thornaments of nature and giftes of grace and yelding hym besides suche honor and honest loue as was necessary for the state of mariage yet notwithstandinge was he so vnthankefull to all these benefites that after he had called the flower of her beautye and forced her to passe an assuraunce of her goods and lynynge to his vse hee committed secret execution washed his handes in the blod of thâ—infortunate Ladye contrarye to all ciuilytie or lawe of nature if he I saye seame iustly meritorious of reproche we maye worthely imparte treble prayse to a barbarous Turke and admirall of the countrey of Arabia who being ouerthrowen in y e bataile foughten in that countrey by Bandwin king of Ierusalem him selfe and wife prisoners with his treasure and municion of warre at the disposition of the sayde kinge and beinge dismissed frely without exaction or raunsom and his wife restored withoute violacion or force of her bodye iudged it a vertu not to be ouercome in magnificence and liberalitye and a mortal vice to beare the title of an vnthankefull Prince whereof he made declaracion for that not longe after the sayde Bawdwine beinge beseged of the infidels and by distresse of warre at point to fal into their mercy the sayde admyral not vumindefull of the compassion he showed vpon his misery brake into him by nighte and withe certeine assistantes of horsemen preuented his present perill and set him safelye vppon his waye from al offer or feare of daunger All whiche I haue coated in this introduction for that my historye importes ii examples of semblable substance the one exposinge a wonderfull effecte of frendshipp on the behalf of his ennemie and the other retorninge his liberalitye withe suche ample consideration that there is no degre in any Corner ofchristendom-but may se an experience of vertue in the doings of theÌ„ both Wherein I wishe chiefly a perticipacion of the fruite of such examples to all sortes of our contriemen in englande to th ende wee maye forme our lyues vpon y e verteous presedents of such strangers as preferringe vertue afore vice haue bene more curious to get a true renoume of reputacion then carefull of a vaine gloriouse or folyshe pomppe of the world A WONDERFVL VERtue in a gentlman of Syenna on the behalfe of his ennemye whoÌ„ he delyuered from Death and the other to retorne his courtesye vvith equall frendshyp presented him with his sister whom he knew hee loued entierlye IN the â—ecewles or Comentories of tuskan I find a special Remembraunce of a mortall grudge betwene ij of the moste noble houses in SYENNA called Salimbino and Montanino whereof as bothe the one and other were of semblable Reputation for honour and height of estate so were they of equall Rule authoritie in the gouernement of their publike weale whose parentes allbeit and predecessours were of singler commendation by the vertue of mutuall societye whiche appeared so entyer and indissoluble betwene theim by manye discentes that the writers in that age douted not to tearme theym no lesse true myrrroers patterns of perfect frendship then either HORESTES or PYLLADAS which y e Romain oratour Makes so famous by peculiar commendation yet according to the opinion of Aristotle as children commonly do Rather excede their fathers in vice then Resemble them in vertue so the posteretyes of these noble houses in place to perseuer in the vertue of their parentes or treade in the steppes of their aunciente amytie in the verie entrey of their florishing time when al men were in exspectacion of verteous frutes like to their fathers withe hope to confirme the league of their long frendeshippe they embrased sinister occasions of ciuil mutines grouÌ„ding great quarrels vpon slender or smal substance with a dispocition and equall desyre the one to pursewe the other wyth such fatal hate and vnnatural tyranny that as the one was almost brought euen to the brinke of vtter desolation of hys house and Reuenue so the other triumphing allbeit in the Conquest of his enemye escaped not only with out perentory perill of him selfe losse of A nomber of his deare kinsmen and Companions of Race but also was enioyned to so harde A penance that he lyued alwayes after in the contynuall grudge and desdaine of the people the viewe of whose malice preferring A wonderful remorce of conscience with Remembrance of the fowlenes of the facte passed pursewed hym with alarams of vnnaturall and frettinge disquiet of minde euen vntill the last separation of his soule and body And here if you conferre the quarrell with the cause and waighe in indiffrent ballance the mischiues morders with infinit inconueniences deriued of so small occassions you nede not doubt to ioyne in opinion with Paulus Iouius other writes worthy of no lesse Credyte then of greate fame for learning and skil who amongest other generall discriptioÌ„s of Italy geueth her this peculiar CommendacioÌ„ that beyng subiect to thinfluence of a crabbed Clymate and quarrelus coÌ„stellacion termes her to be of al the world the only store-house for percialites and Ciuill faccions and market place of Tumultes suborned trobles which I colde also iustefie by thautority of the warres betwene the florentynes and the Syennoys with other frée states in y e contreye besids the eiuil discencioÌ„ among the nobility w t vnnaturall persecutions of families kinreds sauing y t the discourse wold seame more tedius then necessarye and kepe me to longe from the principal points of my history which calles me now to perform my promisse and satisfye the expectacion of the rearder No man Douteth I am sewer that aswel antiquity as people of present being haue not had in general regard peculiar delyte the noble exercise of hunting diuers kynds of chases no lesse for the respect of pleasure then euitacioÌ„ of diuers disco modities happenyng oftentymes to the husbandmen by the wilde boare and wolfe with other beasts of equall fercenes and like annoye wherin albeit besides the contentment of the mynde ther is to be coolled a necessarye fruite of double commoditie the one to sturre vp the ydle crewe of delicate persons hauntyng the houses of great men to the exercise and ymitation of honest traueill the other representyng the very sleyghtes and pollecies in warre instructes the young gentlemen not hable as yet to endure the hardnes and experience of the fyelde to discerne the aduauntage of the place the subtelty in dressing his ambushe for beynge discouered his tyme to dysplaie the same to the disaduantage of the enemy the order howe and when to geue the charge with an enforcynge of corage to pursewe the chasse so farre as good gouernement wil giue leaue yet is not thys pleasaunt skirmishe and necessary recreation for youth wythout some agument of great and almoste absolute assurance of diuerse sortes of misfortunes for wee reade that MELEAGER loste his lyfe in killing the wilde boare of CALIDONA Cephale for the lyke respect kylled hys deare
and troupe of Ladies in beautie behauiour and other gyftes of flatterynge showe so was she more courted wyth the continnall haunts and companie of the Gentlemen and Princes of ITALY then any other of what degre so euer she were in suche sort as at the instant and present approche of her seruant she was deuisinge familiarlye with diuerse Gentlemen of the Citie who seing this masque noblie mounted after the spanishe order make their staye afore Plaudina she for her part accepting their curtesye with a countenaunce more thankeful then of ordinarie iudged his embassage to the Ladye to néede neyther secret witnes nor publike audience wherfore not ignorant in thoffice of humanitie and because their presence shold seame no impediment to the proffit or pleasure of an other they toke leaue of PLAVDINA resigning the caÌ„pp and capteine to the marchant straunger whom yf they had knowen they would suerlie haue rated the penny worthes of that praye at to deare a price for him to haue caried away without a gage or pawne no lesse pretious then his lyfe Here althoughe y e fortune of CORNELIO had hlessed him with doble felicitie at one instant bothe in auoydynge the place of companie and yelding hym large viewe of the presence of his mistreys without interupcion yet loue seamed to sturr vp suche alteracions and diuersaty of amaze within him that the vse of his tonge was not only taken away and the rest of his partes retired to a quyueryng feare but also his eyes were so resolued in the gredy gaze of her bowtie that in place to do her honor with any deuise or show of hys dutie by wordes he broughte her in terror with the viewe of his dombe behauior resembling rather the ghastly figure of ZELIO POLINO whom the poetes fayning to be enchauÌ„ted by his wyfe do affirme that for the pennance of his offence and abuse towardes her he is bounde vpright agaynst a wall with a gag in his mouthe without licence or libertie to speake til she pul the pegge from betwene his Iawes so CORNELIO albeit he was an orator sufficient enoughe and specially in disputation of loue yet founde he here hys tongue so punished with the pennance of POLINO that he colde neither pleade for hymself at lardge nor yet playe the parte of a stotting solicitor till the longe viewe of her proporcion of maiestie vnseelyng hes eyes lent hym also a couÌ„tercharme to take away the misterie of his hiddeus traunce with comission to make a breache of his scilence and restore hym to thuse and libertie of his tonge whyche he exposed as a tryall of his newe benefit in this sort yf all the giftes and good tornes whiche fortune euer bestowed vppon suche as receiued frendship or fauor at her hande were here presented vnto me with licence and libertie to chuse whych I wold haue I doute whether I colde pike oute one of suche a nomber that were hable to counteruaile the greatnes of my present encounter or if they al had power to yelde me such contentement as I fynde in the contemplacion regard of your deuine bewtye and for your parte good madaÌ„ what greater proff can you haue of the honor and seruice with vnfayned loyaltie I haue longe vowed vnto you then for the only respect of y e dutie I owe you to see me comitt that which is and oughte to bee most deare to al men to the hazarde of a thousande perilles wherein notwithstandynge yf the god of my destynies hath aggreed to toche me with the malice of hys dome and publishe my sentence of death in this place I excuse hym of present rigour for that he hath deferred me hetherunto and accomptes great iustice in this fatal execucioÌ„ seyng youre self shal bee iudge with what integretie I haue serued you since the first vowe and mocion of my affection whervnto PLAVDINA REPLIED yf you thinke you so depelie in the debte of fortune for the simple offer of so small a frendshypp I accompte my self no lesse bounde to yelde her doble sacrafyze of semblable thaÌ„kes gyuyng not for that she hath added so greate a daunger to the declaracion of your goodwill whereof I neuer dowted but because in grauntynge vs a mutuall accesse and presence together I maye thoughe not so amplye as I wolde and as you haue deserued yet in some parte yelde you the meede of so greate a merit yf you accompte the pleasure in deathe happenynge in the pursute of this aduenture peculiar to youre selfe you doo wronge to the sincere loue and loyall affection of your deare PLAVDINA who resolued to passe vnder the same sentence will neyther excede you in lengthe of lyf nor gyue you anye place in firme constancie of mynde neyther doo I greatlye feare the threates of present daunger considerynge your auncient felicitie whyche hathe alwayes delyuered you in anye your attemptes what dyfficultie so euer appered in theim onelye I quarrell with myne owne follye in mystakynge the daye of the departure of mye husbande and greue no lesse wyth thyniquitye of presente tyme who enuyeng as yt seames our amarus enterpryse is readie to abridge the course of our desyered pleasure wyth a soddaine retourne of hym whom I wishe without eyes in thuttermost ende of thorient notwithstandynge as the faultes proceding of rashe ouersight or ignorance are rather excusable then meritorious of frée pardon so althoughe I haue offended greuously yet do I not dispaire of mercie consideryng that besides the confession of the faulte I yelde me to suche pennance as shall please you to enioyne me whiche also you shall fynde me readie to performe if at the firste hower after this midnight you comme hether in as secret maner as you can and strikinge but once vppon the clapper of the wicket oure Ianiquetta whome you know hath bene heretofore a messenger of our loue shall open the gate and conueighe you into a place of pleasant torments where yf you fynde your selfe greued with anye wronge I haue don you you may paye the reuenge with such interest as you thinke good Wherewith albeit CORNELIO grudged at the spedie retourne of y e goodman yet conuertyng the passion of those heauy newes into a conceit of present gladnes for the franke and liberall consent of his Ladye he contented hymselfe wyth the offer of hys tyme and fortune and yeldynge a lowe reuerence to hys loftye PLAVDINA retired in haste to his lodgynge where attendynge the approche of his hower of appointement wyth no lesse deuocion then the Papistes in Fraunce performe their ydolatrous pilgrimage to theyr ydoll Sainct Tronyon vppon the mont Auyon besides Roan or our supersticious catholikes of England of late dayes to the holye â—oode of Chester or ymage of our Ladie at walsingham he seamed to attire himselfe for the bed as though he woulde not sturre out of his chamber that nyghte by whiche semblance or dissimuled showe he dismissed the companye that was with hym shuttynge the windowes and
no lesse insufficient to gouerne the state of hys vocation then vnable euerye waye to discharge thoffyce wherein he was inuested by othe and habitt of religion for hauyng also the consente of noble race whereof he was discended to fauor the wilfull appetites of his vnbridled youthe he toke more delite to assyste the exercises of nobilitie I meane in makynge one at all manner of daunses masques momeries dressed for the honour of ladies with couered faces and other recreacions of pleasure conuenient onely for the courtyer then to sitt in the chapter house vppon reformation of hys monkes or to ymploye any parte of hys tyme in the studie of the sacred volumes of the churche he was also admitted a necessarye compagnion to some of the gouernours and capteines there for that he kepte an ordynarye table and free diot for gentlemen beynge a thynge most acceptable to the Spanyarde who at hoame kepeth hym within the compasse of thyn and sober chere and abrode is nothynge inferiour to the deuourynge Almayne resemblynge by that meanes the sparynge order of the nigardes of olde tyme in their drye and hungrye banquettes and to the sinne of thys excesses in delicate fare he added an offence no lesse hainous and moste vnseamely for any of his callynge deuidyng the daye into howers and howers into ymitacion of pleasures some tyme he was sene in the stréetes in thattire of a gallād or younge courtiour some tyme he visited the hauntes and assemblies of ladies courtyng suche of theym as he founde to giue moste eare to hys ydle talke neyther respectyng the opynion that passed of his lightnes touchynge the violacion of the hollye order of hys profession nor the dishonor he dyd to the house from whence he discendid But gloried rather in that he colde so artificiallye performe the partes of a Philantos or flatteryng louer then in reuelyng the misteries of the scrypture to seame to ymitate the true simplicite of lyfe of hys vertuous predecessours in that place wherevppon followed ymediatly a declaracion of the vile frutes of so vicius a lyfe for as Mousieur le Moyne passed one daye in great brauerye vppon hys footeclothe thorowe the fayrest stréete of Naples exposyng a riche showe by reason of the glée of the gold smithes shoppes he glaunsed by chaunce vppon one of the faireste women as he thoughte harbored at that tyme within the walles and followynge the pursute of her beautye wyth a gredye gase of hys eye maugre hys harte he was forced to a soddayne staye ryghte ouer agaynste the place where shée was whyche tyme of abode his eyes forgat not to imploie in takyng large measure viewe of her proporcion euery waie makinge such reaporte to the harte and rest of the interiour partes that in one momente he became assailed with that wherin he was ignoraunt for experience and lesse assisted with necessarie resistaunce féelyng within him a hoat warre betwene the sencesible partes of reason sensuall prouocation of y e flesh with a presente captiuitie of his auncient quiet by the cōmon enemie of the ease of man which we call properly the passion of loue who at this first encounter rampired hymselfe so strongely within y e inward partes of this younge Abbott that he onelye gouerned his thoughtes disposed his doinges altogether by his discretion ceassinge not to flatter his fonde humour wyth instinctes of vaine conceits til he brought hym to y e stage to play y e last acte of the Comedie where he receiued the due guerdon of his follye with open shame and rebuke of the multitude and when tyme sommoned this religious fondlynge to departe from the viewe of his newe mistres he seamed in no lesse paine then if their had bene presente incision made into his intrailes to cut insonder the stringes where vpon hys harte is staide or that accordynge to the Poetes he felte the Egle of promotheus peckinge vppon his liuer The girle was the doughter of a goldsmith no lesse deare to the father then extremelye beloued of her mother both for her beauty and promptnes of wit and also for that in her young yeres appeared suche argumentes and signes of vertue that she was noted the paragon and patorne of all degres of her tyme for womāly behauiour and nothyng inferiour to the best touching y e chast order and honest conueighe of her life wherewith she beautifyed the meane discente of her parents and lefte a rare example to the Ladyes of greater callynge who thinke their renowme sufficientlye confirmed by the height and honor of their house without puttinge to the accion and effecte of vertue which in dede as it is the badge of true nobilitie so it hath also authoritie to make noble the meanest discent that is and truly as the vaine woman exalteth her selfe like to the birdes whose naturall lightnes conueighe theim to the starres I meane takes pleasure in the abundance of her riches preferreth the magnificencie of her house ymagininge her beautie to be worthie to sytt in the highest Theatrey of the world so the wise woman is glorified only in y e gifte of sincere pure simplicitie wyth a wonderfull care to kepe her name without spott and the course of her life so vpright that the malice of euill tounges maye haue no power to enter and muche lesse perce with anye worthie slaunder but nowe to our Gansaldo and amarous Abbot who bathing in the lake of his follies thought as greate ympossibilitie to retire or dismisse this firste alaram or sommonce of loue as to comprehende all the water of thoccian within a litle vrynall neyther wold he dispose hymself to trie the force of any resistance but determined at what price soeuer it wer to ymparte his passion to the girle which he ymagined would moue in her a consent of reciprocall affection here in the opinion of the poet is iustifyed sayinge that louers reapose a certeintie in dreames and proclayme a sewer victorie of thuncerteine obiect of their fancie like as this fonde abbot being lymed with a simple looke or glaunce at vnwares doth promise himselfe the conquest of the pray agaynst whom he hath as yet vsed neyther force nor pollicye and much lesse dressed any ambushe he forgat not euery day in the weke to make his purmenado on horsebacke in the stréet wher dwelt the saint to whom he had vowed such solemne deuocion wherin for a more glorie of him selfe and the rather to seduce the maide hée appeared in seueral attire and chaung of horse twise or thrise a day not forgettinge in passing by the house of the goldsmith to take measure of the doare glaunce vpon the windowes and perce with the drawig regards of his eye thorow euery creuise of y e wal to th ēd hée myght encownter a seconde view of her whose fyrst regarde had ministred vnto him the brothe of infection and if fortune were content at any time to geue him a syght of her whether it were at the doare
answere the combate agaynste the wicked chalengors of the vndefiled honor of the sacred sect femynyne so the discourse is able to moue compassion to the hartes of men participatiug with nobilitie and set abroach the conduites of teares in the eyes of such Ladyes and gentlewomen as take more pleasure to preserue in eutyer the Iewel of their honor then to open their eares to y e charme of the vaine Louer passioned as be fayneth for a bewtye that passeth with the morning dewe importinge also more cause of admiracion as the person in whom thaccident is veryfied is of simple estate for that the higher she is in degre the more care ought she to haue of her honor exposing arguments and effects of vertu to the meaner sort lyke as the torch or Hemispher starr geueth lyght to the lytle candel and element of lesse substance I wish the young ladies and damesells of our countrye would painte this table in their harts and with the vertue and ymytacion of her chastity fortesye them selues agaynst the pepred allurmēts of the crafty souler who makes warr against their honor vnder thensigne of the blind captein Cupid and directed by y e guide of folly and not by example of her deathe to force an vntymely and vnnaturall destynie or end of their dayes IVLYA DROVVNETH her selfe for that her bodye was abused by force YT nede not seme doubtfuli to anye at this day that GaZolo is percel of the duke dom of Mantua planted in a most plesāt solie right ouer agaynst the father of floddes sometime called Iryden and nowe beringe the name of PO. whose sundry brookes deuided into diuerse streames and pleasant chanells norisheth by their moistures the whole contrey of Italy like as also it is of no lesse credite that wythin our time and memorie ther was borne and bred vpp in the same towne a mayde called Iulya whome if fortune had preferred to the title of a princes or greate Ladye whereby her vertues mighte haue bone brought in reputacion by authoritie of high estate like as her godly order and chast conuersacion of lyfe made her name famous she might haue serued no doubt as y e only lanterne to geue lyght to al degres of youthe in our age her father was not made of so meane a molde for hys birthe as attended vpon with continuall pouerty hauinge only for his porcion the assistance and trauaile of his hands to susteine himself famylie wherin albeit necessitie being y e most greuouse scourge of mans lyfe pincheth cōmōly so extremelie that she makes vs manye tymes forget both honor honestie and good order Ye and abuse the goodnes of our nature yet shall you fynd some so whollie resolued in vertue stād so sewerly vpon the guarde of their honest name That rather then the hungry rage of pouertie or gnawing worme of necessitie haue power to induse them to do y e thing that their honor and honestie cānot iustify they wil not stick to resigne the hard and extreme condiciō of their state into y e hands of the miserable world by som glorious death whych is the only and chief repose of mysery and vndoubted consolaciō of such as are alwayes persecuted w t y e malice of aduer sitie wherof you may note a famyliar proofe in the sequele of this Iulya who notwithstanding the pouertie of her parentes had won by her owne industrie such a general commendaciō of good gouernment and chaste conuersacion of lyfe that excedinge therin all the rest that were but her matches in equalitie of birthe and calling she brought also a decoracion of state and encrease of glory to the obscure name and pettegre of her poore auncestors neither was shee of lesse fame for the prayse of her bewtie and semely shape of body wherin nature semed to aduance her wyth such assistance of her comming that she appered amongest the rest of her companions as the glorious rose in the fragrant and pleasante morning of may she had also such a speciall gyfte and order in spekinge with a staied countenance duringe her conference with any together wyth a wonderful grace in geuing to euerye one the due reuerence of his callinge that notwythstandyuge the simplicitie of her house wyth the small assistance of discrecion not yet confirmed wyth the nomber of xvi yeres her womanly and wyse order mighte serue to instruct some Ladyes of highe callynge and make blushe a nomber of greate dames that accompte theymselues withoute comparison in dyuerse courtes in Italy and els where Albeit as all these vertues and rare gyftes serued rather to encrease her prayse and commendacion among the people then anye suer meane to supplye the pouertie of her parentes or releue the hardenes of her owne state soo her father forgate not to imploye her in the trade of honeste toyle and teache her to treade the steppes of hys trauayle sometyme framynge her to the vse of the wede hooke to torne vppe the earthe wythe a spade in the gardeine and as occasion serued to taste nowe and then of the husband mans toile in attendynge the ploughe wyth other exercises of payne alwayes incidente to the poore man as his only porcion to defende hym frome the violence of hunger and extreme myserye whych two harde enemyes wyth the seuere diligence of the father seamed so whollye to pursue thys younglinge that ther was no exercise of profite or honest trauaile of the hand wherein shee dyd not excede or do aswel as the best being withall soo wholly resolued to preuente the malice of fortune with the sweate of her brows that she was not sene to suffer the least moment of tyme to passe wythout the dispatch of some honest labor perswading herselfe that as ydlenes is ryghtlye termed y e roote of sin and mother of mischief and special ennemye to seduce and corrupt the chastitie of women so she is chieflye to be wythstanded wyth the armor of honest indeuor beinge denied to inuade the hartes of such as kepe their bodyes accompanied wyth contynual trauayle neither doth that detestable vice expose other frutes then fylthye ymagynacions and conceytes of mischiefe according to thauctorytie of PLATO who affirmeth that in doynge nothyng men lerne to doo euill wherein he is iustefied also by dyuerse textes of the scriptures willinge vs nor to be ydle leaste wee fall into the daunger of the temptor whyche Salomon in lyke sorte dothe aduowe saynge the deuyll is alwayes in ambushe to enter in them whose harts he fyndes occupied with vayne thoughtes and their bodyes absteyning from honeste labor and trulye me thinkes the true christian can not stand too sewerlye vppon hys guarde in avoydynge the penalcyes of ydlenes seyng the terrible threates of the gospel somonynge vs by the very wordes of our sauioure to render accompte afore the throne of the highest of euery ydle worde and worke we ymagyn or doo during oure aboade in thys transitorye vale whereof thys faire MANTVA fearinge no lesse to
fall into the daunger of that euill then careful to preuent all occasions of the same wold not admit any dispense or abstinence of trauaile sauynge of the hollydaies which she vsed as seasons of honest recreaciō in the open feldes amongest other her cōpagniōs detestyng vnlauful haunts and secret chattinge with men in corners the chefest meane to bryng their name and doynge in question for she that abandoneth the companie of her companions forsakinge the place of publike assembly to retire into the desolate and darke corners of the chamber doth not only bryng her doyngs in doute but also settes the sclanderer of worke to forge a thousand informacions against her former title name of honestie how clere and strong so euer it seamed in the iudgment of all the world and what other opiniō ys to be had of her that delites in secret conference hatyng to haue her sayngs procede in publike then that shée treates of other affayers then she may wel iustifie for if she liued as she ought vsed none other tearmes then were to be aduouched she neade neither feare y e creaking of y e dore nor vse obscure darke vaults as only witnesses of her talke wherof I could enlarg the proff with authoritie of antiquitie yf the misery of our present time did not prefer examples sufficiēt which I wish may so instructe y e careles mothers of Englād that keping their doughters within the awe of correction they make thē also subiecte to the lawe order of good gouernemēt least both the one the other become the wōder of y e multitude cause of folysh enterluds deuised on publicke stage by the like occasions but now to our Iulya whose chast vpright order of lyuing being yet fresh within the memorie of our age not to be defaced with the lengthe of tyme serues also as a line to lead you yong Ladies to direct your liues as nere as you can by the dyall of her vertues for she treading thus both the stepps of honest traueile traded in the path of true perfection of life deuided the wéeke into dailie exercises of toile and necessary affayers of her father spending the holy dayes only in honest recreacion amonge semely companie in the churche yarde or other conuenient place of publicke assemblie wher being vnhappely spied of a detestable palliard common enemy of the honor of women was sodenly sōmoned by the sentence of her destines fell by no lesse misfortune into y e dāger of a fleshly louer for at y e same instant the noble Loys gonsaga thē byshop of the douchy of Mantua kept his residence at Gazolo where amongest hys traine of houshold gentlemen ther was one who seruyng the byshop in the office of a vallet of his chamber hadd bene no lesse worthye of the credite of that rowmthe then of greter preferment at the hāds of his maister if he had not byn vnhappely encoūtered by the desaster which this history pre sēts vnto you but what a small spot staines a faier garmēt and one vice that is detestable darkneth the credit of a nōber of vertues it is to be noted as I haue said y t in Italye y e méeting of youth daunsing is tollerable so it be in the viewe eye of the people but whatsoeuer other men do thincke of y e art of daunsing I am perswaded that it is rather a discipline deuised within the scoole of Sathan then an exercyse mete to encourage youth to thimitaciō of vertue wherin I appeale to iustifie my opinion to the frute effectes appearing daily in that lasciuius trade leuing a parte the inuectiues and infinite examples which the histories on both partes do infer in detestacion of that wantō allurment or prouocation to sin I thought it sufficiēt to confirme my aduise only w t the authoritie of the Romaine who diswading al men from the exercise of daunsing saith that the countenaunce gestes and other behauyors of a daunser do nothinge differ from the order disposicion of a foole here this valet of chaūber to y e byshop being vnhappelie presēt in an assēbly of youth espied by the like milfortune the order behauior of Iulia who albeit she was y e porest of the cōpanie yet was she nothing inferior to y e best in semely grace and womanly order appearing in her during y e time of the daunce which infectyng alredy the eies of the gallād of FERRARA moued him also w t present desier to go nere take a better view of her beautie which he was not hable to cōsider w t such iudgmēt assured stay of him self but the glymering complexion of her face dyed w t a natural coolor of white and red made suche a breache into his harte that wearing the picture of her beautie in the botome of the same proclaimed her without further aduise y t soueraygne Lady of hys lyfe and only mysters and ruler of hys thoughtes and aduowing herew t to yeald her the whole honor of his seruice protested in secrett to himselfe with lyke vowe and ceremonye of vayne conceyte not to leue the pursute of suche a praye till he had made a conquest of that he ymagined and encountred theffect of his desyre by wearyng the garland of the flower and firste frutes of the maidenhedd of IVLYA whom because he stode on thornes til he had presented the firste ernest penie of his seruice he requested too daunce whyche not knowynge the cause of hys courtesye she refused not to doe as one no lesse redy too performe all requests and affayres of cyuilitie and good bringing vp accordynge to her callynge then excellyng all the reste of her tyme in beautie and other vertues without exception but yf this fonde younglynge and pupill of CVPIDO dyd féele afore the symple mocions of loue beginnyng too tickle him but with desyre onelye to vewe her at large yt is nowe that he resygned hymselfe wholy into the daunger of hym who as a subtill serpent lyeth in wayte to inuade them whome he fyndes vnarmed with vertue laughynge afterwarde to hym selfe at oure redynes to lysten to the lure of hys bayte and ronne hedlonge into the laborynthe of endles dysquyet and that whyche brought more oyle to hys matche and kyndled in hys harte the present sparkes of hoat affection was when he felt the tendernes of her hande whiche albeit was euery daye dipped in dyuers vnholsom confections and alwayes bare tabide the violence of the wether not refrayninge the hardnes or hard labour of any toyle reteyned suche a dilicate softnes and naturall hewe of it selfe that it seamed equall for the fynes smothnes of skyn to some Ladyes which I know are assisted with the helpe of waters and lée made for the nonce and other legerdemeins deuised by the potticarye to preserue their handes in a continual moysture with a fyne whyte pleasant show The plesant reflection of her ladylike hand
commendacion of our integritye to the remeinder of our race Doste not thou knowe my deare Maryone that in the swete and dewye mornynges of the spring there apperes certeine flowers no lesse delitefull to the beholders then yeldynge an odiferous smell with an inticynge desyer to be gathered so long as their fragrāt and freshe perfumes indures but when the heate of the son perching the gallāds of Aurora shall pearce thorowe bothe boodd and roote and mortifye the liuelye hewe of suche brickle creatures the flower is not only forgotten and loathed whiche earste was so much embraced but the desyer of all men taken awaye as though there neuer had bene any such like wise y e glistering apple growing vpon the high spraies in the pleasant lādes of Angeau semes a thing of great delectacion to the eye of no lesse pleasante taste so long as he is entyer and without corrupcion but after the worme hath eyther made a breach or his gréenes or pleasante maturitie lost his force and conuerted into a rotten ripenesse his bewtie dekaies wyth desier any longer to kepe hym Euen so a mayde what pouertie soeuer oppresse her so longe as she kepes vnspotted her surname and title of chastetie is not only admitted but also may chaleng place amongest the best of a countrye but when the caterpillor hath once cropped the leaffe and deuow red the boodd the trée doth not only die and perish with infamye but the remembrance of such stocke and frute remeines in the recordes of reproche to the opening of the greate booke of general accompt when al faltes shal be reueiled and punished according to their disposicion and qualitie And sewer it is better for a woman of what degrée soeuer she be to dy w t honor and buyrye the bourdē of honest renowm with her bodie in the graue then enioying the fruicion of life to be marked of the multitude with a note of generall rebuke whych as a moothe in a garment will not ceasse to eate and deuour her present estimacion and make notorious besides euery age of her succession by the desert of her disordred life loasing the only cause that makes me ioye in my selfe wyth so great desier to liue wherin because I may the rather per forme theffect of thys last resolucion I will firste wyth an vnfayned hart make inuocation to y e highest for thassistance of his grace to garde me frome thassaltes and peppered prouocations of the fleshe and then cut of all suche occasions as may eftesones aduance the suggestion of the same or seame any way an ympedimente to the vowe I haue presentlie made whych I doubt not wil be armes sufficient enough to repulse y e alarams of Signeur Luchyn raise y e siege which I sée he hath planted agaynst the fortresse of my chastetie wherin she omitted not th execution for from that instante shee kepte her selfe vnsene of anye but her frendes and kinsefolkes comminge lyttle or nothynge abroade and lesse willing to be spied out of windows or stand at the doore leauinge thereby an example worthye of ymitacion to all estates and sortes of women but specially suche gigges and pratlinge houswiues as can not contente theym selues with the ayre of the house nor giue one pricke with the nedle oneless she sit at the doare as though her exercyse were onelye to menteyne chatt wythe the streete walkers or keepe a standynge and make challenge agaynste all commers whyche is the thynge that you mothers and tutours of lytle girles oughte chyefly to respecte in the direction of youre tender charges I meane to bridle and brynge vpp youre pupilles and ympes that haue follye tyed on their backes in the awe of correction yf they transgress the order of good gouernement you must not forgett to offer theym the racke and tormentes of the rodde which you must minister vnto theim in the greenes of their yer es and affore the tendrenes of youthe with wante of discrection wil suffer theim to discerne their owne inclinacion for as the Philosopher tearmeth theym to bée a kinde of cattell more apte to declyne then any other reasonable creature so saith he yf they get once the bit betwene their téethe and crop of the hearbée of ryotus will it is harder to reclayme theym eyther hy awe feare compulsion or gentle intreatie then the wilde haggard or rammish falcon by any connynge or deuise of their keper besides as a maide is a Iewell of no lesse greate price then rarely to be founde so she is a vessell moste bryckle and easye to be broken and being once eyther crackte or corrupted she liueth in none other accompte then in comon wonder of the people and pointed at of all the worlde Wherefore you mothers that in the bringyng vpp of your doughters will giue ashowe of your owne vertue with no lesse care of the honor of your children must forgett to pamper youre younglines with presentes of their willes or dandle theym vppon the lapp of dame folly but féede theym rather with the discipline of good nouriture not sparing the order of due correction leaste you spill the future hope and expectation of their well doynge and better it is to haue a mayde smell of honest simplicitie vsing a temperate scilēce in her toungue and order of talke then ytalianated in legerdemaines of subteltye and pricked full of the fethers of foolyshe pride to haue the tounge of a popingaie bablinge without order or discrecion for that the one is a vertue of it selfe and the veray lyne to leade her to aduauncement and in practisinge the other she procures a discredit to her parentes for their necligence in her education and her selfe but laughte at in the companie of wise and discrete dames and that which worse is led by such guides into the botome les pit of euerlasting infamye Remember thaduise of Marcus Aurelius who writing of the slipper disposition of some women with instruction to abridge the perentory humour which nature hath giuen theim gyues this generall charge to all gouernours of nourceries tutors of litle girles that they stande so sewerly vppon the garde of thonnour of their charges that they neither be sene out of windowes stande as stales at the dore suffred to visit any place of thordynarie hawnte of men called to secrete conference without cōmission or companie of her keapor but also barde thaccesse and presence of all men for that saith he the ill can not be vtterly preuented onelesse the causes that maye procure it bée cleane taken awaie neither is it possibe for a Lady to kepe the reputacion of her honor that makes her selfe incidente to the hawnte of great companies with desier to be a comō feast maker and visit euery banquet and the more she is innested with honor and high callinge the more care is due to the preseruation of so great a title and lesse libertie or licēce is enioyned her to raunge a broade or séeke to satisfie thappetit of
truellie cōsistes not in passion or pyning cares much lesse cometh he to the ful of his desier by sighes dollorus regardes or lamentable exclamaciōs accordīge to the Spanyard nor so lemne vowes to visitt far places for her sake or childishe feares as the amarus Italyan to whom also we may ad this barceloniā Diego who thought thorow his desperat penānce in the desertes of Pireneus to reclayme the goodwill of his mystres seing that as in al our affayres we ought not excede the institucion of vertue so she chiefly is to beare a swaighe in y e knot of this indissoluble amytie besids we se heare that the diligence of a perfect frende is of more force in those cases then all the passions panges letters of pithie perswacion orother ymportunyties whatsoeuer tollerated in matters of loue neither can a man iudge what a treasor it is to haue an assured frende tyll eyther the want of suche a Iewell or experience of his frendshipp make hym tast the benefit of so great and rare a gift seyng that a true frende beinge the second part or one moyetie of our selues is alwayes so guided by a natural Sympathya of affection towardes hym whō he loueth that he reioyseth in the pleasure and commodytie of hys frende and is readye to participat with hys aduersaty when fortune is disposed to plaie any part of her accustomed mobilitie whereof albeit we fynde not at thys daye so many thorowly perfect in that vertue as the whole worlde on all partes swarmes withe infynitye of the contrarye faction whych the Grecian philosopher calleth Microphilos That is a demye or halfe frende accordynge to thinglishe phrase Yet am I moued by diuerse occasions to passe ouer suche discourse contentinge my selfe that the diuersatye of my histories gyue recreaciō to the reader wythout stayinge to infer authorities whych may touche or sift the conscience of any And obseruing chiefly as nere as I colde an order of truth my seconde respecte was to prefer suche examples as myghte best serue to instruct our youthe who as they maye sée heare the faltes of fragilitie punished with shame losse of honor cruell deathe and perpetual infamie to their posteritie So haue they also of the contrarye speciall patternes of vertue alluringe theym to ymytacion of semblable honestye wyth diuersitie of authorities prouinge the reward of vertue and vertuouse lyuinge whereof lett all degrées make their proffit as they thinke good accordinge to the flée in the milke fedinge of the good and vertuous frute and leaue the reste as poison and bitter dregges to such as are wholly drowned in the desiers of the fleshe and buryed in a pitt of worldly filthe and as I haue seamed in some places to enterlarde this profane traslation with certeyne testimonies oute of sacred recordes So I hope the same will the rather defende th'integritie of myne intente againste all obiections consideringe that the most parte of the simple and ignoraunte sorte are rather moued with suche examples then reduced with the seuere sentences of somme great philosopher or reformed theologyan Besydes in theis discourses of loue th' adulteror is putt in remembrance of his faulte the morderer séeth the rewarde of his iniquitie he that yeldes to the sommonce of fowle cōcupiscence is sewer to be touched with the marke of infamie and suche as passioneth him selfe vpon creadit maye beholde heare the méede of his follye wherein for my parte as I greue that the worlde at this presente swarmeth with so greate a nomber of insensed men readye to dye for a pleasure of so small momente as the contentemente of the bodie So I wishe that as in writynge thies tragicall affaires I haue founde the falte of mine owne life that also the reste of the younglinges of our countrey in reding my indeuor maye breake the slepe of their longe follye and retire at laste to amendement of lyfe leaste in remeyninge still in the laborinth of sensuallitie they serue not hereafter as a fable and stage playe to the posteritye of a multitude for ende I exspecte no other hier of my traueile then that my diligence maye seame thankefull to her to whose honor and goodnesse I owe no lesse then all that I haue FINIS The Table A Wounderful vertue in a Gentleman of SIENNA on the behalfe of his enemie whome he deliuered from death and the other to retorne his courtesye with equall frendshipp presented hym wyth his syster whome he knewe he loued entierelie Histo 1. Fol. 4. The longe and loyal loue betwene LYVIO and Camylla together wyth theyr lamentable death the one dyenge of a passion of ioye the firste nighte he embraced his mistrys in bedd the other passed also the same waye as ouercome with present sorowe for the death of him whome she loued no lesse then her selfe Histo 2. fol. 39. A younge Ladye in Myllan after she had longe abused the vertue of her youth and honor of mariage with an vnlawfull haunte of diuerse yonge Gentlemen becomes an vnnaturall morderor of the frute of her wombe for that she was forsaken of him who gatt her with childe Histo 3. Fol. 62. An Albanoise Captayne beynge at the point to dye killed his wyf because no man sholde enioye her beautie after his death Histo 4. Fol. 80. Sondrye perills happenyng to a younge Gentleman of Myllan in the pursute of his Ladie Histo 5. Fol. 95. The villanie of an Abbot in séeking to seduce a mayde by force and her vertue in defending her honor against him and his companions of trayson Histo 6. fol. 124. The disordered lyfe of the Countesse of Celant who lyuynge long in adulterie and after she had procured diuerse morders receyued the hyer of her wickednes by shamefull death Histo 7. Fol. 136. IVLYA drowneth her selfe for that her bodye was abused by force Histo 8. Fol. 170. The impudent loue of the Ladye of Chabrie with her procurer Tolonyo together with the detestable morders committed betwene theim Histo 9. Fol. 188. LVCHIN is longe in loue wyth a simple maide whom he woeth and can not wyn by anye passion he endureth at laste necessitie yeldeth her into his handes when he dothe not onelye refuce to abuse her bodie but also takes order to susteine her and supplie her wantes no lesse amplie then yf she had bene his syster Histo 10. Fol. 208. The crueltye of a wydowe in enioynynge her woer to a pennance of thre yeres losse of his spéeche the folishe loyaltye in hym in performynge her commaundement and the meane whereby he was reuenged of her rigour Histo 11. Fol. 226. PERYLLO suffreth muche for the loue of Carmosyna marying her in the ende were both two stricken to death with a thonderbolte the first nighte of theyr infortunat mariage Histo 12. Fol. 252. A wonderful constancie in Dom Diego who for the respect of Geniuera la Blunde vndertooke a harde pennaunce vpon the mountes Pyreney where he led the lyfe of an Hermitt til he was founde out by chaunce by
baude Narcissus doateth vpon his ovvne shadovve Constancie VVomen deriued of the imperfections of men Faith to be obseruedvvhere the desyer is performed Cornelio giueth his laâ—â— aunsvvere to the baude Plaudyna Plaudyna aduertiseth her louer of the departure of her husband Delyo persuadeth Cornelyo not to go to Millan perills be greater in reaport then daungerous in thaduenture Cornelio astonied in the presence of his Ladye Cornelio speketh to his Ladye Lyfe Plaudina replieth to her seruant Her husband Loue makes a man valiant or rather folishe hardie An order not necessarie for a commâ—â— vvealth A woman more readye of vvitt then a man in exeremeties Necessetie geueth corage to the fainte harte The doubtefull mynd is rather apt to beleue the vvorste then credyt thinges that bâ—◠〈◊〉 A discrip cioÌ„ of Naples accordig to the cronicles of tuskan Diuerse englishe gentlemen enterteined there at this daye Loue a common enemy to the ease of man The Abbot vvriteth to his mistres Loue. Thexclamacion of the Abbot His letter BlaÌ„che maria maried to the Viscount hermes The order of a wise husbaÌ„d in repre hendinge the follies of his gyife The vvise aunsvvere of the Viscount thouchynge the gouernement of hys vvife The visecount dieth VVomenne muste avoide asvvel the suspicion as thact of euyll A pollecye of the serpent Alteracyons in a louer in the presence of his ladye The carle vvoethe the vvidovve The Ytalian Ielousie by nature The vvidovves replye A contracte forced is a vyolacion of mariage A litle falte in a great lady is made a mortal offeÌ„ce in the iudgement of the vvorlde A vvoman reformed rather by faire intreatie the force of constraint Phedra She letteth her banke of money â—oÌ„ne in interest at Myllan She rouneth from her husbande The honor of a maÌ„ ought not to be defaced by the deshonestie of his vvife Shame ought to direct the doinges of vvomen Demosthenes refused the companie of Lays for that she held a nightes lodging at to high a price The first vnlavvfull louer of the countesse The order of a curtisan to allure men to affection Th erle valpergo proffereth his seruice to the countesse She graunteth fauor to therle Acteon transformed into a hart by Dyana Fortune dravven in shape and attire of a vvoman The couÌ„tesse vvoeth therle Gaiazo by letter Morder most haâ—nous in the sighte of god She entreateth her second frend to kyll her firste louer She discontinueth her freÌ„dship vvith the Lord Gaiazo Some faultes may be excused that can not be pardoned The barbarians more curious theÌ„ vve in obseruinge their lavves Shame as necessarie for age as avve for yong meÌ„ Death the due revvâ—â—de of morder The sin of the father punished vpon the children The couÌ„tesse to her last louer No morder escapeth vnpunished Ydlenes the mother of mischiefe In doing nothinge men learne to do euill Loue. The geÌ„tlemaÌ„ maketh loue to Iulya Iulya ansvvereth God The dovvtefull mynde is neuer in quiett The bavvde to Iulya VvomeÌ„ ought to be curteus by nature Iulya reprehendeth the baude Money the mynisters of corrupcion The beginning of euery thing seames harde Iulya rauished by force Money the ministers oâ— infection Beautie Iuly a drovvneth her selfe The bible thinfallible booke Dyuine and humaine lavves The Ladye wâ—â—the her procurer vnder a complaint against the vveakne in her husbande The knights slaine by the â—â—â—â—soÌ„ of hys 〈◊〉 The Ladye â—ayneth a sorovv for the death of her husband Death the messenger of the vvill of God The eldeste sonne chargeth his mother vvith incestuose life vvith tolonyo Honor. She replyeth to her sonne Vertue is coÌ„tinualie assailed vvith enuye spite Her eldest sonne slaine by treason Yt is easye to corrupt him vvhich is euil of himselfe Her seconde sonne slaine by her vvickednes The deuill Tolonyo kil leth his vvife Her father in lavve coÌ„plaineth to the iudge criminall The Ladye fleethe to po getto Tolonyo repenteth and praieth to God for forgyuenes of his sinnes Iere .xxxi. Luke .xxii. Tolonyo exe cuted A vvonderful vertue in a romaine Capteine A merueilus contynencie in the great Alexander The order of the hungrye Spanyarde Yt is necessary to feele sometime a chaunge of fortune Beautye VvomeÌ„ seame masquers in painting their faces beautie Mearemaides Ianiquetta aunsvvereth her compaignion The norsse Luchyne vvoeth Ianiquaette Ianiquetta aunsvvereth Luchyn God Loue. Golde and syluer The bavvde vvoeth Ianiquette Riches Ianiquette reprehendethâ— the bavvde Money A maide ought to defend her honestie euen to the laste dropp of her blodde The Shebaud in LondoÌ„ car yeth a basket in her hande the he bavvde a ring in his mouth Vvomen deriued of thim perfection of men Love The frendes of Luchyn persvvade hym to mary age and amendment of life Honor and liuynge Nothing 〈◊〉 sausfye the couetusâ—â—s of man The husbaÌ„d The bable of of the people is rather of custome then of creditt Necessetie forceth Ianiquette to offer her selfe in praie to Luchyn Luchyn abstained from vyolacion of Ianiquetta Luchyn coÌ„pforteth Ianiquetta Luchyn presenteth Ianiquetta to his vvyfe Xenocrates refused a yoÌ„g maid layed in bedd vvith hym GentlevvomeÌ„ oughte to be skilful in houskeping The charge of a mistris or gouernor of housholde Parentes Phillyberto falleth in loue vvith the vvydovve He vvas made â—understande of thinciuili tye of the vvydovve Loue. Seigneur phil liberto vvoeth his neighbor to solicite his loue to zylia The aunsvver of his neyghbour His neighbour makes a second offer of her helpe Philliberto vvriteth to his Ladye The messenger to the vvy dovve Zilia ansvvereth the messenger The coÌ„plaint of Seigneur Philiberto Loue not seuiahle to any order VVomen are borne to bee obedient to men Fleshelie louers coÌ„pared to the Scorpion Zilya repre hendeth her vvoer 1451. 143â— Written in their boke of 〈◊〉 called caâ—alogue des martuis The desier of vnhoâ—eâ—te gaine the fountaine of all euills Crassus fell into the handes of 〈…〉 Zylpa sorovveth her for mer crueltie Honestie the chiefest support of lyfe Vertues in loue Dicesing house Perillo repreheÌ„ded of cer teine his fren des The house of play a store house of all vices Tenaunte by the high vvay side called theaues in plaine englyshe Loue. Riches most respected in mariages novv a dayes Perillo vvriteth to Carmosy na Carmosyna aunsvve rethe the letter of Perillo Mynio denie the to mary his doughter to Perillo The coÌ„plaiÌ„t of perillo Perillo taken prisonner and his goods spoiled The complaint of Peaitllo in prison The Sea Carmosina complayneth the misery of perillo Richeâ— A speciall chalenge The poore man demaunding his almes is the deputie of Christ vvho saithe vvhat vve geue to the nedy vve bestovve vppon hym Perillo redemed from pryson Carmosyna comfortethe Perillo Perillo and Carmosyna maried Perillo his vviffe slaine vvith Athonder oolte Loue. Dom Diego made knyght The first meting vvords betvven Diego and Geniuera A discriptioÌ„ thattiâ—e and beautye of Geniuera Geniuera fal leth in loue vvith Diego Loue procedes of a fond opynion Dom diego passioned vvith loue Slepe the ceremonies of the night Geniuera and her mother at the house of Diego Diego vvoeth Geniuera in a daunse Geniuera auÌ„ svvereth vvith half consent to his request Yt is hard to conceile the passion of loue Mariage Geniuera falleth iÌ„ disdain vvith Diego Geniuera exclaimeth against Diego Geniuera reprocheth Diego by a letter The coÌ„plaint of Diego Death the last and best repose of mise rye His man dissuadeth hym from the pilgrims voiage The most perfect victorie is to make a conquest of our selues Diego begin neth his pilgrymage Diego complaineth his chaunge of estate vpon the vvaye The contentes of Diegos letter to geniuera Deathe the dreadefull messenger The havvke Venice taken and putt to sacke by Pirro Fregos Theues Roderico dis couereth embraseth his frende Dom Diego Diego acknovvledgeth himselfe to Roderico Thoffice of a noble man or one in authoritie Diego excuseth hys departure from his contrey The vvise man vvil neuer comytt councelle to children VVomen coÌ„pared to infates Roderico killeth the biskaine Cupido Roderico to geniuera Geniuera exclameth against Roderico Diego vpon his knees 〈◊〉 ueth pytye Dom Diego being stil prostrate crieth for coÌ„passion to his mistrys Roderico threatneth Geniuera Geniuera be ginneth to shovve arguments of compassion diego sevveth for the lyf of Geniuera Her hart Ge niueâ—a eâ—â—useth her former faiâ—e and folâ—â—e vvich promise of vnfayned fayth to Diego The conclucion of the traÌ„slator vpoÌ„ his volume of tragicall discourses