here anâ— talk a little to a Fryer living here There is no necessity answers thâ— other to demand leave abouâ— such a business as this I will acâ— company you if you please Flaminio made himself seem as if he would not trouble him with a denial of his being conveyed by him for that he would come again immediately At last he went out of his Coach and entred the Covent being accompanied by the Polander He betook himself to a solitary place where the Monk stayed for him This Monk being possessed by the Devil made them go into a Chamber where a Collation was made ready He made them to put off their Hats and their Swords and afterwards made them drink stoutly When they were pretty â—â—rry Flaminio approaching to 〈◊〉 began thus to speak to 〈◊〉 My Lord Eranthe there is no â—â—cessâ—ty I should use many â—ords to make you underâ—nd my Intention your Beauâ—â— and good Grace have so inâ—med my love towards you â—at I must obtain that at your â—nd which I desire or else you â—ust die immediately Choose 〈◊〉 these two things which you â—ill either to satisfy my desire 〈◊〉 die If you make me happy of â—our own accord you are secure â—s well of your Life as of haâ—ing a Friend who shall be bound â—o you for ever Resolve to give â—â—e satisfaction presently or else â—o suffer what I spoke of Having said this he held a â—â—stol to his Head ready to dâ—â— charge The Fryer on the otheâ— side having seized upon hâ— Sword which he held drawn 〈◊〉 his Hand threatned him witâ— Death if so be he would not yeild to their desires The poor Gentleman was greatly astonisheâ— seeing himself thus surprize without Sword or Cane The Image of Death did present 〈◊〉 self before his Eyes on the onâ— side and on the other the detestable â—â—n which they were going to commit upon him Sometime he was resolved to bear the Treâ— pass sometimes to suffer Death so he was all this while in a Gallance betwixt the one thing anâ— the other Make hast says Fiâ—minio otherwise you are a Man 〈◊〉 Death I desire you answerâ—d the Gentleman have pitty upon me and do not treat me so unworthily We have stayed too long â—nswers the Fryer 't is necessary he should die Having said this he made as if he would have run him through with his own Sword and Flaminio seemed as if he would have discharged the Pistol Stay Gentlemen saith the Polander whom the fear of Death had already besieged I 'le do all you please provided you 'l grant me my Life Have no fear of Death saith Flaminio I 'le above all this sacrifice my whole Goods and Possessions to and for you after you have consented to what I have proposed to you See how the fear of Death maketh the Polander to permit the Knight of Malta tâ— do what he desired The Fryeâ— had his share also O Heavens 〈◊〉 where is your fears Why do noâ— you thunder at these execrable Wretches After the Atchievement of this pretty Deed they took a resolution of putting him to Death thereby the better to cover their misdemeanour But Eranthe who was always suspecting their Design presently after the unhappy Deed flies to the Knight falls about his Neck kissing and cherishing him after the best manner he could invent I find saith he your embracing so sweet that I beseech you we may not be seperated one from the other for ever I know that what you have done to me did proceed out of a great love you bore towards me as much â—s you love me believe me I love â—ou a great deal better These â—nd the like Discourses sweet â—nd flattering attended by so many charms as was possible to â—e invented were of that power as to impeach their resolution they had of sending him to the other World They still drank together and the Poland Genaleman appeared the most conâ—ented Man of the World for that by this means of flattery he might escape the cruelty of their Hands At last the night being come Flaminio and Eranthe took their leave of the Fryer went out of the Covent entred the Coach and returned to their Lodging where the Knight thought to lye with the Polander But he going out of the Coach feigned as 〈◊〉 he had gone to the house of Office and from thence presenth went to the Post house wheâ— he demanded a Horse and paying what was their due withouâ— any Company besides that of 〈◊〉 Postillion that very same houâ— went for Rome He made 〈◊〉 great haste that he got to Rom. the next Morning betimes Thâ— same day Pope Clement the VIII gave publick audience to all the World The Poland Gentle man without going to the Vatican enters the Hall where the Holy Father did sit and approaching to him throws himself down at his Feet demanding him to do Justice of an Affront the most horrid and execrable as ever a mortal Man could have received The good Pope seeing â—ch a brave Gentleman so doleâ—â— and crying was taken with â—â—tty and would be informed â—â—mself about the whole matter 〈◊〉 touching his evil Alass Hoâ—â— Father saith he the subject 〈◊〉 my Grief is so excerable that 〈◊〉 have a horrour to rehearse it before you Give me leave that another and not I my self may open it to your Holiness The Pope being amazed at this News gave orders immediately to his Recorder to take a particular information of all the business He did the same and after the Gentleman had opened the whole progress of a most unchristian action he reported afterwards to the Pope whatsoever he had told him The good Father having perceived such aâ—â— execrable forfeit was toucheâ— with so great a compassion that a stream of Tears run down hiâ— Cheeks After this he presently dispatch'd a Provost with Soldiers and with Pattent Letters to make his address to the Vice-Roy commanding him under the guilt of Excommunication to aid and assist him The Provost in few days arrived to Naples and the first thing he did was to surprize Flaminio who had taken a resolution to change his Lodgings the very same day foreseeing very well what might in process of time happen to him After this he went to the Covent and entring shewed the Letters of the Pope and took the Fryer a Prisoner The Vice-Roy begun â—o make questions about the taking of Flaminio because he was of 〈◊〉 noble Lineage but the People was of a mind that such excesses as these should not escape unpunished At last he was taken with his Accomplice by the shands of the Provost who sent them for Rome He caused them to be made fast at the Tower called Nonne where they stayed but a little while Their process was quickly brought to an end and they having confessed the Crime they were contented to die The Knight should have his Head cut off at the Bridg of Angelo and his Body burned And the Fryer was to be hanged strangled
fortune ordered it so that he kill'd the other Therefore he lest he might be taken and imprisoned escap'd from thence being he was present at his being killed and by the advise of his Friends and near Relations he is retireâ— into this City in a dress of 〈◊〉 Schollar where he keeps himself incognito untill his Friends have compounded the matter which he hopes will be shortly done because of this it will be most convenient the Marriage should be done privately and that you should be contented that at day times he may go to the publick Lectures and as for night he will Sup and lie every night at your House Presently the good Woman answered him thus Sir I find a great advantage in what you 〈◊〉 me for at least I shall have â—â—t near me which I desire above 〈◊〉 things in the world Which â—e Fryer did and conducted him 〈◊〉 her in good order in a brave â—it of Crimson Sattin wherein 〈◊〉 appeared very gallant after â—â—ey were come she made some â—ort Complements A minute as scarcely over but the anciâ—â—t Fryer began to say the Mass â—â—d that being done he Married â—â—em the young Couple went 〈◊〉 Bed together and lay till the â—â—ry break of day when the â—usband said to his Wise that â—r fear of being known he must â—e forced to go into the College â—aving taken his Crimson Suite â—â—d his long Gown not forgeting his black Cap came to take his leave of his Wife who wâ—â— yet in her Bed assuring her thâ—â— he would come every night 〈◊〉 sup with her but as for Diâ—ners she should not stay for him so he departed leaving his Wifâ— who esteemed her self the happâ— est Woman in the world becauâ—â— she had lighted on such a Husband The young married Fryer returned to his old Father tâ— whom he brought the five huâ—dred Ducats there where the had met together at the first when they were agreeing upâ—â— the terms of the marriage anâ— in the Evening did not fail tâ— come to sup with her whâ— thought him to be her husband and he could insinuate himseâ—â— so well in her and in his Motheâ— kindness that they would nâ— â—â—ve given him for the best â—ince in the world This life â—â—ntinued for a while but being 〈◊〉 goodness of God taketh pity 〈◊〉 them that are trapanned beâ—use of their credulity it hapâ—â—d that one morning both Moâ—er and Daughter took a great â—â—sire to go to Mass at Saint Pranâ—â— and to visit their Father â—onfessor by the means of whom â—ey thought themselvs extreme 〈◊〉 well provided one of a beauâ—ul Son the other of a loving â—usband And by chance not â—â—ding their Confessor nor any â—â—dy else of their acquaintance â—ere resolved to hear high Mass â—hich was just beginning to see 〈◊〉 in the mean time he might not â—ome And amidst that the â—â—ung Dame very earnestly attended the Service and oveâ— weighed the mystery of it thâ— Priest turning about to say 〈◊〉 Dominus Vobiscum she was quiâ—â— surprized and astonished 〈◊〉 it seemed unto her that it was â—ther her Husband or one veâ—â— like him but for all this 〈◊〉 would not make a great bustle but stayd till he should turn aboâ—â— once more and then she too a fuller view of him and dâ—â— not doubt but that it was he Therefore she draws her Mothâ— to her that was in a deep coâ—templation and says Alas Mâ—dam what is that I see Thâ— Mother asked her what it waâ— It is my Husband quoth shâ— that says the Mass or a persoâ— that is the likest to him above â—ny man in the World The Mother that had not taâ—en great notice of him said beseech you good Daughter â—t not such an opinion take place 〈◊〉 your head For it is a thing together impossible that they â—ho are Men so holy should â—mmit so great a trumpery You 'l â—n greatly against God by giving â—edit to such an opinion as this â—owever she resolved to observe 〈◊〉 features and when he came to â—y Ita missa est she verily did see â—â—at never two Brethren of one â—â—d the same Mother could be liâ—â— yet she was so simple still that 〈◊〉 freely said God forbid I should â—â—eve what I see but being veâ—â— much touched with the love 〈◊〉 her Daughter would not let â—e business be unknown therefore she resolved to find out the truth Evening being comâ— when the Husband was to return who had no way perceived them the Mother said to her Daughteâ— If you will we shall know thâ— truth about your Husband presently for when he shall be 〈◊〉 Bed I 'll come to the Chambeâ— and stand behind him very easily without making him to hear iâ— you in the mean time shall takâ— off his Night-Cap and so wâ— shall see if he hath such a shaveâ— Crown as he had that said thâ— Mass And as she said so theâ— did For as soon as the roguiâ—â— Husband went to bed the olâ— Gentlewoman came in anâ— took hold of both his hands her Daughter in the mean timâ— pulling off his Cap discovereâ— his pretty shaven pate At whicâ— â—he Mother and Daughter being extremely astonished insomuch â—hat they were not able to express it immediately called their Servants making them to take â—nd bind him till morning not â—egarding his excuses and fair words The day being come â—he Gentlewoman sent for her Father Confessor feigning as if â—he had to impart to him some secret matters of great imporâ—ance The Father came presently whom she made to be â—aken as well as the young one â—eproaching him for cozening â—er so basely And after this â—he sent for some Justices into â—he hands of whom she delivered them both being of that opinion that if they had any Conscience they would not let them escape unpunished And according to their deserts the young est was condem'd to a perpetuaâ— Prison and the Eldest suspended of his Office A Dean of Fiesola is in Love witâ— an handsom Widdow and is noâ— beloved of her and believing himself to lye with her lyetâ— with one of her Servant-Maidâ— and the Bretheren make him 〈◊〉 be cacht by the Bishop A At Fiesola neere Florence next to the Cathedral lived a Gentlewoman that was 〈◊〉 Widdow called Madam Piccaâ—da in a pretty House but noâ— very large she was a Gentle woman very active and stayâ—â— â—here the greatest part of the year and with her two young Gentlemen her Brothers very Gallant and Courteous It happed that the Gentlewoman frequenting the Cathedral Church â—nd being yet very young â—eautiful and pleasant was eâ—pyed by the Dean who immeâ—iately fell in love with her in â—o much that she was alwayes before his Eyes Afterwards he was at a time in such a burning â—ire that he himself discovered â—nd opened his desires to her beâ—eeching her that she would be â—ontent of his good inclinations â—nd love him as well as he did â—er This Dean was old in years â—ut very young in wit and understanding graceless
and high-spirited he presumed very much of himself with his ways anâ— customes full of dislike and tedâ—ousness and so importunate aâ—â— brutish he was that there waâ— not one Person that wish'd hiâ— well and if there was any thaâ— wished him well this Gentlewoman was such that she noâ— only meant him not one joâ— oâ— good will but also hated him above the very head ake Therefore She being a wise Gennlewoman answered him thus Sir because you do love me I do takâ— it very kindly and am bound to love you also and frankly profess I do like you provided that no dishonesty may pass betwixt us You are my Ghostly Father and a Priest and arâ— drawing very near to old age wherefore you ought to follow things honest and chast and â—n the other side I am not a Childe and therefore these harms of love do not very well â—gree with my condition I beâ—ng a Widdow as you know â—â—ther are you ignorant what â—onesty is required in a Widâ—ow therefore I desire you tâ—â—xcuse me for at that rate as you â—esire me to love you I will â—ever doe it neither doe I desire to be loved by you The â—ean not being able at that time 〈◊〉 draw any thing more besides â—hat out of her did not shew himself as a forlorne man or cast â—t the first Tryal but set in actiâ—n his usual pretence Solliciing her both by Letters and Messengers and moreover did â—he same when he see her comming into the Church These Darts seeming to the Gentle woman very hard and tedâ—â— ous to the be endured she thought to free her self from them by such means as the Dâ—an deserved since she could not do otherwise But she would put nothing to work before she had spoke of it to her Brothers and to to tell them as well what the Dean did about her as what she had determined to do And having obtained from them a full Licence of the same after few days she went to the Church according to her custom WHich the Dean seeing presently did go towards her and as he had been used after the manner of a neer Friend or relation did enter with her into some talk The Gentlewoman seeing him comâ—ing and looking at him shew'd him a very pleasant counteâ—ance and having retired to a place after the Dean had spoke â—o her a great many things according to his fashion the Gentlewoman having made a great sigh said Master Dean I have very often heard there is no Castle so strong which being besieged and stoutly affualted should not sometimes be taken which I see accomplished in my self for now by your sweet words then with your pleasant Countenance sometimes with one change sometimes with another you have so environ'd me that you made me to break â—â—y former resolution so that I am at this present disposed to be yours according to your own will and pleasure The Dean lifted up with joy beyond his seare said madam I rendeâ— hearty thanks to you but wheâ— and where can we be together To which the Gentlewoman replyed my sweet Sir it may be when you have a mind to and what hour you will be pleas'd to appoint for I having no Husband I have no occasion to give an account of my nightly seasons but I cannot best think where it may be done The Dean said how now why may it not be in your House The Gentlewoman answered Sir you know that I have two young Brothers which both day and night come to my House with their Comrades moreover my House is but very little and therefore I do not â—now how you may be there â—nless you will be there as one â—hat's dumb without moving or â—irring and be in the dark afâ—er the fashion of blind Men if â—ou will do that you may For 〈◊〉 cannot place you in my Chamâ—er but they their Chamâ—er being next to mine may â—ear the least word we speak â—r stirring we make The Dean presently answered Maâ—am notwithstanding all this â—et us not leave the sport for a â—ight or two until I may beâ—hink my self where and in what part we may be with a greater Liberty The Gentlewoman answered this I leave to you but I beg one thing at your hands that all this may be secret and that no body should know what we speak together The Dean answered again Madam do not doubt of that and if it be possible agree that we may be together this same Evening The Gentlewoman said I am satisfied and she gave him orders when and in what manner he should come so she departed from him and went home This Gentlewoman had one of her servants which was not veyoung already and had a very ugly look with her and so disfigured as any Woman in the World for she had a Nose as an Eagle and a wrye mouth broad Lips the Teeth quite out of order and as well big as black and her Breath stunk most abominably moreover her Eyes were always dropping and her â—ace was all yellow and green and above all this she was crooked and somewhat lame on her right side and her Name was Porca And as well as she was disfigured as to her Person so she was somewhat maliceful whom the Gentlewoman call'd to her self and said heark you Porca if you will do me one Service to night I 'le give thee a brave new Smock Porca hearing mention made of the Smock answered Madam if you give me a Smock I will throw my self into the fire besides any thing else you will be pleas'd to command me Well saith the Gentlewoman I will have you to lye this night with a man in my own Bed and I desire you to coaks him up but take heed least you make any stir for fear you should be heard by my Bretheren for you know they lye next to my room and then I will give you the Smock The Porca answered What matter is it if I lye with six not only with one The Evening being come Master Dean came according as he had been appointed and the two young Gentlemen according to what they agreed to were in their own Chamber and made a noyse for that they might be heard Wherefore the Dean very easily in the dark entred the Gentlewomans Chamber and as she had told him went to Bed and on the other side laid Madam Porca who was well informed by her Mistris how to act her Part. Mr. Dean believing he had the Gentlewoman at his side kindly embraced Madam Porca This the Gentlewoman having performed she charged her Brothers to do the Remnant of this Comedy Who going very quietly out of their Chamber went towards the Market and fortune in what they had under hands favoured them above their Desires for it being very hot Weather the Bishop had asked for them two young Gentlemen that so he might go to their House and drink with them But he seeing them come having obtained his desire went directly with them and entred
one of the most famous Cities of France Paris onely excepted there is an Hospital richly endowed consisting in a Priory of fifteen or sixteen Nuns and in an Appartment before it there is a Priory with seven or eight Monks which did every day attend Divine Service but as for the Nuns they were onely to say their Pater-nosters and Ave-Maries because they were bound to attend the poor sick Folks of the Hospital Now it came to pass that one of the poor men of the said Hospital fell very dangerously sick and the Nuns gathering themselves together did administer all possible Remedies in order to his Recovery but seeing him very ill they sent for the Confessor and perceiving him to grow weaker and weaker they gave him the Extreme Unction after which he presently became speechless Now because it was a long while before he could give up the ghost and it seemed that he still understood what was said they did strive to suggest to him the best words and expressions they were capable of but it being already very late and the dead time of the night they grew weary and went one after another to Bed so that no body remained to bury the dead Corps but one of the youngest Nuns together with the Confessor whom because of his austerity and strictness of Life she feared even more than the Prior himself These two having used great Exclamations and Repetitions of the Name of Jesus in the ears of the poor man and at last perceiving he was quite gone they both assisted to bury him and because they were employed in a good work of Mercy this holy Monk began a Discourse about Mercy the Frailty of this Life and the Happiness of the Life to come so that they passed the best part of the night entertaining themselves with such Discourses The poor Nun did attentively hearken to his Divine Expressions and looked upon him with tears in her eyes in which this holy Father took so much delight that as he was speaking of the Life to come he embraced her as straitly as if he had a mind to carry her presently to Heaven in his Arms. The poor silly Nun hearkning to his Discourse durst not put him by nor refuse his Embraces This damnable Hypocrite perceiving her simplicity did proceed further and as he was still speaking to her concerning God and other spiritual things did commit with her the most obscene Act of the Flesh and withal told her that a secret sin was not punished before God and that two single Persons cannot sin in that case if there arise no scandal of it and to avoid that she should beware of confessing her self to any but himself So they parted but she going her way the first and passing by a Chappel dedicated to the Virgin Mary she went to give her the Angels Salutation as she used to do but looking upon the Image of the Virgin Mary and knowing that she had now forfeited the Honour of that Title and excellent Dignity and that without any great Allurements and less Love but onely by a silly fear and compliance she then began to weep as bitterly as if her Heart had been ready to break The Monk who though afar off heard her deep sighs and groans suspecting her repentance and fearing the loss of his future Pleasure in the enjoyment of her that he might divert her came presently to her whom he found prostrate at the feet of the said Image but he check'd her smartly and told her That if she was so silly and scrupulous as to think she had committed a sin in so doing that then she should do so no more unless she would and that he was ready to give her Absolution This silly Soul thinking to make satisfaction to God for her sin went presently to confess her sin to him who enjoyned her no other Penance but onely told her That she had contracted no guilt of sin in loving him and that a drop or two of Holy-water would easily wash away so insignificant a Pecadillo And she putting more confidence in him than in God himself did a while after yield again to his brutal desire who paid her so home that her Belly began to swell which the took so to heart that making her Condition known to the Abbess she besought her to expel that Monk out of the Monastery telling her That she knew him to be so full of wiles and so crafty that she feared she should not be able to withstand his temptation who would leave no stone unturn'd to inveagle her again The Abbess and the Priour who understood one another as being partners perhaps in the same guilt did but laugh at her telling her That she was of an age sufficient to defend her self from the attempts of one man and that he whom she accused had always had the repute of a very sober honest man At length she being exceedingly tormented with a violent remorse of a guilty Conscience craved their leave to go to Rome thinking that if she did but confess her sins at the Popes Feet and kiss his Toe she should become as pure a Virgin as ever she had been And that both the Priour and the Abbess very willingly granted and furnished her with Money for her Journey for they rather chose she should become a Pilgrim although it was against the Rules of her Order than that she should be a Recluse Nun and be so scrupulous and besides they were afraid that in detaining her in a despairing Passion she should reveal their vile and sâ—â—nish manner of life The Canning of a Jesuit and the Simplicity of a Pryer WE have been long enough Expatiaring in the Gardens of several Countries and Collected many Flowers though not altogether well smelling for our Pastime and Diversion now leaving off to transport them any more at present out of Forreign parts will see if there be none of our own Plantation here in England which may be as delightful as the rest And indeed it should tend to the prejudice of Jesuits and Fryers if they should exempt only Engâ—and from their deluding Tricks a Country so plentiful and having store of all to the very Superfluity Therefore to free them from such a Scandalous Aspersion I 'le relate to the kind Reader a History which not long since hapned here in England and above the rest in the Famous City of London And it is about two Priests the one being a Jesuit and the other a Carmelitan Fryer It is not unknown to many how that a Minister named Travers had two Sons which he educated after the best method a Father could bethink himself for the benefit of his Children Afterwards they not being contented with that Education they had at home resolved to go beyond Seas there to learn Fashions Languages as well as to polish their Minds in Arts and Sciences Amongst the rest of the Countries they intended to see Italy was one where being and getting into Familiar Acquaintance of some Fryers
in a Villagâ— where he had first taken 〈◊〉 Lodgings During that time 〈◊〉 Knight of 〈◊〉 whom we shaâ— call 〈◊〉 not willing to tâ— his proper Name because oâ— thâ— honour which we ought to have of Illustrious Families as his was arrived to that same Lodging where Eranthe was Flaminâ— had seen him at the great Duke Court a cursed and an execrable love towards the beauty of this Gentleman made so passionate that he was in the very bonds or Death He thought of nothing else then of getting means for the performing of his infamous delight A Sin cursed and detestable abhorred by God and Nature This abominable passion made him stay sometime at Florence for see if any occasion whatsoever it might be should offer it self that he might accomâ—lish his desire but seeing that he aimed at a thing impossible he was resolved to lay aside the pursuit Afterwards being it fell out that the young Gentleman was in the same Lodging where he had arrived and that he was ready to depart the next Morning to go for Rome he found out a trick as subtile and cunning for contriving as cursed for the executing of it He dissembleth as if he had never seen 〈◊〉 but having got opportunity to apply himself to one of his Houshold he particularly informeth himself of his descent of the name of his nearest Relations and of those Lands and Goods he posiessed in Pâ—laâ—â— After he had learned more thing than he ever demanded whiâ—â— he set down upon a Paper thâ— better to remember it he departed next Morning after following always Eranthe by little and little to know where he should lodge without speaking a Word to him or making himself any ways known So Eranthe took his Lodgings at Rome next to the Bear and the Knight just over against him The Poland Gentleman was no sooner come to Rome but he began to spend his time either in the Academies or else where any exercises of Vertue were Practized His Beauty and his Dress join'd with his Free and Courteus Humour acquired to him the kindness of all the World Flaâ—â—nio thought upon all the means he could to fulfil his Will either by Eâ—anthe's consent or by â—orce but presently chose the latter before the former by reason â—e could not be ignorant that Franthe would never give his consent to it At last disputing how to bring to pass his Design resolved to quit Rome and to go for Naples as well by staying there to put out of his Head this â—abominable Fancy which he so secretly kept in his Breast as because he had little or no acquaintance at Rome In the mean time when this Knight was at his House in Naples not knowing what might happen for the future Eranthe had at Rome the Name of the most accomplish'd Gentleman that ever waâ— seen Thinking afterwards hâ— had seen Rome sufficiently hâ— took a fancy to go for Naple to see that City whose surnamâ— is Gentile In order to that hâ— made his Servants make aâ— things ready for their departure But O! miserable and unhappy Gentleman whether art thoâ— going The greatest afront thaâ— ever could happen to any Gentlâ—â— man of thy Degree and Quality attends thee Would to Gâ—â— thou hadst been still in thy owâ— Country without ever having a Design to pass the Alpes â—ranthe arrived thither during that time wherein they madâ—â— Bon-Fires for Joy for they celebrated the Marriage day of the King of Spain They spoke no thing but of Triumphs of Ringrunnings of Combats upon the Stages and of Running of Raâ—tes The Spaâ—â—iards and the Iâ—alâ—â—â—â— being inflamed with envy one against the other did strive to shew their Achivity before one another As the Poland Gentleman went one day to the place where they celebrated the â—east Flamino did espy him and knew him presently The cursed and execrable love which by that time he had somewhat extinguished in his Heart began to be kindled again more violently than ever before When he was informed where he lodged he stay'd one day in the Street by which Eranthe was to pass As soon as he saw him he lighted off from his Horse and run to embrace him Eranthe being 〈◊〉 stonished at his new Complements lighted down also excusing himself because of that small acquaintance he had with him Ha Sir quoth the other if you do not know me at all I am not ignorant who you are Your Father is called the Earl of Plest a brave Cavalier as ever was to be found in the World He shewed his signal Valour in that famous Battel which the Polanders won against the Tarters which hath rendred him famous and the glory of his Memory everlasting You have an Uncle whose name is Baron of Anty I received of him a deal of kindness in the time of my staying in Poland where I stayed almost four years for some Affairs concerning our Order In short I am so highly obliged to your Blood that I possess nothing â—n the World which should not â—â—e at any time at your Service Eranthe being amazed at this Acquaintance and believing all to be true what the other said thanked him for his good Will and in exchange of that he offered all whatsoever lay in his Power or Command That is not all saith the other I will not suffer by any means you should use any other Lodging besides mine You shall be better accomodated and attended with a deal of greater Devotion than where you lodg at present for I have received other greater kindnesses of your Relations than this is The Poland Gentleman continued to give thanks exâ—â—sing himself because of that 〈◊〉 he made to him for going to 〈◊〉 House believing he should 〈◊〉 troublesome to him Upon 〈◊〉 this the other answered 〈◊〉 courteously preâ—ing him so mucâ— to do what he denred that hâ—â— was constrained leaâ—â— he might be taken for an uncivil and â—ll natured Person not to condescenâ— to his Demands So he weâ—â— with him and was placed in the bravest Lodgings in his â—â—ouse Flaminio offering himself to treat him after the most magnâ—â—cent way he could He also resolved to do him all sorts of Pleasures He made him frequent the best Companies and all the Raâ—ities of the City Having thus entangled Eranthe by his Artifices â—nd feigned Kindness the unforâ—unate and detestable Man not â—eing able to forbear longer his â—nnatural Love he had compounded with a Fryer as unâ—ucky and detestable as himself This Resolution being taken these unlucky Men put it into execution after this manner 〈◊〉 went one day to conduâ—◠〈◊〉 to his Coach They went out of the Town and afterwards riding in the Coach the Knight of Maâ—â—a did go directly to the Covent which we immediately spoke of When they were neer to it he feigned before the Gentleman as if he had some business of importance so that he commanded his Coach man to stand at the Door Sir quoth he to the Polander be pleased to give me leave to go in
and dress her self above what their Order did permit Her Discourses were full of vanity and worldly matters and of lascivious practises In stead of their Hours so is their Prayer-Book called she always had in her hand some Book or other treating of disorderly Love Some good Nuns did reprove her shewing her how these things were unworthy of her Profession but she did nothing but laugh at them and mock them Those that were with her of her most familiar Friends heard nothing else coming out of her mouth besides vain and dissolute Discourses She prais'd her self to have acquir'd within these few days a Gallant who came to see her every night and taught her the Art of Speaking eloquently They reported this to the Abbess who not being able to apprehend the meaning of it caus'd immediately all her Actions to be taken notice of and made her lie with Company When she saw her self kept so close she made her complaints to her Gallant who induced her to revenge her self and to set the Covent on fire The Enemy gave her the Fire his own self and assisted her to begin at the fairest place of all the Lodgings in the Abby The Fire did take and before any one could perceive it it spread it self from Chamber to Chamber and destroyed that brave Edifice from the Court to the Temple whither all the Nuns repaired as to a place of a holy resuge But O deplorable case as soon as this incendiary went out of a corner The flame went on with such a violence that almost in less then a moment that elegant and magnificent structure together with the Cloysters Chapters Refertories and Dormitories were brought to dust and ashes The poor Nuns were glad to save themselves and leave all the rest to the mercy of the Hames Afterwards they were dispersed from one place to another and beg'd every where some assistance for the restauration of their edisice which will never be so as it was before unless some Royal hand should extend its liberality After this inraged Gentlewoman had asswaged her desire of â—evenge her Parents shut her up â—n another Monastery full of Piety and Devotion After her accustomed insolency her filthy discourses and the Lecture she ordinary had in her lascivious Books forced some devouter Nunns of that Covent to reprove her for her loose behaviour They always set her vanity before her Eyes and endeavoured to make her sensible of the fear of God and of due obedience but it was only labour lost Instead of being beholden to them because of this good and holy advise she by the means of Satan that lay with her made to dy three of the Religious Women of a sudden death All the reâ—â— being amazed at their death and fearing the same danger and mischief presented a Petitioâ— to the Soveraign Prince of Mereâ— desiring him most humbly that they instantly might be delivered from this plague The King having understood the deport ment of that young Woman commanded that they should send her back again to Abila that is to her Father and Mother who could not believe what they reported of their Daughter and had a great feeling of sorrow and heaviness in their hearts They had her a while always in their Eye but afterwards thinking it was no action of people fearing God to make no conscience of keeping in the world a professed person they resolved to â—uilt and found in one of â—heir lands a little Abby to â—ut in there Melissa His Maâ—esty himself promised to contribute towards the doing of this Abby a thousand pounds While the Abby was a building My Lord and my Lady Abila observed their Daughter in a more strict manner then before They made her ly in a Chamber next to theirs and gave her a Gentlewoman of a good age and behaviour to attend her The mischievous young Lady turn'd her out of her Chamber with adeal of injurie saying it was impossible for her to rest if she was not by her self Those that had their Ears bent to her actions hearing her talking in thâ—â— night time without knowinâ— to who An inarticulate voiâ—â— gave her answer and an intelâ—gence of all things she demandeâ— This was told to her Father anâ— Mother who could not as yeâ— give credit to these reports buâ— once of a sudden entred into heâ— Chamber for to surprize her But hainous and most horrible case They perceive presently a Pig rolling upon the Belly of their execrable Daughter My intentionis not to write at large of it whether this vision was true or illusory My Lord Abila puts out his hand to catch him he appeared to run from one side of Melissa to the other at last disappeared with the great admiration of the Beholders and to the great grief of her bather but especially of the Mother who having abandoned all patience and crying grieviously began to speak these sad and pitious words O cursed and execrable birth was it so that a House so illustrious and so renouned at all times for its piety should now be dishonoured by thy horrible deeds O good God is that the instruction I gave thee in thy tender days that you should make your self acquainted with the Enemy of our salvation When thou madest profession and was inclosed in the Cloyster didst not thou renounce the World Devil and Flesh and wert not thou espoused to him who shed his precious bloed upon the Tree of the Cross to redeem us from Eternal Death And now having broken thy Vows and not kept the Faith which thou gavest to thy Bridegroom madest thy sâ—â— acquainted with the Prince of daâ— kness Will it not be said that 〈◊〉 Belly hath born a Socerer Haâ—â— death shall end my days before should hear any speaking of such scandal Recommend thy self to Goâ— O thou miserable wretch that theâ— art beseech his goodness that he may deliver thee from this evill and go to the holy Sacrament which he hath instituted in his Church take up armes to overcome the Enemy of man-kind May be the Son of God shall assist thee and receive thee into his mercy Such and the like Complaints and Reproofs went out of the Mouth of that virtuous and never worthily praised Madam of Abila when her abominable Daughter in the mean time being possessed by the Devil did nothing but laugh and mock at her â—others Words And what then 〈◊〉 swered she is it such a great matter to see Satan in love with 〈◊〉 young Gentlewoman Is it a thing to â—are as that it never happened in the World Doth it necessarily follow that because I talk with a Spirit I gave my self over to him Socrates who was the greatest Man of the past Aâ—ges and who by the testimony of the Oracle was esteemed the wisest had not he a Demon to consult withal was he therefore a Sorcerer or a Conjurer I do not know why you make so great a noise about a thing so common as this is And what will you say
this World Master Capelletto deceiveth a Holy Father by a false confession and dieth and having been a most dissolute Man in his Life was after his death reputed for a Saint and called S. Capelletto ONE Muscato a Frenchman from a rich and a great Merchant being become a Knight was bound by the invitation of Pope Bonifacius and his own promises to go for Tuscany in the company of Don Carlo Brother to the King of France and knowing his affairs as often times those of Metchants are to be here and there extreamly intricated and that he could not extricate himself by lew or suddenly he determinmined to commit the whole matter to some more Persons And he found out means for all his Debtors onely he still remained doubtful unto whom to give a Plenipotence for the receiving of those Monies some few Burgundians owed him The reason of this his musing was for that the Burgundians are very cunning ill conditioned and faithless people and because of this none could fall into his mind whom he thought fit enough to intrust with his mony and to oppose to the cunning malice of the Burgandians Examining and overweighing the matter for a long time at last fell into his mind Siur â—appaletto who often times repaired into his House at Paris This Capp letto was of a very bad life For being a publick Notary he was extreamly ashamed if any of his Indentures or Law Instruments were found otherwise then false To bear false witness was his greatest delight whether he was desired to it or not and at that time the French-men gave great credit to Oaths not regarding whether they were false or no he unjustly won as many Tryals as upon Oath he was desired to declare the Truth he delighted above measure yea studied to breed betwixt friends relations or any other people Mischief Envy Malice and scandall and in how much the consequence was the worser in so much he took a greater pleasure in it Being invited to a murder or any other criminal exploit he without denial and willingly went thither and very often to strike at a man and to kill him also was almost his mean besiness He was the greatest blasphemer of God and for the smallest matter on Earth who was it but he that was outraged beyond measure He never went to Church but with despising and scorning at the Sacraments of the same as things â—il and of no Efficency And as well as he abominably railed agâ—inst them so on the other side he usuâ—lly frequented Taverns and visited the most dishonest and unlawfull places To in vade on goods and to rob meâ— of all they had was done by him with a Conscience as free as ever an honest and a godly Man distributed some thing to the poor He was a great Glutton and an excessive Drinker so that he never eat or drink but his Stomach turn'd within him A Gamester very expert and a very famous Hocuspocus at throwing of false Dice But not to use so many digressions he was in short the basest Wretch that ever was born Whose Knavery and wickedness was for a long time supported by the riches and the estate of Sir Muscato for whose sake as well as by some private persons with whom he too often plaid in jurious tricks as also by the Court where he always acted a Knave was somewhat respected This same Mr. Capelleto came into Sir Muscatos mind who intirely knowing his manner of Life thought him the fittest Person that ever could be â—ound for his purpose and such a one as the malice of the Burgundians required And so having made him to be cal'd spoke to him thus Mr. Capelleto you know that I am going wholly to depart from hence and having amongst the rest to do with some Burgundians a People much addicted to currynning I do not know unto whem I may so cenveniently give plenipotence of receiving my own from them as to you And since you at present have nothing at all to do if you wilâ— attend this my concern I l'e make you to have the Favour of the Court and give you a part of what you recover according as I shall deem it expedient Mr. Capelleto who see himself in streights being constrained by necessity without deliberation answered he would willingly obey his Command So they went together and Mr. Capelleto having received his orders and Favourable Letters from the King departed from Mr. Muscato in his way for Burgundy where he was known by no Body There contrary to his Nature he with great Modesty and a deal of Civility began to recover the moneys and to do that which he was sent for thither So doing he repaired to a House of two Brothers of Florence to Lodge there these were Usurers and for the Love of Sir Muscate they Honoured him very much being there it hapned he fell Sick to whom these two Brothers caused presently some Physicians to come and Nurses to serve him there was nothing wanting whatsoever was requisit for the recovery of his Health But all this help availed nothing for the good Gentleman who was already old and had lived very disorderly grew according to the saying of the Physicians every day worse and worse and was already combating with Death which these two Brothers were exceeding sorry for And one day being very near to the Chamber where Mr. Caselleto lay Sick began to talk between themselves saying one to another what shall we do with this Man We have a very bad business under our hands For if we put him out of Dores as he is now Sick and Weak a great murmuring of People will arise neither will it be an Argumient of great wisdom in us but a manifest sign of folly if after we have first received him curteously and then made him to be attended and carefully to be cured should now without having received any displeasure at his hands so suddenly throw him out of our House in this weak and deadly condition On the otherside he is a Man so wicked that he will not yield to go to confession neither can be perswaded to receive any of the Sacraments of the Church and if he dies without confesion there is not one Church will bury him so that he must be thrown into some hole after the manner of a Dog And if he should confess his Sins are so great and horrible that there is none like to be found for which sake the Priest that will hear him if he would shall not be able to absolue him and he not being absolved shall nevertheless be thrown into some Dunghil And if this should fall out the People of this Country seeing this either because of our calling which they judge to be unlawful and every day speak against it or else for desire of robbing should make a rumour saying regard not these Lombardian Dogs which could not be Buried in the Church and how can we or how should we tolerate them any longer