Fabritio you haue reported a verie necessarie Historie for it contayneth many héedeful notes both of Amonition and aduise Besides the due punishment of rashnesse in Marriage For therein wee may see howe hungersterued want compelleth the best natured man to deceiue his friende and yelde vnto his owne slaunder Againe how that monster Golde conquereth the honour of the fayrest Yea quoth Isabella and corrupteth the conscience of the wisest so that this is no example of any honour to you men because Golde intised Felice to be disloyall to her Husbande for it draweth manie of you both from the feare and loue of God Well quoth Soranso let it passe Felice in her repentaunce hath made a large amendes of her trespasse and I feare me if euery lyke offence were so sharpely punnished we should haue Mazers of mens Sculles more ordinarye then Siluer Boules and powled Women more common then baulde men Not so quoth Quéene Aurelia for a fewe of these examples woulde bridle the incontinent affections both of man and woman if not for the loue of vertue for the feare of correction After these and a fewe other Morrall notes were culled out of Doctor Mossenigos Historie Maddam quoth Don Dolo if we continue this course it will be a good while before we doe finde out the Parradice Plato speaketh of Be it so quoth Quéene Aurelia but if we still continue the way to his House Hel our errour will instructe others and since we haue yet long respyte it shall not be amisse euerie day to take a sundrie hie way vntill wée finde out the true passage And for that our Question is concluded and our Howre Glasse ronne we will for this Daye make here an ende ¶ The Question that arose by behouldyng the MOWNTIBANKES in the thirde Nightes Pastime AT the accustomed Houre Supper was serued in with manie daintye Dishes whiche were saused with sundrie shorte ciuill and pleasaunt euentes of the Gentlemen and Gentlewomens wittes For he or shée was helde of weake capacitie that either of forestuddie or vpon offered occasion coulde say nothing of good regarde In the ende when Supper was done and Quéene AVRELIA and the most Honourable of the companie had taken their places vppon a Scaffolde made for the nonce there mounted a Mountebanke his necke bechayned with liue Adders Snakes Eau'ts and twentie sundrie kinde of venemous vermines whose mortall stinges were taken away by Arte with him a Zanni and other Actors of pleasure who presented themselues onelie with a single desire to recreate Segnior Philoxenus and his worthie companie and not with the intent of common Mountebanckers to deceyne the people with some vnprofitable Marchandize In the middest of this pastime an auncient Gentleman of the generall Societie séeinge these Uiperous Beastes by cunninge vsage to be made so Domesticke and affable whether it were vppon an impression of his owne greife or of the experience he had of an other mans Plague I know not but sure I am he burst into these passions O GOD quoth hee of what mettell is a Womans tongue which correction cannot chastise nor lenitie quiet when these dumbe Serpentes by the one or the other are tamed Marie quoth a pleasant Companion it is made of the same mettle that Virgils Brasen Flayle was off which strooke both his friendes and foes But quoth the Gentleman Virgyll knew taught others howe to pacifie this engine It is true quoth the other but in teaching the secrete vnto his Seruant coste him his owne life So a woman knowes howe to holde her Tongue by hauinge of her will but if a man thinke to stay it he must beate her to death A young Youth named Phrisio thinking to winne the Spurres by building a Fortresse for women who haue no weapons but their tongues to defend and offend tooke vppon him to prooue a chiding wife though shee bee a little vnpleasaunt both profitable and necessarie his reasons were these Unsauerie receytes tourne to holsome effectes The strongest Poyson is pleasaunt in taste and the remedie for the poysoned offendeth the mouthe with tartnesse Nettles that stinges the Hande maketh Pottage to comforte the heart the bloude of the Scorpion cureth the biting of the Uiper If poysoned vnpleasant and bitter thinges retaynd a vertue for the benefite of man in my imagination quoth hée an vnquiete wife is not vnprofitable though shée bee a little vnpleasaunt Her anger kéepeth Seruauntes in awe and her quicknesse ouerseeth their negligence If her tongue runne at ryot where shée huntes there is store of abuse which must be chased either with blowes or wordes If the furye of her speache offende her Husbande it is lyke that her outrage groweth from his faulte And where an iniurie is offered it is sufferable yf the wronge bee blamed but which maketh a full amendes for her furious moode as the clowdy and raynie daie lightly cleareth towardes night euen so though she bitterly scowld at boorde shée will be sure to kisse swéetely a bedde The auncient Gentlemen commending the quick wit of this yong Gentleman vsed thys circumstaunce before he refelled his error Ah quoth he if witt were as aduised in Iudgement as he is ready in censeight his imaginations would turne to wonderfull effectes but as fairest colours soonest staine as swéetest flowers are blasted with a breath as beautyful creatures are blemished with a little care as y e brightest Sunne threateneth suddaine raine yea as euerye mortall thing hath his imperfection euen so witt beinge mortall and assigned by Nature to make man glorious aboue other creatures by rashnes corrupts the ripenes of his conseightes and to good purpose his pryde is thus abated for otherwise man which enioyeth witt to worshippe his Creator and to lyue content with the liberties of the sea and to kéepe him with in the limits of the earth woulde search the secreats of heauen and I thinke dispossesse Pluto of hell Yong Gentleman quoth he I vse not this ceremony to represse your libertie of speache for the error of youre rashnes I will refell with reason and experience but least heareafter you should be as arrogant in opinion as you are ripe in conseight I haue thought good friendlye and bréefelye to signifie your imperfection and nowe to aunswere your late suggestion I affirme that Nature hath created nothing to a néedlesse purpose but notwithstanding our abuse or mischance changeth hurtefull thinges into occasions of our healpe Surfit and Sicknes only cōmendeth Medicine and as you affirme the bloud of a Scorpion cureth the biting of the Viper But take away the cause which procéedeth from our gréefe and you shall finde medicine an enemye to health and the stinge of a Scorpion no better then death and trust me he is to be reckened a foole and his misfortune to passe vnreléeued that wilfully indammageth his health in hope of remedy In like sorte let him liue vnpittyed to ouersée the slacknesse of his seruaunts who wyll
Garden wéeded her Uines cut and in her Orcharde her fruite Trées pruned within doores her house well ordered her Maidens busied her Children instructed the fréend intertained and the Tables well furnished And in this Oeconmie many women haue so excelled as Socrates affirmeth that he learned of Women more Morrall Philosophie then naturall reason of Anaxagoras and Archelaus wherein Socrates testifyeth no more then theyr woorthy sexe deserueth for many Women gouerne theyr Families with such Prudence Temperance Pietie and other commendable vertues as may well instruct the wisest The Husband ought to beware that in the presence of his wife he vseth no filthie lasciuious talke for besides the witnesse of his owne indiscression he maketh her a passage for many an vnhappy thought The Wife ought to be nice in occasion of suspition for her husband that sée'th open cause of mistrust cannot but feare that in secret he receiueth iniurie and Ielowsie though she procéedes from excéeding loue yet is she the greatest enemie of the Married The Husband is bound to kéepe his wife in ciuill and comely apparell as well to make her â—…éeme beautifull vnto himselfe as to preuent the reproche of the neighbour for this hath béene an auncient custome among the Romaines and it is to be feared that if the Husband breake it to spare his Purse the Wife will repayre it though she gage her person The Wife that will please her Husband and make a great showe of a little though her Gownes be plaine in her lynnen she must be curtous and fine for otherwise were she attyred all in Silke if her sléeues Partlet and other Linnen be coorse torne or sluttishly washed she shall neither be praysed of straungers nor delight her Husband The Husband after householde iarres if the Wife séeme to be sorie he ought not to be sullen for if shée perceiue him of a frowarde nature it is like in other suche squares she wilbe negligent to please him The Wife if she offend her husband by some ignoraunt trespasse she must please him with a louing countenaunce least if he finde her of a crooked condition he will take delight to crosse her with continuall foule vsage The olde Husband is to accompany his young Wife with graue Matrons and to set her foorth with costly ciuill attyre that séeing the reuerence and honour that is giuen her for her Husbandes grauitie she will studdie how to please him though she displease her owne disposition The younge Wife that hath an olde Husband is bound to make much of him at home for the reputation she receaueth in his life and for the wealth she is like to haue by his deathe and abroade must be sober in her behauiours discréete in her talke and no harkener to young mens tales least her owne lightnesse make her openly infamed where her Husbands imperfections could cause her but to be secreatly suspected The young Husband is too beare with his olde Wife in her will as well for the reuerence due to her yeares as for the aduauncement the loue bringeth to himselfe least the neighbours terme his Wife an vnfortunate old Woman and himselfe a naughtie frowarde vile natured young man Theolde Wife to giue excuse to her dotage must in open assemblies commend her young Husband of modest and staied gouernement and secreatly to be louingly vsed must kisse him with Midas lippes for if she fyll not his Purse by fayre meanes with foule intreatie he will be his owne Caruer if she complayne she ioyneth but scorne to her owne mischaunce Generally the Husband ought not to forbid his Wife in assemblyes modestlie to intertaine time in deuising with the better sorte for in such ielous restraint he shall leaue a suspition that he inioyneth her this open pennaunce for some secret trespasse and so bothe slaunder himselfe and iniurie his wife The Wife should haue an especiall care to shun the company of light Women for the multitude though they can charge her with no misdemeanour yet they well condemne her honor by the known euils of her companions Many other néedefull directions may be giuen to preserue vnitie in Mariage quoth Segnior Phyloxenus too cumbersome for me to reporte and too tedious for this honorable company to héere whose patience I haue already iniured too much but finding my error I end my tale remaine ready to make satisfactioÌ„ in some other seruice Sir quoth Fabritio the end of your Tale puts vs in remembraunce of our duetie and your right which is for this honourable fauour to remaine your indebted Seruaunts to embrace your counsels and to commend and submit our reasons to your learned Censure It is your fauour and not my merit quoth Segnior Phyloxenus Sir quoth Quéene Aurelia I will beare the blame of this dayes importuning of you and you alone shall haue the honour in graunting of my requests who to the former ioyneth this one more fauour which is that you conclude this your worthy exercise with some rare Historie at large Madam quoth Segnior Philoxenus this is the least of your commaundements considering that Histories make mention of thousands who in their vnseperable looues haue sounded the excellencie of Mariage wherefore I oâ—…ey your pleasure ⧠The woorthy Historie of Phrigius and Pieria Reported by Segnior Phyloxenus IN the Register of Fame wherein the Monuments of the vertuous are Cronicled as presedents for theyr posteritie I reade that in the famous Cittie of Miletum in Ionia as soueraigne Prince and gouernour there raigned a worthy Duke called Nebeus who to comfort and supporte his aged yeares had to his sonne and onely heayre Phrigius a young Gentleman of such rare towardlines as it may be a question whether he weare more beholding to Nature for the perfections of his body to Vertue for the qualities of his minde or to Fortune in suffering him to be so nobly borne In Myos a neighbour Cittie to Miletum there was also a Prince of much renowne named Pythes whose Daughter and heyre was fayre Pieria by whose vertues all Ionia was renowned The auncient enuie betwéene the Cittizens of Miletum and Myos was tourned into amitie and the open warre betwéene Duke Nebeus and the noble Pithes was peaceably and honourably ended All such happie euents succéeded this following aduenture Upon the Feastiuall day of Diana the Cittizens of Myos with out the iniurie of Souldiers might lawfully repayre to Miletum to sacrifice to Diana vpon which safe conduct with many other Ladyes and Gentlewomen of Myos fayre Pieria waighted on her Mother to Dianas Temple whose rare beauty was such as dazeled the eies of the behoulders like the reflections of a Myrror placed against the Sunne Among many that looued and few or none that saw possibility of grace such was the renowne of her chasse disdaine young Phrigius beheld Pieria with such a setled eye as Dianas Temple sheelded him not against the Arrowes of Looue but as a wounded
Satutes are broken The Gentlewomen wist not what to say to Fabririos bitterswéete commendation of Marriage vntyll Bargetto quickned their tongues by this pleasaunt suggestion If quoth he Platoes opinion be lawe by the same reason women are either Angells or Deuills And why not men as well as women quoth Isabella whose disposition beareth the greatest swaye in this vocation I will showe you a reason quoth Doctor Mossenigo men with a meane canne temper their passions when a woman hath no measure in her loue nor mercye in her hate no rule in her pittie nor pietie in her reuenge no Iudgement to speake nor patience to dissemble and therfore she is lykened vnto the Sea whych one whyle is so mylde as a small Gundelo indureth her might and anon with outrage she ouer whelmeth the taullest shippe Ah Master Doctor quoth Katharina Trista I feare me you are so learned as like the Hyen you change your self sometimes into the shape of a woman but yet of this malitious purpose to learn their dispositions only to reproch their kinde but had any of vs the cunning to become a man but a while I imagine we should euer after loue the better to be a woman You haue rather cause quoth Dondolo to let Mayster Doctor kisse your hand for commeÌ„ding your kynde then to blame him by a surmise of iniurye offered vnto women for if there be a few good they couer y e faults of a nuÌ„ber that are euill as a litle golde guildeth a great quantitie of iron and for any-thing he sayde you haue as generall an interest in vertue as in vice Yea but ê™ Quéene Aurelia he is to be blamed for his intent which was euyll deserueth not to be praysed for the good which came of it which was our meryt Madame ê™ the Doctor so much greater is the good you receiue by my Trespasse as therby you are honoured with the vertue to forgiue Yea but quoth she remission is to be vsed in ignorant offences and not in wilfull My Habit quoth he is a testionie that I spake not of mallice So much ê™ she y e greater is your fault in that it procéeded vpon pleasure and where you thinke to priuiledge your selfe by your Habyt for Example sake you shall at open Supper bothe renounce your Heresie and make satisfaction or abide the IudgemeÌ„t of these GentlewomeÌ„ If there be no remedie ê™ he I must obay The Doctor thus taken tardie gaue occasion of laughter vnto the whole company Which blowne ouer ê™ Soranso we haue trauailed this day to an vnfortunate ende for that now towardes night we are entred into an open Champion wheare we finde many broade wayes to Hell but one crosse Path to Heauen Well ê™ Quéene Aurelia we wyll take other tymes to beate out the true passage And least we be lated wée wyll no further too daye Whervpon after a Courtly reuerence don Quéene Aurelia with her Attendantes shewed her selfe in y e great Chamber where she might repose her minde w t the choice of sundrie pleasures For his or her disposition was very strange that in that company could not finde both a Companion and sport that pleased his humour FINIS The first Nights Pastime AMong wise men these Orders haue euermore ben obserued or allowed In the Church to be deuoute in place of Iustice to be graue at home to be affable at meales to be mery for in the Churche we talke with God who séeth our hartes and hateth Hypocrysie in Iustice we sitt to chasten light demeanours then great were the shame that our countenaunces shuld condempne our selues At home we rule and commaunde then were it Tyranny to vse seuerytie there where is no resistaunce At meales to bee merrie disgesteth meate and refresheth the witte then is he an enemy vnto himselfe that contemneth the rule of health the helper of knowledge Howsoeuer the thrée first preceptes were obserued Segnior Philoxenus and his honourable guestes duly executed the last who in the midst of supper hearinge of Doctor mossenigos pennaunce hasted the execution The Doctor séeing there was no remedie openly confessed that hee had praysed women against his wyll for which he was condemned to singe Ab re nuntio and to make satisfaction by some other meanes And as hee thought the contrarie was the amends of euerie trespas and therfore where as he had praysed them against his will hée was ready to dispraise them with his will Quéene Aurelia woulde haue taken exceptions to these wordes but that the company cryed The Doctor speaks Law which shee coulde not with Iustice violate whervpon Mossenigo reported as followeth ¶ DOCTOR MOSSENIGO HIS Satisfaction for praysing women against his will IN the famous Citie of Viena in Austria somtimes dwelled a simple Sadler named Borrihauder who was married to an olde crabbed shrew called Ophella the agréement of this couple was so notable as the Emperour Charles the fift commaunded his Paynter Parmenio to draw their counterfeats as a Monument of fury Parmenio commyng to doe the Emperours commanndement found Borrihauder wéeping with the agony of his wiues stripes and Ophellas chéeks as red as fire with the heate of her tonge whiche straunge sight chaunged his determination into a pleasaunt conceit and in place of their Counterfets in a fayre table he drew an Element troubled with lightnyng and vnderwrit Ophella and in another Table fastened to the same he likewise drew an Element darkned with rayne and vnder wright Borihauder Parmenio presented this trauel vnto the Emperour The Emperour séeing the two names and not the shape of those hee commaunded to be drawne demaunded the Paynters meanyng héerein who pleasantly aunswered that he could not take the view of Ophellas face for feare of being fyered with the lightning of her tonge and that Borihauder was drowned with teares which as showers of Raine folowed the thunder claps of his wiues Fistes But in good time had she died this Demideuill Orphella fel so extremely sick as in euery mans iudgement it was néedefull to giue Phisick to her soule but bootelesse to bestow any of her body Borihauder séeing her as he thought at a good passe was so accustomed to sorrow as hee determined to toule her passing bel with this counterfet mone Ah deare God ê™ he how vnhappy am I to lose my louing wife my good wyfe my swéet wife O how happy were I that as we haue lyued together that we might nowe dye together This pittyous sound of her husband so melted the dying harte of Ophella that lyke a Candle consumed that leaueth a little smoke in the wéeke she lay both spéech les senceles saue that the panges of death sometymes threwe a weake breath out of her mouthe but lyke vnto wilde fire that burneth in water the Corsiue that would haue killed the deuill in her case recouered her to health which was her husband out of feare of her
marry a wife whose tongue shall ouer-rule himselfe But more perticularly to discribe the properties of an vnquiet wife and more largely to discourse the displeasures of her vnfortunate husband I will approoue her lowringe as vnprofitable as his life is vnpleasaunt you say her quicknesse ouerséeth the negligence of seruaunts but I affirme that her curstnesse maketh them as swift to runne away as they were slowe to serue her and common vse avowes that often shyfte is neyther beneficyall for Mayster nor Seruaunt for proofe as the rowling Stone gathereth no Mosse and want of vse canckereth Iron in likewise thrifte flyeth the fléeting Seruaunt and idlenesse consumeth his abylytie of seruice Now touching the euill reckening of those which are serued their wanderyng seruantes not onely charge their common accountes with double wages but with secret pylferyng they sette theyr Maisters in more déepe arrerages The Gretians that in tymes paste neither vsed medicyne for sycknesse nor patience in aduersitye but vppon euery great veration poisoned them selues with venemous Cienta In their Histories remember more that haue voluntarily died through the violence of theyr Wyfes tounges then of any other calamitye Diogenes béeyng demaunded the diuersitye in euill betwéene a Scoulde and a Harlot aunswered They differ as the Uiper dooth from the â—…rockaril for the Scoulde sayeth he with outrage destroyeth her Husband and the other with dissemblyng loue consumeth hym to death And so concluded them bothe ennemyes to lyfe and quiet lyuing of man Phrisio beeing bothe modestly warned and throughly aunsweared with a â—…shefull grace replyed that the grauetye of hys person and the sounde reason in his wordes had taken from hym all occasion of further Question vnlesse that Women were his Iudges This wittie shift mooued such as were within the hearing to smyle for where the cause is ill it is necessarie to séelte a Iudge that is partiall and which commended Phrisios gouernment vppon a small check he left to contend with this auncient Gentleman for yonge men although theyr wittes be good are not Priuiledged to Dispute with the grauer sort without lycence intreatie or great reuerence By this time the Mountibanck with discribing the quallities of his â—…ermin and the Zanni in showing the â—…tsh conditions of his Maister had wasted a good part of the night and wearyed the moste part of the company so that desyre of repose sommoned them vnto their lodgeings FINIS The fourth Daies exercise Containing varietie of necessarie Discourse and yet withall the greater part appertaining to the generall argument of Marriage SO deepe are the impressions of Sorrow as the â—…ayning of Poets may be held for Morrall truthes where as they affirme that the bytter mone of Orpheus tongue together with the passionate sound of his Instrument mooued suche 〈◊〉 in infernall creatures as while he was a futer to Pluto for the restitution of his Wife Euridice his plaints so Charmed the torments of Hell as for the time the Gripe forbare to teare vpon Titius growing hart Tantalus indeuoured not to drinke Danaes Daughters lefte filling of theyr bryncklesse Tub toyling Sisiphus sate and eased himselfe vpon his rowling Stone yea and Pluto ouercharged with pittie made restitution of Euridice This sorrow to heare that Quéene Aurelia by some distemperature was â—…ick and kept her Chamber wrought such gréefes in the heartes of the whole company that they hounge theyr heads in disgrace like Garden Flowers which séeming as teares are eloyed with she dewe of a fowle missing daye Among the rest Isinatito although he vsed not so many words of lament as some other did yet with the teares of his heart he solemnized the true â—…ites of a Mourner and to saye truthe where the tongue hath frée passage to talke the heart is occupâ—…ed with no great gréefe Segnior Phyloxenus séeing Ismarito in this passion and that occasion entertayned him with no other businesse while the rest of the company were hearing of a lyttle superstitious seruice lead him into a very beautifull Gallerie where the Mappes of the worlde were so artificially set foorth in Painting as I doubt the Popes Microcosmos at Latteran which hath béene this sixtéene yeares a making wylbe ended with no more perfection In this Gallerie were the Pictures of all Christian Princes and in an other place by themselues the Pictures of certaine Heathen Rulers and in an other rancke the Pictures of so many learned men and graue Magistrates as he could through fréendship or rewarde obtaine After much discourse of the especiall Monuments wherewith this pleasaunt Gallerie was attyred Segnior Phyloxenus brought Ismarito 〈◊〉 fayre booke wherin were diuers rare deuises and directing him to Pensils Colers and other necessaries of Hâ—…rowldry requested that he would helpe to beautify the sayd Booke with some ingenious remembraunce Sir ê™ Ismarito I haue already recorded your good fauours in the Table of my heart and I beséeche you that this fayre Booke may not be blemished by me or remaine a wytnesse to you of my indiscression This nicenesse ê™ Philoxenus professeth more then ordinarie knowledge and therefore I coniure you by the affection you beare me to satisfye my request Ismarito vpon this importunitie because he would not leaue a suspition that his curiositie grew rather of simplicitie then discression and missing among the Moderne Monuments their Pictures the vertues of whose Fame are blazed in the Capitols of the whole world he tooke a Pensill and with the same drew an Ileland and ouer the middest thereof made a Pharos which shyned lyke the Sunne and therein a Phenix bathing of her selfe whose gleaming reflexions shined ouer all Loegria Cambria and the greatest part of Albania and extended vnto a great parte of the Continent espetially vnto that parte that lay betwéene the Occean the Mediterrane and the great Sea called Euxinus Pontus and vnderneath writ Pharos Europae non Africae Phyloxenus aduisedly regarded this deuise before he would either require Ismaritos intent or giue his owne iudgement In the end deuining what should be the secret meaning of this Simbole or Ensigne quoth he Segnior Ismarito this Cognizance of your quicke wit pleaseth me much and withall remembreth me of a neglected curtesie which I thinke will showe you the Image of your Phenix and blason the secresie of your whole deuise and thereuppon he lead Ismarito into a moste curious priuie Gallerie where drawing a faire Curtaine and reuerently kissing his hand he shewed Ismarito the Picture of a Royall Princesse moste ritchly and liuely set foorth with which a Marchaunt of Venice who traffiqued toward the Westerne Islands presented him which Ismarito beheld with a regarde so duetifull as their néeded no glose to expound the zealous affection of his heart And by her was stalled a goodly Gentleman Crowned with a Scepter whom Ismarito knew not other wise theÌ„ by imagination in beholding his Armes who bare Gu. an Eagle displaied Crowned Ar. And ê™ Phyloxenus when I
Iustice and PROMOS execution was spred abroad and by the songe of a Clowne was blowen into Andrugioes eates who tyll then lyued lyke an Outlawe in the Desart wooddes But vpon these Newes couertly in the Habyt of an Hermyt by the Diuine motion of the sowle who directes vs in thinges that be good and the Flesshe in Actions of euyll Andrugio goes to sée the Death of his Capitall enemie But on the other parte regardyng the sorrow of his Sister he wisshed him lyfe as a friende To conclude as well to geue terrour to the lewde as comfort to his good Subiectes the kyngâ—… personallie came to sée the execution of Promos who garded with Officers and strengthened with the comfortable perswasions of his Ghostly Fathers Among whom Andrugio was méekely offered his lyfe as a satisfaction for his offences which were many more then the Lawe tooke knowledge of And yet to say the trueth suche was his Repentance as the multitude did both forgeue and pittie him yea the King wondred that his lyfe was gouerned with no more vertue consideryng the grace he showed at his death Andrugio behouldyng this ruethfull Spectackle was so ouercome with loue towardes his Sister as to giue her comfort he franckly consented anew to emperill his own life And followinge this Resolution in his Hermyts wéede vpon his knées he humblye desired the Kinge too giue hym leaue to speake The Kyng gratiously graunted hym Audience Whervpon quoth he regarded Soueraigne if Lawe may possibly be satisfied Promos true Repentance meritteth pardon Good Father quoth the King he can not liue and the Lawe satisfied vnlesse by Miracle Andrugio be reuined Then quoth the Hermyt if Andrugio lyue the Law is satisfied and Promos discharged I quoth the King if your Praier can reuiue the one my mercie shall acquite the other I humbly thanke your Maiestie quoth Andrugio and discoueryng himselfe shewed the Prouidence of God and the meane of his escape and tendrynge his Sisters comfort aboue his owne safetie hee prostrated him selfe at his Maiesties Féete humblye to obay the sentence of his pleasure The Kinge vppon the reporte of this straunge Aduenture after good deliberation pardoned Promos to kéepe his worde and withall houldyng an opinyon that it was more benefitiall for the Citezens to be ruled by their olde euell gouernour new refourmed then to aduenture vppon an newe whose behauiours were vnknowne And to perfect Cassandras ioye he pardoned her Brother Andrugio with condition that he should marrie Polina Thus from betwéene y e téethe of daunger euerypartie was preserued and in the ende establyshed in their hartes dessre Madam quoth Soranso your good conclusion hath likewise preserued vs from a great daunger for had you ended with the sorrow you began wee had béene all like to haue bene drowned in teares Indéede quoth Katharina Trista you men had had cause sufficient of sorrowe by hearing your kynde reproched with such monstrous euils and we women frée passage to lament in behoulding none but crosse fortunes to succéede the good indeuours of a vertuous Ladie It is true quoth Fabritio but to participate of their ioye wee men haue learned out of Promos example of euil for feare of his likelie punishment of euil to doo well and you Women by example of Polinas vice and Cassandras vertue are both warned and incouraged to weldooing Indéede quoth Quéene Aurelia there are many Morall precepts in either Historie to be considered whiche I hope the company haue so regarded as there néedeth no repetition And further because I will not be to bould of the victorie ouer my late distemperature we will heare ende And therwith she rose retired into her Chamber with charge that the company should attende her in the same place vntil Supper who obaying intertained time euery one with their speciall fancy The Question that arose at Supper vpon the fourth Dayes exercise MAny prettie nyps passed betweene the retyred Companye this Night at Supper as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gentlewomens parte as of the Gentlemens 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as presumyng vpon this Daies honour when the 〈◊〉 was readie to be taken away Aluisa vechio tooke vpon her to mayntaine a woman to be a creature euery way as execellent and perfeâ—… Man For naturall shape quoth she they are more 〈◊〉 tifull of a better temperature and complection then 〈◊〉 In valiaunt exploytes what difference was there 〈◊〉 twéene Semiramis and her Husbande Ninus betwâ—… the Amazon women and Alexender For constantnesse of mind did not Loadice imbrace deathe with lesse feare then Mithridates her Husband Asdruballes Wife then Asdrubal himselfe And what man hath kept a constant resolution of death so long as Lucretia In Morall vertues you men that reade Histories and Cronicles of all ages shall finde Women renowmed for learnyng Gouernment and pollycie In Mecanycall Artes there are Women lykewise experienced In the vertue of Deuining what man hath come neare the Sibels To bee shorte what Man hath bene so perfect in any vertue but Histories make mention of a woman as perfect Yea quoth Dondolo but there be so few of these women as an easy wit may remember them But it will cumber your Tong to report them quoth Katharina Trista The other Gentlemen although they were willlinge to giue place vnto the GentlewomeÌ„ in small matters yet this comparison of equal soueraignty netteled them a lytil In as much as Soranso aunswered Madam Aluisa you haue made a bould comparison and but a bare proofe Where you vaunte to be more excellent in shape and more delicate in substaunce then men It is an ouer ruled question that Women receiue perfection by men men imperfection by Women then by how much the vertue is of more emprise that is simplye of it selfe then that which is compounde of an other by so farre wée exceede you in this perfection Your honour of valyantnes died with your examples and although there hath bene Women learned and experienced in Mecanicall craftes yet to heare a Woman plead at the Barre preache in a Pulpit or to sée her build a House is a wonder and no example in vse How shorte your deuinyng Sybels come of the credit of the Prophets in the olde Testament is no question disputable For your constancie at deathe you knowe not how precious lyfe is which maketh you rash and not constant and in trueth what you haue frowardely determined you will not bee forbidden As shée that had her Tongue cut for callyng of her Husband Théefe woulde yet notwithstandinge make the signe of the Gallowse Well sir quoth Quéene Aurelia Epicarias oâ—…ynary who endured to bée rent in péeces before shée woulde confesse the conspyracie agaynst NERO would haue ben holdeÌ„ for a Uertue of staiednesse in a man And what say you of Leena that byt off her tonge and spit it in the Tirant Hippias face because she would not bewraye a conspiracy against him
affection her kindred hath an interrest in her honour which if she consent to staine or deminishe shee dooth iniurie to her whole house The Cardinal of Aragon aduenged the base choice of his Sister the Duchesse of Malfy with the death of her selfe her Children and her Husband and alleadged in defence that he had done no iniurie to Nature but purged his House of dishonour for Nature quoth he is perfect and who blemisheth her is a monster in Nature whose head without wrong to Nature may be cut off Yea quoth Soranso but this Cardinall for all his habit and glose of Iustice is for this Act so often regestred for a Tirant as I feare mée he will neuer come among y e nuÌ„ber of Saints But the example of these Mariages are vsuall and such ensuing vengeaunce is â—…ut rare and besides her espetiall contentment a woman looseth none of her general titles of dignitie by matching w t her inferior In déede quoth Dondolo in common curtesie she enioyeth them but in the strickt construction of the Law she is degraded And by this meane is bounde to intertaine the meaner with familyaritie least they being prowde or reputing her scornfully doo crosse her ouer the thumbes with y e follyes of her fancy But admit y e meane seruant marrie his Mistresse and escapeth the mallice of her friendes which successe one amonge tenne suche Suters hardly attaineth Let him yéelde to pay this rent for his good fortune To suffer his Wife to rule to direct and to commaunde his owne determynations And where shee ordereth The vncontrouled Wife desireth to be serued with pompe and to be set foorth with pride whiche the ruling Husband would represse as wel for sauing his wiues honour as for sparing his owne pursse The vncontrouled wife desireth to walke at lybertie and to be visited of many of which the ruling Husbande woulde barre her as well to preserue his mynde from mistruste as to kéepe his Chimney from being fyred The vncontrouled wife disdayneth the Countrie and desireth the Citie which the rulyng Husband would mislyke for that in the Countrie the exercise of huswiuerie inlargeth his Wiues estimation and in the Cittie Idlenesse hazardeth her reputation The vncontrouled Wife desireth without checke to pratle and without discreation to gouerne which the rulyng Husbande in no wise would allowe for that manye wordes is a bleamish to his wiues modestie and the rule of his Wife is warrant sufficient for the wise to ouer rule him for a Woodcocke Many other vanities follow the desires of Women which a man thus aduaunst must forbeare to chasten least hée expose himselfe to a thousande daungers for the wife taking pepper in the nose will suffer him yea perchaunce agrée to make him a pray to the displeasure of his enemies I meane her able Friendes and kindred which bondage is not within the Paradice Plato speaketh off For according to the opinion of sundrie Philosophers as Nature will not be controuled for that she createth as Fortune is won with no praiers because â—…hee is blinde and shooteth at aduenture no more dooth Marriage alow of inequallitie because her will is to deuide her benyfites and blessing among the married with indifferencie To this ende Marriage is lykened to Sienes grafted in a stocke of contrarie qualitie for as by groweth and good order they both become of one nature euen so man and woman vnited in this honourable estate with good vsage become of one disposition Againe as Sienes thus grafted without speciall Husbandrie while they bee tender come to no proofe euen so man and woman thus ioyned in Matrimonie vnlesse in the prime of their Mariage with equall care they loue and cherrish one an other in the waine of their yeares the swéete Fruites of wedlocke will be blasted with repentaunce Segnior Fabritio to conclude Don Dolos opinion with his owne Iudgement saide in trueth that Marriage coulde not away with such seruitude as the Husband who is wise and the chéefe shoulde obay the wife who in common construction is simple weake and the inferiour And where a Rich woman as Don Dolo hath said Marieth her poore Seruant because she is the cause of his aduancement she will looke to gouerne which if she doo her indiscression will moue others to speake and her Husband to sorrow and if he challenge the preuiledge of a husband to direct hee shall bée bounde to a lyfe more bitter then Death Not but y t in respect of his former estate he may endure these crossinges of his wife but because as hee is growne in estimation so is hée growne in hautinesse of mynd and can now wurse brooke an vnkinde word then in times past an iniurious déede And therefore in Don Dolos behalfe I doo iudge Soranso to be in an errour I wil not dispute against the Authoritie of your iudgmeÌ„t ê™ Soranso but at aduenture if yonger BrethreÌ„ er in Mariage God send theÌ„ to stumble vpoÌ„ no worser fortune Quéene Aurelia who regarded that Dondolo was somewhat to lauish in painting out of the natural dessires of a woman knew as well how to set foorth his follyes and ouersight and therefore to take a modest reuenge ê™ shée I happinesse in Mariâ—…ge consisteth so much in the Lordly rule of the Husbande then where a man maryeth his inferriour in reputation there is a lykelyhood of good agreement Wherfore Segnior Dondolo because I think you married your wife with the same Iudgement with which you manyfested the inconueniences of loftye Loue I beseeche you show vs the blessinges of this inferiour choyce Soranso and the rest began to smyle to heare this com maundement for well they knew Dondolo was intrapt with a slauÌ„der of his owne reputatitoÌ„ but Dondolo although he were a litle gauled set a reasonable florish vpoÌ„ his bace fancie and therefore ê™ he as it is alreadie adiudged if a man marrie aboue his callyng he must beare with his Wife in folly as much as shee was blynded in fancying of him which bondage Mariage can hardly endure Then if hée matche with his inferiour if contraries haue contrarie qualyties per consequence she will be as lowly as the other is loftie as patient as the other is prowde as dutiful as y t other is disdainfull if the other prodigally spend because her portion is large shewil with huswiuerie spare because her substauÌ„ce was small If the other presume because of her Gentrie shée will seeke reputation with her good coÌ„ditions And if the other bolster her faults with the countenaunce of her able Friendes she dooing amisse will crie her Husbande mercie because she lackes succourers to sustaine her euill a course as Plato sayeth that maketh the dowrie of the poore virgin of greater vallue then the possessions of a riche Ladie You are nothing deceiued in the course quoth Faliero but much mistaken in the creature As touching your Contraries I mislike your Consequent For Fyre and
English Players are but hauing certayne groundes or principles of their owne will Extempore make a pleasannt showe of other mens fantasies So that to try the quicknes of the Gentlemen and Gentlewomens wittes to giue the Comedians a Theame Segnior Philoxenus demaunded the meaning of certaine Questions Segnior Soranso quoth he What passion is that that tormenteth a man most hath least power to ouercome To thinke of a Womans Inconstancie ê™ Soranso which gréeueth euery man and cannot be subdued by wo men themselues Madame Aurelia ê™ Philoxenus What thing is that which most delighteth and most deceiueth a WomeÌ„ A mans dissimulation ê™ Queene Aurelia Which hath such a swéete passage through his Tongue as it delighteth like the Sirens Songes and yet turneth to as deceitefull a conclusion as the Crocadiles Teares This yet was but quid pro quo so that neither one parte nor the other was displeased The modest laughter being ceased Segnior Philoxenus demaunded of Ismarito what was the cause of most Deuotion and yet the greatest replenisher of Hell Ignoraunce ê™ Soranso whiche causeth men to worship Stones and dishonour God Madam Maria what is that quoth Segnior Philoxenus y t of men is least estéemed and of God most regarded Chastitie ê™ Maria Belochy whiche is precious before God and a laughing stock among men Doctor Mossenigo ê™ Segnior Philoxenus amonge men who is the most cruell A Dycer ê™ the Doctor for he teareth God in péeces This answer was both true and moued newe laughter Although it were propounded to discouer the nature of the Enuious who murthereth the lyuing and the fame of the dead Madam Lucia ê™ Segnior Philoxenus wherein doth a man please a woman best and displease himselfe most The modest Gentlewoman began to blush and with great difficultie resolued this Question In the end by the tongue of Alvisa Vechio quoth she In giuing of her her Wyll It is true quoth the Doctor for her delight is to gouerne wherin her discretion giueth others cause to laugh and her Husband to hang the Lyp. Segnior Dondolo ê™ Segnior Philoxenus what is the greatest fréende to men at libertie and the most enimie to such as are condemned Hope ê™ Don dolo whiche incourageth men at lybertie to attempt great matters and maketh such as are condemned vnprepared for death Madam Helena ê™ Segnior Philoxenus what is that which woundeth the hart yet is worshipped of the eye Beautie quoth Helena Dulce for it pleaseth a mans eye and pearceth his hart Segnior Bergetto ê™ Segnior Philoxenus What is that which oweth most and payeth least and of all euils is the worst Ingratitude quoth Bargetto For that Monster receiueth good turnes and payeth vengeance Madame Franceschina quoth Segnior Phyloxenus What is that whiche in louynge too muche baneth with Hate Ielousie ê™ Franceschina Sancta whiche by ouermuche louyng raiseth Suspition Suspition mooueth Con tention and Contention tourneth to mortall hatred Segnior Faliero I demaunde ê™ Phyloxenus who he is that profiteth his frendes but by Death is a Stewarde for other men maketh his Account only with God A Coueitous man ê™ Faliero who whyle he lyueth is enemie vnto hymself and therfore vnlykely to be friende to others also is but a Stewarde of the goods hee gathereth for he spareth for others and spendeth little or nothing vppon himselfe and at the iudgement day before God must make account of all his deceit Madam Katherina quoth Segnior Philoxenus what is that which is couldest clad in Friese and warmest attyred in pretious Stones Pride quoth Katherina Trista which hath no grace but in brauerie Louely Guestes quoth Segnior Philoxenus you haue so liuely deuined my meaning in your sharpe answeres as I expecte wonders of your dayly disputation Sir quoth Fabritio we hitherto haue but exposed and refelled errours If you haue done so muche ê™ Philox. you haue made a fayre passage for the glorie of Trueth which by the refelling of Error you shall finde for euerie vertue is commended by his contrarie A Diamond seemeth the fairer for his foyle Blacke best setteth foorth White Good is most praysed in the reprehension of Euill and Trueth is the hyest degrée is renowned by the refelling of errour and therfore follow your purpose the conclusion cannot but bée profitable Héere Segnior Philoxenus stopped his digression and commaunded the Comedians to bethinke themselues of some action that should lyuelie expresse the nature of Inconstancie Dissimulation Ignoraunce and the rest of the passions before named Which charge being giuen while the Actors were attiring themselues for the stage Quéene Aurelia and her Attendaunts tooke their places with such aduauntage as euery Gentleman had lyberty to deuise with his Mistresse After the Comedians had put themselues in order they patched a Comedie together and vnder the resited names showed some matter of Morallytie but a greate deale of mirth who with their pastime kept the companie vp so long as drowsie sléepe which delighteth in nothing but scilence arrested y e greater part of them and caried them close prisoners vnto their Chambers FINIS The syxt Dayes Exercise Contayninge Many needefull regardes for a Gentleman with a Discouerie of the inconueniences of Marriages where there are great inequalitie of yeares THe chearefull Sunne which comforteth euerie earthlye Creature as the Lanterne of broade day so lightened euery Chamber of Segnior Phyloxenus Pallace as y e Gentlemen and Gentlewomen to bee auenged of the iniurie of Night who being the Mother of confusion had seperated them from their companions of pleasure hastely rose and attired themselues and like vnto Partryges that how so euer they are seauered know and retire vnto their meetyng places presented them selues in the great Chamber The office of ciuill courtesie discharged such as were coupled intertained Time with y e deuice of their especial fancyes others contemplated of their priuate affaires Ismarito amonge the rest in a quiet place was reading in Peter Mesiere his Cronicle of Memorable things The rare Historie of Tamberlaine the Great surnamed Flagellum Dei where he much admired the vertues of the man who of a laboring Pesaunt or in the best degrée of á poore Souldier by his vertues Inuincible valure became a great Monarch Yea and while Tamberlayne liliued was as much feared as Alexander But Ismarito more lamented that so mightie a Monarchie erected by the Father should end by the enuy and ciuill dissention of the Children Segnior Philoxenus after he had giuen a Bon giorno to the companie seing Ismarito not chained to a company on determined to geue his solytarinesse a disgrace by con uersing with him in some Gentlemanly Discourse but finding him accompanied w t so swéet a companioÌ„ as Mesires Cronicles Seg. Ismarito ê™ hée you haue deceiued my imagination which perswaded mée y t you were solita rye and therefore bounde mée in courtesye to visite you But séeing
yonge wife a Companion to recreate an olde man but he shal finde her a Corsiue that wyl consume him to death A yong man concludeth the swéetest sollace in loue with sighes it is then lyke an olde man endes it with teares And God he knowes he often wéepeth more of desire to please his wyfe then of any Deuotion he hath to wantoÌ„nesse yet is al his paynes to a fruitlesse purpose for that the Game finissheth in his griefe neither began nor endes in his wyues contentment You are too quicke in Aduauntage Segnior Soranso quoth the Doctor Oulde Wine thoughe it be dead in the mouthe yet is it warme in the Stomacks when the Newe fumes in the Heade but comforteth not the heart Dry woodde maketh a bright Fyre where gréene Bowes consume halfe awaye in Fume and Somake The Sonne riseth watrishlye and is longe before it geueth heate where in the After noone it scorcheth the face So a Yonge man deuideth his Loue into a hundreth Affections and euery fancie pleased there wyll but a little fall to his wyues share where an Olde mans Loue is settled and his fancie is fixed vpon one And as the resighted Examples in Age are in best hart so to proue an olde mans sufficiencie there is a common Prouerbe Gray Haires are nourished with greene thoughts Now to coÌ„tent his yong wyfe she shal haue no cause to suspect his Affection abroade and shall not lacke to bée belooued at home Moreouer whiche delighteth a yong woman who naturallye is Ambitious shée shall take her place accordyng to the grauitie of her Husband and not as her yong yeares requyreth And to conclude to giue her an honourable name the most precious Iuell with which a woman may be beautified she shall receyue graue Directions from her Husbande and through the swéete delight she taketh in hearyng her good Gouernment coÌ„mended she wyll put them in Execution Doctor Mossenigo replied not with this vehemencie for any delight he had to commende this vnequall estate in Mariage but to flatter Katharina Trista with an Ambitious Hope of great Reputation in matchyng with his aged self but she that knew a leg of a Larke was better then the whole Carkasse of a Kyte woulde none God thank him And to make him horne wood if hée perseuered in his opinion in Soransoes behalfe quoth Bergetto his auncient crosser Maister Doctor theare is more pryde in your wordes then Substance in your proofes your hartie olde Wine must be drawen out when it is broached your drie woodde is but a blaze and your hot Sunne doth but sweate for sorow that he is goyng to cowche in the dark Caues of Tartessus But as touching Old men they may well be sufficient in gréene thoughts as you terme them but I am assured that in déedes they are weake and wythered And therefore a man cannot speake too muche euill of this excesse in dotage withered Flowers are more fit for a Dunghill then méete to deck a house olde rotten Trées are néedefull for the fyre but vnnecessarie to stande in an Orchad euen so olde decaied creatures are comely in the Church but vnséemely by a yong womans side The olde man which marrieth a yonge Wyfe is sure of this sowre sauce to rellish his swéete Imaginations his beloued wife how so euer she dissembleth disdayneth hym his neighbors al to be flouteth him and soothing Parisites beguileth him common opinion will counterfeit him lyke Acteon not so much for the ficklenesse they sée in his wife as for the infirmities they know in himselfe And bréefely to conclude his ioye hée may perchaunce lyue two yeares with his faire wife but the mischaunce of his Children will remember his infamie for euer Gréene Iuy which catcheth an olde Trée maketh quicke worke for the fire and the imbracements of a faire Woman hastneth an olde man to his Graue And although it be a haynous wronge causelesse to condemne the Wyfe yet this will be the opinyon shée killed her Husband with thought to heare and sée how she trespassed both against his and her owne honour Foule fall suche a Marriadge quoth Maria Belochy where the vertuous Wife shal be slaundered through the imperfections of her Husbande It is some wrong ê™ Fabritio but she might haue foreséene the mischiefe while she was frée Well quoth Quéene Aurelia vpon this knowledge of michaunce our companie are sufficiently warned Procéede in Iudgement as you allow eithers opinion Whereupon Fabritio with Isabella with one accord gaue sentence against Dâ—…ctor Mossenigo in these words An olde man amourous of a yong Woman is an enemie both to his health and reputation for the causes aforesaid The rest of the companie smyled to héere this iudgement but the Doctor brake foorth many a secret sigh not for the disgace he tooke in his pleading for he defended an yll matter with colour sufficient but in that he knew this verdict would alwaies be a barre in his sute While the Doctor and Soranso argued Quéene Aurelia espyed in the Cloath of Arras a Beast fourmed like an Unicorne saue that he bare his Horne in his nose whiche beast sléeping laide his murthering Horne in a yong Maidens lap and after the question was decided shee demaunded what that Beast was and what the misterie signyfyed but the meaning was as strannge as the sight to most of the companie In the ende quoth Ismarito Madam I haue read of a gallant yong Gentleman of Naples named Rinautus that was Metamorphosed into such a Beast by this adueÌ„ture passing through the Iland Circeâ—…uÌ„ that Homer speaketh off which is now annexed vnto the Continent he was espied of Circes who inhabited that Ilande This wrincled yll fauoured Witch at the first sight was surprised in Loue with the goodly shape and beautie of this seemely Gentleman but for al her charmes and Inchauntments her Arte failed either to force him to Loue or to frée her selfe from louing for notwithstandinge shee was a Goddesse he disdained her ouer worne soule and wythered visage and shee presumyng of her Sorcerie powred fresh Coales vppon her kyndled desyre in hope that necessitie would force him to consent to the requeste fréewill contemned but Cupid to whom such power onely belongeth to scourge her presumption in suche sorte hardened Rinautus harte that all Circes Sute and Sorceries tended vnto a fruitlesse successe In so much as in her rage she turned him into a Rhinocerot a Beast of vnconquerable force who in his nose beareth a borne much like to the Unicorne But notwithstanding hee was thus transfourmed as King Nahucadonizer in the fourme of an Oxe retained the spirit of a man so hée in his altered shape nourished his auncient disdaine of yll fauoured Circes and so bee fully auenged with all hys force pursueth olde Creatures and such as hée ouertaketh hée goreth to death yet is he by this polycie subdued Place a faire Maide in his walke and foorth with hee will with a
the better parte of my selfe How wonderfullie was the Loue of Paulina sage Senecaes Wife who opened her Uaines not onely with an intent to accompanie him to death but also with a desire to féele her Husbandes maner of deathe Quintus Curtius resiteth that Kyng Darius with an vnapauled Spirit tooke his Ouerthrowes by Alexander the Great the ruine of his kingdome and the daunger of his royall parson But hauing knowledge of his wiues death he wept bitterly shewing by this sorrow that he lâ—… his Quéene farre abone his Crowne King Admetus being sore sicke receiued this answer from the Oracle that if he liued his best friend must dye which when the good Quéene heard shee presently slewe her selfe and in the trembling passage of Death constantly saide To giue King Admetus lyfe his Queene and dearest friende dooth die Tiberius Graccus finding two Serpents in his chamber went to the Angurers to know what they deuyned who answered that he was bound to kill the one of these two Serpents if hée slew the Male he should die himselfe if hée killed the Female he should lose his wife who murtherer of himselfe slew the Male and saued his wife and so by his rare loue raised a question whether his Wyfe were more fortunate in hauinge suche a Husbande or vnhappye in loosing of him One of the seuen wonders of the worlde is an eternall testimonie of the loue whiche Quéene Artemesia bare to her Husbande Mausolus who for to engraue his dead coarse erected a Sepulchre so â—…oy all and sumptuous as tooke away the glorie of all princely Tumbes before her time and lefte no possibilitie for any in time to come to excel the same but holding this too bace a Mansion for his Kingly hart she dried the same to powder spising her wine there with she buryed it in her owne bowels and to crowne his fame with an euerlasting memorie for that the ruine of his Sepulcher was subiect to the iniurie of time with great rewardes she incouraged Theopompus Teodectes Naucrites Isocrates foure of the most famous Orators of Greece to renowne his vertues Amonge whom Theopompus as we read receiued the triumph of victorie in that learned skirmish I coulde reporte manye other Authoryties of vnseperable Loue betwéene the Married the least of a hundred whereof would equall the friendshippes of TITVS and GISIPPVS Or of DAMON and PITHIAS the two woonders of mens affections But for that I know the able wittes héere present can cloth my naked prooffes of the excellencie of Marriage and of the deuyne Loue betwéene the Marryed with manye other sounde reasons I wil giue place Madam that you and the rest of your Ingenious Companie may doo better seruice to the one and Iustice to the other desiring that that which to saide may discharge my premisse though not sattisfy your expectation Sir quoth Quéene Aurelia if you giue vs good lawes to preserue Loue amonge the married as you haue with precious authorities set forth the excellencie of Mariage the deuine operations of her blessings w t a ful performaÌ„ce of your promisse you shal binde vs al to be your Debters Madame quoth Phyloxenus you set me to a verie hard taske the Rose is Hostesse as well for the Butterflie as the Bée the Sunne shineth both vpon the good and bad yea Christe him selfe was aswell Maister to a Théefe as to a true Disciple Euen so diuine Mariage can not haue but some Deuillysh Subiectes whome Examples wil not feare much lesse may Lawes kéepe in vnitie I graunt quoth Quéene Aurelia the euyll are fearelesse of the Lawe vntyll they be scourged with the vengeaunce therof but the good embrace Lawes as their Directors in Uertue Defenders from daunger for whose Benefite I intreate you now with as large a power as I lately commaunded you that in this behalfe you wyl commyt some counsaylyng Lawes to our attentiue Memories Madame quoth Segnior Phyloxenus to showe that your Uertues haue as great power to commaund me as your Aucthorytie to enioyne mée I wyll set downe my owne Imagynations to preserue and multiplye Loue peace wealthe and Ioye among the Maried leauyng the same to be pefected by the hearers better Iudgementes Householde Lawes to keepe the Maryed in Loue Peace and Amytie Reported by Segnior Phyloxenus THE Satisfaction of Fancie is the Sowrce of Ioye in Maryage But there be many meanes too damne vp the Course of Delight betwéene the Maried if the Match be not made aswell by foresight as frée choyce The Office of Foresight is to preuent folowyng Mischaunces and aduisedly to consider if present Abylytie wyll support an Househoulde and according to their callyng leaue a Portion to their Posterytie In this point the experyence of the Parents is to be prefeâ—…red 〈◊〉 the rashe imaginations of the sonne for the aged Married by proofe know that in time many accidents of mischaunce will hinder the indeuours of the best husbands The office of foresight is likewise to consider of the equallitie in yeares least the one growing and the other declining in perfection after a while repent when remedie comes too late the Rose full blowne séemeth fayre for a time but withereth much sooner then the tender Bud. It is the office of foresight to consider of the equallitie of bringing vp least a diuersity in manners betwéene the married make a deuision of desires for Spannyels and Curres hardly liue together without snarling And it is the office of foresight to sée that there be a consent in Religion betwéene the marryed for if theyr loue be not grafted in theyr soules it is like theyr Marriage will be infyrmed with the defects of the body The office of Free choise is the roote or foundation of Marriage which consisteth onely in the satisfaction of fancie for where the fancie is not pleased all the perfections of the world cannot force looue and where the fancie delighteth many defects are perfected or tollerated among the Marryed When Marriage is solemnized there are many things to be obserued one the parte bothe of the husband and the Wife The Husband is to consider his house is a petty Common wealth whereof himselfe is chéefe and his Seruaunts Subiects therefore for the welfare bothe of himselfe and householde it is néedefull that he set downe such â—…rders as God may be gloryfied himselfe profitably serued the good seruaunt well rewarded the euill chastened and the neighbour pleased And as it is the Husbands office to set downe these orders so it is the Wiues dutie to sée them executed The charge of the Husband is to get abroade for the prouision of his householde and the Wife is bounde to spare at home towards the maintenance of her children The office of the Husband is to sée his ground Tilled his Cattell cherished his fences sound his labourers worke and their wages paide The dutie of the wife is to sée her
And with that intent quoth he Segnior Ismarito I drink vnto you with a better affection than I bare you in my sléepe for I dreamed with my Rapire drawne I chased you to your Chamber Ismarito quickly aunswered I pleadge you Segnior Bergetto but with lesse feare then you supposed to bée in mée when you were asléepe for men after they are awake expounde dreames by contraries Bergetto deceaued of his expectation was dryuen by patience to salue the wounde he had giuen hymselfe But Segnior Philoxenus to take away the cause of after vnkindnesse reaued the companie of leasure to iudge of Bergettos quarrilynge dreame or of Ismaritoes crosse exposition by kéeping of them exercised with a newe deuice In déede quoth hée Dreames are incertaine and therfore not to be regarded but there is a true kinde of diuination in Palmestrie and so in looking in Maria Belochi's hand hée vsed certaine names of Arte and gaue a voluntarie pleasing Iudgement which fired all the Ladies and Gentlewomen with an earnest desire to know their fortune and by this meanes the remembrannce of former questions was taken away Wherein Segnior Philoxenus wisdome may be a president for other Gentlemen that heare quarrels a bréedinge to smoulder them in the shell for men that bée angrie are bounde to their passion when such as are not moued haue libertie to pacifye with discreation Thus with their spirites well pleased Quéene Aurelia and the reste of the companie rose from the table and after ordenarie curtesie ended they paused a time by the Fire to put their witts in order for the following disputation who at the ordinarie howre entred the drawing Chamber where the Eunuke readie to discharge his dutie vnto the Lute sung this following Sonet REgarde my loue but not my frostie haires Although faire Dame the least may moue content For Loue Faith Zeale standes firme in aged yeares When light greene youth is fickle in intent The aged knowes the leaues and fruite of youth The leaues they leaue and with the fruite doe loue The sayinges of olde Age are iudged trueth Let loue and trueth mislyking then remoue What though my chin be clothed all in white Whight in your cheekes the chiefest coulour is Which fayre dye doth make you seeme so bright As men holde you the source of beauties blisse Sweete Mistresse then of all the fayre the Flower Let not condemne what doth your selfe comend Ruthe seemes your face let rigor not deuour His loue and lyfe that liues and dies your friende This Sonet mooued y e company to smile not because the inuention was vnwittie but in that it was the fruites of Doctor Mossenigoes Muse who to reuenge vppon himselfe all the iniurie which he had done to the sexe of Women became inamoured of Katharina Trista the waspissest Damosel among the whole troupe of Gentlewomen But knowing the Doctors Phylosophie could not so subdue his affection but that time would make them all sporte and him smarte they dissembled their knowledge of his folly as déepely as hée couered the passions of hys fancy notwithstanding to raise some speach and to set the Doctor a work with hope Quoth Aluisa Vechio this Sonet prophesieth a hapie lyfe to a young woman and much comfort to an olde man if their fortunes be so good as to be marted together And if I had as good a passage for my opinyon as I haue Reason to mayntayne the same I woulde thinke to prooue this couple worthye of a place in PLATOES Paradice Among so manie good Drators quoth Quéene Aurelia you cannot want an Aduocate Whereupon Katharina Trista with a false eye coniured the Doctor in this question to maintaine his Loue who thus inioyned tooke vpon him to maintaine Aluisa Vechioes opinion Quéene Aurelia licensed him and no aduersary appeared to discourage him wherevpon quoth he where an old man marieth a yonge woman the contentment séemes too be muche and the comfort more my reason is the oulde man hath not onlye chosen a Wyfe to recreate him as a companyon but a Cooke to prepare chosen meates for his impayred appetite and a Staffe to sustaine his Age. The yonge wife also may hold her selfe happie in this fortune for she hathchosen one whom she may not onely rule but commaund and for a litle paynes who will leaue her possest of a great deale of lyuyng And this is most certain that cruel and wilde Creatures do most hurt where their wyll is moste resisted and hauâ—… great compassion where they finde no proffer of repulse The Lyon in his greatest hunger hurts not y t wounded shéepe y t Crocadile w t teares wassheth the blood from a murthred man and the raging Sea refressheth the yealding Réede much more a woman that by nature is beautified with pittie if she rule without checke wyll glorie in the good vsage of her Husbande and this is in dayly vse that the olde man in assemblies findes his yonge wife modest in her speache basshefull in her lookes and nice in occasion of suspition and whyther this behauiour procéedes of desire to be praysed or of feare to be blamed I conclude the cause with her coÌ„mendation for that to do well in hope of praise coÌ„mes of the incouragement of vertue and to do well for feare of reprehensioÌ„ is the signe of a good inclination By Sainet Anne Sir quoth Soranso you well deserue a Fée especiallie of the yonge wyfe in that you so connyngly haue coloured her ouersight and so Clarckely haue commended her good vsage of her olde Husband but your Suggestion tends to as small effect as the Fortune is euyl of a couple thus vnequallie matched for that common reason wil refute your weake opinion and dayly experience recordes the miseries of the other What likelyhood of continuance hath the House whose grounde worke is rotten although the prospect be beautifull and stronge God wotte the féeblenesse of the Foundation wyll ouerthrow the firmenesse of the vpperframe Compare this vneqaull estate in Marriage with this ouersight in building and you shall finde the discorde as great betwene the one as the ruyne and decay spéedie in the other The good and able Gouernment of the Husbande is the foundation and grounde worke of Mariage and the Beautie of the Wife the blessynge in hauynge of Children and the benefite of possessyng lyuinges are the outwarde buyldinges of Mariage And as they are pleasant in the eye of the worlde euen so they greatly please the mindes of the maryed geue a singuler Grace to this honourable vocation But if the Gouernment of the Husbande be inabled with Age as in trueth Olde Age is no other then a seconde Infancie In whose desire direction discrescion and delight there are imperfections The Beautie of the wyfe wyll be blasted with sorrowe for the insufficiencte of her Husbande euyll Education wyll accurse their blessyng in hauyng of Chyldren and negligence wyll waste their benefites of liuyng You hould a