who in the furye of a storme wil not sticke to preuent the destruction of the whole with the losse of the lesser parte and bestowynge his wares of precius value in the sewrest comethes of his shyp makes no consciēce in suche an extremety to expose the reste to the mercie of thangrye waues so knowynge that yf CORNELIO were not discouered the matter woulde neyther growe to suspicion and muche lesse to daunger or cause of feare she willed hym to mounte into the middest of a narrowe chymney where beynge denied scoape to sytt or to leane sometimes for his ease the litlenes of the place gaue hym onely licence to stande vprighte vpon a barr of yron rammed with stoane and morter in bothe sydes of the chymney where hauynge his sworde drawen in his hande he resembled thymage of some Iupiter holdynge a thonderbolte betwene hys fyngers readye to throwe at suche as disquietynge hys sleepe do hunte the litle cryckettes chirpynge in the walles and creuisses of the earthe and herselfe as more hardye or rather readye of wytt in extremeties discendes to the court wyth all the keyes of her howsse in her hande amongest the rude watche where after she had founde the capteine she forgate not to fordge sondrye causes of grudge against his discurtesye reprehendinge his inorderly dealynge with many waspishe words but chiefly for that at so indecent an hower and vnseamelie order he soughte to abuse the reputacion of her husbande in breakyng open the doares of his pallays that in his absence wherewith albeyt her complaint seamed to importe a semblance of iustice with no lesse reason on her behalfe yet the neyghbour or firste accusor aduowchynge eftesones his confession forced the capteine halfe agaynste his wil to follow the searche whereuppon he had the keyes deliuered with libertie to ransecke eche corner and cabynet of the house at his pleasure wherein he omitted neyther diligence in execution nor pollecye in the searche for there was no coffer escaped without his bottom torned vpwarde euerye bedd and bolster was tryed with the point of a sharpp dagger ye no benche nor hollowe place apte to hyde a tennesball was dispenced from the malice of thies rakehells of the watche But when the frenchemen in armor came into the chamber where our CORNELIO was cammed vp in the tewell of a chymney god knoweth whether he wished hym at Mantua with hys frende DELIO or no you louers that haue passed the lyke straites maye better iudge his passion then I hable to reaport the misterie but me thynkes I heare hym curse and Comitt to the deuil both loue all hys practises and beynge in continuall expectacion that some roostye halbarde shoulde bee throste vpp into the chymney where he stoode I thynke at that instant he powred owte more prayers to god for hys deliuerie then euer affore hee made requestes or peticions to hys Ladie to enioy her beautie neyther ys it lyke that his appetit continued or his amarus humor so feruent as hys desyer greate to be further frome the place of suche daunger albeyt as yt is a generall rule that one euil neuer cometh alone so this feare was not so greate as the future pennance of harde disgestion neyther had he scarce tyme to take breathe afore he was assailed with a seconde misfortune for vnderstandynge the watche to bee retired and the whole guarryson of thennemies without the gates wher vppon beyng at the point to discend from his smoaky pauillion as one that accōpted himself past the feare of fortune beholde the goodman alyghted at the doare who fyndynge the streetes pestered with people in armor hys doares open with hys house confused and all thinges out of order was no lesse astonied then he had cause and yet not so abashed at the straungenes of the thynge as hys wyfe in doble dispair of meanes to auoyde thys seconde inconuenience albeyt as increase of perill sturrynge vpp a freshe supplie of shyftes pearseth the vttermoste corner of the wittes so PLAVDINA standyng betwene the present offer of open shame and the malice of a most vnhappye fortune was dryuen to retire to y e benefitt of that gyfte which the Philosopher attrybutes in comon to al women sayinge that in an extremety the witt of a woman is so muche at cōmaundement that she is as sewer of a shyfte as certaine of her lyfe and makynge of necessetie a vertue she vsed suche artificial sleighte in bleiring the eyes of the goodman Iohn her husband that he allowed greately the honest diligence of hys wyfe and blamed altogether thabuse of the capteyne whome he threatened to requyte with semblable curtesye wherin as she dowted nothing of the tractable nature of her simple husbande beyng glad notwithstandyng to haue so smothly appeased the humor of his iust anger so she accompted her selfe neyther free from cause of feare nor quite deliuered from distresse till she had made a meane to manifest the comming of her husbande to her louer in the chymneye whom as she knew to be passed the feare of the frenchemē So dowting he wold dread no further daunger but discende ymediatly from his frozen mewe toke her goodman by the hand and led hym from place to place where the watche had lefte al thynges oute of order bringing hym at last into the chamber where CORNELIO stoode like a crowe in a gutter or an oracle to giue aunswer to suche as are desyerus to bee resolued of dowtefull demaundes And albeit the vyolence of the frost with the Nyppynge season of the wynter had so pinched al his partes with extremety of cold together with the passion of feare which he felte duringe his abode in hys narrow castell or cage of small ease y t the pennance he indured seamed rather to excede the haynous respect of his offēce then a sufficient punishement for his falte beyng only a desyer and no vyolacion nor act don yet the veraye voice of her husbande restored hym to suche treble perplexitie that he seamed to feele thapproche and vttermost sommonce of hys fates and passe thorowe the laste traunce and passion of life for beynge escaped from the daunger he feared most he sawe hymself subiect to thaudersatye he dowted leaste wherin also as the present viewe of hys seconde perill renewed a lyuelye remembrance of hys daunger paste presentyng more ympedymentes to hys delyuerye then meanes or wayes to escape So yf yt were not that necessitie geueth corage to the faint stomacke and dispaire bryngeth often tymes a cause of good hope I thynke in defyenge all the delayes and dallyenges of fortune he had at that instant abridged the pursute of his amarus enterprise and naturall course of hys owne lyfe by showynge a tomblinge caste from the topp or greeselye rooff of his grymie pallais But PLAVDINA had doble reason in her deuise both to aduertise her louer as yt were in a visyon that albeit he was bownde to too longe a deuocion in so vnseamelye a
dyed she had not lyued to haue reuenged his wronge nor lamented her owne desolacion for the same affection whyche moued her to suche care of his life woulde also haue procured her to haue bene his companion to the graue whereby one tombe at one instaunt shold haue serued to shroode the ij bodies last remaynder of the whole race house of the MONTANYNS And that which scamed to restore her dollorous passion with a freshe supply and increase of newe sorowe was the heauie newes of diuerse of her neare kynsmen touching the spedy approch of the extreme date delay of the sentēce diffinitiue which as they had not onli indeuored to differ yet som lōger time but also to purchase a moderation of the rigour so beyng no lesse frustrate in the one then voyed of assuraunce or hope of the other they sayed there rested nothing on their powers to performe or discharge the office of true frends on her behalf sauing to perswade her to consolacion and to vse patience in cases of aduersitie chiefly wher there appeares absolute dispaire of all remedie and the sinister suggestion of malicious fortune hath suppressed a hope and expectation of deliuery wherin as an vnfained witnes of their presente dollour they let fall certaine teares to accompanie the pitifull dule of her who vpon the reaport of theis last accurrauntes forgat not to fyll the aire ful of hollowe sighes with open exclamacion against the lawe of nature that seamed so careles of her creatures as not only to leaue them without armour or sufficent resistance against the ordinary assaultes of the world but also to make thē subiect by speciall destenie to the sentence dome of a most vnrighteous and hard fortune but albeit aduersity besides that she is subiect to sondry sortes of calamitie is also so quarellous of her one disposition that for the respect of one simple or peculiar wronge she makes vs to exclaime generally against all liberties and lawes of God and man yet ought we so to checke that same humour of inordinat rage that mortifieth within vs all regarde of dutie and reason that we dispaire not in the goodnes of him who beyng the giuer of all comfort and GOD of consolation is more ready to dispose it on our behalfe then we hable to deserue the gift of so greate a benefit and who in the middes of the teares of this desolate Ladye beyng with the reste of her frendes wholly resolued to endure the rigorous sentence of their fate presented the CATASTROPHE of y e tragedy with such an offer or meane of spedye deliuery of the prisoner that it did not only excede thexpectation of all men but seamed also the worke of suche a wonderfull misterie that no man was hable to imagin the deuise afore their eyes gaue iudgement of theffect ▪ for the same day aboute the nynth or tenth hower of the euenyng ANSEAMNO SALYMBYNO whome heretofore you haue harde to bee sore passioned with the loue of ANGELYQVA hauing spente certaine dayes of recreacion in the contrey is now returned to SYENNA where passyng by the gate of his ladye he chaunced to heare a lamentable noyse of women bewailyng the misery of the montanynes wherwith pursewyng the brute with a more diligente eare spyed at last commyng out of the pallayes of ANGELYQVA certain olde dames his nexte neighboures all to bee sprent and died with the dew of sorowfull teares as though they hadd then cōme from the funeral of some of their frendes of whom he enquired the cause of suche vnacustumable Dule and whether what new misfortune wer happened of late to y e house of y e Montauyns and being at larg resolued of that which you haue hard by speciall reporte went imediatlye to his chamber where he began to discourse diuersely of this soddaine chaunce sometyme determining the deliuerie of CHARLES for the only respect of his syster whose good wil he thought he cold not purchase any waye so well as by the benefyt and pryce of so greate a frendshyppe by and by hee accompted the death of her brother a moste necessarye meane to make him the maister of his desire ouer his sister wherin after he had spente somtyme in secrete cogitacion without any certeyne resolution notwithstandyng what to do he seamed to aske open councel of himselfe in this sorte What cause haue I hereafter to dowte of the thing I chiefly desyer seyng fortune seames to take more care of my contentement then I am hable to wishe or imagyn vndertaking as it seames to presente me wyth theffecte of my busynes whenne I leaste thoughte of any hope or likelihod of good successe for by the death of the MONTANYN who is to be executed to morowe in publike as a rebell or heynous offendor of the state I shal not only see the laste reuenge of the most mortall enemyes of our house but also liue without feare hereafter to be molested by any that shal discend of hym and on the other syde his death takes away al impedimētes offering either to stay or hinder me from enioying of her whom I loue so dearely for her brother being deade and his goodes and liuinge confiscat to the state what stay or support hath she if not in her beauty and loue of some honest gentleman who takyng cōpasion of the losse of so Rare an ornament and worke of nature may entertaine her for his pleasure vntill the glasse of so brikle a gyfte dekay with his delyte in her companye and then for the respect of pytye to bestow her in mariage with some compotent porcion But what SALYMBYNO shal the offer of any vnseamely reueng preuaile aboue that respect and duty thou art borne to beare and owe vnto true vertue or wilt thou so much abuse y e former glory of thy auncestors and present renowne of thy selfe with an acte no lesse detestable afore GOD then hatefull to the cares of all degrees of honestye and wilte thou thus deceaue thexlpectation of thy frends and leaue them in continual reproche to the posteritye of all ages with a note of suche infamye that tyme her selfe can skarce race out of the remembrance of man if all thies lacke authority to diswade the let only the respect and awe of vertue with remorce of conscience kepe the frome comitting so hainousanoffence for to wh at other end haue the auncients put a diffrence betwene the gētlemen creatures of baser condition but that in exposyng fruites of cyuill courtesye wée should also stryue to make our selues noble and excede theim in thimitacion of true vertue and as it is far frō the office of a noble hart to thunder Reueng vpon such as are not hable to resyst thy power so there can be no greater argument or proffe of true magnanimytie then in buryenge the desyer of vengeaunce in a tombe of eternall obliuion to expose moste fruites of compassion where there appeares greate cause to extende the vttermost of rigour and where
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
thenne viceroye or deputie to the frenche kynge that paintynge the gates wyth the blod of hys capteines and leauing the deade bodyes of hys people in witnes of his beyng there the maiestie retorned wythe more commendacion for hys good meanynge thenne fame or glorye of the victorie leauyng the miserable sâ—radyates bathed in the teares of their seconde sorowe to the guide and gouernemente of their fortune who seamed at laste to enter into suche compassion of their miserie that shee restored the greateste parte not only to the libertie of their contrey and societie of former habytacion but also to chuse of their goodes and reuenues vsurped by the enemie the rest shee deuided into diuerse corners of christendom som went to Trent and were sworne the subiectes of Francis Sforce Duke of Bary other found place of abode in the kingdom of Naples to some she gaue passeporte to attempte the deuocion of the wholly vicar of rome and the rest repaired to MANTVA amongest whiche â—â—ewe or last company was one CORNELIO vpoÌ„ whom this history maketh his chiefest discourse whom albeit fortune had made partaker of her malice amongest the reste of his contreymen yet hys mynd grudging with thiniurye of fate loste nothing of her entyer and vertue for notwithstandinge hee was of the race of the SFORCIANS and chiefest enemye to the vsurped gouernement and prowde behauior of the frenchemen wythin MILLAN and that hee had lefte amongeste theim his inheritance and goodes to confiscacion yet was he assisted wyth so fyne a pollecye and great indeuor of his mother that he had sufficient exhibicion to meinteyne his auncient porte and callinge And as the statelie viewe and feyture of his complexion and lyms presented a speciall conninge of nature lackynge besides no gyfte or qualitie due to a gentleman and pestered wythall wyth no more yeres then were conueniente for the decoracion of so seamely a bewtie So being the chiefe courtier that hawnted the companie of Ladyes and no lesse welcome amongest the lostie dames of MILLAN afore the subuercion of their societie by the crueltie of the frenchemen hee made a choise of one from amongeste the reste whom he failed not to court wyth a contynual proffer of his seruice and other offices of humanitie prescrybed in the skole of loue vntill he thought himselfe sufficientlye rampierd in the intralls of her hart and left her no lesse willinge to yelde a perticipacion of affection then himselfe passioned wyth desyer to pursewe the quest and conquere her bewtie her name was PLAVDINA equall to him in the height of estate and nothing inferior in the golden giftes and ornamentes of nature And albeit she had newlie made a proofe of the maried mans pastyme offred the flower first frutes of her vir gynitie vpon thalter of wedlocke yet the youngnes of her yeres defending her bewtie from al argumentes of alteracion or chaâ—ng wolde not suffer the hoat and often encounters of her husbande to ympaire any waye the glasse or precious dye of so rare a perfection wherein as she was noted y e odd peragon of Italy aswell for that respecte as other ornamentes of maiestie incydente to honor So the commendacion of these vertues seamed not so fyt an instrument to aduance her fame and glorye as presente meanes to procure treble passion to the new disquiet of CORNELIO who greued not so muche wyth the sentence of aduersitie as cryed out of the Lawe of nature and malice of his presente fortune for that the one had geuen hym a harte to loue and libertie to chuse and the other being his guide in the toile and trauell of his sute toke hym awaye when hee attended to reape the frutes of his harueste but that whiche broughte more oyleto hys matche and kindled the coales of freshe disquiett was that albeit he knewe hym selfe to be reciprocallie loued or at leaste nere the good wyll of his ladye yet was hée voyde of meanes and mynisters to solicite hys cause or bewraie that whyche hee durste not discouer other thenne thamarous regardes and glaunces of the eye wyth certeine sighes and secret wringing of the hande and kisses gotten by stealthe in corners whiche albeit argued a likelihod and SIMPATHYA of affection ympartinge an equalitie of desyer to the hartes of theim both yet the one beinge affraied to geue the charge and the other ashamed to resigne without any alaram seamed bothe plonged indifferentlye in a passion of doubt and feare vntill loue whose affaires can not well bée dispatched without thassistance of a thirde quarellinge with the simplicitye of Cornelio presented him with a messenger conueniente for the conueighe of their buysines for there was a pore Swaine sometime seruing as a drudge to the mother of CORNELIO and nowe preferred to his Ladye PLAVDINA in the rowmthe of her wagyner or coache dryuer whose office as it was alwayes to go by the doare of her coache when her pleasure was to â—isyt places of solace and take open ayre in the feldes so reaposinge muche for himselfe in the fidelitie of his slaue thinking to enioyne a greater credit to thauthorytie of his small office admitted him in his hart the aptest coll carier betwene hym and his Ladye wherfore after he had contured hym by feare and faire promisses to adâ—owe his diligence to â—huttermoste wyth no lesse secrecye then wisedom and conuenient expedicion at al tymes he made a firste proofe of his pollecie and fyne conueighe of his charge in the delyuerye of a letter whiche be willed him to presente vnto PLAVDINA thinward affection and disposition of whose hart as hee measured by the messages of her eyes so he preferred his seruice boarded her good wil w t these tearmes If it were not good madam that euerye state and condicion of man were subiect to his peculyar desaster and that the noble hart made of a delicat mettal is more full of affections and apte to enclâ—yne to the loare of loue then the rest of the rude and harbarous people I woulde thinke that the passion whyche pinchethe suche as do loue were a skourge and due correction sente from aboue for a chastismente of their lostye and wanton ymagynacions but seinge it is moste sewer that nature hath put a certeine difference betwene the dispositions of her creatures wyth a desier to pursewe the sommonce of her instigacion accordinge to the priuiledge of their degrée it is not in our power to disclaime thinstructions of such a guide nor degenerat from thinstinct of that destenie geuen vs in oure conception wherin as the noble mynde loathinge the enterpryse of base or vile condicion delites in such conquestes as yelde moste fame or commendacion So you oughte not to meruaile if the glymeringe beames of your rare bewtie paynted by deuine arte in the forefronte of your face the adoracion whyche all men yelde to youre singler vertues with other semely perfections and gyftes of maiestie gyuen you by the heauens for a dowry aboue
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
at all howers to performe the recucion of her commaundemente wherunto she replied with thankes according to the affection that gouerned her with request eftsones and that wyth a reciprocal looke and soft sighe not to forget hereafter the waye to the castell of her mother to whom she assured hym the welcomest gueste of the worlde and for her parte she accompted it a felicitye to participate in her pleasure and kepe in entier the league of frendshipp where with heretofore bothe their houses haue ben blissed from the beginninge where with time with the nomber of assistantes witnessing their glee forced an abridgement of their farewel contrarie albeit to both their wills the one retirynge to her chamber with more care and lesse quiet then afore and the other with a thousand hamours in his head tooke his waye to the house of his mother to whom he ymparted his aduenture his distres beinge lefte of hys men in a place vnknoweÌ„ his horse ouercome with èxtreme trauel and that which worste was thapproche of night and his dispaire to fynde harbor when not withstaÌ„dyng he chanced vppon the castell of the olde Ladye of whose curtesie beautye of her doughter he made a perticular discourse leauynge oute notwitstandynge the glée betwene Geniuerae and hym wyth requeste that it woulde please her to ioyne with hym in some honeste meane of thankefull consideration to theim bothe whereunto he founde his mother no lesse readie in consente then hym selfe desyerous to vse expedicion in theffecte so that wyth her aduise the platt was made to inuite theym to her house the weke followynge and that he alone shoulde worke theffect like as he founde hymselfe moste charged with the dett of their curtesie and desyer to requite it whereunto he added suche diligence that vppon his letter and humble requeste he gott the consente of the mother and doughter whiche both failed not of their promiss at the daye appointed When Dom Diego hauinge for the nonste the assistaunce of all the gentlemen and gentlewomen his neghbours forgatt no pointe of his indeuor to do them al y e honor he could both in sumptuousnes of dyot wherof there was more then sufficient choice of musicke melodie of all sortes masques momries triumphes other offices of humanitie wherein it behoued hym chieflye to show a singler deâ—leritie aswell for the discarg of euery mans eye and exspectatioÌ„ touching a showe of his giftes beinge norrished and broughte vpp amongste princes and also for the desyer he had to leaue no honor vnperformed in the companie of her who had already the whole possession of his libertie I nede not discriue by pece meale thapparell of the feaste the diuersitye and chaunge of theyr dyot theyr delicate banquetes nor the sondrye sortes of swete wynes it maye suffice that after dynner they discended into a greate hall readye trymmed for the purpose where the daunces began accordyng to the stroke of a swete and softe musike shrowded vnder a vaile or canapie of arrais in the vppermoste parte of the hall there euerye gentleman toke his Ladye amongeste whome Dom Diego was not forgetfull to addresse him towardes his mistres no lesse gladd of her happie encounter then he contente to be so neare the cause of his pleasante tormente and insupportable passion of mynde whereof he began euen nowe to make some discouerye by wordes in this sorte Like as good madam I haue alwayes thoughte that musicke hath imported a secrett vertue to force an apparance of ioye in the moste pynynge and solytary disposicion that is Euenso I fynde myne opinion confirmed by a presente experience in my selfe who earste languishinge in panges of inwarde gréeff with detestation not onelye againste my selfe but also all other thinges that offred any waye to ease the greatnes of myne anoye do fele nowe some moderation of my martirdom aswel by the lameÌ„table note of theis recordes insensible instrumeÌ„ts agreing with the sorowful condicioÌ„ of my present distresse as also that by their conformitie meanes I finde my selfe neare vnto her â–ª who only hath power to cleare the clowdes of my mortal euil restore me to the calme of min auncient quiet and as diuerse diseases are not cured but by a medicen and obiecte of their first occasion so for my parte beinge contributor to the daunger of that extremitie I accompte you as iustely bounde to yelde me compassion as your beauty is the chief and vndowted cause of thalteration which I can no longer coâ—ceile from you and which forceth me in thies few wordes to vowe vnto you without condicion of dissolution suche assurance of my seruice that only death shal haue coÌ„mission to corupte y e league which I seale here on your behalfe by the faith life of a knight to be the only seruante loyal frende and yf you accepte thoffer the lawful husband of y e faire Geniuera La blonde who for her part felte her selfe so assailed with the motions of affection that she coulde not contynue so assured in her countenance but there appered chaung of coulour arguynge indifferently a contentement of the offer and a pleasante mislike of his requeste which rather gaue hym corage to pursue the points of his purposse then disiste or disclayme the hope of so good a begynnynge wherein as he forgat not to vse thoffice of a good solicitor for hym selfe all that after dynner so his ymportunitie at laste broughte her to passe a consente and confirme the bale vnder thies tearmes I am ignorante â—ir sayeth she in the misterie of your disease and muche lesse aâ—â— I preauie to thoccasion which bothe I hope will defende me from ymputacion of blame in with holdyng the remedie you craue at my hande only I can not but greue in the euil of hym to whom if the whole companie are iustlye bounde to be thankeful for the frendshypp they fynde I haue cause of doble obligation possessynge by your presence the onelye contentemente I wyshe in this worlde neyther is your affliction partiall on youre hehalfe considerynge I am also plunged in panges of equal effect finding now I must confesse vnto you that as it is veray harde to conceile the passion procedyng of loue So albeit I hadd determined yet to dissymule that whiche I féele yet am I forced from that resolution by a suggestion sturrynge in the secrett of my hart which I can not tearme properly other wayes then a seconde inspiration assailynge me with an ympression whereof I am indyfferentlye ignorante bothe for skyll and iudgemente notwithstandynge reaposynge muche for my selfe in your vertue which moueth me also to a remorse to satisfie in some parte the due of your deserte I am contente to admitt your offer of a loyall frend till you haue obteyned of my mother the seconde pointe confirmyng thuttermoste of your demaunde till then contente your selfe with my iuste delaye and procure the supplie of your desier with thexpedicion of your owne diligence
The due plage of disloyaltye in both kyndes wyth the glorye of hym who marcheth vnder the enseigne of a contrarye vertue a man of the churche of dissolute lyuyng punished with publike reproche or the villenie of the greedye vsurer makyng no conscience to preferr oppen periury in suppressynge th' innocent cause maye fynde here to satisfye his longynge at full neyther do I thynke that oure Englishe recordes are hable to yelde at this daye a Romant more delicat and chaste treatynge of the veraye theame and effectes of loue then theis hystories of no lesse credit then sufficient authoritie by reason the moste of theym were within the compasse of memorye wherein as I wish the tormentes that pinched here suche as labored in a passion of follye and fonde desyer maye worke a terror to all those that hereafter vnhappelye Syp of the cupp of suche ragynge infection so touchinge the commendable partes of anye Ladye or woman of meaner condicion mencioned in this volume of discourses I fynde theym farr to lighte to kepe wayghte wyth the ballance wherein are paised the qualityes of your honor whyche seame to haue a certeine affinitye and resemblance wyth suche as were the verye vertuse and causes of commendacion in any that euer deserued the title of moste perfect or iustyle renowmed For yf euer the â—uene of Carya was meritorious for her magnanimytye and bountifull disposition the quene of Saba whiche some writers call Nycaula and other Man â–ª quedae was had in honor for her wysedome whiche was suche that both the olde and newe testament affirme that she traueled from the ende of the worlde and extreme confynes of the lande of Iudâ—â— to come and heare the doctrine of Salomon wyth whome she disputed no lesse learnedly then wyth profoâ—de iudgement or if the constant Ladye Blaudina a Christian borne in the harte of Europe hath purchassed chassed a crowne of eternetye in kepinge her fayth and vowe to God and the worlde euen to the laste seperacion of her sowle and bodye or yf any other eyther of antiquitye or familyar experience of what degree and condicion so euer haue bene noted of renowme for the gyfte of nobilitye in anye sorte your Ladishipp maye boldelye chalenge place wyth the best eyther for moderate gouernement whose effectes in all thynges you attempte argue your worthie participacion with the excellent giftes of temperance and wonderful modestie in the tj moste famous Erles of leicester Warwike your brotherne most vertuous and renowmed Ladye the Countesse of Huntington your syster to whose glorie and general loue amongst all sortes of people in this lande I nede not add further circumstance or increase yf praise considerynge the whole state fixinge theyr eyes vppon theym wyth an vnfained zeale and admiracion of their wisdome and vertues do aduouche in more ample sorte their good will that waye then I am eyther worthie or hable to declare And for your clemencie to the case of th' afflicted vprighte dealynge wythout exaction or cause of grudge to any wonderfull respecte to the honor of your callynge wyth dutyfull awe and feare of Godd and obedience to my Lord your husbande or other arguments or effects wherein consistes the praise of a vertuous mind or ought to appeare the frutes of true nobilitie they make you not so muche honored in your contreye as embrased of strangers who neuer sawe nor knewe you but by name who also doubte not to make your sincere and deuout order of lyuynge a lookyng glasse to beholde followe your vertues and by your order of doing to drawe the plat and foundacion of their owne life which shal suffice for this tyme good madam for the commendacion of that whiche is sufficieÌ„tly perfect of it self so generallie honored of all degrées that it nede not th'assistaÌ„ce of any peculiar praise huÌ„blie crauing for my part a priuiledge of fauor at your haÌ„des so farfurthe as it maye bee lawfull for me to laye theis firste frutes of my trauel vppon the alter alredye garnished wyth other oblacions of your euerlastynge glorye as a remembrance of an humble sacrifice whiche I make of my litle labor and contynuall seruice vowed to your Ladishipp so longe as God and nature will allow my abode in this miserable vale at my chamber at Paris XXII Iunij 1567. Your Ladiships to commaunde Geffraye Fenton Syr Iohn Conway Knyght to the readers in prayse of the Translator LIke as the slender bee by trauayle in her kynde Collects her fruite the sugred sap wherof we dayly fynde So heare my learned frend in nature lyke the bee Hath linckt his labor to his art and yeldes the frute to the In tongue estraungd from vs whyles this succedynge worke As doth the honye in the floure by couert meane dyd lurke He laborynge with effecte hath by his learned payne Enforst a Frenche man tell his tale in Englishe language plaine Not for him self thou knowest it aunswered his delyght By skyll to vnderstande the tale as dyd the Aucthor write But toylynge for thy sake hath fourmd his hyue ful fine Take thou the combe the payne was his the honye shal be thyne Good reader yet beware least Spyder lyke thou take By cancred kinde a spightfull stynge whence he did honye make Let not in lewe of payne a tongue compleate with spyte AtteÌ„pt to harme though powre shal waÌ„t the thing that he doth writ For if thou dost the wies will feele thy festred kinde And he to whom thou dost such wronge shal so thy nature finde No doubt our dayes are suche as euery man can see And can at ease and wyll perceaue the spider from the Bee Allowe his labour then and worke that well is done And thou shalt see thee golden race his muse pretends to roon Let ZOILVS suck the teate that Enuie holdes in hell And say with me God spede the penne that hath begone so well Thus hath he his desyre thus shalt thou lyue in rest Thus shall his frynds haue at thy hands the sume of their request Iohn Conway Amici cuiusdam ad Authorem Carmen Hexametrum FLoruit antiquo Galfridus tempore Chaucer Scripsit eximio permagna volumina versu Et multi viguere viri quos vnica virtus Nefandos facile effecit tolerare labores Vixerunt sola manet nunc fama Sepultis At tua nunc primum Galfride virescere virtus Incipit teneras cum spe producere plantas Quae scio quà m primumradices caeperit altos Efferet egregios cum magno foenore fructus Ergo quisquis erit qui fortè reuoluerit ista Cuius mens liuore nequit nec amore moueri Et sapit haud dubito quin te dignabitur illa Laude tuo quam tu magno sudore parasti Sin minus hoc vno tibi sat Fentone tulisti Quod Domina est cui des dono dignissima tanto TVVS M. M. George Turberuille in praise of the translator of this booke IF handycraftesmen haue greate praise for working well
league by franke consente thamytie shall not be onlye mutuall betwene vs till deathe discharge the same by seperation of oure bodies but also remeyne no lesse indissoluble to the posterytie and succession of bothe oure races for euer And as in the firste worke of this newe societie I will not only stryue to excede the in showe of perfecte frendeshippe but also make the waye open by my example to all degrees of nobilitie to attaine to the like honour by semblable vertue So I pronounce heare a further confirmation on my parte with protestation by the faythe and lyfe of a gentleman to embrace the and thy frendes with no lesse affection then my selfe and persecute thy enemyes with no lesse mortalitie then yf they had conspired and put in vse the destruction of the noble house of SALYMBYNO wherwith seinge the necessitie of the tyme craued rather an expedition of diligence then longer discourse or deliberation hee tooke a bagge of a thousande duckattes and weâ—â—ymediatly to y e Deputie receauor of the peynall forfeytures of the state of SYENNA whom hee founde perusinge certaine accomptes in his stodie And after he hadde taken him the bagge with addition that there was the whole demaunde due by DON CHARLES MONTANYN he commaunded to giue an acquitance withe his writte of delyuery from thinstante but tellinge the contentes of the bagge he founde a surplusage of the some due by the prysoner which as he offred to restore so the other did not onlye refuce to take it but also woulde not departe the place till he had dispatched one of his people to the maister of the Iayle who perceiuing a tender of the money wythdrewe the accion sent to fetch y e prisoner out of his doÌ„gion darke cabynet clogged with heauye shackels and clinkinge yrons CHARLES hearinge a noyse of bownsinge at doares and opening of rustie lockes imagined it had bene the comminge of some ghostlie father to heare his shryft and laste confession and that the senatte in respecte of the honour and estimacion of his house had graunted him the priueledge of a secrete execution within the prison for auoydinge the publike shame whiche comonlye attendes the miserye of such as declare their laste testament vppon the skaffolde in the gaze of all the worlde and hauinge alredye examyned his conscience accordinge to the shortnes of his leasure so farfurthe as he seamed only to attende the fatall hower desyred god eftsones to strengthen him with hys grace not leauinge him wythout assistance in his iourneye and passage so perillous where oftentymes the moste assured do not only wauer but vtterly declyne if they be not supported by his speciall fauor in the ende of which secret meditacion he comended vnto his goodnes the lyfe of his deare syster desiering with humble teares in a speciall peticion and last requeste to be protector and defende her alwayes from all assaltes and offers of infamie or dishonour being thus brought into the hal of the Iaylor the tormentours or officers of the prison begaÌ„ to knocke of the boltes from his legges and present hym besydes in show of countenance rather with arguments of consolation then cause of freshe disquiet or distruste of delyuerie which kinde of curtesy not loked for stirred vppe in his troubled minde a soddaine hope or expectation of good fortune with an absolute assurance almoste of that which affore he durste neuer ymagine and muche lesse accompte to come to passe wherof notwithstandinge the effecte appeared at thinstant for the Iaylor showinge him his letters of deliuerie tolde hym it was in his power to vse the benefytte of hys former lybertye for saythe hee the lawe is choked and fullye aunswered of her due and I safysfyed to the vttermoste of the charges and fees of youre imprisonmente desyeringe you Sir if you haue founde worse entreatie att my handes thenne I see youre offence hathe deserued to consider the charge of my office and to impute it rather to the straite comission enioyned mee by the senâ—tt then any desyer of my selfe to deale with you in other sort then the bond and respect of the dutifull zeale I beare you dothe require Here is to be noted a wonderfull difference in the casualties accidentall to man and that the chaunges and alterations in loue be of a contrary disposition to the reste of the passions that trouble the minde neyther nede we doubt by the authoritie of this example no lesse credible then of great admiracion but loue is a certaine vertue of it selfe seinge it workes theffect and exposeth suche frutes as seame to resemble rather the operactoÌ„of a deuine miracle then the suggestion of our fraile fancye for howe had this SALYMBYNO redemed so frelye and in a tyme of such nede the carefull CHARLES beinge firmely confirmed in mortall grudâ—e as you haue harde if the verye vertue whiche we are not hable to tearme by al proper name in loue had not broken by force of azealous affection the angrie inclinacion of his nature and conuerted the humor of his auncient wrath into a compassion exceding the imagination of manne And as it is an ordenarye argument of humanytie to giue succours to suche as neyther haue deserued any thinge of vs and muche lesse wee neuer knewe nor sawe because nature herselfe dothe somon vs all to be thankefull to such as resemble our selues in condition or callinge So that vertue deserueth treble comendation whiche excedinge as it were thauthoritie of nature doth force in vs suche an inclynacion whiche dothe not only mortefye in our hartes the obstinat humor norished of long continuance but makes vs plyable to the thinges which we colde not somuch as admitte afore into oure cogitacions and much lesse performe by any perswacion of the worlde wher of you maye note a familiar experience in the disposition of this SALYMBYN who suffred himselfe to be more ouercome wyth the bewtie vertue and seamelye behauior of ANGELIQVA then with any humilitie or importunatte sute of her brother althoughe hee hadde layen prostrate a thousande tymes afore his knee And what hart is tempered with the mettal of such induracion that is not mollified and made tractable by the regardes of so rare a misterie as the exquisite beautye of this SYENNOYSE or who wil not slacke the Raine of his loftie stomacke and stoupe to the somance of suche a paragon humblynge hymselfe withall euery waye to get the good will of her that gaue place to no creature in the worlde for all perfections of God and nature neyther is there any reason at all to charge hym with imputacioÌ„ of foly that indeuoureth to honor and imbrace in his hart the beautye and other giftes of so vertuous a Ladye nor his trauaile meritorious of other name then the title of honest exercise who addinge an exact diligence to his dutifull zeale and seruice in the pursute of her whose vertues procure his affection hath his harte armed onelye with an vpright meanyng of sincere integritye and
be taken awaye from the dolourous regarde of suche wretched desolation to th ende that I alon mighte not liue as the od relike or vttermost reste of our subuerted house And albeit we may chalēge the first place in the beadrol of vnhappy wretches seinge our fortune hath exchaunged oure auncient felicitie for a present lyfe of extreme miserye yet yf there be anye cause of consolation in aduersitie we haue raison to ioye in the condicion of our state chefly for that we are not iustely to be charged with imputacion of euil or dishonest trade any waie and that notwithstanding the raging malice of our fortune with the force of pouertie pinchynge extremely the discourse of our lyues hath so confirmed the generositie of our auncestors that we kepe the consent of al voices to be nothing inferior to the best of them in any respect of vertue or showe of true nobilitie For I haue alwaie indeuored to obserue this one rule discipline of the re nowmed Emperour captaine MARCVS ANTHONIVS who persuadeth that as the heyght of estate ought not to alter the goodnes of nature So the frowarde disposition of fortune oughte not to take awaye or diminishe the constancie of the mynde with this addicion that he beareth her malice best that hydes his myserye moste Besides thusmuche dare I aduouche of my selfe that as I was neuer presented with the offer of any good tourne whiche I haue not thankefullie requited to thuttermoste So I haue not bene a nigarde of anye thinge I haue on the nedefull behalfe of my frende or other companion detestynge alwayes that anye iote of ingratitude shold staine the reputatiō wherin I haue lyued hytherunto For as amongest a nomber of vices in men nowe a dayes the note of vnthanfulnes is no lesse detestable then anye of the reste So for my parte I wishe the rigour of THATHENYANS lawe vpon hym who seames eyther forgetfull of the benefyt passed or vnthankefull to the frendship of hym that brought succours to his necessitie when he dispaired of relief wherin my deare sister albeit you maye happelye imagine the cause of this longe circunstaunce yet can you giue no certeine iudgement of the ende or conclusion nor diuine ryghtely the meanynge of the misterye whiche I purpose to reueale vnto you The threatnynge perill whiche earste houered to cut in sonder the fyllet of my lyfe is of so late a tyme that I am sewer youre minde hath not yet dismissed the remembraunce of so fearefull a tragedye neyther haue you forgotten I knowe howe as it were by speciall miracle I was boughte out of the handes of the executioner of iustice and redemed from the rigorus sentence of the partiall senatt without thassistance of any my parentes or alyes by eyther simple offer of worde or effect wherin as I am warned by this experience not onlye to putt small confidence in anye of my kynsmen hereafter but also to reappose no assurance at all in their flatteringe show of fained face so I haue tasted of so great a pleasure at the handes of hym who neuer deserued well of mee nor I cause to ymagyne any one droppe of humanitye in hym on my behalfe that yf I do ryght to his vertue I haue reason to admitt hym not onlye amonge the felowshippe but also the firste and chiefe of my deare frendes for beinge pressed so muche wyth the iniquitte of the tyme wyth freshe assaltes of newe afflictions and forsaken with all of my nearest frendes I had reason to ymagyne and cause to feare that thonly malice of oure mortall enemyes for the extirpation of the whole stocke and roote of oure race had bene the workers of my laste trouble and daunger of deathe But good syster in this distruste I haue abused the vertue of our late aduersary deseruynge to indure pennance for entringe into conceites of conspiracye agaynste hym whose late benefyte excedinge the ymaginacion of all men hath made me bounde to honor the remembrance of his name with a debte of dutie so longe as nature shall phan in mee the breathe of lyfe for in place where I feared most daunger I founde moste sauetie and where I exspected least sewertye I encowntred moste assurance And that hande whiche I attended only to giue the fatal blowe of my destruction hath not only remoued all occasions or offers of present perill but become the chiefest pillor and proppe of mine honour and lyfe hereafter wherin because you shal be partaker of the playnnesse of my tale aswell as you haue vsed patience in the hearinge of the circumstance yt is ANSEAMO SALYMBYNO the son and heir of our aunciente persecutours who hath made so manyfeste a declaration of his affected zeale towardes our howse that in taking your brother owte of the handes of thunrighteous senate present daunger of perentorye destruction he hath seamed so lauishe of his liberal mynde that in place of vii C florentes he hath paide a thousande Duckattes for the ransom of hym who iudged hym the moste crewell enemye of the worlde what argumente of noble harte is this or howe seldom dothe a man encounter suche rare frutes of vertue frendes knitt together by a speciall league of amytie or mutuall vowe of frendeshippe do oftentymes make the worlde wonder of the sondry frutes and effectes of constancie which appeareth betwene theime but where the mortall enemie beinge neyther reconciled nor required nor demaundinge any assuraunce for the pleasure he dothe paieth not only the debte of his aduersarye but restoreth his state when hee is at pointe to performe the last of his fatal somaunce I thinke it excedes all the consideration of suche as vse to discourse vppon the doinges of menne I knowe not what title to geue to the acte of SALYMBYNO nor howe to tearme this his curtesye yf not that his doinges deserue a better meede thenne the renowne of DAYMON and PITHIAS or other moste loyall frendes whome the writters doo fauor wyth suche surnames of glorye but as I am a chiefe witnes of hys vertue so the example of hys presente honestie hathe sturred vppe suche an affected humor wythin me that eyther I wyll dye in thindeuor or els I wylbe equall yf not hable to excede hym in the retourne of hys liberalitie wherein beinge iustelye bownde to engage the beste parte in me for the recompense of that good torne whiche gaue increase to my lyfe I am to craue a special assistance of you Syster for the complotte of the deuise whyche I haue alreadye ymagyned and fullye resolued to performe to th end I maye bee onelye bownde to you for thacquitaunce of the liberalytye of SALIMBINO by whose helxe you that earste Lamented the losse of libertye and lyfe of youre brother maye nowe congratulate hys healthe and happye delyuerye where wyth the faire ANGELIQVA fully resolued by this laste report of her brother that it was SALEMBINO whyche hadde surmounted all her parentes and frendes in the delyuerye of her onelye confort
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
the same shee woulde coÌ„mitte it to a thousande morselles in her presence So if the readinge broughte cause of miscontentment she gaue her assurance to performe thuttermoste of her former promisse CORNELIA alledged ignoraunce in the matter onely sayth she I can thus far assure you that I haue not in charge to presente you wyth letter or message from any man for as I founde it this morninge vppon the steares goinge oute of my chamber so I hope you will neither enioyne me blame nor penaunce for the falte wherin myne ynnocencye is suficiente to cleare me Well well sayeth CAMILLA I will not sticke to giue you the readinge of these amarus lyues arguinge as small pleasure to hym that write theym as euill receiued of me to whom they are dressed wherwith she opened the pacquett and redd the roll from â—hone ende to thother wherin albeit she discouered in her faÌ„ce a singler pleasure begynning euen nowe to fele the motions of loue with in her tender breast and taste of the appetit of a desier which she durst not satisfy yet vsing her accustomed wisedome in conceylinge that she desired moste she couered the suspicion of affection with certeine tearmes of reproché which she bestowed vpon her simple companion in this sort I finde nowe sayeth shee that my pacience and facilitie in hearynge your reaportes do yelde you to muche fauor in furtheringe your fonde practise which you nede not go about to coollour with other enamell then the complection of your owne nature seinge that she wyth whom you haue to do can spie a flee in y e milke and giue iudgemente of thintente of these baites wyth theffecte of your meanyng desiering you for preuentyng a further inconuenience in your brother to seke to cure his disease as you may leaste in contynuinge his follie hee further a subuercion of that which is the beste parte in him for he hathe alreadye of me asmuch as he may hope for with assurance And for your part â–ª as you seame to reappose neither religion nor vertue in promisses for that the laste tyme we weare in tearmes of these follies you gaue me assurance to discontinue thenterprise So it is I that am readie to giue punyshmente to mine owne indiscretion and endure the penance of mine owne rashenes in depriuinge me of the companie wherin I tooke moste pleasure and contentmente biddinge you fare well till better occasions maye restore oure famyliar visitacions wherwith she put no difference betwen doing and sayinge fearing that if she had attended the replie of CORNELIA she had bene in daunger to yelde to the bargaine in openynge her eares to wide to the perswacions of her companion whome she left no lesse astonied then her selfe traunsed and full of diuerse ymagynacions beginnyng euen then to measure thaffection of â—IVIO and giue iudgement of his loyaltie by the contynuacion vehemencie of his passion with absolute resolucion for al her dissymuled disdayne to change purpose and admitt the offer of his frend shippe if she were eftsones required by hym or any in his be halfe blamynge her rashenes in reprochinge hys syster and crueltie more thenne conueniente to her brother who beganne euen nowe to take possession of her thoughtes and make hym selfe a secrete mediator in his owne cause wherein sewerly may be noted in experience of the fragilitie and inconstante disposition of man and specially in thaffaires of loue seynge that shee whiche earste detested euerye waye to be pertaker of suche ympression is now chaunged in a momente and broughte to laie her heade vnder the yoke of seruile affection makinge as it were a simple and plaine table of her harte to th ende to drawe thereupon a forme of thoughtes and ymagynacions in diuerse collours according to the direction of hym that thus hath gott the gouernement of her libertie with authoritie to dispose of her as hee thinkes good And yet I cannot but allowe her longe delaie and iudge her of greate wisedome to suspende her consente till she had wel considered of the matter seinge the dailie inconueniences happeninge to suche as neyther carefull of their honor nor curious of their quiet do admit indescretly the bargaine at the fyrste offer without knowinge the merite of the persones or examynynge the circum stancye of the future sequeile of theyr loue wherof are deriued so many examples of a nomber of miserable men endinge their liues by vnhappie dispaire whose wretchednes ought to warne vs to delibrate at large afore we put in execution and to vse a reasonable meane in our doinge I meane not to ron hedlonge into the golphe of affection leaste our daunger be equal to the peryl of y e infortunate ACARESTRYANS who because they were disfaudred of their ladyes entered into such conceites of mortall grefe that when they would willinglie haue retired and bene deliuered it was eyther ympossible or at least veraie hard to giue theym remedy to whych crew of desperate louers we may wel add the desaster of thys LIVIO who assured of thaunswere of his Ladie as well by hys sister as also by the regards of disdayne he noted in her farewell wheÌ„ she departed whereof he was partaker by shrowdinge hymselfe in a secrette corner of the chamber duringe the perley of the two maydes fel ymedyatelye into so strange a sickenes that aband onynge at the fyrst the desyer of slepe wyth the appetit of the stomacke he lefte the phizicions at th ende of their wittes who beynge voyde of skill to cure hys disease tolde hys frendes that if he woulde not receiue compfort of hym self his life was in hazarde for that hys euill proceded onely of passions and inwarde sorowe of the harte wherein they had reason seynge that the disease of loue is contrarye to the disposition of all other greues for as there is no distresse what extremitie so euer it importe but it maye be eyther cured or qualefied by certaine drogues and confections deuised by art to compforte the stomake and restore the hart to a gladnes so the pacient plunged in the passions of the mynde can neyther broke thassistance of Phizicke nor operacion of hearbes onely the presence or simple worde of hys mistres hath more power ouer hys euill then all the misticall or artificiall powders deuised by the moste experte phizicions that euer cam out of thuniuersity of PARIS or PADVA whereof thexperience apperes in this LIVIO who languishynge euery daye from euill to worse consumed by pecemeale with the force of his amarous fier no lesse then the snow lying vpon the syde of a mountaine yeldes and wastes with the heate of the son which also forced such inward grefe to his sorowefull sister together with dispaire of any meane to restore hym for that CAMILLA discontinued her repaire to vysitt her that she yelded tribute to his passion with a dysease of equall mortalitie impartynge suche alarams of dollor thorowe all the partes of her bodye that she was constrained to kepe
her bead in a litle cabynett ioyninge to the lodginge of LIVIO who by the thinnes of the wall which only deuided their chambers was pertaker of the leaste worde that was spoken in the lodgynge of hys sister whose greuous groanes forced by the violence of a burnynge feuer gaue such increase to the daunger of LIVIO that he was at point to yelde to the laste alaram of life if the sicknes of his sister had not broughte the spedye remedye of hys dysease for CAMILLA astonied without measure that she neyther mette CORNELIA at the churche sawe her at the gate nor wyndowe nor any assemblye what soeuer learned so much by inquisicion that she was aduertised of the mortall daunger of LIVIO together wyth thertremitye of hys syster who yf they were not reskewed by greate merueyle were at poynte to be shrined together at one instante in theyr fatall tombe Here CAMYLLA began to recante her auncient creweltye for in ceassynge any longer to dissimule her secrett affection to her LIVIO and the sorowe shee suffered for thafâ—â—iction of hys syster she seamed to purifie the wronge shee hadde donne to theym bothe thorowe a ryuer of affected teares distillynge by suche aboundance from her watery eyes that she seamed at the poynte to visitt the purgatorye of thother woorlde to doo penaunce for the twoe euilles whereof she confessed her selfe to bee thonlye occasion wherein after she hadde spente certainne howers in publicke complainte whose dollour seamed of force to moue the heauens to teares and staye the course of the sonne fealynge still an increase of passion by the vehemencye of loue shee was constrayned to abandon the place and performe the reste of her exclamacion agaynste her crueltie all alone in her chamber with thys tearmes What furye or force infernall is thys whyche shakyng the fortresse and most constante parte in me hathe made me in one moment yelde to that wherin I haue bene hitherto inuincible is it possible alas that that whyche I iudged a dissembled passion in thys infortunat Gentleman shoulde torne to a true effecte of vndowted faith confirmed by the power of that whiche we call loue in the hartes of men why haue not I considered that the horse whyche is of noble corage will be gouerned by the shadowe of a Rodde where the dull beaste is skarcely sturred with the princkyng of the spurres the fearefull dogge doth also barke more then bite and depest riuers do ronne with leaste noyse so nature hathe imparted a peculiar instinct to the noble minde not only to be more delicate in diet and ardante in affection but also to embrase the obiecte of their fancie with a more vehemencie of desite and passion then the rest of the rude and grosse sorte who are not worthy to be partakers of the misteries in true loue Ah LIVIO LIVIO howe doo I feele a mocion of that whych I can not tearme other wayes then a free force without constrainte and a dollour without cause of complainte for I am possest with an euill wherein I take pleasure and feeles an experience of a paine without the which I thinke the lyfe of man can hardely be sustained and yet my mynde wauereth in suche dredefull conceites that I feare to make declaracion of that which bothe law of loue and dutie of my conscience bindes me to expose for the solace and relyefe of thy presente affliction but alas the renoume of myne honeste name is so deare vnto me that I wyshe rather to embrase the extreme panges of death then giue one symple occasion of discredit to mine auncient vertue for that as mans wisdome is hable to supplie y e losses of all other thinges so it is not only vnfurnished of meanes to restore the forfait of our honestye but also voyde of arte to couer the falte of so greate an offence but is it a iuste imputation or worthye falte when in our busynes wee respecte vertue and concludes the ende of our enterpryse wyth an honeste meanynge ys it not a deede of compassion to gyue soccours to hym that standes in watter vpp to the throte and at the pointe to peryshe for want of help what can we do lesses then be careful to recouer hym who offereth hys lyfe in the sacrefise of affection for our sakes who can iustly tearme our doynges by the title of offence when we yelde a mutual amitye to hym that pursueth our goodwill wyth a respecte and intente of lawfull mariage no no CORNELIA thowe shalte not lose thy brother nor I the companie of so deare a frende for lacke to aunswere in reciprocal wil to him who with the peril of his life coÌ„ceiles the argument of hys sorow Ah most constant loyall LYVIO seyng the reputacion of myne honour denieth me accesses and coÌ„ference with the and y e shame doth close my mouthe from discouerynge the secret of my good meaning towardes y e take courage discharg thou thoffice of a bolde soliciter to her that is no lesse readye to graunte then thou meritorious to haue and dispoiled alreadye of all hagarde crueltie is not onely prest to reknowledge the honour whyche thou offreste me but also whollye framed to the POSTEY and appetit of thy will and nowe do I fele that againste the force and power of loue the strongest resistaunce is to weake neyther is the whole worlde of sufficient strength to put to vtteraunce the soldiours whome he preferreth in the feylde whereof who is a more late experience then my selfe who earste defyinge hys malice am nowe to attende vpon the chariott of hys triumphe and yeld me prisonner to hym who beyng hither unto my bondman hathe nowe made me the slaue of his importunat requestes And seynge the sentence is alredye paste and confirmed by the voice of my destymes why do I conceile my passion in the myddest of a thousande flames whiche tormentes me within or why do I dissemble that I desire moste or retire myne eyes from the view wherein they chieflye delite why do my feete staye to transporte thys body to the place where the harte hath already taken possession wherwith she determyned the spedye consolation of LYVIO wyth no other drogue or confection then a free consente of her loue yf the same were eftesoones demaunded and there vppon collored her goynge to hys logynge to see CORNELIA whome as shee founde in her bedde wythe more argumentes of deathe then apparance of lyfe by reason of a generalle weakenes whyche hadde mortyfyed the whole strengthe of her body so she hadde not spent in any wordes in the consolation of her companion but LIVIO smellynge as it were the presence of hys ladye asked hys syster who was wyth her who aunswered that onely CAMYLLA kepte her companye wherewith forcing a supplie of courage in his fainte harte with intente to knowe the fynall areste of his lyfe or death began to plede wyth hys absent mistres in this sorte Yf there be any hope in extremetye or expectacion of
that we seale tharticles of the contract wyth a ful consommation of the secret ceremonies in mariage bothe to take awaye all occasion of offence and also to mortifye the malice of my brother maugre his hart wherin sayth she beinge fully persuaded of youre consente to my proposition and for that in cases of loue delayes and longe consultation bée hurtefull and stâ—rre vp causes of displeasure to the hartes of suche as be striken with the same disease wherof the contrarye the reste of oure humaine affaires require a maturitie of councel to th ende the successe may aunswere therspectation of the parties so I wishe you to attende the benefyt of time this euenynge I meane at the hower of supper when men are gyuen least to suspicion you faile not to come in as secret maner as you can to the gardeine gate wher my woman shal be readye to conueigâ—e you into my chamber to th ende we maye there take aduise of that which we haue to do wherunto LIVIO was not curious in consent and lesse vnmindeful to yelde her the choice of a thousande thankes for offringe the priuiledge which he doubted to demaunde giuyng her assuraunce to vse suche exact wisdome in the conueyghe of so secret a misterie that ARGVS himselfe if he were vpoÌ„ earth shold not descrye his coÌ„ming much lesse any be pryuye to the daunce but such as performed the rounde wherin he was not deceaued for as he was the firste so shee failed hym not at the cloase and bothe theyr miseries of equall qualitie in the ende like as it happenethe often times that those amarous bargaines redoundes to the harmes of suche as bee the parties who albeit do alledge a certaine respect of honestie in theyr doinges by pretence of mariage yet God being the iudge of their offence will not suffer the wronge to the obedience of their parentes in concludyng priuye contractes vnpunished and that wyth suche a penaunce as the remembrance is notorious in all ages But now to our LIVIO who neyther vnmindeful of the hower and lesse forgetfull to kepe appointement attyreth himselfe for the purpose in a nighte gowne girt to hym with a paire of shoes of felte leaste the noyse of his féete shoulde discouer his goinge and for a more honor of his mistres he forgat not his perfumed shyrte spidered with curious braunches accordinge the fansie of his Ladye with his wrought coyffe poudred with diuerse drogues of delicat smell wherewith he stealeth in as secret maner as hée can to the gate of appointement where he founde the guide of his loue whome hee embrased aswell for the seruice he founde in her as also in that she resembled the beautye of his mistres CAMYLLA who after she had taken her nightes leaue of her father and brother with search that euery man was in his place of reste retireth to her chamber with such deuocioÌ„ as commonly they y t fynde themselues in semblable iorneye to worke theffect of such like desir where encountering her infortunat seruant it was concluded to imploye no time in vayne reuerence or idle ceremonies but in a moment they entred their fatal bed together where after certaine amarous threates and other folyes in loue seruyng as a preamble to the part they ment to playe LIVIO entred into the vnhappye pageant of his fatal last pleasure wherin he chaffed hymselfe so in his harnesse and was so gréedie to cooll the firste flower of the virginity of his CAMILLA that whether the passion of ioye preuailynge aboue y e force of the hart and thinner partes smothered with heate coulde not assiste thenterprise accordynge to their office or that he exceded nature in surfettinge vpon his pleasant banquet he founde hymselfe so sharplye assayled wyth shortnes of breath that his vitall forces began to faile him in the middest of the combat like as not longe since it happened to ATTAL VS the cruell king of the HVNES who in y e first nighte of his infortunat mariage in HVNGARYE enforced hymself to so greate a corage in the pleasaunt encounter wyth hys newe wyfe that hys dead bodye founde in her armes the nexte mornynge witnessed his excesse and glottenouse appetit in the skirmyshe of loue whyche also myghte bee the bane of thys LIVIO who respectynge no measure in drinkynge of the delicat wyne no more then yf it had bene but one banquet dressed for hym in the whole course of his lyfe was so ouer charged with desyre in that pleasaunt skirmishe that the conduites of lyfe stoppynge vppon a soddaine barred to adde fourther strengthe to hys gredye appetyt wherevppon he became without m ocion or féelinge in the armes of CAMYLLA who féelynge hym without sence and that he seamed more heauy and rude vppon her then affore dowted a trothe wherin also she was fully satisfyed by the lyght of y e candle which she caused her chamberiere to bringe to the bedde syde where vewinge the dead bodye of him whom she loued no lesse then her self and iudgyng the cause as yt was in deede entred ymedyatly into suche a mortall passion of dollour that albeyt she woulde haue exposed some woordes of compassion on the behalfe of the pytefull accident yet féelyng a generall dymynucion of force thorowe all her partes by thynnundacion or waues of soddaine sorowe she founde her tonge not hable to supplye the desyer of her hart whych wyth the consent of the reste loathynge the vse of longer lyf resigned her borowed tearme to the fates fallynge at thynstant without sence or féelynge vppon the dead body of hym whom shee accompted a dutye to accompanie in the other worlde aswell as she delyted in hys presence durynge their mutuall aboade in thys miserable valey A happye kynde of deathe yf wee had not to consyder the perill whyche attendes suche wretches as hauing no meane to performe theffect of their pleasure but by vnlafull stealthe are so franke for the shortnes of their tyme that in satisfynge the glot of their gredye appetit they make no conscience to sacrifise ther owne lyfe but yf wee passe furthe in the viewe of these offences we shall fynde a derogacion of the honour and integretye of the mynde with a manifest preiudice and hazarde to the healthe of the sowle whyche makes me of opinion that yt is the most miserable ende that maye happen to manne the rather for that the chyefest thynge whyche is regarded in the putsuet of that entreprise is to obeye the sommance of a bestely and vnbridled luste of the fleshe wherein I wyshe oure frantike louers whoe makynge contemplacion vppon causes of loue accomptes yt a vertue to ende their lyues in thys LASCIVIVS bonde of pryuye contract to refrayne that whyche is so indifferent hurtefull bothe to the sowle and body seynge theire death is not onelye without argument of desperation but also their sowles moste sewer to receiue the guerdon of cyuil morder whyche we oughte to feare and eschewe as neare as wee
made her body and other members the mynisters of her wil which God doth oftentymes suffer as wel for the due correction of heynous faults as also for an example and terror to all offenders in the like affayres I am lothe good Ladyes to passe any further in the pursute of this dolorous tragedye because your eyes alredy wearyed with wepinge methinke I see also your eares offer to close themselues against y e report of this PANDORA whose only offence had bene enough to staine your whole secte with per petual iâ—amie if y e pure chastitie of so many of you offred not to confute the slaunder by your vertue only neither caÌ„ y e impudente and wicked liffe of suche double curtalls as shee was impayre thestimacion of them that wyth thintente of pure integritie do rather giue suck to their honor w t y e milke of simplicytie then being Italyonated with all subteltyes trustinge onlye in the humor of their owne braine do fall at laste into the common slaunder of all the worlde for a famylyar profe wherof I leaue you to skanne the order and doinges of this PANDORA who waringe nowe somewhat colde in her former passions of frensye and rage began to be pinched with the panges Incydente comenlye to all women in the paynfull trauell of childe bearinge wherfor goinge to bed she caused certeyn baynes to be prouided wherin washinge her selfe the next daye beinge hallowed and a feaste of great solempnytye she was caryed in a rych coche to vysitt the companie of other Ladyes amongeste whome she was not worthye to kepe place being the shamefull bother of her own blood and wicked ennemy to the life of maÌ„ Herein is to be noted the destructiun of a woman banished the pallays of reason together with the due mede of their merytt who for the respect of a lyttell pleasure of no more contynuance then a moment do put their honour vpon tearmes of Infamye and there soules in hazard of euerlastinge tormente here the adulterers maye see howe iustelye God ponysheth their infydelytie breach of othes towardes their husbands let also the yong ladyes and lyttel girls learne to direct the cours of their youth by y e contrary of this example and beinge once registred in the boke of maryage let theim staÌ„d vpoÌ„ their guard for falling into y e like folies for ther is nothiÌ„g coÌ„mitted in secret but in y e end it bursts out to a coÌ„moÌ„ brute which our sauior Christ affyrmeth by the mouthe of y e prophet sainge y t what so euer is done in the darkest corner of the house shal be published in y e end in open audience And he who sekes most to conceile his faulte is not onlye by the permission of God the first opner of the same but also beares the badge of shame afore the face of y e world and standes in daunger of grace in the presence of him from whom no secret canne bee hydde FINIS The argument IT may seame to some that delighte in the reporte of other mens faltes with respectt rather to take occasion of synister exclamacioÌ„ then be warned by their euils to eschewe the like harmes in theÌ„ selues that I haue bene to prodigall in notinge the doinges and liues of diuerle ladies and gentlewomen declininge by misfortune from the path of vertue and honour only to sturre vp cause of reproche and leaue argument to confirme their fonde opinion Albeit as their errour appereth sufficiently in the integretye of my meaninge so I hope thindifferent sort will geue an other iudgement of my entente the rather for that I haue preferred these discourses both for the proffit of the present glorye of them that bee paste and instruction of suche as bee to come seing w c al they discouer more cause of rebuke and vices more heynous in men then any we finde committed by women and albeit the historye last recyted hath set fourthe in lyuely collours the furye and madd dispocition of a woman forced by disloyaltie yet if a man maye any waie excuse synne it maye in some sorte be dispensed with all or at leaste with more reason then the tyranous execution followinge committed by a man without occacion where a certaine Ielousye sprong of an vniuste myslyke as she thought is readie to couer the falte of Pandora for what is he so ignorante in the passions of loue that will not confesse that Ielosye is an euill excedinge all the tormentes of the worlde supplantinge oftentymes bothe wytt and reason in the moste wise that be specially when appeareth the lyke treason that Pandora perswaded her selfe to receiuely him that forsoke her but for thother how eaÌ„ he be acquited froÌ„ an humor of a frantike maÌ„ who without any cause of effence in the world committes cruel excution vpon his innocente wife no lesse fayre and fournished in al perfections then chast and verteous with oute comparison neyther is Ioylowsye the cause of morder considringe that the opynion is no sooner conceyued then there followeth as it were a distrust of the partye that thinkes to receiue the wronge with an indifferent desyer to theim both to stande vpon their gard in sort lyke ii enemyes workinge the mutuall destruction the one of the other wherof leauing the iudgement to theim that be of good stomake to disgest all kindes of meates or can carye a braine to â—â—kle with the fumes of euerye brothe that is offred theim I haue here to expose vnto you a myserable accident happening in our tyme whiche shall serue as a bloddye skaffolde or theaterye wherin are presented such as play no partes but in mortal and furious tragideies ⧠AN ALBANOYSE Capteine beinge at the poynte to dye kylled his wyfe because no man should enioye her beavvtie after his deathe ⧠˙ Ë™ DUringe the sege and miserable sacke of MODONA a Cytye of the mores confyning vpoÌ„ y e sea PELOPONESE not farr froÌ„ y e straite of YSTHMYON by y e whiche the venetians conueighe theire great traffique and trade of marchandise Baiazeth themperour of the turkes and great grandfather to SVLTAN SOLYMAN who this daye gouerneth the state of thoriente vsed so many sortes of inordinat cruelties in the persecution of those wretches whom fate with extreme forme of his warr had not onlye habandoned from the soyle of their ancient and naturall bode but also as people ful of desolation and voide of succour euery waye forced them to craue harbor of the lymytrophall townes adioyning their countrey to shroude ther weary bodyes bledinge still with the woundes of their late warre and ouercome besides wyth the violence of hungar and cold ii common enemies that neuer faile to followe the campe of miserie And as in a generall calamitie euerie man hath his fortune So amongest the vnhappie crewe of these fugitiues creatures full of care there was one gentleman no les noble by discente then worthelye reuowmed by the glorye of his own actes who accompting it a
capteine being one of the traine of the lord Iames TRIVOVLSE a great fauorer of the faction of GEBALYNO in Italye and at that tyme gouernor of the duchie of MILLAYNE vnder y e frenche kinge LOYS the thirde of that name whether it were to make a further proffe of the pacience of his wife or by absence to mortefie and forgett his fonde opinion conceiued without cause retired vpon a soddaine to Neweastel y e court and ordenarie place of abode of y e sayd Lord TRYVOVLSE which albeit was of hard disgestion to the ladie for a time yet beinge not vnaquainted with such chaunces and no pren tise in the practise of her husbande retired to her auncient patience and contentment by force dyssimuling with a new greefe and secrete sorowe this newe discourtesie to th ende that her waspishe husbande should take no excepcions to her in any respect but fynde her in this as the former stormes bent wholly to obey thappetit of his will and not to mislike with that whyche he fyndes necessarye to be don This TRIVOVLSE hadde not spente many monethes in fraunce but there was commenced informacion agaynste him to the king that he was reuolted from the frenche and become frend to the Swytzers and sworne to their seigneurye and faction wherewyth ymediatelye fame the common carier of tales filled all eares of MILAN and the prouince there about with this further â—ddicion that the king for that cause had seÌ„t him headles to his graue albeit as fame is rather a messenger of lyes then a treasure of truthe and ra her to be harde then beleued so this brute beinge not true in the laste did ymporte a certeine credit in the fyrste for TRYVOVLSE not liking to liue in the displeasure of his prince abandoned his charg and came into Lumbardy wher beinge sommoned by the messenger of deathe gaue place to nature and dyed who beinge the onelye maister and meynteynor of the ALBANOYSE capteine whilest bee liued colde not casely be forgotten of him after his death for after his departure was past the general doubte of the people and eche voice resolued that he was laide in hys graue Don Capitaino spado resolued whollye into teares seamed here to pass the mistery of a newe traunce whiche with the freshe remembraunce of his auncient harme and gréene wounde of vnworthie Ielowsye bledynge yet in his minde broughte hym in that case that he neyther desyred to liue nor doubted to die and yet in dispaire of theim both his solace of the daye was conuerted into teares and the howers of the night went awaye in vistons and hollowe dreames he loathed the companye of his frendes and hated the thynges that shoulde susteine nature neither was he contented with the presente nor cared for the chaunce of future tyme which sodaine alteracion in straunge maner driue his carefull wife into no lesse astonishement then she had cause and being ignoraunt of the occasion she was also voide of consolation which doubled her gréefe till tyme opened her at laste a meane to communicate familiarly with hym in this sorte Alas syr sayth she to what ende serue these pininge conceites forcing a generall debilytie thorow al your parts or why do you languishe in griefe without discoueryng the cause of youre sorowe to suche as holde your health no lesse deare then the swéete and pleasant taste of their owne lyfe from whence coÌ„mes this often chaÌ„ge of complexion accoÌ„panied with a dispositioÌ„ of malencolicke dompes arguing your inward fretting care of minde why staye you not in time y e source of your skorching sighes that haue alredye drayned your bodye of his wholsome humours appointed by nature to giue sucke to thintrals and inward partes of you and to what ende serueth this whole riuer of teares flowynge by such abundance froÌ„ your watery eyes almost worne awaye with wéeping is your gréefe growen great by coÌ„tinuance of time or haue you conceiued some mislike of newe Yf your house be out of order in any sorte or that wante of dutie or diligence in me procureth your grudge declare the cause to th ende the faulte maye be reformed in me and you restored to your auÌ„cieÌ„t order of quiet we both enioye a mutual traÌ„quillitie as apperteineth But he that labored of an other disease then is incideÌ„t coÌ„monly to men of good gouernemeÌ„t absolued her of all faultes or other mislikes he founde in the state of his house or other his affaires committed to her order lesse lacke of her diligence to make declaracion of her dutye to thutermoste but alas saith he with a depe sighe deriued of the â—retinge dolour of his minde and doubled twise or thrise within his stomacke afore he coulde vtter it what cause of comfort or consolation hath he to lyue in this world from whom the malice of destenie hath taken the chiefeste pillor of his life or to what ende serueth the fruicion or interest of longer yeres in this vale of vnquietnes when the bodie abhorreth alredie the longe date of his abode heare or why shold not this soma or masse of corrupcion which I receiued of the world bée dismissed to earth and my soule haue leaue to passe into the other worlde to shonne this double passion of present torment whiche I féele by the death of my deare frende Ah my deare Ladye and loyall wyfe my grief is so great that I dye to tell you the cause and yet the veray remembrance presents me with treble torments wherin I must confess vnto you that since the death of the late Lorde Ihon Tryuulso I haue had so lytle desyer to lyue that all my felicitie is in thinking to die neyther can ther be any thinge in the world more acceptable to me then death whose hower and time if they wer as certeine as himselfe is moste sewer to coÌ„me in the ende I could somwhat satisfye the greate desyer I haue to die moderate the rage of my passion in thinking of the shortnes of the dome that should giue ende to my dyeng ghost and vnrulye sorowes together besides waighing thinâ—inite miseries of our time accompanieng vs eueÌ„ from the wombe of concepcion with the reaste and reapose which dead men do finde And knowing withall how muche I am in the debte of him that is dead I can not wishe a more acceptable thinge then the spedie approche and ende of my dayes to th ende that being denied the viewe of his presence here I may folow him in thother world where participating indiferently such good and euil as falleth to his share I may witnes with what duetiful zeale affectioned harte I sought to honor and serue hym in all respectes But the Ladye that sawe as farre into the disease of her husbande as his phizicion into his vryne knowynge well enoughe that he dyd not languishe so muche for the desyer of hym that was dead as the ticklishe humour of Ielowsye troubled hym was content to admit his coollours
inconstancie neyther can a bodye of so rare perfection harbor suche dyssemblynge disposicion But as the desyerous harte is seldome at rest so the doubtefull mynde is dreadefull of deceite and quareliynge continuallye with his good hap or synister fortune is alwayes in ymaginacion what iudgement to resolue vppon the condition of his owne estate so my case is of no lesse perpleritie for wafting indifferētly betwene happie chaunce euil successe I fele my selfe double passioned somtime moued to reioice my good hap in beīg loued of so honest curteouse noble a gentlemā as Cornelio and by by driuen to inueighe againste my euill fortune that hath put suche distance and seperacion of oure bodies when we weare at point to performe the consommacion of our acquaintaunce And albeit the common chaunces of this worlde resemble a confection made of hony and gall and that the banquettes of loue beinge garnished with dishes of both sortes will vs to make choice wyth deliberacion alledgynge that the pleasure is not so great as the repentaunce penaunce of harde disgestion yet I thinke the vertue to performe the vowe of the hart takes awaye the greatnes and haynous disposicion of the faulte wherefore seing my hart hath made his choice and the reste of my partes resolued to performe the quest I wyll not onelye dismisse all doubtes of the assurance of his good wyll but studye to excede hym in affection deuisinge the meanes from hensfurth to make hym féele the force of my goodwill with the desyer I haue to knitt an indissoluble vnitye of the ij mindes whose bodies are forced to lyue in seperacion by the malice of the worlde and angrie dome of our fortune Here yf PLAVDINA inueighed onely vpon ij pointes of her desaster the one for the soddaine departure of her frende and the other for the doubte she seamed to put in the assuraunce of his loue it is to bée thoughte that CORNELIO had cause of treble complaint bothe to be driuen to saue his lyfe by cowardlye flighte to steale awaye in suche secret scilent maner as only his guide was pryuie to his goinge also to bée distressed with such shortnes of time that he was barred to seame thankeful to his Ladye with a simple farewel whiche was sufficient to sturre vp her Ielous humour againste hym but that whiche exceded the rest in greatnes of gréef was that he had no man of trust to carye her newes of his being and muche lesse durste he communicat his buysynes wyth any straunger neyther had he hope to be aduertised of the accurrantes of MYLLAN nor meane to make reaport of his owne estate at MANTVA for that he durst not discouer the place of his present abode there wherefore cryeng out of the constellation and clymat of his destynies he complained his vnhappie case in this sorte If my offence were as greate as my punyshmente is greuous I wolde thinke no submission worthie of place nor my falte meete to be dispensed withall or if I had as iustlye deserued this wronge as I am sewer to suffer the smarte I had no reason to commence cause of complaint agaynste the malice of y e world much lesse accuse the iniquitye of present tyme nor yet crye out of y e synister disposition of fortune to whom as the poetes seame to attribute some power ouer our worldly affaires bestowinge their indeuor therin I thinke rather to féede the time and ymagynacions of the people with a shape or figure of an vnconstante creature then wyth intente to perswade a credit in so senceles an ymage so I am also perswaded by the present experience of her inconstancie that she is not so liberall to geue as readye to take awaye a lesse hable to contynue the felicitie wherwyth she seames to flatter y e conceite of y e simple for whō she hath brought to beleue in her she makes manytimes more desirous of glory then hable to receiue it wherin who maye more iustely exclaime agaynst her mobylitie thē y e vnhappie CORNELIO whō being fauored w t y e offer of a reciprocal affection and at the pointe to be put in the possession of his desyer shee hath not only taken the praie out of my mouthe but comitted me wyth cruelty into the vale of extreme desolacion of what moment are y e greatnes of princes or to what end serues honor or highe callinge seinge bothe the one and the other are subiect to confucion and readye to yelde at the leaste poffe of winde that bloweth from a contrary shoare Yet if I were a simple cytisen or companion of meaner callinge thennemie wolde neyther watche my doings wyth so manye eyes nor pursewe my deathe by publike or pryuate inuacion and I suffered to liue as free from the troubles and tumultes of the worlde as farr from any care or accompte of the doings of great men where nowe alas thonly heighte of my estate tipped wyth the tytle of honor depryueth me of thuse of my contrey societie of my frendes and contemplacion of the thinge I holde no lesse deare thenne the healthe of my soule But if any thinge colde stoppe the couetous humor of man and euerye one contente wyth the lot of his porcion would cease to inuade the dominion of an other kinges shoulde sytt sewer in their troanes and the pallais of princes voide of suspicious feare and care and then myne owne PLAVDINA shoulde not I liue wythout the companie of the nor thou haue cause to doubt the firme constancie of thy seruant whose reputacion of honor and faythe towardes his prince denieth hym for the presente to honor the wyth the duetye whych thy vertues deserue and albeit it is no lesse follye then tyme loste to trauell in dispite of loue and fortune whyche bothe haue conspired my distruction and ioyned in confente to kepe mee frome enioyenge the fauor of her who merites the seruice of one more noble and worthie euery way then I and because no distāce shal dissolue my affection nor dymynishe the leaste braunche of good will nor yet time her selfe haue power to ouertreade the vertue of my faythe I will so dispose of the reste of my life as the same shall make absolute declaracion of the vnfained constancie of my mynd wyth the sincere vowe of loyaltie whiche I haue sworne and dedicated to the seruice of her deuyne bewtie euen vntill the laste and extreme seperacion of my soule and bodie wherin because aduersatie is rather subiect to many miseries then apte to admit any consolation and that the goodwill of fortune comes rather at vnwares then won by speciall sute I wyl perforce contente my selfe wyth the gyfte of presente time and vsinge the remembrance of my mistres as a speciall moderation of the hardnes of my exile so honor thymage and picture of her bewtie painted alreadie in thintralls of my harte that thonly remembrance and inward view of my deare PLAVDINA shall norishe the remeindor or my
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
simple desyer of the mynde nor in the foolishe prouocacions of our vaine conceites but passing further the pleasante reward and tryumphe of that victorie consisteth in the consommacion of the worke wythout the whiche loue seameth no other thinge then a bare plat or table whervpon the painter maye drawe what propercion hee lyste And truely as there is no manne happie in loue nor hathe cause to vaunte of the victorye but hée that encountrethe thobiecte of hys desyer soo mee thinketh a manne shoulde not loue that hee hathe not nor desyer the thynge that is vtterlye vnknowen vnto hym I saye thus muche Syr because youre resolute affection towardes youre Ladye of MYLLAN seamethe rather to argue ann humor of frenzye then vertue in loue and vayne opinion then true effect aduisynge you for ende to haue a care of your selfe and speciall regarde to this laste request of myne that is in leauyng the shryne to honor the sainct and to cloase your mouthe from gapinge after that you can not get as the vuquiet dogge in the night that barketh at the shadowe of the Moone The Oration of this bawde semed suche Musicke to the eares and mynde of CORNBLIO that he rather wished a continuance of her iargon then an abridgement of her tale but seynge she gaue ende to her owne discourse with exspectatioÌ„ to heare hys replye he dysmissed her with this shorte aunswere albeit your present repeticion of thabuse in loue seaminge in some respect to bee assisted bothe with rayson and Iustice dothe discouer diuerse faltes in sondrye women wherof as you say the most part deliteteth asmuch to Ronne ryot and seeke a chaunge of pasture as the other takes pleasure in the vertue of true constancie yet oughte wee to vse suche an integretie betwene the good and euill that the faltes of the wicked do not deface the renowme of theym that deserue but well and as you saye it is harde for a manne to loue that he hathe not so I note no lesse-rashnes in you to giue iudgement of the thinge you knowe not but by examinacion for I am fullie perswaded that no distance of places nor aduersitie of times haue power to dyminishe and much lesse dissolue thaffection of her whose presence I hope hereafter to enioye with no lesse pleasure then her absence seames now to gyue me cause of annoye And albeyt I haue not yet tasted of the frute whiche all louers do wyshe and fewe happen to fynde yet dare I accompte my selfe as depelye in the fauor of my absent mistrys as the best of that happye companie and suche weakelinges as accompte no vertue in loue but in thencounter of their lasciuius desyer and can not rest satisfied except they crop the hearbe of pleasure are alwayes founde more liberall in wordes then constant in loue and more hoat in the begynnyng then hable to continue to the end neyther do I see any experience to the contrary but that the passion whiche I suffer ought rather too beare the true title of loue then the surname of a simple desier seynge the delite I take in the remeÌ„brance of her beautie is no lesse pleasure vnto me then if I had alredie performed and tasted of the delicat effect of loue which I am determined to attende tyl eyther the goodnes of a better fortune restore me to my desert or the force of death giue end to my desolacion willing you herewith to correct your iudgemeÌ„t and cesse to inueyghe against her whose constancie vertue only defaceth the vsurped comendacion of the most of your corrupte sect for the rest the iustice of my cause I hope wil make my excuse tollerable in the opinion of her that sent you and for your paiues I can but yelde you the choice of a thousande thankes wherewith mother retrician tooke her leaue and retired with lesse contentemeÌ„t in her bad successe then assured hope to preuaile in the beginning towards her MANTVAN lady to whom recounting eftesones y e particularities of her discourse with CORNELIO she coÌ„cluded that he beyng limed with an other bushe had no power to make a grauÌ„t of his good wil without a special pasport froÌ„ MILAN where saith she he hath lefte both body hart and appereth here but in the liknes and shape of a figure with out sence or feelyng and lesse hable to admitt the preferment of honor or proffer of raison which albeit seamed greatly to grudge the conscience of the lady chiefly for that she was intercepted of that which she accompted no lesse sewer then the articles of her credear to be beleued yet waighing y e reasons of his excuse with y e raging ouersight of her selfe in indifferent ballance she made of necessitie a vertue retired to a pacience parforce forgetting not to punish her falt w t the pennance of repeÌ„taÌ„ce comend to y e skies the incoÌ„perable loialty of CORNELIO with no lesse gratulation on the behalf of her y t had made choice of so constant a seruant who for her part also al this while was in no lesse care of his weldoyng then busily occupied in deuise how to recouer his presence requite the passion of his painful torment which he chiefly desyred iustely deserued wherein as she for her part wyshed no lesse to embrace hym then he meritorius to possesse her So albeit there passed certaine letters betwene theim seaminge rather to doble the desier of theym both then yeld moderatioÌ„ to the passion of either of theim yet she found the meanes to coaste the malice of her fortune with a contrarye sleyghte by procuryng to her husbande a iorneye of xx or xxx dayes traueil wherevpon she dismissed imediatly a corrior to CORNELIO with the reaport of y e newes in this letter folowing Albeit sir calamitie of her owne nature is so quarelous that she ceasseth not to assaile thafflicted with continual sommonce of perentorye dispaire yet oughte we not reappose so slender assurance in the assystance of vertue as eyther to make a marchandise of the goodnes of our fortune muche lesse sell the hope of future filicitie nor yet vtterlie dispaire of the benefyt of time who as she is thaÌ„â—eful enoughe to suche as suffer her with pacience so hathe she presentlye entred into suche compassion of our mutuall distresse that somonyng my husbande with a iorney of a monethes trauel in forreine affaires she hath opened vs a most sewer meane to meete and reioyce together without daunger wherein as all such seldome proffers of frendshypp ought to be no lesse welcome when they come then they seame of tickle aboade wheÌ„ we haue theim so if you wish to be resolued of y e which you doute and haue no lesse care of your owne contentement my aduise is you embrace the benefyt of so conuenieÌ„t a time persuadyng your selfe that if you were here I wold communicate with you more liberally then I dare discourse by letter and onelye yourselfe is of creditte to
ympartes a wonder full strength and constancie of mynd to suche as be chast in dede and the vertue of whom consisteth not only in thoutwarde argumentes but is sewerly ram pierd within the strongest part of their harte like as in the mynd of this to whom as you see thalmighty gaue force to vanquishe wyth mayne hande the wicked enemye of her honor FINIS The argument YF the wisemen of olde time founde cause of cohibicion in their vnruly children and ympes of wanton youthe I thinke we haue double reason in this age to vse a steddie eye bothe vpon our daughters and such as are geuen vs in socyetie of wedlock not for that I wish the one to be kepte vnder as seruants or seruile slaues nor to take awaye from the other the whole skoope of libertie appointed by the preferment of mariage but exposinge an Indifferent and honeste meane I wishe to eschewe the murmore of the world by cuttinge of suche infyuit occasions of infections as seme to offer them selues to corrupte and seduce the fragillitie of our youth chieflye seinge a dayly experience of so many assaltes and alarams of fylthye loue offered to our daughters and litle girles beinge yet in the firste flame of the fyre whiche nature kindleth in the hartes of such as accompt themselues most confirmed in the yeres of maturitie or discrecion neyther wolde I that either the maide or the maried woman shold refuse to haue a bridel put to her libertie coÌ„sideriÌ„gitis such a garde of her quiet and honest name wyth chiefe defence against the malice of the reprochefull worlde that it were better to be chayned in the bottom of a darke pryson then to enioye the benefit of the open ayer being noted of such spottes of infamy as coÌ„monly attendes vpon an inordynat libertie and lice nâ—ious life Wherein if the desolacion of so many parentes wepinge in the villanie of their wiues and daughters vtter ruine and subuercioÌ„ of so many houses presented in stage playes to feed the â—aine eyes of the reprochefull multitude argued not the nomber of inconuenience happening by a dissolute and libertines lif and y t in the persones of diuerse our great mens daughters now a daies wee nede not seame so curious in keping this continuall watche and garde but resigne such ceremonies to be practised in strang contries wher meÌ„ are Ielous of their owne shadow w t opinioÌ„ that their wiues or daughters are not able to resist the least and most simple attaynt y t can be offred But wher thexamples are more then manifest and the frutes of y e folly burst out in open shew let vs leaue to allow or assise the brutal opinion of such as perswade that awe is not necessary for youth or y e seuere correctioÌ„ or rather folysh pamperiÌ„g bredes a dolnes of wit w t impedimeÌ„t of y e dispositioÌ„ of y e mind or hinderance to thincrease of natural giftes The daughters of Rome lyued alwaies within the house of their fathers with no more libertie theÌ„ was measured vnto theim by y e eye of their mother and yet weâ— they vertuous matrons in their houses and so sufficently instructed in cyuilitie that I doubt y e most perfect courtier we haue at this day deserueth not comparison with y e least of their perfectioÌ„s for what other ciuilitie or exaÌ„ple of honest life caÌ„ y e maides of our time learn in any coÌ„pany now a dayes if not to seame eloqueÌ„t in pratlinge discourses of vaine filthie loue with words ful of vaine and filthy loue and intiâ—ing behauiors of an open curtisan somtime to make an experieÌ„ce of an act no lesse detestable in dede theÌ„ the remeÌ„brance ought to be hateful to al honest meÌ„ albeit as I wold not by this meanes procure a general inhibicioÌ„ of honest conference and coÌ„pany amongest the nobilitie of our coÌ„try with exercises tollerated by y e perscriptioÌ„ of libertie lefte vnto vs by our auncieÌ„ts So it is an indeuor most necessary in mine opinion to make a conteÌ„placioÌ„ or view of the maners or inclinacioÌ„ of wils with a discression to check such as be to froward make slack in some sort the raine of awful gouermente to them that seame of more tender disposicioÌ„ by y e assistaÌ„te of which polycie it cold not be chosen but vertue shold glyster as greatly in y e houses of great meÌ„ as rude behauior in the cabynet of y e paisaÌ„t or vnciuile trankeling who coÌ„moÌ„ly goeth more neare the discipline of thelders in norriture of their childreÌ„ theÌ„ such as vndertake to be maisters of art of exquisit skil toochiÌ„g y e educatioÌ„ of yongliÌ„ngs for which cause the wise Emperour Marcus Aure lius wold not haue his doughters brought vp in y e court for how caÌ„ the norce saith he he honest herself or ympart vertu to her rhild seing nothing but practises of euil and vniuersatie of y e disputacioÌ„ of loue with a thousaÌ„d vaine delites to with drawe her from wel doinge or to showe effectes of a godly lyfe but to auoide the imputacion or title of a rigorous iudge whiche some of oure ladies or gentlewomen maye peraduenture bestowe vppon me in prescribinge suche straite rules of their reformacioÌ„ I prefer for my only defeÌ„ce y t benefit of vertue who I am sewer wil alwaies appeare perfecte as she is both in bud braÌ„ch in what soile soeuer she be planted wherin aswel for mine owne excase as also to make more noble y e sinceritie of noble dames by thimpudeÌ„t life of y e slipperie sort of womeÌ„ I haue preferred this exaÌ„ple of an ItaliaÌ„ couÌ„tesse who so loÌ„g as her first husbaÌ„d not igno raÌ„t of y e humor of her inclinacion kept her within the blew of his eye seamed so curious of her reputacioÌ„ y t y e same only was hable to pleade against al thennemies of her renowme but y e vaile of this fre captiuitie was no soner takeÌ„ away by the death of her husband but God knoweth what valyant exploites she performed and your selues may be iudges what false bowndes she gaue to her owne honor with badges of infamie to hym that shold haue gouerned her in her second mariage if you wil use patience in readinge the discourse that followeth THE DISORDERED LYF of the countesse of Celant who liuynge long in adultery and after she had procured diuerse morders receaued the hier of her vvickednes by a shameful death IN thuttermoste partes of Pyemount is a percell of thinheritaunce of the Marques mountferrat called CASALIA where dwelte sometyme one Iames Scarpadon a manne more notorius in those partes by his treasure and abhomynable trade of vsurie and fylthie gaine then of anye reputacion elswhere by disceÌ„t of parentage or monument of any vertue or godly disposicion who marienge a grecian damefell of equal qualitie and calibre begat of her a dought ter more faire then vertuouse lesse honest then was necessarie and worse disposed then well
deceite and dissembled traison I note in you the francke and free preferment of my mariage yf I happen to dispose my selfe that waye with addicion of further power ouer the Ladye Blanche Maria then any one in the worlde whereof you maye make as assured accompte as yf the proff had alredie confirmed my wordes Th erle seynge so faire an entreye thoughte not conueniēt to lett slipp the benefytt of so good a time but fedynge the humor of his fortune iudged yt no point of good husbādry to loase his frute after yt bee rype nor his corne for wante of gettinge but beatinge the bushe as the birde was readie to go oute recharged her with a seconde admonishement to bee no lesse carefull of his commoditie then curious of her owne Quiett and seyng saith he the remembrance of your plages passed giues you reason to feare the fall of future bōdage and that the vse of libertie is so deare vnto you why sticke you to abandon the offer of seruilitie embrase a presente of the quiet you chyeflye desyer or why make you conscience to condiscende to that whiche can not redownde but to your honor contentemēt assure me by the breath of your owne month of the faith loyaltye of maryage you shall sée me purseue the ende and worke it to effect without offence or displeasure of anie if y e feare of the ladie marquess restrayne your consent I thinke you do wrong to the chief vertues wherof she is renoumed for you muste imagyne that she wyll not become suche a tyranness over the wyll of her subiectes as to cōstraine the ladies of her land to marie agaynste their myndes and muche lesse force that whych god hath left in libertie to all sortes wherwith beholdinge an alteracion of complexion in her face with a general astonishmēt thorow al her partes like one ballancing in doubtfull deuises not hable to resolue a determynate iudgement wythout the assistance of some speciall councel toke her by the hande and kissinge it with no lesse delite then he founde singler pleasure in thys argument of good successe renforced her to a more corage with desyer not to dismay wyth thassalte seing thassalyante was readye to yelde to her mercye neyther doubt to admit hym to your husband saieth he who sweareth vnto you all such dutie amytie and reuerence as belong to a husband to performe to hys loyall and lawful wyfe wyth thys further confirmacion of my affeccion towardes you that afore the consommacion of the mariage by thauthoritie of the church I wyl assigne you what pryuiledge of libertie your selfe can or wyll deuise do away then the feare of the marquesse who hauing neyther law nor reason to enter into mislike wyth you cannot nor will not reprehende you I am sewer in making your fancie pryuie to the choice of your husbande for a contract forced is a violacion of the sacrament of mariage and let not the simple and bare promisse to the Lord Gonsaga whom I knowe you loue not bée any ympedyment to my requeste for the vow or promisse ymportes no effecte whiche is procured by cōstraint wherwyth the widow fearing to fal eftsones into seruitude and fully perswaded of the large offer of libertie promised by the erle was not hable to aunswere his ymportunities in other sort then with a franke cōsent of her faith wyth a confirmacion by worde and othe whyche likewise he aduowched for his part by semblable ceremonies according to thorder of contractes wherin for a more assurance of the knot and because the corde shold not breake they wrastled a fall the one a loft of the other in witnes of the bargayne This first earnest pennye or pleasante encownter of therle procured him to contynue his hawnte wyth more open and familyar accesse then affore in such sort as fame discouered ymediatly their secret consentes whiche also the common brute brought to the eares of the Ladie marquesse who notwithstanding shée had iust cause of angry conceite againste the widow yet the respect of therle and regard to her owne honor kept her from any intent of reueng but swallowing a pil of pacience rather by force then order of due disgestion disposed herselfe also to appease the Lorde GONSAGA who repeating in his mynde the sondrie argumentes of wanton and light behauior heretofore noted in his lost wydowe began to prophecie of thissue and end of his commedie geuing God thankes for his happie delyuerie from so inconstante a creature wherin he greued also on the behalfe of thinfortunat erle that had planted his affection in so pestilent a soile exposing euen now manifest likelyhodes of the dissolucion of the delite he seamed to take in his new consort and wantō wife lamenting more his rashenes in thenterprise then allowing his wisedom in the choice for that accordinge to the lattyne adage he that vseth more haste in thexecucion then councell or deuise in consulting of his busynes shall lacke no tyme to repente his rashnes nor leasure to do pennance for hys folly and he that in che choice of his wife hath more respect to her flattering bewtie then giftes of true vertue shall easely bée wearie of pleasure and hardly enioye a contynuall quiet of mind the want wherof houered euen nowe to ouerwhelme this fond erle who after publication of the mariage retired wyth his wyfe to his house amongest y e mountaines and craggie hills of Scauoye where he began to take councel of his present affaires for that Syftynge somwhat nearelye the disposicion of his wyfe he founde her attyred wholly in the apparell of wanton libertie and more apte to followe thinclinacion of vaine and lasciuious desyer then disposed to make a staye of her selfe in the trade of honest vertue wherefore he accompted it an acte of wisdome to take vp the vaine that fedd those humours and stop her course afore she gained the plaine féelde wherein albeit he vsed so steadie a hande in the dyot of so daungerous a creature ministrynge the remedye wyth the consent of suche conuenient times and meanes and in order of suche simplicitye and gentle dealyng that she had no greate cause to note hym of discurtesie yet she became veray waspishe in that he was so priuye to her disposicion and forgat so soone the large pryuilege of the lybertye whiche he had promised her reprehendynge wyth bitter tearmes the generall infidelytie of men with peculyar exclamacion against thiniquitye or her fortune for that she had refused the preferment of the Ladye Marquesse and promisse of mariage wyth Seigneur Gonsaga exchaungyng diuerse and sondry offers of honor and libertie for an yrkesome trade of seruile lyfe wyth habitacion amongest the wilde deserts and barraine séeldes of Sauoye not forgettyng to reproche her husbande with diuerse wordes of spite disdaine assurynge hym for end that she wold not remeine lōg coyffed kept at cōmaūdement like a childe that is appointed his tymes to studie howers for recreacion But
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
assailed by the other who perswading her to scilence said her brauery was to great for one of her calling and that they came not thither to take pitty of her complaints neither shold she escape so good cheape as she thought she desired theÌ„ to abstein from violation of her body geue her what death they thought good they excused them selfes of any intent to do mordore only saye they we are com hither to bend you by force that will not bow by any entreatye wherefore if you thincke you haue any wronge referr the cause to the longe contynuance of your crueltie which is now at point to be reuenged pytty it was to heare the dolorous tunes of the poore maide with the miserable skrikes which she thrue vpp into the ayre to witnes her innocencye wherein shee contynued wythout any eccho of reschewe til y e detestable pallyard had spoyled the flower of her virginitie and then he begaÌ„ to perswade her to pacyeÌ„ce willing her her eafter not to become so curious of her chastitie nor refuce to admit y e offer of his freÌ„dshipp wherof he promised so largly that if she wold he wold take her from her father and kepe her at his charges presenting at thinstaÌ„t a purse ful of money willing her thensfurth to caste awaye all cause of care and dispose her selfe onlye to cherishe and make much of the rest of her life for the whiche saith he you shal fynde me as careful as you shal thinke conuenieÌ„t and if hereafter you haue a desyre to mary doubt not to repose your selfe therin vpon me for I wil so wel prouide and assiste you wyth so good a porcion that the same shal be plentifull inoughe to susteine you and releue the needfull condicion of your parentes but she no lesse loathing the offer of his filthy promise then detesting the villen that wold not cease yet to corrupt her hauinge by this time recouered her sences defyed him wyth his mynisters of infection saing that although his villeny force hath defiled the chastitie of her body and geuen him theffecte of his lasciuious desier yet shold he neuer be hable eyther wyth his money or other wayes to corrupt the sincerytie of her hart whose innocencye saith she wyl tryumphe ouer thy execrable acte afore him who is to yelde the the due hyer of thy trauaile is it in thy power to satisfie or leue me coÌ„tented y t froÌ„ me which al y t world caÌ„not eftsones restore me No no it is god of whoÌ„ I must claime satisfactioÌ„ in punishing y e two trayterous Borre ans and rauenous spoilers of y e virginitie of me pore wretch who was borne to abyde y e setence of my destinye y e galland thinckyng to appease thextremitie of her passion began to prefer perswacions of coÌ„fort which she defied with such spite and bitter termes of iust reproche against him that lothyng to suffer her eyes to féede vppon him that had infected all the partes of her body tolde him that the only veiwe of his villanous lookes made her forgett all order of pacience which he toke as a comission to depart fearyng withal y t the noyse of her coÌ„plaints might bechauÌ„ce com to y e eares of som that passed y e way who vnderstandyng the discourse of the rape wold make reporte to the bishop whose profession and othe is chefelye to punishe offendours in the like accydentes here the sorowful IVLIA being void of companie sauyng the doleful ecchoes of woodes and ryuers that answered her cryes wyth lyke complaint renewes the warre of her present desaster which tearing her heares without respecte and quarellyng with y e dowery that nature had gyuen her wold gladly haue touched her with ymputacion in makyng her incydent to so wretched a destenye in exclaiming still vppon the malice of her Fortune yf thabundaunce of teares accompayned wyth sighs of pytyfull disposicion hadd not so stopped the course of speche that for the time she was dryuen into scilence and beyng by litte and litle restored againe to the libertie of her tounge and the source of her sorrowe somewhat retyred she made a short inuocacion to God in this sorte oh heuenlye father sayeth she I sée that the rigour of thy iustice hath preuailed aboue the benefytt of thy mercie and that thou doste awarde me this harde penaunce for the punyshment of my faltes passed w t what face alas shal I behold my poore father whose compfort as it consisted in my wel doing so his gréefe wil be without comparison hering of the hard termes of my myschaunce in desolacion shal he knitt vpp the remeynder of his olde yeres that commyng into any place the remembrauÌ„ce of my falte drawing the blood of shame into his face will make him blushe and eschewe the companye wher afor he neded not haue douted to haue marched amoÌ„gest the best and shall I dissemble that whyche I entende not to hydd or kepe it secret that toucheth me so nere No no as thinâ—â—cencye of my mynde is recorded afore god so because the world shall also witnes how clere I was from consente I wil vse no other water to washe away so great a spott then the sacryfice of death which I will followe with no lesse expedicion then the treason of the villaine hath bene cruel in takinge from me that whyche made me to lyue wherwithe dismissing her complaint she ceassed also froÌ„ teares and put herselfe in order to go to the house of her father who by euill â—ucke was not then at home there she puts on the beste garment she had and attyring her self in order to go to some great méeting or banquet shittes the doare of her cotage and leading her yonger syster in her haÌ„d went furthwith to an awnt of hers who as one ouercharged with sicknes and yeres was not hable to sturr out of her bedd affore whome as she was in the middest of the repeticion of her chaunce reueiling the whole order and circumstance of the fact which she cold not do without great effusion of teares for that the very remembrance of the deede restored a freshe alaram of her sorowes she fel sodeinly into a qualme or passion of soundyng wherein she remayned traunced wythout all argument of lyfe til by the helpe of the assistaÌ„ce she was eftsones delyuered to thuse and libertie of her senses when quarelling stil w t the horror of the fact desire to be reuenged by death she seamed to rebuke her owne ymbecillitie and faintnes of corage saing what signe of vertu is this to seame to shrink when argumeÌ„ts of constancy ought chiefly tappere who wyll desire to lyue that hath lost the renoume of honor which ought to be the most precious Iewel and badge of the lyfe or what pleasure is it to possesse the presence of the body alredy spotted with infamye when the soule wery of her habytacioÌ„ is redy to resigne her auncyent aboade what felicitie haue they in lyfe that being
the gaze and wonder of the multytude cannot claime the priuiledge of any place but the people wyl point at them neyther can they hyde theym in so secret a corner but infamye wyll hunt them out shame discouer them atteÌ„ding them to the very end of theyr daies no no let not them lyue that are desirous to dye and death is moste acceptable to suche as hate the fruicion of lyfe for my parte I loth alredy the remembrance of lyfe seing I haue lost the chefest pillor of the same wherof I meane to make spedy declaracion by the sentence I haue alredy pronounced of my ende wherin it shall appeare to the worlde that although my bodye haue tasted of the malice of the wicked by force yet my mynde remains entire without spott or consentement to the villany whiche as my chiefe bequeste and last testament in this worlde I leue registred in the remembrance of you good awnt to make relacion to my desolat parents and the whole worlde besides of thaccideÌ„t of my wretched desaster that although your vnhappy néece and miserable IVLIA hath by meare force lost the outward show of her honor yet her conscience remeinyng vnspotted and soule cleare ready to flye to the heaueÌ„s to witnes her iÌ„tegry tye afore the sacred theatrye or tribunall seate of GOD can not departe wyth worthye contentement afore I offer my lyf to y e waues to purifie the fylthye spottes wherewith my bodye remeins painted on all parts by thinfection of the detestable rape of force wherewith she departed not taryinge the replye of her awnt who thoughte to haue diswaded her from the pursuete of her desperate intent and beinge coÌ„me to the riuer of Oglyo kyssing her sister with a last crye to god to receyue her soule to his mercy she lept hedloÌ„g into the water who as a mercyles element respectinge neyther thinnocency of her cause nor desperate order of dying committed her to the botomles throts goolphes of the sourges whiche was the ende of this miserable IVLIA whose lyfe only deserues commendation for thexample of her vertue and deathe worthie to be committed to oblyuyon for the signes of desperacion wherewyth it was infected But after this chaunce burst out into tearmes became the report of the people God knoweth what generall desolacion was amonge all the estate of the Cytie aswell for the strangnes of the facte as for that the villeyne was fledd that caused the brute who if he had ben taken had don penance of this falte with the losse of his lyfe in example of others the bodye was founde by the diligence of Loys Gonzaga who woulde not suffer it to be buryed in the Churche yarde or other sanctuarye because of the desperat maner of her death but caused it to be solempnelye accoÌ„panyed with the teares great dule of diuerse Ladyes into a place or graue in the felde where he ment in shorte tyme to sett vpp a tombe of marble wyth a monument of the particular discourse of the vertues and singuler gyftes of grace in his pore countrewomaÌ„ whose death I wishe may learne al estats to eschewe the perill of dispaier and order of lyfe to instructe all the yonge Ladyes of England to resiste the charmes and sugred allurements of loue who the more he is feasted with pleasaunt regardes of the eye or encountred with secret conference in corners or courted wyth embassages or lastlye banqueted wyth dishes of delicate toyes or vaine importunityes the more is he redye to inuade and apte to ouercome but on the contrarye parte the waye to kepe warre wyth that vaccabound and to flée his infections is as IVLIA did to marche against hym with a flagge of vertue vsyng wythall the pollycy of VLIXES in stopping your eares from the pepered harmonye of them that delitinge only in the praye of your outwarde beautye haue no respecte to the ornament of the soule whiche beinge kepte pure and vndefyled to th ende yealdes you a rewarde of immortalitye and your renowme neuer to be rased out of remembraunce tyll thextreame dissolucion of the worlde FINIS The argument THere was neuer mischiefe of former time nor vice in present vse wherein men are or haue bene more drowned or drawen by a beastly desyer then in therecrable and deadly synne of whoredome by the which besides that the spirituall fornicacion is figured in some sorte yet is it forbidden vnto vs expresly by thinuiolable lawes not written in the tables wher thauncientes were wonte to graue directions and orders to pollitique states of the Romaines Athenyens Egiptiens or Sparteins but recorded in theuerlasting booke within the whiche the veraie finger of god hath sealed his infallible statutes wher of as he wolde that his children and faithfull heires of his kingdom were made partakers with desyer and indeuor of ymytacion so we are al warned by y e same defence that besides the wrong and harme we do to our owne bodies we offend â—eynously against the health of our soules specially in corruptinge the wife of our neighbour with thabuse of that part of her which is necessarie to be garded with as great care and watche as we reade was vsed somtime in the supersticious ceremonies of the vestals of Rome in keping a contynuall fyer in their temple The greatnes also of this synne of adulterie bringing as you se an equal hurt to the soule and bodye hath forced a wonderful seueretie in both the lawes punishinge by deathe such as do prophane that hollye and invyolable bond and bed of mariage wher is only a place of purity and no oblacion to be offred or admitted but the sacrifice of honeste lawful substaÌ„ce besides what slaunders and mortalitie amongest men haue spronge out of the vicious fountaine of that synne y e mariage bed of Menelaus defyled by y e kinges sonne of Troye hath left sufficient example and cause of exclamacion amongest the phrigiens with reason to all posterities to deteste such villanie as a vice moste abhomynable in Egipt the Sychemetyens for like respect vnder Abraham and Isaac haue felt the mighty hand of god althoughe their offence in some sort was excusable by ignoraunce for that they thought the wyues which they toke had bene vnmaried Likewise if there be any faithe in the poeticall fictions we see thargumentes of most of their tragedies were founded eyther vpon the punishmente or dispair of such as not hable to reuenge the wrong of their lasciuions wife and wicked Sathanist her mynyon conuert and execute their rage and furie vpon theimselues wherin our worlde at this daye is growen to such a malicious golphe and bottomles sea of vices that the wilde nacions without eyther awe of God or feare of his lawes gouerned only by an instinct of nature are more curious to kepe the honor of their bedd then diuerse contryes in the harte and bowells of Christendom wher thadulteror is not punished but by protestacion or attorney and wher the poore
suspicion not refusynge diuerse tymes in the absence of the knighte to enter the bedd chamber and consulte wyth her vppon her pillowe wherein he exacted vppon the honest libertie giuen hym by the goodman for that one daye during hys absence the aduocatt vnder cooler to councell the Lady in certaine affaires touchynge the commoditie of her husbande came to her beddsyde where he behelde her in other sorte then he is wonte to vysytt the cases of lawe for her husbande neyther hadd age so altered her complexion but there appered follie in all partes of her face with other intisinge glées shrowded vnder the lyddes of her allurynge eyes whyche with his libertie of frée accesse and her contentement to admitt hys compaine forced the rather an affection in the proccurer in whome also as shée noted certaine dextereties no lesse hable to performe the buysynes of the bedd then to followe the processe of lawe so shée dyd not only allowe his amarus glauÌ„ces with interest of equal glée on her part but also as one whollie deuested of thattyre of shame made no conscience to discouer that part of the bodie whyche nature hathe forbidden to bée séene of anye and all women of honest parte oughte to kepe from the sighte and knowleadge of man whych shée accompained also with such lasciuius regardes of wanton countenance that the dymmest eyes that bée in loue myghte easelie discerne the pathe of her entent and iudge with what fethers her arrowes wolde slye wherein also TOLONYO no lesse experienced then the best forgat not to féede the humor of her meaning wyth speciall tearmes of reproche against the weakenes of tholde man condemnynge hym as moste vnworthie to enioye the benefytt of her beautie and muche lesse to taste in any sorte of the pleasure or delicatt proporcion of thys Alcyne who to further the forwardnes of her doctour added thiâ—s tearmes of complaint to the wordes of hys former reproche howe ryghtelye maye shée tryumphe with treble felicitie in this worlde who delytinge to embrace her husbande participateth indiffrentlie with the solace of outward ioye and pleasure of secrett contentement the remembraunce of whose happie state alas yeldes me double cause of exclamacion agaynste the debilitie of my aged knyghte bothe for that hys weaknes denyeth force to furnyshe the sportes of the bed and I in the heate of desyer to wyshe and not fynde the chiefeste pillor of my consolacion yf I hadd not earste Sipped of the cupp of sugred delite the desyer had dekaied because I hadd no taste of the pleasure where the viewe of former solace increaseth my present thurste and can not bée satysfyed or yf nature colde broache an other vessell of strengthe in my wythered husbande or restore a freshe heate to hys dekaied partes my loathesome life wold resume eftensones cause of perfect contentement I in the meane wile shold do wronge to accuse his present weaknes what is my passion thinke you Seigneur Tolonio prouyng perforce the wante of courage in my husbande with the extreme desyer in my selfe he hathe no other care then too momble hys mornyng prayers and Pater noster in the night whilest I poore sowle halfe starued attend a seconde froste or colde compfort in hym whyche rather mortefyeth my desyer then satisfyeth in any sorte the vehemencye of myne appetytt and yf sometime I séeke to force a mocion in hym with indeuour to gyue lyfe to his dead sprites I am aunswered with hollow groanes and excuses of age that alas my thurste is rather increased then desyer satisfyed I forced to féede of suche drye banquettes with no lesse grudge and gréeff of mynde then I shoulde take singler pleasure in the companye of one worthie of me and hable to furnyshe at full thappointement due in mariage all whyche the doctour was no lesse gladd to heare then desyerus to knowe the intent of the discourse whyche he pursewed in iestinge sorte saying I am content madame you make A tryal in this sort of my loyalty towards you your house albeit I am so persuaded of the corage of your husbande y t notw tstanding any impedimeÌ„t by age he is sufficieÌ„tly hable to dispatch y e affaires of the most likelye and lustie gentlewoman in your traine suche saith she as knowe nothing but by oponion imagination do commonly iudge at pleasure vpon matters of importance where they that haue felte the effectes and made an experience of euerye point maye resolue accordynge to a troth wherin your ignorance acquites you for this tyme of imputacioÌ„ touching the loftines of my husbande whoÌ„ as you at vnwares accoÌ„pte a chaÌ„pyon of suche courage y t there is no harnesse whiche he is not hable to pearce so the longe prooff I haue had of his worthines may warraunte you the contrarye of such conceites commendynge vnto you withall the compassion of my distresse with desyer to procure some spedie meane of delyuerye or release from this loathsome torment wherewith maister aduocat began to excuse hym of any entent to increase her griefe what construction so euer she made of his former wordes protestyng wythal that the offer of death should bée more acceptable vnto hym then the simple remeÌ„brance to do her the leaste euill in the worlde if she sorowed in the prooffe of a badd husband his gréefe was no lesse in the veraye viewe of her languishynge state that I wishe madame saith he that my indeuor might discharge you of paine or the spoile of my lyfe and all that I haue of the worlde confirme your quiet accordyng to the consent of your owne minde then should you sée whether your Tolonyo woulde put any difference betwene pleasant promises whiche euery man can make and assured effect whiche few men performe with this further experience yf it please you to employe me to excede euery one of your domesticall traine in yeldyng to the sommonce of your commaundement albeit it importe the sacrifice of my lyfe or dissolutioÌ„ of honor both which I accoÌ„pte happely preferred yf they end in the pursewte of your seruice wherewith he seased vpon one of her delicate handes whiche he forgat not to honor with the often printe of his mouth in sondry sortes of kysses whiche as they argued thuttermost of his further entent so she furthered an expedicion of thindifferent desyers of theim both in grasping his hand with no lesse affection theÌ„ he did amarus homage to al her tender parts with this shorte question in smylynge order yf the goodnes of your fortune Seigneur Tolonio the synister guide of my destines accompanied with the mocion of loue wold giue you as muche power ouer me as you seame desierous to enioye my fauor howe would you accompte of suche preferment or what iudgement woulde you set of her liberall offer who neyther respectyng life nor regard to honor is here to leaue you her harte in gage and her bodye to the vse of your pleasure Ah madame saith this amarous Cyuilyan howe
my vnworthynes makes me dispair euer to cooll the frute of so greate a gaine and the feare I féele to craue that I desyer moste yeldes me no lesse doubtefull of theffect of your offer albeit on thother part the honor and felicitye I ymagin in the preferment hath prickt me alredye so full of corage that the worlde hath nothyng of suche hardnes which I dare not attempte nor any thinge of so greate impossibilitye whiche wyll not appeare easye in the pursuete so that my trauell maye receiue his hyer at the haÌ„des of your bountye pardon me I beseche you in discoueryng that whiche almost I kepte secret from mine owne harte and yf my rashenes haue offended you it maye lyke you to do iustice vpon your selfe whose authoritie with the force of extreme passion hath forced me to a lauishenes in the thyng whiche I durste not determyne and muche lesse séeke to set abroche in déede Here the shameles Lady tolde him his last request had preuented her longe meaninge for saith she you haue hyt the marke whereat I thoughte to shoote wherein as I am coÌ„tented to imparte credit to your wordes w t persuacioÌ„ of sufficient assurauÌ„ce in your fidelitye so I praye you embrace mine offer of semblable curtesye w t addicioÌ„ that your desyer to enioye me is nothing in respect of the firme opinion I haue to be so wholly yours as your selfe shal deuise wherof I am heare to seale tharticles of assuraÌ„ce iÌ„ such sorte as you thinke good wherupon I thinke no sortes of kysses or follyes in loue were forgotten no kynde of crampe nor pinchyng by the lytle finger nor his hande layed softelye in her delicate dugge and she againe with her armes aboute his necke to yelde tribut to his curtesye was not vnmindefull I am sewer to coÌ„municate in this place the circumstance of her longe loue and howe often she had béene at point to make declaration of her zeale with the causes of restraint till that hower whiche yf she blessed accordynge to the greatnes of her felicitie he thought it a dutye to honor with treble thanke sgeuynge performing there their firste earnest of their vnhappye pleasure to thindifferent contentement of both thadulterous who there gaue order for the conueighe of the rest of their licencious sequele Here besides a consommacion and effect of detestable whordom wherein the one with impudencie obteineth a gloot of her insatiable luste and the other vnhappely yeldes to thâ—nbridled will of a deuelishe woman yet is the foundacioÌ„ laied betwene the ij wretches to encrease their offence with an acte of greater synne for besides the vice of contaminacion of an other mans bedd the wicked doctor aggréed to a mortall conspiracie and treason agaynste hym whoe was neither doutful of hys honestye nor suspicious of hys fayth and whose lyberallitye deserued a retourne of more credit then to weaue the webb of his distruction for that his chiefest meane of sustentation grewe by the fées and other assistance of the gentleman Ioseph the Hebrue abstained from like acte although he was assailed with semblable importunities in the hoÌ„use of the prince of Egypte desyeryng rather to proue thuttermuste rigour of hym who thoughte hym selfe offended then to synne haynously in the syghte of the great god from whose eyes no secrett is conceiled which in the end he doth not discloase w t no lesse iustice in punishing the faulte then he hath vsed longe pacience in tolleracion of the wickednes Let euery man beholde here an experience of the malice of those that vnder the vaile of good learnyng bolstered with a dissembled showe of a certeine vaine knowledge and skill to discerne the good from the euil and trye the differeÌ„ce of the iuste from the vniuste do studie altogether the peruercion of iustice to seduce all good order honesty and abuse vnder coolour of honest faith the simplicitie of the good sorte whereof how many exaÌ„ples of iniquitie do we sée now a daies in diuerse our professours of learning whose vanitie procureth so many diuorcementes betwene the man wyf yet they affirme for the most part y e such actes are not tollerable neither by thordinance of God institution of men nor any authoritie in the Cyuilyâ—n skoole besides howe many are to be séene who puffed vp w t a litle smatteringe skil in eyther of the lawes which rather settes abroache the humour of their vanity then coÌ„firmes them in good order or integritie of iudgement or lyuing do trade only in corrupting the good sound partes of euery one indusing some to sedicioÌ„ other to thefte periurye false witnes bearing others to habaÌ„don their countrey parentes with the societie felowshipp of all their frendes yet who hath a better grace then they in preferryng an absolute puritye of lyfe a feare of the lawes obedience to theyr soueraignes reuerence to their parentes respecte to the league of loyal frindship yea our vnhappye world or rather the malice of our cursed tyme hath sturred vpp amongest vs suche store of skilfull clarkes or rather dyuinyng deuills who bolking out a false philosophie haue God amende it infected the whole worlde with the ayre of their corrupcion and not satisfyed in thabuse of the mortall wretches and seducyng the fragilitye of man wyth a flattering allurement of sensualitye and pleasures of the fleshe begyn by litle and lytle to dresse war againste God with opinion to conquere that inuincible power and first cause who laughing for a tyme at their follyes wil no doubte make theÌ„ féele in y e ende w t the due punishment and smart of their fond ymaginacions that neither maÌ„ nor his vaine knowledge is of any force against hym froÌ„ whose troane wee receaue thinspiracioÌ„ breath of all goodnes vertue wisdom wherin I am moued to such a playnenes touchynge the vanitie of diuerse our learned meÌ„ now a daies by the sinister succes diuersatie of rare matters happening amongest vs for that we se the most parts of christendom rather tormented by such as abuse y e vertue of true knowleadge with desier to inceÌ„se contrarietie of sectes theÌ„ inuaded with thincursions of the blasphemous infidells and ennemies of our religyon and trulye the domesticall seruant in credit or truste with his maister euil gyuen or affected towardes his Lord is more to be feared then a whole armye of ennemies standyng in battaile araye in the felde whereof the Lorde of CHABRY maie bée a familiar experience by the meanes of this pernicious aduocat who abusyng the Ladye and she comittyng lyke wronge on the behalfe of her husbande determyned bothe for the better conueighe of their abhomynable lyfe the death of the poore gentleman whereuntâ— they added thexecucion with more then an ordynarye spéede for this villanous lawyer practised ymediatlie with a knaue of hys owne disposicion who receiuynge some tj or itj. hundreth crownes with promysse of further rewarde consented to performe the meanyng of his bloddye request attendyng
in the eyes wyth euery other signe of counterfeyte dule in the face when the ynner partes laughyng at suche fained showes are in the myddest of theyr banquet for pleasure what offence is it to plage theim in earnest who seke to blaire the eyes of all the worlds wyth charmes of painted substance or rather why shoulde they bee suffred to lyue whose villanous lyues and doynges were hable to deface the glory of the whole feminyne secte yf the vertue of so manye chaste Ladyes were not of force to aunswere the combat of all synister reproche and conquer the infamous chalengers of theyr renowme But now the funeralls performed to the dead Lorde of Chabrye the Ladye albeit she dismissed by lytle and lytle the greatnes of her dollor yet she ceassed not her diligence in the searche of the morderer nor forgat to promisse large hyer to suche as coulde bringe her the ministers of the fact there was publike informacion and secrett inquirye wyth euery point and circumstance so Syfted to the quicke that there lackte nothyng but the confession of him that was dead whiche was impossible to bée had or the testimonys of the bloddie parties whiche were the commissioners appointed to enquire of the morder whose handes smelled of the bloud of the dead innocent whereuppon the matter was husht for a tyme in whiche TOLONIO was not ydle to ransicke euery secret corner in the house not forgettynge I thynke to visytt the treasore he chiefly affected and for a simple pleasure of the whiche he had bene so prodigall of his conscience who yet not satisfyed with the sacrifyze of innocent lyfe stirred vp desyer of greater synne for this tyrannouse wyddow had iiij sonnes whereof as ij of theim were continuallye in the house so the eldest Ialowse not without cause of the famyliaritye betwene his mother and her doctor whose haunte he iudged to excede the compasse of his commission and lymittes of honor colde not so conceile nor disgeste the conceite of that whiche persuaded a staine of infamye in the forheade or forefronte of his house but that he thought to belonge to his dutie to ymparte vnto her y e cause of his suspicion with perswacion in humble sorte to be indiffrently carefull to kepe her former glorie of vertuous life and curious to defend the remeindor of her yeres from worthie cryme or spot of foule ymputacion wherein thincrease of amarus glée betwene the aduocat and her procured a more expediciō then he thought so that hauing one day thassistance of a fyt time and place in a gallerie voide of all company he preferred hys opinion in this sorte not wythout an indiffrent medley of shame and disdaine appearing in all partes of his face if it bée a thinge vnseamly that a kinge shoulde be disobeyed of his subiects it is no lesse necessarie in myne opynion that the prince avoyde oppression of his people by power for that a greate falte in the one is none offence at all by reason of his authoritie and the other sometime is exacted without iuste cause of blame but if it bée a vertue in the maiestie royall to be indiffrent betwene the force of his power geuen hym by god and the compleintes of righte in his vassalls why shoulde it be an offence that the maister or magistrate bée put in remembrance or made tunderstande the pointes wherein hée offendeth seing he hath no greater reason to yelde iustice to such as deserue punishmente then bounde in doble sort to a wōderful care of integretie in lyuing in himselfe so as hys authoritie effectes of vpright cōuersaciō may serue as a lyne to lead the meaner sort seruing vnder his awe to be in loué w c his vertues commended for semblable sinceretie and purytie of life But for my parte good Madame were it not the remorse of an equall respect to your reputacion and honor to al our house and that my conscience hereafter wold accuse me of want of corage and care to make good the vertuous renowme of my dead father I should hardely be forced to the tearmes of my present intent nor my beyng in thys place geue you such cause of amaze doubt of my meaninge for the dutie which nature bindeth me to owe to y e place you hold on my behalf and the law of obedience geuen by god to all chyldren towardes suche as made theyme the members of this worlde makes me as often cloase my mouthe against the discouerie of the longe grudge of my mynde as I haue greate reason to ympart the cause to your ladishipp who is tooched more neare then any other that I wolde too god the thinge wherof my mynde hath giuen a iudgement of assurance were as vntrue as I wishe yt bothe farre from myne opynion and voyde of a trothe then sewerlye sholde my hart rest discharged of disquiett and I dismyssed from thoffice of an oratour whiche also I wolde refuce to performe if thymportance of the cause did nor force my wil in that respect Albeit as the passions of the mynde bée free and the sprite of man howe so euer the bodie bée distressed with captiuitie hathe a pryuyledge of libertie touchyng opynyons or conceites so I hope your wisdome with the iustice of my cause and clearenes of entent are sufficient pillours too supporte that whyche the vertue of naturall zeale to your selfe and dutifull regarde to the honour of my auncestors moues me to communicate with you chieflye for that the best badge of your owne life and bloodd of your late Lorde and husbande my father bée distressed as I am perswaded by the secret haunte and vnsemelie glée of fauour betwene the proccurer Tolonio and you whome God and nature haue made a mother of suche children that neyther deserue suche lewde abuse in you nor can brooke his villany in corruptyng the noble blood wherewith they participate without vengance due to the greatnes of his poysoned malice wherein good madame as my deare affection to you wardes hathe made me so franke in warnynge you of the euill so yf you giue not order hensfurthe for the redresse of that whiche I accompte alredie past euerye cause of dowte you will come too shorte to couer that can bée no longer conceiled when also small compassion wilbée vsed in the reuenge of thiniurye neyther can you in any sort complaine rightelie of me in whose harte is alredye kindled a grudge of the wronge you haue don to y e nobilitie of vs al loathing with all the simple remēbrance of so foule a falte protesting vnto you for ende that yf herafter you become as careles of the honour of your children as heretofore you haue bene voiede of regarde to your owne reputation the worlde shall punishe the abuse of your old yeres with open exclamacion against your lasciuius order of lyfe deuesting you of all titles of highe degrée and thies handes onely shall sende maister doctor to visytt his processe in th infernall senatt
pastimes incidente to younge gentlemen who fyndinge the care of the worlde hurtfull to their younge and tender inclynacion and hauing wherwith to susteine their prodigall vaine do passe the shorte tyme of their greene yeres in the only ymytacion of pleasure wherin this younge heire of VYVALDO tooke such large penny worthes and was assisted wyth so long a tyme that he seamed to lacke nothing to make hym appeare happie in thys worlde but a dispence from aboue to defende hym from the daungerous snares and prison of loue who albeit is blinde and of smal force yet is he ordeined to interrupte the ease of men with a speciall grudge and common hatred to thexcesse of felicitie in our youth And because there is nothinge on earth that is contynual ly happie and that it is necessarie to knowe the causes why we are of the world I meane to be touched sometime wyth a change of our fortune and passion of hard disgestion aswel as wée séeke to tast of the delicates of ease and wallowe in contynual pleasure So I thinke that euen as couetousnes and gredie desier is thordynarie torment and contynual bourreau that trobles the mynd of thold man Euenso loue is an impression of disquiet which nature hath sowen in the harts of younge men both to restraine in tyme the raginge follie of youth and accordinge to the order of the pinchinge frost killinge the buddes of certeine trees and flowers that appeare duringe the violence of his tyme to chasten the abuse of their long pleasure wyth a rebuke of no lesse sharpe disposicion then almost insupportable for the tendernes of their discretion whiche loue beinge blinde of hymselfe seames also to 〈◊〉 smal regard in y e disposition of his affaires with lesse discrâ—â—â—oÌ„ in knitting thaffectioÌ„s of those vnhappie wretches whiche he bringes to drawe vnder the yoke of his awe whereof our age swarmes with examples whiche I am contente to dismisse for this time by reason of y e superfluitie of the same referr you to the sequile of this Luchin who dandled as it were vpon the lappe offollye and serued with nothinge but dishes of delit â—â—â—â—â—are could not beare so euen a hand vpoÌ„ the bridle of his affectioÌ„s but or he wiste he let slipp the steddie raigne of his libertie became extremely in loue with a simple maide whose beautie he accompted of more price then her selfe or parentes noble by discente or other speciall assistance of fortune And albeit his personage and liuyng with thestimation of other gyftes whiche nature had lente him aboue the reste seamed sufficiently hable to make hym meritorious of fauor of the beste Ladie of a countrey yet loue hauyng neither respecte to his race nor regarding his greatnes did close his eyes from the viewe of such as were hable to answere him in equalitye of discente vertue and conuerted his harte and affection to the contemplacion of a simple maide whose name albeit is not of such veneration as Camylle and Lucretia whose high titles onlye do importe a certeine semblance and creditt of honestie in the person of a publike curtisan yet her chastetie with womanly gouernement deserueth no lesse coÌ„mendacion then the most approued of auncient time for being the doughter of a pore man she grudged not with the porcion of pouertie but thought it a principall vertue to embrace the lott of her state with thankeful contentement be carefull to releue the harde condicon of her parentes with the honest endeuor of her handes she made not her beautye a looking glasse for the worlde but studied to be worthie of so precious a Iewell she woulde not suffer her bodie to be pampred with delicacye leaste her mynde sholde be subiecte to thinfection of euil nor giue any place to thalarmes of the fleshe leaste the same should preuale aboue her resistance being of the age of fyftene or sixtene yeres her modestie was of no lesse admiracion seruing as a lanterne to light all the ladies of Ieyne then her beautie without a seconde hable to allure the best assured of a countrey whose firste viewe and simple regarde brought suche suddaine astonishement to the loftie minde of this Luchyn that after he had conferred the secrett misterie which nature had hiddeÌ„ in her face with the special gifte of seamely behauior bestowed vppon her by God his harte seamed enchaunted eyes as lymed with the glaunce of her lookes not hable to wythdrawe their regardes from the contemplacion of so perfecte a beautie whiche was not set out to the sale by any artifyciall meanes of paintynge or assistance of pouder or other vaine experience of diuers of oure counterfaite masquers nowe a dayes neyther did she seame to preferr any suborned brauerie for th aduancement of so precious a dowrye either by superfluous frizilation of the heare twincklinge of the eye wrynginge the lip or wrestinge the chyn minsynge or measurynge her pace as thoughe her ioyntes were oute of tune or tyed together wyth pointes or other lewde Iestures deuised by the curtisan and practised as a principle and chiefe grace at this daye by diuers of our delicatt and wanton dames who not waighing the due merite of so precious an ornameÌ„t lesse worthie to weare so rare a badge of nature do abuse the goodnes of theim both in conuertting the onely gifte of God into a detestable meane to agrauate synne And receiuing thus the first somoÌ„ce of loue whose arrowes being fethered with the wing of infection do leaue the harte wounded with a burnyng desier to pursue thinstigacion of our appetit he founde himselfe to weake to abide any more alarams albeit striuing a litle at the first to defende his libertie with y e intent to aunswere appeale to thuttermost of his forces he brewed the broth of his owne â—ale renewed y e torment of his passioÌ„ in such sort y t there were fewe dayes in y t wherin he performed not his pale walke afore the lodging of his faire Ianiquette whom if by any aduenture his roauing eyes did spie at y e doare he forgatt not to salute with no lesse humylitie then if she had bene one of the greateste ladies in Ieane courting her besides with a low reuerence other offices of dutiful ciuilitie in no lesse reuerend maner then if he had presented his seruice to the greatest princesse of Italy whiche also driue the girle into some amaze as one not exsperienced in the order of such amarus gretinges and lesse vsed to be saluted by any gentleman equall in callinge or coÌ„dicioÌ„ to Siegneur Luchyn whose fame as it was great both by y e authoritie he bare in y e Citie reputacion of his liuing wyth other giftes and ornamentes of nature So it driue her into doble astonishment to conster the meaning of his newe courtesie albeit leauing y e diuinacioÌ„ of his intent to a time of more leasure she retired to the vertue of her good norriture for y
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
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
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
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
beautie of yours wyth an acte of more TYRRANNIE then euer hath bene noted in anye woman of former tyme or accompte you yt a vertue to kyll hym who dyethe euerye hower in the veray viewe and remembrance of the heauenlye perfection wherein you only excell al that euer haue bene called faire if you resolued haue my ruyne why stay you to do executiō abridge godd Ladye my lingringe torment with a presente dispatche and ende of lyfe deferr no longer the fatall ministers of your wyl seynge you are aggreed to performe the effect and suffer at laste my waterye eyes to stop the streames of their auncient sorowe deryued of the onelye viewe and remembrance of the mystrys of their contemplacions whereby my harte shall also supp the laste Syropp of desperate hope and my affections vanyshe with the dekaye of my bodye who is heare readie to become your fattall harbenger in the other worlde with hope to reape there the hyer of my present merytt The Ladye whether her anger woulde gyue no longer place to hys complaint or that she dowted a force or charme in the same to ouerthrow the fortresse of her chastetie gaue him the looke of a waspishe mynd reprehending his rashnes with theis or suche like tearmes of reproche Yf my pacience woulde yet giue leaue to your fonde discourse I see no wante of desyer in you to attempte me with requestes which neither is your parte to preferr to one of my condicion and callynge nor yet my honor can brooke to heare of the mouth of suche as soeke but to seduce the honestie of chaste Ladies wherein as you haue exacted vpon the frendshipp and facilitye in me to here the vttermost of your sute presumyng belike of my consent to depart wyth that whiche you can not restore me againe So besides that the present experience of your foule intent shall serue me hereafter as a warraunte againste the assaultes of suche offers eyther in your selfe or any other equal to you in disposictō I can giue no other aunswere to the tearmes of your requeste nor fauor to your fowle attempte but that from the instant you ceasse to solicite me eyther by your selfe or any embassador on your behalfe protestynge vnto you for my part neyther to be séene in the stréete nor other place of publike beinge so longe as you are in the countreye and muche lesse suffer thaccesse of anye Gentleman within my house onles he bée my neare parent or allye by whiche meanes your importunities onely shall punishe me wyth a sorowful restrainte and absence from the societie of my olde companions and frendes whiche laste resolucion seamed suche a mistery to the mynde of thinfortunat Virley that for the time he stoode as enchaunted or one newlye dropped fourth of the cloudes till at laste as one whollie conuerted into dispaire of further fauor at her hande he craued onelye for consideracion of his paynes paste and laste farewell of his loyall fayth to her a kysse which he sayed sholde satisfye his longynge at full and discharge her of further pursewete accordynge to her requeste The malicious Ladye notinge the fonde desyer of the knighte and wyth what small coste she mighte nowe rydd her of an importuante suter meanynge notwythstandyng to departe with so small a fauor but for a price of greate pennance to hym that soughte to buy it tolde hym that aswell to satisfye his present request as also to make a further prooffe of his faith she wolde performe the full of hys last demaunde yf he wolde giue her assurance by the sayth of a gentleman to do one thinge wherein she was to require hym whiche the simple Vyrley did not onely promisse by all protestations of religion or othe but pawned also the maiestie of the highest for performyng euery such commandement as it pleased her to enioyne hym wherewith she seamed satisfyed touchyng th assurance of his consent and thervpon entred into theffect of her owne promisse embracinge and kissynge hym as yf it had bene the firste nighte of theyr mariage requiryng hym in like sorte to become the maister of his worde and aduouche the pointes of his late graunte The pore gentleman suspectynge no one thoughte of suche tyrannye in his mistrys and muche lesse that he shoulde buye his kisses at so deare a price tolde her he attended the only sommonee of her cōmaundement to th ende she mighte witnes his readye indeuor to obeye her she enioyned hym that from that hower till iij. yeres were expired he shoulde become muett without speakynge in any sorte to any creature lyuing how great so euer his occasion appeared in the true obseruynge whereof saith she shall appeare an experience of your faith whiche also maye force hereafter a further benefit for you where the contrarie wil not only discouer your villānte but be readye to accuse you of periurie on the behalfe of a Gentlewoman He thinkes I see the perplexed countenaunce of the pore knighte who hearinge the sentence of his hard pennaunce iudged as greate iniustice in her for taxing him at so cruell a rate as difficultie in him selfe to performe theffect of so strāge a charge albeit his hart was so greate and he so papisticall in performynge hys vowe that he began euen then to enter into the pointes of her commaundement declarynge by signes that she should bée obeyed wherewith he gaue her an humble reuerence and retyred immediatly to hys lodgynge faygnynge to suche as were aboute hym that the extremetie of a colde rhume distillynge from the partes of the braine had taken awaye the vse of his tounge And because his domnes shoulde not bee a gréeffe to his frendes nor they moue his disquiett in demaundynge the cause he determyned to bée a straunger to his countrey till the yeares of pennaunce were runne oute wherewith committynge the order of his affayres at Mountcall or els where in Pyemount to the creditt of suche as he thought méete to supplye the place of suche truste tooke twoo or thrée of his familyar companions to assiste his voyage whiche he directed rightelye into fraunce as a countreye moste méete for hys abode chiefly for the mortall warres as then betwen CHARLES the seuenth and the valyaunt Englishe men possessynge his countrey in the yeare 1451. And as the Kynge was then in campp in Gascoyne with intent to pursewe the goodnes of his fortune and delyuer his contrey altogether from thenglishe nacion he addressed hymselfe and force to the Duchye of Normandye where this Pyemountaine knight being in the campp was knowen by and by to diuerse of the chiefstaines aboute the kynge aswell by the notable seruice they had seene hym do in diuerse places as also greate creditt he hathe had afore wyth thearle of Pyemount who after became Duke of Scauoye where was greate repaire of the nobilitye of Fraunce for that he maryed Madame Iolante seconde doughter to CHARLES the seuenth after they hadde a whyle lamented his lacke of speache not knowynge for all they coulde
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
a wretched and stinkinge dongeon here maye be noted one chiefe frute of couetous desier and an effecte of filthie gaine when the gredie mynde in goinge about to glott thappetit of his coffers leaueth an example of his wretched follie to all ages Oh howe happie be they who contented with the gifte of a meane fortune do not seke to loade shippes and remeine from hower to hower within thrée inches of death either to be buried in the bellies of the monsters in the Sea or beinge caste vppon some deserte shoare to serue as praye to the deuouring Iawes of wilde beastes was it not sufficiente alas to be touched with the experience of a repulse in loue but y t I must fele the heauye hande mobilitie of fortune in an element more incoÌ„stante then the variable course of the moone Ah Carmosyna what wroÌ„g dost thou to my misery if thy teares do not helpe to lament my distress seing y t in seking to haue the to my wyfe I am maryed to a heauie burden of boltes and shackells of yron and in place of my mariage bedde with the my destenies haue appoynted me a pillowe of carthe in a darke and filthie hoale where notwithstanding yf there were any offer of hope eftesones to enioye thy presence I coulde easely disgeste the Symptomes of my martirdome and in attenâ—â—ng the happie consent of such good fortune to make a plaiâ—ante exercyse of my presente and paynefull ymprisonment By this tyme fame had ymparted the desolacion of our venturers to the whole Citie of Naples not withoute the generall sorowe of all men and speciall teares of such as were contributarie to the losse albeit makyng of necessitie a vertue tyme gaue ende to their dollor and dismissed theym all with desier to redeme his captif frend but Carmosyna knowyng her PERILLO to be one of the miserable nomber and waighing the circumstance of his mishapp whiche stode vppon tearmes of more extremitie then all the reste bothe for that by the losse of his porcion she douted to set him on foote againe and muche more dispaired of meanes to paye hys raunson entred into suche presente rage that she was redy to vse force againste herself whereunto she hadd putt an effect if it had not bene for her gouernesse who reprehending sharply her wilfull follie appeased at laste with greate raison her desperatt intente conuertynge the furious humor of the desolate mayde into a riuer of teares distillynge a mayne downe her reasie chekes complayninge notwithstandynge with tearmes of gréef the misfortune of her frende but chiefly for that her selfe was the principall cause of his ruynous estate and that the rude aunswere of her father forced him to abandon his countrey for the gaine of a contynuall captiuitie Ah infortunat girle saieth she and insatiable couetusnes in the old age of my father who in refusing the honest request of Perillo respected more the masse of filthie treasure then the vertues or good disposicion in the younge man Why wolde not he consider that the manners of men do chaunge of a prodigall youthe procedes a sparing olde man neither oughte we to dispaire of his recouerie who fynding y e falte of his owne follie disposeth him selfe to amendment of life what cause of care hathe he either of the pouertie or richâ—â—â— of his children after his death seynge the remembrance of the worlde dekayeth with the loss of lyfe can he carie with hym any care of our aduauncement seynge he is forced to leaue behynde hym the thynge whyche is more deare vnto hym then the prosperetie or healthe of hys children yf he presente me with a husbande and porcion of a kingdom the offer of no millions shall mortefie in me the loue I beare my PERILLO neither is it a vertue to sell affection for the price of monie and muche lesse to seame to loue hym whom my harte can not brooke for there is neyther pleasure nor contententent where the mynde is not in quiett No no lett hym vse the skoape of hys crabbed age and do what he thynkes good for my parte I will not be desloyall on the behalfe of hym who I knowe honoreth me with sincere affection neyther shall he lye longe in prison nor contynue any tyme the sonne of pouertie for I knowe wher be a companie of duckattes whyche sawe no lyghte since I hadde the vse of discrecion whyche I doute not will bothe pawne his deliuerie and furnyshe hym wyth a seconde trade more fortunate I hope then the firste and for my parte the gréenes of my age gyueth me leaue to suspend certeine yeres without any haste to marie wherein she demaunded thassistance of her gouernes who gaue her not onely a firme assurance of her ayde but also promised a supply of monie towardes the furniture of her expedicion desieringe her for the reste to do awaye all argumentes of dollar leaste the same discouered her passion to her father wherein as they consumed certeine monethes in beauise to deliuer PERILLO with secrett practisses in leuienge the price of his raunsom so fortune began to enter into tearmes of pitie towardes hym and preuented the meanyng of his mystris by takyng hym oute of prison in sorte as you shall heare Wherein albeit she exceded the mayde with spede in excucion yet oughte wee to gyue the title of worthie thankes to Carmosyna whose example of vertue in this case I wishe maie soÌ„mon a remorce to our lighte and inconstante dames nowe a dayes who are so incerteine in true affection that the respecte of presente pleasure takes awaye the remembrance of their absente frende and maketh theim vnmyndfull of the faith of their former promisse wherin I am not prouided to enter into argument at this presente bothe for that I doâ—t to gaine displeasure in discoueryng a truth and also suche discourse is without the compasse of my comissioÌ„ whiche is nowe to recompte vnto you the deliuerie of pore Antonio Olde Minyo the father of Carmosyna had ioyned with hys richesse and desyer of worldly gaine certeine vertues and commendable giftes as veraye deuote in visiting the churches and places of prayer of a charitable disposicion in releuing the distresse of thafflicted and so full of compassion on the behalf of the nedie that seldome any pore man departed from hym emptie handed besides he extended amerueilus charitie and acte of pitie to the desolate captiues amongeste the Moares in suche sorte as making euery yere a voyage into Barbaria he made an ordinarie to redeme and bring awaie with hym ten or twelue christian prisoners of whome such as were hable restored the price of their raunson whithout any interest thinkinge the gaine sufficient in that he was the cause of their deliuerie but the reste he sente frelie into their countrey exspectynge the méede of that vertue at the handes of god with this onely charge that in remeÌ„brance of the benefit they wold not forget him in their priuat praiers The gifte of
as if the kynge of Spaine had don her the honor to visytt her castell whiche sturred vpp in hym a seconde offer of his seruice not onelye on her behalfe but also towardes the leaste ymppe deryued of her house wherewith Geniuera to assiste the contentement of her mother in the companye of the younge knighte with the pleasure she toke her selfe in his semelye conference craued in smylynge order a participacion in peculiar of the liberall offer whiche he exposed by generall tearmes to her mother and her whole house DOMDIEGO whiche had not yet exceded an ordinarie regarde in beholdynge the beautye of the younge Ladye founde cause in the misterye of her woordes to glaunce wyth more iudgement vppon her in suche sorte that at the instant he felt him self assailed with such soddaine alteration that his astonishment woulde not giue hym leaue to aunswere otherwayes then with a percynge glée of his eyes fedynge with firme contemplation vpon the freshe dye of white and red appearinge in all partes of her diuine face wherein also for a more decoracion of this wonderfull worke of nature thattire of her heade presented suche an artificiall deuise that it seamed she had the same daye some fore knowleage of the commynge of hym whome her beautye made prisoner and her crueltye enioyned a moste harde and longe penance for she had vppon the vttermoste parte of her heade a call or coronet of golde restynge vppon a wreath or garlande of flowers of sondrie coollors pletted by curious sleighte of the fingers within her enameled haires whiche couerynge one parte of her sholders dispersed theym selues also some time vppon her delicate forehead and some tyme wafynge vnpon her roasye chéekes accordyng to to the mylde breathe of the euenynge winde whiche gaue theym mouynge disposed theym selues with suche seamelye grace with increase to the beautye of her that ware theym that who had sene the porte and maiestie whiche nature ioyned to this rare worke woulde haue iudged that loue and the three graces had had no other place of harbor but in this pece of wonderful perfection At either of her eares hong two faire and riche orient perles whiche increased also the glée of her golden haires besides the large glistering forehead of this Nymphe whereupp on was sett a border of riche dyamondes founded vppon a frame of pure golde castynge suche pearcynge glymers to the beholders that it presented rather a ranke or order of shynynge starres when the elamente in the heate of the sommer is moste cleare exposynge beames of wonderful bryghtnes then an attire of a mortall creature whereuppon attended two sparklynge eyes assisted on eyther syde by an equall Simmetria or iuste proporcion with certeine knottes and borders of vaines of the coolor of azure with a special vertue to drawe and mortefie any harte made of the hardeste mettall that euer was yeldynge so liberallie their seruent beames that who so disposed hym selfe to contemplacion of thies two twinklyng starres was in no lesse daunger to loase the benefitt of hys sighte then in tymes paste wée reade certeine Philosophers became blinde vppon the mounte Olympium with continual regarde of the sonne to iudge the dispacicion of the heauens then appered her delicate nose aunsweringe in proportion the reste of her face deuidynge also her two chekes of the coollor of a fyne incarnatt resemblynge two rounde aples come alredie to the fulues of their maturitie nexte to the whyche succeded her courall mouthe breathinge a perfume more precious and sweete then any confection made of the Amber muske or other droge aromatike comynge oute of ARABIA and if some tyme she chaunced to disclose and open her lippes resemblyng in roundenes and collour two cheris in their full ripenes excedyng also the softnes of any thinge that euer was accompted delicate or tender there appered twoo rawes of perles of suche rare whitenes that thorient I say complayneth of wante of connynge to make comparison with the coullor of her téethe And so discending some what lower this Dyana discouered a necke whose complexion giueth cause of shame to the whitnes of the glorius lillie and makes blushe the pure allablaster her stomake also somewhat raised by two rounde and precius dugbugges of equall seperation was couered with a braue and softe vaile more tender then the thyn lawne whyche hyndred no waye the viewe of her trauellynge brestes panting and drawinge a pleasante breathe accordyng to the motion of thaffection whyche gouerned thinner partes of y e thoughtes of this earthlie goddesse who besydes all thys was assisted with a gyfte of suche naturall beautie bestowinge courteise regardes vppon all men accordyng to their indifferent meritt that the same made her no less worthie to bee honored and serued of the greatest princes of the worlde then the rarietie of her perfection restored her a merueile wonder to all menne whyche is a vertue farre from the moste parte of oure faire dames who glorienge in the glee of their beautie are moued I can not tell with what opinion of suche disdaine with desier to appere more perfecte then is necessarie that in sekyng to sette a fairer enamel of that whyche nature hathe made sufficientlye precious they do not only impaire the credit of renowme by suborned meanes of ymperfection of theym selues but also by their owne follye deface the glorie of that whyche sturreth vpp the chiefest cause of affection in men to do theym honor and seruice wherein as my purposse is not to discouer the doinges of any in such cases so I hope this allegation of a troth in couarte manner will defende me from the displeasures of suche as fynde theym selues infected with the humor of that follie wherwith in preferryng my integretie I wishe theym all as worthie as they are desierous to weare the badge of glorious beautie and so to Dom Diego whome I thynke you will iudge hadde sufficient cause of astonishement beynge so valyantlye assailed without thynkynge of suche an assalte wyth so stronge an armye as the beautie behauiour and princely shapp of this faire ympp and veraye nestcockle of nature eye I thynke that the moste sparynge pilgrym that euer vndertoke to mortefye hys bodye with painefull trauell in deuocion to anye sainte ▪ wolde haue renounced his vowe and caste a waye bothe skripp and staff to haue donne honour to so faire an obiecte as the beautie of this nymphe and I doubte whether she moste assured and staide Philosopher of olde tyme wolde haue made any conscience to forsake his profession of contemplacion of naturall thinges with iudgemente of thelamentes to haue disposed him selfe and skil to the seruice of so rare a perfection I thynke also that if the doughter of Mynos hadd bene fauored with semblable beautie and blyssed with equall giftes and grace of this Ladie that her Hipolites wolde haue lefte the shippe and dogges of Dyana to haue pursued the quest of so diuiue a misterye as appeared in all partes of this Geniuera
be thoughte that Geniuera enioyed litle quiet and lesse contentemente in this meane while solicited I can not tell by what desyer to defye whollye the remembrance of Diego wherein she was the rather forthered by an information that he bare still the tarssell of hys fyste whyche she iudged to be done onely in despite of her So when her woman offred to presente thimbassage of the knighte she fell into suche tearmes of frenzie that the simple brute or name of Dom Diego sturred vp such hainous alterations within her that to her former wroth was added a present wodnes in such sorte that she seamed for the tyme to labor indifferently betwene thextreme panges of death and vse of longer lif albeit restored at laste by the greate diligence of her woman she coulde not so wholly dismisse her furie but she imparted the passion of her anger to her eyes who after they had some what eased her inwarde greef by a nomber of dollorous teares put her eâ—tesones in the possession of her former speache whiche she witnessed in theis exclamations Ah traitor and disloyall knighte vnworthie euery waye to participat with the breathe of the common ayre and no lesse meritorious of the honor or bare title of knighthodde hath the coÌ„stant honest loue I haue borne the deserued this vnhoneste recompense is it a vertue to pretende loyaltye vnder a masqued vyserne of detestable deceite if theis be the frutes of thy fayth purifyed thorowe so many othes what exspectatioÌ„ of assurance is there in the promisse of any man Is it I that must fele the stynge of thy infectioÌ„ What cause haue I giuen the to imagin the spoile of mine honor and imparte the praye to an other vnworthie euery waye of iust comparison to me Yf not in louynge the more then was conuenient to thy inconstante and dissemblinge disposition I haue embased mine honor to aduaunce thy renowme howe couldest thou without blushing attempte the offer of my good will hauing thy conscience poysened wyth so many spotes of abhominable traison howe dareste thow presente me the baise les â—ains by the mouth of a messenger seinge thy whole bodye is alredie vowed to the seruice of an other no no seinge God hath reueiled the vnto me afore thy villanye put effecte to the ruine of mine honor I doubte not only to defende me hereafter from the force of thy deceitfull charmes but also sweare vnto the by the eternall maiestie of the higheste that albeit force makes me the treasores of thye wickednes yet assure thy selfe from hensfurth at my handes of such fauor as thou maist exspect of the most mortall enemy thou hast in the world wherwith to giue the last farewel to the pore Diego she writ ymediatly certeine lynes and deliuered theym sealed to her page with commissyon that the nexte daye hee shoulde méete the knyghte on the waye commynge thether and delyuer the letter wyth Instruction besydes that affore hee came to the house hee shoulde reade the contentes and performe the effecte whereof the page beinge made to the string fayled not of any point for the next day hée met Dom Diego a quarter of a league frome the house presentynge hym the letter wyth hys commission by mouth who kissinge the paper of his mistres in honor of her that sent it opened the packet and founde that whych foloweth Albeit the coutynuall complaynt of my gréeffe ymportes no dispence of my dollor yet in exclayming against the wroÌ„g thou haste don me I shal so desypher thy villanye that the whole world shall fynde cause not onely to proclayme open shame vpon the but also by my misfortune beware of thin fections of thy detestable traison whereunto if I haue added more credit then ther was cause on thy side the remeÌ„braÌ„ce of that whyche is past preferring a contynuall view of thy periured trothe is to defende mée hereafter from the offer of semblable perill neyther wyll I liue hensfurthe in feare of future euyl or stand in awe eftsones to be infected by the for that I haue not onely banished the remembraunce of Diego oute of euery corner of my mynde but also am of intente to performe such vengance and punishmente of my selfe that if I fele any vaine member or other parte in me bente neuer so little to fauor the or sewe for grace on thy be halfe to vse no lesse crueltie in tearinge the same from the reste then thy disloyaltie hath sturred vp suche iuste cause of vnsemely tyranny in me And for thy parte O periured knight sith it is thy only trade to beate euery bushe where thou thinkeste to bée eyther birde or neste goo pitche thy nettes where thou art sewer of praye and baite thy hookes with tearmes of deceite to entrapp her whose late presente is of more force wyth the then the honeste and chaste loue which vertue began in vs both for seing abirde hath made y t more lighte then the winde that supportes her in the ayre God forbid that Geniuera eyther admit thy excuses or allowe thy iustifycacion and muche lesse wishe the other good then to sée the torne in peces wyth the moste extreme tormentes that euer martired any traitor whych is the laste fauor thou hast to hope for of me who lyueth not but to worke the spite aboue any enemye thou hast in the world Geniuera la blonde He had no soner redd these sorowfull newes but liftynge hys eyes to heauen he called God to witnes of hys innocencye who onely beyng priuye to thynteggretie of hys mind colde also iustefye hys loyall meanynge towardes her who vniustly abused the sincere vertue of hys vnmouable affection and as he ment ther to prefer some discourseâ—n hys purgacion the page who was not so amplie instructed of hys mistres as mortall enemye to Dom Diego staide thintente of hys meaninge by the reaporte of that whyche he hadde in charge by mouth saying that he colde do no greater pleasure to Geniuera then to shon all places of her repaire seing saith he that as the frendshipp you haue vowed to the doughter of the Lord Sero hath discouered your vntroth towardes her So she hath geuen iudgement agaynst youre vertue for fedyng two simple gentlewomen indifferently with the foode of one vncerteine hope wherewith he departed leauinge the knight in lesse care thenne affore for that conferringe her grudge with the cause he thought the small occasion founded also vpon an vntrothe wold in shorte tyme take awaye the force of her collor albeit hee colde not so whollie dismisse the remembrance of her displeasure nor gouerne his owne passion but retorning to his castell aboue an ordynary pase went to hys chamber wher pulling the poore hawke from the pearche committed her presentlye to a thousande morsels and cursing her that sent her wyth his owne follie in receiuing so vile a thinge enchaunted as he thought by some furye or magicall charme determyned ymediatlye to presente hys mistres with the sacrafize of
to rebuke in sharp sort for her folish cruelty as the only cause of the losse of so worthy a knyghte as Seigneur Diego whose letter albeit she deciphered vnto her worde by word profer ringe with al sondry ymportunities for mediacion grace on his behalfe yet seamed she as weake to moue the harde harte of her doughter as the myld Zephir breathyng from y e western shore is hable to shake the monstrus rockes builded in the belly of the sea and muche lesse the passion of herfury iudginge his penance far inferior to y e desert of his incoÌ„stancy wherwith the simple mother father complayning then correctynge the stubbornes of her doughter dysmissed the messenger with only charge to salute on her behalfe his misters her deare frende and neighbour who altogether ignoraÌ„t of the contentes of the letter reioysed notwithstaÌ„ding that her son had written to Geniuera hopinge he had ymparted to her the day and hower of his retorne wherein notwithstanding she was no lesse frustrate then her assurance proued vncerteine in such sort y t the date of the twentye day expired eye ij or thre monethes fully performed wythout any newes of her son she began to enter into no lesse tearmes of dollor then if she had accompanied his corpes to his fatal tombe exclayminge wyth all agaynste thiniquitie of the heauens in blessing her with such a posteritie and then to take hym from her in the myddest of the prooffe of hys vertue wherin cryenge out agaynst the bewtie of Geniuera whych she iudged the only cause of his absence cursed also the mornyng wherin hée wente on huntinge wishinge in th ende that some reuâ—lacion wold disclose vnto her the place of hys abode to th ende she myghte eyther reclaime hym in whom consisted the hope of her olde age and exspectacion of her whole house or at least assiste in person such good or euill fortune as fell to his share If the mother complayned her desaster her son as it is to be thoughte enioyed small quiet and lesse contentmente of mynde who now become a citizen with the beastes and birdes of the forrestes left neither roote of trée height of rocke nor sonnye syde of any gréene hill without some signe or marke of his carefull state wherein vsinge the pointe of a sharppe bodkyn as a supplie of a stéeled chezell he woulde some tyme engraue the successe of his loue vpon a harde and dryed trée sometyme a brode and thynne barke taken from some younge and grene spraie serued hym in steade of paper or parchement wherin he cyphered with such darke letters the name of hym selfe and hys mistres drawen together wythin one intricate circle that the best mathematical in Padue or Paris woulde demaunde respite to decipher the true enterpretacion one day amongest the rest rauinge vpon his thoughtes by the borde or brinke of the fountaine ioyninge as you haue hard to his desert cotage hée emprinted these verses followinge vppon a faire stone whyche the streame of the riuer hadde cast vppon the shore Oh sacred syluan Pan and satirs of this vale And ye oh woddie nymphes who wepe in wretches plaint Staie here your gliding stepps recorde my dolefull tale Iudge you what I deserue whom loyall loue hath spent Assiste my dryed eyes with freshe supply of teares VVhose dropps of dule haue draynd eche synowe of his sapp Or els by fatall voyce cloase vp my loathsom yeres VVhose view wyth longer lyfe encreaseth my myshapp Not farr from thence vpon the heighte of a highe hil where he made euery day his morning walke at the risinge of the son was a faire and square plat yelding at all tymes of the yere a pleasante glée of grene flowers and other deckinges of the springe in the middell wherof whether it were by the deuise of nature or curius industrie of man were foure pillors supporting a massie marble squared and hewen corner wyse accordynge to the forme of an alter vppon the whyche he left this monument in letters of eternitie Thou pillor sqare on whom er this the sacred fumes did frye VVyth incense to the blasing troane and maiestie on hye Deuest the now of royall robes let regall office passe And dewed wyth my teares of dule my sacryfice embrase Discloase thy marble breste and harbor here such plaint As neyther former tyme hath founde nor future age shall tainte And sith disdaine in loue hath forced this present want of breath Let heare appeare ho vve vvillingly Diego proueth deathe ⧠Rounde aboute the brym of the sayde stone he vvritte thys remembrance THoughe froward fate hath forcde my grefe And blacke dispaire this deadly paine Yet tyme I truste will bringe relefe VVhen loyall fayth shall haue her gaine Tyll then the stormes of banisht state And pennance in this harmittes cell Shall trie her cause of wrongfull hate VVhose malice lo kepes me in hell ⧠And vpon the thyn and tender barke of a beeche shadinge thentrye or dore of hys hermitage moued belyke vvyth some soddayne apprehencion of ioye aboue hys custome writte thys deuyse I See thy glory shine wyth gle of glisteringe showe And thou for beatie sâ—alde ou â—iest seate of state At laste so shalt thou fynde though now thou lift not knowe That tyme thy plumes will plucke and age thy hew abate Then vaunt not so in gaine that withers with the weede But deâ—ke the garland with such boddes as vertue blomes Els shalte thou reape wyth shame but cockle for thy seede VVhen I most sâ—er shall haue my hier from heauenly doms Whych beinge espied of hys man who as he alwayes kept a diligente eye vppon hym so dowtinge these fantasies might work theffectes of greater extremities asked to what ende serued the lute which he broughte in his mallet if not to giue hym solace sometyme in singinge the praises of her on whose behalfe he did not only offende in supersticius homage but also in committing fonde ydolatrie will you that I fetche it saithe hee to th ende that withe Orpheus you may stur vp the trées rocks and hollow valleyes to be waile your mishap and witnes the pennance whyche you make withoute euer committinge offence worthie of halfe so great a punishmente wherewith he put the lute into the hande of hys mayster who albeit reaposed equal delite in the tunes of musicke and teares of present miserye yet to confirme his solytarie state wyth a remembrance of hys auncient passions he played certeine dollorus notes not without a nomber of hollowe sighes and streames of sorowe distillinge like the droppes of raine down his face which was so disâ—igured that hardly cold he haue ben descried by such as haue alwayes bene his most famyliars This was the miserable state of this infortunate younge man who was so whollye resolued to presente dispaire that he durste not admit the offer of better hope and muche lesse ymagyn that whych nowe attendes to restore hym euerye waye to hys entyer albeit like as neyther the miseries
that whiche gaue also credit to his conceite was a locke of his curled heare whiche he kepte wrapte about his righte eare whereupon he dismissed all suspicion as one assured of his doubte threwe his armes about the necke of his frende wateryng his breste with the teares of his eyes and saide vnto him Alas Seigneur Diego what disfauor of the heauens haue kepte you so longe from the companie of those that dye of distresse in the absence of you whose presence was the piller of their consolation What be they that haue procured this longe eclipps of your name when it ought to expose the clearest light both for the glorie of your present youth honor of your future old age Ah is it my company that moues this longe scilence in you is it I that haue deserued this wrong at your handes to abuse the vertue of my honeste frendshipp with a shamefull feare to disclose your self vnto me doom regardes without argument of gladnes Do you thinke alas that I know not him whome I embrace no no I can not be so simple nor my iudgement blinded any longer in the knowledge of him whom the secret instinct of my harte discouered at my first entrey into this caue neither is there any part in me of iudment that doubteth you to be the same Seigneur Diego whose renowme resowndes thuttermost confynes of spaine and God forbid that I departe here hens without carieng with me the glorie of equal contentement to ii indifferently passioned in your absence the one to my selfe ioyinge in my happie fortune to drawe you out of the dongeoÌ„ of this calamitye the other in makinge so gladsome a present to your mother impartinge also the ioyful newes to your subiectes and seruantes whose eyes are not yet drie with the teares of your departure Here Dom Diego seing he could no loÌ„ger dissemble that which was so plainly disclosed construing to the best the thankeful coÌ„gratulacioÌ„s of his frend began to relente in his hart no lesse then the gladsom mother in recoueringe her childe that hath bene longe kepte from her or the chaste wiâ— loÌ„gâ— destitute of the presence of her deare husbaÌ„de reioyseth wheÌ„ she holdes him in her armes may embrase him at pleasure wherin being also indifferently passioned betwene delite dollor honest shame semblable feare passinge a declaratioÌ„ of his inwarde trouble of minde by the coÌ„duites of his eyes distilling streames of sorowe ioye by great aboundance retourned thimbrassements of his frende with no lesse hartie affection then the other with good will somoned this new acquaintance sainge Ah howe secret is the determination of God his iudgementes inscrutable I resolued here to attende the ende of my miserable dayes without making my intente priuie to any man in the worlde and lo nowe am I delâ—ried when I feared leaste my discouerie I am trulye sayeth he with a pitifull discharge of a nomber of dollorous sighes the same infortunat Diego and your deare frende who persecuted with continuall affliction and tormente of fortune was so weary of the worlde that I chosed this deserte habitation as a secrett receptacle to performe the reste of the voyage which nature hath enioyned me in this transâ—torie and wretched vale where seinge you haue vnhappely discouered me I beseche you by the honor of your name vertue of that frendship contynued betwene vs from the beginning let it suffice you that you haue séene me without procuring impedimente to the reste of my willing pennance by imparting the place of my retreate to any Wherunto Roderico did not only refuse to coÌ„disceÌ„de but also continuing his former earnest perswaded him to discoÌ„tinue that brutal lif with admonitioÌ„ y t God had made theim noble giuen theim authoritie not with charge to liue idle eyther in their pallaceis or other obscure place but so to bestowe their tallente y t with the exaÌ„ple of their vertue thignorant may be instructed in y e trade of honeste liuing the good men supported in their integritie the bad sorte kepte in awe by their iustice And for your part saith he how vainely may your subiectes people reioyse in that God hath blessed theim with a Lord to their contentacion yf affore thexperience of our vertue they loase the cause of their contentement what comfort or quiett thynke you can harbor within the carefull breste of your desolate mother who hath made the world happy with so honest a son bringinge you vp with suche diligence that you lacke nothing to make you parfect in this sort to loase the frute exspectacioÌ„ of such norriture it is you sir whoÌ„ dutie commaunds to yeld obedience to your parentes soccour to thafflicted do iustice to such as demaunde right at your hand alas it is your pore subiectes who lamenting your absence complaines of the wrong you do to theym in deÌ„nieng the vse of your presence it is you that ouerwhelmes tholde yeares of your mother with vntymely desolation it is you that reneweth the course of her continuall complaintes in breakyng your faith towching the day of your reatorne Wherwith thinpatience of Dom Diego in hearynge thobiections of his owne faltes brake his furder discourse excusyng him selfe in this sorte Yt is easie saieth he for hym that is well to compforte the sicke and harde for such as be in distres to admitt any councell in their euil you finde a facilitie to giue iudgemente of my disease beinge whollye ignorante of the cause accuse my absence rather by desier to do me good theÌ„ of any malice you owe to my wretched state but if you vnderstode the circunstance of my misfortune and the occasion that first moued me to make trial of this solitary life you wold conuerte I doute not this sinister conceite of the wronge which you charge me to do to all men to an oppinion of ryghte on my behalfe seing the most wise assured of al assailed with the lyke tormente of sprite which I féele quarrelling with the constancye of my mynde haue lefte example of faltes of no lesse fragilitie then myne I confesse is iustely meritorious of reprehencion wherewith drawing Rodorico aparte frome the reste he preferred a particular discourse of his loue his possibilitie good hope in y e beginning his sinister successe in th end withe the continu acion of the vniuste crueltye of his mistres whose name he cold not pronounce without suche fluddes of teares and skorchynge sighes that for the tyme they staied the course of his wordes mouinge suche compassion to the tender harte of Roderico that he was forced to kepe him companie w t semblable kindnes assaing notwithstanding to remoue the vaile of such desperat opinion with request to discontinue his sauage lyfe in the desolate forrestes wherein he preuailed asmuche as if he had vndertaken to perswade a multitude without a toung for that the resolued hermit told hym that he wolde not only
more of this gentleman theÌ„ in forgiuing the falte of thy false coÌ„tracte with thy last minion not only to forbeare to enter into suspicioÌ„ touching thy vnsemely ronnyng awaye with an vnknowen villeine but also crauing the guerdoÌ„ of his constancie is at point to sacrafice his life to appaise thy anger and yeld the contentment for end I aduise you to chaunge opinioÌ„ least I coÌ„mitt to as many morsels thy desloial body as this wofull knight not long since made bloddie deuision of his vnhappie hawke the only cause of his preseÌ„t distresse and by your owne folly ready to giue you a title of the most tyrannouse arrogant gentlewoman that is neither haue I begon this enterprise to leaue it vnperfecte or giue it ouer with this successe wherfore seynge you take pleasure in extremities I will fede your delite with the offer of loue or death wherof as I giue you the benefitt of the choice so I sweare vnto you by hym that is not ignorante of my intente that if you refuce the first you shall not faile in thys place to passe vnder the sentence of the last wherin my selfe will not feare to discharge thoffice of the fatall minister in embruyng my handes in the blood of her whose follie only causeth the death of one of my dearest frendes Thies threates dismayed nothing the malicious Geniuera nor abated any parte of her presumptuouse arrogancie for who had sene the fyerie regardes of her eyes the knittynge of her browes whettyng of her teethe closinge her delicate fingars withe other braueries excedynge farre the simplicitie of suche tender yeres vnexperienced asyett in thassaltes and malice of an aduerse fortune wolde haue sayed shée hadd rather procured terrour to Roderico then giuen place to his fearefull offer or somounce of loue or death defyenge also the rigour of his authoritie with thies tearmes Lyke as thowe kaitife knighte sayeth she he that is once thorough bathed in the suddes of ynnocente blodde is so fleshed and hardened in villenie that no acte of detestation seames any synne to hym So it is no merueile if thowe whyche haste committed vnnaturall slaughter of one whose true vertue exceded the flatterynge fame of thy renowne and gaue no place to the integretie of life arte not without feare to committ me to the same guide leaste in sufferynge me to liue thou couldest not auoyce the iustice whyche I am to procure vpon the iniury I haue receiued besides I am here readie to laye my heade vppon the blocke of execution rather then to giue the honour of my virginitie to any seinge the cursed handes haue depriued me of hym to whome bothe the trée and frute dyd only apperteine neyther do I tremble in the remembrance of the stroke of deathe howe cruell so euer it appere for that I shall the rather stande affore the troane from whence is graunted all vengaunce to suche wretches as thou arte ha God seing thou arte righteouse why doste thou not thonder iustice vpon the wronge which thies outlawes haue don thy ynnocente hande mayde Ah traitor Roderico perswade thy selfe that thou canste not offer me so cruell a deathe as I am moste readye to endure the tormente hopynge the same shall serue hereafter as the only cause and meane of thindifferent destructiou of thy selfe and hym for whom thou trauellest thus in vaine here her woman and page began to perswade her to pitie on the behalfe of the knighte that suffred such passion for her sake with consente to the honeste requestes of Roderico solicitynge her so frankelye towchynge thextremities of theym both that she entred into tearmes of reprehencion againste their honeste meanynge will you saieth she be eyther enchaunted with the fayned teares of this deloyall who passioneth hym selfe vppon creditt or stande in awe of the tyrannouse threates of thys morder or whose villanie wyth couered face hathe taken awaye the lyfe of youre mayster Ah vnhappye girle that I am it is nowe alas that I feele the heauie handes of fortune whose malyce hathe not onelye putte me béetwene the handes of hym whome I hate no lesse then I haue already experienced his dyssembled loue but also in doublynge my mishap assaileth me with the sinister perswacions of my seruants coÌ„panioÌ„s of care who ought rather to allowe my resolucion in death then prefer motion in any sort touchinge my consente to requests of no less corruption then theim selues be infected who solicite in so bad a caâ—e Ah loue I proue to late alas thinfydelytie of thy promise fyndinge so bad a recompense for so dutifull obedience to yelde at thy sommonce and so slender defence for suche as commit theim selues faythfullye to the gouernmente of thy lore why sholde nature be more curius to frame vs of a more delicate molde tempered with a mettel of fragilitie then careful to leaue vs armour of resistance agaynste thassaltes of fortune for if I had not had a perle of flattering affection painted in my face I had not tasted y e beginning of a pleasure whose dollorous farewell for euer brings more cause of gréeff then thapprehencion at the first engendred parfecte contentment for beinge alas vppon the point to Sipp of the sugred cup wyth exspectacion to féede of the frute of my pleasant attainte Lo how traiterus loue serueth me with dishes of mortal annoye and in place of the deynties which others finde in the ende of their longe hope it is I that am presented with the banquet of al bitter confections which makes me heare resigne and declare my fatal testament vpon thinconstancye of that pleasante follye whom as I leaue at libertie to make hys gaine of others aswell as he hath dallied with me so I reioyce in thexchaunge of so great an euil for so present a consolacion as deathe in whom I hope to fynd no lesse contentment and quiet then the other hath assailed me with diuersatie of passion Retire oh cursed mishap to th ende that dyenge by thy meanes I may liue without the in thother worlde wherein place of a thousand annoyes which yf I shold consente to longer life thou hast yet to thonder vpon me I shal be sewer of eternall reapose norished with thinuisible foode whych god ympartes to hys Angels and soules assistinge his heaueÌ„ly paradise Come deathe and do thyne office vpon thys wretched girle who attendes the sharpnes of thy darte to preuente the â—earcinge arrowes of myne aduersarye Ah poore harte deuoyde of hope am desperate touching the consommacion of thy desyers ceasse hensfurth to wishe the fruytion of longer tearme seinge destenie loue and lyf are determined to dysmisse me here hence to sewe for peace elswhere and embrase the ghost of hym whose lif was sacrafized to the deloyaltie of thys wretche who also for his parte not satisfyed with the blod of ynnocencye takes no compassion vpon my teares which I wishe to distyll by suche abundance that in ouerflowing the vital paxtes in me he might sée me perishe in his