her Nouell but Madame Neiphila by the Kings command began to speake in this manner It seemeth to mee Gracious Ladies that there are some such people to be found who imagine themselues to know more then all other else in the world beside and yet indeede doe know nothing at all presuming thorough this arrogant opinion of theirs to imploy and oppose their senselesse vnderstanding against infallible grounded reason yea and to attempt courses not only contrary to the counsell and iudgment of men but also to crosse the nature of diuine ordination Out of which saucy ambitious presumption many mighty harmes haue already had beginning and more are like to ensue vppon such boldnesse because it is the ground of all euils Now in regard that among all other naturall things no one is lesse subiect to take counsell or can bee wrought to contrariety then Loue whose nature is such as rather to run vpon his owne rash consumption then to be ruled by admonitions of the very wisest my memory hath inspired it self with matter incident to this purpose effectually to approue what I haue already said For I am now to speake of a woman who would appeare to haue more wit then either she had indeed or appertained to her by any title The matter also wherein she would needs shew hir studious iudgement and capacity was of much more consequence then she could deserue to meddle withall Yet such was the issue of her fond presuming that in one instant she expelled both loue and the soule of her owne sonne out of his body where doubtlesse it was planted by diuine fauour and appointment In our owne City according to true ancient testimony there dwelt sometime a very worthy and wealthy Merchant named Leonardo Sighiero who by his wife had one onely Sonne called Ieronimo and within a short while after his birth Leonardo being very sicke and hauing setled al his affaires in good order departed out of this wretched life to a better The Tutors and Gouernours of the Childe thought it fittest to let him liue with his Mother where he had his whole education though schooled among many other worthy neighbours children according as in most Cities they vse to do Yong Ieronimo growing on in yeares and frequenting dayly the company of his Schoole-fellowes and others hee would often sport as the rest did with the neighbors and much prety pastime they found together In the harmlesse recreations of youth grauer iudgements haue often obserued that some especiall matter receiued then such original as greater effect hath followed thereon And many times parents and kindred haue bene the occasion although perhaps beyond their expectation of very strange and extraordinary accidents by names of familiarity passing betweene Boyes and Girles as King and Queene sweet heart and sweet heart friend and friend husband and wife and diuers other such like kind tearmes proouing afterwards to be true indeede It fell out so with our yong Ieronimo for among a number of pretty Damosels daughters to men of especiall respect and others of farre inferiour qualitie a Taylors daughter excelling the rest in fauour and feature albeit her Father was but poore Ieronimo most delighted to sport withall and no other titles passed betweene them euen in the hearing of their parents and friendes but wife and husband such was the beginning of their young affection presaging no doubt effectually to follow Nor grew this familiarity as yet any way distasted till by their dayly conuersing together and enterchange of infinite pretty speeches Ieronimo felt a strange alteration in his soule with such enforcing and powerfull afflictions as he was neuer well but in her company nor she enioyed any rest if Ieronimo were absent At the length this being noted by his Mother she beganne to rebuke him yea many times gaue him both threatnings and blowes which prouing to no purpose nor hindering his accesse to her she complained to his Tutors and like one that in regard of her riches thought to plant an Orange vpon a blacke thorne spake as followeth This Sonne of mine Ieronimo being as yet but fourteene years of age is so deeply enamored of a yong Girle named Siluestra daughter vnto a poore Tailor our neere dwelling neighbour that if we do not send him out of her company one day perhaps he may make her his wife and yet without any knowledge of ours which questionlesse would be my death Otherwise he may pine and consume himselfe away if he see vs procure her marriage to some other Wherefore I hold it good that to auoid so great an inconuenience we shold send Ieronimo some far distance hence to remaine where some of our Factors are employed because when he shall be out of her sight and their often meetings vtterly disappointed his affection to her will the sooner ceasse by frustrating his hope for euer enioying her and so we shall haue the better meanes to match him with one of greater quality The Tutors did like well of her aduice not doubting but it would take answerable effect and therefore calling Ieronimo into a priuate Parlor one of them began in this manner Ieronimo you are now growne to an indifferent stature and almost able to take gouernment of your selfe It cannot then seeme any way inconuenient to acquaint you with your deceased Fathers affaires and by what good courses he came to such wealth You are his onely sonne and heire to whom hee hath bequeathed his rich possessions your Mothers moity euermore remembred and trauaile would now seeme fitting for you as well to experience in Traffick and Merchandize as also to let you see the worlds occurrences Your Mother therfore and we haue thought it expedient that you should iourney from hence to Paris there to continue for some such fitting time as may grant you full and free opportunity to suruey what stocke of wealth is there employed for you and to make you vnderstand how your Factors are furtherous to your affayres Beside this is the way to make you a man of more solid apprehension perfect instruction in ciuill courses of life rather then by continuing here to see none but Lords Barons and Gentlemen whereof wee haue too great a number When you are sufficiently qualified there and haue learned what belongeth to a worthy Marchant such as was Leonardo Sighiero your famous Father you may returne home againe at your owne pleasure The youth gaue them attentiue hearing and in few words returned them answer That he would not giue way to any such trauaile because hee knew how to dispose of himselfe in Florence as well as in any other place he should be sent too Which when his Tutors heard they reproued him with many seuere speeches and seeing they could win no other answer from him they made returne thereof to his Mother Shee storming extreamly thereat yet not so much for denying the iourney to Paris as in regard of his violent affection to the Maide gaue him very bitter and
a Louer of her Maids supposing him to bee dead in a Chest by reason that he had drunke Water which vsually was giuen to procure a sleepy entrancing Two Lombard Vsurers stealing the Chest in hope of a rich booty carried it into their owne house where afterward the man awaking was apprehended for a Theefe The Chamber-maide to the Physitians wife going before the bench of Iustice accuseth her selfe for putting the imagined dead body into the Chest by which meanes he escapeth hanging And the theeues which stole away the Chest were condemned to pay a great summe of money The tenth Nouell Wherein is declared that sometime by aduenturous accident rather then anie reasonable comprehension a man may escape out of manifold perilles but especially in occurrences of Loue. AFTER that the King had concluded his Nouell there remained none now but Dioneus to tell the last which himselfe confessing and the King commaunding him to proceede he beganne in this manner So many miseries of vnfortunate Loue as all of you haue alreadie related hath not onely swolne your eyes with weeping but also made sicke our hearts with sighing yea Gracious Ladies I my selfe finde my spirits not meanly afflicted thereby Wherefore the whole day hath bene very irkesome to me and I am not a little glad that it is so neere ending Now for the better shutting it vp altogether I would be very loath to make an addition of any more such sad and mournfull matter good for nothing but onely to feede melancholly humor and from which I hope my faire Starres will defend me Tragical discourse thou art no fit companion for me I will therefore report a Nouell which may minister a more iouiall kinde of argument vnto those tales that must bee told to morrow and with the expiration of our present Kings reigne to rid vs of all heart-greeuing heereafter Know then most gracious assembly that it is not many yeares since when there liued in Salerne a verie famous Physitian named Signieur Mazzeo della Montagna who being already well entred into years would neuerthelesse marrie with a beautifull young Mayden of the Cittie bestowing rich garments gaudie attyres Ringes and Iewelles on her such as few Women else could any way equall because hee loued her most deerely Yet being an aged man and neuer remembering how vaine and idle a thing it is for age to make such an vnfitting Election iniurious to both and therefore endangering that domesticke agreement which ought to bee the sole and maine comfort of Marriage it maketh mee therefore to misdoubt that as in our former Tale of Signiour Ricciardo de Cinzica some dayes of the Calender did heere seeme as distastefull as those that occasioned the other Womans discontentment In such vnequall choyses Parents commonly are more blamewoorthie then any imputation to bee layde on the young Women who gladdely would enioy such as in heart they haue elected but that their Parents looking thorough the glasses of greedie lucre doe ouerthrow both their owne hopes and the faire fortunes of their children together Yet to speake vprightly of this young married Wife she declared her selfe to be of a wise and chearefull spirit not discoraged with her inequalitie of marriage but bearing all with a contented browe for feare of vrging the very least mislike in her Husband And hee on the other side when occasions did not call him to visite his pacients or to be present at the Colledge among his fellow-Doctours would alwayes bee chearing and comforting his Wife as one that could hardly affoord to bee out of her company There is one especiall fatall misfortune which commonly awaiteth on olde mens marriages when freezing December will match with flouring May and greene desires appeare in age beyond all possibility of performance Nor are there wanting good store of wanton Gallants who hating to see Beauty in this manner betrayed and to the embraces of a loathed bed will make their folly seene in publike appearance and by their dayly proffers of amorous seruices seeming compassionate of the womans disaster are vsually the cause of iealous suspitions very heinous houshold discontentments Among diuers other that faine would bee nibling at this bayte of beautie there was one named Ruggiero de Ieroly of honourable parentage but yet of such a deboshed and disordered life as neither Kindred or Friends were willing to take any knowledge of him but vtterly gaue him ouer to his dissolute courses so that thoroughout all Salerne his conditions caused his generall contempt and hee accounted no better but euen as a theeuing and lewde companion The Doctours Wife had a Chamber-maide attending on her who notwithstanding all the vgly deformities in Ruggiero regarding more his person then his imperfections because hee was a compleate and well-featured youth bestowed her affection most entirely on him and oftentimes did supplie his wants with her owne best meanes Ruggiero hauing this benefite of the Maides kinde loue to him made it an hopefull mounting Ladder whereby to deriue some good liking from the Mistresse presuming rather on his outward comely parts then anie other honest quality that might commend him The Mistresse knowing what choyse her Maide had made and vnable by any perswasions to remooue her tooke knowledge of Ruggieroes priuat resorting to hir house and in meere loue to her Maide who had very many especiall deseruings in her oftentimes she would in kinde manner rebuke him and aduise him to a more setled course of life which counsell that it might take the better effect she graced with liberall gifts one while with Gold others with Siluer and often with garments for his comelier accesse thether which bounty he like a lewde mistaker interpreted as assurances of her affection to him and that he was more graceful in her eye then any man else could be In the continuance of these proceedings it came to passe that master Doctor Mazzeo being not onely a most expert Physitian but likewise as skilfull in Chirurgerie beside hadde a Pacient in cure who by great misfortune had one of his legges broken all in pieces which some weaker iudgement hauing formerly dealt withall the bones and sinewes were become so fowly putrified as he tolde the parties friends that the legge must bee quite cut off or else the Pacient must needes dye yet he intended so to order the matter that the perrill should proceede no further to preiudice any other part of the bodie The case beeing thus resolued on with the Pacient and his Friends the day and time was appointed when the deede should be done and the Doctor conceyuing that except the Patient were sleepily entranced hee could not by anie meanes endure the paine but must needes hinder what he meant to do by distillation hee made such an artificiall Water as after the Pacient hath receyued it it will procure a kinde of dead sleepe and endure so long a space as necessity requireth the vse thereof in full performance of the worke After he had made this
the Priest was very vnwilling to meddle for feare of discouering his owne ignorance which passed vnder better opinion then he deserued But the Farmer beeing imimportunate and the Vicar many wayes beholding to him durst not returne deniall but vndertooke it very formally as if he had bene an able man indeede But see how Fooles are borne to be fortunate and where they least hope there they find the best successe the simplicitie of the Father must be the meanes for abusing his Schollerly Son and a skreene to stand betweene the Priest and his ignorance Earnest is the olde man to know what and how farre his Sonne had profited at Schoole and by what note he might best take vnderstanding of his answeres which iumping fit with the Vicars vanity and a warrantable cloake to couer his knauery he appoints him but one word onely namely Nescio wherewith if he answered to any of his demands it was an euident token that hee vnderstood nothing As thus they were walking and conferring in the Church the Farmer very carefull to remember the word Nescio it came to passe vpon a sodaine that the young man entred into them to the great contentment of his Father who prayed Master Vicar to make approbation of his Sonne whether he were learned or no and how hee had benefited at the Vniuersity After the time of the daies salutations had past betweene them the Vicar being subtle and crafty as they walked along by one of the tombs in the Church pointing with his finger to the Tombe the Priest vttered these words to the Scholler Quis hic est sepultus The yong Scholler by reason it was erected since his departure and finding no inscription whereby to informe him answered as well hee might Nescio Immediately the Father keeping the word perfectly in his memorie grewe verie angerly passionate and desiring to heare no more demaunds gaue him three or foure boxes on the cares with many harsh and iniurious speeches tearming him an Asse and Villaine and that he had not learned any thing His Sonne was pacienâ— and returned no answer but plainly perceiued that this was a tricke intended against him by the malicious treachery of the Priest on whom in time he might be reuenged Within a short while after the Suffragane of those parts vnder whom the Priest was but a Deputy holding the benefice of him with no great charge to his conscience being abroad in his visitation sent word to the Vicar that he intended to preach there on the next Sunday and hee to prepare in a readinesse Bonum Commodum because hee would haue nothing else to his dinner Heereat Master Vicar was greatly amazed because he had neuer heard such words before neither could hee finde them in all his Breuiarie Hereupon he went to the yong scholler whom he had so lately before abused and crying him mercy with many impudent and shallow excuses desired him to reueale the meaning of those words and what he should vnderstand by Bonum Commodum The Scholler with a sober and modest countenance made answere That he had bin ouer-much abused which neuerthelesse he tooke not so impaciently but hee had already both forgot and forgiuen it with promise of comfort in this his extraordinary distraction and greefe of minde When he had perused the Suffraganes Letter well obseruing the blushlesse ignorance of the Priest seeming by outward appearance to take it strangely he cryed out alowd saying In the name of Vertue what may be this mans meaning How quoth the Priest What maner of demand do you make Alas replyed the Scholler you haue but one poore Asse which I know you loue deerely and yet you must stew his genitories very daintily for your Patron will haue no other meat to his dinner The genitories of mine Asse answered the Priest Passion of me who then shall carrie my Corne to the Mill There is no remedie sayde the Scholler for he hath so set it downe for an absolute resolution After that the Priest had considered thereon a while by himselfe remembring the yearely reuennewes which clearely hee put vp into his purse to be ten times of farre greater worth then his Asse he concluded to haue him gelded what danger soeuer should ensue thereon preparing them in readinesse against his comming So soone as the Suffragan was there arriued heauily hee complained to him for his Asse which kinde of Language he not vnderstanding knew not what he meant nor how he should answer But beeing by the Scholler acquainted with the whole History he laughed heartily at the Priests ignorant folly wishing that all such bold Bayards from time to time might be so serued Likewise that all ignorant Priests Vicars and other Grashoppers of Townes or Villages who sometimes haue onely seene Partes â—â—ationis quod sunt not to stand ouer-much on their owne sufficiency grounded soly vpon their Grammar but to beware whom they iest withall without out medling with Schollers who take not iniuries as dullards doe least they proue infamous by then disputations Madam Phillippa being accused by her Husband Rinaldo de Puglieâ—e because he tooke her in Adulterie with a yong Gentleman named Lazarâ—no de Guazzagliotri caused her to bee cited before the Iudge From whom she deliuered her selfe by a sodaine witty and pleasant answer and moderated a seuere strict Statute formerly made against women The Seuenth Nouell Wherein is declared of what worth it is to confesse a trueth with a facetious and witty excuse AFter that Madame Fiammetta had giuen ouer speaking and all the Auditory had sufficiently applauded the Schollers honest reuenge the Queene enioyned Philostratus to proceede on next with his Nouell which caused him to begin thus Beleeue me Ladies it is an excellent most commendable thing to speak well and to all purposes but I hold it a matter of much greater worth to know how to do it and when necessity doth most require it Which a Gentlewoman of whom I am now to speake was so well enstructed in as not onely it yeelded the hearers mirthfull contentment but likewise deliuered her from the danger of death as in few words you shal heare related In the Citie of Pirato there was an Edict or Statute no lesse blame-worthy to speake vprightly then most seuere and cruell which without making any distinction gaue strict command That euerie Woman should be burned with fire whose husband found her in the acte of Adultery with any secret or familiar friend as one deseruing to bee thus abandoned like such as prostituted their bodies to publike sale or hire During the continuance of this sharpe Edict it fortuned that a Gentlewoman who was named Phillippa was found in her Chamber one night in the armes of a yong Gentleman of the same City named Lazarino de Guazzagliotori and by her owne husband called Rinaldo de Pugliese shee louing the young Gallant as her owne life because hee was most compleate in all perfections and euery way as deerely addicted to her This
in the City of Laiazzo and the other Giosefo of Antioche trauailed together vnto Salomon the famous King of Great Britaine The one desiring to learne what he should do whereby to compasse and winne the loue of men The other craued to be enstructed by what meanes hee might reclaime an headstrong and vnruly wife And what answeres the wise King gaue vnto them both before they departed away from him The Ninth Nouell Containing an excellent admonition that such as couet to haue the loue of other men must first learne themselues how to loue Also by what meanes such women as are curst and self-willed may be reduced to ciuill obedience VPon the conclusion of Madame Laurettaes Nouell none now remained to succeede next in order but onely the Queene her selfe the priuiledge reserued granted to Dioneus wherefore after they had all smiled at the folly of Blondello with a chearfull countenance thus the Queene began Honourable Ladies if with aduised iudgement we do duly consider the order of all things we shall very easily perceyue That the whole vniuersall multiplicitie of Women by Nature custome and lawes are ought to be subiect to men yea and to be gouernd by their discretion Because euery one desiring to enioy peace repose and comfort with them vnder whose charge they are ought to be humble patient and obedient ouer and beside her spotlesse honesty which is the crowne and honour of euery good woman And although those lawes which respect the common good of all things or rather vse custome as our wonted saying is the powers wherof are very great and worthy to be reuerenced should not make vs wise in this case Yet Nature hath giuen vs a sufficient demonstration in creating our bodies more soft and delicate yea and our hearts timorous fearefull benigne and compassionable our strength feeble our voyces pleasing and the motion of our members sweetly plyant all which are apparant testimonies that wee haue neede of others gouernment Now it is not to be denyed that whosoeuer hath need of helpe and is to bee gouerned meerely reason commandeth that they should bee subiect and obedient to their gouernour Who then should we haue for our helps and gouernours if not men Wherfore we should be intirely subiect to them in giuing them due honour and reuerence and such a one as shall depart from this rule she in mine opinion is not onely worthy of grieuous reprehension but also seuere chastisement beside And to this exact consideration ouer and aboue diuers other important reasons I am the rather induced by the Nouel which Madame Pampinea so lately reported concerning the froward and wilfull wife of Talano who had a heauier punishment inflicted on her then her Husband could deuise to doe And therefore it is my peremptory sentence that all such women as will not be gracious benigne and pleasing doe iustly deserue as I haue already said rude rough and harsh handling as both nature custome and lawes haue commanded To make good what I haue said I wil declare vnto you the counsell aduise giuen by Salomon the wise and famous King of Great Britaine as a most wholesome and soueraigne medicine for the cure of such a dangerous disease in any woman so fouly infected Which counsel notwithstanding all such women as haue no need of this Phisicke I would not haue them to imagine that it was meant for them albeit men haue a common Prouerbe to wit As the good horse and bad horse doe both need the spurre So a good wife and bad wife a wand will make stirre Which saying whosoeuer doth interpret ioin such pleasing manner as they ought shal find it as you al wil affirm no lesse to be very true especially in the morall meaning it is beyond all contradiction Women are naturally all vnstable and easily enclining to misgouernment wherefore to correct the iniquity of such a distemperature in them that out-step the tearmes and bounds of womanhood a wand hath been allowed for especiall phisicke As in the like manner for support of vertue in those of contrary condition shaming to be sullyed with so grosse a sinne the correcting Wand may serue as a walking staffe to protect them from all other feares But forbearing to teach any longer let mee proceed to my purpose and tell you my Nouell In those ancient and reuerend dayes wherof I am now to speake the high renowne and admirable wisedome of Salomon King of Great Brittain was most famous throughout all parts of the world for answering all doubtfull questions and demaunds whatsoeuer that possibly could be propounded to him So that many resorted to him from the most remote and furthest off countreyes to heare his miraculous knowledge and experience yea and to craue his counsell in matters of greatest importance Among the rest of them which repaired thither was a rich yong Gentleman honourably descended named Melisso who came from the City of Laiazzo where he was both borne and dwelt In his riding towards France as he passed by Naples hee ouertooke another yong Gentleman a natiue of Antioch and named Giosefo whose iourney lay the same way as the others did Hauing ridden in company some few dayes together as it is a custome commonly obserued among Trauellers to vnderstand one anothers Countrey and condition as also to what part his occasions call him so happened it with them Giosefo directly telling him that he iourneyed towards the wise King Salomon to desire his aduise what meanes he should obserue in the reclaiming of a wilfull wife the most froward and selfe-willed woman that euer liued whom neither faire perswasions nor gentle courtesies could in any manner preuaile withall Afterward he demaunded of Melisso to know the occasion of his trauell and whither Now trust me Sir answered Melisso I am a natiue of Laiazzo and as you are vexed with one great mis-fortune euen so am I offended with another I am young wealthy well deriued by birth and allow liberall expences for maintaining a worthy table in my house without distinguishing persons by their rancke and quality but make it free for all commers both of the city all places els Notwithstanding all which bounty and houourable entertainement I cannot meet with any man that loueth me In which respect I iourney to the same place as you doe to craue the counsell of so wise a King what I should doe whereby I might procure men to loue me Thus like two well-met friendly companions they rode on together vntill they arriued in Great Britaine where by meanes of the Noble Barons attending on the King they were brought before him Melisso deliuered his minde in very few words whereto the King made no other answere but this Learne to loue Which was no sooner spoken but Melisso was dismissed from the Kings presence Giosefo also relating wherefore he came thither the King replyed onely thus Goe to the Goose Bridge and presently Giosefo had also his dismission from the King Comming forth he found Melisso
of two worthy friends At such time as Octauius Caesar not as yet named Augustus but only in the office called Triumueri gouerned the Romane Empire there dwelt in Rome a Gentleman named Publius Quintus Fuluius a man of singular vnderstanding who hauing one son called Titus Quintus Fuluius of towardly yeares and apprehension sent him to Athens to learne Philosophy but with letters of familiar commendations to a Noble Athenian Gentleman named Chremes being his ancient friend of long acquaintance This Gentleman lodged Titus in his owne house as companion to his son named Gisippus both of them studying together vnder the tutoring of a Philosopher called Aristippus These two yong Gentlemen liuing thus in one Citty House and Schoole it bred betweene them such a brother-hoode and amity as they could not be seuered from one another but only by the accident of death nor could either of them enioy any content but when they were both together in company Being each of them endued with gentle spirits and hauing begun their studies together they arose by degrees to the glorious height of Philosophy to their much admired fame and commendation In this manner they liued to the no meane comfort of Chremes hardly distinguishing the one from the other for his Son thus the Schollers continued the space of three yeares At the ending wherof as it hapneth in al things else Chremes died whereat both the young Gentlemen conceiued such hearty griefe as if he had bin their common father nor could the kinred of Chremes discerne which of the two had most need of comfort the losse touched them so equally It chanced within some few months after that the kinred of Gisippus came to â—ee him and before Titus auised him to marriage and with a yong Gentlewoman of singular beauty deriued from a most noble house in Athens and she named Sophronia aged about fifteen years This mariage drawing neere Gisippus on a day intreated Titus to walk along with him thither because as yet he had not seene her Comming to the house and she sitting in the midst betweene them Titus making himselfe a considerator of beauty especially on his friends behalfe began to obserue her very iudicially euery part of her seemed so pleasing in his eie that giuing them al a priuat praise yet answerable to their due deseruing he becam so enflamed with affection to her as neuer any louer could bee more violentlie surprized so sodainly doth beauty beguile our best senses After they had sate an indifferent while with her they returned home to their lodging where Titus being alone in his chamber began to bethink himselfe on her whose perfections had so powerfully pleased him and the more he entred into this consideration the fiercer he felt his desires enflamed which being vnable to quench by any reasonable perswasions after hee had vented foorth infinite sighes thus he questioned with himselfe Most vnhappie Titus as thou art whether doost thou transport thine vnderstanding loue and hope Dooest thou not know as well by the honourable fauours which thou hast receiued of Chremes and his house as also the intire amity betweene thee and Gisippus vnto whom faire Sophronia is the affianced friend that thou shouldst holde her in the like reuerent respect as if shee were thy true borne Sister Darest thou presume to fancie her Whether shall beguiling Loue allure thee and vaine immaging hopes carrie thee Open the eyes of thy better vnderstanding and acknowledge thy selfe to bee a most miserable man Giue way to reason bridle thine in temperate appetites reforme all irregulare desires and guide thy fancy to a place of better direction Resist thy wanton and lasciuioâ—s will in the beginning and be master of thy selfe while thou hast opportunity for that which thou aimest at is neyther reasonable nor honest And if thou wert assured to preuaile vpon this pursuite yet thou oughtst to auoide it if thou hast any regard of true friendship and the duty therein iustly required What wilt thou do then Titus Fly from this inordinate affection if thou wilt be reputed to be a man of sensible iudgement After he had thus discoursed with himselfe remembring Sophronia and conuerting his former allegations into a quite contrarie sense in vtter detestation of them and guided by his idle appetite thus he began againe The lawes of loue are of greater force then any other whatsoeuer they not only breake the bands of friendship but euen those also of more diuine consequence How many times hath it bin noted the father to affect his own daughter the brother his sister and the step mother her son in law matters far more monstrous then to see one friend loue the wife of another a case happening continually Moreouer I am yong and youth is wholly subiected to the passions of Loue is it reasonable then that those should be bard from me which are fitting and pleasing to Loue Honest things belong to men of more years and maturity then I am troubled withall and I can couet none but onely those wherein Loue is directer The beauty of Sophronia is worthy of generall loue and if I that am a yongman do loue her what man liuing can iustly reproue me for it Shold not I loue her because she is affianced to Gisippus That is no matter to me I ought to loue her because she is a womaÌ„ and women were created for no other occasion but to bee Loued Fortune had sinned in this case and not I in directing my frends affection to her rather then any other and if she ought to be loued as her perfections do challenge Gisippus vnderstanding that I affect her may be the better contented that it is I rather then any other With these and the like crosse entercourses he often mockt himselfe falling into the contrary and then to this againe and from the contrary into another kind of alteration wasting and consuming himselfe not only this day and the night following but many more afterward til he lost both his feeding sleepe so that through debility of body he was constrained to keepe his bed Gisippus who had diuers dayes noted his melancholly disposition and now his falling into extreamitie of sicknesse was very sorry to behold it and with all meanes and inuentions he could deuise to vse hee both questioned the cause of this straunge alteration and essayed euerie way how hee might best comfort him neuer ceassing to demaunde a reason why he should become thus sad and sickely But Titus after infinite importuning which still he answered with idle and friuolous excuses farre from the truth indeede and to the no meane affliction of his friend when he was able to vse no more contradictions at length in sighes and teares thus he replyed Gisippus were the Gods so wel pleased I could more gladly yeild to dye then continue any longer in this wretched life considering that Fortune hath brought mee to such an extremity as proofe is now to be made of
the faith of Christians yea and matters of diuinest qualities how or to whomsoeuer appertaining were it for sacrifices or benefices whereof was made no meane Merchandize and more Brokers were there to be found then in Paris attending vpon all Trades of manifest Symonie vnder the nice name of Negotiation and for gluttony not sustentation euen as if God had not knowne the signification of vocables nor the intentions of wicked hearts but would suffer himselfe to be deceiued by the outward names of things as wretched men commonly vse to doe These things and many more fitter for silence then publication were so deepely displeasing to the Iew being a most sober and modest man that he had soone seene enough resoluing on his returne to Paris which very speedily he performed And when Iehannot heard of his arriuall crediting much rather other newes from him then euer to see him a conuerted Christian he went to welcome him and kindly they feasted one another After some fewe dayes of resting Iehannot demaunded of him what he thought of our holy father the Pope and his Cardinals and generally of all the other Courtiers Whereto the Iew readily answered It is strange Iehannot that God should giue them so much as he doth For I will truly tell thee that if I had beene able to consider all those things which there I haue both heard and seene I could then haue resolued my selfe neuer to haue found in any Priest either sanctity deuotion good worke example of honest life or any good thing else beside But if a man desire to see luxury auarice gluttony and such wicked things yea worse if worse may be and held in generall estimation of all men let him but goe to Rome which I thinke rather to be the forge of damnable actions then any way leaning to grace or goodnesse And for ought I could perceiue me thinkes your chiefe Pastour and consequently all the rest of his dependants doe striue so much as they may with all their engine arte and endeuour to bring to nothing or else to banish quite out of the world Christian Religion whereof they should be the support and foundation But because I perceiue that their wicked intent will neuer come to passe but contrariwise that your faith enlargeth it selfe shining euery day much more cleare and splendant I gather thereby euidently that the blessed Spirit is the true ground and defence thereof as being more true and holy then any other In which respect whereas I stood stiffe and obstinate against the good admonitions and neuer minded to become a Christian now I freely open my heart vnto thee that nothing in the world can or shall hinder me but I will be a Christian as thou art Let vs therefore presently goe to the Church and there according to the true custome of your holy faith helpe me to be baptized Iehannot who expected a farre contrary conclusion then this hearing him speake it with such constancy was the very gladdest man in the world and went with him to the Church of Nostre Dame in Paris where he requested the Priests there abiding to bestow baptisme on Abraham which they ioyfully did hearing him so earnestly to desire it Iehannot was his Godfather and named him Iobn and afterward by learned Diuines he was more fully instructed in the grounds of our faith wherein he grew of greatly vnderstanding and led a very vertuous life Melchisedech a Iew by recounting a Tale of three Rings to the great Soldam named Saladine preuented a great danger which was prepared for him The third Nouell Whereby the Author approuing the Christian Faith sheweth how beneficiall a sodaine and ingenious answer may fall out to bee especially when a man finds himselfe in some euident danger MAdame Neiphila hauing ended her Discourse which was well allowed of by all the company it pleased the Queene that Madam Philomena should next succeede in order who thus began The Tale deliuered by Neiphila maketh mee remember a doubtfull case which sometime hapned to another Iew. And because that God and the truth of his holy Faith hath bene already very wel discoursed on it shall not seeme vnfitting in my poore opinion to descend now into the accidents of men Wherefore I will relate a matter vnto you which being attentiuely heard and considered may make you much more circumspect in answering to diuers questions and demands then perhaps otherwise you would be Consider then most woorthy assembly that like as folly or dulnesse many times hath ouerthrowne some men from place of eminencie into most great and greeuous miseries euen so discrect sense and good vnderstanding hath deliuered many out of irksome perils and seated them in safest security And to proue it true that folly hath made many fall from high authority into poore and despised calamity may be auouched by infinite examples which now were needelesse to remember But that good sense and able vnderstanding may prooue to be the occasion of great desolation without happy preuention I will declare vnto you in very few words and make it good according to my promise Saladine was a man so powerfull and valiant as not onely his very valour made him Soldan of Babylon but also gaue him many signall victories ouer Kings of the Sarrazens and of Christians likewise Hauing in diuers Warres and other magnificent employments of his owne wasted all his treasure and by reason of some sodaine accident happening to him standing in neede to vse some great summe of money yet not readily knowing where or how to procure it he remembred a rich Iew named Melchisedech that lent out money to vse or interest in the City of Alexandria This man he imagined best able to furnish him if he could be won to do it willingly but he was knowne to be so gripple and miserable that hardly any meanes would drawe him to it In the end constrained by necessity and labouring his wits for some apt deuice whereby he might haue it he concluded though hee might not compell him to do it yet by a practise shadowed with good reason to ensnare him And hauing sent for him entertained him very familiarly in his Court and sitting downe by him thus began Honest man I haue often heard it reported by many that thou art very skilfull and in cases concerning God thou goest beyond all other of these times wherefore I would gladly be informed by thee vvhich of those three Lawes or Religions thou takest to be truest that of the Iew the other of the Sarazen or that of the Christian The Iew being a very wise man plainly perceiued that Saladine sought to entrap him in his answer and so to raise some quarrell against him For if he commended any one of those Lawes aboue the other he knew that Saladine had what he aymed at Wherefore bethinking himselfe to shape such an answer as might no way trouble or entangle him summoning all his sences together and considering that dallying with the Soldane might
had determined to do which shee immediately vnderstood sufficiently and what would ensue on his nightly watching in that manner returning him answer that whatsoeuer he liked and allowed of it became not her any way to mislike Thus they continued in this kinde concordance till Sunday night came When Puccio was to begin his experience and Felice to set forward vpon his aduenture Concluded it was that euery night the Scholler must come to Supper partly to bee a witnesse of his constant performance but more especially for his owne aduantage The place which Puccio had chosen for his hopefull attaining to the Philosophers Stone was close to the Chamber where his daughter lay hauing no other separation or diuision but an old ruinous tottring wall So that when the Scholler was playing his prize Puccio heard an vnwonted noise in the house which he had neuer obserued before neither knew the wall to haue any such motion wherefore not daring to stirre from his standing least all should be marrd in the very beginning he called to his daughter demanding what busie labour she was about The widdow being much addicted to frumping according as questions were demanded of her and perhaps forgetting who spake to her pleasantly replied Whoop Sir where are we now Are the Spirits of Alchimy walking in the house that we cannot lye quietly in our beds Puccio meruailing at this answer knowing she neuer gaue him the like before demanded againe what she did The subtle wench remembring that she had not answered as became her said Pardon mee Father my wits were not mine owne when you demanded such a sodaine question and I haue heard you say an hundred times that when folke go supperles to bed either they walke in their sleepe or being awake talke very idely as no doubt you haue discernde by me Nay daughter quoth he it may be that I was in a waking dreame and thought I heard the olde wall totter but I see I was deceiued for now it is quiet and still enough Talke no more good Father saide she least you stirre from your place and hinder your labour take no care for mee I am able enough to haue care of my selfe To preuent any more of these mighty disturbances they went to lodge in another part of the house where they continued out the time of Puccioes paines with equall contentment to them both which made her diuers times say to Felice You teach my father the cheefe grounds of Alchimy while we helpe to waste away his treasure Thus the Scholler being but poore yet well forwarded in Learning made vse of Puccioes folly and found benefit thereby to keepe him out of wants which is the bane and ouerthrow of numberlesse good wits And Puccio dying before the date of his limitted time because hee failed of the Philosophers Stone Isabetta ioyned in marriage with Felice to make him amends for enstructing her father by which meanes he came to be her husband Ricciardo surnamed the Magnifico gaue a Horse to Signior Francesco Vergellisi vpon condition that by his leaue and lisence he might speake to his Wife in his presence which he did and shee not returning him any answere made answer to himselfe on her behalfe and according to his answer so the effect followed The fifth Nouell Wherein is described the frailety of some Women and folly of such Husbands as leaue them alone to their owne disposition PAmphilus hauing ended the Nouell of Puccio the Alchimist the Queene fixing her eye on Madam Eliza gaue order that shee should succeede with hers next When shee asking somewhat more austerely then any of the rest not in any spleen but as it was her vsuall manner thus began The World containeth some particular people who doe beleeue because themselues know something that others are ignorant in all things who for the most part while they intend to make a scorne of other men vpon the proofe doe findâ— themselues to carry away the scorne And therefore I account it no meane follie in them who vpon no occasion will tempt the power of another mans wit or experience But because all men and women perhaps are not of mine opinion I meane that you shall perceiue it more apparantly by an accident happening to a Knight of Pistoia as you shall heare by me related In the Towne of Pistoia bordering vpon Florence there liued not long since a Knight named Signior Francesco descended of the linage or family of the Vergellisi a man very rich wise and in many things prouident but gripple couetous and too close handed without respect to his vvorth and reputation He being called to the Office of Podesta in the City of Millaine furnished himselfe with all things in honourable manner beseeming such a charge only a comely horse for his owne saddle excepted vvhich he knew not by any meanes how to compasse so loath he vvas to lay out money albeit his credit much depended thereon At the same time there liued in Pistoya likewise a young man named Ricciardo deriued of meane birth but very wealthy quicke witted and of commendable person alwayes going so neate fine and formall in his apparrell that he was generally tearmed the Magnifico who had long time affected yea and closely courted though without any aduantage or successe the Lady and Wife of Signior Francesco who was very beautifull vertuous and chaste It so chanced that this Magnifico had the very choysest and goodliest ambling Gelding in all Tuscanie which he loued dearely for his faire forme and other good parts Vpon a flying rumor throughout Pistoria that he daily made loue to the fore-said Lady some busie body put it into the head of Signior Francesco that if he pleased to request the Gelding the Magnifico would frankly giue it him in regard of the loue he bare to his Wife The base minded Knight coueting to haue the Horse and yet not to part with any money sent for the Magnifico desiring to buy his faire Gelding of him because he hoped to haue him of free gift The Magnifico hearing his request was not a little ioyfull hereof and thus answered Sir if you would giue me all the wealth which you possesse in this World I will not sell you my Horse rather I will bestow him on you as a Gentlemanly gift but yet vpon this condition that before you haue him deliuered I may with your lisence and in your presence speake a few words to your vertuous Ladie and so farre off in distance from you as I may not be heard by any but onely her selfe Signior Francesco wholly conducted by his base auaricious desire and meaning to make a scorne at the Magnifico made answere that he was well contented to let him speake with her when he would and leauing him in the great Hall of the house he went to his Wiues Chamber and told her how easily he might enioy the House commanding her forth-with to come and heare what he could say to her onely shee should abstaine
proue to be so good as your word Violenta who had concealed her amisse so long as shee could and saw no other remedy but now at last it must needes be discouered went priuately to her Mother and in teares reuealed her infirmity humbly crauing her pardon and furtherance in hiding it from her Father The Mother being extraordinarily displeased chiding her with many sharpe and angry speeches would needes know with whom shee had thus offended The Daughter to keepe Pedro from any detection forged a Tale of her owne braine farre from any truth indeede which her Mother verily beleeuing and willing to preserue her Daughter from shame as also the fierce anger of her Husband he being a man of very implacable nature conueyed her to the Countrey-Farme whither Signior Amarigo sildome or neuer resorted intending vnder the shadow of sicknesse to let her lie in there without the least suspition of any in Trapani Sinne and shame can neuer be so closely carried or clouded with the greatest cunning but truth hath a loop-light whereby to discouer it euen when it supposeth it selfe in the surest safety For on the very day of her deliuerance at such time as the Mother and some few friends sworne to secrecy were about the businesse Signior Amarigo hauing beene in company of other Gentlemen to flye his Hawke at the Riuer vpon a sudden but very vnfortunately albeit he was alone by himselfe stept into his Farme house euen to the next roome where the women were and heard the new-borne Babe to cry whereat maruelling not a little he called for his Wife to know what young childe cryed in his House The Mother amazed at his so strange comming thither which neuer before he had vsed to doe and pittying the wofull distresse of her Daughter which now could be no longer couered reuealed what happened to Violenta But he being nothing so rash in beliefe as his Wife was made answere that it was impossible for his Daughter to be conceiued with childe because he neuer obserued the least signe of loue in her to any man whatsoeuer and therefore he would be satisfied in the truth as shee expected any fauour from him for else there was no other way but death The Mother laboured by all meanes shee could deuise to pacifie her Husbands fury which proued all in vaine for being thus impatiently incensed he drew foorth his Sword and stepping with it drawne into the Chamber where she had been deliuered of a goodly Sonne he said vnto her Either tell me who is the Father of this Bastard or thou and it shall perish both together Poore Violenta lesse respecting her owne life then she did the childes forgot her sollemne promise made to Pedro and discouered all Which when Amarigo had heard he grew so desperately enraged that hardly he could forbeare from killing her But after he had spoken what his fury enstructed him hee mounted on Horse-backe againe ryding backe to Trapani where he disclosed the iniury which Pedro had done him to a noble Gentleman named Signior Conrado who was Captaine for the King ouer the City Before poore Pedro could haue any intelligence or so much as suspected any treachery against him he was suddenly apprehended and being called in question stood not on any deniall but confessed truly what he had done whereupon within some few dayes after he was condemned by the Captaine to be whipt to the place of execution and afterward to be hanged by the necke Signior Amarigo because he would cut off at one and the same time not onely the liues of the two poore Louers but their childe 's also as a franticke man violently carried from all sense of compassion euen when Pedro was led and whipt to his death he mingled strong poyson in a Cup of wine deliuering it to a trusty seruant of his owne and a naked Rapier withall speaking to him in this manner Goe carry these two presents to my late Daughter Violenta and tell her from me that in this instant houre two seuerall kinds of death are offered vnto her and one of them she must make choyce of either to drinke the poyson and so die or to run her body on this Rapiers point which if she denie to doe she shall be haled to the publike market place and presently be burned in the sight of her lewd companion according as shee hath worthily deserued When thou hast deliuered her this message take her bastard brat so lately since borne and dash his braines out against the walles and afterward throw him to my Dogges to feede on When the Father had giuen this cruell sentence both against his own Daughter and her young Sonne the seruant readier to doe euill then any good went to the place where his Daughter was kept Poore condemned Pedro as you haue heard was ledde whipt to the lybbet and passing as it pleased the Captaines Officers to guide him by a faire Inne at the same time were lodged there three chiefe persons of Armenia whom the King of the Countrey had sent to Rome as Ambassadours to the Popes Holinesse to negociate about an important businesse neerely concerning the King and State Reposing there for some few dayes as being much wearied with their iourney and highly honoured by the Gentlemen of Trapani especially Signior Amarigo these Ambassadours standing in their Chamber window heard the wofull lamentations of Pedro in his passage by Pedro was naked from the middle vpward and his hands bound fast behind him but being well obserued by one of the Ambassadours a man aged and of great authority named Phineo he espied a great red spot vppon his breast not painted or procured by his punishment but naturally imprinted in the flesh which women in these parts terme the Rose Vppon the sight hereof he suddenly remembred a Sonne of his owne which was stolne from him about fifteene yeeres before by Pyrates on the Sea-coast of Laiazzo neuer hearing any tydings of him afterward Vpon further consideration and compairing his Sonnes age with the likelyhood of this poore wretched mans thus he conferred with his owne thoughts If my Sonne quoth he be liuing his age is equall to this mans time and by the redde blemish on his brest it plainely speakes him for to be my Sonne Moreouer thus he conceiued that if it were he he could not but remember his owne name his Fathers and the Armenian Language wherefore when hee was iust opposite before the window hee called aloud to him saying Theodoro Pedro hearing the voyce presently lifted vp his head and Phineo speaking Armenian saide Of whence art thou and what is thy Fathers name The Sergeants in reuerence to the Lord Ambassadour stayed a while till Pedro had returned his answer who saide I am an Armenian borne Sonne to one Phineo and was brought hither I cannot tell by whom Phineo hearing this knew then assuredly that this was the same Sonne which he had lost wherefore the teares standing in his eyes with conceite of ioy downe he
where they threwe downe what other stones they had gathered meaning not to molest him any more because they had done enough already There they stept before him vnto the Port and acquainted the Warders with the whole matter who laughing heartily at the iest the better to vpholde it would seeme not to see Calandrino in his passage by them but suffered him to go on sore wearied with his burthen and sweating extreamly Without resting himselfe in any place he came home to his house which was neere to the corner of the Milles Fortune being so fauourable to him in the course of this mockery that as he passed along the Riuers side and afterward through part of the City he was neither met nor seen by any in regard they were all in their houses at dinner Calandrino euery minute ready to sinke vnder his weightie burthen entred into his owne house where by great ill luck his wife being a comely and very honest woman and named Monna Trista was standing aloft on the stayres head She being somewhat angry for his so long absence and seeing him come in grunting and groaning frowningly said I thought that the diuell would neuer let thee come home all the whole Citie haue dined and yet wee must remaine without our dinner When Calandrino heard this perceiued that he was not inuisible to his Wife full of rage and wroth hee began to raile saying Ah thou wicked Woman where art thou Thou hast vtterly vndone me but as I liue I will pay thee soundly for it Vp the staires he ascended into a small Parlour where when he hadde spred all his burthen of stones on the floore he ran to his wife catching her by the hâ—â—re of the head and throwing her at his feete giuing her so many spurns and cruel blowes as shee was not able to mooue either armes or legges notwithstanding all her teares and humble submission Now Buffalmaco and Bruno after they had spent an indifferent while with the Warders at the Port in laughter in a faire gentle pace they followed Calandrino home to his house and being come to the doore they heard the harsh bickering betweene him and his Wife and seeming as if they were but newly arriued they called out alowd to him Calandrino being in a sweate stâ—â—ping and rauing still at his Wife looking forth of the window entreated them to ascend vp to him which they did counterâ—etting greeuous displeasure against him Being come into the roome which they saw all couered ouer with stones his Wife sitting in a corner all the haire well-neere torne off her head her face broken and bleeâ—ing and all her body cruelly beaten on the other side Calandrino standing vnbraced and vngirded strugling and wallowing like a 〈◊〉 quite our of breath after a little pausing Bruno thâ—â— spake Why how now Calandrino What may the mâ—â—â—ing of this matter be What art thou preparing for building that thou hast prouided such plenty of stones How sitteth thy poore wife How hast thou misvsed her Are these the behauiours of a wise or honest man Calandrino vtterly ouer-spent with trauaile and carrying such an huge burthen of stones as also the toylesome beating of his Wife but much more impatient and offended for that high good Fortune which he imagined to haue lost could not collect his spirits together to answer them one ready word wherefore hee sate fretting like a mad man Whereupon Buffalmaco thus began to him Calandrino if thou be angry with any other yet thou shouldest not haue made such a mockery of vs as thou hast done in leauing vs like a couple of coxcombes to the plaine of Mugnone whether thou leddest vs with thee to seeke a precious stone called Helitropium And couldst thou steale home neuer bidding vs so much as farewell How can vve but take it in very euill part that thou shouldest so abuse two honest neighbours Well assure thy selfe this is the last time that euer thou shalt serue vs so Calandrino by this time being somewhat better come to himselfe with an humble protestation of courtesie returned them this answer Alas my good frionds be not you offended the case is farre otherwise then you immagine Poore vnfortunate man that I am I found the rare precious stone that you speake of and marke me well if I do not tell you the truth of all When you asked one another the first time what was become of me I was hard by you at the most vvithin the distance of two yards length and perceiuing that you saw mee not being still so neere and alwaies before you I wâ—â—t on smiling to my selfe to heare you brabble and rage against me So proceeding on in his discourse he recounted euery accident as it hapned both what they had saide and did vnto him concerning the seuerall blowes with the two Flint-stones the one hurting him greeuously in the heele and the other paining him as extreamly in the backe with their speeches vsed then and his laughter notwithstanding hee felt the harme of them both yet beeing proud that he did so inuisibly beguile them Nay more quoth he I cannot forbeare to tell you that when I passed thorow the Port I saw you standing with the Warders yet by vertue of that excellent Stone vndiscouered of you all Beside going along the streets I met many of my Gossips friends and familiar acquaintance such as vsed day lie to conuerse with me and drinking together in euery Tauern yet not one of them spake to me neyther vsed any courtesie or salutation vvhich indeede I did the more freely forgiue them because they were not able to see me In the end of all when I was come home into mine owne house this diuellish and accursed Woman being aloft vppon my stayres head by much misfortune chanced to see me in regard as it is not vnknowne to you that women cause all things to lose their vertue In which respect I that could haue stild my selfe the onely happy man in Florence am now made most miserable And therefore did I iustly beate her so long as she was able to stand against mee and I know no reason to the contrary why I should not yet teare her in a thousand peeces for I may well curse the day of our mariage to hinder and bereaue me of such an inuisible blessednesse Buffalmaco and Bruno hearing this made shew of verie much meruailing thereat and many times maintained what Calandrino had said being well neere ready to burst with laughter considering how coÌ„fidently he stood vpon it that he had found the wonderful stone and lost it by his wiues speaking onely to him But when they saw him rise in fury once more with intent to beat her againe then they stept betweene them affirming That the woman had no way offended in this case but rather he himself who knowing that women cause all things to lose their vertue had not therefore expresly commanded her not to be seene in his presence all that day vntill
by Guiotto who comming to Blondello said What is the meaning of this cost and for whom is it Whereto Blondello thus answered Yesternight three other Lampries far fairer and fatter then these and a whole Sturgeon were sent vnto Messer Corso Donati and being not sufficient to feede diuers Gentlemen whom hee hath inuited this day to dine with him hee caused me to buy these two beside Doest not thou intend to make one among them Yes I warrant thee replied Guiotto thou knowst I can inuite my selfe thither without any other bidding So parting about the houre of dinner time Guiotto went to the house of the saide Messer Corso whom he found sitting and talking with certain of his neighbors but dinner was not as yet ready neither were they come thither to dinner Messer Corso demaunded of Guiotto what newes with him and whither he went Why Sir said Guiotto I come to dine with you and your good company Wherto Messer Corso answered That he was welcom his other friends being gone dinner was serued in none els therat present but Messer Corso and Guiotto al the diet being a poore dish of Pease a litle piece of Tunny a few smal fishes fried without any other dishes to follow after Guiotto seeing no better fare but being disapointed of his expectation as longing to feed on the Lampries and Sturgeon and so to haue made a ful dinner indeed was of a quick apprehension apparantly perceiued that Blondello had meerly guld him in a knauery which did not a litle vex him and made him vow to be reuenged on Blondello as he could compasse occasion afterward Before many daies were past it was his fortune to meete with Blondello who hauing told this iest to diuers of his friends and much good merriment made thereat he saluted Guiotto in ceremonious manner saying How didst thou like the fat Lampreyes and Sturgeon which thou fedst on at the house of Messer Corso Donati Wel Sir answered Guiotto perhaps before eight dayes passe ouer my head thou shalt meet with as pleasing a dinner as I did So parting away from Blondello he met with a Porter or burthen-bearer such as are vsually sent on errands and hyring him to deliuer a message for him gaue him a glasse bottle and bringing him neere to the Halhouse of Cauicciuli shewed him there a knight called Signior Phillipo Argenti a man of huge stature stout strong vainglorious fierce and sooner mooued to anger then any other man To him quoth Guiotto thou must go with this bottle in thy hand and say thus to him Sir Blondello sent me to you and courteously entreateth you that you would enrubinate this glasse bottle with your best Claret Wine because he would make merry with a few friends of his But beware he lay no hand on thee because he may bee easily induced to misuse thee and so my businesse be disappointed Well Sir replied the Porter shal I say any thing else vnto him No quoth Guiotto only go and deliuer this message and when thou art returned I le pay thee for thy paines The Porter being gone to the house deliuered his message to the knight who being a man of no great ciuill breeding but furious rash and inconsiderate presently conceiued that Blondello whom he knew well enough sent this message in meere mockage of him and starting vp with fiery lookes said What enrubination of Claret should I send him and what haue I to do with him or his drunken friends Let him and thee go hang your selues together So he stept to catch hold on the Porter but he being well warnd before was quicke and nimble and escaping from him returned backe to Guiotto who obserued all and told him the answer of Signior Phillippo Guiotto not a little contented paied the Porter and taried not in any place til he met with Blondello to whom he said When wast thou at the Hall of Cauicciuli Not a long while answered Blundello but why dost thou demand such a question Because quoth Guiotto Signior Phillippo hath sought about for thee yet knowe not I what he would haue with thee Is it so replied Blondello then I wil walke thither presently to vnderstand his pleasure When Blondello was thus parted from him Guiotto folowed not farre off behind him to behold the issue of this angry businesse and Signior Phillippo because he could not catch the Porter continued much distempred fretting and fuming in regard he could not comprehend the meaning of the Porters message but onely surmized that Blondello by the procurement of some body else had done this in scorne of him While he remained thus deeply discontented he espied Blondello comming towards him and meeting him by the way he stept close to him and gaue him a cruell blow on the face causing his nose to fall out a bleeding Alas Sir said Blondello wherefore do you strike me Signior Phillippo catching him by the haire of the head trampled his wrought night-cap in the dirt his cloke also when laying many violent blowes on him he said Villanous Traitor as thou art I le teach thee what it is to enrubinate with Claret either thy selfe or any of thy cupping companions Am I a child to be iested withall Nor was he more furious in words then in strokes also beating him about the face hardly leauing any haire on his head and dragging him along in the mire spoyling all his garments and he not able from the first blow giuen to speake a word in defence of himselfe In the end Signior Phillippo hauing extreamly beaten him and many people gathering about them to succour a man so much misused the matter was at large related and manner of the message sending For which they all present did greatly reprehend Blondello considering he knew what kinde of man Phillippo was not any way to be iested withall Blondello in teares constantly maintained that he neuer sent any such message for wine or intended it in the least degree so when the tempest was more mildly calmed and Blondello thus cruelly beaten and durtied had gotten home to his owne house he could then remember that questionles this vvas occasioned by Guiotto After some few dayes were passed ouer and the hurts in his face indifferently cured Blondello beginning to walke abroade againe chanced to meet with Guiotto who laughing heartily at him sayde Tell me Blondello how doost thou like the enrubinating Clarret of Signior Phillippo As well quoth Blondello as thou didst the Sturgeon and Lampreyes at Messer Corso Donaties Why rhen sayde Guiotto let these two tokens continue familiar betweene thee and me when thou wouldst bestow such another dinner on mee then wil I enrubinate thy nose with a bottle of the same Claret But Blondello perceiued to his cost that hee had met with the worser bargaine and Guiotto got cheare without any blowes and therefore desired a peacefull attonement each of them alwayes after abstaining from flouting one another Two yong Gentlemen the one named Melisso borne
and by vertue of his command am ready for once onely to fulfill your pleasure but far from any will or consent in my selfe If Signior Ansaldo were abashed at the first hee began now to be more confounded with admiration when he heard the Lady speake in such strange manner being much moued with the liberall command of her husband he began to alter his inflamed heate into most honourable respect and compassion returning her this answer Most noble Lady the Gods forbid if it be so as you haue sayd that I should Villain-like soile the honour of him that takes such vnvsuall compassion of my vnchaste appetite And therefore you may remaine heere so long as you please in no other condition but as mine owne naturall borne Sister and likewise you may depart freely when you will conditionally that on my behalfe you render such thankes to your husband as you thinke conuenient for his great bounty towards me accounting me for euer heereafter as his loyall Brother and faithfull seruant Dianora hauing well obserued his answer her heart being ready to mount out at her mouth vvith ioy said All the world could neuer make mee beleeue considering your honourable minde and honesty that it would happen otherwise to me then now it hath done for which noble courtesie I will continually remaine obliged to you So taking her leaue she returned home honorably attended to her husband and relating to him what had happened it proued the occasion of begetting intire loue and friendship betweene himselfe and the Noble Lord Ansaldo Now concerning the skilfull Magitian to whom Ansaldo meant to giue the bountifull recompence agreed on betweene them hee hauing seene the strange liberality which the husband expressed to Signior Ansaldo and that of Ansaldo to the Lady hee presently saide Great Iupiter strike me dead with thunder hauing my selfe seene a husband so liberall of his honour and you Sir of true noble kindnesse if I should not be the like of my recompence for perceiuing it to be so worthily imployed I am well contented that you shal keepe it The Noble Lord was modestly ashamed and stroue so much as in him lay that he should take all or the greater part thereof but seeing he laboured meerly in vaine after the third day was past and the Magitian had destroyed the Garden againe hee gaue him free liberty to depart quite controlling all fond and vnchaste affection in himselfe either towards Dianora or any Lady else and liuing euer after as best becommeth any Nobleman to do What say you now Ladies Shal wee make any account of the woman wel-neere dead and the kindnesse growne cold in Signiour Gentile by losse of his former hopes comparing them with the liberality of Signior Ansaldo affecting more feruently then euer the other did And being beyond hope possessed of the booty which aboue all things else in the world he most desired to haue to part with it meerly in fond compassion I protest in my iudgement the one is no way comparable to the other that of Gentile with this last of Signior Ansaldo Victorious King Charles sirnamed the Aged and first of that Name fell in loue with a yong Maiden named Geneuera daughter to an ancient Knight called Signior Neri degli Vberti And waxing ashamed of his amorous folly caused both Geneuera and her fayre Sister Isotta to be ioyned in marriage with two Noble Gentlemen the one named Signior Maffeo da Palizzi and the other Signior Gulielmo della Magna The Sixt Nouell Sufficiently declaring that how mighty soeuer the power of Loue is yet a magnanimous and truly generous heart it can by no meanes fully conquer WHo is able to expresse ingeniously the diuersity of opinions which hapned among the Ladies in censuring on the act of Madame Dianora and which of them was most liberall either Signior Gilberto the Husband Lord Ansaldo the importunate suiter or the Magitian expecting to bee bountifully rewarded Surely it is a matter beyond my capacity but after the King had permitted their disputation a long while looking on Madam Fiammetta he commanded that she should report her Nouel to make an end of their controuersie and she without any further delaying thus began I did alwaies Noble Ladies hold it fit and decent that in such an assembly as this of ours is euery one ought to speake so succinctly and plainly that the obscure vnderstanding concerning the matters spoken of should haue no cause of disputation For disputes do much better become the Colledges of Schollers then to be among vs who hardly can manage our Distaues or Samplers And therefore I doe intend to relate something which peraduenture might appeare doubtfull will forbeare seeing you in such a difference for that which hath bin spoken alreadie to vse any difficult discourse but will speake of one a man of no meane ranke or quality being both a valiant and vertuous King and what he did without any impeach or blemish to his honor I make no doubt but you haue often heard report of king Charls the Aged and first of that name by reason of his magnificent enterprises as also his most glorious victory which he obtaind against King Manfred when the Ghibellines were expulsed foorth of Florence and the Guelphes returned thither againe By which occasion an ancient knight named Signior Neri degli Vberti forsaking then the City with all his family and great store of wealth woulde liue vnder any other obedience then the awful power or command of King Charles And coueting to be in some solitary place where he might finish the remainder of his dayes in peace he went to Castello da Mare where about a Bow shoote distance from all other dwelling houses hee bought a parcel of ground plentifully stored with variety of Trees bearing Oliues Chesnuts Orenges Lemons Pomcitrons and other excellent frutages wherewith the Countrey flourisheth abundantly There he built a very faire and commodious house and planted close by it a pleasant Garden in the middst whereof because he had great plenty of water according as other men vse to do being in the like case so wel prouided he made a very goodly Pond which forthwith had all kinde of Fish swimming in it it being his daily care and endeuour to tend his Garden and encrease his Fish-pond It fortuned that King Charles in the Summer time for his pleasure and recreation went to repose himselfe for some certayne dayes at Castello de Mare where hauing heard report of the beautie and singularitie of Signiour Neries Garden hee grew very desirous to see it But when he vnderstoode to whome it belonged then he entred into consideration with himselfe that hee was an ancient Knight maintaining a contrarie faction to his wherefore he thought it fit to goe in some familiar manner and with no trayne attending on him Wherupon he sent him word that he wold come to visit him with foure Gentlemen onely in his companie meaning to sup with him in his Garden the next