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
the desier of his minde tendyng to none other ende then a consommation of an honest and lawfull request But for the contrary of this honest societie I accompt hym not worthie to haue the ayre breath vpon hym who practisinge onely to seduce and corrupte the chasteye of honest Dames hath no respect to the vertue of honest and true loue but sekyng only to satisfy the appetit of his sensual luste doth embrace the exterior partes of a woman and commendes simplye the tree charged with leaues without regardyng the frut which makes it worthie of commendacion and fame Here with it can not be muche froÌ„ our purpose to enterlarde this digression with the authoritie of a brief note whiche I founde written in a frenche booke on the behalfe of the sinceritye which ought to appeare in women comparinge the younge Ladye bearynge yet the name of a mayde to the glisterynge flower in the pleasaunt springe vntill by her constancie and chaste behauior subduing vtterlie the wanton mocions of the fleshe she expose to the worlde the precious fruites deriued of so greate a vertue and giue absolute experience other vndoubted pudicitie For otherwayes saith he she is in no other degree for worthie renowme then the young soldiour whose contenaunce albeit argueth the corage of his hart yet his capteine hath no reason to gyue iudgement of his valiauntnes nor cause to reapose muche credit in him in any expedition or exploite againste thenemye tyll he see an approued effect in dede of that which he promiseth so largely by his outward apparance but when he fyndeth an absolute confirmation of the exterior likelihodes by the inward vertu and valyauntnes of the mynd it is then that he doth not only embrase hym but preferreth hym afore the rest as a speciall pattorne to ymitate his vertues Euen so besides that the Croune of immortal glorye atten des youe Ladyes who by withstandynge th assaultes and importunities of the fleshe do giue to your selfe the true title of honest women not by force or awe of constraint but by the valyaunt resistance of your most chaste and inuincible hart yet also the monumeÌ„t of your vertues being graued in pillors of eternitie and aduaunced to the height of the highist theatrey in the worlde shal remaine as a mirroer or worthy spectacle to procure all posterities not onelye to treade the pathe of semblable vertues but also to yelde you a continuall adoracion after your death by the remembraunce and viewe of your chaste verteous life wherewith wishyng you al no lesse desier to lyue wel then the most of you are gredy of glory I leaue you to the remorce of your owne consciences presentes you here withe the remeinder of my promisse touchyng the sequele of CHARLES MONTANYN who being out of prison as you haue harde repaired immediately to his house with intent to comfort her whom he knewe to be in greater dollour and distresse and as nedeful of consolacion as himselfe seamed desirous of repose being so longe forewatched in a filthy prison and knocking at the gates of his Pallais the mayd that opened the dore and saw it was her maister mounted with more speed then an ordinarie pase and tolde ANGELIQVA the deliuerye and approche of her brother wherunto what addicion or protestation her mayde seamed to make her troubled mynde wolde giue no credit suche greate impossibilitie do wee accompte in the execution of those thinges whiche we chiefly desier but seaminge no lesse amazed with the misterie theÌ„ saint Peter being soddainly taken furth of the prison of HERODE by the Aungel sloode as thoughe she had bene dreaming of the dissolution of the worlde without apparance of sence or argument of lyuely morioÌ„ in any part of her til y e presence of her brother being now in her chaÌ„ber seamed to breath in her an ayre of fresh coÌ„solatioÌ„ lyfe dismissing froÌ„ thinstaÌ„t y e misterie of her domme trauÌ„ce receiued oftsones her former vse libertie of senses wherewith coÌ„uerting her dolorous regards teares of auncieÌ„t dule into a passion of such sodain gladnes that being at y e point to coÌ„gratulat his coÌ„mig with words she felt a secoÌ„d impedimeÌ„t of spech by y e operatioÌ„ of preset ioye which she toke in beholding his face y t she fel down at his fete embrassig kissyng his knees with no lesse signes shewe of a gladsome mynde then if by som miracle he had bene raised froÌ„ death to life wherewith certaine Ladies her kynswomen assistinge her dolorous distresse hauyng restored her laste traunce and doubtyng eftsones to fal into the like passion sent for their husbaÌ„des with other the frends of MONTANYNO aswel to reioyce his happie deliuery so to auoyde al occasioÌ„s of further traunces in his sister as also to excuse their negligeÌ„ce in not assisting his late miserie but CHARLES dissimuling y t which he thought of their discourtesie towardes himself gaue theÌ„ chief thaÌ„kes for their frendship in coÌ„forting his syster which he coÌ„strued to as great an honor argumeÌ„t of good wil as if they had imployed it on y e behalf of himself wherwith he dismissed them deuining notwithstaÌ„ding what he shold be that had made so large declaratioÌ„ of so great a vertu sorowful without measure that he knew him not to th ende he might not onely requiâ—e so rare a courtesie but also excede him in liberalitie by a franke offer of himself al that he hath within the world he scamed not so ignoraunt of thauthor of so greate a benefit as his syster in treble doubte on y e same behalf persuading herselfe notwithstanding that the feare of death had made him coÌ„ueigh a secret sale of his landes in the coÌ„trey to him which first broked it And that this doubte which seamed to trouble hym was onely a darke vaile to conceile the trothe and kepe it from her knowledge or rather his longe imprisonment with disquiet of minde duringe his trouble had stalled his sences made him raue in y t sorte wherin she was in equall doubte of them al til he resolued her to the contrary wherewith departing for that night they repaired to their seueral chaÌ„bers where y e MONTANYN had more desier of slepe then hable to admit any rest for that he spent al that night in contemplatioÌ„ contrarietie of thoughtes making an assemblie in his minde of euery shape figure of such his frends as he was hable to imagin to be y e workers or cause of so great a benefit somtime preferring one somtime preseÌ„ting an other without touching notwithstaÌ„ding y e perfect whit or naming him that iustely had deserued the meede of so great a merite and to whome he acknowledged no lesse bonde of dutie then to them that were the first causers of his comming into this worlde wherin passing that night the pictures of a thousand men his bed seamed to serue him as a wyde large plaine or some rowmey alley or
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
viewe of the wronge and discurtesye of her brother seamed for a tyme to staie the course of sleepe yet in the often repeticion of her sorowes appeared a litle of qui ette whiche closed her eyes and cast her into a slomber wher in she seamed to beholde standing afore her thymage of her LIVIO halfe deade embrasing her with a pale and hydeous regarde which forced her to suche a feare that she brake soddainely oute of her dredefull sleape spendinge the reste of the wearye nighte in pytifull complaintes wherin certeinly she had raison for that in that dreame or rather misticall vision was fygured the desaster whiche not longe after ouerwhelmed theim bothe neyther oughte wée to fynde it strang if thapprehensions appearing in our slepe do geue vs warninge of the good or euill happeninge vnto vs for that wée haue certeine recordes which iustefye the same in the person of one BRVTVS hee whiche was vanquished in the feldes of PHARSALEMO whether he were awake or in the depthe of his sleepe seamed to see in his tente a terrible shappe of a certaine sprite pronouncinge his ouerthrow besides thaushorytie of naturall reason mouethe vs to confesse that as the ympression of a greate feare or longinge desyer of any thinge do presente often tymes affore the eyes of our mynde the bodie beinge in reste the ymage of that whiche we loue or feare So also the sprit that is voyde of passion or at point to fall into some perilous accident encountreth commonly in his sleape the thing which hee wisheth not to happen and abhorreth to remember when his eyes haue dismissed the drowsy humor of slepe for CAMILLA desiered nothing lesse then the death of her LYVIO and yet not longe after the pre sage or forewarninge of her dreadefull vysion she only witnessed the effect assistinge his funeral with her presence in the tombe aswell as she was willynge to admit his companie in the secret bedd of their infortunat mariage LIVIO for his part was not voide of passion on the behalfe of the frowarde successe of his busynes albeit seing he colde no way bribe the goodwill of fortune hee resolued to geue place to her presente malice and in attending the benefytt of a better tyme to practise CLAVDIO by circumstance and mediacion of his neare frendes Albeit felinge in the meane while an intolleracion of loue with contynnall increase of desier to coll the flower of his affection and taste of the pleasant Iewyste of the grape which quencheth the thirste of the loyall louer he ymparted his paine and request to his Ladye in a letter of this substance Seinge there is no iustice good ladye to supporte the consent to your owne disquiet and suffer me to lyue in passion without comparaison methinke you do wronge to thindiffrent contentment of vs both for if you desyer my death you nede vse no other minister for fatall execution then the alarams of dollor which I encounter daily by your meanes but if you haue care of my quiett and greue no lesse with thimposicion of my mortal torment why make you suche conscience to yelde me consideration of the honeste zeale I beare you seing the same dothe also ymporte a speciall contentment to your selfe you knowe what is alredie passed betwene vs neyther are you ignorante of the small respect your parentes vse towardes you wherwyth if the mutuall consente conclude the mariage you ought also to vnderstande that neyther the tyrannye of the one nor wante of corage in the other hath power to wythholde you from that which you are bound to performe nor hinder me to enioye the benefyt of my desert wherin I appeale to the tooch of your consience with request to consider in what sort you will aduise mée to th ende that by thassistance of your councell I maye the better carye ouer the greatnes of my extremetie which as it is deuided into spedie releefe or presente dispaire so seinge I am of force to passe by the one I doubt of which of the two to make my moste proffyt for albeit the firste hath power to performe the full of my felycity yet in attendinge theffect I consume in a flame of burning desyer and the other if it ymporte a present abridgmente of my tormente by vntymely deathe yet in the verye acte consistes a spot of dishonour to my selfe and an euerlastinge surname of crueltie to her in whose ballance waigheth thindyffrent sentence of the lyfe or deathe of the moste desolate and LOIALL LIVIO CAMILLA whyche desired nothing lesse then to delay the desire of her seruant for that her selfe labored of the same disease retorned y e messengier with no other aunswer theÌ„ that at after dinner she would vysitt CORNELIA when also shee wold satisfie his maister by mouth for y t she feared y e subteltie of her brother wolde intercepte her letters where with thinfortunat LIVIO not knowyng the thred of mischiefe which fortune was now spynnynge for him entred into such solace that the chamber wherein he walked seamed to litle to conteine bys present gladnes the rather for that he ymagined y t hys mistresse woulde now dismysse all excuses and impedimentes to theffect of hys longe desyer seynge there wanted nothynge to consommate the mariage but solemne publicacion in whiche passion of ioye he supplied the tyme in attendynge the commynge of his Ladye with singynge and softe musicke accordyng to the nature of the Swan who the nearer she draweth to the ende of her destiny the pleasanter note she synges bathinge and pruninge her selfe in the purest streame she can fynde to th ende to do honor to her funerall â—ate and as he ymagined thus to be at the point to arriue in the subburb of his paradise behold the approch of y e goddesse of his deuocion deare mistres CAMILLA with her Chambriere who as she was alredye priuye to the whole practise So she vsed her companie nowe to auoyde suspicion imparting the same to LIVIO to th ende he nede not distruste her presence yf by chaunce they entred into parley touchynge any secret matche where neded not thassistance of manye wytnesses And being thus in armes together God knoweth if anye sorte of kysses or other follies in loue were forgotten wherin as it is a common experience that neither bytt nor bridle is hable to gouerne the furye of loue when we be at point to enioye the pleasures we desyer so there appered suche an indifferent vehemencie of appetit betwene theiâ— that at thinstant they made a plat or begynnyng of that whiche the same euenynge gaue ende to the pleasure and lyfe of theym both wehrof CAMILLA as more hoate in desyer or lesse hable to beare the burden of her burnyng affection preuented the request of LYVIO and made plaine the first entrey path to both their mishappes saying that forasmuch as our consentes haue concluded a mariage and that in the breache of our promisse appeareth a perentory preiudice to our consciences
can afore the sequestration of the earthelye substance from the part of diuinitie whyche wee partycipat with God and what contentement or glorye so euer they reappose in thys monstrous abrydgement of nature reprehendynge theym of destoyaltie whyche do the contrarye yet their acte merites none other name then the title of brutalitie neyther can I thynke but their opynion is guided by some sprite or humor of frantyke follye lyke as yt is not the part of a Christiā as the Appostle affirmeth to prefer the fyckle pleasures of the flesh whych are of shorter moment then the thoughtes of a man afore the feare of God recke of our life and care to present our sowles with out spot afore the troane of mercie in the daye of generall accompte when all thoughtes shal bee deciphered and no falte vnpunyshed the poore girle of the chamber to the dead CAMILLA seynge thys fatall misterye wyth the distresse she was in for that she was a companion of the conspiracye thinkynge to giue ende and playe the laste acte of the tragedy serched about the chāber for some glaue or sword or other thinge apte to make the minister of her blody intent being deceaued that way she had no other meane to playe doble or quit but with impetuosity of dollor wherein she raged with such doleful skryches that the brute of her cōplaint awaked the whole house whereof the first that entred the chamber of funeralles was the tyraunt CLAVDIO whoa albeyt was thenly cause of this dolorous massacre yet in place of confessyng his falte or yelding sorow to the losse of such ij loiall louers he grewe in more rage by the viewe of the dead body of LIVIO wherof as he would willingly haue cōmitted a new morder sauing that he sawe him without respiration or argumēt of lyfe so his anger being torned into wodnes rage into furye he wreaked his collor vpon the poore girle to whome he gaue iij. or iiij estockados with hys dagger thorowe the bodye and slonge ymediatlye oute of the chamber to the greate amaze and terrour of hys vnfortunat father who seynge hys house full of morders and hys sonne committed oppen slaughter in the person of the innocent gyrle coulde not so gouerne his passion of dolour but he seamed more ready to passe that waye then desyrous to enioy longer life albeit beyng kepte from doynge force agaynst himselfe by certaine hys seruauntes that were there he vttered sompart of hys inwaerde gref by open exclamation agaynste hys owne misfortune inveighynge chyeflye agaynste the inordin at will of hys daughter with aduise to all fathers to kepe a steddye eye vppon their slypprye y outhe wherein he comended vnto theym the example of hys owne follye in fauoryng so much the fonde appetit of hys daughter that he gaue leaue to her Libertye to excede the viewe or pursewte of his eye accusynge chieflie the impedyment he gaue to the mariage seynge that in the same appeared the perentory ruine of hys house continuall desolation to hys old yeres and in the ende to leaue hys goodes and lyuynge to straungers for want of an heire of his bodye for that hauynge but ij children the one was already dead and the other no lesse worthe by y e mortal violence he had vsed vpon the innocencie of the mayd who after y e surgeants had somwhat stayed y e bledyng of her woundes confessed the contract and circūstance of the loue whereof you haue harde a particular declaracion whiche rather encreased the dule of tholde man then gaue moderation to his sorowe whyche notwithstandynge by the perswacions of hys neighbours and constraint of necessity whych as a vertue giueth pacience perforce to all extremeties he dysmissed in outeward showe and disposed hymself to the funerall obsequies in as solēne manner as he cold erectynge a tombe of marble in Sainct francys churche wherin were shryned the bodies of the ij louers as dead at one time and by one occasion to the great regreat of the whole towne wherein euerye one was so indifferentlye passioned wyth sorowe that a man should hardly haue hard any other tunes then publike exclamacion against the cruelty of CLAVDIO by whyche generall complaint together with the depositiōs of the mayde who dyed within three dayes after her hurtes DOM RAMYRO CATALANO gouernor of CESENNA vnder CESAR BORGIA began to enter into tearmes of compassion on the behalfe of the ij dead louers and mortall anger against CLAVDIO for that his cruelty only was the cause of the death of the ij only flowers peragōs in Italy wherin he purseued so vehemently y e rigour of his office equity of iustice y t CLAVDYO lost his head secretly within the castel for feare of mutine or tumulte of his frendes This was y e miserable end of y e loue lif of y e ij SISENNOIS wose death and discorse of amarous traffique for y t it doth not exced the remēbrāce of our time I haue preseted as a familiar exāple affore y e eyes of our youth to th end y t euery one respecting y e duty of his own indeuor may vse y e misery of this precedēt as a paterne to preuēt y e like myschief in thē selues wherin also as we may note that loue is but a rage or humor of frātike follye deriued of our selues conuerted to our owne harme by thindiscrecion that is in vs so y e next remedy to withstand that furye is to encounter him vnder thenseigne of raison slee the occasions whyche weaken the mynde wythout trauell and bringe the bodye in the ende to the theatrye of execution wee are also warned here to temper the delites wee possesse with suche measure that forgettynge the blyndenes of LIVIO we maye eschewe the horrour of hys acte with detestation of the folys he vsed in the glott of his vnlawfull pleasure FINIS The argument ACcording to thoppinion of the wise Demosthenes there is no one vertue that hath made more famous the fathers of formèr time thenne the gyft of cyuill curtesy neyther is nature more glorifyed in the ympes of her creation then in that we dispose our selues doings according to the dispocition of the clymat whiche shee hath appointed to gouerne our accions and thoughtes respecting chiefly to refraine from violacion of innocent blodde which in al ages hath restored a name of great clemencie to diuerse Albeit touching other effectes they were ambycius tyrantes and cruell enemyes to their owne common wealthe whiche vnnatural crueltie also as it hath bene is of such detestacion amongest y e rudest companions of the world that the verye barbarians haue alwaies had in horrour the wickednes of suche as pursewed the queste of guiltles blodde and toke awaye the life of him that had not committed offence So they haue alwaies had in honour the vertue of suche as soughte to extirppe the roote of tyranical furies borne for the ruine and destruction of man like as among the romaine emprours
the gaze and wonder of the multytude cannot claime the priuiledge of any place but the people wyl point at them neyther can they hyde theym in so secret a corner but infamye wyll hunt them out shame discouer them atteÌ„ding them to the very end of theyr daies no no let not them lyue that are desirous to dye and death is moste acceptable to suche as hate the fruicion of lyfe for my parte I loth alredy the remembrance of lyfe seing I haue lost the chefest pillor of the same wherof I meane to make spedy declaracion by the sentence I haue alredy pronounced of my ende wherin it shall appeare to the worlde that although my bodye haue tasted of the malice of the wicked by force yet my mynde remains entire without spott or consentement to the villany whiche as my chiefe bequeste and last testament in this worlde I leue registred in the remembrance of you good awnt to make relacion to my desolat parents and the whole worlde besides of thaccideÌ„t of my wretched desaster that although your vnhappy néece and miserable IVLIA hath by meare force lost the outward show of her honor yet her conscience remeinyng vnspotted and soule cleare ready to flye to the heaueÌ„s to witnes her iÌ„tegry tye afore the sacred theatrye or tribunall seate of GOD can not departe wyth worthye contentement afore I offer my lyf to y e waues to purifie the fylthye spottes wherewith my bodye remeins painted on all parts by thinfection of the detestable rape of force wherewith she departed not taryinge the replye of her awnt who thoughte to haue diswaded her from the pursuete of her desperate intent and beinge coÌ„me to the riuer of Oglyo kyssing her sister with a last crye to god to receyue her soule to his mercy she lept hedloÌ„g into the water who as a mercyles element respectinge neyther thinnocency of her cause nor desperate order of dying committed her to the botomles throts goolphes of the sourges whiche was the ende of this miserable IVLIA whose lyfe only deserues commendation for thexample of her vertue and deathe worthie to be committed to oblyuyon for the signes of desperacion wherewyth it was infected But after this chaunce burst out into tearmes became the report of the people God knoweth what generall desolacion was amonge all the estate of the Cytie aswell for the strangnes of the facte as for that the villeyne was fledd that caused the brute who if he had ben taken had don penance of this falte with the losse of his lyfe in example of others the bodye was founde by the diligence of Loys Gonzaga who woulde not suffer it to be buryed in the Churche yarde or other sanctuarye because of the desperat maner of her death but caused it to be solempnelye accoÌ„panyed with the teares great dule of diuerse Ladyes into a place or graue in the felde where he ment in shorte tyme to sett vpp a tombe of marble wyth a monument of the particular discourse of the vertues and singuler gyftes of grace in his pore countrewomaÌ„ whose death I wishe may learne al estats to eschewe the perill of dispaier and order of lyfe to instructe all the yonge Ladyes of England to resiste the charmes and sugred allurements of loue who the more he is feasted with pleasaunt regardes of the eye or encountred with secret conference in corners or courted wyth embassages or lastlye banqueted wyth dishes of delicate toyes or vaine importunityes the more is he redye to inuade and apte to ouercome but on the contrarye parte the waye to kepe warre wyth that vaccabound and to flée his infections is as IVLIA did to marche against hym with a flagge of vertue vsyng wythall the pollycy of VLIXES in stopping your eares from the pepered harmonye of them that delitinge only in the praye of your outwarde beautye haue no respecte to the ornament of the soule whiche beinge kepte pure and vndefyled to th ende yealdes you a rewarde of immortalitye and your renowme neuer to be rased out of remembraunce tyll thextreame dissolucion of the worlde FINIS The argument THere was neuer mischiefe of former time nor vice in present vse wherein men are or haue bene more drowned or drawen by a beastly desyer then in therecrable and deadly synne of whoredome by the which besides that the spirituall fornicacion is figured in some sorte yet is it forbidden vnto vs expresly by thinuiolable lawes not written in the tables wher thauncientes were wonte to graue directions and orders to pollitique states of the Romaines Athenyens Egiptiens or Sparteins but recorded in theuerlasting booke within the whiche the veraie finger of god hath sealed his infallible statutes wher of as he wolde that his children and faithfull heires of his kingdom were made partakers with desyer and indeuor of ymytacion so we are al warned by y e same defence that besides the wrong and harme we do to our owne bodies we offend â—eynously against the health of our soules specially in corruptinge the wife of our neighbour with thabuse of that part of her which is necessarie to be garded with as great care and watche as we reade was vsed somtime in the supersticious ceremonies of the vestals of Rome in keping a contynuall fyer in their temple The greatnes also of this synne of adulterie bringing as you se an equal hurt to the soule and bodye hath forced a wonderful seueretie in both the lawes punishinge by deathe such as do prophane that hollye and invyolable bond and bed of mariage wher is only a place of purity and no oblacion to be offred or admitted but the sacrifice of honeste lawful substaÌ„ce besides what slaunders and mortalitie amongest men haue spronge out of the vicious fountaine of that synne y e mariage bed of Menelaus defyled by y e kinges sonne of Troye hath left sufficient example and cause of exclamacion amongest the phrigiens with reason to all posterities to deteste such villanie as a vice moste abhomynable in Egipt the Sychemetyens for like respect vnder Abraham and Isaac haue felt the mighty hand of god althoughe their offence in some sort was excusable by ignoraunce for that they thought the wyues which they toke had bene vnmaried Likewise if there be any faithe in the poeticall fictions we see thargumentes of most of their tragedies were founded eyther vpon the punishmente or dispair of such as not hable to reuenge the wrong of their lasciuions wife and wicked Sathanist her mynyon conuert and execute their rage and furie vpon theimselues wherin our worlde at this daye is growen to such a malicious golphe and bottomles sea of vices that the wilde nacions without eyther awe of God or feare of his lawes gouerned only by an instinct of nature are more curious to kepe the honor of their bedd then diuerse contryes in the harte and bowells of Christendom wher thadulteror is not punished but by protestacion or attorney and wher the poore
hitherunto by consente of the goddes to spende the future remeynder of my tyme onelye in the seruice of you good madame to whom herewith as the fyrst frutes of my humble and deare zeale towardes you I make a presente of my poore afflicted harte which as it is susteyned by the only viewe and remembrance of your beautie and vertue So beyng denied harbor at your hands his next and last refuge is to exspecte consolacion in death which hitherunto I haue refused for y e present do shonne not for any horror or feare I conceyue of hys malice but onelye to prolonge yet the course of my lyfe to the ende that as my mynde hath alredye vowed to serue you So my bodye as a necessarye instrumente maye be whollye ymployed to the execution of your commaundementes But yf the dedication of myne offer shall receiue an vnthankefull repulse or the merite of my affectioned seruice sente hacke with a paymente of crueltie a vice not like to inhabite where nature and the godes haue disposed so plentifullye all theyr gyftes of grace nor incident commonlye to creatures of so vertuoule norriture and good bringynge vpp you shall sée me immediatlye suffer that which I haue not deserued and you I knowe wil be sorie for the thinge whiche you can not amende wherefore seing you haue the choice both to prolonge my lif with double ioye and abridge my dayes by vndeserued dollor embrace the workes of compassion the chiefe braunches of vertue and refuce the surname of crueltye wherin I preferr eftesones this laste importunitye to th ende that if my requeste be barred to enter the gates of pitye wyth you you maye at leaste giue death his dispatche who attendes vppon the reaporte of your aunswere to execute his charge vppon hym who wisheth you that whiche you hate and sendes you that which he loues Yours more then his owne P. Virley This letter sealed and subscribed with his owne hande he deliuered not withoute abundance of teares to his neyghbour who promisinge hym once againe to bringe him aunswere afore she slepte went her waie leauing the languishynge knyghte buildyng castels in the ayre with a thousand hammors in his heade tickling him selfe to make himself laughe semed sometime to bathe his sorowes in the ioye and cōtentement which vaine hope offred him by visions in his flatteringe conceite but when the lothsome ymage of the cruell inciuilitye of Zilya presented her selfe in hys mynde his pleasure retired into dule with as manye argumentes of presente death as earste he ymagined liklihodes of contentement and ioye semynge to haue in his eye the angrie and frownyng lookes wherewith his mistres receiued the comming of the messenger who arriued now at the pallaice of Zilya mett her comminge out of a gardyne on the backe side of her house where hauynge saluted eche other wyth equall showe of curtesye the Ladye messenger thinkynge to preferre certeine excuses aswell to auoyde imputation whiche mighte be obiected againste her vnsemely execution of so badd an ambassage as also to inferr perswacions on the behalfe of hym by whome she was sente was preuented by the wydowe who tolde her that she merueilled to sée her there at that hower considerynge her former cōuersation whiche hath alwayes argued her to be so frendly to vertue and enemye to exercise of idlenes that she woulde not lett slipp one mynute of tyme wythout it were frutefullye ymployed whereunto the burgesse replyed with thankes for the goood opinion she seamed to haue of her and her doinges with desyer to perseuer therin til iuste occasion deserued the contrarie And touching my being here at this hower saieth she which you seame to tearme an idle vacacion yf my message might be harde and consydered wyth no lesse indifferencie of you then the cause of my commynge importes greate and vnfayned necessitye you woulde I am sewer conuerte that conceite into an opinyon of vertuouse inclination in me for I am perswaded that the tyme ymployed in workes of pitye and releuyng the afflicted and dollorous companie distressed wyth dule is aswell spente and no lesse meritorious afore God then those momentes and seasons ioyned to the contynuall yoke of exstreme labor and toyle of the handes whereof I woulde presentlye presente you a particular discourse if the reaporte of my embassage wolde not be hurtefull to the league of amytie longe ago practised betwene vs Whereunto the curious wydowe hauynge alredye kindled in her harte the coles of disdaine aunswered wyth a countinance deriued of the angrie disposition of her mallencolike mynde that touchynge the reaporte she shoulde be as wearye wyth hearyng the circumstance as vnwillynge to consider of the case And albeit saith she I knowe not the intente of your wordes muche lesse the cause of youre commynge yet the kallendor of my mynde pronosticates the effecte of your embassage to importe requestes of other consequence then mine honor wil be hable to brooke wherefore I praye you lett me be deceiued in mine exspectation and you so curious to kepe the league of our auncient frendshipp that the breathe of your owne mouth do not dissolue that which earst seamed indissoluble nor you become the messenger of reaportes that any waye maye seme indecent for a dame of your degree Madame sayeth the messenger the lytle Simpathia and equalitie of affection whiche seames to be in you in comparison of the vertues of him whose solicitor I am hath moued I thinke this passion in you notwithstandynge for my parte beinge no lesse sorie for the presente affliction of Monsieur de Virley then desierous to releue his distresse with thuttermoste of my indeuor I haue vndertaken the charge of a messenger to deliuer this letter which then she takes oute of her pocket and giues to Zilya vnto you wherein as my fayth lieth in pawne for the performāce of my promise so I beseche you on his behalfe refuce not his presente accompanied wyth a franke offer of his humble seruice lyf liuynge and all that he hath to be imployed onelye at the becke of your commaundemente wherein if amongeste the other beatitudes or vertues giuen vs by speciall name in the scripture the actes of charitye wyth indeuor to succour the afflicted and giue consolation to the comfortles be no lesse acceptable afore God then the reste refuce not madame to releue hym who for your sake hath loste his libertye languisheth in continuall dollor and is redye for wante of reléefe at your hande to take hys leaue of vs wretches in this worlde wyth whiche iuste incitacions to compassion I ioyne also this requeste of myne that if the deserte of my frendshypp maye fynde place of fauor in you you wyll the rather for my sake open and reade the letter retournynge your annswere by me who hath vndertaken no further but the deliuerie of the same and reaporte your resolucion touchinge the contentes of his demaunde Zilya besides the crabbed inclination of her owne nature beinge not acquainted wyth suche
moderacion in his pleasures the tyran and morderor moued to compassion touching the cause of thin nocent and the vnthrift reclaymed to an honest staie of lif whiche makes me of opynion that this passion giuen vs by nature albeit it be an infection of it selfe yet it serues also as a contrepoison to driue out another venym according to the propertie of the Scorpion which of her selfe and in herself carieth the sting of mortal hurte and oyntmeÌ„t of spedie remedie thoccasioÌ„ of preseÌ„t death and meane to preserue life not meaning for all this to perswade that it is of necessitie we make our selues subiect altogether to this humor of good and euill disposicioÌ„ nor allow them that willingly incurr the perill of such fre ymprisonment but placinge it for this tyme amongest thinges of indifferent tolleracion because he neither seamed blind nor void of discrecioÌ„ on the behalf of those whose eraÌ„ples I meane to prefarr in this historie I maye boldlie aduoche that which we call affection to be a passion resembling in som respect the condicion of true amytie and yet not muche vnlike for the moste parte the generall euill whiche the Grecians â—al Philautia and we tearme by the title of loue or vaine flatterie of our selues chiefly when we see any so frently to his desiers that to satisfye the inordinat thruste or glot of his gredie appetit he forgettes hothe honor and honestie with the respect and duetie of his conscience besides what ymages of vertue curtesie or bowntiful dispocision soeuer our louers do ymagyn in theim whom they serue dymming the eyes of the worlde wyth a miste of dissembled substance as thoughe the cause of their liberall offer of seruice were deriued of an intent of honest frendshippe yet their trauailes that way concludes we se with other end for that they hunt only the chase of pleasure procedinge of the viewe of an exterior bewtie wherin their meaninge is sufficiently manifeste in the sugred oracions discourses of eloquent stile which those amarus orators seme to prefer when their mindes occupied whollie in the contemplacion of their mistresses do commit the praise of the perfection in their Ladies to the filed fordge of their fine tongue in which what other thing do they more chiefly commend then a deuyn misterie or conninge worke of nature painted with a dy of white or redd in her face A delicate tongue to dilate of matters of fancie an entysinge countenance with a grace and behauiour equal with the maiestie of a princes al which as they argewe the vanitie of him that reapose delite in such fondnes differinge altogether from the true ornamentes of the soule or pattorne wherby the perfectioÌ„ of vertue is discerned by thunfayned workes and absolute accion So dismissing this fond philosophie not coÌ„tending greatly whether loue be a natural corrupcion or a thing perticipating with vertue we may be bold to aduouche his power to preauile in things which seame of ympossibilitie to thother passions that be common vnto vs for what thinge can be of greater force in a man then that which constrainynge an alteracion of custome and breach of that which by contynuance hath taken rote within vs doth make as it were A new body and the mynd a meare straunger to her former cogitacions which I neither inferr without cause nor menteyne this argument without great reasoÌ„ for that as of al the vices which spot the lif of maÌ„ ther is none except y e excecrable syn of whoredom which makes vs soner forget god good order then the detestable exercise of vnlawful game neither are we so hardly reclaymed froÌ„ any thing as that cutthrote delite for that it is almost as possible to conuert the crueltie of a she wolffe or lyones into a present mekenes as to mortefie the desier of plaie in him which hath bene norrished and nozelled therin froÌ„ the beginning of his yeres Euen so notwithstanding the force of loue wrought such a misterie in an vnthrist of Naples that of the mo ste prodigall and ryotous spendor that hath bene noted in any age hee made a most staide and sparing gentlemaÌ„ that Italy hath brought furth of many yeres since or afore his time Albeit euen vpon the point and beginning of his new fondacion beinge redie w t all to expose frutes of his happye chang frome euill to good trade he was encowntred wyth the malice of his destinies which abridged hys felicytie and life in one moment wherof you maye discerne a manifeste profe in the sequeile of the historie folowing PERILLO SVFFRETH muche for the loue of Carmosyna and marienge her in the ende vvere both tvvo striken to deathe with a thonderbolte the firste nighte of their vnfortunat mariage IT happened not long synce in the riche and populus Citie of NAPLES who norrisheth ordinarylie an infinitie of youth of all degrees that amongest the rest of the wantons broughte vpp there at that tyme there was one named Anthonio Perillo who enioyenge a libertye more then was necessarye to one of so younge yeres and greene vnderstandyng made absolute declaracion affore the race of youthe did stopp in hym what it is to passe the yeres of correction without the awe of parentes tutour or controller for his father hauyng performed his Jornaye whiche nature appointed hym in this woorlde resigned hys bodie to earthe and his goodes and possessions to his sonne who fyndyng so manye golden cotters and chestes full of treasure to assiste his prodigal and wanton dispocision forgat not ymediatly to enter into the trade of a licencius life Wherein he founde no staye nor ympedyment to his will for that the necligence of his father had lefte hym withoute the awe or authoritie of any And albeit in the life of his father he was a continuall hawnter of the Berlea or common house of vnthriftie exercises where for wante of sufficient demers to furnishe his desier with skill in casting the three deceitfull companions of blacke and white vppon a square table he was forced often tymes to forbeare to playe and learne conynge in lokyng vppon yet tyme with his owne diligence made hym so artificiall that beyng but a cryer of awme there were fewe hable to excede his sleyghte in castinge twelue affore sixe of two dyce or tooke halfe so good accomte or regarde to the course of the cardes and yet notwithstanding he was not so wel grownded in the principles of his arte but often tymes his conyng beguilyng hym he was preuented with a contrarie sleighte and onelye his purse paide the charge of the whole companye whiche was not vnmarked of some two or three of the famyliars of hys father the respect of whose frendship and vertue with sondrie argumentes of ymynent destructioÌ„ to his sonne moued theym to enter into tearmes of admonicion layinge affore him the circumstance of his sondrie faltes but chiefly reprehendinge the greate wronge he did to his owne estimacion for that the waye to atteyne to renowne
theis solitarye desertes aswell to endure the pennance of myne owne indiscretion as also to continue in secrett prayer to thalmightye for the continual quiet of her who may boldly vaunte to be the mistres of the most loyall seruante that euer mente honor or seruice to Ladie Who doubtes in y e merueilous forces of loue let him be absolued with this example seing that as the impressiō which we cal loue hath power to bringe to an vnitie the mindes that liued in seperation make indissoluble peace with the quarells which seame immortall quallifying the rigour of those hartes whiche without this passion no other pollecie could appaise So when he discouereth the full perfection of his effectes he preferres suche a facilitie in thinges whiche earste seamed impossible that by his onely meane they become neither dangerous to pursewe nor harde to obtaine whych appered rightly in this younge Lady in whom as the sinister conceite of a former Ielowsie her affected zeale contracted to an other with her iust cause of anger for his death had engendred a disdayne to Dom Diego an extreme desier to reuenge her wronge vpon Dom Roderico and by the same meane to ende her owne lyfe So loue remouinge the vaile that blinded the eyes of her vnderstandinge and breakinge thadamante rocke planted in the middeste of her stomake brought her in one instante to beholde with open eyes the constancy patience and perseuerance of her first and moste loyall seruant whose last prayer and intercession on her behalf stirred vp in her more remorce thē al y e seruices of court or pennance in the painfull wildernes wer hable to prefer whereof she exposed a present effect in castinge her armes a bout the necke of the desperat knyght to whom she forbare no sortes of kisses nor amarus embrasinges seamynge no lesse passioned wyth ioy and loue on hys behalfe then earste he seamed plunged in dispair and sorowe ballancing indifferently betwene life and death in his presence neyther was she hable to pronownce any worde vpon the soddayne tyll beyng restored to the vse of her tongue by the discontynuance of her traunce she excused her former rigour wyth tearmes of humylitie and desyeringe pardon of the follies wher wyth she had abused hys patience offred her selfe hereafter to be the slaue and seruant of hys shadow takyng thassistāce of thym perfections in loue to be in some sort contrybutarye to her falte for that sayth she as loue hathe this vice of nature that such as accompte theym selues to sée moste cleare are they whych most often commit greatest faltes by ignorance So besydes the confession of the wronge I haue don you so many wayes Lo I am ready to abide the punishment of your owne iudgemeut without crauing any dispence of iustice or moderacion of pennance for any respecte of fauor And albeit for my parte I haue not escaped wythout passiō but y t the stormes of aduersatie which you haue séene me endure haue driuen me to thuttermost of my patience yet I my selfe happie to haue passed that awaye for thexperience I haue made of two effects of verteous extremities the one of constant loyaltie in you whych only hath right to chaleng y e crowne of glory frō hym that sacrafized himself vpon the blodie body of hys Lady who in dyenge so gaue ende to his annoyes where you haue chosen a kynde of languishynge life of more hard tolleracion a thousād tymes then the sharp arrowes of death the other consistes in the clemencie wher wyth you haue mortefied so well the rage of your aduersaries that I whych earst hated you to death am now so vanquished by your courtesye that I accompte myne honor and lyfe of to small value to requite your merit wherin also I acknowledge a debte to Seigneur Roderico whose wisedome makes me ashamed of my follie in resisting his rightfull demaunde touching the reléeffe of your vndeserued destresse wherunto as he wold haue replied wyth semblable humylitie Dom Roderico preuented hys meanynge in embrasinge theym both with peculiar commendacion to theyr vertues and speciall thankes to the goodnes of their fortune for that w t out peril of honor they had passed that dangerus passage aduising them to retorne w t hym to hys castel frō whēce hée sayde he wolde gyue warning to their mothers to whom he also vndertoke to cooler thaccidente wyth some other circumstance of fayned substance wher vpon they mounted on horsbacke leauing the stately hospitall to the nexte hermyt and vsing easye iorneys they toke away the tediousnes of the way with the pleasant deuises whych passed betwen the two louers embrasing one an other in honest sort as a simple recompense of their longe and weary annoyes till tyme with the consent of the churche gaue authoritie to consommat the rest of their desiers from the house of Roderico was aduertisement giuen to the two Ladye mothers in equall care for the loss of their childrē excusing the secret departure of Geniuera in that she went to sée Dom Diego lyinge sicke in a castell of hys frende Seigneur Roderico where if it pleased theym to giue their consente the mariage sholde be performed wherin there nedes no pithie solycitors to neither of the widowes for that for the more honor of the feaste and contentmente in the allyance they failed not there in parson at the day appointed where the mariage was performed with pompp accordyng to the magnificence of both their houses And so it is to be thought that the stormes and tormentes past endured by theim both yelded thys conclucion of other tast then they whych wythout painful trauaile in the presence of loue possesse the fyrste daye the full of their desiers whose pleasures certeinly as they resemble the condicion of hym who norished al the dayes of hys lyf in deintie fare cannot iudge so well of delite as he that some times findes want of suche delicatie soo also an extreme thruste makes vs fynde the wyne more pleasant and a long fasting giues a better taste to oure meate neyther is loue wythout annoye any other thyng then a cause without an effecte for he that wyll takeawaye the paynfull traueills and longe sute robbes the louer of the prayse of hys constancie and doth wronge to the glory of hys pursewt seyng that he only is worthy to weare the crowne of tryumphe who encountringe all conflictes doth reapose more assurance in the vertue of hys constancie then feare in any sorte the malice of any fortune Let thys be then the mirrour of loyal louers in detestacion of thimpudicitie of suche whych feare not to giue a charge wher they fynde good countenance and readye retire at the first repuise ympartinge also a participacion of worthy rebuke to thothers who to contente the humor of their fonde affection doo accompte it a vertue to exchaunge their former generositie wythe a gloriouse title to be reputed as true and faythfull champions of loue for y t the perfectiō to loue