CAMONIKA gat by the helpe of those sprites and lymmes of the deuill inhabytynge that hellishe ylande certayne flowers gathered in the waine of the moone wyth droagues and other tromperie of witchecrafte requisite for coniurers and suche as occupye the pernicious trade of enchauntynge all whiche legerdemaines and deuises of Sathan were as auaileable to the furthering of thenterprise of Pandora as there is certentie or assuraunce in thopperacion of that darke and hellishe science what inuocation so euer they make of the name of God who beynge the father and author of all troth wyll neuer haue the triumphant glorye of his name polluted wyth the cursed ceremonies of suche ydolatryes neyther wyll he bowe downe his eares to the peticion of such Diabolicall deuynours who practisynge to seduce the simple sorte wyth charmes of sorceries do preferre the absolute destruction of theyr owne soule And trulye thalmightie whose iudgementes are inscrutable is content somtyme to suffer those confurers and enchaunters the veray officers of hel aswel for the scourge of our synnes as to manifeste theyr owne infidelitie to worke many greate and incredible wounders As we reade of the magicians in Egypte before Pharao thenchaunteresse stirrynge vp the sprit of Sâ—muell muell in the presence of Saule kinge of the Hebrues and Simon the coiurer honored as a God of the folishe prince and people of Rome to th ende the faythfull flocke strengthened and confirmed by the grace of the holye sprite maye glorye in theyr assured belyef in the true God by the peremptorye fal of those infedels together wyth all suche as vnhappelye lysten to theyr pernicious doctrine Here PANDORA seynge all her deuises accompanyed with a crooked fortune retourne a successe contrary to her meanynge began to enter into a newe passion of suche rage and dispaire that she had euen nowe dismissed the residue of her dayes by the fatall dome of her owne handes yf she had not bene eftsones interupted by FINEA who for thappeasinge of her present dule preferred vnto her the ayde of a graye frier a greate ghostly father in that Cytie whom she affirmed to haue wroughte meruelous effectes by the healpe of certeine distilled waters tempered wyth the iewice of stronge hearbes growynge secretlye within the intrailles of the earthe the nature of hidden stoanes and mettals pouders and séedas not knowen to manye wyth diuerse other suffumigacions incident to witchecrafte and who in déede was noted to haue bestowed more of hys tyme in the studie of that darke art and philosophie of Sathan then in tourninge ouer the sacred volumes of holye scripture and testament of the Lorde whiche oughte to bée the only exercise of those that are cladâ— in the habite of religion Beholde here an example of greate vertue in oure Abbaye men who beinge appareilled in a simple habite in signe of humilitye doe carie the deuill in the cowle of theyr hoodes And who accordynge to saint Augustin beinge the chiefe pillors that susteine supersticion are also the greatest frendes to ydolatrie dimâ—ynge the puritie of religion which they oughte to honor and professe with sincere ymitacion with a cloude of suche darknes of the deuises of the deuill that thonlye vapour of theyr poysoned infection is hable to corrupte the whole ayre wyth a contagiouse pestilence Howe shoulde the ignoraunt bée guided in the righte waye to saluacion if they whiche oughte to open the lyght of the gospell do giue manifest examples of errours or how can the glorye of God bée renoumed amongest men Yf they whiche standynge in the pulpit of truth and ought sincerelye to preache the lawe of the Lorde do conuerte theyr dutie towardes the true Religion into practises of Nygromancie and tearmes of inuocation of deuils vnprofitable memdres certeinlye deseruinge rather to bée vtterlye weded out of the common welth then norrished in the idle trade of an abbaye lownde to be suffred vnder the vaile of Godlynes and deuocion to practise haynous conspiracies againste God and man But what doe I medle thys parte of my historye wyth thoffice of the preacher to whome it chiefilye belongeth to treate vppon the sondrye abuses committed daylye in Nonries and other lyke tenementes of Babylon To this holye father then commes Pandora with a countenaunce all cladd wyth sorowe declarynge the circumstaunce of her loue passed the cause of her present passion with the whole discourse of her former lyfe hitherunto crauynge wyth greate intercession in the ende thassistance of his arte for moderation in the martiredome which she endured by the feruent affection she bare to the knighte The freare notwitstanding his vowe and straite othe of his order had not his conscience so armed wyth the vertue of charitye nor his handes so cleane washed from the couetous desyer of fylthie gaine but he receyued certeine peces of golde of Pandora whome he persuaded shoulde buye certeine drogues and other necessaries whiche he thought conuenient for the makynge of hys Diabolicall confection but to be shorte theis charmes and deceitfull perfumes of the freare were of equall operation in this enterprise to the hearbes and other healpes lately gathered in the vale Camonika by the woman of Pandora who seing her selfe vtterly defyed of fortune in receiuyng semblable successe in all her magicall deuises expectynge withall a spedie retourne of her husbande determined to reuenge the desloyaltie of her louer vpon the frute sturryng in her owne wombe beynge nowe vj. monethes since she conceiued thinkyng she sholde neuer be voyde of desyer to sée PARTHONOPE or at least to reuenge his treason vntill she had vtterlye extirped the rootes of that séede whiche he had sowen in the soile of her tender sydes Oh crueltye more then barbarous Is it possible that a Gentelwoman of so tender yeres deriued of honest parentage norrished in ciuilitie and that whyche more is a Christian borne in the harte of EVROPE shold so muche forget the feare of God and regarde to his lawes as in augmentynge the haynous faulte of the wronge alredye don againste her husbande by so many and vnchaste adulteries to committ in the ende an execrable effusion of the blood deriued of the droppes of her owne substance Oh howe cursed and vnhappye is the condicion of them that declinynge for wante of grace from the pathe of reason do suffer theim selues to bée ledd by the lyne of fleshelye appetyt the chiefest meane that makes vs forgett God and all good order For this PANDORA desyrous to couer her faulte albeit not hable to hide her bigge bellye assayed to destroye the creature mouynge within her by crushynge her sydes wyth greate force drynkynge cawdels made for the nonst and swallowinge diuerse other pouders of such strong confection that theyr vehement operation within her had bene able to preuaile aboue the strengthe of the highest complexion of the worlde Albeit seynge her exspected successe of this beastelye pollecye was also denied her she deuised a laste meane for the accomplishment of
father sometyme also excercisinge the indeuor of the nedle A recreacion most conuenient for widowes and all honeste Matrones neuer beinge séene abrode but of holye and great festiuall dayes when she wente in deuoute maner to the churche to here the diuine seruice of God beinge vnhappelye espied for all that of an ALBANOYS Captaine a noble Gentelman thereabout hauynge for the credit of his vertue and valiantnes in Armes the charge of certayne troupes of horsemen who glauneynge at vnwares vppon the glystrynge beames of her beautie became so desyrous eftsones to encounter the same that with the often viewe of her stately personage and generall fame of her many vertues he became so in loue with her that for spedye ease of his present griefe he was dryuen to put his request vpon tearmes makynge fyrste his sighes and sadde countinance his sollitary Complexion of face often gyuen to chaunge his dolorous state and pytifull regardes of the eye when he was in her companye forced nowe and then to abandon the same because he could not kepe hym frome teares his often gretynge her wyth salutations in amorous order courtyng her now then wyth letters dyttyes and presentes of great pryce wyth a thousande other vayne importunityes whych loue dothe ymagine to animate hys Soldiours his chiefest Ministers to bewraye hys intente and solicite his cause whereof the effecte retourned no lesse frustrate then the deuise yt selfe oughte to seame vayne in the eye of all wyfe men for she whose harte coulde not be earste perced wyth the malyce of her former fortune nor be brought to stowpe to the lure of aduersitye thoughte it a greate faulte to let loue or folye make anye breache wher so many hoate assaultes and causes of dispayre had bene valiauntlye resysted and vtterly repulsed for profe wherof beinge wholly wedde as yet to the remembrance of her deade husband she woulde neyther admitt hys clyentes nor gyue audience to his embassadours but dismissed bothe the one and the other with semblable hope whiche broughte the Captayne in suche case that it seamed to hym a harder matter to compasse the good wyll of his Ladye then to gouerne an armye or plante a battrye wyth the aduauntage of the grounde and place neither was he hable to wythdrawe his affection or mortifye the fyer newly burst oute to flame because the remeÌ„braunce of her beautye the often viewe of her vertue enlarged by the generall fame of all men together wyth the noblenes of her race enrolled in the recordes of Antiquitye presented a more desyere in hy n wyth care to obtayne her and aggrauated his griefe in beynge repulsed of that whiche his harte hadde alredye vowed to honor tyll the extreme date of hys dayes neyther had he the face eftefones to attempte her of hym selfe and muche lesse to deâ—yste from the purseute of hys desyere but beynge at the pointe to incurre the hazarde of dispayre beholde loue preferred a newe and moste sewer meane wyllynge hym to craue the assistaunce of her brother who beynge hys deare frende and companion in armes in the seruyce of diuers Princes afore tyme he made no lesse accompte of his furtheraunce then yf he had alredye gotten hys frendshippe wherfore delaying no moment of tyme but plyinge the waxe whilest the water was warme he accoasted the yonge man at a conuenient tyme and roued at hym in thys shorte sorte It is my deare frende and compagnion a vertuous disposition to be readye in well doyng and easye to assiste honeste requestes whiche to your nature hathe bene alwayes no lesse peculiar then to me nowe a courage in so honeste a case to craue youre ayde neyther can the vertue of true frendshippe more lyuelye appeare or thoffice of assured frendes more amplye bee discerned then in makynge the greffe of the one common to bothe and beare the gyfte of tyme and fortune indifferentlye wyth mutuall affection and lyke zeale on bothe partes wherein for my parte I woulde I had as good meane to make declaracion of my true harte towardes you as of longe tyme I haue vowed to be yours to the vttermoste of my power and you no lesse desyer to doo me good then your diligence and assistance of frendshippe is moste hable to stande me in steade in my present case of no lesse importance then the verye sauegarde of my lyfe which laste wordes made the Modonoyse replye with lyke franke offer of mynde protest ynge vnto hym by the fayth of a soldiour that if euer he felte anye mocion in hym selfe to doe hym the least good of the worlde his desyer was double to requite it proferinge here with for a further shewe of his good meaninge and declaration of fayth to racke his powre on his behalfe so farre fourth as eyther lyfe lyuing or honour would beare him but he whose desyer tended not to things impossible nor sought to maintaine warre against the heauens reaposinge muche for him selfe in the offer of his frinde thought the conquest was halfe wone when he had promised his assistaunce and because ther lacked nothing but to vtter his griefe he tolde him that the thynge he desyered woulde bringe aduauncement to them bothe and because saith he I will cleare the doubte whiche seames to trouble you you shall vnderstande that the beautye gyftes of grace and other honest partes in your syster haue so inchaunted my senses that hauyng alredye loste the vse of my former lybertie I can not eftesones be restored with out the spedye assistaunce of her good will neyther haue I other powre of my selfe or consolation in my present extremitye then suche as is deriued of the hope which I haue hereafter to enioye her as my lawfull wyfe for otherwayes I am as voyde of foule meanynge to worke her dishonnor for the seruent loue I beare her as free from intente to procure so greate a spot of infamie to the house whiche norrished you both in so great honour And to be plaine with you the glymerynge glances of her twinklynge eyes together with a princely maicstie which nature hath leute her aboue the rest of the Dames of our dayes hath made my hart more assaltable apte to admitt parley then eyther the noyse of y e canon or terrour of the enemye howe great soeuer they haue appeared haue hertofore feared me whiche makes me thinke that ther is eyther som celestial or deuine mysterie shrowded vnder the vayle of her beautye making me therby yelde her honor in hope of preferment or els by the angry consent of my cursed dostines it is shee that is appointed to paie thintrest of my former lybertie in transformynge my auncient quiet into a thousand anoyes of vneasye tolleracion And albeit I haue hethertd reserued the maydenhed of my affection and lyued no lesse frée from thamarous delites or desyers of women yet being now ouertaken and tyed in the chaines of true affection I had rather become captiue and yelde my self prisoner in the pursute of so
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
whoÌ„ he gaue warning of his coÌ„ming by a foreryder of his coÌ„ pany who also for his part as he had receiued suche coÌ„pfort in exspectacioÌ„ of theffect of y e promise of his freÌ„d y t in y e tyme of his absence he seamed to recouer y e best part of his auncient bewty so y e newes of thaproch of his mistres breathed in him such doble passioÌ„ of Jeleose ioy and doutfull feare that seaming vncertein wherin to resolue himself durste skarcely admit a possibilitie in that wherof y e message ymported absolute assurance yelding notwithstanding speciall thankes to the director of the starres for thys laste fauor showed vpon his distresse in preferrynge hym to the sighte of her who beynge thée cause of hys tormente maye also put her laste hande to hys fatall execution for wythe what greater ioye or contentemente saythe hee canne can I visit the darke shadoes and ghostes disburdned of this lyfe then to yelde vp breath in the presence of her whom if I haue honored in my life it is nothing in respect of the seruice my soule hath vowed on her behalfe in the other world in goinge affore to performe the office of her harbinger amonge the Angels in paradise in the meane while Dom Roderico who hetherto had not discouered himselfe to Geniuera was disarmed and with open face accosteth her as she rydes debating with her in this sort I dowt not at all but you finde it very straunge to sée me in this place in such attyre and vpon an occasion so contrary to the rancke and honor I professe the rather by thexperience of the present Iniury you thinke you haue receiued by me who hetherto haue borne the face of an affectioned frende to all your house and me thinke I sée how you dispose your selfe to accuse thiniustice of my cause in forcinge you to exchaunge the companie of your deare frende to commit you to the societie of these deserte confines wherein also as I haue nothing to defend me from ymputacioÌ„ of iust blame on your behalfe but the vertue of that true frendship which knittes together with an indissoluble vnitie the hartes of men so for your part if you will rightly measure my honest meaninge in this enterprise and remouing the vaile of pertiall disdayne disgest the angrie beginning with ymagynacion of a pleasante ende I dare abide the sentence of your in different iudgement whether I be wholly worthie of reprehencion or you altogether voyde of falte I besech you also consider that the true and loyal seruante indeuoringe hymselfe to performe to thuttermoste the will of hym that hath power to commaunde hym dothe not only deserue a chiefe place of fauor with his Lord but also a consideracion according to the merit of his seruice whych I do not infer to solicit my thankes wyth you whom I haue rather offended then contented in exposing on effecte of honest zeale I owe to all verteus and chast Ladyes whereof for your parte you shall fynde me no nigardee on your bebehalf in time and place of nede desiering you in dismissing al sinister conceites of vnworthie grudge to preferr no less modestie then oughte to accompanie a gentlewomaÌ„ of your age calling seing that honor seameth beste contented with the place subiecte where he remeineth vsing curtesie then in abusing their greatnes to preferre malicious crueltye and because we approche neare the place where I intende God willing to presente you cutting of now your suspeÌ„ce with an exposicion of my meanynge you muste note that that whiche is alreadye paste with the residue yet to be performed tendeth to no other ende then to releue the distresse of y e most loyal louer that this daye hath his being vnter the circle of the moâ—e Yt is the noble valyante knighte Dom Diego the moste constante seruan te that euer bare name to be worthie to do seruice to any Ladye who for the respecte of your displeasure hath registred hymselfe amydd the hideus rockes of theis sauage and solitarie valleys it is to hym I leade you protestinge to you by the heauens that the miserie wherein I sawe hym plunged on all sides not sixe wekes passed touched me so neare that if the sacrifize of my life onelye woulde haue discharged the price or raunsom of his martirdom you had bene frée from this passion of perplexitie by my meanes and I not partaker of theis angrie regardes which threaten the vtter losse of your good will wherin as it is only I that haue committed the offence if there be any falte at all so I beseche you let me onlye endure the punishment with requeste that you extende compassion vpon the desolation of him who almoste wasted with pyninge miserie reaposeth for your sake a felicitie in thextremitie of his hard pennance If Geniuera were halfe desperat afore for the death of her Biskaine louer it is now she is readie to excede the lymittes of raison frettinge with such inwarde spite against the simple recorde of the name of Diego y t her malicious rage forcing a scileâ—â—ce for the time driue her to a respit in forminge her aunswere albeit as the passioÌ„ of impatience is neither so perillous nor of such continuaÌ„ce as other traunces accidental or proper so vnclosing her eyes she fixed theim vpon Roderico with no lesse furious regard then the tigress beholding y e deuouring of her whelps afore her face and wringing her handes with her long and smale armes a crosse vppon her tender breste she exclaymed against his discourtesie in this sorte Ah mordring traitor saieth she no more worthie of the honor of knightehodd for that thou hast forfeited thy faith by a detestable traison is it vpon me thou oughtest to wreake such an effecte of thy malicious villanye or hast thou dissembled thy grudge so longe with a showe of fliering fauor like the cockadrell towardes all our house to vomitt thy venim vpon me who neuer deserued but wel at thy handes Haste thou the face to intreate me for an other seinge in my presence thou hast killed him whose blood I wil purse we vpoÌ„ the thine so longe as I haue one gaspe of breath to accuse thy villanie what authoritye hast thou to inquire of my doinges or impesh my determination or in what sorte am I bound to yelde y e accoÌ„pte of any resolution of mine who hath made the arbitrator or much lesse giuen the coÌ„mission to debate vpoÌ„ tharticles of my mariage onlesse thy malice will force me to loue that desloyall villaine for whom thou haste coÌ„mitted an acte of perpetuall infamie to thy name whereof also for my part I wil reserue such remeÌ„brance in the store-house of my hart that only death shal take awaie y e desier to reuenge the wrong thou hast done me albeit fortune hath made me thy prisoner with power to dispose of me at thy pleasure yet haue I one resistance to defeate the extremitie of thy force
to resorte thereunto and learne by othermens misdéeds to direct better his owne doinges and not with th' exchange of the worlde to alter also his minde but rather asmuche as lyeth in hym to ymitate the lyfe and conuersation of theym who haue lyued well before wherein seinge in this worlde the nature of man in all ages althoughe the singler personnes bee chaunged remeineth stil one so also the good fortunes felicities calamities and miseries whyche happen both in publike gouernement and to euerye priuate state tourne alwayes to one effect and are lyke those of tymes paste so that by the benefyt of stories presentinge afore oure eyes a true kallender of things of auncient date by the commendacion of vertuous and valyaunt personnes and actes we be drawen by desyer to treade the stepps of their renowme and on thother syde considering the sinister fortune horrible cases which haue happened to certeine miserable soules we behold both th' extreme points wherunto the fraile condicion of man is subiect by infirmitie and also are thereby toughte by the viewe of other mens harmes to eschew the like inconueniences in our selues wherein righte honorable like as I haue rather touched sleightelye then vsed tearmes of commendacion at large according to the worthynes of so precious a Iewell as the knowledg of histories for that now a dayes euery mans mouth is open to commende the frute distilling from so florishynge a vine â—o for my part beyng more forwarde then hable to discharge my zeale in that behalfe haue bestowed some of my voyed howers whilest I was in the other sides the Sea in forcynge certeyne Tragicall Discourses oute of theyr Frenche tearmes into our Englishe phrase presumyng to commende vnto your Ladishypp the frutes and effecte of my trauayle folowynge therein the order of suche as haue spente tyme in the lyke studye who are wounte to declare theyr good wyll by bestowynge theyr labours wherewithe beinge vnhappelye denyed other frendshypp of fortune to make good my desyer in gyuing an vnfayned showe of the dutye and seruice I owe you and the house whereof you tooke youre begynnynge am here vppon tearmes of humilitye for preferment of this rude and simple dedication of theis forrein reapportes to youre honor to whose vertues as I haue chiefelye respected to gyue due renowme by preferrynge a true purtraict of your conuersation and lyfe in the vertues giftes and ornamentes of the noble ANGELIQVA chaste PAROLYNA constant IVLIA and renowned CARMOSYNA wyth others whose integretye of life hath gyuen theim a crowne of immortalitye wyth a glorious remembrance of theyr names for euer after theyr deathe so my seconde indeuor was bent to obserue the necessitie of the tyme chiefly for that vppon the viewe and examples of oure Auncesters lyues the fraile ympes of this age maye fynde cause of shame in theyr owne abuses wyth desyer to exchaunge their badd condicion and order of lyuynge wyth the studye and desyer to ymitate the vertue of their predecessours whose lyfe and renowme after death argueth the vndoubted rewarde at tendynge as a thynge of course the vertuouse and well disposed where of the contrarye appeare wounderfull tormentes and sharpp pennaunce prouided to plage the abhominable and vicious lyuer Besides it is a principle and chiefe rule in our nature and disposition to bee rather instructed by examples of familyar authorityes then reformed by seueritye of lawes for that the one seames to gouerne vs by awe and commaundement and in the other appeares a consent of oure fancie marchinge alwayes accordynge to the direction of our owne willes for whiche cause the Historians of olde tyme in theyr seuerall recordes of the actes conquestes and noble attemptes of Princes and greate men haue lefte oute nothynge seruynge for the ornamente and institution of mannes lyfe not forgettynge to sett oute also in naturall coollers theyr tyrannye and other vices withe contempte of vertue yf theyr lyues were founde guiltye in any suche offence But when they paynte oute a good kynge a magistrate without touche of partiall or couetous mynde a courtyar loyall and withoute dissimulation A minister of the Churche not smellynge of hypocrysye but searchynge purelye the honor of God A Ladye chaste honeste curteouse a louer of charitye vsynge a deuoute reuerence to God and feare to hys lawes yt is then that they allure by traines of familyaritye euerye succession to embrace and beholde as in a glasse the vndoubted meane that is hable and wylt brynge theym to the lyke perfection in vertue whyche also moued me to vse a speciall discrecion in coollynge oute suche examples as beste aggreed wyth the condicion of the tyme and also were of moste freshe and famylyar memorye to the ende that wyth the delyte in readynge my dedication I maye also leaue to all degrees an appetitt and honeste desyere to honor vertue and holde vice in due detestation And albeit at the firste sighte theis discourses maye importe certeyne vanytyes or fonde practises in loue yet I doubte not to bée absolued of suche intente by the iudgement of the indifferent sorte seinge I haue rather noted diuersitie of examples in sondrye younge men and women approuynge sufficientlye the inconuenience happenynge by the pursute of lycenceous desyer then affected in anye sorte suche vncerteine follyes For heare maye bée séene suche patternes of chastetye and maydes so assured and constant in vertue that they haue not doubted rather to reappose a felicitye in the extreme panges of death then to fall by anye violent force into the daunger of the fleshelye ennemye to theyr honour In lyke sorte appeareth here an experience of wounderfull vertues in men who albeit hadd power to vse and commande the thinge they chieflye desyered yet bridlynge wythe maine hande The humour of theyr inordinate luste vanquished all mocions of sensualytye and became maisters of theym selues by abstaynynge from that whereunto they felte prouocation by nature who desyereth to sée the follye of a foolishe lover passionynge hymselfe vppon creditt the impudencie of a maide or other woman renouncynge the vowe of her fayth or honor due to virginitie the sharpp pennance attendynge the rashe choice of greate Ladyes in séekynge to matche in anye sorte wythe degrées of inferior condicion or who wisheth to bée priuie to th'inconueniences in loue howe he frieth in the flame of the fyrste affection and after groweth not onelye colde of hymselfe but is easelye conuerted into a contrarye shapp and disposition of deadlye hate maye bée heare assisted wyth more then double expeperience touchinge all those euills the curtesie of an enemye on the behalfe of hys aduersarye wythe a wounderfull lyberalitye in the other in retournynge the benefytt receyued is heare set furthe in fuche lyuelye coollers that there seames to lacke nothynge for the ornament and decoracion of suche a wooke And who takes pleasure to beholde the fyttes and panges of a frantique man incensed to synister conceites by the suggestion of frettynge Ielouzye forcynge hym to effectes of absolute desperation
By toyling trade the trifling wares which they for money sel Then why should Fenton feare to purchace prayse of men To whom he fraÌ„ckely gyues the gift of this his pleasant pen If he his busye browe haue beate for our auayle And for our pleasure taken paynes why should his guerdon fayle No gredye golden fee no Iem or Iewell braue But of the reader good reporte this writer longes to haue No man of meanest witt no beast of slender brayne That thinckes that such a volume great is wrought with slender pain The thinge it selfe declares what toyle he vndertooke Ere Fentons curious fyle could frame this passing pleasant booke The Frenche to Englishe phrase his mother language hee The darcke to lighte the shade to sonne hath brought as you may see The learned stories erste and sugred tales that laye Remoude from simple common sence this writer doth displaye And what before hee tooke his painfull quyll to write Did lurcke vnknown is playnelie now to be disternd in sight Nowe men of meanest skill what Bandel wrought maye vew And tell the tale in Englishe well that erst they neuer knewe Discourse of sundrye strange and Tragicall affaires Of louynge Ladyes haples haps theyr deathes ad deadly cares And dyuers thinges beside wherby to flee the darte Of vyle deceytefull Cupids bowe that woundes the louers harte Synce this by Fentons meane and trauayle thou doct gayne Good reader yeld hym earned prayse and thanckes for taken paine Then I that made this verse shall thincke as well of the As Fentons worke doth well deserue accompted of to be PETER BEVERLEY IN PRAISE of the translator RYfe is the rule that blames the Idell mynde The ground as great that blaseth trauels gayne Eache tonge can tell a vvorld of vyces kynd And Scacred lynes appoints offences payne But Fenton shovves in svvete and sugred stile What pleasaunt bayte doth eache state beguile What carelesse youth that sees the toylyng Ant But shames to vveare his goulden tyme in vayne VVhose tender lymmes in sommer tyme do haunt The frutfull felds to rest in Borias Rayne VVhen she doth sucke the svvete of heruest toyle And fynds in frost relefe in dryed soyle The slender store that sum do novv possesse VVhose idell boones did loth in youth the lode To those that lyue suffyseth to expresse The loytring child in age knovves no abode But as the shippe tost vvith the byllovv greate So he doth yelde him selfe to fortunes threte VVhat pride deserues vvhat is blacke hatreds hiere VVhat enuye theft vvhat is the mysers mede In fyne vvhat fovvle offence vvhat fact so dire But scripture shovves his rights if thou list rede VVherby each may both shunne the vilest sinne And learne such lyfe as lasting Ioye doth vvinne But Fentons frame hath vvouen an other vvebbe His paynfull penn hath died a straunger hevve He tels vvhen vvitt is in his lovvest ebbe And vvarns the Shunne the bayne that coms by vievve VVhich so doth chaunge the sence of euery vvight That from a man to beast it tournes him quitt As vvhen the mynd through vvant of reasons rayne Vnbridled yelds to fond affections force And feding still the hart vvith amours vayne Conuert each part vnto a sencles cors VVherin he lyues so odde from right and lavve As mountayn beare that prayes deuoyd of avve And subiect thus vnto svvete folyes lore If vvishe he vvinne he shovves vvhat sovver svvete The pacient suckes vvhat bytter blisse in store He heapes vvhen age vvith iudgment iust shall mete VVhen profe shall saye of all vnhappyest vvight That reapest care in lyevv of hopte delight But if disdayne shall quyt him vvith dispyght And yeld him loth for long desired grace Then stabbing glayue the desperat brest must smyte Or frantycke vvyse runne out a sauage race Thus if of gladd or sad he happ the gayne Both haue this end in loue nought is but vayne VVhich reckles race to bring in vvisdoms guyde And for to raine vvith bytt of better skill My paynfull frend did this discours prouide As brake to breake affections lavvles vvill Gyue Fenton then but freuts of his desert And gather thou that best maye please thy hart P. B. The argument I Meane nothere to increase the merueile of menne withe a particular description of the sumptuous buildinges of Princes the magnificall scites and scituations of greate mens houses nor restore to memory the wounderfull pollecies and artificiall deuises of oure Auncestoures in making plats and firme fondacions of Castels and Cities in the bottom of the sea and muche lesse trouble you withe a reaporte of their ingenious trauaill in castinge downe hils and makynge Craggy mountaynes flat with the face of the earthe or forcing stonie Rockes with places here to fore impassible to oppen and make waye to their huge armies but I haue in presente intente to discouer vnto you the meruellous effects of loue which excedinge the opynion of common thynges seames more straunge then the curious construction and frame of any Pallais for necessitie or pleasure threatrie or place of solace buylded by art or industrie of man or other stately Court what sqware quadrante or triangle forme so euer it conteines or other misticall worke yeldinge cause of wonder to the vniuersitie of the earthe seing that a mortal grudge grounded vppon greate spite confirmed withe the continuance of a longe time and pursued extremelye wythe bloddye persecution and vnnaturall crueltie is not onely conuerted vpon a sodaine into perfecte frendeshippe but also by an effecte and operation of loue made so indissoluble that no future accidente or synister deuise of enemyes could once make a breache and muche lesse vtterly dissolue the league of amity so happely begon and sewerly knite together by the vertue of affection whyche wee call commonlye the passion procured by loue wherunto is also added alike effecte of a thankefull mynde arguing vnto vs whythe a famyliar example that as ingratitude is the greatest vice y e raynes in the disposition of man and principall ennemy to the honor of nobilitie soo the contrary deserueth by iustice the tytle of the moste precious vertue y t is wherein as the Thebans were shamefully reproched for the respect of their greate Capttaines Epaimy nondes and Pelopides so the Plateons on the contrarye were worthely renounâ—ed for the large recompence and consideracion they vsed to the benefyte of the Greekes who deliuered them from the seruitude of the Persians like as also the Sycyoniens weare yet the crown of eternal comendacion for the thankefull returne of the curtesye of Aratus by whome they were frankely taken oute of the handes of cruell tyrantes if the acte of Philip Marya late Duke of Myllan deserueth detestacion for the vnnaturall crueltye he committed vppon the person of his wife who albeit was equall in nobilitie exceded him in the giftes of fortune and large possessions of indifferente beaw tye to content a reasonable man nothinge inferior to the beste Ladye of the countrye in
thornaments of nature and giftes of grace and yelding hym besides suche honor and honest loue as was necessary for the state of mariage yet notwithstandinge was he so vnthankefull to all these benefites that after he had called the flower of her beautye and forced her to passe an assuraunce of her goods and lynynge to his vse hee committed secret execution washed his handes in the blod of thâ—infortunate Ladye contrarye to all ciuilytie or lawe of nature if he I saye seame iustly meritorious of reproche we maye worthely imparte treble prayse to a barbarous Turke and admirall of the countrey of Arabia who being ouerthrowen in y e bataile foughten in that countrey by Bandwin king of Ierusalem him selfe and wife prisoners with his treasure and municion of warre at the disposition of the sayde kinge and beinge dismissed frely without exaction or raunsom and his wife restored withoute violacion or force of her bodye iudged it a vertu not to be ouercome in magnificence and liberalitye and a mortal vice to beare the title of an vnthankefull Prince whereof he made declaracion for that not longe after the sayde Bawdwine beinge beseged of the infidels and by distresse of warre at point to fal into their mercy the sayde admyral not vumindefull of the compassion he showed vpon his misery brake into him by nighte and withe certeine assistantes of horsemen preuented his present perill and set him safelye vppon his waye from al offer or feare of daunger All whiche I haue coated in this introduction for that my historye importes ii examples of semblable substance the one exposinge a wonderfull effecte of frendshipp on the behalf of his ennemie and the other retorninge his liberalitye withe suche ample consideration that there is no degre in any Corner ofchristendom-but may se an experience of vertue in the doings of theÌ„ both Wherein I wishe chiefly a perticipacion of the fruite of such examples to all sortes of our contriemen in englande to th ende wee maye forme our lyues vpon y e verteous presedents of such strangers as preferringe vertue afore vice haue bene more curious to get a true renoume of reputacion then carefull of a vaine gloriouse or folyshe pomppe of the world A WONDERFVL VERtue in a gentlman of Syenna on the behalfe of his ennemye whoÌ„ he delyuered from Death and the other to retorne his courtesye vvith equall frendshyp presented him with his sister whom he knew hee loued entierlye IN the â—ecewles or Comentories of tuskan I find a special Remembraunce of a mortall grudge betwene ij of the moste noble houses in SYENNA called Salimbino and Montanino whereof as bothe the one and other were of semblable Reputation for honour and height of estate so were they of equall Rule authoritie in the gouernement of their publike weale whose parentes allbeit and predecessours were of singler commendation by the vertue of mutuall societye whiche appeared so entyer and indissoluble betwene theim by manye discentes that the writers in that age douted not to tearme theym no lesse true myrrroers patterns of perfect frendship then either HORESTES or PYLLADAS which y e Romain oratour Makes so famous by peculiar commendation yet according to the opinion of Aristotle as children commonly do Rather excede their fathers in vice then Resemble them in vertue so the posteretyes of these noble houses in place to perseuer in the vertue of their parentes or treade in the steppes of their aunciente amytie in the verie entrey of their florishing time when al men were in exspectacion of verteous frutes like to their fathers withe hope to confirme the league of their long frendeshippe they embrased sinister occasions of ciuil mutines grouÌ„ding great quarrels vpon slender or smal substance with a dispocition and equall desyre the one to pursewe the other wyth such fatal hate and vnnatural tyranny that as the one was almost brought euen to the brinke of vtter desolation of hys house and Reuenue so the other triumphing allbeit in the Conquest of his enemye escaped not only with out perentory perill of him selfe losse of A nomber of his deare kinsmen and Companions of Race but also was enioyned to so harde A penance that he lyued alwayes after in the contynuall grudge and desdaine of the people the viewe of whose malice preferring A wonderful remorce of conscience with Remembrance of the fowlenes of the facte passed pursewed hym with alarams of vnnaturall and frettinge disquiet of minde euen vntill the last separation of his soule and body And here if you conferre the quarrell with the cause and waighe in indiffrent ballance the mischiues morders with infinit inconueniences deriued of so small occassions you nede not doubt to ioyne in opinion with Paulus Iouius other writes worthy of no lesse Credyte then of greate fame for learning and skil who amongest other generall discriptioÌ„s of Italy geueth her this peculiar CommendacioÌ„ that beyng subiect to thinfluence of a crabbed Clymate and quarrelus coÌ„stellacion termes her to be of al the world the only store-house for percialites and Ciuill faccions and market place of Tumultes suborned trobles which I colde also iustefie by thautority of the warres betwene the florentynes and the Syennoys with other frée states in y e contreye besids the eiuil discencioÌ„ among the nobility w t vnnaturall persecutions of families kinreds sauing y t the discourse wold seame more tedius then necessarye and kepe me to longe from the principal points of my history which calles me now to perform my promisse and satisfye the expectacion of the rearder No man Douteth I am sewer that aswel antiquity as people of present being haue not had in general regard peculiar delyte the noble exercise of hunting diuers kynds of chases no lesse for the respect of pleasure then euitacioÌ„ of diuers disco modities happenyng oftentymes to the husbandmen by the wilde boare and wolfe with other beasts of equall fercenes and like annoye wherin albeit besides the contentment of the mynde ther is to be coolled a necessarye fruite of double commoditie the one to sturre vp the ydle crewe of delicate persons hauntyng the houses of great men to the exercise and ymitation of honest traueill the other representyng the very sleyghtes and pollecies in warre instructes the young gentlemen not hable as yet to endure the hardnes and experience of the fyelde to discerne the aduauntage of the place the subtelty in dressing his ambushe for beynge discouered his tyme to dysplaie the same to the disaduantage of the enemy the order howe and when to geue the charge with an enforcynge of corage to pursewe the chasse so farre as good gouernement wil giue leaue yet is not thys pleasaunt skirmishe and necessary recreation for youth wythout some agument of great and almoste absolute assurance of diuerse sortes of misfortunes for wee reade that MELEAGER loste his lyfe in killing the wilde boare of CALIDONA Cephale for the lyke respect kylled hys deare
on thaduerse partie is leaste exspecte or hope of succoure for how canne a man lay a more sewer soundation of perpetuall glorye then in correctinge the humoure of hys fowle appetite and conquerynge the vn bridled affections of the wilful mind to make them bound vnto the by thy benefyts who wer in dispaire to receiue any pleasure at thy hands y t whiche declaration of true vertue lyke as it happeneth so seldom amongest men now a dayes that we may ve raye well terme it a thinge excedinge the common course and order of nature So he that wyll chalenge the title of true nobilitie seame to excel the rest in thappeale of perfect honor muste prefer in publike suche absolute effects of hys worthynes and vertue as the same may iustlye appeare meritorious of an immortal memory in the successe of al future ages The chiefest pointes of so large cōmendacion which so many recordes of antiquitye do attribute vnto the greate Dictatoure CESAR consiste more in the clemencye hée vsed to his ennemies being vanquished and vnder the awe of hys mercye then in the mortall and manye battailes he fought agaynst the valiaunte GALLES and britons or subduing the renowned POMPEY the grrat ALEXANDER deserued no lesse honor for the pytie and curtesie hee vsed towardes SYSIGAMBIS the mother of DARIVS with other desolate Ladyes whyche hée tooke prysoners in the battaile foughte at Arobella thenne fame in the conqueste of the kynge and contreye of PERCIA and MEDIA and at the death of the wyfe of DARIVS in hys camppe hee let fal no lesse effucion of teares then if hée had bene presente at the buriall of OLYMPIAS his naturall mother neyt her coulde hee haue made so greate a conqueste of the whole easte worlde wyth hys small crewe and companye of MACEDONIANS if he had not subdued more contreys by clemencye thenne force of armes besydes who is ignorante of the late curtesye of DON RODERICO VIVANO of Spayne who all bée it myghte haue reuenged thinfydelytye of DON PIETRO thenne kyng of Aragon for that hée wente a bowte to ympeshe his expedicion agaynst the sarazins being then at Granado did not only for beare to punish hym or put hym to ransom but also beinge his prisoner by order and lawe of armes dismissed hym into his countreye with no lesse honour then belonged to his estate withoute any exaction of his person or realme wherin for my parte the more I reaue in the rariety of their noble vertues so muche the more oughte I to increase my indeuor in thymitacion of the like examples and of the crontrary what great cause haue I to preferre a continuation of the grudge ended alredye by warre or why shoulde I sturre vp eftefones a freshe Remembrance of the faulte alredye forgeuen what iniury haue they don to me ormine which was not retorned vnto them without intrest of double reuenge admit their predecessours haue bene ennemies to my house haue they not borne a more harde penance then the greatnes of their offence deserued What cause haue I then to renew the alaram of their miserie or why stay I to succour their desolate state in some satisfaction of the iniuries they haue receiued by me and mine besides the wrathe of God accordyng to the wordes of the Apostle is alwaies hanginge ouer the heades of suche as seame to take pleasure in the affliction of their neighbour reioyce in the misfortune or misery of an other if all thies lacke sufficient force to mortifie the remembrāce of auncient malice within me and in exposing contrarie to the exspectatiō and opinion of the world a wonderful example of vertue to moue me to releue his distresse that dispaireth of all succour and reclaim by liberalitie the frendeshipe of him who if he euer offended is alredye pardoned like as also if his innocency haue bene abused by me and mine my cōscience calleth me to a remorce in rendring satisfaction in so nedeful a time yet am I drawen by a band of further dutye and incensed by a somaunce or special instigacion of the honour and seruice which my harte hath alredye vowed on the behalfe of her whose beauty vertue deserues a greater méede then the vttermost that I can do eyther for the cōtentement of her or consolation of her brother for like as ther is no man onlesse he bee vtterlye deuested from the gyfte of humanitye beinge passioned with equall affection and sosomoned by semblable desire to doo some notable seruice to my deare ANGELIQVA as I am that woulde not racke hys power to the highest pyn to take awaye the chiefe causes of her dolefull teares and restore her to a spedie contentment conuenient for her merite So in louinge her I muste also imbrace suche as shee accomptes and by good righte are moste deare vnto her And if I will make a declaration of the true zeale I beare her why do I staie to expose it in so nedefull a time and on the behalfe of him whome shee loueth no lesse then her selfe attending euen now the fatall stroake of the morderinge sworde for a tryfflinge due of a thousande florentes and why shoulde I doubte to make it knowen in publike that only the force of loue hathe made me trybutary to the faire ANGELIQVA for seinge that kinges and the greateste monarkes of the Worlde do drawe vnder the yoke of his awe it is not for me to eschewe that by speciall pryuiledge whiche is incidente to all men by nature neyther ought I herein to refuce the offer of my destenie nor straun gers to enter into muche maruaile if I beinge of the mettall of other men and subiect to no lesse impression and passions of mynde then the reste do make presente dedication of my harte and seruice to her whose vertue I am sewer is so in vincible agaynst all aduersitie that neyther necessitie nor the moste extreame message that fortune can send her is hable to make her forfeyte the leaste pointe of her honestie or forgette the renowme of the genelogie wherof she is discended wherin as honest loue hath sturred vp this mocion in me with composicion to expose imediatlye the frutes and effecte of semblable vertue So the spedye delyuerye of thy brother Oh ANGELYQVA shal argue sufficientlye to all men that it is only the regarde of thy beawtie that hath paied the price of his raunsom and remoued frome his tender legges the heauye yrons whiche the penaunce of harde imprisonemente had vniustlye enioyned vnto him tryumphinge also with this increase of further glorye that onlye the regardes and glauncis of thy glisteringe eyes haue made a breach into the hart whiche earste hathe defyed the malice and vttermoste of all force and made hym bowe of his owne kinde that neuer colde bee broughte to bende or stowpe to any of what degree or condition so euer they were And thou SEIGNEVR CHARLES for thy parte hast this daye gained so assured and perfecte a frende that if thou wilt confirme the
the desier of his minde tendyng to none other ende then a consommation of an honest and lawfull request But for the contrary of this honest societie I accompt hym not worthie to haue the ayre breath vpon hym who practisinge onely to seduce and corrupte the chasteye of honest Dames hath no respect to the vertue of honest and true loue but sekyng only to satisfy the appetit of his sensual luste doth embrace the exterior partes of a woman and commendes simplye the tree charged with leaues without regardyng the frut which makes it worthie of commendacion and fame Here with it can not be muche froÌ„ our purpose to enterlarde this digression with the authoritie of a brief note whiche I founde written in a frenche booke on the behalfe of the sinceritye which ought to appeare in women comparinge the younge Ladye bearynge yet the name of a mayde to the glisterynge flower in the pleasaunt springe vntill by her constancie and chaste behauior subduing vtterlie the wanton mocions of the fleshe she expose to the worlde the precious fruites deriued of so greate a vertue and giue absolute experience other vndoubted pudicitie For otherwayes saith he she is in no other degree for worthie renowme then the young soldiour whose contenaunce albeit argueth the corage of his hart yet his capteine hath no reason to gyue iudgement of his valiauntnes nor cause to reapose muche credit in him in any expedition or exploite againste thenemye tyll he see an approued effect in dede of that which he promiseth so largely by his outward apparance but when he fyndeth an absolute confirmation of the exterior likelihodes by the inward vertu and valyauntnes of the mynd it is then that he doth not only embrase hym but preferreth hym afore the rest as a speciall pattorne to ymitate his vertues Euen so besides that the Croune of immortal glorye atten des youe Ladyes who by withstandynge th assaultes and importunities of the fleshe do giue to your selfe the true title of honest women not by force or awe of constraint but by the valyaunt resistance of your most chaste and inuincible hart yet also the monumeÌ„t of your vertues being graued in pillors of eternitie and aduaunced to the height of the highist theatrey in the worlde shal remaine as a mirroer or worthy spectacle to procure all posterities not onelye to treade the pathe of semblable vertues but also to yelde you a continuall adoracion after your death by the remembraunce and viewe of your chaste verteous life wherewith wishyng you al no lesse desier to lyue wel then the most of you are gredy of glory I leaue you to the remorce of your owne consciences presentes you here withe the remeinder of my promisse touchyng the sequele of CHARLES MONTANYN who being out of prison as you haue harde repaired immediately to his house with intent to comfort her whom he knewe to be in greater dollour and distresse and as nedeful of consolacion as himselfe seamed desirous of repose being so longe forewatched in a filthy prison and knocking at the gates of his Pallais the mayd that opened the dore and saw it was her maister mounted with more speed then an ordinarie pase and tolde ANGELIQVA the deliuerye and approche of her brother wherunto what addicion or protestation her mayde seamed to make her troubled mynde wolde giue no credit suche greate impossibilitie do wee accompte in the execution of those thinges whiche we chiefly desier but seaminge no lesse amazed with the misterie theÌ„ saint Peter being soddainly taken furth of the prison of HERODE by the Aungel sloode as thoughe she had bene dreaming of the dissolution of the worlde without apparance of sence or argument of lyuely morioÌ„ in any part of her til y e presence of her brother being now in her chaÌ„ber seamed to breath in her an ayre of fresh coÌ„solatioÌ„ lyfe dismissing froÌ„ thinstaÌ„t y e misterie of her domme trauÌ„ce receiued oftsones her former vse libertie of senses wherewith coÌ„uerting her dolorous regards teares of auncieÌ„t dule into a passion of such sodain gladnes that being at y e point to coÌ„gratulat his coÌ„mig with words she felt a secoÌ„d impedimeÌ„t of spech by y e operatioÌ„ of preset ioye which she toke in beholding his face y t she fel down at his fete embrassig kissyng his knees with no lesse signes shewe of a gladsome mynde then if by som miracle he had bene raised froÌ„ death to life wherewith certaine Ladies her kynswomen assistinge her dolorous distresse hauyng restored her laste traunce and doubtyng eftsones to fal into the like passion sent for their husbaÌ„des with other the frends of MONTANYNO aswel to reioyce his happie deliuery so to auoyde al occasioÌ„s of further traunces in his sister as also to excuse their negligeÌ„ce in not assisting his late miserie but CHARLES dissimuling y t which he thought of their discourtesie towardes himself gaue theÌ„ chief thaÌ„kes for their frendship in coÌ„forting his syster which he coÌ„strued to as great an honor argumeÌ„t of good wil as if they had imployed it on y e behalf of himself wherwith he dismissed them deuining notwithstaÌ„ding what he shold be that had made so large declaratioÌ„ of so great a vertu sorowful without measure that he knew him not to th ende he might not onely requiâ—e so rare a courtesie but also excede him in liberalitie by a franke offer of himself al that he hath within the world he scamed not so ignoraunt of thauthor of so greate a benefit as his syster in treble doubte on y e same behalf persuading herselfe notwithstanding that the feare of death had made him coÌ„ueigh a secret sale of his landes in the coÌ„trey to him which first broked it And that this doubte which seamed to trouble hym was onely a darke vaile to conceile the trothe and kepe it from her knowledge or rather his longe imprisonment with disquiet of minde duringe his trouble had stalled his sences made him raue in y t sorte wherin she was in equall doubte of them al til he resolued her to the contrary wherewith departing for that night they repaired to their seueral chaÌ„bers where y e MONTANYN had more desier of slepe then hable to admit any rest for that he spent al that night in contemplatioÌ„ contrarietie of thoughtes making an assemblie in his minde of euery shape figure of such his frends as he was hable to imagin to be y e workers or cause of so great a benefit somtime preferring one somtime preseÌ„ting an other without touching notwithstaÌ„ding y e perfect whit or naming him that iustely had deserued the meede of so great a merite and to whome he acknowledged no lesse bonde of dutie then to them that were the first causers of his comming into this worlde wherin passing that night the pictures of a thousand men his bed seamed to serue him as a wyde large plaine or some rowmey alley or
rather perswaded my deare brother for that the tearmes of thy laste requeste dependinge vpon yssues of extremeties do argue bothe a iustice to performe thy desyer and an incyuilitie in the in makinge so vnreasonable a demaunde the one chalenginge a consente in me by thympression of nature and bonde of dutifull zeale on my behalfe towards the the other charginge the wyth iniquitie for the respecte of that whiche thou wouldest haue me to do But seinge euerye requeste craueth a retorne of aunswere and the greater qualytie or condition the cause is of the greater delyberacion oughte wee to vse â—â—iefelye where it ymportes eyther thabsolute breache or firme confirmation of the league of lyneall consanguynitye I beseche you graunte no lesse patience to the wordes of my replie then I haue bene contented to fauor your vehement protestacion with a dollorous scilence neyther let me any longer inveighe in myne aunswere then I shall seame to preferre good reason to iustefye my iuste complaint the cause wherof doth marche with more alarams of annoye thorow all the partes in me then if I wer presently pinched with the most greuous tormentes of the worlde seing that my life with therposition of the same is nothing in respecte of that which thy ymportunities do labour to set abroche and put in vent for the onely satisfaction of a prodigall liberalitye for if the price of my life woulde suffice for the raunsom of myne honor and appaisement of thy appetit thou couldest no soner ymagyn thy contentement then the same shoulde be exposed on thy behalfe neyther wolde I take halfe the tyme to performe it which I haue vsed in making y t the promise I thought alas the late delyuery of my brother had brought to vs all an vndowted dispense of further trouble and that he had buryed in the pitt of his ymprysonmente all occasions of further disquiette And who wolde haue iudged but in the laste assalte and vniuste offer of vndeserued deathe fortune had spitt the vttermoste of her poysened malice and that in deuestinge herselfe frome the theatrye or throane of rigorous crueltie she had also broken in peces the bloddye arrowes wherewith of so longe time shee hathe persecuted our desolate howse pronounced trewyce at last to the wearye miferies of the wretched state of the MONTANINS But alas vnhappie creature that I am I fynde nowe our destenie is rather deferred then our miserye at an end seing y t that vniuste goddes of vnworthy reuenge and moste cruell stepmother inuadinge mee wythe more fury then affore doth threaten my yonge and tender yeares with more perentorye plages then euer shee thondred vppon any of my former race for if euer shee pursewed oure fathers graundefathers or anye predecessours with mortall affliction or intente of vtter ruyne it is nowe shee hathe chosen her tyme to put to her laste hande to the extreame extirpacion of the miserable reliques and remeyndor of oure pore house eyther by the wilfull losse and perpetuall exile of y e my deare brother or vntymely death of thy dysolate ANGELIQVA who canne not make prostitucion of her chastetye wythout the sacrafyce and oblation of her miserable life what is destenye if this be not the consent and iudgement of the heauens w t resolutioÌ„ to subplaÌ„t y e stock graâ—tes of our house seing y t I a simple girle w tout force voide of assistance of age or experience is constrained to admytt th one of two euils whereof the choise oughte and is hable to amase the moste wise and experienced creature that this day enioyeth the benefytt of mortall life alas my harte faileth me and reason forsaken and flede from me hath lefte my minde ballauncinge in suche confucion and contraryetie of thoughtes that beinge broughte to thertremetye of two distresses of equall perill and indifferente terror I doubte whether to coÌ„mit my life to shorte and sharppe penaunce or prolonge my dayes in pyninge dollor and secrete care of minde for the sentence which thou haste pronounced of both our estates is eyther to make a seperation by extreme exile of my brother who is no lesse deare in my harte then the ten drest part of myne eye and in whom nexte after GOD I haue reposed the whole assuraunce of my hope and consolacion of life or els in conseruinge him I see my selfe at pointe to bee constrained to make marchandise I can not tell in what sorte nor for what price of that precious treasure whiche once loste is not to be reclaimed by any meanes and for the garde wherof al women of vprighte minde honoring vertue or desierous of reputacion oughte rather to expose theimselues to a thousande mortal perilles and hazardes of deathe if nature and life were hable to abide soo manye encownters then to suffer one spotte of infamie to staine or corrupt this precious ornament and gifte of chastitie which as it is the only support and decoration of y e life of an honest woman so for a contrarye she that loseth the possession of so riche a Iewel or deuesteth her selfe of the title and crown of so great a glorye althoughe she seame to liue and kepe place amonge other creatures yet is she dead in effecte and her life recorded in the booke of blacke defame as a witnes againste herselfe in the latter days and in the meane tyme a continual reproch and obiection of shame to such as she leaueth to succede her in kindred or name How can that Lady or gentlewoman marche amongeste the crewe of vertuous dames whose honor is eyther in doubte or reputacion in dekaye by the losse of her honour but that the blod of shamo appearyng in all parts of her face wil not only discouer her faulte but makes her wearye of her lyfe by the remorce or remembrance of so foule a forfaiture How could the doughters of the Emprour AVGVSTVS seame iustly meritorious of the title of true nobilitie or worthely deserue to be called the children of such a father after their sondry villaines and lasciuious trade of lyuing hadd dispoyled them of the giftes and ornamentes of vertue presentyng theim to the eyes of all the world as creatures not worthy to haue the common ayre to breath vpon them what honor hadd FAVSTINA in wearyng the Imperial crowne vpon her head seyng she had loste the crowne and garlande of chastetie by her disordred and dishonest life Sewer she ought not to enioy the breath of lyfe nor participati with the presence or benefitt of the earth that makes lesse stoare of her honestie then of the deareste part belongynge to her soule or bodye neyther is shée worthie to be admitted amongest the felowshipp of vertues Dames that departeth with so precious an ornament at other priceâ— then the exchange or loasse of her lyfe notwithstandynge the writers of former tyme haue done manifest wronge to diuerse simple women whose vertue in preseruinge their honest name with true title of pudicitie deserueth rather an euerlastynge remembrance
of Salymbyno so he went about to breake y e amaze with theis wordes Syr saith he we haue cause of speciall conference with you whiche requireth neyther publike audience nor other witnes then our selues wherewith he offred them his chamber and became their guide thither with more shew of dutie then desiere to be intreated and leading his deare ANGELIQVA by the hande passed thorowe the hal into a certaine gallerie furnished with riches and accotrementes belonginge to the greatnes of his estate where beinge set in rich thaires and seates of honor and the place voyde of all companie sauynge the presence of the ij simple clyentes and mercifull iudge DON CHARLES MONTANYNO rise frō his place and spake to thother in this sorte Albeit the offers of seruitude be alwayes moste hatefull to freemen and that the noble hart can hardly brooke to strike sayle for any sommance of aduersitie yet the bonde of a good tourne or benefyt alredy don leuieth such alarams of remorce to the mynde enuironned with vertue that she forceth not only an equal cōsideracion and recompense but also claymeth a continuall remembraunce and thankeful recordacion in him who was firste partaker of the benefyt wherin as I fynde my selfe specially touched aboue all that euer was blessed with frendship not looked for in this worlde So Seigneur SALYMBYNO I hope you wil excuse me yf in the firste place of my Catalogue of thankesgeuing I honor you contrary to the lawes customes of our common welth with the title of Lorde and maister seinge the vertue of your self declared in the greatest distresse that euer hath or coulde happen vnto me doth not only yelde you by iustice such title but also challengeth at my hande a bonde of no lesse dutifull and continuall seruice towardes you then you expect of the moste drudge and slaue that foloweth your traine for what disposition is more detestable then the note of vnthankefulnes or wherin are we bounde to so franke and prodigal an exposition of our selues and all that we haue as in the remuneracion and retourne of the pleasures we haue receiued by straungers whiche I coulde enlarge with credible authorities of elder dayes and confirme by familiar experience of our age sauinge that in supplienge the tyme with repeticion of antiquityes I should defer yet longer the doinge of that whiche I chieflye desyer to performe but greuinge aboue all thinges that in the viewe and remembrance of their vertues I fynde my selfe farre vnhable to be equall or excede anye that euer were renowmed or noted to be thankefull where in albeit I haue iuste cause to crye out of the malice of my for tune not for bringinge me so depely in your debt which I thinke was wrought by general consent of the heauens but for that she hath lent me such slender choice of meanes to requite so greate a curtesye yet in appealinge to the vertue of your mynde I doubte not to make you vnderstande the greatnes of my desyer and whether ingratitude bee anye waye harbored in the harte of this poore gentleman who hauinge but himselfe and the chaste will of his syster being both preserued in entier by the onlye assistance of your fauor makes heare a presente of our selues and al that belongeth vnto vs with cōmission Sir to dispose of our lyues lyuinges and honour in any respecte it shall lyke you to ymploye theim And because I am more then halfe perswaded that thonly respecte of ANGELIQVA hathe kindled the firste coales of your desyer causing a conuersion of the hate whiche discended vnto you by inheritance into a disposition to loue that whiche your predecessors dispised mortallie and for that by the heauye clogge of our extreme miserie and harde condicion of state wee are not hable to shonne the name of vnthankeful but by thassistance of her that first procured the debte she I saye who forced your liberalitie on my behalfe is heare a readye pawne for the satisfaction of that whiche I confesse to owe vnto you it is Sir my syster whom you see afore you who to absolue the bonde of vs bothe dothe yelde her selfe vnto you with fre submission of her honoure and lyfe at your pleasure And I beinge her brother hauinge her ful and free consente in my power do make you a presente of her bequeathinge you no lesse propertie then eyther I or she hath of herselfe with authorytye to disdispose of her as you thinke good dowtinge not but you wil accepte the offer and respecte the gyfte accordinge to the value with remembrance from whence it came and in what sorte it ought to be vsed wherwyth not taryenge the replie of the other nor to bid his syster farewel he flonge downe the steares and went ymedyatlye to his owne house if ANSEAMO were indyffrently amased at the firste arryual of bothe the MONTANYNS or astonnyed with the oracion of her brother it is nowe that he is double perplexed both with the soddayn departure of DON CHARLES and also to see in his presence the effecte of the thinge hee only desyred and neuer was hable to ymagyn and muche lesse durste enter into hope to haue it come to passe wherein as hee was no lesse gladd then he had cause beinge in the free contemplation and companye of her whose bewtie and vertue hee accompted aboue the respecte of al commodyties and pleasures of the worlde So he labored of semblable dollor on the behalfe of the passion and secret sorowe of mynde whiche he noted in her touchinge her presente change of estate the same forcinge him also to a firme perswacion that thaccidente paste proceded rather of the generosytie or to muche shew of corage and vertue in the harte of the yonge man then by consente or any contentemente at all to the faire ANGELIQVA whome at the same instante hee toke betwen his armes and proffringe certeine chaste kysses dryed her watrye eyes of teares whiche ceassed not to droppe with greate abundance preferringe vnto her this kinde of short consolacion Yf euer I felte or desyred to vnderstande with what wynge dyd flye the vnconstante goddes whiche the poetes tearme the chaunge and varyetie of thaffaires of the worlde it is nowe good Madam that I am presented wyth suche a manifest and strange proofe that I dare skarcely beleue that whiche I see in offer afore myne eyes for if the only respecte of you and seruice whiche my harte hathe vowed and sworne vnto you hath constranied me to dissolue the bonde of extreame hate which by request of my parentes I haue bene enioyned to beare to you and youre house and in that deuocion haue delyuered your brother as you knowe from deathe I see fortune denieth me the tryumphe of the victorye for that your brother hath surmounted me in honour and vertue And nowe do I see that as the flatteringe gle of an vncerteine fortune oughte not to alter the goodnes of the disposition so aduersitie is not hable to corrupte the vertue of
forcynge an incredible furye to the angrye disposition of the sea seame vnhable to sturre the harde rocke or stonye montayne where vppon it followeth that as the greatnes of fortune wyth glee of infynite riches doo lifte vppe and make swell the harte of a villaine or one of base condicion So the synister chaunge of estate nor anye malyce or ministers of pouertye can embase or make stowpe the greatenes of corage in theym that are wroughte in a contrary frame or made of other stuffe then the vulgare sorte for they kepe alwayes a maiestie of theyr originall and obserue in suche sorte thinstincte of the bloode whereof theyr auncestors were made noble and gaue theym sucke of the veray milke of vertue that what dispites or malicious somonce soeuer fortune doth sende theim the temperat argument of modestie in their complexion and countenaunce wyth true effect operation of true vertue of their mind do sufficientlye argue their condicion in defyinge the threates of the worlde makes absolute declaration that vnder the vaile of suche miserie is shrowded a harte deseruinge better allowance then the aduersatie whiche tormentes theym Herein consistes the whole glorye of the youthe of the PERSIANS and MEADES who albeit were norished and broughte vppe amongeste the heardmenne of their parentes yet gaue they place to no contrey in magnanymytie of mynde And who hath exceded or bene equall in generosytie or noble corage of harte to ROMVLVS the firste founder of the prowde cytie of Rome yet was hée assisted with no better educacion or trayninge vppe thenne in caues and cabynettes of shepherdes and suche as inhabyte the playne and deserte fieldes for the garde of their cattell all whyche I haue preferred vnto you my Lords Ladyes as a special prepratiue to the peculiar praise and commendacion of the vndowted noblenes of mynde of SIGNEVR CHARLES MONTANYN and his syster who wythoute preiudice or wronge to anye maye well be tearmed the peragon for bewtie and mirroer of honeste and chaste behauioure aboue all the Ladies annd gentlewomen in oure common wealthe whose house as you knowe hathe bene so oppressed wythe contynual persecucion that onely they two are the laste remeyndoures of their whole race standinge also not longe since at the pointe of extreme ruyne and vtter subuersion for euer yet the ympocision of suche straunge miseryes colde neyther moue any dymunicion of corage nor staye of desyer to expose an effecte of that vertue and bowntie whyche nature hathe appointed to occupie the hartes of theym that bée true noble wherein as I sée some iustice to exclaime againste the crueltie of our auncestors for that the only respecte of a smal broyle happeninge by chaunce hathe moued them to thonder a most mortal vengance of this so auncient and vertuous a stocke So for my part being pryuie to mine own conscience with remembrance of the wise admonicion of the graue philosopher saying that as of vnlawfull winninge of the father comes iuste losse to the sonne soo hee that makes himselfe a tyrante by force becomes oftentimes a slaue by Iustice I thinke it necessarye not onelye to blowe the laste retraite of all grudge betwene vs but also worke the effecte and confirmation of a future amytie for euer hereafter And if the view of thauncient quarrels and mutunies of former time do staye your consente to present compassion of their case yet let not the honest trade of lyfe ciuill behauiour and modest disposition of this brother and syster depart without the due mede and hyer of their vertue neyther let vs suffer their place in the senate to bee emptie or voyde of supplie that earste hathe bene furnished with the presence of the moste noble and wise men of our cytie to th ende that our example may serue as a precedent to the future tyme in that thonlye respecte of vertue and not ryches makes vs restore the dekayed stockes of our common wealthe wherein also we shall iustelye deserue the title of our highe discente from the puissant and mightie emprours of Rome who gaue euer more honour to the vertuous pouertie then regarde or commendacion to the richeman conuerted into vice or abhominable indeuours But nowe because I sée you alredie sorowearyed with the lengthe of a lingrynge suspence desyerynge to knowe the cause of thys greate commendaciou of the MONTANYNS with request to abridge my tediouse discourse if you will lende me yet a litle liberty to speake with patience to heare the chiefe poyntes of my protestation the spedie ende of my tale shal restore present quiet and contentment to your trobled myndes It is longe since I muste confesse and yet th offence is neyther mortal nor falte so hainous but it may be forgiuen that the beauty with other parts of perfection in the faire Angeliqua here presente so rauished my sences and robbed me of my libertie at one instant that thonly exercise whych occupyed my head daye and nighte for a longe tyme was the sondrye deuises I ymagyned to discouer vnto her my martiredome wherin I fedd the hongry humor of my affection with such alarams and contraryetie of conceites that hauinge by thys meane loste the necessary appetite of the stomake and vsual desyer of sleepe I felte suche a diminucion of nature and lyuelye force thorowe all the partes in me that I was presented at one tyme wyth the choice of two moste perillous euils in the worlde the one to dye afore my tyme by suffocacion of pynnynge dollour or els to yelde to a depriuation of my sences and gyfte of vnderstandinge for euer wherein I was also pursued wyth the readye assistaunce of perplexed dispaire for that I saw no meane to make that seame easye wherein I iudged so greate an impossibilitye chieflye by the grounded quarels of oure ij houses whereby albeit the warre seames ended and the grudge halfe appaised betwene vs yet was I of opinyon that there remeined an equall desyer in the hartes of vs both neyther to wishe well the one to the other and muche lesse to absteine from further slaughter when so euer a newe occasion shoulde eftesones fall oute neyther coulde theis mortall impedimentes argue sufficient raison to diminish min affection but sturred vp rather a treble increase of desyer accordynge to the passioned minde enchaunted with loue who makes suche as he possesseth more apte to desyre then hable to attayne to the effect of that whiche they wishe preferrynge alwayes a simple likelihode in that wherin appereth an absolute impossibilitye to th ende to afflicte theyr miserable lyues wyth continuall annoye but as theis extremeties had filled my head full of dispaire and committed me to a continuall carefulnes of minde because I coulde neither staye the course of my affection nor encounter the obiect of my desyer beholde fortune entred into compassion of my state assistynge me wyth so readye a medecine for my greate disease that when I was voyde of all expectation or hope
helpe in mortall distresse it is tyme nowe good madam to conuerte your Auncient crueltie into an humour of compassion both to defende your self from thymputacion of a tyrant and my lyfe from a wretched ende of miserable dispair ceasse hensfurthe to dissymule thuttermost of your rigour or drop of present grace seinge that both the one and the other hath indiffrent power to releue my distresse eyther by death in denieng me your fauour or contynuance of longer lyfe by impartyng your specialle grace come cruell misters and see thy vnfortunate LIVIO without hart hope or argument of longer breathe yf by a promisse of thy good will thou breathe not an ayre of freshe consolacion and by the sommaunce of thy worde reuoke my dyeng mynde from thys tombe of myserable dispaire where in I feele my self so tormented with thofficers of deathe that nature ceassyng to supplie my weary partes with force I fynd an impossibilitie in my tonge to obey any longer the desyers of my hart wherewith his breath began to drawe short staying the course of further speche yf not that in entryng into hys fatall traunce he exposed certeine dolefull groanes whyche caused bothe the younge Ladies to Ronne in haste to the succour of the patient whome they founde stryuinge with thextremetie of hys laste pange albeit not without some litle perye of breathe whyche he seamed to reserue wyth greate difficultie whereuppon CAMYLLA seynge a prouffe of his constancie euen to the laste moment and hauynge but one meane to releue hys traunce made no conscience to lett fall her rosye and courrall lyppes vppon the mortifyed mouthe of her diynge LIVIO who receyued suche present consolaciō by thys offer of fauour vnloked for that y e force of nature and vitall strengthe ready to depart out of euery vayne of hys bodye retired to theyr auncient places wherewith he vsynge the benefytt of his fortune forgatt not to embrase his Ladye with an infinite of kysses whereof shee restored hym a double interest albeit because he shoulde make no greate proffytt of thys soddayne courtesye and to preuent with all a suspicion of lyghte behauiour in her self she vsed her accustumed wysdome entering into familiar conference in thys sort I hope SEIGNEVR LIVIO you will not conuert thys compassion whych I haue vsed in the rappeale of your mortall farewell into any synister opinion of the diminucion of thintegretie of CAMILLA who as longe as she lyueth will so stande vppon the garde of her honour and honest renowme that no degree shall haue iuste cause to reprehende the leaste fauor shee extendes to any man in whyche conceyte I am also content to impart a credyt to your loyaltie perswadynge the same to bee without fiction whereof I am no lesse glade then I hope the loue whyche youe beare me is chaste and of honest intent respectynge an ende of sinceritie for yf I sawe any lykelyhodd to the contrary and that a dyseordinat wyll did guide your desyer and were the cause of your passion assure your selfe I woulde make lesse conscience to committe me to the mercye of the moste horrible tourmentes in the worlde eye and perill of present deathe then to lease anye parte of that whyche makes me marche without blushynge amongest the beaste of oure contrey in whyche respect wyth full perswacion of a sincere simplicitie in your loue I can not but retourne you a semblable fauour with absolute assuraunce from thys instaunte of such firme affection and zeale as any ladye oughte to impart to hym who seekes her frendshyppe in sorte of honeste and lawfull mariage neyther shall yt dekaye after theffect of desyer be parformed nor dymynishe by any synister accident vntill the fatall sequestracion of our sowle and bodye whereof lette vs vse wisdome in the conueyghe of suche affaires as maye bee taken bothe in good and euyll parte to th ende that the maiestye of the hyghest beyng not offended our honour fall not into the slaunder of the worlde wherein for a first charge to bee comitted to your diligence and with all to prefer an assured effect of the vehemencie of your affection towardes me dispose your self to demaunde me of my Father whose consent you shall fynde me to confirme in such sorte as your selfe shal deuise Arme your selfe then with compfort and retire to healthe at the request of her who takynge no pleasure in solitarie regardes wisheth you to reserue this precious flower of your youth for other exercises then to wast with passions of desperacion no lesse enemies to the strenghte of the bodye then hurtefull to the healthe of the sowle and seynge besides that in the recouery of you consistes the healthe of your syster suspende no longer the consolacion of her and contentement of your selfe and me who in attendynge your expedicion to procure the goodwill of my father will dispose my selfe in the meane while to bee thankefull vnto you any waye wherein myne honour and honestye will iustifie my doynge whiche laste wordes seamed of suche operation in the traunsed mynde of LIVIO that discharged as it were of a perillous vision in a dreame lyfted vp hys eyes and handes towardes heauen yeldyng honour to the goddes for hys happye encounter and kyssynge the white and delycate hande of hys newe mystresse he forgatt not to gyue her suche humble thankes as the greatenes of hys felicitie required whych seamyng to hym to excede the compasse and power of fortune iudged it rather the vertue of a dyuyne miracle then an effect mortall for that in so soddayne amoment he was acquited of so perentory a daunger assuring her that assone as health and strengthe of body woulde assyste the desyer of his mynde he would performe her comaundement in demaundynge her fathers consent wherein he hoped to delay no long time for that he felte a wonderful approche of health by the viewe of her presence in his late last storme of afflictiō I wold do no lesse saith she then yelde you soccours in so great an extremitie both to delyuer my selfe out of payne in seinge you passioned and also to qualifye the greffe of my deare companion your syster to whom you are also bounde in some sorte to be thankeful for my commynge hether For albeit my conscience sommoned me to a compassion of your torment with desier to yelde you the due hyer and consideraciō of the honest loue you beare me yet y e regarde of mine honour deniynge me to visite you seamed an impediment to theffect of that wherunto I was bounde by so many duetifull merites prayinge you for ende to excuse that whiche is past and pardon me for the present in that I can not assiste you with longer companye persuadyng thy selfe my deare LYVIO that althoughe my bodye muste supplye an other place to coullour the trafficque of our loue and preuent suspicion yet thou hasts made suche a stealth of my hart that the same will not fayle to kepe the companye in my absence wherewith takynge her leaue
with a chaste kysse of her seruant and frendlye farewel to CORNELIA she retireth to her fathers Palais leauynge her louer well lightned of all his cares sauyng of a necessarye meane to sounde the good will of the olde REINALDO wherin notwithstandynge he vsed suche expedicion of diligence that afore hymselfe could enioye the benefyt of perfect health he procured certaine auncient Gētlemen his neare parents to performe his reqneste to thold niā whom they solicited with suche instance in sorte of mariage that he admitted theyr offer and confirmed the bargaine with theis wordes that onely LIVIO shoulde be the firste that should renounce the bale albeit saith he because of thinfirmitie of mine age I vse the cōsent of my son in all my affaires of importance so I craue onely your patience in the fynall conclusion of the mariage til his retourne frō Rome at which time only your selues shal name the day of consommation in this aunswere albeit appeared an impediment to the performance of the mariage for that as you haue harde CLAVDIO enuyed the state of LIVIO which argued a difficultie in him to approue shallyance yet CAMILLA vnderstanding the resolution of both their parentes gaue as sewer iudgemente of the mariage as if it had bene alredie published in the churche and therupon began to enlarge her familiar hawnte and repairs to LIVIO whom if she embrased afore with earneste zeale it was nothinge in respectt of the vehemencie of her present affection which also deuyded hymselfe into such a SYMPATHIA and equalitie of loue in theim bothe that it spredde abrode by indiffrent braunches in bothe their hartes like as the morninge son in the easte giueth by litle and lytle contynuall encrease to his beames comforting the creatures vppon earth And in this often enterviewe together LYVIO enioyenge nowe his auncient health and dexterytie of body being one daye amongest the rest with his lady in the cham ber of his syster toke his lute and songe a ditie whiche hee had made of their reciprocall passion wyth suche contentemente to hys CAMILLA that she desired hym eftesones to repaite it in semblable note aswel for the delyte of the tune which he performed with a voice to her contentacion as also the subtill stile and fyne conueighe of the matter arguinge a conclucion of that which they bothe wished wyth equall appitit seinge that as their continuall haunt and frequentacion together gaue increase to their desyer so they were both of opynion that loue colde not beare the title of perfecte affection if theffect of that whych was indiffrently wished of theim both did not make perfect the thyng which hithervnto was debated but by wordes other wayes that whiche was passed betwene theim beinge but a naked loue whithout effecte other then certeine delicate kysses whyche serued rather to kyndle the coales of desyer then quenche the flame alredye burning within their intralls seamed but a simple platte or playne table whiche the conninge painter hath smothed for the nonst to drawe some ymage of exquisytt skille wherein being ouercharged with intolleracion of desyer and fynding thabode of CLAVDIO longer thenne they ymagined they passed vnhappely a pryuye contracte betwene shem selues with erspectaciō to consomat the ful of y e matter with a due hyer of y e paines they indured indiffrently in attendinge an effecte of their pleasure at the retorne of CLAVDIO from Rome But here fortune began to presente her selfe vppon the stage as one that wil be knowen to beare a swaighe in the good happe or infelicitie of man and vs of suche vnconstante and malicious regard towardes vs that when we thinke we bee paste the feare of all perill and trodden all desasters vnder our féete it is then that we fynd least assurance in the thinges wherein we reapposed our chiefest pleasure and in the turninge of her weale is figured the alte racion of oure wordlie affaires I meane by a conuersion of thinges which earste seamed pleasant and delicat into a taste ercedinge the bitternes of gal in such sorte that often tymes wée fynde deathe of more easye burden then wée are hable to beare the panges whiche ordenarilye attende the flatteries of this vncerteine FORTVNE whom the Poetes and painters not wythout cause haue drawen in y e picture of a blynd woman standing vppon a tickle staie of an vnconstant globe or bowle representinge thereby her fragilitie and how blind lye she guides the thinges of y e world what authorities colde inferr to exclaime agaynst her mobylitie if it were not for the shortnes of tyme and that I wil not cloye your memory wyth so tedious a discourse howe manye haue wee féene at the point to enioye a monarkye kingdom or siegneury who when they leaste thought of commutacion or change haue loste their honoure expulsed their estates and at laste ended their lyues by a miserable death Who haue redde the sixte booke of VALERIVS MAXIMVS may iustefye my opynion by thexample of QVINTVS SCIPIO a valiant capteyne and consull in Rome who longe tyme hauinge fortune at commaundement was seene in a moment cut in morselles seruinge as vnworthie foode to the rauenouse beastes issuinge oute of the sauage desarts RADAGASO sometime king of the GOTHES for all thassuerance he reapposed in his inuincible armye as he thought was not expempted frome the dome of inconstante and mortall destynie for that his people slaine his capteines fled and he taken prysoner passed vnder the sentence of an infamous deathe by STILICON generall of tharmye at that time for themprour HONORIVS wyth other infynit proffes of antiquitie wherwith it is no neede to fyll my paper seinge the domesticall accedentes and like chaunces happeninge amongest our neighboures at hoame do giue sufficient testymonye and faithe of that whiche wee go aboute to proue And nowe beinge vpon the discourse of LIVIO and his vnfortunat CAMILLA who albeit were ney ther princes nor gouernors of kingdomes yet beinge in the paradise of their pleasure and at the pointe to performe the last acte of their delytes encountred in one moment a chang and synister subuercion all contrarye to the appointmente whiche they had resolued vpon their future mariage And sewer it is an argumēt of the greatest folly that can bée to promisse our selues an assurance of thinges whiche depende vppon the will and dispocition of an other vppon whiche the yssue is also most vncerteine for that differing frō vs in coun cell and ymaginacion they are also without care in what sort wée take their iudgement seinge they depende no waye vpō vs nor our fancy like as it happened to these .ii. infortunat louers for CLAVDIO nowe retorned and not likinge any way thallyance betwene LYVYO and sister wrought so muche with his father who sawe not but by the eyes of his son nor attempted any thinge wherinto CLAVDIO added not the conclusion that REINALDO renounced the words of his former consent pacifyenge the parents of LIVIO by the beste
bodye being the house or harborer of the mynd framed of the substance of claye or a thing of more corruption doth so preuayle and ouercome the qualytyes and gyftes of the mynde in casting a myste of darkenes afore our vnderstandinge that the soule is not only barred to expose the frutes of reuelacion but also it is not beleued when she prognosticates a trothe neyther is it in the power of man to shone or shrinke frome that whiche the foreknowledge of the highest hath already determined vpoÌ„ vs much lesse to preuent or withstaÌ„d the sentence of hym whose dome is as certeine as himselfe is truthe wherein because I am sufficiently sustefyed by thauthorities of dyuerse histories aswell sacred as prophane I will not stande here to enlarge the proofe with copy of examples but referr you to the readinge of the sequeile of this woful ladye who although her fate was reueyled vnto her afore yet was she denied to shone the destenye and sharppe iudgement whiche the heauens were resolued to thunder vppon her But nowe to our pourpose thagrement thus made betwene the fayre greke Ladye and don SPADO the valiant Capteine ther lacked nothing for consemacion of the mariage but thassistance of the rites and auncient ceremonies appoynted by order of holly churche whiche the capteine forgat not to procure with all expedicion of tyme and for the more honour and decoracion of the feast he had ther the presence of the marques of MANTVA beinge there not so much for the honour of the brydegrome as to testefye to the open face of the world thearnest affection he bare to her fyrst husbande RARZO whom he accompted no lesse deare vnto hym for credytt and truste then the nearest frende of his blod But now this albanoys enioy eng thus the frutes of his desier colde not so wel brydel his present pleasure nor conceile the singuler contentment he conceiued by the encounter of his new mystres but in publike show began to prate of his present felicitye arguinge the same to be of greater moment then if he had ben frankly restored to the tytle and dygnitie of a kingdome geuing fortune also her peculiar thanks that had kept this good torne in store for him saying y t she cold not haue honored him with a greater preferment then to put him into the possessioÌ„ of her who was without a second in al Europe But as in euery thing excesse is hurtful bringinge with it a doble discomoditie I meane both a sourfet to y e stomake by the pleasure we del ite in a Ielouse loathing of y e thing we chiefly loue and hold most dere so the extreme and superfluitye of hoate loue of this fonde husband towards his wife began w tin the very month of the mariage to conuert it selfe into a coÌ„trary disposition not much vnlike the louing rage of the she ape to wards her yongeones who as y e poetes do affirme doth vse to chuse amoÌ„g her whelpes one whoÌ„ she loues best kepiÌ„g it alwaies in her armes doth cherish loll it in such rude sorte that or she is ware she breketh the boanes and smothereth it to death killing by this meanes with ouermuch loue y e thing which yet wold liue if it were not for thexcesse of her affectioÌ„ in like sort this ALBANOYSE doating without discracion vppon the desyer of his newe lady rather drowned beastely in the superfluitie of her loue theÌ„ waighing rightly the meryte vertue of true affectioÌ„ entred into such tearmes of feruent Ielowsie y t euery fle that wasteth afore her made hym sweate at the browes with the suspicion he had of her bewty wherin he suffereth him selfe to be so much subiect ouercome with y e rage of this follie that according to the Ielowse humor of thytalyan he thoughte euery man that loked in her face wente aboute to grafte hornes in his forehed Oh smal discrecioÌ„ and lesse wisedome in one that ought with y e shappe and forme to merite the name vertue of a maÌ„ what sodaine chaung alteracioÌ„ of fortune seames nowe tassayle this valiaÌ„t captein who earst loued loyallie w tin the compas of raisoÌ„ now doating without discrecion thinketh him selfe one of the forâ—ued ministeres of cornwaile albeit I must coÌ„fesse vnto you y t y e more rare precious a thiÌ„g is of it selfe y t more diligeÌ„ce regarde ought we to vse to preserue kepe it in good estate yet a wise and chast womaÌ„ being one of y e rarest things of the world special gift of god ought not to be kept in y e mew nor garded w t curious continual wach much lesse atended vpoÌ„ w c y e ielouse eyes of Argus for like as shee y t waigheth her honor life in indiffereÌ„t ballance not meaning to exchange the one but w t the losse of the other is not easely corrupted by any sugred traine of flattering loue so y e restraint of y e lyberty of womenne to gether with a distruste procedinge of none occasion is the chiefeste meane to seduce her that ells hath vowed an honeste and integrety of lyfe euen vntill the ende of her naturall dayes And in vaine goeth hee aboute to make his wife honest that eyther lockes her in his camber or fylles his house full of spyes to note her doinges consideringe the iust cause he gyues her hereby to be reuenged of the distruste he hath of her with out occasion seinge with al the nature of some women is to enlarge their libertie that is abridged theim in doinge the thinge they are forbidden more in disspyte of the distruste of their folyshe husbandes then for any appetyt or expectacion of other contentment to themselues neyther hath this folyshe humor of Ielowzy so much power to enter into the hart of the vertuous and wise man who neyther wyll giue his wife suche cause to abuse her selfe towardes hym nor suspect her wythout great occasyon nor yet gyue iudgement of any euill in her withoute a sewer grounde and manifest proofe and yet is he of suche gouernemente for the correction of such a falte that he had rather cloke and disgest it with wisedome then make publication with open ponishement in the eye of the slaunderous worlde by whiche rare patience and secret dissimulation he dothe not onely choke the mouth of the slaunderor buryinge the falte with the forgetfulnes of the facte but also reclaymes her to an assured honestie and fayth hereafter that earst had abused him by negligence and yl fortune but he which pennes his wife in y e higest vaulteof his house or tieth a bell at her sleue because he may heare whether she goeth or when he takes a long iorney paintes a lambe of her bellie to know if she plaie false in his absence these sleightes I saye do not only deceiue him that deuiseth theym but also giues him for his trauell the true title of coockeholde in like sort what
greater signe or argument can a man geue of his owne follie then to beleue that to be true which is but doutfull and yeldinge rashelie to the resolution and sentence of his owne conceites thinks his wife as light of the seare and apt to deceiue him as he is readie to admit synister suspicion which procedes but of an ymperfection in hym selfe iudging the disposition of an other by his own complerion which was one of the greatest faltes in this valyante ALBA NOYSE who fearing euen nowe that which he nede not to dowte began to stande in awe of his owne shadow perswadinge him selfe that his wife was nolesse liberall of her loue towards others then to him and that the benefit of her bewtie was as common to straungers as to him selfe albeit the good Ladye espyeng well enough the gréefe of her husband was not ydle for her parte to studie the meanes to please him and also to frame her life in suche wise euery waye that her chaste and discrete gouernment towardes hym mighte not only remouethe vaile of his late susspicion but also take awaye the thicke miste of frantike Ielowsie that put him in suche disquiet and made him so farr excede the lymites and bondes of discrecion albeit her honeste endeuor herein receiued a contrarye effecte and as one borne vnder a crabbed constellacion or ordeined rather to beare the malice of a froward desteinye she cold not deuise a remedie for his disease nor any hearbe to purge his suspicious humor but the more she sought to prefer a show of sinceritie and honestie of life the more grew the furye and rage of his peruerse fancie thinking the compainye and fellowship of his wife to be as indifferente to others as peculiar to him selfe What life were like to the maried mans state or pleasures semblable to the ioyes of the bedde if either the one or the other might be dispensed with all from the furye of frantique Iellowsie or amōgest a thousand inconueniences which only the maried man doth fynde what greater mischiefe maye be more for the dissolutiō of the mutual tranquilitie of them bothe then where the one loues vnfaynedlie and the other is doubtfull without cause but the ease and quiet of men are of so small a moment and their common pleasures so enterlarded with an ordinarie mishappe that ther is as smal hold of the one slippinge away with the shortnes of tyme as vndowted assurance to haue the other a common gueste and haunt vs in all our doinges not leauing vs till he hath sene vs laide in the pit and longe bedd of rest wherof I haue here presented you a litle proofe in the picture and person of this selly ALBANOYSE who beginnynge as you haue harde to enter into some tearmes of Iellowsie wyth his wife with whom notwithstandynge hee had consumed certeine monethes in such pleasures as mariage doth allowe began to grow more feruent in that furye thenne either his cause did require or wisedom ought to suffer wherw t setting abroch the vessell of that poyson forgat not for hys fyrste endeuor to dogge the doinges of hys wife with secret spies in euerye corner to abridge her libertie in goinge abrode and barr the accesse of any to come to her kepynge notwithstandinge no lesse watche and warde abowte her chamber thenne the good soldiour vppon hys trenche or circumspecte Capteine vppon the walles of hys fortresse whyche broughte the selly Ladye into suche sorow that the state of the caytife and slaue of the gallye bownde to his ore with a chayne of vnreasonable biggnes or hée that by harde sentence of the Lawe dothe lye miserablie in the bottom of a pryson all the dayes of his lyfe seamed of more easie regarde thenne the harde condition of her presente state albeit true vertue hathe suche operation and effecte of her selfe that howe greuouslye soeuer the worlde dothe persecute her or seke to crucifye her wyth the malice of menne yet canne they not so kepe her vnder by anye force they canne deuise but certeine streames and sparkes wyll burste oute nowe and thenne and showe her selfe at laste as shee is hable to wythstande the violence of any mortall affliction whereof an affecte appeares here in the sequeile of this Greke ladye who notinge the disposition of her husbande ouercharged wyth a mad humor of wrong conceites gaue iudgemente ymedyatlye of his disease and beynge not hable vtterlye to expulse his newe feuer studied by her indeuor to inferr a moderacion of his passion wherin for her part she forgat not to make pacience her chiefest defence agaynst the folish assaultes of his wilful follies not only requitinge his extraordinary rage and fits of furie with a dutifull humylitye and obedience of a wife but also ceassed not to loue him no lesse then her honour and dutie bounde her therunto hopinge with thassistance of some conuenient tyme and her discrete behauior towardes hym both to take awaye the disease and mortefie the cause of his euill she seamed neyther to reprehend his falte openly nor w t other tearmes thenne argued her greate humilitie and for her selfe howe euill soeuer he intreated her shee gaue an outwarde showe of thankefull contentmente and when it was his pleasure to shutt her close in a chamber as a birde in the cage shee refused not his sentence but embrasinge the gifte of her presente fortune toke suche consolation as the harde condition of her case wolde admitt giuinge god thankes for his visitation and crauinge with like intercession to haue her husbande restored to the vse of his former wittes Albeit all these dutifull showes of obedience and pacient disgesting of his vnnatural discourtesies together w t a rare and redie disposition in her to frame herselfe whollie to thappitit of his will preuailed no more to enlarge her libertie or redeme her from the seruile yoke of close ymprisonement then to reclayme his hagarde mynde to thunderstandinge of reason or restore the traunce of his frantique humor raging the more as it seamed by the incredible constancye he noted in this mirror of modestie obedience wisedome and chastetie whose example in theym all deserues certeinlye to be grauen in pillers of eternetie and honge vpp in tables of golde in euerye pallace and place of estate to th ende that you ladyes of oure tyme maye learne by ymitacion of her order and gouernement to atteine to the like perfection of vertue whiche she lefte as a speciall patterne to you all to thend also that if any of you by likemisfortune do fal into the daunger of semblable accidentes you may learne here thorder of your gouernement in the like affaires and also to suppresse y e rage of Ielowsie rather by vertue then force which commonly is the foundacion of skandale and slaunder deuorcemente violacion of mariage vpon doth consequētly ensue ciuil discenciōs vtter subuer ciō of houses of antiquitie but now to y e place of our historie This frantique ALBANOYSE and Ielouse
howe fyne so euer they were aswell to preferr her dutie to thuttermoste as also to auoyde imputacion or cause of suspicion on her parte wherwith entring into termes of persuacion she added also this kynde of consolacion folowinge More do I greue syr sayth she wyth the small care you seame to take of your selfe then the tearmes of your disease do trouble me consideringe the same procedes of so slender occasioÌ„ that the veray remeÌ„brance of so great an ouersight ought to remoue the force and cause of your accident admit your griefe were greate indéede and your disease of no lesse importance yet ought you so to bridle this wilful rage and desyere to dye that in eschewing to preuent the wyl and set hower of the Lorde you séeke not to further youre fatall ende by vsynge vnnaturall force against your selfe making your beastly will the blodye sacrifize of your bodie whereby you shal be sewer to leaue to the remeinder of youre house a crowne of infamie in the iudgement of the worlde to come and put your soule in hazarde of grace afore the troane of iustice aboue you knowe syr I am sewer that in this transitorye and paineful pilgrimage there is nothing more certeine then death whom albeit wee are forbiddeÌ„ to feare yet oughte wee to make a certeine accompt of his coÌ„ming neyther is it any other thinge according to the scripture then the minister and messenger of God executynge his infallible wil vpon vs wretches sparinge neyther age condicion nor state It is he that geues ende to oure miserie heare and saffe conduyte to passe into the other worlde and assoâ—e as we haue taken possession of the house of reste he shooteth the gates of all annoye againste vs fedinge vs as it were with a swete slomber or pleasant sléepe vntil the last soÌ„moÌ„ce of generall resurrection So that syr methinkes they are of the happie sorte whome the great God vouchesafeth to call to his kyngdome exchangynge the toiles manifolde cares incident to the creatures of this worlde with the pleasures of his paradise place of reapose that neuer hath ende And touchinge your deuocion to him that was dead with vaine desyer to visit his ghoste in the other worlde persuadynge the same to procede of a debte and dutifull desyer you haue to make yet a further declaracioÌ„ of your vnfained minde towardes him I assure you syr â–ª I am more sorye to see you subiect to so great a follie then I feare or exspect the effect of your dreame for as it seames but a ridle procedinge of the vehemencie of your sicknes So I hope you will directe the sequeile by sage aduise conuertinge the circumstance into ayre without further remeÌ„braÌ„ce of so foolish a matter wherin also I hope you wyll suffer the wordes of the scripture to direct you who allowinge smal ceremonies to the dead forbides vs to yelde any debte or dutie at all to suche as be alredie passed out of the worlde and muche lesse to sacrifyze oure selues for their sakes vpon their tombes accordynge to the supersticious order of y e barbarians in olde time remeinyng at this daye in no lesse vse amonge the people of the weste worlde but rather to haue their vertues in due veneracion and treadynge in the steppes of their examples to imytate theyr order with like integretye of lyfe And for my parte saith she dyenge her garmentes with the droppes of her waterye eyes prouynge to late what it is to loase a husbande and to forget hym whome bothe the lawe of God and nature hathe gyuen me as a seconde parte of my selfe to lyue wyth mutuall contentement vntyll the dissolucion of oure sacred bonde by the heauye hande of God am thus farre resolued in my selfe protestynge to performe no lesse by hym that lyueth that yf the furie of your passion prevaile aboue your resistaunce or your disease growe to suche extreame tearmes that death wyll not be otherwayes aunswered but that you muste yelde to hys sommance and dye I wyl not lyue to lament the losse of my second husbande nor vse other dule in the funerall of youre corps then to accompanye it to the graue in a shéete or shroode of lyke attire for youre eyes shall no sooner cloase their liddes or loase the lyght of this worlde then theis haÌ„ds shal be readye to performe the effecte of my promisse and the bell that gyueth warnyng of your last hower shall not ceasse his doleful knil til he haue published with like sound y e semblable ende of your deare and louynge wyfe whose simple and franke offer here openynge a most conuenient occasion for her wylfull husbande to disclose the true cause of hys disease preuailed so muche ouer his doubtefull and waueringe mynde that dismissing euen then his former dissimulacion he embraced her not without suche abundance of teares and vnruly sighes that for the tyme they tooke awaie the vse of his tounge Albeit beinge deliuered of his trauÌ„ce and restored to the benefit of his speche he disclosed vnto her the true cause and circumstaunce of his gréefe in this forte Albeit since the time of my sicknes saith he you haue séene what distresse and desolation haue passed me wyth fyttes of straunge and diuerse disposition marueilynge no lesse I am sewer from what fountaine haue flowed the Symptomes of so race a passion wherein also your continuall presence and â—iewe of my weake state is sufficientlye hable to recorde the whole discourse of my disease yet are you neyther partaker of my payne nor priuye to the principall causes of so straunge an euill neyther haue I bene so hardie to discouer theim vnto you because I haue ben hetherto doubtful of that whereof your laste wordes haue fullye absolued me And nowe being weakened with the wearines of tyme sicknes in suche sort as nature hath ridd her handes of me and gyuen me ouer to the order of death who is to spare me no loÌ„ger but to vtter these laste wordes vnto you I accompte it a special felicitie in my harde fortune that in thoppenyng of the true causes of my greâ—e I may cloase and seale vp the laste and extreame tearme of my lyfe And because I wil cleare in few wordes the misterie which seames to amaze you You shall note that there be iij. onely ministers and occasyons of my disease whereof the firste and of leaste importance is for the death of my late Lorde and maister Don Ihon tryuoulso whereof you are not ignorant the second excedinge the firste in greatnes of grefe and force againste me is to thinke that the rigour of my destinies and violence of sicknes yeldynge me into the handes of death will dissolue and breake by that meanes the league of longe and loyall loue whiche from the beginnynge my harte hath vowed vnto you but the thirde and laste of a more strange qualitie then eyther of the reste is to thinke that when I am dead and by time worne
the rest haue made me strike saile of my former lybertie wyth franke resignacion of my harte and dearest parte in me to the disposicion of your mercye neyther haue I any cause at all to mislike the sentence of my fate or grudge wyth the lot of my present choice yf the respecte of my vnfained loue and sincere loyaltye maye moue you to paye the tribute of my seruice with an assuraunce of semblable affection wherein because both daunger and distaunce of our abodes denienge the tongue to do his office barreth vs also to vse the benefytt of mutuall conference I humbly craue good Madam an absolute resolution by your letters of that which the secret signes and messengers of loue do not only put me in hope but importes a warrantie of the conquest of your good wyll wherein yf I maye be assisted with the goodnes of the heauens and consent of fortune so farfurth as the same maye make me meritorious of your fauour and that the meritt of my seruice maye bée measured with a graunte of your good wil there shall no peril withstande the proffer of my lyfe to do you pleasure nor any occasion or chaunce whether it be accidental or proper haue power to breake the vowe which my harte hath alredie sworne to dye and lyue in the seruice and contemplacion of youre beautie neyther shal any Ladye in this corner of the world haue more cause to ioye in the choice of her seruaÌ„t then the Peragon Plaudina whose hande I kysse with greate humilitye and honour the remembrance of her name with no lesse sinceritie being absent then desyerous to yelde my homage with due adoracion to the presence of so faire a creature Yours more then his owne Cornelyo The Ladye being darted afore with the desyer of Cornelio and wold gladly haue entred the listes and gyuen the onset if it had not bene for the respect of her honour was nowe so wounded to the quicke that she fel into tearmes of commeÌ„dacion of her chaunce blissynge the goodnes of her fortune that had not onely planted her affection in so highe a place but yeldynge her rewarde wyth semblable glée hath made her the mystres of hym whom her hart had alredye chosen and admitted into vndoubted fauor whiche she confirmed eftesones with such tearmes of gratulation and arguments of present gladnes that yf the remorce of shame and reputacion of her honor hadde not bene impedimentes to the desyer of her harte cloasinge her mouth againste the present conceytes of ioye in this newe societie she had immediatlye dismissed the messenger with absolute assurance to performe the request of him that sent hym wherof albeit shame seamed to abridge the expedicion and offer causes of staye for the time yet wantynge force to mortifye altogether the humour of ragyng desyer the was driuen to gyue place to the prouocation of loue who deuestinge her of honest shamfastnes whiche oughte to be the chiefe habite and decoracion of the beautie of greate Ladyes willed her to deferre no lenger the thynge she had alredye vowed seynge y e iniurie of present tyme denied her to satisfye hym as she woulde at leaste to yelde hym suche contentement as she maye wherfore takynge pen ynke and paper she replied to his letter wyth this aunswere The circumstaunce of your present letter syr seames to argue an excepcion against the frendly lookes and glaunces of mine eyes wherin albeit I could note a great simplicitie want of discrecion in him that constreth the regardes of a Ladye cast at vnwares to the commoditye of hymselfe in wynninge the good will of her that meaneth nothing lesse then to make them the Ministers of loue yet beinge more ready to content you therin then curious of mine owne behauiour I am to acquite you of imputacion that waye and coÌ„uert y e note of y e follie to the ouersight of my selfe And albeit the pleasant encounter of mine eys seaming more liberal on your behalf with a familiaritie more theÌ„ ordinarie to al men may persuade a certein differeÌ„ce I haue put betwen the frendship of you respect of any other with desyer to embrace you aboue any one creature Yet was I of opinioÌ„ that your sondrye vertues reputation of honor would not suffer you to chalenge me for the firste faulte or to conuerte theis regardes of simple and colde fauor into suche consequence as to attempte the violation of that which mine honor grudgeth to lose and the vowe of faith to my husbande forbiddes me to depart withall notwithstanding I yelde you no lesse thankes for your curtesye then you seame to gyue commendacion to my beautye and other giftes you note in me accomptinge the same of greater price by the value and estimacion you make of them neither wil I refuse y e proffer of your present frendship which as I hope is voyde of intent to preiudice mine honor so let it suffise you that I am not only contented to admit you into fauor but also determined to hold you no lesse deare then the tendrest part of my selfe And because letters being incident to manye casualties are commonly the fyrst discloasers of the secretes of louers my aduise is that hensfurth you staye not only the diligence of your pen in sealing such great importance within a dissemblyng pece of paper but also be contented to commit the whole conueighe of our busines to the credit of this bringer who is to yelde you salutacion on the behalf of her who ioyeng no lesse in the vnitye of this frendship then hating the thing that maie seame hurteful to the coÌ„sommarioÌ„ of the same doth wishe your constancie of no longer continuance then you shal fynde cause of credit in the loyaltie of your vnfayned Plaudina The report of this letter preferred such a possibilitie likelihode of good lucke to the Myllanoys that dismissing euen now al argumeÌ„ts of former doubte he determined to accepte the offer of his fortune pursue y e benefit of present time wherin he was so furthered by the diligence of the minister and messenger of their loue that theare seamed to want for the fynall complote of theyr busynes but only the consent of conuenient tyme place which had folowed accordingly yf for the more assurance of the bargaine they had bryâ—ed the good wyll of the blinde goddesse whom as the Poetes haue chrtstened by the name of Dame Fortune gyuinge her charge ouer the change and alteracion of things so she is not so inconstant of her selfe as readye to manifest her mutabilitie when the wretches of the worlde seame to reapose mest assurance in her frendship And as the pleasant apple mustering with delicate glée vpoÌ„ the heyght of the highest spraise is blowen down with the least poffe of winde that breathes and so oppressed wyth the violence of the fal that the fruts is quyte taken awaye in the middest of his glory so the case and quiet of man is fauored
wyth so small a moment of time and subiect to so many chaunges that we oughte neyther esteme so greatlye as we do the tikle pleasures of so small abode nor iudge assurance in suche vncerteine vanities seing withal the same is of suche malicious disposicion that when we haue laied the fundation of oure pleasure and prosperitie with full perfuacion to enioye our quiet without controllement it is then that fortune discouereth her ambushs and inuaoynge vs at vnwares wyth the furye of her malice paieth our former pleasure wyth an interest of treble desolacion that fayleth not to attende vs euen vntill our fatall days of reapose whereof you maye note a familyar proffe in the sequeile of this CORNELIO who beinge vppon the point to taste of the delicat frutes in loue and embrace hys Ladye with suche contentement as louers do commonlye wishe and seldome encounter beholde the malice of the Frenche men began to rage wyth suche extremitie againste the lynage of the SFORCIANS whereof he was one of the chiefest that he was dryuen to auoyde the present daunger of hys lyse wyth a soddaine fleight and secrete stealynge oute of the towne wherin he was so hoatlye puriued with thextremitye of his perill that beyng barred anye leasure to communicate wyth hys dearest frends lesse time to impart his mish ap to his lady or once salute her with a simple farewell which seamed not so greuous to himselfe as of treble-dolour to the sorowfull PLAVDINA who distillynge no small nomber of teares on the behalfe of the soddain departure and absence of her deare frende and restored at laste to a moderation and patience by force began to cast the circumstaunce of his daunger wherin the ymagined all suche doubtes as eyther hope or feare coulde put in her head somtime persuadynge he should bee ouertaken and oppressed by the waye and by and by she feared leaste he were betrayed into the handes of his enemies by the malice of such as he put intruste with his life wherin she was no lesse doubteful of the one then in dispaire of thother and in such perplexitie with the conceite of them both that she seamed no lesse passioned for the time then if the enemies of her frende had cut her CORNELIO in peces afore her face And as she molde haue dismissed theis tragicall conceites of doubte feare and retired to a quiet wyth exspectation of better fortune she was sodainly assailed with a seconde alarame in her hart which mortifyenge all care of the well doinge of her absent CORNELIO preferred a vehement desyer not onely to recouer hym wherin appcared a greate impossibilitye but also wishinge to bée a companyon of his iorney and partaker of his miserye she seamed to expose a franke of that whiche earste she was ash amed and made conscience to graunt as she was voyd of al comfort in this calamitys sauinge that the often remembrance of her frende seamed to restore some litle contentement so ymagininge that the breath of the ayre wolde cary the Eccho of her complaintes into the eares of hym that was gon she saluted his absence with theis tearmes All thinges ought to be hatefull to the eares which seame hurteful to the quiet of the mynde and yet one chiefe consolation wee fynde in miserye is to recorde the circunstaunce of our misfortune neither can that grief be of greate importance whose cause is of small moment but alas what sorow is semblable to the separacion of frendes Ah CORNELIO what auncient grudge procureth this newe mislike or what offence haue I don of late that makes me meritorious of this greate discurtesye Wyl thou paye the merite of my frendshypp wyth so vnthankefull a trybute and abuse therspeaarion whiche all men had of thy vertue haste thou plyed me to thappetit of thy wyll and no we determined to leaue me in the greatest distresse of desyer to enioye thée or canst thow vse so small regarde to the desolate state of the sorowfull PLAVDINA as leauynge her hathed in the teares of vnderserued dule to steale awaye wyth oute the comfort of one simple adieu What nedest thou haue doubted to commununicate wyth her who hath alwayes reserued an equall care of thy sauetye and her owne lyfe And yf the loue thou haste vaunted to bere me had bene matched wyth an vnfained meanynge of continuance and constancie the feare of the enemy had not preuented thy comminge to me for loue alas defyeth the malice of daunger and perill is the thynge that least troubleth the harte that is trulye affectionate What comfort in my present miserie or exspectation of future redresse beinge out of hope eftesones to reclaime hym that receyued but nowe the sentence of continuall exile How am I plunged in a passion of double extremetie meyther content to disclayme my affection and lesse hable to dismisse the remembrance of hym that is the cause of my wo I fynde nowe alas to soone Howe iustelye we women mave exclayme againste nature who framynge vs of a brickle moulde apte to yelde and easye to be wonne hath enioyned vs withall a certeine vehemencie of affection pearsynge the harte wyth desyer in suche sorte as being once thorowlye coyffed wyth loue we are not onelye forsaken when wée wishe thieflye to embrace the obiect of oure appetit but also are subiect to abyde all sortes of reuenge of the ordinarye rigour of men And what rigouro wronge haue I offred the Dh CORNELIO wherof I haue not felte the firste apprehencion For forcyng my selfe to yelde the contentement I spared not the proffer of myne honour to purchasse thy frendshipp and in gyuynge the assuraunce of my good wyll I haue spotted the renowme of my former reputacion whereof the bloode of shame puttes me in remembraunce wyth grudge at so greate a faulte and thy conscience is my present witnes of my vnfayned loyaltye neyther wyll the flatteryng lynes of thy sondrie letters conceile this discurtesye nor the messenger and faythfull solicitour of oure loue forgett to reproche the of vnconstaunt behauyour to thy loyall PLAVDINA who feelynge now what it is to lacke the societye of hym whome the harte hath chosen to loue is equallie pinched wyth the panges of suche as plunged in the passion of desyer do wyshe that they wante and lacke the thynge they chieflye woulde haue whereby they seame to norishe lyfe wyth the onely breathe of a simple and colde hope But why am I so pertiall on myne owne behalfe in exclaimyng againste the discurtesye of hym who peraduenture deserueth not theis tearmes of blame or why doe I not rather respect the true cause of his departure sturred vp as it seameth by the necessitye of the tyme forcinge hym to habandon his parentes countreye and reuenue onles he wolde quenche the thirste of his enemyes wyth the abundance of his blood and appease theyr malyce wyth the price of his heade certeinlye the vertues and gyftes of CORNELIO acquite hym of all argumentes of
miserable daies wyth no lesse contentment being absent then I toke pleasure in y e regarde of her glistring eyes and the rest of her delicat proporcion at such time as my good fortune was content to geue me the glée of her presence Wherin Albeit hee spente certeine time wyth ymagynacion that his Ladye harde the crye of his complaintes and gaue iudgemente of his syde for th assurance of his loyaltie yet he forgat not to hawnte the companies of the Dames of MANTVA refusinge to resemble in any wise the order of those shaded louers who brought vp in the skoole of one ROMANTO TRISTANO or leadinge therraunte and obscure lyfe of AMYDES do fill the ayre full of their dollorous sighes and sekynge to recorde their passions in the depe and hidden caues of the earthe delyte not in the place and felowshippe of good hawnte neyther are they at any time so well in quiet as when they feele their desolate bodies shrowded vnder the shade of solitarye places or when by longe ranginge the wildernes and deserte landes they fynde by chaunce some odd hermitage farr from the vse and ordynary habitacion of men where fedynge only vpon the hoalsomnes of the ayre and ymagynacion of their owne conceit they pyne away in exspectation that some good Aungell or oracle wyll appeare vnto theim wyth the message of good newes or els the fatall sentence of their lyfe As those kynde of tortles or domesticall fooles degeneratinge from the planet that gouerneth thinclynacion of true louers whose complexion ought not to be dymmed wyth the darkenes of desolate places do seame to haue their consepcion from vnder the angrye and crabbed constellacion of SATVRNE wishinge willinglie that their Ladies were conuerted into the shape of Nymphes whom the poetes faine to wander and dwell in the thickest couert of the woddes to th ende that none but they shoulde enioye the glaunce and viewe of their bewtie So the true and lōyall louer armed wythe vnfayned assuraunce of his vowe doubts not to aduance himself in the presse of most repaires thinkinge he can geue no greater proofe or declaration of hys constancie to his mistres then to withstand thymportunities and alarams of other which you may note in this Cornelio who visiting the assemblies metings of the Ladies of MANTVA was marked ymediatly of one of the chiefest Ladies of the Citie and regarded wyth so good an eye that fallinge extremely in loue wyth the vertues and other dexterities of the banished knight she embraced hym so straitelye in the intrals of her harte that vppon thinstante she had forgot the honour and reputacion of her state wyth the vaile of shame which ought to soole the eyes of great Ladies and correcte the humor of their fonde appetit in executing thoffice of a shamefull clyent in a cause whiche she neyther ought to haue solicited and muche lesse condiscended vnto by force of any ymportunities howe great soeuer they were if it had not bene for thassistance of an olde neighbour of hers who vnderstandinge the disease of her mistrys promised her diligence to procure the remedye with expedicion wherin she omitted no oportunitye as occasion was geuen for attendinge the offer of conuenient time she founde the meanes to encounter CORNELIO one morninge all a lone in a churche at whom she roaued in this sorte The condition of nobilitye consistes not so muche in the title and surname of honor as in the commendacion and effecte of true vertues appearinge in a grafte discended of so noble a stocke And the greatest thinge Sir that makes a valyante man knowen to the worlde and preserueth the renowne of his reputacion in entyer is not to refuce thoccasyon and offer of his fortune geuen him for thincrease of his felicitie neyther can any man more abuse thexcellente giftes and goodnes of nature then to contemne thinstinct pryuiledge whyche she hathe geuen him for the decoracion of his estate The gentleman somewhat astonied wyth the soddayne encounter of his neighbour seamed to marueile no lesse at the retorike of tholde MARMOTTA then muse what myghte bée thintent of such formal protestacion wher wyth for his parte hauinge no great leasure to deuise for his aunswere cold not replie but wyth tearmes of curtesye in this sorte Yf at vnwares my tonge hath stollen a libertie in talkynge the thynge that hathe offended the eares of you or any other or by like ouer sighte haue don that whyche your disposition can not brooke nor the Law of curtesye allowe wyth the consente of your opynion I am rather to be pardoned by course then punished by iustice for that suche offences beinge common and naturall seame rather to procede of ignorance then of thinstigacion of malice or corruption of the mynde wherin as your iudgemente is no lesse equall then my innocencye meritorious so if it wyll please you to reueale the chiefe pointes of my falte you shal sée the hardenes of the pennaunce with treble satisfaction of the wronge shall take awaye the foulnes of the fact which kinde of curteys replie liked not a litle the eares of the messenger who accomptinge him worthie to enioye the good will of the greatest Ladie of a contrey gaue iudgement of the victorie wyth ende of thenterprice wherin notwithstanding she was no lesse deceaued then shame with the respect of her callinge oughte to haue cloased her mouthe from solycitinge so badd a case for albeit she discouered point by poynte the cause of her cominge with a peculyar commendacion and praise of the Ladie that sent her forgettinge not to decypher artyfyciallie her sondrye properties and many giftes of nature but chieflie her vnfained affection with readie offer and conformetie of that whereof Lawe of kinde makes all men not only desierous but studie to wyn by longe sute and seruiceable diligence yet wantinge force to shake the walls of so sewer a fortresse her arte seamed also insufficiēt to perswade the mynde of CORNELIO who albeit was of opynion and knew well enough that the wisedom was no lesse in acceptinge thoffer of a good aduenture then the follie of doble moment to refuce the preferment of fortune yet was he so whollie resolued in the loyall loue of his Ladye at MILLAN whose only and simple remembrance restored suche a remorce of the vowe whiche his hart had alredie sworne on her behalfe that he seamed more willinge to embrace the last and fatal dome of his lyfe then desyerous to abuse the least point of his dutie and seruice vnto her And albeit the desyers wée feele sturre in vs ymporte no other thinge then a certeine mirror or lokinge glasse receiuinge the darke ympressions whych our appetites presente vnto vs and that they whiche ymagyn whole castells of constancie with protestacion neuer to fainte in the vowe they haue made do no other thing thenne giue occasion to writars to bewtyfye their histories with the circumstance of their follie with suche a blowe and open
mockerye in the ende that they sticke not to discribe their vaine and fonde humor vppon publike stage in the hearinge of all the worlde yet am I of opynion that as the garmente that is fyt for euery man is well framed for no man so the harte that is as apte to declyne as the appetit is readie to sommon is neyther meritorious of fauor in any sort nor meete to kepe place in the rancke of the vertues chieflye where hee refuseth thobiecte of his owne choice neyther is it possible that two sonnes geue lighte to y e world at one instante nor once conueniente for the mynde of one man to embrace thymage or figure of more then one saint wherein thexample of CORNELIO callinge vs to thymytacion of the like vertue serues also to confute thopposicions of certeine couetous Ladies now a daies who rather gredie of glorie thenne hable to deserue it do not sticke to whet their wittes and inueighe synisterly against thinconstancie of men transporting the whole title and honor of true loyaltie to themselues as though there remained no sparke nor showe of that vertue in the hartes of men who as they were the firste partakers of that gifte so the constante order of their doinges and lyues beinge founde for the moste parte the longeste in breath do argue them no lesse worthy of that perfection then hable to excede that flatteringe crew of flickeringe creatures who in robbinge vs of that which we deserue by iuste title doo seame to bewtifye theimselues wyth the merite of other mens vertues But because the eares of al women can not brooke the hearinge of a troth and that the pursewte of this quarrell arguinge a more daunger in thaduenture then gaine in the victorye mighte set abroache the faltes of some of our contreywomen I am contente to geue theim that they will haue by force and retiringe to the place of my historie declare vnto you the aunswer of CORNELIO to the messenger I am sorye saieth he the large honor and liberall offer whyche you seame to presente vnto me on the behalfe of your Lady and mystrys is of a more highe momente thenne eyther I am worthys to possesse or hable to requite wyth equall merite wherein because the harde condition of my presente state seames my chiefeste enemye to soo greate a prefermente I doubte howe to seame thankefull to her and satisfye the tyme both together albeit as thinges ympossible are not to bee pursewed and offences forced of necessitie are moste meritorious of pardon so beynge not hable to aunswere her exspectacion in counterchaunge of affection I am onlye to racke the litle tallent that is lefte me to so highe a pyn that onlye shee shall dispose of my honor and lyfe wyth all that I haue in the worlde at her pleasure whyche it maye like her to vse as a supplie of y e presēt dutie and seruice she demaundes at my hand onelye being at this presente not the maister of my selfe nor the vse of my harte in mine owne possession my sute is that shee rather blame the wronge whiche time offreth to vs bothe then note me of any disdayne in refusing the frendshippe of her who merites more then I am hable to performe for if my harte were as frée from forreine and former bondes as shée deserueth to be serued and that my affections did not excede thordenary ympressions whiche assaile the mynde of man assure youre selfe shee shoulde not lyue longe vnsatysfyed to her contentmente and muche lesse haue cause to enter into suspection of Ieleous disdaine in me for retorning the offer of that which maye serue for a present to the greatest prince in ITALY neyther will I so much abuse the proffer of her acquaintance or cause of your cōming as eyther her liberal offer or vehemēcie of your importunities on her behalf shal moue me to resolue a worseopynion or more slēder credyt on y e honor or honestie of her y t sente you desyeringe you for end to preferr my excuse accordinge to thintegretie of the same with this further addicion and humble requeste that she bee as bolde to employe me in any other respecte no lesse amplye and so far furthe as my honor and lyfe will extende more honestlie saithe the messenger colde you not refuce the offer of that whyche earste was neuer presented to any and muche lesse so neare the poynte to make a price of so precious amarchandise neyther do I thinke you worthie of the title of that courtesye whereof you are commended nor yet am I of mynde that youre harte is capable of the noble vertue of loue seynge y e renowne honor of her whose bewty only hath the greatest princes of Italye in awe canne make no breache nor enter And who woulde seame of so slender iudgemente onlesse hee hadde quite disclaimed the order of reason that beinge proffered frelie that whiche princes can not get by any sute and not onely desired but pursewed wyth greate instance wolde let slippe the gyft of so good a fortune and make chippes of the frendshippe of so faire and curteons a Ladye wyth what face dare you visyt hereafter th assemblies of greate dames hauynge committed so greate a falte on the behalfe of her whose goodwill you do not deserue if her curtesye did not call you to that prefermēt are you of opynion that the merite of your bewtie and other proporcion excedes the honore and heighte of her that woeth you ymagyn the same to bee of suche force that it is hable to drawe Ladyes to doate of you euen vnto deathe woulde you become so harde harted as to encrease your glorye wyth thexployt of so great a crueltie If you bee subiecte to soo fonde an humor you muste nedes bee incydente to the iuste reuenge which the god of loue is readie to thonder vpon such as seame to hold his loare in skornful contempte whereof as I haue harde mo examples then my skill is hable to reueile in good order being neuer trained in the torning ouer of volumes histories So I wishe chieflie the plage of NARCISSVS maye put you in remembrance of your present ouersighte leaste in disdaininge the frendshippe of such as excell your selfe euery way you doate vppon thymage of your owne shadowe and by that meanes yelde treble vsurye to the wronge you offer her whose loyall affection deserueth a better rewarde then the retorne of a repulse of so small ymportance wherwith CORNELIO cuttinge of the reste of her waspishe discourse desyered her to presse him wyth no greater ymputacion then his offence deserued for saieth he in tearminge me vnworthie of the title of curtesye and that my hart is to harde to admit the impression of loue you rather slaunder me by ignorance then accuse me by iustice seinge the onlye force of loue hath forced alreadie a vowe of my affection and harte to a Ladie of MILLAN whose presence albeit thiniquitie of fate hath taken from me for a
time yet shall the only remembrance and inwarde regard of her bewtie and vertue suffice to minister sufficient moderaciō chiefe cōpfort during y e angry dome of my hard exile neyther shal y e force of any enchauntment and much lesse y e charme of any intysing perswacion preuaile so far ouer mée as once to make mée transgresse the leaste point of my confirmed loyaltie wherein as the Salemandre lyues in the flame so wyll I pyne away and consume by péecemeale in the passion of true loue til the angrye fates ceassinge to wreake their malice vpon me do place me in the possession of the due méede of my merit Here this olde enchauntresse vnderstandinge the circumstance and full of his disease and that his harte was so thorowlie lymed with the bewtie of his Ladie at MILLAN that it denied thimpression of her offer wherein albeit there appered an ympossibilitie to wythdrawe or at leaste to procure moderacion to the vehemencie of his affection yet beinge no lesse loath to take a foyle in her enterprise then desyerous to performe her charg to thuttermost wyth intente to retorne the messeger of absolute cōtentmēt or vndowted dispair thoughte not to leaue hym till shee hadde Syfted and tryed euery synowe and vaine of his disposicion and hauinge but one pece of retoricke remayninge shée boolked it out vnder a couertely kinde of reprehending his folie in this forte are you one of that vaine crue saith she archfooles of the world that striuing to bende y e bow of loyal louers do make a glorie of a thing as requisite in loue as cowardnes or wāte of courage in the soldiour meinteining skirmish against the enemie do not you thinke that a woman of indifferent iudgement will not rather laughe at such foyle in her seruant then allowe his fonde constancie begon without reason and kepte with so small discrecion And albeit it is glorye of a Ladye to be onely embraced and dearly beloued that they haue as it were by a speciall instinct of nature a desyer aboue all creatures to be the only possessours of the hartes of their louers do you not thinke for all that that they giue not leaue and libertye to theyr seruantes to make a seconde choyce or chaunge of mistres to th ende they maye be thorowly resolued of the loyaltie of their seruante and he discerne the true difference betwene the affections of bothe his Ladies And sewer that hart is wroughte of strange mettal and the sprite of slender capacitie that being bounde as it were to a taske is subiect only to one simple desyer without power to bestow his regardes in more places then one admit constancie to be as greate a vertue as you make it that the faith in loue is to be kepte withoute violacion I praye you in asking you one question by frendshipp let me be aunswered by the veray touch and reaport of your conscience what assurance haue you of equalitye or semblable affection at the handes of your mistrys of Myllan whome you haue more reason to doubte then cause to beleue Do you thinke that you are only beloued or that beinge punished by exile without greate hope eftesones to recouer you she can continue as faythfull for her parte as you seame foolishe in beinge the slaue and subiect of an ymage or shadowe of a thynge so farre hence no no do awaye theis toyes of small substance and let my experience Seigneur Cornelyo prescribe you one chief and generall rule that no woman beinge once disposed to loue and hauynge the obiect of her fancie taken out of her presence is so hable to represse the humour of desyer or correct thinstigacion of her appetit as it is eyther in her power to disclaime at her pleasure or degenerat from that wherin she hath a facilitie by nature But as one spoiled of all resistance arguments of vertue she ceasseth not to followe the queste of her licencious inclinacion till she haue founde a freshe supplie to enter the lystes and paye tharrerages of hym that first conquered the place Women be neither equall wyth saintes nor like vnto angels neyther are they made of other mettal then suche as is distilled of thimperfections of your selues and in place of priuiledge or frée dispence from the passions of loue I affirme theim to excede all other creatures in the vehemencye of that impression and chieflye where the effect doth not followe th assurance of the worde for as the drawinge glaunces of the eye and pleasaunt platt of the tongue is rather an earnest penny of y e bargaine then a ful consommacion of thaggrement so the hungrye appetit of the hart affected is neuer satisfyed to his contentement till he haue tasted of the delicate frute growynge in the middest of thorcharde and paradise of loue whiche onely concludes and knyttes vp the reste of thimperfect bargain wherein as I must confesse vnto you that both the lawe of loyaltye is to be obserued and faith kepte inuyolable where we fynde an vnitie of affection and full effect of our desyer so to bestowe loue in the ayre and lyue without hope of the thing that is wished I accompte it rather the part of a mad-man then office of one that hath his wittes at cōmaūdemēt nether doth the end of suche pynyng cōceites importe other cōsequence then a loathsom wearines and vnnatural hate of lyf with continuall exspectation to dye and an euerlastinge remembrance of his follye after hys death And for your parte comparynge the SYMPTOMES of your present passion with thunlikelihod I sée to haue spedie ende of youre martirdom you bringe in remembraunce the miserable state of y e simple sparowhake who being hooded to take away her wildnes syttes al y e day longe beckinge vpon her Iesses and whettinge her beake vppon the pearche rather in dispaire then certein of the comming of her keper let me pearce that harde harte of yours with perswacions of reason and seame not so rashe in refusinge the goodnes of fortune who albeit is accompted an enemy to moste menne yet is she also frendlie to some and ymagyn that once in the course of your lyfe she kisseth your cheke and holdeth her lapppe open with an offer of a good torne whiche if you refuce is not to be reclaimed eftesones by any arte or pollecie Conuert your affection founded vpon such slipper substaunce and no lesse incertaine of his due mede into a ballance of equal frendshippe and harte of semblable honor and vertue and exchange at last these languishinge conceites that tormente youre pyninge spirite for a pleasure no lesse precious then of great merite who is no lesse readie thē willing more apte to offer then you hable to receiue cease hensfoorthe to loue vppon credyt and crye out of the shadowe or figure of a thinge that hathe neyther eares to heare your complainte nor meanes to releue your distresse and thinke that the glorye of loue consistes not in the
their peculyar thankes the one for that in preseruing his champions from the malice of daunger and marke of open shame seamed to restore the felde and assist theim with soccour whenne they dispaired most of consolacion the other for that contrary to her nature and cus tume she had torned theirmanifold afflictions into a pleasure more precious acceptable thē al y e desasters of y e whole worlde seamed greuous or hurtfull in which passion of ioye shée mounted into the chamber of Iacke of the clockhouse who resembling a red heyring dryed in the smoake agaynst the beginning of the next lent attended her comming wyth no lesse deuocion then the Iews exspect their MESSIAS and albeit the approch of present ioye forcinge some teares in remembrance of the feare passed seamed for the time to take away y e vse and libertie of her tongue yet she cut of y e traunce of that pleasant sorowe without thassistance of any special counter-charme other then that whych proceded of a vehement desyer to behold and speake wyth her frend in the chymney wherfore after shée had dryed and drained the wet humor of her waterie eyes and dismissed all argumentes of former dule she retired to her auncient complexion of ioy and calling with a smyling voire to him in the topp of the rooffe willed him to discend hardly from his darke troane and theatrie of hell wher sayth she if god had not deuised the meane of your delyuerie and seamed willing that you shold receiue the due guerdon of your loyaltie in consenting to commit my husband to pryson you had stil remeined there norished with the vapour of y e moone longer then eyther I wold haue wished or had bene necessarie for your health Here albeit CORNELIO was sufficiently perswaded of the voice of his Ladie and that he knew all the house to be voyed of suspicion or cause of further daunger yet the remembrance of his perill passed presented such a feare to fall eftsones into the like perplection that hée neyther beleued that which hée hard nor durst forsake his habytacion on highe til he was sommoned the second tyme by his PLAVDINA who by the help of her woman reared a lather to the top of the loft where the grymy roode stode who being discended and in the presence of his Ladye seamed no lesse amased then those desolate or rather dronken creatures who wandring the night by vnknowen waies do thinke theimselues guided by the vision of some ill spirit And the wantō ladie on thother syde seing the ghastlie astonishement of her frend not much vnlike in cōplexion to the chymney swepers cōminge out of the yle of BERGAMASQVA cold not so moderat her present gladnes but burstinge into a soddaine laughter shée seamed to crucifye the remembrance of the tragedie passed wyth the singler contentment shée toke in beholdinge her CORNELIO dyed as it were in the smotheringe tanfat of hyddeous collours And albeit you louers who for a simple glée and respect of fauor of your Ladies haue earste bene sprinkled with the water of semblable affliction and after getting thupper hand of your fortune possesse the presence of your dames in such oglye and deformed attire canne best iudge of the present case of CORNELIO I meane whether hée hadde more cause of shame then astonishmente iuste anger against hys fortune or reason to exclaime his mishappe chieflie for that he fonnd himself so braue a companion in the lothsom badge or lyuerye of the chymneye and whether he had so greate courage to cōmunicate wyth his PLAVDYNA resembling the blacke knight or feryman of ZENOLOZ as he showed hymselfe valyant in thattempte of an enterpryse of so great aduenture yet thauthorytie of my historye aduoucheth thus farr of his doinges at that tyme that notwithstandinge the malice and diuersitie of all his mishapps with the perfumed figure and gréeselie show of himselfe he neyther loste corage to demaunde the due méede and hyer of his daungerous traueile nor forgat to do sacrafise to his fortune for the retorn of her frendshippe affirminge there that they dyd her wronge that christenned her by the name of cruell and suche no lesse abused her that tearmed her by the title of an vnrightuous or rigorous iudge consideringe she doth but iustice sometime to checke or chasten our offences and we no reason to pleade for our selues but by appellacion to the pryuiledge of her fauor neyther is she cruell for euer nor so maliciouslye bente in the begynning but shée is hable and will vse moderacion in her angrie moode and restore vs in the end to treble contentacion And like wise sayth hée as the poore trauellour in a strange contrey hauynge once passed diuerse light peperills and daungers of no great ymportaunce is not only made strōger to encounter greater inconueniences but also restored to a meruelous contentment quiet of minde whē w tout daunger hée may enioye his rest and record his perills paste Euen so fortune this night hathe geuen vs an experience of diuerse desasters bothe to vse her aduertisemente as a speciall armour to resyste thassaltes of semblable accidents hereafter and also to confirme our affections with a stronger bonde or vndoubted vnytie makinge the pleasures of our loue of greater price and moment after so sharp stormes of raging tempestes And what is hée that is worthie to taste of the delites and pleasures of the worlde that is not hable to disgeste one simple pill of bitter confection neyther dothe hope dekaie but with the ende of life and the vertue of a most true and inuincible loyaltie is neuer frustrate nor voyed of his rewarde and tochinge the stormes paste my deare PLAV DINA saith he like as it is a chiefe consolacion to a man in calamytie to knowe his mishapp so there is also a speciall compfort that followeth the remembrance of the euills whiche wée haue alredie suffred and a treble contentmente beinge permitted to recorde theim wythout daunger and hée that is desierous to bée crowned with the garland and glorie of victorie must not feare the malice of perill nor hazarde of lyfe for who contemneth death escapeth his malice but such as feare and flée from hym do often fal into his daunger neither is there lesse fame in the valyant aduenture then in the fortunat victorie And for my parte if my lyfe had ended in thassalte of any of these distresses the same had not exceded a simple oblation of my dutie towardes you whiche also had followed wyth no lesse expedicion then I had great desyer to geue you so vnfayned a shewe of my seruice if in the verye act had not appeared a manifest derogacion and cause of infamie to your honor wherwith meaninge yet to prolonge his discourse hée was interupted with the replie of PLAVDINA who more desyerous to taste of the pleasures to come then willinge eftsones to prefer a second view of y e mischienes passed wished hym to dismisse the remembraunce of their former
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
therle neither ignorant in the sollies of women nor voyde of experience to practise suche kinde of creatures preferred a wounderful pacience as his chiefest remedy against the rage of his wyf laying afore her notwithstaÌ„ding in gentle tearmes the dutie and indeuor of a wyfe towardes her husband how much in what sorte she ought to respect the honor of her self and reputacion of mariage and that as no woman oughte to putt in interest her honor or honest name so the greater she is in degrée the more haynous is her offence and a small faulte of a great Ladie is most mortall in the eye of y e multitude who lookes that the lyfe and vertue of greate Ladies shold serue as it were as a torche of cleare flame to gyue lighte to the lesser companions neither is the chastetie of y e mynde saith he sufficient to confirme the perfect renowme of a gentlewoman if the wordes and outewarde hehauior of the bodye do not followe thinwarde vertue of the hart thordynarye hawnte and exercise giue manifest declaracion of that whiche lieth hyd in the secretes of the stomacke and for my part I wolde be loathe to giue you cause of miscontentement seing that in the reapose of you consistes the rest of my self and you beynge oute of quiett I can not escape without greeff seynge that as the mutuall consent of our wills and affections with the like coniunction of mariage hath made you the one halfe and second part of my selfe so I exspect at your handes only a simple accomplishement of that which your publike othe affore God and man in the churche hath bounde you vnto like as also I am readye to performe vnto you thuttermost of any promisse or priuiledge where of at any tyme I haue made protestacion with full assurance froÌ„ this present of euerye part of the same so that you giue me the due respect of a husbande for as the head beyng the chief and principall part of the reste of the members hath as yt were a speciall authority by nature to gouerne the whole masse and remeynder of the bodye so the woman beynge thinferior part of her husbande is subiect to all dutifull obedience on his behalfe bounde to honor hym with no worse tearmes then by the name of Lord and maister for in omittinge your duty towards him you abuse the vertue of your vowe approued by sollemne othe and in inceÌ„sing his dishonor you are guâ—ltie of the violacion and breache of wedlocke one chief ouersighte I note in you is for that vppon smal causes you fordge great complaintes which argueth the rather the ydlenes of your brayne for the mynde that ys occupyed wyth vanitye is forgettfull of all thynges sauynge suche as thynstygacion of pleasure and folly do preferr to her remembraunce where on the contrarye part the sprite affected to vertue exposeth alwayes â—rutes accordynge to so great a gyfte dissimuling her passions with wordes of wisdome and in knowing-much giueth not withstandynge a showe of an honest and moderate ignorance she that laboreth in a passion of particular coÌ„ceites with detestacion of the due respecte of honor can not studie other workes then such as seame to fauor her follye nor open her eares to any voice if the same agrée not to the coÌ„plot and coÌ„tentement of her fancie wherein as I hope you will eyther pardoÌ„ me by iustice or at least excuse my simplicitie for that as you late tearmes of reproche haue forced me to suche a plaines so for ende if you will renounce your trade of former folly and fromhenâ—â—urth retire to an orderly confirmitie of life you shal not only procure a singler pleasure to me but cause an absolute contentement with continuall quiet to your selfe whereof bée careful as you thinke good Here the erle had great reason and double pollecie in seking to reforme thabuses in his wif without thassistance of crueltie or constraint for that suche disposicions are rather reduced by faire intreaity then reclaimed by feare or force of torments according to the nature of diuerse of thinsensible creatures for the fierce Elephant standes not in awe of his keaper by force of any stripes but is made tractable to bende his lardge bodie whilest he mounte vpon his backe by certeine familiar voices and stroakinges of his keper wherewith he ouercometh the naturall rudenes and crueltie of the beaste The Tygre will take foode at the handes of the wildman norished in the caues and desert habitacions amongest theim where no stripes nor other awe of man can moue any moderacton to his wodnes or cruell nature So likewise some women albeyt they are quite deuested of all honor or honestie yet are they founde to reteine some sparkes of ciuil humanitie beinge more easelye broughte to a reformacion by gentle order then reclaimed by the smart of any torture or crueltie wherein not withstandynge this countesse seamed to vse a more extremety and excede y e doinges of any that euer haue bene noted of disorder that waye for neither gentle perswacions colde allure her nor feare nor force reduce her to reconcilement or amendement of life but accordynge to the stone of Scylicia vppon whom the more you beate to bruse or breake yt in peces the greater hardnes is dryuen into it so the greater indeuor therle vsed to persuade his wyfe eyther by allurement or offer of correction the more peruersatie he founde in ber with lesse hope of amendement and as she vsed a malicious scilence during the discourse of his exhorâ—acion so she forced in her selfe for the present a wounderfull patience to th end that with the consent of a more conuenient time she might spitt oute the poyson whiche she shrowded secretly vnder the wynge of her venemous stomacke wherby for a first proofe of her conninge in the parte she mente to plaie she forgat not to dissimule her passion and conterfet the simple ypocrate in suche sorte as a wiser man then therle mighte easelye haue bene taken in the snare of her deceite whiche notwithstandynge she vsed in such couert manner that within shorte time she had not only remoued al conceites of euill from the head of her husband but also brought him to an opinion of a maruelons honesty and assured confidence in her in whyche good vaine for a more declaracion of his good mynde towardes her he obserued her fancie so farfurth as vpon a soddaine he brake vp house in Scauoye and went to Casaliae where laye her inheritance and chiefe possession Yf you marke wel the fetche of this womaÌ„ in procuring her husband to depart his coÌ„trey what a sodaine checke folowed to him with a false bound to y e honor of her selfe you may easely iudge that a woman once bent resolued to do euill hath a wit to ymagine al malice sorts of mischief to be ministers in therecucion of her wickednes that neither feare of punishement imputacion of shame perill nor daunger how
such indeuor to make declaration of the dutifull zeale he bare her that she shoulde fynde hym nothing inferior to any gentilman that euer made profession of loue or other seruice to his Ladye nor haue cause any way to mislike her choise for y t he wold neuer be so rash in promise as redie to expose an effect nor she so willyng to require as he twyse diligent to parforme thuttermost of her cōmaundements she felyng her selfe clawed in y t place that ytched most replyed with a smyling countenance that ther perience of the often breache of promisse in suche as vse to court vs simple Ladyes wyth the marchandise of loue doth argue so much thincōstancye of men saith she that for my part if I sawe a present effect of true loyaltye before myne eyes yet could I hardlye he brought to repose eyther credit or assurance in any promise seing men them selues nowe a dayes are infected wyth the ayre of such fragility that they neyther respect the honestye of their word nor the vertue in parformyng the least effect of a thousand liberal offers they make at vnwares Albeit as he y t chargeth the guyltles with the offence of the murderer doth wrong to his innocencye so I haue learned that it is a speciall vertue to be persiall in opinion toward straūgers and iudge the best of euery man wherfore for your part syr if you will enlarge the offer of your fyrst faith with this addicion that I may be bold to imploye you in one spectall affaire of mine at suche time as I shall sommon you therunto I am content not onely to put you in possession of your request But also to bynd my selfe to no lesse loyaltye on your behalfe then euer appeared in any Ladye to wards her faythful seruant The captayne that would willyngly haue sacrifised hym selfe for the raunsome of her fauor stoode not to examine what charge she would enioyne him vnto but cōfirmed an assurance with sundry sorts of othes being no lesse rashe in y e promise of euel thē hastie to performe th executiō as herafter you shal heare Here was brewed the broth or preparatyue of the fatall obsequies of her former loue the earnest penny gyuē of the blodie bargayn death of Seigneur Valpergo for she by the too liberall vnhoneste vent of her honor made him the Borreau vnnatural executioner of noble blod defacinge by y e same meanes the gentrie of his house which he ought to haue preserued til the last drop of blood in his body And remaining there al that night she made him so pleasant a bāquet of delicat kysses other exercises of y e bed that the more he tasted of y e pleasure the more he thrusted with desyre to cōtinue y e sport y e subtil Cirses for her part semed so vehemēt in loue with dissimuled arguments of vnfayned affection that in persuading himselfe of the victorye of her good wyl he thought he had made a conquest of the whole easte parte of the worlde seming so drowned in the deuocion of his new Sainte charmed with the enchauntmentes of her art which peraduenture lente her some power or assistance of legierdemain to force his humor of earnest zeale that if she had sayd the worde he had made no conscience to haue committed the whole Citye of Myllan to the mercie of fyre and gunpowder lyke as Blouse de Cume was redye to put fyer into all partes of the cytie of Rome if the Sedicius Tyberyus Gracchus had geuen it hym in charge suche is the rage and frantyke folye of youth when they suffer their amarous transport to excede the caryr of reason or discression and from this fountayn haue distilled heretofore many destructions of Realmes with subuerciōs and alteracions of monarchies wherin also may be noted a maruelous corrupt and vaine disposicion in such as wyl rather affect and haunte the companye of a publike curtysan then honor the vertue of a chast lady although she were his lawful wyfe and companion of bedd and yet those gallandes wyll not sticke to Ieste and point at the maried man gouerned sometime by the sage aduice of his lawful wife wher they seme readye at the commaundemente of a strompet or arrand whoare not only to hazarde the price of their honor but also in fauoring thinstygaciō of her wickednes to make their testament vpon a skafolde layinge their heades vnder the edge of the sworde of Iustice wherin I nede not torne ouer many bokes for copy of exāples seing you may be sufficiently satisfyed wyth y e view of the folye of this bastarde of Cardonne in performinge the suggestion and malice of this mordering corntesse who seinge her captayne sufficientlye framed to the postey of her wyll thoughte it was now time to put him in remembrance of his promise and somon him to the reuenge of them that thought no more of her cōspiracyes nor traynes of treason wherin as the howre approched that her Lasciuious trade of life shoulde be enioyned to open pennance and the wrong violacion of faith to her husbād with her pernicious intentes effectes of murders receyue theire due hyre and punishment and that the rage of destenie woulde not be appeased tyll som man weare committed to execution so for a more expedicion of the fatall ende of her miserable lyfe she entised her bastard louer into a close arbor in the gardin where only y e byrdes weare witnes of their discours and brake with hym in this sorte Yf nature Sir hath gyuen to euery one a speciall care to holde the vse of lyfe moste deare with a peculyar desyer to fauor the cours of our dayes wyth so lōg a tearme as we can how much more are we bounde to embrace and be carefull of that whiche causeth vs to lyue wyth a singuler renome from amongst the rest of the baser sort of people who lyenge alwaye in watch to marke oure order of lyuing are no lesse glad to haue an occasion of slaunder then redye to impart it to all the worlde with such percialitye of vnworthie bruit y t the greater we seame in degrée the more hainous they make our offence and mortal fautes not only scarse noted but also tollerable in meaner personages wherin as we women are most incident to the awe of that malicious clymat of people both for that they Sift vs and our doings more narrolye thē the rest and because we beinge the weaker companye are not armed with sufficient force to resiste their rage so the indifferēt sorte ought not to be rashe in iudgement on their sydes nor gyue sentence of discredit or dishonesty againste vs the rather by a sinister suggestion of suche a vulgar and barbarous crewe neyther ought we to spare or feare anye sort of reuenge whiche maye aduaunce the recouerye of that wherof we are wrongfully deuested Thus much I haue inferred syr as a preamble to the request I meane to make which I take
god to witnesse procedes not to much of desyer to pursue the reuenge of wrong I haue alredie receiued as to make knowen to all the worlde wyth what integritye I go about to preserue the renome of my former reputacion knowinge ryght well that the earthe beareth nothing so precious or of so great value that is hable to restore or make good the forfeiture of the honor of a la dye of equall Calibre and callinge to mee And because I wil not kepe you in long suspence nor with tedyous circum stance moue anye myslike to hym that hath offered to Iustify my cause against them whose wickednes haue procured these tearmes of iust complaynte it may lyke you to vnderstand this as not long sins I remayned at PAVIA wyth a trayne conuenient for my degree may ntaynynge court and hospitalitie in suche sorte that the greateste estate seamed content wyth myneordynar ie so amongest the rest of the repayre and accesse to my house I was vysited wyth an often hawnt of two earles of equall nobylytie and semblable discent of honor to whom albeit I vsed an indifferente countenaunce exposing no great argument of famylyaritie on their behalfes then as you se I show to euery gentlemā yet forgetting thestymacion of their owne race and ranke which I hold they haue semed of late so vnthankfull to the honor I vsed towards them that I fynd a returne of the meryt of my curtesye wyth a general brute of open slaunder begon and contynued by them who also cease not as yet to endeuor to make my name no lesse notoryous of Infamye then if I weare the most cōmon curtisan in Rome or Venyce wherin as the vertue of my Innocencye is hable to satisfye thopynions of such as know me for that thintegretie of my life hethervnto parswades them that I am bothe belyed by malyce and slaundred wythout cause so al straungers and specyallye the vulgar sorte conferringe my delycate and braue order of lyuinge wyth the parnicious rumor of these gallandes doughts not to confirme their vylaynes wyth an absolute Iudgemēt that I am no lesse dishonest in dede then their brute hath published in euery corner and cuntrye of I talye wherof besydes y t myne owne conscyence doth absolue me yet dare I pleade appeale to the testymony of your selfe to depose the contrarye protestynge vnto you by the heyght of the hyghest throne in heauen that onlye you haue vanquyshed the chastyty of Blanche Marye who yf she should anye waye lose your presence could not enioye the ayre of MYLAN four and twentye howers for that those roysters slaunderus earles haue brought me in so bad a tast amongest all honest companye and yet would I not depart without a reuenge of the wronge they haue done me wherein yf I cannot be assisted wyth the helpe of anye man I assure you this carcasse shall eyther be found dead in thenterprise or these handes shall comitt the fatall execution of these corrupt wreches whose malice haue set abroche the vessell of vnworthye slaunder to myn honour and estymacion wherwyth she forsed a sodayn complexion of dolor in her face in such sort that the teares which distilled from her eyes dropped all a longest her chekes and brestes of the coollour of thazured alablaster and watered the whole bosom and body of the Scycilyan who hauyng no other god but the countesse and seynge thympetuositie of her distres enquired of her in a meruelous rage what he was that durste abuse her who had at commaundement a captaine with his whole enseigne of men at armes and soldiours ready to march at the sounde of her drom to defende her quarrell and take vengance of such as oppresse her swearyng at thinstante by the faith and honour of a soldior that if he knewe the names of thies ympudēt wretches al y e world shold procure no dispense of their death and he only wolde cutt theym in as manye peces as there be members of their wicked bodyes wherefore saith he ymbrasing his infernal goddesse giue me only a note of their names and you shall sée what difference I vse betwene doyng sayinge simple wordes and dedes of effecte and do away thies teares withoute further remembrance or care to reuenge your enemyes for you shall sée that I will tonse theym so conyngly that herafter they shal neede no barber to rownde their haire This franke promisse with the liklyhode of spedye effecte breathed suche a freshe ayre of consolacion into the mordering countesse that after she had coolled and embrased hym in a thousande sortes with an offer and liberall dedication of her life with all that shee had even vntyll the laste and extreme dropp of her blodde tolde hym the names of her enemies who saithe she are not hable to make good anye waye the forfeiture of myne honour but by their deathe and perentorie destruction wherewith he willed her eftsones to dismisse all care and reapose herselfe vpon him for saith he afore thexpiraciō of many daies you shal heare such newes as you long for wherin he failed neither of the tyme nor effect of his promise for that the nexte night hee was aduertised by certeine espialls which he had set for the purpose that therle Valpergo supped in the towne wherfore he armed him self with twentie menne at armes of his soldiours and laye in ambushe of eyther side the strete where therle should passe in his retorne to his lodgynge who with his brother arme in arme with some fyue or six of their pages and seruantes betwene ten and eleuen of the clocke in the euenynge came deuisynge merely together till they were at the Iaumbe or torne of a streete that stretcheth to sainte Iacques where soddainly they sawe theym selues assailed and set vpon on all sides with men in armor and findynge their force far to weake to mainteine skirmish with so greate a trowpe armed at all pointes vpp to the throate and they onely the simple assistance of the rapior and cloke began to flee but they founde astopp of passage in euerye place in suche sorte as therle and his brother with the rest of their small crewe were cutt in peces in one instante albeit as morder is the synne moste detestable affore God so we see fewe or none escape vnpunyshed nor any done in suche secret but the maiestye of the higheste reserues a meane to discouer it for in the heate of this sharpe medley therle ARDIZZYNO espied the basterde PIERRO whome he named and called vppon manye tymes but all in vaine whiche beyng harde and aduouched by one of the townesmen standyng rather in his windowe to crye ayme then helping any waye to parte the fraye was the cause that he was taken the same nighte and committed to prison by thautoritie of the duke of BVRBON lieutenante and chyefe gouernour within MILLAN for themperour Charles the fyfte and the nexte daye fearynge the offer of the racke or other tormentes he confessed the facte wyth
wrongefull conceyte of suche a villenie dothe troble you whyche shée forgatt no too accompanye with all sortes of syghes and sygnes of dollour entrermedled with suche regardes of dyssembled pitie in all partes of her face that albeyt he was paste all dowte touchynge the trothe of hys owne conceyte yet the teares of hys deceytefull mother moued hym to admitt her excuses with suche compassion of her sorowe that he seamed also to passe the panges of her present passion with protestacion vnder tearmes of greate humilitie that he greued no lesse in that he hadde sayd then shée hadd greate reason to complaine of the wronge he hadd donne to the renowne of her vertue albeyt saythe he wyth a countenance of repentance yf you measure the force of my affection with the cause of my late plaines your discrecion I hope will conster my woordes accordyng to the honeste intent of my hart with excuse to my rashenes whyche you shall sée hereafter so mortefyed in me that I will neyther bée so hastye to accuse nor suspect without better aduise for the whyche shée seamed thankefull vnto hym with a present appeasement from Anger attendyng the offer of oportunitie when she myghte preferr her sōne to a parte in the tragedye whyche her wickednes hadde alredye begon vppon hys late father for shée was doutefull styll of the youngeman and gaue lesse faythe to his wordes wherein certeinely appeareth an experience of an ordinarie custume in the wicked who payseth thinfydelitie of others in the ballance of their owne iniustice and wante of faithe for the tyrant dowteth to whose creditt to comitt the sauetie of himselfe because his crueltie is hated of all men neyther dothe he good to any yf not for the respect of profit or to performe some malicius attempte wherein as they consider thaffexcions of their people by the passions in theimselues soo in passynge theyr owne lyfe in continuall feare they procure lyke terror to suche as bée conuersant with theim makyng the disquiett of others equall to the miserie of theimselues lyke as thys new Megera or tyrannouse monster of oure tyme who no more satiffied with the blood of her husband then glutted or cloyed with y e continual pleasures in whoredome with her detestable Tolonyo determined to rydde the world of her innocent sonne to thend their villanous trade mighte passe with more assurance and lesse cause of feare or suspicion of any for th executiō wherof her wickednes deuised this spedy and necessarie meane There was within the castel a highe gallery borded vnderfote with certeine plankes fastned to rotten planchers where as y e young gentleman vsed his dailye recreacion in walkinge by reason of the delitefull ayre pleasant prospect vppon dyuerse feldes and gardyns so the Tygresse his mother reserued that place as a most chiefe mortal minister in the death of her son for she and her pernicius proccurer one euenyng knocked oute of either ende of diuerse of the plankes the nayles that kepte theime cloase to the plancher in suche sorte that the nexte that happened too make hys walke there shoulde haue no leasure to discouer the traison and much lesse lyue to bring reapport of the hardnes of the rockes growing in the diches vnder the sayd gallerie which chaunced vnhappelie to the sonne of this she wolffe who no more happie in a mother then his father fortunate in a wife renewed the next day his accustumed walkes in the valte wher he had not spent thre or foure tornes but his destynie brought hym to treade vppon the fatall bourd es who hauinge no holde nor staye to rest vpon disioyned theimselues wyth the wayght of thinfortunat gentleman who falling soddeinly vpon the rockes wyth hys heade forwarde was brused to peces beinge dead in dede almost so sone as he felte thapprehencion of death Who wold haue iudged such trayso in a mother to work such an end to her son or noted such wate of pitie in any of y e sect as to soe the séedes sprong in her owne flankes deformed and he wed in peces vpon the edge of sharppe and piked stoanes what mistortune to the sonne and villanie in a mother seinge the title of a sonne ought to be so deare and name of a mother is so delicate and of such vertue that no hart of what mettal soeuer it be made is not mollefyed and doth homage to that dignitie yea euerye one holdeth his blodde so deare that the beastes theimselues by a prouocacion of nature although other wayes insensible haue such affectioned regarde to their fawnes that they feare not to contend against euery peril of death to defende their youngons from daunger what greater felicity hath mā trauelling in the stormy sea of this worlde then to see as it were a regeneracion of hymselfe in hys children wyth a plentifull and gladsome encrease of his séede for whych cause chiefely god ordeyned the holye institucion of mariage not respecting altogether the mortefyeng of the ticklyshe instinctes of our declayning fleshe but rather of regarde as thappostel affirmeth to kepe the societie of man in order making it appear'e pure and aeceptable to the great monarke and syrst founder of so noble a worke But to retorne now to our historie this ympp of th infernall lake and hellish Lady beinge already dispoyled of all affection and dutie required in a woman towardes her husband detested also euery point of charitie and zeale whych nature chalenged in her to the frute flowered wythin the tender partes of her intralls whose fall and miserable deathe as you sée filled ymediatlie euerie corner of the castel with desolacion and teares some weping in the want of their brother other complayned the lacke and misfortune of ther kynsman the viewe of whose dysmembred bodye sturred vp also a freshe sorowe on the behalfe of their late Lorde but all their dollor was nothing to the howlinge and cries of the detestable mordress who entermedled her greffe wyth such argumentes of desperacion that her sorowe seamed sufficient to make the earth tremble and moue the heauens to teares neyther seamed she to make other accompte of the world then a place of most loathsome abode by which masqued semblance of outwarde heauines she couered an inward ioye at her hart and by this pollecie of painted dule she blaired the eyes of the simple multitude who after y e retire of the heate of theyr lamemtable stormes consulted vppon the buyrial wyth general consent in the ende that thinnocent striplinge should be laiede in the tombe of his infortunate father to thend he might participat with hym in the fatal pitt as he was equal to hym touching the malice of his mother And now as this bloddie Lady had in this sort discharged as she thought euery doubt and feare hereafter chiefly for that she stoode no more in awe of any Censor or spie to kepe a kalender of her faltes wherby she vsed lesse care in the conueigh of her beastly traffique wyth her
viperus aduocat So not wythstanding her seconde sonne grudginge still in the deathe of hys brother and some what doubtful of the cause began to be Ieleouse in the pointes of his mislike and beinge of equal corage to his brother and of no lesse nobilitye in hart cold not also disgest the view of dishonour specially in the highest degree of hys house and affynitie whereof he gaue declaracion in his sterne countenances to TOLONYO to whome yf he spake at times by any occasion his wordes argued the disdayne in his hart vsing vnhappelie the lyke regardes and tearmes to his mother who not liking to haue any tutor to note or controll her villanie and hardned with all in th execution of fleshe and life iudged it no offence to embrue her handes with the blod of this innocente and paint euery post and posterne of her castel with the braines of her posteri ie resoluing ymediatly vppon the fatall conspiracie agaynst her second sonne swearinge his death with her execrable mynister TOLONYO who vnder toke y e charge with promise to perform theffect wherin he vsed the meane and expedicion by hym who first distressed the father for this reuerende lawyer rather studied in the philosophie of Sathan then traded in the skill of thordynances of kynges and Emprours or experienced in matters belonginge to the senat so coniured the morderer wyth perswacions and proffers of rewarde that he admitted the bargayne and gaue assurance of the consommacion wherin he failed not of any point or article for certeine dayes after the gentleman being on huntinge vppon certayne mountaines enuyronning a hollow and lowe valleye as his men were buysye in rewarding their howndes wyth the pawnche and intrals of certeine chasses they had killed their vnfortunate maister reapposed hymselfe vppon the edge of a steape and high hill whose discent ymported a perillous regard by the deepe and hollow vaulte in the valleye replenished on euery side with sharppe and hideous rockes here as he accompted hymselfe most sewer and furthest from cause or effect of traison hee founde greatest daunger wyth stroake of mortall destruction for that the hyerd mynister of his death tracing his step yes all the daye to fynde an occasion fyt to further the ende of hys buysynes refused not thoffer of so coÌ„uenient a meane place for as they were in familiar deuise together the one dreadinge no harme the other attending thassistance of the deuil to performe his wickednes stept of a soddaine behinde thrust the vnhappie gentleman from the topp of y e mountaine to the bottom of the valleye where the sharp rockes receyuing him wythout respect of hys innocencie made morsels of his guiltles carkasse What difference may a man set betwene the desolacion of hys house and myserie of the succession of Atreus the Greeke whose children were cruelly cut in peces the wyfe of one of theym suruiuing a noted woman of all the world for incestious lyfe becomes in the end the mordresse of her husband by thassistance of thadulteror and defyler of their mariage bed and she wyth her rybaud oppressed at last wyth vengance equal to their offence by the handes of her owne sonne what pytie is it to sée an experience of such examples amongest christians and in this age yea in the place and contry where the regarde of parentes towards their children is suche that they make no conscience to hazarde their owne lyues to defende the health of suche as nature hathe geuen theym for succession where this execrable ympp of infernall procreacioÌ„ borne for the skourge and plage of her posteritie respecting more to conceile aggrauat her wickednes then careful any way to repeÌ„t her synnes delited as it seamed to sprinkle the earth wyth innocent blod whych cryed vengance both against her and her companioÌ„ of these horryble morders according to the iudgement of the great god who keping a true reckoning of euery drop of blod that hath ben spilt since the deathe of Abell the iust vntil the last affliction of as many as hath bene or shal be vniustlie persecuted punished or mordered hy y e malice of y e wicked prouideth coÌ„monly y t such acts of detestacioÌ„ receiue end by the discouerye of the life passed of such infamous wretches wherof behold an experieÌ„ce in this cursed lady who after the funerals of her yonger son seing y t al her seruants kept eye watche vpoÌ„ her w t suspicioÌ„ of her vicious dealing ymparted y e whole to the gallaÌ„d her minioÌ„ who consulted and coÌ„cluded ymedyatly the end of their pleasures and exercises of blodd togeger whiche was to marye one an other wherein albeit appeared a diffycultye for that TOLONYO hadde alreadie a wyfe no lesse wise faire and vertuous then he cruell spitefull and vicious yet it seamed not ympossible for that the wicked man accompteth a facilytie in euerye thynge whych he estemeth eyther reasonable or lawfull He determyned at what price soeuer it wer to make her plaie a fourth parte in the former tragedie of the father and his ii sonnes ympartinge his bloddie resolucion to his beastlye trooll who no lesse assured in such euill then ready to make a mynister in thattempt as the common villeine that sturreth not from the straites of the mounteynes stripping eue ry passenger not hable to resyste his force allowed the deuise wyth speciall request of expedicion in thaccomplishmeÌ„t Al whiche it is to be thought the couetus doctor did not deuise wyth intent to performe for the respecte altogether of loue or frendshipp he bare to her whom he goeth nowe abowte to marye for he considered that men for the moste part embrase traitors to make their proffyt of their inuentions and subtelties which when they haue wrested frome them eyther the traitors bée punished by death or at leaste so disdained that their miserye in lyuinge showeth thundowted difference betwene vertue and vice disposicion of an infidell or one that esteâ—eth not his fayth and he that is carefull to kepe his conscience cleare from suche spott So Tolonyo not ignorant of y e large reuenue and great summes of moneye of the ladye of CHABRYE wyth store of other welthe aboute the castel accompted it a commoditie to exchaunge the lyfe of hys wyfe for the fylthie vse of so greate riches meaning notwythstanding to enioye the spoiles of so plentifull a praye and after to sende her packinge and make her passe by the pathe of so manye morders committed both by the one and thother Oh vnbridled couetousnes and execrable desyer of vnhonest gaine howe haste thou blaired the eyes and vnderstandynge of men now a dayes hardning their hartes agaynst the dread of god and feare of his lawes what mischiefe hath ouerwhelmed vs by thy meanes seing the father is Ielowse of the faythe of hys sonne the wyfe doubtful of her husbande the neighbour fearyng ambushes of treason in his nexte companion and the prince often tymes in daunger of his sauetye beinge
commendacion of our integritye to the remeinder of our race Doste not thou knowe my deare Maryone that in the swete and dewye mornynges of the spring there apperes certeine flowers no lesse delitefull to the beholders then yeldynge an odiferous smell with an inticynge desyer to be gathered so long as their fragrāt and freshe perfumes indures but when the heate of the son perching the gallāds of Aurora shall pearce thorowe bothe boodd and roote and mortifye the liuelye hewe of suche brickle creatures the flower is not only forgotten and loathed whiche earste was so much embraced but the desyer of all men taken awaye as though there neuer had bene any such like wise y e glistering apple growing vpon the high spraies in the pleasant lādes of Angeau semes a thing of great delectacion to the eye of no lesse pleasante taste so long as he is entyer and without corrupcion but after the worme hath eyther made a breach or his gréenes or pleasante maturitie lost his force and conuerted into a rotten ripenesse his bewtie dekaies wyth desier any longer to kepe hym Euen so a mayde what pouertie soeuer oppresse her so longe as she kepes vnspotted her surname and title of chastetie is not only admitted but also may chaleng place amongest the best of a countrye but when the caterpillor hath once cropped the leaffe and deuow red the boodd the trée doth not only die and perish with infamye but the remembrance of such stocke and frute remeines in the recordes of reproche to the opening of the greate booke of general accompt when al faltes shal be reueiled and punished according to their disposicion and qualitie And sewer it is better for a woman of what degrée soeuer she be to dy w t honor and buyrye the bourdē of honest renowm with her bodie in the graue then enioying the fruicion of life to be marked of the multitude with a note of generall rebuke whych as a moothe in a garment will not ceasse to eate and deuour her present estimacion and make notorious besides euery age of her succession by the desert of her disordred life loasing the only cause that makes me ioye in my selfe wyth so great desier to liue wherin because I may the rather per forme theffect of thys last resolucion I will firste wyth an vnfayned hart make inuocation to y e highest for thassistance of his grace to garde me frome thassaltes and peppered prouocations of the fleshe and then cut of all suche occasions as may eftesones aduance the suggestion of the same or seame any way an ympedimente to the vowe I haue presentlie made whych I doubt not wil be armes sufficient enough to repulse y e alarams of Signeur Luchyn raise y e siege which I sée he hath planted agaynst the fortresse of my chastetie wherin she omitted not th execution for from that instante shee kepte her selfe vnsene of anye but her frendes and kinsefolkes comminge lyttle or nothynge abroade and lesse willing to be spied out of windows or stand at the doore leauinge thereby an example worthye of ymitacion to all estates and sortes of women but specially suche gigges and pratlinge houswiues as can not contente theym selues with the ayre of the house nor giue one pricke with the nedle oneless she sit at the doare as though her exercyse were onelye to menteyne chatt wythe the streete walkers or keepe a standynge and make challenge agaynste all commers whyche is the thynge that you mothers and tutours of lytle girles oughte chyefly to respecte in the direction of youre tender charges I meane to bridle and brynge vpp youre pupilles and ympes that haue follye tyed on their backes in the awe of correction yf they transgress the order of good gouernement you must not forgett to offer theym the racke and tormentes of the rodde which you must minister vnto theim in the greenes of their yer es and affore the tendrenes of youthe with wante of discrection wil suffer theim to discerne their owne inclinacion for as the Philosopher tearmeth theym to bée a kinde of cattell more apte to declyne then any other reasonable creature so saith he yf they get once the bit betwene their téethe and crop of the hearbée of ryotus will it is harder to reclayme theym eyther hy awe feare compulsion or gentle intreatie then the wilde haggard or rammish falcon by any connynge or deuise of their keper besides as a maide is a Iewell of no lesse greate price then rarely to be founde so she is a vessell moste bryckle and easye to be broken and being once eyther crackte or corrupted she liueth in none other accompte then in comon wonder of the people and pointed at of all the worlde Wherefore you mothers that in the bringyng vpp of your doughters will giue ashowe of your owne vertue with no lesse care of the honor of your children must forgett to pamper youre younglines with presentes of their willes or dandle theym vppon the lapp of dame folly but féede theym rather with the discipline of good nouriture not sparing the order of due correction leaste you spill the future hope and expectation of their well doynge and better it is to haue a mayde smell of honest simplicitie vsing a temperate scilēce in her toungue and order of talke then ytalianated in legerdemaines of subteltye and pricked full of the fethers of foolyshe pride to haue the tounge of a popingaie bablinge without order or discrecion for that the one is a vertue of it selfe and the veray lyne to leade her to aduauncement and in practisinge the other she procures a discredit to her parentes for their necligence in her education and her selfe but laughte at in the companie of wise and discrete dames and that which worse is led by such guides into the botome les pit of euerlasting infamye Remember thaduise of Marcus Aurelius who writing of the slipper disposition of some women with instruction to abridge the perentory humour which nature hath giuen theim gyues this generall charge to all gouernours of nourceries tutors of litle girles that they stande so sewerly vppon the garde of thonnour of their charges that they neither be sene out of windowes stande as stales at the dore suffred to visit any place of thordynarie hawnte of men called to secrete conference without cōmission or companie of her keapor but also barde thaccesse and presence of all men for that saith he the ill can not be vtterly preuented onelesse the causes that maye procure it bée cleane taken awaie neither is it possibe for a Lady to kepe the reputacion of her honor that makes her selfe incidente to the hawnte of great companies with desier to be a comō feast maker and visit euery banquet and the more she is innested with honor and high callinge the more care is due to the preseruation of so great a title and lesse libertie or licēce is enioyned her to raunge a broade or séeke to satisfie thappetit of
who when they wéepe are pleased with tryffles delytinge more in the lollynge of the nursse then in the offer of A monarke But nowe to Ianiquetta who durynge the solitarie time and desolate aboade of Luchyn in his house was maried by the trauell and assistance of her frendes to a mariner or maister of a shipp whose trade was to conueye the marchantes of all partes from porte to porte as their traffique and trade required this mariage was no soner performed in the churche but fame fyllynge the eares of LVCHYN made hym partaker of the newes with aduyse to renewe the earneste of hys fomer bargayne wyth a doble diligence and treble desyer preferrynge as it were an assured hope of spedye victorye the rather for that hée accompted the mariage a conuenient meane to couer the falte of his fowle desier wherein he receyued a successe of his former attemptes for she that detested hys indeuour beyng at libertie thoughte the offence of doble disposicion in offendynge God and the worlde in breakynge the league of her faith and vowe of obedience to her husbande ▪ whose simplicitie and state subiecte to néede and lacke Luchyn forgatt not to feede with large proffers of his frendshyppe in suche sorte as what with the hope of his assistance and feare of the authoritie he bare then in the citie he had him as it were in a famyliar awe neyther suspectynge his accesse too his house nor mislikynge his conference with his wyfe of whome notwithstandynge he coulde not obteyne but the vse of wordes whyche as she durste not denye for the respecte of awe and honour whiche her husbande bare to hym so hauynge a notable wisdome ioyned with her rare gifte of chastetie reposynge her selfe in the grace of GOD to defende her honour kepte his meanynge secrette and woulde not communicate the fowlenes of his intente to anye and muche lesse to her waspishe husbande leauynge in example to all Ladies not sufficiente in vertue rather to resyste all suche alarams of theyme selues or at leaste make a secrett concealement then in bewraynge theyr awne weaknes to breede a bées neste in the heades of their husbandes wyth reaportes of small substance But nowe the amarus traffique of Luchyn and common haunte to the mariners house began to bréede a doubt of his doing amongest his nearest frendes who not knowinge of the mariage of IANIQVETTE ymagyned what might happen and as careful gardeines of their nephewe studied to preuent the wourste wherfore leaste thalluremente of her bewtie and disposiciō of his follie might vnhappely conclud a secret contract betwene theym they accosted hym one day wyth earnest request that in ceassing at last to pursewe the wanton instigacions of his youthe he wold crosse saile and retire to a trade of honest life wherin saye they verye loath to offende hym albeit we haue no great cause to infer ymputacion of any haynous enormytie or desorder not conueniente yet seinge the pleasante tyme of youre younge yeres slipp awaye vnder a vaile of vaine and barreine life whose sequeile if in tyme you abridge not the race of your Ronninge course argues no small inconuenience to your selfe with greate discredit to your deade father we haue thought good to enter into deuise for preseruinge of that whyche yet remeines and to preuent the malice of future tyme wherefore accordyng to the credit and resolued truste reaposed in vs by your late father the verye remembrance of whome restores vs to a speciall care and zeale of youre honor and well doinge we wishe you to conuert this ydle and desolate order of liuing into a disposicion and desier of honest mariage wherby you shall not only deceiue thexspectaciō of y t had sorte deuyninge already of your destruction but eschewe the sentence of ordinary mischiefe appoynted to fall vppon suche as wallowing in sensuall pleasures regarde not the honor and estimacion of their house and whiche appeares euen readie to thonder vpon you if you dispatche not youre selfe of the principall cause of this great and ymynente misfortune wherin for a declaracion of the special care we haue of you we present you heare wyth a franke offer of our traueile diligence and councel to be ready at all tymes to assiste you in the choise of her whom god shal enioyne you to make the lawfull com panion of your bedd The younge man vnderstanding sufficiently their intent cutt of their further discourse wyth hys promise not onelye to make spedie exchaunge of his former trade but also commits hym selfe whollie to their discrecion and wysedomes wyth resolucion to be ready to enter into mariage with such one as they iudged of equalytie and euery way cōuenient for his condicion calling wherin there was such expedicion of diligence vsed by his frendes that wythin a space of two or thre monethes he was maried no lesse richely then honorablie and to a bewtie sufficient to contēt a reasonable man whereof if any reioyced wyth good cause I thinke it was poore Ianiquette who perswadinge herselfe to be ryd by thys meanes of an ymportunat clyent blessed the goodnes of her fortune in prouidinge so well for thennemye of her honor and deliueringe her wyth honestie from y e daunger of hys charmes albeit her conceyte was aunswered wythe a contrarye successe And as our nature for the moste parte now a dayes is growen to such corruption by a contynual desier of filthie gaine that as Aristotle sayth nothing is hable to satisfye the couetusnes of man Euenso thinfection of loue after hee haue once preuayled aboue the wholesome partes in vs is of suche wonderfull operacion that he doth not only choke the gift of our vnderstanding in suche sort as we are founde more apte to embrace the thinges that be hurtfull then hable to followe the loare of wisedome and vertue but also takes awaye the respect and dutie of our conscience whyche you may easely descerne in the discurse of thys Luchyn who notwithstandinge the vowe he made to god and honor that euery man ought to geue to mariage cold not content hym selfe wyth the companye of his owne wyfe but renewed hys resorte wythe alarames of freshe ymportunyties to poore IANIQVETTA whyche being noted and spied diuers times of his wife made her doubt that which was not and albeit she was resolued of a participacion and equalitie of loue yet she feared not muche that the mariners wife deceiued her of any thinge that she accompted due to herselfe for that the common reaport of her chaste and honeste life assured her of the contrary chieflye she repined that so vaine a hope shoulde wythdrawe hym from her companye feling wyth all a certeine wante in thaccomplishment of the exercise and desier of the bedd at hoame And truly as there is nothing more hurtful to the breach of amytie betwene the good man and wife then when the stronger parte conuertes his affection confirmed by vowe into a disposicion and desier to abuse the
vertue of true loyaltie So he that huntes thappetit of his will and raungeth after chaunge of diot hauing sufficient at hoame standes not onely in hazarde of grace afore god for vyolacion of wedlocke but giuinge occasion to his wyfe to followe hys tracke reapes now and then for rewarde the iuste title and surname of a cockolde bequeathinge besides to the succession of his house a dowry of perpetuall slaunder whyche is skarcely subiect to the expyracion of tyme. Hys wyfe Layd afore hym the whole circumstance of his falte with the generall brute that passed dayly thorowe all the stréetes of IEYNE together with the wronge he did to the reputacion of the poore IANIQVETTA whose honestie saith shée albeit is without iust cause of reprehencion yet haue you broughte it in question amongeste the slaunderous sorte whose iudgementes are alwayes accordinge to the mallice of their disposicion desieringe him for ende in dismissinge his former trade to wythdrawe his accesse least he purchased not the like preferment for himselfe that he sought to procure to an other to whome albeit he could not denye the frendeshippe he bare to IANEQVETTA yet he excused the same not to ymporte any preiudice to the behalfe of his wyfe wyth further protestacion that IANEQVETTA was one of the paragons of honestie that our age did norishe and the respect of her vertue was thonlye cause of his admiracion procuringe chieflye his recourse and desier of her companye for the rest sayth he the bable of the people is rather of custom then of credit and the clerenes of my conscience takes awaye the spott of reproche if any be neyther can the mouthe of the slaunderor preuaile where the integretie of the mynde offers to encounter his malice desieringe her to dismysse the remembrance of her grudge wythe a forgeuenes of the falte promissinge her from thinstante to correcte the humor of his former follie and become suche one on her behalfe as her honest modestie and other vertues deserued wherewyth he closed so sewerly the mouthe of his wyfe that longe after he liued frée from the tumulte of suche quarrells and she not voyde of suspicion dispused her selfe to contentmente by force with exspectacion to sée an ende of the daunce thexpedition wherof exceded her ymagynacion for wythin a shorte tyme after the maryner makynge sayle into Sardynia was incowntred by certeine pirottes and sente prisoner to CALLARIA a towne subiect to the turkishe gouernmente wyth no small desolacion to hys wyfe who as one depriued of her chiefeste stay and comforte and ouercharged wyth a nomber of litle children whose sustentacion depended whollie vppon the trauell of their father is nowe voide of meanes to succor theym and that whyche pinched more greuouslye was the generall darthe y e ouerwhelmed al the Lande in such sorte that a sacke of corne was seldome solde vnder nyne or ten Duckattes whyche arguynge greate distresse to the state of poore IANIQVETTA chiefelye for that shée was denied habylitye to redeme her husbande and also in dispair of meanes to releue her children cryinge contynuallye for meat began to prefer in her a faintnes of corage and y e hart whom the whole assaltes of loue and longe importunityes of Luchyn his greate presentes and proffers with promisses of large price coulde not once stirre or remoue from the seate of constancie feles nowe suche an alteracion of fortune that she is at pointe to surrender of her selfe that whiche neyther power nor pollecie coulde put to vtterance And albeit the extremitie of her case ministred persuaciōs to make an offer of her selfe to hym that of longe had serued her in harte wyth sute for her good wyll yet the grudge of so greate an offence preferrynge argumentes to the contrary wylled her rather to exchaunge her presente lyfe and former reuowme wyth death then liue with the spott of so fowle an acte wherin waighinge thus in the ballance of doubteful ymaginaciōs pinched extremely wyth two of the greatest plages of the world the lamētable noyse of her children cryenge for foode with open mouth as the younge birde in the rooffe complayninge in his kynde vppon hunger till he receiue refreshinge at the beake of his damme ronge of freshe in her eares whiche preferred suche cōpassion to the tender harte of the desolate mother that only their rage and infirmitye forced her to a determinacion of that whiche earste she detested to remember a meruelous force sewer of necessitie who as she is the mistres of artes so her malice importes suche a distresse that it makes vs many tymes abuse the goodnes of our nature in committyng thynges whiche neither honor nor conscience can iustifye for what greater mischiefe coulde she haue thondred vppon this pore woman then in depriuynge her of naturall and womanlȳe shame to compell her to make sale of her honor for the susteine of her selfe and supporte of her miserable children whose doleful tunes exclayming against their wretched mother that had not to satisfye the rage of their hunger restored her eftesones to suche pitie that she addressed her selfe immediately to the lodgynge of Luchin who walkinge all alon in his base courte was no lesse astonyed to see her ther then she ashamed to be at the point to yelde him a villanous homage yf god had not bene the protector of her chastetie And beynge affore him with face and garmentes besprente and dyed with the droppes of her watery eyes she fell flatt at his féete yelding her honor to hys orde vnder thies tearmes Albeit sir saieth she the prince or capteine that hathe often somoned his enemye to surrender his hold and he denienge suche offers dothe merteyne the quarrell euen vntill thextreme sentence of warre which is fyer or famine ys forced at laste to strike saile and hange oute a flagge of submission maye by all lawe of armes put hym to the sworde and his citie to vtter saccage yet the glorye of that conquest will appeare greater and honour the capteine with treble fame if in preferryng compassion affore the rigour of iustice he admitt the captiues to fauour sparing to spill the blood of suche as willinglie yelde their heades to the blocke vnder the stroke and edge of his sworde neither is any man of what degree so euer he be of suche commendacion eyther for hys corage bowntie or other qualities and ornamētes of nature as worthelye honored w t veneration for the gifte of compassion and pitie whiche as it is a vertue excedynge all the reste so by the aduise of the scripture shee is chiesly to be declared on the behalfe of such wretches as fallen into daunger and distresse by offendynge the prince or his people in office haue nothing to preuent the malice of y e lawe and iuste méede of their deserte but thexpectācion and hope in the frutes of so precious a vertue I saye thusmuch sir to sturr vpp your humor of compassion and dismissing the remembrance of all offences paste to extende presente
whych beinge drayned from the bottome of hys bellie ascended to the vppermost partes to fynd out their naturall issue to th ende that wyth the retire of these drayninge humors his life might also vanishe as in a slomber or quiet qualme whych moued such a pitie in his neighboure on the behalfe of his dollor that she was forced to kepe him company with semblable kindnes offeringe eftsones her helpe vnder these tearmes Albeit saith she the regarde of myne honestie with thestimacion of the place which I holde without blushinge amoÌ„gest the troupes of honor and dames of great calling in this Citie do forbidd mée the enterprise of any thinge that myne honor can not broâ—â—e yet the sorowefull sommonce of your last complainte tempred wyth so manye tunes of dolefull note hathe filled me so full of compassion on your behalfe that I will not dowt to laie my conscience to gage for the redresse of your present affliction wherein if you will giue me the charge of my commission tellinge mée what it is that I shall do for you you shall sée my endeuor shal be no lesse frankelye emploied for you then I knowe by the viewe of mine owne eyes that your passion is simple and withoute all dissimulation onely there restes that I know what she is to whom you haue auowed so large a deuotion for I promisse you to salute her so amplie with the reaport of your loyaltie and seruice whiche I knowe you owe to her that is the mistres of your harte that oneles her mouth be vtterlye out of taste and thappetit of curtesie cleane taken from her she shal not refuce thoffer of your good will which I thinke is without a seconde in any place of the worlde And trulye albeit diuerse women nowe a dayes haue good cause to inueighe by complaintes against the disloyaltye of men yet this Ladye whome you seme to honour so muche hathe neyther cause to mislike her choice nor reason to refuce the consent and offer of your seruice where of as the earthe semes a verye nigarde to brynge furthe and norishe so fewe of your disposition so it can not be chosen but pure loyaltye for lacke of harbor within the hartes of moste men muste retire and seke her a newe habitacion within the delicate intrailes of vs women who embracynge no lesse that vertue wyth deare affection then desyerous to expose vnfained frutes of the same are accompted to be cladde in the habite of crueltie yf we séeme to stande vppon our garde and expulse thassaulte of that friuolus and fleshelye crewe of vaine louers who profferinge theyr seruice vnder a masque of fayned teares sighes of double deceite with other courtelyke importunytyes do bende the pollecie of all their practises to none other ende then to abuse the fauor whiche they fynde at theyr handes that vnhappelye committe their honor to the kepinge of those Sycophantes and common enemies to the renowme of all Ladies Ah good madam sayth he although my lytle hablenes denies me sufficient meanes to measure the rewarde of your franke offer accordynge to the meritt of your great curtesie yet beholde heare a soldiour and gentleman bounde to be no lesse prodigall of his lyfe and spende the deareste dropp of his blodd in your seruice then you seme liberal of your estimation for the appeasyng of his greff and seyng your promisse is so farr past by wordes of confirmation to do your beste for me as the same ymportes an assured hope of spedie helpe to comme by our meanes the chiefest thyng that I committ to your frendshipp is to deliuer a letter froÌ„ me to Madame ZYLIA whose beautie hath alredye made suche a breache into my harte and brued the broth of the tormente which you sée I suffer that onelesse I be spedie releued I do not se but that y e thre fattals weary with drawing furthe the spindell of my lif will ymediatly cutt a sonder y e twiste whiche hanges onely by the hope of your succours in purchasyng me fauor with her that hath made me captiff in the prison of her commandement wherwith the faithfull burgoise beynge very sorie that so honeste a gentleman had sowen the séedes of his good will in a soile of so bad increase bringing furth but frutes of crueltie assaied to take the worme out of his nose in vsing perswacions to remoue his phaÌ„tasie but he that was alredie resolued in his mishap detested all councell and shoote his eares from the wholesome aduise of the wise matrone who doutyng that he wold conster her wordes contrarye to her meanyng in thinkinge that she inferred exhortacions to purchase a releace of her promisse willed hym to write his letter and she wolde not only deliuer it but also bring hym a reaporte of that which sholde be sente hym for aunswere whereby saieth she you shall see the litle gaine and lesse easse that will followe the meritt of your painefull trauell ymployed in the seruice of so vnthankful a woman with whom seynge I am thorowely acquainted and her disposicion no stranger vnto me I meane not to praâ—ise in any other sorte then to discharge y e part of a messeÌ„ger in deliuering your letter which yf you haue not alredie made I will attende your leasure to thend to performe my promisse wherewith he thanked her as apperteined and beynd alone in hys chamber sommoned all hys wittes together to deuise his letter which semed to be written in thies or like tearme Yf my dysease good madame were deryued eyther of the shaking or burnyng feuer Catterres Apoplexies or any other hurtefull influence incidente commonly to annoye the partes of mannes bodye I woulde reasorte too the councell of Phisicke and vse the discipline of wholsome dyot but wher my presente passion procedes only of the feruente affection I beare you thextremitie of the same denyes also to be cured by anye other remedie then the happye encounter of that which is thoriginall cause of my gréeff wherin albeit I halfe assure my selfe rather to receiue spedie ease and ende of my tormente by the fatall domme of death then abridgment of my dollors or consolacion in my distresse by any indeuour or affection reciprocall of you yet am I so lynked in the laborinth of loue that I am denied euery waye to take truce with my vnrulye desiers and lesse hable of my selfe to reuoke the vowe of my vnfayned deuocion to your rare and heauenle beautie in whome consistes the propper Cataplasma of my disease Alas vnder what crabbed constellacion was I conceiued or what cruell destenye directes the course of my yeres seing that in the glorie of my youthe and pryme time of myne age I am at one instante threatned of the heauens made subiecte to the malice of loue and readye to incurr the perilus daunger of dispaire for wante of hope to drawe furthe the length of my dayes to thuttermost date of my life whiche I thynke was formed first by nature and coÌ„tinued
hitherunto by consente of the goddes to spende the future remeynder of my tyme onelye in the seruice of you good madame to whom herewith as the fyrst frutes of my humble and deare zeale towardes you I make a presente of my poore afflicted harte which as it is susteyned by the only viewe and remembrance of your beautie and vertue So beyng denied harbor at your hands his next and last refuge is to exspecte consolacion in death which hitherunto I haue refused for y e present do shonne not for any horror or feare I conceyue of hys malice but onelye to prolonge yet the course of my lyfe to the ende that as my mynde hath alredye vowed to serue you So my bodye as a necessarye instrumente maye be whollye ymployed to the execution of your commaundementes But yf the dedication of myne offer shall receiue an vnthankefull repulse or the merite of my affectioned seruice sente hacke with a paymente of crueltie a vice not like to inhabite where nature and the godes haue disposed so plentifullye all theyr gyftes of grace nor incident commonlye to creatures of so vertuoule norriture and good bringynge vpp you shall sée me immediatlye suffer that which I haue not deserued and you I knowe wil be sorie for the thinge whiche you can not amende wherefore seing you haue the choice both to prolonge my lif with double ioye and abridge my dayes by vndeserued dollor embrace the workes of compassion the chiefe braunches of vertue and refuce the surname of crueltye wherin I preferr eftesones this laste importunitye to th ende that if my requeste be barred to enter the gates of pitye wyth you you maye at leaste giue death his dispatche who attendes vppon the reaporte of your aunswere to execute his charge vppon hym who wisheth you that whiche you hate and sendes you that which he loues Yours more then his owne P. Virley This letter sealed and subscribed with his owne hande he deliuered not withoute abundance of teares to his neyghbour who promisinge hym once againe to bringe him aunswere afore she slepte went her waie leauing the languishynge knyghte buildyng castels in the ayre with a thousand hammors in his heade tickling him selfe to make himself laughe semed sometime to bathe his sorowes in the ioye and cōtentement which vaine hope offred him by visions in his flatteringe conceite but when the lothsome ymage of the cruell inciuilitye of Zilya presented her selfe in hys mynde his pleasure retired into dule with as manye argumentes of presente death as earste he ymagined liklihodes of contentement and ioye semynge to haue in his eye the angrie and frownyng lookes wherewith his mistres receiued the comming of the messenger who arriued now at the pallaice of Zilya mett her comminge out of a gardyne on the backe side of her house where hauynge saluted eche other wyth equall showe of curtesye the Ladye messenger thinkynge to preferre certeine excuses aswell to auoyde imputation whiche mighte be obiected againste her vnsemely execution of so badd an ambassage as also to inferr perswacions on the behalfe of hym by whome she was sente was preuented by the wydowe who tolde her that she merueilled to sée her there at that hower considerynge her former cōuersation whiche hath alwayes argued her to be so frendly to vertue and enemye to exercise of idlenes that she woulde not lett slipp one mynute of tyme wythout it were frutefullye ymployed whereunto the burgesse replyed with thankes for the goood opinion she seamed to haue of her and her doinges with desyer to perseuer therin til iuste occasion deserued the contrarie And touching my being here at this hower saieth she which you seame to tearme an idle vacacion yf my message might be harde and consydered wyth no lesse indifferencie of you then the cause of my commynge importes greate and vnfayned necessitye you woulde I am sewer conuerte that conceite into an opinyon of vertuouse inclination in me for I am perswaded that the tyme ymployed in workes of pitye and releuyng the afflicted and dollorous companie distressed wyth dule is aswell spente and no lesse meritorious afore God then those momentes and seasons ioyned to the contynuall yoke of exstreme labor and toyle of the handes whereof I woulde presentlye presente you a particular discourse if the reaporte of my embassage wolde not be hurtefull to the league of amytie longe ago practised betwene vs Whereunto the curious wydowe hauynge alredye kindled in her harte the coles of disdaine aunswered wyth a countinance deriued of the angrie disposition of her mallencolike mynde that touchynge the reaporte she shoulde be as wearye wyth hearyng the circumstance as vnwillynge to consider of the case And albeit saith she I knowe not the intente of your wordes muche lesse the cause of youre commynge yet the kallendor of my mynde pronosticates the effecte of your embassage to importe requestes of other consequence then mine honor wil be hable to brooke wherefore I praye you lett me be deceiued in mine exspectation and you so curious to kepe the league of our auncient frendshipp that the breathe of your owne mouth do not dissolue that which earst seamed indissoluble nor you become the messenger of reaportes that any waye maye seme indecent for a dame of your degree Madame sayeth the messenger the lytle Simpathia and equalitie of affection whiche seames to be in you in comparison of the vertues of him whose solicitor I am hath moued I thinke this passion in you notwithstandynge for my parte beinge no lesse sorie for the presente affliction of Monsieur de Virley then desierous to releue his distresse with thuttermoste of my indeuor I haue vndertaken the charge of a messenger to deliuer this letter which then she takes oute of her pocket and giues to Zilya vnto you wherein as my fayth lieth in pawne for the performāce of my promise so I beseche you on his behalfe refuce not his presente accompanied wyth a franke offer of his humble seruice lyf liuynge and all that he hath to be imployed onelye at the becke of your commaundemente wherein if amongeste the other beatitudes or vertues giuen vs by speciall name in the scripture the actes of charitye wyth indeuor to succour the afflicted and giue consolation to the comfortles be no lesse acceptable afore God then the reste refuce not madame to releue hym who for your sake hath loste his libertye languisheth in continuall dollor and is redye for wante of reléefe at your hande to take hys leaue of vs wretches in this worlde wyth whiche iuste incitacions to compassion I ioyne also this requeste of myne that if the deserte of my frendshypp maye fynde place of fauor in you you wyll the rather for my sake open and reade the letter retournynge your annswere by me who hath vndertaken no further but the deliuerie of the same and reaporte your resolucion touchinge the contentes of his demaunde Zilya besides the crabbed inclination of her owne nature beinge not acquainted wyth suche
kinde of embassages and lesse wonte to be courted wyth requestes of the like courtesie began here to enter into suche a disposicion of collor that at the fyrste she was readye to wreake her malice vppon the letter committynge it into a thousande peces and retourne the messenger without any aunswere albeit reseruing by chaunce some sparke of modestie which oughte to be incidente to all women she opened and redds the contentes of her clyante not without signes of greate alteracion in her face arguynge lyuelye enoughe the contrarietie of thoughtes which semed to quarel in her mind for within lesse then a moment of tyme she chaunged coolor twize or thrice some tyme pale lyke the crosse of Dyana whiche beinge set againste the sonne loaseth by and by the glorye of his borowed lighte and retourned immediatly to a crymsyne not muche vnlike the florishinge dye of the fragrante rose glisterynge in his orient coolour in the pleasant mournynges of the springe notwithstanding hauyng redd and ouer red with thies alterations the some of his demaunde beinge not hable any longer to conceile or moderate the passion of her yre clawed her neyghbour wyth this crabbed aunswere I woulde neuer haue thoughte that vnder the outwarde showe of your vertuouse conuersacion whereof you haue bene no lesse noted then commended by the mouth of all men hetherunto had lorked suche foule frutes of abhominable substance and specially in a desier to become a celecarier of letters in the fauor of loue wherin as you haue semed to waighe the reputacion of your selfe the renowme of mine honor in thindifferente ballance of your owne lighte iudgemente Euenso if the lawe of frend shippe did not stopp my mouthe and make me dissymule that whych I thinke or yf any other had bene the messenger of thies affaires I assure you the publicacion of the facte shoulde haue made her honour no lesse notorius and subiecte to perpetuall infamye hereafter then I seme to make deare accompte of my chastetie which I woulde you shoulde knowe is armed with more assurance then to bée shaken with any assaltes of thies follies wherefore if you be as carefull to liue in quiett withoute skandall hereafter as I am absolutely resolued not to dimynish the title of my honor by any acte of myne owne lett this first falte diswade you to wade any further in an enterprise of so small commendacions seyng that she that is eyther mynister or messenger in these amarouse trafficques or a furtheror of such practises of loue is no lesse guiltie affore God and her conscience then yf she were eyther pillowe or bolster to the detestable facte And for mine aunswere to Siegneur de Virley whose demaund I deteste no lesse then his follie deserues yf he haue opened his eare to thinchauntment of loue lett hym expulse thennemye with a countercharme by raison or elles make the best of his owne bargaine for seynge hys disease commes of him selfe let hym exspecte no consolacion at my hande for I had rather be a frende to death then fauour the leaste iotte of his demaunde wherein for a confirmacion of my resolucion I intende hensfurthe to barr hym al meanes of accesse to my presence wherewith on my behalfe you maye salute hym The lady messenger seyng her selfe in this sorte clawed where it itched not no lesse ashamed of her sharpe repulse then sory y t her medicine was of no better operacion on the behalfe of her patient semynge notwithstandyng to be litle moued with the angrie complexion of ZYLIA desiered that God wolde reduce the difference and inequalitie of their diseases into a Sympathia and equalitie of passion I meane saieth she madame that you maye be taken oute of this conceite of cruell disdaine whiche makes you incapable of reason and he restored to his libertie which he can not redeme but by thastistance of your goodnes wherewith she toke a shorte leaue and departed and beynge arryued at the lodging of her knighte she founde him all plunged in extreme dollour vpon a felde bedd with more argumentes of death then likelihods of lyfe who whether he felte some sygnes of yll lucke by the secrett instigation of his hart whyche commonly preferres diuers conceites of feare when the minde is occupyed with dowte or whether the sorowefull countenance of the messenger dyd signefie her yll successe in hys sute or what it was I can not tell but as his neyghbour was entringe into the reporte of her aunswere he stopped her mouthe and preuented her meanynge with this exclamacion followyng What state is more wretched then he that lyueth dowtefull of hymselfe with dispaire of dispence from disquiett by any assistaunce of tyme or other mediator on his behalf who is wrapte in suche miserie or hath more cause to complaine then he to whom fortune hathe vowed a contynuaÌ„ce of her malice w tout hope to reclaime her fauor is there any pennance greater then to be punâ—shed w t continual passion or plage of more mortality then to consume by pecemeale in y e flame of languishyng dule Ah infortunat gentleman how vnhappelie art thou falleÌ„ froÌ„ the felicitie of a lyfe ful of pleasant libertie w t exchaung of thine auncient blysse for a tribute of tormentes more supportable then death how happie and thrysblissed was thy estate enioying the sweete maydenhedd of thy affection and vse of fredome without awe or controlement of any where now alas the touche of a contrarye experience yeldes me the effect of a thousande deathes without lycence notwithstandynge to dye whereby I sholde dismisse euerye plage that staieth the fattall desyer of my dyeng hart wherein hathe fortune this cause of displeasure againste me yf not that shée is disdainefull of the quiett whyche wee wretches fynde vppon earthe and suche an ennemye to the common contentement of vs all that only to manifest her power amongeste vs she vppon a soddaynes choake oure pleasant thurste and desyer of free lyfe wyth pilles of passions and annoyes of more bitter taste then any gall tempered with the moste stronge ruberbe that euer came oute of Alaxandria comittinge vs in th ende to a martirdome of more extremetie then the pange appointed by deathe to breake in peces the force and strengthe of the harte whereof who is a more familiar experience then the miserable Philiberto who in exchaunge of his former quiett and contentement of will hath coughte alas a captiuitie more cruell then he that is condemned to end his dayes in the bottom of a dongeon Ah madame how your countenance argueth the small regarde whyche Zylia hathe of my paine full well do I sée alas that she neyther maks accompte of my letters nor vseth pitie to my distresse and muche lesse giues any creditt at all to your honest frendeshipp whyche I confesse I haue greatelye abused in procuring you displeasure for the ease of my disquiett let loue beare the blame and I the iuste pennance of myne owne indiscrecion that so
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
wydo wheade and how euyll it became a gentlewoman of her estate and callynge to comit her honor to dowte and honest name to question in visiting the sicknes of one who is neyther parent nor allye nor almoste any waye knowen vnto her whyche as it dryue hym frome further attempte that waye so waighinge the distres of his trend y e vertu which nature hath giuen to onewomaÌ„ to entreat an other thought it a pece of pollecie to geue a secoÌ„d charge of her who first broached his request to his cruel mistrys to whom he preferred suche reasons as he accompted of force to perswade her sometime alledginge the pytie which naturallie is incydent to all women and when and vppon whom it ought to bée exposed hée preferred also the glory w t names of ymmortalytie which diuerse of forreine time haue won by semblable vertue where with he won a seconde graunte of her furtherance so farr furth as at thinstant they wente together to the lodginge of Seignenr Virley in whom the very view of his aunciente frende and nexte neighbour sturred vp a more encrease of sorowe forcinge hym to a further complaint then affore with desyer chiefly that he had neuer made exsperience of her faith nor she cause to attempte the frendshipp of her whose crueltie in preseruinge her honor is greater then is necessarye and compassion lesse then is conuenient for his distresse proceding only of an honest zeale without intent of violacion of honor or honeste name which wyth dyuerse argumentts of ghastelye regarde accompanienge his last wordes wrought such effectes of pytie and remorse in the honest matrone his neighbour that to preuent his further daunger shée gaue hym assurance of her vttermost in boarding eftsoÌ„es the goodwil of his â—oye mistrys with protestacion of waranty that if he wer deliuered of his sicknes she wold procure a mutual conference betwen him and the cause of his vniust torment wherunto albeit he gaue litle credit for that he thought it was but a broth brued of artifyciall liccour to féed him with dropps of vncertaine consolacion yet in the very offer of her frendship appered a hoâ—e of spedie deliuery which she promised eftsones in sort as you haue hard willinge him to reapose himselfe whollie in the vertue of her indeuor and worde which seamed to breath an ayre of such compfort and force thorow all his partes that defyenge the malice of his late sicknes hée seamed euen then to lacke no part of his former health neyther had he néede of restoretiues or force of confections to confirme his recouerye or assistance of staffe or crooche to supporte his feble lymmes weakned with so longe sicknes but perswadinge a wounderfull felicyty in the very remembrance whiche his mistrys seamed to haue of his distresse he ymagyned to syt alredie in the paradise of his pleasure dismissinge ymediatly the messenger who carefull for her part to put her promisse in vse attended thoffer of coÌ„uenient time to worke theffect accordingly wherin she was assisted with a speciall fauor of fortune who for the more expedicion of y e matter brought Zylya the lady messenger to mete w tin iij. daies after in one pew or cloase deske in y e church wher y e solicitor of Seigueur Virley forcing certeine teares in her eyes begaÌ„ to practise for her clyent in such sort y t what w t repeticion of the passion of the knighte speciall reproche againste the crueltie of women in those cases with generall comeÌ„dacion to y e vertue of such as declare compassion vpon the distress of thafflicted she wrought her to a remorse of his paine with consent to preuente his further perill wyth a simple offer of the viewe of her presence and that vnder tearmes of condicion that frome and after the tyme of such frendshipp he shold disclayme al ymportunities in the pursute of further fauor wherewyth she enioyned hym only a libertie of an howers conference the next day at ij of the clocke in thafter none where saith shée I haue more regard to thextremetie of his distresse wyth desyer to stop the course of further daunger in him then to giue hym any cause at al to make his proffit of this frendeshippe or perswade a hope of further fauor in me hereafter prayinge you for your part to giue hym in straite charge neyther to breake the moment of appointmente nor excede the lymyt of his tyme wherein as I reappose a chiefe credit in youre honestie so if the successe aunswere not my exspectacion assure your selfe youre vertue cann not escape wythe oute slaunder and the best parte of youre faythe remeyne in question for euer wherewyth they departed the one to her lodging conuerted whollly into deuise wyth what tearmes she sholde aunswere the day followinge the follie of her folishe louer the other repaireth to her passioned Vyrle who dispairinge still of the goodnes of Zylya preuented the reaporte of the messenger by askinge her what newes and whether his mistrys were still shodd with her mettall of aunciente tyranny or no that you shall try your selfe saith she if you haue the hart to meete her tomorowe in her house at the seconde hower after dynner according to her owne appointement whiche brought such newe ioye into all his desperat partes that he feell of embrasing the bringer of those glade some newes offringe her the choice of a thousand thankes with libertie to dispose of him and all that was his at her pleasure thinking the exposicion of his life to a thousande perils for her sake was farr insufficiente to counteruaile the greatnes of the pleasure shee had procured him in that simple appointmente whiche he promised to performe the next daye accordinge to the hower with intente to endure what soeuer it pleased fortune to bestowe vppon hym agaynst whom to stryue sayth he albeit is as though a man sholde make warr agaynst hymselfe whereof the victorie cannot bee without doble daunger yet am I determined to embrase her doome although the same contend agaynste my felicitie in whiche or suche like termes hee passed the daye whyche seamed to excede the space and compasse of a yeare to hym that lyueth in exspectacion of frendshipp at the handes of his mistrys wyth whose snares he was taken without that he had libertie to giue iudgement of the malice of a woman when she is disposed to spyt out the vttermoste stynge of her venym And sewerly that man is farr from the guide of discrecion that is touched with the furye of such charmes seing the daunger of so many thousandes tastinge of the like abuses ought to warne vs to eschewe such euils in oure selues neytheer haue they don suche wronge to themselues as generall discredit to the whole masculyne sect â–ª for that with out wisdome they haue become subiecte to theim who haue their beyng in this worlde for no other respect then to depende vppon the will and comandement of the man but as this mortall
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
moderacion in his pleasures the tyran and morderor moued to compassion touching the cause of thin nocent and the vnthrift reclaymed to an honest staie of lif whiche makes me of opynion that this passion giuen vs by nature albeit it be an infection of it selfe yet it serues also as a contrepoison to driue out another venym according to the propertie of the Scorpion which of her selfe and in herself carieth the sting of mortal hurte and oyntmeÌ„t of spedie remedie thoccasioÌ„ of preseÌ„t death and meane to preserue life not meaning for all this to perswade that it is of necessitie we make our selues subiect altogether to this humor of good and euill disposicioÌ„ nor allow them that willingly incurr the perill of such fre ymprisonment but placinge it for this tyme amongest thinges of indifferent tolleracion because he neither seamed blind nor void of discrecioÌ„ on the behalf of those whose eraÌ„ples I meane to prefarr in this historie I maye boldlie aduoche that which we call affection to be a passion resembling in som respect the condicion of true amytie and yet not muche vnlike for the moste parte the generall euill whiche the Grecians â—al Philautia and we tearme by the title of loue or vaine flatterie of our selues chiefly when we see any so frently to his desiers that to satisfye the inordinat thruste or glot of his gredie appetit he forgettes hothe honor and honestie with the respect and duetie of his conscience besides what ymages of vertue curtesie or bowntiful dispocision soeuer our louers do ymagyn in theim whom they serue dymming the eyes of the worlde wyth a miste of dissembled substance as thoughe the cause of their liberall offer of seruice were deriued of an intent of honest frendshippe yet their trauailes that way concludes we se with other end for that they hunt only the chase of pleasure procedinge of the viewe of an exterior bewtie wherin their meaninge is sufficiently manifeste in the sugred oracions discourses of eloquent stile which those amarus orators seme to prefer when their mindes occupied whollie in the contemplacion of their mistresses do commit the praise of the perfection in their Ladies to the filed fordge of their fine tongue in which what other thing do they more chiefly commend then a deuyn misterie or conninge worke of nature painted with a dy of white or redd in her face A delicate tongue to dilate of matters of fancie an entysinge countenance with a grace and behauiour equal with the maiestie of a princes al which as they argewe the vanitie of him that reapose delite in such fondnes differinge altogether from the true ornamentes of the soule or pattorne wherby the perfectioÌ„ of vertue is discerned by thunfayned workes and absolute accion So dismissing this fond philosophie not coÌ„tending greatly whether loue be a natural corrupcion or a thing perticipating with vertue we may be bold to aduouche his power to preauile in things which seame of ympossibilitie to thother passions that be common vnto vs for what thinge can be of greater force in a man then that which constrainynge an alteracion of custome and breach of that which by contynuance hath taken rote within vs doth make as it were A new body and the mynd a meare straunger to her former cogitacions which I neither inferr without cause nor menteyne this argument without great reasoÌ„ for that as of al the vices which spot the lif of maÌ„ ther is none except y e excecrable syn of whoredom which makes vs soner forget god good order then the detestable exercise of vnlawful game neither are we so hardly reclaymed froÌ„ any thing as that cutthrote delite for that it is almost as possible to conuert the crueltie of a she wolffe or lyones into a present mekenes as to mortefie the desier of plaie in him which hath bene norrished and nozelled therin froÌ„ the beginning of his yeres Euen so notwithstanding the force of loue wrought such a misterie in an vnthrist of Naples that of the mo ste prodigall and ryotous spendor that hath bene noted in any age hee made a most staide and sparing gentlemaÌ„ that Italy hath brought furth of many yeres since or afore his time Albeit euen vpon the point and beginning of his new fondacion beinge redie w t all to expose frutes of his happye chang frome euill to good trade he was encowntred wyth the malice of his destinies which abridged hys felicytie and life in one moment wherof you maye discerne a manifeste profe in the sequeile of the historie folowing PERILLO SVFFRETH muche for the loue of Carmosyna and marienge her in the ende vvere both tvvo striken to deathe with a thonderbolte the firste nighte of their vnfortunat mariage IT happened not long synce in the riche and populus Citie of NAPLES who norrisheth ordinarylie an infinitie of youth of all degrees that amongest the rest of the wantons broughte vpp there at that tyme there was one named Anthonio Perillo who enioyenge a libertye more then was necessarye to one of so younge yeres and greene vnderstandyng made absolute declaracion affore the race of youthe did stopp in hym what it is to passe the yeres of correction without the awe of parentes tutour or controller for his father hauyng performed his Jornaye whiche nature appointed hym in this woorlde resigned hys bodie to earthe and his goodes and possessions to his sonne who fyndyng so manye golden cotters and chestes full of treasure to assiste his prodigal and wanton dispocision forgat not ymediatly to enter into the trade of a licencius life Wherein he founde no staye nor ympedyment to his will for that the necligence of his father had lefte hym withoute the awe or authoritie of any And albeit in the life of his father he was a continuall hawnter of the Berlea or common house of vnthriftie exercises where for wante of sufficient demers to furnishe his desier with skill in casting the three deceitfull companions of blacke and white vppon a square table he was forced often tymes to forbeare to playe and learne conynge in lokyng vppon yet tyme with his owne diligence made hym so artificiall that beyng but a cryer of awme there were fewe hable to excede his sleyghte in castinge twelue affore sixe of two dyce or tooke halfe so good accomte or regarde to the course of the cardes and yet notwithstanding he was not so wel grownded in the principles of his arte but often tymes his conyng beguilyng hym he was preuented with a contrarie sleighte and onelye his purse paide the charge of the whole companye whiche was not vnmarked of some two or three of the famyliars of hys father the respect of whose frendship and vertue with sondrie argumentes of ymynent destructioÌ„ to his sonne moued theym to enter into tearmes of admonicion layinge affore him the circumstance of his sondrie faltes but chiefly reprehendinge the greate wronge he did to his owne estimacion for that the waye to atteyne to renowne
thoccasion of her vniust anger with intente to performe nolesse of his owne bodie if she wold not giue place to her displeasure vpon his honest purgacion which wyth the dead hawke he sente by a trustie seruante of hys debated at large in a letter wherein after a nomber of iuste reasons to confute her vniust obiections touchinge lightly her rashe iudgement in gâ—uyng sentence of hys vntrothe without hearinge his iustifycation he preferred certeine humble meanes for moderacion of her displeasure onelesse she reaposed felicitie to sée hym consumed in the martirdom of apyning life or dilited in the newes of hys present death w t other instructoÌ„s which he gaue the messenger but chiefly to note the contenance of hys mistres and make faithfull reaport of euery pointe of her aunswere wherwith the messinger posteth to Geniuera to whom with al humylitie he presenteth the charge of his coÌ„mission albeit the passion of her fretting anger denied her pacience to reade the letter and much lesse wold giue her leaue to accept the present thunfayned witnes of the contrarie of that whych she to lightly beleued but charged the messenger vppon great paine to retorne with the tromperies he hadde brought and say vnto his maister that she knew to well his whistle to come at his call and being lately burned she wold take heede eftsones to fall into the fyer wherwyth albeit the seruant went abowte to prefer thexcuse of hys mayster yet the disdaynefull lady chokinge hys honest intent forced him to vnwilling scilence with charge to ympart her resolucion to hys mayster whom sayth she if I loued earst entyer lye I hate nowe wyth a malyce more thenne mortal wher wyth shée flonge out of the presence of the messenger leauynge hym no lesse amased at her crueltie then dowtefull to retorne to hys infortunate mayster whom hee knewe wold skarcely be kept from the daunger of dispaire in hearinge the sorowfull sommonce of his mistres Albeit seinge he had professed to make a faythfull reaporte hee retorned not forgetting to repete euery point of that whyche she had giuen hym in charge and withall restored the letter and deade presente vnto the selly Diego who at the same instant had giuen lyke ende to his euill and lyfe if hys man had not withstanded thexecucion of hys morderinge handes albeit hée colde not giue suche ympedymente to the furye of hys passion but that it kepte hym occupyed wythe hideus groanes and dolefull regardes the moste parte of the after none till at laste hée quallifyed thextremetye of thys furye in complaynynge to hym selfe in thys sorte Alas saythe hee what iudgemente of fortune is thys that beinge at the pointe to reape the frutes of the contente mente I wishe in the world and fede of the only felycitie I haue in this life to be presented with an extremitie of more desperation then euer happened to any that bare the name of infortunat If such iniquitie beare a swaighe in payinge the due hier of the honeste seruice of men what hope hereafter may sustaine the lyfe of faythful louers what exspectacion haue they in the ende of their trauaile when a Ielous enuye hath power not only to take the praie oute of their handes but also ymparte the frute of their hope to an other not worthy any waye to participate w t so glorious a merit Ah Geniuera if thy disdaynefull anger woulde giue the leaue to make a viewe of my innocencie consider indifferentely the circumstaÌ„ce of my former loue w t ymagynacioÌ„ what assurance I haue hereafter vowed on thy behalfe so long as my body beares lif in this earthly corruptioÌ„ I know thou woldest repeale the sentence of thy former iudgement correcte the sinister instincte that sturred vpp the humor of thy crueltie and wype awaye at laste the teares of my vndeserued sorowe wyth a franke offer of that whyche I haue deserued by iustice Ah vaine hope whyche hetherto haste flattered me wyth pilles of ioyfull disgestion leauing me in the ende to the mercye of a miserable dispaire is it I that muste fele thoperacion of thy poyson and liccour of bitter taste it hadde bene better for me to haue bene repulsed in the begynninge then after a pleasaunt profe of reciprocall loue to be refused and lose the earnest of my desyer for so small an occasion y t the only remembraunce makes me blushe at the symplicitye of the cause Albeit fortune shal not altogether tryumphe ouer me for so longe as I liue so longe wyll I kepe my vowe to the faire Geniuera and preserue my life onlye to witnes the constante force of my loue which albeit I can not performe with out an extreme torment in skorchinge flames of contynuall passion yet the remembrance of my dutie to her to whom I offer this deuocion of a burninge sacrafyce of my selfe wyll quallefye in some parte the heat of my skaldynge gréeffe wherewith he retired into suche sighes and signes of lamentable dollor showinge hym indifferently plunged betwene the Alarams of death and panges of frenzie that hys man was at point to ronn for the old lady to come and blisse her son wyth her last farewell Albeit restoring hys traunce by his owne diligence began so far as he durst to reprehend the weaknes of hys mynde for that he seamed so careles of hym selfe as to offer his life at the sommonce of a folyshe girle who sayth he vseth thys cruell pollecie peraduenture to make a tryall of your constancie neyther ought you to do such wronge to your vertue and much lesse kepe war wyth extremities but if you be resolued to loue her you must also determyn to pursewe her by other meanes and giuinge a lytle place to the malice of fortune attende the benefit of a better tyme who is neuer vnthankfull to theym that suffer her with pacience and who also hath power to mollefye for you thys Dyamantyn harte of your mistres albeit it be tempred wyth the mettell and bloud of the most furious and sauage beastes that euer bredd in the desertes of Lybya Diego did not only allowe thadmonicion of his man but also felte cause of comforte in his aduise with intente to persiste in the pursewte of the good will of his misters to whoÌ„ he preferred sondrie letters ambassages by mouthe other excuses wherin he gayned asmuche as in the firste for that the more he courted her with honeste importunityes the greater grewe her vniuste displeasure in suche sorte that in the end she threatned the messenger with seuere punishement if he continued anye longer the queste of his maisters follye for saith she theis handes shall rather giue ende to my life by a willyng force againste my selfe then my harte consente to be thankefull in anye sorte to hym whome I hate no lesse then the stinge of a venemous serpente which as it brought a fresh supplie of dollor to the languishynge Diego tryeng to thuttermost the vertue of his patience so consideringe the litle gaine he
sholde gett in attendynge that whiche his destynies hadd determined againste hym and seinge with all he was voyde of power to withdrawe his affection determined his reapose in the laste refuge of all miserable creatures I meane to giue end to his sorowes by death wherein abhorringe notwithstandynge to defyle his owne handes with the bloude of hym selfe he resolued to attende his fatall dome in performyng the reste of his pynynge dayes in some deserte or solitary soile not inhabited but by the sauage societie of wilde beastes whereunto he added suche expedicion that the nexte daye he caused to be made secretly two habittes or attires of pilgrims for him selfe and one man which he ment take to wyth hym with other necessaries mete to furnishe suche a voyage the same night also he writ at large to his cruell Geniuera deliueryng the letter sealed in moste sewer manner to one of his officers to whome he woulde not imparte the mistery but coloringe his pilgryms voyage with a Iorney he said he hadd to make to one of his frendes willed hym to communicate no lesse to his mother and that within twentye dayes they sholde exspecte his retorne for the reste sayeth he I enioyne the vppon the dutie thou owest me to deliuer this letter the fourthe day after my departure to the Lady Geniuera la blonde who if she seame disdainefull marke onely with what countenance she refuseth it wherwith he dismissed hym and called the other whiche as you haue harde performed alwayes the messages betwene hym and his mistres whom onely he made priuie to his deuise partaker of hys cruell intente which seamed so straung in thopinion of his man that what for the fowlenes of the facte speciall care he had of the wel doinge of his maister he declared frankely his aduise in this sorte xs it not sufficieÌ„te sir saieth he that you giue your selfe in praye to the crueltie of your mistres but also to increase her glorie in sufferynge her crueltie to vanquishe your vertue are you so ignoraÌ„t in the malice of women that you can not discerne the delite they take to pafsion their poore seruantes triuÌ„phing chiefly in the dispaire of such as they haue vnhappely made thrall to their beauty you ought to eschewe the miserie of that incoÌ„uenience by thautoritie of the wisemen in olde tyme who founde suche iuste cause of hate agaynst that secte that they dowted not to tearme theym the common ruyne of men wherein what other thinge moued the Greke Poet to pronounce his opinion in few wordes vppon the state of women but that he knewe the felicitie of man to be greater in shoninge thacquaintance of that furie then in embrasynge the society of so perentory an euill seinge saieth he they differ nothinge in disposicion from the serpente who beyng deliuered from the violence of the frost and preserued from presente perill of deathe by the husband man dyd yeld him for recompence a mortal terror with his venemous hissing and infected his whole house w t a stinking vapour oh how happy is he that is the maister of his affections and enioyenge the benefit of a pleasante libertie hath the gifte to shon this swéete euill which so farre as I sée is the cause of your present dispaire besydes sir why shoulde not you make an assaye to vanquishe thies suggestions of vanitie seynge that as he y t can maister hym self maye easely make hym lorde ouer manye thinges so as the orator affirmeth the moste perfecte victory is to make a conquest of our selues why should you determin so greate an enterprise with thassistance of so slender aduise seyng that vppon rashe resolucions attendes ordinarie rebukes and he that performes his affaires in hast repentes comonly at leasure neyther doth that expedicion showe good successe whose ende is not conferred with the begynnyng and guyded wholly by the gouernement of reason and vertue for as vppon vertuouse entreprises attendes a fame of honour and renowme so the rewarde of wicked deuises is infamye and sometyme shamefull death and for your parte sir lett your auncient wisdome encounter this femenyne miffortune in making as litle accompte of your rebell mistres as she is moste vnworthie to enioye the leaste fauor of your nobilitie whyche deserueth a more honeste consideration then a fare well of such tyranouse disposition where with beholdyng some argumentes of anger in the face of his maister whom he feared to incense to thut termoste he knitt vp with this resolution seyng sayeth he you are determined in your mishap I besech you accept my seruice to accompanie your fatall guide to th ende I maye participate with you in your fortune till the heauens ceassing to wreake their mallice vppon you do seame also contented to dymisse the crueltie of your destynies wherein as he performed the some of his maisters exspectacion who defiered only the companie of his man in the voyage of hys miserye so after certeine thankes for his goodwill he tolde hym that al their furniture was ready and that there rested nothinge but to departe whyche they agreed to performe in the firste hower after midnighte where unto also th execution followed accordynglie for betwene xij and one of the clocke in the nyghte our amarous hermitt with hye man stealeth secretly oute of hys castell takyng the fyrste path whiche his fortune did appointe hym guided only by the lighte of the moone without interruption or noyse of other creatures then the chirpinge brute of the lytle crickettes solacynge theim selues in their kynde within the creuises of the earth and wandringe thus by vnknowen wayes the later remeinder of the fearefull nighte he sawe appeare in the discouery of the mornynge when Aurora auaunced her flagge of white and redde the mornynge starr whiche some Poetes call the candle that lightes the goddesse of loue from the bedd of her secrett louer when â—o the solace of the mornyng resemblinge his auncient delite when he enioyed y e presence of his mystres presented a fresh allaram of sorow in recording eftesons his vnhappie chaÌ„ge of state wherein alas saith he haue I deserued this plage that denieth me participacion in the pleasure and contentement of others who after they haue slepte the course of the nighte vppon the pleasante thoughte of their delite do awake wyth the heauenlye harmonye and charme of lytle birdes with assurance to enioye theffect of that whiche a shadowe or delitefull vision of the sprite presented theym in the night sleping in so greate contentemente where I vnhappie that I am moste cruelly attended vppon with a contrarye destenie and in place to enioye a simple benefytt or priuiledge of that whiche all other haue in common am forced to wander when all creatures are admitted to reste hauing only th aire of deserts and lawnes vninhabitable to recorde thecco of my sorowes and the feloweship of wilde bestes to assiste the tunes of my complaintes Ah Venus whose starre heretofore hath onely
guyded me and whose beames of longe haue taken roote in my harte what cause haue I to complaine of thy iniustice whiche yeldes me falshood for faith and tormente for true constancie of mynde if this be the hier of loyaltie why beareste thou the tytle of iuste the pennance I endure dischargeth the of the name of mercifull or if thou deale so seuerly wyth thy true serseruantes Why kepest thou the course amongest the orient planettes of the heauen Albeit yf I abuselthy honor in blasphemyng the maiestie of thy godheade I sewe for no fauor seinge I fele alredye the ful weighte of thy heauye hande neyther haste thou any punishement in store wherof I taste not the force in this my vnworthie affliction whiche seinge it procedes by thinfluence of the starr whiche gouerneth me dispatche at once the messenger of thy determinacion to th ende that by my death my distresse may receiue ende and my cruell mistres performe her glorious triumphe in the victorye of my pynynge lyfe His complaintes coulde not so staye the swifte course of tyme but or he was ware the heighte of the son showed the declining of the daye whiche moued hym to increase his pase leauing the common wayes to folowe the pathes leaste acquainted with traueile wherein they continued withoute intermission till the cloasinge of the euenyng when the wearynes of their horsses forced theim to discend and take harbor within a litle village farre from the ordinary waye from whence after some litle reléeff to their horsses and lesse rest to theim selues they departed wandring in that sorte by the space of thrée or foure dayes and nightes th ende whereof broughte theim at laste to the foote of a large mountaine inhabited onely with sauage beastes and creatures vnreasonable discoueringe rounde about a platt or soile of pleasame prospecte and moste proper to shroode the solitarie life of the wandrynge knyghte for if he delyted in the shade he hadd there the benefytt of a nomber of pleasante trées whiche nature seamed to lende hym as a speciall solace in that wyldernes When his sorowe desyered the vse of a more open prospecte the plaine forrestes and chases wyth theyr wholle heardes of deare of all fortes offred to giue hym skoape to recorde his gréeffe and for chaunge of recreation he mighte viewe there the hideus and highe rockes whose stéepnes and craggie scituation albeit moued a terrour to the beholders yet were they not without cause of greate delite by reason of the pleasant grene garnished with the tappissery of diuerse flowers spreadyng theim selues all a onge the heighte of the sayde mountes but that whiche moued moste his affection to that place was a merueilous faire and rowmey caue enuironed on all sides with béeche cypres pyneaple and ceder trées wyth other braunches yeldynge frutes of diuerse kindes righte afore the mouth or openyng of the which tendyng to the valley appered a nomber of pleasante graftes whose rootes receiuing moisture by a cleare streame passing wyth softe noyse all alonge the dore of the caue gaue suche bountifull norryture to the twigges tender branches that thonly topps bowed downe and dipped theim selues as vppon dutie in a fountaine of wonderfull clearenes fedyng continuallye the saide streame all whiche seamed to offer suche solace to the solytarye intent of Diego that without further aduise he determined to performe there the penance he wente to doo and to conuerte that house builded by nature to the monasterye of his profession wherein he mente to ende the voyage of his deuocions commandynge his man to alight who vnsadlinge their horses gaue theim the keye of the wilde forestes whereof hetherto they harde no newes Touchinge their saddells with the harnesse and other furniture of their horsses they bestowed within a litle cell or corner in their caue where also leauing their ordinarye apparell they putt on theyr habittes of pilgrim there his man made prouision accordynge to the condicion of their state and necessitye of the place dyggynge for his firste indeuor certeine soddes and lomppes of claye wherewith he entrenched and rampierd their felden shopp to defende theym againste the furye of wilde beastes who otherwayes myghte oppresse theym in the nyghte he made also twoo beddes or lytle couches of softe mosse wyth a testure and sides of wodde which he hewde in no lesse fyne proporcion then yf the skill of the Carpenter had assisted the worke they hadd no other reléeffe or foode for longe tyme then of the frute whiche the wilde trees did yelde theym one lesse sometime for a chaunge of dyot they were gladd to feede of rawe rootes whiche they digged out of thintrailles of the earth vntill extreme hunger preferred a meane to supplie their thinne fare whiche was that his man made a crosbowe with the whiche they killed often times the hare and conie fedynge at reléeff some time they beguiled the wilde goate in the mountaines and were often the bane of a greater beaste in the forreste whose blood they pressed betwene twoo peces of woode made for the nonst deuidynge theim into morsells whiche they rosted wyth the heatte of the son and so furnished in sober manner their leane table disgestynge theyr rude and vnholsome dyelt wyth a cuppe of colde water whereof they had no lesse plentye with no more charges then when they commaunded ouer whole cellers of delicate wyne in the pallayes of Dom Diego who increased the dweile of his presente miserye wyth teares of continuall complainte inueighynge againste the malice of his fortune wherein he vsed as a common exercise to walke all alone in the moste daungerous places of the desertes enterteynyng his solytarye thoughtes or rather of intente to offer hym selfe a praye to the Iawes of some Lyon or Tygre or merciles beare discendynge from the mountaines but the seruante-doubtynge the resolucion of his maister preuented theffecte of desperation wyth his contynuall presence exclamynge as farre as he durste againste suche vanities and actes of frennezie wherein if by chaunce he lett escape anye worde reprehendynge the crueltye or wronge don vnto hym by his mystres yt was a pastyme to see the alteration of Diego srorminge againste the prelumptuouse audacitye in hys man in suche sorte as continuinge eftesones to accuse her discourtesie he wolde not stike to threaten hym so farre that if it were not for the respecte of the loyaltie he hadd heretofore founde in hym he woulde make hym fele ▪ how neare it tooched hym at the harte to heare with patience any blasphemy against her who hadd no lesse righte to punishe hym in thys sorte then he reason to endure the penance for her sake without cause of iuste complaint agaynste her seueritie wherein as he showed an vndowted experience of the contagius dispocision of loue for that suche as be infected with the corruption of that ayre take no pleasure but to gull and glutt their thirste with the brothe of that pestiferous poyson So if he had ryghtlie measured his owne
frende PROCRIS The notable Philosopher ACAST hauing thonly Credite for education of the heir apparaunt of his prince and honouring albeit the childe with more then an ordinarye affection yet hunting on a tyme among the deserts of that contreye contrary to the wil of the king for that he was warned by a prophecy of the death and distruction of his sonne in castynge a darte at the boare slewe hym whom hee loued asmuche or more then himselfe besides for a familiar profe of my allegation in this case yt is not yet viij yeres since y e countie Palatine one of y e chiefe princes of GERMANY being lost of hys companye in pursewing the chasse of a fierce boare was ouerthrowen horse and man and in daunger to be deuoured by the furye of the beaste if by good chaunce hys ryder with ij freshe dogges had not ben at hand to preuent his perill so likewise by the hunting of a wilde boare grewe the bloddy quarel betwne theses ij houses for hauing one day by force and pollycie of men and dogges kylled one of the greatest boares About SYENNA in the particular cōmendatiō which euery man gaue to the doughtines of his dogge there began to kindle a kinde of mislike in the hartes of the twoo younge Lordes whiche with the heate of the wine wherein they goolled without regarde after their trauaill and the bloudde beinge chaffed with the presse and nomber of termes of reproche bolked out at laste to cruell blowes whiche without respect of personnes seamed so to occupye the place for the tyme that besides a nomber that were hurte on bothe parts the SALIMBINS hadde the worste for that one of theyr chiefe was lefte for dead in the fielde where with the fraye discontinued for that time and euery man retired the MONTANINS not gladd of the victorye for that theye doubted a reuenge and the SALIMBINS contented by force with theyr present fortune attendynge notwithstandynge thassistaunce of a better tyme to redeme the bloude of theyr kynsman not wyth equall losse of their enemy but with vtter ruine and subuersion of the whole house of their aduerse parte whiche they fayled not accordingly to performe with suche hoate expedicion and power that after diuerse publike skermishes and priuate combats with indecent murders the contrary parte hauinge consumed the moste parte of their rente and reuenewe in meintainynge garrisons to withstande theyr malyce within the compasse of no longe tyme they hadd brought to extreme depopulatiō the whole kindred of the MONTANINS excepte one younge Gentleman named CHARLES who findynge himselfe to weake to resyste any longer the rage of his aduersaries retired to a contentement by force and gaue place to their furie and they also fyndynge the fielde abandonned without any to make head against them dismissed their angrye humor and layde asyde their bluddye weapons beinge dolled with the heauye and mortall blowes vppon theyr conquered enemies This Charles and laste remainder of the house of MONTANINO being appointed by destenie to lyue yet in spite of his enemies stirred not out of the towne of SIENNA where as a solitary man in the presse of his aduersaries he liued without eyther salutyng or hauntynge the place of theyr repaire beinge fauored notwythstandynge of the moste parte of the Cytie for that after so many broyles and horley borleys of warre which with the fiske had conuerted the greatest parte of his porcion and inheritaunce into nothynge he lyued notwithstanding of that lytle whiche fortune had lefte him in honest sorte meintainynge a traine accordynge to the state and condicion of his lyuynge hauynge in the house with hym the companye of his syster whiche the gods seamed to reserue not onelye for his speciall consolation in so greate a calamitie but also in rest oryng theyr house to hys auncient entier and beinge to buylde agayne a newe and perfecte frendshipp vppon the fyrste fondacion and confirme eftesones by her vertue a perpetuitie of indissoluble amitie betwene her brother and the house of his extreame aduersary her name was ANGELIQVA whose speciall ornamentes of nature and peculiar gyftes of God chalenged not onlye an equalytye but a degre aboue the beste and greatest Dames of that Countrey so seamed she iustelye meritorious of that name with cut doinge wronge to anye because her wisdome womanlye behauiour with humble curtesye made suche declaracion of her honestye and vertue that they whyche hated theyr house and detested the remembraunce of their Race could not close their mouthes from her due commendacion nor forbeare to wishe that theyr doughters and children were of semblable disposition suche is the operacion and force of true vertue in the hartes of suche as embrace her with vnfayned sinceritie exposinge in lyke sorte suche frutes as seame wondrous in the eye of worlde and excede the common imaginacion of men by reducinge the confusion of kindreds into an entier of euerlastynge amytie and of a mortall enemy to make a most assured frende whereof they that doubte of the goodnes of so greate a gyfte maye be satisfyed by the present of proffe this Angeliqua who so fedd the eares of the cytie with the generall Brute cōmendacion of her vertue that in one moment he which earst was chiefe and captaine of the warre against theim and seamed inuincible against all the ayde and assistaunce they could procure is nowe become a slaue and most subiect to the viewe and contemplation of her beautie in suche sorte as by litle litle he grew into termes of extreme affection and vndowted zeale towardes her whose name he hated earst no lesse then the Cankered styng of the cruell Cockatrice wherin as the humor of his loue seamed to excede the ordinarie impressions of men in that case So he neyther was hable to resiste the hoate sommaunce of his newe appetit nor kepe warre any tyme with the suggestion of his sodayne desire but as one that felt hymselfe striken with the thonderbolt of his destynie gaue place to his sentence and entred into deuise with himselfe what waye too vse to wynne the encounter of hys fancie The remembraunce of the late wronge he had done theim seamed a great impediment to his purpose neyther had he the meane to demaunde her in mariage Whose teares were skarce drye in bewailyng the desolation he hadd so lately thondred vpon al their house the simple view and recorde wherof preferred iust cause of dispaire to obtaine the good will of her brother wherwith feling a daily increase of his passion with continuall diminution and vnlikelyhod of meanes to releue his tormēt specialy for that he had imprisoned his liberty where no raunsome could serue to redeme it and that loue had bounde hym to so harde a pennaunce that the only pleasure he had in life was to thinke vpon her whome dispaire denied him to reclaime by anye meanes he began to curse thee first cause of the quarell and wyshe the huntyng of the boare hadd neuer ben tollerable in Italy
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
or troubled wyth other bulynes that she coulde not kepe hym companie not lettynge somtime to shoott her gates against hym all whiche because she sawe lacked force to make hym refraine she retired to thassistance of pollecie desyeryng hym wyth simple and colde termes to do her so muche honor as to forbeare from hensfurth all access to her house for that she was in mynde to retourne to her husbande with whome theffect of attonement was alredye wroughte by certeine her frendes who beinge vpon the waye to fetche her hoame she woulde not by any meanes should finde her in the attire of a Cortisan or woman makynge loue Besides syr saith she not without some dissembled teares I féele a remorce of conscience on the behalfe of the longe abuse I haue vsed towardes hym and that albeit my offence procedynge of follye seames not altogether worthye of frée pardon yet it maye appeare in some sorte excusable so he that confesseth his faulte gyueth greate argument of amendement and restoreth the trespasse to sufficient recompense desyerynge you for ende to haue no lesse consideracion of my present case then heretofore you haue founde no wante of good wyll in me to satisfye the respecte of your pleasure at all tymes where with to prefer a more credit to her suborned discourse she promised hym a contynuacion of fauor wyth assuraunce of vnfayned good wyll so longe as nature was content to lende her the vse of lyfe The erle whether he gaue faythe to her fayned woordes or dissembled a credytt for the nonst yet he seamed to perswade a trothe in the matter for that from the hower of suche conference he checked the humour of hys accustomed desyer vsynge exquisitt medecines to mortifye that blynd affection whiche so longe had kepte hym in captiuitye in the bottomles goolphe of his Pyemount And be cause he woulde aswell remoue the cause as take awaye the disease ferynge leaste eyther the viewe of her presence or some force of newe charme mighte eftesones enchaunte hym and sett abroche the humor of former desyers he retired immediatlye to MYLLAN He feared also the fall of some soddaine mischiefe chieflye for that he had sufficient experience of the cursed disposicion of this Viper whose harte was so infected with the poysoned ayre of euery syn that beinge wearye of the excercise of whordome she would make no conscience to furnishe the stage with vnnaturall morders For what exspectation of other frute is in them whose mindes are cleane dispoiled of vertue if not suche as are allowed by the guyde and wicked spirite that gouerneth their diabolicall disposition or who is ignoraunt of the tyrannye of a woman conuerted whollye into the appetit of rage and reuenge neyther is her crueltye any thyng inferior to the deuouring monster and excedes euerye waye the brutishe inclination of the barbarous sorte of creatures whose rage albeit now and then procureth them to vse force against the natural procreacioÌ„ frutes of their owne wombes yet do they staye to committ any kinde of crueltie to suche as haue traffiqned wyth them in the trade of licencious luste accomptinge no greater sacrilege or profanacion of the lawe and ceremonies due to their goddes then to pollute their handes wyth the blodde of suche as earst haue supplied the luste of their sensual pleasure wherin if they whych had no kuowledge of god nor feared the deuill and voyde altogether of discipline and experience in humanitie reserued a certeine honor and respect to nature why shoulde there be eyther frée dispense or tolleracion of punishment to the wretches of our age who notwythstandynge the dayly vse of the lawe written by the very fynger of god and reueiled vnto vs byhys prophetes and Apostles wyth diuerse threateninge inhibicions noted in thinfallible booke do not feare to offende the maiestie of the high este not only in stayninge theyr sowles wyth the spot of adulterie but also in dyenge the earthe wyth the blodd of their bretherne and fellowes in Christe wherein this historie shal present you with a sufficieÌ„t profe for this time The Lord GAIAZO had no soner lefte PAVYA then this infernall goddesse began to attempte the recouerie of her firste louer VALPERGO wherin notwithstandinge there apeared an equalitie of doubt and difficultie chieflie for that she feared that he that laste left her had diciphered her intent wyth reuelacion of the meane she had deuised to procure hys deathe But what enterprise is it that he dare not attempte whose mynde is the bondeman and slaue of syn wherin albeit the beginninge seame to ymport a certeine difficultie for that the soule preferreth a resistance and the conscience waueringe is moued to a remorse and remembrance of repentance yet whan a man is alreadis become old in syn and the harte enuyroned with the braunches of iniquitie the wycked man hath a more facilitie in th execution of mischiefe then he that is good hable to kepe the renowne of vertue euenso when youth is norished in ympudencie and age deuested of honeste shame there is no perill can make the one affraied nor ymputacion of reproch geue cause to the other to blushe like as this ympudent Pyemountâ—â—se renewinge the traffique of her aunciente wickednes practised so far wyth the familiars and frendes of hym whose deathe as you harde she earste conspired by malice excusinge herselfe so amplie by embassages and letters of vehement perswacion that he was content to heare in what sort she was hable to purge her selfe wherin her iustificacion was the sooner admitted for that the iudge was not only pertiall on her behalfe but rather enclyned to foolishe pytie then disposed to enioyne iuste pennance shee promised by protestacion of fayth and religious othe not only to become hys subiect and slaue so longe as her soule was caried aboute vppon the mortall chariot of her bodie but also gaue hym at thinstant a pawne of her lyfe wyth all that she had for the performaÌ„ce of her laste promise Here was the peace eftsones concluded betwene the wicked countesse and vnhappy earle whose articles were registred and seales put to the night folowinge when the Lorde VALPERGO was restored to the possession of the fortresse whiche earste was reuolted and lyued longe dnder the awe of an other prince wherin as they thus renewed the rounde of their amarous daunce the one fynding a more skoape of libertie vnder her recouered louer then afore the other resolued whollie to obserue thappetite of his Ladie beholde a seconde desyer of blodd and suggestion of morder appearing eftsones in the face of this MEGERA who croppinge altogether the hearbe of reuenge longed nowe for the destruction of hym who as you harde promised to do sacrafice on the bodie whyche presentlie she embrased and helde in moste estimacion wherof if she had béene demaunded the cause I thinke she coulde haue geuen no other reason of her malice then that deliting in bloddie enterprises shee accompted it a pryncipall vertue
to commit mischieues of greateste detestacion for the whyche notwythstandynge the rewarde of mordore was thondered vppon her at laste wyth a shamefull and miserable ende to her selfe and vntymelye deathe of hym who as the fyrst companion and next neighbour to her follie wyth equall perticipacion of filthie pleasure reapposed to muche truste in the villenie of her who preferred vice afore vertue and toke pleasure in the deuise of bloddie affaires whereof you shall haue the discourse at large in the last act of this historie BLANCHE Marya seinge her so rempierd in the harte of Valpergo that her only worde was currant to commaunde hym determyned to prefer hym to thoffice of a morderer vppon the person of hym who earst refuced the charge wherin addinge an expedicion to her deuise one night beinge in bedd together after she had embrased and feasted him frankly wyth the filthie follies in loue wherein she had more then sufficient experience shee discontynued her kisses wyth a soddaine scilence and drawinge her traison a farr of tolde hym that it is longe since she had to present hym wyth one request of speciall fauour wherin because shee doubted eyther to moue hys displeasure or receiue a repulse she hathe not onely defferred to be ymportunate but stayed to declare the cause whyche sayth she althoughe it touche you no lesse then the sauegarde of your lyfe and vnworthie infamye to your deare Blanche Marya yet is the respecte of your fauor of such authoritie wyth me that I had rather vse scilence with your frendshipp and contentment then bee thawthor of the thinge that should incense you to anger He gaue her not only libertie to make her demaund but assurance for hys part to performe the effect at what price so euer it were for saith he if the matter ymport any perill to me it behoueth me to vse care of my lyfe but if the honor of you be abused or your selfe destressed you can not ymagyne the diligence I will put to the reuenge of your wronge and vndertake all your quarelles wherfore doubte not good Ladye to ymploye hym who lyuethe but to serue you and is readye to dye to doo you pleasure Here shee asked hym of the frendeshyype betwene therle GAIAZO and hym and what assuraunce hee hadde of hys loyaltie suche experiences saythe hee as nothinge is hable to dissolue our amytie for I woulde not stande to be intreated to offer my bodie to presente daunger to remoue hys perill nor hee I am sewer woulde make anye conscience to redéeme my extremetie wyth the hazarde of hys owne lyfe neyther doo wée vse other thenne a common conuersacion of all thinges betwene vs but nowe to the cause of youre question wherewyth the traitresse seynge sufficiente wordes passed in circumstance thought e nowe tyme to broach a vente for her poyson wherefore kissynge hym in more amarous sorte thenne euer hée felte hym selfe embrased afore tolde hym the poynies wherein hée was deceiued touchynge the truste hee seamed to reappose in hys frende for saythe shée you are not soo constante and assured on hys behalfe as hee full of villanyein dyssemblynge thée malice whyche hee hathe of longe hatched vnder the winge of hys deceytful harte And to vse a simple playnes in soo sewer a case you haue cause to geue uone other iudgemente of hym thenne as youre moste cruell and capitall ennemye in all the worlde wherein because I wyll not presse you to be credulous of a dreame nor moue you to beleue anye thynge whose Author is not of sufficiente authoritie yon shal vnderstande that hee aduowched noo lesse thenne I haue reapported by the breathe of hys owne mouthe at suche tyme as hee practysed wyth mee in youre late absence wyth thys addycion that hee shoulde neuer enioy a perfectte quiett of mynd nor taste of the benefite of assured reste or reappose til his hands had made morsells of your body and deuyded al your partes into small peces confirmynge at the same instaunte hys bloddye resolucion by othe of the honoure and lyfe of a gentlemanne that wythin the compasse of noo longe tyme hee woulde bydde you too suche a banquette that you shoulde not neede anye longer to bee carefull of the worlde nor myndefull to make loue to ladyes wherein hee seamed so resolute groūded in his malice that notwithstandyng all the persuacions I colde prefer I colde neuer wrest from him the originall or cause of this mortall grudge and albeit at that tyme I was entred into termes of collour agaynste you with more iustice to further his spite then reason to preuent your perill or showe fauor in the sauynge of your life yet the remembrance of our auncient loue as a vertue but halfe mortefied or dead in me moued me to suche a remorse on your behalfe that I dyd not onlye thuttermost of my indeuor to remoue the vaile of his entent but also desyered hym with teares to desyste from suche enterprise whilest I was in place where you abode for that I cold not endure the viewe of your iniury and much lesse see you distressed to death with out the spedie sacrafyce of myne owne lyfe whereunto he gaue not onely a deaff eare but bounde him eftesones to his former protestacion by a seconde othe that eyther hys dead carkasse in the place shold witnes hys good wil or els he wolde delyuer the world of the Lord Valpergo all which I had no meane as thē to imparte vnto you by reason of your absence and small accesse you had hether wherein sir seing since thē your felicitie hath defended you from daunger and consomacion of his intent so nowe I beseche you not only to stande vppon your garde in defending his malice but also to preuent his pernicius resolucion with an acte of equall curtesye for yt is more wysdome to take awaye the lyfe of your enemie then in giuinge place to his malice to comit your bodye to the mercie of his morderinge hande besides yt is no breache of vertue to requite thintent of iniurie with an effect of equall reuēge and your wisdom shold be of greater estimacion and his traison more haynous for that he hathe first abused and broken the lawe of frendshyp in dressinge suche mortall ambushes againste so deare a frende wherein for my part as I haue discouered the whole conspiracie vnder a franke reapport of an vnfained trueth so beinge no lesse carefull of your sauetie then curius of myne owne lyfe waghinge theim both in the ballance of indifferent zeale I wishe you to followe my aduise in preuentyng so ymmynent a daunger and for a more assurance of your sauetie to offer thassalte to hym that hathe alreadye sworne your destruction wherein also you shall performe the vertue of a valyant knyghte with full satisfaction of the desyer of her whom you can nott so amplie gratefye if you presented her with the fre gifte of the best Dukedome in Italye and nowe shall I see an effect of the
her olde neighbour with lesse exspectacion to heare that whyche she ymagyned least enquired her opynion My aduise saith shée I knowe will driue you into some amase at the firste as a thinge neyther conuenient for myne age nor seamely for my callynge and disagreing wholly from myne auncient order and custome of doynge albeit yf thou make a care of thy proffitt thowe wilte not sticke to pursue the benefitt of thy fortune neyther will my councell ymporte suche preiudice for the presente as the sequeile in shorte tyme yelde the a tribute of treble proffitt I haue hard of late that there is a young gentleman in this towne so extremely in loue and desierous of thy beautie that he accomptes nothinge so deare as the thinge that maye lyke the and yeldeth detestacion to that which thou loathest neither wolde he spare the massie store of his treasure or large reuenue of his liuinge nor sticke to make the perill of hys life the price of thy good will and fauor with this addicion also that if thou wilte make hym the maister of his request and passe a graunte of that he requires to prouide the mariage to thy contentacion with the dowrie of a thousande doocates whereof I haue comission to make the assurance me thinkes a falte don in secrett is halfe perdoned and one offence bringes no custome of synne wherefore vse thy discrecion and thynke that tyme will dispatches the of hym when thou maiste reatorne home loaden with the spoile of his richesse and Iewells Here Ianiquette suppressing the iust cause of her anger with a meruelous modestie not commonly séene in one of her calling and bringing vpp seamed for the only respect of the old yeres of her neighbour to close her mouthe from open exclamacion agaynste her lewde abuse and aunsweringe wyth more moderacion then thimportance of her wronge required replied in thys sorte What villanye can be greater then to make a common merchandise of that whiche ought not to be boughte but by vertu or what disposicion of more detestacion in any christyen then for a woman to make a sale of her honor and measure so precious a Iewell by the price of her proffit Do you thinke that eyther the view of riches or Iewels or prodigall offers w t large promisses are hable to do more then the long offer of seruice wyth general commendacion of the giftes that be in hym whyche hath suborned you to preferr this embassage or who is she of so villenus a nature to with stande the sondry alarames of teares wyth pitifull somonce of so many sighes and yelde at lengthe to the detestable heralte of all corruption No no if I had liked the bargaine my consent had come fréely without the earneste pennye of filthye mariage whych you seame to prefer with an offer of a dowrie confirmed by an assurance or warrantie of your cōmission is it possible that yeldinge hym the flower of my virginitie to make a profession of true frendshippe to anye other but that the blodde of shame will renewe the remembrance of my former falte sewer if he preuaile so farre and wyn that point of mee the place shal be seuerall to hymselfe and the breach not entred by any other neither shal he tryumphe longe in the victorye nor I liue to Lament the losse for as it is the true propertie of a pure maide to defend that ornament to thuttermost gaspe of her breath and if by destenie the force of the oppresser preuaile aboue her strength to persecute hym to deathe with the losse of her owne life so if I be not hable to performe the one these handes shal be the bloodye ministers of the other to the greate contentement of me open shame of him that shal suruiue for it is long since I was perswaded that an honest death is the renowme of the life passed for y e rest to thend the present wrōg you haue don me maye serue hereafter to state y e course of your rashenes in the like affaires with promisse protestatiō to procede no further in like dishonestie I pray you perswade your selfe that if you conclude knitt vp the latter remeinder of your yeres in the practise of abhominable indeuours the commendacion of your lyfe passed wil be conuerted into the title of a common bawde swearyng vnto you for my parte by the fayth of a pure virgin that if it were not for the respecte of the honestie I haue hitherto noted in you honor that I owe to the olde yeres and vertue of your age I wolde so publishe your doinge that your presente message shoulde reproche you in what companie so euer you comme Wherewith she so choaked her olde neygbor that was not so misticall in the conueigh of suche trades as diuers of our chandellors and supersticious basket bearers in London who not onely make a profession of baudrie but liue by the filthye gaine procedynge of that art and hauynge nothynge to replye desiered Ianiquetta to pardon her alledginge that the care and compassion she had of her pouertie procured those tearmes rather then any desyer to seduce her and so departynge with her short shame lesse proffit made particular relacion of her successe to the amarus Luchyn who hearinge the sentence of dispaire seamed no lesse passioned with present dollor then if he had bene sharpelye assayled wyth a fitt of the burnynge feauer he entred straighte waye into the pageante of a madd man pasinge his chamber wyth vncerteine steppes and throwing his armes a crosse vppon his breast with his eyes directed to the heauens began to ymagyn howe to passe the misterye of this traunce whiche soddaine scilence serued chiefly as a speciall supplie to restore the warre with contraryetye of hys thoughtes for the more he wente aboute to extirpp the remembrance of his mystres and committ her to vtter obliuion the more he made hym selfe subiect to her beautye and grafted more strongelye the rootes of affection in the bottome of his harte And sewer it is no small matter for a man that is in loue pursewing the good will of his Ladye wyth contynuall importunityes the space of two or three yeres and receyue nothynge but the offer of a vaine and vncerteine hope whiche féedes the mynde wyth suche suggestions and argumentes of good successe that euery repulse seames to present a flatterynge fauor and the breath of euerye rigorous worde importes an intisinge allurement vntil dispaire blowing the retraite of that warre do publishe his commission to dismisse all hope and likelyhood of future success The large feldes enuyronnynge the greate citie of Ieyne seamed to lacke skoape and compasse to comprehende the multitude of thoughtes wyth diuersitie of ymaginacions that euen nowe occupied the head of Luchin who exclaymynge vppon the haggarde disposition of his mistres forgatt not also to forge cause of complaint againste loue for that as a blynde guide he had ladd hym into the bottomles golphe of fancie and
leauyng hym there readie to be deuoured with the raginge waues of affection wolde not showe him the waye to comme out and eschewe so greate and presente a perill albeit he oughte rather to haue reprehended his owne simplicitie and weaknes of sprite which with the wante of assurance in vertue made hym subiecte to that whiche all wise men oughte to gouerne with awe and correction I meane the sensual appetites and prouocations of the fleshe whiche are or oughte to serue as slaues to the place and house of our raison Luchyn prolonging his passion with an increase of disquiet seamed to fall from complaintes of dule into tearmes of surye and féedinge altogether vppon the hearbe and appetit of rage suffred hym selfe to be so muche infected wyth the humor of frenzie that his wrathe was turned into woddnes wherein as the desperate louer doth seldome measure his sléepe by the length of the nightes so he seamed here to excede the rauenous order of the gredie wolfe huntinge his uncerteine praye in the darke for som time he rolled vpon a bedd and som time wallowed vpon the rushes in the flore and now and then for a chaunge of exercise he tried the hardnes of the postes with the knockes of his head and albeit he had the libertie of a longe gallery with fyue or six chambers to roue and ronne at his pleasure yet iudging the same not circuit sufficient to conteine the circumstance of his passion he comitted one parte of his discourse to the witnes of y e ayre within a faire garden yelding prospecte to the windowe of his gallery where makyng inuocacion to the moone as the lanterne that then gaue lighte to the earthe craued that she wolde open her vessells of pitie and lette fall some droppes of consolacion in a showre of moysture to quenche the burnynge heate of hys tormentes whyche he thoughte were thondred vpon hym rather by the sentence and dome of his angrie destenie then as a desert and due merit of his owne follie and being in dispair to dispatche hym selfe oute of that daunger confirmed here by experience the opinion of the Philosopher who treating de Fragilitate humana describeth the gates and fore fronte of the pallaice of mischiefe to be paynted with allurementes and enticinge prouocations to enter but beynge within you fall saithe he ymediately into the pitte of tormentes worse then the goolphe or lake of hell neÌ„yther can you haue saffeconduitt too retire at your pleasure argewynge hereby that it is farre easyer to fal into the handes of daunger then to purchasse a dispence of perill and that the diseases bee more ordinarie and common then the remedie readye to restore the patient Yt was bothe pleasure and pitie to here hym quarell with his fortune w t complaint of hys mishap somtime blamyng the simplicitie faintnes of his corage in yelding his harte prisoner hym selfe captiff to so meane a personage and to conuerte the benefit of his former libertie into a continuall care and desiere of a beautie lesse durable then the flickering glosse of the freshe marigolde mostering in Orient coullers all the daye till the declininge of the sonne do soâ—on hym to resigne retire to a withered stalke and omittyng no sorte of exclamacions he accused greatly thimbecilitye of men that are so apte to be made subiect to y e thing that is deriued of thimperfection of theim selues and ordeyned from the begynnyng to be their vassals and at commaundement to serue theim in their necessarie affaires but by and by he seamed to quarell with his rashe imputacion in blaspheming so vnworthely that noble secte wherewith examining the deformitie and wantes in him selfe resolued the same to be the cause of her iuste disdain his euill fortune for saith he I haue knowen diuers fauored with the giftes of nature and assistaunce of courtlike education that haue reapte other rewardes of their seruice then the rigour of my mistres will expose neither is there any woman howe simple so euer she be that hath not a capacitie to discerne both good and ill and iudgement to consider the meritt of him that makes her a presente of his seruice At laste he fell into tearmes of commendation of his mistres with repeticion of her giftes and vertue wherein accomptynge her the paragon of his time he wished her deriued of some noble house to th ende the greatnes of her race mighte giue increase to the renowme of her vertue and chastetie whiche he thought but to constante for the purpose he wente aboute desiâ—ringe to enioye her but as his secrett frinde and conuerte her into a fountaine to satisfie the thirste of his pleasures wished that such immouable constaÌ„cie perfection of mind mighte fynde alwayes place of abode in suche as men do chuse for their wyues and lawfull compagnions of their bedd wherewith as he filled the ayre with the sighes of his complaintes and fedd the eyes of his mynde with a secret contemplation of his cruell mystres the messenger of of Aurora pronownsinge the approche of the daye in discoueryng certeine skarlett beames of the sonne in the bottome of the easte firmament gaue ende too his discourse whyche was begon at the rysynge of the moone and whether it were that the longe complainte of hys gréefe hadd broughte some moderation to his passion or themptines of his brayne for wante of sléepe moued hym to putt confydence in dreames or whether a newe suggestion of the sprite whych firste possessed hym presented a freshe hope or lykelyhood of that whyche he oughte to haue for gotten or what it was it is harder to iudge then easye to eschewe but entringe into a litle arbour or cabynet curiously deckte with diuers bowes braunches of odiferous smel he tooke his lute and recorded his sorow in the tune of an olde song whyche he founde written of longe tyme by a Poete shodd with the same Iron and wounded with a semblable weapon the ende of whyche dolerus recorde seamed to importe suche soddaine consolation that hauyng thereby as it were a presente pasport of his former passion gaue iudgement with theym that are stricken with the serpentes of Tarrantyne that musicke is a chyefe meane to breake the bedd of fancie and preuente dispair readie to inuade the dowtefull mynde whyche gaue hym corage eftesones to commence a seconde harmonie whose ende stirred vpp a remembrance of hys former sorowe and restoring a freshe alaram of hys amarus thoughtes made hym ymediatly abandon his lute and bookes of musicke and goynge to bedde he accompted some ease to lye hidd vnder his canapie hopinge that beyng oppressed with sléepe the conceite of his dreame seruynge as a lokynge glasse for contemplacion of his mistres wolde bringe hym some contentmente and dispence of his dollor whyche as it is a kynde of colde consolacion and pleasure of no greate delite with lesse continuance so it includes coÌ„parison of the louers estate with the order of litle children