Meucio hauing heard this confession of his friend and verily beleeuing it for a truth that no punishment was to be inflicted in the future world for offences of frailty in this life and chiefly with Gossips began to condemne his owne folly hauing bin a Gossip to many wiues yet modesty restrained him from such familiar offending And therefore being sorry for this grosse ignorance hee made a vowe to be wiser hereafter And if Fryar Reynard had been acquainted with this kind of shrift as doubtlesse he was though his Gossip Agnesia knew it not he needed no such Syllogismes as he put in practise when he conuerted her to his lustfull knauery in the comparison of kinred by him moued concerning her husband the childe and himselfe But these are the best fruits of such Fryerly Confessions to compasse the issue of their inordinate appetites yet clouded with the cloake of Religion which hath beene the ouerthrow of too many By this time the gentle blast of Zephirus began to blow because the Sunne grew neere his setting wherewith the King concluded his Nouell and none remaining more to be thus imployed taking the Crowne from off his owne head he placed it on Madame Laurettaes saying Madame I Crowne you with your owne Crowne as Queene of our Company You shall henceforth command as Lady and Mistresse in such occasions as shall be to your liking and for the contentment of vs all With which words he set him downe And Madame Lauretta being now created Queene shee caused the Master of the houshold to bee called to whom she gaue command that the Tables should be prepared in the pleasant vally but at a more conuenient houre then formerly had beene because they might with better ease returne backe to the Pallace Then shee tooke order likewise for all such other necessary matters as should bee required in the time of her Regiment and then turning her selfe to the whole Company she began in this manner It was the Will of Dioneus yesternight that our discourses for this day should concerne the deceits of wiues to their Husbands And were it not to auoyde taxation of a spleenitiue desire to be reuenged like the dog being bitten biteth againe I could command our to morrows conference to touch mens treacheries towards their wiues But because I am free from any such fiery humor let it be your generall consideration to speake of such queint beguylings as haue heretofore past either of the woman to the man the man to the woman or of one man to another and I am of opinion that they will yeeld vs no lesse delight then those related this day haue done When she had thus spoken she rose granting them all liberty to goe recreate themselues vntill Supper time The Ladies being thus at their owne disposing some of them bared their legges and feete to wash them in the coole current Others not so minded walked on the greene grasse and vnder the goodly spreading trees Dioneus and Madame Fiammetta they sate singing together the loue-warre betweene Arcit and Palemon And thus with diuersity of disports in choice delight and much contentment all were imployed till Supper drew neere When the houre was come and the Tables couered by the Ponds side we need not question their dyet and dainties infinite Birds sweetly singing about them as no musicke in the world could be more pleasing beside calme windes fanning their faces from the neighbouring hilles free from flyes or the least annoyance made a delicate addition to their pleasure No sooner were the Tables withdrawne and all risen but they fetcht a few turnings about the vally because the Sunne was not as yet quite set Then in the coole euening according to the Queenes appointment in a soft and gentle pace they walked homeward deuising on a thousand occasions as well those which the dayes discourses had yeelded as others of their owne inuenting beside It was almost darke night before they arriued at the Pallace where with variety of choice Wines and abounding plenty of rare Banquetting they out-wore the little toile and wearinesse which the long walke had charged them withall Afterward according to their wonted order the Instruments being brought and played on they fell to dancing about the faire Fountaine Tindaro intruding now and then the sound of his Bagpipe to make the musicke seeme more melodious But in the end the Queene commanded Madame Philomena to sing whereupon the Instruments being tuned fit for the purpose thus she began The Song The Chorus Sung by the whole Company WEarisome is my life to me Because I cannot once againe returne Vnto the place which made me first to mourne NOthing I know yet feele a powerfull fire Burning within my brest Through deepe desire To be once more where first I felt vnrest Which cannot be exprest O my sole good O my best happinesse Why am I thus restrainde Is there no comfort in this wretchednesse Then let me liue content to be thus painde Wearisome is my life to me c. I cannot tell what was that rare delight Which first enflamde my soule And gaue command in spight That I should find no ease by day or night But still liue in controule I see I heare and feele a kinde of blisse Yet find no forme at all Other in their desire feele blessednesse But I haue none nor thinke I euer shall Wearisome is my life to me c. Tell me if I may hope in following dayes To haue but one poore sight Of those bright Sunny rayes Dazeling my sence did o'recome me quite Bequeath'd to wandring wayes If I be poasted off and may not proue To haue the smallest grace Or but to know that this proceeds from loue Why should I liue despisde in euery place Wearisome is my life to me c. Me thinkes milde fauour whispers in mine eare And bids me not despaire There will a time appeare To quell and quite confound consuming care And ioy surmount proud feare In hope that gracious time will come at length To cheare my long dismay My spirits reassume yonr former strength And neuer dread to see that ioyfull day Wearisome is my life to me Because I cannot once againe returne Vnto the place which made me first to mourne This Song gaue occasion to the whole Company to imagine that some new and pleasing apprehension of Loue constrained Madame Philomena to sing in this manner And because by the discourse thereof it plainely appeared that shee had felt more then shee saw shee was so much the more happy and the like was wished by all the rest Wherefore after the Song was ended the Queene remembring that the next day following was Friday turning her selfe graciously to them all thus she spake You know noble Ladies and you likewise most noble Gentlemen that to morrow is the day consecrated to the Passion of our blessed Lord and Sauiour which if you haue not forgotten it as easily you cannot we deuoutly celebrated Madame Neiphila being then Queene ceasing
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
Lady and Mistresse it will ensue to your detriment how much you haue displeased me to take a wife at your request and against mine owne will The Noble men answered that they were well satisfied prouided that he tooke a wife Some indifferent space of time before the beauty manners and well-seeming vertues of a poore Countrie-mans daughter dwelling in no farre distant village had appeared very pleasing to the Lord Marquesse and gaue him full perswasion that with her hee should lead a comfortable life And therefore without any further search or inquisition he absolutely resolued to marry her and hauing conferred with her Father agreed that his daughter should be his wife Whereupon the Marquesse made a generall conuocation Conuocation of all his Lords Barons and other of his especiall friends from all parts of his Dominion and when they were assembled together hee then spake vnto them in manner as followeth Honourable friends it appeared pleasing to you all and yet I thinke you are of the same minde that I should dispose my selfe to take a wife and I thereto condescended more to yeeld you contentment then for any particular desire in my selfe Let mee now remember you of your solemne made promise with full consent to honor and obey her whosoeuer as your Soueraigne Lady and Mistresse that I shall elect to make my wife and now the time is come for my exacting the performance of that promise and which I look you must constantly keepe I haue made choyce of a yong virgine answerable to mine owne heart and liking dwelling not farre off hence whom I intend to make my wife and within few daies to haue her brought home to my Pallace Let your care and diligence then extend so farre as to see that the feast may be sumptuous and her entertainment to bee most honourable to the end that I may receiue as much contentment in your promise performed as you shall perceiue I doe in my choice The Lords and all the rest were wondrously ioyfull to heare him so well inclined expressing no lesse by their shouts and iocund suffrages protesting cordially that she should be welcommed with pompe and maiestie and honoured of them all as their Liege Ladie and Soueraigne Afterward they made preparation for a princely and magnificent feast as the Marquesse did the like for a marriage of extraordinary state and qualitie inuiting all his kinred friends and acquaintance in all parts and Prouinces about him Hee made also readie most riche and costly garments shaped by the body of a comely young Gentlewoman who he knew to be equall in proportion and stature to her of whom hee hade made his election When the appointed nuptiall day was come the Lord Marques about nine of the clocke in the morning mounted on horse-backe as all the rest did who came to attend him honourably and hauing all things in due readinesse with them he said Lords it is time for vs to goe fetch the Bride So on hee rode with his traine to the same poore Village whereas shee dwelt and when hee was come to her Fathers house hee saw the maiden returning very hastily from a Well where shee had beene to fetch a paile of water which shee set downe and stood accompanied with other maidens to see the passage by of the Lord Marquesse and his traine Gualtiero called her by her name which was Grizelda and asked her where her Father was who bashfully answered him and with an humble courtesie saying My gracious Lord hee is in the house Then the Marquesse dismounted from his horse commanding euery one to attend him then all alone hee entred into the poore Cottage where he found the maides father being named Ianiculo and said vnto him God speed good Father I am come to espouse thy daughter Grizelda but first I haue a few demands to make which I will vtter to her in thy presence Then hee turned to the maide and saide Faire Grizelda if I make you my wife will you doe your best endeauour to please me in all things which I shall doe or say will you also be gentle humble and patient with diuers other the like questions whereto she still answered that she would so neere as heauen with grace should enable her Presently he tooke her by the hand so led her forth of the poore homely house and in the presence of all his company with his owne hands he took off her meane wearing garments smocke and all and cloathed her with those Robes of State which he had purposely brought thither for her and plaiting her haire ouer her shoulders hee placed a Crowne of gold on her head whereat euery one standing as amazed and wondring not a little hee said Grizelda wilt thou haue me to thy husband Modestly blushing and kneeling on the ground she answered Yes my gracious Lord if you will accept so poore a maiden to be your wife Yes Grizelda quoth hee with this holy kisse I confirme thee for my wife and so espoused her before them all Then mounting her on a milke-white Palfray brought thither for her shee was thus honourably conducted to her Pallace Now concerning the marriage feast and triumphes they were performed with no lesse pompe then if she had beene daughter to the King of France And the young Bride apparantly declared that with her garments her minde and behauior were quite changed For indeed shee was as it were shame to speake otherwise a rare creature both of person and perfections and not onely was shee absolute for beautie but so sweetely amiable gracious and goodlie as if she were not the daughter of poore Ianiculo and a Countrie Shepheardesse but rather of some Noble Lord whereat euery one wondred that formerly had knowne her Beside all this shee was so obedient to her husband so feruent in all dutifull offices and patient without the very least prouoking as hee held himselfe much more then contented and the onely happy man of the world In like manner towards the subiects of her Lord and Husband she shewed her selfe alwayes so benigne and gracious as there was not any one but the more they lookt on her the better they loued her honouring her voluntarily and praying to the heauens for her health dignity and well-faâ—â— long continuance Speaking now quite contrary to their former opinion of the Marquesse honourably and worthily that he had shewne him selfe a singular wise man in the election of his Wife which few else but he in the world would haue done because their iudgement might fall farre short of discerning those great and precious vertues veiled vnder a homely habite and obscured in a poore Countrey cottage To be briefe in very short time not onely the Marquisate it selfe but all neighbouring Prouinces round about had no other common talke but of her rare course of life deuotion charity and all good actions else quite quailing all sinister Instructions of her Husband before he receiued her in marriage About foure or fiue yeeres after the
sorrow for their friends losse If not thus they would assemble before the doore with many of the best Cittizens and kindred and according to the quality of the deceased the Clergy met there likewise and the dead body was carried in comely manner on mens shoulders with funerall pompe of Torch-light and singing to the Church appointed by the deceased But these seemely orders after that the fury of the pestilence began to encrease they in like manner altogether ceased and other new customes came in their place because not onely people died without hauing any women about them but infinites also past out of this life not hauing any witnesse how when or in what manner they departed So that few or none there were to deliuer outward shew of sorrow and grieuing but insteed thereof diuers declared idle ioy and reioycing a vse soone learned of immodest women hauing put off al feminine compassion yea or regard of their owne welfare Very few also would accompany the body to the graue and they not any of the Neighbours although it had beene an honourable Cittizen but onely the meanest kinde of people such as were graue-makers coffin-bearers or the like that did these seruices onely for money and the beere being mounted on their shoulders in all haste they would runne away with it not perhaps to the Church appointed by the dead but to the neerest at hand hauing some foure or sixe poore Priests following with lights or no lights and those of the silliest short seruice being said at the buriall and the body vnreuerently throwne into the first open graue they found Such was the pittifull misery of poore people and diuers who were of better condition as it was most lamentable to behold because the greater number of them vnder hope of healing or compelled by pouerty kept still within their houses weake and faint thousands falling sick daily and hauing no helpe or being succoured any way with foode or physicke all of them died few or none escaping Great store there were that died in the streetes by day or night and many more beside although they died in their houses yet first they made it knowne to their neighbours that their liues perished rather by the noysome smell of dead and putrified bodies then by any violence of the disease in themselues So that of these and the rest dying in this manner euery where the neighbours obserued one course of behauiour moued thereto no lesse by feare that the smell and corruption of dead bodies should harme them then charitable respect of the dead that themselues when they could or being assisted by some bearers of coarses when they wer able to procure theÌ„ wold hale the bodies alreadie dead out of their houses laying them before their doores where such as passed by especially in the mornings might see them lying in no meane numbers Afterward Bieres were brought thither and such as might not haue the helpe of Bieres were glad to lay them on tables and Bieres haue bin obserued not onely to be charged with two or three dead bodies at once but many times it was seene also that the wife with the husband two or three Brethren together yea the Father and the mother haue thus beene carried along to the graue vpon one Biere Moreouer oftentimes it hath bene seene that when two Priests went with one Crosse to fetch the body there would follow behind three or foure bearers with their Bieres and when the Priests intended the buriall but of one bodie sixe or eight more haue made vp the aduantage and yet none of them being attended by any seemly company lights teares or the very least decencie but it plainly appeared that the verie like account was then made of men or Women as if they had bene Dogges or Swine Wherein might manifestly bee noted that that which the naturall course of things could not shewe to the wise with rare and little losse to wit the patient support of miseries and misfortunes euen in their greatest height not onely the wise might now learne but also thâ— verie simplest people in such sort that they should alwaies be prepared against all infelicities whatsoeuer Hallowed ground could not now suffice for the great multitude of dead bodies which were daily brought to euery Church in the City and euery houre in the day neither could the bodies haue proper place of buriall according to our ancient custome wherfore after that the churches and Church-yards were filled they were constrained to make vse of great deepe ditches wherein they were buried by hundreds at once ranking dead bodies along in graues as Merchandizes are laide along in ships couering each after other with a small quantity of earth so they filled at last vp the whole ditch to the brim Now because I would wander no further in euerie particularity concerning the miseries happening in our Citie I tell you that extremities running on in such manner as you haue heard little lesse spare was made in the Villages round about wherein setting aside enclosed Castles which were now filled like to small Cities poore Labourers and Husband-men with their whole Families dyed most miserably in out-houses yea and in the open fieldes also without any assistance of physicke or helpe of seruants likewise in the high-wayes or their ploughed landes by day or night indifferently yet not as men but like brute beasts By meanes whereof they became lazie and slothfull in their daily endeuours euen like to our Citizens not minding or medling with their wonted affaires but as awaiting for death euery houre imployed all their paines not in caring any way for themselues their cattle or gathering the fruits of the earth or any of their accustomed labours but rather wasted and consumed euen such as were for their instant sustenance Whereupon it fell so out that their Oxen Asses Sheepe and Goates their Swine Pullen yea their verie Dogges the truest and faithfullest seruants to men being beaten and banished from their houses went wildly wandring abroad in the fields where the Corne grew still on the ground without gathering or being so much as reapt or cut Many of the foresaid beasts as endued with reason after they had pastured themselues in the day time would returne full fed at night home to their houses without any gouernment of Heardsmen or any other How many faire Palaces How many goodly Houses How many noble habitations filled before with families of Lords and Ladies were then to be seene emptie without any one there dwelling except some silly seruant How many Kindreds worthy of memory How many great inheritances And what plenty of riches were left without any true successours How many good men How many woorthy Women How many valiant and comely yong men whom none but Galen Hâ—ppocrates and Aesculapius if they were liuing could haue bene reputed any way vnhealthfull were seene to dine at morning with their Parents Friends and familiar confederates and went to sup in another world with their
often times hast thou beene angry Oh Sir said Maister Chappelet therein I assure yee I haue often transgressed And what man is able to forbeare it beholding the dayly actions of men to be so dishonest No care of keeping Gods commaundements nor any feare of his dreadfull iudgements Many times in a day I haue rather wished my selfe dead then liuing beholding youth pursuing idle vanities to sweare and forsweare themselues tipling in Tauernes and neuer haunting Churches but rather affecting the worlds follies then any such duties as they owe to God Alas Sonne quoth the Friar this is a good and holy anger and I can impose no penance on thee for it But tell me hath not rage or furie at any time so ouer-ruled thee as to commit murther or manslaughter or to speake euill of any man or to doe any other such kinde of iniurie Oh Father answered Maister Chappelet you that seeme to be a man of God how dare you vse any such vile words If I had had the very least thought to doe any such act as you speake doe you thinke that God would haue suffered me to liue These are deedes of darknesse fit for villaines and wicked liuers of which hellish crue when at any time I haue happened to meete with some one of them I haue said Goe God conuert thee Worthy and charitable words replied the Friar but tell me Sonne Didst thou euer beare false witnesse against any man or hast spoken falsly or taken ought from any one contrary to the will of the owner Yes indeede Father said Maister Chappelet I haue spoken ill of another because I haue sometime seene one of my neighbours who with no meane shame of the world would doe nothing else but beate his wife and of him once I complained to the poore mans parents saying that he neuer did it but when he was ouercome with drinke Those were no ill words quoth the Friar but I remember you said that you were a Merchant Did you euer deceiue any as some Merchants vse to doe Truly Father answered Maister Chappelet I thinke not any except one man who one day brought me money which he owed me for a certaine piece of cloath I solde him and I put it into a purse without accounting it about a moneth afterward I found that there were foure small pence more then was due to me And neuer happening to meete with the man againe after I had kept them the space of a whole yeare I then gaue them away to foure poore people for Gods sake A small matter said the Friar truly payed back again to the owner in bestowing them vpon the poore Many other questions hee demaunded of him whereto still he answered in the same manner but before he proceeded to absolution Maister Chappelet spake thus I haue yet one sinne more which I haue not reuealed to you when being vrged by the Friar to confesse it he said I remember that I should afford one day in the weeke to cleanse the house of my soule for better entertainement to my Lord and Sauiour and yet I haue done no such reuerence to the Sunday or Sabaoth as I ought to haue done A small fault Sonne replied the Friar O no quoth Maister Chappelet doe not terme it a small fault because Sunday being a holy day is highly to be reuerenced for as on that day our blessed Lord arose from death to life But quoth the Confessour hast thou done nothing else on that day Yes said he being forgetfull of my selfe once I did spet in Gods Church The Friar smiling said Alas Sonne that is a matter of no moment for wee that are Religious persons doe vse to spet there euery day The more is your shame answered Maister Chappelet for no place ought to be kept more pure and cleane then the sacred Temple wherein our dayly sacrifices are offered vp to God In this manner he held on an houre and more vttering the like transgressions as these and at last began to sigh very passionately and to shed a few teares as one that was skilfull enough in such dissembling prankes whereat the Confessour being much mooued said Alas Sonne what aylest thou Oh Father quoth Chappelet there remaineth yet one sinne more vpon my conscience whereof I neuer at any time made confession so shamefull it appeareth to me to disclose it and I am partly perswaded that God will neuer pardon me for that sinne How now Sonne said the Friar neuer say so for if all the sinnes that euer were committed by men or shall be committed so long as the World endureth were onely in one man and he repenting them and being so contrite for them as I see thou art the grace and mercy of God is so great that vpon penitent confession he will freely pardon him and therefore spare not to speak it boldly Alas Father said Chappelet still in pretended weeping this sinne of mine is so great that I can hardly beleeue if your earnest prayers doe not assist me that euer I shall obtaine remission for it Speake it Sonne said the Friar and feare not I promise that I will pray to God for thee Master Chappelet still wept and sighed and continued silent notwithstanding all the Confessors comfortable perswasions but after hee had helde him a long while in suspence breathing forth a sighe euen as if his very heart would haue broken he saide Holy Father seeing you promise to pray to God for me I will reueale it to you Know then that when I was a little boy I did once curse my Mother which he had no sooner spoken but he wrung his hands and greeued extraordinarily Oh good Son saide the Friar doth that seeme so great a sinne to thee Why men doe daily blaspheme our Lord God and yet neuerthelesse vpon their hearty repentance he is alwayes ready to forgiue them and wilt not thou beleeue to obtaine remission for a sinne so ignorantly committed Weepe no more deare Sonne but comfort thy selfe and rest resolued that if thou wert one of them who nayled our blessed Sauiour to his Crosse yet being so truly repentant as I see thou art he would freely forgiue thee Say you so Father quoth Chappelet What mine owne deare Mother that bare me in her wombe nine moneths day and night and afterwards fed me with her breasts a thousand times can I be pardoned for cursing her Oh no it is too haynous a sinne and except you pray to God very instantly for me he will not forgiue me When the religious man perceiued that nothing more was to be confessed by Master Chappelet he gaue him absolution and his owne benediction beside reputing him to be a most holy man as verily beleeuing all that he had said And who would not haue done the like hearing a man to speake in that manner and being vpon the very point of death Afterward he saide vnto him Master Chappelet by Gods grace you may be soone restored to health but if it so come to passe
redound to his no meane danger thus he replied My Lord the question propounded by you is faire and worthy to answer mine opinion truly threof doth necessarily require some time of consideration if it might stand with your liking to allow it but if not let me first make entrance to my reply with a pretty tale and well worth the hearing I haue oftentimes heard it reported that long since there was a very wealthy man who among other precious Iewels of his owne had a goodly Ring of great valew the beauty and estimation whereof made him earnestly desirous to leaue it as a perpetuall memory and honour to his successors Whereupon he willed and ordained that he among his male children with whom this Ring being left by the Father should be found in custody after his death hee and none other was to bee reputed his heire and to be honoured and reuerenced by all the rest as being the prime and worthiest person That Sonne to whom this Ring was left by him kept the same course to his posterity dealing in all respects as his predecessor had done so that in short time the Ring from hand to hand had many owners by Legacie At length it came to the hand of one who had three sonnes all of them goodly and vertuous persons and verie obedient to their Father in which regard he affected them all equally without any difference or partiall respect The custome of this ring being knowne to them each one of them coueting to beare esteeme aboue the other desired as hee could best make his meanes his father that in regard he was now grown very old he would leaue that Ring to him whereby he should bee acknowledged for his heire The good man who loued no one of them more then the other knew not how to make his choise nor to which of them he should leaue the Ring yet hauing past his promise to them seuerally he studied by what meanes to satisfie them all three Wherfore secretly hauing conferred with a curious and excellent Goldsmith hee caused two other Rings to bee made so really resembling the first made Ring that himself when he had them in his hand could not distinguish which was the right one Lying vpon his death-bed and his Sonnes then plying him by their best opportunities he gaue to each of them a Ring And they after his death presuming seuerally vpon their right to the inheritance honor grew to great contradiction and square each man producing then his Ring which were so truly all alike in resemblance as no one could know the right Ring from the other And therefore suite in Law to distinguish the true heire to his Father continued long time and so it dooth yet to this very day In like manner my good Lord concerning those three Lawes giuen by God the Father to three such people as you haue propounded each of them do imagine that they haue the heritage of God and his true Law and also duely to performe his Commandements but which of them do so indeede the question as of the three Ringes is yet remaining Saladine well perceyuing that the Iew was too cunning to be caught in his snare and had answered so well that to doe him further violence would redound vnto his perpetuall dishonour 〈◊〉 to reueale his neede and extremity and try if he would therein friendly sted him Hauing disclosed the matter and how he purposed to haue dealt with him if he had not returned so wise an answer the Iew lent him so great a sum of money as hee demanded and Saladine repayed it againe to him iustly giuing him other great gifts beside respecting him as his especiall frend and maintaining him in very honourable condition neere vnto his owne person A Monke hauing committed an offence deseruing to be very grieuously punished freede himselfe from the paine to be inflicted on him by wittily reprehending his Abbot with the very same fault The fourth Nouell Wherein may be noted that such men as will reproue those errors in others which remaine in themselues commonly are the Authors of their owne reprehension SO ceased Madam Philomena after the conclusion of her Tale when Dioneus sitting next vnto her without tarrying for any other command from the Queene knowing by the order formerly begunne that he was to follow in the same course spake in this manner Gracious Ladies if I faile not in vnderstanding your generall intention we are purposely assembled here to tell Tales and especially such as may please our selues In whith respect because nothing should be done disorderly I hold it lawfull for euery one as our Queene decreed before her dignity to relate such a nouelty as in their owne iudgement may cause most contentment Wherefore hauing heard that by the good admonitions of Iehannot de Cheuigny Abraham the Iew was aduised to the saluation of his soule and Melchisedech by his witty vnderstanding defended his riches from the traines of Saladine I now purpose to tell you in a few plaine words without feare of receiuing any reprehension how cunningly a Monke compassed his deliuerance from a punishment intended towards him There was in the Country of Lunigiana which is not farre distant from our owne a Monastery which sometime was better furnished with holinesse and Religion then now adayes they are wherein liued among diuers other a young nouice Monke whose hot and lusty disposition being in the vigour of his yeeres was such as neither fastes nor prayers had any great power ouer him It chanced on a fasting day about high noone when all the other Monkes were asleepe in their Dormitaries or Dorters this frolicke Friar was walking alone in their Church which stood in a very solitary place where ruminating on many matters by himselfe hee espied a pretty hansome wench some Husbandmans daughter in the Countrey that had beene gathering rootes and hearbes in the field vppon her knees before an Altar whom he had no sooner seene but immediately hee felt effeminate temptations and such as ill fitted with his profession Lasciuious desire and no religious deuotion made him draw neere her and whether vnder shift the onely cloake to compasse carnall affections or some other as close conference to as pernicious and vile a purpose I know not but so farre he preuailed vpon her frailety and such a bargaine passed betweene them that from the Church he wonne her to his Chamber before any person could perceiue it Now while this yong lusty Monke transported with ouer-fond affection was more carelesse of his dalliance then he should haue beene the Lord Abbot being newly arisen from sleepe and walking softly about the Cloyster came to the Monkes Daughters doore where hearing what noyse was made between them and a feminine voyce more strange then hee was wont to heare he layed his eare close to the Chamber doore and plainly perceiued that a woman was within Wherewith being much moued he intended suddenly to make him open the doore but vpon better
place but it is a matter much more admirable to see a thing suddenly appearing and sildome or neuer frequented before to be as suddenly hit by an ordinary Archer The vicious and polluted liues of Priests yeeldeth matter of it selfe in many things deseruing speech and reprehension as a true But of wickednesse and well worthy to be sharply shot at And therefore though that honest meaning man did wisely in touching Master Inquisitor to the quicke with the hypocriticall charity of Monkes and Friars in giuing such things to the poore as were more meete for swine or to be worse throwne away yet I hold him more to be commended who by occasion of a former tale and which I purpose to relate pleasantly reproued Master Can de la Scala a Magnifico and mightie Lord for a sudden and vnaccustomed couetousnesse appearing in him figuring by other men that which he intended to say of him in manner following Master Can de la Scala as fame ranne abroade of him in all places was beyond the infinite fauours of Fortune towards him one of the most notable and magnificent Lords that euer liued in Italy since the dayes of Fredericke the second Emperour He determining to procure a very solemne assembly at Verona and many people being met there from diuers places especially Gentlemen of all degrees suddenly vpon what occasion I know not his minde altered and hee would not goe forward with his intention Most of them hee partly recompenced which were come thither and they dismissed to depart at their pleasure one onely man remained vnrespected or in any kinde sort sent away whose name was Bergamino a man very pleasantly disposed and so wittily ready in speaking and answering as none could easily credit it but such as heard him and although his recompence seemed ouer long delayed yet hee made no doubt of a beneficiall ending By some enemies of his Master Can de la Scala was incensed that whatsoeuer he gaue or bestowed on him was as ill imployed and vtterly lost as if it were throwne into the fire and therefore he neither did or spake any thing to him Some fewe dayes being passed ouer and Bergamino perceiuing that hee was neither called nor any account made of notwithstanding many manly good parts in him obseruing beside that hee found a shrewd consumption in his purse his Inne horses and seruants being chargeable to him he begâ—n to grow extremely melancholly and yet hee attended in expectation day by day as thinking it farre vnfitting for him to depart before he was bidden farewell Hauing brought with him thither three goodly rich garments which had beene giuen him by sundry Lords for his more sightly appearance at this great meeting the importunate Host being greedy of payment first he deliuered him one of them and yet not halfe the score being wiped off the second must needes follow and beside except he meant to leaue his lodging hee must liue vpon the third so long as it would last till hee saw what end his hopes would sort to It fortuned during the time of liuing thus vpon his latest refuge that he met with Maister Can one day at dinner where he presented himselfe before him with a discontented countenance which Maister Can well obseruing more to distaste him then take delight in any thing that could come from him he said Bergamino how chearest thou Thou art very melancholly I pray thee tell vs why Bergamino suddenly without any premeditation yet seeming as if he had long considered thereon reported this Tale. Sir I haue heard of a certaine man named Primasso one skilfully learned in the Grammar and beyond all other a very witty and ready versifier in regard whereof he was so much admired and farre renowned that such as neuer saw him but onely heard of him could easily say this is Primasso It came to passe that being once at Paris in poore estate as commonly hee could light on no better fortune because vertue is slenderly rewarded by such as haue the greatest possessions he heard much fame of the Abbot of Clugni a man reputed next to the Pope to be the richest Prelate of the Church Of him he heard wonderfull and magnificent matters that he alwayes kept an open and hospitable Court and neuer made refusall of any from whence so euer hee came or went but they did eate and drinke freely there prouided that they came when the Abbot was set at the Table Primasso hearing this and being an earnest desirer to see magnificent and vertuous men he resolued to goe see this rare bounty of the Abbot demaunding how far he dwelt from Paris Being answered about some three leagues thence Primasso made account that if he went on betimes in the morning he should easily reach thither before the houre for dinner Being instructed in the way and not finding any to walke along with him fearing if he went without some furnishment and should stay long there for his dinner he might perhaps complaine of hunger he therefore caried three loaues of bread with him knowing that he could meete with water euery where albeit he vsed to drinke but little Hauing aptly conuayed his bread about him he went on his iourney and arriued at the Lord Abbots Court an indifferent while before dinner time wherfore entring into the great Hall and so from place to place beholding the great multitude of Tables bountifull preparation in the Kitchin and what admirable prouision there was for dinner he said to himselfe Truly this man is more magnificent then Fame hath made him because shee speakes too sparingly of him While thus he went about considering on all these things he saw the Maister of the Abbots houshold because then it was the houre of dinner commaund water to be brought for washing hands and euery one sitting downe at the Table it fell to the lot of Primasso to sit directly against the doore whereat the Abbot must enter into the Hall The custome in this Court was such that no foode should be serued to any of the Tables vntill the Lord Abbot was himselfe first sette whereupon euery thing being fitte and readie the Maister of the houshold went to tell his Lord that nothing now wanted but his presence onely The Abbot comming from his Chamber to enter the Hall looking about him as hee was wont to doe the first man hee saw was Primasso who being but in homely habite and he hauing not seene him before to his remembrance a present bad conceite possessed his braine that he neuer saw an vnworthier person saying within himselfe See how I giue my goods away to be deuoured So returning backe to his Chamber againe commaunded the doore to be made fast demaunding of euery man neere about him if they knew the base Knaue that sate before his entrance into the Hall and all his seruants answered no. Primasso being extreamely hungry with trauailing on foote so farre and neuer vsed to fast so long expecting still when meate would be serued
did beat him as meaning to leaue no life in him which Stechio and Marquiso seeing considered with themselues that they were likewise in a desperate case and therfore fearing to be as much misvsed they cryed out among the rest Kill the counterfet knaue lay on loade and spare him not neuerthelesse they tooke care how to get him out of the peoples handes as doubting least they would kill him indeede by their extreame violence Sodainly Marquiso bethought him how to do it and proceeded thus All the Sergeants for Iustice standing at the Church doore hee ran with all possible speede to the Potestates Lieutenant and said vnto him Good my Lord Iustice helpe me in an hard case yonder is a villaine that hath cut my purse I desire he may bee brought before you that I may haue my money againe He hearing this sent for a dozen of the Sergeants who went to apprehend vnhappy Martellino and recouer him from the peoples fury leading him on with them to the Palace no meane crowds thronging after him when they heard that he was accused to bee a Cutpurse Now durst they meddle no more with him but assisted the Officers some of them charging him in like manner that he had cut theyr purses also Vpon these clamours and complaints the Potestates Lieutenant being a man of rude quality tooke him sodainly aside and examined him of the crimes wherewith he was charged But Martellino as making no account of these accusations laughed and returned scoffing answeres Whereat the Iudge waxing much displeased deliuered him ouer to the Strappado and stood by himselfe to haue him confesse the crimes imposed on him and then to hang him afterward Beeing let downe to the ground the Iudge still demaunded of him whether the accusations against him were true or no Affirming that it nothing auayled him to deny it whereupon hee thus spake to the Iudge My Lord I am heere ready before you to confesse the truth but I pray you demaund of all them that accuse me when and where I did cut their purses then I wil tell you that which as yet I haue not done otherwise I purpose to make you no more answers Well quoth the Iudge thou requirest but reason calling diuers of the accusers one of them saide that he lost his purse eight dayes before another saide six another foure and some saide the very same day Which Martellino hearing replyed My Lord they al lie in their throats as I will plainly proue before you I would to God I had neuer set foote within this City as it is not many houres since my first entrance and presently after mine arriuall I went in an euill houre I may say for me to see the Saints body where I was thus beaten as you may beholde That all this is true which I say vnto you the Seigneuries Officer that keeps your Booke of presentations will testifie for me as also the Host where I am lodged Wherefore good my Lord if you finde all no otherwise then as I haue said I humbly entreate you that vpon these bad mens reportes and false informations I may not be thus tormented and put in perill of my life While matters proceeded in this manner Marquiso and Stechio vnderstanding how roughly the Potestates Lieutenant dealt with Martellino and that he had already giuen him the Strappado were in heauy perplexity saying to themselues we haue carried this businesse very badly redeeming him out of the Frying-pan and flinging him into the Fire Whereupon trudging about from place to place meeting at length with their Host they told him truly how all had happened whereat hee could not refraine from laughing Afterward he went with them to one Master Alexander Agolante who dwelt in Treuers and was in great credite with the Cities cheefe Magistrate to whom hee related the whole Discourse all three earnestly entreating him to commisserate the case of poore Martellino Master Alexander after he had laughed heartily at this hotte peece of seruice went with him to the Lord of Treuers preuailing so vvell with him that he sent to haue Martellino brought before him The Messengers that went for him found him standing in his shirt before the Iudge very shrewdly shaken with the Strappado trembling and quaking pittifully For the Iudge would not heare any thing in his excuse but hating him perhaps because hee was a Florentine flatly determined to haue him hangde by the necke and would not deliuer him to the Lorde vntill in meere despight he was compeld to do it The Lord of Treuers when Martellino came before him and had acquainted him truly with euery particular Master Alexander requested that he might be dispatched thence for Florence because he thought the halter to be about his necke and that there was no other helpe but hanging The Lord smiling a long while at the accident causing Martellino to be handsomely apparrelled deliuering them also his Passe they escaped out of further danger and tarried no where till they came vnto Florence Rinaldo de Este after he was robbed by Theeues arriued at Chasteaâ— Guillaume where he was friendly lodged by a faire widdow and recompenced likewise for all his losses returning afterward safe and well home vnto his owne house The second Nouell Whereby wee may learne that such things as sometime seeme hurtfull to vs may turne to our benefit and commodity MVch merriment was among the Ladies hearing this Tale of Martellinos misfortunes so familiarly reported by Madam Neiphila and of the men it was best respected by Philostratus who sitting neerest vnto Neiphila the Queene commanded his Tale to be the next when presently he began to speake thus Gracious Ladies I am to speake of vniuersall occasions mingled with some misfortunes in part and partly with matters leaning to loue as many times may happen to such people that trace the dangerous pathes of amorous desires or haue not learned perfectly to say S. Iulians pater noster hauing good beds of their owne yet casually meete with worser lodging In the time of Azzo Marquesse of Ferrara there was a Marchant named Rinaldo de Este who being one day at Bologna about some especiall businesse of his owne his occasions there ended and riding from thence towards Verona he fell in company with other Horsemen seeming to be Merchants like himselfe but indeede were Theeues men of most badde life and conuersation yet he hauing no such mistrust of them rode on conferring with them very familiarly They perceiuing him to be a Merchant and likely to haue some store of money about him concluded betweene themselues to rob him so soone as they found apt place and opportunity But because he should conceiue no such suspition they rode on like modest men talking honestly friendly with him of good parts and disposition appearing in him offering him all humble and gracious seruice accounting themselues happy by his companie as hee returned the same courtesie to them because he was alone and but one
knowing otherwise but that shee was his wife indeede Now it fortuned that there arriued also at the same Baffa about some especiall occasions of his a Gentleman whose name was Antigonus well stept into yeares and better stored with wisedome then wealth because by medling in many matters while hee followed the seruice of the King of Cyprus Fortune had beene very aduerse to him This ancient Gentleman passing on a day by the house where the Lady lay and the Merchant being gone about his businesse into Armenia hee chanced to see the Lady at a window of the house and because shee was very beautifull he obserued her the more aduisedly recollecting his sences together that doubtlesse he had seene her before but in what place hee could not remember The Lady her selfe likewise who had so long time beene Fortunes tennis ball and the terme of her many miseries drawing now neere ending began to conceiue vpon the very first sight of Antigonus that she had formerly seene him in Alexandria seruing her Father in place of great degree Hereupon a suddaine hope perswaded her that by the aduice and furtherance of this Gentleman she should recouer her wonted Royall condition and opportunity now aptly fitting her by the absence of her pretended Merchant husband she sent for him requesting to haue a few words with him When he was come into the house she bashfully demanded of him if he was not named Antigonus of Famagosta because shee knew one like him so called Hee answered that he was so named saying moreouer Madame me thinkes that I should know you but I cannot remember where I haue seene you wherefore I would entreate if it might stand with your good liking that my memory might be quickned with better knowledge of you The Lady perceiuing him to be the man indeede weeping incessantly she threw her armes about his necke and soone after asked Antigonus who stood as one confounded with meruaile if hee had neuer seene her in Alexandria Vpon these words Antigonus knew her immediately to be Alathiella daughter to the great Soldane who was supposed long since to be drowned in the Sea and offering to doe her such reuerence as became him she would not permit him but desired that he would be assistant to her and willed him also to sit downe a while by her A goodly Chaire being brought him in very humble manner he demanded of her what had become of her in so long a time because it was verily beleeued throughout all Egypt that shee was drowned in the Sea I would it had bin so answered the Lady rather then to leade such a life as I haue done and I thinke my Father himselfe would wish it so if euer he should come to the knowledge thereof With these words the teares rained downe her faire cheekes wherefore Antigonus thus spake vnto her Madame discomfort not your selfe before you haue occasion but if you be so pleased relate your passed accidents to mee and what the course of your life hath bene perhaps I shall giue you such friendly aduice as may stand you in sted and no way be iniurious to you Fetching a sigh euen as if her heart would haue split in sunder thus she replyed Ah Antigonus me thinkes when I looke on thee I seeme to behold my royall Father and therefore mooued with the like religious zeale and charitable loue as in duty I owe vnto him I will make knowne to thee what I rather ought to conceale and hide from any person liuing I know thee to bee honourable discreete and truely wise though I am a fraile simple and weake woman therefore I dare discouer to thee rather then any other that I know by what straunge and vnexpected misfortunes I haue liued so long obscurely in the world And if in thy great and graue iudgement after the hearing of my many miseries thou canst any way restore me to my former estate I pray thee do it but if thou perceiue it impossible to bee done as earnestly likewise I entreate thee neuer to reueale to any liuing person that either thou hast seene me or heard any speech of me After these words the teares still streaming from her faire eyes shee recounted the whole passage of her rare mishaps euen from her shipwracke in the Sea of Maiorica vntil that very instant houre speaking them in such harsh manner as they hapned and not sparing any iot of them Antigonus being mooued to much compassion declared how hee pitied her by his teares and hauing bene silent an indifferent while as considering in this case what was best to be done thus he began Madam seeing you haue past through such a multitude of misfortunes yet vndiscouered what and who you are I will render you as blamelesse to your Father and estate you as fairely in his loue as at the hour when you parted from him and afterward make you wife to the King of Cholcos She demanding of him by what meanes possibly this could be accomplished breefely he made it knowne to her how and in what manner hee would performe it To cut off futther tedious circumstances forthwith he returned to Famagosta and going before the King of the country thus he spake to him Sir you may if so you will be pleased in an instant do me an exceeding honor who haue bene impouerished by your seruice and also a deed of great renowne to your selfe without any much matter of expence and cost The King demanding how Antigonus thus answered The fayre daughter of the Soldane so generally reported to be drowned is arriued at Baffa and to preserue her honour from blemishing hath suffered many crosses and calamities being at this instant in very poore estate yet desirous to re-visite her father If you please to send her home vnder my conduct it will be great honour to you and no meane benefite to mee which kindnesse will for euer be thankfully remembred by the Soldan The King in royall magnificence replied sodainly that he was highly pleased with these good tydings hauing sent honourably for her from Baffa with great pompe she was conducted to Famagosta and there most graciously welcommed both by the King and Queene with solemne triumphes bankets and reuelling performed in most Maiesticke manner Being questioned by the King and Queene concerning so large a time of strange misfortunes according as Antigonus had formerly enstructed her so did she shape the forme of her answers and satisfied with honor all their demands So within few dayes after vpon her earnest instant request with an honourable traine of Lords and Ladies shee was sent thence and conducted all the way by Antigonus vntill she came vnto the Soldans Court. After some few dayes of her reposing there the Soldan was desirous to vnderstand how she could possibly liue so long in any Kingdome or Prouince whatsoeuer and yet no knowledge to bee taken of her The Lady who perfectly retained by heart and had all her lessons at her fingers ends by the warie
fixed in the place appointed to his no meane torment he not onely died but likewise was deuoured to the bare bones by Flyes Waspes and Hornets whereof the Countrey notoriously aboundeth And his bones in full forme and fashion remained strangely blacke for a long while after knit together by the sinewes as a witnesse to many thousands of people which afterward beheld his carkasse of his wickednesse against so good and vertuous a woman that had not so much as a thought of any euill towards him And thus was the Prouerbe truly verified that shame succeedeth after vgly sinne and the deceiuer is trampled and trod by such as himselfe hath deceiued Pagammo da Monaco a rouing Pirate on the Seas caried away the faire Wife of Signior Ricciardo di Chinzica who vnderstanding where shee was went thither and falling into friendship with Pagamino demaunded his Wife of him whereto he yeelded prouided that shee would willingly goe away with him She denied to part thence with her Husband and Signior Ricciardo dying she became the Wife of Pagamino The tenth Nouell Wherein olde men are wittily reprehended that will match themselues with younger women then is fit for their yeares and insufficiencie neuer considering what afterward may happen to them EVery one in this honest and gracious assembly most highly commended the Nouell recounted by the Queene but especially Dioneus who remained to finish that dayes pleasure with his owne discourse and after many praises of the former tale were past thus he began Faire Ladies part of the Queenes Nouell hath made an alteration of my minde from that which I intended to proceede next withall and therefore I will report another I cannot forget the vnmanly indiscretion of Bernardo but much more the base arrogancie of Ambroginolo how iustly deserued shame fell vpon him as well it may happen to all other that are so vile in their owne opinions as he apparantly approued himselfe to be For as men wander abroade in the world according to their occasions in diuersity of Countries and obseruation of the peoples behauiour so are their humours as variously transported And if they finde women wantonly disposed abroade the like iudgement they giue of their wiues at home as if they had neuer knowne their birth and breeding or made proofe of their loyall carriage towards them Wherefore the Tale that I purpose to relate will likewise condemne all the like kinde of men but more especially such as suppose themselues to be endued with more strength then Nature euer meant to bestow vpon them foolishly beleeuing that they can couer and satisfie their owne defects by fabulous demonstrations and thinking to fashion other of their owne complexions that are meerely strangers to such grosse follies Let me tell you then that there liued in Pisa about some hundred yeeres before Tuscanie Liguria came to embrace the Christian Faith a Iudge better stored with wisdome and ingenuity then corporall abilities of the body â—e being named Signior Ricciardo di Cinzica He being more then halfe perswaded that he could content a woman with such satisfaction as he daily bestowed on his studies being a widdower and extraordinarily wealthy laboured with no meane paines and endeauour to enioy a faire and youthfull wife in marriage both which qualities he should much rather haue auoyded if he could haue ministred as good counsell to him as he did to others resorting to him for aduice Vpon this his amorous and diligent inquisition it came so to passe that a worthy Gentleman called Bertolomea one of the very fairest and choysest young Maides in Pisa whose youth did hardly agree with his age but mucke was the motiue of this mariage and no expectation of mutuall contentment The Iudge being maried and the Bride brought solemnly home to his house we need make no question of braue cheare banqueting wel furnished by their friends on either side other matters were now hammering in the Iudges head for though he could please all his Clyents with counsell yet now such a sute was commenced against himself and in Beauties Court of continual requests that the Iudge failing in plea for his owne defence was often non-suited by lacke of answer yet he wanted neither good wines drugges and all restauratiues to comfort the heart and encrease good blood but all auayled not in this case But well fare a good courage where performance faileth he could liberally commend his passed iouiall dayes and make a promise of as faire felicities yet to come because his youth would renew it selfe like to the Eagle and his vigour in as full force as before But beside all these idle allegations he would needs instruct his wife in an Almanack or Calender which long before he had bought at Rauenna and wherein he plainely shewed her that there was not any one day in the yeere but it was dedicated to some Saint or other In reuerence of whom and for their sakes he approued by diuers arguments reasons that a man his wife ought to abstaine from bedding together Hereto he added that those Saints dayes had their fasts feasts beside the foure seasons of the yeere the vigils of the Apostles and a thousand other holy dayes with Fridayes Saturdayes Sundayes in honor of our Lords rest and all the sacred time of Lent as also certaine obseruations of the Moone infinite other exceptions beside thinking perhaps that it was as conuenient for men to refraine from their wiues conuersation as he did often times from sitting in the Court These were his daily documents to his young wife wherewith with poore soule she became so tired as nothing could be more irksome to her and very careful she was lest any other shold teach her what beloÌ„ged to working daies because he wold haue herknow none but holidaies Afterwaâ—d it came to passe that the season waxing extremely hot Signior Ricciardo would goe recreate himselfe at his house in the Countrey neere vnto the black Mountaine where for his faire wiues more contentment he continued diuers dayes together And for her further recreation he gaue order to haue a day of fishing he going aboard a small Pinnace among the Fishers and shee was in another consorted with diuers other Gentlewomen in whose company shee shewed her selfe very well pleased Delight made them launch further into the Sea then either the Iudge was willing they should haue done or agreed with respect of their owne safety For suddenly a Galliot came vpon them wherein was one Pagamino a Pyrate very famous in those dayes who espying the two Pinnaces made out presently to them and seized on that wherein the women were When he beheld there so faire a young woman he coueted after no other purchase but mounting her into his Galliot in the sight of Signior Ricciardo who by this time was fearefully landed he caried her away with him When Signior Iudge had seene this theft he being so iealous of his wife as scarcely he would let the ayre
not at this time only but at many other meetings beside gaue the Countesse free possession of her husbands pleasures yet alwayes in such darke and concealed secrecie as it was neuer suspected nor knowne by any but themselues the Count lying with his owne wife and disappointed of her whom he more deerely loued Alwayes at his vprising in the mornings which vsually was before the breake of day for for preuenting the least scruple of suspition many familiar conferences passed betweene them with the gifts of diuers faire and costly Iewels all which the Countesse carefully kept and perceiuing assuredly that shee was conceiued with childe she would no longer bee troublesome to the good old Lady but calling her aside spake thus to her Madam I must needs giue thankes to heauen and you because my desires are amply accomplished and both time and your deserts doe iustly challenge that I should accordingly quite you before my departure It remaineth nowe in your owne power to make what demand you please of me which yet I will not giue you by way of reward because that would seeme to bee base and mercenary but onely whatsoeuer you shall receiue of me is in honourable recompence of faire vertuous deseruings such as any honest and well-minded Lady in the like distresse may with good credit allow and yet no preiudice to her reputation Although pouerty might well haue tutored the Ladies tongue to demand a liberall recompence for her paines yet she requested but an 100 pounds as a friendly helpe towards her daughters marriage and that with a bashfull blushing was vttered too yet the Countesse gaue hir fiue hundred pounds beside so many rich and costly Iewels as amounted to a farre greater summe So she returned to her wonted lodging at the aged widdowes house where first she was entertained at her comming to Florence and the good old Lady to auoide the Counts repairing to her house any more departed thence sodainly with her daughter to diuers friends of hers that dwelt in the Country whereat the Count was much discontented albeit afterward he did neuer heare any more tidings of hir or her daughter who was worthily married to her Mothers great comfort Not long after Count Bertrand was re-called home by his people and he hauing heard of his wiues absence went to Roussillion so much the more willingly And the Countesse knowing her husbands departure from Florence as also his safe arriuall at his owne dwelling remained still in Florence vntill the time of her deliuerance which was of two goodly Sonnes liuely resembling the lookes of their Father and all the perfect lineaments of his body Perswade your selues she was not a little carefull of their nursing and when she saw the time answerable to her determination she tooke her iourney vnknowne to any and arriued with them at Montpellier where shee rested her selfe for diuers dayes after so long and wearisome a iourney Vpon the day of all Saints the Count kept a solemne Festiuall for the assembly of his Lords Knights Ladies and Gentlewomen vppon which Iouiall day of generall reioycing the Countesse attired in her wonted Pilgrimes weed repaired thither entering into the great Hall where the Tables were readily couered for dinner Preassing thorough the throng of people with her two children in her armes she presumed vnto the place where the Count sate falling on her knees before him the teares trickling abundantly downe her checkes thus she spake Worthy Lord I am thy poor despised and vnfortunate wife who that thou mightst returne home and not bee an exile from thine owne abiding haue thus long gone begging through the world Yet now at length I hope thou wilt be so honourably-minded as to performe thine own too strict imposed conditions made to the two Knights which I sent vnto thee and which by thy command I was enioyned to do Behold here in mine armes not onely one Sonne by thee begotten but two Twins and thy Ring beside High time is it now if men of honor respect their promises that after so long and redious trauell I should at last bee welcommed as thy true wife The Counte hearing this stoode as confounded with admiration for full well he knew the Ring and both the children were so perfectly like him as he was confirmed to be their Father by generall iudgement Vpon his vrging by what possible meanes this could be broght to passe the Countesse in presence of the whole assembly and vnto her eternall commendation related the whole history euen in such manner as you haue formerly heard it Moreouer she reported the priuate speeches in bed vttered betweene himselfe and her being witnessed more apparantly by the costly Iewels there openly shewn All which infallible proofes proclaiming his shame and her most noble carriage to her husband hee confessed that she had told nothing but the truth in euery point which she had reported Commending her admirable constancy excellency of wit sprightly courage in making such a bold aduenture hee kissed the two sweete boyes and to keepe his promise whereto he was earnestly importuned by all his best esteemed friends there present especially the honourable Ladies who would haue no deniall but by forgetting his former harsh and vnciuill carriage towardes her to accept her for euer as his lawfull wife folding her in his armes and sweetly kissing her diuers times together he bad her welcome to him as his vertuous loyall most louing wife and so for euer after he would acknowledge her Well knew he that she had store of better beseeming garments in the house and therefore requested the Ladies to walke with her to her Chamber to vncase her of those pilgrimes weeds and cloath her in her owne more sumptuous garments euen those which she wore on her wedding day because that was not the day of his contentment but onely this for now he confessed her to be his wife indeede and now he would giue the King thanks for her and now was Count Bertrand truly married to the faire Iuliet of Narbona The wonderfull and chaste resolued continency of faire Serictha daughter to Siwalde King of Denmark who being sought and sued vnto by many worthy persons that did affect her dearly would not looke any man in the face vntill such time as she was married The tenth Nouell A very singular and worthy president for all yong Ladies and Gentlewomen not rashly to bestow themselues in mariage without the knowledge and consent of their Parents and Friends DIoneus hauing diligently listened to the Queens singular discourse so soone as she had concluded and none now remaining but himselfe to giue a full period vnto that dayes pleasure without longer trifling the time or expecting any command from the Queene thus he began Gracious Ladies I know that you do â—ow expect from me some such queint Tale as shall be suteable to my merry disposition rather sauouring of wantonnesse then any discreet and sober wisedom and such a purpose indeed I once had
ladder to the strong stumpe of a tree being closely by it by meanes of the saide ladder he descended downe into the caue and there attended the comming of his Lady She on the morrow morning pretending to her waiting woman that she was scarsly well and therefore would not be diseased the most part of that day commanded them to leaue her alone in her Chamber and not to returne vntill she called for them locking the doore her selfe for better security Then opened she the doore of the caue and going downe the staires found there her amorous friend Guiscardo whom she saluting with a chaste and modest kisse caused him to ascend vp the stayres with her into her chamber This long desired and now obtained meeting caused the two deerely affecting Louers in kinde discourse of amorous argument without inciuill or rude demeanor to spend there the most part of that day to their hearts ioy and mutuall contentment And hauing concluded on their often meeting there in this cunning concealed sort Guiscardo went downe into the caue againe the Princesse making the doore fast after him and then went forth among her Women So in the night season Guiscardo ascended vppe againe by his Ladder of cords and couering the loope-hole with brambles and bushes returned vnseene of any to his owne lodging the caue being afterward guilty of their often meeting there in this manner But Fortune who hath alwayes bin a fatall enemy to louers stolne felicities became enuious of their thus secret meeting and ouerthrew in an instant all their poore happinesse by an accident most spightfull and malicious The King had vsed diuers dayes before after dinner time to resort all alone to his daughters Chamber there conuersing with her in most louing manner One vnhappy day amongst the rest when the Princesse being named Ghismonda was sporting in her priuat Garden among her Ladies the King at his wonted time went to his daughters Chamber being neither heard or seene by any Nor would he haue his daughter called from her pleasure but finding the windowes fast shut and the Curtaines close drawne about the bed he sate downe in a chaire behind it and leaning his head vpon the bed his body being couered with the curtaine as if he hid himselfe purposely hee mused on so many matters vntill at last he sell fast asleepe It hath bin obserued as an ancient Adage that when disasters are ordained to any one commonly they proue to be ineuitable as poore Ghismonda could witnesse too well For while the King thus slept shee hauing vnluckily appointed another meeting with Guiscardo left hir Gentlewomen in the Garden and stealing softly into her Chamber hauing made all fast and sure for being descried by any person opened the doore to Guiscardo who stood there ready on the staire-head awaiting his entrance and they sitting downe on the bed side according as they were wont to do began their vsuall kinde conference againe with sighes and louing kisses mingled among them It chanced that the King awaked both hearing and seeing this familiarity of Guiscardo with his Daughter he became extreamly confounded with greefe therat Once he intended to cry out for helpe to haue them both there apprehended but he helde it a part of greater wisedome to sit silent still and if hee could to keepe himselfe so closely concealed to the end that he might the more secretly and with far lesse disgrace to himselfe performe what hee had rashly intended to do The poore discouered Louers hauing ended their amorous interparlance without suspition of the Kings being so neer in person or any els to betray their ouer-confident trust Guiscardo descended againe into the Caue and she leauing the Chamber returned to her women in the Garden all which Tancrede too well obserued and in a rapture of fury departed vnseene into his owne lodging The same night about the houre of mens first sleepe and according as he had giuen order Guiscardo was apprehended euen as he was comming forth of the loope-hole in his homely leather habite Very closely was he brought before the King whose heart was swolne so great with greefe as hardly was hee able to speake notwithstanding at the last he began thus Guiscardo the loue respect I haue vsed towards thee hath not deserued the shameful wrong which thou hast requited me withall and as I haue seene with mine owne eyes this day Whereto Guiscardo could answer nothing else but onely this Alas my Lord Loue is able to do much more then either you or I. Whereupon Tancrede commanded that he should bee secretly well guarded in a neere adioyning Chamber and on the next day Ghismonda hauing as yet heard nothing heereof the Kings braine being infinitely busied and troubled after dinner and as he often had vsed to do he went to his daughters chamber where calling for her and shutting the doores closely to them the teares trickling downe his aged white beard thus he spake to her Ghismonda I was once grounded in a setled perswasion that I truely knew thy vertue and honest integrity of life and this beleefe could neuer haue bene altred in mee by any sinister reports whatsoeuer had not mine eyes seene and mine eares heard the contrary Nor did I so much as conceiue a thought either of thine affection or priuate conuersing with any man but onely he that was to be thy husband But now I my selfe being able to auouch thy folly imagine what an heart-breake this will be to me so long as life remaineth in this poore weak and aged body Yet if needs thou must haue yeelded to this wanton weakenesse I would thou hadst made choise of a man answerable to thy birth Nobility whereas on the contrary among so many worthy spirits as resort to my Court thou likest best to conuerse with that silly yong man Guiscardo one of very meane and base descent and by mee euen for Gods sake from his very youngest yeares brought vppe to this instant in my Court wherein thou hast giuen me much affliction of minde and so ouerthrowne my senses as I cannot wel imagine how I should deale with thee For him whom I haue this night caused to be surprized euen as he came forth of your close contriued conueyance and detaine as my prisoner I haue resolued how to proceed with him but concerning thy selfe mine oppressions are so many and violent as I know not what to say of thee One way thou hast meerly murthered the vnfeigned affection I bare thee as neuer any father could expresse more to his child and then againe thou hast kindled a most iust indignation in me by thine immodest and wilfull folly and whereas Nature pleadeth pardon for the one yet iustice standeth vp against the other and vrgeth cruell seuerity against thee neuerthelesse before I will determine vpon any resolution I come purposely first to heare thee speake and what thou canst say for thy selfe in a bad case so desperate and dangerous Hauing thus spoken he
rare inuention The lacke of these being life and motion giuing Are sencelesse shapes and no true signes of liuing Eyes when you gazde vpon her Angell beauty Eares while you heard her sweete delicious straines Thoughts sleeping then did yet performe their duty Wit then tooke springtly pleasure in his paines While shee did liue then none of these were scanting But now being dead they all are gone and wanting After that Dioneus by proceeding no further declared the finishing of his Song many more were sung beside and that of Dioneus highly commended Some part of the night being spent in other delightfull exercises and a fitting houre for rest drawing on they betooke themselues to their Chambers where we will leaue them till to morrow morning The end of the Fifth Day FINIS The Errata of such faults as haue vnwillingly escaped in the Printing Folio a. b. the seuerall sides Line correction FOl. 4. a. Line 32 for been reputed reade haue reputed 5 b. 8 for twaining r. wauing 7 b. 6. for fearefully r. fairely Eod. b. 18 for flames r. floures 12 b. 24 for Nigilles r. Vigilles 14 a. 39 for within himselfe r. saide within himselfe Eod. b. 14 for shift r. shrift Eod. b. 22 for Daughters doore r. Dorter doore Eod. b. 35 for veniall r. veneriall 21. a. 12 for paired r. payed 28 b. 20 for commanding r. commanded 29 b. 29 for for the r. forth 33 a. 19 for ensignes r. engines 37 b. 12 for great r. greater Eod. b. 13 for death r. depth 39 a. 2 for some doe r. seene some doe 40 b. 26 for Naupertuis r. Malpertuis 46 a. 3 for instrust r. enstruct Eod. b. 20 for he r. she 47 b. 3 for his r. their Eod. b. 17 for the two with her children r. the two children with her 48 a. 4 for houres r. yeeres Eod. a. 42 for who r. and 4â— a. 5 for iniuries which r. iniuries are which Eod. a. 8 for Gentlewoman r. Gentlemen Eod. b. 5 for was as a little r. was not a little 52 a. 21 for badly r. kindly Eod b. 35 for Gentlewoman r. Gentleman Eod b. vlt. for them r. him 53 b. 11 for instructing r. mistructing 55 a. 31 for Duke r. Prince 56 a. 42 for horse r. force Eod. b. 41 for not so far r. now so far 64 a. 19 for both r. loth 68 a. 22 for eare r. Earle Eod. a. 26 for Ambrosio r. Ambroginolo Eod. b. 32 for name r. owne 70 a. 14 for vnapt r. iumpt 74 b. 30 for he r. her Eod. b. 16 for him r. himselfe Eod. b. 19 for Gentleman r. Gentlewoman 75 a. 2 for she was r. he was 77 b. vlt. for parted r. played 78 b 16 for with r. them with 81 b. 34 for an easie r. such an easie 82 a. 39 for mine r. nine Eod. b. 40 for meanes r. craft 90. a. 18 for must r. he must Eod a â—9 for is a great r. is no great Eod b. 31 for mighty r. nightly 85 a 20 for her selfe r. turning her selfe Eob b 24 for and onely r sauing onely 86 a. 8 9 reade thus If I should do any thing contrary to his liking and honour no woman could more worthily c. 91 a. 14 for asking r. looking Eod. b. 22 for house r. horse 96 b. 19 for husband r. father 98 b. 40 for hath not r. hath 99 a. 7 for repeate r. repent 101 a. 14 for vndergoe r. vndergoe it Eod. b. 8 for Hostesse r. Hostes 102 a. 41 for and r. or 104 b. 40 for hither r. come hither 105 a. 42 for darge r. darke 107 b. 27 for a King r. liking 114 b. 23 for your r. our 116 b. 12 for these r. then 118 a. 8 for no spare r. made no spare 122 a. 27 for mine respect r. mine owne respect Eod. a. 29 for honour r humours Eod. b. 13 for quickly r. quietly 155 a. 34 for and and r. one Eod. b. 27 for she r. he 156 a. 10 for shame r. flame 158 a. 4 for writing r. waiting 159 a. 4 for like r. life Eod. a. 19 for diuert them r. diuert him 167 b. 22 for neighbours r. neighbors children 168 a. 24 for to experience r. to gaine experience 169 b. 9 for instantly r. constantly 170 b. 24 for receiued r. perceiued 187 a. 6 for imputed r. inured 190 a. 13 for places r. parts 191 a 5 for spared froÌ„ r. lodged Eod a. 26 for hardy r. hardly 192 b 22 for Forenza r. Faenza 194 b 7 for spake he r. speaketh THE Decameron CONTAINING An hundred pleasant Nouels Wittily discoursed betweene seuen Honourable Ladies and three Noble Gentlemen The last Fiue Dayes London Printed by Isaac Iaggard 1620. TO THE RIGHT HOnourable Sir PHILLIP HERBERT Knight Lord Baron of Shâ—rland Earle of Montgomery and Knight of the most Noble order of the Garter HAuing by your Honorable command translated this Decameron or Cento Nouelle sirnamed Il Principe Galeotto of ten dayes seuerall discourses grounded on variable and singuler Arguments happening betweene seauen Noble Ladies and three ver-Honourable Gentlemen Although not attyred in such elegant cy of phrase or nice curiosity of stile as a quicker and more sprightly wit could haue performed but in such home-borne language as my ability could stretch vnto yet it commeth in all duty to kisse your Noble hand and to shelter it selfe vnder your Gracious protection though not from the leering eye and ouer-lauish tongue of snarling Enuy yet from the power of his blasting poyson and malice of his machinations To the Reader BOokes Courteous Reader may rightly be compared to Gardens wherein let the painfull Gardiner expresse neuer so much care and diligent endeauour yet among the very fairest sweetest and freshest Flowers as also Plants of most precious Vertue ill sauouring and stinking Weeds fit for no vse but the fire or mucke-hill will spring and sprout vp So fareth it with Bookes of the very best quality let the Author bee neuer so indulgent and the Printer vigilant yet both may misse their ayme by the escape of Errors and Mistakes either in sense or matter the one fault ensuing by a ragged Written Copy and the other thorough want of wary Correction If then the best Bookes cannot be free from this common infirmity blame not this then of farre lighter argument wherein thy courtesie may helpe vs both His blame in acknowledging his more sufficiency then to write so grosse and absurdly And mine in pardoning vnwilling Errours committed which thy iudgement finding thy pen can as easily correct Farewell THE SIXT DAY Gouerned vnder the Authority of Madam Eliza and the Argument of the Discourses or Nouels there to be recounted doe concerne such persons who by some witty words when any haue checkt or taunted them haue reuenged themselues in a sudden vnexpected and discreet answere thereby preuenting losse danger scorne and disgrace retorting them on the busi-headed Questioners The Induction THe Moone haning past the heauen lost her bright splendor by
do offend any other For iealous husbands are meere insidiators of their Wiues liues and most diligent pursuers of their deaths being lockt vp in their houses all the Weeke long imployed in nothing but domesticke drudging affayres which makes them desirous of high Festiuall dayes to receiue some litle comfort abroad by an honest recreation or pastime as Husbandmen in the fields Artizans in our Citie or Gouernours in our iudiciall Courtes yea or as our Lord himselfe who rested the seauenth day from all his trauailes In like manner it is so willed and ordained by the Lawes as well diuine as humane which haue regard to the glory of God and for the common good of euery one making distinction betweene those dayes appointed for labour and the other determined for rest Whereto iealous persons in no case will giue consent but all those dayes which for other women are pleasing and delightfull vnto such ouer whom they command are most irksome sadde and sorrowful because then they are lockt vp and very strictly restrained And if question wer vrged how many good women do liue and consume away in this torturing hel of affliction I can make no other answere but such as feele it are best able to discouer it Wherefore to conclude the proheme to my present purpose let none be ouer rash in condemning women for what they do to their husbands being iealous without occasion but rather commend their wit and prouidence Somtime faire Ladies there liued in Arimino a Merchant very rich in wealth and worldly possessions who hauing a beautifull Gentlewoman to his wife he became extreamly ielous of her And he had no other reason for this foolish conceit but like as he loued hir dearly and found her to be very absolutely faire euen so he imagined that althogh she deuised by her best meanes to giue him content yet others would grow enamored of her because she appeared so amiable to al. In which respect time might tutor her to affect some other beside himselfe the onely common argument of euery bad minded man being weake and shallow in his owne vnderstanding This ielous humor increasing in him more and more he kept her in such narrow restraint that many persons condemned to death haue enioyed larger libertie in their imprisonment For she might not bee present at Feasts Weddings nor goe to Church or so much as to be seen at her doore Nay she durst not stand in her Window nor looke out of her house for any occasion whatsoeuer By means whereof life seemed most tedious and offensiue to her and she supported it the more impatiently because shee knew her selfe not any way faulty Seeing her husband still persist in this shamefull course towards her she studied how she might best comfort her selfe in this desolate case by deuising some one meane or other if any at all were to bee founde wherby he might be requited in his kind and wear that badge of shame whereof he was now but onely affraid And because she could not gain so small a permission as to be seene at any window where happily she might haue obserued some one passing by in the street discerning a litle parcell of her loue she remembred at length that in the next house to her Husbands they both ioyning close together there dwelt a comely yong proper Gentleman whose perfections carried correspondencie with her desires She also considered with her selfe that if there were any partition wall such a chinke or cranny might easily be made therein by which at one time or other she should gaine a sight of the young Gentleman and finde an houre so fitting as to conferre with him and bestow her louely fauour on him if he pleased to accept it If successe in this case proued answerable to her hope then thus she resolued to out-run the rest of her wearisome dayes except the frensie of iealousie did finish her husbands loathed life before Walking from one roome to another thorough euery part of the house and no wall escaping without diligent surueying on a day when her Husband was absent from home she espyed in a corner very secret an indifferent cleft in the Wall which though it yeelded no full view on the other side yet she plainly perceiued it to be an handsome Chamber and grew more then halfe perswaded that either it might be the Chamber of Philippo for so was the neighbouring yong Gentleman named or else a passage guiding thereto A Chambermaid of hers who compassioned her case very much made such obseruance by her Mistresses direction that she found it to be Philippoes bed Chamber and where alwayes he vsed to lodge alone By often visiting this rift or chinke in the Wall especially when the Gentleman was there and by throwing in little stones flowers and such like things which fell still in his way as he walked so farre she preuailed that he stepping to the chinke to know from whence they came shee called softly to him who knowing her voyce there they had such priuate conference together as was not any way displeasing to either So that the chinke being made a little larger yet so as it could not be easily discerned their mouthes might meete with kisses together and their hands folded each in other but nothing else to be performed for continuall feare of her ielous husband Now the Feast of Christmasse drawing neere the Gentlewoman said to her Husband that if it stood with his liking she would do such duty as fitted with so solemne a time by going earely in a morning vnto Church there to be confessed and receiue her Sauiour as other Christians did How now replied the iealous Asse what sinnes haue you committed that should neede confession How Husband quoth she what do you thinke me to be a Saint Who knoweth not I pray you that I am as subiect to sinne as any other Woman liuing in the world But my sins are not to be reuealed to you because you are no Priest These words enflamed his iealousie more violently then before and needes must he know what sinnes she had committed hauing resolued what to do in this case made her answer That hee was contented with her motion alwaies prouided that she went to no other Church then vnto their owne Chappel betimes in a morning and their own Chaplaine to confesse her or some other Priest by him appointed but not any other and then she to returne home presently againe She being a woman of acute apprehension presently collected his whole intention but seeming to take no knowledge thereof replyed that she would not swerue from his direction When the appointed day was come she arose very earely and being prepared answerable to her owne liking to the Chappell shee went as her Husband had appointed where her iealous Husband being much earlier risen then she attended for her comming hauing so ordred the matter with his Chaplaine that he was cloathed in his Cowle with a large Hood hanging ouer his eyes that she
shee wished her selfe to be dead and within some few dayes after she conferred againe with her Chamber-woman saying Lesca thou knowest well enough that the Oxe falleth not at the first blow of the Axe neither is the victory won vpon a silly and shallow aduenture Wherefore I thinke it conuenient that once more thou shouldst make another tryall of him who in preiudice to me standeth so strictly on his loyalty and choosing such an houre as seemeth most commodious soundly possesse him with my tormenting passions Bestirre thy Wittes and tippe thy tongue with a Womans eloquence to effect what I so earnestly desire because by languishing in this loue-sicke affliction it well bee the danger of my death and some seuere detriment to him to be the occasion of so great a losse Lesca comforted her Lady so much as lay in her power to doe and hauing sought for Pyrrhus whom she found at good leysure and in a pleasing humor thus she beganne Pyrrhus some few dayes since I tolde thee in what extreame Agonies thy Lady and mine was onely in regarde of her loue to thee and now again◠I come once more to giue thee further assurance thereof Wherefore beleeue it vnfeignedly that if thy obstinacie continne still in like manner as the other day it did expect very shortly to heare the tydings of her death It is my part therefore to entreat thee to comfort her long languishing desires but if thou persist in thy harsh opinion in stead of reputing thee a wise and fortunate yong man I shall confesse thee to bee an ignoraunt Asse What a glorie is it to thee to be affected of so faire and worthy a Lady beyond all men else what soeuer Next to this tell me how highly maist thou confesse thy selfe beholding to Fortune if thou but duly consider how shee hath elected thee as sole soueraigne of her hopes which is a crowne of honour to thy youth and a sufficieut refuge against all wants and necessities Where is any to thy knowledge like thy selfe that can make such aduantage of his time as thou maist do if thou wert wise Where canst thou find any one to go beyond thee in Armes Horses sumptuous garments and Gold as will be heaped on thee if Lydia may be the Lady of thy loue Open then thine vnderstanding to my words returne into thine owne soule and bee wise for thy selfe Remember Pyrrhus that Fortune presents her selfe but once before any one with cheerefull lookes and her lappe wide open of richest fauours where if choice be not quickely made before she folde it vp and turn her backe let no complaint afterward be made of her if the Fellow that had so faire an offer prooue to be miserable wretched and a Begger only thorow his owne negligence Beside what else hath formerly bin saide there is now no such neede of loyaltie in seruants to their Ladies as shonld be among deare Friends and Kindred but seruants ought rathee as best they may be such to their Masters as they are to them Doest thou imagine that if thou hadst a faire Wife Mother Daughter or Sister pleasing in the eye of our Nicostratus he would stand on such nice tearmes of duty or Loyaltie as now thou doest to his Ladie Thou went a verie foole to rest so perswaded Assure thy selfe that if entreaties and faire meanes might not preuaile force and compulsion whatsoeuer ensued thereon woulde winne the masterie Let vs then vse them and the commodities vnto them belonging as they would vs and ours Vse the benefit of thy Fortune beware of abusing her fauonr She yet smiles on thee but take heede least she turne her backe it will then be ouer-late to repent thy folly And if my Ladie die through thy disdaine be assured that thou canst not escape with life beside open shame and disgrace for euer Pyrrhus who had often considered on Lescaes first message concluded with himselfe that if any more she moued the same matter hee would returne her another kinde of answere wholly yeelding to content his Lady prouided that he might remaine assured concerning the intyre truth of the motion and that it was not vrged onely to trie him wherefore thus he replyed Lesca do not imagine mee so ignorant as not to know the certaintie of all thy former allegations confessing them as freely as thou doest or canst But yet let mee tell thee withall that I knowe my Lord to be wise and iudicious and hauing committed all his affaire 〈◊〉 my care and trust neuer blame mee to misdoubt least my Ladie by his counsell and aduice make thee the messenger of this motion therby to call my Fidelitie in question To cleare which doubt and for my further assurance of her well 〈◊〉 toward me if she wil vndertake the performance of three such things as I must needes require in this case I am afterward her owne in any seruice she can command me The first of them is that in the presence of my Lord and Master she kill his faire Faulcon which so dearly hee affecteth The second to send me a locke or tuft of his beard being puld away vvith her owne hand The third and last with the same hand also to pluck out one of his best and soundest feth and send it mee as her loues true token When I finde all these three effectually performed I am wholly hers not before These three strict impositions seemed to Lesca and her Ladie likewise almost beyond the compasse of all possibility Neuertheles Loue being a powerfull Oratour in perswading as also aduenturous euen on the most difficult dangers gaue her courage to vndertake them all sending Lesca backe againe to him with full assurance of these more then Herculean labours Moreouer her selfe did intend to adde a fourth taske in regard of his strong opinion concerning the great Wisedome of his Lord and Maister After she had effected all the other three she would not permit him to kisse her but before his Lords face which yet should be accomplished in such sort as Nicostratus himselfe should not beleeue it although apparantly he saw it Well quoth Pyrrhus when all these wonders are performed assure my Ladie that I am truelie hers Within a short while after Nicostratus made a solemne Feastiual according as yearely he vsed to doe in honour of his birth day inuiting many Lords and Ladies thereto On which reioycing day so soone as dinner was ended and the Tables withdrawne Lydia came into the great Hall where the Feast was solemnly kept very rich and costly apparrelled and there in presence of Pyrrhus and the whole assemblie going to the Perch whereon the Faulcone sate wherein her Husband tooke no little delight and hauing vntyed her as if shee meant to beare her on her Fist tooke her by the Iesses and beating her against the wal killed her Nicostratus beholding this called out aloud vnto her saying Alas Madame What haue you done She making him no answere but turning to the Lords and
Ladies which had dined there spake in this mander Ill should I take reuenge on a King that had offended me if I had not so much heart as to wreake my spleene on a paltry Hawke Vnderstand then worthy Lords and Ladies that this Faulcone hath long time robbed me of those delights which men in meere equitie ought to haue with their wiues because continually so soone as breake of day hath appeared my Husband starting out of bed makes himselfe readie presently to Horsse and with this Faulcon on his Fist rides abroad to his recreation in the Fields And I in such forsaken sort as you see am left all alone in my bed discontented and despised often vowing to my selfe to bee thus reuenged as now I am being with-held from it by no other occasion but onely want of a fit and apt time to do it in the presence of such persons as might bee iust Iudges of my wrongs and as I conceiue you all to be The Lords and Ladies hearing these words and beleeuing this deed of hers to be done no otherwise but out of her entire affection to Nicostratus according as her speeches sounded compassionately turning towards him who was exceedingly displeased and all smiling said Now in good sadnesse Sir Madame Lydia hath done well in acting her iust reuenge vpon the Hawke that bereft her of her Husbands kinde companie then which nothing is more precious to a louing wife and a hell it is to liue without it And Lydia being sodainly withdrawne into her chamber with much other friendly and familiar talke they conuerted the anger of Nicostratus into mirth and smiling Pyrrhus who had diligently obserued the whole cariage of this businesse saide to himselfe My Ladie hath begun well and proceeding on with no worse successe will no doubt bring her loue to an happy conclusion As for the Lady her selfe she hauing thus kild the Hawke it was no long while after but being in the Chamber with her husband and they conuersing familiarly together she began to iest with him hee in the like manner with her tickling and toying each the other till at the length she played with his beard and now she found occasion aptly seruing to effect the second taske imposed by Pyrrhus So taking fast hold on a small tuft of his beard she gaue a sodaine snatch and plucked it away quite from his chin Whereat Nicostratus beeing angerly moued she to appease his distaste pleasantly thus spake How now my Lord Why do you looke so frowningly What Are you angry for a few loose haires of your beard How then should I take it when you plucke mee by the haire of my head and yet I am not a iot discontented because I know you do it but in iesting manner These friendly speeches cut off all further contention and she kepte charily the tuft of her Husbands beard which the verie selfe-same day shee sent to Pyrrhus her hearts chosen friend But now concerning the third matter to be aduentured it droue her to a much more serious consideration then those two which shee had already so well and exactly performed Notwithstanding like a Ladie of vnconquerable spirit and in whom Loue enlarged his power more and more she sodainly conceited what course was best to bee kept in this case forming her attempt in this manner Vpon Nicostratus wayted two young Gentlemen as Pages of his Chamber whose Fathers had giuen them to his seruice to learne the manners of honourable Courtship and those qualities necessarily required in Gentlemen One of them when Nicostratus sate downe to dinner or supper stood in Office of his Caruer deliuering him all the meats whereon he fed The other as Taster attended on his Cup and he dranke no other drinke but what hee brought him and they both were highly pleasing vnto him On a day Lydia called these two youths aside and among some other speeches which serued but as an induction to her intended policy she perswaded them that their mouths yeelded an vnsauoury il-pleasing smell whereof their Lord seemed to take dislike Wherefore she aduised them that at such times as they attended on him in their seuerall places they should so much as possibly they could withdraw their heads aside from him because their breath might not be noyous vnto him But withall to haue an especiall care of not disclosing to any one what she had told them because out of meere loue she had acquainted them therewith which very constantly they beleeued and followed the same direction as she had aduised being loath to displease where seruice bound them to obey Choosing a time fitting for her purpose when Nicostratus was in priuate conference with her thus she began Sir you obserue not the behauiour of your two Pages when they wait on you at the Table Yes but I do wife quoth he how squemishly they turn their heads aside from me and it hath often bin in my minde to vnderstand a reason why they do so Seating her selfe by him as if shee had some weighty matter to tell him she proceeded in this manner Alas my Lord you shall not need to question them because I can sufficiently resolue you therein which neuerthelesse I haue long concealed because I would not be offensiue to you But in regard it is now manifestly apparant that others haue tasted what I immagined none but my selfe did I will no longer hide it from you Assuredly Sir there is a most strange and vnwonted ill-sauour continually issuing from your mouth smelling most noysomely and I wonder what should be tbe occasion In former times I neuer felt any such foule breathing to come from you and you who do daily conuerse with so many worthy persons should seeke meanes to be rid of so great an annoyance You say verie true wife answered Nicostratus and I protest to you on my Credite I feele no such ill smell neither know what should cause it except I haue som corrupted tooth in my mouth Perhaps Sir quoth she it may be so and yet you feele not the sauour which others do yea very offensiuely So walking with her to a Window he opened wide his mouth the which nicely shee surueyed on either side and turning her head from him as seeming vnable to endure the sauour starting and shrieking out alowd she said Santa Maria What a sight is this Alas my good Lord How could you abide this and for so long a while Heere is a tooth on this side which so farre as I can pereeiue is not onely hollow and corrupted but also wholly putrified and rotten and if it continue still in your head beleeue it for a truth that it will infect and spoile all the rest neere it I would therefore counsell you to let it be pluckt out before it breede your further danger I like your counsell well Lydia replyed Nicostratus and presently intend to follow it Let therefore my Barber be sent for and vvithout any longer delay he shall plucke it forth instantly
you for charities sake before thâ—â— pilfering knaue escape away from hence that I may haue Iustice against him for stealing my drawing-ouer stockeings which he stoutly denyeth yet mine owne eyes beheld the deed it being now not aboue fifteene dayes since when first I bought them for mine owne vse Worthy Lord Iudge cryed Ribi on the other side doe not beleeue what he saith for he is a paltry lying fellow and because hee knew I came hither to make my complaint for a Male or Cloakebag which he stole from me hee vrgeth this occasion for a paire of drawing Stockeings which he deliuered me with his owne hands If your Lordship will not credit me I can produce as witnesses Trecco the Shoemaker with Monna Grassa the Souse-seller and he that sweepes the Church of Santa Maria á Verzaia who saw him when he came posting hither Maso haling and tugging the Iudge by the sleeue would not suffer him to heare Ribi but cryed out still for Iustice against him as he did the like on the contrary side During the time of this their clamourous contending the Iudge being very willy willing to heare either party Matteuzzo vpon a signe receiued from the other which was a word in Masoes pleading laide holde on the broken boord as also on the Iudges low-hanging Breech plucking at them both so strongly that they fell downe immediately the Breeches being onely tyed but with one Poynt before He hearing the boards breaking vnderneath him and such maine pulling at his Breeches stroue as he sate to make them fast before but the Poynt being broken and Maso crying in his eare on the one side as Ribi did the like in the other hee was at his wits end to defend himselfe My Lord quoth Maso you may bee ashamed that you doe me not Iustice why will you not heare mee but wholly lend your eare to mine Aduersary My Lord said Ribi neuer was Libell preferd into this Court of such a paltry trifling matter and therefore I must and will haue Iustice By this time the Iudge was dismounted from the Bench and stood on the ground with his slouenly Breeches hanging about his heeles Matteuzzo being cunningly stolne away and vndiscouered by any body Ribi thinking he had shamed the Iudge sufficiently went away protesting that he would declare his cause in the hearing of a wiser Iudge And Maso forbearing to tugge his Gowne any longer in his departing said Fare you well Sir you are not worthy to be a Magistrate if you haue no more regard of your honour and honesty but will put off poore mens suites at your pleasure So both went seuerall wayes and soone were gone out of publike view The worshipfull Iudge Messer Niccolao stood all this while on the ground and in presence of all the beholders trussed vp his Breeches as if hee were new risen out of his bed when better bethinking himselfe on the matters indifference he called for the two men who contended for the drawing stockings and the Cloake-bag but no one could tell what was become of them Whereupon he rapt out a kinde of Iudges oath saying I will know whether it be Law or no heere in Florence to make a Iudge sit bare Breecht on the Bench of Iustice and in the hearing of criminall Causes whereat the chiefe Potestate and all the standers by laughed heartily Within fewe dayes after he was informed by some of his especiall Friends that this had neuer happened to him but onely to testifie how vnderstanding the Florentines are in their ancient constitutions and customes to embrace loue and honour honest discreet worthy Iudges and Magistrates Whereas on the contrary they as much condemne miserable knaues fooles and dolts who neuer merit to haue any better entertainment Wherefore it would be best for him to make no more enquiry after the parties lest a worse inconuenience should happen to him Bruno and Buffalmaco did steale a young Brawne from Calandrino and for his recouery thereof they vsed a kinde of pretented coniuration with Pilles made of Ginger and strong Malmesey But instead of this application they gaue him two Pilles of a Dogges Dates or Dowsets confected in Alloes which he receiued each after the other by meanes whereof they made him beleeue that hee had robde himselfe And for feare they should report this theft to his wife they made him to goe buy another Brawne The Sixt Nouell Wherein is declared how easily a plaine and simple man may be made a foole when he dealeth with crafty companions PHilostratus had no sooner concluded his Nouell and the whole Assembly laughed heartily thereat but the Queen gaue command to Madame Philomena that shee should follow next in order whereupon thus shee began Worthy Ladies as Philostratus by calling to memorie the name of Maso del Saggio hath contented you with another merry Nouell concerning him in the same manner must I intreat you to remember once againe Calandrino and his subtle Consorts by a pretty tale which I meane to tell you how and in what manner they were reuenged on him for going to seeke the inusible Stone Needlesse were any fresh relation to you what manner of people those three men were Calandrino Bruno and Buffalmaco because already you haue had sufficient vnderstanding of them And therefore as an induction to my discourse I must tell you that Calandrino had a small Country-house in a Village some-what neere to Florence which came to him by the marriage of his Wife Among other Cattle and Poultry which he kept there in store hee had a young Boare readie fatted for Brawne whereof yearly he vsed to kill one for his owne prouision and alwaies in the month of December he and his wife resorted to their village house to haue a Brawne both killed and salted It came to passe at this time concerning my Tale that the Woman being somewhat crazie and sickly by her Husbands vnkinde vsage whereof you heard so lately Calandrino went alone to the killing of his Boare which comming to the hearing of Bruno and Buffalmaco and that the Woman could by no meanes be there to passe away the time a little in merriment they went to a friendlie Companion of theirs an honest iouiall Priest dwelling not farre off from Calandrinoes Countrey house The same morning as the Boare was kilde they all three went thither and Calandrino seeing them in the Priests companie bad them all heartily welcome and to acquaint them with his good Husbandry hee shewed them his house and the Boare where it hung They perceyuing it to be faire and fat knowing also that Calandrino intended to salt it for his owne store Bruno saide vnto him Thou art an Asse Calandrino sell thy Brawne and let vs make merrie with the money then let thy wife know no otherwise but that it was stolne from thee by those theeues which continually haunt country houses especially in such scattering Villages Oh mine honest friends answered Calandrino your counsell is not to be followed neither
some courses else albeit not publiquely knowne vnto men yet redounding to their great commoditie and profite In which regard he grew exceeding desirous by what meanes he might becom acquainted and grow into familiarity with them both or any of them at the least wherein at the length he preuailed and Bruno proued to be the man Now Bruno plainly perceiuing within a short while of this new begun acquaintance that the Physitian was a Logger-head and meerely no better then a Gregorian Animall he beganne to haue much good pastime with him by telling him strange and incredible Tales such as none but a Coxcombe would giue credit too yet they delighted Doctor Dunce extraordinarily and Brunoes familiarity was so highly pleasing to him that he was a daily guest at dinner and supper with him and hee was not meanly proud of enioying his company One day as they sate in familiar conference together he told Bruno that he wondred not a little at him and Buffalmaco they being both so poore people yet liued far more iouially then Lords and therefore desired to vnderstand by vvhat secret meanes they compassed such mirthful maintenance Bruno hearing the Doctors demaund perceiuing that it sauoured more of the foole then any the very least taste of wisedome smiled vnto himselfe and determined to returne him such an answere as might be fitting for his folly whereupon thus he replied Beleeue me Master Doctor I would not impart to many people what priuate helpes we haue for our maintenance but yet I dare boldly acquaint you therewith in regard you are one of our most intimate friends and of such secrecie as I know you will not reueale it to any True it is that mine honest neighbor and my selfe do leade our liues in such merry manner as you see and better then all the world is aware of for I cannot imagine you to bee so ignorant but are certainly perswaded that if we had no better means then our poore manuall trade and profession we might sit at home with bread and water and be nothing so liuely spirited as wee are Yet Sir I would not haue you to conceiue that wee do eyther rob or steale or vse any other vnlawfull courses onely we trauayle to Corsica from whence we bring without the least preiudice to anie other all things we stand in need of or whatsoeuer wee can desire Thus do we maintaine our selues well and honestly and liue in this mirthfull disposition Master Doctor hearing this Discourse and beleeuing it constantly without any further instruction or intelligence became possessed with verie much admiration and had the most earnest desire in the world to know what this Trauailing to Corsica might meane entreating Bruno with very great instances to tell him what it was and made many protestations neuer to disclose it to anie one How now Master Doctor answered Bruno What a strange motion do you make to mee It is too great a secret which you desire to know yea a matter of mine owne ruine and an vtter expulsion out of this Worlde with condemnation into the mouth of Lucifer da San Gallo if any man whatsoeuer should know it from me wherefore I pray you to vrge it no more O my deer and honest neighbour Bruno quoth the Doctor assure thy selfe vpon my soul that whatsoeuer thou reuealest to me shall be vnder seale from all but onely our selues Fie fie Master Doctor answered Bruno you are too pressing and importunate So sitting smiling to himselfe shaking his head and beating his breast as if hee were in some straunge distraction of minde stamping with his feete and beating his Fiste oftentimes on the Table at last he started vppe and spake in this manner Ah Master Doctor the loue I beare to your capricious and rarely circumcised experience and likewise the confidence I repose in your scrutinous taciturnitie are both of such mighty and preuailing power as I cannot conceale any thing from you which you couet to know And therefore if you wil sweare vnto me by the crosse of Monteson that neuer as you haue already faithfully promised you will disclose a secret so admirable I will relate it vnto you and not otherwise The Doctor sware and sware againe and then Bruuo thus began Know then my learned and iudicious Doctor that it is not long time since when there liued in this Citie of ours a man very excellent in the Art of Nigromancie who named himselfe Michale Scoto because he was a Scottishman borne of many woorthy Gentlemen very few of them being now liuing hee was much honoured and respected When he grew desirous to depart from hence vpon their earnest motion and entreaty he left here two of his Schollers behinde him men of absolute skill and experience giuing them especial charge and command to do all possible seruices they could deuise for those Gentlemen who had so highly honoured him The two famous Schollers were very helpefull to those Gentlemen in diuers of their amorous occasions and verie many other matters besides Not long after they finding the Citie and behauiour of the people sufficiently pleasing to them they resolued on their continuance heere entering into a league of loue and friendshippe with diuers neuer regarding whether they were Gentlemen or no or distinguishing the poore from the rich but only in being conforme to their complexions sociable and fit for friendship They created a kinde Society consisting of about fiue and twenty men who should meete together twice in a moneth in a place reputed conueuient for them where being so assembled euery man vttered his minde to those two Schollers in such cases as they most desired to haue wherwith they were all satisfied the self-same night It came so to passe that Buffalmaco and I grew into acquaintance with those two worthy Schollers and our priuate familiarity together proued so prosperous that we were admitted into the same Society and so haue euer since continued Now Sir I am to tell you matter deseruing admiration which in very good iudgements would seeme to exceed all beleefe For at euery time when we were assembled together you are not able to imagine what sumptuous hangings of Tapistrie did adorne the Hall where we sate at meate the Tables couered in such Royall manner waited on by numberlesse Noble and goodly attendants both Women and Men seruing readily at each mans command of the company The Basins Ewers Pots Flaggons all the vessels else which stood before and for the seruice of our diet being composed onely of Gold and Siluer and out of no worse did we both eate and drinke the viands being very rare and dainty abounding in plenty and variety according to the appetite of euerie person as nothing could be wished for but it was instantly obtained In good sadnesse Sir I am not able to remember and tell you within the compasse of a thousand yeares what and how manie seuerall kindes of Musicall Instruments were continually played on before vs what multiplicity
Arragon being then become Lord of that Kingdom he made an admirable Feast Royall at Palermo accompanyed with his Lords and Barons In honour of which publique Feast the King kept a triumphall day of Iusts and Turnament at Catalana and whereat it chanced that the Daughter of Bernardo named Lisana was present Being in a window accompanied with other Gentlewomen she saw the King runne at the Tilt who seemed so goodly a person in her eye that being neuer satisfied with beholding him she grew enamoured and fell into extremity of affection towards him When the Feastiuall was ended she dwelling in the house of her Father it was impossible for her to thinke on any thing else but onely the loue which she had fixed on a person of such height And that which most tormented her in this case was the knowledge of her owne condition being but meane and humble in degree whereby she confessed that she could not hope for any successefull issue of her proud loue Neuerthelesse she would not refraine from affecting the King who taking no note of this kindnesse in her by any perceiuable meanes must needs be the more regardles which procured by wary obseruation her afflictions to be the greater and intollerable Whereon it came to passe that this earnest loue encreasing in her more and more and one melancholly conceit taking hold on another the faire Maide when she could beare the burden of her griefe no longer fell into a languishing sickenesse consuming away daily by euident appearance euen as the Snow melteth by the warme beames of the Sunne The Father and Mother much dismayed and displeased at this haplesse accident applying her with continuall comforts Phisicke and the best skill remayning in all the Phisitions sought all possible meanes wayes to giue her succour but all proued to no effect because in regard of her choyce which could sort to none other then a desper ate end she was desirous to liue no longer Now it fortuned that her parents offering her whatsoeuer remained in their power to performe a sudden apprehension entred her minde to wit that if it might possible be done before she dyed she would first haue the King to know in what manner she stood affected to him Wherefore one day she entreated her Father that a Gentleman named Manutio de Arezza might be permitted to come see her This Manutio was in those times held to be a most excellent Musitian both for his voyce in singing and exquisite skill in playing on Instruments for which he was highly in fauour with King Piero who made almost daily vse of him to heare him both sing and play Her tender and louing father conceiued immediately that shee was desirous to heare his playing and singing both being comfortable to a body in a languishing sickenesse whereupon he sent presently for the Gentleman who came accordingly and after he had comforted Lisana with kind and courteous speeches he played dexteriously on his Lute which purposely hee had brought with him and likewise he sung diuers excellent Ditties which insted of his intended consolation to the Maid did nothing else but encrease her fire and flame Afterward she requested to haue some conference with Manutio alone and euery one being gone forth of the Chamber she spake vnto him in this manner Manutio I haue made choyce of thee to be the faithfull Guardian of an especial secret hoping first of al that thou wilt neuer reueale it to any liuing body but onely to him whom I shall bid thee And nâ—xt to helpe me so much as possibly thou canst because my onely hope relyeth in thee Know then my dearest friend Manutio that on the solemne festiuall day when our Soueraigne Lord the King honoured his exaltation with the noble exercises of Tilt and Turney his braue behauiour kindled such a sparke in my soule as since brake forth into a violent flame and brought me to this weake condition as now thou seest But knowing and confessing how farre vnbeseeming my loue is to aime so ambitiously at a King and being vnable to controule it or in the least manner to diminish it I haue made choyce of the onely and best remedy of all namely to dye and so I am most willing to doe True it is that I shall trauaile in this my latest iourney with endlesse torment and affliction of soule except he haue some vnderstanding thereof before and not knowing by whom to giue him intelligence in so oft and conuenient order as by thee I doe therefore commit this last office of a friend to thy trust desiring thee not to refuse me in the performance thereof And when thou hast done it to let me vnderstand what he saith that I may dye the more contentedly and disburdened of so heauy an oppression the onely comfort to a parting spirit and so she ceased her teares flowing forth abundantly Manutio did not a little wonder at the Maides great spirit and her desperate resolution which moued him to exceeding commiseration and suddenly he conceiued that honectly he might discharge this duty for her whereupon he returned her this answer Lisana here I engage my faith to thee that thou shalt find me firme and constant and die I will rather then deceiue thee Greatly I doe commend thy high attempt in fixing thy affection on so Potent a King wherein I offer thee my vtmost assistance and I make no doubt if thou wouldest be of good comfort to deale in such sort as before three dayes are fully past to bring such newes as will content thee and because I am loath to loose the least time I will goe about it presently Lisana the yong Maiden once againe entreated his care and diligence promising to comfort her selfe so well as she could commending him to his good fortune When Manutio was gone from her hee went to a Gentleman named Mico de Sienna one of the best Poets in the composing of verses as all those parts yeelded not the like At his request Mico made for him this ensuing Dittie The Song sung in the hearing of King Piero on the behalfe of Loue-sicke Lisana Goe Loue and tell the torments I endure Say to my Soueraigne Lord that I must die Except he come some comfort to procure For tell I may not what I feele and why WIth heaued hands Great Loue I call to thee Goe see my Soueraigne where he doth abide And say to him in what extremity Thou hast for him my firm affection tryed To die for him it is my sole desire For liue with him I may not nor a spire To haue my fortunes thereby dignified Onely his sight would lend me life a while Grant it great loue mine anguish to beguile Goe loue and tell the torments c. Since the first houre that loue enthralled me I neuer had the heart to tell my griefe My thoughts did speake for thoughts be alwayes free Yet hopefull thoughts doe find but poore reliefe When Gnats will mount to Eagles in the ayre Alas
they scorne them for full well they know They were not bred to prey so base and low Aloft they look to make their flight more faire And yet his sight would lend me life a while Grant it great loue mine anguish to beguile Goe loue and tell the torments c. If sight shall be denyed then tell them plaine His high triumphall day procurd my death The Launce that won him Honour hath me slaine For instantly it did bereaue my breath That speake I could not nor durst be so bold To make the Ayre acquainted with my woe Alas I lookt so high and doing so Iustly deserue by death to be controld Yet mercies sight would lend me life a while Grant it great loue mine anguish to beguile Goe loue and tell the torments I endure Say to my Soueraigne Lord that I must die Except he come some comfort to procure For tell I may not what I feele and why The lines contained in this Ditty Manutio fitted with noates so moouing and singularly musicall that euery word had the sensible motion of life in it where the King being as yet not risen from the Table he commanded him to vse both his Lute and voyce This seemed a happy opportunity to Manutio to sing the dittie so purposely done and deuised which hee deliuered in such excellent manner the voice and Instrument concording so extraordinary pleasing that all the persons then in the Presence seemed rather Statues then liuing men so strangely they were wrapt with admiration and the King himselfe farre beyond all the rest transported with a rare kinde of alteration When Manutio had ended the Song the King demanded of him whence this Song came because he had neuer heard it before My gracious Lord answered Manutio it must needes seeme straunge to your Maiesty because it is not fully three dayes since it was inuented made and set to the note Then the King asked whom it concerned Sir quoth Manutio I dare not disclose that to any but onely your selfe Which answer made the King much more desirous and being risen from the Table he tooke him into his Bed-chamber where Manutio related all at large to him according to the trust reposed in him Wherwith the King was wonderfully well pleased greatly commending the courage of the Maide and said that a Virgin of such a valiant spirit did well deserue to haue her case commiserated and commanded him also to goe as sent from him and comfort her with promise that the very same day in the euening he would not faile to come and see her Manutio more then contented to carry such glad tydings to Lisana without staying in any place and taking his Lute also with him went to the Apothecaries house where speaking alone with the Maide he told her what he had done and afterward sung the song to her in as excellent manner as he had done before wherein Lisana conceiued such ioy and contentment as euen in the very same moment it was obserued by apparant signes that the violence of her fits forsooke her and health began to get the vpper hand of them So without suffering any one in the house to know it or by the least meanes to suspect it she comforted her selfe till the euening in expectation of her Soueraignes arriuall Piero being a Prince of most liberall and benigne nature hauing afterward diuers times considered on the matters which Manutio had reuealed to him knowing also the yong Maiden to bee both beautifull and vertuous was so much moued with pitty of her extremitie as mounting on horse backe in the euening and seeming as if he rode abroad for his priuate recreation he went directly to the Apothecaries house where desiring to see a goodly garden appertaining then to the Apothecarie he dismounted from his horse Walking into the garden he began to question with Bernardo demaunding him for his Daughter and whether he had as yet marryed her or no My Gracious Lord answered Bernardo as yet shee is not marryed neither likely to bee in regard shee hath had a long and tedious sickenesse but since Dinner time she is indifferently eased of her former violent paine which we could not discerne the like alteration in her a long while before The King vnderstood immediately the reason of this so sudden alteration and said In good faith Bernardo the world would sustaine a great maine imperfection by the losse of thy faire daughter wherefore we will goe our selfe in person to visite her So with two of his Lords onely and the Father he ascended to the Maides Chamber being entred he went to the Beds side where she sate somewhat raised in expectation of his comming and taking her by the hand he said Faire Lisana how commeth this to passe You being so faire a Virgin yong and in the delicacy of your daies which should be the chiefest comfort to you will you suffer your selfe to be ouer-awed with sickenesse Let vs intreat you that for our sake you will be of good comfort and thereby recouer your health the sooner especially when it is requested by a King who is sorry to see so bright a beauty sicke and would helpe it if it consisted in his power Lisana feeling the touch of his hand whom she loued aboue all things else in the world although a bashfull blush mounted vp into her cheekes yet her heart was seazed with such a rapture of pleasure that she thought her selfe translated into Paradise and so well as she could thus she replyed Great King by opposing my feeble strength against a burden of ouer-ponderous weight it became the occasion of this grieuous sickenesse but I hope that the violence thereof is almost already kild onely by this soueraigne mercy in you and doubtlesse it will cause my speedy deliuerance The King did best vnderstand this so well palliated answere of Lisana which as he did much commend in regard of her high aduenturing so he did againe as greatly condemne Fortune for not making her more happy in her birth So after he had stayed there a good while and giuen her many comfortable speeches he returned backe to the Court This humanity in the King was reputed a great honour to the Apothecary and his daughter who in her owne mind receiued as much ioy and contentment thereby as euer any wife could haue of her owne Husband And being assisted by better hopes within a short while after she became recouered and farre more beautifull in common iudgment then euer she was before Lisana being now in perfect health the King consulted with his Queene what meete recompence he should gratifie her withall for louing and affecting him in such feruent manner Vpon a day determined the King mounting on horsebacke accompanied with many of his cheefest Lords and Barons he rode to the Apothecaries house where walking in his beautifull Garden hee called for Bernardo and his daughter Lisana In the meane space the Queene also came thither Royally attended on by her Ladies and Lisana
sufficiently satisfied in his soule that he had seene so much as he desired concerning the patience of his Wife who in so many hart grieuing trials was neuer noated so much as to alter her countenance And being absolutely perswaded that this proceeded not from any want of vnderstanding in her because he knew her to be singularly wise he thought it high time now to free her from these afflicting oppressions and giue her such assurance as she ought to haue Wherefore commanding her into his presence openly before all his assembled friends smiling on her he said What thinkst thou Grizelda of our new chosen Spouse My Lord quoth she I like her exceeding well and if she be so wise as she is faire which verely I thinke she is I make no doubt but you shall liue with her as the onely happy man of the world But I humbly entreat your Honor if I haue any power in me to preuaile by that you would not giue her such cutting and vnkind language as you did to your other wife for I cannot thinke her armed with such patience as should indeed support them as wel in regard she is much yonger as also her more delicate breeding and education whereas she who you had before was brought vp in continual toile and trauaile When the Marquesse perceyued that Grizelda beleeued verily this yong daughter of hers should be his wife and answered him in so honest and modest manner he commanded her to sit downe by him and saide Grizelda it is now more then fitte time that thou shouldst taste the fruite of thy long admired patience and that they who haue thought me cruell harsh and vnciuill natured should at length obserue that I haue done nothing basely or vnaduisedly For this was a worke premeditated before for enstructing thee what it is to be a married wife and to let them know whosoeuer they be how to take and keepe a wife Which hath begotten to me perpetuall ioy and happinesse so long as I haue a day to liue with thee a matter whereof I stoode before greatly in feare and which in marriage I thought would neuer happen to me It is not vnknown to thee in how many kinds for my first proofe I gaue thee harsh and vnpleasing speeches which drawing no discontentment from thee either in lookes words or behauiour but rather such comfort as my soule desired and so in my other succeedings afterward in one minute now I purpose to giue thee that consolation which I bereft thee of in many tempestuous stormes and make a sweet restauration for all thy former sower sufferinges My faire and dearly affected Grizelda shee whom thou supposest for my new elected Spouse with a glad and cheerfull hart imbrace for thine owne daughter and this also her Brother beeing both of them thy children and mine in common opinion of the vulgar multitude imagined to be by my command long since slaine I am thy honourable Lord and Husband who doth and will loue thee farre aboue all women else in the world giuing thee iustly this deserued praise and commendation That no man liuing hath the like Wife as I haue So sweetly kissing her infinitely and hugging her ioyfully in his armes the teares now streaming like new-let-loose Riuers downe her faire face which no disaster before could force from her hee brought her and seated her by her daughter who was not a little amazed at so rare an alteration Shee hauing in zeale of affection kissed and embraced them both all else there present being clearely resolued from the former doubt which too long deluded them the Ladies arose iocondly from the tables and attending on Grizelda to her Chamber in signe of a more successefull augury to follow tooke off her poor contemptible rags and put on such costly robes which as Lady Marchionesse she vsed to weare before Afterward they waited on her into the Hall againe being their true Soueraigne Lady and Mistresse as she was no lesse in her poorest Garments where all reioycing for the new restored Mother happy recouery of so noble a son and daughter the Festiuall continued many months after Now euery one thought the Marquesse to be a noble and wise Prince though somewhat sharpe and vnsufferable in the seuere experiences made of his wife but aboue al they reputed Grizelda to be a most wise patient vertuous Lady The Count of Panago within few daies after returned backe to Bologna and the Lord Marques fetching home old Ianiculo from his country drudgery to liue with him as his Father in law in his Princely Palace gaue him honorable maintenance wherein hee long continued and ended his daies Afterward he matched his daughter in a Noble marriage he and Grizelda liuing long time together in the highest honor that possibly could be What can now be saide to the contrary but that poore Country Cottages may yeeld as diuine excellent spirits as the most stately and Royall mansions which breed and bring vppe some more worthy to be Hog-rubbers then hold any soueraignty ouer men Where is any other beside Grizelda who not only without a wet eye but imboldned by a valiant and inuincible courage that can suffer the sharpe rigors and neuer the like heard of proofes made by the Marquesse Perhaps he might haue met with another who would haue quitted him in a contrary kinde and for thrusting her forth of doores in her smocke could haue found better succor somewhere else rather then walke so nakedly in the cold streets DIoneus hauing thus ended his Nouel and the Ladies deliuering their seuerall iudgements according to their owne fancies some holding one conceite others leaning to the contrary one blaming this thing and another commending that the King lifting his eyes to heauen and seeing the Sun begin to fallow by rising of the Euening Starre without arising from his seat spake as followeth Discreet Ladies I am perswaded you know sufficiently that the sense and vnderstanding of vs mortals consisteth not onely as I think by preseruing in memory things past or knowledge of them present but such as both by the one and other kuow how to foresee future occasions are worthily thought wise and of no common capacity It will be to morrow fifteene dayes since we departed from the City of Florence to come hither for our pastime and comfort the conseruation of our liues and support of our health by auoyding those melanchollies griefes and anguishes which we beheld daylie in our City since the pestilentiall visitation beganne there wherein by my iudgement we haue done well and honestly Albeit some light Nouels perhaps attractiue to a little wantonnes as some say and our Iouiall feasting with good cheare singing and dancing may seeme matters inciting to inciuility especially in weake and shallow vnderstandings But I haue neither seene heard or knowne any acte word or whatsoeuer else either on your part or ours iustly deseruing to be blamed but all has bin honest as in a sweete and hermonious
from all our pleasant discoursing as we did the like on the Saturday following sanctifiing the sacred Sabboth in due regard of it selfe Wherefore being desirous to imitate precedent good example which in worthy manner shee began to vs all I hold it very decent and necessary that we should asttaine to morrow and the day ensuing from recounting any of our pleasant Nouels reducing to our memories what was done as on those dayes for the saluation of our soules This holy and Religious motion made by the Queene was commendably allowed by all the assembly and therefore humbly taking taking their leaue of her and an indifferent part of the night being already spent seuerally they betooke themselues to their Chambers The end of the Seauenth day THE EIGHT DAY Whereon all the Discourses passe vnder the Rule and Gouernment of the Honourable Ladie LAVRETTA And the Argument imposed is Concerning such Wittie deceyuings as haue or may be put in practise by Wiues to their Husbands Husbands to their Wiues Or one man towards another The Induction EARELY on the Sonday Morning Aurora shewing her selfe bright and louely the Sunnes Golden beames beganne to appeare on the toppes of the neere adioyning Mountaines so that Hearbes Plants Trees and all things else were verie euidently to be discerned The Queene and her Companie being all come foorth of their Chambers and hauing walked a vvhile abroad in the goodly greene Meadowes to taste the sweetnesse of the fresh and wholesome ayrethey returned backe againe into the Palace because it was their dutie so to do Afterward betweene the houres of seauen and eight they went to heare Masse in a faire Chappell â—eere at hand and thence returned to their Lodgings When they had dined merrily together they fell to their wonted singing and dauncing Which beeing done such as were so pleased by License of the Queene first obtained went either to their rest or such exercises as they tooke most delight in When midday and the heate thereof was well ouer-past so that the aire seemed mild and temperate according as the Queene had commanded they were all seated againe about the Fountaine with intent to prosecute their former pastime And then Madame Neiphila by the charge imposed on her as first speaker for this day beganne as followeth Gulfardo made a match or wager with the Wife of Gasparuolo for the obtaining of her amorous fauour in regard of a summe of money first to be giuen her The money hee borrowed of her Husband and gaue it in payment to her as in case of discharging him from her Husbands debt After his returne home from Geneway hee told him in the presence of his Wife how he had payde the whole summe to her with charge of deliuering it to her Husband which she confessed to be true albeit greatly against her will The First Nouell Wherein is declared that such women as will make sale of their honestie are sometimes ouer-reached in their payment and iustly serued as they should be SEeing it is my fortune Gracious Ladies that I must giue beginning to this dayes discoursing by some such Nouel which I thinke expedient as duty bindeth me I am therewith well contented And because the deceits of Women to men haue beene at large and liberally related I will tell you a subtile tricke of a man to a Woman Not that I blame him for the deede or thinke the deceyte not well fitted to the woman but I speake it in a contrarie nature as commending the man and condemning the woman very iustly as also to shew how men can as well beguile those crafty companions which least beleeue any such cunning in them as they that stand most on their artificiall skill Howbeit to speake more properly the matter by me to be reported deserueth not the reproachfull title of deceite but rather of a recompence duly returned because women ought to be chaste and honest to preserue their honour as their liues without yeelding to the contamination thereof for any occasion whatsoeuer And yet neuerthelesse in regard of our frailty many times we prooue not so constant as we should be yet I am of opinion that she which selleth her honestie for money deserueth iustly to be burned Whereas on the contrary she that falleth into the offence onely through intirc affection the powerfull lawes of Loue beeing aboue all resistance in equity meriteth pardon especially of a Iudge not ouer-rigorous as not long since wee heard from Philostratus in reuealing what hapned to Madam Phillippa de Prato vpon the dangerous Edict Vnderstand then my most worthy Auditors that there liued sometime in Millaine an Almaigne Soldiour named Gulfardo of commendable carriage in his person and very faithfull to such as he serued a matter not common among the Alâ—aignes And because he made iust repayment to euery one which lent him monies he grew to such especiall credit and was so familiar with the very best Marchants as manie times he could not be so ready to borrow as they were willing alwaies to lend him He thus continuing in the Cittie of Millaine fastened his affection on a verie beautifull Gentlewoman named Mistresse Ambrosia Wife vnto a rich Merchant who was called Signior Gasparuolo Sagastraccio who had good knowledge of him and respectiuely vsed him Louing this Gentlewoman with great discretion without the least apprehension of her husband he sent vpon a day to entreate conference with her for enioying the fruition of her loue and she should find him ready to fulfill whatsoeuer she pleased to command him as at any time he would make good his promise The Gentlewoman after diuers of these priuate solicitings resolutely answered that she was as ready to fulfill the request of Gulfardo prouided that two especiall considerations might ensue thereon First the faithfull concealing thereof from any person liuing Next because she knew him to be rich and she had occasion to vse two hundred Crowns about businesse of important consequence he should freely bestow so many on her and euer after she was to be commanded by him Gulfardo perceiuing the couetousnesse of this woman who notwithstanding his doting affection he thought to be intirely honest to her Husband became so deepely offended at her vile answere that his feruent loue conuerted into as earnest loathing her determining constantlie to deceiue her and to make her auaritious motion the only means wherby to effect it He sent her word that he was willing to performe her request or any farre greater matter for her in which respect he onely desired for to know when she would be pleased to haue him come see her and to receiue the money of him No creature hee acquainted with his setled purpose but onely a deere friend and kinde companion who alwayes vsed to keepe him company in the neerest occasions that concerned him The Gentlewoman or rather most disloyall wife vppon this answer sent her was extraordinarily iocond and contented returning him a secret Letter wherein she signified that Gasparuolo her