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
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
to young to be a wife and therefore haue no reason to exclayme on folly But Fortune fowle falle thée which crossest me with cursses in possessing me with those things which others holde for blessings Wealth that bestoweth pleasures on many is the orriginall of my woe Mariage which giueth lybertye to many inlargeth my Fetters and demaundeth death for my raunsome Beautie that aduaunseth many is to me a disgrace for that inioying her forme I am of Sicheus not fantasied of whom euery foule and common Trull is belooued But therein Fortune thou doost me no wronge for my hate towards him ouerâ—…ayseth his light regarde of me O but my hart is continually afflicted with his euill and his finger neuer akes with my mallice Yea but Forberaunce edgeth the sword of Reuenge when Choller though it often strikes it woundes not muche Raine falleth euery where yet beateth but the leaues the thunder Bowlt lighteth in one place but yet teareth vp the rootes so though I dissemble tyll oportunitie Sicheus shall féele my hate to death and though I endure a space I will redéeme my dying life and perseuering in this resolution Elisaes thoughts that were lately drowned in sorrow now flamed with desyre of Reuenge and the Deuill who is the Executioner of Vengeance presented her foorthwith this vngratious meane A Yonge Gentleman named Chion among a troupe of other Ladyes and Gentlewomen beheld fayre Elisae with such a burning affection as he foorthwith dispossessed his owne hart to make his bosome the seate of her imagined Image so that his soule that continually eyed her beautie and his heart at the direction of his Mistresse gaue such a heate to his desire that had he béene sure to haue receiued Ixions torments for his ambitious attempting of Iunoes loue he could neither haue left to loue nor haue forborne to séeke for grace so that follow what would he foorthwith presented his affections in this ensuing Letter ⧠Chions Letter to Elisae FAyre Mistresse had I vertue to perswade you to ruthe as you haue power to make me loue the discouerie of my blasing affections would melt you were you a Mountaine of Ice to pitty But for that Loue is more vehement in the heart then in the tongue I appeale to your owne motions for grace if you haue euer loued if not I hope for such iustice at Venus handes as you shall loue and yet thus much I saye although I affye nothing in my perswations because they be but wordes I presume of my indeuours for that I haue vowed my life to death to do you seruice of which you can haue no better assuraunce then imployement nor I a hyer fauor then to be imployed Good Madame martir me not with ordinary doubts in that my affections are not ordinary For as your beautye excelleth all other Dames as the fayre Rose eache Garden Flower euen so the full power of loue hath made me in the estate of flaming flaxe that is presently to receiue grace or in a moment to perish Thus longing for your sweete aunswer I somewhat succour my torments with the imagination that I kisse your gratious hand No more his owne Chion This Letter sealed and subscribed was delyuered to so cunning a Messenger as néeded no instructions in Chions behalfe The Letter presented and aduisedly reade by Elysa surprised her with an vnmeasurable ioye not so much for that she had purchased her self a faithfull Loouer as procured her Husband a mortall enemy of which Chions Letter gaue her not so great assuraunce as the disposition of his countenaunces in a former regarde and thervppon pursuing Sicheus with more hate then minding Chion with affection she mused vppon an number of mischéefes inuented by desyre to be reuenged and suppressed by feare to be defamed In fine remembring that she had read Loue quickeneth a mans wit although it burieth Reason To trie if he could define what Seruice she desired she retourned Chion a Briefe wherin he had a light to mischiefe and yet might be read without bleamysh of her honour the Effect wherof was this Whyle CICHEVS doth lyue ELISA can not loue CHION receyued this Scrowle But yet before he presumed to reade the Contents he kissed and rekissed the same houldyng an opinion that commyng from his Mistresses handes it deserued suche honour althoughe it contayned Sentence of his death not vnlyke the foolishe Mahometians who vpon their Emperours Commaundementes are ready Executioners of their owne lyues But to my purpose when Chion had throughly pervsed this strange Aunswere weare it Cicheus his heauy Destinie or a iust Scourge for his fore trespasses accursed that he was he became too iust an Executioner of Elisaes wicked wil but yet with this interpretation that the loue she bare her Husband directed her in this answer In so much as ouercom with a furious hate towards Cicheus as the Barre of his welfare lyke a Lyon that bites the Iron grate which houlds him from his pray sodenly with this salutation he sheathed his Sword in Cicheus intrayles CICHEVS shall not lyue To hinder CHIONS loue The fact was so fowle and withall so publique as the Officers of Iustice immediatly seased vpoÌ„ Chion for y t his bloodie sword was a witnes of the trespas there was no Plea to saue him for wilfull faultes may be pitied but deserueth no pardon and to say trueth neither did he desire to lyue because ELISA the vertue of his lyfe by the charge of Lawe was bownd to sue him to death who followed the processe with an apparance of sorrow suche as if her Conscience had bene without scruple of guiltinesse or her harte a thowsande degrées from ioye when God knowes she was puffed with the one and the other so that the wonder at her dissimulation equalled the reproche of her notorious hatred To be shorte this was the Iudges sentence Chyon should be beheaded as amends for Cicheus death and the Widdow should be endowed with his goods for the dammage done vnto her but God which knoweth our seacret faultes when Iudges though they rule as Gods know but what they heare and sée as men not willynge to hide such an haynous offence First amased all the hearers with an vnknow voice Elisaes harte is as Gyltie as Chions hand and therewithal thundred this following vengeance vppon the cleared malefactor The Infant in Eysaes wombe as it were engendred of the Parents malyce at the verie instaunt not obeying the course of Nature so tyrannised her Intrailes as with very agony she dyed and with all remayneth an opinyon that the Husband Wife and Sonne by the appointment of the Gods were Metamorphosed into Vipers whiche venimous Beastes are thrall to these curses The female after shee hath engeÌ„dred murdreth the Male because she wil not be ruled as an inferiour and the yong eate themselues forth of their Dams Intrailes because they wil not be bound to the obedience of Nature
so oft kisse the swéete lippes of his beautifull wife as he shalbe driuen to fetche bitter sighes from his sorrowfull hart Sir quoth Soranso taking Bergettos parte of two euils the least is to be chosen and it is lesse euill for a man to lyue a while hardly and satisfye his owne fancie then to liue euer discontented and please his fréendes The good behauiour of the maryed may winne the Parents to consent and amend their exhibition or death may come and put them in possession of theyr Parentes lyuing If either of these chaunce as one is shortely like to happen the penaunce that they indured wyll season theyr prosperitie and counsell the Married to kéepe within their teacher to leape within their latchet and lyue within theyr compasse The louing aduise of the husband wyll reforme the disposition of euill in the wife For as Plato sayeth there is no woman so perfect good but in some one point may be reprehended nor no man so faultlesse but that somewhat in him may be amended so that if the Husband gently reprehend the fault of his Wife and the Wife patiently suffer the offence of her Husband the abylytie of theire estate wyll sustaine a househould and their looue and agréement wilbe an especiall comfort vnto them selues and a commendable example vnto all the neighbours The best of bothe your euils quoth Doctor Mossenigo is starke naught but our question was not to chuse the least of euyls but that which is simply good notwithstanding to aunswer to the sequell of this rashenesse in Mariage you saye theyr good behauiours may recouer theyr Parents good wyll but I Prophesie that theyr euill demeanures are more likely to extinguish the affection of a Father for necessitie wyll accustome the Husband with dishonest shyftes and kéepes his fayre Wife from béeing ydle for want muste be supplyed what shame so euer ensue Then is it lykely that the Parentes which did shutte their Pursses in the beginning to punishe the contempt of their Chyldren wyll now fast locke them to be reuenged of theyr infamie And where you gaue them a hope by their parentes death I say no man dyneth worse then hoping Tantalus nor none are more wetshod then they which expect deade mens shooes and when they fall the soules perhaps wilbe worne I meane the Father in his life tyme may take order to dye euen with the worlde or at leaste leaue his liuing maimed and the most of his substaunce wasted for in a tempest at Sea what Pylote hath any care of goodes that séeth the ship at the poynte to syncke euen so what parents can haue any ioye of worldly wealth more then to defende necessytye when he séeth the heyre bothe of his labour and lyuing out of hope of weldooing so that through this rashnesse many sonnes during their fathers lyues with hard shiftes shift of necessity and after their deathes liue disinherited and not altogether so much for their owne contempt as for their wiues incontinencye truely in the fyrst although the parentes may be thought cruell yet are they not to be reputed vnnaturall for that euery offence hath his proper scourge restitution is the true payne for robbery an eye is reuenge for an eye a hand for a hande death challengeth death and disobedience in the sonne deserueth disinheritaunce by the father Touching the dishonesty of the daughter in lawe as it is great hazarde but that necessitie thus bestowed will bend her a little the seueritie is sufferable if her husbandes father shut her forth of his doores for that the honour of a mans house is so delicate as it can awaie with no staine and reseruyng your fauours vertuous dames where a strumpet entereth she stuffeth the house with slaunder as carraine infecteth the ayre with stincke yea the occasion is iust if the father spare to gette and the mother cease to saue nay if they spend that which they haue for it weare great pitty that there should be any thing leafte either of their liuyng or labour to support a harlots pride O how innumerable are the inconueniences of this timeritye in Marriage The wise by coniecture and daylye experience séeeth and the foolish with sorrowe in theyr own entrailes féeleth and therfore as a hainous offence the auncient Philosophers which without partiallitie checked Vice and cherrished Vertue punished this contempt of Chiloren Plutarke saythe the sonne that marryeth without his Parents consent among the Greekes was publikely whipped among the Lacedemonians dishearited and among the Theabanes bothe disinhearited and of his Parents openly accursed The yonger company began to feare a restraint of Freeloues libertie and their Goddesse Beauties disgrace The Doctor gaue Capitaine Bergetto such crosse blowes who though he fainted in his opinion yet like a Cocke that hath one of his eyes stricken out and his head bared to the braines yet striketh vntill he dyeth he assayled the Doctor with this one more reason Maister Doctor ê™ he they go farre that neuer returne and the battaile is very cruell where none escapes what although a number speede yll in making of their owne choyce many haue prospered well In matches of the best foresight good Fortune hath not alwayes béene found and yet foresight is not to be blamed nor the other aduenture to be dispitefully condemned Ouid sayeth that Forma numen habet then by vertue of her Diuinitie it is like she will sustaine them in aduersity that in prosperity became her vowed Seruaunts neither dooth this stayne of the wiues behauiour often follow for where Beautie Loue Free choise maketh the Mariage they may be crossed by Fortune and yet continue faithfull Piramus and Thisbie Romeus and Iuliet Arnâ—…lt and Amicla and diuers others at the point to possesse their loues were dispossest of their liues but yet vnstained with dishonesty This want with which you threaten them what is it in respect of the pleasures these Louers possesse Wealth which is the contrarie what is it béeing ill vsed a beautie in the Chest a bondage to the minde and a blot in the soule but a couple vnited by this affection for a little Fleabiting of worldly pennury suck Nectar betwéene their lippes Cram Manna into theyr Bowels and possesse Heauen in their hearts How farre Maister Doctor argueth from the opinion of auncient Philosophers and famous Schoolemen these authorities witnesseth Ouid Nigidius Samocratius Petrarke and others in their life time addored Beautie with their bookes honoured her and by their deathes eternized her glorye But for that her vertues be Diuine and Maister Doctor is soyled with slaunder blasphemy and mallice he is vnworthy to be perfected with one thought of her excellencie which ignorance maketh him so obstinate The yonger company began to take heart in hearing of this Tale so that the Gentlewomen strengthened Bergetto with good countenaunces for for modesties sake they were silent and the Gentlemen succoured him with theyr best reasons
But all this hope prooued but a lyghtning ioye for Doctor Mosâ—…enigo dubble inraged partly for the check he receyued partly for the countenaunce the company gaue his aduersarie but chéefely for to behold a new Dye set vpon a stayned matter so sharpely refuted Bergetto as he had no delyght to reply nor his supporter desire to succor him Quod he Ouid dreamed of a diuinity in Beautie but neuer tasted other then a swéete venim to procéede from her He loued Iulia Augustus Daughter and enioyed her but with what fortune marry he was stript of his liuing and spoyled of his libertie for her sake Nigidius an auncient Romaine and in great fauour with the people for this folly tasted of Ouids fortune which was to dye in exile Samocratius was in youthe so prodigall of his Loue as in age hated of his fréendes he dyed in Prison with famine And as for frantick Petrarke I feare me Madonna Laura smyled more often in reading of his follyes then he himselfe did with the swéete recompences of his fancies All these were men learned wise and in their other actions for their grauitie were admyred and onely for their lightnesse in loue liue to this day defamed For your other authorities your owne remembraunce of theyr deathes shew a vengeaunce sufficient for the contempt of the ChildreÌ„ But where you say Beautie Loue and Free choyse lade the Maried with such pleasures that they endure pouertie as a Fleabiting In déede want wyll so quicken them as the Husband wyll leape at a Cruste and the Wife trot for her Dinner But suppose the best thus married whose loues are indifferent with patience doo indure the afflictions of Fortune theyr agréement is no generall warrant The greater number of these Mariages are not solempnyzed through equaltye of loue but through inequaltye of lyuyng The coueitous Marchaunt with no more delight héereth the passing bell of his ritch neyghbour which promyseth hym the first loppe of his sonnes liuyng then the poore gentleman eyeth the able heyre with desyre to match him perhappes with his fayre proude Daughter Then as pleasaunt baytes baineth Fyshe as counterfet Calles beguileth Foules and as Crocadyles teares intrappeth Fooles to lyke destruction lures are throwne to lime this gallant freendly vsage shall intyâ—…e hym good wordes shall welcome hym curtesy shall chéere hym Beauty shall bewitch hym and fayre promises shall altogeather beguile hym Newe Uessels are apt for any licquor and young heades empty of experyence are seduced with easey subtiltyes to be shorte he shalbe betrothed by cunning hys promyse once past for that in delaye is daunger the Mariage must be in poste haste and the mislikyng at leasure but in most of these matches the sorrowe begynneth before the solemnitye of the Marriage endeth The father hearyng of the indiscression of his sonne galleth his harte with greefe the mother spoyleth her eyes wyth teares and the freend occupyeth his tounge in bâ—…moning of hys kynsemans follye There is yet a further sorrowe bytter to the father and vnbenefyciall to the sonne The father that thought to bestowe hys daughter wyth the Marryage money of hys sonne is forced to diminishe his inheritaunce for her aduauncement And by this meanes the ioye which begunne in the beautie of his Wife is like to end in the beggery of himselfe and since these vnsauerie effectes growe from the vertue of Beauties Diuinitie let Mounsier Bergetto burne in his Heresie But Doctor Mossenigo will holde himselfe happie neuer to be warmed by her fyre Bergetto had not a worde more to saye but angerly looked vpon his Sworde with a countenaunce that promised vengeance vpon the Doctors blasphemous tongue had he not béene stayed with a reuerent consideration of the company In the end because Maister Doctor should not be too proude of his conquest nor Bergetto ouermuch appalled with his defeate ê™ Signior Fabritio Iudge of the controuersies in a single controuersie the argument of the one is to be allowed as truthe and the cauiling of the other to be reiected as error but for that this hath béene a double contention as in defence and reproofe bothe of Beautie and Free choise of Mariage Madona Isabella and I pronounce sentence with Bergetto in the behalfe of Beautie for Beautie is a blessing and if she worke euill effectes in some their naughtie disposition and not Beautie is to be blamed and with Doctor Mossenigo we like wise giue iudgement in reproofe of rashenesse in Mariage This iudgement pleased Quéene Aurelia and the whole company who were glad that they were thus forewarned of the inconueniences of Free choise in Loue which they a little fauoured but yet were more glad of the Triumphe of Beautie whom they all affectedly honoured and therefore quoth Quéene Aurelia good Wine néede no Iuie Bushe fyne Marchaundise are solde without a Signe and Beautie is sufficiently commended by her owne excellencie and therefore we wyll spare Bergettos ready seruice vntill oportunitie present further imployment But for y t your Tryumphe shall haue his full right we â—…cence you to tel some one Historie to confirme your reasoÌ„n The Doctor glad of this lybertie who althoughe he had receyued no Disgrace yet he repined that he had not the whole honour of the Disputation determyned in his Historie a litle more to nettle the fauourers of Beautie with which intent vpon Quéene Aurelias commaundâ—…mente he reported as followeth The Historie in reproofe of rash Mariages reported by Doctor Mossenigo BEsides Capo Verdo in times past the capitall Citie within the kingdome of Naples sometime dwelled a forward young Gentleman called Marco Malipiero the sonne and heire of Caualiero Antonio Malipiero in his youthe renowned for manie valiant seruices This young Gentleman in the pride of his youth became inamoured of a most fayre Gentlewoman named Felice the Daughter of Philippo Prouolo an auncient Gentleman by harde aduenture decayed But yet in dispight of fortunes iniurie who disabled him with many losses and thereby of small wealth to aduance his Daughter Felice her selfe was inriched with suche perfections of of nature that the friends lamented but could not blame the affection of young Malipiero which in verie déede grewe so great as it contemned the duetie of a childe and scorned the aduise of a Father Felice alone gouerned him and none but Felice he obeyed Prouolo intertayned Malipiero with the curtisie of a friende as the good partes he possessed as for the possibilitie of liuing he stoode in who striking the yron while it was whote secreatelie fianced Malipiero to his fayre Daughter The old Knight stormed at these newes and not withstanding this knowne contract if by any perswasions he could haue reuoked his sonnes consent 〈◊〉 would haue caused the Pope to haue dispensed with his conscience and to that effect her caused sundry of his friendes to deale with him in these affayres And among many an auncient Gentleman his Gouernour and somtimes his Schoolemaister whose granetie
curtuous seruice is to be accepted with thankes acceptance of seruice inlargeth acquaintance acquaintance ingendreth familiarytie and famyliaâ—…ie setteth al Felies abroach So that let other Married men take warnyng by Malipieroes hard fortune for if their wyues loue gadding lyke faire Felice be inconstant do want or finde in their Husbands miscontentment Twentie to one they wil pawn their honours to please their fancies Well Felice lost nothyng by these Iorneyes for some one Gallant would present her with a Ventoie to coole her selfe some other with a Mirrour to behould her selfe and some with Lawnes Ruffes Coyfes and suche necessaries to set out her selfe yet vpon no dishonorable condition but by your leaue wyth hope of an after fauour This trafique faire Felice vsed vntill amonge a number that temperately affected her Marino Giorgio the rich Orphant of Capo Verdo immoderately loued her and withall the honors of courtisie serued her But notwithstanding his lusty personage might please his louely countenaunce might intyce and his rare wit passing through a swete tongue might bewitch a woman in loue for that Malipiero was inritched with these perfections Felice regarded Marino Georgio but with an ordinary grace and had it not ben for that Archinchaunter Golde perhappes would neuer haue bene inconstant This light account of Felice inlarged the affection of Marino for as drincke increaseth the dropsies drowth sâ—… disdaine heapeth coales vppon desire whereof Marino Teste se ipso hath leaft an infallible aucthoritie whose torments were so gréeuous as the fire which of al flames burneth most and appeareth least burst out of his mouth the smoake of such surious sighes that where he was but late of a pure Sanguine Complection hee seemed nowe nothyng but Choller adust So that his friendes mourned and many moued his strange alteration who counsayled him to take the Physitions aduire But neither Galen Hipocrates nor their Enemie Panacelsus could skyl of his cure so that he was in daunger to haue consumed to Cinders had nat Macrello the Physition of Loue vndertaken his helth who comforted him with many swéete wordes of hope but Marino continually afflicted himselfe in recounting an impossibilytie of fauour Why quoth Macrello is not your parsonage séemely Yes but it doth not please Is not your face louely Yes but it doth not allure Is not your wyt quicke and good Yes but it can not perswade Is not Felice a woman Yes and more an Angell Well then quoth Macrello be of good comfort Angelles be not cruell nor stéelie harted O quoth Marino but Felice is constant and true to her husband who to continue her affection is graced with these and many more perfections Yea quoth Macrello but hée wanteth one of your théefest beauties What one is that quoth Marinoâ—… Euen that that opened the double locked dores of Acrisius brasen Tower and put Iubiter in possession of his daughter Danais loue And thinke you this Goulden Beautie will not make a passage inâ—…o poore Malipieros Bed Camber I warrant you yeas you haue Goulde more at commaundement then I but I know the vertue better then you This short tale quickned dying Marrino as the flashe of Rose water dooth a sullen swounding Childe Wherupon quoth he Macrello if your Medicine be of no lesse vertue to restore my lyfe then your wordes to geue me hope the fortune shall be your profit as wel as my pleasure Well quoth Macrello sustaine your selfe with hope and for that your inuention is delicate deuise you some curious rich Iuell and let mée alone quoth hée bothe to charme and to present it and so with a remembraunce in the hande he lest Marino to contemplate of his loue and to consider how to recouer his lyfe who in the ende concluded to sende faire Felice the Image of himselfe in Goulde inameled blacke his face meager and pale and by a deuice the blacke mantell throwne aside for to appeare the bared Carkasse of Death with the intrayles consumed and in the seate of his lyfe to place Felice attyred with Diamonds Rubyes Emrodes and other precious Stones looking vppon his smoking harte whervppon was written these two bréefes Loue onely giues mee health Not Medicine nor wealth This Image made vnto his fancye he wrote this sollowing Letter Marino Georgios letter to Felice the fayre FAyre Mistresse if I enioyed any health I would wishe you parte but what I do possesse I acknowledge to be yours and my selfe to be but your steward And for this seruice because it is duty I craue nothing but leaue my merrit wholly to your consideration Yet least my scylence shuld rob the glory of your pitty and my death reaue you of a faythfull Seruaunt more of zeale to do you long seruice then of any desyre I haue to liue I heare present you my consumed selfe only kept aliue by the lyfe of fayre Felice who sitteth crowned in the Pallace of my heart whych bleeding at her feete showeth the meanes of my cure which if you witsafe I liue if not you see my death And thus doubtfull betweene both vntill I kisse your sweete aunsweare I remayne Vnto my latter Gaspe Your faythfull MARINO GEORGIO THis letter Sealed and Subscribed To the hands of the most faire Felice Macrello was sent for to whom Marino deliuered both the Iuell and the letter with out instructions to do his message for Protheus could not chainge himselfe into moe shapes then Macrello as well to auoide suspition as to compasse his purpose who behaued himselfe so cunningly in Marinoes errande as to be shorte vertuous Dames after many perswasions Felice returned him with this Answere ¶ FELICES Answere to Marino Georgio IAm not cruell althoughe with difficultie I consent too loue and for that your passions are so extreame I kepe your Picture in my Bosome But with what thought I blush to write though Pitie be my warrant so that I leaue the euent of our Loue to your Consideration and my yealding to Macrelloes Reporte who in bewraying your passions lette fall more teares then I could drie vp with a thousand sighes So that ouercom with rueth to see your Affection so great and your passion so daungerous I can not but commyt my loue my honour my selfe and all to the Affection and wise gouernment of Marino Georgio FELICE THis Letter was subscribed Lyfe to MARINO GEORGIO and deliuered to the faithfull Macrello with charge that he should make knowen his great Importunities before Felice woulde graunt so hye a fauour which Prouiso might haue ben spared for Macrello partly for his glorie but chiefely for his owne benefite vpon delyuerie of this Letter willed Marino to receiue it as a Conquest as hardly gotten as Hercules labours and if quoth he I had not indured your torments by ImaginatioÌ„ it had not ben impossible to haue mooued Felice to rueth Marino heard these circumstances with no better remembrance then if he had ben in an Extasie The Subscription Lyfe to
shée bée gyrt with a Sword And this priueledge shée giueth vnto her Administrators that they shall mitigate the seueretie of the Law according to y e quallyty of the offence Then that Iustice bée not robbed of her gratious pitty listen Good Lorde Promos to the nature of my Brothers offence and his able meanes to repayre the iniurie Hée hath defyled no Nuptiall Bed the stayne wherof dishonoureth the guyâ—…lesse Husband Hée hath committed no violent Rape In which Act the iniuried Mayde can haue no amends But with yéelding consent of his Mistresse Andrugio hath onlye sinned through Loue and neuer ment but with Marriage to make amendes I humbly beséeche you to accept his satisfaction and by this Example you shall be as much beloued for your clemencye as feared for your seueritie Andrugio shalbe well warned and hée with his Sister wofull Cassandra shall euer remayne your Lordships true Seruantes Promos eares were not so attentiue to heare Cassandras ruethful tale as his eyes were settled to regarde her excellent Beautie And Loue that was the appoincted Headsman of Andrugio became now the Soueraigne of his Iudges thought But because he would séeme to bridle his passions he aunswered fayre Damsell haue patience you importune me with an impossybylytie he is condempned by Lawe then without iniurie to Lawe he can not be saued Princes and their Deputies Prerogatiues quoth she are aboue y e Lawe Besides Lawe truelie construed is but the amends of Iniurie and where the faulte may bee valued and amendes had the Breache of Lawe is sufficiently repayred â—…uoth Lorde Promos your passions mooueth more then your proofes and for your sake I wyll repriue Andrugio and studie how to do you ease without apparant breache of Lawe Cassandra recomforted with humble thankes receyued his fauoure and in great haste goeth too participate this hope with her dying Brother But oh that Aucthorytie should haue power to make the vertuous to 〈◊〉 amisse as well as throughe Correction to enforce the vicious to fall vnto goodnesse Promos is a witnes of this Priuiledge who not able to subdue his incontinent loue and withal resolued that Cassandra would neuer be ouer come with fayre wordes large promises or riche rewardes demaunded the spoyle of her Uirginitie for raunsome of her Brothers lybertie Cassandra ymagyned at the first that Lorde Promos vsed this speache but to trie her behauiour Aunswered hym so wisely as if he had not ben the Ryuall of Uertue he could not but haue suppressed his lewve Affection and haue subscribed to her iust petition But to leaue circumstaunces Promos was fiered with a vicious desyre which must be quenched with Cassandraes yeldyng loue or Andrugio must dye Cassandra mooued with a chaste disdayne departed with the resolution rather to dye her selfe then to stayne her honour And with this heauie newes gréeted her condemned Brother poore man alas what should he do Life was swéete but to be redéemed with his Sisters Infamie could not but be alwayes vnsauerie To perswade her to consente was vnnaturall too yealde to Death was more gréenous To choose the leaste of these euylles was difficult to studie long was daungerous Fayne would he lyue but Shame cloased his mouth when he attempted to perswade his Sister But Necessytie that maistereth both Shame feare brake a passadge for his imprysoned intent Swéete Cassandra quoth he that men loue is vsuall but to subdue Affection is impossyble and so thornie are the motions of incontinent Desire as to finde ease the tongue is only occupied to perswade The Purse is euer open to entice and wheare neither words nor Giftes can corrupt with the mightie force shall constrayne or dispight auenge That Promos do loue is but iust thy Beautie commaundes hym That Promos be refused is more iust because Consent is thy Shame Thou maiste refuse and lyue but he beynge reiected I die For wantyng his wyll in thée he wyll wreake his téene on mée This is my hard estate My lyfe lieth in thy Infamie and thy honour in my death Which of these euylles be leaste I leaue for thée to iudge The wofull Cassandra answered that Death was the leaste whose Darte we can not shunne when Honour in Deathes dispight outlyueth tyme. It is true quoth Andrugio but thy Trespasse wyll be in the leaste degrée of blame For in forced Faultes Iustice sayth there is no intent of euyll Oh Andrugio quoth she Intent is now adayes lytle considred thou art not coÌ„demned by the intent but by the strickt worde of the Law so shall my crime bée reproched and the forced cause passe vnexcused and such is y t venome of Enuye one euill déede shall disgrace ten good turnes and in this yéelding so shall I be valued Enuye Disdaine Spight Mallice Sclaunder and many moe furies will endeuour to shame mée and the meanest vertue â—…uyll blush to help to support my honour so that I sée no lybertie for thée but Drath nor no ease for mée but to hasten my ende O yes quoth Andrugio for if this offence be known thy fame will bée enlarged because it will lykewise bée knowne that thou receauedst dishonor to giue thy Brother lyfe If it be secreat thy Conscience wyl be without scruple of guiltinesse Thus knowne or vnknowne thou shalt be deflowred but not dishonested and for amends wée both shall lyue This further hope remaineth that as the Gilliflower both pleaseth the eye and feedeth the sence euen so the vertue of thy chast behauiour may so grace thy bewty as Promos silthie lust may bee turned into faithfull loue and so moue him to salue thy honour in making thée hys wife Or for conscience forbeare to doe so heynous an iniurie Soueraigne Maddame and you faire Gentlewomen quoth Isabella I intreate you in Cassandras behalfe these reasons well wayed to iudge her yéelding a constrainte and no consent who werie of her owne life and tender ouer her brothers with the teares of her louely eyes bathed his Chéekes with this comfortable sentence Lyue Andrugio and make much of this kisse which breatheth my honour into thy bowels and draweth the infamie of thy first trespasse into my bosome The sharpe incounters betwéene life and death so occupied Andrugio sences that his tongue had not the vertue to bid her fare well To greeue you with the hearing of Cassandras secreate plaints were an iniurie vertuous Ladies for they concluded with their good fortune and euerlasting fame But for that her offence grew neyther of frayltie frée wyl or any motion of a Woman but by y e méere inforcement of a man because she would not staine the modest wéedes of her kynde shee attired her selfe in the habit of a Page and with the bashfull grace of a pure Virgin shee presented wicked Promos Andrugioes precious ransome This Deuill in humaine shape more vicious then Hyliogabalus of Rome and withall as cruell as Denis
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
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
your demaund ioyne with you in your ordinarie swéete exercise Perchaunce you haue ended all the inconueniences in the olde yeare and I may begin the New yeare in helping to bloome the blessings of Marriage Quéene Aurelia and the rest of the company affectionately thanked Signior Philoxenus for this hye fauour and so rose from the Table who after a little pawsing daunsing and deuising at theyr pleasures went vnto theyr lodginges FINIS The. vii Dayes Exercise Containing a Discourse of the excellencie of Marriage with many sound Lawes and directions to continue loue betweene the married with the rare Historie of Pyrigeus and Pieria reported by Segnior Phyloxenus And other good notes of regarde LIke as when the royall Armie lies incamped before a Towne of warre the sound of Trumpets noyse of Drums and neying of Horses dooth awake the Souldiors and Cittizens before Aurora be willing to leaue the swéete embracements of her husband Tithon so euen with the departure of the day Star in honour of the New yeare the Trumpets DruÌ„mes and Flutes sounded through euery small passage into the lodgings of Segnior Philoxenus Pallace such shrill salutations as the company enuying the confusion of night broade waking attended the Mornings light to apparell themselues who in theyr moste braue and sumptuous araye by nine of the clock made the great Chamber resemble a fayre Garden in Maye In the imbroderies of whose Garments Flowers and fancies were so naturally and artificially wrought some of Pearle some of golde some of Bugle euery one according to their one humour More ouer euery Gentlemans head was armed with his Mistrisses fauor and euery Gentlewomans hart was warmed with her seruaunts affectioÌ„ In the most soueraigne place of the great Chamber Ianus God of Time as the Poets faine was hung vp in the likenes of a Serpent winding his body into a circkle and holding his taile in his mouth expressing vnder this figure his reuolution who through his continuall motions enuâ—…oning and compasing the world retourneth into himselfe and endeth and beginneth in himselfe and in ioyfull token of the newe yeare he was garnished with many sweete flowers garlandes and deuices some artificiall liuelely counterfeited Segnior Philoxenus although he hated superstitious Ceremonies and shund them yet he honored auncient lawdable customes and kept them who according to the custome of the countrey presented euery one of his guests with a riche new years gifte which explayned some morrall vertue Among the reste he gaue his sister Quéene Aurelia a fayre plaine tablet which opened represented the picture of a faire Lady garnished with many precious stones couertly expressing thereby that gorgeous apparell was but base and counterfeit in respect of the braue vertues of the mynde This order the Italians vse the best giueth newe yeares giftes to his inferior freendes and in England cleane contrarie The Tennaunt giueth his Lord the meane Gentlemen to Knightes Knightes to Barrons Barrons to Earles Earles Marquises and Dukes to their soueraigne Prince but it séemeth the Englishmen obserue this custome more neere the originall then the Italians for the fouÌ„ders therof were the auÌ„cient Romaines who bounde theyr Knights the first day of Ianuarie in the Capitole to present theyr Newyeares giftes to Caesar Augustus were he absent or present but so many Countryes so many customes And to my purpose Segnior Philoxenus thus bountifully solemnized the vse of his owne Countrey This memorable curtesie perfourmed Segnior Phyloxenus with some of the grauer company went before vnto the Chappell and Quéene Aurelia and her attendantes followed with such a glyttering show as the Préests needed no other Tapers to sée to say seruice by then the 〈◊〉 â—…ons of the Gentlewomens eyes and the 〈◊〉 â—…nes they wore in theyr Iewels and in my 〈◊〉 God was better pleased and more honoured with the Brauerie of the companie then with the babling and Ceremonies of the Priest who in the honour of the New yeare sets forth his relikes to the best showe By that time Seruice was ended and the companie retourned the Tables were furnished with many daintie Disshes to wreake her hunger of some few wherof Quéene Aurelia tooke her Royall place and the rest of the companie as they pleased This Dinner was spent in Discourse of certain Ceremonies and olde Rites vsed in times past in the celebrating of God Ianus Feast too tedious and withall impertinent for this Discourse When Dinner and a little other pausyng talke was ended the companie arose and Quéene Aurelia with the reuerent Salutations of the whole troupe retyred into her owne Chamber tyll the howre of Disputation sownded About which time she with Segnior Phyloxenus and the rest of her Attendauntes entred into a moste delycate Banquetinge House where vppon the Walles in so good order and representation of Nature were painted all maneâ—… of Fruiâ—…es Flowers Uines Aâ—…ors and causes of Pleasure either in Drâ—…haed or Garden as a maÌ„ without blushing might haue adueÌ„tured to gather vpon the bare Walles a Pomegranate a Cluster of Grapes a Gyllyflower or suche lyke had not the dead of Winter reaued the likelyhoode that they should be pâ—…fect After Quéene Aurelia the rest of the companie had taken their places in this earthly Paradicâ—… Segnior Phy loxenus secretly wylled y e Eunuke to chaunt out the pray ses of Hymen who obaying this Charge tuned his Luâ—…e and to a swéete Noate sung this following â—…net EVen as the Vine that clasps the tender Elme beare Amonge greene leaues his purpled Grapes doth When wanting props himself doth onerwhelme And for the fire his Braunches doth prepare Soâ—… in one with Hymens â—…tes fast bound Of their sweete loue liue alwayes in the seede When Death or time the single doth confounde Which ruine of fame the barren thought doth breede Sweete Hymen then thy Godhead Indore And 〈◊〉 my selfe by thee to be controlde In foulded Armes my Spouse my eyes before Yeelds more content then Dymonds Pearle Gold In quiet home vncheckt to rule and â—…e What lyfe 〈◊〉 sweete what hartes â—…ase like to this Or through â—…e my mind when â—…are doth greene What Medicine is better then â—…kysse At â—…s â—…en by â—…ouyng wife O none nor state lyke to the married lyfe This 〈◊〉 ended and well considered Sir quoth Queene Aurelia to Sâ—…nion â—…xenus to be reuenged of the iniuriâ—… of our 〈◊〉 â—…tions who haue painted Marriage wiâ—…â—…nd iâ—…nueniences I beséeche you and binde you by your promise to blazon the blessinges and excellencie of this â—…ed Institution that she who is 〈◊〉 may â—…e her 〈◊〉 â—…ayses and we that are ignoâ—…t may knowe how to 〈◊〉 her benefites and with the same to honour her Madame quoth Segâ—… Philoxenus you charge me beyonde my promise and â—…de mée to an impossibilitie I promist but to ioyne with this quick witted Company in opinion which I 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to accomplish To blaze the excellencie of Marriage is a worke of no great diffcultie because her
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