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
all such goods as he enioyed and then departed out of this life It came to passe that the City of Forenza long time being molested with tedious warres and subiected to very seruile condition beganne now to recouer her former strength with free permission for all such as pleased to returne and possesse their former dwellings Whereupon Iacomino hauing sometime beene an inhabitant there was desirous to liue in Faenza againe conuaying thither all his goods and taking with him also the young girle which Guidotto had left him whom hee loued and respected as his owne childe As shee grew in stature so shee did in beauty and vertuous qualities as none was more commended throughout the whole City for faire ciuill and honest demeanour which incited many amorously to affect her But aboue all the rest two very honest young men of good fame and repute who were so equally in loue addicted to her that being iealous of each others fortune in preuenting of their seuerall hopefull expectation a deadly hatred grew suddenly betweene them the one being named Giouanni de Seuerino and the other Menghino da Minghole Either of these two young men before the Maide was fifteene yeeres old laboured to be possessed of her in marriage but her Guardian would giue no consent thereto wherefore perceiuing their honest intended meaning to be frustrated they now began to busie their braines how to forestall one another by craft and circumuention Iacomino had a Maide-seruant belonging to his House somewhat aged and a Man-seruant beside named Griuello of mirthfull disposition and very friendly with whom Giouanni grew in great familiarity and when he found time fit for the purpose he discouered his loue to him requesting his furtherance and assistance in compassing the height of his desire with bountifull promises of rich rewarding whereto Griuello returned this answere I know not how to sted you in this case but when my Master shall sup foorth at some Neighbours House to admit your entrance where she is because if I offer to speake to her shee neuer will stay to heare me Wherefore if my seruice this way may doe you any good I promise to performe it doe you beside as you shall find it most conuenient for you So the bargaine was agreed on betweene them and nothing else now remained but to what issue it should sort in the end Menghino on the other side hauing entred into the Chamber-maides acquaintance sped so well with her that shee deliuered so many messages from him as had already halfe won the liking of the Virgin passing further promises to him beside of bringing him to haue conference with her whensoeuer her Master should be absent from home Thus Menghino being fauoured on the one side by the olde Chamber-maide and Giouanni on the other by trusty Griuello their amorous warre was now on foote and diligently followed by both their sollicitors Within a short while after by the procurement of Griuello Iacomino was inuited by a neighbour to supper in company of diuers his very familiar friends wherof intelligence being giuen to Giouanni a conclusion passed betweene them that vpon a certaine signale giuen he should come and finde the doore standing ready open to giue him all accesse vnto the affected Mayden The appointed night being come and neither of these hot Louers knowing the others intent but their suspition being alike and encreasing still more and more they made choyce of certaine friends and associates well armed and prouided for eithers safer entrance when neede should require Menghino stayed with his troope in a neere neighbouring house to the Mayden attending when the signall would be giuen but Giouanni and his conâ—orts were ambushed somewhat further off from the House and both saw when Iacomino went foorth to supper Now Grinello and the Chamber-maide began to vary which should send the other out of the way till they had effected their seuerall intention whereupon Grinello said to her What maketh thee to walke thus about the House and why doest thou not get thee to bed And thou quoth the Maide why doest thou not goe to attend on our Master and tarry for his returning home I am sure thou hast supt long agoe and I know no businesse here in the House for thee to doe Thus by no meanes the one could send away the other but either remained as the others hinderance But Grinello remembring himselfe that the houre of his appointment with Giouanni was come he saide to himselfe What care I whether our olde Maide be present or no If shee disclose any thing that I doe I can be reuenged on her when I list So hauing made the signall he went to open the doore euen when Giouanni and two of his confederates rushed into the House and finding the faire young Maiden sitting in the Hall laide hands on her to beare her away The Damosell began to resist them crying out for helpe so loude as shee could as the olde Chamber-maide did the like which Menghino hearing he ranne thither presently with his friends and seeing the young Damosell brought well-neere out of the House they drew their Swords crying out Traytors you are but dead men here is no violence to be offered neither is this a booty for such base groomes So they layed about them lustily and would not permit them to passe any further On the other side vpon this mutinous noyse and out-cry the Neighbours came foorth of their Houses with lights staues and clubbes greatly reprouing them for this out-rage yet assisting Menghino by meanes whereof after a long time of contention Menghino recouered the Mayden from Giouanni and placed her peaceably in Iacominoes House No sooner was this hurly-burly somewhat calmed but the Serieants to the Captaine of the City came thither and apprehended diuers of the mutiners among whom were Menghino Giouanni and Grinello committing them immediately to prison But after euery thing was pacified and Iacomino returned home to his House from supper he was not a little offended at so grosse an iniury When he was fully informed how the matter happened and apparantly perceiued that no blame at all could be imposed on the Mayden he grew the better contented resoluing with himselfe because no more such inconueniences should happen to haue her married so soone as possibly he could When morning was come the kindred and friends on either side vnderstanding the truth of the errour committed and knowing beside what punishment would be inflicted on the prisoners if Iacomino pressed the matter no further then as with reason and equity well he might they repaired to him and in gentle speeches entreated him not to regard a wrong offered by vnruly and youthfull people meerely drawne into the action by perswasion of friends submitting both themselues and the offendors to such satisfaction as he pleased to appoint them Iacomino who had seene and obserued many things in his time and was a man of sound vnderstanding returned them this answere Gentlemen if I were
sorrow for their friends losse If not thus they would assemble before the doore with many of the best Cittizens and kindred and according to the quality of the deceased the Clergy met there likewise and the dead body was carried in comely manner on mens shoulders with funerall pompe of Torch-light and singing to the Church appointed by the deceased But these seemely orders after that the fury of the pestilence began to encrease they in like manner altogether ceased and other new customes came in their place because not onely people died without hauing any women about them but infinites also past out of this life not hauing any witnesse how when or in what manner they departed So that few or none there were to deliuer outward shew of sorrow and grieuing but insteed thereof diuers declared idle ioy and reioycing a vse soone learned of immodest women hauing put off al feminine compassion yea or regard of their owne welfare Very few also would accompany the body to the graue and they not any of the Neighbours although it had beene an honourable Cittizen but onely the meanest kinde of people such as were graue-makers coffin-bearers or the like that did these seruices onely for money and the beere being mounted on their shoulders in all haste they would runne away with it not perhaps to the Church appointed by the dead but to the neerest at hand hauing some foure or sixe poore Priests following with lights or no lights and those of the silliest short seruice being said at the buriall and the body vnreuerently throwne into the first open graue they found Such was the pittifull misery of poore people and diuers who were of better condition as it was most lamentable to behold because the greater number of them vnder hope of healing or compelled by pouerty kept still within their houses weake and faint thousands falling sick daily and hauing no helpe or being succoured any way with foode or physicke all of them died few or none escaping Great store there were that died in the streetes by day or night and many more beside although they died in their houses yet first they made it knowne to their neighbours that their liues perished rather by the noysome smell of dead and putrified bodies then by any violence of the disease in themselues So that of these and the rest dying in this manner euery where the neighbours obserued one course of behauiour moued thereto no lesse by feare that the smell and corruption of dead bodies should harme them then charitable respect of the dead that themselues when they could or being assisted by some bearers of coarses when they wer able to procure theÌ„ wold hale the bodies alreadie dead out of their houses laying them before their doores where such as passed by especially in the mornings might see them lying in no meane numbers Afterward Bieres were brought thither and such as might not haue the helpe of Bieres were glad to lay them on tables and Bieres haue bin obserued not onely to be charged with two or three dead bodies at once but many times it was seene also that the wife with the husband two or three Brethren together yea the Father and the mother haue thus beene carried along to the graue vpon one Biere Moreouer oftentimes it hath bene seene that when two Priests went with one Crosse to fetch the body there would follow behind three or foure bearers with their Bieres and when the Priests intended the buriall but of one bodie sixe or eight more haue made vp the aduantage and yet none of them being attended by any seemly company lights teares or the very least decencie but it plainly appeared that the verie like account was then made of men or Women as if they had bene Dogges or Swine Wherein might manifestly bee noted that that which the naturall course of things could not shewe to the wise with rare and little losse to wit the patient support of miseries and misfortunes euen in their greatest height not onely the wise might now learne but also thâ— verie simplest people in such sort that they should alwaies be prepared against all infelicities whatsoeuer Hallowed ground could not now suffice for the great multitude of dead bodies which were daily brought to euery Church in the City and euery houre in the day neither could the bodies haue proper place of buriall according to our ancient custome wherfore after that the churches and Church-yards were filled they were constrained to make vse of great deepe ditches wherein they were buried by hundreds at once ranking dead bodies along in graues as Merchandizes are laide along in ships couering each after other with a small quantity of earth so they filled at last vp the whole ditch to the brim Now because I would wander no further in euerie particularity concerning the miseries happening in our Citie I tell you that extremities running on in such manner as you haue heard little lesse spare was made in the Villages round about wherein setting aside enclosed Castles which were now filled like to small Cities poore Labourers and Husband-men with their whole Families dyed most miserably in out-houses yea and in the open fieldes also without any assistance of physicke or helpe of seruants likewise in the high-wayes or their ploughed landes by day or night indifferently yet not as men but like brute beasts By meanes whereof they became lazie and slothfull in their daily endeuours euen like to our Citizens not minding or medling with their wonted affaires but as awaiting for death euery houre imployed all their paines not in caring any way for themselues their cattle or gathering the fruits of the earth or any of their accustomed labours but rather wasted and consumed euen such as were for their instant sustenance Whereupon it fell so out that their Oxen Asses Sheepe and Goates their Swine Pullen yea their verie Dogges the truest and faithfullest seruants to men being beaten and banished from their houses went wildly wandring abroad in the fields where the Corne grew still on the ground without gathering or being so much as reapt or cut Many of the foresaid beasts as endued with reason after they had pastured themselues in the day time would returne full fed at night home to their houses without any gouernment of Heardsmen or any other How many faire Palaces How many goodly Houses How many noble habitations filled before with families of Lords and Ladies were then to be seene emptie without any one there dwelling except some silly seruant How many Kindreds worthy of memory How many great inheritances And what plenty of riches were left without any true successours How many good men How many woorthy Women How many valiant and comely yong men whom none but Galen Hâ—ppocrates and Aesculapius if they were liuing could haue bene reputed any way vnhealthfull were seene to dine at morning with their Parents Friends and familiar confederates and went to sup in another world with their
wife and for her he had presumed in that manner closely was he kept in prison till the next morning When he came into the Kings presence and there boldly iustified the goodnesse of his cause Restituta likewise was sent for who no sooner saw her deare Loue Guian but shee ran and caught him fast about the necke kissing him in teares and greeuing not a little at his hard fortune Hereat the King grew exceedingly enraged loathing and hating her now much more then formerly he did affect her and hauing himselfe seene by what strange meanes he did climbe ouer the wall and then mounted to her Chamber window he was extreamely impatient and could not otherwise be perswaded but that their meetings thus had beene very many Forthwith he sentenced them both with death commanding that they should be conueyed thence to Palermo and there being stript starke naked be bound to a stake backe to backe and so to stand the full space of nine houres to see if any could take knowledge of whence or what they were then afterward to be consumed with fire The sentence of death did not so much daunt or dismay the poore Louers as the vnciuill and vnsightly manner which in feare of the Kings wrathfull displeasure no man durst presume to contradict Wherefore as he had commanded so were they carried thence to Palermo and bound naked to a stake in the open Market place and before their eyes the fire and wood brought which was to consume them according to the houre as the King had appointed You need not make any question what an huge concourse of people were soone assembled together to behold such a sad and wofull spectacle euen the whole City of Palermo both men and women The men were stricken with admiration beholding the vnequalled beauty of faire Restituta the selfe same passion possessed the women seeing Guian to be such a goodly and compleat young man but the poore infortunate Louers themselues they stood with their lookes deiected to the ground being much pittied of all but no way to be holpen or rescued by any awaiting when the happy houre would come to finish both their shame and liues together During the time of this tragicall expectation the fame of this publike execution being noysed abroade calling all people farre and neere to behold it it came to the eare of Don Rogiero de Oria a man of much admired valour and then the Lord high Admirall of Sicily who came himselfe in person to the place appointed for their death First he obserued the Mayden confessing her in his soule to be a beauty beyond all compare Then looking on the young man thus he saide within himselfe If the inward endowments of the mind doe paralell the outward perfections of body the World cannot yeeld a more compleate man Now as good natures are quickly incited to compassion especially in cases almost commanding it and compassion knocking at the doore of the soule doth quicken the memory with many passed recordations so this noble Admirall aduisedly beholding poore condemned Guion conceiued that he had somewhat seene him before this instant and vpon this perswasion euen as if diuine vertue had tutured his tongue he saide Is not thy name Guion di Procida Marke now how quickly misery can receiue comfort vpon so poore and silly a question for Guion began to eleuate his deiected countenance and looking on the Admirall returned him this answere Sir heretofore I haue been the man which you spake of but now both that name and man must die with me What misfortune quoth the Admirall hath thus vnkindly crost thee Loue answered Guion and the Kings displeasure Then the Admirall would needs know the whole history at large which briefly was related to him and hauing heard how all had happened as he was turning his Horse to ride away thence Guion called to him saying Good my Lord entreate one fauour for me if possible it may be What is that replyed the Admirall You see Sir quoth Guion that I am very shortly to breathe my last all the grace which I doe most humbly entreate is that as I am here with this chaste Virgin whom I honour and loue beyond my life and miserably bound backe to backe our faces may be turned each to other to the end that when the fire shall finish my life by looking on her my soule may take her flight in full felicity The Admirall smyling saide I will doe for thee what I can and perhaps thou mayest so long looke on her as thou wilt be weary and desire to looke off her At his departure he commanded them that had the charge of this execution to proceede no further vntill they heard more from the King to whom hee gallopped immediately and although hee beheld him to be very angerly moued yet he spared not to speake in this manner Sir wherin haue those poore young couple offended you that are so shamefully to be burnt at Palermo The King told him whereto the Admirall pursuing still his purpose thus replyed Beleeue me Sir if true loue be an offence then theirs may be termed to be one and albeit it did deserue death yet farre be it from thee to inflict it on them for as faults doe iustly require punishment so doe good turnes as equally merit grace and requitall Knowest thou what and who they are whom thou hast so dishonourably condemned to the fire Not I quoth the King Why then I will tell thee answered the Admirall that thou mayest take the better knowledge of them and forbeare hereafter to be so ouer-violently transported with anger The young Gentleman is the Sonne to Landolfo di Procida the onely Brother to Lord Iohn di Procida by whose meanes thou becamest Lord and King of this Countrey The faire young Damosell is the Daughter to Marino Bolgaro whose power extendeth so farre as to preserue thy prerogatiue in Ischia which but for him had long since beene out-rooted there Beside these two maine motiues to challenge iustly grace and fauour from thee they are in the floure and pride of their youth hauing long continued in loyall loue together and compelled by feruency of endeared affection not any wil to displease thy Maiesty they haue offended if it may be termed an offence to loue and in such louely young people as they are Canst thou then find in thine heart to let them die whom thou rather oughtest to honour and recompence with no meane rewards When the King had heard this and beleeued for a certainty that the Admirall told him nothing but truth he appointed not onely that they should proceede no further but also was exceeding sorrowfull for what he had done sending presently to haue them released from the Stake and honourably to be brought before him Being thus enstructed in their seuerall qualities and standing in duty obliged to recompence the wrong which he had done with respectiue honours he caused them to be cloathed in royall garments and knowing them to
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 Tarras whereof she was wholly disappointed she began to sighe and weepe exceedingly and in this heauy perplexity of spirit thus shee complained to her selfe Miserable and vnfortunate Helena what will be saide by thy Bretheren Kindred Neighbours and generallie throughout all Florence when they shall know that thou wast founde heere on this Turret starke naked Thine honourable carriage and honesty of life heeretofore free from a thought of suspition shall novv be branded with detestation and if thou wouldst cloud this mishappe of thine by such lies and excuses as are not rare amongst women yet Reniero that wicked Scholler who knoweth all thy priuy compacting will stand as a thousand witnesses against thee and shame thee before the whole City so both thine honor and loued frieâ—d are lost for euer Hauing thus consulted with her selfe many desperate motions entred her minde to throw her selfe headlong from off the Tarras till better thoughts wone possession of her soule And the Sunne being risen shee went to euery corner of the Tarras to espye any Lad come abroad with his beasts by whom she might send for her waiting-woman About this instant the Scholler who lay sleeping all this while vnder a bush suddenly awaking saw her looke ouer the wall and she likewise espyed him whereupon hee said vnto her Good morrow Madame Helena What are the Ladies come yet or no Helena hearing his scorning question and grieuing that hee should so delude her in teares and lamentations she intreated him to come neere the Tower because she desired to speake with him Which courtesie he did not deny her and she lying groueling vpon her brest on the Tarras to hide her body that no part thereof might be seene but her head weeping she spake thus to him Reniero vpon my credit if I gaue thee an ill nights rest thou hast well reuenged that wrong on me for although wee are now in the moneth of Iuly I haue beene plagued with extremity of colde in regard of my nakednesse euen almost frozen to death beside my continuall teares and lamenting that folly perswaded me to beleeue thy protestations wherein I account it well-neere miraculous that mine eyes should be capable of any sight And therefore I pray thee not in respect of any loue which thou canst pretend to beare me but for regard of thine owne selfe being a Gentleman and a Scholler that this punishment which thou hast already inflicted vpon me may suffiâ—e for my former iniuries towards thee and to hold thy selfe reuenged fully as also permit my garments to be brought me that I may descend from hence without taking that from me which afterward although thou wouldst thou canst neuer restore me I meane mine honour And consider with thy selfe that albeit thou didst not inioy my company that vnhappy night yet thou hast power to command me at any time whensoeuer with making many diuersities of amends for one nights offence only committed Content thy selfe then good Reniero and as thou art an honest Gentleman say thou art sufficiently reuenged on me in making me dearely confesse mine owne errour Neuer exercise thy malice vpon a poore weake woman for the Eagle disdaineeh to pray on the yeelding Doue and therefore in meere pitty and for manhoods sake be my release from open shame and reproch The Scholler whose enuious spleene was swolne very great in remembring such a malicious cruelty exercised on him beholding her to weepe and make such lamentations found a fierce conflict in his thoughts betweene content and pitty It did not a little ioy and content him that the reuenge which hee so earnestly desired to compasse was now by him so effectually inflicted And yet in meere humanity pitty prouoked him to commisserate the Ladies distressed condition but clemency being ouer-weake to withstand his rigor thus he replied Madam Helena if mine entreaties which to speake truly I neuer knew how to steepe in tears nor wrap vp my words in sugar Candie so cuningly as you women know how to do could haue preuailed that miserable night when I was well-neere frozen to death with cold and meerly buried with snow in your Court not hauing anie place of rescue or shelter your complaints would now the more easily ouer-rule me But if your honor in estimation bee now more precious to you theâ— heretofore and it seemeth so offensiue to stand there naked conuert your perswasions prayers to him in whose armes you vvere that night imbraced both of your triumphing in my misery when poor I trotted about your Court with the teeth quiuering in my head and beating mine armes about my body finding no compassion in him or you Let him bring thee thy Garments let him come helpe thee down with the Ladder and let him haue the care of thine honour on whom thou hast bene so prodigall heretofore in bestowing it and now hast vnwomanly throwne thy selfe in perill onely for the maintenance of thine immodest desires Why dost thou not call on him to come helpe thee To whom doeth it more belong then to him For thou art his and he thine Why theÌ„ shold any other but he help thee in this distresse Call him foole as thou art and try if the loue he beareth thee and thy best vnderstanding ioyned with his can deliuer thee out of my sottish detaining thee I haue not forgot that when you both made a pastime of my misery thou didst demand of him which seemed greatest in his opinion either my sottish simplicity or the loue thou barest him I am not now so liberall or courteous to desire that of thee which thou wouldst not grant if I did request it No no reserue those night fauours for thy amorous friend if thou dost escape hence aliue to see him againe As for my selfe I leaue thee freely to his vse and seruice because I haue sufficiently payde for a womans falshood wisemen take such warning that they scorne to bee twice deceiued by one woman Proceed on stil in thy flattering perswasions terming me to be a Gentleman and a Scholler thereby to win such fauor from me that I should think thy villany toward me to be already sufficiently punished No trecherous Helena thy blandishments cannot now hoodwink the eies of my vnderstanding as when thou didst out-reach me with thy disloyall promises and protestations And let me now tell thee plainely that all the vvhile I continued in the Vniuersitie of Paris I neuer attained vnto so perfect an vnderstanding of my selfe as in that one miserable night thou diddest enstruct mee But admit that I were enclined vnto a mercifull and compassionate minde yet thou art none of them on whome milde and gracious mercy should any way declare her effects For the end of pennance among sauage beasts such as thou art and likewise of due vengeance ought to be death whereas among men it should suffice according to thine owne saying Wherefore in regard that I am neither an Eagle nor thou a Doue but rather a most venomous
and honoured and yet by thee is vtterly despised More cruell art thou then any sauage Beast thus to vexe and torment mee in such mercilesse manner What greater extreamity couldst thou inflict on me if I had bin the destruction of all thy Kindred and lefte no one man liuing of thy race I am verily perâ—waded that more cruelty cannot be vsed against a Traitor who was thâ— subuersion of an whole Cittie then this tyranny of thine roasting me thus in the beames of the Sun and suffering my body to be deuoured with Elies without so small a mercie as to giue mee a little coole water which murtherers are permitted to haue being condemned by Iustice and led to execution yea Wine also if they request it But seeing thou art so constant in thy pernitious resolue as neither thine owne good Nature nor this lamentable sufferance in me are able to alter thee I will prepare my self for death patiently to the end that Heauen may be mercifull to my soul and reward thee iustly according to thy cruelty Which words being ended she withdrew her selfe towards the middest of the Tarras despairing of escaping vvith life from the heates violence and not once onely but infinite times beside among her other grieuous extreamities she was ready to dye with drought bemoaning incessantly her dolorous condition By this time the day was well neere spent and night beganne to hasten on apace when the Scholler immagining that he afflicted her sufficiently tooke her Garments and wrapping them vp in his mans Cloake went thence to the Ladies house where he found Ancilla the Waiting-woman sitting at the doore sad and disconsolate for her Ladies long absence to whom thus he spake How now Ancilla Where is thy Lady and Mistris Alas Sir quoth she I know not I thought this morning to haue found her in her bed as vsually I was wont to do and where I left her yesternight at our parting but there she was not nor in any place else of my knowledge neyther can I imagine what is become of her which is to me no meane discomfort But can you Sir say any thing of her Ancilla said he I would thou hadst bin in her company and at the same place where now she is that some punishment for thy fault might haue falne vppon thee as already it hath done on her But beleeue it assuredly that thou shalt not freely escape from my fingers till I haue iustly paide thee for thy paines to teach thee to abuse any Gentleman as thou didst me Hauing thus spoken hee called to his seruant saying Giue her the Garments and bid her go looke her Lady if she will The Seruingman fulfilled his Masters command and Ancilla hauing receyued her Ladies cloaths knowing them perfectly and remembring withall what had bin said she waxed very doubtfull least they had slaine her hardly refraining from exclaiming on them but that greete and heauie weeping ouercame her so that vppon the Schollers departing she ranne in all hast with the garments towardes the Tower Vpon this fatall and vnfortunate day to Madame Helena it chanced that a Clowne or Countrey Peazant belonging to her Farme or Dairy house hauing two of his young Heyfers wandred astray and he labouring in diligent search to finde them within a while after the Schollers departure came to seeke them in Woods about the Tower and notwithstanding all his crying and calling for his beasts yet he heard the Ladies greeuous moanes and lamentations Wherefore he cryed out so lowd as he could saying Who is it that mourneth so aloft on the Tower Full well she knew the voyce of her peazant and therefore called vnto him and sayd in this maner Go quoth she I pray thee for my Waiting-woman Ancilla and bid her make some meanes to come vp hither to me The Clowne knowing his Lady sayde How now Madame Who hath carried you vp there so high Your Woman Ancilla hath sought for you all this day yet no one could euer haue immagined you to bee there So looking about him he espyed the two sides of the Ladder which the Scholler had pulled in sunder as also the steppes which he had scattered thereabout placing them in due order againe as they should bee and binding them fast with Withies and Willowes By this time Ancilla was come thither who so soone as shee was entred into the Tower could not refrain from teares complaints beating her hands each against other and crying out Madam Madam my deare Lady and Mistresse Alas Where are you So soone as she heard the tongue of Ancilla she replyed so well as she could saying Ah my sweet Woman I am heere aloft vppon the Tarras weepe not neyther make any noyse but quickely bring me some of my Garments When shee heard her answer in such comfortable maner she mounted vp the Ladder which the peazant had made very firme and strong holding it fast for her safer ascending by which meanes she went vp on the Tarras Beholding her Ladie in so strange a condition resembling no humane body but rather the trunke of a Tree halfe burned lying flat on her face naked scorched and strangely deformed shee beganne to teare the lockes of her owne hayre rauing and raging in as pittifull manner as if her Ladie had beene quite dead Which storming tempest Madame Helena soone pacified entreating her to vse silence and helpe to put on her garments Hauing vnderstood by her that no one knew of her being there but such as brought her cloathes and the poore peazant attending there still to do her any seruice shee became the better comforted entreating them by all meanes that it might bee concealed from any further discouery which was on eyther side most faithfullie protested The poore Clowne holpe to beare downe his Lady vppon his backe because the Ladder stood not conueniently enough for her descending neither were her limbes plyable for her owne vse by reason of their rifts and smarting Ancilla following after and being more respectiue of her Lady then her owne security in descending missing the step in the midst of the Ladder fell downe to the ground and quite brake her legge in the fall the paine whereof was so greeuous to her that she cried and roared extraordinarily euen like a Lyon in the desert When the Clowne had set his Lady safe on a faire green banke he returned to see what the waiting woman ayled and finding her leg to be quite broken he caried her also to the same banke there seated her by her Lady who perceiuing what a mischance had hapned and she from whom she expected her onely best helpe to bee now in far greater necessity her selfe shee lamented exceedingly complaining on Fortunes cruel malice toward her in thus heaping one misery vpon another and neuer ceasing to torment her especially now in the conclusion of all and when shee thought all future perils to be past Now was the Sun vpon his setting when the poore honest country-man because darke night
it constantly that there is no man liuing whom I loue and honour as I do thee considering the greatnesse of thy minde which consisteth not in the heaping vp of money as wretched and miserable Worldlings make it their onely felicity but contending in bounty to spend what is thine didst hold it for no shame to kil me thereby to make thy selfe so much the more worthily famous Nor is it any matter to be wondred at in regard that Emperors and the greatest Kings hadde neuer made such extendure of their Dominions and consequently of their renowne by any other Art then killing yet not one man onely as thou wouldst haue done but infinite numbers burning whole Countries and making desolate huge Townes and Cities onely to enlarge their dominion and further spreading of their fame Wherfore if for the increasing of thine owne renowne thou wast desirous of my death it is no matter of nouelty and therefore deseruing the lesse meruaile seeing men are slaine daily and all for one purpose or other Mithridanes excusing no further his maleuolent deliberation but rather commending the honest defence which Nathan made on his behalfe proceeded so farre in after discoursing as to tel him plainely that it did wondrously amaze him how he durst come to the fatall appointed place himselfe hauing so exactly plotted and contriued his owne death whereunto Nathan returned this aunswere I would not haue thee Mithridanes to wonder at my counsel or determination because since age hath made mee Maister of mine owne will and I resolued to doe that wherein thou hast begun to follow me neuer came any man to mee whom I did not content if I could in any thing he demanded of me It was thy fortune to come for my life which when I saw thee so desirous to haue it I resolued immediately to bestow it on thee and so much the rather because thou shouldst not be the onely man that euer departed hence without enioying whatsoeuer hee demanded And to the end thou mightst the more assuredly haue it I gaue thee that aduice least by not enioying mine thou shouldest chance to loose thine owne I haue had the vse of it full fourescore yeares with the consummation of all my delights and pleasures and well I know that according to the course of Nature as it fares with other men and generally all things else it cannot bee long before it must leaue mee Wherefore I hold it much better for me to giue it away freely as I haue alwayes done my goods and treasure then bee curious in keeping it and suffer it to be taken from me whether I will or no by Nature A small gift it is if time make me vp the full summe of an hundred yeares how miserable is it then to stand beholding but for foure or fiue and all of them vexation too Take it then I intreate thee if thou wilt haue it for I neuer met with any man before but thy selfe that did desire it nor perhaps shall finde any other to request it for the longer I keepe it the worse it wil be esteemed and before it grow contemptible take it I pray thee Mithridanes being exceedingly confounded with shame bashfully sayde Fortune fore-fend that I should take away a thing so precious as your life is or once to haue so vile a thought of it as lately I had but rather then I would diminish one day thereof I could wish that my time might more amply enlarge it Forthwith aunswered Nathan saying Wouldst thou if thou couldst shorten thine owne dayes onely to lengthen mine Why then thou wouldest haue me to do that to thee which as yet I neuer did vnto any man namely robbe thee to enrich my selfe I will enstruct thee in a much better course if thou wilt be aduised by mee Lusty and young as now thou art thou shalt dwell heere in my house and be called by the name of Nathan Aged and spent with yeares as thou seest I am I will goe liue in thy house and bee called by the name of Mithridanes So both the name and place shall illustrate thy Glorie and I liue contentedly without the very least thought of enuie Deare Father answered Mithridanes if I knew so well howe to direct mine owne actions as you doe and alwayes haue done I would gladly accept your most liberall offer but because I plainlie perceiue that my very best endeauours must remayne darkened by the bright renowne of Nathan I will neuer seeke to impayre that in another which I cannot by any means increase in my selfe but as you haue worthily taught me liue contented with my owne condition After these and many more like louing speeches had passed between them according as Nathan very instantly requested Mithridanes returned back with him to the Pallace where many dayes he highly honored respected him comforting counselling him to perseuer alwayes in his honourable determination But in the end when Mithridanes could abide there no longer because necessary occasions called him home he departed thence with his men hauing found by good experience that hee could neuer goe beyond Nathan in liberality Signior Gentile de Carisendi being come from Modena took a Gentlewoman named Madam Catharina forth of a graue wherin she was buried for dead which act he did in regard of his former honest affection to the said Gentlewoman Madame Catharina remaining afterward and deliuered of a goodly Sonne was by Signior there Gentile deliuered to her owne Husband named Signior Nicoluccio Caccianimico and the yong infant with her The Fourth Nouell Wherein is shewne That true loue hath alwayes bin and so still is the occasion of many great and worthy courtesies BY iudgment of all the honorable assembly it was reputed wonderfull that a man should be so bountifull as to giue away his owne life and to his hatefull enemy In which respect it passed with generall affirmation that Nathan in the vertue of liberallity had exceeded Alphonso King of Spain but especially the Abbot of Clugny So after euery one had deliuered their opinion the King turning himselfe to Madame Lauretta gaue her such a signe as well instructed her vnderstanding that she should be the next in order whereto she gladly yeelding began in this manner Youthfull Ladies the discourses already past haue been so worthy and magnificent yea reaching to such a height of glorious splendour as me thinkes there remaineth no more matter for vs that are yet to speake whereby to enlarge so famous an Argument and in such manner as it ought to be except we lay hold on the actions of loue wherein is neuer any want of subiect it is so faire and spacious a field to walke in Wherefore as well in behalfe of the one as aduancement of the other whereto our instant age is most of all inclined I purpose to acquaint you with a generous and magnificent act of an amourous Gentleman which when it shall be duely considered on perhaps will appeare equall to any of the rest
offended but rather to take it in very thankfull part hauing married a man of farre greater worth and respect than himselfe was or could be On the other side Titus hearing these vnciuill acclamations became much moued and prouoked at them but knowing it was a custome obserued among the Greekes to be so much the more hurried away with rumours and threatnings as lesse they finde them to be answered and when they finde them shew themselues not onely humble enough but rather as base men and of no courage he resolued with himselfe that their braueries were no longer to be endured without some some bold and manly answere And hauing a Romane heart as also an Athenian vnderstanding by politique perswasions he caused the kinred of Gisippus and Sophronia to be assembled in a Temple and himselfe comming thither accompanied with none but Gisippus onely he began to deliuer his minde before them all in this manner following The Oration vttered by Titus Quintus Fuluius in the hearing of the Athenians being the kinred and friends to Gisippus and Sophronia MAny Philosophers doe hold opinion that the actions performed by mortall men doe proceed from the disposing and ordination of the immortall gods Whereupon some doe maintaine that things which be done or neuer are to be done proceed of necessity howbeit some other doe hold that this necessity is onely referred to things done Both which opinions if they be considered with mature iudgment doe most manifestly approue that they who reprehend any thing which is irreuocable doe nothing else but shew themselues as if they were wiser then the Gods who we are to beleeue that with perpetuall reason and void of any error doe dispose and gouerne both vs and all our actions In which respect how foolish and beast-like a thing it is presumptuously to checke or controule their operations you may very easily consider and likewise how iustly they deserue condigne punishment who suffer themselues to be transported in so temerarious a manner In which notorious transgression I vnderstand you all to be guiltie if common fame speake truely concerning the marriage of my selfe and Sophronia whom you imagined as giuen to Gisippus for you neuer remember that it was so ordained from eternitie shee to be mine and no Wife for Gisippus as at this instant is made manifest by full effect But because the kinde of speaking concerning diuine prouidence and intention of the Gods may seeme a difficult matter to many and somewhat hard to bee vnderstood I am content to presuppose that they meddle not with any thing of ours and will onely stay my selfe on humane reasons and in this nature of speech I shall be enforced to doe two things quite contrary to my naturall disposition The one is to speake somewhat in praise and commendation of my selfe And the other iustly to blame and condemne other mens seeming estimation But because both in the one and the other I doe not intend to swerue a iot from the Truth and the necessitie of the present case in question doth not onely require but also command it you must pardon what I am to say Your complaints doe proceed rather from furie then reason and with continuall murmurings or rather seditious slander backe-bite and condemne Gisippus because of his owne free will and noble disposition hee gaue her to be my Wife whom by your election was made his wherein I account him most highly praise-worthy and the reasons inducing mee thereunto are these The first because he hath performed no more then what a friend ought to doe And the second in regard he hath dealt more wisely then you did I haue no intention to display at this present what the sacred law of amitie requireth to be acted by one friend towards another it shall suffice mee onely to informe you that the league of friendship farre stronger then the bond of bloud and kinred confirmed vs in our election of either at the first to be true loyall and perpetuall friends whereas that of kinred commeth onely by fortune or chance And therefore if Gisippus affected more my life then your beneuolence I being ordained for his friend as I confesse my selfe to be none of you ought to wonder thereat in regard it is no matter of meruaile But let vs come now to our second reason wherein with farre greater instance I will shew you that he hath in this occasion shewen himselfe to be much more wise then you did or haue done because it plainely appeareth that you haue no feeling of the diuine prouidence and much lesse knowledge in the effects of friendship I say that your foresight councell and deliberation gaue Sophronia to Gisippus a yong Gentleman and a Philosopher Gisippus likewise hath giuen her to a yong Gentleman and a Philosopher as himselfe is Your discretion gaue her to an Athenian the gift of Gisippus is to a Romaine Yours to a Noble and honest man that of Gisippus to one more Noble by race and no lesse honest then himselfe Your iudgement hath bestowed her on a rich young man Gisippus hath giuen her to one farre richer Your wisedome gaue her to one who not onely loued her not but also one that had no desire to know her Gisippus gaue her vnto him who aboue all felicitie else yea more than his owne life both entirely loued and desired her Now for proofe of that which I haue said to be most true and infallible and that his deede deserueth to bee much more commended then yours let it bee duely considered on point by point That I am a young man and a Philosopher as Gisippus is my yeares face and studies without seeking after further proofe doth sufficiently testifie One selfe-same age is both his and mine in like quality of course haue wee liued and studied together True it is that hee is an Athenian and I am a Romaine But if the glory of these two Cities should bee disputed on then let mee tell you that I am of a Citie that is Francke and Free and hee is of a Tributarie Citie I say that I am of a Citie which is chiefe Lady and Mistresse of the whole World and hee is of a Citie subiect to mine I say that I am of a Citie that is strong in Arms Empire and studies whereas his can commend it selfe but for Studies onely And although you seeme heere to bee a Scholler in appearance meane enough yet I am not descended of the simplest stocke in Rome My houses and publique places are filled with the ancient Statues of my Predecessors and the Annales recorde the infinite triumphs of the Quintij brought home by them into the Romane Capitole and yeares cannot eate out the glory of our name but it will liue and flourish to all posteritie Modest shame makes me silent in my wealth and possessions my minde truely telling mee that honest contented pouertie is the most ancient and richest inheritance of our best and Noblest Romanes which opinion if it bee condemned by the
the Nurse to negligence and begetteth such an ouer-presuming boldnesse as afterward proueth to be sauced with repentance so came it to passe with our ouer-fond Louers in being taken â—ardy through their owne folly After they had many times met in this manner the nights according to the season growing shorter and shorter which their stolne delight made them lesse respectiue of then was requisite in an aduenture so dangerous it fortuned that their amorous pleasure had so farre transported them and dulled their sences in such sort by these then continued nightly watchings that they both fell fast asleepe he hauing his hand closed in hers and shee one arme folded about his body and thus they slept till broade day light Old Messer Lizio who continually was the morning Cocke to the whole House going foorth into his Garden saw how his Daughter and Ricciardo were seated at the window In he went againe and going to his wiues Chamber saide to her Rise quickly wise and you shall see what made our Daughter so desirous to lodge in the Garden Gallery I perceiue that shee loued to heare the Nightingale for shee hath caught one and holds him fast in her hand Is it possible saide the Mother that our Daughter should catch a liue Nightingale in the darke You shall see that your selfe answered Messer Lizio if you will make haste and goe with me Shee putting on her garments in great haste followed her Husband and being come to the Gallery doore he opened it very softly and going to the window shewed her how they both sate fast asleepe and in such manner as hath been before declared whereupon shee perceiuing how Ricciardo and Catharina had both deceiued her would haue made an out-cry but that Messer Lizio spake thus to her Wife as you loue me speake not a word neither make any noyse for seeing shee hath loued Ricciardo without our knowledge and they haue had their priuate meetings in this manner yet free from any blamefull imputation he shall enioy her and shee him Ricciardo is a Gentleman well deriued and of rich possessions it can be no disparagement to vs that Catharina match with him in mariage which he neither shall or dare denie to doe in regard of our Lawes seuerity for climbing vp to my window with his Ladder of Ropes wherby his life is forfeited to the Law except our Daughter please to spare it as it remaineth in her power to doe by accepting him as her husband or yeelding his life vp to the Law which surely shee will not suffer their loue agreeing together in such mutuall manner and he aduenturing so dangerously for her Madam Iaquemina perceiuing that her husband spake very reasonably and was no more offended at the matter stept aside with him behinde the drawne Curtaines vntill they should awake of themselues At the last Ricciardo awaked and seeing it was so farre in the day thought himselfe halfe dead and calling to Catharina saide Alas deare Loue what shall we doe we haue slept too long and shall be taken here At which words Messer Lizio stept forth from behind the Curtaines saying-Nay Signior Ricciardo seeing you haue found such an vnbefitting way hither we will prouide you a better for your backe returning When Ricciardo saw the Father and Mother both there present he could not deuise what to doe or say his sences became so strangely confounded yet knowing how hainously hee had offended if the strictnesse of Law should be challenged against him falling on his knees he saide Alas Messer Lizio I humbly craue your mercy confessing my selfe well worthy of death that knowing the sharpe rigour of the Law I would presume so audaciously to breake it But pardon me worthy Sir my loyall and vnfeined loue to your Daughter Catharina hath beene the onely cause of my transgressing Ricciardo replyed Messer Lizio the loue I beare thee and the honest confidence I doe repose in thee step vp in some measure to pleade thine excuse especially in the regard of my Daughter whom I blame thee not for louing but for this vnlawfull way of presuming to her Neuerthelesse perceiuing how the case now standeth and considering withall that youth and affection were the ground of thine offence to free thee from death and my selfe from dishonour before thou departest hence thou shalt espouse my Daughter Catharina to make her thy lawfull wife in mariage and wipe off all scandall to my House and me All this while was poore Catharina on her knees likewise to her Mother who notwithstanding this her bold aduenture made earnest suite to her Husband to remit all because Ricciardo right gladly condiscended as it being the maine issue of his hope and desire to accept his Catharina in mariage whereto shee was as willing as he Messer Lizio presently called for the Confessour of his House and borrowing one of his Wiues Rings before they went out of the Gallery Ricciardo and Catharina were espoused together to their no little ioy and contentment Now had they more leasure for further conference with the Parents and kindred to Ricciardo who being no way discontented with this sudden match but applauding it in the highest degree they were publikely maried againe in the Cathedrall Church and very honourable triumphes performed at the nuptials liuing long after in happy prosperity Guidotto of Cremona departing out of this mortall life left a Daughter of his with Iacomino of Pauia Giouanni di Seuerino and Menghino da Minghole fell both in loue with the young Maiden and fought for hâ—â— who being afterward knowne to be the Sister to Giouanni shee was giuen in mariage to Menghino The fifth Nouell Wherein may be obserued what quarrels and contentions are occasioned by Loue with some particular discription concerning the sincerity of a loyall friend ALl the Ladies laughing heartily at the Nouell of the Nightingale so pleasingly deliuered by Philostratus when they saw the same to be fully ended the Queene thus spake Now trust me Philostratus though yester-day you did much oppresse mee with melancholy yet you haue made me such an amends to day as wee haue little reason to complaine any more of you So conuerting her speech to Madam Neiphila shee commanded her to succeede with her discourse which willingly she yeelded to beginning in this manner Seeing it pleased Philostratus to produce his Nouell out of Romania I meane to walke with him in the same iurisdiction concerning what I am to say There dwelt sometime in the City of Fano two Lombards the one being named Guidotto of Cremona and the other Iacomino of Pauia men of sufficient entrance into yeeres hauing followed the warres as Souldiers all their youthful time Guidotto feeling sicknesse to ouer-master him and hauing no sonne kinsman or friend in whom he might repose more trust then hee did in Iacomino hauing long conference with him about his worldly affaires and setled his whole estate in good order he left a Daughter to his charge about ten yeeres of age with