then returning backe againe when she had foulded and layd them vp handsomely together she led Constance with her to Suse where being arriued she sayd vnto her My daughter I will bring thée to the house of a good Saracin Ladie for whom oftentimes I do such busines as she shall please to appoint me she is an old gentlewoman very wise and charitable I will recomend thée vnto her so well as I can and I am sure she will receaue thée willinglie and vse thée as if thou were her owne childe And for thy part when thou art with her conform thy selfe to serue her well and faithfully that thou maist winne her fauour and continue it vntill such time as it shall please the Lord to send thée better fortune This sayd she brought Constance to the Ladies presence who when she knew what she was and vnderstoode what had happened vnto her for Chereprise had informed her therof at large she earnestly beheld her and pitying her case the teares tickled downe her chéekes then receauing her into her seruice she kissed her and led her by the hand into her house where she remained after that amongest other women without the company of any man that were continually imployed aboute diuerse kindes of curious workes that they wrought with the needle which Constance learning in short time beganne to worke amongst them and by her good behauiour and great diligence won the fauour not only of her Mistres but also of other that were conuersant with her who quickely taught her to vnderstand and speake their language Whilest Constance was remayning at Suse her losse being greatly lamented in her fathers house it hapned that in the time of Mariubdile Kinge of Thunes there was a young Lord of a great linage very puisant remaining in Grenado who challenged the realme of Thunes to be his and for that cause leauying a huge army he came to make warre vpon the King thinking to driue him out of the country These thinges comming to the eares of Martuccio Gomitto who could very well speake the Barbary language when he vnderstoode that the King sought to make himselfe as strong as he could to withstand the malice of his enemy he sayd to one of his kéepers If I might be permitted to speake with the King I could geue him such councell as might easely gaine him the victory The keper told his Maister what Martuccio had said who went incontinently to make report thereof to the King who commaunded Martuccio to be brought before him and being come asked him what his councell was Martuccio with all reuerence aunswered him in this maner Worthy Prince since the time that I haue frequented your country I haue alwayes had good regard to the order of your fight and perceaue vnlesse I be deceaued that your greatest strength coÌ„sisteth in archers wherefore in any conceite if it might be so brought to passe that your enemies shoulde want arrowes and your people haue plentie it must nedes be that they shall be vanquished and you haue the victory In deede sayd the King if this coulde be done we néede not to doubt of the conquest Surely Syr said Martuccio if you please it may easely be done and in this maner First you must cause the stringes of your archers bowes to be made a good deale lesse theÌ„ those that are commonly vsed which done you must likewise cause the notches of their arrowes to be made fit for those strings but this most be done secretly and with such expedicion that your enemies haue no vnderstanding of it least by knowing your pollicy they seeke meanes to preuent it And this I say because you know it is the custome when the arrowes on either side be all spent then to store them selues with those that they receaue from their enemy and to returne them backe againe so long as the fight endureth Now by this deuice that I haue told you you may haue great aduauntage of your enemy For when you haue both discharged all your arrowes one against an other their arrowes being bigge notched shall serue your small stringes very well but your small notched arrowes shall not be able to serue their great stringes so shall you haue great plenty to assaile them a fresh and they none at all to resist you by this meanes ye may deale with them as you list and they shall no way be able to escape your handes The king that was a very wise Prince perceauing howe profitable this councell might be vnto him caused it with all diligence to be put in execution and finding it to fall out to his commoditie and the confusion of his enemies he greatly commended Martuccio and to shew him selfe thankefull for so great a benefite rewarded him very bountifully and aduaunced him to great authoritie The report of this ranne through out the whole countrie so that at last it came to Constance â—ares that Martuccio Gomitto whom she supposed to be dead long since was yet aliue wherefore the loue that she bare vnto him which by this time was almost quite extinct began now to kindle a fresh with a new flame which increasing more and more did quite remoue from her all desire to dye and opening her case to the good Lady that she serued told her that she greatly desired to go to Thunes to satisfie her eyes with that which her eares had heard to th end she might be more assured of his safety whose welfare she wished as her owne The good Lady greatly commended her prouided a barke and with all spéede went with her to Thunes where at their comming they were honorablie receaued by a kinsman of hers that was dwelling there where when they were setled she sent Chereprise that wente thither with her to harken after Martuccio who vndestoode that he was aliue and in greate authoritye whereof making report to the Lady she reioyced greatly at this good newes and desired to be the first that should bring tidinges to Martuccio of the welfare of his frend Constance and of her being in the country went one day to the place where he lodged and desiring to speake with him was permitted to come vnto him to whom she sayd Senior Martuccio there is a seruant of yours that came from Lippare arriued at my house whose desire is to haue some conference with you and because I would not trust any other as she requested me I am come my selfe to do the message vnto you Martuccio thanked her and went with her to her lodging where she left Constance who séeing that her deare frend Martuccio was rauished with excéeding ioy and not able to bridle her affection leaped sodainly about his necke imbraced him with open armes but the remembraunce of the passed paines and the pleasure she conceaued in her present fortune did so bereaue her sense that she could not vtter one word nor reframe from shedding teares in great aboundance Martuccio beholding her whom he so dearely loued the case
vertue gone and all good dealing dead Then let me seeke to doe as others doe by subtile sleights to creepe in credite too What haue I saide shal I by subtile â—leight séeke credite no my hart such dealing hates My troth hath vowd for to detest deceit such meanes are best for such ill meaning mates As credite seeke vnto so vile an end as wisdome findes a foe of such a friend And for my selfe since that I know indéede that vertue gaines the greatest good that is Although with some it stande in little steade yet with the best it thryueth not amisse I craue of God though here my hap be hard by vertue I in heauen may haue reward Loue good and badde STraunge were the life that euery man would léeke more straunge the state that should mislike ech one Rare were the iemme that euery one would seeke and little worth that all would let alone Swéete were the meate that euery one would choose and soure the sauce that all men would refuse Yet such a life and such a state there is such iemme such ioy such meate such sauce and all And if I doe not take my markes amisse by but one worde I could descry them all Which onely worde that shewes them all by name is this worde Loue that plainly shewes the same Who would not wish to leade his life in loue and who so madde to séeke to liue in woe Yet he that meanes the ioyes of loue to proue is like perforce most bitter panges to know In loue such woes with ioyes are ioynde together take t 'one take both or leaue both chose you whether Loue right is rare and worthy to be sought but counterfaite is but a foolish toy Whose vertues rare as rare effectes haue wrought and which mistaâ—e hath wrought as great annoy But right so rare and hard is to be knowne as who would seeke were better let alone Fonde fancies fruites are all the soode of loue whose sause most soure is sorrowes sugred gall Which messe of meate doth in disgestion proue to yeld both minde and bodie comfort small Yet see the spite who of the fruite would eate must suppe thâ— sauce or let alone the meate Another Eh cruell care that cals to minde in vaine the thriftles time that reachles youth hath spent Hadst thou but waighd in pleasures past the paine that present now I doe too late repent Then hadst thou sau'de me from such sorrowes smart as now I sée doe so consume my hart But since at first thou letst me slippe at large to follow wil the worker of my woe Too late alas thou takst me now in charge with secreat sorrowes to consume me so Then leaue me Care or quickly lend me cure least loathed life no longer doe endure What sayst thou Care or canst thou make no way to winne the good that wanton will hath lost Oh then good death doe thou no more delay to kill me thus with careful troubles tost But must I liue then God who knowes my griefe cut of my cares and lend me some reliefe Long haue I walkt to tire my restles minde yet tyred am long since with weary woes And yet though tierd no resting place can finde where I might once my restles minde repose But tyred thus on on must trauaile still till want of rest my wearyed carkas kil Ah wretched walke that hath such weary ende which ende though long would I could finde it yet But fates doe frowne fortune is not my frend and wretched woes haue ouerworne my wit So that in vaine I seeke I see in fine to set at rest this wearye minde of mine I sought for loue but found out foule despight a way that was quite wide from that I sought But since alas I followed follie quight and left the way that trustie reason taught In weary wayes I now must wander stil to see the sorrowes of my wretched will But Ladies yee that leade your liues at ease and are not forcd to treade one step awry Nor passe one foote more then may pleasure please with ruth respecte my wofull treachery And when you fall into your tyring talke with pittie waigh poore Bretons wearie walke Another T Is straunge Madame to see you straunge that stoode so much on tearmes of truth From which so soone to see you chaunge doth shew in you a tricke of youth A trick of youth to take a toy to take a toy and tourne away And tourne away from your sweete ioy from your sweete ioy that would not stray From whom you once could say and sweare not death it selfe should make you start But since you lickt and likd els where your vowed oath is layd a parte And let it lye a parte for me for I my selfe haue vowed too To flie as farre as fast from thee as thou from me canst thinke to doe And so shall either be content thou hast thy wish and I my will VVhereof who first seemes to repent let them bite on the bridle still Another T Is luste that leades your loue awry t is chaunge that makes you check your choise T is fancie makes your faith to fly t is follie makes you false your voice But reckon what you get thereby And put your winnings in your eye T is wanton wordes that winnes your will t is wauering wit that makes you trippe T is double dealing drawes you still t is sorrie meaning makes you slippe But reckon what you get thereby and put your winnings in your eye For luste with loathing once wil reaue and chaunge perchaunce your choise will choke Fonde fancie ofte her fall doth weaue that puts on follie for her cloake But reckon what you gaine thereby and put your winninges in your eye When wanton woordes are tournd to winde and wauering witte hath wrought your woe Then dooble dealinge you shall finde and sorry meaning both your foe And counting then your gaine thereby you may put winninges in your eye The frutes of ielousy DAme Procris Don Cephalus old Ouid tels the tale were lincked fast in loyall loue as maried man wife And blisfully they lead their liues deuoyde of any bale till Ielousy threw in a boane the roote of all their strife He gaue the first occasion and subtillie he sought disfigured to prooue her truth corrupting her with gold To vnderminde her chastitie this â—aight her loue hath cought for where the batterie is so hoat weake women cannot hold He blameth her inconstancie she blusheth at her fall and for to shrowde her self fro shame she frames her self to flight Thus banished she bides abroad til weried therwithal he cald her home and reconcil'd he doth forgeue her quight In profe of this attonement made on him she doth bestow a dogge a darte of sundrie sorte excelling in their kinde The dogge he mist no chase in hunt the darte it mist no blow a man might seeke the world for such yet not their matches finde In concord thus continuing Don Cephalus doth vse to
wittes may clime To touch the toppe of highest thinges with praise Which Nestor scarce attainde in all his dayes Young coltes beares price before olde restie iades young twigges stande faste when taller trees decay The budding rose exceedes the flower that fades youth waxeth ripe whilest age doth were away Then iudge aright and praise him for his paynes That prooues his theame in praising youthly braynes G. A. In commendation of the Author LEt hoarie heares who longe in painfull soyle with heauie hande haue sowed Experience seede At haruest reape in guerdone of their toyle the name and fame of wisdome for their meede But yet for witte let youth receaue the praise As this our Youth doth flowe in these our dayes N. Skr. In the praise of his frende THough wanton will did wrangle late with witte though Soldior braulde though Schollar cauil stil Manillas mone though no man pittie it nor woman-like so lose a praise of will Though counsell then that came from phisickes lore Doth yealde as yet no salue to heale his sore Yet died not witte he did but make his will I not deny but then he might be sicke His addle head may were a kercher still for then his braine was touched to the quicke But who so lookes shall see him here aliue And well perceaue how youth can him reuiue Mistres Marie P. In commendation of her seruaunts worke TO praise the wight whose déedes deserue no lesse were but to throwe my wordes into the winde For eache that sees his worke must needes confesse vnlesse they swarue contrarie to their kinde That he deserues farre more then I can tell his workes his wordes his deedes deserue so well R. W. gent. To his frende A N. LOe for my frende I here doe breake my vow who earst haue sworne in silence for to rest But for because my frende constraines me now both vowes and othes I doe accounte as iest And say and sweare as I haue done of yore that such Greene wittes haue seldome beene before I. Io. Gent. IN verse to write the praises of my frende I wante the skill of learned Poets olde Whose pregnante witte in Virgill may be pende and not by me his filed phrase be tolde Reade gallante youthes this booke which he hath wrot not for his owne but your delight God wot I. H. To his frende A. N. TO say of trothe that this my frende doth well and in the ende his doinges should proue badde My name his fame I should both by and sell and nether winne but both of vs be sadde So that to praise him further then I say I neither can ne will ne must nor may YOVTHES VVIT OR THE WIT OF GRENE YOVTH WITH THE CASTELL OF Conceites Choose Gentlemen mez-Dames which of these two shall best like you Two louers being together in the night the Man died for ioy the Maide for griefe Whereof ensued the death of other two IN the citie of Cessenna not long since was dwelling a riche marchant named Affranio who had two children a Sonne and a Daughter Néere vnto him was dwelling an other marchant named Gerardo who had likewise a Sonne and a Daughter and as betwene the fathers there had of long time bene great familiaritie so did acquaintance growe and increase betwene their children specially betwene their Daughters For Camilla the Daughter of Gerardo by meanes of her brothers absence who was resident at Rome where he had continued a long time as factor for his father hauing no bodie to kéepe her companie in his absence resorted diuers times to Cornelia who her father being dead was then only Mistres of the house which her brother Hannibal as sole inheritour of all his goodes did hold and enioy after his decease The continuall conuersation of these two gentlewomen as it ingendred betwene them such perfect amitie as could neuer be dissolued so did it kindle a new fire in the hart of Hannibal which by the contemplacion of Camillas bewtie so increased from time to time and in the end toke such déepe roote that it could not possiblie be remoued This straunge passion so tormented the mind of the poore gentleman who had neuer before bene acquainted with the like that neglecting all his necessarie affaires he applied his whole care and studie to please and pleasure his beloued Camilla who vtterly ignorant of his griefe shewed him no better countenaunce then she did commonly to all other young gentlemen of her acquaintance which Signor Hannibal perceiuing and not satisfied therewith would faine haue made his meaning more apparant crauing such comfort as the necessitie of his cause required but the feare he had to offend and so to lose the fauour whereof he was assured by her continuall presence did still deteyne him and would neuer suffer him to prosecute his purpose Thus hanging betwene hope and dispaire th one pricking him forward the other pulling him backe imagining now one thing now an other thing and neuer resoluing fully vpon any thing he became at last so melancolike with musing imagining on this matter that losing his appetite to meate and desire to sléepe at the last he grew sicke and by litle and litle wasted away as snow against the sunne Cornelia séeing her brother thus pained applied her selfe like a naturall sister to prouide him all things that she thought méete for the recouerie of his health by Phisicke or otherwise but his disease procéeding of no natural cause could neither be discerned nor cured by any Phisitiā were his skill and experience neuer so great only their opinion was for the most part that it procéeded of some passion of the mind which Cornelia vnderstanding who could by no meanes imagine vppon what occasion he should be so disquieted to vnderstand the truth she lay continually vpon him vsing all the perswasions that possibly she might to make him reueale vnto her the cause of this his grieuous malladie which at the last he did with much a do telling her that it was only for the loue he bare to her frend Camilla which he had sought by all meanes possible to suppresse but could not being continuallie renewed by the dayly contemplacion of her celestiall bewtie Cornelia hearing these wordes vttered by her sicke brother with grieuous sighes and great aboundaunce of teares knowing that it was then no time to reproue his folly but rather to prouide a remedie for thextreame mischiefe whereunto he was so vnhappely fallen comforted him with swéete wordes exhorting him to plucke vp his spirites and séeke some meanes to remedie his griefe Whereunto he replied that he knew not how to ease him selfe vnlesse it would please her to discouer his affection to her frend Camilla and persuade her to take some pitie vpon him Cornelia that loued her brother as her owne life gaue him her promise that when opportunitie should serue she would satisfie his desire and make his estate so well knowen to her in whom his only hope of helpe consisted that
she had no doubt but that her tender hart would be moued to take compassion vpon him when she should perceaue that his intent was honest and his affection in dede vnfamed Hannibal was somewhat comforted with these kind words considering the great amitie that was betwene Camilla and his sister Cornelia thought her wordes might worke such effect with her that he should easily obtaine his desire Cornelia shortly after being with her frend Camilla talking of diuers matters as women will do when they he together at the last she spyed her time to open her brothers case vnto her tellinge her what straunge tormentes he endured for her sake affirming that without her helpe he was like to languish without all hope of remedy praying her therefore most instantly to haue pitie vpon him Camilla though she liked not well of these words that Cornelia had vsed vnto her yet séeing her to be greatly grieued for her brothers sickenes she did the rather hold her excused and would not greatly reproue her but gaue her to vnderstand that she tooke small delite in such amorous suters praying her from thenceforth to trouble her no more with the like assuring her if she did that she should but lose her labour and be farre enough from obtaining that she sought Cornelia though she were not satisfied with this aunswer yet being so nipt maidenly shamefastnes would not suffer her to procéede any further in the matter neither durst she shewe her brother what aunswere Camilla had made her least it should driue him to greater extreamities then he was in before but whether it were with watching and the great paines that she tooke with him continually during the time of his sickenes or by some griefe she conceaued in the vncourteous aunswer of her frend Camilla or because she saw no meanes to remedy her brothers seacelesse torment she fell shortly after into a grieuous feuer which constrained her to kéepe her bedde whereof when Camilla had vnderstanding she came incontinently to visite her and being with her all alone in a chamber next adioyning to the lodging where Hannibal lay hauing but a wall betwene them so that whatsoeuer was sayd in th one might easely be hard in thother Hannibal hearing his Camillas voice asked his sister Cornelia who was with her who aunswered him that there was no body but Camilla Hannibal being likewise alone at that present calling his wits together and taking more courage vnto him then he was accustomed to haue in this case taking his lute in his hand he began to sing as followeth YEld me my heart yeld me my libertie From out this prison let me passe againe That for thy sake bide such extreamitie As neuer mortall man might well sustaine If thou hast vowd to tread Dianas trace If crueltie increase in thee by kinde If thou disdaine to graunt thy seruaunt grace Or canst not lodge such liking in thy minde Yeld me my hart that wholy then I may Geue vp the ghost when as my race is runne Which now for loue doth languish night and day And hath no power those painfull paines to shunne But if thy purpose be to keepe it still Yet vse it better then thou didst before To vex the wight no doubt the deede were ill That well deserues thou shouldest esteeme him more Then in thy breast as reason doth require My grieued hart vouchsafe to lodge at last That I may say thou did'st not desire Nor wish the woes that I so long did tast But that thy loue though it were long conceald Was firmely sixt and plainly now reueald And then began on the other side of the wall with wordes interrupted with sighes and great abundaunce of teares to declare to Camilla his amorous and extreame passion humbly beséechinge her to take pitie vpon him and not to suffer him to finish his miserable life in the flower of his youth through her cruelty and want of compassion Of such force were these his prayers that mollefying her tender hart which she felt sodainly enflamed with an vnaccustomed heate she thoughte it greate crueltie not to haue compassion vpon him and no lesse ingratitude to deny him that fauour which his entire affection and perfecte loialtie had wel deserued wherefore in frendlye wise she spake vnto him after this manner Senior Hanniball I am contented to allow of your wordes and cannot but like well of your courteous offer not supposing you to be one of those that wyth leude practises doe seeke to deceiue such simple soules as I am who when they haue satisfied their wicked desire report it amongest their companions to the great reproche and vtter spoyle of those that were so fonde to beleue them But rather then any suche thinge shoulde happen to me I desire to die the moste gréeuous death that may be deuised knowing rightwel that when a woman hath once lost her good name she hath then no more to loose the same being the onely riches that she can haue in this world It is therefore very méete that we be somwhat circumspect in this matter if the loue you beare vnto me be so perfect as you professe and that your meaninge be none other then I imagine it you may demaund me of my Father in marriage who I am well assured will not deny you your honest request By this meanes you may easely obteyne your desire and keepe my good name vnspotted which is the thing wherein I cheifly delight me Hannibal was well satisfied with these words and greatly cōmending the vertuous care she had for the preseruation of her good name promised so sone as he had recouered his health to do as she had directed him After this Hannibal proued all meanes to procure his health and being well recouered caused certayn of his frendes to moue his sute to Camillas Father who knowing his hability and liking well of the offer aunswered that he could be well contented to bestowe his daughter vpon him but would not resolue vpon any thinge till his Sonne whose name was Claudius were retorned from Rome which he saide would be verie shortly Camilla knowing her Fathers answer imagined the matter to be fully concluded for she thought assuredly that her brother would not be agaynst it wherefore betakinge her selfe wholy to her frend Hannibal her affection towards him grew so great that it was nothing inferior vnto his Whilst Claudius deferred his coming from Rome to Cesena vpon some occasion of busines that detained him longer then he thought for these two louers diuers tymes had conference together thinking by that meanes somwhat to aswage the amorouse flame that continually burned in theire brestes but this caused it more and more to increase and made them thinke euerie hower a yeare till Claudius retorned But when they sawe he stayed so long after his tyme apoynted they caused themselues to be secretly maried thinking to celebrat the mariage at Claudius retorne who cominge home shortly after was aduertised by his Father of
her selfe vnhappy for euer then to liue without the company of her faithfull and wel affected seruant And after good deliberation seeing her selfe greatly vrged to forsake the Court through the fury and feare she had of her displeased friendes she agreed with her best beloued to the ende they might fréely enioy their Loue some where els to forsake the Courte and her Countrey with all conuenient speede wherefore the better to bring their desire to passe they caused them selues to be marryed as secretly as they might and setting all their affayres in good order when they were furnished of money and all thinges that eache of them seuerally according to their habilitie were able to procure for feare to be discouered they stole away in the night and traueled by vnknowen wayes that were not commonly tradâ—â—â— til they came to the sea side where they tooke 〈◊〉 with purpose to passe towards Italie thinking there to spende the rest of their life happely and as their heart desirâ—d but cruel fortune inconstant and enuious of the good that be fore she had graunted them turning their sweet into sower and their pleasure into great displeasure so extreamely handled them that their miserable mishap may be a good example to all other to beware of the like when they find themselues disposed to take so dangerous a wise These two fugitiue Louers being imbarked as aforesayd before they were fully ten miles from the hauen there rose so great a tempest in the sea that the sky beeing couered with many dark cloudes and the water troubled with the vehemencie of the wind that it seemed al things were quite confounded and brought into a confused Caos so that the boldest in the barke and he that had best skill was faine to geue ouer his taske and committe all to the mercy of the tyme which was so daungerous that the ship ouermatched by the vehemency of the windes was broken all to péeces against a harde rocke and all that were in it drouned and lost saue onely Barisor and Flora For Barisor strengthned by the vehemencye of hys loue holding his Flora in his armes all be blobred with wéeping when he saw the eminent daunger which might no way be auoyded he cast her vpon his backe and with an inuincible courage leapt into the Sea and puttinge himselfe to the power and conducte of the tempestuous waues brake the billowes with his body as a Dolphin with his broade finnes The Lady acknowledginge the great diligence of her poore louer sayd vnto him Alas my deare frend I greatly feare that by seeking my safety we shall both be drouned nay sweete Lady sayd Barisor thy company is such a comfort vnto me and my desire to preserue thee so great that it maketh me more swift then the winde and stronger then the waues that striue against me The sorowful Flora bending her selfe to kis her bearer the best recompence that then she coulde make him for all his paynes it gaue the poore gentleman so great courage that with the help of the time and the sea which waxed calme againe he gate to land in a desert Iland inhabited by none but wild beastes So soone as they were arryued in this place they loking back on a sodaine perceiued a huge Lyon hard at their héeles wherfore thinking that he would haue deuoured them and so with their life to haue ended all their miseries they prepared themselues with patience to abide their vnhappy destinie like frends to die together But the cruel beast whether it were that he had before satisfied himselfe some where els or that the heauens had so appointed it contrary to al expectation departed from them without offering them any iniury or vsing any violonce towards them When they had escaped this daunger for feare to fall into the like again they wandred vp and down thrée whol dayes together to seek some place of securitie but in al that time they saw no earthly creature nor found any harbor but only the wild desert and the maine sea that enuironed it round about wherefore being extreamely pinched with hunger and faint with running they were constrayned to rest their féeble bodies voyd of al natural strength hard by the sea side where being couched together in this miserable plight each imbracing other almost dead for want of foode and not able to doe any thing but wéepe and sighe Barisor sayd to his beloued Flora Alas my deere hart thy swéete and delicate youth vnable to endure the extreame anguish of this deadly famine must needes pearish without any hope of recouery Ah my deere friend sayd she I feele myselfe greatly eased by enioying thy frendly companie Then pausing a while and fetching a feeble sighe she said againe Alas poore soule I see thou mayst no longer endure this dolor all the forces of thy pining harte doe faile thee Not in loue replyed Barisor though in this earthly bodies our soules so vnited that nothing hath power to part them shal ascend to the heauens together and so long as any gaspe of breath remayneth satisfie theÌ„ selues with these two kisses now colde for wante of natures giftes Thus lamentably complaining and straitly embracing at the last they gaue vp the ghost shortly after were found by certain strange marchants that came on shore to furnish themselues of fresh victual being dryuen vpon this Iland by tempest who when they saw the dead bodies of these desolate louers newly deceased but past al recouerie perceiued by al outward apparance that they died for want of foode wherfore lamenting their case which seemed verie strange vnto them they buried them after the best maner they might and then departing from them they departed on their purposed voyage where they made report of this strange accident and likewise in all other places where they hapned to come and amongst the rest in Hungary so that in the end it came to the eares of those that were acquainted with the late escape of Barisor and Florinda who knowing by all euident tokens that these pitifull newes concerned them some were glad because they might now with more assurance enioy the large reuenues that belonged to Flora others reprooued their folly but all in generall lamented their losse specially such as were louers to whose minde this strange example was no small terror Behold here Gentlemen the force of foolish Loue which inflameth the hearts of the greatest oftentimes bereaueth them offense and maketh them careles of al duties who the greater more noble that they be the more care they ought to haue not to remitte any thing how small so euer it be that may be any blemish to their reputation For it is most certaine that whosoeuer once forsaketh God and suffreth himself to be led away with euery foolish passion that prouoketh him he must nedes fal into such dangerous wayes as will leade him at last to vtter perdition which he shal neuer be able to auoyde Constance louing Martuccio Gomitto wheÌ„ she
heard that he was dead desperately put her selfe all alone in a barke which being transported by the winde to Suse in Barbary From thence she went to Thunâ—s where finding her frend Martuccio aliue and in great auctoritie she bewrayed her selfe vnto him who marrying her shortly after returned with her very rich to Lippare Wherein is plainly set forth the force of loue and the stedfast affection of those that loue faithfully with a perfect example of the ficklenes of fortune who neuer abideth custome but euery day altreth her estate aduaunsing one and ouerwhelming an other and somtime greatly abasing them whome she mindeth to bring to a better state NOt farre from Cicilia there lieth a litle Iland named Lippare the inhabitants wherof are chiefly maintained by marchaundise nauigation In this Iland a virgin of verie good parentage named Constance was borne and brought vp who for her beawtie and vertuous behauiour was well beloued and greatly desired of many in mariage but specially of one Martuccio Gomitto a comely and courteous young man not very welthy but well skilled in the arte he professed to whom this virgin did likewise beare so good affection that she neuer thought her selfe well without his company wherof when Martuccio was assured purposing to make her his wife he demaunded her fathers good will which he denied him saying he would bestow his daughter vpon one that should be well able to maintaine her to the end she might be a comfort to him in his old age Martuccio greatly grieued to sée him selfe reiected and in a maner despised for his pouertie prepared a litle vessell and furnishing it with all things fit for his purpose hauing also drawne diuers of his frends and kinsfolke to take parte with him he made a vow neuer to returne agayne to Lippare till he were rich wherefore departinge from them he began to practise pâ—racy on the borders of Barbarie pilling and spoyling all that he found too weake to resist him wherein fortune was very fauorable vnto him if he could haue taken the time whilest it serued But he and his companions not contented that they were in short time become very rich in séeking to get more they were all taken by certaine Saracins who shutting them vp vnder their hatches caried them to Thunes where they were committed to prison and long after kept in great miserie whereupon newes was brought to Lippare for certaine by many credible persons that all they that were in the litle barke with Martuccio were drouned Which Constance hearing who was grieued without measure at his sodaine departure she greatly lamented amongst the rest and determining to liue no longer because her hart would not serue to make away her selfe by any violent meanes she sought to find some new necessity to hasten her desired ende For which purpose going one euening forth of her fathers dores towardes the sea side she found by chaunce a fisherbote in the hauen somwhat distant from the other shippes which by meanes that the owners were newly arriued was furnished with mast saile and oaers which Constance perceauing presently entred into it and hauing a litle skill in nauigation as most of the women of that Iland haue she lanched into the déepe and casting ouerbord the oaers and rudder and all things else wherewith the bote might be guided hoised her saile and committed all to the mercy of the winde thinking it would either ouerwhelme the bote being vnbalaced and without a pilote or else driue it vpon some rocke and so breake it all to peeces and so being vnable to auoide the daunger when she would must of necessity be drowned In this mind weping bitterly she wrapped her clothes about her head and layd her downe vnder the hatches But it fell out coÌ„trarie to her expectacion for the gentle Northwest wind did blow so full and freshly that by the next night after she went a bord the barke it brought her within a hundred myles of Thunes into a hauen neare to a towne named Suse The young virgin felt not whether she were on land or in the sea for whatsoeuer happened she neuer lifted vp her head nor neuer thought to lift it vp againe By good happe as the barke stroke vpon the shore there was a poore seaâ—aring woman hard by laying forth her fisher mens nets to drie in the sunne who marueiling greatly to see it runne on ground with full saile and thinking that the fishermen were a sléepe within she went a bord the barke and finding no body there but this poore desolate virgin that was theÌ„ fast a sleepe wondring greatly at so straunge a case and perceauing by her garmentes that she was a Christian she called her diuers times so loude as she could and when she had waked her she asked her in Latin howe it was possible for her to come thither all alone in that litle bote The virgin hearing her owne country language doubting that some contrary blast had brought her back againe to Lippare started vp sodainlye and looked rounde aboute her But not knowing the countrie and yet séeing her selfe on land she asked the poore woman where she was who aunswering her sayd My daughter thou art now neare to Suse in Barbarie The poore virgin hearing this storie that the had so well escaped the daunger of the seas and fearing to fal into the hands of these barbarous people that would abuse her not knowing what was best to do she sate her downe on the botes side and wept bitterly The good old woman séeing what sorrowe she made greatly pitied her case comforting her all that she might and intreated her to go with her into a litle house she had vpon the shore which at last after long and earnest perswasion she was contented to do and being there the old woman so â—â—nely flattred her that in the end she told her by what meanes she was ariued there The good old woman knowing by this meanes that she had fasted long and must therefore néedes be a hungred set before her such simple fare as she had and intreated her so much that she got her to eate a litle Constance being now somewhat refreshed asked the old woman what she was who aunswered that she was of the Trappany and that her name was Chereprise and serued certaine Christian fishermen dwelling in that countrie The young virgin though she were greatly gréeued yet hearing Chereprise named her mind gaue her straitwayes that she had heard the name before not knowing any cause that should moue her thereunto and began now to hope she knewe not what and did no more desire to dye as she was wont to do desiring the old woman without enquiring any further of her estate to haue compassion on her youth and geue her councell howe she might keepe her selfe from receauing any iniurie which the good old woman promised her to do Wherefore leauing her alone in the house she went with all spéede to take vp her nets
séemed so straunge and so greatly amazed him that he stoode in doubt a great while whether he saw her in deede or else dreamed that he saw her but when he came to himselfe againe and knew for certaine that it was she he said vnto her Alas my deare art thou yet aliue it is long since that I hard report that thou was lost neither could it be knowen whether thou weÌ„test or what was become of thée This said weping bitterly he imbraced and kissed her a thousand times together Then did Constance tell him of all her aduentures and how courteously the good Lady had delt with her from time to time after which and diuers other talke that they had together he departed from thence and going to the King his Maister aduertised him of all that had happened to him and his frend Constance crauing leaue of him to marry her according to his countrie maner The King greatly marueling at the matter sent for Constance who confirming all that Martuccio had reported he said vnto her Now truly faire vigin thou art worthy to haue him to thy husbande for whom thou hast taken such paines and passed so many perils wherefore bestowing many large gifts vpon them he gaue them leaue to do whatsoeuer they thought good Then Martuccio very liberally rewarding the Lady for the great beneuolence that she had vsed towardes Constance in her aduersity with the Kings licence tooke leaue of all his frends in that country with Constance and Chereprise tooke shippe and returned very rich to Lippare where they were so chearefully receaued of all their frendes who neuer thought to haue seene them againe that it is not possible to declare the excéeding ioy that this seconde méeting did bring to euery one of them To conclude Martuccio and Constance to their great comfort and contentment beinge solemnelye married euer after duringe the tearme of their life enioyed their loue together as they ought without any impediment or let to their deserued pleasure The complaint of one in misery THe day séemes long to them that dwel in dole and short the time to such as liue in ioy The sickmans griefe ful litle knowes the hole so much delight doth differ from annoy That th one doth cause in man desire to die thother stil to liue continually What man would wish to liue that liues in woe and in delight who would desire to die Since that by death an end of grief doth grow and death of ioyes depriues vs vtterly Of worldly ioyes for only so I meane of which we see death doth depriue vs cleane Wherby not all olde prouerbes true I finde for old said sawes do say that life is swéete But death is more desierd of noble minde then life to leade for liuing farre vnmeete Which loathed life doth make me thus to crie I liue too long come death and let me die A Louer fancied but not fauoured of Fortune MY mourning minde doth craue some sweet delite and fancie fame would lend me some I see But fortune frownes and sendes me foule despite and care doth kepe all comfort quite from me Such passions strange doe stil perplex my mind as I despaire of any ease to find But let me sée I must not yet despaire Dame fortunes wheele may happen â—ourne againe When stormes are past the weather may be faire and pleasure comes vnlookt for after paine Things at the worst the prouerbe saith will mend why should not then my sorrowes haue an end But old said Sawes are not yet scripture all for thinges at worst are past all mendinge quite To pininge hartes all pleasure semeth small what mirthe can doo the pyâ—ing harte delight When fates do frowne and fortune is our foe â—ought can be thought to rid the mynd of woe The nature of the Larke described THe little Larke that in the ground is hatcht and there bredde vp till fethers make her flye No sooner she a flight or two hath catcht but vp she mountes vnto the lofty skye Where if she sée Sonne shine and weather fayre how then for ioy she twittles in the ayre But if she sée the winde beginne to blow it poure downe raine and tempestes do arise Within a bush she kéepes her selfe full lowe where prety wretch close to the ground she lyes Vntill such time as all the stormes be past and then againe she geuâ—th her vp in hast Which plainely shewes the nature in the Larke is still to séeke to mount to loftie skie And though perhaps you now and then may marke a kistrell kite to make a flight so hye Yet all things waide if eache thinge haue his right a larke will far be likde aboue a kite The hawty mynde how it disposeth it selfe WHat hill so hye but litle emmets clyme what pretious perle but pore by trauel gaine What thinge so hard but is atchiud in tyme what pleasure such but may be got with payne What doubte so great but hope may men assure see more what heauen but prayer may procure The heauie Asse both kepe the valley still the clownishe coultes do loue the Country best When hawtie hartes do clime the highest hill and gallant mindes do séeke in courte to rest The cowarde dreades and in dispairs doth dye when boldest bloodes by hope do clime full hye Then let my harte goe clime the hyest hill and leaue the valley for the countrie Asse My mynd in courte shall séeke by trauell still to finde a pearle which farre all pearles doth passe My hope shall rest vpon a princely minde by helpe of God some heauenly grace to finde Loathing his life he wisheth for death WHat greater gréefe then tormentes of the hart which dayly grow by troubles of the minde And what such ioy as sodaine ease of smart which long time sought full hard hath bene to finde What heauen on earth with lucky loue to dwell then luckâ—les loue againe what greater hell But how fares he that féeleth no delight what world is that where nothing is but woe What woe to that which worketh such despight as makes a man no kinde of comfort knowe What life leades he that dayly cries to die far worse then death loe such a life lead I Then let me thus conclude my tale in briefe I am the man that only may lament A lothsome life that finde no ease of griefe nor hopes for help vntil my dayes be spent And sadly so I end my solemne song Come come good death I dying liue too long Hanging betweene hope and despaire he calleth for helpe TWixt chearefull hope and comfortles despaire straungely perplext ful sore amasde I stand Hope seemes to shew the weather wil be faire and darke despaire sayes tempestes are at hand Venture says hope despaire doth bid me slack hope prickes me on despaire doth pull me back Haue wel says hope despaire doth bid me doubt trust me says hope despaire says hope is vaine Shrinke not says hope despaire cries not to stout labour says hope