many others would haue taken it for a great good Fortune that suche a Prince should haue fallen in loue with theÌ„ Lucilla considering the basenesse of her degree in respect of the high estate of her newe Louer reputed it to be a greate mishap vnto her as she that considered that she could not nourishe or entertaine any suche Loue but with the harme and preiudice of her honour Besides that she feared least that Nicander should once perceiue that this yong Prince hunted after that hauÌ„t he would forsake her for feare of farther displeasure wherefore to auoide bothe inconueniences wher◠〈…〉 then she was wâ—nte to shewe her self sometime at the Doore someâ—â—â—e at the Windowes she now retired her self in suche sort that she could neuer be seen but on the Sundaies and holie daies as she went to a little Churche nere adioinyng to the house Wherefore Nicander not a little meruailyng and greatlie troubled in spirite fearing that Lucilla wauering as women vse to doe had forsaken him and turned her affection els where as one full of gelousie and greef for fault of better comforte he would watche his times and followe her to that Churche there to feede his fancie with a looke or twoo which yet amid his miserie he seemed to esteeme as a releef without the whiche he could not liue Finallie not beeyng able to endure those tormenâ—es that this absence and straungenesse of his Ladie caused him to feele he sent vnto her a conueniente messenger with a letter conteining this effecte The Birde whiche long hath liued in pleasant feeld Esteemes no whit his Cage of wreathed golde The dulted note wherewith he pearst the Skie For greef of minde he can not then vnfolde Yet liues he still but better were to die More worse then death euen suche a life haue I. The Turtle true of his deceased maie Bewailes the want he reakes no more of blisse The swellyng Swanne doeth hardly brooke the place When he his beste beloued birde doeth misse Suche is my ioye Nicander needes must die Lucilla doeth his wonted presence flie How can I liue that double death possesse How should I ioye that drenched am in thrall What foode maie feede or beare a pleasaunt taste Where as the harte lies bathed still in Gall. If this be life then life be farre from me And welcome death to seâ— Nicander free What cause my deare hath thy Nicander wrought That makes thee shunne in whom thou shouldst delight What moues thy minde to â—ewe thee vp so close And keepe thee from thy beste beloued fight If I offended haue then charge me when and how Nicander shall hym cleare or to thy mercie â—ow If no offence but fonde conceipt hath taken holde Condempne hym not that shewes his giltlesse hande Who hetherto hath neuer ment the thyng That iustly might against your honour stande If giltie I I aske no other grace Giue doome of Death and doe my sute deface I saie no more but as I doe deserue So shewe the fruite of my deserued hire Seme not so straunge vnto thy faithfull freende Whose absence setts my scorchyng harte on fire But as my loue to thee no tongue can tell Esteeme the like of me and so farewell Thine owne Nicander The yong Gentlewoman who had fixed all her thoughtes and setled all the contentmentes of her harte onely vpon Nicander neither desiryng any thing in the worlde so muche as to please and content hym Felt an intollerable perplexitie of minde in that she sawe him greeue thus at her late straungenesse and yet thought it better that he should complaine then come by any knowledge of the loue that Don Heâ—cules did â—eare her wherefore hidyng from hym the matter replied in â—his sorte The Birde whiche is restrainde Of former hartes delight I must confesse twixt life and death Doeth alwaie combate fight So doeth the harte compelled By heste of Parentes will Obaye for feare yet forste by loue Continues constant still No absence by consent My deare Nicander I Haue wrought to worke thy wo from thee Like Cressed falce to flie Ne shall I liue to loathe What maie content thy minde Hap life or death as true as Steele Thou shalt Luâ—illa finde Thy eares shall neuer heare Nor eyes shall neuer see That any wight shall reape the fruite Whiche planted was for thee 〈…〉 thy self my deare To take against thy will Our absence in good part till tyme Maie betteâ— happe fulfill And therewithall receiue This pledge to cure thy paine My harte is thine preserue it well Till wee twoo meete againe Euer thine Lucilla This sweete aunswere mitigated not a little the moode of the yong Gentleman and so he framed himself the beste he could to tollerate the absence of his Lucilla On the other side Don Hercules who in like maner founde himself depriued of the sight of that yong Ladie whom he loued extreamely was verie muche discontented and perceiuing that neither messages nor faire offers with large giftes sent vnto her whereof neuer any were accepted could once moue her to shewe her self courteous vnto him of so muche as a looke And considering the pouertie wherein her mother liued now in her latter yeres beganne to imagine that it would bee muche easier for hym by offeryng her liberally wherewithall to Marrie her daughter to perswade her to yeeld her into his handes then to winne the yong Gentlewoman to his desire Wherefore hauyng sent a fit persone to Lucillas Mother to let her vnderstande that if she would bee conâ—ent that the yong Prince might enioye her daughter he would giue her suche a dowrie in recompence of his pleasure that no Gentleman of what degree soeuer should for her pouertie refuse to take her to wife whereas if she refused y â— good offer she should therby be constrained through necessitie either to bestowe her vpon some Artificer or Craftesman or if she would needes Marrie her to a gentleman she must giue her to some suche as was so poore as that she shâ—â—ld liâ—e all the daies of her life in want and miserie the whiche in effect would bee nothing els but to be cruell towardes her owne daughter in 〈◊〉 that good hap whiche he did offer besides the fauour that he should be able to shew in furthering her mariage to bothe their ende lesse comfortes The mother beeyng often sollicited and sommoned to this effect and on the one side punished with pouertie and on the other charged with yeres bothe whiche pressed her verie muche after diuers discourses made to and fro with her self lastly she saied And whereto ought I to haue regard but to the wealth and profite of my daughter whiche bothe she shall reape abondantly if by y â— giuyng her self vnto this yong Prince he doeth bestowe vpon her that dowrie whiche he hath promised And although in doyng thereof there be some touch and spot to my daughters honor and mine yet shall it be so recompensed with the benefite of her dowrie that the profit
faire daie light Siluio makyng hymself readie departed likewise about his affaires in the Toune debatyng with hymself how thynges had happened being well assured that Iulina had mistaken him and therefore for feare of further euilles determined to come no more there but tooke his iourney towardes other places in the partes of Grecia to see if he could learne any tidynges of his sister Silla The Duke Apolonius hauing made a long sute and neuer a whit the nerer of his purpose came to Iulina to craue her direct aunswere either to accept of him and of suche conditions as he proffered vnto her or els to giue him his last farewell Iulina as you haue heard had taken an earnest penie of an other whom she had thought had been Siluio the Dukes maÌ„ was at a controuersie in her self what she might do one while she thought seyng her occasion serued so fit to craue the Dukes good will for the mariyng of his man then againe she could not tell what displeasure the Duke would conceiue in that she should seeme to preferre his man before hymself did thinke it therefore best to conceale the matter till she might speake with Siluio to vse his opinioÌ„ how these matters should be handled herevpon resoluyng her self desiryng the Duke to pardon her speeches saied as followeth Sir Duke for that from this tyme forwardes I am no longer of my self hauing giuen my full power and authoritie ouer to an other whose wife I now remaine by faithfull vow and promise And albeeit I knowe the worlde will wonder when thei shall vnderstande the fondnesse of my choyce yet I trust you your self will nothyng deslike with me sithe I haue ment no other thing then the satisfiyng of mine owne contentation and likyng The Duke hearyng these wordes aunswered Madame I must then content my self although against my will hauyng the Lawe in your owne handes to like of whom you list and to make choise where it pleaseth you Iulina giuyng the Duke greate thankes that would content himself with suche pacience desired him likewise to giue his free consent and good wil to the partie whom she had chosen to be her housbande Naie surely Madame ê™ the Duke I will neuer giue my consent that any other man shall enioye you then my self I haue made too greate accompt of you then so lightly to passe you awaie with my good will But seyng it lieth not in me to let you hauyng as you saie made your owne choise so from hence forwardes I leaue you to your owne likyng alwaies willyng you well and thus will take my leaue The Duke departed towardes his owne house very sorrowfull that Iulina had thus serued hym but in the meane space that the Duke had remained in the house of Iulina some of his seruauntes fell into talke and conference with the seruaunts of Iulina where debatyng betweene them of the likelihood of the Marriage betwéene the Duke and the Ladie one of the seruantes of Iulina saied that he neuer sawe his Ladie and Mistres vse so good countenaunce to the Duke hymself as she had doen to Siluio his man and began to reporte with what familiaritie and courtesie she had receiued hym feasted hym and lodged hym and that in his opinion Siluio was like to speede before the Duke or any other that were suters This tale was quickly brought to the Duke himself who makyng better enquirie in the matter found it to be true that was reported and better consideryng of the wordes whiche Iulina had vsed towardes hymself was very well assured that it could bee no other then his owne man that had thrust his Nose so farre out of ioynt wherefore without any further respect caused hym to be thrust into a Dongeon where he was kept prisoner in a very pitifull plight Poore Siluio hauyng gott intelligence by some of his fellowes what was the cause that the Duke his Maister did beare suche displeasure vnto hym deuised all the meanes he could as well by meditation by his fellowes as otherwise by petitions and supplication to the Duke that he would suspende his Iudgement til perfect proofe werâ— had in the matter and then if any maner of thâ—ng did fall out against hym wherby the Duke had cause to take any greefe he would confesse hymself worthie not onely of imprisonment but also of moste vile and shamefull death with these petitions he daiely plied the Duke but all in vaine for the Duke thought he had made so good proofe that he was throughly confirmed in his opinion against his man But the Ladie Iulina wonderyng what made Siluio that he was so slacke in his visitation and why he absented himself so long from her presence beganne to thinke that all was not well but in the ende perceiuyng no decoction of her former surfette receiued as you haue heard and findyng in her self an vnwonted swellyng in her beallie assuryng her self to bee with childe fearyng to become quite banckroute of her honour did thinke it more then tyme to seeke out a Father and made suche secret searche and diligent enquirie that she learned the truth how Siluio was kept in prison by the Duke his Maister and mindyng to finde a present remedie as well for the loue she bare to Siluio as for the maintenaunce of her credite and estimation she speedily hasted to the Pallace of the Duke to whom she saied as followeth Sir Duke it maie bee that you will thinke my commyng to your house in this sorte doeth somethyng passe the limites of modestie the whiche I protest before GOD proceaded of this desire that the worlde should knowe how iustly I seeke meanes to maintaine my honour but to the ende I seeme not tedious with prolixitie of woordes nor to vse other then direct circumstaunces knowe sir that the loue I beare to my onely beloued Siluio whom I doe esteeme more then all the Iewelles in the world whose personage I regard more then my owne life is the onely cause of my attempted iourney beseechyng you that all the whole displeasure whiche I vnderstand you haue conceiued against hym maie be imputed vnto my charge that it would please you louyngly to deale with him whom of my self I haue chosen rather for the satisfaction of mine honest liking then for the vaine preheminences or honourable dignities looked after by ambicious myndes The Duke hauyng heard this discourse caused Siluio presently to be sent for and to be brought before hym to whom he saied Had it not been sufficient for thee when I had reposed my self in thy fidelitie and the trustinesse of thy seruice that thou shouldest so traiterously deale with me but since that time haste not spared stil to abuse me with so many forgeries and periured protestations not onely hatefull vnto me whose simplicitie thou thinkest to bee suche that by the plotte of thy pleasaunt tongue thou wouldest make me beleeue a manifest vntrothe but moste habominable bee thy doynges in the presence and sight of God
sea and there left him to the rule and gouernment of Fortune and to the dispositioÌ„ of God and mercie of the waues and windes The boate was a long while beateÌ„ and tossed by the rage and furie of the Seas and poore Fineo vnder diuerse and sondrie stormes and shapes had before his eyes a thousande times the presence of Death Yet in that fearfull and mortall perill he ceased not to call vpon the name of his deare Fiamma and in that extreamitie and imminent daunger did he yet in maner glorifie himself and thinke himself happie that he should ende his life for the loue of his Ladie Whiles he was thus tossed and tormented still lookyng for none other but present death the Tempest began to cease and the storme and rage of Seas to bee asswaged When loe he discouered a Fregate of Moores that went a roauyng and were then 〈◊〉 gone abroade to spie whether the Storme which was then past had not happely prepared for them some occasion of gaine and bootie These Moores had no sooner discouered this little boate thus fleetyng at all aduentures but hoping to finde therein some prey for their prfiote thei made toward it And hauing at the boordyng thereof founde Fineo bounde hande and foote and perceiuing by his countenaunce and apparell that he was no verie base persone thei vntied hym and sette hym in their Fregate as a slaue to rowe vntill suche time as thei should determine further what to doe with hym who although that seruitude and captiuitie were greeuous vnto him yet consideryng with himself that it was better for hym to be in the power of men though thei were Infidells then in the power of Seas and Windes he comforted hymself that yet if he liued he might still hope throngh the goodnesse of God one daie to be so hapie as to enioye his Ldie and Loue he framed himself to beare with pacieâ—t minde that heauie yoke of his captiuitie Fiamma hauing vnderstoode the vnfortunate accident happened to her Louer beleeuyng certainly that he was dedde and that she should neuer see hym againe Wherefore she her self resoluyng that she would no longer liue gaue her self to deuise what kinde of death she were best to chuse and in doubt thereof she passed some fewe daies dissemblyng still in the house her sorrowe and greef with a merie and chearfull countenance as though she had cleane forgotten and not once remembred her Louer Fineo But in the ende after long debatyng with her self she resolued to dye thesame kinde of death and to make that ende whiche she imagined Fineo had doen. There was an other Gentleman of the Citee who was no lesse enamoured of this Gentlewoman then Fineo was who supposing that now since she sawe there was no remedie for her to recouer her louer whom bothe she and all the Citee accoumpted certainly to be dedde he might perchaunce by sute obtaine her good will and so procure her to bee his wife with the consent of her freendes And therefore not long after the mischaunce of Fineo he caused her father to bee dealt withall for the bestowyng of his daughter vpon hym and the Father beeyng willyng enough to agree therevnto and hauyng questioned with his daughter therevpon and findyng her to giue sober and obedient answere with fewe wordes presupposing that she was willyng to doe as he would haue her made promise of her vnto this yong Gentleman and agreed vpon the dowrie and all other circumstaunces necessarie for the coupling of twoo suche persones together The night that wente before the daie appoincted for their Marriage Fiamma callyng vnto her a Moore that was slaue in her fathers house and had the keepyng of a small Boate of the Gentlemans wherein when he liste to disport hymself he was wont to take the aire vpon the sea in tyme of faire weather and to goe to their houses of pleasure whereof that coast is verie plentifull and theim of exceadyng beautie Whiche Moore had liued so many yeres in that thraldome that he was now become so old as she thought she needed not to feare any force or violence at his handes she began to perswade hym to putte on a desire to deliuer hymself out of Captiuitie so as he might liue the reste of his yeres in libertie and at his ease wherevnto findyng hym readie and willyng if the meanes or occasion were offred hym she gaue him in hand a good round somme of money whiche she had laied together and made hym promise to carrie her into the Sea in the Boate whereof he had the custodie and afterwardes to doe that whatsoeuer it were that she should commaunde hym This wicked and faithlesse Moore seyng himself not onely to purchase his libertie but also make so greate againe of readie money that he was not like at any tyme after to liue in want or pouertie was onely thankfull in his minde towarde the yong Gentlewoman but straight waie began to purpose and to deuise to make a greater gaine of her owne persone by carriyng her vnto the kyng of Tunise and sellyng of her vnto hym at a verie high prise And with this entention the mischeeuous knaue assured her that he would doe in all pointes as she would haue hym Wherefore when all the reste of the house were in their firste fleape the Damsell with this wretched Moore went out of her fathers hous and gather into the Boate and the weather beyng verie faire the knaue began to rowe and make saile along the coaste toward Ligorno from whiche by breake of the daie thei were not verie farre When this yong gentlewoman sawe that she was now so farr from home that she needed not to feare to be driuen backe again to Genoua she willed the Moore to rowe to y â— shore and to land himself and then to shoue of the Boate againe for that her determination was so to dye swallowed vp with the waues of the sea as she supposed her Fineo to haue been But the wicked knaue who had a father fetche in his hed and thoughtes farre differed from the Gentlewomans made her beleeue that thei were yet nere vnto Genoua and aduised her to bee contente that thei might goe somewhat farther to the ende that her father if he sent after them might not ouertake them Neuerthelesse she hauyng often tymes vrged hym to doe as she erste bad hym and he still protracted the tyme and shiftyng her of with one tale or an other she began to suspect his drift The Mornyng therefore beyng well spent she made as though she would haue looked ouer the Boate side into the Water or haue washed her handes in the Sea and on the sodaine would haue caste her self ouer boarde But the craftie Moore suspectyng her intente caught holde of her aboute the middle and not onely held her from throwing her self into the Sea but also bound her faste hande and foote and wheras she of her courtesie had bothe set hym at libertie and liberally bestowed good
wedded that honest Dame Aselgia and made her Mistres of hymself and all that he had This his newe Mariage so sone contriued caused the freendes of Agatha to maruaile not a little and to misdoubt that the sodaine death of their kinsewoman had not happened without some misterie Neuerthelesse hauing no token nor euidence or proofe thei held their peace But Gonsales hauyng his desired purpose and liuyng with his newe wife it befell vnto hym through Gods iust Iudgement with this his ioly Dame as it chaunced to Agatha with hym before For Aselgia that was neuer wont to feede with so spare a diet as she that had neuer bin contented before without greate chaunge nor had not bin vsed to that kinde of straigtnesse which Gonsales growing ielous of her began to keepe her in but had alwaies liued at libertie and with suche licenciousnesse as women of her profession are wont to doe became in shorte space to shewe her self so precise vnto hym and to hate and abhorre hym in suche extreme sorte that she could not abide to see or heare hym spoken of By occasion of whiche her demeanour towardes him Gonsales to his greefe began at last to knowe and to discerne what difference there is betweene the honest and carefull loue of an honest wife and the dissemblyng of an arrant Strumpet Wherefore one daie among the rest complainyng of the little loue whiche he perceiued she bare hym and she aunsweryng hym thawartly Gonsales fallyng into heate of Choler saied angerly vnto her haue I thou naughty packe poysoned Agatha for thy sake that was the kindest and the louingest wife that euer man had and is this the rewarde I haue and the requitall thou yeeldest me to showe thy self euery daie more despightefull and crabbed then other Aselgia hauyng harde hym and noted well his wordes tooke holde of them and straight waie thought that she had founde the waie to rid her self of Gonsales wherefore she reueiled his speeches vnto a Ribalde of hers such a one as supplied her want of that which Gonsales alone nor ten suche as he were able to satisfie her withall and induced hym to appeache hym for that facte assuryng her self that the Lawe would punishe hym with no lnsse then death and thereby she to remaine at libertie to doe what she list againe as she had doen before This companion accused Gonsales vpon his owne wordes vnto the freendes of Agatha who hauyng had half a suspition thereof before went and accused hym likewise before y e Iudge or hed Magistrate of the Citie Whervpon Gonsales and his woman were both apprehended and put to their examinations to searche out the truth which Gonsales being halfe conuicted by the confession of the gentle peate his new wife but chiefly grieued with the worme of his owne conscience and to auoyde the torment of those terrors whiche he knewe were prepared for him confessed flatly affirmyng that he had poysoned her with a poyson whiche he had kept of long tyme before in his house perfourmyng yet therein the promise whiche he had made vnto the Sholler And vpon his owne confession sentence was giuen against hym that he should loose his hed Alonso when he vnderstoode that Gonsaler was condemned to dye was very glad thereof supposyng that he beeyng once dead Agatha who all this while for any thyng that the olde woman could saie or alledge vnto her in the behalfe of Alonso would neuer yeeld or consent to any one point wherein her honour might haue beene touched or spotted should remaine at his discretion and that she would no longer refuse to graunt hym her good will when she should see her self deliuered of Gonsales But the daie beyng come wherein he was to be put to execution she hauyng had inteligence of all that had passed and knowyng that he was appointed to dye that daie determined with her self that she would in that extremitie deliuer her disloyall housebande and giue hym to vnderstande how little she had deserued to bee so entreated by hym as she had been Wherefore hauyng gotten out of Alonso his house she hied her vnto the Citie as fast as she could and beeyng before the Iustice or Magistrate she saied vnto hym Sir Gonsales whom you haue condemned and commaunded to be put to death this daie is wrongfully condemned for it is not true that he hath poysoned his wife but she is yet aliue and I am she Therefore I beseeche you giue order that execution maie be staied since that your sentence is grounded vpon a false enformation and confession is vniust and you maie plainely discerne by me beyng here When the Gouernour heard Agatha speake in this sorte whom he had thought to haue beene deade and buried he was all amazed and halfe afraied to looke vpon her doubtyng that she was rather her spirite or Ghoste or some other in her likenesse then a liuely woman in deede for she was apparelled in a very plaine and black attyre and was very wanne and pale by reason of the affliction which she had indured First for her owne il fortune and then for the mischaunce of her housband In this meane while the Sargantes and Officers had brought Gonsales before the Iustice or Magistrate to the ende that he accordyng to the custome of the Citie should giue them commaundement to leade hym to the place of execution and there to fulfill his sentence vpon him But as sone as Agatha perceiued hym she ranne vnto hym and takyng hym about the necke and kissing him she saied Alas my deere housebande wherevnto doe I see you brought through your own folly and disordinate appetite which blinded your iudgement Beholde here your Agatha aliue and not deade who euen in that extremitie is come to shewe her self that louyng and faithfull wife vnto you that she was euer The Iustice or Gouernour seyng this straunge accident caused execution to be staied and signified the whole case vnto the Lorde of the Countrey who at that tyme chaunced to bee at Sciuill who wonderyng no lesse then the other at the matter caused bothe Gonsales and his wife to bee brought before him and demaunded of them how it had chaunced that she hauyng bin buried for dead was now founde aliue Gonsales could saie nothyng but that for the loue he bare vnto Aselgia he had poysoned his wife and that he knewe not how she was reuiued againe But Agatha declared how the Scholer with his skill had deliuered her from death and restored her life vnto her but how or by what meanes she could not tell The Lorde hauyng sent for Alonso and demaunded hym of the truth was certified by hym how that in steede of poison he had giuen to Gonsales a Pouder to make her sleape Affirmyng likewise that notwithstandyng the long and earnest pursuite whiche he had made to obtaine her loue and the crueltie and iniurie whiche she sawe her housebande had vsed towarde her to put her in that daunger and perill of her life out of
taken awaie no no it shall better content me to see a meane Gentleman beloued and praised of euery one for his vertues then to marie amiser possessed with all the goodes of the worlde hated and ill spoken of for his vices Feare not then Valeria to followe thy determination and to put in proofe what thou hast pretended Here withall staiyng her self she beganne to practise the meane in what maner she might bewray her loue to Siluanus seekyng for occasion and tyme meete for her purpose and although there remained in her a certaine naturall shamefastnesse wherwith maidens are commonly accompained which for a tyme did close her mouthe and made her to deferre the tyme of her desolued mynd yet in the ende throughly perswaded in her intent she sent one of her Maidens willyng Siluanus to come and speake with her about certaine affaires that she had to imploye hym The maide hauyng finished her message there could neuer more ioyfull newes happen to Siluanus who entryng the Chamber of Valeria with tremblyng harte after he had doen his reuerence with greate feare and bashfulnesse saied for that I vnderstande your Ladiship haâ—â— to employe me about certaine affaires I shall thinke my selâ— the moste happiest man in the worlde if my trauaile and diligence might any waies doe you seruice bee it that â—erein I should offer or sacrifice myne honour or life crauyng no greater benefite for the satisfaction of all my contentations receiued in this world then to serue obey and honour you so long as my life doeth last The Ladie now all rauished with ioye and contentation perceiuyng by his chaunge of colour the fault proceeded of vehement loue takyng hym aside into a windowe Loue had so closed vp her mouth that she knew not how to beginne her tale her mynd was so troubled her wits so farr out of course that her tongue failed to doe his office in suche wise that she was not able to speake one onely worde He likewise perplexed with the like Feuer was now astonied to see the alteration of his Ladie Thus these twoo Louers like twoo sencelesse Images stoode still beholdyng eche other without any maner of moouyng in the ende the Ladie takyng courage in her self with a tremblyng voyce ioyned with a maidenlike shamefastnesse began to saie as followeth Beyng assured my Siluanus of your discretion and wisedome whiche Nature hath not onely indued you withall but art hath also accomplished what Nature beganne to woorke I will therefore make no doubt at all to lette you knowe the hidden secretes of my harte neither will I goe aboute with circumstaunce to colour my woordes but being well perswaded that when you shall bothe heare and sauour my speeches and therewithall sound the deapth of my deuises you will easily coniecture that my enterprises bee none other then iust and that my alledged reasons are grouÌ„ded of good pretence I thinke sithence your ariuall here in the Court of the Duke my father you haue not seene me in any behauiour otherwise then vertue doeth permitte nor in any my demeanours exceedyng the boundes of modestie otherwise then becommeth a maiden of my callyng beyng descended of so worthie a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if this be a faulte that beyng prouoked by the purenesse of my harte and fidelitie of my good will who to keepe the same inuiolable doe voluntarily offer my self to the honest disposition of your iudgement as it shall please you to conceiue of me I haue then committed a fault in liking you too well but I trust nothyng at all offended God who knoweth the innocencie of my crime Think not Siluanus that I am the freend of Fortune and practise pleasure alone without vertue for it is modestie that commaundeth me and honestie is the guide of my conceiptes swearing and protesting by the Almightie God that neuer man shall touche Valeria except it be in Mariage and he that otherwise would assaile me I haue a harte that shall encourage my handes to sacrifice my life And now Siluanus if you will not thinke me more prodigall of my present then your fancie will serue you to take in good parte beholde it is you that I haue chosen for my Spouse and loyall housband And although I had determined to dissemble that whiche now I haue laied open vnto you yet reposing my self in your vertue and honestie I trust I shall not haue cause to repent me for any thyng that I haue either saied or doen. Siluanus whiche all this while hearing this heauenly harmonie with full assuraunce of that he moste wished for albeit he sawe no possibilitie how to bryng to passe this desired Mariage yet determined not to refuse so greate a preferment beyng so franke and liberally offered aunswered in this maner I knowe not Madame with what humilitie and reuerence I might receiue and accept this your greate bountie and noblenesse so graciously offered vnto me I do acknowledge my condition and state too base and that my loue may be thought to presume too farre beyonde the boundes of order consideryng that my ignobilitie and birth are no meete matches for suche a peerelesse Princes yet this I dare boldly affirme that if loue and entire affectioÌ„ borne to your Ladiship might serue to counteruaile that defect whiche by place of birthe the Destinies haue denaied me I dare vndertake I should as well deserue to bee receiued as he that is lineally descended from the greatest Monarchie of the world The whiche loue if till this tyme I haue delaied to open I beseeche you Madame impute it to the greatnesse of your estate and to the duetie of my callyng but now for as muche as by your owne motion grace courtesie and greate liberalitie the same is profered and that of your owne bountie it pleaseth you to accept me for yours I humbly beseeche you not to dispose of me as of a housbande but as of one whiche both is and shall be your seruaunt for euer Thus saied he takyng her by the hande kissed it with greate deuotion his tongue and wittes were so rapt and tied as the Ladie perfectly perceiued this alteration and seyng it to proceede of loue replied on this maner Then my Siluanus there needeth at this present no farther circumstaunce but for that I am well assured there are some that will be offended with my choice but especially the Duke my father who will conceiue some great displeasure against me there resteth then that this our contract bee kept very secrete vntill it please God to appoint the tyme that the rest of our determinations maie without daunger bee consummate and accomplished In the meane tyme trustyng that your desire is Godly and that the freendshipp you pretende to beare me is founded vpon vertue and to be concluded by Mariage receiue me for your Spouse and lawfull wife you shall haue suche parte in me as without any regarde to the obedience and duetie that I owe to my Parentes I am yours beeyng readie and disposed to obeye you so
perceiued by his Mother she began very sharpely to rate hym blamyng hym that would so indiscretly place his loue not waiyng his estate and birthe as come of Princely race and now would make hym self a fable to the worlde to like of suche a one so farre vnworthie his degree Arabianus fallyng doune vppon his knees moste humbly desired his Mother to beare with all that was paste and although it were truth that she had saied that he deemed her for her birthe to bee vnworthie his degree yet she deserued for her beautie to bee compared to the greatest Dame and brauest Minion els where And whereas other girles by artificiall meanes and trumperies doe inforce that whiche the heauens haue denaied them yet Phylene had no other ornament then that whiche Nature had inlarged in her and otherwise for her vertue wisedome and modestie he knewe it to be suche by reporte of many as she might bee a Lanterne to the greatest Dame that liued Notwithstandyng Madame for so muche as you doe take my facte in so ill parte consideryng the reuerence that I owe to the place whiche you holde on my behalfe and the duetie and obedience that God will and hath commaunded that children should beare to those that haue begotten and borne them if it please you to pardon me of this that is past I protest that from henceforth I will be more wise and better aduised how I enter into any thyng that might turne to any suche consequence or any maner of waies to offende you The Dutches knowyng all to bee true that her sonne had saied very well pleased with his speeches remained satisfied thinkyng in her mynde in deede that if Phylene had bin the Daughter but of some meane Gentleman her sonne should neuer haue sought farther for a wife From this tyme forwards although Arabianus by the perswasion of his Mother had vowed to reuolt and let slippe the loue that he bare to Phylene yet he could not so clearely loose his likyng but that he did manifest some part of his good wil by giftes and good countenaunces whiche still he bestowed vpon Phylene causing his Mother likewise to bestowe many liberall rewardes vppon Messilina thus the Mother and the Daughter perceiued them selues a thousande tymes beholdyng to the olde Dutches and her sonne In this meane space the Marchaunt before mentioned had buried his wife and knowyng no other but that Mâ—ssilina his Tenaunt had been a widowe he began now a freshe sute and with greate importunitie requested her in the waie of Mariage and so hardly he laied vnto her that Messilina not knowyng otherwise how to rid hym coâ—fessed vnto hym that she had a housbande aliue and therefore might not marie The Marchaunt thinkyng these to be but delaies to shift hym of came to this point that if hereafter he could proue her by her owne confession to bee a widowe that then before witnesse she would take hym for her lawfull housbande and till that tyme he would no farther trouble her till he had made his proofe she beeyng glad to bee at rest thinkyng that he should woorke very wisely to make her confesse her self to bee a widowe agreed to his request and witnesse was had in the matter The Marchaunt now lettyng his matter rest a tyme for his better purpose in the ende comming vnto her he told her that although she were so discourteous to forsake his freendshippe in euery respect first in the waie of good fellowshippe and after in the waie of Marriage whereby he was driuen to goe seeke farther but now hauyng found a wife in the Countrey to whom he was assured and ment presently to bee married yet for the old freendshippe that he bare her consideryng that he would presently remaine in the Countrie altogether and forsake the Citie therefore for her better securitie and assuraunce of her dwellyng he would make her a Lease of the house that she dwelt in for one and twentie yeres if it might doe her any pleasure without paiyng any penie Income Messilina giuyng hym greate thankes tooke his offer verie courteously and the Lease was put to making whiche the Marchaunt signed and deliuered and herewithall desired her single Obligation for the performaunce of some small rente were it neuer so little that she might acknowledge hym to be her Landlorde the whiche she neuer denaied to giue The Obligation was made in this maner Knowe all meÌ„ by these presentes that I Messilina Widowe and so forthe with wordes in maner and forme of euery Obligation This Obligation thus made was signed and deliuered by Messilina to the Marchaunte who had now gotten that so long he had sought for and by vertue of this Obligation craued Messilina to bee his wife she denaiyng his demaunde but what could that preuaile when he had her owne hande and seale to shewe whereby she confessed her self a Widowe and then by her owne agrement as you haue heard before she must yeeld her self to be his wife This matter was long in fendyng prouyng in so muche that the Duke beyng now in the Toune ministeryng of Iustice to suche as would craue it the Marchaunte brought the matter before the Duke who hearyng the maner of the Bargaine and so many witnesses to affirme the same gaue Sentence that the Marchaunte ought in deede to haue her But Messilina fallyng at the feete of the Duke desiring him with teares to deferre his Iudgement the Duke now takyng better vewe of the woman knowyng her bothe by her voice and also by lookyng well on her face perceiued assuredlie that it was his owne wife he called againe to the Marchaunt to see obligation whiche wheÌ„ he had receiued he said in this maner Maister Marchaunt this obligation whiche you haue deliuered me now I haue perused with better aduise I finde it to bee neither sufficient nor lawfull for this woman that you would make a Widowe without doubt is Married and hath a housebande now she beeyng vnder couert barne you Obligation is vnpleadable and I knowe not whom you should blame whether your self or the Scriuener And here withall beyng replete with great ioye and gladnesse taking his wife vp in his armes verie louinglie imbraced her he saied Ah my deare and louing Wife how muche am I bounde to render innumerable thankes to the almightie GOD that when all hope was paste haue yet againe recouered my greatest hope and comfort Messilina likewise perceiuyng her lord and housebande clasping her handes aboute his necke was not able to speake a woorde for ioye and contentation The companie that stoode by amazed to see this sodaine happe were likewise verie ioyfull to see this freendly meeting The Marchaunt seeyng how he had been deceiued tare his Obligation and departed all ashamed The Duke now desirous to see his Daughter Philene caused her Mother to sende for her who not knowyng her Father otherwise then by report fell doune on her knees to craue his blessyng The Duke taking her vp kissing her with Fatherlie
and takyng Valerya by the hande he deliuered her to Siluanus promisyng hym for her dowrie 40000. Franckes in golde presently to bee paied and after his descease to remaine for his inheritour Siluanus better pleased with Valeria her self then with all the rest that was promised gaue hym greate thankes and so did the Duke his father All the companie were replenished with the greatest ioye that might be to see this sodaine sight and thus thei departed to the Pallas where the Duke kept his abode where Siluanus was welcomed to his mother to his sister to Arabianus and to all the rest where there was greate feastyng and triumphe and a bonde of euerlastyng amitie betweene the houses of the Duke of Mantona the Duke of Vasconya and the Duke of Petrona and after a while thei had feasted and sported them selues thei rode altogether in companie to the Emperours Courte who receiued them with so greate honour as he could deuise and making himself a partaker of their mirth wonderyng to here the hole discourse how thynges had happened when after a while he had feasted them and shewed them as greate pleasures as might be deuised he bestowed of them all large and bountifull giftes but especially of the two yong Ladies Valerya and Phylene and this agreeing amongest themselues to meete once a yeare at the least to sporte and make them selues merrie for this season thei departed euery one where it liked them beste Of Apolonius and Silla The Argument of the second Historie ¶ Apolonius Duke hauing spent a yeares seruice in the warres against the Turke returning homeward with his companie by Sea was driuen by force of weather to the Ile of Cypres where he was well receiued by Pontus Gouernour of the same Ile with whom Silla daughter to Pontus fell so straungely in loue that after Apolonius was departed to Constantinople Silla with one man followed and commyng to Constantinople she serued Apolonius in the habite of a man and after many pretie accidentes fallyng out she was knowne to Apolonius who in requitall of her loue maried her THere is no child that is borne in to this wretched worlde but before it doeth sucke the mothers milke it taketh first a soope of the Cupp of errour which maketh vs when we come to riper yeres not onely to enter into actioÌ„s of iniurie but many tymes to straie from that is right and reason but in all other thynges wherein wee shewe our selues to bee moste dronken with this poisoned Cuppe it is in our actions of Loue for the Louer is so estraunged from that is right and wandereth so wide from the boundes of reason that he is not able to deeme white from blacke good from bad vertue from vice but onely led by the appetite of his owne affections and groundyng them on the foolishnesse of his owne fancies will so settle his likyng on suche a one as either by deserte or vnworthinesse will merite rather to be loathed then loued If a question might be asked what is the ground in deede of reasonable loue whereby the knot is knit of true and perfect freendship I thinke those that be wiâ—e would aunswere Deserte that is where the partie beloued dooeth requite vs with the like for otherwise if the bare shewe of beautie or the comelinesse of personage might bee sufficient to confirme vs in our loue Those that bee accustomed to goâ— to Faires and Markettes might sometymes fall into loue with twentie in a daie Deserte must then bee of force the grounde of reasonable loue for to loue them that hate vs to followe them that flie from vs to faue on them that froune on vs to currie fauour with them that disdaine vs to bee glad to please them that care not how thei offende vs who will not confesse this to be an erronious loue neither grounded vpon witte nor reason Wherefore right curteous Gentlewomen if it please you with pacience to peruse this Historie followyng you shall see Dame Errour so plaie her parte with a Leishe of Louers a Male and twoo Females as shall woorke a wonder to your wise iudgement in notyng the effect of their amourous deuises and conclusions of their actions The first neclectyng the loue of a noble Dame yong beautifull and faire who onely for his good will plaied the parte of a Seruyng man contented to abide any maner of paine onely to beholde hym He againe settyng his loue of a Dame that despising hym being a noble Duke gaue her self to a Seruyng man as she had thought but it otherwise fell out as the substance of this tale shall better discribe And because I haue been somethyng tedious in my first discourse offending your pacient eares with the hearing of a circumstaunce ouer long From hence forth that whiche I minde to write shall be doen with suche celericie as the matter that I pretende to penne maie in any wise permit me and thus followeth the Historie During the tyme that the famous Citie of Constantinople remained in the handes of the Christians amongst many other noble men that kepte their abidyng in that florishyng Citie there was one whose name was Apolonius a worthie Duke who beyng but a very yong man and euen then newe come to his possessions whiche were very greate leuied a mightie band of men at his owne proper charges with whom he serued against the Turke duryng the space of one whole yeare in whiche tyme although it were very shorte this yong Duke so behaued hymself as well by prowesse and valiaunce shewed with his owne handes as otherwise by his wisedome and liberalitieâ— vsed towardes his Souldiours that all the worlde was filled with the fame of this noble Duke When he had thus spent one yeares seruice he caused his Trompet to sounde a retraite and gatheryng his companie together and imbarkyng themselues he set saile holdyng his course towardes Constantinople but beeyng vpon the Sea by the extreamitie of a Tempest whiche sodainely fell his fleete was deserued some one waie and some an other but he hymself recouered the Ile of Cypres where he was worthily receiued by Pontus Duke and gouernour of the same Ile with whom he lodged while his Shippes were newe repairyng This Pontus that was Lorde and Gouernour of this famous Ile was an auncient Duke had two children a sonne and a daughter his sonne was named Siluio of whom hereafter we shall haue further occasion to speak but at this instant he was in the partes of Africa seruyng in the Warres The Daughter her name was Silla whose beautie was so perelesse that she had the soueraintie amongest all other Dames aswell for her beautie as for the noblenesse of her birth This Silla hauing heard of the worthinesse of Apolonius this yong Duke who besides his beautie and good graces had a certaine naturall allurement that beyng now in his companie in her fathers Courte she was so strangely attached with the loue of Apolonius that there was nothing might content her but his
that hast not spared to blaspheeme his holy name by callyng hym to bee a witnesse to maintaine thy leasynges and so detestably wouldest forsweare thy self in a matter that is so openly knowne Poore Siluio whose innocencie was suche y t he might lawfully sweare seing Iulina to be there in place aunswered thus Moste noble Duke well vnderstandyng your conceiued greefe most humbly I beseeche you paciently to heare my excuse not mindyng thereby to aggrauate or heape vp your wrathe and displeasure protestyng before God that there is nothyng in the worlde whiche I regarde so muche or doe esteeme so deare as your good grace and fauour but desirous that your grace should know my innocencie and to cleare my self of suche impositions wherewith I knowe I am wrongfully accused whiche as I vnderstande should be in the practising of the Ladie Iulina who standeth here in place whose acquitance for my better discharge now I most humbly craue protesting before the almightie God that neither in thought worde nor deede I haue not otherwise vsed my self then accordyng to the bonde and duetie of a seruaunt that is bothe willyng and desirous to further his Maisters sutes which if I haue otherwise saied then that is true you Madame Iulina who can very well deside the depthes of all this doubt I most humbly beseeche you to certifie a troth if I haue in any thing missaied or haue otherwise spoken then is right and iust Iulina hauing heard this discourse which Siluio had made perceiuyng that he stoode in great awe of the Dukes displeasure aunswered thus Thinke not my Siluio that my commyng hether is to accuse you of any misdemeanour towards your Maister so I doe not denaie but in al suche Imbassages wherein towardes me you haue been imployed you haue vsed the office of a faithfull and trustie messenger neither am I ashamed to confesse that the first day that mine eyes did behold the singuler behauiour the notable curtesie and other innumerable giftes wherewith my Siluio is endued but that beyonde all measure my harte was so inflamed that impossible it was for me to quenche the feruent loue or extinguishe the least part of my conceiued torment before I had bewraied the same vnto hym and of my owne motion craued his promised faithe and loialtie of marriage and now is the tyme to manifest the same vnto the worlde whiche hath been doen before God and betweene our selues knowyng that it is not needefull to keepe secret that whiche is neither euill doen nor hurtfull to any persone therefore as I saied before Siluio is my housbande by plited faithe whom I hope to obtaine without offence or displeasure of any one trusting that there is no mā that will so farre forget hymself as to restraine that whiche God hath left at libertie for euery wight or that will seeke by crueltie to force Ladies to marrie otherwise then accordyng to their owne likyng Feare not then my Siluio to keepe your faith and promise whiche you haue made vnto me and as for the rest I doubt not thynges will so fall out as you shall haue no maner of cause to complaine Siluio amased to heare these woordes for that Iulina by her speeche seemed to confirme that whiche he most of all desired to be quite of saied Who would haue thought that a Ladie of so greate honour and reputation would her self bee the Embassadour of a thyng so preiudiciall and vncomely for her estate what plighted promises be these whiche be spoken of altogether ignoraunt vnto me whiche if it be otherwise then I haue saied you Sacred Gods consume me straight with flashyng flames of fire But what woordes might I vse to giue credite to the truth and innocencie of my cause Ah Madame Iulina I desire no other testimonie then your owne honestie and vertue thinkyng that you will not so muche blemishe the brightnesse of your honour knowyng that a woman is or should be the Image of curtesie continencie and shamefastnesse from the whiche so soone as she stoopeth and leaueth the office of her duetie and modestie besides the degraduation of her honour she thrusteth her self into the pitt of perpetuall infamie and as I can not thinke you would so farre forget your self by the refusall of a noble duke to dimme the light of your renowne and glorie whiche hetherto you haue maintained amongest the best and noblest Ladies by such a one as I know my self to be too farre vnworthie your degree and callyng so most humbly I beseeche you to confesse a trothe 〈…〉 those vowes and promises you speake of whiche spéeches bee so obscure vnto me as I knowe not for my life how I might vnderstande them Iulina somethyng nipped with these speeches saied and what is the matter that now you make so little accompt of your Iulina that beeyng my housbande in deede haue the face to denay me to whom thou art contracted by so many solemne othes what arte thou ashamed to haue me to thy wife how muche oughtest thou rather to bee ashamed to breake thy promised faithe and to haue despised the holie and dreadfull name of GOD but that tyme constraineth me to laie open that whiche shame rather willeth I should dissemble and keepe secret behold me then here Siluio whom thou hast gotten with childe who if thou be of suche honestie as I trust for al this I shall finde then the thing is doen without preiudice or any hurte to my conscience consideryng that by the professed faithe thou diddest accoumpt me for thy wife and I receiued thee for my spouse and loyall housbande swearing by the almightie God that no other then you haue made the cōquest and triumphe of my chastitie whereof I craue no other witnesse then your self and myne owne conscience I praie you Gentlewomen was not this a foule ouersight of Iulina that would so precisely sweare so great an othe that she was gotten with childe by one that was altogether vnfurnisht with implementes for suche a tourne For Gods loue take heede and let this be an example to you when you bee with childe how you sweare who is the father before you haue had good proofe and knowledge of the partie for men bee so subtill and full of sleight that God knoweth a woman maie quickly be deceiued But now to retourne to our Siluio who hearyng an othe sworne so deuinely that he had gotten a woman with childe was like to beleeue that it had bin true in very deede but remembryng his owne impediment thought it impossible that he should commit suche an acte and therefore halfe in a chafe he saied What lawe is able to restraine the foolishe indescretion of a woman that yeeldeth her self to her owne desires what shame is able to bridle or withdrawe her from her mynd and madnesse or with what snaffell is it possible to holde her backe from the execution of her filthinesse but what abhomination is this that a Ladie of such a house should so forget the greatnesse of
doubt or Ielousie of any one you maie carrie me into the feeldes where for your better ease you maie take me forthe and disguising our selues wee maie walke together to your house aforesaied where I maie remaine without any maner of suspition or knowledge to any so long as it shall please your self O moste excellente deuise quoth the Doctor I haue this matter alreadie at my fingers endes and I warraunte you you shall see me plaie the Porter so cunninglie that how many so euer I meete there shall none of them be able to suspect me Thus with a feined kisse that she againe bestdwed of him for that time thei departed Mistresse Doritie in like maner sent for the Lawier whom she handled in like sorte as she had doen the Doctor makyng hym beleeue that her housebandes Ielousie was suche as she durst no more come in his companie But of her self she loued hym so entirely that she would hazard any thyng for his sake and because he should the better beleeue it to morrowe quoth she in the after noone my housebande will be forthe of the dores wherefore I praie you faile not about three of the Clocke to come and visite me when wee shall haue laisure to disporte our selues to our better contentation Many like enticyng woordes she vsed whiche so perswaded the Lawier then dreadyng no bad measure at all he promised her not to faile but he would keepe his hower and thus departed verie ioyfull that he had againe recouered his Mistresse And the nexte daie euen as it had stroke three of the Clocke he was knockyng at the doore of this Gentlewoman who lookyng for his commyng was readie to receiue hym and vp thei goe together to a Chamber whiche she had appoincted for the purpose where for a tyme she dalied hym of with deuises And sodainlie her maide according as her Mistresse had giuen her instructioÌ„s came hastelie to the Chamber doore callyng her Mistresse saiyng that her Maister was come in and had asked for her Mistresse Doritie who was not to learne to plaie her parte semed to be striken into a wonderfull feare alas quoth she to the Lawier for the loue of GOD keepe your self secret for a time that I maie go doune and rid him awaie if it be possible and thus goyng her waie doune she shuttes the dore after her The Lawier who was readie to beraie hym self for feare crepte vnder the Bedde where she lette hym alone the space of an hower and then commyng vp into the Chamber and could not see hym she beganne to muse what was become of hym he hearyng one was come in at the Chamber doore beganne to prie out vnder the Beddes feete and perceiuyng by the skirte of her goune who it was with a faint voice he said Alas my deare what newes is your housebande gone Ah my louing freende quoth she I was neuer so hardlie beset sith I was borne my housebande iâ— come home with three or fower of his freendes whiche he mette withall in the Citee and bee come out of the Countrie of 〈◊〉 to make merrie with him and here thei be appoincted this night to Suppe and hether bee come to their beddes so long as thei remaine in the Citee and this Chamber is appointed for twoo of them to lie in that for my life I knowe not what shifte to make nor how to conueigh you hence Alas quoth the Lawier then am I vtterlie vndoen for the loue of GOD deuise some meanes tonueigh me out of the house for I would not remaine all night in this perplexitie no not for all the golde in the worlde Mistresse Doritie makyng a little pause sodainlie as though she had an inuention but euen then come into her hedde she saied I haue this onely remedie left here is in the house a Male full of stuffe whiche should this night be sent to the Carriers my deuise is therefore to take forthe the stuffe and laie it aside till sometime the next weeke when I will make shift to send the stuffe awaie verie well and you shalbee presentlie packed vp in this Male whiche my Maide shall doe while I am belowe with my housebande and his freendes and so causing a Porter to bee sent for he shall carrie you to your Chamber or to any other place where it shall please your self so that my housebande seyng this Male goe forthe of doores will thinke it is the stuffe whiche he knoweth this night should be sent No better deuise in the worlde quoth the Lawier and let the Porter conueigh this Male to my Chamber you knowe where and deliuer it to my man as sent from his Mâ—ister and will him to giue him fortie pence for his labor The matter thus determined Mistresse Doritie sent vp her Maide with this emptie Male wherein she trussed vp the Lawier and there she left him liyng from fiue of the Clocke vntill it was past eight and in the Sommer season the weather beeyng verie hotte the Lawier had like to haue been smothered where he laie at the length according to poinctmente comes maister Doctor disguised like a right porter with a long gaberdine doune to the calfe of his legges and he enquires for a Male that should goe to the Carriers yea a Marie quoth the Maide if you please to come in it is readie for you the Doctor beyng a good sturdie lubber tooke vp the Male verie easilie for feare of brusing the Gentlewomans tender ribbes whom he had thought he had vpon his backe and thus forth of doores he goes takyng the next waie towardes his lodgyng Mistresse Doritie with her beloued Souldiour whom she had made priuie to her deuise stoode where she might se Maister Doctor in his Porters weede goyng with his carriage whereat when thei had awhile sported them selues the Souldier followed maister Doctor an easie pace but onely to kepe the sight of him and the Doctor he tooke his waie through the streates with a maine pace till he had recouered the feeldes where looking about him to see what companie was stirryng sawe no bodie nere hym but the Souldier whom he did not knowe and then crossyng the waie from the common pathes he came to the side of a Bancke and beeyng wearie as he was not to be blamed consideryng the knauishe burthen that he had borne vpon his backe he laiyng doune the Male tenderlie vppon the side of the Bancke seeyng no bodie but the Souldier who was but a little distaunce from hym saied Ah my sweete wenche I can see no creature stirryng in all the feeldes but one man whiche is commyng this waie who so sone as he is paste I will vndoe the Male. The Lawier in the Male when he felt the Porter laie him doune was in a good hope that he had been in his own chamber but hearing by these speeches that he was in the feeldes began to coÌ„iecture assuredly that the Porter had spoken those wordes to some woman that was in this companie with whoÌ„
bestowe her vpon hym and thought that thei had in so doyng placed her very well But before the first yeare after their Marriage was fully expired Gonsales followyng his wonted humour and waxyng wearie of loue grewe to desire chaunge giuyng thereby a notable example for women to learne how little it is to their commoditie or quiet to matche thenâ—ise 〈…〉 that be rather riche then wise and how muche it were better for them to be married to men then to their goodes For beeyng come to soiourne in that Streate wherein he dwelt a notable Courtesane who to the outward shewe was very faire though inwardly she was moste foule as she that vnder a goodly personage did couer a wicked and dangerous minde corrupted with all vices as for the most parte al suche women doen. It was Gonsales chaunce to be one of the first that fell into those snares whiche she had sett for suche simple mens mindes as haunt after the exteriour apparance of those thinges whiche their senses make them to delight in and not considering the daunger wherevnto thei commit themselues by followyng of their disordinate appetites doe suffer them selues to be entrapped by suche leude Dames Among which this forsoothe was one that was of singuler skill to captiue mens mindes which by experience and by the naturall disposition of her mynde bent wholy to deceipt and naughtinesse had learned a thousand giles and artes whiche waie to allure men with the pleasauntnesse of her baites Wherefore after he was once entangled with her snares he fell so farre beyond all reason and past al beleef to dote vpon this Strumpet that he could finde no rest nor no contentment but so long as he was with her But she beeyng as dissolute a Dame as any liued in the world and as greedie likewise of gaine as euer any was of her profession would not content her self with Gonsales alone but yeelded vnto as many as list to enioye her if thei came with their handes full and spared for no cost to rewarde her liberally Whiche thyng was vnto hym that was so besotted on her so greeuous and so intollerable that nothyng could be more There was at that same tyme a Scholer in the Citie that studied in Phisicke with whom Gonsales had familiar acquaintance and the Scholler therby hauyng accesse and conuersation in his house began so feruently to bee in loue with Agatha his wife that he desired nothyng so earnestly in the worlde as to enioye her and to winne her good will Wherefore hauyng as I haue saied free accesse to her house and to â—eclare his affection vnto her without suspition he ceased not 〈◊〉 al the meanes he was able to deuise to sollicite and to procure her to yeeld vnto his desire With his endeuour and earnest suite although it were vnto Agatha noisome and displeasant as she that was disposed to keepe her self honest and that she could in that respect haue been very glad that he would forbeare to frequent her house Yet knowyng her housbande to be a man of no very great substance and but slenderly stuffed in the hedpeece and that he delighted greatly in the familiaritie of the Scholler she forced her self to endure with pacience the importunate molestation whiche he still wearied her withall Takyng from hym neuerthelesse all hope to obtaine at any tyme any fauour at her handes and cuttyng hym shorte from all occasions as muche as she could whereby he might haue cause to molest her or to looke for any thyng to proceede from her that were lesse then honest The Scholler perceiuyng that his owne trauaile to win her affection was but labour lost thought best to trie if by the allurement or perswasion of any other he might happly moue her to shew her self more courteous and fauourable vnto him Wherefore hauyng founde out an olde Mother Elenour a disciple of the Spanishe Celestina suche a one as was moste cunnyng and skilfull in mollifiyng of womens myndes to worke them afterwarde to receiue the impressions of their louers he caused her to take acquaintaunce of Agatha and by degrees as though she had been moued with pittie and compassion of case to declare vnto her the loue whiche her housebande bare vnto the Courtisanâ— and to shew her how vnworthie he was that she should be true vnto hym And in the ende passing from one speech to an other she saied plainly vnto her that it was a great follie since her housband did take his pleasures abroade with other women to stand to his allowances and to take the leauyng of his Strumpets and therewith to bee content and that if she were in her case and had a housebande that would strike with the sworde she would vndoubtedly requite hym and strike with the scabberde so she counselled her to doe likewise Agatha beyng a very discrete Gentlewoman and louyng her housbande as an honest woman ought to doe saied to her in aunswere of her talke that she would bee right glad to see her housbande to be suche a man as she wished hym to be and as he ought to be But that since she sawe it would not be and that he could not frame hym self thereto she would not take from hym or barre hym of that libertie whiche either the custome of the corrupted worlde or the priuiledge that men had vsurped vnto themselues had giuen vnto them And that she would neuer for her parte violate or breake that faithe whiche she had giuen hym nor slacke or neglect that care and regard of her honour whiche all women by kinde and nature ought to haue as the thyng that maketh them to be moste commended throughout the world let her housbande doe what he list and like and loue as many other women as pleased hym And that she thought her self so muche the rather bounde so to doe because he did not in the rest misuse her any waie or suffer her to want any thing that reasonably she could desire or craue at his handes and for that she had not brought hym in effect any other dowrie worthie to bee accompted of then her honestie Wherefore she was fully resolued neuer to varie from that constant resolution And finally shewyng her self somewhat moued and stirred with Choler she tolde her that she maruailed at her not a little that beyng a woman of those yeres that she should rather reprehend and chide yong folke if she should see them so bent then encourage them to euil mused muche she could finde in her harte to giue her suche counsell whiche she assured her was so displeasant and so vngratefull as if froÌ„ hence forthe she durst presume to speake thereof any more she would make her vnderstande perchaunce to her smarte how ill she could awaie with suche pandarly practises This olde Hag hauyng had her head washed thus without sope departed from Agatha and came vnto the Scholler and tolde hym in breefe how ill she had sped and in what sorte the honest Gentlewoman had closed her
takyng pen and yuck he sate him doune and wrote these verses followyng No shame I trust to cease from former ill Nor to reuert the leudnesse of the mynde Whiche hath bin trainde and so misled by will To breake the boundes whiche reason had assyngde I now forsake the former tyme I spent And sorie am for that I was miswent But blinde forecast was he that made me swarue Affection fond was lurer of my lust My fancie fixte desire did make me serue Vaine hope was he that trained all my trust Good liking then so daseled had my sight And dimnde myne eyes that reason gaue no light O sugred sweete that trainde me to this trap I sawe the baite where hooke laie hidden fast I well perceiude the drift of my mishap I knewe the bit would breede my bane at last But what for this for sweete I swallowed all Whose taste I finde more bitter now then gall But loe the fruites that grewe by fonde desire I seeke to shunne that pleased best my mynde I sterue for colde yet faine would quenche the fire And glad to loose that fainest I would finde In one self thyng I finde bothe baall and blisse But this is straunge I like no life but this When he had thus penned these verses he committed them to memorie and the next daie beyng in the companie of certaine Gentlemen and Gentlewomen in the Court taking a Lute whereon he could plaie very well and hauyng likewise good knowledge in his song therewithall a very pleasaunt voyce he began to sing this dittie before mentioned in the middest whereof came in the yong Ladie Valerya wherewith Siluanus staied his song but she ioynyng her self to the coÌ„panie seyng the sainct that secretly shrined in her thought she had vowed her greatest deuotion vnto desired Siluanus at her request to begin his song againe Siluanus makyng the matter nothyng nice was pleased very well to satisfie her request and takyng the Lute began his song to the whiche the Ladie gaue intentiue eare froÌ„ the beginnyng to the ending and perceiuing the song to be made in some extreame passion forced by loue she demaunded of Siluanus who had penned those verses who aunswered thei were of his owne pennyng and so lately doen that he could not forget them the Ladie then thinking Siluanus to be in loue with some other Gentlewoman departed very speedily as though some sodaine motion 〈◊〉 happened to her mynde and comming to her Chamber â—huttyng fast the doore she began to saie as followeth How muche am I vnfortunate aboue all other women that beyng a Ladie of suche bloud as I am and yet am happened into so straunge a miserie that in maner with myne owne mouth I haue made request to hym which rather with all humilitie ought to profer me his seruice and yet am scornfully reiected and an other like to catche the birdes whilest I doe but beate the bushe Oh Siluanus Siluanus deemest thou me no better worthe then so lightly to reiect my proffered loue and shall an other that is muche lesse worthie beare awaie the sweete fruite of my desired hope and shall possesse without desert the glorie due to a firme and faithfull frende No no I can not thinke thee sâ— ingrate and my harte foretelleth me that it is impossible my Siluanus should wander so farre from equitie but that he is able to discerne of colours and will not requite me with wrong for right I am sure not to be deceiued in my loue I knowe he loueth me but that he dareth not to disclose the same fearyng I should refuse hym and cast hym of with shame I will not let therfore with myne owne mouth to bewraie the same vnto hym and to manifest my good will whereby my chast and honest amitie once knowen vnto him vertue her self may knit the knot betweene vs whiche can not chuse but bryng forthe the fruites of true and perfect freendship And shall I then beeyng a Ladie of suche degree bee constrained to sewe where euery other woman of the meanest reputation bee ordinarily required and that with the importunate instance of their suters I shal then be noted of boldnesse and bee thought to straie too farre from the limites and boundes of modestie and to make a greater show of lightnesse theÌ„ is properly looked for in vs that be of the feminine geÌ„der but what strictnesse is this prescribed to our sex that we should be bereued of our libertie and so absolutely condemned of lightnesse in seeking to satisfie our lawful and honest desires with what trampe be we tempered withall more then men whereby wee should bee able to withstande the forces of the fleshe or of power to resist the concupiscenses whiche Nature it self hath assigned we bee tearmed to be the weaker 〈…〉 yet thei would haue vs more puissaunt then either Sampson or Hercules If man and woman bee made of one mettall it must needes followe by consequence we be subiect to like infirmitie from whence commeth then this freedome that men maie aske what thei desire of vs be it neuer so leude and wee maie not craue any thyng of them that tendeth to good and honest pretence It is termed to be but a mans parte that seeketh our dishonour by leude and lawlesse lust but to a woman it is imputed for lightnesse to firme her lawfull likyng with pure and loyall loue if men will haue preheminence to doe euill why should we be reproued for doyng well Wherevpon stande I then amazed with these fonde opinions my loue is not vnlawfull neither before God nor man I loue Siluanus whom I will take for my housbande for otherwise to loue hym my harte doeth not intende therefore without any farther respite or delaie I wil make my loue knowne vnto him and the band of Mariage once confirmed betweene vs shall couer the fault which men would deeme neither shall my mynd be altered either by the sugred perswasion of freendes neither terrified with any threates that maie bee thundered forthe by Parentes blusteryng wrath I am not so farre ouerwhelmed with Pride that in respect for the greatnesse of my Parentage I should despise a Gentleman indued more with vertue then with riches though there be some that be of this condition that thei will soner preferre the greatnesse of birth then the greatnesse of vertue the aboundance of wealth then the aboundance of witte the perfection of beautie then the perfection of the mynde but I am out of the number of those women whiche care more to haue their housbands purses well lined with money whereby thei maie be maintained in their brauerie or sometymes fixe their fancie vppon some yong man that is of goodly personage although voyd of vertue qualitie and good conditions that ought to garnishe a Gentleman and doeth more beautifie and enriche hym then either the bare shewe of beautie or any other giftes of Fortune but I cannot imploye my loue vpon transitory treasure when the 〈◊〉 of the mynde is cleane
before mentioned where he behaued hymself so valiantly as he was the first that mounted vppon the walles and by his dexteritie and inuincible force made waie to the Souldiours in the breach whereby thei entered and tooke the Citie killyng and driuyng out their enemies before them In many suche like attemptes Siluanus still shewed hym self so noble and valiaunt that his praise and renowne was sounded in euery place The Duke now hauing recouered againe al suche Cities Townes and other Fortes whiche the Turke had before taken from the Emperour and there with all had banished the Turkes from out the boundes and borders of the Empire and a League agreed vppon betweene the Emperour and the Turke The Armie beeyng broken vp and Souldiours discharched euery man well recompensed for his seruice accordyng as he had deserued Siluanus likewise who by his worthinesse hauing not onely made himself famous to the world but also had well lined his purse with good store of golde bethinkyng hym now of his faire Ladie came to the Duke to haue takeÌ„ his leaue but the Duke mindyng now to performe the good that he ment to Siluanus was resolued in his mynd that Siluanus with his wife should bee his gestes as well at Mantona where he was Duke as thei had been before where he was but a Sexten saied to Siluanus as followeth Sir Knight what hast is this that you would so sodainly withdrawe your self from out my companie belike you haue some faire wife to whom you make suche speede to bee gone but sir content your self to beare me companie to the Emperours Courte where I doubte not but you shall receiue some better recompence for your seruice so happely begunne for it is not requisite but that the vertue of valiaunce ought to bee rewarded and cherished by Princes that bee aided in their necessitie with the diligence of suche vertuous and noble Gentlemen as your self Siluanus greatly coÌ„forted with these wâ—â—â—des of the Duke was well pleased to waite vpon hym Thus thei tooke their iourney towardes the greate Citie of Cherona whiche was in the vttermoste borders of the Emperours Dominions there the Duke purposed to staie a while to recreate hymself with the rest of his companie Now it fortuned that the valiaunt actes and hautie enterprises of Siluanus were so renowmed and spread that the fame therefore came to the eares of the Duke of Vasconya that was father to Valerya the wife of Siluanus who with all possible speede made suche haste that he came to Cherona where he found Siluanus in the companie of the Duke of Mantona to whom turnyng hymself he saied as followeth Sir Duke the onely hope that I haue that you will not let to extende Iustice vpon the mischeeuous and vngracious actes of wicked men doeth let me at this instaunt to forbeare with myne owne handes to auenge the wrong that I assure my self to haue receiued of this Traitour Siluanus The companie were wonderfully abashed with these wordes but especially the Duke of Mantona who loued Siluanus more dearely then any other But the other goyng still forwardes in his tale saied if the harte breake that afflicteth the soule of a wofull father whose house is made desolate by loosyng his childe by the mischeeuous inticementes of a Theefe if this president I saie moue you not to minister suche speedie reuenge as the Lawe doeth prescribe I suppose that all impunitie of vice and sinne hath place on your behalf And there withall staiyng his talke but yet by his gesture and countenaunce so inraged that he seemed like a man that were besides hymself The Duke of Mantona now perceiuyng the matter that Valerya was the daughter of the Duke of Vasconia whom he supposed to haue been of some meane birth and parentage was wonderfully sorie for Siluanus whose fact by the Lawe deserued death and seyng the Duke in suche a furie he wiste not by what meanes to worke Siluanus safetie for to intreate the Duke he thought it but vaine and to bryng Siluanus to aunswere the fact he knewe the Lawe would condemne him and therefore knowyng where Valeria did remaine whom he knewe did loue Siluanus as her owne life and thinkyng that her teares might lenifie and soften the hardened harte of the Duke her father He therefore priuely sent for her to bee brought immediatly to the Citie of Cherona in the meane tyme he committed Siluanus into safe custodie and desired the Duke at his request to staie himself a while and he should haue suche Iustice on Siluanus as hymself would require Matters beeyng thus pacified for a while I will in like case let them rest for a time and will now discourse how it befell to the Duchesse Messilina with her daughter Phylene You haue heard before how by constraint of weather at the Sea thei were driuen to this Citie of Cherona where the Duke now remained and at her first comming fallyng to her woorke as before she had doen at Taryffa a riche Marchaunt that dwelt in the Towne takyng the vewe of this new come workewoman fell into so great a likyng with her that onely to haue accesse to come into her companie he bestowed more money in cloath to make hym Shirtes and Handcarchifes in one weeke then he was able to weare out in three yeares after whiche he put to her to make whereby he became something well acquainted with her but to the ende that she might thinke her self somethyng the better beholdyng vnto hym he proffered her a more conuenient house then that she was in whiche he would furnishe with all maner of housholde stuffe for a reasonable rent She beeyng very glad of so good an offer became his Tenaunt The Marchaunt now perceiuyng his tyme did so well serue hym without any greate circumstaunce declared vnto her the great good will he bare her but Messilina so delaied hym with suche wise and reasonable aunswers that from tyme to tyme the Marchaunt hymself could not importunatly craue that whiche with suche modestie she so honestly denaied hym Now there laie in this Citie of Cherona the old Dutches of Petrona who hauing inteligence of Messilina to be so good a workewoman she sent for her to whom she put sondrie parcelles of worke whiche she so well finished to the liking of the Dutches that from tyme to tyme she still plide her with the like whereby Messilina with her daughter Phylene had continuall recourse to the Pallas of the Dutches where Arabianus the onely sonne of the Dutches of Petrona and inheritour of the Dukedome but that he was vnder age did marke and beholde the beautie and good grace of this yong Seamester Phylene was so clogged and fettered in the bandes of loue that all other thoughtes seemed lothsome vnto hym and euery other ioye displeasaunt in respect of the pleasure that he suffered by thinkyng of his faire Phylene wherefore baityng himself with hope and tickled onely by loue he determined what soeuer happened to loue her Whiche beeyng