so muche for the glorye of the acte as gaine of the moneye without anye helpe notwithstandinge to the sickman that the kinge was dryuen to adde to his golden offer an expresse condicion that who soeuer vndertoke the cure wythoute performynge the effecte within a certeine time shoulde make good the saied sume to the commodytie of the kinge or for want of paymente to leaue his head in pawne whiche proclaimed ymediatlye a generall retire to Monseur le Medecyn wyth the rest of his mistical crwe wypinge his nose with the insyde of his sleue detested with ympietie both Galleine Hypocrates and Auiecenes with other patrons and auncient fathers of phisicke that wolde not leaue theim a sufficient net to fysh so great an honor and riches as ten thousand frankes the brute was no soner made then thofficers of fame vndertooke to disperse it into euery corner of the countreye w t participacion of the royall edicts and liberalitie of the king to euery prouince as well on thissyde as beyonde the mountes wberuppon Montcall became pertaker of the newes and Zylya the firste and onlye cause of al was pryuie by this meanes to the place of aboade of her penytenciall louer and also perswaded of his loyaltie in keping his promise vnworthy any way of such firme regard seinge that wher fraude and force do occupie the hart the religion of promises yea the very bond of faith already giuen do loase their force neyther is a man bownde to performe y t wherin is coÌ„straint of bond The couetous widow assuring her self of no lesse authoritie ouer Seigneur Virley theÌ„ when he made court to her at Montcal determyned to go visit him at Parys not so much of intent to vndo the charme of his dome disease as desierous of the ten thousand fraÌ„kes whereof she made as sure accompte as if they were alreadye vnder the sewereste locke in her closset at MONTCALL perswadyng her selfe also that the gentleman being absolued of his promiss by her would gladly consent and that she only should haue the rewarde and fame of the thinge wherin all others were hable to worke no effect Here you sée a woman whom neyther the vertue of honest and true loue nor intent of vnfained and loyall seruice colde earste moue to compassion and muche lesse aggrée to giue ease to the sinister affliction of her seruant wrested to a remorse and ouercome with a desyer of fylthie gaine to enlarge her richesse Oh execrable thurste and desyer of money vntyll when endureth thy authoritye ouer the worlde or howe longe wilte thou blynde the myndes of men with a foggie myste of fylthie lucre Ah insatiable and perillous golphe howe manye haste thou deuoured and drowned in thy bottomles throate whose glorye had pearsed the heighte of the cloudes vertue shyned more cleare then the brightnes of the son yf the darke vaile or shadowe of thy contagiouse infection had not eclipsed their renowme that waye the frutes alas whiche thou bringeÌ„st furth what sugred showe so euer they gyue outwardely yeldes in déede neyther honest fame nor true felicitye to such as reape theim Seinge that that dropseye and infectyng humour whiche ouerronneth all their partes makes them more desyerous of the thing then hable to bée satisfyed whereby groweth a double discommoditie to the euill of that whiche is thonly fountayne of all mischiefe neyther is any state more miserable then to haue a desyer to haue muche and gettinge al can not bée satisfyed wyth any thinge and in the ende ouerthrowen in their couetous trauell by infamouus deathe whereof I am content to omitt the familiar prooffes of our tyme and presente you wyth the authoritye of the riche Crassus in Rome to whome was awarded the punishment of God by fallynge into the handes of the Parthens for violacion and commyttynge sacriledge within the temple in Ierusalem sexti mulâ—us fryinge in like sorte in the flame of money and whollie infected wyth the poyson of hym that formentes the hart of the couetous cutt of the head of hys patrone and only defendor Caius Gracchus trybune of the people Wherin touching lyke examples in the femenine secte I will nowe passe ouer both forrein and familiar recordes and restore to your memory thabuse of this Zilya who forgetting her former regarde to vertue the onely ornament of her honestye and reputacion feared not also the toyle and trauell of the waye nor other inconuenience what so euer to committ her lyfe to daunger and honor to the mercy of hym in whom the remembrance of her former wrong sturred vpp a desyer of double reuenge vppon the leaste occasion he coulde fynde neyther doubted she to hazarde the effect of her buysynes in a straunge region vnknowen to al men sauyng to hym for the only honor of whome the misterye was wrought but vsynge a shorte consideracion for the order of her affaires at Montcall she strippes the mountes and by extreame labor arryued at last at Parys at suche time as euery man dispaired most of recouerye of the dome knighte albeit enquiringe for theim that had authoritye to admitte such as vndertoke the cure she made it be published that God had putt the remedye of his disease into her hande and that only she doubted not to performe thexspectation of the kinge that waye the Commissaries layde afore her the edict with the condicion of death in the ende if the knighte were not made to speake within xv dayes all whiche she admitted pawned her lyfe for the performance of the enterprise with protestation eftesones that god had opened vnto her a secrett meane to restore hym whereof the knighte was furthwith aduertised merueilynge notwithstandynge what straunge gentlewoman yt was that had vndertaken to vndoo the charme of his disease and force hym to breake the vowe of his pennance to his cruell ZYLIA in whom of all other he accompted not so muche frendshipp as to make so longe a iorney for the ease of the euill whereof she onely was the cause he was rather of opinion that it was hys neyghbour of Montcall she I meane that fyrste solicited Zylya on his behalfe and now had forced her to a compassion of his pennance wyth commission to absolue hym of the rest of his hard vow wherof as he deuised diuersly without stayinge vpon any certaintie or trothe beholde the deputies presentes Zilya in the chamber of Seigneur Virley who seinge an effect of that which earst he was not hable to ymagyne gaue iudgemente by and by of the cause of the comminge of hys ennemye and that the promisse of ten thousande frankes had more power to make her passe the mountes then the respect of frendship or compassioÌ„ to his straung distresse which so long had kept him in the likenes of a dead man wherw t the viewe of her former incyuilitie and rigour exceding the disposicion of any woman that euer was noted cruel procured lymedyatlye a conuersacion of his auncient loue andre garde to
to resorte thereunto and learne by othermens misdéeds to direct better his owne doinges and not with th' exchange of the worlde to alter also his minde but rather asmuche as lyeth in hym to ymitate the lyfe and conuersation of theym who haue lyued well before wherein seinge in this worlde the nature of man in all ages althoughe the singler personnes bee chaunged remeineth stil one so also the good fortunes felicities calamities and miseries whyche happen both in publike gouernement and to euerye priuate state tourne alwayes to one effect and are lyke those of tymes paste so that by the benefyt of stories presentinge afore oure eyes a true kallender of things of auncient date by the commendacion of vertuous and valyaunt personnes and actes we be drawen by desyer to treade the stepps of their renowme and on thother syde considering the sinister fortune horrible cases which haue happened to certeine miserable soules we behold both th' extreme points wherunto the fraile condicion of man is subiect by infirmitie and also are thereby toughte by the viewe of other mens harmes to eschew the like inconueniences in our selues wherein righte honorable like as I haue rather touched sleightelye then vsed tearmes of commendacion at large according to the worthynes of so precious a Iewell as the knowledg of histories for that now a dayes euery mans mouth is open to commende the frute distilling from so florishynge a vine â—o for my part beyng more forwarde then hable to discharge my zeale in that behalfe haue bestowed some of my voyed howers whilest I was in the other sides the Sea in forcynge certeyne Tragicall Discourses oute of theyr Frenche tearmes into our Englishe phrase presumyng to commende vnto your Ladishypp the frutes and effecte of my trauayle folowynge therein the order of suche as haue spente tyme in the lyke studye who are wounte to declare theyr good wyll by bestowynge theyr labours wherewithe beinge vnhappelye denyed other frendshypp of fortune to make good my desyer in gyuing an vnfayned showe of the dutye and seruice I owe you and the house whereof you tooke youre begynnynge am here vppon tearmes of humilitye for preferment of this rude and simple dedication of theis forrein reapportes to youre honor to whose vertues as I haue chiefelye respected to gyue due renowme by preferrynge a true purtraict of your conuersation and lyfe in the vertues giftes and ornamentes of the noble ANGELIQVA chaste PAROLYNA constant IVLIA and renowned CARMOSYNA wyth others whose integretye of life hath gyuen theim a crowne of immortalitye wyth a glorious remembrance of theyr names for euer after theyr deathe so my seconde indeuor was bent to obserue the necessitie of the tyme chiefly for that vppon the viewe and examples of oure Auncesters lyues the fraile ympes of this age maye fynde cause of shame in theyr owne abuses wyth desyer to exchaunge their badd condicion and order of lyuynge wyth the studye and desyer to ymitate the vertue of their predecessours whose lyfe and renowme after death argueth the vndoubted rewarde at tendynge as a thynge of course the vertuouse and well disposed where of the contrarye appeare wounderfull tormentes and sharpp pennaunce prouided to plage the abhominable and vicious lyuer Besides it is a principle and chiefe rule in our nature and disposition to bee rather instructed by examples of familyar authorityes then reformed by seueritye of lawes for that the one seames to gouerne vs by awe and commaundement and in the other appeares a consent of oure fancie marchinge alwayes accordynge to the direction of our owne willes for whiche cause the Historians of olde tyme in theyr seuerall recordes of the actes conquestes and noble attemptes of Princes and greate men haue lefte oute nothynge seruynge for the ornamente and institution of mannes lyfe not forgettynge to sett oute also in naturall coollers theyr tyrannye and other vices withe contempte of vertue yf theyr lyues were founde guiltye in any suche offence But when they paynte oute a good kynge a magistrate without touche of partiall or couetous mynde a courtyar loyall and withoute dissimulation A minister of the Churche not smellynge of hypocrysye but searchynge purelye the honor of God A Ladye chaste honeste curteouse a louer of charitye vsynge a deuoute reuerence to God and feare to hys lawes yt is then that they allure by traines of familyaritye euerye succession to embrace and beholde as in a glasse the vndoubted meane that is hable and wylt brynge theym to the lyke perfection in vertue whyche also moued me to vse a speciall discrecion in coollynge oute suche examples as beste aggreed wyth the condicion of the tyme and also were of moste freshe and famylyar memorye to the ende that wyth the delyte in readynge my dedication I maye also leaue to all degrees an appetitt and honeste desyere to honor vertue and holde vice in due detestation And albeit at the firste sighte theis discourses maye importe certeyne vanytyes or fonde practises in loue yet I doubte not to bée absolued of suche intente by the iudgement of the indifferent sorte seinge I haue rather noted diuersitie of examples in sondrye younge men and women approuynge sufficientlye the inconuenience happenynge by the pursute of lycenceous desyer then affected in anye sorte suche vncerteine follyes For heare maye bée séene suche patternes of chastetye and maydes so assured and constant in vertue that they haue not doubted rather to reappose a felicitye in the extreme panges of death then to fall by anye violent force into the daunger of the fleshelye ennemye to theyr honour In lyke sorte appeareth here an experience of wounderfull vertues in men who albeit hadd power to vse and commande the thinge they chieflye desyered yet bridlynge wythe maine hande The humour of theyr inordinate luste vanquished all mocions of sensualytye and became maisters of theym selues by abstaynynge from that whereunto they felte prouocation by nature who desyereth to sée the follye of a foolishe lover passionynge hymselfe vppon creditt the impudencie of a maide or other woman renouncynge the vowe of her fayth or honor due to virginitie the sharpp pennance attendynge the rashe choice of greate Ladyes in séekynge to matche in anye sorte wythe degrées of inferior condicion or who wisheth to bée priuie to th'inconueniences in loue howe he frieth in the flame of the fyrste affection and after groweth not onelye colde of hymselfe but is easelye conuerted into a contrarye shapp and disposition of deadlye hate maye bée heare assisted wyth more then double expeperience touchinge all those euills the curtesie of an enemye on the behalfe of hys aduersarye wythe a wounderfull lyberalitye in the other in retournynge the benefytt receyued is heare set furthe in fuche lyuelye coollers that there seames to lacke nothynge for the ornament and decoracion of suche a wooke And who takes pleasure to beholde the fyttes and panges of a frantique man incensed to synister conceites by the suggestion of frettynge Ielouzye forcynge hym to effectes of absolute desperation
so in vnderstandynge the cause I hope you wylexcuse me of effectes of other folly then suche as nature hath enioyned in generaltie to all men and to cut of your suspence and absolue your troubled mynde of all doubte you shall vnderstande that the force of loue depriuinge myne aunciently berty hath also transposed my former quiet solace of mynde into these mournynge and pynynge regardes whiche you note in me neyther can I be restored to the state which you wishe without the assuraunce of that which I desire whiche is the good wyll of her to whome loue hath be gyuen so large power ouer me And as euery medecine is measured by the greatnes of the disease and the lyght hurte is easelye healed without tryinge the exquisite skill of the Phisicion so my gréefe beinge grounded vpon great consequence doth not onely assaile me withall sortes of passions and panges of sorowe but also denyeth to brooke the operacion of other remedie but suche as is distilled from the earbe that first infected me it is not the offer of smal harmes that makes me so hurtefull to my self and hateful to my frendes nor the subiect of tryflynge annoye that sturres vp theis sighes and solytarie disposition in me it is alas for beautye her felfe that I suffer eye the veray patterne and goddesse of all perfection hath made me so forgetfull of my selfe that I seame a straunger to my deare frendes neyther haue I other power of my selfe then suche as is imparted vnto me by her whose picture I cary so lyuely in my minde CORNELIA altogether ignorant in the force of affection and by reason of the gréenes of her yeres voyed of experience in tournynge ouer the volumes of loue coulde not but smyle for the firste at thei argon or discourse of her brother albeit notinge his perpleritie she let fall also certaine teares on the behalfe of his desolate state and seynge hym wholly conuerted into contemplation of a vision iudged it an effecte of pitye to gyue ayde to his distresse whereupon she desired eftsones in mery sorte to knowe the goddesse of his de◠ocions to the ende sayth she that I may yelde her honor for youre sake and seinge you dare not presente her your requeste I maye enter into the office of an intercessour and praye for your delyuerye neyther nede you doubte to disclose her to me nor dispayre of my dilygence and readye indeuour to do you good onles you be so farr spente wyth Ialous passion that you feare I wyll rausshe her from you or preuente the desier of your pleasure in beinge in loue with her my self you abuse y e loyaltye of my meaning and I doe wronge to exacte so farre vpon rour secret imagination I am cōtente sayth he you I est candtake pleasure in the eusll whiche I suffer so that you will performe the effecte of your promisse whiche you maye the rather accomplishe by the credit you haue with her who is the onely cause of my tormente whereof after she had giuen hym a seconde assuraunce by othe and protestation of faythe he tolde her not withoute a freshe supplie of sorowe that it was CAMILLA to whom his libertie was captile and in the ballance of whose compassion wayghed indifferently the lycence of longer life or sentence diffinitiue of presente death desierynge her for ende to make her priuie to the paine he indured and with all to procure spedie moderacion of his gréefe or els to awarde the writte of fatall somonce to hym that is not hable to féede the vaine of lyfe without the foode of her speciall fauour The gyrle delityng still in the amarous discourse of her brother willed hym to take harte at grasse and makynge exchaunge of his solytarle order to a wake out of his dreame of dompes and reuoke his disposition of auncient cherefulnes leaste his mistres loathing his thyn and wearishe lookes be affraide to graunt loue to a Stoane or suffer her selfe to be embrased by one in who me is neither present delite nor likelihod of future pleasur Ah sister saith hee how your libertie of tounge argueth your small experience in cases of loue whose delites consiste in teares sighes and dolorous complaintes wherein as suche as be moste constante of all make declaration also of effecte of suche loyaltie in takinge pleasure to recorde their sorowe with tunes of lamentable note so in exposinge the contrarie we discouer at vnwares the slender affection we beare to the thynge we desier and for my parte I fele no lesse pleasure by ymagination when I see with the eyes of my mynde the beautie and other perfections of my deare CAMILLA then you whiche neuer tasted of the apprehension of this frée constrainte whiche the destenie of loue hath appointed to attend vpon me I am glad saith she to be warned in this sorte to eschewe the lyke euill in my selfe and sorie to note the experience of so great an inconuenience in you but seing you are so sewerly rampired in your folye that thoffer of persuasion is hatefull vnto you I am contente you féede vpon suche ease as you finde and take pleasure in the simple contemplacion of the ymage of your Saint for for my parte I had rather haue an hower of reste disposinge my selfe to slepe assone as my head the pillow be met then lye with mine armes of crosse regardynge the course of the starres and builde castelles in the ayre or be troubled in dremyng of the dissolution of the worlde and then to baptise suche impediments and enemies of reste by the name of the pleasures of loyall louers with addition that it is a peculiar glorie gyuen them frō aboue by the inuisible goddesse it is a pore repaste God knoweth for an emptie stomake to féede only of wishes and satisfye his thurste with drinkinge of an emptie cuppe or restore heate to the benommed partes by a cold chymney or satisfye the desieringe minde with simple contemplacions wherewith she retired with intent to trye the nexte daye whether CAMYLLA had any vaine that stretched to satisfye the desier of her brother whome she lefte with more argument or consolation then afore by reason of the hope he reaposed in her diligence Here was a double offence in LIVIO both to force his syster to an enterprise indecent for her honor and age and also to prefer her to be the DARIOLETTA of his loue opening as it were the way of voluptuous pleasure to al youth y t which is to much enclined that way by the corruptiō of our own nature without that we nede thassistāce of art to supplie our defaultes in so vnhonest an ercercise albeit our blindnes is so great in things of such foly that in respectinge only y e present we neuer feare y e fal of future incōuenience til being serued with y e writ of present penāce we fynde to lytle leasure to repente so greate offences and albeit accordyng to Aristotle it is necessarie to be priuie
the rest haue made me strike saile of my former lybertie wyth franke resignacion of my harte and dearest parte in me to the disposicion of your mercye neyther haue I any cause at all to mislike the sentence of my fate or grudge wyth the lot of my present choice yf the respecte of my vnfained loue and sincere loyaltye maye moue you to paye the tribute of my seruice with an assuraunce of semblable affection wherein because both daunger and distaunce of our abodes denienge the tongue to do his office barreth vs also to vse the benefytt of mutuall conference I humbly craue good Madam an absolute resolution by your letters of that which the secret signes and messengers of loue do not only put me in hope but importes a warrantie of the conquest of your good wyll wherein yf I maye be assisted with the goodnes of the heauens and consent of fortune so farfurth as the same maye make me meritorious of your fauour and that the meritt of my seruice maye bée measured with a graunte of your good wil there shall no peril withstande the proffer of my lyfe to do you pleasure nor any occasion or chaunce whether it be accidental or proper haue power to breake the vowe which my harte hath alredie sworne to dye and lyue in the seruice and contemplacion of youre beautie neyther shal any Ladye in this corner of the world haue more cause to ioye in the choice of her seruaÌ„t then the Peragon Plaudina whose hande I kysse with greate humilitye and honour the remembrance of her name with no lesse sinceritie being absent then desyerous to yelde my homage with due adoracion to the presence of so faire a creature Yours more then his owne Cornelyo The Ladye being darted afore with the desyer of Cornelio and wold gladly haue entred the listes and gyuen the onset if it had not bene for the respect of her honour was nowe so wounded to the quicke that she fel into tearmes of commeÌ„dacion of her chaunce blissynge the goodnes of her fortune that had not onely planted her affection in so highe a place but yeldynge her rewarde wyth semblable glée hath made her the mystres of hym whom her hart had alredye chosen and admitted into vndoubted fauor whiche she confirmed eftesones with such tearmes of gratulation and arguments of present gladnes that yf the remorce of shame and reputacion of her honor hadde not bene impedimentes to the desyer of her harte cloasinge her mouth againste the present conceytes of ioye in this newe societie she had immediatlye dismissed the messenger with absolute assurance to performe the request of him that sent hym wherof albeit shame seamed to abridge the expedicion and offer causes of staye for the time yet wantynge force to mortifye altogether the humour of ragyng desyer the was driuen to gyue place to the prouocation of loue who deuestinge her of honest shamfastnes whiche oughte to be the chiefe habite and decoracion of the beautie of greate Ladyes willed her to deferre no lenger the thynge she had alredye vowed seynge y e iniurie of present tyme denied her to satisfye hym as she woulde at leaste to yelde hym suche contentement as she maye wherfore takynge pen ynke and paper she replied to his letter wyth this aunswere The circumstaunce of your present letter syr seames to argue an excepcion against the frendly lookes and glaunces of mine eyes wherin albeit I could note a great simplicitie want of discrecion in him that constreth the regardes of a Ladye cast at vnwares to the commoditye of hymselfe in wynninge the good will of her that meaneth nothing lesse then to make them the Ministers of loue yet beinge more ready to content you therin then curious of mine owne behauiour I am to acquite you of imputacion that waye and coÌ„uert y e note of y e follie to the ouersight of my selfe And albeit the pleasant encounter of mine eys seaming more liberal on your behalf with a familiaritie more theÌ„ ordinarie to al men may persuade a certein differeÌ„ce I haue put betwen the frendship of you respect of any other with desyer to embrace you aboue any one creature Yet was I of opinioÌ„ that your sondrye vertues reputation of honor would not suffer you to chalenge me for the firste faulte or to conuerte theis regardes of simple and colde fauor into suche consequence as to attempte the violation of that which mine honor grudgeth to lose and the vowe of faith to my husbande forbiddes me to depart withall notwithstanding I yelde you no lesse thankes for your curtesye then you seame to gyue commendacion to my beautye and other giftes you note in me accomptinge the same of greater price by the value and estimacion you make of them neither wil I refuse y e proffer of your present frendship which as I hope is voyde of intent to preiudice mine honor so let it suffise you that I am not only contented to admit you into fauor but also determined to hold you no lesse deare then the tendrest part of my selfe And because letters being incident to manye casualties are commonly the fyrst discloasers of the secretes of louers my aduise is that hensfurth you staye not only the diligence of your pen in sealing such great importance within a dissemblyng pece of paper but also be contented to commit the whole conueighe of our busines to the credit of this bringer who is to yelde you salutacion on the behalf of her who ioyeng no lesse in the vnitye of this frendship then hating the thing that maie seame hurteful to the coÌ„sommarioÌ„ of the same doth wishe your constancie of no longer continuance then you shal fynde cause of credit in the loyaltie of your vnfayned Plaudina The report of this letter preferred such a possibilitie likelihode of good lucke to the Myllanoys that dismissing euen now al argumeÌ„ts of former doubte he determined to accepte the offer of his fortune pursue y e benefit of present time wherin he was so furthered by the diligence of the minister and messenger of their loue that theare seamed to want for the fynall complote of theyr busynes but only the consent of conuenient tyme place which had folowed accordingly yf for the more assurance of the bargaine they had bryâ—ed the good wyll of the blinde goddesse whom as the Poetes haue chrtstened by the name of Dame Fortune gyuinge her charge ouer the change and alteracion of things so she is not so inconstant of her selfe as readye to manifest her mutabilitie when the wretches of the worlde seame to reapose mest assurance in her frendship And as the pleasant apple mustering with delicate glée vpoÌ„ the heyght of the highest spraise is blowen down with the least poffe of winde that breathes and so oppressed wyth the violence of the fal that the fruts is quyte taken awaye in the middest of his glory so the case and quiet of man is fauored
inconstancie neyther can a bodye of so rare perfection harbor suche dyssemblynge disposicion But as the desyerous harte is seldome at rest so the doubtefull mynde is dreadefull of deceite and quareliynge continuallye with his good hap or synister fortune is alwayes in ymaginacion what iudgement to resolue vppon the condition of his owne estate so my case is of no lesse perpleritie for wafting indifferētly betwene happie chaunce euil successe I fele my selfe double passioned somtime moued to reioice my good hap in beīg loued of so honest curteouse noble a gentlemā as Cornelio and by by driuen to inueighe againste my euill fortune that hath put suche distance and seperacion of oure bodies when we weare at point to performe the consommacion of our acquaintaunce And albeit the common chaunces of this worlde resemble a confection made of hony and gall and that the banquettes of loue beinge garnished with dishes of both sortes will vs to make choice wyth deliberacion alledgynge that the pleasure is not so great as the repentaunce penaunce of harde disgestion yet I thinke the vertue to performe the vowe of the hart takes awaye the greatnes and haynous disposicion of the faulte wherefore seing my hart hath made his choice and the reste of my partes resolued to performe the quest I wyll not onelye dismisse all doubtes of the assurance of his good wyll but studye to excede hym in affection deuisinge the meanes from hensfurth to make hym féele the force of my goodwill with the desyer I haue to knitt an indissoluble vnitye of the ij mindes whose bodies are forced to lyue in seperacion by the malice of the worlde and angrie dome of our fortune Here yf PLAVDINA inueighed onely vpon ij pointes of her desaster the one for the soddaine departure of her frende and the other for the doubte she seamed to put in the assuraunce of his loue it is to bée thoughte that CORNELIO had cause of treble complaint bothe to be driuen to saue his lyfe by cowardlye flighte to steale awaye in suche secret scilent maner as only his guide was pryuie to his goinge also to bée distressed with such shortnes of time that he was barred to seame thankeful to his Ladye with a simple farewel whiche was sufficient to sturre vp her Ielous humour againste hym but that whiche exceded the rest in greatnes of gréef was that he had no man of trust to carye her newes of his being and muche lesse durste he communicat his buysynes wyth any straunger neyther had he hope to be aduertised of the accurrantes of MYLLAN nor meane to make reaport of his owne estate at MANTVA for that he durst not discouer the place of his present abode there wherefore cryeng out of the constellation and clymat of his destynies he complained his vnhappie case in this sorte If my offence were as greate as my punyshmente is greuous I wolde thinke no submission worthie of place nor my falte meete to be dispensed withall or if I had as iustlye deserued this wronge as I am sewer to suffer the smarte I had no reason to commence cause of complaint agaynste the malice of y e world much lesse accuse the iniquitye of present tyme nor yet crye out of y e synister disposition of fortune to whom as the poetes seame to attribute some power ouer our worldly affaires bestowinge their indeuor therin I thinke rather to féede the time and ymagynacions of the people with a shape or figure of an vnconstante creature then wyth intente to perswade a credit in so senceles an ymage so I am also perswaded by the present experience of her inconstancie that she is not so liberall to geue as readye to take awaye a lesse hable to contynue the felicitie wherwyth she seames to flatter y e conceite of y e simple for whō she hath brought to beleue in her she makes manytimes more desirous of glory then hable to receiue it wherin who maye more iustely exclaime agaynst her mobylitie thē y e vnhappie CORNELIO whō being fauored w t y e offer of a reciprocal affection and at the pointe to be put in the possession of his desyer shee hath not only taken the praie out of my mouthe but comitted me wyth cruelty into the vale of extreme desolacion of what moment are y e greatnes of princes or to what end serues honor or highe callinge seinge bothe the one and the other are subiect to confucion and readye to yelde at the leaste poffe of winde that bloweth from a contrary shoare Yet if I were a simple cytisen or companion of meaner callinge thennemie wolde neyther watche my doings wyth so manye eyes nor pursewe my deathe by publike or pryuate inuacion and I suffered to liue as free from the troubles and tumultes of the worlde as farr from any care or accompte of the doings of great men where nowe alas thonly heighte of my estate tipped wyth the tytle of honor depryueth me of thuse of my contrey societie of my frendes and contemplacion of the thinge I holde no lesse deare thenne the healthe of my soule But if any thinge colde stoppe the couetous humor of man and euerye one contente wyth the lot of his porcion would cease to inuade the dominion of an other kinges shoulde sytt sewer in their troanes and the pallais of princes voide of suspicious feare and care and then myne owne PLAVDINA shoulde not I liue wythout the companie of the nor thou haue cause to doubt the firme constancie of thy seruant whose reputacion of honor and faythe towardes his prince denieth hym for the presente to honor the wyth the duetye whych thy vertues deserue and albeit it is no lesse follye then tyme loste to trauell in dispite of loue and fortune whyche bothe haue conspired my distruction and ioyned in confente to kepe mee frome enioyenge the fauor of her who merites the seruice of one more noble and worthie euery way then I and because no distāce shal dissolue my affection nor dymynishe the leaste braunche of good will nor yet time her selfe haue power to ouertreade the vertue of my faythe I will so dispose of the reste of my life as the same shall make absolute declaracion of the vnfained constancie of my mynd wyth the sincere vowe of loyaltie whiche I haue sworne and dedicated to the seruice of her deuyne bewtie euen vntill the laste and extreme seperacion of my soule and bodie wherin because aduersatie is rather subiect to many miseries then apte to admit any consolation and that the goodwill of fortune comes rather at vnwares then won by speciall sute I wyl perforce contente my selfe wyth the gyfte of presente time and vsinge the remembrance of my mistres as a speciall moderation of the hardnes of my exile so honor thymage and picture of her bewtie painted alreadie in thintralls of my harte that thonly remembrance and inward view of my deare PLAVDINA shall norishe the remeindor or my
endowed me with the gyfte of thanckfull contentacion that my estate with contynuall vse of honest trauaile ys no lesse plesannt to me theÌ„ y e dilicate order ful of superfluite of vaine pompe vsed by great Ladyes now a dayes wantonlye norished in pallays and places of princes beynge more redy to roÌ„ne vnder the danger of a thowsand torments yeldyng death hys tribute with the sacrifyce of my bodye then to laye my chastitie in pawne as you perswade me for thinlarging y e hard condicion of my selfe or state of my poore parents neither haue I hetherto felt any mocioÌ„ of that follie which you call loue and muche lessemene I to make anye experience of his flatteryng offers howe great so euer they appere wherfor let yt suffice you to haue broached the vessel of your villanie afore her that in respecte of your yeres is coÌ„tented to comytt your filthye message to scilence wyshyng you hensfurth to broake in matters of more honestie or at y e least to seke to solicit such as are as careles of theyr honour as you redy to seduce it for my part I haue weighed min honour and lyfe in indifferent ballaunce with intent to exchange both the on and the other at equall price and as for the galland y t sent you he makes true declaration of the loue he bears me in semyng more desyerous to enioye the pleasure of my bodye then carefull to preserue myne honour or preueÌ„t the dauÌ„ger of my soule you as y e vnnatural bourreaâ— suborned to subuert the chefest ornameÌ„t of my life are coÌ„tent to become his messenger and minister and vnder the coollor of deuacion to communicate matters of bawdry so for his part let him kepe that he hath won and pay hym selfe with y e tribut of his own folly for I am not only resolued heÌ„sfurth once to speke to hym but also to shonne the place wher he is as a venemous serpent and rauenous wolfe rather desyerous to make marchaÌ„dise of my body then careful any waye of my reputacioÌ„ wishyng you also for end to depart y e place least your long taryeng yelde you the due reward of your trauaile whiche sharpe repuâ—se and last threates so amased the bawde nipped her in y e head y t although she wer more excelleÌ„t in y e gyfts of an oratour then beloÌ„ged to one of her trade yet durste she neyther truste the smoth and sugred stile of her tounge in excusinge the cause of her comming nor seme eftesones to credite the fynes of her wytt in deuisyng newe charmes to enchaunt the pudicitie of the mayde but as one no lesse ashamed of that she had don then fearynge to be discouered and committed to shame retyred with lesse noyse theÌ„ ioye of her message leuynge Iulya reioysyng the goodnes of her Fortune that had delyuered her so saffelye from the perils of so greate a mischiefe persuadynge her selfe hensfurth to vse the pollycye of the serpent in stoppynge her eares leaste with the assistaunce of time and libertie to here her speke she might unhappely fal into the daunger of her charme wherin she semed to obserue y e rule of wisdoÌ„ which bidd all women of honest parte the cacquett or companye of theÌ„ that go about to corrupte their chastetie seinge that she y t willingly admittes listeneth to the infectious that of such deuouring cater pillers semes in y e iudgemeÌ„t of y e world to be of disposition redy to obey their loare and what greate battery nede we to beate that fortresse whose captaine demaunds a parley and seweth for composition but what was the passion all this while of the poore Ferrarois of not such as commonly is incident to them that languishe of the lyke desease for waftinge indifferently betwene hope and dispaier he semed more redye to incurr the daunger of the on then hable to conuert the benefyte of the other into a helpe for himself wherin he was the rather furthered by the reporte of his bawde who denied to perform any ê‘te of her promise and lesse hable to answere his exspectation retorned as it wer w t a flea in her eare being no less ashamed of y t she had don theÌ„ doubtful to procede any further semed w t y e report of her colde successe to pronounce the extreme sentence finall arrest of his life but loue who first stirred vp the humor of his folly vndertaking to be his guide during y e conueigh of this buysines wolde not leue him alone in the middeste of his pagaunte without sufficiente matter to treate vppon neither thought he it time to present the catastrophe or dismiss him froÌ„ the stage till he had plaied the vttermost acte of his folly wherfore fedyng the fondling with vaine suggestioÌ„ dandlynge him stilw t dyuerse arguments and likelyhodes of good successe offred therwith the assistaunce of a new deuise which was that seing praiers could not preuaile nor importunityes take place y e fraÌ„ke offer of his coÌ„tinual seruice not only refused but resolued her so depely in the disdaine hate of his remeÌ„brance that she abhorred his coÌ„pany no lesse then the preseÌ„ce of the Cockatrice or baselyke serpeÌ„t he shold retire to thatteÌ„pte of money as a sure helpe to supplie y t weakenes of his former deuises whose force albeit is so great y t of it selfe it is hable to pearce the strongest tower of a kyngdom being the chefest engin as the poets faine that opened Iupiter the doare of the brasen tower wherin the faier doughter of Achrises was curiously kept yet hath it no power to approche the pallais of vertue and lesse hable to inuade or make any breache into the hart confirmed in pure chastitie wherof our poore Iulya hath left an vndowted example to all degrées of future succession for she resolued wholy in y e true ymitacioÌ„ of vertu reiected al offers of filthy gaine accoÌ„pting the contentment of the mynde to excede al the riches of the world neyther thought shée her worthy of due veneracion nor méete to be admitted in the feloshypp of the tryed sorte that with aconstaÌ„t profe of their faith do not make their chastitie of as greate admiration as the frugilitie of man semes great in doating vpon a beautie that fadeth as a shadow and of lesse continuance then a flower but nowe to your Vallett of chamber who somwhat reuyued with a new hope of goodlucke in the sequele of this second deuise preferred yt ymedyatly to execucion and encoraging the bawde with the offer of his hope instructed her eftesones with new termes more vehement to perswade then likely to spede and so dismissing this seconde embassage commites her to the goodnes of fortune here mother bée loden with money Iewels retires again to her former trade of shame wher marching with no lesse corage then hope of good spede thought her selfe armed w t sufficieÌ„t wepons to enter the fortresse and to put the prisoner into the
viperus aduocat So not wythstanding her seconde sonne grudginge still in the deathe of hys brother and some what doubtful of the cause began to be Ieleouse in the pointes of his mislike and beinge of equal corage to his brother and of no lesse nobilitye in hart cold not also disgest the view of dishonour specially in the highest degree of hys house and affynitie whereof he gaue declaracion in his sterne countenances to TOLONYO to whome yf he spake at times by any occasion his wordes argued the disdayne in his hart vsing vnhappelie the lyke regardes and tearmes to his mother who not liking to haue any tutor to note or controll her villanie and hardned with all in th execution of fleshe and life iudged it no offence to embrue her handes with the blod of this innocente and paint euery post and posterne of her castel with the braines of her posteri ie resoluing ymediatly vppon the fatall conspiracie agaynst her second sonne swearinge his death with her execrable mynister TOLONYO who vnder toke y e charge with promise to perform theffect wherin he vsed the meane and expedicion by hym who first distressed the father for this reuerende lawyer rather studied in the philosophie of Sathan then traded in the skill of thordynances of kynges and Emprours or experienced in matters belonginge to the senat so coniured the morderer wyth perswacions and proffers of rewarde that he admitted the bargayne and gaue assurance of the consommacion wherin he failed not of any point or article for certeine dayes after the gentleman being on huntinge vppon certayne mountaines enuyronning a hollow and lowe valleye as his men were buysye in rewarding their howndes wyth the pawnche and intrals of certeine chasses they had killed their vnfortunate maister reapposed hymselfe vppon the edge of a steape and high hill whose discent ymported a perillous regard by the deepe and hollow vaulte in the valleye replenished on euery side with sharppe and hideous rockes here as he accompted hymselfe most sewer and furthest from cause or effect of traison hee founde greatest daunger wyth stroake of mortall destruction for that the hyerd mynister of his death tracing his step yes all the daye to fynde an occasion fyt to further the ende of hys buysynes refused not thoffer of so coÌ„uenient a meane place for as they were in familiar deuise together the one dreadinge no harme the other attending thassistance of the deuil to performe his wickednes stept of a soddaine behinde thrust the vnhappie gentleman from the topp of y e mountaine to the bottom of the valleye where the sharp rockes receyuing him wythout respect of hys innocencie made morsels of his guiltles carkasse What difference may a man set betwene the desolacion of hys house and myserie of the succession of Atreus the Greeke whose children were cruelly cut in peces the wyfe of one of theym suruiuing a noted woman of all the world for incestious lyfe becomes in the end the mordresse of her husband by thassistance of thadulteror and defyler of their mariage bed and she wyth her rybaud oppressed at last wyth vengance equal to their offence by the handes of her owne sonne what pytie is it to sée an experience of such examples amongest christians and in this age yea in the place and contry where the regarde of parentes towards their children is suche that they make no conscience to hazarde their owne lyues to defende the health of suche as nature hathe geuen theym for succession where this execrable ympp of infernall procreacioÌ„ borne for the skourge and plage of her posteritie respecting more to conceile aggrauat her wickednes then careful any way to repeÌ„t her synnes delited as it seamed to sprinkle the earth wyth innocent blod whych cryed vengance both against her and her companioÌ„ of these horryble morders according to the iudgement of the great god who keping a true reckoning of euery drop of blod that hath ben spilt since the deathe of Abell the iust vntil the last affliction of as many as hath bene or shal be vniustlie persecuted punished or mordered hy y e malice of y e wicked prouideth coÌ„monly y t such acts of detestacioÌ„ receiue end by the discouerye of the life passed of such infamous wretches wherof behold an experieÌ„ce in this cursed lady who after the funerals of her yonger son seing y t al her seruants kept eye watche vpoÌ„ her w t suspicioÌ„ of her vicious dealing ymparted y e whole to the gallaÌ„d her minioÌ„ who consulted and coÌ„cluded ymedyatly the end of their pleasures and exercises of blodd togeger whiche was to marye one an other wherein albeit appeared a diffycultye for that TOLONYO hadde alreadie a wyfe no lesse wise faire and vertuous then he cruell spitefull and vicious yet it seamed not ympossible for that the wicked man accompteth a facilytie in euerye thynge whych he estemeth eyther reasonable or lawfull He determyned at what price soeuer it wer to make her plaie a fourth parte in the former tragedie of the father and his ii sonnes ympartinge his bloddie resolucion to his beastlye trooll who no lesse assured in such euill then ready to make a mynister in thattempt as the common villeine that sturreth not from the straites of the mounteynes stripping eue ry passenger not hable to resyste his force allowed the deuise wyth speciall request of expedicion in thaccomplishmeÌ„t Al whiche it is to be thought the couetus doctor did not deuise wyth intent to performe for the respecte altogether of loue or frendshipp he bare to her whom he goeth nowe abowte to marye for he considered that men for the moste part embrase traitors to make their proffyt of their inuentions and subtelties which when they haue wrested frome them eyther the traitors bée punished by death or at leaste so disdained that their miserye in lyuinge showeth thundowted difference betwene vertue and vice disposicion of an infidell or one that esteâ—eth not his fayth and he that is carefull to kepe his conscience cleare from suche spott So Tolonyo not ignorant of y e large reuenue and great summes of moneye of the ladye of CHABRYE wyth store of other welthe aboute the castel accompted it a commoditie to exchaunge the lyfe of hys wyfe for the fylthie vse of so greate riches meaning notwythstanding to enioye the spoiles of so plentifull a praye and after to sende her packinge and make her passe by the pathe of so manye morders committed both by the one and thother Oh vnbridled couetousnes and execrable desyer of vnhonest gaine howe haste thou blaired the eyes and vnderstandynge of men now a dayes hardning their hartes agaynst the dread of god and feare of his lawes what mischiefe hath ouerwhelmed vs by thy meanes seing the father is Ielowse of the faythe of hys sonne the wyfe doubtful of her husbande the neighbour fearyng ambushes of treason in his nexte companion and the prince often tymes in daunger of his sauetye beinge
wydo wheade and how euyll it became a gentlewoman of her estate and callynge to comit her honor to dowte and honest name to question in visiting the sicknes of one who is neyther parent nor allye nor almoste any waye knowen vnto her whyche as it dryue hym frome further attempte that waye so waighinge the distres of his trend y e vertu which nature hath giuen to onewomaÌ„ to entreat an other thought it a pece of pollecie to geue a secoÌ„d charge of her who first broached his request to his cruel mistrys to whom he preferred suche reasons as he accompted of force to perswade her sometime alledginge the pytie which naturallie is incydent to all women and when and vppon whom it ought to bée exposed hée preferred also the glory w t names of ymmortalytie which diuerse of forreine time haue won by semblable vertue where with he won a seconde graunte of her furtherance so farr furth as at thinstant they wente together to the lodginge of Seignenr Virley in whom the very view of his aunciente frende and nexte neighbour sturred vp a more encrease of sorowe forcinge hym to a further complaint then affore with desyer chiefly that he had neuer made exsperience of her faith nor she cause to attempte the frendshipp of her whose crueltie in preseruinge her honor is greater then is necessarye and compassion lesse then is conuenient for his distresse proceding only of an honest zeale without intent of violacion of honor or honeste name which wyth dyuerse argumentts of ghastelye regarde accompanienge his last wordes wrought such effectes of pytie and remorse in the honest matrone his neighbour that to preuent his further daunger shée gaue hym assurance of her vttermost in boarding eftsoÌ„es the goodwil of his â—oye mistrys with protestacion of waranty that if he wer deliuered of his sicknes she wold procure a mutual conference betwen him and the cause of his vniust torment wherunto albeit he gaue litle credit for that he thought it was but a broth brued of artifyciall liccour to féed him with dropps of vncertaine consolacion yet in the very offer of her frendship appered a hoâ—e of spedie deliuery which she promised eftsones in sort as you haue hard willinge him to reapose himselfe whollie in the vertue of her indeuor and worde which seamed to breath an ayre of such compfort and force thorow all his partes that defyenge the malice of his late sicknes hée seamed euen then to lacke no part of his former health neyther had he néede of restoretiues or force of confections to confirme his recouerye or assistance of staffe or crooche to supporte his feble lymmes weakned with so longe sicknes but perswadinge a wounderfull felicyty in the very remembrance whiche his mistrys seamed to haue of his distresse he ymagyned to syt alredie in the paradise of his pleasure dismissinge ymediatly the messenger who carefull for her part to put her promisse in vse attended thoffer of coÌ„uenient time to worke theffect accordingly wherin she was assisted with a speciall fauor of fortune who for the more expedicion of y e matter brought Zylya the lady messenger to mete w tin iij. daies after in one pew or cloase deske in y e church wher y e solicitor of Seigueur Virley forcing certeine teares in her eyes begaÌ„ to practise for her clyent in such sort y t what w t repeticion of the passion of the knighte speciall reproche againste the crueltie of women in those cases with generall comeÌ„dacion to y e vertue of such as declare compassion vpon the distress of thafflicted she wrought her to a remorse of his paine with consent to preuente his further perill wyth a simple offer of the viewe of her presence and that vnder tearmes of condicion that frome and after the tyme of such frendshipp he shold disclayme al ymportunities in the pursute of further fauor wherewyth she enioyned hym only a libertie of an howers conference the next day at ij of the clocke in thafter none where saith shée I haue more regard to thextremetie of his distresse wyth desyer to stop the course of further daunger in him then to giue hym any cause at al to make his proffit of this frendeshippe or perswade a hope of further fauor in me hereafter prayinge you for your part to giue hym in straite charge neyther to breake the moment of appointmente nor excede the lymyt of his tyme wherein as I reappose a chiefe credit in youre honestie so if the successe aunswere not my exspectacion assure your selfe youre vertue cann not escape wythe oute slaunder and the best parte of youre faythe remeyne in question for euer wherewyth they departed the one to her lodging conuerted whollly into deuise wyth what tearmes she sholde aunswere the day followinge the follie of her folishe louer the other repaireth to her passioned Vyrle who dispairinge still of the goodnes of Zylya preuented the reaporte of the messenger by askinge her what newes and whether his mistrys were still shodd with her mettall of aunciente tyranny or no that you shall try your selfe saith she if you haue the hart to meete her tomorowe in her house at the seconde hower after dynner according to her owne appointement whiche brought such newe ioye into all his desperat partes that he feell of embrasing the bringer of those glade some newes offringe her the choice of a thousand thankes with libertie to dispose of him and all that was his at her pleasure thinking the exposicion of his life to a thousande perils for her sake was farr insufficiente to counteruaile the greatnes of the pleasure shee had procured him in that simple appointmente whiche he promised to performe the next daye accordinge to the hower with intente to endure what soeuer it pleased fortune to bestowe vppon hym agaynst whom to stryue sayth he albeit is as though a man sholde make warr agaynst hymselfe whereof the victorie cannot bee without doble daunger yet am I determined to embrase her doome although the same contend agaynste my felicitie in whiche or suche like termes hee passed the daye whyche seamed to excede the space and compasse of a yeare to hym that lyueth in exspectacion of frendshipp at the handes of his mistrys wyth whose snares he was taken without that he had libertie to giue iudgement of the malice of a woman when she is disposed to spyt out the vttermoste stynge of her venym And sewerly that man is farr from the guide of discrecion that is touched with the furye of such charmes seing the daunger of so many thousandes tastinge of the like abuses ought to warne vs to eschewe such euils in oure selues neytheer haue they don suche wronge to themselues as generall discredit to the whole masculyne sect â–ª for that with out wisdome they haue become subiecte to theim who haue their beyng in this worlde for no other respect then to depende vppon the will and comandement of the man but as this mortall
at all howers to performe the recucion of her commaundemente wherunto she replied with thankes according to the affection that gouerned her with request eftsones and that wyth a reciprocal looke and soft sighe not to forget hereafter the waye to the castell of her mother to whom she assured hym the welcomest gueste of the worlde and for her parte she accompted it a felicitye to participate in her pleasure and kepe in entier the league of frendshipp where with heretofore bothe their houses haue ben blissed from the beginninge where with time with the nomber of assistantes witnessing their glee forced an abridgement of their farewel contrarie albeit to both their wills the one retirynge to her chamber with more care and lesse quiet then afore and the other with a thousand hamours in his head tooke his waye to the house of his mother to whom he ymparted his aduenture his distres beinge lefte of hys men in a place vnknoweÌ„ his horse ouercome with èxtreme trauel and that which worste was thapproche of night and his dispaire to fynde harbor when not withstaÌ„dyng he chanced vppon the castell of the olde Ladye of whose curtesie beautye of her doughter he made a perticular discourse leauynge oute notwitstandynge the glée betwene Geniuerae and hym wyth requeste that it woulde please her to ioyne with hym in some honeste meane of thankefull consideration to theim bothe whereunto he founde his mother no lesse readie in consente then hym selfe desyerous to vse expedicion in theffecte so that wyth her aduise the platt was made to inuite theym to her house the weke followynge and that he alone shoulde worke theffect like as he founde hymselfe moste charged with the dett of their curtesie and desyer to requite it whereunto he added suche diligence that vppon his letter and humble requeste he gott the consente of the mother and doughter whiche both failed not of their promiss at the daye appointed When Dom Diego hauinge for the nonste the assistaunce of all the gentlemen and gentlewomen his neghbours forgatt no pointe of his indeuor to do them al y e honor he could both in sumptuousnes of dyot wherof there was more then sufficient choice of musicke melodie of all sortes masques momries triumphes other offices of humanitie wherein it behoued hym chieflye to show a singler deâ—leritie aswell for the discarg of euery mans eye and exspectatioÌ„ touching a showe of his giftes beinge norrished and broughte vpp amongste princes and also for the desyer he had to leaue no honor vnperformed in the companie of her who had already the whole possession of his libertie I nede not discriue by pece meale thapparell of the feaste the diuersitye and chaunge of theyr dyot theyr delicate banquetes nor the sondrye sortes of swete wynes it maye suffice that after dynner they discended into a greate hall readye trymmed for the purpose where the daunces began accordyng to the stroke of a swete and softe musike shrowded vnder a vaile or canapie of arrais in the vppermoste parte of the hall there euerye gentleman toke his Ladye amongeste whome Dom Diego was not forgetfull to addresse him towardes his mistres no lesse gladd of her happie encounter then he contente to be so neare the cause of his pleasante tormente and insupportable passion of mynde whereof he began euen nowe to make some discouerye by wordes in this sorte Like as good madam I haue alwayes thoughte that musicke hath imported a secrett vertue to force an apparance of ioye in the moste pynynge and solytary disposicion that is Euenso I fynde myne opinion confirmed by a presente experience in my selfe who earste languishinge in panges of inwarde gréeff with detestation not onelye againste my selfe but also all other thinges that offred any waye to ease the greatnes of myne anoye do fele nowe some moderation of my martirdom aswel by the lameÌ„table note of theis recordes insensible instrumeÌ„ts agreing with the sorowful condicioÌ„ of my present distresse as also that by their conformitie meanes I finde my selfe neare vnto her â–ª who only hath power to cleare the clowdes of my mortal euil restore me to the calme of min auncient quiet and as diuerse diseases are not cured but by a medicen and obiecte of their first occasion so for my parte beinge contributor to the daunger of that extremitie I accompte you as iustely bounde to yelde me compassion as your beauty is the chief and vndowted cause of thalteration which I can no longer coâ—ceile from you and which forceth me in thies few wordes to vowe vnto you without condicion of dissolution suche assurance of my seruice that only death shal haue coÌ„mission to corupte y e league which I seale here on your behalfe by the faith life of a knight to be the only seruante loyal frende and yf you accepte thoffer the lawful husband of y e faire Geniuera La blonde who for her part felte her selfe so assailed with the motions of affection that she coulde not contynue so assured in her countenance but there appered chaung of coulour arguynge indifferently a contentement of the offer and a pleasante mislike of his requeste which rather gaue hym corage to pursue the points of his purposse then disiste or disclayme the hope of so good a begynnynge wherein as he forgat not to vse thoffice of a good solicitor for hym selfe all that after dynner so his ymportunitie at laste broughte her to passe a consente and confirme the bale vnder thies tearmes I am ignorante â—ir sayeth she in the misterie of your disease and muche lesse aâ—â— I preauie to thoccasion which bothe I hope will defende me from ymputacion of blame in with holdyng the remedie you craue at my hande only I can not but greue in the euil of hym to whom if the whole companie are iustlye bounde to be thankeful for the frendshypp they fynde I haue cause of doble obligation possessynge by your presence the onelye contentemente I wyshe in this worlde neyther is your affliction partiall on youre hehalfe considerynge I am also plunged in panges of equal effect finding now I must confesse vnto you that as it is veray harde to conceile the passion procedyng of loue So albeit I hadd determined yet to dissymule that whiche I féele yet am I forced from that resolution by a suggestion sturrynge in the secrett of my hart which I can not tearme properly other wayes then a seconde inspiration assailynge me with an ympression whereof I am indyfferentlye ignorante bothe for skyll and iudgemente notwithstandynge reaposynge muche for my selfe in your vertue which moueth me also to a remorse to satisfie in some parte the due of your deserte I am contente to admitt your offer of a loyall frend till you haue obteyned of my mother the seconde pointe confirmyng thuttermoste of your demaunde till then contente your selfe with my iuste delaye and procure the supplie of your desier with thexpedicion of your owne diligence
guyded me and whose beames of longe haue taken roote in my harte what cause haue I to complaine of thy iniustice whiche yeldes me falshood for faith and tormente for true constancie of mynde if this be the hier of loyaltie why beareste thou the tytle of iuste the pennance I endure dischargeth the of the name of mercifull or if thou deale so seuerly wyth thy true serseruantes Why kepest thou the course amongest the orient planettes of the heauen Albeit yf I abuselthy honor in blasphemyng the maiestie of thy godheade I sewe for no fauor seinge I fele alredye the ful weighte of thy heauye hande neyther haste thou any punishement in store wherof I taste not the force in this my vnworthie affliction whiche seinge it procedes by thinfluence of the starr whiche gouerneth me dispatche at once the messenger of thy determinacion to th ende that by my death my distresse may receiue ende and my cruell mistres performe her glorious triumphe in the victorye of my pynynge lyfe His complaintes coulde not so staye the swifte course of tyme but or he was ware the heighte of the son showed the declining of the daye whiche moued hym to increase his pase leauing the common wayes to folowe the pathes leaste acquainted with traueile wherein they continued withoute intermission till the cloasinge of the euenyng when the wearynes of their horsses forced theim to discend and take harbor within a litle village farre from the ordinary waye from whence after some litle reléeff to their horsses and lesse rest to theim selues they departed wandring in that sorte by the space of thrée or foure dayes and nightes th ende whereof broughte theim at laste to the foote of a large mountaine inhabited onely with sauage beastes and creatures vnreasonable discoueringe rounde about a platt or soile of pleasame prospecte and moste proper to shroode the solitarie life of the wandrynge knyghte for if he delyted in the shade he hadd there the benefytt of a nomber of pleasante trées whiche nature seamed to lende hym as a speciall solace in that wyldernes When his sorowe desyered the vse of a more open prospecte the plaine forrestes and chases wyth theyr wholle heardes of deare of all fortes offred to giue hym skoape to recorde his gréeffe and for chaunge of recreation he mighte viewe there the hideus and highe rockes whose stéepnes and craggie scituation albeit moued a terrour to the beholders yet were they not without cause of greate delite by reason of the pleasant grene garnished with the tappissery of diuerse flowers spreadyng theim selues all a onge the heighte of the sayde mountes but that whiche moued moste his affection to that place was a merueilous faire and rowmey caue enuironed on all sides with béeche cypres pyneaple and ceder trées wyth other braunches yeldynge frutes of diuerse kindes righte afore the mouth or openyng of the which tendyng to the valley appered a nomber of pleasante graftes whose rootes receiuing moisture by a cleare streame passing wyth softe noyse all alonge the dore of the caue gaue suche bountifull norryture to the twigges tender branches that thonly topps bowed downe and dipped theim selues as vppon dutie in a fountaine of wonderfull clearenes fedyng continuallye the saide streame all whiche seamed to offer suche solace to the solytarye intent of Diego that without further aduise he determined to performe there the penance he wente to doo and to conuerte that house builded by nature to the monasterye of his profession wherein he mente to ende the voyage of his deuocions commandynge his man to alight who vnsadlinge their horses gaue theim the keye of the wilde forestes whereof hetherto they harde no newes Touchinge their saddells with the harnesse and other furniture of their horsses they bestowed within a litle cell or corner in their caue where also leauing their ordinarye apparell they putt on theyr habittes of pilgrim there his man made prouision accordynge to the condicion of their state and necessitye of the place dyggynge for his firste indeuor certeine soddes and lomppes of claye wherewith he entrenched and rampierd their felden shopp to defende theym againste the furye of wilde beastes who otherwayes myghte oppresse theym in the nyghte he made also twoo beddes or lytle couches of softe mosse wyth a testure and sides of wodde which he hewde in no lesse fyne proporcion then yf the skill of the Carpenter had assisted the worke they hadd no other reléeffe or foode for longe tyme then of the frute whiche the wilde trees did yelde theym one lesse sometime for a chaunge of dyot they were gladd to feede of rawe rootes whiche they digged out of thintrailles of the earth vntill extreme hunger preferred a meane to supplie their thinne fare whiche was that his man made a crosbowe with the whiche they killed often times the hare and conie fedynge at reléeff some time they beguiled the wilde goate in the mountaines and were often the bane of a greater beaste in the forreste whose blood they pressed betwene twoo peces of woode made for the nonst deuidynge theim into morsells whiche they rosted wyth the heatte of the son and so furnished in sober manner their leane table disgestynge theyr rude and vnholsome dyelt wyth a cuppe of colde water whereof they had no lesse plentye with no more charges then when they commaunded ouer whole cellers of delicate wyne in the pallayes of Dom Diego who increased the dweile of his presente miserye wyth teares of continuall complainte inueighynge againste the malice of his fortune wherein he vsed as a common exercise to walke all alone in the moste daungerous places of the desertes enterteynyng his solytarye thoughtes or rather of intente to offer hym selfe a praye to the Iawes of some Lyon or Tygre or merciles beare discendynge from the mountaines but the seruante-doubtynge the resolucion of his maister preuented theffecte of desperation wyth his contynuall presence exclamynge as farre as he durste againste suche vanities and actes of frennezie wherein if by chaunce he lett escape anye worde reprehendynge the crueltye or wronge don vnto hym by his mystres yt was a pastyme to see the alteration of Diego srorminge againste the prelumptuouse audacitye in hys man in suche sorte as continuinge eftesones to accuse her discourtesie he wolde not stike to threaten hym so farre that if it were not for the respecte of the loyaltie he hadd heretofore founde in hym he woulde make hym fele ▪ how neare it tooched hym at the harte to heare with patience any blasphemy against her who hadd no lesse righte to punishe hym in thys sorte then he reason to endure the penance for her sake without cause of iuste complaint agaynste her seueritie wherein as he showed an vndowted experience of the contagius dispocision of loue for that suche as be infected with the corruption of that ayre take no pleasure but to gull and glutt their thirste with the brothe of that pestiferous poyson So if he had ryghtlie measured his owne
baude Narcissus doateth vpon his ovvne shadovve Constancie VVomen deriued of the imperfections of men Faith to be obseruedvvhere the desyer is performed Cornelio giueth his laâ—â— aunsvvere to the baude Plaudyna Plaudyna aduertiseth her louer of the departure of her husband Delyo persuadeth Cornelyo not to go to Millan perills be greater in reaport then daungerous in thaduenture Cornelio astonied in the presence of his Ladye Cornelio speketh to his Ladye Lyfe Plaudina replieth to her seruant Her husband Loue makes a man valiant or rather folishe hardie An order not necessarie for a commâ—â— vvealth A woman more readye of vvitt then a man in exeremeties Necessetie geueth corage to the fainte harte The doubtefull mynd is rather apt to beleue the vvorste then credyt thinges that bâ—◠〈◊〉 A discrip cioÌ„ of Naples accordig to the cronicles of tuskan Diuerse englishe gentlemen enterteined there at this daye Loue a common enemy to the ease of man The Abbot vvriteth to his mistres Loue. Thexclamacion of the Abbot His letter BlaÌ„che maria maried to the Viscount hermes The order of a wise husbaÌ„d in repre hendinge the follies of his gyife The vvise aunsvvere of the Viscount thouchynge the gouernement of hys vvife The visecount dieth VVomenne muste avoide asvvel the suspicion as thact of euyll A pollecye of the serpent Alteracyons in a louer in the presence of his ladye The carle vvoethe the vvidovve The Ytalian Ielousie by nature The vvidovves replye A contracte forced is a vyolacion of mariage A litle falte in a great lady is made a mortal offeÌ„ce in the iudgement of the vvorlde A vvoman reformed rather by faire intreatie the force of constraint Phedra She letteth her banke of money â—oÌ„ne in interest at Myllan She rouneth from her husbande The honor of a maÌ„ ought not to be defaced by the deshonestie of his vvife Shame ought to direct the doinges of vvomen Demosthenes refused the companie of Lays for that she held a nightes lodging at to high a price The first vnlavvfull louer of the countesse The order of a curtisan to allure men to affection Th erle valpergo proffereth his seruice to the countesse She graunteth fauor to therle Acteon transformed into a hart by Dyana Fortune dravven in shape and attire of a vvoman The couÌ„tesse vvoeth therle Gaiazo by letter Morder most haâ—nous in the sighte of god She entreateth her second frend to kyll her firste louer She discontinueth her freÌ„dship vvith the Lord Gaiazo Some faultes may be excused that can not be pardoned The barbarians more curious theÌ„ vve in obseruinge their lavves Shame as necessarie for age as avve for yong meÌ„ Death the due revvâ—â—de of morder The sin of the father punished vpon the children The couÌ„tesse to her last louer No morder escapeth vnpunished Ydlenes the mother of mischiefe In doing nothinge men learne to do euill Loue. The geÌ„tlemaÌ„ maketh loue to Iulya Iulya ansvvereth God The dovvtefull mynde is neuer in quiett The bavvde to Iulya VvomeÌ„ ought to be curteus by nature Iulya reprehendeth the baude Money the mynisters of corrupcion The beginning of euery thing seames harde Iulya rauished by force Money the ministers oâ— infection Beautie Iuly a drovvneth her selfe The bible thinfallible booke Dyuine and humaine lavves The Ladye wâ—â—the her procurer vnder a complaint against the vveakne in her husbande The knights slaine by the â—â—â—â—soÌ„ of hys 〈◊〉 The Ladye â—ayneth a sorovv for the death of her husband Death the messenger of the vvill of God The eldeste sonne chargeth his mother vvith incestuose life vvith tolonyo Honor. She replyeth to her sonne Vertue is coÌ„tinualie assailed vvith enuye spite Her eldest sonne slaine by treason Yt is easye to corrupt him vvhich is euil of himselfe Her seconde sonne slaine by her vvickednes The deuill Tolonyo kil leth his vvife Her father in lavve coÌ„plaineth to the iudge criminall The Ladye fleethe to po getto Tolonyo repenteth and praieth to God for forgyuenes of his sinnes Iere .xxxi. Luke .xxii. Tolonyo exe cuted A vvonderful vertue in a romaine Capteine A merueilus contynencie in the great Alexander The order of the hungrye Spanyarde Yt is necessary to feele sometime a chaunge of fortune Beautye VvomeÌ„ seame masquers in painting their faces beautie Mearemaides Ianiquetta aunsvvereth her compaignion The norsse Luchyne vvoeth Ianiquaette Ianiquetta aunsvvereth Luchyn God Loue. Golde and syluer The bavvde vvoeth Ianiquette Riches Ianiquette reprehendethâ— the bavvde Money A maide ought to defend her honestie euen to the laste dropp of her blodde The Shebaud in LondoÌ„ car yeth a basket in her hande the he bavvde a ring in his mouth Vvomen deriued of thim perfection of men Love The frendes of Luchyn persvvade hym to mary age and amendment of life Honor and liuynge Nothing 〈◊〉 sausfye the couetusâ—â—s of man The husbaÌ„d The bable of of the people is rather of custome then of creditt Necessetie forceth Ianiquette to offer her selfe in praie to Luchyn Luchyn abstained from vyolacion of Ianiquetta Luchyn coÌ„pforteth Ianiquetta Luchyn presenteth Ianiquetta to his vvyfe Xenocrates refused a yoÌ„g maid layed in bedd vvith hym GentlevvomeÌ„ oughte to be skilful in houskeping The charge of a mistris or gouernor of housholde Parentes Phillyberto falleth in loue vvith the vvydovve He vvas made â—understande of thinciuili tye of the vvydovve Loue. Seigneur phil liberto vvoeth his neighbor to solicite his loue to zylia The aunsvver of his neyghbour His neighbour makes a second offer of her helpe Philliberto vvriteth to his Ladye The messenger to the vvy dovve Zilia ansvvereth the messenger The coÌ„plaint of Seigneur Philiberto Loue not seuiahle to any order VVomen are borne to bee obedient to men Fleshelie louers coÌ„pared to the Scorpion Zilya repre hendeth her vvoer 1451. 143â— Written in their boke of 〈◊〉 called caâ—alogue des martuis The desier of vnhoâ—eâ—te gaine the fountaine of all euills Crassus fell into the handes of 〈…〉 Zylpa sorovveth her for mer crueltie Honestie the chiefest support of lyfe Vertues in loue Dicesing house Perillo repreheÌ„ded of cer teine his fren des The house of play a store house of all vices Tenaunte by the high vvay side called theaues in plaine englyshe Loue. Riches most respected in mariages novv a dayes Perillo vvriteth to Carmosy na Carmosyna aunsvve rethe the letter of Perillo Mynio denie the to mary his doughter to Perillo The coÌ„plaiÌ„t of perillo Perillo taken prisonner and his goods spoiled The complaint of Peaitllo in prison The Sea Carmosina complayneth the misery of perillo Richeâ— A speciall chalenge The poore man demaunding his almes is the deputie of Christ vvho saithe vvhat vve geue to the nedy vve bestovve vppon hym Perillo redemed from pryson Carmosyna comfortethe Perillo Perillo and Carmosyna maried Perillo his vviffe slaine vvith Athonder oolte Loue. Dom Diego made knyght The first meting vvords betvven Diego and Geniuera A discriptioÌ„ thattiâ—e and beautye of Geniuera Geniuera fal leth in loue vvith Diego Loue procedes of a fond opynion Dom diego passioned vvith loue Slepe the ceremonies of the night Geniuera and her mother at the house of Diego Diego vvoeth Geniuera in a daunse Geniuera auÌ„ svvereth vvith half consent to his request Yt is hard to conceile the passion of loue Mariage Geniuera falleth iÌ„ disdain vvith Diego Geniuera exclaimeth against Diego Geniuera reprocheth Diego by a letter The coÌ„plaint of Diego Death the last and best repose of mise rye His man dissuadeth hym from the pilgrims voiage The most perfect victorie is to make a conquest of our selues Diego begin neth his pilgrymage Diego complaineth his chaunge of estate vpon the vvaye The contentes of Diegos letter to geniuera Deathe the dreadefull messenger The havvke Venice taken and putt to sacke by Pirro Fregos Theues Roderico dis couereth embraseth his frende Dom Diego Diego acknovvledgeth himselfe to Roderico Thoffice of a noble man or one in authoritie Diego excuseth hys departure from his contrey The vvise man vvil neuer comytt councelle to children VVomen coÌ„pared to infates Roderico killeth the biskaine Cupido Roderico to geniuera Geniuera exclameth against Roderico Diego vpon his knees 〈◊〉 ueth pytye Dom Diego being stil prostrate crieth for coÌ„passion to his mistrys Roderico threatneth Geniuera Geniuera be ginneth to shovve arguments of compassion diego sevveth for the lyf of Geniuera Her hart Ge niueâ—a eâ—â—useth her former faiâ—e and folâ—â—e vvich promise of vnfayned fayth to Diego The conclucion of the traÌ„slator vpoÌ„ his volume of tragicall discourses