him with her misfortune but she did not confesse unto him who was the Father of the Fault and did beseech him to be carefull to preserve her Honour which accordingly he did Some few dayes before she was brought to bed he counselled her to change the air and to make use of his House where she might better recover her health than in her own She repaired thither with a very small Retinue and found a Midwife prepared for her who was sent for under a pretence to come unto her Brothers Wife this Midwife one night without knowing who was the Mother of it did receive the Infant which was a very pretty Girl The Gentleman did deliver it to a Nurse and caused her to bring it up as if it had been his own child The Lady having continued there the space of one moneth did return into her own house where she lived more austerely than before observing dayes of abstinence and all manner of religious discipline But when her Son came unto age and found that at present there was no warre in Italy he sent to his Mother to beseech her that he might return to her House She fearing to sall again into her former Evil would not permit him but in the end he so far importuned her that in reason she could not refuse him Neverthelesse she commanded him That he should not come before her unlesse he were married to some Gentlewoman whom he loved very well and sent him word withall that she did not look after any great Fortune but if she were a Gentlewoman of good Education it was sufficient During this time her Brother the Bastard seeing the Girl of which he had the charge to grow into years and to be accomplished with perfections he determined with himself to send her to a House at some distance from him where she should be unknown and by the Counsel of her own Mother he did give her unto the Queen of Navarre This Girl whose name was Katherine was then thirteen years of age and had her beauties accompanied with such a gracefulnesse that the Queen of Navarre did love her very well and had a great desire to marry her to some personage of Honour but because she had no portion that was considerable she had many servants but no Husband It fell out one day that the Gentleman who was her Father unknown returning into this side of the Alpes did addresse himself unto the Court of the Queen of Navar where whenever he observed this young Maid he was very amorous of her and because he had leave of his Mother to marry whom he pleased he only inquired If she were a Gentlewoman and understanding that she was he desired the Queen that she would be pleased to give her in marriage to him who most willingly did consent unto it for she knew well enough that the Gentleman was very rich and with his riches that he was handsom and honest This Marriage being consummated the Gentleman did write unto his Mother imparting That for the time to come she ought not to shut her door any more against him because he had brought with him as accomplished a young Gentlewoman as could possibly be desired The Lady his Mother who inquired to what allyance he was married did find that it was the Daughter of her own Son and of her self by reason whereof she entered into so great a sorrow that she thought she should forthwith have dyed finding that the more checks and hinderances she did endeavour to give to her Misfortune the more she was the meanes whereby it was increased Not knowing what to do she repaired to the Legat of Avignon to whom she confessed the enormity of her Sin demanding his Counsel how she should demean her self The Legat to satisfie her Conscience did send for divers Doctors of Divinity to whom he did communicate the affair without naming the persons and their Counsel was That the Lady should never speak any thing of it before her Children who by reason of their Ignorance were to be excused from the sin but she ought to repent of it during the whole Course of her life and be carefull to commit the same folly no more And so the poor Lady returned to her own house where not long afterwards her Son and her fair Daughter did arrive who loved one another with such an intire affection that it was never seen that Man or Wife did better agree together for she was his Daughter his Sister and his Wife and he was her Father her Brother and her Husband In this love they flourished and continued all the days of their lives and the poor Lady did continue in her penitence for she never saw them to make much of one another but it was an Occasion of Grief unto her Ladies Here you may observe how they may be deceived who think by the force of their Virtues to overcome both Love and Nature with all the powers wherewith with God hath armed them It is beâ—ter by slight to overcome these Enemies than by Invasion and to say with the Psalmist Make thou O Lord an answer for me It is not possible said Oysilla to hear the account of a stranger story and it appears to me that every Man and Woman ought to stoop and to submit themselves unto the will and the fear of God seeing that under a presumption to do well so many Evils did fall out We may understand also said Parlament that every step that a Man advanceth forward in the Confidence of himself he doth go as many backwards from the Confidence which he ought to have in God He is wise said Guebron who knoweth that he hath no greater Enemies than himself and who whatsoever appearance of goodnesse or of holinesse there be in him doth alwayes suspect his own will and counsels There can be no apparence so great of Good to ensue thereby said Longaren as ought to make a wise Woman to venture to lie with a Man be he never so near of blood for the fire once stopped will break forth with the greater violence Without all doubt said Emarsuite she is some glorious fool who doth think her self so holy that she cannot sin as some will perswade and make the Ignorant to believe that we can do good and refrain from Evil of our selves which is a great Error Is it possible said Oyfilla that there are such fools as to believe that opinion They do a great deal worse said Longaren for they say they can habituate themselves to the virtue of Chastity to prove their strength they discourse with the most handsom creatures that can be found whom they love the best in the world and with kisses and touchings of their hands they make tryal if their flesh be mortified or no And when by such pleasure they find any carnal motions they separat themselves from one another fast and disciplin themselves with the greatest severity And when they have brought their flesh to such
heart as it were her own businesse And Avanturade so much prevailed that she presented Amadour unto her who in â—issing of her hand had almost swouned away for Joy and although he was esteemed the best Speaker in all Spain yet he was struck dumb before Florinda at which she was much amazed for although she was but of twelve years of age yet she well understood That there was not one in all Spain that could speak better or with a greater grace and seeing that he said nothing she began to speak unto him Amadour the Renown which you have gained throughout all Spain is so great that it makes you known in this place and company and administers both a desire and an occasion to those that know you to imploy themselves to doe you good wherefore if there be any thing in which I may be beneficial to you you may imploy me in it Amadour who observed the beauty of the Lady was so ravished with it that he had much to do to say I thank you Although Florinda was astonished to see him without an Answer she did impute it rather to his bashfulnesse than to any force of Love and departed from him without speaking any more Amadour observing the virtue which in such a tendernesse of youth did begin to show it self in Florinda did say unto her whom he intended to make his Wife Marvail not at all that I became as a dumb Man before Florinda for her virtues and wise discourse hid in so young an age did so amaze me that I knew not what to say unto her But Avanturade I must beseech you to inform me for you know the Secrets of the House what Princes Lords and Gentlemen do frequent it for they that know her and do not love her are either Stones or Beasts Avanturade who before did love Amadour better than any one in the world could conceal nothing from him and told him That Madam Florinda was beloved of all the world but because of the custom of the Countrey there were but few admitted to speak unto her and that as yet she had not seen any that had made any profession of love unto her but only two young Princes of Spain who desired to espouse her one whereof was of the House and the Son of the Infant Fortunate and the other was the young Duke of Cadouce I pray you said Amadour Tell me which of them do you think that she loveth best She is so wise said Avanturade that she professeth that she hath no other will but that of her Mothers but as far as we can judge she loveth the Son of the Infant Fortunate far better than the young Duke of Cadouce And I esteem you to be a man of that Judgement that on this day if it please you you may satisfie your self therein for the Son of the Infant Fortunate is brought up in this Court and is one of the most lovely and most absolute young Princes in Christendom And if this Marriage should be according to the opinion desire of us Maids he should be sure to have Madam Florinda that we might see together the most gallant couple in the World And you ought to understand that although they are both of them very yong she not being above twelve and he fifteen years of age yet it is three years since first their love began And above all things if you would obtain the favour of Florinda I would advise you to be a Friend and Servant to the Infant Fortunate Amadour was very glad to understand that Florinda loved any thing hoping at last that he might gain the place if not of a Husband yet of her Servant for he feared nothing in her virtue but only that she could not be induced to love After this Amadour did altogether frequent the Lodgings of the Son of the Infant Fortunate whose favour easily he obtained for all the Pastimes which the young Prince loved Amadour knew how to perform and above all things he was most expert in the riding of great Horses and in all kind of weapons and in other recreations and exercises which a young man ought to know After this the War began in Languedoc and Amadour of necessity was to return with the Governor which was not without great grief for he had no longer the means nor opportunity to come into that place where he might behold Florinda for which purpose he did speak unto his Brother who was the Major Domo in the Court of the Queen of Spain and told him of the entertainment he found in the House of the Countesse of Arand and of the Damosell Aventurade desiâ—ing him that in his absence he would use his utmost endeavour that the Marriage might suddenly be solemnized and that he would imploy therein the Reputation of the King and Queen and of all his friends The Gentleman who loved his Brother as well for his virtues as for the contiguity of blood did promise to perform the uttermost he was able which he did accordingly Insomuch that the old and covetous Father of Avanturade did forget his nature to regard the virtues of Amadour which the Countesse of Arand and above all the beautifull Florinda did set forth before his eyes In the same manner also did the young Count of Arand who as he did grow in age did grow also in love with gallant and virtuous men When the Marriage was accorded on the Major Domo sent to seek out his Brother whiles the Truce lasted betwixt both the Kings During this time the King of Spain retired to Madrid to avoid the contagion of the bad ait which was in many places And by the advice of his Council and the request also of the Countesse of Arand he made the Marriage betwixt the Dutchesse Medina-Coeli an Heiresse and the young Count of Arand as well for the benefit and Union of both Houses as for the love he did bear to the Countesse of Arand and he commanded that that this Marriage should be celebrated in the Castle of Madrid At this Marriage Amadour was present who followed his own so closely that he espoused her by whom he was better beloved than he did love for he onely made this Marriage as a Coverture and a means to frequent the place where his Soul incessantly did abide After he was Married he assumed that boldnesse and was so familiar in the House of the Countesse of Arand that the Ladies had no more regard of him than of one of the Gentlewomen of the House And although he was then but two and twenty years of age he did deport himself so discreetly that the Countesse did communicate to him all her affairs and commanded her Son and her Daughter to make much of him and to take that counsell which he advised them Having gained this high Esteem he did carry himself so wisely and so cunningly that even those whom he loved did not know his affection But Florinda loved the wife of Amadour more than
that she would have no Supper of such Viands again and that she resolved to live in such a manner that he should not be the Butcher of her second Husband for she could hardly be induced to believe that he would pardon another having shewed himself so mercilesse to him whom he loved best in the world And although she was but weak and unable to revenge her own Cause yet her Hope was in HIM who is the true Judge and who will suffer no Sin to passe unpunished to whose only love she would devote her self during her life in that Hermitage which she did accordingly for she never departed thence until the day of her Death untill her Soul departed from her Body living with such patience and austerity that after her Death every one did run thither as to the Seat of a Saint and so great a Ruine did fall upon her Brothers House that of six Sons which he had not one remained alive but all of them dyed most miserably and in the end the Inheritance was devolved as you heard in my other Account upon his Daughter Rolâ—ndine who succeeded in the Prison which was made for her Aunt Ladies I pray to God that this Example may be prefitable to you that none of you may have a desire to marry for your own pleasure without the consent of those â—o whom you do ow obedience for Marriage is an Estate of so long a Continuance that it ought not lightly to be undertaken nor without the Consent of our best Friends and Kinred And it cannot at the best be so well managed but it will undoubtedly bring with iâ— as much pain as pleasure In good faith said Oysilla if there were neither God nor Law to teach fools to be wise this Example is sufficient enough to instruct them to bear more reverence to their Parents and Kinred than to marry at their own pleasure Madam It is so said Nomerfide that she who hath one good day in a year is not unfortunate throughout all her life She had a long time the pleasure to see and to discourse with him whom she loved better than she loved her self and after that she had the delight of the Marriage-bed without any trouble or remorse of Conscience And I esteem that Contentment to be so great that it seems to me it doth exceed the sorrow it brought with it You will say then said Saffredant that Women do receive more pleasures to ly with their Husbands than they do receive grief to to see them killed before their eyes That is not my in tention said Nomerfide for I should then speak against the Experience which I have of married Women but I conceive that so great and extraordinary a pleasure as to marry that man whom we love best in the world is more greatly to be esteemed than to lose him by death which is a common calamity So it is said Guebron if it were by a natural death but this here spoken of was too cruel for it is very strange to me seeing this Signior was neither her Father nor her Husband but her Brother only and moreover that she was of full age and that the Laws doe permit the Daughters to marry whom they please how he durst execute such a cruelty I do find it not strange at all said Hircan for he killed not his Sister whom so perfectly he did love but the young Gentleman whom he cherished and brought up as his own Son and loved as his own Brother and having preferred him and inriched him in his Service the Gentleman ought to have been content and not to have sought his Sister in marriage which nothing at all did pertain unto him The Honour and pleasure said Nomerfide is not usual for a Gentleman who is but a Servant to marry a Lady of so great a Family And if the death be strange the pleasure must be new also and so much the greater that it hath the opinion of all wise men to affirm it and the contentment of a heart full of love to aid it and the repose of the Soul to attend it which is a quiet Conscience seeing God is not offended with it And as for that death which you say was cruel it seems to me that it being inevitable the speediest death is the best for we all know that of necessity we must passe through Nature to eternity And I esteem them most happy who stay not any long time in the Suburbs and from the felicity which only in this world can be so called do in an instaet fly unto that which is eternal What do you call the Suburbs of death said Simontault Those said Nomerfide who have had many tribulations in Spirit those who have been a long time sick those who by the extremity of corporal or Spiritual griefs are come so far as to despise death and to complain that their last hour comes too slowly These are they who have already passed through the Suburbs of Death and have lodged in those Inns in which there is more noise than rest It was impossible but that this Lady must lose her Husband by death but in losing him by the choler of her Brother being exempted from seeing him sick or bedrid and exchanging the joy she had to be with him into the love and the service of God she might well call her self happy Do you make no reckoning said Longaren of the disgrace which she received and of her tedious imprisonment I do believe said Nomerfide that a Man or Woman who absolutely doe love according to the Commandment of God do know neither shame nor dishonour but when they alter or diminish from the perfection of their love for the glory to love truly doth not know nor is it capable of disgrace And as for the imprisonment of the Body I do believe this Lady had such an inlargement of her Soul which was united to God and to her Husband that she was hardly sensible where she was but esteemed her solitude to be the greatest liberty for they who cannot behold that which they love have no other happinesse but incessantly to think upon iâ— And that confinement is never streight where the Soul is free and the thoughts can exercise themselves at their own preasure There is nothing more true said Simontault than that which Nomerfide doth declare but he who by his fury made that separation may truly be called guilty and unhappy for he at one and the same time offended both God and Love and Honour In good earnest said Guebron I do much wonder at the different loves of women and do well observe that those who have the most love have the most virtue and that those who have the least do indeavour by dissimulation to counterfeit themselves to be virtuous It is true said Parlament that a Heart honest to God and Men doth love more sincerely than that which is vicious for it feareth not that we may sound the depth of its intention I have
was but whatsoever prayer she could make or reasons she could allege nothing would mollifie his heart nor overcome the heady resolution he had taken with himself to be revenged on her for without answering his Wife one Word he withdrew himself from her as fast as he could and forgetting God and the honour of his House without any form of Justice he most cruelly caused the Maid to be apprehended I will not in this place undertake to describe unto you the perplexity of the Dutchesse which was such that a Lady of Honour and of a good spirit ought to have who on the obligation of her faith did see her to die whom she desired to preserve But much lesse may the lamentations of the poor Gentleman be represented who was his Servant and failed not to use the utof his endeavour as much as it was possible for him to doe to save the life of the Maid offering to lose his own life for her but it would not be accepted and no pity could touch the heart of the Duke who knew no other felicity but to revenge himself of those whom he hated In this manner was the innocent Maid put to death by this cruel Duke against all Law of honesty to the great grief of all those who knew her See here Ladies what are the effects of malice when power is joyned unto it I have heard it spoken said Longaren that the greatest part of the Italians I say the greatest part for no doubt there are some honest men amongst them as in all other Nations are subject to their Vices in which none do exceed them but I though that Vengeance and Cruelty had not been so predominant as upon every small occasion to give so cruel a death Saffredant smiling did say unto her Longaren you have given us a true Account of one of the three Vices I would fain know what are the other two If you do not know them already said Longaren I will tell them you but I am confident you are not to learn what they are By your words said Saffredant you would make me a very vicious Man Not by deeds said Longaren but in knowing the filthinesse of Vice you can better than another know how to avoid it Wonder not said Simontault at their cruelty for those who have travelled into Italy will tell you such incredible things of them that this in the comparison will appear but a little Sin or no Sin at all Believe me said Guebron when Rivoli was taken by the French there was an Italian Captain who was esteemed to be a Gentleman who seeing one dead who was not his Enemy in particular but only took part against the Gibelins did tear his heart out of his belly and rosting it upon the Coals did greedily devour it and some present demanding of him what tast it had he made answer that he never did eat a sweeter or a more voluptuous morsel And not content with this goodly Act he killed the Wife of the Dead Man and tearing her young child out of her belly being almost ready to be delivered did dash it into pieces against the walls and afterwards filled the two Bodys of the Husband and Wise with Oats and threw them to his Horses to seed on How do you think he would have used this Girl whom he had suspected to have done him a displeasure It might well be affirmed said Emarsuite that the Duke was very much afraid that his Son should have married poorly and that was the reason that he would not suffer him to have a Wife according to his own mind You are not to doubt said Simontault that the Nature of them is to love that more than Nature which was only created for the use of Nature Behold said Longaren the second Sin which I would have represented to you for we all know well enough that to love money beyond the use of it for which it serves which is only to aid us in our necessities is to make an Idol of it Parlament added that Saint Paul had not forgot their Vices nor the vices of those men who think they do surpasse and excell all others in wisdom and humane reason in which they do confound themselves because they render not to God the glory which is due unto him Therefore God who is jealous of his Honour hath renderd them more insensible than Beasts who believed they had more sense than all other men and by their lusts against Nature they do show that they are delivered up to a reprobate sense Longaren interupted her in her discourse and said this is the third Sin to which the greatest part of the Italians are subject In good earnest said Nomerfide I take an extraordinary delight to hear this discourse for since those Spirits which we esteem to be the most subtle and the greatest Discoverers do endure such a punishment as to be more sencelesse than beasts We ought to conclude that those who are humble and dejected in their beauty as I my self am shall be filled with the wisdom of Angels and with the grace of God I assure you answered Oysilla I am not far from your opinion for no man is more ignorant than he who thinks he knows something I never said Guebron saw a mocker but he was mocked nor a deceiver but he was deceived nor a vain glorious person but he was humbled You do make me to remember an Imposture said Simontault which if it had been an honest one I would willingly have recited It is no great matter said Oysilla for since we are met here to speak the truth be it of what quality it will I do give you my voice to speak it Since the place is given to me said Simontault I must take it and will give you an Account thereof The Slovenly Breakfast prepared by an Apothecaries man for an Advocate and a Gentleman The second Novel IN the City of Alençon in the time of Charles the last there was an Advocate named Anthony Bachet an honest man and a great Lover of a good Breakfast in a Winters morning One day sitting very early at his door he observed a Gentleman to passe by who was called Monsieur de Tyrelier who by reason of the great Frost which was that morning was come a foot from his own house into the City to dispatch some businesse and he had put on a long Coat furred with Fox-skins When he beheld the Advocate who was of his own complexion he told him that he had been in the Town almost two hours and already done all his businesse and that nothing remained but to goe to some place of resort to find out a good Breakfast The Advocate made answer to him that the Breakfast was easily to be found but then he must pay for it And taking him by the Arm he said unto him Let us goe my Companion we may possibly find one fool or another who will pay the shot for us both By fortune there was
either Cushion or Cloath of Arras Simontault began to speak Who shall be that Person amongst us that shall have Command over the rest Hircan made answer Because you have first made the motion it is reason you command for at Game we are all equal I would to God said Simontault that I had the power to command all this Company I would desire no other happinesse in this world Parlament did well understand what he intended by those words who began to look red upon it but Hircan perceived not the colour which mounted into her cheeks but said unto Simontault Begin to speak on some good Subject and we are ready to hear you who being likewise invited to it by all the Company did speak in this manner Ladies I have been so ill requited for my long services that to revenge my self on Love and on her who hath been so cruell to me I will endeavour to make a repetition of all the ill offices the injuries under which Women do make poor men to suffer and I will speak nothing but what shall be perfect Truth The End of the Preface THE NOVELLS Of Queen MARGARET A Gentlewoman of Alençon had two friends the one for her pleasure and the other for her profit Of the two she procured him to be murdered who first detected her for which she obtained pardon for her self and her fugitive husband who afterwards to save a little money did resort unto a Negromancer and their Enterprise was discovered and punished The First Novell IN the City of Alençon in the time of Duke Charles the last there was a Proctor called St. Aignan who had married a Gentlewoman of that Country more fair than virtuous who for her beauty and delightfullness was much covered by a Prelat of the Church whose name in reverence to his profession I shall conceal He the better to arrive unto his own ends did so cunningly entertain her husband that he not only perceivd not any thing of the vice of his wife and of this Prelat but he had made him also to forget the duty which he always carried to the service of his Masters and Mistress Insomuch that of a Loyal Servant he became so contrary that in the end he betook himself to sorceries to procure the Death of the Dutchesse Long time did this Prelate live thus with this unhappy womam who was obedient to him more for avarice than for affection her husband also did sollicit her to entertain him But there was a young man in the said City of Alençon the Son of the Lieutenant General whom she affected with so much passion that she was almost transported with the violence of it and often times she would make use of the Prelat to imploy her husband in some Commission abroad that more opportunely she might be enabled to be with the Son of the Lieutenant of the City This conversation of life did continue a long time she had for her profit the Prelat and for her pleasure the Son of the Lieutenant to whom she did swear that all the indearments of affection she professed to the Prelat were but only more freely to continue their own and whatsoever the thing was the said Prelat had but only a fair word and he might be assured that no man in the world should have an interest in any other thing but himself only One day when her Husband was going to the Prelat she demanded leave of him to take the air of the fields alleging that the closenesse of the City was obnoxious to her health She no sooner arrived at her Country house but immediatly she did write to the Son of the Lieutenant desiring him that he would not fail to come to her about 10 of the clock in that Evening which the poor young Man did and being come into the entrance at the Door he found there the Chamber-maid who was accustomed to let him in who said unto him Sir You may go some where else for your place is taken up The Young man conceiving that her Husband was come home demanded what was the Business The Maid taking pity of him seeing him so young so lovely so ingenious and withall to love so well and so little to be beloved again declared to him the folly of her Mistresse conceiving with her self that when he understood what she was he would reprove himself for the excesse of his affection She therefore did inform him that the Prelat did make his daily visitations to her and was now in bed with her This was howsoever a meeting which her Mistresse expected not for the Prelat was not to come untill the next Morning who having detained her Husband at his own house did steal away privately by Night to come unto her Who was almost sunk now into the bottom of Despair It was the Son of the Lieutenant who nevertheless could hardly give credit to it but did hide himself in a house hard by where he watched untill three of the clock in the Morning at what hour he saw the Prelat come forth not so well disguised but that he knew him better than he desired In this Discontent he returned to Alençon whither not long afterwards his unfaithfull Mistresse did arrive and thinking to abuse him as she had been accustomed heretofore she did send to communicate with him But he made answer That she was too great a Saint having been touched with holy things to confer with such a Sinner as himself whose repentance howsoever was so great that he hop'd his offence should suddenly be pardon'd When she apprehended that her Case was discover'd and that neither Excuse Oath nor Promise could induce him to return unto her but were all of no effect she made her complaint unto her Prelat and having consulted with him about it she came unto her Husband and told him That she durst no longer continue in the City of Alençon by reason that the Son of the Lieutenant whom she had placed in the first rank of all her friends did of late incessantly importune her to the violation of her Honour She desired him to make his aboad at Argentan to take away all suspition Her Husband who in all things suffer'd himself to be govern'd by her did accord unto it where they were not long but this mischievous woman did write unto the Son of the Lieutenant That he was the most wicked man in the world and that she sufficiently understood that publickly he had spoken disgracefully of her self and of the Prelat for which she would make him to do pennance This young Man who had never made the least mention of it to any but to her self and who fear'd to suffer in the bad opinion of the Prelat did repair to Argenlan with two of his servants where he found his Lady at her Evening Devotions in the Jacobins and having kneeled down close unto her he said Lady I am come hither to protest unto you before God that I have not spoken to any in
Novell IN the City of Ambois there dwelled a Keeper of Mules who served the Queen of Navarre Sister to King Francis the First of that Name who was brought to Bed of a Son at Blois to which place the Keeper of the Mules repaired to be payed for his Quarters service His Wife continued still at Ambois and lodged not far from the Bridge Her Husband had a servant who for a long time did love her so desperately that one day he could not contain froÌ„ speaking to her but she who was a most virtuous Woman did reprove him so severely threatning that her Husband should beat him and put him away that after that time he durst not speak to her any more nor make any countenance of Love but kept that fire concealed in his heart Untill that on a time his Master was gon out of Town and his Mistresse was at the Vespers at St. Florentines a Church belonging to the Castle of the City and a great way from her own house Being alone it came into his head to enjoy that by force which by no prayer or service he could obtain whereupon he did break down a board which was the partition betwixt his Mistresse Chamber and that wherein he lay but because there was a hanging cloath neer to the Bed of his Master and Mistresse which did cover the walls so well that the rupture which he made could not be perceived his malice and treachery was not discovered untill that his Mistresse was in bed with a Girl she kept of about twelve years of age As the poor woman was in her first sleep her servant came in his shirt only into her bed through the whole made in the wall and had a sword drawn in his hand But as soon as she perceived him to draw near unto her she leaped out of the Bed and used all tho reasons and perswasions to him as it was possible for a good Woman to deliver but he who was transported with a Bestial desire and did understand better the language of Mules than her honest Remonstrances did shew himself more brutish than the Beasts with whom so long time he conversed for observing that she did run round the Table and that he could not take hold of her and withall that she was so strong that twice together she got off from him growing into a despair ever to enjoy her alive he gave her with his sword a great blow upon the back conceiving to himself if neither fear nor force could make her to yeeld that pain should effect it But it proved contrary to his expectation for as a gallant Soldier seeing his blood is more inflamed to revenge himself on his Enemies and to purchase honour so her chast heart did doubly inforce her to run and to flie from the hands of this wicked villain and oftentimes at some distance she would hold him in the best discourse she could to see if by any means she could reduce him to the acknowledgement of his offence but he was inflam'd with such a furie that there was no place in him to receive good counsell insomuch that he gave the poor Woman many wounds more which to avoyd she always ran from him as long as her leggs were able to carry her and when by the great effusion of her blood she found that Death approached joyning her hands together and lifting her eyes to Heaven she gave thanks unto God the God of Power Virtue Patience and Chastity and besought him to accept of her blood which by his appointment was shed in reverence and obedience to that of his Sons in whom she most assuredly did beleeve that all her sins were washed and wiped away from the Memory of his Anger And speaking Lord receive my Soul which by thy mercy hath been redeemed shee fell on her face upon the Earth where the bloody Miscreant did still print more wounds on her body and when she had lost both her speech and the strength of her body the Villain seised upon her by force who no longer could defend her self and having satisfied his reprobate concupiscence he fled away so hastily that for all the Hue and Cryes that did follow him he could never be heard of more The young Girle who lay with this poor woman being overcome with fear did hide her self under the bed but when she saw that the Man was gone she came unto her Mistresse and found her without speech or motion whereupon she cryed to the neighbors out of the window to come to her assistance They who did love and as much respect her as any woman in the City did immediatly come to her and brought with them two Chirurgions who found that she had on her body five and twenty mortal wounds they did what they could to keep that little life that was left in her but it was impossible Yet she continued languishing away for the Space of a whole hour without speaking any word making signs with her eyes and hands by which she shewed that she had not lost her understanding Being asked by a Church-man of the Faith in which she dyed and of her Salvation she made answer by signs so evident that her words could not more manifestly declare that her confidence was in the Death of Jesus Christ whom she hoped to behold in his coelestial City and thus with a joyfull countenance lifting up her eyes to heaven she surrendred her chast Body to the Earth and her Soul to her Creâ—tor Being taken up and a shrowd cast on her her Body was no sooner brought down to the Door of her house attending the coming of the Company to her burial but behold her poor Husband did arrive who first saw the dead Body of his wife at the Door of his house before he had heard the melancholy news of her death And having understood the occasion of it he had double reason to lament which he did in such a manner that he almost had lost his life Thus this Martyr of Chastity was carried to her burial into the Church of Saint Florencin where all the good women of the City did not fail in their endeavours to accompany her and did honour her as much as possibly they could esteeming themselves most happy to be of that City in which so virtuous a woman lived The foolish and light Huswives beholding the honour that was done unto her did resolve with them selves to change their wanton lives You have heard Ladies a true History which ought to make our hearts more circumspest to guard this honorable Virtue of Chastity And we that are descended of noble Families ought even to die for shame to find in our hearts that sensuality to avoid which a poor Mule-Keepers wife did not fear so cruell a Death Alas How many are there who esteem themselves good women and yet never understood what it is to resest unto Bloud Wherefore we ought to exercise our selves with repentance and humility for the Graces of God are not given
having payed his ransom he hoped withall that he should be so happy as to see again Florinda On this he yeelded himself prisoner to a Turk called Derlin Governour of Tunis for the King who immediately did bring him to his Master where he was very well received and honoured and had a stronger guard set on him for the Turks thought having him in their hands that they had got the Achilles of the Spaniards In this condition Amadour continued almost two yeats under the King of Tunis In the mean time the News of this Captivity was brought into Spain for which the Kinsmen of the Duke of Naygueres made a great lamentation but those who loved the honour of their Country did esteem the losse of Amadour to be far greater The report of this Defeat was brought unto the House of the Countesse of Arand at the same time when poor Avanturade was extremely sick The Countesse who had a great doubt her self of the affection which Amadour did bear unto her Daughter which she suffered and dissembled by reason of the great virtues which she saw to shine in him did call her Daughter to her and did acquaint her with this melancholly News Florinda who knew well enough to dissemble said unto her that it was a great losse to all their House but most of all she pityed his poor Wife especially considering the great weaknesse she was in but seeing her Mother weep so bitterly she let fall a few tears also to keep her company to the end that by dissembling too much her dissimulation might not be discovered After that her Mother did speak often to her concerning him but could never collect any thing from her countenance whereby to assure her judgment I will here forbear to make mentiō of those Pilgrimages Prayers Orisons and Fasts which Florinda ordinarily made for the safety and deliverance of Amadour who as soon as ever he arrived at Tunis did not fail to send the News of his Misfortunes to his friends and by a sure Messenger he advertised Madam Florinda that he was in good health and in good hope to see her again which was the only comfort this poor young Lady had to sustain her affliction And you may be assured that she found the means to write back unto him which she did so diligently that Amadour could not complain for any want of comfort in her Letters and Epistles Some moneths after the Countesse of Arand was commanded to come to Saragossa where the King was arrived and the young Duke of Cardona with him who used such importunities with the King and Queen that they intreated the Countesse to make up the Marriage betwixt him and her Daughter The Countesse being she who in nothing would disobey them did consent unto it believing that her Daughter being very young had no other desire but what was hers When all was agreed upon she told her Daughter That she had made choice of that party for her who was most necessary The Daughter knowing that in a thing that was already done there needed not any more counsel made answer to her God be praised for all And seeing her Mother to grow strange unto her she chose rather to obey her than to have any pity on herself And to increase her affliction she understood that the Son of the Infant Fortunate was sick unto Death but before her Mother or any other she made not the least appearance of any sorrow and did contain her self so much that her tears by force being retired into her heart did make the blood to spin out of her nose in such abundance that she was in danger of her life but her Mother to recover her did marry her unto him whom willingly she would have exchanged for her Death After the celebration of this Marriage Florinda did repair with her Husband into the Dukedom of Cardona and took along with her Avanturade whom she made partaker of her Complaints as well of the severity of her Mother as of the grief she had to have lost the Son of the Infant Fortunate but of her chief grief for Amadour she spake not one word unto her but only in the way to comfort her After this this young Lady did resolve with her self to have God alwayes and her Honour before her eyes and so well concealed her afflictions that not any of her Servants did ever understand that her Husband was unpleasing to her Thus a long time Florinda continued and lived a life not much better than Death of which she failed not to inform her good Servant Amadour who knowing her great and honest heart and the love which she did bear to the Infant Fortunate did conceive with himself that it was impossible that she should live long and did lament her as one whom he concluded to be worse than dead This affliction did augment that which he had for himself for he wished that he might continue all his life a Slave as he was so that Florinda had but a Husband according to her desire Thus he forgat his own sorrow for that which he perceived his Mistresse did endure And because he understood by a friend That the King of Tunis had an Intent to send for him to the Court and put him to death by drawing a stake through him or to make him renounce his Faith for the desire he had to have him turn Turk and to keep him with him he prevailed so much with the Governour that took him Prisoner that he gave him leave to goe away upon his parole to procure his Ransom which was so great that he thought it was impossible for a Man of his Estate to pay it And thus without speaking one word to the King the Governour let him go Having shewed himself at Court to the King of Spain he made no long stay there but made hast to procure his Ransom amongst his Friends to which purpose he did direct his course to Barcelon to which City the young D. of Cardona his Mother and Florinda were gon to disparch some businesse Avanturade as soon as she had heard the good news of the approach of her Husband made no delay to acquaint Florinda with it who was very joyfull to hear it but so carried it as it were for the love only she did bear to Avanturade But fearing lest the Joy which she had to see him should make her change her countenance and that those who did observe it might give a bad construction to it she stayed at a window to see him afar off and when ever she did behold him to approach she went down a pair of winding stairs so obscure that one could not perceive that she changed her colour and having embraced him she brought him first into her own Chamber and from thence into the Chamber of her Mother-in-Law who had never seen him But he had not continued there two dayes but he so carried himself that he was as well beloved there as he was before in the
times Three Murders committed in one House that is to say of the Gentleman who was Master of it of his Wife and his Child occasioned by the wickednesse of a Frier The Third Novell IN the County of Perigord there was a Gentleman who had such a Devotion to St. Francis that it seemed to him that all those who did wear that habit ought to be like unto that good Saint In the honour of whom he had caused to be made in his house a Chamber on purpose and a Wardrobe to entertain them and after their counsel he managed all his affairs even almost to the Government of his menial Servants conceiving with himself that both he and they walked surely in treading in the paths of their counsels It so fell out that the Wife of this Gentleman who was fair and no lesse wise than virtuous was brought to Bed of a Son whereby the love which her Husband did bear unto her was doubly augmented And a Feast being prepared the Brother-in-law was sent for The Hour of Supper being come there arrived a Frier whose Name I will conceal for the honour I bear unto Religion The Gentleman was very glad to see his spiritual Father there from whom he did conceal no secret And after much discourse betwixt his Brother-in-law his Wife and himself they did sit down to Supper during which time the young Gentleman looking on his Wife who had a great gracefulnesse with her and beauty enough to render her desirable did speak aloud unto the Frier and propounded the Question to him Father Is it true that a Man sins mortally to lye with his Wife during the moneth that she lyeth in The Frier who had a Countenance and a Tongue contrary to his heart did make answer to him Sir without all controversy it is one of the greatest sins that can be committed in Marriage And this may appear by the Example of the blessed Virgin Mary who would not come into the Temple until after the day of her Purification although she had no need of being purified As much ought you to abstain from a little pleasure seeing to obey the Law the blessed Virgin abstained to enter into the Temple where was all her Consolation Moreover the Doctors of Physick do affirm that there is great danger of the Issue that may ensue thereby When the Gentleman heard those words he was much troubled for he well hoped that his Confessor would have been so far indulgent to him but giving ear unto his counsel he did speak no more unto him The Confessor during this Discourse having drunk a little deeper than was expedient for him and beheld the young Gentlewoman he debated and concluded with himself that if he were her Husband he would not ask the advice of any one whosoever he were when he should lie with his own Wife And as the Fire by little and little doth kindle and encrease its flames until at the last it doth set the whole house on fire so this poor Frier did begin to burn in such a Concupiscence that incontinently he resolved with himself to arrive to the end of that Desire which for above three years together he had carried covered and glowing in his heart After the Table-cloath was taken away he took the Gentleman by the hand and leading him near unto the Bed of his Wife he said unto him before her Sir Because I am assured of the great love that is betwixt you and this young Lady your Wife which together with the heat and lustinesse of your youth doth so much sollicit you I must confesse I have great compassion of you and therefore I will acquaint you with a secret of our Theology which is that the Law how rigorous soever is be by reason of the abuse of indiscreet Husbands will not permit that those who are of a good Conscience as your self should be frustrated of their honest Desires Wherefore Sir in the presence of your People I have laid down before you the Ordinance and seveverity of the Law but from you who are a virtuous Man I will not conceal the sweetnesse of it For know my Son as there are Women and Women so there are Men and Men. In the first place therefore you must demand of the young Lady your Wife that seeing there are but three weeks since she was brought to bed If her flux of blood be yet ceased to which the young Lady made answer That for certain it was and that she was clean Why then said the Frier My Son I give you leave to lie with her without any scruple but you must first promise me two things which the Gentleman did most willingly consent unto The First is said the Confessor That you must not speak the least word but come with all privacie unto her the other is That you approach not to her untill two hours after Midnight that the Digestion of the young Lady be not troubled by your Familiarities The Gentleman did promise to observe this and did swear unto it so solemnly that he who knew him to be a greater Fool than a Lyar was assured in himself that he would keep his word After much variety of Discourse the Frier retired himself into his Chamber bidding them both Good-night and giving them a great Benediction The Gentleman withdrawing himself his Wife took him by the hand and said unto him Without doubt then you will come and will not make your poor Wife to wake any longer The Gentleman kissing her said unto her Sweet-heart Leave your door open which words the Frier heard very well and so they all retired into their own chambers The Frier as soon as he was come into his did take no thought either for sleep or rest but as soon as ever he heard all things quiet in the house it being much about the hour in which he was accustomed to go to Mattens repaired directly and softly to the Chamber where the Gentleman was expected and having found the door half open he finely and suddenly did put out the Candle and lay as close unto his Wife as possibly he could without speaking any word The young Lady thinking it was her Husband did say unto him Sweet-heart you have kept your promise but ill which last night you made unto our Confessor which was that you would not come unto me till two of the clock But the Frier being more intentive to the life that was active than contemplative and withall being afraid that he should be discovered did think more to satisfie his desires which for a long time had impoysoned his heart than to make any answer to her The young Lady was much astonied at it and the Frier finding the hour to approach in which her Husband was to come he did rise from the young Lady and returned suddenly into his own Chamber and as the Fury of his Concupiscence had before taken away all sleep from him so now the guilt of his Fear which always followeth wickednesse would
that according to my imperfection I will not cease to bear you that affection which shall become a Woman fearing God and her own Honour but this affection can never be fully made known unto you until your Heart be capable of the patience which a virtuous Love doth command And for the present Sir I do know what Language I am to hold with you Howsoever you may assure your self that you love not so well your own Good Person or Honour as I do love it Signior Avanes being daunted did make a little pause and taking new Courage he did humbly beseech her That to give him an assurance of what she spake she would be pleased to kiss him But she refused it affirming that for so vain a thing she would not break the Custom of her Countrey As they were in this Debate her Husband did come in to whom Signior D' Avanes said My Father I do perceive my self to be so much obliged to you to your good Wife that I must beseech you that for ever you will repute me to be your Son which the good Man most willingly did consent unto And in the assurance of this love I do intreat you said Signior D' Avanes that I might kisse you Immediately the good Man kissed him and Signior Avanes said unto him If it were not for fear to offend the Law and Custome of the Country I would do as much to my Mother your Wife The Husband hearing that did command his Wife to kisse him which she did without making any appearance to be either willing or unwilling because her Husband did command her Immediatly the fire which her words before did begin to kindle in the heart of the poor Signior did vehemently increase by her kisse so much desired and at first so cruelly refused This being done Signior D' Avanes repaired to the King his Brother in the Castle where he told many fine stories of his Voyage to Montserrat and understood that the King his Brother was preparing to go to Olly and Tassares and considering with himself that the Journey would be long he was surprized with a great sadnesse which constrained him to resolve before his departure to make an essay whether this virtuous Lady did bear him more good will than she seemed to do wherupon he took up his lodgings in a house of the City and in the same street where she lived The house being old ruinous and made of Wood about midnight he did set it on fire whereupon the Cry was so great throughout the City that it came to the house of the rich man who comming to the window demanded what the businesse was it was answered to him that there was a great fire at the House of Signior D' Avanes He immediatly repaired thither with all his people and found the young Signior in the middle of the street in his shirt having pity on him he took him in his Armes and covered him with his Gown and conveying him to his house with all the speed that possibly he could he said to his Wife who was in bed Sweetheart I give you here this prisoner to keep use him as you would use my self And as soon as ever he was departed Signior D' Avanes who would willingly be intreated by her as if he were her Husband did lightly leap into the bed hoping that the occasion and the place would aler the resolution of that virtuous Woman but he found it otherwise for as soon that on one fide he leapt into the bed she made hast out of it on the other and throwing her night Gown on her she came up to the head of the bed and said unto him How now Monsieur do you believe that any opportunities can alter a chast heart You may assure your self that as Gold is proved in the furnace so is a chast heart in the midest of all temptations by which oftentimes it is proved to be more strong and virtuous and doth grow more cold by being assaulted by the most violent hears Wherefore rest your self assured that if I had any other will than what I have represented to you I could not fail to find means to make you know the injury you would doe me which not desiring to use I doe account them nothing But I must desire you if you would have me to continue the affection which I do bear unto you that you would remove far from you not only the will but also the very thought to find me otherwise than I am During this Discourse her Maids came in to whom she gave a command to bring her a Collation of all manner of Confects But he at that time was sensible neither of hunger or thirst with such a desperation was he possessed that he had failed in his enterprise he was afraid that the demonstration which he had made unto her of his passionate love might be an occasion to deprive him of all familiarities with her for the time to come Her Husband having given order for the extinguishing of the Fire was now returned and intreated Monsieur D' Avanes that he would stay in his House for that night which he consented to But the night was passed away in such a manner that his Eyes were more exercised in weeping than in sleeping And early in the morning he came to their bedside to bid them Farewell and kissing the Lady he readily found that she had more pity of him than ill will towards him for his offence and this was a new coal which over and above was added to the fire of his Love After Dinner he did set forth with the King to Trassares but before he took Horse he did once more repair to the House of his Father and Mother to bid them Adieu who after the first Commandement of her Husband did make no more difficulty to kisse him than if he had been her own Son But you may be sure that the more that Virtue did forbid her to reveal her hidden flame by her eyes and by her countenance the more it did increase and become insupportable insomuch that being no longer able to endure the War which Love and Honour had made in her Heart which neverthelesse she had determined with her self never to demonstrate having lost the comfort both of seeing and hearing him for whom she lived she was surprized by so violent a Feaver occasioned by a continual melancholly that the outward parts of her body became cold although she burned incessantly within The Physicians in whose hands the health of men doe always depend did begin to doubt of her recovery by reason of her great oppilation which did render her so melancholy and counselled her Husband to advise her to make her peace with the Physician of her Soul The poor Husband who most intirely loved his Wife was oppressed with so extream a sorrow by reason of those words that to comfort himself he did write to Signior D' Avanes beseeching him to take the pains to come
Devil will leave her and in this I must beseech you to do as much for me as lies in your power The Confessor did reply unto him my Son All things are possible to the true believer And doe you assuredly believe that the goodnesse of God refuseth not any who in faith demandeth mercy of him My Father I doe verily believe it said the Gentleman Assure your self also my Son said the Frier that he both can doe it and he will doe it and that he is no lesse powerful than merciful Let us therefore goe in the power of Faith to resist that roaring Lion and pluck from him the prey which is redeemed by the bloud of his Son Jesus Christ The Confessor having spoken these words the Gentleman did bring him into the Chamber where his Wife was laid upon a Truckle-bed who was so much amazed to see him verily believing that it was he who had beaten her that she did grow into a wonderfull Rage as might appear by her countenance but by reason of the presence of her Husband she did look down with her eyes and did not speak one word Her Husband said unto the Holy man As long as I am with her the Devil doth not torment her but as soon as ever I am departed from her do you sprinkle holy-water on her and you shall quickly see how the evil spirit will play his pranks Having spoken those words he did leave the Preacher alone with his Wife and stayed himself behind the Arras to observe their Countenances When she beheld that there was no man with her but the Confessor she did begin to cry out as a woman inraged and out of her sense and called him Villain Murderet and Impostor The Frier for certain believing that she was possessed with an evil Spirit did attempt to take her by the Head to say his Oraisons over it but she did so scratch him and so bite him that she enforced him to stand further off who perpetually sprinkling her with his holy-water did number Oraisons upon Oraisons When her Husband perceived that he had done his Duty he came into the Chamber and gave him many thanks for the pains that he had taken as soon as ever she perceived her Husband she held both her hands and her tongue and did forbear all Injuries and Maledictions and standing in aw of him she gently did kisse the Crosse But the Holy Man who before did see her so much transported did firmly believe that at his prayer our Saviour had cast the Devil out of her and departed praising God for so great a Miracle The Husband seeing his Wife well chastised for so foolish a phantasie did conceive it not to be sit to declare unto her what he had done for he contented himself to have overcome her violent affection by his wisdom and that he had put her into such a condition that she now detested her own folly and mortally hated that which before so indiscreetly she had loved And after this having abandoned all Precisenesse she devoted her self altogether to her Husband and followed her businesse better at home than she did ever before in all her life Ladies by this you may understand the Discretion of a good Husband and the Frailty of a Woman that was esteemed of a devout and honourable life I do believe that when you do behold your selves in this Mirror instead of trusting in your own strength you will learn to return to him in whose hand all Honour is enclosed I am very glad said Parlament that you are become a Preacher to Ladies and should be yet more glad if you would but continue in this good discourse unto all those with whom you hold communication As often said Hircan as you please to give ear unto me I am consident that I shall not speak otherwise It is as much as to say said Simontault that when these Ladies are not present you will speak in another sense That shall be said Parlament as he himself pleaseth but for my own content I shall believe that he will never speak otherwise Nevertheless the Example he hath alleged will serve to convince those who believe that a love spiritual cannot be dangerous which appears to me to be the most dangerous of all others It is true said Oysilla that to love an honest Man and one fearing God ought not to be a thing we should despise for we should love none but such Madam said Parlament I must beseech you to believe that there is nothing more foolish nor more easie to be deceived than a woman who hath never been in love For Love of it self is a passion which taketh possession of the heart before we are advised of it and this passion is so pleasant that if it can be so far assisted by Virtue as to put on her cloak it will not without much difficulty be discovered untill some Inconvenience shall ensue thereby What Inconvenience can arise said Oysilla to love a Man of worth and Honour Madam answered Parlament There are many Men esteemed Men of Honour towards Ladies but to be so much a Man of Worth towards God that a Lady may love him and reserve both her Honour and her Conscience I do believe is near unto a wonder and very rare to find And those who are confident there are such and that there are many of them will find themselves at the last to be deceived and they have entred into a Love under the Notion of God the events whereof doth lead them to the Devil for I have seen too many who under the Colour of Piety have entertained a Love from whence in the end they would have willingly retired but could not because the honest Coverture of it did keep them in a fond subjection For a vitious Love doth of it self defeat it self and cannot be lodged in a virtuous heart but a virtuous Love is that which carryeth with it nets of silk so finely woven that we are innocently taken in them before we do perceive them If it be as you speak said Emarsuite there would never any Woman love a Manâ— but your Law is too severe to be observed by any I know it very well said Parlament but for all that I will not leave off to desire every Woman to be contented with her own Husband as I am with mine Emarsuite who by that word did believe that she her self was understood changing her colour did say unto her You ought to judge that every one hath as good a heart as you your self and not to believe that you are more perfect than all others Well well said Parlament that we may enter no further into this Discourse Let us know unto whom Hircan will give his voice I do give it said he to Emarsuite that she may be reconciled to my Wife Since then it comes to my turn said Emarsuite to make all equal I will spare neither Man nor Woman and I will make trial if I cannot overcome your heart once
her to send those moveables to emertain her Husband in the Country that during his residence there he himself might have the oportunity to be as well entertained by her in the City Go too said Oysilla you shew too much the malice of your heart to judge ill of a good act I do rather believe that she was so mortified in the love of God that she look care for nothing more than for the health and safely of her Husband It seems to me said Simontault that be had more occasion to return unto his wife when be was cold in his Country house than when he was so well provided foâ— For ought that I see said Saffredant you are not of the opinion Madam of the rich Man of Paris who would not put off his cloaths when he lay with his Wife son fear of getting the Morphey but when in a cold winters day he did go to see his Maid in the fields without shoes on his feet or his Bonact on his head he was never sick at all although his Wife was a handsom woman and his Maid but an ill-favoured and a dirty slut Have you not heard said Guebron that God is always savourable to Lovers Fools and Drunkards It may be that this Burgess alone was all three of them himself By that you would conclude said Parlament that God doth not favour the chast the sober nor the wise They who can aid themselves said Guebron do not need to be aided by any other For he who hath said that he is come to cure the sick and not those who are sound is come by the law of his Mercy to help our insirmities and to break the arrests of the rigor of his Justice and he who doth think himself wise is a fool before the face of God But to end our Sermon to whom will Longeren give her voice I doe give it said he to Saffredant I hope then said Saffredant to shew you by example that God doth not favour Lovers For Ladies although it hath been heretofore affirmed that the Vice of Love is common both to Women and to men yet the invention and the artifice is always more ready in a woman than in a man as I shall demonstrate to you by this example A good invention to drive away an evill Spirit The ninth Novel A Lord of Grignaux who was a Cavalier of Honour to Anne Queen of France and Dutchesse of Brittany returning to his house from whence he had been absent two years and more did find his Wife removed to another place and not in the Castle where he left her and enquiring of the occasion it was told him that the Castle was haunted with a Spirit which did so torment them that none could endure to stay in it Monsieur de Grignaux who was not afraid of Hobgoblins made answer that if it was the Devil himself he was resolved to see what it was and took his Wife with him All the night he burned great Candles to discover the Spirit more plainly and having kept himself a long time awake and heard nothing at all he fell asleep But immediately he was awaked by a great blow that was given him on his cheek and he heard a voice crying Revigne Revigne which was the name of his Grand-mother He therefore called to his Wife who was in bed with him to light more Candles for the others were all burned out but she durst not rise Not long after Signior Grignaux did plainly perceive that something was drawing away the Coverlet from him and he heard a great noise of Tables and Trenchers and Dishes that did fall down in the Chamber which did continue until the break of day The Signior was more troubled that he had lost his Rest than surprized with any fear of the Spirit On the night following he did resolve with himself to take hold of the Spirit and not long after he was in bed he counterfeited as if he had suorted extremely did keep his hand open close unto his face Having in this manner attended the Spirit he at last perceived something to come near him wherefore he did begin to snort as loudly as he did before and the Spirit growing too saucy with him did give him a good sound blow on the face Signior Grignaux having his hand prepared did immediatly take fast hold on the hand that struck him and cryed out to his Wife I have the Spirit by the hand who immediarely did rise and bringing the Candle more near unto him they did find that it was their Chamber-maid who did lie in their own Chamber who trembling down upon her knees did demand pardon and promised to confesse the truth unto them which was that the Love which she had born for a long time to one of his Servants in the Castle did tempt her to undertake this goodly mystery to drive both Master and Mistresse from thence to the end that they two to whom the whole charge of the House was committed might have the opportunity to make better chear which they did when they were alone by themselves Monsieur de Grignaux who was a blunt and a rough man did command that they should both be punished with stripes and be taught to remember the ill Spirit as long as they lived which being done accordingly they were both discharged the Castle and by this means the House was deliverd from all trouble of those evil Spirits which before for two years together had played their pranks in it Ladies It is a strange thing to consider of the wonderful effects of the puissant God of Love who taking all fear from women doth prompt them to endure all tryals to arrive to the end of their own Desires And as this Invention in the Chambermaid was to be blamed so the good understanding of her Master is to be commended who knew very well that a Spirit goes forth and returns no more Truly said Guebron Love at this time did not favour the Groom not the Chambermaid but seems to confesse that the good Understanding of the Master was more effectual Howsoever said Emarfuite the Chambermaid by this Invention did live a long time wholly at her own pleasure Wicked is that Pleasure and most Unhappy said Oysilla which is grounded upon Sin and doth end in shame and punishment It is true Madam said Emarsuite but many people take pains and grief enough to live uprightly and in all their lives have not so much sense of pleasure as these two in this Account I am of that opinion said Oysilla that without peace of Conscience it is impossible to have any perfect pleasure Say you so said Simontault the Italian hath a Proverb That the greater the sin is it is always the more pleasant Truly said Oysilla they who do affirm that Tenent are Devils themselves Wherefore let us leave off this Dispute and know to whom Saffredant will give his voice To whom should I give it said he since every one hath spoken their
in whatsoever they do say or do to supplant our female simplicity would find themselves a great way off from their Hope I pray you Nomerfide said Guebron let me give you my voice that we may hear from you some Account to that purpose I will rehearse unto you one said Nomerfide as much to the commendation of true Lovers as yours have been to the dispraise of foolish Women Of two Lovers who subtilly did enjoy their Loves and of the happy issue thereof The fourth Novell IN the City of Paris there were two Citizens of a considerable Estate the one a Lawyer the other a Mercer who for a long time did bear a great affection to one another by the means whereof the Son of the Lawyer called James a young Man and a fine Companion did oftentimes frequent the Mercers house in pretence of the Love that was shewed to his Father but it was indeed in love to the fair Daughter of the Mercer whose Name was Frances And James did make his addresses so effectual to her that he knew he was no less beloved than he did love But in the time of this Courtship the War began in Provence by reason of the Invasion of Charls of Austria and James was enforced to follow the War to serve according to the Estate in which he was In the beginning of these Wars his Father dyed the News whereof did convey a double affliction to him the one was for the loss of his Father the other was for the inconvenience which that losse brought with it which was that on his return he should be deprived of the opportunity of seeing his Sweet-heart so often as he hoped to have done Neverthelesse in a short process of time the one was forgotten and the other increased for as Death is a thing natural and more natural to the Father than to the Children so grief by little and little of it self doth wear away But Love instead of conveying death unto us doth bring us life by the propagation of Children who doe render us immortal which is one of the most principal motives to increase our desires James being returned to Paris had no other thought or care than to put himself again into the train and the vulgar frequentation of the Mercers house where under the umbrage of his former love he might traffick with his dearest merchandise On the other side during his absence Frances was sollicited and courted by diverse as well for her beauty as for her wit and understanding and also because she was fully marriageable although her Father was not forward to seek out a Husband for her whether it were through covetousnesse or a provident desire to have her richly placed she being his only Daughter And this conduced nothing at all unto her Honour for tongues now a days are proâ—e to slander and detraction when no occasion is administred and especially if it be upon any thing which concerns the Chastity of Maid or Woman This her Father understood who was neither blind nor deaf to the vulgar chat nor would he be like those Fathers who instead of censuring Vice in their Wives or Children do provoke them to it for he did keep her so short that even those who came unto her as Suters only could hardly be admitted to see her although she was always in hâ—r Mothers Company I need not to ask you if this were not very grievous to James to endure being not able in his understanding to resolve himself what was the reason that she was guarded with so much severity and finding no occasion for it he could not tell what certainly to conclude upon but did waver betwixt Love and Jealousie At the last he was resolved with himself come what would of it he would know the reason But first of all to understand if she were of the same affection as she was before he did so often goe and come where she used to resort that one Morning hearing Masse in the Church and being very near unto her he perceived by her countenance that she was no lesse glad to see him than he was to see her and knowing also that her Mother was not so strict over her as her Father he took one day the boldnesse as it were unexpectedly seeing them goe from their House unto the Church to accost them with a familiar and vulgar complement and not too expressely to declare himself that he might better arrive to the end of his Design The end of the year approaching in which his Father died he determined with himself to leave off his mourning and to put himself into such a habit as might become the honour of his Ancestors and acquainted his Mother with it who did like it very well desiring with all her heart to see him well married because she had no more Sons and but one Daughter who was already married and very richly and moreover she did inure her heart to the Love of virtue by the infinite Examples of other young Gentlewomen of her age who either did advance themselves or at least shewed themselves worthy of the Family from whence they were descended There was nothing more to doe but to consider in what shop they might best provide themselves His Mother said unto him James I think it most expedient to goe to my Husbands Compeeire Master Peters who was the Father of Frances for said she he it one of our Friends and will not deceive us That word much pleased her Son and he greedily swallowed it neverthelesse he said unto his Mother we will buy it there where we can find our best Market but because he was an acquaintance of my Fathers I am content to goe thither in the first place The Agreement was made and one morning the Mother and the Son did go to Mr. Peters house who received them with many expressions of respect as you know few Shop-keepers are unprovided in that kind A great variety of whole pieces of Silks were laid open upon the board and they might chuse what they pleased but they could not agree upon the price which James did on purpose because he could not see the Mother of his Sweet-heart and at last they were going without buying any thing at all to try what they could do in another place But James did like nothing so well as what he cheapned at his Sweet-hearts Fathers house whither some hours afterwards they returned They found then her Mother within who did give them the best welcom in the world and after the words of course which are accustomed in such shops the Wife of the Mercer being more hard to deal with than the Mercer himself James said unto her You are grown Lady very hard see what it is to lose a good Father Now we cannot be known here and with that he made an apparence as if he wept and wiped his eys in the remembrance of the dear Father which he lost but this was only to play his own cards the better The
be the Cause that she should be unfortunately married to another but with much patience attended the happy hour to espouse her himself in which he is much to be commended To speak the truth said Oysilla they were both of them worthy of blame and the Third also who was their Go-between and an Adjunct in this Violation of Chastity Do you call that a Violation said Saffredant when two parties are so well accorded Can there be a better Marriage than that which is celebrated by Lovers This is the occasion of the Proverb that Marriages are made in Heaven And it is not to be understood of forced Marriages not of those which are made for the lucre of money and which have been approved because the Father and the Mother have given their Consent unto them You may speak what you please said Oysilla but it is necessary that in this we must acknowledge an obedience to our Parents and in the defect of Father and Mother we ought to have Recourse to our next Kinred For otherwise if it were permitted to all to marry themselves according to their own pleasure How many cornuted Marriages would there be Do you believe that a young Man or a Girl of twelve or fifteen years of Age being married together do understand what doth belong unto them He who with a stedfastâ—ey shall look upon the occasion of the Contempt of all Marriages shall find that there are at least as many of those whose Events are unfortunate that have passionately been begun by Lovers as of those which have been carried on by force Wherefore let young people who know not what doth belong unto themselves first examine and prove what without Consideration they have begun and by little and little they will discover those errours which will occasion them to enter into a greater emazement On the other side the most part of those Marriages which are made by compulsion do proceed from the experience of those who have more sight and judgement than those whom most nearly it doth concern insomuch that when they come to the years of discretion to be sensible of the Good which they did not understand they will then both acknowledge it and imbrace it with a more distinct acceptance and with a far greater affection But Madam said Hircan you make no mention at all that the Maid was of a good Age and marriageable and understood well enough the Iniquity of her Father who would not have the Maidenhead of his Daughter to be lost because he would have his Crowns to be saved And do you not know that Nature of her self is the most provident Huswife This Maid loved she was beloved she knew of her self what she had to do and was old enough to remember the Proverb Those who refuse do afterwards repent All these things put together with the prompt execution of the Wooer did not give her the leisure to withstand him You have heard also in this Account that presently afterwards it was to be discovered by her face that there was some remarkable change which peradventure was occasioned by the sorrow which she entertained that she had no more leisure to judge whether the thing that was done was good or evil for she did not with any great unwillingnesse draw back from giving consent to the second Assault For my part said Longaren I cannot excuse her but must approve of the faith of the young Man who governing himself by the Laws of Honesty would not abandon her especially since he had made her such as she was In which he seems to me to be worthy of the highest Commendation especially if we consider the depraved Corruption of Youth in these present times Howsoever for all this I cannot so excuse him for the first fault but if I look upon the Maid I must accuse him of a Rape and if I look upon her Mother I must accuse him of subornation No no said Dagoucin Here is no place at all either for Rape or Subornation It was done on all sides with pure consent as well on the Mothers side who did not hinder it as on the Daughâ—ers who did like so well of it that she did not complain All this proceeded said Parlament out of the great good Nature and Simplicity of her Mother who under the title of good neighbourhood without so much as thinking of it did bring her Daughter to the Butchery Not to the Butchery but to her marriage said Simontault insomuch that this simplicity was profitable to the Maid If you have any Account in readinesse said Nomerfide I do give you my voice to recite it to us I will not fail said Simontault but upon condition that the Ladies shall promise me not to weep And Ladies they who will affirm that your subtility doth exceed that of Men will have enough to do to produce such an Example to prove it as I now am going about to account unto you to prove the contrary in which I intend not only to declare unto you the great cunning and dissimulation of a Husband but withal the greater Simplicity and Goodnesse of his Wife A Husband chastising his Chambermaid did deceive the Simplicity of his Wife The fifth Novel IN the City of Tours there lived a man of a subtle and a sharp understanding who was the maker of the Tapistry for the late Duke of Orleans Son to King Francis the first and although by the injury of sickness he became deaf yet he had nothing at all diminished in his understanding for he was the most experienced man alive in his profession and in other things you shall hear how ready he was to assist himself He was married to a good Woman of good fortunes with whom he lived in great peace and comfort He was afraid to displease her and her endeavour was to obey and please him in all things but for all the good love he did bear unto her he was withall so charitable that oftentimes he gave that unto his neighbours which did belong unto his Wife although he carried it as secretly as possibly he could He had in his house a Chambermaid a Wench of a delicate complexion of whom he was very amorous and neverthelesse fearing that his Wife should take notice of it he often made an apparence to his Wife to rebuke and chide her telling her Mistresse that she was the laziest Slut that ever he saw and that he did much wonder that she did not beat her And speaking one day of whipping and chastising little Children he said unto his Wife it would be a good Almes to give such stripes to your lazy Girl whom you keep but then it must not be with your hand for your hand is too weak and your heart too pittiful I doe believe if she should feel the weight of my hand we should be far better served by her than we are The poor Woman who thought no hurt at all desired him that he would put in execution what he said
almost without intermission for I believe that such a Malady cannot proceed only from your great Belly The Dutchesse perceiving her Husband to be so kind unto her as that she could not have desired him to be more thinking that now was the time to revenge her self on the denying Gentleman she imbraced the Duke and beginning to weep abundantly she said unto him Alas my Lord The greatest grief which I have is to see you deceived by those who are so much obliged to maintain your Honour and your welfare The Duke understanding those wordâ— had a great desire to know by whom it was she spoke them and with much importunity did intreat her without fear to declare unto him all the Truth She having made many denyals the better to colour her pretence did at the last say unto him I do not wonder much if Strangers make Warr on Princes when those who are most obliged to them do enterprise so wicked a Deed that the losse of Goods is nothing in comparison of it Sir I will tell you the Gentleman and speaking those words she gave him the name of him whom she hated He said she being nourished by your own hand advanced and treated more like a kinsman or a Son than a Servant hath dared to undertake so cruel and so wretched an enterprise as to procure the losse of the honour of your Wife in which consists the honour of your House and of your Children And although for a long time he hath made many covert Invitations of Allurement tending to the Accomplishment of his wicked Design yet my heart which hath regarded none but your self would understand nothing at all untill that at the last he declared himself by his words To which I returned such an answer as my heart and my chastity did command me Neverthelesse I have ever since born such a hatred to him that I cannot endure to look on him which is the cause that I have kept my Chamber and lost the happinesse of your Company beseeching you that you will no longer keep any such Servant near unto your Person For after so great a crime he fearing that I may acquaint you with it may yet commit a greater Sir I have here given you the cause of my affliction which seems to me to be so just that it is worthy you should give a sudden redresse unto it The Duke who loved his Wife and according to her accusation did find her to be much injured and himself also to be interested in it and on the other side loved his Servant of whose fidelity he had so great experience that he could hardly believe this Fable to be a truth was in a great perplexity and being filled with choler and amazement did command his Servant not to appear in his presence but for a certain time to withdraw himself from the Court The Gentleman being altogether ignorant of the occasion was as much grieved as possibly could be being conscious to himself that his uprightnesse and fidelity did deserve a far better construction And being well assured of his loyalty and demeanour he sent one of his Companions to speak unto the Duke and to present his Letter to him most humbly beseeching him that if by any false instigation he was removed from his presence he would be pleased to suspend his Judgement until he had been examined and the truth of the accusation had been understood and that he would then find that he had not given him the least occasion of offence The Duke reading the Letter did a little rebate the edge of his fury and privately sent for him to come into his Chamber to him the Gentleman being come he look'd upon him with a furious countenance and said I never thought that the care I taken to bring you up from your infancy as my own Child should be turned into a repentance to have so highly advanced you Since you have endeavoured to bring that upon me which would be more prejudicial to me than the losse of my life and fortunes in seeking by corrupting the Honour of her who is half of my self to render my House and my posterlty infamous throughout all ages You may well conceive that such an injury doth leave such an impression in my heart that if it were not for the doubt I entertain whether the report be true or no you had been before this in the bottom of the Sea and had in secret received a punishment for that offence which secretly you would have committed against me The Gentleman was not much amazed at his words for his innocence did cause him to speak with confidence unto him and did beseech him that he would be pleased to tell him who was his Accuser for such words said he ought rather to be justified by the Lance than by the tongue Your Accuser said the Duke doth bear no other Arms but her own Chastity for I assure you that no other Woman but my own Wife did disclose it to me and withal hath besought me to take vengeance on you The poor Gentleman observing the great malice of the Lady would not altogether accuse her but said unto him Sir Madam the Dutchesse may say what she pleaseth and what already she hath spoken you doe know far better than my self but believe me Sir I did never see her out of your company but once or twice at the most at which time she did not expresse her self in many words unto me God hath indued you with as much Judgement as any Prince that I doe know in Christendom wherefore Sir I beseech you to tell me if you did ever observe in me the least Countenance which might beget the least suspition for Love is a Fire which cannot so long he concealed but it will be sometimes discovered by those who languish in the same malady I beseech you Sir that you would believe two things in me the one is that I am so loyal to you that if your Wife were the most beautiful and the most accomplished Lady in the World yet Love should never so much overcome me as to stain my honour and my fidelity the other is that if she were not your Wife yet of all the Women which I have seen she is that Lady of whom I should be the least amorous and there are besides her in your Court many other Ladies on whom more readily I could fix my fancy The Duke began to soften himself into a mercy having heard these words of truth said unto him I do believe what you have represented to me wherfore continue your place in your attendance on me as you have been accustomed for I assure you that if I shall find the truth to be on your side I shall love you yet better than ever I have done and if I shall find to the contrary Know that your life doth ly in my hands The Gentleman did humbly thank him and did submit himself to all punishment if he were found guilty The Dutchesse
did love art dead Thy heart so pure and undefiled could not without death endure to understand the Vice which was in me your friend O my God wherefore didst thou create me a Man having a love so light and a heart so ignorant Why didst not thou rather create me a little dogg who so faithfully did know to serve his Mistresse Alas little Dog the joy which thy barking brought unto me is now turned into perpetual mourning because by my means another was admitted to hear thy voice But so it is dear friend that neither the Love of the Dutchesse nor of any Woman in the World hath caused me to change my affections although she oftentimes hath importuned me to it But ignorance overcame me thinking for ever to preserve your Love but this ignorance cannot excuse me for I have revealed the secret of my friend I have falsified my promise which is the only cause that I see you dead before my eyes Shall death be lesse cruel to me than to your self who only for Love have put an end to your innocent life I must believe shall I believe that death will not vouchsafe to touch my unfaithful and accursed heart for a dishonourable life and the memory of my losse through my own default is more insupportable than ten thousand deaths Woe is me my friend If any one either through malice â—r misfortune had been so cruel as to kill you I should readily have put my hand upon my Sword to have revenged you It is no reason therefore that I should pardon the murtherer who was the occasion of your death and by a more unrighteous act than to have killed you with a Sword If I knew any more wicked Executioner than my self I would desire him to see Justice performed on your treacherous friend O Love By the ignorance of loving I have offended thee and wilt not thou relieve me as thou didst her who inviolately did keep all thy Laws Is it nor reason that by the like honest means I doe end my life It is and most reasonable it is that it be done by my own hand and since with my tears I have bathed your face and with my Tongue I have required pardon of you nothing now remains but that with my own hand I doe render my body like unto yours and that my Soul do follow wheresoever yours is gone before me knowing that a virtuous and an honest love can have no end either in this world or in the World to come And immediately rising from the body as a man transported and out of his sense he drew his Sword and fixing the pummel of it against the Wall and the point of it against his Brest he with great violence did drive it quite through his body and falling down he took his Sweet-heart in his arms and did kisse and imbace her with such affection that he seemed to be more surprized by love than by death The Damosel observing him to draw his Sword did immediately run forth to cry out for help The Duke hearing the cry and doubting some sad accident had befallen those whom he most intirely loved was the first that came into the Wardrop and beholding this lamentable spectacle he endeavoured to take off the Gentleman from the body of the dead Lady if it were possible to save him but he held his Sweet-heart so fast in his arms that he could not sever him from her with all the strength he had until he was quite dead himself Neverthelesse understanding that the Duke did speak unto him and demanded who was the occasion of it he did lift up his head and looking furiously upon him he made answer Your Tongue Sir and my own and bowing down his head again he immediately dyed his face being close joyned to that of his Friends The Duke desiring to be thoroughly informed with all the particulars of this Tragedy did command the Damosel to declare at large unto him whatsoever she had seen or heard which she did all along without sparing any thing whereupon the Duke perceiving that he was the Original of all this Evil did throw himself upon the two dead Lovers and with great Lamentation craving pardon of them for his offence he oftentimes did kiss them rising from them in a fury he drew out the sword froÌ„ the dead body of the Gentleman And as a wild Boar being wounded by a Lance doth run with resistlesse violence at him who made the thrust so the Duke did addresse himself to her who had wounded him quite through his Soul He found her dancing in the Hall and more frolick by farr than she was accustomed to be conceiving that in some measure she had revenged her self upon the Niece of the Duke In the middle of the Dance the Duke did lay hold on her and said unto her you promised not to reveal the Secret upon the forfeit of your life And your life shall answer for your trespasse and speaking those words he took her by her Headgeer and sheathed the sword in her Body at which all the Company were so amazed that they conceiv'd the Duke was bereaved of his Senses Having thus put a violent period to the Life of his Dutchesse he called together his Friends and his Servants and did declare unto them the lamentable and most virtuous story of his Niece and the great Injury that his Wife had done her which caused many tears in all the standers by The Duke afterwards commanded that his Wife should be buried in an Abbey which he had founded and caused a fair Sepulcher to be builded where the bodies of his Niece and of the Gentleman were interred together and an Epitaph was laid upon the Monument declaring the History of their loves and their Tragical Deaths The Duke afterwards did undertake a Voyage against the Turks and God so prospered him that he atchieved great honours and gained large Revenues And on his Return finding his eldest Son able to manage the Government of his Estate he did put on the habit of Religion in the same Abbey where his Wife and the two Lovers were buried where devoutly he passed away the Remainder of his life Ladies this is the History which you have intreated me to declare unto you and which I perceive by your eyes that you have not received without compassion From hence methinks we ought to take an Example to have a care not to fix too much our affections on men For how honest and virtuous soever the love may seem to be in the beginning yet for the most part it goes off with an unpleasing Farewell And moreover you may read that Saint Paul would not that married people should set altogether their affections on one another for by how much the more our hearts are ingaged in a terrestrial Love by so much the lesse they are addicted to the Love of Heaven and spiritual things and the more noble and the more virtuous the Love is the more difficult it is to break