in the eyes wyth euery other signe of counterfeyte dule in the face when the ynner partes laughyng at suche fained showes are in the myddest of theyr banquet for pleasure what offence is it to plage theim in earnest who seke to blaire the eyes of all the worlds wyth charmes of painted substance or rather why shoulde they bee suffred to lyue whose villanous lyues and doynges were hable to deface the glory of the whole feminyne secte yf the vertue of so manye chaste Ladyes were not of force to aunswere the combat of all synister reproche and conquer the infamous chalengers of theyr renowme But now the funeralls performed to the dead Lorde of Chabrye the Ladye albeit she dismissed by lytle and lytle the greatnes of her dollor yet she ceassed not her diligence in the searche of the morderer nor forgat to promisse large hyer to suche as coulde bringe her the ministers of the fact there was publike informacion and secrett inquirye wyth euery point and circumstance so Syfted to the quicke that there lackte nothyng but the confession of him that was dead whiche was impossible to bée had or the testimonys of the bloddie parties whiche were the commissioners appointed to enquire of the morder whose handes smelled of the bloud of the dead innocent whereuppon the matter was husht for a tyme in whiche TOLONIO was not ydle to ransicke euery secret corner in the house not forgettynge I thynke to visytt the treasore he chiefly affected and for a simple pleasure of the whiche he had bene so prodigall of his conscience who yet not satisfyed with the sacrifyze of innocent lyfe stirred vp desyer of greater synne for this tyrannouse wyddow had iiij sonnes whereof as ij of theim were continuallye in the house so the eldest Ialowse not without cause of the famyliaritye betwene his mother and her doctor whose haunte he iudged to excede the compasse of his commission and lymittes of honor colde not so conceile nor disgeste the conceite of that whiche persuaded a staine of infamye in the forheade or forefronte of his house but that he thought to belonge to his dutie to ymparte vnto her y e cause of his suspicion with perswacion in humble sorte to be indiffrently carefull to kepe her former glorie of vertuous life and curious to defend the remeindor of her yeres from worthie cryme or spot of foule ymputacion wherein thincrease of amarus glée betwene the aduocat and her procured a more expediciō then he thought so that hauing one day thassistance of a fyt time and place in a gallerie voide of all company he preferred hys opinion in this sorte not wythout an indiffrent medley of shame and disdaine appearing in all partes of his face if it bée a thinge vnseamly that a kinge shoulde be disobeyed of his subiects it is no lesse necessarie in myne opynion that the prince avoyde oppression of his people by power for that a greate falte in the one is none offence at all by reason of his authoritie and the other sometime is exacted without iuste cause of blame but if it bée a vertue in the maiestie royall to be indiffrent betwene the force of his power geuen hym by god and the compleintes of righte in his vassalls why shoulde it be an offence that the maister or magistrate bée put in remembrance or made tunderstande the pointes wherein hée offendeth seing he hath no greater reason to yelde iustice to such as deserue punishmente then bounde in doble sort to a wōderful care of integretie in lyuing in himselfe so as hys authoritie effectes of vpright cōuersaciō may serue as a lyne to lead the meaner sort seruing vnder his awe to be in loué w c his vertues commended for semblable sinceretie and purytie of life But for my parte good Madame were it not the remorse of an equall respect to your reputacion and honor to al our house and that my conscience hereafter wold accuse me of want of corage and care to make good the vertuous renowme of my dead father I should hardely be forced to the tearmes of my present intent nor my beyng in thys place geue you such cause of amaze doubt of my meaninge for the dutie which nature bindeth me to owe to y e place you hold on my behalf and the law of obedience geuen by god to all chyldren towardes suche as made theyme the members of this worlde makes me as often cloase my mouthe against the discouerie of the longe grudge of my mynde as I haue greate reason to ympart the cause to your ladishipp who is tooched more neare then any other that I wolde too god the thinge wherof my mynde hath giuen a iudgement of assurance were as vntrue as I wishe yt bothe farre from myne opynion and voyde of a trothe then sewerlye sholde my hart rest discharged of disquiett and I dismyssed from thoffice of an oratour whiche also I wolde refuce to performe if thymportance of the cause did nor force my wil in that respect Albeit as the passions of the mynde bée free and the sprite of man howe so euer the bodie bée distressed with captiuitie hathe a pryuyledge of libertie touchyng opynyons or conceites so I hope your wisdome with the iustice of my cause and clearenes of entent are sufficient pillours too supporte that whyche the vertue of naturall zeale to your selfe and dutifull regarde to the honour of my auncestors moues me to communicate with you chieflye for that the best badge of your owne life and bloodd of your late Lorde and husbande my father bée distressed as I am perswaded by the secret haunte and vnsemelie glée of fauour betwene the proccurer Tolonio and you whome God and nature haue made a mother of suche children that neyther deserue suche lewde abuse in you nor can brooke his villany in corruptyng the noble blood wherewith they participate without vengance due to the greatnes of his poysoned malice wherein good madame as my deare affection to you wardes hathe made me so franke in warnynge you of the euill so yf you giue not order hensfurthe for the redresse of that whiche I accompte alredie past euerye cause of dowte you will come too shorte to couer that can bée no longer conceiled when also small compassion wilbée vsed in the reuenge of thiniurye neyther can you in any sort complaine rightelie of me in whose harte is alredye kindled a grudge of the wronge you haue don to y e nobilitie of vs al loathing with all the simple remēbrance of so foule a falte protesting vnto you for ende that yf herafter you become as careles of the honour of your children as heretofore you haue bene voiede of regarde to your owne reputation the worlde shall punishe the abuse of your old yeres with open exclamacion against your lasciuius order of lyfe deuesting you of all titles of highe degrée and thies handes onely shall sende maister doctor to visytt his processe in th infernall senatt
inueighyng withall agaynste the malice of hys fortune that seamed to be his guide in the pursuete of so great persecution and now in the hope expectation of reste and repose from toyle to committ hym to the mercy of a martirdome more intollerable then the torment of the whele and of lesse hope to be deliuered theÌ„ the Damned soules out of theuerlasting flame in hell wherin also his chiefeste greffe grudge of minde semed to stande vpon double termes both for y t he durst neyther discouer his disease to any his owne trendes whom he knewe woulde rather mislike his request then be moued to compassion vpon hys case or studye to releue his distresse nor promise himselfe any likelihod much lesse assurance euer to cooll eyther flower or fruite of his affection to Angeliqua for that he thought she had no reasoÌ„ to remorse vpon him in whose face appeared yet the fresh RemeÌ„brauÌ„ce of the late reuenge and destruction of her kynsmenne But what who doughteth of the tickle dispositioÌ„ of fortune or is not perswaded that the doings of men are as subiect to chaung alteration as the lament to mutability and diuer setie of complexions At 〈◊〉 time as the greate Iupiter somoning the winds and violence of other weather to quarell with the Calme and quiet skye eclypsyng the naturall clerenes of the son by conuerting him into sondry sortes of darke and dim colloures or what constancye or assurance is to be Reapposed in our worldly affaires seynge the veray thoughtes and imaginatioÌ„s of men are disposed gouerned by the reuolucion course of tymes wherin the philosopher is of opinion that no degre is dispensed from the Clymat of the coÌ„stellatioÌ„ for saith he the fauors displeasures of princes are neither so mortal nor of such continuance but being incident to conuersion we see in one momente an assured coniunction of frendship with him who earst pursewed our subuercion with mortall hate And truly he that weigheth y e comutacion of thinges with indiffrent iudgmeÌ„t may iustly note him of gret simplicity that resolues perpetuity or continual stay or abode in any thing that is either accidental or proper to maÌ„ wherin as I am sufficieÌ„tly iustefyed by Auncient Records forraine Authorities So he y t with diligeÌ„ce will coate the Chronicles of England and fraunce within theis C. yeares shall fynde choyse of examples to cleare hys doubt and confirme him in the contrary opinion whych by cause it importes such consequence as rather excedes then seames conueniente for the compasse of my present intent I leaue them to the construction of the diligent reader who syfting nerely the monumentes of that time may find ther more alteracion and chaunge of estates in bothe those realmes within lesse then so many yeres then in the space of ij C. yeares afore for he may sée thear of credible reaport that he that gouerned as king sittinge in the seate Royall of the Realme making the whole multitude tremble at the voyce of his commaundiment was sodainly Deposed and skarcely eskaped the infamie of a cruel and slaundrous death and on the other part the other that attended only the fatal destruction of himselfe and famuly is not only restored to the scepture of the kingdom but also in a moment sytts in the Iudgemente seate vpon vengauâ—â—â— and correction of theym which had geuen sentence and awarded the writ of executioÌ„ against himself Calyr one of the iiij great Bassyas of the great turke had no lesse awe authoritie ouer the whole Mahometian empire then vndowted credit with y e emperour and mighty monarke him self who wold neuer consulte of any enterprise without the councell of this Captaine nor performe any expedition without his coÌ„pany yet vpon a suddaine without any cause sauing the malicious appetite of his maister he was cruelly strangeled in presence by commauÌ„demeÌ„t of him whom he had so faithfully honoured serued on the contrarye syde the valainte Argon Tartare after he was entred into armes agaynste his vncle Tangodor Câ—ny being taken adiudged to passe by the rigor of tormeÌ„tes after receiue y e due hier of vnnatural conspiracy as he was set into Armenya to be executed being at y t point to coÌ„mit himself to y e mercy of y e tormeÌ„tors paste al hope or exspectatioÌ„ of aid was sodainly reskewed by certain TartariaÌ„s of the garrisoÌ„ household seruants to his late father deceased restored after to the dominion kingdom of Tartaria in the yere of our lord a thousauÌ„d two hoÌ„dreth fouerskore fiue thexample of thempresse ADALEDE makes no lesse proâ—e herein then the former recordes for being vnhappely fallen into the handes of the tyrante BERANGER the vsurper at that tyme of thempire after she had longe tried the curtesye of this miserable and wretched disposicion being at the verye brinke and place of execution where was no likelihode nor imaginacioÌ„ of ayed had thassistance of a good fortune for auoidynge his cruell sentence by a secrete and soddaine flighte at the same instaunte was maried after to OTTON the firste of that name and lyued till shée sawe the iuste reuenge of her wronge vpon the same vsurper and his race by OTTON her sonne succedinge his father in the monarkye All which of no losse autoritie then vndoubted credit I haue preferred as assured paterns of y e mobilitie vncertein stay of the state of the affaires of this world wherin also when thoccasion dothe offer you maye note a verefication or lyke accident in the sequeill of this MONTANYNO who after the depopulation of his house by ciuill warre and the most parte of his porc ion wasted in the supplye of that quarell fell into a misery more tragicall then the other and of lesse hope of ayde or delyuerye and yet beinge passed thextreme sommonce of his fortune and attendynge the fatall and last momente of execution after he had dismissed all exspectation of succoure his deliueraunce appeared by hym that procured and pursewed his distresse and the same miserye that fyrste moued his ruine reserued suche a vertue in the ende of his tragedye that by thonly assistance of him whom he thoughte to haue sworne his destruction he was restored wyth more assurance and coÌ„tentement of minde then afore but nowe to our amarous SALIMBINO who tossed in the stormye sea of his vnquiet thoughtes was no lesse passioned on the behalfe of ANGELIQVA then she moste carefull to comforte the calamitie of her brother wyth indeuer to lyue together in mutuall tranquillitye accordynge to the â—omonce of nature and decree of lawe of kynde neyther respectynge the tormente of her ennemye whiche shee knewe not nor regardinge to pranke vp her selfe to please thappetite of any other and albeit it was his chaunce sometime to accoaste her in the strete or other place where he forgat not to giue her the BACHILOMANO with al shew and argumente of humble duty and she in
doo the cause of suche disease they presented hym afore the Maiestye wyth suche commendacyon of hys vertue and valyauntnes in armes as was necessarye for the worthynes of the same whyche forced a greate lykynge in the Kynge towardes hym alalbeit his outwarde apparaunce argued infficiently his inwarde dexteritie that way whych also he confyrmed in pub licke view in an assalte which the kinge gaue to the english men within Roan the chiefe and only bool warke of the whole country of Normandy where Signeur Philibarto gaue suche effecces of his forwardnes that he was the first that was séene vpon the walles making waye to the souldiours to enter the breache and towne wherein not longe affore the Duke of Sommerset had burned the counterfait prophet of Fraunce called La Pucelle leane whome some pratinge frenchmen do affirme to haue wrought merueiles in armes during those warrs but chiefly that vnder the conduite of her our countryemen lost Orleance w c diuerse other holdes in those partes and for a memory of that forged ydoll they kepe yet amongest other relikes in the abbay of S. Denys whych I sawe in May last a great roostie sworde wherwith they are not ashamed to aduowche that shee performed diuerse expedicions and victories againste thinglishe nacion whych seames as true as that which they are a shamed to put in a chronicle of credit touching their saint Denys whom they affirme was erecuted at Parys and came from thence with his heade in his hand which he buyried in the abbaye albeit they saye he rested foure tymes by the way where they haue founded iiii crosses with the headles ymage of saint Denys holding a stonye skalpe in his hande but nowe to oure Dom Philiberto whose forwardnes and fortune in the last assalte being wel noted of the kinge began to kindle a credit in the mynde of the maiestie towards hym in such sorte as besydes speciall praises giuen to his worthynes in the hearing of all his capteines he presented hym wyth the state of a gentleman of his chamber with pension sufficient to menteyne the port of that place promisinge besydes an encrease of his bowntye as he saw a contynuance of hys good seruice for the whyche the mute knighte gaue the kynge humble thankes by signes lyfting hys handes towards heauen as a witnes of y e faithe he promised to kepe without spot to hys prince wher of he gaue good declaracion not long after in a skirmishe procured by the frenche agaynst the Englishe soldiours vnder the guide of the onlye flower of chyualrye of that tyme and valyant Captcine the Lorde Talbot whose vertue made hym so famons in those warrs that the verye remembrance of hys name procureth a terror to the stowtest frencheman that thys daye lyueth ther in this skirmish if a mā may credit a french bragge the Pyemontoyse and Talbot met and vnhorssed eche other wherupon the kynge in consideracion of hys present seruice and encrease of further corage to contynue his souldiour made hym Capteyne of diuerse holdes with charge of fyftie men at armes wyth promisse in the word of a prince y t her eafter he shold find in more ample ma ner in what sorte princes oughte to consider the seruice of suche whose vertue broughte soccours to the necessitie of hym and his people wherein truely a prince hath greate reason not only to bestowe rewardes vpon such as deserue well but embrase that whyche carieth a licknes of hys owne nobylitie seinge that vertue in what place soeuer shee take roote can not but bring furthe good frutes the vse and effect wherof ought to appeare vpon such as approche or resemble the place where the first séedes were sowen neyther doth any degrée of men according to thopinion of Plyny deserue so well of hys prince as the souldiour in whose woundes sayth he are inclosed the sauetie of the whole countrey and quiet of the seat royal neyther doth he shrinke to aduenture hys bodye agaynst thennemye to establish the reapose of his neyghbour at hoame who to requite his many daungers in y e felde or releue hys maymed lymmes cōsumed w c y e warrs comittes hym at hys retorne to the rigour of iustice and that most cōmonly wythout cause of iust offence wherof I think no one contry of christendom is hable to furnish so many examples of that miserie as the state of Englande where as god be praysed hath benn no greate occasion of warr since the happie raigne of oure moste blessed Quene that nowe gouerneth so the Lorde and her maiestie amend it it is a pitye to sée how slenderly soldiours be prouided for and how tyranouslye they are persecuted by the malice of caterpillors in Cyties and franklinges in the countrye wherof I wishe some suche as I coulde name to mooster in the mowthe of a trenche or stande in the face of a breache to th ende they might both witnes the daunger and be partakers of the perill of warr which I doubt not wolde force in the moste of theim a compassion touching the souldiour whom also they wolde defende from beinge deuowred of the gallowes by their malice Thus muche on the behalfe of souldiours towardes whom I wishe as indiffrent a care in tyme of peace as they are readie and most sewer to abide al daunger when it pleaseth the prince and realme to call theym to seruice and now to oure dome knighte who embrased of the kyng wyth honor of all his Capteines was assisted with a second meane of further credit with hys prince for that ymedyatlie after the heate of the warrs in fraunce and the countrey resolued to a quiet staie it pleased the kinge for the solace of hymselfe and generall contentinente of hys Capteynes to call a torney royall on horsebacke where Seigneur Virley enioyeng y e benefyt of his former fortune wan only y e glorye of y e tryumphe which gaue such encrease to y e good opiniō of the king y t he entred into councell to cure his dome disease greuinge not a litle that so valyant a gentleman colde not declare his deuise whych seamed to argue no lesse wisedom for the direction of a cōmon welthe or contrey then the force and agilitye of his body had sufficientlie approued his vertue in diuerse exploites during tha◠war wherfore he dispatched generall letters thorowout his owne Realme with speciall requestes to the countreys adioyninge hys kingdome that who colde giue remedye to his euill and conuert his present scilence into a liberty of frée speche should haue ten thowsande frankes for rewarde then mighte a man sée suche a mooster of phizisions Chirurgions with their appoticaries carienge their bagges and boxes of all confections that their rowte seamed rather a newe supplie of power to assiste the kinge against his ennemies then a conuocation of gownesmen to consulte of the disease who began also to make such war with the ten thousande frankes skirmishinge one with an other not
chyefe and principal vertue to withstande the mallice of fortune with magnanimitie of mynd thought it not also the office of a noble hart to yeld to the sentence of aduersitie or geue any place to the iniurie of present time consideringe that in euerye distresse fortune bearethe the greateste swaighe whose mallice is neyther of perpetuitie nor yet to be feared of such as haue their harts armed with assurance in vertue for as she is no lesse vncertaine of her selfe then her doinges full of mutabilitie so accordinge to thaduice of the philosopher she is to be vsed with suche indifferencie of all estates that wee neade neyther laughe whē she smyles nor feare when she threates neither hathe she anye to followe the chariot of her victorie but the caityffe or Towarde and suche as are denied the assistaunce and benifet of trew vertue This gentleman whom mine author termeth by the name of PIERRO BARZO wearie euē nowe with drawinge the heauie yecke of harde erile left the rest of his contrymen and companions of care complaining their mutuall myseries together and retired to the rythe and populous Cytie of MANTVA where his cyuell gouernemente and prudent behauior accompanied with a singuler dexteritie in exploytes of armes and other exercises of the ualrye arguinge thunfayned noblenes of his mynde gaue suche a shewe of his vertue that he was not onlye in shorte tyme intertained of the marques and gouernour there but also made generall of the whole armie of footemen where enioyinge thus the benefyt of his vertue who commonly yeldes no lesse successe to such as imbrace her with true ymytacion and treade the pathe of her loare with semblable sinceretie of mynde he had there with him at the same instante his wyfe beinge also of MODONA deriued of no lesse nobilytie then he and nothinge inferiour in all gyftes of nature and ornamentes of vertue for touching her bewtie seaming of suche wonderfull perfection that it was thoughte nature was dryuen to the ende of her wittes in framinge a pece of so great excellencie they dowted not to geue her therby the tytle of the faire Helene of grece nether was she lesse meritorious for her vertues being blessed therwith so plentifully at the handes of thalmighty that it was doubted to the writers of that tyme whether god or nature deserued the greatest prayes in forminge so perfecte a creature If this were a consolation and singuler contentment of the pore MODONOYSE waighinge earste in the ballance of his vnhappye fortune denied anye more to enioye the fredome of his countrye dryuen by force from the auncient succours and solace of his frendes wandringe in wooddes and deserte places vnknowne and that whiche worse is lefte onely to the mercie of hunger and coulde with exspectation to fall eftesones into the handes of hys enemyes and nowe to bee taken from the malice of all theis myseries and restored to a place of a bode richesse and entertainement sufficient for sustentation to beare office and authoritie amongeste the best and rampierd besydes within thassured good will and opinion of the chiefe gouernor of a countrye I appeale to thopinions of those who earst haue changed their miserable condicion or state of aduersytie with the benefyt goodnes of the lyke fortune or if againe he had cause to reioyce and make sacrifice to his fortune that had gyuen hym a wyfe noted to be the odd Image of the worlde for beautye behauiour courtesey and vprighte dealyng constant wythout cause or argument of dishonesty and that whiche is the chiefest ornement and decoracion of the beautie of a woman to bee of disposition readye to obeye her husbande yeldinge hym suffraintye with a deutifull obedience with other vertues that made her an admiration to the whole multitude and her lyfe a spectacle to the Laoyes of our age to beholde Imitate the like vertues I leaue it to the Iudgemēt of that smal number of happy men who by a speciall grace from aboue are ordeined to enioye the benefyt of so rare and precious a gyfte This couple thus reioysinge the retourne of happy lyfe resigned with all their teares of auncient dule and embraced the gyfte of present time with intent to spend the remainder of their yeres in mutual cōsolacion contertement of mynde wherein they were assisted wyth a second blessyng of God who for the increase of theyr new comfort sent them a doughter who in beautye vertue and all other gyftes of grace dyd nothynge degenerate from the patterne and mould from whence she was deriued wherof she gaue great showes as nature seamed to increase her yeres and conferme her in discrecion But what assuraunce is ther in the pleasure of people seinge the worlde hit selfe is appointed his date whiche he can not passe or why shoulde we repofe a perpetuitye in our worldlye afaires seinge that both theyr continuance and confidence endes wyth the lengthe of tyme And fortune who is alwayes Ielouse of the ease of man and not content to let vs lyue longe in quiet is alwayes laying her ambushe deuisyng howe to interrupte oure felicitie and as she is blinde of her selfe and lesse certeintie in her doinges so she forgettes not to discouer her conspiracies when we leste thinke of her and invade vs when we accompte vs moste sewer of her frendshippe wherof she gaue a manifest declaration in the person of this faire Ladye from whome she toke her deare husband in the flower of his yeres and she not yet confermed in age and discretion hable to beare and withstande thordinarye assaultes of the worlde whiche she founde also of more vneasye tolleracion aswell for the feruent zeale and affiance whiche lawe of kynde dyd bynde her to beare to her late spouse and loyall husbande as also for that she sawe her selfe lefte amongest the handes of straungers farre from her parentes and frendes voyde of refuge in her owne countrye and with oute a heade to defende her from the malice of men whiche commonlye rageth wyth more extremytie againste weake and desolate widowes and pore fatherles orphanes then againste theim that are hable to withstande their malice and represse theyr violence wyth equall power And albeit she was left to her owne lybertye to lyue as she lyste as you haue harde and not yet felynge the burden of xx wynters an age fyt to engender susspicion of the euell diposed yet hauinge no lesse care to preuent the malice of slaunder then to kepe in entyer the small reuenue lefte vnto her by her husbande she toke order wyth her domesticall affaires according to her present fortune and so dismissing her ordinary traine of seruantes retyred to a brother of hers whiche dwelte also in the same towne wher after the funerals of her dead husbande were performed with sufficient teares and dueties appertaynynge she qualifieth somewhat her dule for him that was dead with the dayly view of her yong doughter the lyuelye ymage of her
thoffer of my seruice as one vnworthie to enioye the preferment of your fauor or dalyenge wyth my earnest sute to geue increase to my passion I haue often bene vpon the waye to disclose vnto you by mouth the thinge wherin your hart hath alreadie geuen iudgmente of my meaning albeit the desier not to offende you any waye hath staide thexpedicion of my intent suspendyng my grefe till the greatnes of the same hath forced a presente vente w t this simple requeste that as fearinge to ymparte the full of so great a matter to so vncerteine a messenger as a pece of paper so it may please you to geue me credit of cōferēce wher only our selues may be witnesses of that whych I haue to discouer am no longer hable to conceile wherin if ther be any bonde of consideracion in great Ladyes on the behalf of the offer of their inferiours ymagin how iustly I deserue well of you and wyth what reason you oughte to passe a graunte of so small a fauor to hym who is no lesse hable as you know to procure your aduancement wyth what porcion of wealthe your selfe shall thinke good then readye to performe all such thinges as you shall but ymagyn and wishe to be don wherof I sende you a confirmacion herewith sealed with the othe of my religion and with protestacion of the faythe and life of your moste loyall and desolate seruante GONSALDO He had no soner written this letter but he was in mynde eftsones to commit it into morsells or to make it a sacrafice in the fyer dispairing belike of the successe till at laste the blind guide and fyrst author of his follie reprehendinge his want of corage renforced hym to a forwardnes perswading hym that the beginning was good and argued a sequeile of contentacion the rather saieth he for that the tender yeres wyth small discrecion preferreth an ignorance in the girle of your meaning seing accesse and conference be denied y t next pollicie is to vse thaduantage of writinge whyche declareth theffect of that whyche is painted in the outwarde regardes of the face the wordes of your letter may also importe such a charme that her present rigour may be conuerted into spedie cōpassion for as there is conning in enchaūtyng so the misterie can not be wrought without the assistaunce of words which foolishe suggestion restored the Abbot to a hope makyng conscience to committ the conueigh to the creditt of anye of his couent for that he doubted their wisdome in performinge so secret an embassage vsed thexpedicion by one of the vallettes of his chamber whom after he had put in remembraunce of thauncient fauours he had vsed on his behalfe and howe much he reaposed for hymself in the assurance of his fidelitie he said he was nowe to imploye his fayth and diligence in a busynes of no lesse value then the price of his life wherin sayeth he albeit thou maiest conster some part of my meaning by the circūstaunce of the late chaunge and alteraciō thou haste noted in me iudgyng peraduenture the same to procede of some amarous humour yet althoughe I consente and make good the conceite of thy fancie in that surmise thow nor all the deuinours of the worlde can name her who as thou séest hath made me the flaue of her beautie this is the secret wherin I am to make a last experience of thy indeuour and wisedome to make a presente of theis letterrs to her who hath not yet vouchesaffed to lende me the vse of one simple regarde of fauor to qualifye the heate of my burnynge martyrdom wherewith he told him the name of his mistres the stréete and signe wher her father dwelte with straite commaundement in the ende not to omitt any moment or offer of time that might seame to further y e executiō of his charge the vallet glad to haue so good a meane to make declaration of his loyal zeale towardes his maister admitted the enterpryse gaue hym assurāce of his diligence willyng him in y e meane while not to loase corage for that saith he there is no fortresse so wel defended but at length it is rendred by composicion or won by assaulte wherewith the Abbott departed to his chamber flatteringe himselfe with the promise of his man who destrous to reliue the distres of his maister added such diligēce to the dispache of his commission that the nexte daie he foūde the meanes to accoste Parolyna occupyed al alon in her meditacions in the churche where presenting himself afore her with more assurāce then the passioned Abbot gaue her the reuerence of his Countrey desiered her not to dismay if vpon so small acquaintance he discharged so boldlye the parte of a familiar messenger wherein sayeth he if there be offence I preferr good madam for my excuse my lord and maister vpon whose behalfe he craued so muche fauour as to reade his letter which after he had kissed wit great humilitye offred to the chaste mayde who knowyng the messenger for that she had séen hym often follow the traine of Gonsaldo gaue iudgement also of the cause of his commynge wherefore she did not only refuse it but also wyth certeine tearmes of reproche retourned hym with an answer cōtrarie to thexspectation of hym selfe and contentment of hym that sent hym what sayeth she doth your maister accompte me of such simplicitie that I haue not longe since discerned thintēt of his follie doth he thinke that I am any other then one that settes as deare a price of mine honor as the best ladie in Italy or is he of opiniō that the respect of his authoritie or greatnes in degrée can force me y e rather to a remorce on the behalf of his wicked meaning no no tel him I haue neither to do with hym lesse cause to accepte his letters neyther oughte he to adresse suche embassages to me who can nor will not be thankefull to any in loue but such as my parentes shall giue me in lawful mariage is this his masque of holynes to couer so greate a villanie vnder the habit or shroude of simplicitie what argument of vertue is this in him whose office is to prescribe principles of honest lyfe can he discharge the othe of his religiō in seking to corrupt the puritie of virgins and expose an example of the greatest villanie that is Let hym besiege the forte that is as gladde to yelde as he readie to sommon and bestowe his charmes and letters vppon those whose regarde and care of honor is equall to the malice of his meaning and for your part let it suffice you that I pardon your first follie and ceasse hensfurthe to procede any further least you be payde with the monie ordeyned to discharge the hyer of suche messengers wherewith she flonge oute of the churche and not without some passion of iuste anger repaired to her fathers house not ympartynge anye parte of thaccident to any one of her parentes
wrest a simple grant of fauor at your hand yet ymagyn good lady that in forfeting the pawne whiche I haue preferred for the performance of my promisse I hazarde also the vyolacion of the faithe and lyfe of a gentleman wherof I yelde you eftesones a seconde confirmacion by the height and authoritie of the skyes to be more carefull to obeye you and lyue in the contynuall awe of your commaundement then curious of myne own health and safetie wyth this addicion not to spare at any time to ymploie my carkasse wyth all that I haue in the defense of your causes what condicion or qualitie soeuer they ymport The subtill countesse albeit she knew wel enough that the fyer was not so kindled in the stomake of therle as it pleased hym to set a face and fayned show of his passion and that the large skoape of libertie in his tongue wyth assurance constancie in his countenance argued rather a dissembled zeale then a true transport of affection in his harte yet seing hym younge Iustie and sufficient euery waye to aunswers and discharge the combat of her gredie desyer determyned not to lette slippe the offer of so fytt a praye whyche shee thoughte woulde suffyce to occupye the place till she hadde fonnde an other to enter the lystes and supplie his lacke wherwyth she passed a plaine graunte of her fauor vnder these couerte tearmes like as Signeur Valpergo I am not ignorant in thordinarie deceites of men declared speciallie on the behalfe of such as reapposinge to muche credit in their honestie do geue slender garde of theimselues so I canne I thanke god contente my selfe to smile at their follies and take pleasante recreacion to heare the brauerie of their requests seaming to burn in the desires of loue when in déede they are not only farr from such passion but frée from intent to performe any effect of true loyaltie seaminge also to enterlarde their ymportunities wyth a doble vehemencye when they go most busilye abowte to make a praie of our bewtie and fragilitie whereof albeit I accompt you not onlye one of the nomber but also no lesse desloyall then any of the rest yet respectinge the reputacion of your race I am content to geue credit to your wordes and accept your offer in such sort as you haue promised reapposing so muche for my selfe in youre discrecion that there shall appere in you no want of any thing that belongeth to the gouernmēt wise conueigh of such secret affaires wherin if I fid an effect of my exspectaciō your self shal iudge of my liberalitie in retorning the merite of your honest frendshipp wherwyth thalteracion and breache of countenance in her face argued a present troble and contrarietie of mynde with in her whiche therle construinge to procede of a desyer she had to moue hym to dismisse all further delaies and dispose hymselfe to th execution of the thinge so indiffrentlie desyered of theym bothe put diligence to the thankefull offer of tyme and fortune in such sorte as embrasinge her wyth a thowsande sortes of kysses hee forgatt all ceremonies and circumstaunces and gaue her checkmatt wythoute any oddes vppon a lowe bedde or pallet couered cloase with a vaile or canapie of crymosyne veluet frindged wyth syluer thrombe where was such indiffrente likinge on bothe partes that they resolued at thinstaute of other times and howers to méete at the shocke in so pleasant a skirmishe wherin as she iudged hym hable enough to passe y e moosters for suche respectes determyninge to make stoare of hym till fortune furnished her of a freshe supplie so for his part he founde her so delicate on his behalfe that he resigned than thoritie whiche earste gouerned hym and his doinges to the order and derection of her in suche sort as he spake nothing but by the mouthe of Blanche Marya nor did any thing wherin her councell and commaundement bare not the greatest swaighe being so drowned in the desyer of his beastelie trol and blinded wyth the vaile of filthie loue that both day and night were indiffrent for thexercise of his pleasure making her bedd his pryuate lodginge and delicate armes his place of pleasante excercise and tryall of actiuitie wyth contynual aboade there and that wyth suche publike signes and declaracion of his diseordered lyuinge that to the comfirmacion of the common brute whyche passed of their follies there lacked but some PLAVTVS or TERENCE to prefer it in publike stage in the hearing of all the worlde But what is it like that shee that had falsed her fayth to a husbande more honest and vertuous then shée deserued wold content herself wyth the companie of this younge erle or who doubtes but suche indiffrent women as haue committed their bodies to the generall seruice of the worlde are no lesse inconstante in their loue then voyde of shame in deuestinge theim of honest vertue to vndertake so badd a kinde of lyfe neyther do they like so well of any thinge as often change of diot to satisfye their insatiable and beastelie luste seaminge as it were a champion or challenger readie to aunswere all commers for a familiar proofe wherof I commit you to thexperience of this rauenouse shee wolfe BLANCHE MARIA who seynge her newe mynyon so sewerlie lymed wyth the blushe of her bewtie that only a simple becke was sufficient to commaunde hym taught hym a newe croscaprey wyth a thousand trickes and sleightes in vawtynge wherewyth also addinge a further experience to his blinde simplicitie she brought hym now and then to the honor of holdinge the moyle at the doare whilest an other man ridd her errande in the chamber whyche trafficke was not wythout greate perill on his parte for that as the countey CELAND was borne to beare the badge of cornewal in the forme of a second Acteon so this younge prince was ordeined by destynie to loase hys lyfe with exspectation of al that he attended by the seruice of kinges or forreine princes by the wicked treason of a pernicious and common whoare for in this entercourse of her loue wyth SIGNEVR VALPERGO and verye heat of thamarous glées betwene theim fortune watchinge to enter the stage and make sene that her mobylytie diffreth litle or nothinge from the disposition and incerteintie of a woman according to y e meaning of the poetes whiche haue set her furth in shape attire and coollours like to one of that sect gaue hym an ynklinge of thinconstancie of his mistrys wherupon followed a litle dymynucion and restrainte of his company from her who being whollie transformed into the forme of an vnreasonable creature delyting in nothing but to roune ryot and hunt for chaunge of pasture had her eyes and mynde more geuen to glottonie then her stomake hable to brooke the sondry choice and sortes of dyot ymploying her selfe whollie to gather newe soldiours to supplie the lacke of tholde garryson and wearie capteine wherein she was assisted wyth more then a necessarie
pitie to your poore Ianiquette who if euer she offended you is here come to yelde her to your mercie and takynge suche vegance as you thynke good to ymploye her further in the seruice that beste maye lyke you onely I commende vnto your goodnes the wretched state of my children whose miseries accompained with a contynuall crye for releeffe hath here presented me prostrat at your féete kissing y e same with no lesse humylitie then signe of submission wythe request eftsones to accept the offer of youre hande mayde in recompence of the wronge I haue heretofore don you but chiefly alas to redeme my children from the rage and vyolence of hounger and prolonge their lyues that oughte not yet to take ende by the Lawe and course of nature Here loue and pitie seamed to quarrell wythin the harte of Luchyn the one puttinge the praye into his handes prouoked hym to croppe the frutes of his longe desier the other defendinge the cause of the wretched captiue preferred perswacions to the contrarye puttinge hym in remembrance y t the glory can not bée greate where the victorye is won by vnlawfull meanes neyther colde hée tryumphe in a better conqueste then in ouercommynge hym selfe to dismisse her wythout vyolacion wherfore comparing her former constancie with the extreme causes that procured her presente offer respectinge also the duetie of hys owne conscience did not only determyne to assiste her pouertie wyth succor of sustentacion but also to absteine hys handes from deflowringe so rare aparagon wherewyth hée tooke her from the grounde kissing her watery chieke sayde vnto her do awaye these teares of dule and conuert the remembrance of auncient sorowe into an vnfayned hope of present consolecion reapose your selfe vpon the vertue of your inuincible chastetie and ymagyne you haue receiued the due meritte of the same for for my parte god forbidd that the malice of your presente necessitie yeldynge you into my handes shoulde make me gréedie to get that whyche loue colde not conquere nor spoâ—le you of the thinge whych I oughte and will holde in chiefe veneracion wherin being thus by your vertue made maister of my self I fele also mortefied in me the wanton suggestions which earst moued me to loue only the bewtie and body of Ianiqueta and now that reason is be come my guide and distresse rather then loue hathe made you thus prodigal of your honor for the sustentacion of your children yt shal suffice me to haue you at my coÌ„mandemeÌ„t withoute anye affore of wronge to your estimacion or honestie And as your chastetie doth challenge her rewarde so because it is you that is to glory in the gifte of so greate a vertue and I to yelde tribute for that treason I haue wroughte you I assure you here in the mouthe of a gentleman not onely to furnish you of all thinges necessarie with honor and estymacion equall to myne owne sister but also to be as carefull of your reputacion as heretofore I haue sought to seduce and spot it with lasciuious infamy Ianiquetta was restored here to doble contentment bothe to haue her pudicitie respected and vndowted assurance of the liberal promisse of the curteous Luchyn whych she would eftsones haue acknowledged with an humble prostitucion and kissinge of his féete but that he not liking such supersticious reuerence preuented her intente and presented her by the hande vnto his wife wyth these wordes Because the conceite of the Ieleus mynde is seldome satisfyed til the cause of the suspicion be cleane taken away and that the grudge is neuer appeased till thoffendor be punished I haue here broughte you the cause of your greatest doubt with the vision that so many nightes hathe appered in your dreame and broken the swéete course of your naturall sléepe enioyninge you full authoritie to commit her to what penance you will giuinge the stroke of vengance at your own discrection to whom she aunswered that if she had no more cause to be doubtfull of his doinges then raison to bée Ielous of the honestie of the poore woman she had béene as frée from suspicion as far froÌ„ cause of disquiet neyther had her eyes anye cause to complaine of thimpediment of sléepe nor her braine so often assailed wyth the Alaram of hollowe dreames for thexperience and proofe of her vertue sayth shée dyd alwayes assure mee of her honestye whyche yett wyll not stowpe to the malice of thée tyme nor loase the glorye of her renowmée althoughe fortune haue layde her heauye hande vppon her in takynge a waye her husbande whiche temperat modestie in hys wyfe doubled his affection with confyrmation of a sincere good wyll towardes her for euer And in recitinge the laste chaunce and discourse passed betwene hym Ianiquette he saide that if she knewe in what sorte he had kepte his fayth towarde her she woulde not doubte to put hym on the phile of moste true and loyal husbandes willynge her to take her furnishe her with all prouision and other thinges necessarie with no lesse care and liberall allowance then if it were for his deare sister whereunto she put no lesse expedicion then her selfe had cause to reioyce in the honeste continencye of her husbande all whiche beinge made immediatly a common brute thorowe the citye became also of greate wonder amongest the people aswell for that thinstigation of harde necessitie had made Ianiquette ployable to that which she hath longe refuced with great detestation as also for the heroicall vertue of the gentleman who abhorring the wicked offer of fortune and time conuerted his lasciuious desier norished in his intralles by so longe contynuaunce into a disposicion of vertue contrarie to the exspectation of all men An example suer worthie of greate veneracion and wherin the sensuall appetites are so restrayned and gouerned by the rule of raison that I doubte whether the Romaines haue noted more continencye in their Fabia Emilya or Scipyo or the Grecians in theyr olde Xenocrates who is not so meritorious of coÌ„mendation for that being charged with yeres he made a proffe of his chastetie as this Luchin who in y e glorie of his age and full of the hoatt humours of youth made a conqueste of his affections wyth a wonderfull showe of vertue and vndoubted signe and assurance of the perfection of his fayth for whych cause I haue noted vnto you his hystorye which also I wyshe myghte serue to sturre vpp the fraile youthe of our dayes to the ymitacion of the lyke vertue remembryug by the viewe of this discourse that the sensuall appetites and prouocation of the fleshe are not of suche force but they are subiecte to correction neyther is loue so inuincible but the wise and vertuous man maye kepe hym alwayes in awe so that he giue hym not to muche libertye at the first nor creaditt to muche the instigation and humour of his owne fancie FINIS The argument WHose youth and yeres of folly haue made an
rashely haue entred the sea of my owne sorowe and sawe at setting from the shoare sufficyent argumentes of mortall euills threatenynge my present peril wherein albeit I was flattered at the first with a calme and pleasant ebb whiche made my hoyse sayle and floate without anye feare yet in the veraye inconstancy which all men attributes to that element and vnruly waues raging without measure in the heighte of that trobled sea appered plainelie enoughe the likelehodes of my present daunger whiche I woulde hadde power to destrdye me by some soddaine shypwrake or caste me spedelye into the bottomles golphe to be deuowred in the throate of some monster in the merciles occean Ah Loue with what iustice cold I exclaime againste thy infydelitie for that thou hast alwaies flattered me with an assurance of that whyche now I fynde furthest from me haste thou a pollecie to perswade a creadit in that wherein thou meanest absolute deceite and then to triumphe in the thraldome of suche as beleue thy charmes yf this bée thy order of dealinge why bearest thou the title of a necessarye vertue or ympartest thyne authoritie with the powers aboue for my parte yf there were cause of hope or exspectacion of deliuerie I colde in some sorte qualefye the rage of my preseÌ„t annoye with imaginacioÌ„ of future redresse or yf the contynuance of my gréeffe argued a lykelehodd of contentement hereafter the remembraunce of my felycitie to come wolde mortefye the panges whych nowe I am forced to féele without releace of paine but alas too what ende doo I ymagyne a composicion with hym that is not leuyable to any order and muche lesse partaker of the nobled vertue or gifte of piti why do I pleade for grace in a courte of comon crueltie wher tyranny shootes the gates of compassion against complaintes of iustice or to what end sholde I expect so much as a simple offer of help in him who is borne the common enemie destruction of many is there exspectacion of remedie in him whose breath is a poisoÌ„ more infectiue then any venym that earste hath bene made by the moest conning enchauntor that euer was bred in the myerye vale or is there reason to depende vppon the delyuery of hym who lyeth in ambushe to assalte me in worse sorte then yet I haue felte Ah cruell mistrys full euill do you measure the circunstance and effect of my goodwill with protestacion of vowe neuer to departe out of the lease of your commandementes fewer yf your waspish mynd wold confirme and make good the consent of your beautie or that your inwarde partes wolde giue leaue to thoutewarde arguments to worke an effect of that which they promysse by showe I sholde not haue cause to lament suche lacke in you and muche lesse indure thys extremetye by hopynge for that whyche I knowe I shall neuer haue Oh coulde recompence and vnthankefull retourne of the loyall zeale I haue borne wythout spotte of dishonest intente in any sortt Aâ— serpent and masqued basylyke in whome is rather a fayned showe then true effect of any curtesye the only glaunces of thyne eyes haue had power to fill euery corner of my hart full of poysoned infection wherein at leaste if I hadd thassistance of any arte or droague to remoue thy forces I should bée restored to myne aunciente quiet and thow liue at rest without the noyse of so manye ymportunities And nowe do I sée an experience of auncient opynion touchinge the maladie of loue who is neyther healed by salue nor cured by arte for to make insicion to the sore wolde giue but increase to my payne to vse thapplicacion of medicins wer but to féede the tyme with incertenties and to staye the humor were enoughe to giue ende to my lyfe by present suffâ—cacion so that alas I sée no choice of remedie then to bée touched wyth the hande that first gaue vent and set abroach the cause of the wound that I wishe in ful satisfaction of al my torment that she might sée the verye depth and furthest part of my hart to the nde shée might bée iudge of my loyaltie and acknowledge the wronge she doth to the vertu of my honest meaninge But alas I fynde herein that my destynies contende agaynst my desyer and the viewe of her former crueltie makes me dispair of other fauor then suche as hithervnto I haue founde so that as I whollie depende vppon her goodnes and my lyfe paiseth only in the ballance of her good will so I know she is fully desolued in a contrarye disposicion agaynst me makinge a Iest of my humble sute and offer of seruice takes pleasure in my martirdom and reapose a speciall felycitie in the pointes of my peculiar and mortall gréefe whych he ended not without suche abundance of teares and supply of other sorowe that the messenger was forced to abandon the place and leaue him in the middest of his passion ymparting notwithstanding the pointes of her aunswere to a deare frende of the knighte wyth aduise to supplante his affection or els seke his remedie by some other meanes wherin albeit he performed thindeuor of a frende euerye waye yet the successe argued a small vertue in his diligence and the patient rather resolued in extremeties the hable to admit any thinge whiche ymported a moderacion to his gréefe the whych gréew ymediatlie to suche extreme tearmes that the strength and desyer of the stomake was conuerted ymediatlie into a contempt of necessarie sustentacion and in place of sléepe he embraced the offer of vaine conceites appearinge as it were by visyon thorowe the mistery of hollowe dreames refusinge conference with all men if not that sometyme he wolde complaine vpon the crueltie of one whom he wold not name wyth desyer to end his life in the pursewte of that quarel The phizicions were found at the end of their wittes both vnhable to discerne the cause of his disease and wythout sâ—il to giue a remedie to his euil what inspection soeuer they made in his vryne or tryeng of his pulses or other signes to iudge his gréeffe or any authorytye of their arte wherevpon the gentleman his companion entred into such tearmes of sorowe for the sicknes of his frende that his dollor seamed of equall qualytie to the passion of his coÌ„panion not ceassing notwithstanding to solicite the goodwil of Zilya by his own trauell letters whych put her in remembrance of the pytie that women oughte to vse to thafflicted presentes and promises of no smal price wyth other deuises wherin he iudged any vertu to moue her haggarde disposicion and for that he sawe that in the very view of her presence consisted the recouery of his frende he forgat not to entreat her w t tearmes due as he had sewed to the greatest princesse of Spayne or Italye wherein notwythstandynge he gayned asmuche as if he had vndertaken to nomber the starres or stay y t course of the sonne for that she excused her selfe vppon her
that whiche gaue also credit to his conceite was a locke of his curled heare whiche he kepte wrapte about his righte eare whereupon he dismissed all suspicion as one assured of his doubte threwe his armes about the necke of his frende wateryng his breste with the teares of his eyes and saide vnto him Alas Seigneur Diego what disfauor of the heauens haue kepte you so longe from the companie of those that dye of distresse in the absence of you whose presence was the piller of their consolation What be they that haue procured this longe eclipps of your name when it ought to expose the clearest light both for the glorie of your present youth honor of your future old age Ah is it my company that moues this longe scilence in you is it I that haue deserued this wrong at your handes to abuse the vertue of my honeste frendshipp with a shamefull feare to disclose your self vnto me doom regardes without argument of gladnes Do you thinke alas that I know not him whome I embrace no no I can not be so simple nor my iudgement blinded any longer in the knowledge of him whom the secret instinct of my harte discouered at my first entrey into this caue neither is there any part in me of iudment that doubteth you to be the same Seigneur Diego whose renowme resowndes thuttermost confynes of spaine and God forbid that I departe here hens without carieng with me the glorie of equal contentement to ii indifferently passioned in your absence the one to my selfe ioyinge in my happie fortune to drawe you out of the dongeoÌ„ of this calamitye the other in makinge so gladsome a present to your mother impartinge also the ioyful newes to your subiectes and seruantes whose eyes are not yet drie with the teares of your departure Here Dom Diego seing he could no loÌ„ger dissemble that which was so plainly disclosed construing to the best the thankeful coÌ„gratulacioÌ„s of his frend began to relente in his hart no lesse then the gladsom mother in recoueringe her childe that hath bene longe kepte from her or the chaste wiâ— loÌ„gâ— destitute of the presence of her deare husbaÌ„de reioyseth wheÌ„ she holdes him in her armes may embrase him at pleasure wherin being also indifferently passioned betwene delite dollor honest shame semblable feare passinge a declaratioÌ„ of his inwarde trouble of minde by the coÌ„duites of his eyes distilling streames of sorowe ioye by great aboundance retourned thimbrassements of his frende with no lesse hartie affection then the other with good will somoned this new acquaintance sainge Ah howe secret is the determination of God his iudgementes inscrutable I resolued here to attende the ende of my miserable dayes without making my intente priuie to any man in the worlde and lo nowe am I delâ—ried when I feared leaste my discouerie I am trulye sayeth he with a pitifull discharge of a nomber of dollorous sighes the same infortunat Diego and your deare frende who persecuted with continuall affliction and tormente of fortune was so weary of the worlde that I chosed this deserte habitation as a secrett receptacle to performe the reste of the voyage which nature hath enioyned me in this transâ—torie and wretched vale where seinge you haue vnhappely discouered me I beseche you by the honor of your name vertue of that frendship contynued betwene vs from the beginning let it suffice you that you haue séene me without procuring impedimente to the reste of my willing pennance by imparting the place of my retreate to any Wherunto Roderico did not only refuse to coÌ„disceÌ„de but also continuing his former earnest perswaded him to discoÌ„tinue that brutal lif with admonitioÌ„ y t God had made theim noble giuen theim authoritie not with charge to liue idle eyther in their pallaceis or other obscure place but so to bestowe their tallente y t with the exaÌ„ple of their vertue thignorant may be instructed in y e trade of honeste liuing the good men supported in their integritie the bad sorte kepte in awe by their iustice And for your part saith he how vainely may your subiectes people reioyse in that God hath blessed theim with a Lord to their contentacion yf affore thexperience of our vertue they loase the cause of their contentement what comfort or quiett thynke you can harbor within the carefull breste of your desolate mother who hath made the world happy with so honest a son bringinge you vp with suche diligence that you lacke nothing to make you parfect in this sort to loase the frute exspectacioÌ„ of such norriture it is you sir whoÌ„ dutie commaunds to yeld obedience to your parentes soccour to thafflicted do iustice to such as demaunde right at your hand alas it is your pore subiectes who lamenting your absence complaines of the wrong you do to theym in deÌ„nieng the vse of your presence it is you that ouerwhelmes tholde yeares of your mother with vntymely desolation it is you that reneweth the course of her continuall complaintes in breakyng your faith towching the day of your reatorne Wherwith thinpatience of Dom Diego in hearynge thobiections of his owne faltes brake his furder discourse excusyng him selfe in this sorte Yt is easie saieth he for hym that is well to compforte the sicke and harde for such as be in distres to admitt any councell in their euil you finde a facilitie to giue iudgemente of my disease beinge whollye ignorante of the cause accuse my absence rather by desier to do me good theÌ„ of any malice you owe to my wretched state but if you vnderstode the circunstance of my misfortune and the occasion that first moued me to make trial of this solitary life you wold conuerte I doute not this sinister conceite of the wronge which you charge me to do to all men to an oppinion of ryghte on my behalfe seing the most wise assured of al assailed with the lyke tormente of sprite which I féele quarrelling with the constancye of my mynde haue lefte example of faltes of no lesse fragilitie then myne I confesse is iustely meritorious of reprehencion wherewith drawing Rodorico aparte frome the reste he preferred a particular discourse of his loue his possibilitie good hope in y e beginning his sinister successe in th end withe the continu acion of the vniuste crueltye of his mistres whose name he cold not pronounce without suche fluddes of teares and skorchynge sighes that for the tyme they staied the course of his wordes mouinge suche compassion to the tender harte of Roderico that he was forced to kepe him companie w t semblable kindnes assaing notwithstanding to remoue the vaile of such desperat opinion with request to discontinue his sauage lyfe in the desolate forrestes wherein he preuailed asmuche as if he had vndertaken to perswade a multitude without a toung for that the resolued hermit told hym that he wolde not only
battaill or combatt of experienced knyghtes then an exercise of delicate youth not yet accustomed to beare the burden of armour and lesse acquainted with the trauell of warr wherewith aswell inconsideracion of the present towardnes in the wydowes son with corage to contynue hys trade so well begon as also to féede the hope and showe of his future vertue he was admitted the nexte mornynge into the order of knigthode inuested with the coller of sainte Andrewe and other ceremonies of spaine by the hande of the sayde Philipp who after he had fulfilled the date of his aboue at Barcelonia pursewed his iorney towardes Castile leauyng our newe knyghte Dom Diego reioysinge not a litle in his presente honor ymparted vnto him by his prince retiring with the newes of his good fortune to his owne possession and liuing more to performe tharrerages of his dutie to his mother whom the hadd not sene of longe tyme then with intente to make longe staye there or enter into delite with the pleasures y t be in the contrey wherof notwithstanding he receiued so sewer a taste that his captiuitye in the ende exceded euerye waye in greatnes of greff the restrainte of libertie or other mislike or impedimente he founde at any tyme in the Citye like as also the Poetes haue ymagined that loue pitchinge his tentes in deserte places not apte to discouerye dothe discharge his dartes and arrowes in the thicket of woddes and forestes vppon the borde of the Sea or shaded fountaines and some tyme vppon the heighte of the highest hilles in the pursewte of the Nimphes of all sortes iudginge therby a libertie and moste sewer waye to treate vppon matters of loue without suspicion Ielousye enuie false reaporte synister opinion or common crye of the people to be in the wide and open feldes where they maie be bolde to communicate their mutuall passion without feare of witnesses enioyinge also the pleasures of all kinde of chasses whiche the champion doth norrishe with participacion of the chirpinge harmonie and naturall musicke of birdes and somtime the delitefull noise of sondrye pleasante chanels and siluer streames qualyfyinge in their kinde the vehemencie of their languishinge greeffe and recordinge also with greate ceremonie the firste place of their amarus enteruiew or acquaintance arguynge thereby treble felicitie to suche as abandonynge the sondrie annoyes attendynge continuall abode in the Citie do resort to the pleasant lawndes in the contrey to yelde tribute of their studies to the muse wherunto they be most affected So Dom Diego beinge at hoame loued enterely of his mother serued with all dutifull obedience of his subiectes and seruantes after his ordinarie howers of studie were passed vsed his chief pleasure in thexercise of y e felde I meane some tyme to dislodge the great and loftie hart to dresse the toiles to entrapp the wilde boare and some tyme to trye the goodnes of his hawke with the mayne winge of the hearon or fearefull partridge in the stuble feldes or valleys inuyroned with huge hills wherein one daie amoÌ„gest the rest hunting the wilde goate whiche he had forced from his habitation of the high and craggie rockes he sawe launsing afore hym a harte whiche his dogges had rozed and so hoatly purse wed that to his iudgemente he seamed more then halfe spente wherewith aswell for the pleasure whiche the pastyme it selfe did offer hym as also to ease the traueile of his howndes he putt spurres to his horse forcinge hym to a mayne gallopp wherein he continued till his houndes loasynge the tracke of theyr praye were at defalte and hym selfe without the sighte and hearyng of all hys men wyth suche ignorance of the coste where he was that he knewe no readie waye of retourne to his companie and muche lesse the place where his fortune had put hym greuynge moste in this perplexitie that his horse beinge oute of breath refuced for wante of force to carye hym anye further wherfore after he hadd blowen diuers calls for his men without other aunswere then an Eccho of the woddes and waters he deuided his distresse into two pointes the one to demounte and ease the wearines of his horse the other to retire backe by the same path whyche broughte hym thither wherin his expectation was no lesse frustrate then hym selfe deceiued by the malice of his fortune for that meanyng to take the next way to his castell he mett with a contrarye pathe whiche after he had trauelled the moste parte of the afternoone broughte hym in the ende within the viewe of a stately house builded vppon the side of a hill whiche by certeine markes appearinge on thuttermoste partes of the house albeit argued the contrarie of his intente yet hearinge the bable of certeine hunters ymagininge the same to be his people drewe neare the place whiche discouered aboue his exspectacion A companie of strangers beinge certeine seruantes of the mother of GENIVERA whiche attended their mistres wyth a brase of younge greyhownds that had newlye â—â—â—â—ne a hare to deathe and beinge thus rencountred with this seconde misfortune he grewe also into tearmes of greater destresse then afore for that â—happroche of the nighte begynninge to expose shadoes of darknes vppon the earth by the departure of the son toke from hym all hope of other harbor then the offer of some hollowe trée or greene bedd vppon the grounde when lo thauncient Ladye discernynge betwene the viewe of her eye and regardes of the clowdes whiche hadd not yet cloased in the lyghte of the firmamente the shadowe of a man discendynge from the vppermost parte of a hil wyth his horse in his hande seamynge by his maiestie marching with the semblance of a prince to be some degrée of honor sente one of her men to knowe what he was who reatorned with aunswere accordynge to his demaunde wheruppon the Ladye wydowe with her faire doughter indifferently gladd of thapproche of theyr neyghbour whome albeit they neuer sawe yet fame had made theim partakers of his vertue renowme wente in solemne order to mete hym forgettynge no kynde of curteyse gretyng that belonged to the honor and estate of so noble a personage wherevnto he replied with thankes accordinge to the greatnes of the benefytt with addition that he founde hym selfe greatly in the fauor of fortune for that his painefull trauelle in wandryng so many howers had giuen hym at laste so fit an occasion to visitt the house whereunto he doubted not for his parte to confirme the league of frendshipp begon and happelye continued of longe time by his parentes and predecessours the Ladye whose longe absence from the courte had not diminished her grace in courtelike conference aunswered that if they haue greatest cause of contentements that gaineth the moste or if large benefittes require ample consideration it is she that ought to offer to fortune the sacrafize of thankesgeuinge for that she hadd brought her a guest no lesse deare then the life of her selfe and as welcome
as if the kynge of Spaine had don her the honor to visytt her castell whiche sturred vpp in hym a seconde offer of his seruice not onelye on her behalfe but also towardes the leaste ymppe deryued of her house wherewith Geniuera to assiste the contentement of her mother in the companye of the younge knighte with the pleasure she toke her selfe in his semelye conference craued in smylynge order a participacion in peculiar of the liberall offer whiche he exposed by generall tearmes to her mother and her whole house DOMDIEGO whiche had not yet exceded an ordinarie regarde in beholdynge the beautye of the younge Ladye founde cause in the misterye of her woordes to glaunce wyth more iudgement vppon her in suche sorte that at the instant he felt him self assailed with such soddaine alteration that his astonishment woulde not giue hym leaue to aunswere otherwayes then with a percynge glée of his eyes fedynge with firme contemplation vpon the freshe dye of white and red appearinge in all partes of her diuine face wherein also for a more decoracion of this wonderfull worke of nature thattire of her heade presented suche an artificiall deuise that it seamed she had the same daye some fore knowleage of the commynge of hym whome her beautye made prisoner and her crueltye enioyned a moste harde and longe penance for she had vppon the vttermoste parte of her heade a call or coronet of golde restynge vppon a wreath or garlande of flowers of sondrie coollors pletted by curious sleighte of the fingers within her enameled haires whiche couerynge one parte of her sholders dispersed theym selues also some time vppon her delicate forehead and some tyme wafynge vnpon her roasye chéekes accordyng to to the mylde breathe of the euenynge winde whiche gaue theym mouynge disposed theym selues with suche seamelye grace with increase to the beautye of her that ware theym that who had sene the porte and maiestie whiche nature ioyned to this rare worke woulde haue iudged that loue and the three graces had had no other place of harbor but in this pece of wonderful perfection At either of her eares hong two faire and riche orient perles whiche increased also the glée of her golden haires besides the large glistering forehead of this Nymphe whereupp on was sett a border of riche dyamondes founded vppon a frame of pure golde castynge suche pearcynge glymers to the beholders that it presented rather a ranke or order of shynynge starres when the elamente in the heate of the sommer is moste cleare exposynge beames of wonderful bryghtnes then an attire of a mortall creature whereuppon attended two sparklynge eyes assisted on eyther syde by an equall Simmetria or iuste proporcion with certeine knottes and borders of vaines of the coolor of azure with a special vertue to drawe and mortefie any harte made of the hardeste mettall that euer was yeldynge so liberallie their seruent beames that who so disposed hym selfe to contemplacion of thies two twinklyng starres was in no lesse daunger to loase the benefitt of hys sighte then in tymes paste wée reade certeine Philosophers became blinde vppon the mounte Olympium with continual regarde of the sonne to iudge the dispacicion of the heauens then appered her delicate nose aunsweringe in proportion the reste of her face deuidynge also her two chekes of the coollor of a fyne incarnatt resemblynge two rounde aples come alredie to the fulues of their maturitie nexte to the whyche succeded her courall mouthe breathinge a perfume more precious and sweete then any confection made of the Amber muske or other droge aromatike comynge oute of ARABIA and if some tyme she chaunced to disclose and open her lippes resemblyng in roundenes and collour two cheris in their full ripenes excedyng also the softnes of any thinge that euer was accompted delicate or tender there appered twoo rawes of perles of suche rare whitenes that thorient I say complayneth of wante of connynge to make comparison with the coullor of her téethe And so discending some what lower this Dyana discouered a necke whose complexion giueth cause of shame to the whitnes of the glorius lillie and makes blushe the pure allablaster her stomake also somewhat raised by two rounde and precius dugbugges of equall seperation was couered with a braue and softe vaile more tender then the thyn lawne whyche hyndred no waye the viewe of her trauellynge brestes panting and drawinge a pleasante breathe accordyng to the motion of thaffection whyche gouerned thinner partes of y e thoughtes of this earthlie goddesse who besydes all thys was assisted with a gyfte of suche naturall beautie bestowinge courteise regardes vppon all men accordyng to their indifferent meritt that the same made her no less worthie to bee honored and serued of the greatest princes of the worlde then the rarietie of her perfection restored her a merueile wonder to all menne whyche is a vertue farre from the moste parte of oure faire dames who glorienge in the glee of their beautie are moued I can not tell with what opinion of suche disdaine with desier to appere more perfecte then is necessarie that in sekyng to sette a fairer enamel of that whyche nature hathe made sufficientlye precious they do not only impaire the credit of renowme by suborned meanes of ymperfection of theym selues but also by their owne follye deface the glorie of that whyche sturreth vpp the chiefest cause of affection in men to do theym honor and seruice wherein as my purposse is not to discouer the doinges of any in such cases so I hope this allegation of a troth in couarte manner will defende me from the displeasures of suche as fynde theym selues infected with the humor of that follie wherwith in preferryng my integretie I wishe theym all as worthie as they are desierous to weare the badge of glorious beautie and so to Dom Diego whome I thynke you will iudge hadde sufficient cause of astonishement beynge so valyantlye assailed without thynkynge of suche an assalte wyth so stronge an armye as the beautie behauiour and princely shapp of this faire ympp and veraye nestcockle of nature eye I thynke that the moste sparynge pilgrym that euer vndertoke to mortefye hys bodye with painefull trauell in deuocion to anye sainte ▪ wolde haue renounced his vowe and caste a waye bothe skripp and staff to haue donne honour to so faire an obiecte as the beautie of this nymphe and I doubte whether she moste assured and staide Philosopher of olde tyme wolde haue made any conscience to forsake his profession of contemplacion of naturall thinges with iudgemente of thelamentes to haue disposed him selfe and skil to the seruice of so rare a perfection I thynke also that if the doughter of Mynos hadd bene fauored with semblable beautie and blyssed with equall giftes and grace of this Ladie that her Hipolites wolde haue lefte the shippe and dogges of Dyana to haue pursued the quest of so diuiue a misterye as appeared in all partes of this Geniuera