trauel who not regarding y e dred coÌ„maundemente of God and helth of their soule do defile the maryage bed of their neighbour wherin for my part thoffyce of the frendshipe noryshed of long time betwen vs together w t the respect of indissoluble consangwinytie moues me not only to expose my aduice so liberally towards you but also to preset vnto you this laste request with semblable importunytye y t as wel for the coÌ„moditys of your selfe as consolacion of those who wishe your aduancement you wil abandon the haunt of this barrayn and woman void of al vertue whose wicked disposition argues many wayes to late a repentaunce for you if in short time you dispatch not your hande of her acquaintance wherwith dischardging the true part of a deare frend he so coniured his kinsman that conferring his report with thargument of lightnes he had alreadie noted in his mistres he detested alreadie the remembrance of her beastly conuersaction and because he would disclaime her acquayntance coÌ„panye and effection which earst he bare her at one instante he remoued his lodging to y t further part of the Cytie where within short time he maryed a yong gentilwoman daughter to one EVSEBIO IOVIALL no lesse vertuous honest chast and curtuous then the other proud crewell spightfull and lascyuious leauing notw tstaÌ„ding his cast coneubyn PANDORA byg beliyed of his doing who noting not only his long absens from her with y e change of his lodging but also that he was sodainly maryed and she vnware of his Intent wrapte the colloricke humors which assayled her for the presente in a letter wherin she was no nigard to spytte franklye the poison of her stomake in vttringe at large the conseyts of her mind against the disloyaltye of her periured louer as it pleased her to tearme him and being signed and sealed she deliuered it to a messenger conuenient for the conueighe of such embassage with charg to performe the dispatch with expedicion which accordinglie was accomplished for her maide FYNEA who earst had bene collcaryor in thamarous affaires of PANDORA findiÌ„g y e knight in y e coÌ„panie of his kinsmaÌ„ MARTIANO deliuered him the letter of her mistris importing this or the like effecte The onlye experieÌ„ce of thy traiterous practise oh PARIVRED PARTHONOPE is not only sufficient of it selfe to sturre vppe the iuste exclamacioÌ„s of al women againste the infidelitie in menne but also hath sowenne suche seedes of perpetual slaunder in their attemptes of loue here after that thy desloyaltie towardes me registred for euer in the remembrance of our secte will hynder thenterprises of others whose intententes tending paraduenture to a more sinceretie of affection deserue not to be repulsed by the merite of thy detestable falshod And truly for my part I colde neuer haue thoughte that faithe purifyed thorowe the ryuers of so manye teares confirmed by the witnes of a thousande sighes and lastelye for a more assuraunce sealed with so manye othes had had so smal harbor in the hartes of men now a dayes if the profe of thy vnhoneste dealinge had not argued it vnto me with suche familiar example in my selfe that alas I curse by good right the constellacion that firste consented to my natiuitie and vnhappie procreacion in sufferinge me to be gouerned by so harde a destynie or deceiued by the moste vntrue and faithles SYCOPHANT that euer offred seruice to any pore gentlewoman Albeit if I had not bene so liberall to prostitute mine honoure for satisfyinge thy vnchaste desyer my conscience had bene easelye dispensed with all for the penuance of so greate a falte my harte free frome presente passion I apte enoughe to forgett the whose stronge charmes of extreme loue haue so enchaunted my senses and made me subiect to thy remembrance that the small time of thy absence is no lesse greuous vnto me then thy presente abuse geues mee iuste cause to crye oute openly of thyne inordinat crueltie alas is this the guerdon of thunfained loue I bare the is thy dispocition so vnnaturall to retorne the precious meritte of mine honoure with so vnthankefull a méede of vndeserued discurtesye haue I loued the so entierlie preferringe the moste deare aboue all men in thintralls of my harte to be depriued of thy companie when I exspect to reape the frutes of pleasure with euerlastinge contynuance of our societie must I nowe abandon the fruicion of thy presence being whollie resolued in thy affection and when I craue thy soc cour by great necessetye thou art ignorante alas in the case of my extremetie neyther was thou ordeyned to beare part of the pinching panges whiche I féele in my wombe proceding of the cursed seedes sowen by y t in y e bottom of my bellie stirring euen nowe in y e partes of my tender sides with suche tormente that onlye I pore wretche do beare the pennaunce of the falte dewe to vs both Yf the viewe of thy former pleasure wherewith thou haste bene earst so franklie feasted at the bowntyfull handes of thy PANDORA can not moue the to compassion of her present greffe Spare at least to spil the blood of thyne owne liknes deryued of the dropps of the moste precious Iewice in the who harbored as thy gueste in the secrete corners of my tender flankes takes daily norriture with increase of life by the vitall inspiracion of nature and whose innocencie if I dye by thy crueltie will not faile in thother worlde to sommone the afore the highe troane of iustice wher â–ª I exspect the iuste reuenge of thundeserued wronge wherwith contrarye to the nature of loyal louers thou rewardest her that earste loued the not so derelie as nowe she persecutes the with mortall hate euen vntill the laste houre of her life Pandora The firste viewe of this letter was of harde disgestion to PARTHONOPE who albeit the feare which he hadde that PANDORA wold mordure as she did in dede the frute congeâ—leÌ„d of the substaunce of theim bothe in her intralles presented a certeine remorse afore the eyes of his conscience yet because she would neuer afore let him vnderstande that she was with childe hee thoughte it was but a newe meane to allure him eftesones to the trafficque of her affaires whervpon vsing as litle regarde to the contentes of the letter as he made smal accompte of her that write it dispatched the messenger with this shorte aunswere Thou shalte sayeth he declare to thy mistrys that if she hadde heretofore ymparted to me theffect of thy presente message she should haue disposed of mée and my frendeshippe at her pleasure but nowe seinge shée traues my assistaunce by necessitie I committe her to the méede of her owne follie whereof PANDORA beinge aduertised by the heauie reapport of her FYNEA who also alledged dispaire eftsones to recouer the frendshippe or companie of the knighte entred furthwyth into suche dispocition of malencollie wyth ymagynacions of reuenge that conuertinge thappetite of her aunciente loue into an humor of
on thaduerse partie is leaste exspecte or hope of succoure for how canne a man lay a more sewer soundation of perpetuall glorye then in correctinge the humoure of hys fowle appetite and conquerynge the vn bridled affections of the wilful mind to make them bound vnto the by thy benefyts who wer in dispaire to receiue any pleasure at thy hands y t whiche declaration of true vertue lyke as it happeneth so seldom amongest men now a dayes that we may ve raye well terme it a thinge excedinge the common course and order of nature So he that wyll chalenge the title of true nobilitie seame to excel the rest in thappeale of perfect honor muste prefer in publike suche absolute effects of hys worthynes and vertue as the same may iustlye appeare meritorious of an immortal memory in the successe of al future ages The chiefest pointes of so large cōmendacion which so many recordes of antiquitye do attribute vnto the greate Dictatoure CESAR consiste more in the clemencye hée vsed to his ennemies being vanquished and vnder the awe of hys mercye then in the mortall and manye battailes he fought agaynst the valiaunte GALLES and britons or subduing the renowned POMPEY the grrat ALEXANDER deserued no lesse honor for the pytie and curtesie hee vsed towardes SYSIGAMBIS the mother of DARIVS with other desolate Ladyes whyche hée tooke prysoners in the battaile foughte at Arobella thenne fame in the conqueste of the kynge and contreye of PERCIA and MEDIA and at the death of the wyfe of DARIVS in hys camppe hee let fal no lesse effucion of teares then if hée had bene presente at the buriall of OLYMPIAS his naturall mother neyt her coulde hee haue made so greate a conqueste of the whole easte worlde wyth hys small crewe and companye of MACEDONIANS if he had not subdued more contreys by clemencye thenne force of armes besydes who is ignorante of the late curtesye of DON RODERICO VIVANO of Spayne who all bée it myghte haue reuenged thinfydelytye of DON PIETRO thenne kyng of Aragon for that hée wente a bowte to ympeshe his expedicion agaynst the sarazins being then at Granado did not only for beare to punish hym or put hym to ransom but also beinge his prisoner by order and lawe of armes dismissed hym into his countreye with no lesse honour then belonged to his estate withoute any exaction of his person or realme wherin for my parte the more I reaue in the rariety of their noble vertues so muche the more oughte I to increase my indeuor in thymitacion of the like examples and of the crontrary what great cause haue I to preferre a continuation of the grudge ended alredye by warre or why shoulde I sturre vp eftefones a freshe Remembrance of the faulte alredye forgeuen what iniury haue they don to me ormine which was not retorned vnto them without intrest of double reuenge admit their predecessours haue bene ennemies to my house haue they not borne a more harde penance then the greatnes of their offence deserued What cause haue I then to renew the alaram of their miserie or why stay I to succour their desolate state in some satisfaction of the iniuries they haue receiued by me and mine besides the wrathe of God accordyng to the wordes of the Apostle is alwaies hanginge ouer the heades of suche as seame to take pleasure in the affliction of their neighbour reioyce in the misfortune or misery of an other if all thies lacke sufficient force to mortifie the remembrāce of auncient malice within me and in exposing contrarie to the exspectatiō and opinion of the world a wonderful example of vertue to moue me to releue his distresse that dispaireth of all succour and reclaim by liberalitie the frendeshipe of him who if he euer offended is alredye pardoned like as also if his innocency haue bene abused by me and mine my cōscience calleth me to a remorce in rendring satisfaction in so nedeful a time yet am I drawen by a band of further dutye and incensed by a somaunce or special instigacion of the honour and seruice which my harte hath alredye vowed on the behalfe of her whose beauty vertue deserues a greater méede then the vttermost that I can do eyther for the cōtentement of her or consolation of her brother for like as ther is no man onlesse he bee vtterlye deuested from the gyfte of humanitye beinge passioned with equall affection and sosomoned by semblable desire to doo some notable seruice to my deare ANGELIQVA as I am that woulde not racke hys power to the highest pyn to take awaye the chiefe causes of her dolefull teares and restore her to a spedie contentment conuenient for her merite So in louinge her I muste also imbrace suche as shee accomptes and by good righte are moste deare vnto her And if I will make a declaration of the true zeale I beare her why do I staie to expose it in so nedefull a time and on the behalfe of him whome shee loueth no lesse then her selfe attending euen now the fatall stroake of the morderinge sworde for a tryfflinge due of a thousande florentes and why shoulde I doubte to make it knowen in publike that only the force of loue hathe made me trybutary to the faire ANGELIQVA for seinge that kinges and the greateste monarkes of the Worlde do drawe vnder the yoke of his awe it is not for me to eschewe that by speciall pryuiledge whiche is incidente to all men by nature neyther ought I herein to refuce the offer of my destenie nor straun gers to enter into muche maruaile if I beinge of the mettall of other men and subiect to no lesse impression and passions of mynde then the reste do make presente dedication of my harte and seruice to her whose vertue I am sewer is so in vincible agaynst all aduersitie that neyther necessitie nor the moste extreame message that fortune can send her is hable to make her forfeyte the leaste pointe of her honestie or forgette the renowme of the genelogie wherof she is discended wherin as honest loue hath sturred vp this mocion in me with composicion to expose imediatlye the frutes and effecte of semblable vertue So the spedye delyuerye of thy brother Oh ANGELYQVA shal argue sufficientlye to all men that it is only the regarde of thy beawtie that hath paied the price of his raunsom and remoued frome his tender legges the heauye yrons whiche the penaunce of harde imprisonemente had vniustlye enioyned vnto him tryumphinge also with this increase of further glorye that onlye the regardes and glauncis of thy glisteringe eyes haue made a breach into the hart whiche earste hathe defyed the malice and vttermoste of all force and made hym bowe of his owne kinde that neuer colde bee broughte to bende or stowpe to any of what degree or condition so euer they were And thou SEIGNEVR CHARLES for thy parte hast this daye gained so assured and perfecte a frende that if thou wilt confirme the
father sometyme also excercisinge the indeuor of the nedle A recreacion most conuenient for widowes and all honeste Matrones neuer beinge séene abrode but of holye and great festiuall dayes when she wente in deuoute maner to the churche to here the diuine seruice of God beinge vnhappelye espied for all that of an ALBANOYS Captaine a noble Gentelman thereabout hauynge for the credit of his vertue and valiantnes in Armes the charge of certayne troupes of horsemen who glauneynge at vnwares vppon the glystrynge beames of her beautie became so desyrous eftsones to encounter the same that with the often viewe of her stately personage and generall fame of her many vertues he became so in loue with her that for spedye ease of his present griefe he was dryuen to put his request vpon tearmes makynge fyrste his sighes and sadde countinance his sollitary Complexion of face often gyuen to chaunge his dolorous state and pytifull regardes of the eye when he was in her companye forced nowe and then to abandon the same because he could not kepe hym frome teares his often gretynge her wyth salutations in amorous order courtyng her now then wyth letters dyttyes and presentes of great pryce wyth a thousande other vayne importunityes whych loue dothe ymagine to animate hys Soldiours his chiefest Ministers to bewraye hys intente and solicite his cause whereof the effecte retourned no lesse frustrate then the deuise yt selfe oughte to seame vayne in the eye of all wyfe men for she whose harte coulde not be earste perced wyth the malyce of her former fortune nor be brought to stowpe to the lure of aduersitye thoughte it a greate faulte to let loue or folye make anye breache wher so many hoate assaultes and causes of dispayre had bene valiauntlye resysted and vtterly repulsed for profe wherof beinge wholly wedde as yet to the remembrance of her deade husband she woulde neyther admitt hys clyentes nor gyue audience to his embassadours but dismissed bothe the one and the other with semblable hope whiche broughte the Captayne in suche case that it seamed to hym a harder matter to compasse the good wyll of his Ladye then to gouerne an armye or plante a battrye wyth the aduauntage of the grounde and place neither was he hable to wythdrawe his affection or mortifye the fyer newly burst oute to flame because the remeÌ„braunce of her beautye the often viewe of her vertue enlarged by the generall fame of all men together wyth the noblenes of her race enrolled in the recordes of Antiquitye presented a more desyere in hy n wyth care to obtayne her and aggrauated his griefe in beynge repulsed of that whiche his harte hadde alredye vowed to honor tyll the extreme date of hys dayes neyther had he the face eftefones to attempte her of hym selfe and muche lesse to deâ—yste from the purseute of hys desyere but beynge at the pointe to incurre the hazarde of dispayre beholde loue preferred a newe and moste sewer meane wyllynge hym to craue the assistaunce of her brother who beynge hys deare frende and companion in armes in the seruyce of diuers Princes afore tyme he made no lesse accompte of his furtheraunce then yf he had alredye gotten hys frendshippe wherfore delaying no moment of tyme but plyinge the waxe whilest the water was warme he accoasted the yonge man at a conuenient tyme and roued at hym in thys shorte sorte It is my deare frende and compagnion a vertuous disposition to be readye in well doyng and easye to assiste honeste requestes whiche to your nature hathe bene alwayes no lesse peculiar then to me nowe a courage in so honeste a case to craue youre ayde neyther can the vertue of true frendshippe more lyuelye appeare or thoffice of assured frendes more amplye bee discerned then in makynge the greffe of the one common to bothe and beare the gyfte of tyme and fortune indifferentlye wyth mutuall affection and lyke zeale on bothe partes wherein for my parte I woulde I had as good meane to make declaracion of my true harte towardes you as of longe tyme I haue vowed to be yours to the vttermoste of my power and you no lesse desyer to doo me good then your diligence and assistance of frendshippe is moste hable to stande me in steade in my present case of no lesse importance then the verye sauegarde of my lyfe which laste wordes made the Modonoyse replye with lyke franke offer of mynde protest ynge vnto hym by the fayth of a soldiour that if euer he felte anye mocion in hym selfe to doe hym the least good of the worlde his desyer was double to requite it proferinge here with for a further shewe of his good meaninge and declaration of fayth to racke his powre on his behalfe so farre fourth as eyther lyfe lyuing or honour would beare him but he whose desyer tended not to things impossible nor sought to maintaine warre against the heauens reaposinge muche for him selfe in the offer of his frinde thought the conquest was halfe wone when he had promised his assistaunce and because ther lacked nothing but to vtter his griefe he tolde him that the thynge he desyered woulde bringe aduauncement to them bothe and because saith he I will cleare the doubte whiche seames to trouble you you shall vnderstande that the beautye gyftes of grace and other honest partes in your syster haue so inchaunted my senses that hauyng alredye loste the vse of my former lybertie I can not eftesones be restored with out the spedye assistaunce of her good will neyther haue I other powre of my selfe or consolation in my present extremitye then suche as is deriued of the hope which I haue hereafter to enioye her as my lawfull wyfe for otherwayes I am as voyde of foule meanynge to worke her dishonnor for the seruent loue I beare her as free from intente to procure so greate a spot of infamie to the house whiche norrished you both in so great honour And to be plaine with you the glymerynge glances of her twinklynge eyes together with a princely maicstie which nature hath leute her aboue the rest of the Dames of our dayes hath made my hart more assaltable apte to admitt parley then eyther the noyse of y e canon or terrour of the enemye howe great soeuer they haue appeared haue hertofore feared me whiche makes me thinke that ther is eyther som celestial or deuine mysterie shrowded vnder the vayle of her beautye making me therby yelde her honor in hope of preferment or els by the angry consent of my cursed dostines it is shee that is appointed to paie thintrest of my former lybertie in transformynge my auncient quiet into a thousand anoyes of vneasye tolleracion And albeit I haue hethertd reserued the maydenhed of my affection and lyued no lesse frée from thamarous delites or desyers of women yet being now ouertaken and tyed in the chaines of true affection I had rather become captiue and yelde my self prisoner in the pursute of so
greater signe or argument can a man geue of his owne follie then to beleue that to be true which is but doutfull and yeldinge rashelie to the resolution and sentence of his owne conceites thinks his wife as light of the seare and apt to deceiue him as he is readie to admit synister suspicion which procedes but of an ymperfection in hym selfe iudging the disposition of an other by his own complerion which was one of the greatest faltes in this valyante ALBA NOYSE who fearing euen nowe that which he nede not to dowte began to stande in awe of his owne shadow perswadinge him selfe that his wife was nolesse liberall of her loue towards others then to him and that the benefit of her bewtie was as common to straungers as to him selfe albeit the good Ladye espyeng well enough the gréefe of her husband was not ydle for her parte to studie the meanes to please him and also to frame her life in suche wise euery waye that her chaste and discrete gouernment towardes hym mighte not only remouethe vaile of his late susspicion but also take awaye the thicke miste of frantike Ielowsie that put him in suche disquiet and made him so farr excede the lymites and bondes of discrecion albeit her honeste endeuor herein receiued a contrarye effecte and as one borne vnder a crabbed constellacion or ordeined rather to beare the malice of a froward desteinye she cold not deuise a remedie for his disease nor any hearbe to purge his suspicious humor but the more she sought to prefer a show of sinceritie and honestie of life the more grew the furye and rage of his peruerse fancie thinking the compainye and fellowship of his wife to be as indifferente to others as peculiar to him selfe What life were like to the maried mans state or pleasures semblable to the ioyes of the bedde if either the one or the other might be dispensed with all from the furye of frantique Iellowsie or amōgest a thousand inconueniences which only the maried man doth fynde what greater mischiefe maye be more for the dissolutiō of the mutual tranquilitie of them bothe then where the one loues vnfaynedlie and the other is doubtfull without cause but the ease and quiet of men are of so small a moment and their common pleasures so enterlarded with an ordinarie mishappe that ther is as smal hold of the one slippinge away with the shortnes of tyme as vndowted assurance to haue the other a common gueste and haunt vs in all our doinges not leauing vs till he hath sene vs laide in the pit and longe bedd of rest wherof I haue here presented you a litle proofe in the picture and person of this selly ALBANOYSE who beginnynge as you haue harde to enter into some tearmes of Iellowsie wyth his wife with whom notwithstandynge hee had consumed certeine monethes in such pleasures as mariage doth allowe began to grow more feruent in that furye thenne either his cause did require or wisedom ought to suffer wherw t setting abroch the vessell of that poyson forgat not for hys fyrste endeuor to dogge the doinges of hys wife with secret spies in euerye corner to abridge her libertie in goinge abrode and barr the accesse of any to come to her kepynge notwithstandinge no lesse watche and warde abowte her chamber thenne the good soldiour vppon hys trenche or circumspecte Capteine vppon the walles of hys fortresse whyche broughte the selly Ladye into suche sorow that the state of the caytife and slaue of the gallye bownde to his ore with a chayne of vnreasonable biggnes or hée that by harde sentence of the Lawe dothe lye miserablie in the bottom of a pryson all the dayes of his lyfe seamed of more easie regarde thenne the harde condition of her presente state albeit true vertue hathe suche operation and effecte of her selfe that howe greuouslye soeuer the worlde dothe persecute her or seke to crucifye her wyth the malice of menne yet canne they not so kepe her vnder by anye force they canne deuise but certeine streames and sparkes wyll burste oute nowe and thenne and showe her selfe at laste as shee is hable to wythstande the violence of any mortall affliction whereof an affecte appeares here in the sequeile of this Greke ladye who notinge the disposition of her husbande ouercharged wyth a mad humor of wrong conceites gaue iudgemente ymedyatlye of his disease and beynge not hable vtterlye to expulse his newe feuer studied by her indeuor to inferr a moderacion of his passion wherin for her part she forgat not to make pacience her chiefest defence agaynst the folish assaultes of his wilful follies not only requitinge his extraordinary rage and fits of furie with a dutifull humylitye and obedience of a wife but also ceassed not to loue him no lesse then her honour and dutie bounde her therunto hopinge with thassistance of some conuenient tyme and her discrete behauior towardes hym both to take awaye the disease and mortefie the cause of his euill she seamed neyther to reprehend his falte openly nor w t other tearmes thenne argued her greate humilitie and for her selfe howe euill soeuer he intreated her shee gaue an outwarde showe of thankefull contentmente and when it was his pleasure to shutt her close in a chamber as a birde in the cage shee refused not his sentence but embrasinge the gifte of her presente fortune toke suche consolation as the harde condition of her case wolde admitt giuinge god thankes for his visitation and crauinge with like intercession to haue her husbande restored to the vse of his former wittes Albeit all these dutifull showes of obedience and pacient disgesting of his vnnatural discourtesies together w t a rare and redie disposition in her to frame herselfe whollie to thappitit of his will preuailed no more to enlarge her libertie or redeme her from the seruile yoke of close ymprisonement then to reclayme his hagarde mynde to thunderstandinge of reason or restore the traunce of his frantique humor raging the more as it seamed by the incredible constancye he noted in this mirror of modestie obedience wisedome and chastetie whose example in theym all deserues certeinlye to be grauen in pillers of eternetie and honge vpp in tables of golde in euerye pallace and place of estate to th ende that you ladyes of oure tyme maye learne by ymitacion of her order and gouernement to atteine to the like perfection of vertue whiche she lefte as a speciall patterne to you all to thend also that if any of you by likemisfortune do fal into the daunger of semblable accidentes you may learne here thorder of your gouernement in the like affaires and also to suppresse y e rage of Ielowsie rather by vertue then force which commonly is the foundacion of skandale and slaunder deuorcemente violacion of mariage vpon doth consequētly ensue ciuil discenciōs vtter subuer ciō of houses of antiquitie but now to y e place of our historie This frantique ALBANOYSE and Ielouse
frende PROCRIS The notable Philosopher ACAST hauing thonly Credite for education of the heir apparaunt of his prince and honouring albeit the childe with more then an ordinarye affection yet hunting on a tyme among the deserts of that contreye contrary to the wil of the king for that he was warned by a prophecy of the death and distruction of his sonne in castynge a darte at the boare slewe hym whom hee loued asmuche or more then himselfe besides for a familiar profe of my allegation in this case yt is not yet viij yeres since y e countie Palatine one of y e chiefe princes of GERMANY being lost of hys companye in pursewing the chasse of a fierce boare was ouerthrowen horse and man and in daunger to be deuoured by the furye of the beaste if by good chaunce hys ryder with ij freshe dogges had not ben at hand to preuent his perill so likewise by the hunting of a wilde boare grewe the bloddy quarel betwne theses ij houses for hauing one day by force and pollycie of men and dogges kylled one of the greatest boares About SYENNA in the particular cōmendatiō which euery man gaue to the doughtines of his dogge there began to kindle a kinde of mislike in the hartes of the twoo younge Lordes whiche with the heate of the wine wherein they goolled without regarde after their trauaill and the bloudde beinge chaffed with the presse and nomber of termes of reproche bolked out at laste to cruell blowes whiche without respect of personnes seamed so to occupye the place for the tyme that besides a nomber that were hurte on bothe parts the SALIMBINS hadde the worste for that one of theyr chiefe was lefte for dead in the fielde where with the fraye discontinued for that time and euery man retired the MONTANINS not gladd of the victorye for that theye doubted a reuenge and the SALIMBINS contented by force with theyr present fortune attendynge notwithstandynge thassistaunce of a better tyme to redeme the bloude of theyr kynsman not wyth equall losse of their enemy but with vtter ruine and subuersion of the whole house of their aduerse parte whiche they fayled not accordingly to performe with suche hoate expedicion and power that after diuerse publike skermishes and priuate combats with indecent murders the contrary parte hauinge consumed the moste parte of their rente and reuenewe in meintainynge garrisons to withstande theyr malyce within the compasse of no longe tyme they hadd brought to extreme depopulatiō the whole kindred of the MONTANINS excepte one younge Gentleman named CHARLES who findynge himselfe to weake to resyste any longer the rage of his aduersaries retired to a contentement by force and gaue place to their furie and they also fyndynge the fielde abandonned without any to make head against them dismissed their angrye humor and layde asyde their bluddye weapons beinge dolled with the heauye and mortall blowes vppon theyr conquered enemies This Charles and laste remainder of the house of MONTANINO being appointed by destenie to lyue yet in spite of his enemies stirred not out of the towne of SIENNA where as a solitary man in the presse of his aduersaries he liued without eyther salutyng or hauntynge the place of theyr repaire beinge fauored notwythstandynge of the moste parte of the Cytie for that after so many broyles and horley borleys of warre which with the fiske had conuerted the greatest parte of his porcion and inheritaunce into nothynge he lyued notwithstanding of that lytle whiche fortune had lefte him in honest sorte meintainynge a traine accordynge to the state and condicion of his lyuynge hauynge in the house with hym the companye of his syster whiche the gods seamed to reserue not onelye for his speciall consolation in so greate a calamitie but also in rest oryng theyr house to hys auncient entier and beinge to buylde agayne a newe and perfecte frendshipp vppon the fyrste fondacion and confirme eftesones by her vertue a perpetuitie of indissoluble amitie betwene her brother and the house of his extreame aduersary her name was ANGELIQVA whose speciall ornamentes of nature and peculiar gyftes of God chalenged not onlye an equalytye but a degre aboue the beste and greatest Dames of that Countrey so seamed she iustelye meritorious of that name with cut doinge wronge to anye because her wisdome womanlye behauiour with humble curtesye made suche declaracion of her honestye and vertue that they whyche hated theyr house and detested the remembraunce of their Race could not close their mouthes from her due commendacion nor forbeare to wishe that theyr doughters and children were of semblable disposition suche is the operacion and force of true vertue in the hartes of suche as embrace her with vnfayned sinceritie exposinge in lyke sorte suche frutes as seame wondrous in the eye of worlde and excede the common imaginacion of men by reducinge the confusion of kindreds into an entier of euerlastynge amytie and of a mortall enemy to make a most assured frende whereof they that doubte of the goodnes of so greate a gyfte maye be satisfyed by the present of proffe this Angeliqua who so fedd the eares of the cytie with the generall Brute cōmendacion of her vertue that in one moment he which earst was chiefe and captaine of the warre against theim and seamed inuincible against all the ayde and assistaunce they could procure is nowe become a slaue and most subiect to the viewe and contemplation of her beautie in suche sorte as by litle litle he grew into termes of extreme affection and vndowted zeale towardes her whose name he hated earst no lesse then the Cankered styng of the cruell Cockatrice wherin as the humor of his loue seamed to excede the ordinarie impressions of men in that case So he neyther was hable to resiste the hoate sommaunce of his newe appetit nor kepe warre any tyme with the suggestion of his sodayne desire but as one that felt hymselfe striken with the thonderbolt of his destynie gaue place to his sentence and entred into deuise with himselfe what waye too vse to wynne the encounter of hys fancie The remembraunce of the late wronge he had done theim seamed a great impediment to his purpose neyther had he the meane to demaunde her in mariage Whose teares were skarce drye in bewailyng the desolation he hadd so lately thondred vpon al their house the simple view and recorde wherof preferred iust cause of dispaire to obtaine the good will of her brother wherwith feling a daily increase of his passion with continuall diminution and vnlikelyhod of meanes to releue his tormēt specialy for that he had imprisoned his liberty where no raunsome could serue to redeme it and that loue had bounde hym to so harde a pennaunce that the only pleasure he had in life was to thinke vpon her whome dispaire denied him to reclaime by anye meanes he began to curse thee first cause of the quarell and wyshe the huntyng of the boare hadd neuer ben tollerable in Italy
inueighyng withall agaynste the malice of hys fortune that seamed to be his guide in the pursuete of so great persecution and now in the hope expectation of reste and repose from toyle to committ hym to the mercy of a martirdome more intollerable then the torment of the whele and of lesse hope to be deliuered theÌ„ the Damned soules out of theuerlasting flame in hell wherin also his chiefeste greffe grudge of minde semed to stande vpon double termes both for y t he durst neyther discouer his disease to any his owne trendes whom he knewe woulde rather mislike his request then be moued to compassion vpon hys case or studye to releue his distresse nor promise himselfe any likelihod much lesse assurance euer to cooll eyther flower or fruite of his affection to Angeliqua for that he thought she had no reasoÌ„ to remorse vpon him in whose face appeared yet the fresh RemeÌ„brauÌ„ce of the late reuenge and destruction of her kynsmenne But what who doughteth of the tickle dispositioÌ„ of fortune or is not perswaded that the doings of men are as subiect to chaung alteration as the lament to mutability and diuer setie of complexions At 〈◊〉 time as the greate Iupiter somoning the winds and violence of other weather to quarell with the Calme and quiet skye eclypsyng the naturall clerenes of the son by conuerting him into sondry sortes of darke and dim colloures or what constancye or assurance is to be Reapposed in our worldly affaires seynge the veray thoughtes and imaginatioÌ„s of men are disposed gouerned by the reuolucion course of tymes wherin the philosopher is of opinion that no degre is dispensed from the Clymat of the coÌ„stellatioÌ„ for saith he the fauors displeasures of princes are neither so mortal nor of such continuance but being incident to conuersion we see in one momente an assured coniunction of frendship with him who earst pursewed our subuercion with mortall hate And truly he that weigheth y e comutacion of thinges with indiffrent iudgmeÌ„t may iustly note him of gret simplicity that resolues perpetuity or continual stay or abode in any thing that is either accidental or proper to maÌ„ wherin as I am sufficieÌ„tly iustefyed by Auncient Records forraine Authorities So he y t with diligeÌ„ce will coate the Chronicles of England and fraunce within theis C. yeares shall fynde choyse of examples to cleare hys doubt and confirme him in the contrary opinion whych by cause it importes such consequence as rather excedes then seames conueniente for the compasse of my present intent I leaue them to the construction of the diligent reader who syfting nerely the monumentes of that time may find ther more alteracion and chaunge of estates in bothe those realmes within lesse then so many yeres then in the space of ij C. yeares afore for he may sée thear of credible reaport that he that gouerned as king sittinge in the seate Royall of the Realme making the whole multitude tremble at the voyce of his commaundiment was sodainly Deposed and skarcely eskaped the infamie of a cruel and slaundrous death and on the other part the other that attended only the fatal destruction of himselfe and famuly is not only restored to the scepture of the kingdom but also in a moment sytts in the Iudgemente seate vpon vengauâ—â—â— and correction of theym which had geuen sentence and awarded the writ of executioÌ„ against himself Calyr one of the iiij great Bassyas of the great turke had no lesse awe authoritie ouer the whole Mahometian empire then vndowted credit with y e emperour and mighty monarke him self who wold neuer consulte of any enterprise without the councell of this Captaine nor performe any expedition without his coÌ„pany yet vpon a suddaine without any cause sauing the malicious appetite of his maister he was cruelly strangeled in presence by commauÌ„demeÌ„t of him whom he had so faithfully honoured serued on the contrarye syde the valainte Argon Tartare after he was entred into armes agaynste his vncle Tangodor Câ—ny being taken adiudged to passe by the rigor of tormeÌ„tes after receiue y e due hier of vnnatural conspiracy as he was set into Armenya to be executed being at y t point to coÌ„mit himself to y e mercy of y e tormeÌ„tors paste al hope or exspectatioÌ„ of aid was sodainly reskewed by certain TartariaÌ„s of the garrisoÌ„ household seruants to his late father deceased restored after to the dominion kingdom of Tartaria in the yere of our lord a thousauÌ„d two hoÌ„dreth fouerskore fiue thexample of thempresse ADALEDE makes no lesse proâ—e herein then the former recordes for being vnhappely fallen into the handes of the tyrante BERANGER the vsurper at that tyme of thempire after she had longe tried the curtesye of this miserable and wretched disposicion being at the verye brinke and place of execution where was no likelihode nor imaginacioÌ„ of ayed had thassistance of a good fortune for auoidynge his cruell sentence by a secrete and soddaine flighte at the same instaunte was maried after to OTTON the firste of that name and lyued till shée sawe the iuste reuenge of her wronge vpon the same vsurper and his race by OTTON her sonne succedinge his father in the monarkye All which of no losse autoritie then vndoubted credit I haue preferred as assured paterns of y e mobilitie vncertein stay of the state of the affaires of this world wherin also when thoccasion dothe offer you maye note a verefication or lyke accident in the sequeill of this MONTANYNO who after the depopulation of his house by ciuill warre and the most parte of his porc ion wasted in the supplye of that quarell fell into a misery more tragicall then the other and of lesse hope of ayde or delyuerye and yet beinge passed thextreme sommonce of his fortune and attendynge the fatall and last momente of execution after he had dismissed all exspectation of succoure his deliueraunce appeared by hym that procured and pursewed his distresse and the same miserye that fyrste moued his ruine reserued suche a vertue in the ende of his tragedye that by thonly assistance of him whom he thoughte to haue sworne his destruction he was restored wyth more assurance and coÌ„tentement of minde then afore but nowe to our amarous SALIMBINO who tossed in the stormye sea of his vnquiet thoughtes was no lesse passioned on the behalfe of ANGELIQVA then she moste carefull to comforte the calamitie of her brother wyth indeuer to lyue together in mutuall tranquillitye accordynge to the â—omonce of nature and decree of lawe of kynde neyther respectynge the tormente of her ennemye whiche shee knewe not nor regardinge to pranke vp her selfe to please thappetite of any other and albeit it was his chaunce sometime to accoaste her in the strete or other place where he forgat not to giue her the BACHILOMANO with al shew and argumente of humble duty and she in
iustice were closed againste the complaint of innocents neither durst any man inueighe on his behalfe for feare of hym that was thauthor of thact and the ayde of kynsmen is as colde in that countrey as in other places and frendes nowe a dayes resemble the rauen or hungry kyte who neuer flyeth but towardes the place where they hope to fynde some thinge to praye vpon so the frendes of our age be fled so far from the vertue of true frēdshipp that they will not onely refuse to releue hym whome God and nature hath bounde them to susteine but also make no conscience to disclaime the name of a kinsman to the nearest allye they haue and that without any cause onlesse you will impute it to the want of equall welthe wherein mine owne experience moueth me to make a chalenge to some in England if my power were as indifferent to pleade with hym as I haue iuste reason to put hym in remembraunce of his fault albeit that quarels is tollerable which marcheth vnder the flagge of innocency and truth and iuste obiections wil make the guilty blushe but nowe to the sorowful MONTANYN who complayninge the points of his desaster in a darke prison where was no kynd of consolation nor yet the offer of any ECCHO to resounde his dolorous cryes was saluted the nexte daye with a copye of his sentence diffinitiue wherin he was taxed to the some of a M. Florents or losse of lyfe within ix dayes here he founde what it is to haue an euill neyghbour and how greatly they do thurst that destere to drinke of an other mans cupp but chieflye the insatiable longyng of suche as are with child for an other mans liuyng and albeit his conscience was without grudge for any offence or breache of the lawe yet his grief seamed of harde tolleracion because the cursed trayson of a Cankard Clowen shoulde tryumphe ouer hym so farre that to quenche the glot of his couetous rage he shoulde be forced to disinherite himselfe and leaue without succour his deare syster who for her part was so dolorous on the behalf of this newe desaster fallen vpon her brother that she sturred not out of her chamber nor once suffered her eyes to bee dry from teares since the firste newes of that sorowfull accident whiche she complayned with more vehemency because she sawe a present approche of perentory destruction to the little remeinder of the whole house alas saith she is the crueltye of fortune of suche rigorous condicion or her malice of suche perpetuitye that she will graunte no dispense nor admit any oblacion or offer to purchasse her fauor or is ther no sacrafice to satisfye the angry dispositiō of the heauens who ceasse not to thonder whole millions of mishappes vpon this desolate and wretched house of ours with continuaunce of their angrye regards euen vntill thutter dissolution of the same howe much better had it ben for vs fewe which remaine of the dekayed stocke and withered generacion of MONTANYNO to haue passed amongest the rest of our companions by the edge of the sworde of the enemye then in lyuynge to be miserable partakers of the vniuste malice of such as are not onely common enemies to innocency but bearynge a naturall grudge to the veray remembraunce and name of nobility do hunt with open mouth as the rauenyng wolfe to deuoure the discents of noble kynd how can this beare the name of a free cytie or iustely merite the tytle of a state not incident to seruile lawe where the gouernement passeth vnder the conueyghe of a confused multitude whome nature hath ordeined to drawe the yoke of other mens awe and lawe of kynde in their natiuitie framed to be subiect to suche as their rurall force constraines to stoope to the sentence of their dome Ah brother saith she with a freshe supplye of sorowfull teares howe rightely can I conster the cause of thy presente trouble and indifferent vndoing of vs both the example of thy wronge argues sufficiently the detestable disposition of our cursed Senatours who seame more gredye to hunte the chasse of vnlawfull and fylthye gaine then carefull to kepe their conscience wythout spott or grudge of manifest oppression and wronge for yf the desyre of thy litle liuynge in the countrey and glisteringe shewe of thy greate house in the open gaze and eye of the whole worlde passing by the streetes had not sturred vp the couetous humour of that rauenouse marchaunte thou hadst lyued free from care and thy estate farre from anye question in the SENATE house neyther woulde any man haue charged thee with imputacion of a thing which I wold to God thou hadst not onely vndertaken but also broughte to effecte to the ende thou mightest haue bene the author and I the witnes of the iuste reuenge of this villanous crew whose naturall malice more then eyther reason or iustice doth clogge the with this harde imposition of manifest wronge there is no reason that a peltynge marchaunt neuer norished in anye skole of cyuill or curteous education other then in a shoppe amongest prentises and companions of his owne calibre or the son of hym that is a slaue and seruile borne by kynde shoulde eyther beare office in a common welthe and muche lesse sytte in iudgement of theym whose harts by nature abhores to be tryed by the BARBAROVS voice of so vile and base people oh how happy be theis states contreys where hynges gyue lawes and princes vse respect of fauor to suche as resemble them in condicion and vertue neither hath he greate cause to grudge with his dome that hath his cause debated in the presence of his prince and his sentence published by suche as bee of equall honor and Reputatyon where wee alas maye iustlye exclaime againste oure cursed constellacion that hath broughte vs forthe in so vnhappie a tyme and made vs not onely incident but subiect and slaues to a councell more peruerst and partial then corrupcion it selfe I woulde our predecessours or some good fortune of forreine tyme by reducy nge this countrey into a Monarke had established a seat Royall of a Kynge wyth authorititye that only his seede and succession sholde gouerne the whole ▪ rather then by leauing it thus dispersed into diuerse cōfuced liberties to make vs a mutuall praye one to an other for haue we not the Frenchemen at oure backes and the army of the greate Uicare of Rome one the one side with the subtil Florentins ready to inuade vs on the other side in suche sorte as who so is hongry maye boldly praye vppon vs without resistaunce and yet for a more increase of our wrechednes wee mainteine warre with our selues and the best parte subdued and made thrall to suche as are not worthy any waye to be vallet to the worste of vs that feles our selues greued with suche afflictiō but what can satisfy y e couetousnes of man or what benefit can stay hym that is giuen to perfidie or falsehod to what
dyed she had not lyued to haue reuenged his wronge nor lamented her owne desolacion for the same affection whyche moued her to suche care of his life woulde also haue procured her to haue bene his companion to the graue whereby one tombe at one instaunt shold haue serued to shroode the ij bodies last remaynder of the whole race house of the MONTANYNS And that which scamed to restore her dollorous passion with a freshe supply and increase of newe sorowe was the heauie newes of diuerse of her neare kynsmen touching the spedy approch of the extreme date delay of the sentēce diffinitiue which as they had not onli indeuored to differ yet som lōger time but also to purchase a moderation of the rigour so beyng no lesse frustrate in the one then voyed of assuraunce or hope of the other they sayed there rested nothing on their powers to performe or discharge the office of true frends on her behalf sauing to perswade her to consolacion and to vse patience in cases of aduersitie chiefly wher there appeares absolute dispaire of all remedie and the sinister suggestion of malicious fortune hath suppressed a hope and expectation of deliuery wherin as an vnfained witnes of their presente dollour they let fall certaine teares to accompanie the pitifull dule of her who vpon the reaport of theis last accurrauntes forgat not to fyll the aire ful of hollowe sighes with open exclamacion against the lawe of nature that seamed so careles of her creatures as not only to leaue them without armour or sufficent resistance against the ordinary assaultes of the world but also to make thē subiect by speciall destenie to the sentence dome of a most vnrighteous and hard fortune but albeit aduersity besides that she is subiect to sondry sortes of calamitie is also so quarellous of her one disposition that for the respect of one simple or peculiar wronge she makes vs to exclaime generally against all liberties and lawes of God and man yet ought we so to checke that same humour of inordinat rage that mortifieth within vs all regarde of dutie and reason that we dispaire not in the goodnes of him who beyng the giuer of all comfort and GOD of consolation is more ready to dispose it on our behalfe then we hable to deserue the gift of so greate a benefit and who in the middes of the teares of this desolate Ladye beyng with the reste of her frendes wholly resolued to endure the rigorous sentence of their fate presented the CATASTROPHE of y e tragedy with such an offer or meane of spedye deliuery of the prisoner that it did not only excede thexpectation of all men but seamed also the worke of suche a wonderfull misterie that no man was hable to imagin the deuise afore their eyes gaue iudgement of theffect ▪ for the same day aboute the nynth or tenth hower of the euenyng ANSEAMNO SALYMBYNO whome heretofore you haue harde to bee sore passioned with the loue of ANGELYQVA hauing spente certaine dayes of recreacion in the contrey is now returned to SYENNA where passyng by the gate of his ladye he chaunced to heare a lamentable noyse of women bewailyng the misery of the montanynes wherwith pursewyng the brute with a more diligente eare spyed at last commyng out of the pallayes of ANGELYQVA certain olde dames his nexte neighboures all to bee sprent and died with the dew of sorowfull teares as though they hadd then cōme from the funeral of some of their frendes of whom he enquired the cause of suche vnacustumable Dule and whether what new misfortune wer happened of late to y e house of y e Montauyns and being at larg resolued of that which you haue hard by speciall reporte went imediatlye to his chamber where he began to discourse diuersely of this soddaine chaunce sometyme determining the deliuerie of CHARLES for the only respect of his syster whose good wil he thought he cold not purchase any waye so well as by the benefyt and pryce of so greate a frendshyppe by and by hee accompted the death of her brother a moste necessarye meane to make him the maister of his desire ouer his sister wherin after he had spente somtyme in secrete cogitacion without any certeyne resolution notwithstandyng what to do he seamed to aske open councel of himselfe in this sorte What cause haue I hereafter to dowte of the thing I chiefly desyer seyng fortune seames to take more care of my contentement then I am hable to wishe or imagyn vndertaking as it seames to presente me wyth theffecte of my busynes whenne I leaste thoughte of any hope or likelihod of good successe for by the death of the MONTANYN who is to be executed to morowe in publike as a rebell or heynous offendor of the state I shal not only see the laste reuenge of the most mortall enemyes of our house but also liue without feare hereafter to be molested by any that shal discend of hym and on the other syde his death takes away al impedimētes offering either to stay or hinder me from enioying of her whom I loue so dearely for her brother being deade and his goodes and liuinge confiscat to the state what stay or support hath she if not in her beauty and loue of some honest gentleman who takyng cōpasion of the losse of so Rare an ornament and worke of nature may entertaine her for his pleasure vntill the glasse of so brikle a gyfte dekay with his delyte in her companye and then for the respect of pytye to bestow her in mariage with some compotent porcion But what SALYMBYNO shal the offer of any vnseamely reueng preuaile aboue that respect and duty thou art borne to beare and owe vnto true vertue or wilt thou so much abuse y e former glory of thy auncestors and present renowne of thy selfe with an acte no lesse detestable afore GOD then hatefull to the cares of all degrees of honestye and wilte thou thus deceaue thexlpectation of thy frends and leaue them in continual reproche to the posteritye of all ages with a note of suche infamye that tyme her selfe can skarce race out of the remembrance of man if all thies lacke authority to diswade the let only the respect and awe of vertue with remorce of conscience kepe the frome comitting so hainousanoffence for to wh at other end haue the auncients put a diffrence betwene the gētlemen creatures of baser condition but that in exposyng fruites of cyuill courtesye wée should also stryue to make our selues noble and excede theim in thimitacion of true vertue and as it is far frō the office of a noble hart to thunder Reueng vpon such as are not hable to resyst thy power so there can be no greater argument or proffe of true magnanimytie then in buryenge the desyer of vengeaunce in a tombe of eternall obliuion to expose moste fruites of compassion where there appeares greate cause to extende the vttermost of rigour and where
the desier of his minde tendyng to none other ende then a consommation of an honest and lawfull request But for the contrary of this honest societie I accompt hym not worthie to haue the ayre breath vpon hym who practisinge onely to seduce and corrupte the chasteye of honest Dames hath no respect to the vertue of honest and true loue but sekyng only to satisfy the appetit of his sensual luste doth embrace the exterior partes of a woman and commendes simplye the tree charged with leaues without regardyng the frut which makes it worthie of commendacion and fame Here with it can not be muche froÌ„ our purpose to enterlarde this digression with the authoritie of a brief note whiche I founde written in a frenche booke on the behalfe of the sinceritye which ought to appeare in women comparinge the younge Ladye bearynge yet the name of a mayde to the glisterynge flower in the pleasaunt springe vntill by her constancie and chaste behauior subduing vtterlie the wanton mocions of the fleshe she expose to the worlde the precious fruites deriued of so greate a vertue and giue absolute experience other vndoubted pudicitie For otherwayes saith he she is in no other degree for worthie renowme then the young soldiour whose contenaunce albeit argueth the corage of his hart yet his capteine hath no reason to gyue iudgement of his valiauntnes nor cause to reapose muche credit in him in any expedition or exploite againste thenemye tyll he see an approued effect in dede of that which he promiseth so largely by his outward apparance but when he fyndeth an absolute confirmation of the exterior likelihodes by the inward vertu and valyauntnes of the mynd it is then that he doth not only embrase hym but preferreth hym afore the rest as a speciall pattorne to ymitate his vertues Euen so besides that the Croune of immortal glorye atten des youe Ladyes who by withstandynge th assaultes and importunities of the fleshe do giue to your selfe the true title of honest women not by force or awe of constraint but by the valyaunt resistance of your most chaste and inuincible hart yet also the monumeÌ„t of your vertues being graued in pillors of eternitie and aduaunced to the height of the highist theatrey in the worlde shal remaine as a mirroer or worthy spectacle to procure all posterities not onelye to treade the pathe of semblable vertues but also to yelde you a continuall adoracion after your death by the remembraunce and viewe of your chaste verteous life wherewith wishyng you al no lesse desier to lyue wel then the most of you are gredy of glory I leaue you to the remorce of your owne consciences presentes you here withe the remeinder of my promisse touchyng the sequele of CHARLES MONTANYN who being out of prison as you haue harde repaired immediately to his house with intent to comfort her whom he knewe to be in greater dollour and distresse and as nedeful of consolacion as himselfe seamed desirous of repose being so longe forewatched in a filthy prison and knocking at the gates of his Pallais the mayd that opened the dore and saw it was her maister mounted with more speed then an ordinarie pase and tolde ANGELIQVA the deliuerye and approche of her brother wherunto what addicion or protestation her mayde seamed to make her troubled mynde wolde giue no credit suche greate impossibilitie do wee accompte in the execution of those thinges whiche we chiefly desier but seaminge no lesse amazed with the misterie theÌ„ saint Peter being soddainly taken furth of the prison of HERODE by the Aungel sloode as thoughe she had bene dreaming of the dissolution of the worlde without apparance of sence or argument of lyuely morioÌ„ in any part of her til y e presence of her brother being now in her chaÌ„ber seamed to breath in her an ayre of fresh coÌ„solatioÌ„ lyfe dismissing froÌ„ thinstaÌ„t y e misterie of her domme trauÌ„ce receiued oftsones her former vse libertie of senses wherewith coÌ„uerting her dolorous regards teares of auncieÌ„t dule into a passion of such sodain gladnes that being at y e point to coÌ„gratulat his coÌ„mig with words she felt a secoÌ„d impedimeÌ„t of spech by y e operatioÌ„ of preset ioye which she toke in beholding his face y t she fel down at his fete embrassig kissyng his knees with no lesse signes shewe of a gladsome mynde then if by som miracle he had bene raised froÌ„ death to life wherewith certaine Ladies her kynswomen assistinge her dolorous distresse hauyng restored her laste traunce and doubtyng eftsones to fal into the like passion sent for their husbaÌ„des with other the frends of MONTANYNO aswel to reioyce his happie deliuery so to auoyde al occasioÌ„s of further traunces in his sister as also to excuse their negligeÌ„ce in not assisting his late miserie but CHARLES dissimuling y t which he thought of their discourtesie towardes himself gaue theÌ„ chief thaÌ„kes for their frendship in coÌ„forting his syster which he coÌ„strued to as great an honor argumeÌ„t of good wil as if they had imployed it on y e behalf of himself wherwith he dismissed them deuining notwithstaÌ„ding what he shold be that had made so large declaratioÌ„ of so great a vertu sorowful without measure that he knew him not to th ende he might not onely requiâ—e so rare a courtesie but also excede him in liberalitie by a franke offer of himself al that he hath within the world he scamed not so ignoraunt of thauthor of so greate a benefit as his syster in treble doubte on y e same behalf persuading herselfe notwithstanding that the feare of death had made him coÌ„ueigh a secret sale of his landes in the coÌ„trey to him which first broked it And that this doubte which seamed to trouble hym was onely a darke vaile to conceile the trothe and kepe it from her knowledge or rather his longe imprisonment with disquiet of minde duringe his trouble had stalled his sences made him raue in y t sorte wherin she was in equall doubte of them al til he resolued her to the contrary wherewith departing for that night they repaired to their seueral chaÌ„bers where y e MONTANYN had more desier of slepe then hable to admit any rest for that he spent al that night in contemplatioÌ„ contrarietie of thoughtes making an assemblie in his minde of euery shape figure of such his frends as he was hable to imagin to be y e workers or cause of so great a benefit somtime preferring one somtime preseÌ„ting an other without touching notwithstaÌ„ding y e perfect whit or naming him that iustely had deserued the meede of so great a merite and to whome he acknowledged no lesse bonde of dutie then to them that were the first causers of his comming into this worlde wherin passing that night the pictures of a thousand men his bed seamed to serue him as a wyde large plaine or some rowmey alley or
close arbor within a thicke wood to rol vp and downe making his discourse with sondry sortes of diuerse ymaginations vntil the discouerynge of the redde globe orforronner of the day somoned APOLLO to harnesse his horse begin his course ouer our HEMISPHERE whē he rise and wente to the officer of the fyske of whome he demaunded to know what he was that discharged the debte of his late forfeyture He whom you can skarcely ymagin saith y e receauour hath exceded all your frends infirme faithfull zeale towards you to whom I haue deliuered the releace of your imprisonment but not y e acquitaūce of y e money because here is an ouerplus which I haue here to tēder vnto you w t your general discharge wherw t Charles no lesse moued against him for y e offer of y e money then greued w t the curious delay he seamed to vse in disclosing y e name of so great a frēd requested hym eftesones to cut of his suspence make hym know y e man to whom he was so much bounde The rare ver tue curtesie of ANSEAMO SALIMBINO saith he hath preferred cause of perpetual shame to al your frendes allies and opened you the waye not onelye to be equall but excede hym in semblable merit wherewith he departed with an infynity of conceiptes and constructions of the courtesie of his enemye and beynge at his house in a secret gallerye voyde from all companye or occasion of disturbance began to discourse diuerslye of thaccident but chiefly what shoulde sturre vp such generositie with inexspectable humanitie in hym who with his parentes and all the power he mighte make had bene the onely and mortall scourges of his whole house at last startyng vp as it were out of a dead sleape or newly delyuered from the misterye of som sodaine qualme began to remember some glées of frendshy which he had heretofore noted in SALIMBINO on the behalfe of his syster which appeared chiefly in the often palewalkes purmenades he made by the gate of hys Pallais where yf by chaūce his eyes encoūtred with the viewe of ANGELIQVA he forgot not to preferre a reuerence and salutacion rather of an affectioned hart then a mynde charged with grudge or any kinde of enymitie wheruppon he resolued immediatly that the onelye beautye of his syster did pleade for his lyfe and purchase his deliuerye concludyng withall in his mind that as y e noble hart is soonest enclined to loue so when true affection hath once made a breache into the intralles of the valyant and princely minde it is impossible but she shoulde expose maruelous effectes and fruites of honest vertue like as also the ymp deriued of noble kinde and discended of the progenie of renowmed predecessours can not so maske or couer his norriture education but the vertue of the minde wil aduaunce herselfe in the countenance with shew of nobilitie in the face and preferre a facilitie in that whiche the voice of the worlde hath not onelye iudged impossible but also absolutely persuaded that he wold neuer be brought to do it eyther of frée consent or force of any awe or allurementes wherin for his parte because he would neyther be surmounted in honestie nor noted of anye spot of ingratitude determined to reuenge the good tourne he had receiued with suche prodigall recompense that he woulde seame no lesse liberall in retorninge thintereste of the benefit receyued then the other treble meritorious for thexample of soo rare a vertue wherefore hauinge nothinge worthy to present the frendshipp of SALIMBINO but himselfe and his sister determined to impart his present resolution with the fayre ANGELIQVA and after dispose themselues by mutuall assent to make a tender franke offer of that whych was in theym to be imployed on the behalfe of him and his as he lyste to ymagine the occasion wherin because he was now in the contrey without intent to retourne to the citie till the expiracion of some iiij or v dayes CHARLES fynding hys conscience heauelye charged with a debte on his behalfe thought to practise for hym in his absence aswell as he was myndefull of his late misfortune and therupon procured his syster into a gardein far from anye haunte or companye to troble them where he brake with her in this sort Amongest all the chaunges and conuersions of mortall affaires my deare syster there is none a more familiar precedent of the malice of fortune then he that is touched wyth diuersitie of euils nor anye so greate a paterne or example of her mobitie as they that fynde often chaunge of estate and yet for all that we ought not to suffer any aduersatie to deminishe the vertue and constancie of the mind neyther is it our part to geue so greuous a sentence of the state of mās mortalitie as eyther to denie mercie to such as be in misery or dispair of compassion whenne our selues be touched with affliction seing that as thinges mortall are full of chaunge and no man hath perpetuall felicitie So there is no man certaine of any thinge that he hath and God is bound to no time and fortune being slipperie of her selfe and not hable to be holden againste her will dothe neuer giue so greate felicitie but she enioyneth a double penaunce with trouble of treble annoy in respect of the benefyt And besides he that falleth frō the vttermost spray or height of the highest tree findeth lesse case and more daunger then suche as fele them selues taken from the lowe and shallow braunches supported vpon the firme earth Al which I prefer vnto you in this place aswel by a peculyar instigacion and remorce of mynde restoring a newe remembrance of the noble cōdicion of our Auncestors the auncient glory of our race and former renowne of the house of MONTANYNO as also to sturre vp in vs both a freshe supplie of sorowful teares on the behalfe of the late depopulation and vtter ruine of the same wherin for my parts as often as I beholde the riche seates and stately buildinges somtime the resident and ordinarie places of abode of our fathers and grandfathers when my desolate eyes glaunsinge vpon diuers corners of this cytie do fede vpon the viewe of sondrye skutchions and pendels of our armes bearinge a special marke or badge of thantiquitie of our famuly or that in the cathedral churches or chiefe temples of this cytie I peruse the inscription of so manye statelye tombes and perpetuall monumentes of marble shrowdyng the bodies of so many noble Knightes and notable Captaines discended of the lyne of MONTANYNO but chieflye as often as I put my foote within the entrey of this pallais the very reste and last remeinder of them whose authoritie onely hath earst gouerned the state of this commonwelth I fele my selfe so passioned with inward grefe and my hart within distillinge drops of blodd on the behalfe of so great a desaster that I wishe more often then I am harde to
be taken awaye from the dolourous regarde of suche wretched desolation to th ende that I alon mighte not liue as the od relike or vttermost reste of our subuerted house And albeit we may chalēge the first place in the beadrol of vnhappy wretches seinge our fortune hath exchaunged oure auncient felicitie for a present lyfe of extreme miserye yet yf there be anye cause of consolation in aduersitie we haue raison to ioye in the condicion of our state chefly for that we are not iustely to be charged with imputacion of euil or dishonest trade any waie and that notwithstanding the raging malice of our fortune with the force of pouertie pinchynge extremely the discourse of our lyues hath so confirmed the generositie of our auncestors that we kepe the consent of al voices to be nothing inferior to the best of them in any respect of vertue or showe of true nobilitie For I haue alwaie indeuored to obserue this one rule discipline of the re nowmed Emperour captaine MARCVS ANTHONIVS who persuadeth that as the heyght of estate ought not to alter the goodnes of nature So the frowarde disposition of fortune oughte not to take awaye or diminishe the constancie of the mynde with this addicion that he beareth her malice best that hydes his myserye moste Besides thusmuche dare I aduouche of my selfe that as I was neuer presented with the offer of any good tourne whiche I haue not thankefullie requited to thuttermoste So I haue not bene a nigarde of anye thinge I haue on the nedefull behalfe of my frende or other companion detestynge alwayes that anye iote of ingratitude shold staine the reputatiō wherin I haue lyued hytherunto For as amongest a nomber of vices in men nowe a dayes the note of vnthanfulnes is no lesse detestable then anye of the reste So for my parte I wishe the rigour of THATHENYANS lawe vpon hym who seames eyther forgetfull of the benefyt passed or vnthankefull to the frendship of hym that brought succours to his necessitie when he dispaired of relief wherin my deare sister albeit you maye happelye imagine the cause of this longe circunstaunce yet can you giue no certeine iudgement of the ende or conclusion nor diuine ryghtely the meanynge of the misterye whiche I purpose to reueale vnto you The threatnynge perill whiche earste houered to cut in sonder the fyllet of my lyfe is of so late a tyme that I am sewer youre minde hath not yet dismissed the remembraunce of so fearefull a tragedye neyther haue you forgotten I knowe howe as it were by speciall miracle I was boughte out of the handes of the executioner of iustice and redemed from the rigorus sentence of the partiall senatt without thassistance of any my parentes or alyes by eyther simple offer of worde or effect wherin as I am warned by this experience not onlye to putt small confidence in anye of my kynsmen hereafter but also to reappose no assurance at all in their flatteringe show of fained face so I haue tasted of so great a pleasure at the handes of hym who neuer deserued well of mee nor I cause to ymagyne any one droppe of humanitye in hym on my behalfe that yf I do ryght to his vertue I haue reason to admitt hym not onlye amonge the felowshippe but also the firste and chiefe of my deare frendes for beinge pressed so muche wyth the iniquitte of the tyme wyth freshe assaltes of newe afflictions and forsaken with all of my nearest frendes I had reason to ymagyne and cause to feare that thonly malice of oure mortall enemyes for the extirpation of the whole stocke and roote of oure race had bene the workers of my laste trouble and daunger of deathe But good syster in this distruste I haue abused the vertue of our late aduersary deseruynge to indure pennance for entringe into conceites of conspiracye agaynste hym whose late benefyte excedinge the ymaginacion of all men hath made me bounde to honor the remembrance of his name with a debte of dutie so longe as nature shall phan in mee the breathe of lyfe for in place where I feared most daunger I founde moste sauetie and where I exspected least sewertye I encowntred moste assurance And that hande whiche I attended only to giue the fatal blowe of my destruction hath not only remoued all occasions or offers of present perill but become the chiefest pillor and proppe of mine honour and lyfe hereafter wherin because you shal be partaker of the playnnesse of my tale aswell as you haue vsed patience in the hearinge of the circumstance yt is ANSEAMO SALYMBYNO the son and heir of our aunciente persecutours who hath made so manyfeste a declaration of his affected zeale towardes our howse that in taking your brother owte of the handes of thunrighteous senate present daunger of perentorye destruction he hath seamed so lauishe of his liberal mynde that in place of vii C florentes he hath paide a thousande Duckattes for the ransom of hym who iudged hym the moste crewell enemye of the worlde what argumente of noble harte is this or howe seldom dothe a man encounter suche rare frutes of vertue frendes knitt together by a speciall league of amytie or mutuall vowe of frendeshippe do oftentymes make the worlde wonder of the sondry frutes and effectes of constancie which appeareth betwene theime but where the mortall enemie beinge neyther reconciled nor required nor demaundinge any assuraunce for the pleasure he dothe paieth not only the debte of his aduersarye but restoreth his state when hee is at pointe to performe the last of his fatal somaunce I thinke it excedes all the consideration of suche as vse to discourse vppon the doinges of menne I knowe not what title to geue to the acte of SALYMBYNO nor howe to tearme this his curtesye yf not that his doinges deserue a better meede thenne the renowne of DAYMON and PITHIAS or other moste loyall frendes whome the writters doo fauor wyth suche surnames of glorye but as I am a chiefe witnes of hys vertue so the example of hys presente honestie hathe sturred vppe suche an affected humor wythin me that eyther I wyll dye in thindeuor or els I wylbe equall yf not hable to excede hym in the retourne of hys liberalitie wherein beinge iustelye bownde to engage the beste parte in me for the recompense of that good torne whiche gaue increase to my lyfe I am to craue a special assistance of you Syster for the complotte of the deuise whyche I haue alreadye ymagyned and fullye resolued to performe to th end I maye bee onelye bownde to you for thacquitaunce of the liberalytye of SALIMBINO by whose helxe you that earste Lamented the losse of libertye and lyfe of youre brother maye nowe congratulate hys healthe and happye delyuerye where wyth the faire ANGELIQVA fully resolued by this laste report of her brother that it was SALEMBINO whyche hadde surmounted all her parentes and frendes in the delyuerye of her onelye confort
rather perswaded my deare brother for that the tearmes of thy laste requeste dependinge vpon yssues of extremeties do argue bothe a iustice to performe thy desyer and an incyuilitie in the in makinge so vnreasonable a demaunde the one chalenginge a consente in me by thympression of nature and bonde of dutifull zeale on my behalfe towards the the other charginge the wyth iniquitie for the respecte of that whiche thou wouldest haue me to do But seinge euerye requeste craueth a retorne of aunswere and the greater qualytie or condition the cause is of the greater delyberacion oughte wee to vse â—â—iefelye where it ymportes eyther thabsolute breache or firme confirmation of the league of lyneall consanguynitye I beseche you graunte no lesse patience to the wordes of my replie then I haue bene contented to fauor your vehement protestacion with a dollorous scilence neyther let me any longer inveighe in myne aunswere then I shall seame to preferre good reason to iustefye my iuste complaint the cause wherof doth marche with more alarams of annoye thorow all the partes in me then if I wer presently pinched with the most greuous tormentes of the worlde seing that my life with therposition of the same is nothing in respecte of that which thy ymportunities do labour to set abroche and put in vent for the onely satisfaction of a prodigall liberalitye for if the price of my life woulde suffice for the raunsom of myne honor and appaisement of thy appetit thou couldest no soner ymagyn thy contentement then the same shoulde be exposed on thy behalfe neyther wolde I take halfe the tyme to performe it which I haue vsed in making y t the promise I thought alas the late delyuery of my brother had brought to vs all an vndowted dispense of further trouble and that he had buryed in the pitt of his ymprysonmente all occasions of further disquiette And who wolde haue iudged but in the laste assalte and vniuste offer of vndeserued deathe fortune had spitt the vttermoste of her poysened malice and that in deuestinge herselfe frome the theatrye or throane of rigorous crueltie she had also broken in peces the bloddye arrowes wherewith of so longe time shee hathe persecuted our desolate howse pronounced trewyce at last to the wearye miferies of the wretched state of the MONTANINS But alas vnhappie creature that I am I fynde nowe our destenie is rather deferred then our miserye at an end seing y t that vniuste goddes of vnworthy reuenge and moste cruell stepmother inuadinge mee wythe more fury then affore doth threaten my yonge and tender yeares with more perentorye plages then euer shee thondred vppon any of my former race for if euer shee pursewed oure fathers graundefathers or anye predecessours with mortall affliction or intente of vtter ruyne it is nowe shee hathe chosen her tyme to put to her laste hande to the extreame extirpacion of the miserable reliques and remeyndor of oure pore house eyther by the wilfull losse and perpetuall exile of y e my deare brother or vntymely death of thy dysolate ANGELIQVA who canne not make prostitucion of her chastetye wythout the sacrafyce and oblation of her miserable life what is destenye if this be not the consent and iudgement of the heauens w t resolutioÌ„ to subplaÌ„t y e stock graâ—tes of our house seing y t I a simple girle w tout force voide of assistance of age or experience is constrained to admytt th one of two euils whereof the choise oughte and is hable to amase the moste wise and experienced creature that this day enioyeth the benefytt of mortall life alas my harte faileth me and reason forsaken and flede from me hath lefte my minde ballauncinge in suche confucion and contraryetie of thoughtes that beinge broughte to thertremetye of two distresses of equall perill and indifferente terror I doubte whether to coÌ„mit my life to shorte and sharppe penaunce or prolonge my dayes in pyninge dollor and secrete care of minde for the sentence which thou haste pronounced of both our estates is eyther to make a seperation by extreme exile of my brother who is no lesse deare in my harte then the ten drest part of myne eye and in whom nexte after GOD I haue reposed the whole assuraunce of my hope and consolacion of life or els in conseruinge him I see my selfe at pointe to bee constrained to make marchandise I can not tell in what sorte nor for what price of that precious treasure whiche once loste is not to be reclaimed by any meanes and for the garde wherof al women of vprighte minde honoring vertue or desierous of reputacion oughte rather to expose theimselues to a thousande mortal perilles and hazardes of deathe if nature and life were hable to abide soo manye encownters then to suffer one spotte of infamie to staine or corrupt this precious ornament and gifte of chastitie which as it is the only support and decoration of y e life of an honest woman so for a contrarye she that loseth the possession of so riche a Iewel or deuesteth her selfe of the title and crown of so great a glorye althoughe she seame to liue and kepe place amonge other creatures yet is she dead in effecte and her life recorded in the booke of blacke defame as a witnes againste herselfe in the latter days and in the meane tyme a continual reproch and obiection of shame to such as she leaueth to succede her in kindred or name How can that Lady or gentlewoman marche amongeste the crewe of vertuous dames whose honor is eyther in doubte or reputacion in dekaye by the losse of her honour but that the blod of shamo appearyng in all parts of her face wil not only discouer her faulte but makes her wearye of her lyfe by the remorce or remembrance of so foule a forfaiture How could the doughters of the Emprour AVGVSTVS seame iustly meritorious of the title of true nobilitie or worthely deserue to be called the children of such a father after their sondry villaines and lasciuious trade of lyuing hadd dispoyled them of the giftes and ornamentes of vertue presentyng theim to the eyes of all the world as creatures not worthy to haue the common ayre to breath vpon them what honor hadd FAVSTINA in wearyng the Imperial crowne vpon her head seyng she had loste the crowne and garlande of chastetie by her disordred and dishonest life Sewer she ought not to enioy the breath of lyfe nor participati with the presence or benefitt of the earth that makes lesse stoare of her honestie then of the deareste part belongynge to her soule or bodye neyther is shée worthie to be admitted amongest the felowshipp of vertues Dames that departeth with so precious an ornament at other priceâ— then the exchange or loasse of her lyfe notwithstandynge the writers of former tyme haue done manifest wronge to diuerse simple women whose vertue in preseruinge their honest name with true title of pudicitie deserueth rather an euerlastynge remembrance
thoratour the faire and good are so conioyned together that the one glorifyenge in the other are confirmed both with equal estimation why shoulde I not pursue the loue of my deare CAMILLA whose exterior regardes argew a greater vertue then to refuse the offer of my simple and honest seruice supported with an intente of vnfayned loyaltie so longe as nature shall assiste me with one moment of tyme in this worlde But alas what reason hath she to graunte to that whiche I dare not demaunde or howe shoulde she satisfye my requeste beinge altogether ignoraunte of my meanynge and seynge by conceylinge my desyer my greefe is growen to an agrauacion of torment why staye I to disclose the cause to the ende I maye eyther receyue the soueraine CATAPLAME for my sore or els the laste and fatall syroppe whiche maye sende me to complaine mine euill in the other worlde wherin as he made here his plat to communicate his loue with his mistres so the veray presence of CAMILLA feare to offende her toke awaye theffect of that resolucion conuerlinge his complot into a misterie of some dreame or vision inuisible whereby what with the increase of his passion and feare to bewraye thoccasion his greefe grewe to a disease presentyng argumentes of debilitye and diminutioÌ„ of strength w t lose of auncieÌ„t colour in his face so far furth y t he seamed not the same LYVIO which earst was so welcome into all companies no lesse for hys grace and perfection of nature then his guifte of pleasante discourse seinge that nowe in so shorte a tyme he is so transposed into the habite and disposition of a malencolike and solitarie harmit that there appeared no lesse impossibilitie to haue hym assiste any assemblye accordynge to the commendable custome of nobilitie or youth of gentle discente throwe all the franchises in ITALY then to mortifye in one instante the furye of his solitary passion in suche sort that the young Ladyes and gentlewomen companyons to his syster began to deskande of his coye and religious trade of lyfe some of theim accusinge hym of folishe disdaine noted a sorte of sauage and hagarde disposition and some seinge as fare into his disease as the phizicion into his water referred the cause of this soddaine chaunge to the mortall and ineuitable woundes of the cruell son of the faire CYPRIS wherwith CORNELIA troubled withoute measure that the alteracion of her brother was the onely wonder of the multitude greuyng no lesse for her parte then the reste seamed amazed accoasted hym one mournyng in a close arbore or alleye of his gardin where he was recording his amarous coÌ„ceits and disposed her selfe tunderstande the cause vnder these termes I hope sayeth she my present coÌ„myng excedyng my ordinary custome will not moue you to conceytes of presumption against me chiefly for that I desier to coÌ„municate with you in that which your self ought to disclose to such as are deare vnto you to th ende that if the meane to restore you consiste in straungers the remedie may folow with expedicion but if a sleighte slaue may cure a slender sore that your gréefe is of no other coÌ„sequence then a passion of ymaginations why do you not take vp the vaine that fedes the humour of such fonde conceites of your selfe dismisse the darke cloudes of youre troubled fansie For I assure you the shame whiche I haue on the behalfe of your doing is nothyng inferiour to the panges you féele chiefly for that your solenme trade of life ringing in mine cares by a general reaporte of all men makes me not only refuse diuerse asseÌ„blies whiche I ought to visite but also loath the companie of my deare coÌ„panions who forget not to reproche me with imputacion of our change protesting vnto you that if you coÌ„firme it with any loÌ„ger time I wyl also assiste your solitarie trade and kepe my self so recluse that in forbearing to visite my frends abroade I wil also forbid thaccesss of any at home for what delit do I fynde in any coÌ„panye when al degrees salute me with your desolate order of liuyng and iudge you what pleasure I take that earst did glory w t the best in y e behauior of my brother most welcome aboue all men to euery estate now to heare you loaden with titles surnames of proude disdainful ful of faâ—â—ies with a thousand other imposicions of like reproch Wherfore for end if ther remaine in you any care of your owne estimation or respect to coÌ„tent me I besech you eftesones sticke not with me in so small a sute as y e discouerie of the cause and circumstaunce of your annoye assuring you for my part by the vertue of our parents decessed that my life shal refuse no peril to remoue your distres that with no lesse good will then I desier with my harte a spedie coÌ„uersion of your malencolike countenance into regardes of auncient ioye imparting by that meanes an vniuersal gladnes to al your freÌ„ds who are driuen to participat with you in sorow til they sée a restauracion of your former quiet wherwith LYVIO takyng thaduauntage of thaffected zeale of his syster who gaue him assuraunce of her promisse in that whiche he durste not demaunde knewe not at the firste what replye to preferre but that it was not against nature for a man to flitt from happye lyfe to heauye state neyther oughte it sayth he to seame a wonder to the people when we expose alteracion of complexion for suche are equall to angels or semblable to the brutall sorte with out sence that are priuiledged from passion or can kepe so temperate a meane in receyuyng and disgestyng thaccidents of this worlde which accordynge thoccurrance and euenem entes of tymes do expose argumentes of mirthe or sorow in the faces of them whome they possesse and albeit I confesse vnto you that as he beares his miserie beste that hides it moste so suche are worthye to haue the name of perfecte men who enconteringe their disaster with a constante magnanimitye of minde do dissimule their greefe afore the worlde to th ende they only may giue remedye to that which is common to none but theym selues wherin for my parte I coulde neuer enioye a participation of suche perfection neyther is thoccasion of my extremitie so easely couered but the drouping regardes in my face are readie to make declaration of my torment besides I haue no greate cause of shame of mine euill consideringe the same importes an enterprise of noble consequence albeit I make some conscience to discouer the principall cause But considering the roundnes of your offer and howe boldly one of vs maye participat wyth an other I am contente to imparte with you the circumstance of my passion wherin as you haue charged me with chaunge and alteracion of countenance debilitie and diminucion of the strongest partes in me with a sauage and hagarde order of lyuynge as you haue tearmed it
they short of without eyther mache slint or pouder and of whose folyshe and vnshamful lyghtnes procedes the argument of so many comodies and Enterludes playd in open stage not so much to the confusion of them selues and parentes as open scandall to their husbands and houses for euer wherof the familyer example is to be noted in the sequel of this Pandora who was not only in short time vtterly detested of y t ROMAIN but also a commeniestinge stocke and pointed at by his meanes of al men for her rashe familiaritye vsed towards hym who not long after the fyrst foundatioÌ„ of this frendship was cald home from exile by Leo de Medicis their soueraigne vycar of the Sea of Rome perdonyng his offence and restoryng the vse of his former lybertye at whose departure vnloked for Pandora entred into no small passion of dolour not for any seruent affection or loue whiche she bare to her Romain frende but bycause his sodaine goinge awaye lefte her voyde of all lycours to quenche the burnynge flame of the gredy goote of her vnnatural concupiscens and chiefly because Monsieurle Page began also to ware cold in the combat whiche he had wonte to maintayne wyth suche courage But fortune here was so frendlye to the fulfyllynge of her licencious appetit that she styring vp a fresh supplie of her desire presented in the listes a yonge knyght of Myllan called Cesar Parthonope who by chaunce hyrynge the lodging of the late Romain succeded hym also in desyre and diligence for he at the fyrste vewe regardynge the flateringe beautye of this ALCYNE his neyghbour suffered himselfe vnaduisedly to flyppe into the snares of loue honoryng that in his hart with true sinceritie as a deare Iewel which his predecessour worthely hated wyth dewe detestacion And entrynge here into the pagant of loue his fyrst part was to gyue som outwarde arguments of his inward affection wherin he begaÌ„ to make many pale walkes afore her gate rouynge wyth his eyes at her chamber wyndowes accordyng to the amorous order of the vayne Spanyard vtterynge by the dolefull vewe of his troubled countenaunce the greate and secrete desyre quarelynge inwardlye wyth his vnrulye thoughts But what nede a man vse polycie wher slender sute wyll preuayle or who wyll bend his battery to that fortresse wherof the captayne demaundes partly and sues for composition And besides wheÌ„ the vaile of shame is once remoued from our eyes what let is there to staye the sensual cours of our bestly appetits And they that suffer the raine of reasoÌ„ to slacke or wholly to slip out of their hands semes as traÌ„sformed in a momeÌ„t so weakned touching the liuely mocions forces of the spirit y t the exterior prouocacions appetit of desyre preuaile wholy aboue the inwarde resistance accions of the soule lyke as this glotton impudent Pandora who seing her somtimes saluted with a pleasant eye of her new neighbour forgot not to requit him with such wanton glaunces of suche open vnderstandynge that the knyght doubtynge not of the successe of his interprise assured himselfe alredy of the victorye wherin he was somwhat holpen by the hand of fortune who prouiding a iorney for the husband of Pandora touchinge therecution of a commission in a forein countrye kept hym absent in those affaires the space of a yere or more wherein Parthonope forgot not to vse thoportunitye of so conuenient a time being ignorant with al of the great libertie of his mistres who drew him on al this whyle by fine traines to thend to make him more eager of bit had no waye to vnfold y e cause of his passion but by a letter which he made the messenger of his grefe and soliciter of his desyre in this sorte The curious Artificer coninge worke woman Dame Nature I sée wel good madame was not so careful to worke you in her semelie frame of all perfections as the powers deuine difposers of the daungerous loftye planets assisting her endeuour with certaine peculier ornaments of their speciall grace weare redye to open their golden vessell of precious treasur powring by great abuÌ„daÌ„ce their heauenly gifts vpoÌ„ you striuing as it semes whiche of theÌ„ for thencrease of his glory shold dispose himself most liberaliy on your behalf like as according to the Poets they contended of olde for the adoring by seueral ornameÌ„ts the late Pandora whom for all respects they agréed to be the odd ymage of the world but specially for beautie which if it dazeled y e eyes of the gods shining as a twinkling starr in thelemeÌ„ts aboue yours I thinke was reserued as a torch of glistring flame to giue light to y e creatures of the midel world wherof for my part vewing w t to ardent affectioÌ„ y e sundry celestial ornameÌ„ts imparted to you by the Gods w c the percinge beames of rare beautie gyuen you for your dowrie of Nature I doubt whether mine eyes duâ—med altogether w t admiracioÌ„ wil first crie out for y e losse of their former sight or my whole bodie plunged in the passion of affectioÌ„ wil accuse the heart with the rest of thinward senses consentinge so easely to the cause of their disquiet wherein my lyfe wayeth indiferentlye in the ballance of a thousand annoyes and mine auncient libertie in the meane whyle kept close in an extreme captiuitye Albeit measuring your heauely shape with thutwarde showe of singuler curtesye that semes to occupye al your partes I can not resolue of any crueltie to consiste in you neither canne I iudge by the argument of your beauty but y t my captiuitie shal be spedely caÌ„uerted a happie deliuerie like as also my hope half assureth me triumphinge with honor ouer the doubtfull obiect of my thought to tast at your hands of the pleasaunt frutes of the thinge I chiefly desyre which is in accepting me for your seruant secret frend to admit me into such place of pitye as the dewe merit of my vnfayned seruice deserues by Iustice wherin your act shal seme no lesse meritorious afore the throne of the hyghe goddesse then honorable wyth generall fame for euer in the worlde for releuynge him who without your assistance being wholy transformed to thappetite of your wyll fyndes the burden of lyfe of such vneasye tolleracioÌ„ that y e least repulse of his sute at your haÌ„ds iports his fatal summonce to resigne the tearme of his borowed ye res in this worlde Neither doth he desyre to haue the fruicion of his earthly dayes any lenger then to imploye the same withal humilitie in the seruice of you whome his hart hath alredy pronounced the souerein Ladye of his lyfe wherof you only maye dispose at your pleasure Your vnfayned Cesar Parthonopee Whiche letter he deliuered vnto his Page experienced alredye in the conueye of like affaires who accordinge to the sharp passioÌ„ of his maister vsed therpedicioÌ„ oftime in the dispatch of his charge whereupoÌ„
depended y e recouery of his soueraine but she being alredy as you haue hard enaâ—ored of the knyght who was the first y t wooed her with arguments felt euen now by y e discours of this letter such encrease of affectioÌ„ pinching so extremely y e desyre to sée him that without all order of womaÌ„ly discrecion she Imbraced the page in the behalf of his maister gyuinge him this answere to require his maister not to doubte to come to her house wherof saith she I also desier him to th end I may be resolued by y e breth of his own mouth of y t which I yet doubte touching the report of the letter wherin she preferred vedement importunities she winge the boye whiche waye he shoulde bringe hym to her chaÌ„ber where saith she I wil attend his coÌ„ming this euening wherwith y e Page returned discoursing point by point y e successe of his embassage to y e dolorous knight who reuiued by the gladsome newes of his boye but chieflye by the shorte appointmeÌ„t resolued vpoÌ„ by his mistresse cast of at thinstant thapparell of dule disposinge himselfe euery waye to performe thexspectation of the charge coÌ„mitted vnto him by the mouth of her whose commaundement he would not transgresse though his lyfe should incurre the hazard of a thousand perilles putting himselfe in as seamelye order as he thought good went only with his page in solemne maner to visit the saint who was of her selfe more redye to graunt fréelye then the pylgrym to demaunde by petition and who attending his commyng with more desier to ease the passion of the patient in quenching the feruent rage of her vnsaciable appetit then he for his part had cause to yelde adoration to so detestable a shryne was withdrawn all alone into her chamber where he found her coyfed for the nonst onely in a nyght gowne attire for the night redie to go to bed which with the naturall shewe of her liuelye beautye set out to the most aduantage by the shining light of the wax candels droue the knight at the first into such astonishment that the vse of his spech was conuerted into scilence his eyes onely occupied in beholding the rare beauty of her who was vtterly vnworthye to weare so precious a Iewell of nature albeit expulsing at last the feuer of his dombe traunse with kyssyng her white delicat handes as his firste entre into a further matter proposed the cause of his coÌ„ming in this sort I may by good reason accoÌ„pt my selfe more in the fauor of fortune then any gentilmaÌ„ y t euer was incideÌ„t to any good hap seing good madam that besides thassistaÌ„ce of the place I am also preferred to a conuenient meane to vnfold vnto you at large the smothered greife preserued hetheruÌ„to to my great payne in thutermost parte of my intrailles whiche longe sins had sought a vent to burst out in open flame if the dewe of the hope of that fauor whiche now I finde in you had not serued as a necessary licour of comfort to delaye the raginge heat of the furnaise for otherwise good madame I assure you the smal experteÌ„ce I haue to disgest the bitter pylles of loue had offered my life an vntimely sacrifise to death and nowe seing by thinter cessioÌ„ of fortune and greate curtesie of your good Ladyship I am not only sprinkled with the water of new consolation but also ariued before thoracle to whome I haue so long desyred to present the earnest penie of my humble seruice I besech you sayth hee not witthout teares and sighes of pytiful disposition open the windows of your pytye let fall the swete showers of compassion vpon this torment dealing so extremely with me without seassing which because you shal not thinke to be of lesse passioÌ„ theÌ„ the words of my mouth seme troubled in vtteryng the secret sorow of my hart looe her I am become in your presence the pytifull solyciter of min owne cause where with Pandora who hetherto had loued but only to satisfye her inordinat lust seynge with all thimportunities of her clyent all to be sprinkled with the teares of his eyes requited him with like argumeÌ„ts of kyndnes and feling now with in her hart certain mocioÌ„s assayling the secret of her thoughts with vnfained affectioÌ„ towarde her loyall Parthonope coulde not any lenger dissimull that which she chiefly desired but imbracing hym with sundry signes of assured familiaritye sayde vnto him more for maners sake then otherwise I maruaile syr that being armed with so smale experience you cane so darkly discouers of theffects of loue whose misteryes are not so plainly to be reueiled by anye as by those that haue taken degree in his skoole and wel could I impute that to your rashnes whiche by your letters you haue tearmed a crueltie in me for your sute hath not ben of such continuaunce as it may craue sentence in poste nor your trauayle so painfull as the reward ought to folow with suche hoat expedition albeit as you féele your owne hurt not escapinge peraduenture without some panges of affection So you must thinke the martyredom is not peculyar to one but diuidyng himselfe into a lyke SIMPATHIA of passion hath wayed vs both in thindiferent ballance of affection for if loue hathe buylte his bowre in the botome of your harte I must confesse vnto you syr that I draw vnder the yoke of his awe neyther is my torment any thyng inferior to yours wherof I had long eare this gyuen you vnderstandyng by plaine practi se if the vaile of shame a comen enemye to the amorous enterprises of vs women had not couered mine eyes and closed my mouth with feare that I durst neuer why lest my husband was at home caste forth suche baytes of the greate good will I haue borne you sins you weare our neighbour wherby you might perceiue wyth what loyaltye I haue chosen and adopted you thonlye owner yf my hart and wyth whom I wyshe to passe the remainder of my lyfe with suche pleasure and contentement as is necessary for the solace of twoe true louers whiche last wordes for the more assuraunce of the bargaine she forgot not to seale with sundry sortes of kysses and other homlye trickes of familiaritie wherby the knight being absolutlye resolued of that whyche earste hee douted began to take possession of her mouth adorynge her eyes wyth lookes of louyng admiration and passyng in order to her whyt necke of the colour of the freshe Lylye came at laste to beholde her bare brestes semynge lyke twoo little hyls or mountaynes enuironnynge a rosye valleye of moste pleasaunt prospect whiche he forgat not humbly to honor wyth the often print of his mouthe And passynge some space in these amorous traffiques wyth a thousand other sleights of folye wherof our vayne louers haue no lacke when they seme to dispute of pleasure wyth contentement of desyere they entred the lystes of their singuler combat in
her enterprise whiche the veraye ennemy of nature I am sewer woulde abhorre to ymagine which was that seyng she coulde not be delyuered by the assistaunce of sorceries purgacions nor other pollecie whyche the arte of enchauntynge was hable to lende her she resolued as a bloddie boocher of her owne bloud to breake the bed of thinâ—ant within her entrails and driue it out of her wombe by veray force wherein she was assisted by FINEA who acaccordynge to the commaundement of her mystresse carriynge a syluer basyn into the highest torret in the house wente thether immediatlye bothe together where after the doares were shott on all sides Pandora with a troubled countenaunce all pantinge for the horrour of the acte which she ment to execute beholdynge her bellye with serpentine eyes sparklynge with flames of furie sayed vnto her mayde like as alas thou knowest FINEA howe extremelye I am delte withall at the handes of the thrisewretched Parthonope who without anye respect to the paine which I endure hath vtterlye disclaimed mine acquaintance wyth lesse regarde to preserue the séedes whyche he hathe grafted and lefte growinge within me euen so thou arte not ignoraunt of thindeuour I haue vsed to reclaime hym and rampyer my selfe eftsones in his fauor wherof the one is no lesse vnlikelye then the other daungerous and beynge spyted of fortune heauen and carthe seame also to bende the force of theyr malice againste mine attemptes Albeit I coulde somwhat moderate the extremetie of my passion yf the viewe of my greate bellye dyd not renewe the rage of my feuer wherein I dye a thousande tymes hauynge anye thyng afore mine eyes that eyther representeth his lieknes or moueth anye cause of remembraunce of that detestable wretche who as I hope shall neuer take pleasure in any child of his engendred in the bodye of Pandora and as I haue assayed diuers wayes as thou knowest to discharge me of this burden wherin I haue nothynge preuayled because my destenie contends against my endeuor Euenso beynge not hable any longer to conceile my falte nor couer my woÌ„be swelled with the wycked sede of his generacion and seynge withall my husband is now vpon the point of his returne I am determined to commit my life to extreme perill to thend to dispatche me of this burden which I hate asmuch as other women take pleasure to beare and bryng forth with so great conteÌ„tement And if I could as largelye coÌ„mande ouer him as I haue power to worke the spyte of his wrong vpon the pawne he hath lefte within me I assure thée these handes should make no lesse straunge Anotomy of his carcas then I meane forthwith in thy presence to dismember the monster which by his act I fele stirre in the Inner parts of my raines wherewith FINEA hearing this deuelish resolucion preferred persuasions to the contrarie alledgynge that the horror weare to great that a mother shoulde become the tyrannous murdresse of her selfe childe at one instant and saith she touchinge your being with child there be meanes inough to kepe it secret without vsing any crueltye in killyng thinnocent creature which ought not to beare the penaunce of the faulte of the father tush tush saith this she wolfe and merciles MEDEA that euil is but light where counsel takes place do awaye these persuasions and dispose thy selfe to assiste me for otherwise thou shalt sée me dye in thy presence and then thy preachynge shal be in vayne to her that is absolutly resolued to pursue the ende of her meanynge what is it then that I shall doe saith FINEA to whom as a cruell MEGERA coÌ„ming out of the hollow and darke places of thinfernal valleys she enioyned her this fyrst charge get thee vpp saith she vpon that high coffer there and I wil spred my bellye alonge vpon the grounde with my backe vpwarde And so wyth all thy force thou shalte leape vpon my Keynes which I hope wil be a meane to open an Issue for this cursed burden whiche is so greuous for me to carye wherin if thou vse thutermost of thy force thou shalte restore me to spedye contentement But if thou spare to employe thy whole strength thow shalte prolonge my payne driuynge me to make myne owne handes the ministers of my meanynge FINEA not likyng greatly the charge of suche commission and muche lesse the execucion in so horrible a maner althoughe the terrour of the fact troubled her for a tyme Yet beynge of longe tyme acquainted wyth the condicions and crueltye of her mystres mounts vpon the highe chest leapinge seauen or eyghte tymes together vpon the backe of Pandora wyth suche impetuositie that anye man woulde haue thought that so manye blowes wyth the heuye swaigh of all her bodye had bene hable to haue broken the bones of her backe and dispatched the mother and childe together But all these trafficques beynge in vayne prolonged but the payne of Pandora who doublyng her rage wyth this repulse of her enterprise entred into deuises of more mischiefe and tyrannie not almost to be talked of what hart alas is so endurated wyth the mettall of hardnes but the horror of this hellyshe crueltye wyll moue it to destil drops of bloud what countenaunce so assured that cane wythhold hys teares or not shrinck at the tyranous disposition of this lyonesse or what heares wyll not stande vp at the tragicall discours of this strange kynde of chylde bearynge Truelye I knowe that vertuous Ladyes sprinkled wyth the dewe of pytie wyll not onelye tremble at the remembraunce of the inordinate crueltye of this cursed mother but also open the conduits of their coÌ„passions weping on y e behalfe of the torment wherin vnnaturally she plunged the innocent impe which nature had formed of the substance of her selfe who conuerted from the shape of a woman into the disposition of a deuel raginge without measure that she could not be deliuered howled out at laste with a horrible crye full of impietye and blasphemye in this sorte Seinge sayth she that both God and the deuell denie me their assistance I will in spighte of their powers ryd me of thee Oh cursed and execrable creature wher with possessed wholye with the spirit of furie hauing her eyes sonke into her head her stomacke panting and her face all full of black bloud by the vehemencie of the conflicte which she had indured began to leape withal her force from the tope of the coffer down to the ground brosing her sides with her handes and playinge on the drum with her fystes vpon her great bellye with such huge blowes that felyng euen now the lytel creature within her remoued from his place redye to drope oute of her wombe called for the socors of FINEA who standynge in place of a midwyfe Receiued in a siluer basyn an infant male vnlawfullye conceyued bedewed as yet wyth the wet soddes of his wicked mother sprauling breathing with a litell ayre of lyfe whiche doloros spectacle mouyng
capteine being one of the traine of the lord Iames TRIVOVLSE a great fauorer of the faction of GEBALYNO in Italye and at that tyme gouernor of the duchie of MILLAYNE vnder y e frenche kinge LOYS the thirde of that name whether it were to make a further proffe of the pacience of his wife or by absence to mortefie and forgett his fonde opinion conceiued without cause retired vpon a soddaine to Neweastel y e court and ordenarie place of abode of y e sayd Lord TRYVOVLSE which albeit was of hard disgestion to the ladie for a time yet beinge not vnaquainted with such chaunces and no pren tise in the practise of her husbande retired to her auncient patience and contentment by force dyssimuling with a new greefe and secrete sorowe this newe discourtesie to th ende that her waspishe husbande should take no excepcions to her in any respect but fynde her in this as the former stormes bent wholly to obey thappetit of his will and not to mislike with that whyche he fyndes necessarye to be don This TRIVOVLSE hadde not spente many monethes in fraunce but there was commenced informacion agaynste him to the king that he was reuolted from the frenche and become frend to the Swytzers and sworne to their seigneurye and faction wherewyth ymediatelye fame the common carier of tales filled all eares of MILAN and the prouince there about with this further â—ddicion that the king for that cause had seÌ„t him headles to his graue albeit as fame is rather a messenger of lyes then a treasure of truthe and ra her to be harde then beleued so this brute beinge not true in the laste did ymporte a certeine credit in the fyrste for TRYVOVLSE not liking to liue in the displeasure of his prince abandoned his charg and came into Lumbardy wher beinge sommoned by the messenger of deathe gaue place to nature and dyed who beinge the onelye maister and meynteynor of the ALBANOYSE capteine whilest bee liued colde not casely be forgotten of him after his death for after his departure was past the general doubte of the people and eche voice resolued that he was laide in hys graue Don Capitaino spado resolued whollye into teares seamed here to pass the mistery of a newe traunce whiche with the freshe remembraunce of his auncient harme and gréene wounde of vnworthie Ielowsye bledynge yet in his minde broughte hym in that case that he neyther desyred to liue nor doubted to die and yet in dispaire of theim both his solace of the daye was conuerted into teares and the howers of the night went awaye in vistons and hollowe dreames he loathed the companye of his frendes and hated the thynges that shoulde susteine nature neither was he contented with the presente nor cared for the chaunce of future tyme which sodaine alteracion in straunge maner driue his carefull wife into no lesse astonishement then she had cause and being ignoraunt of the occasion she was also voide of consolation which doubled her gréefe till tyme opened her at laste a meane to communicate familiarly with hym in this sorte Alas syr sayth she to what ende serue these pininge conceites forcing a generall debilytie thorow al your parts or why do you languishe in griefe without discoueryng the cause of youre sorowe to suche as holde your health no lesse deare then the swéete and pleasant taste of their owne lyfe from whence coÌ„mes this often chaÌ„ge of complexion accoÌ„panied with a dispositioÌ„ of malencolicke dompes arguing your inward fretting care of minde why staye you not in time y e source of your skorching sighes that haue alredye drayned your bodye of his wholsome humours appointed by nature to giue sucke to thintrals and inward partes of you and to what ende serueth this whole riuer of teares flowynge by such abundance froÌ„ your watery eyes almost worne awaye with wéeping is your gréefe growen great by coÌ„tinuance of time or haue you conceiued some mislike of newe Yf your house be out of order in any sorte or that wante of dutie or diligence in me procureth your grudge declare the cause to th ende the faulte maye be reformed in me and you restored to your auÌ„cieÌ„t order of quiet we both enioye a mutual traÌ„quillitie as apperteineth But he that labored of an other disease then is incideÌ„t coÌ„monly to men of good gouernemeÌ„t absolued her of all faultes or other mislikes he founde in the state of his house or other his affaires committed to her order lesse lacke of her diligence to make declaracion of her dutye to thutermoste but alas saith he with a depe sighe deriued of the â—retinge dolour of his minde and doubled twise or thrise within his stomacke afore he coulde vtter it what cause of comfort or consolation hath he to lyue in this world from whom the malice of destenie hath taken the chiefeste pillor of his life or to what ende serueth the fruicion or interest of longer yeres in this vale of vnquietnes when the bodie abhorreth alredie the longe date of his abode heare or why shold not this soma or masse of corrupcion which I receiued of the world bée dismissed to earth and my soule haue leaue to passe into the other worlde to shonne this double passion of present torment whiche I féele by the death of my deare frende Ah my deare Ladye and loyall wyfe my grief is so great that I dye to tell you the cause and yet the veray remembrance presents me with treble torments wherin I must confess vnto you that since the death of the late Lorde Ihon Tryuulso I haue had so lytle desyer to lyue that all my felicitie is in thinking to die neyther can ther be any thinge in the world more acceptable to me then death whose hower and time if they wer as certeine as himselfe is moste sewer to coÌ„me in the ende I could somwhat satisfye the greate desyer I haue to die moderate the rage of my passion in thinking of the shortnes of the dome that should giue ende to my dyeng ghost and vnrulye sorowes together besides waighing thinâ—inite miseries of our time accompanieng vs eueÌ„ from the wombe of concepcion with the reaste and reapose which dead men do finde And knowing withall how muche I am in the debte of him that is dead I can not wishe a more acceptable thinge then the spedie approche and ende of my dayes to th ende that being denied the viewe of his presence here I may folow him in thother world where participating indiferently such good and euil as falleth to his share I may witnes with what duetiful zeale affectioned harte I sought to honor and serue hym in all respectes But the Ladye that sawe as farre into the disease of her husbande as his phizicion into his vryne knowynge well enoughe that he dyd not languishe so muche for the desyer of hym that was dead as the ticklishe humour of Ielowsye troubled hym was content to admit his coollours
howe fyne so euer they were aswell to preferr her dutie to thuttermoste as also to auoyde imputacion or cause of suspicion on her parte wherwith entring into termes of persuacion she added also this kynde of consolacion folowinge More do I greue syr sayth she wyth the small care you seame to take of your selfe then the tearmes of your disease do trouble me consideringe the same procedes of so slender occasioÌ„ that the veray remeÌ„brance of so great an ouersight ought to remoue the force and cause of your accident admit your griefe were greate indéede and your disease of no lesse importance yet ought you so to bridle this wilful rage and desyere to dye that in eschewing to preuent the wyl and set hower of the Lorde you séeke not to further youre fatall ende by vsynge vnnaturall force against your selfe making your beastly will the blodye sacrifize of your bodie whereby you shal be sewer to leaue to the remeinder of youre house a crowne of infamie in the iudgement of the worlde to come and put your soule in hazarde of grace afore the troane of iustice aboue you knowe syr I am sewer that in this transitorye and paineful pilgrimage there is nothing more certeine then death whom albeit wee are forbiddeÌ„ to feare yet oughte wee to make a certeine accompt of his coÌ„ming neyther is it any other thinge according to the scripture then the minister and messenger of God executynge his infallible wil vpon vs wretches sparinge neyther age condicion nor state It is he that geues ende to oure miserie heare and saffe conduyte to passe into the other worlde and assoâ—e as we haue taken possession of the house of reste he shooteth the gates of all annoye againste vs fedinge vs as it were with a swete slomber or pleasant sléepe vntil the last soÌ„moÌ„ce of generall resurrection So that syr methinkes they are of the happie sorte whome the great God vouchesafeth to call to his kyngdome exchangynge the toiles manifolde cares incident to the creatures of this worlde with the pleasures of his paradise place of reapose that neuer hath ende And touchinge your deuocion to him that was dead with vaine desyer to visit his ghoste in the other worlde persuadynge the same to procede of a debte and dutifull desyer you haue to make yet a further declaracioÌ„ of your vnfained minde towardes him I assure you syr â–ª I am more sorye to see you subiect to so great a follie then I feare or exspect the effect of your dreame for as it seames but a ridle procedinge of the vehemencie of your sicknes So I hope you will directe the sequeile by sage aduise conuertinge the circumstance into ayre without further remeÌ„braÌ„ce of so foolish a matter wherin also I hope you wyll suffer the wordes of the scripture to direct you who allowinge smal ceremonies to the dead forbides vs to yelde any debte or dutie at all to suche as be alredie passed out of the worlde and muche lesse to sacrifyze oure selues for their sakes vpon their tombes accordynge to the supersticious order of y e barbarians in olde time remeinyng at this daye in no lesse vse amonge the people of the weste worlde but rather to haue their vertues in due veneracion and treadynge in the steppes of their examples to imytate theyr order with like integretye of lyfe And for my parte saith she dyenge her garmentes with the droppes of her waterye eyes prouynge to late what it is to loase a husbande and to forget hym whome bothe the lawe of God and nature hathe gyuen me as a seconde parte of my selfe to lyue wyth mutuall contentement vntyll the dissolucion of oure sacred bonde by the heauye hande of God am thus farre resolued in my selfe protestynge to performe no lesse by hym that lyueth that yf the furie of your passion prevaile aboue your resistaunce or your disease growe to suche extreame tearmes that death wyll not be otherwayes aunswered but that you muste yelde to hys sommance and dye I wyl not lyue to lament the losse of my second husbande nor vse other dule in the funerall of youre corps then to accompanye it to the graue in a shéete or shroode of lyke attire for youre eyes shall no sooner cloase their liddes or loase the lyght of this worlde then theis haÌ„ds shal be readye to performe the effecte of my promisse and the bell that gyueth warnyng of your last hower shall not ceasse his doleful knil til he haue published with like sound y e semblable ende of your deare and louynge wyfe whose simple and franke offer here openynge a most conuenient occasion for her wylfull husbande to disclose the true cause of hys disease preuailed so muche ouer his doubtefull and waueringe mynde that dismissing euen then his former dissimulacion he embraced her not without suche abundance of teares and vnruly sighes that for the tyme they tooke awaie the vse of his tounge Albeit beinge deliuered of his trauÌ„ce and restored to the benefit of his speche he disclosed vnto her the true cause and circumstaunce of his gréefe in this forte Albeit since the time of my sicknes saith he you haue séene what distresse and desolation haue passed me wyth fyttes of straunge and diuerse disposition marueilynge no lesse I am sewer from what fountaine haue flowed the Symptomes of so race a passion wherein also your continuall presence and â—iewe of my weake state is sufficientlye hable to recorde the whole discourse of my disease yet are you neyther partaker of my payne nor priuye to the principall causes of so straunge an euill neyther haue I bene so hardie to discouer theim vnto you because I haue ben hetherto doubtful of that whereof your laste wordes haue fullye absolued me And nowe being weakened with the wearines of tyme sicknes in suche sort as nature hath ridd her handes of me and gyuen me ouer to the order of death who is to spare me no loÌ„ger but to vtter these laste wordes vnto you I accompte it a special felicitie in my harde fortune that in thoppenyng of the true causes of my greâ—e I may cloase and seale vp the laste and extreame tearme of my lyfe And because I wil cleare in few wordes the misterie which seames to amaze you You shall note that there be iij. onely ministers and occasyons of my disease whereof the firste and of leaste importance is for the death of my late Lorde and maister Don Ihon tryuoulso whereof you are not ignorant the second excedinge the firste in greatnes of grefe and force againste me is to thinke that the rigour of my destinies and violence of sicknes yeldynge me into the handes of death will dissolue and breake by that meanes the league of longe and loyall loue whiche from the beginnynge my harte hath vowed vnto you but the thirde and laste of a more strange qualitie then eyther of the reste is to thinke that when I am dead and by time worne
wyth so small a moment of time and subiect to so many chaunges that we oughte neyther esteme so greatlye as we do the tikle pleasures of so small abode nor iudge assurance in suche vncerteine vanities seing withal the same is of suche malicious disposicion that when we haue laied the fundation of oure pleasure and prosperitie with full perfuacion to enioye our quiet without controllement it is then that fortune discouereth her ambushs and inuaoynge vs at vnwares wyth the furye of her malice paieth our former pleasure wyth an interest of treble desolacion that fayleth not to attende vs euen vntill our fatall days of reapose whereof you maye note a familyar proffe in the sequeile of this CORNELIO who beinge vppon the point to taste of the delicat frutes in loue and embrace hys Ladye with suche contentement as louers do commonlye wishe and seldome encounter beholde the malice of the Frenche men began to rage wyth suche extremitie againste the lynage of the SFORCIANS whereof he was one of the chiefest that he was dryuen to auoyde the present daunger of hys lyse wyth a soddaine fleight and secrete stealynge oute of the towne wherin he was so hoatlye puriued with thextremitye of his perill that beyng barred anye leasure to communicate wyth hys dearest frends lesse time to impart his mish ap to his lady or once salute her with a simple farewell which seamed not so greuous to himselfe as of treble-dolour to the sorowfull PLAVDINA who distillynge no small nomber of teares on the behalfe of the soddain departure and absence of her deare frende and restored at laste to a moderation and patience by force began to cast the circumstaunce of his daunger wherin the ymagined all suche doubtes as eyther hope or feare coulde put in her head somtime persuadynge he should bee ouertaken and oppressed by the waye and by and by she feared leaste he were betrayed into the handes of his enemies by the malice of such as he put intruste with his life wherin she was no lesse doubteful of the one then in dispaire of thother and in such perplexitie with the conceite of them both that she seamed no lesse passioned for the time then if the enemies of her frende had cut her CORNELIO in peces afore her face And as she molde haue dismissed theis tragicall conceites of doubte feare and retired to a quiet wyth exspectation of better fortune she was sodainly assailed with a seconde alarame in her hart which mortifyenge all care of the well doinge of her absent CORNELIO preferred a vehement desyer not onely to recouer hym wherin appcared a greate impossibilitye but also wishinge to bée a companyon of his iorney and partaker of his miserye she seamed to expose a franke of that whiche earste she was ash amed and made conscience to graunt as she was voyd of al comfort in this calamitys sauinge that the often remembrance of her frende seamed to restore some litle contentement so ymagininge that the breath of the ayre wolde cary the Eccho of her complaintes into the eares of hym that was gon she saluted his absence with theis tearmes All thinges ought to be hatefull to the eares which seame hurteful to the quiet of the mynde and yet one chiefe consolation wee fynde in miserye is to recorde the circunstaunce of our misfortune neither can that grief be of greate importance whose cause is of small moment but alas what sorow is semblable to the separacion of frendes Ah CORNELIO what auncient grudge procureth this newe mislike or what offence haue I don of late that makes me meritorious of this greate discurtesye Wyl thou paye the merite of my frendshypp wyth so vnthankefull a trybute and abuse therspeaarion whiche all men had of thy vertue haste thou plyed me to thappetit of thy wyll and no we determined to leaue me in the greatest distresse of desyer to enioye thée or canst thow vse so small regarde to the desolate state of the sorowfull PLAVDINA as leauynge her hathed in the teares of vnderserued dule to steale awaye wyth oute the comfort of one simple adieu What nedest thou haue doubted to commununicate wyth her who hath alwayes reserued an equall care of thy sauetye and her owne lyfe And yf the loue thou haste vaunted to bere me had bene matched wyth an vnfained meanynge of continuance and constancie the feare of the enemy had not preuented thy comminge to me for loue alas defyeth the malice of daunger and perill is the thynge that least troubleth the harte that is trulye affectionate What comfort in my present miserie or exspectation of future redresse beinge out of hope eftesones to reclaime hym that receyued but nowe the sentence of continuall exile How am I plunged in a passion of double extremetie meyther content to disclayme my affection and lesse hable to dismisse the remembrance of hym that is the cause of my wo I fynde nowe alas to soone Howe iustelye we women mave exclayme againste nature who framynge vs of a brickle moulde apte to yelde and easye to be wonne hath enioyned vs withall a certeine vehemencie of affection pearsynge the harte wyth desyer in suche sorte as being once thorowlye coyffed wyth loue we are not onelye forsaken when wée wishe thieflye to embrace the obiect of oure appetit but also are subiect to abyde all sortes of reuenge of the ordinarye rigour of men And what rigouro wronge haue I offred the Dh CORNELIO wherof I haue not felte the firste apprehencion For forcyng my selfe to yelde the contentement I spared not the proffer of myne honour to purchasse thy frendshipp and in gyuynge the assuraunce of my good wyll I haue spotted the renowme of my former reputacion whereof the bloode of shame puttes me in remembraunce wyth grudge at so greate a faulte and thy conscience is my present witnes of my vnfayned loyaltye neyther wyll the flatteryng lynes of thy sondrie letters conceile this discurtesye nor the messenger and faythfull solicitour of oure loue forgett to reproche the of vnconstaunt behauyour to thy loyall PLAVDINA who feelynge now what it is to lacke the societye of hym whome the harte hath chosen to loue is equallie pinched wyth the panges of suche as plunged in the passion of desyer do wyshe that they wante and lacke the thynge they chieflye woulde haue whereby they seame to norishe lyfe wyth the onely breathe of a simple and colde hope But why am I so pertiall on myne owne behalfe in exclaimyng againste the discurtesye of hym who peraduenture deserueth not theis tearmes of blame or why doe I not rather respect the true cause of his departure sturred vp as it seameth by the necessitye of the tyme forcinge hym to habandon his parentes countreye and reuenue onles he wolde quenche the thirste of his enemyes wyth the abundance of his blood and appease theyr malyce wyth the price of his heade certeinlye the vertues and gyftes of CORNELIO acquite hym of all argumentes of
inconstancie neyther can a bodye of so rare perfection harbor suche dyssemblynge disposicion But as the desyerous harte is seldome at rest so the doubtefull mynde is dreadefull of deceite and quareliynge continuallye with his good hap or synister fortune is alwayes in ymaginacion what iudgement to resolue vppon the condition of his owne estate so my case is of no lesse perpleritie for wafting indifferētly betwene happie chaunce euil successe I fele my selfe double passioned somtime moued to reioice my good hap in beīg loued of so honest curteouse noble a gentlemā as Cornelio and by by driuen to inueighe againste my euill fortune that hath put suche distance and seperacion of oure bodies when we weare at point to performe the consommacion of our acquaintaunce And albeit the common chaunces of this worlde resemble a confection made of hony and gall and that the banquettes of loue beinge garnished with dishes of both sortes will vs to make choice wyth deliberacion alledgynge that the pleasure is not so great as the repentaunce penaunce of harde disgestion yet I thinke the vertue to performe the vowe of the hart takes awaye the greatnes and haynous disposicion of the faulte wherefore seing my hart hath made his choice and the reste of my partes resolued to performe the quest I wyll not onelye dismisse all doubtes of the assurance of his good wyll but studye to excede hym in affection deuisinge the meanes from hensfurth to make hym féele the force of my goodwill with the desyer I haue to knitt an indissoluble vnitye of the ij mindes whose bodies are forced to lyue in seperacion by the malice of the worlde and angrie dome of our fortune Here yf PLAVDINA inueighed onely vpon ij pointes of her desaster the one for the soddaine departure of her frende and the other for the doubte she seamed to put in the assuraunce of his loue it is to bée thoughte that CORNELIO had cause of treble complaint bothe to be driuen to saue his lyfe by cowardlye flighte to steale awaye in suche secret scilent maner as only his guide was pryuie to his goinge also to bée distressed with such shortnes of time that he was barred to seame thankeful to his Ladye with a simple farewel whiche was sufficient to sturre vp her Ielous humour againste hym but that whiche exceded the rest in greatnes of gréef was that he had no man of trust to carye her newes of his being and muche lesse durste he communicat his buysynes wyth any straunger neyther had he hope to be aduertised of the accurrantes of MYLLAN nor meane to make reaport of his owne estate at MANTVA for that he durst not discouer the place of his present abode there wherefore cryeng out of the constellation and clymat of his destynies he complained his vnhappie case in this sorte If my offence were as greate as my punyshmente is greuous I wolde thinke no submission worthie of place nor my falte meete to be dispensed withall or if I had as iustlye deserued this wronge as I am sewer to suffer the smarte I had no reason to commence cause of complaint agaynste the malice of y e world much lesse accuse the iniquitye of present tyme nor yet crye out of y e synister disposition of fortune to whom as the poetes seame to attribute some power ouer our worldly affaires bestowinge their indeuor therin I thinke rather to féede the time and ymagynacions of the people with a shape or figure of an vnconstante creature then wyth intente to perswade a credit in so senceles an ymage so I am also perswaded by the present experience of her inconstancie that she is not so liberall to geue as readye to take awaye a lesse hable to contynue the felicitie wherwyth she seames to flatter y e conceite of y e simple for whō she hath brought to beleue in her she makes manytimes more desirous of glory then hable to receiue it wherin who maye more iustely exclaime agaynst her mobylitie thē y e vnhappie CORNELIO whō being fauored w t y e offer of a reciprocal affection and at the pointe to be put in the possession of his desyer shee hath not only taken the praie out of my mouthe but comitted me wyth cruelty into the vale of extreme desolacion of what moment are y e greatnes of princes or to what end serues honor or highe callinge seinge bothe the one and the other are subiect to confucion and readye to yelde at the leaste poffe of winde that bloweth from a contrary shoare Yet if I were a simple cytisen or companion of meaner callinge thennemie wolde neyther watche my doings wyth so manye eyes nor pursewe my deathe by publike or pryuate inuacion and I suffered to liue as free from the troubles and tumultes of the worlde as farr from any care or accompte of the doings of great men where nowe alas thonly heighte of my estate tipped wyth the tytle of honor depryueth me of thuse of my contrey societie of my frendes and contemplacion of the thinge I holde no lesse deare thenne the healthe of my soule But if any thinge colde stoppe the couetous humor of man and euerye one contente wyth the lot of his porcion would cease to inuade the dominion of an other kinges shoulde sytt sewer in their troanes and the pallais of princes voide of suspicious feare and care and then myne owne PLAVDINA shoulde not I liue wythout the companie of the nor thou haue cause to doubt the firme constancie of thy seruant whose reputacion of honor and faythe towardes his prince denieth hym for the presente to honor the wyth the duetye whych thy vertues deserue and albeit it is no lesse follye then tyme loste to trauell in dispite of loue and fortune whyche bothe haue conspired my distruction and ioyned in confente to kepe mee frome enioyenge the fauor of her who merites the seruice of one more noble and worthie euery way then I and because no distāce shal dissolue my affection nor dymynishe the leaste braunche of good will nor yet time her selfe haue power to ouertreade the vertue of my faythe I will so dispose of the reste of my life as the same shall make absolute declaracion of the vnfained constancie of my mynd wyth the sincere vowe of loyaltie whiche I haue sworne and dedicated to the seruice of her deuyne bewtie euen vntill the laste and extreme seperacion of my soule and bodie wherin because aduersatie is rather subiect to many miseries then apte to admit any consolation and that the goodwill of fortune comes rather at vnwares then won by speciall sute I wyl perforce contente my selfe wyth the gyfte of presente time and vsinge the remembrance of my mistres as a speciall moderation of the hardnes of my exile so honor thymage and picture of her bewtie painted alreadie in thintralls of my harte that thonly remembrance and inward view of my deare PLAVDINA shall norishe the remeindor or my
miserable daies wyth no lesse contentment being absent then I toke pleasure in y e regarde of her glistring eyes and the rest of her delicat proporcion at such time as my good fortune was content to geue me the glée of her presence Wherin Albeit hee spente certeine time wyth ymagynacion that his Ladye harde the crye of his complaintes and gaue iudgemente of his syde for th assurance of his loyaltie yet he forgat not to hawnte the companies of the Dames of MANTVA refusinge to resemble in any wise the order of those shaded louers who brought vp in the skoole of one ROMANTO TRISTANO or leadinge therraunte and obscure lyfe of AMYDES do fill the ayre full of their dollorous sighes and sekynge to recorde their passions in the depe and hidden caues of the earthe delyte not in the place and felowshippe of good hawnte neyther are they at any time so well in quiet as when they feele their desolate bodies shrowded vnder the shade of solitarye places or when by longe ranginge the wildernes and deserte landes they fynde by chaunce some odd hermitage farr from the vse and ordynary habitacion of men where fedynge only vpon the hoalsomnes of the ayre and ymagynacion of their owne conceit they pyne away in exspectation that some good Aungell or oracle wyll appeare vnto theim wyth the message of good newes or els the fatall sentence of their lyfe As those kynde of tortles or domesticall fooles degeneratinge from the planet that gouerneth thinclynacion of true louers whose complexion ought not to be dymmed wyth the darkenes of desolate places do seame to haue their consepcion from vnder the angrye and crabbed constellacion of SATVRNE wishinge willinglie that their Ladies were conuerted into the shape of Nymphes whom the poetes faine to wander and dwell in the thickest couert of the woddes to th ende that none but they shoulde enioye the glaunce and viewe of their bewtie So the true and lōyall louer armed wythe vnfayned assuraunce of his vowe doubts not to aduance himself in the presse of most repaires thinkinge he can geue no greater proofe or declaration of hys constancie to his mistres then to withstand thymportunities and alarams of other which you may note in this Cornelio who visiting the assemblies metings of the Ladies of MANTVA was marked ymediatly of one of the chiefest Ladies of the Citie and regarded wyth so good an eye that fallinge extremely in loue wyth the vertues and other dexterities of the banished knight she embraced hym so straitelye in the intrals of her harte that vppon thinstante she had forgot the honour and reputacion of her state wyth the vaile of shame which ought to soole the eyes of great Ladies and correcte the humor of their fonde appetit in executing thoffice of a shamefull clyent in a cause whiche she neyther ought to haue solicited and muche lesse condiscended vnto by force of any ymportunities howe great soeuer they were if it had not bene for thassistance of an olde neighbour of hers who vnderstandinge the disease of her mistrys promised her diligence to procure the remedye with expedicion wherin she omitted no oportunitye as occasion was geuen for attendinge the offer of conuenient time she founde the meanes to encounter CORNELIO one morninge all a lone in a churche at whom she roaued in this sorte The condition of nobilitye consistes not so muche in the title and surname of honor as in the commendacion and effecte of true vertues appearinge in a grafte discended of so noble a stocke And the greatest thinge Sir that makes a valyante man knowen to the worlde and preserueth the renowne of his reputacion in entyer is not to refuce thoccasyon and offer of his fortune geuen him for thincrease of his felicitie neyther can any man more abuse thexcellente giftes and goodnes of nature then to contemne thinstinct pryuiledge whyche she hathe geuen him for the decoracion of his estate The gentleman somewhat astonied wyth the soddayne encounter of his neighbour seamed to marueile no lesse at the retorike of tholde MARMOTTA then muse what myghte bée thintent of such formal protestacion wher wyth for his parte hauinge no great leasure to deuise for his aunswere cold not replie but wyth tearmes of curtesye in this sorte Yf at vnwares my tonge hath stollen a libertie in talkynge the thynge that hathe offended the eares of you or any other or by like ouer sighte haue don that whyche your disposition can not brooke nor the Law of curtesye allowe wyth the consente of your opynion I am rather to be pardoned by course then punished by iustice for that suche offences beinge common and naturall seame rather to procede of ignorance then of thinstigacion of malice or corruption of the mynde wherin as your iudgemente is no lesse equall then my innocencye meritorious so if it wyll please you to reueale the chiefe pointes of my falte you shal sée the hardenes of the pennaunce with treble satisfaction of the wronge shall take awaye the foulnes of the fact which kinde of curteys replie liked not a litle the eares of the messenger who accomptinge him worthie to enioye the good will of the greatest Ladie of a contrey gaue iudgement of the victorie wyth ende of thenterprice wherin notwithstanding she was no lesse deceaued then shame with the respect of her callinge oughte to haue cloased her mouthe from solycitinge so badd a case for albeit she discouered point by poynte the cause of her cominge with a peculyar commendacion and praise of the Ladie that sent her forgettinge not to decypher artyfyciallie her sondrye properties and many giftes of nature but chieflie her vnfained affection with readie offer and conformetie of that whereof Lawe of kinde makes all men not only desierous but studie to wyn by longe sute and seruiceable diligence yet wantinge force to shake the walls of so sewer a fortresse her arte seamed also insufficiēt to perswade the mynde of CORNELIO who albeit was of opynion and knew well enough that the wisedom was no lesse in acceptinge thoffer of a good aduenture then the follie of doble moment to refuce the preferment of fortune yet was he so whollie resolued in the loyall loue of his Ladye at MILLAN whose only and simple remembrance restored suche a remorce of the vowe whiche his hart had alredie sworne on her behalfe that he seamed more willinge to embrace the last and fatal dome of his lyfe then desyerous to abuse the least point of his dutie and seruice vnto her And albeit the desyers wée feele sturre in vs ymporte no other thinge then a certeine mirror or lokinge glasse receiuinge the darke ympressions whych our appetites presente vnto vs and that they whiche ymagyn whole castells of constancie with protestacion neuer to fainte in the vowe they haue made do no other thing thenne giue occasion to writars to bewtyfye their histories with the circumstance of their follie with suche a blowe and open
mockerye in the ende that they sticke not to discribe their vaine and fonde humor vppon publike stage in the hearinge of all the worlde yet am I of opynion that as the garmente that is fyt for euery man is well framed for no man so the harte that is as apte to declyne as the appetit is readie to sommon is neyther meritorious of fauor in any sort nor meete to kepe place in the rancke of the vertues chieflye where hee refuseth thobiecte of his owne choice neyther is it possible that two sonnes geue lighte to y e world at one instante nor once conueniente for the mynde of one man to embrace thymage or figure of more then one saint wherein thexample of CORNELIO callinge vs to thymytacion of the like vertue serues also to confute thopposicions of certeine couetous Ladies now a daies who rather gredie of glorie thenne hable to deserue it do not sticke to whet their wittes and inueighe synisterly against thinconstancie of men transporting the whole title and honor of true loyaltie to themselues as though there remained no sparke nor showe of that vertue in the hartes of men who as they were the firste partakers of that gifte so the constante order of their doinges and lyues beinge founde for the moste parte the longeste in breath do argue them no lesse worthy of that perfection then hable to excede that flatteringe crew of flickeringe creatures who in robbinge vs of that which we deserue by iuste title doo seame to bewtifye theimselues wyth the merite of other mens vertues But because the eares of al women can not brooke the hearinge of a troth and that the pursewte of this quarrell arguinge a more daunger in thaduenture then gaine in the victorye mighte set abroache the faltes of some of our contreywomen I am contente to geue theim that they will haue by force and retiringe to the place of my historie declare vnto you the aunswer of CORNELIO to the messenger I am sorye saieth he the large honor and liberall offer whyche you seame to presente vnto me on the behalfe of your Lady and mystrys is of a more highe momente thenne eyther I am worthys to possesse or hable to requite wyth equall merite wherein because the harde condition of my presente state seames my chiefeste enemye to soo greate a prefermente I doubte howe to seame thankefull to her and satisfye the tyme both together albeit as thinges ympossible are not to bee pursewed and offences forced of necessitie are moste meritorious of pardon so beynge not hable to aunswere her exspectacion in counterchaunge of affection I am onlye to racke the litle tallent that is lefte me to so highe a pyn that onlye shee shall dispose of my honor and lyfe wyth all that I haue in the worlde at her pleasure whyche it maye like her to vse as a supplie of y e presēt dutie and seruice she demaundes at my hand onelye being at this presente not the maister of my selfe nor the vse of my harte in mine owne possession my sute is that shee rather blame the wronge whiche time offreth to vs bothe then note me of any disdayne in refusing the frendshippe of her who merites more then I am hable to performe for if my harte were as frée from forreine and former bondes as shée deserueth to be serued and that my affections did not excede thordenary ympressions whiche assaile the mynde of man assure youre selfe shee shoulde not lyue longe vnsatysfyed to her contentmente and muche lesse haue cause to enter into suspection of Ieleous disdaine in me for retorning the offer of that which maye serue for a present to the greatest prince in ITALY neyther will I so much abuse the proffer of her acquaintance or cause of your cōming as eyther her liberal offer or vehemēcie of your importunities on her behalf shal moue me to resolue a worseopynion or more slēder credyt on y e honor or honestie of her y t sente you desyeringe you for end to preferr my excuse accordinge to thintegretie of the same with this further addicion and humble requeste that she bee as bolde to employe me in any other respecte no lesse amplye and so far furthe as my honor and lyfe will extende more honestlie saithe the messenger colde you not refuce the offer of that whyche earste was neuer presented to any and muche lesse so neare the poynte to make a price of so precious amarchandise neyther do I thinke you worthie of the title of that courtesye whereof you are commended nor yet am I of mynde that youre harte is capable of the noble vertue of loue seynge y e renowne honor of her whose bewty only hath the greatest princes of Italye in awe canne make no breache nor enter And who woulde seame of so slender iudgemente onlesse hee hadde quite disclaimed the order of reason that beinge proffered frelie that whiche princes can not get by any sute and not onely desired but pursewed wyth greate instance wolde let slippe the gyft of so good a fortune and make chippes of the frendshippe of so faire and curteons a Ladye wyth what face dare you visyt hereafter th assemblies of greate dames hauynge committed so greate a falte on the behalfe of her whose goodwill you do not deserue if her curtesye did not call you to that prefermēt are you of opynion that the merite of your bewtie and other proporcion excedes the honore and heighte of her that woeth you ymagyn the same to bee of suche force that it is hable to drawe Ladyes to doate of you euen vnto deathe woulde you become so harde harted as to encrease your glorye wyth thexployt of so great a crueltie If you bee subiecte to soo fonde an humor you muste nedes bee incydente to the iuste reuenge which the god of loue is readie to thonder vpon such as seame to hold his loare in skornful contempte whereof as I haue harde mo examples then my skill is hable to reueile in good order being neuer trained in the torning ouer of volumes histories So I wishe chieflie the plage of NARCISSVS maye put you in remembrance of your present ouersighte leaste in disdaininge the frendshippe of such as excell your selfe euery way you doate vppon thymage of your owne shadowe and by that meanes yelde treble vsurye to the wronge you offer her whose loyall affection deserueth a better rewarde then the retorne of a repulse of so small ymportance wherwith CORNELIO cuttinge of the reste of her waspishe discourse desyered her to presse him wyth no greater ymputacion then his offence deserued for saieth he in tearminge me vnworthie of the title of curtesye and that my hart is to harde to admit the impression of loue you rather slaunder me by ignorance then accuse me by iustice seinge the onlye force of loue hath forced alreadie a vowe of my affection and harte to a Ladie of MILLAN whose presence albeit thiniquitie of fate hath taken from me for a
simple desyer of the mynde nor in the foolishe prouocacions of our vaine conceites but passing further the pleasante reward and tryumphe of that victorie consisteth in the consommacion of the worke wythout the whiche loue seameth no other thinge then a bare plat or table whervpon the painter maye drawe what propercion hee lyste And truely as there is no manne happie in loue nor hathe cause to vaunte of the victorye but hée that encountrethe thobiecte of hys desyer soo mee thinketh a manne shoulde not loue that hee hathe not nor desyer the thynge that is vtterlye vnknowen vnto hym I saye thus muche Syr because youre resolute affection towardes youre Ladye of MYLLAN seamethe rather to argue ann humor of frenzye then vertue in loue and vayne opinion then true effect aduisynge you for ende to haue a care of your selfe and speciall regarde to this laste request of myne that is in leauyng the shryne to honor the sainct and to cloase your mouthe from gapinge after that you can not get as the vuquiet dogge in the night that barketh at the shadowe of the Moone The Oration of this bawde semed suche Musicke to the eares and mynde of CORNBLIO that he rather wished a continuance of her iargon then an abridgement of her tale but seynge she gaue ende to her owne discourse with exspectatioÌ„ to heare hys replye he dysmissed her with this shorte aunswere albeit your present repeticion of thabuse in loue seaminge in some respect to bee assisted bothe with rayson and Iustice dothe discouer diuerse faltes in sondrye women wherof as you say the most part deliteteth asmuch to Ronne ryot and seeke a chaunge of pasture as the other takes pleasure in the vertue of true constancie yet oughte wee to vse suche an integretie betwene the good and euill that the faltes of the wicked do not deface the renowme of theym that deserue but well and as you saye it is harde for a manne to loue that he hathe not so I note no lesse-rashnes in you to giue iudgement of the thinge you knowe not but by examinacion for I am fullie perswaded that no distance of places nor aduersitie of times haue power to dyminishe and much lesse dissolue thaffection of her whose presence I hope hereafter to enioye with no lesse pleasure then her absence seames now to gyue me cause of annoye And albeyt I haue not yet tasted of the frute whiche all louers do wyshe and fewe happen to fynde yet dare I accompte my selfe as depelye in the fauor of my absent mistrys as the best of that happye companie and suche weakelinges as accompte no vertue in loue but in thencounter of their lasciuius desyer and can not rest satisfied except they crop the hearbe of pleasure are alwayes founde more liberall in wordes then constant in loue and more hoat in the begynnyng then hable to continue to the end neyther do I see any experience to the contrary but that the passion whiche I suffer ought rather too beare the true title of loue then the surname of a simple desier seynge the delite I take in the remeÌ„brance of her beautie is no lesse pleasure vnto me then if I had alredie performed and tasted of the delicat effect of loue which I am determined to attende tyl eyther the goodnes of a better fortune restore me to my desert or the force of death giue end to my desolacion willing you herewith to correct your iudgemeÌ„t and cesse to inueyghe against her whose constancie vertue only defaceth the vsurped comendacion of the most of your corrupte sect for the rest the iustice of my cause I hope wil make my excuse tollerable in the opinion of her that sent you and for your paiues I can but yelde you the choice of a thousande thankes wherewith mother retrician tooke her leaue and retired with lesse contentemeÌ„t in her bad successe then assured hope to preuaile in the beginning towards her MANTVAN lady to whom recounting eftesones y e particularities of her discourse with CORNELIO she coÌ„cluded that he beyng limed with an other bushe had no power to make a grauÌ„t of his good wil without a special pasport froÌ„ MILAN where saith she he hath lefte both body hart and appereth here but in the liknes and shape of a figure with out sence or feelyng and lesse hable to admitt the preferment of honor or proffer of raison which albeit seamed greatly to grudge the conscience of the lady chiefly for that she was intercepted of that which she accompted no lesse sewer then the articles of her credear to be beleued yet waighing y e reasons of his excuse with y e raging ouersight of her selfe in indifferent ballance she made of necessitie a vertue retired to a pacience parforce forgetting not to punish her falt w t the pennance of repeÌ„taÌ„ce comend to y e skies the incoÌ„perable loialty of CORNELIO with no lesse gratulation on the behalf of her y t had made choice of so constant a seruant who for her part also al this while was in no lesse care of his weldoyng then busily occupied in deuise how to recouer his presence requite the passion of his painful torment which he chiefly desyred iustely deserued wherein as she for her part wyshed no lesse to embrace hym then he meritorius to possesse her So albeit there passed certaine letters betwene theim seaminge rather to doble the desier of theym both then yeld moderatioÌ„ to the passion of either of theim yet she found the meanes to coaste the malice of her fortune with a contrarye sleyghte by procuryng to her husbande a iorneye of xx or xxx dayes traueil wherevpon she dismissed imediatly a corrior to CORNELIO with the reaport of y e newes in this letter folowing Albeit sir calamitie of her owne nature is so quarelous that she ceasseth not to assaile thafflicted with continual sommonce of perentorye dispaire yet oughte we not reappose so slender assurance in the assystance of vertue as eyther to make a marchandise of the goodnes of our fortune muche lesse sell the hope of future filicitie nor yet vtterlie dispaire of the benefyt of time who as she is thaÌ„â—eful enoughe to suche as suffer her with pacience so hathe she presentlye entred into suche compassion of our mutuall distresse that somonyng my husbande with a iorney of a monethes trauel in forreine affaires she hath opened vs a most sewer meane to meete and reioyce together without daunger wherein as all such seldome proffers of frendshypp ought to be no lesse welcome when they come then they seame of tickle aboade wheÌ„ we haue theim so if you wish to be resolued of y e which you doute and haue no lesse care of your owne contentement my aduise is you embrace the benefyt of so conuenieÌ„t a time persuadyng your selfe that if you were here I wold communicate with you more liberally then I dare discourse by letter and onelye yourselfe is of creditte to
serue as a secretorye in affaires of suche secret importance whereof you maye conster the meaninge without great studie only ymagyn that fortune is not such a nigarde of her frendship as spitefullyf her offer be refuced time so disdaineful that she 〈◊〉 tarye a moment aboue her stynte Yours without change Plaudgna Yf thies newes were welcome to CORNELIO I leaue yt to the iudgement of that amarus crewe who seame so resolute and simple in their loue that their lyfe is onely prolonged by a desyred daye but when they see an approche of their liberty with licence to quenche their hungry myndes with the fode they chieflye wishe to feede vppon god knoweth the small regarde they haue to honor and lesse respect to the dutie of their conscience and with what slender aduise and lesse time they make the poore husbande a rampier of hornes to defend his forhead from the shott of thennemie wherein sewer their delite is not so great and glorie of so foule a conquest of suche comendacion as she worthie of treble tormentes who for the glott of her fylthie desyer and satisfyenge their founde ymportunities dothe make no conscience to defile the mariage bedd of her husbande take awaye the renowne of her former estimacioÌ„ deface the glorie of her auncestors and leaue besides a title of villanous reproche vppon her children and posteritie of whose reputacion shee oughte to bee more carefull then myndefull to satisfie the greedye appetit of her owne pleasure or folyshe pursuete of their filthie loue and from this fountaine of execrable abuse distilleth also the sondrie sortes of vnnaturall diuisions happening at this day between noble houses and men of meaner discentes the children detestynge the Father and the father abhorringe theim whom he thinkes to bee none of his and one brother persecutinge an other with no lesse mortality of hate then if they were coÌ„mon enemies of forreine contreys for the bed being once stained the blod mixed and the law of mariage abused yt muste nedes follow that the frute procedynge of suche seedes can neyther degenerate nor bee without corruption neyther can the son yelde honor or dutie to him whom nature denieth to bee his Father wherein albeit I haue somewhat exceded the compasse of my coÌ„mission yet I am so persuaded of thindifferencie of those fewe Ladyes whiche fele theimselues toched with this shorte dygression that they will not grudge with this parable of their falte seinge truthe marcheth vnder oure enseygne readye to aduoche and witnes the circunstance of my allegacions which like as I inferred rather to aduise you to eschew the lyke euil then for any derogacion of your honor so yt maye lyke you al to excuse my reasons by thintegrety of the cause and pardon me by iustice retiringe now with semblable pacience to the sequeile of our CORNELIO who construinge the wordes of the letter accordyng to the meaning of the writer ymagined by and by thimportance of thaffaires she had too communicate with hym wherein albeit loue moued hym on the one side to performe the desier of hys ladye yet reason on the other part required hym to be careful of his owne sauetie and not to buy a taste of his flypper pleasure with the price of his lyfe for saith shee if you go to MYLLAN and he discouered by anye of the frenche race or frendes of theyr faction your daunger wil be to great to escape and you shal come to too late a repentance of your follie wherefore ballacinge indifferently betwene doute and feare with desier to vse this occasion leaste he myghte seame vnthankefull to the good will and requeste of his mistres he imparted the whole circunstance to one DELIO a deare frende of hys of whom beyng pryuye from the begynnynge to his amarus practise he demaunded earnestly a speciall assistance of good councell touchynge thabsolution of his present doute thys DELIO hauing â—rodden alredy the whole laborinth of loue and knewe by experience what an â—lne of suche follies was worthe gaue as ryghte a iudgement of the disease of hys frende as yf he had felte the mouynge of his polses or tried the disposition of his water againste the son in an vrynall wherein he failed not to discharge thoffice of a true frend in assaynge to remoue thoccasion and mortefye the yll with thies perswations Like as sayth he small sâ—ares require slender medecins and great greues are want to try thutter moste of the arte of Phizicke and that the wise and experienced Phizision afore he vndertake to cure the disease of hys patient or giue certeine iudgement of his recouerye doth not only examine thoccasion of his greif but makes also his firste indeuour to take awaye and mortifye the cause afore he disclose the skil and hidden mistories of his arte So the maladie of loue being nothing inferior to the ragyng oppressioÌ„ of the burnyng feuer who desyereth alwayes thinges that be hurtefull and esche weth the necessarie preseruatiues of health is neyther to bée cured nor delte with all in any sorte onlesse the pacient wil suffer the circumstance of his disease to be Syfted to thuttermost and abide an incisyon of the soare euen to the quicke to th ende that by thoperacion of the Cataplame whiche shal be ministred to you you dispayre not of recouerye althoughe there appeare diuerse lykelihodes of daunger nor I brought to aunswer for my frendshipp whiche I proteste to be without spot of dishonest inteÌ„t And as it is no lesse necessarie for hym that is sicke to reapose a speciall crecredit in his Phisicion then the minister of medecins to bee of exquisite skyll for that the opinion and conceite of his connynge importes a greate consolation to the mynde of hym that is sicke so you muste neyther denie the vertue of my medecine to worke his force nor doubte of any thing I meane to tell you for the tale can woorke small effects where the reaporter is of slender credit therfore afore I Sifte you any further I requeste you onely of one thing as moste chief and necessarye to preuent the present peril whiche attendes you I meane that in chaungynge your affection you wyll also dismisse and breake the resolucion whyche I knowe youre harte hath alredye determined The disposicion and exterior apparance of youre countenaunce argue a wonderfull deuocion you haue to visitte your oracle and saint at MILLAN whiche also I coulde well admitte if I sawe not in the ende of that vayne pilgrymage a harde pennance accompanied with more perils then euer happened to the son of AVCHISâ—S vndertakynge to visitt th infernall valleyes by the guide of his SYâ—ILLA You knowe well enough your banyshment from MILLAN proceded of rebellion and that your offence is so haynous in the conceite of the maiestie theare that onelye the price of your heade can make the attonement and quenche the rage of his wrath and seinge the sleighte of your enemies and malice of fortune haue dogged you and your doinges
so nearely since your comming to Mantua that you haue not spoken or don a thinge of suche councell but fame hath discouered your intent and made your aduersaries partakers of your meaning it behoueth yon to thinke that of late she is not become so wel affected towards you as she can or will conceile this last most perillous resolution besides in what sorte could you disguise your selfe that your sondrie secret markes wold not bewraye you or what waye haue you to passe where you are out of knowledge of al mē admit your owne sleight pollecie were hable to preuayle aboue the malice of your fortune in defending you frō the daunger of the waye diuerse ambushes of your enemyes are you so persuaded of th assurāce of your Plaudina that you wil cōmit your life losse of honor to the fained faith of a deceitefull woman that without a proffe of her cōstancie Yf the miste of fonde affection doth so much dim your eyes and gifte of present vnderstanding that you are not hable to discouer the legerdemaines of lighte womē let my experiēce warne you to beware of the subtill sleightes fyne Allurementes of so venemous a serpent What can you tell whether this traine she hath made be a stale to betraye you and committ you to the mercye of your enemye or peraduenture she hathe sente for you because she séeth an impossibilitie in thenterprice and rather to bringe you in daunger then of intent to yelde satisfaction to your desyer But lett vs conster her meaning to the best with ymaginacion that her faith is without corrupcion and that she is no lesse desyrous to sée you then you assotted vpon her beautie seame readie to run thorow the fyer of a thousande perils only to content her will you by so vaine a pleasure that is of lesse moment or abode then the thoughte of a man at so deare a price as the losse of your honor and lyfe Remember that the end of that enterprise can not be good whose begining is not founded vppon discrecion and sequell gouerned by the rule of raison neyther can you more greatlye deface the auncient renowme of your honor nor leaue a greater spot of reproche to your house and frendes that liue after you then to conclude and ende the course of your life in the purseute of so dishonest a queste and your enemyes can not so lardgelie triumphe in your ouerthrowe and deathe as your frendes haue cause to lament that your owne rashenes and follie were the only furtherours of the fatall bane of your lyfe where of the contrarye parte yf beyng cut in peces in the seruice of some noble prince or yelde to the loare of nature in som valiant exploit or enterprise of warr you shold not only aggrauate the praise of your lyfe passed with the glorie of an honorable death discarge your frendes and succession of al imposicions of villanous infamie but also force your enemies to a conuersion of their malice into a general comendacion of your vertue and vndouted faith towardes your prince Besides if you will wayghe the mortall plages threatened in the gospell to be thondered vpon thadulteror and suche as contaminat the maried mans bedd or rightly measure the penaunce of the falte with the foulnes of the fact you shal not only iudge with me that there is no lyfe more dampnable afore god nor deathe more skandalus to the worlde then to be ouerthrowne in the combat whiche of ryght is due to bee parformed by an other but also that there is more vertue and ease in sufferance then profit or pleasure in hast or comoditie in rashe execution But yf the power of the fleshe preuailynge aboue your resistance hath sturred vp this humor of hoat desier whiche seames to presse you so far that you make no conscience to exchange your former glorie for a title or surname of a fylthie adulteror go not so far to seke your destruction seing MANTVA presentes you with sufficiēt choice and change of releif better cheape and with less peril then the hazarde of reputation or losse of lyfe This charme of DELYO seamed so to enchante and driue reason into the waueringe mynde of the MYLLANOIS that hee tooke respite to replie till the nexte morninge thanking him notwithstanding of his frendlie aduertisementes whiche saith he haue so vnséeled the eyes of my minde that I fynd my selfe now hable to discerne that whych loue wold not suffer me earste to perceiue and muche lesse to feare or doubte wherewith retiringe to his lodginge hee passed the nighte in the onely contemplacion of his fancie wherein appered suche warr and contrarietie of thoughts with figures of hollowe conceites that the desyer and course of slepe was whollie conuerted into an humor of vncerteine ymagynacions And if by chaunce his eyes offred to cloase their liddes and sommon the reste of the partes to the quiet reapposed in sléepe the remembrance and care of his buysynes interuptinge the office of the eyes presented eftfones a new conflict and second supplie of his passion in such sorte as beynge to weake to resiste the alaram he yelded to the stronger parte whiche was the maisterles appetit of sensualtie and holdinge more deare the pleasures of the fleshe then the sauegarde of his life determined to take the forde and trye if fortune wolde performe asmuche as shee seamed to promise by a flatteringe hope whych appeared in his ydle braine to embrace his mistres without daunger ympartinge the nexte daye his resolucion to his deare frende DELYO to whom saith he because perils are commonly made greater by reapport then found daungerous in thaduenture and that all likelehodes seldom or neuer do happen the valyant ought not to feare the thinge that is doubtfull nor dread the simple mouinge of a shadowe neyther is there glorie of the victorie but where thaduenture excedeth thexspectacion of men wherfore I am perswaded to geue a charg of the good will of fortune and take my iorney towardes MILLAN tomorow wher if I bée sommoned wyth the writ of my destynies or malicious dome of vnhappye fortune by death MYLLAN will serue me aswell of a tombe as eyther MANTVA or other santuarie of the worlde neyther can I make a better declaracion of my fayth towardes my mistres then in defyenge the feare of so many perills to appeare more readie to obey her commaundemente then curious or carefull of myne owne life whyche I accompte ymploied with no lesse iustice on her behalfe then honor to my selfe if the same be put to extreme torments and vtterlie executed in the place wher the view of her own eyes may bée thindifferent iudges betwene my firme constancie and small dissymulacion neyther can I leaue her a more precious pawne of myne indissoluble loue then beinge cut in peces in the pursewte of her seruice to leaue the walls and posterns of her pallais painted and all to besprent with the bloode of the most
doares of his lodgynge tyll the deade tyme of the nyghte sommonynge all sortes of people to reste seamed to putt hym in Remembraunce of hys promisse and the thynge he chiefly desyered to perperforme so that arming himself only with sleues of male and a naked rapiour vnder his mantell he marched towards the pallais of PLAVDINA wyth more haste then good spéede and lesse assuraunce of sauetye then likelihod of good lucke for as he accompted hymselfe no lesse frée from all daungers then farre from any occasion or offer of perill so fortune displayinge the flagge of her malice encountred hym soddainely with a desaster excedynge his exspectation whereby she warned hym as it were of the ambushe of future euils whiche were readye to discouer themselues And albeit this first accident was nothinge in respect of the other straung mischiefes which she ceassed not to thonder vppon hym one in the necke of an other afore the ende of his enterprise yet it oughte to haue sufficed to haue reuoked and made hym cross saile from the pursute of so bad an aduenture seinge withal there appeared neyther reason in the attempt nor honestie in the victorye But who doubteth that the luste of the bodye is not the chiefest thinge that infecteth the minde wyth all syn and that the beautye of a woman dothe not onelye drawe and subdue the outwarde partes but also leuyeth suche sharpp assaultes to the in warde forces of the mynde not sewerly rampierd in vertue that they are not onely denyed to eschewe suche thinges as bée vndoubtedly hurtefull both to the bodye and soule but also drawen to desyer that which they ought not to ymagine and muche more abhorre to do as a thynge of greate detestation besides loue is of so venterous a disposicion sturryng vp such a corage in the hartes of those champions whome he possesseth that he makes theim not onely vnmindefull of all daungers but also to seame hable to passe the lymittes of the Son wyth power to excede the bondes of Hercules and Bacchus neyther makes he any thynge vnlawfull whiche he thinketh reasonable nor gyueth glorie to that enterprise whiche is not accompanied with infynitie of perills But as the wyse man wisheth all estates to deliberat at large afore the deuise bée put in execution yeldyng no difference of rewarde with a successe of semblable and equall effecte to hym that rashely crediteth thaduise of hymselfe and suche as committ theyr bodies and doinges to one stroake of fortune So are we warned by thauthoritye of the same principle to examyne the circumstaunce of our enterprises and caste the good and euil that maye happen wyth so sewer and steddye a iudgement that there can no daunger so soone appeare but we maye bee assisted wyth the choice of ij or iij. remedies to represse hym wherein if CORNELIO had bene as throwly instructed as he seamed altogether infected with the humour of follye he neded not haue fallen into suche daunger as he doubted least nor dispaire of that whiche he seamed to desyer moste and muche lesse assailed euen in the begynnynge and brunt of hys buysynes wyth that soddaine feare whiche earste he was not hable to ymagine and nowe as vnlykely and vnprouided to shâ—n for as he attended the comming of Ianiqueta to open the doare beholde there ronge in his eares a greate brute or noyse of the clatteringe of naked weapons and men in harneys seaminge as it was in déede a set fraye betwene ij enemies in the ende or corner of the same stréete which was so hoatlye pursued that one of the skirmishers beinge hurte to the death brake out of the presse and fleinge towardes the place where CORNELIO stoode fainted and fell downe dead at his féete euen as the maide opened the wicket to take hym in whiche was not so secretlye don but the eyes of certeine neighbours beholdynge the fraye oute of their windowes discouered the goinge in of CORNELIO with a nacked sworde in his hande wherevpon followed the alarame to the innocent louer as you shall heare herafter but beinge within the courte and the gates shotte againe he was léed by the litle Darioletta of their loue into a garderobe or inner gallery till the seruantes were retired to reste who for the most parte laye out of the house that night beinge busye in visiting the banquettes abroade accordynge to the Epicure order of sondrye countreys in christendome durynge the season of shrâ—â—tide when diuerse glottons delite in nothing but to do sacrifyce to their belly And hauing the reste sewerly locked in their chambers and all occasions of suspicion or feare eyther preuented or prouided for as they thought PLAVDINA sent for her seruant into her chamber thin king to worke theffect of both their desyers and plante the maried mans badge in the browes of her husband being absent But here they made their reckoning without their ost and were forced to rise from the banquet rather with increase of appetyt then satisfied with the delicat dishes they desyered to féede vpon for as they had newly begon the preamble to the part they ment to plaie and entred into thamarous exercise of kissinge and embrasinge eche other whereof neyther the one nor thother hadde earste made assaie together beinge at the pointe to laye their hands to the last indeuor and effect of loue which the frenchmanne calleth Ledon Damoreuse mercy they hard a greate noyse and horleyborley in the stréete of the garde and chiefe officers of y e watche who fyndynge the deade bodye at the doare of PLAVDINA began to make such inquisition of y e murthur wyth threatenyng charge to vnderstande the manner and cause of his deathe that amongest the neyghbours whyche behelde the fraie there was one affyrmed that at the same instant that the broyle was moste hoat hée sawe a tall yonge gentleman let in at the gates of PLAVDINA with a sworde in his hande armed on the armes wyth sleues of male whervpon the capteine of the watche beganne to bounce at the doare as thoughe his force hadde bene hable to beate downe the walls wyth suche a rowte and companye of frenchemenne assistynge hys angrye indeuor that bothe the one and the other of oure louers seamed indiffrentely passioned wyth semblable feare the one dowtyng thys soddayne sturre â—proare of the frenchmen to be rather a pryuye search to entrappe him then an Inquirendum for the murdor wherof he was no less ignorant then innocent the other dispairing no lesse of the delyuery of her frende yf he fell once vnhappelye into the handes of thennemye then doubtynge the dyscouerye of her owne dishonestie beynge knowen to conceile a stranger in the secret corners of her house wherein hauyng albeit but bad choice of meanes to auoyde suche ij threatenynge euills and lesse tyme to take councell of their present perill yet beyng of opynion that in the sauetie of the one consisted the sewertye of theym bothe shee vsed the pollecie of the wyse maryner or shypmaister
their peculyar thankes the one for that in preseruing his champions from the malice of daunger and marke of open shame seamed to restore the felde and assist theim with soccour whenne they dispaired most of consolacion the other for that contrary to her nature and cus tume she had torned theirmanifold afflictions into a pleasure more precious acceptable thē al y e desasters of y e whole worlde seamed greuous or hurtfull in which passion of ioye shée mounted into the chamber of Iacke of the clockhouse who resembling a red heyring dryed in the smoake agaynst the beginning of the next lent attended her comming wyth no lesse deuocion then the Iews exspect their MESSIAS and albeit the approch of present ioye forcinge some teares in remembrance of the feare passed seamed for the time to take away y e vse and libertie of her tongue yet she cut of y e traunce of that pleasant sorowe without thassistance of any special counter-charme other then that whych proceded of a vehement desyer to behold and speake wyth her frend in the chymney wherfore after shée had dryed and drained the wet humor of her waterie eyes and dismissed all argumentes of former dule she retired to her auncient complexion of ioy and calling with a smyling voire to him in the topp of the rooffe willed him to discend hardly from his darke troane and theatrie of hell wher sayth she if god had not deuised the meane of your delyuerie and seamed willing that you shold receiue the due guerdon of your loyaltie in consenting to commit my husband to pryson you had stil remeined there norished with the vapour of y e moone longer then eyther I wold haue wished or had bene necessarie for your health Here albeit CORNELIO was sufficiently perswaded of the voice of his Ladie and that he knew all the house to be voyed of suspicion or cause of further daunger yet the remembrance of his perill passed presented such a feare to fall eftsones into the like perplection that hée neyther beleued that which hée hard nor durst forsake his habytacion on highe til he was sommoned the second tyme by his PLAVDINA who by the help of her woman reared a lather to the top of the loft where the grymy roode stode who being discended and in the presence of his Ladye seamed no lesse amased then those desolate or rather dronken creatures who wandring the night by vnknowen waies do thinke theimselues guided by the vision of some ill spirit And the wantō ladie on thother syde seing the ghastlie astonishement of her frend not much vnlike in cōplexion to the chymney swepers cōminge out of the yle of BERGAMASQVA cold not so moderat her present gladnes but burstinge into a soddaine laughter shée seamed to crucifye the remembrance of the tragedie passed wyth the singler contentment shée toke in beholdinge her CORNELIO dyed as it were in the smotheringe tanfat of hyddeous collours And albeit you louers who for a simple glée and respect of fauor of your Ladies haue earste bene sprinkled with the water of semblable affliction and after getting thupper hand of your fortune possesse the presence of your dames in such oglye and deformed attire canne best iudge of the present case of CORNELIO I meane whether hée hadde more cause of shame then astonishmente iuste anger against hys fortune or reason to exclaime his mishappe chieflie for that he fonnd himself so braue a companion in the lothsom badge or lyuerye of the chymneye and whether he had so greate courage to cōmunicate wyth his PLAVDYNA resembling the blacke knight or feryman of ZENOLOZ as he showed hymselfe valyant in thattempte of an enterpryse of so great aduenture yet thauthorytie of my historye aduoucheth thus farr of his doinges at that tyme that notwithstandinge the malice and diuersitie of all his mishapps with the perfumed figure and gréeselie show of himselfe he neyther loste corage to demaunde the due méede and hyer of his daungerous traueile nor forgat to do sacrafise to his fortune for the retorn of her frendshippe affirminge there that they dyd her wronge that christenned her by the name of cruell and suche no lesse abused her that tearmed her by the title of an vnrightuous or rigorous iudge consideringe she doth but iustice sometime to checke or chasten our offences and we no reason to pleade for our selues but by appellacion to the pryuiledge of her fauor neyther is she cruell for euer nor so maliciouslye bente in the begynning but shée is hable and will vse moderacion in her angrie moode and restore vs in the end to treble contentacion And like wise sayth hée as the poore trauellour in a strange contrey hauynge once passed diuerse light peperills and daungers of no great ymportaunce is not only made strōger to encounter greater inconueniences but also restored to a meruelous contentment quiet of minde whē w tout daunger hée may enioye his rest and record his perills paste Euen so fortune this night hathe geuen vs an experience of diuerse desasters bothe to vse her aduertisemente as a speciall armour to resyste thassaltes of semblable accidents hereafter and also to confirme our affections with a stronger bonde or vndoubted vnytie makinge the pleasures of our loue of greater price and moment after so sharp stormes of raging tempestes And what is hée that is worthie to taste of the delites and pleasures of the worlde that is not hable to disgeste one simple pill of bitter confection neyther dothe hope dekaie but with the ende of life and the vertue of a most true and inuincible loyaltie is neuer frustrate nor voyed of his rewarde and tochinge the stormes paste my deare PLAV DINA saith he like as it is a chiefe consolacion to a man in calamytie to knowe his mishapp so there is also a speciall compfort that followeth the remembrance of the euills whiche wée haue alredie suffred and a treble contentmente beinge permitted to recorde theim wythout daunger and hée that is desierous to bée crowned with the garland and glorie of victorie must not feare the malice of perill nor hazarde of lyfe for who contemneth death escapeth his malice but such as feare and flée from hym do often fal into his daunger neither is there lesse fame in the valyant aduenture then in the fortunat victorie And for my parte if my lyfe had ended in thassalte of any of these distresses the same had not exceded a simple oblation of my dutie towardes you whiche also had followed wyth no lesse expedicion then I had great desyer to geue you so vnfayned a shewe of my seruice if in the verye act had not appeared a manifest derogacion and cause of infamie to your honor wherwith meaninge yet to prolonge his discourse hée was interupted with the replie of PLAVDINA who more desyerous to taste of the pleasures to come then willinge eftsones to prefer a second view of y e mischienes passed wished hym to dismisse the remembraunce of their former
thoffer of my seruice as one vnworthie to enioye the preferment of your fauor or dalyenge wyth my earnest sute to geue increase to my passion I haue often bene vpon the waye to disclose vnto you by mouth the thinge wherin your hart hath alreadie geuen iudgmente of my meaning albeit the desier not to offende you any waye hath staide thexpedicion of my intent suspendyng my grefe till the greatnes of the same hath forced a presente vente w t this simple requeste that as fearinge to ymparte the full of so great a matter to so vncerteine a messenger as a pece of paper so it may please you to geue me credit of cōferēce wher only our selues may be witnesses of that whych I haue to discouer am no longer hable to conceile wherin if ther be any bonde of consideracion in great Ladyes on the behalf of the offer of their inferiours ymagin how iustly I deserue well of you and wyth what reason you oughte to passe a graunte of so small a fauor to hym who is no lesse hable as you know to procure your aduancement wyth what porcion of wealthe your selfe shall thinke good then readye to performe all such thinges as you shall but ymagyn and wishe to be don wherof I sende you a confirmacion herewith sealed with the othe of my religion and with protestacion of the faythe and life of your moste loyall and desolate seruante GONSALDO He had no soner written this letter but he was in mynde eftsones to commit it into morsells or to make it a sacrafice in the fyer dispairing belike of the successe till at laste the blind guide and fyrst author of his follie reprehendinge his want of corage renforced hym to a forwardnes perswading hym that the beginning was good and argued a sequeile of contentacion the rather saieth he for that the tender yeres wyth small discrecion preferreth an ignorance in the girle of your meaning seing accesse and conference be denied y t next pollicie is to vse thaduantage of writinge whyche declareth theffect of that whyche is painted in the outwarde regardes of the face the wordes of your letter may also importe such a charme that her present rigour may be conuerted into spedie cōpassion for as there is conning in enchaūtyng so the misterie can not be wrought without the assistaunce of words which foolishe suggestion restored the Abbot to a hope makyng conscience to committ the conueigh to the creditt of anye of his couent for that he doubted their wisdome in performinge so secret an embassage vsed thexpedicion by one of the vallettes of his chamber whom after he had put in remembraunce of thauncient fauours he had vsed on his behalfe and howe much he reaposed for hymself in the assurance of his fidelitie he said he was nowe to imploye his fayth and diligence in a busynes of no lesse value then the price of his life wherin sayeth he albeit thou maiest conster some part of my meaning by the circūstaunce of the late chaunge and alteraciō thou haste noted in me iudgyng peraduenture the same to procede of some amarous humour yet althoughe I consente and make good the conceite of thy fancie in that surmise thow nor all the deuinours of the worlde can name her who as thou séest hath made me the flaue of her beautie this is the secret wherin I am to make a last experience of thy indeuour and wisedome to make a presente of theis letterrs to her who hath not yet vouchesaffed to lende me the vse of one simple regarde of fauor to qualifye the heate of my burnynge martyrdom wherewith he told him the name of his mistres the stréete and signe wher her father dwelte with straite commaundement in the ende not to omitt any moment or offer of time that might seame to further y e executiō of his charge the vallet glad to haue so good a meane to make declaration of his loyal zeale towardes his maister admitted the enterpryse gaue hym assurāce of his diligence willyng him in y e meane while not to loase corage for that saith he there is no fortresse so wel defended but at length it is rendred by composicion or won by assaulte wherewith the Abbott departed to his chamber flatteringe himselfe with the promise of his man who destrous to reliue the distres of his maister added such diligēce to the dispache of his commission that the nexte daie he foūde the meanes to accoste Parolyna occupyed al alon in her meditacions in the churche where presenting himself afore her with more assurāce then the passioned Abbot gaue her the reuerence of his Countrey desiered her not to dismay if vpon so small acquaintance he discharged so boldlye the parte of a familiar messenger wherein sayeth he if there be offence I preferr good madam for my excuse my lord and maister vpon whose behalfe he craued so muche fauour as to reade his letter which after he had kissed wit great humilitye offred to the chaste mayde who knowyng the messenger for that she had séen hym often follow the traine of Gonsaldo gaue iudgement also of the cause of his commynge wherefore she did not only refuse it but also wyth certeine tearmes of reproche retourned hym with an answer cōtrarie to thexspectation of hym selfe and contentment of hym that sent hym what sayeth she doth your maister accompte me of such simplicitie that I haue not longe since discerned thintēt of his follie doth he thinke that I am any other then one that settes as deare a price of mine honor as the best ladie in Italy or is he of opiniō that the respect of his authoritie or greatnes in degrée can force me y e rather to a remorce on the behalf of his wicked meaning no no tel him I haue neither to do with hym lesse cause to accepte his letters neyther oughte he to adresse suche embassages to me who can nor will not be thankefull to any in loue but such as my parentes shall giue me in lawful mariage is this his masque of holynes to couer so greate a villanie vnder the habit or shroude of simplicitie what argument of vertue is this in him whose office is to prescribe principles of honest lyfe can he discharge the othe of his religiō in seking to corrupt the puritie of virgins and expose an example of the greatest villanie that is Let hym besiege the forte that is as gladde to yelde as he readie to sommon and bestowe his charmes and letters vppon those whose regarde and care of honor is equall to the malice of his meaning and for your part let it suffice you that I pardon your first follie and ceasse hensfurthe to procede any further least you be payde with the monie ordeyned to discharge the hyer of suche messengers wherewith she flonge oute of the churche and not without some passion of iuste anger repaired to her fathers house not ympartynge anye parte of thaccident to any one of her parentes
ympartes a wonder full strength and constancie of mynd to suche as be chast in dede and the vertue of whom consisteth not only in thoutwarde argumentes but is sewerly ram pierd within the strongest part of their harte like as in the mynd of this to whom as you see thalmighty gaue force to vanquishe wyth mayne hande the wicked enemye of her honor FINIS The argument YF the wisemen of olde time founde cause of cohibicion in their vnruly children and ympes of wanton youthe I thinke we haue double reason in this age to vse a steddie eye bothe vpon our daughters and such as are geuen vs in socyetie of wedlock not for that I wish the one to be kepte vnder as seruants or seruile slaues nor to take awaye from the other the whole skoope of libertie appointed by the preferment of mariage but exposinge an Indifferent and honeste meane I wishe to eschewe the murmore of the world by cuttinge of suche infyuit occasions of infections as seme to offer them selues to corrupte and seduce the fragillitie of our youth chieflye seinge a dayly experience of so many assaltes and alarams of fylthye loue offered to our daughters and litle girles beinge yet in the firste flame of the fyre whiche nature kindleth in the hartes of such as accompt themselues most confirmed in the yeres of maturitie or discrecion neyther wolde I that either the maide or the maried woman shold refuse to haue a bridel put to her libertie coÌ„sideriÌ„gitis such a garde of her quiet and honest name wyth chiefe defence against the malice of the reprochefull worlde that it were better to be chayned in the bottom of a darke pryson then to enioye the benefit of the open ayer being noted of such spottes of infamy as coÌ„monly attendes vpon an inordynat libertie and lice nâ—ious life Wherein if the desolacion of so many parentes wepinge in the villanie of their wiues and daughters vtter ruine and subuercioÌ„ of so many houses presented in stage playes to feed the â—aine eyes of the reprochefull multitude argued not the nomber of inconuenience happening by a dissolute and libertines lif and y t in the persones of diuerse our great mens daughters now a daies wee nede not seame so curious in keping this continuall watche and garde but resigne such ceremonies to be practised in strang contries wher meÌ„ are Ielous of their owne shadow w t opinioÌ„ that their wiues or daughters are not able to resist the least and most simple attaynt y t can be offred But wher thexamples are more then manifest and the frutes of y e folly burst out in open shew let vs leaue to allow or assise the brutal opinion of such as perswade that awe is not necessary for youth or y e seuere correctioÌ„ or rather folysh pamperiÌ„g bredes a dolnes of wit w t impedimeÌ„t of y e dispositioÌ„ of y e mind or hinderance to thincrease of natural giftes The daughters of Rome lyued alwaies within the house of their fathers with no more libertie theÌ„ was measured vnto theim by y e eye of their mother and yet weâ— they vertuous matrons in their houses and so sufficently instructed in cyuilitie that I doubt y e most perfect courtier we haue at this day deserueth not comparison with y e least of their perfectioÌ„s for what other ciuilitie or exaÌ„ple of honest life caÌ„ y e maides of our time learn in any coÌ„pany now a dayes if not to seame eloqueÌ„t in pratlinge discourses of vaine filthie loue with words ful of vaine and filthy loue and intiâ—ing behauiors of an open curtisan somtime to make an experieÌ„ce of an act no lesse detestable in dede theÌ„ the remeÌ„brance ought to be hateful to al honest meÌ„ albeit as I wold not by this meanes procure a general inhibicioÌ„ of honest conference and coÌ„pany amongest the nobilitie of our coÌ„try with exercises tollerated by y e perscriptioÌ„ of libertie lefte vnto vs by our auncieÌ„ts So it is an indeuor most necessary in mine opinion to make a conteÌ„placioÌ„ or view of the maners or inclinacioÌ„ of wils with a discression to check such as be to froward make slack in some sort the raine of awful gouermente to them that seame of more tender disposicioÌ„ by y e assistaÌ„te of which polycie it cold not be chosen but vertue shold glyster as greatly in y e houses of great meÌ„ as rude behauior in the cabynet of y e paisaÌ„t or vnciuile trankeling who coÌ„moÌ„ly goeth more neare the discipline of thelders in norriture of their childreÌ„ theÌ„ such as vndertake to be maisters of art of exquisit skil toochiÌ„g y e educatioÌ„ of yongliÌ„ngs for which cause the wise Emperour Marcus Aure lius wold not haue his doughters brought vp in y e court for how caÌ„ the norce saith he he honest herself or ympart vertu to her rhild seing nothing but practises of euil and vniuersatie of y e disputacioÌ„ of loue with a thousaÌ„d vaine delites to with drawe her from wel doinge or to showe effectes of a godly lyfe but to auoide the imputacion or title of a rigorous iudge whiche some of oure ladies or gentlewomen maye peraduenture bestowe vppon me in prescribinge suche straite rules of their reformacioÌ„ I prefer for my only defeÌ„ce y t benefit of vertue who I am sewer wil alwaies appeare perfecte as she is both in bud braÌ„ch in what soile soeuer she be planted wherin aswel for mine owne excase as also to make more noble y e sinceritie of noble dames by thimpudeÌ„t life of y e slipperie sort of womeÌ„ I haue preferred this exaÌ„ple of an ItaliaÌ„ couÌ„tesse who so loÌ„g as her first husbaÌ„d not igno raÌ„t of y e humor of her inclinacion kept her within the blew of his eye seamed so curious of her reputacioÌ„ y t y e same only was hable to pleade against al thennemies of her renowme but y e vaile of this fre captiuitie was no soner takeÌ„ away by the death of her husband but God knoweth what valyant exploites she performed and your selues may be iudges what false bowndes she gaue to her owne honor with badges of infamie to hym that shold haue gouerned her in her second mariage if you wil use patience in readinge the discourse that followeth THE DISORDERED LYF of the countesse of Celant who liuynge long in adultery and after she had procured diuerse morders receaued the hier of her vvickednes by a shameful death IN thuttermoste partes of Pyemount is a percell of thinheritaunce of the Marques mountferrat called CASALIA where dwelte sometyme one Iames Scarpadon a manne more notorius in those partes by his treasure and abhomynable trade of vsurie and fylthie gaine then of anye reputacion elswhere by disceÌ„t of parentage or monument of any vertue or godly disposicion who marienge a grecian damefell of equal qualitie and calibre begat of her a dought ter more faire then vertuouse lesse honest then was necessarie and worse disposed then well
taste and Sypped so strongelie on the cup of licenceous lybertie that yt bredd in her an insatiable thurste of wanton and dissolute lyfe as you shall heare hereafter for her chief and comon excercise there was to force a frizilacion of her haire with the bodkind conuerting the naturall coollour in to a glistering glee suborned by arte to abuse God and nature by alteringe the complexion of her face by a dye of fadinge coollours deuised by pollecye and that with more curiosytie then the most shameles curtisan in Rome glauncing vppon euery one oute of the windowe kepinge priuat banquettes in the nighte with a haunte of masquers with couered face and on the daye sittinge at her gate as a stale to allure a staye of suche as passed by the stretes there was no offer made whyche she dyd not admit no request preferred whiche she dyd not willyngelye heare nor letter sent whyche shée dyd not receiue and aunswere This was the fyrst earneste penny and foundacion of her licencious lyfe wherein she gained at laste the price and chiefe praise from all women that euer made profession to weare the armes of CVPIDO or marched vnder thenseygne of hys mother Venus I wyshe the mothers and gouernours of lytle girles in our contrey wolde respect chieflye ij moste necessarie rules in theducacion of theyr tender ympes the one to barre all secret conference in corners whyche is the greatest corrupter of youthe the other open and publike cacquet in the streetes whiche bringes their honour in question amongest the multitude for as the towne and fortresse besieged seamethe halfe won and not hable to endure the force of the canon yf she demande a parley or composicion so the eare of a woman that is open to the tale of euerie friuolus louer or enclyned to giue the leaste creditt to hys discourse albeyt her honour and chastetie bee not in interest but cleare from imputacion of iuste cryme yet dothe shee leaue a sufficient occasion to the people to dispute and skan her doynges with other tearmes then she deserueth for aswell muste wee avoide the suspicion as theffecte of euyll seinge the good renowme is no lesse necessarie thē thonest life And she that wil be noted of integretie and sincere perfection of liuinge must not only avoide the acte of adulterie but also the suspicion of the same wherfore I wishe all Ladyes to stande so sewerly vpon their guarde that they neyther be affected to th one nor infected wyth thother but rather in deuydinge their doinges into an honeste meane to do nothinge in secret whych shame denieth theym to iustefye in publike nor to be the secretarie of any mans vanitie or cause of the cōmom hawnt or wonder of the people but rather to obserue the pollecie of the serpent who vseth to stoppe her eares w t her taile to th end she be not infected wyth the noyse of the charmer But now to our BLANCHEMARIA who resolued whollie in the studie and exercises of loue somtyme sitting in the window with a lute in her hande sometime passing the streetes with open face more to allure the people to a gaze thē for her necessary affaires or take the open ayre for preseruing of health and now and then for chaunge of recreacion to make solemne banquettes wher the presence of her parentes and frendes and states of grauitie was not tollerable but only the companie of the carpet sect and such as cold make best court to Ladies where amongest the rest of her ordenarye hawnt shee was chieflie pursewed by the lorde GYSMOND GŌNSAGA son and heir to the duke of MANTVA and therle of CELAND one of the greatest reputacion for honor in the dukedom of SCAVOYE both whiche as they did their best to obteine her in mariage omitting no meanes to aduance their seruice and make theim meritorious of her fauour so she made her onlye pastyme toke singler pleasure in the sondry ymportunities of these .ii. woers slenting at their sortes of deuises in woing smiling at their follie carping their gesture and behauiour and counterfetting so artyfyciallie their amarus regardes hollow sighes and often tornes of the eye wyth change of complexion and ympedyment of the tong whilest they were vppon tearmes to obteine her goodwill that she seamed to haue red no other authors or made profession of other experience in the whole discourse of her lyfe afore Signeiur Gonsaga procured thassistance of his mother in lawe the marques of Mounteferrat whose perswacions wyth earnest sute in short tyme had so sommoned the wydow to affection on hys behalf that the mariage was not onely concluded but at point of fynall consommacion by order of the church if the SCAVONIAN erle had not as it were forbidded the banes and intercepted their resolucion by fyne force for vnderstanding that another had entred the lystes and made breache wher he had geuen so many assaltes and at the verye point to praye vpon his mistres he vsinge the nexte offer of conueniente tyme went to the lodging of his ladye whom he founde all alone as he thought somewhat disposed to heare his discourse whiche he broached vnto her in these tearmes with a kinde of countenance and gesture arguing sufficiently the simplicitie of his loue If I were as sewer of meanes to releue my distresse as I am certeine to suffer the smart I colde easelye dismisse my present perplexetie of mynde occupied with treble dowte the one whether I shold blame my selfe of negligence accuse you of rigour good madame or cry out of my fortune which hetherunto hath fauored me with a vainehope of good successe and now left me to the mercie of absolute dispaire for the small remorce and slender compassion which hetherto haue appered in you do argue a great wrōg on your part touching the iustice of my cause seing you haue not only denied pitie towards my sodry passions but also made none accompt any way of the loyall honest loue I beare you for y t you wold neuer allow nor seame to vnderstād any regard or other meanes I preferred for thaduancemente of the same And yet I find a greater falt in my self in suffring an other to cut the earthe frome vnder my féete and marche so farre in my steppes that I haue almoste loste thée tracke of the praye I chieflye desyer but aboue all I complaine vpon our common fortune that hath brought me in daunger of present dispaire loasinge the thing I Iustely deserue you in semblable perill by committinge you to a place where your captiuitie shal be no lesse thē the slaues or seruile sorte of Moares condēned to y e mynes in Portugale or Indya Haue you now forgot the sondrye miseries you endured vnder the gouernement of youre late husband Seigneur Hermes Doth it not suffice that he kept you in the mew as it were in his chamber the space of v. or vj. yeres but that in retournynge to a more desolacion wyth exchaunge
of that captiuitie for a more straite and extreme abridgement of libertie you committ the remeindor of your florishyng youth to the mercy of the Mantuans whose heades are the cōmon fordge whereupon the humour of frettynge Ielousye doth alwaies beate weare it not better good madame that we who approache neare the brauerie of Fraunce enioying a natural participacion of the ayre and libertie of that contreye shold lyue and be resident together then in refusinge thoffer of so greate a commoditye to make a seconde proffe of the curtesie of an Ytalian who is not so suspicious as cruell apte to synister conceites without iuste cause and who can not breake thinstinct whiche nature hath giuen hym not only to doubte of the honestie of his wife be she neuer so vertuouse but also to kepe her so shorte with strait imprisonment that she shall neyther be suffred to visit her frendes abroade nor admitt any accesse at hoame besides what will be the common brute of the world if not that thonly awe and feare of the Ladye Marquesse hath forced you to mary her son in lawe neyther wil they haue other opinion of your doinges but as a pupill or one standynge in awe of her tutour wherein you abuse the libertie whiche the lawe hath giuen you in suffringe your selfe not only to bée gouerned but also forced by suche as haue no reason to rule you nor authoritie to commaunde you whiche title with his sequeile of a thousand incōueniences and annoyes as I wishe you to eschewe chiefly for the respect of your owne contentemit quiett of lyf so in preuenting so present and yminent a perill dispose your self good lady to embrace the gifte of a better time and ymagyn that fortune hath here sente her messenger not only to present you with an offer of preset pleasure but also an assured warrante and confirmacion of continuall contentement euen vntill thextreme daye and date of your lyfe wherin for my part beyng voyde of solicitors I am come as you see in person to pleade for grace on mine owne behalf preferrynge vnto you a consideracion of the longe and honeste loue I haue borne you sommoning your conscience also by iustice not to be vnthankeful in the guerdon of so due a meritt You knowe my estate is voyde of necessetie or lacke of any welthe neyther are you ignorant I am sewer of my large power possession in Scauoye both whyche as I hope will defende me from charge or note of couetuse desyer in sekyng the graunte of your fauour so I laye theim also afore you as witnesses to aduouche thusmuche further on my behalfe that thonlye respect of your beautie with other giftes of rare consequence in you haue sturred vpp my affection with desyer to do you seruice and craue good will in sorte of honest and lawfull mariage and Albeit I coulde yet haue thassystance of a thousande other reasons to iustyfie thusmuche of me yet reapposing muche for my self in thintegretie of my cause I commende vnto you the present viewe of an vnfained experience and comit my selfe whollie to thindifferencie of your iudgement for yf my passion were not vehement and my tormēt continual without comparaison or yf my requeste had neyther reason nor iustice on his syde I had but righte yf I were retorned with a repulse of my dissembled sute receiue the due hyer of a deceitful mynde but seing my demaund standes vppon tearmes of simplicitie voyed of treason importinge an vnfained effecte semblable to the dollorous regardes of my complerion and seing withal I come accompanied with sincerity vndowted entēt of honest dealing that I cānot take day with my passion but by the consent of your good will regarde I besech you the merite of my faith and measure the meede according to thequitie of my deserte resolue an equal difference good madam betwene the deserte of hym that vnder the vaile of the power and authoritis of an other dothe seke to conquere your good will with intent to keepe you in continuall captiuitie and the iust merite of me who respectyng only your beautie and vertue hath vowed mine honor and lyf to the continuall contemplacion of the same with this further vowe to lyue dye the seruant and slaue of the least of your commaundements let the vehemency of my affection with the vowe and intent of vnfained loyalty precure you but to a iuste remorse and indiffrent consideracion of me regarde I beseche you thembassadour which is loue hymself who in conuertinge myne auncient libertye into a present captiuitie and awe of your beautie hath forced also suche a vehemencie of zeale in me that yf my cause retorne with an effect contrarye to the hope which hetherto hath only preserued me you will come to too late a repentance of your crueltie by my death shal be witnessed thintegretie and honest hart which I bare to my onely mistrys and most faire ladie Blanche Maria who notyng the roundenes of therle with the dollorus regardes of face accompanieng his complaint gaue iudgemēt of the simplicity of his loue renewing besides in her mind the misery of her laste mariage with the natural Ialousie of al Italians seamed not only to mislike of her rash graunt to the marquesse but also to prefer a special likyng to the present offer of the Scauonian to whom she replied that albeit y e sondrie benefits of the Ladie marquesse had bounde her to a thankefull consideracion to her power that she was almost as loath to offend her as displease her self yet she had not engaged her libertie so far but she reserued one point to stande her self in stead what neede so euer she had for in the choice of our husbands saith she we ought to respect a fre wil cōsent of our selues and not to obserue thappetite of an other or constrained thereunto by straungers seyng that as thinstitucion of god doth gyue theim vnto vs for companions without seperacion so yt is our partes to consider at large afore we resolue of the choice to th ende that in breakyng so holye a ceremonie we seame not vnworthie of so sacred and highe a participacion But for my part sir yf yt were not to auoyde the grudge of suspicion in the wicked sorte with the pertiall and poysoned bable of malicius tounges I assure you I would liue without a seconde assaye of the curtesye of an other husbande protestinge vnto you with vnfained vowe that if I thought that he whom my destenies haue reserued for my nexte consorte wolde represent eyther in qualitie or condicion circunstance or effect the doinges of hym that is dead the bale sholde be broken from thinstant and the bargaine reuoked what earnest or assurance so euer is giuē of it I thanke you for your aduertisement with treble tribute for the honour you do me in desyeringe a composicion of mariage betwene vs promissing you in simple consideracion of the same with the small
deceite and dissembled traison I note in you the francke and free preferment of my mariage yf I happen to dispose my selfe that waye with addicion of further power ouer the Ladye Blanche Maria then any one in the worlde whereof you maye make as assured accompte as yf the proff had alredie confirmed my wordes Th erle seynge so faire an entreye thoughte not conueniēt to lett slipp the benefytt of so good a time but fedynge the humor of his fortune iudged yt no point of good husbādry to loase his frute after yt bee rype nor his corne for wante of gettinge but beatinge the bushe as the birde was readie to go oute recharged her with a seconde admonishement to bee no lesse carefull of his commoditie then curious of her owne Quiett and seyng saith he the remembrance of your plages passed giues you reason to feare the fall of future bōdage and that the vse of libertie is so deare vnto you why sticke you to abandon the offer of seruilitie embrase a presente of the quiet you chyeflye desyer or why make you conscience to condiscende to that whiche can not redownde but to your honor contentemēt assure me by the breath of your owne month of the faith loyaltye of maryage you shall sée me purseue the ende and worke it to effect without offence or displeasure of anie if y e feare of the ladie marquess restrayne your consent I thinke you do wrong to the chief vertues wherof she is renoumed for you muste imagyne that she wyll not become suche a tyranness over the wyll of her subiectes as to cōstraine the ladies of her land to marie agaynste their myndes and muche lesse force that whych god hath left in libertie to all sortes wherwith beholdinge an alteracion of complexion in her face with a general astonishmēt thorow al her partes like one ballancing in doubtfull deuises not hable to resolue a determynate iudgement wythout the assistance of some speciall councel toke her by the hande and kissinge it with no lesse delite then he founde singler pleasure in thys argument of good successe renforced her to a more corage with desyer not to dismay wyth thassalte seing thassalyante was readye to yelde to her mercye neyther doubt to admit hym to your husband saieth he who sweareth vnto you all such dutie amytie and reuerence as belong to a husband to performe to hys loyall and lawful wyfe wyth thys further confirmacion of my affeccion towardes you that afore the consommacion of the mariage by thauthoritie of the church I wyl assigne you what pryuiledge of libertie your selfe can or wyll deuise do away then the feare of the marquesse who hauing neyther law nor reason to enter into mislike wyth you cannot nor will not reprehende you I am sewer in making your fancie pryuie to the choice of your husbande for a contract forced is a violacion of the sacrament of mariage and let not the simple and bare promisse to the Lord Gonsaga whom I knowe you loue not bée any ympedyment to my requeste for the vow or promisse ymportes no effecte whiche is procured by cōstraint wherwyth the widow fearing to fal eftsones into seruitude and fully perswaded of the large offer of libertie promised by the erle was not hable to aunswere his ymportunities in other sort then with a franke cōsent of her faith wyth a confirmacion by worde and othe whyche likewise he aduowched for his part by semblable ceremonies according to thorder of contractes wherin for a more assurance of the knot and because the corde shold not breake they wrastled a fall the one a loft of the other in witnes of the bargayne This first earnest pennye or pleasante encownter of therle procured him to contynue his hawnte wyth more open and familyar accesse then affore in such sort as fame discouered ymediatly their secret consentes whiche also the common brute brought to the eares of the Ladie marquesse who notwithstanding shée had iust cause of angry conceite againste the widow yet the respect of therle and regard to her owne honor kept her from any intent of reueng but swallowing a pil of pacience rather by force then order of due disgestion disposed herselfe also to appease the Lorde GONSAGA who repeating in his mynde the sondrie argumentes of wanton and light behauior heretofore noted in his lost wydowe began to prophecie of thissue and end of his commedie geuing God thankes for his happie delyuerie from so inconstante a creature wherin he greued also on the behalfe of thinfortunat erle that had planted his affection in so pestilent a soile exposing euen now manifest likelyhodes of the dissolucion of the delite he seamed to take in his new consort and wantō wife lamenting more his rashenes in thenterprise then allowing his wisedom in the choice for that accordinge to the lattyne adage he that vseth more haste in thexecucion then councell or deuise in consulting of his busynes shall lacke no tyme to repente his rashnes nor leasure to do pennance for hys folly and he that in che choice of his wife hath more respect to her flattering bewtie then giftes of true vertue shall easely bée wearie of pleasure and hardly enioye a contynuall quiet of mind the want wherof houered euen nowe to ouerwhelme this fond erle who after publication of the mariage retired wyth his wyfe to his house amongest y e mountaines and craggie hills of Scauoye where he began to take councel of his present affaires for that Syftynge somwhat nearelye the disposicion of his wyfe he founde her attyred wholly in the apparell of wanton libertie and more apte to followe thinclinacion of vaine and lasciuious desyer then disposed to make a staye of her selfe in the trade of honest vertue wherefore he accompted it an acte of wisdome to take vp the vaine that fedd those humours and stop her course afore she gained the plaine féelde wherein albeit he vsed so steadie a hande in the dyot of so daungerous a creature ministrynge the remedye wyth the consent of suche conuenient times and meanes and in order of suche simplicitye and gentle dealyng that she had no greate cause to note hym of discurtesie yet she became veray waspishe in that he was so priuye to her disposicion and forgat so soone the large pryuilege of the lybertye whiche he had promised her reprehendynge wyth bitter tearmes the generall infidelytie of men with peculyar exclamacion against thiniquitye or her fortune for that she had refused the preferment of the Ladye Marquesse and promisse of mariage wyth Seigneur Gonsaga exchaungyng diuerse and sondry offers of honor and libertie for an yrkesome trade of seruile lyfe wyth habitacion amongest the wilde deserts and barraine séeldes of Sauoye not forgettyng to reproche her husbande with diuerse wordes of spite disdaine assurynge hym for end that she wold not remeine lōg coyffed kept at cōmaūdement like a childe that is appointed his tymes to studie howers for recreacion But
chefest mynister remēbryng with al that the dowtfull mynd ys neuer in quiet and the desiring hart liues alwayes in expectacion protesting vnto you eftesones in the woorde of a gentleman that if your trauaile put me in possession of my praye I shall not bée so gladd to enioye the virgynytie of my deare IVLIA as redy to requite your indeuor in suche sorte as the rewarde of your trauail herein shal be a relefe to you and yours so longe as you liue well well sayeth this olde hagg I will trye your curtesie and your selfe shal be witnes of my diligēce wyshing you no lesse willing to performe but the one halfe of your liberall offer then I dout not to deserue yt with spede for yf euer one woman had power to ouercome an other I make my accompte that she shall not escape my handes till I haue taught her suche a daunce as shée neuer learned in her lyfe wherewith she dismissed y e séely foole of FERARA quarelling with his vnquiet thoughtes and yet in some hope to be holpen by thassistance of hys old Darioletta and broker of bawdry and shée repayred ymediatly to her charge watching her time to execute the same wherin she was furthered by a helpe of fortune who fauored this enterprice so muche that the poore paysant and his wife being one daye abrod at their labor Iulya alone was left at home with whome this lewde messenger after a few familiar gretinges powdred ful of sophisticall hollynes and cursed hipocrisy began to parle in this sorte I meruaile my girle to se thée so forgetful of thy self in abusing so much the precious gyfte of nature and greenes of thy pleasaūt youth that neither respectinge the dewe meritt of the one nor the other lesse worthie to enioye the worst of them both thou hast gotten of late the title of proude cruel doste not thou knowe that the greatest praise to be geuen to a maide of thy age and calling consists cōmes chefly by her curteous behauiour to euery man and that of the contrary parte she is pointed at of the world that seminge to stand altogether vppon her slippers reiectes the honest offers of curtesie and frindshipp arguing by that means her haggard rude disposicion wherin as the chefest point of commendacion of vs women depends vpon certein tearmes of curtesie showes of frendship So are wee chefly bounde to make declaracion of the same on the behalfe of them that seme to honor vs w t semblable professiō beinge boūde therunto by the vertue of their former merits and the leste we can do is to requite thē with the like affectiō God hath not created vs vnder the clymat or constellacion of Mars nor made vs to be ministers of crueltie neither hath he giuen vs the harte of a Lyon or diposiciō of a Tyger but framed vs of a mettal more tractable w t appeares rightly in thintisinge countenaunce of thy flattering face arguing with al that vnder y e vaile of such shinynge beautye ther can not be shrouded a harte of reuenge or disposition of crueltie and as the drawynge regardes of your eyes glauncynge vpon a man with no lesse force then the hot reflection of the Sonne persynge eche thinge vppon earth subiect to his heat doth make him strike saile and seke to be guided by the glymerynge lighte of suche twinkling starres forcing him w t all to pursue your fauour with the frāke offer of his hūble seruice so you are not only bounde to appeare reciprocal in affectiō but also yelde them the dewe mede of so greate a martyrdome deryued of causes in your selfe and not refuse to be courted wyth younge men or mislike their indeuour in sekynge to wyn by their seruice the glory of that whiche the sommonce of your eyes doth halfe promise them wherin althoughe they are partly guided and stirred by nature yet are they chiefly allured and set on fyer by the influence of your beautye our age beside is not void of experience howe diuers maides beinge honored with theyr seruice affection of sundry gentlemē of no small accompte haue semed rather rashely to refuse the profer of suche frindshypp then rightly wayghe the meryt of theyr curtesye and after receyuynge the due sentence of theyr crueltye haue not onely doated vpon such as toke pleasure in theyr gréefe and laughed at theyr follye but also deserued not for any gyfte that was in them to receiue the fauour of one simple regarde of the eye whiche as it is to be noted to procede of y t iust vengeaūce of that God who first stirres in vs the mocions of suche frindshipp So are wee warned in embracynge the contrary to eschewe the perill of semblable accidents And for your parte beinge no lesse fortunat then the best of any age heretofore and honored with no lesse true affection then duetyful seruice of one that is redye to pawne hys lyuynge honor and all that he hath for the interest of your good wyll I meruaile you regard so lyghtlye the rewarde of so greate a vertue and vse so small care in curyng your owne disease which because you dare not declare doth make a secrett martirdome of your florishyng youth albeit for ende yf you wyll willynglye embrace the gyfte of present tyme and vse mine aduise in the pursuete of your pleasure and commodytye I doubte not within lesse then a moment to restore you to treble contentement of mynde relyue the nedefull pouertye of your parents and make you excede the reste of your neyghbours in authoritye and estimation But IVLIA no lesse gladd to here an ende of this pernicious oracion then lothing by good right thimbassing of the detestable and cursed Marmotte whiche she coulde not conceile in suche sorte but the argument of collour in her face bewrayd the iust anger of her mynd replyed vnto her in this sorte I sée quod she the world is no lesse wicked of it selfe then the waye harde to discerne the disposicion of euery people neyther can a man be knowen by his shadow and easyer it is to fall into the danger of the euil then to finde a true paterne of vertue neyther ys pure gold knowen by his glysterynge coollour nor that religiō perfect that smells of supersticion exposyng frutes of execrable corrupcion and sensuall conspiracies ys this the good councell you geue to the youth of GAZOLO is this the example of vertue or instruction of honestie whiche is to be expected in the nomber of your yeres haue you thus longe blayred the eyes of the worlde with a masque of Fained hollynes and now retires to the vomett of your hipocrisie with entente to seduce her who ys no lesse assured in vertue then you vnworthie to enioye the benefyt of life in abusyng your dewtie towarde God and deceyuing the opinnyon and expectacion of all men Albeit my pouertie be great my parents of lesse habilitie to releue me yet hath God so
in the eyes wyth euery other signe of counterfeyte dule in the face when the ynner partes laughyng at suche fained showes are in the myddest of theyr banquet for pleasure what offence is it to plage theim in earnest who seke to blaire the eyes of all the worlds wyth charmes of painted substance or rather why shoulde they bee suffred to lyue whose villanous lyues and doynges were hable to deface the glory of the whole feminyne secte yf the vertue of so manye chaste Ladyes were not of force to aunswere the combat of all synister reproche and conquer the infamous chalengers of theyr renowme But now the funeralls performed to the dead Lorde of Chabrye the Ladye albeit she dismissed by lytle and lytle the greatnes of her dollor yet she ceassed not her diligence in the searche of the morderer nor forgat to promisse large hyer to suche as coulde bringe her the ministers of the fact there was publike informacion and secrett inquirye wyth euery point and circumstance so Syfted to the quicke that there lackte nothyng but the confession of him that was dead whiche was impossible to bée had or the testimonys of the bloddie parties whiche were the commissioners appointed to enquire of the morder whose handes smelled of the bloud of the dead innocent whereuppon the matter was husht for a tyme in whiche TOLONIO was not ydle to ransicke euery secret corner in the house not forgettynge I thynke to visytt the treasore he chiefly affected and for a simple pleasure of the whiche he had bene so prodigall of his conscience who yet not satisfyed with the sacrifyze of innocent lyfe stirred vp desyer of greater synne for this tyrannouse wyddow had iiij sonnes whereof as ij of theim were continuallye in the house so the eldest Ialowse not without cause of the famyliaritye betwene his mother and her doctor whose haunte he iudged to excede the compasse of his commission and lymittes of honor colde not so conceile nor disgeste the conceite of that whiche persuaded a staine of infamye in the forheade or forefronte of his house but that he thought to belonge to his dutie to ymparte vnto her y e cause of his suspicion with perswacion in humble sorte to be indiffrently carefull to kepe her former glorie of vertuous life and curious to defend the remeindor of her yeres from worthie cryme or spot of foule ymputacion wherein thincrease of amarus glée betwene the aduocat and her procured a more expediciō then he thought so that hauing one day thassistance of a fyt time and place in a gallerie voide of all company he preferred hys opinion in this sorte not wythout an indiffrent medley of shame and disdaine appearing in all partes of his face if it bée a thinge vnseamly that a kinge shoulde be disobeyed of his subiects it is no lesse necessarie in myne opynion that the prince avoyde oppression of his people by power for that a greate falte in the one is none offence at all by reason of his authoritie and the other sometime is exacted without iuste cause of blame but if it bée a vertue in the maiestie royall to be indiffrent betwene the force of his power geuen hym by god and the compleintes of righte in his vassalls why shoulde it be an offence that the maister or magistrate bée put in remembrance or made tunderstande the pointes wherein hée offendeth seing he hath no greater reason to yelde iustice to such as deserue punishmente then bounde in doble sort to a wōderful care of integretie in lyuing in himselfe so as hys authoritie effectes of vpright cōuersaciō may serue as a lyne to lead the meaner sort seruing vnder his awe to be in loué w c his vertues commended for semblable sinceretie and purytie of life But for my parte good Madame were it not the remorse of an equall respect to your reputacion and honor to al our house and that my conscience hereafter wold accuse me of want of corage and care to make good the vertuous renowme of my dead father I should hardely be forced to the tearmes of my present intent nor my beyng in thys place geue you such cause of amaze doubt of my meaninge for the dutie which nature bindeth me to owe to y e place you hold on my behalf and the law of obedience geuen by god to all chyldren towardes suche as made theyme the members of this worlde makes me as often cloase my mouthe against the discouerie of the longe grudge of my mynde as I haue greate reason to ympart the cause to your ladishipp who is tooched more neare then any other that I wolde too god the thinge wherof my mynde hath giuen a iudgement of assurance were as vntrue as I wishe yt bothe farre from myne opynion and voyde of a trothe then sewerlye sholde my hart rest discharged of disquiett and I dismyssed from thoffice of an oratour whiche also I wolde refuce to performe if thymportance of the cause did nor force my wil in that respect Albeit as the passions of the mynde bée free and the sprite of man howe so euer the bodie bée distressed with captiuitie hathe a pryuyledge of libertie touchyng opynyons or conceites so I hope your wisdome with the iustice of my cause and clearenes of entent are sufficient pillours too supporte that whyche the vertue of naturall zeale to your selfe and dutifull regarde to the honour of my auncestors moues me to communicate with you chieflye for that the best badge of your owne life and bloodd of your late Lorde and husbande my father bée distressed as I am perswaded by the secret haunte and vnsemelie glée of fauour betwene the proccurer Tolonio and you whome God and nature haue made a mother of suche children that neyther deserue suche lewde abuse in you nor can brooke his villany in corruptyng the noble blood wherewith they participate without vengance due to the greatnes of his poysoned malice wherein good madame as my deare affection to you wardes hathe made me so franke in warnynge you of the euill so yf you giue not order hensfurthe for the redresse of that whiche I accompte alredie past euerye cause of dowte you will come too shorte to couer that can bée no longer conceiled when also small compassion wilbée vsed in the reuenge of thiniurye neyther can you in any sort complaine rightelie of me in whose harte is alredye kindled a grudge of the wronge you haue don to y e nobilitie of vs al loathing with all the simple remēbrance of so foule a falte protesting vnto you for ende that yf herafter you become as careles of the honour of your children as heretofore you haue bene voiede of regarde to your owne reputation the worlde shall punishe the abuse of your old yeres with open exclamacion against your lasciuius order of lyfe deuesting you of all titles of highe degrée and thies handes onely shall sende maister doctor to visytt his processe in th infernall senatt
wrongefull conceyte of suche a villenie dothe troble you whyche shée forgatt no too accompanye with all sortes of syghes and sygnes of dollour entrermedled with suche regardes of dyssembled pitie in all partes of her face that albeyt he was paste all dowte touchynge the trothe of hys owne conceyte yet the teares of hys deceytefull mother moued hym to admitt her excuses with suche compassion of her sorowe that he seamed also to passe the panges of her present passion with protestacion vnder tearmes of greate humilitie that he greued no lesse in that he hadde sayd then shée hadd greate reason to complaine of the wronge he hadd donne to the renowne of her vertue albeyt saythe he wyth a countenance of repentance yf you measure the force of my affection with the cause of my late plaines your discrecion I hope will conster my woordes accordyng to the honeste intent of my hart with excuse to my rashenes whyche you shall sée hereafter so mortefyed in me that I will neyther bée so hastye to accuse nor suspect without better aduise for the whyche shée seamed thankefull vnto hym with a present appeasement from Anger attendyng the offer of oportunitie when she myghte preferr her sōne to a parte in the tragedye whyche her wickednes hadde alredye begon vppon hys late father for shée was doutefull styll of the youngeman and gaue lesse faythe to his wordes wherein certeinely appeareth an experience of an ordinarie custume in the wicked who payseth thinfydelitie of others in the ballance of their owne iniustice and wante of faithe for the tyrant dowteth to whose creditt to comitt the sauetie of himselfe because his crueltie is hated of all men neyther dothe he good to any yf not for the respect of profit or to performe some malicius attempte wherein as they consider thaffexcions of their people by the passions in theimselues soo in passynge theyr owne lyfe in continuall feare they procure lyke terror to suche as bée conuersant with theim makyng the disquiett of others equall to the miserie of theimselues lyke as thys new Megera or tyrannouse monster of oure tyme who no more satiffied with the blood of her husband then glutted or cloyed with y e continual pleasures in whoredome with her detestable Tolonyo determined to rydde the world of her innocent sonne to thend their villanous trade mighte passe with more assurance and lesse cause of feare or suspicion of any for th executiō wherof her wickednes deuised this spedy and necessarie meane There was within the castel a highe gallery borded vnderfote with certeine plankes fastned to rotten planchers where as y e young gentleman vsed his dailye recreacion in walkinge by reason of the delitefull ayre pleasant prospect vppon dyuerse feldes and gardyns so the Tygresse his mother reserued that place as a most chiefe mortal minister in the death of her son for she and her pernicius proccurer one euenyng knocked oute of either ende of diuerse of the plankes the nayles that kepte theime cloase to the plancher in suche sorte that the nexte that happened too make hys walke there shoulde haue no leasure to discouer the traison and much lesse lyue to bring reapport of the hardnes of the rockes growing in the diches vnder the sayd gallerie which chaunced vnhappelie to the sonne of this she wolffe who no more happie in a mother then his father fortunate in a wife renewed the next day his accustumed walkes in the valte wher he had not spent thre or foure tornes but his destynie brought hym to treade vppon the fatall bourd es who hauinge no holde nor staye to rest vpon disioyned theimselues wyth the wayght of thinfortunat gentleman who falling soddeinly vpon the rockes wyth hys heade forwarde was brused to peces beinge dead in dede almost so sone as he felte thapprehencion of death Who wold haue iudged such trayso in a mother to work such an end to her son or noted such wate of pitie in any of y e sect as to soe the séedes sprong in her owne flankes deformed and he wed in peces vpon the edge of sharppe and piked stoanes what mistortune to the sonne and villanie in a mother seinge the title of a sonne ought to be so deare and name of a mother is so delicate and of such vertue that no hart of what mettal soeuer it be made is not mollefyed and doth homage to that dignitie yea euerye one holdeth his blodde so deare that the beastes theimselues by a prouocacion of nature although other wayes insensible haue such affectioned regarde to their fawnes that they feare not to contend against euery peril of death to defende their youngons from daunger what greater felicity hath mā trauelling in the stormy sea of this worlde then to see as it were a regeneracion of hymselfe in hys children wyth a plentifull and gladsome encrease of his séede for whych cause chiefely god ordeyned the holye institucion of mariage not respecting altogether the mortefyeng of the ticklyshe instinctes of our declayning fleshe but rather of regarde as thappostel affirmeth to kepe the societie of man in order making it appear'e pure and aeceptable to the great monarke and syrst founder of so noble a worke But to retorne now to our historie this ympp of th infernall lake and hellish Lady beinge already dispoyled of all affection and dutie required in a woman towardes her husband detested also euery point of charitie and zeale whych nature chalenged in her to the frute flowered wythin the tender partes of her intralls whose fall and miserable deathe as you sée filled ymediatlie euerie corner of the castel with desolacion and teares some weping in the want of their brother other complayned the lacke and misfortune of ther kynsman the viewe of whose dysmembred bodye sturred vp also a freshe sorowe on the behalfe of their late Lorde but all their dollor was nothing to the howlinge and cries of the detestable mordress who entermedled her greffe wyth such argumentes of desperacion that her sorowe seamed sufficient to make the earth tremble and moue the heauens to teares neyther seamed she to make other accompte of the world then a place of most loathsome abode by which masqued semblance of outwarde heauines she couered an inward ioye at her hart and by this pollecie of painted dule she blaired the eyes of the simple multitude who after y e retire of the heate of theyr lamemtable stormes consulted vppon the buyrial wyth general consent in the ende that thinnocent striplinge should be laiede in the tombe of his infortunate father to thend he might participat with hym in the fatal pitt as he was equal to hym touching the malice of his mother And now as this bloddie Lady had in this sort discharged as she thought euery doubt and feare hereafter chiefly for that she stoode no more in awe of any Censor or spie to kepe a kalender of her faltes wherby she vsed lesse care in the conueigh of her beastly traffique wyth her
her pleasure and her falte of treble slaunder in the mouthes of the blasphemous nomber which albeit is without the compasse of my history yet I thoughte it not vnmete to note this litle remembraunce both to warne theim that vse lesse care then is necessarie to preuente so greate a mischiefe and to wishe all Ladies to accompte their honour as the gifte of god and speciall ornament of their life whiche I could enlarge with copie of authorities if I had the assistaÌ„ce of conuenient time and consent of my historie willinge me now to repaire to â—aniquette who perswadinge great impossibilitie in a younge mayde of intisinge beautie desierus to enncownter thamarus glées of menne and kepe cacquett with all comers to escape eyther without some great falte in thabuse of her bodie or at leaste to leaue occasion of suspicion and Ieleus opinion of her honestie amonge suche as vse commonly to recorde the lyfe and doinges of greate Ladies loughte to preuente the like accidente with a contrary vertue for keping her selfe for the moste parte within the house of her father she barred thaccesse of Luchyn and closed her eyes from the view of his presence and if at some tyme her affaires required her to visitt the doare and Luchyn by lyke chaunce reiterate his appeale with semblable somonce and salutacions of accustomed courtesie she fixed her eyes vppon her worke dissemblinge not to sée the thinge whiche her harte colde not brooke and her eyes detested to beholde and douting that vnder the vailâ— of that masqued humilitie and kynde of courtinge not conuenient for her callynge might lurke some secrete mischiefe and displeasure of doble consequence she semed to abhor bothe the one and the other with equal detestacion and conuerting his sighes into ayre and teares to paye hym the hier of his follie she seamed only to supplie the whole tyme of her beinge there in the companie of her companions leauing pore Luchyn no lesse amased at theys newe toyes and trickes of a haggarde then at the first he tooke pleasure when she requited him with semblable glée al which notwithstanding colde neyther discourrage him froÌ„ the pursute of the resolucion of his mynde nor put him in dispaire of his future fortune thinckynge that time wold remoue the vaile of her rigour and conuert her into a creature more plyable assisted therin with thoppinioÌ„ of such as accompting smal conquest of things gotten with litle labour do yelde the greateste glorie to that whiche is won with thertremitie of time and trauell And being still norished with the hope of victorie renewed eftesones his purmenades palewalkes affore herdoare aduauncing hym self so farfurth somtimes that he entred into deuise discourse of loue albeit so coldly that the same neither declared thymportance of his desier nor bewrayde the present passion of his minde whereunto notwithstanding she gaue so slender regarde that her replie dismissed him w t no lesse contentemente for the presente then lykelihood of better successe hereafter It is a custome amongest the Ieneueys and all the prouince about that the young men hauing poeseys of flowers and meting their mistresses in the stréetes or elswhere may present theym there with without any mislike or cause of suspicion of the people beyng also a note of no lesse curtesie for the woman hauing flowers in her hande or bossome to make lyke retourne to her seruant whyche kynde of courtyng thamarus Luchyn forgatt not too prefer as a testey of hys seruice and furtherer of his sute for watchynge longe tyme the hawnte of his mistres he found her at laste not onely aloane and voyde of compainie but in place conuenient to put his longe requeste vppon tearmes whiche gretinge of fortune or gifte of happie chaunce yf it were welcomme to hym I leaue it to the iudgemente of suche as languishynge in the lyke disease dare neyther discouer their gréefe nor demaunde their due remedie and hauynge of purpose peraduenture certeine Ielly flowers in his hande whiche were of more price because winter raged then with extremitie of coulde the chiefeste enemye too flowers and tender boods on th earth he saluted her with his requeste in this sorte Yf the continuance of my seruice were hable to warrant me at leÌ„gth the merite of the same or the offer of any hope in y e meane time had vertue to procure moderatioÌ„ to my passion the one shold not ende but by the sentence of death and the other wolde I embrace as a speciall preseruer of my life but seynge the one is of no lesse momente with you then the other vnlikely too happen I am dryuen to exclaime agaynste youre beautie as the onelye cause of my gréefe and entire enemye to my rest but chieflye thunnaturall rigour which you suffered to rampier hym selfe so depely in thintralles of your hart and séele your eyes of compassion agaynst me that you will neyther admit my teares sighes and other pitifull regardes without nomber whereof the pale complexion of my face with other trembling ioyntes of therterior partes haue made sufficient declaracion nor credit the infynit simptomes and thundringe alarams whiche the only glymmeringe viewe of your bewtie ceasseth not to minister to the weake forces of my feble harte who as your prisoner ready to resigne the keyes and castel of his libertie is heare becom the pitiful solycitor of his own cause coniuringe you by that compassion which ought to accompanie so rare and precious an ornamente of nature to remoue at laste the vaile of youre former crueltie and in beholdinge what power loue hath giuen you ouer me to dismisse all delaies of comfort and admit me into your seruice that haue vowed neuer to departe out of the least of your commaundementes whereunto she was driuen to answere rather by compulsion of the place and tyme then any desyer to debate wyth him in a matter of such vanitie The merite of your seruice Sir sayth she is farr greater then I can or may graunte his due méede and your passion like to be restored by her that is ignorante of the cause and lesse knoweth the order of your disease And touchinge the reste of youre protestacion coated rather withe argumentes of illusions and subtill cerimonies to seduce my simplicitie thenne any resemblance of vertue or intente to expose the frutes of true affection I can not aunswere with other tearmes then iuste disdayne of youre liberall offer with litle care you vse to the reputacion of myne honour neyther is it to me that you ought to addresse thys ambushe or traine of allurementes considringe the inequalitie of our houses denieth a consente of mariage and to graunte loue to one that craues it in other sorte thenne thinstitucion of that sacred lawe dothe allowe I thynke if no lesse detestable afore god then a spot of perpetuall infamye which tyme it selfe can not rase out of the remeynder of my house and small honor is it for you to pursue a queste of
so litle a vaile whose begynninge as it proceded of a superfluytie of founde humors raginge withoute reason or guide of vertue so the contynuance wyll ymporte but a discredit to your calling and the end yeld you neyther content meÌ„t nor commendacion wherfore I pray you suffer th assurance of my vertue to worke her force who in correctinge the ronning appetit of your follie wyll make you mayster of your selfe and let not so vaine a thinge as the simple glaunce of bewtie which is more apte to declyne then hable to indure preuaile aboue your aunciente estimacion of honor nor draw you wythout the lymittes and bondes of your callinge for for my parte I haue inclosed myne honor and life together in one vessell wyth intent to make a presente of theym bothe at one instant to hym whom I beseche maye take awaye your traunce and restore you to your entyer and defende mée at all tymes from thinuasion of so pernicious an enemye What sayth he not wythout some argument of collor do I seame altogether vnworthy of your fauor or am I not likely to performe thoffer of my seruice both the one and the other Quod Ianiqneta for I oughte not nor wyll not passe a graunt of my good wyll to any but suche as the Lawe of the Churche and consente of my frendes shall enioyne me to marie neither can you do agreater wrong to your own estimacion then in embasing your greatnes to becom the seruant of so pore a mayde as I And albeit you were contented to make an equallitie and indifferent distribucion of the greatnes of your estate wyth the litle estymacion that for tune hath preferred me vnto yet the grudge of my coÌ„science quarrelling with the foulnes of y e act wil neither suffer me to admit your offer nor conseÌ„t to your request desiring you for end to exchang your intent and make a present of your seruice to some other that knoweeth how to requit so great a courtesie better then I for I neyther like your phrase nor circunstance and muche lesse determyn to spende any loÌ„ger tyme with you wherewith albeit he began eftesones to replie with y t offer of his flowers which she refuced she whipped into the house and shoot the doare vppon the nose of her amarus clyent who became so amased with the soddaines of the facte that he seamed as one newe fallen out of the clowdes or dreamyng of the disolucion of the world at last being past the misterye of his trauÌ„ce he repaired to his house with his head full of proclamacions where entringe into a warr of newe deuises he seamed to doble his tormente not hable to ymagyn the meane to wyn the good will of the mayde who seamed no lesse harde to be plied then the sharpeste and most steape rockes vpon all the coaste of spaine loue had so infected hym with desier to enioye her that he coulde haue perswaded hym selfe to haue maried her yf it had not bene for the ympedyment of his parentes whose displeasure he knewe wolde stretche so farre that they wolde not sticke too destroye the mayde to th ende the note of such a facte mighte be vtterly extirped and rooted out of the remembrance of all ages besides thestimacion of hym selfe appered also as a staie to his meanyng and the authoritie he bare in the citie of no lesse effecte to diswade him and yet the poison that first infected him preuailing aboue the force of any perswacions presentinge hym eftesones a newe hope to cool the maydenhead of Ianiquette declared vnto him that both she and her parentes were the children of pouertis and that there was no dore so stronge but a golden keye myghte open his locke nor fortresse of such strength but he wolde yelde to thoffer of monye wherefore restored to a freshe hope with the offer of this new deuise and desierus to see what thies ministers cold do by their art he addressed him to one of his neighbors of no lesse familiaritie then great trust w t Ianiquette whom he so coniured with the charme of his pleasant tounge certeine peces of gold that marched betwene theim that shée promised to become the solicitor of his cause and giue such a charge to the maide that she sholde not finde suche conning to confute her raisons as she seamed valliant in the repulse of thassaltes of her louer who because his messeinger shold not departe vnarmed at all pointes he willed her to be no nigarde of large promisses offrynge wholl mounteines of golde siluer or Iewells or any other thinge of what price so euer it were that seamed any waie hable to perce her and make her plyable to his desier and if she be assailed saith he with the comon feare that trobles all women I meane yf she doute the swelling of her bellye assure her that I will not onely mary her to her conteÌ„tacion but make her porcion worthe a thousande doccates his neyghbour albeit her arte was not to deale in messages of loue and that shée estemed greatly the chastetie of maydes yet comparinge the pouertie of Ianiquette with his present promisse to releue it gaue hym eftesones a seconde assurance of her diligence with protestacion to make her strike sayle and comme vnder hys lee wherein shee was deceiued for neyther his large promisses nor presentes of greate price coulde perswade her and much lesse thoracion of the messenger who vttered the cause of her comming in this sorte Recordyng my girle the harde condicion of thy presente state I fynde the same more subiecte to a clymatt of longe contynuance then in hope or apte to be reliued by any industrie of thy parents who albeit haue he retofore enioyed the goodnes of fortune and borne a porte of honeste callynge yet thowe seeste they are nowe in the daunger of desolatioÌ„ and fallen so farre into the mallice of pouertie that they wante meanes not only to supplie the needy disposicion of their owne lyfe but also to preferr the to aduauncemente due to thy deseruyng I greue no lesse also to see the flower of thy youth slyp away by such stealthe and the pyninge misery of thy pareÌ„ts to be an impedimeÌ„t to the prefermeÌ„t of thy beauty which albeit is honored of a noÌ„ber w t the offer of marriage yet wheÌ„ thei haue sifted thy state tried to thutermost the small inheritance and simple dowrie of thy father they do not only disclayme their sâ—te but seame to departe and breake of as thoughe they were infected with some contagius disease of your house wherefore seinge the dispaire in thy parentes habilitie takes awaye all hope of assistance at their handes or by their meanes and that fortune once in the course of our life dothe put into our handes the offer of a good torne yf thowe wilte repose thy selfe vppon my aduise I will sett the in better state then euer was the beste of thy house the maide dowtynge no trayson in
her olde neighbour with lesse exspectacion to heare that whyche she ymagyned least enquired her opynion My aduise saith shée I knowe will driue you into some amase at the firste as a thinge neyther conuenient for myne age nor seamely for my callynge and disagreing wholly from myne auncient order and custome of doynge albeit yf thou make a care of thy proffitt thowe wilte not sticke to pursue the benefitt of thy fortune neyther will my councell ymporte suche preiudice for the presente as the sequeile in shorte tyme yelde the a tribute of treble proffitt I haue hard of late that there is a young gentleman in this towne so extremely in loue and desierous of thy beautie that he accomptes nothinge so deare as the thinge that maye lyke the and yeldeth detestacion to that which thou loathest neither wolde he spare the massie store of his treasure or large reuenue of his liuinge nor sticke to make the perill of hys life the price of thy good will and fauor with this addicion also that if thou wilte make hym the maister of his request and passe a graunte of that he requires to prouide the mariage to thy contentacion with the dowrie of a thousande doocates whereof I haue comission to make the assurance me thinkes a falte don in secrett is halfe perdoned and one offence bringes no custome of synne wherefore vse thy discrecion and thynke that tyme will dispatches the of hym when thou maiste reatorne home loaden with the spoile of his richesse and Iewells Here Ianiquette suppressing the iust cause of her anger with a meruelous modestie not commonly séene in one of her calling and bringing vpp seamed for the only respect of the old yeres of her neighbour to close her mouthe from open exclamacion agaynste her lewde abuse and aunsweringe wyth more moderacion then thimportance of her wronge required replied in thys sorte What villanye can be greater then to make a common merchandise of that whiche ought not to be boughte but by vertu or what disposicion of more detestacion in any christyen then for a woman to make a sale of her honor and measure so precious a Iewell by the price of her proffit Do you thinke that eyther the view of riches or Iewels or prodigall offers w t large promisses are hable to do more then the long offer of seruice wyth general commendacion of the giftes that be in hym whyche hath suborned you to preferr this embassage or who is she of so villenus a nature to with stande the sondry alarames of teares wyth pitifull somonce of so many sighes and yelde at lengthe to the detestable heralte of all corruption No no if I had liked the bargaine my consent had come fréely without the earneste pennye of filthye mariage whych you seame to prefer with an offer of a dowrie confirmed by an assurance or warrantie of your cōmission is it possible that yeldinge hym the flower of my virginitie to make a profession of true frendshippe to anye other but that the blodde of shame will renewe the remembrance of my former falte sewer if he preuaile so farre and wyn that point of mee the place shal be seuerall to hymselfe and the breach not entred by any other neither shal he tryumphe longe in the victorye nor I liue to Lament the losse for as it is the true propertie of a pure maide to defend that ornament to thuttermost gaspe of her breath and if by destenie the force of the oppresser preuaile aboue her strength to persecute hym to deathe with the losse of her owne life so if I be not hable to performe the one these handes shal be the bloodye ministers of the other to the greate contentement of me open shame of him that shal suruiue for it is long since I was perswaded that an honest death is the renowme of the life passed for y e rest to thend the present wrōg you haue don me maye serue hereafter to state y e course of your rashenes in the like affaires with promisse protestatiō to procede no further in like dishonestie I pray you perswade your selfe that if you conclude knitt vp the latter remeinder of your yeres in the practise of abhominable indeuours the commendacion of your lyfe passed wil be conuerted into the title of a common bawde swearyng vnto you for my parte by the fayth of a pure virgin that if it were not for the respecte of the honestie I haue hitherto noted in you honor that I owe to the olde yeres and vertue of your age I wolde so publishe your doinge that your presente message shoulde reproche you in what companie so euer you comme Wherewith she so choaked her olde neygbor that was not so misticall in the conueigh of suche trades as diuers of our chandellors and supersticious basket bearers in London who not onely make a profession of baudrie but liue by the filthye gaine procedynge of that art and hauynge nothynge to replye desiered Ianiquetta to pardon her alledginge that the care and compassion she had of her pouertie procured those tearmes rather then any desyer to seduce her and so departynge with her short shame lesse proffit made particular relacion of her successe to the amarus Luchyn who hearinge the sentence of dispaire seamed no lesse passioned with present dollor then if he had bene sharpelye assayled wyth a fitt of the burnynge feauer he entred straighte waye into the pageante of a madd man pasinge his chamber wyth vncerteine steppes and throwing his armes a crosse vppon his breast with his eyes directed to the heauens began to ymagyn howe to passe the misterye of this traunce whiche soddaine scilence serued chiefly as a speciall supplie to restore the warre with contraryetye of hys thoughtes for the more he wente aboute to extirpp the remembrance of his mystres and committ her to vtter obliuion the more he made hym selfe subiect to her beautye and grafted more strongelye the rootes of affection in the bottome of his harte And sewer it is no small matter for a man that is in loue pursewing the good will of his Ladye wyth contynuall importunityes the space of two or three yeres and receyue nothynge but the offer of a vaine and vncerteine hope whiche féedes the mynde wyth suche suggestions and argumentes of good successe that euery repulse seames to present a flatterynge fauor and the breath of euerye rigorous worde importes an intisinge allurement vntil dispaire blowing the retraite of that warre do publishe his commission to dismisse all hope and likelyhood of future success The large feldes enuyronnynge the greate citie of Ieyne seamed to lacke skoape and compasse to comprehende the multitude of thoughtes wyth diuersitie of ymaginacions that euen nowe occupied the head of Luchin who exclaymynge vppon the haggarde disposition of his mistres forgatt not also to forge cause of complaint againste loue for that as a blynde guide he had ladd hym into the bottomles golphe of fancie and
who when they wéepe are pleased with tryffles delytinge more in the lollynge of the nursse then in the offer of A monarke But nowe to Ianiquetta who durynge the solitarie time and desolate aboade of Luchyn in his house was maried by the trauell and assistance of her frendes to a mariner or maister of a shipp whose trade was to conueye the marchantes of all partes from porte to porte as their traffique and trade required this mariage was no soner performed in the churche but fame fyllynge the eares of LVCHYN made hym partaker of the newes with aduyse to renewe the earneste of hys fomer bargayne wyth a doble diligence and treble desyer preferrynge as it were an assured hope of spedye victorye the rather for that hée accompted the mariage a conuenient meane to couer the falte of his fowle desier wherein he receyued a successe of his former attemptes for she that detested hys indeuour beyng at libertie thoughte the offence of doble disposicion in offendynge God and the worlde in breakynge the league of her faith and vowe of obedience to her husbande ▪ whose simplicitie and state subiecte to néede and lacke Luchyn forgatt not to feede with large proffers of his frendshyppe in suche sorte as what with the hope of his assistance and feare of the authoritie he bare then in the citie he had him as it were in a famyliar awe neyther suspectynge his accesse too his house nor mislikynge his conference with his wyfe of whome notwithstandynge he coulde not obteyne but the vse of wordes whyche as she durste not denye for the respecte of awe and honour whiche her husbande bare to hym so hauynge a notable wisdome ioyned with her rare gifte of chastetie reposynge her selfe in the grace of GOD to defende her honour kepte his meanynge secrette and woulde not communicate the fowlenes of his intente to anye and muche lesse to her waspishe husbande leauynge in example to all Ladies not sufficiente in vertue rather to resyste all suche alarams of theyme selues or at leaste make a secrett concealement then in bewraynge theyr awne weaknes to breede a bées neste in the heades of their husbandes wyth reaportes of small substance But nowe the amarus traffique of Luchyn and common haunte to the mariners house began to bréede a doubt of his doing amongest his nearest frendes who not knowinge of the mariage of IANIQVETTE ymagyned what might happen and as careful gardeines of their nephewe studied to preuent the wourste wherfore leaste thalluremente of her bewtie and disposiciō of his follie might vnhappely conclud a secret contract betwene theym they accosted hym one day wyth earnest request that in ceassing at last to pursewe the wanton instigacions of his youthe he wold crosse saile and retire to a trade of honest life wherin saye they verye loath to offende hym albeit we haue no great cause to infer ymputacion of any haynous enormytie or desorder not conueniente yet seinge the pleasante tyme of youre younge yeres slipp awaye vnder a vaile of vaine and barreine life whose sequeile if in tyme you abridge not the race of your Ronninge course argues no small inconuenience to your selfe with greate discredit to your deade father we haue thought good to enter into deuise for preseruinge of that whyche yet remeines and to preuent the malice of future tyme wherefore accordyng to the credit and resolued truste reaposed in vs by your late father the verye remembrance of whome restores vs to a speciall care and zeale of youre honor and well doinge we wishe you to conuert this ydle and desolate order of liuing into a disposicion and desier of honest mariage wherby you shall not only deceiue thexspectaciō of y t had sorte deuyninge already of your destruction but eschewe the sentence of ordinary mischiefe appoynted to fall vppon suche as wallowing in sensuall pleasures regarde not the honor and estimacion of their house and whiche appeares euen readie to thonder vpon you if you dispatche not youre selfe of the principall cause of this great and ymynente misfortune wherin for a declaracion of the special care we haue of you we present you heare wyth a franke offer of our traueile diligence and councel to be ready at all tymes to assiste you in the choise of her whom god shal enioyne you to make the lawfull com panion of your bedd The younge man vnderstanding sufficiently their intent cutt of their further discourse wyth hys promise not onelye to make spedie exchaunge of his former trade but also commits hym selfe whollie to their discrecion and wysedomes wyth resolucion to be ready to enter into mariage with such one as they iudged of equalytie and euery way cōuenient for his condicion calling wherin there was such expedicion of diligence vsed by his frendes that wythin a space of two or thre monethes he was maried no lesse richely then honorablie and to a bewtie sufficient to contēt a reasonable man whereof if any reioyced wyth good cause I thinke it was poore Ianiquette who perswadinge herselfe to be ryd by thys meanes of an ymportunat clyent blessed the goodnes of her fortune in prouidinge so well for thennemye of her honor and deliueringe her wyth honestie from y e daunger of hys charmes albeit her conceyte was aunswered wythe a contrarye successe And as our nature for the moste parte now a dayes is growen to such corruption by a contynual desier of filthie gaine that as Aristotle sayth nothing is hable to satisfye the couetusnes of man Euenso thinfection of loue after hee haue once preuayled aboue the wholesome partes in vs is of suche wonderfull operacion that he doth not only choke the gift of our vnderstanding in suche sort as we are founde more apte to embrace the thinges that be hurtfull then hable to followe the loare of wisedome and vertue but also takes awaye the respect and dutie of our conscience whyche you may easely descerne in the discurse of thys Luchyn who notwithstandinge the vowe he made to god and honor that euery man ought to geue to mariage cold not content hym selfe wyth the companye of his owne wyfe but renewed hys resorte wythe alarames of freshe ymportunyties to poore IANIQVETTA whyche being noted and spied diuers times of his wife made her doubt that which was not and albeit she was resolued of a participacion and equalitie of loue yet she feared not muche that the mariners wife deceiued her of any thinge that she accompted due to herselfe for that the common reaport of her chaste and honeste life assured her of the contrary chieflye she repined that so vaine a hope shoulde wythdrawe hym from her companye feling wyth all a certeine wante in thaccomplishment of the exercise and desier of the bedd at hoame And truly as there is nothing more hurtful to the breach of amytie betwene the good man and wife then when the stronger parte conuertes his affection confirmed by vowe into a disposicion and desier to abuse the
pitie to your poore Ianiquette who if euer she offended you is here come to yelde her to your mercie and takynge suche vegance as you thynke good to ymploye her further in the seruice that beste maye lyke you onely I commende vnto your goodnes the wretched state of my children whose miseries accompained with a contynuall crye for releeffe hath here presented me prostrat at your féete kissing y e same with no lesse humylitie then signe of submission wythe request eftsones to accept the offer of youre hande mayde in recompence of the wronge I haue heretofore don you but chiefly alas to redeme my children from the rage and vyolence of hounger and prolonge their lyues that oughte not yet to take ende by the Lawe and course of nature Here loue and pitie seamed to quarrell wythin the harte of Luchyn the one puttinge the praye into his handes prouoked hym to croppe the frutes of his longe desier the other defendinge the cause of the wretched captiue preferred perswacions to the contrarye puttinge hym in remembrance y t the glory can not bée greate where the victorye is won by vnlawfull meanes neyther colde hée tryumphe in a better conqueste then in ouercommynge hym selfe to dismisse her wythout vyolacion wherfore comparing her former constancie with the extreme causes that procured her presente offer respectinge also the duetie of hys owne conscience did not only determyne to assiste her pouertie wyth succor of sustentacion but also to absteine hys handes from deflowringe so rare aparagon wherewyth hée tooke her from the grounde kissing her watery chieke sayde vnto her do awaye these teares of dule and conuert the remembrance of auncient sorowe into an vnfayned hope of present consolecion reapose your selfe vpon the vertue of your inuincible chastetie and ymagyne you haue receiued the due meritte of the same for for my parte god forbidd that the malice of your presente necessitie yeldynge you into my handes shoulde make me gréedie to get that whyche loue colde not conquere nor spoâ—le you of the thinge whych I oughte and will holde in chiefe veneracion wherin being thus by your vertue made maister of my self I fele also mortefied in me the wanton suggestions which earst moued me to loue only the bewtie and body of Ianiqueta and now that reason is be come my guide and distresse rather then loue hathe made you thus prodigal of your honor for the sustentacion of your children yt shal suffice me to haue you at my coÌ„mandemeÌ„t withoute anye affore of wronge to your estimacion or honestie And as your chastetie doth challenge her rewarde so because it is you that is to glory in the gifte of so greate a vertue and I to yelde tribute for that treason I haue wroughte you I assure you here in the mouthe of a gentleman not onely to furnish you of all thinges necessarie with honor and estymacion equall to myne owne sister but also to be as carefull of your reputacion as heretofore I haue sought to seduce and spot it with lasciuious infamy Ianiquetta was restored here to doble contentment bothe to haue her pudicitie respected and vndowted assurance of the liberal promisse of the curteous Luchyn whych she would eftsones haue acknowledged with an humble prostitucion and kissinge of his féete but that he not liking such supersticious reuerence preuented her intente and presented her by the hande vnto his wife wyth these wordes Because the conceite of the Ieleus mynde is seldome satisfyed til the cause of the suspicion be cleane taken away and that the grudge is neuer appeased till thoffendor be punished I haue here broughte you the cause of your greatest doubt with the vision that so many nightes hathe appered in your dreame and broken the swéete course of your naturall sléepe enioyninge you full authoritie to commit her to what penance you will giuinge the stroke of vengance at your own discrection to whom she aunswered that if she had no more cause to be doubtfull of his doinges then raison to bée Ielous of the honestie of the poore woman she had béene as frée from suspicion as far froÌ„ cause of disquiet neyther had her eyes anye cause to complaine of thimpediment of sléepe nor her braine so often assailed wyth the Alaram of hollowe dreames for thexperience and proofe of her vertue sayth shée dyd alwayes assure mee of her honestye whyche yett wyll not stowpe to the malice of thée tyme nor loase the glorye of her renowmée althoughe fortune haue layde her heauye hande vppon her in takynge a waye her husbande whiche temperat modestie in hys wyfe doubled his affection with confyrmation of a sincere good wyll towardes her for euer And in recitinge the laste chaunce and discourse passed betwene hym Ianiquette he saide that if she knewe in what sorte he had kepte his fayth towarde her she woulde not doubte to put hym on the phile of moste true and loyal husbandes willynge her to take her furnishe her with all prouision and other thinges necessarie with no lesse care and liberall allowance then if it were for his deare sister whereunto she put no lesse expedicion then her selfe had cause to reioyce in the honeste continencye of her husbande all whiche beinge made immediatly a common brute thorowe the citye became also of greate wonder amongest the people aswell for that thinstigation of harde necessitie had made Ianiquette ployable to that which she hath longe refuced with great detestation as also for the heroicall vertue of the gentleman who abhorring the wicked offer of fortune and time conuerted his lasciuious desier norished in his intralles by so longe contynuaunce into a disposicion of vertue contrarie to the exspectation of all men An example suer worthie of greate veneracion and wherin the sensuall appetites are so restrayned and gouerned by the rule of raison that I doubte whether the Romaines haue noted more continencye in their Fabia Emilya or Scipyo or the Grecians in theyr olde Xenocrates who is not so meritorious of coÌ„mendation for that being charged with yeres he made a proffe of his chastetie as this Luchin who in y e glorie of his age and full of the hoatt humours of youth made a conqueste of his affections wyth a wonderfull showe of vertue and vndoubted signe and assurance of the perfection of his fayth for whych cause I haue noted vnto you his hystorye which also I wyshe myghte serue to sturre vpp the fraile youthe of our dayes to the ymitacion of the lyke vertue remembryug by the viewe of this discourse that the sensuall appetites and prouocation of the fleshe are not of suche force but they are subiecte to correction neyther is loue so inuincible but the wise and vertuous man maye kepe hym alwayes in awe so that he giue hym not to muche libertye at the first nor creaditt to muche the instigation and humour of his owne fancie FINIS The argument WHose youth and yeres of folly haue made an
moderacion in his pleasures the tyran and morderor moued to compassion touching the cause of thin nocent and the vnthrift reclaymed to an honest staie of lif whiche makes me of opynion that this passion giuen vs by nature albeit it be an infection of it selfe yet it serues also as a contrepoison to driue out another venym according to the propertie of the Scorpion which of her selfe and in herself carieth the sting of mortal hurte and oyntmeÌ„t of spedie remedie thoccasioÌ„ of preseÌ„t death and meane to preserue life not meaning for all this to perswade that it is of necessitie we make our selues subiect altogether to this humor of good and euill disposicioÌ„ nor allow them that willingly incurr the perill of such fre ymprisonment but placinge it for this tyme amongest thinges of indifferent tolleracion because he neither seamed blind nor void of discrecioÌ„ on the behalf of those whose eraÌ„ples I meane to prefarr in this historie I maye boldlie aduoche that which we call affection to be a passion resembling in som respect the condicion of true amytie and yet not muche vnlike for the moste parte the generall euill whiche the Grecians â—al Philautia and we tearme by the title of loue or vaine flatterie of our selues chiefly when we see any so frently to his desiers that to satisfye the inordinat thruste or glot of his gredie appetit he forgettes hothe honor and honestie with the respect and duetie of his conscience besides what ymages of vertue curtesie or bowntiful dispocision soeuer our louers do ymagyn in theim whom they serue dymming the eyes of the worlde wyth a miste of dissembled substance as thoughe the cause of their liberall offer of seruice were deriued of an intent of honest frendshippe yet their trauailes that way concludes we se with other end for that they hunt only the chase of pleasure procedinge of the viewe of an exterior bewtie wherin their meaninge is sufficiently manifeste in the sugred oracions discourses of eloquent stile which those amarus orators seme to prefer when their mindes occupied whollie in the contemplacion of their mistresses do commit the praise of the perfection in their Ladies to the filed fordge of their fine tongue in which what other thing do they more chiefly commend then a deuyn misterie or conninge worke of nature painted with a dy of white or redd in her face A delicate tongue to dilate of matters of fancie an entysinge countenance with a grace and behauiour equal with the maiestie of a princes al which as they argewe the vanitie of him that reapose delite in such fondnes differinge altogether from the true ornamentes of the soule or pattorne wherby the perfectioÌ„ of vertue is discerned by thunfayned workes and absolute accion So dismissing this fond philosophie not coÌ„tending greatly whether loue be a natural corrupcion or a thing perticipating with vertue we may be bold to aduouche his power to preauile in things which seame of ympossibilitie to thother passions that be common vnto vs for what thinge can be of greater force in a man then that which constrainynge an alteracion of custome and breach of that which by contynuance hath taken rote within vs doth make as it were A new body and the mynd a meare straunger to her former cogitacions which I neither inferr without cause nor menteyne this argument without great reasoÌ„ for that as of al the vices which spot the lif of maÌ„ ther is none except y e excecrable syn of whoredom which makes vs soner forget god good order then the detestable exercise of vnlawful game neither are we so hardly reclaymed froÌ„ any thing as that cutthrote delite for that it is almost as possible to conuert the crueltie of a she wolffe or lyones into a present mekenes as to mortefie the desier of plaie in him which hath bene norrished and nozelled therin froÌ„ the beginning of his yeres Euen so notwithstanding the force of loue wrought such a misterie in an vnthrist of Naples that of the mo ste prodigall and ryotous spendor that hath bene noted in any age hee made a most staide and sparing gentlemaÌ„ that Italy hath brought furth of many yeres since or afore his time Albeit euen vpon the point and beginning of his new fondacion beinge redie w t all to expose frutes of his happye chang frome euill to good trade he was encowntred wyth the malice of his destinies which abridged hys felicytie and life in one moment wherof you maye discerne a manifeste profe in the sequeile of the historie folowing PERILLO SVFFRETH muche for the loue of Carmosyna and marienge her in the ende vvere both tvvo striken to deathe with a thonderbolte the firste nighte of their vnfortunat mariage IT happened not long synce in the riche and populus Citie of NAPLES who norrisheth ordinarylie an infinitie of youth of all degrees that amongest the rest of the wantons broughte vpp there at that tyme there was one named Anthonio Perillo who enioyenge a libertye more then was necessarye to one of so younge yeres and greene vnderstandyng made absolute declaracion affore the race of youthe did stopp in hym what it is to passe the yeres of correction without the awe of parentes tutour or controller for his father hauyng performed his Jornaye whiche nature appointed hym in this woorlde resigned hys bodie to earthe and his goodes and possessions to his sonne who fyndyng so manye golden cotters and chestes full of treasure to assiste his prodigal and wanton dispocision forgat not ymediatly to enter into the trade of a licencius life Wherein he founde no staye nor ympedyment to his will for that the necligence of his father had lefte hym withoute the awe or authoritie of any And albeit in the life of his father he was a continuall hawnter of the Berlea or common house of vnthriftie exercises where for wante of sufficient demers to furnishe his desier with skill in casting the three deceitfull companions of blacke and white vppon a square table he was forced often tymes to forbeare to playe and learne conynge in lokyng vppon yet tyme with his owne diligence made hym so artificiall that beyng but a cryer of awme there were fewe hable to excede his sleyghte in castinge twelue affore sixe of two dyce or tooke halfe so good accomte or regarde to the course of the cardes and yet notwithstanding he was not so wel grownded in the principles of his arte but often tymes his conyng beguilyng hym he was preuented with a contrarie sleighte and onelye his purse paide the charge of the whole companye whiche was not vnmarked of some two or three of the famyliars of hys father the respect of whose frendship and vertue with sondrie argumentes of ymynent destructioÌ„ to his sonne moued theym to enter into tearmes of admonicion layinge affore him the circumstance of his sondrie faltes but chiefly reprehendinge the greate wronge he did to his owne estimacion for that the waye to atteyne to renowne
a wretched and stinkinge dongeon here maye be noted one chiefe frute of couetous desier and an effecte of filthie gaine when the gredie mynde in goinge about to glott thappetit of his coffers leaueth an example of his wretched follie to all ages Oh howe happie be they who contented with the gifte of a meane fortune do not seke to loade shippes and remeine from hower to hower within thrée inches of death either to be buried in the bellies of the monsters in the Sea or beinge caste vppon some deserte shoare to serue as praye to the deuouring Iawes of wilde beastes was it not sufficiente alas to be touched with the experience of a repulse in loue but y t I must fele the heauye hande mobilitie of fortune in an element more incoÌ„stante then the variable course of the moone Ah Carmosyna what wroÌ„g dost thou to my misery if thy teares do not helpe to lament my distress seing y t in seking to haue the to my wyfe I am maryed to a heauie burden of boltes and shackells of yron and in place of my mariage bedde with the my destenies haue appoynted me a pillowe of carthe in a darke and filthie hoale where notwithstanding yf there were any offer of hope eftesones to enioye thy presence I coulde easely disgeste the Symptomes of my martirdome and in attenâ—â—ng the happie consent of such good fortune to make a plaiâ—ante exercyse of my presente and paynefull ymprisonment By this tyme fame had ymparted the desolacion of our venturers to the whole Citie of Naples not withoute the generall sorowe of all men and speciall teares of such as were contributarie to the losse albeit makyng of necessitie a vertue tyme gaue ende to their dollor and dismissed theym all with desier to redeme his captif frend but Carmosyna knowyng her PERILLO to be one of the miserable nomber and waighing the circumstance of his mishapp whiche stode vppon tearmes of more extremitie then all the reste bothe for that by the losse of his porcion she douted to set him on foote againe and muche more dispaired of meanes to paye hys raunson entred into suche presente rage that she was redy to vse force againste herself whereunto she hadd putt an effect if it had not bene for her gouernesse who reprehending sharply her wilfull follie appeased at laste with greate raison her desperatt intente conuertynge the furious humor of the desolate mayde into a riuer of teares distillynge a mayne downe her reasie chekes complayninge notwithstandynge with tearmes of gréef the misfortune of her frende but chiefly for that her selfe was the principall cause of his ruynous estate and that the rude aunswere of her father forced him to abandon his countrey for the gaine of a contynuall captiuitie Ah infortunat girle saieth she and insatiable couetusnes in the old age of my father who in refusing the honest request of Perillo respected more the masse of filthie treasure then the vertues or good disposicion in the younge man Why wolde not he consider that the manners of men do chaunge of a prodigall youthe procedes a sparing olde man neither oughte we to dispaire of his recouerie who fynding y e falte of his owne follie disposeth him selfe to amendment of life what cause of care hathe he either of the pouertie or richâ—â—â— of his children after his death seynge the remembrance of the worlde dekayeth with the loss of lyfe can he carie with hym any care of our aduauncement seynge he is forced to leaue behynde hym the thynge whyche is more deare vnto hym then the prosperetie or healthe of hys children yf he presente me with a husbande and porcion of a kingdom the offer of no millions shall mortefie in me the loue I beare my PERILLO neither is it a vertue to sell affection for the price of monie and muche lesse to seame to loue hym whom my harte can not brooke for there is neyther pleasure nor contententent where the mynde is not in quiett No no lett hym vse the skoape of hys crabbed age and do what he thynkes good for my parte I will not be desloyall on the behalfe of hym who I knowe honoreth me with sincere affection neyther shall he lye longe in prison nor contynue any tyme the sonne of pouertie for I knowe wher be a companie of duckattes whyche sawe no lyghte since I hadde the vse of discrecion whyche I doute not will bothe pawne his deliuerie and furnyshe hym wyth a seconde trade more fortunate I hope then the firste and for my parte the gréenes of my age gyueth me leaue to suspend certeine yeres without any haste to marie wherein she demaunded thassistance of her gouernes who gaue her not onely a firme assurance of her ayde but also promised a supply of monie towardes the furniture of her expedicion desieringe her for the reste to do awaye all argumentes of dollar leaste the same discouered her passion to her father wherein as they consumed certeine monethes in beauise to deliuer PERILLO with secrett practisses in leuienge the price of his raunsom so fortune began to enter into tearmes of pitie towardes hym and preuented the meanyng of his mystris by takyng hym oute of prison in sorte as you shall heare Wherein albeit she exceded the mayde with spede in excucion yet oughte wee to gyue the title of worthie thankes to Carmosyna whose example of vertue in this case I wishe maie soÌ„mon a remorce to our lighte and inconstante dames nowe a dayes who are so incerteine in true affection that the respecte of presente pleasure takes awaye the remembrance of their absente frende and maketh theim vnmyndfull of the faith of their former promisse wherin I am not prouided to enter into argument at this presente bothe for that I doâ—t to gaine displeasure in discoueryng a truth and also suche discourse is without the compasse of my comissioÌ„ whiche is nowe to recompte vnto you the deliuerie of pore Antonio Olde Minyo the father of Carmosyna had ioyned with hys richesse and desyer of worldly gaine certeine vertues and commendable giftes as veraye deuote in visiting the churches and places of prayer of a charitable disposicion in releuing the distresse of thafflicted and so full of compassion on the behalf of the nedie that seldome any pore man departed from hym emptie handed besides he extended amerueilus charitie and acte of pitie to the desolate captiues amongeste the Moares in suche sorte as making euery yere a voyage into Barbaria he made an ordinarie to redeme and bring awaie with hym ten or twelue christian prisoners of whome such as were hable restored the price of their raunson whithout any interest thinkinge the gaine sufficient in that he was the cause of their deliuerie but the reste he sente frelie into their countrey exspectynge the méede of that vertue at the handes of god with this onely charge that in remeÌ„brance of the benefit they wold not forget him in their priuat praiers The gifte of
battaill or combatt of experienced knyghtes then an exercise of delicate youth not yet accustomed to beare the burden of armour and lesse acquainted with the trauell of warr wherewith aswell inconsideracion of the present towardnes in the wydowes son with corage to contynue hys trade so well begon as also to féede the hope and showe of his future vertue he was admitted the nexte mornynge into the order of knigthode inuested with the coller of sainte Andrewe and other ceremonies of spaine by the hande of the sayde Philipp who after he had fulfilled the date of his aboue at Barcelonia pursewed his iorney towardes Castile leauyng our newe knyghte Dom Diego reioysinge not a litle in his presente honor ymparted vnto him by his prince retiring with the newes of his good fortune to his owne possession and liuing more to performe tharrerages of his dutie to his mother whom the hadd not sene of longe tyme then with intente to make longe staye there or enter into delite with the pleasures y t be in the contrey wherof notwithstanding he receiued so sewer a taste that his captiuitye in the ende exceded euerye waye in greatnes of greff the restrainte of libertie or other mislike or impedimente he founde at any tyme in the Citye like as also the Poetes haue ymagined that loue pitchinge his tentes in deserte places not apte to discouerye dothe discharge his dartes and arrowes in the thicket of woddes and forestes vppon the borde of the Sea or shaded fountaines and some tyme vppon the heighte of the highest hilles in the pursewte of the Nimphes of all sortes iudginge therby a libertie and moste sewer waye to treate vppon matters of loue without suspicion Ielousye enuie false reaporte synister opinion or common crye of the people to be in the wide and open feldes where they maie be bolde to communicate their mutuall passion without feare of witnesses enioyinge also the pleasures of all kinde of chasses whiche the champion doth norrishe with participacion of the chirpinge harmonie and naturall musicke of birdes and somtime the delitefull noise of sondrye pleasante chanels and siluer streames qualyfyinge in their kinde the vehemencie of their languishinge greeffe and recordinge also with greate ceremonie the firste place of their amarus enteruiew or acquaintance arguynge thereby treble felicitie to suche as abandonynge the sondrie annoyes attendynge continuall abode in the Citie do resort to the pleasant lawndes in the contrey to yelde tribute of their studies to the muse wherunto they be most affected So Dom Diego beinge at hoame loued enterely of his mother serued with all dutifull obedience of his subiectes and seruantes after his ordinarie howers of studie were passed vsed his chief pleasure in thexercise of y e felde I meane some tyme to dislodge the great and loftie hart to dresse the toiles to entrapp the wilde boare and some tyme to trye the goodnes of his hawke with the mayne winge of the hearon or fearefull partridge in the stuble feldes or valleys inuyroned with huge hills wherein one daie amoÌ„gest the rest hunting the wilde goate whiche he had forced from his habitation of the high and craggie rockes he sawe launsing afore hym a harte whiche his dogges had rozed and so hoatly purse wed that to his iudgemente he seamed more then halfe spente wherewith aswell for the pleasure whiche the pastyme it selfe did offer hym as also to ease the traueile of his howndes he putt spurres to his horse forcinge hym to a mayne gallopp wherein he continued till his houndes loasynge the tracke of theyr praye were at defalte and hym selfe without the sighte and hearyng of all hys men wyth suche ignorance of the coste where he was that he knewe no readie waye of retourne to his companie and muche lesse the place where his fortune had put hym greuynge moste in this perplexitie that his horse beinge oute of breath refuced for wante of force to carye hym anye further wherfore after he hadd blowen diuers calls for his men without other aunswere then an Eccho of the woddes and waters he deuided his distresse into two pointes the one to demounte and ease the wearines of his horse the other to retire backe by the same path whyche broughte hym thither wherin his expectation was no lesse frustrate then hym selfe deceiued by the malice of his fortune for that meanyng to take the next way to his castell he mett with a contrarye pathe whiche after he had trauelled the moste parte of the afternoone broughte hym in the ende within the viewe of a stately house builded vppon the side of a hill whiche by certeine markes appearinge on thuttermoste partes of the house albeit argued the contrarie of his intente yet hearinge the bable of certeine hunters ymagininge the same to be his people drewe neare the place whiche discouered aboue his exspectacion A companie of strangers beinge certeine seruantes of the mother of GENIVERA whiche attended their mistres wyth a brase of younge greyhownds that had newlye â—â—â—â—ne a hare to deathe and beinge thus rencountred with this seconde misfortune he grewe also into tearmes of greater destresse then afore for that â—happroche of the nighte begynninge to expose shadoes of darknes vppon the earth by the departure of the son toke from hym all hope of other harbor then the offer of some hollowe trée or greene bedd vppon the grounde when lo thauncient Ladye discernynge betwene the viewe of her eye and regardes of the clowdes whiche hadd not yet cloased in the lyghte of the firmamente the shadowe of a man discendynge from the vppermost parte of a hil wyth his horse in his hande seamynge by his maiestie marching with the semblance of a prince to be some degrée of honor sente one of her men to knowe what he was who reatorned with aunswere accordynge to his demaunde wheruppon the Ladye wydowe with her faire doughter indifferently gladd of thapproche of theyr neyghbour whome albeit they neuer sawe yet fame had made theim partakers of his vertue renowme wente in solemne order to mete hym forgettynge no kynde of curteyse gretyng that belonged to the honor and estate of so noble a personage wherevnto he replied with thankes accordinge to the greatnes of the benefytt with addition that he founde hym selfe greatly in the fauor of fortune for that his painefull trauelle in wandryng so many howers had giuen hym at laste so fit an occasion to visitt the house whereunto he doubted not for his parte to confirme the league of frendshipp begon and happelye continued of longe time by his parentes and predecessours the Ladye whose longe absence from the courte had not diminished her grace in courtelike conference aunswered that if they haue greatest cause of contentements that gaineth the moste or if large benefittes require ample consideration it is she that ought to offer to fortune the sacrafize of thankesgeuinge for that she hadd brought her a guest no lesse deare then the life of her selfe and as welcome
be tenant to the mountes so long as nature he cold agrée vpon the bargain of lyfe but also aduowed vnto hym by othe that withoute the good will of his Geniuera he wolde neuer retorne to hys contrey to auoyde further discouery wold seke to shrowd hym selfe in a place more sauage lesse frequented thē this for saieth he like as my retorne wold bryng but increase of passiō specially in being denied fauor wher I haue foūd a former repulse I besech you let it suffice y t I fele y e burdē of one mishap ceassing to allure me to y e prooff of a secōd affliction wourse I am sewer then my presente punishemente wherunto I haue added a contentement with an immouable pacience wherin his raisons seamed to include such indifferēt iustice and pitie that Roderico cold not replie but with tearmes of compassion with consente that he shoulde contynue his abode there yet ij monethes in whych tyme he sware vnto hym by the honor of knightehodd that for hys parte he would not only make his peace with his cruell mistres but also procure mutuall conference betwene theym assuring hym withall that he should not be discouered by hym nor any of hys trayne wherewith leauynge hym a féelde bedde and ij menne wyth money too furnyshe hys wante he tooke hys leaue wyth firme promisse to sée hym againe in shorte tyme with cause of more contentemente then at that presente he lefte hym full of annoye and hymselfe no lesse disquieted for the trouble of his frende wherin God knoweth in what sorte he detested by the wayes the wilfull crueltie of Geniuera blasphemyng no lesse agaynste the whole secte paraduenture with some raison For there is I can not tel what secret motions in the myndes of women which haue their howers and tymes as thincreasynge or dyminishynge of the moone whereof as it is veray harde without great experience to giue any raison touchinge the cause So we sée it is such a principle or generalitie amongst theime to ymprinte so sewerly in their hartes this fraile or rather inconstante instinctes of mobilitie that the wiseste most subtill that euer was lacke skill to obserue the seasons of this ymperfecte humor Dom Roderico by this was arryued at his house wher he neither forgatt his owne promisse nor the necessitie of hys frende for the nexte daye he wente to the lodgynge of Geniuera not to communicate with her asyett and muche lesse to impart his fortunat encounter in his retorne out of Gascoyn but rather to sounde by some secrett circumstance a farr of the doinges and determination of the girle whether any other vsurped the glorie of the victorie which of righte belonged to his frende Diego wherein he was so subtill in this drifte that he accoasted the page of the gentlewoman in whose bosome was builded the only store house of her moste secret affaires forgettinge therin the precepte of the wise who willes vs to cōmit no councell to suche as are weake of raison and for wāte of discretion do lacke the gifte of secretenes whereby they are not hable to gouerne the libertye of their tounges suche was the simplicitie of this page whose softe humor the knighte fed with such fine dyot that by litle and litle he drew the worme quite from his nose and was made so priuie to the practis of Geniuera that he vnderstode that since her vniuste displeasure with Dom Diego she hadd vowed her good wil to a biskaine as then y e steward of her mothers house a gentleman veray pore but for the rest of sufficiēt perfection that he was now in y e cōtrey frō whence he gaue aduertismēt to his mistres y t within two days he wold come w t ij other his deare frends to take Geniuera awaye by stealth not forgetting also y t he only w t a gētlwoman were appointed to attend her into Byskaye like as they wer priuie to euery circunstance of their secret sleight which discourse of y e boye albeit moued show of inward alteratiō in Roderico chiefly for the infidelity treyson of thinconstant Geniuera yet he dyssimuled so well his fretting anger y t his passion was not discouered by the simple page with whom he ioyned in cōmendacion towching the resolucion of his mistres whom he sayed was not voyde of reason to make her choice by the councell consente of her fancie seynge her mother vsed such slender diligence to bestowe her as she deserued albeit saith he the gentleman be not riche nor of large possessions yet thy mistres hath sufficient meanes to supplye both their wantes that waye only she declareth a vertue in yeldyng so firme affection to his honeste pouertie all which as he pronounced by an other tounge then the true interpretor of his hart so beyng alone cryeng out of thinconstācie of women he seamed to put no difference betwene their wilfull blindnes and natural simplicitie of young infantes who whē they seame most wrabbed their norsse offrīg theim the choice of an aple or tigge a Jewel of gret price are rather appaised with the figge thē once loke of y e thyng of value So some women whether it be the mist of fonde loue y t blaires their eies or the dome of a cursed desteny which god hath appointed to plage their malicius disposiciō seame often times so voide of raisō y t being presented with the choice of two offers far differing in value thei are rather apt to imbrase y e worst then redy to admit y e best which is most cōueniēt for their honor calling he defaced y e beauty of Geniuera with the destoyaltye she vsed towardes her firste seruante condemnynge her iudgement in refusing the frendship of a noble man famous by wealth and vertue the veray parragon of the wholle contrey for the society of a pore cōpanion whose parentes beynge vnknowen argued a doute of hys discente and she altogether astraunger to bys dispocition wherin as he inueighed also indifferently against y e partiallitie of fortune and blindnes of loue who beyng wythoute eyes theym selues do likewise dym the vnderstandinge of such as they kepe in miserable captiuitie So he sware in great rage to caste such a blocke in the waye of the two louers that neyther the biskayn sholde reape the frutes due to the trauaile and seruice of his frende Diego nor his cruell mistres forbeare any longer to sende a pleasante calme to the stormye tempest whiche kepes hym now at anker amongest the perillous rockes of Pireneus For being enformed of this conuenient meane to ease the distresse of his languishinge frend who fedd only of the hope of his promise he failed not to add an assured effect according lie Albeit for his further instruction touching the sewer con ueigh of the misterie he went the seconde daye after to visit the mother of Geniuera wher he vnderstode by the page that the stewarde was come with two
presence drowned wyth thinundacion of vndeserued sorow proceding by his wickednes wherewith her eyes performed her desier with such plentie of teares that there was not one of the companie voyed of compassion on the hehalfe of the dollor whych tormented her not ceassing notwithstanding to perswade her to pitie towarde that poore Diego who beynge newely recouered by the diligence of thassistance sprinkling fresh water of the fountayne vpon his face dyd no soner lift vp his sorowfull lyddes beholdinge the lamentable passion of hys mistres with certeine likelehodes he espied showing an encrease of her disdayne towardes hym but he retired to his former debilitie fallinge downe dead betwene the armes of suche as suported hym and albeit hée was eftsones restored yet the force of hys passion assailed hym stil wyth thrée or foure mortal panges one in the necke of an other in such sorte as the whole company gaue iudgment of hys death amongest the whych Roderico was not the leaste amased who greuing indifferently with thobstinate crueltie of Geniuera and present perill of hys deare freÌ„d Diego was in long debate what pollecie to vse to qualifie the one and preuent the daunger of the other he perswaded that if he killed the willful Geniuera he shold also giue ende to the dayes of Diego for that vpon the viewe and remembrauce of the one depended the life of the other and so in doinge no good to any he sholde commit doble offence to god and the world both in spottinge his soule with vnciuill morder and also to become the author of his death in whose lyfe he reaposed his most worldly felycitie on thother side y e vntowardnes of the girle argued her intractable in suche sorte as hee desiered which confirmed the continuall martirdom of hys frend whose distresse as it moued hym to suche inwarde remorce that to procure his deliuerye he made no conscience to lighte a candle afore the deuill so he gaue a newe charge vppon the good will of Geniuera with gentle perswacions lainge afore her what vertue ought to appere in suche tender and delicate yeres and how greatly the vice of ingratitude defaced the renowme of a gentlewoman assisted wyth crueltie without reason wherein gaininge no lesse then if he had neuer put the deuise in execution he retired to thextremitie of his former threates and last pollecie swearinge that she shoulde fynde no difference betwene the sommonce and effecte seing that by her death he should giue ende to her disdayne and desolate state of hys frende whom as he doubted not woulde deserne in tyme what commoditie it were to purge the ayre of suche contagiouse filthes of ingratefull arrogancie so he was also of opynion that tyme wold yelde commendacion to his fact chiefly for that in preseruinge y e honour of a familie he thought it more expediente to exterminat the two principall offenders then to reserue the lyfe of eyther of them for an vtter extinction of the glorye of the whole house wherefore regarding the rest of his traine hee commanded to laye handes of the obstinate gentlewoman with her two companions with charge to vse no lesse mercy in their seuerall executions then the chiefeste of the three extended pitie to the amarus knighte whyche he thoughte wold yelde vp the ghost afore her The Ladye hearinge the sentence diffinitiue of her life escrâ—ed the morder with open mouthe as yf she had exspected some succour to defende her from deathe wherein her hope was frustrate for the deserte fostred no other companye but suche as were readye in the place to commit execution The page and poore Chambriere helde vpp their handes for mercie to Roderico who fainyng an ympedimente in hys hearyng made a signe to his men to put effecte to his commandement Geniuera entreating for the liues of her page and woman desiered that their ynnocentie mighte not do pennance for the offence whych she had don crauyng with great humilitie that the punishement myght be performed vppon her froÌ„ whom the falte yf it be a matter meritorious of blame sayeth she for a womaÌ„ to kepe her fayth to her husbande is deriued and yeld iustice to thies infortunat wretches least th execution of their ynnocentiâ— increase your detestable offence oh saieth she with her handes and eyes beholdyng the heauens thou my most deare and lawfull husbande whose soule I see walkyng in the middest of the loyal louers what better proffe canste thou haue of the sinceritie of my loue then to see me laye my body vppon thalter of ymmolation to vntymely death for thy sake neyther shalte thou for thy parte oh boocher and mortall morderour of my carkasse to whose crueltie my destenie hathe consented in quenching thy thurste with the blodd of a pure mayde glorifie hereafter to haue forced the harte of a simple gentlewoman and muche lesse made a breache into her honor eyther by terrible threates or sugred perswations vpoÌ„ which laste wordes notwithstandyng attended suche argumentes of terrour that a man wolde haue thoughte that the veraye remembrance of death hadd somewhat quallified her vehemency and mortified the greatest part of her former furies Dom Diego by this tyme came to hym selfe and seynge the discourse of the tragedye readye to presente hys laste acte with the death of his faire mistres Geniuera la blonde was driuen to force hym selfe to speake for the lyfe of her whose crueltie hadde committed hym allmoste to the panges of extreme daunger wherefore staynge the diligence of suche as had the charge of execution he addressed hym to Roderico with this requeste My lorde and great frende the present experience of your rare frendshypp hath made so lyberall a prooff of youre vndoubted meanyng towardes me that if I sholde liue the age of a whole worlde I shoulde not be hable to discharge the bondes of your desert So considering the cause of this misfortune procedes only of the malice of mine owne destenie and that it is a vanitie to contende with the thynges which the heauens haue determined vpon vs I beseche you by the vertue of your honor for a confirmation of all the good tornes you haue done me to graunte me yet one requeste whiche is that in pardonning the life of this gentlewoman and her companie you will retourne theim to the place from whence you broughte theim with no lesse assuraunce and saffetie then yf you guided your miserable Dom Diego for my parte being fullie resolued not to kepe warre with my destenies I am perswaded to a contentement touchinge my lot assurynge you for the reste that the sorowe whiche I sée she suffreth giueth me more cause of passion then y e gréef which I endure by her meanes troubleth me let her liue in peace and me in exspectation to receiue ende of my tormentes by the deuouring knif which is ordeyned to cut in sonder the fillet whereuppon dependes the fatall course of my cursed yeres till whiche tyme I haue sworne to kepe resideÌ„ce in
theis solitarye desertes aswell to endure the pennance of myne owne indiscretion as also to continue in secrett prayer to thalmightye for the continual quiet of her who may boldly vaunte to be the mistres of the most loyall seruante that euer mente honor or seruice to Ladie Who doubtes in y e merueilous forces of loue let him be absolued with this example seing that as the impressiō which we cal loue hath power to bringe to an vnitie the mindes that liued in seperation make indissoluble peace with the quarells which seame immortall quallifying the rigour of those hartes whiche without this passion no other pollecie could appaise So when he discouereth the full perfection of his effectes he preferres suche a facilitie in thinges whiche earste seamed impossible that by his onely meane they become neither dangerous to pursewe nor harde to obtaine whych appered rightly in this younge Lady in whom as the sinister conceite of a former Ielowsie her affected zeale contracted to an other with her iust cause of anger for his death had engendred a disdayne to Dom Diego an extreme desier to reuenge her wronge vpon Dom Roderico and by the same meane to ende her owne lyfe So loue remouinge the vaile that blinded the eyes of her vnderstandinge and breakinge thadamante rocke planted in the middeste of her stomake brought her in one instante to beholde with open eyes the constancy patience and perseuerance of her first and moste loyall seruant whose last prayer and intercession on her behalf stirred vp in her more remorce thē al y e seruices of court or pennance in the painfull wildernes wer hable to prefer whereof she exposed a present effect in castinge her armes a bout the necke of the desperat knyght to whom she forbare no sortes of kisses nor amarus embrasinges seamynge no lesse passioned wyth ioy and loue on hys behalfe then earste he seamed plunged in dispair and sorowe ballancing indifferently betwene life and death in his presence neyther was she hable to pronownce any worde vpon the soddayne tyll beyng restored to the vse of her tongue by the discontynuance of her traunce she excused her former rigour wyth tearmes of humylitie and desyeringe pardon of the follies wher wyth she had abused hys patience offred her selfe hereafter to be the slaue and seruant of hys shadow takyng thassistāce of thym perfections in loue to be in some sort contrybutarye to her falte for that sayth she as loue hathe this vice of nature that such as accompte theym selues to sée moste cleare are they whych most often commit greatest faltes by ignorance So besydes the confession of the wronge I haue don you so many wayes Lo I am ready to abide the punishment of your owne iudgemeut without crauing any dispence of iustice or moderacion of pennance for any respecte of fauor And albeit for my parte I haue not escaped wythout passiō but y t the stormes of aduersatie which you haue séene me endure haue driuen me to thuttermost of my patience yet I my selfe happie to haue passed that awaye for thexperience I haue made of two effects of verteous extremities the one of constant loyaltie in you whych only hath right to chaleng y e crowne of glory frō hym that sacrafized himself vpon the blodie body of hys Lady who in dyenge so gaue ende to his annoyes where you haue chosen a kynde of languishynge life of more hard tolleracion a thousād tymes then the sharp arrowes of death the other consistes in the clemencie wher wyth you haue mortefied so well the rage of your aduersaries that I whych earst hated you to death am now so vanquished by your courtesye that I accompte myne honor and lyfe of to small value to requite your merit wherin also I acknowledge a debte to Seigneur Roderico whose wisedome makes me ashamed of my follie in resisting his rightfull demaunde touching the reléeffe of your vndeserued destresse wherunto as he wold haue replied wyth semblable humylitie Dom Roderico preuented hys meanynge in embrasinge theym both with peculiar commendacion to theyr vertues and speciall thankes to the goodnes of their fortune for that w t out peril of honor they had passed that dangerus passage aduising them to retorne w t hym to hys castel frō whēce hée sayde he wolde gyue warning to their mothers to whom he also vndertoke to cooler thaccidente wyth some other circumstance of fayned substance wher vpon they mounted on horsbacke leauing the stately hospitall to the nexte hermyt and vsing easye iorneys they toke away the tediousnes of the way with the pleasant deuises whych passed betwen the two louers embrasing one an other in honest sort as a simple recompense of their longe and weary annoyes till tyme with the consent of the churche gaue authoritie to consommat the rest of their desiers from the house of Roderico was aduertisement giuen to the two Ladye mothers in equall care for the loss of their childrē excusing the secret departure of Geniuera in that she went to sée Dom Diego lyinge sicke in a castell of hys frende Seigneur Roderico where if it pleased theym to giue their consente the mariage sholde be performed wherin there nedes no pithie solycitors to neither of the widowes for that for the more honor of the feaste and contentmente in the allyance they failed not there in parson at the day appointed where the mariage was performed with pompp accordyng to the magnificence of both their houses And so it is to be thought that the stormes and tormentes past endured by theim both yelded thys conclucion of other tast then they whych wythout painful trauaile in the presence of loue possesse the fyrste daye the full of their desiers whose pleasures certeinly as they resemble the condicion of hym who norished al the dayes of hys lyf in deintie fare cannot iudge so well of delite as he that some times findes want of suche delicatie soo also an extreme thruste makes vs fynde the wyne more pleasant and a long fasting giues a better taste to oure meate neyther is loue wythout annoye any other thyng then a cause without an effecte for he that wyll takeawaye the paynfull traueills and longe sute robbes the louer of the prayse of hys constancie and doth wronge to the glory of hys pursewt seyng that he only is worthy to weare the crowne of tryumphe who encountringe all conflictes doth reapose more assurance in the vertue of hys constancie then feare in any sorte the malice of any fortune Let thys be then the mirrour of loyal louers in detestacion of thimpudicitie of suche whych feare not to giue a charge wher they fynde good countenance and readye retire at the first repuise ympartinge also a participacion of worthy rebuke to thothers who to contente the humor of their fonde affection doo accompte it a vertue to exchaunge their former generositie wythe a gloriouse title to be reputed as true and faythfull champions of loue for y t the perfectiō to loue
thy will gyuynge the ful commission to dispose of this pore carkasse at thy pleasure make a present of it to suche as thou accomptes thy selfe so greatly indebted vnto only I am to warne the of one thing wherin thou canst not note me of any mislike by iustice because y e integritie vertue of my intent defends me froÌ„ imputacion y t waye which asso I giue the absolute assurance to performe that is being once discharged of thy authoritie thou shalt vse no more power to restraine me froÌ„ doinge the thing which my minde hath alredye decreed protesting vnto the by the right hande of hym that gouerneth the vniuersal globe that as no man shal touch ANGELIQVA but in sorte order of mariage so if I be committed to a further force thou al the worlde shal perceiue that I haue a hart wil enharden thies handes to make a sacrifice of my life to the chastetie of those noble Ladyes whiche heretofore haue rather desyred to dye then liue with a note of infamie or dishonour for as my soule shal neuer stande in hazarde of grace by the villany of any acte which my bodye shal commit by free consent euen so if this carkasse be forced to violacion I doubte not but the integritie of my minde wil purchasse a priuiledg againste all purgatorie of my soule witnessing in the other worlde myne innocencie and inuincible hart wherewith she renewed the alaram of her sorowe with a freshe supplie of sodaine teares with suche abundaunce and impetuositie of dule that a man woulde haue thoughte that the whole humour and moyste partes of her braine had bene drained and dried vp by the surges of continuall teares whiche ceassed not to fal froÌ„ her waterie eyes her brother for his part albeit he greued with the desolation of his chaste syster yet the â—oye he conceiued in her present consent to his demaunde toke awaye the passion of that sorowe felynge as it were some secret instinct or fore warnyng of the happye successe effect of the liberal offer of ANGELIQVA to whom he excused his importunitie in some sorte after this maner I was neuer so gredie of life saith he but I could be content rather to renounce nature and dye then to solicite the in any respect whiche mighte bringe thy honor or reputacion in peril of infamous interest neyther would I lyue to se and muche lesse be partaker of the thinge that anye waye seames to tourne thee to displeasure whiche thou shouldest alwayes haue founde by effect and touche of finger if this liberall curtesye of our enemye had not procured me to wrest the to that which honestie denieth the to graunt I vnhable to demaunde without great wronge to thy vertue no lesse preiudice to mine owne honor And as the feare I haue to be noted of ingratitude hath taken away al respects of honor or honestie to vs both so the vertue noble hart of ANSEAMO doth not only offer an assured argumeÌ„t of hope but also presentes absolute cause of firme belefe that the only displeasure thou shalte finde in this enterprise will appeare when thou art firste presented vnto him For it is not possible he shold vse villany on the behalfe of her the onely regarde of whose loue hath made him make no coÌ„science to hazarde the displeasure of his parents chief frendes not refusing withall without sute or importunitie to delyuer him whome he hated had power to put to what vengeauÌ„ce he wold Here may be noted thoperacion of two extremities of seueral dispositions natural zeale fraternal dutie quarellinge wyth womanly shame raison mentaining coÌ„tencion with in her self ANGELIQVA knewe coÌ„fessed that her brother dyd no more then he oughte that she was also leuiable to the same bond obligation of dutie and on the other part thestimacioÌ„ of her honor with regard to defende her chastetie supplaÌ„ted such dutifull respectes of nature forced her to an integritie of iudgement in that which she accompted both vniust vnlawful wherupon resoluing to obserue both the one and the other seame chiefly to be thankeful to the demande of her brother determined to discharge him of the debte towardes his long enemy late frend with intent notwithstaÌ„ding rather to die by the stroake of her owne handes then villanously to loase the flower of that which made her lyue famous of greater renowme then the moste part of the ladies of that citie But the vertue of this SALYMBINO is of more rare singularitie deserueth a greater coÌ„mendacion then the continencie of CYRVS sometime king of PERSIA who â—ering a force of inâ—ysement to lorke vnder the flattering beautie of the faire and common PANTEA wold neuer suffer her to be brought to his presence leaste her wanton regardes shoulde make him abuse the renowme of his auncieÌ„t honor breake the sacred deuocioÌ„ which all men ought to vse in mariage w t violacion of his faith confirmed by former vowe to his wyfe For ANSEAMO enioyeng the presence with free coÌ„mandement ouer her whom he loued no lesse then his owne life did not only abstaine to abuse the bountiful gifte of his fortune but also declared an effect of more nobilitie vertue of mind then y e saied CYRVS as you may note in the next acte of this historie atteÌ„ding his present discouerie for as the Montanyn his sister had deuided their deliberacioÌ„ into certaine points with abrigement at laste of their longe discourse that the faire ANGELIQVA had staied the source of her teares with expectatioÌ„ of the ende of that which they had but nowe begoÌ„ ANSEAMO repaires from the contrey to his pallais in the towne wherof at viij of the cloke in the euening Don Charles receiued aduertisement and without delaye of further time willed his sister to attire her selfe in the best order she could with whom and onely one man to cary a lanterne of slender lighte they went to the lodging of SALIMBYNO whose seruant by chaunce encountred them at the pallais gate of his maister not without astonishment to see them there with desier to speake with Seigneur Salymbyno who vnderstaÌ„ding what companie the MONTANYN brought with hym was not forgetful for his part to discende with expedicioÌ„ hauiÌ„g caried afore him .ij. stafftorches geuing light til he came euen to the gate where omitting no kinde of curtesye in receauing y e brother he was barred as it seamed to expose any shew of seruice on the behalfe of her whom he chiefly desiered to honor but standing as it were a maÌ„ enchaunted or some Hermit in expectation to heare the aunswere of his oracle was no lesse astonied with the viewe of his newe gestes then if he had sodainly dropped out of the cloudes which coÌ„fusion trouble of mind was immediatly espyed of DON CHARLES who as he imagined without great studie that the presence beautie of his sister sturred vp y e perplexitie
of Salymbyno so he went about to breake y e amaze with theis wordes Syr saith he we haue cause of speciall conference with you whiche requireth neyther publike audience nor other witnes then our selues wherewith he offred them his chamber and became their guide thither with more shew of dutie then desiere to be intreated and leading his deare ANGELIQVA by the hande passed thorowe the hal into a certaine gallerie furnished with riches and accotrementes belonginge to the greatnes of his estate where beinge set in rich thaires and seates of honor and the place voyde of all companie sauynge the presence of the ij simple clyentes and mercifull iudge DON CHARLES MONTANYNO rise frō his place and spake to thother in this sorte Albeit the offers of seruitude be alwayes moste hatefull to freemen and that the noble hart can hardly brooke to strike sayle for any sommance of aduersitie yet the bonde of a good tourne or benefyt alredy don leuieth such alarams of remorce to the mynde enuironned with vertue that she forceth not only an equal cōsideracion and recompense but also claymeth a continuall remembraunce and thankeful recordacion in him who was firste partaker of the benefyt wherin as I fynde my selfe specially touched aboue all that euer was blessed with frendship not looked for in this worlde So Seigneur SALYMBYNO I hope you wil excuse me yf in the firste place of my Catalogue of thankesgeuing I honor you contrary to the lawes customes of our common welth with the title of Lorde and maister seinge the vertue of your self declared in the greatest distresse that euer hath or coulde happen vnto me doth not only yelde you by iustice such title but also challengeth at my hande a bonde of no lesse dutifull and continuall seruice towardes you then you expect of the moste drudge and slaue that foloweth your traine for what disposition is more detestable then the note of vnthankefulnes or wherin are we bounde to so franke and prodigal an exposition of our selues and all that we haue as in the remuneracion and retourne of the pleasures we haue receiued by straungers whiche I coulde enlarge with credible authorities of elder dayes and confirme by familiar experience of our age sauinge that in supplienge the tyme with repeticion of antiquityes I should defer yet longer the doinge of that whiche I chieflye desyer to performe but greuinge aboue all thinges that in the viewe and remembrance of their vertues I fynde my selfe farre vnhable to be equall or excede anye that euer were renowmed or noted to be thankefull where in albeit I haue iuste cause to crye out of the malice of my for tune not for bringinge me so depely in your debt which I thinke was wrought by general consent of the heauens but for that she hath lent me such slender choice of meanes to requite so greate a curtesye yet in appealinge to the vertue of your mynde I doubte not to make you vnderstande the greatnes of my desyer and whether ingratitude bee anye waye harbored in the harte of this poore gentleman who hauinge but himselfe and the chaste will of his syster being both preserued in entier by the onlye assistance of your fauor makes heare a presente of our selues and al that belongeth vnto vs with cōmission Sir to dispose of our lyues lyuinges and honour in any respecte it shall lyke you to ymploye theim And because I am more then halfe perswaded that thonly respecte of ANGELIQVA hathe kindled the firste coales of your desyer causing a conuersion of the hate whiche discended vnto you by inheritance into a disposition to loue that whiche your predecessors dispised mortallie and for that by the heauye clogge of our extreme miserie and harde condicion of state wee are not hable to shonne the name of vnthankeful but by thassistance of her that first procured the debte she I saye who forced your liberalitie on my behalfe is heare a readye pawne for the satisfaction of that whiche I confesse to owe vnto you it is Sir my syster whom you see afore you who to absolue the bonde of vs bothe dothe yelde her selfe vnto you with fre submission of her honoure and lyfe at your pleasure And I beinge her brother hauinge her ful and free consente in my power do make you a presente of her bequeathinge you no lesse propertie then eyther I or she hath of herselfe with authorytye to disdispose of her as you thinke good dowtinge not but you wil accepte the offer and respecte the gyfte accordinge to the value with remembrance from whence it came and in what sorte it ought to be vsed wherwyth not taryenge the replie of the other nor to bid his syster farewel he flonge downe the steares and went ymedyatlye to his owne house if ANSEAMO were indyffrently amased at the firste arryual of bothe the MONTANYNS or astonnyed with the oracion of her brother it is nowe that he is double perplexed both with the soddayn departure of DON CHARLES and also to see in his presence the effecte of the thinge hee only desyred and neuer was hable to ymagyn and muche lesse durste enter into hope to haue it come to passe wherein as hee was no lesse gladd then he had cause beinge in the free contemplation and companye of her whose bewtie and vertue hee accompted aboue the respecte of al commodyties and pleasures of the worlde So he labored of semblable dollor on the behalfe of the passion and secret sorowe of mynde whiche he noted in her touchinge her presente change of estate the same forcinge him also to a firme perswacion that thaccidente paste proceded rather of the generosytie or to muche shew of corage and vertue in the harte of the yonge man then by consente or any contentemente at all to the faire ANGELIQVA whome at the same instante hee toke betwen his armes and proffringe certeine chaste kysses dryed her watrye eyes of teares whiche ceassed not to droppe with greate abundance preferringe vnto her this kinde of short consolacion Yf euer I felte or desyred to vnderstande with what wynge dyd flye the vnconstante goddes whiche the poetes tearme the chaunge and varyetie of thaffaires of the worlde it is nowe good Madam that I am presented wyth suche a manifest and strange proofe that I dare skarcely beleue that whiche I see in offer afore myne eyes for if the only respecte of you and seruice whiche my harte hathe vowed and sworne vnto you hath constranied me to dissolue the bonde of extreame hate which by request of my parentes I haue bene enioyned to beare to you and youre house and in that deuocion haue delyuered your brother as you knowe from deathe I see fortune denieth me the tryumphe of the victorye for that your brother hath surmounted me in honour and vertue And nowe do I see that as the flatteringe gle of an vncerteine fortune oughte not to alter the goodnes of the disposition so aduersitie is not hable to corrupte the vertue of
beautie of yours wyth an acte of more TYRRANNIE then euer hath bene noted in anye woman of former tyme or accompte you yt a vertue to kyll hym who dyethe euerye hower in the veray viewe and remembrance of the heauenlye perfection wherein you only excell al that euer haue bene called faire if you resolued haue my ruyne why stay you to do executiō abridge godd Ladye my lingringe torment with a presente dispatche and ende of lyfe deferr no longer the fatall ministers of your wyl seynge you are aggreed to performe the effect and suffer at laste my waterye eyes to stop the streames of their auncient sorowe deryued of the onelye viewe and remembrance of the mystrys of their contemplacions whereby my harte shall also supp the laste Syropp of desperate hope and my affections vanyshe with the dekaye of my bodye who is heare readie to become your fattall harbenger in the other worlde with hope to reape there the hyer of my present merytt The Ladye whether her anger woulde gyue no longer place to hys complaint or that she dowted a force or charme in the same to ouerthrow the fortresse of her chastetie gaue him the looke of a waspishe mynd reprehending his rashnes with theis or suche like tearmes of reproche Yf my pacience woulde yet giue leaue to your fonde discourse I see no wante of desyer in you to attempte me with requestes which neither is your parte to preferr to one of my condicion and callynge nor yet my honor can brooke to heare of the mouth of suche as soeke but to seduce the honestie of chaste Ladies wherein as you haue exacted vpon the frendshipp and facilitye in me to here the vttermost of your sute presumyng belike of my consent to depart wyth that whiche you can not restore me againe So besides that the present experience of your foule intent shall serue me hereafter as a warraunte againste the assaultes of suche offers eyther in your selfe or any other equal to you in disposictō I can giue no other aunswere to the tearmes of your requeste nor fauor to your fowle attempte but that from the instant you ceasse to solicite me eyther by your selfe or any embassador on your behalfe protestynge vnto you for my part neyther to be séene in the stréete nor other place of publike beinge so longe as you are in the countreye and muche lesse suffer thaccesse of anye Gentleman within my house onles he bée my neare parent or allye by whiche meanes your importunities onely shall punishe me wyth a sorowful restrainte and absence from the societie of my olde companions and frendes whiche laste resolucion seamed suche a mistery to the mynde of thinfortunat Virley that for the time he stoode as enchaunted or one newlye dropped fourth of the cloudes till at laste as one whollie conuerted into dispaire of further fauor at her hande he craued onelye for consideracion of his paynes paste and laste farewell of his loyall fayth to her a kysse which he sayed sholde satisfye his longynge at full and discharge her of further pursewete accordynge to her requeste The malicious Ladye notinge the fonde desyer of the knighte and wyth what small coste she mighte nowe rydd her of an importuante suter meanynge notwythstandyng to departe with so small a fauor but for a price of greate pennance to hym that soughte to buy it tolde hym that aswell to satisfye his present request as also to make a further prooffe of his faith she wolde performe the full of hys last demaunde yf he wolde giue her assurance by the sayth of a gentleman to do one thinge wherein she was to require hym whiche the simple Vyrley did not onely promisse by all protestations of religion or othe but pawned also the maiestie of the highest for performyng euery such commandement as it pleased her to enioyne hym wherewith she seamed satisfyed touchyng th assurance of his consent and thervpon entred into theffect of her owne promisse embracinge and kissynge hym as yf it had bene the firste nighte of theyr mariage requiryng hym in like sorte to become the maister of his worde and aduouche the pointes of his late graunte The pore gentleman suspectynge no one thoughte of suche tyrannye in his mistrys and muche lesse that he shoulde buye his kisses at so deare a price tolde her he attended the only sommonee of her cōmaundement to th ende she mighte witnes his readye indeuor to obeye her she enioyned hym that from that hower till iij. yeres were expired he shoulde become muett without speakynge in any sorte to any creature lyuing how great so euer his occasion appeared in the true obseruynge whereof saith she shall appeare an experience of your faith whiche also maye force hereafter a further benefit for you where the contrarie wil not only discouer your villānte but be readye to accuse you of periurie on the behalfe of a Gentlewoman He thinkes I see the perplexed countenaunce of the pore knighte who hearinge the sentence of his hard pennaunce iudged as greate iniustice in her for taxing him at so cruell a rate as difficultie in him selfe to performe theffect of so strāge a charge albeit his hart was so greate and he so papisticall in performynge hys vowe that he began euen then to enter into the pointes of her commaundement declarynge by signes that she should bée obeyed wherewith he gaue her an humble reuerence and retyred immediatly to hys lodgynge faygnynge to suche as were aboute hym that the extremetie of a colde rhume distillynge from the partes of the braine had taken awaye the vse of his tounge And because his domnes shoulde not bee a gréeffe to his frendes nor they moue his disquiett in demaundynge the cause he determyned to bée a straunger to his countrey till the yeares of pennaunce were runne oute wherewith committynge the order of his affayres at Mountcall or els where in Pyemount to the creditt of suche as he thought méete to supplye the place of suche truste tooke twoo or thrée of his familyar companions to assiste his voyage whiche he directed rightelye into fraunce as a countreye moste méete for hys abode chiefly for the mortall warres as then betwen CHARLES the seuenth and the valyaunt Englishe men possessynge his countrey in the yeare 1451. And as the Kynge was then in campp in Gascoyne with intent to pursewe the goodnes of his fortune and delyuer his contrey altogether from thenglishe nacion he addressed hymselfe and force to the Duchye of Normandye where this Pyemountaine knight being in the campp was knowen by and by to diuerse of the chiefstaines aboute the kynge aswell by the notable seruice they had seene hym do in diuerse places as also greate creditt he hathe had afore wyth thearle of Pyemount who after became Duke of Scauoye where was greate repaire of the nobilitye of Fraunce for that he maryed Madame Iolante seconde doughter to CHARLES the seuenth after they hadde a whyle lamented his lacke of speache not knowynge for all they coulde
doo the cause of suche disease they presented hym afore the Maiestye wyth suche commendacyon of hys vertue and valyauntnes in armes as was necessarye for the worthynes of the same whyche forced a greate lykynge in the Kynge towardes hym alalbeit his outwarde apparaunce argued infficiently his inwarde dexteritie that way whych also he confyrmed in pub licke view in an assalte which the kinge gaue to the english men within Roan the chiefe and only bool warke of the whole country of Normandy where Signeur Philibarto gaue suche effecces of his forwardnes that he was the first that was séene vpon the walles making waye to the souldiours to enter the breache and towne wherein not longe affore the Duke of Sommerset had burned the counterfait prophet of Fraunce called La Pucelle leane whome some pratinge frenchmen do affirme to haue wrought merueiles in armes during those warrs but chiefly that vnder the conduite of her our countryemen lost Orleance w c diuerse other holdes in those partes and for a memory of that forged ydoll they kepe yet amongest other relikes in the abbay of S. Denys whych I sawe in May last a great roostie sworde wherwith they are not ashamed to aduowche that shee performed diuerse expedicions and victories againste thinglishe nacion whych seames as true as that which they are a shamed to put in a chronicle of credit touching their saint Denys whom they affirme was erecuted at Parys and came from thence with his heade in his hand which he buyried in the abbaye albeit they saye he rested foure tymes by the way where they haue founded iiii crosses with the headles ymage of saint Denys holding a stonye skalpe in his hande but nowe to oure Dom Philiberto whose forwardnes and fortune in the last assalte being wel noted of the kinge began to kindle a credit in the mynde of the maiestie towards hym in such sorte as besydes speciall praises giuen to his worthynes in the hearing of all his capteines he presented hym wyth the state of a gentleman of his chamber with pension sufficient to menteyne the port of that place promisinge besydes an encrease of his bowntye as he saw a contynuance of hys good seruice for the whyche the mute knighte gaue the kynge humble thankes by signes lyfting hys handes towards heauen as a witnes of y e faithe he promised to kepe without spot to hys prince wher of he gaue good declaracion not long after in a skirmishe procured by the frenche agaynst the Englishe soldiours vnder the guide of the onlye flower of chyualrye of that tyme and valyant Captcine the Lorde Talbot whose vertue made hym so famons in those warrs that the verye remembrance of hys name procureth a terror to the stowtest frencheman that thys daye lyueth ther in this skirmish if a mā may credit a french bragge the Pyemontoyse and Talbot met and vnhorssed eche other wherupon the kynge in consideracion of hys present seruice and encrease of further corage to contynue his souldiour made hym Capteyne of diuerse holdes with charge of fyftie men at armes wyth promisse in the word of a prince y t her eafter he shold find in more ample ma ner in what sorte princes oughte to consider the seruice of suche whose vertue broughte soccours to the necessitie of hym and his people wherein truely a prince hath greate reason not only to bestowe rewardes vpon such as deserue well but embrase that whyche carieth a licknes of hys owne nobylitie seinge that vertue in what place soeuer shee take roote can not but bring furthe good frutes the vse and effect wherof ought to appeare vpon such as approche or resemble the place where the first séedes were sowen neyther doth any degrée of men according to thopinion of Plyny deserue so well of hys prince as the souldiour in whose woundes sayth he are inclosed the sauetie of the whole countrey and quiet of the seat royal neyther doth he shrinke to aduenture hys bodye agaynst thennemye to establish the reapose of his neyghbour at hoame who to requite his many daungers in y e felde or releue hys maymed lymmes cōsumed w c y e warrs comittes hym at hys retorne to the rigour of iustice and that most cōmonly wythout cause of iust offence wherof I think no one contry of christendom is hable to furnish so many examples of that miserie as the state of Englande where as god be praysed hath benn no greate occasion of warr since the happie raigne of oure moste blessed Quene that nowe gouerneth so the Lorde and her maiestie amend it it is a pitye to sée how slenderly soldiours be prouided for and how tyranouslye they are persecuted by the malice of caterpillors in Cyties and franklinges in the countrye wherof I wishe some suche as I coulde name to mooster in the mowthe of a trenche or stande in the face of a breache to th ende they might both witnes the daunger and be partakers of the perill of warr which I doubt not wolde force in the moste of theim a compassion touching the souldiour whom also they wolde defende from beinge deuowred of the gallowes by their malice Thus muche on the behalfe of souldiours towardes whom I wishe as indiffrent a care in tyme of peace as they are readie and most sewer to abide al daunger when it pleaseth the prince and realme to call theym to seruice and now to oure dome knighte who embrased of the kyng wyth honor of all his Capteines was assisted with a second meane of further credit with hys prince for that ymedyatlie after the heate of the warrs in fraunce and the countrey resolued to a quiet staie it pleased the kinge for the solace of hymselfe and generall contentinente of hys Capteynes to call a torney royall on horsebacke where Seigneur Virley enioyeng y e benefyt of his former fortune wan only y e glorye of y e tryumphe which gaue such encrease to y e good opiniō of the king y t he entred into councell to cure his dome disease greuinge not a litle that so valyant a gentleman colde not declare his deuise whych seamed to argue no lesse wisedom for the direction of a cōmon welthe or contrey then the force and agilitye of his body had sufficientlie approued his vertue in diuerse exploites during tha◠war wherfore he dispatched generall letters thorowout his owne Realme with speciall requestes to the countreys adioyninge hys kingdome that who colde giue remedye to his euill and conuert his present scilence into a liberty of frée speche should haue ten thowsande frankes for rewarde then mighte a man sée suche a mooster of phizisions Chirurgions with their appoticaries carienge their bagges and boxes of all confections that their rowte seamed rather a newe supplie of power to assiste the kinge against his ennemies then a conuocation of gownesmen to consulte of the disease who began also to make such war with the ten thousande frankes skirmishinge one with an other not