and wollen torne from a wretched body dead of that disease and hurled in the open streete two Swine going by and according to their naturall inclination seeking for foode on euery dung-hill tossed and tumbled the cloathes with their snouts rubbing their heads likewise vppon them and immediately each turning twice or thrice about they both fell downe dead on the saide cloathes as being fully infected with the contagion of them which accident and other the like if not far greater begat diuers feares and imaginations in them that beheld them all tending to a most inhumane and vncharitable end namely to flie thence from the sicke and touching any thing of theirs by which meanes they thought their health should be safely warranted Some there were who considered with themselues that liuing soberly with abstinence from all superfluity it would be a sufficient resistance against all hurtfull accidents So combining themselues in a sociable manner they liued as separatists from all other company being shut vp in such houses where no sicke body should be neere them And there for their more security they vsed delicate viands and excellent wines auoiding luxurie and refusing speech to one another not looking forth at the windowes to heare no cries of dying people or see any coarses carried to buriall but hauing musicall instruments liued there in all possible pleasure Others were of a contrary opinion who auouched that there was no other physicke more certaine for a disease so desperate then to drinke hard be merry among themselues singing continually walking euery where and satisfying their appetites with whatsoeuer they desired laughing and mocking at euery mournefull accident and so they vowed to spend day and night for now they would goe to one Tauerne then to another liuing without any rule or measure which they might very easilie doe because euery one of them as if he were to liue no longer in this World had euen forsaken all things that he had By meanes whereof the most part of the houses were become common and all strangers might doe the like if they pleased to aduenture it euen as boldly as the Lord or owner without any let or contradiction Yet in all this their beastly behauiour they were wise enough to shun so much as they might the weake and sickly In which misery and affliction of our City the venerable authority of the Lawes as well diuine as humane was euen destroyed as it were through want of the awefull Ministers of them For they being all dead or lying sicke with the rest or else liued so solitary in such great necessity of seruants and attendants as they could not execute any office whereby it was lawfull for euery one to doe as he listed Betweene these two rehearsed extremities of life there were other of a more moderate temper not being so daintily dieted as the first nor drinking so dissolutely as the second but vsed all things sufficient for their appetites and without shutting vp themselues walked abroade some carrying sweete nose-gayes of flowers in their hands others odoriferous herbes and others diuers kinds of spiceries holding them to their noses and thinking them most comfortable for the braine because the ayre seemed to be much infected by the noysome smell of dead carkases and other hurtfull sauours Some other there were also of more inhumane minde howbeit peraduenture it might be the surest saying that there was no better physicke against the pestilence nor yet so good as to flie away from it which argument mainely mouing them and caring for no body but themselues very many both men and women forsooke the City their owne houses their Parents kindred friends and goods flying to other mens dwellings else-where As if the wrath of God in punishing the sinnes of men with this plague would fall heauily vpon none but such as were enclosed within the City wals or else perswading themselues that not any one should there be left aliue but that the finall ending of all things was come Now albeit these persons in their diuersity of opinions died not all so vndoubtedly they did not all escape but many among them becomming sicke and making a generall example of their flight and folly among them that could not stirre out of their beds they languished more perplexedly then the other did Let vs omit that one Citizen fled after another and one neighbour had not any care of another Parents nor kinred neuer visiting them but vtterly they were forsaken on all sides this tribulation pierced into the hearts of men and with such a dreadfull terrour that one Brother forsooke another the Vnkle the Nephew the Sister the Brother and the Wife her Husband nay a matter much greater and almost incredible Fathers and Mothers fled away from their owne Children euen as if they had no way appertained to them In regard whereof it could be no otherwise but that a countlesse multitude of men and women fell sicke finding no charity among their friends except a very few and subiected to the auarice of seruants who attended them constrainedly for great and vnreasonable wages yet few of those attendants to be found any where too And they were men or women but of base condition as also of groser vnderstanding who neuer before had serued in any such necessities nor indeed were any way else to be imployed but to giue the sicke person such things as he called for or to awaite the houre of his death in the performance of which seruices oftentimes for gaine they lost their owne liues In this extreame calamity the sicke being thus forsaken of neighbors kinred and friends standing also in such need of seruants a custome came vp among them neuer heard of before that there was not any woman how noble young or faire soeuer shee was but falling sicke shee must of necessity haue a man to attend her were he young or otherwise respect of shame or modesty no way preuailing but all parts of her body must be discouered to him which in the like vrgency was not to be seene by any but women whereon ensued afterward that vpon the parties healing and recouery it was the occasion of further dishonesty which many being more modestly curious of refused such disgracefull attending chusing rather to die then by such helpe to be healed In regard whereof as well through the want of conuenient remedies which the sicke by no meanes could attain vnto as also the violence of the contagion the multitude of them that died night and day was so great that it was a dreadfull sight to behold and as much to heare spoken of So that meere necessity among them that remained liuing begat new behauiours quite contrary to all which had beene in former times and frequently vsed among the City Inhabitants The custome of precedent dayes as now againe it is was that women kinred neighbours and friends would meete together at the deceased parties house and there with them that were of neerest alliance expresse their hearts
had determined to do which shee immediately vnderstood sufficiently and what would ensue on his nightly watching in that manner returning him answer that whatsoeuer he liked and allowed of it became not her any way to mislike Thus they continued in this kinde concordance till Sunday night came When Puccio was to begin his experience and Felice to set forward vpon his aduenture Concluded it was that euery night the Scholler must come to Supper partly to bee a witnesse of his constant performance but more especially for his owne aduantage The place which Puccio had chosen for his hopefull attaining to the Philosophers Stone was close to the Chamber where his daughter lay hauing no other separation or diuision but an old ruinous tottring wall So that when the Scholler was playing his prize Puccio heard an vnwonted noise in the house which he had neuer obserued before neither knew the wall to haue any such motion wherefore not daring to stirre from his standing least all should be marrd in the very beginning he called to his daughter demanding what busie labour she was about The widdow being much addicted to frumping according as questions were demanded of her and perhaps forgetting who spake to her pleasantly replied Whoop Sir where are we now Are the Spirits of Alchimy walking in the house that we cannot lye quietly in our beds Puccio meruailing at this answer knowing she neuer gaue him the like before demanded againe what she did The subtle wench remembring that she had not answered as became her said Pardon mee Father my wits were not mine owne when you demanded such a sodaine question and I haue heard you say an hundred times that when folke go supperles to bed either they walke in their sleepe or being awake talke very idely as no doubt you haue discernde by me Nay daughter quoth he it may be that I was in a waking dreame and thought I heard the olde wall totter but I see I was deceiued for now it is quiet and still enough Talke no more good Father saide she least you stirre from your place and hinder your labour take no care for mee I am able enough to haue care of my selfe To preuent any more of these mighty disturbances they went to lodge in another part of the house where they continued out the time of Puccioes paines with equall contentment to them both which made her diuers times say to Felice You teach my father the cheefe grounds of Alchimy while we helpe to waste away his treasure Thus the Scholler being but poore yet well forwarded in Learning made vse of Puccioes folly and found benefit thereby to keepe him out of wants which is the bane and ouerthrow of numberlesse good wits And Puccio dying before the date of his limitted time because hee failed of the Philosophers Stone Isabetta ioyned in marriage with Felice to make him amends for enstructing her father by which meanes he came to be her husband Ricciardo surnamed the Magnifico gaue a Horse to Signior Francesco Vergellisi vpon condition that by his leaue and lisence he might speake to his Wife in his presence which he did and shee not returning him any answere made answer to himselfe on her behalfe and according to his answer so the effect followed The fifth Nouell Wherein is described the frailety of some Women and folly of such Husbands as leaue them alone to their owne disposition PAmphilus hauing ended the Nouell of Puccio the Alchimist the Queene fixing her eye on Madam Eliza gaue order that shee should succeede with hers next When shee asking somewhat more austerely then any of the rest not in any spleen but as it was her vsuall manner thus began The World containeth some particular people who doe beleeue because themselues know something that others are ignorant in all things who for the most part while they intend to make a scorne of other men vpon the proofe doe findâ— themselues to carry away the scorne And therefore I account it no meane follie in them who vpon no occasion will tempt the power of another mans wit or experience But because all men and women perhaps are not of mine opinion I meane that you shall perceiue it more apparantly by an accident happening to a Knight of Pistoia as you shall heare by me related In the Towne of Pistoia bordering vpon Florence there liued not long since a Knight named Signior Francesco descended of the linage or family of the Vergellisi a man very rich wise and in many things prouident but gripple couetous and too close handed without respect to his vvorth and reputation He being called to the Office of Podesta in the City of Millaine furnished himselfe with all things in honourable manner beseeming such a charge only a comely horse for his owne saddle excepted vvhich he knew not by any meanes how to compasse so loath he vvas to lay out money albeit his credit much depended thereon At the same time there liued in Pistoya likewise a young man named Ricciardo deriued of meane birth but very wealthy quicke witted and of commendable person alwayes going so neate fine and formall in his apparrell that he was generally tearmed the Magnifico who had long time affected yea and closely courted though without any aduantage or successe the Lady and Wife of Signior Francesco who was very beautifull vertuous and chaste It so chanced that this Magnifico had the very choysest and goodliest ambling Gelding in all Tuscanie which he loued dearely for his faire forme and other good parts Vpon a flying rumor throughout Pistoria that he daily made loue to the fore-said Lady some busie body put it into the head of Signior Francesco that if he pleased to request the Gelding the Magnifico would frankly giue it him in regard of the loue he bare to his Wife The base minded Knight coueting to haue the Horse and yet not to part with any money sent for the Magnifico desiring to buy his faire Gelding of him because he hoped to haue him of free gift The Magnifico hearing his request was not a little ioyfull hereof and thus answered Sir if you would giue me all the wealth which you possesse in this World I will not sell you my Horse rather I will bestow him on you as a Gentlemanly gift but yet vpon this condition that before you haue him deliuered I may with your lisence and in your presence speake a few words to your vertuous Ladie and so farre off in distance from you as I may not be heard by any but onely her selfe Signior Francesco wholly conducted by his base auaricious desire and meaning to make a scorne at the Magnifico made answere that he was well contented to let him speake with her when he would and leauing him in the great Hall of the house he went to his Wiues Chamber and told her how easily he might enioy the House commanding her forth-with to come and heare what he could say to her onely shee should abstaine
pardon me I pray you faire Ladies if my Tale trip in some part and sauour a little of immodesty yet in hearing it you may obserue the same course as you doe in pleasing and delightfull Gardens plucke a sweete Rose and yet preserue your fingers from pricking Which very easily you may doe wincking at the imperfections of a foolish man and smiling at the amorous subtilties of his Wife compassionating the misfortune of others where vrgent necessity doth require it There dwelt not long since in Perugia a wealthy man named Pedro di Vinciolo who perhaps more to deceiue some other and restraine an euill opinion which the Perugians had conceiued of him in matter no way beseeming a man then any beauty or good feature remaining in the woman entred into the estate of marriage And Fortune was so conforme to him in his election that the woman whom he had made his wife had a young lusty and well enabled body a red hairde wench hot and fiery spirited standing more in neede of three Husbands then he who could not any way well content one Wife because his minde ran more on his money then those offices and duties belonging to wed-lock which time acquainting his Wife withall contrary to her owne expectation and those delights which the estate of marriage afforded knowing her selfe also to be of a sprightly disposition and not to be easily tamed by houshold cares and attendances shee waxed weary of her Husbands vnkind courses vpbraided him daily with harsh speeches making his owne home meerely as a hell to him When shee saw that this domesticke disquietnesse returned her no benefit but rather tended to her owne consumption then any amendment in her miserable Husband shee began thus to conferre with her priuate thoughts This Husband of mine liueth with me as if he were no Husband or This Wife the marriage bed which should be a comfort to vs both seemeth hatefull to him and as little pleasing to me because his minde is on his money his head busied with worldly cogitations and early and late in his counting-house admitting no familiar conuersation with me Why should not I be as respectlesse of him as he declares himselfe to be of me I tooke him for an Husband brought him a good and sufficient dowry thinking him to be a man and affected a woman as a man ought to doe else he had neuer beene any Husband of mine If he be a Woman hater why did he make choyce of me to be his Wife If I had not intended to be of the World I could haue coopt my selfe vp in a Cloyster and shorne my selfe a Nunne but that I was not borne to such seuerity of life My youth shall be blasted with age before I can truly vnderstand what youth is and I shall be branded with the disgracefull word barrennesse knowing my selfe meete and able to be a Mother were my Husband but worthy the name of a Father or expected issue and posterity to leaue our memoriall to after times in our race as all our predecessours formerly haue done and for which mariage was chiefly instituted Castles long besieged doe yeeld at the last and women wronged by their owne Husbands can hardly warrant their owne frailty especially liuing among so many temptations which flesh and bloud are not alwayes able to resist Well I meane to be aduised in this case before I will hazard my honest reputation either to suspition or scandall then which no woman can haue two heauier enemies and very few there are that can escape them Hauing thus a long while consulted with her selfe and perhaps oftner then twice or thrice shee became secretly acquainted with an aged woman generally reputed to be more then halfe a Saint walking alwayes very demurely in the streetes counting ouer and ouer her Pater nosters and all the Cities holy pardons hanging at her girdle neuer talking of any thing but the liues of the holy Fathers or the wounds of Saint Frances all the World admiring her sanctity of life euen as if shee were diuinely inspired this she Saint must be our distressed womans Councellour and hauing found out a conuenient season at large she imparted all her mind to her in some such manner as formerly you haue heard whereto shee returned this answere Now trust me Daughter thy case is to be pittied and so much the rather because thou art in the floure and spring time of thy youth when not a minute of time is to be left for there is no greater an errour in this life then the losse of time because it cannot be recouered againe and when the fiends themselues affright vs yet if we keepe our embers still couered with warme ashes on the hearth they haue not any power to hurt vs. If any one can truly speake thereof then I am able to deliuer true â—estimony for I know but not without much perturbation of minde and piercing afflictions in the spirit how much time I lost without any profit And yet I lost not all for I would not haue thee thinke me to be so foolish that I did altogether neglect such an especiall benefit which when I call to minde and consider now in what condition I am thou must imagine it is no smal hearts griefe to me that age should make me vtterly despised and no fire afforded to light my tinder With men it is not so they are borne apt for a thousand occasions as well for the present purpose we talke of as infinite other beside yea and many of them are more esteemed being aged then when they were yong But women serue onely for mens contentation and to bring children and therefore are they generally beloued which if they faile of either it is by vnfortunate marriage or some imperfection depending on nature not through want of good will in themselues We haue nothing in this world but what is giuen vs in which regard we are to make vse of our time and employ it the better while we haue it For when we grow to be old our Husbands yea our very dearest and nearest friends will scarcely looke on vs. We are then fit for nothing but to sit by the fire in the Kitchin telling tales to the Cat or counting the pots and pannes on the shelues Nay which is worse rimes and songs is made of vs euen in meere contempt of our age and commendation of such as are young the daintiest morsels are fittest for them and we referred to feed on the scrappes from their trenchers or such reuersion as they can spare vs. I tell thee Daughter thou couldst not make choyce of a meerer woman in all the City to whom thou mightest safely open thy minde and knowes better to aduise thee then I doe But remember withall that I am poore and it is your part not to suffer pouerty to be vnsupplyed I will make thee partaker of all these blessed pardons at euery Altar I will say a Pater noster and an Aue Maria that thou maist
I would not haue you to be any way doubtfull of me neither that you shold receiue the least damage by me I haue heard what you haue said and am certaine that it will happen according to your words if matters should fall out as you conceite but I am minded to deale otherwise I haue committed so many offences against our Lord God in the vvhole current of my life that now I intend one action at the hour of my death which I trust will make amends for all Procure therefore I pray you that the most holy and religious man that is to be found if there bee any one at all may come vnto me and referre the case then to me for I will deale in such sort for you and my selfe that all shall be well and you no way discontented The two Brethren although they had no great hope in his speeches went yet to a Monastery of Gray-Friars and requested that some one holy and learned man might come to heare the confession of a Lombard that lay verie weake and sicke in their house And one was granted vnto them beeing an aged religious Frier a great read master in the sacred Scriptures a very venerable person who beeing of good and sanctified life all the Citizens held him in great respect esteem and on he went with thē to their house When he was come vp into the Chamber wher Master Chappelet lay and being there seated downe by him he beganne first to comfort him very louingly demanding also of him howe many times he had bin at confession Whereto master Chappelet who neuer had bin shriuen in all his life time thus replied Holy Father I alwayes vsed as a common custome to bee confessed once at the least euery weeke albeit sometimes much more often but true it is that being faln into this sicknesse now eight dayes since I haue not bene confest so violent hath bene the extremity of my weaknesse My sonne answered the good old man thou hast done well and so keep thee still hereafter in that minde but I plainly perceiue seeing thou hast so often confessed thy selfe that I shall take the lesse labour in vrging questions to thee Master Chappelet replied Say not so good Father for albeit I haue bene so oftentimes confessed yet am I willing now to make a generall confession euen of all sinnes comming to my remembrance from the very day of my birth vntil this instant houre of my shrift And therefore I intreate you holy Father to make a particular demand of euery thing euen as if I had neuer bene confessed at al and to make no respect of my sicknesse for I had rather be offensiue to mine owne flesh then by fauoring or allowing it ease to hazard the perdition of my soule which my Redeemer bought with so precious a price These words were highly pleasing to the holy Frier and seemed to him as an argument of a good conscience Wherefore after hee had much commended this forwardnesse in him he began to demand of him if he had neuer offended with any Woman Whereunto master Chappelet breathing foorth a great sigh answered Holy Father I am halfe ashamed to tell you the truth in this case as fearing least I should sinne in vaine-glory Whereto the Confessor replyed Speake boldly Sonne and feare not for in telling the truth be it in confession or otherwise a man can neuer sinne Then sayde Maister Chappelet Father seeing you giue me so good an assurance I wil resolue you faithfully heerein I am so true a Virgin-man in this matter euen as when I issued forth of my Mothers wombe O Sonne quoth the Frier how happie and blessed of God art thou Well hast thou liued and therein hast not meanly merited hauing hadde so much libertie to doo the contrary if thou wouldst wherein very few of vs can so answer for our selues Afterward he demanded of him how much displeasing to God hee had beene in the sinne of Gluttony When sighing againe greatly he answered Too much and too often good Father For ouer and beside the Fasts of our Lent season which euerie yeare ought to bee dulie obserued by deuout people I brought my selfe to such a customarie vse that I could fast three dayes in euery Weeke with Bread and Water But indeede holy Father I confesse that I haue drunke water with such a pleasing appetite and delight especially in praying or walking on pilgrimages euen as greedy drunkards do in drinking good Wine And many times I haue desired such Sallades of small hearbes as Women gather abroad in the open fields and feeding onely vpon them without coueting after any other kinde of sustenance hath seemed much more pleasing to me then I thought to agree with the nature of Fasting especially when as it swerueth from deuotion or is not done as it ought to bee Sonne Sonne replied the Confessour these sinnes are naturall and very light and therefore I would not haue thee to charge thy conscience with them more then is needfull It happeneth to euery man how holy soeuer he be that after he hath fasted ouer-long feeding will be welcome to him and drinking good drinke after his trauaile O Sir said Maister Chappelet neuer tell me this to comfort me for well you know and I am not ignorant therein that such things as are done for the seruice of God ought all to be performed purely and without any blemish of the minde what otherwise is done sauoureth of sinne The Friar being well contented with his words said It is not amisse that thou vnderstandest it in this manner and thy conscience thus purely cleared is no little comfort to me But tell me now concerning Auarice hast thou sinned therein by desiring more then was reasonable or withholding from others such things as thou oughtst not to detaine whereto Maister Chappelet answered Good Father I would not haue you to imagine because you see me lodged here in the house of two vsurers that therefore I am of any such disposition No truly Sir I came hither to no other end but onely to chastise and admonish them in friendly manner to cleanse their mindes from such abhominable profit And assuredly I should haue preuailed therein had not this violently sicknesse hindered mine intention But vnderstand holy Father that my parents left me a rich man and immediatly after my fathers death the greater part of his goods I gaue away for Gods sake and then to sustaine mine ownelife and to helpe the poore members of Iesus Christ I betooke my selfe to a meane estate of Merchandise desiring none other then honest gaine thereby and euermore whatsoeuer benefit came to me I imparted halfe thereof to the poore conuerting mine owne small portion about my necessary affaires which that other part would scarsely serue to supply yet alwayes God gaue thereto such a mercifull blessing that my businesse dayly thriued more and more arising still from good to better Well hast thou done therein good Sonne said the Confessour but how
great part of the night might therein be wasted when leauing Andrea to his Chamber and a Lad to attend that he shold lacke nothing she with her women went to their lodgings and thus our brother and supposed Sister were parted The season then being somewhat hot and soultry Andrea put off his hose and doublet and beeing in his shirt alone layed them vnderneath the beds boulster as seeming carefull of his money But finding a prouocation to the house of Office he demanded of the Lad where hee might find it who shewed him a little doore in a corner of the Chamber appointing him to enter there Safely enough he went in but chanced to tread vpon a board which was fastened at neither ende to the ioynts whereon it lay being a pit-fall made of purpose to entrap any such coxecombe as would be trained to so base a place of lodging so that both he and the board fell downe together into the draught yet such being his good fortune to receiue no harme in the fall although it was of extraordinary height onely the filth of the place it being ouer full had fowly myred him Now for your better vnderstanding the quality of the place and what ensued thereupon it is not vnnecessary to describe it according to a common vse obserued in those parts There was a narrow passage or entrie as often we see reserued betweene two houses for eithers benefit to such a needfull place and boards loosely lay vpon the ioynts which such as were acquainted withall could easily auoide any perill in passing to or from the stoole But our so newly created brother not dreaming to find a queane to his Sister receiuing so foule a fall into the vaulte and knowing not how to helpe himselfe being sorrowfull beyond measure cryed out to the boy for light and aide with intended not to giue him any For the crafty wag a meete attendant for so honest a Mistresse no sooner heard him to be fallen but presently he ranne to enforme her thereof and shee as speedily returned to the Chamber where finding his cloathes vnder the beds head shee needed no instruction for search in his pockets But hauing found the gold which Andrea indiscreetely carried alwayes about him as thinking it could no where else be so safe This was all shee aymed at and for which shee had ensnared him faigning her selfe to be of Palermo and Daughter to Piero of Perouse so that not regarding him any longer but making fast the house of Office doore there shee left him in that miserable taking Poore Andrea perceiuing that his calles could get no answer from the Lad cryed out louder but all to no purpose when seeing into his owne simplicity and vnderstanding his error though somewhat too late hee made such meanes constrainedly that he got ouer a wall which seuered that foule sinke from the Worlds eye and being in the open streete went to the doore of the House which then he knew too well to his cost making loude exclaimes with rapping and knocking but all as fruitlesse as before Sorrowing exceedingly and manifestly beholding his misfortune Alas quoth he how soone haue I lost a Sister and fiue hundred Crownes besides with many other words loude calles and beatings vpon the doore without intermission the neighbours finding themselues diseased and vnable to endure such ceaselesse vexation rose from their beds and called to him desiring him to be gone and let them rest A maide also of the same House looking forth at the window and seeming as newly raised from sleepe called to him saying What noyse is that beneath Why Virgin answered Andrea know you not me I am Andrea de Piero Brother to your Mistresse Fiordeliza Thou art a drunken knaue replied the Maide more full of drinke then wit goe sleepe goe sleepe and come againe to morrow for I know no Andrea de Piero neither hath my Mistresse any such Brother get thee gone good man and suffer vs to sleepe I pray thee How now quoth Andrea doest thou not vnderstand what I say Thou knowest that I supt with thy Mistresse this night but if our Sicilian kindred be so soone forgot I pray thee giue me my cloathes which I left in my Chamber and then very gladly will I get mee gone Hereat the Maide laughing out aloude saide Surely the man is mad or walketh the streetes in a dreame and so clasping fast the window away shee went and left him Now could Andrea assure himselfe that his gold and cloathes were past recouery which mouing him to the more impatience his former intercessions became conuerted into fury and what hee could not compasse by faire entreats he entended to winne by outrage and violence so that taking vp a great stone in his hand hee layed vpon the doore very powerfull strokes The neighbours hearing this molestation still admitting them not the least respite of rest reputing him for a troublesome fellow and that he vsed those counterfet words onely to disturbe the Mistresse of the House and all that dwelled neere about her looking againe out at their windowes they altogether began to rate and reproue him euen like so many bawling Curres barking at a strange dog passing thorow the streete This is shamefull villany quoth one and not to be suffered that honest women should be thus molested in their houses with foolish idle words and at such an vnseasonable time of the night For Gods sake good man be gone and let vs sleepe if thou haue any thing to say to the Gentlewoman of the House come to morrow in the day time and no doubt but shee will make thee sufficient answer Andrea being somewhat pacified with these speeches a shag-hairde swash-buckler a grim-visagde Ruffian as sildome bawdy houses are without such swaggering Champions not seene or heard by Andrea all the while of his being in the house rapping out two or three terrible oathes opened a casement and with a stearne dreadfull voyce demaunded who durst keepe that noyse beneath Andrea fearefully looking vp and by a little glimmering of the Moone seeing such a rough fellow with a blacke beard strowting like the quilles of a Porcupine and patches on his face for hurts receiued in no honest quarels yawning also and stretching as angry to haue his sleepe disturbed trembling and quaking answered I am the Gentlewomans brother of the house The Ruffian interrupting him and speaking more fiercely then before sealing his words with horrible oathes said Sirra Rascall I know not of whence or what thou art but if I come downe to thee I will so bombast thy prating coxcombe as thou was neuer better beaten in all thy life like a drunken slaue and beast as thou art that all this night wilt not let vs sleepe and so hee clapt to the window againe The neighbours well acquainted with this Ruffians rude conditions speaking in gentle manner to Andrea said Shift for thy selfe good man in time and tarrie not for his comming downe to thee except thou art wearie of thy
taketh him to be and so did I find him Hauing thus spoken and giuing kinde welcome to the Messenger secretly he called the Nurse vnto him whom he heedfully examined concerning this case Shee hauing heard the rebellion in the Kingdome of Sicilie and vnderstanding withall that Henriet was yet liuing ioyfully threw off all her former feare relating euery thing to him orderly and the reasons mouing her to conceale the whole businesse in such manner as shee had done Gasparino well perceiuing that the report of the Nurse and the message receiued from Conrado varied not in any one circumstance beganne the better to credit her wordes And being a man most ingenious making further inquisition into the businesse by all the possible meanes he could deuise and finding euery thing to yeeld vndoubted assurance ashamed of the vile and base vsage wherein hee had so long time kept the Ladde and desiring by his best meanes to make him amends he had a faire Daughter aged about thirteene yeeres and knowing what manner of man he was his father Henriet also yet liuing he gaue her to him in marriage with a very bountifull and honourable dowry The iouiall dayes of feasting being past he went aboard a Galley with the Poore expelled his Daughter the Ambassadour and the Nurse departing thence to Lericy where they were nobly welcommed by Messer Conrado and his Castle being not farre from thence with an honourable traine they were conducted thither and entertained with all possible kindnesse Now concerning the comfort of the Mother meeting so happily with both her Sonnes the ioy of the Brethren and Mother together hauing also found the faithfull Nurse Gasparino and his Daughter in company now with Conrado and his Wife friends familiars and all generally in a Iubilee of reioycing it exceedeth capacity in me to expresse it and therefore I referre it to your more able imagination In the time of this mutuall contentment to the ende that nothing might be wanting to compleat and perfect this vniuersall ioy our Lord a most aboundant bestower where he beginneth added long wished tydings concerning the life and good estate of Henriet Capece For euen as they were feasting and the concourse great of worthy guests both of Lords and Ladies the first seruice was scarcely set on the Tables but the Ambassador which was sent to Sicilie arriued there before them Among many other important matters he spake of Henriet who being so long a time detained in prison by King Charles when the commotion arose in the City against the King the people grudging at Henriets long imprisonment slew the Guards and set him at liberty Then as capitall enemy to King Charles he was created Captaine generall following the chase and killing the French By meanes whereof he grew great in the grace of King Pedro who replanted him in all the goods and honours which he had before with very high and eminent authority Hereunto the Ambassadour added that he was entertained with extraordinary grace and deliuery of publike ioy and exaltation when his Wife and Sonne were knowne to be liuing of whom no tydings had at any time beene heard since the houre of his surprizall Moreouer that a swift winged Barke was now sent thither vpon the happy hearing of this newes well furnished with noble Gentlemen to attend till their returning backe We neede to make no doubt concerning the tydings brought by this Ambassadour nor of the Gentlemens welcome thus sent to Madam Beritola and Geoffrey who before they would sit downe at the Table saluted Messer Conrado and his kinde Lady on the behalfe of Henriet for all the great graces extended to her and her Sonne with promise of any thing lying in the power of Henriet to rest continually at their command The like they did to Signior Gasparino whose liberall fauours came vnlooked for with certaine assurance that when Henriet should vnderstand what hee had done for his other Sonne the Poore expelled there would be no defailance of riciprocall courtesies As the longest ioyes haue no perpetuity of lasting so all these gracefull ceremonies had their conclusion with as many sighes and teares at parting as ioyes abounded at their first encountring Imagine then that you see such aboard as were to haue here no longer abiding Madam Beritola and Geoffrey with the rest as the Poore expelled the so late married Wiues and the faithfull Nurse bearing them company With prosperous windes they arriued in Sicilie where the Wife Sonnes and Daughters were ioyfully met by Henriet at Palermo and with such honourable pompe as a case so important equally deserued The Histories make further mention that there they liued a long while after in much felicity with thankfull hearts no doubt to Heauen in acknowledgement of so many great mercies receiued The Soldan of Babylon sent one of his Daughters to be ioyned in marriage with the King of Cholcos who by diuers accidents in the space of foure yeeres happened into the custody of nine men and in sundry places At length being restored backe to her Father shee went to the saide King of Cholcos as a Maide and as at first shee was intended to be his wife The seauenth Nouell Aliuely demonstration that the beauty of a Woman oftentimes is very hurtfull to her selfe and the occasion of many euils yea and of death to diuers men PEraduenture the Nouell related by Madam Aemilia did not extend it selfe so farre in length as it moued compassion in the Ladies mindes hearing the hard fortunes of Beritola and her Children which had incited them to weeping but that it pleased the Queene vpon the Tales conclusion to command Pamphilus to follow next in order with his discourse and hee being thereto very obedient beganne in this manner It is a matter of no meane difficulty vertuous Ladies for vs to take intire knowledge of euery thing we doe because as oftentimes hath beene obserued many men imagining if they were rich they should liue securely and without any cares And therefore not onely haue their prayers and intercessions aimed at that end but also their studies and daily endeauours without refusall of any paines or perils haue not meanely expressed their hourely solicitude And although it hath happened accordingly to them and their couetous desires fully accomplished yet at length they haue met with such kinde of people who likewise thirsting after their wealthy possessions haue bereft them of life being their kinde and intimate friends before they attained to such riches Some other being of low and base condition by aduenturing in many skirmishes and foughten battels trampling in the bloud of their brethren and friends haue beene mounted to the soueraigne dignity of Kingdomes beleeuing that therein consisted the truest happinesse but bought with the dearest price of their liues For beside their infinite cares and feares wherewith such greatnesse is continually attended at their royall Tables they haue drunke poyson in a golden pot Many other in like manner with most earnest appetite haue coueted
reuealed her whole intent to Gianetta and finding her constancie beyond common comparison acquainted her Lord with all she had done and both consented though much against their mindes to let him enioy her in honourable marriage accounting it better for preseruation of their onely sons life to match him farre inferiour to his degree then by denying his desire to let him pine away and die for her loue After great consultation with kindred and friendes the match was agreed vpon to the no little ioy of Gianetta who deuoutly returned infinite thankes to heauen for so mercifully respecting her deiected poore estate after the bitter passage of so many miseries and neuer tearming her selfe any otherwise but the daughter of a poore Piccard Soone was the yong Gentleman recouered and married no man aliue so well contented as he and setting downe an absolute determination to lead a louing life with his Gianetta Let vs now conuert our lookes to Wales to Perotto being lefte there with the other Lord Marshall who was the President of that Countrey On he grew in yeares choisely respected by his Lord because hee vvas most comely of person and addicted to all valiant attempts so that in Tourneyes Iustes and other actions of Armes his like was not to bee found in all the Island being named onely Perotto the valiant Piccard and so was he famed farre and neere As God had not forgotten his Sister so in mercy he became as mindefull of him for a contagious mortalitie hapning in the Country the greater part of the people perished thereby the rest flying thence into other partes of the Land whereby the whole Prouince became dispeopled and desolate In the time of this plague and dreadful visitation the Lord President his Lady Sonnes Daughters Brothers Nephewes and Kindred dyed none remaining aliue but one onely Daughter marriageable a few of the houshold seruants beside Perotto whom after the sicknesse was more mildly asswaged with counsaile and consent of the Country people the young Lady accepted to be her husband because hee was a man so worthy and valiant and of all the inheritance left by her deceased Father she made him Lord and sole commaunder Within no long while after the King of England vnderstanding that his President of Wales was dead and fame liberally relating the vertues valour and good parts of Perotto the Piccard hee created him to be his President there and to supply the place of his deceased Lord. These faire fortunes within the compasse of so short a time fell to the two innocent children of the Count D'Angiers after they were left by him as lost and forlorne Eighteene yeares were now fully ouer-past since the Count D'Angiers fled from Paris hauing suffered in miserable soâ—t many hard and lamentable aduersities and seeing himselfe now to be growne aged hee was desirous to leaue Ireland and to know if hee might what was become of both his children Hereupon perceiuing his wonted forme to be so altered that such as formerly had conuersed most with him could now not take any knowledge of him feeling his body through long labour and exercise endured in seruice more lusty then in his idle youthfull yeares especially when he left the Court of France hee purposed to proceede in his determination Being very poore and simple in apparell hee departed from the Irish Eare his Maister with whom hee had continued long in seruice to no aduantage or aduancement and crossing ouer into England trauailed to the place in Wales where he left Perotto and where hee found him to be Lord Marshall and President of the Country lusty and in good health a man of goodly feature and most honourably respected and reuerenced of the people Well may you imagine that this was no small comfort to the poore aged Countes heart yet would he not make himselfe knowne to him or any other about him but referred his ioy to a further enlarging or diminishing by sight of the other limme of his life his dearely affected daughter Gianetta denying rest to his body in any place vntill such time as he came to London Making there secret enquiry concerning the Lady with whom he had left his daughter hee vnderstoode that a young Gentlewoman named Gianetta was married to that Ladies onely Son which made a second addition of ioy to his soule accounting all his passed aduersities of no value both his children being liuing and in so high honour Hauing found her dwelling and like a kinde Father being earnestly desirous to see her he dayly resorted neere to the house where Sir Roger Mandauill for so was Gianettaes husband named chauncing to see him being moued to compassion because he was both poore and aged commaunded one of his men to take him into the house and to giue him some foode for Gods sake which accordingly the seruant performed Gianetta had diuers children by her husband the eldest of them being but eight yeares olde yet all of them so faire and comely as could be As the olde Count sate eating his meate in the Hall the children came all about him embracing hugging and making much of him euen as if Nature had truly instructed them that this was their aged though poore Graundfather and hee as louingly receiuing these kinde relations from them wisely and silently kept all to himselfe with sighes teares and ioyes entermixed together So that the children would not part from him though their Tutour and Maister called them often which being tolde to their Mother shee came foorth of the neere adioyning Parlour and threatned to beate them if they would not doe what their Maister commanded them Then the children began to cry saying that they would tarie still by the good olde man because he loued them better then their Maister did whereat both the Lady and the Count began to smile The Count like a poore beggar and not as father to so great a Lady arose and did her humble reuerence because shee was now a Noble woman conceiuing wonderfull ioy in his soule to see her so faire and goodly a creature yet could she take no knowledge of him age want and misery had so mightily altred him his head all white his beard without any comely forme his garments so poore and his face so wrinkled leane and meager that hee seemed rather some Carter then a Count. And Gianetta perceiuing that when her children were fetcht away they returned againe to the olde man and would not leaue him desired their Maister to let them alone While thus the children continued making much of the good olde man Lord Andrew Mandeuile Father to Sir Roger came into the Hall as being so willed to doe by the Childrens Schoolemaister He being a hastie minded man and one that euer despised Gianetta before but much more since her mariage to his sonne angerly said Let them alone with a mischiefe and so befall them their best company ought to be with beggers for so are they bred and borne by the Mothers side and
then the other thinking Massetto to be fast asleepe began in this manner Sister quoth she if I were faithfully assured of thy secrecie I would tell thee a thing which I haue often thought on and it may perhaps redound to thy profit Sister replyed the other Nun speake your minde boldly and beleeue it on my Maiden-head that I will neuer reueale it to any creature liuing Encoraged by this solemne answer the first Nun thus prosecuted her former purpose saying I know not Sister whether it hath entred into thine vnderstanding or no how strictly we are here kept and attended neuer any man daring to aduenture among vs except our good and honest Fac-totum who is very aged and this dumbe fellow maimed and made imperfect by nature and therefore not woorthy the title of a man Ah Sister it hath of tentimes bin told me by Gentle-women comming hither to visite vs that all other sweetes in the world are meere mockeries to the incomparable pleasures of man and woman of which we are barred by our vnkind parents binding vs to perpetuall chastity which they were neuer able to obserue themselues A Sister of this house once told me that before her turne came to be sent to the Soldane she fell in frailty with a man that was both lame and blinde and discouering the same to her Ghostly Father in confession he absolued her of that sinne affirming that she had not transgressed with a man because he wanted his rationall and vnderstanding parts Behold Sister heere lyes a creature almost formed in the selfe-same mold dumb and deafe which are two the most rational and vnderstanding parts that do belong to any man and therefore no Man wanting them If folly frailty should be committed with him as many times since hee came hither it hath run in my minde hee is by Nature sworne to such secrecie that he cannot if he would be a blabbe thereof Beside the Lavves and constitutions of our Religion doth teach vs that a sinne so assuredly concealed is more then halfe absolued Aue Maria Sister said the other Nunne what kinde of words are these you vtter Doe not you know that wee haue promised our virginity to God Oh Sister answered the other how many things are promised to him euery day and not one of a thousand kept or performed If wee haue made him such a promise and some of our weaker witted Sisters do performe it for vs no doubt but he will accept it in part of payment Yea but Sister replied the second Nunne againe there is another danger lying in our way If wee proue to be with childe how shall we doe then Sister quoth our couragious Wench thou art afraid of a harme before it happen if it come so to passe let vs consider on it then thou art but a Nouice in matters of such moment and wee are prouided of a thousand meanes whereby to preuent conception Or if they should faile wee are so surely fitted that the world shall neuer know it let it suffice our liues must not be by any so much as suspected our Monasterie questioned or our Religion rashly scandalized Thus shee schooled her younger Sister in wit albeit as forward as she in will and longed as desirously to know what kinde a creature a man was After some other questions how this intention of theirs might be safely brought to full effect the sprightly Nunne that had wit at will thus answered You see Sister quoth she it is now the houre of midday when all the rest of our Sisterhood are quiet in their Chambers because we are then allowed to sleepe for our earlier rising to morning Mattins Here are none in the Garden now but our selues and while I awake him be you the watch and afterward follow me in my fortune for I will valiantly leade you the way Massetto imitating a dogges sleepe heaâ—d all this conspiracie intended against him and longed as earnestly till shee came to awake him Which being done he seeming very simply sottish and she chearing him with flattering behauiour into the close Arbour they went which the Sunnes bright eye could not pierce into and there I leaue it to the Nunnes owne approbation whether Massetto was a man rationall or no. Ill deedes require longer time to contriue then act and both the Nunnes hauing beene with Massetto at this new forme of confession were enioyned by him an easie and silent penance as brought them the oftner to shrift and made him to prooue a perfect Confessour Desires obtained but not fully satisfied doe commonly vrge more frequent accesse then wisdome thinkes expedient or can continue without discouerie Our two Iouiall Nunnes not a little proud of their priuate stolne pleasures so long resorted to the close Arbour till an other Sister who had often obserued their haunt thither by meanes of a little hole in her window that shee began to suspect them with Massetto and imparted the same to two other Sisters all three concluding to accuse them before the Lady Abbesse But vpon a further conference had with the offenders they changed opinion tooke the same oath as the fore-woman had done and because they would be free from any taxation at all they reuealed their aduentures to the other three ignorants and so fell all eight into one formall confederacie but by good and warie obseruation least the Abbesse her selfe should descry them finding poore Massetto such plenty of Garden-worke as made him very doubtfull in pleasing them all It came to passe in the end that the Lady Abbesse who all this while imagined no such matter walking all alone in the Garden on a day found Massetto sleeping vnder an Almond tree hauing then very little businesse to doe because he had wrought hard all the night before Shee obserued him to be an hansome man young lusty well limbde and proportioned hauing a mercifull commisseration of his dumbnesse and deafenesse being perswaded also in like manner that if he were an Eunuch too he deserued a thousand times the more to be pittied The season was exceeding hot and he lay downe so carelesly to sleepe that something was noted wherein shee intended to be better resolued almost falling sicke of the other Nunnes disease Hauing awaked him she commanded him by signes that he should follow her to her chamber where he was kepâ— close so long that the Nunnes grew offended because the Gardener came not to his dayly labour Well may you imagine that Massetto was no misse-proud man now to be thus aduanced from the Garden to the Chamber and by no worse woman then the Lady Abbesse her selfe what signes shewes or what language he speaks there I am not able to expresse onely it appeard that his behauiour pleased her so well as it procured his daily repairing thither and acquainted her with such familiar conuersation as shee would haue condemned in the Nuns her daughters but that they were wise enough to keepe it from her Now began Massetto to consider with
told him that if his leysure so serued very gladly shee would be confessed and onely had made her choyce of him The holy man seeing her and reputing her to be a Gentlewoman as indeede shee was no lesse willingly heard her and when shee had confessed what shee could shee had yet another matter to acquaint him withall and thereupon thus she began Holy Father it is no more then conuenient that I should haue recourse to you to be assisted by your help and councell in a matter which I will impart vnto you I know that you are not ignorant of my parents and husband of whom I am affected as dearely as his life for proofe whereof there is not any thing that I can desire but immediatly I haue it of him he being a most rich man and may very sufficiently affoord it In regard whereof I loue him equally as my selfe and setting aside my best endeauours for him I must tell you one thing quite contrary to his liking and honor wherein no woman can more worthily deserue death then my selfe Vnderstand then good Father that there is a man whose name I know not but hee seemeth to be honest and of good worth moreouer if I am not deceiued hee resorteth oftentimes to you being faire and comely of person going alwayes in blacke garments of good price and value This man imagining perhaps no such minde in me as truely there is hath often attempted mee and neuer can I be at my doore or window but hee is alwayes present in my sight which is not a little displeasing to me he watcheth my walkes and much I meruaile that he is not now here Let me tell you holy Sir that such behauiours doe many times lay bad imputations vpon very honest women yet without any offence in them It hath often run in my minde to let him haue knowledge thereof by my brethren but afterward I considered that men many times deliuer messages in such sort as draw on very vngentle answeres whereon grow words and words beget actions In which respect because no harme or scandall should ensue I thought it best to be silent determining to acquaint you rather therewith then any other as well because you seeme to be his friend as also in regard of your office which priuiledgeth you to correct such abuses not onely in friends but also in strangers Enowe other women there are more is the pitty who perhaps are better disposed to such suites then I am and can both like and allowe of such courting otherwise then I can doe as being willing to embrace such offers and happily loath to yeeld deniall Wherefore most humbly I entreat you good Father euen for our blessed Ladies sake that you would giue him a friendly reprehension and aduise him to vse such vnmanly meanes no more hereafter With which words shee hung downe her head in her bosome cunningly dissembling as if shee wept wiping her eyes with her Handkerchife when not a teare fell from them but indeed were dry enough The holy Religious man so soone as he heard her description of the man presently knew whom shee meant and highly commending the Gentlewoman for her good and vertuous seeming disposition beleeued faithfully all that shee had said promising her to order the matter so well and discreetly as shee should not be any more offended And knowing her to be a woman of great wealth after all their vsuall manner when they cast forth their fishing nets for gaine liberally he commended Almes-deedes and dayly workes of charity recounting to her beside his owne perticular necessities Then giuing him two pieces of gold she said I pray you good Father to be mindfull of me and if he chance to make any deniall tell him boldly that I spake it my selfe to you and by the way of a sad complaint her confession being ended and penance easie enough enioyned her shee promised to make her parents bountifull benefactours to the Conuent and put more money into his hand desiring him in his Masses to remember the soules of her deceased friends and so returned home to her house Within a short while after her departure the Gentleman of whom she had made this counterfeit complaint came thither as was his vsuall manner and hauing done his duty to the holy Father they sate downe together priuately falling out of one discourse into another At the length the Frier in very louing and friendly sort mildly reproued him for such amorous glaunces and other pursuites which as he thought hee dayly vsed to the Gentlewoman according to her owne speeches The Gentleman meruailed greatly thereat as one that had neuer seene her and very sildome passed by the way where she dwelt which made him the bolder in his answeres wherein the Confessour interrupting him said Neuer make such admiration at the matter neither waste more words in these stout denials because they cannot serue thy turne I tell thee plainely I heard it not from any neighbours but euen of her owne selfe in a very sorrowfull and sad complaint And though perhaps hereafter thou canst very hardly refraine such follies yet let mee tell thee so much of her and vnder the seale of absolute assurance that she is the onely woman of the world who in my true iudgement doth hate and abhorre all such base behauiour Wherefore in regard of thine owne honor as also not to vexe preiudice so vertuous a Gentlewoman I pray thee refrain such idlenes henceforward suffer hir to liue in peace The Gentleman being a little wiser then his ghostly Father perceiued immediatly without any further meditating on the matter the notable polliâ—ie of the woman whereupon making somewhat bashfull appearance of any error already committed hee said hee would afterward be better aduised So departing from the Frier he went on directly to passe by the house where the Gentlewoman dwelt and she stood alwayes ready on her watch at a little window to obserue when hee should walke that way And seeing him comming she shewed her selfe so ioyfull and gracious to him as he easily vnderstood whereto the substance of the holy Fathers chiding tended And from that time forward hee vsed dayly though in couert manner to the no little liking of the Gentlewoman and himselfe to make his passage through that streete vnder colour of some important occasions there concerning him Soone after it being plainely discerned on either side that the one was as well contented with these walkes as the other could be shee desired to enflame him a little further by a more liberall illustration of her affection towards him when time and place affoorded conuenient opportunity To the holy Father againe shee went for shee had been too long from shrift and kneeling downe at his feete intended to begin her confession in teares which the Friar perceiuing sorrowfully demanded of her what new accident had happened Holy Father quoth shee no nouell accident but onely your wicked and vngracious friend by whom since I was here
with you yea no longer agoe then yesterday I haue beene so wronged as I verily beleeue that hee was borne to be my mortall enemie and to make me doe something to my vtter disgrace for euer and whereby I shall not dare to be seene any more of you my deare Father How is this answered the Friar hath he not refrained from afflicting you so abusiuely Pausing a while and breathing foorth many a dissembled sigh thus shee replyed No truly holy Father there is no likelyhood of his abstaining for since I made my complaint to you he belike taking it in euill part to be contraried in his wanton humours hath meerely in despight walked seauen times in a day by my doore whereas formerly he neuer vsed it aboue once or twice And well were it good Father if he could be contented with those walkes and gazing glaunces which hee dartes at me but growne he is so bolde and shamelesse that euen yesterday as I tolde you he sent a woman to me one of his Pandoraes as it appeared and as if I had wanted either Purses or Girdles he sent me by her a Purse and a Girdle Whereat I grew so grieuously offended as had it not beene for my due respect and feare of God and next the sacred reuerence I beare to you my ghostly Father doubtlesse I had done some wicked deede Neuerthelesse happily I withstood it and will neither say or doe any thing in this case till first I haue made it knowne to you Then I called to minde that hauing redeliuered the Purse and Girdle to his shee messenger which brought them with lookes sufficient to declare my discontentment I called her backe againe fearing least shee would keepe them to her selfe and make him beleeue that I had receiued them as I haue heard such kind of women vse to doe sometimes and in anger I snatcht them from her and haue brought them hither to you to the end that you may giue him them againe and tell him I haue no neede of any such things thankes be to Heauen and my husband as no woman can be better stored then I am Wherefore good Father purposely am I now come to you and I beseech you accept my iust excuse that if he wil not abstaine from thus molesting me I will disclose it to my Husband Father and Brethren whatsoeuer shall ensue thereon for I had rather he should receiue the iniury if needs it must come then I to be causelesly blamed for him wherein good Father tell me if I doe not well With many counterfet sobbes sighes and teares these wordes were deliuered and drawing foorth from vnder her gowne a very faire and rich purse as also a Girdle of great worth shee threw them into the Friers lap He verily beleeuing all this false report beeing troubled in his minde thereat beyond measure tooke the Gentlewoman by the hand saying Daughter if thou be offended at these impudent follies assuredly I cannot blame thee nor will any wise man reprooue thee for it and I commend thee for following my counsell But let me alone for schooling of my Gentleman ill hath he kept his promise made to mee wherefore in regard of his former offence as also this other so lately committed I hope to set him in such a heate as shall make him leaue off from further iniurying thee And in Gods name suffer not thy selfe to be conquered by choler in disclosing this to thy kindred or husband because too much harme may ensue thereon But feare not any wrong to thy selfe for both before God and men I am a true witnesse of thine honesty and vertue Now began she to appeare somewhat better comforted forbearing to play on this string any longer as wel knowing the couetousnes of him and his equals she said Holy Father some few nights past me thought in my sleepe that diuers spirits of my kindred appeared to me in a vision who me thought were in very great paines and desired nothing els but Almes especially my God-mother who seemed to bee afflicted with such extreme pouerty that it was most pittifull to behold And I am half perswaded that her torments are the greater seeing mee troubled with such an enemy to goodnesse Wherefore good Father to deliuer her soule and the others out of those fearfull flames among your infinit other deuout prayers I would haue you to say the fortie Masses of S. Gregory as a meanes for their happy deliuerance and so she put ten ducates into his hand Which the holy man accepted thankfully and with good words as also many singular examples confirmed her bountifull deuotion and when he had giuen her his benediction home she departed After that the Gentlewoman was gone hee sent for his friend whom she so much seemed to be troubled withall and when he was come hee beholding his Holy Father to looke discontentedly thought that now he should heare some newes from his Mistresse and therefore expected what he would say The Frier falling into the course of his former reprehensions but yet in more rough and impatient manner sharpely checkt him for his immodest behauiour towards the Gentlewoman in sending her the Purse and Girdle The Gentleman who as yet could not guesse whereto his speeches tended somewhat coldly and temperately denied the sending of such tokens to her to the end that he would not be vtterly discredited with the good man if so bee the Gentlewoman had shewne him any such things But then the Frier waxing much more angry sternly said Bad man as thou art how canst thou deny a manifest trueth See sir these are none of your amorous tokens No I am sure you doe not know them nor euer saw them till now The Gentleman seeming as if he were much ashamed saide Truely Father I do know them and confesse that I haue done ill and very greatly offended but now I will sweare vnto you seeing I vnderstande how firmely she is affected that you shall neuer heare any more complaints of me Such were his vowes and protestations as in the end the ghostly Father gaue him both the Purse and Girdle then after he had preached seuerely coniured him neuer more to vexe her with any gifts at all and he binding himselfe thereto by a solemne promise he gaue him license to depart Now grew the Gentleman very iocond being so surely certifyed of his Mistresses loue and by tokens of such worthy esteeme wherefore no sooner was hee gone from the Frier but hee went into such a secret place where he could let her behold at her Window what precious tokens he had receyued from her whereof she was extraordinarily ioyfull because her deuices grew still better and bâ—â—ter nothing now wanting but her husbands absence vpon some iourney from the City for the full effecting of her desire Within a few dayes after such an occasion hapned as her husband of necessity must iourney to Geneway and no sooner was hee mounted on horsebacke taking leaue of her and all his
am determined not to conceale any of mine from you True it is that in my younger yeeres being left a widow I entirely affected an vnfortunate young Gentleman who in secret was my Husband and whose death is imposed on my Father The death of him I haue the more bemoaned because in reason it did neerely concerne me by shewing my selfe so sauage and rigorous to him before his departure neuerthelesse let me assure you Sir that neither his parting long absence from me or his vntimely death neuer had the power to bereaue my heart of his remembrance Madame saide the Pilgrime the vnfortunate young Gentleman that is slaine did neuer loue you but sure I am that Thebaldo Elisei loued you dearely But tell me what was the occasion whereby you conceiued such hatred against him Did he at any time offend you No trulie Sir quoth shee but the reason of my anger towards him was by the wordes and threatnings of a religious Father to whom once I reuealed vnder confession how faithfully I affected him and what priuate familiarity had passed betweene vs. When instantly he vsed such dreadfull threatnings to me and which euen yet doe afflict my soule that if I did not abstaine and vtterly refuse him the Diuell would fetch me quicke to Hell and cast me into the bottome of his quenchlesse and euerlasting fire These menaces were so preuailing with me as I refused all further conuersation with Thebaldo in which regard I would receiue neither letters or messages from him Howbeit I am perswaded that if he had continued here still and not departed hence in such desperate manner as he did seeing him melt and consume daily away euen as Snowe by power of the Sunne-beames my austere deliberation had beene long agoe quite altered because not at any time since then life hath not allowed me one merry day neither did I or euer can loue any man like vnto him At these wordes the Pilgrime sighed and then proceeded on againe thus Surely Madam this one onely sin may iustly torment you because I know for a certainty that Thebaldo neuer offered you any iniury since the day he first became enamoured of you and what grace or fauour you affoorded him was your owne voluntary gift and as he tooke it no more then in modesty might well become you for he louing you first you had beene most cruell and vnkinde if you should not haue requited him with the like affection If then he continued so iust and loyall to you as of mine owne knowledge I am able to say he did what should moue you to repulse him so rudely Such matters ought well to be considered on before hand for if you did imagine that you should repeate it as an action ill done yet you could not doe it because as he became yours so were you likewise onely his and he being yours you might dispose of him at your pleasure as being truely obliged to none but you How could you then with-draw your selfe from him being onely his and not commit most manifest theft a farre vnfitting thing for you to doe except you had gone with his consent Now Madam let me further giue you to vnderstand that I am a religious person and a pilgrime and therefore am well acquainted with all the courses of their dealing if therefore I speake somewhat more amply of them and for your good it cannot be so vnseeming for me to doe it as it would appeare vgly in another In which respect I will speake the more freely to you to the ende that you may take better knowledge of them then as it seemeth hitherto you haue done In former passed times such as professed Religion were learned and most holy persons but our religious professours now adayes and such as coueâ— to be so esteemed haue no matter at all of Religion in them but onely the outward shew habite Which yet is no true badge of Religion neither because it was ordained by religious institutions that their garments should be made of narrow plaine and coursest spun cloth to make a publike manifestation to the world that in meere deuotion and religious disposition by wrapping their bodies in such base clothing they condemned and despised all temporall occasions But now adayes they make them large deepe glistering and of the finest cloth or stuffes to be gotten reducing those habites to so proude and pontificall a forme that they walke Peacock-like rustling and strouting with them in the Churches yea and in open publike places as if they were ordinary secular persons to haue their pride more notoriously obserued And as the Angler bestoweth his best cunning with one line and baite to catch many fishes at one strike euen so do these counterfeted habite-mongers by their dissembling and crafty dealing beguile many credulous widowes simple women yea and men of weake capacity to credit whatsoeuer they doe or say and herein they doe most of all excercise themselues And to the end that my speeches may not sauour of any vntruth against them these men which I speake of haue not any habite at all of religious men but onely the colour of their garments and whereas they in times past desired nothing more then the saluation of mens soules these fresher witted fellowes couet after women wealth and employ all their paines by their whispering confessions and figures of painted feareful examples to affright and terrifie vnsetled and weake consciences by horrible and blasphemous speeches yet adding a perswasion withall that their sinnes may be purged by Almes-deedes and Masses To the end that such as credit them in these their dayly courses being guided more by apparance of deuotion then any true compunction of heart to escape seuere penances by them enioyned may some of them bring bread others wine others coyne all of them matter of commoditie and benefit and simply say these gifts are for the soules of their good friends deceased I make not any doubt but Almes-deedes and prayers are very mighty and preuailing meanes to appease heauens anger for some sinnes committed but if such as bestow them did either see or know to whom they giue them they would more warily keepe them or else cast them before Swine in regard they are altogether so vnworthy of them But come we now to the case of your ghostly father crying out in your eare that secret mariage was a most greeuous sinne Is not the breach thereof farre greater Familiar conuersation betweene man and woman is a concession meerely naturall but to rob kill or banish any one proceedeth from the mindes malignity That you did rob Thebaldo your selfe hath already sufficiently witnessed by taking that from him which with free consent in mariage you gaue him Next I must say that by all the power remaining in you you kild him because you would not permit him to remaine with you declaring your selfe in the very height of cruelty that hee might destroy his life by his owne hands In which case the Law
next and therefore shee tooke occasion to begin thus Faire Ladies I intend to tell you a Tale of trueth which perhaps in your opinions will seeme to sound like a lye and yet I heard by the very last relation that a dead man was wept and mournd for in sted of another being then aliue In which respect I am now to let you know how a liuing man was buried for dead and being raised againe yet not as liuing himselfe and diuers more beside did beleeue that he came forth of his graue and adored him as a Saint who was the occasion thereof and who as a bad man deserued iustly to be condemned In Tuscanie there was sometime an Abby seated as now we see commonly they are in a place not much frequented with people and thereof a Monke was Abbot very holy and curious in all things else saue onely a wanton appetite to women which yet hee kept so cleanly to himselfe that though some did suspect it yet it was knowne to very few It came to passe that a rich Country Franklin named Ferando dwelt as a neere neighbour to the said Abby hee being a man materiall of simple and grosse vnderstanding yet he fell into great familiarity with the Abbot who made vse of this friendly conuersation to no other end but for diuers times of recreation when he delighted to smile at his silly and sottish behauiour Vpon this his priuate frequentation with the Abbot at last he obserued that Ferando had a very beautifull woman to his wife with whom he grew so deepely in loue as hee had no other meditations either by day or night but how to become acceptable in her fauour Neuerthelesse he concealed his amorous passions priuately to himselfe and could plainely perceiue that although Ferando in all things else was meerely a simple fellow and more like an Idiot then of any sensible apprehension yet was he wise enough in louing his wife keeping her carefully out of all company as one indeede very iealous least any should kisse her but onely himselfe which droue the Abbot into despaire for euer attaining the issue of his desire Yet being subtill crafty and cautelous he wrought so on the flexible nature of Ferando that hee brought his wife with him diuers dayes to the Monasterie where they walked in the goodly Garden discoursing on the beatitudes of eternall life as also the most holy deedes of men and women long since departed out of this life in meruailous ciuill and modest manner Yet all these were but traines to a further intention for the Abbot must needes bee her ghostly Father and shee come to be confessed by him which the foole Ferando tooke as an especiall fauour and therefore he gaue his consent the sooner At the appointed time when the woman came to confession to the Abbot and was on her knees before him to his no small contentment before she would say any thing else thus she began Sacred Father if God had not giuen me such an husband as I haue or else had bestowed on me none at all I might haue beene so happy by the meanes of your holy doctrine very easily to haue entred into the way wherof you spake the other day which leadeth to eternall life But when I consider with my selfe what manner of man Ferando is and thinke vpon his folly withall I may well terme my selfe to be a widdow although I am a maried wife because while he liueth I cannot haue any other husband And yet as sottish as you see him he is without any occasion giuen him so extreamely iealous of me as I am not able to liue with him but onely in continuall tribulation hearts griefe In which respect before I enter into confession I most humbly beseech you that you would vouchsafe in this distresse to assist me with your fatherly aduise and counsell because if thereby I cannot attaine to a more pleasing kinde of happinesse neither confession or any thing else is able to doe me any good at all These words were not a little welcome to my Lord Abbot because thereby he halfe assured himselfe that Fortune had laid open the path to his hoped pleasures whereupon he said Deare daughter I make no question to the contrary but it must needes be an exceeding infelicity to so faire and goodly a young woman as you are to be plagued with so sottish an husband brain-sick and without the vse of common vnderstanding but yet subiect to a more bellish affliction then all these namely iealousie and therfore you being in this wofull manner tormented your tribulations are not only so much the more credited but also as amply grieued for pittied In which heauy and irksom perturbations I see not any meanes of remedy but onely one being a kinde of physicke beyond all other to cure him of his foolish iealousie which medicine is very familiar to me because I know best how to compound it alwayes prouided that you can be of so strong a capacity as to be secret in what I shall say vnto you Good Father answered the Woman neuer make you any doubt thereof for I would rather endure death it selfe then disclose any thing which you enioyne me to keepe secret wherefore I beseech you Sir to tell me how and by what meanes it may be done If quoth the Abbot you desire to haue him perfectly cured of a disease so dangerous and offensiue of necessity he must be sent into Purgatory How may that be done saide the woman he being aliue He must needs die answered the Abbot for his more speedy passage thither and when he hath endured so much punishment as may expiate the quality of his iealousie we haue certaine deuoute and zealous prayers whereby to bring him backe againe to life in as able manner as euer he was Why then replyed the woman I must remaine in the state of a Widdow Very true saide the Abbot for a certaine time in all which space you may not by any meanes marrie againe because the heauens will therewith be highly offended but Ferando being returned to life againe you must repossesse him as your Husband but neuer to be iealous any more Alas Sir quoth the woman so that he may be cured of his wicked iealousie and I no longer liue in such an hellish imprisonment doe as you please Now was the Abbot well neere on the highest step of his hope making her constant promise to accomplish it But quoth he what shall be my recompence when I haue done it Father saide shee whatsoeuer you please to aske if it remaine within the compasse of my power but you being such a vertuous and sanctified man and I a woman of so meane worth or merit what sufficient recompence can I be able to make you Whereunto the Abbot thus replyed Faire woman you are able to doe as much for me as I am for you because as I doe dispose my selfe to performe a matter for your comfort and consolation euen
so ought you to be as mindfull of me in any action concerning my life and welfare In any such matter Sir quoth shee depending on your benefit so strictly you may safely presume to command me You must then saide the Abbot grant me your loue and the kinde embracing of your person because so violent are mine affections as I pine and consume away daily till I enioy the fruition of my desires and none can help me therein but you When the woman heard these words as one confounded with much amazement this shee replied Alas holy Father what a strange motion haue you made to me I beleeued very faithfully that you were no lesse then a Saint and is it conuenient that when silly women come to aske counsell of such sanctified men they should returne them such vnfitting answeres Be not amazed good woman saide the Abbot at the motion which I haue made vnto you because holinesse is not thereby impaired a iot in me for it is the inhabitant of the soule the other is an imperfection attending on the body but be it whatsoeuer your beauty hath so powerfully preuailed on me that entire loue hath compelled me to let you know it And more may you boast of your beauty then any that euer I beheld before considering it is so pleasing to a sanctified man that it can draw him from diuine contemplations to regard a matter of so humble an equalitie Let me tell you moreouer woorthy Woman that you see me reuerenced here as Lord Abbot yet am I but as other men are and in regard I am neither aged nor mishapen me thinkes the motion I haue made should be the lesse offensiue to you and therefore the sooner granted For all the while as Ferando remaineth in Purgatory doe you but imagine him to be present with you and your perswasion will the more absolutely be confirmed No man can or shall be priuy to our close meetings for I carrie the same holy opinion among all men as you your selfe conceiued of me and none dare be so saucie as to call in question whatsoeuer I doe or say because my wordes are Oracles and mine actions more then halfe miracles doe you not then refuse so gracious an offer Enow there are who would gladly enioy that which is francke and freely presented to you and which if you be a wise Woman is meerely impossible for you to refuse Richly am I possessed of Gold and Iewels which shall be all yours if you please in fauour to be mine wherein I will not be gaine-saide except your selfe doe denie me The Woman hauing her eyes fixed on the ground knew not wel how shee should denie him and yet in plaine words to say shee consented shee held it to be ouer-base and immodest and ill agreeing with her former reputation when the Abbot had well noted this attention in her and how silent shee stood without returning any answer he accounted the conquest to be more then halfe his owne so that continuing on his formall perswasions hee neuer ceased but allured her still to beleeue whatsoeuer he saide And shee much ashamed of his importunity but more of her owne flexible yeelding weakenesse made answer that shee would willingly accomplish his request which yet shee did not absolutelie grant vntill Ferando were first sent into Purgatory And till then quoth the Abbot I will not vrge any more because I purpose his speedy sending thither but yet so farre lend me your assistance that either to morrow or else the next day he may hither once more to conuerse with me So putting a faire gold Ring on her finger they parted till their next meeting Not a little ioyfull was the Woman of so rich a gift hoping to enioy a great many more of them and returning home to her neighbours acquainted them with wonderfull matters all concerning the sanctimonious life of the Abbot a meere miracle of men and worthy to be truely termed a Saint Within two dayes after Ferando went to the Abbye againe and so soone as the Abbot espyed him hee presently prepared for his sending of him into Purgatorie He neuer was without a certaine kinde of drugge which being beaten into powder would worke so powerfully vpon the braine and all the other vitall sences as to entrance them with a deadly sleepe and depriue them of all motion either in the pulses or any other part else euen as if the body were dead indeede in which operation it would so hold and continue according to the quantity giuen and drunke as it pleased the Abbot to order the matter This powder or drugge was sent him by a great Prince of the East and therewith he wrought wonders vpon his Nouices sending them into Purgatory when he pleased and by such punishments as he inflicted on them there made them like credulous asses beleeue whatsoeuer himselfe listed So much of this powder had the Abbot prouided as should suffice for three dayes entrauncing and hauing compounded it with a very pleasant Wine calling Ferando into his Chamber there gaue it him to drinke and afterward walked with him about the Cloyster in very friendly conference together the silly sot neuer dreaming on the treachery intended against him Many Monkes beside were recreating themselues in the Cloyster most of them delighting to behold the follies of Ferando on whom the potion beganne so to worke that he slept in walking nodding and reeling as hee went till at the last hee fell downe as if he had beene dead The Abbot pretending great admiration at this accident called his Monkes about him all labouring by rubbing his temples throwing cold water and vinegar in his face to reuiue him againe alleaging that some fume or vapour in the stomacke had thus ouer-awed his vnderstanding faculties and quite depriued him of life indeede At length when by tasting the pulse and all their best employed paines they saw that their labour was spent in vaine the Abbot vsed such perswasions to the Monkes that they all beleeued him to be dead whereupon they sent for his Wife and friends who crediting as much as the rest did were very sad and sorrowfull for him The Abbot cloathed as he was laide him in a hollow vault vnder a Tombe such as there are vsed in stead of Graues his Wife returning home againe to her House with a young Sonne which shee had by her Husband protesting to keepe still within her House and neuer more to be seene in any company but onely to attend her young Sonne and be very carefull of such wealth as her Husband had left vnto her From the City of Bologna that very instant day a well staide and gouerned Monke there arriued who was a neere kinsman to the Abbot and one whom he might securely trust In the dead time of the night the Abbot and this Monke arose and taking Ferando out of the vault carried him into a darge dungeon or prison which he termed by the name of Purgatory and where hee vsed to
entertained But hauing well obserued all your seuerall relations grounded on graue worthy examples especially the last so notably deliuered by the Queene I cannot but commend faire Iuliet of Narbona in perfourming two such strange impossibilities and conquering the vnkindnesse of so cruel a husband If my Tale come short of the precedent excellency or giue not such content as you perhaps expect accept my good will and let me stand engaged for a better heereafter The Annales of Denmarke do make mention that the King of the said country who was first set downe as Prince contrary to the ancient custom and lawes obserued among the Danes namely Hunguinus had a son called Siwalde who succeeded him in the estates and kingdome belonging to his famous predecessors That age and the Court of that Royall Prince was verie highly renowned by the honour of faire Serictha Daughter to the sayde Siwalde who beside her generall repute of being a myracle of Nature in perfection of beautie and most compleate in all that the heart of man could desire to note in a body full of grace gentlenesse and whatsoeuer else to attract the eyes of euerie one to beholde her was also so chaste modest and bashfull as it was meerely impossible to preuaile so farre with her that any man should come to speake with her For in those dayes marriages were pursued and sought by valour and by the onely opinion which stoute Warriours conceiued of the vertuous qualities of a Ladie Notwithstanding neuer could any man make his vaunt that she had giuen him so much as a looke or euer any one attained to the fauour to whisper a word in her eare Because both the custome and will of Parents then very respectiuely kept in those Northerne parts of the world of hearing such speak as desired their daughters in marriage grew from offering them some worthy seruices and thereby compassed meanes to yeeld their contentation by some gracious and kinde answers But she who was farre off from the desire of any such follies referring her selfe wholly to the wil and disposition of the King her Lord and Father was so contrary to giue any liuing man an answer that her eye neuer looked on any one speaking to her appearing as sparing in vouchsafing a glance as her heart was free from a thought of affection For she had no other imagination but that Maides both in their choise will ought to haue any other disposition but such as should bee pleasing to their parents either to graunt or denie according as they were guided by their graue iudgement In like manner so well had shee brideled her sensuall appetites with the curbe of Reason Wisedome and Prouidence setting such a seuere and constant restraint on the twinkling or motions of her eyes in absolute obedience to her Father as neuer was she seene to turne her head aside to lend one looke on any man of her age A worthy sight it was to behold Knights errant passing repassing to Denmarke and backe againe labouring to conquer those setled eyes to win the least signe of grace and fauour from her whom they so dutiously pursued to steale but a silly glimpse or glance and would haue thought it a kind of honorable theft But this immouable rock of beauty although she knew the disseignes of them which thus frequented the Court of the King her Father and could not pretend ignorance of their endeuour ayming onely at obtaining her in marriage yet did she not lend aâ—y look of her eye yeelding the least signall of the hearts motion in affecting any thing whatsoeuer but what it pleased her Father she should do Serictha liuing in this strange and vnvsuall manner it mooued manie Princes and great Lords to come and court her contending both by signes and words to change her from this seuere constancie and make knowne if possible it might be whether a woman would or could be so resolute as to vse no respect at all towards them coming from so manie strange countries to honor her in the Courts of the King her father But in these dayes of ours if such a number of gallant spirits should come to aske but one looke of some of our beauties I am halfe affraide that they should finde the eyes of many of our dainty darlings not so sparing of their glances as those of Serictha were Considering that our Courtiers of these times are this way emulous one of another and women are so forward in offering themselues that they performe the office of suters as fearing lest they should not be solicited yea though it bee in honest manner The King who knew well enough that a daughter was a treasure of some danger to keepe and growing doubtfull withall least in the end this so obstinate seuerity would be shaken if once it came to passe that his daughter should feele the piercing apprehensions of loue whereof as yet she neuer had any experience he determined to vse some remedy for this great concourse of louers and strange kinde of carriage in the Princesse his daughter For hee apparently perceiued that such excelling beauty as was in Serictha with those good and commendable customes and other ornaments of his daughters mind could neuer attaine to such an height of perfection but yet there would be found some men so wittily accute and ingenious as to conuert and humor a maid according to their will and make a mockery of them who were before of most high esteeme Beside among so great a troope of Lords as daily made tender of their amorous seruice some one or other would proue so happy as at the last she should be his Mistresse And therefore forbearing what otherwhise he had intended as a finall conclusion of all such follies calling his daughter alone to himselâ—e in his Chamber and standing cleere from all other attention hee vsed to her this or the like Language I know not faire daughter what reason may moue you to shew your selfe so disdainfull towards so many Noble and worthy men as come to visite you and honour my Court with their presence offering me their loue and loyall seruice vnder this onely pretence as I perceiue of obtaining you and compassing the happinesse as it appeareth in plaine strife among them one day to winne the prize you being the maine issue of all their hope If it be bashfull modesty which indeede ought to attend on all virgins of your yeares and so veyles your eyes as with honour you cannot looke on any thing but what is your owne or may not iustly vouchsafe to see I commeÌ„d your maidenly continencie which yet neuerthelesse I would not haue to bee so seuere as at length your youth falling into mislike thereof it may be the occasion of some great misfortune either to you or me or else to vs both together considering what rapes are ordinarily committed in these quarters and of Ladies equall euery way to your selfe which happening would presently be the cause of my death
from the company which he most esteemed he determined also to separate himselfe from the world addicting al his endeuours to the seruice of God and applying his yong sonne likewise to the same holy exercises Hauing giuen away all his goods for Gods sake he departed to the Mountaine Asinaio where he made him a small Cell and liued there with his little sonne onely vpon charitable almes in abstinence and prayer forbearing to speak of any worldly occasions or letting the Lad see any vaine sight but conferred with him continually on the glories of eternall life of God and his Saints and teaching him nothing else but deuout prayers leading this kinde of life for many yeares together not permitting him euer to goe forth of the Cell or shewing him any other but himselfe The good old man vsed diuers times to go to Florence where hauing receiued according to his opportunities the almes of diuers well disposed people he returned backe againe to his hermitage It fortuned that the boy being now about eighteene yeeres olde and his Father growne very aged he demanded of him one day whether hee went Wherein the old man truly resolued him whereuppon the youth thus spake vnto him Father you are now growne very aged and hardly can endure such painfull trauell why do you not let me go to Florence that by making me knowne to your well disposed friends such as are deuoutly addicted both to God and you I who am young and better able to endure trauaile then you are may go thither to supply our necessities and you take your ease in the mean while The aged man perceiuing the great growth of his Sonne and thinking him to be so well instructed in Gods seruice as no wordly vanities could easily allure him from it did not dislike the Lads honest motion but when he went next to Florence tooke him thither along with him When he was there and had seene the goodly Palaces Houses and Churches with all other sights to be seene in so populous a Cittie hee began greatly to wonder at them as one that had neuer seene them before at least within the compasse of his remembrance demanding many things of his Father both what they were and how they were named wherein the old man still resolued him The answers seemed to content him highly and caused him to proceede on in further questionings according still as they found fresh occasions till at the last they met with a troope of very beautifull women going on in seemely manner together as returning backe from a Wedding No sooner did the youth behold them but he demanded of his Father what things they were wherto the olde man replyed thus Sonne cast downe thy lookes vnto the ground and do not seeme to see them at all because they are bad things to behold Bad things Father answered the Lad How do you call them The good olde man not to quicken any concupiscible appetite in the young boy or any inclinable desire to ought but goodnesse would not terme them by their proper name of Women but tolde him that they were called young Gozlings Heere grew a matter of no meane meruaile that hee who had neuer seene any women before now appeared not to respect the faire Churches Palaces goodly horses Golde Siluer or any thing else which he had seene but as fixing his affection onely vpon this sight sodainly said to the old man Good Father do so much for me as to let me haue one of these Gozlings Alas Sonne replyed the Father holde thy peace I pray thee and do not desire any such naughty thing Then by way of demand he thus proceeded saying Father are these naughty things made of themselues Yes Sonne answered the old man I know not Father quoth the Lad what you meane by naughtinesse nor why these goodly things should be so badly termed but in my iudgement I haue not seene any thing so faire and pleasing in mine eye as these are who excell those painted Angels which heere in the Churches you haue shewn me And therefore Father if either you loue me or haue any care of me let mee haue one of thse Gozlings home to our Cell where we can make means sufficient for her feeding I will not said the Father be so much thine enemy because neither thou or I can rightly skill of their feeding Perceiuing presently that Nature had farre greater power then his Sonnes capacity and vnderstanding which made him repent for fondly bringing his sonne to Florence Hauing gone so farre in this fragment of a Tale I am content to pause heere and will returne againe to them of whom I spake before I meane my enuious deprauers such as haue saide faire Ladies that I am double blame-worthy in seeking to please you and that you are also ouer-pleasing to me which freely I confesse before all the world that you are singularly pleasing to me and I haue strouen how to please you effectually I would demand of them if they seeme so much amazed heereat considering I neuer knew what belonged to true-loue kisses amorous embraces and their delectable fruition so often receiued from your graces but onely that I haue seene and do yet daily behold your commendable conditions admired beauties noble adornments by nature and aboue all the rest your womenly and honest conuersation If hee that was nourished bred and educated on a sauage solitary Mountain within the confines of a poore small Cell hauing no other company then his Father If such a one I say vppon the very first sight of your sexe could so constantly confesse that women were onely worthy of affection and the obiect which aboue all things else he most desired why should these contumelious spirits so murmure against me teare my credite with their teeth and wound my reputation to the death because your vertues are pleasing to mee and I endeauour likewise to please you with my vtmost paines Neuer had the auspitious heauens allowed me life but onely to loue you and from my very infancie mine intentions haue alwaies bene that way bent feeling what vertue flowed from your faire eies vnderstanding the mellifluous accents of your speech whereto the enkindled flames of your sighes gaue no meane grace But remembring especially that nothing could so please an Hermite as your diuine perfections an vnnurtured Lad without vnderstanding and little differing from a meere brutish beast vndoubtedly whosoeuer loueth not women and desireth to be affected of them againe may well be ranked among these women-haters speaking out of cankred spleene and vtterly ignorant of the sacred power as also the vertue of naturall affection whereof they seeming so carelesse the like am I of their deprauing Concerning them that touch me with mine age Do not they know that although Leeks haue white heads yet the blades of them are alwaies greene But referring them to their flouts and taunts I answer that I shal neuer hold it any disparagement to mee so long as my life endureth to delight
subiect very rough and stearne to discourse on and so much the rather if we consider that we are come hither to be merry pleasant where sad Tragicall reports are no way suteable especially by reuiuing the teares of others to bedew our owne checkes withall Nor can any such argument be spoken of without mouing compassion both in the reporters and hearers But perhaps it was his highnesse pleasure to moderate the delights which we haue already had Or whatsoeuer else hath prouoked him thereto seeing it is not lawfull for mee to alter or contradict his appointment I will recount an accident very pittifull or rather most vnfortunate and well worthy to bee graced with our teares Tancrede Prince of Salerne which City before the Consulles of Rome held dominion in that part of Italy stoode free and thence perchance tooke the moderne title of a Principality was a very humane Lord and of ingenious nature if in his elder yeares he had not soiled his hands in the blood of Louers especially one of them being both neere and deere vnto him So it fortuned that during the whole life time of this Prince he had but one onely daughter albeit it had bene much better if he had had none at all whom he so choisely loued and esteemed as neuer was any childe more deerely affected of a Father and so farre extended his ouer-curious respect of her as he would sildome admit her to be foorth of his sight neither would he suffer her to marry although she had out-stept by diuers yeares the age meete for marriage Neuerthelesse at length he matched her with the Sonne to the Duke of Capua who liued no long while with her but left her in a widdowed estate and then shee returned home to her father againe This Lady had all the most absolute perfections both of fauour and feature as could be wished in any woman yong queintly disposed and of admirable vnderstanding more perhappes then was requisite in so weake a bodie Continuing thus in Court with the King her Father who loued her beyond all his future hopes like a Lady of great and glorious magnificence she liued in all delights pleasure She well perceiuing that her Father thus exceeding in his affection to her had no mind at all of re-marrying her and holding it most immodest in her to solicite him with any such suite concluded in her mindes priuate consultations to make choise of some one especiall friend or fauorite if Fortune would proue so furtherous to her whom she might acquaint secretly with her sober honest and familiar purposes Her Fathers Court beeing much frequented with plentifull accesse of braue Gentlemen and others of inferiour quality as commonly the Courts of Kings Princes are whose carriage and demeanor she very heedfully obserued There was a yong Gentleman among all the rest a seruant to her Father and named Guiscardo a man not deriued from any great descent by bloode yet much more Noble by vertue and commendable behauiour then appeared in any of the other none pleased her opinion like as he did so that by often noting his parts and perfections her affection being but a glowing sparke at the first grewe like a Bauin to take flame yet kept so closely as possibly she could as Ladies are warie enough in their loue The yong Gentleman though poore being neither blocke nor dullard perceiued what he made no outward shew of and vnderstood himselfe so sufficiently that holding it no meane happinesse to bee affected by her he thought it very base and cowardly in him if he should not expresse the like to her againe So louing mutually yet secretly in this maner and shee coueting nothing more then to haue priuate conference with him yet not daring to trust any one with so important a matter at length she deuised a new cunning stratageme to compasse her longing desire and acquaint him with her priuate purpose which proued to bee in this manner Shee wrote a Letter concerning what was the next day to be done for their secret meeting together and conueying it within the ioynt of an hollow Cane in iesting maner threw it to Guiscardo saying Let your man make vse of this insted of a paire of bellowes when he meaneth to make fire in your chamber Guiscardo taking vp the Cane and considering with himselfe that neither was it giuen or the wordes thus spoken but doubtlesse on some important occasion went vnto his lodging with the Cane where viewing it respectiuely he found it to be cleft and opening it with his knife found there the written Letter enclosed After he had reade it and well considered on the seruice therein concerned he was the most ioyfull man of the world and began to contriue his aptest meanes for meeting with his gracious Mistresse and according as she had giuen him direction In a corner of the Kings Palace it being seated on a rising hill a caue had long beene made in the body of the same hill which receiued no light into it but by a small spiracle or vent-loope made our ingeniously on the hils side And because it hadde not in long time bene frequented by the accesse of any body that ventlight was ouer-growne with briars and bushes which almost engirt it round about No one could descend into this caue or vault but only by a secret paire of staires answering to a lower Chamber of the Palace and very neere to the Princesses lodging as beeing altogether at her command by meanes of a strong barred and defensible doore whereby to mount or descend at her pleasure And both the caue it selfe as also the degrees conducting downe into it were now so quite worne out of memory in regard it had not bene visited by any one in long time before as no man remembred that there was any such thing But Loue from whose bright discerning eies nothing can be so closely concealed but at the length it commeth to light had made this amorous Lady mindefull thereof and because she would not bee discouered in her intention many dayes together her soule became perplexed by what meanes that strong doore might best be opened before shee could compasse to performe it But after that she had found out the way and gone downe her selfe alone into the caue obseruing the loope-light had made it commodious for her purpose shee gaue knowledge thereof to Guiscardo to haue him deuise an apt course for his descent acquainting him truly with the height and how farre it was distant from the ground within After he had found the souspirall in the hils side and giuen it a larger entrance for his safer passage he prouided a Ladder of cords with steppes sufficient for his descending and ascending as also a wearing sute made of leather to keepe his skinne vnscratched of the thornes and to auoide all suspition of his resorting thither In this manner went he to the saide loope-hole the night following and hauing fastened the one end of his corded
obtaine this my very last request to wit that seeing I might not priuately enioy the benefit of Guiscardoes loue and while he liued let yet in death one publike graue containe both our bodies that death may affoord vs what you so cruelly in life denied vs. Extremity of griefe and sorrow with-held his tongue from returning any answer and shee perceiuing her end approaching held the heart still closed to her owne bare brest saying Here Fortune receiue two true hearts latest oblation for in this manner are we comming to thee So closing her eyes all sense forsooke her life leauing her body breathlesse Thus ended the haplesse loue of Guiscardo and Ghismonda for whose sad disaster when the King had mourned sufficiently and repented fruitlesly he caused both their bodies to be honourably embalmed and buried in a most royall Monument not without generall sorrow of the subiects of Salerne Fryar Albert made a young Venetian Gentlewoman beleeue that God Cupid was falne in loue with her and he resorted oftentimes vnto her in the disguise of the same God Afterward being frighted by the Gentlewomans kindred and friends he cast himselfe out of her Chamber window and was hidden in a poore mans House on the day following in the shape of a wilde or sauage man he was brought vpon the Rialto of Saint Marke and being there publikely knowne by the Brethren of his Order he was committed to Prison The second Nouell Reprehending the lewd liues of dissembling hypocrites and checking the arrogant pride of vaine-headed women THE Nouell recounted by Madam Fiammetta caused teares many times in the eyes of all the company but it being finished the King shewing a stearne countenance saide I should much haue commended the kindnesse of fortune if in the whole course of my life I had tasted the least moity of that delight which Guiscardo receiued by conuersing with faire Ghismonda Nor neede any of you to wonder thereat or how it can be otherwise because hourely I feele a thousand dying torments without enioying any hope of ease or pleasure but referring my fortunes to their owne poore condition it is my will that Madam Pampinea proceed next in the argument of successelesse loue according as Madam Fiammetta hath already begun to let fall more dew-drops on the fire of mine afflictions Madam Pampinea perceiuing what a taske was imposed on her knew well by her owne disposition the inclination of the company whereof shee was more respectiue then of the Kings command wherefore chusing rather to recreate their spirits then to satisfie the Kings melancholy humour shee determined to relate a Tale of mirthfull matter and yet to keepe within compasse of the purposed Argument It hath been continually vsed as a common Prouerbe that a bad man taken and reputed to be honest and good may commit many euils yet neither credited or suspected which prouerbe giueth mee very ample matter to speake of and yet not varying from our intention concerning the hypocrisie of some religious persons who hauing their garments long and large their faces made artificially pale their language meeke and humble to get mens goods from them yet fower harsh and stearne enough in checking and controuling other mens errours as also in vrging others to giue and themselues to take without any other hope or meanes of saluation Nor doe they endeauour like other men to worke out their soules health with feare and trembling but euen as if they were sole owners Lords and possessors of Paradice will appoint to euery dying person places there of greater or lesser excellency according as they thinke good or as the legacies left by them are in quantity whereby they not onely deceiue themselues but all such as giue credit to their subtile perswasions And were it lawfull for me to make knowne no more then is meerely necessary I could quickly disclose to simple credulous people what craft lieth concealed vnder their holy habites and I would wish that their lies and deluding should speed with them as they did with a Franciscane Friar none of the younger Nouices but one of them of greatest reputation and belonging to one of the best Monasteries in Venice Which I am the rather desirous to report to recreate your spirits after your teares for the death of faire Ghismonda Sometime Honourable Ladies there liued in the City of Imola a man of most lewd and wicked life named Bertho de la massa whose shamelesse deedes were so well knowne to all the Citizens and won such respect among them as all his lies could not compasse any beleefe no not when he deliuered a matter of sound truth Wherefore perceiuing that his lewdnesse allowed him no longer dwelling there like a desperate aduenturer he transported himselfe thence to Venice the receptacle of all foule sinne and abhomination intending there to exercise his wonted bad behauiour and liue as wickedly as euer he had done before It came to passe that some remorse of conscience tooke hold of him for the former passages of his dissolute life and he pretended to be surprized with very great deuotion becomming much more Catholike then any other man taking on him the profession of a Franciscane Cordelier and calling himselfe Fryar Albert of Imola In this habite and outward appearance hee seemed to leade an austere and sanctimonious life highly commending penance abstinence neuer eating flesh or drinking wine but when hee was prouided of both in a close corner And before any person could take notice thereof hee became of a theefe Ruffian forswearer and murtherer as formerly he had beene a great Preacher yet not abandoning the forenamed vices when secretly he could put any of them in execution Moreouer being made Priest when he was celebrating Masse at the Altar if he saw himselfe to be obserued by any he would most mournefully reade the passion of our Sauiour as one whose teares cost him little whensoeuer hee pleased to vse them so that in a short while by his preaching and teares he fed the humours of the Venetians so pleasingly that they made him executour well neere of all their Testaments yea many chose him as depositary or Guardion of their monies because he was both Confessour and Councellor almost to all the men and women By this well seeming out-side of sanctity the Wolfe became a Shepheard and his renown for holinesse was so famous in those parts as Saint Frances himselfe had hardly any more It fortuned that a young Gentlewoman being somewhat foolish wanton and proud minded named Madam Lisetta de Caquirino wife to a wealthy Merchant who went with certaine Gallies into Flanders and there lay as Lieger long time in company of other Gentlewomen went to be confessed by this ghostly Father kneeling at his feete although her heart was high enough like a proud minded woman for Venetians are presumptuous vaine-glorious and witted much like to their skittish Gondoloes she made a very short rehearsall of her sinnes At length Fryar Albert demanded of her whether
thus replyed Beleeue me Madam I make no doubt but your speeches may bee true in regard of your admired beauty and many other perfections beside yet let me tell you priuiledges how great and singular soeuer they be without they are knowen to others beside such as do particularly enioy them they carrie no more account then things of ordinary estimation Wheras on the contrary when any Lady or Gentlewoman hath some eminent and peculiar fauour which few or none other can reach vnto and it is made famous by generall notion then do all women else admire and honor her as the glory of their kinde and a miracle of Nature I perceiue Gossip said Lisetta wherat you ayme such is my loue to you as you should not lose your longing in this case were I but constantly secured of your secrecy which as hitherto I haue bene no way able to tax so would I be loth now to be more suspitious of then needs But yet this matter is of such maine moment that if you will protest as you are truely vertuous neuer to reueale it to any liuing body I will disclose to you almost a miracle The vertuous oath being past with many other solemne protestations beside Lisetta then proceeded in this manner I know Gossip that it is a matter of common ordinary custome for Ladies and Gentlewomen to be graced with fauourites men of fraile mortall conditions whose natures are as subiect to inconstancy as their very best endeuours dedicated to folly as I could name no mean number of our Ladies heere in Venice But when Soueraigne deities shal feele the impression of our humane desires and behold subiects of such preuailing efficacy as to subdue their greatest power yea and make them enamored of mortall creatures you may well imagine Gossip such a beauty is superiour to any other And such is the happy fortune of your friend Lisetta of whose perfections great Cupid the awefull commanding God of Loue himselfe conceiued such an extraordinary liking as he hath abandoned his seate of supreme Maiesty and appeared to me in the shape of a mortall man with liuely expression of his amorous passions and what extremities of anguish he hath endured onely for my loue May this be possible replyed the Gossip Can the Gods be toucht with the apprehension of our fraile passions True it is Gossip answered Lisetta and so certainly true that his sacred kisses sweet embraces and most pleasing speeches with proffer of his continuall deuotion towards me hath giuen me good cause to confirme what I say and to thinke my felicity farre beyond all other womens being honoured with his often nightly visitations The Gossip inwardly smiling at her idle speeches which neuertheles she auouched with very vehement asseuerations fell instantly sicke of womens naturall disease thinking euery minute a tedious month till she were in company with some other Gossips to breake the obligation of her vertuous promise and that others as well as her selfe might laugh at the folly of this shallow-witted woman The next day following it was her hap to be at a wedding among a great number of other women whō quickly she acquainted with this so strange a wonder as they did the like to their husbands and passing so from hand to hand in lesse space then two daies all Venice was fully possessed with it Among the rest the brethren to this foolish woman heard this admirable newes concerning their Sister and they discreetly concealing it to themselues closely concluded to watch the walks of this pretended god and if he soared not too lofty a flight they would clip his wings to come the better acquainted with him It fortuned that the Friar hearing his Cupidicall visitations ouer-publikely discouered purposed to check and reproue Lisetta for her indiscretion And being habited according to his former manner his Friarly Cowle couering al his former brauery he left his companion where he vsed to stay and closely walked along vnto the house No sooner was he entred but the Brethren being ambushed neer to the doore went in after him and ascending the staires by such time as he had vncased himselfe and appeared like God Cupid with his spangled wings displayed they rushed into the Chamber and he hauing no other refuge opened a large Casement standing directly ouer the great gulfe or Riuer and presently leapt into the water which being deepe and hee skilfull in swimming he had no other harme by his fall albeit the sodain affright did much perplex him Recouering the further side of the Riuer he espied a light the doore of an house open wherein dwelt a poore man whom he earnestly intreated to saue both his life and reputation telling him many lies and tales by what meanes he was thus disguised and throwne by night-walking Villaines into the water The poore man being moued to compassionate his distressed estate laid him in his owne bed ministring such other comforts to him as the time and his pouerty did permit and day drawing on he went about his businesse aduising him to take his rest and it should not be long till he returned So locking the doore and leauing the counterfe◠God in bed away goes the poore man to his daily labor The Brethren to Lisetta perceiuing God Cupid to bee fled and gone and shee in melancholly sadnesse sitting by them they tooke vp the Reliques he had left behind him I meane the Friars hood and Cowle which shewing to their sister and sharply reprouing her vnwomanly behauiour they lefte her in no meane discomfort returning home to their owne houses with their conquered spoiles of the forlorne Friar During the time of these occurrences broad day speeding on the poore man returning homeward by the Rialto to visit his guest so lefte in bed he beheld diuers crouds of people and a generall rumor noysed among them that God Cupid had beene that night with Madame Lisetta where being ouer-closely pursued by her Brethren for fear of being surprized he leapt out of her window into the gulfe and no one could tell what was become of him Heereupon the poore man beganne to imagine that the guest entertained by him in the night time must needs bee the same supposed God Cupid as by his wings and other embellishments appeared wherefore being come home and sitting downe on the beds side by him after some few speeches passing between them he knew him to be Friar Albert who promised to giue him fifty ducates if hee would not betray him to Lisettaes brethren Vpon the acceptation of this offer the money being sent for and paied downe there wanted nothing now but some apt and conuenient meanes whereby Albert might safely be conueyed into the Monasterie which being wholly referred to the poore mans care and trust thus hee spake Sir I see no likely-hoode of your cleare escaping home except in this manner as I aduise you We obserue this day as a merry Festiuall it is lawfull for any one to disguise
of the House they came to the place where their Louers attended for them and going all aboard the Pinnace the windes were so furtherous to them that without touching any where the night following they arriued at Geneway There being out of peril or pursuite they all knit the knot of holy wedlocke and then freely enioyed their long wished desires from whence setting sayle againe and being well furnished with all things wanting passing on from Port to Port at the end of eight dayes they landed in Candie not meeting with any impeachment by the way Determining there to spend their dayes first they prouided themselues of faire and goodly Lands in the Countrey and then of beautifull dwelling Houses in the City with all due furnishments belonging to them and Families well beseeming such worthy Gentlemen and all delights else for their daily recreations inuiting their Neighbours and they them againe in louing manner so that no Louers could wish to liue in more ample contentment Passing on their time in this height of felicity and not crossed by any sinister accidents it came to passe as often wee may obserue in the like occasions that although delights doe most especially please vs yet they breed surfet when they swell too ouer-great in abundance that Restagnone who most deerely affected his faire Ninetta and had her now in his free possession without any perill of loosing her grew now also to bee wearie of her and consequently to faile in those familiar performances which formerly had passed betweene them For being one day inuited to a Banket hee saw there a beautifull Gentle-woman of that Countrey whose perfections pleasing him beyond all comparison hee labored by painfull pursuite to win his purpose and meeting with her in diuers priuate places grew prodigall in his expences vpon her This could not be so closely carried but beeing seene and obserued by Ninetta she became possessed with such extreame ielousie that hee could not doe any thing whatsoeuer but immediately he had knowledge of it which fire growing to a flame in her her patience became extreamely prouoked vrging rough and rude speeches from her to him and daily tormenting him beyond power of sufferance As the enioying of any thing in too much plenty makes it appeare irkesome and loathing to vs and the deniall of our desires do more and more whet on the appetite euen so did the angry spleene of Ninetta proceede on in violence against this newe commenced loue of Restagnone For in succession of time whether hee enioyed the embracements of his new Mistresse or no yet Ninetta by sinister reports but much more through her owne iealous imaginations held it for infallible and to be most certaine Heereupon she fell into an extreame melancholly which melancholly begat implacable fuâ—y and consequently such contemptible disdaine as conuerted her former kindly loue to Restagnone into most cruell and bloudie hatred yea and so strangely was reason or respect confounded in her as no reuenge else but speedy death might satisfie the wrongs shee imagined to receiue by Restagnone and his Minion Vpon enquiry by what meanes shee might best compasse her bloody intention she grew acquainted with a Graecian woman and wonderfully expert in the compounding of poysons whom shee so perswaded by gifts and bounteous promises that at the length shee preuailed with her A deadly water was distilled by her which without any other counsell to the contrary on a day when Restagnone had his blood some-what ouer-heated and little dreamed on any such Treason conspired against him by his Wife she caused him to drinke a great draught thereof vnder pretence that it was a most soueraigne and cordiall water but such was the powerfull operation thereof that the very next morning Restagnone was found to be dead in his bed When his death was vnderstood by Folco Hugnetto and their Wiues and not knowing how hee came to bee thus empoysoned because their sister seemed to bemoane his sodaine death with as apparant shewes of mourning as they could possibly expresse they buried him very honourably and so all suspition ceased But as Fortune is infinite in her fagaries neuer acting disaster so closely but as cunningly discouereth it againe so it came to passe that within a few dayes following the Graecian woman that had deliuered the poyson to Ninetta for such another deede of damnation was apprehended euen in the action And being put vpon the tortures among many other horrid villanies by her committed she confessed the empoysoning of Restagnone and euery particle thereto appertaining Wherupon the Duke of Candie without any noyse or publication setting a strong guard in the night time about the house of Folco where Ninetta then was lodged there sodainly they seized on her vpon examination in maintainance of her desperate reuenge voluntarily confessed the fact and what else concerned the occasion of his death by the wrongs which hee had offered her Folco and Hugnetto vnderstanding secretly both from the Duke other intimate friends what was the reason of Ninettaes apprehension which was not a little displeasing to them laboured by all their best pains and endeauour to worke such meanes with the Duke that her life might not perish by fire although she had most iustly deserued it but all their attempts prooued to no effect because the Duke had concluded to execute iustice Heere you are to obserue that Magdalena beeing a very beautifull Woman yong and in the choisest flower of her time had often before bin solicited by the Duke to entertaine his loue and kindnesse whereto by no meanes she would listen or giue consent And being now most earnestly importuned by her for the safety of her Sisters life shee tooke hold on this her daily suite to him and in priuate told her that if she was so desirous of Ninettaes life it lay in her power to obtaine it by granting him the fruition of her loue She apparantly perceiuing that Ninetta was not likely to liue but by the prostitution of her chaste honour which she preferred before the losse of her owne life or her Sisters concluded to let her dye rather then run into any such disgrace But hauing an excellent ingenious wit quicke and apprehensiue in perillous occasions shee intended now to make a trial of ouer-reaching the lasciuious Duke in his wanton purpose and yet to be assured of her Sisters life without any blemish to her reputation Soliciting him still as she was wont to doe this promise passed from her to him that when Ninetta was deliuered out of prison and in safety at home in her house hee should resort thither in some queint disguise and enioy his long expected desire but vntill then she would not yeeld So violent was the Duke in the prosecution of his purpose that vnder colour of altering the manner of Ninettaes death not suffering her to bee consumed by fire but to be drowned according to a custome obserued there long time and at the importunity of her Sister
but that she perceiued it and grew in as good liking of him Many times he had an earnest desire to haue conference with her which yet still he deferred as fearing to displease her till at the length he lighted on an apt opportunity and boldly spake to her in this manner Faire Catharina I hope thou wilt not let me die for thy loue Signior Ricciardo replyed shee suddenly againe I hope you will extend the like mercy to me as you desire that I should shew to you This answere was so pleasing to Messer Ricciardo that presently he saide Alas deare Loue I haue dedicated all my fairest fortunes onely to thy seruice so that it remaineth soly in thy power to dispose of me as best shall please thee and to appoint such times of priuate conuersation as may yeeld more comfort to my poore afflicted soule Catharina standing musing a while at last returned him this answere Signior Ricciardo quoth shee you see what a restraint is set on my liberty how short I am kept from coÌ„uersing with any one that I hold this our enterparlance now almost miraculous But if you could deuise any conuenient meanes to admit vs more familiar freedome without any preiudice to mine honour or the least distaste of my Parents doe but enstruct it and I will aduenture it Ricciardo hauing considered on many wayes and meanes thought one to be the fittest of all and therefore thus replyed Catharina quoth he the onely place for our more priuate talking together I conceiue to be the Gallery ouer your Fathers Garden If you can winne your Mother to let you lodge there I will make meanes to climbe ouer the wall and at the goodly gazing window we may discourse so long as we please Now trust me deare Loue answered Catharina no place can be more conuenient for our purpose there shall we heare the sweete Birds sing especially the Nightingale which I haue heard singing there all the night long I will breake the matter to my Mother and how I speede you shall heare further from me So with diuers parting kisses they brake off conference till their next meeting On the day following which was towards the ending of the moneth of May Catharina began to complaine to her Mother that the season was ouer-hot and tedious to be still lodged in her Mothers Chamber because it was an hinderance to her sleeping and wanting rest it would be an empairing of her health Why Daughter quoth the Mother the weather as yet is not so hot but in my minde you may very well endure it Alas Mother said shee aged people as you and my Father are doe not feele the heates of youthfull bloud by reason of your farre colder complexion which is not to be measured by younger yeeres I know that well Daughter replyed the Mother but is it in my power to make the weather warme or coole as thou perhaps wouldst haue it Seasons are to be suffered according to their seuerall qualities and though the last night might seeme hot this next ensuing may be cooler and then thy rest will be the better No Mother quoth Catharina that cannot be for as Summer proceedeth on so the heate encreaseth and no expectation can be of temperate weather vntill it groweth to Winter againe Why Daughter saide the Mother what wouldest thou haue me to doe Mother quoth shee if it might stand with my Fathers good liking and yours I would be spared from in the Garden Gallery which is a great deale more coole and temperate There shall I heare the sweete Nightingale sing as euery night shee vseth to doe and many other pretty Birds beside which I cannot doe lodging in your Chamber The Mother louing her Daughter dearely as being some-what ouer-fond of her and very willing to giue her contentment promised to impart her minde to her Father not doubting but to compasse what shee requested When shee had moued the matter to Messer Lizio whose age made him somewhat froward and teasty angerly he said to his wife Why how now woman Cannot our Daughter sleepe except shee heare the Nightingale sing Let there be a bed made for her in the Ouen and there let the Crickets make her melody When Catharina heard this answere from her Father and saw her desire to be disappointed not onely could shee take any rest the night following but also complained more of the heate then before not suffering her Mother to take any rest which made her goe angerly to her Husband in the morning saying Why Husband haue we but one onely Daughter whom you pretend to loue right dearely and yet can you be so carelesse of her as to denie her a request which is no more then reason What matter is it to you or me to let her lodge in the Garden Gallery Is her young bloud to be compared with ours Can our weake and crazie bodies feele the frolicke temper of hers Alas shee is hardy as yet out of her childish yeeres and Children haue many desires farre differing from ours the singing of Birds is rare musicke to them and chiefly the Nightingale whose sweete notes will prouoke them to rest when neither art or physicke can doe it Is it euen so Wife answered Messer Lizio Must your will and mine be gouerned by our Daughter Well be it so then let her bed be made in the Garden Gallerie but I will haue the keeping of the key both to locke her in at night and set her at libertie euery morning Woman woman young wenches are wily many wanton crochets are busie in their braines and to vs that are aged they sing like Lapwings telling vs one thing and intending another talking of Nightingales when their mindes run on Cocke-Sparrowes Seeing Wife shee must needes haue her minde let yet your care and mine extend so farre to keepe her chastity vncorrupted and our credulity from being abused Catharina hauing thus preuailed with her Mother her bed made in the Garden Gallery and sectet intelligence giuen to Ricciardo for preparing his meanes of accesse to her window old prouident Lizio lockes the doore to bed-ward and giues her liberty to come forth in the morning for his owne lodging was neere to the same Gallery In the dead and silent time of night when all but Louers take their rest Ricciardo hauing prouided a Ladder of Ropes with grapling hookes to take hold aboue and below according as he had occasion to vse it By helpe thereof first he mounted ouer the Garden wall and then climbde vp to the Gallery window before which as is euery wheâ—e in Italie was a little round engâ—â—ting Tarras onely for a man to stand vpon for making cleane the window or otherwise repairing it Many nights in this manner enioyed they their meetings entermixing their amorous conference with infinite kisses and kinde embraces as the window gaue leaue he sitting in the Tarras and departing alwayes before breake of day for feare of being discouered by any But as excesse of delight is
mollested that night passed as formerly she had bin and whether the partie came or no The Woman who knew well enough the Messenger notwithstanding all his formall disguise made answer That the party expected came not but if hee had come it was to no purpose because her minde was now otherwise altred albeit she changed not a iote from her amorous conclusion What should I now further say vnto you Geloso continued his watch many nights afterward as hoping to surprize the Friar at his entrance and his wife kept still her contented quarter according as opportunitie serued In the conclusion Geloso beeing no longer able to endure his bootlesse watching nor some more then ordinary pleasing countenance in his wife one day demaunded of her with a very stearne and frowning brow what secret sinnes shee had reuealed to the ghostly Father vpon the day of her shrift The Woman replyed that she would not tell him neyther was it a matter reasonable or lawfull for her to doe Wicked Woman answered Geloso I knowe them all well enough euen in despight of thee and euery word that thou spakest vnto him But Huswife now I must further know what the Fryar is with whom you are so farte in loue and by meanes oâ— his enchantments lyeth with you euery night tell me what and who he is or else I meane to cut your throate The Woman immediately made answer it was not true that she was in loue with any Fryar How quoth Geloso didst not thou confesse so much to the Ghostly Father the other day when thou wast at shrift No Sir sayde she but if I did I am sure he would not disclose it to you except hee suffered you to bee there present which is an Article beyonde his dutie But if it were so then I confesse freely that I did say so vnto him Make an end then quickely Wife quoth Geloso and tell mee who the Friar is The Woman fell into a hearty laughter saying It liketh me singularly well when a wise man will suffer himselfe to be ledde by a simple Woman euen as a Sheepe is to the slaughter and by the hornes If once thou wast wise that wisedome became vtterly lost when thou felst into that diuellish frensie of iealousie without knowing anie reason for it for by this beastlike and no manly humor thou hast eclipsed no meane part of my glory and womanly reputation Doest thou imagine Husband that if I were so blinded in the eyes of my head as thou art in them which should informe thine vnderstanding I could haue found out the Priest that would needs bee my Confessor I knew thee Husband to be the man and therefore I prepared my wit accordingly to fit thee with the foolish imagination which thou soughtest for and indeed gaue it thee For if thou hadst beene wise as thou makest the world to beleeue by outward apparance thou wouldest neuer haue expressed such a basenesse of minde to borrow the coulour of a sanctified cloake thereby to vndermine the secreâ—s of thine honest meaning Wife Wherefore to feede thee in thy fond suspition I was the more free in my Confession and tolde thee truely with whom and how heinously I had transgressed Did I not tell thee that I loued a Fryar And art not thou he whom I loue being a Fryar and my ghostly Father though to thine owne shame thou madst thy selfe so I said moreouer that there is not any doore in our house that can keepe it selfe shut against him but when he pleaseth he comes and lies with me Now tell me Husband What doore in our house hath at any time bin shut against thee but they are freely thine owne grant thee entrance Thou art the same Friar that confest me and lieth euery night with me and so often as thou sentst thy yong Nouice or Clearke to me as often did I truly returne thee word when the same Fryar lay with me But by iealousie thou hast so lost thine vnderstanding that thou wilt hardly beleeue all this Alas good man like an armed Watchman thou satst at thine owne doore all a cold Winters night perswading mee poore silly credulous woman that vpon vrgent occasions thou must needs suppe and lodge from home Remember thy selfe therefore better heereafter become a true vnderstanding man as thou shouldst bee and make not thy selfe a mocking stocke to them who knoweth thy iealous qualities as well as I do and be not so watchfull ouer me as thou art For I sweare by my true honesty that if I were but as willing as thou art suspitious I could deceiue thee if thou hadst an hundred eyes as Nature affords thee but two and haue my pleasures freely yet thou be not a iot the wiser or my credit any way impaired Our wonderfull wise Geloso who very aduisedly considred that he had wholly heard his wiues secre confession and dreamed now on no other doubt beside but perceiuing by her speeches how hee was become a scorne to al men without returning other answer confirmed his wife to bee both wise and honest and now when he hadde iust occasion on to be iealous indeede hee vtterly forsware it and counted them all Coxcombes that would be so misguided Wherefore she hauing thus wisely wonne the way to her owne desires and he reduced into a more humane temper I hope there was no more neede of clambring ouer houses in the night time like Cats nor walking in at gutter Windowes but all abuses were honestly reformed Madame Isabella delighting in the company of her affected Friend named Lionello and she being likewise beloued by Signior Lambertuccio At the same time as shee had entertained Lionello shee was also visited by Lambertuccio Her Husband returning home in the very instant shee caused Lambertuccio to run forth with a drawne sword in his hand and by that meanes made an excuse sufficient for Lionello to her husband The Sixth Nouell Wherein is manifestly discerned that if Loue be driuen to a narrow straite in any of his attempts yet hee can accomplish his purpose by some other supply WOndrously pleasing to all the company was the reported Nouell of Madame Fiammetta euery one applauding the Womans wisedome and that she had done no more then as the iealous foole her husband iustly deserued But shee hauing ended the King gaue order vnto Madame Pampinea that now it was her turne to speake whereupon thus she began There are no meane store of people who say though very false and foolishly that Loue maketh many to be out of their wits and that such as fall in Loue do vtterly loose their vnderstanding To mee this appeareth a very ydle opinion as already hath beene approued by the related discourses and shall also bee made manifest by another of mine owne In our City of Florence famous for some good though as many bad qualities there dwelt not long since a Gentlewoman endued with choice beauty and admirable perfections being wife to Signior Beltramo a very valiant Knight and
she started and throwing downe the Table before her cried out aloud This is my Lord and Husband this truely is my Lord Thorello So running to the Table where he sate without regard of all the riches thereon down she threw it likewise and clasping her armes about his necke hung so mainly on him weeping sobbing and kissing him as she could not be taken off by any of the company nor shewed any moderation in this excesse of passion till Thorello spake and entreated her to be more patient because this extremity was ouer-dangerous for her Thus was the solemnitie much troubled but euery one there very glad and ioyfull for the recouery of such a famous and worthy Knight who intreated them all to vouchsafe him silence and so related all his fortunes to them from the time of his departure to the instant houre Concluding withall that hee was no way offended with the new Bride-groome who vpon the so constant report of his death deserued no blame in making election of his wife The Bridegroome albeit his countenance was somewhat cloudie to see his hope thus disappointed yet granted freely that Adalietto was Thorello's wife in equitie and hee could not iustly lay any claime to her She also resigned the Crown and Rings which she had so lately receiued of her new Spouse and put that on her finger which she found in the Cup and that Crowne was set vpon her head in honor sent her from great Saladine In which triumphant manner she left the new Bridegrooms abiding and repayred home to Thorello's house with such pompe and magnificence as neuer had the like been seene in Pauia before all the Citizens esteeming it as a miracle that they had so happily recouered Signior Thorello againe Some part of the Iewells he gaue to him who had beene at cost with the marriage feasting and some to his Vncle the Abbot beside a bountie bestowed on the Monkes Then he sent a messenger to Saladine with Letters of his whole successe and confessing himselfe for euer his obliged seruant liuing many yeeres after with his wife Adalietta and vsing greater curtesies to strangers then euer before he had done In this manner ended the troubles of Signior Thorello and the afflictions of his dearely affected Lady with due recompence to their honest and ready courtesies Many striue in outward shew to doe the like who although they are sufficiently able doe performe it so basely as it rather redoundeth to their shame then honour And therefore if no merit ensue thereon but onely such disgrace as iustly should follow let them lay the blame vpon themselues The Marquesse of Saluzzo named Gualtiero being constrained by the importunate solliciting of his Lords and other inferiour people to ioyne himselfe in marriage tooke a woman according to his owne liking called Grizelda she being the daughter of a poore Countriman named Ianiculo by whom he had two children which he pretended to be secretly murdered Afterward they being grown to yeres of more stature and making shew of taking in marriage another wife more worthy of his high degree and Calling made a seeming publique liking of his owne daughter expulsing his wife Grizelda poorely from him But finding her incomparable patience more dearely then before hee receiued her into fauour againe brought her home to his owne Pallace where with her children hee caused her and them to be respectiuely honoured in despight of all her aduerse enemies The Tenth Nouell Set downe as an example or warning to all wealthie men how to haue care of marrying themselues And likewise to poore and meane women to be patient in their fortunes and obedient to their husbands QVestionlesse the Kings Nouell did not so much exceed the rest in length but it proued as pleasing to the whole assembly past with their generall approbation till Dioneus in a merry iesting humour said The plaine honest simple man that stood holding the Candle to see the setting on of his Mules tayle deserued two penny-worth of more praise then all our applauding of Signior Thorello And knowing himselfe to bee left for the last speaker thus he began Milde modest Ladies for ought I can perceiue to the contrary this day was dedicated to none but Kings Soldanes and great Potentates not in fauour of any inferiour or meaner persons And therefore because I would be loth to dis-ranke my selfe from the rest I purpose to speake of a Lord Marquesse not any matter of great magnificence but rather in a more humble nature and sorted to an honest end which yet I will not aduise any to immitate because perhaps they cannot so well digest it as they did whom my Nouell concerneth thus then I begin It is a great while since when among those that were Lord Marquesses of Saluzzo the very greatest and worthiest man of them al was a young Noble Lord named Gualtiero who hauing neyther wife nor childe spent his time in nothing else but hawking hunting nor had he any minde of marriage or to enioy the benefit of children wherein many did repute him the wiser But this being distastfull to his subiects they very often earnestly solicited him to match himselfe with a wife to the end that hee might not decease without an heire nor they be left destitute of a succeeding Lord offering themselues to prouide him of such a one so well descended by Father and Mother as not only should confirm their hope but also yeeld him high contentment whereto the Lord Marquess thus answered Worthie friends you would constraine me to the thing wherewith I neuer had any intent to meddle considering how difficult a case it is to meet with such a woman who can agree with a man in all his conditions and how great the number is of them who daily happen on the contrarie but most and worst of all the rest how wretched and miserable prooues the life of man who is bound to liue with a wife not fit for him And in saying you can learn to vnderstand the custome and qualities of children by behauiour of the fathers and mothers and so to prouide mee of a wife it is a meere argument of folly for neither shall I comprehend or you either the secret inclinations of parents I meane of the Father and much lesse the complexion of the mother But admitte it were within compasse of power to know them yet it is a frequent sight and obserued euery day that daughters doe resemble neither father nor mother but that they are naturally gouerned by their owne instinct But because you are so desirous to haue me fettered in the chains of wedlocke I am contented to grant what you request And because I would haue no complaint made of any but my selfe if matters should not happen answerable to expectation I will make mine owne eyes my electors and not see by any others sight Giuing you this assurance before that if she whom I shall make choice of be not of you honoured and respected as your
birth of her daughter shee conceiued with child againe and at the limitted houre of deliuerance had a goodly Sonne to the no little liking of the Marquesse Afterward a strange humour entred into his braine namely that by a long continued experience and courses of intollerable quality he would needes make proofe of his faire Wiues patience First he began to prouoke her by iniurious speeches shewing fierce and frowning lookes to her intimating that his people grew displeased with him in regard of his Wiues base birth and education and so much the rather because she was likely to bring children who by her blood were no better then beggers and murmured at the daughter already borne Which words when Grizelda heard without any alteration of countenance for the least distemperature in any appearing action she said My honourable and gracious Lord dispose of me as you thinke best for your owne dignity and contentment for I shall therewith be well pleased as she that knowes her selfe farre inferiour to the meanest of your people much lesse worthy of the honour whereto you liked to aduance me This answere was very welcome to the Marquesse as apparantly perceiuing hereby that the dignity whereto hee had exalted her or any particular fauours beside could not infect her with any pride coynesse or disdaine Not long after hauing told her in plaine and open speeches that his subiects could not endure her so late borne daughter he called a trusty seruant of his and hauing instructed him what he should doe sent him to Grizelda and he being alone with her looking very sadde and much perplexed in mind he saide Madame except I intend to loose mine owne life I must accomplish what my Lord hath strictly enioyned me which is to take this your yong daughter and then I must So breaking off abruptly the Lady hearing his words and noting his frowning lookes remembring also what the Marquesse himselfe had formerly said she presently imagined that he had commanded his seruant to kill the childe Suddenly therefore she tooke it out of the Cradle and hauing sweetly kissed and bestowne her blessing on it albeit her heart throbbed with the inward affection of a Mother without any alteration of countenance she tenderly laid it in the seruants armes and said Here friend take it and doe with it as thy Lord and mine hath commanded thee but leaue it in no rude place where birds or sauage beasts may deuoure it except it be his will to haue it so The seruant departing from her with the child and reporting to the Marquesse what his Lady had said he wondered at her incomparable constancy Then he sent it by the same seruant to Bologna to an honourable Lady his kinsewoman requesting her without reuealing whose child it was to see it both nobly and carefully educated At time conuenient afterward being with child againe and deliuered of a Princely Sonne then which nothing could be more ioyfull to the Marquesse yet all this was not sufficient for him but with farre ruder language then before and lookes expressing harsh intentions he said vnto her Grizelda though thou pleasest me wonderfully by the birth of this Princely Boy yet my subiects are not therewith contented but blunder abroad maliciously that the grand-child of Ianiculo a poore countrey pezant when I am dead and gone must be their Soueraigne Lord and Master Which makes me stand in feare of their expulsion and to preuent that I must be rid of this childe as well as the other and then send thee away from hence that I may take another wife more pleasing to them Grizelda with a patient sufferent soule hearing what he had said returned no other answere but this Most Gracious and Honourable Lord satisfie and please your owne Royall minde and neuer vse any respect of me for nothing is precious or pleasing to mee but what may agree with your good liking Within a while after the Noble Marquesse in the like manner as he did before for the Daughter so he sent the same seruant for the Sonne and seeming as if he had sent it to haue been slaine conueighed it to be nursed at Bologna in company of his sweete Sister Whereat the Lady shewed no other discontentment in any kinde then formerly she had done for her Daughter to the no meane maruell of the Marquesse who protested in his soule that the like woman was not in all the world beside And were it not for his heedfull obseruation how louing and carefull she was of her children prizing them as dearely as her owne life rash opinion might haue perswaded him that she had no more in her then a carnall affection not caring how many she had so shee might thus easily be rid of them but he knew her to be a truely vertuous mother and wisely liable to endure his seuerest impositions His Subiects beleeuing that he had caused the children to bee slaine blamed him greatly thought him to be a most cruell man and did highly compassionate the Ladies case who when shee came in company of other Gentlewomen which mourned for their deceassed children would answere nothing else but that they could not be more pleasing to her then they were to the father that begot them Within certaine yeares after the birth of these children the Marquesse purposed with himselfe to make his last and finall proofe of faire Grizeldaes patience and said to some neere about him that he could no longer endure to keepe Grizelda as hi wife confessing he had done foolishly and according to a young giddie braine when he was so rash in the marriage of her Wherfore he would send to the Pope and purchase a dispensation from him to repudiate Grizelda and take another Wife Wherein although they greatly reproued him yet he told them plainely that it must needes be so The Lady hearing these newes and thinking she must returne againe to her poore fathers house and perhaps to her old occupation of keeping sheepe as in her yonger dayes she had done vnderstanding withall that another woman must enioy him whom shee dearely loued and honoured you may well thinke worthy Ladies that her patience was now put to the maine proofe indeede Neuerthelesse as with an inuincible true vertuous courage she had outstood all the other iniuries of Fortune so did she constantly settle her soule to beare this with an vndaunted countenance and behauiour At such time as was prefixed for the purpose counterfeit Letters came to the Marquesse as sent from Rome which he caused to be publikely read in the hearing of his subiects that the Pope had dispensed with him to leaue Grizelda and marry with another Wife wherefore sending for her immediatly in presence of them all thus he spake to her Woman by concession sent me from the Pope he hath dispensed with me to make choyce of another Wife and to free my selfe from thee And because my predecessors haue beene Noblemen and great Lords in this Country thou being the daughter of a