haue bin to me by how much the further off it stood from my hopes But if you be so forward as your words doe witnesse then feede mee not with any further fruitlesse expectation but rather send me backe to prison and lay as many afflictions on mee as you please for my endeared loue to your Daughter Spina maketh mee to loue you the more for her sake how hardly soeuer you entreate me bindeth me in the greater reuerence to you as being the father of my fairest friend Messer Conrado hearing these words stood as one confounded with admiration reputing him to be a man of lofty spirit and his affection most feruent to his Daughter which was as a little to his liking Wherefore embracing him and kissing his cheeke without any longer dallying hee sent in like manner for his Daughter Her restraint in prison had made her lookes me ager pale and wanne and very weake was shee also of her person farre differing from the woman shee was wont to be before her affection to Iehannot there in presence of her Father and with free consent of either they were contracted as man and wife and the espousals agreed on according to custome Some few dayes after without any ones knowledge of that which was done hauing furnished them with all things fit for the purpose and time aptly seruing that the Mothers should be partakers in this ioy he called his wife and Madam Beritola to whom first he spake in this manner What will you say Madam if I cause you to see your eldest Son not long since married to one of my Daughters whereunto Beritola thus replied My Lord I can say nothing else vnto you but that I shall be much more obliged to you then already I am and so much the rather because you will let me see the thing which is dearer to me then mine owne life and rendring it vnto mee in such manner as you speake of you will recall backe some part of my former lost hopes and with these words the teares streamed aboundantly from her eyes Then turning to his wife he saide And you deare Loue if I shew you such a Sonne in Law what will you thinke of it Sir quoth shee what pleaseth you must and shall satisfie me be he Gentleman or a beggar Well said Madam answered Messer Conrado I hope within few dayes to make you both ioyfull So when the amorous couple had recouered their former feature and honourable garments were prepared for them priuately thus he said to Geoffrey Beyond the ioy which already thou art inriched withall how would it please thee to meet with thine owne Mother here I cannot beleeue Sir replied Geoffrey that her greeuous misfortunes haue suffered her to liue so long yet notwithstanding if Heauen hath beene so merciful to her my ioyes were incomparable for by her gracious counsell I might well hope to recouer no meane happinesse in Sicilie Within a while after both the Mothers were sent for who were transported with vnspeakable ioyes when they beheld the so lately maried couple being also much amazed when they could not guesse what inspiration had guided Conrado to this extraordinary benignity ioyning Iehannot in mariage with Spina Hereupon Madam Beritola remembring the speeches between her and Conrado began to obserue him very aduisedly and by a hidden vertue which long had silently slept in her and now with ioy of spirit awaked calling to minde the lineatures of her Sonnes Infancy without awaiting for any other demonstrations shee folded him in her armes with earnest affection Motherly ioy and pitty now contended so violently together that shee was not able to vtter one word the sensitiue vertues being so closely combined that euen as dead shee fell downe in the armes of her Sonne And he wondering greatly thereat making a better recollection of his thoughts did well remember that he had often before seene her in the Castell without any other knowledge of her Neuerthelesse by meere instinct of Nature whose power in such actions declares it selfe to be highly predominant his very soule assured him that shee was his Mother and blaming his vnderstanding that he had not before beene better aduised he threw his armes about her and wept exceedingly Afterward by the louing paines of Conradoes wife as also her daughter Spina Madam Beritola being recouered from her passionate trance and her vitall spirits executing their Offices againe fell once more to the embracing of her Sonne kissing him infinite times with teares and speeches of motherly kindnesse he likewise expressing the same dutifull humanity to her Which ceremonious courtesies being passed ouer and ouer to no little ioy in all the beholders beside repetition of their seuerall misfortunes Messer Conrado made all knowne to his friends who were very glad of this new alliance made by him which was honoured with many solemn magnificent feastings Which being all concluded Geoffrey hauing found out fit place and opportunity for conference with his new created Father without any sinister opposition began as followeth Honourable Father you haue raised my contentment to the highest degree and haue heaped also many gracious fauours on my noble Mother but now in the finall conclusion that nothing may remaine vneffected which consisteth in your power to performe I would humbly entreate you to honour my Mother with your company at a Feast of my making where I would gladly also haue my Brother present Messer Gasparino d' Oria as I haue once heretofore told you questing as a common Pyrate on the Seas tooke vs and sent vs home to his house as slaues where as yet he detaineth him I would haue you likewise send one into Sicilie who informing himselfe more amply in the state of the Country may vnderstand what is become of Henriet my Father and whether he be liuing or no. If he remaine aliue to know in what condition he is and being secretly instructed in all things then to returne backe againe to you This motion made by Geoffrey was so pleasing to Conrado that without any reference to further leysure hee dispatched thence two discreete persons the one to Geneway and the other to Sicilie he which went for Geneway hauing met with Gasparino earnestly entreated him on the behalfe of Conrado to send him the Poore expelled and his Nurse recounting euery thing in order which Conrado had tolde him concerning Geoffrey and his Mother when Gasparino had heard the whole discourse he maruelled greatly thereat and saide True it is that I will doe any thing for Messer Conrado which may be to his loue and liking prouided that it lie in my power to performe and about some foureteene yeeres since I brought such a Lad as you seeke for with his Mother home to my house whom I will gladly send vnto him But you may tell him from me that I aduise him from ouer-rash crediting the fables of Iehannot that now tearmes himselfe by the name of Geoffrey because hee is a more wicked boy then he
both returned to great estate and credite 7. Nouell THe Soldane of Babylon sent one of his Daughters to be ioyned in marriage with the King of Cholcos who by diuers accidents in the space of foure yeares happened into the custodie of nine men and in sundry places At length being restored backe to her Father she went to the said king of Cholcos as a Maide and as at first she was intended to be his Wife 8. Nouell COunt D'Angiers being falsely accused was banished out of France and left his two children in England in diuers places Returning afterward vnknowne thorough Scotland hee found them aduanced vnto great dignity Then repairing in the habit of a Seruitor into the King of Fraunce his army and his innocency made publikely knowen he was reseated in his former honorable degree 9. Nouell BErnardo a Merchant of Geneway being deceiued by another Merchant named Ambrosio lost a great part of his goods and commanding his innocent wife to be murthered she escaped and in the habit of a man became seruant to the Soldan The deceiuer being found at last she coÌ„passed such means that her husband Bernardo came into Alexandria and there after due punishment inflicted on the false deceiuer she resumed the garments againe of a woman and returned home with her Husband to Geneway 10. Nouell PAgamino da Monaco a rouing Pyrate on the feas caried away the faire Wife of Signieur Ricciardo di Chiâ—zica who vnderstanding where shee was went thâ—ther and falling into friendship with Pagamino demanded his wife of him wherto be yeelded prouided that she would willingly go away with him shee denied to part thence with her husband and 〈◊〉 Ricciardo dying shee became the wife of Pagamino The third day gouerned by Madame Neiphila 1. Nouell MAssetto di Lamporechio by counterfetting himselfe dumbe became a Gardiner in a Monastery of Nuns where he had familiar conuersation with them all 2. Nouell A Querry of the stable belonging to Agilulffo K of the Lombards found the meanes of accesse to the Queenes bedde without any knowledge or consent in her This beeing secretly discouered by the King and the party knowne hee gaue him a marke by shearing the haire of his head Whereuppon hee that was so shorne sheared likewise the heads of all his fellowes in the lodging and so escaped the punishment intended towards him 3. Nouell VNder colour of confession and of a most pure coÌ„science a faire yong Gentlewoman being amorously affected to an honest man induced a deuout and solemne religious Friar to aduise her in the meanes without his suspition or perceiuing how to enioy the benefit of her friend and bring her desires to their full effect 4. Nouell 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 5. Nouell RIcciardo surnamed the Magnifico gaue a horse to signior Francesco Vergillisi vpon condition that by his leaue and license he might speak to his wife in his presence which he did and she not returning him any answer made answer to himself on her behalfe and according to his answer so the effect followed 6. Nouell RIcciardo Minutolo fel in loue with the Wife of Philippello Fighinolfi and knowing her to bee very iealous of her husband gaue her to vnderstand that he was greatly enamored of his Wife and had appointed to meete her priuatly in a bathing house on the next day following where shee hoping to take him tardy with his close compacted Mistresse found her selfe to be deceiued by the said Ricciardo 7. Nouelâ— THebaldo Elisei hauing receiued an vnkinde repulse by his beloued departed from Florence returning thither againe a long while after in the habit of a pilgrime hee spake with her and made his wrongs knowne vnto her Hee deliuered her husband from the danger of death because it was proued that he had slaine Thebaldo he made peace with his brethren and in the end wisely enioyed his hearts desire 8. Nouell FErando by drinking a certaine kind of pouder was buried for dead by the Abbot who was enamored of his wife was taken out of his graue and put into a darke prison where they made him beleeue that he was in purgatory afterward wheÌ„ time came that he should be raised to life againe he was made to keepe a childe which the Abbot had got by his wife 9. Nouell IVliet of Narbona cured the King of France of a dangerous Fistula in recompence wherof she requested to enioy as her husband in mariage Bertrand the Count of Roussilion He hauing maried her against his wil as vtterly despising her went to Florence where he made loue to a yong Gentlewoman Iuliet by a queint and cunning policy compassed the meanes insted of his chosen friend to lye with her owne husband by whom shee had two sonnes which being afterward made knowne vnto the Count hee accepted her into his fauor againe and loued her as his loyall and honourable wife 10. Nouell THe wonderfull and chaste resolued continencie of faire Serictha daughter to Siwalde King of Denmarke who beeing sought and sued vnto by many worthy persons that did affect her dearely would not looke any man in the face vntill such time as she was maried The Fourth Day gouerned by Philostratus 1. Nouell TAncrede Prince of Salern caused the amorous friend of his daughter to be slaine and sent her his heart in a cup of Golde which afterward she steeped in an impoysoned water then drinking it so dyed 2. Nouell FRiar Albert made a yong Venetian Gentlewoman beleeue that God Cupid was falne in loue with her and he resorted oftentimes vnto her in disguise of the same God afterward being frighted by the Gentlewomans kindred and friends hee cast himselfe out of her chamber window and was hidden in a poore mans house On the day following in the shape of a wilde or sauage man he was brought vpon the Rialto of S. Mark being ther publikely knowne by the Brethren of his Order he was committed to prison 3. Nouell THree yong Gentlemen affecting three Sisters fled with them into Canâ—â—e The eldest of them through iealousie becommeth the death of her Louer The second by consenting to the Duke of 〈◊〉 request is the meanes of sauing her life Afterward her owne friend killeth her thence flyeth away with the elder sister The third couple both man and woman are charged with her death and being committed to prison they coÌ„fesse the fact and fearing death by corruption of money they preuaile with their â—eepers escaping froÌ„ thence to Rhodes where they died in great pouerty 4. Nouell GErbino contrarie to the former plighted faith of his Grandfather King Gulielmo foughte with a ship at sea belonging to the King of Thunis to take away hi daughter who was then in the same ship She being slaine by them that had the possession of her he likewise slew
them and afterwarâ— had his owne head smitten off 5. Nouell THe three Brethren to Isabella slew a Gentleman that secretly loued her His ghost appeared to her in her sleepe and shewed her in what place they had buried his body She in silent maner brought away his head and putting it into a put of earth such as Flowers Basile or other sweet herbes are vsually set in she watered it a long while with her teares whereof her Brethren hauing intelligence soone after she died with meere conceite of sorow 6. Nouell A Beautifull yong virgin named Andreana became enamored of a young Gentleman called Gabriello In conference together shee declared a dreame of hers to him and he another of his vnto her whereupon Gabriello fell down sodainly dead She and her Chamber-maid were apprehended by the Officers be oâ—ging vnto the Seigneury as they were carrying Gabriello to lay them before his owne doore The Potestate offering violence to the virgin and she resisting him vertuously it came to the vnderstanding of her Father who approued the innocence of his daughter and compassed her deliuerance But she afterward being wearie of all worldly felicities entred into Religion became a Nun. 7. Nouell FAire Simonida affecting Pasquino and walking with him in a pleasant garden it fortuned that Pasquino rubbed his teeth with a leafe of Sage and immediately fell downe dead Simonida being brought before the bench of Iustice and charged with the death of Pasquino she rubbed her teeth likewise with one of the leaues of the same Sage as declaring what she saw him do thereon she dyed also in the same manner 8. Nouell IEronimo affecting a yong Mayden named Syluestra was constrained by the earnest importunity of his Mother to take a iourney to Paris At his returne home from thence againe he found his loue Siluestra maried By secret meanes he got entrance into her house and dyed vpon the bed lying by her Afterward his body being caried vnto the Church to receiue buriall shee likewise died there instantly vpon his coarse 9. Nouell MEsser Guiglielmo of Rossiglione hauing slaine Messer Guiglielmo Guardastagno whom he imagined to loue his wife gaue her his hart to eat Which she knowing afterward threw her self out of an high window to the ground and being dead was then buried with her friend 10. Nouell A Physitians wife laid a Louer of her maids supposing him to be dead in a chest by reason that he had drunke water which vsually was giuen to procure a sleepy entrancing Two Lombard Vsurers stealing the chest in hope of a rich booty caried it into their owne house where afterwardes the man awaking was apprehended for a Theefe The Chamber-maid to the Physitians wife going before the bench of Iustice accuseth her self for putting the imagined dead body into the chest wherby he escaped hanging and the Theeues which stole away the chest were condemned to pay a very great summe of money The Fift day Gouerned by Madame Fiammetta 1. Nouell CHynon by falling in loue became wise and by force of Armes winning his faire Ladye Iphigema on the seas was afterward imprisoned at Rhodes Being deliuered by one name Lisimachus with him he recouered his Iphigenia againe and faire Cassandra euen in the middest of their mariage They fled with them into Candye where after they had maried them they wer called home to their owne dwelling 2. Nouell FAire Constance of Liparis fell in Loue with Martuccio Gonâ—â—to and hearing that hee was dead dâ—sperately she entred into a Barke which being transported by the winds to Susa in Barbary from thence she went to Thunis where she fouÌ„d him to be liuing There she made her selfe knowne to him and he being in great authority as a priuy Counsellor to the King he maried the saide Constance and returned richly home to her to the Island of Liparis 3. Nouell PEdro Bocamazzo escaping away with a yong Damosel which he loued named Angelina met with Theeues in his iourney The Damoseâ— flying fearfully into a Forest by chaunce commeth to a Castle Pedro being taken by the theeues hapning afterward to escape from them accidentally came to the same Castle where Angelina waâ— marying her they then returned home to Rome 4. Nouell RIcciardo Manardy was found by Messer Lizio da Valbonna as he sat fast asleep at his daughters chamber window hauing his hand fast in hirs and sleeping in the same manner Wherupon they were ioyned together in mariage and their long loyall loue mutually recompenced 5. Nouell GVidotto of Cremona departing out of this mortall life left a daughter of his with Iacomino of Pauia Giouanni di Seuerino and Menghino da Minghole fel both in loue with the yong Maiden and fought for her who being afterward knowne to be the sister to Giouanni shee was giuen in mariage to Menghino 6. Nouell GVion di Procida being found familiarly conuersing with a yong Damosel which he loued and had bene giuen formerly to Frederigo King of Sicily was bound to a stake to bee consumed with fire From which danger neuerthelesse hee escaped being knowne by Don Rogiero de Oria Lorde Admirall of Sicily and afterward marryed the Damosel 7. Nouelâ— THeodoro falling in loue with Violenta the daughter to his Master named Amarige and she conceyuing with childe by him was condemnd to be hanged As they were leading him vnto the gallowes beating and misusing him all the way hee happened to bee knowne by his owne Father whereupon he was released and afterward inioyed Violent a in mariage 8. Nouell ANastasio a Gentleman of the Family of the Honesti by louing the daughter to signior Pauâ—o Trauersario lauishly wasted a great part of his substance without receiuing any loue from her againe By perswasion of some of his kindred and friends he went to a countrey dwelling of his called Chiasso where hee saw a Knight desperately pursue a yong Damosell whom he slew afterward gaue her to be deuoured by his hounds A tastasio inuited his friends and herâ— also whom he so â—eâ—â—rly loued to take part of a dinner with him who likewise sawe the sâ—â—e Damosell so torne in peeces which his vnkind loue perceiuing fearing least the like ill fortune should happen to her she accepted Anastasio to bee her husband 9. Nouell FRederigo of the Alberighi Family loued a Gentlewoman and was not requited with like loue againe By bountiful expences and ouer liberal inuitations hee wasted and consumed all his lands and goods hauing nothing lefte him but a Hawke or Faulcon His vnkinde Mistresse happeneth to come visit him and he not hauing any other food for her dinner made a dainty dish of his Faulcon for her to feed on Being conquered by this his exceeding kinde courtesie she changed her former hatred towards him accepting him as her husband in marriage and made him a man of wealthy possessions 10. Nouell PEdro di Vinciolo went to sup at a friends house in the City His wife in the meane while had a
haue found no mean inducement to loue in regard of my husbands far distance from me medling in the rude vnciuill actions of warre when he should rather be at home in more sweet imployment You see Sir that these Orators aduance themselues here in your presence to acquaint you with the extremity of my ouer-commanding agony and if the same power hath dominion in you which your discretion questionlesse cannot be voide of then let me entreate such aduise from you as may rather helpe then hinder my hopes Beleeue it then for trueth Sir that the long absence of my husband from me the solitary condition wherein I am left ill agreeing with the hot blood running in my veines the temper of my earnest desires haue so preuailed against my strongest resistances that not onely so weake a woman as I am but any man of much more potent might liuing in ease and idlenesse as I doe cannot withstand such continuall assaults hauing no other helpe then flesh and blood Nor am I so ignorant but publique knowledge of such an error in me would be reputed a shrewd taxation of honesty whereas on the other side secret carriage and heedfull managing such amorous affaires may passe for currant without any reproach And let me tell you Noble Counte that I repute Loue highly fauourable to mee by guiding my iudgement with such moderation to make election of a wise worthy and honourable friend fit to enioy the grace of a farre greater Lady then I am and the first letter of his name is the Count D'Angiers For if error haue not misled mine eye as in Loue no Lady can be easily deceiued for person perfections and all parts most to be commended in a man the whole Realme of France containeth not your equall Obserue beside how forward Fortune sheweth her selfe to vs both in this case you to be destitute of a wife as I am of an husband for I count him as dead to me when he denies me the duties belonging to a wife Wherefore in regard of the vnfaigned affection I beare you and compassion which you ought to haue of Royall Princesse euen almost sicke to death for your sake I earnestly entreate you not to denie me your louing society but pittying my youth and fiery afflictions neuer to be quenched but by your kindnesse I may enioy my hearts desire As shee vttered these words the teares streamed aboundantly downe her faire cheekes preuenting her of any further speech so that deiecting her head into her bosome ouercome with the predominance of her passions shee fell vpon the Countes knee whereas else shee had falne vpon the ground When hee like a loyall and most honourable man sharply reprehended her fonde and idle loue and when shee would haue embraced him about the necke hee repulsed her roughly from him protesting vpon his honourable reputation that rather then hee would so wrong his Lord and Maister he would endure a thousand deathes The Lady seeing her desire disappointed and her fond expectation vtterly frustrated grewe instantly forgetfull of her intemperate loue and falling into extremity of rage conuerted her former gentle speeches into this harsh and ruder language Villaine quoth shee shall the longing comforts of my life be abridged by thy base and scornefull deniall Shall my destruction bee wrought by thy currish vnkindnesse and all my hoped ioyes be defeated in a moment Know slaue that I did not so earnestly desire thy sweet embracements before but now as deadly I hate and despise them which either thy death or banishment shall dearely pay for No sooner had shee thus spoken but tearing her haire and renting her garments in pieces shee ranne about like a distracted woman crying out aloude Helpe helpe the Count D'Angiers will forcibly dishonour mee the lustfull Count will violence mine honour D'Angiers seeing this and fearing more the malice of the ouer-credulous Court then either his owne conscience or any dishonourable act by him committed beleeuing likewise that her slanderous accusation would bee credited aboue his true and spotlesse innocency closely he conueyed himselfe out of the Court making what hast hee could home to his owne house which being too weake for warranting his safety vpon such pursuite as would be vsed against him without any further aduice or counsell he seated his two children on horsebacke himselfe also being but meanly mounted thus away thence hee went to Calice Vpon the clamour and noise of the Lady the Courtiers quickly flocked thither and as lies soone winne beleefe in hasty opinions vpon any silly or shallow surmise so did her accusation passe for currant and the Counts aduancement being enuied by many made his honest carriage in this case the more suspected In hast and madding fury they ran to the Counts houses to arrest his person and carry him to prison but when they could not finde him they raced his goodly buildings downe to the ground and vsed all shamefull violence to them Now as il newes sildome wants a speedy Messenger so in lesse space then you will imagine the King and Dolphin heard thereof in the Camp and were therewith so highly offended that the Count had a sodaine and seuere condemnation all his progeny being sentenced with perpetuall exile and promises of great and bountifull rewards to such as could bring his body aliue or dead Thus the innocent Count by his ouer-hasty and sodaine flight made himselfe guilty of this foule imputation and arriuing at Callice with his children their poore and homely habites hid them from being knowne and thence they crossed ouer into England staying no where vntill hee came to London Before he would enter into the City he gaue diuers good aduertisements to his children but especially two precepts aboue all the rest First with patient soules to support the poore condition whereto Fortune without any offence in him or them had thus deiected them Next that they should haue most heedfull care at no time to disclose from whence they came or whose children they were because it extended to the perill of their liues His Sonne being named Lewes and now about nine yeares old his daughter called Violenta and aged seauen yeares did both obserue their fathers direction as afterward it did sufficiently appeare And because they might liue in the safer securitie hee thought it for the best to change their names calling his sonne Perotto and his daughter Gianetta for thus they might best escape vnknowne Being entred into the Citty and in the poore estate of beggers they craued euery bodies mercy and almes It came to passe that standing one morning at the Cathedral Church-doore a great Lady of England being then wife to the Lord high Marshall cōming forth of the Church espied the Count and his children there begging Of him she demanded what Countrey-man he was and whether those children were his owne or no The Count replyed that he was borne in Picardy and for an vnhappy fact committed by his eldest sonne a stripling of more
thus replyed Beleeue me Madam I make no doubt but your speeches may bee true in regard of your admired beauty and many other perfections beside yet let me tell you priuiledges how great and singular soeuer they be without they are knowen to others beside such as do particularly enioy them they carrie no more account then things of ordinary estimation Wheras on the contrary when any Lady or Gentlewoman hath some eminent and peculiar fauour which few or none other can reach vnto and it is made famous by generall notion then do all women else admire and honor her as the glory of their kinde and a miracle of Nature I perceiue Gossip said Lisetta wherat you ayme such is my loue to you as you should not lose your longing in this case were I but constantly secured of your secrecy which as hitherto I haue bene no way able to tax so would I be loth now to be more suspitious of then needs But yet this matter is of such maine moment that if you will protest as you are truely vertuous neuer to reueale it to any liuing body I will disclose to you almost a miracle The vertuous oath being past with many other solemne protestations beside Lisetta then proceeded in this manner I know Gossip that it is a matter of common ordinary custome for Ladies and Gentlewomen to be graced with fauourites men of fraile mortall conditions whose natures are as subiect to inconstancy as their very best endeuours dedicated to folly as I could name no mean number of our Ladies heere in Venice But when Soueraigne deities shal feele the impression of our humane desires and behold subiects of such preuailing efficacy as to subdue their greatest power yea and make them enamored of mortall creatures you may well imagine Gossip such a beauty is superiour to any other And such is the happy fortune of your friend Lisetta of whose perfections great Cupid the awefull commanding God of Loue himselfe conceiued such an extraordinary liking as he hath abandoned his seate of supreme Maiesty and appeared to me in the shape of a mortall man with liuely expression of his amorous passions and what extremities of anguish he hath endured onely for my loue May this be possible replyed the Gossip Can the Gods be toucht with the apprehension of our fraile passions True it is Gossip answered Lisetta and so certainly true that his sacred kisses sweet embraces and most pleasing speeches with proffer of his continuall deuotion towards me hath giuen me good cause to confirme what I say and to thinke my felicity farre beyond all other womens being honoured with his often nightly visitations The Gossip inwardly smiling at her idle speeches which neuertheles she auouched with very vehement asseuerations fell instantly sicke of womens naturall disease thinking euery minute a tedious month till she were in company with some other Gossips to breake the obligation of her vertuous promise and that others as well as her selfe might laugh at the folly of this shallow-witted woman The next day following it was her hap to be at a wedding among a great number of other women whō quickly she acquainted with this so strange a wonder as they did the like to their husbands and passing so from hand to hand in lesse space then two daies all Venice was fully possessed with it Among the rest the brethren to this foolish woman heard this admirable newes concerning their Sister and they discreetly concealing it to themselues closely concluded to watch the walks of this pretended god and if he soared not too lofty a flight they would clip his wings to come the better acquainted with him It fortuned that the Friar hearing his Cupidicall visitations ouer-publikely discouered purposed to check and reproue Lisetta for her indiscretion And being habited according to his former manner his Friarly Cowle couering al his former brauery he left his companion where he vsed to stay and closely walked along vnto the house No sooner was he entred but the Brethren being ambushed neer to the doore went in after him and ascending the staires by such time as he had vncased himselfe and appeared like God Cupid with his spangled wings displayed they rushed into the Chamber and he hauing no other refuge opened a large Casement standing directly ouer the great gulfe or Riuer and presently leapt into the water which being deepe and hee skilfull in swimming he had no other harme by his fall albeit the sodain affright did much perplex him Recouering the further side of the Riuer he espied a light the doore of an house open wherein dwelt a poore man whom he earnestly intreated to saue both his life and reputation telling him many lies and tales by what meanes he was thus disguised and throwne by night-walking Villaines into the water The poore man being moued to compassionate his distressed estate laid him in his owne bed ministring such other comforts to him as the time and his pouerty did permit and day drawing on he went about his businesse aduising him to take his rest and it should not be long till he returned So locking the doore and leauing the counterfe◠God in bed away goes the poore man to his daily labor The Brethren to Lisetta perceiuing God Cupid to bee fled and gone and shee in melancholly sadnesse sitting by them they tooke vp the Reliques he had left behind him I meane the Friars hood and Cowle which shewing to their sister and sharply reprouing her vnwomanly behauiour they lefte her in no meane discomfort returning home to their owne houses with their conquered spoiles of the forlorne Friar During the time of these occurrences broad day speeding on the poore man returning homeward by the Rialto to visit his guest so lefte in bed he beheld diuers crouds of people and a generall rumor noysed among them that God Cupid had beene that night with Madame Lisetta where being ouer-closely pursued by her Brethren for fear of being surprized he leapt out of her window into the gulfe and no one could tell what was become of him Heereupon the poore man beganne to imagine that the guest entertained by him in the night time must needs bee the same supposed God Cupid as by his wings and other embellishments appeared wherefore being come home and sitting downe on the beds side by him after some few speeches passing between them he knew him to be Friar Albert who promised to giue him fifty ducates if hee would not betray him to Lisettaes brethren Vpon the acceptation of this offer the money being sent for and paied downe there wanted nothing now but some apt and conuenient meanes whereby Albert might safely be conueyed into the Monasterie which being wholly referred to the poore mans care and trust thus hee spake Sir I see no likely-hoode of your cleare escaping home except in this manner as I aduise you We obserue this day as a merry Festiuall it is lawfull for any one to disguise
of his comming thither or any other blame that could concerne her Which hee both instantly knowing and beleeuing made no more ceremonie but putting on his Garments tooke the dead bodie vpon his shoulders and carried it to the Mothers doore where he left it and afterward returned to his owne house againe When day light was come and the dead body found lying in the Porch it moued very much greefe and amazement considering he had bin seene the day before in perfect health to outward appearance Nor neede we to vrge any question of his Mothers sorrow vpon this straunge accident who causing his body to bee carefully searched without any blow bruise wound or hurt vppon it the Physitians could not giue any other opinion but that some inward conceyte of greefe had caused his death as it did indeed and no way otherwise To the cheefe Church was the dead body carried to be generally seene of all the people his mother and friends weeping heauily by it as many more did the like beside because he was beloued of euery one In which time of vniuersall mourning the honest man in whose house he dyed spake thus to his wife disguise thy selfe in some decent manner and go to the Church where as I heare they haue laide the body of Ieronimo Crowde in amongest the Women as I will doe the like amongst the men to heare what opinion passeth of his death and whether wee shall bee scandalized thereby or no. Siluestra who was now become full of pitty too late quickely condiscended as desiring to see him dead whom sometime she dearly affected in life And being come to the Church it is a matter to bee admired if aduisedly we consider on the powerfull working of loue for the heart of this woman which the prosperous fortune of Ieronimo could not pierce now in his wofull death did split in sunder and the ancient sparks of loue so long concealed in the embers brake foorth into a furious flame and being violently surprized with extraordinary compassion no sooner did she come neere to the dead body where many stoode weeping round about it but strangely shrieking out aloud she fell downe vpon it euen as extremity of greefe finished his life so did it hers in the same manner For she moued neither hand nor foot because her vitall powers had quite forsaken her The women labouring to comfort her by al the best means they could deuise did not take any knowledge of her by reason of her disguised garments but finding her dead indeede and knowing her also to be Siluestra being ouercome with vnspeakable compassion danted with no meane admiration they stood strangely gazing each vpon other Wonderfull crowds of people were then in the Church and this accident being now noysed among the men at length it came to her Husbands vnderstanding whose greefe was so great as it exceeded all capacitie of expression Afterward he declared what had hapned in his house the precedent night according as his wife had truly related to him with all the speeches which past between Siluestra and Ieronimo by which discourse they generally conceiued the certaine occasion of both their sodaine deaths which moued them to great compassion Then taking the yong womans body and ordering it as a coarse ought to bee they layed it on the same Biere by the yong man and when they had sufficiently sorrowed for their disastrous fortune they gaue them honourable buriall both in one graue So this poore couple whome loue in life could not ioyne together death did vnite in an inseparable coniunction Messer Guiglielmo of Rossiglione hauing slaine Messer Guiglielmo Guardastagno whom hee imagined to loue his wife gaue her his heart to eate Which she knowing afterward threw her selfe out of an high window to the ground and being dead was then buried with her friend The ninth Nouell Whereby appeareth what ill successe attendeth on them that loue contrarie to reason in offering iniurie both to friendship and marriage together WHen the Nouell of Madam Neiphila was ended which occasioned much compassion in the whole assembly the King who wold not infringe the priuiledge graunted to Dioneus no more remaining to speake but they two began thus I call to minde gentle Ladies a Nouell which seeing we are so farre entred into the lamentable accidents of successelesse loue will vrge you vnto as much commisseration as that so lately reported to you And so much the rather because the persons of whom we are to speake were of respectiue quality which approueth the accident to bee more cruell then those whereof wee haue formerly discoursed According as the people of Prouence do report there dwelt sometime in that iurisdiction two noble Knights each well possessed of Castles followers the one beeing named Messer Guiglielmo de Rossiglione and the other Messer Guiglielmo Guardastagno Now in regard that they wer both valiant Gentlemen and singularly expert in actions of Armes they loued together the more mutually and held it as a kinde of custom to be seene in all Tiltes and Tournaments or any other exercises of Armes going commonly alike in their wearing garments And although their Castles stood about fiue miles distant each from other yet were they dayly conuersant together as very louing and intimate friends The one of them I meane Messer Guiglielmo de Rossiglione had to wife a very gallant beautifull Lady of whom Messer Guardastagno forgetting the lawes of respect and loyall friendshippe became ouer-fondly enamoured expressing the same by such outward meanes that the Lady her selfe tooke knowledge thereof and not with any dislike as it seemed but rather louingly entertained yet she grew not so forgetfull of her honour and estimation as the other did of faith to his friend With such indiscretion was this idle loue carried that whether it sorted to effect or no I know not but the husband receiued some such maner of behauiour as hee could not easily digest nor thought it fitting to endure Whereuppon the league of friendly amity so long continued began to faile in very strange fashion and became conuerted into deadly hatred which yet hee very cunningly concealed bearing an outwarde shew of constant friendshippe still but in his heart hee had vowed the death of Guardastagno Nothing wanted but by what meanes it might best be effected which fell out to bee in this manner A publicke lust or Tourney was proclaimed by sound of Trumpet throughout all France wherewith immediately Messer Guiglielmo Rossiglione acquainted Messer Guardastagno entreating him that they might further conferre theron together and for that purpose to come and visit him if he intended to haue any hand in the businesse Guardastagno being exceeding gladde of this accident which gaue him liberty to see his Mistresse sent answer backe by the messenger that on the morrow at night he would come and sup with Rossiglione who vpon this reply proiected to himselfe in what maner to kill him On the morrow after dinner arming himselfe and
most mooued me is a matter highly importing to me and very easie for you to graunt and so enioy your present peace I desire to haue faire Iphigenia from you whom I loue aboue all other Ladies liuing because I could not obtain herof her Father to make her my lawfull wife in marriage Loue is the ground of my instant Conquest and I must vse you as my mortall enemies if you stand vppon any further tearmes with me and do not deliuer her as mine owne for your Pasimondo must not enioy what is my right first by vertue of my loue now by conquest Deliuer her therefore and depart hence at your pleasure The men of Rhodes being rather constrained thereto then of any free disposition in themselues with teares in their eyes deliuered Iphigenia to Chynon wo beholding her in like manner to weepe thus spake vnto her Noble Lady do not any way discomfort your selfe for I am your Chynon who haue more right and true title to you and much better doe deserue to enioy you by my long continued affection to you then Pasimondo can any way pleade because you belong to him but only by promise So bringing her aboord his owne ship where the Gentlemen his companions gaue her kinde welcome without touching any thing else belonging to the Rhodians he gaue them free liberty to depart Chynon being more ioyfull by the obtaining of his hearts desire then any other conquest else in the world could make him after hee had spent some time in comforting Iphigenia who as yet sate sadly sighing he consulted with his companions who ioyned with him in opinion that their safest course was by no meanes to returne to Cyprus and therefore all with one consent resolued to set saile for Candye where euery one made account but especially Chynon in regard of ancient and newe combined Kindred as also very intimate friends to finde very worthy entertainement and so to continue there safely with Iphigenia But Fortune who was so fauourable to Chynon in granting him so pleasing a Conquest to shew her inconstancy as sodainly changed the inestimable ioy of our iocond Louer into as heauy sorow and disaster For foure houres were not fully compleated since his departure from the Rhodians but darke night came vpon them and he sitting conuersing with his fayre Mistris in the sweetest solace of his soule the winds began to blow roughly the Seas swelled angerly a tempest arose impetuously that no man could see what his duty was to do in such a great vnexpected distresse nor how to warrant themselues from perishing If this accident were displeasing to poore Chynon I thinke the question were in vaine demanded for now it seemed to him that the Godds had granted his cheefe desire to the end hee should dye with the greater anguish in losing both his loue and life together His friends likewise felte the selfe same affliction but especially Iphigenia who wept and greeued beyond all measure to see the ship beaten with such stormy billowes as threatned her sinking euery minute Impatiently she cursed the loue of Chynon greatly blaming his desperate boldnesse and maintaining that so violent a tempest could neuer happen but onely by the Gods displeasure who would not permit him to haue a wife against their will and therfore thus punished his proud presumption not only in his vnauoidable death but also that her life must perish for company She continuing in these wofull lamentations and the Mariners labouring all in vaine because the violence of the tempest encreased more and more so that euery moment they expected wracking they were carried contrary to their owne knowledge very neere vnto the Isle of Rhodes which they being no way able to auoid and vtterly ignorant of the coast for safety of their liues they labored to land there if possibly they might Wherein Fortune was somewhat furtherous to them driuing them into a small gulfe of the Sea whereinto but a little while before the Rhodians from whom Chynon had taken Iphigenia were newly entred with their ship Nor had they any knowledge each of other till the breake of day which made the heauens to looke more clearly gaue them discouerie of being within a flight shoote together Chynon looking forth and espying the same ship which he had left the day before hee grew exceeding sorowfull as fearing that which after followed and therefore hee willed the Mariners to get away from her by all their best endeauour let fortune afterward dispose of them as she pleased for into a worse place they could not come noâ— fall into the like danger The Mariners employed their very vtmost paines and all prooued but losse of time for the winde was so stern and the waues so turbulent that still they droue them the contrary way so that striuing to get foorth of the gulfe whether they would or no they were driuen on land and instantly knowne to the Rhodians whereof they were not a little ioyful The men of Rhodes being landed ran presently to a neere neighbouring Village where dwelt diuers worthy Gentlemen to whom they reported the arriuall of Chynon what fortune befell them at Sea and that Iphigenia might now be recouered againe with chastisement to Chynon for his bold insolence They being very ioyfull of these good newes tooke so many men as they could of the same Village and ran immediately to the Sea side where Chynon being newly Landed and his people intending flight into a neere adioyning Forrest for defence of himselfe and Iphigenia they were all taken led thence to the Village and afterwards to the chiefe City of Rhodes No sooner were they arriued but Pasimondo the intended Husband for Iphigenia who had already heard the tydings went and complayned to the Senate who appointed a Gentleman of Rhodes named Lysimachus and being that yeare soueraigne Magistrate ouer the Rhodians to go well prouided for the apprehension of Chynon and all his company committing them to prison which accordingly was done In this manner the poore vnfortunate louer Chynon lost his faire Iphigenia hauing won her in so short a while before and scarsely requited with so much as a kisse But as for Iphigenia she was royally welcommed by many Lords and Ladies of Rhodes who so kindely comforted her that she soone forgotte all her greefe and trouble on the Sea remaining in company of those Ladies and Gentlewomen vntill the day determined for her mariage At the earnest entreary of diuers Rhodian Gentlemen who were in the Ship with Iphigenia and had their liues courteously saued by Chynon both he and his friends had their liues likewise spared although Pasimondo laboured importunately to haue them all put to death onely they were condemned to perpetuall imprisonment which you must thinke was most greeuous to them as being now hopelesse of any deliuerance But in the meane time while Pasimondo was ordering his nuptiall preparation Fortune seeming to repent the wrongs shee had done to Chynon prepared a new accident whereby
descended from the window and the other Ambassadours with him running in among the Sergeants to embrace his Sonne and casting his owne rich Cloake about his whipt body entreating them to forbeare and proceed no further till they heard what command he should returne withall vnto them which very willingly they promised to doe Already by the generall rumour dispersed abroade Phineo had vnderstood the occasion why Pedro was thus punished and sentenced to be hanged wherefore accompanied with his fellow Ambassadours and all their attending traine he went to Signior Conrado and spake thus to him My Lord he whom you haue sent to death as a slaue is a free Gentleman borne and my Sonne able to make her amends whom he hath dishonored by taking her in mariage as his lawfull Wife Let me therefore entreate you to make stay of the execution vntill it may be knowne whether she will accept him as her Husband or no least if she be so pleased you offend directly against your owne Law When Signior Conrado heard that Pedro was Sonne to the Lord Ambassadour he wondered thereat not a little and being somewhat ashamed of his fortunes errour confessed that the claime of Phineo was conformable to Law and ought not to be denied him going presently to the Councell Chamber sending for Signior Amarigo immediately thither and acquainting him fully with the case Amarigo who beleeued that his Daughter and her Child were already dead was the wofullest man in the World for his so rash proceeding knowing very well that if shee were not dead the scandall would easily be wipt away with credit Wherefore he sent in all poast haste to the place where his Daughter lay that if his command were not already executed by no meanes to haue it done at all He who went on this speedy errand found there Signior Amarigoes seruant standing before Violenta with the Cup of poyson in his one hand and the drawne Rapier in the other reproaching herewith very foule and iniurious speeches because shee had delayed the time so long and would not accept the one or other striuing by violence to make her take the one But hearing his Masters command to the contrary he left her and returned backe to him certifying him how the case stood Most highly pleased was Amarigo with these glad newes and going to the Ambassadour Phineo in teares excused himselfe so well as he could for his seuerity and crauing pardon assured him that if Theodoro would accept his Daughter in mariage willingly he would bestow her on him Phineo allowed his excuses to be tollerable and saide beside If my Sonne will not mary your Daughter then let the sentence of death be executed on him Amarigo and Phineo being thus accorded they went to poore Theodoro fearefully looking euery minute when he should die yet ioyfull that he had found his Father who presently moued the question to him Theodoro hearing that Violenta should be his Wife if he would so accept her was ouercome with such exceeding ioy as if he had leapt out of hell into Paradise confessing that no greater felicity could befall him if Violenta her selfe were so well pleased as he The like motion was made to her to vnderstand her disposition in this case who hearing what good hap had befalne Theodoro and now in like manner must happen to her whereas not long before when two such violent deathes were prepared for her and one of them she must needes embrace shee accounted her misery beyond all other womens but shee now thought her selfe aboue all in happinesse if she might be wife to her beloued Theodoro submitting her selfe wholy to her Fathers disposing The mariage being agreed on betweene them it was celebrated with great pompe and sollemnity a generall Feast being made for all the Citizens and the young maried couple nourished vp their sweete Son which grew to be a very comely childe After that the Embassie was dispatched at Rome and Phineo with the rest was returned thither againe Violenta did reuerence him as her owne naturall Father and he was not a little proud of so louely a Daughter beginning a fresh feasting againe and continuing the same a whole moneth together Within some short while after a Galley being fairely furnished for the purpose Phineo his Sonne Daughter and their young Son went aboard sayling away thence to Laiazzo where afterward they liued long in much tranquility Anastasio a Gentleman of the Family of the Honesti by louing the Daughter to Signior Paulo Trauersario lauishly wasted a great part of his substance without receiuing any loue from her againe By perswasion of some of his kindred and friends he went to a Countrey dwelling of his called Chiasso where he saw a Knight desperately pursue a young Damosell whom he slew and afterward gaue her to be deuoured by his Hounds Anastasio inuited his friends and hers also whom he so dearely loued to take part of a dinner with him who likewise saw the same Damosell so torne in peeces which his vnkind Loue perceiuing and fearing least the like ill fortune should happen to her shee accepted Anastasio to be her Husband The eighth Nouell Declaring that Loue not onely makes a man prodigall but also an enemy to himselfe Moreouer aduenture oftentimes bringeth such matters to passe as wit and cunning in man can neuer comprehend SO soone as Madam Lauretta held her peace Madam Philomena by the Queenes command began and saide Louely Ladies as pitty is most highly commended in our Sexe euen so is cruelty in vs as seuerely reuenged oftentimes by diuine ordination Which that you may the better know and learne likewise to shun as a deadly euill I purpose to make apparant by a Nouell no lesse full of compassion then delectable Rauenna being a very ancient City in Romania there dwelt sometime a great number of worthy Gentlemen among whom I am to speake of one more especially named Anastasio descended from the Family of the Honesti who by the death of his Father and an Vnkle of his was left extraordinarily abounding in riches and growing to yeeres fitting for mariage as young Gallants are easily apt enough to doe he became enamoured of a very beautifull Gentlewoman who was Daughter to Signior Paulo Trauersario one of the most ancient and noble Families in all the Countrey Nor made he any doubt but by his meanes and industrious endeuour to deriue affection from her againe for hee carried himselfe like a braue minded Gentleman liberall in his expences honest and affable in all his actions which commonly are the true notes of a good nature and highly to be commended in any man But howsoeuer Fortune became his enemy these laudable parts of manhood did not any way friend him but rather appeared hurtfull to him so cruell vnkind and almost meerely sauage did she shew her selfe to him perhaps in pride of her singular beauty or presuming on her nobility by birth both which are on her blemishes then ornaments in a woman especially when
was true or no or if he dreamed all this while and so without vttering any word he left his Wife and went quietly to bed Thus by her wisdome she did not onely preuent an imminent perill but also made a free and open passage to further contentment with her amourous friend yet dreadlesse of any distaste or suspition in her Husband Lydia a Lady of great beauty birth and honor being Wife to Nicostratus Gouernour of Argos falling in loue with a Gentleman named Pyrrhus was requested by him as a true testimony of her vnfeigned affection to performe three seuerall actions of her selfe She did accomplish them all and imbraced and kissed Pyrrhus in the presence of Nicostratus by perswading him that whatsoeuer he saw was meerely false The Ninth Nouell Wherein is declared that great Lords may sometime be deceiued by their Wiues as well as men of meaner condition THe Nouell deliuered by Madame Neiphila seemed so pleasing to all the Ladies as they could not refraine from hearty laughter beside much liberality of speech Albeit the King did oftentimes vrge silence and commanded Pamphilus to follow next So when attention was admitted Pamphilus began in this order I am of opinion faire Ladies that there is not any matter how vneasie or doubtfull soeuer it may seeme to be but the man or woman that affecteth feruently dare boldly attempt and effectually accomplish And this perswasion of mine although it hath beene sufficiently approued by many of our passed Nouels Yet notwithstanding I shall make it much apparent to you by a present discourse of mine owne Wherein I haue occasion to speake of a Lady to whom Fortune was more fauourable then either reason or iudgement could giue direction In which regard I would not aduise any of you to entertaine so high an imagination of minde as to tracke her footsteps of whom I am now to speake because Fortune containeth not alwayes one and the same disposition neither can all mens eyes be blinded after one manner And so proceed we to our Tale. In Argos a most ancient Citie of Achaya much more renowned by her precedent Kings then wealth or any other great matter of worth there liued as Lieutenant or Gouernour thereof a Noble Lord named Nicostratus on whom albeit hee was well stept into yeares Fortune bestowed in a marriage a great Lady no lesse bold of spirit then choisely beautifull Nicostratus abounding in treasure and wealthy possessions kept a goodly traine of Seruants Horses Houndes Hawkes and what else not as hauing an extraordinary felicity in all kinds of game as singular exercises to maintaine his health Among his other Seruants and Followers there was a yong Gentleman gracefull of person excellent in speech and euery way as actiue as no man could be more his name Pyrrhus highly affected of Nicostratus and more intimately trusted then all the rest Such seemed the perfections of this Pyrrhus that Lydia for so was the Lady named began to affect him very earnestly and in such sort as day or night shee could take no rest but deuised all meanes to compasse her harts desire Now whether he obserued this inclination of her towards him or else would take no notice thereof it could not be discerned by any outward apprehension which moued the more impatiency in her droue her hopes to dispairing passions Wherein to finde some comfort and ease she called an ancient Gentlewoman of her Chamber in whom shee reposed especiall confidence and thus she spake to her Lesca The good turnes and fauours thou hast receiued from me should make thee faithfull and obedient to me and therefore set a locke vppon thy lippes for reuealing to any one whatsoeuer such matters as now I shall impart to thee except it be to him that I command thee Thou perceiuest Lesca how youthfull I am apt to all sprightly recreations rich and abounding in all that a woman can wish to haue in regard of Fortunes common ordinary fauours yet I haue one especiall cause of complaint namely the inequality of my Mariage my Husband being ouer-ancient for me in which regard my youth finds it selfe too highly wronged being defeated of those duties and delights which Women farre inferiour to me are continuallie cloyed withall and I am vtterly depriued of I am subiect to the same desires they are and deserue to taste the benefit of them in as ample manner as they do or can Hitherto I haue liued with the losse of time which yet in some measure may be releeued and recompenced For though Fortune were mine enemy in Mariage by such a disproportion of our conditions yet she may befriend in another nature and kindely redeeme the iniury done me Wherefore Lesca to be as compleate in this case as I am in all the rest beside I haue resolued vpon a priuate Friend and one more worthy then any other Namely my Seruant Pyrrhus whose youth carieth some correspondency with mine and so constantly haue I setled my loue to him as I am not well but when I thinke on him or see him and indeede shall dye except the sooner I may enioy him And therefore if my life and well fare be respected by thee let him vnderstand the integrity of mine affection by such good means as thou findest it most expedient to be done entreating him from me that I may haue some conference with him when he shall thereto be solicited by me The Chamber-Gentlewoman Lesca willingly vndertooke the Ladies Embassie and so soone as opportunity did fauor her hauing withdrawne Pyrrhus into an apt and commodious place shee deliuered the Message to him in the best manner she could deuise Which Pyrrhus hearing did not a little wonder thereat neuer hauing noted any such matter and therefore sodainly conceyued that the Lady did this onely to try him whereupon somewhat roundly and roughly hee returned this answere Lesca I am not so simple as to credite any such Message to be sent from my Lady and therefore be better aduised of thy words But admit that it should come from her yet I cannot be perswaded that her soule consented to such harsh Language far differing from a forme so full of beuty And yet admit againe that her hart and tongue herein were relatiues My Lord and Master hath so farre honoured mee and so much beyond the least part of merite in mee as I will rather dye then any way offer to disgrace him And therefore I charge thee neuer more to moue mee in this matter Lesca not a iot danted at his stearne words presently she saide Pyrrhus Both in this and all other Messages my Lady shall command me I wil speake to thee whensoeuer shee pleaseth receiue what discontent thou canst thereby or make presumption of what doubts thou maist deuise But as I found thee a senselesse fellow dull and not shaped to any vnderstanding so I leaue thee And in that anger parted from him carrying backe the same answer to her Lady She no sooner heard it but instantly
feed him with such a dyet as hee deserueth Yet when thou speakest next with him tell him that I affect him more then he can doe me but it becommeth me to be carefull of mine honour and to walke with an vntainted brow as other Ladies and Gentlewomen doe which he is not to mislike if he be so wise as he maketh shew of but rather will the more commend me Alas good Lady lack-wit little did she vnderstand faire assembly how dangerous a case it is deale with Schollers At his next meeting with the waiting woman shee deliuered the message as her Lady had command her whereof poore Reniero was so ioyfull that hee pursued his loue-suite the more earnestly and began to write letters send gifts and tokens all which were still receiued yet without any other answere to giue hope but onely in generall and thus shee dallied with him a long while In the end she discouered this matter to her secret chosen friend who fell suddenly sicke of the head-ake onely through meere conceit of iealousie which she perceiuing and grieuing to be suspected without any cause especially by him whom shee esteemed aboue all other shee intended to rid him quickely of that Idle disease And being more and more solicited by the Scholler she sent him word by her maide Ancilla that as yet she could find no conuenient opportunity to yeeld him such assurance as hee should not any way be distrustfull of her loue But the Feast of Christmas was now neere at hand which afforded leisures much more hopefull then any other formerly passed And therefore the next night after the first Feasting day if he pleased to walke in the open Court of her house she would soone send for him into a place much better beseeming and where they might freely conuerse together Now was our Scholler the onely iocond man of the world and failed not the time assigned him but went vnto the Ladies house where Ancilla was ready to giue him entertainment conducting him into the base Court where she lockt him vp fast vntill her Lady should send for him This night shee had priuately sent for her friend also and sitting merrily at supper with him told him what welcome she had giuen the Scholler and how she further meant to vse him saying Now Sir consider with your selfe what hot affection I beare to him of whom you became so fondly iealous The which words were very welcome to him and made him extraordinarily ioyful desiring to see them as effectually performed as they appeared to him by her protestations Heere you are to vnderstand Gracious Ladies that according to the season of the yeare a great snow had falne the day before so as the whole Court was couered therewith and being an extreame frost vpon it our Sâ—holler could not boast of any warme walking when the teeth quiuered in his head with cold as a Dog could not be more discourteously vsed yet hope of enioying Loues recompence at length made him to support all this iniury with admirable patience Within a while after Madame Helena said to her friend Walke with me deare heart into my Chamber and there at a secret little window I shall shew thee what he doth that droue thee to such a suspition of me and we shall heare beside what answere he will giue my maide Ancilla whom I will send to comfort him in his coldnesse When she had so said they went to the appointed chamber window where they could easily see him but he not them and then they heard Ancilla also calling to him forth of another windowe saying Signior Reniero my Lady is the wofullest woman in the world because as yet she cannot come to you in regard that one of her brethren came this euening to visite â—er and held her with much longer discourse then she expected whereby she was constrained to inuite him to sup with her and yet he is not gone but shortly I hope hee will and then expect her comming presently till when she entreateth your genle sufferance Poore Reniero our ouer-credulous Scholler whose vehement affection to Madame Helena so hood-winkt the sight of his vnderstanding as he could not be distrustfull of any guilt returned this answere to Ancilla Say to your Lady that I am bound in duty to attend the good houre of her leisure without so much as the very least preiudicate conceite in me Neuerthelesse entreat her to let it bee so soone as she possibly may because here is miserable walking and it begininneth againe to snow extreamely Ancilla making fast the Casemeâ—t went presently to bed when Helena spake thus to her amorous friend What saist thou now Doest thou thinke that I loued him as thou wast afraid of If I did he should neuer walke thus in the frost and snow So away went they likewise from their close gazing window and spent wanton dalliances together laughing and deriding with many bitter taunts and iests the lamentable condition of poore Reniero About the Court walked hee numberlesse times finding such exercises as he could best deuise to compasse warmth in any manner no seate or shelter had he any where either to ease himselfe by sitting downe a while or keepe him from the snow falling continually on him which made him bestow many curses on the Ladies Brother for his so long tarrying with her as beleeuing him verily to be in the house or else she would long before haue admitted his entrance but therein his hope was meerely deceiued It grew now to be about the houre of midnight and Helena had delighted her selfe with her friend extraordinarily til at last thus she spake to him What is thine opinion of my amourous Scholler Which dost thou imagine to be the greatest either his sense and iudgement or the affection I beare to him Is not this cold sufferance of this able to quench the violent â—eat of his loues extremitie and hauing so much snow broth to helpe it Beleeue me sweet Lady quoth her friend as hee is a man and a learned Scholler I pitty that he should bee thus vngently dealt withall but as he is my riuall and loues enemy I cannot allow him the least compassion resting the more confidently assured of your loue to me which I will alwayes esteeme most precious When they had spent a long while in this or the like conference with infinite sweet kisses and embraces intermixed then she began againe in this manner Deare loue quoth she cast thy Cloake about thee as I intend to doe with my night mantle and let vs step to the little window once more to see whether the flaming fire which burned in the Schollers brest as daily auouched to me in his loue letters be as yet extinct or no. So going to the window againe and looking downe into the Court there they saw the Scholler dancing in the snow to the cold tune of his teeths quiuering and chattering and clapping his armes about his body which was no pleasing melody to him How thinkest
seeing it is your most gracious pleasure that I should haue the honour to breake the first staffe of freedome in this faire company according to the iniunction of your Maiesty for liberty of our own best liking argumeÌ„ts wherein I dismay not if I can speake well enough but to please you all as well as any other that is to follow me Nor am I so obliuious worthy Ladies but full well I remember that many times hath bene related in our passed demonstrations how mighty and variable the powers of loue are and yet I cannot be perswaded that they haue all bene so sufficiently spoken of but something may bee further added and the bottome of them neuer diued into although we should sit arguing a whole yeare together And because it hath beene alreadie approued that Louers haue bene led into diuers accidents not onely ineuitable dangers of death but also haue entred into the verie houses of the dead thence to conuey their amorous friends I purpose to acquaint you with a Nouell beside them which haue bene discoursed whereby you may not onely comprehend the power of Loue but also the wisedome vsed by an honest Gentlewoman to rid her selfe of two importunate suiters who loued her against her owne liking yet neither of them knowing the others affection In the City of Pistoya there dwelt sometime a beautifull Gentlewoman being a Widdow whom two of our Florentines the one named Rinuccio Palermini and the other Alessandro Chiarmontesi hauing withdrawne themselues to Pistoya desperately affected the one ignorant of the others intention but each carrying his case closely as hoping to be possessed of her This Gentlewoman named Madame Francesca de Lazzari being often solicited by their messages and troublesomely pestered with their importunities at last lesse aduisedly then she intended shee granted admittance to heare either of them speake Which she repenting and coueting to be rid of them both a matter not easie to be done she wittily deuised the onely meanes namely to moue such a motion to them as neither would willingly vndertake yet within the compasse of possibility but they failing in the performance shee might haue the more honest occasion to bee free from all further mollestation by them and her politike intention was thus proiected On the same day when she deuised this peece of seruice a man was buried in Pistoya and in the Church-yard belonging vnto the gray Friars who being descended of good and worthie parentage yet himselfe was very infamous and reputed to be the vilest man liuing not onely there in Pistoya but throughout the whole World beside Moreouer while he liued he had such a strange mishapen body and his face so vgly deformed that such as knew him not would stand gastly affrighted at the first sight of him In regarde whereof shee considered with her selfe that the foule deformitie of this loathed fellow would greatly auayle in her determination and consulting with her Chamber-maid thus she spake Thou knowest my most true and faithfull seruant what trouble and affliction of minde I suffer dayly by the messages and Letters of the two Florentines Rinuccio and Alessandro how hate-their importunity is to me as being vtterly vnwilling to hear them speake or yeeld to any thing which they desire Wherefore to free myselfe from them both together I haue deuised in regard of their great and liberall offers to make trial of them in such a matter as I am assured they will neuer performe It is not vnknowne to thee that in the Church-yard of the Gray Friars and this instant morning Scannadio for so was the vgly fellow named was buried of whom when he was liuing as also now being dead both men women and children doe yet stand in feare so gastly and dreadfull alwayes was his personall appearance to them Wherefore first of all go thou to Alessandro and say to him thus My Mistris Francesca hath sent me to you to tell you that now the time is come wherein you may deserue to enioy her loue and gaine the possession of her person if you will accomplish such a motion as she maketh to you For some especiall occasion wherewith hereafter you shall bee better acquainted a neere Kinsman of hers must needs haue the body of Scannadio who was buried this morning brought to her house And she being as much affraid of him now he is dead as when he was liuing by no meanes would haue his body brought thither In which respect as a Token of your vnfeigned loue to her and the latest seruice you shall euer do for her shee earnestly entreateth you that this night in the very deadest time thereof you would go to the graue where Scannadio lyeth yet vncouered with earth vntill to morrow and attyring your selfe in his garments euen as if you were the man himselfe so to remaine there vntill her kinsman doe come Then without speaking any one word let him take you foorth of the graue bring you thence insted of Scannadio to hir house where she will giue you gentle welcome and disappoint her Kinsman in his hope by making you Lord of her and all that is hers as afterward shall plainly appeare If he say he wil do it it is as much as I desire but if hee trifle and make deniall then boldly tell him that he must refraine all places wheresoeuer I am and forbeare to send me any more Letters or messages Hauing done so then repaire to Rinuccio Palermini and say My Mistresse Francesca is ready to make acceptance of your loue prouided that you will do one thing for her sake Namely this ensuing night in the midst stillest season thereof to go to the graue where Scannadio was this morning buried without making any noise or speaking one word whatsoeuer you shall heare or see to take him forth of the graue and bring him home to her house wher you shal know the reason of this strange businesse and enioy her freely as your owne for euer But if he refuse to do it then I commaund him neuer hereafter to see me or moue further suite vnto mee by any meanes whatsoeuer The Chamber-maide went to them both and deliuered the seuerall messagâ—s from her Mistresse according as she had giuen her in charge whereunto each of them answered that they woulde for her sake not onely descend into a Graue but also into hell if it were her pleasure She returning with this answer vnto her Mistresse Francesâ—a remained in expectation what the issue of these fond attemptes in them would sort vnto When night was come and the middle houre thereof already past Alessandro Chiarmontesi hauing put off all other garments to his doublet and hose departed secretly from his lodging walking towards the Church-yard where Scannadio lay in his graue but by the way as he went hee became surprized with diuers dreadfull conceites and imaginations and questioned with himselfe thus What a beast am I What a businesse haue I vndertaken And whither am I going
but she was as carefully respected euen as if she had been his owne Wife Secretly he repaired to Modena where hauing giuen direction for his place of authority he returned back againe to Bologna and there made preparation for a great and solemne feast appointing who should be his inuited guests the very chiefest persons in Bologna and among them Signior Nicoluccio Caccianimico the especiall man After he was dismounted from horsebacke and found so good company attending for him the Lady also more faire and healthful then euer and the Infant liuely disposed he sate downe at the Table with his guests causing them to be serued in most magnificent manner with plenty of all delicates that could be deuised and neuer before was there such a Iouiall feast About the ending of dinner closely he made the Lady acquainted with his further intention and likewise in what order euery thing should be done which being effected he returned to his company vsed these speeches Honourable friends I remember a discourse sometime made vnto me concerning the Countrey of Persia and a kind of custome there obserued not to be misliked in mine opinion When any one intended to honour his friend in effectuall manner he inuited him home to his house and there would shew him the thing which with greatest loue he did respect were it Wife Friend Sonne Daughter or any thing else whatsoeuer wherewithall hee spared not to affirme that as he shewed him those choyce delights the like view he should haue of his heart if with any possibility it could be done and the very same custome I meane now to obserue here in our City You haue vouchsafed to honour me with your presence at this poore homely dinner of mine and I will welcome you after the Persian manner in shewing you the Iewell which aboue all things else in the world I euer haue most respectiuely esteemed But before I doe it I craue your fauourable opinions in a doubt which I will plainely declare vnto you If any man hauing in his house a good and faithfull seruant who falling into extremity of sickenesse shall be throwne forth into the open street without any care or pitty taken on him A stranger chanceth to passe by and moued with compassion of his weakenesse carryeth him home to his owne house where vsing all charitable diligence and not sparing any cost he recouereth the sicke person to his former health I now desire to know if keeping the said restored person and imploying him about his owne businesse the first Master by pretending his first right may lawfully complaine of the second and yeeld him backe againe to the first master albeit he doe make challenge of him All the Gentlemen after many opinions passing among them agreed altogether in one sentence and gaue charge to Signior Nicoluccio Caccianimico because he was an excellent and elegant speaker to giue answere for them all First he commended the custome obserued in Persia saying he iumpt in opinion with all the rest that the first Master had no right at all to the seruant hauing not onely in such necessity forsaken him but also cast him forth into the comfortlesse street But for the benefits and mercy extended to him it was more then manifest that the recouered person was become iustly seruant to the second Master and in detayning him from the first hee did not offer him any iniury at all The whole Company sitting at the Table being all very wise worthy men gaue their verdict likewise with the confession of Signior Nicoluccio Caccianimico Which answere did not a little please the Knight and so much the rather because Nicoluccio had pronounced it affirming himselfe to be of the same minde So sitting in a pretended musing a while at length he said My honourable guests it is now more then high time that I should doe you such honour as you haue most iustly deserued by performing the promise made vnto you Then calling two of his seruants he sent them to Madame Catharina whom he had caused to adorne her self in excellent manner entreating her that she would be pleased to grace his guests with her presence Catharina hauing deckt her child in costly habiliments layed it in her armes and came with the seruauts into the dyning Hall and sate down as the Knight had appointed at the vpper end of the Table and then Signior Gentile spake thus Behold worthy Gentlemen this is the Iewell which I haue most affected and intend to loue none other in the world be you my Iudges whether I haue iust occasion to doe so or no The Gentlemen saluting her with respectiue reuerence said to the Knight that he had great reason to affect her And viewing her aduisedly many of them thought her to be the very same woman as indeed she was but that they beleeued her to be dead But aboue all the rest Nicoluccio Caccianimico could neuer be satisfied with beholding her and enflamed with earnest desire to know what she was could not refraine seeing the Knight was gone out of the roome but demaunded of her whether she were of Bologna or a stranger when the Lady heard her selfe to be thus questioned and by her Husband it seemed painefull to her to containe from answering Neuerthelesse to perfect the Kinghts intended purpose she sate silent Others demaunded of her whether the sweet Boy were hers or no and some questioned if she were Gentiles Wife or no or else his Knisewoman to all which demaunds she returned not any answere But when the Knight came to them againe some of them said to him Sir this woman is a goodly creature but she appeareth to be dumbe which were great pitty if it should be so Gentlemen quoth he it is no small argument of her vertue to sit still and silent at this instant Tell vs then said they of whence and what she is Therein quoth he I will quickely resolue you vpon your conditionall promise that none of you do remoue from his place whatsoeuer shall be said or done vntill I haue fully deliuered my minde Euery one bound himselfe by solemne promise to perform what he had appointed and the Tables being voided as also the Carpets laid then the Knight sitting downe by the Lady thus began Worthy Gentlemen this Lady is that true and faithfull seruant wherof I moued the question to you whom I tooke out of the cold street where her parents kindred and friends making no account at all of her threw her forth as a thing vile and vnprofitable Neuerthelesse such hath been my care and cost that I haue rescued her out of deaths griping power and in a meere charitable disposition which honest affection caused me to beare her of a body full of terror affrighting as then she was I haue caused her to become thus louely as you see But because you may more apparantly discerne in what manner this occasion happened I will lay it open to you in more familiar manner Then he began
of two worthy friends At such time as Octauius Caesar not as yet named Augustus but only in the office called Triumueri gouerned the Romane Empire there dwelt in Rome a Gentleman named Publius Quintus Fuluius a man of singular vnderstanding who hauing one son called Titus Quintus Fuluius of towardly yeares and apprehension sent him to Athens to learne Philosophy but with letters of familiar commendations to a Noble Athenian Gentleman named Chremes being his ancient friend of long acquaintance This Gentleman lodged Titus in his owne house as companion to his son named Gisippus both of them studying together vnder the tutoring of a Philosopher called Aristippus These two yong Gentlemen liuing thus in one Citty House and Schoole it bred betweene them such a brother-hoode and amity as they could not be seuered from one another but only by the accident of death nor could either of them enioy any content but when they were both together in company Being each of them endued with gentle spirits and hauing begun their studies together they arose by degrees to the glorious height of Philosophy to their much admired fame and commendation In this manner they liued to the no meane comfort of Chremes hardly distinguishing the one from the other for his Son thus the Schollers continued the space of three yeares At the ending wherof as it hapneth in al things else Chremes died whereat both the young Gentlemen conceiued such hearty griefe as if he had bin their common father nor could the kinred of Chremes discerne which of the two had most need of comfort the losse touched them so equally It chanced within some few months after that the kinred of Gisippus came to â—ee him and before Titus auised him to marriage and with a yong Gentlewoman of singular beauty deriued from a most noble house in Athens and she named Sophronia aged about fifteen years This mariage drawing neere Gisippus on a day intreated Titus to walk along with him thither because as yet he had not seene her Comming to the house and she sitting in the midst betweene them Titus making himselfe a considerator of beauty especially on his friends behalfe began to obserue her very iudicially euery part of her seemed so pleasing in his eie that giuing them al a priuat praise yet answerable to their due deseruing he becam so enflamed with affection to her as neuer any louer could bee more violentlie surprized so sodainly doth beauty beguile our best senses After they had sate an indifferent while with her they returned home to their lodging where Titus being alone in his chamber began to bethink himselfe on her whose perfections had so powerfully pleased him and the more he entred into this consideration the fiercer he felt his desires enflamed which being vnable to quench by any reasonable perswasions after hee had vented foorth infinite sighes thus he questioned with himselfe Most vnhappie Titus as thou art whether doost thou transport thine vnderstanding loue and hope Dooest thou not know as well by the honourable fauours which thou hast receiued of Chremes and his house as also the intire amity betweene thee and Gisippus vnto whom faire Sophronia is the affianced friend that thou shouldst holde her in the like reuerent respect as if shee were thy true borne Sister Darest thou presume to fancie her Whether shall beguiling Loue allure thee and vaine immaging hopes carrie thee Open the eyes of thy better vnderstanding and acknowledge thy selfe to bee a most miserable man Giue way to reason bridle thine in temperate appetites reforme all irregulare desires and guide thy fancy to a place of better direction Resist thy wanton and lasciuioâ—s will in the beginning and be master of thy selfe while thou hast opportunity for that which thou aimest at is neyther reasonable nor honest And if thou wert assured to preuaile vpon this pursuite yet thou oughtst to auoide it if thou hast any regard of true friendship and the duty therein iustly required What wilt thou do then Titus Fly from this inordinate affection if thou wilt be reputed to be a man of sensible iudgement After he had thus discoursed with himselfe remembring Sophronia and conuerting his former allegations into a quite contrarie sense in vtter detestation of them and guided by his idle appetite thus he began againe The lawes of loue are of greater force then any other whatsoeuer they not only breake the bands of friendship but euen those also of more diuine consequence How many times hath it bin noted the father to affect his own daughter the brother his sister and the step mother her son in law matters far more monstrous then to see one friend loue the wife of another a case happening continually Moreouer I am yong and youth is wholly subiected to the passions of Loue is it reasonable then that those should be bard from me which are fitting and pleasing to Loue Honest things belong to men of more years and maturity then I am troubled withall and I can couet none but onely those wherein Loue is directer The beauty of Sophronia is worthy of generall loue and if I that am a yongman do loue her what man liuing can iustly reproue me for it Shold not I loue her because she is affianced to Gisippus That is no matter to me I ought to loue her because she is a womaÌ„ and women were created for no other occasion but to bee Loued Fortune had sinned in this case and not I in directing my frends affection to her rather then any other and if she ought to be loued as her perfections do challenge Gisippus vnderstanding that I affect her may be the better contented that it is I rather then any other With these and the like crosse entercourses he often mockt himselfe falling into the contrary and then to this againe and from the contrary into another kind of alteration wasting and consuming himselfe not only this day and the night following but many more afterward til he lost both his feeding sleepe so that through debility of body he was constrained to keepe his bed Gisippus who had diuers dayes noted his melancholly disposition and now his falling into extreamitie of sicknesse was very sorry to behold it and with all meanes and inuentions he could deuise to vse hee both questioned the cause of this straunge alteration and essayed euerie way how hee might best comfort him neuer ceassing to demaunde a reason why he should become thus sad and sickely But Titus after infinite importuning which still he answered with idle and friuolous excuses farre from the truth indeede and to the no meane affliction of his friend when he was able to vse no more contradictions at length in sighes and teares thus he replyed Gisippus were the Gods so wel pleased I could more gladly yeild to dye then continue any longer in this wretched life considering that Fortune hath brought mee to such an extremity as proofe is now to be made of
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
THE Decameron CONTAINING An hundred pleasant Nouels Wittily discoursed betweene seauen Honourable Ladies and three Noble Gentlemen London printed by Isaac Iaggard 1620. TO THE RIGHT HOnourable Sir PHILLIP HERBERT Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of our Soueraigne Lord King Iames Lord Baron of Sherland Earle of Montgomery and Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter c. * ⎠* THE Philosopher Zeno Right Honourable and my most worthily esteemed Lord being demaunded on a time by what meanes a man might attaine to happinesse made answere By resorting to the dead and hauing familiar conuersation with them Intimating thereby The reading of ancient and moderne Histories and endeauouring to learne such good instructions as haue bene obserued in our Predecessors A Question also was mooued by great King Ptolomy to one of the learned wise Interpreters In what occasions a King should exercise himselfe whereto thus hee replyed To know those things which formerly haue bin done And to read Bookes of those matters which offer themselues dayly or are fittest for our instant affaires And lastly in seeking those things whatsoeuer that make for a Kingdomes preseruation and the correction of euill manners or examples Vpon these good and warrantable grounds most Noble Lord beside many more of the same Nature which I omit to auoide prolixity I dare boldly affirme that such as are exercised in the reading of Histories although they seeme to be but yong in yeares and slenderly instructed in worldly matters yet grauity and gray-headed age speaketh maturely in them to the no meane admiration of common and vulgar iudgement As contrariwise such as are ignorant of things done and past before themselues had any being continue still in the estate of children able to speake or behaue themselues no otherwise and euen within the bounds of their Natiue Countries in respect of knowledge or manly capacity they are no more then well-seeming dumbe Images In due consideration of the precedent allegations and vppon the command as also most Noble encouragement of your Honour from time to time this volume of singular and exquisite Histories varied into so many and exact natures appeareth in the worlds view vnder your Noble patronage and defence to be safely sheelded from foule mouthed slander and detraction which is too easily throwne vpon the very best deseruing labours I know most worthy Lord that many of them haue long since bene published before as stolne from the first originall Author and yet not beautified with his sweete stile and elocution of phrases neither sauouring of his singular morall applications For as it was his full scope and ayme by discouering all vices in their vgly deformities to make their mortall enemies the sacred Vertues to shine the clearer being set downe by them and compared with them so euery true and vpright iudgement in obseruing the course of these well-carried Nouels shall plainly perceiue that there is no spare made of reproofe in any degree whatsoeuer where sin is embraced and grace neglected but the iust deseruing shame and punishment thereon inflticted that others may be warned by their example In imitation of witty Aesope who reciteth not a Fable but graceth it with a iudicious morall application as many other worthy Writers haue done the like For instance let me heere insert one A poore man hauing a pike staffe on his shoulder and trauailing thorow a Countrey Village a great Mastiue Curre ran mainly at him so that hardly he could defend himselfe from him At the length it was his chance to kill the Dogge for which the Owner immediately apprehending him and bringing him before the Iudge alledged that he had slaine his seruant which defended his life house and goods and therefore challenged satisfaction The Iudge leaning more in fauour to the Plaintiffe as being his friend neighbor and familiar then to the iustice and equity of the cause reprooued the poore fellow somwhat sharpely and peremptorily commanded him to make satisfaction or els he would commit him to prison That were iniustice replyed the poore man because I kilde the dogge in defence of mine owne life which deserueth much better respect then a million of such Curres Sirra sirra saide the Iudge then you should haue turned the other end of your staffe and not the pike so the dogges life had beene saued and your owne in no danger True Sir quoth the fellow if the dog would haue turn'd his taile and bit mee with that and not his teeth then we both had parted quietly I know your Honor to be so truly iudicious that your selfe can make the morall allusion both in defence of my poore paines and acceptation of the same into your protection with most humble submission of my selfe and all my vttermost endeauours to bee alwayes ready at your seruice The Authors Prologue to the Lords Ladies and Gentlewomen IT is a matter of humanity to take compassion on the afflicted and although it be fitting towards all in generall yet to such as are most tied by bond of duty who hauing already stood in neede of comfort do therfore most needfully deserue to enioy it Among whom if euer any were in necessity found it most precious and therby receiued no small contentment I am one of them because from my verie yongest yeeres euen vntill this instant mine affections becam extraordinarily enflamed in a place high and Noble more perhaps then beseemed my humble condition albeit no way distasted in the iudgement of such as were discreete when it came truly to their knowledge and vnderstanding Yet indeed it was very painfull for me to endure not in regard of her cruelty whom I so deerely loued as for want of better gouernment in mine owne carriage being altogether swayed by rash and peeuish passions which made my afflictions more offensiue to mee then either wisedome allowed or suited with my priuate particular But as counsell in misery is no meane comfort so the good aduice of a worthy friend by many sound and singular perswasions wrought such a deliberate alteration as not onely preserued my life which was before in extreame perill but also gaue conclusion ro my inconsiderate loue which in my precedent refractarie carriage no deliberation counsell euident shame or whatsoeuer perill should ensue thereon could in any manner contradict beganne to asswage of it selfe in time bestowing not onely on me my former freedome but deliuering me likewise from infinite perplexities And because the acknowledgement of good turnes or courtesies receiued in my poore opinion is a vertue among all other highly to bee commended and the contrary also to be condemned to shewe my selfe not ingratefull I determined so soone as I saw my selfe in absolute liberty in exchange of so great a benefit bestowne on mee to minister some mitigation I will not say to such as releeued me because their owne better vnderstanding or blessednesse in Fortune may defend them from any such necessity but rather to them which truly stand in need And although
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
to preserue his life but yet it was no meane griefe to them if it should so succeede as they feared namely the marriage betweene their Sonne and Gianetta The Physicion being gone and they repairing to their sicke Sonne the Mother began with him in this manner Sonne I was alwayes perswaded that thou wouldest not conceale any secret from me or the least part of thy desires especially when without enioying them thou must remaine in the danger of death Full well art thou assured or in reason oughtest to be that there is not any thing for thy contentment be it of what quality soeuer but it should haue beene prouided for thee and in as ample manner as for mine owne selfe But though thou hast wandred so farre from duty and hazarded both thy life and ours it commeth so to passe that Heauen hath been more mercifull to thee then thou wouldest be to thy selfe or vs. And to preuent thy dying of this disease a dreame this night hath acquainted me with the principall occasion of thy sickenesse to wit extraordinary affection to a young Maiden in some such place as thou hast seene her I tell thee Sonne it is a matter of no disgrace to loue and why shouldst thou shame to manifest as much it being so apt and conuenient for thy youth For if I were perswaded that thou couldst not loue I should make the lesse esteeme of thee Therefore deare Sonne be not dismayed but freely discouer thine affections Expel those disastrous drouping thoughts that haue indangered thy life by this long lingering sicknesse And let thy soule be faithfully assured that thou canst not require any thing to be done remaining within the compasse of my power but I will performe it for I loue thee as dearely as mine owne life Set therefore aside this nice conceit of shame and feare reuealing the truth boldly to me if I may stead thee in thy loue resoluing thy selfe vnfaignedly that if my care stretch not to compasse thy content account me for the most cruell Mother liuing and vtterly vnworthy of such a Sonne The young Gentleman hauing heard these protestations made by his Mother was not a little ashamed of his owne follie but recollecting his better thoughts together and knowing in his soule that no one could better further his hopes then shee forgetting all his former feare he returned her this answere Madam and my dearely affected Mother nothing hath more occasioned my loues so strict concealement but an especiall errour which I finde by daily proofe in many who being growne to yeeres of graue discretion doe neuer remember that they themselues haue bin yong But because heerein I find you to be both discreet and wise I will not onely affirme what you haue seen in me to be true but also will confesse to whom it is vpon condition that the effect of your promise may follow it according to the power remaining in you whereby you onely may secure my life His Mother desirous to bee resolued whether his confession would agree with the Physitians words or no and reseruing another intention to her selfe bad him feare nothing but freely discouer his whole desire and forthwith she doubted not to effect it Then Madame quoth hee the matchlesse beauty and commendable qualities of your maid Gianetta to whom as yet I haue made no motion to commisserate this my languishing extremity nor acquainted any liuing creature with my loue the concealing of these afflictions to my selfe hath brought mee to this desperate condition and if some meane bee not wrought according to your constant promise for the full enioying of my longing desires assure your selfe most noble Mother that the date of my life is very short The Lady well knowing that the time now rather required kindest comfort then any seuere or sharpe reprehension smiling on him saide Alas deere sonne wast thou sicke for this Be of good cheare and when thy strength is better restored then referre the matter to me The young Gentleman being put in good hope by his mothers promise began in short time to shew apparant signes of well-forwarded amendment to the Mothers great ioy and comfort disposing her selfe daily to prooue how in honor she might keepe promise with her Son Within a short while after calling Gianetta priuately to her in gentle manner and by the way of pleasant discourse she demanded of her whither she was prouided of a Louer or no. Gianetta being neuer acquainted with any such questions a scarlet Dye couering all her modest countenance thus replied Madam I haue no neede of any Louer and very vnseemly were it for so poore a Damosell as I am to haue so much as a thought of Louers being banished from my friends and kinsfolke and remaining in seruice as I do If you haue none answered the Lady wee will bestowe one on you which shall content your minde and bring you to a more pleasing kinde of life because it is farre vnfit that so faire a Maid as you are should remaine destitute of a louer Madam sayde Gianetta considering with my selfe that since you receiued me of my poore Father you haue vsed me rather like your daughter then a seruant it becommeth mee to doe as pleaseth you Notwithstanding I trust in the regard of mine own good and honour neuer to vse any complaint in such a case but if you please to bestow a husband on me I purpose to loue and honour him onely not any other For of all the inheritance left me by my progenitors nothing remaineth to me but honourable honesty and that shall bee my legacie so long as I liue These words were of a quite contrary complexion to those which the Lady expected from her and for effecting the promise made vnto hir Sonne howbeit like a wise and noble Lady much shee inwardly commended the maids answers and saide vnto her But tell me Gianetta what if my Lord the King who is a gallant youthfull Prince and you so bright a beauty as you are should take pleasure in your loue would ye denie him Sodainly the Maide returned this answer Madam the King perhaps might enforce me but with my free consent hee shall neuer haue any thing of me that is not honest Nor did the Lady mislike her Maides courage and resolution but breaking off all her further conference intended shortly to put her proiect in proofe saying to her son that when he was fully recouered he should haue priuate accesse to Gianetta whom shee doubted not but would be tractable enough to him for she held it no meane blemish to her honour to mooue the Maide any more in the matter but let him compasse it as he could Farre from the yong Gentlemans humour was this answer of his Mother because he aimed not at any dishonourable end true faithfull honest loue was the sole scope of his intention foule and loathsome lust he vtterly defied whereupon he fell into sickenesse againe rather more violently then before Which the Lady perceiuing
formerly tolde to her he deliuered againe in presence of the Soldane who seemed to be well pleased with it But after shee had once seene her Husband shee thought vpon her more serious businesse prouiding her selfe of an apt opportunity when shee entreated such fauour of the Soldane that both the men might be brought before him where if Ambroginolo would not confesse without constraint that which he had made his vaunt of concerning Bernardoes Wife he might be compelled thereto perforce Sicuranoes word was a Law with the Soldane so that Ambroginolo and Bernardo being brought face to face the Soldane with a sterne and angry countenance in the presence of a most Princely Assembly commanded Ambroginolo to declare the truth yea vpon peril of his life by what means he won the wager of the fiue thousand golden Duckets he receiued of Bernardo Ambroginolo seeing Sicurano there present vpon whose fauour he wholly relied yet perceiuing her lookes likewise to be as dreadfull as the Soldanes and hearing her threaten him with most greeuous torments except he reuealed the truth indeede you may easily guesse faire company in what condition he stood at that instant Frownes and fury he beheld on either side and Bernardo standing before him with a world of famous witnesses to heare his lie confounded by his owne confession and his tongue to denie what it had before so constantly auouched Yet dreaming on no other paine or penalty but restoring backe the fiue thousand Duckets of gold and the other things by him purloyned truly he reuealed the whole forme of his falshood Then Sicurano according as the Soldane had formerly commanded him turning to Bernardo saide And thou vpon the suggestion of this foule lie what didst thou to thy Wife Being quoth Bernardo ouercome with rage for the losse of my money and the dishonour I supposed to receiue by my Wife I caused a seruant of mine to kill her and as he credibly auouched her body was deuoured by rauenous Wolues in a moment after These things being thus spoken and heard in the presence of the Soldane and no reason as yet made knowne why the case was so seriously vrged and to what end it would succeede Sicurano spake in this manner to the Soldane My gracious Lord you may plainely perceiue in what degree that poore Gentlewoman might make her vaunt being so well prouided both of a louing friend and a husband Such was the friends loue that in an instant and by a wicked lye hee robbed her both of her renowne and honour and bereft her also of her husband And her husband rather crediting anothers falshood then the inuincible trueth whereof he had faithfull knowledge by long and very honourable experience caused her to be slaine and made foode for deuouring Wolues Beside all this such was the good will and affection borne to that woman both by friend and husband that the longest continuer of them in her company makes them alike in knowledge of her But because your great wisedome knoweth perfectly what each of them haue worthily deserued if you please in your euer knowne gracious benignity to permit the punishment of the deceiuer and pardon the party so deceiued I will procure such meanes that she shall appeare here in your presence and theirs The Soldane being desirous to giue Sicurano all manner of satisfaction hauing followed the course so industriously bad him to produce the woman and hee was well contented Whereat Bernardo stoode much amazed because he verily beleeued that she was dead And Ambroginolo foreseeing already a preparation for punishment feared that the repayment of the money would not now serue his turne not knowing also what he should further hope or suspect if the woman her selfe did personally appeare which hee imagined would be a miracle Sicurano hauing thus obtayned the Soldanes permission in teares humbling her selfe at his feete in a moment shee lost her manly voyce and demeanour as knowing that she was now no longer to vse them but must truely witnesse what she was indeede and therefore thus spake Great Soldane I am the miserable and vnfortunate Geneura that for the space of sixe whole yeares haue wandered through the world in the habite of a man falsly and most maliciously slaundered by this villainous traytour Ambroginolo and by this vnkinde cruell husband betrayed to his seruant to be slaine and left to be deuoured by sauage beasts Afterward desiring such garments as better fitted for her and shewing her brests she made it apparant before the Soldane and his assistants that she was the very same woman indeede Then turning her selfe to Ambroginolo with more then manly courage she demaunded of him when and where it was that he lay with her as villainously he was not ashamed to make his vaunt But hee hauing alreadie acknowledged the contrarie being stricken dumbe with shamefull disgrace was not able to vtter one word The Soldane who had alwayes reputed Sicurano to be a man hauing heard and seene so admirable an accident was so amazed in his minde that many times he was very doubtfull whether this was a dreame or an absolute relation of trueth But after hee had more seriously considered thereon and found it to be reall and infallible with extraordinary gracious praises he commended the life constancie conditions and vertues of Geneura whom till that time he had alwayes called Sicurano So committing her to the company of honourable Ladies to be changed from her manly habite he pardoned Bernardo her husband according to her request formerly made although hee had more iustly deserued death which likewise himselfe confessed and falling at the feete of Geneura desired her in teares to forgiue his rash transgression which most louingly she did kissing and embracing him a thousand times Then the Soldane strictly commaunded that on some high and eminent place of the Citie Ambroginolo should be bound and impaled on a Stake hauing his naked body anointed all ouer with honey and neuer to be taken off vntill of it selfe it fell in pieces which according to the sentence was presently performed Next he gaue expresse charge that all his mony and goods should be giuen to Geneura which valued aboue ten thousand double Duckets Forth-with with a solemne feast was prepared wherein much honour was done to Bernardo being the husband of Geneura and to her as to a most worthy woman and matchlesse wife he gaue in costly Iewels as also vessels of gold and siluer plate so much as amounted to aboue ten thousand double Duckets more When the feasting was finished he caused a Ship to be furnished for them graunting them licence to depart for Geneway when they pleased whither they returned most rich and ioyfully being welcommed home with great honour especially Madame Geneura whom euery one supposed to be dead and alwayes after so long as shee liued shee was most famous for her manifold vertues But as for Ambroginolo the very same day that he was impaled on the Stake annointed with honey and
it is a day of fasting in honor of the ensuing Sabath wheron no labor may be done but the obseruation of holy exercises By that which hath bin saide you may easily conceiue that the course which we haue hitherto continued cannot bee prosecuted in one and the same manner wherfore I would aduice and do hold it an action wel performed by vs to cease for these few dayes from recounting any other Nouels And because we haue remained here foure daies already except we would allow the enlarging of our company with some other friends that may resort vnto vs I think it necessary to remoue from hence take our pleasure in another place which is already by me determined When we shal be there assembled and haue slept on the discourses formerly deliuered let our next argument be stil the mutabilities of Fortune but especially to concerne such persons as by their wit and ingenuity industriously haue attained to some matter earnestly desired or else recouered againe after the losse Heereon let vs seuerally study and premeditate that the hearers may receiue benefit thereby with the comfortable maintenance of our harmlesse recreations the priuiledge of Dioneus alwayes reserued to himselfe Euery one cōmended the Queens deliberation concluding that it shold be accordingly prosecuted and therupon the master of the houshold was called to giue him order for that euenings Table seruice and what else concerned the time of the Queenes Royalty wherein he was sufficiently instructed which being done the company arose licensing euery one to doe what they listed The Ladies and Gentlemen walked to the Garden and hauing sported themselues there a while when the houre of supper came they sate downe and fared very daintily Being risen from the Table according to the Queenes command Madam Aemilia led the dance and the ditty following was sung by Madam Pampinea being answered by all the rest as a Chorus The Song And if not I what Lady else can sing Of those delights which kind contentment bring Come come sweet Loue the cause of my chiefe good Of all my hopes the firme and full effect Sing we together but in no sad moode Of sighes or teares which ioy doth counterchecke Stolne pleasures are delightfull in the taste But yet Loues fire is often times too fierce Consuming comfort with ore-speedy haste Which into gentle hearts too far doth pierce And if not I c. The first day that I felt this fiery heate So sweete a passion did possesse my soule That though I found the torment sharpe and great Yet still me thought t' was but a sweete controule Nor could I count it rude or rigorous Taking my wound from such a piercing eye As made the paine most pleasing gracious That I desire in such assaults to die And if not I c. Grant then great God of Loue that I may still Enioy the benefit of my desire And honour her with all my deepest skill That first enflamde my heart with holy fire To her my bondage is free liberty My sicknesse health my tortures sweet repose Say shee the word in full felicity All my extreames ioyne in an happy close Then if not I what Louer else can sing Of those delights which kind contentment bring After this Song was ended they sung diuers other beside and hauing great variety of instruments they parted to them as many pleasing dances But the Queene considering that the meete houre for rest was come with their lighted Torches before them they all repaired to their Chambers sparing the other dayes next succeeding for those reasons by the Queene alleaged and spending the Sunday in solemne deuotion The ende of the second Day The Third Day Vpon which Day all matters to be discoursed on doe passe vnder the regiment of Madam Neiphila concerning such persons as by their wit and industry haue attained to their long wished desires or recouered something supposed to be lost The Induction to the ensuing Discourses THE morning put on a vermillion countenance and made the Sunne to rise blushing red when the Queene and all the faire company were come abroade forth of their Chambers the Seneshall or great Master of the Houshold hauing long before sent all things necessary to the place of their next intended meeting And the people which prepared there euery needfull matter suddainely when they saw the Queen was setting forward charged all the rest of their followers as if it had been preparation for a Campe to make hast away with the carriages the rest of the Familie remaining behind to attend vpon the Ladies and Gentlemen With a milde maiesticke and gentle peace the Queen rode on being followed by the other Ladies and the three young Gentlemen taking their way towards the West conducted by the musicall notes of sweete singing Nightingales and infinite other pretty Birds beside riding in a tract not much frequented but richly abounding with faire hearbes and floures which by reason of the Sunnes high mounting beganne to open their bosome and fill the fresh Ayre with their odorifferous perfumes Before they had trauelled two small miles distance all of them pleasantly conuersing together they arriued at another goodly Palace which being somewhat mounted aboue the plaine was seated on the side of a little rising hill When they were entred there into and had seene the great Hall the Parlors and beautifull Chambers euery one stupendiously furnished with all conuenient commodities to them belonging and nothing wanting that could be desired they highly commended it reputing the Lord thereof for a most worthy man that had adorned it in such Princely manner Afterward being descended lower and noting the most spacious and pleasant Court the Sellars stored with the choysest Wines and delicate Springs of water euery where running their prayses then exceeded more and more And being weary with beholding such variety of pleasures they sate downe in a faire Gallery which took the view of the whole Court it being round engirt with trees and floures whereof the season then yeelded great plenty And then came the discreete Master of the Houshold with diuers seruants attending on him presenting with Comfits and other Banquetting as also very singular Wines to serue in sted of a breakefast Hauing thus reposed themselues a while a Garden gate was set open to them coasting on one side of the Pallace and round inclosed with high mounted walles Whereinto when they were entred they found it to be a most beautiful Garden stored with all varieties that possibly could be deuised and therefore they obserued it the more respectiuley The walkes and allyes were long and spacious yet directly straite as an arrow enuironed with spreading vines wheron the grapes hung in copious clusters which being come to their ful ripenesse gaue so rare a smel throughout the Garden with other sweete sauours intermixed among that they supposed to feele the fresh spiceries of the East It would require large length of time to describe all the rarities of this place deseruing much
auncient woman of his acquaintance who was the Mistresse of a Bathing-house and there where he had appointed Madame Catulla that the Bath should be prepared for her giuing her to vnderstand the whole businesse and desiring her to be fauourable therein to him The woman who had beene much beholding to him in other matters promised very willingly to fulfill his request concluding with him both what should be done and said She had in her house a very darke Chamber without any window to affoord it the least light which Chamber shee had made ready according to Ricciardoes direction with a rich Bed therein so soft and delicate as possible could be wherein he entred so soone as he had dined to attend the arriuall of Madame Catulla On the same day as she had heard the speeches of Ricciardo and gaue more credit to them then became her shee returned home to her house in wonderfull impatience And Philippello her husband came home discontentedly too whose head being busied about some worldly affaires perhaps he looked not so pleasantly neither vsed her so kindly as he was wont to doe Which Catulla perceiuing shee was ten times more suspicious then before saying to her selfe Now apparant trueth doth disclose it selfe my husbands head is troubled now with nothing else but Ricciardoes wife with whom to morrow he purposeth his meeting wherein he shall be disappointed if I liue taking no rest at all the whole night for thinking how to handle her husband What shall I say more On the morrow at the houre of mid-day accompanied onely with her Chamber-mayde and without any other alteration in opinion shee went to the house where the Bath was promised and meeting there with the olde woman demaunded of her if Philippello were come thither as yet or no The woman being well instructed by Ricciardo answered Are you shee that should meete him heere Yes replied Catulla Goe in then to him quoth the woman for he is not farre off before you Madame Catulla who went to seeke that which she would not finde being brought vailed into the darke Chamber where Ricciardo was entred into the Bath hoping to finde none other there but her husband and the custome of the Countrey neuer disallowed such meetings of men with their wiues but held them to be good and commendable In a counterfeit voyce he bad her welcome and she not seeming to be any other then she was indeed entertained his embracings in as louing manner yet not daring to speake least he should know her but suffered him to proceede in his owne errour Let passe the wanton follies passing betweene them and come to Madame Catulla who finding it a fit and conuenient time to vent forth the tempest of her spleene began in this manner Alas how mighty are the misfortunes of women and how ill requited is the loyall loue of many wiues to their husbands I a poore miserable Lady who for the space of eight yeares now fully compleated haue loued thee more dearely then mine owne life finde now to my hearts endlesse griefe how thou wastest and consumest thy desires to delight them with a strange woman like a most vile and wicked man as thou art With whom doest thou now imagine thy selfe to be Thou art with her whom thou hast long time deluded by false blandishments feigning to affect her when thou doatest in thy desires else-where I am thine owne Catulla and not the wife of Ricciardo trayterous and vnfaithfull man as thou art I am sure thou knowest my voyce and I thinke it a thousand yeares vntill wee may see each other in the light to doe thee such dishonour as thou iustly deseruest dogged disdainefull and villainous wretch By conceiuing to haue another woman in the wanton embraces thou hast declared more iouiall disposition and demonstrations of farre greater kindnesse then domesticke familiarity At home thou lookest sower sullen or surly often froward and sildome well pleased But the best is whereas thou intendest this husbandrie for another mans ground thou hast against thy will bestowed it on thine owne and the water hath runne a contrary course quite from the current where thou meantst it What answere canst thou make deuill and no man What haue my words smitten thee dumbe Thou mayest with shame enough hold thy peace for with the face of a man and loue of an husband to his wife thou art not able to make any answere Ricciardo durst not speake one word but still expressed his affable behauiour towards her bestowing infinite embraces and kisses on her which so much the more augmented her rage and anger continuing on her chiding thus If by these flatteries and idle follies thou hopest to comfort or pacifie me thou runnest quite by as from thy reckoning for I shall neuer imagine my selfe halfe satisfied vntill in the presence of my parents friends and neighbours I haue reuealed thy base behauiour Tell mee treacherous man am not I as faire as the wife of Ricciardo Am I not as good a Gentlewoman borne as shee is What canst thou more respect in her then is in mee Villaine monster why doest thou not answere mee I will send to Ricciardo who loueth mee beyond all other women in Naples and yet could neuer vaunt that I gaue him so much as a friendly looke he shall know what a dishonour thou hadst intended towards him which both he and his friends will reuenge soundly vpon thee The exclamations of the Lady were so tedious and irksome that Ricciardo perceiuing if she continued longer in these complaints worse would ensue thereon then could be easily remedied resolued to make himselfe knowne to her to reclaime her out of this violent extasie and holding her somewhat strictly to preuent her escaping from him he said Madam afflict your selfe no further for what I could not obtaine by simply louing you subtilty hath better taught me and I am your Ricciardo which she hearing and perfectly knowing him by his voyce shee would haue leapt out of the Bath but shee could not and to auoyde her crying out he layde his hand on her mouth saying Lady what is done cannot now be vndone albeit you cried out all your life time If you exclaime or make this knowne openly by any meanes two vnauoydable dangers must needes ensue thereon The one which you ought more carefully to respect is the wounding of your good renowne and honour because when you shall say that by treacherie I drew you hither I will boldly maintaine the contrary auouching that hauing corrupted you with gold and not giuing you so much as couetously you desired you grew offended and thereon made the out-cry and you are not to learne that the world is more easily induced to beleeue the worst then any goodnesse be it neuer so manifest Next vnto this mortall hatred must arise betweene your husband and me and perhaps I shall as soone kill him as he mee whereby you can hardly liue in any true contentment after Wherefore ioy of my life
enough in Purgatory wherefore the better to countenance all passed inconueniences it was now thought high time that Ferando should be sent to the world againe and set free from the paines of Purgatory as hauing payed for his iealousie dearely to teach him better wisedome hereafter Late in the dead time of the night the Abbot himselfe entred into the darke dungeon and in an hollow counterfeited voyce called to Ferando saying Comfort thy selfe Ferando for the Fates are now pleased that thou shalt bee released out of Purgatory and sent to liue in the world againe Thou didst leaue thy wife newly conceiued with childe and this very morning she is deliuered of a goodly Sonne whom thou shalt cause to be named Bennet because by the incessant prayers of the holy Abbot thine owne louing wife and for sweet Saint Bennets sake this grace and fauour is afforded thee Ferando hearing this was exceeding ioyfull and returned this answere For euer honoured be the Fates the holy Lord Abbot blessed Saint Bennet and my most dearely beloued wife whom I will faithfully loue for euer and neuer more offend her by any iealousie in me When the next foode was sent to Ferando so much of the powder was mingled with the wine as would serue onely for foure houres entrauncing in which time they clothed him in his owne wearing apparell againe the Abbot himselfe in person and his honest trusty Monke of Bologna conueying and laying him in the same vault vnder the Tombe where at the first they gaue him buriall The next morning following about the breake of day Ferando recouered his sences and thorow diuers chinkes and crannies of the Tombe descried day-light which hee had not seene in tenne moneths space before Perceiuing then plainely that he was aliue he cried out aloude saying Open open and let mee forth of Purgatory for I haue beene heere long enough in conscience Thrusting vp his head against the couer of the Tombe which was not of any great strength neither well closed together hee put it quite off the Tombe and so got forth vpon his feete at which instant time the Monks hauing ended their morning Mattins and hearing the noyse ran in hast thither and knowing the voyce of Ferando saw that he was come forth of the Monument Some of them were ancient Signiors of the house and yet but meere Nouices as all the rest were in these cunning and politique stratagems of the Lord Abbot when hee intended to punish any one in Purgatory and therefore being affrighted and amazed at this rare accident they fled away from him running to the Abbot who making a shew to them as if he were but new come forth of his Oratory in a kinde of pacifying speeches saide Peace my deare Sonnes bee not affraide but fetch the Crosse and Holy-water hither then follow me and I will shew you what miracle the Fates haue pleased to shew in our Conuent therefore be silent and make no more noise all which was performed according to his command Ferando looking leane and pale as one that in so long time hadde not seene the light of heauen and endured such strict discipline twice euerie day stood in a gastly amazement by the Tombes side as not daring to aduenture any further or knowing perfectly whether he was as yet truly aliue or no. But when he saw the Monkes and Abbot comming with their lighted Torches and singing in a solemne manner of Procession he humbled himselfe at the Abbots feere saying Holy Father by your zealous prayers as hath bin miraculously reuealed to me and the prayers of blessed S. Bennet as also of my honest deare and louing Wife I haue bin deliuered from the paines of Purgatory and brought againe to liue in this world for which vnspeakable grace and fauor most humbly I thank the well-pleased Fates S. Bennet your Father-hood and my kinde Wife and will remember all your loues to me for euer Blessed be the Fates answered the Abbot for working so great a wonder heere in our Monastery Go then my good Son seeing the Fates haue bin so gracious to thee Go I say home to thine owne house and comfort thy kind wife who euer since thy departure out of this life hath liued in continual mourning loue cherish and make much of her neuer afflicting her henceforth with causlesse iealousie No I warrant you good Father replyed Ferando I haue bin well whipt in Purgatory for such folly and therefore I might be called a starke foole if I should that way offend any more either my louing wife or any other The Abbot causing Miserere to be deuoutly sung sprinkling Ferando well with Holy-water and placing a lighted Taper in his hand sent him home so to his owne dwelling Village where when the Neighbours beheld him as people halfe frighted out of their wits they fledde away from him so scared and terrified as if they had seene some dreadfull sight or gastly apparition his wife being as fearfull of him as any of the rest He called to them kindly by their seuerall names telling them that hee was newly risen out of his graue and was a man as he had bin before Then they began to touch and feele him growing into more certaine assurance of him perceiuing him to be a liuing man indeede whereupon they demanded many questions of him and he as if he were become farre wiser then before tolde them tydings from their long deceased Kindred and Friends as if he had met with them all in Purgatory reporting a thousand lyes and fables to them which neuerthelesse they beleeued Then he told them what the miraculous voice had said vnto him concerning the birth of another young Sonne whom according as he was commanded he caused to be named Bennet Ferando Thus his returne to life againe and the daily wonders reported by him caused no meane admiration in the people with much commendation of the Abbots Holynesse and Ferandoes happy curing of his iealousie Iuliet of Narbona cured the King of France of a daungerous Fistula in recompence whereof she requested to enioy as her husband in marriage Bertrand the Count of Roussilion Hee hauing married her against his will as vtterly despising her went to Florence where he made loue to a young Gentle woman Iuliet by a queint and cunning policy compassed the meanes insted of his chosen new friend to lye with her owne husband by whom shee conceiued and had two Sonnes which being afterward made knowne vnto Count Bertrand he accepted her into his fauour again and loued her as his loyall and honourable wife The Ninth Nouell Commending the good iudgement and vnderstanding in Ladies or Gentlewomen that are of a quicke and apprehensiue spirit NOw there remained no more to preserue the priuiledge granted to Dioneus vninfringed but the Queene onely to declare her Nouell Wherefore when the discourse of Madam Lauretta was ended without attending any motion to bee made for her next succeeding with a gracious and pleasing disposition thus she
her in trauaile not acquainting any one whether she went In no place stayed she vntill she was arriued at Florence where happening into a poore Widdowes house like a poore Pilgrim she seemed well contented therewith And desiring to heare some tydings of the Count the next day she saw him passe by the house on horse-backe with his company Now albeit shee knew him well enough yet she demanded of the good old Widdow what Gentleman he was She made answer that be was a stranger there yet a Nobleman called Count Bertrand of Roussillion a verie courteous Knight beloued and much respected in the City Moreouer that he was farre in loue with a neighbour of hers a yong Gentlewoman but verie poore and meane in substance yet of honest life vertuous and neuer taxed with any euill report onely her pouertie was the maine imbarment of her marriage dwelling in house with her mother who was a wise honest and worthy Lady The Countesse hauing wel obserued her words and considered theron from point to point debated soberly with her owne thoughts in such a doubtfull case what was best to be done When she had vnderstood which was the house the ancient Ladies name and likewise her daughters to whom her husband was now so affectionately deuoted she made choise of a fit and conuenient time when in her Pilgrims habit secretly she went to the house There she found the mother and daughter in poore condition and with as poore a family whom after she had ceremoniously saluted she told the old Lady that shee requested but a little conference with her The Ladie arose and giuing her courteous entertainment they went together into a withdrawing chamber where being both set downe the Countesse began in this manner Madame in my poore opinion you are not free from the frownes of Fortune no more then I my selfe am but if you were so well pleased there is no one that can comfort both our calamities in such manner as you are able to do And beleeue me answered the Lady there is nothing in the world that can bee so welcome to mee as honest comfort The Countesse proceeding on in her former speeches said I haue now need good Madame both of your trust and fidelity whereon if I should rely and you faile me it will be your owne vndooing as well as mine Speake then boldly replied the olde Ladie and remaine constantly assured that you shall no way be deceiued by me Heereupon the Countesse declared the whole course of her loue from the verie originall to the instant reuealing also what she was and the occasion of her comming thither relating euery thing so perfectly that the Ladie verily beleeued her by some reports which she had formerly heard and which mooued her the more to compassion Now when all circumstances were at full discouered thus spake the Countesse Among my other miseries and misfortunes which hath halfe broken my heart in the meere repetition beside the sad and afflicting sufferance two things there are which if I cannot compasse to haue all hope is quite frustrate for euer of gaining the grace of my Lord and Husband Yet those two things may I obtaine by your helpe if all be true which I haue heard and you can therein best resolue mee Since my comming to this City it hath credibly bene told me that the Count my husband is deeply in loue with your daughter If the Count quoth the Ladie loue my daughter and haue a wife of his owne he must thinke and so shall surely finde it that his greatnesse is no priuiledge for him whereby to worke dishonour vpon her pouerty But indeed some apparances there are and such a matter as you speake of may be so presumed yet so farre from a very thought of entertaining in her or me as whatsoeuer I am able to do to yeeld you any comfort and content you shall find me therein both willing and ready for I prize my daughters spotles pouerty as at high a rate as he can do the pride of his honor Madam quoth the Countesse most heartily I thanke you But before I presume any further on your kindnesse let me first tell you what faithfully I intend to do for you if I can bring my purpose to effect I see that your daughter is beautifull and of sufficient yeares for mariage and is debarred thereof as I haue heard onely by lack of a competent dowry Wherefore Madame in recompence of the fauour I expect from you I will enrich her with so much ready money as you shall thinke sufficient to match her in the degree of honor Pouerty made the poore Lady very well to like of such a bountifull offer and hauing a noble heart she said Great Countesse say wherein am I able to do you any seruice as can deserue such a gracious offer If the action bee honest without blame or scandall to my poore yet vndetected reputation gladly I will do it and it being accomplished let the requitall rest in your owne noble nature Obserue me then Madam replyed the Countesse It is most conuenient for my purpose that by some trusty and faithfull messenger you should aduertise the Count my husband that your daughter is and shall be at his command but because she may remain absolutely assured that his loue is constant to her and aboue all other shee must entreate him to send her as a testimony thereof the Ring which he weareth vpon his little finger albeit she hath heard that he loueth it dearly If he send the Ring you shal giue it me afterward send him word that your daughter is readie to accomplish his pleasure but for the more safety and secrecie he must repaire hither to your house where I being in bed insted of your daughter faire Fortune may so fauour mee that vnknowne to him I may conceiue with childe Vppon which good successe when time shall serue hauing the Ring on my finger and a child in my armes begotten by him his loue and liking may bee recouered and by your meanes I continue with my Husband as euerie vertuous Wife ought to doe The good old Ladie imagined that this was a matter somewhat difficult and might lay a blamefull imputation on her daughter Neuerthelesse considering what an honest office it was in her to bee the meanes whereby so worthy a Countesse should recouer an vnkinde husband led altogether by lust and not a iot of cordiall loue she knew the intent to be honest the Countesse vertuous and her promise religious and therefore vndertooke to effect it Within few dayes after verie ingeniously and according to the instructed order the Ring was obtayned albeit much against the Counts will and the Countesse in sted of the Ladies vertuous daughter was embraced by him in bed the houre prouing so auspicious and Iuno being Lady of the ascendent conioyned with the witty Mercury she conceiued of two goodly Sonnes and her deliuerance agreed correspondently with the iust time Thus the old Lady
my selfe with those exercises which Guido Caualconti and Dante Alighieri already aged as also Messer Cino de Pistoia older then either of them both held to be their chiefest honour And were it not a wandering too farre from our present argument I would alledge Histories to approoue my words full of very ancient and famous men who in the ripest maturity of all their time were carefully studious for the contenting of women albeit these cock-braines neither know the way how to do it nor are so wise as to learne it Now for my dwelling at Parnassus with the Muses I confesse their counsell to be very good but wee cannot alwayes continue with them nor they with vs. And yet neuerthelesse when any man departeth from them they delighting themselues to see such things as may bee thought like them do not therein deserue to be blamed Wee finde it recorded that the Muses were women and albeit women cannot equall the performance of the Muses yet in their very prime aspect they haue a liuely resemblance with the Muses so that if women were pleasing for nothing else yet they ought to be generally pleasing in that respect Beside all this women haue bin the occasion of my composing a thousand Verses whereas the Muses neuer caused me to make so much as one Verie true it is that they gaue me good assistance and taught me how I shold compose them yea and directed me in writing of these Nouels And how basely soeuer they iudge of my studies yet haue the Muses neuer scorned to dwell with me perhaps for the respectiue seruice and honourable resemblance of those Ladies with themselues whose vertues I haue not spared to commend by them Wherefore in the composition of these varieties I haue not strayed so farre from Parnassus nor the Muses as in their silly coniectures they imagine But what shall I say to them who take so great compassion on my pouertie as they aduise me to get something whereon to make my liuing Assuredly I know not what to say in this case except by due consideration made with my selfe how they would answer mee if necessitie should driue me to craue kindnesse of them questionles they would then say Goe seeke comfort among thy fables and follies Yet I would haue them know that poore Poets haue alwayes found more among their fables fictions then many rich men euer could do by ransacking all their bags of treasure Beside many other might be spoken of who made their age and times to flourish meerely by their inuentions and fables whereas on the contrary a great number of other busier braines seeking to gaine more then would serue them to liue on haue vtterly runne vppon their owne ruine and ouerthrowne themselues for euer What should I say more To such men as are either so suspitious of their owne charitie or of my necessity whensoeuer it shall happen I can answere I thanke my God for it with the Apostle I know how to abouâ—d how to abate yea how to endure both prosperity and want and therefore let no man be more carefull of me then I am of my selfe For them that are so inquisitiue into my discourses to haue a further construction of them then agrees with my meaning or their own good manners taxing me with writing one thing but intending another I could wish that their wisedom would extend so farre as but to compare them with their originals to finde them a iot discordant from my writing and then I would freely confesse that they had some reason to reprehend me and I should endeuour to make them amends But vntill they can touch me with any thing else but words onely I must let them wander in their owne giddy opinions and followe the course proiected to my selfe saying of them as they do of me Thus holding them all sufficiently answered for this time I say most worthy Ladies that by heauens assistance and yours whereto I onely leane I will proceede on armed with patience and turning my backe against these impetuous windes let them breath till they burst because I see nothing can happen to harme me but onely the venting of their malice For the roughest blastes do but raise the smallest dust from off the ground driuing it from one place to another or carrying it vp to the aire many times it falleth downe againe on mens heads yea vpon the Crownes of Emperors and Kings and sometimes on the highest Palaces and tops of Towers from whence if it chance to descend again by contrarie blasts it can light no lower then whence it came at the first And therefore if euer I stroue to please you with my vttermost abilities in any thing surely I must now contend to expresse it more then euer For I know right well that no man can say with reason except some such as my selfe who loue and honour you that we do any otherwise then as nature hath commanded vs and to resist her lawes requires a greater and more powerfull strength then ours and the contenders against her supreame priuiledges haue either laboured meerely in vaine or else incurred their owne bane Which strength I freely confesse my selfe not to haue neither couet to be possessed of it in this case but if I had it I wold rather lend it to some other then any way to vse it on mine own behalfe Wherefore I would aduise them that thus checke and controule mee to giue ouer and be silent and if their cold humors cannot learne to loue let them liue still in their frostie complexion delighting theÌ„selues in their corrupted appetites suffering me to enioy mine owne for the litle while I haue to liue and this is all the kindnesse I require of them But now it is time bright beauties to returne whence we parted and to follow our former order begun because it may seeme we haue wandered too farre By this time the Sun had chased the Starre-light from the heauens and the shadie moisture from the ground when Philostratus the King being risen all the company arose likewise When being come into the goodly Garden they spent the time in varietie of sports dining where they had supt the night before And after that the Sun was at his highest and they had refreshed their spirits with a little slumbering they sate downe according to custome about the faire Fountaine And then the King commanded Madam Fiammeta that she should giue beginning to the dayes Nouels when she without any longer delaying be gan in this gracious manner Tancrede Prince of Salerne caused the amorous friend of his daughter to be slaine and sent her his heart in a cup of Gold which afterward she steeped in an impoysoned water and then drinking it so dyed The first Nouell Wherein is declared the power of Loue and their cruelty iustly reprehended who imagine to make the vigour thereof cease by abusing or killing one of the Louers OVR King most Noble and vertuous Ladies hath this day giuen vs a
a man in the skin of a Beare or in the shape of a sauage man or any other forme of better deuice Which being so done he is brought vpon S. Marks market place where being hunted a while with dogs vpon the huntings conclusion the Feast is ended and then each man leades his monster whether him pleaseth If you can accept any of these shapes before you bee seene heere in my poore abiding then can I safely afterward bring you where you would bee Otherwise I see no possible meanes how you may escape hence vnknown for it is without all question to the contrary that the Gentlewomans brethren knowing your concealment in some one place or other wil set such spies and watches for you throughout the City as you must needs be taken by them Now although it seemed a most seuere imposition for Albert to passe in any of these disguises yet his exceeding feare of Lisettaes brethren and friends made him gladly yeelde and to vndergo what shape the poore man pleased which thus he ordered Annointing his naked body with Hony he then couered it ouer with downy small Feathers and fastning a chaine about his necke and a strange vgly vizard on his face hee gaue him a great staffe in the one hand and two huge Mastiue dogs chained together in the other which he had borrowed in the Butchery Afterward he sent a man to the Rialto who there proclaimed by the sound of Trumpet That all such as desired to see God Cupid which the last night had descended downe from the skies and fell by ill hap into the Venetian gulfe let them repaire to the publike Market place of S. Marke and there he would appeare in his owne likenesse This being done soone after he left his house and leading him thus disguised along by his chaine hee was followed by great crowds of people euery one questioning of whence and what he was In which manner he brought him to the Market place where an infinite number of people were gathered together as well of the followers as of them that before heard the proclamation There he made choise of a pillar which stood in a place somewhat highly exalted wherto he chained his sauage man making shew as if he meant to awaite there till the hunting shold begin in which time the Flies Waspes and Hornets did so terribly sting his naked body being annointed with Hony that he endured therby vnspeakable anguish When the poore man saw that there needed no more concourse of people pretending as if he purposed to let loose his Saluage man he tooke the maske or vizard from Alberts face and then he spake aloud in this manner Gentlemen and others seeing the wilde Boare commeth not to our hunting because I imagine that he cannot easily be found I meane to the end you may not lose your labour in comming hither to shew you the great God of Loue called Cupid whom Poets feigned long since to be a little boy but now growne to manly stature You see in what maner he hath left his high dwelling onely for the comfort of our Venetian beauties but belike the night-fogs ouer-flagging his wings he fell into our gulfe and comes ow to present his seruice to you No sooner had he taken off his vizard but euery one knew him to be Friar Albert and sodainly arose such shoutes and out-cries with most bitter words breathed forth against him hurling also stones durt and filth in his face that his best acquaintance then could take no knowledge of him and not any one pittying his abusing So long continued the offended people in their fury that newes therof was carried to the Conuent and six of his Religious brethren came who casting an habite about him and releasing him from his chain they led him to the Monastery not without much mollestation and trouble of the people where imprisoning him in their house seueritie of some inflicted punishment or rather conceite for his open shame shortned his dayes and so he dyed Thus you see faire Ladies when licentious life must be clouded with a cloake of sanctity and euill actions dayly committed yet escaping vncredited there will come a time at length for iust discouering of all that the good may shine in their true luster of glory and the bad sinke in their owne deserued shame Three yong Gentlemen affecting three Sisters fledde with them into Candie The eldest of them through iealousie becommeth the death of her Louer The second by consenting to the Duke of Candies request is the meanes of sauing her life Afterward her owne Friend killeth her and thence flyeth away with the elder Sister The third couple both man woman are charged with her death and being committed prisoners they confesse the facte And fearing death by corruption of money they preuaile with their keepers escaping from thence to Rhodes where they died in great pouerty The third Nouell Heerein is declared how dangerous the occasion is ensuing by anger and despight in such as entirely loue especially being iniuried and offended by them that they loue WHen the King perceiued that Madame Pampinea had ended her discourse he sat sadly a prety while without vttering one word but afterward spake thus Little goodnesse appeared in the beginning of this Nouell because it ministred occasion of mirth yet the ending proued better and I could wish that worse inflictions had falne on the venerious Friar Then turning towards Madam Lauretta he said Lady do you tell vs a better tale if possible it may be She smiling thus answered the King Sir you are ouer-cruelly bent against poore Louers in desisiring that their amourous processions should haue harsh and sinister concludings Neuerthelesse in obedience to your seuere command among three persons amourously perplexed I will relate an vnhappy ending whereas all may be saide to speede as vnfortunately being equally alike in enioying the issue of their desires and thus I purpose for to proceede Euery vice choise Ladies as very well you know redoundeth to the great disgrace and preiudice of him or her by whom it is practised and oftentimes to others Now among those common hurtfull enemies the sinne or vice which most carrieth vs with full carrere and draweth vs into vnauoidable perils and dangers in mine opinion seemeth to be that of choller or anger which is nothing else but a sudden and inconsiderate mouing prouoked by some receiued iniury which hauing excluded all respect of reason and dimde with darke vapours the bright discerning sight of the vnderstanding enflameth the minde with most violent furie And albeit this inconuenience happeneth most to men and more to some few then others yet notwithstanding it hath been noted that women haue felt the selfe same infirmity and in more extreme manner because it much sooner is kindled in them and burneth with the brighter flame in regard they haue the lesser consideration and therefore not to be wondred at For if we will aduisedly obserue we shall plainely perceiue that
fire euen of his owne nature taketh hold on such things as are light and tender much sooner then it can on hard and weighty substances and some of vs women let men take no offence at my words are farre more soft and delicate then they be and therefore more fraile In which regard seeing we are naturally enclined hereto and considering also how much our affability and gentlenesse doe shew themselues pleasing and full of content to those men with whom we are to liue and likewise how anger and fury are compacted of extraordinary perils I purpose because we may be the more valiant in our courage to outstand the fierce assaults of wrath and rage to shew you by mine ensuing Nouel how the loues of three young Gentlemen and of as many Gentlewomen came to fatall and vnfortunate successe by the tempestuous anger of one among them according as I haue formerly related vnto you Marseilles as you are not now to learne is in Prouence seated on the Sea and is also a very ancient and most noble City which hath beene heretofore inhabited with farre richer and more wealthy Merchants then at this instant time it is Among whom there was one named Narnaldo Ciuada a man but of meane condition yet cleare in faith and reputation and in lands goods and ready monies immeasurably rich Many children he had by his Wife among whom were three Daughters which exceeded his Sonnes in yeeres Two of them being twinnes and borne of one body were counted to be fifteene yeares old the third was foureteene and nothing hindered marriage in their Parents owne expectation but the returne home of Narnaldo who was then abroade in Spaine with his Merchandises The eldest of these Sisters was named Ninetta the second Magdalena and the third Bertella A Gentleman albeit but poore in fortunes and called Restagnone was so extraordinarily enamoured of Ninetta as no man possibly could be more and shee likewise as earnest in affection towards him yet both carrying their loues proceeding with such secresie as long time they enioyed their hearts sweete contentment yet vndiscouered by any eye It came to passe that two other young Gallants the one named Folco and the other Hugnetto who had attained to incredible wealth by the decease of their Father were also as farre in loue the one with Magdalena and the other with Bertella When Restagnone had intelligence thereof by the meanes of his faire friend Ninetta he purposed to releeue his pouerty by friendly furthering both their loue and his owne and growing into familiarity with them one while he would walke abroade with Folco and then againe with Hugnetto but oftner with them both together to visite their Mistresses and continue worthy friendship On a day when hee saw the time sutable to his intent and that hee had inuited the two Gentlemen home to his House hee fell into this like conference with them Kind friends quoth he the honest familiarity which hath past betweene vs may render you some certaine assurance of the constant loue I beare to you both being as willing to worke any meanes that may tend to your good as I desire to compasse mine owne And because the truth of mine affection cannot conceale it selfe to you I meane to acquaint you with an intention wherewith my braine hath a long while trauelled and now may soone be deliuered of if it may passe with your liking and approbation Let me then tell you that except your speeches sauour of vntruth and your actions carry a double vnderstanding in common behauiour both by night and day you appeare to pine and consume away in the cordiall loue you beare to two of the Sisters as I suffer the same afflictions for the third with reciprocall requitall of their dearest affection to vs. Now to qualifie the heate of our tormenting flames if you will condescend to such a course as I shall aduise you the remedy will yeeld them equall ease to ours and we may safely enioy the benefit of contentment As wealth aboundeth with you both so doth want most extremely tyrannize ouer me but if one banke might be made of both your rich substances I embraced therein as a third partaker and some quarter of the World dissigned out by vs where to liue at hearts ease vpon your possessions I durst engage my credite that all the Sisters not meanly stored with their Fathers treasure shall beare vs company to what place soeuer we please There each man freely enioying his owne dearest loue we may liue like three brerhren without any hinderance to our mutuall contentment it remaineth now in you Gentlemen to accept this comfortable offer or to refuse it The two Brothers whose passions exceeded their best meanes for support perceiuing some hope how to enioy their loues desired no long time of deliberation or greatly disputed with their thoughts what was best to be done but readily replyed that let happen any danger whatsoeuer they would ioyne with him in this determination aud he should partake with them in their wealthiest fortunes After Restagnone had heard their answer within some few dayes following he went to conferre with Ninetta which was no easie matter for him to compasse Neuerthelesse opportunity proued so fauourable to him that meeting with her at a priuate place appointed he discoursed at large what had passed betweene him and the other two young Gentlemen maintaining the same with many good reasons to haue her like and allow of the enterprize Which although for a while he could very hardly doe yet in regard shee had more desire then power without suspition to be daily in his company she franckly thus answered My hearts chosen friend I cannot any way mislike your aduise and will take such order with my Sisters that they shall agree to our resolution let it therefore be your charge that you and the rest make euery thing ready to depart from hence so soone as with best conuenient meanes we may be enabled Restagnone being returned to Folco and Hugnetto who thought euery houre a yeere to heare what would succeed vpon the promise past betweene them he told them in plaine termes that their Ladies were as free in consent as they and nothing wanted now but furnishment for their sudden departing Hauing concluded that Candye should be their harbour for entertainment they made sale of some few inheritances which lay the readiest for their purpose as also the goods in their Houses and then vnder colour of venting Merchandises abroade they bought a nimble Pinnace fortified with good strength and preparation and waited but for a conuenient wind On the other side Ninetta who was sufficiently acquainted with the forwardnesse of her Sisters desires and her owne had so substantially preuailed with them that a good voyage now was the sole expectation Whereupon the same night when they should set away they opened a strong barred Chest of their Fathers whence they tooke great store of gold and costly Iewels wherewith escaping secretly out
as shee feared yet continued very doubtfull of her dreame In regard whereof Gabriello being desirous to visite her the night following she laboured very diligently to hinder his comming to her yet knowing his loyall affection toward her and fearing least he should grow suspitious of some other matter she welcommed him into the Garden where gathering both white and Damaske Roses according to the nature of the season at length they sate downe by a goodly Fountaine which stoode in the midst of the Garden After some small familiar discourse passing betweene them Gabriello demanded of her vpon what occasion shee denied his comming thither the night before and by such a sodaine vnexpected admonition Andreana told him that it was in regard of a troublesome dreame wherwith hir soule was perplexed the precedent night and doubt what might ensue thereon Gabriello hearing this began to smile affirming to her that it was an especiall note of folly to giue any credit to idle dreames because oftentimes they are caused by excesse of feeding and continually are obserued to be meere lies For quoth hee if I had any superstitious beleefe of dreames I should not then haue come hither nowe yet not so much as being dismayed by your dreame but for another of mine owne which I am the more willing to acquaint you withall Me thought I was in a goodly delightfull Forrest in the Noble exercise of sportfull hunting and became there possessed of a yong Hinde the verie loueliest and most pleasing beast that was euer seene It seemed to be as white as snow and grew in a short while so familiar with mee that by no meanes it would forsake me I could not but accept this rare kindnesse in the beast and fearing least by some ill hap I might loose it I put a coller of Gold about the necke thereof and fastned it into a chain of Gold also which then I held strictly in my hand The Hind afterward couched downe by mee laying his head mildely in my lap and on a sudden a blacke Grey-hound bitch came rushing on vs but whence or how I could not imagine seeming halfe hunger-starued and very vgly to look vpon At me she made her full carriere without any power in me of resistance and putting her mouth into the lefte side of my bosome griped it so mainly with her teeth that me thought I felt my heart quite bitten through and she tugged on still to take it wholly away from me by which imagined paine and anguish I felt instantly I awaked Laying then my hand vpon my side to know whether any such harme had befaln me or no and finding none at all I smiled at mine owne folly in making such a friuolous and idle search What can be said then in these or the like cases Diuers times I haue had as ill seeming dreames yea and much more to be feared yet neuer any thing hurtfull to me followed thereon and therefore I haue alwaies made the lesse account of them The yong Maiden who was still dismayed by her owne dreame became much more afflicted in her minde when shee had heard this other reported by Gabriello but yet to giue him no occasion of distast she bare it out in the best manner she could deuise to doe And albeit they spent the time in much pleasing discourse maintained with infinite sweete kisses on either side yet was she still suspitious but knew not whereof fixing her eies oftentimes vpon his face and throwing strange lookes to all parts of the Garden to catch hold on any such blacke vgly sight whereof he had formerly made description to her As thus she continued in these afflicting feares it fortuned that Gabriello sodainly breathing forth a very vehement sighe and throwing his armes fast about her said O helpe me deare Loue or else I dye and in speaking the words fell downe vppon the ground Which the yong Damosell perceiuing and drawing him into her lappe weeping saide Alas sweete Friend What paine dost thou feele Gabriello answered not one word but being in an exceeding sweate without any ability of drawing breath very soone after gaue vp the ghost How greeuous this strange accident was to poore Andreana who loued him as deerely as her owne life you that haue felt loues tormenting afflictions can more easily conceiue then I relate Wringing her hands weeping incessantly calling him rubbing his temples and vsing all likely meanes to reduce life she found all her labour to be spent in vain because he was starke dead indeed and euery part of his body as cold as ice whereupon she was in such wofull extremity that she knew not what to do or say All about the Garden she went weeping in infinite feares and distraction of soule calling for her Chamber-maid the only secret friend to their stolne meetings and told her the occasion of this sudden sorow After they had sighed and mourned awhile ouer the dead body of Gabriello Andreana in this manner spake to her maid Seeing Fortune hath thus bereft me of my Loue mine owne life must needs be hatefull to me but before I offer any violence to my selfe let vs deuise some conuenient meanes as may both preserue mine honor from any touch or scandall and conceale the secret loue passing betweene vs but yet in such honest sort that this body whose blessed soule hath too soone forsaken it may be honourably enterred Whereto her Mayde thus answered Mistresse neuer talke of doing any violence to your self because by such a blacke and dismall deed as you haue lost his kind company here in this life so shall you neuer more see him in the other world for immediately you sinke downe to hell which foule place cannot bee a receptacle for his faire soule that was endued with so many singular vertues Wherefore I holde it farre better for you to comfort your selfe by all good meanes and with the power of feruent prayer to fight against all desperate intruding passions as a truly vertuous minde ought to doe Now as concerning his enterrement the meanes is readily prepared for you heere in this Garden where neuer he hath bene seene by any or his resorting hither knowne but onely to our selues If you will not consent to haue it so let you and I conuey his bodye hence and leaue it in such apt place where it may be found to morrow morning and being then carried to his owne house his friends and kindred will giue it honest buriall Andreana although her soule was extraordinarily sorrowfull teares flowed abundantly from her eyes yet she listned attentiuely to hir maids counsell allowing her first aduice against desperation to be truly good but to the rest thus she replied God forbid quoth she that I shold suffer so deare a louing friend as he hath alwayes shewed himselfe to mee nay which is much more my husband by sacred and solemn vowes passed betweene vs to be put into the ground basely and like a dog or else to be left in the
lamented Being deliuered out of the Court it was carried to buriall not like a Burgesse or ordinary Citizen but with such pompe as beseemed a Lord Baron and on the shoulders of very noble Gentlemen with very especiall honor and reuerence Within some few dayes after the Potestate pursuing his former motion of marriage and the Father mouing it to his daughter she wold not by any meanes listen thereto And he being desirous to giue her contentment deliuered her and her Chamber-maid into a Religious Abbey very famous for deuotion and sanctity where afterwardes they ended their liues Faire Simonida affecting Pasquino and walking with him in a pleasant garden it fortuned that Pasquino rubbed his teeth with a leafe of Sage and immediately fell downe dead Simonida being brought before the bench of Iustice and charged with the death of Pasquino she rubbed her teeth likewise with one of the leaues of the same Sage as declaring what shee saw him do and thereon she dyed also in the same manner The seauenth Nouell Whereby is giuen to vnderstand that Loue Death do vse their power equally alike as well vpon poore and meane persons as on them that are rich and Noble PAmphilus hauing ended his Tale the King declaring an outward shew of compassion in regard of Andreanaes disastrous Fortune fixed his eye on Madam Emillia and gaue her such an apparant signe as expressed his pleasure for her next succeeding in discourse which being sufficient for her vnderstanding thus she began Faire assembly the Nouel so lately deliuered by Pamphilus maketh me willing to report another to you varying from it in any kinde of resemblance onely this excepted that as Andreana lost her louer in a Garden euen so did shee of whome I am now to speake And being brought before the seate of Iustice according as Andreana was freed her selfe from the power of the Law yet neither by force or her owne vertue but by her sodaine and inopinate death And although the nature of Loue is such according as wee haue oftentimes heeretofore maintained to make his abiding in the houses of the Noblest persons yet men and women of poore and farre inferiour quality do not alwayes sit out of his reach though enclosed in their meanest Cottages declaring himselfe sometimes as powerfull a commaunder in those humble places as he doth in the richest and most imperious Palaces As will plainly appeare vnto you either in all or a great part of my Nouell whereto our Citie pleadeth some title though by the diuersity of our discourses talking of so many seuerall accidents we haue wandred into many other parts of the world to make all answerable to our owne liking It is not any long time since when there liued in our City of Florence a young and beautifull Damosell yet according to the nature of hir condition because she was the Daughter of a poore Father and called by the name of Simonida Now albeit shee was not supplied by any better meanes then to maintaine her selfe by her owne painfull trauell earne her bread before shee could eate it by carding and spinning to such as employed her yet was she not of so base or deiected a spirit but had both courage and sufficient vertue to vnderstand the secret solicitings of loue and to distinguish the parts of well deseruing both by priuate behauiour and outward ceremony As naturall instinct was her first tutor thereto so wanted she not a second maine and vrging motion a chip hewed out of the like Timber one no better in birth then her selfe a proper young springall named Pasquino whose generous behauiour and gracefull actions in bringing her daily wooll to spin by reason his master was a Clothier preuailed vpon her liking and affection Nor was he negligent in the obseruation of her amorous regards but the Tinder tooke and his soule flamed with the selfe-same fire making him as desirous of her louing acceptance as possibly she could bee of his so that the commanding power of loue could not easily be distinguished in which of them it had the greater predominance For euerie day as he brought her fresh supply of woolles and found her seriously busied at hir wheele her soule would vent forth many deepe sighes and those sighes fetch floods of teares from her eyes thorough the singular good opinion she had conceyued of him and earnest desire to enioy him Pasquino on the other side as leysure gaue him leaue for the least conuersing with her his disease was euery way answerable to her for teares stood in his eyes sighes flew abroad to ease the poore hearts afflicting oppressions which though he was vnable to conceale yet would hee seeme to clowd them cleanly by entreating her that his masters worke might be nearly performed and with such speed as time would permit her intermixing infinite praises of her artificiall spinning and affirming withall that the Quilles of Yearne receiued from her were the choisest beauty of the whole peece so that when other worke-women played Simonida was sure to want no employment Heereupon the one soliciting and the other taking delight in beeing solicited it came to passe that often accesse bred the bolder courage ouer-much bashfulnesse became abandoned yet no immodestie passing betweene them but affection grew the better setled in them both by interchangeable vowes of constant perseuerance so that death onely but no disaster else had power to diuide them Their mutuall delight continuing on in this manner with more forcible encreasing of their Loues equall flame it fortuned that Pasquino sitting by Simonida tolde her of a goodly Garden whereto hee was desirous to bring her to the end that they might the more safely conuerse together without the suspition of enuious eyes Simonida gaue answer of her well-liking the motion and acquainting her Father therewith he gaue her leaue on the Sunday following after dinner to go ferch the pardon of S. Gallo and afterwards to visit the Garden A modest yong maiden named Lagina following the same profession and being an intimate familiar friend Simonida tooke along in her company and came to the Garden appointed by Pasquino where shee found him readily expecting her comming and another friend also with him called Puccino albeit more vsually tearmed Strambo a secret well-willer to Lagina whose loue became the more furthered by this friendly meeting Each Louer delighting in his hearts chosen Mistresse caused them to walke alone by themselues as the spaciousnesse of the Garden gaue them ample liberty Puccino with his Lagina in one part Pasquino with his Simonida in another The walke which they had made choise of was by a long and goodly bed of Sage turning and returning by the same bed as their conference ministred occasion and as they pleased to recreate themselues affecting rather to continue still there then in any part of the Garden One while they would sit downe by the Sage bed and afterward rise to walke againe as ease or wearinesse seemed to inuite
two more of his seruants with him such as he had solemnly sworne to secrecy hee mounted on horseback and rode on about a mile from his owne Castle where he lay closely ambushed in a Wood through which Guardastagno must needs passe After he had stayed there some two houres space and more he espyed him come riding with two of his attendants all of them being vnarmed as no way distrusting any such intended treason So soone as he was come to the place where he had resolued to do the deed hee rushed forth of the ambush and hauing a sharpe Lance readily charged in his rest ran mainly at him saying False villaine thou art dead Guardastagno hauing nothing wherewith to defend himselfe nor his seruants able to giue him any succour being pierced quite through the body with the Lance downe hee fell dead to the ground and his men fearing the like misfortune to befall them gallopped mainely backe againe to their Lords Castle not knowing them who had thus murthered their Master by reason of their armed disguises which in those martiall times were vsually worne Messer Guiglielmo Rossiglione alighting from his horse and hauing a keene knife ready drawne in his hand opened therewith the brest of dead Guardastagno and taking foorth his heart with his owne hands wrapped it in the Banderole belonging to his Lance commanding one of his men to the charge thereof and neuer to disclose the deed So mounting on horse-backe againe and darke night drawing on apace he returned home to his Castle The Lady who had heard before of Guardastagnoes intent to suppe there that night and perhaps being earnestly desirous to see him meruailing at his so long tarrying saide to her husband Beleeue me Sir quoth she me thinkes it is somewhat strange that Messer Guiglielmo Guardastagno delayes his comming so long he neuer vsed to do so til now I receiued tidings from him wife said he that he cannot be heere till to morrow Whereat the Lady appearing to bee displeased concealed it to her selfe and vsed no more words Rossiglione leauing his Lady went into the Kitchin where calling for the Cooke he deliuered him the heart saying Take this heart of a wilde Boare which it was my good happe to kill this day and dresse it in the daintiest manner thou canst deuise to doe which being so done when I am set at the Table send it to me in a siluer dish with sauce beseeming so dainty a morsell The Cooke tooke the heart beleeuing it to be no otherwise then as his Lord had saide and vsing his vtmost skill in dressing it did diuide it into artificiall small slices and made it most pleasing to be tasted When supper time was come Rossiglione sate downe at the table with his Lady but hee had little or no appetite at all to eate the wicked deed which he had done so perplexed his soule and made him to sit very strangely musing At length the Cook brought in the dainty dish which he himselfe setting before his wife began to finde fault with his own lack of stomack yet prouoked her with many faire speeches to tast the Cooks cunning in so rare a dish The Lady hauing a good appetite indeede when she had first tasted it fed afterward so heartily thereon that shee left very little or none at all remaining When he perceyued that all was eaten he said vnto her Tel me Madam how you do like this delicate kinde of meat In good faith Sir quoth she in all my life I was neuer better pleased Now trust mee Madam answered the Knight I doe verily beleeue you nor do I greatly wonder thereat if you like that dead which you loued so dearly being aliue When she heard these words a long while she sate silent but afterward saide I pray you tell mee Sir what meate was this which you haue made me to eate Muse no longer said he for therein I will quickly resolue thee Thou hast eaten the heart of Messer Guiglielmo Guardastagno whose loue was so deare and precious to thee thou false perfidious and disloyall Lady I pluckt it out of his vile body with mine owne hands and made my Cooke to dresse it for thy diet Poor Lady how strangely was her soule afflicted hearing these harsh and vnpleasing speeches Teares flowed aboundantly from her faire eies and like tempestuous windes embowelled in the earth so did vehement sighes breake mainly from her heart and after a tedious time of silence she spake in this manner My Lord and husband you haue done a most disloyall and damnable deede misguided by your owne wicked iealous opinion and not by any iust cause giuen you to murther so worthie and Noble a Gentleman I protest vnto you vppon my soule which I wish to bee confounded in eternall perdition if euer I were vnchaste to your bedde or allowed him any other fauour but what might well become so honourable a friend And seeing my bodie hath bene made the receptacle for so precious a kinde of foode as the heart of so valiant and courteous a Knight such as was the Noble Guardastagno neuer shall any other foode heereafter haue entertainment there or my selfe liue the Wife to so bloody a husband So starting vppe from the Table and stepping vnto a great gazing Windowe the Casement whereof standing wide open behinde her violently shee leaped out thereat which beeing an huge heighth in distance from the ground the fall did not onely kill her but also shiuered her bodie into many peeces Which Rossiglione perceyuing hee stoode like a bodie without a soule confounded with the killing of so deare a friend losse of a chaste and honourable wife and all through his owne ounr-credulous conceit Vppon further conference with his priuate thoughtes and remorsefull acknowledgement of his heinous offence which repentance too late gaue him eyes now to see though rashnesse before would not permit him to consider these two extreamities inlarged his dulled vnderstanding First he grew fearfull of the friends and followers to murdered Guardastagno as also the whole Countrey of Prouence in regarde of the peoples generall loue vnto him which being two maine and important motiues both to the detestation of so horrid an acte and immediate seuere reuenge to succeed thereon hee made such prouision as best hee could and as so sodaine a warning would giue leaue hee fled away secretly in the night season These vnpleasing newes were soone spread abroad the next morning not only of the vnfortunate accidents but also of Rossiglions flight in regard wherof the dead bodyes being found and brought together as well by the people belonging to Guardastagno as them that attended on the Lady they were layed in the Chappell of Rossigliones Castell where after so much lamentation for so great a misfortune to befal them they were honourably enterred in one faire Tombe with excellent Verses engrauen thereon expressing both their noble degree and by what vnhappy meanes they chanced to haue buriall there A Physitians wife laide
named Iphigenia awaked before any of the other with her and lifting vp her head with her eyes wide open shee saw Chynon standing before her leaning stil on his staffe whereat meruailing not a little she saide vnto him Chynon whither wanderest thou or what dost thou seeke for in this wood Chynon who not onely by his countenance but likewise his folly Nobility of birth and wealthy possessions of his father was generally knowne throughout the Countrey made no answere at all to the demand of Iphigenia but so soone as he beheld her eies open he began to obserue them with a constant regard as being perswaded in his soule that from them flowed such an vnvtterable singularity as he had neuer felt til then Which the yong Gentlewoman well noting she began to wax fearfull least these stedfast lookes of his should incite his rusticity to some attempt which might redound to her dishonour wherefore awaking her women and seruant and they all being risen she saide Farewell Chynon I leaue thee to thine owne good Fortune whereto hee presently replyed saying I will go with you Now although the Gentlewoman refused his company as dreading some acte of inciuility from him yet could she not deuise any way to be rid of him til he had brought her to her owne dwelling where taking leaue mannerly of her hee went directly home to his Fathers house saying Nothing should compel him to liue any longer in the muddy Countrey And albeit his Father was much offended heereat and all the rest of his kindred and frends yet not knowing how to helpe it they suffered him to continue there still expecting the cause of this his so sodaine alteration from the course of life which contented him so highly before Chynon being now wounded to the heart where neuer any ciuil instruction could before get entrance with loues piercing dart by the bright beauty of Iphigenia mooued much admiration falling from one change to another in his Father Kindred and all else that knew him For first he requested of his Father that he might be habited and respected like to his other Brethren whereto right gladly he condiscended And frequenting the company of ciuill youths obseruing also the cariage of Gentlemen especially such as were amorously enclined he grew to a beginning in short time to the wonder of euery one not onely to vnderstande the first instruction of letters but also became most skilfull euen amongest them that were best exercised in Philosophie And afterward loue to Iphigenia being the sole occasion of this happy alteration not only did his harsh and clownish voyce conuert it selfe more mildely but also hee became a singular Musitian could perfectly play on any Instrument Beside he tooke delight in the riding and managing of great horses and finding himselfe of a strong and able body he exercised all kinds of Military Disciplines as wel by sea as on the land And to be breefe because I would not seeme tedious in the repetition of al his vertues scarsly had he attained to the fourth yeare after he was thus falne in loue but hee became generally knowne to bee the most ciuil wise and worthy Gentleman aswell for all vertues enriching the minde as any whatsoeuer to beautifie the body that very hardly he could be equalled throughout the whole kingdome of Cyprus What shall we say then vertuous Ladies concerning this Chynon Surely nothing else but that those high and diuine vertues infused into his gentle soule were by enuious Fortune bound and shut vppe in some small angle of his intellect which being shaken and set at liberty by loue as hauing a farre more potent power then Fortune in quickning and reuiuing the dull drowsie spirits declared his mighty and soueraigne Authority in setting free so many faire and precious vertues vniustly detayned to let the worlds eye behold them truly by manifest testimony frō whence he can deliuer those spirits subiected to his power guide them afterward to the highest degrees of honor And although Chynon by affecting Iphigenia failed in some particular things yet notwithstanding his Father Aristippus duely considering that loue had made him a man whereas before he was no better then a beast not only endured all patiently but also aduised him therein to take such courses as best liked himselfe Neuerthelesse Chynon who refused to be called Galesus which was his naturall name indeede remembring that Iphigenia tearmed him Chynon and coueting vnder that title to accomplish the issue of his honest amorous desire made many motions to Ciphaeus the Father of Iphigenia that he would be pleased to let him enioy her in marriage But Ciphaeus told him that he had already passed his promise for her to a Gentleman of Rhodes named Pasimondo which promise he religiously intended to performe The time being come which was concluded on for Iphigeniaes marriage in regard that the affianced husband had sent for her Chynon thus communed with his owne thoughts Now is the time quoth he to let my diuine Mistresse see how truly and honourably I doe affect her because by her I am become a man But if I could bee possessed of her I should growe more glorious then the common condition of a mortall man and haue her I will or loose my life in the aduenture Beeing thus resolued he preuailed with diuers young Gentlemen his friends making them of his faction and secretly prepared a Shippe furnished with all things for a Nauall fight setting sodainly forth to sea and hulling abroad in those parts by which the vessell should passe that must conuey Iphigenia to Rhodes to her husband After many honors done to them who wer to transport her thence vnto Rhodes being imbarked they set saile vppon their Bon viaggio Chynon who slept not in a businesse so earnestly importing him set on them the day following with his Ship and standing aloft on the decke cried out to them that had the charge of Iphigenia saying Strike your sayles or else determine to be sunke in the Sea The enemies to Chynon being nothing danted with his words prepared to stand vpon their own defence which made Chynon after the former speeches deliuered and no answer returned to commaund the grapling Irons to bee cast forth which tooke such fast hold on the Rhodians shippe that whether they would or no both the vessels ioyned close together And hee shewing himselfe fierce like a Lyon not tarrying to be seconded by any stepped aboord the Rhodians ship as if he made no respect at all of them and hauing his sword ready drawne in his hand incited by the vertue of vnfaigned loue sayed about him on all sides very manfully Which when the men of Rhodes perceyued casting downe their weapons and all of them as it were with one voice yeelded themselues his prisoners whereupon he said Honest Friends neither desire of booty or hatred to you did occasion my departure from Cyprus thus to assaile you with drawne weapons but that which heereto hath
Gracious Lord why thus I counsell you is to this end When the Archers on the Enemies side haue shot their Arrowes at your men and yours in the like maner at them it followeth that vpon meere constraint they must gather vp your Arrowes to shoote them backe againe at you for so long while as the battell endureth as no doubt but your men wil do the like to them But your enemies will finde themselues much deceiued because they can make no vse of your peoples Arrowes in regard that the nockes are too narrow to receiue their boysterous strings Which will fall out contrary with your followers for the pliant strings belonging to your Bowes are as apt for their enemies great nockt Arrowes as their owne and so they shall haue free vse of both reseruing them in plentifull store when your aduersaries must stand vnfurnished of any but them that they cannot any way vse This counsell pleased the King very highly and hee being a Prince of great vnderstanding gaue order to haue it accordingly followed and thereby valiantly vanquished his enemies Heereupon Martuccio came to be great in his grace as also consequently rich and seated in no meane place of authority Now as worthy and commendable actions are soone spread abroad in honor of the man by whome they hapned euen so the fame of this rare got victory was quickly noysed throughout the Countrey and came to the hearing of poore Constance that Martuccio Gomito whom she supposed so long since to be dead was liuing and in honourable condition The loue which formerly he bare vnto him being not altogether extinct in her heart of a small sparke brake foorth into a sodaine flame and so encreased day by day that her hope being before almost quite dead reuiued againe in chearfull manner Hauing imparted all her fortunes to the good olde Lady with whome she dwelt she told her beside that she had an earnest desire to see Thunis to satisfie her eyes as well as her eares concerning the rumor blazed abroad The good olde Lady commended her desire and euen as if she had bene her mother tooke her with her aboord a Barke and so sayled thence to Thunis where both she and Constance found honourable welcome in the house of a kinsman to the Sarazin Lady Carapresa also went along with them thither and her they sent abroad into the Citie to vnderstand the newes of Martuccio Gomito After they knew for a certaintie that hee was liuing and in great authority about the King according as the former report went of him Then the good old Lady being desirous to let Martuccio know that his faire friend Constance was come thither to see him went her selfe to the place of his abiding and spake vnto him in this manner Noble Martuccio there is a seruant of thine in my house which came from Liparis and requireth to haue a little priuate conference with thee but because I durst not trust any other with the message my selfe at her entreaty am come to acquaint thee therewith Martuccio gaue her kinde and hearty thankes and then went along with her to the house No sooner did Constance behold him but shee was ready to dye with conceite of ioy and being vnable to containe her passion sodainely she threw her armes about his necke and in meere compassion of her many misfortunes as also the instant solace of her soule not being able to vtter one word the teares trickled abundantly downe her cheekes Martuccio also seeing his faire friend was ouercome with exceeding admiration stood awhile as not knowing what to say till venting forth a vehement sighe thus he spake My deerest loue Constance art thou yet liuing It is a tedious long while since I heard thou wast lost and neuer any tydinges knowne of thee in thine owne Fathers house With which wordes the teares standing in his eyes most louingly he embraced her Constance recounâ—ed to him all her fortunes and what kindnesse she hadde receyued from the Sarazine Lady since her first houre of comming to her And after much other discourse passing betweene them Martuccio departed from her and returning to the King his master tolde him all the historie of his fortunes and those beside of his Loue Constance beeing purposely minded with his gracious liking to marry her according to the Christian Law The King was much amazed at so many strange accidents and sending for Constance to come before him from her own mouth he heard the whole relation of her continued affection to Martuccio whereuppon hee saide Now trust me faire Damosell thou hast dearly deserued him to be thy husband Then sending for very costly Iewels and rich presents the one halfe of them he gaue to her and the other to Martuccio graunting them license withall to marry according to their owne mindes Martuccio did many honors and gaue great giftes to the aged Sarazine Lady with whom Constance had liued so kindly respected which although she had no neede of neither euer expected any such rewarding yet conquered by their vrgent importunity especially Constance who could not be thankfull enough to her she was enforced to receiue them and taking her leaue of them weeping sayled backe againe to Susa Within a short while after the King licensing their departure thence they entred into a small Barke and Carapresa with them sailing on with prosperous gales of winde vntill they arriued at Liparis where they were entertained with generall reioycing And because their marriage was not sufficiently performed at Thunis in regard of diuers Christian ceremonies there wanting their Nuptials were againe most honourably solemnized and they liued many yeares after in health and much happinesse Pedro Bocamazzo escaping away with a yong Damosell which he loued named Angelina met with Theeues in his iourney The Damosell flying fearfully into a Forrest by chance arriueth at a Castle Pedro being taken by the Theeues and happening afterward to escape from them commeth accidentally to the same Castle where Angelina was And marrying her they then returned home to Rome The third Nouell Wherein the seuerall powers both of Loue and Fortune is more at large approued THere was not any one in the whole company but much commended the Nouell reported by Madam Emillia and when the Queene perceiued it was ended she turned towards Madam Eliza commanding her to continue on their delightfull exercise whereto shee declaring her willing obedience began to speak thus Courteous Ladies I remember one vnfortunate night which happened to two Louers that were not indued with the greatest discretion But because they had very many faire and happy dayes afterwardes I am the more willing for to let you heare it In the Citie of Rome which in times past was called the Ladie and Mistresse of the world though now scarsely so good as the waiting maid there dwelt sometime a yong Gentleman named Pedro Boccamazzo descended from one of the most honorable families in Rome who was much enamoured of a beautifull Gentlewoman called
the Nurse to negligence and begetteth such an ouer-presuming boldnesse as afterward proueth to be sauced with repentance so came it to passe with our ouer-fond Louers in being taken â—ardy through their owne folly After they had many times met in this manner the nights according to the season growing shorter and shorter which their stolne delight made them lesse respectiue of then was requisite in an aduenture so dangerous it fortuned that their amorous pleasure had so farre transported them and dulled their sences in such sort by these then continued nightly watchings that they both fell fast asleepe he hauing his hand closed in hers and shee one arme folded about his body and thus they slept till broade day light Old Messer Lizio who continually was the morning Cocke to the whole House going foorth into his Garden saw how his Daughter and Ricciardo were seated at the window In he went againe and going to his wiues Chamber saide to her Rise quickly wise and you shall see what made our Daughter so desirous to lodge in the Garden Gallery I perceiue that shee loued to heare the Nightingale for shee hath caught one and holds him fast in her hand Is it possible saide the Mother that our Daughter should catch a liue Nightingale in the darke You shall see that your selfe answered Messer Lizio if you will make haste and goe with me Shee putting on her garments in great haste followed her Husband and being come to the Gallery doore he opened it very softly and going to the window shewed her how they both sate fast asleepe and in such manner as hath been before declared whereupon shee perceiuing how Ricciardo and Catharina had both deceiued her would haue made an out-cry but that Messer Lizio spake thus to her Wife as you loue me speake not a word neither make any noyse for seeing shee hath loued Ricciardo without our knowledge and they haue had their priuate meetings in this manner yet free from any blamefull imputation he shall enioy her and shee him Ricciardo is a Gentleman well deriued and of rich possessions it can be no disparagement to vs that Catharina match with him in mariage which he neither shall or dare denie to doe in regard of our Lawes seuerity for climbing vp to my window with his Ladder of Ropes wherby his life is forfeited to the Law except our Daughter please to spare it as it remaineth in her power to doe by accepting him as her husband or yeelding his life vp to the Law which surely shee will not suffer their loue agreeing together in such mutuall manner and he aduenturing so dangerously for her Madam Iaquemina perceiuing that her husband spake very reasonably and was no more offended at the matter stept aside with him behinde the drawne Curtaines vntill they should awake of themselues At the last Ricciardo awaked and seeing it was so farre in the day thought himselfe halfe dead and calling to Catharina saide Alas deare Loue what shall we doe we haue slept too long and shall be taken here At which words Messer Lizio stept forth from behind the Curtaines saying-Nay Signior Ricciardo seeing you haue found such an vnbefitting way hither we will prouide you a better for your backe returning When Ricciardo saw the Father and Mother both there present he could not deuise what to doe or say his sences became so strangely confounded yet knowing how hainously hee had offended if the strictnesse of Law should be challenged against him falling on his knees he saide Alas Messer Lizio I humbly craue your mercy confessing my selfe well worthy of death that knowing the sharpe rigour of the Law I would presume so audaciously to breake it But pardon me worthy Sir my loyall and vnfeined loue to your Daughter Catharina hath beene the onely cause of my transgressing Ricciardo replyed Messer Lizio the loue I beare thee and the honest confidence I doe repose in thee step vp in some measure to pleade thine excuse especially in the regard of my Daughter whom I blame thee not for louing but for this vnlawfull way of presuming to her Neuerthelesse perceiuing how the case now standeth and considering withall that youth and affection were the ground of thine offence to free thee from death and my selfe from dishonour before thou departest hence thou shalt espouse my Daughter Catharina to make her thy lawfull wife in mariage and wipe off all scandall to my House and me All this while was poore Catharina on her knees likewise to her Mother who notwithstanding this her bold aduenture made earnest suite to her Husband to remit all because Ricciardo right gladly condiscended as it being the maine issue of his hope and desire to accept his Catharina in mariage whereto shee was as willing as he Messer Lizio presently called for the Confessour of his House and borrowing one of his Wiues Rings before they went out of the Gallery Ricciardo and Catharina were espoused together to their no little ioy and contentment Now had they more leasure for further conference with the Parents and kindred to Ricciardo who being no way discontented with this sudden match but applauding it in the highest degree they were publikely maried againe in the Cathedrall Church and very honourable triumphes performed at the nuptials liuing long after in happy prosperity Guidotto of Cremona departing out of this mortall life left a Daughter of his with Iacomino of Pauia Giouanni di Seuerino and Menghino da Minghole fell both in loue with the young Maiden and fought for hâ—â— who being afterward knowne to be the Sister to Giouanni shee was giuen in mariage to Menghino The fifth Nouell Wherein may be obserued what quarrels and contentions are occasioned by Loue with some particular discription concerning the sincerity of a loyall friend ALl the Ladies laughing heartily at the Nouell of the Nightingale so pleasingly deliuered by Philostratus when they saw the same to be fully ended the Queene thus spake Now trust me Philostratus though yester-day you did much oppresse mee with melancholy yet you haue made me such an amends to day as wee haue little reason to complaine any more of you So conuerting her speech to Madam Neiphila shee commanded her to succeede with her discourse which willingly she yeelded to beginning in this manner Seeing it pleased Philostratus to produce his Nouell out of Romania I meane to walke with him in the same iurisdiction concerning what I am to say There dwelt sometime in the City of Fano two Lombards the one being named Guidotto of Cremona and the other Iacomino of Pauia men of sufficient entrance into yeeres hauing followed the warres as Souldiers all their youthful time Guidotto feeling sicknesse to ouer-master him and hauing no sonne kinsman or friend in whom he might repose more trust then hee did in Iacomino hauing long conference with him about his worldly affaires and setled his whole estate in good order he left a Daughter to his charge about ten yeeres of age with
where shee suffereth the iust punishment inflicted on her Nor do we rest any of the other dayes but are appointed vnto other places where she cruelly executed her malice against me being now of her dear affectionate frend ordained to be her endlesse enemy and to pursue her in this manner for so many yeeres as she exercised monthes of cruelty towards me Hinder me not then in being the executioner of diuine iustice for all thy interposition is but in vaine in seeking to crosse the appointment of supreame powers Anastasio hauing attentiuely heard all this discourse his haire stoode vpright like Porcupines quils and his soule was so shaken with the terror that he stept back to suffer the Knight ro doe what he was enioyned looking yet with milde commisseration on the poore woman Who kneeling most humbly before the Knight sternly seised on by the two blood hounds he opened her brest with his weapon drawing foorth her heart and bowels which instantly he threw to the dogges and they deuoured them very greedily Soone after the Damosell as if none of this punishment had bene inflicted on her started vp sodainly running amaine towards the Sea shore and the Hounds swiftly following her as the Knight did the like after he had taken his sword and was mounted on horseback so that Anastasio had soon lost all sight of them and could not gesse what was become of them After he had heard and obserued all these things he stoode awhile as confounded with feare and pitty like a simple silly man hoodwinkt with his owne passions not knowing the subtle enemies cunning illusions in offering false suggestions to the sight to worke his owne ends thereby encrease the number of his deceiued seruants Forthwith hee perswaded himself that he might make good vse of this womans tormenting so iustly imposed on the Knight to prosecute if thus it should continue still euery Friday Wherefore setting a good note or marke vpon the place hee returned backe to his owne people and at such time as hee thought conuenient sent for diuers of his kindred and friends from Rauenna who being present with him thus hee spake to them Deare Kinsmen and Friends ye haue a long while importuned mee to discontinue my ouer-doating loue to her whom you all think and I find to be my mortall enemy as also to giue ouer my lauish expences wherein I confesse my selfe too prodigall both which requests of yours I will condiscend to prouided that you wil performe one gracious fauour for mee Namely that on Friday next Signior Paulo Trauersario his wife daughter with all other women linked in linage to them and such beside onely as you shall please to appoynt will vouchsafe to accept a dinner heere with mee as for the reason thereto moouing mee you shall then more at large be acquainted withall This appeared no difficult matter for them to accomplish wherefore being returned to Rauenna and as they found the time answerable to their purpose they inuited such as Anastasio had appointed theÌ„ And although they found it somwhat â—n hard matter to gain her company whom he so deerely affected yet notwithstanding the other women won her along with them A most magnificent dinner had Anastasio prouided and the tables wer couered vnder the Pine-trees where hee saw the cruell Lady so pursued and slaine directing the guests so in their seating that the yong Gentlewoman his vnkinde Mistresse sate with her face opposite vnto the place where the dismall spectacle was to be seene About the closing vp of dinner they beganne to heare the noise of the poore prosecuted Woman which droue them all to much admiration desiring to know what it was and no one resoluing them they arose from the tables and looking directly as the noise came to them they espied the wofull Woman the Dogges eagerly pursuing her and the armed Knight on horse back â—â—â—lopping fiercely after them with his drawn weapon and came very nere vnto the company who cryed out with lowd exclaimes against the dogs and the Knight stepping forth in assistance of the iniuried woman The Knight spake vnto them as formerly hee had done to Anastasio which made them draw backe possessed with feare and admiration acting the same cruelty as hee did the Friday before not differing in the least degree Most of the Gentlewomen there present being neere allyed to the vnfortunate Woman and likewise to the Knight remembring well both his loue and death did shed teares as plentifully as if it had bâ—n to the very persons themselues in visiall performance of the action indeede Which tragicall Scene being passed ouer and the Woman and Knight gone out of their sight all that had seene this straunge accident fell into diuersity of confused opinions yet not daring to disclose them as doubting some further danger to ensue thereon But beyond al the rest none could compare in feare and astonishment with the cruell yong Maide affected by Anastasio who both saw and obserued all with a more inward apprehension knowing very well that the morall of this dismall spectacle carried a much neerer application to her then any other in all the company For now she could call to mind how vnkinde and cruell she had shewn her selfe to Anastasio euen as the other Gentlewoman formerly did to her Louer still flying from him in great contempt and scorne for which shee thought the Blood-hounds also pursued her at the heeles already and a sword of due vengeance to mangle her body This feare grew so powerfull in her that to preuent the like heauy doome from falling on her she studied by all her best commendable meanes and therein bestowed all the night season how to change her hatred into kinde loue which at the length shee fully obtayned and then purposed to prosecute in this manner Secretly she sent a faithfull Chamber-maide of her owne to greete Anastasio on her behalfe humbly entreating him to come see her because now she was absolutely determined to giue him satisfaction in all which with honour he could request of her Whereto Anastasio answered that he accepted her message thankfully and desired no other fauor at her hand but that which stood with her owne offer namely to be his Wife in honourable marriage The Maide knowing sufficiently that hee could not be more desirous of the match then her Mistresse shewed her selfe to be made answere in her name that this motion would bee most welcome to her Heereupon the Gentlewoman her selfe became the solicitour to her Father and Mother telling them plainly that she was willing to bee the Wife of Anastasio which newes did so highly content them that vppon the Sunday next following the mariage was very worthily sollemnized and they liued and loued together very kindly Thus the diuine bounty out of the malignant enemies secret machinations can cause good effects to arise and succeede For from this conceite of fearfull imagination in her not onely happened this long desired conuersion of a Maide
sight was so irkesome to Rinaldo that being ouercom with extreame rage hee could hardly containe from running on them with a violent intent to kill them both but feare of his owne life caused his forbearance meaning to be reuenged by some better way Such was the heate of his spleene and fury as setting aside all respect of his owne shame he would needs prosecute the rigour of the deadly Edict which he held lawfull for him to do although it extended to the death of his Wife Heereupon hauing witnesses sufficient to approoue the guiltinesse of her offence a day being appointed without desiring any other counsell he went in person to accuse her and required iustice against her The Gentlewoman who was of an high and vndauntable spirite as all such are who haue fixed their affection resoluedly and loue vppon a grounded deliberation concluded quite against the counsell and opinion of her Parents Kindred and Friends to appeare in the Court as desiring rather to dye by confessing the trueth with a manly courage then by denying it and her loue vnto so worthy a person as he was in whose arms she chanced to be taken to liue basely in exile with shame as an eternall scandall to her race So before the Potestate shee made her apparance worthily accompanied both with men and women all aduising her to deny the acte but she not minding them or their perswasions looking on the Iudge with a constant countenance and a voyce of setled resolue craued to know of him what hee demaunded of her The Potestate well noting her braue carriage her singular beautie and praise-worthy parts her words apparantly witnessing the heighth of her minde beganne to take compassion on her and doubted least shee would confesse some such matter as should enforce him to pronounce the sentence of death against her But she boldly scorning all delayes or any further protraction of time demanded again what was her accusation Madame answered the Potestate I am sory to tel you what needs I must your husband whom you see present heere is the cōplainant against you auouching that he tooke you in the act of adultery with another man and therefore he requireth that according to the rigour of the Statute heere in force with vs I should pronounce sentence against you and consequently the infliction of death Which I cannot do if you confesse not the fact and therefore be well aduised how you answer me and tell me the truth if it be as your Husband accuseth you or no. The Lady without any dismay or dread at all pleasantly thus replied My Lord true it is that Rinaldo is my Husband and that he found me on the night named betweene the Armes of Lazarino where many times heeretofore he hath embraced mee according to the mutuall loue re-plighted together which I deny not nor euer will But you know well enough and I am certaine of it that the Lawes enacted in any Countrey ought to be common and made with consent of them whom they concerne which in this Edict of yours is quite contrarie For it is rigorous against none but poore women onely who are able to yeeld much better content and satisfaction generally then remaineth in the power of men to do And moreouer when this Law was made there was not any woman that gaue consent to it neither were they called to like or allow thereof in which respect it may deseruedly be termed an vniust Law And if you will in preiudice of my bodie and of your owne soule be the executioner of so vnlawfull an Edict it consisteth in your power to do as you please But before you proceede to pronounce any sentence may it please you to fauour me with one small request namely that you would demand of my Husband if at all times and whensoeuer he tooke delight in my company I euer made any curiosity or came to him vnwillingly Whereto Rinaldo without tarrying for the Potestate to mooue the question sodainly answered that vndoubtedly his wife at all times and oftner then he could request it was neuer sparing of her kindnesse or put him off with any deniall Then the Lady continuing on her former speeches thus replyed Let me then demand of you my Lord being our Potestate and Iudge if it be so by my Husbands owne free confession that he hath alwaies had his pleasure of me without the least refusall in me or contradiction what should I doe with the ouer-plus remaining in mine owne power and whereof he had no need Would you haue mee cast it away to the Dogges Was it not more fitting for me to pleasure therwith a worthy Gentleman who was euen at deaths doore for my loue then my husbands surfetting and hauing no neede of me to let him lye languishing and dye Neuer was heard such an examination before and to come from a woman of such worth the most part of the honourable Pratosians both Lords and Ladies being there present who hearing her vrge such a necessary question cryed out all aloud together with one voice after they had laughed their fill that the Lady had saide well and no more then she might So that before they departed thence by comfortable aduice proceeding from the Potestate the Edict being reputed ouercruell was modified and interpreted to concerne them onely who offered iniurie to their Husbands for money By which meanes Rinaldo standing as one confounded for such a foolish and vnaduised enterprize departed from the Auditorie and the Ladie not a little ioyfull to bee thus freed and deliuered from the fire returned home with victorie to her owne house Fresco da Celatico counselled and aduised his Neece Cesca That if such as deserued to be looked on were offensiue to her eyes as she had often told him she should forbeare to looke on any The Eighth Nouell In iust scorne of such vnsightly and ill-pleasing surly Sluts who imagine none to be faire or well-fauoured but themselues ALL the while as Philostratus was re-counting his Nouell it seemed that the Ladies who heard it found themselues much mooued thereat as by the wanton blood monting vp into their cheekes it plainly appeared But in the end looking on each other with strange behauiour they could not forbeare smiling which the Queene interrupting by a command of attention turning to Madame Aemillia willed her to follow next When she puffing and blowing as if she had bene newly awaked from sleepe began in this manner Faire Beauties My thoughts hauing wandred a great distance hence and further then I can easily collect them together againe in obedience yet to our Queene I shall report a much shorter Nouell then otherwise perhappes I should haue done if my minde had beene a little neerer home I shall tell you the grosse fault of a foolish Damosell well corrected by a witty reprehension of her Vnckle if shee had bin endued but with so much sence as to haue vnderstood it An honest man named Fresco da Celatico had a
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
he had made full proofe of the stones vertue And questionles the consideration of a matter so auaileable and important was quite taken from him because such an especiall happinesse should not belong to him only but in part to his friends whom he had acquainted therewith drew them to the plaine vvith him in companie vvhere they tooke as much paines in serch of the stone as possibly he did or could and yet dishonestly he would deceiue them and beare it away couetously for his owne priuate benefit After many other as wise and wholesome perswasions which he constantly credited because they spake them they reconciled him to his wife and she to him but not without some difficulty in him who falling into wonderfull greefe and melancholy for losse of such an admirable precious stone was in danger to haue dyed within lesse then a month after The Prouost belonging to the Cathedrall Church of Fiesola fell in loue with a Gentlewoman being a widdow and named Piccarda who hated him as much as he loued her He imagining that he lay with her by the Gentlewomans Bretheren and the Byshop vnder whom he serued was taken in bed with her Mayde an vgly soule deformed Slut. The Fourth Nouell Wherein is declared how loue oftentimes is so powerfull in aged men and driueth them to such doating that it redoundeth to their great disgrace and punishment LAdie Eliza hauing concluded her Nouell notwithout infinite commendations of the whole company the Queen turning her lookes to Madame Aemillia gaue her such an expresse signe as she must needs follow next after Madame Eliza whereupon she began in this manner Vertuous Ladies I very well remember by diuers Nouels formerly related that sufficient hath beene sayde concerning Priests and Religious persons and all other carrying shauen Crownes in their luxurious appetites and desires But because no one can at any time say so much as thereto no more may be added beside them alreadie spoken of I wil tel you another concerning the Prouost of a Cathedral Church who would needes in despight of all the vvorld loue a Gentlewoman whether she would or no and therefore in due chastisement both vnto his age and folly she gaue him such entertainment as he iustly deserued It is not vnknowne vnto you all that the Cittie of Fieosola the mountaine whereof we may very easily hither discerne hath bene in times past a very great and most ancient City although at this day it is well-neere all ruined yet neuerthelesse it alwaies was and yet is a Byshops See albeit not of the wealthiest In the same Citie and no long while since neere vnto the Cathedrall Church there dwelt a Gentlewoman being a Widdow and commonlie there stiled by the name of Madame Piccarda whose house and inheritance was but small wherewith yet she liued very contentedly hauing no wandering eye or wanton desires and no company but her two Brethren Gentlemen of especiall honest and gracious disposition This Gentlewoman being yet in the flourishing condition of her time did ordinarily resort to the Cathedrall Church in holie zeale and religious deuotion where the Prouost of the place became so enamored of her as nothing but the sight of her yeelded him any contentment Which fond affection of his was forwarded with such an audacious and bold carriage as hee dared to acquaint her with his loue requiring her enterchange of affection and the like opinion of him as he had of her True it is that he was very farre entred into yeares but yong and lustie in his own proud conceite presuming strangely beyond his capacity and thinking as well of his abilitie as the youthfullest gallant in the World could doe Whereas in verie deede his person was vtterly displeasing his behauiour immodest and scandalous and his vsuall Language sauouring of such sensualitie as very fewe or none cared for his company And if any Woman seemed respectiue of him it was in regard of his outside and profession and more for feare then the least affection and alwayes as welcome to them as the head-ake His fond and foolish carriage stil continuing to this Gentlewoman she being wise and vertuously aduised spake thus vnto him Holy Sir if you loue me according as you protest manifest by your outward behauiour I am the more to thanke you for it being bound in dutie to loue you likewise But if your Loue haue any harshe or vnsauourie taste vvhich mine is no way able to endure neyther dare entertaine in anie kinde what soeuer you must and shall hold mee excused because I am made of no such temper You are my ghostly and spirituall Father an Holy Priest Moreouer yeares haue made you honorably aged all which seuerall weighty considerations ought to confirme you in continency chastity Remember withall good sir that I am but a child to you in years were I bent to any wanton appetites you shold iustly correct me by fatherly counsell such as most beautifieth your sacred profession Beside I am a Widdow and you are not ignâ—rant how requisite a thing honestie is in widdowes Wherefore pardon mee Holy Father for in such manner as you make the motion I desire you not to loue mee because I neither can or will at any time so affect you The Prouoste gaining no other grace at this time would not so giue ouer for this first repulse but pursuing her still with vnbeseeming importunity many priuate meanes he vsed to her by Letters tokens and insinuating ambassages yea whensoeuer shee came to the Church he neuer ceased his wearisome solicitings Whereat she growing greatly offended and perceyuing no likelyhood of his desisting became so tyred with his tedious suite that she considered with her selfe how she might dispatch him as he deserued because she saw no other remedy Yet shee would not attempte anie thing in this case without acquainting her Bretheren first therwith And hauing tolde them how much shee was importuned by the Prouost and also what course she meant to take wherin they both counselled and encouraged her within a few daies after shee went to Church as she was wont to do where so soone as the Prouost espyed her forthwith he came to her and according to his continued course he fell into his amorous courting She looking vpon him with a smiling countenance and walking aside with him out of any hearing after he had spent many impertinent speeches shee venting foorth manie a vehement sighe at length returned him this answer Reuerend Father I haue often heard it saide That there is not any Fort or Castle how strongly munited soeuer it bee but by continuall assayling at length of necessity it must and will be surprized Which comparison I may full well allude to my selfe For you hauing so long time solicited me one while with affable language then againe vvith tokens and entisements of such preuailing power as haue broken the verie barricado of my former deliberation and yeelded mee vppe as your prisoner to be commanded at your
you for charities sake before thâ—â— pilfering knaue escape away from hence that I may haue Iustice against him for stealing my drawing-ouer stockeings which he stoutly denyeth yet mine owne eyes beheld the deed it being now not aboue fifteene dayes since when first I bought them for mine owne vse Worthy Lord Iudge cryed Ribi on the other side doe not beleeue what he saith for he is a paltry lying fellow and because hee knew I came hither to make my complaint for a Male or Cloakebag which he stole from me hee vrgeth this occasion for a paire of drawing Stockeings which he deliuered me with his owne hands If your Lordship will not credit me I can produce as witnesses Trecco the Shoemaker with Monna Grassa the Souse-seller and he that sweepes the Church of Santa Maria á Verzaia who saw him when he came posting hither Maso haling and tugging the Iudge by the sleeue would not suffer him to heare Ribi but cryed out still for Iustice against him as he did the like on the contrary side During the time of this their clamourous contending the Iudge being very willy willing to heare either party Matteuzzo vpon a signe receiued from the other which was a word in Masoes pleading laide holde on the broken boord as also on the Iudges low-hanging Breech plucking at them both so strongly that they fell downe immediately the Breeches being onely tyed but with one Poynt before He hearing the boards breaking vnderneath him and such maine pulling at his Breeches stroue as he sate to make them fast before but the Poynt being broken and Maso crying in his eare on the one side as Ribi did the like in the other hee was at his wits end to defend himselfe My Lord quoth Maso you may bee ashamed that you doe me not Iustice why will you not heare mee but wholly lend your eare to mine Aduersary My Lord said Ribi neuer was Libell preferd into this Court of such a paltry trifling matter and therefore I must and will haue Iustice By this time the Iudge was dismounted from the Bench and stood on the ground with his slouenly Breeches hanging about his heeles Matteuzzo being cunningly stolne away and vndiscouered by any body Ribi thinking he had shamed the Iudge sufficiently went away protesting that he would declare his cause in the hearing of a wiser Iudge And Maso forbearing to tugge his Gowne any longer in his departing said Fare you well Sir you are not worthy to be a Magistrate if you haue no more regard of your honour and honesty but will put off poore mens suites at your pleasure So both went seuerall wayes and soone were gone out of publike view The worshipfull Iudge Messer Niccolao stood all this while on the ground and in presence of all the beholders trussed vp his Breeches as if hee were new risen out of his bed when better bethinking himselfe on the matters indifference he called for the two men who contended for the drawing stockings and the Cloake-bag but no one could tell what was become of them Whereupon he rapt out a kinde of Iudges oath saying I will know whether it be Law or no heere in Florence to make a Iudge sit bare Breecht on the Bench of Iustice and in the hearing of criminall Causes whereat the chiefe Potestate and all the standers by laughed heartily Within fewe dayes after he was informed by some of his especiall Friends that this had neuer happened to him but onely to testifie how vnderstanding the Florentines are in their ancient constitutions and customes to embrace loue and honour honest discreet worthy Iudges and Magistrates Whereas on the contrary they as much condemne miserable knaues fooles and dolts who neuer merit to haue any better entertainment Wherefore it would be best for him to make no more enquiry after the parties lest a worse inconuenience should happen to him Bruno and Buffalmaco did steale a young Brawne from Calandrino and for his recouery thereof they vsed a kinde of pretented coniuration with Pilles made of Ginger and strong Malmesey But instead of this application they gaue him two Pilles of a Dogges Dates or Dowsets confected in Alloes which he receiued each after the other by meanes whereof they made him beleeue that hee had robde himselfe And for feare they should report this theft to his wife they made him to goe buy another Brawne The Sixt Nouell Wherein is declared how easily a plaine and simple man may be made a foole when he dealeth with crafty companions PHilostratus had no sooner concluded his Nouell and the whole Assembly laughed heartily thereat but the Queen gaue command to Madame Philomena that shee should follow next in order whereupon thus shee began Worthy Ladies as Philostratus by calling to memorie the name of Maso del Saggio hath contented you with another merry Nouell concerning him in the same manner must I intreat you to remember once againe Calandrino and his subtle Consorts by a pretty tale which I meane to tell you how and in what manner they were reuenged on him for going to seeke the inusible Stone Needlesse were any fresh relation to you what manner of people those three men were Calandrino Bruno and Buffalmaco because already you haue had sufficient vnderstanding of them And therefore as an induction to my discourse I must tell you that Calandrino had a small Country-house in a Village some-what neere to Florence which came to him by the marriage of his Wife Among other Cattle and Poultry which he kept there in store hee had a young Boare readie fatted for Brawne whereof yearly he vsed to kill one for his owne prouision and alwaies in the month of December he and his wife resorted to their village house to haue a Brawne both killed and salted It came to passe at this time concerning my Tale that the Woman being somewhat crazie and sickly by her Husbands vnkinde vsage whereof you heard so lately Calandrino went alone to the killing of his Boare which comming to the hearing of Bruno and Buffalmaco and that the Woman could by no meanes be there to passe away the time a little in merriment they went to a friendlie Companion of theirs an honest iouiall Priest dwelling not farre off from Calandrinoes Countrey house The same morning as the Boare was kilde they all three went thither and Calandrino seeing them in the Priests companie bad them all heartily welcome and to acquaint them with his good Husbandry hee shewed them his house and the Boare where it hung They perceyuing it to be faire and fat knowing also that Calandrino intended to salt it for his owne store Bruno saide vnto him Thou art an Asse Calandrino sell thy Brawne and let vs make merrie with the money then let thy wife know no otherwise but that it was stolne from thee by those theeues which continually haunt country houses especially in such scattering Villages Oh mine honest friends answered Calandrino your counsell is not to be followed neither
swifly drawing on they had the better hope of affecting his safty out of so great and dangerous a cold But after he was become almost well and lusty againe hee vsed to be seldome seene abroad for an indifferent while concealing his intended reuenge secret to himselfe yet appearing more affectionate to Madame Helena then formerly he had beene Now it came to passe within no long while after that Fortune being fauourable to our iniured Scholler prepared a new accident wherby he might fully effect his harts desire For the lusty yong Gallant who was Madame Helenaes deare darling and delight and for whose sake she dealt so inhumanely with poore Reniero became weary of her amourous seruice and was falâ—â— in liking of another Lady scorning and disdaining his former Mistresse whereat shee grew exceedingly displeased and began to languish in sighes and teares But Ancilla her waiting-woman compassionating the perilous condition of her Lady and knowing no likely meanes whereby to conquer this oppressing melancholly which shee suffered for the losse of her hearts chosen friend at length she began to consider that the Scholler still walked daily by the doore as formerly hee was wont to doe and by him there might some good be done A fond and foolish opinion ouerswayed her that the Scholler was extraordinarily skilfull in the Art of Nigromancy and could thereby so ouer-rule the heart of her lost friend as hee should bee compelled to loue her againe in as effectuall manner as before herewith immediately she acquainted her Lady who being as rashly credulous as her maide was opinionatiue neuer considring that if the Scholler had any experience in Negromancy hee would thereby haue procured his owne successe gaue releefe to her surmise in very Iouiall and comfortable manner and entreated her in all kindnes to know of him whether he could worke such a businesse or no and vpon his vndertaking to effect it shee would giue absolute assurance that in recompence thereof he should vnfainedly obtaine his hearts desire Ancilla was quicke and expeditious in deliuering this message to discontented Reniero whose soule being ready to mount out of his body onely by conceit of ioy chearefully thus he said within himselfe Gracious Fortune how highly am I obliged to thee for this so great a fauour Now thou hast blest me with a happy time to be iustly reuenged on so wicked a woman who sought the vtter ruine of my life in recompence of the vnfaigned affection I bare her Returne to thy Lady quoth he and saluting her first on my behalfe bid her to abandon all care in this businesse for if her amourous Friend were in India I would make him come in meere despight of his heart and craue mercy of her for his base transgression But concerning the meanes how and in what manner it is to bee done especially on her owne behalfe I will impart it to her so soone as she pleaseth faile not to tell her so constantly from me with all my vtmost paines at her seruice Ancilla came iocondly home with her answere and a conclusion was set downe for their meeting together at Santa Lucia del prato which accordingly was performed in very solemne conference between them Her fond affection had such power ouer her that shee had forgot into what peril she brought his life by such an vnnatural night walke but disclosed all her other intention to him how loth she was to lose so deare a friend and desiring him to exercise his vtmost height of skil with large promises of her manifold fauours to him whereto our Scholler thus replyed Very true it is Madam that among other studies at Paris I learned the Art of Negromancy the depth whereof I am as skilfull in as anie other Scholler whatsoeuer But because it is greatly displeasing vnto God I made a vow neuer to vse it either for my selfe or anie other Neuerthelesse the loue I beare you is of such power as I know not vvell how to denie whatsoeuer you please to command me in which respect if in doing you my very best seruice I were sure to bee seized on by all the diuels I will not faile to accomplish your desire you onely hauing the power to command me But let me tell you Madame it is a matter not so easie to be performed as you perhaps may rashly imagine especially when a Woman would repeale a man to loue her or a man a vvoman because it is not to be done but by the person vvhom it properly concerneth And therefore it behoueth that such as would haue this businesse effected must be of a constant minde without the least scruple of feare because it is to be accomplished in the darke night season in vvhich difficulties I doe not know how you are able to vvarrant your selfe or whether you haue such courage of spirit as with boldnes to aduenture Madame Helena more hot in pursuite of her amorous contentment then any way gouerned by temperate discretion presently thus answered Sir Loue hath set such a keene edge on my vnconquerable affection as there is not any daunger so difficult but I dare resolutely vndertake it for the recouery of him who hath so shamefullie refused my kindnesse vvherefore if you please shew mee vvherein I must be so constant and dreadlesse The Scholler who had more then halfe caught a right Ninny-hammer by the beake thus replyed Madame of necessity I must make an image of Tin in the name of him whom you desire to recall Which when I haue sent you the Moone being then in her full and your selfe stript starke naked immediately after your first sleepe seauen times you must bathe your selfe with it in a swift running Riuer Afterward naked as you are you must climbe vp vpon some tree or else vpon an vninhabited house top where standing dreadlesse of any perill and turning your face to the North with the Image in your hand seauen times you must speake such wordes as I will deliuer to you in writing After you haue so often spoken them two goodly Ladies the very fairest that euer you beheld wil appeare vnto you very graciously saluting you and demanding what you would haue them to performe for you Safely you may speake vnto them and orderly tel them what you desire but â—e very careful that you 〈◊〉 not one man insted of another When you haue vttered your mind they wil depart from you and then you may descend againe to the place where you did leaue your gâ—â—â—ents which â—â—uing putte on then returne to your house And vndoubtedly before the midst of the next night following your friend wil come in teares to you and humbly craue your pardon on his knees beeing neuer able afterward to be false to you or leaue your Loue for any other whatsoeuer The Lady hearing these words gaue very setled beleefe to theÌ„ imagining vnfainedly that shee had more then halfe recouered her friend already and held him embraced betweene her armes in which iocond perswasion
Serpent I purpose with my vtmost hatred and as an ancient enemy to all such as thou art to make my reuenge famous on thee I am not ignorant that whatsoeuer I haue already done vnto thee cannot properly be termed reuenge but rather chastisement because reuenge ought alwayes to exceede the offence which as yet I am farre enough from For if I did intend to reuenge my wrongs and remembred thy monstrous cruelty to me thy life if I tooke it from thee and an hundred more such as thy selfe were farre insufficient because in killing thee I should kill but a vile inhumane beast yea one that deserued not the name of a Woman And to speake truely Art thou any more or better setting aside thy borrowed haire and painted beauty which in few yeares will leaue thee wrinkled and deformed then the basest beggarly Chamber-stuffe that can bee Yet thou soughtest the death of a Gentleman and Scholler as in scorne not long since thou didst terme me whose life may hereafter be more beneficiall vnto the world then millions of such as thou art to liue in the like multiplicity of ages Therefore if this anguish be sensible to thee learne what it is to mocke men of apprehension and amongst them especially such as are Schollers to preuent thy falling hereafter into the like extremity if it be thy good lucke to escape out of this It appeareth to me that thou art verie desirous to come downe hither on the ground the best counsell that I can giue thee is to leape downe headlong that by breaking thy necke if thy fortune be so faire thy life and lothsome qualities ending together I may sit and smile at thy deserued destruction I haue no other comfort to giue thee but only to boast my happinesse in teaching thee the way to ascend that Tower and in thy descending downe euen by what means thy wit can best deuise make a mockery of me and say thou hast learned more then all my Schollership could instruct thee All the while as Reniero vttered these speeches the miserable Lady sighed and wept very grieuously the time running on and the Sunne ascending higher and higher but when she heard him silent thus she answered Vnkinde and cruell man if that wretched night was so greeuous to thee and mine offence appeared so great as neither my youth beautie teares and humble intercessious are able to deriue any mercy from thee yet let the last consideration mooue thee to some remorse namely that I reposed new confidence in thee whē I had little or no reason at all to trust thee and discouered the integritie of my soule vnto thee whereby thou didst compasse the meanes to punish me thus deseruedly for my sinne For if I had not reposed confidence in thee thou couldst not in this maner haue wrought reuenge on me which although thou didst earnestly couet yet my rash credulitie was thy onely helpe Asswage then thine anger and graciously pardon me wherein if thou wilt be so mercifull to me and free me from this fatall Tower I do heere faithfully promise thee to forsake my most false and disloyall friend electing thee as my Lord and constant Loue for euer Moreouer although thou condemnest my beauty greatly esteeming it as a trifle momentary and of slender continuance yet such as it is being comparable with any other womans whatsoeuer I am not so ignorant that were there no other reason to induce liking thereof yet men in the vigour of their youth as I am sure you think your selfe not aged do hold it for an especiall delight ordained by nature for them to admire and honour And notwistanding all thy cruelty extended to mee yet I cannot be perswaded that thou art so flinty or Iron-hearted as to desire my miserable death by casting my selfe headlong downe like a desperate madde woman before thy face so to destroy that beuty which if thy Letters lyed not was once so highly pleasing in thine eyes Take pitty then on mee for charities sake because the Sunne beginneth to heate extreamely and as ouer-much colde that vnhappy night was mine offence so let not ouer-violent warmth be now my vtter ruine and death The Scholler who onely to delight himselfe maintained this long discoursing with her returned her this answere Madame you did not repose such confidence in me for any good will or affection in you towards me but in hope of recouering him whom you had lost wherein you merit not a iot of fauour but rather the more sharpe and seuere infliction And whereas you inferre that your ouer-rash credulity gaue the onely meanes to my reuenge Alas therein you deceiue your selfe for I haue a thousand crochets working continually in my brain wherby to entrap a wiser creature then a woman yet veiled all vnder the cunning cloake of loue but sauced with the bitter Wormewood of hate So that had not this hapned as now it doth of necessity you must haue falne into another but as it hath pleased my happy stars to fauour mee therein none could prooue more to your eternall scandall and disgrace then this of your owne deuising which I made choise of not in regard of any ease to you but onely to content my selfe But if all other deuises els had failed my pen was and is my preuayling Champion where with I would haue written such and so many strange matters concerning you in your very dearest reputation that you should haue curst the houre of your conception wisht your birth had bin abortiue The powers of the pen are too many mighty wherof such weake wits as haue made no experience are the lesse able to vse any relation I sweare to you Lady by my best hopes that this reuenge which perhappes you esteeme great and dishonourable is no vvay compareable to the vvounding Lines of a Penne which can carracter downe so infinite infamies yet none but guilty and true taxations as will make your owne hands immediate instruments to teare the eyes from forth your head and so bequeath your after dayes vnto perpetuall darkenesse Now concerning your lost louer for whose sake you suffer this vnexpected pennance although your choise hath proued but bad yet still continue your affection to him in regard that I haue another Ladie and Mistresse of higher and greater desert then you and to whome I will continue for euer constant And whereas you thinke the warme beames of the Sunne will be too hot and scorching for your nice bodie to endure remember the extreame cold which you caused mee to feele and if you can intermixe some part of that cold with the present heat I dare assure you the Sun in his highest heate will be far more temperate for your feeling The disconsolate Lady perceiuing that the Schollers wordes sauoured of no mercy but rather as couering her desperate ending with the teares streaming downe her cheekes thus she replied Wel Sir seeing there is no matter of worth in me whereby to deriue any compassion from
should not ouertake them conducted the Lady home to his owne house and gaining the assistance of his two brethren and wife setting the waiting-woman in a Chaire thither they brought her in like manner And questionles there wanted no diligence and comfortable language to pacifie the Ladyes continuall lamentations The good wife led the Lady into hir own poore lodging where such cates as they had to feede on louingly she set before her conueying her afterward into her owne bed and taking such good order that Ancilla was carried in the night time to Florence to preuent all further ensuing danger by reason of her legs breaking Madame Helena to colour this misfortune of her owne as also the great mishap of her woman forged an artificiall and cunning tale to giue some formall apparance of hir being in the Tower perswading the poore simple Country people that in a straunge accident of thunder and lightning and by the illusions of wicked spirits all this aduenture hapned to her Then Physitians were sent for who not without much anguish and affliction to the Ladie by reason of her fleshes flaying off with the Medicines and Emplaysters applyed to the body was glad to suffer whatsoeuer they did beside falling into a very dangerous Feauer out of which she was not recouered in a long while after but continued in daily dispayre of her life beside other accidents hapning in her time of Physicke vtterly vnauoydable in such extreamities and hardly had Ancilla her legge cured By this vnexpected pennance imposed on Madame Helena she vtterly forgot her amorous friend and from thence forward carefully kept her selfe from fond loues allurements and such scornfull behauiour wherein she was most disorderly faulty And Reniero the Scholler vnderstanding that Ancilla had broken her leg which he reputed as a punishment sufficient for her held himselfe satisfyed because neither the Mistresse nor her Maide could now make any great boast of his nights hard entertainment and so concealed all matters else Thus a wanton-headed Lady could finde no other subiect to worke her mocking folly on but a learned Scholler of whom shee made no more respect then any other ordinary man Neuer remembring that such men are expert I cannot say all but the greater part of them to helpe the frenzie of foolish Ladies that must inioy their loose desires by Negromancy and the Diuelles meanes Let it therefore faire Ladies be my louing admonition to you to detest all vnwomanly mocking and scorning but more especiallie to Schollers Two neere dwelling Neighbours the one beeing named Spineloccio Tauena and the other Zeppa di Mino frequenting each others company daily together Spinelloccio Cuckolded his Friend and Neighbour Which happening to the knowledge of Zeppa he preuailed so well with the Wife of Spinelloccio that he being lockt vp in a Chest he reuenged his wrong at that instant so that neyther of them complained of his misfortune The Eight Nouell Wherein is approued that he which offereth shame and disgrace to his Neighbour may receiue the like iniury if not in worse manner by the same man GReeuous and full of compassion appeared the hard Fortunes of Madame Helena to be hauing much discontented and well-neere wearied all the Ladies in hearing them recounted But because they were very iustly inflicted vpon her and according as in equity shee had deserued they vvere the more moderate in their commisseration howbeit they reputed the Scholler not onely ouer-obstinate but also too strict rigorous and seuere Wherefore when Madame Pampinea had finished hir Nouell the Queene gaue command to Madame Fiammetta that she should follow next with her discourse whereto shee shewing obedience thus beganne Because it appeareth in my iudgement faire Ladyes that the Schollers cruelty hath much displeased you making you more melancholly then this time requireth I holde it therefore very conuenient that your contristed spirits should be chearfully reuiued with matter more pleasing and delightfull And therefore I mean to report a Nouell of a certaine man who tooke an iniury done him in much milder manner and reuenged his wrong more moderately then the furious incensed Scholler did Whereby you may comprehend that it is sufficient for any man and so he ought to esteeme it to serue another with the same sawce which the offending party caused him first to taste of without coueting any stricter reuenge then agreeth with the quality of the iniury receiued Know then Gracious assembly that as I haue heretofore heard there liued not long since in Sienna two young men of honest parentage and equall condition neither of the best nor yet the meanest calling in the City the one being named Spinelloccio Tauena and the other tearmed Zeppa di Mino their houses Neighbouring together in the streete Camollia Seldome the one walked abroade without the others Company and their houses allowed equall welcome to them both so that by outward demonstrations inward mutuall affection as far as humane capacity had power to extend they liued and loued like two Brethren they both beeing wealthy and married vnto two beautifull women It came to passe that Spinelloccio by often resorting to the house of Zeppa as well in his absence as when he abode at home beganne to glance amorous looks on Zeppaes wife and pursued his vnneighbourly purpose in such sort that hee being the stronger perswader and she belike too credulous in beleeuing or else ouer-feeble in resisting from priuate imparlance they fell to action and continued their close fight a long while together vnseene and vvithout suspition no doubt to their equall ioy and contentment But whether as a iust punishment for breaking so louing a league of friendship and neighbour-hood or rather a fatall infliction euermore attending on the closest Cuckoldry their felicity still continuing in this kinde it fortuned on a day Zeppa abiding within doors contrary to the knowledge of his wife Spinelloccio came to enquire for him and she answering as she verily supposed that he was gon abroad vppe they went both together into the Hall and no bodie being there to hinder what they intended they fell to their wonted recreation without any feare kissing and embracing as Louers vse to do Zeppa seeing all this spake not one word neither made any noise at all but kept himselfe closely hidden to obserue the yssue of this amorous conflict To be briefe he saw Spinelloccio goe with his wife into the Chamber and make the doore fast after them whereat he could haue beene angry which he held to be no part of true wisedome For he knew well enough that to make an out crie in this case or otherwise to reueale this kinde of iniury it could no way make it lesse but rather giue a greater addition of shame and scandall he thought this no course for him to take wiser considerations entred his braine to haue this wrong fully reuenged yet with such a discreete and orderly carriage as no neighbours knowledge should by any meanes apprehend it or the
least signe of discontent in himselfe blabbe it because they were two daungerous euils Many notable courses wheeled about his conceit euery one promising fairely and ministring meanes of formall apparance yet one aboue the rest wonne his absolute allowance which he intended to prosecute as best he might In which resolution he kept still very close so long as Spinelloccio was with his Wife but hee being gone he went into the Chamber where he found his wife amending the forme of her head attyre which Spinelloccio had put into a disordred fashion Wife quoth he what art thou doing Why Do you not see Husband answered she Yes that I do wife replied Zeppa and something else happened to my sight which I could wish that I had not seene Rougher Language growing betweene them of his auouching and her as stout denying with defending her cause ouer-weakely against the manifest proofes both of eye and eare at last she fell on her knees before him weeping incessantly and no excuses now auailing she confest her long acquaintance with Spinelloccio and most humbly entreated him to forgiue her Vppon the which penitent confession and submission Zeppa thus answered Wife if inward contrition be answerable to thy outward seeming sorrow then I make no doubt but faithfully thou dost acknowledge thine owne euill dooing for which if thou expectest pardon of me determine then to fulfill effectually such a busines as I must enioyne and thou performe I command thee to tell Spinelloccio that to morrow morning about nine of the clocke we being both abroad walking he must finde some apt occasion to leaue my company and then come hither to visit thee When he is here sodainly will I returne home and vpon thy hearing of my entraunce to saue his owne credite and thee from detection thou shalt require him to enter this Chest vntill such time as I am gone forth againe which he doing for both your safeties so soon as he is in the chest take the key and locke him vp fast When thou hast effected this then shall I acquaint thee with the rest remaining which also must be done by thee without dread of the least harme to him or thee because there is no malicious meaning in me but such as I am perswaded thou canst not iustly mislike The wife to make some satisfaction for her offence committed promised that she would performe it and so she did On the morrow morning the houre of nine being come when Zeppa and Spinelloccio were walking abroad together Spinelloccio remembring his promise vnto his Mistresse and the clocke telling him the appointed houre hee saide to Zeppa I am to dine this day with an especiall friend of mine who I would be loath should tarry for my comming and therefore holde my departure excused How now answered Zeppa the time for dinner is yet farre enough off wherefore then should we part so soone Yea but Zeppa replied Spinelloccio wee haue weighty matters to confer on before dinner which will require three houres space at the least and therefore it behoueth me to respect due time Spinelloccio being departed from Zeppa who followed faire and softly after him being come to the house and kindly welcommed by the wife they were no sooner gone vp the staires and entering in at the Chamber doore but the Woman heard her Husband cough and also his comming vp the staires Alas deare Spinelloccio quoth she what shall we do My Husband is comming vppe and we shall be both taken tardie step into this Chest lye downe there and stirre not till I haue sent him forth againe which shall be within a very short while Spinelloccio was not a little ioyfull for her good aduice downe in the Chest lay he and she lockt him in by which time Zeppa was entred the Chamber Where are you Wife said he speaking so loud as hee in the Chest might heare him What is it time to go to dinner It will be anon Sir answered she as yet it is ouerearly but seeing you are come the more hast shall be made and euery thing will be ready quickly Zeppa sitting downe vpon the Chest wherein Spinelloccio lay not a little affrighted speaking stil aloud as formerly he did Come hither Wife quoth he how shall we do for some good companie to dine with vs Mine honest kinde neighbour Spinelloccio is not at home because he dineth forth to day with a deare friend of his by which meanes his wife is left at home alone giue her a call out at our Window and desire her to come dine with vs for we two can make no merry Musicke except some more come to fill vp the consort His Wife being very timorous yet diligent to doe whatsoeuer he commanded so preuailed with the Wife of Spinelloccio that she came to them quickely and so much the rather because her Husband dined abroad Shee being come vp into the Chamber Zeppa gaue her most kinde entertainment taking her gently by the hand and winking on his Wife that she should betake her selfe to the kitchin to see dinner speedily prepared while he sat conuersing with his neighbour in the Chamber His wife being gone he shut the doore after her which the new-come Neighbour perceyuing she sayde Our blessed Lady defend me Zeppa What is your meaning in this Haue you caused me to come hither to this in tent Is this the loue you beare to Spinelloccio and your professed loyalty in friendshippe Zeppa seating her downe on the Chest wherein her Husband was inclosed entreating her patience thus began Kinde and louing Neighbor before you aduenture too farre in anger vouchsafe to heare what I shall tell you I haue loued and still doe loue Spinelloccio as my brother but yesterday albeit he knoweth it not I found the honest trust I reposed in him deserued no other or better recompence but euen to be bold with my wife in the selfesame manner as I am and as hee ought to do with none but you Now in regard of the loue which I beare him I intend to be no otherwise reuenged on him but in the same kinde as the offence was committed He hath bin more then familiar with my wife I must borrow the selfe-same courtesie of you which in equity you cannot deny mee weighing the wrong you haue sustained by my wife Our iniuries are alike in your Husband to me and in my wife to you let then their punishment and ours be alike also as they so we for in this case there can be no iuster reuenge The Woman hearing this and perceiuing the manifolde confirmations thereof protested on solemne oath by Zeppa hir beliefe grew setled and thus she answered My louing neighbor Zeppa seeing this kinde of reuenge is in meere iustice imposed on mee and ordained as a due scourge as well to the breach of friendship and neighbour-hood as abuse of his true and loyall wife I am the more willing to consent alwaies prouided that it be no imbarrement of loue betweene your wife and mee
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
more then matter of mirth I presume the bodlier to report another Nouell of him beside them already past And were I willing to conceale the truth and cloath it in more circumstantiall maner I could make vse of contrary names and paint it in a poeticall fiction perhaps more probable though not so pleasing But because wandring from the truth of things doth much diminish in relation the delight of the hearers I will build boldly on my fore-alledged reason and tel you truly how it hapned Niccholao Cornacchini was once a Citizen of ours and a man of great wealth who among other his rich possessions in Camerata builded there a very goodly house which being perfected ready for painting he compounded with Bruno and Buffalmaco who bicause their worke required more helpe then their owne they drew Nello and Calandrino into their association and began to proceed in their businesse And because there was a Chamber or two hauing olde moueables in them as Bedding Tables and other Housholdstuffe beside which were in the custody of an old Woman that kepte the house without the helpe of any other seruants else a Son vnto the saide Niccholao beeing named Phillippo resorted thither diuers times with one or other prety Damosell in his company in regard he was vnmarried where he would abide a day or two with her then conuey her home againe At one time among the rest it chanced that he brought a Damosell thither named Nicholetta who was maintained by a wily companion called Magione in a dwelling which hee had at Camaldoli and indeed no honester then she should be She was a very beautifull young woman wearing garments of great value and according to her quality well spoken and of commendable carriage Comming forth of her Chamber one day couered with a White veyle because her haire hung loose about her which shee went to wash at a Well in the middle Court bathing there also her face and hands Calandrino going by chance to the same Well for water gaue her a secret salutation She kindly returning the like courtesie to him began to obserue him aduisedly more because he looked like a man newly come thither then any handsomnesse she perceyued in him Calandrino threw wanton glances at her and seeing she was both faire and louely began to finde some occasion of tarrying so that he returned not with water to his other associates yet neither knowing her or daring to deliuer one word She who was not to learn her lesson in alluring noting what affectionate regards with bashfulnesse he gaue her answered him more boldly with the like but meerly in scorning manner breathing forth diuers dissembled sighs among them so that Calandrino became foolishly inueigled with her loue and would not depart out of the Court vntill Phillippo standing aboue in his Chamber window called her thence When Calandrino was returned backe to his businesse he could do nothing else but shake the head sigh puffe and blowe which being obserued by Bruno who alwayes sitted him according to his folly as making a meer mockery of his very best behauiour sodainly he said Why how now Calandrino Sigh pusse blow man What may be the reason of these vnwonted qualities Calandrino immediately answered saying My friendly Companion Bruno if I had one to lend me a little helpe I should very quickely become well enough How quoth Bruno doth any thing offend thee and wilt thou not reueale it to thy friends Deare Bruno said Calandrino there is a proper handsome woman here in the house the goodliest creature that euery any eye beheld much fairer then the Queen of Fairies her selfe who is so deeply falne in loue with mee as thou wouldst thinke it no lesse then a wonder and yet I neuer sawe her before till yet while when I was sent to fetch water A very strange case answerâ—d Bruno take heede Calandrino that shee bee not the louely friend to Phillippo our yong Master for then it may proue a dangerous matter Calandrino stood scratching his head an indifferent while and then sodainly replyed thus Now trust me Bruno it is to bee doubted because he called her at his Window and she immediatly went vp to his Chamber But what doe I care if it be so Haue not the Gods themselues bene beguiled of their Wenches who were better men then euer Phillippo can be and shall I stand in feare of him Bruno replied Be patient Calandrino I will enquire what Woman she is and if she be not the wife or friend to our young master Phillippo with faire perswasions I can ouer-rule the matter because shee is a familiar acquaintance of mine But how shall wee doe that Buffalmaco may not know heereof I can neuer speake to her if hee be in my company For Buffalmaco quoth Calandrino I haue no feare of all but rather of Nello because he is a neer Kinsman to my wife and he is able to vndo me quite if once it should come to his hearing Thou saist well replyed Bruno therefore the matter hath neede to be very cleanly carried Now let me tell you the Woman was well enough knowne to Bruno as also her quality of life which Phillippo had acquainted him withall and the reason of her resorting thither Wherefore Calandrino going forth of the roome where they wrought onely to gaine another sight of Nicholetta Bruno reuealed the whole history to Buffalmaco and Nello they all concluding together how this amorous fit of the foole was to be followed And when Calandrino was returned backe againe in whispering maner Bruno said to him Hast thou once more seene her Yes yes Bruno answered Calandrino Alas she hath slaine me with her very eye and I am no better then a dead man Be patient said Bruno I will goe and see whether she be the same woman which I take her for or no and if it proue so then neuer feare but refer the businesse vnto me Bruno descending downe the staires found Phillippo and Nicholetta in conference together and stepping vnto them discoursed at large what manner of man Calandrino was and how farre he was falne in loue with her so that they made a merry conclusion what should be performed in this case onely to make a pastime of his â—ot begun loue And being come backe againe to Calandrino he saide It is the same woman whereof I told thee and therefore wee must worke wisely in the businesse for if Phillippo perceiue any thing all the water in Arno will hardly serue to quench his fury But what wouldst thou haue me say to her on thy behalfe if I compasse the meanes to speake with her First of all quoth Calandrino and in the prime place tell her that I wish infiâ—ite bushels of those blessings which makes Maides Mothers and begetteth children Next that I am onely hers in any seruice she wil command me Dooest thou vnderstand me what I say Sufficiently answered Bruno leaue all to me When supper time was come that they gaue ouer working
if thou canst but touch her with this sacred Charractred charme she will immediately follow thee and fulfil whatsoeuer thou pleasest to command hir Wherefore if Phillippo do this day walke any whither abroad from this house presume to salute her in any manner whatsoeuer it be touching her with the written lines go presently to the barn of hay which thou perceiuest so neere adioyning the onely conuenient place that can be because few or none resort thither She shall in despight of her blood follow thee and when thou hast her there I leaue thee then to thy valiant victory Calandrino stood on tiptoe like a man newly molded by Fortune and warranted Bruno to fulfil all effectually Nello whom Calandrino most of all feared and mistrusted had a hand as deepe as any of the rest in this deceite and was as forward also to haue it performed by Brunoes direction hee went vnto Florence where being in company with Calandrinoes Wife thus hee began Cousine thine vnkinde vsage by thine husband is not vnknown to me how he did beate thee beyond the compasse of all reason when he brought home stones from the plain of Mugnone in which regard I am very desirous to haue thee reuenged on him which if thou wilt not do neuer repute me heereafter for thy Kinsman and Friend He is falne in loue with a Woman of the common gender one that is to be hired for money he hath his priuate meetings with her and the place is partly knowne to me as by a secret appointment made very lately I am credibly giuen to vnderstand wherefore walke presently along with me and thou shalt take him in the heat of his knauery All the while as these words were vttering to her shee could not dissemble her inward impatience but starting vp as halfe franticke with fury she said O notorious villaine Darest thou abuse thine honest wife so basely I sweare by blessed Saint Bridgeâ— thou shalt be paid with coyne of thiâ—â— ownestampe So casting a light wearing Cloake about her and taking a yong woman in her company shee went away with Nellâ— in no meane haste Bruno seeing her comming a farre off said to Phillippo You Sir you know what is to be done act your part according to your appointment Phillippo went immediately into the roome where Calandrino and his other Consorts were at worke and said to them Honest friends I haue certaine occasions which command mine instant being at Florence worke hard while I am absent and I will not be vnthankefull for it Away hee departed from them and hid himselfe in a conuenient place where he could not be descryed yet see whatsoeuer Calandrino did who when he imagined Phillippo to be farre enough off descended downe into the Court where he found Nicholetta sitting alone and going towards her began to enter into discoursing with her She knowing what remained to bee done on her behalfe drew somewhat neere him and shewed her selfe more familiar then formerly she had done by which fauourable meanes he touched her with the charmed Parchment whibh was no sooner done but with out vsing any other kinde of language hee went to the hay-Barne whither Nicholletta followed him and both being entred he closed the Barne doore and then stood gazing on her as if hee had neuer seene her before Standing stil as in a study or bethinking himselfe what he should say she began to vse affable gesture to him and taking him by the hand made shew as if shee meant to kisse him which yet she reframed though he rather then his life would gladly haue had it Why how now deare Calandrino quoth she iewell of my ioy comfort of my heart how many times haue I longed for thy sweet Company And enioying it now according to mine owne desire dost thou stand like a Statue or man alla morte The rare tunes of the Gitterne but much more the melodious accents of thy voyce excelling Orpheus or Amphion so rauished my soule as I know not how to expresse the depth of mine affection and yet hast thou brought me hither onely to looke babies in mine eyes and not so much as speake one kinde word to me Bruno and Buffalmaco hauing hid themselues close behinde Philippo they both heard and saw all this amourous conflict and as Calandrino was quickning his courage and wiping his mouth with intent to kisse her his wife and Nello entred into the Barne which caused Nicholetta to get her gone presently sheltring her self where Philippo lay scouting But the enraged woman ranne furiously vpon poore daunted Calandrino making such a pitiful massacre with her nailes and tearing the haire from his head as hee meerely looked like an infected Anatomy Fowle loathsome dog quoth she must you be at your minions and leaue mee hunger-starued at home An olde knaue with almost neuer a good tooth in thy head and yet art thou neighing after young wenches hast thou not worke enough at home but must bee gadding in to other mens grounds Are these the fruites of wandring abroad Calandrino being in this pittifull perplexity stood like one neither aliue nor dead nor daring to vse any resistance against her but fell on his knees before his Wife holding vp his hands for mercy and entreating her for charities sake not to torment him any more for he had committed no harme at all and the Gentlewoman was his Masters Wife who came with no such intent thither as shee fondly imagined Wife or wife not quoth she I would haue none to meddle with my Husband but I that haue the most right to him Bruno and Buffalmaco who had laughed all this while heartily at this pastime with Phillippo and Nicholetta came running in haste to know the reason of this loude noise and after they had pacified the woman with gentle perswasions they aduised Calandrino to walke with his Wife to Florence and returne no more to worke there againe least Phillippo hearing what had hapned should be reuenged on him with some outrage Thus poore Calandrino miserably misused and beaten went home to Florence with his Wife scoulded and raild at all the way beside his other molestations day and night afterward his Companions Phillippo and Nicholetta making themselues merry at his mis-fortune Two yong Gentlemen the one named Panuccio and the other Adriano lodged one night in a poore Inne where one of them went to bed to the Hostes Daughter and the other by mistaking his way in the darke to the Hostes Wife He which lay with the daughter happened afterward to the Hostes bed and told him what he had done as thinking he spake to his owne companyon Discontentment growiug betweene them the Mother perceiuing her errour went to bed to her daughter and with discreete language made a generall pacification The Sixt Nouell Wherein is manifested that an offence committed ignorantly and by mistaking ought to be couered with good aduise and ciuill discretion CAlandrino whose mishaps had so many times made the whole assembly merry
and this last passing among them with indifferent commendations vpon a generall silence commanded the Queene gaue order to Pamphilus that hee should follow next as indeed he did beginning thus Praise-worthy Ladies the name of Nicoletta so fondly affected by Calandrino putteth mee in minde of a Nouell concerning another Nicoletta of whom I purpose to speake to the ende you may obserue how by a sudden wary fore-sight a discreet woman compassed the meanes to auoyde a notorious scandall On the plaine of Mugnone neere to Florence dwelt not long since an honest meane man who kept a poore Inne or Ostery for trauellers where they might haue some slender entertainement for their money As he was but a poore man so his house affoorded but very small receit of guests not lodging any but on necessity and such as he had some knowledge of This honest poore hoste had a woman sufficiently faire to his wife by whom hee had also two children the one a comely young maiden aged about fifteene yeares and the other a sonne not fully as yet a yeare old and sucking on the mothers brest A comely youthfull Gentleman of our City became amorously affected to the Damosell resorting thither diuers times as hee trauelled on the way to expresse how much he did respect her And she accounting her fortune none of the meanest to bee beloued by so youthfull a Gallant declared such vertuous and modest demeanour as might deserue his best opinion of her so that their loue grew to an equall simpathy and mutuall contentment of them both in expectation of further effects he being named Panuccio and she Nicholletta The heate of affection thus encreasing day by day Panuccio grew exceedingly desirous to enioy the fruits of his long continued liking and diuers deuises mustred in his braine how he might compasse one nights lodging in her fathers house whereof hee knew euery part and parcell as not doubting to effect what hee desired yet vndiscouered by any but the maide her selfe According as his intention aymed so he longed to put it in execution and hauing imparted his mind to an honest loyall friend named Adriano who was acquainted with the course of his loue hyring two horses and hauing Portmantues behind them filled with matters of no moment they departed from Florence as if they had some great iourney to ride Hauing spent the day time where themselues best pleased darke night being entred they arriued on the plaine of Mugnone where as if they were come from the parts of Romanio they rode directly to this poore Inne and knocking at the doore the honest Hoste being familiar and friendly to all commers opened the doore when Panuccio spake in this manner to him Good man we must request one nights lodging with you for we thought to haue reached so farre as Florence but dark night preuenting vs you see at what a late houre wee are come hither Signior Panuccio answered the hoste it is not vnknowne to you how vnfiting my poore house is for entertaining such guests as you are Neuerthelesse seeing you are ouertaken by so vnseasonable an houre and no other place is neere for your receite I will gladly lodge you so well as I can When they were dismounted from their horses and entred into the simple Inne hauing taken order for feeding their horses they accepted such prouision as the place and time afforded requesting the Hoste to suppe with them Now I am to tell you that there was but one small Chamber in the house wherin stood three beds as best the Hoste had deuised to place them two of them standing by the walles side and the third fronting them both but with such close and narrow passage as very hardly could one step betweene them The best of these three beds was appointed for the Gentlemen and therein they l lay them down to rest but sleepe they could not albeit they dissembled it very formally In the second Bed was Nicholetta the daughter lodged by her selfe and the father and mother in the third and because she was to giue the child sucke in the night time the Cradle wherein it lay stood close by their beds side because the childes crying or any other occasion concerning it should not disquiet the Gentlemen Panuccio hauing subtily obserued all this and in what manner they went to bed after such a space of time as he imagined them to be all fast asleepe he arose very softly and stealing to the bed of Nicholetta lay downe gently by her And albeit she seemed somewhat afraid at the first yet when she perceiued who it was shee rather bad him welcome then shewed her selfe any way discontented Now while Panuccio continued thus with the maide it fortuned that a Cat threw down somewhat in the house the noise wherof awaked the wife and fearing greater harme then indeed had hapned she arose without a Candle and went groping in the darke towards the place where shee heard the noyse Adriano who had no other meaning but well found occasion also to rise about some naturall necessity and making his passage in the darke stumbled on the childes Cradle in the way where the woman had set it and being vnable to passe by without remouing it from the place tooke and set it by his owne beds side and hauing done the businesse for which he rose returned to his bed againe neuer remembring to set the Cradle where first he found it The Wife hauing found the thing throwne downe being of no value or moment cared not for lighting any candle but rating the Cat returned backe feeling for the bed where her Husband lay but finding not the Cradle there she said to her selfe What a foolish woman am I that cannot well tell my selfe what I doe Instead of my Husbands bed I am going to both my guests So stepping on a little further she found the childes Cradle and laid her selfe downe by Adriano thinking shee had gone right to her Husband Adriano being not yet falne asleepe feeling the hostesse in bed with him tooke aduantage of so faire an occasion offered and what he did is no businesse of mine as I heard neither found the woman any fault Matters comming to passe in this strange manner and Panuccio fearing lest sleepe seazing on him he might disgrace the maides reputation taking his kinde farewell of her with many kisses and sweet imbraces returned againe to his owne Bed but meeting with the Cradle in his way and thinking it stood by the hostes Bed as truely it did so at the first went backe from the Cradle and stept into the hostes Bed indeed who awaked vpon his very entrance albeit he slept very soundly before Panuccio supposing that he was laid downe by his louing friend Adriano merrily said to the Hoste I protest to thee as I am a Gentleman Nicholetta is a dainty delicate wench and worthy to be a very good mans wife this night shee hath giuen mee the sweetest entertainement as the best Prince in the
in the City of Laiazzo and the other Giosefo of Antioche trauailed together vnto Salomon the famous King of Great Britaine The one desiring to learne what he should do whereby to compasse and winne the loue of men The other craued to be enstructed by what meanes hee might reclaime an headstrong and vnruly wife And what answeres the wise King gaue vnto them both before they departed away from him The Ninth Nouell Containing an excellent admonition that such as couet to haue the loue of other men must first learne themselues how to loue Also by what meanes such women as are curst and self-willed may be reduced to ciuill obedience VPon the conclusion of Madame Laurettaes Nouell none now remained to succeede next in order but onely the Queene her selfe the priuiledge reserued granted to Dioneus wherefore after they had all smiled at the folly of Blondello with a chearfull countenance thus the Queene began Honourable Ladies if with aduised iudgement we do duly consider the order of all things we shall very easily perceyue That the whole vniuersall multiplicitie of Women by Nature custome and lawes are ought to be subiect to men yea and to be gouernd by their discretion Because euery one desiring to enioy peace repose and comfort with them vnder whose charge they are ought to be humble patient and obedient ouer and beside her spotlesse honesty which is the crowne and honour of euery good woman And although those lawes which respect the common good of all things or rather vse custome as our wonted saying is the powers wherof are very great and worthy to be reuerenced should not make vs wise in this case Yet Nature hath giuen vs a sufficient demonstration in creating our bodies more soft and delicate yea and our hearts timorous fearefull benigne and compassionable our strength feeble our voyces pleasing and the motion of our members sweetly plyant all which are apparant testimonies that wee haue neede of others gouernment Now it is not to be denyed that whosoeuer hath need of helpe and is to bee gouerned meerely reason commandeth that they should bee subiect and obedient to their gouernour Who then should we haue for our helps and gouernours if not men Wherfore we should be intirely subiect to them in giuing them due honour and reuerence and such a one as shall depart from this rule she in mine opinion is not onely worthy of grieuous reprehension but also seuere chastisement beside And to this exact consideration ouer and aboue diuers other important reasons I am the rather induced by the Nouel which Madame Pampinea so lately reported concerning the froward and wilfull wife of Talano who had a heauier punishment inflicted on her then her Husband could deuise to doe And therefore it is my peremptory sentence that all such women as will not be gracious benigne and pleasing doe iustly deserue as I haue already said rude rough and harsh handling as both nature custome and lawes haue commanded To make good what I haue said I wil declare vnto you the counsell aduise giuen by Salomon the wise and famous King of Great Britaine as a most wholesome and soueraigne medicine for the cure of such a dangerous disease in any woman so fouly infected Which counsel notwithstanding all such women as haue no need of this Phisicke I would not haue them to imagine that it was meant for them albeit men haue a common Prouerbe to wit As the good horse and bad horse doe both need the spurre So a good wife and bad wife a wand will make stirre Which saying whosoeuer doth interpret ioin such pleasing manner as they ought shal find it as you al wil affirm no lesse to be very true especially in the morall meaning it is beyond all contradiction Women are naturally all vnstable and easily enclining to misgouernment wherefore to correct the iniquity of such a distemperature in them that out-step the tearmes and bounds of womanhood a wand hath been allowed for especiall phisicke As in the like manner for support of vertue in those of contrary condition shaming to be sullyed with so grosse a sinne the correcting Wand may serue as a walking staffe to protect them from all other feares But forbearing to teach any longer let mee proceed to my purpose and tell you my Nouell In those ancient and reuerend dayes wherof I am now to speake the high renowne and admirable wisedome of Salomon King of Great Brittain was most famous throughout all parts of the world for answering all doubtfull questions and demaunds whatsoeuer that possibly could be propounded to him So that many resorted to him from the most remote and furthest off countreyes to heare his miraculous knowledge and experience yea and to craue his counsell in matters of greatest importance Among the rest of them which repaired thither was a rich yong Gentleman honourably descended named Melisso who came from the City of Laiazzo where he was both borne and dwelt In his riding towards France as he passed by Naples hee ouertooke another yong Gentleman a natiue of Antioch and named Giosefo whose iourney lay the same way as the others did Hauing ridden in company some few dayes together as it is a custome commonly obserued among Trauellers to vnderstand one anothers Countrey and condition as also to what part his occasions call him so happened it with them Giosefo directly telling him that he iourneyed towards the wise King Salomon to desire his aduise what meanes he should obserue in the reclaiming of a wilfull wife the most froward and selfe-willed woman that euer liued whom neither faire perswasions nor gentle courtesies could in any manner preuaile withall Afterward he demaunded of Melisso to know the occasion of his trauell and whither Now trust me Sir answered Melisso I am a natiue of Laiazzo and as you are vexed with one great mis-fortune euen so am I offended with another I am young wealthy well deriued by birth and allow liberall expences for maintaining a worthy table in my house without distinguishing persons by their rancke and quality but make it free for all commers both of the city all places els Notwithstanding all which bounty and houourable entertainement I cannot meet with any man that loueth me In which respect I iourney to the same place as you doe to craue the counsell of so wise a King what I should doe whereby I might procure men to loue me Thus like two well-met friendly companions they rode on together vntill they arriued in Great Britaine where by meanes of the Noble Barons attending on the King they were brought before him Melisso deliuered his minde in very few words whereto the King made no other answere but this Learne to loue Which was no sooner spoken but Melisso was dismissed from the Kings presence Giosefo also relating wherefore he came thither the King replyed onely thus Goe to the Goose Bridge and presently Giosefo had also his dismission from the King Comming forth he found Melisso
feete gaue them all the apt names for those parts belonging to a Mule nothing else remaining but onely the forming of the taile which when Pietro perceiued how Iohn was preparing to fasten it on hauing no way misliked all his former proceeding he called to him saying Forbeare Gossippe Iohn my Mule shal haue no taile at all I am contented to haue her without a taile How now Gossip Pietro answered Iohn What hast thou done Thou hast mard all by this vnaduised speaking euen when the worke was almost fully finished It is no matter Gossip answered Pietro I can like my Mule better without a taile then to see it set on in such manner The fond yong woman more couetously addicted to gayne and commodity then looking into the knauish intention of her Gossip Iohn began to grow greatly offended Beast as thou art quoth she to her Husband why hast thou ouerthrowne both thine own good Fortune and mine Diddest thou euer see a Mule without a taile Wouldst thou haue had him made me a monster Thou art wretchedly poore and when we might haue bin enriched for euer by a secret knowne to none but our selues thou art the Asse that hast defeated all and made thy friend to become thine enemy Gossippe Iohn began to pacifie the woman with solemne protestations of his still continuing friendship albeit afterwards there was no further desiring of any more Mule-making but Gossip Pietro fel to his former Trading onely with his Asse as he was no lesse himselfe and hee went no more with Gossip Iohn to the Faires in Apuglia neyther did he euer request to haue the like peece of seruice done for him ALthough there was much laughing at this Nouell the Ladies vnderstanding it better then Dioneus intended that they should haue done yet himselfe scarsely smiled But the Nouels being all ended and the Sunne beginning to loose his heate the Queene also knowing that the full period of her gouernment was come dispossessing herselfe of the Crowne shee placed it on the head of Pamphilus who was the last of all to be honoured with this dignity wherefore with a gracious smile thus she spake to him Sir it is no meane charge which you are to vndergo in making amends perhaps for all the faults committed by my selfe and the rest who haue gone before you in the same authority and may it proue as prosperous vnto you as I was willing to create you our King Pamphilus hauing receiued the Honor with a chearfull mind thus answered Madam your sacred vertues and those beside remaining in my other Subiects will no doubt worke so effectually for me that as the rest haue done I shall deserue your generall good opinion And hauing giuen order to the Master of the Houshold as all his predecessors had formerly done for euery necessary occasion he turned to the Ladies who expected his gracious fauour and said Bright Beauties it was the discretion of your late Soueraigne Queene in regard of ease and recreation vnto your tyred spirits to grant you free liberty for discoursing on whatsoeuer your selues best pleased wherefore hauing enioyed such a time of rest I am of opinion that it is best to returne once more to our wonted Law in which respect I would haue euery one to speake in this manner to morrow Namely of those men or women who haue done any thing bountifully or magnificently either in matter of amity or otherwise The relation of such worthy arguments will doubtlesse giue an addition to our very best desires for a free and forward inclination to good actions whereby our liues how short soeuer they bee may perpetuate an euer-liuing renowne and fame after our mortall bodies are conuerted into dust which otherwise are no better then those of bruite beasts reason onely distinguishing this difference that as they liue to perish vtterly so we respire to reigne in eternity The Theame was exceedingly pleasing to the whole Company who being all risen by permission of the new King euery one fel to their wonted recreations as best agreed with their owne disposition vntill the houre for Supper came wherein they were serued very sumptuously But being risen from the Table they began their dances among which many sweet Sonnets were enterlaced with such delicate Tunes as moued admiration Then the King commanded Madam Neiphila to sing a song in his name or how her selfe stood best affected And immediatly with a cleare and rare voice thus she began THE SONG The Chorus sung by all the Companie IN the Spring season Maides haue best reason To dance and sing With Chaplets of Flowers To decke vp their Bowers And all in honour of the Spring I Heard a Nimph that sate alone By a Fountaines side Much her hard Fortune to bemone For still she cride Ah! Who will pitty her distresse That findes no foe like ficklenesse For truth liues not in men Poore soule why liue I then In the Spring season c. Oh How can mighty Loue permit Such a faithlesse deed And not in iustice punish it As treasons meed I am vndone through periury Although I loued constantly But truth liues not in men Poore soule why liue I then In the Spring season c. When I did follow Dyans traine As a loyall Maide I neuer felt oppressing paine Nor was dismaide But when I listened Loues alluring Then I wandred from assuring For truth liues not in men Poore soule why liue I then In the Spring season c. Adiew to all my former ioyes When I liued at case And welcome now those sad annoies Which do most displease And let none pitty her distresse That fell not but by ficklenesse For truth liues not in men Alas why liue I then IN the Spring season Maides haue best reason To dance and sing With Chaplets of Flowers To decke vp their Bowers And all in honour of the Spring This Song most sweetly sung by Madame Neiphila was especially commended both by the King all the rest of the Ladies Which being fully finished the King gaue order that euerie one should repaire to their Chambers because a great part of the night was already spent The end of the Ninth Day THE Tenth and last Day Whereon vnder the Gouernment of Pamphilus the seuerall Arguments do concerne such persons as either by way of Liberality or in Magnificent manner performed any worthy action for loue fauour friendship or any other honourable occasion The Induction ALready began certaine small Clouds in the West to blush with a Vermillion tincture when those in the East hauing reached to their full heighth looked like bright burnished Gold by splendour of the Sun beames drawing neere vnto them when Pamphilus being risen caused the Ladies and the rest of his honourable companions to be called When they were all assembled and had concluded together on the place whither they should walke for their mornings recreation the King ledde on the way before accompanied with the two Noble Ladies Philomena and Fiammetta all the
Arragon being then become Lord of that Kingdom he made an admirable Feast Royall at Palermo accompanyed with his Lords and Barons In honour of which publique Feast the King kept a triumphall day of Iusts and Turnament at Catalana and whereat it chanced that the Daughter of Bernardo named Lisana was present Being in a window accompanied with other Gentlewomen she saw the King runne at the Tilt who seemed so goodly a person in her eye that being neuer satisfied with beholding him she grew enamoured and fell into extremity of affection towards him When the Feastiuall was ended she dwelling in the house of her Father it was impossible for her to thinke on any thing else but onely the loue which she had fixed on a person of such height And that which most tormented her in this case was the knowledge of her owne condition being but meane and humble in degree whereby she confessed that she could not hope for any successefull issue of her proud loue Neuerthelesse she would not refraine from affecting the King who taking no note of this kindnesse in her by any perceiuable meanes must needs be the more regardles which procured by wary obseruation her afflictions to be the greater and intollerable Whereon it came to passe that this earnest loue encreasing in her more and more and one melancholly conceit taking hold on another the faire Maide when she could beare the burden of her griefe no longer fell into a languishing sickenesse consuming away daily by euident appearance euen as the Snow melteth by the warme beames of the Sunne The Father and Mother much dismayed and displeased at this haplesse accident applying her with continuall comforts Phisicke and the best skill remayning in all the Phisitions sought all possible meanes wayes to giue her succour but all proued to no effect because in regard of her choyce which could sort to none other then a desper ate end she was desirous to liue no longer Now it fortuned that her parents offering her whatsoeuer remained in their power to performe a sudden apprehension entred her minde to wit that if it might possible be done before she dyed she would first haue the King to know in what manner she stood affected to him Wherefore one day she entreated her Father that a Gentleman named Manutio de Arezza might be permitted to come see her This Manutio was in those times held to be a most excellent Musitian both for his voyce in singing and exquisite skill in playing on Instruments for which he was highly in fauour with King Piero who made almost daily vse of him to heare him both sing and play Her tender and louing father conceiued immediately that shee was desirous to heare his playing and singing both being comfortable to a body in a languishing sickenesse whereupon he sent presently for the Gentleman who came accordingly and after he had comforted Lisana with kind and courteous speeches he played dexteriously on his Lute which purposely hee had brought with him and likewise he sung diuers excellent Ditties which insted of his intended consolation to the Maid did nothing else but encrease her fire and flame Afterward she requested to haue some conference with Manutio alone and euery one being gone forth of the Chamber she spake vnto him in this manner Manutio I haue made choyce of thee to be the faithfull Guardian of an especial secret hoping first of al that thou wilt neuer reueale it to any liuing body but onely to him whom I shall bid thee And nâ—xt to helpe me so much as possibly thou canst because my onely hope relyeth in thee Know then my dearest friend Manutio that on the solemne festiuall day when our Soueraigne Lord the King honoured his exaltation with the noble exercises of Tilt and Turney his braue behauiour kindled such a sparke in my soule as since brake forth into a violent flame and brought me to this weake condition as now thou seest But knowing and confessing how farre vnbeseeming my loue is to aime so ambitiously at a King and being vnable to controule it or in the least manner to diminish it I haue made choyce of the onely and best remedy of all namely to dye and so I am most willing to doe True it is that I shall trauaile in this my latest iourney with endlesse torment and affliction of soule except he haue some vnderstanding thereof before and not knowing by whom to giue him intelligence in so oft and conuenient order as by thee I doe therefore commit this last office of a friend to thy trust desiring thee not to refuse me in the performance thereof And when thou hast done it to let me vnderstand what he saith that I may dye the more contentedly and disburdened of so heauy an oppression the onely comfort to a parting spirit and so she ceased her teares flowing forth abundantly Manutio did not a little wonder at the Maides great spirit and her desperate resolution which moued him to exceeding commiseration and suddenly he conceiued that honectly he might discharge this duty for her whereupon he returned her this answer Lisana here I engage my faith to thee that thou shalt find me firme and constant and die I will rather then deceiue thee Greatly I doe commend thy high attempt in fixing thy affection on so Potent a King wherein I offer thee my vtmost assistance and I make no doubt if thou wouldest be of good comfort to deale in such sort as before three dayes are fully past to bring such newes as will content thee and because I am loath to loose the least time I will goe about it presently Lisana the yong Maiden once againe entreated his care and diligence promising to comfort her selfe so well as she could commending him to his good fortune When Manutio was gone from her hee went to a Gentleman named Mico de Sienna one of the best Poets in the composing of verses as all those parts yeelded not the like At his request Mico made for him this ensuing Dittie The Song sung in the hearing of King Piero on the behalfe of Loue-sicke Lisana Goe Loue and tell the torments I endure Say to my Soueraigne Lord that I must die Except he come some comfort to procure For tell I may not what I feele and why WIth heaued hands Great Loue I call to thee Goe see my Soueraigne where he doth abide And say to him in what extremity Thou hast for him my firm affection tryed To die for him it is my sole desire For liue with him I may not nor a spire To haue my fortunes thereby dignified Onely his sight would lend me life a while Grant it great loue mine anguish to beguile Goe loue and tell the torments c. Since the first houre that loue enthralled me I neuer had the heart to tell my griefe My thoughts did speake for thoughts be alwayes free Yet hopefull thoughts doe find but poore reliefe When Gnats will mount to Eagles in the ayre Alas
being admitted into their company they expressed themselues very gracious to her Soone after the King and the Queene cald Lisana and the King spake in this manner to her Faire Virgin the extraordinary loue which you bare to vs calleth for as great honour from vs to you in which respect it is our Royall desire by one meanes or other to requite your kinde Loue. In our opinion the chiest honour we can extend to you is that being of sufficient yeares for marriage you would grace vs so much as to accept him for your Husband whom we intend to bestow on you Beside this further grant from vs that nowithstanding whatsoeuer else you shall call vs your Knight without coueting any thing else from you for so great fauour but only one kisse and thinke not to bestow it nicely on a King but grant it the rather because he begges it Lisana whose lookes were dyed with a vermillian tincture or rather conuerted into a pure maiden blush reputing the Kings desire to be her owne in a low and humbled voyce thus answered My Lord most certaine am I that if it had beene publikely knowne how none but your highnes might serue for me to fixe my loue on I should haue been termed the foole of all fooles they perhaps beleeuing that I was forgetfull of my selfe in being ignorant of mine owne condition and much lesse of yours But the Gods are my witnesses because they know the secrets of all hearts that euen in the very instant when Loues fire tooke hold on my yeelding affection I knew you to be a King and my selfe the daughter of poore Bernardo the Apothecary likewise how farre vnfitting it was for me to be so ambitious in my loues presuming But I am sure your Maiestie doth know much better then I am able to expresse that no one becommeth amourous according to the duty of election but as the appetite shapeth his course against whose lawes my strength made many resistances which not preuailing I presumed to loue did and so for euer shall doe your Maiestie Now Royall Soueraigne I must needes confesse that so soone as I felt my selfe thus wholly conquered by louing you I resolued for euer after to make your will mine owne and therefore am not onely willing to accept him for my Husband whom you shall please to appoint befitting my honor and degree but if you will haue me to liue in a flaming fire my obedience shall sacrifice it selfe to your will with the absolute conformity of mine owne To stile you by the name of my Knight whom I know to be my lawfull King and Soueraigne you are not ignorant how farre vnfitting a word that were for me to vse As also the kisse which you request in requitall of my loue to you to these two I wil neuer giue consent without the Queenes most gracious fauour and license first granted Neuerthelesse for such admirable benignity vsed to me both by your Royall selfe and your vertuous Queene heauen shower downe all boundlesse graces on you both for it exceedeth all merit in me and so she ceased speaking in most dutifull manner The answer of Lisana pleased the Queene exceedingly in finding her to be so wise and faire as the King himself had before informed her who instantly called for her Father and Mother and knowing they would be well pleased with whatsoeuer he did he called for a proper yong Gentleman but somewhat poore being named Perdicano and putting certaine Rings into his hand which he refused not to receiue caused him there to espouse Lisana To whome the King gaue immediately besides Chaines and Iewels of inestimable valew deliuered by the Queene to the Bride Ceffala and Calatabelotta two great territories abounding in diuers wealthy possessions saying to Perdicano These wee giue thee as a dowry in marriage with this beautifull Maid and greater gifts we will bestow on thee hereafter as we shal perceiue thy loue and kindnesse to her When he had ended these words hee turned to Lisana saying Heere doe I freely giue ouer all further fruits of your affection towards me thanking you for your former loue so taking her head betweene his hands he kissed her faire forhead which was the vsuall custome in those times Perdicano the Father and Mother of Lisana and she her selfe likewise extraordinarily ioyfull for this so fortunate a marriage returned humble and hearty thankes both to the King and Queene and as many credible Authors doe affirme the King kept his promise made to Lisana because so long as he liued he alwaies termed himselfe by the name of her Knight and in al actions of Chiualry by him vndertaken he neuer carried any other deuise but such as he receiued still from her By this and diuers other like worthy deeds not onely did he win the hearts of his subiects but gaue occasion to the whole world beside to renowne his fame to all succeeding posterity Whereto in these more wretched times of ours few or none bend the sway of their vnderstanding but rather how to bee cruell and tyrranous Lords and thereby win the hatred of their people Sophronia thinking her selfe to be the maried wife of Gisippus was indeed the wife of Titus Quintus Fuluius departed thence with him to Rome Within a while after Gisippus also came thither in very poore condition and thinking that he was despised by Titus grew weary of his life and confessed that he had murdred a man with ful intent to die for the fact But Titus taking knowledge of him and desiring to saue the life of Gisippus charged himself to haue done the bloody deed Which the murderer himself standing then among the multitude seeing truly confessed the deed By meanes whereof all three were deliuered by the Emperor Octauius and Titus gaue his Sister in mariage to Gisippus giuing them also the most part of his goods inheritances The eight Nouell Declaring that notwithstanding the frownes of Fortune diuersity of occurrences and contrary accidents happening yet loue and frendship ought to be preciously preserued among men BY this time Madam Philomena at command of the King Madam Pampinea ceasing prepared to follow next in order whereupon thus she began What is it Gracious Ladies that Kings cannot do if they list in matters of greatest importance and especially vnto such as most they should declare their magnificence He then that performeâ—h what he ought to do when it is within his owne power doth well But it is not so much to bee admired neither deserueth halfe the commendations as when one man doth good to another when least it is expected as being out of his power and yet performed In which respect because you haue so extolled king Piero as appearing not meanly meritorious in your iudgements I make no doubt but you will be much more pleased when the actions of our equals are duly considered and shal paralell any of the greatest Kings Wherefore I purpose to tell you a Nouel concerning an honorable curtesie
vnderstanding of the ignorant multitude and heerein wee shall giue way to them by preferring riches and worldly treasures then I can say that I am aboundantly prouided not as ambitious or greedily couetous but sufficiently stored with the goods of Fortune I know well enough that you held it as a desired benefit Gisippus being a Natiue of your Citie should also be linked to you by alliance but I know no reason why I should not be as neere and deere to you at Rome as if I liued with you heere Considering when I am there you haue a ready and well wishing friend to stead you in all beneficiall and seruiceable offices as carefull and prouident for your support yea a protectour of you and your affaires as well publique as particular Who is it then not transported with partiall affection that can in reason more approue your act then that which my friend Gisippus hath done Questionlesse not any one as I thinke Sophronia is married to Titus Quintus Fuluius a Noble Gentleman by antiquitie a rich Citizen of Rome and which is aboue all the friend of Gisippus therfore such a one as thinkes it strange is sorrie for it or would not haue it to be knoweth not what he doth Perhaps there may be some who will say they doe not so much complain that Sophronia is the wife to Titus but of the manner whereby it was done as being made his wife secretly and by theft not any of her parents kinred or friends called thereto no nor so much as aduertised thereof Why Gentlemen this is no miraculous thing but heeretofore hath oftentimes happened and therefore no noueltie I cannot count vnto you how many there haue beene who against the will of their Fathers haue made choice of their husbands nor them that haue fled away with their louers into strange Countries being first friends before they were wiues nor of them who haue sooner made testimonie of marriage by their bellies then those ceremonies due to matrimonie or publication thereof by the tongue so that meere necessity constraint hath forced the parents to yeeld consent which hath not so happened to Sophronia for shew was giuen to me by Gisippus discreetly honestly and orderly Others also may say that shee is married to him to whom it belonged no to marrie her These complaints are foolish and womanish proceeding from verie little or no consideration at all In these daies of ours Fortune makes no vse of nouell or inconsiderate meanes whereby to bring matters to their determined effect Why should it offend me if a Cobler rather than a Scholler hath ended a businesse of mine either in priuate or publique if the end be well made Well I may take order if the Cobler bee indiscreet that hee meddle no more with any matters of mine yet I ought in courtesie to thanke him for that which hee did In like mauner if Gisippus hath married Sophronia well it is foolish and superfluous to finde fault with the manner hee vsed in her marriage If you mislike his course in the case beware of him hereafter yet thanke him because it is no worse Neuerthelesse you are to vnderstand that I sought not by fraud or deceit but onely by witte any opportunitie whereby any way to sullie the honestie and cleere Nobilitie of your bloud in the person of Sophronia for although in secret I made her my wife yet I came not as an enemie to take her perforce nor like a rauisher wronged her virginitie to blemish your noble titles or despising your alliance But feruently enflamed by her bright beauty and incited also by her vnparalleld vertues I shaped my course knowing well enough that if I tooke the ordinarie way of wiuing by mouing the question to you I should neuer winne your consent as fearing lest I would take her with me to Rome and so conneigh out of your sight a Iewell by you so much esteemed as she is For this and no other reason did I presume to vse the secret cunning which now is openly made knowne vnto you and Gisippus disposed himselfe thereunto vvhich otherwise hee neuer determined to haue done in contracting the marriage for mee and shee consenting to me in his name Moreouer albeit most earnestly I affected her I sought to procure your vnion not like a louer but as a true husband nor would I immodestly touch her till first as her selfe can testifie with the words becomming wedlocke and the Ring also I espoused her demanding of her if shee would accept mee as her husband and shee answered mee with her full consent Wherein if it may seeme that shee was deceiued I am not any way to be blamed but she for not demanding what and who I was This then is the great euill the great offence and the great iniurie committed by my friend Gisippus and by mee as a Louer that Sophronia is secretly become the wife of Titus Quintus Fuluius And for this cause like spies you watch him threaten him daily as if you intended to teare him in pieces What could you doe more if hee had giuen her to a man of the very vilest condition to a villaine to a slaue VVhat prisons what fetters Or what torments are sufficient for this fact But leauing these friuolous matters let vs come to discourse of more moment and better beseeming your attention The time is come that I may no longer continue heere because Publius my Father is dead and I must needs returne to Rome wherefore being minded to take Sophronia thither with mee I was the more willing to acquaint you therewith as also what else I haue said which otherwise had still beene concealed from you Nor can you but take it in good part if you be wise and rest well contented with what is done considering if I had any intention eyther to deceiue or otherwise wrong you I could haue basely left her and made a scorne both of her and you you not hauing any power to stay mee heere But the Gods will neuer permitte that any couragious Romane should euer conceiue so vile and degenerate a thought Sophronia by ordination of the Gods by force of humane Lawes and by the laudable consent of my friend Gisippus as also the powerfull command of Loue is mine But you perchance imagining your selues to be wiser then the Gods or any other men whatsoeuer may thinke ill of it and more brutishly then beasts condemne their working in two kinds which would be offensiue to mee The one is your detaining of Sophronia from mee of whom you haue no power but what pleaseth mee The other is your bitter threatnings against Gisippus my deare friend to whom you are in duty obliged In both which cases how vnreasonablie soeuer you carrie your selues I intend not at this time to presse any further But rather let mee counsell you like a friend to cease your hatred and disdaine and suffer Sophronia to be deliuered mee that I may depart contentedly from you as a
kinsman and being absent remaine your friend assuring you that whether what is done shall please or displease you if you purpose to proceed any otherwise I will take Gisippus along with mee and when I come to Rome take such sure order to fetch her hence who in Iustice is mine euen in meere despight of you all and then you shall feele by sound experience how powerfull is the iust indignation of the wronged Romanes WHen Titus had thus concluded his Oration he arose with a sterne and discontented countenance and tooke Gisippus by the hand plainly declaring that he made small account of all the rest that were in the Temple and shaking his head at them rather menaced then any other wise seemed to care for them They which tarried when they were gone considering partly on the reasons alleadged by Titus and partly terrified by his latest speeches became induced to like well of his alliance and amitie as with common consent they concluded that it was much better to accept Titus as their kinsman seeing Gisippus had made manifest refusall thereof than to lose the kinred of the one and procure the hatred of the other Wherefore they went to seeke Titus and said vnto him they were very well contented that Sophronia should bee his Wife hee their deare and louing kinsman and Gisippus to remaine their much respected friend And embracing one another making a solemne feast such as in the like cases is necessarilie required they departed from him presently sending Sophronia to him who making a vertue of necessity conuerted her loue in short time after to Titus in as effectuall manner as formerly shee had done to Gisippus and so was sent away with him to Rome where she was receiued and welcommed with very great honour Gisippus remaining still at Athens in small regard of eyther theirs or his owne friends not long after by meanes of sundry troublesome Citizens and partialities happening among the common people was banished from Athens and hee as also all his familie condemned to perpetuall exile during which tempestuous time Gisippus was become not onely wretchedly poore but wandred abroad as a common begger in which miserable condition he trauelled to Rome to try if Titus would take any acknowledgement of him Vnderstanding that he was liuing and one most respected among the Romanes as being a great Commander and a Senator he enquired for the place where hee dwelt and going to be neere about his house stayed there so long till Titus came home yet not daring to manifest himselfe or speake a word to him in regard of his poore and miserable estate but stroue to haue him see him to the end that hee might acknowledge and call him by his name notwithstanding Titus passed by him without either speech or looking on him Which when Gisippus perceiued and making full account that at the least he would remember him in regard of former courtesies done to him confounded with griefe and desperate thoughts hee departed thence neuer meaning to see him any more Now in regard it was night he hauing eaten nothing all that day nor prouided of one penny to buy him any food wandred he knew not whether desiring rather to die than liue hee came at last to an old ruinous part of the City ouer-spred with briers and bushes and seldome resorted vnto by any where finding a hollow Caue or vault he entred into it meaning there to weare away the comfortlesse night and laying himselfe downe on the hard ground almost starke naked and without any warme garments ouer-wearied with weeping at last he fell into a sleepe It fortuned that two men who had beene abroad the same night committing thefts and robberies together somwhat very earlie in the morning came to the same Caue intending there to share and diuide their booties and difference happening betweene them about it hee that was the stronger person slew there the other and then went away with the whole purchase Gisippus hauing heard and seene the manner of this accident was not a little ioyfull because he had now found a way to death without laying any violent hand on himselfe for life being very loathsome to him it was his only desire to die Wherfore he would not budge from the place but taried there so long till the Sergeants and Officers of Iustice by information of him that did the deede came thither well attended and furiously ledde Gisippus thence to prison Being examined concerning this bloudy fact he plainly confessed that hee himselfe had committed the murder and afterward would not depart from the Caue but purposely stayed for apprehension as being truely toucht with compunction for so foule an offence vpon which peremptorie confession Marcus Varro being then Praetor gaue sentence that he should be crucified on a Crosse as it was the vsuall manner of death in those dayes Titus chancing to come at the same time into Praetorium aduisedly beholding the face of the condemned man as hee sate vpon the bench knew him to bee Gysippus not a little wondring at this strange accident the pouertie of his estate and what occasion should bring him thither especially in the questioning for his life and before the Tribunall of Iustice His soule earnestly thirsting by all possible meanes to helpe and defend him and no other course could now be taken for safetie of his life but by accusing himselfe to excuse and cleare the other of the crime hee stept from off the iudgement bench and crouding through the throng to the Barre called out to the Praetor in this manner Marcus Varro recall thy sentence giuen on the condemned man sent away because hee is truely guiltlesse and innocent With one bloudie blow haue I offended the Gods by killing that wretched man whom the Serieants found this morning slaine wherefore Noble Praetor let no innocent mans bloud be shed for it but onely mine that haue offended Marcus Varro stood like a man confounded with admiration being very sorrie for that which the whole assistants had both seene and heard yet hee could not with honour desist from what must needs be done but would performe the Lawes seuere iniunction And sending for condemned â—isippus backe againe in the presence of Titus thus he spake to him How becamest thou so madly incensed as without any torment inflicted on thee to confesse an offence by thee neuer committed Art thou wearie of thy life Thou chargest thy selfe falsly to be the person who this last night murdered the man in the Caue and there is another that voluntarily also doth confesse his guiltinesse Gisippus lifting vp his eyes and perceiuing it was Titus conceiued immediately that he had done this onely for his deliuerance as one that remembred him sufficiently and would not be vngratefull for former kindnesses receiued Wherefore the teares flowing abundantly down his cheekes he said to the Iudge Varro it was none but I that murdered the man wherefore I commiserate the case of this Noble Gentleman Titus who speakes now too
concord such as might well beseeme the communitie of Brethren and Sisters which assuredly as well in regard of you as vs hath much contented me And therefore least by ouer-long consuetude something should take life which might be conuerted to a bad construction by our country demourance for so many dayes some captious conceit may wrest out an ill imagination I am of the minde if yours be the like seeing each of vs hath had the honor which now remaineth still on me that it is very fitting for vs to returne thither from whence we came And so much the rather because this sociable meeting of ours which already hath wonne the knowledge of many dwellers here about vs should not grow to such an increase as might make our purposed pastime offensiue to vs. In which respect if you allow of my aduise I wil keepe the Crowne till our departing hence the which I intend shal be to morrow but if you determine otherwise I am the man ready to make my resignation Many imaginations passed amongst the Ladies and likewise the men but yet in the end they reputed the Kings counsell to bee the best and wisest concluding to do as he thought conuenient Whervpon hee called the Master of the housholde and conferred with him of the businesse belonging to the next morning and then gaue the company leaue to rise The Ladies and the rest when they were risen fel some to one kinde of recreation and others as their fancies serued them euen as before they had done And when Supper time came they dispatcht it in very louing manner Then they began to play on instruments sing and dance and Madame Lauretta leading the dance the King commaunded Madame Fiammetta to sing a song which pleasantly she began in this manner THE SONG The Chorus sung by all the rest of the Company IF Loue were free from Iealousie No Lady liuing Had lesse heart-greeuing Or liu'd so happily as I. If gallant youth In a faire friend a woman could content If vertues prize valour and hardiment Wit carriage purest eloquence Could free a Woman from impatience Then I am she can vaunt if I were wise All these in one faire flower Are in my power And yet I boast no more but trueth If Loue were free from iealousie c. But I behold That other Women are as wise as I Which killes me quite Fearing false sirquedrie For when my fire begins to flame Others desires misguide my aim And so bereaues me of secure delight Onely through fond mistrust he is vniust Thus are my comforts hourely hot and cold If Loue were free c. If in my friend I found like faith as manly minde I know Mistrust were slaine But my fresh griefes still grow By sight of such as do allure So I can thinke none true none sure But all would rob me of my golden gaine Loe thus I dye in Iealousie For losse of him on whom I most depend If Loue were free c. Let me aduise Such Ladies as in Loue are brauely bold Not to wrong me I scorne to be controld If any one I chance to finde By winkes words smiles in crafty kinde Seeking for that which onely mine should be Then I protest to do my best And make them know that they are scarsly wise If Loue were free from iealousie I know no Lady liuing Could haue lesse heart-greeuing Or liue so happily as I. So soone as Madam Fiammetta had ended her Song Dioneus who sate by her smiling said Truly Madam you may do vs a great courtesie to expresse your selfe more plainly to vs all least thorow ignorance the possession may be imposed on your selfe and so you remaine the more offended After the Song was past diuers other were sung beside and it now drawing wel-neere midnight by the Kings command they all went to bed And when new day appeared and all the world awaked out of sleepe the Maste of the Houshold hauing sent away the carriages they returned vnder the conduct of their discreet King to Florence where the three Gentlemen left the seven Ladies at the Church of Santa Maria Nouella from whence they went with them at the first And hauing parted with kinde salutations the Gentlemen went whether themselues best pleased and the Ladies repaired home to their houses The End of the Tenth and Last Day To Borgogna saith the Italian Or Arrigo. Or Grannotto da Prochyta Example at least excuses formed to that intent preuaileth much with such kind of religious women
not short of good fortune but is still renewed like the Moone The Count D'Angiers being falsly accused was banished out of France left his two children in England in diuers places Returning afterward vnknowne thorow Scotland hee found them aduanced vnto great dignity Then repayring in the habite of a Seruitour into the King of France his Armie and his innocencie made publiquely knowne hee was reseated in his former honourable degree The eight Nouell Whereby all men may plainely vnderstand that loyalâ—y faithfully kept to the Prince what perils so euer doe ensue doth ye neuerthelesse renowne a man and bring him to farre greater honour THe Ladies sighed very often hearing the variety of wofull miseries happening to Alathiella but who knoweth what occasion moued them to those sighes Perhaps there were some among them who rather sighed they could not be so often married as she was rather then for any other compassion they had of her disasters But leauing that to their owne construction they smiled merrily at the last speeches of Pamphilus and the Queene perceiuing the Nouell to be ended shee fixed her eye vpon Madame Eliza as signifying thereby that she was next to succeede in order which shee ioyfully embracing spake as followeth The field is very large and spacious wherein all this day we haue walked and there is not any one here so wearied with running the former races but nimbly would aduenture on as many more so copious are the alterations of Fortune in sad repetition of her wonderfull changes and among the infinity of her various courses I must make addition of another which I trust will no way discontent you When the Romaine Empire was translated from the French to the Germains mighty dissentions grew between both the nations insomuch that it drew a dismall and a lingring warre In which respect as well for the safety of his owne Kingdome as to annoy and disturbe his enemies the King of France and one of his sonnes hauing congregated the forces of their owne dominions as also of their friends and confederates they resolued manfully to encounter their enemies But before they would aduenture on any rash proceeding they held it as the chiefest part of pollicie and Royall prouidence not to leaue the State without a chiefe or Gouernour And hauing had good experience of Gualtier Counte D'Angiers to be a wise worthy and most trusty Lord singularly expert in militarie discipline and faithfull in all affaires of the Kingdome yet fitter for ease and pleasure then laborious toyle and trauaile hee was elected Lieutenant Gouernour in their sted ouer the whole Kingdome of France and then they went on in their enterprize Now began the Counte to execute the office committed to his trust by orderly proceeding and with great discretion yet not entring into any businesse without consent of the Queene and her faire daughter in law who although they were left vnder his care and custodie yet notwithstanding he honoured them as his superiours and as the dignity of their quality required Heere you are to obserue concerning Counte Gualtier himselfe that he was a most compleat person aged little aboue forty yeares as affable and singularly conditioned as any Noble man possibly could be nor did those times afford a Gentleman that equalled him in all respects It fortuned that the King and his sonne being busie in the afore-named warre the wife and Lady of Counte Gualtier died in the meane while leauing him onely a sonne and a daughter very young and of tender yeares which made his owne home the lesse welcome to him hauing lost his deare Loue and second selfe Hereupon hee resorted to the Court of the said Ladies the more frequently often conferring with them about the waighty affaires of the Kingdome in which time of so serious interparlance the Kings Sonnes wife threw many affectionate regards vpon him conuaying such conspiring passions to her heart in regard of his person and vertues that her loue exceeded all capacity of gouernement Her desires out stepping all compasse of modesty or the dignity of her Princely condition throwes off all regard of ciuill and sober thoughts and guides her into a Labyrinth of wanton imaginations For she regards not now the eminencie of his high authority his grauity of yeares and those parts that are the true conducts to honour but lookes vpon her owne loose and lasciuious appetite her young gallant and ouer-ready yeelding nature comparing them with his want of a wife and likely hope thereby of her sooner preuailing supposing that nothing could be her hinderance but onely bashfull shame-facednesse which she rather chose vtterly to forsake and set aside then to faile of her hote enflamed affection and therefore shee would needes be the discouerer of her owne disgrace Vpon a day being alone by her selfe and the time seeming suteable to her intention shee sent for the Counte vnder colour of some other important conference with him The Counte D'Angiers whose thoughts were quite contrary to hers immediately went to her where they both sitting downe together on a beds side in her Chamber according as formerly shee had plotted her purpose twice hee demaunded of her vpon what occasion she had thus sent for him She sitting a long while silent as if she had no answere to make him pressed by the violence of her amorous passions a vermillion tincture leaping vp into her face yet shame enforcing teares from her eyes with words broken and halfe confused at last she began to deliuer her minde in this manner Honourable Lord and my dearely respected friend being so wise a man as you are it is no difficult matter for you to know what a fraile condition is imposed both on men and women yet for diuers occasions much more vpon the one then the other Wherefore desertfully in the censure of a iust and vpright Iudge a fault of diuers conditions in respect of the person ought not to be censured with one and the same punishment Beside who will not say that a man or woman of poore and meane estate hauing no other helpe for maintainance but laborious trauaile of their bodies should worthily receiue more sharpe reprehension in yeelding to amorous desires or such passions as are incited by loue then a wealthy Lady whose liuing relieth not on her paines or cares neither wanteth any thing that she can wish to haue I dare presume that you your selfe will allow this to be equall and iust In which respect I am of the minde that the fore-named allegations ought to serue as a sufficient excuse yea and to the aduantage of her who is so possessed if the passions of loue should ouer-reach her alwayes prouided that shee can pleade in her owne defence the choise of a wise and vertuous friend answerable to her owne condition and quality and no way to be taxed with a seruile or vile election These two especiall obseruations allowable in my iudgement and liuing now in me seazing on my youthfull blood and yeares