene one of my neighbours who with no meane shame of the world would doe nothing else but beate his wife and of him once I complained to the poore mans parents saying that he neuer did it but when he was ouercome with drinke Those were no ill words quoth the Friar but I remember you said that you were a Merchant Did you euer deceiue any as some Merchants vse to doe Truly Father answered Maister Chappelet I thinke not any except one man who one day brought me money which he owed me for a certaine piece of cloath I solde him and I put it into a purse without accounting it about a moneth afterward I found that there were foure small pence more then was due to me And neuer happening to meete with the man againe after I had kept them the space of a whole yeare I then gaue them away to foure poore people for Gods sake A small matter said the Friar truly payed back again to the owner in bestowing them vpon the poore Many other questions hee demaunded of him whereto still he answered in the same manner but before he proceeded to absolution Maister Chappelet spake thus I haue yet one sinne more which I haue not reuealed to you when being vrged by the Friar to confesse it he said I remember that I should afford one day in the weeke to cleanse the house of my soule for better entertainement to my Lord and Sauiour and yet I haue done no such reuerence to the Sunday or Sabaoth as I ought to haue done A small fault Sonne replied the Friar O no quoth Maister Chappelet doe not terme it a small fault because Sunday being a holy day is highly to be reuerenced for as on that day our blessed Lord arose from death to life But quoth the Confessour hast thou done nothing else on that day Yes said he being forgetfull of my selfe once I did spet in Gods Church The Friar smiling said Alas Sonne that is a matter of no moment for wee that are Religious persons doe vse to spet there euery day The more is your shame answered Maister Chappelet for no place ought to be kept more pure and cleane then the sacred Temple wherein our dayly sacrifices are offered vp to God In this manner he held on an houre and more vttering the like transgressions as these and at last began to sigh very passionately and to shed a few teares as one that was skilfull enough in such dissembling prankes whereat the Confessour being much mooued said Alas Sonne what aylest thou Oh Father quoth Chappelet there remaineth yet one sinne more vpon my conscience whereof I neuer at any time made confession so shamefull it appeareth to me to disclose it and I am partly perswaded that God will neuer pardon me for that sinne How now Sonne said the Friar neuer say so for if all the sinnes that euer were committed by men or shall be committed so long as the World endureth were onely in one man and he repenting them and being so contrite for them as I see thou art the grace and mercy of God is so great that vpon penitent confession he will freely pardon him and therefore spare not to speak it boldly Alas Father said Chappelet still in pretended weeping this sinne of mine is so great that I can hardly beleeue if your earnest prayers doe not assist me that euer I shall obtaine remission for it Speake it Sonne said the Friar and feare not I promise that I will pray to God for thee Master Chappelet still wept and sighed and continued silent notwithstanding all the Confessors comfortable perswasions but after hee had helde him a long while in suspence breathing forth a sighe euen as if his very heart would haue broken he saide Holy Father seeing you promise to pray to God for me I will reueale it to you Know then that when I was a little boy I did once curse my Mother which he had no sooner spoken but he wrung his hands and greeued extraordinarily Oh good Son saide the Friar doth that seeme so great a sinne to thee Why men doe daily blaspheme our Lord God and yet neuerthelesse vpon their hearty repentance he is alwayes ready to forgiue them and wilt not thou beleeue to obtaine remission for a sinne so ignorantly committed Weepe no more deare Sonne but comfort thy selfe and rest resolued that if thou wert one of them who nayled our blessed Sauiour to his Crosse yet being so truly repentant as I see thou art he would freely forgiue thee Say you so Father quoth Chappelet What mine owne deare Mother that bare me in her wombe nine moneths day and night and afterwards fed me with her breasts a thousand times can I be pardoned for cursing her Oh no it is too haynous a sinne and except you pray to God very instantly for me he will not forgiue me When the religious man perceiued that nothing more was to be confessed by Master Chappelet he gaue him absolution and his owne benediction beside reputing him to be a most holy man as verily beleeuing all that he had said And who would not haue done the like hearing a man to speake in that manner and being vpon the very point of death Afterward he saide vnto him Master Chappelet by Gods grace you may be soone restored to health but if it so come to passe
wealth hurries it into horrible confusions Many Kings and great Princes haue heretofore beene poore when diuers of them that haue delued into the Earth and kept Flockes in the Feld haue beene aduanced to riches and exceeded the other in wealth Now as concerning your last doubt which most of all afflicteth you namely how you shall deale with me boldly rid your braine of any such disturbance for if you haue resolued now in your extremity of yeeres to doe that which your younger dayes euermore despised I meane to become cruell vse your vtmost cruelty against me for I will neuer entreate you to the contrary because I am the sole occasion of this offence if it doe deserue the name of an offence And this I dare assure you that if you deale not with me as you haue done already or intend to Guiscardo mine owne hands shall act as much and therefore giue ouer your teares to women and if you purpose to be cruel let him and me in death drinke both of one cup at least if you imagine that we haue deserued it The King knew well enough the high spirit of his Daughter but yet neuerthelesse he did not beleeue that her words would proue actions or shee doe as shee saide And therefore parting from her and without intent of vsing any cruelty to her concluded by quenching the heate of another to coole the fiery rage of her distemper commanding two of his followers who had the custody of Guiscardo that without any rumour or noyse at all they should strangle him the night ensuing and taking the heart forth of his body to bring it to him which they performed according to their charge On the next day the King called for a goodly standing Cup of Gold wherein he put the heart of Guiscardo sending it by one of his most familiar seruants to his Daughter with command also to vse these words to her Thy Father hath sent thee this present to comfort thee with that thing which most of all thou affectest euen as thou hast comforted him with that which he most hated Ghismonda nothing altered from her cruell deliberation after her Father was departed from her caused certaine poysonous rootes hearbs to be brought her which shee by distillation made a water of to drinke suddenly whensoeuer any crosse accident should come from her Father whereupon when the messenger from her Father had deliuered her the present and vttered the words as he was commanded shee tooke the Cup and looking into it with a setled countenance by sight of the heart and effect of the message shee knew certainly that it was the heart of Guiscardo then looking stearnely on the seruant thus she spake vnto him My honest friend it is no more then right and iustice that so worthy a heart as this is should haue any worser graue then gold wherein my Father hath dealt most wisely So lifting the heart vp to her mouth and sweetly kissing it shee proceeded thus In all things euen till this instant being the vtmost period of my life I haue euermore found my Fathers loue most effectuall to me but now it appeareth farre greater then at any time heretofore and therefore from my mouth thou must deliuer him the latest thankes that euer I shall giue him for sending me such an honourable present These words being ended holding the Cup fast in her hand and looking seriously vpon the heart shee began againe in this manner Thou sweete entertainer of all my dearest delights accursed be his cruelty that causeth me thus to see thee with my corporall eyes it being sufficient enough for me alwayes to behold thee with the sight of my soule Thou hast runne thy race and as Fortune ordained so are thy dayes finished for as all flesh hath an ending so hast thou concluded albeit too soone and before thy due time The trauailes and miseries of this World haue now no more to meddle with thee and thy very heauiest enemy hath bestowed such a graue on thee as thy greatnesse in vertue worthily deserueth now nothing else is wanting wherewith to beautifie thy Funerall but onely her sighes teares that was so deare vnto thee in thy life time And because thou mightest the more freely enioy them see how my mercilesse Father on his owne meere motion hath sent thee to me and truly I will bestow them frankly on thee though once I had resolued to die with drie eyes and not shedding one teare dreadlesse of their vtmost malice towards me And when I haue giuen thee the due oblation of my teares my soule which sometime thou hast kept most carefully shall come to make a sweete coniunction with thine for in what company else can I trauaile more contentedly and to those vnfrequented silent shades but onely in thine As yet I am sure it is present here in this Cup sent me by my Father as hauing a prouident respect to the place for possession of our equall and mutuall pleasures because thy soule affecting mine so truely cannot walke alone without his deare companion Hauing thus finished her complaint euen as if her head had been conuerted into a well-spring of water so did teares abundantly flow from her faire eyes kissing the heart of Guiscardo infinite times All which while her women standing by her neither knew what heart it was nor to what effect her speeches tended but being moued to compassionate teares they often demanded albeit in vaine the occasion of her sad complaining comforting her to their vtmost power When shee was not able to weepe any longer wiping her eyes and lifting vp her head without any signe of the least dismay thus shee spake to the heart Deare heart all my duty is performed to thee and nothing now remaineth vneffected but onely breathing my last to let my ghost accompany thine Then calling for the glasse of water which shee had readily prepared the day before and powring it vpon the heart lying in the Cup couragiously aduancing it to her mouth shee dranke it vp euery drop which being done shee lay downe vpon her bed holding her Louers heart fast in her hand and laying it so neere to her owne as she could Now although her women knew not what water it was yet when they had seene her to quaffe it off in that manner they sent word to the King who much suspecting what had happened went in all haste to his Daughters chamber entring at the very instant when shee was laide vpon her bed beholding her in such passionate pangs with teares streaming downe his reuerend beard he vsed many kinde words to comfort her when boldly thus shee spake vnto him Father quoth she well may you spare these teares because they are vnfitting for you and not any way desired by me who but your selfe hath seene any man to mourne for his owne wilfull offence Neuerthelesse if but the least iot of that loue doe yet abide in you whereof you haue made such liberall profession to me let me
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
holy and goodly Relique which I my selfe long since brought from the holy Land beyond the seas If you desire to know what it is let me tell you that it is one of the Feathers of the same Phoenix which was in the Arke with the Patriarch Noah And hauing thus spoken he became silent returning backe to heare Masse While hee deliuered these and the like speeches among the other people then in the church there were two shrewde and crafty Companions the one named Iohn de Bragoniero and the other Biagio Pizzino These subtile Fellowes after they had heard the report of Fryâ—â— Onyons Relique althogh they were his intimate friends and came thither in his company yet they concluded betweene themselues to shew him a tricke of Legierdumaine and to steale the Feather from him When they had intelligence of Friar Onyons diâ—ing that day at the Castle with a worthy Friend of his no sooner was he set at the Table but away went they in all haste to the Inne where the Fryar frequented with this determination that Biagio should hold conference with the Friars boy while his fellow ransackt the Wallet to finde the Feather and carry it away with him for a future obseruation what the Friar would say vnto the people when he found the losse of the Feather and could not performe his promiâ—e to them The Fryars Boy whom some called Guccio Balena some Guccio Imbrata and others Guccio Porco was such a knauish Lad and had so many bad qualities as Lippo Topo the cunning Painter or the most curious Poeticall wit had not any ability to describe them Friar Onyon himself did often obserue his behauiour and would make this report among his Friends My Boy quoth he hath nine rare qualities in him and such they are as if Salomon Aristotle or Seneca had onely but one of them it were sufficient to torment and trouble all their vertue all their senses all their sanctity Consider then what manner of man he is like to be hauing nine such rarities yet voide of all vertue wit or goodnes And when it was demaunded of Friar Onyon what these nine rare conditions were hee hauing them all readie by heart and in rime thus answered Boyes I haue knowne and seene And heard of many But For Lying Loytring Lazinesse For Facing Filching Filthinesse For Carelesse Gracelesse all Vnthriftinesse My Boy excelleth any Now ouer and beside all these admirable qualities hee hath manie more such singularities which in fauour towards him I am faine to conceale But that which I smile most at in him is that he would haue a Wife in euery place where he commeth yea and a good house to boot too for in regard his beard beginneth to shew it selfe rising thicke in haire blacke and amiable he is verily perswaded that all Women will fall in loue with him and if they refuse to follow him he will in all hast run after them But truly he is a notable seruant to mee for I cannot speake with any one and in neuer so great secrecy but he will be sure to heare his part and when any question is demanded of me he standes in such awe and feare of my displeasure that he will bee sure to make the first answer yea or no according as he thinketh it most conuenient Now to proceede where we left Friar Onyon hauing left this seruiceable youth at his lodging to see that no bodie should meddle with his commodities especially his Wallet because of the sacred things therein contained Guccio Imbrata who as earnestly affected to be in the Kitchin as Birds to hop from branch to branch especially when anie of the Chamber-maides were there espyed one of the Hostesses Female attendants a grosse fat Trugge low of stature ill faced and worse formed with a paire of brests like two bumbards smelling loathsomely of grease and sweate downe shee descended into the Kitchin like a Kite vpon a peece of Carion This Boy or Knaue chuse whither you will style him hauing carelesly left Fryar Onyons Chamber doore open and all the holy things so much to be neglected although it was then the moneth of August when heate is in the highest predominance yet hee would needs sit downe by the sire and began to conferre with this amiable creature who was called by the name of Nuta Being set close by her he told her that he was a Gentleman by Atturniship and that he had more millions of Crownes then all his life time would serue him to spend beside those which he payed away dayly as hauing no conuenient imployment for them Moreouer he knew how to speake and do such things as were beyond wonder or admiration And neuer remembring his olde tatterd Friars Cowle which was so snottie and greazie that good store of kitchin stuffe might haue beene boiled out of it as also a foule slouenly Trusse or halfe doublet all baudied with bowsing fat greazie lubbetly sweating and other drudgeries in the Conuent Kitchin where he was an Officer in the meanest credite So that to describe this sweet youth in his liuely colours both for naturall perfections of body and artificiall composure of his Garments neuer came the fowlest silks out of Tartaria or India more vgly or vnsightly to bee lookt vpon And for a further addition to his neate knauery his breeches were so rent betweene his legges his shooes and stockings had bin at such a mercilesse massacre that the gallantest Commandador of Castile though he had neuer so lately bin releast out of slauery could haue wisht for better garments then he or make larger promises then he did to his Nuta Protesting to entitle her as his onely to free her from the Inne and Chamber thraldomes if she would liue with him be his Loue partaker of his present possessions and so to succeed in his future Fortunes All which brauadoes though they were belcht foorth with admirable insinuations yet they conuerted into smoke as all such braggadochio behauiours do and he was as wise at the ending as when he began Our former named two craftie Companions seeing Guccio Porco so seriously employed about Nuta was there-with not a little contented because their intended labour was now more then halfe ended And perceiuing no contradiction to crosse their proceeding into Friar Onyons chamber entred they finding it ready open for their purpose where the first thing that came into their hand in search was the wallet When they had opened it they found a small Cabinet wrapped in a great many foldings of rich Taffata and hauing vnfolded it a fine formall Key was hanging thereat wherwith hauing vnlockt the Cabinet they found a faire Feather of a Parrots taile which they supposed to bee the verie same that he meant to shew the people of Certaldo And truly in those dayes it was no hard matter to make them beleeue any thing because the idle vanities of Aegypt and those remoter parts had not as yet bin seene in Tuscany as since then they
at the times appointed Biancafiore got intelligence thereof yet not by him but from one of the Brokers Salabetto comming one night to sup with her she embraced and kissed him as she was wont to doe and seemed so wonderfully addicted in loue to him euen as if shee would haue dyed with delight in his armes Instantly shee would needs bestow two goodly gilt standing Cuppes on him which Salabetto by no meanes would receiue because she had formerly bin very bountifull to him to aboue the value of an hundred Crowns and yet she would not take of him so much as a mite At length pressing still more tokens of her loue and bounty on him which he as courteously denied as she kindly offered one of her Women-slaues as shee had before cunningly appointed sodainely calling her forthwith she departed out of her Chamber And when she had continued a pretty while absent she returned againe weeping and throwing her selfe downe vpon her Pallet breathed forth such sighes and wofull lamentations as no Woman could possibly doe the like Salabetto amazedly wondering thereat tooke her in his Armes and weeping also with her said Alas my deare Loue what sodain accident hath befalne you to vrge this lamentable alteration If you loue me hide it not from me After he had often entreated her in this manner casting her armes about his necke and sighing as if her heart would breake thus she replyed Ah Salabetto the onely Iewell of my ioy on earth I knowe not what to do or say for euen now I receiued Letters from Messiâ—a wherein my Brother writes to me that although it cost the sale of all my goods or whatsoeuer else I haue beside I must within eight dayes space not faile to send him a thousand Florins of gold or else he must haue his head smitten off and I know not by what meanes to procure them so soone For if the limitation of fifteene dayes might serue the turne I could borrow them in a place where I can command a farre greater summe or else I would sel some part of our Lands But beeing no way able to furnish him so soone I would I had died before I heard these dismall tydings And in the vttering of these words she graced them with such cunning dissembled sorrow as if she had meant truly indeed Salabetto in whom the fury of his amorous flames had consumed a great part of his necessary vnderstanding beleeuing these counterfetted tears and complaints of hers to proceed from an honest meaning soule rashly and foolishly thus replied Deare Biancafiore I cannot furnish you with a thousand golden Florines but am able to lend you fiue hundred if I were sure of their repayment at fifteene dayes wherein you are highly beholding to Fortune that I haue made sale of all my Cloathes which if they had lyen still on my hand my power could not stretch to lend you fiue Florines Alas deare heart quoth she would you be in such want of money and hide it from her that loues you so loyally Why did you not make your need knowne to me Although I am not furnished of a thousand Florines yet I haue alwaies ready three or foure hundred by me to do any kinde office for my friend In thus wronging me you haue robd me of all boldnes to presume vpon your offer made me Salabetto far faster inveigled by these words then before said Let not my folly bright Biancafiore cause you to refuse my friendly offer in such a case of extreme necessity I haue them ready prepared for you and am heartily sory that my power cannot furnish you with the whole summe Then catching him fast in her armes thus she answered Now I plainly perceiue my dearest Salabetto that the loue thou bearest me is true and perfect when without expectation of being requested thou art readie to succour me in such an vrgent neede with so faire a summe of Florines Sufficiently was I thine owne before but now am much more ingaged by so high deseruing with this particular acknowledgement for euer that my Brothers head was redeemed by thy goodnesse onely Heauen beareth me record how vnwilling I am to be beholding in this kind considring that you are a Merchant Merchants furnish al their affairs with ready monis but seeing necessity constraineth me and I make no doubt of repaiment at the time appointed I shall the more boldly accept your kindnes with this absolute promise beside that I wil rather sell all the houses I haue then breake my honest word with you Counterfeit teares still drayning downe her cheeks and Salabetto kindly comforting her he continued there with hir all that night to expresse himselfe her most liberall seruant And without expecting any more requesting the next morning he brought her the fiue hundred Florines which she receiued with a laughing heart but outward dissembled weeping eies Salabetto neuer demanding any other security but onely her single promise Biancafiore hauing thus receiued the fiue hundred Florines the indiction of the Almanacke began to alter and whereas before Salabetto could come see her whensoeuer he pleased many occasions now happened whereby he came seuen times for once and yet his entrance was scarsely admitted neither was his entertainment so affable or his cheare so bountifull as in his former accesses thither Moreouer when the time for repaiment was come yea a moneth or two ouer-past and he demanded to haue his money hee could haue nothing but words for paiment Now he began to consider on the craft and cunning of this wicked Woman as also his owne shallow vnderstanding knowing he could make no proofe of his debt but what her selfe listed to say hauing neither witnes specialty bill or bond to shew which made his folly so shamefull to him that he durst not complaine to any person because he had receiued some aduertisements before whereto he wold by no means listen and now should haue no other amends but publike infamie scorne and disgrace which made him almost weary of his life and much to bemoane his owne vnhappinesse He receiued also diuers Letters from his Master to make returne of the 500. Florines ouer by way of banke according as he had vsed to do but nowe could performe no such matter Hereupon because his error should not be discouered he departed in a small vessell thence not making for Pisa as he should haue done but directly for Naples hee shaped his course At that instant lodged there Don Pietro della Conigiano Treasurer of the Empresse of Constantinople a man of great wisedome and vnderstanding as also very ingenious and politike he being an especiall Fauourer of Salabetto and all his friendes which made him presume the more boldly being vrged thereto by meere necessity the best corrector of wandering wits to acquaint him with his lamentable misfortune in euery particular as it had hapned requesting his aid and aduice how he might best weare out the rest of his dayes because hee neuer meant to
Predecessors It is no meane breach to my braine to make repetition of so many miseries wherefore being willing to part with them as easily as I may I say that our Citie being in this case voide of inhabitants it came to passe as afterward I vnderstoode by some of good credite that in the venerable Church of S. Marie la Neufue on a Tuesday morning there being then no other person after the hearing of diuine Seruice in mourning habits as the season required returned thence seuen discreet yong Gentlewomen all allyed together either by friendship neighbor-hood or parentage She among them that was most entred into yeares exceeded not eight and twenty and the yongest was no lesse then eighteene being of Noble descent faire forme adorned with exquisite behauiour and gracious modesty Their names I could report if iust occasion did not forbid it in regard of the occasions following by them related and because times heereafter shall not taxe them with reproofe the lawes of pleasure being more straited now adayes for the matters before reucaled then at that time they were not onely to their yeares but to many much riper Neither will I likewise minister matter to rash heades ouer-readie in censuring commendable life any way to impaire the honestie of Ladies by their idle detracting speeches And therefore to the end that what each of theÌ„ saith may be comprehended without confusion I purpose to stile them by names wholly agreeing or in part conformable to their qualities The first and most aged we will name Pampinea the second Fiametta the third Philamena the fourth Aemilia the fift Lauretta the sixt Neiphila and the last we terme not without occasion Elissa or Eliza. All of them being assembled at a corner of the Church not by any deliberation formerly appointed but meerely by accident and sitting as it were in a round ring after diuers sighs seuerally deliuered they conferred on sundry matters answerable to the sad qualitie of the time and vvithin a while after Madam Pampinea began in this manner Faire Ladies you may no doubt as well as I haue often heard that no iniury is offered to any one by such as make vse but of their owne right It is a thing naturall for euerie one which is borne in this World to aide conserue and defend her life so long as shee can and this right hath bene so powerfully permitted that although it hath sometimes happened that to defend themselues men haue beene slaine without any offence yet Lawes haue allowed it to be so in whose solicitude lieth the best liuing of all mortals How much more honest and iust is it then for vs and for euery other well-disposed person to seeke for without wronging any and to practise all remedies that wee can for the conseruation of our liues When I well consider what we haue heere done this morning and many other already past remembring withall what likewise is proper and conuenient for vs I conceiue as all you may do the like that euerie one of vs hath a due respect of her selfe and then I meruaile not but rather am much amazed knowing none of vs to be depriued of a Womans best iudgement that wee seeke not after some remedies for our selues against that which euery one among vs ought in reason to feare Heere we meete and remaine as it seemeth to mee in no other manner then as if we would or should be witnesses to all the dead bodies at rest in their graues or else to listen when the religious Sisters here dwelling whose number now are well-neere come to be none at all sing Seruice at such houres as they ought to do or else to acquaint all commers hither by our mourning habites with the quality and quantitie of our hearts miseries And when we part hence we meete with none but dead bodies or sicke persons transported from one place to another or else we see running thorow the City in most offensiue fury such as by authoritie of publike Lawes were banished hence onely for their bad and bruâ—â—sh behauiour in contempt of those Lawes because now they know that the executors of them are dead and sicke And if not these more lamentable spectacles present themselues to vs by the base rascality of the Citie who being fatted with our blood tearme themselues Graue-makers and in meere contemptible mockerie of vs are mounted on horsebacke gallopping euerie where reproaching vs with our losses and misfortunes with lewd and dishonest songs so that we can hear nothing els but such and such are dead and such and such lie a dying heere hands wringing and euerie where most pittifull complaining If we returne home to our houses I know not whether your case bee answerable to mine when I can finde none of all my Family but onely my poore waiting Chamber-maide so great are my feares that the verie haire on my head declareth my amazement and wheresoeuer I go or sit downe me thinkes I see the ghostes and shadowes of deceased friends not with such louely lookes as I was wont to behold them but with most horrid and dreadfull regards newly stolne vpon them I know not how In these respects both heere else-where and at home in my house methinkes I am alwaies ill and much more in mine owne opinion then any other bodie not hauing meanes or place of retirement as all we haue and none to remaine heere but onely we Moreouer I haue often heard it said that in tarrying or departing no distinction is made in things honest or dishonest onely appetite will be serued and be they alone or in company by day or night they do whatsoeuer their appetite desireth not secular persons onely but such as are recluses and shut vp within Monasteries breaking the Lawes of obedience and being addicted to pleasures of the flesh are become lasciuious and dissolute making the world beleeue that whatsoeuer is conuenient for other women is no way vnbeseeming them as thinking in that manner to escape If it be so as manifestlie it maketh shew of it selfe What do we here What stay we for And whereon do we dreame Why are we more respectlesse of our health then all the rest of the Citizens Repute we our selues lesse precious then all the other Or do we beleeue that life is linked to our bodies with stronger chaines then to others and that therefore we should not feare any thing that hath power to offend vs Wee erre therein and are deceiued What brutishnesse were it in vs if wee should vrge any such beleefe So often as wee call to minde what and how many gallant yong men and women haue beene deuoured by this cruell pestilence wee may euidently obserue a contrary argument Wherefore to the end that by being ouer-scrupulous and carelesse we fall not into such danger whence when we would perhaps we caÌ„not recouer our selues by any meanes I thinke it meete if your iudgement therein shall iumpe with mine that all of vs as we are at least if we will
the faith of Christians yea and matters of diuinest qualities how or to whomsoeuer appertaining were it for sacrifices or benefices whereof was made no meane Merchandize and more Brokers were there to be found then in Paris attending vpon all Trades of manifest Symonie vnder the nice name of Negotiation and for gluttony not sustentation euen as if God had not knowne the signification of vocables nor the intentions of wicked hearts but would suffer himselfe to be deceiued by the outward names of things as wretched men commonly vse to doe These things and many more fitter for silence then publication were so deepely displeasing to the Iew being a most sober and modest man that he had soone seene enough resoluing on his returne to Paris which very speedily he performed And when Iehannot heard of his arriuall crediting much rather other newes from him then euer to see him a conuerted Christian he went to welcome him and kindly they feasted one another After some fewe dayes of resting Iehannot demaunded of him what he thought of our holy father the Pope and his Cardinals and generally of all the other Courtiers Whereto the Iew readily answered It is strange Iehannot that God should giue them so much as he doth For I will truly tell thee that if I had beene able to consider all those things which there I haue both heard and seene I could then haue resolued my selfe neuer to haue found in any Priest either sanctity deuotion good worke example of honest life or any good thing else beside But if a man desire to see luxury auarice gluttony and such wicked things yea worse if worse may be and held in generall estimation of all men let him but goe to Rome which I thinke rather to be the forge of damnable actions then any way leaning to grace or goodnesse And for ought I could perceiue me thinkes your chiefe Pastour and consequently all the rest of his dependants doe striue so much as they may with all their engine arte and endeuour to bring to nothing or else to banish quite out of the world Christian Religion whereof they should be the support and foundation But because I perceiue that their wicked intent will neuer come to passe but contrariwise that your faith enlargeth it selfe shining euery day much more cleare and splendant I gather thereby euidently that the blessed Spirit is the true ground and defence thereof as being more true and holy then any other In which respect whereas I stood stiffe and obstinate against the good admonitions and neuer minded to become a Christian now I freely open my heart vnto thee that nothing in the world can or shall hinder me but I will be a Christian as thou art Let vs therefore presently goe to the Church and there according to the true custome of your holy faith helpe me to be baptized Iehannot who expected a farre contrary conclusion then this hearing him speake it with such constancy was the very gladdest man in the world and went with him to the Church of Nostre Dame in Paris where he requested the Priests there abiding to bestow baptisme on Abraham which they ioyfully did hearing him so earnestly to desire it Iehannot was his Godfather and named him Iobn and afterward by learned Diuines he was more fully instructed in the grounds of our faith wherein he grew of greatly vnderstanding and led a very vertuous life Melchisedech a Iew by recounting a Tale of three Rings to the great Soldam named Saladine preuented a great danger which was prepared for him The third Nouell Whereby the Author approuing the Christian Faith sheweth how beneficiall a sodaine and ingenious answer may fall out to bee especially when a man finds himselfe in some euident danger MAdame Neiphila hauing ended her Discourse which was well allowed of by all the company it pleased the Queene that Madam Philomena should next succeede in order who thus began The Tale deliuered by Neiphila maketh mee remember a doubtfull case which sometime hapned to another Iew. And because that God and the truth of his holy Faith hath bene already very wel discoursed on it shall not seeme vnfitting in my poore opinion to descend now into the accidents of men Wherefore I will relate a matter vnto you which being attentiuely heard and considered may make you much more circumspect in answering to diuers questions and demands then perhaps otherwise you would be Consider then most woorthy assembly that like as folly or dulnesse many times hath ouerthrowne some men from place of eminencie into most great and greeuous miseries euen so discrect sense and good vnderstanding hath deliuered many out of irksome perils and seated them in safest security And to proue it true that folly hath made many fall from high authority into poore and despised calamity may be auouched by infinite examples which now were needelesse to remember But that good sense and able vnderstanding may prooue to be the occasion of great desolation without happy preuention I will declare vnto you in very few words and make it good according to my promise Saladine was a man so powerfull and valiant as not onely his very valour made him Soldan of Babylon but also gaue him many signall victories ouer Kings of the Sarrazens and of Christians likewise Hauing in diuers Warres and other magnificent employments of his owne wasted all his treasure and by reason of some sodaine accident happening to him standing in neede to vse some great summe of money yet not readily knowing where or how to procure it he remembred a rich Iew named Melchisedech that lent out money to vse or interest in the City of Alexandria This man he imagined best able to furnish him if he could be won to do it willingly but he was knowne to be so gripple and miserable that hardly any meanes would drawe him to it In the end constrained by necessity and labouring his wits for some apt deuice whereby he might haue it he concluded though hee might not compell him to do it yet by a practise shadowed with good reason to ensnare him And hauing sent for him entertained him very familiarly in his Court and sitting downe by him thus began Honest man I haue often heard it reported by many that thou art very skilfull and in cases concerning God thou goest beyond all other of these times wherefore I would gladly be informed by thee vvhich of those three Lawes or Religions thou takest to be truest that of the Iew the other of the Sarazen or that of the Christian The Iew being a very wise man plainly perceiued that Saladine sought to entrap him in his answer and so to raise some quarrell against him For if he commended any one of those Lawes aboue the other he knew that Saladine had what he aymed at Wherefore bethinking himselfe to shape such an answer as might no way trouble or entangle him summoning all his sences together and considering that dallying with the Soldane might
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
foode and warmth he gaue them comfort By the rich garments which the Lady was cloathed withall hee reputed her to be a Gentlewomen well deriued as the great reuerence done to her by the rest gaue him good reason to conceiue And although her lookes were pale and wan as also her person mightily altered by the tempestuous violence of the Sea yet notwithstanding she appeared faire and louely in the eye of Baiazeth whereupon forthwith he determined that if she were not maried he would enioy her as his owne in mariage or if he could not winne her to be his wife yet at the least shee should be his friend because shee remained now in his power Baiazeth was a man of sterne lookes rough and harsh both in speech and behauiour yet causing the Lady to be honourably vsed diuers dayes together she became thereby well comforted and recouered And seeing her beauty to exceede all comparison he was afflicted beyond measure that he could not vnderstand her nor she him whereby hee could not know of whence or what she was His amorous flames encreasing more and more by kinde courteous and affable actions hee laboured to compasse what he aymed at But all his endeauour proued to no purpose for shee refused all familiar priuacie with him which so much the more kindled the fury of his fire This being well obserued by the Lady hauing now remayned there a moneth more and collecting by the customes of the Countrey that she was among Turkes and in such a place where although she were knowne yet it would little aduantage her beside that long protraction of time vvould prouoke Baiazeth by faire meanes or force to obtaine his vvill she propounded to her selfe with magnanimity of spirit to tread all misfortunes vnder her feete commaunding her vvomen vvhereof she had but three now remaining aliue that they should not disclose vvhat she vvas except it vvere in some such place where manifest signes might yeeld hope of regaining their liberty Moreouer shee admonished them stoutly to defend their honour and chastity affirming that shee had absolutely resolued with her selfe that neuer any other should enioy her but her intended husband vvherein her vvomen did much commend her promising to preserue their reputation according as she had commanded Day by day vvere the torments of Baiazeth vvonderfully augmented yet still his kinde offers scornefully refused and he as farre off from compassing his desires as vvhen hee first began to mooue the matter wherefore perceiuing that all faire courses serued to no effect hee resolued to compasse his purpose by craft and subtilty reseruing rigorous extremity for his finall conclusion And hauing once obserued that vvine was very pleasing to the Lady she being neuer vsed to drinke any at all because by her Countries law it was forbidden her and no meane store hauing beene lately brought to Baiazeth in a Barke of Geneway hee resolued to surprize her by meanes thereof as a chiefe Minister of Venus to heate the coolest blood And seeming now in his outward behauiour as if he had giuen ouer his amorous pursuite and which she stroue by all her best endeauours to withstand one night after a very maiestick and solemne manner he prepared a delicate and sumptuous supper whereto the Lady was inuited and hee had giuen order that hee who attended on her Cup should serue her with many wines compounded and mingled together which hee accordingly performed as being cunning enough in such occasions Alothiella instructing no such trecherie intended against her and liking the wines pleasing taste extraordinarily dranke more then stoode with with her precedent modest resolution and forgetting all her passed aduersities became very frollick and merry so that seeing some women daunce after the manner obserued therein Maiorica she also fell to dauncing according to the Alexandrian custome Which when Baiazeth beheld he imagined the victory to be more then halfe wone and his hearts desire very neere the obtaining plying her still with wine vpon wine and continuing this reuelling the most part of the night At the length the inuited guests being all gone the Lady retired then to her chamber attended on by none but Baiazeth himselfe and as familiarly as if hee had beene one of her women shee no way contradicting his bold intrusion so faire had wine ouer-gone her sences and preuailed against all modest bashfulnesse These wanton embracings strange to her that had neuer tasted them before yet pleasing beyond measure by reason of his trecherous aduantage afterward drew on many more of the like carowsing meetings without so much as a thought of her passed miseries or those more honourable and chaste respects that euer ought to attend on Ladies Now Fortune enuying these their stolne pleasures and that she being the purposed wife of a potent King should thus become the wanton friend of a much meaner man whose onely glory was her shame altered the course of their too common pastimes by preparing a farre greater infelicity for them This Baiazeth had a Brother aged about fiue and twenty yeares of most compleate person in the very beauty of his time and fresh as the sweetest smelling Rose he being named Amurath After he had once seene this Lady whose faire feature pleased him beyond all womens else she seemed in his suddaine apprehension both by her outward behauiour and ciuill apparancie highly to deserue his very best opinion for she was not meanely entred into his fauour Now he found nothing to his hinderance in obtayning the height of his hearts desire but onely the strict custody and guard wherein his brother Baiazeth kept her which raised a cruell conceit in his minde whereon followed not long after as cruell an effect It came to passe that at the same time in the Port of the Citie called Caffa there lay then a Ship laden with Merchandize being bound thence for Smâ—râ—â— of which Ship two Geneway Merchants being brethren were the Patrones and owners who had giuen direction for hoysing the sayles to depart thence when the winde should serue With these two Genewayes Amarath had couenanted for himselfe to goe abord the Ship the night ensuing and the Lady in his company When night was come hauing resolued with himselfe what was to be done in a disguised habite hee went to the house of Baiazeth who stood not any way doubtfull of him and with certaine of his most faithfull confederates whom he had sworne to the intended action they hid themselues closely in the house After some part of the night was ouer-past hee knowing the seuerall lodgings both of Baiazeth and Alathiella slew his brother soundly sleeping and seizing on the Lady whom hee found awake and weeping threatned to kill her also if shee made any noyse So being well furnished with the greater part of costly Iewels belonging to Baiazeth vnheard or vndescried by any body they went presently to the Port and there without any further delay Amurath and the Lady were receiued into the Ship but
requisite for such young women beside allowance of food garments though bashfulnesse modesty forbid to vtter it But if studying the Lawes were more welcome to you then a wife you ought not to haue maried you loose the worthy reputation of a Iudge when you fall from that venerable profession and make your selfe a common proclaimer of feasts and fasting dayes lenten seasons vigils solemnities due to Saints which prohibite the houshold conuersation of husbands and wiues Here am I now with a worthy Gentleman that entertained mee with very honourable respect and here I liue in this chamber not so much as hearing of any feasts or fasting daies for neither Fridaies Saturdaies vigils of Saints or any lingering Lents enter at this doore but here is honest and ciuill conuersation better agreeing with a youthfull disposition then those harsh documents wherewith you tutord me Wherefore my purpose is to continue here with him as being a place sutable to my mind youth referring feasts vigils fasting dayes to a more mature stayed time of age when the body is better able to endure them the mind may be prepared for such ghostly meditations depart therefore at your owne pleasure and make much of your Calender without enioying any company of mine for you heare my resolued determination The Iudge hearing these words was ouercome with exceeding griefe when she was silent thus he began Alas deare Loue what an answer is this Hast thou no regard of thine owne honor thy Parents friends Canst thou rather affect to abide here for the pleasures of this man and so sin capitally then to liue at Pisa in the state of my wife Consider deare heart when this man shall waxe weary of thee to thy shame his owne disgrace he will reiect thee I must and shall loue thee for euer and when I dye I leaue thee Lady and commandresse of all that is mine Can an inordinate appetite cause thee to be carelesse of thine honour and of him that loues thee as his owne life Alas my fairest hope say no more so but returne home with me and now that I am acquainted with thy inclination I will endeauour heereafter to giue thee better contentment Wherefore deare heart doe not denie me but change thy minde and goe with me for I neuer saw merry day since I lost thee Sir quoth she I desire no body to haue care of mine honor beside my selfe because it cannot be here abused And as for my parents what respect had they of me when they made me your wife If then they could be so carelesse of mee what reason haue I to regard them now And whereas you taxe me that I cannot liue here without capitall sin farre is the thought thereof from me for here I am regarded as the wife of Pagamino but at Pisa you reputed me not worthy your society because by the point of the Moone and the quadratures of Geomatrie the Planets held coniunction betweene you and me whereas here I am subiect to no such constellations You say beside that hereafter you will striue to giue me better contentment then you haue done surely in mine opinion it is no way possible because our complexions are so farre different as Ice is from fire or gold from drosse As for your allegation of this Gentlemans reiecting me when his humour is satisfied should if it proue to be so as it is the least part of my feare what fortune soeuer shall betide me neuer will I make any meanes to you what miseries or misaduentures may happen to me but the world will affoord me one resting place or other and more to my contentment then if I were with you Therefore I tell you once againe to liue secured from all offence to holy Saints and not to iniury their feasts fasts vigills and other ceremonious seasons here is my demourance and from hence I purpose not to part Our Iudge was now in a wofull perplexity and confessing his folly in marying a wife so yong and far vnfit for his age and abilitie being halfe desperate sad and displeased he came forth of the Chamber vsing diuers speeches to Pagamino whereof he made little or no account at all and in the end without any other successe left his wife there returned home to Pisa There further afflictions fell vpon him because the people began to scorne him demanding dayly of him what was become of his gallant young wife making homes with ridiculous pointings at him whereby his sences became distracted so that he ran rauing about the streetes and afterward died in very miserable manner Which newes came no sooner to the eare of Pagamino but in the honourable affection hee bare to Bertolomea he maried her with great solemnity banishing all Fasts Vigils and Lents from his house and liuing with her in much felicity Wherefore faire Ladies I am of opinion that Bernardo of Geneway in his disputation with Ambroginolo might haue shewne himselfe a great deale wiser and spared his rash proceeding with his wife This tale was so merrily entertained among the whole company that each one smiling vpon another with one consent commended Dioneus maintaining that he spake nothing but the truth condemning Bernardo for his cruelty Vpon a generall silence commanded the Queene perceiuing that the time was now very farre spent and euery one had deliuered their seuerall Nouels which likewise gaue a period to her Royalty shee gaue the Crowne to Madam Neiphila pleasantly speaking to her in this order Heereafter the gouernment of these few people is committed to your trust and care for with the day concludeth my dominion Madam Neiphila blushing at the honor done vnto her her cheekes appeared of a vermillion tincture her eyes glittering with gracefull desires and sparkeling like the morning Starre And after the modest murmure of the Assistants was ceased and her courage in chearfull manner setled seating her selfe higher then she did before thus she spake Seeing it is so that you haue elected me your Queene to varie somewhat from the course obserued by them that went before me whose gouernment you haue all so much commended by approbation of your counsell I am desirous to speake my mind concerning what I wold haue to be next followed It is not vnknown to you all that to morrow shal be Friday and Saturday the next day following which are daies somewhat molestuous to the most part of men for preparation of their weekly food sustenance Moreouer Friday ought to be reuerendly respected in remembrance of him who died to giue vs life and endured his bitter passion as on that day which makes me to hold it fit and expedient that wee should mind more weighty matters and rather attend our prayers deuotions then the repetition of tales or Nouels Now concerning Saturday it hath bin a custom obserued among women to bath wash themselues from such immundicities as the former weekes to ile hath imposed on thē Beside
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
friends but she being sure hee was gone went in all hast to her Ghostly Father and after a few faigned outward shewes thus she spake I must now plainly tell you holy father that I can no longer endure this wicked friend of yours but because I promised you the other day that I would not do any thing before I had your counsell therein I am now come to tell you the iust reason of my anger and full purpose to auoid all further mollestation Your friend I cannot terme him but questionles a very diuel of hell This morning before the breake of day hauing heard but how I know not that my husband was ridden to Geneway got ouer the wall into my Garden and climbing vp a tree which standeth close before my chamber window when I was fast asleepe opened the Casement and would haue entred in at the window But by great good fortune I awaked and made shew of an open out-cry but that he entreated mee both for Gods sake and yours to pardon him this error and neuer after he would presume any more to offend me When he saw that for your sake I was silent he closed fast the window againe departed as he came and since I neuer saw him or heard any tidings of him Now iudge you holy Father whether these be honest courses or no and to be endured by any ciuil Gentlewoman neither would I so patiently haue suffered this but onely in my dutifull reuerence to you The Ghostly Father hearing this became the sorrowfullest man in the world not knowing how to make her any answer but only demanded of her diuers times whether she knew him so perfectly that she did nor mistake him for some other Quoth she I would I did not know him from any other Alas deere daughter replied the Frier what can more be sayd in this case but that it was ouer-much boldnesse and very il done thou shewedst thy selfe a worthy wise woman in sending him away so mercifully as thou didst Once more I would entreat thee deare and vertuous daughter seeing grace hath hitherto kept thee from dishonor and twice already thou hast credited my counsell let me now aduise thee this last time Spare speech or complaining to any other of thy friends and leaue it to me to try if I can ouercome this vnchained diuel whom I tooke to be a much more holy man If I can recall him from this sensuall appetite I shall account my labour well employed but if I cannot do it henceforward with my blessed benediction I giue thee leaue to do euen what thy heart will best tutor thee to You see Sir said shee what manner of man he is yet would I not haue you troubled or disobeyed only I desire to liue without disturbance which work I beseech you as best you may for I promise you good Father neuer to solicite you more vppon this occasion And so in a pretended rage shee returned backe from the ghostly Father Scarsely was she gone forth of the Church but in commeth the man that had supposedly so much transgressed and the Fryer taking him aside gaue him the most iniurious words that could be vsed to a man calling him disloyall periured and a traitor Hee who had formerly twice perceiued how high the holy mans anger mounted did nothing but expect what he wold say and like a man extreamly perplexed stroue how to get it from him saying Holy Father how come you to be so heinously offended What haue I done to incense you so strangely Heare mee dishonest wretch answered the Frier listen what I shall say vnto thee Thou answerest me as if it were a yeare or two past since so foule abuses were by thee committed they almost quite out of thy remembrance But tell me wicked man where wast thou this morning before breake of the day Wheresoeuer I was replyed the Gentleman mee thinkes the tidings come very quickly to you It is true said the Frier they are speedily come to me indeed and vpon vrgent necessity After a little curbing in of his wrath somewhat in a milder strain thus he proceeded Because the Gentlewomans husband is iourneyed to Geneway proues this a ladder to your hope that to embrace her in your armes you must climbe ouer the Garden wall like a treacherous robber in the night season mount vp a tree before her Chamber window open the Casement as hoping to compasse that by importunity which her spotlesse chastity will neuer permit There is nothing in the world that possibly she can hate more then you and yet you will loue her whether she will or no. Many demonstrations her selfe hath made to you how retrograde you are to any good conceit of her my louing admonishments might haue had better successe in you then as yet they shewe by outward apparance But one thing I must tell you her silent sufferance of your iniuries all this while hath not bin in any respect of you but at my earnest entreaties and for my sake But now shee will be patient no longer and I haue giuen her free license if euer heereafter you offer to attempt her any more to make her complaint before her Brethren which wil redound to your no meane danger The Gentleman hauing wisely collected his Loue-lesson out of the Holy Fathers angry words pacified the good old man so wel as he could with very solemne promises and protestations that he should heare no more any misbehauiour of his And being gone from him followed the instructions giuen in her complaint by climbing ouer the Garden Wall ascending the Tree and entering at the Casement standing ready open to welcome him Thus the Friers simplicity wrought on by her most ingenuous subtiltie made way to obtaine both their longing desires A yong Scholler named Felice enstructed Puccio di Rinieri how to become rich in a very short time While Puccio made experience of the instructions taught him Felice obtained the fauour of his Daughter The fourth Nouell Wherein is declared what craft and subtilty some wily wits can deuise to deceiue the simple and compasse their owne desires AFter that Philomena had finished her Tale she sate still and Dioneus with faire and pleasing Language commended the Gentlewomans quaint cunning but smiled at the Confessors witlesse simplicity Then the Queen turning with chearefull looks towards Pamphilus commaunded him to continue on their delight who gladly yeelded and thus began Madame many men there are who while they striue to climbe from a good estate to a seeming better doe become in much worse condition then they were before As happened to a neighbour of ours and no long time since as the accident will better acquaint you withall According as I haue heard it reported neere to Saint Brancazio there dwelt an honest man and some-what rich who was called Puccio di Rinieri and who addicted all his paines and endeuours to Alchimy wherefore he kept no other family but onely a widdowed daughter and a seruant
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
I will not endanger any of their liues because their parents and friends being sensible of such losses may seeke reuenge perhaps to their owne ruine and some following scourge to my indiscretion For I consider daughter that I haue neighbours who scarsely loue me and of whom in time I may right my selfe hauing receiued by their meanes great wrongs iniuries Also I make no doubt but to manage your loue-sute with discretion and set such a pleasing proceednig betweene them as neyther shall beget any hatred in them towards me nor yet offend them in their affections pursuite till fortune may smile so fauourably vpon some one man to reach the height of both your wished desires Siwalde was thus determinately resolued to let his daughter liue at her owne discretion without any alteration of her continued seueritie perceiuing day by day that many came still to request her in mariage he could not giue her to them all nor make his choise of any one least all the rest should become his enemies and fall in quarrell one with another Onely this therefore was his ordination that among such a number of amorous suters he onely should weare the Lawrell wreath of victory who could obtaine such fauour of Serictha as but to looke him in the face This condition seemed to bee of no meane difficulty yea and so impossible that many gaue ouer their amorous enterprize whereof Serictha was wondrouslie ioyfull seeing her selfe eased of such tedious importunitie dulling her eares with their proffered seruices and foppish allegations of fantasticke seruitude such as ydle-headed Louers do vse to protest before their Mistresses wherein they may beleeue them if they list Among all them that were thus forward in their heate of affection there was a young Danish Lord named Ocharus the sonne of a Pirate called Hebonius the same man who hauing stolne the Sister vnto King Hunguinus and Sister to Siwalde affiancing himselfe to her was slaine by King Haldune and by thus killing him enioyed both the Lady and the kingdome of the Gothes also as her inheritance This Ocharus relying much on his comelinesse of person wealth power and valour but aboue all the rest on his excellent and eloquent speaking bestowed his best endeauour to obtaine Serictha notwithstanding the contemptible carriage of the rest towards him whereupon preuailing for his accesse to the Princesse and admitted to speake as all the other did he reasoned with her in this manner Whence may it proceede Madam that you being the fairest and wisest Princesse liuing at this day in all the Northerne parts should make so smal account of your selfe as to denie that which with honour you mâ—y yeeld to them as seeke to doe you most humble seruice and forgetting the rank you hold doe refuse to deigne them recompence in any manner whatsoeuer seeking onely to enioy you in honourable marriage Perhaps you are of opinion that the gods should become slaues to youâ— beauty in which respect men are vtterly vnworthy to craue any such acquaintance of you If it be so I confesse my selfe conquered But if the gods seeke no such association with women and since they forsooke the World they left this legacy to vs men I thinke you couet after none but such as are extracted of their blood or may make vaunt of their neere kindred and alliance to them I know that many haue wished and doe desire you I know also that as many haue requested you of the King your Father but the choyce remaineth in your power and you being ordained the Iudge to distinguish the merit of all your Sutors me thinkes you doe wrong to the office of a Iudge in not regarding the parties which are in suite to sentence the deseâ—t of the best and brauest and so to delay them with no more lingering I cannot thinke Madam that you are so farre out of your selfe and so chill cold in your affection but desire of occasions equall to your vertue and singular beauty doe sometime touch you feelingly and make you to wish for such a man answerable to the greatnesse of your excellency And if it should be otherwise as I imagine it to be impossible yet you ought to breake such an obstinate designe onely to satisfie the King your Father who can desire nothing more then to haue a Sonne in Law to reuenge him on the Tyrant of Swetia who as you well know was sometime the murtherer of your Grand-father Hunguinus and also of his Father If you please to vouchsafe me so much grace and fauour as to make me the man whom your heart hath chosen to be your Husband I sweare vnto you by the honour of a Souldier that I will vndergoe such seruice as the King shall be reuenged you royally satisfied and my selfe aduanced to no meane happinesse by being the onely fortunate man of the World Gentle Princesse the most beautifull daughter to a King open that indurate heart and so soften it that the sweete impressions of loue may be engrauen therein see there the loyall pursuite of your Ocharus who to saue his life cannot so much as winne one looke from his diuine Mistresse This nicenesse is almost meerely barbarous that I wishing to aduenture my life prodigally in your seruice you are so cruell as not to deigne recompence to this duty of mine with the least signe of kindnesse that can be imagined Faire Serictha if you desire the death of your friendly seruant Ocharus there are many other meanes whereby to performe it without consuming him in so small a fire and suffering him there to languish without any answere If you will not looke vpon me if my face be so vnworthy that one beame of your bright Sunnes may not shine vpon it If a word of your mouth be too precious for me make a signe with your hand either of my happinesse or disaster If your hand be enuious of mine ease let one of your women be shee to pronounce the sentence of life oâ— death because if my life be hatefull to you this hand of mine may satisfie your will and sacrifice it to the rigour of your disdaine But if as I am rather perswaded the ruine of your seruants be against your more mercifull wishes deale so that I may perceiue it and expresse what compassion you haue of your Ocharus who coueteth nothing more then your daily hearts ease and contentment with a priuiledge of honour aboue other Ladies All this discourse was heard by Serictha but so little was shee moued therewith as shee was farre enough off from returning him any answer neither did any of the Gentlewomen attending on her euer heare her vse the very least word to any of her amorous sollicitors nor did shee know any one of them but by speech onely which droue them all into an vtter despaire perceiuing no possible meanes whereby to conquer her The Histories of the Northeâ—ne 〈…〉 deâ—â—are that in those times the rapes of women were not much 〈…〉 and such
ladder to the strong stumpe of a tree being closely by it by meanes of the saide ladder he descended downe into the caue and there attended the comming of his Lady She on the morrow morning pretending to her waiting woman that she was scarsly well and therefore would not be diseased the most part of that day commanded them to leaue her alone in her Chamber and not to returne vntill she called for them locking the doore her selfe for better security Then opened she the doore of the caue and going downe the staires found there her amorous friend Guiscardo whom she saluting with a chaste and modest kisse caused him to ascend vp the stayres with her into her chamber This long desired and now obtained meeting caused the two deerely affecting Louers in kinde discourse of amorous argument without inciuill or rude demeanor to spend there the most part of that day to their hearts ioy and mutuall contentment And hauing concluded on their often meeting there in this cunning concealed sort Guiscardo went downe into the caue againe the Princesse making the doore fast after him and then went forth among her Women So in the night season Guiscardo ascended vppe againe by his Ladder of cords and couering the loope-hole with brambles and bushes returned vnseene of any to his owne lodging the caue being afterward guilty of their often meeting there in this manner But Fortune who hath alwayes bin a fatall enemy to louers stolne felicities became enuious of their thus secret meeting and ouerthrew in an instant all their poore happinesse by an accident most spightfull and malicious The King had vsed diuers dayes before after dinner time to resort all alone to his daughters Chamber there conuersing with her in most louing manner One vnhappy day amongst the rest when the Princesse being named Ghismonda was sporting in her priuat Garden among her Ladies the King at his wonted time went to his daughters Chamber being neither heard or seene by any Nor would he haue his daughter called from her pleasure but finding the windowes fast shut and the Curtaines close drawne about the bed he sate downe in a chaire behind it and leaning his head vpon the bed his body being couered with the curtaine as if he hid himselfe purposely hee mused on so many matters vntill at last he sell fast asleepe It hath bin obserued as an ancient Adage that when disasters are ordained to any one commonly they proue to be ineuitable as poore Ghismonda could witnesse too well For while the King thus slept shee hauing vnluckily appointed another meeting with Guiscardo left hir Gentlewomen in the Garden and stealing softly into her Chamber hauing made all fast and sure for being descried by any person opened the doore to Guiscardo who stood there ready on the staire-head awaiting his entrance and they sitting downe on the bed side according as they were wont to do began their vsuall kinde conference againe with sighes and louing kisses mingled among them It chanced that the King awaked both hearing and seeing this familiarity of Guiscardo with his Daughter he became extreamly confounded with greefe therat Once he intended to cry out for helpe to haue them both there apprehended but he helde it a part of greater wisedome to sit silent still and if hee could to keepe himselfe so closely concealed to the end that he might the more secretly and with far lesse disgrace to himselfe performe what hee had rashly intended to do The poore discouered Louers hauing ended their amorous interparlance without suspition of the Kings being so neer in person or any els to betray their ouer-confident trust Guiscardo descended againe into the Caue and she leauing the Chamber returned to her women in the Garden all which Tancrede too well obserued and in a rapture of fury departed vnseene into his owne lodging The same night about the houre of mens first sleepe and according as he had giuen order Guiscardo was apprehended euen as he was comming forth of the loope-hole in his homely leather habite Very closely was he brought before the King whose heart was swolne so great with greefe as hardly was hee able to speake notwithstanding at the last he began thus Guiscardo the loue respect I haue vsed towards thee hath not deserued the shameful wrong which thou hast requited me withall and as I haue seene with mine owne eyes this day Whereto Guiscardo could answer nothing else but onely this Alas my Lord Loue is able to do much more then either you or I. Whereupon Tancrede commanded that he should bee secretly well guarded in a neere adioyning Chamber and on the next day Ghismonda hauing as yet heard nothing heereof the Kings braine being infinitely busied and troubled after dinner and as he often had vsed to do he went to his daughters chamber where calling for her and shutting the doores closely to them the teares trickling downe his aged white beard thus he spake to her Ghismonda I was once grounded in a setled perswasion that I truely knew thy vertue and honest integrity of life and this beleefe could neuer haue bene altred in mee by any sinister reports whatsoeuer had not mine eyes seene and mine eares heard the contrary Nor did I so much as conceiue a thought either of thine affection or priuate conuersing with any man but onely he that was to be thy husband But now I my selfe being able to auouch thy folly imagine what an heart-breake this will be to me so long as life remaineth in this poore weak and aged body Yet if needs thou must haue yeelded to this wanton weakenesse I would thou hadst made choise of a man answerable to thy birth Nobility whereas on the contrary among so many worthy spirits as resort to my Court thou likest best to conuerse with that silly yong man Guiscardo one of very meane and base descent and by mee euen for Gods sake from his very youngest yeares brought vppe to this instant in my Court wherein thou hast giuen me much affliction of minde and so ouerthrowne my senses as I cannot wel imagine how I should deale with thee For him whom I haue this night caused to be surprized euen as he came forth of your close contriued conueyance and detaine as my prisoner I haue resolued how to proceed with him but concerning thy selfe mine oppressions are so many and violent as I know not what to say of thee One way thou hast meerly murthered the vnfeigned affection I bare thee as neuer any father could expresse more to his child and then againe thou hast kindled a most iust indignation in me by thine immodest and wilfull folly and whereas Nature pleadeth pardon for the one yet iustice standeth vp against the other and vrgeth cruell seuerity against thee neuerthelesse before I will determine vpon any resolution I come purposely first to heare thee speake and what thou canst say for thy selfe in a bad case so desperate and dangerous Hauing thus spoken he
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
prosper in thy hearts desires and be defended from foule sinne and shame and so shee ended her Motherly counsell Within a while after it came to passe that her Husband was iniuited foorth to Supper with one named Herculano a kind friend of his but his Wife refused to goe because shee had appointed a friend to supper with her to whom the old woman was employed as her messenger and was well recompenced for her labour This friend was a gallant proper youth as any all Perugia yeelded and scarcely was he seated at the Table but her Husband was returned backe and called to be let in at the doore Which when shee perceiued shee was almost halfe dead with feare and coueting to hide the young man that her Husband should not haue any sight of him shee had no other meanes but in an enrry hard by the Parlour where they purposed to haue supt stood a Coope or Hen pen wherein she vsed to keepe her Pullen vnder which he crept and then shee couered it with an old empty sacke and after ran to let her Husband come in When he was entred into the House as halfe offended at his so sudden returne angerly he saide It seemes Sir you are a shauer at your meate that you haue made so short a supper In troth Wife quoth he I haue not supt at all no not so much as eaten one bit How hapned that said the woman Mary wife quoth he I will tell you and then thus he began As Herculano his wife and I were sitting downe at the Table very neere vnto vs we heard one sneeze whereof at the first we made no reckoning vntill we heard it againe the second time yea a third fourth and fifth and many more after whereat we were not a little amazed Now Wife I must tell you before we entred the roome where we were to sup Herculanoes wife kept the doore fast shut against vs and would not let vs enter in an indifferent while which made him then somewhat offended but now much more when he had heard one to sneeze so often Demanding of her a reason for it and who it was that thus sneezed in his House he started from the Table and stepping to a little doore neere the staires head necessarily there made to set such things in as otherwise would be troublesome to the roome as in all Houses we commonly see the like he perceiued that the party was hidden there which wee had heard so often to sneeze before No sooner had he opened the doore but such a smell of brimston came foorth whereof we felt not the least sauour before as made vs likewise to cough and sneeze being no way able to refraine it She seeing her Husband to be much moued excused the matter thus that but a little while before shee had whited certaine linnen with the smoake of brimstone as it is an vsuall thing to doe and then set the pan into that spare place because it should not be offensiue to vs. By this time Herculano had espied him that sneezed who being almost stifled with the smell and closenesse of the small roome wherein he lay had not any power to helpe himselfe but still continued coughing and sneezing euen as if his heart would haue split in twaine Foorth he pluckt him by the heeles and perceiuing how matters had past he saide to her I thanke you Wife now I see the reason why you kept vs so long from comming into this roome let me die if I beare this wrong at your hands When his Wife heard these words and saw the discouery of her shame without returning either excuse or answere foorth of doores she ran but whither we know not Herculano drew his Dagger and would haue slaine him that still lay sneezing but I disswaded him from it as well in respect of his as also mine owne danger when the Law should censure on the deede And after the young man was indifferently recouered by the perswasion of some Neighbours comming in he was closely conueyed out of the house and all the noyse quietly pacified Onely by this meanes and the flight of Herculanoes wife we were disappointed of our Supper and now you know the reason of my so soone returning When she had heard this whole discourse then she perceiued that other Women were subiect to the like infirmity and as wise for themselues as shee could be though these and the like sinister accidents might sometimes crosse them and gladly she wished that Herculanoes Wifes excuse might now serue to acquite her but because in blaming others errors our owne may sometime chance to escape discouery and cleare vs albeit we are as guilty in a sharpe reprehending manner thus she began See Husband here is hansome behauiour of an holy faire seeming and Saint like woman to whom I durst haue confest my sinnes I conceiued such a religious perswasion of her liues integrity free from the least scruple of taxation A woman so farre stept into yeeres as shee is to giue such an euill example to other younger women is it not a sinne beyond all sufferance Accursed be the houre when she was borne into this World and her selfe likewise to be so lewdly and incontinently giuen an vniuersall shame and slaunder to all the good women of our City Shall I terme her a woman or rather some sauage monster in a womans shape Hath shee not made an open prostitution of her honesty broken her plighted faith to her Husband and all the womanly reputation shee had in this World Her Husband being an honourable Citizen entreating her alwayes as few men else in the City doe their wiues what an heart-breake must this needes be to him good man Neither I nor any honest man else ought to haue any pity on her but with our owne hands teare her in peeces or dragge her along to a good fire in the market place wherein she and her minion should be consumed together and their base ashes dispersed abroade in the winde least the pure Aire should be infected with them Then remembring her owne case and her poore affrighted friend who lay in such distresse vnder the Hen-coope shee began to aduise her Husband that he would be pleased to goe to bed because the night passed on apace But Pedro hauing a better will to eate then to sleepe desired her to let him haue some meate else hee must goe to bed with an empty bellie whereto shee answered Why Husband quoth shee doe I make any large prouision when I am debard of your company I would I were the wife of Herculano seeing you cannot content your selfe from one nights feeding considering it is now ouer-late to make any thing ready It fortuned that certaine Husbandmen which had the charge of Pedroes Farme house in the Countrey and there followed his affaires of Husbandry were returned home this instant night hauing their Asses laden with such prouision as was to be vsed in his City-house When the Asses were vnladen and
the arising of a more powerfull light and euery part of our world began to looke cleare when the Queene being risen caused all the Company to be called walking forth afterward vpon the pearled dewe so farre as was supposed conuenient in faire and familiar conference together according as seuerally they were disposed repetition of diuers the passed Nouels especially those which were most pleasing and seemed so by their present commendations But the Sunne beeing somewhat higher mounted gaue such a sensible warmth to the ayre as caused their returne backe to the Pallace where the Tables were readily couered against their comming strewed with sweet hearbes and odoriferous flowers seating themselues at the Tables before the heat grew more violent according as the Queene commanded After dinner they sung diuers excellent Canzonnets and then some went to sleepe others played at the Chesse and some at the Tables But Dioneus and Madam Lauretta they sung the loue-conflict betweene Troylus and Cressida Now was the houre come of repairing to their former Consistory or meeting place the Queene hauing thereto generally summoned them and seating themselues as they were wont to doe about the faire fountaine As the Queene was commanding to begin the first Nouell an accident suddenly happened which neuer had befalne before to wit they heard a great noyse and tumult among the houshold seruants in the Kitchin Whereupon the Queene caused the Master of the Houshold to be called demaunding of him what noyse it was and what might be the occasion thereof He made answere that Lacisca and Tindarâ— were at some words of discontentment but what was the occasion thereof he knew not Whereupon the Queene commanded that they should be sent for their anger and violent speeches still continuing and being come into her presence she demaunded the reason of their discord and Tindaro offering to make answere Lacisca being somewhat more ancient then he and of a fiercer fiery spirit euen as if her heart would haue leapt out of her mouth turned her selfe to him and with a scornefull frowning countenance said See how this bold vnmannerly and beastly fellow dare presume to speake in this place before me Stand by saucy impudence and giue your better leaue to answere then turning to the Queene thus shee proceeded Madam this idle fellow would maintaine to me that Signior Sicophanto marrying with Madama dellâ—â— Grazza had the victory of her virginity the very first night and I auouched the contrary because shee had been a mother twise before in very faire aduenturing of her fortune And he dared to affirme beside that yong Maides are so simple as to loose the flourishing Aprill of their time in meere feare of their parents and great preiudice of their amourous friends Onely being abused by infinite promises that this yeare and that yeare they shall haue husbands when both by the lawes of nature and reason they are not tyed to tarry so long but rather ought to lay hold vpon opportunity when it is fairely and friendly offered so that seldome they come maides to marriage Beside I haue heard and know some married wiues that haue played diuers wanton prancks with their husbands yet carried all so demurely and smoothly that they haue gone free from publique detection All which this woodcocke will not credit thinking me to be so yong a Nouice as if I had been borne but yesterday While Larisca was deliuering these speeches the Ladies smiled on one another not knowing what to say in this case And although the Queene fiue or sixe seuerall times commaunded her to silence yet such was the earnestnes of her spleen that she gaue no attention but held on still euen vntill she had vttered all that she pleased But after she had concluded her complaint the Queene with a smiling countenance turned towards Dioneus saying This matter seemeth most properly to belong to you and therefore I dare repose such trust in you that when our Nouels for this day shall be ended you will conclude the case with a definitiue sentence Whereto Dioneus presently thus replyed Madam the verdict is already giuen without any further expectation and I affirme that Lacisca hath spoken very sensibly because shee is a woman of good apprehension and Tindaro is but a puny in practise and experience to her When Licisca heard this she fell into a lowd Laughter and turning her selfe to Tindaro sayde The honour of the day is mine and thine owne quarrell hath ouerthrowne thee in the fielde Thou that as yet hath scarsely learned to sucke wouldest thou presume to know so much as I doe Couldst thou imagine mee to be such a trewant in losse of my time that I came hither as an ignorant creature And had not the Queene looking verie frowningly on her strictly enioyned her to silence shee would haue continued still in this triumphing humour But fearing further chastisement for disobedience both shee and Tindaro were commanded thence where was no other allowance all this day but onely silence and attention to such as should be enioyned speakers And then the Queene somewhat offended at the folly of the former controuersie commanded Madame Philomena that she should giue beginning to the dayes Nouels which in dutifull manner shee vndertooke to doe and seating her selfe in formall fashion with modest and very gracious gesture thus she began A Knight requested Madam Oretta to ride behinde him on horse-backe and promised to tell her an excellent Tale by the way But the Lady perceiuing that his discourse was idle and much worse deliuered entreated him to let her walke on foote againe The First Nouell Reprehending the folly of such men as vndertake to report discourses which are beyond their wit and capacity and gaine nothing but blame for their labour GRacious Ladies like as in our faire cleere and serene seasons the Statres are bright ornaments to the heauens and the flowry fields so long as the spring time lasteth weare their goodliest Liueries the Trees likewise bragging in their best adornings Euen so at friendly meetings short sweet and sententious words are the beauty ornament of any discourse sauouring of wit and sound iudgement worthily deseruing to be commended And so much the rather because in few and witty words aptly suting with the time and occasion more is deliuered then was expected or sooner answered then rashly apprehended which as they become men verie highly yet do they shew more singular in women True it is what the occasion may be I know not either by the badnesse of our wittes or the especiall enmitie betweene our complexions and the celestiall bodies there are scarsely any or very few Women to be found among vs that well knowes how to deliuer a word when it should and ought to be spoken or if a question bee mooued vnderstands to suite it with an apt answere such as conueniently is required which is no meane disgrace to vs women But in regard that Madame Pampinea hath already spoken sufficiently of this matter I
that for once onely so it might not infrindge the league of Gossip-ship but that title to countenance their further intent such a fauour should be affoorded so it might stand cleare from suspition An especiall time being appointed when this amorous Combate should be fought in loues field Friar Reynard came to his Gossips house where none being present to hinder his purpose but onely the Nursse which attended on the child who was an indifferent faire proper woman his holy brother that came thither in his company because Friars were not allowed to walke alone was sent aside with her into the Pigeon loft to enstruct her in a new kinde of Pater noster lately deuised in their holy Conuent In the meane while as Friar Reynard and Agnesia were entring into hir chamber she leading her little son by the hand and making fast the doore for their better safety the Friâ—r laide by his holie habit Cowle Hood Booke and Beads to bee in all respects as other men were No sooner were they thus entred the Chamber but her husband Credulano being come into the house and vnseen of any staid not till he was at the Chamber doore where hee knockt and called for his Wife She hearing his voice Alas Gossip quoth she what shall I do My Husband knocketh at the doore and now he will perceiue the occasion of our so familiar acquaintance Reynard being stript into his Trusse and straite Strouses began to tremble and quake exceedingly I heare your Husbands tongue Gossip said he and seeing no harme as yet hath bin done if I had but my garments on againe wee would haue one excuse or other to serue the turne but till then you may not open the doore As womens wits are sildome gadding abroad when any necessitie concerneth them at home euen so Agnesia being sodainly prouided of an inuention both how to speake and carry her selfe in this extreamitie saide to the Friar Get on your garments quickely and when you are cloathed take your little God-son in your armes and listning wel what I shall say shape your answeres according to my words and then refer the matter to me Credulano had scarsely ended his knocking but Agnesia stepping to the doore said Husband I come to you So she opened the doore and going forth to him with a chearefull countenance thus spake Beleeue me Husband you could not haue come in a more happy time for our yong Son was sodainly extreamly sicke and as good Fortune would haue it our louing Gossip Reynard chanced to come in and questionlesse but by his good prayers and other religious paynes we had vtterly lost our childe for he had no life left in him Credulano being as credulous as his name imported seemed ready to swoune with sodaine conceit Alas good wife quoth he how hapned this Sit downe sweet Husband said she and I wil tell you al. Our child was sodainly taken with a swouning wherein I being vnskilful did verily suppose him to be dead not knowing what to doe or say By good hap our Gossip Reynard came in and taking the childe vp in his armes said to me Gossip this is nothing else but Wormes in the bellie of the childe which ascending to the heart must needs kill the child without all question to the contrary But be of good comfort Gossip and feare not for I can charme them in such sort that they shall all die and before I depart hence you shall see your Son as healthfull as euer And because the maner of this charm is of such nature that it required prayer and exorcising in two places at once Nurse went vp with his Holye Brother into our Pigeon loft to exercise their deuotion there while we did the like heere For none but the mother of the childe must bee present at such a mystery nor any enter to hinder the operation of the charme which was the reason of making fast the Chamber doore You shall see Husband anon the Childe which is indifferently recouered in his armes and if Nurse and his holy Brother were returned from theyr meditations he saith that the charme would then be fully effected for the child beginneth to looke chearefull and merry So deerely did Credulano loue the childe that hee verily beleeued what his Wife had saide neuer misdoubting any other treachery and lifting vp his eyes with a vehement sigh said Wife may not I goe in and take the child into my armes Oh no not yet good husband quoth she in any case least you should ouerthrow all that is done Stay but a little while I will go in againe and if all bee well then will I call you In went Agnesia againe making the doore fast after her the Fryar hauing heard all the passed speeches by this time he was fitted with his habite and taking the childe in his armes he said to Agnesia Gossip methought I heard your Husbands voice is hee at your Chamber doore Yes Gossip Reynard quoth Credulano without while Agnesia opened the doore and admitted him entrance indeede it is I. Come in Sir I pray you replyed the Friar and heere receiue your childe of mee who was in great danger of your euer seeing him any more aliue But you must take order to make an Image of waxe agreeing with the stature of the childe to be placed on the Altar before the Image of S. Frances by whose merires the childe is thus restored to health The childe beholding his Father made signes of comming to him reioycing merrily as yong infants vse to do and Credulano clasping him in his armes wept with conceite of ioy kissing him infinitely and heartily thanking his Gossip Reynard for the recouery of his God-son The Friars brotherly Companion who had giuen sufficient enstructions to the Nurse and a small purse full of Sisters white thred which a Nunne after shrift had bestowed on him vpon the husbands admittance into the Chamber which they easily heard came in also to them and seeing all in very good tearmes they holpe to make a ioyfull conclusion the Brother saying to Friar Reynard Brother I haue finished all those foure Iaculatory prayers which you commanded me Brother answered Reynard you haue a better breath then I and your successe hath prooued happier then mine for before the arriuall of my Gossip Credulano I could accomplish but two Iaculatory prayers onely But it appeareth that we haue both preuailed in our deuout desires because the childe is perfectly cured Credulano calling for Wine and good cheare feasted both the Friars very iocondly and then conducting them forth of his house without any further intermission caused the childs Image of waxe to be made and sent it to be placed on the Altar of Saint Frances among many other the like oblations Tofano in the night season did locke his wife out of his house and shee not preuailing to get entrance againe by all the entreaties she could possiblie vse made him beleeue that she had throwne her selfe into a Well by casting
Anichino was without more ado accepted into Eganoes seruice then which nothing could be more pleasing to him Now had he the benefit of dayly beholding his hearts Mistresse and so acceptable proued his seruice to Egano that he grew very farre in loue with him not vndertaking any affayres whatsoeuer without the aduice and direction of Anichino so that he reposed his most especiall trust in him as a man altogether gouerned by him It fortuned vpon a day that Egano being ridden to flye his Hawke at the Riuer and Anichino remaining behinde at home Madame Beatrix who as yet had taken no notice of Anichinoes loue to her albeit her selfe obseruing his faire carriage and commendable qualities was highly pleased to haue so seeming a seruant called him to play at the Chesse with her and Anichino coueting nothing more then to content her caâ—ried himselfe so dexteriously in the game that he permitted hir still to win which was no little ioy to her When all the Gentle-women and other friends there present as spectators to behold their play had taken their farewell and were departed leauing them all alone yet gaming still Anichino breathing forth an intire sigh Madame Beatrix looking merrily on him said Tell me Anichino art not thou angrie to see me win It should appeare so by that solemne sigh No truly Madame answered Anichino a matter of farre greater moment then losse of infinite games at the Chesse was the occasion why I sighed I pray thee replyed the Lady by the loue thou bearest me as being my Seruant if any loue at all remain in thee towards me giue me a reason for that harty sigh When he heard himselfe so seuerely coninred by the loue he bare to her and loued none else in the world beside he gaue a farre more hart-sicke sigh then before Then his Lady and Mistresse entreated him seriously to let her know the cause of those two deepe sighes whereto Anichino thus replyed Madam if I should tell you I stand greatly in feare of offending you and when I haue told you I doubt your discouery thereof to some other Beleeue me Anichino quoth she therein thou neither canst or shalt offend me Moreouer assure thy selfe that I will neuer disclose it to any other except I may do it with thy consent Madame saide hee seeing you haue protested such a solemne promise to mee I will reueale no meane secret vnto you So with teares standing in his eyes he told her what he was where he heard the first report of her singular perfections and instantly becam enamored of her as the maine motiue of his entring into her seruice Then most humbly he entreated her that if it might agree with her good liking she would be pleased to commisserate his case and grace him with her priuate fauours Or if shee might not be so mercifull to him that yet she would vouchsafe to let him liue in the lowly condition as he did and thinke it a thankefull duty in him onely to loue her O singular sweetnesse naturally liuing in faire feminine blood How iustly art thou worthy of praise in the like occasions Thou couldst neuer be wonne by sighes and teares but hearty imprecations haue alwayes preuailed with thee making thee apt and easie to amorous desires If I had praises answerable to thy great and glorious deseruings my voice should neuer faint nor my pen waxe weary in the due and obsequious performance of them Madam Beatrix well obseruing Anichino when he spake and giuing credit to his so solemne protestations they were so powerfull in preuailing with her that her senses in the same manner were enchanted and sighes flew as violently from her as before he had vented them which stormy tempest being a little ouer-blowne thus she spake Anichino my hearts deere affected Friend liue in hope for I tell thee truly neuer could gifts promises nor any Courtings vsed to me by Lords Knights Gentlemen or other although I haue bin solicited by many winne the lest grace or fauour at my hand no nor moue me to any affection But thou in a minute of time compared with their long and tedious suing hast expressed such a soueraigne potency in thy sweet words that thou hast madâ— me more thine then mine owne and beleeue it vnfeinedly I hold thee to be worthy of my loue Wherefore with this kisse I freely giue it thee and make thee a further promise that before this night shall be fully past thou shalt in better manner perceiue it Aduenture into my Chamber about the houre of midnight I will leaue the doore open thou knowest on which side of the bed I vse to rest come thither and feare not if I sleep the least gentle touch of thy hand will wake me and then thou shalt see how much I loue thee So with a kinde kisse or two the bargaine was concluded she licensing his departure for that time and he staying in hope of his hearts happinesse till when he thought euery houre a yeare In the meane while Egano returned home from Hawking and so soone as he had supt being very weary he went to bed and his Ladie likewise with him leauing her Chamber doore open according as she had promised At the houre appointed Anichino came finding the doore but easily put too which being entred softly he closed againe in the same manner as he found it Going to the beds side where the Lady lay and gently touching her brest with his hand he found her to be awake and perceiuing he was come according vnto promise shee caught his hand fast with hers and held him very strongly Then turning as she could towards Egano she made such meanes as hee awaked whereupon she spake vnto him as followeth Sir yester night I would haue had a fewe speeches with you but in regard of your wearinesse and early going to bed I could not haue any opportunity Now this time and place being most conuenient I desire to bee resolued by you Among all the men retained into your seruice which of them you do thinke to be the best most loyall and worthiest to enioy your loue Egano answered thus Wife why should you moue such a question to me Do not you know that I neuer had any seruant heeretofore or euer shall haue heereafter in whom I reposed the like trust as I haue done and do in Anichino But to what end is this motion of yours I will tell your Sir quoth she and then be Iudge your self whether I haue reason to moue this question or no. Mine opinion euery way equalled yours concerning Anichino that he was more iust and faithfull to you then any could be amongest all the rest But Husband like as where the water runneth stillest the Foord is deepest euen so his smooth lookes haue beguiled both you and me For no longer agoe then this verie day no sooner were you ridden foorth on Hauking but he belike purposely tarrying at home watching such a leysure as best fitted his intent
head againe to see whom he was in bed withall Now the poore Prouoste perceiuing the Gentlewomans deceite and the proper hansome person so sweetly embracing him it made him so confounded with shame as he had not the power to vtter one word but hauing put on his cloathes by the Bishops command hee sent him vnder sufficient guard to his Pallace to suffer due chastisement for his sinne committed and afterward he desired to know by what meanes hee became so fauoured of Ciutazza the whole Historie whereof the two brethren related at large to him When the Bishop had heard all the discourse highly he commended the wisedome of the Gentlewoman and worthy assistance of her brethren who contemning to soile their hands in the blood of a Priest rather sought to shame him as hee deserued The Bishop enioyned him a pennance of repentance for forty dayes after but loue and disdaine made him weepe nine and forty Moreouer it was a long while after before he durst be seene abroad But when he came to walke the streets the Boyes would point their fingers at him saying Behold the Prouoste that lay with Câ—utazza Which was such a wearisome life to him that he became well neere distracted in his wits In this manner the honest Gentlewoman discharged her dutie and rid her selfe of the Prouosts importunity Ciutazza had a merry night of it and a new Smocke also for her labour Three pleasant Companions plaide a merry pranke with a Iudge belonging to the Marquesate of Ancona at Florence at such time as he sate on the Bench and hearing criminall causes The Fift Nouell Giuing admonition that for the mannaging of publique affaires no other persons are or ought to be appointed but such as be honest and meet to sit on the seate of Authority NO sooner had Madam Aemillia finished her Nouell wherin the excellent wisedome of Piccarda for so worthily punishing the luxurious old Prouoste had generall commendations of the whole Assembly but the Queene looking on Philostratus said I command you next to supply the place whereto he made answere that hee was both ready and willing and then thus began Honourable Ladies the merry Gentleman so lately remembred by Madame Eliza being named Maso del Saggio causeth me to passeouer an intended Tale which I had resolued on when it came to my turne to report another concerning him and two men more his friendly Companions Which although it may appeare to you somewhat vnpleasing in regard of a little grosse and vnmannerly behauiour yet it will moue merriment without any offence and that is the maine reason why I relate it It is not vnknowne to you partly by intelligence from our reuerend predecessours as also some vnderstanding of your owne that many time haue resorted to our City of Florence Potestates and Officers belonging to the Marquesate of Anconia who commonly were men of lowe spirit and their liues so wretched and penurious as they rather deserued to be tearmed Misers then men And in regard of this their naturall couetousnesse and misery the Iudges would bring also in their company such Scribes or Notaries as being paralelde with their Masters they all seemed like Swaines come from the Plough or bred vp in some Coblers quality rather then Schollers or Students of Law At one time aboue all the rest among other Potestates and Iudges there came an especiall man as pickt out of purpose who was named Messer Niccolao da San Lepidio who at the first beholding looked rather like a Tinker then any Officer in authority This hansome man among the rest was deputed to heare criminall causes And as often it happeneth that Citizens although no businesse inuiteth them to Iudiciall Courts yet they still resort thither sometimes accidentally So it fortuned that Maso del Saggio being one morning in search of an especiall friend went to the Court-house and being there obserued in what manner Messer Niccolao was seated who looking like some strange Fowle lately come forth of a farre Countrey he began to suruay him the more seriously euen from the head to the foot as we vse to say And albeit he saw his Gowne furred with Miniuer as also the hood about his necke a Penne and Inkehorne hanging at his girdle and one skirt of his Garment longer then the other with more mis-shapen sights about him farre vnfitting for a man of so ciuill profession yet he spyed one errour extraordinary the most notable in his opinion that euer he had seene before Namely a paultry paire of Breeches wickedly made and worse worne hanging downe so lowe as halfe his legge euen as he sate vpon the Bench yet cut so sparingly of the Cloath that they gaped wide open before as a wheele-barrow might haue full entrance allowed it This strange sight was so pleasing to him as leauing off further search of his friend and scorning to haue such a spectacle alone by himselfe hee went vpon another Inquisition Namely for two other merry Lads like himselfe the one being called Ribi and the other Matteuzza men of the same mirth-full disposition as he was and therefore the fitter for his Company After he had met with them these were his salutations My honest Boyes if euer you did me any kindnesse declare it more effectually now in accompanying me to the Court-house where you shall behold such a singular spectacle as I am sure you neuer yet saw the like Forthwith they went along altogether and being come to the Court house he shewed them the Iudges hansome paire of Breeches hanging down in such base and beastly manner that being as yet farre off from the Bench their hearts did ake with extreamity of laughter But when they came neere to the seat whereon Messer Niccolao sate they plainely perceiued that it was very easâ—e to be crept vnder and withall that the board whereon he set his feet was rotten and broken so that it was no difficult matter to reach it and pull it downe as a man pleased and let him fall bare Breecht to the ground Cheare vp your spirits my hearts quoth Maso and if your longing be like to mine we will haue yonder Breeches a good deale lower for I see how it may be easily done Laying their heads together plotting and contriuing seuerall wayes which might be the likelyest to compasse their intent each of them had his peculiar appointment to vndertake the businesse without fayling and it was to be performed the next morning At the houre assigned they met there againe and finding the Court well filled with people the Plaintiffes and Defendants earnestly pleading Matteuzzo before any body could descry him was cunningly crept vnder the Bench and lay close by the board whereon the Iudge placed his feete Then stept in Maso on the right hand of Messer Niccolao and tooke fast hold on his Gowne before the like did Ribi on the left hand in all respects answerable to the other Oh my Lord Iudge cryed Maso out aloud I humbly intreat
more foolish sort verily beleeuing that the diuell had caried away the dead body Neuerthelesse each of the Louers seuerally made knowne to Madam Francesca what he had done and how disappointed either excusing himselfe that though her command had not bin fully accomplished yet to continue her fauour towards him But she like a wise and discreet Gentlewoman seeming not to credit either the one or other discharged her selfe honestly of them both with a cutting answere That shee would neuer afterward expect any other seruice from them because they had fayled in their first iniunction Madame Vsimbalda Lady Abbesse of a Monastery of Nuâ—s in 〈◊〉 bardie arising hastily in the night time without a Candle to 〈◊〉 one of her Daughter Nuâ—â—es in bed with a yong Gentleman whereof she was enuiously accused by certaine of her other Sisters 〈◊〉 Abbesse her selfe being at the same time in bed with a Priest 〈◊〉 to haue put or her head her plaited vayle put on the Priest breeches Which when the poore Nunne perceyued by causing the Abbesse to see her owne error she got her selfe to be absolued and had the freer liberty afterward to be more familiar with her frend then formerly she had bin The Second Nouell Whereby is declared that whosoeuer is desirous to reprehend sinne in other men should first examine himselfe that he be not guiltie of the same crime BY this time Madame Philomena sate silent and the wit of Francesca in freeing her selfe from them whom she could not fancie was generally commended 〈◊〉 also on the contrary the bold presumption of the two amorous suiters was reputed not to be loue but meerely folly And then the Queene with a gracious admonition gaue way for Madam Eliza to follow next who presently thus began Worthy Ladies Madame Francesca deliuered her selfe discreetly from trouble as already hath bin related but a yong Nun by the helpe and fauour of Fortune did also free her selfe in speaking aduisedly from an inconuenience sodainly falling on her And as you well know there wants none of them who like bold Bayards will be very forward in checking other mens misdemeanors when themselues as my Nouell will approue deserue more iustly to bee corrected As hapned to a Lady Abbesse vnder whose gouernement the same young Nunne was of whom I am now to speake You are then to vnderstand Gracious Auditors that in Lombardie there was a goodly Monastery very famous for Holinesse and Religion where among other sanctified Sisters there was a yong Gentlewoman endued with very singular beautie being named Isabella who on a day when a Kinsman of hers came to see her at the grate became enamored of a young Gentleman being then in his company He likewise beholding her to be so admirably beautifull conceyuing by the pretty glances of her eye that they appeared to bee silent intelligencers of the hearts meaning grew also as affectionately inclined towards her and this mutuall loue continued thus concealed a long while but not without great affliction vnto them both In the end either of them being circumspect and prouident enough the Gentleman contriued a meanes whereby he might secretly visite his Nunne wherewith she seemed no way discontented and this visitation was not for once or twice but verie often and closely concealed to themselues At length it came to passe that either through their owne indiscreete carriage or ielous suspition in some others it was espied by one of the Sisters both the Gentlemans comming and departing yet vnknowne to him or Isabella The saide Sister disclosing the same to two or three more they agreed together to reueale it to the Lady Abbesse who was named Madame Vsimbalda a holy and deuout Lady in common opinion of all the Nunnes and whosoeuer else knew her They further concluded because Isabella should not deny theyr accusation to contriue the businesse so cunningly that the Ladie Abbesse should come her selfe in person and take the yong Gentleman in bed with the Nun. And vppon this determination they agreed to watch nightly by turnes because by no meanes they wold be preuented so to surprise poore Isabella who beeing ignorant of their treachery suspected nothing Presuming thus still on this secret felicitie and fearing no disaster to befall her it chaunced on a night that the yong Gentleman being entred into the Nuns Dorter the Scowts had descried him intended to be reuenged on her After some part of the night was ouerpast they diuied themselues into two bands one to guard Isabellaes Dorter doore the other to carry newes to the Abbesse and knocking at her Closeâ— doore saide Rise quickely Madame and vse all the hast you may for we haue seene a man enter our Sister Isabellaes Dorter and you may take her in bed with him The Lady Abbesse who the very same night had the company of a lusty Priest in bed with her selfe as oftentimes before she had and he being alwayes brought thither in a Chest hearing these tidings and fearing also lest the Nunnes hastie knocking at her doore might cause it to fly open and so by their entrance haue her owne shame discouered arose very hastily and thinking she had put on her plaited vaile which alwayes she walked with in the night season and vsed to tearme her Psalter she she put the Priests breeches vpon her head and so went away in all hast with them supposing them verily to be her Psalter but making fast the Closet doore with her keye because the Priest should not be discouered Away shee went in all haste with the Sisters who were so forward in the detection of poore Isabella as they neuer regarded what manner of vaile the Lady Abbesse wore on her head And being come to the Dorter doore quickly they lifted it off from the hookes and being entred found the two Louers sweetly imbracing but yet so amazed at this sudden surprisall as they durst not stirre nor speake one word The young Nunne Isabella was raised forthwith by the other Sisters and according as the Abbesse had comanded was brought by them into the Chapter-house the yong Gentleman remaining still in the Chamber where he put on his garments awaiting to see the issue of this businesse and verily intending to act seuere reuenge on his betrayers if any harme were done to Isabella and afterward to take her thence away with him as meaning to make her amends by marriage The Abbesse being seated in the Chapter house and all the other Nunnes then called before her who minded nothing else but the poore offending Sister she began to giue her very harsh and vile speeches as neuer any transgressor suffered the like and as to her who had if it should be openly knowne abroad contaminated by 〈◊〉 lewde life and actions the sanctity and good renowne of the whole Monastery and threatned her with very seuere chastisement Poore Isabella confounded with feare and shame as being no way able to excuse her fault knew not what answer to make but standing silent
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
Lady and Mistresse it will ensue to your detriment how much you haue displeased me to take a wife at your request and against mine owne will The Noble men answered that they were well satisfied prouided that he tooke a wife Some indifferent space of time before the beauty manners and well-seeming vertues of a poore Countrie-mans daughter dwelling in no farre distant village had appeared very pleasing to the Lord Marquesse and gaue him full perswasion that with her hee should lead a comfortable life And therefore without any further search or inquisition he absolutely resolued to marry her and hauing conferred with her Father agreed that his daughter should be his wife Whereupon the Marquesse made a generall conuocation Conuocation of all his Lords Barons and other of his especiall friends from all parts of his Dominion and when they were assembled together hee then spake vnto them in manner as followeth Honourable friends it appeared pleasing to you all and yet I thinke you are of the same minde that I should dispose my selfe to take a wife and I thereto condescended more to yeeld you contentment then for any particular desire in my selfe Let mee now remember you of your solemne made promise with full consent to honor and obey her whosoeuer as your Soueraigne Lady and Mistresse that I shall elect to make my wife and now the time is come for my exacting the performance of that promise and which I look you must constantly keepe I haue made choyce of a yong virgine answerable to mine owne heart and liking dwelling not farre off hence whom I intend to make my wife and within few daies to haue her brought home to my Pallace Let your care and diligence then extend so farre as to see that the feast may be sumptuous and her entertainment to bee most honourable to the end that I may receiue as much contentment in your promise performed as you shall perceiue I doe in my choice The Lords and all the rest were wondrously ioyfull to heare him so well inclined expressing no lesse by their shouts and iocund suffrages protesting cordially that she should be welcommed with pompe and maiestie and honoured of them all as their Liege Ladie and Soueraigne Afterward they made preparation for a princely and magnificent feast as the Marquesse did the like for a marriage of extraordinary state and qualitie inuiting all his kinred friends and acquaintance in all parts and Prouinces about him Hee made also readie most riche and costly garments shaped by the body of a comely young Gentlewoman who he knew to be equall in proportion and stature to her of whom hee hade made his election When the appointed nuptiall day was come the Lord Marques about nine of the clocke in the morning mounted on horse-backe as all the rest did who came to attend him honourably and hauing all things in due readinesse with them he said Lords it is time for vs to goe fetch the Bride So on hee rode with his traine to the same poore Village whereas shee dwelt and when hee was come to her Fathers house hee saw the maiden returning very hastily from a Well where shee had beene to fetch a paile of water which shee set downe and stood accompanied with other maidens to see the passage by of the Lord Marquesse and his traine Gualtiero called her by her name which was Grizelda and asked her where her Father was who bashfully answered him and with an humble courtesie saying My gracious Lord hee is in the house Then the Marquesse dismounted from his horse commanding euery one to attend him then all alone hee entred into the poore Cottage where he found the maides father being named Ianiculo and said vnto him God speed good Father I am come to espouse thy daughter Grizelda but first I haue a few demands to make which I will vtter to her in thy presence Then hee turned to the maide and saide Faire Grizelda if I make you my wife will you doe your best endeauour to please me in all things which I shall doe or say will you also be gentle humble and patient with diuers other the like questions whereto she still answered that she would so neere as heauen with grace should enable her Presently he tooke her by the hand so led her forth of the poore homely house and in the presence of all his company with his owne hands he took off her meane wearing garments smocke and all and cloathed her with those Robes of State which he had purposely brought thither for her and plaiting her haire ouer her shoulders hee placed a Crowne of gold on her head whereat euery one standing as amazed and wondring not a little hee said Grizelda wilt thou haue me to thy husband Modestly blushing and kneeling on the ground she answered Yes my gracious Lord if you will accept so poore a maiden to be your wife Yes Grizelda quoth hee with this holy kisse I confirme thee for my wife and so espoused her before them all Then mounting her on a milke-white Palfray brought thither for her shee was thus honourably conducted to her Pallace Now concerning the marriage feast and triumphes they were performed with no lesse pompe then if she had beene daughter to the King of France And the young Bride apparantly declared that with her garments her minde and behauior were quite changed For indeed shee was as it were shame to speake otherwise a rare creature both of person and perfections and not onely was shee absolute for beautie but so sweetely amiable gracious and goodlie as if she were not the daughter of poore Ianiculo and a Countrie Shepheardesse but rather of some Noble Lord whereat euery one wondred that formerly had knowne her Beside all this shee was so obedient to her husband so feruent in all dutifull offices and patient without the very least prouoking as hee held himselfe much more then contented and the onely happy man of the world In like manner towards the subiects of her Lord and Husband she shewed her selfe alwayes so benigne and gracious as there was not any one but the more they lookt on her the better they loued her honouring her voluntarily and praying to the heauens for her health dignity and well-faâ—â— long continuance Speaking now quite contrary to their former opinion of the Marquesse honourably and worthily that he had shewne him selfe a singular wise man in the election of his Wife which few else but he in the world would haue done because their iudgement might fall farre short of discerning those great and precious vertues veiled vnder a homely habite and obscured in a poore Countrey cottage To be briefe in very short time not onely the Marquisate it selfe but all neighbouring Prouinces round about had no other common talke but of her rare course of life deuotion charity and all good actions else quite quailing all sinister Instructions of her Husband before he receiued her in marriage About foure or fiue yeeres after the
shee wished her selfe to be dead and within some few dayes after she conferred againe with her Chamber-woman saying Lesca thou knowest well enough that the Oxe falleth not at the first blow of the Axe neither is the victory won vpon a silly and shallow aduenture Wherefore I thinke it conuenient that once more thou shouldst make another tryall of him who in preiudice to me standeth so strictly on his loyalty and choosing such an houre as seemeth most commodious soundly possesse him with my tormenting passions Bestirre thy Wittes and tippe thy tongue with a Womans eloquence to effect what I so earnestly desire because by languishing in this loue-sicke affliction it well bee the danger of my death and some seuere detriment to him to be the occasion of so great a losse Lesca comforted her Lady so much as lay in her power to doe and hauing sought for Pyrrhus whom she found at good leysure and in a pleasing humor thus she beganne Pyrrhus some few dayes since I tolde thee in what extreame Agonies thy Lady and mine was onely in regarde of her loue to thee and now again◠I come once more to giue thee further assurance thereof Wherefore beleeue it vnfeignedly that if thy obstinacie continne still in like manner as the other day it did expect very shortly to heare the tydings of her death It is my part therefore to entreat thee to comfort her long languishing desires but if thou persist in thy harsh opinion in stead of reputing thee a wise and fortunate yong man I shall confesse thee to bee an ignoraunt Asse What a glorie is it to thee to be affected of so faire and worthy a Lady beyond all men else what soeuer Next to this tell me how highly maist thou confesse thy selfe beholding to Fortune if thou but duly consider how shee hath elected thee as sole soueraigne of her hopes which is a crowne of honour to thy youth and a sufficieut refuge against all wants and necessities Where is any to thy knowledge like thy selfe that can make such aduantage of his time as thou maist do if thou wert wise Where canst thou find any one to go beyond thee in Armes Horses sumptuous garments and Gold as will be heaped on thee if Lydia may be the Lady of thy loue Open then thine vnderstanding to my words returne into thine owne soule and bee wise for thy selfe Remember Pyrrhus that Fortune presents her selfe but once before any one with cheerefull lookes and her lappe wide open of richest fauours where if choice be not quickely made before she folde it vp and turn her backe let no complaint afterward be made of her if the Fellow that had so faire an offer prooue to be miserable wretched and a Begger only thorow his owne negligence Beside what else hath formerly bin saide there is now no such neede of loyaltie in seruants to their Ladies as shonld be among deare Friends and Kindred but seruants ought rathee as best they may be such to their Masters as they are to them Doest thou imagine that if thou hadst a faire Wife Mother Daughter or Sister pleasing in the eye of our Nicostratus he would stand on such nice tearmes of duty or Loyaltie as now thou doest to his Ladie Thou went a verie foole to rest so perswaded Assure thy selfe that if entreaties and faire meanes might not preuaile force and compulsion whatsoeuer ensued thereon woulde winne the masterie Let vs then vse them and the commodities vnto them belonging as they would vs and ours Vse the benefit of thy Fortune beware of abusing her fauonr She yet smiles on thee but take heede least she turne her backe it will then be ouer-late to repent thy folly And if my Ladie die through thy disdaine be assured that thou canst not escape with life beside open shame and disgrace for euer Pyrrhus who had often considered on Lescaes first message concluded with himselfe that if any more she moued the same matter hee would returne her another kinde of answere wholly yeelding to content his Lady prouided that he might remaine assured concerning the intyre truth of the motion and that it was not vrged onely to trie him wherefore thus he replyed Lesca do not imagine mee so ignorant as not to know the certaintie of all thy former allegations confessing them as freely as thou doest or canst But yet let mee tell thee withall that I knowe my Lord to be wise and iudicious and hauing committed all his affaire 〈◊〉 my care and trust neuer blame mee to misdoubt least my Ladie by his counsell and aduice make thee the messenger of this motion therby to call my Fidelitie in question To cleare which doubt and for my further assurance of her well 〈◊〉 toward me if she wil vndertake the performance of three such things as I must needes require in this case I am afterward her owne in any seruice she can command me The first of them is that in the presence of my Lord and Master she kill his faire Faulcon which so dearly hee affecteth The second to send me a locke or tuft of his beard being puld away vvith her owne hand The third and last with the same hand also to pluck out one of his best and soundest feth and send it mee as her loues true token When I finde all these three effectually performed I am wholly hers not before These three strict impositions seemed to Lesca and her Ladie likewise almost beyond the compasse of all possibility Neuertheles Loue being a powerfull Oratour in perswading as also aduenturous euen on the most difficult dangers gaue her courage to vndertake them all sending Lesca backe againe to him with full assurance of these more then Herculean labours Moreouer her selfe did intend to adde a fourth taske in regard of his strong opinion concerning the great Wisedome of his Lord and Maister After she had effected all the other three she would not permit him to kisse her but before his Lords face which yet should be accomplished in such sort as Nicostratus himselfe should not beleeue it although apparantly he saw it Well quoth Pyrrhus when all these wonders are performed assure my Ladie that I am truelie hers Within a short while after Nicostratus made a solemne Feastiual according as yearely he vsed to doe in honour of his birth day inuiting many Lords and Ladies thereto On which reioycing day so soone as dinner was ended and the Tables withdrawne Lydia came into the great Hall where the Feast was solemnly kept very rich and costly apparrelled and there in presence of Pyrrhus and the whole assemblie going to the Perch whereon the Faulcone sate wherein her Husband tooke no little delight and hauing vntyed her as if shee meant to beare her on her Fist tooke her by the Iesses and beating her against the wal killed her Nicostratus beholding this called out aloud vnto her saying Alas Madame What haue you done She making him no answere but turning to the Lords and
Ladies which had dined there spake in this mander Ill should I take reuenge on a King that had offended me if I had not so much heart as to wreake my spleene on a paltry Hawke Vnderstand then worthy Lords and Ladies that this Faulcone hath long time robbed me of those delights which men in meere equitie ought to haue with their wiues because continually so soone as breake of day hath appeared my Husband starting out of bed makes himselfe readie presently to Horsse and with this Faulcon on his Fist rides abroad to his recreation in the Fields And I in such forsaken sort as you see am left all alone in my bed discontented and despised often vowing to my selfe to bee thus reuenged as now I am being with-held from it by no other occasion but onely want of a fit and apt time to do it in the presence of such persons as might bee iust Iudges of my wrongs and as I conceiue you all to be The Lords and Ladies hearing these words and beleeuing this deed of hers to be done no otherwise but out of her entire affection to Nicostratus according as her speeches sounded compassionately turning towards him who was exceedingly displeased and all smiling said Now in good sadnesse Sir Madame Lydia hath done well in acting her iust reuenge vpon the Hawke that bereft her of her Husbands kinde companie then which nothing is more precious to a louing wife and a hell it is to liue without it And Lydia being sodainly withdrawne into her chamber with much other friendly and familiar talke they conuerted the anger of Nicostratus into mirth and smiling Pyrrhus who had diligently obserued the whole cariage of this businesse saide to himselfe My Ladie hath begun well and proceeding on with no worse successe will no doubt bring her loue to an happy conclusion As for the Lady her selfe she hauing thus kild the Hawke it was no long while after but being in the Chamber with her husband and they conuersing familiarly together she began to iest with him hee in the like manner with her tickling and toying each the other till at the length she played with his beard and now she found occasion aptly seruing to effect the second taske imposed by Pyrrhus So taking fast hold on a small tuft of his beard she gaue a sodaine snatch and plucked it away quite from his chin Whereat Nicostratus beeing angerly moued she to appease his distaste pleasantly thus spake How now my Lord Why do you looke so frowningly What Are you angry for a few loose haires of your beard How then should I take it when you plucke mee by the haire of my head and yet I am not a iot discontented because I know you do it but in iesting manner These friendly speeches cut off all further contention and she kepte charily the tuft of her Husbands beard which the verie selfe-same day shee sent to Pyrrhus her hearts chosen friend But now concerning the third matter to be aduentured it droue her to a much more serious consideration then those two which shee had already so well and exactly performed Notwithstanding like a Ladie of vnconquerable spirit and in whom Loue enlarged his power more and more she sodainly conceited what course was best to bee kept in this case forming her attempt in this manner Vpon Nicostratus wayted two young Gentlemen as Pages of his Chamber whose Fathers had giuen them to his seruice to learne the manners of honourable Courtship and those qualities necessarily required in Gentlemen One of them when Nicostratus sate downe to dinner or supper stood in Office of his Caruer deliuering him all the meats whereon he fed The other as Taster attended on his Cup and he dranke no other drinke but what hee brought him and they both were highly pleasing vnto him On a day Lydia called these two youths aside and among some other speeches which serued but as an induction to her intended policy she perswaded them that their mouths yeelded an vnsauoury il-pleasing smell whereof their Lord seemed to take dislike Wherefore she aduised them that at such times as they attended on him in their seuerall places they should so much as possibly they could withdraw their heads aside from him because their breath might not be noyous vnto him But withall to haue an especiall care of not disclosing to any one what she had told them because out of meere loue she had acquainted them therewith which very constantly they beleeued and followed the same direction as she had aduised being loath to displease where seruice bound them to obey Choosing a time fitting for her purpose when Nicostratus was in priuate conference with her thus she began Sir you obserue not the behauiour of your two Pages when they wait on you at the Table Yes but I do wife quoth he how squemishly they turn their heads aside from me and it hath often bin in my minde to vnderstand a reason why they do so Seating her selfe by him as if shee had some weighty matter to tell him she proceeded in this manner Alas my Lord you shall not need to question them because I can sufficiently resolue you therein which neuerthelesse I haue long concealed because I would not be offensiue to you But in regard it is now manifestly apparant that others haue tasted what I immagined none but my selfe did I will no longer hide it from you Assuredly Sir there is a most strange and vnwonted ill-sauour continually issuing from your mouth smelling most noysomely and I wonder what should be tbe occasion In former times I neuer felt any such foule breathing to come from you and you who do daily conuerse with so many worthy persons should seeke meanes to be rid of so great an annoyance You say verie true wife answered Nicostratus and I protest to you on my Credite I feele no such ill smell neither know what should cause it except I haue som corrupted tooth in my mouth Perhaps Sir quoth she it may be so and yet you feele not the sauour which others do yea very offensiuely So walking with her to a Window he opened wide his mouth the which nicely shee surueyed on either side and turning her head from him as seeming vnable to endure the sauour starting and shrieking out alowd she said Santa Maria What a sight is this Alas my good Lord How could you abide this and for so long a while Heere is a tooth on this side which so farre as I can pereeiue is not onely hollow and corrupted but also wholly putrified and rotten and if it continue still in your head beleeue it for a truth that it will infect and spoile all the rest neere it I would therefore counsell you to let it be pluckt out before it breede your further danger I like your counsell well Lydia replyed Nicostratus and presently intend to follow it Let therefore my Barber be sent for and vvithout any longer delay he shall plucke it forth instantly