be not of so delicate a complexion as your self so it is that the love which he bears to me doth so much content me that I prefer it above any other thing The Gentleman said unto her Madam If it were so you should not pitty me for I know well that the honest love of your heart would give all contentment if it sound the like love in the heart of the King but God hath so appointed it that not finding in him that which you expected you should not make to your self any God on earth I doe confesse unto you said the Queen that the love I bear him is so great that the like cannot be found in any other heart but my own Pardon me Madam said the Gentleman you have not yet sounded the love of all hearts for I dare professe unto you that such a one doth love you whose affection is so great an insupportable that yours in comparison of his would appear nothing at all And because he finds the love of the King to decrease towards you and his own most infinitely augmented if it be agreable to you you shall be recompensed for all your sufferings The Queen as well by his countenance as by his words did begin to understand that what he spake did proceed from the bottom of his heart and did consider with her self it was long since that he first professed service to her with such affection that he became melancholy therewith which at first she conceived to be occasioned by his wife but now she firmly believed that it was for the love of her And thus the virtue of Love which can make it self to be perceived when it is not counterfit doth also make it self certain of that which is hid from all the world And looking on the Gentleman who was more lovely than her own Husband finding that he was forsaken by his wife as she was by the King being possessed with despite and Jealousie of her Husband and incited by the love of the Gentleman she began to speak with tears and sighes O my God! And can vengeance then force that from me which no Love could ever do The Gentleman who well understood the sense of her words made answer Madam Sweet is his Vengeance who instead of killing an Enemy doth give life to a perfect friend It appears to me that it is now high time that Truth and a just and reasonable love should take from you that sottish love which you bear to him who loves not you Chase from you that sordid fear which cannot have a Mansion in a heart great and noble Let us lay aside Madam the greatnesse of your Estate and regard that you and my self are the most laugh'd at Man and Woman in the world betrayed by those whom most perfectly we have loved Let us revenge our selves Madam not so much to render them their deserts as to satisfie Love which on my part cannot any longer be sustained without Death And I beleeve if you have not a heart more hard than a flint or diamond that it is impossible for you not to feel some sparks of that fire which so much the more increaseth in me as I endeavour to conceal it And if that pity on me who die for the love of you cannot incite you to love me at least let the pity which you ought to have on your self constrain you to it who being so absolutely perfect do deserve to be the Mistresse of the hearts of all the gallant Men in the world and are undervalued and forsaken by him for whom you have disdained all others The Queen hearing these words was so transported that she was afraid to shew by her countenance the trouble of her spirit leaning on the â—rm of the Gentleman did go with him into a garden neer unto her Chamber where a long time she walked without speaking one word to him The Gentleman seeing her half vanquished when they were come to the end of an Alley where none could descry them did by effect declare that love unto her which so long a time he concealed and thus with delight they both fulfill'd their vengeance the passion whereof before was so unsupportable to them They determined there between them both that as often as he repaired to his Country house and the King should come from his Palace into the Town to her that immediately he should come about and return to the Palace to the Queen And thus deceiving the deceivers they were all four partakers in that pleasure which two of them thought to have had alone by themselves The agreement being made they returned the Queen to her Chamber in the Palace and the Gentleman to his house both of them with such content that they had forgot all their former distractions And the fear which before possessed them that the King was with this Gentlemans wife was now turn'd into a desire to have it so which was the cause that the Gentleman more often than he was accustomed did repair unto his Village which was but half a mile from the City and as soon as the King understood of it he did not fail to give a visitation to his Wife and when ever night drew on the Gentleman did constantly come into the Palace to the Queen to perform the Office of the Kings Lieutenant but so privatly that never any did perceive it This course of life continued a long time but the King being a publick person could not so well dissemble his love and many honest men took great pity on the Gentleman for the naughty boyes would make horns at him behind his back in sign of Mockery which he understood well enough but this mockery was so pleasing to him that he as highly esteemed of his Horns as of the Crown of the King who one day his Wife being with him could hardly contain themselves from laughing out-right they both beholding the head of a Stagg which was nailed up in the House of the Gentleman the King said the head was very suitable in that place The Gentleman who had as good a heart as himself presently after the Kings departure did write upon the head To porto le corna chi ascundo vede ma talle porta chi nolo crede The King not long afterwards returning to his house did observe the writing on the head of the Stagg and demanded of the Gentleman the reason of it who made answer unto him If the secret of the King be concealed to the Stagg I see no reason that the secret of the Stagg should be declared to the King But you may content your self he said that those who carry horns do not all show theÌ„ beaming forth from their head for some of theÌ„ are so pleasant that they will not unbonnet any Man and he doth bear them lightest who thinketh that he hath none at all The King understood by these words well enough that he knew something of his own affairs but never suspected the love between the
entertain no more discourses of love with him because there are too many who the second time have fallen into dangers which they bad avoided the first Madam remember that love is blind and blinds us in such a manner that when we think the path most sure it is oftentimes most slippery And Madam it seems to me that you ought not to make the least show of what in this case hath happened to you either to himself or to any other and if he shall yet speak any thing to you concerning it do you pretend that you know nothing at all to avoyd two dangers the one of the vain glory of the victory you have obtained the other in taking pleasure in remembering things so pleasant to the flesh some the most chaste have enough to do to keep themselves from feeling some heats thereof although they fly from the temptations as fast as possibly they can And to the end Madam that he might not think by this hazard that he hath done something which may be agreeable to you I shall advise you that by degrees you will remove your self and your accustomed familiarityes from him to the end he might understand how much you despise his follies and how great your goodnesse is which is contented with the victory which God hath given you without demanding any vengeance on him And Madam God give you the grace to continue the honesty which he hath put in your heart and understanding that all blessings come from him to love and serve him better than you have been accustomed to do The Lady intended to put in practice the counsell of her Lady of Honour and slept with as much comfort as the Gentleman did keep himself awake with sadness The next morning the Lord prepared to be gone and asked for the Gentleman it was told him that he was struck with so sudden a sicknesse that he could not endure to see the light nor any Man to speak to him whereat the Prince was very sorry and would have gone to see him but being informed that he was asleep he was unwilling to awake him and without saying Adieu unto him he departed from his house taking his Wife and Sister with him who understanding the excuses of the Gentleman not to see the Prince nor the Company at his departure did hold her self assured that it was she who had brought this dangerous Indisposition on him because he duist not shew the marks which she had given him And although his Master the Prince sent often to him to come to Court yet he would not return untill he were well healed of all his hurts but only that which Love Despite had printed in his heart When he was returned to Court and found himself before his victorious Enemy it was not without blushing on her part and he who was accustomed to be the most spiritfull in all the Court was so amazed that oftentimes before her he held down his head wherefore she was fully assured that her former suspition was true and by little and little she estranged her self from him though not so closely but he perceived it well enough but he durst take no notice of it for fear of suffering worse and kept afterwards that love of his concealed in his heart with that patience of Restraint as he deserved Ladies Here you may behold what ought to give a great fear to those who presume on that which pertains not to them and it ought to be an example of incouragement to Ladies to behold the virtue of this young Lady and the good Counsel of her Lady of honour If any one of you shall chance to be in the like condition the remedy is already given It seems to me said Hircan that the Gentleman of whom you have spoken had so faint a heart that he was not worthy of that Lady for having such an opportunity he ought not either for young or old to let fall his enterprise And I might well say that his Heart was not full of Love since the fear of death and shame found so much room therein Nomerfide replyed unto him what would you have the poor Gentleman do seeing he had two women against him Do said Hircan why he ought to have killed the old one and when the young one was with him alone she had been half overcome Kill him said Nomerfide would you make a murderer of a Lover If you are of that opinion one might well fear how he falls into your hands If I had you so far said Hircan I should account my self dishonour'd if I came not to the end of my intentions Whereupon Guebron said Do you think it such a strange thing that a Princesse â—rought up in all the ways of Honour should be so difficult to be surprised by one man you ought then much more to marvel at one poor woman who escaped from the hands of two men Guebron said Emarsuite I give you my voice to speak the fifth Novel Since you have chosen me said Guebron to be that party I will tell you a History which I know to be true for I have made inquisition of it at the place where it was done and by that you shall understand that all the wit and virtue of woman is not altogether in the heads and hearts of Ladies nor all love and artifice in those of whom we do oftentimes esteem more highly than they are A Beat-mans wise escaped from two Friers who would have forced her and play'd her part so well that their sin was discovered to all the world The fifth Novell IN the Port of Couloon hard by Niort there was a Boat-mans Wife who night and day did nothing else but ferry over passengers It fell out that two gray Friers of Niort did passe the River with her alone and because it is one of the longest passages in all France to keep themselves in action they courted the woman in the way of Love she made them such an answer as did become her but they who were not weary for any long travel they had on the way nor cold by any disâ—â—mper of the water nor ashaâ—ed at the denial of the woman did both determine by â—â—â—mselves to take her by force and if she made any complaint they threatned to throw her into the River she being as wise and cunning as they were foolâ—h and malicious said unto them I am not so hard hearted as I have made you think for I pray you only to grant me two things you shall then understand that I have a greater desire to obey you than you have to entreat me The Friers did swear unto her by their St. Francis that she should not ask that thing which they would not perform to have that of her which they desired In the first place I require of you said she that you swear and promise to me that neither of you will declare what shall be done to any man living to which most willingly they did swear Secondly
But observing that his wife was throughly mov'd at the love which he did bear to his Chamber-maid he did forbear to acquaint her with the evil turn that he had done her and asking pardon of her he did faithfully promise to abandon all-together his idle course of life This being done he gave back unto her the Ring which he had taken from his Companion whom he intreated not to reveal his shame to any But as all things whispered in the car are preached upon the House-top so not long afterward the truth was known and he was called Cuckold without any disgrace unto his wife Ladies I believe that if all those who have committed the like offences should endure the same punishment Hircan and Saffradant would be in a great fear and danger And why so Longaren said Saffredant Are there none married in this Company but only Hircan and my self There are said she but none that do play at such a Game When or where have you seen said Saffredant that we have made Chamber-maids of our Wives If the Ladies whom it concerneth would speak the truth said Longaren there may be found of their Chambermaids who have been gon from them before the Quarter day Truly said Guebron Are not you a strange Lady who instead of making the Company to laugh according to your promise do put these two poor Gentlemen into a choler T is all one said Longaren as long as it proceeds not to the drawing of swords their choler shall but double our laughter Let it pass said Hircan But if our wives were so rash as to believe his Lady she would move the most temperate of them unto Jealousie I know well enough before whom I speak said Longaren for their Ladies are so discreet and so intirely do affect them that although we should make them horns as great as those of a Stagg yet they would perswade themselves and the world also that they were Chaplets of Roses At that the Company and they themselves whom most nearly it did concern did begin to laugh so heartily that for the present they could not speak a word Dagoucin who had yet been silent could no longer contain himself and said That Man is unreasonable who having wherewith to content himself will search after other things for I have often seen that thinking to fare better and not to content themselves with their own sufficiency Men do fall into the worst of all when it is too late to complain for inconstancy is always to be disproved Simontault said unto him But what think you of those who have not yet found out their half part of love Do you call it inconstancy to seek for it in every place where it is to be found Dagoucin made answer Because a Man cannot tell what that â—alf part is whose union is so equal that the one differeth not from the other it is requisite that we should stay there where Love constraineth and whatsoever the temptation may be to change neither the heart nor the will for if she whom you love be so like unto you that she is of the same will the same desire with you It is your self whom you love rather than her Hircan replyed Dagoucin I will affirm That if our love be founded upon beauty complexion fashion or the favour of a woman and the end of that love be for pleasure honour or for profit the love cannot long continue for if that on which we doe ground our love prove defective the love will suddenly decay but I am confident in my Judgement that he who loveth hath no other end or desire but to be beloved and will rather lose his life than his love Upon my faith said Simontault I do not believe Dagoucin that you were ever in love for if you had known that fire as well as others you would not here have given us a description of Plato's Commonwealth which he did write of onely and had no other experience of it If I ever did love said Dagoucin I do love still and will love as long as I live but I have so great a fear that the expression of my love shall not be answerable to the perfection of it thaâ— I forbear to speak of it lest she from whom I do desire thâ— like height of love should not understand me according 〈◊〉 the absolutenesse of it as indeed it is And I dare not think my own thoughts for fear my eyes should reveal something of them For the more that I keep this fire concealed and covered the more doth the pleasure increase in me to find that I love so perfectly Shall I not believe then said Guebron that you would be glad to be beloved I do not say the contrary said Dagoucin but when I shall be so well beloved as I do love our love shall be so great that it shall not know how to increase nor be capable either of extension or diminution And till I find that love I shall be carefull how I do reveal it Parlament who suspected whither that fancy tended said unto him Take heed Dagoucin to your self for I have seen others who had rather die than confesse their loves Those said Dagoucin do esteem themselves to be thrice happy I said Saffredant and worthy to be put in the Chronicle of Innocents of whom the Church speaketh Non loquendo sed moriendo confessi sunt I have heard much Discourse of these extasies of love but never yet have I seen any one to die for Love And because I have escaped all the torments that love can afflict and have seen as I conceive the utmost of his tyranny on others I am of opinion that no man can die for love Say you so Saffredant said Dagoucin and would you be beloved because none of your opinion do die for love I can reckon a whole Catalogue to you of those who died of no other disease than of too violent a love Because you are so well experienced in the stories of them I will give you my voice said Longaren to give us an account of one which shall make the Ninth of this Journall To the end said Dagoucin that my true History followed with signs and miracles should work a faith into you to believe it I will in this place recite unto you what to my knowledge did happen about three years ago The Lamentable Death of a Gentleman in Love who too late received comfort of her whom he affected The ninth Novell BEtween Dauphin and Provence there lived a Gentleman more rich in virtue beauty and in courtesie than in the goods of Fortune who most intirely loved a young Gentlewoman whose Name I will not rehearse in respect unto her Kinred who are descended of good and great Families but you may assure your selves that the Story is most true and because he was not descended of so great a house as she was he durst not discover his affection to her for the extreme love which he did bear unto her
swear unto him that it should be performed and desired him with confidence to demand it Whereupon he said unto the Mother of the young Lady I do beseech you that you would give her in my arms whom you do promise shall be my Wife and that you do command her to embrace and kisse me The young Lady who was not accustomed to such familiarities did make some difficulty of it but her Mother expresly did command her seeing he had lost both the understanding and the force of a living Man On that Command the Daughter did advance her self upon the bed of the poor sick Gentleman and said unto him My old Friend I pray you to be frolick The poor Gentleman sanguishing in his extreme weaknesse stretched forth his arms despoyled of flesh and blood and with all the force of his body embraced the Cause of his Death and kissing her with his pale and cold lips did hold her close unto him as long as possibly he could and said unto her The love which I have born unto you hath been so great and virtuous that Mariage excepted I never desired of you any other happinesse than what I now enjoy for the event whereof and in this possession of it I with joy shall commend my Spirit unto God who being himself perfect love and charity doth know the greatnesse of my love and the honesty of my desires beseeching him having now my desires in my arms that he would receive my Spirit into his arms And speaking those words he took her again into his arms and with so much vehemence that his weak heart could not endure the strength of his love which was immediately immediately abandoned of all the faculties of life for his Joy was so much dilated that the seat of the Soul failed which did fly to her Creator And although the poor body continued a long time without liâ—e and therefore could no longer possesse the rich prise it so lately gained yet the love which the young Lady had till then concealed did now so violently declare it self that the mother of the living and the servants of the dead had much to do to separate the union and were at last enforced to pull the living almost dead from him who was already dead whom they did honourably interr but the greatest triumph of his obsequies were the tears the sighs and the complaints of the poor young Lady who declaâ—ed her self as much after his death as she concealed her self in his lâ—fe and now as it were satisfied for the injury she had done him And since as I have heard it reported the Husband that was given her to take off from himself thoughts of melancholy could never be entertained with any true joy or comfort of heart You may see here Gentlemen what before you would not believe by my words This Example is sufficient to make you confesse that a true and perfect love being too long concealed or misprised doth bring us as low as death There is none of you who know not the friends and kinred both of the one side and the other wherefore you need not to make any doubt of it and there is no man who hath made experience of it but will believe The Ladies hearing it had every one of them tears in their eyes But Hircan said unto them This is the veryest fool that ever Theaâ—d speak for tell me on your own credit is it likely or reasonable that we should die for women who are made for us and that we should be afraid to ask them what God hath enjoyned them to give unto us I speak not for my self nor for any man here that is married for I have enough of a woman or rather more than will serve my turn but for those only who are in necessity who in my opinion are but fools to be in fear of those whom they ought to make afraid Do you not observe the sorrow which this young Lady suffer'd for her folly for since she imbraced a dead body a thing repugnant to Nature she would not have refused his living body if he had shewed as great boldnesse living as dying be moved pitty Neverthelesse said Oysilla The Gentleman in this made an excellent Remonstrance of the love and civility he did bear her for which he shall be commended throughout the whole world for to find chastity in an amorous heart is a thing more divine than belonging unto man Madam said Saffredant to confirm the opinion of Hircan from whom I differ noâ— I must intreat you to believe me that Fortune doth assist the bold spirit and that there is no man if he be beloved by a Lady but if he can but wisely and affectionately follow his sute will in the end receive all that which he demandeth or at the least in part But Ignorance and a faint heart do cause men to â—ose many brave adventures and then they ground their losse upon the virtue of their Mistresse whom they never did attempt for never was there a place that hath been gallantly assaulted but it hath been taken I do much worder at you two said Parlament that you dare maintain this discourse Surely those whom you have loved have either not held you long or the assault bath been made on so advantagious a place that you think all Women alike Madam said Saffredant As for my self I am so unfortunate that I have no reason to make any boast but I impute not my misfortune to any virtue of the Ladies but to my own defects in having either not wisely begun oâ— too rashly prosecuted my Design and I will allege the old Romant of the Rose instead of many Doctors which saith we are merry Girls and Boys no doubt all alike the Boys for the Girls and the Girls for the Boys Wherefore I do believe that if love be once in the heart of a woman the man may arrive unto his ends if he be not sottishly overseen Parlament said And if I shall tell you of a Lady of a gallant personage that did love and was sollicited and importuned and neverthelesse deported her self most virtuously and was victorious over her own body and her friend will you say that a true thing is impossible Yes said he You are hard of Faith said Parlament if you believe not this example Dagoucin said unto her Madam since I have proved by example the virtuous love of a Gentleman even unto death I must intreat you if you do know any like unto it in the honour of some Lady that you will be pleased to rehearse it for the end of this days journey and you need not fear to be too long for we have yet time enough to speak of many honest Subjects Since the last lot falls to my share said Parlament I will hold you in a long discourse for my History is so good so fair and so true that it seems long unto me until I make you partakers of it and that you know it as well as
to your body that he deserved to lose both together He who doth now possesse your body is not worthy to have your heart wherfore neither is your Body his nor can it properly appertain unto him But I Madam for the continued space of five or six years have endured so much love and travel for you that you cannot be ignorant that both your heart and your body do pertain to me for which I have so often hazarded my own And if you think to defend your self by Conscience be you assured that those who have proved the power of Love will lay all the blame upon you who have so ravished my liberty from me and by your divine perfections blinded my understanding that for the time to come not knowing what to do I am constrained to be gone from you without any hope of ever seeing you again Neverthelesse you may be most confident that in any part of the World wheresoever I shall be whether it be on the Sea or on the Land or in the hands of my most cruel Enemies you shall have my heart which shall continue for ever yours And if before my departure I could have that assurance from you which my great love doth merit I should be made strong to endure with patience the affliction of my long absence And if you please not to grant me my request you will quickly hear it spoken that your cruelty hath given me an unhappy Death Florinda being transported with as much sorrow as amazement to hear these words to proceed from him of whom she had never the least suspition did reply in tears unto him And woe is me now Amadour Are these the effects of the virtuous Discourses which from my Youth hither to we have had together Is this the Honour of Conscience which so oftentimes you have counselled me rather to die than to abandon Have you forgotten the great Examples you have instanced to me of so many excellent Ladies who have resisted that foolish Love Have you forgotten the neglect which you your self have had of light and inconstant Ladies I cannot beleeve O Amadour that you should be so far from your self or that God your Conscience and my Honour should be all dead in you But if it be accordingly as you speak I blesse the Divine goodnesse which hath prevented the mischief into which I headlong was falling by shewing me by your words your heart of which I was so much ignorant for having lost the Son of the Infant Fortunate not only by being married my self unto another but because I found and sufficiently understood that he loved another Lady and seeing my self married to one whom I cannot love and that let me do what I can he cannot be agreeable unto me I considered and intirely resolved with my self to love you with all my heart and affections grounding my love upon the Virtue which I have found in you and which by your means I have in some measure attain'd my self which is to love my Honour and my Conscience more than my life To this rock of Honour I am come where I was confident I should find a most sure foundation but in one moment Amadour you have shewn me that in the place of a Rock sure as I thought and beautifull the foundation of the building is upon loose and uncertain Sands or upon a soft and ruinous Bogg And although I had already begun a great part of the building where I resolved to have made my perpetual residence you on the sudden have overthrown it Wherefore you ought by degrees to forsake all hopes which you have promised to your self of me and to resolve with your self that in whatsoever place you see me not to court me at all either by words or countenance And be not so vain to hope that I either can or will ever change my thoughts I speak them to you with so much sorrow that it is impossible it should be greater but if I had proceeded so far as to have sworn unto you perfect love I do well perceive my heart to be such that it would have been dead within me in this rupture although the amazement that is upon me to be deceived by you is so great that I am confident it will render my life either short or dolorous And on these words I do bid you Adieu for ever I will not here undertake to tell you the grief which entred into the heart of Amadour hearing these words for it is not only impossible for a pen to expresse it but for a heart to conceive it unlesse it be such a heart who by experience hath found the like And observing on that â—â—el conclusion that she was going away he did stay her by the arm knowing very well that if he should not take from her again that evil opinion of him which he had caused her to entertain he should lose her for ever wherefore he said unto her with the most dejected countenance that he could put on Madam Through the whole travels of my life I have desired to love a virtuous Lady and because I have found so few I thought good to make experience to see if by your virtue you were as worthy to be esteemed as you are to be loved which now I understand for certain and I thank God who hath put it into my heart to love such great perfection beseeching you to pardon that foolish and presumptuous enterpise and the rather because it turns to your honour and to my great contentment Florinda who by him did begin to understand the subtility of men as she was difficult to believe the Evil in which he was so she was more difficult to believe the Good in which he was not did say unto him I would to God that you did speak the truth but I am not so ignorant but the estate of Mariage in which I am doth make me clearly enough to understand that a blind and a violent passion did make you to do that which you have done for if God had suffered me to let loose my hand I am sure enough that you would have gone away with the bridle Those Signior Amadour who make it their businesse to follow virtue must not tread in that path in which you would go But it is enough that heretofore I have lightly believed any Good in you it is now time that I should know the truth which doth deliver me from you And speaking those words she departed out of the Chamber and did weep away that night finding so great a grief in this change that her heart had enough to do to sustain the assaults of sorrow which love had given her For although according to her Reason she resolved never to love him more yet he heart which now was not subject to the rules of Reason would not consent unto it wherefore being not able to love him lesse than she was accustomed to do and knowing that love was the occasion of that defect she determined with
of her self He determined therefore with himself since she used dissimulation to practise the same art himself and from that hour did forbear to Court he and so narrowly enquired after her conversation that he found at last she loved an Italian Gentleman who was very young and wise and lovely Signior Bonninet by little and little acquainted himself with that Gentleman with such cunning and sweetnesse that he perceived not the occasion and the Gentleman loved him so intirely that next unto his Mistresse who was this Lady there was not any in the world whom he tendred more affectionately Signior Bonninet to pluck his secret from his heart did counterfeit to tell him all his own and amongst other things told him That he loved such a Lady when indeed he scarce ever thought of her and desired him to keep it private because that they two had but one heart and but one thought The poor Gentleman to shew him a reciprocal Love did declare unto him all along the affection which he did bear to that Dame on whose disdain Bonninet would revenge himself Once a day they met together to acquaint one another with the fortunes which on that day they incounter'd which the Gentleman did in Truth and the other in Dissimulation The Gentleman confessed unto him That he had loved this Lady three years without receiving any thing but good words from her and an assurance to be beloved Bonninet did counsel and instruct him in all the ways that possibly he could by which he might arrive to the fruition of his Desires which the Gentleman found so effectual that in a few dayes she consented to all that he desired there nothing remained but to find out the opportunity which by the means of Signior Bonninet was brought about One day a little before Supper the Gentleman said unto him I am more obliged to you than to all the Gentlemen in the world for by your good Directions I hope to enjoy that this night which so many years I have desired I pray you said Bonninet tell me the manner of your enterprize to see if there be any deceit or danger in it that I may assist and serve you according to the obligations of our friendship Whereupon the Gentleman did particularly account unto him that the Lady had got the opportunity to have the great gate of her House left open in pretence of an Infirmity which one of her Brothers had by reason whereof every hour in the night they must send into the City to help him with some remedy in his necessities she informed him that he might safely come into the Court but advised him to have a care how he went up the stairs and that he might more safely passe another way and on lesse stairs which were on the right hand and that being come into the first gallery where were the chambers of her Father-in-law and her Brother-in-law he should come to the third Chamber next to the little stairs and knocking at the door gently if he should find it latched that then he should be gone for he might assure himself that her Husband was come home but if he found the door open that he should softly come in and latch the door fast being confident that there was none in the Chamber but her self and above all things that he should not forget to come to her with shooes made of Felt for fear of making a noise and withall that he should have a great care that he came not till two of the clock after Midnight because her Brothers-in-law who were much given to play did seldome go to bed till after one Bonninet said unto him Go my Friend God be thy guide whom I beseech to guard thee from all Inconveniences if my Company may do thee any good I will not spare any thing that lies in my power The Gentleman did thank him very heartily and told him That in that affair he could not be too secure and that he would go to prepare himself But Signior Bonninet would not hear on that ear and seeing it was the only hour to revenge himself on that cruel Lady he retired to his own Lodging betimes and caused his beard to be cut after the same length and largenesse as was the Gentlemans he also commanded in the same manner the hair of his head to be cut that by her touch she might not find any difference He did remember also the shooes of Felt and did put on such cloaths as were most like unto those which the Gentleman was accustomed to wear when he would be most gallant And because he was very well beloved by the Father-in-law of the Lady he feared not to go thither before the appointed hour conceiving with himself that if he was perceived he would go directly to his Chamber with whom he had some businesse About twelve of the clock he came into the House where he found many servants and some others comming and going amongst whom he passed without being known and came into the gallery And thrusting against the two first doors he found them shut but the third not having softly knocked at which he entred into it and having latched fast the door he found all the Chamber hung with white Linnen and the floor and the feeling with the same and a bed of Needlework excellently wrought all in white that it was impossible to have it better and the Lady alone within it having on a most rich Coyf and a Smock all covered with pearls and precious stones which he saw through one corner of the Curtain being not himself perceived by her for there was burning in the Chamber a great Candle of white Wâ—x which made the Chamber as bright as day And for fear he should be known by her he first of all put out the light which was burning in the Chamber afterwards he put off his cloaths and came into the bed to her who thinking it was he whom so long she loved did receive him with all the Love that possibly she could But he who knew well enough that it was in the Name of another did not speak one word and thought on nothing but thoroughly to put his vengeance into execution which was to take away from her her honour and her chastity against her will But the Lady was so well contented with that vengeance that she thought she had recompenced him for his long sufferings The clock had now struck one which was the time to bid her Farewel And speaking to her as softly as he could he asked her If she was as well contented with him as he was with her She thinking that it was her Friend made answer That she was not only contented but also marvelled at the greatnesse of his Love which had held him a whole hour without speaking to her At that he began to laugh outright and said unto her Now Madam will you refuse me another time as you have been accustomed to do untill this present She knowing
he would take his leave of her which he did when ever he understood she was retir'd into her lodgings over which were the lodgings of her Husband and being that evening at the window he perceived the Prince to enter into the Chamber of his Wife which was under his own but the Prince who observed him well enough did not desist to go to her And bidding her Farewel whose love was but on the beginning he did allege unto her all the reasons and commandements of the King After many tears and sorrows which lasted until an hour after Midnight the young Lady said unto him in the conclusion Sir I give thanks to God that he hath been pleased that you should forbear your affection seeing it is so little and so weak that you can take it and leave it at the commandment of Men. As for my self I have not demanded counsel either of my Guardian or of my Husband or of my Self to love you for Love ayded by the deportment of your fair self and by your civilities hath had so much power on me that I have not acknowledged any other God or King but him only And since your heart is not filled with such true Love but Fear doth find a place within it you cannot be a perfect Friend and one that is imperfect shall never be a Friend of mine For I loved perfectly as I resolved with my self to love you and I am constrained to bid Adieu unto you whole tame fear doth not deserve the height and courage of my love In this manner the Prince departed weeping and looking back observed her Husband still looking out at the window who did observe both his comming in and his going out Wherefore on the next morning he did give him an account of the reason wherefore he did repair to his Wife and told him the Commandment which the King had laid upon him with which the Gentleman was much contented and most humbly thanked the King But observing that every day his Wife did grow more fair than other and that he himself became old and was much altered in his Complexion he did begin to change his mind and to leave her for whom he had disdained his Wife and now to make much of his Wife only But she the more she saw him to affect her the more she fled from him resolving to return him part of those pangs that she endured for being so little beloved by him And to take away the pleasure which Love had begun to possesse him with she addressed her self to a young Gentleman so gracefull lovely and well-spoken that he was beloved by all the Ladies of the Court and making her complaints unto him how she had been used by her Husband she did incite him to take pity on her so that this young Gentleman omitted nothing that might bring comfort to her and she to recompence her self for the losse of the Prince who had forsaken her did endeavour her self to love this Gentleman so entirely that she forgot all her past affliction and thought on nothing but so to carry on this nâ—w love that it might not be discovered Which she performed with such dexterity that her Guardian perceived nothing of it for in her presence she took great care how she did speak unto him but when she would hold any Conference in private with him she would pretend to go to give a visit to some Ladies at the Court amongst whom there was one of whom her Husband would seem to be in love One night after Supper when it was very dark this young Gentlewoman stole away without calling any one to keep her company and came into the Presence Chamber where all the Ladies were where she found him whom she loved far better than she loved her self and sitting close by him she leaning on a Table did talk unto him feigning as if she had read on some book One whom her Husband had imployed to watch her did in great hast report unto him where his Wife was and in whose Company he who was a knowing man made all the hast he could unto her and comming into the Chamber did behold his Wife reading of a Book and seemed not to see her but directed his course to the Ladies to discourse with them who were on the other side of the Chamber This poor young Lady perceiving that her Husband had found her with him with whom she never entertained the least discourse before him was so amazed that for a little while she lost her sense and being to go all along by the Bench she took her course quite crosse the room at the tables-end and ran away as if her Husband had pursued her with a naked sword she did run to the Lodgings of her Guardian whom she found going to bed and when she had put off her cloaths she left her and retired to her own Chamber whither one of her Maids came unto her and told her That her Husband would speak with her She answered her very resolutely that she would not go to him and that he was of so strange and violent a Temper that she was afraid he would do her some Injury At the last for fear of worse she did go to him and her Husband did not speak so much as one word to her untill they were in Bed together She who could dissemble as well as himself began very tenderly to weep and when he demanded of her the occasion of her tears she told him That she was afraid that he was angry with her because he found her reading in a Book with a Gentleman Immediatly he did assure her That he never did forbid her to speak to any Man and that he was not angry that he found her speaking with him but because she fled away so fast as if she had done something worthy of Reproof and that only by that running away he had a suspition that she loved the Gentleman Wherefore he did now forbid her to speak with any man in publick or in private assuring her That the first time he should take her speaking to any Man he would kill her without consideration or compassion Which she willingly accepted being resolved with her self not to be so sottish as to be taken again But because that in things to which we have a desire the more we are forbidden the more violently we seek them This poor Lady not long after did forget those threatnings of her Husband for on the very next Evening she being returned to lie in another Chamber with other young Ladies she sent to seek out the Gentleman and to request him that he would come and see her that night But her Husband who was so tormented with jealous pangs that he could not sleep did rise in the night and took one of his Grooms with him because he heard that somebody else was sent for and knocked at the Door of his Wives Chamber She who thought of no man lesse than himself did rise being alone and took
her petticoat and her night-gown that was next to her hand and seeing that three or four of her Maids were all asleep she did go to the Chamber door and asking who was there she was answered by his Name whom she had sent for and whom so passionately she loved but to be more assured she opened the little Wicket saying If you are he that you do say you are give me your hand I shall readily know it And when she had taken her Husband by the hand she immediatly knew him and shutting suddenly the Wicket she began to cry out Ah Monsieur It is your hand Her Husband did answer her in a great Rage It is the same hand which is the pledge of the love and promises betwixt us wherefore fail not to come when I shall send for you And speaking those words he departed to his Lodging and she returned into her Chamber rather dead than alive and spake aloud unto her Women Rise my Friends you have slept too much for me for in thinking to deceive you I have been deceived first of all my self And speaking those words she swouned away in the middle of the Chamber The poor women did all rise at her cry so astonished to see their Mistresse as dead and lying on the ground and to hear those words she did speak that they knew not what to do but only to run for Remedies to revive her And when she had recovered speech she said unto them This Hour you see me my friends the most unfortunate creature upon the Earth and repeated to them all her fortune desiring them to be ready to perform their last service to her for she reckned her life as lost They indeavouring to comfort her behold one of the Grooms of her Husbands Chamber by whom he commanded to acquaint her incontinently to repair unto him She embracing two of her women began to weep and to lament desiring them that that they would not let her go for she was sure never to return again But the Groom of the Chamber assured her to the contrary and that upon the hazard of his own life he would undertake that she should receive no Ill. She seeing that there was no resistance did put her self into the arms of the Groom and said unto him Friend Since it must be so carry this unhappy body unto Death and being overcome with sorrow she was carried away by the Groom into his Masters Lodging at whose feet the poor Lady trembled down saying Sir I beseech you to have pity on me and I will swear unto you by the faith which I owe to God that I will tell you the truth of all Immediatly he said unto her as a Man transported And I vow unto you you shall tell me the truth of all and on those words commanded all his Servants to be gon And because he knew his wife to be religious he believed that she would not forswear her self if she did swear upon the Crosse wherefore he brought her a very fair one which he had borrowed and there being none present but themselves he made her swear upon the Crosse that she should tell him the plain truth of that which he demanded But she who had already passed over the first apprehensions of Death took heart and resolved with her self to conceal nothing from him seeing she was to die but so as not to reveal any thing that might bring any danger to the Gentleman whom she loved And having heard divers questions which he made unto her she made answer Sir I will not justisie my self nor make lesse unto you the Love which I have born unto the Gentleman of whom you have suspition but I have a desire to acquaint you with the occasion of that Love Sir you are to understand that never any Woman did love her Husband with such an entire affection as I have loved you for since I have been first married to you there never entred into my heart the love of any but of your self alone you know that in my Nonage my Parents would have married me to a personage of a far nobler Family than your self but they could never make me give the least consent unto it from the hour that you first spake unto me for I stood most firm against their perswasions for you without regarding your poverty or the Remonstrances which they made And you cannot be ignorant of the hard use which ever since I have received from you and how you have loved and esteemed me which hath brought so much sorrow and affliction on me that had it not been for the Lady under whose Government you did put me I had been sunk into the Bottom of Despair But in the end observing my self to grow into Age and to be esteemed to be beautiful by all the world but your self I began so vigorously to feel the Injury which you did me that the love I did bear unto you was turned into hatred and the Desire to please you into vengeance And in that resolution a Prince courted me who to obey his King more than his Love did love me on the same time when I began to feel some comfort and releasment from my torments by the honest love I did bear unto him And in leaving him I found this Gentleman who needed not to be intreated to love me Howsoever his Beauty his sweet Deportment and his Virtue did deserve to be sought after and esteemed by all women of a good understanding At my request and not his own he loved me and with so much honesty that never in his life he required any thing of me contrary to honour And because the little love which I have cause to bear unto you did give me the occasion to keep neither faith nor loyalty with you yet the love which I do bear unto God alone and to my honour hath hitherto preserved me from doing any thing for which I should either stand in need of Confession or of the fear of shame I will not deny unto you that as often possibly I could I have gone to speak with him in a Wardrobe pretending to go to my Devotions for I never trusted either Man or Woman for the managing of that affair I will not moreover deny but that being in a place so private and free from all suspition I have kissed him with a better heart than ever I kissed you but I desire no mercy of God if there were ever any other familiarities betwixt us or if ever he sollicited me for other by any hot Importunities or if ever my own heart had any desire thereunto although I was so glad to see him that it seemed to me that I could have no greater pleasure nor happinesse in the world And you Sir who are the only Cause of my misfortune will you take vengeance for a Deed which for so long a time you have given me the Example an Example which hath out-gon me in this that what you have done hath been without Honour
That although he believed he was innocent of that which was laid to his charge yet he found that he was possessed with a great fear which brought forth a desire to be gone from that Master whose complexion he as yet not understood For my own part Ladies I can find no other thing that could move the heart of the King to hazard himself alone against so brave a Man at Arms and leaving all the Company and the place and Majesty due unto a King to demand the Combat of his Inferiour but only that he would render himself equal to that admirable Prince who doubted of his Enemy and to content himself did give him the Experience of the Noblenesse and Courage of his own heart And without contradiction said Parlament he had reason for it for the praises of all the Men in the world cannot so much satisfie a good heart as the knowledge and the experience that it hath of the Virtues wherewith God hath endued it It is many hundred years since said Guebron that the Poets and others have informed us that to come to the Temple of Renown we must first passe through the Temple of Virtue And for my self who knew very well the two Personages who were the Subjects of this Account I am most assured that the King was absolutely one of the most valiant men that were in his Kingdom Upon my faith said Hircan from the hour that Count William came first from Germany into France I did more stand in fear of his Sword than of all theirs who were esteemed to be the most stout Italians in the Court You know well said Emarsuite that the King was so highly reputed for his valour that our praises cannot reach his Deserts and that this Dayes work will be finished before every one of us shall have given a due character of him Wherefore Madam Give your voice to some one else who hath yet something to say of the Goodnesse of Men if there be any Goodnesse at all in them Oysilla turning to Hircan said unto him you have been so much accustomed to speak ill of Women that it seems to me it will be easie to you to give us some ready account of the praise of Men Wherefore I give you my voice It will be a thing easie to me to do said Hircan for it is not long since that one did give me an account of the praises of a Gentleman whose Love Patience and Perseverance is so commendable that I cannot lose the Memory of it A fair young Lady made trial of the Faith of a young Scholar her Friend before she would permit him to intrench too far upon her Honour The Eighth Novell IN one of the good Cities of France there was a Lord of a great Family who was at the University desiring to attain unto the knowledge by what means virtue and honour ought to be acquired amongst virtuous Men. And although he was so knowing that being but eighteen years of age he seemed to be a Document and an Example unto others yet Love made him to sing after his Lesson And to be the better understood and received Love hid himself under the Damask complexion and in the eyes of the most beautiful young Lady that was in all that Countrey who for the following of a Sute she had in Law was come to that City But before Love had assayed to overcome the Gentleman by the beauties of this Lady he had gained the heart of her by observing the perfections that were in him for in Beauty Grace good Sense and gallant Elocution there was not any of whatsoever condition he was that could surpasse him You who do apprehend the ready and uncontrolled way which this Fire doth make when it hath taken hold of one of the corners of the heart and of the Fancy will easily judge that in two so perfect Subjects Love made no long delay but had them both at his Commandement and filled them both with so clear a light that all their thoughts will and discourse were but the flames of that Love which with their youth which begot a fear in them did make him to purchase and compleat his Affairs with the greatest sweetnesse that possibly could be But she who at first was overcome by Love needed no force Neverthelesse by reason of the shame which accompanieth young Ladies to the uttermost of her power she did stand upon her guard and did forbear to shew her good will untill that at the last the Fortresse of her heart which is the Seat of Honour was so ruined that the poor Lady did agree to that to which she could not be disagreeing Howsoever to make trial of the patience assurance and love of her Servant she did grant him that which he demanded but upon too hard conditions assuring him That if he should observe them she would alwayes love him most intirely and if he failed in the performance he should never enjoy her whilest he lived The Condition was That she was content to Discourse with him in Bed together having nothing on him but the Linen next unto their Bodies but so that he must not demand any thing at all of her but only a Complement and a Kisse He who thought there was no Joy that was worthy to be compared to this did easily accord unto it The Evening being come the promise was accomplished where for all the good entertainment she gave him and his and her striving desires he would not violat his oath And although he conceived that his torment was not lesse than that of Purgatory yet his love was so great and his hope so strong being sure of the perpetual continuance of her love which with so long reluctation he had purchased that his patience overcame and in the morning he did rise from her without doing her the least dishonor The young Lady as I believe being more astonished than contented with it did immediately begin to suspect with her self that his love was not so great as she conceived or that he found not in her so much delight as at first he propounded to himself she had not the least thought of the greatnesse of his honesty nor of his patience or fidelity and his care to keep his oath Wherfore she resolved with herself to make one proof more of his Love and intreated him to Court a Gentlewoman in her company that was younger than her self and almost as handsom that those who observed him so often to come unto her lodgings might conceive that his love was to her Companion and not unto herself The young Lord who assured himself to be beloved by her as long as he was a faithfull Servant to her did obey her command and inforced himself by the love he did vow to her to make love to this young Gentlewoman who seeing him so lovely and so well spoken did believe his pretence as it had been a truth and loved him as if altogether she had been beloved by him When the
after me that he was guided rather by the force of Love than any weaknesse or frigidity If he were such a one then as you speak him said Simontault he should have broken his Oath and if she had been angry for so little she might have quickly been appeased But it may be said Emarsuite that at that time she was not willing What and if she were not said Saffredant had she not been easie to have been forced having already given unto him the possession of the Camp Saint Mary said Nomerfide How wide you draw Is that the way to obtain the favour of a Lady whom you esteem wise and honest It seems to me said Saffredant that we cannot do more honour to a woman of whom we desire such a favour than to take it by force for the poorest Baggage in the world doth desire to be a long time intreated and some there are who must be presented with great gifts before they can be obtained and others are so foolish who neither by presents nor by Complements can be obtained to whom we must make use of other means And when we have to do with one so wise that she will not be deceived and so good that she will not be gained either by great gifts or good words is it not reason to use all the means that possibly we can to obtain the Victory And when at any time you hear it spoken that a Man hath taken a woman by force believe it that the Woman had deprived him of all hope of any other means and think not the worse of the Man who hath put his life in jeopardy to give place unto his Love Guebron began to laugh and said I have seen in my days places besieged and taken by force because it was not possible to bring those unto a Parley who did keep them either by money or by threatnings for they say That a Parlying Town is half gained I believe said Emarsuite that all the Loves of the World are grounded upon these Follies howsoever there are some to my knowledge who have loved and honourably continued in their love without being subject to any such loose Intention If you know of any such said Hircan I give you my voice and the Speakers place I know it to be true said Emarsuite and therefore I will willingly give you an account thereof Of two Lovers who despairing to be married the one unto the other did betake themselves to two places of Religion the one to a Covent of St. Francis and the other to S. Anne of Clare The Ninth Novell IN the time of the Marquesse of Mantua who was espoused to the Sister of the Duke of Ferrara there lived in the House of the Dutchesse a Damsel named Paulina who was so well beloved by a Gentleman who was a Servant to the Marquesse that the greatnesse of his affection was admired by all the world And because he was but poor and a gentile Companion his Master in the love he did bear unto him did advise him to look out some wife that was rich and able to maintain him but he thought that all the Treasure in the world was in Paulina which in marrying her he should possesse The Marchionesse also desiring That Paulina might have a richer Husband or none did distast the proceedings of the Marriage as much as possibly might be and oftentimes would not suffer them to hold any Discourse with one another and did demonstrate to them that if the said Marriage should go on they would be two of the poorest most miserable creatures in all Italy But this reason could not enter into the understanding of the Gentleman Paulina as well as she could did for her part dissemble her love she did bear unto the Gentleman howsoever her heart was entire unto him This love continued a long time and was attended with a hope that at last they should meet with some Fortunes that were answerable to their desires Some few years afterwards this Gentleman in a great Battel was taken prisoner with a Frenchman who was as deep in love with a Gentlewoman in France as he was with one in Italy And when they found themselves Companions of one fortune they began more familiarly to discover the secrets of their hearts the one unto the other The Frenchman confessed that his heart was a prisoner as well as his but would not name him the person or the place But being both in the service of the Marquesse of Mantua the Frenchman knew well enough that his companion loved Paulina and for the love which he did bear to his profit and advantage he did advise him to remove his affections from her which the Italian Gentleman did swear was not in his own power and that if the Marquesse of Mantua in recompence of his imprisonment and the good service he had done for him would still refuse to let him have his Sweet-heart he would turn Grey Friar and never serve any other Master but God which the Frenchman could not believe for he saw not in him any sign of religion at all but only the devotion he had unto Paulina At the end of three months the French Gentleman was delivered from prison and prevailed so much by his diligence that not long afterwards he procured the liberty of his Companion and used his utmost endeavour both with the Marquesse and Marchionesse that they would give their consent to his Marriage with Paulina but he could not perswade them to it for they represented to him the poverty in which they should both live and that on both sides their Parents and Kinred were much discontented at it and they forbade him to speak unto them any more of it to the end that their love at last might passe away by absence and impossibility When the Italian Gentleman perceived that he was constrained to obey the command of the Marquesse he demanded leave of the Marchionesse to take his leave of Paulina seeing he should never speak unto her again which was agreed unto and immediately in these words he spake unto her Since it is so Paulina that Heaven and Earth are against us not only to hinder us in our Marriage but which is worse to take from us for ever the sight of one another and that upon command I must not speak any more to you nor you to me This command is rigorous indeed our Master and Mistresse may well boast that with one word they have wounded two hearts whose bodies needs must languish and they have proved that neither love nor pity did ever enter into their breasts I do know that their aim is to marry us richly to some others but they are ignorant that the truest riches do consist in a contented mind and hereby they have done me so great an injury that it is impossible I should ever do them service again I do believe that if I had never spoken to them of this marriage they had not been so scrupulous as not
to have suffered us to discourse together and I do assure you that I had rather dye than change my affection into worse having loved you with so honest and so virtuous a love and purchased that of you which during my life I ought to defend And because that in seeing you I cannot endure that hard patience as not to speak unto you and because in not seeing you my heart which never can be empty will be filled with despair which will make my end unfortunate I am resolved and have a long time been to put my self in a religious house not but that I know very well that in all Estates a man may be saved but to have the more leisure to contemplate the divine bounty which I do hope will have pity on the faults of my youth and will work a change in my heart to love spiritual things as well as temporal and if God shall give me the grace to arrive to the knowledge of the Religion my devotions shall incessantly be imployed to pray unto God for you beseeching you by that love so firm and loyal which hath been betwixt us two to remember me in your prayers and to beseech our Lord to give me as much patience in not seeing you as he hath given me content in seeing you And because I hoped all my life to have enjoyed you in marriage which honour and conscience do permit I am contented that I had that hope although I must now lose it and because I cannot receive the entertainment from you which belongs unto a Husband yet at the least in bidding farewell unto you vouchsafe me the entertainment of a Brother and give me leave to kisse you Poor Paulina who had been always too severe unto him understanding the extremity of his grief and the honesty of his request that in so great a despair he would content himself with a thing so reasonable without giving any answer to him did throw her arms about his neck and weeped with so much bitternesse and fainting of heart that her words her understanding and her force failed her and she swouned away between his arms and the pity thereof accompanied with his love and sorrow did cause him to do the like Insomuch that one of her companions seeing her to fall down on the one side and him on the other did call out for help and by force of remedies did revive them Paulina who was desired to dissemble her affection was ashamed that she had shewed her love to be so violent Neverthelesse the pity she had on the poor Gentleman did serve her for an excuse being not able to endure the word that did bid her farewell for ever she did go away presently her teeth as shut up as her heart entring into her chamber as a dead body without a Soul she fell down upon her bed and passed away that night in such complaints and lamentations that her servants believed she at once had lost her parents and all her kinred and friends and whatsoever was of comfort to her upon Earth In the morning she in her prayers recommended to our Saviour the Gentleman that was her friend who after he had distributed amongst his Servants the poor fortunes he was master of and taken with him a certain sum of silver he did forbid any of his people to follow him and repaired all alone to a Religious house to demand the habit being resolved with himself never to put on any other The Warden of the Covent who had seen him before did think at first that it was but a Fable or Mockery for in all the Countrey there was not a Gentleman that shewed lesse respect unto a Grey Frier than himself for he had in him all the knowing virtues and graces that could belong unto a Gentleman But after he had understood his words and observed his tears falling like Rivers from his eyes being not ignorant from whence the source proceeded he courteously did receive him and not long afterwards seeing his perseverance he gave him the habit of a Frier which he did put on with great Content The Marquesse and the Marchionesse being advertised of it did find it so strange that not without great difficulty they could believe it Paulina to shew her self not subject unto the tyranny of Love did dissemble it as well as possibly she could insomuch that every one told her That she quickly had forgot the great affection of her loyal Servant She continued thus five or six moneths without making any other Remonstrance during which time there was shewed unto her a Song by one of the Religious Men which her Servant had composed presently after he had put on his religious habit the Song is in Italian and common enough Which when she had perused and read it all over going into the Chapel by her self she wept so abundantly that she dewed all the paper with her tears and were it not for a fear she entertained that she should shew her self more affectionate than became her she had immediatly gone into some Hermitage with a resolution never to see again any creature in the world but the Discretion which she had did constrain her for a short time to dissemble it And although she had taken a resolution altogether to renounce the world she pretended the contrary and kept her countenance so reserved that being in Company there appeared nothing of that Melancholly to which she had abandoned her self She carried this Resolution covered in her heart five or six moneths shewing her self more joyful than she was accustomed to be But one day waiting upon her Mistresse to hear the High Masse after that the Priest was come out of the Vestry to go unto the great Altar her poor Servant who was yet in the year of his Probationership did serve at the Eucharist and carrying two little bottles covered with white Silk in either hand was the first that presented himself having his eyes fixed on the Ground When Paulina saw him in that habiliment in which his Gracefulnesse and Beauty was rather increased than diminished she was so troubled and astonished that to cover the blushes which took possession of her cheeks she began to cough Her poor Servant who did better understand that sound than the Bel of the Monastery durst not turn aside his head but passing along by her he could not govern his eyes from beholding that Object to which so long they had been accustomed and looking on Paulina he was so inflamed anew with the fire which he thought had been almost extinguished that beyond his ability endeavouring to conceal it he fell down all along before her And the fear which he had that the Cause of his Misfortune should be discovered he made an Excuse that the Pavement of the Church which was broken just in that place was the occasion of his fall When Paulina understood that the change of his habit had not changed his heart and that it was so long since he took
Queen The First Novell THere was in France a Queen who in her Court brought up many young Ladies of great and good Houses Amongst others there was one called Rolandine who was her neer Kinswoman But the Queen by reason of some displeasure she did bear unto the Father did not entertain her with that respect as she deserved and although this young Gentlewoman was neither one of the fairest nor yet one of the foulest yet she was so wife and so gracefull that many great Lords and Personages did demand her in Marriage of whom they all received but a cold answer For her Father did love his money so well that he forgot the advancement of his Daughter and the Queen her Mistresse as I have said did bear her so little favour that she was not courted at all by those whom the Queen respected so that by the negligence of the Father and the disdain of her Mistresse the poor young Lady did continue a long time unmarried And thus afflicting her self not so much for the desire she had to be married as for the shame that she was unmarried she at last altogether retired â—her self to her Devotions and abandoning all the flant and vanities of the Court she made it all her Recreation to pray unto God or to perform some curious workmanship with her Needle In this solitary life she passed away her youth living a life so retired and so holy that she became as well the Wonder as the Discourse of all that knew her When she approached unto thirty years of age there came unto the Court a Bastard descended of an Illustrious Family as couragious a Man and as gentile a Companion as any in those times but Fortune had altogether abandoned him and he was so little beholding to Nature that no Lady whatsoever she was would ever have chosen him for her pleasure This poor Gentleman was a Batchelor and as often it comes to passe that one unfortunate Creature is acquainted with another he courted this poor young Gentlewoman Rolandine in the way of Mariage for their compsexions fortunes and conditions were alike and finding themselves both to be the Companions of Misfortune they did seek in all places to comfort one another and by the long society of discourse did hold a perfect Correspondence Those who had observed Rolandine so retired before that she would not speak with any Man perceiving her every hour to entertain the Bastard did take an offence thereat and acquainted her Governesse with it saying It was unseemly they should be permitted to hold such long Discourse together The Governesse was no sooner informed of it but she presently did declare it unto Rolandine assuring her that eveâ—y one did take exceptions that she was alwayes speaking to a Man who was not rich enough to marry her nor handsom enough to be beloved by her Rolandine who had more often been reproved for her melancholy than her affability did make answer to her Governesse Alas my Mother you see that I cannot have a Husband according to the honour of the Family from whence I am derived and that I have always kept company with those who are young and beautifull and would avoid those Inconveniences which I have seen others to fall into And having found now this Gentleman to be wise and virtuous as you cannot deny what hurt have I done to you or to those who brought this information to you to comfort my self in my afflictions The poor old Woman who loved her better than her self did reply unto her Madamoiselle I must confess that you speak the Truth and that you are otherwise used by the Queen and by your Father than you do deserve but so it is That since they speak so prodigally of your honour you ought to abstain from speaking to him if he were your own Brother Rolandine weeping did say unto her Mother since you counsel me I will obey you but it seems strange to me to be allowed no Comfort in this World The Bastard according to his Custom did not long afterwards wait upon her to whom all along she told the Discourse that she had with her Governesse and weeping did intreat him That for a time he would content himself until the Rumor were passed over to which though to his grief he condescended But in this discontinuance of his Company both the one and the other being deprived of all comfort she began to feel so great an anxity of mind that for her part she had never endured the like before She ceased not continually to pray unto God to goe in pilgrimages and to observe days of Abstinence For love as yet unknown unto her did give her so much disquier that it would not grant her the respite of one hour And on the other side The Bastard was possessed with no lesse affection but he who had already concluded in his heart to love her and to use all the means that lay in the compasse of his power to marry her reguarding with his love the honour he should have to enjoy her did conceive it his best way to declare his good will unto the Governesse and to gain her consent which he did by remonistrating unto her the great misery in which his poor Mistresse was detain'd froÌ„ whom they would take away all comfort The old woman weeping did thank him for the honest affection which he did bear unto her Mistresse and did consult with him of the means by which without being discovered they might talk to one another which was that Rolandine should counterfeit herself to be sick of a contagious disease and when her Companions were all gone from her they two might remain alone and he might have the opportunity to speak unto her The Bastard was very joyfull at it and did altogether govern himself by the counsel of her Governesse insomuch that he spake unto Rolandine as often as he pleased But this contentment did not long continue for the Queen who never did much care for her did demand what waâ— the reason that Rolandine did keep her chamber some of the young Ladies made answer that it was by reason of her sicknesse But one of them who had too good a memory told her that the joy which Rolandine had to entertain the Bastard was the great occasion of her ficknesse The Queen who feared that venial sins in her might by degrees prove to be mortal ones did send to see how she did and did forbid her to speak any more to the Bastard unlesse it were openly in her chamber of presence or in the Hall The young Lady made not the least appearance of discontent but made answer that if she had thought that either he or any other had been displeasing to her she would never have spoken the least word unto them Nevertheless she debated with herself to find out some other means which the Queen should not understand it was that on Wednsdays Fâ—ydays Saturdays she would fast and continue in
that according to my imperfection I will not cease to bear you that affection which shall become a Woman fearing God and her own Honour but this affection can never be fully made known unto you until your Heart be capable of the patience which a virtuous Love doth command And for the present Sir I do know what Language I am to hold with you Howsoever you may assure your self that you love not so well your own Good Person or Honour as I do love it Signior Avanes being daunted did make a little pause and taking new Courage he did humbly beseech her That to give him an assurance of what she spake she would be pleased to kiss him But she refused it affirming that for so vain a thing she would not break the Custom of her Countrey As they were in this Debate her Husband did come in to whom Signior D' Avanes said My Father I do perceive my self to be so much obliged to you to your good Wife that I must beseech you that for ever you will repute me to be your Son which the good Man most willingly did consent unto And in the assurance of this love I do intreat you said Signior D' Avanes that I might kisse you Immediately the good Man kissed him and Signior Avanes said unto him If it were not for fear to offend the Law and Custome of the Country I would do as much to my Mother your Wife The Husband hearing that did command his Wife to kisse him which she did without making any appearance to be either willing or unwilling because her Husband did command her Immediatly the fire which her words before did begin to kindle in the heart of the poor Signior did vehemently increase by her kisse so much desired and at first so cruelly refused This being done Signior D' Avanes repaired to the King his Brother in the Castle where he told many fine stories of his Voyage to Montserrat and understood that the King his Brother was preparing to go to Olly and Tassares and considering with himself that the Journey would be long he was surprized with a great sadnesse which constrained him to resolve before his departure to make an essay whether this virtuous Lady did bear him more good will than she seemed to do wherupon he took up his lodgings in a house of the City and in the same street where she lived The house being old ruinous and made of Wood about midnight he did set it on fire whereupon the Cry was so great throughout the City that it came to the house of the rich man who comming to the window demanded what the businesse was it was answered to him that there was a great fire at the House of Signior D' Avanes He immediatly repaired thither with all his people and found the young Signior in the middle of the street in his shirt having pity on him he took him in his Armes and covered him with his Gown and conveying him to his house with all the speed that possibly he could he said to his Wife who was in bed Sweetheart I give you here this prisoner to keep use him as you would use my self And as soon as ever he was departed Signior D' Avanes who would willingly be intreated by her as if he were her Husband did lightly leap into the bed hoping that the occasion and the place would aler the resolution of that virtuous Woman but he found it otherwise for as soon that on one fide he leapt into the bed she made hast out of it on the other and throwing her night Gown on her she came up to the head of the bed and said unto him How now Monsieur do you believe that any opportunities can alter a chast heart You may assure your self that as Gold is proved in the furnace so is a chast heart in the midest of all temptations by which oftentimes it is proved to be more strong and virtuous and doth grow more cold by being assaulted by the most violent hears Wherefore rest your self assured that if I had any other will than what I have represented to you I could not fail to find means to make you know the injury you would doe me which not desiring to use I doe account them nothing But I must desire you if you would have me to continue the affection which I do bear unto you that you would remove far from you not only the will but also the very thought to find me otherwise than I am During this Discourse her Maids came in to whom she gave a command to bring her a Collation of all manner of Confects But he at that time was sensible neither of hunger or thirst with such a desperation was he possessed that he had failed in his enterprise he was afraid that the demonstration which he had made unto her of his passionate love might be an occasion to deprive him of all familiarities with her for the time to come Her Husband having given order for the extinguishing of the Fire was now returned and intreated Monsieur D' Avanes that he would stay in his House for that night which he consented to But the night was passed away in such a manner that his Eyes were more exercised in weeping than in sleeping And early in the morning he came to their bedside to bid them Farewell and kissing the Lady he readily found that she had more pity of him than ill will towards him for his offence and this was a new coal which over and above was added to the fire of his Love After Dinner he did set forth with the King to Trassares but before he took Horse he did once more repair to the House of his Father and Mother to bid them Adieu who after the first Commandement of her Husband did make no more difficulty to kisse him than if he had been her own Son But you may be sure that the more that Virtue did forbid her to reveal her hidden flame by her eyes and by her countenance the more it did increase and become insupportable insomuch that being no longer able to endure the War which Love and Honour had made in her Heart which neverthelesse she had determined with her self never to demonstrate having lost the comfort both of seeing and hearing him for whom she lived she was surprized by so violent a Feaver occasioned by a continual melancholly that the outward parts of her body became cold although she burned incessantly within The Physicians in whose hands the health of men doe always depend did begin to doubt of her recovery by reason of her great oppilation which did render her so melancholy and counselled her Husband to advise her to make her peace with the Physician of her Soul The poor Husband who most intirely loved his Wife was oppressed with so extream a sorrow by reason of those words that to comfort himself he did write to Signior D' Avanes beseeching him to take the pains to come
wanting we must borrow something of Hypocrifie just as we do when we wear Pantofles to make us appear a little higher than we are and doth it not do well howsoever that we can find a way to cover our imperfections To tell you what I think said Hircan it were better sometimes to shew some imperfection than peremptorily to cover it with the mantle of Virtue It is true indeed said Emarsuite that a Garment borrowed doth as much dishonour him who is enforced to return it as it did him credit when he did wear it And there hath been that Lady to my knowledge alive who to cover a small fault hath fallen into a greater I do suspect said Hircan who it is you speak of wherefore at the least doe not name her And why so said Guebron I do give you my voice but upon a condition that after you have recited your Account you will declare the Name and we will all swear unto you never to make any reiteration of it I do promise you that I will said Emarsuite for there is nothing but may be spoken of with Honour The personal diligence of a Prince to remove an importunate Lover The third Novel KIng Francis the first of that name having retired himself into a most pleasant Castle with a small Retinue as well to solace himself with the pleasure of hunting the Buck as to repose himself from the troubles the noise of the City had in his Company a Pr. as wise as virtuous as gallant a man as any in the Kings Court He had espoused a Lady who had none of the greatest beauties but he did love her as well as a Husband could love a Wife And reposed so great a trust in her that if by chance he did take an affection to any other he did not conceal it from her knowing that she had no other desire but what was his The Prince did fall in love with a Lady that was a Widdow who had the reputation to be one of the fairest Ladies that could be looked upon and if the Prince loved her well his Wife did love her no lesse than he and did oftentimes invite her to eat and to drink with her finding her so wise and so honest that instead of being sorry that her Husband loved her she was glad with all her heart to see him to addresse himself to so fair a Creature filled with Honour and Virtue This love continued long insomuch that the Prince imployed himself in his own person in all the affairs of this Lady as if she had been his own Wife and the Princesse his Wife did do no lesse But because she was so exceeding beautiful many great Lords and Gentlemen did court her and were importunately sollicitous to obtain her favour some for love only and some for gifts for besides her beauty she was very rich Amongst others there was a young Gentleman who did follow her so close that he failed not to be in her Chamber every morning when she made her self ready and every evening when she undressed her self to goe to bed and as long as possibly he could he stayed with her all the day which pleased not the Prince for he thought that a Man of so poor a condition and of so rude a deport did not deserve that civil and gratious entertainment of which in private he often made Remonstrances to the Lady But she who was the Daughter of a Duke did excuse it saying That she without distinction did speak to all the World by reason whereof her love was the more concealed seeing that she did speak as much to one as to another At the end of half a year this Gentleman did court her in the way of marriage and did follow his sute with so much diligence that more for importunity than for any love she did promise him that she would accept him for her Husband intreating him that he would not declare it until her Daughters were all married After this promise the Gentleman without any fear of Conscience did goe at all hours into her Chamber when he pleased and there was but one Gentlewoman belonging to her Chamber and but one Gentleman that did know of the Contract they had made The Prince observing that the Gentleman did grow more and more familiar in the house of her whom so much he loved did take it so ill that he could not forbear thus to impart his jealous heart unto the Lady I have always loved your Honour as if you were my own Sister and you doe know the honest discourses with which I did always entertain you and the contentment which I received to love a Lady so wise and so virtuous as your self but I doe find that another who doth not deserve it hath by his importunity gained that which against your approbation I would not desire and this is an affliction not to be endured by me and will prove no lesse dishonourable to your self I doe acquaint you with it because you are young and beautiful and until now have lived in the height of reputation which every day will sink lower lower and being lost will not be easie to be regained And although he is no ways to be compared to you in Birth or Fortunes and much lesse in Authority Knowledge or Gracefulnesse it would be better far that you should marry him than to make all the world to suspect you Wherefore I beseech you to tell me truly if you are determined to love him for I will not have him to be my Companion and am resolved to leave you to him for altogether and I will by degrees withdraw my self from that familiar love which I have born unto you The poor Lady did begin to weep fearing to lose his love and did swear unto him that she had rather die than espouse that Gentleman of whom he did speak but she said that he was so importunate that she could not hinder him from comming into her Chamber on the hour when all the rest were accustomed to enter Of those hours said the Prince I doe not speak at all for I can then come in as well as he and every one may see what you doe But I am Informed that he finds admission into your Chamber after you are in bed a thing which I do find so strange and which comes so quite crosse unto me that I must tell you that if you continue that life and you doe not declare him for your Husband you will be one of the most dishonoured Women that ever was She made unto him all the Oaths that possible she could that she did not esteem him either for a Husband or a Friend but for an importunate Man as he was Well said the Prince since it is so that he is so much troublesome unto you I will take a course to prevent it How said she will you cause him to be put to death No no said the Prince but I will give him to understand that he
are not exempt from being tempted with avarice which is the occasion of so many Evils Nay rather of so much goods said Saffredant for the two thousand Duckets which the old Woman gave the Friers out of her Treasury were goods enough to make them merry And the poor Girl her Daughter who had so long stayed for one Husband might now by this means have two and be better enabled to dispute the truth of all Complexions You entertain always the worst thoughts that may be said Oysilla for in your own opinion all women are of your own temper Madam by your leave said Saffredant I did not care if they were provided they were as easie to be contented as we Men are You speak against the Truth said Oysilla for I am consident there is not a woman here amongst us but knows the contrary and moreover you speak directly against the sense of the Account just now rehearsed which was to shew the ignorance of poor woman and the subtilty and the sin of those whom we do commonly believe to be better Men than all others for you shall find that neither the good Woman nor her Daughter did any thing of their own heads but submitted their desires unto the Counsel of their Confessor Howsoever there are some women so difficult to please said Longaren that in their own opinions they do deserve to have Angels for their Husbands and that is the reason said Simontault that so oftentimes they do find Devils especially those Women who not relying on the Grace of God do trust altogether to their own apprehensions or are slattered to a conceit by others to find in this world that felicity which is not given nor can come from any but from God only How now Simontault said Oysilla I thought you had not known so much Madam said Simontault I am sorry that you conceive me to be no better experienced for through my defect of knowledge I perceive that you entertain a bad opinion of me but for all that by your leave why may not I perform the office of a Frier since a Frier hath performed the office of such a Man as I am Fy fy Do you call it an office said Parlament to deceive Women in doing so out of your own mouth you judg your self If I should deceive a hundred thousand of them said Simontault I should not be reveng'd for the torments which but from one of them I have received I know well enough said Parlament that oftentimes you do make your complaint against Ladies yet neverthelesse we see you jocund and in so good liking that we cannot believe you suffer so much as you say you do But the Author of the fair Lady doth affirm that from bad promises no good can be expected to ensue You do allege a notable Doctor said Simontault who is not only stubborn and churlish himself but also makes them all to be so who do read and follow his Doctrine So it is said Parlament that his Doctrine is more profitable to young Women than any Doctrine that I know But said Simontault If Ladies were without mercy we might set up our Horses in our Stables and let our Armor rust upon our walls and think on nothing but our Country affairs I pray tell me if it be for the honour of a Lady to have the Name to be without pity without Charity without Mercy Without Love and Charity said Parlament she must not be but the word of Mercy doth sound so strangely in the ears of Ladies that they cannot use it without some offence unto their Honours for Mercy properly is to grant that favour which is demanded and we know well enough what is the favour which Men do desire Be not displeased Madam said Simontault there are some Men so reasonable that they desire only but good words You cause me now said Parlament to remember him who did content himself with a Glove I would fain know said Hircan who was that gracious Servant and for that cause I do give you my voice It will be a pleasure to me said Parlament to repeat it to you for the story is full of Honesty A ridiculous account of a Lord of England who on his Habiliments did wear the Glove of a Lady The Seventh Novell KIng Lewis the eleventh did send the Earl of Montmorancy as his Ambassador into England who was there so well entertained that the King and all his Nobility did love and highly esteem him and many of them did communicate unto him their private affairs to have his Counsel therein Being one day at a Banquet which the King had made there sate next unto him a Lord descended of most noble Parentage who did wear a Ladies Glove made fast on his Brest as if it were for a Favour it was wrought all over with gold and on the joynts of the fingers there were many rich Diamonds Rubies Emraulds and Pearls insomuch that the Glove was valued at a very great price The Earl of Montmorancy did so often look upon it that my Lord perceived that he had a desire to know the reason wherfore he was in so gallant an equipage and because he conceived that it would conduce much to his honour he began to speak unto him I do perceive you do find it strange that I have so gorgeously accoutred a poor glove I have a great desire to acquaint you with the occasion of it for I conceive you to be so worthy a Man â—nd so knowing what the passion of Love is that if I have done well I know you will praise me if not you will excuse Love who doth carry a great Command over all noble hearts You must understand That during all my life I have loved a Lady that I do love her and will love her after my death And because my heart had more boldnesse to addresse it self on a time and place unto her than my tongue had to speak unto her I stayed seven years without daring to make any semblance at all unto her knowing that if she perceived it I should lose both the means which I had so often to frequent the place where she was by the reason whereof I entertained as much fear as love But one day being in the field and looking on her such a beating of my heart did take me that I lost both my Colour and all my Countenance which she very well perceived and asked me How I did I made answer to her That it was an insupportable Grief of my heart She who thought that it was a Malady of another sort than Love did shew her self to have pity on me which made me to beseech her to put her hand upon my heart to see how violently it did beat which she did more for charity than for love And puting her hand which was gloved upon my heart my heart did so beat and torment iâ— self that she perceived I did speak the Truth Immediatly I did press her hand as close as I could
said Parlament that many years are not passed since your Wife was very like to have taken you in almost such another habiliment how strange soever you do seem to make of it and that she hath lived a discontented life ever since Content your self with the fortunes of your own house said Simontault without taking thanklesse pains in seeking after mine Howsoever I dare assure you that my Wife hath no cause at all to complain of me and although I were such as you report me to be yet she could never have the means to perceive it by reason of the numerous urgency of so many businesses which do take up all her imployment Women of Honour such as she is said Longaren do need no other business nor desire any other thing but only the love of their Husbands which only can content them but they who seek after a Bestial contentment will never find it where Honesty doth command them Do you said Simontault call it Bestial contentment for a woman to desire that of her Husband which doth belong unto her Longaren made answer to him I will maintain that a chast woman having her heart filled with true Love is more satisfied by being intirely beloved than with all the pleasures that the body can desire I am of your opinion said Dagoucin though the Gallants that be here present will neither understand it nor confesse it for I do verily believe that if a reciprocal love doth not content a woman one Musband will never content her for not living according to the honest love of women she must be possessed with the insatiable desires of a Beast Truly said Oysilla you do put me in mind of a great Lady and most honourably married who not living in that honest love became more sensual than Swine and more outragious than Lions I must intreat you Madam said Saffredant to put an end to the Accounts of this Day that you will relate unto us the the Story of it I cannot do it said Oysilla for two reasons the first by reason of the great length of it and the other because it is not of our time although it hath been recited by a very credible Author And we have sworn to one another to insert nothing into these Novels which hath been written by others It is true said Parlament and I do believe that I have read it but because it hath been written in old French and so long agoe that I am almost confident that neither Man nor Woman here present besides us two have ever seen it or heard it spoken of it may well passe for a Novelty On that assurance all the Company did intreat her to relate it without any respect to the length thereof because they might yet continue where they were a full hour before that Vespers did begin Oysilla therefore at their request did thus begin The Excellent History of the outragious incontinence of a Dutchesse which was the occasion of her death as also of the Deaths of two perfect Lovers The tenth Novel IN the Dutchy of Burgundy there lived a Duke who was a most courteous and a most gallant Prince and was espoused to a Lady whole beauty so highly did content him that he seemed almost to forget the greatnesse of his condition out of a tender regard to please her only which affection to outward appearance she did reciprocally return There was in the Dukes Palace a young Gentleman accomplished with all the perfections that could be desired in a Man He was generally beloved by all but especially by the Duke who had brought him up from his Infancy to attend upon him next unto his Person and seeing him so well conditioned he did love him most intirely and gave him the charge of all those affairs which his age was of a capacity to manage The Dutchesse who had not the heart of a Woman nor of a virtuous Princesse did not content her self with the love which the Duke her Husband did bear unto her nor with the good use which she received from him but oftentimes with too friendly an eye did look upon this Gentleman whom she found so agreeable unto her fancy that she loved him beyond all reason and a great trouble it was unto her to discover her affection to him which every minute she endeavoured to do but for all the temptation of her smiles for all her sighes and passionate regards he did not seem to understand her for the young Gentleman who altogether studyed Virtue in whose School he was brought up did not apprehend the vice of that Lady which she had so small an occasion to put in practise insomuch that the glances and allurements of this foolish Lady did bring unto her no other fruit but a furious Despair And this Despair did one day so overcome her that forgetting her Sex and that she was a Woman who ought to be intreated and to refuse the Intreaty a Princesse that ought to be adored and to disdain her Idolaters she assumed the boldnesse of a transported Woman to discharge that passion which was insupportable For her Husband being gone to his Council who were assembled for the management of the great affairs of State at which this Gentleman by reason of the inexperience of his Youth was not permitted to assist she made a sign unto him that he should come unto her which he did thinking she had some businesse wherein to imploy his service but she leaning on his Arm as a Lady weary of too much ease did take him aside by himself to walk with her alone in the Gallery where she said unto him I do much wonder at you that being so young so lovely and full of all Graces and withall being brought up and living in my Court where are so fair a number of young Ladies that yet you have never been in love nor a servant to any of them And looking on him with the most gracious eye that possibly she could she held her peace to give him leave to answer Madam said he If I were worthy that your Highnesse could vouchsafe to descend so low as to look on me it would be no occasion of wonder in you to observe a man so unworthy as my self to present his service to a Lady and to receive nothing but the disgrace of a repulse The Dutchesse hearing his wise reply did love him better than before and did swear unto him that there was not a Lady in her Court that should not think her self too much honoured in such a Servant and assured him that he might well make a tryal of it for without all question it would fall out unto his honour The young Gentleman all this while did hold his eyes down towards the Ground not daring to behold her looks which carried with them heat enough to make the Ice to melt As he was about to excuse himself the Duke sent for the Dutchesse to the Council Table about some businesse which did concern her whither she did go
any beast He it is who contrary to his oath and promise hath revealed the happy life which without any prejudice to any we have a long time lived O my friend my friend whose only love is entred into my heart with whose life my own hath been woven must it now come to passe that in declaring you my mortal Enemy my Honour must be carryed away by the winds my body crumble into ashes and my Soul for ever depart to its last place of residence What was the beauty of the Dutchess so inchanting that it hath had the power to transform you as somtimes had that of Circe Hath she made you of virtuous to become vicious of good wicked of a Man a Beast a cruel Beast O my Friend my Friend although you have failed in your promise made to me yet I will keep my promise made to you which is that I will never see you again after the divulgation of our Love and being no longer able to live without your presence I do willingly accord to the extreme sorrow which I feel and for which I will provide no remedy neither by Reason nor Physick for Death only shall put an end to it which shall be more pleasant to me than to continue in the World without a Friend without Honour and without Contentment Neither Death nor the War hath deprived me of my Friend neither Lust nor Rage have taken from me my Honour neither Deviation nor Demerit of my own hath made me to lose my Contentment but the cruelty of treachery which hath caused the most obliged of all Men to become the most ingratefull Alas Madam the Dutchesse What pleasure was it unto you when by mockery you did upbraid me with my little Dogg Go on as you have begun and continue to delight your self with that happinesse which doth belong to me alone You make your sport at her who by wisely concealing and who by virtuously loving did promise to her self to be exempted from all mockery O how hath this word contracted my heart How hath it made me to look red with shame and pale with jealousie Wo is me my heart my heart I do feel you can hold out no longer Love unadvisedly or treacherously made known doth consume you with Fire Jealousie and the Injury you have received do freez you with Ice and with Grief and Indignation kils you not permitting the least consolation to arrive Alas for thee O my Soul who by too much adoring the Creature hast forgot the Creator Thou must return again into the hands of him from whom vain Love hath ravished thee Take Confidence O my Soul thou shalt find God a better Father than thou hast found him a Friend for whom thou so often hast forgot God O my God my Creator who art the true and only Friend by whose Grace the love which I have born unto my Friend hath been stained with no Vice unlesse by too much loving him I beseech thee of thy infinite mercy to receive the Soul and Spirit of her who doth truly repent that she hath so much disobeyed thy first and most just Commandement And for the merit of him whose Love is incomprehensible be pleased to excuse that fault which too much love hath caused me to commit for in Thee alone I have perfect Confidence And adieu my false Friend whose Name without the Effect hath broken my Heart Having spoke those words she did fall down from the Bed upon the Ground and her colour waxed pale and her lips blew and an universal coldnesse seized on every part of her Body At that instant the Gentleman who did love her came into the hall and seeing the Dutchesse dancing with the other Ladies looked every where up and down where his Mistresse was and not finding her he did repair into the Chamber of the Dutchesse near unto which he found the Duke walking in the Gallery who conjecturing what his thoughts were did whisper him in the ear and said Your Sweet-heart is gone into yonder Wardrobe I am afraid she is not well The Gentleman demanded of him that he would be pleased to give him leave to wait upon her to which the Duke was easily intreated As soon as he was entred into the Wardrobe he found that she was even ready to breath forth the last breath of her life and falling down on his knees he imbraced her and said unto her O my dear Love How do you do What will you forsake me The poor Lady hearing the voice which so well she knew did begin a little to recover her colour and opening her eyes she looked stedfastly on him who was the occasion of her Death But so looking on him Love and Despite did so violently increase upon her that with a pittifull sigh she rendred her Soul to God The Gentleman more dead than she that was dead did demand of the Damosel How that Extremity seized upon her who all along did account unto him the words which she had heard her speak whereupon he immediately perceived that the Duke had revealed the Secret to the Dutchesse and was transported with so great a fury that imbracing the Body of his Sweet-heart he did along time bedew it with his tears and at last said Wo is me the most treacherous most wicked and the most unfortunate Man in the world How is it come to passe that the punishment of my Treason is not fallen on my self but on her who is innocent O why did Heaven spare me Why did not Thunder check my Tongue in that hour when I first revealed our most secret and most virtuous Love Why did not the Earth open her self Why did it not devour this unadvised Breaker of his Faith Be thou punished O my tongue as was the tongue of the rich Glutton in Hell O my heart be thou perpetually torn in pieces by Eagles as was the heart of Titius O Dear Sweet-heart the most unfortunate misfortune of all misfortunes is befallen me Thinking to have preserved you I have lost you thinking to see you live a long time with content I imbrace you discontented and dead O thou the most loyal and the most faithfull Woman that ever was I shall by all be condemned to be the most inconstant disloyal and the most unfaithful man in the world I might complain of the Duke in whose promise I so much trusted hoping by that to give a longer continuance to our happy life but alas I might know that no man could keep my secret better than my self The Duke had more reason to impart it unto his Wife than I to impart it unto him I can accuse none but my self of the greatest disloyalty that ever was committed by a Lover I had better by far be thrown into the River accordingly as the Duke did threaten that thou my dear friend mightst be preserved alive and I gloriously might have died in observing the laws which true love commandeth but breaking them I remain alive and thou who most perfectly
did love art dead Thy heart so pure and undefiled could not without death endure to understand the Vice which was in me your friend O my God wherefore didst thou create me a Man having a love so light and a heart so ignorant Why didst not thou rather create me a little dogg who so faithfully did know to serve his Mistresse Alas little Dog the joy which thy barking brought unto me is now turned into perpetual mourning because by my means another was admitted to hear thy voice But so it is dear friend that neither the Love of the Dutchesse nor of any Woman in the World hath caused me to change my affections although she oftentimes hath importuned me to it But ignorance overcame me thinking for ever to preserve your Love but this ignorance cannot excuse me for I have revealed the secret of my friend I have falsified my promise which is the only cause that I see you dead before my eyes Shall death be lesse cruel to me than to your self who only for Love have put an end to your innocent life I must believe shall I believe that death will not vouchsafe to touch my unfaithful and accursed heart for a dishonourable life and the memory of my losse through my own default is more insupportable than ten thousand deaths Woe is me my friend If any one either through malice â—r misfortune had been so cruel as to kill you I should readily have put my hand upon my Sword to have revenged you It is no reason therefore that I should pardon the murtherer who was the occasion of your death and by a more unrighteous act than to have killed you with a Sword If I knew any more wicked Executioner than my self I would desire him to see Justice performed on your treacherous friend O Love By the ignorance of loving I have offended thee and wilt not thou relieve me as thou didst her who inviolately did keep all thy Laws Is it nor reason that by the like honest means I doe end my life It is and most reasonable it is that it be done by my own hand and since with my tears I have bathed your face and with my Tongue I have required pardon of you nothing now remains but that with my own hand I doe render my body like unto yours and that my Soul do follow wheresoever yours is gone before me knowing that a virtuous and an honest love can have no end either in this world or in the World to come And immediately rising from the body as a man transported and out of his sense he drew his Sword and fixing the pummel of it against the Wall and the point of it against his Brest he with great violence did drive it quite through his body and falling down he took his Sweet-heart in his arms and did kisse and imbace her with such affection that he seemed to be more surprized by love than by death The Damosel observing him to draw his Sword did immediately run forth to cry out for help The Duke hearing the cry and doubting some sad accident had befallen those whom he most intirely loved was the first that came into the Wardrop and beholding this lamentable spectacle he endeavoured to take off the Gentleman from the body of the dead Lady if it were possible to save him but he held his Sweet-heart so fast in his arms that he could not sever him from her with all the strength he had until he was quite dead himself Neverthelesse understanding that the Duke did speak unto him and demanded who was the occasion of it he did lift up his head and looking furiously upon him he made answer Your Tongue Sir and my own and bowing down his head again he immediately dyed his face being close joyned to that of his Friends The Duke desiring to be thoroughly informed with all the particulars of this Tragedy did command the Damosel to declare at large unto him whatsoever she had seen or heard which she did all along without sparing any thing whereupon the Duke perceiving that he was the Original of all this Evil did throw himself upon the two dead Lovers and with great Lamentation craving pardon of them for his offence he oftentimes did kiss them rising from them in a fury he drew out the sword froÌ„ the dead body of the Gentleman And as a wild Boar being wounded by a Lance doth run with resistlesse violence at him who made the thrust so the Duke did addresse himself to her who had wounded him quite through his Soul He found her dancing in the Hall and more frolick by farr than she was accustomed to be conceiving that in some measure she had revenged her self upon the Niece of the Duke In the middle of the Dance the Duke did lay hold on her and said unto her you promised not to reveal the Secret upon the forfeit of your life And your life shall answer for your trespasse and speaking those words he took her by her Headgeer and sheathed the sword in her Body at which all the Company were so amazed that they conceiv'd the Duke was bereaved of his Senses Having thus put a violent period to the Life of his Dutchesse he called together his Friends and his Servants and did declare unto them the lamentable and most virtuous story of his Niece and the great Injury that his Wife had done her which caused many tears in all the standers by The Duke afterwards commanded that his Wife should be buried in an Abbey which he had founded and caused a fair Sepulcher to be builded where the bodies of his Niece and of the Gentleman were interred together and an Epitaph was laid upon the Monument declaring the History of their loves and their Tragical Deaths The Duke afterwards did undertake a Voyage against the Turks and God so prospered him that he atchieved great honours and gained large Revenues And on his Return finding his eldest Son able to manage the Government of his Estate he did put on the habit of Religion in the same Abbey where his Wife and the two Lovers were buried where devoutly he passed away the Remainder of his life Ladies this is the History which you have intreated me to declare unto you and which I perceive by your eyes that you have not received without compassion From hence methinks we ought to take an Example to have a care not to fix too much our affections on men For how honest and virtuous soever the love may seem to be in the beginning yet for the most part it goes off with an unpleasing Farewell And moreover you may read that Saint Paul would not that married people should set altogether their affections on one another for by how much the more our hearts are ingaged in a terrestrial Love by so much the lesse they are addicted to the Love of Heaven and spiritual things and the more noble and the more virtuous the Love is the more difficult it is to break
the bonds And this Ladies doth excite me to intreat you that every hour you would demand of God his Holy Spirit that your hearts may be inflamed on his Love and that you may find no difficulty in the hour of Death to forsake that which too much in the world you loved If their love was so virtuous said Hircan as you describe it what was the reason that it was kept so secret Because said Parlament the malice of Men is such they will not believe that a great Love as such as this was can ever be joyned with honesty for they judge of virtuous Men and Women according to their own passions and for that occasion it is requisite that if a virtuous Woman doth please to entertain a virtuous Friend she must discourse secetly with him if she intends to discourse long with him for the Honour of a woman is as apt to be disputed on for loving according to the Laws of Virtue as to the unruly instructions of Vice for we judge not but only according to apparence You say something indeed said Guebron but when the secret comes to be revealed we judge not oftentimes so bad as there is occasion for I do confesse it in some cases said Longaren and therefore the best course is not to love at all We will appeal from that Sentence said Dagoucin for if we thought Ladies were without love we could wish our selves without life We understand that they only live to be beloved and although it sometimes doth fall out that they doe misse of this love yet hope doth sustain them and doth cause them to perform a hundred thousand honourable actions until old age doth change their honest desires into more sanctified resolutions They who would deprive us of the Love of Women must take Arms and Honour from Men and make them all Merchants and instead of acts of Chivalry must make it their only businesse to heap up riches If it were not then for Women said Hircan you will say that we were miserable and wretched as if Men had no hearts but what Women do give unto them But I am of a contrary opinion do believe that there is nothing which doth more abate the heart of Man than too much to love Women and to frequent their conversation And for that occasion it is that the Hebrews were forbid to go unto the warrs in that year wherein they were married for fear that the love of the Wife should draw him from those dangers which there he is bound to undergo For my own part said Saffredant I find no great reason in that Law for there is nothing that can make a Man sooner to goe out of his House than to be married for the Warrs without doors are always more grateful and more tollerable than that within and I do believe that to give a desire to men to travel into forein Countreys and not slothfully to amuse themselves at their own fires they ought to marry It is true said Emarsuite that marriage doth take from them all care of their own houses for being married they trust altogether to their Wives and they think on nothing themselves but on the purchase of Honour being confident that their Wives at home will take care enough for their profit In whatsoever sense you will render it said Saffredant I am very glad that you are of my opinion But all this while said Parlament you discourse not of that which is most considerable which is why the Gentleman which was the occasion of this most unhappy accident did not die of meer sorrow as well as the young Gentlewoman who was innocent Nomerfide made answer to her It is because that women do love better and more faithfully than Men. No said Simontault It is because the jealousie and the desire of Women do make them believe that which they have no reason to believe and the Wisedom of Men doth direct them to seek after the Truth only which being rightly understood doth show the greatnesse of their hearts as is apparent by this Gentleman who having understood that he was the occasion of the death of his Sweet-heart did make it remarkable how much he did love her without sparing his own life Howsoever said Emarsuite she died for true love for her faithfull and loyal heart could not endure to be so unexpectedly betrayed It was not Love but Jealousie said Simontault which would give no place to reason and because she did believe that Evil to be in her friend which indeed was not as she thought it was her death was constrained by an excesse of grief for it lay not in her power to help it but the death of her friend was voluntary and of his own accord after he knew the injury he had done her The Love must needs be great said Nomerfide which caused so great a sorrow You need not fear at all said Hircan that you will ever die of that Feaver And as much I dare undertake for you said Nomerfide you will never kill your self after you have known your offence Parlament doubting their debate might prove to her expence did smiling say unto them It is enough that two already have been dead for Love let Love let you two alone And hark this is the last time that the Bell rings in to Vespers Will you go or no Speaking those words the Company all did rise and did repair to the Evening Song not forgetting in their good prayers the soules of true Lovers for which the Monks of their own accord did sing their Hymn De profundis And afterwards as long as Supper did continue they had no other discourse but of Madam Du Verger and having for a pretty while passed away their time in such Conference they did all retire into their Chambers and did put an End to the Accounts of the seventh day The End of the seventh Journall The Eighth Dayes Iournal of the Novells of the Queen of NAVARRE The Preface THe Morning being come they sent to understand in what a readiness their Bridge was and understood that within two or three dayes it would be finished which did nothing please some of the Company who from their hearts desired that the Work would last longer that the contentment might contitinue which they received in that happy company And seeing they had but two or three days at most they were resolved not to lose that time and desired Madam Oysilla to administer unto them the Spiritual pasture of their Souls as she had been accustomed to do which accordingly she did and held them longer than was usual for before that they departed one from another she desired to put an end to her readings on Saint John in which she did so well acquit her self that it seemed â—he Holy Ghost full of Love and Sweetness did speak by her Mouth And all of them being inflamed with that Holy fire did repair to hear high Masse After Dinner talking together on the Journal of the Day
death and the Crosse before his eyes he could obey the Temptation to offend God A goodly reason said Simontault you would not wonder then to see a folly committed provided it were far from the Church or the Church yard Nomerfide made answer You may be as prodigal of your mocks as you will but so it is that the meditation of death will cool the heart how young soever it be I should be of your opinion said Dagoucin if I had not heard the contrary spoken to a Princesse If you will account the Story unto us said Parlament I will give you my voice Whereupon Dagoucin began in this manner The continual Repentance of a Nun having lost the Flower of her Virginity neither by force or love The second Novel IN one of the best Cities of the Kingdom of France next unto Paris there was an Hospital richly founded that is to say with a Covent of fifteen or sixteen religious Nuns and in another part of â—he house not far from it there was a Prior and seven or eight Monks who every day said the Service as the Nuns did only their Pater-nofters and the Hours of our Lady because they were to be imployed in the attendance of those who were sick There dyed one day a poor man where all the Religious women assembled themselves and having used all the Remedies that possibly they could for the Recovery of his health they sent for one of the Monks to confesse him and because they did observe that he did grow weaker and weaker they did give him the Unction and not long afterwards he became speechlesse But because he was a long time passing away and did make as though he did hear although he could not speak every one of the Nuns did indeavour to give him the best exhortations that possibly they could in which good work they so long continued that at the last they were all weary for seeing that night approached and that he was long a dying they did go to bed one after another and none stayed to attend the hour of his departure or to bury his Body being dead but one of the youngest Nuns one of the Monks whom she feared more than the Prior himself or any other by reason of the great austerity which he used as well in his conversation as his words who when they had a pretty while cryed JESUS in the ear of the poor Man they knew for certain that he was dead wherefore these two without any other assistance did put him into the Grave Exercising this last work of Charity the Religious Man began to discourse of the misery of this life and of the happinesse and the glory of the life to come and in this devout discourse they did continue till Midnight The poor young Nun did lend a most attentive ear to his devout exhortations and looked on him the tears trickling down her eyes in which he took so great a pleasure that talking to her of the life to come he did begin to imbrace her as if he had a great desire to carry her at that instant in his arms directly unto Paradise The poor Girl listning to his Discourse and esteeming him to be the most devout and the uprightest man in all the Priory durst not refuse him which the wicked Monk observing in talking to her of God did perform the work which the Devil on the sudden had put into his heart for before there was never the least motion of any love betwixt them The Monk assured her that a Secret Sin was not punished and that two persons not bound in Matrimony could not offend when no Scandal did arise from thence and therefore to avoid all danger of Scandal he advised her that she should confesse her self unto none but unto him And thus they departed and she going first out of doors passing by the Chapel of our Lady did go in to say her Devotions as she was accustomed to do but when she began to say Virgo Maria she remembred that she had lost that Title of Virginity without force or love but only by a sottish fear whereupon she did begin to weep so abundantly as if she would have melted her self all into water The Monk did hear her sighs and complaints and doubting of her conversion by which he might have lost his pleasure did disswade her from it and said unto her That if she was troubled in Conscience for what she had done she should confesse her self unto him The foolish Nun thinking to satisfie God did confesse her self unto him who gave her no other penitence but did swear unto her That she did not sin at all to love him and that a little holy water could wash away the stain of such a venial Trespasse She trusting in him more than in God at the end of a certain time did return to him again to obey him in what he desired insomuch that she was great with Child whereat she was so extremely sorrowfull that she desired the Prioresse not to suffer that Monk to come again into the Monastery knowing that he was so subtil and so serpentine that he would prevail upon her to believe what he pleased The Prioresse and the Prior who did agree very well together did both mock at her and told her that she was big enough to defend her self from a Man At the last in a great consternation of mind and stung with the remorse of Conscience she demanded leave of them to goe to Rome for she thought that if she could but confesse her Sin at the feet of the Pope she should recover her virginity To this desire both the Prior and the Prioress did very readily agree for they had rather that against the Rule she should be a Pilgrim than continue a Recluse and in so troubled a condition of mind Wherefore fearing that her despair would cause her to reveal the life which they did lead in that Monastery they gave her money to satisfie for the charges of her Journey But God so pleased that being at Lyons one Evening after Vespers in Saint Johns Church where Madam the Dutchesse of Alençon who hath been since Queen of Navarr did walk in private to exercise her Devotions with three or four of her Women who were on their Knees before the Crucifix she heard some body to goe up the stairs by the light of the Lamp did perceive that it was a Nun And the better to listen to her Devotions she did retire her self to the Corner of the Altar The Nun who thought she was alone kneeled down and beating her self with her hand on the Brest in the manifestation of her contrition for her fault did weep so abundantly that it was pitty to see her and with her hands lifted up repeated only these words O my God have mercy upon me a Sinner The Dutchesse the better to understand who she was did come more near and said unto her My Friend what are you whence doe you come and
of Venus The Poem is call'd by the Author La Charite and in his Works it is commonly placed next to those Poems which he calleth Les Mascarades THe little God and wild one a Commander Who through the Earth and through the Heavens doth wander Viewing the Ladies of the Court one day Return'd to Heaven to whom did Venus say Tell me my Son as thou abroad dost fly Without regard to Faith or Loyalty If thou on earth hast any beauty known Thy Eye sees all which doth surpasse mine own Love made reply Forsooth be sure there are On Earth no beauties can with yours compare Unlesse one Ladie 's on whose cradle all Indulgent Graces down from Heaven did fall She straight did blush as Ladies blush for shame To have in Beauties an inferiour name And to find out the truth of what he said ' Mongst all her Graces choyce of one she made My Heart my Love my Soul my Eyes my Thought Of thee if ever I deserv'd have ought Goe down to France and let me truly know If any Beauty mine exceeds or no. The young and all divine Pasithea The Skies abandon'd her commands t' obey The Air gave place unto her and the Wind Through the wast Regions buoy'd her up as kind She Stoop'd descending in a sudden flight Cleaving the Clowds as in the silent night Far off there in a shining track is spi'd A falling Star between two Airs to glide Beauty and Vigour Youth and Curtesie Attraction Sport Delight and Love did fly Like Birds about her round and for her sake Did there their chosen habitation make Natures Chief wonder her diviner head With waving treasures thick was covered Of curl'd ring'd crisped and of braided hair But of complexion rather brown than fair A table fair her Forehead seem'd to be Of Marble white the seat of Majestie Smooth as the Sea when we behold it may Lye all becalm'd in a fair Summers day The Ebon Arches of her Brow did prove The Portaict of the Bow o' th' God of Love Or Heavens bright Crescent it resembled when She three dayes old begins her month again Two several forces in her Eyes there were The one was smiling th' other seem'd severe Two Eyes nay rather two twin-stars o' th' Skies That could both Love attract and Love chastise In those black Eyes all Delicacies Trains Hooks Arrows Prisons Services and Chains Whose Arguments even Reason self obey'd Serv'd as a Convoy for that Heavenly Maid In those black Eyes all beauties did abound Without them Love no other lodging found Near which in an exact ascent her Nose A little Hillock 'twixt two Valleys rose On her white tender delicater Ear A Pretious Ruby hung and sparkling there Playd on her Cheek and of her Face before Which shone a wonder made the wonder more A pure Vermilion on her Cheeks did grow Which like a bed of blushing Pinks did show Or like the laughing Strawberries when they Strow'd on the top of all the Cream do play Not all the Flow'rs deriv'd from Princes blood Narcissus Ajax such complexion shew'd As her Vermilion mix'd with Brown which strook Mens Souls transported with so sweet a look Such is the beauty of the Evenings Air With some few blacks imbellishing her fair When the first Clouds but thin appear and Day Doth by degrees begin to wast away Her Mouth a thousand roses did enclose As many Pinks and Lillies where two rowes Of Pearl for Teeth did stand from whence did fly A rich perfume that did imbalm the skie From thence flowd laughter such sweet discourse That Men to Stones she with her words could force But hearing of her speak and could agen Make Stones as gentle and as soft as Men. All the fair features of this Face were seen Clos'd in a round a thick and dimpled Chin Whose soft and dainty swelling did bettay Another plumpness that beneath it lay Her Neck a pillar was of Potphyrie Streak'd with long azure vains where you might see The Rose the Lilly and the Pink conjoyn'd Stirr'd with a soft and pleasant Western wind Two hills of milk which one wind press'd and repess'd Without removing quiver'd on her Breast Whose swelling Rounds on which two pinks did grow Th' approaching flourish of her youth did show The rest I dare not for how can the rest Hid from my eyes be by my art exprest A sacred sequestration 't is where Honour And Chastness waits as watchfull Guards upon her White were her Hands and slender soft and long Which forth in veins and several branches sprung And into five-born twins themselves dividing Shew'd on their tops where were five pearls residing Of maâ—ble pure with art most exquisite Her comlyest Legg was fram'd small were her Feet Such as they say hath Nereus lovely Dame Two sure supporters of so brave a frame Swift as the darting of the lightnings flame This beauteous Nymph to Charls his Palace came And suddenly advanc'd her self unseen Into the Hall where did the mask begin Dark was the night whose danker curtain spread Had round about the air enveloped When the bright Ladies came to dance and did Shine all like Stars when all the Stars were hid Robes there with Gold and Silver richly wrought Their glistring flames in emulation shot Lights in the Air their rising fires threw high Which sparkling from the pretious stones did fly There my brave King there you my Lords might see His Brothers come hung round with Majestie Fenc'd with the Laws which their Companions were Laws that were far more gentle than severe Our ages mirrour Margaret the fair There in her double value did appear And now a Pearl and now a Flow'r did show A braver beauty than the Spring could know About the Hall a pretious cloud did throw Its Musk and Amber odours and did show By that sweet wonder that from Heav'n to dance Came down a Goddesse into th' Court of France Into the Chamber as the Sun doth passe Waving and pointed yet ne'r cracks the glasse But breaks through th' envious object that would stay The piercing force of his diviner ray So this fair lovely Nymph into the Room Where danc'd these Princes unperceiv'd did come And drawing neer shot like Heav'ns sudden fire Her self into our Margaret intire So well her Soul was in her Soul inclos'd So well her life was in her life repos'd So well her blood into her blood was grown That of two bodies they were now but one Which my King seeing though to Heav'n he be As near in judgement as in pedigree Was first of all himself deceiv'd because He thought that only she his Sister was Locking his hand in hers the King did lead The Dance and her who did not seem to tread But as she had no feet she in her pace Swimm'd as she mov'd with a coelestial Grace Man heavy treads and by his gate doth show The dull alliance he to earth doth owe But Gods do flie and unconfin'd to pace Prove their eternal and
opening the trap-door which was so fitly made and covered with cloath that it made not the least crack he went up into the Ladies Chamber between the bed and the wall and without any regard to the obligation which he made her nor to the illustrious family of which she was descended and without demanding any leave or making reverence to her he lay down close unto her who sooner found her self in his arms then perceived his comming But she being a lusty woman did wrest her self out of his arms and asking him who he was began to strike and bite and scratch him insomuch that he was constrained for fear she should cry out to stop her mouth with the coverlet which was impossible for him to doe for when she saw that he spared nothing of all his strength to procure her shame she spared nothing of her own to defend her self and as lowd as she could she called for her Lady of Honour an antient and wise Woman who lay in her Chamber who presently in her Smock made hast unto her Mistresse when the Gentleman found that he was discovered he had so great a fear to be known who he was that as fast as he could he went down the same way he came up and as great as his hope was before and desire to be entertained so great a grief and despair possessed him to find himself return'd in that sad condition He found his Glasse and the Candle upon the table and looking on his face bleeding with the scratches which she had given him and the blood dropping on his short which had discoloured the gold he began to say O beauty thou hast now well rewarded me according to my merit for through thy vain promises I have attempted a thing which is impossible and which it may be instead of augmenting my contentments may be the doubling of all my sorrows being assured that if she should know that against the promise I have made her I have enterprised this folly I should lose all the respect and familiar frequentation which no man hath with her more than my self To gain the love of her heart I should not by force have attempted to have surprized her fair body but by my service and humble patience have attended untill that Love became victorious for without it all the virtue and force of Man have no power at all In this manner he passed away the night in complaints tears and sighs which cannot be number'd In the Morning beholding his face so torn he counterfeited that he was sick and not able to endure the light untill the Princes were gone from his House The Lady who remained victorious being confident that there was not a man in her Brothers Court who durst have attempted so lewd an enterprise but he only who assumed the boldnesse to declare his love unto her did assure her self that it was he who endeavoured so much to work her shame and with her Lady of Honor sought every place and corner of the Chamber to find which way it could be and when she could not discover any thing she spoke unto her in a great choler Assure your self that it can be no other but the Master of the house and in the morning I will make such a complaint to my Brother of him that his head shall be the witnesse of my Chastity Her Lady of Honour seeing her in this resolution spake unto her Madam I am very sensible of the Love which you have unto your Honor to increase which you will not spare the life of one who hath too much hazarded it through the force of that love he bears you but oftentimes we think to increase that which we diminish Wherefore I beseech you Madam that you would vouchsafe to represent unto me the truth of the fact and when the Lady had given her an account of it all along her Lady of Honor said unto her You assure me then that he received nothing but blows and scratches from you The Lady made answer Nothing else I dare assure you and if he meet not with a good Chirurgion I do beleeve that on to morrow the marks will be apparent Madam since it iâ—slo said her Lady of Honour it seems to me that you have more occasion to praise God than to resolve with you self to be revenged of him for you ought to beleeve since he hath so great a heart to make such an enterprise the despite he hath to have failed in it is more grievous to him than any Death that you can give him If you desire to be revenged on him let him alone to Love and Shame which know better how to torment him than you or any Instigations of your Honor. Take heed Madam to fall into an Inconvenience such as is his own for instead of enjoying the greatest pleasure that possibly he could desire he hath received the greatest shame that possibly a Gentleman can indure So you Madam thinking to increase your Honour do go the next way to diminish it For if you will make a complaint you will make that publick which now no Man knows for you may be sure that for his part he will not reveal it unto any And whe Monsieur your Brother shall perform that Justice which you demand and the poor Gentleman shall come to suffer death the Report will run that he would have to doe with you according to his pleasure and the greatest part will say That it is a strange thing for a Gentleman to make such an enterprise if the Lady had not given him some great occasion her self You are fair and young and merry in all Company there is not any in this Court who doth not observe the daily respects of Love which you vouchsafe this Gentleman you suspect who will not judge that if he hath made such an attempt it is not without some fault on your side And your Honour which untill now hath always gone with an advanced head shall be disputed of in every place where this story shall be repeated The Lady understanding the good reasons of her Lady of Honour did apprehend that she spake the truth and that justly she should be blamed especially by reason of the familiar love that she was pleased to shew unto him She therefore demanded of her Lady of Honour what she should do who said unto her Madam since you are pleased to receive my counsell and do observe the affection from whence it comes it seems to me that you ought to entertain a perfect joy in your heart that the most handsom and most accomplished Gentleman that I have seen knew neither by love nor force to dispossesse you of your Chastity And for this Madam you ought to humble your self before God and to acknowledge that this is not by your virtue for many great Ladies who have led a life more austere than your self have been humbled by Men lesse worthy to be loved than himself And moreover you ought to take heed to
any other and was so intimate with her that she concealed not from her her most private thoughts and declared to her all tho love which she did bear to the Son of the Infant Fortunate and she who did hope to gain him intirely did speak of him incessantly and on any Discourse where mention was made of him she would with delight take hold of it and a long time entertain it Amadour after his Marriage with Avanturade stayed not above one moneth with this Company but was constrained to return to the War where he continued above two years without seeing of his Wife who kept alwayes with her with whom she was brought up During this time Amadour did often write unto her but the greatest part of his Letter was Commendations to Florinda Avanturade did not fail to show the Letters to Florinda who returned him thanks for it and sometimes with her own hand would signifie as much unto him in the Letters which Avanturade answered which was the occasion that made her Husband more carefull to write more often unto her But in all this Florinda knew nothing but only that she loved and respected him as her own Brother This was the Intercourse of Letters betwixt Amadour and Avanturade and Amadour who in the space of five years had hardly seen Florinda two whole moneths yet neverthelesse his Love in despite of absence did continually encrease But now the time was come that he made a voyage to see his Wife and found the Countesse of Arand a great way from the Court. For the King of Spain was gone to Vandelusia and had taken with him the young Count of Arand who already did begin to bear arms His Mother the Countesse was retired to a House of pleasure which she had upon the Frontires of Arragon and Navarre she was very joyfull to see Amadour returned who almost for three years together had been absent He was very welcom to them all and the Countesse of Arand commanded that he should be entertained as her own Son As long as he was with her she declared to him the whole state of her affairs and committed the greatest part of the Government of her House to his discretion He gained so great an estimation that in all places thereof wheresoever he came they opened the doors unto him believing him to be so able and so wise a personage that in all things they did put their confidence in him as if in some Saint or Angel Florinda for the love which she did bear to his Wife and to himself did give great respect unto him in all the places wheresoever she did see him not knowing any thing of his Intention wherefore she minded not what countenance she gave him for her heart felt not any heat of a violent passion but onely she received a great contentment when she was near Amadour and no other thought of love possessed her Amadour to avoid the Judgement of those who are experienced in the looks of Lovers in comparison of others was in a great perplexity For when Florinda came familiarly to speak unto him as one who thought no hurt the fire concealed in his heart did so violently inflame it that do what he could his colour would rise in his checks and the sparkles of Desire would fly from his eyes And to the end that in their daily conversation it might not be discerned he pretended to court a very fair Lady called Paulina a Lady who in her time was esteemed so beautifull that few men that ever saw her did escape her bonds This Paulina understanding how well Amadour had deported himself at Barcelona and Perpignan insomuch that he was beloved by all the most beautifull and virtuons Ladies of that Country and above all by the Countesse of Palamons who in beauty was esteemed the chiefest in all Spain told him That she much pityed him that after so many great fortunes he had married so ill-favoured a woman Amadour apprehending by those words that she had a desire to remedy her own necessity did entertain her with the best Language that possibly he could thinking by making her to beleeve a pretence that she should serve to be a coverture for the truth but she being cunning and experienced in love was not contented with words but conceiving to her self that his heart was not satisfyed with her Love she doubted lest he did not make her serve for a cloak only whereupon she did so closely observe him that her eyes were always fastened upon his but he did so well dissemble it that she could not make any certain judgment of any thing but only had an obscure suspition which was a great torment to this Gentleman But Florinda who was ignorant of all those Jealousies did speak oftentimes before Paulina so familiarly to Amadour that he put himself to an extraordinary task to command his eys against his heart And to prevent the falling into an Inconvenience speaking one day to Florinda and leaning both upon the Window he said unto her Madam I beseech you that you will be pleased to advise me which is the best to speak or to die Florinda readily made answer to him I shall alwayes advise my friends that it is best to speak and not die for a few words may be mended but life being lost can never be recovered You shall promise me then said Amadour that you shall neither be offended nor be astonished at the words I shall speak untill you shall understand the end for which I speak them She replyed to him Speak what you please for if you shall astonish me no man else shall recover me to my senses I assure you He then began to speak Madam I have not yet expressed unto you the great affection which I bear you for two Reasons First That I intended by my long service to give you an experience of it and Secondly because I doubted you would conceive it to be an unpardonable arrogance to addresse my self unto you who were I a Prince as your self yet the loyalty of your heart would not suffer any other but he who hath taken possession of it the Son of the Infant Fortunate to hold any discourse of Love with you But Madam as in great wars Necessity doth constrain us to make a wast of our own goods and oftentimes to spoil the Corn in the blade that the Enemy may make no advantage of it so have I made an adventure to hazard the fruit which in time I did hope to gather that neither your nor my Enemies might make to themselves any profit by our Damage Understand Madam that since you were scarce twelve years of age I have been so devoted to your service that I have never ceased from searching out the means to obtain your favour and for that occasion I married her whom I thought that you loved best And understanding the love which you bear to the Son of the Infant Fortunate I have endeavoured to serve and honour him as you
have seen And whatsoever I thought would be pleasing to you I have sought it with all my power you see How I have procured the good opinion of the Countess your Mother of the Count your Brother and of all those whom you doe love in a manner that in this house I am not taken so much to be a Servant as a Child and all the travel that for these five years I have undertaken hath been to live all the remainder of my life with you And you must understand that I am none of those who by this means presume to enjoy any pleasure or profit by you but what shall be virtuous I know well enough and am confident that I can never marry you and if I could I would not do the least Injury to the love which you bear to him whom I desire to see your Husband To prosecute you with a vicious love as those who hope for some recompence for their service by the dishonor of their Mistresses I am so far from that that I had rather see you dead than to know you lesse worthy to be beloved or that virtue was abated in you for any pleasure that could arive to me For the end and recompence of all my service I doe desire only but one thing which is that you will be so constant a Mistress to me that you will never remove me from your favours and continue me in the degree in the which I am reposing more confidence in me than in any other and having this assurance that if for your honour or any thing that doth concern you you shall need the life of a Gentleman mine shall be imployed with all my heart for you In like manner that all honest and virtuous things that I shall doe shall be done onely for the love of you And if for Ladies of a far lower condition than your self I have performed deeds that have highly been esteemed be you assured that for such a Mistresse my enterprizes shall be doubled so that those things which before I left off as difficult and impossible shall now become easie to me But if you will not accept me to be altogether yours I have resolved with my self to leave off the Exercise of Arms and to bid Adieu to Virtue that hath not helped me at my need Wherefore Madam I most humbly beseech you that my just sute may be granted to me which neither your Honor nor your Conscience can deny The young Lady hearing those words so unusuall to her did begin to change her colour and held down her eyes as a Woman astonished Howsoever being of a ready and a great understanding she said unto him Since it is so Seignior Amadour that you demand that of me which you have already how doth it come about that you have made unto me so long an Oration I have so great a fear that under your honest words there are some ill Intentions hid to deceive the Ignorance of my youth that I am in a great perplexity to answer you For if I should deny that honest love which you offer me I should do contrary to that which hitherto I have done who do put more confidence in your self than in all the Men in the world Neither my Conscience nor my Honor do contradict your Demand nor the love which I do bear to the son of the Infant Fortunate for that love is grounded upon Marriage to which you can have no pretence I know nothing that may withhold me from giving you an answer according to your desire but onely Fear which invades my heart grounded on the small occasion you have to begin this Discourse for if you have already that which you demand what is it doth constrain you to speak so affectionatly Amadour who now was not without an answer said unto her Madam you speak most wisely and do me so much Honour by the Confidence which you say you repose in me that if I should not content my self with this happinesse I should be unworthy of any other But you are to understand Madam that he who would raise a lasting edifice ought to regard that he doth lay a sure foundation therefore I who desire to continue perpetually in your service do not only look upon the means to keep me near unto you but also to hinder what I can that the great affection which I bear unto you may not be discovered For though it be so honest that the least sin cannot be found in it yet so it is that those who know not the hearts of true lovers do oftentimes judge against the truth and from hence proceed so many ill reports the events whereof have been so mischievous The cause which hath enforced me to speak and to declare this unto you is Paulina who doth so strongly suspect me perceiving in her own heart that I cannot love her that in all places wheresoever I do come she is alwayes with a watchfull eye looking stedfastly on my face and when you come to speak familiarly unto me before her I have so great a fear to give some sign by which she might ground some bad construction that I am ready to fall into an Inconvenience from which I would fain keep my self so that I have conceived it expedient to beseech you That before her and such creatures as she is you would not be pleased to speak so suddenly unto me for I had rather by far be out of the world than any one alive should have the least knowledge of it And were it not for the love which I owe unto your Honour I should not have taken this resolution to speak these words unto you for I am sufficiently happy in the love and confidence you have in me without demanding any thing more but onely your continuation of it At these words Florinda received so great content that she could not indure a greater and began to feel in her heart something more than before she was accustomed to find and considering the honest reasons he alleged she told him That Virtue and Honour had made answer for her and did accord to that which he desired If Amadour was not joyfull of this assurance I leave it to those to judge who have been themselves in love But Florinda began to follow his counsel more than he desired for she who was fearfull did not only forbear to speak unto him before Paulina but also before all others and in this discontinuance of Discourse she began her self to suspect the frequent communication which Amadour had with Paulina who did like it very well and now did confidently beleeve that Amadour did love her Florinda to passe away this sorrow did daily entertain Aventurade who began to be very jealous of her Husband and Paulina and oftentimes did complain of it to Florinda who did comfort her the best she cold being one who was infected her self with the same Disease Amadour quickly perceived by the Countenance of Florinda that not only she estranged her self
having payed his ransom he hoped withall that he should be so happy as to see again Florinda On this he yeelded himself prisoner to a Turk called Derlin Governour of Tunis for the King who immediately did bring him to his Master where he was very well received and honoured and had a stronger guard set on him for the Turks thought having him in their hands that they had got the Achilles of the Spaniards In this condition Amadour continued almost two yeats under the King of Tunis In the mean time the News of this Captivity was brought into Spain for which the Kinsmen of the Duke of Naygueres made a great lamentation but those who loved the honour of their Country did esteem the losse of Amadour to be far greater The report of this Defeat was brought unto the House of the Countesse of Arand at the same time when poor Avanturade was extremely sick The Countesse who had a great doubt her self of the affection which Amadour did bear unto her Daughter which she suffered and dissembled by reason of the great virtues which she saw to shine in him did call her Daughter to her and did acquaint her with this melancholly News Florinda who knew well enough to dissemble said unto her that it was a great losse to all their House but most of all she pityed his poor Wife especially considering the great weaknesse she was in but seeing her Mother weep so bitterly she let fall a few tears also to keep her company to the end that by dissembling too much her dissimulation might not be discovered After that her Mother did speak often to her concerning him but could never collect any thing from her countenance whereby to assure her judgment I will here forbear to make mentiō of those Pilgrimages Prayers Orisons and Fasts which Florinda ordinarily made for the safety and deliverance of Amadour who as soon as ever he arrived at Tunis did not fail to send the News of his Misfortunes to his friends and by a sure Messenger he advertised Madam Florinda that he was in good health and in good hope to see her again which was the only comfort this poor young Lady had to sustain her affliction And you may be assured that she found the means to write back unto him which she did so diligently that Amadour could not complain for any want of comfort in her Letters and Epistles Some moneths after the Countesse of Arand was commanded to come to Saragossa where the King was arrived and the young Duke of Cardona with him who used such importunities with the King and Queen that they intreated the Countesse to make up the Marriage betwixt him and her Daughter The Countesse being she who in nothing would disobey them did consent unto it believing that her Daughter being very young had no other desire but what was hers When all was agreed upon she told her Daughter That she had made choice of that party for her who was most necessary The Daughter knowing that in a thing that was already done there needed not any more counsel made answer to her God be praised for all And seeing her Mother to grow strange unto her she chose rather to obey her than to have any pity on herself And to increase her affliction she understood that the Son of the Infant Fortunate was sick unto Death but before her Mother or any other she made not the least appearance of any sorrow and did contain her self so much that her tears by force being retired into her heart did make the blood to spin out of her nose in such abundance that she was in danger of her life but her Mother to recover her did marry her unto him whom willingly she would have exchanged for her Death After the celebration of this Marriage Florinda did repair with her Husband into the Dukedom of Cardona and took along with her Avanturade whom she made partaker of her Complaints as well of the severity of her Mother as of the grief she had to have lost the Son of the Infant Fortunate but of her chief grief for Amadour she spake not one word unto her but only in the way to comfort her After this this young Lady did resolve with her self to have God alwayes and her Honour before her eyes and so well concealed her afflictions that not any of her Servants did ever understand that her Husband was unpleasing to her Thus a long time Florinda continued and lived a life not much better than Death of which she failed not to inform her good Servant Amadour who knowing her great and honest heart and the love which she did bear to the Infant Fortunate did conceive with himself that it was impossible that she should live long and did lament her as one whom he concluded to be worse than dead This affliction did augment that which he had for himself for he wished that he might continue all his life a Slave as he was so that Florinda had but a Husband according to her desire Thus he forgat his own sorrow for that which he perceived his Mistresse did endure And because he understood by a friend That the King of Tunis had an Intent to send for him to the Court and put him to death by drawing a stake through him or to make him renounce his Faith for the desire he had to have him turn Turk and to keep him with him he prevailed so much with the Governour that took him Prisoner that he gave him leave to goe away upon his parole to procure his Ransom which was so great that he thought it was impossible for a Man of his Estate to pay it And thus without speaking one word to the King the Governour let him go Having shewed himself at Court to the King of Spain he made no long stay there but made hast to procure his Ransom amongst his Friends to which purpose he did direct his course to Barcelon to which City the young D. of Cardona his Mother and Florinda were gon to disparch some businesse Avanturade as soon as she had heard the good news of the approach of her Husband made no delay to acquaint Florinda with it who was very joyfull to hear it but so carried it as it were for the love only she did bear to Avanturade But fearing lest the Joy which she had to see him should make her change her countenance and that those who did observe it might give a bad construction to it she stayed at a window to see him afar off and when ever she did behold him to approach she went down a pair of winding stairs so obscure that one could not perceive that she changed her colour and having embraced him she brought him first into her own Chamber and from thence into the Chamber of her Mother-in-Law who had never seen him But he had not continued there two dayes but he so carried himself that he was as well beloved there as he was before in the
House of the Countesse of Arand I will leave unto you to imagine what was the discourse which Amadour and Florinda had between themselves and of the complaints they made of the sorrows they had suffered in the absence of one another After a floud of tears from Florinda's eyes for the grief she entertained as much that she was married against her heart as that she had lost him whom so intirely she did love and was out of hope ever to see him alive again she resolved with her self to take comfort in the love and the assurance which she had of Amadour which neverthelesse she durst not declare unto him but he who debated with himself what to do did lose neither time nor occasion to make her understand how great was the love which he did bear unto her Just on the time as she was almost gained to receive him not as a servant but for her best and most assured friend there fell out a wonderfull Accident For the King on some businesse of great Importance did immediately send for Amadour for which his Wife did take so great a grief that in hearing of the News she swouned away and falling down the stairs on which she stood she hurt her self so grievously that she never did rise up again Florinda who in her Death did lose all her comfort did make so great a Lamentation as she could do who found her self destitute both of her Friends and Kinred and Amadour took it as much to heart for on the one side he lost one of the most honest Women that ever lived and on the other he lost the means ever to be able to see Florinda again by reason whereof he fell into so great a sicknesse that he thought that immediately he should die The old Dutchesse of Cardona did visit him uncessantly and alleged to him some Reasons from Philosophy to cause him with Patience to endure that Death but nothing would serve for if Death on the one side did torment him Love on the other did encrease his Martyrdom Amadour observing that his wife was interred and that the Goverour had sent for him and that it was impossible to pretend an excuse to continue where he was entertained such a despair in his heart that he thought he should have lost his life with his understanding Florinda who was in a desolation her self to comfort him did come unto him one day after dinner to administer unto him the best words of comfort that she could hoping thereby to abate the greatnesse of his grief assuring him that in what place soever he was she would find the means to see him and oftner than he conceived And because he was to be gone the next morning and was for the present so weak that he did keep his bed he did beseech her that after every one was departed from him she would be pleased to give him a visit in the Evening which she accorded to being ignorant that the extremity of Love doth know no reason and he who saw no hope left ever to see her again whom for so long a time he had served and who never had received any entertainment from her but what you have heard was so assaulted with his love a long time dissembled and with despair that did present unto him that it was almost impossible for him to see her again that he did resolve with himself to play with her either Double or Quit either to lose all or to win all and in one hour to pay himself with that which he thought he had so well deserved For this purpose he commanded that the Curtains should be drawn close about his bed that those who came into the Chamber might not see him and complained far more than he was accustomed to do insomuch that those of the House did think he could not live four and twenty hours longer In the Evening after every one had been with him Florinda at the request of her own Husband did repair unto him deliberating with her self the more to comfort him to declare unto him her affection and that she would love him altogether and none but him as far as her honour would permit and sitting in a chair near to the tester of Amadours bed she did begin to comfort him by weeping with him Amadour seeing her filled with lamentation thought that in that trouble of her mind he could most easily arrive to the end of his intention and rising up in his bed Florinda thought that he was in some extasie being too far spent and with all the eyes of sorrow began to look upon him who kneeling on his knees did say unto her And must I for ever lose the sight of you and speaking those words he did let himself fall into her arms just like a man that swouned away Poor Florinda did imbrace him and held him up a pretty while doing the uttermost of her desires to comfort him but this Physick which she gave him to amend his grief did render his power more strong for in counterfeiting himself half dead and speachless he began to search after that which the honour of Women doth forbid to be found When Florinda perceived his ill intention she could not believe it and remembring the most civil and vertuous discourse that had always passed betwixt them she said unto him What is it you would have But Amadour fearing to hear her words which he knew would be no other but chast and honest returned no answer at all but pursued his intention with all the force he had whereat Florinda being amazed suspected that he was our of his wits and would rather have conceived any thing of him than that he attempted to dishonor her Wherefore she spake aloud and called unto a Gentleman whom she knew to be in a Chamber hard by whereat Amadour being throughly amazed did throw himself upon the bed and that so suddenly that the Gentleman believed that he had been dead Florinda who was risen up from the chair said unto him Go quickly and bring hither some good Vinegar which the Gentleman did who being departed Florinda began to say unto him Amadour what folly hath possessed your understanding And what is that which you thought and would have donâ— Amadour who by the force of Love had lost all his reason did say unto her Doth so long a service as is mine deserve to be rewarded with such a cruelty Florinda replyed And where is now the Honour concerning which so many times you have preached to me O Madam said Amadour It seems to me impossible to love your Honour more perfectly than I have done For when you were to marry I knew so well to master my heart that you never understood my Desires but now since you are marryed and your Honour may be concealed What wrong do I do unto you to demand that of you which is my own for by the force of love I have gained you He who first had your heart was so cold a Suiter
her self to satisfy her love and to love him with all her heart but withall to be no wayes forgetfull of her honour In the morning Amadour departed sick and sad as I have told you neverthelesse his heart which was so great that the World could not shew an equal to it did not suffer him to despair but did give him a new intention to enjoy the presence of Florinda and again to be entertained in her favour Wherefore repairing to the King of Spain who was at Toledo he made it his way to go by the Countesse of Arands to whom he came one Evening very late and found the Countesse very sick by reason of the sorrow which she had for the absence of her Daughter Florinda When she beheld Amadour she kissed and embraced him as if he had been her own Son as well for the love she 〈◊〉 bear unto him as for the Love which she conceived he did bear unto Florinda concerning whom she very sollicitously did demand He informed her the best that possibly he could but did not acquaint her with all the Truth and confessed unto her the love betwixt Florinda and himself which Florinda had always concealed desiring her that he might hear from her as often as she could and that she would be pleased to send for her for the more speedy recovery of her own health In the morning he departed and having dispatched his affairs with the Queen he advanced to the Wars but so sad and so changed in his complexion that the Ladies Captains and all those who had been accustomed to his Company did not know him He was altogether cloathed in black and by the outward mourning which he made for his wife he concealed the inward mourning of his heart In this manner Amadour lived three or four years without returning to the Court. And the Countesse of Arand hearing it spoken that Florinda was so extremely altered that it would grieve any one to behold her did send for her hoping that she would be joyfull to come to her but it fell out to the contrary for when Florinda understood that Amadour had declared to her Mother the love that was betwixt them she was in a wonderfull perplexity for on the one side she saw her Mother did esteem so highly of him that if she should acquaint her with the truth Amadour would receive some great displeasure which she would rather die than be the occusion of for she thought her self able enough to punish him for his follies without any assistance of her friends On the other side she feared That in dissembling the evil which she knew she should be constrained by her Mother and by her friends to continue her Discourses and to make much of him by which she was afraid that she should fortifie him in his Presumptions But seeing that he was far remote she made an apparence of being willing to it and sometimes did write unto Amadour when the Countesse did command her but they were such Letters that it was easie to be perceived that they did proceed rather from obedience to her Mother than good will to him Wherefore Amadour was as much grieved at the reading of them as he was accustomed to rejoice at those Letters which heretofore were sent him At the end of two or three years after so many admirable atchievments in the Wars that all the Paper in Spain was not able to contain them he entertained a strange invention not to gain the heart of Florinda for he held that for lost but to obtain another victory over her He did cast behind him all the Counsel of Reason and fear of Death it self to the danger whereof he did so manifestly expose himself The Debate being discussed and concluded he prevailed so much upon the Governour that he was deputed by him to go unto the King concerning some enterprize to be made upon Locat which he adventured to communicate to the Countesse of Arand before he declared it to the King to take her counsel therein he came in Post into the County of Arand where he knew that then Florinda was and sent privately a friend of his to the Countesse of Arand to acquaint her with his comming beseeching her That she would be pleased to keep it secret and that at night he would have some conference with her without the knowledge of any one besides The Countesse being very joyfull of his comming acquainted Florinda with it and sent to her to prepare her self in the Chamber of her Husband to the end that she might be ready when she should send for her and when every one else were withdrawn Florinda who yet was not delivered from her first fear made an apparence to her Mother to do as she commanded but betook her self to her Devotions and did commend her self to God beseeching him to preserve her heart from all inordinate affections and considering with her self that Amadour had often praised her beauty which was not much diminished although she had been a long time sick she determined that it was better to commit an injury upon her beauty than by her means to suffer that the heart of so brave a Man should burn in so loose a fire Wherefore she took a great stone which she found in the Chapel and gave her self so great a blow on the face that her mouth her nose and her eyes were all hurt and bruized with it And because it might not be suspected that she her self had done it when the Countesse her Mother sent for her she fell down at the door of the Chapel upon a great stone and crying out aloud the Countesse came her self to her relief and found her in that pitifull estate Her face was immediately dressed which being done the Countesse did bring her into her own Chamber and did intreat her to repair into her Cabinet to entertain Amadour until such time as she could get cleer of the Company that was with her which accordingly she did thinking that there were some of his servants with him but finding her self all alone and the Doâ—e shut upon her she became as sorrowfull as Amadour was content thinking that either by love or by force he should now enjoy that which he had much desired Having entertained her with a short Discourse and found her in the same mind as he left her and that she had rather die than change her opinion he said unto her Madam I vow unto you the fruit of my labour shall not be taken from me for a scruple and since that Love Patience and humble Prayers can nothing prevail upon you I will not spare by force to obtain that which if not had will procure my Death when Florinda saw his face and eyes so much changed and that the best Complexion in the world did grow red as fire and that most sweet and pleasant look did become so horrible and furious that the fire seem'd to sparkle forth from his eyes which burn'd in his heart And when
his enterprise And this Example doth not move me at all from the opinion I maintain that there was never any Man who loved perfectly or was beloved by a Lady that ever failed in the event if he followed his sute as he ought to do Neverthelesse I must here praise Amadour that he did some part of his Duty Duty what Duty said Oysilla Do you call it Duty in a Servant to take his Mistresse by force to whom he oweth all reverence and obedience Saffredant took the word and said unto her Madam when our Mistresses do keep their ranks either in Chambers or in Halls and do sit at their own ease an our Judges we are on knees before them and when in all humility of observance we lead them forth to dance and serve them so diligently that we even prevent their Commands and seem so fearfull to offend them and so desirous to serve them that those who see us have pity on us and esteem us out of our wits and more sottish thaâ— Beasts and attribute all the glory to our Ladies whose countenances are so bold and whose words so attractive that they make themselves to be feared loved and esteemed by those who look not but only on the out-side But when we are by our selves and Love is the only Judge of our countenances we understand well enough that they are Women and that we are Men and then the Name of Mistresse is converted into Sweet-heart and the Name of a Servant into Friend it is from thence that the Proverb finds its beginning To serve well and to be loyal is from a Servant to become a Master They have the honour which Men at their pleasure can give and take from them and beholding that we patiently do endure it is reason they conceive that our sufferance should be recompenced when their Honour is not wounded You do not speak of true Honour said Longaren which is the only contentment of this World for when all the World shall speak me a virtuo us woman and I am conscious to my self to the contrary their praise doth increase my shame and doth render me more confused in my self and on the other side when they speak evil of me and I perceive my Innocence their blame doth turn into my contentment for there was never any one that ever did find content but only in himself Because all have spoken now said Ouebron it seems to me that Amadour was at gallant virtuous a Gentleman as a man can be and because the Names are feigned I suppose I did know him but seeing that Parlament would not give him his right Name no more will I. And I am most confident that if he be the same whom I conjecture his heart did never entertain any fear nor was ever void of Love and Courage Oysilla said unto them It seems to me that this Dayes work is passed away with joy and that if in this manner we shall continue the rest we shall make the time seem short with the variety of our honest Discourse For see yonder how far the Sun is gone and you may hear the Bell of the Abbey which a long time hath called us to the Vespers of which I have not advertised you for the Devotion to hear the end of this Account was more great than that to hear Vespers And in speaking those words they did all arise and comming to the Abbey they found there the religious Men who had attended for them above an hour Vespers being heard they repaired to Supper and all the Evening they discoursed of stories which they had heard and examined their Memories to see if they could make the following Dayes work as delightfull as was the former and after a thousand sports and courses in the Meadow they resorted to their Rests crowning the first Dayes work with a most joyfull period The End of the First days Work The Second Dayes Work of the Novells of the Queen of NAVARRE The Preface ON the next morning they did arise with a great desire to return into the place where the day before they had received such pleasure and everyone had his Account so ready that it seem'd long unto them until it was brought unto the light After they had heard Madam Oysillas Lecture and after that the Mass where every one recommended himself to God and besought Elocution and Graâ—e of him in the continuation of this Assembly they repaired to Dinner repeating to one another many histories of things passed After Dinner having reposed themselves a little in their Chambers they returned upon the appointed hour into the Meadow where it seemed to them that both the time and the day did favour their enterprise and being all sat down upon the natural cushion of the green grass Parlament said Because last night I did put an end to the Tenth Novell it belongs I conceive to me to choose one who shall begin the continuation of yesterdays discourse And because that Madam Oysilla was the first of all the Women who did speak yesterday as being the most wise antient I will this day give my voice to the most young I will not say to the most weak in apprehension being assured that if we should all but follow her Example we shall not make them to stay so long for us at Vespers as yesterday they did wherefore Nomerfide you shall have this day the first place in the discourse but I must beseech you that you will not make us to begin our Dayes work with tears You need not to intreat me said Nomerfide for I was before resolved to the contrary remembring myself of an account which was told me about a year agoe by a Burgesse of Tours who was born in Amboys and affirmed to me that he was present at the Preachment of the Frier of which I will now speak unto you THE NOVELLS Of Queen MARGARET The facetious passages of a Frier in his Sermons The First Novell NEer unto the City of Blere in Tourain there is a Town called St. Martin le-beau to which place a Frier of the Covent of Tours was called to preach on the Advents and in the Lent ensuing This Frier more lowd than learned having not wherewith to inform his Auditors did deliberate with himself to begin his hour with some account that might give some satisfaction to the people of the Village On Maundy-Thursday preaching of the Paschal Lamb when he came to speak that it was to be eaten at night and beheld so many young and fair Women of Amboys to be present at his Sermon who were lately arrived to keep there their Easter and to continue in that place some dayes afterwards he began to be on a merry pin and demanded of all the Women that were present if they knew not what it was to eat raw flesh at night Ladies I assure you I speak his own words after him The young Men of Amboys who were present and came commonly with their Wives Sisters and
City whom in the night he went to court when his Wife was asleep Amongst others there was a most beautifull and virtuous Lady who was Sister to a Gentleman whom the Duke loved as himself and to whom he gave so much authority in his House that his word was obeyed and feared as that of the Dukes and he had no secret in his heart which he declared not unto him Insomuch that he might well be called his second Self The Duke observing his Sister to be so accomplished a Lady and that he had not the means to declare the love which he did bear unto her having sought all wayes that were possible for the effecting of it at last addressed himself to the Gentleman whom so intirely he did affect said unto him If there were any thing in the world my Friend which I would not do for you I should be affraid to declare unto you my thoughts and much more to desire you to be ayding to me in them but I bear you so much good will that if I had Wife Mother or Daughter that might conduce to save your Life I would rather imploy them all in it than to suffer you to die in torment and I believe that the Love which you bear to me is reciprocal to mine And if I who am your Master do bear such an affection to you I presume that you do not bear any lesse to me Wherefore I will declare one secret to you the concealment whereof doth keep me in this estate wherein you see me of which I can look for no amendment but onely by Death or by the service which you may do me The Gentleman observing the Reasons of his Master and that his face in earnest was bathed in tears had so great a compassion of him that he said unto him Sir I am your Creature all the Fortunes and Honours I enjoy do proceed from you you may speak to me as to your friend being assured That all which lies in my power is in your own hands Incontinently the Duke began to declare unto him the love which he did bear unto his Sister which was so great and violent that if by his means he had no redresse he found he could not live long for he knew by experience that neither Letters nor Prayers nor Presents could prevail upon her Wherefore he conjured him If he loved his life as deerly as his life was beloved by him that he would find a means to procure him that benefit which without him he concluded it was impossible to enjoy The Brother who loved his Sister and the honor of his House more than the pleasure of the Duke did endeavour to make him some Remonstrance to the contrary beseeching him in all other ways to imploy him but to excuse him onely in this thing it being too cruel and too unnatural to him to purchase the dishonor of his own bloud that neither his heart nor his Honour could comply with this Command The Duke enflamed with an anger insupportable did bite his nails and made reply unto him in great fury It is no matter seeing I find in you no respects of Friendship to me I know what I have to do The Gentleman understanding the cruelty of his Master was struck into a fear and said unto him Sir Because it is your pleasure I will speak unto her and I will give you an account of her answer to me The Duke answered departing from him As you make much of my life 〈◊〉 will I of yours The Gentleman understood well â—nough what he did mean by those words and absâ—â—ted himself a day or two from the Duke to consider what he had to do On one side there was presented to him the Obligation which he owed to his Master and the benefits and the Honours which he had received from him On the other side his thoughts reflected on the Honour of his House the honesty and chastity of his Sister and the assurance he had that she would never consent to so foul a Motion if she were not surprized by deceit or by force Wherefore having taken these Premises into his consideration he concluded That he would rather die than be the Author of so ill an Office to his Sister who was one of the most virtuous Ladies in all Italy He was rather obliged he did judge to deliver his Countrey from such a Tyrant who by force would stain the Honour of his Family He was assured besides that unlesse the Duke was dead the life of himself and of his Sister were absolutely lost Wherefore without so much as speaking one word unto his Sister he determined with himself to save his own life and by the same way to revenge the shame which was intended to be brought upon her At the end of two dayes he addressed himself to the Duke and told him how he had practised with his Sister who but not without great difficulty did consent unto his pleasure which she hoped should be kept secret seeing none but himself who was her own Brother had any knowledge of it The Duke who desired this News did easily believe it and imbracing the Messenger did promise him whatsoever he would demand and desiring him that it might quickly be put in execution they agreed between themselves upon the day If the Duke were not high with hopes and Joyes I will leave it to you to judge When he saw the night so much desired to approach in which he promised himself to have the Victory over her whom he thought invincible he withdrew himself betimes from his Court having none in his Company but this Gentleman alone and forgot not to take along with him a Night-cap and a shirt perfumed in the best manner as possibly it might be And taking his opportunity in the Evening he did go along with this Gentleman to the Lodging of this Lady where he came into a Chamber very richly prepared The Gentleman assisted him to put off his cloaths and helped him into Bed saying to him Sir I will now go and setch her my self unto you who will not enter into this Chamber without many blushes but I hope before the Morning she will be assured of you In this manner her left the Duke and did go into his own Chamber where he found but one of all his Servants to whom he said Have you the heart to follow me into a place where I will revenge my self on the greatest Enemy I have in the world His Man not knowing what he would do said unto him Yes Sir and it were the Duke himself Immediatly the Gentleman did take him with him who on the sudden had not the leisure to take any other Aâ—ms but a Ponyard only which he had always about him When the Duke did hear him comming conceiving that he had brought her along with him whom he loved so intirely he opened the Curtain and his eyes to behold her and to receive her into his arms whom so long he expected
thought the time long till he had found his wife to give her an account of what he had done who had as great a desire to undertake the voiage as her Husband And eftentimes on this occasion she conferr'd with the Captain who regarding her beauty more than her words became so amorous that speaking to her of the voyages he had made upon the Seas he would tel her of his imbarking at Marseilles upon the Archipelâ—gâ—â— and thinking to speak of a Ship he would tell her a story of a Horse as a Man transported and out of his sense But he found her to be such that he durst not speak to her nor make any Countenance of Love And the concealing of his Love did beget such a fire in his heart that he oftentimes fell sick but the Gentlewoman was as carefull of him as of the Crosse it self circumspect to guide her course howsoever she sent many times to visit him by which he understanding that she had some respect unto him did recover of himself without any Physick at all But divers Gentlemen observing this Captain who had the report to be as gallant and brave a Man as a good Christian did much wonder to see him so often to accost this Gentlewoman and seeing that he had changed the condition of his life and frequented altogether the Churches Sermons and Confessions they suspected it was to obtain the favor of the young Gentlewoman and could not refrain but spoke some words unto him concerning that subject The Captain fearing that it might be brought unto her ear did absent himself from her company in publick and told her Husband and her self That he should suddenly be dispatched at Court and be gone and that he had many things to inform them with but because the Affair should be kept secret he would neither speak with himself nor his Wife in publick but desired them to send for him when they were in private both together The Gentleman approved his Counsel and failed not every night to go to bed betimes and to make his Wife also to put off her cloaths to keep him Company And when their Servants were departed from them they sent for the Captain and consulted on their voyage to Jerusalem and the good old Man in great devotion talking of it would often fall asleep with the word Jerusalem in his mouth The Captain seeing the old Gentleman asleep in his Bed and himself in the Chair and neer unto her whom he thought the most beautiful and most accomplished in the world had his heart so locked up and besieged with fear and a desire to speak that he often lost his speech But to the end that she might not perceive him he imployed himself to talk of the holy places in Jerusalem where still remained the signes of the great love which our Saviour Jesus Christ did bear unto us And in speaking of that Love he covered his own looking on the young Gentlewoman with tears and sighs who perceived nothing at all For observing his demure countenance she conceived him to be a grave and a pious man and desired him to acquaint her what was the course of life which he had lead and how he did arrive to this Love of God He declared unto her that he had been a poor Gentleman who to purchase Riches and Honor had forgot his Conscience and espoused a Wife too near allyed unto him only because she was rich and whom he could not love being both old and ill-favoured But having consumed a great part of her Estate he went to Sea to seek adventures there and had thrived so well by his endeavours that he was become Master of a considerable Fortune But ever since he was so happy to arrive unto the Knowledge of her self she by her Godly discourse and good Examples was the only Cause that he had changed his life And all that he resolved upon if God should return him in safety from his enter prize was to be a Guide to her Husband and to her self unto Jerusalem to satisfie in some part for all his sins to which he had put a period but only one sin which was that as yet he had not given satisfaction to his Wife to whom he hoped to be shortly reconciled This discourse did much please the Gentlewoman but above all she rejoyced that she had drawn such a Man to the love and the fear of God Till the time of his departure from the Court he had with her every evening these long discourses and never offered to declare unto her his Intentions he only presented her with a Crucifix to which was annexed our Lady of Pity and besought her that in his absence looking on that she would call himself into her Memory The hour of his departure being come having taken his leave of her Husband who immediately fell asleep he came to his Wife to give her a Farewell and seeing tears in her eyes for the honest love she did bear unto him it did render his passion so insupportable that not daring to declare it he did fall down in a swoun bidding her Farewell in so great an agony and sorrow that not only his eyes but all his body did sweat down tears And without speaking any more words he departed at which the Gentlewoman was much amazed for she never beheld any such sign of Grief before Neverthelesse she changed not the purpose of her good will towards him and accompanied him with Prayers and Orisons At the end of one moneth as this Gentlewoman one evening returned her to her Lodgings there met her a Gentleman who presented her with a Letter from the Captain desiring her that she would be pleased to read it by her self and told her that he saw him imbarqued and resolved to go thorough with the enterprise for the Honour of the King and the augmentation of the Faith and for himself that he was to return to Marseilles to give order for the affairs of the Captain The Gentlewoman retired to a Window by her self and did read the Letter all along which contained two sides and much marvelled at the affection of the Captain which she never did suspect And observing that he had presented her with a great and fair Diamond the Ring wherein it was set being enameld with black She was in a great perplexity what to do and having troubled her self all that night concerning it she was very glad that she had no occasion to write back unto him or to return him any answer Nor would she fall out with the Messenger thinking with her self that considering the pains he had taken for the service of his Master he had no need to be rewarded with an ill answer but she resolved to deliver it her self unto him upon his return from his enterprize Above all she was much perplexed with the Diamond for she was not accustomed to dresse her self at the expences of any other but her Husband wherefore being of a good understanding
and since you perceive some sparkles you ought to fly the danger of that fire which already is burning in one heart that perceives it not Truly said Hircan your Laws are too severe and if women according to your advice would be rigorous whose sweetnesse is so powerfull we would also change our intreaties and complements into subtilties and forcings The best way which I see said Simontault is that every one should follow his own nature and without dissimulation should declare whether he loved or loved not I would to God said Saffredant that such a Law could bring with it as much honour as it would pleasure But Dagoucin could not contain himself from laughing and said They who had rather die than have their desires known will never accord to your ordinance Die said Hircan that Cavalier is yet to be born that would die for such a publick thing But let us leave off this discourse of Impossibility and observe to whom Simontault will give his voice I wil give it said Simontault to Longaren for I have observed her to talk a little to her self and I believe she is studying to give us some good account being accustomed out of the goodnesse of her nature to speak the truth whether the Subject be on Men or Women Because said Longaren you esteem me to be so impartial I will reâ—â—at a History to you which although it be not so much to the praise of Women as I would have it yet you shall find they have as stout hearts and as great understandings and as good as those of Men and if my Account be something long you must have patience A Lady of the Kings Court perceiving her self disdained by her Husband who made love to another did by the like love revenge her self The Fifth Novell IN the Court of King Francis the first there was a Gentleman whose name I know so well that I will not here give it to you He was but poor having hardly five hundred Livres in yearly Rents but so beloved of the King for the virtues with which he was accomplished that by his means he espoused so rich a Lady that a great Lord might well be contented with her fortunes And because she was not yet of age for a husband he entreated one of the greatest Ladies of the Court to take her to her which very willingly she accorded to This Gentleman was so courteous and so lovely that all the Ladies of this Court did very much esteem him and amongst others one whom the King loved who was not so young nor so beautifull as his own wife and for the great love which he did bear unto this Lady he did make so small an accompt of his own wife that he hardly lay with her one night in a whole year and which was more grievous to her he would never so much as speak unto her nor shew her the least sign of love And although he ranted it with her Estate he allowed her so small a part out of it that she was not apparelled as pertained to a Gentlewoman of her birth nor as she desired whereupon the Lady with whom she was did oftentimes reprove the Gentleman telling him your wife is fair rich and of a great descent and you make no reckoning of her which her infancy and youth hath yet endured but I am afraid that when she shall behold her self fair and great that her glasse and some one who loves you not will remonstrate her beauties to her so little esteemed by you and she may by despight do that which she durst not doe if she were assured of your love The Gentleman who had his heart elsewhere did but laugh at her and for all her instructions did not forbear to continue that course of life he led But after the space of two years or thereabouts his wife began to be one of the most handsome Ladies in all France insomuch that she was accounted the Non-pareill of the Court and the more worthy she perceived her self to be beloved the more she grieved to see her Husband to make no reckoning of her insomuch that she contracted so great a melancholly that for all the exhortations of the Lady with whom she lived she seemed to be a creature given up to despair And having studied all the means that possibly she could to be complacent to her Husband she thought with her self that it was impossible for him to love her seeing she loved him so entirely and could not find out any reason to be given for it unlesse he were in love with some one else and entertained some other fancy in his apprehension which she enquired after with so much subtilty and dexterity of Circumspection that she found out the truth and that every night he was so taken up in courting another Lady that he forgot his Conscience and his Wife And after she was certain of the life he did lead she so wholly abandoned her self to grief that she cloathed her self all in black and would not resort to any Feasts or Sports which the Lady perceived with whom she lived and did what she could to withdraw her from her melancholly thoughts but it was not possible for her and although her Husband was often advertised of it he was more ready to encrease than to redresse her sorrows You know Ladies that Grief foregoeth Joy and also that Grief by Joy doth come to an end Wherfore it fell out upon a day that a great Lord a near kinsman to the Lady who was as a Guardian to this Gentlewoman often did frequent the house having understood of the strange manner of life of this yong Gentlewoman with her husband taking pity of her did endeavor to comfort her in discoursing with her he found her so wise lovely that he desired to have a place in her affection far more than to discourse with her of her husband unles it were to demonstrate to her the small occasion she had to love him This young Lady perceiving her self forsaken of him who ought to love her and on the other side to be loved and courted by so great and gallant a Prince did conceive her self thrice happy to be entertained in his good opinion And although she had alwayes a great desire to preserve her honour yet she took so great a pleasure to discourse with him and to perceive her self to be beloved by him that she was noted for it This love continued a certain time until the King himself perceived it who esteemed so well of the Gent. that he would not permit that any dishonour should accrew unto him Wherefore he very earnestly entreated the Prince to remove his love from her and told that if he did still continue it he should be very ill pleased at it The Pr. who preferred the favor of the. K. to all the beauties of the Ladies of the world did promise him that in obedience to his commands he would abandon his enterprise and on that Evening
no lesse wit than beauty did direct him so discreetly that he came into her Chamber on the hour she assigned where he found her lying alone in a very rich Bed and as he made hast to put off his cloaths to go into the Bed to her he heard a great noise at the door of people speaking to one another and of swords clashing against the walls The Lady with a Countenance half dead said unto him At this minute is both your Life and my Honour in the greatest Danger that possibly can be for too well I understand that my Brothers are seeking you out to kill you Wherefore I intreat you to conceal your self under my Bed for when they cannot find you I shall have a just occasion to be angry with them by reason of this alarm which without Cause they have given The Gentleman whose noble heart did always scorn the base effects of Fear replyed unto her And who are your Brothers that they should make me afraid If the whole Generation of them were together I am confident that they would not stand against the point or the edge of my Sword wherefore lie still in your Bed and let me alone to guard your Door Immediatly he clapped his cloak about his arm and took his Sword in his hand and opened the Door to find those Swords more neer him which made so great a noise The Door being opened he beheld two Chambermaids who with two swords in either hand did occasion the Alarm they said unto him Monsieur Pardon us for we have received Commission from our Mistresse to do as we have done but you shall have no other hinderance or disturbance by us The Gentleman seeing they were two Maids did wish all the Devils in Hell take them both and shutting the Door on the faces of them he made all the speed he could to the Ladies Bed whose frights had no ways diminished his love and forgetting to ask her the reason of that skirmish he thought on nothing but to satisfie his desires And perceiving that the Day approached he intreated her to tell him wherefore she had done him so ill an office by holding him so long in delayes and also what was the meaning of the Enterprise of the two Chambermaids the last night She laughing made answeâ— to him My Resolution was never to love again which from my Widdowhood I had a long time observed but your civil Deportment from the first hour wherein you spake unto me at the Banket hath made me to alter my purpose and I began at that instant to love you as much as you could love me It is true that Honour which in all my actions hath been my guide would not permit that Love should cause me to do any thing whereby my Reputation might suffer but as the Hart wounded to Death doth think by changing of place to change the malady he beareth along with him so did I remove from Church to Church thinking to flie from him whom I carried in my heart who hath now proved his love to be so perfect that the Agreement is made and Honour doth accord with Love But to the end that I might be the more assured to commit my heart my love to an absolute Man I was willing to make this last proof by my Chambermaids assuring you that if either for fear of your life or any other regard I had found you so timorous and so tame as to have hid your self under my Bed I was resolved with my self to rise and to withdraw my self into another Chamber without ever seeing you again But because I have found you courteous and lovely and more full of Spirit and courage than it was reported to me that fear cannot enter into your heart nor make cold that love which you bear unto me I am resolved to continue with you untill the end of my dayes being confident that I cannot put my Life and Honour in a surer hand than in his who I believe hath not his equal in all Virtues And as if the Will and Desires of Lovers were immutable they did promise and swear unto one another to perform that which was not in their power to perform which was a perpetual Love which cannot continue in the hearts of Men as those Women know who have made trial of it and how long those Resolutions do endure And therefore Ladies you should take heed of us as the Buck if he had understanding would of the Hunter For our Glory Felicity and Indeavour is to see you surprized and to take that from you which is more dear unto you than life it self How now said Hircan unto Guebron How long ago is it since you have been a Preacher I have known the time that you have maintained another Doctrine It is true said Guebron I do speak now against that which I have practised heretofore all the whole Course of my life but because I have teeth so weak that I cannot eat Venison my self I would advertise the poor Does to beware of the Hunters to make some recompence in my old age for the sins I have committed in my youth We thank you Guebron said Nomerfide for that which you have counselled us to our profit but we do now perceive our selves to be a great deal too young for you for it appears that in your Youth you gave not the same exhortations to her whom you loved which is a sign that now in your age you do neither love us nor your self neither would you willingly suffer us to be loved by any other Howsoever we think our selves to be as wise and virtuous as she whom so long you followed and courted in your Youth But it is alwayes the Glory of the gray beard and those that walk with a staff to think themselves more wise than those who do come after them Nomerfide said Guebron it is very well when the Deceit of some of your Servants shall by experience teach you to understand the subtilty of Men you will then believe what now I have spoken to be truth Oysilla said to Guebron It seems to me that the Gentleman whom you so much commend for Courage ought to be praised more for the violence of his love which is a Power so strong that it will make the greatest Cowards in the world to enterprise that which the most valiant would think and think of again before they would undertake it Saffredant said unto him Madam It seems to me that if this French Gentleman esteemed not the Italians to excell more in their words than in their deeds he might have some great occasion for fear He had so indeed said Oysilla were it not for that fire in his heart which consumed his fear If you find not his Courage commendable enough said Hircan give us an account of some one else who is more worthy of praise To speak the Truth said Oysilla the Gentleman was to be praised but I can give you an instance of One in the
that Order upon him that every one thought she had forgotten him she resolved with her self to put her Design in Execution which was to render their loves alike in habit form and in condition of life as it was when they lived in one house under one Master and Mistresse And because that fourteen Months before she had given order for all things that were necessary for her to enter into a Religious house she one morning demanded leave of the Marchionesse to goe to hear Masse at the Covent of St. Clare which she granted being ignorant wherefore she did ask it and passing by the Grey Friers she intreated the Warden of the Covent to give her leave to see one of the Friers whom she called her Kinsman When she saw him in the Chapel by himself she said unto him If my Honour had permitted me to put my self into a Religious House as soon as you did I would not have attended untill this time but having by my patience broken through the opinions of those who are more apt to judge Evil than Good I have determined with my self to take upon me the same Condition Robe and Life which I see you have done without inquiring what it is for if you find any Good I shall have my part therein and if you find any thing that is grievous I will not be exempt from it for by what way you go into Paradise in the same I will follow you being assured that he who is the true perfect and the most worthy to be called LOVE hath drawn us to his service by a chast and virtuous love which by his holy Spirit he will convert to our advantage beseeching him That my self as well as you may forget the Body that perisheth and the tincture of the old Adam to receive and put on him who is our Spouse Jesus Christ Her religious Servant the Frier was so well contented and so glad to hear her holy Resolution that with weeping tears of Joy he fortified her in her opinion as much as possibly he could saying Since he could have nothing of her in this world but words only and was hardly permitted to have those also that he thought himself very happy to have now the means daily to see her and that she was of the same mind with him that neither the one nor the other did care which of them were the happiest living in one estate of Love of one heart and of one spirit being perswaded and conducted by the bounty of God whom he besought to keep them both in his hand where none could take them from him And speaking those words and weeping with tears of love and joy he kissed her hands and she stooped her down unto his hand and in true charity did give it the holy kisse of Dilection And thus in a great content Paulina departed and entred into the Covent where she was received and veiled Which afterwards she sent word of to Madam the Marchionesse who hardly could be induced to believe it Wherefore the next morning she repaired to the Monastery to see her and to disswade her from her resolution and if words would not prevail to add force unto her words but Paulina did assure her that if she had the power to take from her a Husband of flesh a man whom she loved best in this world she ought to content her self without attempting to divorce her from him who is immortal and invisible for he was not in her power nor under any power in the world The Marchionesse observing her resolution did kisse her and full of sorrow did take her leave of her After that time Paulina and her servant did live so holily and so devoutly in their places of observance that we ought not to doubt but that he the end of whose Law is charity did in the end of their lives say unto them as unto Mary Magdalen that their sins were all pardoned because they had loved much and that in peace he brought them to a place where their recompence doth surpasse all the merits of men and their good deeds are crown'd with an incomprehensible reward Ladies you cannot be ignorant that never any man did shew a greater love or which so perfectly was returned to him by her whom he loved that I could wish that all those in their condition of love were as well recompenced There would be then said Hircan more he-Fools and she-Fools than were ever yet seen in the world Do you call it folly said Oysilla to love honestly in our youth and afterwards to convert all that love unto the love of God Hircan laughing made answer to her if melancholy and despair be virtues I will confesse that Paulina and her servant are most worthy to be praised So it is said Guebron that God hath many means to draw us to him the beginnings whereof may seem to be unpleasant but their end is good I am of opinion said Parlament that a man can never love God perfectly until first he hath perfectly loved some Creature in this World What do you call it to love perfectly said Saffredant Do you esteem those to be perfect lovers who are in a rapsody at the sight of their Mistresse and kneel down before them at a great distance without daring to declare their affections to them Parlament made answer I call those perfect lovers who do seek for some perfection in those they love whether it be goodnesse beauty or gracefulnesse or whatsoever it be that is always tending unto virtue and who have a heart so high and honest that they will rather by their deaths put an end to all corrupt desires than that their honours or their consciences should suffer For the Soul which is not created but to return unto its soveraign good hath as long as it is even in this Body a desire to arrive unto it But by reason that the understanding by which it should learn the way is obscure and carnal by the sin of our first Father it cannot represent any thing unto it but things visible and which only do approach unto perfection after which the Soul doth run thinking to find in a visible grace and in moral virtues the Soveraign beauty and the Soveraign Grace and Virtue But when she hath examined and proved them and found that it is not that which perfectly she loveth she throws them by goes on further like an infant who in its first infancy loveth apples and pears and puppets and the fairest things that can be presented to the eye and doth esteem it great riches to heap small stones together afterwards growing into age it loveth living creatures and to amasse those precious stones and treasures which are necessary for the life of man But when by grave experience it knoweth that in transitory things there is no perfection nor felicity it desireth to search after true happinesse and the Giver who is the Fountain of it Neverthelesse if God should not open unto us the
ey of Faith we are in danger from being Ignorants to become unbelieving Philosophers For Faith only doth represent unto us causeth us to receive that Good which a carnal man cannot apprehend See you not said Longaren that the Ground not husbanded doth produce many herbs and trees although they are unprofitable which sheweth unto us the good desire of it and the promise it doth make that it will bring forth good fruits when it shall be sowed and weeded So the heart of Man which hath no other understanding but by things visible will never arrive unto the love of God but only by the sowings of his holy word in the heart for the Ground of the heart is of it self barren and cold and almost lost to all hope And this is the Cause said Saffredant that the greatest part of Men are deceived who look not but only on exterior things and despise that which is most pretious and is lodged within If I could speak Latin well said Simontault I would allege unto you what St. John saith That He who loveth not his Brother whom he hath seen how can he love God whom he hath not seen for by things visible we are drawn to the love of things invisible Shew us the Man said Emarsuite that is so perfect in that love Et laudabimus eum There are some said Dagoucin who love so purely and so perfectly that they had rather die than to think one thought against the Honours or the Consciences of their Mistresses and would so carry it that neither their Mistresses themselves nor any other should perceive it They said Saffredant are of the Nature of the Cameleon who lives on the Air. For I am of a belief that there is not a Man in the world who doth not desire to declare his Love and to be assured that he is beloved and there is no Feaver of Love so violent but suddenly will slack when we come to know the contrary I will speak it of my self I have seen such Miracles made evident I beseech you said Emarsuite to take my place and to give us an account of some one who hath been raised from Death to Life by finding his Mistress to act contrary to that which he desired I am so afraid said Saffredant to displease Ladies to whom I have been and ever shall be a Servant that without their expresse Command I durst not give any account unto them of their Imperfections but to shew my obedience I will not conceal the truth A Gentleman unexpectedly is recovered of the malady of Love finding his Mistresse too severe unto him in the Arms of her Horse-Keeper The Tenth Novell IN the Country of Dauphine was a Gentleman called Signior de Ryant who belonged to the House of King Francis the first of that Name and was as honest and as fine a Gentleman as could be looked on He was a long time servant to a Lady that was a Widdow whom he so much loved and reverenced that for the fear he had to lose her favour he durst not importune her for that which he so much desired And being handsom himself and worthy to be beloved he firmly believed that which she had often sworn unto him which was that she loved him better than all the Gentlemen in the world and if she were put to it to do a Gentleman a courtesie it should be for him onely as being the most accomplished Man that she knew and did entreat him to rest himself contented with it without transgressing that honest love assuring him That if she knew that he pretended to any thing more and would not be contented with reason that he should lose her Love and all The poor Gentleman not onely contented himself with it but conceived himself to be a happy Man to have gained the heart of that Lady whom he believed to be so virtuous It will appear tedious unto you to repeat the discourse of their love and the long frequentation which he had with her and the voyages which he made to see her But in the conclusion this poor Martyr being in so pleasant a Fire that the more he burn'd the more he would burn did search after all means to augment his Martyrdom One morning a fancy did possesse him to take Post to see her whom he loved better than himself and esteemed above all the Women in the world Being arrived he entred into the Court and demanded where she was answer was made That she was but just come from Vespers and was gon into the Garden to compleat her Devotions whereupon he alighted from his Horse and took his course directly to the Garden where it was told him that she was In the way he did meet with some other of her servants who informed him That she was walking all alone in a long Allee in the Garden wherupon he began more than ever to hope that he should meet with some happy Fortune and as leisurely as possibly he could he pursued his design thinking to find her in most private Retirements And being come to a long Arbor of plashed Trees it being the most pleasant and most delightful place that Art or Nature ever did contrive he suddenly entred in as one who thought long till he had seen her whom he loved At his first Entrance he found her in the Arms of the Horse-keeper of the House as loathsom and as nasty a fellow as she her self was fair and lovely I will not in this place undertake to declare unto you the Indignation that poffessed him which was so great that in one moment it had power to quench the fire which so long had burned And being filled with as much despite as he was before with love he said unto her Madam Much good do 't you This day for your discovered Incontinence I am recovered and delivered from a perpetual perplexity occasioned by the rare Honesty which I conceived to be in you And without any other Farewell he departed from her with greater speed than he came The poor Woman made no other answer to him but only covered her face with her hands It was fit indeed that because she could not cover her shame she should cover her eyes that she might not see him who saw her now too clearly notwithstanding her long dissimulation Wherefore I beseech you Ladies if you have not a desire to love perfectly do not dissemble with an honest man nor seek to displease him for your own glory for Hypocrites are payed in their own Coin and God doth favour those who do love intirely It is well said Oysilla you have given us a good one for the conclusion of this dayes work And were it not that we have sworn to speak the Truth I could not believe that a woman of Estate as she was could be so wicked as to forsake an honest Gentleman for such an ugly Varlet Alas Madam said Hircan If you knew the difference betwixt a Gentleman who all his life-time hath born arms
on his back and followed the War and a strong chined and a well-fed Groom who never stirred out of doore you would easily excuse this poor widdow Hircan said Oysilla I cannot believe that whatsoever you can allege will make any Excuse for her I have often heard it spoken said Simontault that there are women who keep Men on purpose to preach unto the world their Virtue and their Chastity and do give them the best entertainment and the most private that possibly they can assuring them that if their Honours and Consciences might not suffer in it they would comply with them in all their desires And those silly Creatures when they speak of them in company will swear That they have put their fingers in the fire without burning them to prove that they are Ladies of Honour and Virtue because they have had experience of their Goodness even to their singers end And thus those women do hear themselves to be commeaded by such dishonest Man and shew themselves such as they are to those of their own Complexion and choose such to be their Servants who amongst Men of worth have not the considence to speak or if they do speak by reason of their sordid and vile condition they have not the credit to be believed This is the same opinion said Longaren which in another sense I have heard spoken of jealous and suspitious men But this is to pourtray a Chimaera for although it may fall out to be true in one unfortunate woman it ought not to be suspected in another Before we proceed further in this discourse said Parlament and the Gentlemen here present exercise their wits on our expence let us rise and repair to the Vespers that we may not make the religious men to attend us so long as yesterday they did The Company were all of her opinion and being on their way to the Chapel Oysilla said unto them If any of us were too blame for having not this day spoken the truth in those histories which we have delivered Saffredant ought to demand pardon for having made so vile a commemoration to the dishonour of our Sex Upon the credit of my oath said Saffredant I believe my account to be true enough yet I must confess that I only heard it speken but I know so much of women that should I speak all what I knew of them I should make as many or more signs of the Cross than they do at the consecratiō of a Church Parlament replyed He is far enough from Repentance whose confessiō doth aggravat his sin But because you have such a bad opinion of women they ought to deprive you of all entertainment and familiarity with them He made answer some of them in my behalf have so used the Counsel that you now give them in denying me things just and honest that if I could either speak or do worse unto them I would not forbear it to revenge my self on her who doth detain me in so great a thraldom And speaking those words Parlament began to sneeze as she entred with the other Ladies into the Church where although the Saints bell had rung yet there were none of the Monks to say service because they understood that this gallant Company were assembled in the Meadow to discourse of those pleasant Subjects and being such who preferred the vanity of their delight above their Devotions they hid themselves in the bottom of a ditch behind a thick hedge lying with their Bellies on the Earth where they listned so attentively to their agreeable accounts that they could not hear the Bell of the Monastery Which did easily appear for they arrived in so much hast that their breath failed them to begin Vespers And the service being ended they confessed to those who demanded the reason why they came so late and chanted so disorderly that it was to listen to these Histories in the Meadow wherefore seeing their good will it was permitted to them that sitting at their ease they should every afternoon be behind the hedge Supper being ended they began the continuation of the discourse to which they had not put a period in the Meadow Oysilla at the last entreated them that she might retire herself to have her spirits more chearfull against the next morning And after many passages full of variety and delight Oysilla affirming that one hour before midnight was worth three afterwards this gnllant Company parted putting an end to their discourse and the recital of their Histories for the second day The end of the second Book The Third Dayes Work of the Novells of the Queen of NAVARRE The Preface ON the morning the Company could not come so soon into the Hall but Madam Oysilla was there half an hour before them having before hand studied the Lecture which she was to read And if they were content with the foregoing Discourse they were no less taken with this second and had it not been that one of the Monks had come to call them to the Mass their contemplation had hindred them from hearing the Bell. Mass being heard and a short Dinner ended that their memories might not be prejudiced by the abundance of too much Viands they all began in their orders to acquit themselves as well as they could and retiring to their Chambers to read over again their Accounts they attended the accustomed hour to go into the Meadow which being come they sailed not to commence their happy voyage Those who had determined with themselves to discourse on some merry Subject had already such joyfull countenances that the rest did promise to themselves a just occasion of laughter to come When they were sat down they demanded of Saffredant to whom he would give his voice Since said he the fault which yesterday I committed is so great that you suppose there can be no Account given that is worthy enough to make amends for it I give my voice to Parlament who by her good discourse doth know so well to please and to commend the Ladies that she will make them to forget the truth which I have spoken I take not upon me said Parlament to mend your faults but to take heed to my self that I do not follow them wherefore I am determined giving you an account of the Truth as we are sworn to do to demonstrate to you by Example that there are Ladies who in their loves have sought for no other end but honesty And because she of whom I shall now speak unto you was of a great house I will change nothing in her History but the Name only desiring you Madams to understand that Love hath not the power to change a chast heart as you shall find by this History which I shall recite unto you THE NOVELLS Of Queen MARGARET The honest and wonderfull Love betwixt a young Lady of an honourable Descent and a Bastard and the Obstructions which the Queen made in their marriage with the wise Answer of the young Lady to the
the fire which had consumed them he understood that the boy was too hard for him and immediately did acquaint the Queen with it The Bastard after this time did never imploy â—his little Page any more but sent an old Servant which he had who forgetting the fear of death threatned by the Queen to any whosoever they were that should be taken in that affair did promise his Master that for all those threatnings he would deliver his Letters unto Rolandine And when he was come into the Castle where she was he addressed himself to a Door at the foot of the stairs where all the Ladies were to passe but one of the Grooms who had seen him elsewhere did presently know him and acquainted one of the Officers of the Queen with it who immediatly came to apprehend him The old Servant of the Bastard being wise and advised observing that a far off they looked upon him did turn himself toward the wall as if he would make water and did tear the Letter into as small pieces as possibly he could and threw them behind the door Immediately he was apprehended and searched all over and when they could find nothing about him they did put him to Interrogatories upon his oath if he brought not any Letters using all rigors and perswasions that possibly they could to make him to confesse the Truth but neither by premises nor by threatnings could they draw any confession from him The Report thereof was made unto the Queen and some of the Company did give advise that it were necessary to look behind the door neer unto which he was taken which was done accordingly and the pieces of the Letters were found for which they sought Immediatly the Confessor of the King was sent for who having put the pieces in order upon the Table did read the Letter all along in which the truth of the marriage so long dissembled was perfectly understoood for the Bastard in many places of it did call her his Wife The Queen who deliberated not with her self to cover the fault of her kinswoman as she ought to doe did raise a great noise and commanded that by all means the poor man should be enforced to confesse the truth of the Letter alleging to him that he could not deny it but all the perswasions they could use and the remonstrances they could make could prevail nothing with him nor change him from his first resolution Those who had the charge of him did bring him to the Bank of a River and did put him into a sack saying that he had lyed against God and the Queen and against the proved truth But he who had rather lose his life than accuse his Master did desire that he might be allowed a Confessor and having satisfied his Conscience as well as he could he said unto them Sirs Tell my Master the Bastard that I commend unto his care the lives of my Wife and of my Children for with a good heart I lay down my own for his service And do with me now what you please for you shall never force one word from me that shall be against my Master Immediatly to put him into a greater fear they did throw him being in the Sack into the water crying out unto him If thou wilt speak the Truth thou shalt be saved but seeing that he would confesse nothing they did draw him out and made a Report of his Constancy to the Queen who immediatly replyed That neither the King her Husband nor her self were so happy in a Servant as was this Bastard who had not wherewith to recompence him and did what she could to disswade him from his service but he would never he said be inforced to abandon his Master Neverthelesse It being his Masters desire he was afterwards admitted into the service of the King where he lived well and happily The Queen after she understood the Truth of the Marriage by the Letter of the Bastard did send to seek out Rolandine and with an angry countenance did oftentimes instead of Cozen call her wicked and unfortunate Creature She shewed her the Dishonour that she had done her Fathers house and to all her Kinred and to her self also to be married without her knowledge and consent Rolandine who a long time did know the little affection which the Queen did bear unto her resolved to answer her with the like and because the Queen was wanting in her love she was resolved there should be no place in her own heart for fear for she knew that this Rebuke given to her before so many Personages did not proceed from any love but only to procure her shame as being one whom she took more pleasure to reproach than grief to see her to transgresse She therefore with a countenance as joyfull and assured as the Queen had shewed an angry and a troubled one did say unto her Madam If you know not your own heart to be such as it is I will represent unto you the ill will which along time you have born unto Mounsier my Father and to my self but you know it so well that it cannot be strange unto you though all the world should doubt it and for my self Madam I have a long time perceived it to my great prejudice For if it had pleased you to grace me as much with your favour as you have done those who are not so near unto you as my self I had been married to your honour and my own but you have left me as one forgotten in your good opinion insomuch that all the good Matches which I might have had are passed from me by the negligence of my Father and by the little esteem which you have had of me by reason whereof I do find my self so forlorn that if my health had permitted me to take upon me the condition of a Nun I had most willingly put on that religious habit to free my self from those continuall afflictions which your rigour hath imposed upon me In this despair it was my fortune to find out him who was of as good and as great a Family as my self He hath a long time loved and courted me but you Madam who never pardoned me for the least fault nor commended me for the greatest good although by experience you do know that I am not accustomed to maintain any discourse of love or of the vanities of this world and that I was altogether retired from it being resolved to lead that life which was most religious doe now find it strange that I should speak unto a Gentleman as unfortunate as my self in whose love I neither desired nor sought for any thing but only some relaxation of my spirit Of which when altogether I beheld my self to be frustrated I did enter into such a despair that I had as great a resolution to procure some case unto my self as you had a desire to take it from me And not long after we entred into a discourse of marriage which was consummated by
you have married her yes Sir said the Bastard but by words and a contract only and if you please the full period will be put unto it The King did hold down his head and without speaking any word returned directly unto the Castle and when he came neer unto it he called the Captain of the Guard and commanded him to take the Bastard prisoner Immediatly one of his friends who observed the countenance of the King did advise the Bastard to absent himself and to withdraw into a house of his not far from thence and if the King commanded him to be sought out as he suspected he would that immediatly he should have notice of it that he might provide for his own safety by his slight out of the Kingdom but if the King seemed not to be displeased he would send him word to return to the Court The Bastard did believe him and his diligence made such dispatch that the Captain of the Guard could not find him The King and the Queen did take counsel together what they should do with Rolandine who had the honour to be their Kinswoman and by the counsel of the Queen it was concluded that she should be sent unto her Father to whom the whole truth of the businesse was to be declared But before she did goe it was ordered that diverse of the Kings Counsel and some also of the Church should represent unto her that as yet there had passed nothing in her marriage but her word only and that she might easily recall herself if both one of them and the other would alter their opinions and their loves and disclaiming all interests make the contract of no effect This the King desired that she would do to preserve the honout of the house of which she was but she made answer that in all other things she was both obliged and ready to obey the King but in this only which so nearly concern'd her conscience she desired to be excused alleging that those whom God had put together ought not to be separated by men and desired that she might not be tempted to so unreasonable a thing for if love and good will grounded on the fear of God is the true and sure tye of Marriage she was tyed so fast that neither Steel nor Fire nor Water could either break or consume that bond but death only to whom alone and to none else she was resolved to surrender her oath and her ring beseeching them not to urge her to the contrary for she was so firm in her resolution that she had rather perish keeping her saith than live having infringed it Those who were deputed by the King made the report unto him of her constancy and when they saw they could provide no remedy to cause her to renounce her husband they carried her to her Father in that pitiful manner that wheresoever she passed they did all fall on weeping to behold her and although she had her failings in this contract yet so great was her punishment and so strong her constancy that she made her fault to be esteemed a virtue Her Father hearing this unwelcom news would not see her but sent her to a Castle of his in a Forrest which he had builded for another occasion worthy to be declared after this Novel He kept her there a long time in prison and sent her word oftentimes that if she would forsake her Husband he would account her for his daughter and set her at liberty Neverthelesse she always did hold firm in her determination loved better the place of her prison and the miseries she endured for her Husband than all the liberty of the world without him and it seemed to those who did behold her that all her punishments were but pleasant recreations because she suffered them for him whom so intirely she affected What shall I say in this place of men The Bastard who as you have heard was so much obliged to her did fly into Germany where he had many friends and shewed by his Inconstancy that not Truth and perfect Love but Avarice and Ambition did perswade him to the marriage of Rolandine Insomuch that in a short time after he grew so amorous of a German Lady that by his Letters he did forget to visit her who sustained so many tribulations for him For Fortune as rigorous as she was unto them did never take from them the means to write to one another but the heart of Rolandine had of its self the first apprehension of the foolish love into which the Bastard was fall'n so that she could not take any rest for she observed that the language in his Letters was so cold and so much altered that they nothing resembled those hearty expressions which she was accustomed to receive from him she therefore truly did suspect that some new love had diverted her Husband from her and when all the punishments and the torments she endured could nor work the least change in her at all and because her perfect love would not allow that she should ground her judgement upon a suspition she did contrive a way to send privatly a servant of hers in whom she trusted not to speak unto him or bring any Letters from him but strictly to observe him and to relate the truth He being returned from his Journey told her that for certain he found the Bastard passionatly amorous of a German Lady and the report was that he did court her in way of marriage for she was very rich This news did convey so extreme a grief to the heart of poor Rolandine that being unable to endure it she fell grievously sick Those who understood the occasion did acquaint her that since she perceived the great inconstancy of the Bastard she might now justly abandon him and did the uttermost they could to perswade her to it but notwithstanding she was thus tormented to the last they could find no means to make her change her resolution And in this last temptation to the great commendation of her virtue she did manifest the absolute love which she did bear him For as love did diminish on his side so it did increase on hers and did continue firm when he had no intire nor perfect love for love which failed on his side did turn on her side and when she knew that the love was intire in her alone which before was divided betwixt them both she resolved to preserve it to her death both for him and her self Wherefore the Divine bounty who is perfect charity and true love had pity on her griefs and did regard her patience insomuch that after a few days the Bastard dyed in pursute of another woman she being well advertised of his death by those who saw him laid in the earth did send unto her Father to beseech him that he would be pleased to come unto her who having not spoken to her since the time of her imprisonment did immediatly repair unto her and having all along understood
her just reasons instead of reproving her and killing her as oftentimes he threatned in his words he took her in his Arms and weeping abundantly said unto her My daughter you are more righteous than my self for if there were any fault in you I was the principal cause But since God hath so ordained it I will give you satisfaction with advantage for the time to come and having brought her into his house he did use her as his only child She was at last demanded in marriage by a Gentleman of her Fathers own name and who gave with him the same Coat of arms who was a wise and a virtuous man and so highly esteemed Rolandine that he praised her for that for which other men did blame her knowing that the end did only tend unto virtue The marriage was agreeable both to the Father and Rolandine and was immediatly concluded True it is that a Brother which she had who was the only heir of the house would not agree that she should have any part in the Estate objecting against her that she had been disobedient to her Father and after the death of the good Man he did deport himself so churlishly unto her that her Husband who was but a younger brother and her self had enough to do to live for which God provided for the Brother who would needs have all by a sudden death did leave unto her all the Fortunes which he had of hers and of his own with it And thus was she the Heiresse of a very great Estate and lived honourably and holily in her husbands love And after she had brought up two children which God had given her she rendred with joy her Soul to him of whom for a long time she had such perfect knowledge Now my Ladies I would desire that those men who do declare us to be so inconstant would come hither and shew me as good a Husband as this was a wife and such a faith and perseverance I am confident it would be so difficult unto them that I had rather acquit them than put them to such an endlesse task But I must beseech you Ladies by the lustre of this example to continue your glory not to love at all or as perfectly as this Lady did and to have a care that your honours be not scandaliz'd since by her firmnesse and constancy she is an occasion to increase yours In good earnest Parlament said Oysilla you have reported to us the story of a Lady who had a great and an honest heart and who gained as much glory by her constancy as her Husband contracted shame by his disloyalty who did leave her for another I believe said Longaren that this affliction was too grievous to be endured for there is no burthen so heavy but the love of two persons well united may sweetly undergoe it but when one of them doth fail and lays all the charge upon the other the weight is insupportable You ought then said Guebron to have compassion on us who carry all the love and doe not deign of your selves so much as to put one finger forth to assist us Ah Guebron said Parlament the burthens of the Husband and the Wife doe often differ much For the love of the Wife being well grounded and depending upon God and on her Honour is so just and reasonable that he who parts himself from that love ought to be esteemed an inordinate man and guilty before God and all honest men But the love of the most part of men is grounded only upon pleasure and ignorant Women are oftentimes too prone to serve their loose desires but when God doth instruct them to understand the wickednesse of the hearts of those men whom they esteemed to be good they will leave them with honour and reputation The knowledge of the sin doth leave a greater guilt upon the Conscience Hircan replyed A goodly reason indeed grounded on a fancy that honest women may honestly leave the love of their Husbands and not honest men the love of their Wives because forsooth their hearts you say are different but suppose they are and that they doe differ as much as the countenances and the habits of men do differ from those of women yet I believe their affections and wills are both alike unlesse they differ in this that their follies being more covered are alwayes the worse Parlament in a little choler said unto him I understand well enough that you esteem those to be least evil whose intentions are most discovered But let us leave off this discourse said Simontault for to draw a conclusion from the hearts of men or women the best of them is worth nothing Let us know to whom Parlament will give her voice that we may hear some new account I do give it said she to Guebron Before I doe begin said he to speak of the Grey Fryers I must not forget those of the order of Saint Benedict and what befell unto two of them in my time Howsoever in giving you an account of a man wickedly religious It is not my intent to alter your good opinion which you ought to have to those of them who are religious indeed But since the Psalmist says that every man is a lyar And in another place that there are none that do good no not one It seems to me that we cannot erre in esteeming Man to be such as be is For if there be any thing good in him we ought to attribute it to him who is the original of all good and not unto the Creature in giving too much praise and glory to it or in esteeming better of men than indeed they are the greatest part of men are deceived and deceivers And to the end that you may see it is not impossible under an extreme severity to find an extreme concupiscence understand what not long since happened in the time of King Francis the first of that name A Prior a great Reformer of the times under the shaddow of Hypocrisie did by all means attempt to seduce a religious Virgin whose wickednesse at last was discovered The Second Novell IN the City of Paris there was a Prior of St. Martins in the Fields whose name I will conceal for the love which I have born unto him His life until he was fifty years of age was so austere that the report of his holinesse was spread over all the Kingdom of France insomuch that there was neither Prince nor Princesse but entertained him with all honour and reverence when he came to see them And there was no Reformation of Religion but it passed first through his hand for he was call'd the Father of true religion He was chosen Visitor of the great religion of the Ladies of Frontenaux who stood in such fear of him that when he came into any of their Monasteries all the religious women did tremble for fear and to appease him in taking off the great rigours which he did impose upon them they did entertain
him when he made his Visitations as if he had the King himself which at first he refused but at last arriving to five and fifty years of age he began to like very well of and esteeming himself to be the publick assertor of all religion he desired to preserve his health better than he had been accustomed to doe And although his Rule prescribed him never to eat flesh yet he dispensed with himself which he would not do with any other saying that upon him alone lay all the burden of religion wherefore he feasted himself so much that of a lean Monk he became a fat Prior and the change of his heart did follow the change of his life insomuch that now he began to look upon beautifull faces of which before he made a great conscience and observing the beauties of the Nuns whose veils made them more desirable he begun to be very covetous of them and to satisfie his salt and wanton appetite he studied so many artifices that instead of doing the office of a Pastor he became a wolf insomuch that in diverse Religious houses if there were any one found more weak than another he never failed to deceive her And having for certain years continued this wicked course of life the Divine goodnesse which had compassion on the poor misguided sheep would no longer indure the ravening of this treacherous Fox For one day going to visit a Covent not far from Paris called Gif it fell out that in confessing all the holy Nuns he took an especial notice of one Sister called Mary Herouet whose language was so pleasant agreeable to him that it promised her face and her heart would be the same Wherefore but to hear her speak only he was struck with such a feaver of love that it surpassed all passions which he ever had for any other of these religious women and speaking to her he held down his head very low that the better he might observe her and perceiving her lip to be plump and red he could not forbear to lift up her vail to see if her eyes were the Companions of those beauties that were about them which he found to be true whereupon his heart was filled with so violent a heat that he forgot to eat and drink and suddenly lost his complexion although he dissembled the occasion of it Being returned to his Priory he could take no rest wherefore in great perplexity he passed away the days and nights searching out the means by which he might arrive to his desires and make of her as he had made of diverse others this he found difficult to be performed because he found her wise in all her answers and of a subtil spirit and on the other side being above threescore years of age he found himself so old and so wrizled that he resolved with himself not to speak to her at all but to make an attempt to gain her by fear Wherefore not long afterwards he returned to the said Monastery of Gif in which place he shewed himself more severe than ever before he was accustomed to do he grew angry with all the Religious Women reproving one for not wearing her veil low enough another for holding up her head too high a third for not making her Courtesie with that Reverence as she ought to do and in these small trifles he shewed himself so severe that they stood in the greatest fear of him that could be Having don this he travelled to visit the other places of Regulation and about the hour of Vespers he came again to the Dormitory where these Nuns were The Abbesse said unto him Reverend Father It is time to go to Vespers To whom he answered Go Mother go for I am so weary that I will stay here not so much to rest my self as to speak to Sister Mary of whom I have heard a very bad Report for I am told That she goes up and down and prattles as if she were one of the wide world The Abbesse who was neer of Kin to her Mother did desire him to school her well for it and left her alone with him save only a little Girl who being very young was newly entred into the Religion and stood at the furthest door When he found himself all alone with Sister Mary he did begin to take off her veil and commanded her to look upon him She made answer that her Rule did forbid her to look on any Man It is true my Child said the Prior but you ought not to think that we who are men of Religion are to be comprehended in that Rule Whereupon Sister Mary fearing to commit a fault by disobedience did look in the face of him which she saw so extremely warped and ill-favoured that she thought with her self she did rather Penance than commit a Sin to behold him The Prior having held her in a long discourse of the Love he did bear unto her did offer to put his hand upon her Brests but she did thrust it back as she ought to do and grew so impatient that he said unto her What And will not the Nuns be known that they have Brests She made answer to him I know I have and am resolved with my self that neither you nor any one else shall touch them for I am not so young nor ignorant but I understand well enough what is sin and what is not When he found he could not gain her that way he attempted another and said unto her Alas my Daughter I am put to that distresse that I must declare unto you my Necessity which is that I have an infirmity which the Physicians do all of them find to be incurable unlesse I do delight my self and play with a Woman whom I love very well For my self I had rather die than commit any mortal sin but if I must venture so far I know that Fornication and the sins of Lust are no wayes to be compared to the sin of Man-slaughter Wherefore if you love my life you may both save it and save your Conscience also from the stain of cruelty She demanded of him What kind of play it was that he did mean He told her That it was to put his Conscience upon hers and that she should do nothing in which he would not joyn with her in the accomplishment thereof And to shew her the beginning of the Pastime which he demanded he did imbrace her and endeavoured to throw her on one of the Beds in the Dormitory She perceiving his wicked Intention did so well defend her self by the softnes of her words and the strength of her Arms that he could touch nothing of her but her cloaths The Prior when he beheld all his designes and the force he used to be frustrated like a man possessed with a fury and as much besides his Reason as his Conscience did put his hands under her Coates and whatsoever he could touch with his fingers he scratched with his nails with so much violence that
times Three Murders committed in one House that is to say of the Gentleman who was Master of it of his Wife and his Child occasioned by the wickednesse of a Frier The Third Novell IN the County of Perigord there was a Gentleman who had such a Devotion to St. Francis that it seemed to him that all those who did wear that habit ought to be like unto that good Saint In the honour of whom he had caused to be made in his house a Chamber on purpose and a Wardrobe to entertain them and after their counsel he managed all his affairs even almost to the Government of his menial Servants conceiving with himself that both he and they walked surely in treading in the paths of their counsels It so fell out that the Wife of this Gentleman who was fair and no lesse wise than virtuous was brought to Bed of a Son whereby the love which her Husband did bear unto her was doubly augmented And a Feast being prepared the Brother-in-law was sent for The Hour of Supper being come there arrived a Frier whose Name I will conceal for the honour I bear unto Religion The Gentleman was very glad to see his spiritual Father there from whom he did conceal no secret And after much discourse betwixt his Brother-in-law his Wife and himself they did sit down to Supper during which time the young Gentleman looking on his Wife who had a great gracefulnesse with her and beauty enough to render her desirable did speak aloud unto the Frier and propounded the Question to him Father Is it true that a Man sins mortally to lye with his Wife during the moneth that she lyeth in The Frier who had a Countenance and a Tongue contrary to his heart did make answer to him Sir without all controversy it is one of the greatest sins that can be committed in Marriage And this may appear by the Example of the blessed Virgin Mary who would not come into the Temple until after the day of her Purification although she had no need of being purified As much ought you to abstain from a little pleasure seeing to obey the Law the blessed Virgin abstained to enter into the Temple where was all her Consolation Moreover the Doctors of Physick do affirm that there is great danger of the Issue that may ensue thereby When the Gentleman heard those words he was much troubled for he well hoped that his Confessor would have been so far indulgent to him but giving ear unto his counsel he did speak no more unto him The Confessor during this Discourse having drunk a little deeper than was expedient for him and beheld the young Gentlewoman he debated and concluded with himself that if he were her Husband he would not ask the advice of any one whosoever he were when he should lie with his own Wife And as the Fire by little and little doth kindle and encrease its flames until at the last it doth set the whole house on fire so this poor Frier did begin to burn in such a Concupiscence that incontinently he resolved with himself to arrive to the end of that Desire which for above three years together he had carried covered and glowing in his heart After the Table-cloath was taken away he took the Gentleman by the hand and leading him near unto the Bed of his Wife he said unto him before her Sir Because I am assured of the great love that is betwixt you and this young Lady your Wife which together with the heat and lustinesse of your youth doth so much sollicit you I must confesse I have great compassion of you and therefore I will acquaint you with a secret of our Theology which is that the Law how rigorous soever is be by reason of the abuse of indiscreet Husbands will not permit that those who are of a good Conscience as your self should be frustrated of their honest Desires Wherefore Sir in the presence of your People I have laid down before you the Ordinance and seveverity of the Law but from you who are a virtuous Man I will not conceal the sweetnesse of it For know my Son as there are Women and Women so there are Men and Men. In the first place therefore you must demand of the young Lady your Wife that seeing there are but three weeks since she was brought to bed If her flux of blood be yet ceased to which the young Lady made answer That for certain it was and that she was clean Why then said the Frier My Son I give you leave to lie with her without any scruple but you must first promise me two things which the Gentleman did most willingly consent unto The First is said the Confessor That you must not speak the least word but come with all privacie unto her the other is That you approach not to her untill two hours after Midnight that the Digestion of the young Lady be not troubled by your Familiarities The Gentleman did promise to observe this and did swear unto it so solemnly that he who knew him to be a greater Fool than a Lyar was assured in himself that he would keep his word After much variety of Discourse the Frier retired himself into his Chamber bidding them both Good-night and giving them a great Benediction The Gentleman withdrawing himself his Wife took him by the hand and said unto him Without doubt then you will come and will not make your poor Wife to wake any longer The Gentleman kissing her said unto her Sweet-heart Leave your door open which words the Frier heard very well and so they all retired into their own chambers The Frier as soon as he was come into his did take no thought either for sleep or rest but as soon as ever he heard all things quiet in the house it being much about the hour in which he was accustomed to go to Mattens repaired directly and softly to the Chamber where the Gentleman was expected and having found the door half open he finely and suddenly did put out the Candle and lay as close unto his Wife as possibly he could without speaking any word The young Lady thinking it was her Husband did say unto him Sweet-heart you have kept your promise but ill which last night you made unto our Confessor which was that you would not come unto me till two of the clock But the Frier being more intentive to the life that was active than contemplative and withall being afraid that he should be discovered did think more to satisfie his desires which for a long time had impoysoned his heart than to make any answer to her The young Lady was much astonied at it and the Frier finding the hour to approach in which her Husband was to come he did rise from the young Lady and returned suddenly into his own Chamber and as the Fury of his Concupiscence had before taken away all sleep from him so now the guilt of his Fear which always followeth wickednesse would
Coat of black Frize richly imbroydered with Gold and Silver purle He was mounted on a black Horse richly trapped with all the gallant furniture that belonged to a Horse The trappings were all covered with Gold and with a Morresk work enamell'd with black His Cloak was of black Silk on the shoulder thereof was a badge most curiously wrought and adorned with precious stones where he had for a Devise Love covered by force His sword and his poynado were no lesse beautifull and set forth with as rich devices To be short he was compleat cap a pei'd and most remarkable when he was on horsback and knew so well to manage his Horse that all those who did observe him neglected the recreation of hunting to observe the Courses and Corvettoes which he made Having in those Courses brought the Queen unto the place where the Nets were pitched he alighted from his Horse and came to assist the Queen as she was alighting who stretching forth her arms unto him he opened his Coat and taking her in his arms did shew her his Corslet where the Mirror was and said unto her Madam I beseech you to behold your self in it and without attending any answer he did set her softly on the Ground The Hunting being ended the Queen returned to the Castle without speaking one word to Elisor but after Supper she sent for him and told him That he was the greatest Lyar that she ever knew for he had promised her faithfully to shew that Lady in the Chace unto her whom he most loved which he had not performed wherefore she resolved with her self not to esteem him any more Elisor fearing that the Queen had not understood what he had said unto her did make answer That he had performed what he promised for he had not only shewed her the woman but that part of her which he loved best The Queen pretending not to understand him did reply unto him That she did not remember that he had shewed any one of her Ladies to her It is true said Elisor But what did I show unto you as you were alighting from your Horse Nothing said the Queen but only a fair Glass upon your Brest And what did you behold in that Mirror said Elisor I saw nothing but my own face said the Qu. Elisor said unto her then Madam in obedience to your Commandment I have fulfilled my promise for there shall be never any other representation in my heart but that which you saw upon my Brest it is that only whom I love reverence adore not as a Woman but as a Goddesse upon Earth into whose hands I do put both my Life and Death beseeching you that my most entire and absolute affection which was all my Life as long as I concealed it may not prove my Death by my discovering it And if I am not worthy to be regarded and accepted as your Servant at least permit that I may live as I have been accustomed to do upon the Contentment I have to behold you my heart having been so bold to chuse so high so perfect and so Majestick a place for the foundation of its love of which I can have no other satisfaction but to know that my love is so great and absolute that I am contented only to love although I am not be beloved again And if it doth not please you by the knowledge of my great love to have me more agreeable to you and to affect me more than heretofore at the least take not my life from me which consisteth in the happinesse I have to see you as I have been accustomed to do If you please to look upon me with more rigor you will have one servant lesse and lose the most affectionate one which you ever had or ever can have The Qu. whether to shew her self what she was not or else all along to make more trial of the love which he did bear unto her or whether she loved some other Servant whom she would not leave for him or else to reserve him untill he whom she had loved had done some fault and then afterwards to receive him into his place did speak unto him with a countenance neither angry nor yet contented Elisor Being ignorant of the authority of Love I do not demand of you what folly did betray you into so great so high and so dangerous a humor as to be in love with me for I know that the heart of Man is so little at Mans Commandement that he cannot make it either to hate or to love as he himself would But because you have so well declared your mind I desire to know how long it is since you first did begin to love me Elisor observing her to smile upon him and that she inquired after his Malady did well hope that she would vouchsafe some remedy unto him but beholding on a sudden her countenance to change again he was struck with a fear thinking himself to be before a severe Judge who was ready to pronounce sentence upon him Howsoever he took the confidence to assure her that his love had taken a deep root in his heart ever since his childhood but it did not burn within him to make him feel the pain thereof but the last seven years and he said he could not properly call it a pain but rather a Malady which gave such a contentment that the recovery from it was Death Since it is so said the Queen that you have laboured in so great a trial I ought to be no more light to believe it than you have been to expresse it wherefore if it be as you say I will make such a proof of it that afterwards I shall have no reason to doubt it and this proof being made I shall esteem you to be such unto me as you your self do swear you are and I knowing you to be such as you say you shall find me to be such as you desire Elisor besought her to make what proof of him she pleased for there was nothing so difficult that should not be very easie to him to obtain that great happinesse that she might know and be assured of the affection which he did bear unto her and besought her to command him that which she would have don She said unto him Elisor If you do love me as much as you affirm I am assured that to enjoy my favour nothing can be too hard for you Wherefore I command you by all your desires to have it and your fears to lose it that without seeing me any more you do depart the Court to morrow and retire into some place where you may not hear from me nor I have any tidings of you for seven following years You who have already passed seven years in this love do know in your self that you love me When I have had the like expecience of it for seven other years I shall know and believe that which your words cannot make me to understand much
lesse to believe Elisor hearing this cruell Commandment doubted on the one side that if he should stay she would remove him from her presence and on the other side hoping that the Event would speak better for him than her words he did accept the Command and said unto her Since I have lived seven years without any hope at all having concealed this fire now it is known unto you I shall bear and passe away these seven years to come with more patience But Madam in obeying your Commandment by which I am deprived of all the happinesse I have in the world what hope will you give me at the end of seven years when you have found me to be your faithful and your loyal Servant The Queen taking a ring from off her finger did say unto him Behold this Ring which I do give you Break it in the middle and you shall keep one half thereof and I the other to the end that if the length of time shall take away from my memory the knowledg of your face I may know it by that half part of the Ring which you shall keep Elisor did take the Ring and did break it in two pieces and gave one part thereof to the Queen and kept the other himself and taking his leave of her more dead than those who have render'd up their souls he departed to his Lodgings to take order for his journey which he performed in such a manner that he sent all his train from the Court to his own House and did travel himself attended but with one servant into a place so solitary that not any of his Kinred or his Friends for the space of seven long years did know where he was or heard the least tidings of him The life he did lead during that time and the afflictions he endured by reason of his absence cannot be known howsoever those that perfectly do sove cannot but in some measure be acquainted with them At the full end of seven years just as the Queen was going to hear Masse a Hermit with a great beard came unto her who kissing her hand did present her with a Petition which on the sudden she did not take the pains to look on although she was accustomed with her own hands to take all the Petitions that were presented to her how poor soever they were that did present them When the Masse was half said she opened the Petition and in the fust place found inclosed in it that part of the Ring which she had given unto Elisor whereat she was transported with as much Joy as Amazement and having read what was contained in the Petition she suddenly commanded her Almoner to bring the Hermit to her who had presented that Petition The Almoner did seek him every where but he could hear no tidings of him but only that he was seen to take horse but which way he did go it was impossible to be known The Queen did read the Petition over and over attending the answer of her Almoner and found also a Letter inclosed in it most excellently penned the substance whereof was to shew the strange effects which time had produced in renewing and resining the affections and changing a Love Temporal into a Love Spiritual and Eternal This Epistle was not read without many tears and a great amazement accompanyed with a grief incomparable For she thought that the losse she received in a servant full of so perfect love ought to be esteemed so great that neither all her Exchequer nor the Kingdom it self could take from her the title of being the most poor and most miserable Lady in the world because she had lost that which no treasure could redeem And having heard Masse she returned unto her Chamber and by her self alone did make so great a lamentation as her Cruelty did deserve And there was neither Mountain Rock or Fortest whither she did not send to find out this Hermit but he who had taken him from her hands did preserve him from falling into them again and did receive him into Paradise so that in this world she could hear no more tidings of him By this Example no Servant ought to confesse that which can do him no good and may assuredly hurt him And much lesse Ladies ought you by reason of your Incredulity to demand a proof so dissicult that in having it you may lose the life of your Servant Truly Dagoucin said Guebron I have heard that Lady highly commended as the most virtuous Princesse in the world who imposed this task upon her servant as a proof of his Fidelity but now I shall believe her to be the most foolisâ— and the most cruel that ever was Neverthelesse in my opinion said Parlament she did him no great wrong to make a proof of him for seven years if he loved so much as he professed for men are so accustomed to dissemble that before we trust them if at all we must trust them we cannot make too long a proof of them Ladies said Hircan are now a great deal more wise than heretofore they were for in seven dayes proof they have now as much assurance of a Servant as they had heretofore in seven years And yet there are some in this Company said Longaren who seven years together have been courted and have endured all the proofs of the Harquâ—buse and yet their love could never be obtained They ought then said Simontault to be number'd in the rank of the sormer times for in these dayes they are not to be received Howsoever it was said Oysilla the Gentleman was much obliged to the Lady by whose means he was reclamed from the vanity of Terrestrial love and wholly devoted his heart to God He met with an extraordinary happinesse said Saffredant to sind God on the Highways for seeing the affliction he had on him I do much wonder that he did not give himself to the Devil Why then when you are ill intreated of the Ladie you do love said Emarsuite do you wish the Devil take you A thousand and a thousand times said Saffredant but the Devil seeing that all the forments in Hell cannot make me more miserable than the torments wherewith she afflicts me will not vouchsafe to take me knowing well enough that there is no Devil so insupportable as a Lady that is loved and will not love again If you are of that opinion said Parlament to Saffredant if I were as you I would never have any thing to do with any Woman My assection to the Sex hath been always such saith Saffredant and my Error so great that I hold my self thrice happy to serve there where my service is most undervalued For the treachery and cruelty of Women cannot overcome the love which I bear unto them But I pray tell me in your Conscience Do you commend that Lady for her so great rigor Yes said Oyfilla for I believe that she would neither love nor yet be loved If she had that resolution said Simontault
wherefore did she give him such a promise to entertain him after the seven years were passed I am of your opinion said Longaren for those who for love will not return love again will give no occasion of love to those that bear love unto them It may be said Nomerfide that she loved another who was in deserts far inserior to this honest Gentlemen and that she left the better for the worse Upon my credit said Saffredant I conceive that hereby she made good provision for her self to take him in an hour when she had left off the other whom peradventure at that present she loved better I see very well said Oysilla that the more we examine and debate upon this Subject the more those who will have all things go on their side will take occasion to speak the worst of us that possibly they can wherefore Dagoucin I request you to give your voice to some one I do give it said he to Longaren being assured that she will acquaint us with some grateful novelty and will not to speak the Truth forbear either Man or woman Since you do esteem me to be so impartial said Longaren I will assume the hardinesse to acquaint you with the Fortune which happened to a very great Prince who in virtue surpassed all others of his time Understand withall that the thing which we ought least to use but in the case only of extreme Necessity is Dissimulation It is a Vice both vile and infamous especially amongst Potencates and Princes in the mouths and countenances of whom Truth is far more becomming than in any other person But there is no Frince so great although he hath all the honours and the riches that he can desire who is not subject unto the Empire and the Tyranny of Love insomuch that the more noble the Prince is and of greater spirit the more Love delighteth to make him to stoop under his powerful hand for that wanton and glorious little God doth take no care of small or common things and his Majesty doth make it his exercise every day to do wonders as to make weak the strong and to make strong the weak to give understanding to the ignorant and to take it away from the wise to savour passions and to destroy reason and all his delight is in such changes And because Princes are not exempt from love no more are they from the extremity into which the servitude of Love doth throw them And therfore by force they may be permitted to use Dissimulation hypocrifie and fiction which are the means to overcome their Enemies according to the Doctrine of Master Iohn de-Moon And since in such an act the Condition of a Prince is pardonable which in no other act is to be allowed because it layes them open to Disrepute I will in this place give an account unto you of the Inventions of a young Prince by which he deceived those who are accustomed to deceive all the world The subtilty which a great Prince used to delight himself in the Company of the Wife of an Advocate of Paris The Fifth Novell IN the City of Paris there was an Advocate more esteemed than nine Men of his profession and by reason of his great sufficiency being sought after by all he was the richest man of all those of his Robe who finding that he had no children by his first Wife did hope to have issue by his second And although his Body was old and dryed up yet his heart and his hope were not dead wherefore he did choose to wife a young Geutlewoman of the City of about eighteen or nineteen years of Age very fair and of a delicat complexion whom he loved and tendred as much as possibly he could but she had no more Children by him than he had by the former which at the last did much trouble her Wherefore her youth which was not suitable to Melancholy did cause her to seek out recreations in other places than in her own house and she repaired oftentimes to Feasts and Dancings but she always deported her self so civilly that her Husband could not entertain any bad opinion of her For she was alwayes in the company of those in whom he had great confidence Being one day invited to a Marriage there was present a great Prince who in rehersing the account did for bid me to use his name But I may well say unto you that he was so brave a Prince and of such a Grace that the like was never seen before in France nor ever I do believe will after him be seen again This Prince beholding this young Gentlewoman whose eys and whose Countenance did incite him to affect her did come unto her and did court her with such fine language that she her self was much taken with him and it and did not conceal from him that for a long time she had that love in her heart for which he did intreat her and that he should not take pains to perswade her to that to which at the first sight Love had made her to consent The young Prince by the courage of Love having obtained that happinesse the purchase whereof did well deserve a longer time he thanked the blind little God who so much favoured him And after that hour he so well followed his affair that they did both agree upon the means how they might come together without the observation of any The place and time being agreed upon the young Prince did not fail to come and to preserve the honour of the Gentlewoman he did come disguized but by reason of the dissolute boyes who did run up and down the streets in the night by whom he would not be known he took some Gentlemen with him to attend him And in the entrance into the street where she lived he did dismisse them saying to them If you hear no noise at all within this quarter of an hour you may retire into your own lodgings and about three or four hours hence fail not to expect me in this place again This they did accordingly and hearing not any noise they withdrew themselves into their own Chambers The young Prince did directly take his Course to the House of his Advocate and found the Door open as it was promised him But going up the stairs he did meet with her Husband by reason whereof he was more seen than he desired Neverthelesse Love which giveth understanding and boldnesse in the greatest necessities did so dispose it that the young Prince came directly to him and said Monsieur the Advocate You know the confidence which I and all those of my House do repose in you and that I do esteem you to be one of the best and most faithfull Servants that I have I was willing to come privatly to you to visit you as well to recommend my affairs unto you as to desire a Cup of your wine for I stand in need of it and not to acquaint any whomsoever that I am here for
you had a true repentance O Madam said Hircan the sin indeed hath much displeased me and I have been sorry that I have offended God but the pleasure hath pleased me You and such as are like unto you said Parlament would have neither God nor Laws but such only as your affections do prescribe unto you I must confesse said Hircan I could wish with all my heâ—rt that God took as great pleasure in my pleasures as I my self do You must not make to your self any new God said Guebron but be careful to obey him whom you have but let us leave this disputation to the Divines and let Longaren give her voice to some one else I do give it she said to Saffredant but I must intreat him to give us the best account that he can call to mind of Women and that he would not regard so much to speak evil of them as to conceal the truth when good is to be spoken of them Yruly said Saffredant I do consent unto you for I have in my hand an example of a wise Woman and a foolish one you may take that example which shall most please you and you shall understand that as in the hearts of the wicked love doth work wickedness's so in an honest he art it doth produce things worthy of prâ—ise For love of it self is good and it is the iniquity of the subject that oftentimes doth make it take the sirname of foolish light cruel or outragious Neverthelesse by this History which I shall account unto you it will easily appear that love doth not change the heart at all but doth shew it such as it is foolish unto the fools and wise unto the wise The pleasant discourse of a great Signior and the fine invention which he used to delight himself with a Lady of Pampelone The sixth Novel IN the reign of Lewis the twelfth there was a young Signior called Monsieur D' Avanes the Son of Monsieur Alebret brother to King Iohn of Navarre with whom the said Signior D' Avanes had his ordinary residence This young Signior was about fifteen years of age so lovely and graceful that it seems he was not made but to be loved and honoured which he was by all those whoever saw him and above all by a Gentlewoman living in the City of Pampelone in Navarre who was married there to a very rich man with whom she lived in a good and a great repute and although she was not above three and twenty years of age yet because her Husband was above fifty she did attire her self so modestly that she seemed by her dresse to be rather a Widdow than a young married Woman and never did any one see her go to Wedding or Feast without her Husband whose virtue and goodnesse she did so much esteem that she preferred it to the youth and lovelinesse of all others Her Husband finding her so discreet had such a confidence in her that he committed to her care and charge all the affairs of his house One day this rich man with his Wife was invited to the marriage of one of his kinted in which the more to honour the Nuptials there was the young Signior of Avanes who naturally loved dancings in which exercise of delight there was none that could surpasse him After dinner when the Mask began the rich man desired Signior D' Avanes to dancent the Signior demanded of him what Lady he should lead who made answer to him Sir if there were any here more lovely or more at my commandment than my own wife I would present her to you and I beseech you that you would do me the honour as to lead my Wife in the dance which the young Prince did but his youth at that time was so unexperienced that he took more pleasure to vault and cut capers than to regard the beauty of the Ladies And on the contrary she whom he did lead did more reguard the beauty and gracefulnesse of the said Signior than the dance in which she was although her discretion was such that she made not the least appearance of it The hour of Supper being come Signior D' Avanes did bid adieu to the company and returned to the Castle to which place the rich man did accompany him being mounted on his Mule and in the way he said unto him Sir you have this day done so great an honour to my self and to my kinred that in me it would be ingratitude if with all my fortunes I should not offer my self to do you service Sir I know very well that such young Lords as you who hard and covetous Fathers have oftentimes more need of money than we who keeping but a poor train and an ordinary house do think more of the heaping of it up than which way to lay it forth Sir so is is that God having given me a Wife according to my own desire hath not only in this World given me my Paradise being frustrated of those hopes and joys which Parents have of their Children Sir I know that it is too much honour to me to adopt you as my child but if you please to receive me for a Servant and declare unto me what your occasions are I will not fail to be ayding to you in your necessities as far as one hundred thousand Crowns will stretch Monsieur Avanes was very joyful of this offer for he had such a Father as the rich man had character'd and having heartlly thanked him he called him Father by alliance From the same hour the rich man did take such affection to Signior D' Avanes that Evening and Morning he did not fail to send unto him to hnow if he stood in need of any thing And he concealed not from his Wife the Devotion he had to Signior D' Avanes which made her doubly to love him and after that hour the Signior had of him whatsoever he desired He oftentimes would repair to the rich mans house to eat and drink with him and when he was not at home his Wise would give unto him whatsoever with reason he desired and moreover would speak so discreetly to him admonishing him to be virtuous that he stood in fear of her and did love her more than all the Women in the World She who had God and her Honour before her eyes was contented with his sight and to heat him speak unto her in which consists the satisfaction of honesty and true love insomuch that she never gave him any sign whereby he might conceive or judge that she did bear any other affection to him but what was pious and fraternal During this covered Love Monsieur D' Avanes having received the large supplies above-spoken was very gorgeous in his cloaths and maintained a gallant Equipage and being about eighteen years of Age he began to court Ladies and to seek after them more than he was accustomed to do And although he had rather make love to this wise young Gentlewoman than to any other yet the
fear he had to lose her love if she should understand his Intents did cause him to hold his peace and to think where to place his affections somewhere elfe In this resolution he did address himself to a young Lady not far from Pampelone who had a house also in that City and was newly married to a young man who above all things did love horses and doggs and hawks For the love of her Signior D' Avanes began to make a thousand pastimes as Turnaments Horse-races Masks Feasts and other sports at all which this young Lady would be alwayes present But because her Husband was very phantastical her Father and Mother being jealous of her honour because they knew her to be beautiful and of a frolick disposition did keep her so close that Signior D' Avanes could have nothing of her but now and then some few words when they danced together although in a small time he did easily perceive that to the compleating of their loves there was nothing wanting but Time and place Wherefore he came to his good Father the rich Man and told him that he had a great Devotion to go visit our Lady of Mont-serral desiring him till his return to take into his House all his servants because he had a desire to travel alone to which the Gentleman consented But his Wife who had in her heart that great Prophet called Love did incontinently suspect the truth of the voyage and could not contain her self from speaking to him and said Monsieur the Lady which you are going to adore is not out of the walls of this City wherefore above all things I do beseech you to have a care of your health especially of the health of your soul He who did both fear and love her did blush so much to hear those words that without speaking any thing his cheeks did confesse the truth thereof unto her and upon that he departed and having bought two gallant Spanish Jennets he disguized himself in the habite of a Hors-keeper and so discoloured his face that none could know him The Gentleman who was Husband to this foolish Lady who above all things loved Horses having beheld those two which Signior D' Avanes had brought with him did incontinently buy them and having well looked upon the Horsekeeper that did bring them he demanded of him if he had a mind to serve him Signior D' Avanes made answer Yes and told him That he was a poor young Man that had no other way to live but only by dressing and looking to Horses in which he could so well acquit himself that he was most consident that he would rest content The Gentleman being very glad of it did give him the charge of all his Horses and entring into his house he told his Wife That being to go unto the Castle he did recommend his Horses and his Horsman to her The young Lady as well to please her Husband as having no other recreation did go unto the Stable and looked upon the Horses and observed the new Horsekeeper who seemed to her to be a very handsome young Man but she had not the least knowledge of him He when he perceived that he was not known by her did approach to make his reverence to her after the manner of Spain and having taken her by the hand he kissed it and kissing of it did lock her hand so fast in his that presently she knew him for in dancing with her heretofore he oftentimes would use the same From that time the young Lady ceased not to seek out some place where she might discourse with him by her self which she did the very same Evening for being invited forth to a Feast whither her Husband would have her to go with him she feigned that she was sick and not able to go Her Husband who would not disappoint his friends did say unto her Sweet-heart Since you are not pleased to go with me I pray have a care of my Dogs and my Horses and see that they want nothing The young Lady found this Commission very agreeable unto her and without making any other apparence she said unto him That seeing he would not imploy her in any better business she would make him understand in the meanest services how much she desired to be complacent to him Her Husband was no sooner out of the Gate but she came down into the Stable where she found divers faults and to redresse them she imployed all her Grooms on so many errands that she remained alone with the Master Horsekeeper And for fear that any one should interrupt her she said unto him Go into the Garden and stay a little in the Cabinet which is at the end of the Allee Which he so readily performed that he had not the leisure to thank her and after she had given orders to all the Grooms of the Stables she did go to see the Doggs taking the like care that they might want nothing sitting for Doggs to have insomuch that of a Mistresse she was become a servant-maid Returning to her Chamber she sound her self so weary that immediately she did go to bed saying that she would take a little rest and all her women left her excepring one whom she trusted to whom she said Go into the Garden and bring him hither to me whom you shall find at the end of the Allee The Chamber-maid did go thither where she found the Master Horse-keeper whom she brought immediately to the Lady who commanded the Maid to go forth and watch when her Husband did come Signior D' Avanes seeing himself alone with the Lady did despoil himself of the habiliments of a Horse-keeper he took off his false Nose and his false beard and not as a fearful Horse-keeper but as a gallant young Signior without demanding any leave of the Lady he did leap boldly into the bed to her where he was received as the bravest young man that was in those days by the most wanton of all the Ladies of that Country and he continued with her until such time as her Husband did return of which having timely notice he did put on his disguises and forsook the pleasures which by subtilty he usurped The Gentleman coming into the Court did understand the diligence which his Wife had used to obey him and gave her many thanks for it Sweet-heart said the Lady I have but only done my duty but it is true that if a narrow eye be not had over those naughty boys you will not have a Horse but will be lean nor a Dog but will be mangy But since I understand their sloth and your good will they shall be better look'd unto than they were ever heretofore The Gentleman who thought he had got the best Horse-keeper in the World demanded of her what she thought of him I assure you Sir said she that he understands himself as well as any Servant you could have chosen but he had need to be followed and rouzed up for he is one
not suffer her desires to go beyond her reason You may paint it forth unto us said Hircan as you please but I know that the worse Devil always doth turn out the other and that Pride and Hypocrisie did turn from her away her pleasure for Ladies robes are so long and so woven with dissimulation that we cannot know what they carry within them for if they were not more nice of their honour than we are we should find that Nature had forgot her self no more in them than in Men And by reason of the fear they have not to dare to take the pleasure they do desire they have changed that vice into a greater which they conceive to be more honest and that is into a Glory and a Cruelty by which they hope to purchase themselves an Immortality and thus they boast they can resist the vice of the Law of Nature If our Nature be vicious what is theirs who not only make themselves like unto Beasts which are inhumane and cruel but also like unto Devils from whom they receive their Pride and Dissimulation It is pity said Nomerfide that you have so virtuous a Lady to your wife seeing you do not only undervalue Virtue in another but would prove all Women to be vitious I am happy said Hircan to have a Wife who is not scandalized and I would not have her to be so but as for that Chastity of Heart you speak of I believe that she and I are both of us the Children of Adam and Eve wherefore in beholding our selves we should not only cover our nakednesse with leaves but also confesse our frailty I know said Parlament that we do all stand in need of the Grace of God because we are inclined unto Sin but our Temptations are not like unto yours and if we do sin through Pride there is no second prejudiced by it neither are our hands soyled or our bodies defiled But your pleasure doth consist in the dishonouring of Women and it is your Honour to kill men in Wars which are two positions directly contrary to the Law of God I do confesse unto you said Guebron that you speak the Truth but God having said That whosoever looketh with Concupiscence is already an Adulteress in his heart and that whosoever hateth his neighbour is an homicide satisfie me I pray you Are Women exempted more than Men God who judgeth the heart said Longaren will give sentence But it is too much that Men should be our Accusers for the goodnesse of God is so great that he knows and pardons the frailties of our hearts But let us leave off this Dispute said Saffredant for it doth savour more of a Preachment than of a pleasant Account Wherefore said he I give my voice to Emarsuite desiring her that she will not forget to make us to laugh Truly said she I shall take care not to fail you being determined to give a brief account of two servants of a Princesse so pleasant that it doth make me to forget the melancholy of another History which I had an intent to exhibit unto you and to put some mirth upon my face to make it appear more agreeable unto you The rashnesse of a foolish Secretary who sollicited the Wife of his Companion by the means whereof he received great shame The seventh Novell IN the City of Ambois there dwelled the Servant of a Princesse who was Groom of her Chamber an honest Man and who gave good entertainment to all that came unto his House but above all to his Companions It is not long since that one of the Secretaries of his Mistresse did come thither to lodge where he stayed ten or twelve dayes This Secretary was so deformed that he seemed rather to be King of the Canibals than a Christian And although his Host who was also his Companion did intreat him as his Brother or his dearest friend and with all the honour that possibly he could yet he did go about such an Enterprise that it did seem he had not only fogot all honesty but had never entertained any in his heart which was in a dishonest and an unlawful way to sollicit the Wife of his Companion who had nothing in her that might incite him to love although she was indeed as virtuous a Woman as any was in the City where she lived she perceiving the lustfull desires of the Secretary thinking it better by dissimulation for a time to discover his Vice at last than to cover it by a sudden refusal did counterfeit to approve and like his motion Therefore he who thought that he should gain her to his will without regarding her age which was above fifty and that she was none of the handsomest and without considering the good report she had to be a very honest Woman and to love her Husband most intirely did incessantly importune her One day amongst the rest her Husband being imployed about some great businesse at home and they two being together in the Hall she pretended that she only deferred him to find out a â—ure place to be alone with him accordingly as he desired To whom immediatly he replyed That he would go up into the Cockloft She suddenly did rise and did desire him to go before and said she would follow after him He laughing for joy with a sweetnesse of face much like unto a great Baboon when it is about to feed did very lightly go up the stairs and with a labouring Expectation attending that which he so much did desire burning not with a cleer five but as a great Coal in the forge did listen if she were comming up after him but instead of hearing her feet he did hear her voice speaking unto him Master Secretary Stay there a little I am going to my Husband to know of him If he be pleased that I shall come up unto you You may imagin with your selves what a face he made when he wept who did look so ugly when he laughed He immediatly came down with tears in his eyes and for the love of God did beseech her to be silent and nor by her words to break the love which was between her Husband and himself She made answer to him that she was sure he loved her Husband so well that he would not speak of any thing to her which he would not have him to understand wherefore said she I goe to acquaint him with it which she did whatsoever intreaties he made or constraints he could use to the contrary whereupon he took himself to his heels and did run away out of the doors and was as much ashamed as her Husband was glad to understand the honest deceit which his Wife had used and her virtue so much pleased him that he made no account of the vice of his Companion who was sufficiently punished to carry on him his own shame which he would have brought upon that house Ladies it doth appeart to me that personages of worth ought to learn by this account not to
entertain those whose Consciences hearts and understandings are ignorant of God and true love and Honour Although your account be but short said Oysilla yet it is as pleasant as may be and conduceth much to the honour of the good Woman In sober sadness said Simontault it is no great honour to an honest woman to refuse so deformed a Creature as you have expressed this Secretary to be but if he had been lovely and debonair then had she shewed her Virtue And because I peradventure do conceive who this Secretary was if it were now my turn I could rehearse another account unto you as pleasant altogether as this you shall not he wanting for that said Emarsuite for I give you my voice whereupon he did immediatly begin Those who are accustomed to have their residence at the Court or in some great Cities doe esteem so highly of their own knowledge that they think all others are but fools and clowns in the comparison of them but it is not so for in all Countreys and amongst all conditions of men there have been found some as witty always and as subtle as the others possible can be neverthelesse by reason of the Pride of those who think themselves most cunning the mockery of them when they are over-matched is always more remarkable as I shall shew you by this true Account which happened not many years agoe A certain Secretary was resolved to be too hard for a Merchant who was too hard for him and what befell him thereupon The eighth Novel FRancis the first of that name being in the City of Paris and his Sister the Queen of Navar in his company she had a Secretary who was none of those who would let any thing fall down on the ground and refuse to take it up again insomuch there was neither President nor Counsellor which he did not know nor Merchant or rich man whose house he did not frequent and hold intelligence with them There came into the said City of Paris a Merchant of Bayons named Bernard du Ha who as well for the discharge of his affaires as for that the Lieutenant Civil was of his Country did addresse himself unto him for his Counsel and Assistance This Secretary of the Queen of Navar did oftentimes repair to visit the Lieutenant who was a good Servant of his Master and of his Mistresse and going to him upon a Holy-day he found neither him nor his Wife at home but heard Bernard du Ha within as busie as might be with a Viol or some other Instrument teaching the Maid-Servants to dance the Morice of Gascogny When the Secretary beheld him he would have made him believe that he did very ill and assured him that if the Lieutenant or his Wife should know of it they would be highly displeased with him And having sufficiently laid forth the inconvenience of what he had done and the danger that might ensue thereon Bernard du Ha did beseech the Secretary not to speak unto the Lieutenant of it who said unto him what will you give me and I will hold my peace Bernard du Ha who entertained not so great a fear as he made a shew for observing that the Secretary would cajole him to a forfeit did promise him to give him a Pasty of the best Hanch of Gascony Venison that he did ever ear The Secretary being well contented with it did desire him that he might have his Pasty on Sunday after Dinner which Bernard du Ha did promise and assured him that he should not fail of it Whereupon the Secretary repaired to a Gentlewoman in Paris whom above all Creatures he desired to espouse and said unto her Madam If you please I will come on Sunday next to sup with you but you are to take care for nothing but only good bread and good Wine for I have over-reached so hansomly a Merchant of Bayons that all the rest shall be at his expence and by my fine circumvention of him you shall eat of the bravest Hanch of Venison that ever was brought from Gascogny to Paris The Gentlewoman who did believe him did send for three or four of the most considerable of her Neighbours and did assure them of something which was very dainty and which they never tasted of before When Sunday was come the Secretary was fain to look after the Merchant and finding him upon the bridge he graciously saluting him said unto him The Devills take you all of them what a trouble have you put me to to find you out Bernard du Ha replyed unto him many men have taken more pains than you who have not been recompensed with such a present And speaking those words unto him he shewed him the Pasty which he had underneath his cloak and was big enough to feed a whole Camp at which the Secretary was so overjoyed that having made up his wide mouth he hastily took it and leaving the Merchant in the street without inviting him to cat of his own Venison he brought his Present to the young Gentlewoman who had a great desire to know If the Viands of Guyen were as good as the Dainties of Paris The hour of Supper being come as they were earing their pottage the Secretary said unto them Let us leave off this watry Diet and tast of this Flagon of Wine and speaking those words he uncovered the Pasty and thinking to cut up the Hanch he did find it so extremely hard that he could not put his knife into it wherefore he used the utmost of his strength and found that it was a broad piece or Sabot of wood of which their shooes are made in Gascoigny to which on each side he had placed two great brands taken out of the Chimney and strowed on the tops thereof the Dusts of rusty Iron mingled with foot which could not but render a gratefull smell Who was perplexed now It was the Secretary as much that he was deceived by him whom he thought to deceive himself as also that he had deceived her to whom he thought that he had spoken the Truth And on the other side he was no wise pleased to content himself only with pottage for his Supper The women who were altogether as sorry as himself had accused him for his Imposture but that they perceived by his Countenance that he did partake with them in the abuse Having thus contrary to his expectation made but a light Supper he departed in a great choler And seeing that Bernard du Ha had failed in his promise he resolved with himself to break his own and addressing himself to the Lieutenant he did speak the worst words that possibly he could of Bernard But he could not come so soon but Bernard du Ha had been with him before and revealed unto him all the mystery The Lieutenant therefore did passe his sentence on the Secretary and said that at his own expence he had now learned to circumvent a Gascoign and must therefore return with
no other comfort but the divulgation of his own shame The like doth happen unto many who thinking to be too cunning do forget themselves in their own subtilties wherefore it is the only wisdom Not to do that unto any which we would not have done unto our selves I do assure you said Guebron that oftentimes I do see the like things come to passe and those who are accounted to be the fools of the Town do often over-reach the finest wits for there is no man a veryer fool than be who thinks himself to be wise nor any more wise than he who knows that he knows not any thing Howsoever said Parlament he knows somthing who knows that he knows nothing Well said Simontault for fear that time will be wanting to us I give my voice to Nomerfide for I know that her Rhetorick cannot be tedious Let it be so then said Nomerfide I will give you such an Account as shall answer the Discourse we have had And I do not wonder Ladies that Love doth give to Princes and to personages brought up in places of Honor the means how to decline all danger for they have their education amongst so many knowing persons that I should wonder far more if they were ignorant of any thing But the Artifice of Love doth shew it self by so much the more cleerly by how much it finds lesse apprehension and capacity in the Subjects it doth work upon And to manifest this I will account unto you what a Priest did do being only instructed by Love for he was so ignorant in all other things that he could hardly say his Masse An honest Labourer in the Village who did suffer himself to he easily deceived by his Wife who was amorous of the Curat The ninth Novell IN the County of Mayn in a Village called Arcelles there was a rich Man a labourer who in his old Age married a handsom young Woman who had no Children by him but for that losse she did comfort her self with many Friends and when Gentlemen of apparence and her Friends did fail she did go to the last Recourse which was the Church and took him to be the Companion in her Sin who ought to absolve it This was the Curat who good man came very often to visit this tender Lamb. Her Husband being of a heavy and lumpish spirit had not the least suspition of her but because he was of a churlish constitution and very strong she managed the affair as secretly as possibly she could fearing if he should perceive her that he would undoubtedsy kill her One day when he was abroad his Wife not thinking that he would return so soon did send to seek out Monsieur the Curat to confesse her And as they were making good cheer together her Husband did arrive so unexpectedly that he had not the leisure to retire into his own house but looking up and down where to hide himself by the counsel of the Woman he did climb up into the Granary and covered the trap-door with a Bolter The Husband came into the house and she that he might entertain no suspition did feast him so well at Dinner that she spared for no Meat or Wine of which he did drink so great a quantity that with the wearinesse of his labour in the fields he had after Dinner a great desire to sleep being seated in a Chair before the fire The Curate who was impatient to be so long in the Granary hearing no noise in the Chamber did open the trap-door and stretching forth his neck as far as ever he could he observed that the good Man was asleep And looking down upon him he not minding of it did lean so hard upon the Bolter with all his weight that both Bolter and Man did fall down close to the good Man where he was asleep who awaked at the great noise The nimble Curat who had got up upon his leggs before the other had thoroughly opened his eyes did say unto him My good Friend behold your Bolter and many thanks and having said those words he did go away with all the hast he could make The poor Labourer being much amazed demanded of his Wife what was the businesse who made answer to him Sweet-heart It is that Bolter of yours which is made in fashion of a Boat which the Curat having borrowed hath brought it back again unto you Her Husband grumbling at it said unto her He hath returned clownishly enough that which he borrowed for I thought the whole house was falling down upon my head By this means the Curat did save himself and the good Man found nothing amisse at all but onely the rudenesse which he used in bringing back his Bolter Ladies the Master whom he served did save him at that time that he might take the greater possession of him and tormont him afterwards the longer Do not imagin said Guebron that poor people are more exempt from Excuses than our selves nay they have a great deal more For if you look upon Thieves Murderers Sorcerers Coyners of false money and all such kind of people whose spirits are never at rest you shall find them all to be poor people and Mechanicks It is not strange at all to me said Parlament that subtilty should reign more amongst them than others For I have heard that Love doth torment them amongst all their labours neither is there a heart so tough but this gentle passion doth possesse it Madam said Saffredant you are not ignorant what Mr. John De Moon saith That Lovers are as common in the Cottages of Beggers as in the Palaces of Kings And the Love of which this Account speaketh is not that love which makes us to bear arms in the field For although poor Men have not our wealth nor honours yet they have other commodities more for their comfort then we have Their viands are not so dainty but they have a better appetite and they are better nourished with brown bread than we are with Restoratives They have not beds so rich nor so well made as ours but they do rest better in straw and do sleep sounder They have no Ladies painted nor so gorgeously set forth as those whom we do Idolize but they have their pleasures more often than we have and fear no other eyes but the Birds and the Beasts that do behold them Briefly in that which we have they do want and in that which we want they do abound I pray you said Nomerfide let us leave off this discourse of peasants and before that Vespers do begin let Hircan put a period to this third days Journal Truly said Hircan I will deliver to you as sad and as strange a story as ever you have heard and although it is most unpleasing to me to speak evil of any Lady knowing that men are so full of malice that dayly out of the consequence of the fault but of one Womon alone they will lay the blame upon the whole Sex yet this account being so
her Husband did give him many wounds with the poynado so that the Frier desired pardon and confessed the Truth of all his wickednesse The Gentleman although he might would not kill him but intreated his Wife to go home to his House and bring some of his servants to him and to bring a little Wagon with them to convey himself to his House with more ease which she did The Frier being despoyled of his habit which he had polluted with so much blood and lust did run in his shirt and his shorn head towards his own Covent But the servants of the Gentleman did overtake him as they were going to their Master to assist him to bring away the Wolf which he had taken and did dragg him to his house who did cause him to be brought before the Justice of the Emperor in Flanders before which Court he confessed his villany and it being found by his Confession and proof made by the Commissaries there present that a great number of Gentlewomen and beautifull Maids had been brought into that Monastery by the same Art as this Frier would have brought this Gentlewoman It was ordered That the said Monastery should be examined and despoyled of those beautiful Larcenies and that in the perpetual memory of this Crime the Monks should be all shut up and be burned with the Monastery By this it may appear that there is nothing more cruel than Love when it is grounded upon Vice as there is nothing again more commen dable than Love when it doth dwell in a virtuous heart Ladies I am very sorry that the truth of these Accounts doth not lead us as much to the commendations of Friers as it doth unto their prejudice for it would be a great pleasure to me in the respect of the love which I do bear unto their Order to know any one of them who would give me a just cause to praise them But we have sworn so much to speak the truth that after the report of Men so worthy to be believed I am constrained not to conceal it assuring you that when the Friers of these times shall do any act worthy of memory I will endeavour to set it forth far better to their Glory than I have given you the account of this Truth unto their Infamy In good carnest Guebron said Oysilla Behold here a Love which ought to be called Cruelty I doe wonder said Simonâ—ault how this Frier had the patience seeing this Gentlewoman in her smock and in a place where he himself was Master that he did not take her by force He had not so sudden a stomack said Saffredant but was a true Gormandizer for through the desire which he had to be-glut him self with her all day long he would not make any stay â—ow to take a tast of her It is not so said Parlament for you are to understand that every Man who is furious is also timorous and the fear which surprized him that his prey should be taken from him did cause him to take away that Lamb as a Wolf doth a sheep to seed upon it with more appetite at his own leisure I cannot believe said Dagouâ—in that he did bear any love unto her or that Love could ever inhabit in a heart so barbarous However it was said Oysilla I do beseech God that as he was punished so the like enterprizes may alwayes meet with the like chastisement But to whom will you give your voice To you Lady said Guebron for you will be sure to give us some good Account Since it comes to my turn said Oysilla I will give you a memorable account which happened in our times and of which she her self was an ey-witnesse who did acquaint me with it I am sure that you are not ignorant that Death is the end of all our Miseries and therfore putting an end unto our miseries it may be called our Felicity and sure Repose for the greatest misery that a man can have is to desire Death and to be deprived of it and of the means to enjoy it The greatest punishment which can be given to a Malefactor is not Death but to afflict him with a perpetual torment so great it makes him to desire it and so little that he cannot obtain it just as a Husband did deal by his Wife as you shall hear by this following story The punishment more rigorous than Death which a Husband inflicted on his Wife having taken her in Adultery The second Novell KIng Charls the Eighth of that Name did send into Germany a Gentleman called Bernage Lord of Cyure neer unto Ambois whose diligence was so remarkable in his Masters service that he travelled both day and night One evening he arrived very late at the Castle of a Gentleman where he demanded lodging which with great difficulty was at last granted Neverthelesse when the Gentleman understood that he was the Servant of so great a King he did go forth to meet him and did beseech him not to be discontented at the rudenesse of his people for by reason of some kinred of his Wives who intended ill unto him he was enforced to keep his Gate shut Immediately Bernage acquainted him with the occasion of his Legation in which the Gentleman did offer him all service that possibly he could in the behalf of the King his Master and brought him into his House where he did lodge him and gave him honourable entertainment The hour of Supper being come the Gentleman did lead him into a Parlor hung round with very rich tapestry where as soon as the meat was upon the Table he did behold a Lady of a most excellent beauty to come forth from behind the Arras her head was shaven all over and the rest of her body cloathed with Blacks of Almaign After the Gentleman had washed with Monsieur Bernage water was brought to the said Lady who having washed her hands did sit down at the end of the Table and spake not to any one nor any one to her Signior Bernage did often look upon her and she seemed to him to be the most beautiful Lady that ever he beheld but only that she looked pale and withall was very sad After she had eaten a little she demanded Drink which a Servant did bring her in a wonderful vessel for it was the scull of a dead Man the edge whereof was round about tipped with silver The Lady did drink twice or thrice in it and after she had supped and washed her hands she made a low Reverence â—o the Master of the House and returned again from whence she came without speaking any word Bernage was so amazed to see a thing so strange that he became very sad and pensive The Gentleman perceived it and said unto him I observe very well that you are astonished at what you have seen at this Table but because of the civility which I have found in you I will not conceal from you the occasion of it that if in me there be
the Day One of these Friers is very fat and the other lean enough The fat one would have confessed himself to his Companion and told him That the Butcher not having the fear of God before his eyes did make no more account to cut his throat than if he had been an Oxe or any other Beast And because they were locked up in their chamber and had no other way down but must passe thorough the Chamber of their Host they both did collect unto themselves that they were sure enough to be killed and did both of them recommend their Souls unto God But the younger of them who was not alltogether so overcome with fear as his Companion did say unto him That since the Door was locked up they must assay to escape out of the Window and come what will there could come nothing to them worse than Death To this the fat Frier did consent The younger of them opened the Window and observing it was not very high from the ground he did leap lightly down and ran away as fast and as far as ever he could He being gone and not staying for his Companion the corpulent Frier did attempt the danger but the weight of his body did constrain him to lye where he fell for instead of leaping he fell down so heavily that he much bruised his Legg When he beheld himself forsaken of his Companion and that he was disabled to follow him he looked round about him to find where he might hide himself but he could discover no place but a Piggssty only to which he did creep as well as he could and opening the door to go into it two Hoggs did run out and escaping grunted their gratitude to him The poor Frier did possesse himself of their place and intended when ever he heard the noise of any Travellers that passed that way to call unto them and crave their assistance But as soon as day appeared the Butcher took into his hand his two great knives and desired of his Wife to keep him company to kill his two fat hoggs When they came unto the Stie where the Frier did hide himself he opened the door and cried aloud come forth my gray Fiers come forth this day I shall both eat and sell of your Puddings The Frier being startled and not able to stand on one legge did hop out of the Stie the length of four feet with the other and cryed out Mercy Mercy as loud as ever he could And if the Frier was surprized with a great fear much more was the Butcher and his Wife for they verily believed St. Francis was angry with them because they gave the name of a Frier unto a Hogg they therefore kneeled down before the poor Frier and demanded pardon of Saint Francis and his Religion so that on hoth sides the Frier cried and called for mercy of the Butcher and the Butcher and his Wife on the other side cried as loud for mercy to the Frier insomuch that they were above a quarter of an hour in this agony of fear before they could understand one another At last the Frier perceiving that the Butcher did intend no harm did declare unto him the cause wherefore he did hide himself in the Hoggs-Stie whereupon their fear was immediatly dissolved into an abundant Argument of laughter which had been greater but the poor Frier who had his Legg sorely hruised by reason of his great pain could not goe along with them in their mirth the Butcher therefore did lead him to his house where he continued until he was well recovered His Companion who did forsake him in his greatest need did run all night long and in the morning came unto the house of Signior de Fo rs where he complained of this Butcher who as he verily believed had killed his Companion because he found he did not follow him Signior de Fo rs did immediately send to the Village of Grip to understand the truth which being known he found there was no argument of grief and immediatly he made an Account therof to his Mistresse Madam the Dutchesse of Angoulesm Mother to King Francis the first of that name Ladies you may from hence observe that it is not good to listen to a secret to which we are not called or give a false interpretation to the words which another man doth speak Did not I know well enough said Simontault that Nomerfide would not make us weep but heartily to laugh in which I find that every one of us have had their share And how comes it about said Oysilla that we are inclined to laugh at folly and not so much as to smile at any thing that is well and wisely done The reason is said Hircan because it is more agreeable unto us and neer of kin unto our Nature which of it self is never wise and every one affects that which is like unto it self and this makes the Fools to be addicted unto Folly and the Wise unto wisdom But I believe there is neither wiseman nor Fool that can restrain from laughter at the hearing of this Account There are some said Guebron who have their hearts so addicted to the Love of Wisdom that say or doe what you will you can never make them langh for they have so moderate a Joy and Contentment in their hearts that no accident can move them who be they said Hircan Guebron made answer The Philosophers of former times whose joyes and sorrows were never perceived so great a virtue they esteemed it to overcome themselves and their own passions I doe approve of it as well as they to overcome a vicious passion said Saffredant but to strive against a natural property which doth no hurt to any it seems to me to be impertinent Howsoever you judge it said Guebron others did esteem it a great virtue It is not so much because they were wise men said Saffredant but because they had no occasion to testifie their grief or joy and therefore it was rather an apparence than an effect of Virtue Howsoever you shall find said Guebron that they reproved all Vices and so Diogenes himself trampled with his feet on Platoes bed because it was adorned with more than ordinary accoutrements and to shew how much he despised the vain-glory and the avarice of Plato he said thus doe I tread upon the pride of Plato But you doe not speak all said Saffredant for Plato suddenly replied unto him It was true that he did tread upon it but with far greater pride than his own for Diogenes undervalued and despised all neatnesse in a vain and dogged affectation of Simplicity To speak the truth said Parlement it is impossible that the victory of our selves should be obtained merely by our selves nor can we goe about it without a marvellous presumption which is the Vice that every one ought to hate for from it death first proceeded and is the ruine of all Virtues Did I not read this morning to you said Oysilla that they who
Devil will leave her and in this I must beseech you to do as much for me as lies in your power The Confessor did reply unto him my Son All things are possible to the true believer And doe you assuredly believe that the goodnesse of God refuseth not any who in faith demandeth mercy of him My Father I doe verily believe it said the Gentleman Assure your self also my Son said the Frier that he both can doe it and he will doe it and that he is no lesse powerful than merciful Let us therefore goe in the power of Faith to resist that roaring Lion and pluck from him the prey which is redeemed by the bloud of his Son Jesus Christ The Confessor having spoken these words the Gentleman did bring him into the Chamber where his Wife was laid upon a Truckle-bed who was so much amazed to see him verily believing that it was he who had beaten her that she did grow into a wonderfull Rage as might appear by her countenance but by reason of the presence of her Husband she did look down with her eyes and did not speak one word Her Husband said unto the Holy man As long as I am with her the Devil doth not torment her but as soon as ever I am departed from her do you sprinkle holy-water on her and you shall quickly see how the evil spirit will play his pranks Having spoken those words he did leave the Preacher alone with his Wife and stayed himself behind the Arras to observe their Countenances When she beheld that there was no man with her but the Confessor she did begin to cry out as a woman inraged and out of her sense and called him Villain Murderet and Impostor The Frier for certain believing that she was possessed with an evil Spirit did attempt to take her by the Head to say his Oraisons over it but she did so scratch him and so bite him that she enforced him to stand further off who perpetually sprinkling her with his holy-water did number Oraisons upon Oraisons When her Husband perceived that he had done his Duty he came into the Chamber and gave him many thanks for the pains that he had taken as soon as ever she perceived her Husband she held both her hands and her tongue and did forbear all Injuries and Maledictions and standing in aw of him she gently did kisse the Crosse But the Holy Man who before did see her so much transported did firmly believe that at his prayer our Saviour had cast the Devil out of her and departed praising God for so great a Miracle The Husband seeing his Wife well chastised for so foolish a phantasie did conceive it not to be sit to declare unto her what he had done for he contented himself to have overcome her violent affection by his wisdom and that he had put her into such a condition that she now detested her own folly and mortally hated that which before so indiscreetly she had loved And after this having abandoned all Precisenesse she devoted her self altogether to her Husband and followed her businesse better at home than she did ever before in all her life Ladies by this you may understand the Discretion of a good Husband and the Frailty of a Woman that was esteemed of a devout and honourable life I do believe that when you do behold your selves in this Mirror instead of trusting in your own strength you will learn to return to him in whose hand all Honour is enclosed I am very glad said Parlament that you are become a Preacher to Ladies and should be yet more glad if you would but continue in this good discourse unto all those with whom you hold communication As often said Hircan as you please to give ear unto me I am consident that I shall not speak otherwise It is as much as to say said Simontault that when these Ladies are not present you will speak in another sense That shall be said Parlament as he himself pleaseth but for my own content I shall believe that he will never speak otherwise Nevertheless the Example he hath alleged will serve to convince those who believe that a love spiritual cannot be dangerous which appears to me to be the most dangerous of all others It is true said Oysilla that to love an honest Man and one fearing God ought not to be a thing we should despise for we should love none but such Madam said Parlament I must beseech you to believe that there is nothing more foolish nor more easie to be deceived than a woman who hath never been in love For Love of it self is a passion which taketh possession of the heart before we are advised of it and this passion is so pleasant that if it can be so far assisted by Virtue as to put on her cloak it will not without much difficulty be discovered untill some Inconvenience shall ensue thereby What Inconvenience can arise said Oysilla to love a Man of worth and Honour Madam answered Parlament There are many Men esteemed Men of Honour towards Ladies but to be so much a Man of Worth towards God that a Lady may love him and reserve both her Honour and her Conscience I do believe is near unto a wonder and very rare to find And those who are confident there are such and that there are many of them will find themselves at the last to be deceived and they have entred into a Love under the Notion of God the events whereof doth lead them to the Devil for I have seen too many who under the Colour of Piety have entertained a Love from whence in the end they would have willingly retired but could not because the honest Coverture of it did keep them in a fond subjection For a vitious Love doth of it self defeat it self and cannot be lodged in a virtuous heart but a virtuous Love is that which carryeth with it nets of silk so finely woven that we are innocently taken in them before we do perceive them If it be as you speak said Emarsuite there would never any Woman love a Manâ— but your Law is too severe to be observed by any I know it very well said Parlament but for all that I will not leave off to desire every Woman to be contented with her own Husband as I am with mine Emarsuite who by that word did believe that she her self was understood changing her colour did say unto her You ought to judge that every one hath as good a heart as you your self and not to believe that you are more perfect than all others Well well said Parlament that we may enter no further into this Discourse Let us know unto whom Hircan will give his voice I do give it said he to Emarsuite that she may be reconciled to my Wife Since then it comes to my turn said Emarsuite to make all equal I will spare neither Man nor Woman and I will make trial if I cannot overcome your heart once
moveables that was in all the Countrey of Anjou or Tourain Having lived a long time with her Husband by whom she had many goodly Children her happiness after which a contray doth always follow did begin to diminish wherefore her Husband being weary with his case and great contentment did seek out both his travel and his torment and made it his custom as soon as ever his Wife was asleep to rise from her and to return no more unto her until it was near unto the morning His Wife did take this manner of life of his so much to heart that entring into a great jeasousie although she would make no apparence of it she did neglect all her houshold affairs as also her self and her children being one who believed she had lost all the fruit of her labours when she had lost the love of her Husband to continue which love there was no labour which she would not willingly endure But having lost that she was so carelesse of all the rest that she soon perceived the great losse which her Negligence had occasioned For on the one side â—er Husband did carry himself without order and on the other side she looked no more to the affairs of the house insomuch that the whole House was so disordered that all things did run confusedly into Ruine Some of her Kinred who undrstood her Disease did represent unto her the fault she did commit and did advertise her If the love to her Husband could not perswade her to look unto the profit of her House at least the regard of her Children should enforce her The Compassion which she had on them did at the last cause her to pluck up her spirits and by all means to attempt to regain the love of her Husband On the night following she watched when he did rise from her and immediatly after her was gone she rose also and putting on her Night-Gown she caused her Bed to be made and reading her Houres she attended the return of her Husband when her Husband was come into the Chamber she did go directly to him to kisse him and brought him a Bason of water to wash his hands He being amazed at this unaccustomed complement did assure her that he came only from casting up some accounts and for that there was no need that he should wash at all She made answer to him That although it was no great matter of Necessity yet it was Civility to wash his hands when he came from a filthy and polluted place Belike desiring by this to prompt him to understand and to hate his wicked life But he did not reform himself although his Wife for a whole year did continue this Custome When she perceived that it was uneffectual one morning attending the return of her Husband who stayed longer than he was accustomed she had a great desire to seek him out and did goe so long from Chamber to Chamber that she found him at last asleep in the hindermost Wardope with one of the most unsightly and deformed Maids that was in all the house whereupon she resolved to teach him what it was to forsake an honest woman for so soul a slut In this humour she took straw and did set it on fire in the middle of the Chamber and when she perceived that the smoak had almost killed her Husband and enforced him to awake she took him by the arm and cryed out Fier Fier If her Husband were amazed and ashamed to be taken by his fair Wife with so foul and so nasty a Creature he had good reason for it His Wife said unto him Sir I have endeavoured one whole year to withdraw you from this loose life with gentlenesse and patience and to shew you that by washing without you ought to purge what was unclean within But when I perceived that whatsoever I could doe did prevail nothing I attempted to assist my self with that Element which commonly doth put an end to all things assuring you Sir that if this at this present should not correct you I know not if I shall be so patient the second time to pluck you from this danger as I now have done I must beseech you to consider that there is no greater dispair than what proceeds from love and if I had not God before my eyes I had not known that patience which I have used Her Husband being very glad that he was escaped so well did faithfully promise to give her no more occasion to torment her self which the Lady very willingly believed and by the consent of her Husband did immediately turn out of doors that party which did discontent her And after that hour they did live together in great love insomuch that the faults committed and passed in regard of the comfortable life which they now enjoyed was an augmentation of their content Ladies I must intreat you if God should give you such Husbands that you would not despair of them until you have a long time assayed all the means that possibly you can to reduce them for there are four and twenty hours in the day in the which a man might change his opinion and a woman ought to conceive her self more happy to have gained her Husband by her own patience and expectation than if Fortune or her friends had offered her a more ready way Behold here an example said Oyfilla which ought to be of great use to all married women Let her take the example who hath a mind to it said Parlament it is impossible for me to have so much patience for though in all estates patience he a great virtue yet I am of opinion that in marriage it doth lead unto Enmity for in suffering an in jury from an equal we are thereby constrained to separate our selves from him as far as possibly we can and in this separation there proceedeth an undervaluing of the fault of being disloyal and in that undervaluing by little and little love doth diminish for so long we doe love a thing as we do esteem the value of it But it is much to be feared said Emarsuite that an impatient wife may find a surious Husband who instead of patience may give her sorrow And what can a Husband doe said Parlament more than this of whom you have had an account in this last History What said Emarsuite why he may beat her soundly until her bones ratile again in her skin and make her lie in the Truckle bed and her whom he loved in the High bed I doe believe said Parlament that a Woman of worth will not take it so ill to be beaten by her Husband in choler as to be undervalued by him for one who is not to be compared to her and having endured the punishment of the separation of his love the Husband cannot doe any thing which can put his wife to a greater sorrow or can make him to care lesse for him for so saith the Account that the pains she took to recall him was for the
love only which she did hear unto her Children and I doe believe it And doe you find any great patience in this woman said Nomerfide to put fire under the bed where her Husband was afleep Yes said Longaren for when ever she saw the smoak about him she awaked him and peradventure it was in that only that she committed the greatest fault for to such Husbands Fire and Cinders are the best admonitions Longaren you are too cruel said Oysilla you have not so lived with your Husband No said Longaren for God be praised I had no such occasion but instead of complaining of him I shall grieve all the remnant of my life that I have lost him But if you had such a Husband said Nomerfide what would you have done with him I doe believe said Longaren that I should not have loved him so well but that I should have killed him first and afterwards my self for to die after such a vengeance had been a thing more agreeable unto me than to live loyal with one that is disloyal For ought that I can see said Hircan you only love your Husbands for your selves if they are good according to your desire you doe love them but if they commit the least fault in the world they have lost the labour of all their week for one Saturday And this is the reason that you will be Mistresses but for my part I am resolved and if all Husbands would be but of my mind It is reason said Parlament that the man should goveru us as our Head but not that he should forsake us or intreat us â—udely God said Oysilla hath given so good an order â—oth to the man and to the Wife that if it be not abuâ—â—d I doc believe marriage to be the most delightful â—nd the most sure estate that is in this world and I am â—â—nfident that all those who hear me whatsoever they â—â—etend to the contrary doe think my thoughts and peradventure more than my self and by how much the man is said to he more wise than the woman he shall by so much be the more grievously punished if the fault doth proceed from him But having discoursed enough let us see to whom Dagoucin will give his voice I doe give it said he to Longaren You have done me said she a great pleasure therein for I have an account that is worthy to follow yours and because we are now upon the praise of the virtuous patience of Ladies I will shew you one examrle more commendable than any that hath been yet recited and so much the more to be esteemed in that she was only the Wife of an ordinary Citizen who for the most part are not bâ—ed up so virtuously as those of the Gentry or in the Court are The memorable Charity of a Woman of Tours towards her Husband who was a whoremaster The eighth Novel IN the City of Tours ther was the wife of a Burgess a fair and an honest woman who was not only beloved for her Virtues but highly esteemed by her own Husband who following the frailty of men that are weary to feed always on good bread did become amorous of a Dairy maid he had and oftentimes would travel into the Country to see how his Dairy thrived where he would constantly stay two or three days and when he returned to Tours he would be so full of the Morphy that his poor Wife and all the Doctors of that City had enough to doe to recover him and as soon as ever he was on his leggs and well again he failed not to return to his Dairy where for a short pleasure he did forget all his former weaknesses His Wife who above all things did love the life and the health of her Husband observing him ordinarily to return in this weak Estate did repair her self unto the Dairy where she found the young Woman whom her Husband loved to whom with an unclowded and most pleasant Countenance without the least shew of discontent or choler she said That she knew very well her Husband came oftentimes to see her and that nothing troubled her but that she did not use him well for he alwayes returned unto her full of fâ—intnesse and a discoloured Infirmity The young Wench as well for the reverence she did bear unto her Dame as constrained unto it by the force of the Truth did not deny the fact but required pardon of her Her Dame desired to see the Bed and the Chamber in which her Husband being there was accustomed to lodge which she found so cold so dampish and so musty that she had great Compassion on him wherefore immediately she did send for a good Bed and Curtains and Valance correspondent to it as also for pillows sheets and coverlets She also caused the chamber to be hung with Tapestry and sent in fair bowles and good dishes in which her Husband might eat and drink she sent in also a pipe of good Wine and Confects and other Restoratives and desired the Dairy-maid that she would not send back her Husband any more unto her so full of his former Morphy Her Husband being all this while at Tours and not knowing what his Wife had done thought long to return unto his Dairy as he had been accustomed to do whither being come he much wondred to see all things there in so good order and much mote when the Maid did give him Wine to drink in a great Bowl of Silver He demanded of her How she came by those Goods The poor Maid melting into tears told him That his Wife had sent them who taking compassion of her ill usage of him when he was there had sent in all those moveables into the house and desired her at her departure to have a great Care of his health The Husband observing the great Goodnesse of his Wife and that she had returned him so many good offices for all the bad ones which he had performed to her esteeming his Fault as great as was her Virtue did give a sum of money to the Dairy-maid and desired her for the time to come to live in the reputation of an honest Servant and returning to his Wife he confessed his trespasse unto her as also that without that incomparable goodnesse and sweetnesse of her disposition it was impossible for him to forsake the life he lived After this they lived together in great peace and he altogether abandoned his former Incontinence Believe me Ladies that there are few Husbands whom the Patience and the Love of their Wives cannot gain at the last unlesse they have hearts more hard than a stone which the water maketh soft and hollow by the length of time Behold said Parlament a Woman without a heart and without wit what would you have her do said Longaren she hath put that in practise which God hath commanded to do good unto those who do evil I do believe said Hircan that she was in love with some Frier who in penance did command
her to send those moveables to emertain her Husband in the Country that during his residence there he himself might have the oportunity to be as well entertained by her in the City Go too said Oysilla you shew too much the malice of your heart to judge ill of a good act I do rather believe that she was so mortified in the love of God that she look care for nothing more than for the health and safely of her Husband It seems to me said Simontault that be had more occasion to return unto his wife when be was cold in his Country house than when he was so well provided foâ— For ought that I see said Saffredant you are not of the opinion Madam of the rich Man of Paris who would not put off his cloaths when he lay with his Wife son fear of getting the Morphey but when in a cold winters day he did go to see his Maid in the fields without shoes on his feet or his Bonact on his head he was never sick at all although his Wife was a handsom woman and his Maid but an ill-favoured and a dirty slut Have you not heard said Guebron that God is always savourable to Lovers Fools and Drunkards It may be that this Burgess alone was all three of them himself By that you would conclude said Parlament that God doth not favour the chast the sober nor the wise They who can aid themselves said Guebron do not need to be aided by any other For he who hath said that he is come to cure the sick and not those who are sound is come by the law of his Mercy to help our insirmities and to break the arrests of the rigor of his Justice and he who doth think himself wise is a fool before the face of God But to end our Sermon to whom will Longeren give her voice I doe give it said he to Saffredant I hope then said Saffredant to shew you by example that God doth not favour Lovers For Ladies although it hath been heretofore affirmed that the Vice of Love is common both to Women and to men yet the invention and the artifice is always more ready in a woman than in a man as I shall demonstrate to you by this example A good invention to drive away an evill Spirit The ninth Novel A Lord of Grignaux who was a Cavalier of Honour to Anne Queen of France and Dutchesse of Brittany returning to his house from whence he had been absent two years and more did find his Wife removed to another place and not in the Castle where he left her and enquiring of the occasion it was told him that the Castle was haunted with a Spirit which did so torment them that none could endure to stay in it Monsieur de Grignaux who was not afraid of Hobgoblins made answer that if it was the Devil himself he was resolved to see what it was and took his Wife with him All the night he burned great Candles to discover the Spirit more plainly and having kept himself a long time awake and heard nothing at all he fell asleep But immediately he was awaked by a great blow that was given him on his cheek and he heard a voice crying Revigne Revigne which was the name of his Grand-mother He therefore called to his Wife who was in bed with him to light more Candles for the others were all burned out but she durst not rise Not long after Signior Grignaux did plainly perceive that something was drawing away the Coverlet from him and he heard a great noise of Tables and Trenchers and Dishes that did fall down in the Chamber which did continue until the break of day The Signior was more troubled that he had lost his Rest than surprized with any fear of the Spirit On the night following he did resolve with himself to take hold of the Spirit and not long after he was in bed he counterfeited as if he had suorted extremely did keep his hand open close unto his face Having in this manner attended the Spirit he at last perceived something to come near him wherefore he did begin to snort as loudly as he did before and the Spirit growing too saucy with him did give him a good sound blow on the face Signior Grignaux having his hand prepared did immediatly take fast hold on the hand that struck him and cryed out to his Wife I have the Spirit by the hand who immediarely did rise and bringing the Candle more near unto him they did find that it was their Chamber-maid who did lie in their own Chamber who trembling down upon her knees did demand pardon and promised to confesse the truth unto them which was that the Love which she had born for a long time to one of his Servants in the Castle did tempt her to undertake this goodly mystery to drive both Master and Mistresse from thence to the end that they two to whom the whole charge of the House was committed might have the opportunity to make better chear which they did when they were alone by themselves Monsieur de Grignaux who was a blunt and a rough man did command that they should both be punished with stripes and be taught to remember the ill Spirit as long as they lived which being done accordingly they were both discharged the Castle and by this means the House was deliverd from all trouble of those evil Spirits which before for two years together had played their pranks in it Ladies It is a strange thing to consider of the wonderful effects of the puissant God of Love who taking all fear from women doth prompt them to endure all tryals to arrive to the end of their own Desires And as this Invention in the Chambermaid was to be blamed so the good understanding of her Master is to be commended who knew very well that a Spirit goes forth and returns no more Truly said Guebron Love at this time did not favour the Groom not the Chambermaid but seems to confesse that the good Understanding of the Master was more effectual Howsoever said Emarfuite the Chambermaid by this Invention did live a long time wholly at her own pleasure Wicked is that Pleasure and most Unhappy said Oysilla which is grounded upon Sin and doth end in shame and punishment It is true Madam said Emarsuite but many people take pains and grief enough to live uprightly and in all their lives have not so much sense of pleasure as these two in this Account I am of that opinion said Oysilla that without peace of Conscience it is impossible to have any perfect pleasure Say you so said Simontault the Italian hath a Proverb That the greater the sin is it is always the more pleasant Truly said Oysilla they who do affirm that Tenent are Devils themselves Wherefore let us leave off this Dispute and know to whom Saffredant will give his voice To whom should I give it said he since every one hath spoken their
that she would have no Supper of such Viands again and that she resolved to live in such a manner that he should not be the Butcher of her second Husband for she could hardly be induced to believe that he would pardon another having shewed himself so mercilesse to him whom he loved best in the world And although she was but weak and unable to revenge her own Cause yet her Hope was in HIM who is the true Judge and who will suffer no Sin to passe unpunished to whose only love she would devote her self during her life in that Hermitage which she did accordingly for she never departed thence until the day of her Death untill her Soul departed from her Body living with such patience and austerity that after her Death every one did run thither as to the Seat of a Saint and so great a Ruine did fall upon her Brothers House that of six Sons which he had not one remained alive but all of them dyed most miserably and in the end the Inheritance was devolved as you heard in my other Account upon his Daughter Rolâ—ndine who succeeded in the Prison which was made for her Aunt Ladies I pray to God that this Example may be prefitable to you that none of you may have a desire to marry for your own pleasure without the consent of those â—o whom you do ow obedience for Marriage is an Estate of so long a Continuance that it ought not lightly to be undertaken nor without the Consent of our best Friends and Kinred And it cannot at the best be so well managed but it will undoubtedly bring with iâ— as much pain as pleasure In good faith said Oysilla if there were neither God nor Law to teach fools to be wise this Example is sufficient enough to instruct them to bear more reverence to their Parents and Kinred than to marry at their own pleasure Madam It is so said Nomerfide that she who hath one good day in a year is not unfortunate throughout all her life She had a long time the pleasure to see and to discourse with him whom she loved better than she loved her self and after that she had the delight of the Marriage-bed without any trouble or remorse of Conscience And I esteem that Contentment to be so great that it seems to me it doth exceed the sorrow it brought with it You will say then said Saffredant that Women do receive more pleasures to ly with their Husbands than they do receive grief to to see them killed before their eyes That is not my in tention said Nomerfide for I should then speak against the Experience which I have of married Women but I conceive that so great and extraordinary a pleasure as to marry that man whom we love best in the world is more greatly to be esteemed than to lose him by death which is a common calamity So it is said Guebron if it were by a natural death but this here spoken of was too cruel for it is very strange to me seeing this Signior was neither her Father nor her Husband but her Brother only and moreover that she was of full age and that the Laws doe permit the Daughters to marry whom they please how he durst execute such a cruelty I do find it not strange at all said Hircan for he killed not his Sister whom so perfectly he did love but the young Gentleman whom he cherished and brought up as his own Son and loved as his own Brother and having preferred him and inriched him in his Service the Gentleman ought to have been content and not to have sought his Sister in marriage which nothing at all did pertain unto him The Honour and pleasure said Nomerfide is not usual for a Gentleman who is but a Servant to marry a Lady of so great a Family And if the death be strange the pleasure must be new also and so much the greater that it hath the opinion of all wise men to affirm it and the contentment of a heart full of love to aid it and the repose of the Soul to attend it which is a quiet Conscience seeing God is not offended with it And as for that death which you say was cruel it seems to me that it being inevitable the speediest death is the best for we all know that of necessity we must passe through Nature to eternity And I esteem them most happy who stay not any long time in the Suburbs and from the felicity which only in this world can be so called do in an instaet fly unto that which is eternal What do you call the Suburbs of death said Simontault Those said Nomerfide who have had many tribulations in Spirit those who have been a long time sick those who by the extremity of corporal or Spiritual griefs are come so far as to despise death and to complain that their last hour comes too slowly These are they who have already passed through the Suburbs of Death and have lodged in those Inns in which there is more noise than rest It was impossible but that this Lady must lose her Husband by death but in losing him by the choler of her Brother being exempted from seeing him sick or bedrid and exchanging the joy she had to be with him into the love and the service of God she might well call her self happy Do you make no reckoning said Longaren of the disgrace which she received and of her tedious imprisonment I do believe said Nomerfide that a Man or Woman who absolutely doe love according to the Commandment of God do know neither shame nor dishonour but when they alter or diminish from the perfection of their love for the glory to love truly doth not know nor is it capable of disgrace And as for the imprisonment of the Body I do believe this Lady had such an inlargement of her Soul which was united to God and to her Husband that she was hardly sensible where she was but esteemed her solitude to be the greatest liberty for they who cannot behold that which they love have no other happinesse but incessantly to think upon iâ— And that confinement is never streight where the Soul is free and the thoughts can exercise themselves at their own preasure There is nothing more true said Simontault than that which Nomerfide doth declare but he who by his fury made that separation may truly be called guilty and unhappy for he at one and the same time offended both God and Love and Honour In good earnest said Guebron I do much wonder at the different loves of women and do well observe that those who have the most love have the most virtue and that those who have the least do indeavour by dissimulation to counterfeit themselves to be virtuous It is true said Parlament that a Heart honest to God and Men doth love more sincerely than that which is vicious for it feareth not that we may sound the depth of its intention I have
often heard it affirmed said Simontault that Men ought not to be reproved when they purchase the love of Women for God hath planted in the hearts of Men Love and Boldness to demand them and in the hearts of Women Fear and Chastity to refuse them If Man should be punished for using the faculties which are given to him he should suffer wrong But this seemeth strange to me said Longaren that he had so often praised him to his Sister for it would appear great folly or cruelty in any one who keeps a fountain to praise the clearness of the water to one that looks upon it and is languishing for thirst and then to kill him if he offers to take any of it to drink Without all doubt said Parlament the fire was the occasion that did kindle the fire by the temptation of his words which he ought not to have extinguished with the edge of his sword And why should it so heinously be rendred said Saffredant that an ordinary Gentleman using no other force but service should come to marry a Lady of so great a Family seeing the Philosophers do affirm That the least and most inconsiderable man in the world is worth more than the greatest and the most virtuous Woman The reason is said Dagoucin That to establish the Publique peace the Degrees of Families the Ages of persons and the Ordinances of Laws are altogether looked upon without weighing the Love and the Virtues of Men that so there may be no confusion in the State and from hence it doth proceed that the Marriages which are made amongst equals and according to the Judgement and Consent of Friends and Kinred do differ oftentimes so much in heart complexion and condition that instead of entring into a state that leads unto Safety they are brought into the Suburbs of Hell And it is as much to be observed said Guebron that those who marry only for pure love having hearts conditions and complexions alike without any reflection at all on the differences of Houses and Descents are not left without repentance for this great and indiscreet Love doth oftentimes turn it self into Jealouste and Fury In my opinion said Parlament neither the one nor the other is commendable but those only are to be praised who submit themselves to the will of God and look not either upon Glory Avarice or Pleasure but only upon a virtuous love and by a mutual Consent do desire to live in the state of Marriage as God and Nature have ordained And although there is no Estate without some tribulation yet I have seen these to live without Repentance and we are not all so unhappy in this Company but some of us who are married are in this number Thereupon Hircan Saffredant Guebron and Simontault did all swear that they were married in the like resolutions and that they never repented of their Marriages But whatsoever the Truth herein was they whom this Discourse concerned were so much contented that it is impossible they should hear any thing that was more agreeable to them they did all rise from Ground to give praise and thanks unto God and found the Monks ready to begin Vespers The Service being ended they did repair to Supper the whole Subject of their Discourse being concerning their Marriages which continued all that Evening repeating the Fortunes they incountered during the time of their wooing and the Joys of their Bridal Days but because one interrupted the Discourse of the other I cannot give you a particular Account of it which was no lesse pleasant to describe than was their Discourses in the Meadow but sure enough it is that they did take great delight therein and had no other Conference til the hour was come in which they were accustomed to go to bed which did steal upon them sooner than they perceived But Madam Oysilla finding that it was high time to retire her self did give occasion to the whole Company to do the like every one being much joyed in his own particular but especially the marryed who that night did not sleep at all but having spent the first part thereof in the Accounts of their past love they imployed the remainder in the Demonstration of their present And thus pleasantly this Night did pass away until the Morning The End of the Fourth Days Work The Fifth Days Account of the Novells of the Queen of NAVARRE The Preface VVHen the Morning was come Madam Oysilla did prepare for them their spiritual Breakfast which was of so transcendent a rellish that it was able to fortifie both the Body and the Soul and the whole Company was so much pleased that it seemed to them they never heard a Sermon which did profit more And when they heard the Bell to tole unto the Masse they resorted all together to it exercising their contemplations in the way on the holy Instructions which they had received Masse being heard having walked a little after it they did sit down to dinner promising to themselves that the Account of that present day should be as pleasant as were the Discourses of the dayes before Saffredant said unto them he could wish that the bridge might be a whole moneth in building so great was the pleasure he received in this gallant Company But the Abbot within caused all possible diligence to be made because it was not for his advantage to have so many honourable personages in his Abby whose presence detained his accustomed Pilgrims from going so often as before to visit the holy places Having reposed themselves a little after dinner they returned to their pastime in the Meadow and every one of them having taken their seat they demanded of Parlament to whom she would give her voice It appears to me said she that Saffredant should do well to begin this Journal for I doe already perceive by him that he hath not a countenance that would make us weep Ladies said Saffredant you may think what you please but beshrew me you will shew your selves cruel enough if you should not take pity on the poor Frier whose History I shal account unto you and although his Design was prevented by the virtue of a chast Lady such as are amongst us yet you may imagine what doth become of those poor maids whom the desire of the Act hath made without fear to begin the Enterprise To shew therefore unto you that the blindness of concupiscence doth take away all fear and prudent consideration I will in this place give you an account of a Frier in Flanders THE NOVELLS Of Queen MARGARET The strange and wild penitence imposed by a Frier Confessor on a young Lady The first Novell IN that year when Madam Margaret of Austria did come unto Cambray on the behalf of her Nephew the Emperor to treat of a Peace betwixt him and the most Christian King there was the Countesse of Aiguemont in the Company of Madam Margaret of Austria which Countesse of Aiguemont did carry the Fame to be the
conceived with himself that it was the only and last expedient he could use And seeing there was no remedy he did seek her out so diligently that at the last he did find her in a company and place where she could not avoid him and he did chide her much for her harsh and rigorous usage of him and for her leaving of her Brorhers house She made answer to him That she knew no place more dangerous than that and that he was much beholding to his Butler who served him not only with his Body and his Goods but with his Soul also and his Conscience The Prince perceiving there was no remedy resolved with himself to force his passion and to importune her no more neverthelesse all his life afterwards he had her in high esteem A Servant of the said Prince observing the honesty of this Maid did court her in the way of marriage to which she would not consent without the leave and commandment of the Prince to whom she had given up all her affection which the Prince was acquainted with and with his good will the marriage was concluded in which she lived all her life afterwards with great reputation and the young Prince did inrich her with dayly benefits Ladies what shall we say to this have we hearts so low as to make our Servants our Masters Seeing this Virgin could not be overcome neither by love nor importunities I must beseech you that by her Example we may become victorious over our selves for it is the most noble victory that we can obtain I doe lament said Oysilla that such virtuous acts were not in the time of the old Historiographers for they who so much extolled their Lucretia would let their pens sall from their hands and have altered their Subjest to have described all along the Virtues of this Virgin which I do find to be so great that I should bardly have believed them were it not for the solemn Oath which doth oblige us to speak the truth I find not her virtues to be such said Hircan as you declare them for oftentimes we have seen sick men whose Palats are out of tast to refuse good and whotsom Diet and to feed on that which is naught and hurtfull And so it may be that this Maid was in love with some one else which made her to despise Nobility Parlament made answer Her life and her death did sufficiently manifest that she never during the whole course of her life had a better opinion of any man living than of him whom she loved more than her life but not more than her Honour Remove from your fancy that fond humour said Saffredant and understand from whence that word Honour is derived so far as it belongeth unto Women For it may be that those Who speak so much of it doe not know the Intention of the word Know then that in the beginning before Dissimulation was too common amongst Men and Women love was so full of life and strength that Hypocrisie had no place and they were most praised who most truly loâ—ed But when Decript and Avarice had seized upon their hearts they did drive both God and Love out of them and in their place entertained the love of themselves Hypocrisie and Dissembling And Women perceiving that they had not in their hearts the virtue of true Love and that the Name of Hypocrisie was so odious amongst Men they did give it the sirname of Honour so that those who had not in them that true and honourable Love did pretend that their Honour did forbid them to do this or that and have made thereby so cruel a law that even some Women who would love perfectly do Dissemble esteeming Virtue to be Vice But they who are of a good understanding and of a sound Judgement do never fall into such errours for they do know the difference betwixt light and darknesse and that true love consisteth in this to show the chastity of the heart which cannot live but by true love and will not seek for false Honour from the vice of Dissimulation Nevertheless I have heard said Dagoucin that the most private Love is the most commendable Private said Simontault and concealed from the eys of those that judge not aright but which is clear and known enough unto those two at least whom it doth concern I so understand said Dagoucin and I believe that this Virgin did love more violently because she did not declare it unto any Whatsoever she did said Longaren we ought to look upon her Virtue which to overcome her own heart was the greatest of all virtues and the occasions and temptations which she had being consider'd I do sâ—y that she ought to be accounted a most excellent Virgin If you esteem said Saffredant the greatnesse of Virtue by the mortification of our selves the young Lord was more commendable than she whether you look upon the greatnesse of the love which he did bear unto her or his power and the opportunities and the means he might have had yet neverthelesse he would not offend the rule of true love which makes the Prince and the Poorest Creature to be equal and doth use no other means but what Honesty doth permit There are many said Hircan who would not have done so Indeed he was highly to be esteemed said Longaren having overcome the common Imperfection of Men for he who can do evil and doth it not is a happy Man To this purpose said Guebron you cause me to think of one who had a greater fear to offend the eyes of Men than God his Honour or his Love I pray you said Parlament will you be pleasid to rehearse that Account unto us for the performance whereof I do give you my voice There are divers said Guebron who believe that there is no God or if there be a God they do conceive him to be so far from them that he can neither see nor understand the works they do and although he doth see them they do think he is so tame or so unmindfull of them that he will not punish them and that he takes no Care of the things that are done on Earth And of this opinion was a Lady whose Name for the honour I do bear unto her Family I will change and I will call her Camilla She was often heard to say that He or She who had nothing to do but with God only were happy if in the mean time they could preserve the reputation of their Honour entire from the eyes of the world but you shall perceive that neither her Wisdom nor her Hypocrisie could guard her but the mystery of her Lust was revealed as you shall find by this History the truth whereof I will give you all along excepting the Names of the Persons and the places both which shall be changed The Hypocrisie of a Lady of the Court was discovered by the misdemeanours of her Loves which she thought cunningly to have concealed The Third Novel IN a fair
Castle there lived a great Princesse and of a great Authority who entertained in her Company a young Lady called Camilla a Gentlewoman of a bold spirit by whom her Mistresse was so governed that she did nothing but by her Counsel esteeming her to be one of the wisest and the most virtuous Damosells that lived in that Age. This Camilla did so much inveigh against all fond love that if at any time she knew a Gentleman to be amorous of one of her Companions she would most sharply reprehend them and would be sure to make so bad a report of it unto her Mistresse that severely she would check them for it wherefore she was far more feared than beloved by her Companions and if at any time she did speak to any Man it would be so loud and with so great a confidence that she had the same to be a mortal Enemy to all love although it was altogether contrary to her heart for there was a Gentleman in the Service of her Mistresse with whom she was so much taken that it was impossible to be more But the love she did bear to her Glory and reputation did make her to dissemble her affection And having endured this passion a whole year refusing as others to comfort her self by discourse and looks her heart so violently was inflamed that she was inforced to seek out the last remedy and in the conclusion determined with her self that her only course was to satisfie her Desires and wherein none but God should know her heart without making any Man partaker of it who at one time or other would reveal it This resolution being taken looking one day down upon the Terrasse from the Window in her Mistresses Chamber she observed him to be walking there whom so passionately she loved and having observed him until the setting of the Sun had taken away the full sight of him she called to a little Page whom she had and shewing the Gentleman to him she said unto him Do you see yonder Gentleman in that rich Cloak and Crimson Satten Doublet goe to him and tell him that there is one of his friends who would speak a word with him within in the Garden Gallery and when the Boy was gone she passed by the wardrope belonging to her Mistresses Chamber and came into the Gallery having so muffled herself with her Scarses that she could not be discovered The Gentleman being come where she was she did goe immediately to shut the Doors of the Gallery that no man unexpectedly might enter in upon them and without taking off her Masques and her Scarses she imbraced him with all the strength she had and spake unto him as softly as possibly she could It is a long time my friend since the love which I have born unto you hath made me to seek out both the place and the occasion to enjoy your company but the fear of my Honour hath been so strong upon me that it hath constrained me to dissemble my passion But at last the force of love hath overcome all fear and in the knowledge which I have of your goodnesse if you will promise to love me and never to acquaint any one with it and not to enquire who I am I dare assure you for my part that I will be to you a loyal and a faithfull friend and that I will never love any one but your self but I had rather die than you should know who I am The Gentleman did promise what she demanded which made her the more ready to render him the like which was to refuse nothing which he did desire to take It was about five or six of the clock in the Winter so that it was impossible for him to perceive who she was but touching of her cloaths he did find they were of Velvet which in those times was not worn on every day but only by Ladies of the noblest Families and of great Authority And concerning that which was underneath he without light could make judgement good enough with his hand and he found nothing but what was plump lusty and in good liking If he on his part did his uttermost endeavour to give her the best entertainment he could she did no lesse on hers and the Gentleman perceived well enough that she was a married woman She incontinently would return from whence she came but the Gentleman said unto her I do most highly esteem this favour which without my merit you have conferred on me but I shall more esteem of that which at my request I shall receive of you I hold my self so honoured with this courtesie that I must beseech you to tel me if I ought not to hope to enjoy it again and in what time or place you will please to command me for since I must not know you I know not of my self how to procure it Take no care for that said the Lady but assure your self that every Evening before my Mistresses Supper is served in I will not fail to send for you but be you sure to be upon the Terrasse where you were this afternoon I will send you word only to remember what you promised by that word you may understand that I do attend you in the Gallery But if you hear talk of going immediatly to Supper you may for that Evening either retire home or come into the Chamber of my Mistresse But above all things I must desire you if you will have the continuance of my Love that you will not seek after my name nor endeavour to know who I am This assurance being made the Damosel and the Gentleman did return into their several places and did a long time continue this course of life and he could never perceive who it was whereupon he entred into a great perplexity of mind doubting much within himself what it should be for he was confident there was no Woman in the word who would not be seen and be beloved wherefore he suspected with himself that it was some evil Spirit and the rather because he had heard a foolish Preacher say That if we could but see the Devil in the face we should never be in love with him In this suspition he determined with himself to know who it was who came alwayes so muffled to him And on the next night in which they were to meet he carried with him a piece of chalk and in his imbraces of her he did give her a long mark with it on the shoulder behind which she perceived not and as soon as ever they departed one from the other the Gentleman immediately repaired into the Chamber of her Mistresse and stood so near unto the Door to observe behind the shoulders of all those Ladies who did enter into the Chamber And amongst others he beheld the young Lady Camilla to enter in with so severe a boldnesse that he was almost afraid to look on her as he did upon the others holding himself most assured that it could not be she but
in whatsoever they do say or do to supplant our female simplicity would find themselves a great way off from their Hope I pray you Nomerfide said Guebron let me give you my voice that we may hear from you some Account to that purpose I will rehearse unto you one said Nomerfide as much to the commendation of true Lovers as yours have been to the dispraise of foolish Women Of two Lovers who subtilly did enjoy their Loves and of the happy issue thereof The fourth Novell IN the City of Paris there were two Citizens of a considerable Estate the one a Lawyer the other a Mercer who for a long time did bear a great affection to one another by the means whereof the Son of the Lawyer called James a young Man and a fine Companion did oftentimes frequent the Mercers house in pretence of the Love that was shewed to his Father but it was indeed in love to the fair Daughter of the Mercer whose Name was Frances And James did make his addresses so effectual to her that he knew he was no less beloved than he did love But in the time of this Courtship the War began in Provence by reason of the Invasion of Charls of Austria and James was enforced to follow the War to serve according to the Estate in which he was In the beginning of these Wars his Father dyed the News whereof did convey a double affliction to him the one was for the loss of his Father the other was for the inconvenience which that losse brought with it which was that on his return he should be deprived of the opportunity of seeing his Sweet-heart so often as he hoped to have done Neverthelesse in a short process of time the one was forgotten and the other increased for as Death is a thing natural and more natural to the Father than to the Children so grief by little and little of it self doth wear away But Love instead of conveying death unto us doth bring us life by the propagation of Children who doe render us immortal which is one of the most principal motives to increase our desires James being returned to Paris had no other thought or care than to put himself again into the train and the vulgar frequentation of the Mercers house where under the umbrage of his former love he might traffick with his dearest merchandise On the other side during his absence Frances was sollicited and courted by diverse as well for her beauty as for her wit and understanding and also because she was fully marriageable although her Father was not forward to seek out a Husband for her whether it were through covetousnesse or a provident desire to have her richly placed she being his only Daughter And this conduced nothing at all unto her Honour for tongues now a days are proâ—e to slander and detraction when no occasion is administred and especially if it be upon any thing which concerns the Chastity of Maid or Woman This her Father understood who was neither blind nor deaf to the vulgar chat nor would he be like those Fathers who instead of censuring Vice in their Wives or Children do provoke them to it for he did keep her so short that even those who came unto her as Suters only could hardly be admitted to see her although she was always in hâ—r Mothers Company I need not to ask you if this were not very grievous to James to endure being not able in his understanding to resolve himself what was the reason that she was guarded with so much severity and finding no occasion for it he could not tell what certainly to conclude upon but did waver betwixt Love and Jealousie At the last he was resolved with himself come what would of it he would know the reason But first of all to understand if she were of the same affection as she was before he did so often goe and come where she used to resort that one Morning hearing Masse in the Church and being very near unto her he perceived by her countenance that she was no lesse glad to see him than he was to see her and knowing also that her Mother was not so strict over her as her Father he took one day the boldnesse as it were unexpectedly seeing them goe from their House unto the Church to accost them with a familiar and vulgar complement and not too expressely to declare himself that he might better arrive to the end of his Design The end of the year approaching in which his Father died he determined with himself to leave off his mourning and to put himself into such a habit as might become the honour of his Ancestors and acquainted his Mother with it who did like it very well desiring with all her heart to see him well married because she had no more Sons and but one Daughter who was already married and very richly and moreover she did inure her heart to the Love of virtue by the infinite Examples of other young Gentlewomen of her age who either did advance themselves or at least shewed themselves worthy of the Family from whence they were descended There was nothing more to doe but to consider in what shop they might best provide themselves His Mother said unto him James I think it most expedient to goe to my Husbands Compeeire Master Peters who was the Father of Frances for said she he it one of our Friends and will not deceive us That word much pleased her Son and he greedily swallowed it neverthelesse he said unto his Mother we will buy it there where we can find our best Market but because he was an acquaintance of my Fathers I am content to goe thither in the first place The Agreement was made and one morning the Mother and the Son did go to Mr. Peters house who received them with many expressions of respect as you know few Shop-keepers are unprovided in that kind A great variety of whole pieces of Silks were laid open upon the board and they might chuse what they pleased but they could not agree upon the price which James did on purpose because he could not see the Mother of his Sweet-heart and at last they were going without buying any thing at all to try what they could do in another place But James did like nothing so well as what he cheapned at his Sweet-hearts Fathers house whither some hours afterwards they returned They found then her Mother within who did give them the best welcom in the world and after the words of course which are accustomed in such shops the Wife of the Mercer being more hard to deal with than the Mercer himself James said unto her You are grown Lady very hard see what it is to lose a good Father Now we cannot be known here and with that he made an apparence as if he wept and wiped his eys in the remembrance of the dear Father which he lost but this was only to play his own cards the better The
doing wrong to either sex I may be allowed to speak the truth both of Men and women and to affirm that there is nothing good at all either in the one or the other But this Man said Parlament was marvellously deceitfull for on the one side he cousened his Maid and on the other side his Wife You do not well understand the story I perceive said Hircan for that saith that he did content them both on one morning and not deceive them which I look upon as a great Act of Virtue both of body and of mind as well by deeds as by words to give content unto two divers persons In that said Parlament he is doubly to be blamed in satisfying the simplicity of the one by Dissimulation and and the longings of the other by Lust but I understand well enough that such Sins as these being brought before such a Judge as you will find an easie pardon You may assure your self said Hircan to please two at once is no easie task and for my own part I will never undertake so great and difficult an enterprise I have given you my Account already and think herein I have not ill imployed my days work If a mutual Love said Parlament cannot content the heart I know no other thing in the world that can give content unto it To speak the truth said Simontault I do believe that there is not a greater punishment in the world than to love and not to be beloved again I do believe you said Oysilla and to that purpose I do remember a Story which indeed doth not deserve to be numbred on the file of good ones but because it is for the present purpose I am content to declare it to you Of a Frier whose Custom it was to bring his complaints to several Husbands which was the occasion that they did beat their Wives The sixth Novell IN the City of Angoulesm where Count Charls the Father of King Francis had oftentimes his residence there was a Frier called De Valles a very knowing Man and so great a Preacher that upon all Sundays in the Advents he preached in the City before the Count by means whereof his Reputation was much increased It so fell out that during the Advent a lusty young fellow of the City having married a handsom young Wench did not desist for all that to ramble up and down and to live as dissolutely if not more than those who were unmarried of which the young Woman being advertised could not hold her peace so that following him up and down and exclaiming on him she received such tokens from him as she would not willingly have and neverthelesse for all that she did not forbear to continue her exclamations and oftentimes would speak very high words and most passionately rail against him The young Man being much incited at it did begin to lay about him and to leave on her shoulders the marks of his displeasure whereat she began to cry out far louder than before and her Neighbours also that knew the occasion of it would inveigh against him and making a great noise in the streets would cry out Now fie on all such Husbands Let them go all to the Devil The Frier De Valles passing by that way and understanding the noise and the occasion of it did determine with himself to speak one word of it in his next dayes Sermon which accordingly he did for speaking of marriage and of the love which ought to be betwixt the Husband and the Wife he did highly praise it and blamed those that did go about to violate it and making a comparison betwixt conjugal and paternal Love he said amongst other things That it was a greater danger and a more grievous punishment for a Husband to beat his Wife than to beat his Father or his Mother for said he if you beat your Father or your Mother you are sent to Rome to do penance but if you beat your Wife both she and all her Neighbours will fall a cursing of you and send you immediately to the Devil that is to say to Hell You are to observe now said he what a difference there is betwixt these two penances for from Rome they do ordinarily come back again but from Hell-Oh There is no teturning Nulla est redemptio Not long after that Sermon he was advertised that Women made their boasts of that which he preached and that their Husbands could live in no quiet for them for which in his next Sermon he did resolve to prescribe an Order for the redresse of that inconvenience And in some part of it he compared Women unto Devils and said that they two were the greatest Enemies that Man had for they did always tempt Man without any intermission and he could never get rid of them especially of the Woman for the Devils he said will fly away if they be but shewed the Crosse but Women clean contrary to them will cleave the faster to them being the greatest cross themselves that can be to their Husbands And this doth make them so to run and to go and doth throw them into such an infinity of passions But good people be ruled by me and I will tell you what you shall do When you do find that your Wives do torment you in this manner without cease as I have said they are accustomed to do take off the handle from your crucisix and with that handle drive them as far from you as you can Do as I bid you and vigorously make experience of it three or four times and you shall find the good that will come of it you shall find that in the same manner that you doe chase away the Devil by the virtue of the Crosse you shall also chase away and make your Wives to hold their peace by the Virtue of the handle of the Crosse and they will no more presume to come too near unto you Loe here some part of the Preachments of that venerable de Valles of whose life I will make here no larger a recital but I can tell you whatsoever appearance he made to the contrary for I knew the man very well yet in his heart he took the Womens parts more than the Mens Madem said Parlament he did not shew it in that last Sermon in which he gave instructions unto Men to beat their Wives You do not understand his drift in it said Hircan had you been exercized in the discipline and the Stratagems of War you would have found that one of the greatest policies that is required is to make a Civil sedition in the Camp of the Enemy because it is then most easie to overcomâ— him In the like manner this Monk the Master of his Arts did understand well enough that the Anger and the Hatred betwixt the Husband and the Wife is the Cause oftentimes that makes the Wife to let loose the reigns of her honesty which being governed no more by virtue doth fall into the hands of
the privy Counsel of God being ignorant of the first Causes do find all things new and so much the more admirable as we have the lesse desire or ability to perform them Wherefore fear not but that the Days Works that are to come will be altogether as pleasing and as full of variety as those which are passed only do you on your parts use your best indeavours Oysilla said that she did recommend her self unto God in whose name she did bid them Goodnight with that all the Company withdrew putting a period to the fifth Days Work The End of the fifth Days Work The Sixth Days VVork of the Novells of the Queen of NAVARRE The Preface IN the Morning more early than ordinary Madam Oysilla was in the Hall ready to begin her Lecture of which when of all those her Company were advertised for the desire they had to pertake in her good instruction they did make themselves ready with so much diligence that she stayed not long for them She knowing their hearts did read unto them the Epistle of Saint John the Evangelist which is full of Love The Company found those Viands to be so sweet that although they stayed there above half an hour longer than on other dayes they were accustomed yet it did not seem to them to be half a quarter of an hour departing from thence they repaired to Masse where every one of them did commend himself to the holy Spirit that on that day they might satisfie the pleasant audience After they had dined and taken a little repose in their chambers they resorted to the Meadow to continue there their accustomed Recreations Madam Oysilla demanded who should begin that days Journey Longaren made answer Madam I do give you my voice for this day you have read unto us so excellent a Lecture that it is impossible but you should rehearse unto us some history that may deserve to accomplish the glory which this morning you have merited It doth much grieve me said Oysilla that I cannot rehearse unto you this afternoon something which may be as profitable to you as what I did speak in the morning Neverthelesse the intention of my History shall not stray much from the Doctrine of the Word of God where it is written Put not your Confidence in Princes nor in the Sons of Man for of them cometh not your Salvation And that for want of an Example you may not bury that truth in oblivion I will recite unto you a sad Legend the memory whereof is so fresh that the tears are yet scarce wiped from their eyes who beheld the pitiful spectacle THE NOVELLS Of Queen MARGARET The perfidiousnesse and cruelty of an Italian The first Novel A Duke of Italy whose name I will conceal had a Son of eight and twenty years of age who was much in love with a young Maid of a good and honest Family and because he could not have the liberty to speak unto her as he would according to the custom of the Country he assisted himself by a Gentleman who was his Servant who was amorous also on a handsome young Maid a Servant to his Mother by whom he caused the great affection which he did bear unto his Sweetheart to be discovered The poor Maid thought no hurt of it but did take pleasure to doe him service conceiving his desires to be so just and honest that he had no other intention but she might well doe the message with honour and a good Conscience But the Duke who had more regard to the advancement of his House than to honest Love had so great a fear that these Loves might proceed to marriage that he did set a very strict watch over them and he was informed that the poor Girl was imployed to carry Letters from his Son to her whom he loved at which he was so incensed that he resolved to give an order to prevent it But he could not so well dissemble his choler but the Damosel was advertised of it who knowing the cruelty of the Prince which was as great as his Conscience was little she was in a marvellous fear and addressed her self unto the Dutchesse beseeching her to give her leave to withdraw her self into some place out of his sight until his choler was passed over But her Mistresse made answer to her that she would know her Husbands pleasure before she would give her leave Not long afterwards she understood the evil resolution of the Duke and knowing his complexion too well she not only did give the Maid leave to depart but advised her to retire her self into a Monastery until the Tempest was blown over which accordingly she did and as privately as possibly she could howsoever the Duke by his Spies was advertised of it with a countenance pretending Joy he demanded of his Wife where the Maid was who thinking that he already knew the truth did confesse unto him where she was for which he seemed to be sorry and told her that she needed not to put on so sad a Countenance for he on his part did mean no hurt unto her wherefore he advised her to send for her back again for he said the report of such a thing would not be good The Dutchesse said unto him if the poor Girl were so unfortunate as to be deprived of his favour it were better that for a certain time she should not appear in his presence But he would not receive nor allow her reasons and did command her that she should send for her again The Dutchesse did not fail to declare unto the Maid the pleasure and good will of the Duke of which she could not assure her self but besought her that she might not tempt her fortunes for she knew well enough the conditions of the Duke and whatsoever pretence he made it was most difficult unto his Nature to forgive The Dutchesse assured her that she should receive no prejudice at all and by her Messenger made protestations to her of it upon her life and honour The Maid who knew well enough that her Mistresse loved her and would not for any thing circumvent her did take a confidence in her promise believing that the Duke would never violate that security in which the honour of his Wife was ingaged and thereupon returned to the Dutchesse The Duke when ever he understood thereof did come into his Wives Chamber and having seen the Maid he said unto his Wife look yonder who is returned and turning himself towards the Gentlemen that followed him he commanded them to take hold of her and to carry her to prison The poor Dutchesse who upon the honour of her Word had tempted her out of the place of her protection was so astonished at it that she kneeled down before him and besought him most importunately for his own honour and for the honour of his House that he would not commit such an Act seeing that to obey him she had taken her from the place of security where she
unto it and said unto her Ah Madam Receive the heart which will break through my Brest to leap into your hand from whom I doe hope for Grace Life and Mercy which now constrains me to declare unto you that love which for so long a time I have concealed from you for neither you nor I are Masters of that puissant God When she understood the words which I did speak unto her she found them very strange and would have drawn back her hand but I did hold it so fast to my heart that at last although she plucked away her cruel hand yet the gentle Glove stayed behind And because I had not then nor had ever since any greater familiarity with her I have fastned this Glove near unto my wounded heart it being the most propper Plaster which I could give unto it And I have adorned this Glove as you see with all the fairest Rings and the most pretious things which are in my possession and I will not leave it for the Kingdom of England for there is nothing in the World which doth me more good than to feell it near my Heart The Earl of Montmorancy who had rather kisse the Hand than love the Glove of a Lady did much extol him for his gerat honesty and assured him that he was the truest Lover that ever he beheld and seeing he made so much of so little what would he have done he told him if he had received a greater favour from her than a Glove It may be he would have dyed through the excesse and violence of his Joy My Lord did readily acknowledge what the Earl of Montmorancy said not suspecting that he did speak it out of mockery If all Gentlemen in the World were of my Lords honesty Ladies might well repose their confidence in them seeing it would cost them no more than the losse of a Glove I know so well the Earl of Montmorancy of whom you speak said Guebron that I am confident he would not have lived in that torment and if he would have been contented with so little he would never have received those great fortunes which he hath enjoyed by Love for the old Song says The Amorous Coward is unsuccesseful Do you think said Saffredant that the poor Lady did not discreetly draw back her hand when she found his heart to beat so violently for she might think with her self that he would have dyed and there is nothing in the World which Women doe hate more than to touch the dead If you had so much haunted the Hospitals as you have done the Taverns said Emarsuite you would not have spoken those words for you shall find Women there to bury the dead which is an office that Men oftentimes as hardy as they pretend themselves to be are afraid to perform It is true said Simontault that there are none who do penance but do clean contrary to that in which they have taken pleasure as the Gentlewoman whom I have seen in a great house in this Kingdom who to satisfie for the pleasure which she had to kisse one whom she loved was seen in a morning four hours together to kisse the dead body of a Gentleman who was slain the day before whom she loved no lesse than the other whereby it was known that she did penance for her passed pleasures We may see said Oysilla how all the good deeds which Women do receive a sinister interpretation amongst Men. I am of opinion that neither the dead nor the living ought to be kissed if God bad not commanded it As for my self said Hircan I do care so little for kissing any Woman but my own that I shall willingly accord to all the Laws that shall prohibit it only I shall pitty young people from whom you would take that little contentment and nullifie the Commandment of Saint Paul who doth give us order that we should kisse in osculo sancto If you were such a Man as Saint Paul said Nomerfide we should find it by the operation of that Spirit which did speak in him You had rather said Guebron doubt of the Truth of the Holy Scripture than fail in one of your petty Ceremonies We do not therefore doubt of the Truth of the Holy Scripture said Oysilla because we do not believe your Fables There is no Woman here but knoweth well enough what she ought to believe and what she ought to doe which is not to doubt of the truth of the Word of God but to give no belief to the vanities of men who would turn us aside from the truth I am of a firm belief said Simontault that there are more Men deceived by Women than Women by Men for the little Love which they bear to us doth keep them from believing the truth and the great Love which we do bear to them doth make us to repose confidence in their falshoods and their slatteries insomuch that we are deceived before we do suspect our selves to be so I believe said Parlament that you have heard the Complaint of the Fool who was deceived by his own folly for your Discourse is of so small authority that iâ— had need to be fortified by Example wherefore if you know any one I will give you my Place to account it to us And think not that for one word or two we will be subject to believe you but in listning to you to speak evil of us our Novels shall find no prejudice at all Since I have the place said Simontault I will rehearse unto you my History A Lady of the Court did pleasantly revenge her self of her Servant for his Love The eighth Novell IN the Court of King Francis the first there was a Lady of a gallant Spirit who by her civility gracefulness and good language had gained the hearts of many Servants with whom she knew very well to passe away the time for her Honour being reserved she entertained them all so pleasantly that they knew not what to think of themselves for those who were most assured were in some despair and those who wer most desperat did take some â—ssurance Neverthelesse making sport with all the rest she loved one of them intirely whom she called Cosin which gave a colour to his better entertainment But as there is nothing permanent their love oftentimes did turn into Discontent and not long afterwards they would renew their affections more than ever insomuch that almost not any of the Court were ignorant of it One day this Lady as well to make him understand that she took not so much delight in any thing as to put him to some perplexity for whose Love she had endured so much she contrived with her self to give him better respects than ever she had done heretofore Wherefore he who neither in Arms or in Love did want for boldnesse did begin vigorously to purchase that which so often he in vain had desired and she protending that out of meer pity she was no longer able to deny him
the one and the other of them very well did make the Marriage She who was a pleasant Woman did tell her Husband without dissimulation that she had Servants in whose Company she loved to passe away the time with whom he himself might partake of the Pleasure at last this married life seemed too tedious to him for on the one side he was displeased that so long a time she did give so great entertainment to those who had no relation to him at all and on the other side he was much grieved at the great expences he was constrained to be at to maintain her in her gorgeous apparel to follow the Court. Wherefore as often as he could he would retire unto his house in the Country where so much Company came to see her that it did not much diminish his expences at the Court For his Wife in whatsoever place she was would find some means or other to passe away the time either at play or at dancing or at some other exercise in which young Ladies may honestly exercise themselves and oftentimes when her Husband would smiling say unto her that they lived at too high a rate she would make answer and assure him that she would never make him a Cuckold although she loved to be seen in those habiliments which were most rich and gorgeous for not any in all the Court did hardly exceed her which was the occasion that her Husband did bring her to the Court as seldom as possibly he could although she used all the means she could to resort often to it and to win him the more she would so comply with him in all things that there was nothing almost so impossible to be had that he would refuse to bestow upon her Finding one day that all the inventions she could use were of no efficacy to perswade him to make a voyage to the Court she perceived that he made very much of one of the Maids of her Chamber and one day she did take her aside by her self and did cunningly propound unto her so many questions that what by promises and what by threatnings the Girl did confesse unto her that ever since she came into her house there passed not a day in which her Master did not sollicite her to Love him but she had rather die than do any thing against God or her Conscience and seeing she had done her the honour to entertain her in her service she believed it would be a double and an unpardonable sin to yield unto her Masters importunities The Lady understanding the disloyalty of her Husband was suddenly transported with the two violent passions of Love and Joy seeing her Husband who made such a semblance to love her would procure such a shame both to her and to himself although she knew her self to be far more beautifull and of a more flowing carriage than was the other for whom he would have changed But her Joy was that she hoped to take her Husband in so great a fault that he should never reproach her more for her long stay at the Court And the better to arive unto it she intreated the Maid by little and little to accord to what her Husband did desire but upon such Conditions as she should propound unto her The Maid was very difficult to be perswaded to it but being assured by her Mistresse both of her Life and Honour she agreed to submit unto her in all things The Gentleman continuing his sute did observe the Ey and the Countenance of the Maid to be much changed wherfore he did prosecute her more vigorously than he was accustomed to do and she who had her lesson by heart did represent her poverty unto him and withall that if she obeyed him she should lose her Mistresses love and service having received great hopes to gain a good Husband by her The Gentleman made answer to her that she need not take any care for all those things for he would marry her better and more richly than it was possible for her Mistresse to do and moreover that he would carry the affair so secretly that no man should speak evil of her At these words the agreement was made and considering with themselves what place was most fit for the accomplishment of so goodly a work she told him that she knew no place more convenient for the businesse nor more far from suspition than the little Lodge that was in the Parke where there was a Bed and a Chamber fit for the purpose The Gentleman who would have disliked no place was very well contented that she had nominated that and the time seemed very tedious to him untill the day and the hour were come The Maid failed not in the performance of the promise which she made unto her Mistresse and acquainted her all along with the whole discourse of the enterprise which was to be the next day after dinner and assured her that on the hour when she was to go she would not fail to give her some notice of it Her Mistresse did heartily intreat her to take a great care what she was about to do and that she herself would not fail to be there at the hour to keep her from the danger into which she had put her self by obeying her Counsels Moreover to her assurances she added oathes and charged her not to be fearful of any thing and that she never would forsake her but preserve her both then and for the time to come from the fury of her Husband The next day being come the Gentleman made himself as fine as might be and after Dinner be seemed to make more of his Wife than he was accustomed to do But this because she knew of his Intentions was not very agreeable to her but she dissembled her thoughts so well that he perceived nothing at all Dinner being done she demanded of him at what sport he would please to pass away the time He made answer to her that for the present he could devise no better pastime than to play at Cards Immediately they did begin to play but she would not play her self but said It would be pleasure enough for her to look upon the Gamesters As he began to set himself to play he fayled not to speak unto the Maid not to forget her promise and when he was at play she passed through the Hall and made a sign unto her Mistresse of the pilgrimage she was going who took notice of it very well but the Gentleman did not perceive it An hour after one of his Grooms did make a sign unto him a far off whereupon he said unto his Wife that his Head did begin to ake and that he was constrained to walk abroad a little for his health and to take the Air. She who knew his malady as well as himself did ask him if she should play out his Game he said yes with all his heart and by and by he would return again Howsoever she assured him that for two hours
it should never trouble her to possesse his place In this manner the Gentleman departed and did goe first into his Chamber and afterwards he came down into the Garden and walked thorough an Alley into his Park His Wife who knew a nearer way did stay a little behind him and on a sudden making an apparence of some extraordinary businesse she did give her Cards to another And as soon as ever she was gone out of the Hall leaving her high Pattens behind her she did run as fast as she could to that place where she would not have the market to be made without her and was there in good time for she came into the Chamber at one door a little before her Huband did enter at the other and she did hide her self behind the hangings listning very attentively to the goodly discourse and the fair and flatering promises which her Husband had with the Chambermaid But when she perceived that he began to commit the Act she plucked him by his Garment behind and said unto him I am too near unto you to take any other besides my self If the Gentleman were angry to extremity you need not to doubt being as well disappointed of the pleasures which he hoped to receive as to see that his Wife did know that which he would not have her therefore truly conceiving that the train was laid by the Maid without speaking one word to his Wife he did run after her with so much fury that if his Wife had not taken her out of his hands he had undoubtedly killed her saying it was the boldest and the basest baggage that ever he saw and that if his Wife had but concealed her self a little longer she should find apparently enough that the whole contrivement was nothing but mockery for instead of doing that which the Maid propounded to herself he had brought rods to chastise her But she who knew well enough the metal of her Husband did not think so well of it neither would she believe him and made him so many Remonstrances that he enterteained a great fear that she would forsake him wherefore he made her all the promises that possibly she could desire and confessed unto her that he had done her wrong to think worse of her than he did of his Serving Maid For an honest and a fair Woman is not the lesse virtuous for being not beloved because she neither speaks nor does any thing that is against her Honour but the Man is he who doth deserve a great punishment and puts himself to an endlesse trouble to court and follow one who doth not love him to wrong both his Wife and his Conscience Wherefore he did promise her that he would never hinder her more from going to Court nor would ever think ill of it let her entertain as many Servants to Court her as she pleased for he knew well enough that she did speak unto those rather out of Complement than affection This discourse did nothing displease the Lady for she knew that she had got him at a great advantage neverthelesse she did speak unto him clean contrary to her heart for she pretended that of late she took no pleasure at all to goe to the Court and that she regarded his love more than any thing in the World without which all companies whatsoever were most unpleasing to her saying that a virtuous Woman beloved by her Husband and returning love to him again did carry with her a safe Passeport to speak to all the World and not to be controuled by any The Maid being gone down the stairs the poor Gentleman took such great pains to shew her by effects the strength and assurance of his Love that at the last they departed from that place thoroughly reconciled And to return no more to the former Inconvenience he did beseech her to put away that Maid by whose occasion he had run himself into so great a Danger Which she did accordingly but it was by marrying her well and honourably at his own charges And to make his Wife altogether to forget that folly he not long afterwards did go along with her to the Court with so brave a Retinue and her self so gorgeously set forth with variety of rich habiliments that she had great reason to be contented Ladies This is that which in the foregoing Story did make me speak unto you that I find it not strange what she did to her Servant seeing how she did use her Husband You have given us here said Hircan the Character of a subtile woman and a foolish Husband for seeing he was come so far he should never have stayed in so fair a way Why what should he have done said Longaren That which he had in hand said Hiâ—can for seeing his wife was angry with him because she knew what he intended she could not be more if he had performed it Nay it may be that ever after she would have thought the better of him having known him to be so gallant and so venturous a Companion It is well presumed said Emarsuite But where will you find one Man that overcame two Women at one time for the Wife did defend her Right and the Maid her Virginity It is true said Hircan but a bold and a couragious Man would not have been afraid to have assaulted them both at once I do believe said Emarsuite that if he had drawn his sword he might have killed them both but otherwise I do not see what he could have don No said Hircan I would first have imbraced my wife and carried her in my arms out of doors and afterwards I would have don with the Chamber-maid what I pleased either by love or by force Hircan said Parlament It is sufficient and too much too that you know to do evil I am sure said Hircan that I give here no offence to those who are innocent in what I speak neither would I maintain an evil Act my self for to be serious I do not praise any Enterprise which of it self is worth nothing neither will I prise this Enterpriser since he did not put an end unto it rather for the fear than for the Love of his wife I do think it commendable and most worthy of true praise when a man loves his wife as God commandeth but if he cannot love her I do believe that he is not to fear her In truth said Parlament if Love will not make you a good Husband I have little hope that Fear will ever do it You need not fear at all said Hircan for the Love which I do bear unto you doth render me more obedient than the fear either of Death or Hell You may say what you please said Parlament but I have occasion enough to satisfie my self with what I have seen and known of you And of that which I do not know I will never suspect much less enquire I do find a great solly said Nomerfide in those Men and Women who are always enquiring after one
were by Death did goe both to bed also to sleep out their fill And when she heard them to sleep so soundly that they did snort again she did rise in her Smock and did goe out of the Chamber listning if she could hear any noise about the House but being assured that all was quiet she took a Staff in her hand and did goe out at a little Garden door which was not shut and all that night in her Smock only she travelled bare foot towards Autun to her Saint that did preserve her from death But because the way was long she could not reach to the end of her journey before the break of day Not long afterwards she looked behind her and observed two Horsemen in a full gallop riding towards Autun and suspecting that it was her Husband who did ride in the pursute of her she did hide her self in the Fens hard by and covered her head with the Rushes and her Husband in full speed passing clole by she heard him to speak unto his Man as if he were in some great perplexity O wretched Woman who would have thought that under the covert of the holy Sacraments of the Church she would cover so wicked and so abhominable a design His Servant said unto him Sir Judas who was one of the Apostles taking such a Morsel did not fear to betray his Master think not the treachery of a Woman to be so strange and speaking those words her Husband passed by and his Wife continued amongst the rushes more joyfull that she had deceived him than she was at home in a bed of down in Slavery Her poor Husband searched over the whole City of Autun and found for certain that she was not there Wherefore he returned by the same way which he came and did nothing but complain of her all the way he did ride and of the losse which he received threatning her with death without mercy if ever he should find her again of which she had no more fear in her Soul than she felt cold in her body although the season of the year and the place wherein she covered her self might give her just reason to complain of her cold and melancholy voyage And by the imagination only how the fire of Hell doth burn those who are punished therein we may conceive the wonder how this poor wretch coming out of a Warm bed could be able to continue a whole day together in that extremity of cold Howsoever she lost not her resolution or her way for as soon as ever night appeared she did begin her journey again and in the dusk of the Evening when the Gate of the City was about to be shut this poor pilgrim arrived and failed not to goe directly to the place where her Saint lived who was so amazed at the sight that he could hardly believe that it was she but having diligently examined her with his eye and found by his hand that she had flesh and bones which a Spirit hath not he did rest himself assur'd that it was no Apparition and immediately did comply so well with her that she after wards did continue with him fifteen years together Having concealed her self for a certain time at the last she lost all fear and modesty and which is worse she took such a glory that she had such a friend that she shewed her self openly at the Church before the greatest part of the Ladies of that City and before the Magistrates the Officers and others and had many children by the Canon and amongst others a Daughter who was married to a very rich Merchant and so gorgeously apparelled at her Wedding day that all the good women of the City did murmur very greatly at it but it was not in their power to give any redresse unto it It so came to pass that in those dayes Queen Claudia Wife to the late King Francis travelling that way did lodge in that City and had in her Company Madam the Regent Mother to the King and the Dutchesse of Alençon who was her Daughter A Gentlewoman of the Chamber named Peretta did come unto the Dutchess and said unto her Madam I must beseech you to hear me you may peradventure do a greater work than if this day you had heard the Masses in all the Churches of France The Dutchess stayed very willingly to give ear unto her knowing that from her nothing but good Counsels could proceed Peretta immediately declared to her That she had taken a little Girl to assist her in the Queens Landry and having asked of her what was the Newes in the City she acquainted her with the Indignation of a great many Ladies and Gentlewomen of that City to see the Canons Lemman to be so impudent as to take the wall of them and informed her of a great part of her incontinent life The Dutchesse immediatly repaired to the Queen and to Madam the Regent and repeated the story unto her and they without any form of processe at all did send to seek out this ungracious Woman who did not conceal her self from them for she had turned her shame and her infamy into a glory to be the Mistresse of the house of so reverend and so rich a Man And being nothing dismayed she came without the least alteration of her Countenance to present her self before the Ladies who were so amazed at her Impudence that on the sudden they knew not what to say unto her And after that Madam the Regent had made such Demonstrations to her that they would have fetched tears from the eyes of any Woman that was of a modest understanding she stood before them without the least apprehension at all and with an extreme confidence did say unto them I must beseech you Ladies to take care that my Honour may not be brought into Question for God be praised I have lived with Monseiur the Canon so well and vertuously that there is neither man nor woman living that can reprove me neither ought any one to think but that I live after the will of God for it is now full three years since the Canon hath had any carnal knowledge of me and we do live as chastly and in as great love as two Angels there being not betwixt him and me the least crosse word or contrariety of disposition And they who shall go about to part us shall commit a great sin for the good Man who is almost fourscore years of age will never endure to live without me who am my self five and forty yeers of age You may conceive with your selves that these Ladies could not forbear to speak unto her as she deserved and what were the Remonstrances which every one of them did make unto her seeing her obstinatenesse which could not be molified by the words which they did speak unto her nor by the consideration of her own Age nor by the presence of those honourable personages Wherefore to humble her they did send for the Archdeacon who did condemn her
to ly in prison for the space of a whole year and to feed on nothing but bread and water The Ladies also did send for her Husband who after their good Exhortations was contented to take her again after that her dayes of Penance were expired But she finding her self to be a prisoner and that the Canon was resolved never any more to take her again did thank the Ladies that they had brought the Devil our of her by the head and shoulders and she had so great and perfect a contrition for her faults that her Husband instead of staying the space of a whole your to take her again did demand her of the Archdeacon at the end of fifteen weeks ever afterwards they lived together in great love and friendship You may observe here Ladies how the chains of Saint Peter are by evil persons converted into the chains of Sathan and are so hard to be dissolved that even the Sacraments which do cast forth Devils out of Mens Bodies are by them made the means that they continue longer in their Consciences for the better that things are they are by being abused the occasions of greater Dangers Truly said Oysilla this Woman was too wanton and immoderate in her desires but it was punishment enough to appear before such Judges as the Ladies whom you have named for the look only of the Madam Regent was of that Virtue that there was no honest Woman but was almost afraid to stand before her and conceived her self most unworthy to appear in her presence Those whom she did smile upon did think with themsolves that they did merit some great honour knowing that she would not look upon any with a good will but those only who were virtuous Ladies It had been better said Hircan that she had stood in more fear of the blessed Saâ—â—ament the unworthy receiving whereof without Faith and Love is eternal Damnation than of the eyes of a Woman I promise you said Parlament those who are not inspired with the Grace of God do stand in greater fear of temporal than of spiritual punishments Neverthelesse I do believe that this poor Creature was more chastised by her sufferings in the Prison and by the apprehension that she should never see the Canon more than for any remonstrance that either the Queen or the Lady Regent made unto her But you have forgot said Simontault the principal cause which did induce her to return unto her Husband which was that the Canon was fourscore years of age and that her Husband was younger than she her self was And thus she cunningly took the best advantage of all things and gained in all her Markets for had the Canon been but as young you may be sure she would never have abandoned him The instructions and reproofs of the Ladies would have been no more effectual than the Sacraments which she took In my opinion said Nomerfide howsoever she did well in one thing which was that she did not too hastily confesse her offence which should be confessed unto God alone and she did wisely that she spoke so little and did not reveal her self before all the World for although it be true that she was faulty enough yet should she have lyed and sworn unto the contrary and there were no Man present to have disproved her even those lies and oaths would by some have been believed So it is said Longaren that a Sin unlesse it be with difficulty can never be so concealed but at one time or other it will be discovered except when God doth cover it in those who in their Love to him are repentant for it And what will you think of those said Hircan who have no sooner committed a folly but will presently reveal it to all the World It seemeth to be very strange to me said Longaren and it is a great sign that their Sin was very pleasing to them And as I have told you He whose fins are not covered by the Grace of God cannot deny himself before men and there are many who take pleasure to speak of such things and do make it their glory to publish their vices and others again are so foolish that in thinking to conceal they do accuse themselves They conceal themselves but very untowardly then said Saffredant but I pray you if you can give us any example of it that you will take my place and declare it to us Then listen to my Story said Longaren A Gentlewoman giving an account of her own loves and speaking of it in a third Person did unadvisedly declare her self The second Novell IN the time of King Francis the first there was a Lady of Royal bloud accompanied with Honour Virtue and Beauty and who could deliver her mind very elegantly and with a great Grace and she would also laugh as heartily when she heard any subject worthy of laughter This Lady being in one of her Country houses all her Subjects and Neighbours did come to visit her because she was as well beloved as any Woman possibly could be Amongst others there came unto her one afternoon a Gentlewoman who understood that every one who came unto her did account unto her one pretty story or another to passe away the time wherefore she resolved with her self that she would be found as forward as the rest and said unto her Madam I have a story to declare unto you that will make you laugh but you shall promise me not to declare it unto any immediatly she began to express her self Madam The story which I shall exhibite to you is very true upon my Conscience It is that there was a married Gentlewoman who lived very honestly with her Husband although she was but young and he was very antient A Gentleman that was her Neighbour seeing that she was married to that old Man was very amorous of her and did sollicite her many years together but he never received any other answer from her but such as a wise and virtuous Woman ought to give One day the Gentleman thought with himself that if he could take her at advantage peradventure she would not be so rigorous unto him and having a long time in a great fear debated with himself of the danger he should undergoe to obtain his desires the Love which he did bear unto the Genâ—lewoman did so take away all fear that he resolved with himself to seek out both the place and the occasion He did watch so narrowly that one morning when the antient Man Husband to the young Gentlewoman was gone to some houses that he had in the Country and was departed from his Wife very early in the morning because he would avoid the extreme hear of the Day he came into the House where the young Gentlewoman was whom he sound in bed and fast asleep and observing that all the Chamber-maids were gon out of the Chamber without having the apprehension to make fast the door he made hast into the bed to her with his Boots
and descended of honourable parentage and did not rashly thrust himself into her service but first of all did acquaint her with it and did understand her intention which was that she gladly did accord that he should be her Husband And this as I have said was carried on by their friends on both sides who having met together for this effect did think very well of the Marriage and the rather because as they thought the young Gentlewoman her self did seem to have a good desire to it But afterwards whether she thought to find a better Husband or to dissemble the Love which she did bear unto him or whether she conceived that the greatest contentment was in a single life the Marriage day was deferred and the Company that were assembled to see the accomplishment thereof were constrained to depart not without a great grief that they could not put a good conclusion to it knowing that the parties on both sides were before so well agreed But above all the poor Gentleman was extremely discontented who had more patiently carried his affliction if he could have found that the fault proceeded from her kinred and not from her self But understanding the truth the knowledge whereof did cause in him a grief as strong almost as death it self without speaking to his Sweet-heart or any one else he did withdraw himself into his own House and having given order for the management of his affairs he did repair into a solitary place where he endeavoured with himself to forget that unprofitable love and did intirely convert it into the love of our Saviour Jesus Christ to which not long afterwards he did altogether oblige himself During this time of his retirement he received not the least news either from the Gentlewoman whom he had loved or from any of her friends wherefore he resolved with himself since he was disappointed of that life which of all others he conceived to be the most happy to choose and take that life upon him which was the most austere and the most unpleasing to him that he could imagine In this sad resolution which may be truly called a despair he did goe to enter himself into a religious house which was a Monastery of the order of Saint Francis It was not far from the place where many of his friends had their habitations who understanding of his despair did the utmost of their indeavours to divert him from his melancholy resolution but they found it to be so strongly grounded in his heart that it was impossible to disswade him from it Neverthelesse understanding from whence the occasion of his Malady did proceed they concluded to look out some redresse and repaired to her who was the original of his sudden Devotion who was possessed with such a sorrow and an amazement at the news thereof thinking that her refusal for a short time would conduce only to give her a more sure experience of his love and not for ever to lose him of which she saw the danger too apparent that she immediatly did send a Letter to him to give him the assurance of her love and to desire him to return to take possession of her heart which was intirely his own This Letter being delivered by one of her friends with all the remonstrances of affection that could possibly be expressed was received and read by the Gentleman Frier with so sad a Countenance and accompanied with so many sighs and tears that it seems he would have both burned it and drowned it at once He gave no other answer to it but desired the Messenger to acquaint the Gentlewoman that the mortifying of his Passion did cost him â—o deer that it had taken from him both the desire to live and the fear to die Wherfore he desired her who was the occasion of it that she would let him injoy a quiet misery and since she would not content him in the passion of his grand desires that she would not torment him now when he was dispossessed of them but content her self with what already she had done for which he could find no other remedy than to choose so sharp a life and a continual penitence which might cause him to forger his sorrow and her unkindnesse and by so many fasts and disciplines so to humble and chastise his Body that the memory of Death only should be his most Soveraign Consolation wherefore above all things he did beseech her that he might hear no more tidings of her for only the remembrance of her Name was a Purgatory insupportable unto him The Gentleman returned with this sad answer and made a report thereof unto her who could not understand it without a grief incredible But Love who would not suffer her heart to fail until the last extremity did put it into her fancy to make a sudden trial if her sight and her words could prevail more upon him than her Letters Wherefore taking her Father and her nearest friends along with her she repaired to the Monastery where he had his residence having first examined all her Boxes and her Glasses for those things which might make her look most beautiful and perswading her self if she could be but admitted to that happinesse as but to see him once and speak unto him it were impossible but the fire which had so long a residence in his heart should grow into a flame as strong as ever In this confidence she entred into the Monastery at the end of Vespers and sent unto the Gentleman desiring him that he would be pleased to give a friend of his a visit in the Chapel within the Cloyster He who did not know who it was that did send for him did make hast to goe unto the greatest and most dangerous battail in which he ever did fight He did look so pale and spiritlesse that she did hardly know him neverthelesse being accompanied with a grace no lesse amiable than before Love did enforce her to stretch forth her Arms thinking to imbrace him but the compassion which she had to see him in that estate did so surround and invade her heart that swouning away she did fall unto the Ground The poor Gentleman who had taken upon him the habit of Religion observing it and being not destitute of Brotherly Charity did raise her up and did bring her to a seat in the Chappel And he himself having no lesse need of succour did dissemble his passion fortifying his heart in the love of God against all the temptations with which she could assault it insomuch that when he beheld her he did seem not to know who it was or what her desires were She having recovered her self from her dyings away did begin a little to hold up her head and did look upon him with such fair and withall such affecting eyes that they were able to make a rock to relent and having made a little pause she did expresse her self unto him in that studdied language which she conceived most effectual to withdraw him
from the place wherein he was to which he did give the most virtuous answers that were possible for him to return But the poor Gentleman at last perceiving that his heart began to soften into compassion at the abundance of those tears which rained down from her fair eyes as one that saw Love that hard-hearted little Archer to level at his heart again and make a new and a more deadly wound with his Golden Arrow did betake himself to his best refuge his Heels and as fast as possbly he could he did fly at once both from Love and his late Mistresse and being resolved to live no more under their Tyranny he found he had no other way to overcome them but by flight When he had locked himself in his Chamber being unwilling she should depart from him without knowing his resolution he did write unto her two or three words in Spanish the substance whereof I have found to be so significant that I will not render them to you in French because I will not diminish the gracefulnesse which they doe carry with them in the Spanish Tongue He did send them by a little Novice newly entred into the Monastery who did find her still remaining in the Chapel and transported with such an extremity of despair that if it had been lawfull for her to make her self a Frieresse she would have still continued there But perusing the Paper which contained these words Volunto don venesti anima mi qui en las tristas vides es la mia considering with her self that she was abandoned of all hope she concluded it was her safest way â—o believe his Counsel and the Counsel of her friends and returning to her house she did lead a life as melancholy as he did live an austere one in the House and Habit of Religion Ladies you do here observe what vengeance this Gentleman did take on the coynesse of his Mistresse who thinking to make a further trial of him did throw him into the bottom of despair insomuch that when she was willing she could never recover him Truly said Nomerfide I am even sorry at the heart that he did not abandon the formality of his Habit to espouse her I do believe that it would have proved a lawful and a happy marriage I protest unto you said Simontault I do suppose that he did very wisely in it for he who doth well consider with himself the burthen of Marriage will find it to be more troublesome by far than an austere Religion And he who was so much weakned with disciplines and fastings was afraid to take upon him such a change which should continue all his life In my opinion said Hircan she committed a great wrong to so feeble a man to tempt him unto marriage which is a task great enough for the strongest man in the World but if she had propounded a discourse unto him of Love without any other obligation but of Affection there was no Cord in that which might not be broken nor knot which might not be untyed And seeing to take him out of Purgatory she would put him into Hell I do affirm that he had great reason to refuse her In good earnest said Emarsuite there are too many who thinking to do better than all others do oftentimes worse and clean contrary to that which they thought to have done You make me to remember said Guebron the Story of an old Woman much to this purpose who in her Devotions did clean contrary to what she intended whereupon there did arise a great tumult in the Church of Saint Iohn at Lyons I must desire you said Parlament that you would lake my place and give us the Account My Account said Guebron shall not be so long nor so pittiful as was that which Parlament related The simplicity of an antient Woman who presented a lighted Candle to Saint John of Lyons and fastned it to the Forehead of a Souldier who was fallen asleep on one of the Sepulchers and what ensued thereupon The fifth Novel NEar unto the Church of St. John at Lyons there was a very dark Chappel and before it a Sepulcher made of Stone on the top whereof there was cut the proportions of great personages and round about the Sepulcher were the pourtraicts of many Men who were pourtayed sitting in their Armour A Souldier one day walking in the Church in the time of Summer when it was extremely hot being weary with travell had a great desire to sit down and sleep and observing the Chappel to be both dark and cool did resolve with himself to take a nap at the Sepulcher and sate down amongst those of his fraternity who were pourtrayed sleeping in their Armour It came to passe that a good old Woman who was very devout did come unto the Sepulcher when the Souldier was fast asleep and after she had said her Devotions holding a Candle in her Hand she would have fastned it to the Sepulcher and finding the Man who was asleep to be next unto her she did put it to his Brow to have it stick there but the wax would not cleave fast to that stone the poor old Woman thinking the coldnesse of the Image to be the occasion of it did begin to heat his Brow with her Candle that it might take hold and stick more fast unto it but the Image who was not insensible began aloud to cry out whereat the poor Woman was much amazed and in a greater fear than was the Souldier did cry our a Miracle a Miracle insomuch that all those who were in the Church did run out unto them Some made hast unto the Belfry to ring the Bells others to behold the miracle The good Woman who for fear did run away as fast as ever she could did bring many along with her to behold the complaining Image who was removed and gonâ— before she came which gave a just occasion to many to laugh but some of the Priests could not be so contented but determined with themselves to pick some profit out of it by crying up the miracle and giving a more reverend estimation to the Sepulchre You ought therefore Ladies to take heed to what Saints you do devote your Candels Is it not a strange thing said Hircan that on whatsoever Subject they do imploy themselves Women do always evil Is it ill done said Nomerfide to carry Candles unto Sepulchers Yes said Hircan when they set the foreheads of Men on fire with them for no Good Act can properly be said to be Good if it be attended with Evil. Was not a little Candle a goodly present besides which she brought to offer to God God regards not said Oysilla the value of the present but the heart of him who doth present it It may be that poor Woman had a greater love to God than those who do offer great torches for as the Gospel affirmeth she gave out of her Necessity But I believe not said Saffredant that God who is the Soveraign
perceiving the Gentleman to continue still in the service of the Duke as he was accustomed to do could not endure it with patience but said unto her Husband It would be no great matter Sir if you were poysoned because you have more confidence in your mortal Enemies than in your friends He replyed Sweet-heart Torment not your self concerning that affair for if I can find that to be true which you have spoken I do assure you that he shall not be alive four and twenty hours but he hath sworn so much unto me to the contrary and I my self besides could never perceive any thing by him that without great proof I cannot believe any thing unto the contrary In good truth Sir said she the goodnesse of your Nature doth render his Iniquity the greater Would you have a greater proof than to see a Man of his Condition to professe love and to make no noise thereof You may believe Sir that amongst so many Ladies in my Court so young a Fellow as he is would have found out a Mistresse for himself were it not for the high Enterprize that doth altogether take up his fancy to be a servant unto me for there was never any young Man that lived in such a Court as yours so solitary as this young Man neither would he be so if he had not his heart fixed in so high a place that he did content himself only with some vain hope and because you do entertain a belief that he doth conceal nothing from you I must beseech you to put him to his Oath to know if he be in love with any one or no. For if he be in love with any other I am content that you doe believe him if not you may assure your self that I do speak the Truth The Duke did much approve the reasons of his Lady and walking into the fields did take the Gentleman along with him to whom he said My Wife doth still continue in her opinion and doth allege unto me such reason for it that it doth cause in me a great suspition against you which is she wonders much that you being so young and affable were never yet in love as much as can be known which makes me to conceive that you nourish that ambitious love of which she doth accuse you the hope whereof doth render you so contented and doth fill you with so vain a joy that you cannot think of any other woman wherfore I do intreat you as a Friend and command you as your Master to tell me plainly if you are or ever have been in love or no. The poor Gentleman although he would have delayed to give an answer to this unexpected Interrogatory and would have excused his affection which that no other might find it out he had laid up in the very center of his heart was now constrained to satisfie the great Jealousie of the Duke his Master to swear unto him That it is true enough that he was in love with a Lady whose perfection was such that the beauty of the Dutchesse and of all the Ladies in her Court was but foulnesse and deformity unto her but he did beseech him that he may not be inforced to give unto him her Name for the obligation betwixt him and his Sweet-heart was such that who first of them did declare their love should absolutely dissolve it The Duke did promise that he would presse him no more unto it and was as much contented with the satisfaction which he had given him that he did countenance and advance him more than before which the Dutchesse did very well observe and finding there was more than an accustomed privacy betwixt the Duke her Husband and the Gentleman she did use her utmost indeavour to understand the occasion of it which the Duke could not be perswaded to reveal unto her whereupon her fruitful vengeance did beget another jealousie and she besought the Duke to command the Gentleman to impart unto him the name of that Sweet-heart of his assuring him that it was a meer invention and the best way he could contrive to gain credit to his words but if he would not name who it was whom he esteemed to be so beautiful he was the most foolish Prince in the World if he did believe what he professed The poor Duke whose opinion his Wife turned now on this side and now on that as she her self pleased did take the poor Gentleman to walk the other turn with him in the Fields again where he told him that he was in a far greater perplexity than before for he much doubted that he made him but an excuse to keep him off from finding out the truth which did torment him more than ever Therefore like a Prince he mingled his Authorities with his intreaties and did desire command him to declare unto him who it was whom so much he loved The poor Gentleman did beseech him that he would be mindful of his promise and not inforce him to commit so great fault against her whom so intirely he affected as now to break his promise which for a long time he had so faithfully observed and to lose in one minute that secrecy which for seven years and more he had kept locked up in a religious safety affirming that he had rather suffer death than do such a wrong to her who was so faithful unto him The Duke perceiving he would not acquaint him who it was did enter into so strong a jealousie that with a furious countenance he did say unto him Take your choice of two things either plainly to tell me who it is whom you doe love above all the World or to depart presently into banishment out of the lands of my Authority upon this penalty that if I find you here eight days after this I will undoubtedly put you to some cruel death If ever grief did possesse the heart of a loyal Servant it now did seize upon the heart of this Gentleman who might well say Angustiae sunt mihi Vndique for finding on the one side that if he should speak the truth he should lose his Mistresse if it should come unto her knowledge because he had failed in his promise and on the other side if he should not confesse it he should be banished from the Country in which he was brought up and where his Mistresse lived and never should have the means to see her again he was so oppressed with sorrow that a cold sweat did seize upon him as it doth on one who overcome by the extremity of grief doth find the last minute of his life approaching The Duke looking upon him and perceiving how much his countenance did change did Judge whatsoever he pretended to the contrary that he had no other Mistresse but only his Wife which was the reason because on the sudden he could not think on the name of any other he did endure that passion Wherefore he did speak very churlishly unto him If that which you have represented
amorous of her she turned from him to the other side and said unto him Sir since you bear no love to me nor to the Infant with which I goe let us perish both together And with those words she poured forth such an abundance of toars and made such a lamentation that the Duke was much afraid that she would lose the fruit of her Womb. Wherefore taking her in his Arms he desired her to acquaint him with what she did desire and assured her that he would conceal nothing from her Ah Sir said she and sobbed as she spake what hope have I that you will doe any thing for me that is difficult when you deny me the most easie and the most reasonable request in the World which is to tell me who is the Sweet-heart of the most ungrateful Servant you ever had I did once believe that you and I had but one heart But now I find that you doe use me as a stranger for those secrets which ought to be revealed unto me are by you concealed and kept from me as if I were your greatest Enemy Call Sir to mind how many secrets and businesses of the greatest importances have you imparted to me and which of them have you ever understood that I have disclosed You have made so great an experience of my good will equal unto yours that you ought not mistrust me for I am more yours than my own And if peradventure you have taken an Oath that you will not reveal the secret of the Gentleman to any in acquainting me with it you cannot break your Oath for I neither am nor can be any other than your self I have you in my heart I do hold you in my arms I carry your Infant in my womb in whom you live again and yet I cannot enjoy your love as you have mine but the more loyal and faithful I am to you the more cruel and perverse you are to me that a thousand times a day I do desire by a sudden Death to deliver your Infant from such a Father and my self from such a Husband which I hope shortly to perform because I do find that you prefer an unfaithful Servant before your Wife and such a Wife as I am to you and before the life of a Mother and to the fruit of her womb which is so little regarded by you being not able to obtain that of you which I desire to know Speaking those words she imbraced and kissed her Husband wetting his face with her tears and breathed forth such sighes that the poor Prince who was afraid to lose his Wife and his Child at once did determine with himself to acquaint her with the truth but withall he did swear unto her That if she revealed it to any creature in the world she should be sure to die and by no other hand but his own To which she condiscended and accepted of the punishment Whereupon the poor deceived Husband did account unto her all that he had seen from the beginning to the end whereat she seemed to be very much contented although her heart was surprized with an intolerable anguish Neverthelesse for fear of the Duke she did dissemble her passion as well as possibly she could Not long after the Duke made a great Feast at his Court to which he invited all the Ladies of the Countrey and amongst others his Niece where Dinner being ended Dancing did begin and every Lady did endeavour to set forth her self in the best manner that she could but the Dutchess who was tormented to behold the great beauty and the gracefulnesse of her Niece could take no Delight an all much lesse could she forbear from making her spitefull fury to appear For after that Dancing was ended having called all the Ladies together she caused them to sit down near unto her and did begin to Discourse unto them concerning the Affairs of Love And observing that her Niece was silent and did speak nothing at all she said unto her with a heart inflamed with Jealousie And you my fair Niece Is it possible that your Beauty can be without either Friend or Servant Madam she replyed My Beauty looks not after such a purchase for since the Death of my Husband I desire no other Sweet-hearts but only his children with which I am well contented Fair Niece Fair Niece the Dutchesse replyed to her in an extreme Indignation Fair Niece Fair Niece There is no Love so secret but may be discovered nor little Doggs so well taught and brought up to the hand whose Barking may not be understood Ladies I leave it to you to imagine how great a sorrow on those words surprized the heart of the poor young Lady finding a thing that had been kept so close to be so openly declared to her Dishonour Her Honor so carefully guarded and so unfortunately lost did greatly torment her but most of all did the strong suspition she entertained that her Friend had failed in his promise which she thought he never would have done unlesse for the Love of some Lady more beautifull than her self to whom the extremity of his Love did foolishly perswade to declare this effect Her Virtue neverthelesse was so great that for all this apprehension she made no apparence of discontent and smiling did make answer that she did not understand the language of Beasts and in this wise dissimulation her heart was so overburthened with sorrow that she was constrained to rise up and passing by the Chamber of the Dutchesse she entred into a Wardrop where the Duke walking in the Gallery did behold her to goe in When the poor Lady thought she was in a place where none could either soe or hear her she did throw her self upon the bed with so great a violence that a damosel who was sat in a corner of the room to sleep was awakened at it and did rise up to see who it might be But finding it was the Niece of the Duke who thought she had been alone she durst not speak unto her but gently listned to the complaint she made The poor Lady with a voice half dead did begin in these words to lament her self O unfortunate that I am What are the words which I have heard what an arrest of death have I understood by them What a sentence to condemn me have I received O thou the most beloved that ever was Is this the reward of my chastity and of my honest and virtuous love O my heart why didst thou make so dangerous a choice to take for the most loyal the most unfaithful for the most honest the most crafty for the most secret the loudest Detractor in the World Wo is me Is it possible that a thing hid from the Eyes of all Men should be revealed to Madam the Dutchesse Alas poor little Dog the only means of my long and virtuous love it is not thou that hast discovered me but he who hath a voice more barking than a Dog and a heart more ungrateful than
before they began to distrust that on this day they were not so well able to discharge their tasks wherefore the better to prepare themselves they did every one retire into their own Chambers untill the hour came that they were to go from their Chamber into the Fields to deliver one by one their accounts there upon the green carpets of the grasse where already they found that the Monks were come and behind the neighbouring hedge had taken their places in the expectation of them When every one of them were sat It was demanded amongst them Who should begin Saffredant said You have given me the honour to begin two Journals It appears to me that we should wrong the Ladies if one of them should not begin this Madam Oysilla replyed we are like then to stay long enough for ought that I can see before we can agree upon the person for my part said Dagoucin if the question had been propounded to me I should have given my voice again to Saffredant And I said Nomerfide should have given mine to Parlament for I am so much accustomed to obey that I know not how to command All the Company did agree to what Nomerfide did say and Parlament did thus begin Ladies Our Accounts hitherto delivered have been so full of gravity that I could wish the Accounts of this day might be as full of delight to which they all gave consent and Parlament did begin THE NOVELLS Of Queen MARGARET A woman being sick and at the point of death did grow into such a passion seeing her Husband did kiss her Chambermaid that by the Extremity of her Rage she was restored to her health The first Novel of the Eighth dayes Account IN the City of Amboise there lived a Sadler whose name was Borihaudier who was Sadler to the Queen of Navarre He was a Man of whose Nature if one might judge by the complexion of his face that he was a greater Servant to Bacchus than to the Priests of Diana He had espoused a Woman of good fortunes and good reputation and who governed her Family and Children very discreetly whereat her Husband was much contented One day it was told him that his Wife was fall'n very sick on the sudden and was in great danger of Death whereat he seemed to be as sorrowfull as possibly a man might be and in great diligence did make hast to her relief he found her in that desperate condition that she had more need of the Priest to confesse her than of the Physician to cure her and therefore he made for her the greatest lamentation in the world And the better to represent it he spake faintly and with a hollow accent in the throat as did the dying woman his Wife and that Painter must be a good workman who could lively set forth the sadness of his look and countenance After that he had done her all the services that possibly he could she commanded that a Crucifex should be brought unto her which the good man perceiving he did cast himself upon the bed thinking his Wife past all hopes of Recovery he cryed out and fumbling with his tongue did expostulate O God! what shall I do I shall lose my poor Wife what shall become of me wretched and unhappy man with divers other complaints At the last when he perceived that there was no body in the Chamber but his dying Wife and a young Chambermaid beautiful enough and in good liking he called her softly to him and said unto her Sweet-heart I am even dying my self to see thy Mistresse to be a dying Woman I know not well what to say or what to do but onely to recommend my self to thee and to desire thee to take care of my house and Children Here take the keys which are hanging by my side and look well to my Houshold for I shall not be able to look after them any more The poor Girl being touched with compassion to hear those words did comfort him what she could and did beseech him that he would not fall into so great a Despair for if she must lose her Mistresse she hoped she should not lose her good Master also He made answer to her Sweet-heart it is impossible for I find my self to be but a dying Man See how the cold sweat stands upon my Brow put your Cheek unto mine and your Lip to my Lip And speaking those words he did thrust his hand into her Brest whereat the Maid begun to make some difficulty but he desired her to put away all fear for if she hoped for his recovery she must come nearer to him and with those words he did take her in his Arms and did throw her on the bed His Wife who had no other Company but the Crucifix and the Holy water and had not spoken in two days before did begin with her weak voice to cry out as loud as possibly she could Ah Ha! what do you doe I am not dead as yet and threatning them with her hand she said unto them You wicked Creatures I am not yet dead Her Husband and the Chambermaid hearing of her voice did immediately rise but she was so extremely incensed against them that her choler consumed all the moisture of her Catarrhe by the abundance whereof she before ratled in the throat not colud speak a word but now she did give them all the opprobrious terms that possibly she could devise And from that minute she began to recover and perpetually afterwards did reproach her Husband for the little love he did bear unto her By this Ladies you may observe the Hypocrifie of Men and that for a little pleasure they will forget all the pains and the sorrows that their Wives endure What will you say said Hircan if he heard it spoken that is was the only remedy that his Wife could possibly have for her recovery for seeing that by his good usage he could not mend her he would make an experience if the contrary could do any good upon her of which it appears he made an excellent proof And I do much wonder that you being a Woman should be so unadvised as to declare against the Condition of your Sex who amend more by spite than love Without all doubt said Longaren such a despite would cause me not only to come out of my Bed but of my Grave also to be revenged on such a Husband What wrong said Saffredant did he do her to comfort himself a little after he thought that she was dead For it is known well enough that the bond of Matrimony doth continue no longer than life and the knot is then untyed But how untyed said Oysilla the obligation of the Oath is of no effect any more but a good heart would always preserve the obligation of love He had quickly enough laid aside his mourning who could not attend until his Wife had passed away her last breath But that which I find most strange said Nomerfide is that seeing both