little Girl The God of Love brought it so about that this young couple did sacrifice their whole affections unto the Shrine of his Divinity Giacintha was with Isabella to congratulate the safe return of her Brother who was present at this Complement which made it not difficult for her by glancing words and eyes to declare the passion of her heart In brief there passed not many days but by the mediation of Isabella these two Lovers were contracted with a mutual promise of Matrimony But Fortune for the most part envying the happiness of Lovers order'd the matter so that a Cosen of Don Piedro's called Leonora who was more than hansom and extreamly rich fell grievously in love with him Don Piedro perceived it but his heart being otherwise engaged made as if he saw it not and that with so much caution that Leonora was ready to despair At last seeing her self despised or at leastwise not well accepted of she took to her Bed leaving the Physicians little hopes of her recovery the wounds of her heart proving to be incurable The Mother of Leonora having the experience of many years did easily know that her Daughters sickness proceeded from love She therefore by the help of one of her Maidens penetrating into the certainty and original of it applied her whole endeavours to find out the remedy She sends for Don Piedro and in words bedewed with tears and sighs she offers him her Daughter telling him punctually the occasion of her indisposition She urged her entreaties by letting him know that he could not meet with a more rich or a more honourable Match The Laws of good breeding compelled Don Piedro to make a courteous answer And hoping that the time requisite for treating and getting the consent of her friends might administer some cure to this Malady he remitted the conclusion to the sole will of his Father to whom as his duty was he entirely referred himself After this he went in to see his Cosen which filled her full of hopes that do easily take place in the breasts of young Virgins Leonora in the mean time taking courage from the words tho they were not binding and continued visits from Don Piedro in a very short time recovered her former health Giacintha on the other side wanting many of his Visits did most miserably afflict her self and frequently inculpate the Loyalty of Don Pietro He not being able to endure her resentments thought of weakning her jealousie by discovering the whole truth unto her Hereupon Giacintha being in a great rage with a furious tone said unto him Never speak to me nor presume to see me more if you do not make your Kinswoman know that you are my Spouse and cannot be hers Neither my Heart nor my Honour will suffer any Rival In saying so she made a motion to be gone but was stopt by Don Piedro who with horrible imprecations asserted his own constancy and promised the next day to undeceive his Cosen Giacintha being willing to lay a further obligation upon Don Piedro for the performance of his promises made her self sure to him by an Oath Don Piedro in these delightsome amours having lost all that circumspection that before made him cautious went to see his Cosen who having wholly chased away her disease was only attending the perfect consummation of her recovery He was received in the most affectionate manner that a loving soul could put in practice But the appearing of some trouble in his looks gave occasion to Leonora to ask him the cause of it After a little slight denial Don Piedro said It is not justice Madam that I should betray your good affection and falsify my own promises My behaviour hath hitherto been rather feigned than candid I had a mind to recover you but I cannot satisfie you Bear with my Fortune that hath obliged me to another I have pass'd my word and am contracted to Giacintha nor can I disengage my self without losing my life 'T is enough answered Leonora yet had you better have letten me dye than to revive in me the tyranny of passion Patience the heart that cannot bend may break Having said this she went out of the Chamber and retired into a Closet where she let loose the reins of her anger which thus dictated unto her Sir The injuries that are done to honour do call for revenge even from those that have no interest therein For this reason I counsel you to look well to the guard of your House whose Honour is endangered by Don Pietro de Ponzes If blinded by destiny you should think this to be a Forgery your own eyes when circumspect will give you testimony of the truth hereof She sealed the Letter without subscribing it and sent it by a Footman belonging to the Father of Giacintha This done she returned into her Closet for to write another while Don Pietro being doubtful what resolutions an incensed Woman might take made haste away Afterwards Leonora went out of the Closet to her Mother begging her Blessing for that she was afraid she should never see her more Her Mother chid her saying O Daughter do not use these hateful expressions to me unless you intend to shorten my days Leonora with tears in her eyes left her Mother She had not gone far but sending forth a deep sigh she fell down dead All the House ran to her succour and believing her to be only in a Swoon they applied all things proper to bring her to her self again All their endeavours were in vain and the Doctor being come knew her to be dead indeed In stripping off her Cloths there fell from her Bosom a Letter which being directed to her Mother spake thus Dear Mother I my self have undertaken to chastise the intemperance of my sensual appetite by taking Poison to expel my immoderate affection I thought Death would be more pleasing to me than to see my Cosen in the Arms of another Woman I beseech you pardon the displeasure which this my resolution shall have given you by judging it necessary to terminate the disquiet of my heart Adieu dearest Mother adieu Your unfortunate Leonora This unhappy accident occasioned great disturbance in the minds of her Mother and Kindred and some there were unacquainted with her love-Love-affair that did so far err in their judgment as to impute this her sudden death unto her great riches Giacintha knowing her self to be unwillingly guilty of this Woman-slaughter had a mind to have some affectionate discourse about it with Don Pietro Whereupon she sends privately to tell him that she desired to see him that very night Don Pietro went accordingly and was as at other times conducted into a low Chamber by a servant who afterwards stood as Sentinel at the Door Giaccintha was scarce come into the room when Don Garzia who by the Letter that did tax his honour was made very vigilant was at the apartment of his Daughter But not finding her there he went on to that of his Son
He let not one moment of the hour appointed slip before he was at the Chamber of Aleria Their complements and endearments are referred to the consideration of those who have been the subjects of the like entertainment Aleria was already gotten into Bed expecting to give vent in amorous embraces to those passions which do torment the minds of Lovers Arderico being abashed to see himself prevented began to strip himself with all diligence Whilst with an amorous impatience he was pulling off his Clothes he askt Aleria the reason why after so many slightings of the proofs of his affection she had so suddenly condescended to his desires at a time when he was assigning over all his pretensions unto desperation My Love answered Aleria the extraordinary Character of your Merit so lively represented to me by my Husband hath so entirely subdued my Spirit that I did not believe I could live without you and here she repeated to him all that her Husband had said Well then said Arderico had neither my love nor my service any power to win your heart if the Voice of the Count your Husband sounding forth my praises had not charmed your Soul It is even so replied Aleria God forbid added Arderico putting on his Clothes again that I should injure him who by such generous expressions of favour towards me doth Violate the Chastity of the most noble Woman Pardon me Aleria I cannot serve you to the prejudice of his Honour who by his Encomiums so much advanceth the merit of my Quality In saying so he went hastily out of doors by this action teaching men the true Worth of Gentility Husbands that they ought not to speak too much in praise of other men to their Wives and prescribing unto Women more especialy to those that are Married not to run the hazard of setling their affections on a Man who may be changed every moment The Argument Epidorus a young man of Florence falls unwarily in Love with a Masquerade that he did not know and believing her to be a Noble Lady called Leena he very earnestly sues for love unto her Having obtained his Suit whilst he thinks he enjoys her he finds himself encircled within the Arms of a Chambermaid whom in his own defence he is forced to Marry NOVEL II. THere came to Venice for to recreate himself in time of Carneval Epidorus a young Florentine of a very mean Extraction but who had by the avarice of his Father gotten to himself some sort of Reputation This young Man by the Death of his Progenitors was possessed of so great an Estate that it gave not only light to the obscurity of his Birth but made him also ambitious of enjoying those pleasures which are oftentimes sought after by the greatest Personages There was no Feast Play nor Publick Revelling in Venice unto which he would not go One Evening at a Ball he found himself love-stricken by an imaginary beauty The stately Gate and rich Attire of a Masquerade did so bewitch his fancy that he confessed himself her Lover before he could see her face Neither did the career of his loving Dotages stop here for having warily followed her after she went from the Ball he saw her go into the House of one of the chief Gentlemen of that City who among other temporal blessings was happy in a very beautiful Wife He imagining that this Masquerade was Leena for such was the fair Ladies name of that House grew more and more in Love and his Passion was confirmed when he saw Leena the next day wear part of those ornaments which he had observed on the Masquerade Taking therefore courage from the difficulty of the Enterprise he resolved to try all means possible Fortune was not averse in offering them unto him whilst that very Evening the same Masquerade came again to the Ball. He after having waited some time on her seeing no little correspondence in her eyes the press of People leaving no room for observation accosted her after this fashion Madam iâ— my tongue were not afraid of committing a rash offence it would venture to disclose the passion that I nourish in my breast and would intercede for a love which is so much the greater by how much the longer it is concealed If you knew said she the person that is disguised under this Habit you would heartily repent your having given so much liberty to your tongue I do not rely answered Epidorus upon outward appearances but upon the knowledge of your singular merit which is matched to an excellent beauty You says the Masquerade so you get the name of a lover do not care if you are reputed a Lyar. Tell me how can you judge of the beauty of my face which you have not seen otherwise than Masqued One may very well replied Epidorus give judgment upon the brightness of the Sun although it be shaded by a Cloud and my wicked eyes have forcibly introduc'd the bright image of your beauty into my heart Lady Leena it is impossible to conceal your self from the affection of a Lover who hath the eyes of Argus To say that I adore you is the greatest testimony that my mouth can utâ—er but the least sentiment that my heart â—an express It lyes in you to make me â—appy Great enterprises have great diffiâ—ulties attending them But Love that â—an rob Jove himself of the power of his Thunder can also make level even Mounâ—ains of impossibility He would have gone on if that the Masquerade with â—ome shew of anger had not interrupted â—is discourse saying When you spoke to me as to a person unknown I did bear with your ignorance but now seeing that â—ou know me and yet with a presumption â—reater than becomes you dare still to â—empt me I cannot but blame your insoâ—ence If I did not fear the prejudice ariâ—ng to my honour from one so inferiour â—o my Quality Repentance should be the â—east punishment of your rashness But whilst she was speaking these words her â—ands and her eyes did betray her tongue â—nd did assure Epidorus by all the favours â—ossible that those resentments were the â—mpulses of honesty and not the effects of â—nger And here the Ball broke up whereâ—pon it behoved Epidorus to retire accomâ—anied with all those inquietudes which do â—ssault the youth and imprudence of a lover He expected the next night which was the last of the Carnevale with those passionate desires which are wont to attend an enamoured Soul The Stars had scarce made any shew of the light they had borrowed from the Sun when he went to the usual Ball. A little after came the Masquerade very well known although shâ— had us'd a great deal of cunning to conceal her self from the curious eye of Epidorus He taking her by the hand endeavour'd to give credit to his affection with these words Fair Leena you may by your new disguise very well impose upon the eyes of others but not upon my hearâ— which with its unusual
I do not envy the happiness of my Mistress in possessing your whole Heart I only bewail the misery of my Fortune which hath put me in a condition to be despised even by those for whom I continually do services Having thus spoken she kissed his Hand which she held pressed between her own with so much passion that Lovanius who at first laughed at her folly being not able to resist any longer let himself be overcome by sensuality so much the rather because the Features of Aleria were so excellent that he rather would have been counted a fool than a constant lover who should have let slip the occasion of enjoying her Lovanius and Aleria were ingulfed in Amorous Pleasures when Deadora thinking long e're she was called and perhaps not being without jealousie since true Lovers pay this interest for their pleasure having seen her Husband in bed she came softly down into the ground Chamber There having found her lover engaged in amorous action being hurried by a precipitous rage without remembring the dangers that were imminent to her Life and Honour she began furiously to lay about her both with her hands and tongue Traitors said she do you thus triumph over my disgrace are these the rewards of my confidence and fidelity I 'll handle you in such manner that by seeing you buried in my destruction I will rejoice that my ruine shall not be infested either by your derision or lasciviousness These words were accompanied with so many blows and bites that fetched bloud in many places about Aleria Lovanius in this interim throwing himself at her feet entreated her with such sweet words as would have softned the hardest stones Sometimes he put her in mind of the danger their lives were in Sometimes he excused his own errour promising amendment And other times he protested that his body had sinned without the consent of his soul Deadora nevertheless being deaf to these supplications and humiliations continued her assaults both in words and deeds when Gelasius with a look full of horrour and fierceness came thither He had waking long attended Aleria's coming whereupon rising for to look after her he came where he heard though not distinctly the complaints of Deadora the crys of Aleria and the prayers of Lovanius Gelasius therefore taking a Poniard in his Hand ran in a rage whither the noise called him He had no sooner seen Lovanius embracing his Wifes knees but he concluded him to be the enemy of her Chastity and the reputation of his House wherefore running furiously on him he wounded him in such manner in the head that not being able to support himself he fell flat upon the ground with the Agony of Death upon him which also appeared more terrible unto him because he saw that his sensualities had prepared a grave not only for himself but also for Deadora Gelasius seeing Lovanius in a condition not to live long much less to make any defence turning about to his Wife with a tone so terrible that would have struck horrour into the stoutest heart he said Woman thy offence is so heinous that to let it go unpunished would be an effect rather of weakness than of compassion Yet the characters of my former affection being still imprinted in my mind I will pardon thee but on this condition that seeing this Adulterer hath gotten thy heart thou wilt by the help of this weapon tear it from his breast Deadora taking the Dagger with an undaunted courage greater than is required in any Woman said unto him Sir the errors of love do deserve some kind of pardon because they proceed rather from Fate than out of choice But I confess my self unworthy of it because I could not regulate my dissoluteness She spoke these words and then making as if she would have run the Dagger into Lovanius's body she stabb'd her Husband to the heart who scarce could say Cursed Woman dost thou thus in one moment rob me of my Honour and my Life but losing his Speech in a number of groans in a manner threatning rather than yielding to death he unhappily departed this life Deadora having performed this much more generous than just enterprize she ran to suck in the last breath of Lovanius who striving against the pangs of Death spoke thus unto her My dear Deadora I now dye contented in that I dye not unrevenged Pardon me I pray you and let the chastisement of an humane errour terminate with him that hath committed it For Gods sake let not your anger disturb my ashes But Oh me this is the last minute of my life Give me O my Dear your last kisses for a consolation at this my departure In ending these words he ended his days Deadora being oppressed with grief stood immoveable as a Statue and after a Deluge of tears she cryed out saying Stay a little O thou Soul of my most dear Lovanius 'T is not just that thou shouldst go alone into the Shades In saying so she gave her self a Stab upon the Heart and thereupon in a moment she pow'red forth her Soul with her Bloud Aleria who in the representation of these Tragedies had suffer'd the torments of a thousand Deaths flying from the sight and interrogation of all those whom the noise had drawn thither in great numbers and hating at once both to see her self and the light retired unto the uppermost part of the House Thereby fitting a Cord and therewith miserably expiring she gave a worthy reward to her own immodesty From hence it may be gathered that the joys of all illegitimate love do terminate in sorrows and that unchast affection can have no other than an unhappy end The Argument The Countess of Castelnovo in a certain great exigency sends for assistance to the Marquess Oliverio He being fervently enamoured of her doth most readily comply with her desires The Countess having her want supplied doth by a neat contrivance carried on by favour of the night both save her own honour and satisfie the discretion of the Marquess NOVELL IV. IN the City of Alexandria situate in the Province of Puglia upon the Confines of Monferrat there was a most Noble Gentlewoman whom I will at present distinguish by no other name than that of the Countess This Lady was graced with such singular perfection of Beauty that she could not be beheld by Men without ardent love nor by Women without great envy The content which Lovers had in looking upon the most admirable features of her Face did extort from them the loss of their liberty In short this glorious Sun did dazle the hearts no less than the eyes of the Spectators He was rather deem'd a fool than wise who could not be subject to such sweet Tyranny and he was almost reputed a Sacrilegious Person who did not offer up his heart in Sacrifice to this idolized Beauty This Treasury of all the riches of Nature was by right of Matrimony in the possession of the Count de Castelnovo a Gentleman endued