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
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
named Iphigenia awaked before any of the other with her and lifting vp her head with her eyes wide open shee saw Chynon standing before her leaning stil on his staffe whereat meruailing not a little she saide vnto him Chynon whither wanderest thou or what dost thou seeke for in this wood Chynon who not onely by his countenance but likewise his folly Nobility of birth and wealthy possessions of his father was generally knowne throughout the Countrey made no answere at all to the demand of Iphigenia but so soone as he beheld her eies open he began to obserue them with a constant regard as being perswaded in his soule that from them flowed such an vnvtterable singularity as he had neuer felt til then Which the yong Gentlewoman well noting she began to wax fearfull least these stedfast lookes of his should incite his rusticity to some attempt which might redound to her dishonour wherefore awaking her women and seruant and they all being risen she saide Farewell Chynon I leaue thee to thine owne good Fortune whereto hee presently replyed saying I will go with you Now although the Gentlewoman refused his company as dreading some acte of inciuility from him yet could she not deuise any way to be rid of him til he had brought her to her owne dwelling where taking leaue mannerly of her hee went directly home to his Fathers house saying Nothing should compel him to liue any longer in the muddy Countrey And albeit his Father was much offended heereat and all the rest of his kindred and frends yet not knowing how to helpe it they suffered him to continue there still expecting the cause of this his so sodaine alteration from the course of life which contented him so highly before Chynon being now wounded to the heart where neuer any ciuil instruction could before get entrance with loues piercing dart by the bright beauty of Iphigenia mooued much admiration falling from one change to another in his Father Kindred and all else that knew him For first he requested of his Father that he might be habited and respected like to his other Brethren whereto right gladly he condiscended And frequenting the company of ciuill youths obseruing also the cariage of Gentlemen especially such as were amorously enclined he grew to a beginning in short time to the wonder of euery one not onely to vnderstande the first instruction of letters but also became most skilfull euen amongest them that were best exercised in Philosophie And afterward loue to Iphigenia being the sole occasion of this happy alteration not only did his harsh and clownish voyce conuert it selfe more mildely but also hee became a singular Musitian could perfectly play on any Instrument Beside he tooke delight in the riding and managing of great horses and finding himselfe of a strong and able body he exercised all kinds of Military Disciplines as wel by sea as on the land And to be breefe because I would not seeme tedious in the repetition of al his vertues scarsly had he attained to the fourth yeare after he was thus falne in loue but hee became generally knowne to bee the most ciuil wise and worthy Gentleman aswell for all vertues enriching the minde as any whatsoeuer to beautifie the body that very hardly he could be equalled throughout the whole kingdome of Cyprus What shall we say then vertuous Ladies concerning this Chynon Surely nothing else but that those high and diuine vertues infused into his gentle soule were by enuious Fortune bound and shut vppe in some small angle of his intellect which being shaken and set at liberty by loue as hauing a farre more potent power then Fortune in quickning and reuiuing the dull drowsie spirits declared his mighty and soueraigne Authority in setting free so many faire and precious vertues vniustly detayned to let the worlds eye behold them truly by manifest testimony frō whence he can deliuer those spirits subiected to his power guide them afterward to the highest degrees of honor And although Chynon by affecting Iphigenia failed in some particular things yet notwithstanding his Father Aristippus duely considering that loue had made him a man whereas before he was no better then a beast not only endured all patiently but also aduised him therein to take such courses as best liked himselfe Neuerthelesse Chynon who refused to be called Galesus which was his naturall name indeede remembring that Iphigenia tearmed him Chynon and coueting vnder that title to accomplish the issue of his honest amorous desire made many motions to Ciphaeus the Father of Iphigenia that he would be pleased to let him enioy her in marriage But Ciphaeus told him that he had already passed his promise for her to a Gentleman of Rhodes named Pasimondo which promise he religiously intended to performe The time being come which was concluded on for Iphigeniaes marriage in regard that the affianced husband had sent for her Chynon thus communed with his owne thoughts Now is the time quoth he to let my diuine Mistresse see how truly and honourably I doe affect her because by her I am become a man But if I could bee possessed of her I should growe more glorious then the common condition of a mortall man and haue her I will or loose my life in the aduenture Beeing thus resolued he preuailed with diuers young Gentlemen his friends making them of his faction and secretly prepared a Shippe furnished with all things for a Nauall fight setting sodainly forth to sea and hulling abroad in those parts by which the vessell should passe that must conuey Iphigenia to Rhodes to her husband After many honors done to them who wer to transport her thence vnto Rhodes being imbarked they set saile vppon their Bon viaggio Chynon who slept not in a businesse so earnestly importing him set on them the day following with his Ship and standing aloft on the decke cried out to them that had the charge of Iphigenia saying Strike your sayles or else determine to be sunke in the Sea The enemies to Chynon being nothing danted with his words prepared to stand vpon their own defence which made Chynon after the former speeches deliuered and no answer returned to commaund the grapling Irons to bee cast forth which tooke such fast hold on the Rhodians shippe that whether they would or no both the vessels ioyned close together And hee shewing himselfe fierce like a Lyon not tarrying to be seconded by any stepped aboord the Rhodians ship as if he made no respect at all of them and hauing his sword ready drawne in his hand incited by the vertue of vnfaigned loue sayed about him on all sides very manfully Which when the men of Rhodes perceyued casting downe their weapons and all of them as it were with one voice yeelded themselues his prisoners whereupon he said Honest Friends neither desire of booty or hatred to you did occasion my departure from Cyprus thus to assaile you with drawne weapons but that which heereto hath
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
and courtesie to make them an offer of tasting his white wine But hauing respect to his own meane degree and the condition of Messer Geri hee thought it farre vnfitting for him to be so forward in such presumption but rather entred into consideration of some such meanes whereby Messer Geri might bee the inuiter of himselfe to taste his Wine And hauing put on him a trusse or thin doublet of very white and fine Linnen cloath as also breeches and an apron of the same and a white cap vpon his head so that he seemed rather to be a Miller then a Baker at such times as Messer Geri and the Ambassadors should daily passe by hee set before his doore a new Bucket of faire water and another small vessell of Bologna earth as new and sightly as the other full of his best and choisest white Wine with two small Glasses looking like siluer they were so cleare Downe he sate with all this prouision before him and emptying his stomacke twice or thrice of some clotted flegmes which seemed to offend it euen as the Gentlemen were passing by he dranke one or two roufes of his Wine so heartily and with such a pleasing appetite as might haue moued a longing almost in a dead man Messer Geri well noting his behauiour and obseruing the verie same course in him two mornings together on the third day as he was drinking he said vnto him Well done Cistio what is it good or no Cistio starting vp forwith replyed Yes Sir the wine is good indeed but how can I make you to beleeue me except you taste of it Messer Geri eyther in regard of the times quality or by reason of his paines taken perhaps more then ordinary or else because hee saw Cistio had drunke so sprightly was very desirous to taste of the Wine and turning vnto the Ambassadors in merriment he saide My Lords me thinks it were not much amisse if we tooke a taste of this honest mans Wine perhaps it is so good that we shall not neede to repent our labour Heereupon he went with them to Cistio who had caused an handsome seate to be fetched forth of his house whereon he requested them to sit downe and hauing commanded his men to wash cleane the Glasses he saide Fellowes now get you gone and leaue me to the performance of this seruice for I am no worse a skinker then a Baker and tarry you neuer so long you shall not drinke a drop Hauing thus spoken himselfe washed foure or fiue small glasses faire and new and causing a Viall of his best wine to be brought him hee diligently filled it out to Messer Geri and the Ambassadours to whom it seemed the very best Wine that they had drunke of in a long while before And hauing giuen Cistio most hearty thankes for his kindnesse and the Wine his due commendation many dayes afterwardes so long as they continued there they found the like courteous entertainment and with the good liking of honest Cistio But when the affayres were fully concluded for which they wer thus sent to Florence and their parting preparation in due readinesse Messer Geri made a very sumptuous Feast for them inuiting thereto the most part of the honourablest Citizens and Cistio to be one amongst them who by no meanes would bee seene in an assembly of such State and pompe albeit he was thereto by the saide Messer Geri most earnestly entreated In regard of which deniall Messer Geri commaunded one of his seruants to take a small Bottle and request Cistio to fill it with his good Wine then afterward to serue it in such sparing manner to the Table that each Gentleman might be allowed halfe a glasse-full at their down-sitting The Seruing-man who had heard great report of the Wine and was halfe offended because he could neuer taste thereof tooke a great Flaggon Bottle containing foure or fiue Gallons at the least and comming there-with vnto Cistio saide vnto him Cistio because my Master cannot haue your companie among his friends he prayes you to Il this Bottle with your best Wine Cistio looking vppon the huge Flaggon replyed thus Honest Fellow Messer Geri neuer sent thee with such a Message to me which although the Seruingman very stoutly maintained yet getting no other answer he returned backe therwith to his Master Messer Geri returned the Seruant backe againe vnto Cistio saying Goe and assure Cistio that I sent thee to him and if hee make thee any more such answeres then demaund of him to what place else I should send thee Being come againe to Cistio hee auouched that his Maister had sent him but Cistio affirming that hee did not the Seruant asked to what place else hee should send him Marrie quoth Cistio vnto the Riuer of Arno which runneth by Florence there thou mayest be sure to fill thy Flaggon When the Seruant had reported this answer to Messer Geri the eyes of his vnderstanding beganne to open and calling to see what Bottle hee had carried with him no sooner looked he on the huge Flaggon but seuerely reprouing the sawcinesse of his Seruant hee sayde Now trust mee Cistio told thee nothing but trueth for neither did I send thee with any such dishonest message nor had the reason to yeeld or grant it Then he sent him with a bottle of more reasonable competencie which so soone as Cistio saw Yea mary my friend quoth he now I am sure that thy Master sent thee to me and he shall haue his desire with all my hâ—rt So commaunding the Bottle to be filled he sent it away by the Seruant and presently following after him when he came vnto Messer Geri he spake vnto him after this maner Sir I would not haue you to imagine that the huge flaggon which first came did any iotte dismay mee but rather I conceyued that the small Viall whereof you tasted euery morning yet filled many mannerly Glasses together was fallen quite out of your remembrance it plainer tearmes it beeing no Wine for Groomes or Peazants as your selfe affirmed yesterday And because I meane to bee a Skinker no longer by keeping Wine to please any other pallate but mine owne I haue sent you halfe my store and heereafter thinke of mee as you shall please Messer Geri tooke both his guifte and speeches in most thankefull manner accepting him alwayes after as his intimate Friend because he had so graced him before the Ambassadours Madame Nonna de Pulci by a sodaine answere did put to silence a Byshop of Florence and the Lord Marshall hauing moued a question to the said Lady whiâ—h seemed to come short of honesty The Third Nouell Wâ—erein is declared that mockers do sometimes meete with their matches in mockery and to their owne shame WHen Madame Pampinea had ended her Discourse and by the whole company the answere and bounty of Cistio had past with deserued commendation is pleased the Queene that Madame Lauretta should next succeed whereupon verie chearefully thus she beganne Faire
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
the whole history from the originall of his vnbeseeming affection to her in regard she was a worthy mans wife and consequently how all had happened to the instant houre to the no meane admiration of all the hearers adding withall Now Gentlemen quoth he if you varry not from your former opinion and especially Signior Nicoluccio Caccianimico this Lady by good right is mine and no man else by any iust title can lay any claime to her All sate silent without answering one word as expecting what he intended further to say but in the meane while Nicoluccio the parents and kindred but chiefely the Lady her selfe appeared as halfe melted into teares with weeping But Signior Gentile starting vp from the Table taking the Infant in his arme and leading the Lady by the hand going to Nicoluccio thus spake Rise Sir I will not giue thee thy wife whom both her kindred and thine threw forth into the street but I will bestow this Lady on thee being my Gossip and this sweet Boy my God-sonne who was as I am verily perswaded begotten by thee I standing witnesse for him at the Font of Baptisme and giue him mine owne name Gentile Let me entreat thee that although she hath liued here in mine house for the space of three monethes she should not be lesse welcome to thee then before for I sweare to thee vpon my soule that my former affection to her how vniust soeuer was the onely meanes of preseruing her life and more honestly she could not liue with Father Mother or thy selfe then she hath done here with mine owne Mother Hauing thus spoken he turned to the Lady saying Madame I now discharge you of all promises made me deliuering you to your Husband franke and free And when he had giuen him the Lady and the child in his armes he returned to his place and sate downe againe Nicoluccio with no meane ioy and hearty contentment receiued both his wife and childe being before farre from expectation of such an admirable comfort returning the Knight infinite thankes as all the rest of the Company did the like who could not refraine from weeping for meere ioy for such a strange and wonderful accident euery one highly commending Gentile such also as chanced to heare thereof The Lady was welcommed home to her owne house with many moneths of Iouiall feasting and as she passed through the streets all beheld her with admiration to be so happily recouered from her graue Signior Gentile liued long after a loyall friend to Nicoluccio and his Lady and all that were well-willers to them What thinke you now Ladies Can you imagine because a King gaue away his Crowne and Scepter and an Abbot without any cost to himselfe reconciled a Malefactor to the Pope and an old idle-headed man yeelding to the mercy of his enemy that all those actions are comparable to this of Signior Gentile Youth and ardent affection gaue him a iust and lawfull title to her who was free by imagined death from Husbands Parents and all friends else she being so happily wonne into his owne possession Yet honesty not onely ouer-swayed the heate of desire which in many men is violent and immoderate but with a bountifull and liberall soule that which he coueted beyond all hopes else and had within his owne command he freely gaue away Beleeue me bright Beauties not any of the other in a true and vnpartiall iudgement are worthy to be equalled with this or stiled by the name of magnificent actions Madame Dianora the Wife of Signior Gilberto being immodestly affected by Signior Ansaldo to free her selfe from his tedious importunity she appointed him to performe in her iudgement an act of impossibility namely to giue her a Garden as plentifully stored with fragrant Flowers in lanuary as in the flourishing moneth of May. Ansaldo by meanes of a bond which he made to a Magitian performed her request Signior Gilberto the Ladyes Husband gaue consent that his Wife should fulfill her promise made to Ansaldo Who hearing the bountifull mind of her Husband released her of her promise And the Magitian likewise discharged Signior Ansaldo without taking any thing of him The Fift Nouell Admonishing all Ladies and Gentlewomen that are desirous to preserue their chastity free from all blemish and taxation to make no promise of yeelding to any vnder a compact or couenant how impossible soeuer it may seeme to be NOt any one in all the Company but extolled the worthy Act of Signior Gentile to the skies till the King gaue command to Madame Aemillia that she should follow next with her Tale who boldly stepping vp began in this order Gracious Ladies I thinke there is none heere present among vs but with good reason may maintaine that Signiour Gentile performed a magnificent deede but whosoeuer saith it is impossible to do more perhaps is ignorant in such actions as can and may be done as I meane to make good vnto you by a Nouell not ouerlong or tedious The Countrey of Fretulium better knowne by the name of Forum Iulij although it be subiect to much cold yet it is pleasant in regard of many goodly Mountaines Riuers and cleare running Springs wherewith it is not meanly stored Within those Territories is a City called Vdina where sometime liued a faire and Noble Lady named Madame Dianora Wife to a rich and woorthie Knight called Signior Gilberto a man of very great fame and merite This beautiful Lady beeing very modest and vertuously inclined was highly affected by a Noble Baron of those parts tearmed by the name of Signior Ansaldo Gradense a man of very great spirit bountifull actiue in Armes and yet very affable and courteous which caused him to be the better respected His loue to this Lady was extraordinary hardly to bee contained within any moderate compasse striuing to bee in like manner affected of her to vvhich end she wanted no daily solicitings Letters Ambassages and Loue-tokens all prouing to no purpose This vertuous Lady being wearied with his often temptations and seeing that by denying whatsoeuer he demanded yet he wold not giue ouer his suite but so much the more importunatly stil pursued her began to bethinke her selfe how she might best be rid of him by imposing some such taske vpon him as should bee impossible in her opinion for him to effect An olde woman whom hee imployed for his continual messenger to her as shee came one day about her ordinary errand with her she communed in this manner Good woman quoth she thou hast so often assured me that Signior Ansaldo loueth me aboue all other Women in the world offering me wonderfull gifts and presents in his name which I haue alwayes refused and so stil wil do in regard I am not to be woon by any such allurements yet if I could be soundly perswaded that his affection is answerable to thy peremptory protestations I shoulde perhaps be the sooner wonne to listen to his suite in milder manner then hitherto I
haue done Wherefore if he wil giue me assurance to perform such a businesse as I mean to enioyne him he shall the speedier heare better answer from me and I wil confirme it with mine oath Wonderfully pleased was Mistresse Maquerella to heare a reply of such comfortable hope and therefore desired the Lady to tel hir what she wold haue done Listen to me wel answerd Madam Dianora the matter which I would haue him to effect for me is without the wals of our City and during the month of Ianuarie nexte ensuing to prouide me a Garden as fairely furnished with all kind of fragrant flowers as the flourishing month of May can yeelde no better If he be not able to accomplish this imposition then I command him neuer hereafter to solicite me any more either by thee or any other whatsoeuer for if he do importune me afterward as hitherto I haue concealed his secret conspiring both from my husband and all my friends so will I then lay his dishonest suite open to the world that he may receiue punishment accordingly for offering to wrong a Gentleman in his wife When Signior Ansaldo heard her demand and the offer beside thereuppon made him although it seemed no easie matter but a thing meerly impossible to be done he considered aduisedly that she made this motion to no other end but onely to bereaue him of all his hope euer to enioy what so earnestly hee desired neuerthelesse he would not so giue it vtterly ouer but would needs approue what could be done Heereupon hee sent into diuers partes of the world to find out any one that was able to aduise him in this doubtfull case In the end one was brought to him who beeing well recompenced for his paines by the Art of Nigromancie would vnder take to do it With him Signior Ansaldo couenanted binding himselfe to pay a great summe of mony vpon performance of so rare a deed awaiting in hopefull expectation for the month of Ianuaries comming It being come and the weather then in extreamity of cold euery thing being couered with ice and snow the Magitian preuailed so by his Art that after the Christmas Holy dayes were past and the Calends of Ianuary entred in one night and without the Cittie Wals the goodliest Garden of flowers and fruites was sodainely sprung vp as in opinion of such as beheld it neuer was the like seen before Now Ladies I think I need not demand the question whether Signior Ansaldo were wel pleased or no who going to beholde it saw it most plenteously stored with al kind of fruit trees flowers herbes and plants as no one could be named that was wanting in this artificiall garden And hauing gathered some pretty store of them secretly he sent them to Madam Dianora inuiting hir to come see her Garden perfected according to her owne desire and vppon view thereof to confesse the integrity of his loue to her considering and remembring withall the promise shee had made him vnder solemne oath that she might be reputed for a woman of her word When the Lady beheld the fruites and flowers and heard many other thinges re-counted so wonderfully growing in the same Garden she began to repent her rash promise made yet notwithstanding her repentance as Women are couetous to see all rarities so accompanied with diuers Ladies and Gentlewomen more she went to see the Garden and hauing commended it with much admiration she returned home againe the most sorrowfull Woman as euer liued considering what she had tyed her selfe to for enioying this Garden So excessiue grew her griefe and affliction that it could not be so clouded or concealed but her Husband tooke notice of it and would needs vnderstand the occasion thereof Long the Lady in regard of shame and modesty sate without returning any answer but being in the end constrained she disclosd the whol History to him At the first Signior Gilberto waxed exceeding angry but when he further considered withall the pure and honest intention of his Wife wisely he pacified his former distemper and saide Dianora it is not the part of a wise and honest woman to lend an eare to ambassages of such immodest nature much lesse to compound or make agreement for her honesty with any person vnder any condition whatsoeuer Those perswasions which the heart listeneth to by allurement of the eare haue greater power then many do imagine nothing is so vneasie or difficult but in a louers iudgement it appeareth possible Ill didst thou therefore first of all to listen but worse afterward to contract But because I know the purity of thy soule I wil yeelde to disoblige thee of thy promise as perhaps no wise man else would do mooued thereto onely by feare of the Magitian who seeing Signior Ansaldo displeased because thou makest a mockage of him will do some such violent wrong to vs as we shal be neuer able to recouer Wherefore I would haue thee go to Signior Ansaldo and if thou canst by any meanes obtaine of him the safe-keeping of thy honour and ful discharge of thy promise it shal be an eternall fame to thee and the crowne of a most victorious conquest But if it must needs be otherwise lend him thy body onely for once but not thy wil for actions committed by constraint wherein the will is no way guilty are halfe pardonable by the necessity Madame Dianora hearing her husbands words wept exceedingly and auouched that shee had not deserued any such especiall grace of him and therefore she would rather dye then doe it Neuerthelesse it was the wil of her Husband to haue it so and therefore against her wil she gaue consent The next morning by the breake of day Dianora arose and attiring her selfe in her very meanest garments with two seruingmen before her and a waiting Woman following she went to the lodging of Signior Ansaldo who hearing that Madam Dianora was come to visite him greatly meruailed and being risen he called the Magitian to him saying Come go with me and see what effect will follow vpon thine Art And being come into her presence without any base or inordinate appetite he did her humble reuerence embracing her honestly and taking her into a goodly Chamber where a faire fire was readilie prepared causing her to sit downe by him he sayde vnto her as followeth Madam I humbly intreat you to resolue me if the affection I haue long time borne you and yet do stil deserue any recompence at all you would be pleased then to tel me truly the occasion of your instant comming hither and thus attended as you are Dianora blushing with modest shame and the teares trickling mainly down her faire cheekes thus answered Signior Ansaldo not for any Loue I beare you or care of my faithfull promise made to you but onely by the command of my husband who respecting more the paynes and trauels of your inordinate loue then his owne reputation and honor or mine hath caused me to come hither
she started and throwing downe the Table before her cried out aloud This is my Lord and Husband this truely is my Lord Thorello So running to the Table where he sate without regard of all the riches thereon down she threw it likewise and clasping her armes about his necke hung so mainly on him weeping sobbing and kissing him as she could not be taken off by any of the company nor shewed any moderation in this excesse of passion till Thorello spake and entreated her to be more patient because this extremity was ouer-dangerous for her Thus was the solemnitie much troubled but euery one there very glad and ioyfull for the recouery of such a famous and worthy Knight who intreated them all to vouchsafe him silence and so related all his fortunes to them from the time of his departure to the instant houre Concluding withall that hee was no way offended with the new Bride-groome who vpon the so constant report of his death deserued no blame in making election of his wife The Bridegroome albeit his countenance was somewhat cloudie to see his hope thus disappointed yet granted freely that Adalietto was Thorello's wife in equitie and hee could not iustly lay any claime to her She also resigned the Crown and Rings which she had so lately receiued of her new Spouse and put that on her finger which she found in the Cup and that Crowne was set vpon her head in honor sent her from great Saladine In which triumphant manner she left the new Bridegrooms abiding and repayred home to Thorello's house with such pompe and magnificence as neuer had the like been seene in Pauia before all the Citizens esteeming it as a miracle that they had so happily recouered Signior Thorello againe Some part of the Iewells he gaue to him who had beene at cost with the marriage feasting and some to his Vncle the Abbot beside a bountie bestowed on the Monkes Then he sent a messenger to Saladine with Letters of his whole successe and confessing himselfe for euer his obliged seruant liuing many yeeres after with his wife Adalietta and vsing greater curtesies to strangers then euer before he had done In this manner ended the troubles of Signior Thorello and the afflictions of his dearely affected Lady with due recompence to their honest and ready courtesies Many striue in outward shew to doe the like who although they are sufficiently able doe performe it so basely as it rather redoundeth to their shame then honour And therefore if no merit ensue thereon but onely such disgrace as iustly should follow let them lay the blame vpon themselues The Marquesse of Saluzzo named Gualtiero being constrained by the importunate solliciting of his Lords and other inferiour people to ioyne himselfe in marriage tooke a woman according to his owne liking called Grizelda she being the daughter of a poore Countriman named Ianiculo by whom he had two children which he pretended to be secretly murdered Afterward they being grown to yeres of more stature and making shew of taking in marriage another wife more worthy of his high degree and Calling made a seeming publique liking of his owne daughter expulsing his wife Grizelda poorely from him But finding her incomparable patience more dearely then before hee receiued her into fauour againe brought her home to his owne Pallace where with her children hee caused her and them to be respectiuely honoured in despight of all her aduerse enemies The Tenth Nouell Set downe as an example or warning to all wealthie men how to haue care of marrying themselues And likewise to poore and meane women to be patient in their fortunes and obedient to their husbands QVestionlesse the Kings Nouell did not so much exceed the rest in length but it proued as pleasing to the whole assembly past with their generall approbation till Dioneus in a merry iesting humour said The plaine honest simple man that stood holding the Candle to see the setting on of his Mules tayle deserued two penny-worth of more praise then all our applauding of Signior Thorello And knowing himselfe to bee left for the last speaker thus he began Milde modest Ladies for ought I can perceiue to the contrary this day was dedicated to none but Kings Soldanes and great Potentates not in fauour of any inferiour or meaner persons And therefore because I would be loth to dis-ranke my selfe from the rest I purpose to speake of a Lord Marquesse not any matter of great magnificence but rather in a more humble nature and sorted to an honest end which yet I will not aduise any to immitate because perhaps they cannot so well digest it as they did whom my Nouell concerneth thus then I begin It is a great while since when among those that were Lord Marquesses of Saluzzo the very greatest and worthiest man of them al was a young Noble Lord named Gualtiero who hauing neyther wife nor childe spent his time in nothing else but hawking hunting nor had he any minde of marriage or to enioy the benefit of children wherein many did repute him the wiser But this being distastfull to his subiects they very often earnestly solicited him to match himselfe with a wife to the end that hee might not decease without an heire nor they be left destitute of a succeeding Lord offering themselues to prouide him of such a one so well descended by Father and Mother as not only should confirm their hope but also yeeld him high contentment whereto the Lord Marquess thus answered Worthie friends you would constraine me to the thing wherewith I neuer had any intent to meddle considering how difficult a case it is to meet with such a woman who can agree with a man in all his conditions and how great the number is of them who daily happen on the contrarie but most and worst of all the rest how wretched and miserable prooues the life of man who is bound to liue with a wife not fit for him And in saying you can learn to vnderstand the custome and qualities of children by behauiour of the fathers and mothers and so to prouide mee of a wife it is a meere argument of folly for neither shall I comprehend or you either the secret inclinations of parents I meane of the Father and much lesse the complexion of the mother But admitte it were within compasse of power to know them yet it is a frequent sight and obserued euery day that daughters doe resemble neither father nor mother but that they are naturally gouerned by their owne instinct But because you are so desirous to haue me fettered in the chains of wedlocke I am contented to grant what you request And because I would haue no complaint made of any but my selfe if matters should not happen answerable to expectation I will make mine owne eyes my electors and not see by any others sight Giuing you this assurance before that if she whom I shall make choice of be not of you honoured and respected as your