of two worthy friends At such time as Octauius Caesar not as yet named Augustus but only in the office called Triumueri gouerned the Romane Empire there dwelt in Rome a Gentleman named Publius Quintus Fuluius a man of singular vnderstanding who hauing one son called Titus Quintus Fuluius of towardly yeares and apprehension sent him to Athens to learne Philosophy but with letters of familiar commendations to a Noble Athenian Gentleman named Chremes being his ancient friend of long acquaintance This Gentleman lodged Titus in his owne house as companion to his son named Gisippus both of them studying together vnder the tutoring of a Philosopher called Aristippus These two yong Gentlemen liuing thus in one Citty House and Schoole it bred betweene them such a brother-hoode and amity as they could not be seuered from one another but only by the accident of death nor could either of them enioy any content but when they were both together in company Being each of them endued with gentle spirits and hauing begun their studies together they arose by degrees to the glorious height of Philosophy to their much admired fame and commendation In this manner they liued to the no meane comfort of Chremes hardly distinguishing the one from the other for his Son thus the Schollers continued the space of three yeares At the ending wherof as it hapneth in al things else Chremes died whereat both the young Gentlemen conceiued such hearty griefe as if he had bin their common father nor could the kinred of Chremes discerne which of the two had most need of comfort the losse touched them so equally It chanced within some few months after that the kinred of Gisippus came to â—ee him and before Titus auised him to marriage and with a yong Gentlewoman of singular beauty deriued from a most noble house in Athens and she named Sophronia aged about fifteen years This mariage drawing neere Gisippus on a day intreated Titus to walk along with him thither because as yet he had not seene her Comming to the house and she sitting in the midst betweene them Titus making himselfe a considerator of beauty especially on his friends behalfe began to obserue her very iudicially euery part of her seemed so pleasing in his eie that giuing them al a priuat praise yet answerable to their due deseruing he becam so enflamed with affection to her as neuer any louer could bee more violentlie surprized so sodainly doth beauty beguile our best senses After they had sate an indifferent while with her they returned home to their lodging where Titus being alone in his chamber began to bethink himselfe on her whose perfections had so powerfully pleased him and the more he entred into this consideration the fiercer he felt his desires enflamed which being vnable to quench by any reasonable perswasions after hee had vented foorth infinite sighes thus he questioned with himselfe Most vnhappie Titus as thou art whether doost thou transport thine vnderstanding loue and hope Dooest thou not know as well by the honourable fauours which thou hast receiued of Chremes and his house as also the intire amity betweene thee and Gisippus vnto whom faire Sophronia is the affianced friend that thou shouldst holde her in the like reuerent respect as if shee were thy true borne Sister Darest thou presume to fancie her Whether shall beguiling Loue allure thee and vaine immaging hopes carrie thee Open the eyes of thy better vnderstanding and acknowledge thy selfe to bee a most miserable man Giue way to reason bridle thine in temperate appetites reforme all irregulare desires and guide thy fancy to a place of better direction Resist thy wanton and lasciuioâ—s will in the beginning and be master of thy selfe while thou hast opportunity for that which thou aimest at is neyther reasonable nor honest And if thou wert assured to preuaile vpon this pursuite yet thou oughtst to auoide it if thou hast any regard of true friendship and the duty therein iustly required What wilt thou do then Titus Fly from this inordinate affection if thou wilt be reputed to be a man of sensible iudgement After he had thus discoursed with himselfe remembring Sophronia and conuerting his former allegations into a quite contrarie sense in vtter detestation of them and guided by his idle appetite thus he began againe The lawes of loue are of greater force then any other whatsoeuer they not only breake the bands of friendship but euen those also of more diuine consequence How many times hath it bin noted the father to affect his own daughter the brother his sister and the step mother her son in law matters far more monstrous then to see one friend loue the wife of another a case happening continually Moreouer I am yong and youth is wholly subiected to the passions of Loue is it reasonable then that those should be bard from me which are fitting and pleasing to Loue Honest things belong to men of more years and maturity then I am troubled withall and I can couet none but onely those wherein Loue is directer The beauty of Sophronia is worthy of generall loue and if I that am a yongman do loue her what man liuing can iustly reproue me for it Shold not I loue her because she is affianced to Gisippus That is no matter to me I ought to loue her because she is a womaÌ„ and women were created for no other occasion but to bee Loued Fortune had sinned in this case and not I in directing my frends affection to her rather then any other and if she ought to be loued as her perfections do challenge Gisippus vnderstanding that I affect her may be the better contented that it is I rather then any other With these and the like crosse entercourses he often mockt himselfe falling into the contrary and then to this againe and from the contrary into another kind of alteration wasting and consuming himselfe not only this day and the night following but many more afterward til he lost both his feeding sleepe so that through debility of body he was constrained to keepe his bed Gisippus who had diuers dayes noted his melancholly disposition and now his falling into extreamitie of sicknesse was very sorry to behold it and with all meanes and inuentions he could deuise to vse hee both questioned the cause of this straunge alteration and essayed euerie way how hee might best comfort him neuer ceassing to demaunde a reason why he should become thus sad and sickely But Titus after infinite importuning which still he answered with idle and friuolous excuses farre from the truth indeede and to the no meane affliction of his friend when he was able to vse no more contradictions at length in sighes and teares thus he replyed Gisippus were the Gods so wel pleased I could more gladly yeild to dye then continue any longer in this wretched life considering that Fortune hath brought mee to such an extremity as proofe is now to be made of
doe as diuers before vs haue done and yet daily endeauour to doe shunning death by the honest example of other make our retreate to our Countrey houses wherewith all of vs are sufficiently furnished and thereto delight our selues as best we may yet without transgressing in any act the limits of reason There shall we heare the pretty birds sweetly singing see the hilles and plaines verdantly flourishing the Corne twaning in the field like the billowes of the Sea infinite store of goodly trees and the Heauens more fairely open to vs then here we can behold them And although they are iustly displeased yet will they not there denie vs better beauties to gaze on then the walles in our City emptied of Inhabitants can offoord vs. Moreouer the Ayre is much fresh and cleere and generally there is farre greater abundance of all things whatsoeuer needefull at this time for preseruation of our health and lesse offence or mollestation then wee find here And although Countrey people die as well as heere our Citizens doe the griefe notwithstanding is so much the lesse as the houses and dwellers there are rare in comparison of them in our City And beside if we well obserue it here wee forsake no particular person but rather wee may tearme our selues forsaken in regard that our Husbands Kinred and Friends either dying or flying from the dead haue left vs alone in this great affliction euen as if we were no way belonging vnto them And therefore by following this counsell wee cannot fall into any reprehension whereas if we neglect and refuse it danger distresse and death perhaps may ensue thereon Wherefore if you thinke good I would allow it for well done to take our waiting women with all such things as are needfull for vs and as this day betake our selues to one place to morrow to another taking there such pleasure and recreation as so sweete a season liberally bestoweth on vs. In which manner we may remaine till we see if death otherwise preuent vs not what ende the gracious Heauens haue reserued for vs. I would haue you also to consider that it is no lesse seemely for vs to part hence honestly then a great number of other Women to remaine here immodestly The other Ladies and Gentlewomen hauing heard Madam Pampinea not onely commended her counsell but desiring also to put it in execution had already particularly consulted with themselues by what means they might instantly depart from thence Neuerthelesse Madam Philomena who was very wise spake thus Albeit faire Ladies the case propounded by Madam Pampinea hath beene very wel deliuered yet for all that it is against reason for vs to rush on as we are ouer-ready to doe Remember that we are all women and no one among vs is so childish but may consider that when wee shall be so assembled together without prouidence or conduct of some man we can hardly gouerne our selues We are fraile offensiue suspicious weake spirited and fearefull in regard of which imperfections I greatly doubt if we haue no better direction then our owne this society will sooner dissolue it selfe and perchance with lesse honour to vs then if we neuer had begunne it And therefore it shall be expedient for vs to prouide before wee proceede any further Madam Elissa hereon thus replied Most true it is that men are the chiefe or head of women and without their order sildome times doe any matters of ours sort to commendable ende But what meanes shal we make for men we all know well enough that the most part of our friends are dead and such as are liuing some be dispearsed here others there into diuers places and companies where we haue no knowledge of their being And to accept of strangers would seeme very inconuenient wherefore as we haue such care of our health so should wee be as respectiue withall in ordering our intention that wheresoeuer wee aime at our pleasure and contentment reproofe and scandall may by no meanes pursue vs. While this discourse thus held among the Ladies three young Gentlemen came forth of the Church yet not so young but the youngest had attained to fiue and twenty yeeres in whom neither malice of the time losse of friends or kinred nor any fearefull conceit in themselues had the power to quench affection but perhaps might a little coole it in regard of the queazy season One of them called himselfe Pamphilus the second Philostratus and the last Dioneus Each of them was very affable and well conditioned and walked abroade for their greater comfort in such a time of tribulation to trie if they could meete with their faire friends who happily might all three be among these seauen and the rest kinne vnto them in one degree or other No sooner were these Ladies espyed by them but they met with them also in the same aduantage whereupon Madam Pampinea amiably smiling saide See how graciously Fortune is fauourable to our beginning by presenting our eyes with three so wise and worthy young Gentlemen who will gladly be our guides and seruants if we doe not disdaine them the office Madam Neiphila beganne immediatly to blush because one of them had a loue in the company and saide Good Madam Pampinea take heed what you say because of mine owne knowledge nothing can be spoken but good of them all and I thinke them all to be absolutely sufficient for a farre greater employment then is here intended as being well worthy to keepe company not onely with vs but them of more faire and precious esteeme then we are But because it appeareth plainely enough that they beare affection to some here among vs I feare if wee should make the motion that some dishonour or reproofe may ensue thereby and yet without blame either in vs or them That is nothing at all answered Madam Philomena let mee liue honestly and my conscience not checke me with any crime speake then who can to the contrary God and truth shal enter armes for me I wish that they were as willing to come as all wee are to bid them welcome for truly as Madam Pampinea saide wee may very well hope that Fortune will bee furtherous to our purposed iourney The other Ladies hearing them speake in such manner not onely were silent to themselues but all with one accord and consent saide that it were well done to call them and to acquaint them with their intention entreating their company in so pleasant a voyage Whereupon without any more words Madam Pampinea mounting on her feete because one of the three was her Kinsman went towards theâ— as they stood respectiuely obseruing them and with a pleasing countenance giuing them a gracious salutation declared to them their deliberation desiring in behalfe of all the rest that with a brotherly and modest minde they would vouchsafe to beare them company The Gentlemen imagined at the first apprehension that this was spoken in mockage of them but when they better perceiued that her words tended to
began to speake Who shall tell any Tale heereafter to carry any hope or expectation of a King hauing heard the rare and wittie discourse of Madame Lauretta Beleeue me it was verie aduantageable to vs all that she was not this dayes first beginner because few or none would haue had any courage to follow after her therefore the rest yet remaining are the more to be feared and suspected Neuerthelesse to auoid the breach of order and to claime no priuiledge by my place of not performing what I ought to do proue as it may a Tale you must haue and thus I proceed There liued sometime in the kingdom of France a Gentleman named Isnarde being the Count of Roussillion who because hee was continually weake crazie and sickly kept a Physitian daily in his house who was called Master Gerard of Narbona Count Isnarde had one onely Sonne very young in yeares yet of towardly hope faire comely and of pleasing person named Bertrand with whom many other children of his age had their education and among them a daughter of the fore-named Physitian called Iuliet who euen in these tender yeares fixed her affection vpon yong Bertrand with such an earnest and intimate resolution as was most admirable in so yong a maiden and more then many times is noted in yeares of greater discretion Old Count Isnard dying yong Bertrand fell as a Ward to the King and being sent to Paris remained there vnder his royall custodie and protection to the no little discomfort of yong Iuliet who became greeuously afflicted in minde because shee had lost the company of Bertrand Within some few yeeres after the Physitian her Father also dyed and then her desires grew wholly addicted to visite Paris her selfe in person onely because she would see the yong Count awaiting but time opportunitie to fit her stolne iourney thither But her kindred and friends to whose care and trust she was committed in regard of her rich dowrie and being left as a fatherlesse Orphane were so circumspect of her walks and daily behauiour as she could not compasse any meanes of â—scaping Her yeeres made her now almost fit for marriage which so much more encreased her loue to the Count making refusall of many woorthie husbands and laboured by the motions of her friends and kindred yet all denyed they not knowing any reason for her refusalles By this time the Count was become a gallant goodly Gentleman and able to make election of a wife wherby her affections were the more violently enflâ—med as fearing least some other should be preferred before her so her hopes be vtterly disappointed It was noysed abroad by common report that the King of France was in a very dangerous condition by reason of a strange swelling on his stomacke which failing of apt and conuenient curing became a Fistula afflicting him daily with extraordinary paine and anguish no Chirurgeon or Physitian being found that could minister any hope of healing but rather encreased the greefe and droue it to more vehement extreamitie compelling the King as dispairing vtterly of all helpe to giue ouer any further counsell or aduice Heereof faire Iuliet was wondrously ioyful as hoping that this accident would proue the meanes not only of hir iourney to Paris but if the disease were no more then shee imagined shee could easily cure it and thereby compasse Count Bertrand to be her husband Heereupon quickning vp her wits with remembrance of those rules of Art which by long practise and experience she had learned of her skilfull Father shee compounded certaine hearbes together such as she knew fitting for that kinde of infirmity and hauing reduced hit compound into a powder away she rode forthwith to Paris Being there arriued all other serious matters set aside first shee must needs haue a sight of Count Bertrand as being the onely Saint that caused her pilgrimage Next she made meanes for her accesse to the King humbly entreating his Maiesty to vouchsafe her the sight of his Fistula When the King saw her her modest lookes did plainly deliuer that she was a faire comely and discreete young Gentlewoman wherefore hee would no longer hide it but layed it open to her view When shee had seene and felt it presently she put the King in comfort affirming that she knew her selfe able to cure his Fistula saying Sir if your Highnesse will referre the matter to me without any perill of life or any the least paine to your person I hope by the helpe of heauen to make you whole and sound within eight dayes space The King hearing her words beganne merrily to smile at her saying How is it possible for thee being a yong Maiden to do that which the best Physitians in Europe are not able to performe I commend thy kindnesse and will not remaine vnthankefull for thy forward willingnesse but I am fully determined to vse no more counsell or to make any further triall of Physicke or Chirurgery Wherto faire Iuliet thus replied Great King let not my skill and experience be despised because I am young and a Maiden for my profession is not Physicke neither do I vndertake the ministering thereof as depending on mine owne knowledge but by the gracious assistance of heauen some rules of skilfull obseruation which I learned of reuerend Gerard of Narbona who was my worthy Father and a Physitian of no meane fame all the while he liued At the hearing of these words the King began somewhat to admire at her gracious carriage and saide within himselfe What know I whether this virgin is sent to me by the direction of heauen or no Why should I disdaine to make proofe of her skill Her promise is to cure mee in a small times compasse and without any paine or affliction to me she shall not come so farre to returne againe with the losse of her labour I am resolued to try her cunning and thereon saide Faire Virgin if you cause me to breake my setled determination and faile of curing mee what can you expect to follow thereon Whatsoeuer great King quoth she shall please you Let me bee strongly guarded yet not hindred when I am to prosecute the businesse and then if I doe not perfectly heale you vvithin eight daies let a good fire be made and therein consume my bodie vnto ashes But if I accomplish the cure and set your Highnesse free from all further greeuance what recompence then shal remaine to me Much did the King commend the confident perswasion which she had of her owne power and presently replyed Faire beauty quoth he in regard that thou art a Maide and vnmarried if thou keepe promise and I finde my selfe to be fully cured I wil match thee with some such Gentleman in marriage as shal be of honourable and worthy reputation with a sufficient dowry beside My gracious Soueraigne saide she willing am I and most heartily thankful withall that your Highnesse shal bestow me in marriage but I desire then to haue such
prosper in thy hearts desires and be defended from foule sinne and shame and so shee ended her Motherly counsell Within a while after it came to passe that her Husband was iniuited foorth to Supper with one named Herculano a kind friend of his but his Wife refused to goe because shee had appointed a friend to supper with her to whom the old woman was employed as her messenger and was well recompenced for her labour This friend was a gallant proper youth as any all Perugia yeelded and scarcely was he seated at the Table but her Husband was returned backe and called to be let in at the doore Which when shee perceiued shee was almost halfe dead with feare and coueting to hide the young man that her Husband should not haue any sight of him shee had no other meanes but in an enrry hard by the Parlour where they purposed to haue supt stood a Coope or Hen pen wherein she vsed to keepe her Pullen vnder which he crept and then shee couered it with an old empty sacke and after ran to let her Husband come in When he was entred into the House as halfe offended at his so sudden returne angerly he saide It seemes Sir you are a shauer at your meate that you haue made so short a supper In troth Wife quoth he I haue not supt at all no not so much as eaten one bit How hapned that said the woman Mary wife quoth he I will tell you and then thus he began As Herculano his wife and I were sitting downe at the Table very neere vnto vs we heard one sneeze whereof at the first we made no reckoning vntill we heard it againe the second time yea a third fourth and fifth and many more after whereat we were not a little amazed Now Wife I must tell you before we entred the roome where we were to sup Herculanoes wife kept the doore fast shut against vs and would not let vs enter in an indifferent while which made him then somewhat offended but now much more when he had heard one to sneeze so often Demanding of her a reason for it and who it was that thus sneezed in his House he started from the Table and stepping to a little doore neere the staires head necessarily there made to set such things in as otherwise would be troublesome to the roome as in all Houses we commonly see the like he perceiued that the party was hidden there which wee had heard so often to sneeze before No sooner had he opened the doore but such a smell of brimston came foorth whereof we felt not the least sauour before as made vs likewise to cough and sneeze being no way able to refraine it She seeing her Husband to be much moued excused the matter thus that but a little while before shee had whited certaine linnen with the smoake of brimstone as it is an vsuall thing to doe and then set the pan into that spare place because it should not be offensiue to vs. By this time Herculano had espied him that sneezed who being almost stifled with the smell and closenesse of the small roome wherein he lay had not any power to helpe himselfe but still continued coughing and sneezing euen as if his heart would haue split in twaine Foorth he pluckt him by the heeles and perceiuing how matters had past he saide to her I thanke you Wife now I see the reason why you kept vs so long from comming into this roome let me die if I beare this wrong at your hands When his Wife heard these words and saw the discouery of her shame without returning either excuse or answere foorth of doores she ran but whither we know not Herculano drew his Dagger and would haue slaine him that still lay sneezing but I disswaded him from it as well in respect of his as also mine owne danger when the Law should censure on the deede And after the young man was indifferently recouered by the perswasion of some Neighbours comming in he was closely conueyed out of the house and all the noyse quietly pacified Onely by this meanes and the flight of Herculanoes wife we were disappointed of our Supper and now you know the reason of my so soone returning When she had heard this whole discourse then she perceiued that other Women were subiect to the like infirmity and as wise for themselues as shee could be though these and the like sinister accidents might sometimes crosse them and gladly she wished that Herculanoes Wifes excuse might now serue to acquite her but because in blaming others errors our owne may sometime chance to escape discouery and cleare vs albeit we are as guilty in a sharpe reprehending manner thus she began See Husband here is hansome behauiour of an holy faire seeming and Saint like woman to whom I durst haue confest my sinnes I conceiued such a religious perswasion of her liues integrity free from the least scruple of taxation A woman so farre stept into yeeres as shee is to giue such an euill example to other younger women is it not a sinne beyond all sufferance Accursed be the houre when she was borne into this World and her selfe likewise to be so lewdly and incontinently giuen an vniuersall shame and slaunder to all the good women of our City Shall I terme her a woman or rather some sauage monster in a womans shape Hath shee not made an open prostitution of her honesty broken her plighted faith to her Husband and all the womanly reputation shee had in this World Her Husband being an honourable Citizen entreating her alwayes as few men else in the City doe their wiues what an heart-breake must this needes be to him good man Neither I nor any honest man else ought to haue any pity on her but with our owne hands teare her in peeces or dragge her along to a good fire in the market place wherein she and her minion should be consumed together and their base ashes dispersed abroade in the winde least the pure Aire should be infected with them Then remembring her owne case and her poore affrighted friend who lay in such distresse vnder the Hen-coope shee began to aduise her Husband that he would be pleased to goe to bed because the night passed on apace But Pedro hauing a better will to eate then to sleepe desired her to let him haue some meate else hee must goe to bed with an empty bellie whereto shee answered Why Husband quoth shee doe I make any large prouision when I am debard of your company I would I were the wife of Herculano seeing you cannot content your selfe from one nights feeding considering it is now ouer-late to make any thing ready It fortuned that certaine Husbandmen which had the charge of Pedroes Farme house in the Countrey and there followed his affaires of Husbandry were returned home this instant night hauing their Asses laden with such prouision as was to be vsed in his City-house When the Asses were vnladen and
ready a bottel of very excellent Hypocrasse which he sent the next day according to his promise and Bruno hauing bought the Capons with other iunkets sit for the turne the Phisitian and his merry Companions fed on them hartely for the giuers sake As for Calandrino he liked his dyet drinke excellently well quaffing a large Glassefull off three mornings together afterward Master Doctor and the rest came to see him and hauing felt his pulse the Phisition said Calandrino thou art now as sound in health as any man in all Florence can be thou needest not to keepe within doores any longer but walke abroad boldly for all is well and the childe gone Calandrino arose like a ioyfull man and walked daily through the streets in the performance of such affaires as belonged to him and euery acquaintance he met withall he told the condition of his sudden sickenesse and what a rare cure Master Doctor Simon had wrought on him deliuering him in three dayes space of a childe and without the feeling of any paine Bruno Buffalmaco and Nello were not a little iocond for meeting so well with couetous Calandrino but how the Wife liked the folly of her Husband I leaue to the iudgement of all good Women Francesco Fortarigo played away all that he had at Buonconuento and likewise the money of Francesco Aniolliero being his Master Then running after him in his shirt and auouching that hee had robbed him he caused him to be taken by Pezants of the Country clothed himselfe in his Masters wearing garments and mounted on his horse rode thence to Sienna leauing Aniolliero in his shirt and walked bare-footed The fourth Nouell Seruing as an admonition to all men for taking Gamesters and Drunkards into their seruice THe ridiculous words giuen by Calandrino to his Wife all all the whole company hartily laughed at but Philostratus ceassing Madame Neiphila as it pleased the Queene to appoint began to speake thus Vertuous Ladies if it were not more hard and vneasie for men to make good their vnderstanding and vertue then apparant publicarion of their disgrace and folly many would not labour in vaine to curbe in their idle speeches with a bridle as you haue manifestly obserued by the weake wit of Calandrino Who needed no such fantastick circumstance to cure the strange disease which he imagined by sottish perswasions to haue had hee not been so lauish of his tongue and accused his Wife of ouer-mastering him Which maketh me remember a Nouell quite contrary to this last related namely how one man may striue to surmount another in malice yet he to sustaine the greater harme that had at the first the most aduantage of his enemy as I will presently declare vnto you There dwelt in Sienna and not many yeeres since two young men of equall age both of them bearing the name of Francesco but the one was descended of the Aniollieri and the other likewise of the Fortarigi so that they were commonly called Aniolliero and Fortarigo both Gentlemen and well deriued Now although in many other matters their complexions did differ very much Yet notwithstanding they varied not in one bad qualitie namely too great neglect of their Fathers which caused their more frequent conuersation as very familiar and respectiue friends But Aniolliero being a very goodly and faire conditioned young Gentleman apparently perceiuing that he could not maintaine himselfe at Sienna in such estate as he liked and vpon the pension allowed him by his Father hearing also that at the Marquisate of Ancona there liued the Popes Legate a worthy Cardinall his much indeared good Lord and friend he intended to goe visite him as hoping to aduance his fortunes by him Hauing acquainted his Father with this determination he concluded with him to haue that from him in a moment which might supply his wants for many moneths because he would be clothed gallantly and mounted honourably And seeking for a seruant necessary to attend on him it chanced that Fortarigo hearing thereof came presently to Aniolliero intreating him in the best manner he could to let him waite on him as his seruing man promising both dutiful and diligent attendance yet not to demaund any other wages but onely payment of his ordinary expences Aniolliero made him answere that he durst not giue him entertainment not in regard of his insufficiency and vnaptnesse for seruice but because he was a great Gamester and diuers times would be beastly drunke whereto Fortarigo replyed that hee would refraine from both those foule vices and addict all his endeauor wholly to please him without iust taxation of any grosse errour making such solemne vowes and protestations beside as conquered Aniolliero and won his consent Being entred vpon his iourney and arriuing in a morning at Buonconuento there Aniolliero determined to dine and afterward finding the heate to be vnfit for trauaile he caused a bed to be prepared wherein being laid to rest by the helpe of Fortarigo he gaue him charge that after the heates violence was ouerpast hee should not faile to call and awake him While Aniolliero slept thus in his bed Fortarigo neuer remembring his solemne vowes and promises went to the Tauerne where hauing drunke indifferently and finding company fit for the purpose he fell to play at the dice with them In a very short while he had not onely lost his money but all the cloathes on his backe likewise and coueting to recouer his losses againe naked in his shirt he went to Aniollieros Chamber where finding him yet soundly sleeping he tooke all the money he had in his purse and then returned backe to play speeding in the same manner as hee did before not hauing one poore penny left him Aniolliero chancing to awake arose and made him ready without any seruant to helpe him then calling for Fortarigo and not hearing any tydings of him he began immediately to imagine that he was become drunke and so had falne asleepe in one place or other as very often he was wont to doe Wherefore determining so to leaue him he caused the male and Saddle to be set on his horse so to furnish himselfe with a more honest seruant at Corsignano But when hee came to pay his hoste hee found not any penny left him whereupon as well he might he grew greatly offended and raised much trouble in the house charged the hoasts people to haue robde him and threatening to haue them sent as prisoners to Sienna Suddenly entred Fortarigo in his shirt with intent to haue stolne Aniollieroes garments as formerly hee did the money out of his purse and seeing him ready to mount on horsebacke hee saide How now Aniolliero What shall we goe away so soone I pray you Sir tarry a little while for an honest man is comming hither who hath my Doublet engaged for eight and thirty shillings and I am sure that he will restore it me back for fiue and thirty if I could presently pay him downe the money During the speeches an
whom it seemeth the Chest doth belong in regard wherof they are readie to quarrell extremly each with other For the one owing the Chest and trusting the Ioyner to sell it for him would haue him to pay him for the Chest The Ioyner denieth any sale thereof auouching that the last night it was stolne from his doore Which the other man contrarying maintaineth that he solde the Chest to the two Lombard vsurers as himself is able to affirme because he found it in the house when he being present at the apprehension of Ruggiero sawe it there in the same house Heereupon the Ioyner gaue him the lye because he neuer sold it to any man but if it were there they had robd him of it as hee would make it manifest to their faces Then falling into calmer speeches they went together to the Lombardes house euen as I returned home Wherefore Mistresse as you may easily perceiue Ruggiero was questionlesse carried thither in the chest and so there found but how he reuiued againe I cannot comprehend The Mistresse vnderstanding now apparantly the full effect of the whole businesse and in what manner it had bene carried reuealed to the maide her husbands speeches concerning the glasse of sleepie Water which was the onely engine of all this trouble clearly acquitting Ruggiero of the robbery howsoeuer in desperate fury and to make an end of a life so contemptible he had wrongfully accused himselfe And notwithstanding this his hard fortune which hath made him much more infamous then before in all the dissolute behauiour of his life yet it coulde not quaile her affection towards him but being loath he should dye for some other mans offence and hoping his future reformation she fell on her knees before her mistresse and drowned in her teares most earnestly entreated her to aduise her with some such happy course as might bee the safety of poore Ruggieroes life Mistresse Doctor affecting her maide dearely and plainly perceiuing that no disastrous fortune whatsoeuer could alter her loue to condemned Ruggiero hoping the best heereafter as the Maide her selfe did and willing to saue life rather then suffer it to be lost without iust cause she directed her in such discreet maner as you will better conceyue by the successe According as she was instructed by hir Mistris shee fell at the feete of Master Doctor desiring him to pardon a great error whereby shee had ouer-much offended him As how said Master Doctor In this manner quoth the Maid and thus proceeded You are not ignorant Sir what a leâ—d liuer Ruggiero de Ieroly is and notwithstanding all his imperfections how dearely I loue him as hee protesteth the like to me and thus hath our loue continued a yeare and more You beeing gone to Malfy and your abseâ—â— granting me apt opportunity for conference with so kinde a friend I made the bolder and gaue him entrance into your house yea euen into mine owne Chamber yet free from any abuse neyther did hee bad though he be offer any Thirsty he was before his coming thether either by salt meats or distempered diet and I being vnable to fetch him wine or water by reason my Mistresse sate in the Hall seriouslie talking with her Sisters remembred that I saw a viall of Water standing in your Chamber Windowe which hee drinking quite off I set it emptie in the place againe I haue heard your discontentment for the said Water and confesse my fault to you therein but who liueth so iustly without offending at one time or other And I am heartily sory for my transgression yet not so much for the water as the hard fortune that hath followd theron because thereby Ruggiero is in danger to lose his life and all my hopes are vtterly lost Let me entreat you therefore gentle Master first to pardon me and then to grant me permission to succour my poore condemned friend by all the best meanes I can deuise When the Doctor had heard all her discourse angry though he were yet thus he answered with a smile Much better had it bin if thy follies punishment had falne on thy selfe that it might haue paide thee with deserued repentance vpon thy Mistresses finding thee sleeping But go and get his deliuerance if thou canst with this caution that if euer heereafter he be seene in my house the peril thereof shall light on thy selfe Receyuing this answer for her first entrance into the attempt and as her Mistris had aduised her in all hast shee went to the prison where shee preuailed so well with the Iaylor that hee granted her priuate conference with Ruggiero She hauing instructed him what he should say to the Prouost if he had any purpose to escape with life went thither before him to the Prouost who admitting her into his presence and knowing that shee was Master Doctors maid a man especially respected of all the Citie he was the more willing to heare her message he imagining that shee was sent by her Master Sir quoth shee you haue apprehended Ruggiero de Ieroly as a theefe and iudgement of death is as I heare pronounced against him but hee is wrongfully accused and is clearly innocent of such a heinous detection So entering into the History she declared euery circumstance from the originall to the end relating truly that being her Louer shee brought him into her Masters house where he dranke the compounded sleepy water and reputed for dead she laide him in the Chest Afterward she rehearsed the speeches betweene the Ioyner and him that laide claime to the Chest giuing him to vnderstand thereby how Ruggiero was taken in the Lombards house The Prouost presently gathering that the truth in this case was easy to be knowne sent first for Master Doctor Mazzeo to know whether hee compounded any such water or no which he affirmed to bee true and vpon what occasion he prepared it Then the Ioyner the owner of the Chest and the two Lombards being seuerally questioned withall it appeared euidently that the Lombards did steale the chest in 〈◊〉 night season and carried it home to their owne house In the end Ruggiero being brought from the prison and demanded where hee was lodged the night before made answer that he knew not where Only he well remembred that bearing affection to the Chamber-maide of Master Doctor Mazzea della Montagna she brought him into a Chamber where a violl of water stoode in the Window and he being extreamly thirsty dranke it off all But what became of him afterward till being awake hee found himselfe enclosed in a Chest and in the house of the two Lombards he could not say any thing When the Prouost had heard all their answers which he caused them to repeate ouer diuers times in regard they were very pleasing to him he cleared Ruggiero from the crime imposed on him and condemned the Lombards in three hundred Ducates to bee giuen to Ruggiero in way of an amends and to enable his marriage with the Doctors Mayde whose constancie
the Nurse to negligence and begetteth such an ouer-presuming boldnesse as afterward proueth to be sauced with repentance so came it to passe with our ouer-fond Louers in being taken â—ardy through their owne folly After they had many times met in this manner the nights according to the season growing shorter and shorter which their stolne delight made them lesse respectiue of then was requisite in an aduenture so dangerous it fortuned that their amorous pleasure had so farre transported them and dulled their sences in such sort by these then continued nightly watchings that they both fell fast asleepe he hauing his hand closed in hers and shee one arme folded about his body and thus they slept till broade day light Old Messer Lizio who continually was the morning Cocke to the whole House going foorth into his Garden saw how his Daughter and Ricciardo were seated at the window In he went againe and going to his wiues Chamber saide to her Rise quickly wise and you shall see what made our Daughter so desirous to lodge in the Garden Gallery I perceiue that shee loued to heare the Nightingale for shee hath caught one and holds him fast in her hand Is it possible saide the Mother that our Daughter should catch a liue Nightingale in the darke You shall see that your selfe answered Messer Lizio if you will make haste and goe with me Shee putting on her garments in great haste followed her Husband and being come to the Gallery doore he opened it very softly and going to the window shewed her how they both sate fast asleepe and in such manner as hath been before declared whereupon shee perceiuing how Ricciardo and Catharina had both deceiued her would haue made an out-cry but that Messer Lizio spake thus to her Wife as you loue me speake not a word neither make any noyse for seeing shee hath loued Ricciardo without our knowledge and they haue had their priuate meetings in this manner yet free from any blamefull imputation he shall enioy her and shee him Ricciardo is a Gentleman well deriued and of rich possessions it can be no disparagement to vs that Catharina match with him in mariage which he neither shall or dare denie to doe in regard of our Lawes seuerity for climbing vp to my window with his Ladder of Ropes wherby his life is forfeited to the Law except our Daughter please to spare it as it remaineth in her power to doe by accepting him as her husband or yeelding his life vp to the Law which surely shee will not suffer their loue agreeing together in such mutuall manner and he aduenturing so dangerously for her Madam Iaquemina perceiuing that her husband spake very reasonably and was no more offended at the matter stept aside with him behinde the drawne Curtaines vntill they should awake of themselues At the last Ricciardo awaked and seeing it was so farre in the day thought himselfe halfe dead and calling to Catharina saide Alas deare Loue what shall we doe we haue slept too long and shall be taken here At which words Messer Lizio stept forth from behind the Curtaines saying-Nay Signior Ricciardo seeing you haue found such an vnbefitting way hither we will prouide you a better for your backe returning When Ricciardo saw the Father and Mother both there present he could not deuise what to doe or say his sences became so strangely confounded yet knowing how hainously hee had offended if the strictnesse of Law should be challenged against him falling on his knees he saide Alas Messer Lizio I humbly craue your mercy confessing my selfe well worthy of death that knowing the sharpe rigour of the Law I would presume so audaciously to breake it But pardon me worthy Sir my loyall and vnfeined loue to your Daughter Catharina hath beene the onely cause of my transgressing Ricciardo replyed Messer Lizio the loue I beare thee and the honest confidence I doe repose in thee step vp in some measure to pleade thine excuse especially in the regard of my Daughter whom I blame thee not for louing but for this vnlawfull way of presuming to her Neuerthelesse perceiuing how the case now standeth and considering withall that youth and affection were the ground of thine offence to free thee from death and my selfe from dishonour before thou departest hence thou shalt espouse my Daughter Catharina to make her thy lawfull wife in mariage and wipe off all scandall to my House and me All this while was poore Catharina on her knees likewise to her Mother who notwithstanding this her bold aduenture made earnest suite to her Husband to remit all because Ricciardo right gladly condiscended as it being the maine issue of his hope and desire to accept his Catharina in mariage whereto shee was as willing as he Messer Lizio presently called for the Confessour of his House and borrowing one of his Wiues Rings before they went out of the Gallery Ricciardo and Catharina were espoused together to their no little ioy and contentment Now had they more leasure for further conference with the Parents and kindred to Ricciardo who being no way discontented with this sudden match but applauding it in the highest degree they were publikely maried againe in the Cathedrall Church and very honourable triumphes performed at the nuptials liuing long after in happy prosperity Guidotto of Cremona departing out of this mortall life left a Daughter of his with Iacomino of Pauia Giouanni di Seuerino and Menghino da Minghole fell both in loue with the young Maiden and fought for hâ—â— who being afterward knowne to be the Sister to Giouanni shee was giuen in mariage to Menghino The fifth Nouell Wherein may be obserued what quarrels and contentions are occasioned by Loue with some particular discription concerning the sincerity of a loyall friend ALl the Ladies laughing heartily at the Nouell of the Nightingale so pleasingly deliuered by Philostratus when they saw the same to be fully ended the Queene thus spake Now trust me Philostratus though yester-day you did much oppresse mee with melancholy yet you haue made me such an amends to day as wee haue little reason to complaine any more of you So conuerting her speech to Madam Neiphila shee commanded her to succeede with her discourse which willingly she yeelded to beginning in this manner Seeing it pleased Philostratus to produce his Nouell out of Romania I meane to walke with him in the same iurisdiction concerning what I am to say There dwelt sometime in the City of Fano two Lombards the one being named Guidotto of Cremona and the other Iacomino of Pauia men of sufficient entrance into yeeres hauing followed the warres as Souldiers all their youthful time Guidotto feeling sicknesse to ouer-master him and hauing no sonne kinsman or friend in whom he might repose more trust then hee did in Iacomino hauing long conference with him about his worldly affaires and setled his whole estate in good order he left a Daughter to his charge about ten yeeres of age with
set vp in a small Stable without watering one of them being belike more thirsty then the rest brake loose and wandering all about smelling to seeke water happened into the entry where the young man lay hidden vnder the Hen-pen Now he being constrained like a Carpe to lie flat on his belly because the Coope was ouer-weighty for him to carry and one of his hands more extended forth then was requisite for him in so vrgent a shift it was his hap or ill fortune rather that the Asse set his foote on the young mans fingers treading so hard and the paine being very irkesome to him as he was enforced to cry out aloude which Pedro hearing he wondered thereat not a little Knowing that this cry was in his house he tooke the candle in his hand and going foorth of the Parlour heard the cry to be louder and louder because the Asse remoued not his foote but rather trod the more firmely on his hand Comming to the Coope driuing thence the Asse and taking off the old sacke he eâ—pyed the young man who beside the painfull anguish he felt of his fingers arose vp trembling as fearing some outrage beside to be offered him by Pedro who knew the youth perfectly and demanded of him how he came thither No answer did he make to that question but humbly entreated for charities sake that he would not doâ— him any harme Feare not quoth Pedro I will not offer thee any violence onely tel me how thou camest hither and for what occasion wherin the youth fully resolued him Pedro being no lesse ioyfull for thus finding him then his wife was sorrowfull tooke him by the hand and brought him into the Parlour where shee sate trembling and quaking as not knowing what to say in this distresse Seating himselfe directly before her and holding the youth still fast by the hand thus he began Oh Wife what bitter speeches did you vse euen now against the wife of Herculano maintaining that shee had shamed all other women and iustly deserued to be burned Why did you not say as much of your selfe Or if you had not the heart to speake it how could you be so cruell against her knowing your offence as great as hers Questionlesse nothing else vrged you thereto but that all women are of one and the same condition couering their owne grosse faults by farre inferiour infirmities in others You are a peruerse generation meerely false in your fairest shewes When she saw that he offered her no other violence but gaue her such vaunting and reproachfull speeches holding still the young man before her face meerely to vexe and despight her shee began to take heart and thus replied Doest thou compare me with the wife of Herculano who is an olde discembling hypocrite yet she can haue of him whatsoeuer she desireth and he vseth her as a woman ought to be which fauour I could neuer yet find at thy hands Put the case that thou keepest me in good garments allowing me to goe neatly hosed and shod yet well thou knowest there are other meete matters belonging to a woman and euery way as necessarily required both for the preseruation of Houshold quietnesse and those other rites betweene a Husband and Wife Let me be worser garmented courser dieted yea debarred of all pleasure and delights so I might once be worthy the name of a Mother and leaue some remembrance of woman-hood behind me I tell thee plainly Pedro I am a woman as others are and subiect to the same desires as by nature attendeth on flesh and bloud look how thou failest in kindnesse towards me thinke it not amisse if I doe the like to thee and endeauour thou to win the worthy tile of a Father because I was made to be a Mother When Pedro perceiued that his Wife had spoken nothing but reason in regard of his ouer-much neglect towards her and not vsing such houshold kindnesse as ought to be between Man and Wife he returned her this answer Well Wife quoth he I confesse my fault and hereafter will labour to amend it conditionally that this youth nor any other may no more visite my House in mine absence Get me therefore something to eate for doubtlesse this young man and thy selfe fell short of your supper by reason of my so soone returning home In troth Husband saide shee we did not eate one bit of any thing and I will be a true and loyall Wife to thee so thou wilt be the like to me No more words then wife replyed Pedro all is forgotten and forgiuen let vs to supper and we are all friends She seeing his anger was so well appeased louingly kissed him and laying the cloth set on the supper which shee had prouided for her selfe the youth and so they supt together merily not one vnkind word passing betweene them After supper the youth was sent away in friendly manner and Pedro was alwayes afterward more louing to his Wife then formerly he had been and no complaint passed on either side but mutuall ioy and houshold contentment such as ought to be betweene man and wife Dioneus hauing ended his Tale for which the Ladies returned him no thankes but rather angerly frowned on him the Queene knowing that her gouernment was now concluded arose and taking off her Crowne of Lawrell placed it graciously on the head of Madam Eliza saying Now Madam it is your turne to command Eliza hauing receiued the honour did in all respects as others formerly had done and after she had enstructed the Master of the Houshold concerning his charge during the time of her regiment for contentation of all the company thus she spake We haue long since heard that with witty words ready answers and sudden iests or taunts many haue checkt reproued great folly in others and to their owne no meane commendation Now because it is a pleasing kind of argument ministring occasion of mirth and wit my desire is that all our discourse to morrow shall tend thereto I meane of such persons either Men or Women who with some sudden witty answer haue encountred a scorner in his owne intention and layed the blame where it iustly belonged Euery one commended the Queenes appointment because it sauoured of good wit and iudgement and the Queene being risen they were all discharged till supper time falling to such seuerall exercises as themselues best fancyed When supper was ended and the instruments layed before them by the Queenes consent Madam Aemillia vndertooke the daunce and the Song was appointed to Dioneus who began many but none that proued to any liking they were so palpably obscene and idle sauouring altogether of his owne wanton disposition At the length the Queene looking stearnely on him and commanding him to sing a good one or none at all thus he began The Song EYes can ye not refraine your hourely weeping Eares how are you depriude of sweete attention Thoughts haue you lost your quiet silent sleeping Wit who hath robde thee of thy
was true or no or if he dreamed all this while and so without vttering any word he left his Wife and went quietly to bed Thus by her wisdome she did not onely preuent an imminent perill but also made a free and open passage to further contentment with her amourous friend yet dreadlesse of any distaste or suspition in her Husband Lydia a Lady of great beauty birth and honor being Wife to Nicostratus Gouernour of Argos falling in loue with a Gentleman named Pyrrhus was requested by him as a true testimony of her vnfeigned affection to performe three seuerall actions of her selfe She did accomplish them all and imbraced and kissed Pyrrhus in the presence of Nicostratus by perswading him that whatsoeuer he saw was meerely false The Ninth Nouell Wherein is declared that great Lords may sometime be deceiued by their Wiues as well as men of meaner condition THe Nouell deliuered by Madame Neiphila seemed so pleasing to all the Ladies as they could not refraine from hearty laughter beside much liberality of speech Albeit the King did oftentimes vrge silence and commanded Pamphilus to follow next So when attention was admitted Pamphilus began in this order I am of opinion faire Ladies that there is not any matter how vneasie or doubtfull soeuer it may seeme to be but the man or woman that affecteth feruently dare boldly attempt and effectually accomplish And this perswasion of mine although it hath beene sufficiently approued by many of our passed Nouels Yet notwithstanding I shall make it much apparent to you by a present discourse of mine owne Wherein I haue occasion to speake of a Lady to whom Fortune was more fauourable then either reason or iudgement could giue direction In which regard I would not aduise any of you to entertaine so high an imagination of minde as to tracke her footsteps of whom I am now to speake because Fortune containeth not alwayes one and the same disposition neither can all mens eyes be blinded after one manner And so proceed we to our Tale. In Argos a most ancient Citie of Achaya much more renowned by her precedent Kings then wealth or any other great matter of worth there liued as Lieutenant or Gouernour thereof a Noble Lord named Nicostratus on whom albeit hee was well stept into yeares Fortune bestowed in a marriage a great Lady no lesse bold of spirit then choisely beautifull Nicostratus abounding in treasure and wealthy possessions kept a goodly traine of Seruants Horses Houndes Hawkes and what else not as hauing an extraordinary felicity in all kinds of game as singular exercises to maintaine his health Among his other Seruants and Followers there was a yong Gentleman gracefull of person excellent in speech and euery way as actiue as no man could be more his name Pyrrhus highly affected of Nicostratus and more intimately trusted then all the rest Such seemed the perfections of this Pyrrhus that Lydia for so was the Lady named began to affect him very earnestly and in such sort as day or night shee could take no rest but deuised all meanes to compasse her harts desire Now whether he obserued this inclination of her towards him or else would take no notice thereof it could not be discerned by any outward apprehension which moued the more impatiency in her droue her hopes to dispairing passions Wherein to finde some comfort and ease she called an ancient Gentlewoman of her Chamber in whom shee reposed especiall confidence and thus she spake to her Lesca The good turnes and fauours thou hast receiued from me should make thee faithfull and obedient to me and therefore set a locke vppon thy lippes for reuealing to any one whatsoeuer such matters as now I shall impart to thee except it be to him that I command thee Thou perceiuest Lesca how youthfull I am apt to all sprightly recreations rich and abounding in all that a woman can wish to haue in regard of Fortunes common ordinary fauours yet I haue one especiall cause of complaint namely the inequality of my Mariage my Husband being ouer-ancient for me in which regard my youth finds it selfe too highly wronged being defeated of those duties and delights which Women farre inferiour to me are continuallie cloyed withall and I am vtterly depriued of I am subiect to the same desires they are and deserue to taste the benefit of them in as ample manner as they do or can Hitherto I haue liued with the losse of time which yet in some measure may be releeued and recompenced For though Fortune were mine enemy in Mariage by such a disproportion of our conditions yet she may befriend in another nature and kindely redeeme the iniury done me Wherefore Lesca to be as compleate in this case as I am in all the rest beside I haue resolued vpon a priuate Friend and one more worthy then any other Namely my Seruant Pyrrhus whose youth carieth some correspondency with mine and so constantly haue I setled my loue to him as I am not well but when I thinke on him or see him and indeede shall dye except the sooner I may enioy him And therefore if my life and well fare be respected by thee let him vnderstand the integrity of mine affection by such good means as thou findest it most expedient to be done entreating him from me that I may haue some conference with him when he shall thereto be solicited by me The Chamber-Gentlewoman Lesca willingly vndertooke the Ladies Embassie and so soone as opportunity did fauor her hauing withdrawne Pyrrhus into an apt and commodious place shee deliuered the Message to him in the best manner she could deuise Which Pyrrhus hearing did not a little wonder thereat neuer hauing noted any such matter and therefore sodainly conceyued that the Lady did this onely to try him whereupon somewhat roundly and roughly hee returned this answere Lesca I am not so simple as to credite any such Message to be sent from my Lady and therefore be better aduised of thy words But admit that it should come from her yet I cannot be perswaded that her soule consented to such harsh Language far differing from a forme so full of beuty And yet admit againe that her hart and tongue herein were relatiues My Lord and Master hath so farre honoured mee and so much beyond the least part of merite in mee as I will rather dye then any way offer to disgrace him And therefore I charge thee neuer more to moue mee in this matter Lesca not a iot danted at his stearne words presently she saide Pyrrhus Both in this and all other Messages my Lady shall command me I wil speake to thee whensoeuer shee pleaseth receiue what discontent thou canst thereby or make presumption of what doubts thou maist deuise But as I found thee a senselesse fellow dull and not shaped to any vnderstanding so I leaue thee And in that anger parted from him carrying backe the same answer to her Lady She no sooner heard it but instantly
to Bruno at the perfecting the bloody Batâ—ayle of the Cattes and Rattes because he could neuer bee wearied in his Companie and therefore was the more willing to vndergoe the office of the Candle-holder he resolued to acquaint him with his minde and being all alone by themselues thus be began Bruno as heauen knoweth there is not this day any creature liuing for whom I would gladly do more then for thee and the very least word of thy mouth hath power to commaund mee to goe bare-footed euen from hence so farre as to Peretola and account my labour well employed for thy sake wherefore neuer wonder at my continuall kindnesse towards thee vsing thee as my Domesticke companion and embracing thee as my bosome friend and therefore I am the bolder in moouing one request vnto thee As thou well knowest it is no long while since when thou diddest acquaint me with the behauiour of the Corsicane Rouing Company to be one in so rare and excellent a Society such hath bin my earnest longing euer since as day nor night haue I enioyed anie rest but should thinke my felicity beyond all compare if I could be entertained in fellowship among you Nor is this desire of mine but vpon great occasion as thou thy selfe shalt perceiue if I proue accepted into your Societie and let me then be made a mocking stocke for euer if I cause not to come thither one of the most delicate young women that euer anie eye beheld and which I my selfe saw not aboue a yeare since at Cacauinciglia on whom I bestowed my intirest affection and by the best Vrinall that euer I gazed on would haue giuen her tenne faire Bologninaes to yeeld the matter I moued to her which yet I could not by any meanes compasse Therefore with all the flowing faculties of my soule I entreate thee and all the very vttermost of my all indeede to instruct me in those wayes and meanes whereby I may hope to be a member of you Which if thou dooest accomplish for me and I may finde it effectually performed I shall not onely be thy true and loyall friend for euer but will honour thee beside beyond all men liuing I know thee to bee a man of iudgement deepely informed in all well-grounded experience thou seest what a propper portly and comely man I am how fitly my legges are answerable to my body my lookes amiable louely and of Rosie colour beside I am a Doctor of Physicke of which profession being only most expedient I thinke you haue not one in your Society I haue many commendable qualities in me as playing on diuers instruments exquisite in singing and composing rare ditties whereof I will instantly sing thee one And so he began to sing Bruno was swolne so bigge with desire of laughter that hee had scarsely any power to refraine from it neuerthelesse he made the best meanes he could deuise and the Song being ended the Physition saide How now Bruno What is thine opinion of my singing Beleeue me Sir replyed Bruno the Vialles of Sagginali will loose their very best times in contending against you so mirilifficially are the sweet accents of your voice heard I tell thee truly Bruno answered Master Doctor thou couldst not by any possibility haue beleeued it if thou hadst not heard it In good sadnes Sir said Bruno you speake most truly I could quoth the Doctor sing thee infinite more beside but at his time I must forbeare them Let mee then further informe thee Bruno that beside the compleat perfections thou seest in me my father was a Gentleman althogh he dwelt in a poore Country village and by my mothers side I am deriued from them of Vallecchio Moreouer as I haue formerly shewn thee I haue a goodly Library of Bookes yea and so faire and costly garments as few Physitians in Florence haue the like I protest to thee vpon my faith I haue one gowne which cost me in readie money almost an hundred poundes in Bagattinoes and it is not yet aboue ten yeares old Wherefore let me preuaile with thee good Bruno to worke so with the rest of thy friends that I may bee one of your singular Society and by the honest trust thou reposest in mee bee boldly sick whensoeuer thou wilt my paines and Physicke shall be freely thine without the payment of one single peny Bruno hearing his importunate words and knowing him as all men else did beside to be a man of more words then wit saide Master Doctor snuffe the candle I pray you and lend me a little more light with it hitherward vntil I haue finished the tailes of these Rats and then I wil answer you When the Rats tailes were fully finished Bruno declaring by outward behauiour that he greatly distasted the matter mooued thus answered Worthy Master Doctor the courtesies you haue already extended towards me and the bountifull fauours promised beside I know to be exceeding great and farre beyond the compasse of any merit in me But concerning your request albeit in respect of your admired braine and Wisedome it is of little or no moment at all yet it appeareth ouer-mighty to mee and there is not any man now liuing in the world that hath the like Authoritie ouer me and can more commaund me then you with one poore syllable easily may doe as well in regarde of my Loue and Dutie as also your singular and sententious speeches able not onelie to make me breake a sound and setled resolution but almost to moue Mountaines out of their places and the more I am in your Learned company so much the faster am I lincked vnto you in immooueable affection so farre am I in loue with your admirable qualities And had I no other reason to affect you in such endeared manner as I doe yet because you are enamoured of so rare a beauty as you haue already related to me it onely were a motiue sufficient to compell me But indeed I must need tell you that I haue not so much power in this case as you perhaps do imagine which barreth me from such forward readines as otherwise needed not to be vrged Neuerthelesse hauing so solemnly ingaged your faith to me and no way misdoubting your faithfull secrecy I shall instruct you in some meanes to be obserued and it appeareth plainly to me that being furnished with such plenty of Bookes as you are and other rich endowments as you haue before rehersed you cannot but attaine to the full period of your longing desire Speake boldly thy minde Bruno answered the Doctour for I perceiue thou hast no perfect knowledge of me as yet neither what an especiall gift I haue of secrecy Messer Gasparino da Salicete when he was Iudge and Potestat ouer the people of Forlini made choise of mee among infinite of his dearest friends to acquaint with a secret of no meane moment And such a faithfull Secretary he found me as I was the onely man that knew his mariage with Bergamino why then should any
seeing it is your most gracious pleasure that I should haue the honour to breake the first staffe of freedome in this faire company according to the iniunction of your Maiesty for liberty of our own best liking argumeÌ„ts wherein I dismay not if I can speake well enough but to please you all as well as any other that is to follow me Nor am I so obliuious worthy Ladies but full well I remember that many times hath bene related in our passed demonstrations how mighty and variable the powers of loue are and yet I cannot be perswaded that they haue all bene so sufficiently spoken of but something may bee further added and the bottome of them neuer diued into although we should sit arguing a whole yeare together And because it hath beene alreadie approued that Louers haue bene led into diuers accidents not onely ineuitable dangers of death but also haue entred into the verie houses of the dead thence to conuey their amorous friends I purpose to acquaint you with a Nouell beside them which haue bene discoursed whereby you may not onely comprehend the power of Loue but also the wisedome vsed by an honest Gentlewoman to rid her selfe of two importunate suiters who loued her against her owne liking yet neither of them knowing the others affection In the City of Pistoya there dwelt sometime a beautifull Gentlewoman being a Widdow whom two of our Florentines the one named Rinuccio Palermini and the other Alessandro Chiarmontesi hauing withdrawne themselues to Pistoya desperately affected the one ignorant of the others intention but each carrying his case closely as hoping to be possessed of her This Gentlewoman named Madame Francesca de Lazzari being often solicited by their messages and troublesomely pestered with their importunities at last lesse aduisedly then she intended shee granted admittance to heare either of them speake Which she repenting and coueting to be rid of them both a matter not easie to be done she wittily deuised the onely meanes namely to moue such a motion to them as neither would willingly vndertake yet within the compasse of possibility but they failing in the performance shee might haue the more honest occasion to bee free from all further mollestation by them and her politike intention was thus proiected On the same day when she deuised this peece of seruice a man was buried in Pistoya and in the Church-yard belonging vnto the gray Friars who being descended of good and worthie parentage yet himselfe was very infamous and reputed to be the vilest man liuing not onely there in Pistoya but throughout the whole World beside Moreouer while he liued he had such a strange mishapen body and his face so vgly deformed that such as knew him not would stand gastly affrighted at the first sight of him In regarde whereof shee considered with her selfe that the foule deformitie of this loathed fellow would greatly auayle in her determination and consulting with her Chamber-maid thus she spake Thou knowest my most true and faithfull seruant what trouble and affliction of minde I suffer dayly by the messages and Letters of the two Florentines Rinuccio and Alessandro how hate-their importunity is to me as being vtterly vnwilling to hear them speake or yeeld to any thing which they desire Wherefore to free myselfe from them both together I haue deuised in regard of their great and liberall offers to make trial of them in such a matter as I am assured they will neuer performe It is not vnknowne to thee that in the Church-yard of the Gray Friars and this instant morning Scannadio for so was the vgly fellow named was buried of whom when he was liuing as also now being dead both men women and children doe yet stand in feare so gastly and dreadfull alwayes was his personall appearance to them Wherefore first of all go thou to Alessandro and say to him thus My Mistris Francesca hath sent me to you to tell you that now the time is come wherein you may deserue to enioy her loue and gaine the possession of her person if you will accomplish such a motion as she maketh to you For some especiall occasion wherewith hereafter you shall bee better acquainted a neere Kinsman of hers must needs haue the body of Scannadio who was buried this morning brought to her house And she being as much affraid of him now he is dead as when he was liuing by no meanes would haue his body brought thither In which respect as a Token of your vnfeigned loue to her and the latest seruice you shall euer do for her shee earnestly entreateth you that this night in the very deadest time thereof you would go to the graue where Scannadio lyeth yet vncouered with earth vntill to morrow and attyring your selfe in his garments euen as if you were the man himselfe so to remaine there vntill her kinsman doe come Then without speaking any one word let him take you foorth of the graue bring you thence insted of Scannadio to hir house where she will giue you gentle welcome and disappoint her Kinsman in his hope by making you Lord of her and all that is hers as afterward shall plainly appeare If he say he wil do it it is as much as I desire but if hee trifle and make deniall then boldly tell him that he must refraine all places wheresoeuer I am and forbeare to send me any more Letters or messages Hauing done so then repaire to Rinuccio Palermini and say My Mistresse Francesca is ready to make acceptance of your loue prouided that you will do one thing for her sake Namely this ensuing night in the midst stillest season thereof to go to the graue where Scannadio was this morning buried without making any noise or speaking one word whatsoeuer you shall heare or see to take him forth of the graue and bring him home to her house wher you shal know the reason of this strange businesse and enioy her freely as your owne for euer But if he refuse to do it then I commaund him neuer hereafter to see me or moue further suite vnto mee by any meanes whatsoeuer The Chamber-maide went to them both and deliuered the seuerall messagâ—s from her Mistresse according as she had giuen her in charge whereunto each of them answered that they woulde for her sake not onely descend into a Graue but also into hell if it were her pleasure She returning with this answer vnto her Mistresse Francesâ—a remained in expectation what the issue of these fond attemptes in them would sort vnto When night was come and the middle houre thereof already past Alessandro Chiarmontesi hauing put off all other garments to his doublet and hose departed secretly from his lodging walking towards the Church-yard where Scannadio lay in his graue but by the way as he went hee became surprized with diuers dreadfull conceites and imaginations and questioned with himselfe thus What a beast am I What a businesse haue I vndertaken And whither am I going