before which and calling him to witnesse that suffered such bitter and cruell torments on his Crosse putting a Ring vpon his finger there she faithfully espoused him refusing all the World to be onely his which being on either side confirmed solemnely by an holy vow and chaste kisses shee commanded him backe to his Chamber and shee returned to her bed againe sufficiently satisfied with her Loues acceptation and so they iournied on till they came to Rome When they had rested themselues there for some few dayes the supposed Abbot with the two Knights and none else in company but Alessandro went before the Pope and hauing done him such reuerence as beseemed the Abbot began to speake in this manner Holy Father as you know much better then any other euery one that desireth to liue well and vertuously ought to shunne so farre as in them lieth all occasions that may induce to the contrary To the ende therefore that I who desire nothing more then to liue within the compasse of a vertuous conuersation may perfect my hopes in this behalfe I haue fled from my Fathers Court and am come hither in this habite as you see to craue therein your holy and fatherly furtherance I am daughter to the King of England and haue sufficiently furnished my selfe with some of his treasures that your holinesse may bestow me in marriage because mine vnkind Father neuer regarding my youth and beauty inferior to few in my natiue Country would marry me to the King of north-Northwales an aged impotent and sickly man Yet let me tell your sanctity that his age and weakenesse hath not so much occasioned my flight as feare of mine owne youth and frailety when being married to him instead of loyall and vnstained life lewd and dishonest desires might make me to wander by breaking the diuine Lawes of wedlocke and abusing the royall blood of my Father As I trauailed hither with this vertuous intention our Lord who onely knoweth perfectly what is best fitting for all his creatures presented mine eyes no doubt in his meere mercy and goodnesse with a man meete to be my husband which pointing to Alessandro is this young Gentleman standing by me whose honest vertuous and ciuill demeanour deserueth a Lady of farre greater worth although perhaps nobility in blood be denied him and may make him seeme not so excellent as one deriued from Royall discent Holy and religious vowes haue past betweene vs both and the Ring on his finger is the firme pledge of my faith and constancie neuer to accept any other man in marriage but him onely although my Father or any else doe dislike it Wherefore holy Father the principall cause of my comming hither being already effectually concluded on I desire to compleat the rest of my pilgrimage by visiting the sanctified places in this City whereof there are great plenty And also that sacred marriage being contracted in the presence of God onely betweene Alessandro and my selfe may by you be publiquely confirmed and in an open congregation For seeing God hath so appointed it and our soules haue so solemnely vowed it that no disaster whatsoeuer can alter it you being Gods vicar here on earth I hope will not gaine-say but confirme it with your fatherly benediction that wee may liue in Gods feare and dye in his fauour Perswade your selues faire Ladies that Alessandro was in no meane admiration when hee heard that his wife was daughter to the King of England vnspeakeable ioy questionlesse wholly ouercame him but the two Knights were not a little troubled and offended at such a strange and vnexpected accident yea so violent were their passions that had they beene any where else then in the Popes presence Alessandro had felt their fury and perhaps the Princesse her selfe too On the other side the Pope was much amazed at the habite she went disguised in and likewise at the election of her husband but perceiuing there was no resistance to be made against it hee yeelded the more willingly to satisfie her desire And therefore hauing first comforted the two Knights and made peace betweene them the Princesse and Alessandro he gaue order for the rest that was to be done When the appointed day for the solemnity was come hee caused the Princesse cloathed in most rich and royall garments to appeare before all the Cardinals and many other great persons then in presence who were come to this worthy Feast which hee had caused purposely to be prepared where she seemed so faire goodly a Lady that euery eye was highly delighted to behold her commending her with no mean admiration In like manner was Alessandro greatly honored by the two Knights being most sumptuous in appearance and not like a man that had lent money to vsury but rather of very royall quality the Pope himselfe celebrating the marriage betweene them which being finished with the most magnificent pompe that could be deuised hee gaue them his benediction and licenced their departure thence Alessandro his Princesse and her traine thus leauing Rome they would needes visite Florence where the newes of this accident was long before noysed and they receiued by the Citizens in royall manner There did shee deliuer the three brethren out of prison hauing first payed all their debts and reseated them againe with their wiues in their former inheritances and possessions Afterward departing from Florence and Agolanto one of the Vncles trauailing with them to Paris they were there also most honourably entertained by the King of France From whence the two Knights went before for England and preuailed so succesfully with the King that hee receiued his daughter into grace and fauour as also his Sonne in law her husband to whom hee gaue the order of Knighthoode and for his greater dignitie created him Earle of Cornewall And such was the noble spirit of Alessandro that he pacified the troubles betweene the King and his sonne whereon ensued great comfort to the Kingdome winning the loue and fauour of all the people and Agolanto by the meanes of Alessandro recouered all that was due to him and his brethren in England returning richly home to Florence Counte Alessandro his kinsman hauing first dubd him Knight Long time hee liued in peace and tranquility with the faire Princesse his wife prouing to be so absolute in wisedome and so famous a Souldier that as some report by assistance of his Father in law hee conquered the Realme of Ireland and was crowned King thereof Landolpho Ruffolo falling into pouerty became a Pirate on the Seas and being taken by the Genewayes hardly escaped drowning Which yet neuerthelesse he did vpon a little Chest or Coffer full of very rich Iewels being caried thereon to Corfu where he was well entertained by a good woman And afterward returned richly home to his owne house The fourth Nouell Whereby may be discerned into how many dangers a man may fall through a couetous desire to enrich himselfe MAdame Lauretta sitting next to Madame Pampinea and seeing
therefore it is no meruaile if like will to like a beggers brats to keepe company with beggers The Count hearing these contemptible words was not a little greeued thereat and although his courage was greater then his poore condition would permit him to expresse yet clouding all iniuries with noble patience hanging downe his head and shedding many a salt teare endured this reproach as hee had done many both before and after But honourable Sir Roger perceiuing what delight his children tooke in the poore mans company albeit he was offended at his Fathers harsh words by holding his wife in such base respect yet fauoured the poore Count so much the more and seeing him weepe did greatly compassionate his case saying to the poore man that if hee would accept of his seruice he willingly would entertaine him Whereto the Count replied that very gladly he would embrace his kinde offer but hee was capable of no other seruice saue onely to be an horse-keeper wherein he had imployed the most part of his time Heereupon more for pleasure and pitty then any necessity of his seruice he was appointed to the keeping of one Horse which was onely for his Daughters saddle and daily after he had done his diligence about the Horse he did nothing else but play with the children While Fortune pleased thus to dally with the poore Count D'Angiers his children it came to passe that the King of France after diuers leagues of truces passed between him the Germaines died and next after him his Son the dolphin was crowned King and it was his wife that wrongfully caused the Counts banishment After expiration of the last league with the Germains the warres began to grow much more fierce and sharpe and the King of England vpon request made to him by his new brother of France sent him very honourable supplies of his people vnder the conduct of Perotto his lately elected President of Wales and Sir Roger Mandeuile Son to his other Lord high Marshall with whom also the poore Count went and continued a long while in the Campe as a common Souldier where yet like a valiant Gentleman as indeed he was no lesse both in aduice and actions he accomplished many more notable matters then was expected to come from him It so fell out that in the continuance of this warre the Queen of France fell into a grieuous sicknes and perceiuing her selfe to be at the point of death shee became very penitently sorrowfull for all her sinnes earnestly desiring that shee might be confessed by the Archbishop of Roane who was reputed to be an holy and vertuous man In the repetition of her other offences she reuealed what great wrong she had done to the Count D'Angiers resting not so satisfied with disclosing the whole matter to him alone but also confessed the same before many other worthy persons and of great honour entreating them to worke so with the King that if the Count were yet liuing or any of his Children they might be restored to their former honour againe It was not long after but the Queene left this life and was most royally enterred when her confession being disclosed to the King after much sorrow for so iniuriously wronging a man of so great valour and honour Proclamation was made throughout the Camp and in many other parts of France beside that whosoeuer could produce the Count D'Angiers or any of his Children should richly be rewarded for each one of them in regard he was innocent of the foule imputation by the Queenes owne confession and for his wrongfull exile so long he should be exalted to his former honour with farre greater fauours which the King franckely would bestow vpon him When the Count who walked vp and downe in the habite of a common seruitor heard this Proclamation forth-with he went to his Master Sir Roger Mandeuile requesting his speedy repaire to Lord Perotto that being both assembled together he would acquaint them with a serious matter concerning the late Proclamation published by the King Being by themselues alone in the Tent the Count spake in this māner to Perotto Sir S. Roger Mādeuile here your equal competitor in this military seruice is the husband to your naturall sister hauings yet neuer receiued any dowry with her but her inherent vnblemishable vertue honor Now because she may not stil remain destitute of a competent Dowry I desire that Sir Roger and none other may enioy the royall reward promised by the King You Lord Perotto whose true name is Lewes manifest your selfe to be nobly borne and sonne to the wrongfull banished Count D'Angiers auouch moreouer that Violenta shadowed vnder the borrowed name of Gianetta is your owne Sister and deliuer me vp as your Father the long exiled Count D'Angiers Perotto hearing this beheld him more aduisedly and began to know him then the tears flowing abundantly from his eyes he fell at his feete and often embracing him saide My deere and noble Father a thousand times more deerely welcome to your Sonne Lewes Sir Roger Mandeuile hearing first what the Count had said and seeing what Perotto afterward performed became surprized with such extraordinary ioy and admiration that he knew not how to carry himselfe in this case Neuerthelesse giuing credite to his words and being somewhat ashamed that he had not vsed the Count in more respectiue manner remembring beside the vnkinde language of his furious Father to him he kneeled downe humbly crauing pardon both for his fathers rudenes and his owne which was courteously granted by the Count embracing him louingly in his armes When they had a while discoursed their seuerall fortunes sometime in teares and then againe in ioy Perotto and Sir Roger would haue the Count to be garmented in better manner but in no wise he would suffer it for it was his onely desire that Sir Roger should be assured of the promised reward by presenting him in the Kings presence and in the homely habit which he did then weare to touch him with the more sensible shame for his rash beleefe and iniurious proceeding Then Sir Roger Mandeuile guiding the Count by the hand and Perotto following after came before the King offering to present the Count and his children if the reward promised in the Proclamation might be performed The king immediately commanded that a reward of inestimable valew should be produced desiring Sir Roger vppon the sight thereof to make good his offer for forthwith presenting the Count and his children Which hee made no longer delay of but turning himselfe about deliuered the aged Count by the title of his seruant and presenting Perotto next said Sir heere I deliuer you the Father and his Son his daughter who is my wife cannot so conueniently be heere now but shortly by the permission of heauen your Maiesty shall haue a sight of her When the King heard this stedfastly he looked on the Count and notwithstanding his wonderfull alteration both from his wonted feature and forme yet after
both returned to great estate and credite 7. Nouell THe Soldane of Babylon sent one of his Daughters to be ioyned in marriage with the King of Cholcos who by diuers accidents in the space of foure yeares happened into the custodie of nine men and in sundry places At length being restored backe to her Father she went to the said king of Cholcos as a Maide and as at first she was intended to be his Wife 8. Nouell COunt D'Angiers being falsely accused was banished out of France and left his two children in England in diuers places Returning afterward vnknowne thorough Scotland hee found them aduanced vnto great dignity Then repairing in the habit of a Seruitor into the King of Fraunce his army and his innocency made publikely knowen he was reseated in his former honorable degree 9. Nouell BErnardo a Merchant of Geneway being deceiued by another Merchant named Ambrosio lost a great part of his goods and commanding his innocent wife to be murthered she escaped and in the habit of a man became seruant to the Soldan The deceiuer being found at last she coÌ„passed such means that her husband Bernardo came into Alexandria and there after due punishment inflicted on the false deceiuer she resumed the garments againe of a woman and returned home with her Husband to Geneway 10. Nouell PAgamino da Monaco a rouing Pyrate on the feas caried away the faire Wife of Signieur Ricciardo di Chiâ—zica who vnderstanding where shee was went thâ—ther and falling into friendship with Pagamino demanded his wife of him wherto be yeelded prouided that she would willingly go away with him shee denied to part thence with her husband and 〈◊〉 Ricciardo dying shee became the wife of Pagamino The third day gouerned by Madame Neiphila 1. Nouell MAssetto di Lamporechio by counterfetting himselfe dumbe became a Gardiner in a Monastery of Nuns where he had familiar conuersation with them all 2. Nouell A Querry of the stable belonging to Agilulffo K of the Lombards found the meanes of accesse to the Queenes bedde without any knowledge or consent in her This beeing secretly discouered by the King and the party knowne hee gaue him a marke by shearing the haire of his head Whereuppon hee that was so shorne sheared likewise the heads of all his fellowes in the lodging and so escaped the punishment intended towards him 3. Nouell VNder colour of confession and of a most pure coÌ„science a faire yong Gentlewoman being amorously affected to an honest man induced a deuout and solemne religious Friar to aduise her in the meanes without his suspition or perceiuing how to enioy the benefit of her friend and bring her desires to their full effect 4. Nouell A Yong scholler named Felice enstructed Puccio di Rinieri how to become rich in a very short time While Puccio made experience of the instructions taught him Felice obtained the fauour of his daughter 5. Nouell RIcciardo surnamed the Magnifico gaue a horse to signior Francesco Vergillisi vpon condition that by his leaue and license he might speak to his wife in his presence which he did and she not returning him any answer made answer to himself on her behalfe and according to his answer so the effect followed 6. Nouell RIcciardo Minutolo fel in loue with the Wife of Philippello Fighinolfi and knowing her to bee very iealous of her husband gaue her to vnderstand that he was greatly enamored of his Wife and had appointed to meete her priuatly in a bathing house on the next day following where shee hoping to take him tardy with his close compacted Mistresse found her selfe to be deceiued by the said Ricciardo 7. Nouelâ— THebaldo Elisei hauing receiued an vnkinde repulse by his beloued departed from Florence returning thither againe a long while after in the habit of a pilgrime hee spake with her and made his wrongs knowne vnto her Hee deliuered her husband from the danger of death because it was proued that he had slaine Thebaldo he made peace with his brethren and in the end wisely enioyed his hearts desire 8. Nouell FErando by drinking a certaine kind of pouder was buried for dead by the Abbot who was enamored of his wife was taken out of his graue and put into a darke prison where they made him beleeue that he was in purgatory afterward wheÌ„ time came that he should be raised to life againe he was made to keepe a childe which the Abbot had got by his wife 9. Nouell IVliet of Narbona cured the King of France of a dangerous Fistula in recompence wherof she requested to enioy as her husband in mariage Bertrand the Count of Roussilion He hauing maried her against his wil as vtterly despising her went to Florence where he made loue to a yong Gentlewoman Iuliet by a queint and cunning policy compassed the meanes insted of his chosen friend to lye with her owne husband by whom shee had two sonnes which being afterward made knowne vnto the Count hee accepted her into his fauor againe and loued her as his loyall and honourable wife 10. Nouell THe wonderfull and chaste resolued continencie of faire Serictha daughter to Siwalde King of Denmarke who beeing sought and sued vnto by many worthy persons that did affect her dearely would not looke any man in the face vntill such time as she was maried The Fourth Day gouerned by Philostratus 1. Nouell TAncrede Prince of Salern caused the amorous friend of his daughter to be slaine and sent her his heart in a cup of Golde which afterward she steeped in an impoysoned water then drinking it so dyed 2. Nouell FRiar Albert made a yong Venetian Gentlewoman beleeue that God Cupid was falne in loue with her and he resorted oftentimes vnto her in disguise of the same God afterward being frighted by the Gentlewomans kindred and friends hee cast himselfe out of her chamber window and was hidden in a poore mans house On the day following in the shape of a wilde or sauage man he was brought vpon the Rialto of S. Mark being ther publikely knowne by the Brethren of his Order he was committed to prison 3. Nouell THree yong Gentlemen affecting three Sisters fled with them into Canâ—â—e The eldest of them through iealousie becommeth the death of her Louer The second by consenting to the Duke of 〈◊〉 request is the meanes of sauing her life Afterward her owne friend killeth her thence flyeth away with the elder sister The third couple both man and woman are charged with her death and being committed to prison they coÌ„fesse the fact and fearing death by corruption of money they preuaile with their â—eepers escaping froÌ„ thence to Rhodes where they died in great pouerty 4. Nouell GErbino contrarie to the former plighted faith of his Grandfather King Gulielmo foughte with a ship at sea belonging to the King of Thunis to take away hi daughter who was then in the same ship She being slaine by them that had the possession of her he likewise slew
reuealed her whole intent to Gianetta and finding her constancie beyond common comparison acquainted her Lord with all she had done and both consented though much against their mindes to let him enioy her in honourable marriage accounting it better for preseruation of their onely sons life to match him farre inferiour to his degree then by denying his desire to let him pine away and die for her loue After great consultation with kindred and friendes the match was agreed vpon to the no little ioy of Gianetta who deuoutly returned infinite thankes to heauen for so mercifully respecting her deiected poore estate after the bitter passage of so many miseries and neuer tearming her selfe any otherwise but the daughter of a poore Piccard Soone was the yong Gentleman recouered and married no man aliue so well contented as he and setting downe an absolute determination to lead a louing life with his Gianetta Let vs now conuert our lookes to Wales to Perotto being lefte there with the other Lord Marshall who was the President of that Countrey On he grew in yeares choisely respected by his Lord because hee vvas most comely of person and addicted to all valiant attempts so that in Tourneyes Iustes and other actions of Armes his like was not to bee found in all the Island being named onely Perotto the valiant Piccard and so was he famed farre and neere As God had not forgotten his Sister so in mercy he became as mindefull of him for a contagious mortalitie hapning in the Country the greater part of the people perished thereby the rest flying thence into other partes of the Land whereby the whole Prouince became dispeopled and desolate In the time of this plague and dreadful visitation the Lord President his Lady Sonnes Daughters Brothers Nephewes and Kindred dyed none remaining aliue but one onely Daughter marriageable a few of the houshold seruants beside Perotto whom after the sicknesse was more mildly asswaged with counsaile and consent of the Country people the young Lady accepted to be her husband because hee was a man so worthy and valiant and of all the inheritance left by her deceased Father she made him Lord and sole commaunder Within no long while after the King of England vnderstanding that his President of Wales was dead and fame liberally relating the vertues valour and good parts of Perotto the Piccard hee created him to be his President there and to supply the place of his deceased Lord. These faire fortunes within the compasse of so short a time fell to the two innocent children of the Count D'Angiers after they were left by him as lost and forlorne Eighteene yeares were now fully ouer-past since the Count D'Angiers fled from Paris hauing suffered in miserable soâ—t many hard and lamentable aduersities and seeing himselfe now to be growne aged hee was desirous to leaue Ireland and to know if hee might what was become of both his children Hereupon perceiuing his wonted forme to be so altered that such as formerly had conuersed most with him could now not take any knowledge of him feeling his body through long labour and exercise endured in seruice more lusty then in his idle youthfull yeares especially when he left the Court of France hee purposed to proceede in his determination Being very poore and simple in apparell hee departed from the Irish Eare his Maister with whom hee had continued long in seruice to no aduantage or aduancement and crossing ouer into England trauailed to the place in Wales where he left Perotto and where hee found him to be Lord Marshall and President of the Country lusty and in good health a man of goodly feature and most honourably respected and reuerenced of the people Well may you imagine that this was no small comfort to the poore aged Countes heart yet would he not make himselfe knowne to him or any other about him but referred his ioy to a further enlarging or diminishing by sight of the other limme of his life his dearely affected daughter Gianetta denying rest to his body in any place vntill such time as he came to London Making there secret enquiry concerning the Lady with whom he had left his daughter hee vnderstoode that a young Gentlewoman named Gianetta was married to that Ladies onely Son which made a second addition of ioy to his soule accounting all his passed aduersities of no value both his children being liuing and in so high honour Hauing found her dwelling and like a kinde Father being earnestly desirous to see her he dayly resorted neere to the house where Sir Roger Mandauill for so was Gianettaes husband named chauncing to see him being moued to compassion because he was both poore and aged commaunded one of his men to take him into the house and to giue him some foode for Gods sake which accordingly the seruant performed Gianetta had diuers children by her husband the eldest of them being but eight yeares olde yet all of them so faire and comely as could be As the olde Count sate eating his meate in the Hall the children came all about him embracing hugging and making much of him euen as if Nature had truly instructed them that this was their aged though poore Graundfather and hee as louingly receiuing these kinde relations from them wisely and silently kept all to himselfe with sighes teares and ioyes entermixed together So that the children would not part from him though their Tutour and Maister called them often which being tolde to their Mother shee came foorth of the neere adioyning Parlour and threatned to beate them if they would not doe what their Maister commanded them Then the children began to cry saying that they would tarie still by the good olde man because he loued them better then their Maister did whereat both the Lady and the Count began to smile The Count like a poore beggar and not as father to so great a Lady arose and did her humble reuerence because shee was now a Noble woman conceiuing wonderfull ioy in his soule to see her so faire and goodly a creature yet could she take no knowledge of him age want and misery had so mightily altred him his head all white his beard without any comely forme his garments so poore and his face so wrinkled leane and meager that hee seemed rather some Carter then a Count. And Gianetta perceiuing that when her children were fetcht away they returned againe to the olde man and would not leaue him desired their Maister to let them alone While thus the children continued making much of the good olde man Lord Andrew Mandeuile Father to Sir Roger came into the Hall as being so willed to doe by the Childrens Schoolemaister He being a hastie minded man and one that euer despised Gianetta before but much more since her mariage to his sonne angerly said Let them alone with a mischiefe and so befall them their best company ought to be with beggers for so are they bred and borne by the Mothers side and
not short of good fortune but is still renewed like the Moone The Count D'Angiers being falsly accused was banished out of France left his two children in England in diuers places Returning afterward vnknowne thorow Scotland hee found them aduanced vnto great dignity Then repayring in the habite of a Seruitour into the King of France his Armie and his innocencie made publiquely knowne hee was reseated in his former honourable degree The eight Nouell Whereby all men may plainely vnderstand that loyalâ—y faithfully kept to the Prince what perils so euer doe ensue doth ye neuerthelesse renowne a man and bring him to farre greater honour THe Ladies sighed very often hearing the variety of wofull miseries happening to Alathiella but who knoweth what occasion moued them to those sighes Perhaps there were some among them who rather sighed they could not be so often married as she was rather then for any other compassion they had of her disasters But leauing that to their owne construction they smiled merrily at the last speeches of Pamphilus and the Queene perceiuing the Nouell to be ended shee fixed her eye vpon Madame Eliza as signifying thereby that she was next to succeede in order which shee ioyfully embracing spake as followeth The field is very large and spacious wherein all this day we haue walked and there is not any one here so wearied with running the former races but nimbly would aduenture on as many more so copious are the alterations of Fortune in sad repetition of her wonderfull changes and among the infinity of her various courses I must make addition of another which I trust will no way discontent you When the Romaine Empire was translated from the French to the Germains mighty dissentions grew between both the nations insomuch that it drew a dismall and a lingring warre In which respect as well for the safety of his owne Kingdome as to annoy and disturbe his enemies the King of France and one of his sonnes hauing congregated the forces of their owne dominions as also of their friends and confederates they resolued manfully to encounter their enemies But before they would aduenture on any rash proceeding they held it as the chiefest part of pollicie and Royall prouidence not to leaue the State without a chiefe or Gouernour And hauing had good experience of Gualtier Counte D'Angiers to be a wise worthy and most trusty Lord singularly expert in militarie discipline and faithfull in all affaires of the Kingdome yet fitter for ease and pleasure then laborious toyle and trauaile hee was elected Lieutenant Gouernour in their sted ouer the whole Kingdome of France and then they went on in their enterprize Now began the Counte to execute the office committed to his trust by orderly proceeding and with great discretion yet not entring into any businesse without consent of the Queene and her faire daughter in law who although they were left vnder his care and custodie yet notwithstanding he honoured them as his superiours and as the dignity of their quality required Heere you are to obserue concerning Counte Gualtier himselfe that he was a most compleat person aged little aboue forty yeares as affable and singularly conditioned as any Noble man possibly could be nor did those times afford a Gentleman that equalled him in all respects It fortuned that the King and his sonne being busie in the afore-named warre the wife and Lady of Counte Gualtier died in the meane while leauing him onely a sonne and a daughter very young and of tender yeares which made his owne home the lesse welcome to him hauing lost his deare Loue and second selfe Hereupon hee resorted to the Court of the said Ladies the more frequently often conferring with them about the waighty affaires of the Kingdome in which time of so serious interparlance the Kings Sonnes wife threw many affectionate regards vpon him conuaying such conspiring passions to her heart in regard of his person and vertues that her loue exceeded all capacity of gouernement Her desires out stepping all compasse of modesty or the dignity of her Princely condition throwes off all regard of ciuill and sober thoughts and guides her into a Labyrinth of wanton imaginations For she regards not now the eminencie of his high authority his grauity of yeares and those parts that are the true conducts to honour but lookes vpon her owne loose and lasciuious appetite her young gallant and ouer-ready yeelding nature comparing them with his want of a wife and likely hope thereby of her sooner preuailing supposing that nothing could be her hinderance but onely bashfull shame-facednesse which she rather chose vtterly to forsake and set aside then to faile of her hote enflamed affection and therefore shee would needes be the discouerer of her owne disgrace Vpon a day being alone by her selfe and the time seeming suteable to her intention shee sent for the Counte vnder colour of some other important conference with him The Counte D'Angiers whose thoughts were quite contrary to hers immediately went to her where they both sitting downe together on a beds side in her Chamber according as formerly shee had plotted her purpose twice hee demaunded of her vpon what occasion she had thus sent for him She sitting a long while silent as if she had no answere to make him pressed by the violence of her amorous passions a vermillion tincture leaping vp into her face yet shame enforcing teares from her eyes with words broken and halfe confused at last she began to deliuer her minde in this manner Honourable Lord and my dearely respected friend being so wise a man as you are it is no difficult matter for you to know what a fraile condition is imposed both on men and women yet for diuers occasions much more vpon the one then the other Wherefore desertfully in the censure of a iust and vpright Iudge a fault of diuers conditions in respect of the person ought not to be censured with one and the same punishment Beside who will not say that a man or woman of poore and meane estate hauing no other helpe for maintainance but laborious trauaile of their bodies should worthily receiue more sharpe reprehension in yeelding to amorous desires or such passions as are incited by loue then a wealthy Lady whose liuing relieth not on her paines or cares neither wanteth any thing that she can wish to haue I dare presume that you your selfe will allow this to be equall and iust In which respect I am of the minde that the fore-named allegations ought to serue as a sufficient excuse yea and to the aduantage of her who is so possessed if the passions of loue should ouer-reach her alwayes prouided that shee can pleade in her owne defence the choise of a wise and vertuous friend answerable to her owne condition and quality and no way to be taxed with a seruile or vile election These two especiall obseruations allowable in my iudgement and liuing now in me seazing on my youthfull blood and yeares
hopefull expectation then proued hee was enforced with those his two other children to forsake his country The Lady being by nature very pittiful looking aduisedly on the yong Girle beganne to grow in good liking of her because indeede she was amiable gentle and beautifull whereupon shee saide Honest man thy daughter hath a pleasing countenance and perhaps her inward disposition may prooue answerable to hir outward goods parts if therefore thou canst bee content to leaue her with me I will giue her entertainment and vpon her dutifull carriage and behauiour if she liue to such yeares as may require it I wil haue her honestly bestowne in marriage This motion was verie pleasing to the Count who readily declared his willing consent thereto and with the teares trickling downe his cheekes in thankfull manner he deliuered his prettie daughter to the Lady Shee being thus happily bestowne hee minded to tarry no longer in London but in his wonted begging manner trauailing thorough the Country with his sonne Perotto at length hee came into Wales but not without much weary paine and trauell being neuer vsed before to iourney so far on foote There dwelt another Lord in office of Marshalship to the King of England whose power extended ouer those partes a man of very great authority keeping a most noble and bountifull house which they termed the President of Wales his Court whereto the Count and his son oftentimes resorted as finding there good releefe and comfort On a day one of the Presidents sons accompanied with diuers other Gentlemens children were performing certaine youthfull sports pastimes as running leaping and such like wherein Perotto presumed to make one among them excelling all the rest in such commendable manner as none of them caâ—e any thing nere him Diuers times the President had taken notice thereof and was so vvell pleased with the Lads behauiour that he enquired of whence he was Answer vvas made that hee vvas a poore mans son that euery day came for an almes to his gate The President being desirous to make the boy his the Count whose dayly prayers were to the same purpose frankly gaue his son to the Nobleman albeit naturall and fatherly affection vrged some vnwillingnesse to part so with him yet necessity and discretion found it to bee for the benefit of them both Being thus eased of care for his son and daughter and they though in different places yet vnder good and woorthie gouernment the Count would continue no longer in England but as best he could procure the meanes passed ouer into Ireland and being arriued at a place called Stanford became seruant to an Earle of that Country a Gentleman professing Armes on whom he attended as a seruing man liued a long while in that estate very painfully His daughter Violenta clouded vnder the borrowed name of Gianetta dwelling with the Lady at London grew so in yeares beauty comlinesse of person and was so gracefull in the fauour of her Lord and Lady yea of euery one in the house beside that it was wonderfull to behold Such as but obserued her vsuall carriage and what modesty shined clearely in her eyes reputed her vvell vvorthy of honourable preferment in which regard the Lady that had receiued her of her Father not knowing of whence or what shee was but as himselfe had made report intended to match her in honourable mariage according as her vertues worthily deserued But God the iust rewarder of all good endeauours knowing her to be noble by birth and causelesse to suffer for the sinnes of another disposed otherwise of her and that so worthy a Virgin might be no mate for a man of ill conditions no doubt ordained what was to be done according to his owne good pleasure The noble Lady with whom poore Gianetta dwelt had but one onely Sonne by her Husband and he most deerely affected of them both as well in regard hee was to be their heire as also for his vertues and commendable qualities wherein he excelled many young Gentlemen Endued he was with heroycal valour compleate in all perfections of person and his mind euery way answerable to his outward behauiour exceeding Gianetta about sixe yeeres in age Hee perceiuing her to be a faire and comely Maiden grew to affect her so entirely that all things else he held contemptible and nothing pleasing in his eye but shee Now in regard her parentage was reputed poore hee kept his loue concealâ—d from his Parents not daring to desire her in marriage for both hee was to loose their fauour by disclosing the vehemency of his afflictions which proued a greater torment to him then if it had beene openly knowne It came to passe that loue ouer-awed him in such sort as he fell into a violent sicknesse and store of Physicions were sent for to saue him from death if possibly it might be Their iudgements obseruing the course of his sicknesse yet not reaching to the cause of the disease made a doubtfull question of his recouery which was so displeasing to his parents that their griefe and sorrow grew beyond measure Many earnest entreaties they moued to him to know the occasion of his sicknesse whereto he returned no other answer but heart-breaking sighes and incessant teares which drew him more and more into weakenesse of body It chanced on a day a Physicion was brought vnto him being young in yeeres but well experienced in his practise and as hee made triall of his pulse Gianetta who by his Mothers command attended on him very diligently vpon some especial occasion entred into the Chamber which when the young Gentleman perceiued and that shee neither spake word nor so much as looked towards him his heart grew great in amorous desire and his pulse did beate beyond the compasse of ordinary custome whereof the Physicion made good obseruation to note how long that fit would continue No sooner was Gianetta gone forth of the Chamber but the pulse immediately gaue ouer beating which perswaded the Physicion that some part of the disease had now discouered it selfe apparantly Within a while after pretending to haue some speech with Gianetta and holding the Gentleman still by the arme the Physicion caused her to be sent for and immediately shee came Vpon her very entrance into the Chamber the pulse began to beate againe extreamely and when shee departed it presently ceased Now was he thorowly perswaded that hee had found the true effect of his sicknesse when taking the Father and mother aside thus he spake to them If you be desirous of your Sons health it consisteth not either in Physicion or physicke but in the mercy of your faire Maide Gianetta for manifest signes haue made it knowne to me and he loueth the Damosell very dearely yet for ought I can perceiue the Maide doth not know it now if you haue respect of his life you know in this case what is to be done The Nobleman and his Wife hearing this became somewhat satisfied because there remained a remedy
is this traiterous villaine Heereupon I stept somewhat stoutly to my Chamber doore and as hee offered to enter with a womans courage I resisted him which made him so much enraged against mee that when hee saw mee to debarre his entrance after many terrible and vile oathes and vowes hee ranne downe the stayres againe in such like manner as you chaunced to meete him Now trust mee deare wife said Beltramo you behaued your selfe very well and worthily for it would haue beene a most notorious scandall to vs if a man should bee slaine in your bed-chamber and Signior Lambertuccio carryed himselfe most dishonestly to pursue any man so outragiously hauing taken my Castle as his Sanctuary But alas wife what is become of the poore affrighted Gentleman Introth Sir quoth she I know not but somewhere or other heereabout hee is hidden Where art thou honest friend said plaine meaning Beltramo Come forth and feare not for thine enemy is gone Lionello who had heard all the fore-passed discourse which shee had deliuered to her Husband Beitramo came creeping forth amazedly as one now very fearefully affrighted indeede from vnder the further side of the bedde and Beltramo saide to him What a quarrell was this between thee and furious Lambertuccio Not any at all Sir replyed Lionello to my knowledge which verily perswadeth me that either he is not well in his wits or else he mistaketh me for some other because so soone as he saw me on the way somewhat neere to this your Castle he drew forth his Sword and swearing an horrible oath said Traitor thou art a dead man Vpon these rough words I stayed not to question the occasion of mine offending him but fled from him so fast as possibly I could but confesse my selfe indeede ouer-bold by presuming into your Ladies bed chamber which yet equalled with her mercie hath bin the onely meanes at this time of sauing my life She hath done like a good Lady answered Beltramo and I do verie much commend her for it But recollect thy dismayed spirite together for I will see thee safely secured hence afterward looke to thy selfe so well as thou canst Dinner being immediately made ready and they hauing merrily feasted together he bestowed a good Gelding on Lionello and rode along with him to Florence where he left him quietly in his owne lodging The selfe-same Euening according as Isabella had giuen enstruction Lionello conferred with Lambertuccio and such an agreement passed betweene them that though some rough speeches were noised abroad to set the better colour on the businesse yet al matters were so cleanly carried that Beltramo neuer knew this queint deceitfull policy of his Wife Lodouico discouered to his Mistresse Madame Beatrix how amorously he was affected to her She cunningly sent Egano her Husband into his garden in all respects disguised like her selfe while friendly Lodouico conferred with her in the meane while Afterward Lodouico pretending a lasciuious allurement of his Mistresse thereby to wrong his honest Master insted of her beateth Egano soundly in the Garden The Seuenth Nouell Whereby is declared that such as keepe many honest seeming seruants may sometime finde a knaue among them and one that proues to be ouer-sawcy with his Master THis so sodaine dexterity of wit in Isabella related in verie modest manner by Madame Pampinea was not onely admired by all the company but likewise passed with as generall approbation But yet Madam Philomena whom the King had commanded next to succeede peremptorily sayde Worthy Ladies if I am not deceiued I intend to tell you another Tale presently as much to be commended as the last You are to vnderstand then that it is no long while since when there dwelt in Paris a Florentine Gentleman who falling into decay of his estate by ouer-bountifull expences vndertooke the degree of a Merchant and thriued so well by his trading that he grew to great wealth hauing one onely sonne by his wife named Lodouico This Sonne partaking somewhat in his Fathers former height of minde and no way inclineable to deale in Merchandize had no meaning to be a Shop-man and therefore accompanied the Gentlemen of France in sundry seruices for the King among whom by his singular good carriage and qualites he happened to be not meanly esteemed While thus he continued in the Court it chanced that certaine Knights returning from Ierusalem hauing there visited the holy Sepulcher and comming into company where Lodouico was much familiar discourse passed amongst them concerning the faire women of France England and other parts of the world where they had bin and what delicate beauties they had seene One in the company constantly auouched that of all the Women by them so generally obserued there was not any comparable to the Wife of Egano de Galluzzi dwelling in Bologna and her name Madam Beatrix reputed to be the onely faire woman of the world Many of the rest maintained as much hauing bin at Bologna and likewise seene her Lodouico hearing the woman to be so highly commended and neuer as yet feeling any thought of amorous inclination became sodainely toucht with an earnest desire of seeing her and his minde could entertaine no other matter but onely of trauailing thither to see her yea and to continue there if occasion so serued The reason for his iourney vrged to his Father was to visit Ierusalem and the holy Sepulcher which with much difficulty at length he obtained his leaue Being on his iourney towards Bologna by the name of Anichino and not of Lodouico and being there arriued vpon the day following and hauing vnderstood the place of her abiding it was his good happe to see the Lady at her Window she appearing in his eye farre more faire then all reports had made her to be Heereupon his affection became so enflamed to her as he vowed neuer to depart from Bologna vntill he had obtained her loue And deuising by what meanes he might effect his hopes he grew perswaded setting all other attempts aside that if he could be entertained into her Husbands seruice and vndergo some businesse in the house time might tutor him to obtaine his desire Hauing giuen his attendants sufficient allowance to spare his company and take no knowledge of him selling his Horses also and other notices which might discouer him he grew into acquaintance with the Hoste of the house where he lay reuealing an earnest desire in himselfe to serue som Lord or worthy Gentleman if any were willing to giue him entertainment Now beleeue me Sir answered the Hoste you seeme worthy to haue a good seruice indeede and I know a Noble Gentleman of this Cittie who is named Egano he will without all question accept your offer for hee keepeth many men of verie good deseruing and you shall haue my furtherance therein so much as may be As he promised so he performed and taking Anichino with him vnto Egano so farre he preuailed by his friendly protestations and good opinion of the young Gentleman that
of Waxe lights burned in all partes of the roomes neither the excessiue store of rich Drugs Marchpanes Comfites and rare Banquetting stuffe consumed there at one Feasting wherein there wanted no bounty of the best and purest wines Nor do I Master Doctor repute you so weakly witted as to think that in the time of our being thus assembled there any of vs al were cloathed in such simple and meane Garments as ordinarily are worne in the streets on mens bodies or any so silly as the verie best you haue No Sir not any one man among vs but appeared by his apparrell equall to the greatest Emperour on the earth his robe most sumptuously imbroidered with precious stones Pearles and Carbuncles as all the world affoordeth not the like But aboue all the rest the delights and pleasures there are beyond my capacity to expresse or indeede any comparison as namely store of goodly and beautifull women brought thither from all parts of the world alwayes prouided if men bee desirous of their company but for your easier comprehension I will make some briefe relation of them to you according as I heard them there named There is the great Lady of Barbanicchia the Queene of Baschia the Wife to the great Soldane the Empresse of Osbeccho the Ciancianfera of Norniera the Semistante of Berlinzona and the Scalpedra of Narsia But why do I breake my braine in numbering vp so many to you All the Queenes of the world are there euen so farre as to the Schinchimurra of Prester Iohn that hath a horne in the midst of her posteriores albeit not visible to euery eye Now I am further to tell you that after we haue tasted a Cup of precious Wine fed on a few delicate Comfits and danced a dance or two to the rare Musicke euery one taketh a Lady by the hand of whom he pleaseth to make his election and she conducteth him to her Chamber in very graue and gracious manner Concerning the Chambers there each of them resembleth a Paradise to looke on they are so faire and goodly and no lesse odorifferous in smell then the sweetest perfumes in your Apothecaries shoppes or the rare compounds of Spices when they are beaten in an open Morter And as for the Beds they are infinitely richer then the verie costliest belonging to the Duke of Venice yet in such each man is appointed to take his rest the Musicke of rare Cymbals lasting all night long much better to be by you considered then in my rude eloquence expressed But of all those rich and sumptuous Beds if pride of mine owne opinion do not deceiue me them two prouided for Buffalmaco and me had hardly any equall he hauing the Queene of France as his Lady and Mistresse and I the renowned Queene of England the onely two choise beauties of the whole World and wee appeared so pleasing in their eyes as they would haue refused the greatest Monarkes on the earth rather then to bee reiected by vs. Now therefore you may easily consider with your selfe what great reason we haue to liue more merrily then any other men can doe in regard we enioy the gracious fauour of two such Royall Queenes receyuing also from them whensoeuer wee please to commaund them a thousand or two thousand Florines at the least which are both truly and duly sent vs. Enioying thus the benefit of this high happinesse we that are companions of this Society do tearme it in our vulgar Language The Pyrats voyage to Corsica Because as Rouers or Pyrats robbe and take away the goodes of such as they meete withall euen so do we only there remaineth this difference betweene vs that they neuer restore what they haue taken which we do immediately afterward whether it be required or no. And thus Master Doctor as to my most endeered friend I haue now reuealed the meaning of sayling to Corsica after the manner of our priuate Pyracie and how important the close retention of the voiage is you are best able your selfe to iudge In which regarde remember your Oathes and faithfull promises or else I am vndone for euer Our worthy wise Doctor whose best skill scarsely extended so farre as to cure the itch in Children gaue such sound beleefe to the relation of Bruno as any man could doe to the most certaine truth of life or death hauing his desire immeasurably enflamed to bee made a member of this straunge Societie which hee more coueted then any thing in the world beside accounting it a felicity farre beyond all other Whereupon he answered Bruno that it was no great matter of meruaile if he liued so merily as he did hauing such a singular supply to auoide all necessities whatsoeuer and very hardly could he refraine from immediate request to be accepted into the company But yet he thought fit to deferre it further vntill he had made Bruno more beholding to him by friendly entertainments and other courtesies when he might with better hope be bold to moue the motion Well may you conceiue that nothing more hammerd in the Doctors head then this rare voyage to Corsica and Bruno was his daily guest at dinner and supper with such extraordinary apparances of kindnesse and courtesie as if the Physitian could not liue except he had the company of Bruno Who seeing himselfe to bee so louingly respected and hating ingratitude for fauours so abundantly heaped on him hee painted the whole story of Lent about his Hall and an Agnus Dei fairely gilt on the portall of his Chamber as also a goodly Vrinall on his street doore to the end that such as had neede of his counsell might know where so iudicious a Doctour dwelt In a Gallery likewise by his Garden he painted the furious Battaile betweene the Rats and Cats which did not a little delight Master Doctor Moreouer at such times as Bruno had not supt with our Physitian he would bee sure to tell him on the morrow that the night passed he had bin with the Company which he did wot of And there quoth he the Queene of England hauing somewhat offended mee I commanded that the Gomedra belonging to the Grand Cham of Tartaria should be brought me and instantly shee was What may be the meaning of Gomedrabe saide the Doctor I vnderstand not those difficult names I beleeue you Sir answered Bruno nor do I need to maruaile thereat and yet I haue heard Porcograsso speake and also Vannacenna and both vnexperienced in our Language You would say replyed the Doctor Hippocrates and Auicenna who were two admirable Physitians It may be so said Bruno as hardly do I vnderstand your names as you mine but Gomedra in the Grand Chams language signifies Empresse in ours But had you once seene her Sir she would make you forget all Physicall obseruations your arguments receits and medicines onely to be in her heauenly presence which words he vsed perceiuing his forward longing to enflame him the more Not long after as the doctor was holding the candle