the fairest wife in his mind that euer he had seene who after the banquet was doone shee and her husband sang a song with so good grace that it increased her beuty wherwith the king perceiuing two perfections in one body tooke not so much delight in their pleasant voyces as in deuising how to breake thaccord but the difficultie he found was the great and perfect loue he saw to be in them which made him heare that passion in his minde as couertly as he could but to â—ase himselfe he caused certaine banquets to be made for all the Ladies and Gentlewomen within the Citie of Naples where the Gentleman and his wife were not forgotten And because a man is easily induced to beleeue whatsoeuer he seeth it seemed the Gentlewomans eies promised him some good fortune if the husbands presence were no hinderance thereunto and to proue it he sent her husband for 15. dayes or three weekes on message vnto Rome who was no sooner gone but his wife that neuer had bin so long without his company made exceeding sorrow but being in his absence often visited by the king as time and leasure serued both with faire speeches presents and with gifts she was not onely comforted but well content her husband should stay longer and before the three weekes ended wherin he should returne she waxed so amorous of the king that she was as much grieued at his comming againe as she had beene sorrowefull for his going And not to loose the presence of the king they agreed that when her husband went into the country she would make it known to him who therby might assuredly come to her and so secretly that the man whome she feared more than her owne conscience should not he burt in hope whereof this Gentlewoman was ioyfull so that at her husbands returne she seemed very glad who although he heard that in his absence the king had often visited his wife yet he suspected no ill but in proces of time that â—â—re so hardly to be couered beganne by little and little to shew in such maner that the husband in th end doubted some deceit keeping so good watch that he was therof assured but by reson of the feare he had of him that did him iniury he made no shew thereof determining to dissemble as desiring rather to liue in secret griefe than once to hazard his life for a women that had no loue in her Neuerthelesse in that despight hee thought to yeelde the like vnto the king if possibly he might and knowing that oftentimes despight maketh women doe more than loue specially such as haue great heartes and honorable mindes he being in the queenes presence was so bold to say vnto her that it pittied him to see her not so well beloued of the King as shee deserued Whereunto the Queene that knew the loue the king bare to his wife answered him and said I cannot both haue honor and pleasure at one time I know I haue the honour but another reapeth the pleasure and she that hath my pleasure yet hath she not my honour He that perceiued ful wel why she vttered that speech answered her and saide Madam your honour proceedes from birth as being so nobly born that any degree cannot augment your glory but your highnesse beutie grace and honestie hath deserued so much pleasure that she which taketh that from you that is your due doth her selfe more wrong than you for that for a certaine glorie which turneth to shame shee looseth as much pleasure as you or any Gentlewoman in this land can haue An◠〈◊〉 much Madam I wil tell you that if the king would lay his â—â—owne aside I thinke he should haue smal aduantage at my hands to please a woman being well assured hereof that to conteâ—â— so honest a person as your self it would be better for him that 〈◊〉 were of my complexion The queene laughing answered him said although the king my husband be of more deâ—icate complexion than your selfe yet it is the loue he beâ—â—â—th mâ—â— contenteth mee so well that I preferre the saâ—â— before all other thinges The Gentleman replied and said 〈◊〉 if it were so you would not pittie me for hereof am I assured that the honest loue which resteth in your heart would 〈…〉 you more contenâ—ment if it founde the like within the king but God hath well prouided otherwise to them that you not finding that in him which you desire you should not vse him for your God on earth I assure you said the Queene the loue I beare him is so great that in no womanâ— heart but mine the likâ— is to be found Pardon me Madaâ— said the Gentleman you haue not yet well tried the loue of all mens hearts for this I dare wel say there is one that loueth you whose loue is so importable that yours in his respect is not to be compared and for that he seeth the kings loue much quenched towards you his doth so much in crease that if you like thereof you shal be satisfied for all your losses past The Queene therewith beganne as wel by outward gesture as by wordes to finde his speech proceeded from his heart and calling to minde that of long time her sought to do her seruice with such affection that hee wholie seemed melancholy which shee esteemed because of his bad wife but as then the stedfastly beleeued it was for the loue of her as also the vertue of loue which maketh it selfe felt not being done assured her of that which no man else could tell And beholding the Gentleman to be of greater beautie than the king perceiuing him also cleane cast off by his wife as she was of the king being vrged with despite and ielousie of her husband and mooued with the loue of the Gentleman with teares ready to droppe out of her eies sighing shee spake and said O God! must reuenge of wrong work that in me which loue could neuer do Which the Gentleman hearing answered her and said Madam the reuenge is easie to him that in place of killing his enemy giueth life to a perfect friend me thinketh it is time that truth should take from you the foolish loue you beare to him that loueth you not againe and that the iust and reasonable loue should driue that fear out of your mind which neuer can remaine within a vertuous hart Now Madam let vs lay aside the greatnesse of your state and consider our selues to be the man and wife in this worlde most mocked and betrayed of those we dearely loued let vs reuenge our selues good Madam not so much to giue them their desert as to satisfie the loue which on my behalfe can no longer be forborue vnles it cost me my life and this I think if your heart be not hardened more than a Diamond it is impossible you should not feele some sparke of fire which increaseth so much more as I seeke to couer it if pity of me which for your loue stil die
full of bloud they drewe the curtin and there found the poore body within the bed sleeping his long sleepe You may well thinke what sorrowe his poore seruants made that bare the body to his pallace whither the Bishop came who told them how the Gentleman was departed by night in great haste vnder pretence to go and see his brother wherefore it was evidently found that it was he that had done the murther And it was prooued that his poore sister had neuer heard thereof who although shee was abashe at that had happened yet she loued her brother the more that had deliuered her from so cruell a Prince enemy of her chastity not hauing for the safegard thereof feared to hazard his own life and continued more and more her honest and vertuous life in such sort that although shee was but poore because their house and goods was all confiscate yet shee and her sister found as rich husbands as any were in Italie and euer since haue liued in great reputation The eleuenth Nouell ¶ The subtilty of an amorous gentleman that vnder the fauour and countenance of a good friend obtained of a Gentlewoman of Millan the fruits of his forepassed labours IN the dutchie of Millan at such time as the great master of Chaumont was gouernor there was a Gentleman named the Lord of Boniuet who after for his vertues was Admirall of France Hee being at Millan welbeloued of the great Master and of all others for the vertues that were in him vsed much to bankets where the Ladies and Gentlemen did resort of whome he was better esteemed then euer any French man before him had beene as well for his beuty good grace and pleasant speech as for the report giuen of him to be one of the valiantest and stoutest warriors that euer was in his time Vpon a day being in a maske in shroue weeke he led one of the brauest and fairest Gentlewomen in all the Citty to dance with him and when the hautboies paused he failed not to solicite her with loue which he knew better then others how to doe But she that was not behinde in answering him would sodainly cast her fanne before her face and stay him assuring him that she loued not nor euer would loue any but only her husband wishing him not to hope for any other at her hands This answere made not the Gentleman to forbeare but ernestly pursued her vntill lent but for a resolution he founde her firme and constant in determination neither to loue him nor any other which hee could not beleeue considering the hard countenance of her husband and her great beauty wherfore seeing she so much dissembled he determined likewise to vse deceipt And from that time forwards left off his suite and enquired so well of her life that hee found shee loued a very wise and honest Gentleman of Italie the said Lord of Boniuet by little and little acquainted himselfe with the said Gentleman in such crafty and subtile manner that he neuer could perceiue but he loued him so well that after his Lady he was the man that in the world he most loued The Lord of Boniuet to find the secret of his heart feined to shew him his and that he loued a Gentlewoman whom hee neuer thought vpon desiring him to keepe his secret and besought him that their harts and mindes might be all one The poore Gentleman to shewe him the like fauour tolde him at large of his loue he bare vnto the Gentlewoman whereof Boniuet sought to be reuenged and once a day they met in some place or other to shewe their good fortunes that day past which the one told in good trueth the other dissembling And the gentleman confessed that he had loued that gentlewoman for the space of three yeeres together without euer obtaining any other things at her hands than only faire speeches with assurance to be beloued of her The said Boniuet counselled him the best way hee coulde to finde the meanes to bring his purpose to passe whereby he found himselfe so well eased that in few daies after she graunted him his desire and there rested nothing but to finde the meanes to execute the same which by the lorde Boniuets meanes was soone founde out One day before supper the Gentleman said vnto him Sir I am more beholding to you than to al the men in the world for that by your good counsel I hope this night to reape that I haue so manie yeares laboured to obtaine I pray thee said Boniuet shew me the manner of the enterprise to see if there be deceit or hazard therein that I may aide and serue thee as a friend The Gentleman tolde him how she meant to leaue the street doore open vnder pretence of a certain disease that one of her brethren had for whome at all times of the night they were forced to fetch some thing or other and that hee might assuredly enter into the Court but that hee was to take heede hee went not vp the great staires but rather a small paire of staires on the right hand and so enter into the first gallery where hee should finde that all the doores of the chambers of her father and brother in lawe did open and that he should chuse the third doore nearest vnto the saide staires and that if in thrusting it softly from him he found it shut hee should not stay beeing assured that her husband was come who neuerthelesse was not to returne in two dayes and that if he found it open he should go in softly and then shut it to him knowing thereby not any body to be therein but she her selfe and that aboue all he should not forget to make shooes of felt fearing to make any noise and that he should likewise be sure not to come before two hours after midnight because her brethren that loued play neuer vsed to goe to bed before one of the clocke at night the saide Boniuet answered him and said Go my friend God be thy speede I beseech him to keepe them from incumbrance if my company may pleasure thee I will not spare any thing that is in my power The Gentleman thanked him most heartily and tolde him that in such an enterprise he could not be too sure and went presently to take order for the same The L. of Boniuet for his part slept not and perceiuing it time to bee reuenged on his cruell Dame withdrew himselfe in good time vnto his lodging and caused his beard to be cut of the same length and breadth that the Gentleman ware his beard and cut his haires likewise to the end that by touching their difference might not be knowne he forgate not his felt shoes and the rest of his apparell like vnto the Gentlewomans and because hee was much beloued of the father in lawe to that Gentlewoman was not afraide to go thither in good time thinking that if he were perceiued he would go strait vnto the old mans chamber with whom he
court made great account of him and one among the rest the King loued yet not so faire nor so young as his owne and for the great loue he bare vnto her he made so small account of his wife that hardly once a yeare he lay with her and which was more importable for her was that hee neuer spake vnto her nor shewed any signes of loue and although he enioyed her goods yet he gaue her so small a portion that hardly was she apparelled as her estate required neither as she desired whereby the Lady with whom she was oftentimes reproued the Gentleman saying vnto him your wife is faire rich and of a good house and you esteeme not of her which her infancy and yong yeres hath borne vnto this time but I feare that when she shall perceiue her selfe to be faire and of good stature that some one that loueth you not seeing beauty which to you is not esteemed will seeke to court her so that in bespight she will do that which being by you will vsed she durst not once conceale The Gentleman that had set his heart in another place mocked her and for all that ceased not to follow his old course but two or three yeares being past ouer his wife began to bee one of the fairest women in all France and so faire that she had the whole report in the court not to haue her match and the more she perceiued and felt her selfe worthy to be beloued the more it grieued her to see her husband that made no account of her in such sort that she tooke so great displeasure thereat that without the comforte of her mistris she was in a maner desperace and hauing sought all meanes she could to winne her husbands loue though with her selfe it was impossible but that he should loue her considering the great loue she bare vnto him vnlesse his minde were called otherwise which shee so subtilly went about to know that in time she founde the truth and that he euery night was so busie elsewhere that he forgot both his conscience and his wife and after she was assured of the life he led she was so malancholy that she would weare nothing but blacke nor haunt any places where mirth or good cheere was vsed Which her mistris perceining did what she could to withdraw her from this sad conceit but it was impossible and although her husband were aduertised thereof yet was he readier to mocke her then to take any order therein You know Gentlewoman that griefe ouercommeth ioie and that griefe by ioy is ouercome Wherefore it happened that a great Lorde neere kinsman vnto the mistris of the Gentlewoman and that came often thither vnderstanding the strange maner of the Gentlewomans husband had so great pitty on her that he thought to try if he could comfort her and speaking with her found her so faire and vertuous that he had more desire to win her fauor then to speake vnto her of her husband vnlesse it were to shewe her what small occasion she had to loue him The Gentlewoman perceiuing her selfe forsaken of him that ought to loue hir and on the other side loued and sought vnto of so great and faire a prince counted her selfe happie to be so much in his fauour And although she alwayes desired to preserue her honor yet she took great plesure to speake vnto him and to see her selfe beloued a thing whereof shee had great want This loue continued for a time vntill by chance the King perceiued it who loued the Gentleman her husband so well that he would not suffer any man to procure his shame or displeasure wherefore hee desired the prince to withdraw his minde saying that if he did it not he woulde be offended with him The prince that loued the kings fauour and goodwill better than all the Ladies in the world promised him that for his sake he would leaue his enterprise and that at night he would take his leaue of her which he did as soone as he vnderstood her to be in her lodging and the gentleman himselfe was lodged in a chamber ouer hers and looking out of his chamber window perceiued the prince to enter into his wifes chamber being vnder his But the prince that saw him well staied not to enter and bidding her adieu whose loue as then did but beginne tolde her the reason was because the King had commaunded him so to do After many teares and sighes that continued vntil an houre after midnight the gentlewoman for conclusion spake and saide I thanke God my Lord that it hath pleased him to alter your opinion seeing it is so small and feeble that you can take and leaue it at mans commandement For as for me I haue not asked counsel either of mistris or of husband or of my selfe to loue you for loue helping it selfe with your beautie and honestie hath had such power ouer me that I haue not knowen other God or King than it but seeing your heart is not filled with so true loue that feare as yet remaineth therein you cannot be a perfect friend and of an imperfect I wil not make afriend for that I loue perfectly as I had determined to loue you but now my lord I am constrained to bid you farewell whose feare doth not deserue the freedome of my loue With that the Lord departed weeping and as he went away he perceued her husband stil standing at the window that had both seene him goe in and out wherefore the next day he told him the occasion why he went vnto his wife and the commandement the King had giuen him wherewith the Gentleman was wel pleased and thanked the King but seeing his wife daily to waxe fairer than she was and hee to the contrary became olde and lesse beautifull beganne to change course taking that which he had caused his wife full often to vse for that he made more of her than vsually â—e did whereby he tooke more heed vnto her But the more she perceiued herselfe sought vnto by him the more shee estranged herselfe from him desiring to giue him part of the sorrowes and griefes she had had in beeing little beloued of him and not so soone to lay hold on that pleasure which loue began to shew her she addressed her selfe vnto a young Gentleman so faire so well spoken and of so good a grace that he was beloued of al the ladies in the court And making her complaints vnto him how she had bin well vsed mooued him to haue pity on her in such maner that the Gentleman forgot not anie thing that might comfort her and she to recompence herselfe for the losse of a prince that had forsaken her set her loue so sure vpon the gentleman that she forgat her sorrow past and thought of nothing else but howe to behaue her selfe therein which she could doe so well that her mistris neuer perceiued it for shee neuer spake vnto him in her presence But when she would speake vnto
I haue made so perfect proofe that it hath made mine honor to consent vnto my loue but to the end I might be well assured to place my loue and my heart in a perfect honest man I thought to make this proofe which my maides haue now effected assuring you that for feare of life or other respect I had found you fearefull so that you had hidden your selfe vnder my bed I was determined to haue risen and haue gone into another chamber without euer seeing you more but bicause I haue found you faire of good grace and full of vertue and hardines more then was certifyed vnto me and that feare could not ouercome your heart nor in any sort lessen the loue you beare vnto me I am dotermined to content my selfe with you vntill I die being assured that I cannot put my life and honour into a better hand then in his whose like for vertues I neuer found And so as if the mindes of men were not mutable they sware and promised that which was not in their powers that is a perpetuall amity which cannot spring nor yet dwell in mans heart and they knowe it well that haue tried and known how long such opinions doe continue The foureteenth Nouell ¶ A poore simple country man whose wife loued the Curate of the Church suffereth himselfe easily to be deceaued IN the County of Maime in a villadge called Arcelles there was a rich husbandman that in his age had maried a faire young wench that had no children by him but for the losse she had by him till the recompenced her selfe with other men and when gentlemen and other good companions failed she turned to her last reliefe which was the Church and made him companion of her sinne that could obsolue her which was the Curat that oftentimes came to visit his sheepe The husband being old and crasie suspected nothing but because he was rude and churlish his wife plaied her part as secretly as shee could fearing that if her husbaÌ„d should perceiue it he would kill her Vpon a day as he was abroad his wife thinking hee would come so soone againe sent for the Curate to confesse her and as they made good there togither her husband came in vpon the sodaine whereby the Curate had not leisure to go vnto his house but deuised meanes to hide himselfe and by the womans counsell went into a barne and couered the staires head where he went vp with a fanne of corne the husband being in the house she least he should suspect her made him so good cheere to dinner that she spared no drink wherof he tooke so much that togither with the wearines he had by labouring in the fieldes he fell a sleepe sitting in a chaire before the fier The Curate being weary to be so long in the barne hearing no noyse in the chamber went vnto the stairs thrusting out his necke as farre as he could to looke down perceiued the good man to be a sleepe and looking earnestly vpon him leand so hardly vpon the fanne that both fanne and he fell vnto the ground hard by the old man that slept where with he waked the Curate that arose vp sooner then the man could open his eies said vnto him there is your fanne and I thanke you wherewith he went his way and the poore man being abasht asked what it was she answered him it is your fanne that the Curate borrowed and nowe hath brought it home he grumbling said doe men vse to bring home things they borrowe in such rude maner I thought the house would haue fallen downe by which meanes the Curate saued himselfe to the poore mans cost that found fault with nothing but that he brought his fanne so rudely home The fifteenth Nouell ¶ The strange fragilitie of man that to couer his horrour falleth from euil to worse IN the time of king Lewes the twelfth one of the house of Ambois nephew to the legate of France named George being legate in Auigneon had in the country of Languedoc a Lady whose name I wil not rehearse for her kinreds sake that had better than foure thousand crownes yearely reuenue she being very yong was a widow and had but one child being a sonne and for griefe she had for the losse of her husband as also for the loue of her sonne determined not to marry againe And to auoyde all occasions would not vse the company of any other than religious persons thinking that sinne causeth temptations whereby the yong widow gaue her selfe only to diuine seruice wholy forsaking worldly company in such manner that she made conscience to goe to any wedding or to heare the Organs play within the church When her sonne was seuen yeares olde shee chose a man of zealous life to be his schoolemaister by whose good meanes he might be brought vp in godlinesse When hir sonne entred into his fifteenth yeare Nature which of it selfe is a secret Schoolemaister finding him too delicately nourished and full of idlenesse taught him an other lesson than his maister vsed to do for that he beganne to beholde and respect thinges that seemed faire and among the rest a gentlewoman that lodged in his mothers chamber wherof no man euer doubted for that they no more respected him than a yong infant no other thing being spoken of in the whole house but godlinesse This yong gentleman began secretly to seek vnto the maid that told it to her mistris who loued and esteemed her sonne so much that she suspected the maide to tell it her onely to make her hate him but she was so importunate with her mistris that shee said vnto her I wil know if it be true and assure your selfe I wil correct him if I finde it to be so but if you tell mee an vntruth I wil make you feele the price thereof And to finde the trueth she willed her to appoint her sonne to come about midnight to lie with her in a bed neere vnto the doore of the chamber where the maid lay The maid obeyed her mistris and when night came the Gentlewoman laide her selfe in hir maides bed determining if it were true to correct her sonne so well that neuer after he should desire to lie with maide againe And in that thought and displeasure her sonne came to bed vnto her She although she saw him lie downe would not yet beleeue he would commit any dishonest art but stayed to speake with him vntil she perceiued some signes of bad desire but not being persuaded with so small a signe that he would proceed further was so long paâ—ient and so fraile of nature that she conuerted her choller into a most abhominable pleasure forgetting the name of mother and euen as water that by force is holden in when it issueth foorth meketh more noyse than that which runneth his ordinary course so this poore lady turned her glory into the restraint she gaue vnto her body And when she proceeded to decline from the first degree of
cannot mooue you to loue me at least the loue of your owne selfe should constraine you thereunto who being so perfect deserue the hearts of all the honest Gentlemen in the world being dispised and forsaken of him for whome you haue disdained all the rest The queene hearing these words was therwith in such a transe that fearing once by countenance to shew hir troubled minde and leaning on the Gentlemans arme went into a Garden adioyning to her chamber where shee walked long before that she could vtter any word but the gentleman perceauing her to be halfe wonne being at the Allies end where no man could discouer what they did shewd her by effect the loue he had so long conceald from her finding themselues to be of one consent they tooke reuenge in that whereof the passion seemed intollerable and there they did agree that as often as he went into the Countrie and the King into the Towne he would not faile to come vnto the Castell to see the Queene and in that maner deceiuing the deceiuers they shuld be foure participants of that pleasure which two alone thought onely to inioye this agreement made the gentleman returned home and the Queene into her Chamber with such contented mindes that all their former griefe was cleane consumed and the feare that each of them might haue of the Kings repaire vnto the gentlwoman was wholy turned to desire which caused the gentleman oftener to go then he had vsed to his country house being but halfe a mile from thence Which the King no sooner knew but he went to see the gentlewoman and the gentlman when night came went likewise to the Queene as lieuetenant to the King so secretly as it neuer could be spied which life continued long notwithstanding the King being no common person could not so well dissemble his loue but that the world perceiued it full well whereby all honest men tooke pitie of the gentlemans estate in that some bad companions refrained not to mocke and scorne him which he perceiued wel where with he was so well content that he esteemed his hornes as much as the king esteemed his crowne Who on a time being with the Gentleman could not refraine seeing a harts head nailed vp in the Gentlemans house to smile before him saying that such a head became the house ful well But the gentleman in courage not inferior to the King wrote ouer the head saying I beare these hornes as euery one may see but some do beare them that beleeue it not And when the king came thither againe and found the same writing there he asked the gentleman the meaning thereof who made him answer if the kings secret be hidden from the heart it is no reason why the harts should be declared to the king but comtent your selfe my Lord said he that all those which beare hornes go not bare head for that they are thought that they vncouer no man and he beareth them lightest that thinketh he hath none The king knew wel by thâ—se words that somwhat was discouered yet neuer suspected the loue between the queene him for that the more the queene contented her selfe with the kings behauior so much the more she seemed discontent whereby long time they liued in that sort on all partes vntill by age they were constrained to leaue The fourth Nouell ¶ The rash enterprise of a Gentleman towards a Princesse of Flaunders with the shame and discredite hee reaped thereby THere dwelt in the country of Flaunders a Ladie of such state as better there could not be a widow of two husbands by whom she had no children whereby during her widowhoode shee continued in her brothers house of whom she was well beloued he being a great Lord and husband to a kings daughter This yong prince was much giuen vnto his pleasure louing hunting pastimes and company of Ladies as youth requireth hauing a wife so troublesome and melancholy that her husbands pleasures were no delight to her at al wherefore the said Lord still desired his sisters presence being a pleasant Gentlewoman and the best companion that might be found yet very wise and of great honestie There was in this great Lordes house a Gentleman whose port beautie and good behauior surpassed al the rest of his companions This gentleman perceiuing his Maisters sister to be a Gentlewoman addicted vnto mirth and alwayes pleasant thought to assay if moouing her with the choice of an honest friend would not offend her which he did but found contrary answere to her outward shew and though her answer was such as became an honest woman and so great a Princesse yet perceiuing him to be so faire and courteous withall she easily forgaue his bold attempt shewing by outward countenance not to be displeased with him in speaking vnto her telling him neuerthelesse that her desire was not that hee shoulde mooue her any more therein which he promised to obserue thereby not to loose the honor and contentment he receiued in darke speaking to her Neuerthelesse in time his affection so much increased that he cleane forgat his former promise not that he sought to hazard it by words as hauing ouermuch and sore against his wil tried her wise deniall but thinking if he could find her in some place conuenient that shee beeing a widow yong lusty and of good complexion would possibly take pitie of them both Which to effect he saide vnto his maister that not far from his house he shuld find good store of game and that if it pleased him to goe thither to hunt three or foure stags in the month of Maie he should not finde so pleasant sport elsewhere Which the Lord as well for the loue hee bare vnto the Gentleman as for the pleasure he vsually took in hunting agreed vnto going vnto his house which he found not onely faire but excellently furnished as any Gentleman 's within that country where he lodged the lorde and his lady in one chamber and in an other chamber right ouer against that he placed her whome hee loued better than himselfe The chamber being so wel hanged with arras both round about and ouer head and so well matted that it was impossible once to perceiue a trap doore vnder her bed that went downe into the chamber where his mother lay beeing an olde Gentlewoman and somewhat lame who by reason of her cough fearing to disease the Princesse that lay in the chamber ouer her chaunged chambers with her sonne and euery night after supper this olde Gentlewoman brought comfets into the Princes chamber whereat the Gentleman was assistant who being welbeloued and secret with her brother was not excluded from her when shee â—â—de her readie or when she went to bed where stil he found occasion to augment his loue in such manner that one night after hee had kept the Princesse waking so long time that she being sleepie caused him to retire he went into his chamber and hauing put on his brauest and best perfumd
shirt he had with a night coife sutable thereto it seemed vnto him in looking on himselfe that not any Lady in the world could finde in her heart to refuse his loue wherefore perswading with himselfe a happy successe he went to bed wherein he lay not long by reson of the great desire hope he had to obtaine a far more honorable successe and hauing sent his seruants forth he rose to shut the doore listening if he could heare any stirring in the princes chamber and being well assured that euery man was at rest meant to bring his long desired trauaile to effect by little and little letting downe the trap which being so well trimmed and lined with cloth made not any noyse which being doone by the same way went into the â—â—inces chamber and to her bed who as then beganne to sleepe not once remembering the promise made vnto her neither yet respecting her high parentage where without reuerence or once asking leaue he lay downe by her who soner felt her selfe between his armes then once perceiued his comming But she being strong vnlosed her selfe and asking what he was began in such sort to strike bite and scratch that for the feare he had she should cry out he was constrained to couer her mouth which neuerthelesse he could not doe so that when she perceiued he spared not all meanes to force her to his wil she spared not againe to keep him from it calling her waiting gentlewoman as loud as possible she could that slept within her chamber an old vertuous lady as any could be found who in her smocke came strait vnto her mistris But when the gentleman perceiued himselfe discouered hee was in so great feare to be knowne vnto the lady that in as great haste as he could he got down by the trap and so with as much desire and hope as before he had to be receiued with much more feare and deepe dispaire he was glad to goe away and taking his glasse in hand hauing a candle vpon the table he beheld his face by her all bloody scratched and bitten whereby the blood ranne downe vpon his shirt in such maner that it appeared more bloody than wrought with gold Wherewith he said O beuty thou now hast wonne thy iust reward for by thy vaine promise I haue enterprised a thing impossible which in lieu of increasing my desire may be a strong redoubling of my griefe being well assured that if she once do perceiue that contrary to my promise I haue enterprised this folie I shal not only leese my honestie but the daily frequentation with her that more than others I vsually haue hade that which my glory beuty good grace hath wel deserued I ought not once to couer but to obtaine her loue I shoulde not so haue ventured to force her chaste and princely body but rather by true seruice humble patience attend the time when loue might be victorious because that without it al the vertues forces of man can naught auaile In which sort he passed the night in tears sighs griefs vnpossible to reherse in the morning perceiuing his face al mangled he fained to be sicke and not able to indure the light til al the company was gone The Lady that had wonne the victorie knowing that not any man in her brothers house durst once attempt so bad an enterprise but onely he that had so boldly opened his loue vnto her perswaded her selfe assuredly it was her hoste and hauing with her Gentlewoman sought round about the chamber to see if they coulde finde him in a great rage she said Assure your selfe this is not doont but onelie by the maister of the house but in the morning I wil so deale with my Lord my brother that with his head hee shall witnesse my chastitie Which his furie the gentlewoman perceiuing said Madam I much reioyce at the great care you haue vnto your honour which to augment you woulde not spare the life of him that by the force of loue hath hazarded himselfe but oftentimes there are such as seeke to increase it to the contrary do diminish it wherefore Madam I beseech you not to disclose the trueth And when the Princesse had tolde her how it happened the Gentlewoman said vnto her Your Ladiship assureth me that he obtained naught of you but blowes and scratches Of that I assure you said she and in such manner that if he found not a good surgeon I think the markes will easily appeere Madam seeing it is so said the Gentlewoman mee thinketh you haue more occasion to praise God than to think on your reuenge for you may well suppose that seeing he had so good courage to enterprise such a thing than the despight he hath receiued in failing thereof you cannot giue him any death that would not be much easier vnto him If you desire to be reuenged on him let loue and shame worke which knowe howe to torment him better than your selfe and doe it for your honour beware Madam I say to fall into the like for that in lieâ— to obtaine the greatest plesure that he could deuise he hath receiued the most extreme displesure that any gentleman can haue And you madam thinking to increase your honor may thereby diminish it and by making complaint thereof make that known that neuer was knowne before for by him you may be wel assured it neuer shal be reuealed and say my Lorde your brother should do that iustice you require and therby the poore gentleman loose his life yet the common voyce would be that he had his pleasure of you and againe men would not sticke to say It is impossible for a gentleman to enterprise such a thing vnlesse the Lady haue giuen him great occasion You are both yong and faire liuing merrily in companies there is not any man in the Court but seeth wel what fauour you shew to him whome you suspect which will make all men iudge that if he hath enterprised such a thing it was not done without some fault committed on your behalfe And your Honour which hitherto hath made you hold your head aloft shall by that meanes be brought in question wheresoeuer it shal be knowne The Princesse hearing the good reasons alleadged by her gentlewoman knew well she saide the truth and that with good reason shee shoulde bee blamed considering the priuate and good countenance she had alwayes shewen vnto the gentleman asked her what she were best to do who answered her and said madame seeing it pleaseth you to heare councell perceiuing from what affection it proceedeth me thinkes you should be merry at your hart to see that the fairest and honestest gentleman that euer I knew could neither by loue nor force make you dishonest your selfe Wherein madame you ought to thanke God acknowledgeing it not to be doone of your selfe for that many women leading farre more stricter liues then you haue been ouercome and vanquisht by men lesse worthy to be loued
a ladle full of scalding liquor otherwhiles in my bosome a three footed stoole a pot a candlesticke or any other thing whatsoeuer came next her hand all was one to her and she had learned such a dexteritie in the deliuerie that they shoulde haue come whirling about my eares But in th end hee deuising with himselfe a remedy for these mischiefes he found means to be made the Constable hoping that his office would haue bin a protection to him for a yeare and that shee durst not haue stricken her Maiesties Officer But within a day or two it was his fortune to finde out a pot of strong ale which she had set vp in a corner for her owne drinking and he being thirstie gaue it such a soope that hee left very little behinde the which afterward when she came to seeke for and found her store so pittifully impaired against his comming home at night she prouided her of a waster and hee was no sooner entred the doores but foorth she comes with her cudgell in her hand and with such a terrible countenaunce that were able to affright any man that should behold it Roger said she I had thought you would neuer haue giuen me occasion to be iealous of you but now I see you loue a cup of strong ale better than you loue me and do you not thinke then that I haue great reason to be displeased with your vnkindenesse towards mee and to beate out that lacke of loue that causeth you so lightly to regard me Sisly said he take heed what you do for you know that I am her Maiesties Officer and here I charge you in the Queenes name that you hold your handes What master Constable said she haue you gotten an inchantment for me or do you thinke that your charme shall serue to excuse you No sure no for now you haue deserued double punishment first you being an officer if you offer wrong your punishment must be so much the more grieuous and is it not meere iniustice to take that which was not prouided for you Next you haue deserued to be wel punished for the little reuerence you haue vsed in the execution of your office commaunding mee in the Queenes name to holde my handes with your cappe on your head nor vsing any other duetie or reuerence But maister Constable I will teach you how to vse an office and with that she let flie at his head shoulders and armes and woulde still crie Remember heere after how you doe your office remember your duety to the Queene remember when you do commaund in her Maiesties name that you put off your cap and do it with reuerence and such a number of other remembrances she gaue him as I thinke there was neuer poore Constable before nor since so instructed in an office as hee was To tell of many other like remembrances which at other times she bestowed on him would be but tedious but the conclusion is he is now rid of her she being dead hee le keepe himselfe a widower for her sake as long as he liueth The seuenteenth Nouell ¶ Mahomet one of the Turkish Emperours executes cursed cruelty vpon a Greeke maiden whom he tooke prisoner at the winning of Constantinople IF you do euer make any proofe or triall to know of what trampe the arrowes of loue be what fruit they bring to them that do vse practise thē I am assured you shal be touched with some pitie when you vnderstand the beastly crueltie of an Infidell louer towards his Ladie He of whom I will declare the history is Mahomet not the false prophet but the great grandfather of Soliman Otiman Emperour of the Turkes which reigned at that time he it is that to the shame and eternall infamie of all Christian Princes of his time did winne Constantinople and tooke away the East empire from Constantine a Christian emperour Mahomet then hauing obtained so great a victorie at Constantinople among the spoiles of that rich citie there was a fond Greeke maiden of such rare and excellent beauty as she allured the eyes of euery wight to wonder and beholde her as a thing miraculous whose name was Hyerenae of the age of sixteene or seuenteene yeeres whom a Captaine to gratifie his Lord did present a iewell as hee thought most acceptable vnto him aboue all things of the world The emperour Mahomet yong and wanton beyond measure after that he had cast his eye vpon the yong maiden had grauen her beauty in his heart gaue a straight charge that she should be kept for him hoping after the tumult of the warre was ended to bestow conuenient time vpon her The retreict sounded and the affairs of the empire reduced to sure estate remembring himselfe of the beauty of Hyerence which had made a breach and entrie into his heart commanded that she should be brought foorth vnto him and hauing viewed her at his pleasure he felt himselfe surprised with the new flame that he conceiued no other delight but to play and dallie with her in such sort as his spirits being in loues full possession loue dealt with him so cruelly as he could take no rest day nor night who yeelded himselfe such a pray to his darling Hyerence that he felt none other contentation in his minde but that which he receiued of her And this amorous passion endured the space of three yeeres taking such vigour and increase by little and little that he beganne to forget that which apperteined to the ornament and honor of his empire leauing the whole administration of publike causes vnto his Baschats he himselfe being so negligent as he reposed in them all matters concerning the state of the empire During this disorder the vulgar people began secretly to grudge as well for the confusion and disorder of the empire as for the ill gouernment of the same and specially because the Baschats corrupted with auarice imployed themselues to the particular profit and to inrich themselues with the spoile of the people the Ianisaries on the other side a warlike people and brought vp in continuall exercise of armes began with open voice to detract and slander their lord commonly complaining how he consumed his life like an effeminate person without inferring or doing any profit to the empire To be short the matter came to such desolation as it might rather haue bene called a sedition then a murmure yet there was none so hardy as durst attempt to declare the same to the emperour knowing him to be of nature terrible cruel rigorous that with a word would put him to death that went about to withdrawe him from his desire so that hee was so drunke with the beautie of the Greeke that the least matter wherewith they might giue occasion to withdraw him frō his negligent life was enough to draw him into rage and fury This poore emperour was so bewitched as not onely he consumed dayes nights with her but he burned with continual ielousie whose
whose name I will not disclose but it suffiseth you to knowe that there was not any Frenchman in Italie worthier then he to be beloued for that hee was adorned with all the beauties and good qualities a Gentleman may haue and although he saw this Lady being a widdow wearing a blacke sipres seperated from the younger Ladies and bearing company with the elder sort as one to whome man or woman coulde neuer procure feare he began to entertaine her taking away his vizard and leauing off to dance that he might sit by her and all that night left not off to speake vnto her and the olde ladies togither wherein he found more pleasure then with all the brauest and youngest Ladies in the court in such maner that when he should recite he thought hee had had the leisure onely to sit downe and although he spake not to this Lady but only of common matters which might be spoken in such company yet she perceiued wel he was desirous to acquaint himselfe with her so that she determined to abstaine as much as possible she might in such maner that he could neuer after finde her at any feast or banket whereupon he enquired what her common exercises were and found that she often vsed to the Church and diuers religious houses where hee made so good watch that she could not go so secretly but hee was there before her and that he stayed in the Church as long as he might haue meanes to see her and that as long as he was ther he beheld her with so great affectioÌ„ that she could not be ignorant of the loue he bare her which to avoid she determined for a time to faine her selfe sick and to heare masse within her house whereat the Gentleman was so grieued as more he could not be for that he had no other meanes to see her but onely as I said before she thinking to haue broken off that custome went vnto the Churches as before she vsed to doe which loue presently made knowen vnto the Gentleman who renewed his first deuotions and fearing least she should finde out some other means of hinderance and that he might not haue the time to let her know his minde one morning as shee thought her selfe well hidden within a little Chappell where she heard masse he went and placed himself at the end of the alter and perceiuing that she had but smal company as the Priest held vp the Corpus Domini he turned vnto her and wiâ—h a vnfiâ— speech and great affection said vnto her Madame I take him whom the Priest holdeth in his hands for my damnation if you onely be not the cause of my death for although you take from me all meanes of speaking to you yet can you not be ignorant of my desire seeing that truth sufficiently declareth it vnto you by my languishing eies and dead countenance The Lady counterfeiting not to know his meaning answered him and sayâ— God ought not to be serued in this maner but Poets doe commonly say that Gods do laugh at the othes and lies of louers wherfore women that loue their honours ought to be neither credulous nor pitifull And saying so she rose and went vnto her lodging if the gentleman was displeased at those wordes they that haue tryed the like wil say yea but he that waÌ„ted no courage desired rather that hard aunswere then to haue failed to declare his mind which for the space of three yeares he helde most constantly and both by letters and other meanes ceased not daily to sollicite her but during three yeares space he could never obtaine other answere but that she fled from him as the wolfe doth from the dogs fearing to be taken not for any hatred she did heare vnto him but for the danger of her honour and reputaâ—â—on which hee perceiued so well that more earnestly then before her followed his suit and after many paines refusals torments and dâ—spaires perceiuing the continuance of his loue this Lady had pitty on him granted him that he had so long and earnestly desired and when they had agreed vpon the meanes the French Gentleman failed not to hassard him selfe to go vnto her house although his life thereby might be in great danger because his kinsemen lodged in the same house He that had no lesse subtilty then beauty behaued himselfe so wisely that he entered into her chamber at the time she had appointed where he founde her alone lying in a rich bed and as he made haste to put off his cloathes to go to bed vnto her he heard a great noise of mens voyces speaking softly and of swords that strake against the wals The Lady with a face halfe dead said vnto him nowe at this time your life and my honour are in the greatest danger that euer they were for there I heare my brethren which seek for you to kill you wherefore I pray you hide you vnder the bed for when they finde you not I shall haue an occasion to be offended with them for that without cause they haue giuen me such alarme The Gentleman that as yet had neuer been afraid sayd vnto her and what are your brethren to make an honest man afrayd if all the race of theÌ„ were heere in presence I am sure they would not stay the fourth blowe that I should giue wherefore lie you still and let me keepe the dore with that he wrapt his cloake about his arme and hauing his sword in hand he went to open the dore to see his enemies weapons whereof he heard the noyse and hauing opened it he saw two maides that had two swordes in each hand wherewith they gaue him that alarme which said vnto him pardon vs sir for we haue commandment from our misteris to doe so but you shall haue no more trouble by our meanes The Gentleman perceiuing them to bee weomen could not doe lesse then wish them at the diuell shutting the dore against them and as soone as he could went to bed vnto the Lady whose feare had not in any thing diminished his loue and forgetting to aske her the causes of her skirmishes had no other thought but to satisfie his desire But perceiuing day to appeare desired her to tell him why he had done him that iniury not onely in prolonging time but also in that last enterprise she laughing answered him saying my determination was neuer to loue which sure my widdowe-hood I had alwaies obserued but your honesty from the time you spake vnto me at the banket made me change opinion and that I began as then to loue you as much as you loued me it is true chst lone which alwaies guided me would not permit that loue should cause me doe the thing wherby mine honour should be ought impaired but as the hinde wounded to death thinketh in changing places to change the euill which she heareth in her body so I went from Church to Church thinking to flie that which I bare within my heart whereof