light they opened their bosomes shewed him their painted bodies and sodainly closed them vp againe The Physitian laboured to excuse himselfe declaring his misfortunes at large and into what a filthy place he was throwne It maketh no matter answered Buffalmaco I would you had bin throwen from off the Bridge into Arno where you might haue beene recommended to the Diuell and all his Saints Did not I tell you so much before In good sadnesse quoth the Doctor I neyther commended my selfe to God nor any of his Saints How sayde Buffalmaco I am sure you will maintaine an vntrueth you vsed a kinde of recommendation for our messenger told vs that you talked of God S. Dominicke and your good Angell whom you desired to assist you being so affrighted with feare that you trembled like a leafe vpon a tree not knowing indeede where you were Thus haue you vnfaithfully dealt with vs as neuer any man shall doe the like againe in seeking honour and losing it through your own negligence Master Doctor humbly entreated pardon and that they would not reuile him any more labouring to appease them by the best words he could vse as fearing least they should publish this great disgrace of him And whereas before he gaue them gracious welcomes now he redoubled them with farre greater courtesies feasting them daily at his own table and euermore delighting in their company Thus as you haue heard two poore Painters of Florence taught Master Doctor better Wit then all the Learned at Bologna A Cicilian Courtezane named Madame Biancafiore by her craftie wit and policie deceiued a young Merchant called Salabetto of all the money he had taken for his Wares at Palermo Afterward he making shew of comming hither againe with farre richer Merchandises then hee brought before made the meanes to borrow a great summe of Money of her leauing her so base a pawne as well requited her for her former cozenage The Tenth Nouell Whereby appeareth that such as meet with cunning Harlots and suffer themselues to be deceiued by them must sharpen their Wits to make them requitall in the selfesame kinde NEedlesse it were to question whether the Nouell related by the Queene in diuers passages thereof mooued the Ladies to hearty laughter and likewise to compassionate sighes and teares as pittying Madame Helena in her hard misfortune and yet applauding the Scholler for his iust reuenge But the discourse being ended Dioneus who knew it was his Office to be the last speaker euery day after silence was commanded he began in this manner Worthy Ladies it is a matter very manifest that deceits do appeare so much the more pleasing when by the selfe-same meanes the subtle deceyuer is artificially deceiued In which respect though you all haue reported very singular deceits yet I meane to tel you one that may proue as pleasing to you as any of your owne And so much the rather because the woman deceiued was a great and cunning Mistris in beguiling others equalling if not excelling any of your former beguilers It hath bene obserued heretofore and happily at this very day it is as frequent that in all Cities and Townes vpon the Sea-coasts hauing Ports for the benefit and venting Merchandises Merchants vse to bring their wealthy laden Vessels thither And when they vnlade any Ship of great fraught there are prepared Store-houses which in many places are called Magazines or Doganaes at the charge of the Communalty or Lord of the Towne or City for the vse whereof they receiue yearly gain and benefit Into those ware-houses they deliuer vnder writing and to the owners of them in especiall charge all their goods and merchandises of what price or valew soeuer they are Such as be the Owners of these Magazines when the Wares are thus stored vppe in them doe safely locke them vp there with their keyes hauing first registred downe truly all the goods in the Register belonging to the Custome-house that the Merchant may haue a iust account rendred him and the rights payed to the Custome-house according to the Register and as they are either in part or in all made sale of Brokers are continually there attending being informed in the quality of the Merchandises stored and likewise to what Merchants they appertaine by meanes of these men and according as the goods come to their hands they deuise to haue them exchaunged trucked vented and such other kinds of dispatches answerable to the mens minds and worth of the Commodities As in many other Kingdomes and Countries so was this custome obserued at Palermo in Sicily where likewise then were and no doubt now adayes are store of Women faire and comely of person but yet vowed enemies to honesty Neuerthelesse by such as know them not they are held and reputed to be blamelesse Women and by yeilding their bodyes vnto generall vse are the occasion of infinite misfortunes to men For so soone as they espy a Merchant-stranger there arriued they vvin information from the Booke belonging to the Magazin what wares are therein stored of what valew they bee and who is the Owner of them Afterwards by amorous actions and affable speeches they allure yong Merchants to take knowledge of them to bee familiar in their company till from some they get most part of their wealth from others all Nay diuers haue gone so farre as to make Port-sale of Ship Goods and Person so cunningly they haue bene shauen by these Barbers and yet without any Razor It came to passe and no long time since that a young Florentine of ours named Niccolo dâ— Cignano but more vsually called Salabetto imployed as Factor for his Maister arriued at Palermo his Ship stored with many Woollen Cloathes a remainder of such as had bin sold at the Mart of Salerno amounting in valew to aboue fiue hundred Florines of Gold When he had giuen in his packet to the Custome-house and made them vp safe in his Warehouse without making shew of desiring any speedy dispatch he delighted to view all parts of the City as mens minds are continuallie addicted to Nouelties He being a very faire and affable yong man easie to kindle affection in a very modest eie it fortuned that a Courtezane one of our before remembred shauers who termed hir selfe Madame Biancafiore hauing heard somewhat concerning his affairs beganne to dart amorous glances at him Which the indiscreete youth perceyuing and thinking her to be some great Lady began also to grow halfe perswaded that his comely person was pleasing to her and therefore he would carrie this good fortune of his somewhat cautelously Without imparting his mind vnto any one he would daily passe too and fro before her doore which she obseruing and hauing indifferently wounded him with her wanton piercing lookes she began to vse the first tricke of her Trade by pretending her enflamed affection towards him which made her pine and consume away in care except he might be moued to pitty her Whereupon she sent one of her Pandoraes vnto him
life be gone therefore and say thou hast a friendly warning These words dismaying Andrea but much more the stearne oathes and vgly sight of the Ruffian incited also by the neighbours counsell whom he imagined to aduise him in charitable manner it caused him to depart thence taking the way homeward to his Inne in no meane affliction and torment of minde for the monstrous abuse offered him and losse of his money Well he remembred the passages whereby the day before the young Girle had guided him but the loathsome smell about him was so extreamely offensiue to himselfe that desiring to wash him at the Sea side he strayed too farre wide on the contrary hand wandring vp the streete called Ruga Gatellana Proceeding on still euen to the highest part of the Citie hee espied a Lanthorne and light as also a man carrying it and another man with him in company both of them comming towards him Now because he suspected them two of the watch or some persons that would apprehend him he slept aside to shunne them and entred into an olde house hard by at hand The other mens intention was to the very same place and going in without any knowledge of Andreaes being there one of them layd downe diuers instruments of yron which he had brought thither on his backe and had much talke with his fellow concerning those engines At last one of them said I smell the most abhominable stinke that euer I felt in all my life So lifting vp his Lanthorne he espied poore pittifull Andrea closely couched behinde the wall Which sight somewhat affrighting him he yet boldly demaunded what and who hee was whereto Andrea aunswered nothing but lay still and held his peace Neerer they drew towards him with their light demaunding how hee came thither and in that filthy manner Constraint hauing now no other euasion but that of necessity all must out hee related to them the whole aduenture in the same sort as it had befalne him They greatly pittying his misfortune one of them said to the other Questionlesse this villanie was done in the house of Scarabone Buttafuoco And then turning to Andrea proceeded thus In good faith poore man albeit thou hast lost thy money yet art thou highly beholding to Fortune for falling though in a foule place yet in succesfull manner and entring no more backe into the house For beleeue mee friend if thou hadst not falne but quietly gone to sleepe in the house that sleepe had beene thy last in this world and with thy money thou hadst lost thy life likewise But teares and lamentations are now helplesse because as easily mayest thou plucke the Starres from the firmament as get a gaine the least doyt of thy losse And for that shag-haird Slaue in the house he will be thy deaths-man if he but vnderstand that thou makest any enquiry after thy money When he had thus admonished him he began also in this manner to comfort him Honest fellow we cannot but pitty thy present condition wherfore if thou wilt friendly associate vs in a businesse which wee are instantly going to effect thy losse hath not beene so great but on our words wee will warrant thee that thine immediate gaine shall farre exceede it What will not a man in desperate extremity both well like and allow of especially when it carrieth apparance of present comfort So fared it with Andrea hee perswaded himselfe worse then had already happened could not befall him and therefore he would gladly aduenture with them The selfe same day preceding this disastrous night to Andrea in the chiefe Church of the Citie had beene buried the Archbishop of Naples named Signior Philippo Minutulo in his richest pontificall roabes and ornaments and a Ruby on his finger valued to be worth fiue hundred duckets of gold this dead body they purposed to rob and rifle acquainting Andrea with their whole intent whose necessity coupled with a couetous desire made him more forward then well aduised to ioyne with them in this sacriligious enterprise On they went towards the great Church Andreaes vnsauourie perfume much displeasing them wherevpon the one said to his fellow Can we deuise no ease for this foule and noysome inconuenience the very smell of him will be a meanes to betray vs. There is a Well-pit hard by answered the other with a pulley and bucket descending downe into it and there we may wash him from this filthinesse To the Well-pit they came where they found the rope and pulley hanging ready but the bucket for safety was taken away whereon they concluded to fasten the rope about him and so let him downe into the Well-pit and when he had washed himselfe hee should wagge the rope and then they would draw him vp againe which accordingly they forth-with performed Now it came to passe that while hee was thus washing himselfe in the Well-pit the watch of the Citie walking the round and finding it to be a very hote and sweltring night they grew dry and thirsty and therefore went to the Well to drinke The other two men perceiuing the Watch so neere vpon them left Andrea in the Pit to shift for himselfe running away to shelter themselues Their flight was not discouered by the Watch but they comming to the Well-pit Andrea remained still in the bottome and hauing cleansed himselfe so well as hee could sate wagging the rope expecting when hee should be haled vp This dumbe signe the Watch discerned not but sitting downe by the Wells side they layde downe their Billes and other weapons tugging to draw vp the rope thinking the Bucket was fastened thereto and full of water Andrea being haled vp to the Pits brim left holding the rope any longer catching fast hold with his hands for his better safety and the Watch at the sight heereof being greatly affrighted as thinking that they had dragd vp a Spirit not daring to speake one word ranne away with all the hast they could make Andrea hereat was not a little amazed so that if he had not taken very good hold on the brim he might haue falne to the bottome and doubtlesse there his life had perished Being come forth of the Well and treading on Billes and Halbards which he well knew that his companions had not brought thither with them his meruaile so much the more encreased ignorance and feare still seizing on him with silent bemoaning his many misfortunes away thence he wandred but hee wist not whither As he went on he met his two fellowes who purposely returned to drag him out of the Well and seeing their intent already performed desired to know who had done it wherein Andrea could not resolue them rehearsing what hee could and what weapons hee found lying about the Well Whereat they smiled as knowing that the Watch had haled him vp for feare of whom they left him and so declared to him the reason of their returne Leauing off all further talke because now it was about midnight they went to the great
requireth that whosoeuer is the occasion of an ill act committed hee or she is as deepe in the fault as the party that did it Now concerning his banishment and wandring seauen yeares in exile thorow the world you cannot denie but that you were the onely occasion thereof In all which three seuerall actions farre more capitally haue you offended then by contracting of mariage in such clandestine manner But let vs see whether Thebaldo deserued all these seuerall castigations or not In trueth he did not your selfe haue confessed beside that which I know that hee loued you more dearely then himselfe and nothing could be more honoured magnified and exalted then dayly you were by him aboue all other women whatsoeuer When hee came in any place where honestly and without suspition hee might speake to you all his honour and all his liberty lay wholly committed into your power Was he not a noble young Gentleman Was hee among all those parts that most adorne a man and appertaine to the very choycest respect inferiour to any one of best merit in your Citie I know that you cannot make deniall to any of these demands How could you then by the perswasion of a beast a foole a villaine yea a vagabond enuying both his happinesse and yours enter into so cruell a minde against him I know not what error misguideth women in scorning and despising their husbands but if they entred into a better consideration vnderstanding truly what they are and what nobility of nature God hath endued man withall farre aboue all other creatures it would bee their highest title of glory when they are are so preciously esteemed of them so dearely affected by them and so gladly embraced in all their best abilities This is so great a sinne as the diuine Iustice which in an equal ballance bringeth all operations to their full effect did purpose not to leaue vnpunished but as you enforced against all reason to take away Thebaldo from your selfe euen so your Father Aldobrandino without any occasion giuen by Thebaldo is in perill of his life and you a partaker of his tribulation Out of which if you desire to be deliuered it is very conuenient that you promise one thing which I shall tell you and may much better be by you performed Namely that if Thebaldo doe at any time returne from his long banishment you shall restore him to your loue grace and good acceptation accounting him in the selfe same degree of fauour and priuate entertainement as he was at the first before you wicked ghostly father so hellishly incensed you against him When the Pilgrime had finished his speeches the Gentlewoman who had listened to them very attentiuely because all the all caged reasons appeared to be plainely true became verily perswaded that all these afflictions had falne on her and her Father for the ingratefull offence by her committed and therefore thus replied Worthy man and the friend to goodnesse I know vndoubtedly that the words which you haue spoken are true and also I vnderstand by your demonstration what manner of people some of those religious persons are whom heretofore I haue reputed to be Saints but find them now to be far otherwise And to speake truly I perceiue the fault to be great and grieuous wherein I haue offended against Thebaldo and would if I could willingly make amends euen in such manner as you haue aduised But how is it possible to be done Thebaldo being dead can be no more recalled to this life and therefore I know not what promise I should make in a matter which is not to be performed Whereto the Pilgrime without any longer pausing thus answered Madam by such reuelations as haue beene shewne to me I know for a certainety that Thebaldo is not dead but liuing in health and in good estate if he had the fruition of your grace and fauour Take heede what you say Sir quoth the Gentlewoman for I saw him lie slaine before my doore his body hauing receiued many wounds which I folded in mine armes and washed his face with my brinish teares whereby perhaps the scandall arose that flew abroade to my disgrace Beleeue me Madam replied the Pilgrime say what you will I dare assure you that Thebaldo is liuing and if you dare make promise concerning what hath beene formerly requested and keepe it inuiolably I make no doubt but you your selfe shall shortly see him I promise it quoth shee and binde my selfe thereto by a sacred oath to keepe it faithfully for neuer could any thing happen to yeeld me the like contentment as to see my Father free from danger and Thebaldo liuing At this instant Thebaldo thought it to be a very apt and conuenient time to disclose himselfe and to comfort the Lady with an assured signall of hope for the deliuerance of her Father wherefore he saide Lady to the ende that I may comfort you infallibly in this dangerous perill of your Fathers life I am to make knowne an especiall secret to you which you are to keepe carefully as you tender your owne life from euer being reuealed to the world They were then in a place of sufficient priuacy and alone by themselues because shee reposed great confidence in the Pilgrimes sanctity of life as thinking him none other then as he seemed to be Thebaldo tooke out of his Purse a Ring which shee gaue him the last night of their conuersing together and he had kept with no meane care and shewing it to her he saide Doe you know this Ring Madam So soone as shee saw it immediately shee knew it and answered Yes Sir I know the Ring and confesse that heretofore I gaue it vnto Thebaldo Hereupon the Pilgrime stood vp and suddenly putting off his poore linnen Frocke as also the Hood from his head vsing then his Florentine tongue he saide Then tell me Madam doe you not know me When shee had aduisedly beheld him and knew him indeede to the Thebaldo she was stricken into a wonderfull astonishment being as fearefull of him as shee was of the dead body which shee saw lying in the streete And I dare assure you that shee durst not goe neere him to respect him as Thebaldo so lately come from Cyprus but in terror fled away from him as if Thebaldo had beene newly risen out of his graue and came thither purposely to affright her wherefore he saide Be not afraide Madam I am your Thebaldo in health aliue and neuer as yet died neither haue I receiued any wounds to kill mee as you and my brethren haue formerly imagined Some better assurance getting possession of her soule as knowing him perfectly by his voyce and looking more stedfastly on his face which constantly auouched him to be Thebaldo the teares trickling amaine downe her faire cheekes shee ran to embrace him casting her armes about his necke and kissing him a thousand times saying Theboldo my true and faithful Husband nothing in the World can be so welcome to me Thebaldo hauing
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
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
yong man whom she loued at supper with her Pedro returning home vpon a sodaine the young man was hidden vnder a Coope for Hens Pedro in excuse of his so soone comming home declareth how in the house of Herculano with whome hee should haue supt a friend of his wiues was found which was the reason of the suppers breaking off Pedroes wise reprouing the errour of Herculanoes wife an Asse by chance treades on the young-mans fingers that lay hidden vnder the Henne-Coope Vpon his crying out Pedro steppeth thither sees him knowes him and findeth the fallacie of his wife with whom neuerthelesse he groweth to agreement in regard of some imperfections in himselfe The End of the Table THE DECAMERON Containing an Hundred pleasant NOVELLES Wherein after demonstration made by the Author vpon what occasion it hapned that the persons of whom we shall speake heereafter should thus meete together to make so queint a Narration of Nouels Hee declareth vnto you that they first begin to deuise and conferre vnder the gouernment of Madam Pampinea and of such matters as may be most pleasing to them all The Induction of the Author to the following Discourses GRacious Ladies so often as I consider with my selfe and obserue respectiuely how naturally you are enclined to compassion as many times do I acknowledge that this present worke of mine will in your iudgement appeare to haue but a harsh and offensiue bâ—ginning in regard of the mournfull remembrance it beareth at the verie entrance of the last Pestilentiall mortality vniuersally hurtfull to all that beheld it or otherwise came to knowledge of it But for all that I desire it may not be so dreadfull to you to hinder your further proceeding in reading as if none were to looke thereon but with sighes and teares For I could rather with that so fearefull a beginning should seeme but as an high and steepy hil appeares to them that attempt to trauell farre on foote and ascending the same with some difficulty come afterward to walk vpon a goodly euen plaine which causeth the more contentment in them because the attaining thereto was hard and painfull For euen as pleasures are cut off by griefe and anguish so sorrowes cease by ioyes most sweete and happie arriuing After this breefe mollestation briefe I say because it is contained within small compasse of Writing immediately followeth the most sweete and pleasant taste of pleasure whereof before I made promise to you Which peraduenture could not bee expected by such a beginning if promise stoode not thereunto engaged And indeed if I could wel haue conueyed you to the center of my desire by any other way then so rude and rocky a passage as this is I would gladly haue done it But because without this Narration we could not demonstrate the occasion how and wherefore the matters hapned which you shall reade in the ensuing Discourses I must set them downe euen as constrained thereto by meere necessity in writing after this manner The yeare of our blessed Sauiours incarnation 1348. that memorable mortality happened in the excellent City farre beyond all the rest in Italy which plague by operation of the superiour bodies or rather for our enormous iniquities by the iust anger of God was sent vpon vs mortals Some few yeeres before it tooke beginning in the Easterne partes sweeping thence an innumerable quantity of liuing soules extending it selfe afterward from place to place Westward vntill it seized on the said City Where neither humane skill or prouidence could vse any preuention notwithstanding it was cleansed of many annoyances by diligent Officers thereto deputed besides prohibition of all sickly persons enterance and all possible prouision dayly vsed for conseruation of such as were in health with incessant prayers and supplications of deuoute people for the asswaging of so dangerous a sicknesse About the beginning of the yeare it also began in very strange manner as appeared by diuers admirable effects yet not as it had done in the East Countries where Lord or Lady being touched therewith manifest signes of incuitable death followed thereon by bleeding at the nose But here it began with yong children male and female either vnder the arm-pits or in the groine by certaine swellings in some to the bignesse of an Apple in others like an Egge and so in diuers greater or lesser which in their vulgar Language they termed to be a Botch or Byle In very short time after those two infected parts were grown mortiferous and would disperse abroad indifferently to all parts of the body whereupon such was the qualitie of the disease to shew it selfe by blacke or blew spottes which would appeare on the armes of many others on their thighes and euerie part else of the body in some great and few in others small and thicke Now as the Byle at the beginning was an assured signe of neere approaching death so prooued the spots likewise to such as had them for the curing of which sicknesse it seemed that the Physitians counsell the vertue of Medicines or any application else could not yeeld any remedy but rather it plainely appeared that either the nature of the disease would not endure it or ignorance in the Physitians could not comprehend from whence the cause prooceeded and so by consequent no resolution was to be determined Moreouer beside the number of such as were skilfull in Art many more both women and men without euer hauing any knowledge in Physicke became Physitians so that not onely few were healed but well-neere all dyed within three dayes after the saide signes were seene some sooner and others later commonly without either Feauer or any other accident And this pestilence was yet of farre greater power or violence for not onely healthfull persons speaking to the sicke comming to see them or ayring cloathes in kindnesse to comfort them was an occasion of ensuing death but touching their garments or any foode whereon the sicke person fed or any thing else vsed in his seruice seemed to transferre the disease from the sicke to the sound in very rare and miraculous manner Among which matter of maruell let me tell you one thing which if the eyes of many as well as mine owne had not seene hardly could I be perswaded to write it much lesse to beleeue it albeit a man of good credit should report it I say that the quality of this contagious pestilence was not onely of such efficacy in taking and catching it one of another either men or women but it extended further euen in the apparant view of many that the cloathes or any thing else wherein one died of that disease being toucht or lyen on by any beast farre from the kind or quality of man they did not onely contaminate and infect the said beast were it Dogge Cat or any other but also it died very soone after Mine owne eyes as formerly I haue said among diuers other one day had euident experience hereof for some poore ragged cloathes of linnen
lamented Being deliuered out of the Court it was carried to buriall not like a Burgesse or ordinary Citizen but with such pompe as beseemed a Lord Baron and on the shoulders of very noble Gentlemen with very especiall honor and reuerence Within some few dayes after the Potestate pursuing his former motion of marriage and the Father mouing it to his daughter she wold not by any meanes listen thereto And he being desirous to giue her contentment deliuered her and her Chamber-maid into a Religious Abbey very famous for deuotion and sanctity where afterwardes they ended their liues Faire Simonida affecting Pasquino and walking with him in a pleasant garden it fortuned that Pasquino rubbed his teeth with a leafe of Sage and immediately fell downe dead Simonida being brought before the bench of Iustice and charged with the death of Pasquino she rubbed her teeth likewise with one of the leaues of the same Sage as declaring what shee saw him do and thereon she dyed also in the same manner The seauenth Nouell Whereby is giuen to vnderstand that Loue Death do vse their power equally alike as well vpon poore and meane persons as on them that are rich and Noble PAmphilus hauing ended his Tale the King declaring an outward shew of compassion in regard of Andreanaes disastrous Fortune fixed his eye on Madam Emillia and gaue her such an apparant signe as expressed his pleasure for her next succeeding in discourse which being sufficient for her vnderstanding thus she began Faire assembly the Nouel so lately deliuered by Pamphilus maketh me willing to report another to you varying from it in any kinde of resemblance onely this excepted that as Andreana lost her louer in a Garden euen so did shee of whome I am now to speake And being brought before the seate of Iustice according as Andreana was freed her selfe from the power of the Law yet neither by force or her owne vertue but by her sodaine and inopinate death And although the nature of Loue is such according as wee haue oftentimes heeretofore maintained to make his abiding in the houses of the Noblest persons yet men and women of poore and farre inferiour quality do not alwayes sit out of his reach though enclosed in their meanest Cottages declaring himselfe sometimes as powerfull a commaunder in those humble places as he doth in the richest and most imperious Palaces As will plainly appeare vnto you either in all or a great part of my Nouell whereto our Citie pleadeth some title though by the diuersity of our discourses talking of so many seuerall accidents we haue wandred into many other parts of the world to make all answerable to our owne liking It is not any long time since when there liued in our City of Florence a young and beautifull Damosell yet according to the nature of hir condition because she was the Daughter of a poore Father and called by the name of Simonida Now albeit shee was not supplied by any better meanes then to maintaine her selfe by her owne painfull trauell earne her bread before shee could eate it by carding and spinning to such as employed her yet was she not of so base or deiected a spirit but had both courage and sufficient vertue to vnderstand the secret solicitings of loue and to distinguish the parts of well deseruing both by priuate behauiour and outward ceremony As naturall instinct was her first tutor thereto so wanted she not a second maine and vrging motion a chip hewed out of the like Timber one no better in birth then her selfe a proper young springall named Pasquino whose generous behauiour and gracefull actions in bringing her daily wooll to spin by reason his master was a Clothier preuailed vpon her liking and affection Nor was he negligent in the obseruation of her amorous regards but the Tinder tooke and his soule flamed with the selfe-same fire making him as desirous of her louing acceptance as possibly she could bee of his so that the commanding power of loue could not easily be distinguished in which of them it had the greater predominance For euerie day as he brought her fresh supply of woolles and found her seriously busied at hir wheele her soule would vent forth many deepe sighes and those sighes fetch floods of teares from her eyes thorough the singular good opinion she had conceyued of him and earnest desire to enioy him Pasquino on the other side as leysure gaue him leaue for the least conuersing with her his disease was euery way answerable to her for teares stood in his eyes sighes flew abroad to ease the poore hearts afflicting oppressions which though he was vnable to conceale yet would hee seeme to clowd them cleanly by entreating her that his masters worke might be nearly performed and with such speed as time would permit her intermixing infinite praises of her artificiall spinning and affirming withall that the Quilles of Yearne receiued from her were the choisest beauty of the whole peece so that when other worke-women played Simonida was sure to want no employment Heereupon the one soliciting and the other taking delight in beeing solicited it came to passe that often accesse bred the bolder courage ouer-much bashfulnesse became abandoned yet no immodestie passing betweene them but affection grew the better setled in them both by interchangeable vowes of constant perseuerance so that death onely but no disaster else had power to diuide them Their mutuall delight continuing on in this manner with more forcible encreasing of their Loues equall flame it fortuned that Pasquino sitting by Simonida tolde her of a goodly Garden whereto hee was desirous to bring her to the end that they might the more safely conuerse together without the suspition of enuious eyes Simonida gaue answer of her well-liking the motion and acquainting her Father therewith he gaue her leaue on the Sunday following after dinner to go ferch the pardon of S. Gallo and afterwards to visit the Garden A modest yong maiden named Lagina following the same profession and being an intimate familiar friend Simonida tooke along in her company and came to the Garden appointed by Pasquino where shee found him readily expecting her comming and another friend also with him called Puccino albeit more vsually tearmed Strambo a secret well-willer to Lagina whose loue became the more furthered by this friendly meeting Each Louer delighting in his hearts chosen Mistresse caused them to walke alone by themselues as the spaciousnesse of the Garden gaue them ample liberty Puccino with his Lagina in one part Pasquino with his Simonida in another The walke which they had made choise of was by a long and goodly bed of Sage turning and returning by the same bed as their conference ministred occasion and as they pleased to recreate themselues affecting rather to continue still there then in any part of the Garden One while they would sit downe by the Sage bed and afterward rise to walke againe as ease or wearinesse seemed to inuite
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
the chearful blood mounted vp into hir cheekes and thus she replyed Neuer make you any doubt Sir but that I can sufficiently performe whatsoeuer you haue said and am prouided of the onely place in the world where such a weighty businesse is to be effected For I haue a Farme or dairy house neere adioyning to the vale of Arno closely bordering vpon the same Riuer It beeing now the moneth of Iuly the most conuenientest time of all the yeare to bathe in I can bee the easier induced thereunto Moreouer there is hard by the Riuers side a smal Tower or Turret vninhabited whereinto few people do sildome enter but onely Heardsmen or Flocke-keepers who ascend vppe by the helpe of a wodden Ladder to a Tarrasse on the top of the saide Tower to looke all about for their beasts when they are wandred astray it standing in a solitary place and out of the common way or resort There dare I boldly aduenture to mount vp and with the inuincible courage of a wronged Lady not fearing to looke death himself in the face do al that you haue prescribed yea and much more to recouer my deare lost Louer againe whom I value equal with my owne Life Reniero who perfectly knew both the Dairy Farme and the old smal Turret not a little ioyful to heare how forward shee vvas to shame her selfe answered in this manner Madame I was neuer in those parts of the Country albeit they are so neere to our City therfore I must needs be ignorant not onely of your Farme but the Turret also But if they stand in such conuenient manner as you haue described all the vvorld could not yeelde the like elsewhere so apt and sutable to your purpose wherefore vvith such expedition as possibly I can vse I will make the Image and send it you as also the charme verie fairely written But let me entreate you that vvhen you haue obtayned your hearts desire and are able to iudge truely of my loue and seruice not to be vnmindfull of me but at your best leysure to performe what you haue with such protestations promised which shee gaue him her haâ—d and faith to do without any impeach or hinderance and so parting she returned home to her house Our ouer-ioyed Scholler applauding his happy Starres for furthering him with so faire a way to his reuenge immagining that it was already halfe executed made the Image in due forme wrote an old Fable insted of a Charme both which he sent to the Lady so soone as he thought the time to be fitting and this admonition withall that the Moone being entering into the full without any longer delay she might venter on the businesse the next night following and remaine assured to repossesse her friend Afterward for the better pleasing of himselfe he went secretly attended onely by his seruant to the house of a trusty frend of his who dwelt somwhat neere to the Turret there to expect the issue of this Lady-like enterprize And Madam Helena accompanied with none but Ancilla walked on to her dairy Farme where the night ensuing pretending to take her rest sooner then formerly she vsed to doe she commanded Ancilla to go to bed referring her selfe to her best liking After she had slept her first sleepe according to the Schollers direction departing softly out of her chamber she went on towards the ancient Tower standing hard by the riuer of Arno looking euery way heedfully about hir least she should be spied by any person But perceiuing hir selfe to be so secure as she could desire putting off all her garments she hid them in a small brake of bushes afterward holding the Image in hir hand seuen times she bathd hir body in the riuer and then returned back with it to the Tower The Scholler who at the nights closing vp of day had hid himselfe among the willowes other trees which grew very thick about the Tower saw both hir going and returning from the Riuer and as she passed thus naked by him he plainly perceyued that the nights obscurity could not cloud the delicate whitenes of hir body but made the Starres themselues to gaze amorously on her euen as if they were proud to behold her bathing and like so many twinkling Tapers shewed hir in emulation of another Diana Now what conflicts this sight caused in the mind of our Scholler one while quenching his hatefull spleen towards hir al coueting to imbrace a piece of such perfection another while thinking it a purchase fit for one of Cupids soldiers to seize and surprize hir vppon so faire an aduantage none being neere to yeild her rescue in the fiery triall of such temptations I am not able to iudge or to say what resistance flesh and blood could make being opposed with such a sweet enemy But he well considering what she was the greatnes of his iniury as also how and for whom he forgot all wanton allurements of Loue scorning to entertaine a thought of compassion continuing constant in his resolution to let her suffer as he himselfe had done So Helena being mounted vp on the Turret and turning her face towards the North she repeated those idle friuolous words composed in the nature of a charme which shee had receiued from the Scholler Afterward by soft and stealing steps hee went into the old Tower and tooke away the Ladder whereby she ascended to the Tarras staying and listening how shee proceeded in her amorous exorcisme Seuen times she rehearsed the charme to the Image looking still when the two Ladies would appeare in their likenesse and so long she held on her imprecations feeling greater cold then willinglie she would haue done that breake of day began to shew it selfe and halfe despairing of the Ladies comming according as the Scholler had promised she said to her selfe I much misdoubt that Reniero hath quitted me with such another peece of night-seruice as it vvas my lucke to bestow on him but if he haue done it in that respect hee was but ill aduised in his reuenge because the night wants now three parts of the length as then it had and the cold which he suffered was far superior in quality to mine albeit it is more sharp now in the morning then all the time of night it hath bin And because day-light should not discouer her on the Tarrasse she went to make her descent downe againe but finding the Ladder to be taken away thinking how her publike shame was now ineuitable her heart dismayed and shee fell downe in a swoune on the Tarras yet recouering her senses afterward her greefe and sorow exceeded all capacity of vtterance For now she became fully perswaded that this proceeded from the Schollers malice repenting for her vnkinde vsage towards him but much more condemning her selfe for reposing any trust in him who stood bound by good reason to be her enemy Continuing long in this extreame affliction and surueighing all likely meanes about her whereby she might descend from
visit Florence any more Conigiano being much displeased at the repetition of his Follie sharply reproued him saying Thou hast done leudly in carying thy selfe so loosely and spending thy Masters goods so carelesly which though I cannot truly tearme spent but rather art meerely cousâ—ned and cheated of them yet thou seest at what a deere rate thou hast purchased pleasure which yet is not vtterly helplesse but may by one meanes or other be recouered And being a man of woonderfull apprehension aduised him instantly what was to bee done furnishing him also with a summe of money wherewith to aduenture a second losse in hope of recouering the first againe he caused diuers Packes to be well bound vp with the Merchants markes orderly made on them and bought about twenty Buttes or Barrelles all filled as it were with Oyle and these pretended commodities being shipt Salabetto returned with them to Palermo Where hauing giuen in his packets to the Custome-house and entred them all vnder his owne name as being both owner and factor all his Wares were lockt vp in his Magizine with open publication that he would not vent any of them before other merchandises which he daily expected were there also arriued Biancafiore hauing heard thereof and vnderstanding withall that he had brought Merchandises now with him amounting to aboue two thousand Florins staying also in expectation of other commodities valewing better then three thousand more she beganne to consider with her selfe that she had not yet gotten money enough from him and therefore would cast a figure for a farre bigger booty Which that she might the more fairely effect without so much as an imagination of the least mistrust she would repay him backe his fiue hundred Florines to winne from him a larger portion of two or three thousand at the least and hauing thus setled her determination she sent to haue him come speake with her Salabetto hauing bene soundly bitten before and therefore the better warranted from the like ranckling teeth willingly went to her not shewing any signe of former discontent she seeming as if she knew nothing of the wealth he brought with him gracing him in as louing manner as euer she had done thus she spake I am sure Salabetto you are angry with mee because I restored not your Florines at my promised day Salabetto smiling presently answered Beleeue me Lady quoth he it did a little distast me euen as I could haue bin offended with him that should plucke out my heart to bestow it on you if it would yeelde you any contentment But to let you know vnfainedly how much I am incensed with anger against you such and so great is the affection I beare you that I haue solde the better part of my whole estate conuerting the same into Wealthy Merchandises which I haue alreadie brought hither with mee and valewing aboue two thousand Florines all which are stored vp in my Magazine There must they remaine till another Ship come forth of the Westerne parts wherein I haue a much greater aduenture amounting vnto more then three thousand Florines And my purpose is to make my aboade heere in this City which hath won the sole possession of my heart onely in regard of my Biancafiore to whoÌ„ I am so intirely deuoted as both my selfe and whatsoeuer else is mine now or hereafter is dedicated onely to her seruice whereto thus she replyed Now trust me Salabetto whatsoeuer redoundeth to thy good and benefite is the cheefest comfort of my soule in regard I prize thy loue dearer then mine owne life and am most ioyfull of thy rerurne hither againe but much more of thy still abiding heere because I intend to liue onely with thee so soone as I haue taken order for some businesse of import In the meane while let me entreate thee to hold me excused because before thy departure hence thou camest sometimes to see me without thy entrance admitted and other-whiles againe found not such friendly entertainement as formerly had bene affoorded But indeede and aboue all the rest in not re-paying thy money according to my promise But consider good Salabetto in what great trouble and affliction of minde I then was both in regard of my Brothers danger and other important occurrences beside which mollestations do much distract the senses and hinder kinde courtesies which otherwise would bee extended liberally Last of all consider also how difficult a thing it is for a woman so sodainly to raise the summe of a thousand golden Florines when one friend promiseth and performeth not another protesteth yet hath no such meaning a third sweareth and yet proueth a false Lyar so that by being thus vngently vsed a breach is made betweene the best frends liuing From hence it proceeded and no other defect else that I made not due returne of your fiue hundred Florins No sooner were you departed hence but I had them readie and as many more and could I haue knowne whither to send them they had bene with you long time since which because I could not by any meanes compasse I kept them still for you in continuall readinesse as hoping of your comming hither againe So causing a purse to be brought wherein the same Florines were which hee had deliuered her she gaue it into his hand and prayed him to count them ouer whether there were so many or no. Neuer was Salabettoes heart halfe so ioyfull before and hauing counted them found them to be his owne fiue hundred Florines then putting them vp into his pocket he saide Comfort of my life Full well I know that whatsoeuer you haue saide is most certaine but let vs talke no more of falshood in friendship or casuall accidents happening vnexpected you haue dealt with mee like a most loyall Mistresse and heere I protest vnsainedly to you that as well in respect of this kinde courtesie as also the constancy of miâ—e affection to you you cannot request hereafter a far greater summe of me to supply any necessarie occasion of yours but if my power can performe it you shall assuredly finde it certaine make proofe thereof whensoeuer you please after my other goods are Landed and I haue established my estate here in your City Hauing in this manner renewed his wonted amity with her and with words farre enough off from all further meaning Salabetto began againe to frequent her company she expressing all former familiarity and shewing her selfe as lauishly bountifull to him in all respects as before she had done nay many times in more magnificent manner But he intending to punish her notorious trechery towards him when she left him as an open scorne to the World wounded with disgrace and quite out of credit with all his friends she hauing on a day solemnly inuited him to suppe and lodge in her house all night he went both with sad and melancholly lookes seeming as ouercome with extreamity of sorrow Biancafiore meruayling at this strange alteration in him sweetly kissing and embracing him would needs know
kinsman and being absent remaine your friend assuring you that whether what is done shall please or displease you if you purpose to proceed any otherwise I will take Gisippus along with mee and when I come to Rome take such sure order to fetch her hence who in Iustice is mine euen in meere despight of you all and then you shall feele by sound experience how powerfull is the iust indignation of the wronged Romanes WHen Titus had thus concluded his Oration he arose with a sterne and discontented countenance and tooke Gisippus by the hand plainly declaring that he made small account of all the rest that were in the Temple and shaking his head at them rather menaced then any other wise seemed to care for them They which tarried when they were gone considering partly on the reasons alleadged by Titus and partly terrified by his latest speeches became induced to like well of his alliance and amitie as with common consent they concluded that it was much better to accept Titus as their kinsman seeing Gisippus had made manifest refusall thereof than to lose the kinred of the one and procure the hatred of the other Wherefore they went to seeke Titus and said vnto him they were very well contented that Sophronia should bee his Wife hee their deare and louing kinsman and Gisippus to remaine their much respected friend And embracing one another making a solemne feast such as in the like cases is necessarilie required they departed from him presently sending Sophronia to him who making a vertue of necessity conuerted her loue in short time after to Titus in as effectuall manner as formerly shee had done to Gisippus and so was sent away with him to Rome where she was receiued and welcommed with very great honour Gisippus remaining still at Athens in small regard of eyther theirs or his owne friends not long after by meanes of sundry troublesome Citizens and partialities happening among the common people was banished from Athens and hee as also all his familie condemned to perpetuall exile during which tempestuous time Gisippus was become not onely wretchedly poore but wandred abroad as a common begger in which miserable condition he trauelled to Rome to try if Titus would take any acknowledgement of him Vnderstanding that he was liuing and one most respected among the Romanes as being a great Commander and a Senator he enquired for the place where hee dwelt and going to be neere about his house stayed there so long till Titus came home yet not daring to manifest himselfe or speake a word to him in regard of his poore and miserable estate but stroue to haue him see him to the end that hee might acknowledge and call him by his name notwithstanding Titus passed by him without either speech or looking on him Which when Gisippus perceiued and making full account that at the least he would remember him in regard of former courtesies done to him confounded with griefe and desperate thoughts hee departed thence neuer meaning to see him any more Now in regard it was night he hauing eaten nothing all that day nor prouided of one penny to buy him any food wandred he knew not whether desiring rather to die than liue hee came at last to an old ruinous part of the City ouer-spred with briers and bushes and seldome resorted vnto by any where finding a hollow Caue or vault he entred into it meaning there to weare away the comfortlesse night and laying himselfe downe on the hard ground almost starke naked and without any warme garments ouer-wearied with weeping at last he fell into a sleepe It fortuned that two men who had beene abroad the same night committing thefts and robberies together somwhat very earlie in the morning came to the same Caue intending there to share and diuide their booties and difference happening betweene them about it hee that was the stronger person slew there the other and then went away with the whole purchase Gisippus hauing heard and seene the manner of this accident was not a little ioyfull because he had now found a way to death without laying any violent hand on himselfe for life being very loathsome to him it was his only desire to die Wherfore he would not budge from the place but taried there so long till the Sergeants and Officers of Iustice by information of him that did the deede came thither well attended and furiously ledde Gisippus thence to prison Being examined concerning this bloudy fact he plainly confessed that hee himselfe had committed the murder and afterward would not depart from the Caue but purposely stayed for apprehension as being truely toucht with compunction for so foule an offence vpon which peremptorie confession Marcus Varro being then Praetor gaue sentence that he should be crucified on a Crosse as it was the vsuall manner of death in those dayes Titus chancing to come at the same time into Praetorium aduisedly beholding the face of the condemned man as hee sate vpon the bench knew him to bee Gysippus not a little wondring at this strange accident the pouertie of his estate and what occasion should bring him thither especially in the questioning for his life and before the Tribunall of Iustice His soule earnestly thirsting by all possible meanes to helpe and defend him and no other course could now be taken for safetie of his life but by accusing himselfe to excuse and cleare the other of the crime hee stept from off the iudgement bench and crouding through the throng to the Barre called out to the Praetor in this manner Marcus Varro recall thy sentence giuen on the condemned man sent away because hee is truely guiltlesse and innocent With one bloudie blow haue I offended the Gods by killing that wretched man whom the Serieants found this morning slaine wherefore Noble Praetor let no innocent mans bloud be shed for it but onely mine that haue offended Marcus Varro stood like a man confounded with admiration being very sorrie for that which the whole assistants had both seene and heard yet hee could not with honour desist from what must needs be done but would performe the Lawes seuere iniunction And sending for condemned â—isippus backe againe in the presence of Titus thus he spake to him How becamest thou so madly incensed as without any torment inflicted on thee to confesse an offence by thee neuer committed Art thou wearie of thy life Thou chargest thy selfe falsly to be the person who this last night murdered the man in the Caue and there is another that voluntarily also doth confesse his guiltinesse Gisippus lifting vp his eyes and perceiuing it was Titus conceiued immediately that he had done this onely for his deliuerance as one that remembred him sufficiently and would not be vngratefull for former kindnesses receiued Wherefore the teares flowing abundantly down his cheekes he said to the Iudge Varro it was none but I that murdered the man wherefore I commiserate the case of this Noble Gentleman Titus who speakes now too