from all our pleasant discoursing as we did the like on the Saturday following sanctifiing the sacred Sabboth in due regard of it selfe Wherefore being desirous to imitate precedent good example which in worthy manner shee began to vs all I hold it very decent and necessary that we should asttaine to morrow and the day ensuing from recounting any of our pleasant Nouels reducing to our memories what was done as on those dayes for the saluation of our soules This holy and Religious motion made by the Queene was commendably allowed by all the assembly and therefore humbly taking taking their leaue of her and an indifferent part of the night being already spent seuerally they betooke themselues to their Chambers The end of the Seauenth day THE EIGHT DAY Whereon all the Discourses passe vnder the Rule and Gouernment of the Honourable Ladie LAVRETTA And the Argument imposed is Concerning such Wittie deceyuings as haue or may be put in practise by Wiues to their Husbands Husbands to their Wiues Or one man towards another The Induction EARELY on the Sonday Morning Aurora shewing her selfe bright and louely the Sunnes Golden beames beganne to appeare on the toppes of the neere adioyning Mountaines so that Hearbes Plants Trees and all things else were verie euidently to be discerned The Queene and her Companie being all come foorth of their Chambers and hauing walked a vvhile abroad in the goodly greene Meadowes to taste the sweetnesse of the fresh and wholesome ayrethey returned backe againe into the Palace because it was their dutie so to do Afterward betweene the houres of seauen and eight they went to heare Masse in a faire Chappell â—eere at hand and thence returned to their Lodgings When they had dined merrily together they fell to their wonted singing and dauncing Which beeing done such as were so pleased by License of the Queene first obtained went either to their rest or such exercises as they tooke most delight in When midday and the heate thereof was well ouer-past so that the aire seemed mild and temperate according as the Queene had commanded they were all seated againe about the Fountaine with intent to prosecute their former pastime And then Madame Neiphila by the charge imposed on her as first speaker for this day beganne as followeth Gulfardo made a match or wager with the Wife of Gasparuolo for the obtaining of her amorous fauour in regard of a summe of money first to be giuen her The money hee borrowed of her Husband and gaue it in payment to her as in case of discharging him from her Husbands debt After his returne home from Geneway hee told him in the presence of his Wife how he had payde the whole summe to her with charge of deliuering it to her Husband which she confessed to be true albeit greatly against her will The First Nouell Wherein is declared that such women as will make sale of their honestie are sometimes ouer-reached in their payment and iustly serued as they should be SEeing it is my fortune Gracious Ladies that I must giue beginning to this dayes discoursing by some such Nouel which I thinke expedient as duty bindeth me I am therewith well contented And because the deceits of Women to men haue beene at large and liberally related I will tell you a subtile tricke of a man to a Woman Not that I blame him for the deede or thinke the deceyte not well fitted to the woman but I speake it in a contrarie nature as commending the man and condemning the woman very iustly as also to shew how men can as well beguile those crafty companions which least beleeue any such cunning in them as they that stand most on their artificiall skill Howbeit to speake more properly the matter by me to be reported deserueth not the reproachfull title of deceite but rather of a recompence duly returned because women ought to be chaste and honest to preserue their honour as their liues without yeelding to the contamination thereof for any occasion whatsoeuer And yet neuerthelesse in regard of our frailty many times we prooue not so constant as we should be yet I am of opinion that she which selleth her honestie for money deserueth iustly to be burned Whereas on the contrary she that falleth into the offence onely through intirc affection the powerfull lawes of Loue beeing aboue all resistance in equity meriteth pardon especially of a Iudge not ouer-rigorous as not long since wee heard from Philostratus in reuealing what hapned to Madam Phillippa de Prato vpon the dangerous Edict Vnderstand then my most worthy Auditors that there liued sometime in Millaine an Almaigne Soldiour named Gulfardo of commendable carriage in his person and very faithfull to such as he serued a matter not common among the Alâ—aignes And because he made iust repayment to euery one which lent him monies he grew to such especiall credit and was so familiar with the very best Marchants as manie times he could not be so ready to borrow as they were willing alwaies to lend him He thus continuing in the Cittie of Millaine fastened his affection on a verie beautifull Gentlewoman named Mistresse Ambrosia Wife vnto a rich Merchant who was called Signior Gasparuolo Sagastraccio who had good knowledge of him and respectiuely vsed him Louing this Gentlewoman with great discretion without the least apprehension of her husband he sent vpon a day to entreate conference with her for enioying the fruition of her loue and she should find him ready to fulfill whatsoeuer she pleased to command him as at any time he would make good his promise The Gentlewoman after diuers of these priuate solicitings resolutely answered that she was as ready to fulfill the request of Gulfardo prouided that two especiall considerations might ensue thereon First the faithfull concealing thereof from any person liuing Next because she knew him to be rich and she had occasion to vse two hundred Crowns about businesse of important consequence he should freely bestow so many on her and euer after she was to be commanded by him Gulfardo perceiuing the couetousnesse of this woman who notwithstanding his doting affection he thought to be intirely honest to her Husband became so deepely offended at her vile answere that his feruent loue conuerted into as earnest loathing her determining constantlie to deceiue her and to make her auaritious motion the only means wherby to effect it He sent her word that he was willing to performe her request or any farre greater matter for her in which respect he onely desired for to know when she would be pleased to haue him come see her and to receiue the money of him No creature hee acquainted with his setled purpose but onely a deere friend and kinde companion who alwayes vsed to keepe him company in the neerest occasions that concerned him The Gentlewoman or rather most disloyall wife vppon this answer sent her was extraordinarily iocond and contented returning him a secret Letter wherein she signified that Gasparuolo her
attending for him and reuealed in what manner the King had answered him whereupon they consulted together concerning both their answeres which seemed either to exceed their comprehension or else was deliuered them in meere mockery and therefore more then halfe discontented they returned homeward againe After they had ridden on a few dayes together they came to a Riuer ouer which was a goodly Bridge and because a great company of Horses and Mules heauily laden and after the manner of a Carauan of Camels in Egypt were first to passe ouer the saide Bridge they gladly stayed to permit their passe The greater number of them being already past ouer there was one shie and skittish Mule belike subiect to fearefull starting as oftentimes we see horses haue the like ill quality that would not passe ouer the Bridge by any meanes wherefore one of the Muletters tooke a good Cudgell and smote her at the first gently as hoping so to procure her passage Notwithstanding starting one while backeward then againe forward side-wayes and euery way indeed but the direct Road way she would not goe Now grew the Muletter extreamely angry giuing her many cruell stroakes on the head sides flancks and all parts else but yet they proued to no purpose which Melisso and Giosefo seeing and being by this meanes hindred of their passage they called to the Muletter saying Foolish fellow what doest thou Intendest thou to kill the Mule why dost thou not leade her gently which is the likelier course to preuaile by then beating and misusing her as thou dost Content your selues Gentlemen answered the Muletter you know your horses qualities as I doe my Mules let mee deale with her as I please Hauing thus spoken he gaue her so many violent strokes on head sides hippes and euery where else as made her at last passe ouer the Bridge quietly so that the Muletter wonne the Mastery of his Mule When Melisso and Giosefo had past ouer the Bridge where they intended to part each from other a sudden motion happened into the minde of Melisso which caused him to demaund of an aged man who sate crauing almes of Passengers at the Bridge foot how the Bridge was called Sir answered the old man this is called The Goose Bridge Which words when Giosefo heard hee called to minde the saying of King Salomon and therefore immediately saide to Melisso Worthy friend and partner in my trauell I dare now assure you that the counsell giuen me by King Salomon may fall out most effectall and true For I plainely perceiue that I knew not how to handle my self-will'd vntill the Muletter did instruct me So requesting still to enioy the others Company they iourneyed on till at the length they came to Laiazzo where Giosefo retained Melisso still with him for some repose after so long a iourney and entertained him with very honourable respect and courtesie One day Giosefo said to his Wife Woman this Gentleman is my intimate friend and hath borne me company in all my trauell such dyet therfore as thou wilt welcome him withall I would haue it ordered in dressing according to his direction Melisso perceiuing that Giosefo would needs haue it to be so in few words directed her such a course as for euer might be to her Husbands contentment But she not altring a iote from her former disposition but rather farre more froward and tempestuous delighted to vexe and crosse him doing euery thing quite contrary to the order appointed Which Giosefo obseruing angerly he said vnto her Was it not tolde you by my friend in what manner he would haue our Supper drest She turning fiercely to him replyed Am I to be directed by him or thee Supper must and shall bee drest as I will haue it if it pleaseth mee I care not who doth dislike it if thou wouldst haue it otherwise goe seeke both your Suppers where you may haue it Melisso maruelling at her froward answere rebuked her for it in very kind manner whereupon Giosefo spake thus to her I perceiue wife you are the same woman as you were wount to be but beleeue me on my word I shal quite alter you from this curst complexion So turning to Melisso thus he proceeded Noble friend we shall try anone whether the counsell of King Salomon bee effectuall or no and I pray you let it not be offenssiue to you to see it but rather hold all to be done in merriment And because I would not be hindered by you doe but remember the answere which the Muletter gaue vs when we tooke compassion on his Mule Worthy friend replyed Melisso I am in your owne house where I purpose not to impeach whatsoeuer you doe Giosefo hauing prouided a good Holly-wand went into the Chamber where his wife sate railing and despitefully grumbling where taking her by the haire of her head he threw her at his feete beating her entreamely with the wand She crying then cursing next railing lastly fighting biting and scratching when she felt the cruell smart of the blowes and that all her resistance serued to no end then she fell on her knees before him and desired mercy for charities sake Giosefo fought still more and more on head armes shoulders sides and all parts else pretending as if he heard not her complaints but wearied himselfe wel neere out of breath so that to be briefe she that neuer felt his fingers before perceiued and confessed it was now too soone This being done hee returned to Melisso and said To morrow we shall see a miracle and how auaileable the councell is of going to the Goose Bridge So sitting a while together after they had washed their hands and supt they withdrew to their lodgings The poore beaten woman could hardly raise her selfe from the ground which yet with much adoe she did and threw her selfe vpon the bed where she tooke such rest as she could but arising early the next morning she came to her Husband and making him a very low courtesie demaunded what hee pleased to haue for his dinner he smiling heartely thereat with Melisso tolde her his mind And when dinner time came euery thing was ready according to the direction giuen in which regard they highly commended the counsell whereof they made such an harsh construction at the first Within a while after Melisso being gone from Giosefo and returned home to his owne house hee acquainted a wise and reuerend man with the answere which king Salomon gaue him whereto hee he receiued this reply No better or truer aduise could possibly be giuen you for well you know that you loue not any man but the bountiful banquets you bestow on them is more in respect of your owne vaineglory then any kind affection you beare to them Learne then to loue men as Salomon aduised and you shall be beloued of them againe Thus our vnruly Wife became mildely reclaimed and the yong Gentleman by louing others found the fruits of reciporall affection Iohn de Barolo at the instance
redound to his no meane danger thus he replied My Lord the question propounded by you is faire and worthy to answer mine opinion truly threof doth necessarily require some time of consideration if it might stand with your liking to allow it but if not let me first make entrance to my reply with a pretty tale and well worth the hearing I haue oftentimes heard it reported that long since there was a very wealthy man who among other precious Iewels of his owne had a goodly Ring of great valew the beauty and estimation whereof made him earnestly desirous to leaue it as a perpetuall memory and honour to his successors Whereupon he willed and ordained that he among his male children with whom this Ring being left by the Father should be found in custody after his death hee and none other was to bee reputed his heire and to be honoured and reuerenced by all the rest as being the prime and worthiest person That Sonne to whom this Ring was left by him kept the same course to his posterity dealing in all respects as his predecessor had done so that in short time the Ring from hand to hand had many owners by Legacie At length it came to the hand of one who had three sonnes all of them goodly and vertuous persons and verie obedient to their Father in which regard he affected them all equally without any difference or partiall respect The custome of this ring being knowne to them each one of them coueting to beare esteeme aboue the other desired as hee could best make his meanes his father that in regard he was now grown very old he would leaue that Ring to him whereby he should bee acknowledged for his heire The good man who loued no one of them more then the other knew not how to make his choise nor to which of them he should leaue the Ring yet hauing past his promise to them seuerally he studied by what meanes to satisfie them all three Wherfore secretly hauing conferred with a curious and excellent Goldsmith hee caused two other Rings to bee made so really resembling the first made Ring that himself when he had them in his hand could not distinguish which was the right one Lying vpon his death-bed and his Sonnes then plying him by their best opportunities he gaue to each of them a Ring And they after his death presuming seuerally vpon their right to the inheritance honor grew to great contradiction and square each man producing then his Ring which were so truly all alike in resemblance as no one could know the right Ring from the other And therefore suite in Law to distinguish the true heire to his Father continued long time and so it dooth yet to this very day In like manner my good Lord concerning those three Lawes giuen by God the Father to three such people as you haue propounded each of them do imagine that they haue the heritage of God and his true Law and also duely to performe his Commandements but which of them do so indeede the question as of the three Ringes is yet remaining Saladine well perceyuing that the Iew was too cunning to be caught in his snare and had answered so well that to doe him further violence would redound vnto his perpetuall dishonour 〈◊〉 to reueale his neede and extremity and try if he would therein friendly sted him Hauing disclosed the matter and how he purposed to haue dealt with him if he had not returned so wise an answer the Iew lent him so great a sum of money as hee demanded and Saladine repayed it againe to him iustly giuing him other great gifts beside respecting him as his especiall frend and maintaining him in very honourable condition neere vnto his owne person A Monke hauing committed an offence deseruing to be very grieuously punished freede himselfe from the paine to be inflicted on him by wittily reprehending his Abbot with the very same fault The fourth Nouell Wherein may be noted that such men as will reproue those errors in others which remaine in themselues commonly are the Authors of their owne reprehension SO ceased Madam Philomena after the conclusion of her Tale when Dioneus sitting next vnto her without tarrying for any other command from the Queene knowing by the order formerly begunne that he was to follow in the same course spake in this manner Gracious Ladies if I faile not in vnderstanding your generall intention we are purposely assembled here to tell Tales and especially such as may please our selues In whith respect because nothing should be done disorderly I hold it lawfull for euery one as our Queene decreed before her dignity to relate such a nouelty as in their owne iudgement may cause most contentment Wherefore hauing heard that by the good admonitions of Iehannot de Cheuigny Abraham the Iew was aduised to the saluation of his soule and Melchisedech by his witty vnderstanding defended his riches from the traines of Saladine I now purpose to tell you in a few plaine words without feare of receiuing any reprehension how cunningly a Monke compassed his deliuerance from a punishment intended towards him There was in the Country of Lunigiana which is not farre distant from our owne a Monastery which sometime was better furnished with holinesse and Religion then now adayes they are wherein liued among diuers other a young nouice Monke whose hot and lusty disposition being in the vigour of his yeeres was such as neither fastes nor prayers had any great power ouer him It chanced on a fasting day about high noone when all the other Monkes were asleepe in their Dormitaries or Dorters this frolicke Friar was walking alone in their Church which stood in a very solitary place where ruminating on many matters by himselfe hee espied a pretty hansome wench some Husbandmans daughter in the Countrey that had beene gathering rootes and hearbes in the field vppon her knees before an Altar whom he had no sooner seene but immediately hee felt effeminate temptations and such as ill fitted with his profession Lasciuious desire and no religious deuotion made him draw neere her and whether vnder shift the onely cloake to compasse carnall affections or some other as close conference to as pernicious and vile a purpose I know not but so farre he preuailed vpon her frailety and such a bargaine passed betweene them that from the Church he wonne her to his Chamber before any person could perceiue it Now while this yong lusty Monke transported with ouer-fond affection was more carelesse of his dalliance then he should haue beene the Lord Abbot being newly arisen from sleepe and walking softly about the Cloyster came to the Monkes Daughters doore where hearing what noyse was made between them and a feminine voyce more strange then hee was wont to heare he layed his eare close to the Chamber doore and plainly perceiued that a woman was within Wherewith being much moued he intended suddenly to make him open the doore but vpon better
and religious anger against such deformity this Gentleman Master Guillaume Boursier was willingly seene and gladly welcommed by all the best men in Geneway Hauing remayned some few dayes in the City among other matters heard much talke of the miserable couetousnes of master Herminio he grew verie desirous to haue a sight of him Master Herminio had already vnderstood that this Gentleman Master Guillaume Boursier was vertuously disposed and how couetously soeuer he was inclined hauing in him some sparkes of noble nature gaue him very good words and gracious entertainement discoursing with him on diuers occasions In company of other Genewayes with him hâ— brought him to a new erected house of his a building of great cost and beauty where after he had shewen him all the variable rarities he beganne thus Master Guillaume no doubt but you haue heard and seene many things and you can instruct me in some quaint conceit or deuise to be fairely figured in painting at the entrance into the great Hall of my House Master Guillaume hearing him speake so simply returned him this answere Sir I cannot aduise you in any thing so rare or vnseen as you talke of but how to sneeze after a new manner vpon a full and ouercloyed stomacke to auoide base humours that stupifie the braine or other matters of the like quality But if you would be taught a good one indeede and had a disposition to see it fairely effected I could instruct you in an excellent Embleme wherwith as yet you neuer came acquainted Master Herminio hearing him say so and expecting no such answere as he had saide Good Master Guillaume tell me what it is and on my faith I will haue it fairely painted Whereto Master Guillaume suddenly replied Doe nothing but this Sir Paint ouer the Portall at your Halles entrance the liuely picture of Liberality to bid all your friends better welcome then hitherto they haue beene When Master Herminio heard these words he became possessed with such a sudden shame that his complexion changed from the former palenesse and answered thus Master Guillaume I will haue your aduice so truly figured ouer my gate and shee shall giue so good welcome to all my guests that both you and all these Gentlemen shall say I haue both seene her and am become reasonably acquainted with her From that time forward the words of Master Guillaume were so effectuall with Signior Herminio that he became the most bountifull and best house-keeper which liued in his time in Geneway no man more honouring and friendly welcoming both strangers and Citizens then he continually vsed to doe The King of Cyprus was wittily reprehended by the words of a Gentlewoman of Gascoignie and became vertuously altered from his vicious disposition The ninth Nouell Giuing all men to vnderstand that Iustice is necessary in a King aboue all things else whatsoeuer THe last command of the Queene remained vpon Madam Elissa or Eliza who without any delaying thus beganne Young Ladies it hath often beene seene that much paine hath beene bestowed and many reprehensions spent in vaine till a word happening at aduenture and perhaps not purposely determined hath effectually done the deede as appeareth by the Tale of Madam Lauretta and another of mine owne wherewith I intend briefly to acquaint you approuing that when good words are discreetly obserued they are of soueraigne power and vertue In the dayes of the first King of Cyprus after the Conquest made in the holy Land by Godfrey of Bullen it fortuned that a Gentlewoman of Gascoignie trauelling in pilgrimage to visit the sacred Sepulcher in Ierusalem returning home againe arriued at Cyprus where shee was villanously abused by certaine base wretches Complaining thereof without any comfort or redresse shee intended to make her moane to the King of the Countrey Whereupon it was tolde her that therein shee should but loose her labour because hee was so womanish and faint-hearted that not onely he refused to punish with iustice the offences of others but also suffered shamefull iniuries done to himselfe And therefore such as were displeased by his negligence might easily discharge their spleene against him and doe him what dishonour they would When the Gentlewoman heard this despairing of any consolation or reuenge for her wrongs shee resolued to checke the Kings deniall of iustice and comming before him weeping spake in this manner Sir I presume not into your presence as hoping to haue redresse by you for diuers dishonourable iniuries done vnto me but as a full satisfaction for them doe but teach me how you suffer such vile abuses as daily are offered to your selfe To the ende that being therein instructed by you I may the more patiently beare mine owne which as God knoweth I would bestow on you very gladly because you know so well how to endure them The King who till then had beene very bad dull and slothfull euen as sleeping out his time of gouernement beganne to reuenge the wrongs done to this Gentlewoman very seuerely and thence forward became a most sharpe Iusticer for the least offence offered against the honour of his Crowne or to any of his subiects beside Master Albert of Bullen honestly made a Lady to blush that thought to haue done as much to him because shee perceiued him to be amorously affected towards her The tenth Nouell Wherein is declared that honest loue agreeth with people of all ages AFter that Madam Eliza sate silent the last charge and labour of the like employment remained to the Queene her selfe whereupon shee beganne thus to speake Honest and vertuous young Ladies like as the Staâ—res when the Ayre is faire and cleere are the adorning and beauty of Heauen and flowres while the Spring time lasteth doe graciously embellish the Meadowes euen so sweete speeches and pleasing conferences to passe the time with commendable discourses are the best habit of the minde and an outward beauty to the body which ornament of words when they appeare to be short and sweete are much more seemely in women then in men because long and tedious talking when it may be done in lesser time is a greater blemish in women then in men Among vs women this day I thinke few or none haue therein offended but as readily haue vnderstood short and pithy speeches as they haue beene quicke and quaintly deliuered But when answering suteth not with vnderstanding it is generally a shame in vs and all such as liue because our moderne times haue conuerted that vertue which was within them who liued before vs into garments of the bodie and shew whose habites were noted to bee most gaudie fullest of imbroyderies and fantastick fashions she was reputed to haue most matter in her and therefore to be more honoured and esteemed Neuer considering that whosoeuer loadeth the backe of an Asse or puts vpon him the richest brauerie he becommeth not thereby a iote the wiser or merriteth any more honour then an Asse should haue I am ashamed to speake it because
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
haue found no mean inducement to loue in regard of my husbands far distance from me medling in the rude vnciuill actions of warre when he should rather be at home in more sweet imployment You see Sir that these Orators aduance themselues here in your presence to acquaint you with the extremity of my ouer-commanding agony and if the same power hath dominion in you which your discretion questionlesse cannot be voide of then let me entreate such aduise from you as may rather helpe then hinder my hopes Beleeue it then for trueth Sir that the long absence of my husband from me the solitary condition wherein I am left ill agreeing with the hot blood running in my veines the temper of my earnest desires haue so preuailed against my strongest resistances that not onely so weake a woman as I am but any man of much more potent might liuing in ease and idlenesse as I doe cannot withstand such continuall assaults hauing no other helpe then flesh and blood Nor am I so ignorant but publique knowledge of such an error in me would be reputed a shrewd taxation of honesty whereas on the other side secret carriage and heedfull managing such amorous affaires may passe for currant without any reproach And let me tell you Noble Counte that I repute Loue highly fauourable to mee by guiding my iudgement with such moderation to make election of a wise worthy and honourable friend fit to enioy the grace of a farre greater Lady then I am and the first letter of his name is the Count D'Angiers For if error haue not misled mine eye as in Loue no Lady can be easily deceiued for person perfections and all parts most to be commended in a man the whole Realme of France containeth not your equall Obserue beside how forward Fortune sheweth her selfe to vs both in this case you to be destitute of a wife as I am of an husband for I count him as dead to me when he denies me the duties belonging to a wife Wherefore in regard of the vnfaigned affection I beare you and compassion which you ought to haue of Royall Princesse euen almost sicke to death for your sake I earnestly entreate you not to denie me your louing society but pittying my youth and fiery afflictions neuer to be quenched but by your kindnesse I may enioy my hearts desire As shee vttered these words the teares streamed aboundantly downe her faire cheekes preuenting her of any further speech so that deiecting her head into her bosome ouercome with the predominance of her passions shee fell vpon the Countes knee whereas else shee had falne vpon the ground When hee like a loyall and most honourable man sharply reprehended her fonde and idle loue and when shee would haue embraced him about the necke hee repulsed her roughly from him protesting vpon his honourable reputation that rather then hee would so wrong his Lord and Maister he would endure a thousand deathes The Lady seeing her desire disappointed and her fond expectation vtterly frustrated grewe instantly forgetfull of her intemperate loue and falling into extremity of rage conuerted her former gentle speeches into this harsh and ruder language Villaine quoth shee shall the longing comforts of my life be abridged by thy base and scornefull deniall Shall my destruction bee wrought by thy currish vnkindnesse and all my hoped ioyes be defeated in a moment Know slaue that I did not so earnestly desire thy sweet embracements before but now as deadly I hate and despise them which either thy death or banishment shall dearely pay for No sooner had shee thus spoken but tearing her haire and renting her garments in pieces shee ranne about like a distracted woman crying out aloude Helpe helpe the Count D'Angiers will forcibly dishonour mee the lustfull Count will violence mine honour D'Angiers seeing this and fearing more the malice of the ouer-credulous Court then either his owne conscience or any dishonourable act by him committed beleeuing likewise that her slanderous accusation would bee credited aboue his true and spotlesse innocency closely he conueyed himselfe out of the Court making what hast hee could home to his owne house which being too weake for warranting his safety vpon such pursuite as would be vsed against him without any further aduice or counsell he seated his two children on horsebacke himselfe also being but meanly mounted thus away thence hee went to Calice Vpon the clamour and noise of the Lady the Courtiers quickly flocked thither and as lies soone winne beleefe in hasty opinions vpon any silly or shallow surmise so did her accusation passe for currant and the Counts aduancement being enuied by many made his honest carriage in this case the more suspected In hast and madding fury they ran to the Counts houses to arrest his person and carry him to prison but when they could not finde him they raced his goodly buildings downe to the ground and vsed all shamefull violence to them Now as il newes sildome wants a speedy Messenger so in lesse space then you will imagine the King and Dolphin heard thereof in the Camp and were therewith so highly offended that the Count had a sodaine and seuere condemnation all his progeny being sentenced with perpetuall exile and promises of great and bountifull rewards to such as could bring his body aliue or dead Thus the innocent Count by his ouer-hasty and sodaine flight made himselfe guilty of this foule imputation and arriuing at Callice with his children their poore and homely habites hid them from being knowne and thence they crossed ouer into England staying no where vntill hee came to London Before he would enter into the City he gaue diuers good aduertisements to his children but especially two precepts aboue all the rest First with patient soules to support the poore condition whereto Fortune without any offence in him or them had thus deiected them Next that they should haue most heedfull care at no time to disclose from whence they came or whose children they were because it extended to the perill of their liues His Sonne being named Lewes and now about nine yeares old his daughter called Violenta and aged seauen yeares did both obserue their fathers direction as afterward it did sufficiently appeare And because they might liue in the safer securitie hee thought it for the best to change their names calling his sonne Perotto and his daughter Gianetta for thus they might best escape vnknowne Being entred into the Citty and in the poore estate of beggers they craued euery bodies mercy and almes It came to passe that standing one morning at the Cathedral Church-doore a great Lady of England being then wife to the Lord high Marshall cōming forth of the Church espied the Count and his children there begging Of him she demanded what Countrey-man he was and whether those children were his owne or no The Count replyed that he was borne in Picardy and for an vnhappy fact committed by his eldest sonne a stripling of more
requisite for such young women beside allowance of food garments though bashfulnesse modesty forbid to vtter it But if studying the Lawes were more welcome to you then a wife you ought not to haue maried you loose the worthy reputation of a Iudge when you fall from that venerable profession and make your selfe a common proclaimer of feasts and fasting dayes lenten seasons vigils solemnities due to Saints which prohibite the houshold conuersation of husbands and wiues Here am I now with a worthy Gentleman that entertained mee with very honourable respect and here I liue in this chamber not so much as hearing of any feasts or fasting daies for neither Fridaies Saturdaies vigils of Saints or any lingering Lents enter at this doore but here is honest and ciuill conuersation better agreeing with a youthfull disposition then those harsh documents wherewith you tutord me Wherefore my purpose is to continue here with him as being a place sutable to my mind youth referring feasts vigils fasting dayes to a more mature stayed time of age when the body is better able to endure them the mind may be prepared for such ghostly meditations depart therefore at your owne pleasure and make much of your Calender without enioying any company of mine for you heare my resolued determination The Iudge hearing these words was ouercome with exceeding griefe when she was silent thus he began Alas deare Loue what an answer is this Hast thou no regard of thine owne honor thy Parents friends Canst thou rather affect to abide here for the pleasures of this man and so sin capitally then to liue at Pisa in the state of my wife Consider deare heart when this man shall waxe weary of thee to thy shame his owne disgrace he will reiect thee I must and shall loue thee for euer and when I dye I leaue thee Lady and commandresse of all that is mine Can an inordinate appetite cause thee to be carelesse of thine honour and of him that loues thee as his owne life Alas my fairest hope say no more so but returne home with me and now that I am acquainted with thy inclination I will endeauour heereafter to giue thee better contentment Wherefore deare heart doe not denie me but change thy minde and goe with me for I neuer saw merry day since I lost thee Sir quoth she I desire no body to haue care of mine honor beside my selfe because it cannot be here abused And as for my parents what respect had they of me when they made me your wife If then they could be so carelesse of mee what reason haue I to regard them now And whereas you taxe me that I cannot liue here without capitall sin farre is the thought thereof from me for here I am regarded as the wife of Pagamino but at Pisa you reputed me not worthy your society because by the point of the Moone and the quadratures of Geomatrie the Planets held coniunction betweene you and me whereas here I am subiect to no such constellations You say beside that hereafter you will striue to giue me better contentment then you haue done surely in mine opinion it is no way possible because our complexions are so farre different as Ice is from fire or gold from drosse As for your allegation of this Gentlemans reiecting me when his humour is satisfied should if it proue to be so as it is the least part of my feare what fortune soeuer shall betide me neuer will I make any meanes to you what miseries or misaduentures may happen to me but the world will affoord me one resting place or other and more to my contentment then if I were with you Therefore I tell you once againe to liue secured from all offence to holy Saints and not to iniury their feasts fasts vigills and other ceremonious seasons here is my demourance and from hence I purpose not to part Our Iudge was now in a wofull perplexity and confessing his folly in marying a wife so yong and far vnfit for his age and abilitie being halfe desperate sad and displeased he came forth of the Chamber vsing diuers speeches to Pagamino whereof he made little or no account at all and in the end without any other successe left his wife there returned home to Pisa There further afflictions fell vpon him because the people began to scorne him demanding dayly of him what was become of his gallant young wife making homes with ridiculous pointings at him whereby his sences became distracted so that he ran rauing about the streetes and afterward died in very miserable manner Which newes came no sooner to the eare of Pagamino but in the honourable affection hee bare to Bertolomea he maried her with great solemnity banishing all Fasts Vigils and Lents from his house and liuing with her in much felicity Wherefore faire Ladies I am of opinion that Bernardo of Geneway in his disputation with Ambroginolo might haue shewne himselfe a great deale wiser and spared his rash proceeding with his wife This tale was so merrily entertained among the whole company that each one smiling vpon another with one consent commended Dioneus maintaining that he spake nothing but the truth condemning Bernardo for his cruelty Vpon a generall silence commanded the Queene perceiuing that the time was now very farre spent and euery one had deliuered their seuerall Nouels which likewise gaue a period to her Royalty shee gaue the Crowne to Madam Neiphila pleasantly speaking to her in this order Heereafter the gouernment of these few people is committed to your trust and care for with the day concludeth my dominion Madam Neiphila blushing at the honor done vnto her her cheekes appeared of a vermillion tincture her eyes glittering with gracefull desires and sparkeling like the morning Starre And after the modest murmure of the Assistants was ceased and her courage in chearfull manner setled seating her selfe higher then she did before thus she spake Seeing it is so that you haue elected me your Queene to varie somewhat from the course obserued by them that went before me whose gouernment you haue all so much commended by approbation of your counsell I am desirous to speake my mind concerning what I wold haue to be next followed It is not vnknown to you all that to morrow shal be Friday and Saturday the next day following which are daies somewhat molestuous to the most part of men for preparation of their weekly food sustenance Moreouer Friday ought to be reuerendly respected in remembrance of him who died to giue vs life and endured his bitter passion as on that day which makes me to hold it fit and expedient that wee should mind more weighty matters and rather attend our prayers deuotions then the repetition of tales or Nouels Now concerning Saturday it hath bin a custom obserued among women to bath wash themselues from such immundicities as the former weekes to ile hath imposed on thē Beside
told him that if his leysure so serued very gladly shee would be confessed and onely had made her choyce of him The holy man seeing her and reputing her to be a Gentlewoman as indeede shee was no lesse willingly heard her and when shee had confessed what shee could shee had yet another matter to acquaint him withall and thereupon thus she began Holy Father it is no more then conuenient that I should haue recourse to you to be assisted by your help and councell in a matter which I will impart vnto you I know that you are not ignorant of my parents and husband of whom I am affected as dearely as his life for proofe whereof there is not any thing that I can desire but immediatly I haue it of him he being a most rich man and may very sufficiently affoord it In regard whereof I loue him equally as my selfe and setting aside my best endeauours for him I must tell you one thing quite contrary to his liking and honor wherein no woman can more worthily deserue death then my selfe Vnderstand then good Father that there is a man whose name I know not but hee seemeth to be honest and of good worth moreouer if I am not deceiued hee resorteth oftentimes to you being faire and comely of person going alwayes in blacke garments of good price and value This man imagining perhaps no such minde in me as truely there is hath often attempted mee and neuer can I be at my doore or window but hee is alwayes present in my sight which is not a little displeasing to me he watcheth my walkes and much I meruaile that he is not now here Let me tell you holy Sir that such behauiours doe many times lay bad imputations vpon very honest women yet without any offence in them It hath often run in my minde to let him haue knowledge thereof by my brethren but afterward I considered that men many times deliuer messages in such sort as draw on very vngentle answeres whereon grow words and words beget actions In which respect because no harme or scandall should ensue I thought it best to be silent determining to acquaint you rather therewith then any other as well because you seeme to be his friend as also in regard of your office which priuiledgeth you to correct such abuses not onely in friends but also in strangers Enowe other women there are more is the pitty who perhaps are better disposed to such suites then I am and can both like and allowe of such courting otherwise then I can doe as being willing to embrace such offers and happily loath to yeeld deniall Wherefore most humbly I entreat you good Father euen for our blessed Ladies sake that you would giue him a friendly reprehension and aduise him to vse such vnmanly meanes no more hereafter With which words shee hung downe her head in her bosome cunningly dissembling as if shee wept wiping her eyes with her Handkerchife when not a teare fell from them but indeed were dry enough The holy Religious man so soone as he heard her description of the man presently knew whom shee meant and highly commending the Gentlewoman for her good and vertuous seeming disposition beleeued faithfully all that shee had said promising her to order the matter so well and discreetly as shee should not be any more offended And knowing her to be a woman of great wealth after all their vsuall manner when they cast forth their fishing nets for gaine liberally he commended Almes-deedes and dayly workes of charity recounting to her beside his owne perticular necessities Then giuing him two pieces of gold she said I pray you good Father to be mindfull of me and if he chance to make any deniall tell him boldly that I spake it my selfe to you and by the way of a sad complaint her confession being ended and penance easie enough enioyned her shee promised to make her parents bountifull benefactours to the Conuent and put more money into his hand desiring him in his Masses to remember the soules of her deceased friends and so returned home to her house Within a short while after her departure the Gentleman of whom she had made this counterfeit complaint came thither as was his vsuall manner and hauing done his duty to the holy Father they sate downe together priuately falling out of one discourse into another At the length the Frier in very louing and friendly sort mildly reproued him for such amorous glaunces and other pursuites which as he thought hee dayly vsed to the Gentlewoman according to her owne speeches The Gentleman meruailed greatly thereat as one that had neuer seene her and very sildome passed by the way where she dwelt which made him the bolder in his answeres wherein the Confessour interrupting him said Neuer make such admiration at the matter neither waste more words in these stout denials because they cannot serue thy turne I tell thee plainely I heard it not from any neighbours but euen of her owne selfe in a very sorrowfull and sad complaint And though perhaps hereafter thou canst very hardly refraine such follies yet let mee tell thee so much of her and vnder the seale of absolute assurance that she is the onely woman of the world who in my true iudgement doth hate and abhorre all such base behauiour Wherefore in regard of thine owne honor as also not to vexe preiudice so vertuous a Gentlewoman I pray thee refrain such idlenes henceforward suffer hir to liue in peace The Gentleman being a little wiser then his ghostly Father perceiued immediatly without any further meditating on the matter the notable polliâ—ie of the woman whereupon making somewhat bashfull appearance of any error already committed hee said hee would afterward be better aduised So departing from the Frier he went on directly to passe by the house where the Gentlewoman dwelt and she stood alwayes ready on her watch at a little window to obserue when hee should walke that way And seeing him comming she shewed her selfe so ioyfull and gracious to him as he easily vnderstood whereto the substance of the holy Fathers chiding tended And from that time forward hee vsed dayly though in couert manner to the no little liking of the Gentlewoman and himselfe to make his passage through that streete vnder colour of some important occasions there concerning him Soone after it being plainely discerned on either side that the one was as well contented with these walkes as the other could be shee desired to enflame him a little further by a more liberall illustration of her affection towards him when time and place affoorded conuenient opportunity To the holy Father againe shee went for shee had been too long from shrift and kneeling downe at his feete intended to begin her confession in teares which the Friar perceiuing sorrowfully demanded of her what new accident had happened Holy Father quoth shee no nouell accident but onely your wicked and vngracious friend by whom since I was here
to comfort him in this deep distresse and in such manner as I will relate vnto you Pasimondo had a Brother yonger then he in yeares but not a iot inferiour to him in vertue whose name was Hormisda and long time the case had bene in question for his taking to wife a faire yong Gentlewoman of Rhodes called Cassandra whom Lysimachus the Gouernour loued verie dearly and hindred her marriage with Hormisda by diuers strange accidents Now Pasimondo perceiuing that his owne Nuptials required much cost and solemnity hee thought it very conuenient that one day might serue for both the Weddinges which else would lanch into more lauish expences and therefore concluded that his brother Hormisda should marry Cassandra at the same time as he wedded Iphigenia Heereuppon he consulted with the Gentlewomans parents who liking the motion as well as he the determination was set downe and one day to effect the duties of both When this came to the hearing of Lysimachus it was very greatly displeasing to him because now he saw himselfe vtterly depriued of al hope to attaine the issue of his desire if Hormisda receyued Cassandra in marriage Yet being a very wise and worthy man hee dissembled his distaste and began to consider on some apt meanes whereby to disappoint the marriage once more which he found impossible to bee done except it were by way of rape or stealth And that did not appear to him any difficult matter in regard of his Office and Authority onely it wold seeme dishonest in him by giuing such an vnfitting example Neuerthelesse after long deliberation honor gaue way to loue and resolutely he concluded to steale her away whatsoeuer became of it Nothing wanted now but a conuenient company to assist him the order how to haue it done Then he remembred Chynon and his friends whom he detained as his prisoners and perswaded himself that he could not haue a more faithfull friend in such a busines then Chynon was Hereupon the night following he sent for him into his Chamber and being alone by themselues thus he began Chynon quoth hee as the Gods are very bountifull in bestowing their blessings on men so doe they therein most wisely make proofe of their vertues and such as they finde firme and constant in all occurrences which may happen them they make worthy as valiant spirits of the very best and highest merites Now they being willing to haue more certain experience of thy vertues then those which heeretofore thou hast shewne within the bounds and limits of thy fathers possessions which I know to be superabounding perhaps do intend to present thee other occasions of more important weight and consequence For first of all as I haue heard by the piercing solicitudes of loue of a senselesse creature they made thee to become a man endued with reason Afterward by aduerse fortune and now againe by wearisome imprisonment it seemeth that they are desirous to make triall whether thy manly courage be changed or no from that which heretofore it was when thou enioyedst a matchlesse beautie and lost her againe in so short a while Wherefore if thy vertue be such as it hath bin the Gods can neuer giue thee any blessing more worthy of acceptance then she whoÌ„ they are now minded to bestow on thee in which respect to the end that thou mayst re-assume thy wonted heroicke spirit and become more couragious then euer heeretofore I will acquaint thee withall more at large Vnderstand then Noble Chynon that Pasimondo the onely glad man of thy misfortune and diligent sutor after thy death maketh all hast hee can possibly deuâ—se to do to celebrate his marriage with thy faire mistris because he would pleade possession of the prey which Fortune when she smiled did first bestow and afterward frowning took from thee again Now that it must needs be very irkesome to thee at least if thy loue bee such as I am perswaded it is I partly can collect from my selfe being intended to be wronged by his brother Hormisda euen in the selfsame maner and on his marriage day by taking faire Cassandra from me the onely Iewell of my loue and life For the preuention of two such notorious iniuries I see that Fortune hath left vs no other meanes but only the vertue of our courages and the helpe of our right hands by preparing our selues to Armes opening a way to thee by a second rape or stealth and to me the first for absolute possession of our diuine Mistresses Wherefore if thou art desirous to recouer thy losse I wil not onely pronounce liberty to thee which I thinke thou dost little care for without her but dare also assure thee to enioy Iphigenia so thou wilt assist mee in mine enterprize and follow me in my fortune if the Gods do let them fall into our power You may well imagine that Chynons dismayed soule was not a little cheared at these speeches and therefore without crauing any long respit of time for answer thus he replyed Lord Lysimachus in such a busines as this is you cannot haue a faster friend then my self at least if such good hap may betide me as you haue more then halfe promised therefore do no more but command what you would haue to be effected by mee and make no doubt of my courage in the execution whereon Lysimachus made this answer Know then Chynon quoth hee that three dayes hence these marriages are to bee celebrated in the houses of Pasimondo and Hormisda vpon which day thou thy friends and my self with some others in whom I repose especiall trust by the friendly fauour of night will enter into their houses while they are in the middest of theyr Iouiall feasting and seizing on the two Brides beare them thence to a Shippe which I will haue lye in secret waiting for our comming and kil all such as shall presume to impeach vs. This direction gaue great contentment to Chynon who remained stil in prison without reuealing a word to his owne friends vntil the limited time was come Vpon the Wedding day performed with great and magnificent Triumph there was not a corner in the Brethrens houses but it sung ioy in the highest key Lysimachus after he had ordered all things as they ought to be and the houre for dispatch approached neere he made a diuision in three parts of Chynon his followers and his owne friendes being all well armed vnder their outward habites Hauing first vsed some encouraging speeches for more resolute prosecution of the enterprize he sent one troope secretly to the Port that they might not be hindred of going aboord the ship when the vrgent necessity should require it Passing with the other two traines of Pasimondo he left the one at the doore that such as were in the house might not shut them vp fast and so impeach their passage forth Then with Chynon and the third band of Confederates he ascended the staires vp into the Hall where he found the Brides with
Angelina daughter to one named Gigliuozzo Saullo whose fortunes were none of the fairest yet he greatly esteemed among the Romaines The entercourse of loue between these twaine had so equally enstructed their hearts and souls that it could hardly be iudged which of them was the more feruent in affection But he not being imputed to such oppressing passions and therefore the lesse able to support them except he were sure to compasse his desire plainly made the motion that he might enioy her in honorable mariage Which his parents and friends hearing they went to conferre with him blaming him with ouer-much basenesse so farre to disgrace himselfe and his stocke Beside they aduised the Father to the Maid neither to credit what Pedro saide in this case or to liue in hope of any such match because they all did wholly despise it Pedro perceiuing that the way was shut vp wherby and none other he was to mount the Ladder of his hopes began to waxe weary of longer liuing and if he could haue won her fathers consent he would haue maried her in the despight of all his friends Neuerthelesse he had a conceit hammering in his head which if the maid would bee as forward as himselfe should bring the matter to full effect Letters and secret intelligences passing still betweene at length he vnderstood her ready resolution to aduenture with him thorough all fortunes whatsoeuer concluding on their sodaine and secret flight from Rome For which Pedro did so well prouide that very early in a morning and well mounted on horsebacke they tooke the way leading vnto Alagna where Pedro had some honest friends in whom he reposed especiall trust Riding on thus thorow the countrey hauing no leysure to accomplish their marriage because they stoode in feare of pursuite they were ridden aboue foure leagues from Rome still shortning the way with their amorous discoursing It fortuned that Pedro hauing no certaine knowledge of the way but following a trackt guiding too farre on the left hand rode quite out of course and came at last within sight of a small Castle out of which before they were aware yssued twelue Villaines whom Angelina sooner espyed then Pedro could do which made her cry 〈◊〉 to him saying Help deere Loue to saue vs or else we shall be assayled Pedro then turning his horse so expeditiously as he could and giuing him the spurres as neede required mainly be gallopped into a neere adioyning Forrest more minding the following of Angelina then any direction of his way or thē that endeauoured to be his hinderance So that by often winding turning about as the passage appeared troublesom to him when he thought him selfe free and furthest from them he was round engirt and seized on by them When they had made him to dismount from his horse questioning him of whence and what he was and he resoluing them therin they fell into a secret consultation saying thus among themselues This man is a friend to our deadly enemies how can wee then otherwise dispose of him but bereaue him of all he hath and in despight of the Orsini men in nature hatefull to vs hang him vp heere on one of these Trees All of them agreeing in this dismall resolution they commanded Pedro to put off his garments which he yeelding to do albeit vnwillingly it so fell out that fiue and twenty other theeues came sodainly rushing in vpon them crying Kill kill and spare not a man They which before had surprized Pedro desiring nowe to shifte for their owne safetie left him standing quaking in his shirt and so ranne away mainely to defend themselues Which the new crewe perceyuing and that their number farre exceeded the other they followed to robbe them of what they had gotten accounting it as a present purchase for them Which when Pedro perceyued and saw none tarrying to prey vppon him hee put on his cloathes againe and mounting on his owne Horsse gallopped that way which Angelina before had taken yet could hee not descry any tracke or path or so much as the footing of a horse but thought himselfe in sufficient securitie beeing rid of them that first seized on him and also of the rest which followed in the pursuite of them For the losse of his beloued Angelina he was the most wofull man in the world wandering one while this way and then againe another calling for her all about the Forrest without any answere returning to him And not daring to ride backe againe on he trauailed stil not knowing where to make his arriuall And hauing formerly heard of sauage rauenous beasts which commonly liue in such vnfrequented Forrests he not onely was in feare of loosing his owne life but also despayred much for his Angelina least some Lyon or Woolfe had torne her body in peeces Thus rode on poore vnfortunate Pedro vntill the breake of day appeared not finding any meanes to get forth of the Forrest still crying and calling for his fayre friend riding many times backeward when as hee thought hee rode forward vntill hee became so weake and faint what with extreame feare lowd calling and continuing so long a while without any sustenance that the whole day beeing thus spent in vaine and darke night sodainly come vppon him hee was not able to hold out any longer Now was hee in farre worse case then before not knowing where or how to dispose of himselfe or what might best bee done in so great a necessity From his Horse hee alighted and tying him by the bridle vnto a great tree vppe he climbed into the same Tree fearing to bee deuoured in the night time by some wilde beast choosing rather to let his Horsse perish then himselfe Within a while after the Moone beganne to rise and the skies appeared bright and clcare yet durst hee not nod or take a nap lest he should fall out of the tree but sate still greeuing sighing and mourning despairing of euer seeing his Angelina any more for he could not be comforted by the smallest hopefull perswasion that any good fortune might befall her in such a desolate Forrest where nothing but dismall feares was to be expected and no likelihood that she should escape with life Now concerning poore affrighted Angelina who as you heard before knew not any place of refuge to flye vnto but euen as it pleased hir horse to carry her she entred so farre into the Forest that she could not deuise where to seeke her owne safety And therefore euen as it fared with her friend Pedro in the same manner did it fall out with her wandering the whole night and all the day following one while taking one hopefull tracke and then another calling weeping wringing hir hands and greeuously complaining of her hard fortune At the length perceyuing that Pedro came not to her at all she found a little path which shee lighted on by great good fortune euen when dark night was apace drawing and followed it so long til it brought her within the sight
in mine owne Countrey as now I am in yours I would as forwardly confesse my selfe your friend as here I must needes fall short of any such seruice but euen as you shall please to command me But plainely and without all further ceremonious complement I must agree to whatsoeuer you can request as thinking you to be more iniured by me then any great wrong that I haue sustained Concerning the young Damosell remaining in my House shee is not as many haue imagined either of Cremona or Pauia but borne a Faentine here in this Cirie albeit neither my selfe shee or he of whom I had her did euer know it or yet could learne whose Daughter shee was Wherefore the suite you make to me should rather in duty be mine to you for shee is a natiue of your owne doe right to her and then you can doe no wrong vnto mee When the Gentlemen vnderstood that the Mayden was borne in Faenza they maruelled thereat and after they had thanked Iacomino for his curteous answer they desired him to let them know by what meanes the Damosell came into his custody and how he knew her to be borne in Faenza when he perceiuing them attentiue to heare him began in this manner Vnderstand worthy Gentlemen that Guidotto of Cremona was my companion and deare friend who growing neere to his death tolde me that when this City was surprized by the Emperour Frederigo and all things committed to sacke and spoile he and certaine of his confederates entred into a House which they found to be well furnished with goods but vtterly forsaken of the dwellers onely this poore Mayden excepted being then aged but two yeeres or thereabout As hee mounted vp the steps with intent to depart from the House she called him Father which word moued him so compassionately that he went backe againe brought her away with him and all things of worth which were in the House going thence afterward to Fano and there deceasing he left her and all his goods to my charge conditionally that I should see her maried when due time required and bestow on her the wealth which he had left her Now very true it is although her yeeres are conuenient for mariage yet I could neuer find any one to bestow her on at least that I thought fitting for her howbeit I will listen thereto much more respectiuely before any other such accident shall happen It came to passe that in the reporting of this discourse there was then a Gentleman in the company named Guillemino da Medicina who at the surprizal of the City was present with Guidotto of Cremona and knew well the House which he had ransacked the owner whereof was also present with him wherefore taking him aside he saide to him Bernardino hearest thou what Iacomino hath related yes very wel replyed Bernardino and remember withall that in that dismall bloody combustion I lost a little Daughter about the age as Iacomino spake he Questionlesse then replied Guillemino shee must needes be the same young Mayden for I was there at the same time and in the House whence Guidotto did bring both the girle and goods and I doe perfectly remember that it was thy House I pray thee call to minde if euer thou sawest any scarre or marke about her which may reuiue thy former knowledge of her for my minde perswades me that the Maide is thy Daughter Bernardino musing a while with himselfe remembred that vnder her left care shee had a scarre in the forme of a little crosse which happened by the byting of a Wolfe and but a small while before the spoyle was made Wherefore without deferring it to any further time he stept to Iacomino who as yet staied there and entreated him to fetch the Mayden from his house because shee might be knowne to some in the company whereto right willingly he condiscended and there presented the Maide before them So soone as Bernardino beheld her he began to be much inwardly moued for the perfect character of her Mothers countenance was really figured in her sweete face onely that her beauty was somewhat more excelling Yet not herewith satisfied he desired Iacomino to be so pleased as to lift vp a little the lockes of haire depending ouer her left eare Iacomino did it presently albeit with a modest blushing in the maide and Bernardino looking aduisedly on it knew it to be the selfe same crosse which confirmed her constantly to be his Daughter Ouercome with excesse of ioy which made the teares to trickle downe his cheekes he proffered to embrace and kisse the Maide but she refusing his kindnesse because as yet shee knew no reason for it he turned himselfe to Iacomino saying My deare brother and friend this Maide is my Daughter and my House was the same which Guidotto spoyled in the generall hauocke of our City and thence he carried this child of mine forgotten in the fury by my Wife her Mother But happy was the houre of his becomming her Father and carrying her away with him for else she had perished in the fire because the House was instantly burnt downe to the ground The Mayden hearing his words obseruing him also to be a man of yeeres and grauity shee beleeued what he saide and humbly submitted her selfe to his kisses embraces euen as instructed thereto by instinct of nature Bernardino instantly sent for his wife her owne mother his daughters sonnes and kindred who being acquainted with this admirable accident gaue her most gracious and kind welcome he receiuing her from Iacomino as his childe and the legacies which Guidotto had left her When the Captaine of the City being a very wise and worthy Gentleman heard these tydings and knowing that Giouanni then his prisoner was the Son to Bernardino and naturall Brother to the newly recouered Maide he bethought himselfe how best he might qualifie the fault committed by him And entring into the Hall among them handled the matter so discreetly that a louing league of peace was confirmed betweene Giouanni and Menghino to whom with free and full consent on all sides the faire Maide named Agatha was giuen in marriage with a more honourable enlargement of her dowry and Grinello with the rest deliuered out of prison which for their tumultuous riot they had iustly deserued Menghino and Agatha had their wedding worthily sollemnized with all due honours belonging thereto and long time after they liued in Faenza highly beloued and graciously esteemed Guion di Procida being found familiarly conuersing with a young Damosell which he loued and had beene giuen formerly to Frederigo King of Sicilie was bound to a stake to be consumed with fire From which danger neuerthelesse he escaped being knowne by Don Rogiero de Oria Lord Admirall of Sicilie and afterward married the Damosell The sixth Nouell Wherein is manifested that loue can leade a man into numberlesse perils out of which he escapeth with no meane difficulty THe Nouell of Madam Neiphila being ended which
shall be of better worth with you Consider the conueniency of time wee being so priuately here alone whereas at my returning hither againe some hinderance may thwart me and the like opportunity be neuer obtained Sir Sir said she you haue heard my resolution if you will fetche the Florines doe otherwise walke about your businesse for I am a woman of my word Sir Simon perceiuing that she would not trust him vpon bare words nor any thing was to be done without Saluum me fac whereas his meaning was Sine custodia thus answered Well Belcolore seeing you dare not credit my bringing the tenne Florines according to my promised day I will leaue you a good pawne my very best Cloake lyned quite thorough with rich Silke and made vp in the choysest manner Belcolore looking on the Cloake said How much may this Cloake bee worth How much quoth Sir Simon vpon my word Belcolore it is of a right fine Flanders Serdge and not aboue eight dayes since I bought it thus ready made of Lotto the Fripperer and payed for it sixe and twenty Florines a pledge then sufficient for your teâ— Is it possible said shee that it should cost so much Well Sir Simon deliuer it me first I will lay it vp safe for you against Saturday when of you fetch it not I will redeeme â—ine owne things with it and leaue you to release it yourselfe The Cloake is laid vp by Belcolore and Sir Simon so forward in his affection that in briefe he enioyed what hee came for and departed afterward in his light tripping Cassocke but yet thorow by Laâ—ies and no much frequented places smelling on a Nosegay as if hee had beene at some wedding in the Countrey and went thus lightly without his Cloake for his better ease As commonly after actions of euill Repentance knocketh at the doore of Conscience and vrgeth a guilty remembrance with some sence of sorrow so was it now with sweet Sir Simon who suruaying ouer all his vailes of offering Candles the validity of his yearely benefits and all comming nothing neere the summe of scarce halfe sixe and twenty Florines he began to repent his deed of darkenesse although it was acted in the day-time and considered with himselfe by what honest yet vnsuspected meanes hee might recouer his Cloake againe before it went to the Broaker in redemption of Belcolores pawned apparrell and yet to send her no Florines neither Hauing a cunning reaching wit especially in matters for his owne aduantage and pretending to haue a dinner at his lodging for a few of some inuited friends he made vse of a neighbours Boy sending him to the house of Belcolore with request of lending him her Stone Morter to make Greene-sawce in for his guests because hee had meate required such sawce Belcolore suspecting no treachery sent him the Stone Morter with the Pestell and about dinner time when he knew Bentiuegna to bee at home with his wife by a spye which was set for the purpose hee called the Clearke vsually attending on him and said Take this Morter and Pestell beare them home to Belcolore and tell her Sir Simon sends them home with thankes they hauing sufficiently serued his turne and desire her likewise to send me my Cloake which the Boy left as a pledge for better remembrance and because she would not lend it without a pawne The Clearke comming to the house of Belcolore found her sitting at dinner with her Husband and deliuering her the Pestell and Morter performed the rest of Sir Simons message Belcolore hearing the Cloake demaunded stept vp to make answere But Bentiuegna seeming by his lookes to be much offended roughly replyed Why how now wife Is not Sir Simon our especiall friend and cannot he be pleasured without a pawne I protest vpon my word I could find in my heart to smite thee for it Rise quickely thou wert best and send him backe his Cloake with this warning hereafter that whatsoeuer he will haue be it your poore Asse or any thing else being ours let him haue it and tell him Master Clearke he may command it Belcolore rose grumbling from the Table and fetching the Cloake forth of the Chest which stood neere at hand in the same roome shee deliuered it to the Clearke saying Tell Sir Simon from me and boldly say you heard me speake it that I make a vow to my selfe he shall neuer make vse of my Morter hereafter to beat any more of his sawcinesse in let my Husband say whatsoeuer he will I speake the word and will performe it Away went the Clearke home with the Cloake and told Sir Simon what she had said whereto he replyed If I must make vse of her Morter no more I will not trust her with the keeping of my Cloake for feare it goe to gage indeed Bentiuegna was a little displeased at his wiues words because hee thought she spake but in iest albeit Belcolore was so angry with Sir Simon that she would not speake to him till vintage time following But then Sir Simon what by sharpe threatenings of her soule to be in danger of hell fire continuing so long in hatred of a holy Priest which words did not a little terrifie her besides daily presents to her of sweet new Wines roasted Chesse-nuts Figges and Almonds all vnkindnesse became conuerted to former familiarity the garments were redeemed he gaue her Sonnets which she would sweetly sing to her Cimbale and further friendship increased betweene her and sweet Sir Simon Calandrino Bruno and Buffalmaco all of them being Painters by profession trauelled to the Plaine of Mugnone to finde the preciouâ— Stone called Helitropium Calandrino perswaded himselfe to haue found it returned home to his house heauily loaden with stones His Wife rebuking him for his absence hee groweth into anger and shrewdly beateth her Afterward when the case is debated among his other friends Bruno and Buffalmaco all is found to be meere foolery The Third Nouell Iustly reprehending the simplicity of such men as are too much addicted to credulitie and will giue credit to euery thing they heare PAmphilus hauing ended his Nouell whereat the Ladies laughed exceedingly so that very hardly they could giue ouer The Queene gaue charge to Madame Eliza that shee should next succeed in order when being scarcely able to refraine from smyling thus she began I know not Gracious Ladies whether I can moue you to at hearty laughter with a briefe Nouell of mine owne as Pamphilus lately did with his yet I dare assure you that it is both true and pleasant and I will relate it in the best manner I can In our owne Citie which euermore hath contained all sorts of people not long since there dwelt a Painter named Calandrino a simple man yet as much adicted to matters of nouelty as any man whatsoeuer could be The most part of his time he spent in the company of two other Painters the one called Bruno and the other Buffalmaco men of very
feed him with such a dyet as hee deserueth Yet when thou speakest next with him tell him that I affect him more then he can doe me but it becommeth me to be carefull of mine honour and to walke with an vntainted brow as other Ladies and Gentlewomen doe which he is not to mislike if he be so wise as he maketh shew of but rather will the more commend me Alas good Lady lack-wit little did she vnderstand faire assembly how dangerous a case it is deale with Schollers At his next meeting with the waiting woman shee deliuered the message as her Lady had command her whereof poore Reniero was so ioyfull that hee pursued his loue-suite the more earnestly and began to write letters send gifts and tokens all which were still receiued yet without any other answere to giue hope but onely in generall and thus shee dallied with him a long while In the end she discouered this matter to her secret chosen friend who fell suddenly sicke of the head-ake onely through meere conceit of iealousie which she perceiuing and grieuing to be suspected without any cause especially by him whom shee esteemed aboue all other shee intended to rid him quickely of that Idle disease And being more and more solicited by the Scholler she sent him word by her maide Ancilla that as yet she could find no conuenient opportunity to yeeld him such assurance as hee should not any way be distrustfull of her loue But the Feast of Christmas was now neere at hand which afforded leisures much more hopefull then any other formerly passed And therefore the next night after the first Feasting day if he pleased to walke in the open Court of her house she would soone send for him into a place much better beseeming and where they might freely conuerse together Now was our Scholler the onely iocond man of the world and failed not the time assigned him but went vnto the Ladies house where Ancilla was ready to giue him entertainment conducting him into the base Court where she lockt him vp fast vntill her Lady should send for him This night shee had priuately sent for her friend also and sitting merrily at supper with him told him what welcome she had giuen the Scholler and how she further meant to vse him saying Now Sir consider with your selfe what hot affection I beare to him of whom you became so fondly iealous The which words were very welcome to him and made him extraordinarily ioyful desiring to see them as effectually performed as they appeared to him by her protestations Heere you are to vnderstand Gracious Ladies that according to the season of the yeare a great snow had falne the day before so as the whole Court was couered therewith and being an extreame frost vpon it our Sâ—holler could not boast of any warme walking when the teeth quiuered in his head with cold as a Dog could not be more discourteously vsed yet hope of enioying Loues recompence at length made him to support all this iniury with admirable patience Within a while after Madame Helena said to her friend Walke with me deare heart into my Chamber and there at a secret little window I shall shew thee what he doth that droue thee to such a suspition of me and we shall heare beside what answere he will giue my maide Ancilla whom I will send to comfort him in his coldnesse When she had so said they went to the appointed chamber window where they could easily see him but he not them and then they heard Ancilla also calling to him forth of another windowe saying Signior Reniero my Lady is the wofullest woman in the world because as yet she cannot come to you in regard that one of her brethren came this euening to visite â—er and held her with much longer discourse then she expected whereby she was constrained to inuite him to sup with her and yet he is not gone but shortly I hope hee will and then expect her comming presently till when she entreateth your genle sufferance Poore Reniero our ouer-credulous Scholler whose vehement affection to Madame Helena so hood-winkt the sight of his vnderstanding as he could not be distrustfull of any guilt returned this answere to Ancilla Say to your Lady that I am bound in duty to attend the good houre of her leisure without so much as the very least preiudicate conceite in me Neuerthelesse entreat her to let it bee so soone as she possibly may because here is miserable walking and it begininneth againe to snow extreamely Ancilla making fast the Casemeâ—t went presently to bed when Helena spake thus to her amorous friend What saist thou now Doest thou thinke that I loued him as thou wast afraid of If I did he should neuer walke thus in the frost and snow So away went they likewise from their close gazing window and spent wanton dalliances together laughing and deriding with many bitter taunts and iests the lamentable condition of poore Reniero About the Court walked hee numberlesse times finding such exercises as he could best deuise to compasse warmth in any manner no seate or shelter had he any where either to ease himselfe by sitting downe a while or keepe him from the snow falling continually on him which made him bestow many curses on the Ladies Brother for his so long tarrying with her as beleeuing him verily to be in the house or else she would long before haue admitted his entrance but therein his hope was meerely deceiued It grew now to be about the houre of midnight and Helena had delighted her selfe with her friend extraordinarily til at last thus she spake to him What is thine opinion of my amourous Scholler Which dost thou imagine to be the greatest either his sense and iudgement or the affection I beare to him Is not this cold sufferance of this able to quench the violent â—eat of his loues extremitie and hauing so much snow broth to helpe it Beleeue me sweet Lady quoth her friend as hee is a man and a learned Scholler I pitty that he should bee thus vngently dealt withall but as he is my riuall and loues enemy I cannot allow him the least compassion resting the more confidently assured of your loue to me which I will alwayes esteeme most precious When they had spent a long while in this or the like conference with infinite sweet kisses and embraces intermixed then she began againe in this manner Deare loue quoth she cast thy Cloake about thee as I intend to doe with my night mantle and let vs step to the little window once more to see whether the flaming fire which burned in the Schollers brest as daily auouched to me in his loue letters be as yet extinct or no. So going to the window againe and looking downe into the Court there they saw the Scholler dancing in the snow to the cold tune of his teeths quiuering and chattering and clapping his armes about his body which was no pleasing melody to him How thinkest
some courses else albeit not publiquely knowne vnto men yet redounding to their great commoditie and profite In which regard he grew exceeding desirous by what meanes he might becom acquainted and grow into familiarity with them both or any of them at the least wherein at the length he preuailed and Bruno proued to be the man Now Bruno plainly perceiuing within a short while of this new begun acquaintance that the Physitian was a Logger-head and meerely no better then a Gregorian Animall he beganne to haue much good pastime with him by telling him strange and incredible Tales such as none but a Coxcombe would giue credit too yet they delighted Doctor Dunce extraordinarily and Brunoes familiarity was so highly pleasing to him that he was a daily guest at dinner and supper with him and hee was not meanly proud of enioying his company One day as they sate in familiar conference together he told Bruno that he wondred not a little at him and Buffalmaco they being both so poore people yet liued far more iouially then Lords and therefore desired to vnderstand by vvhat secret meanes they compassed such mirthful maintenance Bruno hearing the Doctors demaund perceiuing that it sauoured more of the foole then any the very least taste of wisedome smiled vnto himselfe and determined to returne him such an answere as might be fitting for his folly whereupon thus he replied Beleeue me Master Doctor I would not impart to many people what priuate helpes we haue for our maintenance but yet I dare boldly acquaint you therewith in regard you are one of our most intimate friends and of such secrecie as I know you will not reueale it to any True it is that mine honest neighbor and my selfe do leade our liues in such merry manner as you see and better then all the world is aware of for I cannot imagine you to bee so ignorant but are certainly perswaded that if we had no better means then our poore manuall trade and profession we might sit at home with bread and water and be nothing so liuely spirited as wee are Yet Sir I would not haue you to conceiue that wee do eyther rob or steale or vse any other vnlawfull courses onely we trauayle to Corsica from whence we bring without the least preiudice to anie other all things we stand in need of or whatsoeuer wee can desire Thus do we maintaine our selues well and honestly and liue in this mirthfull disposition Master Doctor hearing this Discourse and beleeuing it constantly without any further instruction or intelligence became possessed with verie much admiration and had the most earnest desire in the world to know what this Trauailing to Corsica might meane entreating Bruno with very great instances to tell him what it was and made many protestations neuer to disclose it to anie one How now Master Doctor answered Bruno What a strange motion do you make to mee It is too great a secret which you desire to know yea a matter of mine owne ruine and an vtter expulsion out of this Worlde with condemnation into the mouth of Lucifer da San Gallo if any man whatsoeuer should know it from me wherefore I pray you to vrge it no more O my deer and honest neighbour Bruno quoth the Doctor assure thy selfe vpon my soul that whatsoeuer thou reuealest to me shall be vnder seale from all but onely our selues Fie fie Master Doctor answered Bruno you are too pressing and importunate So sitting smiling to himselfe shaking his head and beating his breast as if hee were in some straunge distraction of minde stamping with his feete and beating his Fiste oftentimes on the Table at last he started vppe and spake in this manner Ah Master Doctor the loue I beare to your capricious and rarely circumcised experience and likewise the confidence I repose in your scrutinous taciturnitie are both of such mighty and preuailing power as I cannot conceale any thing from you which you couet to know And therefore if you wil sweare vnto me by the crosse of Monteson that neuer as you haue already faithfully promised you will disclose a secret so admirable I will relate it vnto you and not otherwise The Doctor sware and sware againe and then Bruuo thus began Know then my learned and iudicious Doctor that it is not long time since when there liued in this Citie of ours a man very excellent in the Art of Nigromancie who named himselfe Michale Scoto because he was a Scottishman borne of many woorthy Gentlemen very few of them being now liuing hee was much honoured and respected When he grew desirous to depart from hence vpon their earnest motion and entreaty he left here two of his Schollers behinde him men of absolute skill and experience giuing them especial charge and command to do all possible seruices they could deuise for those Gentlemen who had so highly honoured him The two famous Schollers were very helpefull to those Gentlemen in diuers of their amorous occasions and verie many other matters besides Not long after they finding the Citie and behauiour of the people sufficiently pleasing to them they resolued on their continuance heere entering into a league of loue and friendshippe with diuers neuer regarding whether they were Gentlemen or no or distinguishing the poore from the rich but only in being conforme to their complexions sociable and fit for friendship They created a kinde Society consisting of about fiue and twenty men who should meete together twice in a moneth in a place reputed conueuient for them where being so assembled euery man vttered his minde to those two Schollers in such cases as they most desired to haue wherwith they were all satisfied the self-same night It came so to passe that Buffalmaco and I grew into acquaintance with those two worthy Schollers and our priuate familiarity together proued so prosperous that we were admitted into the same Society and so haue euer since continued Now Sir I am to tell you matter deseruing admiration which in very good iudgements would seeme to exceed all beleefe For at euery time when we were assembled together you are not able to imagine what sumptuous hangings of Tapistrie did adorne the Hall where we sate at meate the Tables couered in such Royall manner waited on by numberlesse Noble and goodly attendants both Women and Men seruing readily at each mans command of the company The Basins Ewers Pots Flaggons all the vessels else which stood before and for the seruice of our diet being composed onely of Gold and Siluer and out of no worse did we both eate and drinke the viands being very rare and dainty abounding in plenty and variety according to the appetite of euerie person as nothing could be wished for but it was instantly obtained In good sadnesse Sir I am not able to remember and tell you within the compasse of a thousand yeares what and how manie seuerall kindes of Musicall Instruments were continually played on before vs what multiplicity
not find any other so conforme to thy fancy albeit I who can easily conuert my liking to another wife but neuer to haue the like friend againe shall hereby content both thee and my selfe Yet perhaps this is not a matter so easily done or I to expresse such liberality therein if wiues were to be found with the like difficultie as true and faithfull friends are but being able to recouer another wife though neuer such a worthy friend I rather chuse to change I doe not say loose her for in giuing her to thee I loose her not my selfe and by this change make that which was good before tenne times better and so preserue both thee and my selfe To this end therefore if my prayers and perswasions haue any power with thee I earnestly entreat thee that by freeing thy selfe out of this affliction thou wilt in one instant make vs both truely comforted and dispose thy selfe liuing in hope to embrace that happinesse which the feruent loue thou bearest to Sophronia hath iustly deserued Now although Titus was confounded with shame to yeeld consent that Sophronia should be accepted as his wife and vsed many obstinate resistances yet notwithstanding Loue pleading on the one side powerfully and Gisippus as earnestly perswading on the other thus he answered Gisippus I know not what to say neither how to behaue my selfe in this election concerning the fitting of mine contentment or pleasing thee in thy importunate perswasion But seeing thy liberality is so great as it surmounteth all reason or shame in me I will yeeld obedience to thy more then noble nature Yet let this remaine for thine assurance that I doe not receiue this grace of thine as a man not sufficiently vnderstanding how I enioy from thee not onely her whom most of all I doe affect but also doe hold my very life of thee Grant then you greatest Gods if you be the Patrones of this mine vnexpected felicitie that with honor and due respect I may hereafter make apparantly knowne how highly I acknowledge this thy wonderfull fauour in being more mercifull to me then I could be to my selfe For abridging of all further circumstances answered Gisippus and for easier bringing this matter to full effect I hold this to be our onely way It is not vnknowne to thee how after much discourse had between my kindred and those belonging to Sophronia the matrimoniall coniunction was fully agreed on and therefore if now I shall flye off and say I will not accept thee as my wife great scandall would arise thereby and make much trouble among our friends which could not be greatly displeasing to me if that were the way to make her thine But I rather stand in feare that if I forsake her in such peremptory sort her kinred and friends will bestow her on some other and so she is vtterly lost without all possible meanes of recouery For preuention therefore of all sinister accidents I thinke it best if thy opinion iumpe with mine that I still pursue the busines as already I haue begun hauing thee alwaies in my company as my dearest friend and onely associate The nuptials being performed with our friends in secret manner at night as we can cunningly enough contriue it thou shalt haue her maiden honour in bed euen as if she were thine owne wife Afterward in apt time and place we will publiquely make knowne what is done if they take it well we will be as iocond as they if they frowne and waxe offended the deed is done ouer-late to be recalled and so perforce they must rest contented You may well imagine this aduise was not a little pleasing to Titus wherupon Gisippus receiued home Sophronia into his house with publike intention to make her his wife according as was the custome then obserued and Titus being perfectly recouered was present at the Feast very ceremonially obserued When night was come the Ladies and Gentlewomen conducted Sophronia to the Bride-Chamber where they lest her in her Husbands bed and then departed all away The Chamber wherein Titus vsed to lodge ioyned close to that of Gisippus for their easier accesse each to the other at all times whensoeuer they pleased and Gisippus being alone in the Bride-Chamber preparing as if he were comming to bed extinguishing the light he went softly to Titus willing him to goe to bed to his wife Which Titus hearing ouercome with shame and feare became repentant and denyed to goe But Gisippus being a true intyre friend indeed and confirming his words with actions after a little lingring dispute sent him to the Bride and so soone as he was in the bed with her taking Sophronia gently by the hand softly he moued the vsuall question to her namely if she were willing to be his wife She beleeuing verily that he was Gisippus modestly answered Sir I haue chosen you to be my Husband reason requires then that I should be willing to be your wife At which words a costly Ring which Gisippus vsed daily to weare he put vpon her finger saying With this Ring I confesse my selfe to be your Husband and bind you for euer my Spouse and Wife no other kind of marriage was obserued in those dayes and so he continued all the night with her she neuer suspecting him to be any other then Gisippus and thus was the marriage consumated betweene Titus and Sophronia albeit the friends on either side thought otherwise By this time Publius the father of Titus was departed out of this mortall life letters came to Athens that with all speed he should returne to Rome to take order for occasions there concerning him wherefore he concluded with Gisippus about his departure and taking Sophronia thither with him which was no easie matter to be done vntil it were first known how occasions had bin caried among them Wherupon calling her one day into her Chamber they told her entirely how all had past which Titus confirmed substantially by such direct passages betweene themselues as exceeded all possibility of denyall and moued in her much admiration looking each on other very discontentedly she heauily weeping and lamenting greatly complaining of Gisippus for wronging her so vnkindly But before any further noyse was made in the house shee went to her Father to whom as also to her Mother shee declared the whole trecherie how much both they and their other friends were wronged by Gisippus auouching her selfe to be the wife of Titus and not of Gisippus as they supposed These newes were highly displeasing to the Father of Sophronia who with hir kinred as also those of Gisippus made great complaints to the Senate very dangerous troubles and commotions arising daily betweene them drawing both Gisippus and Sophronia into harsh reports he being generally reputed not onely worthy of all bitter reproofe but also the seuerest punishment Neuerthelesse hee maintained publikely what he had done auouching it for an act both of honour and honestie wherewith Sophronia's friends had no reason to bee
we are not able to deny them This being done with most gracious and courteous demeanour she departed from them leauing her Husband to keepe them still companie who furnished their seruants also with diuers worthy necessaries fitting for their iourney Afterward Thorello by very much importunitie wonne them to stay with him all the rest of the day wherefore when they had rested themselues awhile being attyred in their newly giuen robes they rode on Horsebacke thorow the Citty When supper time came they supt in most honourable and worthy company beeing afterwards Lodged in most faire and sumptuous Chambers and being risen in the morning in exchange of their hoâ—ses ouer-wearied with Trauaile they found three other very richly furnished and their men also in like manner prouided Which when Saladine had perceyued he tooke his Baschaes aside and spake in this manner By our greatest Gods I neuer met with any man more compleat in all noble perfections more courteous and kinde then Thorello is If all the Christian Kings in the true and heroicall nature of Kings do deale as honourably as I see this Knight doeth the Soldane of Babylon is not able to endure the comming of one of them much lesse so many as wee see preparing to make head against vs. But beholding that both refusall and acceptation was all one in the minde of Thorello after much kinde Language had bin intercoursed betweene them Saladine with his Attendants mounted on horsebacke Signiour Thorello with a number of his honourable Friends to the number of an hundred Horsse accompanied them a great distance from the Citie and although it greeued Saladine exceedingly to leaue the company of Thorello so dearely he was affected to him but necessity which controlleth the power of all lawes whatsoeuer must needs diuide them yet requesting his returne agayne that way if possibly it might be granted which Saladine promised but did not performe Well Gentlemen quoth Thorello at parting I know not what you are neither against your will do I desire it but whether you be Marchants or no remember me in your kindnesse and so to the heauenly powers I commend you Saladine hauing taken his leaue of all them that were with Thorello returned him this answer Sir it may one day hereafter so happen as we shal let you see some of our Marchandises for the better confirmation of your beleefe and our profession Thus parted Signior Thorello and his friends from Saladine and his company who verily determined in the heighth of his minde if he should be spared with life and the warre which he expected concluded to requite Thorello with no lesse courtesie then hee had already declared to him conferring a long while after with his Baschaes both of him and his beauteous Lady not forgetting any of their courteous actions but gracing them all with deserued commendation But after they had with very laborious paines surueyed most of the Westerne parts they all tooke Shipping and returned into Alexandria sufficiently informed what preparation was to be made for their owne defence And Signior Thorello being come backe againe to Pauia consulted with his priuat thoughts many times after what these three trauailers should be but came farre short of knowing the truth till by experience hee became better informed When the time was come that the Christians were to make their passage and wonderfull great preparations in all places performed Signiour Thorello notwithstanding the teares and intreaties of his Wife determined to be one in so woorthy and honourable a voyage and hauing made his prouision ready nothing wanting but mounting on Horsebacke to go where he should take shipping to his Wife whom he most intirely affected thus hee spake Madame I goe as thou seest in this famous Voyage as well for mine Honour as also the benefite of my soule all our goodes and possessions I commit to thy vertuous care And because I am not certaine of my returning backe againe in regard of a thousand accidents which may happen in such a Countrey as I goe vnto I desire onely but one fauour of thee whatsoeuer daunger shall befall mee Namely when any certaine tydings shall be brought mee of my death to stay no longer before thy second marriage but one yeare one month and one day to begin on this day of my departing from thee The Lady who wept exceedingly thus answered Alas Sir I know not how to carry my selfe in such extremity of greefe as now you leaue me but if my life surmount the fortitude of sorrow and whatsoeuer shall happen to you for certainty either life or death I will liue and dye the Wife of Signiour Thorello and make my obsequies in his memory onely Not so Madame replyed her Husband not so Be not ouerrash in promising any thing albeit I am well assured that so much as consisteth in thy strength I make no question of thy performance But consider withall deare heart thou art a yong woman beautifull of great parentage and no way thereto inferior in the blessings of Fortune Thy Vertues are many and vniuersally both divulged and knowen in which respect I make no doubt but diuers and sundrie great Lords and Gentlemen if but the least rumor of my death be noysed will make suite for thee to thy parents and brethren from whose violent solicitings wouldst thou neuer so resolutely make resistance yet thou canst not be able to defend thy selfe but whether thou wilt or no thou must yeeld to please them and this is the only reason why I would tie thee to this limited time and not one day or minute longer Adalietta sweetly hugging him in her armes and melting her selfe in kisses sighes and teares on his face said Well Sir I will do so much as I am able in this your most kinde and louing imposition and when I shall bee compelled to the contrary yet rest thus constantly assured that I will not breake this your charge so much as in thought Praying euer heartily to the heauenly powers that they will direct your course home againe to me before your prefixed date or else I shall liue in continual languishing In the knitting vp of this woful parting embracing and kissing either infinit times the Lady tooke a Ring from off her finger and giuing it to her husband said If I chaunce to die before I see you againe remember me when you looke on this He receiuing the Ring and bidding all the rest of his Friends farewell mounted on horsebacke and rode away wel attended Being come vnto Geneway he and his company boorded a Galley and in few dayes after arriued at Acres where they ioyned themselues with the Christian Army wherein there happened a verie dangerous mortality During which time of so sharpe visitation the cause vnknowne whence it proceeded whether thorough the industrie or rather the good Fortune of Saladine well-neere all the rest of the Christians which escaped death were surprized his prisoner without a blow strucken and sundred and imprisoned in diuers
all such goods as he enioyed and then departed out of this life It came to passe that the City of Forenza long time being molested with tedious warres and subiected to very seruile condition beganne now to recouer her former strength with free permission for all such as pleased to returne and possesse their former dwellings Whereupon Iacomino hauing sometime beene an inhabitant there was desirous to liue in Faenza againe conuaying thither all his goods and taking with him also the young girle which Guidotto had left him whom hee loued and respected as his owne childe As shee grew in stature so shee did in beauty and vertuous qualities as none was more commended throughout the whole City for faire ciuill and honest demeanour which incited many amorously to affect her But aboue all the rest two very honest young men of good fame and repute who were so equally in loue addicted to her that being iealous of each others fortune in preuenting of their seuerall hopefull expectation a deadly hatred grew suddenly betweene them the one being named Giouanni de Seuerino and the other Menghino da Minghole Either of these two young men before the Maide was fifteene yeeres old laboured to be possessed of her in marriage but her Guardian would giue no consent thereto wherefore perceiuing their honest intended meaning to be frustrated they now began to busie their braines how to forestall one another by craft and circumuention Iacomino had a Maide-seruant belonging to his House somewhat aged and a Man-seruant beside named Griuello of mirthfull disposition and very friendly with whom Giouanni grew in great familiarity and when he found time fit for the purpose he discouered his loue to him requesting his furtherance and assistance in compassing the height of his desire with bountifull promises of rich rewarding whereto Griuello returned this answere I know not how to sted you in this case but when my Master shall sup foorth at some Neighbours House to admit your entrance where she is because if I offer to speake to her shee neuer will stay to heare me Wherefore if my seruice this way may doe you any good I promise to performe it doe you beside as you shall find it most conuenient for you So the bargaine was agreed on betweene them and nothing else now remained but to what issue it should sort in the end Menghino on the other side hauing entred into the Chamber-maides acquaintance sped so well with her that shee deliuered so many messages from him as had already halfe won the liking of the Virgin passing further promises to him beside of bringing him to haue conference with her whensoeuer her Master should be absent from home Thus Menghino being fauoured on the one side by the olde Chamber-maide and Giouanni on the other by trusty Griuello their amorous warre was now on foote and diligently followed by both their sollicitors Within a short while after by the procurement of Griuello Iacomino was inuited by a neighbour to supper in company of diuers his very familiar friends wherof intelligence being giuen to Giouanni a conclusion passed betweene them that vpon a certaine signale giuen he should come and finde the doore standing ready open to giue him all accesse vnto the affected Mayden The appointed night being come and neither of these hot Louers knowing the others intent but their suspition being alike and encreasing still more and more they made choyce of certaine friends and associates well armed and prouided for eithers safer entrance when neede should require Menghino stayed with his troope in a neere neighbouring house to the Mayden attending when the signall would be giuen but Giouanni and his conâ—orts were ambushed somewhat further off from the House and both saw when Iacomino went foorth to supper Now Grinello and the Chamber-maide began to vary which should send the other out of the way till they had effected their seuerall intention whereupon Grinello said to her What maketh thee to walke thus about the House and why doest thou not get thee to bed And thou quoth the Maide why doest thou not goe to attend on our Master and tarry for his returning home I am sure thou hast supt long agoe and I know no businesse here in the House for thee to doe Thus by no meanes the one could send away the other but either remained as the others hinderance But Grinello remembring himselfe that the houre of his appointment with Giouanni was come he saide to himselfe What care I whether our olde Maide be present or no If shee disclose any thing that I doe I can be reuenged on her when I list So hauing made the signall he went to open the doore euen when Giouanni and two of his confederates rushed into the House and finding the faire young Maiden sitting in the Hall laide hands on her to beare her away The Damosell began to resist them crying out for helpe so loude as shee could as the olde Chamber-maide did the like which Menghino hearing he ranne thither presently with his friends and seeing the young Damosell brought well-neere out of the House they drew their Swords crying out Traytors you are but dead men here is no violence to be offered neither is this a booty for such base groomes So they layed about them lustily and would not permit them to passe any further On the other side vpon this mutinous noyse and out-cry the Neighbours came foorth of their Houses with lights staues and clubbes greatly reprouing them for this out-rage yet assisting Menghino by meanes whereof after a long time of contention Menghino recouered the Mayden from Giouanni and placed her peaceably in Iacominoes House No sooner was this hurly-burly somewhat calmed but the Serieants to the Captaine of the City came thither and apprehended diuers of the mutiners among whom were Menghino Giouanni and Grinello committing them immediately to prison But after euery thing was pacified and Iacomino returned home to his House from supper he was not a little offended at so grosse an iniury When he was fully informed how the matter happened and apparantly perceiued that no blame at all could be imposed on the Mayden he grew the better contented resoluing with himselfe because no more such inconueniences should happen to haue her married so soone as possibly he could When morning was come the kindred and friends on either side vnderstanding the truth of the errour committed and knowing beside what punishment would be inflicted on the prisoners if Iacomino pressed the matter no further then as with reason and equity well he might they repaired to him and in gentle speeches entreated him not to regard a wrong offered by vnruly and youthfull people meerely drawne into the action by perswasion of friends submitting both themselues and the offendors to such satisfaction as he pleased to appoint them Iacomino who had seene and obserued many things in his time and was a man of sound vnderstanding returned them this answere Gentlemen if I were