baude Narcissus doateth vpon his ovvne shadovve Constancie VVomen deriued of the imperfections of men Faith to be obseruedvvhere the desyer is performed Cornelio giueth his laâ—â— aunsvvere to the baude Plaudyna Plaudyna aduertiseth her louer of the departure of her husband Delyo persuadeth Cornelyo not to go to Millan perills be greater in reaport then daungerous in thaduenture Cornelio astonied in the presence of his Ladye Cornelio speketh to his Ladye Lyfe Plaudina replieth to her seruant Her husband Loue makes a man valiant or rather folishe hardie An order not necessarie for a commâ—â— vvealth A woman more readye of vvitt then a man in exeremeties Necessetie geueth corage to the fainte harte The doubtefull mynd is rather apt to beleue the vvorste then credyt thinges that bâ—◠〈◊〉 A discrip cioÌ„ of Naples accordig to the cronicles of tuskan Diuerse englishe gentlemen enterteined there at this daye Loue a common enemy to the ease of man The Abbot vvriteth to his mistres Loue. Thexclamacion of the Abbot His letter BlaÌ„che maria maried to the Viscount hermes The order of a wise husbaÌ„d in repre hendinge the follies of his gyife The vvise aunsvvere of the Viscount thouchynge the gouernement of hys vvife The visecount dieth VVomenne muste avoide asvvel the suspicion as thact of euyll A pollecye of the serpent Alteracyons in a louer in the presence of his ladye The carle vvoethe the vvidovve The Ytalian Ielousie by nature The vvidovves replye A contracte forced is a vyolacion of mariage A litle falte in a great lady is made a mortal offeÌ„ce in the iudgement of the vvorlde A vvoman reformed rather by faire intreatie the force of constraint Phedra She letteth her banke of money â—oÌ„ne in interest at Myllan She rouneth from her husbande The honor of a maÌ„ ought not to be defaced by the deshonestie of his vvife Shame ought to direct the doinges of vvomen Demosthenes refused the companie of Lays for that she held a nightes lodging at to high a price The first vnlavvfull louer of the countesse The order of a curtisan to allure men to affection Th erle valpergo proffereth his seruice to the countesse She graunteth fauor to therle Acteon transformed into a hart by Dyana Fortune dravven in shape and attire of a vvoman The couÌ„tesse vvoeth therle Gaiazo by letter Morder most haâ—nous in the sighte of god She entreateth her second frend to kyll her firste louer She discontinueth her freÌ„dship vvith the Lord Gaiazo Some faultes may be excused that can not be pardoned The barbarians more curious theÌ„ vve in obseruinge their lavves Shame as necessarie for age as avve for yong meÌ„ Death the due revvâ—â—de of morder The sin of the father punished vpon the children The couÌ„tesse to her last louer No morder escapeth vnpunished Ydlenes the mother of mischiefe In doing nothinge men learne to do euill Loue. The geÌ„tlemaÌ„ maketh loue to Iulya Iulya ansvvereth God The dovvtefull mynde is neuer in quiett The bavvde to Iulya VvomeÌ„ ought to be curteus by nature Iulya reprehendeth the baude Money the mynisters of corrupcion The beginning of euery thing seames harde Iulya rauished by force Money the ministers oâ— infection Beautie Iuly a drovvneth her selfe The bible thinfallible booke Dyuine and humaine lavves The Ladye wâ—â—the her procurer vnder a complaint against the vveakne in her husbande The knights slaine by the â—â—â—â—soÌ„ of hys 〈◊〉 The Ladye â—ayneth a sorovv for the death of her husband Death the messenger of the vvill of God The eldeste sonne chargeth his mother vvith incestuose life vvith tolonyo Honor. She replyeth to her sonne Vertue is coÌ„tinualie assailed vvith enuye spite Her eldest sonne slaine by treason Yt is easye to corrupt him vvhich is euil of himselfe Her seconde sonne slaine by her vvickednes The deuill Tolonyo kil leth his vvife Her father in lavve coÌ„plaineth to the iudge criminall The Ladye fleethe to po getto Tolonyo repenteth and praieth to God for forgyuenes of his sinnes Iere .xxxi. Luke .xxii. Tolonyo exe cuted A vvonderful vertue in a romaine Capteine A merueilus contynencie in the great Alexander The order of the hungrye Spanyarde Yt is necessary to feele sometime a chaunge of fortune Beautye VvomeÌ„ seame masquers in painting their faces beautie Mearemaides Ianiquetta aunsvvereth her compaignion The norsse Luchyne vvoeth Ianiquaette Ianiquetta aunsvvereth Luchyn God Loue. Golde and syluer The bavvde vvoeth Ianiquette Riches Ianiquette reprehendethâ— the bavvde Money A maide ought to defend her honestie euen to the laste dropp of her blodde The Shebaud in LondoÌ„ car yeth a basket in her hande the he bavvde a ring in his mouth Vvomen deriued of thim perfection of men Love The frendes of Luchyn persvvade hym to mary age and amendment of life Honor and liuynge Nothing 〈◊〉 sausfye the couetusâ—â—s of man The husbaÌ„d The bable of of the people is rather of custome then of creditt Necessetie forceth Ianiquette to offer her selfe in praie to Luchyn Luchyn abstained from vyolacion of Ianiquetta Luchyn coÌ„pforteth Ianiquetta Luchyn presenteth Ianiquetta to his vvyfe Xenocrates refused a yoÌ„g maid layed in bedd vvith hym GentlevvomeÌ„ oughte to be skilful in houskeping The charge of a mistris or gouernor of housholde Parentes Phillyberto falleth in loue vvith the vvydovve He vvas made â—understande of thinciuili tye of the vvydovve Loue. Seigneur phil liberto vvoeth his neighbor to solicite his loue to zylia The aunsvver of his neyghbour His neighbour makes a second offer of her helpe Philliberto vvriteth to his Ladye The messenger to the vvy dovve Zilia ansvvereth the messenger The coÌ„plaint of Seigneur Philiberto Loue not seuiahle to any order VVomen are borne to bee obedient to men Fleshelie louers coÌ„pared to the Scorpion Zilya repre hendeth her vvoer 1451. 143â— Written in their boke of 〈◊〉 called caâ—alogue des martuis The desier of vnhoâ—eâ—te gaine the fountaine of all euills Crassus fell into the handes of 〈…〉 Zylpa sorovveth her for mer crueltie Honestie the chiefest support of lyfe Vertues in loue Dicesing house Perillo repreheÌ„ded of cer teine his fren des The house of play a store house of all vices Tenaunte by the high vvay side called theaues in plaine englyshe Loue. Riches most respected in mariages novv a dayes Perillo vvriteth to Carmosy na Carmosyna aunsvve rethe the letter of Perillo Mynio denie the to mary his doughter to Perillo The coÌ„plaiÌ„t of perillo Perillo taken prisonner and his goods spoiled The complaint of Peaitllo in prison The Sea Carmosina complayneth the misery of perillo Richeâ— A speciall chalenge The poore man demaunding his almes is the deputie of Christ vvho saithe vvhat vve geue to the nedy vve bestovve vppon hym Perillo redemed from pryson Carmosyna comfortethe Perillo Perillo and Carmosyna maried Perillo his vviffe slaine vvith Athonder oolte Loue. Dom Diego made knyght The first meting vvords betvven Diego and Geniuera A discriptioÌ„ thattiâ—e and beautye of Geniuera Geniuera fal leth in loue vvith Diego Loue procedes of a fond opynion Dom diego passioned vvith loue Slepe the ceremonies of the night Geniuera and her mother at the house of Diego Diego vvoeth Geniuera in a daunse Geniuera auÌ„ svvereth vvith half consent to his request Yt is hard to conceile the passion of loue Mariage Geniuera falleth iÌ„ disdain vvith Diego Geniuera exclaimeth against Diego Geniuera reprocheth Diego by a letter The coÌ„plaint of Diego Death the last and best repose of mise rye His man dissuadeth hym from the pilgrims voiage The most perfect victorie is to make a conquest of our selues Diego begin neth his pilgrymage Diego complaineth his chaunge of estate vpon the vvaye The contentes of Diegos letter to geniuera Deathe the dreadefull messenger The havvke Venice taken and putt to sacke by Pirro Fregos Theues Roderico dis couereth embraseth his frende Dom Diego Diego acknovvledgeth himselfe to Roderico Thoffice of a noble man or one in authoritie Diego excuseth hys departure from his contrey The vvise man vvil neuer comytt councelle to children VVomen coÌ„pared to infates Roderico killeth the biskaine Cupido Roderico to geniuera Geniuera exclameth against Roderico Diego vpon his knees 〈◊〉 ueth pytye Dom Diego being stil prostrate crieth for coÌ„passion to his mistrys Roderico threatneth Geniuera Geniuera be ginneth to shovve arguments of compassion diego sevveth for the lyf of Geniuera Her hart Ge niueâ—a eâ—â—useth her former faiâ—e and folâ—â—e vvich promise of vnfayned fayth to Diego The conclucion of the traÌ„slator vpoÌ„ his volume of tragicall discourses
frende PROCRIS The notable Philosopher ACAST hauing thonly Credite for education of the heir apparaunt of his prince and honouring albeit the childe with more then an ordinarye affection yet hunting on a tyme among the deserts of that contreye contrary to the wil of the king for that he was warned by a prophecy of the death and distruction of his sonne in castynge a darte at the boare slewe hym whom hee loued asmuche or more then himselfe besides for a familiar profe of my allegation in this case yt is not yet viij yeres since y e countie Palatine one of y e chiefe princes of GERMANY being lost of hys companye in pursewing the chasse of a fierce boare was ouerthrowen horse and man and in daunger to be deuoured by the furye of the beaste if by good chaunce hys ryder with ij freshe dogges had not ben at hand to preuent his perill so likewise by the hunting of a wilde boare grewe the bloddy quarel betwne theses ij houses for hauing one day by force and pollycie of men and dogges kylled one of the greatest boares About SYENNA in the particular cōmendatiō which euery man gaue to the doughtines of his dogge there began to kindle a kinde of mislike in the hartes of the twoo younge Lordes whiche with the heate of the wine wherein they goolled without regarde after their trauaill and the bloudde beinge chaffed with the presse and nomber of termes of reproche bolked out at laste to cruell blowes whiche without respect of personnes seamed so to occupye the place for the tyme that besides a nomber that were hurte on bothe parts the SALIMBINS hadde the worste for that one of theyr chiefe was lefte for dead in the fielde where with the fraye discontinued for that time and euery man retired the MONTANINS not gladd of the victorye for that theye doubted a reuenge and the SALIMBINS contented by force with theyr present fortune attendynge notwithstandynge thassistaunce of a better tyme to redeme the bloude of theyr kynsman not wyth equall losse of their enemy but with vtter ruine and subuersion of the whole house of their aduerse parte whiche they fayled not accordingly to performe with suche hoate expedicion and power that after diuerse publike skermishes and priuate combats with indecent murders the contrary parte hauinge consumed the moste parte of their rente and reuenewe in meintainynge garrisons to withstande theyr malyce within the compasse of no longe tyme they hadd brought to extreme depopulatiō the whole kindred of the MONTANINS excepte one younge Gentleman named CHARLES who findynge himselfe to weake to resyste any longer the rage of his aduersaries retired to a contentement by force and gaue place to their furie and they also fyndynge the fielde abandonned without any to make head against them dismissed their angrye humor and layde asyde their bluddye weapons beinge dolled with the heauye and mortall blowes vppon theyr conquered enemies This Charles and laste remainder of the house of MONTANINO being appointed by destenie to lyue yet in spite of his enemies stirred not out of the towne of SIENNA where as a solitary man in the presse of his aduersaries he liued without eyther salutyng or hauntynge the place of theyr repaire beinge fauored notwythstandynge of the moste parte of the Cytie for that after so many broyles and horley borleys of warre which with the fiske had conuerted the greatest parte of his porcion and inheritaunce into nothynge he lyued notwithstanding of that lytle whiche fortune had lefte him in honest sorte meintainynge a traine accordynge to the state and condicion of his lyuynge hauynge in the house with hym the companye of his syster whiche the gods seamed to reserue not onelye for his speciall consolation in so greate a calamitie but also in rest oryng theyr house to hys auncient entier and beinge to buylde agayne a newe and perfecte frendshipp vppon the fyrste fondacion and confirme eftesones by her vertue a perpetuitie of indissoluble amitie betwene her brother and the house of his extreame aduersary her name was ANGELIQVA whose speciall ornamentes of nature and peculiar gyftes of God chalenged not onlye an equalytye but a degre aboue the beste and greatest Dames of that Countrey so seamed she iustelye meritorious of that name with cut doinge wronge to anye because her wisdome womanlye behauiour with humble curtesye made suche declaracion of her honestye and vertue that they whyche hated theyr house and detested the remembraunce of their Race could not close their mouthes from her due commendacion nor forbeare to wishe that theyr doughters and children were of semblable disposition suche is the operacion and force of true vertue in the hartes of suche as embrace her with vnfayned sinceritie exposinge in lyke sorte suche frutes as seame wondrous in the eye of worlde and excede the common imaginacion of men by reducinge the confusion of kindreds into an entier of euerlastynge amytie and of a mortall enemy to make a most assured frende whereof they that doubte of the goodnes of so greate a gyfte maye be satisfyed by the present of proffe this Angeliqua who so fedd the eares of the cytie with the generall Brute cōmendacion of her vertue that in one moment he which earst was chiefe and captaine of the warre against theim and seamed inuincible against all the ayde and assistaunce they could procure is nowe become a slaue and most subiect to the viewe and contemplation of her beautie in suche sorte as by litle litle he grew into termes of extreme affection and vndowted zeale towardes her whose name he hated earst no lesse then the Cankered styng of the cruell Cockatrice wherin as the humor of his loue seamed to excede the ordinarie impressions of men in that case So he neyther was hable to resiste the hoate sommaunce of his newe appetit nor kepe warre any tyme with the suggestion of his sodayne desire but as one that felt hymselfe striken with the thonderbolt of his destynie gaue place to his sentence and entred into deuise with himselfe what waye too vse to wynne the encounter of hys fancie The remembraunce of the late wronge he had done theim seamed a great impediment to his purpose neyther had he the meane to demaunde her in mariage Whose teares were skarce drye in bewailyng the desolation he hadd so lately thondred vpon al their house the simple view and recorde wherof preferred iust cause of dispaire to obtaine the good will of her brother wherwith feling a daily increase of his passion with continuall diminution and vnlikelyhod of meanes to releue his tormēt specialy for that he had imprisoned his liberty where no raunsome could serue to redeme it and that loue had bounde hym to so harde a pennaunce that the only pleasure he had in life was to thinke vpon her whome dispaire denied him to reclaime by anye meanes he began to curse thee first cause of the quarell and wyshe the huntyng of the boare hadd neuer ben tollerable in Italy
owne nature accordinge to the authorytie of the poet affirminge that by loue the rudeman is reduced to a cyuilitie the foole learneth wisedom the cowarde becomes valiaunte and the couetouse nigard settes his purse wyde open to hys frende neyther is there any kinde of curtesye wherwith hee that is in loue doth not participat but who makes an experience of the contrarye I meane without aduise or iudgemente will throwe himselfe hedlonge into the golphe of a folishe and ronning phantasye escapes hardly without the rewarde whiche that frantike passion yeldeth ordenarely to suche as are vnhappelye partakers of suche infection neyther is there any thinge more furthereth the ruyne and dekaie of man then suffriuge the eyes of our vnderstandinge to be seeled with suche ymitate to ymate that as a glott of our gredy desyers whiche nature hathe enioyned to all estates to honour and embrace as a speciall vertue And trulye me thinkes that that folishe and infortunat crewe mighte reserue therrours and destructions of others as speciall pattornes and preceptes to restraine the humor of their owne madnes by the whiche or they be aware they are ledd to the brinke of mortall destruction albeit thindiscretion of that miserable sorte seames nothinge vnlike in comparaison to those that hauinge longe vsed the trade of thefte and robberye and seinge their companions passe by the sentence of a corde lacke grace notwithstandinge to disclaime the wickednes wherin they haue bene nozeled so many yeares neyther is their plage or rather iuste punishmente any thinge inferior for they makinge a chiefe glorye of that whiche is moste imperfecte in loue are eyther so subiecte to dispaire or beastely assotted withe the greedye encownter of the pleasure they fynde that procuring by theyr owne folly and want of order the processe of their fatall sommaunce in the entrey to their felycitye are forced to resigne at one instante their lyfe and loathinge contentmente of lesse contynuance then the paines in loue seame greuous to the mynde that hath y e gift to passe theim ouer by reason And like as a vehement and inwarde greffe of the mynd proceding by the malice of a synister fortune is of such force to close the poares and couduictes of the vitall partes of man that cancellinge the commission of lyfe the soule departes leauinge the body without sence like power I saye hath the vehemencie of semblable gladnes which occupienge all the partes with a generall ioye excedinge the strength of nature makes the mynde insufficent of force to withstande so greate a passion whereby strykinge the saile of lyfe the bodye is seene to vanishe as the candle lackinge waxe or weake or other matter assistinge the flame which giueth light to the beholders wherof we haue diuerse authoryties in the histories of antiquitye as one of the doughters in law to the high priest Helye who hearinge of the death of her husbande the takinge of the arke of the lord ended her lyfe with the dollorous reapport the lyke happeninge vnto her father in law for the ouerthrowe of the children of Israell by the infydelles and vncircumcised in like sorte we haue confirmacion in diuerse prophane discourses of such as haue yelded the ghoste in a traunce of vnreasonable ioye and lawghiuge as Dyagore Rhodiotto the philosopher Chilon who vpon the newes that their children had won the prise at the plaies at Olympus embrased their happye fortune with such exceding gladnes that vpon the place and present they yelded againe their tearme of borowed yeres also a folyshe Romaine woman hearing of the death of her son in a battaile fought against thennemy disgested it with great constancy but seing his safe retorne from the field contrary to her expectacion and former newes she was so assailed with superfluity of gladnes that in place to congratulate his deliuery from the perill of war she dyed in embrasing hym as of a passion of dismeasured contentmeÌ„t which argueth sufficiently the folly of them that in any degre bestowe eyther ioy or sorow so neare their harte that besydes the destruction of the body they become thunnatural morderers of their owne soules wherin w t what enamel so euer they seke to guild colour such vices yet can they not be excused of an humour of madnes proceding of a vaine braine exposing frutes according to y e spirit or guide y e possesseth them neyther is ther any coÌ„mendation at al due vnto such as thorow ympacience giue ende to their lyfe by dispaire with what title or sorname of constancy the fond philosophers of olde time do baptyse those accions of meare fury frenecy wherof as the miserable end of these ii louers yeldes sufficient testymonie dieng both in one hower of diuerse accideÌ„ts the one of a dismeasured ioye the other of a passion of desperatte sorowe so because the discourse is of vndowted troth I wishe it might moue credyt to the reador and councell to al men to eschew the like inconuensence deryued of semblable occasion THE LONG AND LOYall Loue betwene Lyuyo and Camylla together with their lamentable death the one dying of a passion of ioye the first night he embraced his mystres in bedde the other passed also the same way as ouercome wyth present sorow for the deathe of him whom she loued no lesse then her selfe ⧠⸫ AT such tyme as ALEXANDER the sixt surnamed BORGIA supplied the papistical seate at rome dwelt in SYSENNA a yong gentleman called LYVYO with his syster CORNELIA neare vnto whome was the house of a knight bering y e name of RENALDO hauing a son called CLAVVDIO with a daughter CAMYLLA which two yong dame selles by reason of neighborehead and contynuall norryture together duringe their infancye reteyned a league of suche mutuall famylyaritie and conuersacioÌ„ y t their socyetye with often entercourse together seamed no lesse then if nature had made theym the children of one father wherein as Râ—NALDO and his wife reioysed not a litle on the behalfe of their doughter for that CORNELIA was accompted to excede the rest of yonge Ladies in honest behauiour and gyftes of vertue So if it had not bene for a froward disposicion in CLAVVDIO who grudged without cause the companye of LYVYO this conuersacion and haunt of the girles had seamed of easier continuance Albeit as his presence gaue often ympedimente to their metinge so his absence restored their enterviewe in such sorte as he was no soner departed to parforme his fathers affaires at Rome or els where but his syster forgat not to visit her deare CORNELIA passinge theyr pettie follyes and recreacions of honest delyte most coÌ„monly at the lodginge of LYVYO for that there was neither awe of father nor other authoritie to controll their exercise which for the most part was every after none to dresse fyne banquetes striuing to excede one an other in curiositye and conning with a thousande other conceytes and merye chaâ— of huswiferie which seamed of no lesse pleasure to theim
out of your minde an other shal enioye the swéete and pleasaunt benefit of that deuine beautie of yours whiche oughte to serue but for the dyet of the gods the simple viewe whereof seames hable yf it wer possible to make me suffery e martiredom of ij deaths wherunto she replied w t persuacions to driue hym from his fonde deuise profering her selfe eftesones to dye for companie wherin callynge the maiestie of the highest to witnes she protested againe that if he wolde not be reclaimed from his desyer to dye within a veray shorte moment of tyme she woulde bée as redye to yelde death his tribute as he all whiche she inferred I thinke rather to féede the tyme then of intent to performe the effecte of her offer hauynge the lyke opynion of her husbande whome she thoughte alwayes to haue suche power to represse the euil sprite that possessed hym y the woulde not become the vnnaturall morderer of hymselfe and muche lesse execute the lyke rage on her But alas thinfortunat Ladye brewed heare the brothe of her owne bane and spon the thredâ— of her owne destruction for fallynge nowe vnhappelye into the malice of her destenie thinkynge nothinge lesse then of the secret ambushe of mortall treason her husbande had layed for her went vnhappelye to bed wyth hym the same nighte where for his parte preferringe in his face a shew of fayned contentement consolation to the eye he forced a further quiete of mynde by the ioye he ymagined in the acte he ment to do but chieflye for that he had deuised howe thinnocent Ladye throughe the rage of his villainy sholde bée forced to an effect of her promisse for the spedie execution wherof they had not bene longe in bedd together but he rise from her faynynge a desier to performe the necessitie of nature in the closset or chamber of secretes his erraund in dede being to fetche his dagger which without makynge her priuye he conueyed vnder the bolster of his bed beginnynge euen then to preferre a preamble afore the parte he ment to playe for fallinge from his former complaintes of sicknes he retired into tearmes of extreme â—renâ—zy and madnes brainge out such groanes and sighes of hideus disposicion with owlyng cryeng and foaminge at the mouth like one possessed with an euill sprit that who had séene his often change of coollor and complexion in his face his ghastly regardes arguinge ententes of desperacion and his eyes slaming with furie soÌ„ke into his head with the order of his passion euery waye might easely haue iudged the desyer of his hart to be of no smal importance and the thynge he went about neither common nor coÌ„mendable wherein he was assisted with .iij. enemies of diuerse disposicions loue Ielousie and death the least of the whiche is sufficient of him selfe to make a man chafe in his harneys and take away the courage of his hart in the middest of the combat for the one presented a certaine feare by reason of the horrour of the acte the other sewed as it were for an abstinence or at least amoderacioÌ„ of y e crueltie he had coÌ„menced against his innoceÌ„t wif but y e third being y e beginner of al exceding the rest in power wolde not dismisse him from the stage till he had playd thuttermost acte of his malicious tragedie Marke here good Ladyes the desolation of this vnfortunat Gentlewoman and dispose your selues to teares on the behalfe of her distresse wherin certeinlye you haue no lesse reason to helpe to bewaile her wretched chaunce then iuste occasion to ioyne in generall exclamation againste the detestable acte of her tyrannous husband who disclayminge euen nowe his former state and condition of a man retires into thabite of a monster and cruell enemye to nature and in conuertinge the vertue of his former loue and remembrance of the sondrie pleasures he had heretofore receyued of his deare and louynge wyfe into present rage and vnnaturall furye far exceding the sauage and brutishe maner of the Tiger Lyon or Libards bredd in the desertes of affrike the common Norsse of monsters and creatures cruell without reason whettyng his téeth for the terrible suggestion of the deuill who at thinstant put into his hande the dagger wherewith after he had embraced and kissed her in such sorte as Iudas kissed our Lorde the same night he betraied him he saluted her with ten or .xij. estockados one in the necke of an other in diuerse partes of her bodye renewynge the confilict with no lesse nomber of blowes in her head and armes and because no parte shoulde escape frée froÌ„ the stroke of his malice he visyted her white and tender legges with no lesse rage and furye then the rest wherewith beholdinge in her diuerse vndoubted argumentes of death began the lyke warre wyth hymselfe vsinge the same meane and ministers with his owne handes enbrewed yet with the bloode of his innocent wyfe she wyng notwithstandyng this horrible part and acte of dispaire diuerse and sondrye signes of speciall gladnes and pleasure in his face wherin he contynued till the laste and extreame gaspe of lyfe chieflie for that he sawe him accompanied to death with her whome he was not hable to leaue behinde hym on lyue and who beinge ouercharged as you haue harde with the nomber of woundes the violence whereof preuailinge farr aboue the resistance of lyfe did presse her so muche with the hastie approche of death that the want of breath abridged her secret shryft and coÌ„fession to god with lesse leasure to yeld her innocent soule wyth humble praier into the handes of her redemer and commende the forgeuenes of her synnes to the benefit of his mercie Only she had respyte with great a do to speake to giue order that her bodie might be layde in the tombe of her firste husbande SIGNEVR BARZO But the cursed and execrable ALBANOYS so whollie possessed with the deuill that the gyfte of grace was denied him abhorred to the laste mynute of his lyfe the remembrance of repentance for laughinge as it were at the fowlenes of the facte euen vntill life left him senceles and voyde of breathe he commended his carkes to the gredie Iawes of rauenous wolues seruing also as a fyt praie for y e venemous serpentes and other crepinge wormes of the earthe and his soule to the reprobate socyetie of Iudas and Cayne with other of th infernall crewe The worthie ende of this wicked wretche argueth the iuste rewarde of the euill disposed and suche as are vnhaypelie dropped out of the fauor of god the ordenarye successe of those enterprises that are begâ—n without the consente of wisedom or raison but chiefly theffectes and fortune of such as blinded with the vaile of their owne wil and dymned w t the myst of follye do reapose so muche for theim selues in the opinion of their owne witte that detestinge good councell and thaduise of the wise doo credit onlye the conceite of their owne fancie whiche
a wretched and stinkinge dongeon here maye be noted one chiefe frute of couetous desier and an effecte of filthie gaine when the gredie mynde in goinge about to glott thappetit of his coffers leaueth an example of his wretched follie to all ages Oh howe happie be they who contented with the gifte of a meane fortune do not seke to loade shippes and remeine from hower to hower within thrée inches of death either to be buried in the bellies of the monsters in the Sea or beinge caste vppon some deserte shoare to serue as praye to the deuouring Iawes of wilde beastes was it not sufficiente alas to be touched with the experience of a repulse in loue but y t I must fele the heauye hande mobilitie of fortune in an element more incoÌ„stante then the variable course of the moone Ah Carmosyna what wroÌ„g dost thou to my misery if thy teares do not helpe to lament my distress seing y t in seking to haue the to my wyfe I am maryed to a heauie burden of boltes and shackells of yron and in place of my mariage bedde with the my destenies haue appoynted me a pillowe of carthe in a darke and filthie hoale where notwithstanding yf there were any offer of hope eftesones to enioye thy presence I coulde easely disgeste the Symptomes of my martirdome and in attenâ—â—ng the happie consent of such good fortune to make a plaiâ—ante exercyse of my presente and paynefull ymprisonment By this tyme fame had ymparted the desolacion of our venturers to the whole Citie of Naples not withoute the generall sorowe of all men and speciall teares of such as were contributarie to the losse albeit makyng of necessitie a vertue tyme gaue ende to their dollor and dismissed theym all with desier to redeme his captif frend but Carmosyna knowyng her PERILLO to be one of the miserable nomber and waighing the circumstance of his mishapp whiche stode vppon tearmes of more extremitie then all the reste bothe for that by the losse of his porcion she douted to set him on foote againe and muche more dispaired of meanes to paye hys raunson entred into suche presente rage that she was redy to vse force againste herself whereunto she hadd putt an effect if it had not bene for her gouernesse who reprehending sharply her wilfull follie appeased at laste with greate raison her desperatt intente conuertynge the furious humor of the desolate mayde into a riuer of teares distillynge a mayne downe her reasie chekes complayninge notwithstandynge with tearmes of gréef the misfortune of her frende but chiefly for that her selfe was the principall cause of his ruynous estate and that the rude aunswere of her father forced him to abandon his countrey for the gaine of a contynuall captiuitie Ah infortunat girle saieth she and insatiable couetusnes in the old age of my father who in refusing the honest request of Perillo respected more the masse of filthie treasure then the vertues or good disposicion in the younge man Why wolde not he consider that the manners of men do chaunge of a prodigall youthe procedes a sparing olde man neither oughte we to dispaire of his recouerie who fynding y e falte of his owne follie disposeth him selfe to amendment of life what cause of care hathe he either of the pouertie or richâ—â—â— of his children after his death seynge the remembrance of the worlde dekayeth with the loss of lyfe can he carie with hym any care of our aduauncement seynge he is forced to leaue behynde hym the thynge whyche is more deare vnto hym then the prosperetie or healthe of hys children yf he presente me with a husbande and porcion of a kingdom the offer of no millions shall mortefie in me the loue I beare my PERILLO neither is it a vertue to sell affection for the price of monie and muche lesse to seame to loue hym whom my harte can not brooke for there is neyther pleasure nor contententent where the mynde is not in quiett No no lett hym vse the skoape of hys crabbed age and do what he thynkes good for my parte I will not be desloyall on the behalfe of hym who I knowe honoreth me with sincere affection neyther shall he lye longe in prison nor contynue any tyme the sonne of pouertie for I knowe wher be a companie of duckattes whyche sawe no lyghte since I hadde the vse of discrecion whyche I doute not will bothe pawne his deliuerie and furnyshe hym wyth a seconde trade more fortunate I hope then the firste and for my parte the gréenes of my age gyueth me leaue to suspend certeine yeres without any haste to marie wherein she demaunded thassistance of her gouernes who gaue her not onely a firme assurance of her ayde but also promised a supply of monie towardes the furniture of her expedicion desieringe her for the reste to do awaye all argumentes of dollar leaste the same discouered her passion to her father wherein as they consumed certeine monethes in beauise to deliuer PERILLO with secrett practisses in leuienge the price of his raunsom so fortune began to enter into tearmes of pitie towardes hym and preuented the meanyng of his mystris by takyng hym oute of prison in sorte as you shall heare Wherein albeit she exceded the mayde with spede in excucion yet oughte wee to gyue the title of worthie thankes to Carmosyna whose example of vertue in this case I wishe maie soÌ„mon a remorce to our lighte and inconstante dames nowe a dayes who are so incerteine in true affection that the respecte of presente pleasure takes awaye the remembrance of their absente frende and maketh theim vnmyndfull of the faith of their former promisse wherin I am not prouided to enter into argument at this presente bothe for that I doâ—t to gaine displeasure in discoueryng a truth and also suche discourse is without the compasse of my comissioÌ„ whiche is nowe to recompte vnto you the deliuerie of pore Antonio Olde Minyo the father of Carmosyna had ioyned with hys richesse and desyer of worldly gaine certeine vertues and commendable giftes as veraye deuote in visiting the churches and places of prayer of a charitable disposicion in releuing the distresse of thafflicted and so full of compassion on the behalf of the nedie that seldome any pore man departed from hym emptie handed besides he extended amerueilus charitie and acte of pitie to the desolate captiues amongeste the Moares in suche sorte as making euery yere a voyage into Barbaria he made an ordinarie to redeme and bring awaie with hym ten or twelue christian prisoners of whome such as were hable restored the price of their raunson whithout any interest thinkinge the gaine sufficient in that he was the cause of their deliuerie but the reste he sente frelie into their countrey exspectynge the méede of that vertue at the handes of god with this onely charge that in remeÌ„brance of the benefit they wold not forget him in their priuat praiers The gifte of
more of this gentleman theÌ„ in forgiuing the falte of thy false coÌ„tracte with thy last minion not only to forbeare to enter into suspicioÌ„ touching thy vnsemely ronnyng awaye with an vnknowen villeine but also crauing the guerdoÌ„ of his constancie is at point to sacrafice his life to appaise thy anger and yeld the contentment for end I aduise you to chaunge opinioÌ„ least I coÌ„mitt to as many morsels thy desloial body as this wofull knight not long since made bloddie deuision of his vnhappie hawke the only cause of his preseÌ„t distresse and by your owne folly ready to giue you a title of the most tyrannouse arrogant gentlewoman that is neither haue I begon this enterprise to leaue it vnperfecte or giue it ouer with this successe wherfore seynge you take pleasure in extremities I will fede your delite with the offer of loue or death wherof as I giue you the benefitt of the choice so I sweare vnto you by hym that is not ignorante of my intente that if you refuce the first you shall not faile in thys place to passe vnder the sentence of the last wherin my selfe will not feare to discharge thoffice of the fatall minister in embruyng my handes in the blood of her whose follie only causeth the death of one of my dearest frendes Thies threates dismayed nothing the malicious Geniuera nor abated any parte of her presumptuouse arrogancie for who had sene the fyerie regardes of her eyes the knittynge of her browes whettyng of her teethe closinge her delicate fingars withe other braueries excedynge farre the simplicitie of suche tender yeres vnexperienced asyett in thassaltes and malice of an aduerse fortune wolde haue sayed shée hadd rather procured terrour to Roderico then giuen place to his fearefull offer or somounce of loue or death defyenge also the rigour of his authoritie with thies tearmes Lyke as thowe kaitife knighte sayeth she he that is once thorough bathed in the suddes of ynnocente blodde is so fleshed and hardened in villenie that no acte of detestation seames any synne to hym So it is no merueile if thowe whyche haste committed vnnaturall slaughter of one whose true vertue exceded the flatterynge fame of thy renowne and gaue no place to the integretie of life arte not without feare to committ me to the same guide leaste in sufferynge me to liue thou couldest not auoyce the iustice whyche I am to procure vpon the iniury I haue receiued besides I am here readie to laye my heade vppon the blocke of execution rather then to giue the honour of my virginitie to any seinge the cursed handes haue depriued me of hym to whome bothe the trée and frute dyd only apperteine neyther do I tremble in the remembrance of the stroke of deathe howe cruell so euer it appere for that I shall the rather stande affore the troane from whence is graunted all vengaunce to suche wretches as thou arte ha God seing thou arte righteouse why doste thou not thonder iustice vpon the wronge which thies outlawes haue don thy ynnocente hande mayde Ah traitor Roderico perswade thy selfe that thou canste not offer me so cruell a deathe as I am moste readye to endure the tormente hopynge the same shall serue hereafter as the only cause and meane of thindifferent destructiou of thy selfe and hym for whom thou trauellest thus in vaine here her woman and page began to perswade her to pitie on the behalfe of the knighte that suffred such passion for her sake with consente to the honeste requestes of Roderico solicitynge her so frankelye towchynge thextremities of theym both that she entred into tearmes of reprehencion againste their honeste meanynge will you saieth she be eyther enchaunted with the fayned teares of this deloyall who passioneth hym selfe vppon creditt or stande in awe of the tyrannouse threates of thys morder or whose villanie wyth couered face hathe taken awaye the lyfe of youre mayster Ah vnhappye girle that I am it is nowe alas that I feele the heauie handes of fortune whose malyce hathe not onelye putte me béetwene the handes of hym whome I hate no lesse then I haue already experienced his dyssembled loue but also in doublynge my mishap assaileth me with the sinister perswacions of my seruants coÌ„panioÌ„s of care who ought rather to allowe my resolucion in death then prefer motion in any sort touchinge my consente to requests of no less corruption then theim selues be infected who solicite in so bad a caâ—e Ah loue I proue to late alas thinfydelytie of thy promise fyndinge so bad a recompense for so dutifull obedience to yelde at thy sommonce and so slender defence for suche as commit theim selues faythfullye to the gouernmente of thy lore why sholde nature be more curius to frame vs of a more delicate molde tempered with a mettel of fragilitie then careful to leaue vs armour of resistance agaynste thassaltes of fortune for if I had not had a perle of flattering affection painted in my face I had not tasted y e beginning of a pleasure whose dollorous farewell for euer brings more cause of gréeff then thapprehencion at the first engendred parfecte contentment for beinge alas vppon the point to Sipp of the sugred cup wyth exspectacion to féede of the frute of my pleasant attainte Lo how traiterus loue serueth me with dishes of mortal annoye and in place of the deynties which others finde in the ende of their longe hope it is I that am presented with the banquet of al bitter confections which makes me heare resigne and declare my fatal testament vpon thinconstancye of that pleasante follye whom as I leaue at libertie to make hys gaine of others aswell as he hath dallied with me so I reioyce in thexchaunge of so great an euil for so present a consolacion as deathe in whom I hope to fynd no lesse contentment and quiet then the other hath assailed me with diuersatie of passion Retire oh cursed mishap to th ende that dyenge by thy meanes I may liue without the in thother worlde wherein place of a thousand annoyes which yf I shold consente to longer life thou hast yet to thonder vpon me I shal be sewer of eternall reapose norished with thinuisible foode whych god ympartes to hys Angels and soules assistinge his heaueÌ„ly paradise Come deathe and do thyne office vpon thys wretched girle who attendes the sharpnes of thy darte to preuente the â—earcinge arrowes of myne aduersarye Ah poore harte deuoyde of hope am desperate touching the consommacion of thy desyers ceasse hensfurth to wishe the fruytion of longer tearme seinge destenie loue and lyf are determined to dysmisse me here hence to sewe for peace elswhere and embrase the ghost of hym whose lif was sacrafized to the deloyaltie of thys wretche who also for his parte not satisfyed with the blod of ynnocencye takes no compassion vpon my teares which I wishe to distyll by suche abundance that in ouerflowing the vital paxtes in me he might sée me perishe in his
truellie cōsistes not in passion or pyning cares much lesse cometh he to the ful of his desier by sighes dollorus regardes or lamentable exclamaciōs accordīge to the Spanyard nor so lemne vowes to visitt far places for her sake or childishe feares as the amarus Italyan to whom also we may ad this barceloniā Diego who thought thorow his desperat penānce in the desertes of Pireneus to reclayme the goodwill of his mystres seing that as in al our affayres we ought not excede the institucion of vertue so she chiefly is to beare a swaighe in y e knot of this indissoluble amytie besids we se heare that the diligence of a perfect frende is of more force in those cases then all the passions panges letters of pithie perswacion orother ymportunyties whatsoeuer tollerated in matters of loue neither can a man iudge what a treasor it is to haue an assured frende tyll eyther the want of suche a Iewell or experience of his frendshipp make hym tast the benefit of so great and rare a gift seyng that a true frende beinge the second part or one moyetie of our selues is alwayes so guided by a natural Sympathya of affection towardes hym whō he loueth that he reioyseth in the pleasure and commodytie of hys frende and is readye to participat with hys aduersaty when fortune is disposed to plaie any part of her accustomed mobilitie whereof albeit we fynde not at thys daye so many thorowly perfect in that vertue as the whole worlde on all partes swarmes withe infynitye of the contrarye faction whych the Grecian philosopher calleth Microphilos That is a demye or halfe frende accordynge to thinglishe phrase Yet am I moued by diuerse occasions to passe ouer suche discourse contentinge my selfe that the diuersatye of my histories gyue recreaciō to the reader wythout stayinge to infer authorities whych may touche or sift the conscience of any And obseruing chiefly as nere as I colde an order of truth my seconde respecte was to prefer suche examples as myghte best serue to instruct our youthe who as they maye sée heare the faltes of fragilitie punished with shame losse of honor cruell deathe and perpetual infamie to their posteritie So haue they also of the contrarye speciall patternes of vertue alluringe theym to ymytacion of semblable honestye wyth diuersitie of authorities prouinge the reward of vertue and vertuouse lyuinge whereof lett all degrées make their proffit as they thinke good accordinge to the flée in the milke fedinge of the good and vertuous frute and leaue the reste as poison and bitter dregges to such as are wholly drowned in the desiers of the fleshe and buryed in a pitt of worldly filthe and as I haue seamed in some places to enterlarde this profane traslation with certeyne testimonies oute of sacred recordes So I hope the same will the rather defende th'integritie of myne intente againste all obiections consideringe that the most parte of the simple and ignoraunte sorte are rather moued with suche examples then reduced with the seuere sentences of somme great philosopher or reformed theologyan Besydes in theis discourses of loue th' adulteror is putt in remembrance of his faulte the morderer séeth the rewarde of his iniquitie he that yeldes to the sommonce of fowle cōcupiscence is sewer to be touched with the marke of infamie and suche as passioneth him selfe vpon creadit maye beholde heare the méede of his follye wherein for my parte as I greue that the worlde at this presente swarmeth with so greate a nomber of insensed men readye to dye for a pleasure of so small momente as the contentemente of the bodie So I wishe that as in writynge thies tragicall affaires I haue founde the falte of mine owne life that also the reste of the younglinges of our countrey in reding my indeuor maye breake the slepe of their longe follye and retire at laste to amendement of lyfe leaste in remeyninge still in the laborinth of sensuallitie they serue not hereafter as a fable and stage playe to the posteritye of a multitude for ende I exspecte no other hier of my traueile then that my diligence maye seame thankefull to her to whose honor and goodnesse I owe no lesse then all that I haue FINIS The Table A Wounderful vertue in a Gentleman of SIENNA on the behalfe of his enemie whome he deliuered from death and the other to retorne his courtesye with equall frendshipp presented hym wyth his syster whome he knewe he loued entierelie Histo 1. Fol. 4. The longe and loyal loue betwene LYVIO and Camylla together wyth theyr lamentable death the one dyenge of a passion of ioye the firste nighte he embraced his mistrys in bedd the other passed also the same waye as ouercome with present sorowe for the death of him whome she loued no lesse then her selfe Histo 2. fol. 39. A younge Ladye in Myllan after she had longe abused the vertue of her youth and honor of mariage with an vnlawfull haunte of diuerse yonge Gentlemen becomes an vnnaturall morderor of the frute of her wombe for that she was forsaken of him who gatt her with childe Histo 3. Fol. 62. An Albanoise Captayne beynge at the point to dye killed his wyf because no man sholde enioye her beautie after his death Histo 4. Fol. 80. Sondrye perills happenyng to a younge Gentleman of Myllan in the pursute of his Ladie Histo 5. Fol. 95. The villanie of an Abbot in séeking to seduce a mayde by force and her vertue in defending her honor against him and his companions of trayson Histo 6. fol. 124. The disordered lyfe of the Countesse of Celant who lyuynge long in adulterie and after she had procured diuerse morders receyued the hyer of her wickednes by shamefull death Histo 7. Fol. 136. IVLYA drowneth her selfe for that her bodye was abused by force Histo 8. Fol. 170. The impudent loue of the Ladye of Chabrie with her procurer Tolonyo together with the detestable morders committed betwene theim Histo 9. Fol. 188. LVCHIN is longe in loue wyth a simple maide whom he woeth and can not wyn by anye passion he endureth at laste necessitie yeldeth her into his handes when he dothe not onelye refuce to abuse her bodie but also takes order to susteine her and supplie her wantes no lesse amplie then yf she had bene his syster Histo 10. Fol. 208. The crueltye of a wydowe in enioynynge her woer to a pennance of thre yeres losse of his spéeche the folishe loyaltye in hym in performynge her commaundement and the meane whereby he was reuenged of her rigour Histo 11. Fol. 226. PERYLLO suffreth muche for the loue of Carmosyna marying her in the ende were both two stricken to death with a thonderbolte the first nighte of theyr infortunat mariage Histo 12. Fol. 252. A wonderful constancie in Dom Diego who for the respect of Geniuera la Blunde vndertooke a harde pennaunce vpon the mountes Pyreney where he led the lyfe of an Hermitt til he was founde out by chaunce by