cōpassion and desire to giue some ease vnto hir most earnest louer yelded hir selfe to couetous gain and gredinesse for to encrease hir richesse O curssed hunger of Money how long wilt thou thus blinde the reason and sprites of men Ah perillous gulfe how many hast thou ouerwhelmed within thy bottōlesse throte whose glory had it not bene for thee had surpassed the clouds and bene equal with the brightnesse of the Sunne where now they be obscured with the thicknesse of thy fogges and palpable darknesse Alas the fruites which thou bringest forth for all thine outwarde apparance conduce no felicitie to them that be thy possessors for the dropsey that is hidden in their mind which maketh them so much the more thirsty as they drinke oft in that thirsty Fountaine is cause of their alteration and most miserable is that insaciable desire the Couetous haue to glut their appetite which can receiue no contentation This only 〈◊〉 somtimes procured the death of the great and rich Romane Crassus who through Gods punishment fell into the hands 〈◊〉 the Persians for violating and sacking the Temple of God that was in Hierusalem Sextimuleus burning with Couetousnesse and gredinesse of money did once cut of the head of his patron and defender Caius 〈◊〉 the Tribune of the people incited by the Tyrant which tormenteth the hearts of the couctous I will not speake of a good number of other examples in people of all kindes and diuers nations to come againe to Zilia Who forgetting hir vertue the first ornament and shining quality of hir honest behauior feared not the wearinesse and trauaile of way to commit hir self to the danger of losse of 〈◊〉 and to yeld to the mercy of one vnto whom she had done so great iniury as hir conscience if she hadde not lost hir right sense ought to haue made hir thinke that hee was not without desire to reuenge that wrōg 〈◊〉 done vnto him specially being in place where she was not knowne and he greatly honoured and esteemed for whose loue that Proclamation and searche of Physicke was made and ordained Ziha then hauing put in order hir affairs at home departed from Montcall and passing the Mountes arriued at Paris at such time as greatest dispaire was had of the dumbe Knights recouery When she was arriued there within fewe dayes after she inquired for them that had the charge to entertaine such as came and would take vpon them the cure of the sayd pacient For sayd she if there be any man in the world through whome the Knight may get his health I hope in God that I am she which shal haue the praise Héereof the Commissaries deputed hereunto were aduertised who caused the faire Physician to come before them and asked hir if it were she that wold take vpon hir to cure this dumbe Gentleman To whome she answeared my masters it hath pleased God to reueale vnto me a certain secrete very proper and meete for the cure of his malady wherewithall if the pacient will I hope to make him speake so well as he did these two yeres past more I suppose sayd one of the Commissaries that you be not ignorant of the 〈◊〉 of the Kings Proclamation I know ful quod she the effect therof therfore do say vnto you that I wil loose my life if I doe not accomplish that which I doe promise vpon condition that I may haue licence to tary with him alone bicause it is of no lesse importance than his health It is no maruell sayde the Commissary considering your beauty which is sufficiēt to frame a new tong in the most 〈◊〉 person that is vnder the heauens And therefore do your indeuor assuring you that you shall doe a great pleasure vnto the King and besides the prayse which you shall acquire gette the good wil of the dumbe gentleman which is the most excellent man of the world and therefore shall be so wel recompensed as you shal haue good cause to be routented with the Kings liberalitie But to the intent you be not deceiued the meaning of the Proclamation is that within xv dayes after you begin the cure you must make him hole or else to satisfie the paines ordained in the same Wherunto she submitted hir self blinded by Auarice and presumptiō thinking that she had like power ouer the Lord of Virle as when she gaue him that sharpe and cruel penance These conditions promised the Commissaries went to aduertise the Knight how a Gentlewoman of Piedmont was of purpose come into Fraunce to helpe him whereof he was maruellously astonned Now he would neuer haue thought that Zilia had borne him so great good wil as by abasing the pride of hir corage would haue come so farre to ease the grief of him whome by such great torments she had so wonderfully persecuted He thought againe that it was the Gentlewoman his neighboure which sometimes had done hir endeuor to helpe him and had prouoked Zilia to absolue him of his faithe and acquite him of his promise Musing vpon the diuersitie of these things not knowing wherupon to settle his iudgement the deputies commaunded that the woman Physitian shold be brought to speake with the patient Which was done and brought in place the Commissaries presently with drew themselues The Lord of Virle seeing his enimie come before him whom sometimes he loued very 〈◊〉 iudged by and by the cause wherefore she came that onely auarice and gredy desire of gaine 〈◊〉 rather procured hir to passe the mountains trauail than due and honest amitie wherwith she was double boūd through his perseuerance and humble seruice wherby hée was estraunged of himselfe as he fared like a shadowe and image of a dead man Wherfore callyng to mynd the rigour of his Ladie hir inciuilitie and fonde commandement so long time to forbidde his speache the loue which once he bare hir with a vehement desire to obey hir sodainly was so cooled and qualified that loue was turned into hatred and will to serue hir into an appetite of reuenge whervpon he determined to vse that present fortune and to playe his parte with hir vpon whom he had so foolishly doted and to pay hir with that mōney wherwith she made hint féele the fruites of vnspeakable crueltie to giue example to fonde and presumptuous dames how they did abuse Gentlemen of such degrée whereof the Knyght was and that by hauing regarde to the merite of such personages they be not so prodigall of themselues as to set their honoure in sale for vile rewarde and filthy mucke which was so constantly conserued and defended by this Gentlewoman against the assaultes of the good grace beautie calour and gentlenesse of that vertuous and honest suter And notwithstanding in these dayes we sée some to resist the amitie of those that loue for an opinion of a certaine vertue which they thinke to be hidden within the corps of excellent beautie who afterwards do set them selues to sale to him that giueth
before Tel me I beséech you what rewarde and gift what honour and preferment haue I euer bestowed vpon you sithens my first arriuall to this victorious raigne that euer you by due desert did binde me therunto Which if you did then liberall I can not bée termed but a slauishe Prince bounde to do the same by subiects merite High mightie Kings doe rewarde and aduaunce their men hauing respect that their gift or benefite shal excede desert otherwise that preferment can not bée termed liberall The great conquerour Alexander Magnus wanne a great and notable Citie for wealth and spoile For the principalitie and gouernment wherof diuers of his noble men made sute alleaging their painefull seruice and bloudie woundes about the getting of the same But what did that worthie King was he moued with the bloudshead of his Captaines was he stirred with the valiance of his men of warre was he prouoked with their earnest sutes No truely But calling vnto him a poore man whome by chaunce he founde there to him he gaue that riche and wealthie Citie and the gouernement thereof that his magnificence and liberalitie to a person so poore and base might receiue greater fame estimation And to declare that the cōferred benefit did not procede of 〈◊〉 or duetie but of mere liberalitie very curtesie true munificence and noble disposition deriued from princely heart and kingly nature Howbeit I speake not this that a faithfull seruant shoulde be vnrewarded a thyng very requisite but to inferre and proue that rewarde should excell the merite and seruice of the receiuer Now then I say that you going about by large desert and manifold curtesie to binde me to recompence the same you séeke next way to cut of the meane whereby I shoulde be liberall Doe you not sée that through your vnaduised 〈◊〉 I am preuented and letted from mine 〈◊〉 liberalitie wherwith dayly I was wont to reward my kinde louing and loyall seruants to whome if they deserued one talent of gold my maner was to giue them two or thrée If a thousande crownes by the yeare to giue them fiue Do you not know that when they looked for least rewarde or preferment the sooner did I honour and aduaunce them Take héede then from henceforth Ariobarzanes that you liue with suche prouidence and circumspection as you may be knowen to be a seruaunt and I reputed as I am for your soueraigne Lorde and maister All Princes in mine opinion require 〈◊〉 things of their seruants that is to say Fidelitie Loue which being had they care for no more Therfore he that list to contend with me in curtesie shall finde in the end that I make small accompt of 〈◊〉 And he that is my trustie and faithfull seruaunt diligent to execute and doe my commaundements faithfull in my secrete affaires and duetifull in his vocation shall trulie witte and most certainly féele that I am both curteous and liberall Which thou thy selfe shall well perceiue and be forced to confesse that I am the same man in déede for curtesie and liberalitie whom thou indeuorest to surmount Then the king held his peace and Ariobarzanes very reuerently and stoutly made answer in this maner Most Noble and victorious Prince Wel vnderstanding the conceiued griefe of your inuincible minde pleaseth your sacred maiestie to giue me leaue to answer for my selfe not to aggrauate or heape your wrath and displeasure which the Gods forbid but to disclose my humble excuse before your maiestie that the same poized with that equall balance of your rightful mind my former attemptes may neither seme presumptuous ne yet my wel meaning minde well measured with iustice ouerbold or malapert Most humbly then prostrate vpon my knées I say that I neuer went about or else did thinke in minde to excéede or compare with your infinite and incomprehensible bountie but indeuored by all possible meanes to let your grace perceiue and the whole worlde to know that there is nothing in the worlde which I regarde so much or estéeme so deare as your good grace and fauour And mightie Ioua graunte that I doe neuer fall into so great errour to presume for to contende with the greatnesse of your mind which fond desire if my beastly minde should apprehend I might be likened to the man that goeth about to berieue and take away the clerenesse of the Sun or brightnesse of the splendant starres But euer I did thinke it to be my bounden duetie not onely of those fortunes goods which by your princely meanes I do inioy to be a distributer and large giuer but also bounde for the profite and aduauncement of your regal crowne and dignitie and defence of your most noble person of mine owne life and bloude to be both liberall and prodigall And where your maiestie thinketh that I haue laboured to compare in curteous déede or other liberall behauior no déede that euer I did or fact was euer enterprised by me for other respect but for to get continue your more ample fauour and dayly to increase your loue for that it is the seruants part with all his force and might to aspire the grace and fauor of his soueraine lord Howbeit most noble Prince before this time I did neuer beleue nor heard your grace cōfesse that magnanimitie gentlenesse and curtesie wer vertues worthie of blame correction as your maiestie hath very 〈◊〉 done me to vnderstād by words seuere taunting checks vnworthy for practise of such rare and noble vertues But how so euer it be whether life or death shall depende vpon this praiseworthie honorable purpose I mean hereafter to pelde my dutie to my souerain lord then it may please him to terme my déedes courteous or liberall or to think of my behauior what his own princely mind shall déeme iudge The King vpon those words rose vp said Ariobarzanes nowe it is no time to continue in further disputation of this argumēt cōmitting the determination and iudgement hereof to the graue deliberation of my Councell who at conuenient leisure aduisedly shall according to the Persian lawes and customes conclude the same And for this present time I say vnto thée that I I am disposed to accompte the accusation made against thée to be true and confessed by thy selfe In the means time thou shalte repaire into thy countrey and come no more to the Court till I commaunde thée Ariobarzanes receiuing this answere of his soueraigne Lorde departed and to his greate contentation went home into his countrey merie for that he shoulde be absent out of the dayly sight of his ennimies yet not well pleased for that the King had remitted his cause to his Councell Neuerthelesse minded to abide and suffer all fortune he gaue him selfe to the pastime of hunting of Déere running of the wilde Boare and flying of the Hauke This noble Gentleman had 〈◊〉 only daughters of his wife that was deceassed the most beautifull Gentlewomen of the countrey the eldest of which
¶ The life and gestes of the most famous Queene Zenobia with the letters of the Emperour 〈◊〉 to the sayd Queene and hir stoute answere therunto The. xv Nouel ZENOBIA Quéene of Palmyres was a right famous gentlewoman as diuerse historiographers largely do report write Who although she was a gētle quéene yet a christian princesse so worthie of imitation as she was for hir vertues 〈◊〉 facts of 〈◊〉 praise She by hir wisdome stoutnesse subdued all the empire of the Orient resisted the inuincible 〈◊〉 And for that it is méete and requisite to alleage and aduouche reasones by weight wordes by measure I will orderly beginne to recite the historie of that most famous Quéene Wherefore I say that about the. 284. Olimpiade no long time after the death of the vnhappie Emperour Decius Valerian was chosen Emperour by the Senat and as Trebellius Pollio his historian doth describe hée was a well learned prince indued with manifolde vertues that for his speciall praise these wordes be recorded If all the world had bene assembled to chose a good Prince they would not haue chosen any other but good Valerian It is also written of hym that in liberalitie hée was noble in words true in talke warie in promise constant to his frendes familiar and to his enimies seuere and which is more to bée estemed he could not forgette seruice nor yet reuenge wrong It came to passe that in the. 〈◊〉 yeare of his raigne there rose such cruell warres in Asia that forced hée was to goe thither in his 〈◊〉 persō to resist Sapor king of the Persians a very valiant man of warre and fortunate in his enterprises which happinesse of his not long time after the arriuall of Valerian into Asia hée manifested and shewed For being betwene them such hot cruell warres in a skyrmish throughe the greate faulte of the Generall which had the conduct of the armie the Emperour Valerian was taken and brought into the puissance of King Sapor his enimie which curssed tyrant so wiekedly vsed that victorie as hée would by no meanes put the Emperour to raunsome towardes whom hée vsed such crueltie that so ofte and so many 〈◊〉 as hée was disposed to gette vp on horsebacke hée vsed the bodie of olde Valerian to serue him for aduantage setting his féete vppon the throate of that aged gentleman In that miserable office and vnhappie captiuitie serued and dyed the good Emperour Valerian not without the greate 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 that knew him and the ruefull compassion of those that fawe him which the Romans considering and that neyther by offre of golde siluer or other meanes they were able to redéeme Valerian they determined to choose for Emperour his 〈◊〉 sonne called Galienus which they did more for respect of the father than for any mynde or corage they knewe 〈◊〉 bée in the sonne Who afterwardes shewed him selfe to bée 〈◊〉 different from the conditions of his father Valerian being in his entreprises a cowarde in his promisses a lyer in correction cruell towardes them that serued him vnthanckfull and which is worse hée gaue hymselfe to his desires and yealded place to sensualitie By meanes wherof in his time the Romaine Empire more than in any other raigne lost most prouinces and 〈◊〉 greatest shame In factes of warre hée was a cowarde and in gouernement of common wealth a verie weake and séeble man Galienus not caring for the state of the Empire became so miserable as the Gouernors of the same gaue ouer their obedience and in the time of his raigne there rose vp thirtie tirantes which vsurped the same Whose names doe followe Cyriades Posthumus that yonger Lollius Victorinus Marius Ingenuus Regillianus Aureolus Macrianus Machianus the yonger Quietus Odenatus Herodes Moenius Ballista Valens Piso Emilianus Staturninus Tetricus 〈◊〉 the yonger Trebelianus 〈◊〉 Timolaus Celsus Titus 〈◊〉 Claudius Aurelius and Quintillus of whom eightene were captens and seruiters vnder the good Emperour Valerian Such delighte had the Romanes in that auncient worlde to haue good Capteins as were able to bée preferred to bée 〈◊〉 Nowe in that tyme the Romanes had for their Captein generall a knight called Odenatus the prince of Palmerines a man truelie of greate vertue and of passing industrie hardinesse in factes of warre This Captain Odenatus maried a woman that descended of the auncient linage of the Ptolomes sometimes kings of 〈◊〉 named Zenobia which if the historians doe not deceiue vs was one of the most famous Women of the worlde She hadde the hearte of Alexander the greate she possessed the riches of Croesus the diligence of Pyrrhus the trauell of Haniball the warie foresight of Marcellus the iustice of Traiane When Zenobia was maried to Odenatus she had by hir other husband a sonne called Herodes by Odenatus she had two other wherof the one was called 〈◊〉 and the other Ptolomeus And when the Emperour Valerian was vanquished and taken Odenatus was not then in the Campe. For as all men thought if he had bene ther they had not receued so great an ouerthrow So sone as good Odenatus was aduertized of that defaict of Valerian in great haste he marched to that Roman Campe that then was in great disorder Which with greate diligence hée reassembled and reduced the same to order and holpen by good Fortune 〈◊〉 dayes after he recouered all that which Valerian had loste making the Persian king to 〈◊〉 by meanes wherof and for that Odenatus had taken charge of the armie hée wanne amonges the Romans great reputation truely not without cause For if in that good time hée had not receiued the 〈◊〉 the name and glorie of the Romans had taken ende in Asia During all this time Galienus liued in his delightes at Millan without care or thought of the common wealth consuming in his wilfull vices the money that was 〈◊〉 for the men of warre Which was the cause that the gouernours of the prouinces and Captens generall seing him to be so vicious and negligent 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 and armies which they had in charge Galienus voide of all obedience sauing of the Italians Lombards the first that rose vp against him were Posthumus in Fraunce Lollianus in Spaine Victorinus in Africa Marius in 〈◊〉 Ingenuus in Germanie Regillianus in Denmark Aureolus in Hungarie Macrianus in Mesopotamia Odenatus in Syria Before Odenatus rose against Valerian Macrianus enioyed Mesopotamia the greatest part of Syria wherof Odenatus hauing intelligence hée marched with his power against him and killed him and discomfited all his armie The death of the Tyran Macrian being knowen and that Galienus was so vicious the armies in Asia assembled and chose Odenatus Emperour which election although the Sonate publicklie durst not agrée vpon yet secretlie they allowed it bycause they receiued dailie newes of the great exploites and dedes of armes done by 〈◊〉 and sawe on the other syde the great cōtinued follies of Galienus Almost thrée yeares and a halfe was
a day greate talke was had in the court of King Philip surnamed Luscus bicause he was poreblinde who likewise was making preparation to depart out of Fraunce in the sayd iorney Reporte was made by a Knight whiche knewe the sayd Marquize that in all the worlde there was not the like maried couple as the Marquize and his wyfe were as well bicause the Marquize had the fame to bée an excellent Gentleman as also for that his wyfe amonges all the troupe of Ladies that liued in the world that time was the fairest and most vertuous which words so entred the French Kings head as sodainely neuer séeing hir in all his life he began to loue hir And for that purpose determined to imbarke him selfe at Genoua that by trauailing that way by lande he might haue good occasion to sée the Marchionisse thinking that hir husbande being absent he might easily obtein that he desired And as he had deuised he began his enterprise who sending al his power before toke his iorney with a meane train of Gentlemen and being within a days iourney of the Ladies house he sente hir worde that the next daye hée would visite hir at dinner The sage and discrete Ladie ioyfully answered the Messanger that she would accōpt his comming for a greate and singular pleasure sayde that his grace shuld be most heartily welcom Afterwardes she maruelled why such a King as he was would in hir husbāds absence come to hir house And in that maruel consideration she was no whit deceiued coniecturyng that the fame of hir beautie was the cause of his comming Neuerthelesse like a wise Lady and honest Gentlewoman she determined to do him honor caused the worshipful of hir countrey such as remained behinde to be assēbled for aduise in all things that were necessarie for his intertainement but the feast varietie of meats that should be serued she alone toke vpon hir to dispose and order Wherfore spedily sending about and making prouision for al the hennes that might be gottē throughout the countrey cōmaunded hir cookes of those hennes without other thing what so euer to prepare diuers seruices The Kyng failed not the next day to come accordingly as he had sent worde and was with great honor receiued of the lady and in beholding hir she semed vnto him bisides his imagination comprehended by the former wordes of the Knight to be farre more faire honest and vertuous than hée thought attributing vnto hir singular praise and commendation And so much the more his desire was kindled as she passed the estimation bruted of hir And after that the King had withdrawen him selfe into the chamber ordeined and made ready for him as appertained to a Prince so greate that dinner time was come the Kyng Madame the Marchionisse sat together at one boorde and other according to their degrées were placed at seueral tables The King serued with many dishes and excellent wines beholding some times the ladie Marchionisse conceiued greate delight and pleasure But viewing the seruice and meates although dressed in diuers sortes to be but hennes he began to wonder specially knowing the soile wherin they were to be so rich plentiful as by litle trauaile great abundance of foule veneson might haue ben prouided and thought that she had indifferent leisure to chase and hunt after that he had sent hir word of his cōming Notwithstanding he woulde not take occasion to enter into talke of those wants of better chere hir hennes only excepted who looking vpon hir with mery countenance he said vnto hir Madame wer al these hennes bred in this countrey without a cock The Marchionisse which full wel vnderstode the cause of his demaund thinking that God had sent hir an apt time for answere as she desired boldly answered the King No and it please your grace but of women albeit in honour and apparell there is some difference yet they be al made in this 〈◊〉 as they be else where The King hearing hir 〈◊〉 right well did know the occasion of the bankette of Hennes and whervnto hir wordes did tende and considred that to bestow any further talke to so wise a ladie it were in vaine and that force there could take no place Like as vnaduisedly he fell in loue so it behoued him of necessitie wisely to 〈◊〉 the fire for his honour sake without any more taunting wordes fearing hir reuenge he dined without hope to get other thing of hir And when 〈◊〉 had done to the intent by his sodaine departure he might couer his dishonest commyng thankyng hir for the honour which he had receiued and she recōmending him to God he departed to Genoua Here may be proued the great difference betwene wisedom and 〈◊〉 betwene vertue and vice The King more by lust than other desire by circumstances indeuoured to sounde the deapth of the ladies minde She by comely aunswer payde hym home for his follie A liuely representation of a noble creature so well bedecked with vertue as with beautie Mistresse Dianora ¶ Mistresse DIANORA demaunded of 〈◊〉 ANSALDO a Garden so faire in Ianuarie as in the moneth of May. Maister ANSALDO by meanes of an obligation whiche he made to a Necromancer caused the same to be done The husband agreed with the Gentlewoman that she should do the pleasure which maister ANSALDO required who hearing the liberalitie of the husband acquited hir of hir promise and the Necromancer likewise discharged maister ANSALDO The. xvij Nouell OF all things commonly accompanying the maner and trade of mans lyfe nothyng is more circumspectly to bée attended prouided for than regarde 〈◊〉 of honestie which attire as it is moste excellent and comely so aboue all other vain toyes of outward apparell to be preferred And as honestie hath al other good cōditions included in it self as the same by any meanes can not straye oute of that tract troden before by the steppes of that most excellent vertue Euen so impossible it is for the partie adorned with the same to wander one 〈◊〉 from that 〈◊〉 path Wherefore lette eche wight that traceth this worldly life foresée the due obseruation of all things incident to that which is honest Nothing in this life saith Tullie in his oration for the Poet Archias is so much to be desired as Honestie for the getting wherof all tormentes of bodie all perilles and daungers 〈◊〉 death bée not to bée regarded Honestie then beyng a treasure so precious what care not only for the atchieuing but for the conseruation ought to be employed In the practise wherof one speciall thing ought to be attended whiche is how a vowe or promise ought to be made or how the estimation of honestie oughte to bée hazarded for any thing séeme it neuer so impossible For what is it that loue and money hath not brought to passe What hard aduentures by Iason what sleight by Alexander the son of King Priamus what monsters slaine and labours susteined by Hercules
the same with ill digesture that muche a do shall I haue to be agréed with them and to remoue the grief which they shall conceiue against me for this mine enterprise wherefore I would the same should secretely be kept vntil without perill and daunger either of my self or of him whome I pretende to mary I may publish and manifest not my loue but the mariage which I hope in God shall soon be consummate and accomplished with one whome I doe loue better than my self and who as I full well do know doeth loue me better than his owne proper life Maister Bologna which till then harkned to the Dration of the Duchesse without mouing féeling himself touched so néere and hearing that his Ladie had made hir approche for mariage stode stil astonned his tongue not able to frame one word only fantasied a thousand 〈◊〉 in the aire and formed like numbre of imaginations in his minde not able to coniecture what hée was to whome the Duchesse had vowed hir loue the possession of hir beauty He could not thinke that this ioy was prepared for himself for that his Ladie spake no woord of him and he lesse durst opē his mouth and yet was wel assured that she loued him beyōd measure Not withstāding knowing the ficklenesse and vnstable heart of women he sayd vnto himself that she would chaunge hir minde for seing him to be so great a Cowarde as not to offer hys seruice to a Ladie by whome he saw himself so manie times bothe want only looked vpon intertained with some secresie more thā familiar The Duchesse which was a fine and subtile dame séeing hir friend rapt with the passion and standing stil vnmoueable through feare pale amazed as if hée had bene accused and condempned to die knew by that countenaunce astonishment of Bologna that she was perfectly beloued of him and so meaning not to suffer hym any longer to continue in that amaze ne yet to further fear him wyth hir dissembled and fained mariage of any other but with him she toke him by the hand and beholding him with a wāton and luring eye in such sort as the curious Philosophers themselues would awake if such a Lāpe and torch did shine within their studies she sayde thus vnto hym Seignor Anthonio I pray you be of good chéere torment not your self for any thing that I haue said I know well and of long time haue perceyued what good and faithfull loue you beare me with what affection you haue serued me sithens first you vsed my companie Thinke me not to be so ignorant but that I know ful wel by outward signes what secretes be hid in the inner heart and that coniectures many times doe giue me true and certaine knowledge of concealed things And am not so foolish to thinke you to be so vndiscrete but that you haue marked my countenaunce maner and therby haue knowen that I haue bene more affectioned to you than to any other For that cause sayd she straining him by the hād very louingly with cherefull coloure in hir face I sweare vnto you doe promise that if you so thinke méete it shall be none other but your self whom I wil haue desire to take to husband and lawfull spouse assuring my self so much of you as the loue which so long time hath ben hidden couered in our hearts shal appeare by so euident proofe as only death shal end vndoe the same The gentleman hearing such sodain talk the assurāce of that which he most wished for albeit he saw that daunger extréeme wherunto he laūched himself by espousing this great Ladie the enimies he shold get by entring such aliance notwithstanding building vpon vaine hope and thinking at length that the choler of the Aragon brother would passe away if they vnderstoode that mariage determined to pursue that purpose not to refuse that great preferment being so prodigally offred for which cause he answered his Lady in this maner If it were in my power madame to bring to passe that which I desire for your seruice by acknowledging of the benefits fauors which you depart vnto me as my mind presenteth thāks for the same I wold think my self the happiest Gentlemā that lyueth you the best serued Princesse of the world For one better beloued I dare presume to say and so long as I liue wil affirm is not to be found If til this time I delayed to opē that which now I discouer vnto you I beséeche you Madame to impute it to the greatnesse of your estate and to the duetie of my calling office in your house being not séemely for a seruant to talk of such secretes with his Ladie and mistresse And truely that pain which I haue indured to holde my peace and to hide my griefe hath bene more noysome to me than one hundred thousand like sorowes together although it had ben lawfull to haue reuealed thē to some trusty friend I do not deny madame but of long time you did perceiue my follie and presumption by addressing my minde so high as to the Aragon bloud and to such a Princesse as you be And who cā beguile the eye of a Louer specially of hir whose Paragon for good minde wisedom gentlenesse is not And I cōfesse to you bisides that I haue most euidently perceiued how certain loue hath lodged in your gracious heart wherwith you bare me greater affection thā you did to any other within the compasse of your familie But what Great Ladies hearts be fraught with secretes conceits of other effects than the minds of simple womē which caused me to hope for none other guerdon of my loyal faithfull affection than death the same very short Sith that litle hope accompanied with great nay rather extreme passion is not able to giue sufficiēt force both to suffer to stablish my heart with constancie Now for so much as of your motion grace curtesie liberalitie the same is offred that it pleaseth you to accept me for yours I hūbly beseche you to dispose of me not as husband but of one which is shal be your seruaunt for euer such as is more ready to obey thā you to cōmaund It resteth now Madame to consider how in what wise our affairs are to be directed that things being in assurāce you may so liue without peril and brute of slaunderous tongues as your good fame honest port may continue without spot or blemish Beholde the first Acte of the Tragedie and the prouision of the fare which afterwardes sent them bothe to their graue who immediately gaue their mutuall faith and the houre was assigned the next day that the fair Princesse shold be in hir chamber alone attended vpon with one only Gentlewoman which had ben brought vp with the Duchesse frō hir cradle was made priuie to the heauy mariage of those two louers which was consummate in hir presence And
most and offreth greatest reward Such do not deserue to be placed in ranke of chast Gentlewomen of whom they haue no smack at all but amongs the throng of strumpets kynde that haue some sparke and outward shew of loue for she which loueth money 〈◊〉 hunteth after gaine will make no bones by treasons trap to betray that vnhappie man which shall yelde himselfe to hir hir loue tending to vnsensible things and such in dede as make the wysest sorte to falsifie their faithe and sell the righte and equitie of their Judgemente The Lorde of Virle séeing Zilia then in his companie and almost at his commaundement fayned as though hée knew hir not by reason of his small regarde and lesse intertainment shewed vnto hir at hir first comming Which gretly made the poore Gentlewoman to muse Neuerthelesse she making a vertue of necessitie and séeing hir selfe to bée in that place from whence 〈◊〉 coulde not departe without the losse of hir honor and lyfe purposed to proue Fortune and to committe hir selfe vnto his mercie for all the mobiltie whiche the auncient attribute vnto Fortune Wherfore shutting fast the doore shée went vnto the Knight to whom she spake these words And what is the matter sir knight that now you make so litle accompte of your owne Zilia who in tymes past you sayde had greater power and authoritie ouer you What is the cause that moueth you herevnto Haue you so soone forgotten hir Behold me better and you shal sée hir before you that is able to acquite you of youre promise and therefore prayeth you to pardon hir committed faultes done in tymes past by abusing so cruelly the honest and 〈◊〉 loue which you bare hir I am she which through follie and temeritie did stoppe your mouth and tied vp your tong Gyue me leaue I beséeche you to open the same agayne and to breake the lyne which letteth the libertie of your speache She séeyng that the dumbe Gentleman woulde make no aunswere at all but Mumme and shewed by signes that hée was not able to vndoe his tong wéepyng began to kysse hym imbrace hym make much of him in such wyse as he whiche once studied to make eloquent orations before his Ladie to induce hir to pitie forgat then those ceremonies and spared his talke to shewe hymselfe to bée suche one as shée had made at hir commaundement mused and deuysed altogether vpon the execution of that whiche sometyme hée hadde so paynefully pursued both by words and continuall seruice and coulde profite nothyng Thus waked agayne by hir whiche once had mortified hys mynde assayed to renue in hir that whyche long tyme before séemed to bée a sléepe She more for feare of losse of lyfe or the price of the rewarde than for any true or earnest loue suffered hym to receyue that of hir which the long suter desireth to obtaine of his mistresse They lyued in this ioy and pleasure the space of xv dayes ordayned for the assigned terme of hir cure wherein the poore Gentlewoman was not able to conuert hir offended frend to speake although she humbly prayed hym to shewe so muche fauour as at least she might go frée from eyther losse tellyng hym howe litle regarde shée hadde to hir honour to come so farre to doe hym pleasure and to discharge hym of his promise Muche other gay and lowlye talke shée hadde to moue the Knyghte to take no regarde of that she sayde for he determined to bryng hir in suche feare as he had bene heaped full of heauinesse whiche came to passe at the expired time For the cōmissaries seing that their pacient spake not at all summoned the gentlewomā to pay the penaltie pronounced in the edict or else to lose hir lyfe Alas howe bytter séemed this drinke to thys poore Gentlewoman who not able to dissemble the grief that prest hir on euery side beganne to say Ah I wretched and Caitife woman by thinkyng to deceiue an other haue sharpened the sworde to finishe mine owne life 〈◊〉 it not enough for me to vse such crueltie towardes this myne enimie which moste cruelly in double wise taketh reuenge but must I come to be thus tangled in his snares and in the hands of him who inioying the spoiles of mine honour will with my life depriue me of my fame by making me a common fable to all posteritie in time to come O what hap had I that I was not rather deuoured by some furious and cruell beast when I passed the mountains or else that I brake not my neck down some stéepe headlong hil of those high and hideous mountaines rather than to be set here in stage a pageant to the whole citie to gaze vpon for enterprising a thing so fondely done of purpose by hym whome I haue offended Ah Signior Philiberto what 〈◊〉 rewardest thou for pleasures receiued and fauors felt in hir whom thou didst loue somuch as to make hir die such shamefull and dreadfull death But O God I know that it is for worthie guerdon of my foolishe and wicked life Ah disloyaltie and fickle trust is it possible that thou be harbored in the hearte of hym whiche hadde the brute to bée the moste loyall and curteous Gentleman of his countrey Alas I sée well nowe that I must die through mine only simplicitie and that I muste sacrifice myne honoure to the rigour of hym which with two aduantages taketh ouer cruel reuēge of the litle wrong wherwith my chastitie touched him before As she thus had finished hir complaint one came for hir to cary hir to prison whether willingly she wēt for that she was already resolued in desire to liue no longer in that miserie The gentlemā contented with that payne and not able for to dissemble the griefe whyche hée conceyued for the passion which he sawe his welbeloued to endure the enioying of whome renued the heate of the flames forepast repaired to the kyng vnto whom to the great plesure of the standers by and exceding reioyse of his maiestie to heare him speake he tolde the whole historie of the loue betwene him and cruell Zilia the cause of the losse of his spech and the summe of his reuenge By the faith of a Gentleman sayd the King but here is so straunge an historie as euer I heard and verily your faith and loyaltie is no lesse to be praised and cōmended than the crueltic and couetousnesse of the woman woorthye of reproch and blame which truly deserueth some greuous and notable iustice if so be she were not able to render some apparant cause for the couerture and hidyng of hir follie Alas sir sayde the Gentleman pleaseth your maiestie to deliuer hir although she be worthy of punishment and discharge the reste that be in prison for not recouerie of my speache sith my onely helpe did rest either at hir comandement which had bounde me to that wrong or else in the expired time for which I had pledged my faith To whiche request the Kyng very
the same the matter most specially therin comprised treting of courtly fashions and maners and of the customes of loues galantise and the good or yll successe thereof bicause you be an auncient Courtier and one of the eldest Traine and suche as hath ben imployed by sundrie our Princes in their affaires of greatest weight and importance and for that your self in your lustiest time euer bred and brought vp in Court haue not bene vnacquainted with those occurrents If I should stande particularly to touch the originall of your noble Ancestrie the succession of that renoumed line their fidelitie for graue aduise and counsell your honourable education the mariage of a mighty King with one of your sisters the valiant exploites of your parentes against the French and Scots the worthie seruice of your self in field whereby you deseruedly wanne the order of Knighthode the trust which hir Maiestie reposeth in you by disposing vnder your charge the Store of hir Armure and your worthie preferment to be Maister of hir Armarie generall If I shoulde make recitall of your carefull industrie and painfull trauell sustained for answering hir Maiesties expectation your noble cherishing of the skilfull in that Science your good aduauncement of the best to supplie the vacant romes your refusall of the vnworthie and finally of your modest and curteous dealings in that office I feare lacke of abilitie and not of matter would want grace and order by further circumstaunce to adde sufficient praise Yea although my self do say nothing but reserue the same in silence to auoide suspect of adulation the very Armure and their furnitures do speake vniuersall testimonie doth wonder and the Readinesse of the same for tyme of seruice doth aduouche Which care of things continually resting in your breast hath atchieued suche a timely diligence and successe as when hir Maiesties aduersarie shall be ready to molest she shal be prest by Gods assistance to defend and marche But not to hold your worship long by length of preamble or to discourse what I might further say eyther in fauour of this Boke or commendation of your selfe I meane for this instant to leaue the one to general iudgement and the other to the particular sentence of eche of your acquaintaunce Humbly making this only sute that my good will may supplie the imperfection of mine abilitie And so with my heartie prayer for your preseruation to him that is the Author of life and health I take my leaue From my poore house besides the Toure of London the fourthe of Nouember 1567. Your moste bounden William Painter ¶ A Summarie of the Nouels ensuing ¶ The Hardinesse and conquestes of diuers stoute and aduenturous Women called Amazones the beginning continuance and end of their raigne and of the great iourney of one of their Quéenes called Thalestris to visit Alexander the great and the cause of hir trauaile Nouel j. Fol. 1. ¶ The great pietie and continencie of Alexander the great and his louing interteinement of Sisigambis the Wife of the great Monarch Darius after he was vanquished Nouel ij Fol. 5. ¶ Thimoclia a Gentlewoman of Thebes vnderstanding the couefous desire of a Thracian Knight that had abused hir and promysed hir mariage rather for hir goodes than Loue well acquited hirselfe from his falsehode Nouel iij. Fol. 9. ¶ Ariobarzanes great Stewarde to Artaxerxes King of Persia goeth about to excéede his soueraigne Lord maister in Curtesie wherein are conteyned many notable and pleasant chaunces besides the great pacience and loyaltie naturally planted in the sayd Ariobarzanes Nouel iiij Fol. 11. ¶ Lucius one of the Garde to Aristotimus the Tyranne of the Citie of Elis fell in loue with a faire Maiden called Micca the daughter of one Philodemus and his crueltie done vpon hir The stoutenesse also of a noble Matrone named Megistona in defense of hir husband and the Common wealth from the tyrannie of the sayd Aristotimus and of other acts done by the subiects vpon that tyrant Nouel v. Fol. 32. ¶ The maruelous courage ambition of a gentlewoman called Tanaquil that Quéene wife of Tarquinus Priscus the fift Romane King with hir persuasions and pollicie to hir husband for his aduauncement to the kingdome hir like encouragement of Seruius Tullius wherin also is described the ambitiō of one of the two daughters of Seruius Tullius the sixt Romane King and hir crueltie towardes hir owne naturall father with other accidents chaunced in the new erected Common wealth of Rome specially of the laste Romane King Tarquinus Superbus who with murder attained the kingdome with murder mainteined it and by the murder and insolent life of his sonne was with all his progenie banished Nouel vj. Fol. 40. ¶ The vnhappy ende and successe of the loue of King Massinissa and of Queene Sophonis ba his Wife Nouel vij Fol. 49. ¶ The crueltie of a King of Macedon who forced a Gentlewomā called Theoxena to persuade hir children to kil poison themselues after which fact she and hir husband Poris ended their life by drowning Nouel viij Fol. 59. ¶ A strange maruellous vse which in olde time was obserued in Hidrusa where it was lawfull with the licence of a Magistrate ordeyned for that purpose for euery man and woman that lyst to kyll them selues Nouel ix Fol. 62. ¶ The dishonest loue of Faustina the Empresse and with what remedie the same was remoued and taken away Nouel x. Fol. 65. ¶ Chera hidde a treasure Elisa going about to hang hir selfe and sying the halter about a 〈◊〉 found that treasure and in place therof lefte the halter Philene the daughter of Chera going for that treasure and busily searching for the same sounde the halter where with all for dispaire shae woulde haue hanged hir selfe but forbidden by Elisa who by chaunce espied hir she was restored to part of hir losse leading afterwards a happie and prosperous life Nouel xj Fol. 67. ¶ Letters of the Philosopher Plutarch to the noble and 〈◊〉 Emperour Traiane and from the sayde Emperour so Plutarch the like also from the sayde Emperour to the Senate of Rome In all whiche bée conteyned Godly rules for gouernement of Princes obedience of Subiects and their dueties to Cōmon wealth Nouel xij Fol. 76. ¶ A notable historie of thrée amorous Gentlewomen called Lamia Flora Lais cōteining the sutes of noble Princes and other greate personages made vnto them with their answeres to diuers demaunds and the maner of their death and funeralls Nouel xiij Fol. 123. ¶ The life and gestes of the most famous Quéene Zenobia with the Letters of the Emperoure Aurchanus to the sayde Quéene and hir stoute aunswere therevnto Nouel xiiij Fol. 89. ¶ Euphimia the King of Corinths daughter fell in loue with Acharisto the seruaunt of hir father and besides others which required hir to mariage she 〈◊〉 Philon the King of Pelponesus that loued hir very feruently Acharisto conspiring against the King was discouered tormented and put in prison and by meanes of
〈◊〉 of one of their Queenes called THALESTRIS to visit ALEXANDER the great and the cause of hir 〈◊〉 The first Nouel WHere the first boke began with a Cōbate foughte and tried betwene two mighty cities for principalitie and gouernment the one hight Rome after called the heade of the world as some thinke by reason of a mans head foūd in the place where the Capitole did stand the other Alba. To which Combat 〈◊〉 gentlemen of either citie wer appointed and the victorie chaunced to the Romaine side In this second parte in the forefront and first Nouel of the same is described the beginning continuaunce and ende of a Womans Common wealth an Hystorie 〈◊〉 and straunge to the vnlearned ignorant of the 〈◊〉 fickle ruled stay which contended with mighty Princes and puissant Potentates for defense of their kingdome no lesse than the Carthaginians and Romaines did for theirs But as it is no wōder to the skilful that a whole Monarche and kingdom should be inticrly peopled with that Sexe so to the not wel trained in Hystories this may seme miraculous Wherfore not to stay thée from the discourse of those straunge and Aduenturous women diuers be of diuers opinions for the Etimologie of the word wher of amonges the Grecians 〈◊〉 diuerse iudgementes These Amazones were moste excellent warriers very valiant and without mannes aduise did conquer mighty Countreyes famous Cities and notable Kingdomes continuing of long time in one Seigniorie and gouernment These people occupied and enioyed a great part of Asia Some writers deuide them into two Prouinces one in Scithia in the North parte of Asia other by the hill Imaus which at this day is called the Tartarian Scithia different from that which is in Europa the other sort of the Amazones were in Libia a prouince of Africa But bicause the common sort of Authors doe vnderstand the Amazones to be those of Asia I meane to leaue off the differēce The Scithians were a warlike people and at the beginning of theyr kingdome had two kings by whome they were gouerned Notwithstanding the nature of dominion being of it self ambicious cannot abide any companion or equal Which caused these two Kinges to beat variance and afterwardes the matter grew to ciuill warres wherein the one being Uictory two of the principal 〈◊〉 of the contrary faction called Plinius and Scolopithos were banished with a great number of their 〈◊〉 all which did withdraw themselues to the limites of Cappadocia in the lesser Asia in despite of the Countrey Pesantes dwelled alonges the riuer of Thermodon which entreth into the sea Euxinum otherwise called Pontus And they being made Lordes of the countrey of the places adioyning raigned for certain yeres vntill the peasantes and their confederates made a conspiracie against them and assembling by policie ouercame them and slewe them all The newes of their deathe knowen to their wiues dwelling in their countrey caused them to cōceiue great heauinesse and dolor extreme And although they were womē yet did they put on māly courage and determined to reuenge the death of their husbandes by putting their handes to weapons wherwithall they did exercise themselues very ofte And that they might all be equal their sorow commō they murdred certain of their husbands which remained there after the other were banished Afterward being all together they made a great army and forsoke their dwelling places refusing the mariage of many suters And arriuing in the land of their enimies that made smal accōpt therof although foretolde of their approache they sodenly came vpon them vnprouided and put them all to the sword This being done the women toke the gouernāce of the Countrey inhabiting at the beginning along the Riuer of Thermodon where their husbands wer stain And although many Authors do differ in the situaciō of the place where the Amazones did dwel yet the truth is that the beginning of their kingdome and of their habitacion was vpon that Riuer But of their manifolde conquestes be engendred diuers opinions declared by Strabo and others They fortified them selues in those places and wanne other countries adioyning chosing among them two Quenes the one named Martesia and and the other Lampedo Those two louyngly deuided the armie and men of warre in two parts either of them defending with great hardinesse the Lands which they had conquered and to make them selues more dreadfull such was the credite and vanitie of men that time they fained themselues to be that daughters of Mars Afterward these miraculous womē liuing after this maner in peace iustice considered that by succession of time for wante of daughters that might succéede warres and time wold extinguishe their race For this cause they treated mariage with their neighbors named Gargarians as Plinie sayeth with condition that vpon certaine times of the yeare their husbands shold assemble together in some appointed place and vse them for certaine dayes vntill they were with childe which being done and knowen they shoulde returne home againe to their owne houses If they brought forth daughters they norished and trained them vp in armes and other manlyke exercises and to ride great horsse They taught them to run at base to follow the chace If they were deliuered of males they sent them to their fathers And if by chaunce they kept any backe they murdred them or else brake their armes and leggs in suche wyse as they had no power to beare weapons and serued for nothing else but to spin twist and to doe other feminine labour And for as much as these Amazones defēded themselues so valiantly in the warres with Bowe and Arrowes and perceiued that their breasts did verie much impech the vse of that weapon and other exercises of armes they seared vp the righte breastes of their yong daughters for which cause they were named Amazones which signifieth in the Gréeke tong without breasts although that some other do giue vnto that name an other Etimologie Afterwardes increasing by course of time in numbre force they made great preparation of weapons and other 〈◊〉 for the warres and leauing their coūtrey which they thought was very small in the keping of some whom they specially trusted the rest marched abrode cōquering subduing all those which they foūd rebellious And hauing passed the riuer of Tanais they entred Europa where they vanquished many countreys directing their way towardes Thracia from whence they returned a whyle after with great spoile and victorie and comming again into Asia they brought many prouinces vnder their subiection proceding euen to Mare Caspium They edified and peopled an infinite numbre of good cities amōgs which according to the opinion of diuers was the famous Citie of Ephesus the same béeing the chiefe of all their Empire and the principal place that stoode vpon Thermodon They defended them selues in warres with certaine Tergats made in fashion of a half Moone and entring into battaile vsed a certaine kinde of flutes to giue the people corage to
euen now began to presage his fall and ruine But yet meaning to 〈◊〉 his best aduantage went vnto the prison where the 〈◊〉 of the banished were fast inclosed and bicause he was of a troublesome and tyrannicall nature he concluded with him self rather to vse intreate those wiues with hun and threates than with humanitie and fayre wordes Being entred the prison he sharpely and with great fiercenesse commaunded them to write vnto their husbandes that besieged him without earnestly to persuade them to giue ouer their attempted warres otherwise said he if ye do not folow the effect of my commaūdement in your owne presence I will first cause cruelly to be slaine al your little children tearing them by piece meale in pieces and afterwardes I will cause you to bée whipped and scoutged and so to die a most cruel shamfull death At which fierce and tyrannicall newes there was no one womā amōgs them that opened their mouthes to answer him The most wicked vile tyrant seing thē to be in such silence charged them vpon their liues to answere what they were disposed to doe But although they 〈◊〉 not speake a word yet with silence one beholding eche other in that face fared as though they cared not for his threates more readie rather to die thā to obey his commaundement Megistona then which was the wife of Timolion a matrone as well for hir husbands 〈◊〉 as hir owne vertue in great regard and estimatiō and the chiefe amongs all the women who at his comming in would not rise but kept hir place nor vouchsasing to do any reuerence or honor vnto him and the like she bad the rest In this wise sitting vpon the ground w e vnlosed tongue and libertie of spéeche stoutly she answered the tyrants demaunde in this maner If there were in thée Aristotimus any manly prudence wisedome or good discretion truly 〈◊〉 woldest not cōmande vs poore imprisoned women to write vnto our husbands but rather suffer vs to goe vnto them and vse more 〈◊〉 wordes and mylde behauiour than wherewith of late thou diddest entertaine vs by scoffing mocking cruelly dealing with vs and oure poore children and if nowe thou béeing voide of all hope dcest séeke to persuade by oure meanes likewise to deceyue oure husbandes that bée come hither to put their liues in perill for our deliuerāce I assure thée thou vainely 〈◊〉 thy self for wée henceforth do purpose neuer to be 〈◊〉 of thée we require thée also to thinke and stedfastly beléeue that our husbands heads be not so much bewitched with follie as despising their wiues and children neglecting their dueties towards them will béeing in this forwardnesse abandon their preseruation and gyue ouer the libertie of their cositrey Think also that they litle esteme or wey that regard of vs their childrē in respect of the great cōtentation they shal attaine by vnyoking the libertie of their countrey from thy pride intollerable bondage which is worst of all from that tyrannie whiche neuer people felt the like For if thou were a King as thou 〈◊〉 a tyrant if thou were a Gentleman borne of noble kinde asthou art a slaue proceding from the deuil thou 〈◊〉 neuer execute thy curssed crueltie against a féeble kinde such as women be werest thou alone ioyned in singular cōbat with my baliant dere beloued husbande thou durst not hande to hande to shew thy face for cōmonly it is séene that the Courtely 〈◊〉 backed on wyth such mates as he is him selfe careth not what attempt he taketh in hande and stareth with haire vpright looking as though he would kill the deuill but when he is preast to seruice of the sielde and in order to encountre with his Princes foe vpon the small sway by shocke or push that thaunceth in the fight he is the first that taketh flight last that standeth to the face of his ennimie Such kinde off man art thou for so long as our husbands were farre of absent from their Countrie not able to ridde vs from thy thrall thou wroughtest thy malice then against their wiues at home doing the greatest crueltie towardes thē and their sucking babes that euer deuill could doe vpon the 〈◊〉 sorte and now thou séest them arriued here vnder our countrie walles thou fliest and séekest helpe at womens hands whose power if it serued them according to their willes would make thée tast the fruit of thy committed smart And as she would haue proceded further in hir liberall talke the Caitife tyrant not able to abide anie further speache troubled beyond measure presently commaunded the little childe of hir to be brought before him as though immediatly he woulde haue killed him as his seruaunts sought him out the mother espied him playing amōgs other children not knowing for his small stature and lesse yeres where he was become and calling him by his name said vnto him My boy come hither that first of all thou maist loose thy life to féele the proufe and haue experience of the cruell tyrannie wherin we be for more grieuous it is to me to sée thée serue against the nobilitie of thy bloud than dismembred and torne in pieces before my face As Megistona stoutly and vnfearfully had spoken those woordes the furious and angrie tyrant drew forth his glistering blade out of his sheathe purposing to haue slaine the gentlewoman had not one Cilon the familiar friend of Aristotimus staid his hand forbidding him to commit an acte so cruell This Cilon was a fained and counterfeit frend of the Tyrant very conuersant with other his familiar friendes but hated him with deadly hatred was one of them that with Hellanicus had conspired against the tirant This Gentleman then seing Aristotimus with so greate furie to ware wood against Megistona imbraced him and said that it was not the parte of a gentleman procéeding from a race right honoble by any meanes to 〈◊〉 his handes in womans bloud but rather the signe token of a cowardly knight wherefore he besought him to stay his hands Aristotimus persuaded by Cilon appeased his rage and forsoke the companie of the women Not long after a great prodige and wonder appeared in this sort before supper the tyrant and his wife withdrue themselues into their chāber and being there an Egle was séene to soare ouer the tyrants palace and being aloft by little and little to descend and letting fall from hir tallands a huge and great stone vppon the toppe of that chamber wyth clapping wings and flying noyse soared vp againe so farre as she was cleane out of sight from them that did behold hir With the rumor and shouts of those that saw this sight Aristotimus was appalled and vnderstanding the circumstance of the chaūce he sent for his diuine to declare the signification of this Augurie which greatly troubled his minde The Southsayer bad him to be of good chere for that it did portend the great fauor and loue which Iupiter bare vnto him
caused the other dames to bury those two bodies in one graue O how happy famous had these two sisters ben if they had not bene the daughters of so wicked and cruell a father But parentes offence on Childrens trespasse oughte not to deface the vertuous déedes of their posteritie Two Romane Queenes ¶ The maruellous courage and ambition of a Gentlevvoman called TANAQVIL the Quene wife of TARQVINVSPRISCVS the fifth Romane King with hir persuasions and pollicie to hir husbande for his aduauncement to the kingdome hir like encouragement of SIRVIVSTVLLIVS wherin also is described the ambition of one of the. ij daughters of SERVIVSTVLLIVS the sixt Romane King and hir crueltie towards hir ovvne naturall father with other accidents chaunced in the nevv erected common welth of Rome specially of the last Romane Kyng TARQVINVS SVPERBVS who with murder atteined the kingdom with murder mainteined it and by the murder and insolent life of his sonne was with all his progenie banished The sixt Nouell ANcus Marcius being that fourth King after Romulus the first builder of that Citie there came to dwell in Rome one Lucumo a lustie gentleman rich and desirous of honour who determined to continewe his habitation there Thesame Lucumo was the sonne of one Demaratê° a Corinthian who for sedition fled his owne countrie dwelt in 〈◊〉 amongs the stock of the Tarquines and after he was maried he begat two sonnes one of them was this Lucumo and the other was called Arnus Lucumo was heire to his father for that Arnus died before leauing his wife gret with childe The father not knowing that his daughter in lawe was with childe gaue nothing in his will to his Nephewe for which cause the childe was called Arnus Egerius Lucumo being the sole heire of his father maried a noble woman named Tanaquil and bicause the Thuscans could not abide to sée a straunger growe to abundance of welth and authoritie she despised hir owne country rather than she would suffer hir husband in any wise to be dishonoured Wherfore she deuised to forsake the Tarquinians to dwel at Rome where she thought among that honorable sorte and newe rerected state that hir husband being stout and valiant should attaine some place of resiance For she called to remembraunce that Tatius the Sabine Numa borne of the stock of Curetes and Ancus brought forth by a Sabine woman all strangers did raigne and became noble and mightie Thus ambition and desire of honour easily doeth persuade any deuise Wherfore carrying with theÌ„ al their substance they repaired to Rome It chaunced when they came to Ianiculum as he and his wife were sitting in a Wagon an Eagle hoouering hir wings ouer Lucumo sodenly toke away his cappe which done she soared ouer the wagon with great force then she retourned againe as though she had bene commaunded by some celestiall prouidence aptly placed his cappe againe vpon his head and then soared away vp into the element Tanaquil conceiuing this act to be some Augurie or Prophecie being cunning in that knowledge as commonly all the people of Hetruria be imbraced hir husband and willed him to be of good chere and to expect great honour And as they were ymagining and consulting vpon these euents they entred the Citie and when they had gotten a house for him and his familie he was called Tarquinins Priscus His riches and great wealth made him a noble man amongs the Romanes and through his gentle entertainement and curteous behauiour he wanne the good willes of many in so much as his fame and good report was bruted throughout the palace At leÌ„gth he grew in acquaintance with the King him selfe who séeing his liberall demeanor and duetifull seruice estéemed him as one of his familiar and nere srends and both in his warres and also at home he imparted to him the secrets of his counsell and hauing good experience of his wisedom by his last will and testament appointed him to be tutour of his children Ancus raigned xxiiii yeres a man in peace and warre in policie and valiance with any of his predecessours comparable His children were very yong and for that cause Tarquinius was more instant to summon a parliament for creation of a king When the day was come he sente the yong children abroade a hunting and then ambiciously presumed to demaunde the kingdome being the first that euer attempted the like For the better conciation and obteining of the peoples good will he vttered this Oration I doe not presume to require a straunge or newe thyng that was neuer before put in practise nor yet am the first but the third straÌ„ger and foraine borne that affected and aspired to this gouernmeÌ„t For which consideration there is no cause why any man ought to muse or maruell more than behoueth It is euidently knowen that Tatius not onely being a stranger but also an ennimie was made Kyng Numa also was made King being altogether a foraine stranger borne not through his owne request but rather voluntarily accited and called therevnto by the Romanes but for my parte after I was able to gouerne my self I repaired to dwell at Rome with my wyfe my children and all my substance where I haue spent the chiefest porcion of my life specially after it was mature and able to execute ciuile magisterie which I chose rather to bestow at Rome than at home in myne owne countrey I haue lerned the Romane rites and lawes as wel such as be mete to serne abroade in the warres as also necessarie to bée practised at home at the hands of mine olde maister Ancus Martius your late king a maister right worthie and famous in all pointes to bée followed I shewed my selfe an humble and obedient subiecte to the King and in friendeship and familiaritie towarde others I contended with the Kyng him selfe When hée had spoken those wordes which in déede were very true with the whole consent of the people hée was saluted King And as all things succéeded his Noble requeste euen so after hée was settled in his Kyngdome hée gaue hym selfe to 〈◊〉 the common wealth Hée chose an hundred graue persons whiche he called the Fathers of the lesser countries He warred firste with the Latines and 〈◊〉 the Citie of Appiolas who bryngyng from thence a greater spoyle and bootie than was looked for ordeined richer and more gorgeous Playes than any of hys predecessoures Hée builded certayne Galleries and other places of assemblie aboute the Forum hée walled the Citie rounde about with stone And as he was doing these things the Sabines interuented him vpon the 〈◊〉 in so much as they were passed the Kyuer of Anienes before the Romane hoste was in a redinesse Whiche was an occasion of greate feare and stirre at Rome In the 〈◊〉 after the battailes were ioyned betwéene them bothe a cruell and blouddie slaughter was committed the victorie fallyng to neyther parte Then the Romanes sought meanes to renue their force by addyng to their armie a further
the lesser countries and called to their remembrance the benefites vnto them by his father extended desiring the like to bée shewed and rendred vnto him he allured the yonger sort of the Citie by gifts and other liberall rewardes promising them if hée atteined to his purpose more frankly to recōyence them By this meanes the King became odious and 〈◊〉 to the people Tarquinius séeing his time guarded with a bande of armed men entred the market place wherewith the 〈◊〉 people were greatly abashed then 〈◊〉 mounted into the palace and placed him self in the royal seate of the same causing the Fathers to be cited before hym by the Haraulde vnto whome he repeted the petigrée of Seruius and his first entrance into the kingdom As he was speaking these wordes Seruius in great hast repaired to the Palace and finding Tarquinius sitting in his place sayd to him these wordes Why what is the matter Tarquinius quod he howe darest thou bée so bolde so long as I am liuing to call the Fathers 〈◊〉 yet presume to sit in my seat whervnto Tarquinius 〈◊〉 ly replied That hée possessed but the roume of his father which was more mete for a Kings conne and heire heire than for such a bondeman as he was and that hée had long enough abused his Lordes and maisters wherwithall a great hurly 〈◊〉 and tumult began to rise by the 〈◊〉 of both parts so that 〈◊〉 was like to attain that garland which best could daunce for it Tarquinius forced to giue the last aduenture being more lustie stronger than the other toke Seruius by the middle and carying him out of the Courte threw him downe the staires whiche done hée caused the Senate to retourne into the Palace Then the King with all his traine of Officers and other his seruaunts 〈◊〉 away and as they were 〈◊〉 he was slain by those that Tarquinius sent after to pursue him in the stréete called Cyprius Tullia vnderstandyng that Seruins hir father was slaine 〈◊〉 bashed not in hir wagon to come into the market place before 〈◊〉 the assemblie there called hir husband out of the Court and boldly was the first that called him King But being rebuked commaunded by him to auoid out of that great throng of people she retired home again when she was past that vpper end of the said strete called Cyprius the wagoner driuing toward the right hād to the hill called Exquiliae he stayed the wagon and shewed his ladie the bodie of hir father lying 〈◊〉 dead in the strete In memory of which shamefull and vnnatural fact long time after there continued a 〈◊〉 For the same strete was called Vicus Sceleratus Some report that she caused the wagō to be driuen ouer the dead corps of hir father with the bloud of whom hir husband hir wagon being contaminated 〈◊〉 presented the same to hir Gods After which abhominable beginnings like end ensued This Seruius Tullius raigned 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Then 〈◊〉 began to raign vnto whom Superbus was added for his surname This wicked some in law would not suffer the dead bodie of Seruius to be buried His conscience being pricked with the abhominable gaine of his kingdom fearing also least other might conceiue like example he guarded his person with a band of armed men executing all things 〈◊〉 force and Tirannie contrarie to the aduise and consents of the Senate and people He caused the fautors frends of Seruius to he put to death whereby the numbre of the Fathers was diminished whose places he suffered none other to supplie of purpose to bring that honorable order to contempt He gouerned the common welth by his own domesticall and priuate Counsell Warre peace truce societie of the Cities adioyning he vsed as he list without any further assent The Latines he specially regarded to the intēt that through forrein aide he might raigne in more suretie at home with the chiefe of which countrie he ioyned affinitie One Octauius Manilius a Tusculan born was the prince and chief ruler of that countrie descēding from the stooke of Vlisses and the 〈◊〉 Circes if the 〈◊〉 be true vnto whome Tarquinius gaue his daughter in mariage By reason whereof he conciliated great alliance and frendes Tarquinius being of great authoritie amongs the Latines appointed them vpon a day to assemble at a wood called Ferentina there to intreate of matters concerning both the states To which place the Latines repaired vpon the breake of the day But Tarquinius came not thither til the Sunne was set During which time many things were in talke There was one amongs them called Turnus Herdonius which in Tarquinius absence had inueyed 〈◊〉 against hym affirming that it was no maruell though he was called Suporbus by that 〈◊〉 For what prouder 〈◊〉 could be inforced to the Latines 〈◊〉 to make thē wait a whole day for his pleasure Diuers princes and noble mē quod he that dwell a far of be come according to the appointment and he which first allotted the day is not present Hereby it most euidently appeareth in what sort he will vse vs if he might once atteine the soueraintie And who can doubt in so manifest apparance but that he went not about to affecte and aspire the dominion of the Latines If the Romanes haue had iust cause to beléeue him and if their kingdom had ben but gotten not violently rapt and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 parricide then the Latines might also beleue him who being but a straūger to them had no great cause to beleue him His own subiects do repent the time that euer he bare rule For some be slain and heaped vpon the dead bodies of other some be banished some haue lost their goodes what other fruites than these may the Latine people expect and loke for Therfore if they wold be ruled he required euery man to retourne home to his own house and giue no more attendaunce for the day of the Counsel than be doth which first appointed the same This and such like this sedicious and desperate man declared Whose talke Tarquinius interuented and vpon his comming euery man conuerted himself to salute him Then 〈◊〉 began to excuse himselfe of his long 〈◊〉 for that he was appointed an arbitrator betwene the father and the sonne for whose reconciliation he was forced to stay that lōg space and to spend the time of that day Wherfore he appoynted the next day The 〈◊〉 of which excuse Turnus could not kepe secrete but said that a matter betwéene the father and the sonne might be ended in few woords for if the childe would not be obedient to his father some mischief must néedes light vpon him Tarquinius vnderstāding these inuections made against him by Turnus immediatly deuiseth meanes to kil him to the intent 〈◊〉 might inculcate like terror to the Latines that he did to his owne subiects And bicause he was not 〈◊〉 to sort his purpose and effect by secrete malice he attempted to accuse him of treason and 〈◊〉 by meanes of diuers of
Prudent personage he dissembled his conceyued griefe expecting occasion for remedie of the same Now the time was come that Laelius and Massnissa wer 〈◊〉 for to the campe But to declare the teares lamentable talke the great 〈◊〉 and sighes vttered betwene this newe maried couple time would want and 〈◊〉 nesse wold ensue to the reader of the same He had skarce lyen with his beloued two or thrée nights but that Laelius to their great grief and sorow claimed hir to be his prisoner Wherfore very sorowful and pensiue he departed and retourned to the Campe. Scipio in honourable wise receiued him and openly before his Captaines and men of warre gaue thanks to Laelius him for their prowesse and notable exploites Afterwards sending for him into his Tent he said vnto him I do suppose my dere frend Massinissa that the vertue and beneuolence you saw in me did first of all prouoke you to transfrete the straites to visite me in Spaine wherin the goodwill of my valiant friend Syllanus did not a little anaile to sollicite and procure amitie betwéene vs both which afterwards induced your constant minde to retire into 〈◊〉 to commit both your self and all your goods into my hands and kéeping But I well pondering the qualitie of that vertue which moued you thervnto you being of 〈◊〉 and I of Europa you a Numidian borne and I a Latine and Romane of diuers customes language differēt thought that the temperance and abstinence from veneriall pleasures which you haue séene to be in me and experience therof well tried and proued for the which I render vnto the immortal Gods most hūble thanks wold or ought to haue moued you to follow mine example being these vertues which aboue al other I doe most esteme and cherish which vertues should haue allured you being a man of great prowesse and discretion to haue imitated and folowed the same For he that well marketh the rare giftes and excellent benefits wherwith dame nature hath 〈◊〉 you would thinke that there should be no lacke of diligence and trauell to subdue and ouercome the carnall appetites of temporal beautie which had it 〈◊〉 applied to the rare giftes of nature planted in you had made you a personage to the posteritie very famous and renoumed Consider wel my present time of youth full of courage youthly lust which contrary to that naturall race I stay and prohibite No delicate beautie no voluptuous delectation no seminine flatterie can intice the same to the perils and daungers wherevnto that héedelesse age is most prone and subiect by which prohibition of amorous passions temperatly raigned and gouerned the tamer and subduer of those passions closing his breast from lasciuious imaginations and stopping his eares from the Syrenes Marmaides of that sexe and kinde getteth greater glory and fame than that which we haue gotten by our victory had against Syphax Hannibal the greatest ennimie that euer we Romanes felt the stoutest gentleman captain without péere through the delites and imbracements of women effeminated is no more that mālike and notable Emperor which he was wont to be The great exploits enterprises which valiantly you haue done in Numidia when I was farre from you your care redinesse 〈◊〉 your strength and valor your expedition and bolde attepts with all the rest of your noble vertues worthy of immortall praise I might could perticulerly recite but to commend and extol them my heart and minde shal never be satisfied by renouaciō wherof I shuld rather giue occasion of blushing than my selfe could be contented to let them sléepe in silence Syphax as you know is taken prisoner by the valiaunce of our men of warre by reason wherof him self his wife his kingdom his campe lands cities and inhabitants and briefly all that which was king Syphax is the pray and spoile to the Romane people and the king and his wife albeit she was no Citizen of Carthage and hir father although no captaine of our ennimies yet we must send them to Rome there to leaue them at the pleasure and disposition of the Romane 〈◊〉 nate and people Doe you not know that Sophonisba with hir toyes flatteries did alienat and withdraw king Syphax from our amitie and friendship and made him to enter force of armes against vs Be you ignoraunt that she ful of rancor and malice against the Romane people endeuored to set al 〈◊〉 against vs now by hir faire inticements hath gained and wonne you not I say our 〈◊〉 but an ennimie so farre as she can with hir cruell inchauntmēts What damage and hurt haue lighted vpō diuers Monarches and Princes through sugred lips and venemous woords I will not spend time to recite With what prouocations and cōiured charmes she hath already bewitched your good nature I wil not now imagine but referre the same to the déepe consideration of your wisdome Wherefore Massinissa as you haue bene a Conquerer ouer great nations and prouinces be now a conquerer ouer your owne mind and appetites the victorie whereof deserueth greater praise than the conquest of the whole world Take héede I say that you blot not your good qualities and conditions with the spots of dishonor and pusillanimitie 〈◊〉 not that fame which hitherto is 〈◊〉 aboue the Region of the glittering starres Let not this vice of Feminine flatterie spoile the deserts of Noble chiualrie vtterly deface those 〈◊〉 with greater ignominie than the cause of that offence is worthie of dispraise Massinissa hearing these egre sharp rebukes not only blushed for shame but bitterly werping said that his poore prisoner and wife was at the commaundemēt of Scipio Noiwithstanding so instantly as teares woulde suffer him to speake he besought hym that if it were possible he would giue him leaue to obserue his faith foolishly assured bicause he had made an othe to Sophonisba that with life she should not be deliuered to the handes of the Romanes And after other talke betwene them Massinissa departed to his pauilion where alone with manifold sighes with most bitter teares and plaintes vttered with such houlings and outcries as they were heard by those which stode about the same he rested al the day bewailing his present state the most part of the night also he spent with like heauinesse and debating in his minde vpon diuers thoughts and deuises more confused and amased than before he could by no meanes take any rest sometimes he thought to flée and passe the straights commonly called the pillers of Hercules from thence to saile to the Fortunate Islandes with his wife then again he thought with hir to escape to Carthage in ayde of that Citie to serue against the Romans somtimes he purposed by sword poison halter or som such means to end his life and finish his dolorous days many times he was at point by prepared knife sworde to pierce his heart yet stayed the same not for feare of death but for preseruatiō of his fame
was driuen into great admiration and thought it very straunge that a woman which al the days of hir life had liued in greate honour and estimation shold vpon light cause or occasion poison hir self sith it was naturally giuen to eche breathyng wyght to prolong their liuing dayes with the longest thréede that Atropos could draw out of dame Natures webbe Wher vpon he commaunded the sayd matrone to be brought before hym whose death for hir vertue was generally lamented by the whole countrey When the Gentlewomā was before him and had vnderstāding that she was fully resolued and determined to die he began by greate 〈◊〉 to exhort hir that she should not wilfully 〈◊〉 hir selfe away vpon consideration that she was of lusty yeares riche and 〈◊〉 of the whole countrey how greate pitie it were but shée shoulde renue hir minde and giue hir selfe still to liue and remayne til naturall course did ende and finish hir life howbeit his 〈◊〉 and earnest persuasion could not diuert hir from hir intēded purpose But Pompeius 〈◊〉 to haue hir die ceassed not still to 〈◊〉 his former talke with newe reasons and stronger arguments All which she paciently heard with fired 〈◊〉 til at length with clere voice and 〈◊〉 cheare 〈◊〉 answered him in this maner You be greatly deceiued my lord Pompeius if you do beleue that I without very great prouidence and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 goe about to end my days for I do know and am 〈◊〉 persuaded that eche creature naturally craueth the prolongation and lengthning of life so much abhorreth to die as the desirous to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the poison whiche I haue prepared for consummation of my life Wher vpon I haue diuers times thought considered and discoursed with my selfe and amongs many considerations 〈◊〉 debated in my minde there came into the same the 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 change of Fortune whose whir 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 neuer 〈◊〉 ne yet remaineth 〈◊〉 It 〈◊〉 dayly séene how she doth exalt and aduance some man from the lowest and bottomlesse pitte euen to the 〈◊〉 of the hygh Heauens endowyng hym wyth so much substaunce as he can desire An other that was moste happie honoured in this worlde lyke a God vnto whom no goodes and welfare were wantyng who myghte well haue bene called in his lyfe a thrée tymes happie and blessed wyght sodaynly from his honoure and 〈◊〉 depriued and made a verie poore man and begger Some man also that is bothe riche and lustie accompanied wyth a faire wife and goodlye children lyuyng in greate myrth and ioylitie this wicked Ladie Fortune the deuourer of all oure contentacions depriueth from the inestimable treasure of health causeth the fayre wife to loue an other better than hir husbande and with 〈◊〉 venomous tooth biteth the children that in shorte space myserable deathe catcheth them all within hys dreadfull clouches whereby hée is defrauded of those chyldren whome after his deathe hée purposed to leaue 〈◊〉 his heires But what meane I to consume tyme and words in declaration of fortunes vnsteady staye which is more clere than the beames of the Sunne of whome dayly a thousande thousande examples bée manifest All histories be full of them The myghtie countrey of Graecia doeth render ample witnesse wherein so many excellent men were bredde and brought vp Who desirous with their fynger to touche the highest heauen were in a moment throwen downe And so many famous Cities whiche gouerned numbers of people nowe at this presente day wée sée to bée thrall and obedient to thy Citie of Rome Of these hurtefull and perillous mutations O noble Pompcius thy Romane Citie may bée a 〈◊〉 cleare glasse and Spectacle and a multitude of thy noble Citizens in tyme paste and present may gyue plentyfull witnesse But to come to the cause of this my death I say that fyndyng my selfe to haue lyued these many yeares by what chaunce I can not tell in verie greate prosperitie in all whiche tyme I neuer dyd suffer any one myssehappe but styll from good to better haue passed my time vntil thys daye Nowe fearyng the frownyng of Lady Fortunes face and that shée will repente hir long continued fauoure I feare I saye leaste the same Fortune shoulde chaunge hir stile and begynne in the middest of my pleasaunt life to sprinckle hir poysoned bitternesse and make mée the 〈◊〉 and Quiuer of hir sharpe and noysome arrowes Wherefore I am nowe determined by good aduyse to ridde my self from the captiuitie of hir force from all hir misfortunes and from the noysom and grieuous infirmities which miserably be incident to vs mortall Creatures And beleue me Pompcius that many in theyr aged dayes haue left their life with litle honour who had they ben gone in their youth had died famous for euer Wherefore my Lorde Pompeius that I may not be tedious vnto thée or hinder thyne affaires by long discourse I beséeche thée to gyue me leaue to follow my deliberate disposition that frankely and fréely I may bée 〈◊〉 of all daunger for the longer the life doth growe to the greater discommodities it is subiect When shée had so sayde to the greate admiration and compassion of all those whiche were present with tremblyng handes and fearefull cheare shée quaffed a greate cuppe of poysoned drynke the whyche shée broughte wyth hir for that purpose and within a while after dyed This was the strange vse and order obserued in 〈◊〉 Whiche good counsell of that dame had the noble and valiaunt captaine followed no doubt he would haue ben contented to haue ben brought to order And then he had not lost that bloudie battell atchieued against him by Iulius Cesar at Pharsalia in Egypt Then he had not sustained so many ouerthrowes as he did then had he not ben forsaken of his trendes and in the ende endured a death so miserable And for somuch as for the most part 〈◊〉 therto we haue intreated of many tragical and bloudie rhaunces respiring nowe from those lette vs a little touche some medicinable remedies for loue some lessons for gouernement and obediēce some treaties of amorous dames and hautie 〈◊〉 of Princes Quéenes and other persons to variate the chaungeable diet wherewith dyuers bée affected rellishyng their Stomackes wyth some more pleasant digestions than they haue tasted Faustina the Empresse ¶ The dishonest Loue of 〈◊〉 AVSTINA the Empresse and vvith vvhat remedie the same loue vvas remoued and taken avvay The tenth Nouell TRue and moste holie is the sentence that the ladie gentlewoman or other wighte of Female kinde of what degrée or condition soeuer she bée be she saire fowle or ylfauoured can not be endewed with a more precious Pearle or Jewell than is the 〈◊〉 pure vertue of honesty which is of such valour that it alone without other vertue is able to render hir that 〈◊〉 in hir attire moste famous and excellent Be she more beautifull than Helena be she mightier than the Amazon better learned than Sappho rycher than Flora more louing than Quéene Dido or more noble than
you be a Prince supreme so to applie your selfe to be a passing ruler For there is no authoritie amongs men so high but that the Gods aboue be iudges of their thoughtes and men beneth beholders of their déedes 〈◊〉 presently you are a mightie Prince your duetie is the greater to be good and 〈◊〉 lesse to be wicked than when you were a priuate man For hauing gotten authoritie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 your libertie is the lesse to be idle so that if you be not 〈◊〉 a one as the common people haue 〈◊〉 such againe as your maister Plutarch desireth you shall put your selfe in great daunger and mine enimies will séeke meanes to be reuenged on me knowing wel that for the scholers faulte the maister 〈◊〉 suffreth wrong by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imputed vnto hym although wrongfull for the 〈◊〉 And for so much as I haue bene thy maister and thou my scholer thou must 〈◊〉 by well doyng to render me some honour And likewise if thou do euill great infamie shall lyght on me 〈◊〉 as it did to Seneca for Nero his cause whose cruelties done in Rome were 〈◊〉 to his maister Seneca Thelike wrong was done to the Philosopher Chilo by being burdened with the negligent nouriture of his Scholler Leander They truely were famous personages and greate learned men in whome the gouernement of myghtie Princes was reposed Notwithstandyng for not correctyng them in their youth nor teachyng them with carefull diligence they blotted for euermore their renouine as the cause of the destruction of diuers common wealthes And forsomuch as my penne spared none in times passe bee well assured Traiane that the same will pardon neither thée nor me in tyme to come For as we bée confederate in the fault euen so we shall bée heires of the paine Thou knowest well what lessons I haue taught thée in thy youth what counsell I haue 〈◊〉 thée béeyng come to the state of man and what I haue written to thée 〈◊〉 thou hast bene Prince and thou thy selfe art recorde of the words sayde vnto thée in secrete In all whiche I neuer persuaded thyng but tended to the seruice of the Gods profite of the common wealthe and increase of thy renoume Wherfore I am right sure that for any thing whiche I haue written sayd or persuaded I feare not the punishment of the Gods and much lesse the reprochfull shame of men verily beleuing that all that which I coulde saye in secrete might without reproch be openly published in Rome Now before I toke my pen in hand to write this Letter I examined ned my life to know if during the time that I had charge of thée I did or sayde in thy presence any thing that might prouoke thée to euill example And truely 〈◊〉 for me to say it vpon that search of my forepassed life I neuer found my selfe guiltie of fact vnméete a Romane Citizen nor euer spoke 〈◊〉 vnsemely for a Philosopher By meanes wherof I do right heartily wish thou 〈◊〉 remember the good education and instruction which thou diddest learne of me I speake not this that thou shouldest gratific me againe with any benefite but to the ende that thou mightest serue thy selfe estéemyng that no greater pleasure can redounde to me than to heare a good report of thée Be then well assured that if an Empire be bestowed vpon thée it was not for that thou were a Citizen of Rome or a couragious person descended of noble house rich and mightie but only bicause vertues did plentifully abounde in thée I dedicated vnto thée certaine bookes of olde and auncient common welth which if it please thée to vse and as at other times I haue sayd vnto thée thou shalte finde me to be a proclaimer of thy famous works a thronicler of all thy noble faicts of armes but if perchance thou follow thine owne aduise and chaūge thy selfe to be other than hitherto thou hast ben presently I inuocate and crie out vpon the immortall Gods and this Letter shall bée witnesse that if any hurte do chaunce to thée or to thine Empire it is not thorough the counsell or meanes of thy maister Plutarch And so farewell most noble Prince The aunswere of the Emperour Traiane to his maister Plutarch COcceius Traiane Emperour of Rome to thée the Philosopher Plutarch sometymes my maister salutation and consolation in the Gods of comfort In Agrippina was deliuered vnto me a letter frō thée which so soone as I opened knew to be written with thine owne hande and endited with thy wisedome So flowing was the same with góodly words and accompanied with graue sentences an occasion that made mée reade the same twice or thrice thynking that I saw thée write and beard thée speake so welcome was the same to me that at that very instāt I caused it to be red at my table yea and made the same to be fixed at my beds head that thy well meaning vnto me might be generally knowen how much I am bounde vnto thée I estéemed for a good presage the cōgratulation that the Consul Rutulus did vnto me from thée touching my cōming to the Empire I hope through thy merites that I shall be a good Emperoure Thou sayest in thy letter that thou canste by no meanes beléeue that I haue giuen bribes and vsed other endeuors to redeme mine Empire as other haue done For aunswere thervnto I say that as a man I haue dcsired it but neuer by solicitation or other means attempted it For I neuer saw within the Citie of Rome any man to bribe for honour but for the same some notable infamie chaunced vnto hym as for example we may learne of the good olde man Menander my friende thy neighbour who to bée Consul procured the same by vnlawful meanes and therfore in the end was banished and died desperately The great Caius Caesar and Tiberius Caligula Claudius 〈◊〉 Galba Otho Vitellius and Domitian some for gettyng the Empire some for tirannie some for gettyng the same by bribes and some by other meanes procuryng the same loste by the sufferance of the righteous Gods not onely their honor and goodes but also died miserably When thou 〈◊〉 reade in thy schoole and I that time an hearer of thy doctrine many times hearde thée say that we ought to trauell to deserue honour rather than procure the same esteming it vnlawful to get honour by meanes vnlawful He that is without credite ought to assay to procute credite Hée that is without honour ought to séeke honour But the vertuous man hath no nede of noblenesse ne he himself ne yet any other person can berieue hym of due honour Thou knowest wel Plutarch that the yere past the office of Consul was gyuen to Torquatus and the 〈◊〉 to Fabritius who were so vertuous and so little ambitious as not desirous to receyue suche charges absented themselues although that in Rome they might haue ben in great estimation by reason of those offices and yet neuerthelesse without them they be presently estéemed 〈◊〉
Gods of comforte The affaires be so manifold and businesse so graue and weightie which we haue to doe with diuers countreyes that scarce wée haue time to eate and space to take any rest the Roman Princes hauing still by auncient custome both lacke of tyme and commonly wante of money And bicause that they which haue charge of common wealths to the vttermost of their power ought to be frends to traficke of marchandise and enimies of heaping treasure togethers Princes haue so many people to please and so greate numbre of crauers that if they kepe any thing for them the same shall rather 〈◊〉 a spice of theft than of prouidence To take away an other mans goodes truly is a wicked part but if it bée permitted to accumulate treasure and money together better it were to take it out of the Temples than to defraude the people For the one is consecrated to the immortall Gods and the other to the poore Commons I speake this right honorable Fathers to put you in remembraunce and also to aduise you that you take good héede to the goodes of the Common welthe howe they be dispended howe gathered together howe they be kept and how they be employed For ye ought to vnderstande that the goodes of the Common wealth be committed to you in trust not to the ende ye shoulde enioy them but rather by good gouernement to vse them We do heare that the walles be readie to sall the towers in decay and the temples be come to great ruine wherof we be not a little offended and you ought also to be ashamed for so much as the damages and detrimentes of the Cōmon welth we ought either to remedie or else to lament Ye haue written vnto me to know my pleasure whether the Censors Pretors Ediles shold be 〈◊〉 chosen and not perpetuall as hitherto they haue bene and specially you say that the state of the Dictator which is the greatest and highest dignitie in Rome is onely 〈◊〉 sixe moneths To that I answere that we are well contented with that aduise For not without cause and iust reason our predecessours did 〈◊〉 the firste Kings of Rome and ordeined that the Consuls shoulde yerely bée chosen in the common wealth Which was done in consideration that he whiche had perpetuall gouernement many times became insolent and proude And 〈◊〉 that the charges and offices of the Senate should be yerely to auoide daunger which if they should be perpetuall there might ensue great hurte and damage to the Common wealth For if the Officers being yerely chosen be good they may be continued And if they bée euill they may be chaunged And truely the officer which knoweth that vpon the ende of euery yeare he must be chaunged and examined of his charge he wil take good hede to that which he speaketh and first of all will wel consider what he taketh in hande The good Marcus Portius was the fyrst that caused the Officers of the Romane Common wealthe to thée thus visited and corrected And bycause that these Almayne warres dee still increase by reason that the Kyng Deceball wyll not as yet bée brought to obedience of the Romanes but rather goth about to occupie and winne the Kingdomes of Dacia and Polonia I shall be forced through the businesse of the warrs so long continuing to deuise and consult here vpon the affaires cōcerning the gouernemēt of the cōmon welth of Rome For a lesse euill it is for a Prince to be negligent in matters of warre than in the gouernement of the common wealth A prince also ought to thinke that he is chosen not to make warres but to gouerne not to kill the enimies but to roote out vices not that he go in person to inuade or defend his foes but that he reside and be in the cōmon welth not to take away other mens goodes but to do iustice to euery mā for somuch as the prince in that warres can fight but for one and in the publike wealth he cōmitteth faults against a numbre Truly it liketh me wel that from the degrée of Captains men be aduaūced to be Emperors but I thinke it not good that Emperours do descend to be Captains considering that the realme shal neuer be in quiet whē the Prince is to great a warrior This haue I spokē Fathers cōscript to the intēt ye may beleue that I for my part if these warres of Almayne were to begin I beyng at Rome it were impossible that I should be brought vnto the same for that my principall intent is to be estemed rather a good gouerner of a common wealth than a foreward Captain in the field Now then principally I commend vnto you the veneration of the Temples and honor of the Gods bicause Kings neuer liue in suretie if the Gods be not honored and the Temples serued The last words which my good Lorde Nerua wrote vnto mée were these Honour the Temples feare the Gods maynteine Iustice in thy Common wealth and defende the poore in so doing thou shalte not bee for gotten of thy friende nor vanquished by thy ennimies I do greatly recommende vnto you the vertues of 〈◊〉 and Fraternitie for that you know that in great cōmon wealthes greater hurt and damage do ciuile and neighborly warres bring vnto the same than those attempted by the enimies If parents against parentes and neighbours againste neighbours had not begon their mutuall hatred contencion neuer had Demetrius ouerthrowen the Rhodes neuer had Alexander conquered Thyr Marcellus Syracusa Scipio Nuimantia I recōmende vnto you also the poore people loue the Orphanes and fatherlesse children support and help the widowes beware of quarels and debates amongs you and the causes of the helplesse fée that ye maintaine and defende bicause the gods did neuer wreake more 〈◊〉 vengeance vpon any than vpon those which did ill intreat and vse the poore and nedie And many times I haue heard my lorde Nerua say that the Gods neuer shewed them selues so rigorous as against a mercilesse and vnpitiful people Semblably we pray you to be modest of wordes pacient to suffer ware in your forme of life For a great fault it is and no lesse shame to a gouerner that he praise the people of his cōmon wealthe and gyue them occasion to speake euill of him And therfore they which haue charge of the cōmon welth ought rather to repose trust in their workes than in their words for so much as the citizens or cōmon people do rather fire their iudgement vpon that which they sée than on that which they heare I woulde wishe that touchyng the affaires appertinent to the Senate they might not know in you any sparke of ambicion malice deceipt or enuie to the intent that the iust men might not so much complaine of the commaunding of the common wealth as vpon the entertainement and profite of the same The Empire of the Grekes and that of the Romanes were euer contrary as well in armes and lawes
black coale or rather their memorie raked vp in the dust and cindres of the corpses vnpure But as all histories be full of lessons of vertue and vice as bokes sacred prophane describe the liues of good and bad for example sake 〈◊〉 yelde meanes to the posteritie to ensue the one 〈◊〉 the other so haue I thought to intermingle amongest these Nouels the seuerall sortes of either that eche sexe and kinde may pike out like the Bée of eche floure honie to store furnishe with delightes their well disposed minde I purpose then to vnlace the dissolute liues of thrée amorouse dames that with their graces 〈◊〉 the greatest princes that euer were enticed the noble men and sometimes procured the wisest and best learned to craue their acquaintance as by the sequele hereof shall well appere These thrée famous women as writers doe witnesse were furnished with many goodly graces and giftes of nature that is to say great beautie offace goodly proporcion of bodie large and high forheads their brestes placed in comly order small wasted fayre hands of passing cunning to play vpon Instruments a heauenlie voice to faine and sing 〈◊〉 their qualities and beautie were more famous than euer any the were borne within the coūtries of Asia and Europa They were neuer beloued of Prince which did forsake them nor yet they made request of any thing which was denied them They neuer mocked or flouted man a thing rare in women of their cōdition ne yet were mocked of any But their speciall propreties were to allure men to loue thē Lamia with hir pleasant looke and eye Flora with hir eloquent tongue and Lais with the grace swetenesse of hir singing voyce A straunge thing that he wich once was 〈◊〉 with the loue of any of those thrée eyther too late or neuer was deliuered of the same They were the richest Courtizans that euer liued in the worlde so long as their life did last after their decease great monumentes were erected for their remembraunce in place where they dyed The most auncient of these thrée amorous dames was Lamia who was in the tyme of king Antigonus that warfared in the seruice of Alexander the great a valiant gentleman although not fauored by Fortune This king Antigonus lefte behinde hym a sonne and heire called Deinetrius who was lesse valiant but more fortunate than his father and had bene a 〈◊〉 of greate estimation if in his youth 〈◊〉 had acquired frendes and kept the same and in his age had not bene giuen to so many vices This king Demetrius was in loue with Lamia and presented hir with riche giftes and rewardes and loued hir to affectionatly and in such sort as in the loue of his Lamia he semed rather a 〈◊〉 than a true louer for forgetting the grauitie and authoritie of his person he did not onelie gyue hir all such things as she demaunded but bysides that he vsed no more the companie of his wife Euxonia On a time king Demetrius asking Lamia what was the thing wherewith a woman was sonest wonne Ther is nothing answered she which sooner ouer commeth a woman than whē she séeth a man to loue hir with all his hart to susteine for hir sake great paines and passions with long continuance and entier affection for to loue men by collusion causeth afterwards that they be mocked againe Demetrius asked hir further tell me Lamia why doe diuerse women rather hate than loue men whervnto shée answered The greatest cause why a woman doth hate a man is when the man dothe vaunte boaste himselfe of that which he doth not and performeth not the thing which he promiseth Demetrius demaunded of hir Tell me Lamia what is the thing wherwith men doe content you best when we see him sayde she to be discrete in wordes secrete in his dedes Demetrius asked hir further Tell me Lamia how chanceth it the men be ill matched bicause answered Lamia It is impossible that they be well maried when the wife is in néede the husband vndiscrete Demetrius asked hir what was the cause that amity betwene two louers was 〈◊〉 Ther is nothing answered she that soner maketh colde the loue betwene two louers than when one of them doth straye in loue and the woman louer to importunate to craue He demaunded further Tell me Lamia what is the thing that most 〈◊〉 the louing man Not to attaine the thing which he desireth answered she and thinketh to lose the thing which he hopeth to enioy Demetrius yet once againe asked hir this question What is that Lamia which most troubleth a womans hart Ther is nothing answered Lamia wherwith a woman is more grieued and maketh hir more sad than to be called yll fauored or that she hath no good grace or to vnderstand that she is dissolute of life This ladie Lamia was of iudgement delicate and subtill although yll ymployed in hir therby made all the world in loue with hir and drew all men to hir through hir faire spéech Now before she lost the heart of king Demetrius she haunted of long time the Uniuersities of Athenes where she gained great store of money and brought to destruction many yong men Plutarch in the life of Demetrius saith that the Athenians hauing presented vnto him 〈◊〉 C. talents of money for a subsidie to pay his men of warre he gaue all that 〈◊〉 to his woman Lamia By meanes wherof the Athenians grudged were offended with the king not for the losse of their gift but for that it was so euill employed When the king Demetrius would assure any thing by oth he swore not by his Gods ne yet by his predecessors but in this sort As I may be still in the grace of my lady Lamia and as hir life mine may ende together so true is this which I say doe in this this sort One yere two monethes before the death of king Demetrius his frend Lamia died who sorowed so much hir death as for the absence death of hir he caused the Philosophers of Athenes to entre disputation Whether the teares and sorow which he shed and and toke were more to be estemed than the riches which he spent in hir obsequies funerall pompes This amorous gentlewoman Lamia was borne in Argos a citie of Peloponnesus by 〈◊〉 nes of base parentage who in hir first yeres haunted the countrie of Asia maior of very wild dissolute life in the end came into Phaenicia And when that king Demetrius had caused hir to be buried before a wyndow ioyning to his house his chiefest frendes asked him wherfore he had entombed hir in that place His answere was this I loued hir so well she likewise me so hartily as I knowe not which way to satisfie that loue which she bare me the duetie I haue to loue hir againe if not to put hir in such place as myne eyes may wepe euery daye mine hart still lament Truely
Odenatus Emperour and lords of all the Orient during which time hée recouered all the landes and prouinces lost by Galienus and paide the Romane army all the arrerages of their wages due vnto them But Fortune full of inconstancie suffred not this good Prince very long to raigne For hauing in hys house a kinsman of his named Meonius to whom he bare great good will for that he sawe him to be a valiant man of warre although ignorant of his enuie and couetousnesse it chaunced vpon a daye as they two rode on hunting galloping after the pursute of a wilde Bore with the verie same bore speare which Meonius caried to strike the beast hée killed by treason his good cousin Odenatus But that murdre was not long time 〈◊〉 For the borespeare wherwith he had so cruelly killed the Emperor his cousin was incoÌ„tinently knowne by the hunters which folowed Odenatus whervpon that daye the heade of Meonius was striken off And Galienus vnderstanding the death of Odenatus gaue great rewardes presents to them that brought him the newes being so ioyfull as the Romans were angrie to vnderstand those pitifull tydings bycause through the good 〈◊〉 which Odenatus vsed in Asia they had great traÌ„quillitle peace thorowout Europa Now after the death of this good Emperour Odenatus the Armies chose one of his two sonnes to be Emperour of the Orient But for that hée was yong they chose Zenobia to bée Protector of hir sonne and gouerner ouer the said Orient Empire Who séeing that vpon the decease of Odenatus certain of the East Cuntries began to reuolt she determined to open hir Treasure reassemble hir men of warre and in hir owne person to march into the fielde where she did such notable enterprises as shée appalled hir enimies and made the whole worlde to wonder About the age of xxxv yeares Zenobia was widow being the Tutrix of hir children Regent of an Empire and Captain general of the armie In which weighty charge she vsed hir selfe so wiselie and well as she acquired no lesse noble name in Asia than Quéene Semiramis did in India Zenobia was constant in that which she toke in hande true in wordes liberall myide seuere where she ought to be discrete graue and secrete in hir enterprises albeit she was ambicious For not content with hir title of Gouernesse or Regent she wrote and caused hir selfe to bée called Empresse she loued not to ride vpon a Mule or in a littor but greatlie estemed to haue greate horse in hir stable and to learne to handle and ryde them When Zenobia went forth of hir Tent to sée the order and gouernement of hir Campe she continually did put on hir Armure and was well guarded with a bande of men so that of a woman she cared but onely for the name and in the facts of Armes she craued the title of valiant The Captains of hir Armie neuer gaue battell or made assault they neuer skyrmished or did other enterprise of warre but she was present in hir owne person and attempted to shewe hir selfe more hardie than any of all the troupe a thing almost incredible in that weake and feble kynde The sayde noble Quéene was of stature bigge and well proporcioned hir eyes black and quicke hir forehedde large hir stomake and breastes fayre vpright hir face white and ruddy a litle mouth hir téeth so white as they semed like a rancke of white pearles but aboue all things she was of such excellent spirit and corage as she was feared for hir stoutnesse beloued for hir beautie And although Zenobia was indued with so great beautie liberalitie riches puissance yet she was neuer stayned with the blemishe of vnchaste life or with other banitie and as hir husband Odenatus was wont to say that after she felt hir selfe with childe she neuer suffred him to come nere hir such was hir great chastitie saying that women ought to marie rather for children than for pleasure She was also excellently well learned in the Greeke and Latine tong She did neuer eate but one meale a day Hir talke was verie litle and rare The meate which she vsed for hir repaste was eyther that hanch of a wilde Bore or else the syde of a déere She could drinke no wine nor abyde the scent thereof But she was so curious in good and perfect waters as she would gyue so great a price for that as is ordinarilie gyuen for wyne bée it neuer so excellent So sone as the Kings of Egipte of Persia and the Greekes were aduertized of the death of Odenatus they sent their Ambassadours to Zenobia as well to visite and comforte hir as to bée hir confederats and frendes So much was she feared and 〈◊〉 for rare vertues sake The affaires of Zenobia being in such estate in Asia the Emperour Galienus died in Lombardie and the Romanes chose Aurelianus to bée Emperour who although hée was of base obscure lineage yet hée was of greate valiance in factes of armes When Aurelianus was chosen 〈◊〉 he made great preparacion into Asia to 〈◊〉 warres vpon Quéene Zenobia and in all his tyme hée neuer attempted greater enterprise for the Romanes When hée was arriued in Asia the Emperour proceded against the Quéene and she as valiantlie defended hir selfe continually being betwene them greate alarms and skirmishes But as Zenobia and hir people were of lesse trauell and of better skyll in knowledge of the CuÌ„trie so they did greater harme more anoiaÌ„ce vnto their enimie and therof receiued lesser damage The Emperour seing that hée should haue much adoe to vanquishe Zenobia by armes determined to ouercome hir by gentle wordes and faire promisses for which cause he wrote vnto hir a letter the tenor wherof ensueth Aurelianus Emperour of Rome lord of al Asia to thée the right honorable Zenobia seÌ„deth greting Although to such rebellious women as thou art it shold séeme uncomely and not decent to make request yet if thou wilt séeke ayde of my mercie and rendre thy selfe vnder mine obedience bée assured that I will doe thée honor gyue pardone to thy people The golde siluer and all other riches within thy Pallace I am content thou shalt enioye together with the kingdome of Palmyres which thou maiest kepe during thy life leaue after thy death to whom thou shalt think good vpon condition notwithstanding that thou abandone all thine other Realmes and Cuntries which thou haste in Asia and acknowledge Rome to bée thy superior Of thy vassals and subiects of Palmyres we demaund none other obedience but to bée confederats and frendes so that thou breake vp thy Campe wherwith thou makest warre in Asia disobeyest the citie of Rome we wil suffer thée to haue a certain number of men of warre so wel for the tuiâ—ion of thy person as for the defense of thy kyngdome And thy two children which thou haddest by thy husband Odenatus He whom thou louest best shal remaine with thée in Asia and the
was authour of the enterprise or partaker of a treason so wicked Then the king incontinently caused the foure Gentlemen of his chamber 〈◊〉 be rewarded according to the worthinesse of their offense and wer put to death and Acharisto to be repriued in sharpe and cruell prison vntill with tormentes he should be forced to confesse that which he knew to be most certain and true by the euidēce of those that were done to death Euphimia for the imprisonment of Acharisto conceiued incredible sorrow and vneths coulde bée persuaded that he woulde imagine much lesse conspire that 〈◊〉 fact as well for the loue which Acharisto séemed to beare vnto hir as for the greate good will wherewith he was assured that shée bare vnto him and therfore the death of the 〈◊〉 to be no lesse griefe vnto him than the same would be to 〈◊〉 self the king being hir naturall and louyng father Acharisto thoughte on the other side that if he might speake with Euphimia a way woulde be founde eyther for his escape or else for his deliuerie Wherupon Acharisto being in this deliberation founde meanes to talke with the Iailors wife intreated hir to shewe him so much fauor as to procure Euphimia to come vnto him She accordingly broughte to passe that the yong gentlewoman in secret wise came to speake with this traiterous varlet who so sone as he sawe hir sheding from his eyes store of teares pitifully complaining sayde vnto hir I knowe Euphimia that the King your father doth not inclose me in this cruell prisō ne yet afflicteth me with these miserable tormēts for any suspicion hée conceiueth of me for any intended facte but onely for the loue which I beare you and for the like for which I rendre humble thankes that you do beare to me bicause that I am werie of this wretched state knowe that nothing else can 〈◊〉 me from this painful life but onely death I am determined wyth mine owne propre hands to cut the thréede of lyfe wherwith the destinies hitherto haue prolonged the same that this my brething ghost which breatheth forth 〈◊〉 dolefull plaintes maie flée into the Skies to rest it selfe amonges the restfull spirites aboue or wandre into 〈◊〉 pleasant hellish fieldes amongs the shadowes of Creusa Aeneas wife or else with the ghost of complaining Dido But ere I did the same I made myne humble prayer to the maiestie diuine that hée would vouchsafe to shewe me somuch grace as before I dye I might fulfyl my 〈◊〉 eyes with sight of you whose ymage still appereth before those gréedie Gates and 〈◊〉 representeth vnto my myndefull heart Which great desired thing sith God aboue hath graūted I yelde him infinit 〈◊〉 and sith my desteny is such that such must bée the end of loue I doe reioyce that I must dye for your sake which only is the cause that the King your father so laboureth for my death I néede not to molest you with the false euidence giuen against me vp those malicious vilaines that bée alreadie dead which onely hath thus incensed the Kyngs wrath and heauie rage against me whereof I am so frée as woorthily they bée executed for thesame For if it were so then true it is and as lightly you might beleue the I neuer knewe the loue you beare me and you likewise did neuer know what loue I bare to you and therfore you maye thinke that so impossible is the one as I did euer meane thinke or ymagine any harme or perill to your fathers person To bée short I humbly doe besech you to beleue that so faithfully as man is able to loue a womā so haue I loued you that it may please you to bée so myndfull of me in this fading life as I shal be of you in that life to com And in saying so with face all bathed in teares he clyped hir about the myddle and fast imbracing hir said Thus taking my last farewell of you myne onely life and ioye I commende you to the gouernment of the supernall God my selfe to death to be disposed as pleaseth him Euphimia which before was not persuaded the Acharisto was guiltie of that deuised treason now gaue ful beliefe and credite to his wordes and weping with him for company comforted him so wel as she coulde and bidding him to bée of good chere she sayde that she would seke such meanes as for hir sake and loue he should not dye And that before long time did passe she would help him out of prison Acharisto although hée vttered by ruful voice that 〈◊〉 talke for remedie to ridde him selfe from prison yet he didde but 〈◊〉 all that he spake addyng further Alas Euphimia doe not incurre your fathers wrath to please my minde suffer me quietly to take that death which sinister Fortune and cruell fate hath prouided to abridge my daies Euphimia vanquished with inspeakable griefe and burning passion of loue saide Ah Acharisto the onely ioye and comfort of my lyfe doe not perce my heart with such displeasant wordes For what should I doe in this wretched worlde yf you for my sake shold suffre death wherfore put awaie the cruel thought and be content to saue your life that hereafter in ioye myrth you may spend that same Trusting that yf meanes maye be founde for your dispatche from hence we shall liue the rest of our prolonged life together in swete and happie daies For my father is not made of stone of flint nor yet was nourced of Hircan Tigre he is not so malicious but that in tyme to come hée may 〈◊〉 made to know the true discourse of thyne innocent life and hope thou shalt atteyne his fauour more than euer thou 〈◊〉 before the care wherof onely leaue to me and take no thought thy self for I make promise vpon mine assured faith to bring the same to passe Wherefore giue ouer thy conceiued griefe and bende thy selfe to liue so merie a life as euer gentleman did trained vp in court as thou hast bene I am content sayd Acharisto thus to doe the Gods forbid that I should declyne my heart and mynde from thy behest who of thy wonted grace dost seke continuance of my life but rather swete Euphimia than thou shouldest suffre any daunger to performe thy promise I make request for the common loue betwene vs both to leaue me in this present dangerous state Rather wold I lose my life than 〈◊〉 shouldest hazard the least heare of thy heade for my reliefe We shal be both safe ynough answered Euphimia for my deuise proceding from a womans heade hath alreadie drawen the plotte of thy deliuerance and wyth those wordes they both did ende their talke whose trickling teares did rather finishe the same than willing myndes and eyther of them gyuing a kysse vnto the Tower walle wherein Acharisto was faste shutte Euphimia departed turmoiled with a thousand amorous prickes and ceased not but first of all to corrupte and wynne the Iaylers wife whose husband
discharge of thy promise which peraduenture some other would not do moued thervnto for the feare I haue of the Necromancer who if he sée Maister Ansaldo to be offended bicause thou haste deluded him may doe vs some displeasure wherfore I will that thou go to maister Ansaldo and if thou canst by any meanes so vse thy selfe as thyne honour saued thou mayst discharge thy promise I shall commende thy witte but if there be no remedie otherwise for that onely time then lende forth thy body and not thy wil. The Gentlewoman hearing hir husband so wisely speake coulde doe nought else but wéepe and sayd that she would not agrée to his request Notwithstanding it pleased the husband for al the deniall which his wife did make that it shoulde be so by meanes wherof the next morning vpon the point of day the Gentlewoman in the homeliest attire she had with two of hir seruants before and hir maide behinde went to the lodging of maister Ansaldo who when he hearde tel that his louer was come to sée him maruelled much and rising vp called the Necromancer and sayde vnto him My wil is that thou sée how much thine arte hath preuailed and going vnto hir without any disordinate lust he saluted hir with reuerence and honestly receiued hir Then they entred into a faire chamber and sitting downe before a great fire he sayd vnto hir these words Madame I humbly beséeche you if the loue whiche I haue borne you of longtime and yet do beare deserue some recompence that it please you to tel me vnfainedly the cause whiche hath made you to come hither thus early and with such a companie The shamefast Gentle woman hir eyes full of teares made answere Sir the loue whiche I beare you nor any promised faith haue brought me hither but rather the onely cōmaundement of my husbande who hath greater respecte to the paine and trauaile of your disordinate loue than to his owne honour or my reputation who hath caused me to come hither and by his commaundement am readye for this once to satisfie youre pleasure If Mayster Ansaldo were abashed at the beginning he much more did maruell when he hearde the Gentlewoman thus to speake and moued with the liberalitie of hir husbande hée began to chaunge his heate into compassion and sayd Mistresse God defend if it be true that you doe say that I should soyle the honour of him whiche hath pitie vpon my loue and therfore you may tarrie here so long as it shall please you with such assurance of your honestie as if you were my naturall sister and frankly may depart when you be disposed vpon such condition that you render in my behalf those thanks vnto your husband which you shal think cōuenient for the great liberalitie which he hath imployed vpon me déeming my selfe henceforth somuch bound vnto him as if I were his brother or seruant The Gentlewoman hearing those words the best contented that euer was sayd vnto him Al the worlde coulde neuer make me beleue your great honestie considered that other thing coulde happen vnto me by my comming hither than that which presently I sée For which I recken my selfe perpetually bounde vnto you And taking hir leaue honorably returned in the aforsaid companie home to hir husband and tolde him what had chaunced which engendred perfect loue and amitie betwene him and maister Ansaldo The Necromancer to whome maister Ansaldo determined to gyue the price 〈◊〉 betwene them seyng the liberalitie which the husbande had vsed towardes maister Ansaldo and the like of master Ansaldo towards the Gentlewoman s ayd God defende that sith I haue séene the husbande liberall of his honour and you bountifull of your loue and curtesie but that I be likewise frāke in my reward For knowyng that it is well employed of you I purpose that you shall kéepe it still The Knighte was ashamed and woulde haue forced hym to take the whole or parte but in offering the same he lost his laboure And the Necromancer the thirde day after hauing vndone hys Garden and desirous to departe tooke his leaue Thus Ansaldo extinguishing the dishonest loue kindled in his hearte for inioying of his ladie vpon consideration of honest charitie and regarde of Curtesie repressed his wanton minde and absteined frō that which God graunte that others by like example may refraine Mithridanes and Nathan ¶ MITHRIDANES enuious of the liberalitie of NATHAN and going aboute to kill him spake vnto hym vnknowne and beyng infourmed by him selfe by what meanes he myght doe the same he founde hym in a little woodde accordingly as he had tolde him who knowyng him was ashamed and became his friende The. xviij Nouel STrange may séeme this folowing Historie and rare amonges those in whome the vertue of liberalitie euer florished Many we reade of that haue kepte Noble and bountiful houses entertainyng guestes bothe forreine and frée borne plētifully feasting them with varietie of chéere but to entertain a guest that aspireth the death of his host and to cherish him after he knew of it or liberally to offer his life seldome or neuer we reade or by experience knowe But what moued the 〈◊〉 to frowne at the state and life of Nathan Euen that 〈◊〉 pestilent passion Enuie the consumer and deadly monster of all humanitie who 〈◊〉 the like 〈◊〉 and port of his deuout hoste Nathan and séeking after equall glorie and same was thorough enuies force for not atteinyng to the like driuen to imagine how to kil a good innocent man For enuie commonly waiteth vpon the vertuous euen as the shadow doeth the bodie And as the Cantharides which similitude Plutarche vseth delight in ripe and prosperous wheate crawle in spreding roses so enuie chiefly them which in vertue richesse doe abound For had not Nathan bene famous for his goodnesse glorious for liberalitie Mithridanes would neuer haue prosecuted him by enuie nor gone about to berieue his life He that enuieth the vertuous and industrious person may bée compared to Dedalus whom the Poets faine to murder Telon his apprentice for deuisyng of the Potters whéele And Mithridanes disdainefull of Nathans hospitalitie would haue slayne him But howe liberall the good olde man was of his life and how ashamed Mithridanes was of his practise this example at large discourseth Uery true it is at lest wise it credite may be gyuen to the words of certaine Genoua merchantes and of others which haue trauailed that coūtrey that in Cataia there was sometimes a riche Gentleman without comparison named Nathan who hauyng a place or pallace ioyning vpon the high way by whiche the trauailers to and from the West and East were constrained to passe and hauing a noble and liberall heart desirous by experience to haue the same to be knowne and with what nature and qualitie it was affected be assembled diuers maister Masons Carpenters and in a short time erected there one of the stateliest palaces for greatnesse and riches that euer
was séene in that countrey which afterwards he caused to be furnished with all things necessarie honourably to entertaine eche Gentleman that passed that way and with a greate traine of seruauntes hée welcomed and accepted suche as iourneyed too and fro And in this commēdable custome he perseuered so long as bothe in the East and West parts report was bruted of his renoume and fame and being come to auncient yeres not for all that weary of his liberalitie it chaunced that his fame flewe to the eares of a yong Gentleman called Mithridanes who in a Countrie not farre of from his had his abode and resiance Mithridanes knowing himself to be so rich as Nathan enuious of his vertue and liberalitie purposed by some meanes or other to defame and obscure the same And hauing builded a Palace like to that which Nathan did possesse began to vse curtesies to those which passed too and fro in outragious and disordered sort in such wise as in little time be purchased great fame Now it chaunced vpon a day as Mithridanes was alone in the courte of his Palace a poore woman entring in at one of the gates of the same craued almes and had it and so successiuely euen to the twelfth and thirtenth time also she retourned againe which Mithridanes perceiuing said vnto hir Good wife you come hither very often And yet he denied not hir almes The old woman hearing those words said O how maruellous is the liberalitie of Nathan whose Palace hath 〈◊〉 entries by seuerall gates so greate as this and daily begging almes there neuer made 〈◊〉 as though he knew me and yet the same was neuer denied me and being come hither but 〈◊〉 times I haue bene perceiued and reproued and saying so she went hir way and neuer after came thither againe Mithridanes hearing these wordes to procéede from the olde woman fell into a great rage déeming the fame reported of Nathan to be a duninution of his owne said Ah wretch when shal I be able to attaine the liberalitie of Nathans greatest things And why then goe I about to excell him when in little matters I am not able to come neare him Uerily I labour all in vaine if I my self do not rid him out of this world sithe croked age is not disposed to dispatch him I must therfore do the same with mine own hands And in that fury making no mā priuy to his intent he rode forth with a small traine and in thrée daies arriued where Nathan dwelt and then cōmaunded his men in any wise not to be knowen that they came with him and likewise that they knewe him not but to prouide lodging for themselues vntill suche time as they had further newes from him Mithridanes then being arriued about euening all alone found Nathan walking vp and downe before his faire Palace without other companie then himself who in simple attire and garment went forth to méete him Of whome Mithridanes bicause he knew not Nathan demaunded 〈◊〉 he could tell him where Nathan dwelt Nathan pleasantly made him answere My sonne there is no man in these quarters that can better tell thée than I and therefore if thou please I will bring thée thither Mithridanes said that he should doe him a very great pleasure but he would not if it were possible be séene or knowen of Nathan And that can I very well doe said Nathan nowe that I know your minde Being then lighted of from his horse he went with Nathan who by and by interteined him with diuersitie of talke to his faire Palace And Nathan incontinently caused one of his seruaunts to take Mithridanes horse and saide vnto him in his eare that he should wyth all spéede giue order to his housholde that none should tell the yong man that he was Nathan which accordingly was done But after they were in the Palace Nathan brought Mithridanes into a verye faire chambre that none might sée him excepte suche as he hadde appoyncted to serue hym and causing great honour to be done vnto him he hymselfe kepte him companie As they two were together Mithridanes asked him to whom he vsed conuenable reuerence as to his father what he was whome 〈◊〉 answered I am one of Nathans poore scruants that 〈◊〉 the time of my youth haue bene brought vp with him and neuer aduaunced me to any thing but to that which you sée Wherefore although euery man greately praiseth him yet haue I no cause to commende hym These wordes gaue some hope to Mithridanes by better aduise and suretie to execute his wicked intente And Nathan asked him very 〈◊〉 what hée was and for what businesse he was come thither offering him helpe and counsel in that he was able to do Mithridanes then paused a while before he would make him answere and in the ende purposing to put his trust in him required with great circumstance of words his faith and after that his counsell and ayde Then hée wholly discouered what hée was wherfore he was come and the cause that moued hym Nathan hearyng those woordes and the mischeuous determination of Mithridanes was chaunged and troubled in mynde notwithstandyng without making any countenance of displesure answered him with bold countenance Mithridanes thy father was a Gentleman and of stoute stomacke from whome so farre as I sée thou wilt not degenerate by attempting so great an enterprise as thou hast done I intende to be liberall to eche man and praise greately the enuie whiche thou 〈◊〉 to the vertue of Nathan bycause if there were many suche the worlde whyche is nowe myserable would shortly become prosperous and happie and doe make thée promise that the intent thou goest about shal be kept secreate wherunto I can sooner giue counsell than any great helpe and mine aduise is this 〈◊〉 may sée from the place where 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be a litle 〈◊〉 about a 〈◊〉 of a mile hence whervnto Nathan in a maner walketh euery morning and tarieth there a long time there you may 〈◊〉 finde him and doe your pleasure And if you kill him you may goe to the intent without daunger you may returne home to your owne house not that way you came but by that you sée on the lefte hand leade out of the woodde which although it be not so common as the other yet is the nearest way home and safest for you to passe When Mithridanes was thus informed and that Nathan departed from him he caused worde secretely to be sent to his men which likewise lodged there in what place they shold waight for him the next day And when the day was come Nathan not altering from the coūsell be gaue to Mithridanes ne chaunging any parte of the same went all alone into a little woodde to receiue his death When Mithridanes was vp and taken his bowe and sweard for he had none other weapons he mounted vpon his horse and rode to the little woodde where a farre of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nathan cōming thitherward all alone and determining before he
that you will 〈◊〉 secretely to tary here with my mother vntill I returne from Modena which shall be with so great expedition as I can and the cause why I desire the same is for that I intend to make a faire and acceptable present of you vnto your husband in the presence of that principal of this Citie The gentlewoman knowing hirself to be greatly bound to the Knight and that hys request was honest disposed hir self to doe what he demaunded Albeit she desired earnestly to reioyce hir frendes 〈◊〉 hir recouered life and so promised vpon hir faith And vnnethes had she ended hir talke but she felt the payne of childbirth wherfore with the aide of the mother of master Gentil she taried not long before she was deliuered of a faire sonne which greatly augmēted the 〈◊〉 of master Gentil and hir Maister Gentil commaunded that she should haue all things that were necessary ministred vnto hir and that she should be vsed as though she wer his owne wife Then he 〈◊〉 returned to Modena where when he had a while supplied his office he returned to Bologna and prepared a great feast at his house the same morning that he arriued for diuers gentlemen of the citie amongs 〈◊〉 Nicholas Chasennemie was one When the cōpany of the 〈◊〉 guests 〈◊〉 the gentlewoman in so good helth liking as 〈◊〉 she was and hir childe wel and lusty he sate downe amongs thē doing vnto them incomparable mirthe and pastime and serued them bountifully wyth diuerse fortes of meates When dinner was almost done hauing before tolde the Gentlewoman what be ment to doe and in what manner she shoulde behaue hir selfe he began thus to saye My maisters I do remember that whilom I haue heard tell that in the Countrie of Persia there was a goodly custome as me séemeth that when some one was disposed to doe great honoure vnto his friend he bad hym home to his house and there shewed him the thyng which he loued best were it wyfe woman daughter or what so euer it were affirming that like as he disdained not to shewe the same which outwardly he loued best euen so he wold if it were possible willingly discouer his owne heart which custome I purpose to obserue in this citie Ye of your 〈◊〉 haue 〈◊〉 to doe me so greate honor as to repair vnto this my simple 〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉 I wil recompēce after the Persian maner by shewing vnto you the thing which I loue most déerely aboue any in this world or hereafter shal be able to loue so long as my life endureth but before I do the same I pray you to tell me your opinion in a doubt which I shall propose There was a certaine person which in hys house had a good faithful seruaunt who became extremely sick that person without attending the end of his diseased seruāt caused him to be caried into the midst of the 〈◊〉 without any further care for him In the meane time there 〈◊〉 a straunger by who moued by compassion of the sicke seruaunt bare him home to his owne house where with great care and diligence sparing no cost or charge made him 〈◊〉 recouer his former helth I wold now fain know of you whither for 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 the seruice of that seruaunt his first maister by good 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cōplaine vpon the second 〈◊〉 he should demannd him again or by demaunding of him againe the second not disposed to restore him might 〈◊〉 any damage The gentlemen after many opinions and arguments debated too 〈◊〉 amongs them and at lengthe all concluding in one mind gaue charge 〈◊〉 Nicholas Chasennemie bicause he was an eloquent talker to make the answer who first 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 custome sayde that he was with the rest of this opinion that the first maister had no further title in hys seruaunt hauing in such necessitie not only forsaken him but throwen him into the 〈◊〉 and that for the good turnes which the secōd master had done him he oughte by good right to be his wherefore by keping him he did no wrong 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 to the first All the rest at the Table whith were right honest persones sayde all togither that they were of his opinion The Knight content with that answer and specially bicause Nicholas Chasonnemie had pronoūted it affirmed that he was likewise of that minde and afterwardes he sayd Time it is then that I render vnto you the honor which you haue done me in manner accordinglye as I haue promised Then he called vnto him two of his seruauntes and sent them to the Gentlewoman whome he had caused to be apparelled and 〈◊〉 very gorgeously praying hir by hir presence to content and satisfie all the companie And she takyng in hir armes hir little faire sonne came into the hall accompanied wyth the two seruauntes and was placed as it pleased the Knight bisides a very honest Gentleman and then he sayde 〈◊〉 beholde the thing whyth I loue best and purpose to loue aboud all worldly things whither I haue occasion so to doe your eyes may be iudges The 〈◊〉 doing 〈◊〉 reuerence vnto hir greatly praised hir said to the Knight that there was good reason why she ought to be beloued Upon which commendations they began more attentiuely to beholde hir and many of them would haue sayd and sworne that it had bene she in déede if it had not bene thought that she had bene dead But Nicholas behelde hir more than the rest who very desirous to know what she was could not forbeare when he saw that the Knight was a little departed from the place to aske hir whyther she was of Bologna or a straunger When the gentlewoman sawe hir husband to aske hir that question she coulde scarce forbeare frō making answere notwithstanding to atchieue that which was purposed she helde hir peace Another asked hir if that little Boy was hirs and another if she were the wife of master Gentil or any kin vnto him vnto whome she gaue no answer at all But when master Gentil came in one of the straungers sayd vnto him Syr this gentle womā is a very goodly creature but she séemeth to be 〈◊〉 Is it true or not Sirs sayd maister Gentil that is but a litle argument of hir vertue for this time to hold hir peace Tel vs then sayd he what is she That will I doe very gladly sayd the Knight vnder condition that none of you shall remoue out of his place for any thing I speake vntill I haue ended my tale which request being graunted and the table taken vp maister Gentil which was set downe by the gentlewoman said My maisters this gentlewoman is the loyall and faithfull seruant of whome 〈◊〉 I propounded the question whome I haue relieued from amids the strete whither hir kin litle caring for hir threw hir as a vile and vnprofitable thing haue by my greate care brought to passe that I haue discharged hir from death vpon an affection which God knoweth
shall not make me beleue at this tyme that ye be marchantes and so I bid you farewell Saladine hauing taken his leaue of all them that were in companie with maister Thorello aunswered him Syr it may come to passe that we may let you sée our marchandise the better to confirme your belefe And fare you also heartily well Saladine then and his companions being departed assuredly determined if he liued and that the warres he looked for did not let him to doe no lesse honor to master Thorello then he had done to him fell into great talke with his companions of him of his wife of his things actes and déedes greatly praising all his entertainment But after he had serched by great trauaile all the West parts imbarking him self and his company he returned to Alexandria and throughly informed of his enimies indeuors prepared for his defence Master Thorello returned to Pauie and mused a long time what these thrée were but he neuer drew nere ne yet arriued to 〈◊〉 truth When the time of the appointed passage made by the Christians was come and that great preparation generally was made master Thorello notwithstanding the 〈◊〉 and prayers of his wife was fully bent to goe thither and hauing set all things in order for that voyage and ready to get on horsbacke he sayd vnto hir whome he perfectlye loued Swéete wife I am going as thou séest this iourney aswell for mine honoure sake as for health of my soule I recommende vnto you our goodes and honoure And bicause I am not so certaine of returne for a thousand accidents that may chaunce as I am sure to goe I pray thée to do me this pleasure that what so euer chaunceth of me if thou haue no certaine newes of my life that yet thou tarie one yeare one moneth and one day before thou marry againe the same terme to begin at the daye of my departure The Gentlewoman which bitterly wept answered I know not deare husbād how I shal be able to beare the sorow wherein you leaue me if you goe away But if my life be more strong and sharpe than sorow it self and whether you liue or die or what so euer come of you I will liue and die the wife of master Thorello and the onely spouse of his remembrance Whereunto master Thorello sayd Swéete wife I am more than assured that touching your selfe it will proue as you doe promise But you be a yong woman faire and well allied and your vertue is great and wel knowne throughout the Countrey by reason wherof I doubt not but that many great personages Gentlemen if any suspition be conceiued of my death wyll make requestes to your brethren and kinred from whose pursute although you be not disposed you can not defend your selfe and it behoueth that of force you please their will which is the onely reason that moueth me to demaund that terme and no longer time The Gentlewoman sayd I will doe what I can for fulfilling of my promise And albeit in end that I shal be constrained to doe otherwise be assured that I will obey you in the charge which now you haue giuen me I humbly thanke almightye God for that he neuer brought vs into these termes before this tyme. Their talke ended the Gentlewoman wéeping embraced master Thorello and drawing a ring from hir finger she gaue it him saying If it chaunce that I die before I sée you remember me when you shall beholde the same He receiuing the ring got vp vpon his horsse and taking his leaue went on his voyage and arriued at Geuoua he shipped him selfe in a Galley and toke his way whereunto winde and weather so fauoured as within fewe dayes he landed at Acres and ioyned with the armye of the Christians wherein began a great mortalitie and Plague during which infection what so euer was the cause eyther by the industrie or fortune of Saladine the rest of the Christians that escaped were almost taken and surprised by hym without any fighte or blowe stricken All which were imprysoned in many Cities and deuided into diuers places amongs which prisoners master Thorello was one who was caried prisoner to Alexandria where being not knowne and fearing to be knowne forced of necessitie gaue himselfe to the kéeping of Hawkes a qualitie wherein he had very good skill whereby in the end he grewe to the acquaintance of the Souldan who for that occasion not knowing him that time tooke him out of prison and retained him for his Fawconer Master Thorello which was called of the Souldan by none other name than Christian whome he neyther knewe ne yet the Souldan hym had none other thing in his minde and remembraunce but Pauie and manye times assayed to escape and run away But he neuer came to the point Wherfore diuers Ambassadoures from Genoua being come to Saladine to raunsome certaine of their prisoners and being ready to returne he thought to wryte vnto his wife to let hir know that he was aliue and that he would come home so soone as he coulde praying hir to tarie his retourne Which was the effect of his letter very earnestly desiring one of the ambassadoures of his acquaintance to doe so much for him as safely to deliuer those letters to that hands of the Abbot of S. Pietro in ciel Doro which was his vncle And master Thorello standing vpon these termes it chaunced vpon a day as Saladine was talking with him of his Hawkes master Thorello began to smile and to make a 〈◊〉 with his mouth which Saladine being at his house at Pauie did very wel note by which act Saladine began to remember master Thorello and earnestly to viewe him and thought that it was he in déede Wherefore leauing his former talke he sayd Tell me Christian of what countrey art thou in the West parts Spy sayd master Thorello I am a Lombarde of a Citie called Pauie a poore man and of meane estate So soone as Saladine heard that as assured wherof he doubted said to him selfe God hath giuen me a time to let thys man know how thankfully I accepted his curtesie that he vsed towardes me and without any more woords hauing caused all his apparell in a chamber to be set in order he brought him into the same sayd behold Christian if amongs al these roabes there be any one which thou hast séene before Master Thorello began to looke vpon them and saw those which his wyfe had giuen to Saladine but he could not beleue that it was possible that they should be the same notwithstanding he answered Sir I know them not albeit my minde giueth me that these twaine do resemble the roabes which sometimes I ware caused them to be giuen to thrée marchaunt men that were lodged at my house Then Saladine not able to forbeare any longer tēderly imbraced him saying you be master Thorello de Istria and I am one of the thrée marchantes to whome your wife gaue those roabes and nowe
day the Souldan purposing to send him the nyght following he caused to be made redy in a great hall a very fair and rich bed all quilted according to their manner with veluet and clothe of gold and caused to be laide ouer the same a Couerlet wrought ouer with borders of very great pearles rich precious stones which euer afterwardes was déemed to be an infinite treasure and two pillowes sutelike vnto that bed that done he commaunded that they should inuest master Thorello who nowe was 〈◊〉 with a Sarazineroabe the richest and fairest thing that euer any man saw vpon his head one of his longest bands wreathen according to their māner being alredy late in the Euening he and diuers of his Barons went into the chamber wher master Thorello was and being set downe bisides hym in wéeping wise he began to say Master Thorello the time of our separation doth now approche and bicause that I am not able to accompany you ne cause you to be waited vpon for the qualitie of the way which you haue to passe I must take my leaue here in this chāber for which purpose I am come hither Wherefore before I bid you farewel I pray you for the loue and friendship that is betwene vs that you do remēber me if it be possible before our dayes do end after you haue giuen order to your affaires in Lombardie to come againe to sée me before I die to the end that I being reioyced with your second visitation may be satisfied of the pleasure which I loose this day for your vntimely hast trusting that it shall come to passe I pray you let it not be tedious vnto you to visite me with your letters and to require me in things wherein it may like you to commaunde which assuredly I shall accomplishe more frankly for you than for any other liuing man Master Thorello was not able to retaine his teares wherefore to staye the same he answered him in fewe woordes that it was impossible that euer he should forget his benefites and his worthy friendship extended vpon him and that without default he wold accomplish what he had commaūded if God did lend him life and leysure Then Saladine louingly imbracing kissing him pouring forth many teares bad him farewell and so went out of the chamber And all the other Noble men afterwards tooke their leaue likewise of him departed with Saladine into the hall where he had prepared the bed but being already late and the Necromancer attending and hasting his dispatch a Phisitian brought him a drinke made him beleue that it would fortifie strengthen him in his iorney causing him to drinke the same which being done within a while after he fell a sléepe and so sléeping was borne by the commaundement of Saladine and layde vpon the faire bed whereupon he placed a rich and goodly crowne of passing price and valor vpō the which he had ingrauen so plaine an inscription as afterwards it was knowne that the same was sent by Saladine to the wife of master Thorello After that he put a King vpon his finger whych was beset with a Diamonde so shining as it séemed like a flaming torche the value whereof was hard to be estéemed Then he caused to be girte about him a sworde the furniture and garnishing whereof coulde not easily he valued and bisides all this he hong vpon his 〈◊〉 a Tablet or Brooche beset wyth stones and Pearles that the like was neuer séene And afterwards he placed on either of hys sides two excéeding great Golden basens full of double Ducates and many Cordes of Pearles and rings girdles and other things to tedious to reherse wherewith he bedecked the place about him Which done 〈◊〉 kissed him againe and wylled the Necromancer to make hast Wherefore incontinently master Thorello and the bed in the presence of Saladine was caried out of sight and Saladine taried still deuising and talking of him amongs his Barons Master Thorello being now laide in S. Peters Church at Pauie according to his request with all his Jewels and habillimēts aforesaid about him yet fast a slepe the Sexten to ring to Mattens entred the Churche with light in his hand and chauncing sodenly to espie the rich bed did not only maruell thereat but also ran away in great feare And when the Abbot and the Monkes saw that he made suche hast away they were abashed and asked the cause why he ran so fast The Sexten tolde them the matter Why how now sayd the Abbot Thou art not suche a Babe ne yet so newly come vnto the Churche as thou oughtest so lightly to be afraide But let vs goe and sée what bugge hath so terribly frayed thée And then they lighted many Torches And when the Abbot and his Monkes were entred the Church they sawe that wonderfull rich bed and the Gentleman sléeping vpon the same And as they were in this doubt and feare beholding the goodly Jewels and durst not goe néere the bed it chaunced that master Thorello awaked 〈◊〉 a great sighe The Monkes so soone as they saw that and the Abbot with them ran all away crying out God help vs our Lord haue mercy vpon vs. Master Thorello opened his eyes and plainely knew by looking round about him that he was in the place where he demaunded to be of Saladine whereof he was very gladde and rising vp and viewing particularlye what he had about him albeit he knew before the magnificence of Saladine now he thought it greater and better vnderstoode the same than before But séeing the Monkes run away and knowing the cause wherefore he begā to call the Abbot by his name and intreate him not to be afraide For he was master Thorello his Neuewe The Abbot hearing that was dryuen into a greater feare bicause hée was accompted to be deade dyuerse moneths before but afterwards by diuerse arguments assured that he was master Thorello and so often called by hys name making a signe of the Crosse he went vnto him To whome master Thorello sayd Whereof be you afraide good father I am aliue I thanke God and from beyond the Sea returned hither The Abbot although he had a great bearde and apparelled after the guise of Arabie crossed him selfe againe and was well assured that it was he Then he tooke hym by the hand and sayd vnto him as foloweth My sonne thou art welcome home and maruell not that we were afraid for there is none in all this Citie but doth certainly beleue that thou art dead In so much as madame Adalietta thy wife vāquished with the prayers and threates of hir friendes and kin against hir will is betrouthed againe and this day the espousals shall be done For the mariage and all the preparation necessary for the feast is ready Master Thorello rising out of the rich bed and reioysing with the Abbot all his Monks prayed euery of them not to speake one word of his comming home vntill he had done
was the best contented man of the world and durst not hope for greater recompence continuing his woonted life féeding him self still with that beloued sight in suche wise as many gentlemen enuied the fauor borne vnto him by the 〈◊〉 who for none other cause did vse that curtesy but for that she saw him to be a vertuous yong man and wel lerned continually estéemyng those that eyther wyth learnyng or other gyftes of the mynde were indewed and when occasion chaunced shée vouchesafed to bestowe vpon them courteous intertainement and liberall rewardes It fortuned about that time that the Emperor Maximilian died Charles his nephew which was the Emperor Charles the fifthe then being in Spayne by reason of whose death the Lorde Andrea Borgo purposed to 〈◊〉 one of his Gentlemen to kyng Charles for the confirmation of that liuing he enioyed giuen vnto him for his lōg and faithfull seruice by the sayd Maximilian Amongs all he chose this master Philippo for his wisedome and experience in such affaires Whiche done he went to the 〈◊〉 and gaue them to vnderstand that shortely hée would send his Secretarie iuto Spayne and told them the cause humbly praying them both that they would write their fauourable letters in his behalf The 〈◊〉 knowing what paine and trauell he had sustained in the seruice of Maximilian and what daungers hée had passed were very willyng thervnto Now 〈◊〉 Anne 〈◊〉 that she had conuenient time to recompence master Philippo for his long loue born vnto hir And bicause she was the most curteous Lady of the world and ther withall most bountifull and liberall and not only with comely talke and other gesture but also in effecte willing 〈◊〉 do them good whome she honoured in minde concluded what to do requiring the Lorde Andrea to sende his Secretarie vnto hir when he was readie to depart for that besides Letters she would by mouth cōmit certain businesse for hir to do in the Court of Spayne When the Lord Andrea was gone 〈◊〉 Anne began to deuise wyth the other 〈◊〉 what she might do for master Philippo who prayed 〈◊〉 Anne after she had commended him in letters to suffer hir to make the ende and conclusion of the same Wher vpon both the Quéenes wrote many letters into Spayne to king Charles and to the Lord Chācellour and other noble men whome they thought to bée apt and mete ministers to bring the effect of their letters to passe When the Lorde Andrea had put all things in ordre for that dispatch he sayd to master Philippo which was nowe furnished with all things necessarie and appertinent for that long voyage Philippo remembre this day that you go to 〈◊〉 Anne and tell hir that I willed you to come vnto hir to know if she would cōmaund you any seruice to the Catholike Kyng where you shall humbly offer your selfe in what it pleaseth hir to commaunde you shall also tell hir what thyngs I haue gyuen vnto you in charge by speciall commission Neuer coulde more pleasant talke sounde into the eares of Master Philippo than this who for that he should bothe sée and speake vnto his Ladie before his departure and for that she would 〈◊〉 vnto him the doing of hir affaires in Spayne was the gladdest and best contented man of the world The houre come when he thought good to repaire to the 〈◊〉 he went vnto hir gaue hir to vnderstād by one of the priuie Chamber that hée was attendant there to know hir pleasure The 〈◊〉 certified of his readinesse to depart by and by toke order that he should come into hir chābre who entring the same with tremblyng heart after he had done his humble reuerēce with great feare and bashfulnesse sayd Pleaseth your Maiestie that my lorde Borgo being about to addresse me his Secretarie into Spayne to the Catholike King there hath commaunded me to waite vpon your highnesse to know your pleasure for certain affaires to be done for your maiestie Wherfore may it please the same to employe mée youre humble seruaunt I shall thinke my selfe the happiest man of the worlde A thyng so blessed and ioyfull vnto me as no benefite or commoditie can render vnto mée greater felicitie Then he disclosed vnto hir the rest of his message which was cōmitted vnto him by his lord and master The 〈◊〉 beholding him with mery countenance gently sayd vnto him And we for the trust we haue in you to do our message other affaires in Spayne haue required you to come hither And bicause we know you to be a Gentleman and assured that you will gladly do your endeuour in any thing that may do vs pleasure haue chosen you aboue any other Our will and cōmandement is that fyrst you deliuer these letters conteining matters of great importance to the handes of the 〈◊〉 King and that you do our humble commendations to his maiestie Then all the rest accordingly as they be directed which principally aboue other things we praye you to dispatch vpon your arriuall And if we be able to do you any pleasure eyther for your 〈◊〉 or for other commoditie spare not to write vnto vs poure mynde and we do assure you the same shal be effectually accomplished to the 〈◊〉 of our indeuour which we do of our owne motion frankly offre vnto you in cōsideration of the 〈◊〉 worthinesse and 〈◊〉 behauiour always knowen to be in you Master Philippo hering these wordes was replenished with such ioy as he thought himself rapt into the heauens and his heart felt such pleasure as it séemed to flete in some depe sea of delites and after the best maner he coulde thanked hir for hir curtesie and albeit be sayd that he knew hym selfe vnworthie of that fauour yet he dedicated the same to hir commaundement surrendring himself as a slaue and faithfull seruant to hir maiestie Then vpon his knées to his great contentation he kissed hir hāds which of hir self she offred vnto him thē reuerētly he toke his leaue When he was gone out of the chamber he met with the 〈◊〉 coserer that 〈◊〉 for him who taking him aside did put into his hand a purse with 500. crownes the master of the horsse presented vnto him a very goodly and beautifull horsse wherwith master Philippo was so well pleased as he was like to 〈◊〉 out of his skin for ioy Then he toke his iorney arriued at the Courte in Spayne where at 〈◊〉 he deliuered his Letters to King Charles and accomplished other businesse and message prescribed vnto him by 〈◊〉 Anne And when he had dispatched the 〈◊〉 other letters he attended the businesse of his Lorde Andrea Borgo The King perused the contentes of the letters sent vnto him by his sister and kynswoman so did the Lord Chauncelour which at that time was the lord Mercurino Gattinara and other to whom the 〈◊〉 had written whereby the Kyng was solicited to stand good Lord to the Lord Andrea Borgo 〈◊〉 likewise exhorted to be beneficial to
master Philippo whō for his good condiciōs experience they had sent vnto him in that ambassage Upon a day the king moued by the lord chācelor caused master Philippo to com before him to whō 〈◊〉 before his maiesty the king said these wordes The testimonie report so honorably made of you by the two 〈◊〉 frō whom you brought vs letters the hope which we haue to find you a faithful profitable seruant and to be correspondent in effect to the tenor of those letters moueth vs to accepte you into the numbre of one of our Secretaries wherein before our presence you shall sweare vnto vs to be faithfull and true Master Philippo that expected for no such dignitie maruelled at the Kings wordes and there by othe ministred vnto him by the lorde Chauncelour was receiued into his seruice exercised that office in singular fauor of the King to the great satisfactiō of al men And after 〈◊〉 King Charles was elected Emperor knowing the experiēce that master Philippo had in the affaires of Italie and specially in Lombardie he cōmitted vnto him al maters touching the state of that region which so happily came to passe to master Philippo as besides the ornaments of vertue wisedom he acquired greate riches and yet he continually serued and worshipped the Quéene as his noble patronesse and worthy mistresse Tell me now ye faire Ladies and gentlewomen What shall we 〈◊〉 of the princely behauiour and noble disposition of this Quene Truly in my iudgement she deserueth that praise and commendation that may be attributed to the moste excellente Ladie of the worlde who neuer gaue ouer hir faithfull seruaunt tyll she had bountifully with hir owne handes and commendation rendred vnto him a most Princely reward And as the sunne in beautie and brightnesse doeth surmounte the other furniture of the 〈◊〉 euen so magnificence and liberalitie in eche Ladie doth excell al other vertues specially in those personages that kéepe the state of Princes But to conclude méete and requisite it is that ye beautifie this most curteous and liberall Quéene with due praises For surely in my iudgement yf all women would conferre theyr heades and wittes together and deuise Hymnes and Sonnets of Liberalitie they can neuer sufficiently be able to celebrate the praise and glorie of this Quéene Alexander de Medices Duke of Florence ¶ The gentle and iust acte of ALEXANDER de MEDICES the first Duke of FLORENCE vpon a Gentleman whome he fauoured who hauing rauished the daughter of a poore Myller caused him to marie hir for the greater honour and celebration wherof he appointed hir a riche and honourable dowrie The. xxij Nouell IF the force of Uertue were not apparant at the sighte of eye it would be demed to be of lesse value than the greatnesse therof deserueth for sūdry causes rising in the myndes of men and that by performing the little which rested for that entier perfectiō of hir whole vnited glorie Now bicause that hir effectes be diuerse and that diuersly they be vsed the examples also of such diuersitie doe variate and make diuerse that affections of men some to folow that qualitie other that part proceding from the whole and perfect body of vertue which hath caused some to winne the price of modestie and temperance in their dedes other ful of magnanimite not familiar to many haue resisted the assaultes of Fortune Many other haue embraced that only honor which is the 〈◊〉 of ech good act wherby they haue well ruled the state of frée cities or guided the armies of mightie Monarchs And such whilom the cities of Rome Athenes Sparta and the ancient monarchs of the Medes the Persians and Assyrians did sée I will omit a good companie of those sage and wise men which haue 〈◊〉 the troubles of Cities the inquietations of Palaces the cries of Iudgement seates the dissimulation and deceiptfull flatteries of Courtes the carefull courtes which the housholder by gouernement of his house and familie doth susteine and féele of purpose more frankly to retire to the studie of sapience which alone is able to make a man happie worthy to be partaker of the diuinitie But aboue al I wil praise him which not subiect to the law liueth neuerthelesse like him that is most thrall thervnto or without respect of bloud or frendship shall exercise Iustice vpon his dearest and beste beloued as in olde tyme Manlius and Torquatus at Rome the people of Athenes towardes one Tinnagoras who beyond the duetie of an Ambassador of a franke citie fell downe on his knées and worshipped the Persian King And in oure time the Marquize of Ferrara by doing to death his owne sonne for adulterie committed with his mother in law And yet Iustice may redounde and sauour of some crueltie which rather turneth to shame than praise as Iohn Maria Visconte Duke of Milan when he caused a couetous priest to be buried quick with the corps of him whom he had refused to put into the grounde without money the historie wherof is hereafter remembred So as mediocritie of punishment ought to be yoked with the rigor of the law for that mitigation of the same And beholde wherfore the great Dictator Iulius Caesar loued better to gain the hart of his enimies with mercie than vanquish bring them to obediēce with massy manacles giues of iron Moreouer in our age Alphonsus of Aragon the true sampler of a iust righteous prince did not he estéeme when he straightly besieged Gaiette the victorie to be more glorious better gotten which is done by cōposition and gentlenesse than the bloody conquest colored with the teares and blood of a poore simple people And truly princes great lordes specially they which newly without succession receiued from their ancestors ariue to the gouernement of some cōmon welth ought continually to haue before their eyes an honest seueritie for the holinesse of the law a graue mildnesse to moderate the rigor of their formen dutie For by that meanes right is mainteined the heart of mā is won so wel as by violēce the state of gouernmēt taketh so good footing as the wind of no seditiō afterwards can remoue the same being foūded vpon a sure stone framed vpon a rock durable for a lōg time Wherof we haue an exāple of fresh memorie of a kind act ful both of wisedom gentle soueritie in a prince of our time who without effusion of bloud punished with rigor enough a trespasse cōmitted and swetely remitted the paine vpon him which merited grieuous nay mortal punishment as at large youshall sée by the discourse that foloweth Alexander de Medices fauored by the Church of Rome and armed with the Papall standard was he that fyrst with great actiuitie and wisedome inueyed the seniorie of Florence immediately vsurpyng the name title and prerogatiues of Duke The same albeit vpon the prime face hée was 〈◊〉 to the people of Florence wroth for losing of their
auncient libertie and displeasant to the Senatours and 〈◊〉 to sée them selues depriued of the soueraintie of Iustice and of the authoritie they had to 〈◊〉 all the Citizens yet for al that was he indued with so good qualities and gouerned so well his principalitie as that which at the beginnyng was termed Tyrannie was receiued as iust domination and that whiche was supposed to be abused by force semed to be done as it wer by lawful succession And they counted them selues happy when they saw their luck to be such as their common wealth must néedes obey the aduise and pleasure of one Prince alone to haue a soueraine lorde so wise so vertuous and so ful of curtesie Who albeit in other things he shewed him selfe praise worthie noble and of gentle kynde yet vanquished he him selfe in him selfe and in the rest of his perfection by that indifferent iustice which made him wonderfull by reason hée denied the same to none and in no one iote shewed him selfe parcial to any which thought by him to be supported in their follies And that which was more to be wondred in hym augmented the praise of his integritie in iudgement was that he punished in an other the thyng which by reason he oughte to haue pardoned and remitted he beyng attainted well beatē with that disease But the good Lord applied to reason to time to the grauitie of the fact and qualitie of the offended persones For where the greatnesse of the déede surpasseth all occasion of pardon and mercy the Prince Iudge or Magistrate ought to dispoile and put of his swetest affections to apparel himself with rigor which reacheth the knyfe into the hande of him that ruleth of purpose that so priuate familiaritie do not in the ende raise in the subiects heart a contempt of their superiours and an 〈◊〉 licence lawlesse to liue at their pleasure Now the thing which I meane to tel consisteth in the proofe of a rare and exquisite prudence which seldome or neuer harboureth in yong age the heates wherof can not but with great difficultie féele the coldnesse and correction of reason And likewyse the causes from whence wisdomes force procéedeth doe rest in long experience of things wherby men waxe old in ripenesse of witte and their déedes become worthy of praise Then Duke Alexander ordred so wel his estates and kept such a goodly and plentifull Court as the same gaue place to no Prince of Italic how great or rich so euer it was and that he did aswell for his owne garde honor as to shew the natural stoutnesse of his corage not vsing for all that any insolencie or vnséemely dealing against the haynous and auncient enimies of his house Amongs this goodly troupe of courtiers which ordinarily folowed the Duke there was a Florentine gentleman very néere the Duke and the best beloued of them all This yong Gentleman had a Manor hard by Florence where he was very well stately lodged which caused him many times to forsake the Citie with two of his companions to recreate him self in that pleasant place It chaunced vpon a day he being in his fieldish house bisides the which there was a Mill the master whereof had a passing faire daughter whome the sayd Gentleman did well marke and behold and with hir became straungely in loue in whome also appeared some Noble port that excéeded the bloud and race whereof she came But what The heauens be not so spare distributers of their gifts but sometimes diuide them with the least measure and at other times in equall weight or greatest heape to them that be of basest sort and popular degrée so well as to the greatest men and of most noble race Rome sometimes hath séen a bondman and slaue sometimes a runnagates sonne for his wit and corage to beare the scepter in his hand and to decide the causes of a lofty people who already by reason of his sleights and practises began to aspire the Empire of the whole world And hée that wythin our Fathers remembrance desireth to know what that great Tambarlane of Tartarie was the astonishment and ruine of all the 〈◊〉 partes shall well perceiue that his originall sorted from the vulgar sort from the basest place that was amongs all estates wherby must be confessed that the goodnesse of nature is such and so great that she wil helpe hir nourice children whatsoeuer they be the best she can Not that I meane to inferre hereby but that the bloud of predecessors with the institution of their posterity much augmēteth the force of the sprite and accomplisheth that more sincerely whereunto nature hath giuen a beginning Now to come to our purpose this yong Courtier taken and chained in the bandes of loue 〈◊〉 clogged with the beauty and good grace of that Countrey wench 〈◊〉 the meanes how he might inioy the thing after which he hoped To loue hir he demed it vnworthy of his degrée And yet he knew hir to be such by report of many as had a very good wit tongue at wyll and which is more estemed a Paragon and mirror of chast life modesty Which tormented this amorous Mounsier beyōd mesure and yet chaunged not his affection assuring himself that at length he shold attaine the end of his desires and glut his vnsatiable hunger which pressed him frō day to day to gather that soote and sauorous frute which louers so egerly sue for at maydens handes of semblable age to this who then was betwene xbj and. xvtj. yeres This louer did to vnderstand to his companions his griefe and 〈◊〉 who sory for the same assayed by all meanes to make him forget it telling him that it was vnséemely for a Gentleman of his accompt to make himself a 〈◊〉 to that people which would come to passe if they knew how vndiscretely he had placed his loue that there wer a number of fair honest gentlewomen to whom conuenably with great contentation he might addresse the same But he which much lesse saw than blind loue him selfe that was his 〈◊〉 he that was more 〈◊〉 of reason aduise than the Poets faine Cupido to be naked of apparel wold not heare the good counsel which his companions gaue him but rather sayd that it was lost time for them to vse suche words for he had rather die and to indure all the mocks scoffs of the world than lose the most delicate pray in his minde that could chaunce into the handes of man adding moreouer that the homelinesse rudenesse of the Countrey had not so much anoyed his new beloued but she deserued for hir beauty to be compared with the greatest Minion and finest attired gentlewoman of the City For this maiden had but the ornament and mynionnesse which nature had enlarged where other artificially force and by trumperies vsurpe that which the heauens denie them Touching hir vertue let that passe in silence sithēs that she quod hée sighing is too chast
pain and finish thy troublesome trauels Surely I suppose she did so but that shame duety forced hir to vse such wordes to make me thinke that lightly she would not be ouercome by my persuasions And put the case that it were not so who could haue let me to take by force that whervnto willingly she would not accorde But what is she to be reuenged of suche an iniurie She is for conclusion the daughter of a Miller and may make hir vaunte that she hathe mocked a Gentleman who being alone with hir and burning wyth loue durst not staunche hys thirst although full dry so néere the fountaine And by God sayd he rising from a gréene banke néere the fountaines side if I die therfore I wil haue it eyther by loue or force In this wicked and tyrannicall mynde hée retourned to his place where his companyons séeing him so out of quiet sayd vnto him Is this the guise of gentle minde to abase it self to the pursute of so simple a wench Doe not you know the malice of that sexe and the guiles wherewith those Serpents poysen men Care you so little for a woman as she doth for you and then will she imbrace you make much of you hir only study is which I beleue to frame hir selfe against all that for whych humble sute is made But admit that a woman hath some quality to draw men to loue hir honoure and serue hir truely that office and duetifull deuoire ought to be imployed in seruice of them that be honourable in sprite and iudgement of gentle kinde whych no doubte will 〈◊〉 the merite of the suter And certesse I am of opinion that a man may vainely consume a yeare or two in pursuite and seruyce of thys mealy Countrey wenche so well as addresse his loue in the obedience of some faire and honest Gentlewoman which courteously and with some fauoure will recompence the trauailes of hir seruaunt where that rude and sottish gyrle by pryde will vaunt and looke a lofte at the honoure done vnto hir despise them whose worthinesse she knoweth not and whome neither she nor the best of hir lede be worthy to serue in any respect wil you know then what I think best for you to do Mine aduise is then that one of thefe euenings she be trussed vp in a male and brought hither or else in place where you thinke good that you may enioy at pleasure the beautie of hir whome you doe praise and wonder at so much And afterwards let hir dissemble if she lust and make a Jewell of hir chastity and modesty when she hath not to triumph ouer you by bearing away the victory of your pursutes Ah my good friend aunswered the desperate louer how rightly you touche the most daungerous place of all my wound and how soueraine a salue and plaister you apply therunto I had thought truly to intreat you of that whereof euen nowe you haue made the ouerture but fearing to offend you or too much vsurpe vpon your friendship rather had I suffer a death continuall than raise one point of offense or discontentation in them which so frankly haue offred to doe me plesure wherof by Gods assistance I hope to be acquieted with all duety and office of friendship Now 〈◊〉 it to put in proofe the effect of your deuise and that so shortly as I can In like manner you sée that the terme of my héere abode will shortly be expired and if we be once at the Courte impossible it is for me to recouer so good occasion and peraduēture she wil be maried or some other shall cary away the pray after I haue beaten the bushe The plot then of this maidens rape was resolued vpon and the first espied occasion taken But the louer which feared least this heat of his companiōs wold coole sollicited them so muche as the execution was ordayned the folowing night which they did not so muche for the pleasure of their friend to whome in suche aduentures they ought to deny all helpe sith friendeship ought not to passe Sed 〈◊〉 ad ar as as Pericles the Athenian sayd so farre as was sufferable by the lawes of God as for that they wer of nature of the self same tramp which their passionate cōpanion was and would haue made no conscience to enterprise the same for themselues although the other had not tolde them his affections These also be the frutes of vnruled youth wherin only the verdure and gréennesse of the age beareth greatest sway the will whereof reason can not restrayne which easily waltreth and tosseth sooner to the carnall part than to that which tendeth to the pasture and cōtentation of the minde The next night after they 〈◊〉 came accompanied with v. or vj. seruauntes so honest as their maisters in armure weapons well appointed to defend hurt that if any resistance were made they might be able to repell their aduersaries Thus about two of the clocke in the night repaired they to the Mill the heauens hauing throwne their mantell ouer the vaporous earth 〈◊〉 hir face with their vaile obscure dark and yet not such but that the aire was cloudy cléere when no man doubted of so great offēse of such vnhappy rape they brake into the pore millers house betwene whose armes they toke away his daughter déere almost dead for fear piteously begā to cry for help defending hir self so wel as she could from these Theues and Murderers The desolate father raging with no lesse fury than the Hircanian Tigre when hir Faucons be kylled or taken away ran first to one and then to another to let them from carying of hir away for whome they came In the end the amorous rauisher of his daughter sayd vnto him Father Father I aduise thée to get thée hence if thou loue thy life for thy force is too weake to resist so many the least of whome is able to coole this thy foolishe heat and choler for the which I would be sory for the great loue I beare vnto thy daughter who I hope before she depart my company shal haue wherwith to be contēted and thou cause to pacify this immoderate rage which in vain thou yalpest forth against this troupe Ah false knaue and théefe sayd the honest poore man is it thou then which by thine infamous filthinesse insaciable knauerie doest dishonor the commendable fame of my daughter and by like meanes 〈◊〉 the hoped yeres of me hir poore vnhappy father losing through thy wickednesse the staffe and stay of mine olde aged life Thinkest thou Traitor that liuing till this day for all my pouertie in reputation of an honest man in mine old dayes will become an vnshamefast and vile minister and Chapman of my daughters maidenhoode and virginitie No knaue thincke not that I forget the wrong receiued of thée for which by some meanes or other I will purchase iust reuenge either vpon thée or thine The Gentleman caring little or nothing
be ne more faithful more affectionate or otherwise moued than the rest yet I am contēt for respect of your honor somewhat to beleue you and to accept you for mine owne sith your discretion is such I trust as so Noble a Gentleman as you be will himself declare in those affairs and whē I sée the effect of my hope I can not be so vnkinde but with all honesty shall assay to satisfie that your loue The Counte seing hir alone and receiuing the Ladies language for his aduauntage and that hir countenance by alteration of hir minde did adde a certaine beautie to hir face and perceiuing a desire in hir that hée shold not vse delay or be too squeimish she demaūding naught else but execution tooke the present offred time forgetting all ceremonies and reuerence he embraced hir and kissed hir a hundred thousand times And albeit she made a certain simple and prouoking resistance yet the louer séeing thē to be but preparatiues for the sport of loue he strayed from the bounds of honestie and threw hir vpon a fielde bed within the Chambre where he solaced himselfe with his long desired sute And finding hir worthy to be beloued and she him a curteous gentleman consulted together for continuance of their amitie in such wise as the Lord Ardizzino spake no more but by the mouth of Bianca Maria and did nothing but what she commaunded being so bewrapped with the heauie mantell of beastly Loue as hée still above night and day in the house of his beloued whereby the brute was noised throughout the Citie and the songs of their Loue more common in eche Citizens mouthe than the Stanze or Sonnets of Petrarch played and sained vpon the Gittorne Lute or Harpe of these of Noble house more fine wittie than those vnsauery 〈◊〉 that be tuned and chaunted in the mouthes of the foolish common sort Behold an Earle well serued and dressed by enioying so false a woman which had already falsified the faith betrouthed to hir husbād who was more honest milde and vertuous than she deserued Beholde ye Noble Gentlemen the simplicitie of this good Earle how it was deceiued by a false and filthy strumpet whose stincking life and common vse of body woulde haue withdrawen each simple creature from mixture of their owne with such a Carrion A lesson to learne all youth to refraine the whoorishe lookes and light conditioned Dames a number the more to be pitied shewing forthe them selues to the portsale of euery cheapener that list demaunde the price the grosenesse whereof before considered were worthy to be defied and loathed This Ladie séeing hir Louer noussed in hir lust dandled him with a thousande trumperies and made hym holde the Mule while other enioyed the secrete sporte which earst hée vsed himself This acquaintance was so daungerous to the Counte as she hir self was shamelesse to the Counte of Celant For the one bare the armes of Cornwall and became a second Acteon and the other wickedly led his life lost the chiefest of that he loked for in the seruice of great princes by the treason of an arrant common 〈◊〉 Whiles this Loue continued in all pleasure and like contentation of either parts Fortune that was ready to mounte the stage and shew in sight that hir mobilitie was no more stable than a womans will For vnder such habite and sere Painters and Poets describe hir made Ardizzino suspecte what desire she had of chaunge and within a while after sawe himself so farre misliked of his Ladie as though he had neuer bene acquainted The cause of that recoile was for that the Countesse was not contented with one kinde of fare and whose eyes were more gredie than hir stomake able to digest and aboue all desired chaunge not séeking meanes to finde him that was worthy to be beloued and intertained of so great a Ladie as she estéemed hir selfe to be and as such women of their owne opinion thinke themselues who counterfaicte more grauitie and reputation than they doe whome nature and vertue for their maiestie and holinesse of life make Noble and praise worthie That desire deceiued hir nothing at all for a certaine time after that Ardizzino possessed the forte of this faire Countesse there came to Pauia one Roberto Sanseuerino Earle of Gaiazzo a yong faire and valiant Gentleman whose Countrey lieth on this side the Mountaines and very familiar with the Earle of Massino This vnfaithful Alcina and cruell Medea had no sonet cast hir eye vpon Signor di Gaiazzo but was pierced with his loue in such wise as if forthwith shée had not attained hir desires she would haue run mad bicause that Gentleman bare a certaine stately representation in his face promised such dexteritie in his déedes as sodainly she thought him to be that man that was able to staunch hir filthy thirst And therfore so gentlely as she could gaue ouer hir Ardizzino with whome she vtterly refused to speake and shunned his cōpanie when she saw him and by shutting the gates against him the Noble man was not able to forbeare from throwing forth some words of choler wherby she tooke occasion both to expell him and also to beare him such displeasure as then she cōspired his death as afterwards you shall perceiue This great hatred was the cause that she being fallen in Loue as you haue heard with the Counte of Gaiazzo shewed vnto him all signe of amitie and séeing that hée made no great sute vnto hir she wrote vnto him in this manner The Letter of Bianca Maria to the Counte of Gaiazzo SIr I doubt not by knowing the state of my degrée but that ye be abashed to sée the violēce of my mind when passing the limites of modestie which ought to guard such a Ladie as I am I am forced uncertain of the cause to doe you vnderstand the griefe that doeth torment me which is of such constraint as if of curtesie ye doe not vouchsafe to visite me you shall commit two faultes the one leauing the thing worthy for you to loue and regard and which deserueth not to be cast off the other in causing the death of hir that for Loue of you is bereft of rest And so loue hath very little in me to sease vpon either of heart or libertie but that ease of grief procéedeth from your only grace which is able to vanquishe hir whose victorious hap hath conquered all other and who attēding your resolut answer shall rest vnder the mercifull refuge of hope which deceiuing hir shall sée by that very meanes the wretched end of hir that is all your owne Bianca Maria Countesse of Celant The yong Lorde much maruelled at this message were it for that already hée was in loue with hir and that for loue of his friend Ardizzino wold not be known thereof or for that he feared she would be straught of wits if she were despised he determined to goe vnto hir yet stayed thought it not to be the
be dead in respect of the liuely sparks and violent fire which sorteth from your faire eyes which fire hath so fiercely inflamed all the most sensible parts of my body as if I be not succored by the fauoure of your diuine graces I doe attend the time to be consumed to dust Scarse had he made an end of those last words but the daunce of the Torche was at an end Whereby Iulietta which wholly burnt with loue straightly clasping hir hand with his had no leisure to make other answere but softly thus to say My deare friend I know not what other assured witnesse you desire of Loue but that I let you vnderstand that you be no more your owne than I am yours being ready and disposed to obey you so farre as honoure shall permit beséeching you for the present time to content your selfe with this answere vntill some other season méeter to Communicate more secretely of our affaires Rhomeo séeing himself pressed to part with the companie and for that hée knewe not by what meanes hée might sée hir againe that was his life and death demaunded of one of his friends what she was who made answer that she was the daughter of Capellet the Lord of the house and maister of that dayes feast who wroth beyond measure that fortune had sent him to so daungerous a place thought it impossible to bring to end his enterprise begon Iulietta couetous on the other 〈◊〉 to know what yong Gentleman hée was which had so courteously intertaigned hir that night and of whome she felt the new wounde in hir heart called an olde Gentlewoman of honor which had nurssed hir and brought hir vp vnto whome she sayd leaning vpon hir shoulder Mother what two yong Gentlemen be they which first goe forth with the two torches before them Unto whome the olde Gentlewoman tolde the name of the houses whereof they came Then she asked hir againe what yong Gentleman is that which holdeth the visarde in his hande with the Damaske cloke about him It is quod she Rhomeo Montesche the sonne of your Fathers capitall enimy and deadly 〈◊〉 to all your kinne But the maiden at the only name of Montesche was altogither amazed dispairing for euer to attaine to husband hir great affectioned friend Rhomeo for the auncient hatreds betwene those two families Neuerthelesse she knew so wel 〈◊〉 to dissemble hir grief and discontented minde as the olde Gentlewoman perceiued nothing who then began to persuade hir to retire into hir chamber whome she obeyed and being in hir bed thinking to take hir wonted rest a great 〈◊〉 of diuers thoughts began to enuiron trouble hir minde in such wise as she was not able to close hir eyes but turning here there fātasied diuerse things in hir thought sometimes purposed to cut of the whole attempt of that amorous practise sometimes to continue the same Thus was the poore pucell 〈◊〉 with two contraries the one comforted hir to pursue hir intent the other proposed the imminent perill whervnto vndiscretely she headlong threw hir self And after she had wandred of long time in this amorous Laberinth she knew not wherupon to resolue but wept incessantly and accused hir self saying Ah Caitife and miserable creature from whence doe rise these vnaccustomed trauailes which I 〈◊〉 in minde prouoking me to loose my rest but infortunate wretch what doe I know if that yong Gentleman doe loue me as hée sayeth It may be vnder the vaile of sugred woords hée goeth about to steale away mine honoure to be reuenged of my Parents which haue offended his and by that meanes to my euerlasting reproche to make me the fable of the Verona people Afterwards sodainly as she condempned that which she suspected in the beginning sayd Is it possible that vnder such beautie and rare comelinesse disloyaltie and Treason may haue their siedge and lodging If it be true that the face is the faithfull messanger of the mindes conceit I may be assured that hee doeth loue me for I marked so many chaunged coloures in his face in time of his talke with me and sawe him so transported and bisides himself as I cannot wishe any other more certaine lucke of loue wherin I will persist immutable to the 〈◊〉 gaspe of life to the intent I may haue him to be my husband For it may so come to passe as this newe alliance shall 〈◊〉 a perpetuall peace and amitie betwene his house and mine Aresting then vpon this determination still as she saw Rhomeo passing before hir Fathers gate she shewed hir self with mery countenance and 〈◊〉 him so with looke of eye vntill she had lost his sight And continuing this manner of life for certain dayes Rhomeo not able to content himself with lookes daily did beholde and marke the situation of the house and one day amongs others hée espied Iulietta at hir chamber window bounding vpon a narow lane right ouer against which Chamber he had a gardeine which was the cause that Rhomeo fearing discouery of their loue began then in the day time to passe no more before the gate but so soone as the night with his browne mantell had couered the earth he walked alone vp and downe that little streat And after he had bene there many times missing the chiefest cause of his comming Iulietta impacient of hir euill one night repaired to hir 〈◊〉 and perceiued through the brightnesse of the Moone hir friend Rhomeo hard vnder hir window no lesse attended for than he himself was waighting Then she secretely with teares in hir eyes and with voyce interrupted by sighes sayd Signior Rhomeo me thinke that you hazarde your persone too much and commit the same into great danger at this time of the night to protrude your self to the mercy of thē which meane you little good Who if they had taken you would haue cut you in pieces and mine honor which I estéeme dearer than my life hindred suspected for euer Madame answered Rhomeo my life is in the hād of God who only cā dispose the same 〈◊〉 if any man had sought meanes to berieue me of life I should in the presence of you haue made him known what mine abilitie had 〈◊〉 to defend that 〈◊〉 Notwithstanding life is not so deare and of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ̄ vnto me but that I could 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 the same for your sake and although my 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ben so great as to be dispatched in that place yet 〈◊〉 I no cause to be sory therefore excepte it had bene by loosing of meanes the same to forgoe the way how to make you vnderstand the good will and duety which I beare you desiring not to conserue the same for any commoditie that I hope to haue therby nor for any other respect but only to loue serue and honor you so 〈◊〉 as breath shal remaine in 〈◊〉 So soone as he had made an end of his talke loue and pitie began to sease vpon the heart of Iulictta and leaning hir head vpon hir 〈◊〉
an hundred thousand deathes did stande about hir haling hir on euery side and plucking hir in pieces féelyng that hir forces diminyshed by litle and litle fearing that through to great debilitie she was not able to do hir enterprise like a furious and insensate womā without further care gulped vp the water within the viol then crossing hir armes vpon hir stomacke she lost at that instant al the powers of hir body and remained in a traunce And when the mornyng light began to thrust his head out of his Orient hir chamber woman which had lockte hir in with the key did open the doore and thinking to awake hir called hir many times and sayde vnto hir Mistresse you sléepe to long the Counte Paris will come to raise you The poore olde woman spake vnto the wall and 〈◊〉 a song vnto the deafe For if all the horrible and tempestuous soundes of the worlde had bene canoned forth oute of the greatest bombardes and sounded through hir delicate eares hir spirits of lyfe were so fast bounde and stopt as she by no meanes coulde awake wherewith the poore olde woman amazed beganne 〈◊〉 shake hir by the armes and handes which she founde so colde as marble stone Then puttyng hande vnto hir mouthe sodainely perceyued that she was deade for she perceyued no breath in hir Wherfore lyke a woman out of hir wyttes shée ranne to tell hir mother who so madde as Tigre bereft of hir faons hyed hir selfe into hir daughters chaumber and in that pitifull state beholdyng hir daughter thinking hir to be deade cried out Ah cruell death which hast ended all my ioye and blisse vse thy laste scourge of thy wrathfull ire against me least by suffering me to lyue the rest of my woful dayes my tormente do increase then she began to fetchsuch straining sighes as hir heart dyd séeme to cleaue in pieces And as hir cries beganne to encrease beholde the father the Counte Paris and a greate troupe of Gentlemen and Ladies which were come to honour the feast hearing no soner tell of that which chaunced were stroke into such sorowfull dumpes as he whiche had behelde their faces wold easily haue iudged that the same had bē a day of ire pitie specially the lord Antonio whose heart was frapped with such surpassing wo as neither teare nor word could issue forth knowing not what to doe streight way sēt to seke that most expert phisitians of the towne who after they had inquired of the life past of Iulietta déemed by common reporte that melancolie was the cause of that sodaine death then their sorowes began to renue a 〈◊〉 And if euer day was lamentable piteous vnhappie and fatall truely it was that wherin Iulietta hir death was published in Verona for shée was so bewailed of great small that by the cōmon plaintes the common wealth séemed to be in daunger not without cause For besides hir natural beautie accompanied with many vertues wherewith nature had enriched hir she was else so humble wise and debonaire as for that humilitie and curtesie she had stollen away the heartes of euery wight and there was none but did lamente hir misfortune And whilest these things were in this lamented state Frier Laurence with diligence dispatched a Frier of his Couent named Frier Anselme whome he trusted as himselfe and deliuered him a letter written with his owne hande commaunding him expressely not to gyue the same to any other but to Rhomeo wherein was conteyned the chaunce which had passed betwene him and Iulietta specially that vertue of the pouder and commaunded him the nexte ensuing night to spéede him self to Verona for that the operation of the pouder that time would take ende that he should cary with him back again to Mantua his 〈◊〉 Iulietta in dissembled apparell vntill Fortune bad otherwise prouided for them The frier made such hast as too late he ariued at Mantua within a while after And bicause the maner of Italie is that the Frier trauailing abroade oughte to take a companion of his couent to doe his affaires within the Citie the Frier went into his couent but bicause he was entred in it was not lawfull for him to come out againe that day for that certain dayes before one religious of that couent as it was sayd did die of the plague Wherefore the magistrates appointed for the healthe and visitation of the sicke commaunded the warden of the house that no Friers shold wander abrode the Citie or talke with any citizen vntill they were licenced by the officers in that behalfe appointed which was the cause of the great mishap which you shal heare hereafter The Frier being in this perplexitie not able to goe forth and not knowing what was cōtained in the letter deferred his iorney for that day Whilest things were in this plight preparation was made at Veronna to doe the obsequies of Iulietta There is a custome also which is common in Italie to place all the beste of one lignage and familie in one Tombe wherby Iulietta was layde in the ordinarie graue of the 〈◊〉 in a Churcheyarde harde by the Churche of the Friers where also the Lorde Thibault was interred And hir obsequies honourably done euery man returned whereunto Pietro the seruant of Rhomeo gaue hys assistance For as we haue before declared his master sente him backe againe from Mantua to Verona to do his father seruice and to aduertise hym of that whiche shoulde chaunce in his absence there who séeing the body of Iulietta inclosed in tombe thinkyng with the rest that she had bene dead in déede incontinently toke poste horse and with diligence rode to Mantua where he founde his maister in his wonted house to whome he sayde with his eyes full of teares Syr there is chaunced vnto you so straunge a matter as if so bée you do not arme your selfe with constancie I am afrayde that I shal be the cruell minister of your death Bée it knowne vnto you syr that yesterday morning my mistresse Iulietta left hir lyfe in this world to seke rest in an other and wyth these eyes I saw hir buried in the Churchyarde of S. Frauncis At the sounde of which heauie message Rhomeo began wofully to 〈◊〉 as though his spirites grieued with the 〈◊〉 of his passion at that instant woulde haue abandoned his bodie But strong Loue whiche woulde not permitte hym to faint vntill the extremitie framed a thoughte in his fantasie that if it were possible for hym to dye besides hir his death shoulde be more glorious and 〈◊〉 as he thought better contented By reason whereof after 〈◊〉 had washed his face for 〈◊〉 to discouer hys sorrow he went out of hys chamber and commaunded hys man to 〈◊〉 behynde hym that hée might walke thorough oute all the corners of the Citie to fynde propre remedie if it were possyble for hys griefe And 〈◊〉 others beholdyng an Apoticaries shoppe of lytle furniture and lesse store of boxes and other thynges requisite
oiles and other precious oyntments as Aloisio came again to himselfe And when he had anointed that recouered bodie with certaine precious and comfortable oyles he suffred him to take his rest The priest also wente to bed and slepte till it was daye who so soone as he was vp went to séeke the Captaine to tell him of the good newes that maister Aloisio Foscari was recouered againe who by the 〈◊〉 Captaine was committed to him in charge The Captain at that time was gone to the pallace at San Marco to gyue the Duke aduertisement of this chaunce after whome the priest went was let in to the dukes chamber to whom he declared what he had done to maister Aloisio The Duke verie glad to heare tell of his nephewes life although then verie pensiue for the newes broughte vnto him by the Captaine intreated one of the Signor de notte to take with him two of the best surgions and to call him that had alreadie dressed his nephew to go visite the wounded Gentleman that he might be certified of the truth of that chaunce All whiche together repaired to the priestes chamber where finding hym not a sléepe and the wounde faire ynough to heale dyd thervnto what their cunning thoughte méete and conuenient And then they began to inquire of hym that was not yet full recouered to perfecte speache howe that chaunce happended tellyng him that he myght frankly confesse vnto them the trouthe The more diligent they were in thys demauude bicause the Surgeon that dressed hym fyrst alleaged that the wounde was not made wyth sworde but receyued by some great fal or blow with mace or clubbe or rather séemed to come of some high fall from a wyndowe by reason his head was so grieuously brused Aloisio hearyng the Surgeons sodaine demaunde presentely aunswered that he fell downe from a window and named also the house And he had no sooner spoken those wordes but he was very angry with hym selfe and sorie And therewithal hys dismayde spirites began to reuiue in such wyse as sodainly he chose rather to die than to speake any thyng to the dishonour of mistresse Gismonda Then the Signior di notte asked him what he dyd there aboute that time of the night and wherfore he did climbe vp to the windowe béeing of so great a height which he could not kéepe secrete by reason of the authoritie of the Magistrate that demaunded the question 〈◊〉 hée thought that if his tongue 〈◊〉 runne at large and committed a 〈◊〉 by rashe speaking his body should therfore suffer the smart Wherfore before he wold in any wyse spot the name of 〈◊〉 whom he loued better than his owne life determined to hazarde his lyfe and honour to the mercie of Iustice and sayd I declared euen now whyche I can not denye that I fell downe from the windowe of mistresse Gisinonda Mora. The cause thereof beyng nowe at state wherein I know not whether I shall lyue or die I wyll truly disclose Mistresse Gismonda being a widow a yong woman without any man in hir house bycause by reporte she is verie rych of iewels and money I purposed to robbe and dispoyle Wherfore I deuised a ladder to climbe vp to hir wyndowe wyth mynde full bent to kyll all those that shoulde resiste me But my 〈◊〉 was suche as the ladder beyng not well fastened fell and I my selfe therwithall and thinking to recouer home to my lodgyng with my ladder made of corde my 〈◊〉 beganne to faile and fell downe I wotte not where The Signor de notte whose name was Domenico Mariperto hearyng him say so maruelled greatly and was very sorie that all they in the chamber which were a great number as at such chaunces commonly be dyd heare those wordes and bycause they were spoken so openly he was forced to saye vnto hym Aloisio I am very sorie that thou hast committed suche follie but for so muche as sorrow now wil not serue to remedie the trespasse I must nedes she we myself both faithful to my countrey also carefull of mine honor without respect of persōs Wherfore thou shalt remain here in such safe custody as I shal apoint when thou art better amēded thou must according 〈◊〉 desert be referred to that gaole Leauing him then there vnder sure keping he wēt to the counsell of the Dieci which magistrates in that citie be of 〈◊〉 authoritie and finding the lordes in counsell he opened the whole matter vnto them The presidents of the Counsell which had hearde a great numbre of complaintes of many thefts done in the night within the Citie toke order that one of the captains that were appointed to the diligent watche and kéeping of Aloisio remaining in the priests house should cause him to be examined with tormentes forced to tell the truthe for that they did verily beleue that he had cōmitted many robberies besides or at lest wise was priuieand accessarie to the same and knew where the theues wer become Afterwardes the sayd Counsell did sitte vpon the matter of Girolamo Bembo and Anselmo Barbadico found at midnight naked in eche others chambre and committed to prison as is before remembred And bicause they 〈◊〉 many matters besides of greater importaunce to intreate vpon amongs which the warres betwene them aud Philippo Maria Vesconte duke of Milane the aforsaid causes were deferred till an other time notwithstanding in the mean while they were examined The Duke himselfe that time being in counsell spake most seuerely againste his nephew Neuerthelesse he didde hardly beleue that his nephew being very rich and indewed with great honestie woulde abase him selfe to a vice so vile and abhominable as theft is wherevpon he began to consider of many thinges and in the ende talked with hys nephewe secretely alone and by that meanes lerned the trouth of the whole matter In like maner Anselmo and Girolamo were examined by commissioners appointed by the state what one of them did in an others chamber at that houre of the nighte who confessed that many tymes they had séene Aloisio Foscari to passe vp down before their houses at times inconuenient that night by chaunce one of them not knowing of another espied Aloisio thinking that he lingered about their houses to abuse one of their wiues for which cause they went out and so soone as they 〈◊〉 taken him they killed him Which confession they opēly declared accordingly as wherupō before they were agréed Afterwardes with further circumstance being examined vpon the Article of being one in anothers 〈◊〉 it appeared that their first tale was vtterly vntrue Of al which contradictions the Duke was aduertised and was driuē into extréeme admiration for that the truth of those disorders could not be vnderstanded and knowne Whereupon the Dieci and the assistants were againe assembled in coūcell according to the maner at what time after all things throughly were debated and ended the Duke being a very graue man of excellent wit aduaunced to the Dukedome
presence of that honourable assemblie cōceiued courage and crauing licence of the Duke to speake with mery countenance and good vttrance began thus to say hir minde Most excellent Prince and ye right honorable lordes perceiuing how my deare husband vncomely and very dishonestly doth vse himselfe against mée in this noble companie I do thinke maister Girolamo Bembo to be affected with like rage minde against this gentlewoman mistresse Lucie his wife although more tēperate in wordes he do not expresse the same Against whom if no replie be made it may séeme that he hath spoken the trouthe and that we by silence should séeme to condemne our selues to be those moste wicked women whom he alleageth vs to be Wherfore by youre gracious pardon and licence moste honourable in the behalfe of mistresse Lucie and my selfe for our defense I purpose to declare the effect of my mind although my purpose be cleane altered from that I had thought to say beyng now iustly prouoked by the vnkinde behauiour of him whome I doe loue better than my selfe which had he bene silent and not so rashly runne to the ouerthrow of me and my good name I wold haue conceiled and onely touched that which shoulde haue concerned the purgation and sauegard of them both which was the onely intent meaning of vs by making our hūble supplication to your maiesties Neuerthelesse so so farre as my féeble force shall stretch I will assay to do both the one and the other although it be not appropriate to our kinde in publike place to declame or yet to open such bold attempts but that necessitie of matter and oportunitie of time and place dothe bolden vs to enter into these termes wherof we craue a thousād pardons for our vnkindely dealings and rēder double thanks to your honors for admitting vs to speake Be it knowne therfore vnto you that our husbandes against duetie of loue lawes of mariage and against all reason do make their heauie complaints which by by I wil make plaine and euident I am right well assured that their extreme rage bitter heartes sorow do procéede of y. occasions The one of the murder wherof they haue falsly accused thē selues the other of iealosy which grieuously doth gnawe their hearts thinking vs to be vile abhominable womē bicause they were surprised in eche others chāber Concerning the murder if they haue soiled their hāds therin it appertaineth vnto you my lords to rēder their desert But how can the same be layd to our charge for somuch as they if it wer done by thē cōmited the same without our knowlege our help coūsel And truly I sée no cause why any of vs ought to be burdened with that outrage and much lesse cause haue they to lay the same to our charge For méete it is that he that doth any vnlawful act or is accessarie to the same shold suffer that due penaltie seuere chastisement accordingly as the sacred lawes do prescribe as an example for other to abstein from wicked facts But herof what néede I to dispute wherin the blind may sée to be none offense bicause thanks be to God Maister Aloisio liueth which declareth the fond cōfession of our vngitle husbands to be cōtrary to trouth And if so be our husbāds in dede had done such an abhominable enterprise reason and duetie had moued vs to sorowe and lament them bicause they be borne of noble blood and be gentlemen of this noble citie which like a pure virgin inuiolably doth cōserue hir laws customs Great cause I say had we to lamēt them if like homicides murderers they had spotted their noble blood with such fowle 〈◊〉 therby deseruing death to leaue vs yong womē widowes in woful plight Now it behoueth mée to speake of the iealoufis they haue conceiued of vs for that they were in ech others chāber which truly is the doubtful knot scruple that forceth al their disdaine griefe This I knowe well is the naile that pierceth their heart other cause of offense they haue not who like men not well aduised without examination of vs and oure demeanour bée fallen into despaire and like men desperate 〈◊〉 wrongfully accused themselues But bicause I may not consume words in vain to stay you by my long discourse from matters of greater importāce I humbly beséech you right excellent prince to cōmaunde them to tel what thing it is which so bitterly doth tormēt them Then the Duke caused one of the noble men assistant there to demaund of them the question who answered that the chiefest occasion was bicause they knew their wiues to be harlots whō they supposed to be very honest for somuch as they knew them to be such they conceiued sorow and grief which with suche extremitie did gripe thē at that heart as not able to sustain that great infamy ashamed to be sene of mē wer induced through desire of deth to cōfesse that they neuer did Mistresse Isotta hering thē say so begā to speke againe turning hir self vnto them Were you offended then at a thing which ye thought incōueniēt not mete to be done We then haue greatest cause to cōplaine Why then 〈◊〉 husbande went you to the chamber of mistresse Lucie at that time of the night What had you to do there what thyng thought you to finde there more than was in your own house And you master Girolamo what cōstrained you to forsake your wiues bed to come to my husbands wher no man euer had or at this present hath to do but him self were not that shetes of the one so white so fine neat swéet as the other I am moste noble Prince sorie to declare my husbands folie and ashamed that he should forsake my bed to go to an other that did accompt my selfe so wel worthy to entertaine hym in myne owne as the best wife in Venice and now through his abuse I abstaine to shewe my selfe amongs the beautiful and noble dames of this Citie The like misliking of hir selfe is in mistresse Lucie who as you sée may bée numbred amongs the fairest Either of you ought to haue ben cōtented with your wiues not as wickedly you haue done to forsake them to séeke for better bread than is made of wheate or for purer golde than whereof the Angel is made O worthy dede of yours that haue the face to leaue your owne wiués that be comely faire honest to séeke after strange carrion O beastly order of men that can not content their lust within the boūdes of their owne house but must go hunt after other women as beasts do after the next of their kinde that they chaunce vpon What vile affection possessed your harts to lust after others wife You make complainte of vs but wée with you haue right good cause to bée offended you ought to be grieued with youre owne disorder and not with others offense and this youre affliction paciently to beare bycause you wente about
impossible it is not in man to determin or rest assured in iudgemēt I wil go vnto him and comfort him so well as I can that peraduenture my promises maye 〈◊〉 some parte of his payne and afterward we wil at leisure better consider vpon that which we shall promise Herevppon they went together to sée the pacient that beganne to looke vp more 〈◊〉 than he was wonted who séeyng the Gentlewoman sayde vnto hir Ah mystresse I woulde to God I had neuer proued youre fidelitie to féele the passing cruell hearte of hir that rather dothe estéeme hir honour to practyse regour and tyrannie vpon me than with gentlenesse to maintaine the life of a poore féeble knight Sir sayde she I can not tell what you meane thus to tormēt your self for I trust to cure you betwene this and to morow and wil do mine endeuor to cause you speake with hir vpon whom wrongfully perchaunce you doe complaine and who dareth not to come vnto you lest some occasion be giuen of suspition to 〈◊〉 speakers which wil make the report more slanderous when they know the cause of your disease Ah sayd the pacient howe ioyfull and pleasant is youre talke I sée wel that you desire my helth and for that purpose would haue me drinke of those liquors which superficially do appeare to be swéete afterwardes to make my life a hundred times more fainte and féeble than now it is Be you there sayde she And I sweare vnto you by my faith not to faile to kéepe my promise to cause you speke alone with mistresse Zilia Alas mystresse sayd the louer I aske no more at your handes that I may heare with myne owne eares the last sentence 〈◊〉 or defiance Well put your trust in me sayd she and take you no thought but for your health For I am assured ere it be long to cause hir to come vnto you and then you shall sée whether I am diligent in those matters I toke in hande and to what effecte myne attemptes do proue Me think already quod he that my sicknesse is not able to stay me from going 〈◊〉 hir that is the cause of my debilitie when it shal 〈◊〉 hir to commaunde me where soeuer it be sith hir only remēbrance will be of no lesse force in me than 〈◊〉 clerenesse of the sun beames is to euaporate the thicknesse of the morning mistes Euen so is she if such be hir chéere to me the 〈◊〉 wherein my day shall take increase or the night whiche eclipseth and obscureth the brādishing brightnesse of my first sunbeames With that the Gentlewoman tooke hir leaue of him who without let of his companion immediately rose vp and she went home attending oportunitie to speke to Zilia whome two or thrée dayes after shée mette at Church and they two beyng alone together in a Chapell sayd vnto hir with fained teares forced from hir eyes and sending forth a cloude of sighes Madame I nothing doubt at al but that last letters which I brought you made you conceiue some yll opinion of me which I do gesse by the frownyng face that euer sithens you haue borne me But when you shall knowe the hurte which it hath done I think you will not be so harde and voyde of pitie but with pacience to hearken that which I will say and moued to pitie the state of a pore Gentleman who by your meanes is in the pangs of death Zilia whiche til then neuer regarded the payne and sicknesse of the pacient began to sorow with such passion not to graunt him further fauour than he had alreadie receiued but to finde some means to ease him of his griefe and then to giue him ouer for euer And therfore she said vnto hir neighbor Mistresse I thought that all these sutes had bene forgotten vntil the other day a Gentlemā prayed me to go sée the Lord of Virle who told me as you do now that he was in great danger But séeing that he wareth worsse and worsse I will be ruled by you beyng well assured of your honestie and vertue and that you wil not aduise me to that which shall be hurtfull to myne honour And when you shall do what you can you shall winne so much as nothing yet shall ease him nothing at all which wrongfully plaineth of my crueltie For I do not purpose to do any priuate facte with him but that which shall be mete for an honest Gentlewoman and such as a faithfull tutor of hir chastitie may graunt to an honest and vertuous gentleman His desire is none other said the gentle woman for he intreateth but your presence to let you wit by word that he is redy to do the thing which you shall cōmand him Alas said 〈◊〉 I know not how I shal be able to do the same for it is impossible to go to him without suspition which the common people wyl lightly conceiue of such light familiar behauiour And rather wold I die than aduēture mine honor hitherto conserued with great seueritie diligēce And sith you say that he is in extremes of deth for your sake I wil not stick to go vnto him that hereafter he may haue no cause to cōplaine of my rudenesse I thank you said the messanger for the good wil you beare me for the help you promise vnto the poore passionate gentleman whome these newes wil bring on foote againe wil do you reuerence for that good turne Sith it is so saide Zilia to morow at noone let him come vnto my house where in a low chamber he shall haue leisure to saye to me hys minde But I purpose by Gods helpe to suffer him no further than that whiche I haue graunted As it shall please you sayd hir neighbour for I craue no more of you but that only fauour which as a messanger of good newes I goe to shew him recommending my selfe in the meane time to your cōmaunde And then she went vnto the pacient whom she found walking vp downe the chamber indifferently lusty of his persone and of colour metely freshe for the tyme he lefte his 〈◊〉 Now when sir Philiberto sawe the messanger he sayd vnto hir And howe nowe mystresse what newes Is Zilia so stubborne as 〈◊〉 was wonte to be 〈◊〉 may sée hir sayde she if to morrowe at noone you haue the hearte and dare goe vnto hir house Is it possible sayde hée imbracynge hir that you haue procured for me that good tourne to delyuer mée from the 〈◊〉 wherein I haue so long tyme bene 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 trustie and assured friende all the dayes of my life I will remember that pleasure and benefite and by acknowledgyng of the same shall be readie to render lyke when you please to commaunde or else let me be counted the moste vnkynde and vncurteous Gentleman that euer made profession of loue I wyll goe by Gods helpe to sée mystresse Zilia with intent to endure all trouble that Fortune shall send vnto me protesting to vere my self
and Physitian dwelling at Cutiano a Citie of Boeme where plenty of siluer Mines and other mettals is The knight whose Castle was not farre from Cutiano had occasion to repaire vnto that Citie and according to his desire found out Pollacco which was a very olde mā and talking with him of diuers things perceiued him to be of great skill In end he entreated him that for so much as he had done pleasure to many for 〈◊〉 of their loue he wold also instruct him how he might be assured that his wife did kéepe hir self honest all the time of his absence and that by certaine signes he might haue sure knowledge whether she brake hir faith by sending his honesly into Cornwall Such vain trust this Knight reposed in the lying Science of Sorcery which although to many other is found deceitfull yet to him serued for sure euidence of his wiues sidelitie This Pollacco which was a very cunning enchaunter as you haue hard sayd vnto him Sir you demaund a very straūge matter such as where with neuer hitherto I haue bene acquainted ne yet searched the depthe of those hidden secretes a thing not commonly sued for ne yet practised by me For who is able to make assurance of a womans chastitie or tel by signes except he were at the déede doing that she hath done amisse Or who can gaine by proctors wryt to summon or sue a sprituall Court peremptorily to affirme by neuer so good euidence or testimony that a woman hath hazarded hir honesty except he sweare Rem to be in Re which the greatest 〈◊〉 that euer Padua bred neuer sawe by processe duely tried Shall I then warrant you the honesty of such 〈◊〉 cattell prone and ready to lust easy to be vanquished by the suites of earnest pursuers But blame worthy surely I am thus generally to speake for some I know although not many for whose pore honesties I dare aduenture mine owne And yet that number howe small so euer it be is worthy all due reuerence and honoure Notwithstanding bicause you séeme to be an honest Gentleman of that knowledge which I haue I will not be greatly 〈◊〉 A certaine secrete experiment in déede I haue wherwith perchaūce I may satisfie your demaunde And this is it I can by mine Arte in small time by certaine compositions frame a womans Image which you continually in a little boxe may carry about you and so ofte as you list beholde the same If the wife doe not breake hir mariage faith you shall still sée the same so faire and wel coloured as it was at the first making séeme as though it newly came from the painters shop but if perchaūce she meane to abuse hir honesty the same wil waxe pale and in déede committing that filthy facte sodainely the colour wil be black as arayed with cole or other 〈◊〉 the smel wherof wil not be very plesāt but at al times when she is attempted or pursued the colour wil be so yealow as gold This maruellous secrete deuise greatly pleased the Knight verely beleuing the same to be true specially much moued assured by the fame bruted abrode of his science wherof the Citizens of 〈◊〉 told very strange incredible things When the price was paid of this precious iewel he receiued the Image ioyfully returned home to his castle wher tarying certain dayes he determined to repair to that Court of the glorious king Mathie making his wife priuy to his intent Afterwards whē he had disposed his houshold matters in order he cōmitted that gouernment therof to his wife hauing prepared all necessaries for his voyage to the great sorow griefe of his beloued he departed arriued at Alba Regale where that time the King lay with Quéene Beatrix his wife of whom he was ioyfully receiued entertained He had not long continued in the Court but he had obtained won the fauor good will of all men The King which knew him full well very honorably placed him in his court by him accōplished diuers and many waighty affaires which very wisely and trustely he brought to passe according to the kings mind pleasure Afterwards he was made Colonel of a certaine nūber of footemen sent by the king against the Turks to defend a holde which the enimies of God begā to assaile vnder the conduct of Mustapha Basca which cōduct he so wel directed therin stoutly behaued himself as he chased al the Infidels out of those coastes winning therby that name of a most valiant soldier prudent captain Whereby he meruellously gained the fauor grace of the king who ouer and besides his daily intertainement gaue vnto him a Castle and the Reuenue in fée farme for euer Such rewards deserue all valiāt men which for the honor of their Prince countrey do willingly imploy their seruice worthy no dout of great regard cherishing vpō their home returne bicause they hate idlenesse to win glory deuising rather to spēd hole dayes in field than houres in Courte which this worthy Knight deserued who not able to sustaine his pore estate by politik wisdō prowesse of armes endeuored to serue his Lord and countrey wherin surely he made a very good choise Then he deuoutly serued and praised God for that he put into his minde such a Noble enterprise trusting daily to atchieue greater fame and glory but the greater was his ioy and contentation bicause the image of his wife inclosed within a boxe which still he caried about him in his pursie continued freshe of coloure without any alteration It was noysed in the Court that this valiant Knight Vlrico had in Boeme the fairest and goodliest Lady to his wife that liued either in Boeme or Hungarie It chaūced as a certaine company of yong Gentlemen in the Court were together amongs whome was this Knighte that a 〈◊〉 Earon sayd vnto him How is it possible syr 〈◊〉 being a yeare and a half since you departed out of Boeme that you haue no minde to returne to sée your wife who as the common fame reporteth is one of the goodliest women of all the Countrey truely it séemeth to me that you care not for hir which were great pitie if hir beautic be correspondent to hir fame Syr quod Vlrico what hir beautie is I referre vnto the worlde but how so euer you estéeme me to care of hir you shall vnderstande that I doe loue hir and will doe so during my life And the cause why I haue not visited hir of lōg time is no little proofe of the great assurance I haue of hir vertue and honest life The argument of hir vertue I proue for that she is contented that I shold serue my Lord and king and sufficient it is for me to giue hir intelligence of my state and welfare which many times by letters at opportunitie I faile not to doe the proofe of my Faith is euident by reason of my bounden duety to our soueraigne Lord of whome
starre most bright Now sith my willing vow is made I humbly pray hir grace To end th'accord betwene vs pight no longer time to tracte Which if it be by sured band so haply brought to passe I must my self thrice happy coūt for that most heauenly fact This song made the company to muse who commided the trim inuention of the Knight and aboue al Gineura praised him more than before could not so well refraine hir lokes from him he with countre change rendring like againe but that the two widowes their mothers conceiued great héede therof reioysing greatly to sée the same desirous in time to couple them together For at that present they deferred the same in cōsideration they were both very yong Notwithstāding it had bene better that the same coniunction had bene made before fortune had turned the whéele of hir vnstablenesse And truely delay and prolongation of time sometimes bringeth such and so great missehaps that one hundred times men cursse their fortune and little aduise in foresight of their infortunate chaunces that commonly do come to passe As it chaūced to these widowes one of them thinking to loose hir sonne by the vaine behauior of the others daughter who without that helpe of God or care vnto his will disparaged hir honor and prepared a poyson so daungerous for hir mothers age that the foode therof prepared the way to the good Ladies graue Nowe whiles this loue in this maner increased and that desire of these two Louers flamed forth ordinarily in fire and flames more violent Dom Diego all chaunged and transformed into a newe man receiued no delite but in the sight of his Gineura And she thought that there could be no greater felicitie or more to be wished for than to haue a friend so perfect and so wel accomplished with all things requisite for the ornament and full furniture of a Gentleman This was the occasion that the yong Knight let no wéeke to passe without visiting his mistresse twice or thrice at the least and she did vnto him the greatest curtesie and best entertainment that vertue could suffer a maiden to doe who is the diligent treasurer and carefull tutor of hir honor And this she did by consēt of hir mother In like manne rhonestie doth not permit that chaste maidens should vse long talke or immoderate spéeche with the first that be suters vnto them much lesse séemely it is for them to be ouer squeimishe nice with that man which séeketh by way of marriage to winne power and title of the body which in very dede is or ought to be the moitie of their soule Such was that desires of these two Louers which notwithstanding was impéeched by meanes as hereafter you shal heare For during the rebounding ioy of these faire couple of loyall louers it chaunced that the daughter of a noble man of the Countrey named Ferrando de la Serre which was faire comely wise and of very good behauior by kéeping daily company with Gineura fel extréemely in loue with Dom Diego and assayed by all meanes to do him to vnderstand what the puissance was of hir loue which willingly she meant to bestowe vpon him if it wold please him to honor hir so much as to loue hir with like 〈◊〉 But the Knight which was no more his own man 〈◊〉 rather possessed of another had lost with his libertie his wits and minde to marke the affection of this Gentlewoman of whome he made no accompt The Maiden neuerthelesse ceased not to loue him and to 〈◊〉 al possible wayes to make him hir owne And knowing how much Dom Diego loued Hawking she bought a 〈◊〉 the best in all the Countrey and sent the same to Dom Diego who with all his heart receiued the same and effectuously gaue hir thanks for that desired gift praying the messanger to recommend him to the good grace of his Mistresse and to assure hir selfe of his faithfull seruice and that for hir sake he would kepe the hauk so tenderly as the balles of his eyes This Hauk was the cause of the ill fortune that afterwards chaunced to this pore louer For going many times to sée Gineura with the Hauke on his fist bearing with him the tokens of the goodnesse of his Hauke it escaped his mouthe to say that the same was one of the things that in all the world he loued best Truely this worde was taken at the first bound contrary to his meaning wherwith the matter so fell out as afterwards by despaire he was like to lose his life Certaine dayes after as in the absence of the Knight talke rose of his vertue and honest conditions one prainsing his prowesse valiaunce another his great beautie and curtesy another passing further extolling the sincere 〈◊〉 and constācy which appeared in him touching matters of loue one enuious person named Gracian spake his minde thē in this wise I wil not deny but that Dom Diego is one of the most excellent honest and brauest Knightes of Catheloigne but in matters of Loue he séemeth to me so waltering and inconstant as in euery place where he commeth by and by he falleth in loue and maketh as though he were sick and wold die for the same Gineura maruelliing at those woords sayd vnto him I pray you my friende to vse better talke of the Lorde Dom Diego For I do thinke the loue which the Knight doth beare to a Gentlewoman of this Countrey is so firme and assured that none other can remoue the same out of the siege of his minde Lo how you be deceiued gentlewoman quod Gracian for vnder coloure of 〈◊〉 seruice he and such as he is doe abuse the simplicitie of yong Gentlewomen And to proue my saying true I am assured that he is extremely enamored with the daughter of Dom Ferrando de la Serre of whome he receiued an Hauke that he loueth aboue all other things Gineura remembring the words which certaine dayes before Dom Diego spake touching his Hauke began to suspect and beleue that which master Gracian alleaged and not able to support the choler which colde iealosie bred in hir stomake went into hir Chamber full of so great grief and heauinesse as she was many times like to kill hir self In the end hoping to be reuenged of the wrong which she beleued to receiue of Dom Diego determined to endure hir fortune paciently In the meane time she conceiued in hir minde a despite and hatred so great and extreame against the pore Gentleman that thought little héereof as the former loue was nothing in respect of the reuenge by death which she then desired vpon him Who the next day after his wonted maner came to sée hir hauing to his great damage the Hauke on his fiste which was the cause of all that iealosse Nowe as the Knight was in talke with the mother séeing that his beloued came not at all according to hir custome to salute him and bid him welcome inquired how she
the goodnesse and vertue be depriued of him that is adorned and garnished with suche perfections What comfort contentation and 〈◊〉 shall my ladie your mother receiue seeing the losse of you to bée so sodain after your good delicate bringing vp instructed with such great diligēce to be vtterly bereued of that frute of that educatiō It is you sir that may cōmaund obediēce to parēts succor that afflicted do iustice to thē that craue it Alas they be your poore subiects that make cōplaints euen of you for denying thē your due presence It is you of whō my good madame doth cōplaine as of him that hath broken violated his faith for not cōming at that promised day Now as he was about to to continué his oration Dom Diego vnwilling to heare him brake his talk saying Ah sir my great friend It is an easie matter for you to iudge of mine affaires to blame mine absence not knowing peraduēture the occasion the same But I esteme you a mā of so good iudgement so gret a frēd of things honest of the same 〈◊〉 as by vnderstāding my hard luck when you be aduertised of that cause of my withdrawing into this solitarieplace you wil right ly confesse plainly sée that the wisest most constant haue cōmitted more vain folies than these done by me forced with like spirite that now moueth tormēteth my minde Hauing sayd he toke aside Roderico wher he did tel vnto him the whole discourse both of his loue also of the rigor of his Lady not without wéeping in such abundāce with such frequēt sighes 〈◊〉 as interrupted his spech that Roderico was cōstrained to kepe him cōpany by remēbring that obstinacie of hir that was the mistresse of his heart thinking that alredie he had séene the effect of like missehap to fal vpon his own head or nere vnto that like or greater distresse thā that which he sawe his dere perfect friend to indure Notwithstāding he assayed to remoue him from that desperate mind opinion of continuāce in that desert But the froward penitēt swore vnto him that so long as he liued without place recouered in the good graces of his Gineura he wold not returne home to his house but rather change his being to seke more sauage abode lesse frequēted thā that was For said he to what purpose shall my retourne serue where cōtinuing mine affection I shal fele like crueltie that I did in time past which wil be more painful 〈◊〉 for me to suffer than voluntarie exile banishement or bring me to that ende wherein presently I am Content your selfe I beséeche you and suffer me to be but one vnhappie and doe not persuade mée to proue a seconde affliction woorsse than the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Roderico hearing his reasons so liuely and wel applied woulde not replie onely content that he would make him promise to 〈◊〉 there two monethes and in that time should attempte to 〈◊〉 him selfe And for 〈◊〉 owne parte he swore vnto him that he wold be a meanes to reconcile Gineura and bring them to talke together Moreouer he gaue him assurance by othe that he should not be discouered by him nor by any in his companie Wherwith the Knight somewhat recomforted thanked him very affectuously And so leuing with him a fielde bed two seruauntes and money for his 〈◊〉 Roderico toke his leaue telling him that shortely he woulde visite him againe to his so great contentation as euer he was left and forsaken with griefe and sorow himselfe making great mone for the vnséemely state and miserable plighte of Dom Diego And God knoweth whether by the way he 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of pitilesse Gineura blaspheming a million of times the whole sexe of womankind peraduenture not without iust cause For there lyeth hidden I knowe not what in the breasts of women which at times like the wane and increase of the Moone doth chaunge and alter a 〈◊〉 can not tell on what foote to stande to conceiue the 〈◊〉 of the same whiche fickle fragillitie of theirs I dare not say mobilitie is suche as the subtillest 〈◊〉 of them al best skilled in Turners Art can not I say not deface so much as hide or colour that naturall imperfection Roderico arriued at his house frequented many tymes the lodging of Gineura to espie hir fashions and to sée if any other had conquered that place that was so wel assailed and besieged by Dom Diego And this wise and sage knight vsed the matter so well that he fell in acquaintance with one of the Gentlewomans pages in whome she had so great trust as she conceyled from him very fewe of hir greatest secretes not well obseruing the precept of the wise man who counselleth vs not to tell the secretes of the minde to those whose iudgement is but weake and 〈◊〉 tong very franke of speach The knight 〈◊〉 familiar with this page dandled him so with faire wordes as by litle and litle hée wrong the wormes out of his nose vnderstode that when Gineura began once to take pepper in snuffe agoinst Dom Diego she fel in loue with a Gentleman of Biskaye very poore but beautifull yong and lustie which was the steward of the house and the page added further that he was not then there but would returne within thrée dayes as he had sente worde to hys mistresse and that two other Gentlemen would accompanie him to carie away Gineura into Biskaye for that was their last conclusion and I hope quod he that she wil take me with hir bicause I am made priuie to their whole intent Roderico hering the treason of this flight and departure of the vnfaithfull daughter was at the first brunt astoonned but desirous that the page should not marke his alteration sayd vnto him In very dede mete it is that the Gentlewoman shold make hir own choise of husbande sith hir mother so litle careth to pronide one for hir And albeit that the Gentleman be not so riche and noble as hir estate deserueth hir affection in that behalfe ought to 〈◊〉 and the honestie of hys person for the rest Gineura hath thankes be to God wherwith to intertaine the state of them bothe These wordes he spake farre from the thought of his hearte For being by himself thus he sayd O blessed God how blinde is that loue which is vnruled and out of order and what dispaire to recline to them whiche voide of reason 〈◊〉 féede so foolishly of vaine thoughts and fond desires that two cōmodities presented vnto them by what ill lucke I know not they forsake the beste and make choise of the worst Ah Gineura the fairest Ladie in all this countrey and the most vnfaithfull woman of our time where be thine eies and iudgement whither is thy minde strayed and wandred to acquite thy selfe from a great lord faire rich noble and vertuous to be giuen to one that is poore whose parentes be vnknowne his prowesse
obscure and birth of no aparant reputation Behold what maketh me beleue that 〈◊〉 so well as Fortune is not onely blynde but also dazeleth the syghte of them that hée imbraceth and captiuateth vnder hys power and bondage But I make 〈◊〉 vowe false woman that it shall neuer come to passe and that thys maister Biskaye shall neuer enioye the spoyles whiche iustely bée due vnto the trauaple and faythfull seruice of the valyaunt and vertuous 〈◊〉 Dom Diego It shall be hée or else I will dye for it whyche shall haue the recompense of his troubles and shal féele the caulme of that tempest whych presently holdeth hym at anker amydde the moste daungerous rockes that euer were By thys meanes Roderico knewe the way howe to kéepe promyse wyth hys friende whyche lyued in expectation of the same The two dayes paste whereof the Page hadde spoken the beloued of Gineura sayled not to come and wyth hym two Gallauntes of Biskaye valyaunt Gentlemen and well exercised in armes That nyghte Roderico wente to sée the olde wydowe Ladye the mother of the mayden and syndyng oportunitie to speake to the Page he sayde vnto hym I sée my friende accordingly as you told mée that you 〈◊〉 vpon departing the Steward of the house béeing nowe returned I praye thée tell mée yf thou haue néede of mée or of anye thyng that I am able doe for thée assuryng thée that thou shalte obtayne and haue what so euer thou requirest And therewithall I haue thought good to tell thée and gyue thée warnyng for thyne owne sake specially that thou kéepe all thyngs close and secrete that no 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 doe followe to blotte and deface the fame and prayse of thy Mistresse And for my selfe I hadde rather dye than once to open my mouthe to discouer the least intente of this enterpryse But tell mée I praye thée when do you depart Syr quod the page As my mystresse sayth to morow about ten or eleuen of the clocke in the euenyng when the Ladye hir mother shall bée in the sounde of hir fyrst sléepe The knyght hearyng that and desirous of no better time tooke hys leaue of the Page and wente home where hée caused to bée sente for tenne or twelue Gentlemen hys neyghboures and tenauntes whom he made priuie of his secretes and partakers of that he wente about to delyuer out of captiuitie and miscrie the chiefest of all hys friendes The nyghte of those twoo louers departure beyng come Dom Roderico which knewe the waye where they shoulde passe be stowed hym selfe and hys companye in Ambushe in a little groue almoste thrée myles off the lodgyng of this fugitiue Gentlewoman where they hadde not long taried but they hearde the trampling of horsse and a certaine whispring noyse of people rydyng before them Nowe the nyghte was somewhat cléere whych was the cause that the Knyght amongs the throng knewe the Gentlewoman besides whome rode the miserable wretche that hadde 〈◊〉 hir away Whome so soone as Roderico perceyued full of despite moued with extreme passion welding his launce into his rest brake in the nerest way vpon the infortunat louer with 〈◊〉 vehemencie as neither coate of maile or placard was able to saue his lyfe or warraunt him to kéepe companie with that troupe which banded vnder loues Enseigne was miserably slaine by the guide of a blynde naked and thieuish litle boye And when he saw he had done that he came for he sayd to the rest of the companie My friends this man was carelesse to make inuasion vpon other mens ground These poore Biskayes surprised vpon the sodaine and séeyng the ambushment to multiplie put spurres to their horsse to the best aduantage they coulde for expedition leauing their 〈◊〉 or gaping for breth gyuing a signe that he was dead Whiles the other were making them selues readie to runne away two of Roderico his men couered wyth skarfes armed and vnknowne came to sease vpon sorowfull Gineura who beholding hir friend deade began to wepe and crie so straungely as it was maruell that hir breath fayled not Ah traiterous théenes sayd she and bloodie murderers why do ye not addresse your selues to execute crueltie vpon the rest 〈◊〉 you haue done to death him that is of greater value than you all 〈◊〉 my dere friend what crooked and greuous fortune haue I to sée thée groueling dead on the grounde and I abyding in life to be the praie of murderous theues thou so cowardly bereued of life Roderico with his face couered drewe nere vnto hir and sayde I beséeche you gentlewoman to forget these strange fashions of complaint sith by them ye be not able to reuiue the deade ne yet make your ende of griefs The maidē knowing the voice of him that had bereued hir freinde began to crie out more fiercely than before For which cause one of the Gentlemen a companion of Roderico hauyng a blacke counterfait bearde with two lunets in maner of spectacles very large and greate that couered the most part of his face approched nere the basheful mayden and with bigge voice and terrible talke holdyng his dagger vpon hir white and delicate breast said vnto hir I sweare by the Almightie God if I heare thée speak one word more I wil sacrifice thée vnto the gost of that varlet for whome thou makest thy mone who deserued to ende his dayes vpon a gallowe trée rather than by the hands of a gentleman Hold thy peace therfore thou foolish girle for greater honour and more ample benefite is meant to thée than thou 〈◊〉 deserued Ingratitude onely hath so ouerwhelmed thy good nature that thou art not able to iudge who be thy friends The Gentlewoman fearing deth which as she thought was present held hir peace downe alongs whose eies a riuer of teares dydde runne and the passion of whose heart appeared by 〈◊〉 sighes and neuer ceassing sobbes whiche in ende so qualified hir chéere that the exteriour sadnesse was wholly inclosed in the mynde and thought of the afflicted Gentlewoman Then Roderico caused the body of the dead to be buried in a little Countrey chappell not farre oute of their way Thus they trauailed two dayes before Gineura knew any of them that had taken hir away from hir louer euen so they permitted none to speake vnto hir nor to any of hir companie whiche was none else but a waytyng mayde and the page that hadde discouered all the secretes to Dom Roderico A notable example surely for stolne and secrete mariages whereby the honour of the contraded partes is moste commonly blemyshed the commaundement of God violated who enioyneth obedience to our parents in all rightfull causes who 〈◊〉 for any light 〈◊〉 they haue power to take from vs the 〈◊〉 which otherwise naturall lawe woulde giue vs 〈◊〉 ought they of duetie to doe where rebellious 〈◊〉 abusing their goodnesse do consume without feare of 〈◊〉 bertie the thyng whiche is in the hande and wyll 〈◊〉 their fathers In like manner dyuers vndiscréete 〈◊〉
was called Angēlica a name of trouth without offense to other due to hir For in very déede in hir were harbored the vertue of curtesy and gentlenesse and was so wel instructed and nobly brought vp as they which loued not the name or race of hir could not forbeare to commend hir and wish that their daughter were hir like In suche wise as one of hir chiefest foes was so sharpely beset with hir vertue and beautie as he lost his quiet sléepe lust to eate drinke His name was Anselmo Salimbene who wold willingly haue made sute to marry hir but the discord past quite mortified his desire so sone as he had deuised the plot within his braine and fansie Notwithstāding it was impossible that the loue so liuely grauen and 〈◊〉 in his minde could easily be defaced For if once in a day he had not séene hir his heart did fele the tormēts of tosting flames and wished that the Hunting of the Bore had neuer decayed a familie so excellent to the intent he might haue matched himself with hir whome none other coulde displace out of his remembraunce which was one of the richest Gentlemen and of greatest power in Siena Now for that he ourst not discouer his amorous grief to any person was the chiefest cause that martired most his heart for the auncient festred malice of those two families he despaired for euer to gather either floure or fruit of that affection presupposing that Angelica would neuer fire hir loue on him for that his Parents were the cause of the defaite ouerthrow of the Montanine house But what There is nothing durable vnder the heauens Both good and euill 〈◊〉 their reuolution in the gouernement of humane affaires The amities and hatreds of Kings and Princes be they so hardned as commonly in a moment he is not 〈◊〉 to be a hearty friend that lately was a 〈◊〉 foe and spired naught else but the ruine of his aduer farie We sée the varietie of humane chaunces and then 〈◊〉 iudge at eye what great simplicitie it is to stay settle certain and infallible iudgemit vpon 〈◊〉 vnstayed doings He that erst gouerned a king made all things to tremble at his word is sodainly throwne downe dieth a shamefull death In like sort another which loketh for his owne vndoing séeth himselfe aduaunced to his estate againe and vengeaunce taken of his enimies Calir Bassa gouerned whilom that great Mahomet that wan the Empire of Constantinople who attempted nothing without the aduise of that Bassa But vpon the sodain he saw himself reiected the next day strangled by commaundement of him which so greatly honored him without iust cause did him to a death so cruell Contrariwise Argon the T artarian entring armes against his vncle Tangodor Caui when he was vpon the point to lose his life for his rebellion and was conueyed into Armenia to be executed there was rescued by certain T artarians the houshold seruaūtes of his dead vncle and afterwards proclaimed king of T artarie about the yere 1285. The example of the Empresse Adaleda is of no lesse credit than the former who being fallen into the hands of Beranger the vsurper of that Empire escaped his fury and cruelty by flight in the end maried to Otho the first saw hir wrong reuenged vpō Beranger and al his race by hir sonne Otho the second I aduouch these histories to proue the mobility of fortune the chaunge of worldly chaunces to the end you may sée that the very same miserie which followed Charles Montanine hoisted him aloft again when he loked for least succor he saw deliueraunce at hād Now to prosecute our history know ye that while Salimbenc by little litle pined for loue of Angelica wherof she was ignorāt carelesse and albeit she curteously rendred health to him when somtime in his amorous fit he beheld hir at a window yet for al that she neuer gessed the thoughts of hir louing enimy During these haps it chaūced that a rich citizen of Siena hauing a ferme adioyning to the lāds of Montanine desirous to encrease his patrimonie annere the same vnto his owne and knowing that the yong gentleman wanted many things moued him to sel his inheritaunce offring him for it in redy mony a M. Ducates Charles which of all the wealth substaunce left him by his auncester had no more remaining but that countrey ferme a Palace in the Citie so the rich Italians of eche city terme their houses and with that litle liued honestly maintained his sister so wel as he could refused flatly to dispossesse himselfe of that porcion which renewed vnto him that happy memory of those that had ben the chief of al the cōmon wealth The couetous wretch seing himself frustrate of his pray conceiued such rancor against Montanine as he purposed by right or wrōg to make him not only to for fait the same but also to lose his life following the wicked desire of tirannous Iesabel that made Naboth to be stoned to death to extorte and wrongfully get his vineyarde About that time for the quarels cōmon discordes raigning throughout Italy that nobilitie were not assured of safety in their countreis but rather the cōmon sort rascall nūber were that chief rulers and gouerners of the cōmon wealth whereby the greatest part of the nobilitie or those of best authoritie being banished the villanous band and grosest kind of common people made a law like to the Athenians in the time of Solon that all persons of what degrée cōditiō so euer they were which practized by himselfe or other meanes the restablishing or reuocation of such as wer banished out of their Citie shold lose forfaite the sum of M. Florens and hauing not wherewith to pay the condempnation their heade should remaine for gage A law no dout very iust and righteous scenting rather of the barbarous cruelty of the Gothes and 〈◊〉 thā of true christians stopping the retire of innocents exiled for particular quarels of Citizens incited one against another and rigorously rewarding mercy and curtesie with execution of cruelty incomparable This citizen then purposed to accuse Montanine for offending against the lawe bicause otherwise he could not purchase his entent and the same was easy inough for him to compasse by reason of his authority and estimation in the Citie for the enditement and plea was no sooner red and giuen but a number of post knightes appeared to depose against the pore gentleman to beare witnesse that he had trespassed the lawes of the Countrey and had sought meanes to introduce the banished with intent to kill the gouerners and to place in state those 〈◊〉 that were the cause of the Italian troubles The miserable gentleman knew not what to do ne how to defend himself There were against him the Moone the. vy starres the state of the Citie the Proctor and Iudge of the court the witnesses that gaue
nature and vnderstād how I can be requited on them which indeuor to gratifie me in any thing Hauing sayd so and euery man being set down he turned his talke to the reste of the companie in this wise I doubt not my 〈◊〉 noble dames but that ye much muse and maruell to sée me in this house so late and in your companie and am sure that a great desire moueth your minds to know for what purpose that cause and why I haue gathered this assemblie in a time vnlooked for and in place where none of oure race and kynne of long time dyd enter and lesse dyd meane to make hyther their repaire But when you doe consider what vertue and goodnesse resteth in the heartes of those men that shunne and auoyde the 〈◊〉 of mynde to followe the reasonable parte and which proprely is called spirituall you shall therby perceiue that when gentle kynde and noble heart by the great mistresse 〈◊〉 Nature be grifted in the myndes of men they cease not to make appere the effect of their doings sometyme producyng one vertue sometimes another whiche cease not to cause the fruict of suche industrie bothe to blowe and beare In suche wyse as the more those vertuous actes and commendable workes do appeare abroade the greater dyligence is imployed to searche the matter wherein she 〈◊〉 cause to appeare the force of vertue and excellencie conceiuyng singular delighte in that hir good and holie delyuerie whych bringeth forth a fruict worthie of such a stocke And that force of minde and generositie of noble hearte is so firme and sure in operation as althoughe humane things be vnstable and subiecte to chaunge yet they can not be seuered or disparcled And albeit it bée the butte and white whereat Fortune dischargeth all hir dartes and shaftes threatning shooting and assailing the same rounde yet it continueth stable and firme like a rocke and cliffe beaten with the violent furie of waues rising by winde or tempest Wherby it chanceth that riches and dignitie can no more aduaunce the hart of a slaue and villain than pouertie make vile abase the greatnesse of courage in them that be procreated of other stuffe than of common sorte which dayely kéepe the maiestie of their originall and lyue after the instincte of good and noble bloode wherewith their auncesters were made noble and sucked that same vertue oute of the teates of Noursses breastes who in the myddes of troublesome 〈◊〉 of Fortune that doe assayle them and depresse theyr modestie theyr face and countenaunce and theyr factes full well declare their condition and doe to vnderstande that vnder suche a miserie a mynde is hydde whiche deserueth greater guerdon than the eigre taste of calamitie In that dydde glowe and shyne the youth of the Persian and Median Monarch being nurssed amongs the stalles and stables of his grandfather the gentle kynde of the founder of stately Rome suckeled in the shepecoates of Princes shephierds Thus much haue I sayd my good lordes and dames in consideration of the noble courage and gentle mynde of Charles Montanine and of his sister who without preiudice to any other I dare to say is the paragon and mirrour of all chast and curteous maidens well trained vp amongs the whole troupe of those that liue this daye in Siena who beeyng brought to the ende and last point of their ruin as euery of you doth know and their race so sore decayed as there remaineth but the onely name of Montanine notwithstanding they neuer lost the hearte desire ne yet the effect of the curtesie and naturall bountie whiche euer doth accompanie the minde of those that be 〈◊〉 in déede Which is the cause that I am constrayned to accuse oure auncesters of to muche crueltie and of the litle respect which for a controuersie occurred by chāce haue pursued them with such mortal reuenge as without ceassing with all their force they haue assayed to ruinate abolishe and for euer 〈◊〉 that a righte noble and illustre race of the Montanines amongs whō if neuer any goodnesse appeared to the worlde but the honestie gentlenesse curtesie and vertuous maners of these twaine here present the brother and sister yet they ought to be accompted amongs the ranke of the noblest and chiefest of our Citie to the intent in tyme to come it may not be reported that we haue estéemed and cherished riches and drossie mucke more than vertue and modestie But imitating those excellent gouerners of Italie which helde the Romane Empire lette vs rather reuerēce the vertuous poore than praise or prise the riche gyuen to vice and wickednesse And for so much as I do sée you all to be desirous to knowe that cause and argument which maketh me to vse this talke and forceth mée to prayse the 〈◊〉 and goodnesse of the Montanines pleaseth you to stay a litle with pacience and not think the time tedious I meane to declare the same Plainely to confesse vnto you for that it is no crime of death or heinous offense the gifts of nature the beautie and comelinesse of faire Angelica here present haue so captiuate my mind and depriued my hart of libertie as night and day trauailing how I mighte discouer vnto hir my martirdom I did consume in such wise as losing lust of sléepe and meate I feared ere lōg to be either dead of sorrow or 〈◊〉 of my right wittes seing no meanes how I might auoyd the same bicause our two houses and families were at continuall debate and albeit 〈◊〉 were ceased and quarelles forgotten yet there rested as I thought a certaine desire bothe in the one and the other of offense when time and occasion did serue And yet mine affection for al that was not decreased but rather more tormented and my griefe increased hopelesse of helpe which nowe is chaunced to me as you shall heare You doe knowe and so do all men howe within these fewe dayes past the Lorde Montanine here present was accused before the Seniorie for trespasses against the statutes and Edicts of the same and being prisoner hauing not wherwith to satisfie the condemnation the law affirmed that his life shold recompense and supplie default of money I not able to suffer the want of hym which is the brother of the dearest thing I estéeme in the worlde and hauyng not hir in possession nor lyke without him to attaine hir payed that summe and deliuered hym He by what meanes I know not or how he coniectured the beneuolence of my déede thinkyng that it procéeded of the honest 〈◊〉 and affection which I bare to gracious and amiable Angelica well consideryng of my curteste hath ouercome me in prodigalitle he this nyghte came vnto me wyth his sister my mystresse yeldyng hir my slaue and bondwoman leauing hir with me to doe with hir as I wold with any thing I had Beholde my good Lordes and ye noble Ladies and cousins and consider how I may recompense thys benefite and be able to satisfie
shift besturred him in Erra Pater for matching of two contrary elements For colde in Christmasse holy dayes and frost at Twelftide shewed no more force in this poore lerned scholer thā the Suns heat in the Feries of Iuly gnats flies waspes at noone dayes in Sōmer vpon the naked tender corpse of this fair Widow The Scholer stode belowe in a Court benoommed for cold the widowe preached a lofte in the top of a Tower and 〈◊〉 woulde haue had water to coole hir extreme heat The scholler in his shirt bedecked with his demissaries The widow so naked as hir graundmother Eue without vesture to shroud hir The widow by magike Arte what so euer it cost wold faine haue recouered hir lost louer The Scholler well espying his aduaūtage when he was asked councel so incharmed hir with his Sillogismes as he made hir to mount a tower to cursse the time that euer she knew him or hir louer So that widow not well beatē in causes of schole was whipt with the rod wherwith she scourged other Alas good woman had she knowne that olde malice had not bene forgotten she would not haue trusted lesse committed hir self to the circle of his enchauntments If women wist what dealings are with men of great reading they wold amongs one hundred other not deale with one of the meanest of those that be bookish One Girolamo Ruscelli alearned Italian making pretie notes for that better elucidation of the Italian Decamerone of Boccaccio iudgeth Boccaccio himself to be this scholler whom by another name he termeth to be Rinieri But whatsoeuer that Scholler was he was truly too extréeme in reuenge therein could vse no meane For he neuer left the pore féeble soule for all hir curteous woords and gentle supplication vntil the skin of hir flesh was parched with the scalding sunne beames And not contented with that delt his almose also to hir maide by sending hir to help hir mistresse where also she brake hir legge Yet Philenio was more pitifull ouer the thrée Nimphes faire Goddesses of Bologna whose History you may read in the xlix Nouell of my former Tome He fared not so roughly with those as Rinieri did with this that sought but to gain what she had lost Wel how so euer it was and what differencie betwene either of them this Hystorie ensuing more amply shall giue to vnderstand Not long sithens there was in Florence a yong gentlewoman of worshipfull parentage faire and comely of personage of courage stout and abounding in goods of fortune called Helena who being a Widow determined not to mary again bicause she was in loue with a yong man that was not voide of natures goodly gifts whom for hir owne toothe aboue other she had specially chosen In whome setting aside all other care many times by meanes of one of hir maids which she trusted best she had great pleasure and delite It chaūced about the same time that a yong Gentleman of that Citie called Rinieri hauing a great time studied at Paris retourned to Florence not to sell his Science by retaile as many doe but to know the reasons of things and the causes of the same which is a maruellous good exercise for a Gentleman And being there honoured greatly estemed of all men aswell for his curteous behauioure as also for his knowledge he liued like a good Citizen But as it is commonly séene they which haue best vnderstanding and knowledge in things are soonest tangled in Loue euen so it happened to this Rinieri who repairing one day for his passetime to a feast this Madame Helena clothed all in blacke after the manner of widowes was there also and séemed in his eyes so beautiful and wel fauored as any woman that euer he sawe and thought that he might be accompted happy to whome God did she we so much fauoure as to suffer him to be cleped betwene hir armes beholding hir diuers times and knowing that the greatest and dearest things can not be gotten without laboure he determined to vse all his endeuoure and care in pleasing of hir that thereby he might obtaine hir loue and so enioy hir The yong Gentlewoman not very bashfull conceiuing greater opinion of hir selfe than was néedefull not casting hir eyes towards the ground but rolling them artificially on euery side and by and by perceiuing much gazing to be vpon hir espied Rinieri earnestly beholding hir and sayd smiling to hir selfe I thinke that I haue not this day lost my time in comming hither for if I be not deceiued I shall catch a Pigeon by the nose And beginning certaine times stedfastly to loke vpon him she forced hir selfe so much as she could to séeme effectuously to beholde him and on the other parte thinking that the more pleasant and amorous she shewed hir self to be the more hir beautie should be estéemed chiefly of him whome specially she was disposed to loue The wise Scholler giuing ouer his Philosophie bent all his endeuor hereunto thinking to be hir seruaunt learned where she dwelt and began to passe before hir house vnder pretense of some other occasion wherat the Gentlewoman reioysed for the causes beforesaide faining an earnest desire to beholde him Wherfore the Scholler hauing found a certaine meane to be acquainted with hir maide discouered his loue praying hir to deale so with hir mistresse as he might haue hir fauor The maide promised him very willingly and incontinently reported the same to hir mistresse who with the greatest scoffes in the world gaue eare therunto sayd Séest thou not frō whence this goodfellow is come to lose al his knowledge doctrine that he hath brought vs from Paris Now let vs deuise therefore how he may be handled for going about to séeke that which he is not like to obtain Thou shalt say vnto him when he speaketh to thée againe that I loue him better than he loueth me but that it behoueth me to saue mine honoure and to kéepe my good name and estimation amongs other women Which thing if he be so wise as he séemeth he ought to esteme regarde Ah poore Wench she knoweth not well what it is to mingle huswiuery with learning or to intermeddle distaues with bokes Now the maid when she had found the Scholler told him as hir mistresse had commaūded wherof the Scholler was so glad as he with greater endeuor procéeded in his enterprise and began to write letters to the Gentlewoman which were not refused although he could receiue no answeres that pleased him but such as were done opēly And in this sort the Gentle woman long time fed him with delayes In the end she discouered all this newe loue vnto hir friend who was attached with such an aking disease in his head as the same was fraught with the reume of ialosie wherfore she to she we hir selfe to be suspected without cause very careful for the Scholler sēt hir maid to tel him that she had no conuenient time to doe
many taken and diuers Pinnasses by force of their 〈◊〉 escaped In that fight died fewe people but many were hurt and Iohn the captaine general taken prisoner and with him almost all the Barons which of their owne accordes repaired to those warres and besides a great number of souldiers many Ensignes aswel of the field as of the galleis and specially the maine standerd was taken And in the end the Castell being rendred after long voyages and great fortunes by Sea they were al chained caried to Naples and there imprisoned Amonges those prisonners there was a certaine Gentleman called Roland the naturall Sonne of king Federick deceased a yong Prince very comely and valiant Who not being redéemed taried alone in prison very sorowfull to sée all others discharged after they had paid their raunsome and himselfe not to haue wherewith to furnishe the same For King Pietro to whome the care of him appertained by reason he was his brother for that his warres hadde no better successe and done contrary to his commaundement conceiued displeasure so well against him as all others which were at that battell Nowe he then being prisoner without hope of any libertie by meanes of the dampishe prison and his féete clogged with yrons grewe to be sicke and féeble It chaunced by fortune that Camiola remembred him and séeing him forsaken of his brethren had compassion vpon his missehappe in such wise as she purposed if honestly she might doe the same to set him at libertie For the accomplishment whereof without preiudice of hir honoure she sawe none other wayes but to take him to husbande Wherefore she sent diuers vnto him secretely to conferre if he wold come forth vpon that condition whereunto he willingly agréed And performing eche due ceremonie vnder promised faith vpon the gift of a ring willingly by a deputie he espoused Camiola who with so much diligence as she could payed two thousand Crownes for his raunsome and by that meanes he was deliuered When he was returned to Messina he repaired not to his wife but fared as though there had neuer bene any suche talke betwéene them whereof at the beginning Camiola very much maruelled and afterwardes knowing his vnkindenesse was greately offended in hir heart against him Notwithstanding to the entent she might not séeme to be grieued 〈◊〉 reason before she proceded any further caused him louingly to be talked withal and to be exhorted by folowing his promise to consummate the mariage And séeing that he denyed euer any such contract to be made she caused him to be summoned before 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iudge by whom sentence was giuen that he was hir husband by 〈◊〉 of his owne letters by witnesse of certain other personages of good reputation which afterwards he himself cōfessed his face blushing for shame for that he had forgotten such a manifest benefit and good turne When 〈◊〉 kinde parte of Camiola done vnto him was throughly known he was by his brethren reproued checked for his villany 〈◊〉 by their instigation the persuasion of his friends he was cōtented by hūble request to desire Camiola to performe the 〈◊〉 But the gentle 〈◊〉 which was of great corage in the presence of diuers 〈◊〉 were with him when he required hir therunto answered him in this manner Roland I haue great cause to render thankes to almighty God for 〈◊〉 it pleased him to declare vnto me the proofe of 〈◊〉 vnfaithfulnesse before thou 〈◊〉 by any meanes contaminate vnder the coloure of mariage the puritie of my body and that through his 〈◊〉 by whose most holy name thou 〈◊〉 about to abuse me by false and periured othe I haue foreséene thy 〈◊〉 and deceite wherin I beleue that I haue gained more than I 〈◊〉 haue done by thée in mariage I suppose that whē thou were in prison thou diddest meane no lesse than nowe by effect thou she west and diddest thinke that I forgetting of what house I was presumptuously desired a husband of the royall bloud and therfore wholly inflamed with thy loue diddest purpose to begile me by denying the trothe when thou haddest recouered libertie through my money and thereby to reserue thy 〈◊〉 for some other of more famous alliance being restored to thy former degrée And hereby thou hast giuen proofe of thy will and what minde thou haddest so to do if thine abilitie had bene correspondent But God who frō the lofty skies doth behold the humble low and who forsaketh none that hopeth in him knowing the sinceritie of my conscience hath giuen me the grace by litle trauaile to breake the bandes of thy deceiptes to discouer thine ingratitude and make manifest thine infidelitie which I haue not done only to display the wrōg towards me but that thy brethren other thy friends might from hēceforth know what thou art what affiāce they ought to repose in thy faith thereby what thy friends ought to loke for what thine enimies ought to feare I haue lost my money thou thy good name I haue lost the hope which I had of thée thou the fauor of the king and of thy brethren I the expectation of my mariage thou a true constant wife I the fruits of charitie thou the gaine of amity I an vnfaithful husbād thou a most pure loyal wife Now the Gētlewomen of Sicilia do maruel at my magnificence and beautie and by praises aduaunce the same vp into the heauēs and contrariwise euery of thē do mock thée déeme thée to be infamous The renoumed wryters of eche coūtrey will place me amōgs the ranke of the noblest dames wher thou shalt be depressed throwne down amongs the heapes of the most vnkind True it is that I am somwhat deceiued by deliuering out of prison a yong man of royall and noble race in stede of whome I haue redéemed a rascall a lier a 〈◊〉 of his faith and a cruell beast and take héede hardily how thou do greatly 〈◊〉 thy selfe I wish thée not to think that I was moued to draw thee out of prison and take thée to husband for the good qualities that were in thée but for the memorie of auncient benefits which my father receiued of thine if Federike a king of most sacred remembraunce were thy father for I can scarsly beleue that a sonne so dishonest should procede from so noble a gentlemā as was that famous prince I knowe well thou thinkest that it was an vnworthie thing that a Widow not being of the royal blood shold haue to husband the sonne of a 〈◊〉 so strong and of so goodly personage which I willyngly confesse but I would haue thée a litle to make me answer at lest wise if thou canst by reason when I paide so great a summe of money to deliuer thée from bondage and captiuitie where was then the nobilitie of thy royal race where was thy force of youth and where thy beautie if not that they were closed vp in a terrible prison where thou wast deteined in bitter
tattling talke of our secrete follies Moreouer I would 〈◊〉 very glad to doe what pleaseth you so the same may be without slaunder For I hadde rather die than any should take vs in our priuities and familier pastimes let vs be contented with the pleasure that the 〈◊〉 of our ioy may graunt and not with suche contentation as shall offend vs by blotting the clerenesse of our 〈◊〉 names Concluding then that time of their new acquaintaunce which was the next day at noone when that Lieutenant did walke into the Citie they ceased their talk for feare of his enteruiew Who vpon his returne doing reuerence vnto his Lord tolde him that he knewe where a wilde Boare did haunt if it pleased him to sée the passetime Whereunto the Lord Nicholas fayned louingly to giue eare although against his will for so much as he thought the same hunting should be a delay for certaine dayes to the enioying pretended and assured of his beloued But she that was so muche or more esprised with the raging and intollerable fire of loue spedily found meanes to satisfie hir louers sute but not in such manner as was desired of either parts wherefore they were constrained to defer the rest vntill an other time This pleasaunt beginning so allured the Lord of Nocera as vnder the pretence of hunting there was no wéeke that passed but he came to 〈◊〉 the warrener of his Lieuetenaunt And this order continuing without 〈◊〉 one little suspition of their loue they gouerned themselues wisely in the pursute thereof And the Lord Nicholas vsed the game and sport of Hunting and an infinite number of other exercises as the running of the King and Tennis not so muche thereby to finde meanes to enioy his Ladie as to auoide occasion of iealosie in hir husband being a very familiar vice in all Italians the cloke wherof is very heauie to beare and the disease troublesome to sustaine But what Like as it is hard to beguile an 〈◊〉 in the accoumpt of his money for his continual watch ouer the same and slumbering slepes vpon the bokes of his reckenings and accompts so difficult it is to deceiue the heart of a iealous man and specially when he is assured of the griefe which his heade hath conceiued Argus was neuer so cléere eyed for all his hundred eyes ouer Iupiters lemman as those louers be whose opinions be yll affected ouer the chastitie of their wiues Moreouer what foole or Asse is he who séeing suche vndiscrete familiaritie of two louers the priuie gestures and demeanors without witnesse their stolne walkes at vntimely houres sometimes their embracemēts to straight and common before seruaunts that wold not doubt of that which most secretely did passe True it is that in England where libertie is so honestly obserued as being alone or secrete conuersation giueth no cause of suspition that same might haue 〈◊〉 borne withall But in Italie where the parents themselues be for the most part suspected if there had ben no fact in déede cōmitted that familiaritie of the Lord Nicholas with his Lieutenantes wife was not suffrable but exceded the bounds of reason for so much as the cōmoditie which they had chosen for pos sessing of their loue albeit the same not suspitious animated them afterwards to frequent their familiarity disport to frākly without discretiō which was that cause that fortune who neuer leaueth that ioyes of mē without giuing therunto some great alarm being enuious of the mutual delights of those 〈◊〉 louers made that husbād to doubt of that which he wold haue dissēbled if honor could so easily be lost wtout reproch as bloud is shed with out peril of life But that mater being so cleare as the fault was euidēt specially in the party which touched him so neare as himself that Lieuetenaūt before he wold enterprise any thing and declare what he thought 〈◊〉 throughly to be resolued of that which he sawe as it were 〈◊〉 in a cloude and by reason of his conceiued opinion he dealt so warely and wisely in those affaires was so subtill an espiall as one day when the louers were at their game and in their most straite and secrete embracements he viewed them coupled with other leash than he would haue wished and colled with straighter bands than reason or honesty did permit He saw without being séene wherin he felt a certaine ease and contentment for being assured of that he doubted purposed to ordeine a sowre refection after their delightsome banket the simple louers ignoraunt by signe or 〈◊〉 that their enterprises were discouered And truely it had bene more tollerable and lesse hurtful for the Lieuetenaunt if euen then he had perpetrated his vengeaunce and punished them for their wickednesse than to vse the crueltie wherwith afterwards he blotted his renoume and foiled his hands by Bedlem rage in the innocent bloud of those that were not priuie to the folie and lesse guiltie of the wrong done vnto him Now the captaine of the Castell for all his dissimulation in couering of his griefe and his fellony and treason intended against his soueraigne Lord which he desired not yet manifestly to appeare was not able any more from that time forthe to speake so louingly vnto him nor with suche respecte and reuerence as he did before which caused his wife thus to say vnto hir louer My Lord I doubt very much least my husbād doth perceiue these our cōmon practizes secrete familiar dealings that he hath some hāmer working in his head by reason of the countenaunce vnchéereful entertainment which he sheweth to your Lordship wherfore mine aduise is that you retire for a certain time to Foligno In the meane space I wil marke 〈◊〉 if that his alteration be conceiued for any matter against vs and wherfore his wōted lokes haue put on this new alteration chaūge All which when I haue by my espial and secrete practise sounded I will spéedily aduertise you to the ende that you may prouide for the safegarde of youre faithfull and louyng seruaunt The yong Lorde who loued the Gentlewoman with all hys hearte was attached with so greate griefe and dryuen into such rage by hearing those wicked newes as euen presentely he woulde haue knowen of his Lieuetenaunt the cause of his diswonted chéere But weyghing the good aduise which his woman had gyuen hym paused vpon the same 〈◊〉 hir to doe what she thought best By reason wherof giuing warning to his seruantes for his departure he caused the Lieutenaunt to be called before him vnto whom he sayd Captain I had thought for certaine dayes to sport and passe my time but hearing tel that the Duke of Camerino commeth to Foligno to debate with vs of matters of importance I am constrained to departe and do pray you in that meane time to haue good regarde vnto our affaires and if any newes 〈◊〉 chaunce to aduertise the same with all expedition Sir sayd the Captain I am sorie
a stone of salt For when he saw that bloodie pageant and knew that it was his brother Nicholas pitie feare so stopt the pipes of his spech as wtout coÌ„plaining himself or framing one word he suffred his throte to be cut by the barbarous captain who threw him half dead vpoÌ„ that corps of his brother 〈◊〉 that bloud of either of theÌ„ might cry vp to that heueÌ„s for so loud veÌ„geaÌ„ce 〈◊〉 that of Abel did being slain by the treson of his nerest bro ther. Beholde that dreadful beginnings of a heart rapt in fury and of that minde of him that not resisting his fonde affections executed the terrible practizes of his owne braine and preferring his fantasle aboue reason deuised suche ruine and decay as by these examples the posteritie shall haue good cause to wonder The like cruelty vsed Tiphon towardes his brother Osyris by chopping his body in xxvi gobbets whereby ensued the 〈◊〉 of him and his by Orus whome some doe surname Appollo And troweth that captaine to looke for lesse mercy of the brother of the other twain that were murdred and of the Dukes kindred whome he kept prisoner But he was so blinded with fury and it may be led by ambition and desire to be made Lord of Nocera that he was not conteÌ„ted to venge his shame on him which had offended but assayed to murder and extinguish all the Trinicien bloud the enheritance only remaining in them And to come to the end of his enterprise this Italian Nero not content with these so many slaughters but thereunto adioyned a new treason assaying to win the Citizens of Nocera to moue rebellion against their Lord causing them to assemble before the Forte vnto whome vpon the walles he vsed this or like Dration I haue hitherto my masters 〈◊〉 the litle pleasure that my heart hath felt to 〈◊〉 so many true faithful Citizens subiect vnder the will vnbrideled lustes of two or three 〈◊〉 who haue gotten power and authoritie ouer vs more through our owne folly cowardise than by valiance vertue and iustice either in them or those which haue dispoyled this Countrey of their auncient libertie I will not deny but principalities of long 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 deriued by succession of inheritaunce haue had some spice and kinde of equitie and that Lords of good life and conuersation ought to be obeyed defended and honored But where inuasion and seasure is against right where the people is spoiled and lawes violated it is no coÌ„science to disobey and abolish such monsters of nature The Romanes in their prime age of their common wealth ful wel declared the same wheÌ„ they banished out of their Citie the proud race of the Tirant Tarquine and when they 〈◊〉 about to exterminate al the rootes of crueltie and Tyrannicall power Our neighbours the 〈◊〉 once did the like vnder the conduct of Dion against the disruled fury and wilfull crueltie of Denis the Tirant of Syracusa and the Athenuns against the children of Pisistratus And ye that be sorted from the stocke of those Samnites which in times past so long held vp their heads against the Romane force will ye be so very cowardes weake hearted for respect of the title of your seigniorie as ye dare not with me to attempt a valiant enterprise for reducing your selues into libertie and to 〈◊〉 that vermine broode of Tyrauntes which swarme through out the whole Region of Italie Will ye be so mated and dumped as the shadowe alone of a fonde and inconstant yong man shall holde your nose to the grindstone and drawe you at his lust like an Ore into the stall I feare that if ye saw your wiues and daughters haled to the passetime and pleasure of these Tirauntes to glutte the whoredome of those stincking Goate bucks more lecherous and filthy than the senselesse sparowes I feare I say that ye durst not make one signe for demonstration of your wrathe and displeasure No no my masters of Nicera it is highe time to cutte of the Hydra his heades and to strangle him within his caue The time is come I say wherein it behoueth you to shewe your selues like men and no longer to dissemble the case that toucheth you so néere Consider whither it be good to follow mine aduise to reposside againe the thing which is your owne that is to wit the fréedome wherin your auncesters gloried so muche and for which they feared not to hazarde their goodes and liues It will come good cheape if you be ruled by me it will redound to your treble fame if like men ye follow mine aduise which I hope to let you shortly sée without any great perill or losse of your Citizens bloud I haue felt the effect of the Trinicien Tiranny and the rigor of their vnrighteous gouernement which hauing begonne in me they will not faile if they be not chastised in time to extend on you also whome they déeme to be their slaues In like manner I haue first begon to represse their boldnesse and to withstand their lâ—ud behauioure yea and if you minde to vnderstand right from wrong an easie matter it will be to perfourme the rest the tune being so commodious and the discouery of the thing whereof I haue made you priuy so coÌ„uenient And know ye that for the exploit of mine intent and to bring you againe altogither in libertie I haue taken the two Lords Nicholas and Caesar prisonners attending till fortune doe bring to me the third to pay him with like money and equall guerdon that not onely you may be frée and settled in your auncient priuiledge but my heart also satisfied of that wrong which I haue receiued by their iniustice Beleue masters that the thing which I haue done was not wtout great cause nor wtout open iniury receued as by keping it close I burst by telling that same I am ashamed I wil kepe it secrete not wtstaÌ„ding shall pray you to take héede vnto your selues that by vniuersal consent the mischiefe may be preuented Deuise what answer you wil make me to that intent that I by folowing your aduise may also be resolued vpon that I haue to do without preiudice but to them to whome the case doth chiefly appertaine During all this 〈◊〉 the wicked captaine kept close the murder which he had committed to draw the worme out of the Nocerines 〈◊〉 to see of what minde they were that vpon the intelligence thereof he might worke and follow the time accordingly He that had seene the Citizens of 〈◊〉 after that seditious Dration would haue thought that he had heard a murmure of Bees when issuing forth their hiues they light amidst a pleasaunt Herber adorned beautified with diuers coloured floures For the people flocked and assembled togithers and began to murmur vpon the imprisonment of their Lord and the treason coÌ„mitted by the LieuetenauÌ„t thinking it very strauÌ„ge that he which was a houshold seruaunt durst be so bold to sease on
of Princes What 〈◊〉 said the paisant thinke you that this pore coate and simple lodging be not able to apprehend the preceptes of vertue I haue sometimes heard tell that the wise auoiding Cities troupes of men haue withdrawne themselues into the deserts for leisure to contemplat heauenly things Your skill is great replied Mansor Goe we then 〈◊〉 you please to doe me that curtesie as this night to be mine hoste So the King went in to the rusticall lodge where in stéede of Tapistery and Turkey hangings he saw the house stately hanged with fisher nettes and cordes and in place of riche séeling of Noble mens houses he beheld Canes and Redes which serued bothe for the séeling and couering The fishermanaes wife continued in the kitchen whilest Mansor himselfe both walked and 〈◊〉 his owne horse to which horse the fisher man durst not once come neare for his corage stately trappour with one thing he was abundātly refreshed and that the most néedeful thing which was fire wherof there was no spare no more then there was of fishe But the King which had bene daintely sed and did not well tast and like that kinde of meat demaunded if his hunger could not be supplied with a little flesh for that his stomake was anoyed with the only sauoure of the Eeles The pore man as ye haue somwhat perceiued by the former discourse was a plesaunt fellowe and delighted rather to prouoke laughter than to prepare more dainty meat said vnto the King It is no maruel though our Kings doe furnishe themselues with countrey men to serue them in their warres for the delicate bringing vp and litle force in fine courtiers We albeit the raine doth fal vpon our heads and the winde assaile euery part of our bodies all durtie and wet doe not care either for fire or bed we fede vpon any kinde of meat that is set before vs without séeking sause for increasing of our appetite and we behold are númble healthy lusty and neuer sicke nor our mouth out of taste where ye doe féele suche distemperaunce of stomake as pitie it is to sée more adoe there is to bring the same into his right order and taste than to ordaine and dresse a supper for a whole armie The King who laughed with displayed throte hearing his hoste so merily disposed could haue bene contented to haue heard him still had not his appetite prouoked him and the time of the night very late Wherfore he said vnto him I doe agrée to what you alleage but performe I pray thée my request then we will satisfie our selues with further talke Well sir replied the Kings hoste I sée well that a hungry belly hathe no lust to heare a mery song whereof were you not so egre and sharpe set I could sing a hundred But I haue a little Kidde which as yet is not weaned the same wil I cause to be made ready for I thinke it cannot be better bestowed The supper by reason of the hostes curtesie was passed forth in a thousande pleasant passetimes which the Fisherman of purpose vttered to recreate his guest bycause he sawe him to delight in those deuises And vpon the ende of supper he sayd vnto the King Now sir how like you this banket It is not so sumptuous as those be that be ordinarily made at our Princes court yet I thinke that you shall sléepe with no lesse appetite than you haue eaten with a good stomacke as appereth by the few words you haue vttered in the time of your repast But whervnto booteth it to employ time or deined for eating in expense of talke which serueth not but to passe the time and to shorten the day And meates ought rather to be taken for sustentation of nature than for prouocation or motion of this féeble and transitorie fleshe Uerily sayde the Kyng youre reason is good and I doe meane to ryse from the table to passe the remnant of the night in rest therwith to 〈◊〉 my selfe so well as I haue with eatyng and do thanke you hartily for your good aduertisement So the King went to bedde and it was not long ere he fell a sléepe and continued 〈◊〉 the mornyng And when the Sunne dyd 〈◊〉 the Fisherman came to wake hym tellyng hym that it was time to rise and that he was readie to bring him to the Court. All this while the Gentlemen of the Kings traine were searching rounde aboute the countrey to finde his maiestie making cries and hues that he mighte heare them The Kyng knowyng their voices and the noyse they made went forth to méete them and if his people were gladde when they found him the Fisherman was no lesse amazed to séethe honor which the courtiers did vnto his guest Which the curteous King perceiuing said vnto him My friend thou 〈◊〉 here that Mansor of whome 〈◊〉 thou madest so great accompt and whom thou saydst that thou didst loue so well Be 〈◊〉 that for the 〈◊〉 thou hast done him before it be long the same shal be so well acquited as for euer thou shalte haue good cause to remembre it The good man was alreadie vpon his mary-bones beséeching the King that it would please him to pardon his rude entertainment and his ouermuch familiaritie whiche he had vsed vnto him But Mansor causing him to rise vp willed him to depart and said that within few days after he shoulde heare further newes Now in these fennes and marrish groundes the Kyng had alreadie builded diuers Castles and lodges for the pleasure and solace of hunting Wherefore he purposed there to erect a goodly Citie causing the waters to be voided with great expeditiō which citie he caused to be builded immediatly and compassing the circuite of the appointed place with strong walles and déepe dyches he gaue many immunities priuiledges to those that wold repaire to people the same by meanes wherof in litle time the same was reduced to the state of a beautiful welthie Citie which is the very same that before we sayd to be Caesar Elcabir as much to say The great Palace This goodly worke being thus performed Mansor sent for his host to whom he sayd To the end from henceforth thou mayest more honourably entertayne Kyngs into thy house and mayest intreate them with greater sumptuositie for the better solacyng of them wyth thy Curtesie and pleasaunt talke beholde the Citie that I haue buylded whyche I doe 〈◊〉 vnto thée and thyne for euer reseruing nothyng but an acknowledgemente of good wyll to the ende thou mayest knowe that a Gentlemans mynde nousled in villanie is discouered when forgetting a good turne he incurreth the vice of Ingratitude The good man seing so goodly an offer 〈◊〉 present woorthie of suche a King fell down vpon his 〈◊〉 and kissyng his foote with all humilitie sayd vnto hym 〈◊〉 if youre liberalitie dyd not supplie the imperfection of my merite and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what wanted in me to attaine so 〈◊〉 state I would excuse my selfe
the workman Howsoeuer then the ablenesse or perfection hereof 〈◊〉 shall content or particularly displease the Boke craueth milde construction for imployed paines And yet the same liking or lothing the licorous diet and curious expectation of some shall beare regarde with those that more delight in holsome viandes voide of varietie than in the confused mixture of foren drugges fetched farre of Who no dout will supply with fauorable brute default of ablenesse and riper skill in the mysteries of sorren speche Which is the guerdon besides publique benefit after which I gaze and the best stipende that eche well willing mynde as I suppose aspireth for their trauell And briefly to touche what comoditie thou shalt reape of these succeding Histories I deme it not vnapt for thine instruction to vnfolde what pithe and substance resteth vnder the context of their discourse ¶ In the Nouell of the AMAZONES is displaied a strange and miraculous porte to our present skill of womens gouernment what states they subdued what increase of kingdome what combats and conflicts they durst attempt contrairie to the nature of that sexe ¶ In ALEXANDRE the great what ought to be the gratitude and curtesie in a 〈◊〉 Prince toward his slaue and captiue and to what perilous plundge he slippeth by exchange of vice for vertue ¶ In TIMOCLIA and THEOXENA the stoutnesse of two noble Dames to auoide the beastly lust and raging furie of Tyrants ¶ ARIOBARZANES telleth the duetie of a Subiect to his Prince and how he ought not to contend with his soueraine in maters of curtesie at length also the condition of Courting flaterers and the poyson of the Monster Enuie ¶ ARISTOTIMVS disgarboileth the iutrails of Tyrannie describing the end whereunto Tyrants do atteine and how that vice plageth their posteritie ¶ The two Romane Queenes do point as it were with their fingers the natures of Ambition and Crueltie and the gredy lust hidden in that feble sexe of soueraintie ¶ SOPHONISBA reporteth the force of beautie and what poison distilleth from that licorous sappe to inuenim the harts of valiant 〈◊〉 ¶ The Gentlewoman of HYDRVSA the sicklenesse of Fortune ¶ The Empresse FAVSTINA and the Countesse of Celant what 〈◊〉 blome of whorish life and what fruites thereof be culled ¶ The Letters of the Emperor TRAIANE do paint a right shape of vertue a good state of gouernment and the comely forme of obedience ¶ Three Amorous Dames 〈◊〉 the sleightes of loue the redinesse of Nobles to be baited with that amorous hooke and what desire such infamous Strumpets haue to be honored ¶ Queene ZENOBIA what the noble Gentlewomen whom the fates ordaino to rule ought to do how farre their magnanimitie ought to stretch and in what boundes to conteine their soueraintie ¶ EVPHIMIA a Kings daughter of Corinthe and the vnfortunate Duchesse of Malfi what matche of mariage Ladies of renowme and Dames of Princcly houses ought to choose ¶ Mistresse DIANORA MITHRIDANES and NATHAN KATHERINE of Bologna and SALADINE the mutual 〈◊〉 of noble and gentle personages and for what respectes ¶ Queene ANNE of Hungarie the good nature and liberalitie of a Queene and with what industrie Gentlewomen of priuie chaumbre ought to preferre the sutes of the valiant and of such as haue well serued the Common welth ¶ ALEXANDRE de Medices a Duke of Florence the iustice of a Prince and Gouernour to the wronged partie what 〈◊〉 ought to shine in Courtiers and with what temperance their insolence is to be repressed ¶ IVLIETTA and RHOMEO disclose the hartie affections of two incomparable louers what secret sleightes of loue what danger either sort incurre which mary without the aduise of Parentes ¶ Two Gentlewomen of Venice the wisdom and policie of wiues to 〈◊〉 and restraine the follies of Husbands and the stoutnesse they ought to vse in their defense ¶ The Lord of Virle and the widow ZILIA giue lessons to Louers to auoide the immoderate pangs of loue they pronosticate the indiscretion of promised penance they warne to beware all vnsemely hestes lest the penalties of couetise and 〈◊〉 glory be incurred ¶ The Lady of Boeme schooleth two noble Barons that with great boast assured themselues to impaire hir honor ¶ DOM DIEGO and GINEVRA recorde the crueltie of women bent to hate and the voluntarie vow performed by a passionate knight with the perfect frendship of a true 〈◊〉 in redresse of a frendes missehap ¶ SALIMBENE ANGELICA the kindnesse of a gentleman in deliuerie of his enimie and the constant mynde of a chaste and vertuous mayden ¶ Mistresse HELENA of Florence discouereth what lothsom lustes do lurke vnder the barke of fading beautie what stench of filthie affection fumeth from the smoldring gulf of dishonest Loue what prankes such Dames do plaie for deceite of other and shame of themselues ¶ CAMIOLA reproueth the mobilitie of youth such chiefly as for noble anncestrie regarded riches more than vertue She like a Mistresse of constancie lessoneth hir equalles from wauering myndes and not to aduenture vpon vnstedie contracts with those that care not vnder what pretence they come by riches ¶ The Lords of Nocera foretell the hazards of whordom the rage of 〈◊〉 the difference of 〈◊〉 betwene Prince and subiect the fructes of a Rebell the endes of Traiteric and Tiranny and what monstrous successe such vices do attaine ¶ The King of Marocco describeth the good nature of the homely and loiall subiect the matuelous loue of a true and simple Cuntry man toward his liege soueraigne Lord the bountie of a curetous prince vpō those that vnder rude attire be 〈◊〉 with the floures of vertue To be short the contēts of these Nouels from degree of highest Emperor from the state of greatest Queene and Ladie to the homely 〈◊〉 peasant and rudest vilage girle may conduce profit for instruction pleasure for delight They offer rules for auoiding of vice and imitation of vertue to all estates This boke is a very Court Palace for all sorts to fixe their cies therein to view the deuoires of the Noblest the vertues of the gentlest and the dueties of the meanest Yt is a Stage and Theatre for shew of true Nobilitie for proofe of passing loialtie and for triall of their contraries Wherefore as in this I haue continued what erst I partly promised in the first So vpon intelligence of the second signe of thy good will a Third by Gods assistance shall come forth Farewell ¶ Authorities from whence these Nouels be collected and in the same auouched Strabo Plinie Quintus Curtius Plutarche Titus Liuius Dionysius Halcarnasoeus Appianus Alexandrinus Ouide Horace Propertius Cicero Valerius Max. Tribelius Pollio Xenephon Homere Virgilius Baptista Campofulgosus Bandello Bocaccio Gyraldi Cynthio Belleforrest Boustuau Pietro di Seuiglia Antonio di Gueuarra THE SECOND TOME of the Palace of Pleasure The Amazones ¶ The hardinesse and conquests of diuers stout and 〈◊〉 women called AMAZONES the beginning and continuance of their reigne and of the greate
which secretely they thought was about to escape away giuing them straight charge that by no meanes they shoulde returne without hir When the 〈◊〉 drew neare the shippe Poris bent him self to encourage the mariners to hoyse by saile againe and to make way with their oares into the sea if it were possible to auoide the imminent and present danger to saue the life of him selfe his wife children then he erected his handes vp vnto the heauens to implore the healpe and succor of the Gods which the stoute Gentlewoman Theoxena perceiuing and manifestly séeing the daunger wherein they were callyng to hir mynde hir former determinate vengeance which she ment to do and beholding 〈◊〉 in his prayers she prosecuted hir intente preparing a poysoned drinke in a cuppe and made redie naked swordes All which bringyng forth before the childrens face she spake these words Death alone must bée the reuēge of your siely liues whervnto there be two wayes poison or the sworde Euery of you choose which ye list to haue or of whether of them your heart shall make the frankest choyse The Kings crueltie and pride you must auoyde Wherfore dere children be of good 〈◊〉 raise vp your no ble courage ye the elder aged boyes shew now your selues like men and take the sword into your handes to pierce your tender hearts but if the bloudie smart of that most dreadfull death shal feare and fright your gréene and vnripe age then take the venomed cuppe and gulpe by sundrie draughts this poisoned drinke Be franke and lusty in this your destenied death sith the violence of Fortune by sea doeth let the lengthning of your life I craue this request of choise and let not the same rebound with fearful refuse of this my craued hest Your mother afterwardes shal passe that straight wherof she prayeth hir babes to bée the poastes yée the vaunt currours and shée with your louing 〈◊〉 shall ende and finishe Philips rage bent agaynst vs. When shée had spoken these wordes and 〈◊〉 the enimies at hand this couragious dame the 〈◊〉 of the death egged prouoked these yong 〈◊〉 childrē not yet wel resolued what to do with hir encharmed words in such wise as in the ende some dranke the poison and other strake them selues into the bodie and by hir commaundement were throwen ouer boorde not altogether dead and so she set them at libertie by death whom tenderly she had brought vp Then she imbracing hir husbande the companion of hir death both did voluntarily throw them selues also into the sea And when the Kings espials were come aboorde the ship they found the same abandoned of their praye The crueltie of which fact did so moue the cōmon people to detectation and 〈◊〉 of the king as a generall cursse was pronounced against him his children which heard of the Gods aboue was afterwardes terribly reuenged vpon his stock 〈◊〉 This was the end of good Poris and his stout wise Theoxena who rather than she would fall into the lapse of the Kings furie as hir father Herodicus and hir other husbande did chose violently to die with hir owne handes and to cause hir husbands children and hir owne to berieue them selues of life which although agaynst the louing order of naturall course and therefore that kinde of violence to be abhorred as horrible in it selfe yet a declaration of a stoute minde if otherwise she had ben able to reuenge the same And what coward heart is that that dare not vpon such extremitie whé it séeth the mercilesse ennimie at hand with shining blade redie bent to strike the blowe that without remedie muste ridde the same of breath specially when it séeth the trembling babe naturally begotten by his owne kinde and nature before the face imploryng fathers rescue what 〈◊〉 heart dare not to offer himself by singular fight though one to twētie either by desperate hardinesse to auoide the same or other anoyance aduenture what he can which in Christians is admitted as a comely fight rather than with that Pagane dame to doe the death it selfe But now returne we to describe a facte that passeth all other forced déedes For Theoxena was compelled in a maner thus to do of méere constraint to eschue the greater torments of a tyrants rage and thought it better by chosen death to chaunge hir life than by violent hands of bloudie butchers to bée haled to the slaughter But this Hidrusian dame was wearie of hir life not for that shée feared losse of life but desperate to think of Fortunes 〈◊〉 staye which 〈◊〉 Fortunes darlings would regarde in time they would foresée their slippery hold A Gentlewoman of Hidrusa ¶ A Straunge and maruellous vse which in olde time was obserued in HIDRVSA where it was lawfull with the licence of a Magistrate ordeined for that purpose for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and woman that list to kill them selues The nynth Nouell BAndello amongs the company of his 〈◊〉 telleth this Historie and in his owne person speaketh these woords If I should begin to tell those things which I sawe in the time that I sailed alōgs the leuāt seas very tedious it would be for you to heare and I in reporting could not tell which way to ende bicause I saw and heard things right worthy to be remembred Notwithstanding for satisfaction of diuers that be my frendes I will not sticke to reherse some of them But first of all one straunge custom which in the Romans time was vsed in one of the Ilandes of the sea Aegeum called Hidrusa in these dayes by the trauailers called Cea or Zea and is one of the Ilandes named Ciclades whilome full of populous and goodly Cities as the rumes thereof at this day do declare Ther was in old time in that Iland a very strange lawe and ordinaunce which many hundred yeares was very well and perfectly kepte and obserued The Lawe was that euery person inhabitant within the sayde 〈◊〉 of what sexe and condition so euer béeing thorough age infirmitie or other accidents wearie of their life might choose that kinde of death which liked them best howbeit it was prouided that the partie before the dooing of the same shoulde manifest the cause that moued hym therevnto before the Magistrate elected by the people for that speciall purpose which they ordeyned bycause they sawe that diuers persons had volūtarily killed themselues vpon triflyng occasions and matters of little importance accordyng to whiche lawe very many men and women hardily with so mery chere went to their death as if they had gone to some bankette or mariage It chaunced that Pompeius Magnus that dreadfull Romane vetwene whō and Iulius Caesar were foughte the greatest battailes for superioritie that euer were Pompeius I say sailing by the sea Aegeum arriued at Hidrusa and there goyng a land vnderstode of the inhabitants the maner of that law and how the same day a woman of great worship had obteined licence of the Magistrate to poison hir selfe Pompeius hearing tell hereof