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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Palace of Pleasure, by William Painter
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Palace of Pleasure
+       Volume 2
+
+Author: William Painter
+
+Editor: Joseph Haslewood
+        Joseph Jacobs
+
+Release Date: October 10, 2010 [EBook #34053]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PALACE OF PLEASURE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Louise Hope, Meredith Bach, Chris Curnow, Carlo
+Traverso and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images
+generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian
+Libraries)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Transcriber’s Note:
+
+This text comes in three versions: Unicode (UTF-8), Latin-1 and ASCII.
+Use the one that works best with your text reader.
+
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+
+Text originally printed in blackletter (“Gothic”) type is shown between
+*asterisks*. The original book (printed in 1890) used long “s” (ſ)
+throughout. This has been retained only for title pages and similar
+decorative text.
+
+Missing spaces, punctuation--chiefly quotation marks--and single letters
+are shown in {braces}. Other typographic errors are listed at the end of
+the e-text, but are unchanged in the body text. Word-initial “u” and
+medial “v” are in the original.
+
+Volume I of this work, including the Introduction, is available from
+Project Gutenberg as e-text 20241.]
+
+
+         *       *       *       *       *
+             *       *       *       *
+         *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+                        THE
+
+                 PALACE OF PLEASURE
+
+                      VOL. II.
+
+
+         *       *       *       *       *
+
+                 *Ballantyne Press*
+             Ballantyne, Hanson and Co.
+                Edinburgh and London
+
+         *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+                        The
+
+                *PALACE OF PLEASURE*
+
+_Elizabethan Versions of Italian and French Novels_
+  _from Boccaccio, Bandello, Cinthio, Straparola,_
+            _Queen Margaret of Navarre,_
+                    _and Others_
+
+
+                 Done Into English
+
+                By WILLIAM PAINTER
+
+
+       _Now Again Edited For The Fourth Time_
+
+                  By JOSEPH JACOBS
+
+
+                      VOL. II.
+
+        [Illustration (Publisher’s Device):
+                 IN NUCE LIBELLUS]
+
+  _London: Published by David Nutt in the Strand_
+
+                      MDCCCXC
+
+
+
+
+TABLE OF CONTENTS.
+
+VOLUME II.
+
+  TOME I.--_Continued._
+
+   Novel                                         Page
+
+   XLVII. Galgano and Madonna Minoccia              3
+  XLVIII. Duke of Venice and Ricciardo              8
+    XLIX. Filenio Sisterno                         18
+       L. Muleteer’s Wife                          29
+      LI. King of Naples                           32
+     LII. Princess of Flanders                     38
+    LIII. Amadour and Florinda                     45
+     LIV. Duke of Florence                         75
+      LV. Francis I. and Count Guillaume           81
+     LVI. Lady of Pampeluna                        84
+    LVII. Strange Punishment of Adultery           97
+   LVIII. President of Grenoble                   101
+     LIX. Gentleman of Perche                     104
+      LX. Gentleman That Died of Love             107
+     LXI. Lady of the French Court                113
+    LXII. Rolandine                               116
+   LXIII. The Prudent Lady                        135
+    LXIV. Lady of Tours                           139
+     LXV. Doctor of Laws                          142
+
+  TOME II.
+
+  Title                                           147
+  Dedication                                      149
+  Contents                                        154
+  Authorities                                     158
+       I. Amazons                                 159
+      II. Alexander and Sisigambis                166
+     III. Timoclia of Thebes                      172
+      IV. Ariobarzanes                            176
+       V. Aristotemus the Tyrant                  209
+      VI. Tanaquil                                221
+     VII. Sophonisba                              236
+    VIII. Poris and Theoxena                      252
+      IX. Lady of Hidrusa                         256
+       X. Empress Faustina                        260
+      XI. Two Maids of Carthage                   264
+     XII. Letters of Trajan                       279
+    XIII. Lamia, Flora, and Lais                  301
+     XIV. Zenobia                                 311
+      XV. Euphemia and Acharisto                  320
+     XVI. Marchioness of Monferrato               338
+    XVII. Ansaldo and Dianora                     342
+   XVIII. Mithridanes and Nathan                  348
+     XIX. Katharine of Bologna                    355
+      XX. Thorello and Saladin                    363
+     XXI. Anne of Hungary                         383
+    XXII. Alexander De Medici                     406
+
+
+
+
+  THE PALACE OF
+
+  _Pleasure Beautified_
+
+  *adorned and well furnished*
+
+  vvith pleaſaunt Hiſtories and
+
+  *excellent Nouels, ſelected out
+
+  of diuers good and commendable Authours*
+
+
+  *By William Painter, Clarke*
+  of the Ordinaunce and Armorie
+
+
+    ¶ Eftſones peruſed corrected
+    and augmented
+
+
+  1575
+  IMPRINTED AT LONDON
+  _by Thomas Marſhe._
+
+
+
+
+*The Palace of Pleasure.*
+
+THE FORTY-SEUENTH NOUELL.
+
+  _A gentleman called Galgano, long time made sute to Madonna
+  Minoccia: her husband sir Stricca (not knowing the same) diuers
+  times praised and commended Galgano, by reason whereof, in the
+  absence of her husband, she sent for him, and yelded herself vnto
+  him, tellinge him what wordes her husbande had spoken of him, and
+  for recompence he refused to dishonest her._
+
+
+In the Citie of Siena in Italie there was a rich yong Gentleman
+called Galgano, borne of noble birth, actiue, and wel trained in
+al kinde of exercise, valiaunt, braue, stoute and curteous, in
+the maners and orders of all countries verye skilfull. This
+Galgano loued a Gentlewoman of Siena named Madonna Minoccia, the
+wyfe of sir Stricca a comely knight, and wore in his apparell
+the colour and deuises of his Lady, bearing the same vppon his
+helmet and armour, in all Iustes, Tourneyes and triumphes,
+obseruing noble feastes and banquettes for her sake. But for all
+those costly, sumptuous and noble practises, this Lady Minoccia
+in no wyse would giue eare vnto his sutes. Wherfore Galgano at
+his wittes ende, was voyde of aduise what to do or saye, seing
+the great crueltie and rigor raigning in her breste, vnto whom
+hee dayle prayed for better successe and fortune than to
+himselfe. There was no feast, banquet, triumph, or mariage, but
+Galgano was there, to do her humble seruice, and that daye his
+minde was not pleased and contented, wherein he had not seene
+her that had his louing harte in full possession. Very many
+times (like a Prince that coueted peace) he sente Ambassadours
+vnto her, wyth presentes and messages, but she (a proude and
+scornefull Princesse) dayned neither to heare them or receiue
+them. And in this state stode this passionate Louer a longe
+time, tormented with the exceeding hote Loue and fealtie that he
+bare her. And many times making his reuerent complaints to loue,
+did say: “Ah Loue, my deare and soueraigne Lorde, how cruell and
+hard harted art thou, how vnmercifully dealest thou with me,
+rather how deaf be thine eares, that canst not recline the same
+to my nightly complaintes, and dailye afflictions; How chaunceth
+it that I do in this maner consume my ioyfull dayes with pining
+plaintes? Why doest thou suffer me to Loue, and not to be
+beloued?” And thus oftentimes remembringe the crueltie of loue,
+and his ladies tyrrany, hee began to dye in maner like a wight
+replete with despaire. But in fine, he determined paciently to
+abide the good time and pleasure of Loue, still hoping to finde
+mercie: and daily gaue himselfe to practise and frequent those
+thinges that might be acceptable and pleasant to his Lady, but
+shee still persisted inexorable. It chaunced that sir Stricca
+and his fayre wyfe, for their solace and recreation, repaired to
+one of their houses hard by Siena: and upon a time, Galgano
+passing by with a Sparhauke on his fiste, made as though he went
+on Hauking, but of purpose onely to see his lady. And as he was
+going by the house, sir Stricca espied him, and went forth to
+meete him, and familiarly taking him by the hand, prayed him to
+take parte of his supper with his wyfe and him: for which
+curtesie Galgano gaue him thanckes, and said: “Sir, I do thancke
+you for your curteous requeste, but for this time I pray you to
+hold me excused, because I am going about certaine affayres very
+requisite and necessary to be done.” Then sayde sir Stricca: “At
+least wise drincke with mee before you depart.” But giuing him
+thankes he bad him farewell. Maister Stricca seing that hee
+could not cause him to tary, toke his leaue, and retourned into
+his house. Galgano gone from maistre Stricca, sayd to himselfe:
+“Ah, beast that I am, why did I not accept his offer? Why should
+shamefastness let me from the sight of her, whom I loue better
+than all the world besides.” And as he was thus pensife in
+complaintes his spaniells sprong a Partrich, wherat he let flee
+his Hauke, and the Partrich flying into sir Stricca his garden,
+his Hauke pursued and seassed vppon the same. Maister Stricca
+and his Ladye hearinge that pastime, ranne to the garden window,
+to see the killing of the Partrich: and beholding the valiante
+skirmishe betweene the foule and the hauke, the lady asked whose
+hauke it was: her husband made aunswere that he knew well
+inoughe the owner, by the goodnesse and hardines of the same.
+“For the owner of this hauke (quoth hee) is the trimmest and
+most valiaunt gentleman in all Siena, and one indued with beste
+qualities.” The lady demaunded what he was? “Maister Galgano
+(said her husband,) who euen now passed by the gate, and I
+prayed him very earnestly to supper, but hee woulde not be
+intreated. And truly wyfe, he is the comliest gentleman, and
+moste vertuous personage, that euer I knewe in my life.” With
+those wordes they wente from the windowe to supper: and Galgano,
+when he had lured his Hauke, departed awaye. The Lady marked
+those words and fixed them in minde. It fortuned within a while
+after, that sir Stricca was by the state of Siena sent in
+ambassage to Perugia, by reason wherof, his Lady at home alone,
+so sone as her husband had taken his iourney, sent her most
+secrete and trustie maide, to intreat maister Galgano, to come
+and speake with her. When the message was done to Galgano,
+(if his heart were on a merie pinne, or whether his spirits
+dulled with continuall sorrowe were againe reuiued, they knowe
+that most haue felte the painefull pangues of Loue, and they
+also whose flesh haue beene pearced wyth the amorous arrowes of
+the little boy Cupide:) he made aunswere that hee would
+willingly come, rendringe thanckes both to the maistresse and
+maide, the one for her paine, and the other for her good
+remembraunce. Galgano vnderstanding that sir Stricca was gone to
+Perugia, in the eueninge at conuenient time, repaired to the
+house of her whose sight he loued better than his owne eyes. And
+being come before his Lady, with great submission and reuerence
+hee saluted her, (like those whose hartes do throbe, as
+foretellinge the possession of good tournes and benefites, after
+which with longe sute and trauaile they haue aspired) wherewith
+the Lady delighted, very pleasantly took him by the hande, and
+imbracing him, said: “Welcome mine owne sweet Galgano, a hundred
+times I say welcome.” And for the time with kisses, makinge
+truce with their affections, the lady called for comfictes and
+wyne. And when they had dronke and refreshed themselues, the
+lady toke him by the hande and said: “My sweete Galgano, night
+beginneth to passe awaye, and the time of sleepe is come,
+therefore let vs yeld our selues to the seruice and commaundment
+of our very good Ladye, madame Cytherea, for whose sake I
+intreated you to come hither.” Galgano aunswered, that he was
+very wel contented. Being within the chamber, after much
+pleasaunte talke and louing discourse betweene them, the Lady
+did put of her clothes, and went to bed. Galgano being somewhat
+bashfull, was perceyued of the Lady, vnto whom she said: “Me
+thincke, Galgano, that you be fearful and shamefast. What do you
+lacke? Do I not please you? Doth not my personage content you?
+Haue you not the thing which you desire?” “Yes madame,” said
+Galgano: “God himself could not do me a greater pleasure, than
+to suffer me to be cleped within your armes.” And reasoning in
+this sort, he put of his clothes also, and laide himselfe by
+her, whom he had coueted and desired of long time. Being in the
+bed, he said: “Madame, I beseech you graunt me one resquest.”
+“What is that, Galgano?” (quoth she.) “It is this, madame,” said
+Galgano: “I do much maruell, why this night aboue all other, you
+haue sent for mee: considering how long I haue bin a suter vnto
+you, and although I haue prosecuted my sute, by great expence
+and trauaile, yet you would never yelde before now: what hath
+moued you now thus to do?” The Lady answered: “I wil tell you
+sir: true it is, that not many dayes agoe, passing by this
+house, with your Hauke on your fiste, my husband told me that so
+sone as he sawe you, he wente oute to meete you, of purpose to
+intreate you to supper, but you would not tarrie: then your
+Hauke pursued a Partrich, euen into my garden, and I seing the
+Hauke so egerly seasing vpon the same, demaunded of my husband
+whose Hauke it was. He told me that the Hauke did belong to the
+most excellent yong man of all Siena: and that he neuer in all
+his life knewe a gentleman better accomplished with all vertues
+and good qualities, and therewithal gaue vnto you singuler
+prayse and commendacion. Whereuppon hearing him in such wise to
+prayse you, and knowing righte well your affectionate minde and
+disposition towards mee, my hart attached with loue, forced me
+to sende for you that I mighte hereafter auoyde disdaine and
+other scornefull demeaner, to impeache or hinder your loue: and
+this briefely is the cause.” “Is this true?” said Galgano. “Most
+certaine and true,” aunsweared the Lady.” “Was there no other
+occasion?” “No, verely:” said the lady. “God defend,” (quoth
+Galgano,) “that I should recompence the curtesie and good will
+of so noble a gentleman (as your husband is) with reproch and
+villany. Is it meete that good turnes should be requited with
+vnkindnes? If euer man had cause to defende the honor of his
+vnknowen frend, cause haue I right good and apte. For now
+knowinge such a frende, that would by vertuous reportes haue
+aduaunced me to higher matters, than wherof I am in possession,
+should I reward with pollucion of his stocke and wife? No, no,
+lady! my raginge sute by loue, is by vertue quenched. Vertue
+onely hath staunched the flames of vile affections. Seeke
+another frende, to glut your lecherous minde. Finde out some
+other companion, to coole thy disordinate loue. Shal I be
+disloyal to him, that hath been faithfull vnto me? Shall I be
+traytor to him, that frendly hath commended me? What can be more
+required of humane hearte, or more desired of manlike mind, but
+wilfull bente, and fixed to do him good, that neuer erst by
+iuste desert deserued the same.” With which wordes sodenly hee
+lept out of the bed, and when he had furnished himselfe againe
+with his apparell, hee also put vppon him vertuous friendship,
+and takinge his leaue of the Lady, neuer after that time he gaue
+himself to matters of Loue. And maister Stricca he continually
+obserued both with singuler loue and dutifull friendship:
+whereby it is vncertaine whether was most singuler in him, his
+continency at the very instante by refrayning that vehement
+heate of loue, which so long time with great trauaile and coste
+he had pursued, or his regard of frendship to sir Stricca vppon
+wordes of commendacion spoken behinde his backe. Both no doubte
+be singuler vertues meete for all men to be obserued: but the
+subduing of his affections surmounted and passed.
+
+
+
+
+THE FORTY-EIGHTH NOUELL.
+
+  _Bindo a notable Architect, and his sonne Ricciardo, with all his
+  familie, from Florence went to dwell at Venice where being made
+  Citizens for diuers monuments by them done there, throughe
+  inordinate expences were forced to robbe the treasure house. Bindo
+  beinge slaine by a pollicie deuised by the Duke and state, Ricciardo
+  by fine subtelties deliuereth himselfe from foure daungers.
+  Afterwards the Duke (by his owne confession) vnderstandinge the
+  sleightes, giueth him his pardon and his doughter in marriage._
+
+
+In the goodly citie of Venice there was once a duke, that was a
+noble gentleman and of greate experience and wisedome, called
+Valeriano di messer Vannozzo Accettani. In the chiefest Churche
+of which Citie called San Marco, there was a steple, very faire
+and sumptuous, and of greatest fame of any thinge at that time
+that was in Venice, which steeple was like to fall downe by
+reason of certaine faultes and decayes in the foundacion.
+Wherfore the Duke caused to be searched thorow out all Italie,
+some cunning workeman that would take in hand the reparacion and
+amendmente of the same: with promise of so much money as he
+would demaund for doing thereof. Whereuppon an excellent
+Architect of Florence, named Bindo, hearing tel of this offer,
+determined to go to Venice for the accomplishmente of that
+worke, and for that purpose with his onelye sonne and wyfe, hee
+departed Florence. And when he had seene and surueyed the
+steeple, he went straight to the Duke, and told him that he was
+come thither to offer his seruice for repayringe of the same,
+whom the Duke curteously intertayned and prayed him, that he
+would so sone as he coulde begin that worke. Whereunto Bindo
+accorded, and wyth great diligence and small time he finished
+the same, in better forme and surety than it was at the first:
+which greatly pleased the Duke, and gaue Bindo so much money as
+he demaunded, making him besides a Citizen of Venice, for the
+maintenaunce of whose state, hee allotted him a sufficient
+stipend: afterwards the Duke called him vnto him, and declared
+that he would haue a Treasure house made, wherein should be
+disposed and layde vp all the Treasure and common ornamentes for
+the furniture of the whole Citie, which Bindo by and by toke
+vppon him to do, and made it of such singuler beautie, as it
+excelled all the monuments of the Citie, wherein all the said
+Treasure was bestowed. In which worke hee had framed a stone by
+cunninge, that mighte be remoued at pleasure, and no man
+perceiue it: meaning thereby to goe into the Chamber when he
+liste: whereunto none in all the world was priuie but himselfe.
+When this Palace and Treasure house was done, he caused all the
+furnitures of Silkes, hanginges, wrought with Golde, Canapees,
+clothes of state, riche Chayres, Plate, and other Ornaments of
+Golde and Siluer to be caried thither, whiche he called La
+Turpea del Doge, and was kept vnder fiue keyes: whereof foure
+were deliuered to foure of the chiefe Citizens, deputed to that
+office, which were called Chamberlaynes of the Treasure house,
+and the fift keye the Duke himselfe did keepe, so that the
+Chamber coulde not bee opened excepte they were all fiue
+presente. Nowe Bindo and his famelie dwelling at Venice, and
+beinge a citizen there, beganne to spende liberallye and to liue
+a riche and wealthye life, and hys sonne Ricciardo consumed
+disordinatelye, whereby in space of time, they wanted Garmentes
+to furnishe their bodies, whiche they were not able to maintaine
+for their inordinate expences: wherefore the father vpon a night
+calling his sonne vnto him, got a ladder, and a certaine yron
+instrumente made for the purpose, and taking also with him a
+litle lime, went to the hole, which Bindo artificially had made,
+who taking out the stone, crept in, and toke out a faire cup of
+gold, which was in a closet, and afterward he wente out,
+cowching the stone againe in due place. And when they were come
+home, they brake the cup and caused it to be solde by peece
+meale, in certaine Cities of Lombardie. And in this sorte, they
+maintayned their disordinate life begonne. It chaunced not long
+after, that a Cardinall arriued at Venice, about affayres with
+the Duke, and the state, who the more honorablie to receiue him,
+opened the Treasure house to take oute certaine furnitures
+within, as plate, clothes of state, and other thinges. When the
+dore was opened, and had taken out the saide necessaries, they
+founde a cuppe lesse than oughte to be, wherewith the
+Chamberlaines contended amonge themselues, and wente to the
+Duke, telling him that there wanted a cuppe: whereat the Duke
+marueiled, and said that amonges them it must needes be gone.
+And after many denialls, and much talke, he willed them to saye
+nothing, till the Cardinall was departed. When the Cardinall was
+come, he was receyued with honorable interteignemente, and
+beinge departed, the Duke sente for the foure Chamberlaines, to
+consult about the losse of the cup, commaunding them not to
+departe the Palace before the same was found, saying that amongs
+them it muste needes be stolen. These four persons being
+together, and debating how and by what meanes the cup should be
+taken away, were at their wittes ende. At length one of them
+saide: “Let vs consider whether ther bee anye comminge into the
+Chamber besides the doore.” And viewinge it they coulde not
+perceiue anye entrie at all. And to proue the same more
+effectuallye, they strawed the chamber aboute with fyne fifted
+chaffe, setting the same on fier, which done, they shutte fast
+the windowes and doores, that the smoke and smoulder might not
+goe out. The force of which smoke was sutche as it issued
+through the hole that Bindo made, whereby they perceiued the way
+howe the robbery was committed, and went to the Duke to tell him
+what they had done. The duke vnderstanding the fact, wylled them
+to saye nothing, for that he woulde deuise a pollicie how to
+take the theefe: who caused to be brought into the chamber a
+caldron of pitche, and placed it directly vnder the hole,
+commaunding that a fyre should be kept daye and night vnder the
+caldron, that the same might continually boyle. It come to passe
+that when the money was spent which the father and sonne had
+receiued for the cup, one night they went agayne to the hole,
+and remouing the stone, the father went in as he did before, and
+fell into the caldron of pitche (which continually was boyling
+there) vp to the waste, and not able to liue any longer, he
+called his sonne vnto him, and fayde: “Ricciardo myne owne
+sweete sonne, death hath taken me prysoner, for halfe my body is
+dead, and my breath also is ready to departe. Take my head with
+thee, and burie it in some place that it be not knowen, which
+done, commend me to thy mother, whome I pray thee to cherishe
+and comforte, and in any wyse take hede that warely and
+circumspectlye thou doe departe from hence: and if any man do
+aske for me, say that I am gone to Florence about certaine
+businesse.” The sonne lamentably began to lament his father’s
+fortune, saying: “Oh deare father, what wicked furie hath thus
+cruelly deuised sodaine death.” “Content thy selfe, my sonne,”
+sayd the father, “and be quiet, better it is that one should
+dye, than twoo, therefore doe what I haue tolde thee, and fare
+well.” The sonne tooke vp his father’s head, and went his waye,
+the reste of his bodye remayned in the caldron, like a block
+without forme. When Ricciardo was come home, he buried his
+father’s head so well as he could, and afterwardes tolde his
+mother what was become of his father, who vnderstanding the
+maner of his death, began piteously to cry out, to whom her
+sonne holding up his hands, sayd: “Good mother holde your peace,
+and geue ouer your weeping: for our life is in great perill and
+daunger, if your outcrie be heard. Therefore good mother, quiet
+yourselfe, for better it were for vs to liue in poore estate,
+than to die with infamie, to the vtter reproche and shame of all
+our familie.” With whiche woordes he appeased her. In the
+morning the bodye was founde and caried to the Duke, who
+maruelled at it, and could not deuise what he should be, but
+sayd: “Surely there be two that committed this robberie, one of
+them we haue, let vs imagine how we may take the other.” Then
+one of the foure Chamberlaines sayd: “I haue found out a trap to
+catche the other, if it will please you to heare mine aduise,
+which is this: Impossible it is, but this theefe that is dead,
+hath either wife, children, or some kinsman in the citie, and
+therfore let vs cause the bodie to be drawen throughout the
+streates, and geue diligent hede whether anye persone doe
+complaine or lament his death: and if any such be found, let him
+be taken and examined: which is the next way as I suppose, to
+finde out his companion.” Which being concluded, they departed.
+The body was drawen throughout the citie with a guard of men
+attending vpon the same: as the executioners passed by the house
+of Bindo, whose carcasse laye vppon the hurdle, his wyfe stode
+at the wyndowe, and seing the body of her husband so vsed, made
+a great outcrie. At whiche noyse the sonne spake to his mother
+and sayde: “Alas, mother, what do you?” And beholding his
+father’s corps vpon the hurdle, he toke a knife and made a great
+gashe into his hande, that the bloud aboundantly issued out. The
+guarde hearing the noyse that the woman made, ran into the
+house, and asked her what she lacked. The sonne answered: “I was
+caruing a peece of stone with this knife, and by chaunce I hurt
+my hande, which my mother seeyng cryed out, thynking that I had
+hurt myselfe more than I haue.” The guarde seeing his hande all
+bloudy and cut, did belieue it to be true, and from thence went
+round about the liberties of the Citie, finding none that seemed
+to lament or bewayle that chaunce. And returning to the Duke,
+they tolde him howe all that labour was imployed in vayne,
+whereupon he appointed them to hang vp the dead body in the
+market-place, with secret watche in like maner, to espie if any
+person by day or night, would come to complaine or be
+sorrowefull for him. Which body was by the feete hanged vp
+there, and a continuall watche appointed to kepe the same. The
+rumor hereof was bruted throughout the Citie, and euery man
+resorted thither to see it. The woman hearing tell that her
+husbandes carcasse should be hanged vp in the market-place,
+saide diuerse times to her sonne, that it was a very great shame
+for him to suffer his father’s body in that shamefull sort to be
+vsed. To whom her sonne made answere, saying: “Good mother, for
+God’s sake be contented, for that whiche they do is for none
+other purpose, but to proue me: wherefore be pacient a while,
+till this chaunce be past.” The mother not able to abide it any
+longer, brake out many times into these words: “If I were a man
+as I am a woman, it should not be vndone now: and if thou wilt
+not aduenture thy selfe, I will one night giue the attempt.” The
+yong man seing the froward nature of his mother, determined to
+take away the body by this policie. He borrowed twelve friers
+frockes or cowles, and in the euening went downe to the hauen,
+and hired twelue mariners, and placed them in a backe house,
+geuing them so much meate and drinke as they woulde eate. And
+when they had well whitled and tippled themselues, he put vpon
+them those friers cowles, with visards vppon their faces, and
+gaue euery of them in their hands a burning torch, making them
+to seme as though they had ben Diuels of hel: and he himself
+rode vpon a horse al couered with blacke, beset rounde about
+with monstrous and vglie faces, euerye of them hauinge a burnyng
+candle in his mouthe, and riding before with a visarde of
+horrible shape vpon his head, sayde vnto them: “Doe as I doe:”
+and then marched forward to the market-place. When they came
+thether they ran vp and downe with roring voyces crying out like
+Deuils being then past midnight and very darke. When the watche
+sawe that straunge sight they were affrayde, thinking that they
+had bene Deuils indeede, and that he on horsebacke in that forme
+had ben the great Deuill Lucifer himselfe. And seing him runne
+towardes the gibet, the watche toke their legges and ran away.
+The yong man in the shape of the great Deuill toke downe the
+body and layd it before him on horsebacke, who calling his
+companie away, roode before in poste. When they were come home,
+he gaue them their money, and vncasing them of their cowles sent
+them away, and afterwardes buried the body so secretly as he
+could. In the morning newes came to the Duke that the bodye was
+taken awaye, who sent for the guarde to knowe what was become
+thereof. To whome they sayde these wordes: “Pleaseth your grace,
+about midnight last past there came into the market-place a
+companie of Deuils, among whom we sawe the great deuil Lucifer
+himselfe, who as wee suppose did eate vp the bodye, which
+terrible sight and vision made vs to take our legges.” The Duke
+by those wordes perceiued euidently that the same was but a
+practise to deceiue them of their purpose, notwithstanding he
+determined once again to deuise some meanes in the ende to knowe
+the truthe, and decreed a constitucion that for the space of xx
+dayes no fresh meate shoulde be solde in Venice: at which decree
+all the citie marueiled. Afterwardes he caused a verie faire
+fatte calfe to be solde, sessing the price of euery pounde at a
+fiorino, which amounteth to a French crowne or thereaboutes, and
+willed hym that solde it to note and marke them that bought it:
+thinking with himselfe, that he which is a theefe is licorous of
+mouth delicate in fare and would not stick to geue a good price,
+although it cost him a French crown for euery pound: making
+proclamation, that he which would buye any fresh meate should
+resort to the market-place where was to bee solde. All the
+Marchaunts and Gentlemen repaired to buye some of the veale, and
+vnderstanding that euery pound would not be solde under a
+Frenche crowne, they bought none at all. This calfe and the
+price was bruted in all places, and came to the knowledge of the
+mother of this yong man, who said vnto her sonne: “I haue a
+minde to eate some of the veale, now solde in the market.”
+Ricciardo aunswered. “Mother make no haste to buye it, first let
+it be cheapened by other, and at length I will deuise a meane
+that you shall have it: for it is not wysedome for vs to be the
+firste that shall desire it.” The mother like an ignoraunt and
+vnskilfull woman, was importunate to haue it. The sonne fearing
+that his mother would sende for some of the veale, by other,
+caused a Pie to be made, and prepared a flagon full of wyne,
+both which were intermixed with thinges to cause sleepe, and
+taking bread, the sayd Pie, and the flagon of wyne, when it was
+night, putting on a counterfait beard, and cloke, went to the
+stall where that veale was to bee solde, which as yet was whole
+and vnbought. And when he had knocked at the shop dore, one of
+the guard asked who was there. To whom Ricciardo said: “Can you
+tel me wher one Ventura doth kepe his shop?” Of whom one of them
+demaunded what Ventura? “I know not his surname,” sayde
+Ricciardo, “that I would he had bene hanged, when I came first
+to dwell with him.” “Why who sent thee?” said one of the guarde.
+“His wyfe (quod Ricciardo) who bade me cary him this meate and
+wyne for his supper: but I pray you (sayde Ricciardo,) let me
+leaue the same with you, till I goe home to know better where he
+kepeth his stall. And maruell not, my maisters, though I know
+not where his shop is, for it is not long sithens I came to
+dwell in this Citie.” And so leauing behind him the Pie, and the
+bread with the flagon of wyne, he made haste to departe, and
+tolde them that he wold come againe by and by. When he was gone,
+one of them toke the flagon and drancke, and afterwardes gaue it
+to his companion, and said: “Drinke, for thou neuer diddest tast
+of better wyne in all thy life.” His companion dranke, and
+merily communing of this matter, they fel a sleepe. Ricciardo
+loking in at a hole of the dore, seing them a slepe, went in,
+and toke the calfe, and caried it home whole as it was, and
+saide to his mother: “Hold, mother, there is your luste, cut it
+out:” and by and by she cut out a great pece. The duke so sone
+as he heard that the calfe was stolen, and the maner howe, did
+wonder very muche, purposing yet to knowe what hee was: and
+caused a hundred poore people to come before him, whose names
+being written, he said vnto them: {“}Get ye to all the houses in
+Venice, vnder colour to begge almes. And marke if you see in any
+house fleshe dressed, or any pece in making ready to be eaten at
+the fier, which if you doe, ye must be importunate in begging,
+till they giue you either flesh or broth. And he among all you
+that shal bring me the first newes, I wil giue him xx crownes.”
+These beggers dispersed themselues into euery corner of the
+Citie, crauing their almes, amongs whom one of them asked his
+almes at the house of Ricciardo, and approching nere, espied
+openly fleshe at the spit, and besought a morsell thereof for
+God’s sake: to whom the vndiscrete woman seeing that she had
+plentye, gaue a litle pece. The poore man thanked the good wife,
+and prayed God to saue her life. And as hee was going down the
+steps of the dore, Ricciardo met him with the flesh in his hand.
+Wherewithal astonned, he willed him to retourne, and sayde he
+would giue him more. The begger glad of that, went in againe,
+whome Ricciardo caried into his chamber, and when he was within,
+he strake suche a full blowe vpon his head with an axe, as he
+killed hym, and threwe him into a iakes, shutting the doore
+after him. In the euening, these poore men retourned to the
+duke, according to their promise, and sayde they coulde finde
+nothing. The Duke called them by their names, and compting the
+number founde one lesse than he had sent, whereat he maruelled.
+And after he had well aduised with himselfe, what should become
+of him that lacked, he sayde: “Certainely the poore man is
+Slayne.” Then causing the councell to be assembled, he declared
+what he had done: and yet sayde that it were meete the party
+were knowen. Whereunto one of the Senatours sayde: {“}Your grace
+hath duely made search by the belly and mouth, to finde out this
+verlet: I thinke it nowe necessarie that triall be made by
+lechery, whiche commonly accompanieth licorous mouthes.” Then it
+was concluded that the moste riotous and lecherous yong men,
+suche as the Duke had in greatest suspicion, to the number of
+XXV. should be warned to appeare before him: whiche accordingly
+was done, amonges whome was this Ricciardo. These yonge roisters
+assembled in the palace, euery of them maruelled wherefore the
+Duke had caused them to come thether. Afterwarde the Duke
+commaunded XXV. beddes to be made in one of his great chambers,
+to lodge euery of the sayd XXV. persons by hymself, and in the
+middes of the chamber he commaunded a riche bed of estate to be
+set vp and furnished, wher was appointed to ly his own daughter,
+which was an exceading faire creature. And in the night when
+these yong men were layde in their beddes, manye gentlewomen
+attendant vpon the Lady, came in to bryng her to her lodging:
+and her father deliuered to her a sawcer full of black die, or
+stayning, and saide vnto her: “If any of these yong men that doe
+lie here by thee, doe offer to come to thy bedde, looke that
+thou marke him in the face with this staining colour, that he
+may be knowen.” At which wordes all the yong men maruelled and
+therefore durste not attempt to goe vnto her, but said one to
+another: “Surely this commaundement of the Duke hath some
+secrete misterie in it.” Notwithstanding Ricciardo determined
+about midnight to go to her bedde: and when the candle was out
+being a wake of purpose, he rose vp and went to the
+gentlewoman’s bedde and began to imbrace and kisse her. The
+maiden when she felt him, sodainly dipped her finger in the
+colour and stained his face, not perceiued of him. When he had
+accomplished the thing he came for, hee retourned to his place:
+and then began to imagin vpon the Duke’s wordes, and for what
+policie he spake them. And lying a litle while still musing vpon
+the same, he went againe to the gentlewoman’s bedde, hauing
+throughly disposed himself to the pleasures of this paradise
+lambe: and perceiuing her to dippe her finger in the sawcer and
+rubbe his face, Ricciardo toke away the sawcer from the bedde’s
+side, and round about bestowed the colour vpon the faces of his
+felowes, who were so faste a sleepe that they did not fele him.
+Some he marked with two spottes, some with six and some with X.
+himselfe he painted but with foure besides those wherewith
+already he was berayed by the gentlewoman: whiche done he set
+the saucer agayne by the bedde’s side, and when he had bidden
+her farewell, faire and softly he returned againe to his bedde.
+In the morning betimes, the damosels of the chamber came in to
+helpe the ladye to make her readye, which done they wayted vpon
+her to the duke, who asked her how the matter stode. She
+aunswered well, for she had done his commaundement: and tolde
+him howe one came vnto her three times, and euery time she gaue
+him a tainte in his face. The duke by and by sent for them that
+were of his counsell. To whome he said: “Sirs, I haue founde out
+this good fellow, and therfore I haue sent for you, that we
+altogether may goe to see him.” They went all into the chamber,
+and viewing them round about, they perceiued all their faces
+coloured, whereat they fell into a great laughter: then one of
+them sayde to another: “Suerly this fellowe hath the subtilest
+head that euer was knowen:” and concluded that one of the
+company had set that colour in their faces. The yong men
+beholding one another paynted in that sorte, brake into great
+sporte and pastime. Afterwardes the duke examined euery of them,
+and seeing that he was not able by any meanes to vnderstande by
+whome it was done, he determined to knowe the man before he
+departed, and promised to him that should confesse the truthe,
+to giue his daughter to him in mariage, and with her a very
+great dowrie, and a generall pardon. Wherefore Ricciardo
+vnderstanding the duke’s minde, toke him asyde, and tolde hym
+the whole matter particularly from the beginning to the ende.
+The duke imbraced hym, and gaue him his pardon, and with great
+ioye and triumphe he solemnized the mariage betwene hym and his
+daughter. Wherewithal Ricciardo encouraged, proued a very stoute
+and valiaunt man in suche wyse almoste as the affaires of the
+whole state passed through his handes. And liued a long time
+after, with the loue and good wyll of the whole cominaltie of
+Venice.
+
+
+
+
+THE FORTY-NINTH NOUELL.
+
+  _Philenio Sisterno, a Scholler of Bologna, being mocked of three
+  faire Gentlewomen, at a banket made of set purpose he was reuenged
+  on them all._
+
+
+At Bologna, whiche is the noblest citie of Lombardie, the mother
+of studies, and accomplished with al things nedefull and
+requisite for sutch a florishing state, there was a yong
+scholler, a Gentleman of the countrie of Crete named Philenio
+Sisterno, of very good grace and behauiour. It chanced that in
+his time, there was a great feast made in the citie, wherunto
+were bidden the fayrest dames, and beste of reputation there:
+there was likewyse many Gentlemen and Schollers of Bologna,
+amonges whom was this Philenio Sisterno: who followyng the
+manner of young men, dallying sometime with one, sometime with
+another, and perceiuing them for his purpose determined to
+daunce with one of them: and comming to one whiche was called
+Emerentiana, the wyfe of sir Lamberto Bentiuoglia, hee prayed
+her to daunce: who, beyng verie gentle and of no less audacitie
+than beautiful, refused not. Then Philenio leading forth the
+daunce very softly, sometymes wrynging her by the hand, spake
+somewhat secretly vnto her these wordes: “Madame, your beautie
+is so great, that without doubt it surmounteth all that ever I
+sawe, and there is no woman in the world to whome I beare so
+great affection, as to your persone, whiche if it were
+correspondent to me in Loue, I would thinke myself the beste
+contented man in the world, otherwyse I shall in shorte tyme bee
+depriued of life, and then you shall be the cause of my death:
+and louing you (Madame) as I doe, and as my dutie requireth, you
+ought to take me for your seruaunt, vsing me and those litle
+goodes whiche I haue as your owne: and I doe assure you, that it
+is impossible for me to receiue greater fauour from heauen, then
+to see myselfe subiecte to sutch a gentlewoman, as you be,
+whiche hath taken me in a nette lyke a byrde.” Nowe Emerentiana,
+whiche earnestly had marked those sweet and pleasaunt woordes,
+like a wyse gentlewoman, semed to geue no eare thereunto, and
+made him no aunswere at all. The daunce ended, and Emerentiana
+being set down in her place, this young scholler went to take
+another gentlewoman by the hand, and began to daunce with her:
+whiche was not so sone begonne, but thus he said vnto her: “It
+nedeth not Madame, that by woordes I doe expresse the feruant
+Loue which I beare you, and will so doe, so long as my poore
+spirite shall gouerne and rule my members: and if I could
+obtaine you for my Maistresse and singuler Ladye, I would thinke
+myself the happiest man aliue. Then louing you as I do, and
+being wholly yours, as you may easely vnderstand, refuse me not
+I besech you for your humble seruaunt, sithe that my life and
+all that I haue dependeth vpon you alone.” The yong gentlewoman,
+whose name was Panthemia, perceiuing his meaning, did not
+aunswere him any thing at that time: but honestly proceded in
+her daunce: and the daunce ended, smyling a litle, she sat downe
+with the other dames. This done, amorous Philenio rested not
+vntil he had taken the thirde by the hand, (who was the
+gentlest, fairest, and trimmest dame in all Bologna,) and began
+to daunce with her, romyng abrode, to shewe his cunning before
+them that came to behold him. And before the daunce was
+finished, he saide thus vnto her: “Madame, it may so be, as I
+shall seme vnto you very malapert to manifest the secret Loue
+that I haue and doe beare you at this instant, for which you
+ought not to blame me but your beautie, which rendreth you
+excellent aboue al the rest, and maketh me your slaue and
+prysoner. I speake not of your commendable behauiour, of your
+excellent and maruellous vertues, which be such and of so great
+effect, as they would make the gods descend to contemplate the
+same. If then your excellent beautie and shape, so well fauoured
+by nature, and not by art, may seeme to content the immortall
+Gods, you ought not to be offended, if the same do constraine me
+to loue you, and to inclose you in the priuie cabane of my
+harte: I beseeche you then, gentle Madame (the onely comfort of
+my life) to haue pitie vpon him that dieth a thousand times a
+daye for you. In so doing, my life shall be prolonged by you,
+commending me humbly vnto your good grace.” This faire
+gentlewoman called Simphorosia, vnderstanding the sweete and
+pleasaunt woordes vttered from the very harte of Philenio, could
+not dissemble her sighes, but waying her honor, because she was
+maried, gaue him no answere at all. And the daunce ended, she
+retourned to her place. Nowe it chaunced, as these three ladies
+did sit together iocundly disposed to debate of sundrie mery
+talke, behold Emerentiana, the wife of Seignior Lamberto, not
+for any euill, but in sporting wise said vnto her companions:
+“Gentlewomen, I haue to tell you a pleasaunt matter which
+happened to this day.” “What is that?” said her companions.
+“I haue gotten this night, (said she) in dauncing, a curteous
+louer, a very faire Gentleman, and of so good behauiour as any
+in the worlde: who said that he was so inflamed with my beauty
+that he tooke no rest day nor night:” and from point to point,
+rehearsed vnto them, all that he had said. Which Panthemia and
+Simphorosia vnderstanding, answered that the like had chaunced
+vnto them, and they departed not from the feaste before eche of
+theim knewe him that was their louer: whereby they perceiued
+that his woordes proceded not of faithfull Loue, but rather of
+follie and dissimulation, in suche wise as they gaue so lyghte
+credite thereunto, as of custome is geuen to the woordes of
+those that bee sicke. And they departed not from thence vntill
+all three with one accorde, had conspired euery one to giue him
+mocke. Philenio continuing thus in Loue, sometime with one,
+sometime with another, and perceiuing that euery of them seemed
+to Loue him, hee determined with himselfe, if it were possible
+to gather of them the last frute of his Loue. But he was greatly
+deceyued in his desire, for that all his enterprise was broken:
+and that done, Emerentiana whiche could not any longer dissemble
+the loue of the foolishe scholer called one of her maydes, which
+was of a fayre complexion and a ioly wenche, charging her that
+she should deuise meanes to speake with Philenio, to geue him to
+vnderstande the loue which her maistresse bare vnto him: and
+when it were his pleasure she willingly would one night haue him
+at home at her house. Which newes when Philenio heard, he
+greatly reioyced, and said to the maid: “Returne to your
+Maistresse, faire maide, and commend me vnto her, telling her in
+my behalf, that I doe praye her to loke for me this euening, if
+her husband be not at home.” During which time, Emerentiana
+caused a certaine number of fagots of sharpe thornes to be made,
+and to be layd vnder her bedde still wayting for her minion.
+When night was come, Philenio toke his sworde, and went to the
+house of his enemy, and calling at the dore with the watchworde
+the same incontinently was opened: and after that they had
+talked a litle while together, and banketted after the best
+maner, they withdrew themselues into the chamber to take their
+reste. Philenio had no soner put of his clothes to goe to bedde,
+but Seignior Lamberto her husband came home: which the
+Maistresse of the house perceiuing, made as though she had bene
+at her wittes ende, and could not tell whether to conuey her
+minion, but prayed him to hide himself vnder the bedde. Philenio
+seeing the daunger, wherein both he and the wife were, not
+taking with him any other garmentes, but only his shirte, crept
+vnder the bed where he was so cruelly prickt and scratched with
+the thornes, as there was no parte of his body (from the toppe
+of his head to the sole of his foote) free from bloud, and the
+more he sought to defende himselfe in that darke place, the more
+sharpely and piteously he was tormented, and durst not crie for
+feare least Seignior Lamberto would kill him. I will leaue to
+your consideration in what plight this poore wretche was in, who
+by reason of his miserable being, as he was brechelesse in that
+terrible purgatorie, even so was he speachlesse and durst not
+speake for his life. In the morning when Segnior Lamberto was
+gone forth, the poore scholler put on his clothes so well as he
+could, and all bloudy as he was, returning to his lodging, was
+like to die: but being deligently cured by phisicians, in short
+time he recouered his former health. Shortly after, Philenio
+began to pursue again his loue towardes the other two, that is
+to say, Panthemia and Simphorosia, and found conuenient time one
+euening to speake to Panthemia, to whom he rehearsed his griefes
+and continuall tormentes, praying her to haue pitie vpon him.
+The subtile and wise wenche Panthemia, fayning to haue
+compassion vppon him, excused her selfe by lacke of meanes to
+content his desire, but in thend vanquished with faire
+supplications and maruellous sighes, shee made him to come home
+to her house, and being vnready, dispoyled of al his apparell to
+go to bed with his Lady she required hym to go with her into a
+litle closet, wher all her swete smels and perfumes were, to the
+intent he might be well perfumed before he went to bedde. The
+yong dolt not doubting the subtiltie of this wicked woman,
+entred the closet and setting his foote vpon a borde vnnnayled
+from the ioyst, fell so depe into a store house where
+marchauntes vse to lay there cottons and wolles, as he thought
+he had broken his necke and his legges, notwithstanding as
+fortune would he had no hurt. This poore scholler being in that
+darke place, began to seke for some dore or ladder to go out,
+and finding nothing for his purpose he cursed the houre and time
+that euer he knew Panthemia. When the dauning of the day began
+to appeare, the simple sot discried in one place of the
+storehouse certain ventes in the wall, which gaue some light,
+because they wer old and couered ouer with mosse, in such wise,
+as he began with maruelous force, to pluck out the stones in the
+moste decaied place of the wall, and made so great a hole, as he
+went out. And being in a lane hard by the great streate,
+barefoote and bare legged, and in his shirt, he went home to his
+lodging vnknowen of any. A litle whyle after Simphorosia
+vnderstanding of the deceits whiche the other twoo had done to
+Philenio, attempted to geue hym the thirde, whiche was not
+inferior to the other twayne. And for that purpose, she began a
+farre of to caste her amorous lokes vpon him, letting hym to
+knowe that shee was in great distresse for his Loue. This poore
+soule hauing already forgotten his fortune paste, began to walke
+vp and downe before her house, like a man altogether tormented
+and pained with Loue. Then Simphorosia, seing him to be farre in
+loue with her, sent hym a letter by an old woman, whereby she
+aduertised hym, that his beautie and good behauior, so
+puissantly did gouerne her affections as she could take no rest
+night nor day, for the earnest loue that she bare him: wherefore
+she praied him if it were his pleasure to come and speake with
+her. Philenio receiuing that letter, and perusing the contentes,
+not considering the deceite prepared for him, ne yet any longer
+remembring the iniuries past, was more ioyfull and glad then
+euer he was before: who taking pen and paper, aunswered her
+againe, that he for his parte suffered no lesse tormentes for
+her sake, yea and in respect of vnfayned Loue, that he loued her
+farre better than she did hym, and at al tymes when shee
+pleased, hee woulde be at her commaundement to doe her seruice:
+the aunswere read, and oportunitie found, Simphorosia caused him
+to come home to her house, and after many false sighes, she
+saide vnto him: “My deare frend Philenio, I knowe none other in
+all the world, that hath brought me into this state and plighte
+wherein presently I am, but you, because your beautie, good
+grace and pleasaunt talke, haue so sette my harte on fyre as I
+feele it to kindle and burne like drye woode.” Which talke
+Maister scholler hearing, thought assuredly that she consumed
+for loue of him: this poore Nodgecock, contriuing the time in
+sweete and pleasaunt woordes, with his dareling Simphorosia, the
+time approched that he should go to bed with his faire lady, who
+said vnto him: “My swete frend Philenio, abide a whyle, and let
+vs make some banket and collation:” who taking him by the hande,
+caried him into her closet adioyning, wher was a table ready
+furnished with exquisit conficts and wynes of the best. This
+gentlewoman had made a composition in the wyne, to cause this
+yong gallant to sleepe for a certain time. Philenio thinking no
+hurte, toke the cup and filled it with the wyne, and dranke it
+vp at one draught. His spirits reuiued with this refreshing,
+after he had bene very well perfumed and washed in swete waters,
+he went to bedde and within a while after this drinke began to
+woorke, and hee slepte so soundly, as canon shot, or the
+greatest gonnes of the worlde were not able to wake hym: then
+Simphorosia perceiuing the drinke beginne to woorke, called one
+of her sturdy maides that wel was instructed in the game of this
+pageant: both whiche carying this poore sleepy scholler by the
+feete and armes, and opening the dore very softlye, they fayre
+and well bestowed hym in the middeste of the streete, a good
+stone’s caste of from the house, where he lay all the nighte.
+But when the dawning of the daye dyd appeare, or an houre
+before, the drynke lost his vertue, and the poore soule began to
+awake, and thinking that he had bene a bedde with the
+gentlewoman he perceiued hymself brechelesse and in his shirt
+more dead then aliue, through the colde that he had endured, by
+lying starke naked vppon the earth. The poore wretche was not
+able to help himselfe so much as with his armes and legges,
+ne yet to stande vppon his feete without great paine:
+notwithstanding, through creping and sprawling, hee got home to
+his house, vnseene of anye, and prouided so well as hee could
+for recouery of his health: and had it not been for his youth,
+which did helpe him at that instant, his sinewes had been
+benommed for euer. In the ende, hauing atteined his former state
+of health he still remembred the iniuries past, and without
+shewing any signe of anger or displeasure, made as though he
+loued them all three better then euer he did before, and
+sometime seemed to be in loue with the one, and sometime with an
+other: they againe for their part nothing mistrusting the malice
+of Philenio, set a good face on the matter, vsinge amorous
+cheere and countenance towards him, but when his backe was
+tourned, with mockes and floutes they toke their pleasure. He
+bearing in his brest secrete despite, was still desirous with
+his hand to marke them in the face, but like a wise man, waying
+the natures of women, he thought it woulde redounde to his
+greate shame and reproche, if hee did them any hurt: and
+therefore restrayning the heate of his choler vsed pacience. And
+yet by deuising and practising, how he might be euen with them
+and reuenged, hee was in great perplexitie. Very shortly after
+it chaunced that the scholler had inuented a meane, easely to
+satisfie his desire, and so sone as hee had fully resolued what
+to do, fortune therunto was fauorable: who hyred in the citie of
+Bologna a very faire house which had a large hall, and comodious
+chambers: and purposed to make a greate and sumptuous feast, and
+to inuite many Ladies and Gentlewomen to the same: amongs whom
+these three were the first that should be bidden: which
+accordingly was done: and when the feast day was come the three
+gentlewomen that were not very wise at that instante, repaired
+thither nothing suspecting the scholler’s malice. In the end a
+litle to recreate the Gentlewomen and to get them a stomacke,
+attendinge for supper time, the Scholler toke these his three
+louers by the hand, and led them friendly into a chamber,
+somewhat to refresh them. When these three innocent women were
+come into the Scholler’s Chamber, hee shut fast the doore, and
+going towards them, he sayde: “Beholde faire ladies, now the
+time is come for me to be reuenged vpon you and to make you
+suffer the penaunce of the torment wherwith ye punished me for
+my great Loue.” The Gentlewomen hearing those cruell woordes,
+rather dead then aliue, began to repent that euer they had
+offended him, and besides that, they cursed themselues, for
+giuinge credit vnto him whom they ought to haue abhorred. The
+Scholler with fierce and angry countenaunce commaunded them vpon
+paine of their liues to strippe themselues naked: which sentence
+when these three goddesses heard, they began to loke one vppon
+another, weeping and praying him, that although he woulde not
+for their sakes, yet in respect of his owne curtesie and
+naturrall humanitie, that hee woulde saue their honor aboue all
+thinges. This gallant reioysing at their humble and pitifull
+requestes was thus curteous vnto them, that he would not once
+suffer them to stand with their garmentes on in his presence:
+the women casting themselues downe at his feete wept bitterly,
+beseeching him that he woulde haue pitie vpon them, and not to
+be the occasion of a slaunder so great and infamous. But he
+whose hart was hardened as the Diamonde, said vnto them, that
+this facte was not worthy of blame but rather of reuenge. The
+women dispoyled of their apparel (and standing before him, so
+free from couering as euer was Eue before Adam) appeared as
+beautifull in this their innocent state of nakednes, as they did
+in their brauerie: in so much that the yong scholler viewing
+from toppe to toe, those fayre and tender creatures, whose
+whitenesse surpassed the snow, began to haue pitie vppon them:
+but calling to his remembraunce the iniuries past and the
+daunger of death wherein he was, he reiected all pitie and
+continued his harde and obstinate determination. Then he toke
+all their apparell, and other furnitures that they did weare,
+and bestowed it in a little chamber, and with threatning words
+commaunded all three to lie in one bed. The women altogether
+astonned, began to say to themselues: “Alas, what fooles be we?
+what wil our husbands and our frendes say, when they shal
+vnderstand that we be found naked and miserablie slaine in this
+bed? It had been better for vs to haue died in our cradels, than
+apprehended and found dead in this state and plight.” The
+Scholler seeing them bestowed one by another in the bed, like
+husband and wyfe, couered them with a very white and large
+sheete, that no part of their bodies might be seene and knowen,
+and shutting the Chamber doore after him Philenio went to seeke
+their husbands, which were dauncing in the hall: and the daunce
+ended, he intreated them to take the paines to goe with him: who
+was their guide into the Chamber where the three Muses lay in
+their bedde, saying vnto them: “Sirs, I haue broughte you into
+this place to shewe you some pastime and to let you see the
+fayrest thinges that euer you saw in your liues.{”} Then
+approching neere the bed, and holding a torch in his hand, he
+began fayre and softly to lift vp the shete at the bed’s feete,
+discouering these fayre ladies euen to the knees. Ye should haue
+seen then, how the hushands did behold their white legges and
+their wel proporcioned feete, which don he disclosed them euen
+to the stomack, and shewed their legges and thighes farre whiter
+than alablaster, which seemed like two pillers of fine marble,
+with a rounde body so wel formed as nothing could be better:
+consequently he tourned vp the sheete a litle further, and their
+stomackes appeared somewhat round and plumme, hauing two rounde
+breasts so firme and feate, as they would haue constrayned the
+great God Iupiter to imbrace and kisse them. Whereat the
+husbandes toke so great pleasure and contentmente, as coulde be
+deuised: I omitte for you to thincke in what plighte these poore
+naked women weare, hearinge theyr husbandes to mocke them: all
+this while they laye very quiet, and durst not so much as to hem
+or coughe, for feare to be knowen: the husbands were earnest
+with the Scholler to discouer their faces, but hee wiser in
+other mennes hurtes than in his owne, would by no meanes consent
+vnto it. Not contented with this, the yong scholler shewed their
+apparel to their husbands, who seing the same were astonned, and
+in viewing it with great admiration, they said one to another:
+“Is not this the gowne that I once made for my wife? Is not this
+the coyfe that I bought her? Is not this the pendant that she
+weareth about her necke? be not these the rings that set out and
+garnisht her fingers?” Being gone out of the chamber for feare
+to trouble the feast, he would not suffer them to depart, but
+caused them to tarie supper. The Scholler vnderstandinge that
+supper was ready, and that the maister of the house had disposed
+all thinges in order, he caused the geastes to sit downe. And
+whiles they were remouing and placing the stooles and chayres,
+he returned into the chamber, wher the three dames lay, and
+vncouering them, he sayd vnto them: “Bongiorno, faire Ladies:
+did you heare your hushandes? They be here by, and do earnestly
+tarie for you at supper. What do ye meane to do? Vp and rise ye
+dormouses, rubbe your eyes and gape no more, dispatche and make
+you ready, it is time for you now to repayre into the hall,
+where the other gentlewomen do tarie for you.” Behold now how
+this Scholer was reuenged by interteigning them after this
+maner: then the poore desolate women, fearing least their case
+would sorte to som pitiful successe, dispayring of their health,
+troubled and discomforted, rose vp expecting rather death than
+any other thing: and tourning them toward the scholler they said
+vnto him: “Maister Philenio, you haue had sufficient reueng vpon
+vs: the best for you to do now, is to take your sword, and to
+bereue us of oure life, which is more lothsome vnto vs than
+pleasaunt: and if you will not do vs that good tourne, suffer vs
+to go home to our houses vnknowen, that our honours may be
+saued.” Then Philenio thinking that he had at pleasure vsed
+their persons, deliuered them their apparel, and so sone as they
+were ready, he let them out at a litle dore, very secretlye
+vnknowen of anye, and so they went home to their houses. So sone
+as they had put of their fayre furnitures, they folded them vp,
+and layd them in their chestes: which done, they went about
+their houshold busines, till their husbands came home, who being
+retourned they founde their wives sowing by the fire side in
+their chambers: and because of their apparell, their ringes and
+iewels, which they had seene in the Scholler’s Chamber, it made
+them to suspect their wiues, euery of them demaunding his
+seuerall wife, where she had bin that nighte, and where their
+apparell was. They well assured of themselues, aunswered boldly,
+that they were not out of their house all the euening, and
+taking the keyes of their cofers shewed them their aparell,
+their ringes and other things, which their husbandes had made
+them. Which when their husbandes saw, they could not tell what
+to say, and forthwith reiected all suspicion, which they had
+conceiued: telling them from point to point, what they had seen
+that night. The women vnderstanding those woordes, made as
+though they knew nothing and after a little sport and laughter
+betweene them, they went to bed. Many times Philenio met his
+Gentlewomen in the streates and sayde vnto them: “Which of you
+was most afraide or worste intreated?” But they holding downe
+their heads, passed forth not speaking a word: in this maner the
+Scholler was requited so well as he could of the deceites done
+against him, by the three Gentlewomen aforesaid.
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTYETH NOUELL.
+
+  _The piteous and chaste death of one of the muleters wiues of the
+  Queene of Nauarre._
+
+
+In the citie of Amboise, there was a muleter that serued the
+Queene of Nauarre, sister to king Fraunces the firste of that
+name, which was broughte a bedde of a sonne at Blois: to which
+towne the said muleter was gone to be paide his quarter’s wages:
+whose wyfe dwelled at Amboise beyond the bridges. It chaunced
+that of long time one of her husband’s seruauntes did so
+disordinately loue her, as vppon a certaine day he could not
+forbeare but he muste vtter the effect of his loue borne vnto
+her. Howbeit shee being a right honest woman, tooke her man’s
+sute in very ill part, threatning to make her husband to beat
+him, and to put him away, and vsed him in suche wyse, that after
+that time he durst not speake thereof any more, ne yet to make
+signe or semblance: keeping yet that fier couered within his
+brest, vntill his Maister was ridden out of the towne, and that
+his Maistresse was at euensong at Saint Florentine’s, a Church
+of the Castle, farre from her house: who now being alone in the
+house, began to imagine how he might attempt that thinge by
+force, which before by no supplication or seruice he was able to
+attaine. For which purpose, hee brake vp a borde betweene his
+Maistresse chamber and his: but because the curteins of his
+maister and maistresse bed, and of the seruauntes of the other
+side couered and hid the walles betweene, it could not be
+perceyued, nor yet his malice discried vntill suche time as his
+Maistresse was gone to bed, with a litle wenche of XII. yeares
+of age: and so sone as the poore woman was fallen into her first
+sleepe, this varlet entred in at a hole which he had broken, and
+conueyed himself into her bed in his shirt, with a naked sworde
+in his hande: who so sone as she felt him layed downe by her,
+lepte out of her bed, perswading him by all possible meanes
+meete for an honest woman to do: and he indued with beastly
+loue, rather acquainted with the language of his mulets than
+with her honest reasons, shewed himselfe more beastly then the
+beasts with whom he had of long time bin conuersant: for seing
+her so oft to runne about the table that he could not catch her,
+and also that she was so strong, that twise she ouercame him, in
+dispaire that he should neuer enioy her aliue, hee gaue her a
+great blow with his sword ouer the raines of the back, thinking
+that if feare and force could not make her to yeld, paine and
+smart should cause her. Howbeit, the contrarie chaunced: for
+like as a good man of armes when he seeth his owne bloud, is
+more set on fier to be reuenged vpon his enemies to acquire
+honor: euen so the chaste hart of this woman, did reenforce and
+fortefie her courage in double wise, to auoyde and escape the
+hands of this wicked varlet, deuising by all meanes possible by
+fayre words to make him acknowledge his fault: but he was so
+inflamed with furie, there was no place in him to receiue good
+counsell. And eftsones with his sword, he gashed her tender
+bodye with diuers and sondry strokes, for the auoydiug wherof,
+so fast as her legges could beare her, she ran vp and downe the
+chamber: and when through want of bloud she perceiued death
+approch, lifting vp her eyes vnto heaven, and ioyning her hands
+together, gaue thanckes vnto God, whom she termed to be her
+force, her vertue, her pacience and chastitie, humblie
+beseeching him to take in good part the bloude whiche by his
+commandemente was sheade in honor of that precious bloude, which
+from his owne sonne did issue vppon the Crosse, whereby shee did
+beleeue, firmelye and stedfastlye that all her sinnes were wiped
+awaye and defaced from the memorye of his wrathe and anger, and
+in sayinge: “Lorde receiue my soule which was dearely bought and
+redeemed with thy bounty and goodnes:” shee fell downe to the
+ground vpon her face where the wycked villaine inflicted her
+bodye with manifold wounds: and after she had lost her speache
+and the force of her body, thys most wicked and abhominable
+varlet toke her by force, whiche had no more strength and power
+to defende herselfe: and when he had satisfied his cursed
+desire, he fled away in such hast, as afterwards for all the
+pursute made after him he could not be found. The yong wench
+which lay with her, for feare hid herselfe vnder the bed. But
+when she perceyued the villaine departed, shee came vnto her
+Maistresse and finding her speachlesse and without mouing, she
+cryed out at the window vnto the nexte neighbours to come to
+succour her: and they which loued her and esteemed her so wel as
+any woman in the towne, came presently vnto her, and brought
+diuers surgeons with them, who findinge vpon her body XXV.
+mortall woundes, they did so much as in them laye to helpe her:
+but it was impossible. Howbeit shee laye one houre without
+speache, makinge signes with hir eyes and hands, declaring that
+she had not lost her vnderstanding: being demaunded by the
+priest, of the fayth wherin she died, and of her saluacion, she
+aunswered by such euident signes, as her liuely speach and
+communication coulde not haue declared it better, howe that her
+trust and confidence was in the death of Iesus Christ, whom she
+hoped to see in the Celestiall citie, and so with a ioyfull
+countenaunce, her eyes erected vp to the heauens, she rendred
+her chast body to the earth, and her soule to her Creator: and
+when shee was shrouded ready to the buriall, as her neighbours
+were attending to followe her to the Church, her poore husbande
+came home, and the first sight he sawe, was the body of his dead
+wife before his doore, wherof before that instant hee had no
+newes. And when he vnderstode the order of her death, he then
+doubled his sorrowe, in such wyse that he was also like to die.
+In this sort was this marter of chastitie buried in the church
+of S. Florentine, where all the honest dames and wiues of the
+citie endeuoured themselues to accompany her, and to honour her
+with suche reuerence as they were able to do: accomptinge
+themselues most happie to dwell in that towne, where a woman of
+such vertuous behauiour did dwell. The foolish and wanton seing
+the honour done to that deade bodye, determined from that time
+forth to renue their former life, and to chaunge the same into a
+better.
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTY-FIRST NOUELL.
+
+  _A king of Naples, abusing a Gentleman’s wife, in the end did weare
+  the hornes himselfe._
+
+
+In the citie of Naples when king Alphonsus raigned, in whose
+time wantonnesse bare chiefest sway, there was a Gentleman so
+honest, beautifull and comely, as for his good conditions and
+wel knowen behauiour an old Gentleman gaue to him his daughter
+in mariage, which in beautie and good grace was passingly well
+beloued and comfortable to her husband. The Loue was great
+betwene them, till it chaunced vpon shrouetide that the king
+went a masking into the citie, where euery man endeuoured to
+intertaine him the best he could. And when he came to this
+Gentleman’s house, he was best receyued of any place in all the
+towne, aswell for banqueting, as for musicall songes, and the
+Gentlewoman, the fayrest that the king sawe in all the citie to
+his contentacion. And vpon the end of the banket, she sang a
+song with her husbande, with a grace so good as it greatly
+augmented her beautie. The king seeing so many perfections in
+one body, conceyued not so great pleasure in the sweete accords
+of her husband and her, as he did howe to deuise to interrupt
+and breake them: and the difficultie for bringinge that to
+passe, was the great amitie that hee sawe betweene them,
+wherefore he bare in his hart that passion so couert, as he
+possibly could. But partly for his owne solace and comforte, and
+partly for good will of all, hee feasted all the Lords and
+Ladyes of Naples, where the Gentleman and his wife were not
+forgotten. And because man willingly beleeueth that he doth see,
+he thought that the lokes of that gentlewoman promised vnto him
+some grace in time to come, if the presence of her husband were
+no let therunto. And to proue whether his coniecture were true,
+he sent her husbande in commission to Rome, for the space of XV.
+dayes or III. wekes. And so sone as he was gone, his wyfe which
+hitherto had not felt any long absence from her husband, made
+great sorrow for the same, whereof she recomforted by the king,
+many times by sweete perswasions and by presents and gifts, in
+such sort, that she was not onely comforted, but contented with
+her husbande’s absence. And before the three weekes were expired
+of his returne, she was so amorous of the king as she was no
+lesse sorowful of his comming home, then she was before for his
+departure. And to the intent the king’s presence might not be
+loste, they agreed together, that when her husband was gone to
+his possessions in the countrie, she should send word to the
+king, that he might haue safe repair vnto her, and so secretly
+that his honour, (which he feared more then he did the fact)
+might not be impaired. Vpon this hope, this Ladie’s hart was set
+on a merie pin: and when her husband was come home, shee
+welcomed him so wel, that albeit he knewe how the king made much
+of her in his absence, yet he would not beleeue that he so did
+for any dishonest fact. Howbeit by continuance of time, this
+fier that could not be couered, by litle and litle began to
+kindle, in such wise as the husband doubted much of the truth,
+and watched the matter so neere, as he was almost oute of doubt.
+But for feare, least the partie which did the wrong, should do
+him greater hurt, if he seemed to know it, he determined to
+dissemble the matter: for he thought it better to liue with some
+griefe, then to hazard his life for a woman that did not loue
+him: notwithstanding, for this displeasure, he thought to be
+euen with the king if it were possible. And knowinge that many
+times despite maketh a woman to do that which Loue cannot bring
+to passe, specially those that haue honourable harts and stoute
+stomacks, was so bold without blushing, vpon a day in speaking
+to the Queene, to say unto her, that he had pitie vpon her, for
+that shee was no better beloued of the king her husband. The
+Queene which heard tell of the loue betwene the king and his
+wife: “I cannot (quoth she) both enioy honour and pleasure
+together: I knowe well that honor I haue, whereof one receiueth
+the pleasure, and as she hath the pleasure, so hath not she the
+honor.” He which knewe wel by whom those words were spoken, said
+vnto her: “Madame, honor hath waited vpon you euen from your
+birth, for you be of so good a house, as to be a queene or
+Empresse, you cannot augment your nobilitie, but your beautie,
+grace, and honestie, hath deserued so much pleasure, as she that
+depriueth you of that which is incident to your degree, doth
+more wrong to her self then to your person. For she for a glorie
+that hath turned her to shame, hath therewithall lost so much
+pleasure, as your grace or any Lady in the realme may haue. And
+I may saye vnto you (Madame) that if the kinge were no king as
+he is, I thincke that he could not excel me in pleasing of a
+woman: being sure that to satisfie such a vertuous personage as
+you be, he might exchaunge his complexion with mine.” The Queene
+smiling, answered him: “Although the king be of more delicate
+and weaker complexion than you be, yet the loue that he beareth
+mee, doth so much content mee, as I esteeme the same aboue all
+thinges in the world.” The gentleman said vnto her: “Madame, if
+it were so, I woulde take no pitie vpon you, for I know wel that
+the honest loue of your hart, would yeld vnto you great
+contentment, if the like were to be found in the king: but God
+hath foreseene and preuented the same, least enioyinge your owne
+desire, you would make him your God vppon earth.” “I confesse
+vnto you (saide the Queene) that the Loue I beare him, is so
+great, as the like place he could not find in no woman’s hart,
+as he doth in mine.” “Pardon me, madame (saide the Gentleman) if
+I speake more francklye, your grace hath not sounded the depth
+of ech man’s harte. For I dare be bold to say vnto you, that I
+do know one that doth loue you, and whose loue is so great, as
+your loue in respecte of his is nothing. And for so much as he
+seeth the kinge’s loue to faile in you his doth grow and
+increase, in such sort, that if your loue were agreable vnto
+his, you should be recompensed of all your losses.” The Queene
+aswel by his words as by his countenaunce, began to perceiue,
+that the talke proceded from the bottom of his hart, and called
+to her remembraunce that long time he had endeuored to do her
+service, with such affection, as for loue he was growen to be
+melancolike, which she thought before, to rise through his
+wiue’s occasion, but now she assuredly beleued that it was for
+her sake. And thus the force of Loue, which is well discryed
+when it is not fayned, made her sure of that, which was vnknowen
+to all the world. And beholding the gentleman which was more
+amiable than her husband, and seing that he was forsaken of his
+wife, as she of the king, pressed with despite and ialousie of
+her husband, and prouoked with loue of the gentleman, began to
+say with finger in eye, and sighing sobbs: “O my God, must
+vengeaunce get and win that at my hand, which Loue cannot doe?”
+The gentleman well vnderstanding her meaning, aunsweared:
+“Madame, vengeance is sweete vnto him which in place of killinge
+an ennemye, giueth life to a perfecte freinde. I thincke it time
+that trouth doe remoue from you the foolishe loue, that you
+beare to him which loueth you not: and that iust and reasonable
+loue should expell from you the feare, which out not remaine in
+a noble and vertuous hart. But now madame, omittinge to speake
+of the greatnesse of your estate, let vs consider that we be
+both man and woman, the most deceiued of the world, and betrayed
+of them which we haue most dearely loued. Let vs now be reuenged
+(madame) not onely to render vnto them, what they deserue, but
+to satisfie the loue which for my part I can no longer beare,
+except I should die. And I thincke, that if your harte be not
+harder than flinte, or Diamont, it is impossible but you must
+perceiue som sparke of fier, which increaseth more than I am
+able to dissemble: and if pitie of me which dieth for your loue,
+doth not moue you to loue me, at least wyse let loue of your
+self constraine you, which (being so perfect a creature as
+you be) doth deserue to enioy the hartes of the noblest and most
+vertuous of the world. Suffer I say, the contempt and forsaking
+of him, [to] moue you, for whom you haue disdayned al other
+persons.” The Queene hearing those wordes, was so rauished, as
+for feare to declare by her countenaunce the trouble of her
+spirite, leaning vppon the Gentleman’s arme, went into a garden
+hard by her Chamber, where she walked a long time not able to
+speake a woord. But the Gentleman seeing her halfe wonne, when
+he was at the ende of the Alley where none could see them, hee
+certified her by effect, the loue which so long time he kept
+secrete from her. And both with one consent reioyced in reuenge,
+whereof the passion was importable. And there determined, that
+so oft as hee went into the Country, and the king from his
+Castell into the Citie, he should retourne to the Castel to see
+the Quene. Thus deceyuing the deceyuers, all foure were
+partakers of the pleasure, which two alone thought to enioy. The
+accord made, they departed, the Lady to her Chamber, and the
+Gentleman to his house, with such contentacion, as they had
+quite forgotten al theyr troubles past. And the feare which
+either of them had of the assembly of the king and of the
+Gentlewoman, was tourned to desire, which made the Gentleman to
+go more oft then he was wonte to doe into the countrye, being
+not past halfe a mile of. And so sone as the king knew therof,
+he fayled not to visite his Lady, and the gentleman the night
+following went to the Castle to salute the Queene, to do the
+office of the kinge’s Lieutenaunt, so secretly as no man did
+perceiue it. This voyage endured long time, but the king because
+he was a publike person, could not so well dissemble his Loue,
+but all the worlde did vnderstand it, and all men pitied the
+gentleman’s state. For diuers light persons behinde his backe
+would make hornes vnto him, in signe of mockerie, which he right
+well perceyued. But this mockerie pleased him so wel, as he
+esteemed his hornes better then the king’s Crowne. The king and
+the Gentleman’s wife one day, could not refraine (beholding a
+Stagge’s head set vp in the Gentleman’s house) from breaking
+into a laughter before his face, saying, how that head became
+the house very well. The gentleman that had so good a hart as
+he, wrote ouer that head these words.
+
+  _These hornes I weare and beare for euery man to view,_
+  _But yet I weare them not in token they be trew._
+
+The king retourning againe to the Gentleman’s house, finding
+this title newlye written, demaunded of the gentleman the
+signification of them.
+
+Who said vnto him:
+
+  _“If princesse secret things, be from the horned hart concealed,_
+  _Why should like things of horned beastes, to Princes be revealed._
+
+But content your selfe: all they that weare hornes be pardoned
+to weare their capps vpon their heads: for they be so sweete and
+pleasaunt, as they vncappe no man, and they weare them so light,
+as they thincke they haue none at all.” The king knew well by
+his wordes that he smelled something of his doings, but he neuer
+suspected the loue betwene the Queene and him. For the Queene
+was better contented wyth her husbande’s life, and with greater
+ease dissembled her griefe. Wherefore eyther parts lived long
+time in this loue, till age had taken order for dissolucion
+thereof. “Behold Ladyes (quoth Saffredante) this Historye which
+for example I have willinglye recited to thintente that when
+your husbands do make you hornes as big as a Goate, you maye
+render unto him the monstrous heade of a Stagge.” “Peace (quoth
+Emarsuite smyling) no more wordes, least you reuiue some
+sleeping sweet soule, which without stur would not awake; with
+any whispring.”
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTY-SECOND NOUELL.
+
+  _The rashe enterprise of a Gentleman against a Princesse of
+  Flaunders, and of the shame that he receyued thereof._
+
+
+There was in Flaunders a Lady of an honorable house, which had
+two husbands, by whom shee had no children that were then
+liuinge. Duringe the time of her widowhoode shee dwelte within
+one of her brothers, that loued her very well, which was a noble
+man, and had maried a king’s doughter. This yong Prince was
+muche giuen to pleasure, louinge huntinge, pastime, and the
+company of fayre Ladyes, accordingly as youth requireth. He had
+a wyfe that was curst and troublesome, whom the delectations of
+her husband in no wyse did contente and please: wherefore this
+noble man caused his sister daily to keepe company with his
+wyfe. This Gentlewoman his sister was of pleasaunt conuersation,
+and therewithal very honest and wyse. There was in the house of
+this noble man, a Gentleman whose worship, beautye and grace did
+surpasse all the rest of his companions. This Gentleman
+perceyuing the sister of his Lorde and Maister to be pleasaunte
+and of ioyfull countenaunce, thoughte to proue if the attempt of
+an honest frende would be vouchsaued, but he founde her aunswere
+to be contrary to her countenaunce: and albeit that her aunswere
+was such as was meete for a Princesse and right honest
+Gentlewoman, yet because she perceyued him to be a goodly
+personage, and curteous, she easily pardoned his bold attempt,
+and seemed that she toke it not in ill part when he spake vnto
+her. Neuerthelesse shee warned him, after that time, to moue no
+such matter, which he promised, because he would not lose his
+pleasure, and the honour that hee conceyued to entertaine her.
+Notwithstanding, by processe of time his affection increased so
+much as he forgot the promise which he had made her, wherefore
+he thoughte good not to hazarde his enterprise by wordes, for
+that hee had to long against his wyll experimented her wyse and
+discrete aunsweares: and therewithall he thought if he could
+finde her in some conueient place (because she was a yong widow,
+of lusty yeares and good complexion) it were possible shee
+woulde take pitie vppon him, and of herself. And that he might
+bring his purpose to effecte, he said to his Maister that he had
+besides his owne house very goodlie game, and that if it pleased
+him to kill three or foure Stagges in the moneth of May, he
+should see very good pastime. The Lord aswell for the loue hee
+bare to the Gentleman, as for the pleasure he had in hunting,
+graunted his request: and went to his house, which was so faire
+and well furnished, as the best Gentleman in all the countrey
+had no better. The gentleman lodged his Lord and Lady in one
+side of the house, and in the other directly against it her
+whome he loued better than himselfe. The Chamber where his
+maistres laye, was so well hanged with tapistrie, and so trimely
+matted, as it was impossible to perceiue a falling dore, harde
+by the bed’s side, descending to his mother’s chamber, which was
+an old Lady, much troubled with the Catarre and Rume. And
+because she had a cough, fearing to disease the Princesse which
+laye aboue her, she chaunged her chamber with her sonne. And
+euery night the olde Gentlewoman brought comficts to the Lady
+for her recreation, vpon whom the Gentleman wayted, who (for
+that he was well beloued and very familier with her brother) was
+not refused to be present at her rising and going to bedde.
+Whereby he daily toke occasion to increase his loue and
+affection: in suche sorte as one night, after he had caused the
+Ladye to sit vp late, (she being surprised with sleepe) he was
+forced to depart the chamber, and to repaire to his own. Wher
+when he had put on the most brauest perfumed shirt that he had,
+and his cap for the night so trimmely dressed, as there wanted
+nothing, he thought in beholding himself, that there was no Lady
+in the world that would refuse his beautie and comlinesse.
+Wherefore promising himselfe a happie successe in his
+enterprise, hee went to his bed where he purposed not long to
+abide, for the desire that he had to enter into another, whiche
+should be more honourable and pleasaunt vnto him. And after he
+had sent his men away, he rose to shut the dore after them, and
+hearkened a good while, whether he could heare any noyse in the
+Ladie’s chamber aboue. And when he was sure that euery man was
+at rest, he began to take his pleasaunt iourney, and by litle
+and litle opened the falling dore, whiche was so well trimmed
+with cloth, that it made no noyse at all, and went vp to the
+Ladie’s bed side, which then was in her first sleepe, and
+without respecte of the bonde and promise that he made vnto her,
+or the honorable house wherof she came, without leaue or
+reuerence, he laid himselfe down besides her, who felt him
+betwene her armes before she perceiued his comming. But she
+which was somewhat strong, vnfolded her self out of his handes,
+and in asking him what he was, began to strike, to bite and
+scratche, in suche wyse, as he was constrained (for feare least
+she should crye out) to stoppe her mouth with the couerlet,
+which was impossible for him to do. For when she sawe him to
+presse with all his force to despoyle her of her honor, she
+spared no part of her might to defende and kepe her selfe, and
+called (so loude as she could) her woman of honor, that laye in
+her chamber, whiche was a very auncient and sober gentlewoman,
+who in her smock, ran straight to her maistresse. And when the
+Gentleman perceiued that hee was discouered, hee was so fearfull
+to be knowen of the Ladye, as sone as he could hee shifted
+himself down by his trapdore. And where before he conceiued hope
+and assuraunce to be welcome, now he was brought in despaire for
+retourning in so vnhappy state. When he was in his chamber, he
+found his glasse and candle vpon the table, and beholding his
+face all bloudy with the scratchings and bitinges, whiche shee
+had bestowed vpon him, the bloud wherof ran down his fayre
+shyrt, better bloudied then gilted, he began to make his moone
+in this wise: “O beautie, thou art nowe payed thy desert, for
+vppon thy vayne promise haue I aduentured a thing impossible.
+And that which might haue bene the augmenting of my delight is
+nowe the redoubling of my sorowe. Being assured that if she
+knewe howe contrary to my promise I haue enterprised this
+foolishe fact, I should vtterly forgoe the honest and common
+conuersation whiche I haue with her aboue al other. That which
+my estimation, beautie and good behauiour doe deserue, I ought
+not to hyde in darkenesse. To gaine her loue, I ought not to
+haue assayed her chaste bodye by force, but rather by seruice
+and humble pacience, to wayte and attend till loue did
+vanquishe. For without loue all the vertue and puissance of man
+is of no power and force.” Euen thus he passed the night in such
+teares, griefes and plaintes, as can not be well reported and
+vttered. In the morning, when he beheld his bloudy face all
+mangled and torne, he fained to be very sicke, and that he could
+abide no light, til the company were gone from his house. The
+Ladye whiche thus remained victorious, knowing that there was no
+man in all her brother’s Court, that durst attempt a deede so
+wicked, but her hoste which was so bolde to declare his loue
+vnto her, knew well that it was he. And when she and her woman
+of honour had searched all the corners of the chamber to knowe
+what he was, and could not finde hym, she sayd vnto her woman in
+great rage: “Assure your selfe it can be none other, but the
+Gentleman of the house, whose villanous order I wyll reueale to
+my brother in the morning, in such sorte, as his head shalbe a
+witnesse and testimony of my chastitie.” Her woman seing her in
+that furie, sayd vnto her; “Madame, I am right glad to see the
+loue and affection which you beare to your honor, for the
+increase wherof you doe not spare the life of one, which hath
+aduentured himselfe so muche for the loue that hee beareth vnto
+you. But many times such one thinketh by those meanes to
+increase loue, which altogether he doth diminishe. Wherefore
+(Madame) I humbly beseche you to tell me the truthe of this
+facte.” And when the Ladie had recompted the same at lengthe,
+the woman of honour sayd vnto her: “Your grace doth say that he
+got no other thyng of you, but scratches and blowes with your
+fistes.” “No, I assure you (quod the Ladie) and I am certaine if
+hee gette hym not a good Surgeon, the markes will be seene to
+morowe.” “Wel Madame (quod the gentlewoman) sithens it is so, me
+thinketh you haue greater occasion to prayse GOD, then to muse
+vpon reuenge: For you may beleue, that sithens he had the
+courage to enterprise so great an exploit, and that despite hath
+failed him of his purpose, you can deuise no greater death for
+him to suffer, then the same. If you desire to be reuenged, let
+Loue and shame alone bring that to passe, who knowe better which
+way to tormente him than your selfe, and with greater honor to
+your persone. Take heede Madame from falling into such
+inconuenience as he is in, for in place of great pleasure whiche
+he thought to haue gayned, he hath receiued the extremest
+anoyance, that any gentleman can suffer. And you Madame, by
+thinking to augment your honor, you may decrease and diminish
+the same. And by making complaint, you shal cause that to be
+knowen, which no man knoweth. For of his part (you may be
+assured) there shall neuer be anything reuealed. And when my
+Lorde your brother at your requeste, shall execute the iustice
+which you desire, and that the poore Gentleman shal be ready to
+die, the brute will runne that he hath had his pleasure vpon
+you. And the greatest numbre will say, that it is very difficult
+for a Gentleman to doe suche an enterprise, except the Lady
+minister some great occasion. Your grace is faire and yong,
+frequenting your life in pleasant company, there is none in all
+the Court, but seeth and marketh the good countenaunce you beare
+to that Gentleman, whereof your selfe hath some suspicion: which
+will make euery man suppose that if he hath done this
+enterprise, it was not without some consent from you. And your
+honor which hetherto hath borne your port a loft, shall be
+disputed vpon in all places where this historie shall be
+remembred.” The Princesse well waying the good reasons and
+aduise of her gentlewoman, knewe that she spake the truthe: and
+that by moste iust cause she should be blamed: considering the
+familiaritie and good countenaunce which dayly she bare vnto the
+Gentleman. Wherefore she inquired of her woman of honour, what
+was beste to bee done. Who aunswered her thus. “Madame, sith it
+pleaseth you to receiue mine aduise, by waying the affection
+whereof it procedeth, me thinke you ought in your hart to
+reioyce, that the goodliest, and moste curteous Gentleman that
+liueth, could neither by loue, or force, despoile you of your
+greatest vertue and chastitie. For which (Madame) you are bounde
+to humble your selfe before God, acknowledging that it is not
+done by your vertue, bicause many women walking in a more
+paineful and more vnpleasaunt trade then you do, haue humiliated
+and brought low by men farre more vnworthy of loue, then he
+which loueth you. And ye ought now to feare more than euer you
+did, to vse any semblance and take of amitie, bicause there haue
+bene many that haue fallen the second time into daungers and
+perils, which they haue auoyded at the first. Remember (Madame)
+that loue is blind, who blaseth mens eyes in such sort, as where
+a man thinketh the waye moste sure, ther his most readie to fal.
+And I suppose Madame, that you ought not to seme to be priuie of
+this chaunce, neither to him, ne yet to any els, and when he
+remembreth anye thing to you, doe make as though you did not
+vnderstande his meaning, to auoyde twoo daungers. The one of
+vaine glorie for the victorie you haue had, the other to take
+pleasure in remembring things, that be so pleasaunt to the
+flesh, which the most chaste haue had much a do to defend
+theimselues from feling some sparkes, although they seke meanes
+to shunne and auoyde them with all their possible power.
+Moreouer, Madame, to thende that he thinke not by suche hazard
+and enterprise to haue done a thing agreable to your minde, my
+counsell is, that by litle and litle, you doe make your selfe
+straunge, and vse no more your wonted grace vnto him, that he
+may know how much you despise his folly and consider how great
+your goodnesse is, by contenting your self with the victory
+which God hath geuen you, without seeking any further vltion or
+reuengement. And God graunt you grace (Madame) to continue that
+honestie which hee hath planted in your hart, and by
+acknowledging that all goodnesse procedeth from him, you may
+loue him and serue him, better than euer ye did.” The Princesse
+determined to credite the counsayle of her gentlewoman, slepte
+with so great ioye as the poore gentleman waked with sorrow. On
+the morrow the noble man ready to depart, asked for his hoste,
+vnto whom answere was made that he was so sicke, as he could not
+abide the light, or endure to heare one speake. Wherof the
+Prince was sore abashed, and would haue visited him, but that it
+was told him he was a slepe, and was very loth to wake him.
+Wherefore without bidding him farewell, he departed, taking with
+him his wife and sister, who hearing the excuse of the Gentleman
+that would not see the Prince, nor yet his companie, at their
+departure, was persuaded that it was he, that had done her al
+that torment, and durst not shew the markes which she had signed
+in his face. And although his Maister did sende oftimes for him
+yet came he not to the Court, vntill he was healed of his
+woundes, except that whiche loue and despite had made in his
+harte. When he came to the Courte and appeared before his
+victorious enemie, he blushed for shame of his ouer throwe. And
+he which was the stoutest of all the company was so astonned as
+many times being in her presence, hee could not tell which way
+to loke or tourne his face. Wherfore she was assured that her
+suspicion was certain and true, by litle and litle estraunging
+her self from him, but it was not done so sleightly or
+politikely but that he perceiued well enough, and yet he
+durst make no semblaunce, for feare of worse aduenture.
+Notwithstanding he conserued both loue in his hart, and pacience
+in his minde, for the losse of his Ladie’s fauour, which he had
+right well deserued.
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTY-THIRD NOUELL.
+
+  _The loue of Amadour and Florinda: wherein be conteined mani
+  sleightes and dissimulations, together with the renowmed chastitie
+  of the said Florinda._
+
+
+In the Countie of Arande, in Aragon, a region in Spaine, there
+was a Ladie whiche in the best time of her youth, continued the
+widow of the Earle of Arande, with one sonne, and one daughter,
+called Florinda. The sayde Lady brought vp her children in all
+vertue and honestie, meete and conuenable for Lordes and
+Gentlemen, in such sorte, as her house was renowmed to be one of
+the most honorable in all the Region of Spaine. Many times she
+repaired to Tolledo, where the kinge of Spaine helde his Court,
+and when she came to Sarragosa, which was harde adioyning to the
+court, she continued long with the Queene, and in the Courte,
+where she was had in so good estimation as any Lady might be.
+Vpon a time going towardes the king, according to her custome,
+which was at Sarragosa, in his castle of Iafferie, this Lady
+passed by a village that belonged to the Viceroy of Catalongne,
+who still continued vppon the frontiers of Parpignon, for the
+great warres that were betwene the Frenche king and him.
+Howebeit, at that time peace being concluded, the Viceroy with
+all his captaines were come to do reuerence to the king. The
+Viceroy knowing that the Countesse of Arrande did passe through
+his countrie, went to mete her, as well for auncient amitie, as
+for the honor he bare vnto her being allied to the kyng. Nowe
+this Viceroy had in his companye diuers honest Gentlemen, whiche
+through the frequentation and continuance of the long warres,
+had gotten suche honour and fame, as euery man that might see
+them and behold them did accompt them selues happy. But amonges
+all other, there was one called Amadour, who although he was but
+XVIII. or XIX. yeares of age, yet he had such an assured grace
+and witte so excellent, as he was demed amongs a thousand
+persones worthy to haue the gouernement of a common wealth,
+whiche good witte was coupled with maruellous naturall beautie,
+so that there was no eye, but did content it self eftsones to
+beholde hym. And this beautie so exquisite, was associated with
+wonderfull eloquence, as doubtfull to say, whether merited
+greatest honor, either his grace and beautie, or his excellent
+tongue. But that which brought him into best reputation, was his
+great hardinesse, whereof the common reporte and brute was
+nothing impeached or staied for all his youth. For in so many
+places he shewed his chiualrie, as not only Spain but Fraunce
+and Italie, did singularly commend and set forth his vertue:
+bicause in all the warres wherin he was present, he neuer spared
+him self for any daunger. And when his countrie was in peace and
+quiet, he sought to serue in straunge places, being loued and
+estemed both of his frendes and enemies. This Gentleman for the
+loue of his Captaine was come into that countrey, where was
+arriued the Countesse of Arande, and in beholding the beautie
+and good grace of her daughter, which was not then past XII.
+yeres of age, he thought that she was the fairest and most
+vertuous personage that euer he sawe: and that if he could
+obtaine her good will, he should be so well satisfied as if he
+had gained all the goods and pleasures of the worlde. And after
+he had a good whyle viewed her, for all the impossibilitie that
+reason could deuise to the contrary, he determined to loue her,
+although some occasion of that impossibilitie might ryse through
+the greatnesse of the house wherof she came, and for want of age
+which was not able as yet to vnderstande the passions of loue.
+But against the feare thereof he was armed with good hope,
+persuading himselfe, that time and patience would bring happie
+ende to his trauayle: and from that time gentle Loue whiche
+without any other occasion than by his own force was entred the
+harte of Amadour, promised him fauour and helpe by all meanes
+possible to attaine the same. And to prouide for the greatest
+difficultie, which was the farre distance of the countrie wher
+he dwelt, and the small occasion that he had thereby any more to
+see Florinda, he thought to marry against his determination made
+with the ladies of Barselone and Parpignon, amonges whom he was
+so conuersant by reason of the warres, as he semed rather to be
+a Cathelan, than a Castillan, although he wer borne by Tollede,
+of a riche and honourable house, yet bicause he was a yonger
+brother, he inioyed no great patrimonie or reuenue.
+Notwithstanding, loue and fortune seing him forsaken of his
+parentes, determined to accomplishe some notable exployt in him,
+and gaue him (by meanes of his vertue) that which the lawes of
+his countrey refused to geue. He had good experience in factes
+of warre, and was so well beloued of al Princes and Rulers, as
+he refused many times their goodes, being resolued not to care
+or esteme the benefites of Fortune. The Countesse of whome I
+spake, arriued thus at Saragossa, was very well intertained of
+the king, and of his whole Court. The Gouernour of Catalogne,
+many times came thither to visite her, whom Amadour neuer failed
+to accompany, for the onely pleasure he had to talke with
+Florinda: and to make himselfe to be knowen in the company, hee
+went to Auenturade, whiche was the daughter of an old knight
+that dwelt hard by the house, whiche from her youth was brought
+vp with Florinda, in such familiar sorte, as she knewe all the
+secrets of her harte. Amadour, as well for the honestie that he
+found in her, as for the liuing of III.M. ducates by the yeare
+which she should haue with her in mariage, determined to geue
+her such intertaignement, as one that was disposed to marry her.
+Wherunto the gentlewoman did willingly recline her eare: and
+bicause he was poore, and the father of the damosell rich, she
+thought that her father would neuer accorde to the mariage,
+except it were by meanes of the Countesse of Arande. Wherupon
+she went to madame Florinda, and saide vnto her: “Madame, you
+see this Castillan gentleman, which so oftentimes talketh with
+me, I doe beleue that his pretence is to marry me: you do know
+what a father I haue, who will neuer geue his consent, if he be
+not persuaded therunto by my Lady your mother and you.” Florinda
+which loued the damosell as her selfe, assured her that shee
+would take vpon her to bring that matter to passe, with so
+earnest trauaile as if the case were her own. Then Auenturade
+brought Amadour before Florinda, who after he had saluted her,
+was like to fall in a sowne for ioy, and although he were
+compted the moste eloquent persone of Spaine, yet was he now
+become mute and dumb before Florinda, wherat she maruelled much:
+for albeit she was but XII. yeares of age, yet she vnderstode
+that there was no man in Spaine that had a better tongue, or a
+more conuenable grace than he. And seing that he said nothing
+vnto her, she spake vnto him in this wise: “The fame which is
+bruted of you (sir Amadour) throughout the whole countrie of
+Spaine, is such as it maketh you knowen and estemed in this
+company, and giueth desire and occasion to those that know you,
+to imploy themselues to do you pleasure: wherefore if there be
+any thing wherin I may gratifie you, vse me I besech you.”
+Amadour that gased vpon the beautie of that lady, was rapt and
+surprised, not well able to render thankes vnto her. And
+although Florinda maruelled to see him without aunswere, yet she
+imputed it rather to bashfulnesse than to any force of loue, and
+departed without further talke. Amadour knowing the vertue which
+in so tender yeares began to appeare in Florinda, saide vnto her
+whome he purposed to marry: “Doe not maruell, though my speache
+do fayle before Madame Florinda, for the vertues and discretion,
+hidden in that yonge personage, did so amase mee, as I wiste not
+what to saye: but I praye you Auenturade (quod he) who knoweth
+all her secretes, to tell me, if it be otherwyse possible, but
+that she hath the harte of all the Lordes and Gentlemen of the
+Court: for they which know her and doe not loue her, be stones,
+or beastes.” Auenturade whiche then loued Amadour more than all
+the men in the worlde, and would conceale nothing from him, said
+vnto him: that Madame Florinda was generally beloued: but for
+the custome of the countrie, fewe men did speake unto her. “And
+(quod she) as yet I se none that make any semblance of loue vnto
+her, but two young Princes of Spaine, which desire to marry her,
+whereof the one is the sonne of the Infant Fortune, and the
+other of the Duke of Cadouce.” “I praye you then (quod Amadour)
+to tell me which of them as you think, doth loue her best.” “She
+is so wise” said Auenturade, “that she will confesse or graunt
+her loue to none, but to such as her mother pleaseth. But yet so
+far as we can iudge she fauoureth muche better the sonne of the
+Infant Fortune, than the Duke of Cadouce: and for that I take
+you to be a man of good iudgment, this day you shall haue
+occasion to consider the truth: for the sonne of the Infant
+Fortune is brought vp in Court, and is one of the goodliest and
+perfectest yong Gentlemen in al christendome: and if the mariage
+do procede, according to our opinion, which be her women, he
+shalbe assured to haue Madame Florinda: and then shalbe ioyned
+together the goodliest couple in the world. And you must
+vnderstand, that although they be both very yong, she of XII.
+yeares of age, and he of XV. yet is there three yeares past
+since their loue first began: and if you be disposed aboue other
+to obtain her fauour, mine aduise is, that ye become friend and
+seruaunt vnto him.” Amadour was very ioyfull to heare tell that
+his Lady loued some man, trusting that in tyme he should wynne
+the place, not of husbande, but of seruaunt: for he feared
+nothing at all of her vertue, but a lacke of disposition to
+loue. And after this communication, Amadour bent himselfe to
+haunt the societie of the sonne of the Infant Fortune, whose
+good will he sone recouered, for all the pastimes whiche the
+yong Prince loued, Amadour could doe right well: and aboue
+other, he was very cunning in riding of horsses, and in handling
+al kindes of armes and weapons, and in all other pastimes and
+games meete for a yong Gentleman. Warres began in Languedoc, and
+Amadour was forced to retire with the Gouernour, to his great
+sorrowe and grief, for he had there no meane to returne to the
+place where he might se Florinda. For which cause he spake to
+his owne brother, whiche was Steward of the king of Spaine’s
+houshold, and declared vnto him what courtesie he had found in
+the house of the Countesse of Arande, and of the damosel
+Auenturade: praying him that in his absence he would do his
+indeuour, that the mariage might proceede, and that he would
+obtaine for him the credit and good opinion of the king and
+Queene, and of al his friendes. The Gentleman which loued his
+brother, as well by nature’s instigation, as for his great
+vertues, promised him his trauaile and industrie to the
+vttermoste. Which he did in such wise as the old man her father,
+nowe forgetting other naturall respect, began to marke and
+beholde the vertues of Amadour, which the Countesse of Arande,
+and specially faire Florinda, painted and set foorth vnto him,
+and likewyse the Yong earl of Arande whiche increased in yeares,
+and therewithall in loue of those that were vertuous, and geuen
+to honest exercise. And when the mariage was agreed betweene the
+parentes, the said Steward sent for his brother whilest the
+truce endured betwene the two kings. About this time, the king
+of Spain retired to Madric, to auoyd the euil aire that was in
+many places, where by the aduise of diuers of his counsell, and
+at the request of the Countesse of Arande, he made a mariage
+betwene the yong Duchesse the heire of Medina Celi, and the yong
+Earle of Arande, as wel for the vnion of their house, as also
+for the loue he bare to the said Countesse. And this mariage was
+celebrated in the Castell of Madric, whereunto repaired Amadour,
+who so well obtained his suite, as he maried her, of whom he was
+muche better beloued, than his smal loue toward her deserued,
+sauing that it was a couerture and meanes for him to frequent
+the place where his minde and delight incessantly remained:
+after he was maried, he became well acquainted and familiar in
+the house of the Countesse, so that he was so conuersaunt
+amonges the Ladies, as if he had bene a woman: and although hee
+was then but XXII. yeares of age, he was so wise and graue, as
+the Countesse imparted vnto him all her affaires, commaunding
+her sonne and daughter to intertayne him, and to credite all
+thinges wherein hee gaue counsell. Hauing wonne this great
+estimation, he behaued him selfe so wyse and politike, that euen
+the partie whiche he loued knewe no parte of his affection: but
+by reason of the loue that Florinda bare to the wife of Amadour,
+whome shee loued more than any other woman, she was so familiar
+with him, as shee dissembled no part of her thought, declaring
+vnto him all the loue that she bare the sonne of the Infant
+Fortune: and he that desired nothing more than throughly to
+winne her, ceassed not from continuance of talke, not caring
+whereof he spake, so that he might hold her with long discourse:
+Amadour had not after his mariage continued a moneth in that
+companie, but was constrained to retire to the warres, where hee
+continued more than twoo yeares, without retourne to see his
+wife, who still abode in the place where she was brought vp.
+During the time, Amadour wrote many letters vnto his wife, but
+the chiefest substance therof consisted in commendations to
+Florinda, who for her part failed not to render like vnto him,
+many times writing some pretie worde or posie with her own hand,
+in the letter of Auenturade. Which made her husband Amadour
+diligent many times to write again vnto her, but in al this
+doing Florinda conceiued nothing, but that he loued her with
+such like loue as the brother oweth to the sister. Many times
+Amadour went and came, but in the space of fiue yeares he neuer
+sawe Florinda twoo monethes together: notwithstanding, Loue in
+despite of their distaunce and long absence, ceassed not to
+increase: and it chaunced that hee made a voyage home to see his
+wyfe, and founde the Countesse farre from the court, bicause the
+kyng of Spain was done to Vandelousie, and had taken with him
+the yong Earle of Arande, whiche then began to bere armes. The
+Countesse was retired to a house of pleasure, which shee had
+vpon the frontiers of Arragon and Nauarre, and was right ioyfull
+when shee see Amadour, who almoste three yeares had bene absent.
+He was very well recieued of euery man, and the countesse
+commaunded that he should be vsed and entreated as her howne
+sonne. During the time that he soiourned with her, she
+communicated vnto him all the affaires of her house, and
+committed the greatest trust thereof to his discretion, who wan
+such credite in the house as in all places where he liste, the
+dores were opened vnto him: whose wysedome and good behauiour
+made him to be estemed like a Sainct or Aungell. Florinda, for
+the loue and good wyll she bare unto his wyfe and him, made
+muche of him in all places where she sawe him: and therfore
+tooke no hede vnto his countenaunce, for that her hart as yet
+felt no passion, but a certen contentation in her selfe, when
+she was in the presence of Amadour, and of any other thing she
+thought not. Amadour to auoyde the iudgement of them that haue
+proued the difference of Louers countenaunces, was very ware and
+circumspect: for when Florinda came to speake vnto hym secretly
+(like one that thought no hurt) the fier hydden in his breste,
+burned so sore, as he could not staye the blushyng colour of his
+face, nor the sparkes whiche flewe out of his eyes: and to the
+intent, that through long frequentation, none might espie the
+same, he intertaigned a very fayre Ladye called Paulina, a woman
+in his tyme accompted so fayre, as fewe men whiche behelde her,
+coulde escape her bondes, This Ladye Paulina vnderstanding howe
+Amadour vsed his Loue at Barselone and Parpignon, and how he was
+beloued of the fayrest Ladies of the Countrie, and aboue all of
+the Countesse of Palamons, whiche in beautie was prysed to be
+the fayrest in all Spayne, and of many other, sayde vnto hym:
+“That shee had great pitie of hym, for that after so manye good
+Fortunes, he had maried a wyfe so foule and deformed.” Amadour
+vnderstanding well by those woordes, that she had desyre to
+remedy her owne necessitie, vsed the best maner he coulde
+deuise, to the intent that in makyng her beleue a lye, he should
+hyde from her the truthe. But shee subtile and well experimented
+in Loue, was not contente with talke, but perceyuing well that
+his harte was not satisfied with her Loue, doubted that hee
+coulde not serue his Lady in secrete wise, and therefore marked
+hym so nere, as daylye she had a respecte and watche vnto hys
+eyes, whiche hee coulde so well dissemble, as she was able to
+iudge nothyng, but by darke suspicion, not without great payne
+and difficultie to the Gentleman, to whome Florinda (ignoraunt
+of all their malice) dyd resorte many tymes in presence of
+Paulina, whose demeaner then was so familiar, as he with
+maruellous payne refrayned his lookes against his harte and
+desire: and to auoyde that no inconuenience should ensue, one
+daye speaking to Florinda, as they were both leaning at a
+wyndow, sayd these words: “Madame, I beseche you to tell mee
+whether it is better to speake or to die.” Whereunto Florinda
+answered readily, saying, “I will euer geue councell to my
+frendes to speake and not to dye: for there be fewe wordes
+spoken but that they may be amended, but the life lost cannot be
+recouered.” “Promise me then” said Amadour, “that not onely ye
+will accept those wordes which I will say, but also not to be
+astonned or abashed, till ye haue heard the end of my tale.” To
+whom she aunswered: “Say what it please you, for if you do
+affray me none other shall assure me.” Then he began to saye
+vnto her: “Madame, I haue not yet bene desirous to disclose vnto
+you the great affection which I beare you, for twoo causes: the
+one, bicause I attend by my long seruice, to shewe you the
+experience thereof: the other, for that I doubted you would
+thinke a great presumption in me (which am but a poore
+gentleman) to insinuate my selfe in place whereof I am not
+worthy: and although I were a Prince as you be, the loyaltie yet
+of your harte, will not permitte any other, but him which hath
+already taken possession (the sonne I meane of the Infant
+Fortune) to vse in talke any matter of loue: but Madame, like as
+necessitie in time of great warr constraineth men to make hauoke
+of their owne goodes, and to consume the greene corne, that the
+enemy take no profit and reliefe thereof, euen so doe I hazard
+to aduaunce the frute, which in time I hope to gather, that your
+enemies and mine may inioye thereof none aduauntage. Knowe ye
+Madame, that from the time of your tender yeares, I haue in such
+wyse dedicated my selfe to your seruice as I ceasse not still to
+aspire the meanes to achieue your grace and fauour: and for that
+occasion, I did marry her whome I thought you did loue best: and
+knowing the loue you beare to the sonne of the Infant Fortune,
+I haue indeuoured to serue him as you haue sene: and that
+wherein I thought you dyd delighte, I haue accomplished to the
+vttermoste of my power. You doe see that I haue gotten the good
+wil of the Countesse your mother, of the Earle your brother, and
+of all those that doe beare you good wyll: in sutche sorte as in
+this house I am estemed, not like a seruaunt, but as a sonne:
+and all the labour whiche I haue sustayned these fiue yeares
+past, was for none other cause, but to lyue all the daies of my
+life with you: and vnderstand you wel that I am none of those
+whiche by these meanes doe pretende to receiue of you anye
+profite or pleasure, other than that which is good and vertuous:
+I do know that I can neuer marrie you, and if I could I would
+not for letting the loue that you beare vnto him, whom I desire
+to be your husbande, likewise to loue you in vicious sorte, like
+them that hope to recompence their seruice with dishonour of
+their Ladies, I am so farre of from that affection, as I had
+rather be dead than to see you by desert worthy of lesse loue,
+and that your vertue shoulde by any meanes be diminished for any
+pleasure that might happen vnto mee. I do pretend and craue for
+the ende and recompence of my service, but one thing: which is,
+that you will continue my loyall and faithfull maistresse, neuer
+to withdrawe from me your wonted grace and fauour, and that you
+will maintaine mee in that estate wherein I am. Reposinge your
+trust and fidelitie in me more than in any other, making your
+selfe so assured of me, as if for your honor or any cause
+touching your person, you stand in neede of the life of a
+Gentleman, the same shal right willingly be employed at your
+commaundement: in like maner all thinges vertuous and honest
+which euer I shal attempt I beseech you to thinke to be done
+onely for the loue of you: and if I haue done for Ladies of
+lesse reputacion than you be, any thing worthy of regard, be
+assured that for such a maistresse as you be, my enterprises
+shal increase in such sort, as the things which I found
+difficult and impossible, shall be easelie for me to
+accomplishe; but if you do not accept mee to be wholy yours,
+I determine to giue ouer armes, and to renounce valiaunce,
+because it hath not succoured me in necessitie: wherfore,
+Madame, I humblie beseech you that my iust request may not be
+refused, sith with your honour and conscience you cannot well
+denie the same.” The yong Lady hearing this vnaccustomed sute,
+began to chaunge her colour, and to caste downe her eyes like an
+amased woman, notwithstandinge, being wyse and discrete she said
+vnto him: “If (Amadour) your request vnto me be none other than
+you pretende, wherefore have you discoursed this long Oration?
+I am afraid lest vnder this honeste pretence there lurketh some
+hidden malice to deceiue the ignoraunce of my youth, wherby I am
+wrapt in great perplexitie how to make you aunswere: for to
+refuse the honest amitie which you haue offered, I shall doe
+contrary to that I haue done hitherto, for I haue reposed in you
+more trust than in any liuing creature: my conscience or mine
+honour cannot gainesay your demaunde, nor the loue that I beare
+to the sonne of the Infant Fortune, which is grounded vpon fayth
+of mariage: where you say that you pretende nothinge but that is
+good and vertuous, I cannot tell what thing should let me to
+make you aunswere according to your request, but a feare that I
+conceiue in hart, founded vpon the small occasion that you haue
+to vse that speache, for if you haue alreadye what you demaunde,
+what doth constraine you to speake so affectuouslie?” Amadour
+that was not without an aunsweare, said vnto her: “Madame, you
+speake very wisely, and you do me so much honour, for the
+confidence and truste which according to your sayinge you do
+repose in me, as if I doe not content my selfe with such a
+benefite, I were the vnworthiest man aliue: but vnderstande
+Madame, that he which goeth about to builde a perpetual mansion,
+ought to haue regard to a sure and firme foundacion: wherfore I
+which desire perpetually to remaine your seruaunte, doe seeke
+not onely the meanes to kepe my selfe neare about you, but also
+to foresee that none doe vnderstand the great affection that I
+do beare you: for although my mind be so vertuous and honest, as
+the same may disclose it selfe before the whole worlde, yet
+there bee some so ignorant and vnskilfull of louers harts, as
+manye times will iudge contrary to trouth, wherof proceedeth so
+ill brute and report, as if the effectes were wicked: the cause
+which hath made me so bold to say and declare vnto you thus
+much, is the suspicion that Paulina hath conceyued, for that I
+cannot loue her: who doth nothing els but marke and espie my
+countenaunce in euerye place, and when you vse your familiar
+talke with me before her, I am so afraide to shewe any signe
+whereby shee maye grounde or verifie her iudgemente, that I fall
+into that inconuenience, which I would willingly auoyde:
+wherefore I haue thought good to beseech you (before her and
+those which you do know to be so malicious) to refraine from
+talkinge with mee so sodainlye, for I had rather dye, than anye
+liuinge creature should haue mistrust thereof: and were it not
+for the loue which I beare vnto your honour, I had not yet
+declared the same vnto you, for I do hold my selfe sufficiente
+happy and content of the onely loue and affiaunce that you put
+in me, crauing nought els butt the continuance of the same.”
+Florinda wel satisfyed with this aunswere, began to feele in
+harte a further thing to growe than euer she did before: and
+hearing the honest reasons alleaged by him, said, that her
+honestie and vertue shoulde make aunsweare for her, and
+therewithall assented to his demaunde: whereof whether Amadour
+were ioyful, Louers neede not doubt: but Florinda credited more
+his counsell, than he would haue had her. For shee being
+fearefull and timerous, not onely before Paulina, but in all
+other places, vsed farre other countenaunce than she was wont to
+do: and in this alienation of her former familiarity, she
+misliked the conuersation that Amadour had with Paulina, whose
+beauty was such, that she could not otherwise beleeue, but that
+hee loued her: and Florinda to passe ouer her heauinesse, daily
+vsed the company of Auenturade, that began maruelously to be
+ialous betweene her husbande and Paulina, whereof shee made
+complaint many times to Florinda, who comforted her so well as
+shee coulde, like one attached with the same disease: Amadour
+coniecturinge by the countenaunce of Florinda, that not onely
+shee was estraunged from hym through his former aduertisement,
+but also that there was some other displeasure conceyued,
+comming vpon a time, from euensong out of the Monasterie, he
+sayd vnto her: “Madame, what countenaunce do you make me?” “Such
+as I thincke doth please you best,” answered Florinda. Then
+Amadour suspecting a matter, to know whether it were true, began
+to saye: “Madame, I haue so vsed Paulina, as she beginneth to
+give ouer her opinion of you.” She answered him: “Ye cannot do a
+better thing either for your selfe or for me: for in doing your
+selfe a pleasure, you do honour vnto me.” Amadour iudged by
+these words that she thought he toke pleasure to talke of
+Paulina, wherewith he became so desperate, as hee could not
+forbeare to say vnto her in anger: “Madame, you begin very sone
+to torment your seruante: there was neuer paine more greeuous
+vnto mee, than to be forced to speake to her whom I loue not:
+and sithens al that which I do for your seruice is taken in ill
+part, I wil neuer speake againe vnto her, whatsoeuer happen: and
+to dissemble mine anger and contentacion, I wil addresse my
+selfe to some place hereby, till your fancie be ouer past: but I
+hope I shall receiue newes from my captaine, to retourne to the
+warres, where I will so longe continue, as you shall well knowe,
+that nothing els but you alone doth force me to tarrie here.”
+And in saying so, without attending for her aunswere, hee
+incontinently departed, and shee remayned so sad and pensive as
+any woman coulde be: and loue began to shewe his greate force in
+such wyse as shee knowing her wrong incessantly, wrote to
+Amadour praying him to retourne home, which he did within a few
+dayes after that his choler was past, and to tell you what
+businesse there was, to interrupte and breake the ialousie
+conceiued, it were superfluous: but in the ende, he wanne the
+field, so that she promised him, not onely to beleeue that he
+loued not Paulina, but also helde her selfe assured that it
+should be to him a martirdome intollerable, to speake vnto her
+or any other, except it were to do her seruice: after that loue
+had vanquished this presente suspicion, and that the two louers
+began to take more pleasure in their mutuall talke than euer
+they did before: newes came that the king of Spaine was about to
+addres his Armie to Saulse, wherfore he that was wont to be
+there with the first, was not like now to fayle to augment his
+honour: but true it is, that his griefe was presently more
+greate, than at other times before, aswell for losinge the
+pleasure which he enioyed, as for feare to finde some mutacion
+and chaunge at his returne, because he saw Florinda pursued by
+great Princes and Lords, and alreadye come to the age of XV.
+yeares, and thought that if she were maried in his absence, he
+should neuer haue occasion to see her againe, except the
+Countesse of Arande would appointe his wyfe to waite vppon her:
+for accomplishment wherof he made such frends, as the Countesse
+and Florinda promised him, that into what soeuer place she were
+maried his wyfe Auenturade should attende vpon her: and although
+it was in question that Florinda should be maried into
+Portugall, yet determined that his wyfe should neuer forsake
+her: and vppon this assuraunce, not without vnspeakeable sorow,
+Amadour departed and left his wife with the Countesse. When
+Florinda was alone, her seruaunt departed, shee gaue her selfe
+to all vertuous life, hopinge thereby to atteine the fame
+of a most perfecte Lady, and to be counted worthie the
+interteignemente of such a seruaunt. Amadour arriued at
+Barsalone, was banqueted and intertayned of the Ladies after the
+old maner, but they finding him so altered and chaunged, thought
+that Mariage could neuer haue had such power vppon man, as it
+had ouer him: for he seemed then to disdaine, what somtime he
+greatly desired, and specially the Countesse of Palamons, whom
+he derely loued, could deuise by no meanes to make him go alone
+home to his lodging: Amadour tarried at Barsalone so little
+while as hee coulde, because hee might not come late to the
+place where hee purposed to winne and atchiue honour: and being
+arriued at Saulse, great and cruell warres were comenced betwene
+the two kinges, which I purpose not to recite, ne yet the noble
+enterprises done by Amadour, whose fame was bruted aboue the
+rest of his companions. The duke of Nagyers arriuinge at
+Parpignon, had charge of two thousand men, and prayed Amadour to
+be his Lieuetenaunte, who with that hand serued so well, as no
+crie was hard in al the skirmishes, other than of Nagyers. It
+chaunced that the king of Thunis, which of long time had warre
+with the Spaniards, vnderstandinge howe the kinges of Spaine and
+Fraunce were together by the eares at Parpignon and Narbonne,
+thought that in better time he could not anoye the king of
+Spaine: wherefore he sent a great nomber of Foists and other
+vessels, to robbe and spoile those frontiers which were ill
+guarded and kept: they of Barsalone seing a nomber of Shippes
+passe before the Towne, aduertised the king that was at Saulse,
+who immediatly sent the Duke of Nagyers to Palamons: and when
+the shippes discried that the place was well guarded, they made
+as though they would passe further: but about midnight they
+retourned, and landed so many men, that the Duke of Nagyers was
+taken prisoner. Amadour which was very vigilant, hearing
+allarme, presently assembled so many men as he could, and
+defended him self so wel, as the force of his enemies a long
+time could not hurt him: but in thende knowing that the Duke of
+Nagyers was taken prisoner, and that the Turks were determined
+to burn the Citie of Palamons, and then to fier the house which
+he strongly had forced againste them, hee thought it better to
+render himself, than to be cause of the losse of so manye good
+souldiors as were vnder his gouernmente, and also by putting
+himselfe to raunsome, he hoped in time to come to see Florinda:
+then he submitted himselfe to a Turke called Derlyn, the
+gouernor of the king of Thunis, who conueyed him home to his
+maister, where he was well entertaigned, and better kept: for
+they thought that hauing him in their hands, they had gotten the
+only Achilles of Spaine. In this sort Amadour continued almost
+the space of two yeares, in the seruice of the king of Thunis:
+newes came into Spaine of this ouerthrow, wherof the frends of
+the Duke of Nagyers, were very sorowfull: but they that loued
+the honor of their countrie, thoughte Amadour to bee the
+greatest losse, the brute wherof was noysed in the house of the
+Countesse of Arande, wher at that time the poore gentlewoman
+Auenturade lay very sore sicke. The Countesse suspecting very
+much the affection that Amadour bare vnto her daughter, which he
+suffered and dissembled for his vertue’s sake, called her
+daughter aside, and told her the pitious newes. Florinda which
+could well dissemble said unto her, that it was a great losse
+for al their house, but specially she pitied the state of his
+poore wife, because at that time she was so sore sicke. But
+seing her mother weepe so bitterly, she let fal some teares to
+keepe her company, least through to much dissimulacion her loue
+might be discouered. After that time, the Countesse spake to her
+many times, but she could neuer perceiue by her countenance, any
+cause of certaine suspicion. I will leaue to speake of the
+voyages, the prayers, the supplications and fastings, which
+Florinda did ordinarily make for the safegard and prosperitie of
+Amadour, who incontinently so sone as he was ariued at Thunis,
+sent newes to his frends, and by a sure messenger aduertized
+Florinda, that he was in good health and hope to retourne. Which
+newes was to the poore Lady, the only meanes to releue and ease
+her sorow. And doubt ye not, but the meanes of writing, was
+vtterly debarred from Amadour, wherof Florinda acquited herself
+so diligently, as by her letters and epistles, he receiued great
+consolation and comfort. The Countesse of Arande receiued
+commaundement from the king to repaire to Saragosa, where hee
+that time was arriued. And there she found the yong Duke of
+Cardonne making sute to the king and Queene, for mariage of her
+daughter. The Countesse vnwilling to disobey the king, agreed,
+thinkinge that her daughter being very yonge, had none other
+affection, but that which already had taken sure impression.
+When the accorde was concluded, shee sayde vnto her daughter,
+that she had chosen that matche, as best worthy to ioyne with
+her person. Her daughter considering howe in a thing already
+done it was to late to take counsell, said vnto her, that God
+was to be praised in all things. And seing her mother so far
+alienated from her intent, she thought it better to shew her
+selfe obedient, than to take pitie vpon herselfe. And to comfort
+her in that sorowe, she vnderstode that the infant Fortune was
+at the point of death. But before her mother or any other
+person, she shewed not so much as one signe or token therof,
+strayning her grief so much, as the teares by force retiringe to
+her harte, did cause the bloud to issue forth at her Nose, in
+such abundance, as her life was in present daunger. And to
+recouer her of that disease, shee was maried vnto him, for whose
+sake shee had rather haue chaunged her life for present death.
+After the mariage, Florinda went wyth her husbande into the
+Duchy of Cardonne, and in her company Auenturade, to whom she
+secretly made complaint, as wel of her mother’s rigor, as also
+of the sorow she conceyued for the losse of the sonne of the
+Infant Fortune. But of her griefe for Amadour, she spake no
+worde, but by way of comforting her. This yong lady then
+determined to haue God and the respect of her honoure before her
+eies, and so wel to dissemble her griefes, as none at any time
+should perceiue that shee misliked her husband. In this sort
+Florinda passed long time, in a life no lesse pleasaunt than
+death. The report whereof she sent to her good seruaunt Amadour,
+who vnderstanding her great loue, and wel disposed hart, and the
+loue shee bare to the Infant Fortune, thought that it was
+impossible she could liue long, and lamented her state more than
+his owne. This griefe augmented his paine of imprisonmente,
+wishinge to haue remayned a slaue all the days of his life, so
+that Florinda had had a husbande respondent to her desire,
+forgettinge his owne griefe by feeling that his frende did
+suffer. And because he vnderstode by a secret friend which he
+had gotten in the Court of the king of Thunis, that the king was
+minded to offer him the gibbet, or els to make him renounce his
+fayth, for the desire hee had to retaine him still, and to make
+him a good Turke, he behaued himself so well, wyth him that toke
+him prisoner, that he gaue him leaue to depart vpon his fayth,
+taxing him at so greate raunsome, as he thought a man of so
+small substance was neuer able to pay. And so without speaking
+to the king his maister, hee let him go vpon his fayth. After he
+had shewed himselfe at the Court of the king of Spaine, he
+departed incontinently to his frends to get his raunsome, and
+went straight to Barsalone, whether the yong Duke of Cardonne,
+his mother, and Florinda, was gone aboute certaine affaires.
+Auenturade so sone as she heard tell that her husband was come,
+declared the same to Florinda, who seemed for her sake greatly
+to reioyce therat. But fearing that the desire she had to see
+him would make her chaunge countenaunce, and that they which
+knew not the cause therof, would conceiue some ill opinion, she
+stode still at a window to see him come a far of: and so sone as
+she espied him, shee went downe a paire of darke staires that
+none mighte perceiue her chaunge of colour. When she had
+imbraced Amadour, shee led him into her chamber, and from thence
+to her mother in law, which had neuer seene him before. He had
+not continued there two dayes, but he was so well beloued, as he
+was before in the house of the Countesse of Arande. I will
+omitte the words and talke betwene Florinda and Amadour, and the
+complaintes which he made vnto her of his ill aduenture, that
+hee had sustayned in his absence. And after manye teares vttered
+by her, for the heauines she had taken, aswel for the mariage
+against her wil, as for the losse of him that she loued so
+dearely, and for him whom she thoughte neuer to see againe, shee
+determined to take her consolation in the loue and fidelitie
+that she bare to Amadour, which notwithstanding she durst not
+open and declare: but he that much doubted therof, lost no
+occasion and time to let her know and vnderstande the great loue
+he bare her. And euen vppon the point that she was ready to
+receiue him, not as a seruaunt, but for her assured and perfect
+frend, there chaunced a maruellous fortune: for the king, for
+certaine matters of importance, incontinently sent forth
+Amadour, wherof his wyfe conceyued such sorrow, as hearing those
+newes, she souned and fell from the stayres where she stode,
+wherewith she hurte herselfe so sore, as neuer after she
+reuiued. Florinda (that by the death of her had lost all
+comfort) made such sorrow, as one that was destitute of good
+frends and kinsfolke, but Amadour toke the same in worst part:
+for he had not onely lost one of the most honest women that euer
+was, but also the meanes that he should neuer after that time
+haue occasion to visit Florinda. For which cause he fell into
+such sicknes, as he was like to haue died sodainly. The old
+Duchesse of Cardonne, incessantly did visite him, and alledged
+many philosophical reasons to make him paciently to receiue
+death, bu{t} it auayled nothing: for if death of thone side did
+torment him, loue on the other did augment his martirdome.
+Amadour seing that his wyfe was buried, and that the king had
+sent for him, (hauing no occasion of longer abode there) he
+entred into such dispaire, as hee seemed to be oute of his
+wittes. Florinda which in comforting him was almost desolate,
+remayned by him one whole afternone, vsinge very honest and
+discrete talke vnto him, thinking thereby to diminishe the
+greatnesse of his sorrowe, and assured him that shee would
+deuise wayes how he might visite her more oft than he did thinke
+for. And because he must depart the next morning, and was so
+feeble and weake that he could not rise from his bed, he
+intreated her to come and se him at night after euery man was
+retired to bed: which she promised to doe, not knowing that
+loue’s extremety was voyd of reason. And he that saw no hope
+euer after that time to see her againe, whom so long time he had
+serued: and of whom he had neuer receyued other interteignment
+than that you haue heard, was so beaten and ouercom with loue
+long dissembled, and of the despaire he conceiued, that (all
+meanes to vse her company taken away) he purposed to play double
+or quit, either to lose her, or to win her fauour for euer, and
+to pay himself at one instant the rewarde which he thought he
+had right wel deserued. Wherfore he caused the curtaines of his
+bed to be drawen, that they which came into the chamber mighte
+not see him, complayning of sicknes more than he was wont to do,
+wherby they of the house thought he would not haue liued XXIV.
+houres. After euery one of the house had visited him at night,
+Florinda (at the special request of her husband) came to see
+him, thinking for his comfort to vtter vnto him her affection,
+and how aboue all other she would loue him, so far as her honor
+did permit: and sitting downe in a chayre at the bed’s head, she
+began to comfort him, and therwithal powred out many teares.
+Amadour seing her sorowful and pensife, thought that in her
+great torment he might easely attaine the effect of his intent,
+and lifted himself vp in his bed, which Florinda perceyuing, she
+would haue staied him, because she thought that through weakenes
+he was not able to moue: and kneeling vpon his knees, he said
+vnto her: “Must I for euermore forgo your sight mine owne deare
+Lady?” And in saying so he fel downe betwene her armes like one
+that fainted for lack of strength. Then poore Florinda imbraced
+him, and of long time held him vp, doing all that was possible
+for his comfort. But the medecine she gaue him to ease his
+sorow, did rather increase the same more strong: for in fayning
+himself half dead, without speaking any word, he attempted that
+which the honor of womanhode doth defend. When Florinda
+perceiued his ill intent, she could scarce beleue the same,
+considering his honest requests made before time, and therfore
+asked him what it was that he desired. But Amadour fearing to
+heare her aunswere which he knew well could be none other but
+chaste and vertuous, without further talke, pursued his purpose
+so earnestly as he could, wherwith Florinda beinge astonned did
+suspect he had bin out of his wittes rather than beleue that he
+wente about her dishonor. Wherefore with loude voice she called
+a gentleman that was in the chamber. Which Amadour hearing,
+vtterly in dispaire, threw himself so sodenly into his bed, as
+the gentleman thought he had beene dead. Florinda rising out of
+the chaire, said vnto him: “Goe quickly and fetch some good
+vineger.” Which the gentleman did. Then Florinda began to say
+vnto him: “Amadour, what follie hath inchaunted your wisedome?
+And what is that which you would haue done unto me?” Amadour
+that through the force of loue had lost al reason, said vnto
+her: “Doth my long seruice merite a recompence of such cruelty?”
+“And wher is the honesty then,” said Florinda, “which so many
+times you haue preached vnto me?” “Ah, madame!” said Amadour:
+“I beleue it is impossible your selfe more faithfully to loue
+your owne honour than I do. For when you were vnmaried, I could
+so wel subdue my harte and affection, as you did neuer
+vnderstand my will and desire. And now that you be maried, to
+the intente your honour may reste in couerte, what wrong do I to
+aske that which is mine owne, for by force of loue I haue won
+you? He that first enioyed your harte, hath so ill followed the
+victorie of your bodye, as hee hath well deserued to lose
+altogether. He that possesseth your body, is not worthy to haue
+your hart, wherefore your body is none of his, ne yet he hath no
+title in the same. But I Madame, these fiue or sixe yeares haue
+susteyned suche paynes and trauaile for your sake, as you are
+not ignoraunt but to me appertayneth both your body and harte,
+for whose sake I haue vtterlye forgotten mine owne. And if you
+can finde in your hart to defende mee from my right, doubt ye
+not but they which haue proued the forces of loue, wil lay the
+blame on you, which hath in this sort robbed me from my
+libertie, and with your heauenly graces hath obscured my sences,
+that not knowing hereafter what to do, I am constrayned to go
+without hope for euer to see you againe. Notwithstanding
+warrante your selfe, that in what place so euer I am, you shall
+still possesse my harte, which shall continue your’s for euer,
+be I vppon the lande or water, or betweene the hands of my moste
+cruell enemies. But if I could recouer before my departure, that
+surety of you which the greatnesse of my loue deserueth, I shall
+be strong enough paciently to beare the griefes of my long
+absence. And if it please you not to graunt me this request, you
+shal shortly heare tell that your rigor hath rendred vnto me a
+most vnhappy and cruel death.” Florinda no lesse astonned than
+sorie, to heare such words proceede from him, of whom she neuer
+had any such suspicion, weepinge saide unto him: “Alas, Amadour,
+is this the meaning of those vertuous words which sithens the
+beginning of my youth ye haue vttered vnto me? Is this the honor
+of the conscience, which you haue many times perswaded me rather
+to die than lose the same? Haue you forgotten the good examples
+recited vnto me of vertuous dames that haue resisted foolish
+loue? And is this the maner of your contempt of Ladies that were
+foolish and vaine, whose light behauiour you dissembled so much
+to abhorre? I cannot beleeue Amadour that you are driuen into
+such madnes and furie, as the feare of GOD, your owne
+conscience, and the estimacion of mine honor, should be
+altogether out of your minde and memorie. But if it so be as you
+say, I do praise the goodnes of God, which hath preuented the
+mishap that nowe I am fallen into, in shewing me by your words,
+the hart which I did not know. For hauing lost the sonne of the
+Infant Fortune, who not onely is maried into another place, but
+also loued another, and I now maried to him, which I cannot
+loue, I thought and determined wholly, with all mine hart and
+affection to loue you, founding the same vpon that vertue which
+I knew to be in you, which loue by your meanes onelye I haue
+conceiued, and therfore did more esteeme my honor and
+conscience, than the price of mine owne life. Vppon assurance of
+this stone of honestie, I am come hither thinking to build a
+most sure foundacion. But (Amadour) in one moment thou haste
+declared, how in place of a pure foundacion, thy buildinge is
+reared vpon a light sand, and vnconstant ground, or els vpon a
+filthy and foul quamire. And where I began to erect a good part
+of the lodgings of this building vpon the ground of the
+fidelitie, hoping to dwel there for euer, sodenly thou hast
+ouerthrowen the whole plot. Wherfore, you must immediately
+breake in sonder the hope and credit that euermore you haue
+found in me, and determine that in what place soeuer I be, not
+to pursue me either by worde or countenaunce. And do not thinke,
+that I can or will at anye time hereafter chaunge this mine
+opinion, reciting this my last adieu with great sorrow and
+griefe. But if I had made an othe of this perfect amitie and
+loue, I know mine harte would haue died vpon this breach,
+although the astonishment in that I am deceiued, is so great, as
+I am wel assured it will make my life either short or sorowfull:
+and therefore I bid you farewel and that for euer.” I purpose
+not to tel you the sorow which Amadour felt by hearing those
+words, because it is impossible not only to write them, but also
+to thincke them, except it be of such as haue had experience of
+the like. And seing that vppon this cruel conclusion she would
+haue gone away, he caught her by the arme, knowing well that if
+he did not remoue that ill opinion, which by his owne occasion
+she had conceyued, hee should lose her for euer. Wherfore he
+said vnto her with a very faint chere: “Madame, al the dayes of
+my life I haue desired to loue a woman endued with honestie and
+vertue: and because I haue found so few, I would fain haue tried
+whether your person had bin worthy of estimacion and loue,
+wherof now I am wel assured, and humblie do praise God
+therefore, because mine hart is addressed to such perfection:
+beseching you to pardon this fond and bold attempt, sith you see
+that the end doth redound to your owne honor and contentacion.”
+Florinda, which began to know by him the malice of other men,
+like as she was hard to beleue the euill wher it was, euen so
+she was more difficile to credite the good where it was not, and
+said vnto him: “I pray to God your words be true: yet am I not
+so ignorant but that the state of mariage wherein I am, hath
+made me euidently to know the strong passion of blind loue which
+hath forced you vnto this follie: for if God had losed my hande,
+I am wel assured you would not haue plucked back the bridle:
+they that attempt to seeke after vertue, do not take the way
+that you do tread: but this is sufficient if I haue lightly
+beleeued any honestie in you, it is time for me now to know the
+truth, that I may rid my self from you.” And in saying so,
+Florinda went out of the chamber, and all the nighte long, she
+neuer left weeping, feeling such great griefe in that
+alteracion, as her hart had much to do, to sustaine the assaults
+of sorrow that loue had made: for although reason thoughte neuer
+to loue him againe, yet the hart which is not subiect to our
+fancie, would not accord to that crueltie: for which
+consideracion, she loued him no lesse than she was wont to do,
+and knowing that loue was the cause of that fault, she purposed
+for satisfaction of loue, to Loue him with all her hart, and yet
+for the obedience and fealtie due to her honor, she thought
+neuer to make any semblance. In the morning Amadour departed in
+this sort, troubled as you haue hearde, neuerthelesse his
+couragious heart centred not in dispaire, but renued a fresh
+hope once againe to see Florinda, and to win her fauour: then he
+toke his iourney towards the Court of Spaine (which was at
+Tolledo) taking his way by the Countesse of Arande, wher late in
+an euening he arriued, and found the Countesse verye sicke for
+the absence of her daughter Florinda: when shee saw Amadour,
+shee kissed and imbraced him, as if he had beene her owne child,
+aswel for the loue she bare vnto him, as for the like which she
+doubted that he bare to Florinda, of whom very earnestly she
+inquired for newes, who tolde her the best that he could deuise,
+but not the whole truth, and confessed vnto her the loue
+betweene Florinda and him, (which Florinda had still conceiled
+and kept secrete) praying her ayde to bring him againe into her
+fauour: and so the next morning he departed. And after he had
+done his businesse with the Queene, he repayred to the warres,
+so sadde and chaunged in all his condicions, as the Ladies,
+Captaynes and all they that were wonte to keepe him companie,
+did not know him. His apparell was all blacke, mourning for the
+death of his wife, wherby he couered the sorrow which was hid in
+his hart. In this wyse Amadour passed three or 4 yeres before he
+returned to the Court. And the Countesse of Arande which heard
+tell that Florinda was so much altered, as it would haue moued
+any hart to behold her, sent for her, hoping that she would haue
+come, but her expectacion was frustrate, for when Florinda
+vnderstode that Amadour had told her mother the good will
+betweene them, and that her mother being so wise and vertuous
+giuing credite to Amadour, did beleue his report, she was in
+marueilous perplexitie, because of the one side she saw that her
+mother did esteeme him so well, and on the other side if she
+declared vnto her the truth, Amadour woulde conceiue
+displeasure: which thing she had rather die than to do:
+wherefore she thought herselfe strong inough to chastise him of
+his folly, without helpe of frends. Againe, she perceyued that
+by dissembling the euil which she knew by him, she should be
+constrained by her mother and her frends, to speake and beare
+him good countenaunce, wherby she feared he would be the more
+encoraged: but seing that he was far of, she passed the lesse of
+the matter: and when the Countesse her mother did commaunde her,
+she wrote letters vnto him, but they were such as he might wel
+gather that they were written rather vpon obedience, than of
+good wil, the reading wherof bred sorrow vnto him in place of
+that ioye he was wonte to conceiue in her former wrytings.
+Within the terme of two or three yeres, after he had done so
+many noble enterprises as al the paper of Spaine could not
+containe them, he deuised a new inuention, not to wynne and
+recouer the harte of Florinda (for he demed the same quite lost)
+but to haue the victorie ouer his enemy, sithens she had vsed
+him in that sorte, and reiecting al reason and specially feare
+of death, into the hazarde wherof he hasted himselfe, he
+concluded and determined his enterprise in such sorte, as for
+his behauiour towardes the Gouernour, hee was deputed and sent
+by him to treate with the king of certaine exploytes to be done
+at Locates, sparing not to impart his message to the Countesse
+of Aranda, before he told the same to the king, to vse her good
+aduise therein: and so came in poste straight into the Countie
+of Aranda, where he had intelligence in what place Florinda
+remained, and secretly sent to the Countesse one of his frendes
+to tell her of his comming, and to pray her to keepe it close,
+and that he might speake with her that night in secrete wise
+that no man might perceiue: the Countesse very ioyfull of his
+comming, tolde it to Florinda, and sent her into her husbande’s
+chamber, that she might be ready when she should send for her
+after eche man was gone to bed. Florinda whiche was not yet well
+boldened by reason of her former feare, making a good face of
+the matter to her mother, withdrewe her selfe into an oratorie
+or chappell, to recommend her selfe to God, praying him to
+defend her hart from al wicked affection, and therwithal
+considered how often Amadour had praysed her beautie, which was
+not impaired or diminished, although she had bene sicke of longe
+time before: wherefore thinking it better to doe iniurie to her
+beautie by defacing it, than to suffer the harte of so honest a
+personage by meanes thereof wickedly to be inflamed, shee tooke
+vp a stone which was within the Chappell, and gaue her selfe so
+great a blowe on the face that her mouthe, eyes and nose, were
+altogether deformed: and to thintent no man might suspect what
+she had done, when the Countesse sent for her in going out of
+the Chappell, she fell downe vppon a great stone, and
+therewithall cried out so loude, as the Countesse came in and
+founde her in pitious state, who incontinently dressing her
+face, and binding it vp with clothes, conueyed her into her
+chamber, and prayed her to goe into her closet to entertaigne
+Amadour, tyll she were weary of his companie: whiche she did,
+thinking that there had bene somebody with hym: but finding him
+alone, and the doore shut vpon her, Amadour was not so well
+pleased as she was discontented: who nowe thoughte eyther with
+loue or force to get that, whiche hee had so long tyme desyred:
+and after he had spoken a fewe woordes vnto her, and found her
+in that mynde hee lefte her, and that to dye for it shee woulde
+not chaunge her opinion, desperatly he sayde vnto her: “By God
+madame, the fruite of my labour shall not be thus taken from me
+for scruples and doubtes: and sithe that Loue, pacience, and
+humble desires, cannot preuayle, I will not spare by force to
+get that, which except I haue it will be the meanes of mine
+overthrowe.” When Florinda sawe his face and eyes so altered,
+and that the fairest die and colour of the world, was become so
+red as fier, with his most pleasaunt and amiable loke
+transformed into horrible hew and furious, and therewithall
+discried the very hote burning fier, to sparkle within his harte
+and face: and how in that fury with one of his strong fistes he
+griped her delicate and tender hands: and on the other side shee
+seeing all her defences to fayle her, and that her feete and
+handes were caught in suche captiuitie as she could neither run
+away nor yet defend her selfe: knewe none other remedie, but to
+proue if he had yet remaining in him any griftes of the former
+loue, that for the honour therof he might forget his crueltie.
+Wherefore she sayd vnto him: “Amadour, if now you doe accompt me
+for an enemy, I besech you for the honestie of the loue which at
+other times I haue found planted in your harte, to geue me leaue
+to speake before you doe torment me.” And when shee saw him
+recline his eare, she pursued her talk in this wyse: “Alas,
+Amadour, what cause haue you to seke after the thing wherof you
+shall receiue no contentation, inflicting vppon me such
+displeasure as there can be no greater? you haue many times
+proued my wil and affection in the time of my youthfull dayes,
+and of my beautie farre more excellent than it is now, at what
+tyme your passion might better be borne with and excused, than
+nowe: in such wyse as I am nowe amased to see that you haue the
+harte to torment me at that age and great debilitie wherewith I
+am affected: I am assured that you doubt not but that my wyl and
+mind is such as it was wont to be: wherefore you can not obtayne
+your demaunde but by force: and if you sawe howe my face is
+arrayed, you would forget the pleasure whiche once you conceiued
+in me, and by no meanes would forcibly approche nere vnto me:
+and if there be lefte in you yet any remnantes of loue, it is
+impossible but that pitie may vanquishe your furie: and to that
+pitie and honestie whereof once I had experience in you, I do
+make my plaint, and of the same I do demaund grace and pardon,
+to thintent that according to theffect of your wonted perswasion
+and good aduise you may suffer me to liue in that peace and
+honestie, which I haue determined and vowed during life: and if
+the loue which you haue borne me be conuerted into hatred, and
+that more for reuengement than affection, you doe purpose to
+make me the moste unhappy of the world, I assure you, you shall
+not be able to bryng your intent to passe, besides that you
+shall constrayne me against my determination, to vtter and
+reueale your villany and disordinate appetite towardes her which
+did repose in you an incredible affiance: by discouering
+whereof, thinke verely that your lyfe cannot continue without
+perill.” Amadour breaking her talke sayde vnto her: “If I die
+for it, I will presently be acquieted of my torment: but the
+deformitie of your face (whiche I thinke was done by you of set
+purpose) shall not let me to accomplishe my will: for since I
+can get nothing of you but the bones and carcase, I will holde
+them so fast as I can.” And when Florinda sawe that prayers,
+reason, nor teares could not auayle, but that with crueltie he
+woulde nedes followe his villanous desire, which she had
+hetherto still auoided by force of resistence, she did helpe her
+selfe so long, till she feared the losse of her breath, and with
+a heauy and piteous voice she called her mother so loud as shee
+could crie, who hearing her daughter crie and cal with rufull
+voyce, began greatly to feare the thing that was true: wherfore
+she ran so fast as she could into the warderobe. Amadour not
+being so nere death as he saide he was, left of his holde in
+suche good time, as the Ladye opening her closet, founde him at
+the dore, and Florinda farre enough from him. The Countesse
+demaunded of him, saying: “Amadour what is the matter? tell me
+the truthe.” Who like one that was neuer vnprouided of excuse,
+with his pale face and wanne, and his breath almoste spent,
+sayde vnto her: “Alas, madame, in what plight is my lady
+Florinda? I was neuer in all my life in that amase wherin I am
+now: for as I sayd vnto you, I had thought that I had inioyed
+part of her good will, but nowe I know right well that I haue
+none at all: I thinke madame, that sithe the time she was
+brought vp with you, shee was neuer lesse wise and vertuous than
+shee is nowe, but farre more daungerous and squeimishe in
+speaking and talking then behoueth, and euen nowe I would haue
+loked vpon her, but she would not suffer me: and when I viewed
+her countenaunce, thinking that it had bene some dreame or
+vision, I desired to kisse her hande, according to the fashion
+of the countrey, which shee vtterly refused. True it is Madame,
+I haue offended her, wherof I craue pardon of you, but it
+chaunced only for that I toke her by the hand, which I did in a
+maner by force, and kissed the same demaunding of her no other
+pleasure: but she like one (as I suppose) that hath sworne my
+death, made an outcry for you (as you haue hearde) for what
+cause I know not, except that shee were afraide I would haue
+forced some other thing: notwithstanding Madame, whatsoeuer the
+matter be, I protest vnto you the wrong is myne, and albeit that
+she ought to loue al your honest seruaunts, yet fortune so
+willeth as I alone, the moste affectioned of them all, is
+clerely exempt out of her fauour: and yet I purpose still to
+continue towardes you and her, the same man I came hither,
+beseching the continuance of your good grace and fauour, sithens
+that without desert I haue loste hers.” The Countesse which
+partely beleued, and partelye mistrusted his talke, went vnto
+her daughter, and demaunded wherfore she cried out so loud.
+Florinda answered that she was afrayde: and albeit the Countesse
+subtilly asked her of many things, yet Florinda would neuer make
+other answere, for that hauing escaped the handes of her enemy,
+she thought it punishement enough for him to lose his labour:
+after that the Countesse had of long tyme communed with Amadour,
+she lefte him yet once againe to enter in talke with Florinda
+before her, to see what countenaunce shee would make him. To
+whom he spake fewe wordes except they were thankes for that she
+had not confessed the truthe to her mother, praying her at least
+wise that seing he was dispossessed out of her hart, she would
+suffer none other to receiue his place: but she answering his
+former talke, saide: “If I had had any other meanes to defend my
+selfe from you than by crying out, she should neuer haue heard
+me, and of me you shall neuer heare worse, except you doe
+constrayne me as you haue done, and for louing any other man,
+you shall not neede to feare: for sithe I haue not found in your
+harte (which I estemed the most vertuous in all the world) the
+good successe that I desired, I wyll neuer beleue hereafter that
+vertue is planted in any man. And this outrage shall make me
+free from all passions that Loue can force.” And in saying so
+she tooke her leaue. The mother which behelde her countenaunce,
+could suspecte nothing, and after that tyme, shee was persuaded
+that her daughter bare no more affection to Amadour, and thought
+assuredly that she was voyde of reason, because she hated al
+those things which she was wont to loue: and from that time
+forth there was such warre betwene the mother and the daughter,
+as the mother for the space of VII. yeares would not speake vnto
+her, except it were in anger: which she did at the request of
+Amadour: during which time, Florinda conuerted the misliking of
+her husband, into mere and constant loue, to auoyde the rigour
+and checkes of her mother: howbeit, seing that nothing could
+preuayle, she purposed to beguile Amadour, and leauing for a day
+or two her straunge countenance towards him, she counselled
+Amadour to loue a woman, whiche as she sayd, did commonly
+dispute and talke of their loue. This lady dwelt with the Queene
+of Spaine, and was called Lorette, who was very ioyfull and glad
+to get such a seruant: and Florinda founde meanes to cause a
+brute of this newe loue to be spred in euery place, and
+specially the Countesse of Arande (being at the Court) perceiued
+the same, who afterwards was not so displeased with Florinda, as
+she was wont to be: Florinda vpon a tyme heard tel that a
+Captain the husband of Loret, began to be ialous ouer his wife,
+determining by some meanes or other, he cared not howe, to kill
+Amadour. Florinda notwithstanding her dissembled countenance,
+could not suffer any hurt to be done to Amadour, and therefore
+incontinently gaue him aduertisement thereof: but he retourning
+againe to his former follies, answered, that if it would please
+her to intertaigne him euery day three houres, he would neuer
+speake againe to Lorette, whereunto by no meanes shee would
+consent. Then Amadour saide vnto her: “If you will not haue me
+to liue, wherefore go ye about to defend me from death? except
+ye purpose to torment me aliue with greater extremitie then a
+thousand deathes can do: but for so much as death doth flie from
+me, I will neuer leaue to seeke him out, by whose approche only
+I shall haue rest.” Whilest they were in these tearmes, newes
+came that the kyng of Granado was about to enter into great
+warres against the king of Spain: in suche wyse as the king sent
+against hym the Prince his sonne, and with hym the constable of
+Castile, and the Duke of Albe, twoo auncient and sage Lordes.
+The duke of Cardonne and the counte of Arande not willing to
+tarie behinde, besought the kyng to geue eyther of them a
+charge: whiche hee did according to the dignitie of their
+houses, appointing Amadour to be their guide: who during that
+warre, did sutche valiaunt factes as they seemed rather to be
+desperately than hardily enterprysed: and to come to the effect
+of this discourse, his great valiaunce was tryed euen to the
+death: for the Moores making a bragge as though they would geue
+battayle, when they sawe the army of the Christians,
+counterfaited a retire, whome the Spaniardes pursued, but the
+olde Constable and the duke of Albe doubting their pollicie,
+stood still, against the will of the Prince of Spaine, not
+suffering him to passe ouer the Ryuer, but the counte of Arande
+and the Duke of Cardonne, (although they were countremanded) did
+followe the chase, and when the Moores sawe that they were
+pursued with so small a number, they returned, and at one
+recountrie kylled the Duke of Cardonne, and the Counte of Arande
+was so sore hurte as hee was lefte for dead in the place.
+Amadour arriuing vpon this ouerthrowe, inuaded the battayle of
+the Moores with sutche rage and furie, as hee rescued the twoo
+bodyes of the Duke and Countie, and caused them to be conueyed
+to the Prince’s campe, who so lamented their chaunce, as if they
+had bene his owne brethren: but in searching their woundes, the
+Countie of Arande was founde to be aliue, and was sent home to
+his own house in a horselitter, where of long time he was sicke,
+and likewise was conueied to Cardonne the dead bodie of the yong
+Duke. Amadour in rescuing those two bodies, tooke so little
+heede to him selfe, as he was inclosed with a great number of
+the Moores, and because he would bee no more taken, as well to
+verifie his faith towardes God, as also his vowe made to his
+Lady, and also considering that if he were prysoner to the kyng
+of Granado, either hee should cruelly be put to death, or els
+forced to renounce his faith, he determined not to make his
+death or taking glorious to his enemies: wherefore kissing the
+crosse of his sworde, and rendring his body and soule to the
+handes of almighty God, he stabbed him selfe into the body with
+sutche a blow, as there neded no second wound to rid him of his
+life: in this sorte died poore Amadour, so muche lamented as his
+vertues did deserue. The newes hereof was bruted throughout
+Spaine, and came to Florinda who then was at Barselone, where
+her husbande in his life tyme ordeined the place of his buriall:
+and after shee had done his honourable obsequies, without making
+her own mother, or mother in law priuie, she surrendred her
+selfe into the monasterie of Iesus, there to liue a religious
+life, receiuing him for her husband and friende, whiche had
+deliuered her from the vehement loue of Amadour, and from a
+displeasaunt life so great and vnquiet as was the company of her
+husband. In this wise she conuerted all her affections, to
+pietie and the perfit loue of God, who after she had long time
+liued a religious life, shee yelded vp her soule in such ioye as
+the Bridegrom doth when he goeth to visite his spowes.
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTY-FOURTH NOUELL.
+
+  _The incontinencie of a duke and of his impudencie to attaine his
+  purpose, with the iust punishement which he receiued for the same._
+
+
+In the Citie of Florence (the chiefest of all Thuscane) there
+was a Duke that maried the Lady Margaret the bastarde daughter
+of the Emperour Charles the fift. And bicause shee was very
+young, it was not lawfull for him to lye with her, but taryng
+till she was of riper yeres, he interteigned an vsed her like a
+noble gentleman. And who to spare his wife, was amorous of
+certaine other Gentlewomen of the citie. Amonges whom he was in
+loue with a very fayre and wyse Gentlewoman, that was sister to
+a Gentleman, a seruaunt of his, whome the Duke loued so well as
+himselfe, to whome he gaue so muche authoritie in his house, as
+his word was so wel obeied and feared as the Duke’s him self,
+and there was no secrete thing in the Duke’s minde, but he
+declared the same vnto him, who might ful wel haue bene called a
+second himself. The duke seing his sister to be a woman of great
+honestie, had no wayes or meanes to vtter vnto her the loue that
+he bare her (after he had inuented all occasions possible) at
+length he came to this Gentleman which he loued so well, and
+said vnto him: “My friend, if there were any thing in all the
+world, wherein I were able to pleasure thee, and woulde not doe
+it at thy request, I should be afraid to say my fantasie, and
+much ashamed to craue your help and assistance: but the loue is
+such which I bare thee, as if I had a wife, mother, or daughter,
+that were able to saue thy life, I would rather imploy them,
+than to suffer thee to die in torment: and if thou doe beare
+vnto me that affection which am thy maister, thinke verely that
+I doe beare vnto thee the like. Wherefore I will disclose vnto
+thee suche a secrete and priuie matter, as the silence thereof
+hath brought me into sutche plight as thou seest, whereof I doe
+loke for none amendement but by death or by the seruice whiche
+thou maiest doe me, in a certayne matter which I purpose to tell
+thee.” The Gentleman hearing the reasons of his maister, and
+seing his face not fayned, but all besprent with teares, tooke
+great compassion vpon him and sayd: “My Lorde, I am your humble
+seruaunt: all the goodes and worship that I haue doth come from
+you. You may saye vnto me as to your moste approued frende.
+Assure your self, that all which resteth in my power and
+abilitie, is already at your commaundement.” Then the Duke began
+to tell him of the loue that hee bare vnto his sister, which was
+of sutche force, as if by his meanes he did not enioye her, his
+life could not long continue. For he saide, that he knew right
+well that intreatie and presentes were with her of no regard.
+Wherfore he praied him, that if he loued his life, so well as he
+did his, to finde meanes for him to receiue that benefite, which
+without him he was in despaire neuer to recouer. The brother
+which loued his sister and honor of his kindred, more than the
+Duke’s pleasure, made a certain reuerence vnto him, humbly
+beseeching him to vse his trauaill and pain in all other causes
+sauing in that, bicause it was a sute so slaunderous and
+infamous, as it would purchase dishonor to his whole familie,
+adding further, that neither his hart nor his honor could serue
+him, to consent to do that seruice. The Duke inflamed with
+vnspeakeable furie, put his finger betwene his teeth, and biting
+of the nayle, said unto him in great rage: “Well then sithe I
+finde in thee no frendship, I know what I haue to doe.” The
+Gentleman knowing the crueltie of his Maister, being sore
+afraide, replied: “My Lorde, for so much as your desire is
+vehement and earnest, I will speake vnto her and brynge you
+aunswere of her mynde.” And as he was departing, the Duke sayde
+vnto him: “See that thou tender my life as thou wylt that I
+shall doe thyne.” The Gentleman vnderstanding well what that
+woorde did meane, absented him selfe a day or twaine to aduise
+what were best to be done. And amonges diuers his cogitations,
+there came to his remembraunce the bounden dutie which he dyd
+owe to his Maister, and the goodes and honours which he had
+receyued at his handes, on the other syde, hee considered the
+honour of his house, the good life and chastitie of his syster,
+who (he knewe well) would neuer consent to that wickednesse, if
+by subtiltie shee were not surprised, or otherwyse forced, and
+that it were a thing very straunge and rare, that he should goe
+about to defame hymselfe and the whole stocke of his progenie.
+Wherefore hee concluded, that better it were for hym to die,
+than to commit a mischief so great vnto his sister, whiche was
+one of the honestest women in all Italie. And therewithall
+considered how he might deliuer his countrie from sutch a
+tyrant, which by force would blemishe and spot the whole race of
+his auncient stock and familie. For he knew right wel that
+except the duke were taken away, the life of him and his
+affinitie could not be in securitie and safegarde: wherfore
+without motion made to his sister of that matter, he deuised how
+to saue his life and the reproche that should follow. Vpon the
+second daye he came vnto the duke, and tolde hym in what sorte
+he had practised with his sister, and that although the same in
+the beginning was harde and difficult, yet in the ende he made
+her to consent, vpon condicion that hee would keepe the same so
+secrete as none but hymselfe and he myght knowe of it. The duke
+desirous and glad of those newes, dyd sone belieue hym, and
+imbracing the messanger, promised to geue him whatsoeuer he
+would demaunde, praying hym with all speede that hee might
+inioye his desyred purpose. Whereupon they appointed a tyme: and
+to demaunde whether the duke were glad and ioyfull of the same,
+it were superfluous. And when the desired night was come, wherin
+he hoped to haue the victorie of her whom he thought inuincible,
+he and the gentleman alone withdrewe themselues together, not
+forgetting his perfumed coif and swete shirte wrought and
+trimmed after the best maner. And when eche wight was gone to
+bed, both they repayred to the appointed lodging of his Lady,
+where being arriued they founde a chamber in decent and comly
+order. The gentleman taking of the Duke’s night gowne, placed
+hym in the bedde, and sayde vnto hym: “My Lorde, I wil nowe goe
+seeke her, which can not enter into this chamber without
+blushing, howbeit I truste before to morrowe morning she wyll be
+very glad of you.” Which done, he left the Duke, and went into
+his own chamber, where he founde one of his seruantes alone, to
+whome he sayde: “Hast thou the harte to followe me into a place
+where I shall be reuenged vpon the greatest enemie that I haue
+in the worlde?” “Yea sir,” aunswered his man. Whereupon the
+Gentleman toke him with him so sodainly, as he had no leasure to
+arme him selfe with other weapon but with his onely dagger. And
+when the Duke heard him come againe, thinking he had brought her
+with hym that he loued so derely, hee drewe the curteine, and
+opened his eyes to behold and receiue that ioye which he had so
+long loked for, but in place of seeing her which he hoped should
+be the conseruation of his life, he sawe the acceleration of his
+death, which was a naked sworde that the Gentleman had drawen,
+who therwithall did strike the Duke, which was in his shirte
+voyde of weapon, although well armed with courage, and sitting
+vp in his bedde grasped the Gentleman about the body, and sayde:
+“Is this thy promise whiche thou hast kept?” And seeing that he
+had no other weapon but his teeth and nayles, he bitte the
+gentleman in the arme, and by force of his owne strengthe he so
+defended himselfe, as they bothe fell downe into the flower. The
+gentleman fearing the match, called for hys manne, who finding
+the Duke and his maister fast together, that he wyst not whether
+to take, he drewe them both by the feete into the middest of the
+chamber, and with his dagger assayde to cut the Duke’s throte.
+The duke who defended himselfe, till suche time as the losse of
+his bloud made him so weake and feeble that he was not able to
+contende any longer. Then the Gentleman and his man laide him
+againe into his bed, where they accomplished the effect of that
+murther. Afterwardes drawing the curteine, they departed and
+locked the dead body in the chamber. And when he saw that he had
+gotten the vicctorie of his enemy, by whose death he thought to
+set at libertie the common wealth, he supposed his facte to be
+vnperfect if he did not the like to fiue or sixe of them which
+were nerest to the Duke, and best beloued of him. And to attaine
+the perfection of that enterpryse, he bad his man to doe the
+like vnto them one after another, that hee had done to the Duke.
+But the seruaunt being nothing hardie or coragious, said vnto
+his maister: “Me thinke, sir, that for this time ye haue done
+enough, and that it were better for you now to deuise waye howe
+to saue your owne life, than to seeke meanes to murder any more.
+For if we do consume so long space of time to kill euery of
+them, as we haue done in murdering of the Duke, the day light
+will discouer our enterprise before we haue made an ende, yea
+although wee finde them naked and without defence.” The
+gentleman whose euill conscience made him fearfull, did beleue
+his seruaunt, and taking him alone with him, went to the bishop
+that had in charge the gates of the citie, and the vse of the
+Postes, to whom he sayd: “This euening (my Lord) newes came vnto
+me that mine owne brother lieth at the point of death, and
+crauing licence of the Duke to goe se him he hath giuen me
+leaue. Wherefore I beseche you commaunde the Postes to deliuer
+me two good horse, and that you will sende worde to the porter
+that the gates may be opened.” The bishop which estemed no lesse
+his request than the commaundement of the Duke his maister,
+incontinently gaue him a billet, by vertue wherof both the gates
+were opened, and the horse made ready according to his demaunde.
+And vnder colour and pretence of visiting his brother, he rode
+to Venice, where after he had cured himselfe of the duke’s
+bitinges fastened in his fleshe, he trauailed into Turkey. In
+the morning the duke’s seruauntes seing the time so late before
+their maister retourned, suspected that he was gone forth in
+visiting of some Ladye, but when they sawe he taried so long,
+they began to seke for him in euery place. The poore Duchesse
+into whose harte the loue of her husbande strongly did inuade,
+vnderstanding that he could not be founde, was very pensife and
+sorowfull. But when the Gentleman which he so dearely loued, was
+not likewyse seene abroade, searche was made in his chamber,
+where finding bloud at the chamber dore, they entred in, but no
+man was there to tell them any newes, and following the tract of
+the bloud the poore seruantes of the Duke went to the chamber
+dore, where he was, which dore they found fast locked, who
+incontinently brake open the same: and seing the place all
+bloudy, drew the curteine, and found the wretched carcasse of
+the Duke lying in the bedde, sleeping his endlesse sleepe. The
+sorrow and lamentation made by the duke’s seruauntes, carying
+the dead bodye into his palace, is easie to be coniectured.
+Wherof when the Bishop was aduertised, he repaired thether, and
+tolde how the Gentleman was gone awaye in the night in great
+haste, vnder pretence to goe to see his brother: whereupon it
+was euidently knowen that it was he that had committed the
+murder. And it was proued that his poore sister was neuer priuie
+to the facte, who although she was astonned with the sodaynes of
+the deede, yet her loue towardes her brother was farre more
+increased, bicause he had deliuered her from a Prince so cruell,
+the enemy of her honestie: for doing whereof he did not sticke
+to hazard his owne life. Whereupon she perseuered more and more
+in vertue, and although she was poore, by reason her house was
+confiscate, yet both her sister and shee matched with so honest
+and riche husbandes as were to be founde in Italie: and
+afterwardes they both liued in good and great reputation.
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTY-FIFTH NOUELL.
+
+  _One of the Frenche kinge’s called Frauncis the firste of that name,
+  declared his gentle nature to Counte Guillaume, that would haue
+  killed him._
+
+
+In Digeon a town of Burgundie, there came to the seruice of king
+Frauncis, (whiche was father to Henry the second of that name,
+whiche Henry was kylled by Mounsier Mongomerie, in a triumphe at
+the Tilt, and graundfather to Charles the IX. that now raigneth
+in Fraunce) an Earle of Allemaigne called Guillaume, of the
+house of Saxon, whereunto the house of Sauoie is so greatly
+allied, as in old time they were but one. This Counte for so
+much as he was estemed to be so comely and hardy a Gentleman as
+any was in Almaigne, was in sutche good fauour with the king, as
+he tooke him not onely into seruice, but vsed him so nere his
+persone, as he made him of his priuy chamber. Vpon a day the
+Gouernour of Burgundie, the Lorde Trimouille (an auncient knight
+and loyall seruaunt of the kyng) like one suspicious and
+fearfull of the euill and hurte of his Maister, had daylie
+espies ouer his enemies, vsing his affaires so wysely,
+as very fewe thinges were concealed from hym. Among other
+aduertisementes, one of his friendes wrote vnto him that the
+Counte Guillaume had receiued certain sommes of money, with
+promise of more, if by any meanes he could deuise which waye to
+kill the king. The Lorde of Trimouile hearing of this, failed
+not to come to the kyng to giue him knowledge thereof, and
+disclosed it lykewyse to Madame Loyse of Sauoye his mother, who
+forgetting her amitie and aliaunce with the Almaigne Earle,
+besought the king forthwith to put hym awaye. The kyng prayed
+his mother to speake no more thereof, and sayde, that it was
+impossible that so honest a Gentleman would attempt to doe a
+deede so wicked. Within a while after, there came other newes of
+that matter, confirming the first: whereof the Gouernour for the
+intire loue he bare to his Maister, craued licence either to
+expel him the countrie, or to put him in warde. But the king
+gaue speciall commaundement that he should not make any
+semblaunce of displeasure, for that hee purposed by some other
+meanes to knowe the truthe. Vpon a time when he went a hunting
+he girded about him the best sworde that hee had, to serue for
+all armes and assayes, and toke with him the Counte Guillaume,
+whome he commaunded to wayte vpon him, the firste and chiefest
+next his owne persone. And after he had followed the hart a
+certayne tyme, the kyng seing that his traynes was farre from
+hym, and no man neare him sauing the Counte, tourned hym selfe
+rounde about, and when hee sawe that hee was alone, in the mydde
+of the forest, hee drew out his sworde, and sayd to the Counte:
+“How saye you, (sir counte) is not this a fayre and good
+swoorde?” The counte feling it at the point, and well viewyng
+the same, aunswered that he neuer sawe a better in all his life.
+“You haue reason,” sayde the kyng, “and I beleue that if a
+Gentleman were determined to kyll mee, and did knowe the force
+of myne armes, and the goodnesse of myne harte accompanied with
+this sword, he would bee twyse well aduised before hee attempted
+that enterprise. Notwithstanding I would accompt him but a
+cowarde, wee being alone withoute witnesses, if he did not
+attempt that, which he were disposed to do.” The Counte
+Guillaume with bashfull and astonned countenaunce aunsweared:
+“Sir, the wickednesse of the enterprise were very great, but the
+folly in the execution were no lesse.” The king with those
+wordes fell in a laughter, and put the sword in the skaberd
+againe: and hearing that the chase drewe neare him, he made to
+the same so faste as he coulde. When he was come thether, he
+said nothing of that which had passed betweene theim, and
+verelye thoughte that the Counte Guillaume although that he was
+a stronge and stoute gentleman, yet he was no man to do so great
+an enterprise. But the Counte Guillaume, fearing to be bewrayed
+or suspected of the fact, next day morning repayred to Robertet
+the Secretarie of the kinge’s reuenues, and saide that hee had
+well wayed the giftes and annuities which the kinge would giue
+him to tarrie, but he perceiued that they were not sufficient to
+interteigne him for halfe a yeare, and that if it pleased not
+the king to double the same, hee should be forced to departe,
+praying the sayde Robertet to know his grace’s pleasure so sone
+as he coulde, who sayd vnto him, that he himselfe could without
+further commission disbursse no more vnto him, but gladly
+without further delay he would repaire to the king: which he did
+more willingly, because he had seene the aduertisements of the
+Gouernor aforesaid. And so sone as the kinge was awake, he
+declared the matter vnto him in the presence of Monsier
+Trimouille and Monsier Bouinet, lord admirall, who were vtterly
+ignorant of that which the king had done. To whom the kinge
+said: “Loe, ye haue bene miscontented for that I would not put
+away the Counte Guillaume, but now ye see he putteth away
+himselfe. Wherefore Robertet (quoth the king) tell him, that if
+he be not content with the state which he receiued at his first
+entrie into my seruice, whereof many gentlemen of good houses
+would thinke themselues happie, it is meete that he seeke his
+better fortune, and tell him that I would be lothe to hinder
+him, but wilbe very well contented, that he seeke where he may
+liue better, accordingly as he deserueth.” Robertet was so
+diligent to beare this aunsweare to the Counte, as he was to
+present his sute to the kinge. The counte said that with his
+licence he would gladly go forthwith: and as one whom feare
+forced to depart, he was not able to beare his abode 24 houres.
+And as the king was sitting downe to dinner, fayning to be sorye
+for his departure, but that necessitie compelled him to lose his
+presence, hee toke his leaue. He went likewise to take leaue of
+the king’s mother, which she gaue him with so great ioy, as she
+did receiue him, being her nere kinsman and freind. Then he went
+into his countrie: and the king seing his mother and seruantes
+astonned at his sodaine departure, declared vnto them the Al
+Arme, which he had giuen him, saying, that although he was
+innocent of the matter suspected, soe was his feare greate
+ynoughe, to departe from a maister wyth whose condicions
+hitherto he was not acquainted.
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTY-SIXTH NOUELL.
+
+  _A pleasaunt discours of a great Lord to enioy a Gentlewoman of
+  Pampelunæ._
+
+
+There was in the time of king Lewes the XII. of that name,
+a young Lord, called the lorde of Auannes sonne to the Lorde
+Alebret, and brother to king John of Nauarre, with whom the said
+Lord of Auannes ordinarely remayned. Now this yong Lorde was of
+the age of XV. yeares, so comely a personage, and full of
+curtesie and good behauiour, as he seemed to be created for none
+other purpose, but to be beloued and regarded: and so he was in
+deede of al those that did wel behold and note his commendable
+grace and condicion, but chiefly of a woman, dwelling in the
+citie of Pampelunæ in Nauarre, the wife of a rich man, with whom
+she liued honestly: and although she was but 23 yeres of age,
+and her husband very nere fiftie, yet her behauior was so
+modest, as she seemed rather a widow than a maried wyfe, who
+vsed not to frequent and haunte any mariages, banquets, or
+common assemblies without the company of her husbande, the
+vertue and goodnes of whom she so greatly esteemed, as she
+preferred the same before the beautie of al others. The husband,
+hauing experience of her wisedome, put such trust in her, as he
+committed al thaffaires of his house to her discretion: vpon a
+day this rich man with his wife, were inuited to a mariage of
+one that was nere kinne vnto him: to which place (for the
+greater honor of the mariage) repaired the yong Lord of Auannes,
+who naturally was giuen to dauncing, and for his excellencie in
+dauncing there was not his like to be found in his time: after
+dinner when they prepared to daunce, the Lord of Auannes was
+intreated thereunto by the rich man: the said lord asked him
+with what gentlewoman hee should lead the daunce. He aunsweared
+him: “My Lord if there were any one more beautifull, or more at
+my commaundement then my wyfe, I would present her vnto you,
+beseeching you to do mee so much honour as to take her by the
+hande.” Which the yong Lorde did, and by reason of his youthfull
+courage he toke more pleasure in vaultinge and dauncinge, then
+in beholding the beautie of the Ladies: and she whom he ledde by
+the hand, contrarywyse regarded more the grace and beautie of
+the said yong Lord, then the daunce wherin she was, albeit for
+her great wisedome she made therof no semblance at al. When
+supper time was come, the Lord of Auannes badde the companie
+farewell and went home to the castle: whether the riche man
+accompanied him vppon his moile: and riding homewards together,
+hee saide vnto him: “My Lord, this day you haue done so great
+honor vnto my kinsemen and mee, that it were great ingratitude
+is I should not offer my selfe with all the goods I haue to do
+you seruice: I knowe sir that such Lordes as you be which haue
+nere and couetous fathers, many times do lacke money which we by
+keeping of smal houshold, and vsing good husbandrie do heape and
+gather together. Now thus it is sir, that God hauing giuen mee a
+wife accordinge to my desire he would not in this world
+altogether indue mee with heauenly pleasures, but hath left me
+voyde of one ioy which is the ioye that fathers haue of
+children. I know sir that it is not my dutie, and belongeth not
+to my state to adopt you for such a one, but if it maye please
+you to receiue mee for your seruaunt, and to declare vnto me
+your small affaires, so farre as a hundred thousande Crownes
+shall extende, I will not sticke to helpe your necessities.” The
+yong Lorde of Auannes was very ioyfull of this offer, for he had
+suche a father as the other had described vnto him: and after he
+had giuen him hartie thanckes, he called him his friendlye
+father. From that time forth the sayd riche man conceiued such
+loue in the yong Lord, as daily he ceased not to inquire of his
+lacke and want, and hid not from his wyfe the deuocion which he
+bare to the said Lorde of Auannes, for which she rendred vnto
+him double thanckes. And after that time the said yong Lord
+lacked not what he desired, and many times resorted to that rich
+man’s to drincke and eate with him, and finding him not at home,
+his wyfe rewarded him with his demaunde: whoe admonished her by
+wyse and discrete talke to be vertuous, because he feared and
+loued her aboue all the women of the worlde. She which had God
+and her honor before her eyes, was contente with his sight and
+talke, wherin consisted the satisfaction of his honestie and
+vertuous loue: in such wise as she neuer made any signe or
+semblaunce, wherby he might thinke and iudge that shee had anye
+affection vnto him, but that which was both brotherlie and
+christian. During this couerte amitie, the Lord of Auannes
+through the foresaid ayde, was very gorgious and trimme, and
+approching the age of XVII. yeares, began to frequent the
+company of Gentlewomen more then he was wont to do: and although
+he had a more willing desire, to loue that wyse and discrete
+dame aboue other, yet the feare which he had to lose her loue
+(if shee misliked her sute) made him to hold his peace, and to
+seeke els wher: and gaue himself to the loue of a Gentlewoman
+dwelling hard by Pampelunæ, which had to husband a yong
+gentleman, that aboue all thinges loued and delighted in dogges,
+horsse, and Hawkes. This noble Gentleman began (for her sake) to
+deuise a thousand pastimes, as Torneyes, running at the Tilt,
+Mommeries, Maskes, feastes and other games, at all which this
+yong dame was present: but because that her husband was very
+fantasticall, and saw his wyfe to be faire and wanton, hee was
+ialous of her honour, and kepte her in so straite, as the sayde
+Lord of Auannes colde get nothing at her hands but words,
+shortly spoken, in some daunce, albeit in litle time and lesse
+speache, the sayde Lorde perceyued that there wanted nothing for
+full perfection of their loue, but time and place: wherfore he
+came to his new adopted father the rich man, and said vnto him
+that he was minded with great deuocion to visite our Lady of
+Montferrat, intreating him to suffer his houshoulde traine to
+remaine with him, because he was disposed to go thither alone.
+Whereunto he willingly agreed: but his wyfe whose hart the great
+prophet loue had inspired, incontinently suspected the true
+cause of that voyage, and cold not forbeare to saye vnto the
+Lord of Auannes these woords: “My Lord, my Lorde, the pilgrimage
+of the Lady whom you worshippe, is not farre without the walles
+of the Citie, wherefore I beseech you aboue all thinges to haue
+regarde vnto your health.” Hee which feared her, and loued her,
+blushed at her words, and without talke by his countenaunce he
+seemde to confesse the trothe: whereupon he departed, and when
+he had bought a couple of faire Genets of Spaine he clothed
+himself like a horsekeeper and so disguised his face as no man
+knew him. The Gentleman which had maried that fonde and wanton
+gentlewoman, louinge aboue all thinges (as is sayde before)
+fayre horses, espyed those two Genets which the lord of Auannes
+did lead, and incontinently came to buy them: and after he had
+bought them, hee beheld the horse-keeper which rode and handled
+them passing well, and asked him if he were willing to serue
+him: the Lord of Auannes answeared yea, and added further how he
+was a poore horse-keeper vnskilfull of other science but of
+keepinge of horse, which practize hee could do so well, as he
+doubted not but he should content and please him: the Gentleman
+very glad thereof, gaue him charge of all his horse, and called
+forth his wyfe vnto him, vnto whom he recommended his horse and
+horsekeper, and told her that he himself was disposed to go to
+the castel: the gentlewoman so well to please her husband as for
+her owne delight and pastime, wente to loke vpon her horse and
+to behold her new horskeper, who seemed to be a man of good
+bringing vp, notwithstanding she knewe him not. He seing that
+she had no knowledge of him, came to do reuerence vnto her after
+the maner of Spaine, and taking her by the hand kissed the same,
+and by kissing of her hand, he disclosed himself so much as she
+knew him: for in dauncing with her many times he vsed the like
+curtesie: and then she ceased not to deuise place wher she might
+speake to him a part: which she did the very same euening: for
+being bidden to a feast wherunto her husband would faine haue
+had her to go, she fayned herselfe to be sicke and not able: and
+her husband loth to faile his frends request, said vnto her:
+“For so much (my good wyfe) as you be not disposed to go with
+me, I pray you to haue regard to my dogges and horse that they
+may lack nothing.” The Gentlewoman was very wel contented with
+that comission: howbeit without chaung of countenance she made
+him answere that sith in better things he would not imploie her,
+she would not refuse the least, to satisfie his desire: and her
+husband was no soner out of the gates, but she went down into
+the stable, where she founde faulte wyth diuers things: for
+prouision whereof she committed such seueral busines to her men
+on euery side, that shee remayned alone with the master
+horskeper: and for feare least any should come vpon them
+vnwares, she said vnto him: “Go into my garden and tarie my
+comming in the litle house at the ende of the alley.” Which he
+did so diligently as hee had no leasure to thancke her, and
+after that she had giuen order to the yeomen of the stable, shee
+went to see the dogges, counterfaiting like care and diligence
+to haue them wel intreated: in such wise as she seemed rather a
+mayde of the chamber then a maistresse of the house: which done
+shee returned into her chamber, where she made her self to be so
+werie, as she went to bed, saying that she was disposed to
+sleepe. All her women left her alone except one in whom she
+reposed her greatest trust, and vnto whom she said: “Go downe
+into the garden, and cause him whom you shall finde at the end
+of the alley, to come hither.” The mayde wente downe and founde
+the Maister horskeeper there, whom forthwith shee brought vnto
+her maistresse: and then the gentlewoman caused her mayd to go
+forth to watch when her husbande came home. The lord of Auannes
+seing that he was alone with his maistres, put of his
+horsekeeper’s apparrel, plucked from his face his false nose and
+beard, and not as a feareful horsekeeper, but like such a Lord
+as he was, without asking leaue of the Gentlewoman, boldly laied
+him downe beside her: where hee was of that foolishe woman
+receiued so ioyfully, as his estate and goodly personage did
+require, continuing with her vntil the retorne of her husband:
+at whose comming putting vpon him againe his counterfaite
+attire, left the pleasure which by policie and malice he had
+vsurped. The gentleman when hee was within, hearde tell of the
+dilligence which his wife had vsed vppon his commaundemente, and
+thanked her very hartelie. “Husband (said the gentlewoman) I do
+but my dutie, and do assure you that if there be no ouerseer to
+checke and commaunde your negligent seruaunts, you shal haue
+neyther dogge nor horse well kept and ordred: forasmuche as I
+knowe their slouth, and your good wil, you shalbe better serued
+then you haue bin heretofore.” The gentleman who thought that he
+had gotten the best horsekeeper of the worlde, asked her how she
+liked him. “I assure you sir (quoth she) he doth his busines so
+well as any seruaunt, howbeit he had neede to be called vppon,
+for you know seruaunts in these dayes without an ouerseer, wilbe
+be slow and carelesse.” Thus of long time continued the husbande
+and wyfe in greater amitie and loue then before, and gaue ouer
+all the suspicion and ialousie which hee had conceyued, because
+before time his wyfe louinge feastes, daunces and companies, was
+become intentife and diligente about her household: and
+perceiued that now many times she was contented in homely
+garmentes to go vp and downe the house wher before she was
+accustomed to be 4 houres in trimming of herselfe: whereof shee
+was commended of her husbande, and of euery man that knew not
+how the greater deuill had chased awaye the lesse. Thus liued
+this yonge dame vnder the hypocrisie and habite of an honest
+woman, in suche fleshlye pleasure as reason, conscience, order
+and measure, had no longer resting place in her: which insaciat
+lust the yong Lord of delicate complexion was no longer able to
+susteine, but began to waxe so pale and feeble, as he needed no
+visarde for disfiguring of himselfe. Notwithstanding the folish
+loue which he bare to that woman so dulled his sence, as he
+presumed vppon that force which fayled in the monstruous giant
+Hercules, whereby in the ende constrayned with sicknes and
+councelled by his maistresse, which loued not the sicke so well
+as the hole, demaunded leaue of his maister to go home to his
+frends: who to his great griefe graunted him the same: and
+caused him to make promise that when he was recouered hee should
+returne againe to his seruice. Thus went the Lord of Auannes on
+foote away from his maister, for he had not paste the lenght of
+one streate to trauaile. And when he was come to the rich man’s
+house his new father, he found none at home but his wyfe, whose
+vertuous loue shee bare him was nothing diminished for al his
+voyage: but when she saw him so leane and pale, she could not
+forbeare to say vnto him: “Sir, I knowe not in what staye your
+conscience is, but your body is litle amended by this
+pilgrimage, and I am in doubte that the way wherein you
+traueiled in the night, did wearie and paine you more, then that
+vppon the daye: for if you had gone to Hierusalem on foote, you
+mighte perhappes haue returned more Sunne burned, but more leane
+and weake it had bin impossible. Now make accompt of your
+pilgrimage here, and serue no more such Sainctes, for in place
+of raysinge the deade from life, they do to death those that be
+on liue: moreouer I shall saye vnto you, that if your bodye were
+neuer so sinfull, I see well it hath suffred such penaunce, as I
+haue pitie to renewe anye former payne.” When the Lorde of
+Auannes had hearde all her talke he was no lesse angrie with
+himselfe then ashamed, and saide vnto her: “Madame, I haue
+sometimes heard tell that repentaunce insueth sinne, and now I
+haue proued the same to my cost, praying you to excuse my youth
+that could not be corrected but by experience of that euill,
+which before it would not beleeue.” The Gentlewoman chaunging
+her talke, caused him to lye downe vppon a fayre bedde, where he
+lay the space of XV. dayes, feedinge onely vppon restoratiues:
+and the husband and wyfe kept him so good companye, as one of
+theim neuer departed from him: and albeit that he had committed
+those follies, (suche as you haue heard) against the minde and
+aduise of that wyse and discrete dame, yet shee neuer diminished
+the vertuous loue which shee bare him, for shee still hoped that
+after he had spent his yonger dayes in youthly follies, he would
+retire at length when age and experience should force him to vse
+honest loue, and by that meanes would be altogether her owne.
+And during those fifteene dayes that he was cherished in her
+house, she vsed vnto him womanly and commendable talke, onely
+tending to the loue of vertue, which caryed such effect as he
+began to abhorre the follie that he committed: and beholding the
+gentlewoman which in beautie passed the other wanton, with whom
+he had delt before, he imprinted in minde more and more the
+graces and vertues that were in her, and was not able to keepe
+in harte the secrete conceipt of the same, but abandoning all
+feare, he sayd vnto her: “Madame, I see no better means, to be
+such one, and so vertuous as you by wordes desire me for to be,
+but to settle my harte, and giue my selfe to be holie in loue
+with vertue, and the qualities therunto appertinent. I humblie
+beseech you therfore (good madame) to tel me if your selfe wil
+not vouchsafe to giue me al your ayde and fauor that you
+possiblie can, for thobteyning of the same.” The maistresse very
+ioyful to heare him vse that language, made him aunswere: “And I
+do promise you sir, that if you wilbe in loue with vertue as it
+behoueth so noble a state as you be, I wil do you the seruice
+that I can to bring you thereunto with such power and abilitie
+as God hath planted in mee.” “Well madame,” saide the Lorde of
+Auannes, “remember then your promise, and vnderstande that God
+vnknowen of the Christian but by fayth, hath dayned to take
+flesh, like to that our sinful which we beare about vs, to thend
+that by drawing our flesh into the loue of his humanity, he may
+draw also our minde to the loue of his diuinitie, and requireth
+to be serued by thinges visible to make vs loue by fayth that
+diuinity which is inuisible: in like maner the vertue which I
+desire to imbrace all the dayes of my life, is a thing inuisible
+and not to be seen but by outward effects. Wherfore needeful it
+is, that she now do put vpon her some body or shape to let
+herselfe be knowen amonges men: which in deede she hath don by
+induing herself with your form and shape, as the most perfect
+that she is able to find amonges liuing creatures. Wherfore I do
+acknowledge and confesse you to be not onely a vertuous
+creature, but euen very vertue it self. And I which see the same
+to shine vnder the glimsing vaile of the most perfect that euer
+was: I will honor and serue the same during my life, forsaking
+(for the same) all other vaine and vicious loue.” The
+gentlewoman no lesse content then marueling to here those words
+dissembled so wel her contented minde as she said vnto him: “My
+Lord, I take not vpon me to aunswere your diuinity, but like her
+that is more fearefull of euill then beleful of good, do humblie
+beseech you to cease to speake to me those words of prayse, that
+is not worthy of the least of them. I know right wel that I am a
+woman, not onely as another is, but so imperfect, as vertue
+might do a better acte to transforme me into her, then she to
+take my forme, except it be when she desires to be vnknowen to
+the world: for vnder such habite as mine is, vertue cannot be
+knowen, according to her worthines: so it is sir, that for mine
+imperfection, I wil not cease to bere you such affection, as a
+woman ought or maye do that feareth God, and hath respect to her
+honour: but that affection shal not appere, vntill your harte be
+able to receiue the pacience which vertuous loue commaundeth.
+And now sir I know what kinde of speach to vse, and thincke that
+you do not loue so well, your owne goodes, purse or honour, as I
+doe with all my hart tender and imbrace the same.” The lord of
+Auannes fearefull with teares in eyes, besought her earnestly
+that for her woordes assuraunce, shee woulde vouchsafe to kisse
+him: which she refused, saying that for him, she would not
+breake the countrie’s custome: and vppon this debate the husband
+came in, to whom the Lord of Auannes said: “My father, I knowe
+my selfe so much bounde to you and to your wife, as I besech you
+for euer to repute me for your sonne.” Which the good man
+willingly did. “And for surety of that amitie, I pray you,” said
+Monsier D’Auannes, “that I may kisse you.” Whiche he did. After
+he said vnto him: “If it were not for feare to offend the Law,
+I would do the like to my mother your wyfe.” The husbande
+hearinge him saye so, commaunded his wyfe to kisse him, which
+she did although she made it straunge, either for the Lord’s
+desire or for husband’s request to do the same: then the fier
+(which words had begunne to kindle in the harte of the poore
+Lorde) beganne to augmente by that desired kisse, so strongly
+sued for, and so cruelly refused: which done the sayde Lord of
+Auannes repayred to the Castell to the kinge his brother, where
+he told many goodly tales of his voyage to Montferrat, and
+vnderstode there, that the kinge his brother was determined to
+remoue to Olly and Taffares, and thinking that the iorney woulde
+be longe, conceiued great heauines, which made him to muse how
+he mighte assaye before his departure, whether the wise
+Gentlewoman bare him such good will, as shee made him beleeue
+shee did: and therefore hee toke a house in the streate where
+she dwelt, which was old and ill fauoured and built of Timber:
+which house about midnight of purpose he set on fier, wherof the
+crye was so great throughout the Citie as it was hard within the
+rich man’s house. Who demaunding at his window wher the fier
+was, vnderstode it to be at the Lord of Auannes, wherunto he
+incontinentlye repayred with all the people of his house, and
+found the yonge Lord in his shirt in the middest of the streat,
+whom for pitie he toke betweene his armes, and couering him with
+his nighte Gowne, caried him home to his house with al possible
+speede, and saide vnto his wife which was a bed: “Wife, I giue
+you to kepe this prisoner, vse him as my selfe.” So sone as he
+was departed the sayd Lord of Auannes, who had good wil to be
+interteigned for her husband, quicklie lept into the bed, hoping
+that the occasion and place would make that wise woman to
+chaunge her minde, which he founde to be contrary: for so sone
+as he lept into the bed of thone side, shee speedelie went out
+of the other, and putting on her night Gowne she repaired to the
+bed’s head, and said vnto him: “How now sir, do you thincke that
+occasions can chaunge a chaste harte? beleeue and thincke that
+as gold is proued in the Fornace, euen so an vnspotted hart in
+the middest of temptacion: wherein many times an honest hart
+sheweth it selfe to be more strong and vertuous, then els where,
+and the more it is assailed by his contrary, the coulder be the
+desires of the same: wherefore be you assured that if I had bin
+affected with other minde then that which many times I haue
+disclosed vnto you, I would not haue fayled to finde meanes to
+haue satisfyed the same: praying you that if you will haue me to
+continue the affection which I beare you, to remoue from your
+minde for euer not onely the will but the thoughte also, for any
+thinge you be able to doe to make me other then I am.” As she
+was speaking of these words her women came into the chamber,
+whom she commaunded to bring in a colacion of all sortes of
+comficts and other delicats: but that time hee had no appetite
+either to eate or drincke, hee was fallen into suche dispaire
+for fayling of his enterprise: fearing that the demonstracion of
+his desire, would haue caused her to giue ouer the secrete
+familiaritie betweene them. The husbande hauinge ceased the
+fier, retorned and intreated the Lord of Auannes that night to
+lodge in his house, who passed that night in such nomber of
+cogitacions as his eyes were more exercised with weeping then
+sleeping, and early in the morninge he bad them farewell in
+their bedde, where by kissing the Gentlewoman hee well perceiued
+that she had more pitie upon his offence, then euill will
+against his person, which was a cole to make the fier of loue to
+kindle more fiercely. After dinner he rode with the king of
+Taffares, but before his departure he went to take his leaue of
+his newe alied father and of his wyfe: whoe after the furst
+commaundement of her husband, made no more difficultie to kisse
+him then if he had bin her owne sonne. But be assured the more
+that vertue stayed her eye and countenaunce to shew the hidden
+flame, the more it did augment and become intollerable, in such
+wyse as not able to indure the warres which honour and loue had
+raysed within her hart, (who notwithstanding was determined
+neuer to shewe it, hauing lost the consolacion of her sight, and
+forgeuen the talke with him for whom she liued) a continuall
+feuer began to take her, caused by a Melancholicke and couert
+humor, in such wyse as the extreme partes of her body waxed
+cold, and those within burnt incessantly. The Phisitions (in the
+hands of whom man’s life doth not depend) began greatly to
+mistrust health by reason of a certaine opilacion which made her
+melancholicke: who counceiled the husbande to aduertise his wife
+to consider her conscience, and that she was in the handes of
+God (as thoughe they which be in health were not in his
+protection): the husbande which intirely loued his wyfe, was
+wyth their woordes made so heauye and pensife, as for his
+confort he wrote to the Lord of Auannes, beseechinge him to take
+the paynes to visite them, hoping that his sight would greatly
+ease and relieue the disease of his wife. Which request the Lord
+of Auannes immediatly vppon the recepte of those letters slacked
+not, but by poste arriued at his father’s house: at the entrye
+whereof hee founde the seruauntes and women makinge great
+sorrowe and lamentacion accordinglie as the goodnes of their
+maistresse deserued: wherewith the sayde Lorde was so astonned
+as he stoode stil at the doore like one in a traunce, vntil he
+sawe his good father: who imbracing him beganne so bitterlie to
+weepe, that he was not able to speake a worde. And so conueied
+the sayd Lorde of Auannes vp into the Chamber of his poore sicke
+wyfe: who casting vp her languishing eyes looked vppon him: and
+reaching his hand vnto her, she strayned the same with all her
+feeble force, and imbracinge and kissinge the same made a
+marueylous plainte, and sayd vnto him. “O my Lord, the houre is
+come that all dissimulacion must cease, and needes I must
+confesse vnto you the troth, which I to my greate paine haue
+concealed from you: which is, that if you haue borne vnto me
+greate affection, beleeue that mine rendred vnto you, hath bin
+no lesse: but my sorrow hath farre surpassed your griefe, the
+smarte whereof I do feele now against myne hart and will:
+wherefore, my lord, yee shall vnderstand, that GOD and mine
+honour would not suffer mee to disclose the same vnto you,
+fearing to increase in you that which I desired to be
+diminished: but knowe yee, my Lorde, that the woordes which so
+many tymes you haue vttered vnto mee, haue bred in me such
+griefe, as the same be the Instrumentes and woorkers of my
+death, wherewyth I am contente sith GOD did giue mee the grace
+not to suffer the violence of my Loue, to blotte the puritye of
+my conscience and renowne: for lesse fire then is wythin the
+kindled harte of mine, hath ruinated and consumed most famous
+and stately buildinges. Nowe my hart is well at ease, sithe
+before I dye, I haue had power to declare myne affection, which
+is equall vnto yours, sauing that the honor of men and women be
+not a like: beseechinge you, my Lorde, from henceforth not to
+feare to addresse your selfe to the greatest and moste vertuous
+Ladies that you can finde: for in such noble hartes do dwell the
+strongest passions, and there the same be moste wisely gouerned:
+and God graunt that the grace, beautie and honestie, which be in
+you, do not suffer your loue to trauell wythout fruite: haue in
+remembrance good, my Lord, the stabilitie of my constante minde,
+and do not attribute that to crueltie which ought to be imputed
+to honor, conscience and vertue: which are thinges a thousande
+times more acceptable, then the expence and losse of transitorie
+life. Nowe, farewell, my Lorde, recommendinge vnto your honour
+the state of my husband your good father, to whom I pray you to
+reherse the troth of that which you doe know by mee, to the
+intent that he may be certefied how dearely I haue loued God and
+him: for whose sake I beseech you to absente your selfe out of
+my sight: for from henceforth I do meane holye to giue my selfe
+to the contemplacion of those promises which God hath louingly
+decreed, before the constitucion of the world.” In saying so
+shee kissed him, and imbraced him wyth all the force of her
+feeble armes. The sayde Lorde, whose hart was dead for
+compassion, as her’s was in dying through griefe and sorrow,
+without power to speake one onely worde, withdrew himselfe out
+of her sight and laye downe vpon a bed within an inner chamber:
+where he fainted many times. Then the gentlewoman called for her
+husbande, and after she had giuen him many goodly lessons, shee
+recommended him to the Lord of Auannes, assuringe him that nexte
+to his parson, of all the men in the worlde shee had him in
+greateste estimacion: and soe kissinge her husbande shee badde
+him farewell. And then was brought vnto her the holye
+Sacramente, which shee receyued with such ioye, as one certaine
+and sure of her Saluacion, and perceyuinge her sighte begynne to
+fayle, and her strength diminishe she pronounced aloude: _In
+manus tuas_, &c. At which crie the Lorde of Auannes rose vp from
+the bedde, and piteously beholding her, he viewed her with a
+swete sighe, to rendre her gloriouse ghost to him which had
+redemed it. And when he perceiued that shee was dead, hee ran to
+the dead bodie, which liuing he durst not approche for feare,
+and imbraced and kissed the same in such wise, as muche a doe
+there was to remoue her corps out of his armes: wherof the
+husband was very much abashed, for that he neuer thought that he
+had borne his wife such affection. And in saying vnto him: “My
+Lord, you haue done enough:” they withdrew them selues together.
+And after long lamentation, the one for his wife, and the other
+for his Lady: the Lord of Auannes told him the whole discourse
+of his Loue, and howe vntill her death she neuer graunted him
+not so muche as one signe or token of loue, but in place therof
+a rebellious minde to his importunate sutes: at the rehersall
+whereof, the husbande conceiued greater pleasure and contentment
+than euer he did before: which augmented or rather doubled his
+sorrow and griefe for losse of such a wife. And all his life
+time after, in al seruices and duties he obeyed the Lord of
+Auannes, that then was not aboue eightene yeres of age, who
+retourned to the Courte, and continued there many yeares without
+will to see or speake to any woman, for the sorrow which he had
+taken for his Lady, and more then two yeres he wore blacke for
+mourning apparell. Beholde here the difference betweene a wise
+and discrete woman, and one that was wanton and foolish, both
+which sortes expressed different effectes of loue: whereof the
+one receiued a glorious and commendable death, and the other
+liued to long to her great shame and infamie. The one by small
+sute sone won and obteyned, the other by earnest requestes and
+great payne pursued and followed. And till death had taken
+order, to ridde her from that pursute, she euer continued
+constant.
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTY-SEUENTH NOUELL.
+
+  _A punishment more rigorous than death, of a husband towarde his
+  wife that had committed adulterie._
+
+
+King Charles of Fraunce, the eight of that name, sent into
+Germany a gentleman called Bernage, lorde of Cyure besides
+Amboise: who to make speede, spared neither daye nor nighte for
+execution of his Prince’s commaundement. In sutch wyse as very
+late in an euening he arriued at the Castle of a Gentleman, to
+demaunde lodging, which very hardly he obtained. Howbeit, when
+the gentleman vnderstode that he was the seruaunt of such a
+kyng, he prayed him not to take it in ill parte the rudinesse of
+his seruantes because vppon occasion of certain his wiue’s
+frends which loued him not, he was forced to kepe his house so
+straight. Then Bernage tolde him the cause of his iourney,
+wherein the Gentleman offered to doe to the king his maister all
+seruice possible. Leading him into his house where he was
+feasted and lodged very honorably. When supper was ready, the
+Gentleman conueyed him into a parler wel hanged with fayre
+Tapistrie. And the meate being set vpon the table, and he
+required to sit down, he perceiued a woman comming forth behind
+the hanging, which was so beautifull as might be seene, sauing
+that her head was all shauen, and apparelled in Almaine blacke.
+After bothe the Gentlemen had washed, water was brought to the
+Gentlewoman, who when she had washed she sat down also, without
+speaking to any, or any word spoken vnto her againe. The Lorde
+Bernage beholding her well, thought her to be one of the fayrest
+Ladies that euer he sawe, if her face had not bene so pale and
+her countenaunce so sadde. After she had eaten a litle, she
+called for drinke, which one of the seruauntes brought vnto her
+in a straunge cup: for it was the head of a dead man trimmed
+with siluer, wherof she drancke twice or thrice. When she had
+supped and washed her handes, making a reuerence to the Lord of
+the house, shee retourned backe againe that way shee came,
+without speaking to any. Bernage was so much amased at that
+straunge sighte, as he waxed very heauie and sadde. The
+gentleman who marked hym, sayde vnto hym: “I see well that you
+be astonned at that you saw at the table, but seyng your honest
+demeanour, I wyll not keepe it secrete from you, because you
+shal not note that crueltie to be done without greate occasion.
+This gentlewoman whiche you see, is my wyfe, whom I loued better
+than was possible for any man to loue his wyfe. In such sorte as
+to marry her I forgat all feare of friendes, and brought her
+hither in despite of her parentes. She likewyse shewed vnto me
+suche signes of loue, as I attempted a thousande wayes to place
+her here for her ioye and myne, where wee lyued a long tyme in
+suche reste and contentation, as I thought my self the happiest
+Gentleman in Christendome. But in a iourney whiche I made, the
+attempt whereof myne honour forced me, shee forgot bothe her
+selfe, her conscience, and the loue whiche shee bare towardes
+mee, and fell in loue with a Gentleman that I brought vp in this
+house, whiche her loue vpon my retourne I perceiued to be true.
+Notwithstanding the loue that I bare her, was so great as I had
+no mistrust in her, tyll sutch tyme as experience did open myne
+eyes, and sawe the thynge that I feared more than death. For
+whiche cause my loue was tourned into furie and dispayre, so
+greate, as I watched her so nere, that vppon a daye fayning my
+selfe to goe abroade, I hydde my selfe in the chamber where now
+shee remayneth. Into the whiche sone after my departure shee
+repayred, and caused the Gentleman to come thether. Whome I did
+beholde to doe that thinge, which was altogether vnmeete for any
+man to doe to her, but my selfe. But when I sawe him mounte
+vppon the bed after her, I stepped forth and tooke him betwene
+her armes, and with my dagger immediatly did kill him. And
+because the offence of my wife semed so great as the doing of
+her to death was not sufficient to punish her, I deuised a
+torment which in mine opinion is worse vnto her than death. For
+thus I vse her, I doe locke her vp in the chamber wherein she
+accustomed to vse her delightes, and in the companie of hym that
+she loued farre better than me. In the closet of which chamber I
+haue placed the Anatomie of her friend, reseruing the same as a
+precious Iewell. And to the ende shee may not forget him at
+meales, at the table before my face, she vseth his skulle in
+steade of a cup to drinke in, to the intent she may behold him
+(aliue) in the presence of hym whom through her owne fault she
+hath made her mortal enemy, and him dead and slain for her sake,
+whose loue she preferred before mine. And so beholdeth those
+twoo thinges at dinner and supper which ought to displease her
+moste, her enemie liuing, and her friend dead, and al through
+her own wickednesse, howbeit I doe vse her no worse than my
+self, although shee goeth thus shauen: for the ornament of the
+heare doth not appertaine to an adultresse, nor the vayle or
+other furniture of the head to an unchast woman. Wherefore she
+goeth so shauen, in token she hath lost her honestie. If it
+please you, sir, to take the payne to see her, I wil bring you
+to her.” Whereunto Bernage willingly assented. And descending
+into her chamber whiche was very richely furnished, they founde
+her sitting alone at the fier. And the Gentleman drawing a
+Curteine, whiche was before the Closet, he sawe the Anatomie of
+the dead man hanging. Bernage had a great desire to speake vnto
+the Ladye, but for feare of her husband he durst not. The
+Gentleman perceiuin the same, said vnto him: “If it please you
+to speake vnto her, you shal vnderstand her order of talke.”
+Therwithall Bernage sayde vnto her: “Madame, if your pacience be
+correspondent to this torment, I deme you to be the happiest
+woman of the worlde.” The lady with teares trickeling down her
+eyes with a grace so good and humble as was possible, spake thus
+vnto him: “Sir, I doe confesse my fault to be so great, as all
+the afflictions and torment that the Lorde of this place (for I
+am not worthy to call him husbande) can doe vnto me, be nothing
+comparable to the sorrowe I haue conceiued of myne offence.” And
+in sayinge so, she began pitifully to weepe. Therewithall the
+Gentleman toke Bernage by the hande, and led him forth. The next
+day morning he departed about the businesse which the king had
+sent him. Notwithstanding, in bidding the Gentleman fare well,
+he sayde vnto hym: “Sir, the loue whiche I beare vnto you, and
+the honor and secretes wherewith you haue made me priuie, doth
+force me to saye vnto you howe I doe thinke good (seing the
+great repentance of the poore Gentlewoman your wife) that you
+doe shewe her mercie. And bicause you be yong and haue no
+children, it were a verie great losse and detriment to lose such
+a house and ligneage as yours is. And it may so come to passe,
+that your enemies thereby in time to come may be your heires,
+and inioye the goodes and patrimonie whiche you doe leaue
+behinde you.” The Gentleman which neuer thought to speake vnto
+his wife, with those wordes paused a great while, and in thend
+confessed his saying to be true, promising him that if she would
+continue in that humilitie, he would in time shew pittie vppon
+her, with whiche promise Bernage departed. And when he was
+retourned towardes the king his maister, hee recompted vnto him
+the successe of his iourneyes. And amonges other thinges he
+tolde him of the beautie of this Ladie, who sent his Painter
+called Iohn of Paris, to bring him her counterfaicte: which with
+the consent of her husband, he did. Who after that long
+penaunce, for a desire he had to haue children, and for the
+pitie hee bare to his wyfe which with great humblenesse receiued
+that affliction, tooke her vnto hym agayne, and afterwardes
+begat of her many children.
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTY-EIGHTH NOUELL.
+
+  _A President of Grenoble aduertised of the ill gouernement of his
+  wife, took such order, that his honestie was not diminished, and yet
+  reuenged the facte._
+
+
+In Grenoble (the chiefe citie of a Countrie in Fraunce called
+Daulphine, which citie otherwise is named Gratianapolis) there
+was a President that had a very fayre wyfe, who perceiuing her
+husbande beginne to waxe olde, fell in loue with a yong man that
+was her husband’s Clark, a very propre and handsome felowe. Vpon
+a time when her husband in a morning was gone to the Palace, the
+clarke entred his chamber and tooke his Maister’s place, whiche
+thing one of the presidente’s men, that faithfully had serued
+him the space of XXX. yeres like a trustie seruant perceiuing,
+could not keepe it secret, but tolde his Maister. The President
+whiche was a wise man, would not beleue it vpon his light
+report, but sayde that he did it of purpose to set discord
+betwene him and his wife, notwithstanding if the thing were true
+as he had reported, he might let him see the thing it selfe,
+whiche if he did not, he had good cause to thinke that he had
+deuised a lye to breake and dissolue the loue betwene them. The
+seruaunt did assure him that he would cause him to see the thing
+wherof he had tolde him. And one morning so sone as the
+President was gone to the Court, and the Clarked entred into his
+chamber, the seruaunt sent one of his companions to tel his
+maister that he might come in good time, to see the thing that
+he had declared vnto him, he himself standing stil at the doore
+to watch that the partie might not goe out. The President so
+sone as he sawe the signe that one of his men made vnto him,
+fayning that he was not wel at ease, left the audience, and
+spedely went home to his house, where he founde his olde
+seruaunt watching at the chamber dore, assuring him for truth
+that the Clarke was within, and that he should with spede to goe
+in. The President sayd to his seruant: “Do not tarrie at the
+dore, for thou knowest ther is no other going out or comming in
+but onely this, except a litle closet wherof I alone do beare
+the keye.” The president entred the chamber, and found his wife
+and the Clarke a bed together, who in his shirt fell downe at
+the president’s feete, crauing pardon, and his wife much afraid
+began to weepe. To whome the President sayde: “For so muche as
+the thing which thou hast done is such, as thou maist well
+consider, that I can not abyde my house (for thee) in this sort
+to be dishonored, and the daughters which I haue had by thee to
+be disauaunced and abased: therfore leaue of thy weeping, and
+marke what I shall doe. And thou Nicolas (for that was his
+Clarke’s name) hide thy selfe here in my closet, and in any wise
+make no noyse.” When he had so done, he opened the dore and
+called in his olde seruaunt, and sayde vnto him: “Diddest not
+thou warrant and assure me that thou wouldest let me see my
+Clarke and wyfe in bedde together? And vppon thy words I am come
+hether, thinking to haue killed my wife, and doe finde nothing
+to be true of that which thou diddest tell me. For I haue
+searched the chamber in euery place as I will shewe thee.” And
+with that he caused his seruant to looke vnder the beddes, and
+in euery corner. And when the seruant founde him not, throughly
+astonned, he sayde to his maister: “Sir, I sawe him goe into the
+chamber, and out he is not gone at the dore: and so farre as I
+can see he is not here: therefore I thinke the Diuel must nedes
+carrie him awaye.” Then his maister rebuked him in these words:
+“Thou art a villayn, to set such diuision betwene my wife and
+me, wherefore I doe discharge thee from my seruice, and for that
+which thou hast done me, I will paye the thy dutie, with the
+aduauntage: therefore get thee hence, and take hede that thou
+doest not tarrie in this town aboue XXIIII. houres.” The
+President for that he knew him to be an honest and faithfull
+seruaunt, gaue him five or sixe yeares wages, and purposed
+otherwise to preferre him. When the seruaunt (with ill will and
+weping teares) was departed, the President caused his Clark to
+come out of his Closet: and after he had declared to his wife
+and him, what hee thought of their ill behauiour, he forbad them
+to shewe no likelyhode of any such matter, and commaunded his
+wyfe to attire and dresse her selfe in more gorgeous apparell,
+than she was wont to weare, and to haunt and resort to company
+and feastes, willing the Clarke to make a better countenaunce on
+the matter then hee did before, but whensoeuer he rounded him in
+the eare and bad him depart, he charged him after that
+commaundement not to tarry foure houres in the towne. And when
+he had thus done, he retourned to the palace Courte, as though
+there hadde no sutche thing chaunced. And the space of fiftene
+dayes (contrary to his custome) he feasted his frendes and
+neighbours, and after euery those bankettes, he caused the
+minstrels to play, to make the Gentlewomen daunce. One daye he
+seing his wife not to daunce, he commaunded his Clarke to take
+her by the hande, and to leade her forth to daunce, who thinking
+the President had forgotten the trespasse past, very ioyfully
+daunced with her. But when the daunce was ended, the President
+faining as though he would haue commaunded him to doe some thing
+in his house, bad him in his eare to get him away and neuer to
+retourne. Now was the Clark very sorowfull to leaue his Ladye,
+but yet no lesse ioyfull he was that his life was saued.
+Afterwardes when the President had made all his frendes and
+kinsfolkes, and all the countrey, beleue what great loue he bare
+to his wife, vppon a faire day in the moneth of May, he went to
+gather a sallade in his garden, the herbes whereof after she had
+eaten, she liued not aboue XXIIII. houres after, whereof he
+counterfaited suche sorrowe, as no man could suspect the
+occasion of her death. And by that meanes he was reuenged of his
+enemy, and saued the honour of his house.
+
+Ҧ I will not by this Nouell (said Emarsuitte) prayse the
+conscience of the President, but herein I haue declared the
+light behauiour of a woman, and the great pacience and prudence
+of a man: Praying you good Ladies all, not to be offended at the
+truthe.” “If all women (quo Parlamente) that loue their Clarkes
+or seruauntes, were forced to eate such sallades, I beleue they
+would not loue their gardens so well as they doe, but woulde
+teare and plucke vp all the herbes bothe roote and rinde, to
+auoyde those thinges that by death might aduaunce the honor of
+their stock and ligneage.” “If sallades be so costly (quod
+Hircan) and so daungerous in May, I will prouoke appetite with
+other sawces, or els hunger shall be my chiefest.”
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTY-NINTH NOUELL.
+
+  _A gentleman of Perche suspecting iniurie done vnto him by his
+  friend, prouoked him to execute and put in proufe the cause of his
+  suspicion._
+
+
+Besides the countrie of Perche, there were two Gentlemen, which
+from the tyme of theyr youthe lyued in sutche great and perfect
+amitie, as there was betwene them but one harte, one bed, one
+house, one table, and one purse. Long time continued this
+perfect frendship: betwene whom there was but one will and one
+woorde, no difference in either of them: in so muche as they not
+onely semed to be two brethren, but also they appeared in al
+semblances to be but one man. One of them chaunced to mary:
+notwithstanding they gaue not ouer their frendship, but
+perseuered in their vsual amitie as they were wont to doe: and
+whan they happened to be strained to straight lodging, the
+maried gentleman would not stick to suffer his friend to lie
+with him and his wife. But yet you ought for frendship sake to
+consider that the maried man lay in the mids. Their goodes were
+common betwene them, and the mariage did yelde no cause to
+hinder their assured amitie. But in processe of time, the
+felicitie of this worlde (whiche carieth with it a certaine
+mutabitie) could not continue in the house, which was before
+right pleasaunt and happy: for the maried man forgetting the
+faithfull fidelitie of his friend, without any cause conceiued a
+greate suspicion betwene hym and his wyfe, from whom he could
+not dissemble the case, but sharpely tolde her his mynde. She
+therewithall was wonderfully amazed: howbeit, he commaunded her
+to doe all thinges (one thing excepted) and to make so muche of
+his companion as of himselfe. Neuerthelesse he forbade her to
+speake vnto hym except it were in the presence of many. All
+which she gaue her husbande’s companion to vnderstande, who
+would not beleue her, knowyng that hee had neither by thought or
+deede done anye thing whereof his companion had cause to be
+offended. And likewise because he used to kepe nothing secrete
+from hym, he tolde him what he had sayde, praying hym to tell
+him the truthe of the matter, because he purposed neither in
+that, ne yet in any other thing, to geue occasion of breach of
+that amitie which of long time they had imbraced. The maried
+Gentleman assured him that he neuer thought it, and how they
+which had sowen that rumor, had wickedly belied him. Whereunto
+his companion replied: “I knowe wel enough that Ielousie is a
+passion so intollerable as loue it selfe. And when you shall
+conceiue that opinion of Ialousie, yea and it were of my selfe,
+I should do you no wrong, for your selfe were not able to kepe
+it. But of one thing which is in your power, I haue good matter
+whereof to complayne, and that is because you will concele from
+me your maladie, sith there was no passion or opinion which you
+conceiued, that before this time you kept secret from me.
+Likewise for my owne parte if I were amorous of your wife, you
+ought not to impute it as a fault vnto me, because it is a fier
+which I bare not in my handes, to vse at my pleasure. But if I
+kepe it to my selfe from you, and indeuour to make youre wife
+knowe it by demonstration of my loue, I might then be accompted
+that vntrustiest friend that euer liued: and for me I doe assure
+you that shee is a right honest and a good woman, and one that
+my fansie doth lest fauour (although she were not your wife) of
+all them that euer I sawe. But now sithens there is no cause,
+I do require you that if you perceiue any suspicion, be it neuer
+so litle, to tell me of it, because I would so vse myself, as
+our frendship which hath indured so long tyme, might not bee
+broken for a woman: and if I did loue her aboue any thing in the
+worlde, yet surely I would neuer speake worde vnto her, bicause
+I doe esteme our frendship better then the greatest treasure.”
+His companion swore vnto him very great othes that he neuer
+thought it, praying him to vse his house as he had done before.
+Whereunto he aunswered: “Sithe you will haue me so to doe, I am
+content: but I praye you if hereafter you doe conceiue any
+sinistre opinion in me, not to dissemble the same, which if you
+doe I will neuer continue longer in your companie.” In processe
+of time, liuing together according to their custome, the maried
+Gentleman entred againe into greater Ielousie than euer he did,
+commaunding his wife to beare no more that countenaunce towards
+him that she was wont to doe. Whiche commaundement she tolde her
+husbande’s companion, praying him after that time to forbeare to
+speake vnto her, for that she was forbidden to doe the like to
+him. The gentleman vnderstanding by wordes and certaine
+countenaunces, that his companion had not kept promise, he sayd
+vnto him in great choler: “To be Ialous (my companion) is a
+thing naturall: but bicause thou diddest sweare vnto me by othes
+not to dissemble, I can by no meanes forbeare any longer: for I
+did euer thinke that betwene thyne harte and mine, there could
+be no let and interruption: but to my great griefe and without
+anye fault on my part, I doe see the contrarie. For as muche as
+thou art not only very Ialous betwene thy wife and mee, but also
+thou wouldest dissimulate and couer the same, so that in the
+ende thy maladie and disease continuing so long, is altered into
+mere malice, and lyke as oure loue hath bene the greateste that
+hathe bene seene in oure tyme, euen so our displeasure and
+hatred is nowe moste mortall. I haue done so mutche as lyeth in
+mee, to auoyde this inconuenience, but sithe thou hast suspected
+me to be an ill man, and I haue still shewed my selfe to be the
+contrary, I doe sweare, and therwithal assure thee, by my faith,
+that I am the same thou thinkest me to be, and therefore from
+henceforth take hede of me: for since suspicion hath separated
+the from my loue and amitie, despite shall deuide me from
+thine.” And albeit that his companion would haue made him beleue
+the contrarie, and that hee mistrusted hym nothing at all, yet
+he withdrewe his part of his moueables and goodes that before
+were common betweene them, so that then both their hartes and
+goodes were so farre separated as before they were vnited and
+ioyned together. In such wyse as the vnmaried Gentleman neuer
+ceassed till he had made his companion cockolde, according to
+his promise.
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTIETH NOUELL.
+
+  _The piteous death of an Amorouse Gentleman, for the slacke comfort
+  geuen him to late, by his beloued._
+
+
+Betwene Daulphine and Prouence, there was a gentleman, more
+riche and better furnished with beautie, vertue, and good
+condicions, then with the goodes of fortune: who fill in loue
+with a gentlewoman that for this time shall want a name, for
+respecte of her parentes that are come of honorable houses, and
+the Gentleman’s name also shalbe vntolde, for like respecte,
+although altogether not so honorably allied, as the Gentlewoman
+that he loued, and yet the historie very certen and true. And
+bicause his degree was not so high as hers, hee durst not
+discouer his affection: for the loue which he bare her, was so
+good and perfect, as rather would he haue bene tormented with
+the panges of death, then couet the least aduauntage that might
+redounde to her dishonor. And seing his state to base in
+respecte of hers, had no hope to marry her. Wherefore he
+grounded his loue vpon none other foundation and intent, but to
+loue her with all his power so perfectlye as was possible, which
+in the ende came vnto her knowledge. And the Gentlewoman knowing
+and seing the honest amitie which he bare her, to be ful of
+vertue, ioyned with chast and comly talke, felt her selfe right
+happie to be beloued and had in prise, of a personage so well
+condicioned, practising dayly cherefull countinaunce towardes
+him (whiche was the best rewarde he pretended to haue) whereof
+he conceiued great ease and contentment. But malice the cancred
+enemy of all reste and quiet, could not long abide this honest
+and happie life. For some frowning at his good happe, (as malice
+euer accompanieth a well disposed mynde) tolde the mother of the
+mayden, howe they marueiled that the Gentleman should bee so
+familiar in her house, inferring therewithall that the beautie
+of her daughter was the only cause, with whom they sawe him many
+times to vse secrete and priuat speach. The mother which by no
+meanes doubted the honestie of the Gentleman, no more then shee
+did of her own children, was very sorie to vnderstand that some
+shold be offended at that their familiarity. She thought
+therfore to shunne the cause of their offence. And at length,
+(fearing that slaunder might be raised of malice) she required
+the Gentleman for a tyme to haunt no more her house, as he was
+wont to doe. A thing to him of harde digestion, knowing his own
+innocencie, and lesse desert to be estranged from the house, for
+respect of the honest talke he vsed to the yonge gentlewoman.
+Notwithstanding, to stoppe the rage of malicious tongues, he
+withdrew himself, till he thought the brute was ceased, and then
+retourned after his wonted maner: whose absence nothing abridged
+his auncient good will. And he began no soner to be familiar
+there again, but he vnderstode that the mayden should be maried
+to a Gentleman, that was not so ritche and noble (as semed to
+hym) and therfore he thought he should receiue great wrong, if
+she were bestowed vpon that Gentleman, and not on hym, that had
+bene so long a sutor. And thereupon conceiued corage to preferre
+hym selfe in playne tunes, if choyse were geuen to the maiden.
+Howebeit, the mother and other of her kynne, sollicited and
+chose the other gentleman because (in dede) he was more welthie.
+Whereat the poore gentleman fretted with displeasure, seing that
+his Ladie should for worldly mucke be defrauded of her greatest
+ioye, by little and little without other maladie, began to
+languishe, and in litle tyme was so altered, as in his face
+appeared the visage of death. Neuerthelesse he could not
+forbeare the house of his beloued, but continually from time to
+time made his repaire thether to fede himselfe with the baulme
+of that beautie, which he thought would prolong his dayes, but
+it was the onely abridgement. In thend the poyson he sucked by
+the viewe of that beautie, consumed his strength, and force
+failing him, was constrained to kepe his bedde. Whereof he would
+not aduertise her whome he loued, for greuing her, knowing well
+that she would bee tormented with the newes. And so suffring him
+selfe to runne the race of past recourye, lost also his appetite
+to eate or drinck, and therewithall his slepe and rest fayled,
+in suche plight as within short space he was consumed in visage
+and face, as it grewe to be vglie and cleane out of knowledge.
+Brought to this lowe estate, one of his frends certified the
+mother of his mistres, that was a very charitable and kinde
+Gentlewoman, and loued so well the man, as if all their parentes
+and kinne had bene of her’s and the mayden’s opinion they would
+haue preferred the honestie of him, before the great substance
+of the other. But the frendes of the father’s side by no meanes
+would consent vnto it. Yet the good Gentlewoman and her daughter
+(for all the other’s frowardnes) vouchsafed to visit the poor
+gentleman whom they founde, rather declining towards death, then
+in hope of life. And knowing his ende to approche, he was
+shriuen and receiued the holy Sacrament, purposing of present
+passage by panges of death, neuer to see any of his frendes
+againe. Being in this case and yet seing her, whome he counted
+to be his life and sauftie, felte suche soudden recouerie, as
+hee threwe hym selfe alofte his bedde and spake these wordes
+vnto her: “What cause hath drieuen you hither (mistres myne) by
+takyng paines to visite him, who hath one of his feet alreadie
+within the graue, the other stepping after with conuenient
+speede, for execution whereof you bee the onely Instrument.”
+“Howe so, sir?” sayde the mother. “Is it possible that hee, whom
+we so derely loue, can receiue death by our offences? I pray you
+sir to tell me, what reason leadeth you to speake these wordes.”
+“Madame,” sayde he, “so long as I could, I dissembled the loue
+that I bare to my deare mistres your daughter: so it is that my
+parentes and frendes speaking of a mariage betwene her and me,
+haue clattred thereof moe nedeles woordes then I desired, by
+waying the mishap that might insue, and nowe doth happe past all
+hope not for my particular pleasure, but bicause I knowe with
+none other she shalbe so well intreated nor beloued as she
+should haue bene with me. The benefit which I see she hath lost,
+is the most perfect frende the best affected seruaunt that euer
+shee had in this worlde, the losse wherof summoneth death to
+arrest the carcase, that should haue bene imployed for her
+seruice, which intierly was conserued and should haue bene for
+her sake: but sithe nowe it can serue her to no purpose, the
+simple losse shall redounde to greatest gaine. I meane my selfe
+(good Ladies bothe) that lieth bewrapped in death before your
+faces, whose withered clammes hath catched the same within her
+reach, and hath warned the clocke to tolle the dolefull bell for
+his poor lovyng ghoste, nowe stretchynge out for the winding
+shete to shrowde his maigre corps, all forworne with the watche
+and toile, that such poore men (affected with like care) do
+feele. It is my selfe, that erst was rouing amid the troupe of
+Courtlie knightes decked with comely face, whose hewe dame
+Nature stayned with the colours of her golden art. It is I that
+of late was loued of that Nymphe, and earthie Goddesse, who with
+courtinge countenaunce imbraced the place where I did stande,
+and kissed the steps wherein I trode. It is my selfe I saye,
+that whilom in painefull blisse, did bath my selfe, and fedde
+mine eyes with the happie viewe of the heauenliest creature that
+euer God did make. And by forgoing of those ioyes by to to much
+mishap, and sacred famine of cursed mucke, I am thus pined as ye
+see, and wrapte in hopeles state.” The mother and doughter
+hearinge this complainte, did their indeuour to cheere him vp,
+and the mother sayde unto him: “Be of good courage sir, and I
+promise you my fayth, that if God giue you health, my doughter
+shal haue none other husband but you, and behold her here, whom
+I commaunde to make you present promise.” The mayden weeping
+with a virginall shamefastnes, consented to her mother’s hest.
+But knowing when he was recouered, that he should not haue her,
+and that the mother was so liberal of her fayre words, to
+recomfort him and assaye if she might restore him: he said vnto
+them, that if those words had bin pronounced three monethes
+past, he had bin the lustiest and most happie gentleman of
+Fraunce: but helpe offred so late, was past beliefe and hope.
+But when he saw, that they went about to force him to beleeue
+it, he said vnto them: “Now that I see ye go about to promise
+the good tourne which can neuer chaunce vnto mee, yea although
+consent ioyned with vnfayned promise desires the effect, for
+respect of the feeble state wherein I am: yet let me craue one
+thing at your hands, farre lesse then that ye offer, which
+hitherto I neuer durst be so bolde to aske.” Whereunto they both
+assented and swore to performe it, intreating him not to be
+ashamed to requyre it. “I humbly beseech ye (quoth hee) to
+deliuer her into mine armes whom ye haue promised to be my wife,
+and commaunde her to imbrace and kisse me.” The mayden not vsed
+to such priuie sutes, ne yet acquainted with such secrete facts,
+made some difficultie, but her mother gaue her expresse
+commaundement to doe it, perceyuing in him no likelihode or
+force of a man to liue. The maiden then vpon that commaundement,
+aduaunced herselfe uppon the bedde of the poore pacient, saying
+vnto him: “Sir, I beseech you to be of good cheere.” The
+languishing creature, so hard as he could for his extreeme
+debilitie, stretched forth his faint consumed armes, and with al
+the force of his body imbraced the cause of his death, and
+kissinge her with his colde and wanne mouth, held her so long as
+he could, and then spake vnto the mayden: “The loue which I haue
+borne you hath bin so great, and the good will so honest, as
+neuer (mariage excepted) I wished anye other thinge of you, but
+that which I presentlye haue, throughe the wante whereof and
+with the same I will ioyfully render my spirite to God, who is
+the parfaicte Loue, and truest Charitie, whoe knoweth the
+greatnes of my loue and the honestie of my desire: humblie
+beseeching him, (that nowe I hauing my desire betweene mine
+armes,) to interteigne my ghost within his blessed bosome.” And
+in saying so he caught her againe betweene his armes with such
+vehemencie, as the feeble hart not able to abide that assault,
+was abandoned of all powers and mouinges: for the instant ioye
+so dilated and stretched forth the same, as the siege of the
+soule gaue ouer, making his repaire and flighte to his Creator:
+and because the senceles bodye rested withoute life, it gaue
+ouer his holde. Howbeit the loue, which the Damosell had still
+kept secrete, at that time shewed it self so strong and mightie,
+as the mother and seruauntes of the dead Gentleman had much a do
+to separate that vnion, but by force they haled away the liuing,
+almost deade with the deade. After the funerall was done with
+honourable exequies: but the greatest triumph was spent in
+teares, weepinges and cryes, specially by the gentlewoman, which
+so much more were manifeste after his death, as before in his
+life time they were dissembled, bestowinge them as an expiacion
+or sacrifice, to satisfie the wrong she had done vnto him. And
+afterwards (as I haue heard tell) she was maried to one, for
+mitigacion of her sorow, that neuer was partaker of the ioye of
+her harte. See here good Ladies an Image of perfect loue, that
+so muche had seazed vpon thaffections of this amorous Gentleman,
+as the pange neuer gaue ouer, till death (the rest of all
+troubles) had diuided life from the body. Yet some perchaunce
+for the desperate part of this hopeles louer, will terme him to
+be a fonde louing foole: and say that it is not meete that they
+should neglecte theyr liues for womens sakes, which were not
+created but for their helpe and comforte. And that being true as
+verifyed and auouched by Scriptures, there is no cause of feare
+to demaunde that of them, which God hath enioyned them to giue
+vs. In deede a sensuall loue, and such as is grounded to
+satisfye beastly luste, is a thinge horrible to Nature, and
+abhominable in the sight of him that made both those creatures,
+whom he fraughted with reason and knowledge for the refusall of
+those vices, which are onely to be applied to beastes voyde of
+reason. But loue founded in the soyle of Vertue, for auoyding
+carnall lust exercized in the state of Wedlocke, or first
+begonne and practized for that ende, is very ciuil and to be
+honoured. And if that loue attaine not equall successe, through
+parents default or vnkindnes of frendes or other humane
+accidents, if that loue so perce the hart, or otherwyse afflict
+the pacient with dispaire of helpe, and so occasioneth death, it
+is not to be termed follie or dotage, but to be celebrated with
+honourable titles. The honest amitie then of this gentleman,
+borne long time to this gentlewoman, meriteth euerlasting
+praise: for to finde such great chastitie in an amorous hart, is
+rather a thing deuine then humaine. A mocion moued aboue amongs
+the heauenly route, and not an ac{t} wrought in the grosenes of
+man’s infirmitie.
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTY-FIRST NOUELL.
+
+  _A Gentlewoman of the Courte, very pleasauntly recompenced the
+  seruice of a kinde seruaunte of her’s, that pursued her with seruice
+  of loue._
+
+
+In the Courte of king Fraunces, the first of that name, not
+longe sithens Frenche king, the graunde father of Henry the 3 of
+that name now raigning: there was a Gentlewoman of good grace
+and interteignment, wanting not both minde and witte, such as
+the like of her sexe, are not to seeke, vnder what climate
+soeuer they be borne and bred, whose comly demeaner, curteous
+behauiour and eloquent speache, was agreeable to her other
+qualities of nature’s giftes: whereby she gayned the hartes and
+good minds of nombers of seruauntes, with whom shee was cunning
+ynough to spend her time, (hauing respect to the sauftie and
+saufgard of her honor, which she preferred before all other
+solace) by such delectable consumption of time, as they that
+could not tell howe els to imploie their leasure, thoughte
+themselues most blessed, if they might attaine the delightfull
+presence of this well nourtered Dame. For they that made
+greatest assuraunce of her fidelitie, were in dispayre, and the
+most desperat were yet in some hope to winne her. Howbeit in
+deceyuing the most nomber, she could not forbeare intirely to
+loue one, who for his part was not able to plaie the
+counterfait, to colour the substance of his longe pursute: but
+as nothing is sure and stable, their loue tourned to
+displeasure, and by frequent renewing of what was well knowen
+the hole Court was not ignoraunt, what deuocion thone did beare
+to thother. One day the Gentlewoman, aswell to let him know that
+his affection was not bestowed in vaine, as to make him to feele
+some smart and paine for his louing seruice, the more louingly
+to forde him on, with preety morsells of her dissembling
+concept, made show vnto him of greater fauour, then euer she did
+before: for which cause he that was faultles either in deedes of
+armes, or in prowesse of loue, began liuely and valiantly to
+folow her, to whom long before with gentlenes and humilitie he
+had many times bin a suppliante. Who fayning that she was not
+able any longer to rest obstinate, made semblance of a womanly
+pitie and accorded to his demaund. Telling him that for respect
+of his tedious trauaile, she was now disposed to go to her
+chamber, (which was in a Gallerie of the Castell where that time
+the kinge did lie) where shee knew was none that could hinder
+what they two intended: willing him not to faile but so sone he
+saw her depart the place she was in, to folow after to her
+chamber, where he should finde her alone, tarying for him with
+good deuocion. The gentleman beleeuinge her appointmente, was
+readie to leape out of his skinne for ioye: and therewithall
+began to dalye and sport with other Ladies, attending the time
+of her departure. She wanting not the practize of any fine
+sleight or subtile pollicie, most pregnaunte in birds of her
+Ayrie, called two of the greatest Ladies to the present chamber
+window and said vnto them: “If it may please you good Ladies,
+I will discouer vnto you the pretiest pastime of the world.”
+They which hard the grief of melancholie, besoughte her to tell
+what it was. “Thus it is” (quoth shee) “such a gentleman, whom
+you know very well, to be both honest and vertuous, hath longe
+time (as partlie you haue by to much experience seene,) gone
+about diuers wayes to winne that, which he shall neuer get: for
+when I began to applie my fancie towards him, he (vnconstant)
+ceased not to couet and folow other Ladies with like pursute hee
+did me: whereat I conceyued such more then spitefull hatred, as
+notwithstanding my outwarde semblaunce, I coueted reuenge. Nowe
+therefore maistresse, Occasion hath lente me a porcion of
+oportunitie, to be requited of his vaine and fickle sute: which
+is, that hauinge appointed him to come to my chamber, whither he
+meaneth presently to follow me, it maye please you to giue
+heedefull eye and watch: and that when hee hath passed alonge
+the Galerie, and is gone vp the stayers, that both of you wil
+recline your heads out of this window to helpe me singe the
+holding of the Caroll, that I meane to chaunte vnto him. And
+then shall you see the raging choler of this Gentleman, that at
+other times presumed to be a quiet Suter: wherat perhaps through
+his malapert boldnes, it cannot dash his blushles face, but yet
+if he do not deale vnto me like spiteful reproch in open
+hearing, I know full well in hart he will wishe me X. M.
+mischifes.” This conclusion was not spoken without treble
+laughter: for there was no gentlemen in all the Courte, that had
+warred so much with the woman kind as hee, and yet welbeloued
+and esteemed of euery one, that listed not to be intrapped
+within his daunger. Therfore these Ladies thinking to carie
+awaye some part of the glorie, which one alone hoped to atchieue
+vpon this gentleman, were contente to assent to the other’s
+liking. So sone then as they saw her depart, that purposed this
+enterprise, they began to espie the countenaunce of the betrayed
+partie, who paused not long before he exchaunged the place: and
+when he was oute of the chamber, the Ladies trayned after, to
+lose no part of the sport, and went the faster that he might not
+be out of theyr sight. And he that doubted not the successe,
+threwe his cape about his necke to hide his face, and went downe
+the staiers out into the Court, and afterwards mounted vp
+againe: but perceyuing some approche which he was loth should be
+a witnes, he went downe againe, returning another way on the
+other side. All which the Ladies sawe, vnknowen to him. But when
+he came to the stayers where he beleeued verely, that he might
+surely enter into his Maistres chamber, the two Ladies put they
+heads out of the window, and incontinently perceyued the
+gentlewoman alofte, crying out a lowde, “A theefe, a theefe:”
+wherunto they two below aunswered with so vehement voyce,
+doubling the other’s outcrie, as all the castell ronge of it.
+I leaue for you to consider in what despite this gentleman fled
+to his lodginge, but not so closely, but that he was ouertaken
+by those that knew this misterie: who afterwards oftentimes
+reproched this fact vnto him, speciall she that had deuised the
+reuenge: but hee had armed himselfe with aunswers and defences
+so readely, as he told them that he foreknew their deuise, and
+mente nothing by his pilgrimage but to solace his beloued. For
+of her loue long time before he was out of all hope, as hauing
+reasonable proofe by his longe pursute and seruice. Howbeit the
+Ladyes would not hold his excuse for a veritie, which euen to
+this day hangeth in suspence.
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTY-SECOND NOUELL.
+
+  _The honest and maruellous loue of a mayden of noble house, and of a
+  gentleman that was base borne, and howe a Queene did impeche and let
+  their mariage, with the wise aunswere of the mayde to the Queene._
+
+
+There was in Fraunce a Queene, who in her company and traine
+broughte vp many maydens, that were issued of great and
+honourable progenie: amonges other that serued this Queene there
+was one named Rolandine, which was nere kinne to the Queene. But
+she for a certaine displeasure conceyued against her father,
+bare vnto the yonge gentlewoman no greate good will. This
+Maiden, although shee was none of the fayrest, yet so wyse and
+vertuous as many great Lords and personages made sute to her for
+mariage, to whom she rendred for earnest sutes, cold aunsweares:
+because shee knew her father to be more bent to keeping of
+money, then to thaduauncement of his children: and her
+Maistresse (as is before said) bare vnto her so little fauour as
+they which esteemed the Queene’s good grace, woulde neuer make
+anye sute vnto her. Thus by father’s negligence and Maistres
+disdaine, the poore gentlewoman remayned long time vnmaried. And
+as shee that forcibly was payned, not so much for griefe of
+mariage, as for that shee was not required or sued vnto, became
+so werie of worldly life, as deuoutly she bent herselfe to GOD,
+and by forsakinge the toyes and brauerie of the Courte, passed
+her time in prayer, or els in other vertuous exercise: and by
+withdrawing herselfe to this kinde of life, she spent her youth
+so soberlie and deuoutly as was possible for a woman to do. When
+she approched nere the age of XXX. yeares, there was a gentleman
+a bastarde borne, of right honorable house, a uery curteous and
+honest personage, whose every riches and beautie was such, as no
+Lady or gentlwoman for pleasure would haue chosen him to
+husband. This poore gentleman was voide of frends for
+maintenaunce of lyuing, and vnhappie in mariage sutes, although
+he pursued many, till at length he borded this poore Gentlewoman
+Rolandine: for their Fortunes, complexions and condicions were
+very like, and by vse of seuerall complaints made one to
+another, ech of them fell in ernest loue with the other: and
+being both thrall vnto mishap, they sought desired comforte by
+vertuous and honest talke: and by that vse and frequentacion
+greater loue increased and grew betwene them. Those which had
+seene the maiden so straungly retired from wonted demeanor, as
+she would speake to none, now marking her continuallie to
+interteigne the bastard gentleman, incontinently conceiued ill
+opinion of her, and told the mother of the Queene’s maids
+(called Modesta) that she ought not to suffer such familiaritie
+betweene them. Which report Modesta reuealed to Rolandine,
+sayinge that diuers persons did speake euill of her, for that
+she vsed to talke with the bastard, that neither was of
+sufficient abilitie for her to marie, ne yet of beautie worthie
+to be beloued. Rolandine which daily was more rebuked for her
+austeritie of life, then for worldly toyes, sayd vnto Modesta
+her gouernesse: “Alas, mother, you see that I cannot haue a
+husband according to the worthines of my bloud, and that dailye
+I haue auoyded those which be beautifull and yonge: for feare to
+incurre the inconuenience wherinto I haue seene other to fall:
+and now hauing chosen this wise and vertuous gentleman, who
+preacheth vnto me words that be good and godly, what wrong do
+they to me that make this report, sith in this honest order I
+doe receiue consolacion of my griefes?” The good old Lady who
+loued the maiden (which she called maistresse) as herselfe, said
+vnto her: “I see well, that you are worse delt withall at your
+father and maistres handes then you deserue. Howbeit sith such
+reporte is made of your honor, you ought to refuse to speake
+vnto him, although he were your naturall brother.” Rolandine
+weeping saide vnto her: “Mother, for so much as you aduise me
+therunto, I will performe your request, although it be very
+straunge that without slaunder, a woman can haue no comfort or
+seeke freedome without misreport.” The bastard gentleman, as he
+was before accustomed, came to visite her, but she tolde him
+(a farre of) those words which her gouernesse had said vnto her:
+and with teares prayed him to refraine for a time to speake vnto
+her, vntill the brute and rumor were somewhat appaised: which
+thing he did at her request. But during this long time, either
+of them hauing loste their consolacion, began to feele such
+torment within themselues, as shee for her part neuer felte the
+like. She ceased not from praying vnto God, from goinge on
+pilgrimage, and fasting: for this vnacquainted loue brought her
+to such disquiet as she could not rest the space of one houre.
+Wherewith the noble bastard was no lesse tormented: but he which
+had alreadie minded in hart to loue her and pursue her till
+mariage, and hauing respecte (for loue sake) to the honor he
+should acquire by the same, thought to finde meanes to declare
+his minde vnto her, and aboue al things to get the good wil of
+her gouernesse: which he did, declaring vnto her the miserie
+wherein her poore maistresse remayned, which was voide of al
+comfort and other frendship. Then the poore old Lady Modesta,
+gaue him thankes for the honest affection that hee bare to her
+maistresse: and deuised meanes how the two louers might impart
+their minds together. Rolandine fayned herselfe to be sicke of a
+Mygrim and paine in her heade, the brute of whose maladie was
+feared to be greater then it was, and so concluded betwene them
+that when her companion were gone into the chamber, they two
+should remaine together alone to satisfie ech other with mutuall
+talke. The bastard gentleman was very glad, and ruled himselfe
+holy by the councell of the Gouernesse, in such sort as when he
+liste, he spake vnto his louer and vertuous Lady: but this
+contencaion did not indure: for the Queene who loued her but a
+little, inquired what Rolandine did so long in her Chamber, and
+one made aunswere that it was by reason of her sicknes. Albeit
+there was another which knewe to well the cause of her absence,
+sayde vnto her, that the ioye which Rolandine had to speake vnto
+the bastard was able to ease her Mygrim. The Queene which found
+out the veniall sinnes of other, by mortall offences in
+herselfe, sent for her, and forbad her in any wyse not to speake
+vnto the bastard, except it were in the hall or within her owne
+Chamber. The Gentlewoman made as though she vnderstode her not,
+but mildlie aunswered that, is shee knew any talke betweene them
+might offend her maiestie, she would neuer speake vnto him
+againe. Notwithstanding she determined to finde out some other
+secret meanes that the Queene should not know of their meeting:
+which was this. The Wednesday, Fridaye, and Saturday, the
+gentlewoman vsed to fast, and for that purpose kept her Chamber
+with her Gouernesse Modesta, where she had leysure to talke
+(whilest the reste did suppe) with him whom she began so
+earnestlie to loue: and as constrainte of time did force their
+talke to be shorte, the greater was their affection in
+vtteraunce of the same: because for the doing therof they stole
+time, as the theefe doth his desired praye. This order of their
+contentacion could not proceede so secretely, but that a
+certaine varlet a yeoman of the Chamber, chaunced to see him
+resort vnto her vpon a fasting day, and told it in such place
+wher of some hearer, it was disclosed to the Queene herself, who
+was so sore offended as neuer after that time the poore bastard
+gentleman durste once attempt to go into the maiden’s chamber
+againe. And to thintent that he might not lose the commodity of
+talke with her, whom he so derely loued, oftentimes he fayned
+himselfe to go on pilgrimage, and in the euening returned to the
+Church and chapell of the Castel, in the habite of a frier, or
+Iacobin (so wel disguised and altered, as no creature could know
+him) and thither repaired the gentlewoman Rolandine, with her
+Gouernesse to enterteigne him. He marking the great loue that
+she bare him, feared not to say vnto her: “Madame, you see the
+daunger which I hasard for your seruice, and the warnings that
+the Queene hath giuen for our talke. You see on thother side
+what a father you haue, who careth not after what sort he bestow
+you in mariage: and you hauinge refused so many greate states
+and noble men, I know not one, either farre or neare, that is
+minded to haue you. I confesse my selfe to be but poore, and
+that you may marie diuers gentlemen of greater reputacion and
+richesse, then I am: but if loue and good wil were deemed
+treasure and richesse, then woulde I presume to be the richest
+gentleman of the world. God hath indowed you with great plentie
+of goodes, and you are yet in choise to haue more: and if I were
+so happie as you would vouchsafe to chose me for your husband,
+I would accompt my selfe to be vnto you both husband, frend and
+seruaunt, all the dayes of my life: and againe, if you should
+take one equall to your nobilitie (a thinge very harde to finde)
+he would rule and gouerne ouer you, and haue more respecte to
+your goodes, then to your person, to your beautie then to your
+vertue: and in triumphinge with dispence of that you haue, hee
+maye chaunce to intreate you otherwise then you deserue. The
+desire of this contentacion, and the feare that I haue, least
+you should graunte it to some other, do force me to beseech you,
+that by one only meanes you would make me happie and your selfe
+the most contented and best intreated woman that euer was.”
+Rolandine giuing eare to that communication which shee herselfe
+ment to haue pronounced, aunswered him with stoute courage:
+“I am very glad and wel pleased that you haue begunne the sute
+your self, which I of long time haue determined to breake vnto
+you: for which cause these two yeres past as you know, I haue
+not ceased to thincke and deuise all the reasons and arguments
+for and against you, that I could inuent: but in thend for so
+much as I do meane to take vpon me the state of Matrimonie, it
+is time that I begin to chose such husbande, with whom I shall
+in my conscience like to liue at rest and quiet all the dayes of
+my life: and amidde all the troupe of my thoughts in choise,
+I cannot finde anye one, were he neuer so faire, riche or noble,
+with whom my hart and minde can so well agree and match as with
+you. I know that by marying of you I shall not offende God, but
+rather do the thinge that hee commaundeth. And touching my Lord
+my father, he hath had so litle consideracion of my perferment,
+and so often refused it, as the law now will suffice, that I
+giue my selfe in mariage withoute his consent, and therefore
+cannot disenherite me, or worthely thincke ill of me: and by
+hauing a husband (a thing appertinent to women kinde) such as
+you be, I shall esteeme my selfe the richest woman of the
+worlde. As for the Queene my maistresse, I oughte not to take
+any care or remorse of conscience by displeasing her, to obey
+God: for she hath not ceased to hinder that aduauncement, which
+in my youth I mighte haue had, and by paine and diligence
+towards her did well deserue: but to thend you may vnderstand,
+that the loue and good will which I beare you, is founded vppon
+vertue and honor, you shall promise me, that if I doe accorde
+this mariage, you shall neuer purchase or require the
+consummacion thereof, Vntill my father be deade, or els do finde
+some meanes to make him consente hereunto.” Which the bastard
+gentleman willingly did graunt: and vppon these promises and
+termes, either of them gaue eche other a ringe in the name of
+mariage, and did kisse together in the Church before God, whom
+they toke to witnes of their assurance, and neuer after betwene
+them was any other priuie fact committed, but only kissing. This
+litle easement of mind did greatly satisfie the harts of these
+two perfect louers: and were a great while without seing ech
+other, liuing only by this assurance. There was no place where
+honour mighte be gotten, but thereunto the bastarde made his
+repaire with so great delight, as he thought he could neuer be
+poore for respect of that riche wife which God had prouided for
+him. Which wyfe in his absence, did euer continue her absolute
+amitie towards that gentleman: and although many made sute yet
+they receyued none other aunswere from her but deniall, and for
+that she had remayned so long time vnmaried, she was minded
+neuer to take vppon her that state. This her aunswere was so
+generall as the Queene heard of it, and asked her for what
+occasion shee was so determined. Rolandine saide vnto her, that
+it was to obey her: for that shee knew shee would neuer suffer
+her to marie, because in time and place where she might haue bin
+honorablie matched to her well liking, she denied the same, and
+that the vertue of pacience had taught her to contente herselfe
+with the state wherein she was. And still as she was sued for in
+mariage, she rendred like aunswere. When the warres were ended,
+and the bastarde returned to the Courte, shee neuer spake vnto
+him in open presence, but wente alwayes into some Church to
+interteigne him vnder colour of Confession: for the Queene had
+forbidden both him and her, that they should not talke together,
+vnlesse it were before companye vpon paine of losse of their
+liues. But honest loue, which feareth no defence, was more prest
+to find meanes, for their mutuall talke, then their enemies were
+ready to separate the same: and vnder the habite or colour of
+all the religions they could deuise, they continued that honest
+amitie, vntil the king remoued into a house of pleasure, not so
+nere as the Ladies were able to go on foote to that Church, as
+they were to the Church of the Castell, which was not situate in
+such conueniente wyse for their purpose, as they could secretely
+repaire (vnder colour of confession) to talke together:
+notwithstanding if on the one side occasion fayled, loue found
+out another for their contentment: for there arriued a Lady to
+the Court, to whom the bastard was very nere kin. This Lady with
+her sonne were lodged in the king’s house, and the chamber of
+this yong prince was far beyond the body of the lodging, where
+the king himselfe did lie: but so nere vnto Rolandine’s Chamber
+as he might both see and speake vnto her, for their windowes
+were properlie and directly placed at either corner of the
+house: in which chamber (being ouer the hall) were lodged al the
+Ladies of honor, the companions of Rolandine. Who beholding many
+times the yong king at that window, caused the bastard to be
+aduertized therof by her gouernesse: who after he had well
+beholden the place, made as though he had great delighte to read
+vpon a booke of the Knightes of the Round Table, that lay in the
+chamber window of the yong king: and when euery man was gone to
+dinner, he prayed the yeoman to suffer him to make an end of the
+historie, and to shut him within the chamber. The other which
+knew him to be the kinsman of his maistres, and an assured man,
+suffred him to read so long as he liste. On thother side
+Rolandine came vnto her window, who to find occasion to tarrie
+there the longer, fayned to haue a paine in her leg, and dined
+and supped in so good time, as she went no more to the ordinarie
+of the Ladies: wher she began to set herselfe a worke about the
+making of a bed of Crimson silke, placing her worke vpon the
+window, as desirous to be alone. And when she saw no man to be
+there, shee interteigned her husband, to whom she might speake
+in secret wise, so as none was able to vnderstande them: and
+when any person came nere, she coughed and made a signe that the
+bastard might withdraw himselfe. They that were appointed to
+watche them, thought vndoubtedlie that their loue was past and
+ended, because she went not out of the Chamber, wher safely he
+coulde not see her, for that hee was forbidden the same. Vppon a
+day the mother of the yong Prince being in her sonne’s Chamber,
+repayred to the windowe where that great booke did lie, and shee
+had not staied there long, but one of Rolandine’s fellowes which
+was within her Chamber saluted her. The lady asked her how
+Rolandine did, who sayd that shee might very wel see her, if it
+were her pleasure: and caused her to come to the window wyth her
+night geare vppon her head. And after they had talked a while of
+her sicknes they withdrew themselues. The other ladie espying
+the great booke of the Round Table, sayde to her yeoman of the
+Chamber: “I do marueille much why yong men do imploie themselues
+to read such follies.” The yeoman made aunsweare, that he
+marueled much more, why men of good yeres, counted and esteemed
+wise and discrete, should haue greater delight in reading of
+such trifles, then those that were yong. And to iustifie that
+maruel hee told her how her cosin the bastard did spend 4 or 5
+houres in a day to read vppon the same. Vpon which words by and
+by she conceyued the cause of his deepe studie, and charged him
+to hide himselfe in some place to mark what he did. Which
+commaundement the yeoman performed, and perceiued that the booke
+which the bastard read vpon, was the window out of which
+Rolandine talked with him: and therewithal called to remembrance
+many wordes of the loue which they thought to keepe very
+secreete. The next day he rehersed the same vnto his maistresse,
+who sent for her cosin the bastard, and after many tales told
+him, she forbad him to resort thither any more, and at night she
+gaue like warning to Rolandine, threatninge her that if she
+continued in her fond and foolish loue, she woulde tell the
+Queene the whole circumstaunce of her lighte demeaner. Rolandine
+(nothing astonied with those woords) did sweare that sith the
+time she was forbidden by her maistresse the queene’s maiesty,
+she neuer spake vnto him: the troth whereof shee might learne
+aswel of the gentlewomen her companions, as of other seruauntes
+of the house: and touching the window whereof she spake, she
+boldly aduouched that she neuer talked with the Bastard there.
+Who (poore gentleman) fearing that his affayres would be
+reuealed, kept himselfe farre out from daunger, and longe time
+after did not retourne to the Courte. Howbeit, he wrote many
+times to Rolandine by such secret meanes as for all the espiall
+that the Queene had put, there passed no weeke but twise at
+least shee hearde newes from him: and when one meanes did fayle
+hym, hee deuised another, and many tymes sent a litle Page
+clothed in colours (so often altered and chaunged as he was
+sent) who staying at the gates when the Ladies passed by,
+delyuered his letters priuelye in the middest of the prease.
+Vpon a time as the Queene for her pleasure walked into the
+fieldes, one which knew the Page and had charge to take hede
+vnto those doings, ranne after him: but the Page which was a
+fine boye, doubtinge leaste hee should be searched, conueyed hym
+selfe into a poore woman’s house, where spedelie he burnt his
+letters in the fier, ouer whiche a potte was boyling with meate
+for her poore familie. The gentleman that followed him stripped
+him naked and searched his clothes, but when he sawe that he
+could finde nothing, he let him goe: and when he was departed,
+the olde woman asked him wherefore he searched the boye: who
+aunswered: “to finde letters which he thought he had about him.”
+“Tush,” (quod she) “serch no more, for he hath hidden them very
+well.” “I pray thee tell me,” (quod the Gentleman) “In what
+place:” hoping to haue recouered the same. But when hee
+vnderstode that they were throwen into the fire, he well
+perceiued that the boye was craftier then him selfe. All whiche
+incontinently hee tolde the Queene, notwithstanding from that
+time forthe, the bastard vsed no longer the Page, but sent one
+other of his olde seruauntes, whom he faithfully trusted, and he
+(forgetting feare of death which hee knewe well the Queene
+threatned on them that had to doe in those affaires) tooke vpon
+him to carie his maister’s letters to Rolandine. And when hee
+was entred the Castell, hee wayted at a certen doore placed at
+the foote of a paire of staiers, by whiche the ladies passed to
+and fro: where he had not taried long, but a yeoman which at
+other times had sene him, knewe him and thereof told the maister
+of the Queene’s house, who soudainly made searche to apprehende
+him. The fellowe which was wise and politique, seing that diuers
+loked vpon him a farre of, retourned towardes the wall
+(as though he would haue made his water) tearing his letters in
+so many small peces as he could doe for his life, and threw them
+behinde an old gate: who had no soner done the facte, but hee
+was apprehended and throughly searched, and when they could
+finde nothing about him, they made him {s}weare whether he had
+brought any letters or not, vsing him partly by rigor, and
+somewhat by faire perswasion to make him confesse the truthe:
+but neither through promise or threate, they could get any thing
+at his handes. Report hereof was brought to the Queene, and one
+of the companie gaue aduise that searche should be made behind
+the gate, where he was taken: in which place they founde nothing
+but litle peces of letters. Then they caused the kinge’s
+Confessor to be sent for, who recouering the peces layd them
+vpon a table, and red the lettre throughout, where the veritie
+of the mariage (so much dissembled) was throughly discifered,
+for the bastard in those letters called her nothing els but
+wife. The Queene not meaning to conceale the fault of her
+kinswoman, (which she ought to haue done) fil into a great rage
+and storme, commaunding that the poore man by al meanes possible
+should be forced to confesse the true tenor of that letter, to
+thintent that the same by his affirmacion might not be denied:
+but doe what they could, they were not able to make him alter
+his former tale. They which had commission to examine him,
+brought him to the Riuer side and did put him into a sack,
+saying that he did lie before God and the Queene, and against an
+approued trothe. He that had rather lose his life than accuse
+his maister, prayed them to suffer him to haue a ghostly father
+that like a Christian he might ende his life, and so entre the
+ioyes prepared for all repentant sinners, and after that he had
+clered his conscience, he said vnto them: “Maisters, tell my
+Lorde and maister the Bastarde, that I recommend vnto him the
+poore estate of my poore wife and children, trusting his honour
+will haue consideration of them for my sake, for so mutch as
+with good and loyall harte, I doe imploye my life for his honor
+and suretie: and with me doe what you list, for you get nothing
+at my handes that shall redounde to his hurt and preiudice.”
+Then to put him in greater feare, they bounde him within the
+sacke and threwe him into the water, crying unto him, if thou
+wilt tell the trouth thou shalt be saued: but they seing that he
+would make no aunswer drew him out againe, making reporte to the
+Queene of his faith and constancie. Who then sayd, that neither
+the king nor she were so happy in seruauntes as the Bastarde
+was, that had not wherewith to recompence such fidelitie. The
+Quene did what she coulde to get him from his seruice, but the
+poore fellowe would in no wise forsake his maister.
+Notwithstanding in thende by his said maister’s leaue, he was
+put into the Queene’s seruice, where he liued many happy dayes.
+The Queene after she vnderstode by the bastarde’s letters the
+trouth of the mariage, sent for Rolandine, and in great rage,
+called her caitife and miserable wretche, in stede of cosin,
+reciting vnto her the disparagement of her noble house, and the
+villanie she had committed against the honorable race whereof
+she came, and against the will of her which was her Queene,
+kinswoman and maistres, by contracting mariage without the
+licence of the king and her. Rolandine whiche of long time knewe
+the small devocion that her maistres bare vnto her, vsed her
+with like affection: and bicause she was werie of the Quene’s
+displeasure, thinking that her correction vttered in presence of
+many proceded not of loue, but rather to make her ashamed,
+abandoned feare, and conceiuing courage, when she sawe the
+Queene in her chiefest rage, with gladsome and firme
+countenaunce answered her in this wise: “Madame, if you cannot
+conceiue the malice of your owne harte, I will set before your
+eyes the rancour and displeasure of the same, which malice of
+long time you haue borne towardes the Lorde my father and me:
+whereof madame, I doe fele the smarte, to my great losse and
+grief: for if it had pleased you to haue borne vnto me that good
+wil which you do to those that are not so nere about you as I
+am, I had before this tyme been placed and preferred in mariage
+as well to the likyng of your honour as to my greate
+satisfaction: but you haue regarded mee as one forgotten, and
+cleane out of fauour, in such wyse as all the noblemen, with
+whome I might haue been matched, haue contempned me, as well
+through the negligence of my Lorde my father, as for the like
+estimation and accompt that you haue made of me: by meanes
+whereof I fell into that dispaire which if my health could haue
+susteined the order and state of religion, I would willingly
+haue taken it vpon me, to haue seuered my selfe from the
+continuall hatred and enuy which your grace ful rigorously hath
+showen vnto me: and being in this dispaire, I chaunced to finde
+out him, that is proceded of so noble a house as my selfe. If
+the loue of twoo persones is to be regarded, that meane to
+accomplishe the holy state of wedlock: for you knowe that his
+father in nobilitie farre excelled myne. He hath of long time
+loued me, and made great sute vnto me, but you madame, whiche
+neuer pardoned me for any small offence, ne yet praysed anye
+good acte of myne (although you know by experience that I haue
+not vsed to talke of matters of loue or other worldlie affaires,
+and that I minded aboue all things to leade a more religious
+life then any other) doe make it an hainous matter that I should
+talke with a Gentleman (so infortunate as my selfe), by whose
+loue, I thought or sought for nothing els but the ease and
+comfort of my minde. And seing my selfe voyde and frustrate of
+mine expectation, I shall imploie indeuour so well to seeke my
+rest and quiet, as you haue gone about to dispoyle me of the
+same: and then will celebrate the mariage which is already
+assured by promises and by a ring. Wherefore, madame, I thinke
+that you doe me great wrong by terming me to be a wicked woman,
+sithe that in so great and perfect amitie I might haue founde
+occasion (if I would) to haue committed euills: but there was
+neuer betwene him and me any priuie fact, other then that is
+honest, hoping that God wil shewe me such fauour, as before the
+mariage be consumat, I shall obtaine the fauour and good will of
+my Lorde my father: wherby I do neither offende God, nor my
+conscience, for I haue taried till the age of XXX. yeares, to
+see what you and my father would doe for me. I haue kept my
+selfe so chast and honest, as no man liuing is able to laye the
+contrarie to my charge. And with that reason wherewith God hath
+indued me, being olde and voyde of hope, to finde a husbande
+agreable to my nobilitie, I am determined to marie sutche a one
+as I like beste, not for the pleasure or satisfaction of the eye
+(for you know he is not faire) nor for lust of the flesh (for
+there hath bene no carnall fact committed) ne yet for pryde and
+couetousnes (for he is but poore and of litle estimation) but I
+haue a sincere respecte and pure regarde to his vertue, honestie
+and good grace, for whiche the worlde doth geue him praise, and
+the great loue also that he beareth me, maketh me hope to finde
+with him great rest and quiet. And after I had deuised and
+considered the good and euill that might insue by this my
+choise, I still persisted in that mind, and haue well wayed and
+pondered the same these twoo yeares past, being throughly
+resolued to waste and spende the rest of my dayes with him which
+I meane still firmely to kepe in despite of all the tormentes
+and cruelties, that the greatest enemies I haue, be able to make
+my poore bodie suffre, no not death it selfe shall force me to
+refuse hym. Wherefore Madame, I beseech you to accept this my
+reasonable excuse, whereunto your self is nowe made priuie, and
+suffer me to liue in that peace, whiche I hope for euer through
+him, in these mine elder to finde.” The Queene wel marking her
+stout wordes and countenaunce, and knowing the same to be very
+true, was not able to aunswere her againe with reason: but
+continuing, her rebukes and taunting checkes began to waste, and
+at length fell out into this rage: “Ah, presumptuous drabbe, and
+caitife wretch, in stede of humbling thy selfe and repenting
+thine offence, thou carpest boldly without dropping or sheading
+any teare, whereby thou doest manifestly declare that stubbornes
+and hardnes of thy harte: but if the king, and thy father, would
+follow mine aduise, they should put thee into a place, where
+force should make thee to vse other language.” “Madame,” said
+Rolandine, “because you haue accused me of bolde talke and
+presumptous speache, I meane from henceforth to hold my peace,
+except you geue me leaue to make mine aunswere.” And when she
+was commaunded to tell forth her mynde, she said: “It is not my
+part, Madame, boldly or without duetifull reuerence to speake
+before your maiestie (whiche is my maistresse, and the greatest
+Princesse in Christendome). The wordes which I haue said, be not
+spoken (Madame) of presumption, but to declare that I haue none
+other aduocate to pleade for me, but the trouth of my cause. And
+therefore am bolde without blushing feare to disclose the same,
+hoping that if your grace did knowe the secret concept of my
+poore faithfull harte, you woulde not iudge mee to be that woman
+which you terme me to be. I doe not doubt that any mortall
+creature vnderstanding my behauiour in those matters wherwith I
+am charged, would blame me, for my liberall speache, sithe I am
+sure that God and myne honor in no point I haue offended. The
+cause which maketh me thus without feare to saye my minde is,
+because I am assured that he whiche seeth my harte, is the geuer
+of my life also, and remaineth with me. If then such a Iudge and
+Guide doe order and dispose my life, why should I be afrayd of
+them that be subiect vnto his iudgement? And why then Madame,
+should I wayle or wepe, sithe mine honor and conscience without
+remorse or grudge do wel like of these my doings, which if they
+were newly to begin, I would not repente me to doe the same
+againe. But it is you (Madame) that hath good cause to wepe, as
+well for the great displeasure, euer borne me from my youthfull
+dayes, as for the wrong you doe me nowe by reprehending me
+before the face of all the worlde for a faulte, whiche ought
+rather to be imputed vnto you then vnto me. For if I had
+offended God, the king, or you, my parentes, or my conscience,
+I were well worthy to be counted very obstinate, if with great
+repentaunce I did not lament the same, but for a dede that is
+right good and vertuous, I ought not to wepe, whereof there was
+neuer other rumor spred but verie honorable, except the slaunder
+which your selfe hath raised, whereby your desire to increase my
+shame and dishonor appeareth to be greater then the respecte you
+haue to conserue the nobilitie of your house, or kindred wherof
+you come. But because it pleaseth you, Madame, so to vse me,
+I purpose not to withstand you. For when you shall ordeine that
+punishment for me, which you like best, I shal reioyse no lesse
+to suffer the same without desert, then you be willing to
+bestowe it vpon me without cause. Wherefore Madame, commaunde my
+Lorde my father to put me to what tormente you will, for the
+execution wherof you shall not finde him vnwilling. And I shall
+not be altogether without ioy, to see him prest and redie to
+obey your wilfull mynde. But I haue a father in heauen, who
+(I am sure) will geue me suche pacience, as I shall be able to
+abide and indure, what affliction soeuer you prepare for me, in
+whom only is al my hope and trust.” The Queene, so angrie as she
+could be, commaunded her out of her sight, and to be shutte into
+a chamber alone, that none might speake vnto her. In which
+imprisonment shee was not depriued from the companie of her
+gouernesse, by whose meanes she let the Bastarde vnderstande all
+her fortune, and she likewise vnderstode what he thought best
+for her to doe. Who thinking that the seruice which he had done
+to the king, would stand him in some stede, came vnto the Court
+with all spede, and founde the king in the fieldes, to whome hee
+rehearsed the trouth of the facte, beseching his maiestie that
+vnto him (who was a poore gentleman) he would shewe such fauour
+and grace as the rigor of the Queene’s maiestie might be
+appeased, and the mariage fully consumat and ended. The king
+made him none other aunswere, but saide: “Is it true that thou
+hast maried her?” “Yea sir,” saide the Bastarde: “by wordes only
+as yet: but if it please your maiestie, the same may be
+throughly made perfit.” The king nodded his hed, and for that
+time geuing him none other aunswere, hee retourned straite to
+the Castell, and when he was almost there, he called the
+Captaine of his Guarde, and commaunded him to apprehend the
+Bastarde. Notwithstanding one of his frendes which knewe the
+kinge’s countenaunce, willed him to absent himselfe, and to
+retire to one of his houses, and if the king made serche after
+him (as he suspected) he would incontinently aduertise him
+therof, that he might auoyde the realme: and when the king’s
+displeasure was pacified, he would sende him worde. The Bastarde
+beleued him, and vsed such diligence as the Captain of the
+Guarde could not finde him. The king and the Queene councelled
+together what they might doe with this poore damsell, whiche was
+their kinswoman, and by the Queene’s aduise it was concluded,
+that she should be sent home to her father, with the true
+aduertisement of the whole matter. But before she was sent,
+diuerse Diuines and learned men of the Clergie, were demaunded
+their opinions of the priuat mariage, and the Counsell also did
+sit vpon the same, who concluded that for so muche as the
+mariage was not celebrated but by wordes, it might easely be
+vndone, vntill one of them had acquited the other. Which the
+king commaunded to be performed for the honor of the house
+wherof she came. But she made them aunswere, that in all thinges
+she was redie to obey the king, except it were in matter against
+her conscience, sayinge, that those whome God had coupled
+together by heauenly aduise, could not bee separated by man’s
+decree, praying them not to attempt a thing so vnreasonable: for
+if loue and good will founded vpon the feare of God, were the
+true and sure knot of mariage, then she was so wel bounde and
+tied, as neither iron, fier, or water coulde breake that band,
+but death alone. Wherunto, and to none other constitution, she
+was determined to rendre her ring and othe, praying them not to
+speake, do, or proceede, to any thing that were contrarie vnto
+that: wherin she was so stedfastly resolued, as she had rather
+die by keping her faith, then liue to denie the same. The
+Commissioners retorned to the king and Queene the constant
+answere of the Gentlewoman, and when they sawe no remedie could
+be found to make her renounce her husband, they conueyed her
+home to her father, in such pitifull sorte, as by the way she
+passed, eche man and woman lamented her fortune. And albeit shee
+had offended, yet the punishement and affliction she suffred was
+so great and her constancie so firmely bent, as she made her
+fault to be estemed a vertue. The father receiuing those
+pitifull newes, would not see her, but sent her to his castell
+that stoode in a forest, which he had before time builded for an
+occasion, worthy to be rehersed hereafter, and there kept her in
+prison a long time, sending worde vnto her, that if shee would
+forsake her husband, he would take her for his doughter, and set
+her at libertie. Who for all that offer was firme and constant,
+and loued her prison the better by obseruing the bond of
+mariage, then al the libertie of the world, without the hauing
+of her husband. And it semed by her countenaunce, that al the
+paynes she had indured were most pleasaunt pastimes, for that
+she suffred the same for his sake, whome she loued best. What
+should I speake of men? This Bastarde at length became
+vnmindeful of her, and fled into Alemaine, where he had many
+frendes. Whose inconstancie afterwardes appeared so manifest, as
+the vertue of true and perfit loue outwardly seming to remain in
+him, was conuerted into the vice of odible ingratitude, whereby
+it was euident, that the causes that made him so hotte a Suter,
+were the vglie monsters of Auarice and Ambition, where he fill
+in loue with an Almaine Ladie, he forgetting to visite her with
+letters, that for his sake had susteined so great and manifold
+tribulations. For what rigor or affliction soeuer Fortune
+offred, coulde neuer before that tyme put awaye the meanes from
+writing one to an other, but onely the vices before named, and
+the foolish and wicked loue wherin he suffred him selfe to fall.
+Which sudden and newe loue so perced the hart of Rolandine, and
+so fiercely assailed the same, as she could no more content and
+rest her self. Afterwards vpon the viewe of his wrytinges and
+letters, seing him to be so chaunged and altered from his
+accustomed stile, what tormentes then she suffred, they doe
+knowe that haue felte and tasted the bitter cup of like
+passions. And yet her perfecte loue would not suffer her to fixe
+certaine iudgement vpon this aduertisement, and therefore
+deuised secretly to sende one of her seruaunts whome shee
+trusted best, to espie, and priuely make serche whether the same
+were true or not. Whiche her seruaunt being retourned, hee
+truely tolde her, howe the Bastarde Gentleman was in loue with a
+Ladie of Almaine, and howe the brute was that he made great sute
+vnto her for mariage, because shee was very ritche. These newes
+brought sutche extreme sorrowe and grief to the harte of poore
+Rolandine, as being not able to abide the bruntes thereof, she
+fill very sicke. Those whiche vnderstode the originall of her
+disease, sayde vnto her (in the behalfe of her father) that for
+so muche as nowe she knewe the great villanie of the Bastarde,
+shee might iustly forsake hym: persuading her thereunto with the
+greatest reasons they could deuise. But for all those
+persuasions, no remedie could be founde to make her chaunge
+opinion: in whiche her laste tentacion shee declared the great
+constancie wherewith she was affected: for like as loue was
+decreased in him: so the same augmented in her, whiche remained
+and persisted in despite of all the malice of the worlde. For
+that loue, whiche fayled, and was fledde from him, tourned and
+retired into her. And when she perceiued her selfe alone fully
+possessed with that whiche before was deuided betwene them
+bothe, shee determined to obserue the same vntill death had made
+an ende of her fatall dayes. Wherefore the goodnes of God (which
+is perfect charitie and true loue) had pitie vpon her sorrowe,
+and regarded her pacience in such wise, as within few daies
+after the Bastarde died in the pursute of the other ladie’s
+Loue. Wherof Rolandine being dauertised by those which saw him
+buried, prayed them to trauell with her father by humble sute,
+that he would vouchsafe to giue her leaue to speake vnto him.
+Who at their request, (although he neuer spake vnto her before,
+during the tyme of her imprisonment) incontinently was pleased
+so to doe. And after that he had herde the discourse of her
+iuste reasons, in place of rebukes, and his promise made to kill
+her (which many times he threatened by woordes) he cleped her
+betweene his armes, and bitterly weping, sayde vnto her:
+“Daughter, I wel perceiue your vertue and constant mynde, which
+farre surmounteth any thing that is good in mee, for if there be
+any faulte or lacke of consideration of your estate, I am the
+principal occasion thereof: but sith the goodnes of God hath
+thus ordeined it, I wil make satisfaction for mine offence
+past.” And afterwardes he sent her home to his house, where he
+vsed and interteigned her like his derest and eldest daughter.
+In the ende she was demaunded in mariage by a Gentleman of name
+and armes, to her estate and bloud not inferior. Who was bothe
+wise and vertuous, and so louingly regarded Rolandine (whome he
+many times visited) as he attributed vnto her the prise of
+prayse for that, which others accompted worthy of rebuke,
+knowing that her intent of former loue was grounded vpon the
+foundation of vertue. The mariage was well liked of her father,
+was acceptable to Rolandine, and was forthwith concluded. True
+it is that a brother she had, the only inheritour of her
+father’s landes, who would not agree that she should receiue her
+childe’s porcion, obiecting that she had disobeied her father.
+And after the death of the good old man (her father) her brother
+vsed her very rigorously and cruelly. For her husbande was but a
+yonger brother, and had wherewithal scarce able to liue: for
+which want, God bountifully prouided: for the brother whose
+gredie minde did craue in one daie to be possessor of al, by
+sodain death was depriued, as well of his sister’s porcion as of
+al the rest. By whose death she remained the whole inheritor of
+that honorable house: and afterwardes liued an honorable and
+stately life, in great wealth and pleasure, and was welbeloued
+and duetifully intreated of her husband. Finally hauing by her
+husband two goodly sonnes, she very vertuously brought them vp,
+and finishing her aged dayes, she ioyfully rendred her soule
+vnto him, in whom of long time she had reposed her onely trust
+and confidence. Now good ladies let them come forth that be the
+common displaiers of women’s inconstancie, and let them bring
+forth in presence, so good and perfect a husband as this was a
+good and constant woman, indued with semblable faith and vertue.
+I am sure to bring this to passe the matter wilbe very
+difficult: and therfore I had rather discharge them of this my
+chalenge, then put them to payne to trauell and seeke for such a
+one. Whose vertuous loue and godlye continuance of the same, is
+worthye to bee sounded by Trompe of fame to the extreame partes
+of the Earth. And yet I would aduise yonge Ladies and
+gentlewomen to beware how they be inamoured, and pursue the
+trade of loue, contrarie to the will of parentes, who ought in
+time of infancie to be their guide, and also in riper yeares to
+procure them mariage according to their worthines: which they
+may the better and soner do, is by vertuous education they arme
+and instruct their tender and youthly age.
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTY-THIRD NOUELL.
+
+  _The Wisedome of a woman to withdrawe the foolishe loue of her
+  husband, wherwith he was tormented._
+
+
+Many yeares are not yet expired sithens there was a Gentlewoman
+of noble house (whose name I may not disclose), so wise and
+vertuous as shee was wel beloued and esteemed of her neighbours:
+her husband (not without good cause) trusted her in al his
+affaires, which she ordred and gouerned so wisely, as her house
+by her meanes grew to be one of the richest and best apparelled,
+that was in the countrie wherein she dwelled. Liuing thus a long
+time with her husbande, by whom shee had many goodly children,
+their happie state and felicitie (after which daily insue their
+contraries) began to decaie, because that he, defatigated with
+to much quiet, abandoned restfull life, to seeke after
+troublesom trauell: and had gotten a custome when his wife was a
+sleepe to rise from her side, and not to returne vntill it was
+very nere morning. The gentlewoman misliking this maner of life,
+became very ielous of her husband, and yet made as though she
+mistrusted nothing: but that spitefull passion entred her
+stomacke so farre, as in thende shee forgot thaffayres of her
+house, the diligence of her person, and good gouernment of her
+familie, like vnto one that verely supposed that (do what shee
+could) she had lost the fruite of her paine and labour, which
+was the great loue of her husband, for continuance whereof shee
+spared no trauaile or toile: but losinge altogether as shee
+manifestly perceiued, shee grew to be so carelesse of her
+housholde state and houswiferie, as speedelie appeared the
+fruites of slouth and negligence: for her husband for his part
+spent without order, and she staied her trauell from matters of
+houshold: in such wise as the same was growen to so great
+penurie, as the high and stately woodes were felled downe to the
+stubbe, and the goodly maners deliuered into the handes of sir
+Mathewe Morgage. One of the gentlewoman’s frendes and kinsemen
+which knew her disease, tolde her of her fault, and rebuked her
+for that carelesse life: sayinge, that if loue of husband could
+not make her to haue respecte of housholde profite: zeale and
+regarde of poore children’s state ought to moue her thereunto.
+This good councell of her frende touched her very nere, and the
+pitie of her children at lengthe made her to recouer her
+spirits, and to assaie by all meanes possible to wynne againe
+her husbande’s loue. See here the nature of honestie, and
+condicion of well disposed life: this gentlewoman was infected
+with the plague of Ielousie (an ordinarie disease in women,) and
+not without iust cause: for what Grisilde could suffre her
+wedded husband, assembled in bedde, in depthe of slepe, to rise
+and runne a straie like a wylde horse, neying after the straied
+female kinde of that sorte? This good Gentlewoman, I saye,
+almoste besides her wittes for alienation of her deserued loue,
+now growen careles of worldly thinges, as you haue heard, is
+vpon the louing admonicion of her nerest frend, pricked with
+naturall regarde of Infantes: launching forth that festred sore
+of Ialousie, serched meanes by policie to wynne that which
+Ialousie could not get, whiche was her husbande’s loue, whom
+with curteouse wiuely shame not before assemblie of neighbours,
+or straungers audience, by huy and crye as many doe, but in
+domesticall boundes, within the compas of housholde, and within
+the circuit of secret chambre, shee made him blushe from former
+life, and to deteste all filthie and beastly factes in future
+time. Suche be the frutes of a right matrone’s life. Suche be
+the gaines of the milde and quiet wife. Such a wife, I say, is
+the honor of her husband’s name, the onely vpholder and
+restoratife of his renowme and fame. But turne we againe to the
+experienced wisedome of this Gentlewoman. The next day she
+diligently watched by false slepe, the time of his vprising from
+her: and when he was gone, shee rose likewyse, putting her night
+gowne about her, causing the bedde to bee made, and saying her
+prayers, she waited the retourne of her husband, who being
+retired into his chambre, she came before him to kisse hym, and
+brought him a basen with water to washe his handes: and musing
+at the vnaccustomed order of his wife, he tolde her that he was
+come but from the priuie, and therfore neded not to washe.
+Whereunto she answered, that although it were no great matter,
+yet cleanly and honest, to washe the handes, being come from an
+vncleane and stinking place, by which wordes she was desirous to
+let him vnderstande his follie thereby to hate his dishonest and
+filthie life. But for all that wyse and pretie taunte hee
+amended nothing at all: Howbeit she continued that ordre the
+space of one yere. And when she sawe, that her diligence could
+not reforme his vsuall trade of lyfe, on a tyme wayting for her
+husband, which taried longer then he was wont to doe, shee was
+desirous to seeke hym out, and went from chamber to chamber,
+till at lengthe shee founde hym a bedde in a back chambre and a
+sleepe with the moste ill fauoured, foule and filthiest Slutte
+of her house, such a homely pece and durty beaste, as the lyke
+was not to be founde in a countrie. The gentlewoman beholding
+this manerly sight, thought to teache him a lesson howe to
+remembre the difference betwene the sweete and pleasaunt
+lodging, with a fayre and duetifull wife, and the vncleanly
+couching with a stinking and lothsome Queane. Wherupon she
+caused a burden of Strawe and worne rushes to be brought vnto
+her, setting the same on fier in the middes of the chamber, but
+when she sawe her husband almoste choked with the great smother,
+she waked hym, and plucked him out of the bed by the armes,
+crying: “fier, fier.” If the husbande were ashamed, and offended
+with him selfe to be founde in a bedde with such an vncleanly
+matche, by his faire and honest wife, I referre the iudgement to
+all indifferent men, that be coupled with like wiues. Then his
+wyfe said vnto him: “Sir I haue assaied the space of one whole
+yeare, to withdrawe you from this vile and wicked life, by
+gentlenes and pacience, and shewed example by washing you
+without, that you might also clense your selfe within. But when
+I sawe myne endeuour could take no place, I attempted to helpe
+my selfe with the element that shall ende and consume vs all:
+assuring you, sir, that if this doe not amende you, I cannot
+tell if the seconde time, I be able likewise to ridde you from
+the daunger that may happen. I praye you sir to thinke and
+consider that there is no greater dispayre or dispite, then that
+whiche is conceiued of loue: and had I not set before mine eyes
+the feare of God, I could not haue practised suche pacience, as
+I haue done.” The husband very glad, that he had escaped that
+misfortune, promised her neuer to geue occasion, that shee
+should take like payne to bring him to order. Whiche promise the
+Gentlewoman very willingly beleued, and with her husbande’s
+consent, she expelled out of her house, that which did displease
+her moste: and from that time forth, they louingly liued
+together, and the former faultes of this reformed life, was an
+increase of ioyful and mutuall delightes. I beseche you
+Gentlewomen (if there be any in the place where this nouell is
+redde) if God doe geue you such husbandes to beware of dispaire,
+vntill ye haue assayed all possible meanes to reduce them to
+good ordre. For there be in the daye XXIIII. houres, in euery of
+whiche houres a man may chaunge opinion: and a woman ought to
+accompt her selfe moste happie, if by pacience and long
+suffraunce she wynne her husbande, excepte fortune and frendes
+haue procured one that is alreadie perfecte. This example
+therefore maye serue al sortes of maried women. Let her take
+example that list (quod Dame Partelot) for it is impossible for
+me to vse suche long pacience. But let Dame Partelot speake her
+pleasure, I would aduise all husbandes to lyue honestly with
+their honest wiues, and doe praie to God to plant mo sutch wiues
+to store the barren worlde that neuer or seldome bryngeth forth
+such increase.
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTY-FOURTH NOUELL.
+
+  _The notable charitie of a woman of Tours towards her husbande._
+
+
+Another hystorie of like example I thincke meete to bee annexed:
+which telleth howe in the Cittie of Tours in Fraunce, there was
+a fayre and honest wyfe which for her vertues was not onelye
+beloued, but also feared and esteemed of her husband. So it was
+that he followinge the fragilitie of those men, which be wearie
+of delicate fare, fill in loue with a woman of the Countrye that
+kepte his house there, and many times departed from Tours to
+visite his countrie woman, where he commonlye taried II. or III.
+dayes before his retorne: and when he came home againe to Tours,
+he ordinarely did take cold, whereof his good wife had much to
+do to recouer him. And so sone as he was hole, hee failed not to
+returne to the place, where pleasure made him forget all his
+former griefe and sicknes. His wife which aboue all thinges
+loued his life and tendred his health, seinge him commonly
+broughte into so poore estate, went into the Countrye, where she
+founde out the yong woman that her husband loued. Vnto whom (not
+in choler but with smilinge cheere and countenaunce) shee sayd:
+“How she knew well that oftentimes her husband repaired thither
+to visite her, and that she was not well content that she vsed
+him no more carefully, for when he came home from her he toke so
+great cold as long time after she had much a doe to recouer
+him.” The poore woman as wel for the reuerence of the Dame, as
+for the trouth of the matter, could not denie the facte, and
+therefore fallinge downe vppon her knees, asked her forgiuenes.
+The maistresse required to see the bedde and chamber, where her
+husband laie, which she perceiued to be so cold, ill fauoured,
+and out of order, as she pitied and lamented the case: wherefore
+incontinently she sent for a good bedde furnished with sheetes,
+blanquets and Couerlet, accordingly as she knew her husband
+loued, causing the chamber to be repaired, hanged, and dressed
+vp, after the best maner: she gaue her also plate and vessell to
+serue her husband at meales, together with a punchion of wyne,
+spice, and other confections: and then prayed the woman to sende
+home her husbande, no more so sicke, but to interteigne and
+cherishe him after the most delicate and carefull maner she
+could. The husband taried not long at home, but after his olde
+custome wente againe into the countrie to visit his woman, and
+marueiled much to finde her poore lodging so trimlye garnished,
+but much more he wondred when calling for drincke he sawe her to
+bringe him a siluer potte, asking her where she had gotten all
+those goodes. The poore woman sayde vnto him weeping, that it
+was his wife, which hauing so great pitie vppon his ill
+intreatie, had furnished her house, and had committed vnto her
+the charge and regard of his health. Hee seing the greate
+humilitie and goodnes of his wyfe, and that shee for the
+vnkindnes he shewed vnto her, had requited him with that
+curtesie and louing kindnes, well pondering and regarding his
+owne frailtie, and the honeste demeanor of his wyfe, afterwards
+rewarded the poore woman with money, and perswaded her from that
+time foorth to liue an honest life. And then returned home to
+his wyfe, confessing vnto her the negligence of his dutie, and
+that excepte she had vsed that kinde of curtesie and goodnes
+towards him, it had bin impossible for him to forsake and giue
+ouer his vngodlye life: and afterwardes vtterly abandoning his
+behauiour past, they liued together in great rest and quietnes.
+Belieue me if ye list (to you good wiues I speake) that there be
+verye few ill husbands, whom the pacience and loue of the wyfe,
+is able at lengthe to winne, or els they be more harde then
+stones, which the soft and feble water by continuance of time,
+is able to weare and make holow: for when the wiue’s lenitie
+shall enter his carelesse stomacke, and her pacient suffraunce
+renew remembraunce of dutie, then doth conscience bite, and gnaw
+the cancred cord that tyeth vp the good consideracion of his
+office, and regarde to maried life: then doth age abhorre the
+lewdnes of former life, and commeth home to cherish the holsome
+Nourice of his pleasant state. Then regardeth he the bande
+wherewith matrimonie hath bound him, and both at bedde and borde
+obserueth the ful perfections of the same.
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTY-FIFTH NOUELL.
+
+  _The simplicitie of an olde woman, that offered a burning candle to
+  S. Iohn of Lions._
+
+
+In the Church of S. Iohn at Lions, there was a very darke
+Chappell, and within the same a Tombe made of stone, erected for
+great personages, with pictures liuely wroughte, and about the
+same Tombe there doe lie manye worthie knightes of great fame
+and valiaunce. Vpon a hote Sommer’s daye, a souldiour walking vp
+and downe the Church had great delight to sleape, and beholding
+that darcke chappell which was colde and fresh of ayre, thoughte
+to reste vpon the Tombe as other did, besides whom he layde him
+downe to sleepe. It chaunced that a good old woman very deuoute,
+came thether when the souldior was in the depth of his sleepe.
+And after shee had sayd her deuocions, wyth a wax candle in her
+hande, she would haue fastened the same vpon the Tombe, and
+repayring nere the place where the souldiour lay, desirous to
+sticke it vppon his forehead, thinking it had been the stone,
+the waxe would take no hold. The old woman, which thought the
+cause that her candle would not cleaue was the coldnesse of the
+Image, she warmed the souldior’s forehead with the flame of the
+candle, to sticke it faste. But the Image which was not
+insensible, beganne to cry oute, whereat the poore woman was so
+afraide, as like one straught of her wittes, she brake into
+exclamacion crying: “A miracle! A miracle!” They within the
+Church hearing an outcry of a miracle, ranne in heapes as though
+they had been madde, some to ring the belles, and some to see
+the miracle: whom the good woman broughte to see the Image,
+which then was remoued: whereat many began to laughe. But diuers
+priestes not willing so to give ouer so great a Miracle,
+determined afterwards to vse that tombe in reuerence, therby to
+get money.
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTY-SIXTH NOUELL.
+
+  _A Doctor of the Lawes boughte a cup, who by the subtiltie of two
+  false varlets, lost both his money and the cuppe._
+
+
+To conclude our nomber of Nouels, I haue thought good (gentle
+reader) to bringe in place a Doctour and his wyfe, to giue thee
+a merye farewell: because thou haste hitherto so frendly and
+pacientlye suffred thy selfe to be stayed in reading of the
+reste: wherefore with a pleasaunt Adieu in a short and merie
+tale, which discloseth the subtiltie of two false knaues to
+beguile a poore Doctor and his wyfe, I meane to end. And
+therfore do saye, that in the Citie of Bologna in Italie, there
+was a worshipful Doctor of the Lawes, called Maister Florien,
+which in other thinges sauing his profession was but a slouen,
+and of so ill behauiour as none of his facultie the like: who by
+sauing of many crustes, had layed vp so good store of Crownes,
+as he caused to be made a very great and costly Cup of siluer,
+for payment of which Cup he went to the Goldsmithe’s house, and
+hauinge payed for the siluer, the guilt, and for the fashion,
+being without his Clarke to carie it home, he prayed the
+Goldsmith to lend him his man. By chaunce there were newly come
+to the Citie, two yonge men that were Romaynes, which ranged vp
+and downe the streates with eares vpright, to view and marke
+euery thinge done in the same, bearing about them counterfait
+Iewels and lingots, guilt of S. Martine’s touche, to deceiue him
+that would playe the foole to buy them. One of them was called
+Liello and the other Dietiquo. These two Marchantes being at
+good leasure to wander the streates, beholding the passangers to
+and fro, by fortune espied the Goldsmithe’s man, who (to set
+forth the workemanship and making of the cup) caried the same
+open. These gallants bearing a spite to the cup, more for the
+siluer than for other malice, purposed to inuent some sleight to
+get the Cuppe, and a farre of with slie pase, followed the
+Goldsmithe’s man, of whom they craftelie inquired of the owner
+of the Cup, and where hee had left maister Florien. When they
+had concluded vppon their enterprise, Liello (the finest boye of
+them both) went straight to buy a Lamprey of great price, and
+hiding the same vnder his cloake, repayred directly to Maister
+Doctour’s house, where finding his wife of semblable wit and
+behauiour that her husband was, with vnshamefast face and like
+grace, said vnto her: “Maistresse, Maister Florien your husbande
+hath sent you a fishe, and prayeth you to dresse it and to make
+dinner readie, because he bringeth a company of other Doctoures
+with him: in the meane time he requireth you, to retorne vnto
+him the Cuppe againe, whiche hee sent you this morning by the
+Goldsmithe’s man, because he had forgotten to stampe his armes
+vppon it.” The woman receyuinge the fishe, franckly deliuered
+him the Cup, and went about to prepare dinner. Liello (which
+hunted after gaine but better caught his prey) hied him a pace
+and conueyed himselfe with speede to the house of one of his
+Countriemen, and there reioyced with his companion, attending
+for the comming of the Royster Dietiquo, who taried in the
+Towne, wayting and viewing what pursute was made after his
+fellowe. Sone after maister Florien retourned to his house and
+finding his dinner more delicate than it was wont to be,
+marueyled, and asked his wyfe who was at all that coste. His
+wyfe very scornefully aunswered: “Why sir, haue you forgotten
+that you sente me word this morning that you woulde bring home
+with you diuers Gentlemen to dinner?” “What” (quoth the Doctour)
+“I thincke you be a foole.” “I am not” (sayd shee) “and for
+better witnesse you sent mee this fishe, that I would you had
+been better aduised before you had bestowed such coste.”
+“I assure thee:” quoth hee, “I sent thee no fishe, but belike it
+was some folishe knaue that had forgotten his arrant and
+mistaken the house: but howsoeuer it was wyse, we at this time
+will be content to fare well, at other mennes charge.” “Why sir
+(sayd his wyfe) call your selfe to better remembraunce, for hee
+that brought the Lampry, came to me for your Cup, by this token
+that you would haue your armes engrauen vppon the same.” At
+those words the poore Doctour, after he had discharged three or
+foure Canons laden with haile shot of scolding words wente out
+into the streate, running hither and thither demaunding of al
+them he met, if they saw none carrie a Lampry home to his house.
+And you would haue said if you had seen the Doctour wyth his
+hode hanging at one side, that he had been out of his wittes.
+Dietiquo stode still in a corner, and beheld the Doctour’s
+frantike order, and albeit that he was sure the stealinge of the
+Cuppe by Liello his companion was impossible to be knowen, yet
+being sorye that the Lampry cost so much, determined also to
+play his part, and seinge the doctour stayed from making further
+complaintes and pursute, he went home to the Doctour’s house,
+where smiling with a good grace and bould countenaunce saide
+vnto his wyfe: “Maistresse Doctour, good newes, the Cup is
+founde, one whom you know caused the same to be done in sport to
+bring your husband Maister Florien in a choler, who now is
+amonges diuers of his frendes iesting at the pleasuant deceipt,
+and hath sent me hither to fetch their dinner, wherein they
+praye you to remember the Lamprey, and to come your selfe to
+take part of the same, bicause they purpose to be mery.” The
+woman ioyful of those newes, began some what to complaine of the
+griefe which she had taken for losse of the cup, and deliuered
+to Dietiquo the rosted Lamprey with the sause, betwene two
+platters who incontinently hid the same vnder his cloke, and
+wyth so much speede as he could, went to seeke out his companion
+Lielo, and their countrimen, which all that while had taried for
+him: and God knoweth whether those good fellowes did laugh and
+mocke the poore Doctour, and his wife or not, and when she had
+made herself gay and trimme to go eate part of the Lamprey, as
+she was going out she met Maister Florien lookinge lowringlie
+vppon the matter, to whom she said (smiling like a frumenty pot)
+“How now, sir, come they hither to dinner? I haue sent you that
+Lamprey ready dressed.” Then Maister Doctor after faire talke,
+beganne to discharge his double Cannons, callinge his wyfe
+Whore, bitch, and beaste, and vnderstandinge that he was twice
+begiled and could not tell by whom, for spite and despayre he
+tare of his beard, and the heare of his head, which bruted and
+knowen in the Citie, the Iesters and pleasaunt felowes bent
+themselues to laugh, and deuise pastime at the poore begiled
+Doctour and his wyfe.
+
+
+FINIS.
+
+
+
+
+  The ſecond Tome
+  of the Palace of Pleaſure,
+  *conteyning store of goodly Hiſtories,*
+  Tragicall matters, and other Mo-
+  *rall argument, very re-*
+  _quiſite for delighte_
+  *and profit.*
+
+  _Choſen and selected out of_
+  _diuers good and commen-
+  dable Authors:_
+
+  By William Painter, Clerke of the
+  Ordinance and Armarie.
+  ANNO.1567.
+
+  Imprinted at London, in
+  Pater Noster Rowe, by Henry
+  Bynneman, for Nicholas
+  England.
+
+
+
+
+  _To the Right Worshipful Sir George Howard Knight, Maister of the
+  Quene’s Maiestie’s Armarye._
+
+
+Every science hauing his peculier commodity, and conducinge to
+the trauayler and dilligent searcher, a due deserued benefyte
+(besydes the exercise and shunninge the pestilent monster
+Idlenes) discloseth the miraculous effect of the Diuinity, and
+the excellency of his Creature: who breathing life into that
+sencelesse worke, framed within the mould of humayn Conception,
+forceth in him by nature and timely institution such capacitye
+of Science, as not onelye by that knowledge hee glorifyeth his
+Creator, but also besydes himselfe, helpeth and doth good to
+other. For profe whereof the Science of that surpassing and
+delightsome pasture of Theologie, is profitable to teache,
+argue, reproue, and instruct, that by pacience and consolation,
+we may conceiue hope of Eternitye. The knowledge of Philosophie
+cureth the Mynde, auoydeth childish care, expelleth feare, and
+shunneth fond desyres. O Philosophye, the guide of life,
+(exclameth Tullie) the inquisitor of Vertue and expeller of
+vice. Rethorike (affirmeth he) causeth vs to learne that we know
+not and that we know to teach to other: by the same we exhort,
+with that we perswade, with that we comfort the afflicted, by it
+we encourage the astonned, and appease the outragious. Musike,
+easeth the troubled mynde, lenifyeth sorrowe, comforteth the
+heauye harted, and erecteth a contemplatyon of heauenlye
+thinges. Astronomye, reuealeth the nature of the Starres and
+Planets, presageth dayes and times for the helpe and
+maintenaunce of life. Poesie teacheth amendment of manners,
+directeth what things be mete for imitation, and with what
+detriment wantonnes anoyeth the bodye of man. By meanes of it
+(Sainct Augustine saith,) he learned many good lessons to
+profite himselfe and do good to other. To be short euery science
+is so necessary, as the same taken away, reason is depriued and
+the Life of Man (of due order and gouernment) defrauded. Thinke
+(sayth a Greke Oratour) the knowledge of many thinges to bee
+more precious and excellent, then a Chest heaped vp with
+abundance of money: for the one quickly fayleth, and the other
+for euer lasteth. For Scientia (affirmeth hee) is the onelye
+immortall storehouse of all possessions. Amonges which troupe of
+Sciences, the knowledge and search of Histories deserueth a
+place in the chefest rank, and is for example of humaine
+affayres, a Christal light to shew the pathes of our Auncestors.
+The same displaieth the counsels, aduises, pollicies, actes,
+successe, and endes of Kinges, Princes and great men, with the
+order and discription of time and place. And like a liuely image
+representeth before our eies the beginning, end and
+circumstaunce of ech attempt. The same (like a Mistresse of our
+life) by probable examples stirreth vp our sluggish mindes, to
+aspyre the eternal glorie of praise and fame, and terrifyeth the
+desperate and aduenturous, from enterprise of things vnseemely.
+The same is a passing picture of verity, and an absolute paterne
+framinge the matter greatter nor lesse then it is. And because I
+am not ignorant what Encomia innumerable Authors in time past,
+and wryters of our tyme do attribute vnto that science, and with
+what titles the Prince of them all decketh the praise of
+Historicall knowledge, I only refer the worthines to the
+practisers, and the syngularitye of Histories trauel and
+delight, to ech willing minde that imploye their leasure and
+tyme therin. And I for my parte do confesse (that by reading of
+Histories) I fynd the saying which Tullie aduoucheth of Publius
+Scipio to bee true: that he was neuer lesse idle, then when he
+was idle, and neuer lesse alone, then when he was alone, meaning
+therby, that when he was at best leisure, he was neuer idle, nor
+when he was alone vnoccupied. For when labor resteth him selfe
+in me, and leisure refresheth other affaires nothing delights
+more that vacant tyme, than readinge of Histories in such vulgar
+speache, wherein my small knowledge taketh repast. And for that
+my priuat reading might not delyte and pleasure me alone, to
+auoid the nature of that cankred churle and foe of humain
+companye, Timon of Athens, that liued but for him selfe, I haue
+(after my skill) culled some floures and fruites from that
+pleasaunt store of those my readinges to impart for vniversal
+gayne and benefite, chosynge rather hereby to followe the
+liberalitye of Cimon a gentleman of that Cittye, who knowynge
+hymselfe to bee borne to profite other and for the enriching of
+his Couutry, not only atchiued maruailous matters for
+furtherance of Comon wealth, but lefte his Gardens and Orchards
+open for all men to participate the Fruictes of his pleasure and
+trauell. Wherby so wel as I can I follow the tract and practice
+of other, by whose meanes, so manifold sciences in our known
+toung and translation of Histories be frequent and rife amonge
+vs. Al which be done after our commodity, pleasure, solace,
+preseruation and comfort, and without the which we cannot long
+be sustayned in this miserable lyfe, but shal become not much
+vnlyke the barbarous, ne discrepant from the sauage sorte. The
+inuestigatours and bringers to light, wherof direct their eyes
+and meaning to none other end but for the benefyte of vs and our
+posteritye, and that our faces be not taynted with the blushing
+coloure to se the passing diligence of other Countryes by
+curious imbelishinge of their states with the troublous trauaile
+of their brayne, and laboursom course of penne. Who altogeather
+imploi those paynes, that no Science lurke in Corner, that no
+Knowledge be shut vp in cloysters, that no History remaine vnder
+the maske and vnknowne attyre of other tongues. Among which crew
+(I say) I craue an inferiour place and haue vndertaken the
+vnfolding of sundry Histories from the couerture of foren
+language for none other purpose and intent but to vniuersal
+benefyte. Part whereof, two yeares past (almost) were made
+commune in a former boke, now succedeth a second, furnished
+withlike ornaments that the other was. The first (by duties
+chalenge) was addressed to the right honorable the Earle of
+Warwik, for respect of his honour, and my calling. This the
+second by lyke band, your worship may iustly clayme as a iust
+tribute now this moneth of Nouember, payable. Or if your
+curtesye would not deale so roughly with youre bounden
+creditoure, yet for duty sake I must acquite and content that
+which hath so long ben due. The same I offer now not with such
+vsury and gayne as your beneuolence and syngular bounty, by long
+forbearing hath deserued, but with such affected will and desyre
+of recompence, as any man alyue can owe to so rare a friend.
+Your worship I haue chosen for the firste person of this boke,
+and the protector of the same (the matter moste specially therin
+comprised, treating of courtly fashions and maners, and of the
+customes of loue’s gallantise, and the good or yll successe
+therof,) because you be an auncient Courtier, and one of the
+eldest Trayne, and such as hath bene imployed by sundry our
+Princes, in their affayres of greatest wayght and importance,
+and for that your selfe in your lustiest tyme (euer bred and
+brought vp in Court,) haue not ben vnacquainted with those
+occurrants. If I shoulde stand particularlye to touch the
+originall of your noble Auncestry, the succession of that
+renowmed line, their fidelity for graue aduise and counsel, your
+honowrable education, the mariage of a mighty kyng with one of
+your sisters, the valiant exploites of your parents againste the
+Frenche and Scottes, the worthye seruice of your selfe in
+fielde, wherby you deseruedly wanne the order of Knighthode, the
+trust which her maiestie reposeth in you, by disposing vnder
+your charge the store of her Armure, and your worthy preferment
+to be Maister of her Armary generall. If I should make recitall
+of your careful industry and painful trauel sustayned, for
+aunswearing her Maiestye’s expectation, your noble cherishing of
+the skilful in that science, your good aduancemente of the best
+to supply the vacant romes, your refusall of the vnworthy: and
+finally of your modest and curteous dealings in that office,
+I feare lacke of ability (and not of matter) would want grace
+and order by further circumstaunce to adde sufficient prayse:
+yea although my selfe do say nothinge, (but reserue the same in
+silence to auoyd suspecte of adulation) the very armure and
+their furnitures do speake, vniuersal testimony doth wonder, and
+the Readines of the same for tyme of seruice doth aduouch. Which
+care of things continually resting in your breast, hath atchyued
+such a tymely diligence, and successe, as when her Maiestye’s
+aduersary shal be readye to molest, she shal be prest (by God’s
+assistance) to defend and march. But not to hold your worship
+long by length of preamble, or to discourse what I might further
+saye, either in fauour of this boke, or commendation of youre
+selfe, I meane (for this instant) to leaue the one to general
+iudgment, and the other to the particular sentence of ech of
+your acquaintance. Humblye making this onlye sute that my good
+wil may supplye the imperfection of myne abilitye. And so with
+my harty prayer for your preseruation to him that is the auctor
+of life and health, I take my leaue.
+
+    From my pore house besides the Tower of London,
+                the iiij. of Nouember,
+                          1567.
+                            Your most bounden
+                                   WILLIAM PAINTER.
+
+
+
+
+TO THE READER.
+
+
+As shewed curtesie deserueth grateful acquital and frendly
+fauour forceth mutual merit. So for gentle acceptation of my
+other boke, I render to thy delite and profit a second Tome, for
+which I craue but like report: albeit, neither worthy of any: or
+other then the rude artificer gayneth by tryal of his art. Who
+hauing committed to his skil and workmanship, some substance of
+gold, or other precious matter, fashioneth the same with such
+bungled shape and order, as (besydes disprayse) it carieth the
+vnablenes of the workman. Howsoeuer (then) the ablenes or
+perfection herof vniuersally shal content or particularly
+displease: the boke craueth mild construction, for imploied
+paines. And yet the same (liking or lothing the licorous diet,
+and curious expectation of som) shal beare regarde with those
+that more delite in holsom viandes (voyd of variety) than in the
+confused mixture of foren drugges fetched farr of. Who no doubt
+will supply with fauorable brute, default of ablenes and riper
+skil in the Histories of forren spech. Which is the guerdon
+(besides publike benefyte) after which I gaze, and the best
+stipend that ech wel willinge mind (as I suppose) aspireth for
+their trauel, and briefly to touch what comodity thou shalt
+reape of these succeding Histories, I deme it not vnapt for
+thine instruction, to vnfold what pith and substance, resteth
+vnder the context of their discourse.
+
+In the Nouel of the AMAZONES, is displayed a straunge or
+miraculous port, (to our present skill) of womens gouernment,
+what state they subdued, what increase of Kingdome, what combats
+and conflictes they durst attempt contrary to the nature of that
+sexe.
+
+In ALEXANDER the greate, what ought to bee the gratitude and
+curtesye in a puissant Prince, toward his slaue and captiue, and
+to what perilous plunge he slippeth by exchange of vice for
+vertue.
+
+In TIMOCLIA and THEOXENA the stoutnesse of two noble Dames to
+auoyde the beastly lust and raging fury of Tyrantes.
+
+ARIOBARZANES telleth the duty of a subiect to his Prince: and
+how he ought not to contende with his souerayn in matters of
+curtesy, at length also the condition of courting flatterers:
+and the poison of the monster Enuy.
+
+ARISTOTIMVS disgarboyleth the intralles of Tiranny, describing
+the end whereunto Tirants do attein and how that vice plagueth
+their posterity.
+
+The two Romayne QUEENS do point (as it wer) with their fyngers,
+the natures of Ambition and cruelty, and the gredy lust (hidden
+in that feeble sexe) of souerainty.
+
+SOPHONISBA reporteth the force of beauty, and what poyson
+distilleth from that licourous sappe to inuenim the hartes of
+valiant gentlemen.
+
+The gentlewomen of HYDRVSA the ficlenes of Fortune.
+
+The Empresse FAUSTINA, and the countesse of CELANT, what
+blossoms blome of whorish life, and what fruictes therof be
+culled.
+
+The letters of the Emperour TRAIANE, do paynt a right shape of
+vertue, a good state of gouernment, and the comly form of
+obedience.
+
+Three Amorous Dames reueale the sleights of loue the redines of
+Nobles to be baited with the amorous hoke, and what desire such
+infamous strumpets haue to be honored.
+
+Queene ZENOBIA, what the noble Gentlewomen (whom the fates
+ordayne to rule) ought to do, how farre their magnanimity ought
+to stretch, and in what boundes to conteine their souerainty.
+
+EVPHIMIA a king’s daughter of Corinth, and the vnfortunate
+Duchesse of Malfi, what match of mariage Ladies of renowne, and
+Dames of Princelye houses ought to chose.
+
+Mistresse DIANORA, MITHRIDANES and NATHAN, KATHERINE of Bologna,
+and SALADINE, the mutual curtesies of noble and gentle
+Personages, and for what respectes.
+
+Quene ANNE of Hungarie, the good nature and liberalitye of a
+Quene: and with what industry Gentlewomen of priuy chamber ought
+to preferre the sutes of the valiant, and of such as haue wel
+serued the common welth.
+
+ALEXANDRE de Medices, Duke of Florence, the iustice of a Prince,
+and gouernour to the wronged party, what vertues ought to shine
+in Courtiers, and with what temperance their insolence is to be
+repressed.
+
+IVLIETTA and RHOMEO disclose the harty affections of two
+incomparable louers, what secret sleights of loue, what danger
+either sort incurre which mary without the aduise of Parentes.
+
+Two Gentlewomen of VENICE, the wisedom and pollicy of Wiues to
+chastice and restrain the follies of husbands, and the stoutnes
+they ought to vse in their defense.
+
+The Lord of VIRLE, and the widow ZILIA, geue lessons to Louers,
+to auoyde the immoderate panges of loue, they prognosticate the
+indiscretion of promised penance, they warne to beware al
+vnseemly hestes, lest the penaltyes of couetise and vayn glory
+be incurred.
+
+The Lady of BOEME, schooleth two noble Barons that with great
+boast assured themselues to impair her honor.
+
+DOM DIEGO and GINEVRA, record the cruelty of women bent to hate
+and the voluntarye vow performed by a passionate Knight, with
+the parfect friendship of a true frend in redresse of a frend’s
+mishap.
+
+SALIMBENE and ANGELICA, the kindnes of a gentleman in deliuerie
+of his ennemy, and the constant mynd of a chast and and vertuous
+mayden.
+
+Mistresse HELENA of Florence discouereth what lothsom lustes do
+lurk vnder the bark of fading beauty, what stench of filthy
+affection fumeth from the smoldring gulfe of dishonest Loue what
+prankes such dames do play for deceit of other, and shame of
+themselves.
+
+CAMIOLA reproueth the mobility of youth such chiefly as for
+noble auncestry regarded ritches more than vertue, she lyke a
+mistresse of constancye lessoneth her equalles from wauering
+myndes, and not to aduenture vpon vnstedie contracts: with those
+that care not (vnder what pretence) they com by riches.
+
+The lords of NOCERA fortel the hazardes of whordom, the rage of
+Ielousy, the difference of duty betwene Prince and subiect, the
+fruites of a Rebell, the endes of Traitery and Tiranny, and what
+monstruous successe such vices do attain.
+
+The king of MAROCCO describeth the good nature of the homely and
+loial subiect, the maruaylous loue of a true and symple
+Countryman towarde his liege and soueraygne Lorde, and the
+bounty of a curteous Prince, vpon those that vnder rude attyre,
+be garnisht with the floures of vertue.
+
+To be short, the contentes of these Nouels from degre of highest
+Emperour, from state of greattest Quene and Lady, to the homelye
+Cuntry peasant and rudest vilage girle, may conduce profite for
+instruction, and pleasure for delight. They offer rules for
+auoiding of vice and imitation of vertue to al estates. This
+boke is a very Court and Palace for al sortes to fixe their eies
+therein, to vew the deuoyres of the Noblest, the vertues of the
+gentlest, and the dutyes of the meanest. Yt is a stage and
+Theatre for shew of true Nobilitye, for profe of passing loialty
+and for tryal of their contraries. Wherfore as in this I haue
+continued what erst I partelye promised in the first so vppon
+intelligence of the second signe of thy good wil, a third
+(by Gods assistance) shal come forth. Farewell.
+
+  _Authorities from whence these Nouelles be collected: and in the
+  same auouched._
+
+  Strabo.
+  Plinie.
+  Quintus Curtius.
+  Plutarche.
+  Titus Liuius.
+  Dionysius Halicarnassæus.
+  Appianus Alexandrinus.
+  Ouide.
+  Horace.
+  Propertius.
+  Cicero.
+  Valerius Max.
+  Trebelius Pollio.
+  Xenophon.
+  Homere.
+  Virgilius.
+  Baptista Campofulgosus.
+  Bandello.
+  Bocaccio.
+  Gyraldi Cynthio.
+  Belleforrest.
+  Boustuau.
+  Petro di Seuiglia.
+  Antonio di Gueuarra.
+
+
+
+
+*The Palace of Pleasure.*
+
+
+
+
+THE FIRST NOUELL.
+
+  _The hardinesse and conquests of diuers stout, and aduenturous
+  women, called Amazones, the beginninge, and continuance of their
+  Reigne, and of the great iourney of one of their Queenes called
+  Thalestris to visit Alexander the great: with the cause of her
+  trauaile._
+
+
+Where the firste booke beegan with a Combate fought, and tried
+betweene two mighty Citties, for Principality, and Gouernement,
+the one hight Rome after called the head of the World (as some
+thinke by reason of a man’s head found in the place where the
+Capitole did stand) the other Alba. To which Combat sixe
+Gentlemen of eyther city were appoyncted, and the victory
+chaunced to the Romayne side: In this second parte, in the
+Forefront, and first Nouell of the same, is described the
+beginninge, continuaunce and ende of a Woman’s Common wealth
+(an History rare and straunge to the vnlearned, ignorant of the
+world’s fickle ruled stay) which contented with the mighty
+Princes and puissant Potentates for defence of their kingdome,
+no lesse than the Carthaginians and Romaynes did for theirs. But
+as it is no wonder to the skilful that a whole Monarche, and
+kingdome should be intierly peopled with that Sexe: so to the
+not well trained in Histories, this may seeme miraculous.
+Wherefore not to staye thee from the discourse of those straunge
+and Aduenturous women, diuers be of diuers opinions for the
+Etimologie of the word: whereof amonges the Grætians be diuers
+iudgementes. These Amazones were most excellent warriers, very
+valiaunt, and without man’s aduice did conquer mighty
+Countreyes, famous Cities, and notable Kingdomes, continuinge of
+longe time in one Seigniory, and gouernment. These people
+occupied and enioyed a great part of Asia. Som writers deuide
+them into two Prouinces, one in Scythia in the North part of
+Asia: other by the hill Imaus, which at this day is called the
+Tartarian Scythia, different from that which is in Europa: the
+other sort of the Amazones were in Libia a prouince of Africa.
+But because the common sort of Authors doe vnderstand the
+Amazones to be those of Asia, I meane to leaue of the
+difference. The Scythians were a warlike people, and at the
+beginninge of their kingdome had two kinges, by whom they were
+gouerned. Notwithstandinge the nature of dominion beinge of it
+selfe ambicious, cannot abide any companion or equall: which
+caused these two kinges to be at variaunce, and afterwards the
+matter grew to ciuill warres, wherein the one beinge Victor, two
+of the principal and chiefe of the contrary faction, called
+Plinius and Scolopithos, were banished with a great number of
+their adherentes, al which did withdraw themselues to the limits
+of Cappadocia in the lesser Asia, and in despite of the Countrey
+Pesantes, dwelled alonges the riuer of Thermodon, which entreth
+into the Sea Euxinum, otherwise called Pontus. And they beinge
+made Lordes of the countrey, and of the places adioyninge,
+raygned for certayne yeares, vntill the Peasantes and their
+confederates made a conspiracy agaynst them: and assemblinge by
+Pollicy, ouercame and sleewe theym all. The newes of theyr death
+knowen to their Wyues dwellinge in theyr countrey, caused them
+to conceiue great heauinesse, and dolor extreme: and although
+they were women, yet did they put on manly courage, and
+determined to reuenge the death of their husbandes, by puttinge
+theyr hands to weapons wherewithal they did exercise themselues
+very ofte: and that they might all be equall, and their sorrow
+common, they murdred certaine of their husbandes which remayned
+there, after the other were banished. Afterward beinge
+altogether, they made a great army, and forsooke their dwellinge
+places, refusinge the mariage of many suters: and arriuinge in
+the lande of their enemies (that made small accoumpt thereof,
+although foretolde of their approche) they sodaynly came vpon
+them vnprouided, and put them all to the sword. This beinge
+done, the women tooke the gouernment of the Countrey,
+inhabitinge at the beginninge alonge the Riuer of Thermodon,
+where their husbandes were slayne. And although many Authors do
+differ in the situation of the place where the Amazones did
+dwell, yet the truth is, that the beginning of their kingdome
+and of their Habitation was vppon that Riuer. But of their
+manyfolde conquestes, be engendred diuers opinions declared by
+Strabo, and others. They fortified themselues in those places,
+and wan other countreys adioyninge, choosinge amonge them two
+Queenes, the one named Martesia, and the other Lampedo. These
+two louingely deuided the army and men of Warre in two partes,
+eyther of them defendinge (with great hardinesse) the Landes
+which they had conquered: and to make themselues more dreadfull
+(sutch was the credite and vanity of men that time) they fayned
+to be the daughters of Mars. Afterward these miraculous women
+liuing after this maner in peace and iustice, considered that by
+succession of time, for want of daughters that might succeede,
+warres, and time, would extinguish their race. For thys cause
+they treated maryage with their neyghbors named Gargarians
+(as Plinie sayeth) with condition, that vpon certayne tymes of
+the yeare, their husbandes should assemble together in some
+appoincted place, and vse them for certaine dayes vntyll they
+were with chylde, whych beinge done and knowen, they should
+returne home agayne to their own houses. If they brought forth
+daughters, they norished and trayned them vp in armes, and other
+manlik exercises, and to ride great Horse: they taught them to
+run at Base, and to followe the Chace. If they were deliuered of
+males, they sent them to their fathers, and if by chaunce they
+kept any backe, they murdred them, or else brake their armes and
+legs in sutch wise as they had no power to beare weapons, and
+serued for nothynge else but to spin, twist, and to doe other
+feminine labour. And for as mutch as these Amazones defended
+themselues so valiantly in the Warres with Bowe, and Arrowes,
+and perceyued that their breastes did very much impech the vse
+of that weapon, and other exercises of armes, they seared vp the
+right breasts of their yonge daughters, for which cause they
+were named Amazones, which signifieth in the Greeke tongue,
+wythout breasts, although some other do geeue vnto that name any
+other meaninge. Afterwards, increasing by course of time in
+number and force, they made greate preparation of Weapons and
+other Engins for the Warres, and leauing their countrey (which
+they thought was very small) in the keepinge of some, whom they
+specially trusted, the rest marched abroade, conqueringe and
+subduinge all those which they found rebellious. And hauing
+passed the river of Tanais, they entred Europa, where they
+vanquished many countreys, directing their way towardes Thracia,
+from whence they returned a while after, with great spoyle and
+victory, and comminge agayne into Asia, they brought many
+prouinces vnder their subiection, proceedinge euen to Mare
+Caspium. They Edified, and peopled an infinite number of good
+citties, amongs which, according to the opinion of diuers, was
+the famous Citty of Ephesus, the same beeinge the chiefe of al
+their Empire, and the principal place that stoode vpon
+Thermodon. They defended themselues in Warres with certayne
+Tergats, made in fashion of a halfe Moone, and entring into
+battaile vsed a certaine kinde of Flutes to geue the people
+corage to fight, as the Lacedemonians were wont to do. In this
+wise increased more and more the fame of those women, and so
+continued vntill the tyme that Hercules, Theseus, and many other
+valiaunt men liued in Græcia. The sayd Hercules, kinge Euristeus
+of Athenes commaunded, to proceede with great force of people
+against the Amazones, and that hee should bringe vnto him the
+armures of the two Queenes, which then were two sisters, that is
+to say Antiopa and Oritia. At this commaundement Hercules
+incoraged with desire of honor and glory, accompanied with
+Theseus, and other his frends, sayled alongst Pontus, and
+arriued in most conuenient place vpon the shoare of Thermodon,
+where he landed in sutch secret manner and with sutch oportunity
+of tyme, as Oritia, one of the two Queenes was gone out of the
+countrey with the greatest part of her women, to make Warre, and
+conquer new Countreyes, in so mutch that he found Antiopa, which
+doubted nothinge, ne yet knewe of his comminge. Vppon which
+occasion, Hercules and his people surprisinge the Amazones
+vnwares, and although they entred into Fielde and did put
+themselues in defence with sutch diligence as they could, yet
+they were ouercome, and put theym to flight, and many of them
+slayne and the rest taken: amongst whom were the two sisters of
+the Queene, the one named Menalipe whych was Hercules prysoner,
+and the other Hipolita, the prysoner of Theseus. Certane
+Historians do say that they were subdued in a pitched field, and
+appoynted battle. And that afterwards the two sisters were
+vanquished in singuler Combat. The Queene Antiopa then seeinge
+this ouerthrow, and the takinge of her sisters, came to
+composition with Hercules, to whom shee gaue her armure to cary
+to Euristeus, vpon charge that he shoulde render vnto her, her
+sister Menalipe. But Theseus for no offer that she coulde make,
+woulde deliuer Hipolita, with whom he was so farre in loue, that
+he caried her home with him, and afterward toke her to wyfe, of
+whom hee had a sonne called Hipolitus. Hercules satisefied of
+his purpose, returned very ioyful of his victory. Oritia
+certified of these news, beinge then out of her countrey,
+conceyued no lesse shame than sorrow, who fearing greater
+damage, returned speedily with her women, the greater part
+whereof beinge of her opinion, perswaded Antiopa to be reuenged
+vpon the Grekes. For which purpose they made great preparation
+of warre. Afterwards leuyinge so great a number of the Amazones
+as they could, they sent to Sigilus king of Scythia for succour:
+who sent them his sonne Pisagoras, with a great number of
+horsemen, by whose helpe the Amazones passing into Europa, and
+Countrey about Athenes, they greatly annoyed their ennemy: but
+Pisagoras entred in quarel agaynst the Queene and her women, by
+meanes whereof, the Scythians could not fight, but withdrew
+themselues aside, whereby the Amazones (not able to support the
+force of the Greekes,) were ouercome, and the greatest part of
+them cut in peeces. Those which did escape, ran to the Scythians
+Campe, of whom they were defended: afterward being returned into
+their countrey, they liued in lesse force, and surety than
+before. In processe of time the Greekes passed into Asia, and
+made a famous conquest of the Citty of Troy, when Penthesilea
+was Queene of the Amazones, who remembringe the iniuries
+receyued by the Greekes, went with a great army to helpe the
+Troians: where the Queene did thinges worthy of remembraunce,
+but the Troianes vanquished, in many Skirmishes al the Amazones
+were almost slayne. And Penthesilea amonges other, was killed by
+the hand of Achilles. Wherefore those that remained, returned
+into their countrey with so litle power (in respect of that they
+had before) as with great difficulty they susteyned, and
+defended their old possessions, and so continued till the time
+that Alexander the great went into Asia, to make warre against
+the Hircanians. In which time one of their Queenes named
+Thalestris accompanied with a great number of the Amazones, went
+out of hir countrey with great desire to see and know Alexander.
+And approchinge the place where hee was, shee sent her
+Ambassadour vnto him to the ende that shee might obtayne safe
+conduct to see him, makinge him to vnderstand how mutch the
+Renoume of his personage had inflamed hir heart to see him.
+Whereof Alexander beeinge tolde, graunted hir hys safe conduct.
+By meanes whereof, after she had chosen out some of hir
+principall women, leauinge the rest in a certayne place in very
+good order, she went towardes Alexander, of whom she was
+curteously entertayned, and then with very good countenaunce,
+shee offered vnto him the effect of al her ability. Who prayed
+hir to tell him, if he were able to do her pleasure, and
+promised that hir request should be accomplished. She aunswered
+that hir comminge was not to demaund either landes or dominions,
+(whereof she had sufficient) but rather to knowe and be
+acquainted with sutch a famous Prince as hee was, of whom she
+had heard maruellous and straunge report. But the chiefest cause
+of hir comminge was, to pray him of carnal copulation, that she
+might be conceiued with childe, and haue an heire begotten of so
+excellent a Prince, telling him that she was come of noble
+kinde, and of high parentage, and that he ought not to disdaine
+hir vse. Promisinge hym that if it pleased the Gods, that she
+should haue a daughter, she would nourishe it her selfe, and
+make it her vniuersall Heire, and if it were a Sonne, she would
+send it vnto him. Alexander asked her if shee woulde go with hym
+to the warres, which if she would, he promised hir his company.
+But she excusinge hir selfe, aunswered that she could not goe
+with hym without great shame, besides the hazardinge the losse
+of her kingdome. Wherefore she prayed him agayne to satisfie hir
+request. Finally she kept company with Alexander by the space of
+XIII dayes in publike and secret sort, which beinge expired, she
+tooke hir leaue, and returned home to hir prouince. But as it is
+the property of tyme to consume all thinges: euen so the
+kingdome and power of the Amazones grew to vtter decay, no one
+sutch nation at this day to be found. For what monstruous Sexe
+was this that durst not onely by many armies encountre with
+puissant nations, but also by single Combate, to fight with that
+terrible personage Hercules, whose vnspeakable and incredible
+labours and victories, are by antiquity reported to be sutch, as
+none but he, durst euer aduenture the like. What nation euer
+comparable to the Greekes, or the Athenian Citty? and yet these
+mankinde women for reuenge shronke not to peerce their Prouince.
+What like besieged towne as that of Troy was? and yet
+Penthesilea one of their Queenes with hir mayny, indeuoured to
+rayse the Greekes, that so many yeares had lien before the same.
+What Queene (nay what Stalant) durst sue for company of meanest
+man? any yet one of these presumed to begge the matche of the
+mightiest Monarch that euer ruled the world. The maners and
+qualities of which nation, bycause they were Women of no common
+spirite and boldnesse, bee thought good in the front of this
+second Volume to be described: bycause of dyuers Womens liues
+plentifull variety is offered in the sequele. And for that some
+mention hath bin made of the great Alexander: and in what wise
+from vertue hee fell to vice, the seconde Nouell ensuinge shall
+geue further aduertisement.
+
+
+
+
+THE SECOND NOUELL.
+
+  _The great pitie and continencie of Alexander the great and his
+  louinge entertaynment of Sisigambis the wyfe of the great monarch
+  Darivs after he was vanquished._
+
+
+Great Monarches and Princes be the Gods, and only Rulers vpon
+Earth, and as they be placed by God’s only prouydence and
+disposition, to conquere and rule the same, euen so in
+victorious battayles and honorable Exploytes, they ought to rule
+and order their conquestes like Gods: that is to saye, to vse
+moderate behauiour to their Captiues and slaues, specially to
+the weaker sort and feminine kynde, whom like Tyrauntes and
+barbarous, they ought not to corrupt and abuse, but like
+Christians and vertuous victors, to cherish and preserue their
+honour. For what can bee safe to a woman (sayde Lucrece, when
+she was rauished by the Romayn Tarquine) her chastity beinge
+defiled? Or what can be safe to a man, that geueth himselfe to
+incontinency? For when he hath despoyled the virgin, robbed the
+wyfe, or abused the Wydow of their honor and good name, they
+protrude themselues into many Myseries, they bee impudent,
+Vnshamefaste, Aduenturous, and Carelesse howe many myschiefes
+they doe. And when a Prince or Gouerner doth geue himself to
+licentious life, what mischieues, what rapes, what murders doth
+hee commit? No frende, no Foe, no subiect, no enemy doth he
+spare or defende. Contrarywise, the mercifull and continent
+captayne, by subduinge hys affections recouereth immortall fame,
+which this History of kinge Alexander full well declareth. And
+because before we spake of that great conqueror in the Nouell of
+the Amazones, and of the repayre of Queene Thalestris for vse of
+his body, at what tyme (as Curtius sayth) he fell from vertue to
+vice: we purpose in thys, to declare the great contynencie and
+mercy that hee vsed to Sisigambis, the wife of the Persian
+prince Darius, and briefly to touch the time of his abused life,
+which in this maner doth begin. Alexander the great hauing
+vanquished Darius and his infinite army, and retiringe wyth hys
+hoast from the pursute and slaughter of the Persians, entred
+into their campe to recreate himselfe. And beinge with his
+familiers in the mids of his banket, they sodaynly heard a
+pitifull cry, with straung howlinge and cryinge out, which did
+very mutch aston them. The Wyfe and Mother of Darius, with the
+other noble women newly taken Prisoners, were the occasion of
+that present noyse, by lamentinge of Darius, whom they beleeued
+to be slayne, and which opinion they conceyued through one of
+the Eunuches, which standinge before Their tent doore, saw a
+Souldier beare a peece of Darius Diademe. For which cause
+Alexander, pityinge their misery, sent a noble man called
+Leonatus to signifie vnto them that they were deceyued, for that
+Darius was liuing. Repayring towards the Tent where the women
+were with certayne armed men, he sent word before, that he was
+comminge to them with message from the kinge. But when sutche as
+stoode at the tent doore saw armed men, they thought they had
+bene sent to murder the Ladies: for which cause they ran in to
+them, cryinge that their last houre was come, for the souldiers
+were at hande to kille them. When Leonatus was entred the
+Pauilion, the Mother and wife of Darius fell downe at hys feete,
+intreatinge him that before they were slayne, he would suffer
+them to bury Darius, accordinge to the order and maner of his
+Countrey, after the performance of which obsequies, they were
+content (they sayd) willingly to suffer death. Leonatus assured
+them, that both Darius was aliue, and that there was no harme
+ment towardes them, but should remayne in the same state they
+were in before. When Sisigambis heard those wordes, she suffered
+her selfe to bee lifted vp from the grounde, and to receyue some
+comforte. The next day, Alexander with great diligence buried
+the bodies of sutch of his owne men as coulde be founde, and
+willed the same to be done to the noble men of the Persians
+geuinge licence to Darius mother to Bury so many as she liste,
+after the custome of her Countrey. She performed the same to a
+few that were next of her kin, accordinge to the hability of
+their presente fortune, for if shee should haue vsed the
+Persians Pompe therein, the Macedonians might haue enuied it,
+whych beinge victors, vsed no great curiosity in the matter.
+When the due was performed to the dead, Alexander signified to
+the women prisoners, that hee himselfe would come to visite
+them, and causinge sutch as came with him to tary without, he
+onely with Ephestion entred in amongs them. The same Ephestion
+of all men was best beloued of Alexander, brought vp in his
+company from his youth, and most priuy with him in all thinges.
+There was none that had sutch liberty to speke his mynde playnly
+to the kinge as hee had, whych hee vsed after sutch sorte, that
+he seemed to doe it by no authority, but by sufferaunce. And as
+he was of like yeres vnto him, so in shape and personage he did
+somwhat excell him. Wherefore the Women thinkinge Ephestion to
+be the kinge, did fall down and worship him (as their Countrey
+maner was to do to kinges) till sutch time as one of the
+Eunuches that was taken prisoner, shewed which of them was
+Alexander. Then Sisigambis fell down at his feete, requiringe
+pardon of her Ignorance, forsomutch as she did neuer see him
+before. The kinge tooke her vp by the hande, and sayd: “Mother
+you be not deceiued: for this is Alexander also.” Then he
+behaued himselfe after sutch a maner, that hee exceeded in
+continency and compassion, all the kinges that had bin before
+his time. He entertayned the two Queenes with those virgins that
+were of excellent beauty, so reuerently, as if they had bin his
+sisters. He not onely absteyned from al violation of Darius
+wyfe, which in beauty excelled all the women of hir time, but
+also tooke great care and diligence, that none other should
+procure her any dishonour. And to all the women he commaunded
+their ornaments, and apparell to be restored: so that they
+wanted nothinge of the magnificence of their former estate,
+sauinge only the assured trust that creatures want in misery:
+which thinges considered by Sisigambis, she said vnto the kinge:
+“Sir, your goodnes towards vs, doth deserue that we should make
+the same prayer for you, that whilome we did for Darius: and we
+perceive you worthy to passe so great a king as he was, in
+felicity and good fortune, that abound so in iustice and
+clemency. It pleaseth you to terme me by the name Mother and
+Queene: but I confesse my selfe to bee your handmayde. For both
+I conceiue the greatnesse of my state past, and feele that I can
+bear this present seruitude. It lieth only in your hands how we
+shal be delt withall, and whether you will make vs notable to
+the worlde through your clemency or cruelty.” The king comforted
+them al that he might, and willinge them to be of good cheere
+tooke Darius sonne in his armes. Thereat the childe was nothing
+afraid, hauing neuer seene him before, but toke and imbraced him
+about the necke. He was so moued with the constancy of the
+childe, as he beheld Ephestion, and sayde, “Oh, I would that
+Darius had had some part of this childe’s gentlenesse.” Which
+mercy, continency, humility and constancy of minde in Alexander,
+if hee had still kept to his latter daies, might haue bin
+accoumpted mutch more fortunate than he was, when hauinge
+subdued all Asia from Hellespont to the ocean Sea, he did
+counterfayte the Triumphes of Bacchus. Or if amonges the residue
+of his conquests, hee would haue trauayled to ouercome his pride
+and wrath, beinge vices inuincible. Or in his dronkennes
+abstayned from the slaughter of his Nobility, and not to haue
+put to death those excellent men of warre without iudgement,
+which helped him to conquer so many Nations: but at this time
+the greatnes of his fortune had not yet altered his nature,
+although afterwards he could not beare his victories with that
+Vertue, wherewith he wan them: for when he gaue himself to
+feasting and banquettinge, he vsed the company of Harlots:
+amonges whom there was one Thais, who vpon a day in hir
+dronkennesse, affirmed to Alexander, that he should wonderfully
+win the fauour of the Greeks, if hee commaunded the Palace of
+Persepolis to be set on fire. The destruction whereof (she sayd)
+they greatly desired, for so mutch as the same was the chiefe
+seat of the kings of Persia, which in times past had destroyed
+so many great Citties. When the dronken harlot had giuen her
+sentence, there were other present, who being likewise dronken,
+confirmed hir wordes. Alexander then that had in him more
+inclination of heat than of pacience, sayd: “Why do we not then
+recouer the fauour of the Greekes by settinge this Citty on
+fier?” They were all chafed with drinkinge, and rose immediately
+vpon those words to burne that city in their dronkennesse, which
+the men of warre had spared in their fury. The kinge himselfe
+first, and after his guestes, his seruauntes and his Concubines,
+set fier in the Pallace, which beinge builded for the most part
+of Ceder trees, became sodenly in a flame. When the army that
+was encamped neere vnto the City, sawe the fire, which they
+thought had ben kindled by some casualty, they came runninge to
+quenche the same againe. But when they sawe the kynge there
+presente increasynge the fyre, they poured downe the water whych
+they broughte, and helped lykewyse the matter forwardes. Thus
+the Pallace that was the heade of the whole Orient, from whence
+so many nations before had fetched their lawes to liue vnder,
+the Seat of so many kynges, the onely Terror sometime of Greece,
+the same that had bin the sender forth of 9000 Ships, and of the
+armes that ouerflowed all Europa, that made Brydges ouer the
+Sea, and vndermined mountaynes where the Sea hath now his
+course, was consumed and had his ende, and neuer rose againe in
+all the age that did ensue: for the kynges of Macedon vsed other
+Citties which be now in the Persians handes. The destruction of
+this citty was sutch, that the foundation thereof at thys day
+could not be found, but that riuer of Araxes doth shew where it
+stoode, which was distant from Persepolis XX. furlonges, as the
+Inhabitants rather doe beleue than know. The Macedonians were
+ashamed that so noble a Citty was destroyed by their kinge in
+his dronkennes: yet at length it was turned into an earnest
+matter, and were content to thincke it expedient that the Citty
+should haue ben destroyed after that maner. But it is certayne,
+that when Alexander had taken his rest, and was become better
+aduised, hee repented him of his doinge: and after he had kept
+company with Thalestris aforesayde, which was Queene of the
+Amazones, hee tourned his continency and moderation (beinge the
+most excellent vertues appearinge in any kind of estate) into
+pride and voluptuousnes, not esteeminge his countrey customes,
+nor the holsome temperance that was in the vsages, and
+discipline of kynges of Macedon. For he iudged their ciuill
+vsage and maner, to be ouer base for his greatnesse, but did
+counterfaite the height and pompe of the kings of Persia,
+representinge the greatnesse of the Gods. Hee was content to
+suffre men there to fall downe flat vppon the grounde and
+worship him, and accustomed the victors of so many nacions, by
+litle and litle to seruile offices, couetinge to make them like
+vnto his Captiues. He ware vpon his head a Diademe of Purple
+interpaled with white, like as Darius was accustomed: and
+fashioned his aparell after the maner of the Persians, without
+scrupulosity of any euil token that is signified, for the
+victorer to change his habite into the fashion of him whom he
+had vanquished: and although he vaunted, that he ware the
+spoyles of his enemies, yet with those spoiles he put vpon him
+their euil maners, and the insolency of the mynde followed the
+pride of the apparell. Besides he sealed sutch Letters as he
+sent into Europa, with his accustomed seale, but all the Letters
+he sent abroade into Asia, were sealed with Darius Ringe. So it
+appeared that one minde could not beare the greatnesse that
+appertayned to two. He apparelled also his frends, his Captayns,
+and his horsemen in Persian apparell, whereat though they
+grudged in their mindes, yet they durst not refuse it, for feare
+of his displeasure. His courte was replenished with Concubins,
+for he still mainteined three hundred, and threescore that
+belonged to Darius, and amonge them were flocks of Eunuches
+accustomed to performe the vse of women. The olde Souldiours of
+Philip naturally abhorringe sutch thinges, manyfestly withstoode
+to be infected with sutch voluptuousnes, and strange customes:
+wherevpon there rose a general talke and opinion throughout the
+campe, that they had lost more by the victory, than they won by
+the wars. For when they sawe themselues ouercome in sutch
+excesse, and forayne customes so to preuayle, they iudged it a
+simple guerdon of their longe beeinge abroade, to returne home
+in prisoners maner. They began to be ashamed of their kinge,
+that was more like to sutch as were subdued, than to them that
+were victorious: and that of a kinge of Macedon, was become a
+Prince of Persia, and one of Darius Courtiers. Thus this noble
+Prince from continency and mercy fell into all kynde of
+disorder, the originall whereof, hee tooke by delite in Women,
+which beinge vsed in sort lawfull, be great comfortes and
+delightes, otherwise, the very springe of all cruelty and
+mischife.
+
+
+
+
+THE THIRD NOUELL.
+
+  _Timoclia, a gentlewoman of Thebes, vnderstandinge the couetous
+  desire of a Thracian knight, that had abused hir, and promised her
+  mariage, rather for her goods than loue, well acquited hir selfe
+  from his falshoode._
+
+
+Qvintus Curtius, that notable Historiographer, remembringe the
+stout fact of thys Thebane gentlewoman, amonges other the Gestes
+and Facts of Alexander the great, I haue deemed not altogeather
+vnfit for this place, to reueale the fine and notable pollicy
+deuised by her, to rid hir selfe from a couetous caitife of the
+Thracian kinde, who for lucre rather than loue, for gayne than
+gratitude, promysed golden Hylles to thys dystressed poore
+Gentlewoman. But shee in the ende payinge hym hys well deserued
+hyre, was liked and praysed of Alexander for hir aduenturous
+facte, beinge not one of the least vertues that shined in him,
+before hee grewe to excessyue abuse: but bycause Plutarch in hys
+Treatyse _De claris mulieribus_, more at large recounteth this
+Hystory, I haue thought good almost (_verbatim_) to follow him.
+Theagenes a Gentleman of Thebes, ioyninge himselfe wyth
+Epaminondas, and Pelopidas, and with other noble men, for
+preseruation of their countrey of Greece, was slayne in the
+chace of his enemyes, as he pursued one of the chyefe of hys
+aduersaries, the same cryinge oute vnto him: “Whether doest thou
+pursue vs, Theagenes?” “Euen to Macedonia:” aunswered hee. Thys
+Gentleman thus slayne had a sister, whose vertue and neerenesse
+of kin by noble deedes, she well witnessed, although she was not
+well able to manifest her vertue, for the aduersity of the tyme,
+but by pacient sufferance of the common calamityes. For after
+Alexander had won the Citty of Thebes, the Souldiours greedy of
+Spoyle runninge vp and downe the Citty, euery of them chauncinge
+vppon sutch Booty as Fortune offred them, it hapned that a
+Captayne of the Thracian horsmen, a barbarous, and wycked
+wretch, came to the house of Timoclia, who somewhat neere the
+kynge both in name, and Kyn, in manners, and conditions, was
+greatly different from him: hee neyther regardynge the noble
+house, ne yet the chastity of hir forepassed life, vpon a tyme
+after supper, glutted and swilled wyth abundance of wine, caused
+Timoclia forcibly to be haled to his dronken Couch: and not
+contented with the forced wronge, as they were in talke
+together, diligently demaunded of her, if she had in no place
+hidden any Golde or Siluer, and partly by threates, and partely
+by promise to keepe her as his wyfe, endeuoured to get that he
+desired: but shee being of ready wit, takinge that offered
+occasion of her aduersary: “I would to God,” (sayd shee) “that
+it had beene my lucke to haue died before thys night, rather
+then to liue: for hitherto haue I kept my body pure and
+vntouched from all despite, and villany, vntill vnlucky fate
+forced mee to yelde to thy disordinate lust: but sith my hap is
+sutch, why should I conceale those thyngs that bee thine owne,
+thou beinge mine onely tutor, lord and husband (as thou sayst)
+when the Gods shal please to bringe the same to passe: for by
+thy will and pleasure must I vnhappy Thebane Wench be ruled and
+gouerned. Ech vanquished wight must subdue their wyl and minde
+to their lord and victor: I beinge thy slaue and prisoner, must
+needes by humble meanes yelde vp my selfe to the vnsaciate hest
+of thy puissant heart: what shall let me to disclose the pray
+that thou desirest, that we both, if thy minde be sutch, may
+rather ioye the same, than the soyly filth of stinkinge Earth,
+should deuoure sutch spoyle, which for feare, and hope of future
+fortune, I buried in the bowels of the same. Then marke my
+words, beare them well in mynde, sith lot had wrought me this
+mishap. I hauinge plenty of coyned siluer, and of fyned gold no
+little store besydes sutch Iewels as belonge to the settinge
+forth of the grace of woman’s beauty, of valure and price
+inestimable: when I saw this Citty brought to sutch distresse as
+vnpossible to be saued from takinge, all the same I threw away,
+or more truely to say, I whelmed altogether in a drye Ditche
+voyde of water, which my fact fewe or none did knowe. The Pit is
+couered with a little couer aboue, and thickly round about beset
+with bushes and thornes. Those goods will make thee a welthy
+personage, none in all the Campe to be compared to thee, the
+riches and value whereof, wyl witnes our former fortune, and the
+state of our gorgeous, and stately house: all those doe I
+bequeathe to thee, as on whom I thinke them well bestowed.” This
+greedy Lecher, laughinge to him selfe for this sodaine pray, and
+thinking that his lady fast holden within his barbarous armes
+had tolde him truth, routed in his filthy Couch till the day had
+discouered the morning light, then gapinge for his hoped gaine,
+he rose and prayed her to tell the place, that he might recouer
+the same. She then brought him into her Garden, the doore
+whereof she commaunded to be shut, that none might enter. He in
+his Hose and Doublet, went downe to the bottome of the Pit: when
+Timoclia perceiued him down, she beckned for certaine of her
+maids, and rolled downe diuers great stones with her own hands,
+which of purpose she had caused to be placed there, and
+commaunded hir maides to tumble downe the like. By which meanes
+she killed that lecherous and couetous vilayne, that rather
+carked to satisfie his desire, than coueted to obserue hys
+promisd faith. Which afterwardes beinge knowen to the
+Macedonians, they haled his body out of the Pit: for Alexander
+had made proclamation, that none should dare to kill any
+Thebane, and therefore apprehendinge Timoclia, they brought her
+to the kinge, accusinge her for doinge that murder: who by her
+countenaunce, and stature of body, and by her behauiour and
+grauity of maners, beheld in her the very image of gentle kinde.
+And first of al, he asked her what she was: to whom boldly with
+constant cheere, she stoutely answered: “Theagenes was my
+brother (said she) who beinge a valiaunt Captaine, and fightinge
+against you for the common safegard of the Greeks, was slaine at
+Chæronea, that we together might not sustaine, and proue the
+miseries, wherewith we be now oppressed: but I rather than to
+suffer violence vnworthy of our race and stocke, am in your
+maiestie’s presence brought ready to refuse no death: for better
+it were for mee to dye, than feele sutch another night, except
+thou commaunde the contrary.” These wordes were vttered in sutch
+rufull plight, as the standers by could not forbeare to weepe.
+But Alexander sayinge, that hee not onely pitied the woman
+endewed with so noble wit, but mutch more wondred at her vertue
+and wisedome, commaunded the Princes of his army, to foresee no
+wronge or violence to be done to the Gentlewoman. He gaue order
+also, that Timoclia and al her kin, should be garded and
+defended from slaughter or other wronges. What say yee (good
+Ladies) to the heart of this gentlewoman that durst be so bolde
+to stone this Caytife wretch to death, and for wronge done to
+her bodie til that tyme vntouched, to wronge the corps of him
+that sauoured of no gentle kinde: who rather for earthly mucke,
+than for loue of suche a pleasaunt prisoner, exchaunged Loue for
+Gold? but note hereby what force the puritie of mynde vnwilling
+of beastlye lust doth carye in it selfe: a simple woman voyde of
+helpe, not backed with defence of husbande’s ayde, doth bring a
+mighty Captayne, a strong and lofty lubber to enter into a Caue,
+and when shee saw her best aduauntage, thacked him with stones,
+vntil he groaned foorth his grieslye ghost. Such is the might
+and prowesse of chastitie: no charge to burdennous or weightye
+for suche a vertue, no enterprise too harde for a mynde so pure
+and cleane.
+
+
+
+
+THE FOURTH NOUELL.
+
+  _Ariobarzanes great steward to Artaxerxes king of Persia, goeth
+  about to exceede his soueraigne lord and maister in curtesie: where
+  in be conteyned many notable and pleasaunt chaunces, besides the
+  great patience and loyaltie naturally planted in the sayd
+  Ariobarzanes._
+
+
+A question is mooued manye times among learned men and Gentlemen
+addicted to the seruice of the Court, whether commendable deede,
+or curteous and gentle fact done by the Gentleman or Courtier
+towardes his soueraine Lord, ought to be called Liberalitie and
+Curtesie, or rather Band and Dutie. Which question is not
+proponed with out greate reason. For so muche as ech man doth
+know, that a seruaunt do what he can for his Mayster, or lette
+him imploy the vttermost of his endeuour, al the labor and
+trauayle he bestoweth, all trouble and daunger which he
+sustayneth, is to little, yea and the same his very bounden
+duty. Haue wee not red of many, and knowne the lyke that to
+gratifye their prince and mayster, haue into a thousande
+daungers and like number of deaths, aduentured their own propre
+liues? Marcus Antonius that notable oratour beying accused of
+incest, and broughte to the iudgement seate, his accusers
+required that his seruante should be called, for because he bare
+the candel before his maister, when hee went to do the deede,
+who seyng his mayster’s life and death to depend vpon his
+euidence, vtterly denied the facte: and notwithstanding that he
+was whipped, racked, and suffered other cruel tormentes, would
+rather haue loste his lyfe than accuse and betray his mayster.
+I could alleage and bring forth in place, the example of
+Mycithus, the seruaunt of one Anaxilaus Messenius, the fidelitye
+of the seruauntes of Plotinus Plancus, the faythful mayden
+called Pythias, that waited vpon Octauia, the chast Empresse and
+wife of that monster Nero, with diuers other: but that I thinke
+they be to the learned wel knowen, and of the vnlearned the
+vertue of seruauntes fidelitye is greatly liked and commended:
+but if the faythful seruaunt know that his desertes do gayne the
+grace and fauoure of his mayster, what trauayles, what payns
+ought he to suffer to mayntayne his reputation and to encrease
+the fauour obtayned? for as the common prouerbe and wise sayinge
+reporteth, that the vertve is no lesse to conserue Frendship
+gotten, than the wisedome was great to get and win the same.
+Other there be which do contrarily contend, and with very
+stronge argumentes do force to proue that al which the seruant
+doth besydes his duetye and beyond the obligation, wherein he is
+bound to his mayster, is and ought to be termed, Liberality,
+which is a matter to prouoke his patrone and mayster to deuyse
+new benefytes for his seruaunte: and that at al tymes when a man
+doth his duty and seruice appoynted by his mayster, executing
+the same with all diligence and industry requisite therunto,
+that then he deserueth to be rewarded. Which is not to be
+discommended. For no true and honest seruant will refuse any
+trauayle for commodity of his mayster, ne yet discrete and wyse
+mayster will leaue the same vnrewarded according to that portion
+of ability wherewith he is possessed: but leauinge questions and
+disputacion aside procede we to that which this Nouel purposeth.
+I say then that there was in the kyngdome of Persia, a kyng
+called Artaxerxes, a man of most noble mynde, and of great
+prowesse in armes. This was he that firste beynge a priuate man
+of armes, not hauing as yet obtayned any degree in the fielde,
+kylled Artabanus the last kinge of the Arsacides, whose
+souldiour he was, and recouered the Persian kingdome, which was
+then in the Macedonians subiection (by the death of Darius,
+which was vanquished by Alexander the great) the space of 538
+yeares. This noble gentleman hauing deliuered all Persia, and
+created king, kept a princely court, wherin were many
+magnificent factes and vertuous deedes exercised and done, and
+hee himselfe moste noble in all affayres, besydes the tytles
+which hee worthelye wanne in many bloudy battels, was estemed
+throughout the east part of the worlde, to be the most liberal
+and magnanimous prince that in any age euer raigned: in feastes
+and bankets he was an other Lucullus, royally entertaining
+strangers that repayred to his court. This king had a Senescall
+or steward, named Ariobarzanes, whose office was, that when the
+king made any pompous or publike feast, to mount vpon a whyte
+Courser with a Mace of gold in his hand, and to ride before the
+esquiers and Sewers for the king’s own mouth, and those also
+that bare the king’s meat in vessel of gold couered with fine
+napery, wrought and purled with most beautiful workemanship of
+silke and gold. This office of Senescall was highly estemed and
+commonly wont to be geuen to one of the chiefest Barons of the
+Realm. Wherfore this Ariobarzanes besydes noble Linage and
+incomparable ritches was the most curtious and liberal knight
+that frequented the court whose immoderate expence was such, as
+leuing the mean, wherin al vertu consisteth, by reason of
+outrage which many times he vsed he fel into the vice of
+prodigality, wherby he semed not only in curtious dedes to
+compare with the king, but also contended to excel him. One day
+the king for his recreation called for the chessebord, requiring
+Ariobarzanes to kepe him company, which game in those dais among
+the Persians was in greate vse, in such wise as a player at the
+Chestes was no les commended then amonge vs in these dais an
+excelent Oratour or famous learned man: yea and the verye same
+game in common vse in the Court, and noble mens houses of oure
+time, no doubt very commendable and meete to be practised by all
+states and degrees. The king and Ariobarzanes being sette downe
+at a table in the greate Hall of the Pallace, one right against
+another, accompanied with a great number of noble personages and
+Gentlemen lookinge vpon them, and marking their playe with
+greate silence, they began to counter one another with the
+Chesse-men. Ariobarzanes, whether it was that he played better
+than the kinge, or whether the kinge took no heede to his game,
+or what so euer the occasion was, hee coursed the king to such a
+narow straight, as he could not auoid, but within two or three
+draughtes, he must be forced to receiue the Checkemate: which
+the king perceiuing, and considering the daunger of the Mate, by
+and by there grew a greater colour in his face than was wont to
+bee, and imagininge how hee mighte auoyde the mate, besides his
+blushing he shaked his head, and fetched out diuers sighes,
+whereby the standers by that marked the game, perceiued that hee
+was dryuen to his shiftes. The Senescall espyinge the kinge’s
+demeanour, and seeing the honest shamefastenesse of the king,
+would not suffer him to receiue such a foyle, but made a draught
+by remouing his knighte backe, to open a way for the King to
+passe, as not onely hee deliuered him from the daunger of the
+Mate, but also lost one of his Rockes for lacke of taking hede:
+whereupon the game rested equall. The King (who knew the good
+nature and noble mynde of his seruaunt, by experience of the
+same in other causes) fayning that hee had ouerseene the takinge
+of hys rocke, gaue ouer the game, and rysing vp, sayd: “No more
+Ariobarzanes, the game is yours, and I confesse my selfe
+ouercome.” The king thought that Ariobarzanes did not the same
+so much for curtesie, as to bynde his soueraigne lorde and king
+by benefit to recompence his subiecte’s like behauiour, which he
+did not very well like, and therfore would play no more.
+Notwithstanding the king neither by signe or deede, ne yet in
+talke, shewed any token of displesure for that curtesie done.
+How be it, he would that Ariobarzanes in semblable act, shoulde
+abstayne to shewe himselfe curteous or liberal, except it were
+to his inferiours and equalles, because it is not conuenient for
+a seruant to contend with his maister in those qualityes. Not
+long after the kinge beyng at Persepolis (the principal citye of
+Persia,) ordayned a notable day of hunting of diuers beastes of
+that countrey breede: and when all thinges were in a readinesse
+he with the most part of his Court repayred to the pastyme. When
+they were come into the place, the king commaunded a woodde to
+be set about with nettes and toiles, and appointed eche man
+where he should stand in most conuenient place, and he himselfe
+attended with the dogs and hornes to cause the beastes to issue
+forth oute of their Caues. And beholde, they raysed a wyld
+beast, which with greate swyftnesse leapte ouer the nettes and
+ranne awaye with greate spede. The King seyng that strange
+beast, purposed to pursue him to death: and makinge a signe to
+certayne of his noble men which hee desired to keepe him
+companye hee gaue the rayne and spurre to his horse, and
+followinge the chace Ariobarzanes was one of those noble men
+which pursued the game. It chaunced that day the kinge rode vpon
+a horse, that was the swiftest runner in his stable, which hee
+esteemed better then a thousande other, as wel for his velocity,
+as for his readinesse in factes of armes. Thus following with
+bridle at will, the flying rather then running beast, they wer
+deuided far from their company, and by reason of the kinge’s
+spedines, none was able to followe him but Ariobarzanes, and
+behind him one of his seruants vpon a good horse which alwaies
+he vsed in hunting matters, which horse was counted the beste in
+all the court. And thus following the chace with galloping spede
+Ariobarzanes at length espyed the horse of his soueraigne lord
+had lost his shooes before, and that the stones had surbated his
+hoofes, wherupon the kyng was driven either to geue ouer the
+chace or else to marre his horse: and neyther of these two
+necessities but would haue greatly displeased the kinge, that
+perceiued not his horse to be vnshod. The Senescall did no
+sooner espye the same but sodainly dismounted from his owne,
+caused his man to deliuer vnto him a hammer and nailes (which
+for such like chaunces he always caried aboute him) and toke of
+two shoes from the horse feete of his good horse, to set vpon
+the kynge’s not caring for his own rather then the king should
+forgoe his pleasure: wherfore hallowing the kinge which was
+earnestly bent vppon the chace, tolde him of the daunger wherein
+his horse was for lacke of shoes. The kinge hearinge that
+lighted from his horse, and seyng two shooes in Ariobarzanes
+manne’s hand, thinking that Ariobarzanes had brought them with
+him, or that they were the shoes which fell from his owne,
+taried stil vntil his horse was shod. But when he saw the
+notable horse of his senescall vnshod before, then he thought
+that to be the curtesie of Ariobarzanes, and so did let the
+matter passe, studying by lyke meanes to requite him with
+Curtesie, which forced himselfe to surmount in the same: and
+when his horse was shod, he gaue the same to Ariobarzanes in
+rewarde. And so the king chose rather to lose his pleasure of
+hunting, then to suffer himselfe by his man to be excelled in
+curtesie, wel noting the stoutnesse of Ariobarzanes mynde which
+semed to haue a will to contend with his prince in factes
+renoumed and liberal. The senescall thought it not conuenient to
+refuse the gyft of his liege lord, but accepted the same with
+like good will as before he shod his horse, still expectinge
+occasion how he might surpas his master in curtesie and so to
+bind him to requite the same againe. They had not taried there
+long, but many of those that followed did ouertake them. And
+then the king got vp vpon a spare horse and returned to the city
+with all his company. Within few daies after the king by
+proclamation sommoned a solemne and pompous iust and tryumph at
+the tilt, to be done vpon the kalends of May next ensuing. The
+reward appointed the victor and best Doer in the same was a
+couragious and goodly curser with a brydle and byt of fine gold
+rychly wrought, a saddle correspondent of passing great pryce,
+the furniture and trappers for the brydle and saddle of like
+cost and workmanship, the rayns wer twoo chaynes of golde very
+artificially made, the barbe and couerture of the horse of cloth
+of golde fringed round about with like gold, ouer which horse
+was placed a fine sword the hiltes an chape wherof together with
+the scabard wer curiously beset with Pearles and Precious stones
+of Inestimable value. On the other syde was placed a very
+beautiful and stronge Mace, verye cunninglye wrought with
+damaskin. The Horse was placed in forme of triumph, and besydes
+the same all the Armours and weapons meete for a Combatante
+Knyghte, riche and fayre without comparison. The Placart was
+marueylous and stronge, the Launce was guilte and bygge, as none
+greatter in all the troupe of the chalengers and defendauntes.
+And all those furnitures were appoynted to be geuen to him that
+should do best that day. A greate assemblye of straungers
+repayred to that solemne feast, as wel to doe deedes of Armes,
+as to looke vpon that pompous tryumph. Of the kynge’s Subiectes
+there was neither knyghte nor baron, but in ryche and sumptuous
+apparell appeared that day, amonges whom, of chiefest fame the
+kynge’s eldest sonne was the fyrst that gaue his name,
+a Gentlemanne very valorous, and in deedes of armes of passing
+valour brought vp from his very youth, and trayned in the fielde
+and other warlyke exercises. The Senescall also caused his name
+to be inrolled: the like didde other knyghtes as wel Persians as
+other straungers: for that the proclamation was general, with
+safeconducte for all forrayners, noble men or other that should
+make their repayre. The king had elected three auncient Barons
+to be Judges and Arbitratours of their deedes, sutch as in their
+tyme for their owne personages had bene very valiant, and in
+many enterprises well exercised, men of great discretion and
+iudgement. Their stage was placed in the middes of the Listes,
+to viewe and marke the Counterbuffes and blowes of the
+Combatants. We nede not to remember, ne ought to forget the
+number of ladies and gentlewomen assembled out of al partes to
+behold and view this triumphe, and peraduenture eche knight that
+ran that day was not without his amorous lady to note and behold
+his actiuity and prowesse, euery of them wearing his ladie’s
+sleeue, gloue, or other token, according to the common custome
+in such lyke cases. At the day and houre appoynted appeared all
+the Combatantes in greate Tryumphe and Pompe, with rych
+furnitures as wel vpon them selues as vpon their horse. The
+triumphe begon and many Launces broken in good order, on either
+sides Iudgement was geuen generally that the Senescall
+Ariobarzanes had wonne the prise, and next vnto him the kinge’s
+sonne did passe them all, for that none of al the combatantes
+hadde broken past V. staues, and the sayd yong Gentleman had in
+the face of his aduersary broken in pieces IX. at the least. The
+Senescall brought for the eleuen launces, which were
+couragiously and houourably broken, by breaking of the last
+staffe which was the twelfth he was iudged most worthy. The
+condition wherof was, that euery combatant should runne twelue
+courses with twelue launces, and he whiche should first breake
+the same should without doubt or further controuersie obtayne
+the reward. What pleasure and delight the king did conceiue to
+see his sonne behaue him selfe so valiantly that day, I referre
+to the iudgement of fathers, that haue children endued with like
+actiuity. But yet it greued him that the Senescall had the
+greater aduantage, and yet being a matter so wel knowen and
+discerned by the Iudges, like a wyse man he discembled his
+countenaunce. On the other syde, the yong Gentleman which did
+combate before his amorous ladye was very sorrowful for that he
+was voyde of hope of the chiefest honour. So that betwene the
+father and the sonne, was one very thought and desire: but the
+vertue and valor of the Senescall did cut of eythers greefe. Now
+the tyme was come that the Senescall should runne with his last
+staffe mounted vppon the horse which the king gaue him when he
+was an huntyng, who knowing wel that the king was very desirous
+that his son should excell all men, perceyued likewyse the
+inflamed mynd of the yonge gentleman for the presence of his
+lady to aspyre the honour, purposed to geue ouer the honour
+atchieued by himselfe, to leaue it to the sonne and heir of his
+lorde and mayster: and yet hee knewe ful wel that those his
+curtesies pleased not the king, neuerthelesse he was determined
+to perseuer in his opinion, not to bereue the king of his glory,
+but onely to acquire fame and honour for him selfe. But fully
+mynded that the honour of the tryumphe should be geuen to the
+kynge’s sonne, he welded the staffe within his reste, and when
+he was ready to encounter (because it was he that shold come
+agaynst him,) he let fal his launce out of his handes, and said:
+“Farewel this curtesie of myne, sith it is no better taken.” The
+kinge’s sonne gaue a gentle counterbuffe vpon the Placarde of
+the Senescall, and brake his staffe in many pieces, which was
+the X. course. Many heard the wordes that the senescall spake
+when his staffe fell out of his handes, and the standers by well
+perceiued that he was not minded to geue the laste blowe,
+bicause the king’s sonne might haue the honor of the triumph,
+which he desyred so much. Then Ariobarzanes departed the listes:
+and the Prince withoute any great resistance wan the prise and
+victory. And so with sounde of diuerse instruments the prise
+borne before him, he was throughout the citie honorably
+conueyed, and among other, the senescall still waited vpon him
+with mery countenance, greatly praising and exalting the
+valiance of the yong Prince. The king which was a very wise man,
+and many times hauing experience of the chiualry of his
+Senescall at other Tourneis, Iustes, Barriers, and Battels, and
+always finding him to be prudent, politike, and for his person
+very valiant, knewe to well that the fall of his launce was not
+by chaunce but of purpose, continued his opinion of his
+Senescall’s liberalitye and courage. And to say the trouth, such
+was his exceding curtesie, as fewe may be found to imitate the
+same. We daily se that many be liberall of Fortune’s goods
+inuestinge some with promotion, some with apparel, Gold and
+Siluer, Iewels and other things of great value. We see also
+noble men, bountifull to theyr seruaunts, not onely of mouable
+thiugs, but also of Castels, Lands, and Cities: what shal we
+speake of them, which will not sticke to sheade their owne
+bloud, and many tymes to spende theire lyfe to do their frendes
+good? Of those and such like examples, all recordes be full: but
+a man that contemneth fame and glorye or is of his owne honour
+liberal, is neuer founde. The victorious Captayne after the
+bloudy battayle, giueth the spoyle of his ennemies to his
+souldiours, rewardeth them with prisoners, departeth vnto them
+the whole praye, but the glory and honor of the battel he
+reserueth vnto himselfe. And as diuinely the father of Romaine
+eloquence doth say, how that philosophers by recording the
+glorious gestes and dedes of others, do seke after glory
+themselues. The king was displeased with these noble dedes and
+curtesie of his Senescall, because he thought it not mete or
+decente that a Subiecte and seruant should compare with his lord
+and mayster: and therfore did not bare him that louing and
+chereful countenance which hee was wont to doe. And in the ende,
+purposed to let him know, that he spent his brayns in very great
+errour, if he thought to force his mayster to be bound or
+beneficial vnto him, as herafter you shal perceiue. There was an
+auncient and approued custome in Persia, that the kinges yerely
+did solemnise an Anniuersarye of theyr Coronation with great
+feast and tryumph, vpon which day all the Barons of the kyngdome
+were bounde to repayre to the courte where the king by the space
+of VIII. dayes with sumptuous bankets and other feastes kept
+open house. Vpon the Anniuersary day of Artaxerxes’ coronation,
+when al thinges were disposed in order, the king desirous to
+accomplish a certayne conceiued determination commaunded one of
+his faythful chamberlaynes spedely to seeke out Ariobarzanes,
+which he did, and telling him the kinge’s message, sayde: “My
+lorde Ariobarzanes, the king hath willed me to say vnto you,
+that his pleasure is, that you in your own person euen forthwith
+shal cary your white steede and Courser, the mace of gold, and
+other ensignes due to the office of Senescal vnto Darius, your
+mortal enemy, and in his maiestye’s behalfe to say vnto him,
+that the kynge hath geuen him that office, and hath clerely
+dispossessed you thereof.” Ariobarzanes hearing those heauy
+newes, was like to dye for sorrowe, and the greatter was
+his grief, because it was geuen to his greatest enemy.
+Notwithstanding lyke a gentleman of noble stomacke, would not in
+open appearaunce signifie the displeasure which hee conceiued
+within, but with mery cheare and louing countenaunce answered
+the chamberlayne: “Do my right humble commendations vnto the
+king’s maiesty, and say vnto him, that like as he is soueraine
+lord of all this land, and I his faythful subiecte, euen so mine
+office, my lyfe, landes and goods, be at his disposition, and
+that willinglye I wil performe his hest.” When he had spoken
+those woordes hee rendred vp his office to Darius, who at diner
+serued in the same. And when the king was set, Ariobarzanes with
+comly countenance sate downe among the rest of the lords, which
+sodenlye deposition and depriuation, did maruelously amaze the
+whole assembly, euery man secretly speking their mind either in
+praise or dispraise of the fact. The king all the dinner time,
+did marke and note the countenance of Ariobarzanes, which was
+pleasaunt and merie as it was wont to be, whereat the kinge did
+greately maruell: and to attaine the ende of his purpose, hee
+began with sharpe wordes in presence of the nobilitie to
+disclose his discontented minde, and the grudge which he bare to
+Ariobarzanes: on the other syde the king suborned diuers persons
+diligently to espy what he saide and did. Ariobarzanes hearing
+the king’s sharpe wordes of rebuke, and stimulated by the
+persuasion of diuers flatterers, which were hired for that
+purpose, after he perceiued that his declared pacience, that his
+modest talke and his long and faithful seruice, which he had
+done to the king, his losse and hinderance sustained, the perill
+of his life, which so many tymes he had suffred preuayled
+nothing, at length vanquished with disdayne he brake the bridle
+of pacience, and sorted out of the boundes of his wonted nature,
+for that in place of honoure he receiued rebuke, and in stede of
+reward was depryued of his office, began in a rage to complayne
+on the king, terminge him to bee an vnkynd prince, which among
+the Persians was estemed a worde of great offence to the
+maiesty: wherefore faine he would haue departed the court, and
+retired home to his countrey, which he could not doe without
+speciall licence from the king, and yet to craue the same at his
+handes, his heart would not serue him. Al these murmures and
+complaintes which he secretly made, were tolde the king, and
+therefore the king commaunded him one day, to be called beefore
+him, vnto whome he sayd: “Ariobarzanes, youre grudging
+complaintes and enuious quarels, whyche you brute behinde my
+backe throughout my Courte, and your continuall rages
+outragiously pronounced, through the very Windowes of my Palace
+haue pierced mine eares, whereby I vnderstand that thing which
+hardly I would haue beleued: but yet being a Prince aswell
+inclined to fauoure and quiet hearinge of all causes, as to
+credite of light reportes, would faine know of you the cause of
+your complaints, and what hath moued you therevnto: for you be
+not ignorant, that to murmure at the Persian king, or to terme
+him to be vnkinde, is no lesse offence than to blaspheme the
+Gods immortall, bicause by auncient Lawes and Decrees they be
+honored and worshipped as Gods. And among all the penaltyes
+conteyned in our lawes, the vyce of Ingratitude is moste
+bytterlye corrected. But leauing to speake of the threates and
+daungers of our lawes, I pray you to tell me wherin I haue
+offended you: for albeit that I am a king, yet reason persuadeth
+me, not to giue offence to anye man, which if I should doe (and
+the Gods forbid the same) I ought rather to be termed a tyrante
+than a Kinge.” Ariobarzanes hearing the king speake so
+reasonably, was abashed, but yet with stoute countenaunce he
+feared not particularly to remember the woordes which he had
+spoken of the king, and the cause wherefore he spake them. “Wel
+(said the king) I perceiue that you blush not at the words, ne
+yet feare to reherse the same vnto my face, wherby I do perceiue
+and note in you a certayne kind of stoutenes which naturally
+procedeth from the greatnes of your mynd. But yet wisdome would
+that you should consider the reason and cause why I haue
+depryued you from your office. Do you not know that it
+appertaineth vnto me in all myne affaires and deedes to be
+liberal, curtious, magnificent, and bounteous? Be not those the
+virtues that make the fame of a Prince to glister among his
+subiectes, as the Sunne beames doe vpon the circuit of the
+world? Who oughte to rewarde wel doers and recompence ech wight
+whiche for any trauell haue al the dayes of their lyfe, or els
+in some perticuler seruice vsed their endeuor, or aduentured the
+peril of their life, but I alone being your soueraygne Lord and
+Prince? To the vertuous and obedient, to the Captayne and the
+Souldiour, to the pollityke and to the learned and graue,
+finally, to ech wel deseruing wight, I know how to vse the noble
+princely vertues of curtesie and liberality. They be the comly
+ensignes of a kynge. They be the onely ornaments of a prince.
+They be my perticular vertues. And will you Ariobarzanes, being
+a valiaunt Souldioure, a graue counsayler, and a pollityke
+personage, goe about to dispossesse me of that which is myne?
+Wil you whiche are my seruaunte and Subiecte of whome I make
+greateste accompt and haue in dearest estimation, vpon whom I
+did bestow the greatest dignity within the compas of my whole
+Monarchie, grate benefite at my handes, by abusinge those
+vertues whiche I aboue other do principally regard? You do much
+abuse the credite which I repose in youre greate wisedome. For
+hee in whome I thought to fynde most graue aduise, and deemed to
+bee a receptacle of al good counsel, doth seeke to take vppon
+him the personage of his Prince, and to vsurpe the kinglye
+qualitie which belongeth only vnto him. Shal I be tyed by your
+desertes, or bound by curteous deedes, or els be forced to
+rendre recompence? No, no, so long as this imperiall crowne shal
+rest on royal head, no subiect by any curteous deede of his,
+shal straine vnwilling mynde, which mente it not before. Tel me
+I beseech you what reward and gift, what honour and preferment
+haue I euer bestowed vpon you, sithens my first arriual to this
+victorious raigne, that euer you by due desert did bynde me
+thereunto? Which if you did, then liberal I cannot be termed,
+but a slauish Prince bound to do the same, by subiects merite.
+High and mightie kinges doe rewarde and aduaunce their men,
+hauing respect that their gift or benefite shal exceede deserte,
+otherwise that preferment cannot bee termed liberal. The great
+conquerour Alexander Magnus wan a great and notable Citie for
+wealth and spoyle. For the principalitie and gouernment wherof
+diuers of his noble men made sute, alleaging their paynful
+seruice and bloudy woundes about the getting of the same. But
+what did that worthy king? was he moued with the bloudshead of
+his captaynes? was he styrred with the valiaunce of his men of
+warre? was he prouoked with their earnest sutes? No trulye: But
+calling vnto him a poore man, whome by chaunce he found there,
+to him he gaue that riche and wealthy citie, and the gouernmente
+thereof, that his magnificence and his liberalitie to a person
+so pore and base, might receiue greatter fame and estimation:
+and to declare that the conferred benefyte didde not proceede of
+deserte or dutie, but of mere liberalitie, very curtesie, true
+munificence and noble disposition, deriued from princely heart
+and kinglye nature. Howbeit I speake not this that a faythful
+seruaunt should be vnrewarded (a thing very requisite) but to
+inferre and proue that reward should excell the merite and
+seruice of the receiuer. Now then I say, that you going about by
+large desert and manifold curtesie to binde mee to recompence
+the same, you seeke thy next waye to cut of the meane whereby I
+should be liberall. Do not you see that through your vnaduysed
+curtesie I am preuented, and letted from myne accustomed
+liberalitye, wherewith dayly I was wont to reward my kynde,
+louing and loyal seruauntes, to whom if they deserued one talent
+of golde, my manner was to geue them two or three: if a thousand
+crownes by the yeare, to geue them V. Do you not know that when
+they loked for most rewarde or preferment, the soner did I
+honour and aduaunce them? Take heede then from henceforth
+Ariobarzanes, that you liue with such prouidence and
+circumspection as you may bee knowen to be a seruant, and I
+reputed (as I am) for your souerayne Lord and mayster. All
+Princes in myne opinion requyre two thinges of theire seruantes,
+that is to say, fidelity and loue, which being hadd they care
+for no more. Therefore he that list to contende with me in
+curtesie, shal fynde in the ende that I make smale accompte of
+him. And he that is my trusty and faithful seruant, diligente to
+execute and do my commaundementes, faythful in my secret
+affayres, and duetyfull in his vocation, shal truely witte and
+most certaynlye feele that I am both curteous and liberall.
+Which thou thy selfe shal wel perceiue, and be forced to
+confesse that I am the same manne in dede, for curtesie and
+liberalitye whom thou indeuorest to surmount.” Then the king
+held his peace. Ariobarzanes very reuerentlye made answear in
+this manner: “Most noble and victorious Prince, wel
+vnderstanding the conceiued grief of your inuincible mind
+pleaseth youre sacred maiesty to geue mee leaue to answer for my
+self, not to aggrauate or heap your wrath and displeasure (which
+the Gods forbid) but to disclose my humble excuse before your
+maiesty that the same poized with the equall balance of youre
+rightful mind, my former attempts may nether seme presumptuous,
+ne yet my wel meaning mind, well measured with iustice, ouerbold
+or malapert. Most humbly then, prostrate vpon my knees I say
+that I neuer went about, or else did think in mind to excede or
+compare with your infinite and incomprehensible bounty, but
+indeuored by al possible means to let your grace perceiue, and
+the whole world to know that there is nothing in the world which
+I regard so much as your good grace and fauour. And mighty Ioue
+graunt that I do neuer fal into so great errour to presume for
+to contend with the greatnes of your mynde: which fond desire if
+my beastly mynd should apprehend, I myghte be lickned to the man
+that goeth aboute to berieue and take away the clerenesse of the
+Sun, or brightnesse of the splendant stars. But euer I did
+thinke it to be my bounden duety not only of those fortunes
+goods which by your princely meanes I do inioy to bee a
+distributer and large giuer, but also bound for the profite and
+aduauncement of your regal crowne and dignitye, and defence of
+your most noble person, of mine owne life and bloud to be both
+liberall and prodigall. And where your maiesty thinketh that I
+haue laboured to compare in curtious dede or other liberall
+behauiour, no deede that euer I did, or fact was euer
+enterprised by me for other respect, but for to get and continue
+your more ample fauour and daily to encrease your loue for that
+it is the seruant’s part with all his force and might to aspyre
+the grace and fauoure of his soueraygne lorde. How beit (most
+noble prince) before this tyme I did neuer beleue, nor hard
+youre grace confesse, that magnanimity, gentlenes and curtesie,
+were vertues worthy of blame and correction, as your maiesty
+hath very manifestly done me to vnderstande by wordes seuere,
+and taunting checkes, vnworthye for practise of such rare and
+noble vertues. But how so euer it bee, whether lyfe or death
+shal depend vpon this prayse worthy and honourable purpose,
+I meane hereafter to yeld my dutye to my souerayne lord, and
+then it may please him to terme my dedes courteous or liberal or
+to thinke on my behauiour, what his owne princely mynde shal
+deme and iudge.” The king vpon those wordes rose vp and sayd:
+“Ariobarzanes, now it is no tyme to continue in further
+disputation of this argument, committing the determination and
+iudgement herof, to the graue deliberation of my counsel who at
+conuenient leasure aduisedly shal according to the Persian lawes
+and customes conclud the same. And for this present time I say
+vnto thee that I am disposed to accompt the accusation made
+agaynste thee to be true, and confessed by thy self. In the mean
+tyme thou shalt repayre into the country and come no more to the
+court til I commaund thee.” Ariobarzanes receiuinge this
+answeare of his souerayne lorde departed, and to his great
+contentation, went home into his countreye merye, for that he
+should be absent out of the daylye sight of his enemies, yet not
+wel pleased for that the king had remitted his cause to his
+Councell. Neuerthelesse minded to abyde and suffer al Fortune,
+he gaue him selfe to the pastime of huntinge of Deere, runninge
+of the wylde Bore, and flying of the Hauke. This noble Gentleman
+had two onlye daughters of his wife that was deceased, the most
+beautiful Gentlewomen of the countrey, the eldest of which two
+was peerelesse and without comparison, older than the other by
+one yeare. The beauty of those fayre ladies was bruted
+throughout the whole Region of Persia, to whome the greatest
+Lordes and Barons of the countrey were great and importunate
+suters. He was not in his countrey resiant the space of fower
+monethes, which for salubritie of ayre was most holsome and
+pleasaunt, full of lordlike liberties and Gentlemanlike
+pastimes, aswel to bee done by the hound as folowed by the
+spaniell, but one of the kinge’s Haraulds sente from the Court,
+appeared before him with message to this effecte, saying vnto
+him: “My lord, Ariobarzanes, the kinge my souerayne Lord hath
+commaunded you to send with me to the Court the fayrest of your
+two daughters, for that the reporte of their famous beautie hath
+made him hardlie to beleeue them to be such, as common bruite
+would fayne doe him to vnderstand.” Ariobarzanes not well able
+to conceiue the meaning of the king’s commaundiment, reuolued in
+his mynde diuers thinges touching that demaund, and concludinge
+vpon one which fel to his remembrance, determined to send his
+younger daughter, which (as we haue sayde before) was not in
+beautie comparable to her elder sister, whereupon hee caused the
+mayden to be sent for, and sayde vnto her these wordes:
+“Daughter, the king my maister and thy soueraigne Lord, hath by
+his messanger commaunded me to sende vnto him the fayrest of my
+daughters, but for a certaine reasonable respect which at thys
+time I purpose not to disclose, my mynde is that thou shalt goe,
+praying thee not to say but that thou thyselfe art of the twayne
+the fayrest, the concealinge of whiche mine aduise wil breede
+vnto thee (no doubt) thy great aduauncement, besides the profite
+and promotion that shal accriue by that thy silence: and the
+disclosing of the same may hap to engendre to thy deere father
+his euerlasting hindrance, and perchaunce the depriuation of his
+lyfe: but if so be the Kinge doe beget the with childe, in anye
+wise keepe close the same: and when thou seest thy belly begin
+to swell, that no longer it can be closely kept, then in
+conuenient time, when thou seest the kinge merily disposed, thou
+shalt tell the king that thy syster is far more beautifull than
+thyselfe, and that thou art the yonger sister.” The wise maiden
+well vnderstanding her father’s minde, and conceiuing the summe
+of his intent, promised to performe his charge, and so with the
+Haraulde and honorable traine, he caused his daughter to be
+conueyed to the Court. An easie matter it was to deceiue the
+king in the beauty of that maiden: for although the elder
+daughter was the fairest, yet this Gentlewoman seemed so
+peerelesse in the Courte, that without comparison she was the
+most beautifull that was to be found either in Courte or
+countrey: the behauiour and semblance of whiche two daughters
+were so like, that hard it was to iudge whether of them was the
+eldest: for their father had so kept them in, that seldome they
+were seene within his house, or at no time marked when they
+walked abroade. The wife of the king was dead the space of one
+yeere before, for which cause he determined to mary the daughter
+of Ariobarzanes, who although she was not of the royall bloud,
+yet of birth she was right noble. When the kinge sawe this
+Gentlewoman, he iudged hir to be the fairest that euer he saw or
+heard of by report, whom in the presence of his noblemen he
+solemnly did marry, and sent vnto her father to appoynct the
+Dowry of his married Daughter out of hande, and to returne the
+same by that messenger. When Ariobarzanes hearde tell of thys
+vnhoped mariage, right ioyfull for that successe, sent vnto his
+Daughter the Dowry which he had promised to geue to both his
+Daughters. Many of the Court did maruell, that the kynge beinge
+in aged yeares woulde mary so yongue a mayden, specially the
+daughter of his Subiect, whom he had banished from the Courte.
+Some praysed the kinge’s Disposition for taking hir whom he
+fansied: ech man speakynge his seuerall mynde accordynge to the
+dyuers customes of men. Notwythstandinge there were diuers that
+moued the kinge to that mariage, thereby to force him to
+confesse, that by takinge of the goods of Ariobarzanes, he might
+be called Courteous and Liberall. The mariage being solemnized
+in very sumptuous and princely guise, Ariobarzanes sent to the
+kinge the like Dowry which before he had sent him for mariage of
+his daughter, with message to this effect: That for so mutch as
+hee had Assigned to his Daughters two certayne Dowries to mary
+them to their equal feeres, and seeinge that hee which was
+without exception, was the husbande of the one, his duety was to
+bestow vpon his grace a more greater gift, than to any other
+which should haue bene his sonne in law: but the king would not
+receiue the increase of his dowry, deeming himselfe wel
+satisfied with the beauty and good condicions of his new spouse,
+whom he entertayned and honored as Queene. In the meane time she
+was with childe with a Sonne (as afterwardes in the birth it
+appeered) which so wel as she coulde she kept close and secret,
+but afterwardes perceiuinge her Belly to wax bigge, the
+greatnesse whereof she was not able to hide, beinge vppon a time
+with the kinge and in familiar disporte, she like a wise and
+sobre lady induced matter of diuers argument, amonges which as
+occasion serued, she disclosed to the king, that she was not the
+fayrest of hir father’s daughters, but hir elder sister more
+beautifull than she. The king hearing that, was greatly offended
+with Ariobarzanes, for that he had not accomplished his
+commaundement: and albeit hee loued well his wife, yet to
+attaine the effect of his desire, he called his Haraulde vnto
+him, whom he had first sent to make request for his wyfe, and
+with him returned agayne his new maried spouse vnto her father,
+commaunding him to say these wordes: “That for so mutch as he
+knew himselfe to be vanquished and ouercome by the king’s
+humanity, his grace did maruell, that in place of curtesie, he
+would use such contumacy and disobedience, by sending vnto him,
+not the fairest of his daughters, which he required, but sutch
+as he himselfe liked to sende: a matter no doubt worthy to be
+sharpely punished and reuenged: for which cause the kinge beinge
+not a litle offended, had sent home his daughter agayne, and
+willed hym to sende his eldest daughter, and that he had
+returned the Dowry which he gaue with his yonger.” Ariobarzanes
+receyued his daughter and the dowry with willinge minde, and
+sayd theese words to the Harauld: “Mine other daughter which the
+king my Soueraygne Lord requireth, is not able presently to go
+with thee, bycause in hir bed she lieth sicke, as thou mayst
+manifestly perceiue if thou come into hir chamber: but say vnto
+the king, that vppon my fayth and allegiaunce so soone as she is
+recouered, I will sende hir to the court.” The Haraulde seeing
+the mayden lye sicke on her bed, weake and Impotent, not able to
+trauel, returned to the king, and told him of the sicknesse of
+the eldest Daughter of Ariobarzanes, wherewithall beinge
+satisfied, he attended the successe of his desired sute: the
+Gentlewoman no sooner beinge recouered, but the tyme of the
+other’s childbirth was come, which brought forth a goodly Boy:
+both the Mother safely brought to Bed, and the childe strong and
+lusty. Whych greatly contented and pleased Ariobarzanes, and the
+greater grew his ioy thereof, for that hee sawe the Childe to be
+like vnto the kinge his father: and by that time the yong
+Gentlewoman was rysen from her childbed, the sister was
+perfectly whole, and had recouered her former hiewe and beauty,
+both which beinge richely apparelled, Ariobarzanes with an
+honourable trayne, sent vnto the kinge, instructinge them first
+what they ought to say and do. When they were arriued at the
+courte, one of the pryuy chamber aduertised the king that
+Ariobarzanes had not onely sent one of his daughters, but both
+of them. The kynge hearinge and seeinge the liberalyty of
+Ariobarzanes, accepted the same in gracious part, and determined
+for that curtesie, to vse him with sutch princely liberality, as
+he should be forced to confesse himselfe ouercome. And before
+the messanger which had brought the yong gentlewoman did
+departe, he caused to be called before him his only sonne called
+Cyrus, vnto whom he sayd: “Bycause Cyrus the time of thy yeares
+bee sutch, as meete they be to match the in Mariage, for hope I
+haue to see some Progeny proceede of thee before I die, my minde
+is that thou shalt mary this goodly Gentlewoman here, the syster
+of my Wyfe.{”} To which hys father’s hest, the yong gentleman
+willingly assented. Then the kyng toke again his owne, and
+ordayned a royall feast, for the mariage of his Sonne, which was
+celebrated and done with great triumph and solemnity,
+continuinge the space of 8 dayes. Ariobarzanes hearinge these
+good newes, would not yet acknowledge himselfe to be ouercome,
+and seeinge that his purpose was nowe brought to an extremity,
+determined to send the little childe, a little before begotten
+of hys daughter, to the kinge, which so resembled the kinge’s
+face and Countenaunce as was possible: and therefore caused a
+cradle to bee made of the fairest Iuory that was to be gotten,
+embossed and garnished with pure Golde, adorned and set wyth
+most precious Stones and Iewels, wherein he caused the childe to
+be placed, and couered wyth rich clothes of fynest gold and
+silke, and together with the Nourice, accompanied with a pompous
+trayne of Gentlemen, he sent him to the kinge, the very time
+that the solemne mariage should be celebrated: and the kinge
+beinge in his great Hall, which was hanged with maruellous rich
+and costly Arras, attended vpon with a great numbre of his
+Barons and noble men, hee that had the charge of the conduction
+of the child, vpon his knees presented the same before him,
+lyinge in the Cradle. The king and the Noblemen, meruelling what
+that did meane expected what the Messenger would say, who
+holding the Cradle by one of the Pomels, sayd these wordes:
+“Most renoumed and victorious Prince, in the behalfe of
+Ariobarzanes, my Lorde and your Subiect, most humbly I present
+vnto your maiesty, with al Submission and reuerence, this gift:
+and my sayd Lord doth rendre infinite thankes vnto your
+highnesse, for the great curtesie it hath pleased you to vse, by
+vouchsafinge to entertayne him into your alliaunce: for which
+not to seeme vnmindfull, this present (and therewithall he
+opened the Cradle) by mee hee hath sent vnto your maiesty.” When
+the Cradle was discouered, there apeared a goodly yong Chylde,
+Smilinge and Laughing vpon his father, the ioyfullest sight that
+euer his father sawe, and so like vnto him, as the halfe Moone
+is lyke the proportion of the rest. Then euery of the Standers
+by began to say his minde touchinge the resemblaunce of the
+Chylde to hys Father, hardily protesting the same without doubt
+to be his owne. The kyng could not be satisfied with the sight
+of his child, by reason of the great delight he had to looke
+vpon him, and of the generall opinion whych all men auouched
+touchinge his lykenesse. The Chylde agayne vpon the common
+reioyce made vpon hym, but specially of hys Father, wyth preaty
+motions and sweete laughinges, representinge two smilinge pyttes
+in his ruddy Cheekes, crowed many tymes vpon his father, toyinge
+vp and downe hys tender handes: afterwardes the kynge behelde
+the workmanship of that sumptuous cradle, and demaunded whereof
+the substaunce was. Vnto whom the Messenger discribed the
+Hystory and whole content of that incomparable Iewel: who
+hearinge that discourse, caused the Queene to be called forth,
+and by her was further certified of her father’s noble
+disposition, wyth exceeding contentation, and wonderfull
+reioyce, he receyued the little Chylde, and confessed hym selfe
+in maner vanquished: notwythstandinge seeming to be thus
+surmounted, he thought if he did not surpasse this curtesy, his
+noble and princely minde should be disgraced: wherefore he
+determined to vse a kind of magnanimity, thereby eyther to
+ouercome Ariobarzanes, or else hauinge apparant occasion
+altogether to fall out and to conceyue a mortall malice agaynst
+hym. The Kynge had a Daughter of the age of 21 yeares, a very
+fayre and comely Lady (accordinge as her Royall education and
+princely bringinge vp required) whom as yet he had not matched
+in mariage, meaninge to bestowe her vppon some kynge or great
+Monarch with a dowry of Ten hundred thousand Crownes, besides
+the pryncely and great costly Apparell and Iewells whych her
+owne mother lyinge vppon her death Bed did bequeathe her. The
+kynge then purposinge to excell Ariobarzanes, mynded by
+couplynge hym wyth hys Daughter, to make hym his sonne in lawe:
+whych to a Lady of Royall Linage, appeareth some debacinge of
+her noble bloud, to be matched with a man of inferiour byrth:
+the lyke to a Man how honourable so euer he be cannot chaunce,
+if he take a Wyfe of Degree neuer so Base: for if hee bee borne
+of Noble and Gentle kynde, hee doth illustrate and aduaunce the
+Woman whom he taketh, all be it shee were of the meanest trampe
+of the popular sorte, and the Chyldren whych be borne of them by
+the Father’s meanes, shalbe Noble and of a gentle kynd: but a
+woman, although shee be most Noble, if shee bee married to hir
+inferiour, and that hir husbande bee not so Noble, the chyldren
+that shall be borne of them shall not receiue the honour of the
+mother’s stock, but the state of the father’s lotte, and so
+shall be vnnoble. Sutch is the Reuerence and Authoritie of the
+Sexe of man, wherevpon doeth ryse the comparyson of the wyfe,
+which doth resemble the man vnto the Sunne, and the Woman to the
+Moone. For wee see that the Moone of hir selfe doth not giue
+light, ne yet can yelde any brightnesse to the darknesse of the
+Night, if she did not pertake some shining of the Sun, who with
+his liuely flames at times and places doth brighten the starres,
+and maketh the moone to shine: euen so the woman dependeth of
+the man, and of hym doth take hir nobility. The kyng therefore
+thought the match not meete for Ariobarzanes to marry his
+Daughter, and feared he should incurre some blemish of his
+house: but for all respect and feare of shame, the emulation
+whyche hee had to be victorious of his forced curtesie did
+surpasse. Wherefore he sent for Ariobarzanes to come vnto the
+Court: who vpon that commaundement came: and so soone as hee was
+entered the palace, he repayred to do his reuerence vnto the
+kinge, of whom he was welcomed with glad and ioyfull
+entertaynement: and after they had a whyle debated of diuers
+matters, the kyng sayd vnto him: “Ariobarzanes, for so mutch as
+thou art without a wyfe, we minde to bestowe vpon thee a
+Gentlewoman, which not onely wee well like and loue, but also is
+sutch a one, as thou thy selfe shalt be well contented to take.”
+Ariobarzanes aunswered: That he was at his commaundement: and
+that sutch choyse as pleased his maiesty, should very well
+content and satisefie him. Then the kyng caused his daughter, in
+riche vestures sumptuously attired to come before him, and there
+openly in presence of the whole Court commaunded that
+Ariobarzanes should marry her: which with seemely ceremonies
+being consummate, Ariobarzanes shewed little ioy of the
+parentage, and in apparance made as though he cared not for his
+wyfe. The Nobles and Gentlemen of the Courte wondred to see the
+straunge behauiour of the bridegroome, consideringe the great
+humanity of their Prince towardes his Subject, by takinge him
+for his Father, and Sonne in lawe: and greatly murmured to see
+the obstinacy and rudenesse of Ariobarzanes, towards the kynge
+and the Fayre newe maried Spouse, mutch blaminge and rebukinge
+hys vnkinde demeanour. Ariobarzanes that day fared as though hee
+were besides himselfe, voyde of ioy and mirth, where all the
+rest of the Courte spent the tyme in sport and Triumph, the
+Ladies and Noble women together with the kynge and Queene
+themselues. dauncinge and maskinge, vntil the time of night did
+force ech Wyghte to Retyre to their Chaumbers. Notwithstandinge
+the kynge did marke the Gesture and Countenaunce of
+Ariobarzanes, and after the Banket the Kynge in Solempne guise
+and great Pompe caused hys Daughter to bee accompanyed wyth a
+great Trayne to the Lodginge of Ariobarzanes, and to be caried
+with hir, hir Pryncely Dowry, where Ariobarzanes very Honourably
+receyued hys Wyfe, and at that Instant, in the presence of all
+the Noblemen and Barons that wayted vpon the Bride, hee doubled
+the Dowry receyued, and the same wyth the Ten hundred thousand
+Crownes geuen hym by the kynge, hee sent back agayne. This
+vnmeasured Liberality seemed passynge Straunge vnto the kynge,
+and bredde in him sutch disdayne, as doubtful he was whether to
+yelde, or to condemne him to perpetuall Banishment. The kynge
+thought that the greatnesse of Ariobarzanes mynde was
+Inuincible, and was not able paciently to suffer, that a subiect
+in matters of curtesie and liberality, should still compare wyth
+his king and maister: herewithal the king conceiuing malice,
+could not tell what to say or do. An easy matter it was to
+perceiue the rage and furie of the king, who was so sore
+displeased, as he bare good looke and countenaunce to no man:
+and bicause in those dayes the Persian kings were honored and
+reuerenced as Gods, there was a lawe that when the king was
+driuen into a furie, or had conceiued a iust displeasure, he
+shoulde manifest vnto his Counsellers, the cause of his anger,
+who afterwardes by mature diligence hauing examined the cause
+and finding the kinge to be vniustly displeased should seke
+meanes of his appeasing: but if they found his anger and
+displeasure to be iustly grounded, the cause of the same,
+according to the quality of the offence, little or great, they
+should punish, eyther by banishment or capital death: the
+sentence of whom should passe and be pronounced without appeale.
+Howbeit Lawfull it was for the Kynge to mitigate the pronounced
+sentence, eyther in al, or in part, and to diminish the payne,
+or clearely to assoyle the party: whereby it euidently appeared,
+that the Counsellers Sentence once determined, was very iustice,
+and the kynge’s wyll if he pardoned, was meere grace and mercy.
+The kyng was constrayned by the statutes of his kyngdome to
+disclose vnto his Counsell the cause of his displeasure, which
+particularly he recited: the Counsellers when they heard the
+reasons of the kynge, sent for Ariobarzanes, of whom by due
+examination they gathered, that in diuers causes he had prouoked
+the kynge’s dyspleasure. Afterwards the Lords of the Counsell,
+vpon the proposed question began to argue, by inuestigation and
+search whereof, in the ende they iudged Ariobarzanes worthy to
+loose hys head: for that he would not onely compare, but also go
+about to ouertoppe him in thinges vndecent, and to shewe
+himselfe discontented with the mariage of his daughter, and
+vnthankfull of the benefites so curteously bestowed vpon him.
+A custome was obserued amonge the Persians, that in euery acte
+or enterprise, wherein the seruaunt endeuored to surpasse and
+vanquish his lord and maister (albeit the attempt were
+commendable and prayseworthy) for respect of want of duety, or
+contempt to the royall maiesty, he should lose his best ioynt:
+and for better confirmation of their iudgement, the Counsellers
+alleaged a certayne diffinitiue sentence, regestred in their
+Chronicles, whilom done by the kyngs of Persia. The cause was
+this: one of the kyngs of that Region disposed to disporte with
+certayne of his noble men abrode in the Fields, went a Hauking,
+and with a Faucon to fly at diuers game. Within a while they
+sprang a Hearon, and the Kynge commaunded that one of the
+faulcons which was a notable swift and soaring Hauke, should be
+cast of to the Hearon: which done, the hearon began to mount and
+the faucon speedely pursued, and as the Hauke after many batings
+and intercourses, was about to seaze vpon the hearon, he espied
+an Egle: the stoute Hauke seeing the Egle, gaue ouer the
+fearfull Hearon, and with swift flight flewe towardes the hardy
+Egle, and fiercely attempted to seaze vpon her: but the Egle
+very stoutly defended her selfe, that the Hauke was forced to
+let goe hir holde. In the ende the good Hauke, with her sharpe
+talendes, agayne seazed vpon the Egle’s neck, and wyth her beake
+strake her starke dead, wherewithall she fel downe amid the
+company that wayted vpon the king. Al the Barons and Gentlemen
+highly commended and praysed the Hauke, affirminge that a better
+was not in the worlde, attributing vnto the same sutch prayse,
+as they thought meete. The king for all the acclamations and
+shoutes of the troupe, spake not a worde, but stoode musing with
+himselfe, and did neyther prayse nor blame the Hauke. It was
+very late in the eueninge, when the Faucon killed the Egle, and
+therefore the kinge commaunded ech man to depart to the Citty.
+The next day the king caused a Goldsmith to make an exceeding
+fayre crowne of golde, apt and meete for the Falcon’s head.
+Afterwards when he saw time conuenient, he ordayned that in the
+market place of the Citty, a Pearche should be erected, and
+adorned with Tapestry, Arras, and other costly furnitures, sutch
+as Prynces Palaces are bedecked withall. Thither with sound of
+Trumpets hee caused the Faucon to be conueyed, where the kinge
+commaunded one of his noble men to place the Crowne vpon his
+head, for price of the excellent pray atchieued vpon the Egle.
+Then he caused the hangman or common executioner of the Citty,
+to take the Crowne from the Faucon’s head, and with the
+trenchant sword to cut it of. Vppon these contrary effectes the
+beholders of this sight were amazed, and began diuersly to talk
+thereof. The king which at a window stoode to behold this fact,
+caused silence to be kept, and so opened his princely voice, as
+he was wel heard speaking these words: “There ought (good
+people) none of you all to Murmur and grudge at the present fact
+executed upon the Faucon, bycause the same is done vppon good
+reason and iust cause as by processe of my discourse you shall
+well perceiue. I am persuaded that it is the office and duety of
+euery magnanimous prince, to know the valor and difference
+betweene vertue and vice, that all vertuous actes and worthy
+attempts may be honoured, and the contrary chastised and
+punished, otherwise he is not worthy of the name of a Kyng and
+Prynce, but of a cruel and trayterous Tyrant: for as the prince
+beareth the title by principality and chiefe, so ought his life
+chiefly to excell other, whom he gouerneth and ruleth. The bare
+title and dignity is not sufficient, if his conditions and
+moderation be not to that supreme state equiualent. Full well I
+knew and did consider to be in this dead Faucon a certayne
+generosity and stoutnesse of minde, ioyned wyth a certayne
+fierce actiuity and nimblenesse, for which I Crowned and
+rewarded hir wyth thys golden Garland, bycause of the stoute
+slaughter which she made vpon that myghty Egle, worthy for that
+solemne guise. But when I considered how boldly and rashely she
+assayled and killed the Egle, which is hir Queene and
+Maystresse, I thought it a part of Iustice, that for hir bolde
+and vncomely act, she shoulde suffer the payne due to hir
+deserte: for vnlawful it is for the seruaunte, and vnduetiful
+for the subiect, to imbrue his handes in the bloud of his
+Soueraygne Lord. The Faulcon then hauinge slayne hir Queene, and
+of all other Birdes the Soueraygne, who can with reason blame me
+for cuttinge of the Faucon’s head? Doubtlesse none, that hath
+respect to the quiet state betweene the Prince and Subiect.”
+This example the Iudges alleaged against Ariobarzanes when they
+pronounced sentence: and applyinge the same to him, ordeyned
+that first Ariobarzanes, for his Magnanimity and liberal
+curtesie should be Crowned wyth a Laurell Garland, for the
+generosity of his minde and exceedinge curtesie, but for his
+great emulation, earnest endeuour, and continuall dyuice to
+contende wyth hys Prynce, and in Liberality to shew him selfe
+superior, bysides the mutteringe speech vttered agaynst hym, his
+head ought to be striken of. Ariobarzanes beinge aduertised of
+thys seuere condemnation, hee purposed to sustayne the Venemous
+Darte of Fortune, as hee had endured other bruntes of that
+Enuious inconstant Lady, and in sutch maner behaued and directed
+his Gestes, and Countenaunce, as no Sygne of Choler or Dyspayre
+appeared in him, onely Pronouncinge thys Sentence with ioyfull
+Cheare in the presence of many: “Glad I am that at length there
+resteth in me so mutch to be liberall, as I employ my life and
+bloud, to declare the same to my Soueraygne Lorde, which right
+willingly I meane to do, that the World may know, how I had
+rather lose my lyfe, than to faynt and geue ouer in mine
+accustomed liberality.” Then callinge a Notary vnto him, he made
+his Wyll (for so it was lawfull by the Persian lawes) and to his
+Wyfe, and Daughters hee increased their Dowries, and to his
+kinsfolke and freendes he bequeathed diuers rich and bountifull
+Legacies. To the kyng he gaue a great number of most precious
+Iewels. To Cyrus the king’s sonne, and his by mariage (besides a
+great masse of money) he bequeathed all his Armure, and Weapons,
+with all his instruments for the warres, and his whole stable of
+horsse. Last of all he ordayned, that if (perhaps) his wyfe
+should be found with chylde, and brought to Bed of a Sonne hee
+should be his vniuersall heyre: but if a Woman chylde, to haue
+the dowry that his other daughters had. The rest of his goods
+and cattel he gaue indifferently to al III. equally to be
+deuided. He prouided also, that all his seruantes accordinge to
+their degree, should be rewarded. The day before he should be
+put to death (according to the custome of Persia) his prayses
+and valiaunt factes, as wel by Epitaphes fixed vpon poasts, as
+by proclamation, were generally sounded throughout the Realme,
+in such wise as ech wight iudged him to be the most liberall and
+noble personage that was in all the Countrey, and in the borders
+confininge vpon the same. And if there had not bene some enuious
+persons nere the kyng, which studied and practised his
+ouerthrow, al other would haue deemed him vnworthy of death.
+Sutch is enuy of the maliciously disposed, that rather than they
+would see their equals to be in better estimation with the
+prynce than themselues, study and deuise all pollicy eyther by
+flattery or false surmise to bringe them in discredite, or to
+practise by false accusation, their vtter subuersion by Death or
+Banishement. But whiles Ariobarzanes was disposinge his thinges
+in order, his Wyfe and Daughters with his Friends and Cousins,
+were affected with great sorrow day and night, complayning for
+the heauy state of that noble Gentleman. The eight day being
+come (for the lawe allowed that space to the condemned, for
+disposition of their thynges) a Skaffolde was made by
+commaundement of the king, in the middest of the Market place,
+al couered with black cloth, and an other right ouer against the
+same with Purple and Silk, where the kyng (if he list) in the
+mids of the Iudges should sit and the inditement redde,
+iudgement (by the kynge’s owne mouth declared) should be
+executed, or if it pleased him, discharge and assoyle the
+condemned. And the kynge vnwillinge to be present, gaue to one
+of the eldest iudges hys full power and authority. But yet
+sorrowful that a Gentleman so noble and valiaunt, his father and
+sonne in lawe, should finish his life with a death so horrible,
+would needes that morninge be present himselfe at that
+execution, as wel to see the continent and stoute ende of
+Ariobarzanes, as also to take order for his deliuery. When the
+time was come, Ariobarzanes by the Sergeante and Garde was
+brought vnto the Skaffolde, and there Aparelled in rich
+Vestures, the Laurel Crowne was set on his head, and so
+continuinge for a certayne space, the garment and Crowne was
+taken of agayne together with his other Apparell. The
+executioner attendinge for commaundement to do his office, and
+lifting vp his sworde to do the fact, the king desired to see
+the countenaunce of Ariobarzanes, who neuer chaunged coloure for
+all that terrour of death. The king seeing the great constancy
+and inuincible mind of Ariobarzanes, spake aloud that all men
+might heare hym, these wordes: “Thou knowest Ariobarzanes, that
+it is not I, which haue wroughte thy condemnation, ne yet by
+enuious desyre haue sought thy bloude, to brynge thee to thys
+extremity, but it hath bene thy ill disordred life, and the
+statutes of this Realme, which haue found thee guilty, and
+thereupon sentence and death pronounced, and execution now ready
+to be done, and the minister ready to aduaunce his arme, to play
+the last acte of this Tragedy: and yet for that our holy lawes
+doe geue liberty that I may assoyle and delyuer whom I list, and
+them restore to their former state, if nowe thou wilt
+acknowledge thy selfe vanquished and ouercome, and accepte thy
+lyfe in gratefull part, I will pardon thee, and restore thee to
+thyne offyces and promotions.” Ariobarzanes, hearying these
+wordes, kneeled downe wyth hys heade declyned, and expecting the
+blow of the Sworde, lyfted vp himselfe, and turnynge his face to
+the kinge, perceyuing his malice not so sore bent against hym as
+the enuy and malice of his ennemies desired, he determined to
+proue and vse the pitiful liberality and fauour of his
+Soueraigne Lorde, that his Foes by his death might not Triumph,
+ne yet attayne the thinge, for which so long they aspired.
+Wherefore in reuerent wyse kneelinge before his maiesty, with a
+stout and perfect voyce sayd these words: “Most vyctorious and
+mercifull Soueraygne Lord, in equall worship and honour to the
+immortall Gods, sith of thy abundant grace and mercy it hath
+pleased thee to graunt me lyfe, I do most humbly accept the
+same, which if I wyst should be prolonged in thy disgrace and
+wrath, could not be pleasaunt vnto me, and therefore do confesse
+my selfe in curtesie and liberality altogether surmounted and
+ouercome. I most humbly then do geue thee thankes for
+preseruation of my lyfe, hopinge hereafter to employ the
+vttermost of myne endeuour for the benefite and honour of thy
+Crowne and dignity, as readyly and without supplication made in
+my behalfe, thou hast vouchesafed to restore the same: and sith
+thy clemency hath reuiued me thyne humble vassall, I beseech thy
+maiesty to giue me leaue to say my minde, trustinge thereby to
+do thee to vnderstand the effect and cause of that my former
+presumption.” The kinge made signes that he should arise and
+boldly speake the summe of his desire. When he stoode up,
+silence was proclaymed, who then began to speake these wordes:
+“Two things there be, (most sacred Prince) which doubtlesse do
+Resemble the raging Waues of surginge Seas, and the mutability
+of vnstable windes, and yet great is the folly of an infinite
+numbre, which imploy their whole care and diligence to the
+pursute thereof. These two thinges whereof I speake, and be so
+deerely beloued of flattering Courtiers, are the grace and
+fauour of their soueraygne lord, and the luringe loue of Amorous
+Dames: whych two do so often beguyle the courtly gentleman, that
+in ende, they engender nought else but repentance: and to begin
+with the loue of Ladies, they, as by common experience is
+proued, most commonly do recline to their Inferiours. It is
+dayly seene by to mutch vnhappy proofe, that a yongue Gentleman
+by Byrth noble, and otherwyse riche, vertuous, and indued with
+many goodly gyfts, shall choose and worship one for his
+soueraigne Lady and maistresse, and her shall serue and honour
+with no lesse fayth and fidelity then is due to the immortall
+Gods, and shal not sticke to employ for her loue and seruice all
+the possible power and trauell he is able to do, and yet she in
+dispite of all his humble endeuour, shall imbrace an other voide
+of all vertue, makynge him possessor of that benefite, after
+which the other seeketh, and shee not longe constant in that
+minde, afterwards wil attend to the first Suter, but in sutch
+mouable and disdaynfull sort, as the wandring starres (through
+their natural instability) be moued to and fro, and him in the
+ende will suffre to fall headlong into the bottomlesse pit of
+dispayre: and to him that asketh hir the reason of this variety,
+she maketh none other aunswere but that her pleasure is sutch,
+and wilfull will to dally with her sutors: so that seldome times
+a true and perfit louer can fasten his foote on certayne holde,
+but that his life is tossed vp and downe like the whirling
+blastes of inconstant windes. The like succedeth in the Courtes
+of Kings and Princes, he which is in fauoure with his soueraigne
+Lord in al mens eyes, so great and neare, as it seemeth the
+Prince is disposed to resolue vpon nothing without his aduise
+and counsell, when such fauored person shall employe his whole
+care and industrie to maintaine and encrease the commenced grace
+of his soueraigne Lord, behold, vpon the sodaine the minde and
+vaine of his Lord is changed, and an other without desert, which
+neuer carked to win good will, is taken in place, cherished as
+though hee had serued him an hundred yeares before: and he that
+was the first minion of the Courte in greatest grace and
+estimation, is in a moment dispysed, and oute of all regarde: an
+other within fewe dayes after, shall supplie the place of the
+other twaine, verye dyligent and careful to serue a man trained
+vp in courtly exercise, whose mindfull mind shall bee so caring
+ouer his lord’s affayers, as vpon the safegard and preseruation
+of his owne life: but all his labour is employed in vayne: and
+when the aged dayes of his expired life approch, for the least
+displeasure he shalbe thrust out without reward for former
+trauel, that right aptly the Common Prouerb may be applied: the
+common Courtier’s life is like a golden misery, and the
+faithfull seruant an Asse perpetuall. I haue seene my selfe the
+right wel learned man to sterue in Court for want of meate, and
+a blockish beast voyde of vertue, for lust, and for merite,
+aduaunced and made a Gentleman: but this may chaunce bicause hys
+Lord is not disposed to vertue, nought esteeminge those that be
+affected with good sciences, and that onely for lacke of
+carefull trayninge vp in youthfull dayes, or else for that his
+minde cannot frame with gentle spyrits, the closets of whose
+breasts be charged and fraught with infinite loades of
+learninge, and haue not bin noseled in trade of Courtes, ne yet
+can vse due courtly speech, or with vnblushinge face can shuffle
+themselues in presence of their betters, or commen with Ladies
+of dame Venus toyes: or race of birth not mingled with the noble
+or gentle Sire: for these causes perhaps that vertuous wighte
+cannot attain the hap of fortune’s giftes. Which person thoughe
+in Court he be not esteemed, yet in schoolehouse of good arte he
+is deemed famouse, and for his worthy skill right worthy to be
+preferred aboue the heauens. In semblable wise, how oftentimes
+and commonly is it seene that the man perchance which neuer thou
+sawest before, so sone as he is seene of the, sodaynly he is
+detested lyke a plague, and the more earnest he is to do the
+seruice and pleasure, the greater is thy wrath bent towards him?
+Contrarywise, som other vpon the first view shal so content and
+please the, as if he require the bestowing of thy life, thou
+hast no power to denie him, thou arte in loue with him, and let
+him thwart thy mind and wil neuer so much, thou carest not for
+it, all is well he doth: but that these varieties do proceede
+from some certayn temprement of bloud within the body conformed
+and moued by som inward celestial power, who doubteth? And
+surely the foundation of these Courtly mutations, is the
+pricking venomous Goade of pestiferous Enuye, whych continually
+holdeth the fauour of Prynces in ballaunce, and in a moment
+hoisteth vp him which was below, and poizeth downe agayne him
+that was exalted: so that no plague or poison is more
+pestiferous in Courts, than the hurtfull disease of Enuy: all
+other vices with little paine and lesse labour may easily be
+cured, and so pacified as they shall not hurt thee: but rooted
+Enuy by any meanes is discharged, with no pollicye is expelled,
+ne yet by any Drugge or medicine purged. Veryly wythout great
+daunger, I know not which way the poynaunt bittes of Enuy can be
+auoyded: the proude man in Courte, the arrogant and ambitious,
+the lofty minded Foole, more eleuate and lustie than Pride it
+selfe, if reverence bee done to him, if he be honoured, if place
+be giuen to him, if hee be praysed and glorified aboue the
+heauens, if thou humble thy selfe to him, by and by he will take
+thee to be his frend, and wyll deeme thee to bee a curteous and
+gentle companion. Let the lacyuious and wanton person giuen to
+the pleasures and lust of women, fixing his mind on nothing else
+but vpon fugitiue pleasures, if his loue bee not impeached, ne
+yet his wanton toyes reproued, if he be praysed before his
+Ladie, he will euer be thy friend: the couetous and gloutonous
+carle, if first thou make hym quaffe a Medicine, and afterwardes
+byd hym to thy table, the one and other disease is speedily
+cured: but for the enuious person, what Phisicke can be sought
+to purge his pestiferous humour? which if thou go about to heale
+and cure, rather muste thou remedye the same by wasting the life
+of him that is so possessed, than find causes of recouerie. And
+who knoweth not (most sacred Prince) that in your Courte there
+be some attached with that poisoned plague, who seeing me your
+maiestie’s humble vassall in greater fauoure with your grace
+than they, my seruice more acceptable than theirs, my prowesse
+and exercise in armes more worthy than theirs, my diligence more
+industrious than theirs, my advise and counsell more auayleable
+than theirs, all mine other deedes and doings in better
+Estimation than theirs: they I say, dallied in the lap of the
+cancred witch dame Enuy, by what meanes are they to be
+recouered? by what meanes their infection purged? by what meanes
+their mallice cured? If not to see me depriued of your grace,
+expelled from your Court, and cast headlonge into the gulfe of
+death extreme? If I should bribe them with great rewardes, if I
+should honour them with humble reuerence, if I should exalt them
+aboue the Skyes, if I should employ the vttermost of my power,
+to do them seruice, all frustrate and cast away: they wil not
+cease to bring me into perill, they will not spare to reduce me
+to misery, they will not sticke to ymagin all deuyses for myne
+anoyance, when they see al other remdyes impotent and vnable:
+this is the poisoned plague which enuenometh all Princes
+courtes: this is the mischiefe which destroyeth all kyngdomes:
+this is the monster that deuoureth all vertuous enterpryses and
+offendeth eche gentle spirite: this is the dim vale which so
+ouershadoweth the clerenes of the eyes as the bright beams of
+verity cannot be sene, and so obscureth the equity of iustice,
+as right from falshode cannot be discerned: this is the manifest
+cause that breadeth a thousand errors in the workes of men: and
+to draw nere to the effecte of this my tedious talke, briefly,
+there is no vice in the worlde that more outragiously corrupteth
+Princes courtes, that more vnfrendly vntwineth frendship’s band,
+that more vnhappely subuerteth noble houses, then the poysone of
+Enuy: for he that enclineth his eares to the enuious person, he
+that attendeth to his malignant deuises, vnpossible it is for
+him to do any dede that is eyther good or vertuous: but to
+finishe and end for auoyding of wearines and not to stay your
+maiesty from your waighty affayres, I say that the enuyous man
+reioiceth not so much in his own good turnes nor gladdeth
+himself so greatlye with his owne commodityes, as hee doth
+insulte, and laugh at the discommodityes and hinderance of
+others, at whose profite and gain he soroweth and lamenteth: and
+to put out both the eyes of his companion, the enuious man
+careth not to plucke out one of his own. These wordes (most
+inuincible prince) I purposed to speake in the presence of your
+maiesty, before your gard and courtlyke train, and in the
+vniuersal hearing of all the people that ech wighte may
+understand how I not of your maiestie’s pretended malice, or
+mine owne committed faulte, but through the venemous tongues of
+the enuious fel into the lapse of your displeasure.” This moste
+true oration of Ariobarzanes greatly pleased the noble Prince,
+and although he felt himself somwhat touched therwith, and
+knowing it to bee certayn and true and that in tyme to come the
+same mighte profite all sortes of people, hee greatlye praised
+and exalted him in the presence of all the assembly. Wherefore
+Ariobarzanes having recouered his lyfe confessed himselfe to bee
+vanquished and ouercome by the king, who knowing the valoure and
+fealty of that noble Gentleman, and louing him with harty
+affection, caused him to come down from the mourning Scaffolde,
+and to assend the place where he was himselfe, whom he imbraced
+and kissed, in token that al displeasure was remitted: all his
+auncient offices were restored to him agayne: and for his
+further aduancement, he gaue him the Cittye of Passagarda where
+was the olde monument of kinge Cyrus, and made him lieuetenaunt
+generall of his realmes and dominions, commaundinge euery of his
+subiects to obay him as himselfe. And so the kyng rested the
+honourable father in law to Ariobarzanes, and his louinge sonne
+by mariage crauing stil in al his enterpryses, his graue aduyse
+and counsell: and there was neuer thing of any importance done,
+but his liking or disliking was firste demaunded: Ariobarzanes
+then returned into greater grace and fauour of his souerayne
+lord than before, and for his singular vertue hauing disperced
+and broken the aimes and malyce of all his enimies, if before he
+were curteous and liberal after these so stoute aduentures, he
+became more then princely in his dedes, and if sometymes he had
+done one curteous act now he doubled the same. But sutch was his
+Magnanimitye, so noble were his indeuors, tempred with such
+measure and equanimity, as the whole worlde clerely might
+deserne, that not to contend with his souerayne lorde but to
+honour and serue him, therby to expresse the maiestye of his
+Prince, he employed his goodes and liuing al which the kinge and
+fortune had bountifully bestowed vppon him: who vntil his dying
+day famously mayntayned himselfe in the good grace and fauour of
+his prince, in such wyse as the kyng more clerely then the
+shining Sunnebeames, knew Ariobarzanes to bee framed of nature
+for a christalline mirrour of curtesie and liberalitye, and that
+more easie it was to bereiue the fyre of heate, and the Sonne of
+lighte then despoyle Ariobarzanes of his glorious dedes.
+Wherfore he ceassed not continually to honour, exalt and enrych
+him, that hee might vse the greater liberality, and to say the
+treuth, althoughe these two vertues of curtesie and Liberality
+be commendable in all persons, without the which a man truely is
+not he whereof hee beareth the name yet very fitting and meete
+for euerye ryche and welthie subiect, to beware how he doth
+compare in those noble vertues with Princes and great men, which
+beyng ryght noble and pereles vppon yearth canne abyde no
+Comparisons.
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTH NOUELL.
+
+  _Lvcivs one of the garde to Aristotimvs the Tyrant of the cittye of
+  Elis, fell in loue with a fayre mayden called Micca, the daughter of
+  one Philodemvs, and his cruelty done vpon her. The stoutnesse also
+  of a noble matron named Megistona in defence of hir husbande and the
+  common wealth from the tyranny of the said Aristotimvs: and of other
+  actes done by the subiectes vppon that Tyrant._
+
+You haue heard, or as it were in a manner, you haue beeholden
+the right images and courteous conditions of two well
+conditioned persons mutually ech towards other obserued: in the
+one a Princely mind towards a Noble Gentleman his subiecte: in
+the other a duetieful obedience of a louing vassal to his
+soueraigne Lord and Maister: in both of them the true figure of
+Liberality in liuely orient colours described. Now a contrary
+plotte, grounded vpon extreame tiranny, is offred to the viewe,
+done by one Aristotimus and his clawbacks againste his humble
+subiects of the City of Elis, standyng in Peloponessus,
+a country of Achaia (which at this tyme we cal Morea.) This
+Aristotimus of nature was fierce and passing cruell, who by
+fauour of king Antigonus was made Tyran of that City: and like a
+Tyran gouerned his countrye by abuse of his aucthority with newe
+wronges, and straunge crueltyes vexing and afflicting the poore
+Cityzens and all hys people: which chaunced not so much for that
+of himself he was cruel and tyrannous, as for that his
+counsellours and chiefe aboute him were barbarous and vicious
+men, to whom he committed the charge of his kyngdome and the
+guarde of his person: but amonges all his mischiefes wrongfully
+done by him which were innumerable, one committed agaynst
+Philodemus (the same which afterwarde was the cause of the
+depriuation of his lyfe and kingdome) is specially remembred.
+This Philodemus had a daughter called Micca, that not onely for
+hir chast qualityes and good condicions whiche vertuously
+flourished in hir but for her extreame and goodly beautye, was
+in that citty of passing fame and admiration. With this fayre
+maiden one of the Tyrant’s guarde called Lucius fel in loue, if
+it deserue to be called loue, and not the rather, as the end ful
+wel declared, a most filthy and beastly lust: this Lucius was
+deerly beloued of Aristotemus, for the fiendish resemblance and
+wicked nerenesse of his vile and abhominable condicions: and
+therfore feared and obeied as the Tyrante’s owne person: for
+which cause this Lucius sent one of the yeomen of the kinge’s
+chamber to commaunde Philodemus at an appoynted hour, al excuses
+set apart, to bring his daughter vnto him. The parentes of the
+mayden hearing this sodayne and fearful mesuage, constrayned by
+Tyrante’s forse and fatal necessity, after many tears and
+pittious sighes, began to perswade their daughter to be
+contented to goe with him, declaringe vnto her the rigour of the
+magistrate that had sente for hir the extremety that would be
+executed, and that ther was no other remedy but to obay. Alas,
+how sore agaynst their willes, with what trembling gesture, with
+what horror the good parentes of this tender pusill were
+affected, to consider the purpose of that dreadefull message,
+all dere fathers and naturall mothers can tell. But this gentle
+mayden Micca which was of nature stoute, and yet vertuously
+lessoned with sundry good and holsome instructions from hir
+Infante’s Age was Determined rather to Dye, then to suffer her
+selfe to be Defloured. This vertuous Mayden fell downe Prostrate
+at her Father’s Feet, and clasping him fast about the Knees,
+louingly did pray him, and Pitifully besought him, not to suffer
+hir to bee haled to so filthy and vile an office, but rather
+with the piercing blade of a two edged sword to kill her, that
+therby she might be rid from the violation of those fleshly and
+libidinous varlets, saying, that if her virginity were taken
+from hir, she should liue in eternal reproch and shame. As the
+father and daughter were in these termes, Lucius for the long
+tariance and delaye, dronke with the Wine of lechery, made
+impacient and furious, with cursed speede posted to the house of
+Philodemus, and finding the maiden prostrate at her father’s
+feete weeping, her head in his lappe with taunting voice and
+threatning woordes commaunded presently without longer delay she
+should ryse and go with him: She refusing his hasty request, and
+crying out for Father’s help, who (God wot) durst not resist,
+stoode still and would not goe: Lucius seeing hir refusal ful of
+furie and proude disdaine, began furiously to hale hir by the
+garments, vpon whose struggling he tare hir kirtle and
+furnitures of hir head and shoulders, that hir alablaster necke
+and bosome appeared naked, and without compassion tare and
+whipte hir flesh on euery side, as the bloud ranne downe,
+beating that tendre flesh of hirs with manifold and greuous
+blowes. O vile tirant, more wood and sauage than the desert
+beast or mountaine Tigre: could cruelty be so deepely rooted in
+the hart of man which by nature is affected with reason’s
+instinct, as without pity to lay handes, and violently to hurt
+the tendre body of a harmlesse Maidee? Can such inhumanity
+harbor in any that beareth aboute him the shape of man? But what
+did this martyred maiden for all this force? Did she yeld to
+violence, or rendre hir self to the disposition of this
+mercilesse man? No surely. But with so great stoutnesse of mind,
+she suffred those impressed wounds, that no one word sounding of
+sorrow, or womanly shriech was heard to sound from hir delicate
+mouth: howbeit the pore father and miserable mother at that
+rueful and lamentable sight, moued with inward grief and natural
+pity, cried out aloude. But when they sawe that neyther playnt
+nor fayre speech coulde deliuer their Daughter out of the hands
+of that cruell monster, they began with open cryes and horrible
+exclamation to implore helpe and succour at the handes of the
+immortall Gods, thinking that they were vnworthely plaged and
+tormented. Then the proud and most barbarous wretch, moued and
+disquieted by cholers rage and fume of chafinge Wyne, sodaynly
+catched the most constant virgin by the hayre of the head, and
+in her father’s Lap did cut her white and tender throte.
+O detestable fact, right worthy iust reuenge. But what did this
+vnfaythfull and cruell Tyrant Aristotimus, when by the
+blustering bruit of people’s rage he heard of this vengeable
+murder, not only he shewed himselfe contented wyth the fact, but
+had him in greater regard than before, and towards them which
+made complaint hereof, greater cruelty and mischyefe was done
+and executed. For in open streat, lyke beastes in the Shambles,
+they were cut and hewed in peeces, which seemed to murmur at
+thys bloudy and vnlawfull act: the rest were banished and
+expelled the cytty. Eight hundred of these exiled persons fled
+into Etolia (a prouince adioyninge to Epirus, which now is
+called Albania.) Those people so banished out of theyr country,
+made instant sute to Aristotimus to suffer Wyues and chyldren to
+repayre to them: but theyr suite was in vayne, their peticions
+and supplycations seemed to be made to the deafe, and dispersed
+into the wyndes: notwithstandinge, within few dayes after, he
+caused by sound of trumpet to be openly proclaymed, that it
+should be lawful for the wyues and chyldren of the banished to
+passe wyth their baggage and furniture to theyr husbands in
+Ætolia. This Proclamation was exceeding ioyfull to al the women
+whose husbands were exiled, which at the least by common report
+were the numbre of 6 hundreds: and for more credite of that
+Proclamation, the wicked Tyrant did ordayne, that al the company
+should depart vpon a prefixed day. In the meane time, the ioyful
+Wyues glad to visit their poore husbands, prepared horse and
+wagon, to cary theyr prouisions. The appoynted day of their
+departure out of that City being come, all of them assembled at
+a certayne gate assygned for their repayre, who that time
+together resorted with their little children in their hands
+bearing vpon theyr heads theyr garments and furnitures, some on
+horseback, and some bestowed in the wagons according as ech of
+theyr states required: when al things wer in a readinesse to
+depart, and the gate of the City opened, they began to issue
+forth. They wer no soner gone out of the City walles, and had
+left behind them the soile of theyr natiuity, but the Tyrants
+guard and Sergeants brake vpon them, and before they were
+approched they cried out to stay and go no further vpon pain of
+theyr liues. So the pore amazed women, contrarry to the promise
+of the Tyrant, wer forced to retire. Which sodain countremaund
+was sorowful and woful vnto the afflicted flock: but there was
+no remedy, for procede they could not. Then those Termagants and
+villains caught theyr horse by the bridles, and droue back again
+theyr wagons, pricking the pore oxen and beasts with theyr
+speares and Iauelins, that horrible it is to report the tyrany
+vsed towards man and best, in such wyse as the pore miserable
+women (God wot) contrary to their desyres, were forced in
+dispyte of theyr teeth to retourn. Som alack fell of theyr horse
+wyth theyr little babes in theyr lappes, and were miserably
+troden vnder the horsefeete, and ouerrun with the wheles of the
+wagons theyr brains and guts gushing out through the weight and
+comberance of the cariage, and (which was most pitiful) one of
+them not able to help an other, and much lesse to rescue theyr
+yong and tendre sucking babes, the vyle sergeants forcing ech
+wight with theyr staues and weapons maugre theyr desirous mindes
+to reenter the City. Many died by the constrained meanes out of
+hand, many were troden vnder the horsefeete, and many gasping
+betwene life and death: but the greatest soart of the litle
+infants were slaine out of hand, and crusht in pyeces: those
+whych remayned alyue, were commytted to Pryson, and the goods
+which they caryed wyth them altogyther seased vpon by the
+tyrant. Thys wycked and cruell facte was most intollerable and
+greeuous vnto the Cytyzens of Elis, wherevppon the holy dames
+consecrated to the God Bacchus, adorned and garnyshed wyth theyr
+pryestly Garments, and bearyng in theyr Handes the sacred
+mysteryes of theyr God, as Aristotimus was passyng through the
+Streete garded with hys Souldyers and Men of Warre, wente in
+processyon to fynde hym oute. The Sergeauntes for the reuerence
+of those religious women disclosed, and gaue them place to enter
+in before the Tyrant. He seing those Women apparelled in that
+guise, and bearing in their hands the sacred Bachanal mysteries,
+stoode stil, and with silence heard what they could say: but
+when he knew the cause of their approch, and that they wer come
+to make sute for the poore imprisoned women, sodainly possessed
+with a diuelish rage, with horrible hurly burly, bitterly
+reprehended his garrison for suffering those women to come so
+neare him. Then hee commaunded that they should be expelled from
+that place without respect, and condemned euery of them (for
+their presuming to intreat for such caitiue prisoners{)} in II.
+Talents a piece. After these mischiefs committed by the tyrant,
+Hellanicus one of the pryncipal and best esteemed persons of the
+City, although that he was decrepite, and for age very weake and
+feeble, cared not yet to aduenture any attempt what soeuer, so
+it might extend to the deliuery of his countrey from the
+vnspeakable tyranny of most cruel Aristotimus. To this gray
+haired person, bicause he was of aged yeares, void of children
+which were dead, this Tyrant gaue no great hede ne yet emploied
+any care, thinking that he was not able to raise any mutine or
+tumult in the City. In the mean space, the Citizens, which as I
+haue sayd before, were banished into Etolia, practysed amongs
+them selves to proue their Fortune, and to seeke al meanes for
+recouery of their countrey, and the death of Aristotimus:
+wherfore hauing leuied and assembled certaine bands of
+Souldiers, they marched forth from their bannished seat, and
+neuer rested till they had gotten a place hard adioyning to
+their City, where they might safely lodge, and with great
+commodity and aduantage besige the same, and expel the tyrant
+Aristotimus. As the bannished were incamped in that place, many
+citizens of Elis daily fled forth, and ioyned with them, by
+reason of which auxiliaries and daily assemblies they grew to
+the ful numbre of an army: Aristotimus certified hereof by his
+espials was brought into a great chafe and fury, and euen now
+began to presage his fall and ruine: but yet meaning to foresee
+hys best aduantage, went vnto the pryson where the Wyues of the
+banished were fast inclosed, and bicause he was of a troublesome
+and tyrannical nature, he concluded with him self rather to vse
+and intreat those wiues with feare and threates, than with
+humanity and fayre wordes: being entred the pryson, hee sharpely
+and wyth great fiercenesse commaunded them to write vnto their
+husbands that besieged him without, earnestly to persuade them
+to giue ouer theyr attempted warres: “Otherwyse (sayd he) if ye
+do not follow the effect of my commaundement, in your own
+presence I wil first cause cruelly to be slayne al your little
+Children, tearyng them by piece meale in pieces, and afterwardes
+I wyll cause you to be whipped and scourged, and so to dye a
+most cruel and shamefull death.” At which fierce and tyrannycal
+newes, there was no one woman amongs them that opened theyr
+mouthes to answer him: the most wycked and vile tyrant seing
+them to be in such silence, charged them vpon theyr liues to
+answer what they were disposed to doe: but although they durst
+not speake a word, yet with silence one beholding eche other in
+the face, fared as though they cared not for hys threats, more
+ready rather to dye than to obey his comaundement. Megistona
+then, which was the wife of Timolion, a matrone aswell for hir
+husband’s nobility as hir owne vertue, in great regard and
+estimation, and the chief amongs all the Women, who at his
+comming in would not rise, but kept her place, nor vouchsafing
+to doe any reuerence or honor vnto hym, and the like she bad the
+rest: in this wyse sitting vpon the ground with vnlosed tongue
+and liberty of speach, stoutly she answered the tyrant’s demaund
+in this manner: “If there were in thee, Aristotimus, any manly
+prudence, wisedome, or good discretion, truly thou wouldest not
+commaund vs poore imprisoned women to write vnto our husbands,
+but rather suffer vs to goe vnto them, and vse more moderate
+wordes and myld behauiour, than wherewith of late thou diddest
+entertaine vs, by scoffing, mocking, and cruelly dealyng with
+vs, and oure pore children: and if now thou being voyd of all
+hope, doest seeke to persuade by our meanes likewise to deceiue
+our husbands, that be come hither to put theyr Lyues in Peryll
+for our deliveraunce, I assure the thou vainly begilest thy
+selfe, for wee henceforth do purpose neuer to bee deceyued of
+the: wee require thee also to thinke and stedfastly beleeue,
+that our husbands heades bee not so mutch bewitched with Folly,
+as despysing their Wyves and Chyldren, Neglecting their duetyes
+towards them, wyll, being in this forwardnesse, abandon their
+preseruation and geeve ouer the Liberty of theyr countrey: think
+also that they little esteme or wey the regard of vs, and theyr
+children, in respect of the great contentation they shal attaine
+by vnyoking the liberty of theyr countrey from thy pride and
+intollerable bondage, and which is worst of al, from that
+tyranny which neuer people felt the like: for if thou were a
+king as thou art a tyrant, if thou were a Gentleman borne of
+noble kind as thou arte a slaue, proceding from the deuil, thou
+wouldest neuer execute thy cursed cruelty against a feble kind,
+such as women be, and werest thou alone ioyned in singular
+combat with my valyant and dere beloued husband, thou durst not
+hand to hand to shew thy face: for commonly it is seene, that
+the Courtly Ruffyan backed on wyth such mates as he is himself,
+careth not what attempt he taketh in hand, and stares with hayre
+vpright, loking as though he would kil the deuyll, but when he
+is preast to seruyce of the field, and in order to encountre
+with his Prynce’s foe, vpon the small sway by shocke or push
+that chaunceth in the fight, he is the first that taketh flyght,
+and laste that standeth to the face of hys ennimy. Such kind of
+man art thou, for so long as our husbands wer farre of, absent
+fro theyr Country, not able to rid vs from thy thral, thou
+wroughtest thy malyce then against theyr wyues at home, doyng
+the greatest cruelty towardes them and theyr suckyng babes, that
+euer deuyl could do vpon the damned sort, and now thou seest
+them arriued here vnder our country walles, thou flyest and
+seekest help at women’s hands, whose power if it serued them
+according to their willes, would make thee tast the fruit of thy
+commytted smart.” And as she would haue proceded further in hir
+liberal talk, the Caytife tyrant not able to abyde any further
+speach, troubled beyond measure, presently commaunded the litle
+child of hir to be brought before him, as though immediatly he
+would haue killed him, and as his seruants sought him out, the
+mother espied him playing amongs other children, not knowinge
+for his small stature and lesse yeres, wher he was becom, and
+calling him by his name, said vnto him: “My boy, come hither,
+that first of al thou mayst lose thy life, to feele the proufe
+and haue experience of the cruel tyranny wherin we be, for more
+grieuous it is to me to see the serue against the nobility of
+thy bloud, than dismembred and torn in pieces before my face.”
+As Megistona stoutly and vnfearfully had spoken those words, the
+furious and angry tyrant drew forth his glistring blade out of
+the sheath, purposing to have slaine the gentlewoman, had not
+one Cilon the familiar freend of Aristimus stayd his hand,
+forbidding him to commit an act so cruel. This Cilon was a
+fayned and counterfayt frend of the tyrant, very conuersant with
+other his familiar frends, but hated him with deadly hatred, and
+was one of them that with Hellanicus had conspired against the
+tyrant. This gentleman then seeinge Aristotimus wyth so great
+fury to waxe wood agaynst Megistona, imbraced him, and sayd,
+that it was not the part of a gentleman proceeding from a Race
+righte honourable, by any meanes to imbrue hys Handes in Woman’s
+bloud, but rather the signe and token of a cowardly knyght,
+wherfore he besought him to stay his hands. Aristotimus
+persuaded by Cilon, appeased his rage, and departed from the
+imprisoned women. Not long after, a great prodige and wonder
+appeared in this sort: before supper the tyrant and his wyfe
+withdrue themselues into their chamber, and being there, an Egle
+was seene to soare ouer the tyrante’s palace, and being aloft,
+by little and little to descend, and letting fal from her
+tallands a huge and great stone vpon the top of that chamber,
+with clapping wings and flying noyse soared vp againe, so far as
+she was cleane out of sight from them that did behold hir. With
+the rumor and shouts of those that saw this sight, Aristotimus
+was appalled, and vnderstanding the circumstance of the chaunce,
+hee sent for his diuine to declare the signification of this
+Augurye, which greatly troubled his minde. The Southsayer bad
+him to be of good chere, for that it did portend the great
+fauour and loue which Iupiter bare vnto him. But the prophet of
+the City whom the Cytizens had wel tryed and proued to be
+faithfull and trusty, manifested vnto them the great daunger
+that hong ouer the tyrant’s head, sutch as the lyke neuer
+before. The confederats which had conspired wyth Hellanicus,
+made great speede to prosecute theyr enterprise, and the next
+night to kil the tyrant. The very same night Hellanicus dreamed
+that he saw his dead sonne to speak vnto him these woords: “What
+meane you father this long tyme to sleepe, I am one of your
+sonnes whom Aristotimus hath slayne, know you not that the same
+day you attempt your enterpryse, you shalbe captaine and prince
+of your country?” By this vision Hellanicus confirmed, he rose
+bytimes in the morninge, and exhorted the conspirators that day
+to execute the benefit of their country. That time Aristotimus
+was certified how Craterus the Tyrant of another Citty, with a
+great army, was comming to his ayde agaynst the Banished people
+of Elis, and that hee was arriued at Olympia, a Citty betweene
+the mount Ossa, and the mountayne Olympus. With whych newes
+Aristotimus beinge incouraged, thought already that he had put
+to flight and taken the banished persons, which made him to
+aduenture hymselfe abroade wythout Guard or garrison,
+accompanied only wyth Cilon and one or two of his familiar
+frendes, the very same time that the conspiratours were
+assembled to do the facte. Hellanicus seeing the time so
+conuenient to deliuer his beloued countrey by the death of the
+traiterous tirant, not attending any signe to be geuen to his
+companions (although the same was concluded vpon) the lusty old
+man liftinge vp his handes and eyes vnto the heauens, with
+cleare and open voyce cried out to his companions and sayd: “Why
+stay yee, O my Cityzens and louinge countrymen, in the face of
+your Citty to finish this good and commendable act?” At whych
+words, Cilon was the first which with his brandishing blade
+killed one of those that wayted vpon the Tirant. Thrasibulus
+then and Lampidus assayled Aristotimus, vpon whose sodayne
+approche, he fled into the Temple of Iupiter, where hee was
+murdred with a thousand wounds vpon his body, accordingly as he
+deserued. He beinge thus deseruedly slayne, his body was drawen
+vp and down the streetes, and proclamation of liberty sounded
+vnto the people: whereunto ech Wyght assembled, amonges whom the
+imprisoned Women also brake forth, and reioysed with their
+countrey deliuerers of that egregious enterprise, by fires and
+bankets outwardly disclosinge their exceedinge great ioy wythin,
+and in mid of their mirth the people in great thronges and
+companies ranne to the Tyrant’s Palace, whose Wyfe hearinge the
+people’s noyse, and certified of her husband’s death, inclosed
+her selfe in a chamber with her two daughters, and knowinge how
+hatefull she was vnto the Citizens, with a fastned cord vpon a
+beame she hong hir selfe. The chamber dores being broke open,
+the people viewed the horrible sight of the strangled Lady,
+wherewithall not mooued they tooke the two tremblinge Daughters
+of the Tyrant, and caryed them away, purposinge to Rauish and
+Violate the same, firste to saciate their lust with the spoyle
+of theire virginitye, and afterwardes to kyll them (those
+gentlewomen were very beautiful and mariageable) and as they
+were about to do that shamefull deede, Megistona was told
+thereof, who accompanied with other Matrons sharpelye rebuked
+theire furye sayinge: that vncomely it were for them which
+sought to establishe a ciuill state, to do such a shameles act
+as tyrant’s rage would scarce permit. Vpon that noble matron’s
+auctoritye and interception, they ceassed from their filthy
+fact: and then the woman tooke the virgins out of the people’s
+handes, and brought them into the chamber where there strangled
+mother was. And vnder standing howe it was decreede that none of
+the tyrante’s bloude should rest a liue: shee turned her face to
+the two yonge gentlewomen and sayde: “The chiefest pleasure
+which I can do vnto you, resteth in this choyse, that it shall
+be lauful for eyther of you to chose what kind of death you
+list, by knyfe or halter, if you wil to dispatch your liues from
+the headles peoples greatter fury, vppon whose two whyte and
+tender bodyes if they do seaze the goddes do knowe and we do
+feare the cruelty and great abuse which they do mean to vse,
+I thinke not for despyte of you, but for the iust reuenge of
+your most cruell father’s actes, for the tyrannous life of whom
+the goddes do thunder downe the boltes of their displeasure,
+afflicting his nearest blood and bestbeloued wyfe and children,
+with vengeance poured from heauens.” Vppon the sentence of this
+the fatall ende, the elder mayden of the twayne vnlosed a gyrdle
+from her middle, and began to tye the same to hang hir selfe,
+exhorting her yonger sister to do the lyke: and in any wise to
+beware by sparing of her life, to incur the beastly rage of the
+monstruous people, which cared not to do ech vile and filthy
+act, vnworthy theyr estate. The yonger sister at those wordes,
+layd handes vpon the fastened corde, and besought hir right
+earnestly first of al to suffer hir to die. Wherevnto the elder
+aunswered: “So long as it was lawfull for me to liue, and whiles
+we led our princely time in our father’s courte, and both were
+free from enimie’s danger, all things betwene vs two were common
+and indifferent, wherefore the gods forbid (that now the gates
+of death be opened for vs to enter, when with the Ghostes of our
+deere Parentes our soules amids the infernall fieldes be
+predestined to raunge and wander) that I shoulde make denyall of
+thy request. Therfore goe to good sister mine, and shrink not
+when thou seest the vgly face of her, that must consume vs all:
+but yet (dere sister) the deadly sight of thee before my selfe,
+will breede to me the woe and smart of double death.” When she
+had so sayd, she yelded the coller to her sister, and counselled
+hir to place the same so neere the necke bone as shee could,
+that the sooner the halter’s force might stop her breath. When
+the vnfearefull yonger sister was dead, the trembling hands of
+the dredlesse elder maid vntied the girdle from her neck,
+couering in comely wise her senselesse corps. Then turning hir
+self to Megistona, she humbly prayd hir not to suffer their two
+bodies to be seene naked, but so sone as she could, to bury them
+both in one Earthly graue, referring the frutes of their
+virginity to the mould wherof they came. When she had spoken
+these wordes, without any stay or feare at all, with the selfe
+same corde she strangled herselfe and so finished her fatal
+dayes. The guiltlesse death of which two tender maydes there was
+none of the citizens of Elis (as I suppose) so stonye hearted
+and voyde of Nature’s force, ne yette so wrothe agaynst the
+tyrant father, but did lament, as wel for the constant stoutenes
+and manner of their death, as for their maydenlyke behauiour and
+right honest petitions made to that noble matrone Megisthona,
+who afterwardes caused the other dames to bury those two bodyes
+in one graue. O how happy and famous had these two sisters bene,
+if they had not bene the daughters of so wicked and cruell a
+father? But parentes offence or childrens trespas ought not to
+deface the vertuous dedes of their posterity.
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTH NOUELL.
+
+  _The maruaylous courage and ambition of a gentlewoman called
+  Tanaqvil, the Queene and wife of Tarqvinivs Priscvs the fift Roman
+  king, with his persuasions and pollicy to hir husbande for his
+  aduauncement to the kingdom, her lyke encouragement of Servivs
+  Tvllivs, wherein also is described the ambition of one of the
+  II. daughters of Servivs Tvllivs the sixt Roman king, and
+  her cruelty towards her owne natural father: with other accidents
+  chaunced in the new erected common welth of Rome, specially of the
+  last Romane king Tarqvinivs Svperbvs, who with murder atteined the
+  kingdome, with murder maynteined it, and by the murder and insolent
+  lyfe of his sonne was with al his progeny banished._
+
+
+Ancus Marcius beynge the fourthe king (after Romulus the first
+builder of that Cittye) there came to dwell in Rome one Lucumo,
+a lusty gentleman, ryche and desirous of honour, who determined
+to continue his habitation there. The same Lucumo was the son of
+one Demaratus, a Corinthian, that for sedition fled his owne
+countrye, and dwelt in Hetruria amonge the stocke of the
+Tarquines: and after he was maried he begat II. sons, one of
+them was this Lucumo, and the other was called Aruns. Lucumo was
+heire to his father, for that Aruns died before leauing his wife
+gret with child, the father not knowing that his daughter in law
+was with child, gaue nothing in his wil to his nephew: for which
+cause the child was called Aruns Egerius{.} Lucumo being the
+sole heire of his father, maried a noble woman named Tanaquil,
+and bicause the Thuscans could not abide to see a straunger grow
+to abundance of welth and authoritie, shee despised hir owne
+countrey rather than she would suffer her husband in any wise to
+be dishonoured. Wherfore she deuysed to forsake the Tarquinians
+and to dwel at Rome, where she thoughte among that honourable
+sorte and new erected state that her husband beyng stout and
+valiant should attayne some place of resiaunce. For she shall be
+called to remembrance that Tatius the Sabine, Numa borne of the
+stocke of Curetes and Ancus, broughte forthe by a Sabine woman
+all straungers, did rayne and became noble and mightye. Thus
+ambicion and desire of honoure easily doth perswade any deuyse:
+wherfore carying with them all their substance they repaired to
+Rome. It chaunced when they came to Ianiculum, as he and his
+wife were sitting in a Wagon, an Eagle hooueringe hir wings ouer
+Lucumo, sodenly toke away his Cappe, which don she soared ouer
+the Wagon with great force, then she retourned againe, as though
+he had bene commaunded by some Celestyall prouidence, and aptly
+placed his cappe againe vpon his head, and then soared away vp
+into the element. Tanaquil conceiuing this act to be some
+Augurie or Prophecie, being cunning in that knowledg
+(as commonly all the people of Hetruria be) imbraced hir husband
+and willed him to be of good cheere and to expect great honour.
+And as they were ymagining and consulting vpon these euentes,
+they entred the City, and when they had gotten a house for him
+and his family, he was called Tarquinius Priscus. His riches and
+great welth made him a noble man amonges the Romanes, and
+through his gentle entertainment and curteous behauioure, he
+wanne the good willes of many, in so much as his fame and good
+reporte was bruted through out the pallace. At length he grew in
+acquaintance with the king him selfe, who seeing his liberall
+demeanor and duetifull seruice, esteemed him as one of his
+familiar and nere frends, and both in his warres and also at
+home he imparted to him the secrets of his counsell, and hauing
+good experience of his wisedom, by his laste will and testament
+appointed him to be tutor of his children. Ancus raigned XXIIII.
+yeres, a man in peace and Warre, in pollicy and valiance with
+any of his predecessours comparable: his children were very
+yong, and for that cause Tarquinius was more instant to summon a
+parliament for creation of a kyng. When the day was come he
+sente the young children abroade a huntyng, and then ambiciously
+presumed to demaunde the kyngdome, beinge the first that euer
+attempted the like. For the better conciliation and obteynyng of
+the peoples good will, hee vttered his oration: “I do not
+presume to require a straunge or newe thynge: that was neuer
+before put in practyse, nor yet am the first, but the third
+stranger and foraine borne that affected and aspired this
+gouernment: for which consideration there is no cause why any
+man ought to muse or maruell more than behoueth. It is euidently
+knowen that Tatius, not onely being a stranger but also an
+ennemy, was made king. Numa also was made king, being altogether
+a Forraine and Stranger borne, not through his owne request, but
+rather voluntarily accited and called thereunto by the Romaynes:
+but for my parte, after I was able to gouerne my selfe,
+I repayred to dwell at Rome with my Wyfe, my Children, and all
+my substance, where I haue spent the chiefest portion of my
+lyfe, specially after it was mature and able to execute ciuile
+magistery, which I chose rather to bestowe at Rome than at home
+in myne owne country. I haue learned the Romane rites and lawes,
+aswell sutch as be meete to serue abroade in the warres, as also
+necessary to be practised at hoame, at the handes of mine olde
+maister Ancus Martius your late king, a mayster right worthy and
+famous in all poynctes to bee followed: I shewed myselfe an
+humble and obedient subiect to the kyng and in frendship and
+familiarity toward others, I contended with the kyng himselfe.”
+When he had spoken those woordes, which in deede were very true,
+wyth the whole consent of the people he was saluted kynge: and
+as all thynges succeeded his Noble request, euen so after hee
+was settled in hys kyngdome, hee gaue himselfe to amplifie the
+common wealth: he chose an hundred graue persons, whych he
+called the Fathers of the lesser Countryes. He warred first with
+the Latines, and wan the Citty of Appiolas, who bryngyng from
+thence a greater spoyle and booty than was looked for, ordayned
+richer and more gorgeous Playes than any of hys predecessours:
+hee buylded certayne Galleries and other places of assembly
+aboute the Forum, hee walled the City round about wyth Stone:
+and as he was doing these things, the Sabines interuented him
+vpon the sodayne, in so much as they were passed the Ryuer of
+Anienes before the Romane hoste was in a readynesse: whych was
+an occasion of great feare and styrre at Rome. In the ende after
+the battayles were ioyned betweene them both, a cruell and
+blouddy slaughter was commytted, the victorye falling to neyther
+parte. Then the Romanes sought meanes to renue theyr force, by
+addyng to theyr armye a further bande of horsemen. Wherefore
+Tarquinius sent to the Rammenses, Titienses, Luceres: to the
+bandes that Romulus had conscribed, hee added other new troupes
+of horsemen, purposing that the same should contynue in memorye
+of him after hys death: and bicause Romulus dyd the same without
+aduyse of the Southsayers, one Accius Nauius, the notablest
+Prophecier in those Dayes, wythstode that constitutyon,
+affyrmyng that it was not lawfull for him eyther to appoynt a
+newe order or to alter the olde, except the byrdes and auguries
+did assent thereunto: wherewith the kynge was displeased and
+deluding that Scyence, said: “Go to M. Southsayer: tell me now”
+(quod he) “is it possible to bring that to passe which I haue
+now conceiued in my mynd?” “Yea,” quod the Southsayer, “if you
+tel me what it is.” “Then” quod Tarquinius, “I haue deuised that
+thou shalte pare thine owne skin with a raser: therfore take
+thys knyfe and doe as thy byrdes doe portend and signifie.” And
+as it was reported he pared his owne Skin in deede: in memory
+whereof an Image of Accius was erected, with his Head couered:
+after that tyme there was nothing attempted without those
+auguries. Notwithstandyng, Tarquinius proceeded in hys
+constytutyon, and added to the Centurias an other number, for
+that 1800 horsemen wer conteyned in the three Centuriæ: the
+latter addytion was called also by the same name, whych
+afterward were doubled into VI. Centurias. When hys Numbre was
+thus increased, once again he ioyned battell wyth the Sabines,
+who by a notable pollicy recouered a great victory: and bicause
+the Sabines doubled a fresh onset without any order of battell
+or good aduysement, they were ouerthrowen, and then constrained
+to make petition for peace: the City of Collatia, and the
+Country confining vpon the same, was taken from the Sabines. The
+Sabine warres beinge in this sorte ended, Tarquinius in
+tryumphaunt maner retourned to Rome. At that time a prodyge and
+myraculous wonder chaunced to bee seene in the Palace. The head
+of a Chyld whose name was Seruius Tullius lying a slepe in the
+palace, was seene to burn. The kyng was brought to see that
+myracle: and as one of his seruaunts was going to fetch water to
+quench the fire, he was stayed by the Queene, who commaunded
+that the child should not once be touched vntyll he awaked of
+hymselfe: and so soone as hee rose from sleepe, the fire
+vanyshed: then she tooke hir husbande aside, and sayd: “Doe you
+see this Chyld whom we haue very basely and negligently brought
+vp? I assure you sir (sayd she) he wil be the onely safeguard
+and defender of this our doubtfull state, and will be the
+preseruer of our household when it is afflycted: wherefore let
+vs make much of him, that is lyke to be the ornament and a
+worthy stay to all our famyly.” After that they had accompted
+him amongs the Number of theyr Chyldren, and traded him vp in
+those Arts, which excyte all good dispositions to aspyre vnto
+houour, the pleasure of the Gods appeared in shorte tyme: for
+the child grew to a royall behauior, in so much, as among all
+the Romane youth there was none more mete to mary the daughter
+of Tarquinius. This Seruius Tullius, was the sonne of one
+Seruius Tullius that was a Captaine of a towne called
+Corniculum, at the apprehension whereof, it chaunced that the
+sayd Tullius the father was slayne, leauing his wife great with
+child: the mother being a captiue and bondwoman was delyuered of
+hir Child at Rome, in the house of Priscus Tarquinius. After
+Tarquinius had raigned 38 yeres, the yong man began to grow to
+great honor and estimation, aswell with the kinge himselfe, as
+also with the Fathers. Then the Romanes conceiued a hateful
+indignation against the king, for that he being put in trust to
+be the tutor and gouernour of Ancus children, displaced them
+from theyr ryght inheritance, and specially for that he himself
+was a stranger, fearyng also that the kingdome should not return
+again to the election of themselues, but degenerat and grow into
+seruile bondage. They also caled to remembrance, that the city
+continued one hundred yeres after the sublation of Romulus, an
+intier kingdome within one city, and that it was a shame for
+them to suffer a bondeman, borne of seruile kind, to possesse
+the same, and would redounde to their perpetuall ignominie,
+hauing the progenie of Ancus aliue, to suffer the same to be
+open to strangers, and bondmen: wherefore they determined to
+defend the griefe of that iniury, and to be reuenged rather vpon
+Tarquinius, than upon Seruius. In fine, they committed the
+execution of that fact to two shepherds chosen out for that
+purpose: who deuised this pollicy: before the entry into the
+Palace they fell togyther by the eares, vpon whych fray al the
+kinge’s officers assembled and repaired thither to know the
+cause of theyr falling out, when they were parted, they appealed
+to the king, with such exclamation as they were heard to the
+Palace: beyng called before the king, both of them fell to
+brauling, and one of them striued of purpose to hinder the tale
+of the other. The king’s sergeant rebuked them, commaunding them
+to tel theyr tales in order: when they were a lyttle quieted,
+one of them beginneth to discourse the tale. And as the king was
+attentife to heare the plaintif, the other tooke vp a hatchet
+and threw it at the kyng, and leauing thee weapon stickinge in
+the wound, they conueyed theymselues out of the dores. Those
+that wayted vpon the kynge, made hast to releeue him, and the
+Sergeantes followed to apprehend the malefactors. Wyth that a
+hurly burly rose amongs the people, euery man maruellinge what
+the matter shoulde be. Tanaquil commaunded the Palace Gates to
+be shut, and seeketh remedy to cure her husband, as though some
+hope fayled of his recouery, she called Seruius before her
+(whych maried her daughter) and shewed vnto him her dead
+husband, holdinge him fast by the right hande, shee intreated
+hym that he would not suffer the death of his father in the law
+to be vnreuenged, to the intent he might not be ridiculous to
+the traytours, saying to him further these wordes: “If thou bee
+a man of thy handes (O Seruius) the kyngdome is thyne and not
+theirs, which thus cruelly by the handes of other haue committed
+thys abhominable fact: wherefore put forth thy self, and the
+Gods be thy guide: for they did portend this noble head to be
+the gouernour of this city, at such tyme as they circumfused the
+same with a fire descending from aboue. Let that heauenly flame
+excite thy courage: be throughly awaked: we beyng straungers
+sometimes haue raigned. Thinke and consider what thou art, and
+not from whence thou camest: if the strangenesse of the case do
+affray the, my counsel from time to time shall relieue thee.”
+The cry and stirre of the people being vnmesurable, that one
+could scarse heare an other, Tanaquil opened the windowes that
+had their prospect to the new way (for the king dwelt at the
+temple of Iupitor Stator) and then spake to them in thys wyse:
+“Be of good cheere (good people) the king is but amazed with the
+sodainesse of the stroke, the wound is not very deepe, for euen
+nowe he is come agayne to hym selfe, and the wounde being opened
+and dressed there is good hope of life: I trust within these
+fewe dayes you shall see hym: in the meane time, I pray you to
+shewe your obedyence to Seruius Tullius, who is appointed to
+execute the lawes, and to doe all other affayres in the absence
+of my husbande.” Seruius occupyinge the state and authoritye of
+the kyng, executed the lawes in some cases, and in other some
+made the people beleue that he would consult with the king him
+selfe. The death of the king was concealed and kept close a
+certaine space til such tyme as Seruius had gathered his force
+about him. After the death of the kynge was disclosed, Seruius
+beinge garded with a strong garrison, toke vpon him to be king,
+not by the consente of the people, but by the will of the
+Fathers. The children of Ancus vnderstanding that the kyng was
+aliue, and that Seruius power and force was greate, conveyed
+themselues in exile to Suessa Pometia: and leaste the children
+of Tarquinius should attempte lyke enterpryse against him, as
+the children of Ancus did agaynst Tarquinius, hee maryed II. of
+his daughters to Lucius and Aruns the chyldren of Tarquinius.
+But yet the deuise of man could not breake the necessity of fate
+and constellatyon, for the hatred conceiued in desire of
+ambicious gouernment, made all thyngs vnstable and vnfaythfull
+amongs domestical frends: but yet to quyet and pacyfye the
+present tyme, warre was renued with the Veientes, and other
+Cytyes of Hetruria: wherein the Fortune and valiance of Tullius
+excelled: for when he had given an ouerthrow to the ennimy,
+least the people’s and fathers good wil should be withdrawne, he
+retourned to Rome: who then attempted and broughte to passe a
+notable worke in the common wealth. He instituted a certaine
+yerely taxe and reuenew, to satisfie and discharge all charges
+susteined in the time of peace and warre, with sundry other
+notable lawes and deuises for the defence of the publique state.
+After that he had mustered the whole numbre of the Citizens in
+the field called Martius, the same amounted to LXXX.M. and as
+Fabius Pictor saith, there were so many that were able to beare
+armure. Then the hilles Quirinalis, Viminalis and Exquiliæ, were
+added to the Citye. He compassed the town round about wyth a
+vamure, enuironyng the same with a double trench. He deuyded the
+Romanes into V. bandes called Classes, and into Centurias, whych
+bee bandes of an hundred men. He also builded a temple to Diana,
+with the helpe and assistance of the Latine people. Amongs the
+Sabines there chaunced an Oxe in the House of an Husbande Man to
+bee broughte forth, of an huge bignesse and maruellous shape
+(the hornes whereof were placed at the porche of Diana’s temple
+for a monument long time after.) The Southsayers prophecie that
+where the same Oxe shoulde be first sacrificed to Diana, there
+the Chyefe empire and principall gouernement should remaine:
+which prophecie came to the knowledge of the Chyefe minister of
+Diana hir Temple. One of the Sabin’s expecting for a day mete to
+be employed in that sacrifice, brought the sayde Oxe to Rome to
+the Temple of Diana, placing the same before the altar. The
+chiefe Minister calling to remembrance the oracle, and saw that
+the greatnesse of that sacrifice should be famous, spake to the
+Sabine these wordes: “What dost thou meane (thou impure
+Straunger) to prepare sacrifice to Diana, before thou bee
+purified and clensed in the lyuelye Riuer of Tiber? Here belowe
+in this valley the sayde riuer doth runne: go get the hence and
+wash the.” The Sabine attached with a religious feare, goeth
+downe to the Riuer, and while he is washing himselfe a Romane
+doth offer the Sacrifice, which was right acceptable both to the
+kyng and his country. The king althoughe that of longe tyme he
+had raigned, yet vnderstoode that the elder Tarquinius which was
+maried to one of his daughters, did bragg and report eftsones
+that his father in law obteined the gouernment and kingdom
+without the consent of the people: wherfore the king through his
+lyberalyty by dyuyding the conquest atchyeued of the Ennymye
+amongs the common people, conciliated theyr fauor and good wils:
+in so much as he affirmed that he would raign in despite of them
+all, and that there was no king at any tyme that raigned with a
+more generall consent: all whych did nothing diminish the hope
+and desire of Tarquinius. He had a Brother whose name was Aruns,
+being of a quiet and gentle disposition. Both they married two
+of the king’s daughters, which were of manners and conditions
+very vnlike. The yonger daughter being the wife of Aruns, the
+sharper shrewe, and fiercer of nature, seeing that hir husbande
+was nothing giuen or plyant to match with hir vngracious deuice
+or ambicious stomack, attempted hir brother, whose condicion was
+correspondent to hirs, and sayd vnto him, that he was a Man in
+deede, and one worthy to be accompted to be borne and proceede
+of the bloud Royall. Then she began to contemne hir sister, for
+that she hauing such a man to hir husbande, would suffer him to
+neglect so meete and iust occasion for recouery of the kingdom.
+Their natures being of one disposition, as commonly one
+myschyefe procureth an other, al things began to be disquieted
+throughe the attempt of that vngracious woman. To be shorte,
+they two deuysed meanes, that Aruns hys Brother, and the Elder
+Tullia hir sister were slain: which done, they two maried
+together. The wicked woman ceased not daylye to animate and
+prouoke hir husbande from one parricide to an other. And amongs
+all hir wicked talke and cruel instigations, she vsed these
+words: “If thou be that man vnto whom I thinke I am maryed, then
+I wil call the both husband and king: but if thou bee not hee,
+then the alteratyon is chaunged to the worse, and cruelty is
+matched with cowardise. But why doest thou not put thy selfe in
+a readinesse? Why thou commest not nowe from Corinthe, or from
+the Hetrurian Tarquines, to atchieue and conquere newe kingdoms
+as thy father did. The familiar Gods and the Gods of thy
+countrey, the nobility of thy father, and thy royal bloud, thy
+stately seate within thine own house, and thy name Tarquinius,
+do create and make kyng. But if in al these occasions thou dost
+wante stomacke, why dost thou make the whole Citye conceyue a
+false opinion of thee? Why dost thou not shewe thyselfe to be
+the sonne of a king? Auoide hence I say, and go to the
+Tarquinians, or to Corinth, retire again to thy firste lynage:
+thou dost rather resemble thy brother’s effeminate hart, than
+the valiant stomacke of thy father.” With these wordes and sutch
+like, she pricked forward hir husbande, and she hir self could
+in no wise bee quiet. Then Tarquinius went forth to the fathers
+of the lesser countries, and called to theyr remembraunce the
+benefites vnto them by hys father extended, desiring the like to
+bee shewed and rendered vnto hym, he allured the yonger sort of
+the City by giftes and other lyberall rewardes, promising them
+if he atteined his purpose, more frankly to recompence them. By
+this meanes the king became odious and offensiue to the people.
+Tarquinius seeing his time, guarded with a bande of Men, entred
+the market place, wherewith the common people were greatly
+abashed, then he mounted into the palace, and placed himselfe in
+the royal seate of the same, causinge the Fathers to be cited
+before hym by the haraulde, vnto whom he repeted the petigree of
+Seruius, and his first entrance into the kingdom. As he was
+speaking these wordes, Seruius in great haste repayred to the
+Palace, and findyng Tarquinius sitting in his place, sayd to him
+these wordes: “Why? what is the matter Tarquinius (quod he?)
+Howe darest thou be so bolde so long as I am liuing to call the
+Fathers, or yet presume to sit in my seat?” Wherunto Tarquinius
+fiercely replyed: “That hee possessed but the roume of his
+father, which was more mete for a king’s sonne and heyre, than
+for suche a bondeman as hee was, and that hee had long enough
+abused his lordes and maisters.” Wherwithal a great hurly burly
+and tumult began to rise by the fautors of both parts, so that
+he was like to attaine the Garland, which best could daunce for
+it. Tarquinius forced to giue the laste aduenture, beynge more
+lusty and stronger than the other, tooke Seruius by the myddle,
+and caryinge hym oute of the Courte, threwe hym downe the
+Staires, whyche done, hee caused the Senate to retourne into the
+Palace. Then the kynge wyth all hys trayne of Offycers, and
+other hys seruaunts ranne away, and as they were flying, hee was
+slayne by those that Tarquinius sent after to pursue hym, in the
+streete called Cyprius. Tullia vnderstandyng that Seruius hyr
+father was slayne, she bashed not in hir Wagon to come into the
+market place before all the assemblye there, called hir husband
+out of the Court, and boldly was the first that called him king.
+But being rebuked and commaunded by him to auoid out of that
+greate throng of people, she retired home agayn, and when she
+was paste the vpper ende of the said strete called Cyprius, the
+wagoner dryuing toward the right hand to the Hill called
+Exquiliæ, hee stayed the Wagon, and shewed his Ladye the bodye
+of hyr Father, lyinge starke dead in the streete. In memory of
+which shamefull and vnnatural fact, long tyme after ther
+contynued a Monument: for the same strete was called Vicus
+Sceleratus. Some report that she caused the wagon to be dryuen
+ouer the dead corps of hir father, wyth the bloud of whom and
+hir husband, hir wagon being contaminated, she presented the
+same to hir Gods: after which abhominable beginnings, like end
+ensued. This Seruius Tullius raigned XLIIII. yeres. Then
+Tarquinius began to raigne, vnto whom Superbus was added for his
+surname: this wicked sonne in law would not suffer the dead body
+of Seruius to be buried. His conscience being pricked with the
+abhominable gaine of hys kyngdom, fearying also least other
+might conceiue like example, he guarded his person with a band
+of armed men, executing all thinges wyth force and tyranny,
+contrary to the aduyse and consents of the Senate and people. He
+caused the fautors and frendes of Seruius to be put to death,
+whereby the numbre of the Fathers was diminished, whose places
+he suffred none other to supply, of purpose to bring that
+honourable order to contempt. He gouerned the common welth by
+his own domestical and priuate Counsel: War, peace, truce,
+society of the Cyties adioining, he vsed as he list, without any
+further assent. The Latines he specially regarded, to the intent
+that through forreine aide hee might raign in more surety at
+home, with the chief of which country he ioyned affinity. One
+Octauius Manilius, a Tusculan born, was the prince and chief
+ruler of that country, descending from the stock of Vlisses, and
+the Goddesse Circes, if the same be true, vnto whom Tarquinius
+gaue his daughter in mariage: by reason wherof he conciliated
+great alliance and frendes. Tarquinius beinge of great authority
+among the Latines, appointed them vppon a day to assemble at a
+woode called Ferentina, there to intreat of matters concerninge
+both the states. To which place the Latines repaired vpon the
+breake of the day, but Tarquinius came not thither till the
+Sunne was set. During whych time many things were in talke.
+There was one amonges them called Turnus Herdonius, whych in
+Tarquinius absence had inueyed vehemently agaynst hym,
+affirminge that it was no maruell though he was called Superbus
+by the Romanes. For what prouder mock could be inforced to the
+Latines, than to make them wayt a whole day for his pleasure.
+“Dyuers Princes and Noblemen (quod he) that dwel far of, be come
+according to the appointment, and he which first allotted the
+day, is not present. Heereby it most euidently appeareth in what
+sort he will vse vs if he myghte once attayne the soueraynty.
+And who doubteth in thys so manyfest apparance, but that he went
+about to affect the Dominion of the Latines? If the Romanes haue
+had iust cause to beleeue him, and if their Kyngdome had ben but
+gotten and not violently rapt and stolne by parricide, then the
+Latines mighte also beleeue hym, who being but a straunger to
+them, had no great cause to beleeue hym. Hys owne subiects do
+repent the time that euer he bare rule: For some be slayne and
+heaped vpon the dead bodies of other, some be banished, some
+haue lost their goods: what other frutes than these maye the
+Latine people expecte and look for? Therefore if they would be
+ruled, he required euery man to returne home to his own house,
+and geue no more attendaunce for the day of Counsel, than he
+doth which first appoincted the same.” These wordes and sutch
+like, this sedicious and desperat man declared: Whose talke
+Tarquinius interuented, and vpon his comming euery man conuerted
+him selfe to salute him. Then Tarquinius began to excuse his
+long tariaunce, for that he was appoynted an arbitrator betwene
+the father and the sonne, for whose reconciliation he was forced
+to stay that longe space, and to spend the time of that day.
+Wherefore he appoynted the next day. The conceit of which excuse
+Turnus could not kepe secret, but sayd: that a matter betwene
+the father and the sonne might be ended in few wordes: for if
+the childe would not be obedient to his father, some mischyef
+must needes lyght vppon him. Tarquinius vnderstanding these
+inuections made againste hym by Turnus, immediatly deuyseth
+meanes to kil him, to the intent he myght inculcate like terror
+to the Latines, that he did to his owne subiects. And bicause he
+was not able to sort his purpose to effect by secrete malice, he
+attempted to accuse him of Treason, and suborned (by means of
+diuers of the Citty of Aricia) his owne man whom with gold he
+had corrupted to bring in a forged accusation, whych was that
+his maister had prepared in one night a number of men with
+Munition and weapon to distroy the Nobility of the Latines, of
+purpose to recouer the principalitye of the same. This matter
+began to be suspicious, by reason of the Tumult made the day
+beefore against Tarquinius, and therefore the people the soner
+did credit the case. In fine, Turnus was condempned, and
+therefore a new kind of death deuised for him. Who being laide
+vpon a Hurdle his face vpward, was throwen into the water of
+Ferrentina. This execution being done Tarquinius reuoked the
+Latines to Counsel, wherein he praised them for their Iustice
+extended vpon Turnus, and then spake these wordes: “I may by an
+old order and constitution iustlye say thus mutch vnto you. The
+whole nation of the Latines descending from the City of Alba are
+bounde to obserue that truce which the Albanes wyth all their
+colonies annexing themselues to the Romane Empyre in the tyme of
+Tullius Hostilius, were firmely obliged to accomplishe. The
+renouation whereof will nowe conduce more aduauntage and vtylity
+to them al, than euer it did beefore. For throughe this Truce
+the Latines shall possede and participate parte of the
+prosperous successe of the Romane people. Better it were in this
+sort to ioyne themselues togither, than to see Destruction of
+either Cities, Depopulacions and spoiles of their countries,
+whych in the time of Ancus (my father then raygnyng) he
+suffered. The like also (if you do forsake this offer) ye may
+styll expecte and suffer.” The Latines herevnto were soone
+perswaded, a Day was appointed when the lustiest sorte of theyr
+Countrie should be ready armed at the wood called Ferrentina.
+Being ioyned in order of battel, they marched towardes the
+Volsciens, and wanne the Citye of Suessa Pometia, the spoile
+wherof Tarquinius solde for XL. Talents, imploying the same vpon
+the Temple of Iupiter. Afterwards he assaulted the Gabinians,
+and when he saw he coulde not by force obteyne the same, he
+surmised a pollicy. Who seeming to bend him self wholy vpon the
+building of the Capitole and to set aside the affaires of his
+warres, deuised with his sonne Sextus, which was the youngest of
+the three, that he should runne to the Gabinians, and complayne
+of his father’s intollerable crueltye, whych accordingly he did.
+Who shewinge hymselfe as a voluntarye exyle, sayd that hys
+father had conuerted hys tyrannye from other, and began to
+execute the same vpon his owne freendes, and that he was also
+weary of the presence of his owne chyldren going about to remoue
+hys domesticall conuersants oute of hys house, as he had done
+the like out of the Court, to the intent hee would leaue no
+ofspring or heyre behinde him to possesse his kingdome: adding
+further, that he was escaped euen through the midde of his
+father’s weapons and fury, thincking no place better for his
+safegarde and refuge, than to seeke succour amongs his ennimies.
+“And bicause (quod he) ye shall not be deceiued, he is euen now
+preparing of warres against you, and purposeth vpon the sodaine
+to set vpon you. Now if there be no place of abode for me your
+humble suppliant amongs you, I must needes wander through Italy,
+and first I will attempt the Volscians, afterwardes the Æquians
+and Hernicians, tyll sutch tyme as I finde some Nation willing
+to defend the poore Chylde from the cruell and wicked furye of
+the Father: and perchaunce (quod he) ye shall wynne hym that may
+bee an Instrument and courage vnto you all, to represse that
+proude kyng and cruell Natyon.” The Gabinians delyberating what
+was best to be done in this case, the young man seemed as though
+he were offended, and would in al hast depart, and seeke refuge
+of others, then they curteously interteined him: thys yong man
+was had in great estimation amongs them, throughe craftye and
+vaine persuasions, makyng them belieue that he would conduct
+their army euen vnder the walles of Rome, with sundry other
+fained instigations to brynge him self the more in credit. At
+length he was chosen captain of theyr warres, and recouered
+sundry victories for the Gabinians: whereby the foolishe Nation
+both of the lower and chiefest sort, beleeued that their
+captayne was sent vnto them by the prouidence of the Gods. He
+susteined perill and payne in like sort as the common Souldier
+did, liberally deuidinge his spoiles and booties amongs them. He
+was so well beloued, that hys father Tarquinius at Rome was of
+no greater authority than hee was among the Gabinians. When he
+thought that he had recouered force enough to answer his
+father’s expectation, he sent a post to Rome to know his
+father’s pleasure, although the gods had giuen him sufficient
+authority amongs the Gabinians. And bycause Tarquinius was
+doubtful of the trust and fidelity of the messenger, hee would
+aunswer nothing by worde of mouth, but carying the messenger
+into a garden, hard adioyning his house, with a wand which he
+caried in his hand, he cut of the heads of the highest Poppies
+that grew in the garden, meanyng therby that he shoulde
+dispatche the heads of the chiefest and principal in the City.
+Whervpon the messanger without answere by mouth returned. But by
+declaryng those signes and circumstances which his father vsed
+in the garden Sextus conceiued his meaning. Then like a naturall
+sonne, following the steppes of his father, he cut of the heads
+of the Gabinian nobility, wherupon som ran away, vpon whose
+departure the goods as wel of them as of other that were put to
+death were deuided. The state of the Gabinians being in this
+doubtful case, void of al counsell and succour, at length was
+surrendred to the Romanes. Then Tarquinius concluded peace with
+the Æquians, and renued a truce with the Thuscanes and wholly
+bent him self to the affayres of the City. This Tarquinius was
+the father of him that rauished the noble Lady Lucretia: the
+lamentable history whereof, is recited in my former Tome, by the
+end of which stock, remembred in that history, and begining of
+the same described in this Nouell, may be gathered, what
+fruyctes Ambytyon and lothsome luste bryng forth. For Tarquinius
+Priscus repairing out of Hetruria, to dwell at Rome, by the
+ambycyous wyll of hys wyfe aspired and atchyeued the kyngdome,
+whych was by the sundry deuyce of Tullia, the daughter of
+Seruius Tullius mainteyned, and by the libidinous desire of
+Sextus Tarquinius, the sonne of Superbus the 6 Romane kynge
+ended, and the whole race expelled and euerlastingly banished
+out of that Citty. So meete an example for those that breath,
+and longe after the Rightes, titles, and Kyngdomes of other, as
+may bee read in any Author. For although the Springe appeare
+very fresh and lusty, of some degenerate grifft planted vpon
+some auncient stock, yet the fruyct most commonly in taste
+eateth somwhat sower, and the Rellishe in mouth not altogether
+so pleasaunt, as that whych both in soyle and stocke, is duely
+planted.
+
+
+
+
+THE SEUENTH NOUELL.
+
+  _The vnhappy end and successe of the loue of King Massinissa, and
+  Queene Sophonisba his wyfe._
+
+
+If men would haue afore consideration of theyr owne doings,
+before they do attempt the same, or els premeditate and study
+the scope and successe thereof, I do verely beleeue that a
+numbre would not cast themselues headlong into so many gulfs of
+miseryes and calamityes as they do, specially Noblemen, and
+Prynces, who oftentymes doe exceede in temerity and rashnesse,
+by lettynge the Raynes of theyr own Lustes, to farre to raunge
+at large, wherein they deepely Plunge thymselues to theyr great
+Preiudice and Dishonour, as teacheth thys goodly hystorie
+ensuinge, whych declareth that there was a Prynce called
+Massinissa, the Sonne of Gala kynge of Massæzali, (a people of
+Numidia): who warfaring with the Carthaginians in Spaine agaynst
+the Romaynes, hauinge first fought honourably agaynst kynge
+Syphax in Numidia, it chaunced that Gala hys Father dyed, vppon
+whose death hys Kyngdome was inuaded and occupied by other,
+wherefore sustayninge stoutly the surges of aduersity combatinge
+wyth hys Enemyes, sometymes getting part of hys Kyngdome, and
+sometymes losinge, and many tymes molestinge both Syphax and the
+Carthaginians, was in dyuers Conflicts lyke to be taken or
+slayne. Wyth these hys trauels, impacient of no payne and
+trouble, he became very Famous and Renoumed, that amonges the
+people of Affrica, he acquired the name and title of a valiant
+and puissant Souldier, and of a pollitique and prouident
+Captain: afterwards he was generally welbeloued of the
+Souldiers, bicause not like the king’s sonne or a prince, but as
+a priuate souldier and companion, his conuersation and vsuall
+trade of life was amongs them, calling euery man by his propre
+name, cherishing and esteeming them according to their desert,
+obseruing neuerthelesse a certaine comelinesse of a Superiour.
+This Massinissa by meanes of one Syllanus being in Spayne,
+priuely entred acquaintance and familiarity with that Scipio
+which afterwardes was surnamed Affricanus, and who in those
+dayes with the authoritie of Proconsul in that prouince,
+victoriously subdued the Carthaginians: the same Massinissa
+entred league with the Romanes and inuiolably so long as he
+liued obserued amity with the Romane people, and lefte the same
+to his children and posteritie as an inheritance. When the
+Romanes began warres in Affrica, spedily with that power he was
+able to make, he repaired to his old friend Scipio: within a
+whyle after Syphax beyng ouerthrowen in battell and taken,
+Massinissa and Lælius were sent to surprise the chief city of
+that kingdom, which sometimes were king Syphax owne, called
+Cirta. In that city remayned Sophonisba, the wyfe of Syphax and
+daughter to Hasdrubal of Giscon, who had alyenated hir husband
+from the Romanes, being in league with them, and by hir
+persuasions went to aide and defend the Carthaginians.
+Sophonisba perceiuing that the ennimies were entred the City of
+Cirta: and that Massinissa was going towardes the palace,
+determined to meete him, to proue his gentlenesse and curtesie,
+whereupon in the middes of his Souldiers thronge, whych were
+already entred the Palace, she stoutly thrust, and bouldlye
+looked round aboute, to proue if she could espye by some signes
+and tokens the personage of Massinissa. She amongs that prease
+perceeiued one for whose apparel, armure and reuerence don vnto
+him, semed vnto hir that without doubt the same was the king:
+and therefore incontinently kneeled downe before him, and
+pitiously began to speake in this manner: “For so mutch
+(O puissante prince) as felicity and good fortune, but specially
+the fauour of the Gods immortall haue permitted, that thou
+shouldest recouer thine auncient kingdome descended vnto the by
+righte and lawfull inheritaunce, and therewithall hast taken and
+vanquished thine ennimy, and now hast me at thy wyll and
+pleasure to saue or spyll, I poore wretched myserable woman
+brought into bondage from Queenelyke state, whilom leading a
+delycate life in Princely Courte, accompanyed with a royall
+traine of beautifull dames, and nowe at thy mercifull
+disposition, doe humbly appeale to thy mercye and goodnesse,
+whose Princely maiesty and comfortable aspect, chereth vp my
+woefull heart to loke for grace, and therefore am bold thus to
+presume with most humble voice to implore and crie out,
+beseechyng thee to reach me hither thy victorious handes to
+kisse and salute.” This Lady was a passing fayre gentlewoman, of
+flourishing age and comely behauiour, none comparable vnto her
+within the whole region of Affrica: and so much the more as hyr
+pleasant grace by amiable gesture of complaint did increase, so
+much the heart of Massinissa was delyted, who being lusty and of
+youthly age (according to the nature of the Numides,) was easily
+intrapped and tangled in the nettes of Loue: whose glutting eyes
+were neuer ful, nor fiery hart was satisfied in beholding and
+wondring at hir most excellent beauty: not foreseeing therefore,
+or taking heede of the daungerous effect of beautie’s snares,
+his heart being so fiercely kindled with the swingyng flames of
+loue, who causing hir to rise, exorted hir to prosecute hir
+supplication: then she began to procede as foloweth: “If it may
+be lawfull for me thy prysoner and bondwoman (O my soueraign
+lord) to make request, I humbly do beseech thee, by thy royal
+maiesty, wherein no long time past my husband and I were
+magnificently placed in so kynglike guise as thou art now, and
+by that Numidicall name, common vnto thee and my husbande
+Syphax, and by the sauinge Gods and Patrons of this City, who
+with better fortune and more ioyfull successe do receyue thee
+into the same, that expelled Syphax out from thence: it may
+please thy sacred state, to haue pity on me. I require no hard
+and difficult thinge at thy handes, vse thine imperiall
+gouernement ouer me, sutch as law of armes and reason of Warre
+require: cause me if thou wilt, to pyne in cruel pryson, or do
+me to sutch death with torments, as thou list to vse, the sharp,
+fierce and cruel death that any wight can suffre, or Perillus
+Bull shall not be dreadfull vnto me, but more deare and
+acceptable than wonted life in pleasures led: for no death shal
+bee refused of mee, rather than to be rendred into the proud
+handes of the most cruell Romanes. Rather had I tast the trust
+of a natiue Numidie, borne with me in Affrike soyle, than the
+faith of straungers kinde: I know full well that thou dost knowe
+what curtesy a Carthaginian and daughter of Hasdrubal, shal
+surely looke for at the Romanes hands: whose mind is fearfull of
+nothing more than of theyr pride and glory intollerable: if thou
+(my lord) haddest sisters of thine own, or daughters of thy
+royal bloud brought forth think that they may chaunce
+(if fortune frown) to slide into the Pit of aduerse lucke, so
+well as I am nowe: of that forme Fortune’s wheele is made, whych
+we dayly see to be vnstable, turninge and dyuers, that now peace
+and now warre it promiseth, now euill it threatneth, now mirth,
+now sorrow it bringeth, now aduauncinge aloft, now tumbling
+downe the clymbers up. Let Syphax bee cleare and liuely Example
+to thee, whych coulde neuer finde any stedfast stay vnder the
+Moone’s Globe. He was the mightiest and the richest kinge that
+raigned in Affrica, and now is the most miserable and vnlucky
+wight that liueth on Land. The Gods graunt that I bee no Prophet
+or Diuiner of future euill, whose omnipotency I deuoutly beseech
+to suffer thee and thy posterity in Numidie land and most
+happyly to raygne. Vouchsafe then to deliuer me from the Romanes
+thraldome, which if thou bee not able safely to bryng to passe,
+cause death (the ease of al woe) to be inflicted vpon me.” In
+speaking those words, she tooke the kynge’s right hande and many
+times sweetly kissed the same. And then her teares turned to
+pleasant cheare, in sutch wise as not onely the mynde of the
+armed and victorious Prynce was mooued to mercy, but straungely
+wrapped in the amorous Nets of the Lady, whereby the victour was
+subdued by the vanquyshed, and the Lord surprysed of his
+Captiue, whom with tremblinge voyce thus he aunswered: “Make an
+end, O Sophonisba, of thy large complaynt, abandon thy conceyued
+feare, for I wil not onely ridde the from the Romayne handes,
+but also take thee to my lawfull wyfe (if thou therewyth shalt
+be content) whereby thou shalte not leade a prisoner’s life, but
+passe thy youthfull dayes and hoarye age (if gods doe graunt thy
+life so long) as Quene vnto a king, and wife vnto a Romane
+frend.” When he had sayd so with weeping teares, he kissed and
+imbraced hir. She by the countenaunce, Sygnes, Gestes, and
+interrupted Woordes, comprehendyng the Minde of the Numide king
+to be kindled with feruent loue: the more to inflame the same
+beemoned her self with such heauinesse, as the beastly heartes
+of the Hircane Tygres would haue bene made gentle and dispoiled
+of al fiercenesse, yf they had beheld her: and againe she fel
+downe at hys feete, kissinge the armed Sabbatons vppon the same,
+and bedewinge them with hir warme teares. After many sobbes and
+infinite sighes, comforted by him, she sayd: “O the the glorie
+and honor of all the kynges that euer were, bee or shall bee
+hereafter: O the safest aide of Carthage mine vnhappy countrey
+without desert, and now the present and most terrible
+astonishment: if my hard fortune and distresse after so great
+ruine might haue bene relieued, what greater fauour, what thing
+in all my life, coulde chaunce more fortunate, vnto me, than to
+bee called wife of thee? O, I blessed aboue all other women to
+haue a man so noble and famous to husband. O mine aduenturous
+and most happy ruine. O my moste fortunate misery, that such a
+glorious and incomparable mariage was prepared for me: but
+bicause the Gods be so contrary vnto me, and the due ende of my
+life approcheth (my deare soueraygne lorde) to kindle againe in
+me, my hope half dead, or rather consumed and spent, bicause I
+see myself wrapped in a state, that in vayne against the
+pleasures of the Gods, I go about to molest thee: a greate gift
+(and to say truthe) a right great good turne, I make accompte to
+haue receiued of thee, if mine owne death I should procure by
+thee, that dyinge by thy means or with thy handes, (whych were
+more acceptable,) I shoulde escape the feare of the Romaynes
+thral and subiection, and this soule deliuered of the same,
+should streight passe into the Elysian fieldes. The final scope
+of this my humble plaint, is to ryd me from the hands of the
+Romanes, whose thraldom to suffer I had rather die. The other
+benefit which thou dost frankly offer to me pore wretch, I dare
+not desire, mutch lesse require the same, bicause the present
+state of my mishap dareth not presume so high. But for this thy
+pity and compassion ioined with louing regard and mind toward
+me, mightye loue with al the other Gods reward and blesse thy
+gotten kingdom in long raign, enlarging the same with more ample
+bounds to thine eternal renoum and praise: and I do not only
+render humble thanks for this thy kynd and louing enterteinment,
+but also yeld my self thine own, so long as lyfe gouerneth this
+caitif corps of mine.” These words wer pronounced with such
+effect, as Massinissa was not able for pity to hold his teares,
+which watred so his comely form, as the dew therof soaked into
+his tender heart, and not able a long time to speake, at last
+thus hee sayd: “Gyue ouer (O my quene) these cares and thoughts,
+dry vp thy cries and plaints, make an end of all these dolorous
+sutes, and reioyce, that frowarde Fortune hath changed hir mind:
+the Gods no doubt with better successe, wil perfourm the rest of
+thy liuing dais. Thou shalt henceforth remain my Quene and wife,
+for pledg whereof the sacred Godheads I cal to witnesse. But if
+perchaunce (which the thundring mighty God aboue forbid) that I
+shalbe forced to render thee the Romanes prisoner, be well
+assured, that on liue they shall not possesse the.” For credit
+and accomplishment of this promisse, and in signe of his assured
+faith, he reached his right hand to Sophonisba, and led hir into
+the inner lodging of the king’s Palace, wher afterward
+Massinissa with himself considering how he might perform hys
+promised faith, vexed and troubled with a thousand cogitations,
+seing in a maner his manifest ouerthrow and ruine at hand,
+prouoked with mad and temerarious loue, the very same day in
+open presence he toke hir to wife, solemnizing that mariage,
+which afterwardes bred vnto hym great vexation and trouble,
+meanynge by the same to haue dyscharged Sophonisba from the
+Romanes rule and order. But when Lælius was come and hearde tell
+thereof, hee fretted and chafed, and wyth threatnynge Wordes
+commaunded Massinissa to send his new maried wife (as the booty
+and pray of the Romanes) together wyth Syphax, to their captaine
+Scipio. Notwithstanding, vanquished with the supplications and
+teares of Massinissa, referring the matter wholy to the
+iudgement of Scipio, he dispatched Syphax with the other
+prisoners and bootie, to the Romane campe, and he himself
+remained with Massinissa for the recouerie of other places of
+the kingdome, minding not to returne before the whole prouince
+were brought vnder the Romane subiection. In the meane time
+Lælius gaue intelligence vnto Scipio, of the successe of
+Massinissa his mariage: who knowing the same to be so hastilye
+celebrated, was maruellouslye offended and troubled in Minde,
+mutche maruellynge that Massinissa woulde make sutch posthast
+before the comming of Lælius. Yea and vpon the very first day of
+his entrie into Cirta, that hee would consummate that vnaduised
+wedding: and the greater was Scipio his displeasure towards
+Massinissa, for that the loue which he had conceiued of that
+woman, was vnsemely and dishonest, wondering not a little that
+he could not find out some Lady within the region of Spain of
+semblable beauty and comlinesse, to please and content his
+honest and commendable intent: wherfore he iudged Massinissa his
+fact to be done out of time, to the preiudice and great decay of
+his honor and estimation. Howbeit like a wise and prudent
+personage he dissembled his conceiued gryefe, expecting occasion
+for remedye of the same. Now the time was come that Lælius and
+Massinissa were sent for to the Campe. But to declare the teares
+and lamentable talke, the great mone and sighes vttered betwene
+this new maried couple, time would want, and tediousnesse would
+ouercome the Reader. He had scarce lyen with his beloued two or
+thre Nyghts, but Lælius (to their great grief and sorow) claymed
+hir to bee hys prysoner. Wherfore verye sorowfull and pensiue
+hee departed, and retourned to the Campe. Scipio in honourable
+wyse accepted him, and openly before his Captaines and men of
+warre, gaue thanks to Lælius and him, for theyr prowesse and
+notable exploites. Afterwards sending for him vnto his Tent, he
+said vnto him: “I do suppose (my dere frend Massinissa) that the
+vertue and beneuolence which you saw in me did first of all
+prouoke you, to transfrete the straits, to visite me in Spaine,
+wherein the good will of my valiaunt frend Syllanus did not a
+little auaile, to sollicite and procure amity betwene vs. And
+the same afterwards inducing your constant minde, to retire into
+Affrica, committed both your selfe and all your goods into my
+hands and keeping. But I well pondering the quality of that
+vertue whych moued you thereunto, you beinge of Affrica, and I
+of Europa, you a Numidian borne, and I a Latine and Romane, of
+diuers customes and language different, thought that the
+temperance and abstinence from venerial pleasures which you haue
+sene to bee in me, and experience therof wel tried and proued,
+(for the which I render vnto the immortal Gods most humble
+thankes) would or ought to haue moued you to follow mine
+example, being vertues which aboue all other I doe most esteme
+and cherish. For he that well marketh the rare giftes and
+excellent benefits wherwith dame Nature hath arraied you, would
+thinke that ther should be no lacke of diligence and trauell to
+subdue and ouercome the carnall appetytes of temporal beauty:
+which had it bene applied to the rare giftes of nature planted
+in you, had made you a personage to the posterity very famous
+and renoumed. Consider wel my present time of youth, full of
+courage and youthly lust, which contrary to that naturall race I
+stay and prohibite. No delicate beauty, no voluptuous
+delectation, no feminine flattery, can intice my youth and state
+to the perils and daungers whereunto that heedelesse age is most
+prone and subiect. By which prohibition of amorous passions,
+temperatly raigned and gouerned, the tamer and subduer of those
+passions, closing his breast from lasciuious imaginations, and
+stopping his eares from the Syrenes, and Marmaydes, of that sexe
+and kinde, getteth greater glorye and fame, than wee haue gotten
+by our victory agaynst Syphax. Hanniball the greatest ennimy
+that euer we Romanes felt, the stoutest gentleman and captain
+without peere, through the delites and imbracements of women
+effeminated, is no more the manlike and notable emperor that hee
+was wont to be. The great exploits and enterprises which
+valyantly you haue done in Numidia, when I was farre from you,
+your care, readinesse, animosity, your strength and valor, your
+expedition and bold attemptes, with all the reste of your noble
+vertues worthy of immortal praise, I might and could
+perticulerly recite, but to commend and extol them my heart and
+minde shall neuer be satisfied, by renouacion wherof I should
+rather giue occasion of blushing, than my selfe could be
+contented to let them sleepe in silence. Syphax as you know is
+taken prisoner by the valyance of our men of warre, by reason
+whereof, him selfe, his wife, his kingdome, hys campe, landes,
+cities, and inhabitants, and briefly all that which was king
+Syphax, is the pray and spoile to the Romane people, and the
+king and his wife, albeit she was no Citizen of Carthage, and
+hir father, although no captayn of our ennimies, yet we muste
+send them to Rome, there to leaue them at the pleasure and
+disposition of the Romane Senate and people. Doe you not know
+that Sophonisba with her toyes and flatteries did alienat and
+withdraw king Syphax from our amitie and friendship, and made
+hym to enter force of armes against vs? Be you ignoraunt that
+she, full of rancor and malice aganyst the Romane people,
+endeuoured to set al Affrica against vs, and now by her fayre
+inticementes hath gayned and wonne you, not I say our ennemy,
+but an ennymy so farre as shee can, with her cruell
+Inchauntments? What Damage and hurt haue lyghted vppon dyuers
+Monarches and Prynces through sugred Lippes and Venemous
+Woordes, I wyll not spend tyme to recite. With that prouocations
+and coniured charmes shee hath already bewitched your good
+nature, I wyl not now imagine, but referre the same to the deepe
+consideration of youre wisdome. Wherefore Massinissa, as you
+haue bene a Conquerer ouer great nations and prouinces, be now a
+conquerer of your own mind and appetites, the victorie whereof
+deserueth greater prayse than the conquest of the whole world.
+Take heede I say, that you blot not your good qualities and
+conditions, with the spots of dishonor and pusillanimitye.
+Obscure not that fame which hitherto is aduaunced aboue the
+Regyon of the glytterynge Starres. Let not thys vyce of Femynine
+Flatterye spoyle the desertes of Noble Chyualrye, and vtterly
+deface those merytes with greater ignomynie than the cause of
+that offence is worthye of disprayse.” Massinissa hearynge these
+egree and sharpe rebukes, not onely blushed for Shame, but
+bytterly Weepinge, sayde: that hys poore prisoner and wyfe was
+at the commaundement of Scipio. Notwithstanding, so instantly as
+Teares coulde suffer hym to speak, he besoughte hym, that if it
+were possible, hee woulde gyue him leaue to obserue hys faythe
+foolishlye assured, bicause hee had made an othe to Sophonisba
+that with life shee shoulde not bee delyuered to the Handes of
+the Romanes. And after other talke betweene them, Massinissa
+retired to hys pauylyon, where alone wyth manifolde sighes, and
+most bytter teares and plaintes, vttered wyth sutch houlinges
+and outcryes, as they were hearde by those whych stoode neare
+hande, hee rested al the daye bewailynge hys presente state: the
+most part of the nyghte also hee spent with lyke heauynesse, and
+debating in hys mind vpon diuers thoughts and deuises, more
+confused and amazed than before, hee could by no meanes take
+rest: somtimes he thought to flee and passe the straights
+commonly called the Pillers of Hercules, from thence to saile to
+the Fortunate Islandes with his wife: then agayne hee thoughte
+with hir to escape to Carthage, and in ayde of that City to
+serue agaynst the Romanes, somtimes hee proposed by sworde,
+poyson, halter, or som such meanes to end his life and finish
+his dolorous days. Many times hee was at pointe by prepared
+knife and sworde to pierce his heart, and yet stayed the same,
+not for feare of death, but for preseruation of his fame and
+honor. Thus thys wretched and miserable louer burned and
+consumed in loue: tossing and tumbling him selfe vppon his
+bedde, not able to find comfort to ease his payne, thus began to
+say: “O Sophonisba, my deare beloued wyfe, O the life and
+comfort of my life, O the deynty repast of my ioy and quiet,
+what shall become of vs? Alas and out alas I crye, that I shall
+see no more thine incomparable beauty, thy surpassyng comely
+face, those golden lockes, those glistering eyes which a
+thousand times haue darkned and obscured the rayes and beames of
+the Sunne it self: Alas I say, that I can no longer be suffred
+to heare the pleasaunt harmonye of thy voice whose sweetenesse
+is able to force Iupiter himselfe to mitigate his rage when with
+lightning Thunderbolts and stormie claps in his greatest furie
+he meaneth to plague the earth. Ah that it is not lawfull any
+more for me to throw these vnhappy armes about thy tender neck,
+whose whitenesse of face entermingled with semely rudds,
+excelleth the Morning Roses, which by sweete nightly dewes doe
+sproute and budde. The Gods graunt that I doe not long remaine
+on liue without thy sweete haunt and company, which can no
+longer draw forth this breathing ghoste of myne, than can a
+Bodye lyue wythoute like Breathe in it. Graunt (O Myghty
+Iupiter) that one graue may close vs twaine to liue among the
+ghostes and shadowes that be already past this world for like
+right louing fitts, if intent of life be ment to mee without thy
+fellowship and delectable presence. And who (O good God) shal be
+more blisful amongs the Elysian fields, wandryng amids the
+spirites and ghostes of departed soules, than I, if there we two
+may iette and stalke amonge the shadowed friths and forests
+huge, besette with Mirtle trees, odoriferous and sweete? that
+there we may at large recount and sing the sweete and sower
+pangs of those our passed loues without anye stay or let at all:
+that there I say we may remembre things already done, reioycing
+for delights and sighing for the paines. There shall no harde
+hearted Scipio bee found, there shal no marble minded captain
+rest, which haue not had regard of Loue’s toyes, ne yet haue
+pitied bitter payns, by hauing no experience what is the force
+of loue. He then with ouer cruell wordes shall not goe aboute to
+persuade me to forsake thee, or to deliuer thee into the Romanes
+handes, to incurre miserable and most cruell bondage: he shal
+there neuer checke me for the feruent loue I beare thee: we shal
+there abide without suspition of him or any other: they can not
+seperate vs, they be not able to deuide our sweetest companye.
+I would the Gods aboue had graunted me the benefite, that hee
+had neuer arriued into Affrica, but had still remayned in
+Sicilia, in Italy or Spayne. But what stand I vpon these termes,
+O I fole and beast? what meanes my drousie head to dreame sutch
+fansies? if he hadde not passed ouer into Affrica, and made war
+against kinge Syphax, how should I haue euer seene my faire
+Sophonisba, whose beauty farre surmounteth eche other wight,
+whose comelines is withoute peere, whose grace inspeakable,
+whose maners rare and incomparable, and whose other qualities
+generally disparcled throughoute dame Nature’s mould by speach
+of man can not bee described? If Scipio had not transfraited the
+seas to arriue in Affrike soile, how should I, (O onely hope and
+last refuge of my desires) haue knowen thee, neither should I
+haue bene thy feere, ne yet my wife thou shouldest haue ben, but
+great had ben thy gaine and losse not much, neuer shouldest thou
+haue felt the present painfull state, wherein thou art, thy life
+(whereof most worthy no doubt thou art) shoulde not haue lien in
+ballance poize, or rested in doubtfull plight, which now in
+choyse of enimies thrall thou maist prolong, or else in Romanes
+handes a praye or spoile by captiue state. But I beseech the
+gods to preuent the choyce to be a Romane prysoner. And who can
+thinke that Scipio euer ment to graunt me the life of one, and
+goeth about to spoile me of the same? Did not he giue me the
+pardon of one, when he sent me to besiege the City of Cirta,
+where I found fayre Sophonisba which is my Life? A straunge
+kinde of pardon, by giuing me a pardon to dispossesse me of the
+same. Who euer hard tel of such a pardon? So much as if he said
+to me, thus: ‘Massinissa, go take the paine to cause the city
+yeld, and ransack it by force, and I wil pardon thee thy lyfe.
+And not wyth the onely benefit, but with Cræsus goods I wil
+inrich thee, and make thee owner of the happy soyle of Arrabia,
+and when I haue so done and rased the walles by myne indeuor,
+wherein myne onely lyfe and ioy did rest, at my retourne for
+guerdone of that Noble fact, in steede of lyfe hee choppeth of
+my head, and for fayre promyse of golden mountes, hee strips me
+naked, and makes mee a Romane slaue: accordynge to whych case
+and state he deales wyth me. For what auailes my Lyfe, if in
+gryefe and sorrowes gulffe I drown the pleasures of the same?
+Doth not he berieue my life and bredes my death by diuiding me
+from my fayre Sophonisba? Ah Caitife wretch, what lucke haue I,
+that neither storme nor whirle Wynde could sende him home to
+Italian shore, or set him packing to Sicile land? what ment
+cruell Scipio, when so sone as Syphax was taken, he did not
+streight way dispatch him to Rome, to present the glorious sight
+of the Numidian king to the Romane people? If Scipio had not
+beene here, thou Sophonisba frankly hadst bene mine: for at
+Lælias hands I could haue found some grace: but surely if Scipio
+did once see Sophonisba, and reclined his eyes to viewe hir
+perelesse beauty, I doubt not but he would be moued to haue
+compassion vpon hir and me, and would iudge hir worthy not
+onelye to be queene of Numidia but of all the prouince besides.
+But what, do I make this good accompt? The common prouerbe
+sayth, that he which counteth before his hoste, must recken
+twice: and so perhaps may be my lot: for what know I if Scipio
+did wel view hir, whether himselfe would be inamored of hir or
+not, and so utterly depriue me of that Iewel? He is a man no
+doubt as others be, and it is impossible me think, but that the
+hardnesse of his heart must bow to the view of such a noble
+beauty. But (beast as I am) what mean these wordes? what follies
+doe I vaunt by singing to the deafe, and teachyng of the blynd?
+O wretch, wretch, nay more than myserable Wretch. Marke the
+words of Scipio, he demaundeth Sophonisba, as a thing belonging
+vnto him, for which cause he sayeth that she is the pray and
+part of the Romane spoile: but what shall I do? shal I gyue hir
+vnto hym? He wyll haue hir, hee constraynes me, he exhortes mee,
+hee prayes mee, but I know full well wherevnto those intreaties
+tend, and vnder the Grasse what lurking Serpent lieth. Shal I
+then put into his hands mine own Sophonisba? But before I so
+doe, the armipotent God aboue, with his flashing fires and
+flamming brands shall thunder me downe into the depthe of Hell.
+The gapyng ground receiue my corps, before I yeld to that
+request, the trampling steedes of sauage kinde do teare my
+members in thousand gobbets, the desert beastes consume my
+flesh, the rauening gripes and carrain kites pick out my tongue
+and eyes, before I glutte his rauenous mind with that demaund to
+break the fayth which by holy othe I haue promised to performe.
+O curssed caitif, but what shall I doe then? it behoueth to
+obey, and in despite of my teeth to do that which the Romane
+Emperour commaundeth. Alas, by thinking vpon that straight and
+needefull lot, I die a thousand deaths: wherfore of euils to
+chose the least of twaine, and to preserve my plighted faith,
+O swete Sophonisba, thou must die, and by meanes of thy beloued
+feere, shalt voyd the yoke of Romanes thral, for so it pleaseth
+vnmindeful Ioua to appoynt. The wretched Heauens by cruel fate
+haue throwen their lot, that I of mine owne mischiefe shal be
+the minister. And so (O life most deere) I shall performe the
+effecte to kepe the fayth whych last of all before thy face I
+did confirme.” By this speach and maner of talke, the good
+Prince bewayled his case, excogitating by what meanes he myght
+doe to death the thing which aboue al the world he loued best:
+at length it came vnto his minde to sende hir a draught of
+poysoned drink, which deuise he had no sooner founde, but he was
+driuen into a new kinde of fury, and kindled with disdayne, his
+braynes were on fire with extreme madnesse, and as though
+Sophonisba had bene before him, hee talked and raued in
+Bedlemwyfe: somtimes with taunts he checked hir to hir teeth,
+sometimes lamented hir vnfortunate state, sometymes with pawes
+displayed, he seemed to rampe into hir face, and then agayne
+into amorous toies his passions droue him forth. When I doe
+thinke what kinde of a man Massinissa was, who in deede was a
+crowned and most noble king, and who with sutch prudence
+gouerned his new conquered and recouered kingdoms, and so
+constantly perseuered in amity of the Romane people, I pray to
+God to graunt my frendes and myselfe also, not to enter into so
+intricat and louesome Labyrinth, wherein this Noble Prince was
+tangled, and wyth more temperaunce to gouerne our beloued
+things. But{ }retourning agayne to this afflicted gentleman
+Massinissa. He sent vnto his beloued wyfe and Queene a pot of
+poyson to rid hir of hir life: but yet staying his messenger, he
+cried out these words: {“}God forbid that I should commit this
+infamous murder vpon hir whom I most deerely loue, I would
+rather conuey hir into the extreme partes of the vnknowen sandy
+Coaste of Libia, where the countrey is full of venomous beasts
+and crawling poysoned Serpents, in which we shalbe safe and sure
+from the danger of cruell and inexorable Scipio, by which meanes
+he shall neuer see the rare and diuine beauty, which the
+serpents once beholding, will mitigate and asswage their bitter
+poyson, and for whose sake they will not annoy ne yet hurt me
+hir louing husband and companion: wherefore let vs make hast to
+flee thither, to auoide the bondage and death prepared for vs:
+and if so be we be not able to cary with vs gold and siluer, yet
+shal we not want there some reliefe to maintayn our liues: for
+better it is to feede on bread and water, then to liue in
+perpetual thraldome. And liuing with thee (sweete wyfe) what
+pouerty and beggery am not I able to sustayne? The stormes of
+exile and penury, I haue already suffred: for beinge driuen out
+of my kingdome many times, I haue repayred to obscure dens and
+caues, where I haue hidden my selfe, and liued in the
+Wildernesse among the sauage Beasts. But what meane I thus to
+say of my selfe, whom no misaduenture can affray or myslyke? But
+thou deare wyfe whych hast ben trayned vp and nourished amongs
+the delicacies and bankets of the Court, accompanied wyth
+traynes of many fayre and noble ladies, lining lyke a Queene in
+al kinde of pleasures and delights: what shall I doe wyth thee?
+I know thy heart will not suffer thee to follow me, and yet if
+the same would serue thee, from whence shall I procure present
+shippinge? Vpon the Sea the Roman fleete beares swinge, vpon the
+land Scipio wyth hys Army occupieth euery Coast, and is generall
+Lord of the field. What then shall I most miserable and
+vnfortunate caitife do? for whilest I am thus makinge my bitter
+playnts, the night is past away, day light approcheth, and the
+bright shining mornyng begynneth to cleare the earth. And behold
+yonder commeth the General’s messanger for Sophonisba, whom I
+must eyther deliuer into his hands or else commit her to present
+slaughter, beinge assured that she had rather make choise to dy,
+than fall into the Laps of the cruell Romans.” Whereupon he
+determined to send hir the poyson, and for very sorrow fell
+downe vpon the ground like a man halfe deade. Afterwards being
+come agayne to him selfe, he cursed the Earth, the Ayre, the
+Fyre, Heauen, Hell, and all the Gods of the same, and exclaming
+in lamentable wyse he called vnto him one of his most faithfull
+seruants, who according to the custome of those dayes, alwaies
+kept poyson in store, and sayde vnto him: “Receyue thys Cuppe of
+Golde, and deliuer the same with the poyson, to Queene
+Sophonisba now abiding within the City of Cirta, and tel hir
+that I with greatest good will would fayne haue kept the mariage
+knot, and the firste fayth whych I plighted vnto hir, but the
+Lorde of the Fielde, in whose power I am, hath vtterly forbidden
+the same. I haue assayed all possible meanes to preserue hir my
+Wyfe and Queene at liberty, but he which commaundeth me, hath
+pronounced such hard and cruell sentence, as I am forced to
+offend my self, and to be the minister of mine own mischief.
+Thys poyson I send hir with so dolefull Message, as my poore
+hearte (God knoweth) doth only fele the smart, being the most
+sorowfull present that euer was offred to any fayre Lady. This
+is the way alone to saue hir from the Romanes handes. Pray hir
+to consider the worthines of hir father, the dygnity of hir
+countrey, and the royal maiesty of the II. kings hir husbands,
+and to do as hir mynd and wil shall fansie best. Get the hence
+with all possible spede, and lose no tyme to do thys Message:
+for thou shalt cary the bane and present death of the fairest
+Ladye that euer Nature framed wythin hir fayrest mould.” The
+seruaunt with this commaundment did departe, and Massinissa lyke
+a Chylde beaten with the rodde, wept and cried. The messenger
+being come to the Queene, and giuing hir the cup with the
+poyson, declared his cruell ambassage. The Queene took the
+poysoned Cuppe, and sayd vnto the messenger: “Geeue the king thy
+mayster myne humble thankes, and say vnto hym, that I receyue
+and Drynke thys Poyson wyth a wyll so good, as if hee had
+commaunded me to enter in Tryumph wyth Laurel Garlande ouer myne
+ennymyes: for a better gifte a husbande can not gyue to wyfe,
+than accomplyshment of assured fayth the funeralles whereof
+shall bee done wyth present obsequie.” And sayinge nothynge else
+vnto the messenger, shee tooke the Cuppe, and mynglynge well
+together the poyson wythin, shee vnfearfully quafft it vp: and
+when she had dronke it shee delyuered the messenger hys Cuppe
+agayne, and layed hir selfe vpon hir bed, commaunding hir
+gentlewomen in comely wyse to couer hir wyth Clothes, and
+withoute lamentation or Sygne of feminine minde, shee stoutly
+waighted for approching death. The Gentlewomen which wayted vpon
+hir, bewayled the rufull state of their Maystresse, whose
+plaints and scriches were heard throughout the palace, whereof
+the brute and rumor was great. But the good Queene vanquished
+with the strong force of the poyson, continued not long before
+she died. The messanger returned these heauie newes vnto
+Massinissa, who so sorowfully complained the losse of his
+beloued wife, in such wise as many tymes hee was lyke to kyll
+hymselfe, that hys Soule might haue accompanied the ghost of
+hir, whych was beloued of hym aboue all the dearest things of
+the Worlde. The valyant and wyse capitayne Scipio vnderstanding
+the newes hereof, to the intente Massinissa shoulde not commit
+any cruelty agaynst hymselfe, or perpetrate other vncomely
+deede, called hym beefore him, and comforted hym wyth the
+sweetest wordes he could deuise, and frendly reproued him. The
+next day in the presence of al the army hee highly commended
+him, and rewarded him wyth the kyngdome of Numidia, geuing hym
+many rych Iewels and treasures, and brought hym in great
+Estimation amonges the Romaynes: whych the Senate and people of
+Rome very well approued and confirmed with most ample
+Priuileges, attributinge vnto hym the title of kynge of Numidia,
+and freende of the Romaynes. Sutch was the ende of the vnhappy
+loue of kynge Massinissa, and of the fayre and lucklesse Queene
+Sophonisba.
+
+
+
+
+THE EIGHTH NOUELL.
+
+  _The cruelty of a Kynge of Macedone who forced a gentlewoman called
+  Theoxena, to persuade hir children to kill and poison themselves:
+  after which fact, she and hir husband Poris ended their lyfe by
+  drowninge._
+
+
+Bvt now we haue beegon to treate of the stoutnesse of certayne
+noble Queenes, I wyll not let also to recite the Hystory of a
+lyke vnfearfull dame of Thessalian land, called Theoxena, of
+right noble Race, the Daughter of Herodicus Prynce of that
+Countrey in the tyme that Phillip the Sonne of Demetrius was
+kynge of Macedone, tolde also by Titus Liuius, as two of the
+former be. Thys Lady Theoxena, first was a notable example of
+piety and vertue and afterwardes of rigorous cruelty: for the
+sayd kyng Philip, hauinge through his wickednesse first murdred
+Herodicus, and by succession of time cruelly done to death also
+the husbands of Theoxena and of Archo hir naturall sister, vnto
+eyther of them being Wydowes remayninge a Sonne: afterwardes
+Archo being maryed agayne to one of the principall of their
+Countrey named Poris, of him she had many children. But when she
+was dead, the sayd Lady Theoxena hir sister, who was of heart
+more constant and stout than the other, still refused the second
+mariage, although sued vnto by many great Lordes and Princes: at
+length pityinge her nephewes state, for fere they should fall
+into the handes of some cruell Stepdame, or that theyr father
+would not bryng them vp with sutch diligence, as tyll that tyme
+they were, was contented to bee espoused agayne to Poris,
+(no lawe that time knowen to defend the same) to the intente she
+might trayne vp hir sister’s children as her owne. That done she
+began (as if they were hir owne) to intreate and vse them
+louingly, with great care and industrie: wherby it manifestly
+appeared that she was not maried againe to Poris for hir owne
+commodity and pleasure, but rather for the wealth and
+gouernement of those hir sister’s children. Afterwards Philip
+king of Macedone, an vnquiet Prince, determininge to make newe
+warres vpon the Romanes (then throughout the worlde famous and
+renouned for theyr good fortune) exiled not onely the chiefe and
+noble men, but almost al the auncient inhabitants of the Cities
+along the sea coaste of Thessalia, and theyr whole and entier
+families into Pæonia afterwards called Emathia, a Countrey farre
+distant from the sea, giuing their voided Cities for the
+Thracians to inhabite, as most propre and faithful for the
+Romains warres, which he intended to make: and hearinge also the
+cursses and maledictions pronounced against him by the banished
+people, and vniuersally by al other, thought he was in no good
+surety, if he caused not likewyse all the sonnes of them, whom a
+litle before he had slayne, to be put to Death. Wherefore he
+commaunded them to be taken and holden vnder good gard in
+prison, not to do them al to be slain at once, but at times now
+one and then an other, as occasion serued. Theoxena
+vnderstanding the edicte of this wicked and cruell king, and wel
+remembring the death of hir husband, and of him that was husband
+to hir sister, knew wel that hir sonne and nephew incontinently
+should be demaunded, and greatly fearinge the king’s wrath, and
+the rigour of his guard, if once they fell into theyr hands, to
+defend them from shame and cruelty, sodainly applied hir minde
+vnto a straunge deuice: for shee durst to saye vnto hir husband
+their father’s face, that soner she would kil them with hir owne
+handes, if otherwise she coulde not warraunt them, then suffer
+them to bee at the will and power of kinge Philip. By reason
+wherof Poris abhorring so execrable cruelty, to comfort his wife
+and to saue hys Chyldren, promysed hyr secretelye to transporte
+them from thence, and caryed them himselfe to certayne of hys
+faythfull Fryendes at Athens, whych done wythoute longe delaye,
+hee made as thoughe hee woulde goe from Thessalonica to Aenias,
+to bee at the Solemnytye of certayne Sacrifices, which yearelye
+at an appoynted tyme was done wyth greate ceremonies to the
+honour of Ænêas the founder of that Citty, where spendinge the
+time amonges other in solemne bankets, the thrirde watch of the
+night when euery man was a sleepe, as though he would haue
+returned home to his countrey with his wyfe and children,
+priuely embarked himselfe and them, in a ship hired of purpose
+to passe into Euboea, and not to retourne to Thessalonica. But
+his intent was cleane altered and chaunged, for his ship was no
+sooner vnder saile, but at that instant a contrary winde and
+tempest rose, that brought him back againe, in despite of their
+labour, and all the endeuour they were able to doe. And when
+daye lighte appeared, the king’s garrison descried that shippe,
+and manned out a boate, to bring in the same, which secretly
+they thoughte was about to escape away, giuing them straight
+charge, that by no meanes they should returne without hir. When
+the boate drew neare the shippe, Poris bent him self to
+encourage the mariners to hoyse vp saile againe, and to make way
+with their oares into the Sea, if it were possible, to auoide
+the imminent and present daunger, to saue the life of him selfe,
+his wife and children: then hee lyfted hys handes vp vnto the
+heauens to implore the helpe and succor of the Gods, which the
+stoute Gentlewoman Theoxena perceiuing, and manifestly seeing
+the Daunger wherein they were, callinge to hir minde hir former
+determinate vengeance which she ment to do, and beholding Poris
+in his prayers, she prosecuted hir intente, preparing a poysoned
+drink in a cuppe, and made readye naked swordes: al which
+bringing forth before the Childrens face, she spake these words:
+“Death alone must bee the reuenge of your siely liues, wherunto
+there be two wayes, poison or the sworde. Euery of you choose
+which ye list to haue: or of whether of them your heart shall
+make the frankest choice. The king’s cruelty and pride you must
+auoid. Wherfore deare children be of good chere, raise vp your
+noble courage: ye the elder aged boyes, shew now your selues
+like men, and take the sword into your handes to pierce your
+tender hearts: but if the bloudy smart of that most dreadfull
+death shal feare and fright your greene and vnripe age, then
+take the venomed cup, and gulpe by sundry draghtes this poisoned
+drinke. Be franke and lusty in this your destened Death, sith
+the violence of Fortune, by Sea, doeth let the lengthning of
+your life. I craue this requeste of choyse, and let not the same
+rebound with fearfull refuse of thys my craued hest. Your mother
+afterwardes shal pass that strayght, whereof she prayeth hir
+babes to bee the poastes: ye the vaunt currours, and shee, with
+your louing sire, shall end and finishe Philip’s rage bent
+agaynst vs.” When shee had spoken these woordes and sawe the
+enimies at hand, this couragious dame, the deuiser of the death,
+egged and prouoked these yong trembling children (not yet wel
+resolued what to do) with her encharmed woords in sutch wyse, as
+in the ende, some dranke the poyson, and other strake them
+selues into the body and by hir commaundement were throwen ouer
+boord, not altogether dead, and so she set them at liberty by
+death whom tenderly she had brought vp. Then she imbracing hir
+husband the companion of hir death, both did voluntarily throw
+themselues also into the sea: And when the kinge’s espials were
+come aborde the ship, they found the same abandoned of theyr
+praye. The cruelty of which fact did so moue the common people
+to detestatyon and hatred of the kinge, as a generall cursse was
+pronounced against him and his children, which heard of the Gods
+aboue was afterwardes terribly reuenged vpon his stocke and
+posterity. Thys was the end of good Poris and his stout wyfe
+Theoxena, who rather then she would fall into the lapse of the
+king’s furie, as hir father Herodicus, and hir other husbande
+did, chose violently to dye with hir own hands, and to cause hir
+husband’s children and hir owne, to berieue them selues of Lyfe,
+whych although agaynst the louinge order of naturall course, and
+therefore that kinde of violence to bee abhorred, as horrible in
+it self, yet a declaration of a stout mind, if otherwise she had
+ben able to reuenge the same. And what coward heart is that,
+that dare not vpon such extremity, when it seeth the mercilesse
+ennimy at hand, with shining blade ready bent, to stryke the
+blowe, that withoute remedye must ridde the same of breath,
+specially when it beholdeth the tremblyng babe, naturally
+begotten by hys owne kinde and nature, before the face imploryng
+father’s rescue, what dastarde heart dare not to offer himselfe,
+by singular fight (thoughe one to twentye) either by desperate
+hardinesse to auoyd the same, or other anoyance, aduenture what
+he can? which in Christians is admitted as a comely fight,
+rather than wyth that Pagane Dame to do the death it selfe. But
+now returne wee to describe a fact that passeth al other forced
+deedes. For Theoxena was compelled in a maner thus to do of
+meere constraint to eschue the greater torments of a tyrant’s
+rage and thought it better by chosen death to chaunge hir lyfe,
+than by violent hands of bloudy Butchers to be haled to the
+slaughter. But thys Hidrusian dame was weary of hir owne life,
+not for that she feared losse of lyfe, but desperate to think of
+Fortune’s fickle staye: whych if fortune’s darlings would
+regarde in time, they would foresee theyr slippery holde.
+
+
+
+
+THE NYNTH NOUELL.
+
+  _A straunge and maruellous vse, which in old time was obserued in
+  Hidrvsa, where it was lawfull, with the licence of a magistrate
+  ordayned for that purpose, for euery man, and woman that list, to
+  kill them selues._
+
+
+Bandello amonges the company of hys Nouels, telleth this
+history: and in his own person speaketh these words. If I should
+begin to tell those things which I saw in the tyme that I sayled
+alongs the Leuant seas, very tedious it would be for you to
+heare, and I in reporting could not tell which way to ende,
+bicause I saw and heard thynges ryght worthy to bee remembred.
+Notwythstandinge, for satisfaction of dyuers that be my frendes,
+I will not sticke to reherse some of them. But first of all one
+straunge custome, whych in the Romayes tyme was vsed in one of
+the Ilandes of the sea Ægeum, called Hidrusa, in these dayes by
+the trauaylers called Cea or Zea, and is one of the Ilandes
+named Ciclades, whilome full of Populous and goodly Cities, as
+the ruins therof at this day do declare. There was in olde time
+in that Iland a yery straunge lawe and ordynaunce, which many
+hundred yeares was verye well and perfectly kept and observed.
+The Law was, that euery person inhabitant within the sayd Isle,
+of what sexe and condition so euer, being throughe age,
+infirmity, or other accidents, weary of their lyfe, might choose
+what kind of death that liked them best: howbeit it was prouyded
+that the partye, before the dooing of the same, should manifest
+the cause that moued him therevnto, before the Magistrate
+elected by the people for that speciall purpose, which they
+constituted because they sawe that diuers persons had
+voluntarily killed themselues vpon trifling occasions and
+matters of little importance: according to whiche lawe very many
+Men and Women, hardily with so merry chere went to theyr Death,
+as if they had gone to some bankette or mariage. It chaunced
+that Pompeius Magnus the dreadfull Romane, betwene whom and
+Iulius Cæsar were fought the greatest battailes for superiority
+that euer were, sailing by the Sea Ægeum, arriued at Hidrusa,
+and there goynge a land vnderstoode of the inhabitantes the
+maner of that law and how the same day a woman of great worship
+had obteined licence of the Magistrate to poyson hir selfe.
+Pompeius hearing tell hereof, was driuen into great admiration,
+and thought it very straunge, that a woman which al the dayes of
+hir life had liued in great honour and estimation, shoulde vpon
+light cause or occasion poyson her selfe sith it was naturally
+giuen to ech breathyng wyght to prolong theyr liuing dayes with
+the longest threede that Atropos could draw out of dame Nature’s
+webbe. Whervpon he commaunded the said matrone to be brought
+before hym, whose Death for hir vertue was generallye lamented
+by the whole Countrye. When the gentlewoman was before hym, and
+had vnderstanding that she was fully resolued and determined to
+dye, hee began by greate persuasions to exhort hir, that she
+should not wilfully cast hir selfe away, vpon consideration that
+she was of lusty yeares, riche and welbeloued of the whole
+countrey: and how greate pitye it were but shee shoulde renue
+hir Mynde and gyue hir selfe still to lyue and remayne, till
+Natural course dyd ende and finysh hir life: howbeit his graue
+and earnest persuasion could not diuert hir from hir intended
+purpose. But Pompeius loth to haue hir dye, ceassed not styll to
+prosecute hys former talke with newe reasons and stronger
+arguments. All which shee paciently heard with fixed
+countenaunce, til at lengthe with cleare voyce and smiling
+cheere she answered him in this maner: “You be greatly deceyued
+(my lord Pompeius) if you do beleeue that I wythout very great
+prouidence and mature aduise goe about to ende my dayes: for I
+do know and am fully persuaded, that eche creature naturally
+craueth the prolongation and lengthninge of lyfe, and so mutch
+abhoreth to die, as the desirous to lyue detesteth the poyson
+whych I haue prepared for consumation of my lyfe. Whereupon as I
+haue diuers times thought, considered and discoursed with my
+selfe, and amongs many considerations oftentimes debated in my
+minde, there came into the same the instability and fickle
+change of Fortune, whose whirling wheele neuer ceasseth, ne yet
+remayneth stedfast. It is dayly seene how she doth exalte and
+aduaunce some man from the lowest and bottomlesse Pit, euen to
+the top of high Heauens, endowinge him with so mutch Substaunce
+as he can desire. An other that was most happy, honoured in this
+world lyke a God, vnto whom no goods and welfare were wantinge,
+who might wel haue bene called in his lyfe, a three times happy
+and blessed wyght, sodaynly from his honour and state depriued
+and made a very poore man and begger. Some man also, that is
+both riche and lusty, accompanied with a fayre wyfe and goodly
+Children, lyuinge in great mirth and ioylity, this wicked Lady
+Fortune, the deuourer of all our contentations, depriueth from
+the inestimable treasure of health, causeth the fayre Wyfe to
+loue an other better than hir husbande, and with hir venomous
+Tooth biteth the children, that in short space myserable death
+catcheth them al within his dreadfull Clouches whereby he is
+defrauded of those children, whom after his death he purposed to
+leaue for hys Heyres. But what meane I to consume tyme and words
+in declaration of Fortune’s vnsteady stay, which is more cleare
+than the beams of the Sunne, of whom dayly a Thousande thousande
+examples be manifest: all histories be full of theym. The mighty
+countrey of Græcia doth render ample witnesse wherein so many
+excellent men were bred and brought vp: who desirous with their
+finger to touch the highest heauen, were in a moment throwen
+downe: and so many famous Cities, which gouerned numbers of
+people, now at this present day we see to be thrall and obedient
+to thy City of Rome. Of these hurtfull and perillous mutations
+(O noble Pompeius) thy Romane City may be a most cleare glasse
+and Spectacle, and a multitude of thy noble Citizens in tyme
+past and present, may geeue plentifull witnesse. But to come to
+the cause of this my death, I say, that fyndyng myself to haue
+liued these many yeares (by what chaunce I can not tell) in very
+great prosperity, in al which tyme I neuer did suffer any one
+myssehappe, but styll from good to better, haue passed my time
+vntil thys daye: nowe fearyng the frownynge of Ladye Fortune’s
+face, and that she will repente hir long continued fauour,
+I feare, I say, least the same Fortune should chaung hir stile,
+and begynne in the middest of my pleasaunt life to sprinckle hir
+poysoned bitternesse, and make mee the Receptacle and Quiuer of
+hir sharpe and noysome arrowes. Wherefore I am nowe determined
+by good aduyse, to rid my selfe from the captivity of hir force,
+from all hir misfortunes, and from the noysom and grieuous
+infirmities, which miserably be incident to vs mortall
+Creatures: and beleeue me (Pompeius) that many in theyr aged
+dayes haue left their life with little honour, who had they bene
+gone in their youth, had dyed Famous for euer. Wherefore
+(my lord Pompeius) that I may not be tedious vnto thee, or
+hinder thyne affayres by long discourse, I besech thee to geeue
+me leaue to follow my deliberate disposition, that frankely and
+freely I may be vnburdened of all daunger: for the longer the
+life doth grow, to the greater annoysaunce and daunger it is
+subiect.” When she had so sayd, to the great admiration and
+compassion of all those which were present, with tremblinge
+handes and fearefull cheare, she quaffed a great Cup of poysoned
+drynke, the which she brought with hir for that purpose, and
+within a while after dyed. This was the straunge vse, and order
+obserued in Hidrusa. Which good counsel of the Dame had the
+noble and valiaunt captayne followed, no doubt he would haue bin
+contented to haue bin brought to order: and then he had not lost
+that bloudy battel atchieued agaynst hym by Iulius Cæsar at
+Pharsalia in Ægypt. Then hee had not sustayned so many
+ouerthrowes as he did, then had hee not ben forsaken of his
+frendes, and in the ende endured a death so miserable. And for
+so mutch as for the most part hitherto we haue intreated of many
+Tragicall and bloudy chaunces, respyring now from those, let vs
+a little touch some medicinable remedies for loue, some lessons
+for gouernment and obedience, some treaties of amorous Dames,
+and hauty Gestes of Prynces, Queenes and other persons, to
+variate the chaungeable diet, wherewyth dyuers bee affected,
+rellishinge their Stomackes wyth some more pleasaunt Digestions
+than they haue tasted.
+
+
+
+
+THE TENTH NOUELL.
+
+  _The dishonest Loue of Favstina the Empresse, and with what remedy
+  the same loue was remoued and taken away._
+
+
+True and most holy is the sentence, that the Lady, Gentlewoman,
+or other wyght of Female kinde, of what degree or condition
+soeuer she be, be she fayre, fowle, or ylfauoured, cannot be
+endued with a more precious Pearle or Iewell, than is the neate
+and pure vertue of honesty: which is of sutch valour, that it
+alone without other vertue, is able to render her that
+glistereth in her attire, most famous and excellent. Be she more
+beautiful than Helena, be she mightier than the Amazon, better
+learned than Sappho, rycher than Flora, more louinge than Queene
+Dido, or more noble than the best Empresse and Queene of the
+worlde, or be she full of any other vertue, if she want the name
+of chast, shee is not worthy so mutch as to beare the title of
+honour, nor to be entertayned in honest company. Yee shall
+peruse hereafter an history of a Countesse of Celant, that was a
+passing fayre Dame, singularly adorned with Nature’s gifts. She
+was fayre, pleasaunt, amiable, comely, and perchaunce not
+altogether barrayne of good erudition and learninge: she could
+play vpon the instruments, sing, daunce, make and compose witty,
+and amorous Sonets, and the more her company was frequented, the
+more amiable and gracious the same was esteemed. But bicause she
+was unshamfast and lesse chaste, she was voyde of honest
+regarde. Sutch as bee dishonest, do not onely hurt themselues,
+but gieue cause to the common people to mutter and grudge at
+their parentes education, at their husbands gouernment and
+institution of their Children, causing them most commonly to
+leade a discontented and heauy lyfe. Thinke you that Augustus
+Cæsar (albeit he was a victorious Emperour, and led a triumphant
+raygne) liued a contented life when he saw the two Iuliæ, one of
+them his daughter, the other his Niece, to vse them selues like
+common strumpets, constrained through their shameful acts to
+pin, and close vp himselfe, shunning the conuersation of men,
+and once in minde to cut his Daughter’s Vaynes to let out hir
+Lusty bloud? Was not he wont (the teares trickling downe his
+Princely Face) to say, that better it was neuer to haue children
+and to be deade without them, than to haue a fruteful wife and
+children so disordred? He termed his Daughter to be a Carrion
+lumpe of fleshe, full of stenche and filthinesse. But if I list
+to speake of women of this age, from noble to vnnoble, from an
+Emperor’s Daughter to a Ploughman’s modder, whose liues do frame
+after Iulia hir lore, my pen to the stumpes would weare, and my
+hande be wearied with writing. And so likewise it would of
+numbres no doubt in these dayes that folow the trace of Lucrece
+line, that huswifely and chastly contriue the day and nightes in
+pure and Godly exercise. But of the naughty sorte to speake,
+(leauing to voyde offence, sutch as do flourish in our time)
+I will not conceale the Empresse Messalina, that was Wyfe to the
+emperour Claudius, not only vnworthy of Empresse degree, but of
+the title of Woman: who being abused by many, at length arriued
+to sutch abhominable lust, as not contented with dayly
+adulterous life, would resort to the common stewes, where the
+ruffians and publike harlots haunted, for little hire, and there
+for vilest price with eche slaue did humble herselfe: and at
+night not satisfied, but weared, returned home to hir Palace,
+not ashamed to disclose hir selfe to any that list to looke vpon
+hir: and for victory of that beastly game, contended with her
+lyke. But not to say so mutch of hir as I finde in Plinie his
+naturall history, in Suetonius, and Cornelius Tacitus, I leaue
+hir to hir selfe, bycause I haue made promise to remember the
+dishonest loue for example sake, which I read of Faustina, whose
+beauty of al Writers is vouched to be most excellent, if
+excellency of good life had thereunto ben coupled. She was the
+daughter and wyfe of two holy and vertuous Emperours, the one
+called Antonius Pius, the other Marcus Antonius. This
+M. Antonius in all vertuous workes was perfect and Godly, and
+singulerly loued his wife Faustina, and although she was
+infamous to the world, and a Fable to the people, yet he cared
+not for the same, sutch was the passing loue hee bare vnto hir.
+Leaue we to speake of hir beastly behauiour amongs the noble
+sort, without regard vnto hir most noble husbande, and come wee
+to treate of a certaine sauage kind of lust she had to one of
+the Gladiatores, whych were a certaine sort of Gamsters in Rome,
+which we terme to be Maisters of defence. She was so far in loue
+with this Gladiator, as she could not eat, drink, or slepe, ne
+take any rest. This Faustina was so vnshamefast, as not
+regarding hir state, being as I sayde before the daughter and
+wife of two most worthy Emperors, dysdayned not to submitte her
+Body to the Basenesse of one of the vilest sort, a Rascal
+Fencer, and many times would goe to Caieta, a Citie and hauen of
+Campania, to ioyne hir selfe with the galye slaues there. Hir
+husbande which loued her dearely, comfortying his feble louing
+wyfe so well as he coulde, caused the best Physicians he could
+finde, to come vnto hir for recouery of hir health. But all the
+deuysed physike of the world was not able to cure her, she was
+so louesicke. In the end knowing by long experience the fauour
+and loue hir husband bare vnto hir, and knowing that nothing
+could withdraw his continued minde, she tolde him, that al the
+torment and payne shee sustained, was for the loue of a
+gladiator, towards whom hir loue was so miserably bent, that
+except she had his company, death was the next medicine for hir
+disease. The good husband whych beyond measure loued his wife,
+comforted hir with so louing wordes as he could, and bad hir to
+bee of good cheare, promisinge hee would prouide remedy.
+Afterwards consulting with a wise man a Chaldee born, opened
+vnto him the effect of his wiue’s disease, and how she was
+louesicke with sutch a person one of the Gamsters of the City,
+promising great rewardes if he could by his secretes serche out
+redresse to saue hir life. The Chaldee could tel him none other
+remedy, but that he must cause the Gladiator to be slaine, and
+with the bloud of him to anoint the body of the Empresse, not
+telling vnto hir what the ointment was: which don, that he must
+goe to naked bed to hir, and do the act of matrimony. Some
+Historiographers do write, that the Chaldee gaue him counsell,
+that Faustina should drinke the bloud of the Gladiator, but the
+most part, that hir body was bathed in the same. But how so euer
+it was, it would haue cooled the hottest Gentlewoman’s stomack
+in the world, to be anoynted with like Salue. To conclud the
+Gladiator was slayne and the medicine made and applied to the
+Pacient, and the Emperour lay with the Empresse, and begat hir
+with childe. And immediatly she forgot the Gladiator, neuer
+after that tyme remembring him. If this medicine were applied to
+our carnall louinge dames (which God defend) they would not
+onely follow Faustina in forgetfulnes, but also would mislike
+hir Phisike: and not greatly regard the counsell of sutch
+doctours. By meanes of this medicine and copulation was the
+Emperour Commodus borne, who rather resembled the Gladiator than
+his Father: in whose breast rested a storehouse of mischyefe and
+vyce, as Herodian and other Wryters plentifully do wryte.
+
+
+
+
+THE ELEUENTH NOUELL.
+
+  _Chera hid a treasure: Elisa going about to hang her selfe, and
+  tying the halter about a beame found that treasure, and in place
+  thereof left the halter. Philene the daughter of Chera going for
+  that treasure, and busily searching for the same, found the halter,
+  wherewithal for dispayre she would haue hanged hir selfe, but
+  forbidden by Elisa, who by chaunce espied hir, she was restored to
+  part of hir losse, leading afterwards a happy and prosperous lyfe._
+
+
+Fortune, the Lady Regent and Gouernesse of man’s lyfe, so
+altreth and chaungeth the state thereof, as many times we see
+the noble borne from that great mighty port, wherein they be,
+debased so farre, as either infamously their lyfe is spent in
+the hungry lap of Dame Penury, or else contriued in the vgly
+lothsom house of Wantonnesse, the stepdame of all honesty and
+vertue. Sometimes we marke the vnnoble ladde that was nooseled
+in the homely countrey caban, or rude ciuile shoppe, attaine to
+that whych the onely honorable and gentle do aspire: and he
+agayne that is ambicious in climbing vp the turning wheele,
+throwen down beneth the brink of aduerse luck, whelmed in the
+ditch and pit of black despaire. We note also sometimes that the
+carelesse wyght of Fortune’s giftes, hath (vnlooked for) his
+mouth and throte crammed full of promotion and worlde’s
+delights. Such is the maner of hir fickle stay: whereof this
+History ensuing, gyueth some intelligence, by remembring the
+destenied luck of 2 pore sory girles that were left destitute of
+desired things, both like to fal into despaire, and yet both
+holpen with that they most desired: which in this sort
+beginneth. In the time that Scipio Affricanus had besieged the
+City of Carthage, Chera that was a widow (dwellinge there)
+seeinge the daunger at hand wherein the Citty stoode, and
+doubtynge the losse and ouerthrowe of the same, and that the
+honor of the dames and womankinde, coulde vneths be safe and
+harmelesse, determined not to abide the vttermost: and hauinge a
+good quantity of Gold and precious stones, she bestowed the same
+in a casquet, and hid it vpon one of the beames of hir house,
+purposinge when the stir and daunger was past, to retourne to
+hir house agayne for those hir hidden things. Which done, in the
+habite of a poore woman with her onely daughter in hir hand that
+was about 5 or 6 yeares of age, she went out of Carthage, and
+passed ouer the Seas into Scicilia, where falling sicke, after
+she had bene there three or foure yeares, at length died. But
+before shee departed, shee called her Daughter before hir, then
+about Ten yeares olde, and told hir the place where she had
+layed hir Casket. And by reason of the victory gotten by Scipio,
+the city was maruellously chaunged, and amongs other things, the
+house of Chera was giuen to a Romane Souldiour that was so
+enriched with Nobilyty of Mynd, as hee was poore of Fortune’s
+Goods. Whych Chera vnderstandyng, was sorowfull, and doubted of
+hir thynges secretlye bestowed vppon the beame. Wherevpon she
+sayd vnto hir daughter, that for so much as their house was in
+the possession of an other, she ought to be wise and circumspect
+in the recouerye of hir hidden goods: and that hir death was the
+more greuous vnto hir, because she must leaue hir (so yong a
+maiden) vnprouided of frendes for hir good gouernement. But yet
+she incouraged hir againe and sayd: that sith necessity
+approched, she must in childyshe age, put on a graue and
+auncient minde, and beware howe shee bewrayed that casket to any
+person, for that of purpose shee reserued the knowledge thereof,
+to hir self, that it might serue for hir preferment, and procure
+hir a husband worthy of hir selfe. And the maiden demaundinge
+the value of the same, shee told hir that it was worth CC.
+Talentes, and gaue hir in writing the particulars inclosed
+within the Caskette, and that the lyke bill shee should find
+within the same, written wyth hir owne Hande. And so the good
+woman within a while after dyed, leauyng behynde hir the yong
+mayden hir daughter, that maruellously lamented the death of hir
+mother, accordingly as nature taught hir, and ech other
+reasonable wyght depriued from their dearest friends. The maiden
+for hir yeres was very wise, and would disclose to none what her
+mother had sayd, keeping the writing very carefully. Not long
+after Philene (whych was the maiden’s name) fell in loue with a
+Gentleman of Scicilia of greate reputation and authority, who al
+bee it he saw hir to be very faire and comely, yet cared not for
+hir loue in respect of Maryage, for that hee knewe hir to bee
+poore, and withoute dowrie mete for a Gentleman, iestyng and
+mocking to see hir fixe hir minde on him, for desyre to haue him
+to hir husbande, that was a personage so noble and rich: which
+refusall pierced the hearte of the tender maiden, bicause she
+saw hir selfe forsaken for nothynge else, but for want of goods:
+whych made hir to think and consider, howe shee myght recouer
+the riches that hir mother had layed vp in Carthage. It chaunced
+as she was in this meditation, the daughter of him to whome the
+House of Chera was giuen, called Elisa, was likewise enamoured
+of a noble yong gentleman in Carthage, who bicause Elisa was the
+daughter of a Souldiour, and not very rich, in like manner
+laughed and iested at hir loue, no lesse than the other did at
+Philene. Notwithstanding Elisa attempted al meanes possible to
+induce the yong man to loue hir, but hir practise and attemptes
+tended to none effect. And last of all, desirous to haue a
+resolute answere, and thereby vnderstode, that he would rather
+dye than take hir to Wyfe, she fell into despayre and curssed
+fortune, and hir fate, that she was not borne riche enough to
+match wyth hir chosen Gentleman, and that she being poore, must
+fall in loue wyth sutch a personage: whereupon she miserably
+tormented hir selfe, still bewaylinge hir vnhappy lucke, that
+shee could not win him to be hir husband, for whych only intent
+and purpose she loued him. And this amorous passion incredibly
+growing in hir, the rootes whereof be planted in the restlesse
+humor of melancholy, and wanting all hope and comforte to stay
+that Ranke and Rammishe weede, it so increased in her, as shee
+franticke in raging loue gaue hir selfe ouer to the spoyle of
+herself: and to rid her from the griefe, she determined to kill
+hir selfe, imagining whych way she might do the same. At length
+she was resolued, with hir father’s sword to peerce hir body:
+but hir heart not seruing hir thereunto, deuised by the halter
+to end her lyfe, saying thus to herselfe: “Thys death yet shal
+do me good, that the cruel man may know that for his sake I haue
+done this fact: and if his heart be not made of Iron or steele,
+he can not chose but sorrowe and lament, that a poore mayde
+whych loued him better than hir owne lyfe, hath made sutch
+wretched ende onely for his cruelty.” Elisa concludinge vpon
+this intent, prepared a Halter: and being alone in her house, in
+the chamber where the Casket lay vpon the beame, placed a stoole
+vnder the same, and began to tye the halter about the beame: in
+doinge whereof, she espied the casket, and reached the same vnto
+hir, who feeling it to be heauy and weighty, immediatly did open
+it, and founde the Byll within, which Chera had written with hir
+owne hand, agreable to that which she had deliuered to hir
+daughter, wherein were particularly remembred the Iewels and
+other riches fast closed within the casket. Who disclosing the
+bagges wherein the gold and Iewels were bound vp, and seeing the
+great value of the same, wondred thereat, and ioyfull for that
+fortune, hid the rope which she had prepared for hir death, in
+the place where she found the casket, and with great gladnesse
+and mirth went vnto hir father, and shewed him what she had
+found, whereat the father reioyced no lesse, then his daughter
+Elisa did, bicause he sawe himselfe thereby to be discharged of
+his former poore life, and like to proue a man of inestimable
+wealth and substance: and saw likewise that the poore wench his
+daughter, by the addicion of those riches, was like to attayne
+the party whom shee loued. When he had taken forth those bagges
+and well surueyed the value, to the intent no man might suspect
+the sodayne mutation of his state, tooke his daughter with him,
+and went to Rome, where after he had remayned certayne monethes,
+hee returned to Carthage, and began very galantly to apparell
+himselfe, and to keepe a bountifull and liberall house. His
+table and port was very delicate and Sumptuous, and hys Stable
+stored wyth many fayre Horsse, in all poynctes sheewinge
+himselfe very Noble and rich: by which sodayne chaunge of state,
+the whole Citty beleeued that he had brought that wealth from
+Rome. And bicause it is the common opinion of the vulgar sort,
+that where there is no riches, there is no nobility, and that
+they alone make men noble and gentle (a foolyshe Opinion in
+deede proceedinge from heads that be rash and light) the people
+markynge that porte and charge kept by the Souldiour, conceyued
+that he was of some noble house. And throughout the whole Citty
+great and solemne honour was done vnto him: whereupon the young
+Gentleman, with whom Elisa was in loue, began to bee ashamed of
+himselfe, that he had disdayned the mayden. Whych mayden seeing
+hir Father’s house to be in sutch reputation, made sute to her
+father, that he would procure the Gentleman to bee hir husband.
+But hir father wylled hir in any wyse to keepe secret hir
+desire, and not to seeme her selfe to bee in loue, and wysely
+tolde hir, that more meete it was that she should bee solicited
+by him, than shee to make sute or request for mariage:
+alleaginge that the lesse desirous the gentleman had bene of
+hir, the more deare and better beloued shee shoulde be to hym.
+And many tymes when hys Daughter was demaunded to Wyfe, he made
+aunswere that matrimony was a state of no litle importance, as
+enduring the whole course of Lyfe, and therefore ought well to
+bee considered and wayed, before any conclusion were made. But
+for all these demaundes and aunswers, and all these stops and
+stayes, the mayden was indowed with an honest dowry, and in the
+end her louer and she were maried, with so great pleasure and
+satisfaction of them both, as they deemed themselues happy. In
+the meane time while these things were done at Carthage, Philene
+in Scicilia toke thought how she might recouer her goods geuen
+to her by her mother, desirous by their meanes also to sort hir
+earnest and ardent loue to happy successe. And debatinge with
+her selfe (as we haue sayd before) howe she might obtayne them,
+because the house was in possession of an other, thought it to
+bee agaynst reason and order, that although she had lost hir
+house, yet hir goods ought to be restored vnto hir, which were
+hir onely mayntenance and reputation, and the fittest instrument
+that should conduct her loue to happy ende. And hearinge tell
+that the Father of Elisa the possessor of hir mother’s house
+liued at Carthage in great royalty and magnificence, thought
+that if by some sleight and pollicie she founde not meanes to
+enter the house without suspicion, hir attempt would be in
+vayne: determined therefore to goe to Carthage, and to seeke
+seruice in that house, counterfaytinge the kynde and habite of a
+Page. For she considered, that if she went thither in order and
+apparell of a mayden, she should incur the perill of her
+virginity, and fall into the lapse of diuers other daungers,
+purposed then to go thyther in maner of a Page and lacky. And
+when she had in that sort furnished hirselfe, she passed the
+Seas, and arriued at Carthage. And seekinge seruice about the
+City at length chaunced to be retayned in a house that was next
+neyghbour to the Souldier, and bicause this wench was gentle and
+of a good disposition, was wel beloued of her maister, who being
+the frend of Elisa, hir Father many times sent vnto him diuers
+presents and gifts by Philene, wherevppon she began to be
+acquainted and familiar with the seruantes of the house, and by
+her oft repayre thyther viewed and marked euery corner, and vpon
+a time entred the chamber wherein hir Mother Chera {t}olde hir,
+that shee had bestowed hir goods, and lookinge vpont the Beames
+espied by certayne Signes and tokens, one of them to be the same
+where the Casket lay: and therewithal wel satisfied and
+contented, verily supposed that the casket still remayned there,
+and without further businesse for that time, expected some other
+season for recouery of the same. In the ende, the good behauiour
+and diligence of Philene, was so liked of Elisa, as hir father
+and she made sute to hir maister to giue hir leaue to serue
+them, who bycause they were his friends, preferred Philene vnto
+them, and became a page of that house. And one day secretly
+repayrynge into the chamber, where the treasure lay mounted
+vppon a stoole, and sought the beame for the casket: where she
+found no casket, but in place where that lay, the halter,
+wherwithal Elisa woulde haue strangled hir self. And searching
+all the parts of the Chamber and the beames, and finding nothing
+else but the halter, she was surprised with sutch incredible
+sorrowe, as she seemed like a stock, without spiryte, voice or
+life. Afterwardes, being come againe to hir selfe, shee began
+pitifully to lament and complayn in this maner: “Ah wretched
+Philene, vnder what vnluckie signe and planet was thou begotten
+and borne? wyth what offence were the heauens wroth, when they
+forced thee to pierce thy mother’s wombe? Could I poore creature
+when I was framed within the moulde of nature, and fed of my
+mother’s substance within hir wombe, and afterwards in due time
+brought forth to light, commit such crime, as to prouoke the
+celestiall impressions to conspire agaynst my Natiuity, to
+brynge mine increased age into such wretched state and plighte
+wherein it is now wrapped? No, no, my faulte was nothing, it was
+parent’s offence, if any were at all: for many times we see the
+innocent babe afflicted for the father’s guilt. The Gods do
+punish the posterity, for som sacrilege or notorious crime
+committed by progenitors: theyr manner is not to suffer heynous
+faultes vnreuenged: their iustice cannot abide such mischief
+vncorrected for example sake: so fareth it by me. First my
+father died, after wardes my Mother a widow was driuen to
+abandon natiue soyle, and seeke reliefe in forrain land: and
+leauing that wherwith we were possessed in enimies keping, were
+forced a simple life to leade among straungers. And my mother,
+yelding forth hir ghost, made me beleue that shee had hidden
+great treasures here: and I vnhappy wench thinking to obteine
+the pray, haue wandred in counterfeit kind, and fetcheed many a
+bitter sigh, vntil I came into this place: and the thing I hoped
+for, which myght haue bene the meanes and ende of all my care,
+is turned to nothyng: a casket transformed into a halter: gold
+and Iewels into a piece of rope? Is this the mariage dowry
+(Philene) thou art like to haue to match with him whom thou so
+derely louest? Is this the knot that shall conioyne you both in
+yoke of man and wife? Ah wretch and miserable caitife, the goods
+thy mother layd vp for thee, for maintenance of thy rest, and
+safegarde of thine honour, and for the reputation of thy noble
+house, wherof thou camst, is now berieued from thee: they that
+kepe this stately house, and beare their lofty port amid the
+best, haue despoiled thee pore wench of that after which thou
+didst vainly trauayle. But what remedye now? sith thy wicked lot
+doth thus fall out, sith thy cruel fate is loth thou shouldest
+atteine the thing on whych thy mind is bente, and sith thy
+painfull lyfe can take no ende, make spede to rid thy selfe from
+misery by that meanes which he hath prepared for thee that hath
+found thy goods: who seeing his good aduenture to be thy bane,
+his happy pray to bee thy spoyle, hath left in lieu of treasure,
+a halter, that therwith thou mightest dispatch thy selfe from
+all thy griefes, and in their vnhappye companye to cease thy
+life, that the lothsom, lengthning of the same might not
+increase thy further plaints, sorowes, anguish and affliction.
+And in the place where infortunate Philene toke hir beginning,
+ther the Miserable wretche must finishe that, which without hir
+desired gaine no longer can be maynteined. Peraduenture it may
+come to passe as when thy soule is losed from this mortall
+charge, it shall stalke by hym, by whom it liueth, and by him
+also whom she thought to ioy in greatest contentation that euer
+mortall woman did.” And thus plaininge and sighing hir il
+fortune, when she had ended those words she tyed the halter
+about the beame, where sometimes hir Treasure lay, which beyng
+done shee put the same about hir necke, sayinge: “O crooked Lady
+Fortune, that hast thus vnfrendly dealt with thine humble
+clyent: Ah dispayre, thou vgly wretch and companion of the
+distressed that is vnwillinge to leaue my haunte vntyll thou
+playe the Hangman. Ah Dyuell incarnate that goest aboute to hale
+and plucke the innocent into thy hellish caue. Out vppon the
+thou deformed hellish dogge, that waitest at the fiery gate to
+lette them in, which faine would passe an other porte.” And as
+shee was powrying forth these spitefull wordes, redy to remove
+the stoole to fetch hir swynge, the Gods which would not giue
+consent, that the innocent wench should enter that vile and
+opprobrious death, moued the heart of Elisa, to passe by the
+place where she was in workynge on her selfe that desperate end:
+who hearing those moneful plaints vttred after such terrible
+manner, opened the Chamber doore, and saw that myserable sight:
+and ignorant of the occasion, moued with pity, ranne and stayed
+hir from the fact, saying thus vnto hir: “Ah Philene,” (whych
+was the name that she had giuen to hir selfe) “what folie hath
+bewitched thy mind? What phrensie hath incharmed thy braine?
+What harde aduenture hath moued thee in this miserable wise, to
+ende thy life?” “Ah” (sayd Philene) “suffer me Elisa, to finish
+my tormentes: giue me liberty to vnburden myselfe from the bande
+of cares that do assaile me on euery side: lette these
+Helhoundes that stande heare rounde about mee, haue theyr praye
+for which they gape. Thou moued by compassion, arte come hither
+to stay mee from the Halter: but in doyng so, thou doest mee
+greater wrong, than doeth despayre whych eggeth me therunto.
+Suffer I say, that mine afflictions may take some end, sith
+cruel fortune willeth it to be so, or rather vnhappy fate: for
+sowre death is sweeter in my conceit, than bitter life contriued
+in sharper sauce than gall or wormwood.” Elisa hearing her
+speake these wordes, sayd: “For so much as thy myshap is such,
+as onely death is the nearest remedy to depriue thy payne, what
+wicked chaunce hath induced thee, in this house to finish those
+thy miseries? What hath prouoked the to sutch augury to this our
+most happy and ioyfull family?” “Forced is the partye” (sayd
+Philene) “so to doe when destenye hath so appointed.” “What
+desteny is that?” demaunded Elisa. “Tell mee I beseech thee,
+perchaunce thou mayst preuent the same by other remedy than that
+whereabout thou goest.” “No,” (answered Philene) “that is
+impossible, but to satisfie thy request which so instantly thou
+crauest of me, I wil tel thee the summe of al my miserie.” In
+saying so the teares gushed forth hir eyes, and hir voice brake
+oute into complaints, and thus began to say: “Ah Elisa, why
+should I seke to prolong my wretched life in this vale of
+wretchednesse, wherein I haue ben so miserably afflicted? my
+mother pitieng mine estate and seeynge me voide of frends, and a
+fatherlesse child vpon hir death bed, disclosed vnto me a
+treasure which she had hidden vpon this beam whervnto this
+halter (the best remedy of my misery) is tied: and I making
+serch for the same, in place of that treasure found this halter,
+ordeined as I suppose (by what misfortune I knowe not) for my
+death: and where I thought among the happy to be the most happy,
+I see my selfe amongs al vnlucky women to be the most
+vnfortunate.” Elisa hearing hir say so, greatly maruelled and
+sayd: “Why then I perceiue thou art a woman and not a man.”
+“Yea, truly,” answered the vnhappy mayden: “A singuler example
+of extreme misery to all sortes of women.” “And why so?”
+demaunded Elisa. “Bicause” (answered Philene) “that the
+pestilent planet vnder which I was borne, will haue it to be
+so.” And then she told hir al that which had chaunced from the
+time of hir mother’s departure out of Carthage, and how she went
+into Scicilia and recounted vnto hir the loue that she bare to a
+Scicilian Gentleman, and howe that he disdayning hir for hir
+pouerty, refused to be hir husband: whervpon to atchieue hir
+desire as loth to forgoe him, was come in maner of a page to
+Carthage, to recouer the riches which hir Mother had hidden
+there, to the intente she might obtaine (if not by other meanes)
+with som rich dowrie, the yong Gentleman to husband whom she so
+dearely loued. And then reenforcing hir complaint, she said:
+That sith Fortune had despoiled hir of that which might haue
+accomplished hir desire, resting no cause why she should any
+longer liue, the halter was prepared for hir to end her daies,
+and to rid hir life from troubles. And therefore she praied hir
+to be contented, that she might make that end which hir
+misaduenture and wicked fortune had predestinate. I doubt not
+but there be many, which vnderstanding that the treasure did
+belong to Philene, if they had found the like as Elisa did,
+would not onely not haue forbidden hir the Death, but also by
+speedy meanes haue hastened the same, for so mutch as by that
+occasion the hidden treasure should haue ben out of strife and
+contention: so greate is the force of couetousnesse in the minde
+of man. But good Elisa knew ful wel the mutability of Fortune in
+humaine thinges, for so mutch as she by seeking death, had fonde
+the thinge which not onely deliuered hir from the same, but made
+hir the best contented woman of the worlde. And Philene seekinge
+hir contentation, in place thereof, and by like occasion, found
+the thinge that would haue ben the instrument of hir death, and
+moued with very great compassion of the mayden, desired to haue
+better aduertisement howe that treasure could belong to her.
+Then Philene shewing forth hir mother’s writing, which
+particularly remembred the parcels within the casket, and Elisa
+seeinge the same to be agreeable to the hand wherewith the other
+was written that was founde in the casket, was assured that all
+the gold and Iewels which she had found, did belong vnto
+Philene, and sayd vnto hirselfe: “The Gods defend that I should
+prepare the halter for the death of this innocent Wench, whose
+substaunce hath yelded vnto mee my hart’s desire.” And
+comforting the mayden, in the ende she sayd: “Be contented
+Philene, and giue ouer this thy desperate determination, for
+both thy lyfe shalbe prolonged, and thy discontented minde
+appeased, hoping thou shalt receyue the comforte thou desirest.”
+And with those words she losed the halter from hir neck, and
+takinge hir by the hand, brought hir to the place where hir
+Father and husband were, and did them to vnderstand the force
+and terms whereunto the fier of loue and desperation had brought
+that amorous mayden: tellinge them that all the treasure and
+Iewels which she had found (where she left the halter, and
+wherewith Philene was minded to hang hir selfe) did by good
+right and reason belonge to hir: then she did let them se the
+counterpayne of that bill which was in the casket, in all points
+agreeable thereunto, declaringe moreouer that verye lyke and
+reasonable yt were, like curtesie should bee vsed vnto her, as
+by whom they hadde receyued so greate honoure and delyghte. Her
+husband which was a Carthagian borne, very churlishe and
+couetous, albeit by conferring the writings together, he knewe
+the matter to be true, and that Philene ought to be the
+possessor thereof, yet by no meanes would agree vnto hys wyue’s
+request, but fell into a rage, callinge hir Foole and Ideot, and
+sayinge that hee had rather that shee had bene a Thousande tymes
+hanged, than he would giue hir one peny: and although she had
+saued hir life, yet she ought to be banished the Citty, for so
+mutch as the same and all the propertie thereof was brought into
+the Romane’s handes, and amongs the same hir mother’s house, and
+al hir goods in possession of the victors, and euery part, at
+their disposition and pleasure. And moreouer, for so mutch as
+hir mother and shee had departed Carthage, and would not abide
+the hazarde and extremity of their country as other Citizens
+did, and hauing concealed and hidden those riches which ought to
+haue ben brought forth for the common defence of their countrey,
+and gone out of the Citty as though she had ben a poore simple
+Woman, poorely therefore she ought to lyue in Scicilia, whyther
+she was fled. Wherefore he was of opinion, that she in this
+maner beinge departed when the Citty had greatest neede of hir
+helpe, was disfranchised of all the rightes and customes of the
+countrey, and that like as a straunger can recouer nothinge in
+that Citty, except he haue the priuiledge and Freedome of the
+same, euen so Philene (for the considerations before recited)
+ought to be compted for a straunger, and not to participate any
+thinge within the City, accordingly as the lawes forbid. When he
+had so sayd, he was like by force to expell the sorrowfull
+mayden out of the house. These wordes greatly grieued Philene,
+who doubted least his father in law would haue ioyned with him,
+and agree vnto hys alleaged reasons, whych seemed to be of great
+importaunce and effect: and therefore thought newly to returne
+to the Halter for remedy of hir griefes; but it otherwise
+chaunced, for the Father of Elisa, which was a Romane borne, and
+affected with a Romane minde, and therefore of a Gentle and well
+disposed nature, knew ful wel, that although the house was giuen
+vnto him by the consent of Scipio, and other the Captaynes, yet
+he knew that their pleasure was not to bestowe on him the
+treasure hidden in the same, and therefore ought to be restored
+to the true owner, or else confiscate and properly due to the
+Romane Eschequer, or common treasure house of the same: and
+albeit that it was true that hir Mother went out of Carthage, in
+the time of the Siege, and therefore had forfayted the same, yet
+he determined to shewe some curtesie vnto the younge mayden, and
+to be thankfull to fortune, for the benefite which by hir meanes
+he had receyued, thinkinge that she would be displeased with
+him, if he with vngratefull minde or dishonourable intent should
+receyue hir giftes. For in those dayes the Romans highly
+reuerenced Lady Fortune, and in hir honour had Erected Temples,
+and Dedicated Aultars, and in prosperous tyme and happy
+aduentures, they consecrated vowes, and sacrifices vnto hir,
+thinkinge (although supersticiously) that like as from God there
+proceeded none euil, euen so from him all goodnesse was deriued:
+that all felicity and other good happes, whych chaunced vppon
+the Romane Common wealth, proceeded from Fortune, as the
+Fountayne and most Principall Occasion, and that they which
+would not confesse hir force, and be thanckful vnto hir
+Godheade, incurred in the ende hir Displeasure and Daungers very
+great and haynous. This Romane then hauing this opinion, beinge
+(as I sayd before) of a gentle Disposition woulde at one instant
+both render thankes to Fortune, and vse curtesie vnto that
+mayden, by whose riches and goods from lowe degree he was
+aduanced to honourable state. Wherefore turning his Face vnto
+hir, with louing countenaunce he spake these wordes: “Right
+gentle damosel, albeit by the reasons alleged by my sonne in
+law, none of the treasure hidden by thy mother, and founde by my
+Daughter in thys house, of right doth appertayne to thee, yet I
+will that thou shalte vnderstande my curtesie, and that thou see
+how the Romanes doe more esteeme the nobility of their minde,
+than all the riches of the world. Therefore that thou mayst
+enioy thy loue, I referre vnto thee and to thy disposition all
+the goods and Iewels that were in the Casket, and contayned in
+thy writinge. Beholde therefore (causing the casket to be
+brought vnto him) all the Iewels and other parcels that were in
+the same when they were founde, take so mutch thereof as thou
+wilt, and if so bee thou desire the whole, willingly I render
+the same vnto thee, sithens by means of those riches, and the
+industry of my trafique, I haue gayned so mutch, as hauinge
+gyuen a conuenient dowry vnto my daughter, I honorably liue
+without it.” Philene seeing the curtesie of this valiaunt
+gentleman, gaue him infinite thanks, and then sayd vnto him:
+“Sir, I for my part dare aske nothinge, well knowinge that if
+you geue me nothinge, there is no cause why I shoulde complayne
+of you, but of my hard and wicked fortune, whych hath offered
+and giuen that to you, which ought to haue bin mine. Wherefore,
+sith your curtesie is sutch, as you refer the whole to mee,
+I purpose to take nothing, but will that the whole shall bee in
+your disposition, and giue mee what you list, and that so gieuen
+of your liberality, I shal more thankfully receiue, than if debt
+or duty did constrayne it: and if it shall please you to giue me
+nothing, my heart shal bee so well appeased, for that your
+curtesie, as rather woulde I chose to liue in the poore estate
+wherein I am, than be rych with your displeasure.” Howbeit, the
+Romayne intreated Philene to take thereof what shee thought
+good: and Philene craued no more than it pleased hym to gyue.
+Eyther of them standinge vpon these termes Elisa, brake the
+strife, who knowinge the force of loue, and the griefes incident
+to his clients, by hir own harmes, moued to haue compassion vpon
+the afflicted, turned towardes hir father, and sayd vnto him:
+“Right louinge father, the contencion betweene Philene and you,
+is risen of a matter which came by me. The treasure for which
+you striue, and committed to the will of Philene, was found by
+me, whereof if it please you both, I wyll take sutch order, as
+both you shalbe satisfied.” “I am contented,” sayd hir father:
+“And I likewise,” aunswered Philene. Then sayd Eliza: “You
+father hitherto haue had but one Daughter, which am I, vnto whom
+like a chylde and louinge daughter I haue bene obedient, and
+shalbe all the dayes of my lyfe: and I agayne haue receiued from
+you sutch fatherly education, as your ability and state
+required. This treasure I found and gaue to you for ease and
+comfort of vs both: to me it yelded the only delectation of my
+heart in choyse of husband: to you honour and estimation within
+thys Citty. Wherefore, sith the principal came from me, and the
+right resteth in this careful maiden, my desire is, that where
+before you had but one daughter, you will adopt this mayden for
+another, and thinke that you have twaine, and that you will
+intreate Philene in like sort as if shee were my sister: and
+where this Inheritance and reuenue wherewith now you be
+possessed, and this casket also ought to be onely myne after
+your decease, for that you haue no sonnes, nor other Issue, my
+desire is that you geue vnto her the halfe, and that you accept
+hir for your daughter, as I doe meane to take hir for my sister:
+and accordingely to vse hir duringe lyfe.” With these wordes
+Elisa imbraced Philene, and louingly dyd kisse hir, sayinge vnto
+hir: “For my sister I entertayn thee Philene.” And then shee
+tooke hir by the hand and gaue hir vnto hir father with these
+wordes: “Beholde father, your new daughter, whom I beseech you
+so hartily to loue as you do Elisa your naturall chylde.” The
+father praysed the curtesie of Elisa, and receiued Philene for
+his daughter and was contented wyth the Arbitrament of his
+Daughter. But Elisa perceyuing hir husband to be somewhat
+offended therewyth, specially for that the same should be
+deuided into two partes, which was like to haue bene hys wholly
+before, persuaded hym by gentle meanes to be content wyth that
+agreement: and although at the first he could not well brooke
+the liberality of his wyfe, yet at length viewinge the good
+behauiour and gentle disposition of Philene, and the contented
+minde of his father in law, together with the noble nature of
+his wyfe, and hir wise aduertisement of Fortune’s fickle
+assurance, yelded, and acknowledged Philene for hys kinswoman.
+And so Philene put in possession of the halfe of those goods,
+whereof she was altogether out of hope, was well satisfied, and
+had the Romane for hir father, Elisa for hir sister, and hir
+husband for hir kinsman. That valyant Roman was so careful ouer
+Philene, as if she had ben his owne daughter, and so indeuored,
+as he brought to passe that she obteined hir beloued Scicilian
+to husbande: who also sent for hym to Carthage, where he
+continued with his wife in the Romane’s house, and loved them
+both so dearely as though he had ben father to the one, and
+father in lawe to the other. In this maner these two poore
+wenches attained their two husbands, for hauing of whom, theyr
+onely care was for Ryches, and for lacke thereof were dryuen to
+despayre: and in the ende both (though diuersly, and the one
+more fortunat than the other) recouered riches, and with the
+same theyr husbandes, to their heartes singular ioye and
+contentation. Which lucke I wyshe to all other poore Girles (but
+not hangyng rype, or louynge in despayre) that bend their mindes
+on Mariage, and seeke to people by that estate, their countrey
+common wealth. But leauinge for a time these Tragicall Nouels
+and heauy chaunces, wee purpose to remember some morall matters
+right worthy of remembraunce: Letters they bee from a godly
+Pagane clerk, the famous Philosopher Plutarch, Schoolemaister to
+an Emperour of no lesse vertue, than hys mayster’s Schoole and
+mynde was fraught with diuine Precepts. Wherefore proceede (good
+Reader) to continue the paynes vpon the readinge of these, so
+well as thou hast vouchsafed to employ thy time before. They
+shal no lesse delite thee, if vertue brooke thee, they shal no
+lesse content thee if duty please thee, than any delightsome
+thing, whereupon (at any tyme) thou hast employed thy vacaunte
+tyme.
+
+
+
+
+THE TWELFTH NOUELLE.
+
+LETTERS OF THE EMPEROUR TRAIANE.
+
+  _Letters of the Philosopher Plutarch to the noble and vertuous
+  Emperour Traiane, and from the sayd Emperour to Plutarch: the lyke
+  also from the sayd Emperour to the Senate of Rome. In all which be
+  conteyned godly rules for gouernment of Princes, obedience of
+  Subiects, and their duties to common wealth._
+
+
+Bicause these Letters ensuinge (proceeding from the infallible
+Schoole of Wisedome, and practised by an apt Scholler of the
+same, by a noble Emperor that was well trained vp by a famous
+Philosopher) in myne opinion deserue a place of Recorde amonge
+our Englishe Volumes, and for the wholsome errudition, ought to
+Englishmen in english shape to bee described, I haue thought
+good in this place to introduce the same. And although to some
+it shal not peraduenture seeme fit and conuenient to mingle holy
+with prophane, (accordinge to the prouerbe) to intermedle amongs
+pleasaunt histories, ernest epistles, amid amorous Nouels,
+learned Letters, yet not to care for report or thought of sutch
+findefaults, I iudge them not vnseemely, the course of those
+histories. For amid the diuine works of Philosophers and
+Oratours, amongs the pleasaunt paynes of auncient Poets, and the
+Nouell writers of our time, merry verses so well as morall
+matters be mingled, wanton bankets so wel as wise disputations
+celebrated, tauntinge and iocund Orations so well as effectuall
+declamations and persuasions pronounced. These letters contayne
+many graue and wholesom documents, sundry vertuous and chosen
+Institutions for Prynces and Noble men, yea and for sutch as
+beare offyce and preferment in commonwealth from highest title
+to meanest degree. Theese letters do vouch the reioyce of a
+Schoolemayster for bringinge vp a Scholler of capacity and
+aptnesse, to imbrace and Fix in Memory sutch lessons as he
+taught him. These Letters do gratulate and remembre the ioy of
+the disciple for hauinge sutch a maister. These letters do
+pronounce the minde of a vertuous Prince towardes hys subiects
+for choyse of him to the empire, and for that they had respect
+rather to the vertue and condition, than to the nobility or
+other extreme accident. To be short, these letters speake and
+pronounce the very humblenesse and fealty that ought to rest in
+subiectes’ hearts: with a thousand other excellent sentences of
+duties. So that if the Emperour Nerua had bin aliue agayne to
+peruse these letters and Epistles of congratulation betweene the
+Schoolemayster and Scholler, he would no lesse haue reioysed in
+Plutarch than king Philip of Macedon did of Aristotle, when hee
+affirmed himself to be happy, not so much for hauinge sutch a
+sonne as Alexander was, as for that he was borne in sutch a
+time, as had brought Aristotle to be his maister. That good
+Emperor Nerua, shewed a patern to his successor by his good
+vertuous lyfe and godly gouernment, which made a successor and a
+people of no lesse consequence than they were trayned,
+accordingly as Herodian voucheth, that for the most part the
+people be wont to imitate the Life of their Prince and
+soueraygne Lord. If Philip deemed hymselfe happy and blessed for
+hauing sutch a sonne and mayster, then might Nerua terme
+himselfe threefolde more happy for sutch a Nephew and sutch a
+notable Schoolemayster as Plutarch was, who not only by doctrine
+but by practise proued a passing good Scholler. Alexander was a
+good Scholer and for the time wel practised his maister’s
+Lessons, but afterwards as glory and good hap accompanied his
+noble disposition, so did he degenerate from former life, and
+had quite forgotten what he had learned, as the second Nouell of
+this Booke more at large declareth. But Traiane of a toward
+Scholler, proued sutch an Emperour and victor ouer himselfe, as
+schoolinge and rulinge were in him miraculous, and surmounting
+Paragon of piety and vertue: wherefore not to stay thee from the
+perusinge of those Letters, the right image of himselfe: thus
+beginneth Plutarch to write vnto his famous Scholler Traiane.
+
+
+  _A Letter of the Philosopher Plutarch to the Emperor Traiane,
+  wherein is touched how Gouerners of Common wealths ought to be
+  prodigal in deedes and spare in words._
+
+My most dread soueraygne Lorde, albeit of longe tyme I haue
+known the modesty of your mynde, yet neyther I nor other liuing
+man did euer know that you aspired to that, which many men
+desire, which is to be Emperour of Rome. That man should
+withdrawe himselfe from honour, it were cleane without the
+boundes of wysedome: but not to lycence the heart to desire the
+same, that truely is a worke diuine, and not proceedinge of
+humayne nature. For he doeth indifferently well, that represseth
+the works which his handes be able to do, without staying upon
+his owne desires, and for good consideration wee may terme thine
+Empire to be very happy, sith thou hast so nobly demeaned thy
+selfe to deserue the same without search and seekinge
+industrious pollicy to attayne thereunto. I haue known within
+the city of Rome many great personages, which were not so mutch
+honored for the offices whych they bare, as they were for the
+meanes and deuises whereby they sought to be aduaunced to the
+same. May it please you to vnderstand (most excellent Prince)
+that the honor of a vertuous man doth not consist in the office,
+which he presently hath, but rather in the merites that
+preferred him thereunto: In such wise, as it is the office that
+honoreth the partye, and to the officer there resteth but a
+painful charge. By meanes wherof, when I remember that I was
+your gouerner from your youth, and instructed your vertuous mind
+in letters, I can not chose but very much reioyce, so well for
+your soueraigne vertue, as for your maiestie’s good fortune,
+deming it to be a great happinesse vnto me that in my time Rome
+hath inioyed him to be their souraigne lord, whom I had in tymes
+past to be my scholler. The principalities of kyngdomes some
+winne by force, and maintayne them by armes, which ought not so
+to be in you, nor yet conceiue opinion of your selfe, but rather
+to thinke that the empire which you gounerne by vniuersall
+consent, yee ought to entertayne and rule with general iustice.
+And therfore if you loue and reuerence the Gods, if you bee
+pacient in trauels, warie in daungers, curteous to your people,
+gentle to straungers, and not couetous of treasure, nor louer of
+your owne desires: you shall make your fame immortall, and
+gouern the common wealth in soueraign peace: that you be not a
+louer of your own desires, I speake it not withoute cause, for
+there is no worse gouernement than that which is ruled by selfe
+wyll and priuate opinion. For as he that gouerneth a common
+wealth ought to lyue in feare of al men, euen so mutch more in
+feare of him selfe, in so mutch as he may commit greater errour
+by doinge that which his owne luste commaundeth, than if he were
+ruled by the counsell of other. Assure you sir, that you can not
+hurt your selfe, and mutch lesse preiudice vs your subiects, if
+you do correct your selfe before you chastise others, esteemyng
+that to bee a ryght good gouernment when you be prodigal in
+workes, and spare of speache. Assay then to be such a one now,
+that you do commaunde, as you were when you were commaunded. For
+otherwise it would lyttle auaile to do things for deseruing of
+the empyre, if afterwards your dedes be contrary to former
+deserts. To com to honour it is a humane worke, but to conserue
+honour it is a thing diuine. Take hede then (most excellent
+Traiane) that you do remembre and still reuolue in minde, that
+as you be a Prince supreme, so to apply your self to be a
+passing ruler. For there is no authority amongs men so high, but
+that the Gods aboue be iudges of their thoughts, and men beneth
+beholders of their deedes. Wherfore sith presentlye you are a
+mighty Prince, your duety is the greater to be good, and leisure
+lesse to be wycked, than when you were a pryuate Man. For hauing
+gotten authority to commaund, your lyberty is the lesse to bee
+idle: so that if you bee not sutch a one as the common people
+haue opinion of you, and such againe as your maister Plutarch
+desireth, you shall put your selfe in greate Daunger, and myne
+Ennymyes wyll seeke meanes to bee reuenged on mee, knowynge wel
+that for the Scholler’s faulte the Mayster Dayly suffreth wronge
+by slaunderous checke imputed vnto hym (although withoute
+cause.) And for so much as I haue ben thy maister, and thou my
+scholer, thou must indeuour by well doyng, to render me some
+honour. And lykewyse if thou do euyll, great infamy shall lyght
+on me, euen as it did to Seneca for Nero his cause, whose
+cruelties don in Rome were imputed to his mayster Seneca. The
+like wronge was done to the Philosopher Chilo, by beyng burdened
+with the neglygent nouriture of his Scholler Leander. They
+truely were famous personages and greate learned men, in whom
+the gouernemente of myghty Princes was reposed: notwithstandyng,
+for not correcting them in their youth, nor teachying them with
+carefull dylygence, they blotted for euermore theyr renoume, as
+the cause of the destruction of many common wealthes. And
+forsomuch as my pen spared none in times paste, bee well assured
+Traiane, that the same will pardon neither thee or mee in tyme
+to come: for as wee bee confederate in the fault, euen so we
+shal be heires of the pain. Thou knowest well what lessons I
+haue taught thee in thy youth, what counsell I haue gyuen thee,
+beeying come to the state of man, and what I haue written to
+thee, sithens thou hast ben Prince, and thou thy selfe art
+recorde of the wordes which I haue spoken to thee in secrete: in
+all whych I neuer persuaded thyng but that intended to the
+seruice of the gods, profite of the common wealthe and increase
+of thy renoume: wherfore, I am right sure, that for anye thing
+which I haue written, sayd, or persuaded there is no cause I
+should feare the punishment of the gods, and much lesse the
+reprochful shame of men, verily beleuing that al which I coulde
+say in secrete, might without reproch be openly published in
+Rome. Nowe before I toke my pen in hand to write this Letter,
+I examined my lyfe, to know, if (during the time that I had
+charge of thee) I dyd or sayd in thy presence any thing that
+might prouoke thee to euill example. And truely (vnmete for me
+to say it) vpon that searche of my forepassed life, I neuer
+found my selfe guilty of facte vnmeete a Roman Cytyzen, nor euer
+spoke woorde vnseemelye for a Phylosoper: by meanes whereof I
+doe ryght heartely wyshe, thou wouldest remember the good
+educatyon and instructyon whych thou dyddest learne of mee.
+I speake not thys, that thou shouldest gratifie me againe with
+any Benefite, but to the ende thou myghtest serue thy selfe,
+esteemynge that no greater pleasure there is that can redounde
+to me, than to heare a good report of thee. Be then well assured
+that if an Empyre bee bestowed vpon thee, it was not for that
+thou wer a Citizen of Rome or a couragious person descended of
+noble house, rich and mighty, but only bicause vertues did
+plentifully abounde in thee. I dedicated vnto thee certaine
+bookes of old and auncient common wealth, which if it please
+thee to vse, and as at other times I haue sayd vnto thee, thou
+shalte finde mee to be a proclaimer of thy famous workes, and a
+chronicler of all thy noble facts of armes: but if perchaunce
+thou follow thine owne aduise, and chaunge thy selfe to bee
+other than hitherto thou hast ben, presently I inuocate and cry
+out vpon the immortall Gods, and this Letter shall be wytnesse,
+that if any hurt do chaunce to thee, or to thine Empire, it is
+not through the counsell or meanes of thy maister Plutarch. And
+so farewell most Noble Prynce.
+
+  _The aunswere of the Emperour Traiane to hys mayster Plutarch._
+
+Cocceius Traiane Emperour of Rome, to the Philosopher Plutarch,
+sometimes my mayster: salutation and consolation in the Gods of
+comfort. In Agrippina was deliuered vnto me a letter from thee,
+whych so soone as I opened, I knew to be written wyth thine owne
+hand, and endited with thy wysedom. So flowing was the same with
+goodly woordes and accompanied with graue sentences, an occasion
+that made mee reade the same twice or thrice, thinking that I
+saw thee write and heard thee speak, and so welcome was the same
+to me, as at that very instant I caused it to be red at my
+table, yea and made the same to be fixed at my bed’s heade, that
+thy well meanyng vnto me might be generally knowen, how mutch I
+am bound vnto thee. I esteemed for a good presage the
+congratulation that the Consul Rutulus did vnto me from thee,
+touchinge my commyng to the empire: I hope through thy merites,
+that I shall be a good Emperoure. Thou sayest in thy letter,
+that thou canste by no meanes beleue that I haue giuen bribes,
+and vsed meanes to buye myne Empire, as other haue done. For
+aunswere thereunto I say, that as a man I haue desired it, but
+neuer by solicitation or other meanes attempted it: for I neuer
+saw wythin the City of Rome any man to bribe for honour, but for
+the same, some notable infamy chaunced vnto hym, as for example
+wee may learne of the Good old man Menander, my friende and thy
+neyghbour, who to be Consul, procured the same by vnlawful
+meanes, and therfore in the end was banished and died
+desperately. The greate Caius Cæsar, and Tiberius, Caligula,
+Cladius, Nero, Galba, Otho Vitelius, and Domitian, some for
+usurpyng the Empire, some for tyranny, some for gettyng it by
+bribes, and some by other meanes procuryng the same, lost
+(by the sufferance of the righteous gods) not onely their honour
+and goodes, but also they died miserably. When thou dydst reade
+in thy schole, and I that time an hearer of thy doctrine, many
+times I hearde thee say, that we ought to trauel to deserue
+honour, rather than procure the same, esteemynge it vnlawfull to
+get honour by meanes vnlawfull. He that is without credite,
+ought to assay to procure credite. Hee that is with out honour,
+ought to seeke honour. But the vertuous man hathe no neede of
+noblenesse, ne hee himselfe, ne yet any other person can berieue
+him of due honour. Thou knowest wel Plutarch, that the yere
+past, the office of Consul was gyuen to Torquatus, and the
+Dictatorship to Fabritius, who were so vertuous and so little
+ambitious as not desyrous to receyue such charges, absented
+themselues, although that in Rome, they might have ben in great
+estimation, by reason of those offices, and yet neuerthelesse
+without them they bee presently esteemed, loued and honoured:
+and therefore I conceiue greater delight in Quintius Lincinatus,
+in Scipio Affricanus, and good Marcus Portius, for contemning of
+theyr offices, than for the victories which they atchieued: for
+victories many times consist in fortune, and the not caryng for
+honorable charge in onely wisedome. Semblably, thou thy selfe
+art witnesse, that when myn vncle Cocceius Nerua was exiled to
+Capua, he was more visited, and better serued, than when he was
+at Rome: whereby may bee inferred, that a vertuous man may bee
+exyled or banished, but honour he shall neuer want. The Emperour
+Domitian (if you do remember) at the departure of Nerua, made me
+many offers, and thee many fayre promises to entertain thee in
+his house, and to send mee into Almayne, which thou couldest not
+abyde, and much lesse consent, deeming it to be greater honour
+with Nerua to be exiled, than of Domitian to be fauored.
+I sweare by the Gods immortall, that when the good olde man
+Nerua sent me the ensigne of the Empyre, I was vtterly ignorant
+thereof, and voyd of hope to atteyne the same: for I was
+aduertised from the Senate, that Fuluius sued for it, and that
+Pamphilius went about to buy it. I knew also that the Consul
+Dolobella attempted to enioy it: then sith the gods did permit,
+that I should be Emperour, and that myne vncle Nerua did
+commaund the same, the Senate approued it, and the common wealth
+would haue it to be so: and sith it was the generall consent of
+all men, and specially your aduyse, I haue greate hope that the
+Gods will be fauorable vnto me, and Fortune no ennimie at all:
+assuring you, that like ioy whych you do saye you had by
+teachyng me, and seing me now to be Emperour, the lyke I haue to
+thynke that I was your Scholler: and sith that you wyll not call
+mee from henceforth any other but Soueraygne Lord, I wyll terme
+you by none other name, than Louyng father. And albeit that I
+haue ben visited and counselled by many men since my commyng to
+the Empyre, and by thee aboue the rest, whom before all other I
+wyll beleue, consideryng that the intent of those which counsell
+me, is to draw my mynd to theyrs, your letters purportyng
+nothyng else but mine aduauntage. I doe remember amongs other
+woordes, which once you spake to Maxentius the Secretary of
+Domitian, this saying: that they which doe presume to gyue
+counsell vnto Prynces, oughte to bee free from all passions and
+affections: for in counsell, where the wyll is moste enclined,
+the mynde is more prompte and ready: that a Prince in all thyngs
+doe his wyll I prayse not: that he take aduise and counsell of
+euery man I lesse allowe. That which he ought to doe (as me
+thinke) is to doe by counsel, forseeing for al that to what
+counsel he applieth his mynd: for counsel ought not to be taken
+of hym whom I doe well loue, but of hym of whom I am well
+beloued. All this I have wrytten (my mayster Plutarch) to
+aduertise you that from henceforthe I desire nothyng else at
+your handes, but to be holpen wyth your aduise in myne affayres,
+and that you tell me of my committed faults: for if Rome do
+thinke me to be a defender of their common wealth I make
+accompte of you to bee an ouerseer of my life: and therefore if
+you thinke that I am not thankfull ynough for the good aduyse,
+and holsom warenings that you gyue me: I am to intreate you
+(myne owne good mayster) not to take it in ill part, for in such
+cases, the griefe that I conceiue, is not for the good lessons
+you gyue me, but for the shame that I fayle in followyng them.
+The bryngyng of me vp in thy house, the hearyng of thy lectures,
+the folowyng of thy doctryne, and liuing vnder thy disciplyne,
+haue ben truly the pryncipal causes that I am commen to this
+Empyre. This mutch I say (mayster) for that it were an vnnatural
+parte in thee not to assist me to beare that thing, which thou
+haste holpen me to gayne and winne: and although that Vespasian
+was of nature a very good man, yet his greatest profite
+redounded to him by entertayning of the Philosopher Appolonius.
+For truelye it is a greater felicity for a Prince to chaunce
+vpon a good and faythfull man, to be neare about him, than to
+atchieue a large realme and kingdome. Thou sayest (Plutarch)
+that thou shalt receiue great contentation, from henceforth, if
+I be such a one now as I was before, or at lestwise if I be no
+worse. I belieue that which thou doest say, bicause the Emperour
+Nero, was the first fiue yeares of hys empyre good, and the
+other nine yeares exceedyng euill, in sutch wyse as he grew to
+be greater in wickednesse, than in dygnity. Notwithstanding, if
+thou thinke that as it chaunced vnto Nero, so may happen vnto
+Traiane, I besech the immortall Gods rather to depriue me of
+life, than to suffer me to raigne in Rome: for tyrantes bee
+they, whych procure dygnytyes and promotyons, to vse them for
+delighte and filthye luste: and good Rulers bee they which seeke
+them for profite of Common wealthe: and therfore to them whych
+before they came to those degrees were good, and afterwardes
+waxed Wycked, greater pity than enuye ought to be attributed,
+consideryng specyally, that Fortune did not aduaunce them to
+honour, but to shame and villany: beleue me then (good maister)
+that sith hitherto I haue ben reputed vertuous, I wyl assay by
+God’s assistance to aspire to be better, rather than to be
+worsse. And so the Gods preserue thee.
+
+  _The Letter of the Emperour Traiane to the Senate of Rome, wherein
+  is conteined, that honour ought rather to be deserued than
+  procured._
+
+Cocceius Traiane Emperour of the Romanes, euer Augustus, to our
+sacred Senate health and consolation in the gods of comfort. We
+beinge aduertised here at Agrippina of the Deathe of the
+Emperour Nerua, your soueraigne Lord and my predecessour, and
+knowing it to be true, that you haue wept and bewailed the losse
+of a Prince so noble and ryghteous, we likewise haue felt like
+sorow, for the death of so notable a father. When children lose
+a good father, and subiects a good Prynce, eyther they muste dye
+wyth them, or else by teares they must rayse them vp again, for
+so much as a good Prince in a common wealth is so rare, as the
+Phœnix in Arabia. My lord Nerua broughte me out of Spayne to
+Rome, nourished me vp in youth, caused mee to bee trained in
+letters and adopted me for his sonne in mine olde age: which
+graces and benefits truly I can not forget, knowyng that the
+ingrate man prouoketh the Gods to anger, and men to hatred. The
+death of a vertuous man is to be lamented of all men, but the
+death of a good Prince, ought to be extremely mourned: for if a
+common person die, there is but one dead, but if a god Prynce
+die, together with him dieth a whole Realme. I speake this (O ye
+Fathers) for the rare vertues abounding in myne vncle Nerua: for
+if the gods were disposed to sell vs the liues of good Prynces
+already departed, it were but a small ransome to redeeme them
+with teares: for what gold or syluer may be sufficient to buie
+the lyfe of a vertuous man. Truely there woulde be a greate
+masse of money gyuen by the Greekes for Alexander, by the
+Lacedemonians for Lycurgus, by the Romanes for Augustus, and by
+the Carthaginians for Annibal. But as you knewe the gods hauing
+made all thynges mortall, so haue they reserued onely themselues
+to bee immortall. How eminent and passing the vertue of the good
+is, and what priuiledge the godly haue, it may easily bee
+knowne: for so mutch, as honour is carried euen to the very
+graues of the dead, but so it is not to the greate Palaces of
+the wycked. The good and vertuous man, without sighte or
+knowledge we loue, serue, and aunswer for him: wherein the
+wycked we cannot beleue what he sayeth, and lesse accepte in
+good part the thyng whych he doeth for vs. Touchynge the
+electyon of the Empyre, it was done by Nerua, it was demaunded
+by the people, approued by you, and accepted by me. Wherefore I
+prayt the immortall Goddes that it may bee lyked of theyr
+godheades: for to small purpose auayleth the election of
+Prynces, if the gods doe not confyrme it: and therefore a man
+maye knowe hym whych is chosen by the Gods, from him that is
+elected by men, for the one shal declyne and fal, the other
+shalbe vpholden and preserued: the choyse of man so vaynely
+exalted doth bowe and abase, but that which is planted by the
+gods, although it bee tossed to and fro wyth seuerall Wynds, and
+receiueth greate aduersitye, and boweth a lyttle, yet the same
+shall neuer fal. Ye know right wel (most honorable Fathers) that
+I neuer demaunded the Empyre of Nerua my Soueraigne Lorde,
+although he broughte me vp and was his Nephew, hauing heard and
+wel remembring of my Mayster Plutarch, that honour ought rather
+to bee deserued than procured. Notwithstanding I wyll not deny
+but ioyfull I was when my Lord Nerua sent me the ensigne of that
+greate and hygh dignity: and yet I wyll confesse that hauing
+begon to tast the trauailes and cares which that imperiall state
+bringeth, I did repent more then a Thousand times for taking
+vppon mee a charge so great: for Empire and gouernement is of
+sutch quality that although the honor be mighty, yet the
+gouernour sustaineth manifold paines and miserable trauailes.
+O how greatly doth he bind himself, which by gouernment bindeth
+other! for if hee bee iuste they call hym cruell, if hee bee
+Pitifull, he is contempned, if liberall, he is esteemed
+Prodigall, if he keepe or gather together he is counted
+couetous, if hee be peaceable and quiet, they deeme him for a
+coward, if he be couragious, he is reputed a quareller, if
+graue, they will say he is proude, if he be easie to be spoken
+to, hee is thought to be light or simple, if solitary, they will
+esteeme him to be an hypocrite, and if he be ioyfull, they will
+terme hym dissolute: In sutch wise as they wil be contented, and
+vse better termes to al others what so euer, than towardes him,
+which gouerneth a common wealth: for to sutch a one they recken
+the morsels which he eateth, they measure his pases, they note
+his words, they take heede to his companies, and iudge of his
+works (many times wrongfully,) they examine and murmure of his
+pastimes, and attempt to Coniecture hys Thoughtes: consider then
+the trauayles which bee in gouernement, and the enuy which many
+times they beare vnto him that ruleth. We may say, that there is
+no state more sure than that which is furthest of from Enuy. And
+if a man cannot but wyth great payne gouerne the wyfe which hee
+hath chosen, the children which he hath begotten, nor the
+seruaunt which he hath brought vp, hauing them altogether in one
+house: how is it possible that he can still conserue in peace a
+whole commonwealth? I praye you tell mee, in whom shall a poore
+Prince repose his trust, syth that many times hee is most
+slaundered by theym whom he fauoureth best? Prynces and great
+Lordes cannot eate without a Garde, cannot sleepe without a
+watch, cannot speake without espiall, nor walke without some
+saufety, in sutch wise as they being Lords of al, they be as it
+were, Prisoners of their owne people. And if we wil beholde
+somewhat neerely, and consider the seruitude of Princes, and the
+liberty of Subiectes, we shall finde that he which hath most to
+doe in the Realme, or beareth greatest swinge, is most subiect
+to Thraldome. So that if Princes haue authority to geue liberty,
+they haue no meanes to be free themselues: the gods haue created
+vs so fre, and euery man desireth to haue hys liberty so mutch
+at wyll, that a man be he neuer so familiar a freende, or so
+neare of kin, we rather haue him to be our subiect, than our
+Lorde and mayster: one man alone commandeth all, and yet it
+seemeth to him but little: ought we then to marueile, if many be
+weary to obey one? Wee loue and esteeme our selues so mutch, as
+I neuer saw any which of his owne good wil would be subiect, ne
+yet agaynst his will was made a Lord, a Principle by dayly
+experience proued very true: for the quarrels and warres that be
+amongs men, are not so mutch for obedience sake, as for rule and
+commaundment. I say moreouer, that in drinking, eating,
+clothing, speaking, and louing, al men be of diuers qualities:
+but to get lyberty, they be all conformable. I haue spoken thus
+mutch (O Fathers conscript) vpon occasion of mine owne Empire,
+which I haue taken with good will, albeit afterwards I was sory
+for the great charge. For the waltering Seas and troublesome
+gournement be two things agreeable to beholde, and daungerous to
+proue. Notwithstanding sith it hath pleased the Gods that I
+should be youre Lord, and you my subiects, I beseech you hartely
+to vse your obedience, as to your soueraygne lord, in that which
+shall be right and iust, and to aduertise me like a father, in
+things that shall seeme vnreasonable. The Consul Rutulus hath
+sayed mutch vnto mee in your behalfe, and hath saluted me for
+the people, hee himselfe shall bring aunswere and shal salute
+you al in my name. The Allobrogians and the inhabitaunts about
+the riuer Rhene, be at controuersie for the limittes of their
+countrey, and haue prayed me to be their Arbitrator, which will
+stay me a little there. I require that this letter may be red
+within the Senate house, and manifested to the whole people. The
+Gods preserue you.
+
+  _An other Letter of the Emperour Traian to the Romayne Senate,
+  contayning how gouerners of Common wealths ought to bee friendes
+  rather to those whych vse traficke, than to them that gather and
+  heape together._
+
+Cocceius Traiane Emperour of the Romaynes to our holy senate
+health and consolation in the Gods of comfort. The affayres be
+so manyfolde, and businesse so graue and weighty, which we haue
+to doe with diuers Countries, that scarce we haue tyme to eate,
+and space to take anye rest, the Romane Prynces hauing still by
+auncient custome both lacke of tyme, and commonly want of money.
+And bicause that they which haue charge of common wealths, to
+the vttermost of their power ought to be fryends to traficke of
+marchandise, and enimyes of heapynge treasure together, Prynces
+haue so many people to please, and so greate numbre of crauers,
+that if they keepe any thing for them, the same shall rather
+seeme a spice of theft than of prouidence. To take away an other
+man’s goodes, truly is a wycked part: but if it bee permitted to
+take Treasure, better it were to take it out of the Temples,
+than to defraude the people: for the one is consecrated to the
+immortall Gods, and the other to the pore commons. I speake this
+(right honorable fathers) to put you in remembraunce, and also
+to aduise you, that you take good heede to the goodes of the
+common wealth, howe they bee dyspended, howe gathered together,
+howe they bee kepte, and howe they be employed. For ye ought to
+vnderstand, that the goodes of the Common wealth be committed to
+you in trust, not to the ende yee shoulde enioy them, but rather
+by good gouernement to vse them. We do heare that the Walles be
+ready to fal, the Towers be in decay, and the Temples in great
+ruine, wherof we be not a lyttle offended, and you ought also to
+be ashamed, for so mutch as the damages and detryments of the
+Common wealth, we ought eyther to remedy, or else to lament. Ye
+haue wrytten vnto mee to know my pleasure, whether the censors,
+pretors, and ediles should be yearely chosen, and not
+perpetuall, as hitherto they haue bene: and specyally you say,
+that the state of the Dictators (which is the greatest and
+highest dignity in Rome) is onely but for sixe moneths. To that
+I aunswer, that we are wel contented wyth that aduyse: for not
+wythout cause and iust reason our predecessours dyd abolyshe the
+fyrst kynges of Rome, and ordayned, that the Consuls should
+yearely be chosen in the Common wealthe. Whych was done, in
+consyderation that hee whych had perpetuall gouernement, many
+tymes became insolente and proude. And therefore that the
+charges and offices of the Senate, should be yearely, to auoyde
+danger, which if they should be perpetual there myght ensue
+great hurt and damage to the common wealth: for if the Officers
+beyng yerely chosen, be good, they may be continued: and if they
+bee euyll, they may be chaunged. And truely the officer, whych
+knoweth that vpon the end of euery yeare he must be chaunged and
+examined of his charge, he wyll take good heede to that whych he
+speaketh, and first of all wil consider what he taketh in hand.
+The good Marcus Portius was the first that caused the Officers
+of the Romane Common Wealthe to bee thus visited and corrected.
+And bycause that these Almayne Warres doe styll increase, by
+reason that kyng Deceball wyll not as yet bee brought to
+obedience of the Romanes, but rather goeth about to occupy and
+winne the Kingdomes of Dacia and Polonia, I shall be forced
+through the businesse of the wars, (so long continuing) to
+deuyse and consult here vppon the affayres touchyng the
+gouernement of the common wealth of Rome. For a lesse euyll it
+is for a Prynce to be neglygent in matters of Warre, than in the
+gouernement of the Common Wealth. A Prynce also ought to think,
+that he is chosen, not to make wars, but to gouerne, not to kyll
+the Enimies, but to roote out vices, not that he goe in person
+to inuade or defend his foes, but that he reside and be in the
+Common Wealth, and not to take away other men’s goodes, but to
+do iustice in euery man, for so mutch as the Prynce in the
+warres can fight but for one, and in the publyke wealth he
+committeth faults against a numbre. Truly it liketh me wel, that
+from the degree of captaines men be aduaunced to bee emperors,
+but I think it not good, that emperours do descende to be
+captains, considering that, that realm shal neuer be in quyet,
+where the Prince is to gret a warrior. This haue I spoken
+(fathers conscript) to the intent ye may beleue, that I for my
+parte if these warres of Almayne were to begin, I being at Rome,
+it wer impossible that I should be brought vnto the same, for
+that my principal intent, is to be estemed rather a good
+gouerner of a common wealth, than a forward captain in the
+field: nowe then principally I commend vnto you the veneration
+of the temples, and honor of the gods, bicause kings neuer liue
+in surety, if the gods be not honored, and the temples serued.
+The last words which my good lord Nerua wrot vnto me were these:
+“Honour the Temples, feare the gods, maintein Iustice in thy
+commonwealth and defend the pore: in so doing thou shalt not be
+forgotten of thy friend, nor vanquished by thy foe.” I do
+greatly recommend vnto you the vertues of amity and fraternity,
+for that you know how in great common wealthes, more hurt and
+damage do ciuile and neighborly wars bryng vnto the same, than
+those attempted by the enimies. If parents against parents, and
+neighbours against neighbours had not begon mutuall hatred and
+contention, neuer had Demetrius ouerthrowen the Rhodes, neuer
+had Alexander conquered Thyr, Marcellus Syracusa, Scipio
+Numantia. I recommend vnto you also the poore people, loue the
+orphanes and fatherlesse children, support and help the widowes,
+beware of quarrels and debates amongs you, and the causes of the
+helplesse se that ye maintaine and defende: bicause the Gods dyd
+neuer wreake more cruell vengeance vpon any, than vpon those
+which dyd ill intreate and vse the poore and neady: and many
+times I haue heard my Lord Nerua say, that the gods neuer shewed
+themselues so rygorous, as agaynst a mercilesse and vnpitifull
+people. Semblably, we pray you to be modest of woords, pacient
+to suffer, and ware in your forme of lyfe. For a great fault it
+is, and no lesse shame to a Gouerner, that he prayse the people
+of his common wealth, and gyue them occasion to speake euill of
+him: and therefore they which haue charge of the common wealth,
+ought rather to repose trust in their workes, than in theyr
+woords, for so mutch as the Citizens or common people, do rather
+fixe theyr iudgement vpon that which they see, than on that
+which they heare. I would wysh that (touching the affayres
+appertinent to the Senate) they might not know in you any sparke
+of ambicion, malice, deceipte, or enuy, to the intent that the
+iust men might not so mutch complain of the commaunding of the
+common wealth, as vpon the entertainment and profite of the
+same. The Empire of the Greeks putting theyr felicity in
+eloquence, and we in well doing. I speake this (ryght honorable
+Fathers) to Counsell and Exhorte ye, that when ye be assembled
+in Senate, ye do not consume tyme in dysputing and holding
+opinions for the verification of any thynge. For if you will
+iudge wythout parciality and affection without great
+disputation, ye may come to reason. I do remember that being at
+a lesson of Appolonius Thianeus, I heard him say that it was not
+so expedient that Senators and Emperors should be skilful and
+wyse, as if they suffred themselues to bee gouerned by those
+that were of great experience and knowledg: and verely he said
+truth: for by that meanes he prohibited and forbad them, not to
+arrest and stand vpon their owne opinion, whereof they ought to
+be many times suspicious. Lykewyse we recommend vnto you the
+censores, who haue charge of Iudgement, and the Tribunes, whose
+office is to attende the affrayes of Common Wealthe, that they
+bee wyse and learned in the Lawes, expert in the Customes,
+prouident in Iudgementes, and ware in theyr trade of lyfe: for I
+say vnto you, that a wyse man is more availeable in gouernement
+of a common wealth, than a man of ouermutch skyll and
+experyence. The forme then whych ye shal obserue in matters of
+Iudgement shall be thus: that in ciuile processe you keepe the
+law, and in criminall causes to moderate the same, bicause
+haynous, cruell, and rigorous lawes be rather made to amaze and
+feare, than to be obserued and kept. When you giue any sentence,
+ye ought to consider the age of the offendaunt, when, how,
+wherefore, with whome, in whose presence, in what time, and how
+longe ago, forsomutch as euery of these thyngs may eyther excuse
+or condempne: whych you ought to beare and vse towards them in
+lyke sort as the gods towards vs, who giue vs better helpe and
+succoure and correct vs lesse than we deserue. That
+consideration the Iudges ought to haue, bycause the offenders
+doe rather trespasse the Gods than men: if then they be forgiuen
+of the gods for offences whych they commit, reason it is that we
+pardon faultes don by those rather then by our selues. In like
+maner we commaund you, that if your enimies do you any anoiance
+or iniury, not incontinently to take reuenge, but rather to
+dissemble the same, bicause many wrongs be don in the world,
+which were better to be dissembled than reuenged. Wherin ye shal
+haue like regard, touching offices in the Senate and Common
+Wealth, that they be not giuen to ambicious or couetous persons:
+for there is no Beaste in the World so pestiferous and Venomous,
+to the Common Wealth, as the Ambicious in commaunding, and the
+couetous in gathering togither. Other things we let passe for
+this tyme, vntil we haue intelligence howe these our
+commaundements be fulfilled. This Letter shal be red in the
+chyefest place within the Senate, and afterwards pronounced to
+the people, that they may both know what yee commaunde, and see
+also what ye doe. The Gods keepe you, whome we pray to preserue
+our mother the City of Rome, and to send vs good successe in
+these our Warres.
+
+
+  _A notable Letter sent from the Romane Senate to the Emperour
+  Traiane, where in is declared how sometimes the region of Spayne did
+  furnish Rome wyth golde from their Mines, and now do adorne and
+  garnish the same with Emperours to gouerne their Common wealth._
+
+The sacred Romane Senate, to thee the great Cocceius Traiane new
+Emperour Augustus, health in thy gods and ours, graces
+euerlastyng wee render to the immortall Gods, for that thou art
+in health, which wee desyre and pray may be perpetual. We
+signified vnto thy maiesty the death of Nerua Cocceius, our
+soueraigne Lord, and thy predecessor, a man of sincere lyfe,
+a fryend of his Common Wealth, and a zealous louer of Iustice,
+wherein also we aduertised, that like as Rome did weepe for the
+cruell lyfe of Domitian, so mutch the more bitterly doth she
+bewayle the death of thine vncle Nerua, whose councel (although
+hee was very olde and diseased) which he gaue vs lyinge on his
+Bedde, we loued better, and imbraced with greater comforte, than
+all the enterpryses and deedes don by his predecessors, when
+they were in health and lusty: and besides the ordinary mourning
+vsed to bee done in Rome for Prynces, wee haue caused all
+recreation and pastime to cease, so wel in the common wealth as
+with euery of vs particularly. We haue shut vp the Temples and
+made the Senate vnderstand, how displeasantly we accept the
+death of good men. The good old gentleman Nerua dyed in hys
+house, and was buried in the fielde of Mars: he died in debte,
+and we haue payd hys debtes: he dyed callyng vppon the Gods, and
+we haue canonized him amongs theyr numbre, and that which is
+most to be noted, hee died commending vnto vs the common wealth,
+and the Common wealth recommending it self vnto him: and a
+little before his latter gaspe, to the principall of the holy
+Senate, and many other of the people, standing about his
+bedside, he sayde: “O ye fathers, I committe vnto you the common
+wealth and my selfe also vnto the Gods: vnto whom I render
+infinite thankes, bicause they haue taken from me my children,
+to bee mine heires and haue lefte mee Traiane to succede.” You
+do remembre (most dread soueraign lord) that the good Empereour
+Nerua had other successours than your maiesty, of nearer
+alyance, of greater frendship more bound by seruice, and of
+greater proofe in warfare: notwithstandyng amongs other noble
+personages, vpon you alone he cast his eyes, reposinge in you
+such opinyon and confidence, as to reuiue the prowes and
+valyaunt facts of the good Emperor Augustus, he suppressed in
+oblivion the insolent facts of Domitian. When Nerua came vnto
+the Crowne, he found the treasure pilled, the Senate in
+dissentyon, the people in commotion, Iustice not obserued, and
+the Common wealth ouerthrowen: which you likewyse presentlye
+shall finde, although otherwyse quiet and wholy reformed:
+wherfore we shalbe right glad, that you conserue the Common
+wealth in the state wherin your vncle Nerua left it, consideryng
+specially that new Prynces vnder colour to introduce new
+customs, do ouerthrow their common Wealths: fourtene Prynces
+your predecessours in the Empyre were naturally borne in Rome,
+and you are the firste straunger Prynce. Wherefore we pray the
+immortall Gods, (sith that the stocke of our auncient Cæsars is
+dead) to send thee good Fortune. Out of the countrey of Spaine
+was wont to come to this our Romane city great abundance of
+gold, siluer, steele, leade, and tinne, from theyr mines: but
+now in place thereof, she giueth vs Emperours to gouern our
+common wealths: sith then that thou commest of so good a
+countrey as Spayne is, from so good a Prouince as is Vandolosia,
+and from so excellent a citty as Cales is, of so noble and
+fortunate a Linage as is Cocceius, and aduaunced to so noble an
+Empire, it is to be supposed that thou wilt proue good and not
+euil: for the Gods immortall many times do take away their
+graces from vngratefull men: moreouer (most excellent prince)
+sith you wrote vnto vs the maner and order what we ought to doe:
+reason it is that we write to you agayne what you ought to
+foresee: and sith you haue tolde vs, and taught vs to obey you,
+meete it is that we may know what your pleasure is to commaunde:
+for that (it may come to passe) that as you haue bene brought vp
+in Spayne, and of longe time bene absent from Rome, through
+followinge the Warres, that not knowing the lawes whereunto we
+are sworn, and the customes which we haue in Rome, yee commaunde
+some thinge that may redound to our damage, and to your
+dishonor: and therefore we accoumpt it reason that your Maiesty
+bee aduertised hereof, and the same preuented, for so much as
+Princes oftentimes be negligent of many things, not for that
+they wil not foresee the same, but rather for want of one that
+dare tell them what they ought to doe: and therefore we humbly
+beseech your most excellent maiesty, to extende and shewe forth
+your wisedome and prudence, for that the Romanes hearts bene
+drawen and made pliant rather by fauourable diligence, than by
+prouoked force. Touchinge the vertue, Iustice, may it please you
+to remembre the same: for your olde vncle Nerua was wont to say,
+that a Prince for all his magnanimity, valiaunce, and felicity,
+if he do not vse and maintayne Iustice, ought not for any other
+merite to be praysed and commended. Semblably we make our humble
+Petition, that those commaundements which you shal send and
+require to be put in execution, be thoroughly established and
+obserued: for the goodnesse of the lawe doth not consist in the
+ordinaunce, but in the fulfilling and acomplishement of the
+same: wee will not also omit to say vnto you (most famous
+Prince) that you must haue pacience to suffer the importunate,
+and to dissemble with the offenders: for that it is the deede of
+a Prince to chastise and punishe the wrongs done in a common
+wealth, and to pardon the disobedience done vnto him. You send
+vs word by your letters that you wil not come to Rome, vntyll
+you haue finished the Germaine Warres: whych seemeth vnto vs to
+be the determination of a vertuous and right noble Emperour, for
+so mutch as good Princes such as you be, oughte not to desire
+and chose places of delite and recreation, but rather to seke
+and win renowne and fame. You commaunde vs also to haue regarde
+to the veneration of the Temples, and to the seruice of the
+Gods: whych request is iuste, but very iuste it were and meete
+that your selfe should doe the same: for our seruice would
+little preuaile, if you should displease them. You wil vs also
+one to loue an other, whych is the counsel of a holy and
+peaceable Prince: but know ye that wee shal not be able to doe
+the same, if you wil not loue and intreat vs all in equall and
+indifferent sorte: for Prynces chearyshinge and louing some
+aboue the rest, do raise slanders and grudges amongs the people:
+you likewise recommend vnto vs, the poore and the widowes:
+wherin we thinke that you ought to commaund the Collecters of
+your Tributes, that they do not grieue, when they gather your
+ryghtes and customes: for greater sinne it is to spoyle and pill
+the needy sort, than meritorious to succour and relieue them.
+Likewise you do persuade vs to be quiet and circumspect in our
+affayres, which is a persuasion resembling the nature of a
+worthye Prynce and also of a pitifull father. In semblable maner
+you require vs not to be opinionatiue and wilfull in the Senate,
+ne affectionate to self wil whych shal be done accordingly as
+you commaund, and accept it as you say: but therwithall you
+ought to think that in graue and wayghty matters, the more
+depely things be debated, the better they shall be prouided and
+decreed: you bid vs also to beware, the Censores be honest of
+lyfe and rightful in doing iustice: to that we aunswere, that in
+the same we will haue good respect, but it is expedient that you
+take hede to them whom you shal name and appoint to those
+offices: for if you do chose such as they ought to be, no cause
+shal rise to reprehend them. Item wher you say, that we ought to
+take hede, that our children committe no offences to the people,
+wherein the aduise of the senate is, that you do draw them awaye
+from vs, and cal them to the Almayne warres, for as you do knowe
+(right souerain prince) that when the publike welth is exempt,
+and voyd of enimies, then the same wil begin to bee replenyshed
+wyth youthfull vices. Notwithstanding when the warres bee farre
+of from Rome, then the same to them is profitable, bicause there
+is nothing which better cleanseth common wealths from wicked
+people, than warres in straunge Countries. Concernyng other
+things which you write vnto vs nedefull it is not now to recite
+them, but onely to see them kept: for truely they seeme rather
+to be the lawes of God Apollo him selfe, than counsels of a
+Mortall man. The gods preserue your Maiesty, and graunt you good
+successe in those your warres.
+
+These Letters and Epistles, although besides the Scope and
+Nature of a Nouell, yet so worthy to be read and practysed, as
+no History or other mortall Precepte more: expressing the great
+care of a maister towards his scholler, that he should proue no
+worse being an emperor, than he shewed hymselfe diligent when he
+was a Scholer: fearing that if he should gouerne contrary to his
+expectation, or degenerate from the good institution, whych in
+hys yong yeares hee imbraced, that the blame and slaunder should
+rest in hymselfe: that was his tutor and bringer vp. O careful
+Plutarch, O most happy maister, as well for thine owne industry,
+as for the good successe of such a Scholer: and O most fortunate
+and vertuous Emperor, that could so wel brooke and digest the
+blissed persuasions of sutch a maister, whose mind wyth the
+blast of promotion, was not so swolne and puffed, but that it
+vouchsafed to cal him father and maister, stil crauing for in
+instigation of reproofe, when he slid or slypped from the path
+of reason and duety. And happy Counsel and Senate that could so
+wel like and practyse the documents of such an Emperour.
+
+
+
+
+THE THIRTEENTH NOUELL.
+
+  _A notable History of three amorous Gentlewomen, called Lamia,
+  Flora, and Lais: conteyning the sutes of noble Princes and other
+  great Personages made vnto them, with their answeres to diuers
+  demaundes: and the manner of their death and funerals._
+
+
+Leauynge now our morall discourse of a carefull Mayster, of a
+prouydent Scholer, of a vertuous Emperoure, of a sacred Senate,
+and vniforme magistery, returne we to the setting forth and
+description of three arrant honest Women, which for lewdnesse
+wer famous, and for wicked Lyfe worthy to be noted with a blacke
+coale, or rather their memory raked in the Dust and Cinders of
+their Corpses vnpure. But as all histories be ful of lessons of
+vertue and vice, as Bookes, sacred and prophane, describe the
+liues of good and bad for example sake, to yelde meanes to the
+posterity, to ensue the one and eschue the other, so haue I
+thought to intermingle amongest these Nouels the seuerall sortes
+of either, that ech Sexe and Kinde may pike out like the Bee, of
+ech Floure, Honny, to store and furnishe with delightes their
+well disposed myndes. I purpose, then, to vnlace the dissolute
+lyues of three Amorouse Dames, that with their graces allured
+the greatest Princes that euer were: enticed the noble men, and
+sometimes procured the wisest and best learned to craue their
+acquaintance, as by the sequele hereof shall well appeare. These
+three famous Women, (as Writers do witnesse) were furnished with
+many goodly graces and giftes of nature: that is to say, great
+beautye of face, goodly proporcion of body, large and high
+foreheades, theyr breastes placed in comely order, smal wasted,
+fayre handes of passing cunning to play vpon Instruments,
+a heauenly voice to fayne and sing: briefly, their qualities and
+beauty were more famous than euer any that were born within the
+Countries of Asia and Europa. They were neuer beloued of Prince
+that did forsake them, nor yet they made request of any thing
+which was denied them: they neuer mocked or flowted man (a thing
+rare in women of theyr condition) ne yet were mocked of any: but
+theyr specyal propreties wer to allure men to loue them: Lamia
+wyth hir pleasaunt loke and eye, Flora with hir eloquent tongue,
+and Lais wyth the grace and sweetenesse of hir singing voyce:
+a straunge thinge that he which once was surprysed wyth the loue
+of any of those three, eyther to late or neuer was delyuered of
+the same. They were the richest courtizans that euer lyued in
+the worlde, so long as theyr life did last, and after theyr
+decease, great monumentes were erected for theyr remembraunce,
+in place where they died. The most auncient of these three
+Amorous dames was Lamia, who was in the tyme of King Antigonus,
+that warfared in the seruice of Alexander the Great, a valyant
+gentleman, although not fauored by Fortune. Thys kynge Antigonus
+left behynde hym a sonne and heyre called Demetrius, who was
+lesse valyaunt, but more fortunate than his father, and had bene
+a Prynce of greate estimation, if in hys youthe hee had acquyred
+frendes, and kept the same, and in hys age had not ben gyuen to
+so many vices. Thys King Demetrius was in loue with Lamia, and
+presented hir wyth rich giftes and rewardes, and loued hir so
+affectionately, and in sutch sort, as in the loue of his Lamia
+he semed rather a fole than a true louer: for, forgetting the
+grauity and authoritye of his person, hee dyd not onelye gyue
+hir all such things as she demaunded, but besides that hee vsed
+no more the company of his wyfe Euxonia. On a tyme Kyng
+Demetrius asking Lamia what was the thing wherewyth a woman was
+sonest wonne? “There is nothing,” answered shee, “whych sooner
+ouercommeth a Woman, than when she seeth a man to loue hir with
+al hys hart, and to susteyne for hir sake greate paynes and
+passyons wyth long continuance and entier affection, for to love
+men by collusion, causeth afterwards that they be mocked.”
+Agayn, Demetrius asked hir further: “Tell me, Lamia, why doe
+diuerse Women rather hate than loue men?” Whereunto she
+answered: “The greatest cause why a Woman doth hate a man, is,
+when the man doth vaunt and boast himselfe of that which he doth
+not, and performeth not the thing which he promiseth.” Demetrius
+demaunded of her: “Tell me, Lamia, what is the thing wherewith
+men doe content you best?”--“When wee see him,” sayde she, “to
+be dyscrete in wordes, and secrete in his dedes.” Demetrius
+asked hir further: “Tell me, Lamia, how chaunceth it that men be
+ill matched?” “Bycause,” answered Lamia, “it is impossible that
+they be well maryed, when the wife is in neede, and the husbande
+vndiscrete.” Demetrius asked hir what was the cause that amitye
+betwene lwo louers was broken? “There is nothing,” answered she,
+“that soner maketh colde the loue betwene two louers, than when
+one of them doth straye in loue, and the Woman louer to
+importunate to craue.” He demaunded further: “Tell me, Lamia,
+what is the thinge that moste tormenteth the louing man?” “Not
+to attayne the thing which he desireth,” answered she, “and
+thinketh to lose the thing whych he hopeth to enioy.” Demetrius
+yet once agayne asked hir thys question: “What is that, Lamia,
+which most troubleth a Woman’s hart?” “There is nothing,”
+answered Lamia, “wherwith a woman is more grieued, and maketh
+hir more sad, than to be called ill fauored, or that she hath no
+good grace, or to vnderstand that she is dissolute of lyfe.”
+This lady Lamia was of iudgement delicate and subtyll, although
+il imployed in hir, and thereby made al the world in loue with
+hir, and drew al men to hir through hir fayre speach. Now,
+before she lost the heart of Kyng Demetrius, shee haunted of
+long time the vniuersities of Athenes, where she gayned great
+store of money, and brought to destructyon many young men.
+Plutarch, in the lyfe of Demetrius, saith, That the Atheniens
+hauing presented vnto him XII. C. talents of money for a
+subsidie to pay his men of warre, he gaue al that summe to his
+woman Lamia: by meanes whereof the Atheniens grudged, and were
+offended wyth the kyng, not for the losse of their gift, but for
+that it was so euil employed. When the King Demetrius would
+assure any thynge by oth, hee swore not by his gods, ne yet by
+his predecessors, but in this sort: “As I may be styll in the
+grace of my lady Lamia, and as hir lyfe and mine may ende
+together, so true is this which I say and do, in this and thys
+sort.” One yere and two Moneths before the Death of King
+Demetrius, his frend Lamia died, who sorowed so mutch hir death,
+as for the absence and death of hir, he caused the Phylosophers
+of Athens to entre in this Disputation, Whether the teares and
+sorow whiche he shed and toke for her sake, were more to be
+estemed than the riches which he spent in her obsequies and
+funerall pompes. This Amorous gentlewoman Lamia, was borne in
+Argos, a City of Peloponnesus, besides Athenes, of base
+parentage, who in hir first yeares haunted the countrey of Asia
+Maior, of very wyld and dissolute lyfe, and in the ende came
+into Phænicia. And when the Kyng Demetrius had caused hir to be
+buried beefore hys chamber-window, hys chiefest frendes asked
+him, wherefore hee had entoomed hir in that place? his aunswere
+was this: “I loued hir so wel, and she likewyse me so hartyly,
+as I know not which way to satisfie the loue which she bare me,
+and the duety I haue to loue her agayne, if not to put hir in
+such place as myne eyes maye wepe euery day and mine hart still
+lament.” Truely this loue was straung, which so mighty a Monarch
+as Demetrius was, did beare vnto such a notable curtizan,
+a woman vtterly void of grace, barren of good workes, and
+without any zeale or spark of vertue, as it should appeare. But
+sith we read and know that none are more giuen or bent to
+vnreasonable loue, than mighty Princes, what should it bee demed
+straung and maruellous, if Demetrius amongs the rest do come in
+place for the loue of that most famous woman, if Fame may
+stretch to eyther sorts, both good and euill? But let vs come to
+the second infamous gentlewoman, called Lais. She was of the
+isle of Bithritos, which is in the confines of Græcia, and was
+the daughter of the great Sacrificer of Apollo his temple at
+Delphos, a man greatly experienced in the magike art, wherby he
+prophecyed the perdition of his daughter. Now this amorous Lias
+was in triumph in the time of the renowmed King Pyrrhus,
+a Prince very ambitious to acquire honor, but not very happy to
+keepe it, who being yonge of sixteene or seuenteene yeares, came
+into Italy to make warres against the Romains: he was the first
+(as some say) that aranged a camp in ordre, and made the
+Phalanx, the mayne square and battell: for before hys time, when
+they came to entre battell, they assailed confusedly and out of
+array gaue the onset. This amorous Lias continued long time in
+the campe of Kynge Pyrrhus, and went wyth hym into Italy, and
+wyth him retourned from warre agayne, and yet hir nature was
+sutch, as shee woulde neuer bee mainteined wyth one man alone.
+The same Lias was so amorous in her conuersatyon, so excellent
+fayre, and of so comely grace, that if shee would haue kept hir
+selfe faythfull to one Lorde or gentleman, there was no prynce
+in the world but if he would haue yelded himselfe and all that
+he had at hir commaundement. Lias, from hir retourne out of
+Italy into Greece, repayred to the citye of Corinth, to make hir
+abode there, where she was pursued by many kings, lordes, and
+prynces. Aulus Gellius saith (which I haue recited in my former
+part of the Pallace of pleasure, the fiftenth Noeuill,) that the
+good Philosopher, Demosthenes, went from Athens to Corinth, in
+disguised apparell, to see Lais, and to haue hir company, But
+before the dore was opened, she sent one to demaunde .XII. C.
+Sestercios of siluer: whereunto Demosthenes answered: “I buy not
+repentance so deere.” And I beleue that Demosthenes spake those
+wordes by folowyng the sentence of Diogenes, who sayeth, that
+euery beast after such acte is heauy and sad. Som wryters
+affirme of this Amorous Lais, that thing whych I neuer reade or
+hearde of Woman: whych is, that shee neuer shewed signe or token
+of loue to that man whych was desyrous to doe her seruice: nor
+was neuer hated of man that knew her. Whereby we may comprehend
+the happe and fortune of that amorous Woman. Shee neuer shewed
+semblance of great loue to any person, and yet shee was beloued
+of all. If the amorous Lamia had a good Spirite and mynde, Lais
+truely had no lesse. For in the art of loue she exceeded all
+other women of hir detestable Arte and Scyence, as well in
+Knowledge of Loue as to profite in the same. Vppon a Daye a
+Younge Man of Corinth demaundying of hir, what hee shoulde say
+to a Woman whome hee long tyme had loued, and made so greate
+sute, that thereby he was like to fal into dispayre. “Thou shalt
+say,” (sayd Lais) “vnto hir, that sith she wyl not graunt thy
+request, yet at least wyse it myght please hir to suffer thee to
+bee hir seruant, and that shee would take in good parte the
+Seruice that thou shalt doe vnto hir. Whych requeste if shee doe
+graunte, then hope to attayne the ende of thy attempte, bycause
+wee Women bee of such nature, as opening our mouthes to gyue
+some mylde and pleasant answere to the amorous person, it is to
+bee thoughte that wee haue gyuen our heart vnto hym.” An other
+Daye, in the presence of Lias, one praysed the Phylosophers of
+Athens, saying, that they were very honest personages, and of
+great learnynge. Whereunto Lais aunswered: “I can not tell what
+great knowledg they haue, nor what science they studye, ne yet
+what bookes youre Philosophers doe reade, but thys I am sure,
+that to me beynge a woman and neuer was at Athenes, I see them
+repayre, and of Philosophers beecome amorous persons.” A Theban
+knighte demaunded of Lais, what he might doe to enioy a ladye
+wyth whose loue hee should bee surprised: Shee aunswered thus.
+“A man that is desirous of a woman, must folow his sute, serue
+hir, and suffer hir and somtymes to seeme as though he had
+forgotten hir. For after that a womans heart is moued to loue,
+she regardeth more the forgetfulnesse and negligence vsed
+towards hir, than she doth the seruice done before.” An other
+Gentleman of Achaia asked hir what he shoulde doe to a woman,
+whom he suspected that she had falsified hir fayth{.} Lais
+aunswered, “make hir beleue that thou thinkest she is very
+faythful and take from hir the occasions wherby shee hath good
+cause to be vnfaythful: For if she do perceiue that thou knowest
+it, and dissemblest the matter, she wyll sooner dye than
+amende.” A gentleman of Palestine at another time inquired of
+hir what hee should doe to a Woman whych he serued, and did not
+esteeme the seruyce done vnto hir, ne yet gaue him thankes for
+the loue which hee bare hir. Lais sayed vnto him: “If thou be
+disposed to serue hir no longer, let hir not perceiue that thou
+hast gyuen hir ouer. For naturally we women be tendre in loue,
+and hard in hatred.” Beyng demaunded by one of hir Neyghbours
+what shee shoulde doe to make hir Daughter very wyse. “Shee”
+(sayde Lais) “that wyll haue hir Daughter to bee good and
+honest, must from her youth learne hir to feare, and in going
+abrode to haunte litle company, and that she be shamefast and
+moderate in hir talke.” An other of hir neighbors inquyryng of
+hir what shee myght doe to hir daughter whych began to haue
+delyght to rome in the fieldes and wander abroade. “The remedy”
+(sayde Lais) “that I finde for your daughter disposed to that
+condition, is, not to suffer hir to be ydle, ne yet to be braue
+and sumptuous in apparel.” This amorous gentlewoman Lais, dyed
+in the Citye of Corinth, of the age of .lXXII. Yeares, whose
+death was of many matrones desired and of a great numbre of
+amorous persones lamented. The thyrd amorous gentlewoman was
+called Flora, which was not so auncient, ne yet of so greate
+renoume as Lamia and Lais were, whose country also was not so
+famous, For she was of Italy, and the other two of Grecia, and
+although that Lamia and Lais exceded Flora in antiquity, yet
+Flora surmounted them in lineage and generositie. For Flora was
+of noble house, although in life lesse than chast. She was of
+the country of Nola in Campania, issued of certayne Romans,
+Knights very famous in facts of Armes and of great industrie and
+gouernement in the common wealth. When the Father and mother of
+this Flora deceased, she was of the age of XV. yeares, indued
+with great riches and singular beauty, and the very orphane of
+all hir kynne. For shee had neyther brother lefte wyth whom shee
+myght soiourne, ne yet vncle to gyue her good counsell. In such
+wyse that lyke as this young maistres Flora had youthe, riches,
+lyberty and beauty, euen so there wanted neyther baudes nor
+Pandores to entyce hir to fal, and allure hir to folly. Flora
+seeing hir self beset in this wise, she determined to goe into
+the Affrick warres, where she hazarded both in hir person and
+hir honor. This dame florished and tryumphed in the tyme of the
+firste Punique warres, when the Consul Mamillus was sent to
+Carthage, who dispended more Money vpon the loue of Flora, than
+hee did vpon the chase and pursute of his enimies. This amorous
+lady Flora had a writyng and tytle fixed vpon hir gate, the
+effect wherof was this: _King, Prince, Dictator, Consul, Censor,
+high Bishop, and Questor may knocke and come in._ In that
+writyng Flora named neither emperor nor Cæsar, bycause those two
+most Noble names were long tyme after created by the Romanes.
+Thys Amorous Flora woulde neuer abandon hir Person, but wyth
+Gentlemen of Noble House, or of greate Dygnitye and Ryches. For
+shee was wonte to say that a Woman of passinge Beauty shoulde be
+so mutch esteemed as shee doth esteeme and sette by hir selfe.
+Lias and Flora were of contrary maners and conditions. For Lias
+would first bee payde, before shee yelded the vse of hir bodye:
+but Flora wythout any semblance of desire eyther of golde or
+siluer was contented to bee ruled by those with whom shee
+committed the facte. Wherof vppon a day being demaunded the
+question, she answered: “I gyue my body to prynces and noble
+Barons, that they may deale with mee lyke Gentlemen. For I
+sweare vnto you by the Goddesse Venus, that neuer man gaue me so
+little, but that I had more than I looked for, and the double of
+that which I could demaund.” This Amorous lady Flora was wont
+many times to saye, that a wise woman (or more aptly to terme
+her a subtyll Wench) oughte not to demaund reward of her louer
+for the acceptable pleasure which she doth hym but rather for
+the loue whych she beareth him, bycause that al thinges in the
+world haue a certayn pryce, except loue, which cannot bee payde
+or recompenced but wyth loue. All the Ambassadors of the worlde,
+whych had accesse into Italy, made so greate reporte of the
+Beauty and Generositie of Flora, as they dyd of the Romane
+common wealth, bycause it seemed to bee a Monstrous thynge to
+see the Ryches of hir house, hir trayne, hir beauty the princes
+and great lordes by whom she was required, and the presents and
+giftes that were gyuen vnto hir. This Amorous Flora had a
+continual regard to the noble house whereof shee came touchyng
+the magnyficence and state of her seruyce. For albeit that she
+was but a common woman, yet she was serued and honored lyke a
+great lady. That day wherein she rode about the city of Rome,
+she gaue occasion to be spoken of a whole month after, one
+inquirynge of an other what great Romaine lords they were that
+kepte her company? Whose men they were that waighted vpon her?
+And whose liuery they ware. What Ladies they wer that rode in
+her trayne. The brauery of hir apparell, hir great beauty and
+port, and the wordes spoken by the amorous gentlemen in that
+troupe were not vnremembred. When this maistres Flora waxed old,
+a yong and beautifull gentleman of Corinth, demaunded her to
+wyfe, to whom she answered: “I know well that thou wilt not
+marie, the three score yeares whych Flora hath, but rather thou
+desirest to haue the twelue hundred thousand Sestercios which
+she hath in hir Coffres. Content thy selfe therefore, my frende,
+and get thee home agayne to Corinth from whence thou comest. For
+to sutch as be of myne age great honor is borne, and reuerence
+done for the riches and wealth they haue, rather than for
+mariage.” There was neuer in the Romane Empyre, the lyke amorous
+woman that Flora was, indued wyth so many graces and Queenelyke
+qualities, for shee was of noble house, of singuler beauty, of
+comely personage, discrete in hir affayres, and besides al other
+comly qualyties, very lyberall. This maistres Flora spent the
+most part of hir youth in Affrica, Almayne and Gallia
+Transalpina. And albeit that she would not suffre anye other but
+great lords to haue possession of hir body, yet she applyed hir
+selfe to the spoile of those that were in place, and to the
+praye of those that came from the warres. This amorous Flora
+died when she was of the age of LXXV. yeares. She left for the
+principal heire of all hir goods and Iuells. the Romain people,
+which was estemed sufficient and able to make newe the Walles of
+Rome, and to raunsome and redeme the common Wealth of the same.
+And bycause that shee was a Romaine, and had made the state
+therefore hir heyre, the Romaines builded in hir honor a
+sumptuous Temple, whych in memorye of Fora was called Florianum:
+and euery yeare in the memorye of hir, they celebrated hir feast
+vppon the day of hir death: Suetonius Tranquillus sayeth, that
+the first feaste which the Emperour Galba the second celebrated
+wyth in Rome, was the feast of the amorous Flora, vpon whych
+daye it was lawful for men and women, to doe what kynd of
+dishonesty they could deuise. And she was estemed to be the
+greater saint which that day shewed her selfe moste dissolute
+and wanton. And bicause that the temple Florianum, was dedycated
+to amorous Flora, the Romanes had an opinion, that al women
+which vpon the same day repayred to the Temple in whorish
+apparell, should haue the graces and giftes that Flora had.
+These were the fond opinions and maners of the auncient, which
+after their owne makinge and deuises framed Gods and Goddesses,
+and bycause she proued vnshamefast and rich, a Temple must bee
+erected, and Sacrifices ordayned for hir Whorish triumphes. But
+that noble men and Kings haue bene rapt and transported with the
+lurements of sutch notorious strumpets, is and hath bene common
+in all ages. And commonly sutch infamous women be indewed with
+greatest gifts and graces, the rather to noosell and dandle
+their fauorers in the laps of their fadinge pleasures. But euery
+of them a most speciall grace, aboue the rest. As of a Kyng not
+lot long agoe we reade, that kept three, one the holiest,
+another the craftiest, and the third the meriest. Two of which
+properties meete for honest Women: although the third so
+incident to that kinde as heat to a liuinge body. Cease wee then
+of this kynde, and let vs step forth to be acquaynted with a
+lady and a Queene the Godlyest and stoutest, that is remembred
+in any auncient Monument or Hystory.
+
+
+
+
+THE FOURTEENTH NOUELL.
+
+  _The lyfe and giftes of the most Famous Queene Zenobia with the
+  letters of the Emperour Avrelianvs to the sayde Queene, and her
+  stoute aunswere thereunto._
+
+
+Zenobia Queene of Palmyres, was a right famous Gentlewoman, as
+diuerse Hystoriographers largely do report and write. Who
+although shee was no Christian Lady, yet so worthy of Imitation,
+as she was for hir vertues and heroycall facts of Immortall
+prayse. By hir wysedome and stoutnesse she subdued all the
+empire of the Orient, and resisted the inuincible Romans. And
+for that it is meete and requisite to alleage and aduouch
+reasons by weight, and words by measure, I wil orderly begin to
+recite the History of that most famous Queene. Wherefore I say,
+that about the .284. Olimpiade, no long tyme after the death of
+the vnhappy Emperour Decius, Valerian was chosen Emperour by the
+Senate, and (as Trebellius Pollio his Hystorian doth describe)
+he was a well learned prince, indued with manyfold vertues, that
+for his speciall prayse, these wordes be recorded of him. _If
+all the World had bene assembled to chose a good Prince, they
+would not haue chosen any other but good Valerian._ It is also
+written of hym, that in liberality he was noble, in words true,
+in talke wary, in promise constant, to his frends familiar, and
+to his enemies seuere, and which is more to be esteemed, he
+could not forget seruice, nor yet reuenge wronge. It came to
+passe that in the XIV. yeare of his raygne, there rose sutch
+cruell Warres in Asia, that forced he was to go thither in his
+owne person, to resist Sapor king of the Persians, a very
+valyaunt man of Warre and fortunate in his enterprises, which
+happinesse of hys not long time after the arryuall of Valerian
+into Asia, hee manifested and shewed. For beeyng betwene them
+such hot and cruell warres, in a skyrmish, throughe the greate
+faulte of the General, (which had the conduct of the armye) the
+Emperour Valerian was taken, and brought into the puissance of
+King Sapor hys ennimy, whych cursed tyrant so wickedlye vsed
+that victory, as hee woulde by no meanes put the Emperour to
+raunsome, towards whom hee vsed such cruelty, that so oft and so
+many tymes, as hee was disposed to gette vp on horsebacke hee
+vsed the body of olde Valerian to serue hym for aduauntage,
+setting his feete vppon the throate of that aged gentleman. In
+that myserable office and vnhappy captiuity serued and dyed the
+good Emperour Valerian, not wyth oute the greate sorrowe of them
+that knew him, and the rueful compassion of those that sawe him,
+which the Romans considering, and that neither by offre of gold,
+or siluer, or other meanes, they were able to redeeme Valerian,
+they determined to choose for Emperour his owne sonne called
+Galienus: which they did more for respect of the father, than
+for any minde or corage they knew to bee in the sonne. Who
+afterwardes shewed himselfe to bee farre different from the
+conditions of his father Valerian, being in his enterprises a
+cowarde, in his promisses a lyer, in correction cruell, towards
+them that serued him vnthanckfull, (and which is worse,) hee
+gaue himselfe to his desires, and yealded place to sensuality.
+By meanes wherof, in his tyme the Romain Empyre more than in any
+others raygne, lost most prouinces and receiued greatest shame.
+In factes of warre he was a cowarde, and in gouernement of
+common wealth, a very weake and feeble man. Galienus not caryng
+for the state of the Empire, became so myserable as the
+Gouernors of the same gaue ouer their obedience, and in the tyme
+of hys raygne, there rose vp thyrty tyrants, whych vsurped the
+same. Whose names doe followe, Cyriades, Posthumus the yonger,
+Lollius, Victorinus, Marius, Ingenuus, Regillianus, Aureolus,
+Macrianus, Machianus the younger, Quietus, Odenatus, Herodes,
+Mœnius Ballista, Valens, Piso Emilianus, Staturnius, Tetricus,
+Etricus the younger, Trebelianus, Heremianus, Timolaus, Celsus,
+Titus, Censorinus, Claudius, Aurelius, and Quintillus, of whom
+XVIII, were captaynes and seruiters vnder the good Emperour
+Valerian. Sutch delight had the Romanes, in that auncient world,
+to haue good Captaynes, as were able to bee preferred to be
+Emperours. Nowe in that tyme the Romanes had for their Captayne
+generall, a knight called Odenatus, the Prynce of Palmerines,
+a man truely of great vertue, and of passinge industry and
+hardinesse in facts of warre. This Captayne Odenatus maried a
+woman that descended of the auncient linage of the Ptolomes,
+{s}ometymes Kinges of Ægypt, named Zenobia, which (if the
+historians do not deceiue vs) was one of the most famous Women
+of the Worlde. Shee had the heart of Alexander the great, shee
+possessed the riches of Cræsus, the diligence of Pyrrhus, the
+trauel of Haniball, the warie foresighte of Marcellus, and the
+Iustice of Traiane. When Zenobia was married to Odenatus, she
+had by hir other husband, a sonne called Herodes, and by
+Odenatus shee had two other, whereof the one was called
+Hyeronianus, and the other Ptolemus. And when the Emperour
+Valerian was vanquyshed and taken, Odenatus was not then in the
+Campe. For as all men thought, if he had ben there, they had not
+receyued so greate an ouerthrow. So sone as good Odenatus was
+aduertized of the defaict of Valerian, in great haste he marched
+to the Roman Campe, that then was in great disorder. Whych with
+greate diligence hee reassembled, and reduced the same to order,
+and (holpen by good Fortune,) wythin xxx. Dayes after hee
+recouered all that whych Valerian had loste, makynge the Persian
+kyng to flee, by meanes whereof, and for that Odenatus had taken
+charge of the army, hee wanne amonges the Romanes great
+reputation, and truely not with out cause: For if in that good
+time he had not receyued the charge the name and glory of the
+Romanes had taken ende in Asia. Duryng all thys tyme Galienus,
+lyued in hys delyghtes at Myllan, wythout care or thoughte of
+the Common wealth, consumynge in his wylfull vices, the Money
+that was leuied for the men of war. Whych was the cause that the
+gouernours of the prouinces, and Captens general, seing him to
+be so vicious and neglygent, vsurped the prouinces and armies
+which they had in charge. Galienus voyde of all obedience sauing
+of the Italians and Lombards, the first that rose vp against him
+were Posthumus in Fraunce, Lollians in Spayne, Victorinus in
+Affrica, Marius in Britane, Ingenuus in Germanie, Regillianus in
+Denmark, Aureolus in Hungarie, Macrianus in Mesopotamia, and
+Odenatus, in Syria. Before Odenatus rose against Valerian,
+Macrianus enioied Mesopotamia and the greatest part of Syria,
+whereof Odenatus hauing intelligence, he marched with his power
+agaynst him and killed him, and discomfited all his army. The
+death of the Tyran Macrian being knowen, and that Galienus was
+so vicious, the armies in Asia assembled and chose Odenatus
+Emperour: which Election although the Senate publickly durst not
+agree vpon, yet secretly they allowed it, bycause they receyued
+dayly newes, of the great Exploytes and deedes of armes done by
+Odenatus, and saw on the other side the great continued follies
+of Galienus. Almost three yeares and a halfe was Odenatus
+Emperour and Lord of all the Orient, duringe which time he
+recouered all the Lands and Prouinces lost by Galienus, and
+payde the Romane army all the arrerages of their wages due vnto
+them. But Fortune ful of inconstancy, suffred not this good
+Prynce very long to raygne. For hauing in hys house a kinsman of
+hys, named Meonius, to whom he bare great good will, for that he
+sawe him to be a valiant man of warre, although Ignorant of his
+Enuy and couetousnesse: it chaunced vpon a day as they two rode
+on huntinge, and gallopinge after the pursute of a wylde Bore,
+with the very same Bore Speare which Meonius caried to strike
+the beast, he killed by treason his good Cousin Odenatus. But
+that murder was not long time vnreuenged. For the Borespeare
+wherewith he had so cruelly killed the Emperour his Cousin, was
+incontinently known by the hunters which folowed Odenatus:
+whervpon that day the head of Meonius was striken of. And
+Galienius vnderstandinge the death of Odenatus, gaue great
+rewardes and presents to them that brought him the newes, beinge
+so ioyfull as the Romans wer angry to vnderstand those pitiful
+tydings, bycause through the good ordre which Odenatus vsed in
+Asia, they had great tranquillity and peace throughout Europa.
+Now after the death of thys good Emperour Odenatus, the Armies
+chose one of his two Sonnes to be Emperour of the Orient: But
+for that he was younge, they chose Zenobia to be Protector of
+hir sonne, and gouerner ouer the sayd Orient Empyre. Who seeing
+that vpon the decease of Odenatus certayne of the East Countries
+began to reuolt, shee determined to open hir Treasure, ressemble
+hir men of Warre, and in hir owne person to march into the
+fielde: where she did sutch notable enterprises, as shee
+appalled hir enemies, and made the whole world to wonder. About
+the age of .XXXV. yeares Zenobia was widow, beinge the Tutrix of
+hir children, Regent of an Empyre, and Captayne generall of the
+army. In which weighty charge she vsed hir selfe so wisely and
+well, as shee acquired no lesse noble name in Asia, than Queene
+Semiramis did in India. Zenobia was constant in that whych she
+tooke in hand, true in words, liberall, mylde, and seuere where
+she ought to be, discrete, graue, and secrete in her
+enterprises, albeit she was ambicious. For, not content with hir
+title of Gouernesse, or Regent, she wrote and caused her selfe
+to be called Empresse, she loued not to ride vpon a Mule, or in
+a littor, but greatly esteemed to haue great horse in hir stable
+and to learne to handle and ryde them. When Zenobia went forth
+of hir Tent to see the order and gouernment of hir Campe, she
+continually did put on her Armure, and was well guarded with a
+band of men, so that of a woman, she cared but onely for the
+name, and in the facts of Armes shee craued the title of
+valiaunt. The Captaynes of hir Army, neuer gaue battell, or made
+assault, they neuer skyrmished or did other enterprise of warre,
+but she was present in her owne person, and attempted to shewe
+hirselfe more hardy than any of all the troupe, a thinge almost
+incredible in that weake and feeble kinde. The sayd noble Queene
+was of stature, bigge and well proporcioned, her eyes black and
+quicke, hir forehead large, hir stomak and Breastes fayre and
+vpright, her Face white, and ruddy, a little mouth, hir Teeth so
+whyte, as they seemed like a rancke of white pearles, but aboue
+all things she was of sutch excellent Spirit and courage, as
+shee was feared for hir stoutnesse, and beloued for her beauty.
+And although Zenobia was indued with so great beauty,
+liberality, riches, and puissaunce, yet she was neuer stayned
+with the blemish of vnchaste lyfe, or wyth other vanity: and as
+hir husband Odenatus was wont to say, that after shee felt hir
+selfe wyth chylde, shee neuer suffred hym to come neare her,
+(sutch was hir great Chastity) sayinge that Women ought to marry
+rather for children than for pleasure. She was also excellently
+well learned in the Greke and Latine tongue. Shee did neuer eate
+but one Meale a Day. Hir talke was verye lyttle and rare. The
+Meate which shee vsed for hir repaste, was either the hanch of a
+Wylde Bore, or else the syde of a Deere. Shee could drinke no
+Wyne, nor abyde the sent thereof. But shee was so curyous in
+good and perfect Waters, as shee would gyue so great a Pryce for
+that, as is ordinaryly gyuen for Wyne bee it neuer so excellent.
+So soone as the Kinges of Ægypte of Persia, and the Greekes,
+were aduertized of the death of Odenatus, they sent theyr
+Ambassadours to Zenobia, aswell to visite and comfort hir, as to
+bee her confederats and frendes. So much was she feared and
+redoubted for her rare vertues. The affayres of Zenobia beinge
+in sutch estate in Asia, the Emperor Galienus died in Lombardie,
+and the Romanes chose Aurelianus to bee Emperour, who although
+he was of a base and obscure lineage, yet hee was of a great
+valiance in factes of Armes. When Aurelianus was chosen
+Emperour, he made great preparacion into Asia, to inferre warres
+vpon Queene Zenobia, and in all hys tyme hee neuer attempted
+greater enterprise for the Romanes. When hee was arryued in
+Asia, the Emperour proceded agaynst the Queene, and shee as
+valiantly defended hir selfe, continually being betwene them
+great Alarams and skirmishes. But as Zenobia and hir people were
+of lesse trauell and of better skyl in knowledge of the Country,
+so they did greater harme and more anoiance vnto theyr Enimy,
+and thereof receiued lesser damage. The Emperour seing that hee
+should haue mutch adoe to vanquishe Zenobia by armes, determined
+to ouercome hir by gentle wordes and fayre promisses: for which
+cause he wrote vnto hir a letter, the tenor whereof ensueth.
+
+Aurelianus Emperour of Rome and Lord of al Asia, to the right
+honorable Zenobia sendeth greetyng. Although to such rebellyous
+Women as thou art, it should seeme vncomely and not decente to
+make request, yet if thou wylt seeke ayde of my mercy, and
+rendre thy selfe vnder myne obedience, bee assured that I wyll
+doe thee honour, and geue pardon to thy people. The Golde,
+Siluer, and other riches, within thy Pallace I am content thou
+shalt enioy, together with the kingdome of Palmyres, which thou
+mayest keepe duringe thy life, and leaue after thy death to whom
+thou shalt think good, vpon condicion notwithstandinge, that
+thou abandone all thine other Realmes and Countryes which thou
+haste in Asia, and acknowledge Rome to be thy superior. Of thy
+vassalls, and subiectes of Palmyres, we demaund none other
+obedience, but to be confederates and frendes, so that thou
+breake vp thy Campe, wherewyth thou makest warre in Asia, and
+disobeyest the city of Rome, wee will suffer thee to haue a
+certayne number of men of warre, so wel for the tuicion of thy
+person, as for the defence of thy kingdome, and thy two Children
+which thou haddest by thy husbande Odenatus. And he whom thou
+louest best shal remayne with thee in Asia, and the other I will
+carry with me to Rome, not as prisoner, but as hostage and
+pleadge from thee. The prisoners which thou hast of ours, shalbe
+rendred in exchange for those which we haue of thine, without
+raunsome of eyther parts{.} And by these meanes thou shalt
+remayne honored in Asia, and I contented, will retourne to Rome.
+The Gods be thy defence, and preserue our mother the city of
+Rome from all vnhappy fortune.
+
+The Queene Zenobia hauinge reade the letter of the Emperour
+Aurelianus, without feare of the contents, incontinently made
+sutch aunswere as followeth.
+
+Zenobia Queene of Palmyres, and Lady of all Asia, and the
+kingdomes thereof, to thee Aurelianus the Emperour, health, and
+consolation, &c. That thou do intitle thy selfe with the
+Emperour of the Romanes I doe agree, but to presume to name thy
+selfe lord of the East kingdomes, I say therein thou doest
+offend. For thou knowest wel, that I alone am Lady Regent of all
+the Orient, and the only dame and maystresse of the same. Th’one
+part whereof descended vnto me by lawful Inheritaunce from my
+predecessors, and the other part, I haue won by my prowesse and
+deedes of armes. Thou sayest that if I rendre obedience vnto
+thee, thou wilt do me great honor: To that I aunswere, that it
+were a dishonest part of me, and a deede most vniust, that the
+Gods hauing created Zenobia to commaund all Asia, she should now
+begyn to bee slaue and thral vnto the city of Rome. Semblably,
+thou saiest that thou wylt gyue and leaue me al the golde,
+siluer, and other ryches whych I haue: Whereunto I aunswer, that
+it is a wycked, and fond request, to dispose the goodes of
+another as they were thine owne. But thine eyes shall neuer see
+it, ne yet thy handes shal touche it, but rather I hope in the
+Gods aboue to bestow and crye a larges of that which thou haste
+at Rome, before thou finger that whych I haue and possesse in
+Asia. Truely Aurelianus, the warres which thou makest agaynst
+me, and thy quarell, bee most vniuste beefore the supernall
+Gods, and very vnreasonable before men, and I for my part if I
+haue entred or doe take armes, it is but to defend my self and
+myne. Thy comming then into Asia is for none other purpose, but
+to spoile and make hauocke of that which an other hath. And
+think not that I am greatly afrayde of the name of Romane
+Prynce, nor yet the power of thyne huge army. For if it bee in
+thy handes to gyue battell, it belongeth onely to the gods to
+gyue eyther to thee or me the victory. That I remaine in fielde
+it is to me greate fame, but thou to fight with a widdowe,
+oughtest truelye to bee ashamed. There be come vnto myne ayde
+and Campe the Persians, the Medes, the Agamennonians, the
+Irenees, and the Syrians, and with them all the Gods immortall,
+who be wont to chastice sutch proude princes as thou art, and to
+helpe poore Widowes as I am. And if it so come to passe, that
+the Gods doe permit and suffre my lucke to be sutch, as thou do
+bereue me of lyfe and dispoyle me of goods, yet it will be
+bruted at Rome, and published in Asia, that the wofull wight
+Zenobia, was ouerthrowne and slayne, in defence of hir
+Patrimony, and for the conseruation of hir husbande’s honor.
+Labor no more then Aurelianus, to flatter and pray me, nor yet
+to threaten me: requere me no more to yeelde and become thy
+prisoner, nor yet to surrender that which I haue: for by doinge
+that I can, I accomplish that I ought. For it will be sayd and
+noysed through the world, (may it so come to passe as Fortune do
+not fauor mee) that if the Empresse Zenobia be captiue, she was
+not yet vanquished. Now touchinge my son which thou demaundest
+to cary with thee to Rome, truely that request I cannot abide,
+and mutch lesse do meane to graunt, knowing full well that thy
+house is stored full of manyfolde vices, where myne is garnished
+with many notable Philosophers: whereby if I leaue vnto my
+Children no great heapes of goods, yet they shalbe wel taught
+and instructed: For the one half of the day they spend in
+Learninge, and the other halfe in exercise of Armes. For
+conclusion of thy demaund, and finall aunswere, thereunto,
+I pray thee trauayle no more by letters to write vnto mee, ne
+yet by ambassage to spende any furder talke, but attend vntill
+our controuersie bee decided rather by force of Armes than by
+vttered wordes. The Gods preserue thee.
+
+It is sayd that Aurelianus, receiuing that aunswere did reioyce,
+but when he had red it, he was greatly offended, which
+incontinently hee made to bee known, by gathering together his
+Camp, and besieginge the Citty wherein Zenobia was. And
+Aurelianus, wroth and outraged with that aunswere, although his
+army was weary and halfe in dispayre (by reason of the longe
+Warres,) yet he vsed sutch diligence and expedition in the siege
+of that place, as the Queene was taken and the city rased: which
+done, the Emperour Aurelianus retourned to Rome, caryinge with
+him Zenobia, not to doe hir to death, but to tryumph ouer her.
+At what tyme to see that Noble Lady goe on foote, and marche
+before the tryumphinge Chariot bare footed, charged with the
+burden of heauy chaynes, and hir two children by hir side: truly
+it made the Romane Matrons to conceyue great pity, being wel
+knowen to al the Romans, that neither in valorous deedes, nor
+yet in vertue or chastity, any man or woman of hir time did
+excell hir. The dayes of the triumph being done, all the noble
+Ladies of Rome assembled and repayred to Zenobia, and vsed vnto
+her great and honorable entertaynement, giuing hir many goodly
+presentes and rewards. And Zenobia liued in the company of those
+noble Matrons the space of .X. yeares before she dyed, in
+estimation like a Lucrecia, and in honour like a Cornelia. And
+if Fortune had acompanied hir personage, so well as vertue and
+magnanimity, Rome had felt the egrenesse of hir displeasure, and
+the whole world tasted the sweetnesse of hir Regiment. But nowe
+leaue we of, any longer to speak of Zenobia, that wee may direct
+our course to the hard fate of a King’s daughter, that for loue
+maried a simple person bred in hir father’s house, who in base
+parentage, and churlishe kynde coulde not be altered: but shewed
+the fruicts of brutishnesse: tyll Lady Fortune pityinge the
+Ladie’s case: prouided for her better dayes, and chastized her
+vnkinde companion with deserts condigne for sutch a matche.
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTEENTH NOUELL.
+
+  _Evphimia the Kyng of Corinth’s daughter fell in love with
+  Acharisto, the seruaunt of her father, and besides others which
+  required hir in mariage, she disdayned Philon the King of
+  Peloponesus, that loued hir very feruently. Acharisto conspiring
+  against the Kyng, was discouered, tormented, and put in prison, and
+  by meanes of Evphimia deliuered. The King promised his daughter and
+  kingdome to him that presented the head of Acharisto, Evphimia so
+  wrought, as hee was presented to the King. The King gaue him his
+  daughter to wyfe and when he died made him his heyre. Acharisto
+  began to hate his wyfe, and condemned hir to death as an
+  adulteresse. Philon deliuered hir: and vpon the sute of hir
+  subiects, she is contented to mary him, and therby he is made Kynge
+  of Corinth:_
+
+
+Constancy in honest loue (being a perfect vertue, and a precious
+ornament to the beloued, induinge eyther, besides ioy and
+contentacion, with immortall fame and Glory,) hath in it selfe
+these onely marks and properties to be knowen by, Chastity, and
+toleration of aduersity: For as the mynde is constant in loue,
+not variable, or geuen to chaunge, so is the body continent,
+comely, honest and pacient of Fortunes plages. A true constant
+minde is moued with no sugred persuasions of frendes, is
+diuerted with no eloquence, terrified with no threats, is quiet
+in all motions. The blustering blasts of parents wrath, cannot
+remoue the constant mayde from that which she hath peculiarly
+chosen to hir selfe. The rigorous rage of frendes, doth not
+dismay the louing man from the embracement of hir whom he hath
+amongs the rest selecte for his vnchanged feere. A goodly
+example of constant and noble loue this history ensuing
+describeth, although not like in both, yet in both a semblable
+constancy. For Euphimia, a kings daughter, abandoneth the great
+loue borne vnto hir by Philon, a yong prince, to loue a servant
+of hir father’s, with whom she perseuered in great constancy,
+for all his false and ingratefull dealings towards hir. Philon
+seeing his loue despised neuer maried vntill he maried hir, whom
+afterwards he deliuered from the false surmised treason of hir
+cancred and malicious husband. Euphimia fondly maried agaynst
+hir father’s will, and therefore deseruedly afterwards bare the
+penaunce of hir fault: and albeit she declared hir selfe to be
+constant, yet duty to louinge Father ought to haue withdrawen
+hir rash and heady loue. What daungers do ensue sutch like
+cases, examples be rife, and experience teacheth. A great
+dishonour it is for the Lady and Gentlewoman to disparage hir
+noble house with mariage of hir inferior: yea and great griefe
+to the parents to see their children obstinate and wilfull in
+carelesse loue. And albeit the Poet Propertius describeth the
+vehement loue of those that be noble, and haue wherewith in loue
+to be liberall, in these verses:
+
+  _Great is the fayth of Loue,_
+    _the constant mynde doth mutch auayle:_
+  _And hee that is well fraught with wealth,_
+    _in Loue doth mutch preuayle._
+
+Yet the tender Damosell or louing childe, be they neuer so noble
+or rich, ought to attend the father’s tyme and choyse, and
+naturally encline to parent’s will and likinge, otherwise great
+harme and detriment ensue: for when the Parentes see the
+disobedience or rather rebellious mynde of theyr childe, their
+conceiued sorrow for the same, so gnaweth the rooted plante of
+naturall loue, as either it hastneth their vntimely death, or
+else ingendreth a heape of melancholie humors: whych force them
+to proclaime defiance and bytter cursse against their propre
+fruit, vpon whom (if by due regard they had bene ruled) they
+would haue pronounced the sweete blessyng that Isaac gaue to
+Iacob, the mother’s best beloued Boye: yea and that displeasure
+may chaunce to dispossesse them of that, whych should haue bene
+the onely comfort and stay of the future age. So that neglygence
+of parent’s hest, and carelesse heede of Youthfull head,
+breedeth double woe, but specially in the not aduised Chylde:
+who tumbleth himselfe first into the breach of diuine lawes, to
+the cursses of the same, to parent’s wrath, to orphan’s state,
+to begger’s lyfe, and into a sea of manifold miseries. In whom
+had obedyence ruled, and reason taken place, the hearte myght
+haue bene satisfied, the parent wel pleased: the life ioyfully
+spent, and the posteritie successively tast the fruits that
+elders haue prepared. What care and sorrow, nay what extremetie
+the foresayde Noble Gentlewoman susteined, for not yelding to
+hir father’s minde, the sequele shall at large declare. There
+was sometimes in Corinth, a Citty of Grecia, a Kinge, which had
+a daughter called Euphimia, very tenderly beloued of hir father,
+and being arriued at the age of mariage, many Noble men of
+Grecia made sute to haue hir to wife. But amongs al, Philon the
+young king of Peloponesus, so fiercely fell in love wyth hir, as
+he thought he could no longer liue, if he were maried to anye
+other: for which cause her father knowing him to be a King, and
+of singular beautye, and that he was far in loue wyth his
+Daughter, would gladly haue chosen him to be his sonne in lawe,
+persuading hir that she should liue with him a lyfe so happy as
+was possyble for any noble lady matched wyth a Gentleman, were
+he neuer so honorable. But the daughter by no meanes would
+consent vnto hir father’s wyll, alleaging vnto him diuers and
+sundry consideracions wherby hir nature by no meanes would
+agree, nor heart consente to ioyne wyth Philon. The king aboue
+all worldly thynges loued his fayre daughter: and albeit hee
+would fayne haue broughte to passe, that she should haue taken
+him to husband, yet he would not vse the father’s authoritie,
+but desired that Loue rather than force should mach his
+daughter, and therfore for that tyme was contented to agree vnto
+hir wyll. There was in the Court a young man borne of hir
+Father’s bondman, whych hyght Acharisto, and was manumised by
+the kinge, who made him one of the Esquiers for hys body, and
+vsed his seruyce in sundrye enterpryses of the warres, and
+bicause hee was in those affayres very skilfull, of bolde
+personage, in conflicts and battayles very hardy, the king did
+very much fauor him, aswell for that he had defended him from
+manifold daungers, as also bycause he had deliuered him from the
+treason pretended against him by the kyng of the Lacedemonians:
+whose helpe and valyance, the king vsed for the murder and
+destruction of the sayde Lacedemonian king. For whych valiant
+enterpryse, he bountifully recompenced him wyth honorable
+prefermentes and stately reuenues. Vpon this yong man Euphimia
+fixed hir amorous eyes, and fell so farre in loue, as vpon him
+alone she bent hir thoughtes, and all hir louing cogitations.
+Whereof Acharisto being certified, and well espying and marking
+hir amorous lookes, nouryshed with lyke flames the fire
+wherewyth she burned. Notwythstanding his loue was not so
+feruently bent vpon hir personage, as his desire was ambicious
+for that she shoulde be hir father’s onely heyre, and therfore
+thought that he should be a most happy man, aboue al other of
+mortall kynde, if he myght possesse that inheritance. The king
+perceiuing that loue, told his daughter, that she had placed her
+minde in place so straunge, as hee had thought hir wysdome would
+haue more warely foreseen, and better wayed hir estate and
+birth, as com of a princely race, and would haue demed sutch
+loue, farre vnworthy hir degree: requiringe hir wyth fatherly
+words, to withdraw hir settled mynde and to ioyne with him in
+choyse of husbande, for that he had none other worldly heire but
+hir, and tolde hir how he ment to bestow hir vppon sutch a
+personage, as a most happy life she should leade, so long as the
+destenies were disposed to weaue the Webbe of her Predestined
+life: and therefore was resolved to Espouse hir vnto that noble
+gentleman Philon. Euphimia hearkned to this vnliked tale, and
+with vnliked words refused hir fathers hest, protesting vnto him
+sutch reasons to like effect as shee did before, therby to draw
+him from his conceiued purpose, wherunto the wise king hauing
+made replye, continuing his intended mynde, at length in ragyng
+wordes, and stormed mind, he sayd vnto Euphimia: “How mutch the
+sweter is the wyne, the sharper is the egred sawce thereof.
+I speake this Parable, for that thou not knowing or greatlye
+regarding the gentle disposition of thy father’s nature, in the
+ende mayst so abuse the same, as where hitherto he hath bene
+curteous and benigne, he may become through thy disordred
+deedes, ryghte sowre and sharpe:” and without vtterance of
+further talke, departed. Who resting euill content wyth that
+fonde fyxed Loue, thoughte that the next way to remedy the same,
+was to tell Acharisto how greuously he toke his presumed fault,
+and in what heinous parte he conceiued his ingratitude, and how
+for the benefits which liberally he had bestowed vpon him, he
+had broughte and enticed hys daughter to loue him, that was
+farre vngreeable her estate. And therfore he called hym before
+hym, and with reasons firste declared the duetye of a faythfull
+seruaunt to his Soueraigne lord, and afterwards hee sayd: That
+if the receyued benefits were not able to lette him know what
+were conuenient and seemely for hys degree, but would perseuere
+in that which he had begon, he would make him feele the iust
+displeasure of a displeased Prince, whereby hee shoulde repent
+the tyme that euer hee was borne of Woman’s wombe. These woordes
+of the Kyng seemed greeuous to Acharisto, and not to moue hym to
+further anger hee seemed as though that (being fearfull of the
+Kyng’s displeasure) he did not loue his daughter at all, but
+sayd vnto hym, that he deserued not to bee so rebuked, for that
+it lay not in his power to wythstand hir loue, the same
+procedyng of hir own good wyll and lyberty: and that hee for his
+part neuer requyred loue: if shee did bend hir mynd to loue hym,
+hee could not remedye that affection, for that the freewyll of
+sutch vnbrydled appetite rested not in hym to reforme.
+Notwythstandyng, bycause he vnderstoode hys vnwyllyng mind, he
+from that tyme forth would so endeuor hymselfe as he shoulde
+well perceyue that the vnstayde mynde of the young gentlewoman
+Euphimia, was not incensed by hym, but voluntarily conceyued of
+hir selfe. “You shall doe well” (sayde the kyng) “if the effecte
+procede accordinge to the promise: and the more acceptable shall
+the same bee vnto mee, for that I desyre it shoulde so come to
+passe.” The king liked wel these words although that Acharisto
+had conceiued within the plat of his entended mind, som other
+treason. For albeit that he affirmed before the kyng’s owne
+face, that hee would not loue his daughter, yet knowing the
+assured wil of the louyng gentlewoman, hee practised the
+mariage, and like an vnkind and wretched man, deuised conuenient
+tyme to kil him: and fully bent to execute that cruel
+enterpryse, he attempted to corrupt the chiefest men about him,
+promising promocions vnto some, to some he assured restitucion
+of reuenewes, which by father’s fault they had lost beefore, and
+to other golden hilles, so that hee mighte attayne by slaughter
+of the king, to wynne a kingly state and kingdome: which the
+sooner he peruaded himself to acquire, if in secrete silence,
+they coulde put vp that which by generall voice they had agreed.
+And although they thought themselues in good assurance, that
+theyr enterpryse could take no ill successe, by reason of their
+sounde and good discourse debated amonges themselues for the
+accomplishement thereof, yet it fortuned that one of the
+conspiracy (as commonlye in sutch lyke trayterous attemptes it
+chaunceth) beeynge wyth hys beloued Ladye, and shee makyng mone
+that little Commodytye succeeded of hir Loue for hir
+Aduauncement, brake out into these wordes: “Hold thy peace”
+(sayde hee:) “for the tyme wyll not bee longe before thou shalt
+bee one of the chiefest Ladies of this land.” “Howe can that
+bee?” (sayde hys Woman.) “No more adoe?” (quod the Gentleman:)
+“Cease from further questions, and bee merrye: for wee shall
+enioye together, a verye Honourable and a quyete Lyfe.” When hir
+Louer was departed, the gentlewoman went to an other of hir
+gossips very iocunde, and tolde hir what hir Louer had sayd: and
+shee then not able to keepe Counsell, wente and tolde an other:
+in such wyse as in the ende it came to the eares of the King’s
+steward’s wyfe, and she imparted the same vnto hir husband, who
+marking those words, like a man of great wisedome and
+experience, did verily beleue that the same touched the daunger
+of the king’s person: and as a faythfull seruant to his lorde
+and maister, diligently harkned to the mutteringe talke murmured
+in the Court, by him which had tolde the same to his beloued
+Lady: and knowinge that it proceeded from Acharisto, which was
+an obstinate and sedicious varlet, and that he with three or
+four other his familiars, kept secret company in corners, iuged
+that which he first coniectured, to be most certayne and true:
+wherefore determined to moue the king thereof, and vpon a day
+finding him alone, he sayd vnto him, that the fidelity and good
+will wherewith he serued him, and the desire which he had to see
+hym lyue in longe and prosperous Estate, made hym to attend to
+the salfegard of hys person, and to hearken vnto sutch as should
+attempt to daunger the same: for which cause, marking and
+espying the doings of certayne of his chamber (whose common
+assemblies and priuy whisperings mislyking) he feared least they
+conspiring with Acharisto, shoulde worcke treason, for
+berieuinge of his life: and to th’ intent their endeuours might
+be preuented, and his safety foreseene, he thought good to
+reueale the same to hys Maiesty. Then he tolde the King the
+words that were spoken by the first Gentlewoman, to one or two
+of her companions, and disclosed the presumptions which he had
+seene and perceyued touchinge the same. Amongs the ill
+conditions of men, there is nothinge more common than Poyson,
+Conspiracies, and Treason of Prynces and great Lordes: and
+therefore euery little suspicion presuming sutch perill, is a
+great demonstration of lyke myschiefe: which made the Kyng to
+geue credit to the Woords of hys Steward, hauing for hys long
+experience knowen him to be faythfull, and trusty. And sodaynly
+he thought that Acharisto attempted the same, that after hys
+death, by mariage of Euphimia, he might be the Inheritour of hys
+Kyngdome: the beliefe whereof, and the singular credite which he
+reposed in hys Steward, besides other thinges, caused hym to
+commaund the captayne of hys Guard to apprehend those 4 of whom
+hys Steward told hym, and Acharisto, committinge them to
+seuerall Prisons. Then he sent hys Officers to examyne them, and
+found vpon their confessions, the accusation of his steward to
+be true: but Acharisto, although the whole effecte of the
+Treason was confessed by those foure conspirators that were
+apprehended, and aduouched to his Face, and for all the
+Tormentes wherewith he was racked and cruciated, yet still
+denied, that eyther he was authour of the enterprise, or
+partaker of a treason so wicked: then the king incontinently
+caused the foure Gentlemen of hys Chamber to be rewarded
+accordinge to the worthinesse of their offence, and were put to
+death, and Acharisto to be repryued in sharpe and cruell prison,
+vntill with torments he should be forced to confesse that which
+he knew to be most certayne and true by the euidence of those
+that were done to death. Euphimia for the imprisonment of
+Acharisto, conceiued incredible sorrow, and vneths could be
+persuaded, that hee would imagine, mutch lesse conspyre, that
+abhominable fact, aswell for the loue which Acharisto seemed to
+beare vnto hir, as for the great good wyl wherewith he was
+assured that she bare vnto hym, and therefore the death of the
+kyng to be no lesse griefe vnto him, than the same woulde be to
+hir selfe, the Kyng being hir naturall and louing father:
+Acharisto thought on the other side, that if hee might speake
+with Euphimia, a way would be founde eyther for hys escape, or
+else for hys delyuery. Whereupon Acharisto beinge in this
+deliberation, found meanes to talke wyth the Iaylor’s wyfe, and
+intreated hir to shewe hym so mutch fauour, as to procure
+Euphimia to come vnto him: she accordingly brought to passe,
+that the yong Gentlewoman in secrete wise came to speake wyth
+thys trayterous varlet, who so soone as he sawe hir, shedinge
+from hys eyes store of teares, pitifully complayninge, sayd vnto
+hir: “I know Euphimia, that the kinge your father doth not
+inclose me in this cruell prison, ne yet afflicteth me wyth
+these miserable torments, for any suspicion he conceyueth of me
+for any intended fact, but only for the loue which I beare you,
+and for the like, (for whych I render humble thanks) that you do
+beare to me: and because that I am wery of this wretched state,
+and know that nothing else can rid me from this paynefull Lyfe,
+but onely death, I am determined wyth myne owne propre hands to
+cut the threed of life wherewith the destinies hitherto haue
+prolonged the same, that thys my breathinge Ghoast, which
+breatheth forth these doleful playntes, may flee into the Skyes,
+to rest it selfe amonges the restfull spirites aboue, or wandre
+into the pleasaunte hellish fieldes, amongs the shadows of
+Creusa, Aeneas wyfe, or else wyth the ghost of complayning Dido.
+But ere I did the same, I made myne humble prayer to the maiesty
+diuine, that hee would vouchsafe to shew me so much grace, as
+before I dye, I myghte fulfil my couetous eyes with sight of
+you, whose ymage still appeareth before those greedy Gates, and
+fansie representeth vnto my myndfull heart. Which great desired
+thing, sith God aboue hath graunted, I yeld him infinit thankes,
+and sith my desteny is sutch, that sutch must be the end of
+loue, I doe reioyce that I muste dye for your sake, which only
+is the cause that the King your father so laboureth for my
+death: I neede not to molest you wyth the false euidence giuen
+against me, by those malicious villaines, that be already dead,
+which onely hath thus incensed the Kinge’s Wrathe and heauy rage
+agaynst mee: whereof I am so free, as worthilye they bee
+executed for the same: for if it were so, then true it is, (and
+as lyghtly you myght beleue) that I neuer knew what Loue you
+beare mee, and you lykewyse did neuer knowe, the loue I bare to
+you: and therefore you may thinke that so impossible is the one,
+as I dyd euer meane, thinke, or ymagine any harme or peryll to
+your father’s person. To be short, I humbly do besech you to
+beleue, that so faythfully as man is able to loue a woman, so
+haue I loued you: and that it may please you to bee so myndfull
+of me in thys fadyng Lyfe, as I shal be of you in that life to
+come.” And in sayinge so, wyth face all bathed in teares, he
+clypped hir about the myddle, and fast imbracing hir said: “Thus
+takinge my last farewell of you (myne onely life and ioy)
+I commende you to the gouernement of the supernall God, and my
+selfe to death, to be dysposed as pleaseth him.” Euphimia, which
+before was not persuaded that Acharisto was guylty of that
+deuised Treason, nowe gaue full belyefe and credite to his
+wordes, and Weeping wyth him for company, comforted him so wel
+as she could, and bidding him to bee of good chere, she sayde,
+that she would seeke such meanes as for hir sake and loue he
+should not dye: and that before longe time did passe, shee would
+help him out of prison. Acharisto, although he vttered by ruful
+voice that lamentable talke, for remedye to ridde himselfe from
+pryson, yet he did but fayne all that he spake, addyng further:
+“Alas, Euphimia, do not incurre your Father’s wrath to please my
+minde: suffer me quietly to take that death, which sinister
+Fortune and cruell fate hath prouided to abridge my dayes.”
+Euphimia, vanquished with inspeakable griefe and burning passion
+of loue, said: “Ah, Acharisto, the onely ioy and comfort of my
+lyfe, do not pierce my heart with such displeasant wordes: for
+what should I do in this wretched world, yf you for my sake
+should suffre death? Wherfore put away that cruel thought, and
+be content to saue your Lyfe, that hereafter in ioye and myrth
+you may spend the same: trusting that yf meanes may be founde
+for your dispatche from hence, we shal liue the reste of our
+prolonged Lyfe together, in sweete and happy dayes: for my
+Father is not made of stone flint, nor yet was nourced of Hircan
+Tigre: he is not so malicious but that in tyme to come hee may
+be made to know the true discourse of thine innocent life, and
+hope thou shalt atteyne his fauour more than euer thou didst
+before, the care whereof onely leaue to me, and take no thought
+thy selfe: for I make promise vpon myne assured faith to brynge
+the same to passe: wherefore giue ouer thy conceyued gryefe, and
+bende thy selfe to lyue so merie a life, as euer gentleman did,
+trained vp in court as thou hast bene.” “I am content,” said
+Acharisto, “thus to doe. The Gods forbid that I should declyne
+my hearte and mynde from thy behest, who of thy wonted grace
+doest seeke continuance of my Lyfe, but rather, sweete Euphimia,
+than thou shouldest suffre any daunger to performe thy promise,
+I make request (for the common loue betwene vs both) to leaue me
+in this present dangerous state: rather would I lose my lyfe
+than thou shouldest hazard the least heare of thy heade for my
+releefe.” “Wee shall be both salfe ynough, (aunswered Euphimia)
+for my deuice proceedinge from a woman’s heade, hath already
+drawen the plot of thy deliueraunce.” And with those wordes they
+both did end their talke, whose trickling teares did rather
+finishe the same, than willing mynds: and eyther of them geeuing
+a kysse vnto the Tower Walle, wherein Acharisto was fast shutte,
+Euphimia departed turmoyled wyth a Thousande amorous Pryckes,
+and ceased not but firste of all to corrupt and winne the
+Iayler’s Wyfe, whose husband was sent forth on businesse of the
+king’s: the conclusion of which practise was, that when shee
+caried meate to Acharisto, according to the order appoynted, she
+should fayne hirselfe to be violently dispoyled of the Pryson
+Key by Acharisto, who taking the same from hir: should shut hir
+in the Prison and escape, and when hir husband did returne, shee
+should make complaynt of the violence done vnto hir: accordinge
+to which deuise, the practyse was accomplished: And when hir
+husbande returned home, hearing his wyfe crie out within the
+Tower, was maruayllously amazed, and vnderstandinge that
+Acharisto was fled, (ignoraunt of the pollicy betwene his Wyfe
+and Euphemia,) hee fell into great rage, and speedely repayred
+to the Kynge, and tolde him what had chaunced. The Kinge
+thinking that the breach of Prison was rather through the
+woman’s simplicity than purposed malice, did mitigate his
+displeasure, howbeit forthwith he sent out scouts to spy, and
+watch into what place Acharisto was gone, whose secret flight,
+made all their trauayle to be in vayne. Then the Kinge when hee
+saw that he could not be found, made Proclamation throughout his
+realme, that who so would bringe vnto him the head of Acharisto,
+should haue to Wyfe hys onely Daughter, and after hys decease
+shoulde possesse his Kingdome for Dowry of that mariage. Many
+knightes did put themselues in redinesse to atchieue that
+enterprise, and aboue al, Philon was the chiefe, not for
+gredinesse of the kingdome, but for loue which hee bare vnto the
+Gentlewoman. Whereof Acharisto hauinge intelligence, and
+perceyuinge that in no place of Europa hee could bee safe and
+sure from daunger, for the multitude of them which pursued him
+vnto death, caused Euphimia to vnderstand the miserable Estate
+wherein hee was. Euphimia which bent hir minde, and employed hir
+study for his safegarde, imparted hir loue which shee bare to
+Acharisto, to an aged Gentlewoman, which was hir nurse and
+gouernesse, and besought hir that she would intreat hir sonne
+called Sinapus, (one very well beloued of the king) to reach his
+help vnto hir desire, that Acharisto might retourne to the court
+agayn. The Nourse like a wyse woman lefte no persuasion
+vnspoken, nor counsell vnremembred, which she thought was able
+to dissuade the yong gentlewoman from hir conceiued loue: but
+the wound was so deepely made, and hir hearte so greuously
+wounded with the three forked arrows of the little blinde archer
+Cupide, that despising all the reasons of hir beloued nurse,
+shee sayde, how she was firmely bent eyther to runne from hir
+father, and to seke out Acharisto, to sustaine wyth him one
+equall fortune, or else with hir owne hands to procure death, if
+some remedy were not found to recouer the king’s good grace for
+the returne of Acharisto. The Nurse vanquished with pity of the
+yong mayden, fearinge both the one and the other daunger that
+myght ensue, sent for Sinapus, and vppon their talke together,
+Euphimia and hee concluded, that Acharisto should bee brought
+agayne vnto the Courte, and that she hir selfe should present
+him to the King: wherein should want no kinde of diligence
+vntill the Kyng did entertayne him agayne for his faythfull
+seruaunt, as he was wont to do. Vpon which resolution, Acharisto
+was sent for, and being come, Sinapus and Euphimia together with
+the nurse tolde hym in what sort they three had concluded
+touchinge his health and safegarde: which of him being well
+lyked, did giue them humble thankes: and then Sinapus went vnto
+the kyng, and told him, that there was one newly arriued at
+Corinth, to make a present vnto his grace of the head of
+Acharisto. At which newes the kynge shewed hymselfe so ioyfull,
+as if hee had gotten an other Kingdome: and beinge placed vnder
+his cloath of state, with his Counsell and Princely trayne about
+hym, tellinge them the cause of that assembly, commaunded hym
+that brought those news, to bring the party forth newely come
+vnto the City to present the head of Acharisto before the
+presence of the King, who no sooner looked vpon him, but fell
+into sutch a rage, as the fire seemed to flame out of his angry
+eyes, and commaunded him presently to be taken and put to death.
+But Acharisto falling downe vpon hys knees, humbly besought his
+maiesty to geeue him leaue to speake: but the kinge not
+suffering him to vtter one word commaunded hym away. Then the
+Counsellours and other Lords of the Court, intreated his grace
+to heare him: at whose requestes and supplications he seemed to
+be content. Then Acharisto began to say: “Most sacred Prynce,
+and redoubted souerayne Lord, the cause of this my presumptuous
+repaire before your maiesty, is not to shew my selfe guilty of
+thy late deuised conspiracy, ne yet to craue pardon for the
+same, but to satisfie your Maiesty, wyth that contented desire,
+whych by Proclamation ye haue pronounced through your highnesse
+Realmes and dominions: which is, to offer this heade for reuenge
+of the faulte vniustlye layed vnto my charge by those foure,
+which worthily haue tasted the deserued payne of theyr offense.
+Wherfore I am come hither of myne owne accord, to shew the loue
+and greate desyre, whych euer I had to serue and please your
+Maiesty: and for that I would not consume my life in your
+displeasure, I make offer of the same to your mercifull wyll and
+dysposition, chosynge rather to die, and leaue your maiesty
+satisfied and contented, than to lyue in happy state, your
+princely minde displeased: but desyrous that your maiesty should
+know myne innocence, I humblye besech your grace to heare what I
+can say, that my fidelity maye bee throughly vnderstanded, and
+the wickednesse of the Varlets, mine accusers wel wayed and
+considered.” Then he began to rehearse all the things done by
+hym for the seruyce of his crowne and maiestye, and finally into
+what daunger he did put himself, when he kylled the Lacedemonian
+king, that went about by treason to murder him: whych enterpryse
+might appeare vnto him to bee a sure and euident testimony, that
+hee ment nothinge hurtfull or preiudiciall to his highnesse: and
+that hee esteemed not his life, when hee aduentured for his
+seruice and sauegard to employ the same: and after these
+alleaged causes, he added briefly, that the loue which his
+maiesty knew to be betweene him and Euphimia his Daughter, ought
+to haue persuaded him, that he had rather haue suffered death
+himselfe, than commit a thing displeasant to Euphimia. And
+knowing that a more offensive thynge coulde not chaunce to hir,
+than the vilent death of her father, hee myghte well thyncke
+that hee woulde haue deuysed the death of a Thousande other,
+rather than that horible and abhominable deede, sutch as hys
+greatest Ennemy woulde neuer haue done, mutch lesse hee whych
+was bounde vnto hym by so many Receyued Benefittes, for whose
+seruice and preseruacion he had dedicated and vowed hys Lyfe and
+Soule: but if so be his maiestie’s rancor and displeasure could
+not be mitigated, but by doinge him to death, hee desired that
+none of his alleaged reasons should bee accepted, and therefore
+was there ready to sacrifice his life at his maiestie’s
+disposition and pleasure. Acharisto by nature could tel his tale
+excedingly well, and the more his tongue stode him in seruice,
+the greater appeared his eloquence: whych so pierced the minde
+of the king and persuaded the Counsellers, and other of the
+Court, as he was demed giltlesse of the treason: and the matter
+was so debated, and the King intreated to graunt him pardon, as
+he was accompted most worthy of his fauour. Then the kyng, by
+the aduise of hys Counsell, was perswaded, that by force of hys
+proclamation, hys daughter should be giuen to Acharisto in
+mariage, and his kingedome for a dowrie, bicause hee had offered
+his owne heade, accordyng to the effecte of the same. So the
+kinge repentinge himselfe that he had offended Acharisto, in the
+end agreed to the aduise of his Counsell, and gaue him his
+daughter to wife: whereof Euphimia was so ioyful, as they bee
+that atteyne the summe of their heart’s desire. The father liued
+one whole yeare after this mariage, and Euphimia so pleasant a
+life for a certaine time, as was possible for any Gentlewoman.
+Hir father was no sooner dead, but the vnkinde man, nay rather
+brute beaste, had forgotten all the benefits receyued of his
+kinde and louing wife: and hauing by hir onelye meanes got a
+Kingdome, began to hate hir so straungely, as he could not abide
+hir sight, (sutch is the property of cancred obliuion, which
+after it crepeth into ambicious heads, neuer hath minde of
+passed amitie, ne regardeth former benefite, but like a monster
+and deadly ennimy to humaine nature, ouerwhelmeth in his
+bottomlesse gulfe all pietie and kindnesse) and determined in
+the ende for recompence of sutch great good turnes, to despoyle
+hir of hir Lyfe. Howe thinke you, fayre Ladies, was not this a
+fayre rewarde for the loue, the trauailes and sorrowes susteined
+for this ingrate and villanous man, by that royal lady, to saue
+his life, and to take him to husband? Here is manifest
+(_probatum_) that in a vile and seruyle minde, no vertue, no
+duety, no receiued benefites can be harboured. Here is a lesson
+for yong Gentlewomen to beware howe they contemne and despise
+the graue aduise of theyr auncient fathers. Here they may see
+the damage and hurt that vnaduised youth incurreth, when
+neglectyng theyr Parents holesome admonitions, they gyue
+themselues to the loue of sutch as be vnworthy theyr estate and
+callyng. For what should ayle the Gentle pucell borne of gentle
+bloud but to match her selfe in like affinity, and not to care
+for curryshe kind, or race of churle. Bee there no Gentlemen to
+be found of personage and beauty worthy to ioyne in loue wyth
+them? Bee they so precious in nature or tender in education as
+theyr lyke can not be vouchsafed to couple in mariage yoke?
+Compare the glysteringe gold to drossie durte, and sutch is the
+difference betweene gentle and vngentle. But perhaps bringyng vp
+may alter nature, and custome transforme defect of birth: as
+Licurgus the lawemaker dyd trye betwene the Currish whelpe and
+the Spanyell kinde, both by trayning vp running to their
+contraries, the Spanyel not vsed to hunt eigre vpon the potage
+dishe, the other nouseled in that pastime pursuing his game. But
+that Metamorphosis is seldome seene amongs humane sort, and
+therfore I aduise the gentle kind, to matche themselues in
+equall lotte, and not to trust Sir Custome’s curtesie in choyse
+of feere. Returne we then to vnkind Acharisto, who now in full
+possession of his desired praie, reuertinge to his puddle of
+carlishe will and cancred nature, after many thousand wronges
+don to his most noble and gentle Quene, accused hir to be an
+adulteresse, and as one indeede, (although most innocent) she
+was condemned to the mercilesse fire. Philon, Kyng of
+Peloponesus, which (as we haue sayd before) loued Euphimia as he
+did the balles of his owne eyes, vnderstanding the crueltye that
+this wicked Man vsed towards hir, to whom both his lyfe and
+Kyngdome did belonge, moued wyth nobility of mynd, determined to
+declare to Euphimia the inward feruent loue which he bare hir,
+and to chastise Acharisto for his ingratitude with due
+correction. Wherfore depely debating wyth himselfe of this
+aduenture, thus he sayde: “Now is the time Euphimia, that Philon
+shewe what faythful Loue he hath euer borne vnto thee, and that
+he delyuer thee both from the present daunger wherein thou art,
+and from the hands of that vnkynde wretche, that is farre
+vnworthy of sutch a wife: for if thou haddest agreed to thy
+father’s wyll, and yelded to the pursute of him that loued thee
+beste, thou haddest no neede of rescue nowe, ne yet bene in
+perill of the wastfull flames of fire, which be ready to consume
+thy flesh and tender corps, full tenderly sometimes beloued of
+thy deare father, and of thy louyng frend Philon.” When he had
+spoken those wordes, hee earnestly disposed him self vpon that
+enterpryse. There was in those daies a custome in Corinth, that
+they which were condemned to death, were caried III. miles forth
+of the City, and there the sentence pronounced against them,
+were put to execution. Philon hauyng intelligence hereof, did
+put in readinesse a good troupe of horsemen, and being secretly
+imbarked, arriued at Corinth, and closely the nyght before
+Euphimia should be brought to the fire, harde by the place where
+the miserable Lady should be burnt, into a woode he conueyed his
+People: and so soone as the Sergeants and officers were
+approched neere the place wyth the lady, he issued forth, and
+did set vpon the throng, not sufferyng one of them to remayne
+aliue, to carye newes. When he had delyuered Euphimia from that
+present daunger of hir lyfe, and the companye dispercled, he
+sayd to the Queene: “Nowe thou mayst see (fayre Queene) the
+diuersitie, betwene the disloyaltie and vnkindenesse of
+Acharisto, and the faith and loue of Philon. But for that I
+meane not to leaue hys ingratitude vnrevenged, thou shalt staye
+here, vntyll thou heare newes of the due chastisment which I
+shall gyue hym.” Those dire and cruell words foretold of hir
+husband’s death moued hir honest and Pryncely hearte that by no
+meanes could bee altered from the gentle nature, which it first
+had tasted and receiued: and althoughe shee had suffred Mortall
+and Solempne iniury of hir vnkynde husbande for Manyfolde
+Benefites, yet (shee good gentlewoman) woulde permyt no duetye
+of a trustye and faythfull Wyfe vnperformed. Wherefore shee
+besoughte Philon vpon her knees, not to procede to further
+reuenge of Acharisto, telling him, that enough it was for hir to
+haue escaped that present peryl, from which he like a princely
+Gentleman had deliuered hir, and therefore duering hir life was
+most bounde vnto him. Philon greately wondred at the goodnesse
+of this Ladie: howbeit the ingratitude of that Varlet by no
+meanes he would suffer to bee vnpunished. And beeing aduertised
+that Acharisto remayned in hys Palace without any suspicion of
+this aduenture, banded neyther with Guarde or other assurance,
+committed Euphimia to safe custodie, and sodainly assailed the
+Palace of Acharisto: and finding the Gates open, he entred the
+city, crying out vpon the Wickednesse and treason of Acharisto.
+At which wordes the whole City began to ryse, to helpe Philon in
+his enterpryse: for there was no state or degree, but abhorred
+the vnkind order of that Varlet, towards the noble woman their
+Queene. Philon aided with the people, assaulted the Palace, and
+in short space inuaded the same: and the Varlet beeing
+apprehended, was put to death. The Corinthians seeing the noble
+mind of Philon, and the loue which he bare to Euphimia, and
+knowing that their late Kyng was disposed to haue matched her
+wyth Philon, were very willing to haue him to be their Kinge,
+and that Euphimia should be his wife, supposinge that vnder the
+gouernement of a Prynce so gentle and valiant, they might liue
+very happily and ioyefullye. Execution don vpon that moste
+vnkinde varlet, Philon caused the Lady to be conueyed home into
+hir royal pallace: and the people with humble submission, began
+to persuade hir to marie wyth that younge Prince Philon. But
+shee which had lodged hir thoughts and fixed hir mind vpon that
+caytife, who vnnaturally had abused hir, would by no meanes
+consent to take a new husband, saying, that the seconde mariage
+was not to bee allowed in any woman. And albeit that shee knewe
+howe greately she was bounde to Philon, as duringe life not able
+to recompence his louing kindnesse and valyante exployte
+performed for hir safegard, yet for al hir vnhappy fortune, shee
+was minded styll to remayne a widowe, and well contented that
+Philon shoulde possesse hir whole domynion and kingdome, and she
+pleased to lyue his subiecte: which state she sayd, did like her
+best. Philon, that not for desire of the Kingdome, but for loue
+of the Lady had attempted that worthy and honourable enterprise,
+sayd vnto hir: “Euphimia, it was onely for youre sake that I
+aduentured thys daungerous indeuor, to ridde you from the
+slander that might haue ensued your innocent death, and out of
+the cruel hands of hym, whom vnworthily you did so dearely loue.
+No desyre of kyngdome or worldly glorye induced me herevnto: no
+care that I had to enlarge the boundes of my countrey soile
+pricked the courage of my mynd (that is altogether empty of
+ambytion) but the Passion of carelesse Loue, whych thys long
+tyme I haue borne you in your happy father’s dayes, to whom I
+made incessant sute: and to your selfe I was so long a Suter,
+vntyll I receyued extreame repulse: for which I vowed a
+perpetuall single Lyfe, vntyll thys occasyon was offred: the
+brute whereof when I hearde first, so stirred the mynde of your
+most louyng knight, that drousie sleepe or greedy hunger, coulde
+not force this restlesse body to tarry at home, vntyl I reuenged
+my selfe vpon that villaine borne, which went about wyth
+roasting flames to consume the innocente flesh of hir whome I
+loued best. And therfore mustred together my men of armes and in
+secret sort imbarked our selues and arryued here: where wee haue
+accomplished the thyng we came for and haue settled you in quiet
+raygne, free from peryl of traiterous mindes, crauing for thys
+my fact nought else of you but wylling mynd to be my wife: which
+sith you do refuse, I passe not for rule of your kyngdom, ne yet
+for abode in Corinth, but meane to leaue you to your choyse. For
+satisfied am I, that I haue manifested to the world the
+greatnesse of my loue, which was so ample as euer king could
+beare to vertuous Queene: and so farewell.” At which words he
+made a signe to his people, that they shoulde shippe them selues
+for return to Peloponesus. But the Senatours and al the people
+of Corinth seing the curtesie of Philon, and how greatly their
+Queene was bound vnto him, fel downe vpon their knees, and with
+ioyned hands besought hir to take him to husbande, neuer ceasing
+from teares and supplication, vntyl she had consented to their
+requeste. Then the mariage was solempnised with great ioy and
+triumph, and the whole City after that tyme, lyued in great
+felicity and quiet, so long as nature lengthned the dayes of
+those two Noble Prynces.
+
+
+
+
+THE SIXTEENTH NOUELL.
+
+  _The Marchionisse of Monferrato, with a banket of Hennes, and
+  certaine pleasant wordes, repressed the fond loue of Philip the
+  French Kynge._
+
+
+Good Euphimia (as you haue harde) did fondly apply hir loue vpon
+a seruile man, who though bred vp in court where trayninge and
+vse doth alter the rude conditions of sutch as be intertayned
+there, yet voyde of all gentlenesse, and frustrate of Nature’s
+sweetenesse in that curteous kinde, as not exchaunginge natiue
+fiercenesse for noble aduauncement, returned to hys hoggish
+soyle, and walowed in the durty filth of Inhumanity, _whose
+nature myght wel with fork, or staffe be expelled, but home
+againe it would haue come_, as Horace pleadeth in his Epistles.
+O noble Gentlewoman, that mildly suffred the displeasure of the
+good king hir father, who would fayne haue dissuaded hir from
+that vnseemely match, to ioyne with a yong Prince, a king,
+a Gentleman of great perfection: and O pestilent Carle, being
+beloued of so honourable a pucell, that for treason discharged
+thy head from the block, and of a donghill slaue preferred thee
+to be a king, wouldest for those deserts in the ende frame
+sayned matter to consume hir. With iust hatred then did the
+Noble Emperour Claudius Cæsar prosecute those of bond and
+seruile kinde that were matched with the free and noble. Right
+well knew hee that some taste of egrenesse would rest in sutch
+sauage fruite, and therefore made a law, that the issue of them
+should not haue like liberty and preheminence, as other had,
+which agreeably did couple. What harme sutch mariage hath
+deferred to diuers states and persons (t’auoide other examples)
+the former Nouell teacheth. Wherfore to ende the same, with
+bewailing of Euphimia for hir vnluckie lot, begin we now to glad
+our selues with the wise and stoute aunswer of a chaste
+Marquesse, a Gentlewoman of singular beauty and discretion, made
+to the fond demaund of a mighty Monarch, that fondly fell in
+loue with hir, and made a reckening of that, which was doubtfull
+to recouer. This king by Louing Hir whome he neuer saw, fared
+like the man that in his slepe dreamed that he had in holde the
+thynge furthest from him. For the King neuer saw hir, before he
+heard hir praised, and when hee hearde hir praised, for purpose
+to winne her, he trauailed oute of his way, so sure to enioy
+hir, as if he had neuer seene hir. This historie, although
+briefe, yet sheweth light to noble dames that be pursued by
+Prynces, and teacheth them wyth what regarde they ought to
+interteine such suters. The Marquesse then of Monferrato,
+a citye in Italy, beynge a Gentleman of great prowesse and
+valiance, was appointed to transfrete the Seas in a generall
+passage made by the Christians, wyth an huge Armie and great
+furniture. And as it chaunced, vpon a day greate talke was had
+in the court of king Philip surnamed Luscus (bicause he was
+poreblinde) who likewyse was making preparation to depart out of
+Fraunce in the said iorney. Report was made by a knight which
+knewe the said Marquize, that in all the world there was not the
+like maried couple, as the Marquize and his wyfe were, as well
+bicause the Marquize was bruted to be an excellent gentleman, as
+also for that his wyfe amonges al the troupe of Ladies, that
+liued in the world that time, was the fairest and most vertuous.
+Which words so entred the French king’s head, as sodainely
+(neuer seeing hir in all his life) he began to loue hir, and for
+that purpose determined to imbarke him selfe at Genoua, that by
+trauailyng that way by lande, he myght haue good occasion to see
+the Marchionisse, thinking that her husband being absent, hee
+might easily obtein that he desired. And as he had deuised, he
+began his enterpryse: who sending al his power before, toke his
+iorney wyth a meane trayne of Gentlemen: and beynge within one
+Daye’s iourney of the Ladye’s House, hee sent hir worde that the
+nexte Daye hee would visite her at Dynner. The sage and discrete
+lady ioyfully aunswered the Messanger, that she would accompt
+his comming for a great and singuler pleasure, and sayd that hys
+grace should be most heartily welcome. Afterwards she maruelled
+why sutch a king as he was, would in hir husband’s absence, come
+to hir house: and in that maruel and consideration she was no
+whit deceyued, coniecturinge that the fame of hir beauty was the
+cause of hys comminge. Neuerthelesse, like a wise Lady and
+honest gentlewoman, she determined to do him honour, and caused
+the worshipfull of hir country sutch as remayned behinde, to be
+assembled, for aduice in all thinges that were necessary for hys
+intertaynement. But the feast and variety of meats that should
+be serued, she alone tooke vppon hir to dispose and order:
+wherefore speedily sendinge about, and makinge prouision for all
+the Hennes that might be gotten throughout the countrey,
+commaunded hir cookes, of those Hennes without other thing what
+so euer, to prepare diuers seruices. The king fayled not the
+next day to come accordingly as he had sent word: and was with
+great honour receyued of the Lady, and in beholdinge hir, she
+seemed vnto hym (besides hys imagination comprehended by the
+former woordes of the Knyght) to be farre more faire, honest and
+vertuous, than hee thought, attributyng vnto hir, singular
+prayse and commendation. And so much the more his desire was
+kindled, as she passed the estimation bruted of hir. And after
+that the King had wythdrawen him selfe into the chamber ordeined
+and made ready for him, as appertained to a Prynce so greate,
+and that dinner time was come, the King and Madame the
+Marchionisse sat together at one boorde, and other accordyng to
+their degrees were placed at seueral tables. The King serued
+with many Dishes and excellent Wynes, beholdinge sometymes the
+Lady Marchionesse, conceyued great delight and pleasure. But
+vewing the seruice, and meates (although dressed in diuers
+sortes) to be but Hennes, he began to wonder, specially knowing
+the soyle wherein they were to be so rich and plentifull, as by
+little trauayle, great abundance of Foule and Venison might haue
+bin prouided, and thought that she had indifferent leysure to
+Chase and Hunt, after that he had sent hir woorde of hys
+comminge. Notwythstandinge he would not take occasion to enter
+into talke of those wants of better Cheare (hir Hennes only
+excepted) who lookyng vpon hir, with mery Countenaunce hee sayde
+vnto hir: “Madame were all these Hennes bred in thys countrey
+wythout a Cock?” The Marchionisse which full well vnderstoode
+the cause of his demaunde, thinkinge that God had sent hir an
+apt tyme for aunswere as she desired, boldly aunswered the
+Kinge: “No and it please your grace, but of Women, albeit in
+honour and apparell there is some difference, yet they be al
+made in this Countrey as they be else where.” The kyng hearing
+hir aunswere, right wel did know the occasion of the Banket of
+Hennes, and whereunto hir wordes did tend: and considred that to
+bestow any further talke to so wyse a Lady, it were in vayne,
+and that force there could take no place. Lyke as vnaduisedly he
+fell in loue, so it behoued him of necessity wysely to staunch
+the fire for his honour sake, and wythout any more taunting
+wordes, fearing hir reuenge, he dined without hope to get other
+thinge of hir. And when hee had done, to the intent by hys
+sodayne departure, he might couer his dishonest comming,
+thankinge hir for the honour which he had receyued, and she
+recommending him to God, he departed to Genoua. Here may be
+proued the great difference betweene Wysedome and Folly,
+betweene Vertue and Vice. The King more by Lust, than other
+desire, by circumstances endeuoured to sound the deapth of the
+Ladie’s minde: she by comely answere, payd hym home for his
+folly. A liuely representation of a noble creature, so well
+bedecked wyth Vertue as wyth Beauty.
+
+
+
+
+THE SEUENTEENTH NOUELL.
+
+  _Mistresse Dianora demaunded of maister Ansaldo a garden so faire in
+  Ianuary, as in the moneth of May. Mayster Ansaldo (by meanes of an
+  obligation which he made to a Nicromancer) caused the same to bee
+  done. The husband agreed with the gentlewoman that she should do the
+  pleasure which maister Ansaldo required, who hearinge the liberality
+  of the husband, acquited hir of hir promise, and the Necromancer
+  discharged maister Ansaldo._
+
+
+Of all things commonly accompanying the maner and trade of man’s
+life, nothing is more circumspectly to be attended and prouided
+for, than regard and estimation of honesty: which attire, as it
+is most excellent, and comely, so aboue al other vayne Toyes of
+outward apparell to bee preferred: and as honesty hath all other
+good Conditions included in it selfe, as the same by any meanes
+cannot stray out of that tract, troden before by the steppes of
+that most excellent vertue: euen so, impossible it is for the
+party adorned with the same, to wander one iote from that
+foretrodden Path: wherefore let eche wyght that traceth this
+worldly Lyfe, foresee the due obseruation of all thinges
+incident to that which is honest. Nothinge in thys lyfe (sayth
+Tully in his oration, for the Poet Archias) is so mutch to bee
+regarded. Honesty, for the gettinge whereof all torments of
+body, all perills and daungers of death be not to be regarded:
+honesty then beinge a Treasure so precious, what care not onely
+for the atchieuinge but for the conseruation ought to bee
+employed? in the practise whereof, one speciall thinge ought to
+be attended, which is, how a vow or promise ought to be made, or
+how the estimation of honesty ought to be hazarded for any
+thinge seeme it neuer so impossible: for what is it that loue
+and Money hath not brought to passe? what heard aduentures by
+Iason? what sleight by Alexander the Sonne of kynge Pryamus?
+what monsters slayne and labours sustayned by Hercules? what
+daungers and exploits some haue incurred and other attempted by
+diuers? to bee short,
+
+  _Nihil est quod non effreno captus amore, ausit._
+
+As Ouide the Poet sayth:
+
+  _Nothinge there is, but that the louing man doth dare,_
+  _Surprised with frantike fit, eche deed he doth not spare._
+
+Wherfore let euery wight beware how they gage their honesty for
+any enterprise (seeme it neuer so impossible). Maistresse
+Dianora deerely beloued of a gentleman, and earnestly assayled,
+in the ende yelded vpon a condition: which if it could be
+brought to passe (which she thought impossible) was content to
+surrender to his loue: who consulting with a Magitian, performed
+hir request: then what folowed, and what counsel hir husband
+gaue hir, after she had broken the effect of hir promise to hym,
+and what Curtesie was vsed on all sides, the sequele hereof
+dyscloseth. The Countrey of Frioli although it be colde, yet is
+it pleasaunt by reason of many faire mountaines, riuers, and
+cleere sprynges that are in the same: where there is a City
+called Vdina, and in the same sometime dwellyng a faire
+gentlewoman called Mistresse Dianora, the wyfe of Gilberto,
+a notable rich man, a very curteous personage, and of good
+behauiour. This Lady, for hir graces and vertues, was intierly
+beloued of a Gentleman and great Lord, called maister Ansaldo
+Grandese, who for his liberalyty and valyance in armes, was
+famous and well knowen: and albeit that hee loued hir feruently,
+seking al meanes possible to be beloued of hir, soliciting hir
+many tymes by Ambassadours, yet his labour was in vayn. And the
+Lady being offended for hys dayly sute and trauayle, hee for al
+hir refusal and disagreement to his desire, would not abstaine
+from louing hir, but still mayntayne his importunate sute: she
+deuising with her selfe how to rid him away, made a request vnto
+him, so straunge and impossible, (in hir iudgement) as he was
+not able to bring the same to passe: and vpon a day she sayd
+vnto an old woman, (the which cam often tymes to sue vnto hir in
+hys behalf) these words: “Good wife, thou hast many times
+assured me, that Maister Ansaldo doth loue mee aboue all other,
+and thou hast offered vnto me maruellous giftes and presents in
+hys name: al which I haue refused, vpon consideration, that I
+mynd not to fauour or loue him for his goods: but if thou canst
+iustify by warrantize or other probable argument, that hee
+loueth me so mutch as thou sayest, I will condescend without
+fayle to loue him againe and to doe the thing that it shal
+please him to commaund me: therfore if he wil assure me to do
+that thing which I shal require hym to do, tel him that I am at
+his commaundement.” “What is that madame,” (said the old woman)
+“that you desire?” “The thing which I demaund” (answered the
+Gentlewoman) “is, that he should cause to be made here without
+the Citie, during the moneth of Januarie next commyng, a garden
+full of greene herbes, floures and trees, bespred wyth leaues,
+euen as it were in the moneth of May: and if so be that he do it
+not, then let him neuer send thee or any other vnto me agayn:
+for if afterwards he be importunate vpon me, like as I haue
+hitherto kept it close from my husbande and parents, euen so
+complayning vnto them, I wyll assaye to bee dispatched from hys
+long and tedious sute.” When the knight vnderstoode that
+request, and the offer that hys Mystresse made him (although it
+seemed a thinge very difficulte and all most impossible to bee
+done) knowinge very well that she did the same for none other
+purpose, but onely to put him out of hope that euer hee should
+enioy hir, hee determined notwithstandinge, to proue what hee
+was able to do. And for that purpose sent to seeke in many
+places of the Worlde if there were any man that could assist him
+and geue him Counsel therin. In the ende there was one found
+that offred to doe it (if he were well waged thereunto) by the
+art of Necromancie, with whom maister Ansaldo bargained for a
+great summe of Money. Then he expected the moneth of Ianuarie
+with great deuotion, whych beeing come, euen when the coldest
+wether was, and that al places were ful of snow and yce, this
+Necromancer vsed his art in sutch sort, as in the night after
+the holy dais of Christmasse, in a faire medow adioyning to the
+city, ther appered in the morning (as they can testify that saw
+the same) one of the fairest gardens that euer any man saw, full
+of herbes, trees, and fruites of all sortes: which when maister
+Ansaldo had seen, God knoweth if he were glad or not: and
+incontinently caused to be gathered the fairest fruites and
+floures that were there, and secretlye sente the same to his
+Friende, inuiting hir to come and see the Garden which she had
+procured him to make, to the intent thereby she might know the
+loue that he bare hir, and to remember the promise which she
+made him, and confirmed by othe, that he might from that time
+forth esteeme hir a woman so good as hir promise. When the
+Gentlewoman sawe the flowers and fruictes and hearing tell by
+report of the straunge things that were in that Garden, began to
+repent hir selfe of the promise which shee had made: but for all
+her repentaunce, she like one desirous to se straung things,
+wente wyth many other women to see the same: and hauing praised
+it, not wythout greate admiration, she returned home, the
+angriest woman that euer was, when she had considered in what
+sort she had abused hir selfe by meanes of that Garden: and hir
+rage was so greate, that she could by no meanes keepe the same
+so secrete or close, but that her husband muste perceiue the
+same, who woulde needes knowe of hir al the whole matter: the
+Gentlewoman a long time kepte it secrete: in the ende she was
+constrained to declare vnto him the same in order. Hir husbande
+hearing what she had promised was sodainly very angry:
+afterwardes considering the pure intente of his wife, hee wisely
+appeaseed hir, and sayd: “Dianora, it is not the acte of a wyse
+and vertuouse wife to encline hir eare to sutch messages as
+those be, and lesse honest to make any marte or bargain of hir
+honesty with any person, vnder what condicion soeuer it be.
+Words which the hart receiueth by the eares, haue greater force
+than many do esteme, and there is nothing so difficult, but by
+the amorous is brought to passe. First therfore thou hast done
+euil to giue eare vnto such ambassage, and afterwards for
+agreement to the bargaine: for the weight of chastity is so
+ponderous, as by no meanes it ought to be laid in balance,
+eyther by impossibilities to boast and bragge therof, or else by
+assurance of their conceiued thought to bring it into question,
+leaste in all places the same may be dysputed vpon, and blemysh
+with the note of lightnesse, the person tyll that time
+vnspotted: but bycause I know the purity of thy heart, I wyll
+agree vnto thee for discharge of thy promise, whych
+peraduenture, some other would not doe, moued therunto for the
+feare I haue of the Necromancer, who if he see Mayster Ansaldo
+to be offended bicause thou hast deluded hym, may doe vs some
+displeasure: wherfore I wyll that thou go to maister Ansaldo,
+and if thou canest by any meanes to vse thy selfe (as thyne
+honour saued) thou mayst discharge thy promise, I shall commende
+thy wit: but if there be no remedye otherwyse, for that onely
+time then lende forth thy Body and not thy wyll.” The
+gentlewoman hearyng hir husband so wisely speake, could doe
+nought else but weepe, and sayd, that she would not agree to his
+requeste. Notwythstanding, it pleased the husband (for al the
+denial whych his wife did make) that it shoulde be so: by meanes
+wherof, the next morning vpon the point of day the Gentlewoman
+in the homliest attire she had, with two of hir seruantes
+before, and hir mayde behinde, wente to the lodging of maister
+Ansaldo, who when he hearde tell that hys Louer was come to see
+hym, maruelled mutch, and rising vp, called the Necromancer, and
+sayde vnto him: “My wyll is, that thou see how mutch thyne arte
+hath preuailed:” and going vnto hir, without any disordinate
+lust, he saluted hir wyth reuerence, and honestly receiued hir.
+Then they entred into a faire Chamber, and sittyng downe before
+a great fire, he sayde vnto hir these Wordes: “Madame, I humbly
+beseeche you, if the loue which I haue borne you of long time,
+and yet doe beare, deserue some recompence, that it please you
+to tell me vnfainedly the cause which haue made you to come
+hither thus early, and with such a company.” The shamefast
+Gentlewoman, hir eyes ful of teares, made answere: “Sir, the
+loue which I beare you, nor any promised faith haue brought me
+hither, but rather the only commaundement of my husband, who
+hath greater respect to the payne and trauaile of your
+disordinate loue, than to his own honour or my reputation, who
+hath caused me to come hither, and by hys commaundement am redy
+for this once to satisfie your pleasure.” If Mayster Ansaldo
+were abashed at the begynnyng, be much more did maruell when he
+hearde the Gentlewoman thus to speake, and moued with the
+liberality of hir husband, he began to chaunge his heate into
+compassion, and said: “Mistresse, God defend if it be true that
+you do say, that I should soyle the honour of hym, whych hath
+pity vpon my loue, and therefore you may tarrie here so long as
+it shall please you, with sutch assurance of your honesty as if
+you were my naturall sister, and frankly may depart when you be
+disposed, vpon sutch condicion, that you render in my behalf
+those thanks vnto your husband which you shal thinke conuenient,
+for the great liberality whych he hath imployed vpon me, deeming
+my selfe henceforth so much bound vnto him, as if I were his
+brother or Seruaunt.” The Gentlewoman hearing those wordes, the
+best contented that euer was, sayd vnto him: “All the worlde
+could neuer make me beleue (your great honesty considered) that
+other thing could happen vnto mee by my commyng hyther, than
+that which presently I see: for which I recken my selfe
+perpetually bounde vnto you.” And takynge hir leaue, honorablye
+returned in the aforesayde company home to hir husband, and
+tolde hym what had chaunced, which engendred perfect loue and
+amytye betweene hym and mayster Ansaldo. The Necromancer to whom
+maister Ansaldo determined to gyue the price, couenanted betwene
+them, seyng the liberality which the husbande had vsed towards
+mayster Ansaldo, and the like of mayster Ansaldo towards the
+Gentlewoman, sayd: “God defend, that sith I haue seene the
+husband lyberall of his honour, and you bountiful of your loue
+and curtesie, but that I be likewyse franke in my reward: for
+knowing that it is well employed of you, I purpose that you
+shall keepe it still.” The knyghte was ashamed, and would haue
+forced him to take the whole, or part: but in offryng the same,
+he lost his laboure: and the Necromancer the third day after,
+hauying vndon his Garden, and desirous to departe, tooke his
+leaue. Thus Ansaldo extinguishing the dishonest loue kindled in
+hys hearte, for inioying of his Lady, vpon consideration of
+honest charity, and regard of Curtesie, repressed his wanton
+minde, and absteyned from that which God graunte that others by
+lik Example may refrayne.
+
+
+
+
+THE EIGHTEENTH NOUELL.
+
+  _Mithridanes enuious of the liberality of Nathan, and goinge aboute
+  to kill hym, spake vnto him vnknowne, & being infourmed by himself
+  by what meanes he might do the same he found him in a little wood
+  accordingly as hee had tolde him, who knowinge him, was ashamed, and
+  became his friende._
+
+
+Straunge may seeme thys following Hystory, and rare amonges
+those, in whom the vertue of liberality neuer florished: many we
+reade of, that haue kept Noble and bountifull houses,
+entertayninge Guestes, both Forrayne and free borne, plentifully
+Feastinge them with variety of cheere, but to entertayne a Guest
+that aspyreth the death of his hoast, and to cherishe hym after
+hee knew of it, or liberally to offer his life, seldome or neuer
+we reade, or by experience knowe: but what moued the conspirator
+to frowne at the state and life of Nathan? euen that froward
+pestilent passion Enuy, the consumer and deadly monster of all
+humanity: who imitatinge the like cost, and port of his deuout
+hoast Nathan, and seekinge after equall glory and fame, was
+through enuie’s force for not attayninge the like, driuen to
+imagine how to kill a good and innocent man: for enuy commonly
+wayteth vpon the vertuous, euen as the shadow doeth the body.
+And as the Cantharides (which similitude Plutarch vseth) delight
+in ripe and prosperous wheate, and crawle in spreadinge roses,
+so enuy chiefly them which in vertue and richesse do abound: for
+had not Nathan bene famous for hys goodnesse, and glorious for
+liberality, Mithridanes would neuer haue prosecuted him by enuy,
+nor gon about to berieue hys lyfe. He that enuieth the vertuous
+and industrious person, may bee compared to Dedalus, whom the
+Poets fayne to murder Telon hys Apprentice for deuising of the
+Potter’s wheele: and Mithridanes disdaynfull of Nathan’s
+hospitality, would haue slayne him: but how ashamed Mithridanes
+was of his practise, this example at large discourseth. Very
+true it is (at least wyse if credite may bee gieuen to the words
+of certayne Genoua Merchauntes, and of others whych haue
+trauayled that countrey) how in Cataya, there was sometimes a
+rich Gentleman without comparison, named Nathan, who hauing a
+place or Pallace ioyning vpon the high way, by which the
+trauaylers to and from the West, and East, were constrayned to
+passe, and hauing a noble and liberal heart, desirous by
+experience to haue the same to be knowen, and wyth what nature
+and quality it was affected, he assembled dyuers maister Masons
+and Carpenters, and in short tyme erected there one of the
+stateliest Pallaces for greatnesse and costly furniture that
+euer was seene in that countrey, which afterwards he caused to
+be stored with all things necessary, honourably to entertayne
+ech Gentleman that passed that way: and with a great trayne of
+seruantes he welcomed and accepted sutch as iourneyed to and
+fro. And in this commendable custome he perseuered so longe as
+both in the East and West partes, report was bruted of his
+renoume and fame: and being come to auncient yeares, not for all
+that weary of his liberality, it chaunced that his fame flewe to
+the eares of a yong gentleman called Mithridanes, who in a
+country not farre of from his, had his abode and resiance.
+Mithridanes knowing himselfe to be so rich as Nathan, enuious of
+his vertue and liberality, purposed by some meanes or other to
+defame and obscure his neyghbour’s good reporte: and hauing
+builded a Palace like to that which Nathan did possesse, began
+to vse curtesies to those which passed to and fro, in outragious
+and disordred sort: whereby in little time he purchased great
+fame. Now it chaunced vpon a day, as Mithridanes was alone in
+the court of his Palace, a poore woman entring in at one of the
+gates of the same, craued almes, and had it and so successiuely
+euen to the twelfth and thirtenth time, also she retorned
+agayne, which Mithridanes perceiuing, said vnto her: “Good wyfe
+you come hither very often:” and yet he denied not hir almes.
+The old woman hearing those words, sayd: “O how maruellous is
+the liberality of Nathan, whose palace hath XXXII. entries by
+seuerall gates, so greate as this, and daily begging almes
+there, neuer made semblance as though he knew me, and yet the
+same was not denied me: and being come hither but XIII. times,
+I haue bene marked and reproued:” and saying so, she went her
+way, and neuer after came thither agayne. Mithridanes hearyng
+these wordes to proceede from the old woman fell into a great
+rage, deeming the fame reported of Nathan to be a diminution of
+his own, and said: “Ah wretch, when shal I be able to attayne
+the liberality of Nathan’s greatest things? and why then goe I
+about to excel him, when in litle matters I am not able to come
+neare him? verily I labour all in vaine, if I myselfe do not
+seeke meanes to rid him of his life, sith croked age is not
+disposed to dispatch him, I must therfore doe the same with myne
+own hands.{”} And in that fury makyng no man priuy to his
+intent, he rode forth with a smal traine, and in three dayes
+arriued where Nathan dwelte, and then commaunded his men in any
+wise not to be knowen that they came with him, and likewise that
+they knewe him not, but to prouide lodging for themselues,
+vntyll sutch tyme as they had further newes from him.
+Mithridanes then being arriued about evening, al alone, found
+Nathan walking vp and downe before his faire Palace, without
+other company than himself, who in simple attire and garment
+went forth to meete him: of whom Mithridanes, bicause he knew
+not Nathan, demaunded if he could tell him where Nathan dwelt.
+Nathan pleasantly made him answer: “My sonne, ther is no man in
+these quarters that can better tel thee than I, and therfore yf
+thou please, I wyll bring thee thither.” Mithridanes said, that
+he should doe hym a very great pleasure: but he would not if it
+were possible bee seene or knowen of Nathan: “And that can I
+very wel do,” said Nathan, now that I know your mynd. Being then
+lighted of from his horse, he went with Nathan, who by and by
+interteined him with diuersity of talk, to his faire Palace: and
+Nathan incontinently caused one of his seruaunts to take
+Mithridanes’ horse, and said vnto him in hys eare that he should
+wyth all speede giue order to his housholde, that none should
+tel the younge Man that he was Nathan, which accordingly was
+done: but after they were in the Palace, Nathan brought
+Mithridanes into a very fayre chambre, that none mighte see him
+excepte sutch as he had appoynted to serue hym: and causinge
+greate honour to bee done vnto him, hee hymselfe kepte him
+company. As they two were together, Mithridanes asked him
+(to whom hee vsed conuenable reuerence as to his father) what he
+was? whom Nathan answered: “I am one of Nathan’s pore seruaunts,
+that from the time of my youth haue bene broughte vp wyth him,
+and neuer aduaunced me to any thing but to that which you see:
+wherefore, although euery man greatly prayseth him, yet haue I
+no cause to commend hym.” These wordes gaue some hope to
+Mithridanes, by better aduise and surety to execute his wicked
+intente: and Nathan asked him very curteously what he was, and
+for what businesse he was come thither, offeryng him helpe and
+counsel in that he was able to do. Mithridanes then paused a
+while before he would make him answere: and in the ende
+purposyng to put his trust in him, required with great
+circumstance of wordes his fayth and after that his counsell and
+ayde. Then he wholy discouered what he was, wherefore he was
+come, and the cause that moued hym. Nathan hearing those
+woordes, and the mischieuous determination of Mithridanes, was
+chaunged and troubled in mynde, notwythstandyng wythout making
+any semblaunce of displeasure answered him with bolde
+countenaunce: “Mithridanes, thy father was a Gentleman, and of
+stoute stomacke, from whome so farre as I see, thou wylt not
+degenerate, by attemptyng so great an enterpryse as thou hast
+done. I intende to be lyberall to ech man and praise greatly the
+Enuye whych thou bearest to the Vertue of Nathan, bycause if
+there were many sutch, the Worlde which is now myserable, would
+shortly become prosperous and happye: and doe make thee promyse,
+that the intent thou goest about, shall be kepte secrete,
+whereunto I can sooner gyue Counsell than any great helpe, and
+mine aduyse is this: you may see from the place where we now be
+a lyttle Groaue, about a quarter of a Myle hence, whereunto
+Nathan in a maner walketh euery mornyng, and tarrieth there a
+long time: there you may easily finde him, and do your pleasure:
+and if you kyll him, you may goe, (to the intent without daunger
+you may returne home to your owne House) not that way you came,
+but by that you see on the lefte hand leade out of the wod,
+whych although it be not so common as the other, yet is the
+nearest way and safest for you to passe.” When Mithridanes was
+thus informed, and that Nathan departed from him, he caused
+worde secretly to be sent to his Men, which likewyse lodged
+there, in what place they should waight for him the next day:
+and when the day was com, Nathan not altering the counsel he
+gaue to Mithridanes, ne chaunging any part of the same, went all
+alone into the little woodde, to receiue his Death. When
+Mithridanes was vp, and had taken his bowe and sword, (for he
+had none other weapons) he mounted vpon his horse, and rode to
+the little woodde, where a farre of he espied Nathan, commyng
+thitherward all alone, and determining before he would set vppon
+him to see him and heare him speake, made toward him, and
+catchyng him by the band vpon his head, said vnto him: “Old
+chorle thou art dead.” Whervnto Nathan made none other answer,
+but said, “I haue deserued it.” When Mithridanes heard his voyce
+and looked him in the face, he knew by and by that it was he
+which had curteously receiued him, familiarly kept him company,
+and faithfully had gyuen him counsel. Wherupon, his fury
+asswaged, and his anger conuerted to shame: by meanes whereof,
+throwing downe his sworde which he had drawn to strike him, he
+lighted of from his horse, and did prostrate himselfe at Nathan
+his father’s feete, and said vnto him weeping: “I manifestly
+perceiue right louing father your great lyberality, and by what
+pollicy you be come hyther to render to me your lyfe: whereunto
+I hauyng no ryght, declared my selfe desyrous to haue the same:
+but our Lord God, more carefull of my deuoir than my self, hath
+euen at the very point, when it was moste needefull, opened the
+eyes of myne vnderstandynge, which curssed spite and cancred
+enuy haue closed vp: and therefore, the more you were ready to
+gratify my desire, the greater punishment I knowledge my selfe
+to deserue for my faulte. Take then of me if it please you sutch
+vengance as you thynke meete for myne offence.” Nathan caused
+Mithridanes to rise vp, kissinge and imbracinge hym tenderly,
+and sayd vnto hym: “My sonne, thou needest not to demaund
+pardon, for the enterprise done, good or euill as thou list to
+name it: for thou diddest not go about to rid me of my lyfe for
+any hatred thou diddest bear me, but only to be accompted the
+better: be assured then of me, and verily beleue, that there is
+no lyuing man, that I loue better than thy self, considering the
+greatnesse of thine heart not inclyned to hoorde or gather
+togither the drossy muck of Syluer, as the myserable do, but to
+spend that which is gathered. Be not ashamed for hauing a will
+to kill me, thereby to great renowme: for Emperours and greatest
+kings, neuer streatched forth their power, and racked their
+Realmes, and consequently aspired fam, for other purpose but to
+kyl: not by murdering one man as thou didst meane, but of
+infinit numbers, besides the burning of Countries, and rasing of
+Cities: wherefore if to make thy selfe more famous, thou
+wouldest have killed me alone, thyne enterprise was not newly to
+be wondred at, but a thyng in dayly practise.” Mithridanes no
+more excusinge hys wicked intent, but praysinge the honest
+excuse, which Nathan had deuised, drew neare vnto hym to enter
+into further talke wyth hym, which was, how he greatly
+maruelled, that he durst approch the place, with so litle
+rescue, where his death was sworne, and what he meant him selfe
+to tell the way and meanes: wherein he required him to say his
+mynde, for disclosinge of the cause. Whereunto Nathan replied:
+“Maruell not, Mithridanes, of mine intent and purpose, for
+sithens I was at age disposed to myne owne free will, and
+determined to do that which thou hast gone about to do, neuer
+any came to me, but I haue contented them (so farre as I was
+hable) of that they did demaund: thou art come hither with
+desire to haue my lyfe, wherefore seeing that thou diddest
+craue, I forthwith dyd meane to gieue it, that thou alone
+mightest not be the man that should depart from hence without
+atchieuing thy request: and to bring to passe that thou myghtest
+haue the same, I gaue thee the best Counsel I could, aswel for
+bereuing of my lyfe, as for enioyinge of thyne owne: and
+therefore I say to thee agayne, and pray thee for to take it,
+thereby to content thy selfe, if thou haue any pleasure therein:
+for I do not know whych way better to imploy it. I haue all
+ready kept it foure score yeares, and haue consumed the same in
+pleasures, and delights, and do know by course of nature in
+other men, and generally in all things, that long it cannot
+reast in breathing dayes: wherefore I think good, that better it
+is to geue, as I haue dayly done, and departe with my Treasures,
+than keepe it till nature cary it away in despite of my Teeth,
+and maugre that I haue. It is a little gift to giue one hundred
+yeares, how mutch lesse is it then to giue sixe or eyght of
+those I haue to liue? Take it then if it please thee, I thee
+beseech: for neuer yet found I man that did desire the same, ne
+yet do know when I shall finde sutch one, if that thy selfe
+which didst desire it, do not take it: and if it chaunce that I
+do finde some one, I know full well that so mutch the longer as
+I shall keepe the same the lesse esteemed it shall be, and
+therefore before the same be vile and of little price, take it I
+beseech thee.” Mithridanes sore ashamed, sayd: “God forbid, that
+by separating so deare a thing as is thy life, that I should
+take it, or onely desire the same, as I did erst, from which I
+would not diminish yeares, but willingly would of myne owne ad
+thereto if I could.” Whereunto Nathan by and by replyed: “And if
+thou couldest, wouldest thou gieue them? and wouldest thou cause
+me do to thee that which I neuer did to any man, that is to say,
+to take of thy things which neuer I did of any liuing person?”
+“Yea verily,” aunswered Mithridanes. “Then,” sayde Nathan: “thou
+oughtest there to doe that which I wyll tel thee: which is to
+remayne here in my house so younge as thou art, and beare the
+name of Nathan, and I would goe to thine, and bee called
+Mithridanes.” Then Mithridanes answered: “If I had also so great
+experience as thou hast, I woulde not refuse thine offer, but
+bicause I am assured, that my deedes woulde diminish the renoume
+of Nathan, I wyll not marre that in another, which I cannot
+redresse in my selfe: and therefore I wyll not take it.” After
+thys talke, and a great deale more betwene them, they repayred
+to the Palace, vppon the request of Nathan, where many dayes he
+did great honour to Mithridanes, incoraging and counselling him,
+so wel as he could, dayly to perseuere in his high and great
+indeuour. And Mithridanes desirous to returne home with his
+company, Nathan (after that he had let him well to know, that he
+was not able to surpasse him in liberality) gaue him leaue.
+
+
+
+
+THE NINETEENTH NOUELL.
+
+  _Mayster Gentil of Carisendi being come from Modena, tooke a woman
+  out of hir graue that was buried for dead, who after she was come
+  agayne, brought forth a Sonne, which mayster Gentil rendred
+  afterwardes with the mother to mayster Nicholas Chasennemie her
+  husband._
+
+
+Reading this History, I consider two straung and rare chaunces:
+the one a lyberall and courteous act of an earnest louer towards
+his beloued and hir husband, in leauinge hir vntouched, and not
+dishonored, although in full puissance to doe his pleasure: the
+other a lyke liberall offre by presentinge whom he dearly loued,
+and a newe borne Chylde: both supposed to be dead by hir
+freendes, and therefore Intoumbed in Graue. Wherewithall is to
+bee noted the rare and singuler desire of a gentlewoman, by
+humble sute for conseruation of her honour, although longe time
+pursued by a Gentleman that reuiued hir almost from death, and
+thought her vtterly to be void of life. To praise the one, and
+to leaue the other not magnified, it were a part of discurtesy:
+but to extol both with shoutes, and acclamations of infinite
+praise no dout but very commendable. If comparisons may be made
+with Prynces of elder yeares, and not to note those of later,
+truely Mayster Gentil by that hys fact, seemeth not mutch
+inferior to Scipio Africanus for sparing the wyfe of Indibilis,
+ne yet to king Cyrus for Panthea the wyfe of Abradatus: although
+both of them not in equall state of loue, (as wholly estraunged
+from that passion) like to maister Gentil, who in deed for
+subduing that griefe and motion, deserueth greater prayse. For
+sooner is that torment auoyded at the first assault and pinch,
+than when it is suffred long to flame and raigne in that yelding
+portion of man, the heart, which once fed with the bayt of loue,
+is seldome or neuer loosed. To do at large to vnderstand the
+proofe of those most vertuous persons, thus beginneth the
+history. At Bologna a very notable Citty of Lombardy, there was
+a Knyght of very great respect for his vertue, named maister
+Gentil Carissendi, who in his youth fell in loue with a
+Gentlewoman called maistresse Katherine, the wyfe of one mayster
+Nicholas Chassennemie. And bicause during that loue he receiued
+a very ill counterchange for his affection that he bare vnto
+hir, he went away (like one desperate) to be the iudge and
+potestate of Modena, whereunto he was called. About the time
+that hir husband being out of Bologna, and the gentlewoman at
+hir Manour in the countrey, not past a mile and a halfe from the
+Citty, (whither she went to remayne, bicause she was with
+childe) it chaunced that she was sodenly surprised with a
+sicknesse, which was of so great force, as there was no token of
+lyfe in her, but rather iudged by all Phisitians to be a dead
+Woman. And because that hir neerest Kinne reported that they
+hearde hir saye, that shee could not bee longe time with Childe,
+but that the infante must be perfect in her wombe and ready to
+be deliuered, and therefore affected wyth some other disease and
+griefe that would bring hir to hir ende, as a Timpany or other
+swelling, rising of grosse humors, they thought hir a dead
+Woman, and past recouery: wherefore vpon a time she falling into
+a traunce, was verily supposed to be dead. Who after they had
+mourned hir death, and bewayled the sodayn expiration of hir
+soule, caused hir to be buried without hope of recouery (euen as
+she was in that extasie) in a graue of a church adioyning harde
+by the house wher she dwelt. Which thing incontinently was
+aduertised master Gentil by one of his frends, who although he
+was not likely, as he thought, to attayne hir fauor and in vtter
+dispayre therof, yet it gryeued him very mutch that no better
+heede was taken vnto hir, thynking by diligence and time shee
+woulde haue reuyued agayn, sayinge thus in the end vnto him
+selfe: “How now madam Katherin, that Death hath wrought his wyll
+wyth you, and I could neuer obteyne durynge your life one simple
+looke from those youre glistering eies, which lately I beheld to
+my great ouerthrow and decay, wherfore now when you cannot
+defend your self, I may bee bold (you being dead) to steale from
+you some desired kisse.” When hee had sayd so, beyng already
+Nyght, and hauynge taken order that none should know of his
+departure, he gat vpon his Horse, accompanied with one only
+seruaunt, and wythout taryinge anye where, arriued at the place
+where his Lady was buryed, and opening the Graue, forthwith he
+entred in, and laying himself downe besides hir, he approched
+neare hir face, and many times kissed hir, pouryng forthe great
+abundance of teares. But as we see the appetyte of Man not to be
+content excepte it proceede further (specially of sutch as bee
+in loue) beyng determined to tarrye no longer there, and to
+departe, he sayd: “Ah God, why should I goe no further, why
+should I not touche hir, why should I not proue whyther she be
+alyue or dead?” Vanquished then wyth that motyon, hee felt hir
+brests, and holding his hand there for a certayne tyme,
+perceyued hir Heart as it were to pant, and thereby some lyfe
+remayning in hir: wherefore so softly as he could, wyth the
+helpe of his man, he raised hir out of the graue: and settynge
+hir vppon his Horse before him, secretly caried hir home to his
+house at Bologna. The mother of maister Gentil dwelled there,
+which was a graue and vertuous Matrone, who vnderstandyng by her
+sonne the whole effect of that chaunce, moued wyth compassion,
+vnknowne to anye man, placing hir before a great fire, and
+comfortyng hir wyth a bathe prepared for the purpose, she
+recouered lyfe in the Gentlewoman that was supposed to bee
+deade, who so soone as she was com to hir self, threw forth a
+great sigh and sayd: “Alas, wher am I now?” To whom the good old
+woman sayd: “Be of good cheere swete hart, yee bee in a good
+place.” The Gentlewoman hauing wholly recouered hir senses, and
+looking round about hir, not yet well knowing where she was, and
+seing maister Gentill before hir, prayed his mother to tell hir
+how she came thither. To whome maister Gentil declared in order
+what he had done for hir, and what meanes he vsed to bryng hir
+thyther: wherof makyng hir complaynt, and lamentyng the lyttle
+regard and neglygence of hir frends, she rendred vnto hym
+inumerable thankes. Then she prayed him for the Loue which at
+other times he bare hir and for his courtesie, that she might
+not receyue in hys house any thing that should be dishonorable
+to hir person, ne yet to hir husband, but so soone as it was
+Daye to suffer hir to goe home to hir owne House: whereunto
+maister Gentil answered: “Madam, what soeuer I haue desired in
+time past, now am I fully purposed neuer to demaund any thyng
+specially in this place or in any other but the safety of your
+honour, and that I would doe to myne owne sister, sith it hath
+pleased God to showe me that pleasure, as by my meanes you are
+reuiued from death to life, and to delyuer you to mee in
+consideration of the loue that I haue born you heretofore: but
+this good worke, which this Nyghte I haue done for you, well
+deserueth some recompence. Wherefore my desire is, that you deny
+me not the pleasure which I shall demaund:” whome the
+gentlewoman curteously answered, that shee was very ready, so
+the same were honest and in hir power to doe. Then sayd mayster
+Gentil: “Mystresse, all your kin and al they of Bologna, doe
+beleue for a trouth that you bee deade, wherefore there is none
+that loketh for your recouery agayne: and the pleasure then
+whych I demaund, is that you wyll vouchsafe secretlye to tarry
+here wyth my mother, vntill I retourne from Modena, which shal
+be with so great expedition as I can: and the cause why I desire
+the same, is, for that I intend to make a fayre and acceptable
+present of you vnto your husband in the presence of the
+principal of this City.” The gentlewoman knowing hir self to be
+greatly bound to the knight, and that hys request was honest,
+was content to doe what hee demaunded. Albeit shee desired
+earnestly to reioyce hir frendes for hir recouered life, and so
+promised vppon hir faith. And vnnethes had she ended hir talke,
+but she felt the pain of chyldbirth: wherfore wyth the ayde of
+the mother of maister Gentil, she tarried not long before she
+was deliuered of a fayre Sonne, which greatly augmented the ioy
+of maister Gentil and hir. Mayster Gentil commaunded that she
+should haue al thyngs that were necessary to be ministred vnto
+hir, and that she should be vsed as his owne Wyfe. Then he
+pryuily returned to Modena, where when he had a while supplied
+his office, he returned to Bologna, and prepared a great feast
+at his house, the same morning that he arriued, for diuers
+gentlemen of the city, amongs whom Nicholas Chasennemie was one.
+When the company of the bidden guests wer com, (the gentlewoman
+in so good health and lykyng as euer she was, and hir Child wel
+and lusty), he sate down amongs them doing vnto them
+incomparable myrth and pastime, and serued them bountifully wyth
+dyuers sortes of meates. When dinner was almost done, hauing
+before told the Gentlewoman what he ment to doe, and in what
+manner she should behaue hir selfe, he began thus to say: “My
+Maysters, I do remember that whilom I haue hearde tell that in
+the Country of Persia, there was a goodly custom (as me seemeth)
+that when som one was disposed to do great honour vnto his
+friend, he bad hym home to his house, and there shewed him the
+thing whych he loued best, were it wyfe, woman, or daughter, or
+what so euer it were, affirming that like as he disdayned not to
+shew the same, which outwardly he loued best, euen so he would
+if it were possible, willingly discouer his owne heart: whych
+custome I purpose to obserue in this City. Ye of your curtesie
+haue vouchsafed to do me so great honour, as to repayre vnto
+this my simple feast, which benefite I wyl recompence after the
+Persian manner, by shewing vnto you the thinge which I loue
+moste deerely aboue any in this worlde, or hereafter shal be
+able to loue so long as my life endureth: but before I doe the
+same, I pray you to tell mee your opynyon in a doubte whych I
+shall propose. There was a certayne person whych in hys house
+had a good and Faythfull Seruaunte who became extremely sick:
+that Person without attendyng the end of his diseased seruaunt,
+caused him to be caried into the midst of the streate wythout
+any further care for him. In the meane tyme there came a
+straunger by, who moued by compassion of the sicke seruaunt,
+bare him home to his owne house, where wyth great care and
+diligence, sparing no cost or charge, made him to recouer his
+former healthe: I would now fayne know of you, whither for
+retaining and vsing the seruice of that seruaunt, his first
+maister by good right myghte complayne vpon the seconde, if he
+should demaund hym agayne, or by demaunding of him agayne, the
+second not disposed to restore him, might susteyne any damage.”
+The gentlemen after many opinions and arguments debated too and
+fro amonges them, and at length all concluding in one mind, gaue
+charge to Nicholas Chasennemie, (bicause he was an eloquent
+talker) to make the answer: who first praising the Persians
+custome, said that he was, (with the rest) of this opinion, that
+the first maister had no further title in his seruaunt, hauing
+in sutch necessity not onely forsaken him, but throwen him into
+the streate, and that for the good turnes whych the second
+maister had don him, he ought by good right to be hys: wherefore
+by kepyng him, he did no wrong, force, or iniury to the first.
+Al the rest at the Table (which were very discret and honest
+persons) sayd altogyther that they were of hys opinion. The
+knight content with that answer, and specially bycause Nicholas
+Chasennemie had pronounced it, affyrmed that hee was likewyse of
+that minde, and afterwards he sayd: “Time it is then that I
+render vnto you the honor which you haue done me, in manner
+accordyngly as I haue promysed.{”} Then he called vnto him two
+of hys Seruaunts, and sent them to the Gentlewoman, whom hee had
+caused to be apparelled and decked very gorgeously, praying hir
+by hir presence to content and satisfie al the company. And she
+taking in hir armes hir little faire sonne, came into the hall,
+accompanied with the two Seruauntes, and was placed (as it
+pleased the kynght) besides a very honest gentleman, and then he
+sayde: “Syrs, behold the thing which I loue best, and purpose to
+loue aboue all worldly things, and whither I haue occasion so to
+doe, your eyes may bee Iudges.” The gentlemen doing their
+reuerence unto hir, greatly praised hir, and said to the Knight
+that ther was good reason why she oughte to be beloued: Vpon
+which commendations they began more attentyuely to behold hir,
+and many of them would haue sayd and sworne that it had bin shee
+in deede if it had not bin thought that she had bin dead. But
+Nicholas beheld hir more than the rest, who very desirous to
+know what she was, could not forbeare (when he saw that the
+Knight was a little departed from the place) to aske hir whyther
+shee was of Bologna, or a straunger. When the Gentlewoman saw
+hir husband to ask hir that question, she could scarce forbeare
+from making aunswere, notwithstanding to atchieue that whych was
+purposed, she helde hir peace. Another asked her yf that little
+Boye was hers: And another if shee were the Wyfe of mayster
+Gentil, or any kin vnto hym: vnto whom shee gaue no answere at
+all. But when maister Gentil came in, one of the straungers sayd
+vnto him: “Syr, thys gentlewoman is a very good creature, but
+she seemeth to be dumbe. Is it true or not?” “Syrs,{”} sayde
+maister Gentil, “that is but a little argument of hir vertue for
+this time to hold hir peace.” “Tell vs then (sayde he) what is
+she?” “That wil I do very gladly,” sayd the knight, “vnder
+condition that none of you shall remoue out of his place for any
+thing I speake, vntill I haue ended my tale:” which request
+being graunted, and the table taken vp, maister Gentil which was
+set downe by the Gentlewoman, sayd: “My maysters, this
+gentlewoman is the loyall and faithful seruant, of whom earst I
+propounded the question, whom I haue releeued from amids the
+streate, whither hir kin, little caring for hir, threw hir as a
+vile and vnprofitable thing: and haue by my great care brought
+to passe, that I haue discharged hir from death, vpon an
+affection which God knoweth to be so pure and perfect, as of a
+lumpe of dead lothsome flesh hee hath reuiued so fayre and
+freshe as you see: but to the intent you may more playnly
+vnderstand how it is come to passe, I will open the same in few
+words.” And beginning at the day when he fell in loue with hir,
+he particularly told them, what had chaunced till that time, to
+the great maruell and admiration of them that heard him, and
+then added these woordes: “By meanes whereof, if your minde be
+not chaunged within this litle time, and specially master
+Nicholas, of good right she is my wife, and none by iust title
+can clayme hir.” Whereunto none at al made answere, looking that
+he shoulde haue proceeded further. In the meane while Nicholas
+and the rest that were there, fell into earnest weepinge. But
+maister Gentil, rising from the borde and taking in his armes
+the little childe, and the gentlewoman by the hand, went
+towardes Nicholas, and sayd vnto him: “Rise vp sir gossip, I do
+not restore vnto thee thy Wife, whom thy frends and householde
+did cast into the Streat, but I will geue thee this Gentlewoman
+my Gossip, with the litle childe, that is, as I am assured
+begotten of thee, for whom at the christening I made answere and
+promise, and called him Gentil, and do pray thee that she be no
+lesse esteemed of thee now (for being in my house almost three
+moneths) than she was before. For I swere by the almighty God,
+who made me in loue with hir, (peraduenture that my loue might
+be the cause of hir preseruation) that she neuer liued more
+honestly with hir father, mother, or with thee, than she hath
+done in company of my mother.” When he had sayd so, he returned
+towards the Gentlewoman, and sayd vnto hir: “Maistresse, from
+this time forth, I discharge you of the promise which you haue
+made me, and leaue you to your husband franke and free.” And
+when he had bestowed the gentlewoman, and the chylde in the
+fathers armes, he returned to his place agayne. Nicholas
+ioyfully receyued his Wyfe and childe, for the whych so mutch
+the more he reioysed, as hee was furthest of from hope of hir
+recouery, rendering inumerable thankes to the Knight and the
+rest, and moued with compassion hee wept for company, greatly
+praysing maister Gentil for that act, who was commended of ech
+man that heard the reporte thereof. The Gentlewoman was receiued
+into hir house wyth maruellous ioye: And longe tyme after she
+was gazed vpon by the Citizens of Bologna, as a thing to their
+great wonder reuiued agayne. Afterwards Maister Gentil continued
+styll a friend vnto Nicholas, and vnto hys Wyfe and Chyldren.
+
+
+
+
+THE TWENTIETH NOUELL.
+
+  _Saladine in the habite of a Marchaunt, was honourably receyued into
+  the house of mayster Thorello, who went ouer the Sea, in company of
+  the Christians, and assigned a terme of his wyfe when she should
+  mary agayne. He was taken, and caried to the Sovldan to be his
+  Faulconer, who knowing him, and suffering himself to be knowen, did
+  him great honour. Mayster Thorello fell sicke, and by Magique Art,
+  was caried in a night to Pavie, where he found his wyfe about to
+  mary agayne, who knowinge him, returned home with him to his owne
+  house._
+
+
+Very comely it is (sayeth Cicero in the second booke of hys
+Offices,) that Noblemens houses should styll be open to noble
+Guestes and Straungers. A saying by the honourable and other
+Estates to be fixed in sure remembraunce, and accordingly
+practised: For hospitality and houshold intertaynment, heaping
+vp double gayne and commodity. The Guest it linketh and knitteth
+in fast band of perfect friendship, common familiarity, disporte
+of mynde and pleasant recreation, the poore and needy it
+feedeth, it cherisheth, it prouoketh in them deuout prayers,
+godly blessings, and seruice in tyme of neede. Hospitality is a
+thing so diuine, as in law of Nature and Chryst, it was well and
+brotherly obserued. Lot disdayned not to receyue the Aungels,
+which were straungers vnto him, and by reason of hys common vse
+thereof, and theyr frendly intertaynment, he and his houshold
+was delyuered from the daunger of the City, escaped temporal
+fire, and obteined heauenly rewarde. Abraham was a friendly host
+to straungers, and therefore in his old dayes, and in the
+barrein age of his wyfe Sara, he begat Isaac. Ietro albeit he
+was an Ethnicke and vnbeleuyng man, yet lyberally intertained
+Moyses, and maried him to Sephora, one of his Daughters. The
+poore widow of Sarepta interteined Helias, and Symon the Currior
+disdayned not Peter, nor Lydia the purple silke woman, Paule and
+his fellowes. Forget not Hospitality, (saith the said Apostle
+Paule,) for wyth the same diuers haue pleased Aungels by
+receiuing them into theyr houses. If Paule the true preacher of
+eternall Healthe, hath so commended kepyng of good Houses which
+by the former terme wee call Hospitality, then it is a thing to
+bee vsed amonges those that bee able to mainteine the same: who
+ought with liberall hand frankely to reach bread and victuals to
+their acquaintance, but specially to straungers, whych wandering
+in forein places, be vtterly vnable to helpe themselues, and
+peraduenture in sutch neede, as without sutch curtesie, do
+perishe. For the further amplification of whych vertue, what
+shall I neede to remember straunge and prophane Histories? as of
+Symon of Athens, who was so famous in the same, as the tyrant
+Crytias, when he wished for the ryches of Scopades and the
+victories of Agesilaus, forgat not also to craue the liberality
+of Cimon. Pacuuius also, the Prynce of Campania, so friendly
+entertained Annibal, as when his sonne to do the Romanes a good
+turne, would haue killed him as he sat at supper, was staied by
+his fathers request (whom he made priuy of his intent before
+they sate downe.) Pacuuius had he not more regarded the office
+of hospitality, than the safety of his countrey, might ful wel
+by that murder, haue defended the same from the destruction
+whereunto afterwards it fel. Homere reporteth, that Menelaus
+fighting a combat with Paris of Troy made inuocation and prayer
+vnto the Gods, that he might be reuenged vpon him for the rape
+of his wife Helena, to the intent the posterity hearing of his
+punishmente, mighte feare to polute friendly housholde
+interteynment. Wherefore, sith hospitality hath bene thus put in
+vse in elder tyme, practysed in all ages, and the poluters of
+the same detested and accurssed, and hath notorious commodities
+incident vnto it, I deeme it so worthy to be frequented in noble
+men and all degrees, as theyr Palaces and great houses should
+swarme wyth guests, and their gates lustring with whole
+multitudes of the poore to be satisfied with relief. Sutch hath
+ben the sacred vse and reuerent care of auncient tyme. Sutch
+hath bene the zealous loue of those whose fieldes and barnes,
+closets, and chestes haue bene stored and stuffed with worldely
+wealth, that comparing that golden age, glistering with piety
+and vertue, to these our worsse than copper days, cancred with
+all corruption, we shal find the match so like, as darke and
+light, durt and Aungell golde. Ceasing then of further discourse
+hereof, this history folowing shall elucidate and displaye the
+mutuall beneuolence of two noble personages, the one a mighty
+Souldan, an enimy of God, but yet a fryende to those that
+fauored good entertainment and housekepyng: the other a
+Gentleman of Pauie, a rich and liberall marchaunt, and a
+friendly welcomer of straungers. The Souldan demaunding the way
+to Pauie, somewhat digressing from the same, is not onely
+honourably conueyed to Pauie, and feasted there, but also
+sumptuously cheryshed, banketted, and rewarded by the sayd
+Marchant before his commyng thyther. The marchant man desirous
+to be one of the holye voyage intended by christian Princes,
+passed ouer the seas, who put to his shifts there throughe the
+aduerse lucke receyued by the Christians, became the Souldans
+Fawconer, and afterwardes knowen vnto him by certaine markes and
+signes, is with greater honor intertained of the Souldan, and
+more richly guerdoned, sent home agayne by Magike Arte to
+anticipate the mariage of his wife, vnto whom he had prefixed a
+certaine date and terme to marry againe if before that tyme, he
+did not returne. All which Noble entertainment, and the
+circumstances thereof, in this manner do begin. In the time of
+the Emperour Fredericke the firste, the Chrystians to recouer
+the Holy Lande, made a generall voyage and passage ouer the Sea.
+Saladine a most vertuous Prynce, then Souldan of Babylon, hauing
+intelligence thereof, a certayne time before, determined in his
+own person to see and espy the preparation which the Christian
+Princes made for that passage, the better to prouide for his
+owne, and hauing put order for his affayres in Ægypt, making as
+though he would go on Pilgrimage, tooke his iourney in the
+apparel of a Marchant, accompanied only with two of his chiefest
+and wisest counsellers, and three seruaunts. And when he had
+searched and trauelled many christian prouinces, and riding
+through Lumbardy to passe ouer the Mountaynes, it chaunced that
+betweene Millan and Pauy, somwhat late he met wyth a gentleman
+named mayster Thorello de Istria of Pauy, who with his
+houshoulde, his dogges and hawkes, for his pleasure went to
+soiorne in one of his Manours, that was delectably placed upon
+the ryuer of Tesino. And when maister Thorello sawe them come,
+thinckinge that they were certayn Gentlemen straungers, he
+desired to do them honour. Wherefore Saladine demaunding of one
+of mayster Thorello his men, how farre it was from thence to
+Pauie, and whether they might come thither time inough to go in,
+master Thorello would not suffer his man to speake, but he
+himself made aunswere, saying: “sirs, yee cannot get into Pauie
+in time, for that the Gates will be shut before your comming.”
+Than sayd Saladine: “tell us then wee pray you, bicause we be
+straungers, where wee may lodge this night.” Maister Thorello
+sayd: “That will I willingly do, I was about euen presently to
+send one of my men that be here, so far as Pauie, about certayne
+businesse, him wil I appoint to be your guide to a place where
+you shall haue very good lodging,” and callinge one of his
+wysest men vnto him, he gaue him charge of that he had to do,
+and sent him with them, after whom he followed: where
+incontynently in so good order as he could, caused to be made
+redy a sumptuous supper, and the tables to be couered in a
+pleasant garden. Afterwards hee went himselfe to entertayne
+them. The seruaunt talking with the Gentlemen of many thinges,
+conducted them at leysure somwhat out of the way to protract the
+time, to his maysters house: and so soon as maister Thorello
+espied them, he with liberall heart and bountifull mynde bad
+them welcome. Saladine which was a very wyse man, well perceyued
+that the Gentleman doubted that they woulde not haue come vnto
+hym if he had inuited them at their first meetinge, and for that
+cause, to the intent they should not refuse to lodge at his
+house, he had pollitiquely caused them to be conducted thither,
+and aunsweringe hys greeting, sayd: “Syr, if a man may quarrell
+with them that be curteous, wee may complayne of you, who
+leauinge a part our way which you haue caused somewhat to be
+lengthened, without deseruinge your good will, otherwise than by
+one onely salutation, you haue constrayned vs to take and
+receyue this your so great curtesie.” The wise and well spoken
+Knight, sayd: “Syr, thys curtesie which you receyue of me, in
+respect of that which belongeth vnto you, as by your
+countenaunce I may wel coniecture, is very small, but truely out
+of Pauie ye could haue got no lodging that had ben good: and
+therefore be not displeased I pray you to be caried out of the
+way, to haue a little better intertaynment,” and saying so, his
+men came forth to receyue those straungers, and when they were
+lighted, their horsses were taken and conueyed into the stables,
+and mayster Thorello caryed the three Gentlemen to their
+chambers, which he had prepared for them, where their Bootes
+were pulled of, and excellent wyne brought forth, somewhat to
+refresh them before supper: then he held them with pleasaunt
+talke vntyll the houre of supper was com. Saladine and they
+which were with him, could all speake Latine, and therefore well
+vnderstanded, and they lykewise vnderstoode eche man, by meanes
+whereof euery of them, thought that the Gentleman was the most
+curteous and best conditioned Personage, indued with the most
+eloquent talke that euer they sawe. On the other side it seemed
+to mayster Thorello, that they were the noblest and Princelik
+personages, and far more worthy of estimation then he thought
+before. Wherefore, he was very angry wyth himselfe, that he had
+no greater company and better intertaynment for them that night,
+which he purposed to recompence the next day at dinner.
+Wherefore hee sent one of hys men to Pauie, being not farr from
+thence, to his wife, that was a very wise and noble gentlewoman,
+and afterwards he brought them into the garden where he
+curteously demaunded what they were. To whom Saladine answered:
+“we be marchaunts of Cypres trauailing to Paris, about our
+businesse.” Then said maister Thorello: “I would to God that
+this country brought forth such gentlemen as the land of Cypres
+maketh marchants,” and so passed the time from one talke to
+another, vntyll supper time came: Wherefore to honour them the
+better caused them to sit downe at the Table, euery of them
+according to his degree and place: And there they were
+exceadingly wel intreated and serued in good order, their supper
+being farre more bountifull than they looked for. And they sate
+not longe after that the table was taken away, but maister
+Thorello supposing them to be weary, caused them to be lodged in
+gorgeous and costly beds: and he likewyse within a while after
+went to bed. The seruaunt sent to Pauie, did the message to his
+mistresse, who not like a woman wyth a womanish heart, but like
+one of Princely Mind, incontinently caused many of her husband’s
+frends and seruaunts to be sent for. Afterwards she made ready a
+great feast, and inuited the noblest and chiefest Citizens of
+the City: apparelling hir house wyth clothe of gold and silke,
+tapistrie and other furnitures, putting in order all that which
+hir husband had commaunded. The next day in the morning the
+Gentleman rose, with whom maister Thorello mounted on
+horsebacke, and carying with him his Hawks, he brought them to
+the Ryuer, and shewed them diuers flightes. But Saladine
+demaunding where the best lodging was in Pauie, maister Thorello
+sayd: “I wyll shew you my selfe, for that I haue occasion to go
+thither.” They beleeuing him, were contented, and rode on their
+way, and being about nine of the clock, arriued at the City,
+thinking they should haue ben brought to the best Inne of the
+towne: but maister Thorello conueyed them to his owne house,
+where fiftye of the chiefest Citizens ready to receiue them
+sodaynly appeared before them. Which Saladine, and they that
+were wyth him perceyuinge, coniectured by and by what that dyd
+meane, and sayd: “Maister Thorello, this is not the request
+whych wee demaunded, your entertainment yesternight was to
+sumptuous and more then we desired, wherefore giue vs leaue we
+praye you to departe.” Whom maister Thorello answered: “My
+maisters, for that which ye receyued yesternight I wil giue
+thanks to Fortune, and not to you: for I ouertaking you by the
+way, forced you in a maner to make your repayre vnto my homely
+house: but for thys morninge voyage, I haue my selfe prepared,
+and likewyse the Gentlemen about you, with whom to refuse to
+dine, if you thincke it curtesie, doe as yee please.” Saladine
+and his companions vanquished wyth sutch persuation, lighted,
+and being receiued by the Gentlemen in louing and curteous
+order, were conueied to their chambers, which were richly
+furnished for them, and hauing put of their riding apparel, and
+somewhat refreshed themselues, they came into the Hall, where
+all things were in redinesse in triumphant sorte. Then Water was
+brought them to washe, and they placed at the Table, were serued
+wyth many delicate meats in magnificent and royal order, in
+sutch wise, as if the Emperour himselfe had bene there coulde
+not haue bene better entertayned. And albeit that Saladine and
+his companions were great Lordes, and accustomed to see
+marueylous thynges, yet they wondred very mutch at thys,
+considering the degree of the Knight, whom they knewe to bee but
+a Citizen and no Prynce or great Lord. When dinner was done, and
+that they had talked a little together, the weather waxing very
+hot, the Gentlemen of Pauie, (as it pleased mayster Thorello)
+went to take their rest, and he remayned wyth his three Guests:
+with whom he went into a chamber, where to the intent that
+nothing which he had and loued might be vnseene, caused his
+honest Wyfe to be called forth: who being very beautiful and wel
+fauored, clothed in rich and costly array, accompanied with her
+two yong sonnes, which were like to Aungels, came before them,
+and gratiously saluted them. When they saw her, they rose vp,
+and reuerently receiued hir, then they caused hir to sit downe
+in the mids of them, sporting and dalying with hir two fayre
+sonnes. But after she had pleasantly entred in talk, she asked
+them of whence they were, and whither they were going? To whom
+the Gentlemen made the same aunswere that they had done before
+to maister Thorello. Then the Gentlewoman sayd vnto them with
+smilinge cheere: “I perceyue then that mine aduice being a
+woman, is come well to passe. And therefore I pray you, that of
+your special grace you will do me this pleasure, as not to
+refuse or disdain the litle present that I shall bring before
+you, but that you take it, in consideration that women according
+to their little ability, giue little things, and that yee regard
+more the affection of the person whych offreth the gist, then
+the value of the giuen thing.” And causing to be brought before
+euery of them two fayre Roabes, the one lined with silke, and
+the other with Meneuayr, not in fashion of a Citizen, or of a
+Marchant, but Noblemanlike, and III. Turkey gownes with sleeues
+of Taffata, lined with linnen cloth, she sayde vnto them: “Take
+I pray you these roabes, with the like whereof this day I
+apparelled my husband, and the other things may also serue your
+turnes, although they be little worth, considering that yee be
+farre from your Wyues, and the greatnesse of your iorney, which
+you haue taken, and haue yet to make, and also for that
+Marchantmen loue to be neat, and fine in things appertinent to
+their bodies.” The Gentlemen mutch maruelled, and playnly knew
+that Maister Thorello was disposed not to forget any one part of
+curtesie towards them, and doubted (by reason of the beauty and
+richesse of the roabes not marchantlike,) that they should not
+be knowne of mayster Thorello, notwithstandinge one of them
+aunswered her: “These be (Gentlewoman) very great gifts, and
+ought not lightly to be accepted, if your intreaty did not
+constraine vs, against which no denial ought to be made.” That
+done, when mayster Thorello returned into the chamber, the
+Gentlewoman tooke her leaue, and went hir way: and then shee
+furnished the seruants with diuers other things necessary for
+them, and Mayster Thorello obtayned by earnest request, that
+they should tary all that day. Wherefore after they had rested
+themselues a while, they did put on their roabes, and walked
+forth on horsebacke into the Citty: and when supper tyme was
+come, they were bountifully feasted in honorable company: and
+when bed time approched, went to rest. And so soone as it was
+day they rose, and founde in steade of their weary Hackneyes,
+three fat and fayre Palfreyes, and also the like number of fresh
+and mighty horsses for their seruaunts: Which Saladine seeing,
+turned towardes his companions, and sayd vnto them: “I sweare by
+God that ther was neuer a more liberall Gentleman, more
+courteous or better conditioned than this is. And if Christian
+kings for their part be sutch, I meane indued with sutch kingly
+qualities as this Gentleman is, the Souldan of Babylon shall
+haue inough to do to deale with one, and not to attend for all
+those which we see to be in preparation for inuasion of his
+Country.” But seeing that to refuse them or render them agayne,
+serued to no purpose, they thanked him very humbly, and got
+vppon their horse. Mayster Thorello wyth many of his frends,
+accompanied them out of the Citty a great peece of the way: And
+albeit that it mutch greeued Saladine to depart from mayster
+Thorello (so farre in he was already in loue with him) yet being
+constrayned to forgo his company, hee prayed him to returne, who
+although very loth to depart, sayd unto them: “Syrs, I will be
+gone, sith it is your pleasure I shall so do, and yet I say vnto
+you, that I know not what you be, ne yet demaund to know, but so
+farre as pleaseth you. But what soeuer yee be, you shall not
+make me beleue at this tyme, that yee be marchauntes, and so I
+bid you farewell.” Saladine hauing taken hys leaue of those that
+accompanied mayster Thorello, answered him: “Syr, it may come to
+passe, that we may let you see our marchaundise, the better to
+confirme your beleefe.” And so departed. Saladine then hauing
+thus taken his leaue, assuredly determined if he liued, and that
+the Warres he looked for did not let him, to do no lesse honor
+to mayster Thorello, then he had done to him, and fell into
+great talke with his companions of him, of his Wyfe and of his
+things, acts and deedes, greatly praysing all his entertaynment.
+But after he had trauayled and vewed al the west parts,
+imbarkinge himselfe and his company, he returned to Alexandria,
+throughly informed of his enemies indeuors, prepared for his
+defence. Mayster Thorello returned to Pauie, and mused a long
+time what these three might be, but he coulde not so mutch as
+gesse, what they were. When the tyme of the appoynted passage
+for the Chrystians was come, and that great preparation
+generally was made, Mayster Thorello notwithstandinge the teares
+and prayers of his Wyfe, was fully bent to go thither, and
+hauinge set all thinges in order for that Voyage, and ready to
+get on horsebacke, he sayd vnto hir whom he perfectly loued:
+“Sweete Wyfe, I am goinge as thou seest, this Iourney, aswell
+for myne honour sake, as for health of my soule: I recommende
+vnto you our goodes and honor: And bycause I am not so certayne
+of my retourne, for a thousand accydentes that may chaunce, as I
+am sure to goe, I praye thee to doe mee thys pleasure, that what
+so euer chaunceth of mee, yf thou haue no certayne newes of my
+life, that yet thou tarry one yeare, one Moneth, and one day,
+the same terme to begin at the day of my departure.” The
+Gentlewoman whych bytterly wept, answered: “I know not dear
+husband how I shal be able to beare the sorrowe wherein you
+leaue mee, if you goe awaye: But yf my Lyfe bee more stronge and
+sharpe, than sorrowe it selfe: and whether you lyue or dye, or
+what so euer come of you, I wyll lyue and dye the Wyfe of
+Mayster Thorello, and the onely spouse of hys remembraunce.”
+Whereunto mayster Thorello sayde: “Sweete Wyfe, I am more than
+assured that touching your selfe, it wyll proue as you do
+promise: But you beyng a younge Woman, fayre, and well allyed,
+and your Vertue greate and well knowne throughoute the Countrye,
+I am sure that many greate Personages and gentlemen (if any
+suspytyon bee conceyued of my Death) wyll make requestes to your
+brethren and Kindred, from whose pursute (althoughe you be not
+disposed,) you can not defende your selfe, and it behoueth that
+of force, you please theyr wil, whych is the onely reason that
+moueth mee to demaunde that terme, and no longer tyme.” The
+Gentlewoman sayd: “I wil doe what I can for fulfilling of my
+promyse: And albeit in the ende that I shall bee constrayned to
+doe contrary to my lykyng, be assured that I wyll obey the
+charge whych nowe you haue gyuen me: And I moste humbly thanke
+Almyghty God, that hee neuer brought vs into these termes before
+this tyme.” Theyr talke ended, the Gentlewoman weepyng embraced
+mayster Thorello, and drawyng a Ryng from hir Fynger, she gaue
+it hym, sayinge: “If it chaunce that I dye before I see you,
+remember me when you shal beholde the same.” He receiuinge the
+ring, got vp vppon his horse, and takinge his leaue, went on hys
+voyage, and arriued at Genoua shipped himself in a Galley, and
+toke his way, whereunto wind and weather so fauored, as wythin
+fewe dayes he landed at Acres, and ioyned wyth the army of the
+Chrystyans: wherein began a great mortalytye and Plague, duryng
+which infection (what so euer was the cause) eyther by the
+industrie or Fortune of Saladine the rest of the Christians that
+escaped were almost taken and surprised by him, without any
+fighte or blowe stricken. All which were imprysoned in many
+cities, and deuided into diuers places, amongs whych prysoners
+maister Thorello was one, who was caryed captyue to Alexandria,
+where beyng not knowne, and fearyng to be knowne, forced of
+necessitie, gaue him selfe to the keepyng of Hawkes, a qualitie
+wherein he had very good skyll, whereby in the ende hee grew to
+the acquaintance of the Souldan, who for that occasion (not
+knowing him that time) toke hym out of pryson, and retayned him
+for his Fawconer. Maister Thorello which was called of the
+Souldan by none other name than Chrystian, whome hee neyther
+knewe, ne yet the Souldan him, had none other thing in his mynde
+and remembraunce but Pauia, and manye tymes assayed to escape
+and run away: But he neuer came to the poynt: Wherfore dyuers
+Ambassadoures from Genoua being come to Saladine, to raunsome
+certayne of theyr Prysoners, and being ready to returne, hee
+thought to wryte vnto his wyfe, to let hir know that he was
+aliue, and that hee would come home so soone as he coulde,
+praying hir to tarry his retourne: Which was the effecte of hys
+Letter: verye earnestly desiring one of the ambassadours of his
+acquayntaunce to doe so mutch for hym as safely to delyuer those
+Letters to the Handes of the Abbot of _S. Pietro in ciel Doro_,
+whych was hys Vncle. And Mayster Thorello standing vppon these
+termes, it chaunced vpon a day as Saladine was talking with him
+of his Hawkes, Thorello began to smyle and to make a Iesture
+wyth hys mouth, whych Saladine beyng at his house at Pauie did
+very well note, by which act Saladine began to remember him, and
+earnestly to viewe hym, and thought that it was he in deede.
+Wherefore leauing his former talke, he sayd: “Tell me Chrystian
+of what countrey art thou in the West parts?” “Sir” sayd Mayster
+Thorello, “I am a Lombarde, of a City called Pauie, a poore man
+and of meane estate.” So soone as Saladine heard that, as
+assured wherof he doubted, said to himself: “God hath giuen me a
+time to let thys man know how thankfully I accepted his curtesy
+that hee vsed towards me,{”} and without any more words, hauing
+caused all his apparell in a chamber to be set in order, he
+broughte him into the same and sayd: “Behold Christian, if
+amonges al these roabes, there be any one which thou hast seene
+before.{”} Maister Thorello began to looke vpon them, and saw
+those which his wyfe had giuen to Saladine: but he could not
+beleue that it was possible that they should be the same,
+notwithstanding hee answered: “Sir, I knowe them not, albeit my
+mind giueth me that these twayne do resemble the roabes which
+sometimes I ware, and caused them to be giuen to three marchaunt
+men that were lodged at my house.” Then Saladine not able to
+forbear any longer, tenderly imbraced him, saying: “You be
+maister Thorello de Istria, and I am one of the three Marchaunts
+to whom your wife gaue those roabes: and now the time is come to
+make you certenly beleue what my marchaundise is, as I tolde you
+when I departed from you that it myght come to passe.” Maister
+Thorello hearyng those wordes, began to be both ioyfull and
+ashamed, ioyfull for that he had entertained sutch a guest, and
+ashamed that his fare and lodging was so simple. To whom
+Saladine said: {“}maister Thorello, sith it hath pleased god to
+send you hither, thynke from henceforth that you be Lord of this
+place and not I.” and making great chere, and reioysing one wyth
+an other, he caused him to be cloathed in royall vestures, and
+brought him into the presence of al the Noble men of his
+country: and after he had rehersed many thinges of his valor and
+commendation, commaunded him to be honoured as his owne person,
+of all those which desired to haue his fauor: Which thing euery
+Man dyd from that time forth: but aboue the rest, the two Lords
+that were in company with Saladine at his house. The greatnesse
+of the sodain glory wherein maister Thorello sawe himselfe, did
+remoue oute of his mind, his affayres of Lombardie, and
+specially, bicause hee hoped that his letters should trustely be
+deliuered to the hands of his vncle. Now there was in the camp
+of the Christians the daye wherein they were taken by Saladine,
+a Gentleman of Prouince, which dyed and was buryed, called
+maister Thorello de Dignes, a man of great estimation: whereby
+(maister Thorello of Istria known through out the whole army for
+his nobility and prowesse) euery man that heard tell that
+maister Thorello was dead, beleued that it was mayster Thorello
+de Istria, and not he de Dignes, and by reason of his taking,
+the truth whether of them was deade, was vnknown: Wherfore many
+Italians returned with those newes, amongs whom som wer so
+presumptuous, as they toke vpon them to saye and affyrme that
+they saw him deade, and were at his burial: Whych knowen to his
+wyfe and his friends, was an occasion of very great and
+inestimable Sorrow, not onely to them: but to all other that
+knewe him. Very long it were to tell what great sorrow,
+heauinesse, and lamentation his wife did vtter, who certain
+moneths after shee had continually so tormented hir selfe, (and
+when hir grief began to decrease, being demaunded of many great
+personages of Lombardie) was counselled by hir brothers, and
+other of hir kin, to mary again. Which thing after she had many
+times refused, in very great anguish and dolor, finally being
+constrained thereunto, she yelded to the minds of hir parents:
+But yet vpon condicion, that the nuptials should not be
+celebrate vntyll sutch tyme as she had performed hir promise
+made to maister Thorello. Whilest the affaires of this
+Gentlewoman were in those termes at Pauie, and the time of hir
+appoyntment within eight dayes approched, it chaunced that
+maister Thorello vpon a day espyed a man in Alexandria, (which
+hee had seene before in the company of the Ambassadors of
+Genoua,) going into the galley that was bound with them to
+Genoua, wherfore causing him to be called, he demaunded what
+voyage they had made, and asked him when they arriued at Genoua?
+To whom he sayd: “Sir the Galley made a very ill voyage as I
+hard say in Creta, where I remayned behynd them, for being neare
+the coast of Sicilia there rose a maruellous tempest, which
+droue the galley vpon the shoare of Barbarie, and not one of
+them within bord escaped, amongs whom two of my brethren were
+likewise drowned.” Mayster Thorello giuing credite to the words
+of this fellow, which were very true, and remembring himselfe
+that the terme whych he had couenaunted with his Wyfe was almost
+expired, and thinkinge that they could hardly come by the
+knowledge of any newes of hym or of his state, beleued verily
+that his Wyfe was maried agayne, for sorrow whereof he fell into
+sutch melancholy, as he had no lust to eate or drinke, and
+laying him downe vpon his bed, determined to die: whych so soone
+as Saladine, (who greatly loued hym) did vnderstand, he came to
+visite him, and after that he had (through instant request)
+knowen the occasion of his heauinesse and disease, hee blamed
+him very mutch for that he did no sooner disclose vnto him his
+conceipt: And afterwards prayed him to be of good cheere,
+assuring him if he would, so to prouide as he shoulde be at
+Pauie, iust at the terme which he had assigned to his Wyfe: and
+declared vnto him the order how. Mayster Thorello geuinge credit
+to the words of Saladine, and hauinge many times hard say, that
+it was possible, and that the like had bene many times done,
+began to comfort himselfe, and to vse the company of Saladine,
+who determined fully vpon his voyage and returne to Pauie. Then
+Saladine commaunded one of his Nycramancers, (whose science
+already he had well experienced) that hee shoulde deuise the
+meanes how mayster Thorello might be borne to Pauie in one
+night, vpon a bed: Whereunto the Nycromancer aunswered that it
+should be done, but that it behoued for the better doing
+thereof, that he should be cast into a sleepe: And when Saladine
+had geuen order thereunto, he returned to mayster Thorello, and
+finding him fully purposed to be at Pauy if it were possible at
+the terme which he had assigned, or if not, to die: sayd thus
+vnto hym: “Mayster Thorello, if you do heartely loue your Wyfe
+and doubt least she be maried to an other, God forbid that I
+should stay you by any manner of meanes, bicause of all the
+Women that euer I saw, she is for maners, comely behauiour, and
+decent order of apparell, (not remembring her beauty, which is
+but a fading floure) mee thyncke most worthy to bee praysed and
+loued. A gladsome thynge it woulde haue beene to mee (sith
+Fortune sent you hither) that the tyme which you and I haue to
+liue in this worlde, we myght haue spent together, and liued
+Lordes of the Kingdome which I possesse, and if God be minded
+not to do me that grace, at least wyse sith you be determined
+either to dye or to returne to Pauie, at the terme which you
+haue appointed, my great desire is, that I myght haue knowen the
+same in time, to the intente you myghte haue bene conducted
+thither wyth sutch honour and trayn as your Vertues do deserue:
+Which sith God wyl not that it bee brought to passe, and that
+you wyll neades be there presently, I wyll send you as I can in
+manner before expressed.” Whereunto maister Thorello said: “Sir,
+the effect (bisides your wordes) hath don me suffycient
+knowledge of your good wyll, which I neuer deserued, and that
+whych you told me, I cannot beleeue, so long as Lyfe is in me,
+and therefore am most certayne to dye: But sith I am so
+determyned, I beseeche you to do that which you haue promised
+out of hand, bicause to morrow is the last day of the
+appoyntment assigned to my wyfe.” Saladine said, that for a
+truth the same should be don: And the next day the Souldan
+purposing to send hym the nyght following, he caused to be made
+ready in a great hall a very fayre and rych bed, all quilted
+according to their manner (wyth vyluet and clothe of gold), and
+caused to be layed ouer the same, a Couerlet wroughte ouer with
+borders of very great pearles, and rich precious stones: which
+euer afterwardes was deemed to be an infinite treasure, and two
+pillowes sutelike vnto that bed: that don, he commaunded that
+they should inuest maister Thorello, (who now was lustie) with a
+Sarazine roabe, the richest and fairest thing that euer anye Man
+saw, and vpon his head one of his longest bands, wreathen
+according to theyr manner, and being already late in the
+Euenyng, hee and diuers of his Barons went into the Chamber wher
+Mayster Thorello was, and being set down besides him, in weeping
+wise hee began to say: “Maister Thorello, the time of our
+separation doth now approche, and bicause that I am not able to
+accompany you, ne cause you to be waited vpon, for the qualitie
+of the way which you haue to passe, I must take my leaue here in
+this chamber, for which purpose I am come hither: Wherefore
+before I byd you farewel, I pray you for the loue and friendship
+that is betwene vs, that you do remember me if it be possible
+before our dayes do end, after you haue giuen order to your
+affayres in Lombardie, to come agayne to see me before I dye, to
+the end that I beyng reioyced with your second visitation, may
+be satisfied of the pleasure which I lose this day for your
+vntimely hast: and trusting that it shall come to passe, I pray
+you let it not be tedious vnto you to visite me wyth your
+letters, and to require me in thynges wherein it may lyke you to
+commaund, which assuredly I shall accomplish more frankely for
+you, than for any other liuing man.” Maister Thorello was not
+able to retaine teares: wherefore to staye the same, he answered
+him in few woordes, that it was impossible that euer hee shoulde
+forget his benefites, and his worthy friendship extended vpon
+him, and that without default he would accomplish what he had
+commaunded, if God did lend him life and leysure. Then Saladine
+louingly imbracing and kissing him, pouring forth many teares,
+bad him farewell, and so went oute of the chamber: And all the
+other Noble men afterwards tooke theyr leaue likewise of him,
+and departed with Saladine into the hal wher he had prepared the
+bed, but being already late, and the Necromancer attending, and
+hasting his dispatch, a Phisitian broughte him a drinke, and
+made him beleue that it would fortifie and strengthen him in his
+iorney, causing him to drinke the same: which being done within
+a while after he fell a sleepe, and so sleeping was borne by the
+commaundment of Saladine, and layd vpon the fayre bed, whereupon
+he placed a rich and goodly crowne of passinge pryce and valor,
+vpon the which he had ingrauen so plaine an inscription, as
+afterwards it was knowne that the same was sent by Saladine to
+the wife of maister Thorello. After that he put a ring vpon his
+finger whych was beset wyth a Diamonde, so shining, as it seemed
+like a flamynge Torche, the Value whereof was hard to bee
+esteemed. Then he caused to bee girte aboute hym, a Sworde, the
+furniture and garnishing whereof could not easily be valued: and
+besides all thys, hee honge vppon hys Necke a Tablet or Brooche
+so beset wyth Stones, and Pearles, as the lyke was neuer seene.
+And afterwards he placed on either of hys sides, two exceding
+great Golden basens, full of double Ducates, and many cordes of
+Pearles and rings, girdels, and other things to tedious to
+reherse, wherewith he bedecked the place about him. Which done,
+he kissed him againe, and wylled the Necromancer to make hast.
+Wherfore incontinently maister Thorello, and the bed, in the
+presence of Saladine was caried out of sight and Saladine taried
+stil, deuising and talkyng of hym amongs his Barons. Maister
+Thorello being now laid in S. Peter Churche at Pauie, according
+to his request, with all his Iewels and habilliments aforesayd
+about him, and yet fast a slepe, the Sexten to ring to Mattens,
+entred the Church with light in his hand: and chauncing sodenly
+to espy the rych Bed, dyd not onely maruel thereat, but also ran
+away in great feare. And when the Abbot and the Monkes saw that
+hee made sutch hast away, they were abashed, and asked the cause
+why he ranne so fast? The Sexten tolde them the matter: “Why how
+now?” sayde the Abbot, “Thou art not sutch a Babe, ne yet so
+newlye come vnto the Church, as thou oughtest so lightly to be
+afraide. But let vs goe and see what bug hath so terribly frayed
+thee.” And then they lighted many Torches: And when the Abbot
+and his Monkes were entred the Church, they saw that wonderfull
+rich bed, and the Gentleman sleeping vpon the same. And as they
+were in this doubte and feere, beholding the goodly Iewels, and
+durst not goe neare the bed, it chaunced that maister Thorello
+awaked, fetchyng a gret sighe. The Monkes so soone as they saw
+that, and the Abbot with them, ran all away crying out, “God
+helpe vs, our Lord haue mercy vpon vs.” Maister Thorello opened
+his eyes, and playnly knew by loking round about him, that he
+was in the place where he demaunded to be of Saladine whereof he
+was very glad, and rising vp, and viewing particularily, what he
+had about him, albeit he knew before the magnificence of
+Saladine, now he thoughte it greater, and better vnderstood the
+same than before. But seeynge the Monkes run away, and knowyng
+the cause wherefore, he began to call the Abbot by hys name, and
+intreated hym not to bee affrayde: For he was Mayster Thorello
+his Nephewe. The Abbot hearyng that was dryuen into a greater
+feare, bicause he was accompted to bee dead diuers moneths
+before: but afterwards by diuers arguments, assured that hee was
+maister Thorello, and so often called by hys name (making a
+signe of the Crosse) he went vnto him. To whom maister Thorello
+sayd: “Whereof be you a frayd good father? I am aliue I thanke
+God, and from beyond the Sea returned hyther.” The Abbot
+(although he had a great beard, and apparelled after the guise
+of Arabie) crossed hymselfe agayne, and was wel assured that it
+was he. Then he tooke hym by the hande, and sayde vnto hym as
+followeth: “My Sonne thou art welcome home, and maruell not,
+that wee were afrayd: For there is none in all thys Citty, but
+doth certaynly beleeue that thou art dead. In so mutch as madame
+Adalietta thy Wyfe, vanquished with the prayers and threates of
+hir frinds and kin, agaynst hir will is betrouthed agayne, and
+this day the espousals shall be done. For the mariage, and all
+the preparation necessary for the feast, is ready.” Mayster
+Thorello risinge out of the rich Bed, and reioysing wyth the
+Abbot and all his Monks, praied euery of them not to speake one
+word of his comminge home, vntill he had done what he was
+disposed. Afterwards placing al his rich Iewels in surety and
+sauegard, hee discoursed vnto his vncle what had chaunced vnto
+hym till that time. The Abbot ioyfull for his fortune, gaue
+thankes to God. Then mayster Thorello demaunded of his vncle,
+what he was that was betrouthed to hys Wyfe. The Abbot tolde
+hym: To whom maister Thorello sayd: “Before my returne be
+knowen, I am desirous to see what Countenaunce my Wyfe wyl make
+at the mariage. And therefore, albeit that the religious doe not
+vse to repayre to sutch Feastes, yet I pray you for my sake take
+payne to go thither.” The Abbot aunswered that he would
+willingly doe so. And so soone as it was Daye, hee sente woorde
+to the Brydegrome, that he, and a Frende of hys, woulde bee at
+the mariage: whereunto the Gentleman aunswered, that he was very
+glade thereof. When dinner tyme was come, mayster Thorello in
+the habite and apparel wherein he was, went with the Lord Abbot
+to the weddinge dinner, where euery of them that saw him, did
+maruellously beholde hym, but no man knew him, bicause the Abbot
+aunswered them that inquired, that he was a Sarazene, sent
+Ambassador from the Souldan to the French Kinge. Mayster
+Thorello was then placed at a table which was right ouer agaynst
+his Wyfe, whom he beheld with great pleasure and delight, and
+perceyued very wel by hir face that she was not well content
+with that mariage. She likewise beheld him sometimes, not for
+any knowledge she had of hym, for his great beard and straunge
+attire, the firme credite and generall opinion also that hee was
+deade, chiefly hindred it. But when mayster Thorello thought
+tyme to proue whether she had any remembraunce of him, he
+secretly conuayed into hys hande, the ring which she gaue him at
+hys departure, and called a little Boy that wayted vpon hir, and
+sayd vnto him: “Go tell the Bryde in my behalfe, that the
+custome of my countrey is, that when any Straunger (as I am
+here) is bydden by any new maried woman (as she is now,) for a
+token of his welcome, she sendeth vnto him the cup wherein she
+drinketh full of Wyne, whereof after the straunger hath dronke
+what pleaseth him, he couereth the cup agayne, and sendeth the
+same to the Bryde, who drinketh the rest that remayneth.” The
+Page did his message vnto the Bryde, who like a wise Gentlewoman
+wel brought vp, thinking he had ben some great personage, to
+declare that he was welcome, commaunded a great cup all gilt,
+standing before hir, to be washed cleane, and to be filled ful
+of Wyne, and caried to the Gentleman, which accordingly was don.
+Mayster Thorello hauing put into hys mouth the aforesayd ring,
+secretly let fall the same into the Cup as he was drinking, not
+perceyued of any man, to the intent that she drinking the latter
+draught, might espy the ringe. When he had dronk, he returned
+the cup vnto the Bryde, who thankfully receyued the same. And
+for that the manner of his countrey might be accomplished, when
+the cup was deliuered vnto hir, she vncouered the same, and
+pleadging the rest of the Wyne, beheld the ring, and without
+speaking any word, wel viewed the same, and knowing that it was
+the very Ring which she had geuen to maister Thorello, when he
+departed, tooke it out. And stedfastly did marke and looke vpon
+him, whom she supposed to be a straunger, and already knowinge
+him, cryed out as though she had bene straught of hir wittes,
+throwing downe the Table before hir: “This is my Lord and
+husband, this is of trouth Mayster Thorello.” And runnynge to
+the table without respect to hys apparell of Cloth of Gold, or
+to any thinge that was vpon the table, pressinge so neere him as
+she could, imbraced him very heard, not able to remoue hir
+handes from about his Necke for any thing that could bee sayd or
+done by the company that was there, vntill mayster Thorello
+required hir to forbeare for that present, for so mutch as she
+shoulde haue leysure inough to vse hir further imbracements.
+Then shee left him, and contented hir selfe for the tyme: but
+the brydale and mariage was wholly troubled and appalled for
+that sodayne chaunce, and the most part of the Guests excedingly
+reioyced for the return of that Noble knight. Then the company
+beinge intreated to sit and not to remoue, Maister Thorello
+rehearsed in open audience what had chaunced vnto him from the
+day of his departure vntill that tyme, concludinge with a
+petition to the Bridegrome, that had newly espoused his Wyfe,
+that he woulde not be displeased if he tooke hir agayne. The new
+maried Gentleman, albeit it greeued hym very sore, and thought
+himselfe to be mocked, aunswered liberally and like a Frende,
+that it was in hys power to do wyth hys owne what hee thought
+best. The Gentlewoman drawinge of the Rings and Garland which
+shee had receyued of hir newe Husbande, did put vppon hir finger
+the Ring which shee founde within the Cup, and likewyse the
+Crowne that was sent vnto hir by Saladine: And the whole troupe
+and assembly leauing the house where they were, went home with
+mayster Thorello and his wyfe, and there the kin and frends, and
+all the Citizens which haunted the same, and regarded it for a
+myracle, were with long feastinge and great cheare in great ioy
+and triumph. Mayster Thorello departing some of his precious
+Iewels to him that had bene at the cost of the marriage,
+likewise to the Lord Abbot and diuers others, and hauing done
+Saladine to vnderstand hys happy repayre home to his Countrey,
+recommending himselfe for euer to his commaundement, liued with
+his Wyfe afterwards many prosperous yeares, vsing the vertue of
+curtesie more than euer hee did before. Sutch was the ende of
+the troubles of maister Thorello, and hys wel beloued Wyfe, and
+the recompence of their franke and honest curtesies.
+
+
+
+
+THE TWENTY-FIRST NOUELL.
+
+  _A Gentleman of meane callinge and reputation, doth fall in loue
+  with Anne, the Queene of Hungarie, whom shee very royally requited._
+
+
+Following the preceding arguments treated in certayne of the
+former Nouelles, I wyll now discourse the princely kindnesse and
+curtesy done to a poore Gentleman, by a Lady of later dayes,
+Anne the Queene of Hungary. whych Gentleman, though beyonde hys
+reache to catch what he aspired, fell in loue with that
+bountifull and vertuous Gentlewoman, thinkinge (by like) that
+she in end woulde haue abased her Maiesty, to recline to hys
+vayne and doting trauayle. But she like a Queene, not despisinge
+the poore mans loue, vouchsafed by familiar speech to poure some
+drops of comfort into his louinge minde, and once to proue, on
+whom he fixed his fansie, reached him a Nosegay, and prayed him
+to bestowe it vpon whom hee liked best. All which familiar
+dealings she vsed, to keepe the poore pacient from despayre,
+that so highly had placed hym selfe. But in end perceyuinge his
+continuaunce, would not reiect and geue hym ouer, or with
+Scornes and Flouts contemne the Amorous Gentleman: and that
+longe loue myght gayne some deserued guerdon, she neuer left hym
+vntyll she had preferred him to a Noble office in Spayne. The
+noble disposition of this chast and gentle Queene, I thought
+good to adioyn next to that of maister Thorella and Saladine:
+who for curtesie and passinge mutuall kindnesse, are worthy of
+remembraunce. And for you noble Dames for a Christall to sharpen
+your sightes, and viewe the recompence of loue, done by a Queene
+of passing beauty, and yet most chast and vertuous, that it
+might somewhat touch your squeymish stomackes and haulty hearts,
+and lenifie that corrosiue humor, which with frowning face,
+forceth you to ouerperke your humble suppliants. A helpinge
+preseruatiue I hope this Hystory shalbe to imbolden you, in
+sutes and petitions to their prince and soueraygne: An
+incoragement (I hope) to be mediators for sutch, as by seruice
+and warfare haue confirmed their faythfull deuoirs for defence
+of their Countrey. Remember the care the Romane matrones had for
+those that deserued well of their Common wealth: as how they
+mourned for Lucius Brutus one whole yeres space, for his good
+reuenge ouer the rauishers of Lucrece: and for Martius
+Coriolanus, for hys piety and mothers sake, discharging his
+Countrey from the enemies siege. Let mistresse Paolina of the
+priuy Chamber to this Queene Anne, render example for preferment
+of sutch as be worthy to be cherished and esteemed. O how
+Liberality beseemeth a Queene, no lesse (as one maketh
+comparison) than the bright beames of the Sunne, or the
+twinkling starres in the Firmament. Oh how diligence in
+Gentlewomen, aduaunced to Princes Chambers, no lesse than the
+greene leaues to braunched Trees, or dyuers coloured Floures in
+Nosegayes. So flourishing be the fruites that bud from
+liberality, and freshe the benefites that succeede of the
+payneful trauayles sustayned in the sutes of seruiceable
+Gentlemen. This Philippo whom the Queene preferred, and
+liberally rewarded, was a meane Gentleman, but yet learned and
+well furnished with commendable qualities. His deserued
+aduauncement may stirre vp ech Gentle heart, to merite and serue
+in Common wealth. His warninge and other vertues may awake the
+sluggish Courtier, from loytering on Carpets, and doinge thinges
+vnseemely: His diligence also reuiue the blockish sprites of
+some that rout their tyme in sluggish sleepe, or waste the day
+in harlotrie and other filthy exercise. Whose example yf they
+practise, or imitate sutch commendable life as becommeth their
+estates, then glory will followe their deedes, as the shadowe
+doeth the body. Then welfare and liuelihoode aboundantly shal
+bee mynistred to supply want of patrimonie or defect of parents
+portion. And thus the Hystory doth begin. Not long sithens
+Queene Anne, the sister of Lewes, that was king of Hungarie, and
+wife to Ferdinando Archeduke of Austriche, (which at this day is
+parcel of the kingdome of Hungary and Boeme,) together with the
+Lady Mary daughter of Philip kynge of Spayne, and wife of the
+sayd Lewes, went to keepe hir abode, and soiorne in Hispurge,
+a Countrey among the Dutch very famous, where many tymes the
+Court of the Hungarian Prynces longe space remayned. These two
+Noble Queenes remained within the Palace of king Maximilian,
+Emperour at that time elected, which Palace is so neare
+adioyning to the Cathedrall Church, as without sight of the
+people at their pleasure they mighte by a secrete Gallerie passe
+to the Church to heare diuine seruyce accustomably celebrated
+there. Which vse they dayly obserued with theyr Ladies and
+Gentlewomen, and other Lordes and Gentlemen of the Court. In
+which church was made and erected a high place in manner of a
+Closet gorgeously wrought, and in royall manner apparelled of
+sutch amplitude as it was hable to receyue the whole trayn and
+company attendant vpon the Persons of the two Quenes. Now it
+came to passe that a Gentleman of Cremona in Italy called
+Philippo di Nicuoli, whych in those dayes by reason of the
+recouery of the Duchie of Milane, by the Frenche, departed
+Lombardie, and went to Hispurge, and was Secretarie to Signa
+Andrea Borgo, bicause he was well learned, and could wryte very
+fayre, and therwithall a proper and very haundsome man. This
+yong Gentleman very mutch frequenting the Church, and seeing the
+beauty of Queene Anne, to excell all the reast of the Ladies,
+adorned and garnished with princely behauiour and Queenelyke
+qualytyes, not foreseeyng (when hee beheld hir) the nature of
+loue, whych once being possessed, neuer leaueth the pacient til
+it hath infebled his state lyke the quality of poyson,
+distillinge through the vaynes, euen to the heart. Which louing
+venim this Gentleman did drinke with the lookes of his eyes, to
+satisefy and content his desired minde by vewinge and intentife
+considering hir wonderful beauty, that rapt beyond measure, he
+was myserably intangled wyth the snares of blind and deceiptfull
+loue, wherewith he was so cruelly inflamed, as he was lyke to
+sorte out of the bounds of reason and Wyt. And the more he did
+beholde the hyghnesse of hir Maiesty, and the excellency of so
+great a Lady, and therewithal did weigh and consider hys base
+degree and Lignage, and the poore state whereunto frowarde
+fortune that tyme had brought him, the more he thought hymselfe
+frustrate and voyde of hope, and the more the perillous flames
+of loue did assayle and fire his amorous heart, kindlinge hys
+inward partes with loue so deepely ingraffed, as it was
+impossible to be rooted out. Mayster Philippo then in this
+manner (as you haue heard) knotted and intrapped within the
+fillets and laces of loue, supposing all labour which hee should
+imploy to be lost and consumed, throughly bent himselfe with all
+care and diligence to atchieue this hygh and honorable
+enterprise, whatsoeuer should come of it: whych effectually he
+pursued. For alwayes when the Queenes were at church to heare
+deuine seruice, he fayled not to bee there. And hauinge done his
+duetyfull reuerence, whych very comely he could do, he vsed to
+bestow himselfe dyrectly ouer agaynst hir: where delitinge in
+the beauty of the Queene whych dayly more and more inflamed his
+heart, would not depart from thence tyll the Queenes were
+disposed to goe. And if perchaunce for some occasion, the
+Queenes went not to Church, maister Philippo for all that (were
+his businesse neuer so great and needefull) would vouchsafe at
+least wise to visite the place, where he was wont to see his
+Lady. Sutch is the ordinary force of loue that although liberty
+of sight and talke be depryued from the pacient, yet it doeth
+hym good to treade in the Steps of that Ground where his
+Mistresse doth vsually haunt, or to see the place vppon whych
+she eased hir tender corps, or leaned hir delicate elbowes. Thys
+young man bayted, and fed in amorous Toyes and Deuyses, now
+armed wyth hope, and by and by disarmed by despayre, reuolued in
+hys mynde a thousand thoughts and cogitations. And although he
+knew that hys Ladder had not steps inow to clyme so hygh, yet
+from his determined purpose hee was not able to remoue: but
+rather the more difficult and daungerous hys enterpryse seemed
+to bee, the more grew desire to prosecute and obiect hymselfe to
+all daungers. If peraduenture the Queenes for their disport and
+pastime were disposed to walke into the fieldes or gardens of
+the Citty of Hispurge, he fayled not in company of other
+Courtiers to make one of the troupe, beinge no houre at rest and
+quiet if he were not in the sight of Queene Anne, or neere the
+place where shee was. At that time there were many Gentlemen
+departed from Lumbardy to Hispurge, which for the most part
+followed the Lord Francisco Sforza the second, by whom they
+hoped when the Duchy of Mylane was recouered, to be restored to
+their countrey. There was also Chamberlayne to the sayd Lorde
+Francesco, one mayster Girolamo Borgo of Verona betwene whom and
+mayster Philippo, was very neere freendship and familiarity. And
+bicause it chaunseth very seldome, that feruent loue, can be
+kept so secrete and couert, but in some part it will discouer it
+selfe, mayster Borgo easily did perceyue the passion wherewith
+mayster Philippo was inflamed. And one mayster Philippo Baldo
+many times being in the company of mayster Borgo and Philippo,
+did marke and perceiue his loue, and yet was ignorant of the
+truth, or voyde of coniecture with what Gentlewoman he was
+inamored. But seeing him contrary to wonted custome altered, and
+from vsual mirth transported, fetchinge many sighes and
+strayninges from his stomake, and markinge how many times he
+would steale from the company he was in, and withdraw himselfe
+alone, to muse vppon hys thoughts, brought thereby into a
+melancholy and meane estate, hauing lost his sleepe, and stomak
+of eating meate: iudged that the amorous Wormes of loue did
+bitterly gnaw and teare his heart with the nebs of their forked
+heades. They three then being vppon a time together, debatinge
+of diuers thinges amonges themselues, chaunced to fall in
+argument of loue, and maister Baldo, and Borgo, the other
+Gentlemen, sayd to mayster Philippo, how they were wel assured
+that he was straungly attached with that passion, by marking and
+considering that new life, which lately he led contrary to
+former vse, intreating him very earnestly, that he would
+manifest his loue to them, that were his deere and faythfull
+frends, tellinge him that as in weighty matters otherwise he was
+already sure what they were, euen so in this he might hardily
+repose his hope and confidence, promisinge hym all their helpe
+and fauour, if therein their indeuour and trauayle might
+minister ayde and comfort. Hee then like one raysed from a
+trance, or lately reuiued from an extasie, after he had composed
+his Countenaunce and Gesture, wyth teares and multitude of
+sobbes, began to say these woordes: “My welbeloued freendes, and
+trusty companions, being right well assured that yee (whose
+fidelity I haue already proued, and whose secret mouthes be
+recommended amongs the wise and vertuous), will keepe close and
+couert the thinge which you shall heare me vtter, as of sutch
+importaunce, that if the yong Romane Gentleman Papyrus had been
+here, for all his silence of graue matters required by hys
+Mother, I woulde vnnethes haue dysclosed the same vnto hym.
+Indeede I cannot deny, but must needes confesse that I am in
+loue, and that very ardently, which I cannot in sutch wyse
+conceale, but that the blinde must needes clearely and euidently
+perceyue. And although my mouth would fayne keepe close, in what
+plight my passions do constrayne my inward affections, yet my
+face and straung maner of life, which for a certayne tyme and
+space I haue led, doe wittnesse, that I am not the man I was
+wont to bee. So that if shortly I doe not amend, I trust to
+arriue to that ende whereunto euery Creature is borne, and that
+my bitter and paynful life shall take ende, if I may call it a
+lyfe, and not rather a lyuing death: I was resolued and
+throughly determined, neuer to discouer to any man the cause of
+my cruell torment, being not able to manifest the same to hir,
+whom I doe only loue, thinking better by concealinge it through
+loue, to make humble sute to Lady Atropos, that shee woulde cut
+of the thred of my dolorous lyfe. Neuerthelesse to you, from
+whom I ought to keepe nothynge secrete, I wyll dysgarboyle and
+vnlace the very Secretes of my Minde, not for that I hope to
+finde comfort and reliefe, or that my passions by declaration of
+them, will lesson and diminishe, but that yee, knowinge the
+occasion of my death, may make report thereof to hir, that is
+the only mistresse of my life, that shee vnderstandinge the
+extreme panges of the truest louer that euer liued, may mourne
+and wayle hys losse: which thinge if my seely Ghost may knowe,
+no doubt where soeuer it do wander, shall receyue great ioy and
+comfort. Be it known vnto you therefore, the first day that myne
+Eyes behelde the diuine beauty and incomparable fauor of that
+superexcellent Lady Queene Anne of Hungary, and that I (more
+than wysedom required) did meditate, and consider the singuler
+behauiour and notable curtesie and other innumerable giftes
+wherewith shee is indued, the same beyond measure did so inflame
+my heart, that impossible it was for me to quench the feruent
+loue, or extinguish the least parte of my conceyued torment.
+I haue done what I can to macerate and mortefie my vnbridled
+desire, but all in vayne: My force and puissaunce is weake to
+match with so mighty an aduersary. Alas syres, I knowe what yee
+will obiect agaynst mee: yee will say that mine ignobility, my
+byrth and stocke be no meete matches for sutch a personage, and
+that my loue is to highly placed, to sucke reliefe: And the same
+I do confesse so wel as you. I do acknowledge my condition and
+state to base, I confesse that my loue (nay rather I may terme
+it folly) doth presume beyond the bounds of order: For the first
+tyme that I felt my selfe wrapped in those Snares, I knewe her
+to beare the Port amonges the chyefest Queenes, and to bee the
+peerelesse Pryncesse of Chrystendome. Agayne, I knew my selfe
+the poorest Gentleman of the Worlde, and the most myserable
+exile: I thought moreouer it to be very vnseemely for me to
+direct my mynde vpon a wight so honorable, and of so great
+estate: But who can rayne the Bridle, or prescribe lawes to
+loue? What is he that in loue hath free wil and choyse? Truely I
+beleeue no man, bicause loue the more it doth seeme to accorde
+in pleasure and delight, the further from the mark he shooteth
+his bolte, hauing no respect to degree or state. Haue not many
+excellent and worthy personages, yea Dukes, Emperours and
+Kinges, bin inflamed with the loue of Ladies, and Women of base
+and vile degree? Haue not most honorable dames, and Women of
+greatest renoume despised the honor of theyr states, abandoned
+the company of theyr hushands, and neglected the loue of theyr
+Chyldren, for the ardent loue that they haue borne to men of
+inferiour sort? All Historyes be full of examples of that
+purpose: The memoryes of our auncestors be yet in fresh
+remembraunce, whereof if they were ignorant vnto you that be of
+great experience, I could aduouche assured testimony: Yet thus
+mutch I say vnto you, that it seeme no newe thing for a man to
+be ouercome by his owne affectyon: It is not the Nobility of hir
+state, or for that shee is a Queene, it is not the consideration
+of one parte or other, that moued me first hereunto: But loue it
+is, that is of greater force than we our selues bee of, which
+many tymes maketh that to seeme lawfull, which altogether is
+vnlawful, and by subduing reason maketh the great potentate
+lorde tributarie to his wyl and pleasure, whose force is farre
+greater then the lawes of Nature. And albeit that I neuer hope
+to attayne to prosperous end of this magnifike and stately loue,
+whych more and more doth seeme infortunate, yet I can not for my
+Lyfe else where apply the same, or alter it to other place: And
+consumynge still through faithful and feruent loue borne to the
+Queene, I haue forced and constrained my self by al possible
+meanes to gyue ouer that fond and foolish enterprise, and to
+place my mynd else where: but mine endeuour and all my labour
+and resistance is employed in vayne: Yea and if it were not for
+feare of eternall damnation, and the losse of my poore afflicted
+soule (which God forbid) myne owne Handes before this time had
+ended my desires. I am therefore determined (sith that I can
+attaine no successe of Loue, and that God doth suffer me to be
+inspyred wyth that most honourable and curteous Lady, beyond all
+order and estimation) to content my selfe with the sight of
+those hir fayre and glistring eyes, farre excelling the
+sparcling glimpse of the Diamonde or Saphire, and to serue, loue
+and honour hir, so long as life doth last within this feeble
+corpes: Vpon whose radiant and excelling beautie, my hope
+shall continually feede: and yet I am not so far voyd of
+vnderstandinge, but that I do most euidently know none other to
+be the guide of thys vnmeasurable loue, but folly most extreme.”
+Vpon the end of those words he let fal many teares, and being
+staied with sobbs and sighes he was able to speake no more. And
+in very deede he that had seene him, would haue thought that his
+heart had bene tormented with most bitter and painfull passions.
+Now they being very attentiue to his pytifull oration, were
+attached with incredible sorrow, thinking that they had ben in a
+dreame by hearing of this discourse, and stode styll a while one
+loking vpon an other, without speaking word: Afterwards comming
+to themselues, distraughte almost, for the greate admiration and
+wonder to heare him speake those words, mayster Girolamo and
+Baldo, with suasible arguments went about to counsell him to
+withdraw his fonde and foolysh mind, praying him to place the
+same elsewhere, shewing him the impossibility of hys enterpryse,
+and the great peril that might succeede thereof. But they spake
+to a man that seemed to be deaf, who replied, that hee neither
+coulde or would giue ouer his loue, that had already made so
+depe impression, what so euer came of it: Notwythstandyng they
+ceased not still with sharp admonitions to beate into his head,
+the fonde begynning of his foolish loue: and not onely at that
+tyme, but continually when they were together, they dyd theyr
+best by oft repetition of his vayne conceipt, to let him
+vnderstande his manyfest error: but theyr labour and friendly
+lessons were to no purpose: Wherefore mayster Borgo, determined
+to giue him ouer, and to attende what would succede therof.
+Mayster Philippo continuing hys pursute, neuer faylyng to be at
+church when he knew the Quenes to be ther, at length it chanced
+that they began to espy his loue, for that both of them did mark
+his order, gesture and demeanure, and did note his oft
+frequentation of the places where they continually haunted and
+his manner in placyng himselfe at the church directly ouer
+agaynst them, and his common vse in beholding and loking vpon
+their faces, iudgyng thereby that without doubt he was in loue
+with one of them, or at least with some Gentlewoman of their
+trayne whereof the two Queenes began to vse some talk, although
+not certain vpon whom his loue was bent. Neuerthelesse they wer
+desirous to know the troth, and expected oportunitie somtime to
+dissolue that doubt. In the meane while maister Philippo thought
+by gazing on theyr beauty, to remoue the fire that miserably did
+consume the suck and marow of his bones, seking comfort and
+relief for his afflicted heart, the more I say he sought for
+ease, the greater he felt his payn: And truely all they that
+feruently do loue, aspire to that, which otherwise they woulde
+eschue, by sight of them whome they do loue, not remembering
+that the more they doe contemplate the beloued beauty, the more
+increaseth desire, and with desire extreme and bitter smart.
+Maister Philippo then lost no occasion or time stil to behold
+Madame the Queene, were it in the church or courte, or were she
+disposed for disport and recreation to walke abrode. It chaunced
+now while things wer at this poynt, the ladies very desirous to
+know vpon whom maister Philippo did expend his loue, that
+fortune opened vnto them a meane to vnderstand the same: It was
+then about that time of the yere, wherein al floures and roses
+were by Titans force constrained to adorne and decke ech gardens
+and place of pleasure, and with their fragrant smells and odors,
+to sent the same in the moneth of May: it was when the Twinnes
+were dysposed to shroud themselues amongs the hawthorn boughs
+and honysuckles that yeld to euery wyght greatest store of
+delyghts, at what time roses and other floures at theyr first
+budding be very rare and scant, sauing in Kings Courtes and
+prynces Palaces, where sutch rarieties by art and industrie be
+most abundant, and all men haue delight to present sutch
+nouelties to the pryncipall ladies. Vpon a day Queene Anne had
+in hir hands certayne floures in due order couched in a Nosegay,
+and for hir disport walked vp and down a very fayre and gorgeous
+garden, in the company of Queene Mary, and other Ladies and
+gentlewomen, about that tyme of the day the Sun wearie of
+trauaile, went to hide him self in the back side of the western
+mountains, wher amongs other of the Courte was maister Philippo.
+Queene Anne when she had espyed him, determined to make proufe
+with what Lady amongs them all, mayster Philippo was in loue,
+and sporting hir self with softe and prety walkes vp and downe
+the garden, pleasantly iesting with diuerse there attendant,
+(as the maner is of like Ladies) with trimme and pleasant talk,
+at length happed vpon maister Philippo, who although he was in
+communication with certain Italian Gentlemen, neuerthelesse his
+mynde and eyes were fixed vpon the Queene, that whensoeuer she
+appeared before him his eyes and face were so firmelye bent
+vppon hir, as the beholder might easily perceiue, that the
+Vysage of the Quene was the vndoubted harborough of his thought.
+Philippo, seeing the Queene come toward him, did honor hir wyth
+gentle and dutifull reuerence, in sutch humble wise, as hee
+seemed at hir hands pitifully to craue mercy. And truely
+whosoeuer doth loue with secret and perfect heart, seemeth to
+vtter more words to his Lady with his eies, than he is able to
+speak wyth his tongue. The Queene being come vnto him with a
+grace right graue and demure, sayd vnto him: “You Gentleman of
+Lombardie, yf these floures which we haue in our hands were
+giuen vnto you liberally to vse at your pleasure, and requyred
+to make some curteous present of the same to one of vs the
+ladies here that liked you best, tell mee I pray you, to whether
+of vs would you giue the same, or what would you do or say?
+Speake frankely we pray you, and tell youre mynde wythout
+respect: for thereby you shall doe to vs very great pleasure,
+and we shal know to whether of vs you beare your chiefest loue.
+For it is not to be supposed, that you being a young man, can
+spende your time without loue, being a naturall quality in euery
+creature.” When mayster Philippo felt the swete voyce of the
+Queene pleasantly to pierce his eares, and hearde that he was
+commaunded for the loue of hir that he loued, not onely to tell
+whome he loued best and most intierly, but also hir whom he
+worshipped and serued in heart, was almost besides hymselfe,
+sutch was the ticklyng ioylitie that he felt in hys heart, whose
+face was taynted wyth a thousand colors and what for superfluous
+loue and ioy, wherof the like he neuer tasted before, fell into
+an extasie, not able to render answere. But when he had
+recouered stomack, so well as he coulde with soft and trembling
+voice, he answered the Queene in this wise: “Sith your maiesty
+(to whom I yelde myne humble thanks for that curtesie) hath
+vouchsafed to commaund me (besides the infinite pleasure and
+honour, for which eternally I shal stande bound to your
+highnesse) I am ready sincerely and truely to dysclose my mind,
+being promised by your maiesty in opening of the same, to
+deserue great thanks: Wherfore your pleasure being such I do say
+then, with all due reuerence, that not onely here at thys tyme,
+but at al times and places wher it shal please god to appoint
+me, being not able to bestow them in other sort than they be,
+but wer they more precious and fayre, the more ioyfull I should
+bee of them. These floures I say shall of me right humbly be
+presented to your maiesty, not bicause you be a Queene and of a
+royal Race (whych notwythstandinge is a great vertue) but
+bicause you bee a Phœnix, a rare Lady, and of all the troupe the
+fayrest, garnished with infinit gifts, and passinge vertues, for
+your merites worthy to be honoured wyth farr more excellent
+gifts, than these simple floures be, as she that (aboue all
+other Ladyes that liue at this day) is the honour and onely
+glory of all womanhoode of our age, as shee that is the Paragon
+peerelesse of the vniuersal worlde.” when he had sayd those
+words, he held his peace. The Queene with great delight hearing
+the ready aunswere of the yong Gentleman, sayd vnto hym: “And we
+do giue you thanks for the great honor and commendation done
+vnto vs.” When she had sayd so, without further talke, she went
+forth vsing pleasant talke and sport with diuers that wayted
+vpon hir. Queene Anne now vnderstode, and so likewise Queene
+Mary, which of them the yong Lumbard Gentleman did accept for
+his soueraign Lady, whose loue she disdayned not, but in her
+mynde rather commended, esteeming him better than euer she did
+before: and lyke a discreet and wyse Lady gaue him infinite
+prayse. She did not now as other women wont to do, who when they
+see themselues of birth more noble, or of degree more ample than
+their louers be (whych gift they receyue through the fauor of
+the heauens) do not only despise them, but mock them, and their
+faythfull seruice, and many tymes with fayned countenance and
+dissembled words do extol them and set them vp aloft, and by and
+by almost with one breath, exchanging their fayned prayse into
+rebuke, they thrust them downe headlong from the tipe of hope
+and comfort, to the bottomlesse pit of despayre: and the fuller
+she is of floutes, the finer Girle esteemed. But farre better is
+she to be regarded, that not findinge in hir hart to loue hir
+suter, will frankly tell him at the first, that she cannot like
+hym, nor fashion hir mynde to loue him, and requiring him not to
+feede his minde with vayne hope, or contriue the tyme with words
+and lookes, and pray him to seeke some other that can better
+fansy his person than she: And although perchance a man do very
+feruently loue a woman, and that it wer great sorrow and grief
+vnto him to bee cast of, and receiue such refusall, yet in myne
+opinion it were lesse griefe openly to receiue that repulse,
+than to be fawned vppon, and flattered with fained talke, and
+for the time choaked with the baite of vaine hope, and
+afterwards become ridiculous, and gired by the scorneful. I am
+assured, that the woman which giueth hir seruant sutch repulse,
+shall bee counted mutch more cruell, than Maistresse Helena was
+to the scholler of Paris, after he was returned from the
+vniuersitie to Florence, written by Boccaccio in his Decamerone,
+and hereafter in place described. But let vs retourne to maister
+Philippo, who although hee coulde not imagine ne conceiue the
+intent, wherfore Queene Anne made that demaund, yet the same was
+very deare and acceptable vnto him, vppon the which he neuer
+thought, but felt great contentation in his mynd, and was more
+iocund and pleasant than he was wont to be before. On the other
+side the Queene, which was very discrete and wise, when she saw
+maister Philippo at the church or other place to make obeysance
+vnto hir very curteously requited the same, bowing hir head to
+him agayn, (which she neuer vsed but to Barons and Knights of
+great reputation) declaryng thereby how wel in worth she
+regarded his reuerence made vnto hir: Whereat he receiued
+maruellous pleasure and delight, hoping for none other
+recompence at hir handes, than continuance of sutch curtesies
+and honourable entertaynment. Amongs certayne Italians that were
+vppon a Day assembled in the presence chamber of Queene Anne,
+waiting there vpon Madonna Barbara the wyfe of Maister Pietro
+Martire Stampa, who wyth hir two daughters were gone to salute
+the two Queenes that were that time together: There was also
+maister Philippo, with whom Borgo and Baldo reasoned of diuerse
+matters: And as they wer in talke, both the Queenes came forth,
+which was the occasion, that al the lords and Gentlemen
+attended, vppon whose approch, ech man rose vp, and bareheaded
+expected whither the Queenes would goe. Quene Anne perceyuing a
+company of Italians together, left Queene Marie, and went
+streight to them, and very gently inquyred of dyuerse of the
+Gentlemen, their names, and of what partes of Italy they were,
+then she came to the place where they III. were standing
+together, and curteously asked first maister Girolamo, what his
+name was, of what countrey, whether he were a Gentleman? To whom
+reuerently he said: “that his name was Girolamo Borgo,
+a Gentleman of Verona.” Mayster Baldo likewise being demaunded
+the same, answered so well as he coulde: “that he was a
+Gentleman borne, of an auncient house in Milane, and that his
+name was Philippo Baldo.” When she had receiued theyr answere
+with cheereful and smiling countenance she returned to maister
+Philippo, inquyryng of him also his name and countrey, and
+whether he were a Gentleman or not? Whom maister Philippo after
+his duety done reuerently answered: “Madame, my souerain Lady
+and only mistresse, I am a Gentleman, and am called by the name
+of Philippo dei Nicuoli, of Cremona.” The Queene making no
+further demaundes of any of the other Gentlemen, sayd to Mayster
+Philippo: “You say true sir, I dare warrant you to be a
+Gentleman in deede, and hee that sayd the contrary, should
+declare himself to be voyd of Iudgement what a Gentleman is.”
+She sayde no more, but from thence with Queene Mary and the
+whole trayne she went to Church. All they that hard the Queene
+speake those words, dyd wonder, and could not deuise what shee
+meant by them, notwithstanding ech man thought that the Queene
+bare to maister Philippo singuler good will and fauour. He
+(as it was his custome) full of diuerse cogitations, whose head
+was building of great cities, went to church, bestowing himselfe
+in his wonted place, reuoluing in hys mind the Queene’s words
+spoken vnto him. And although he could not perceiue to what end
+that honorable lady had spoken them, yet hee thought that hir
+maiesty had done him great honour. And verily the humanity and
+curtesy of a Lady, so excellent and noble is worthy to be
+extolled with infinite prayses, who being of high estate and
+lineage, and the wife of a Prince that proceded of the stirpe
+Imperial, not only did not disdaine to be beloued of a man of so
+base degree, and banished from his own Country, but also with
+great care and diligence did deuise, and in effect declare that
+she was the same whome the Italian yong gentleman did loue as
+partly it was euidently to bee perceiued, not for other purpose
+doubtlesse, but to do some Noble deede couenable for the
+greatnesse of hir estate, and incident to the feruent loue of
+the amorous yong Gentleman, which afterwardes in very dede she
+accomplyshed. But howe many be there in these dayes, I doe not
+speake of Queenes and Pryncesses, but of simple and priuate
+Gentlewomen, that beyng of meane worship, indued with some shew
+of beautie, be without good conditions and vertue, who seeyng
+themselues beloued of some Gentlemen, not so enriched with the
+goods of Fortune as they be, do scorne and mocke them, thynking
+themselues to good to be loked vpon, or to be once moued of
+vertuous loue, scornfully casting their face at one side, as
+though the suters were vnworthy their company? Howe many
+likewyse be possessed and ouerwhelmed with pryde by reason
+Nature more propicious vnto them then other, be descended of
+some great parentage, that will accompt a great iniurie done
+vnto them, if any gentleman except he be rych, do make sute to
+loue them? Again a great number of women (I speake of them whose
+minds do not so mutch aspire to fame or honour as they seeke
+their delights and brauerie to be mainteined) bee of this
+trampe, that they care not whether theyr louers bee discrete,
+well condicioned, vertuous and gentle, so that theyr pursses be
+full of money, or theyr shapes amiable, not waying the valour
+and good conditions of the minde, ne yet a thousand other
+qualities that ought to garnish a Gentleman, whereby all
+vertuous Gentlemen dayly do growe beautiful, and be enriched
+wyth greater perfections. Some there be that fixe their minds
+vpon those, that be of goodly personage, although void of good
+behauiour, louing rather a piece of flesh with two eyes, than an
+honest man well furnished with vertue. Thynk not yet for all
+thys, that herein men ordinarily bee more wyse than women,
+althoughe they ought to bee accomplished with greater witte: but
+to say the truth, they all be spotted with one kind of pitch,
+that warfare here in the large campe of this present worlde:
+whereof it commeth to passe, that light loue as we see to beare
+no good foundation, and to haue no longe continuance, euen so
+the end and conclusion to consume like the beauty of the floure.
+And therupon many times it chaunceth, that when loue is not
+grounded but vpon transitorie beauty, which doth dissolue like a
+windy cloude, the little heat thereof doth not wax more hote,
+but rather congealeth to frost, and many times conuerteth into
+hatred and mischiefe most cruel. A worse thing yet than this is
+in common practise: There be many that wyll needes bee counted
+and called gentlemen, bycause they come of Auncient and Noble
+race, and being growen vp to man’s state, doe appeare in shapes
+of men, but are altogether without approued manners, vtterly
+ignorant what the nature of Gentle is, accomptyng themselues to
+be ioly fellowes, when in company of other as bigge beastes as
+them selues, they contriue theyr time and make their bragges,
+vaunting that Sutch a woman is at my commaundment, and sutch a
+man’s wyfe I do keepe, sutch a one is my companion’s friende:
+whereby they bryng many women, yea and of the best sort, into
+slaunder and infamie. Diuerse Gentlewomen also bee so fond, and
+of so simple discretion, that although they know and clearely
+perceyue thys to be true, yet allured with the personages and
+beauty of sutch Roisters, passe not to giue the rayne to these
+vnbridled Iades, not foreseeing (lyke ignorant Woodcockes) that
+in fewe dayes through their own temeritie, they incur the common
+shame of the vulgar people, being pointed at in the streates as
+they goe: where sutch as be wyse and discrete, doe dayly feare
+the least suspition that may be conceiued. There is no woman
+that is wyse, but so neare as she can, wil shunne and auoyde all
+occasion whereby slaunder may aryse, and will chose vnto hit
+amongs a number, sutch one as can best please hit fansie, and as
+with whome for hys vertue and honesty she purposeth to match hir
+selfe in maryage, which is the final ende of all honest loue.
+Howe be it Nature hath not framed euery creature of one metall,
+ne yet Minerua infused lyke brayne into euery head. And truely
+this our age dothe breede many fayre and worthie Women, whose
+condicions bee good and honest, adorned with comely qualities,
+the Generositie, stoutnesse and Valoure of whose myndes doe
+deserue syngular prayse and estymatyon. And what is hee,
+chauncynge vppon a curteous and Vertuous Dame, that wyll not
+gyue ouer the Loue of all other, to honour and loue hir for
+euer? But wee haue digressed too long from our Hystorye, and
+therefore, retourning to the same agayne, I say, that Fortune
+the guide of maister Philippo, was fully determined to bestow
+hir fauor vpon him: For besides that the Queene dearely estemed
+his loue, it seemed that all thyngs wer vnyted and agreed to
+sort his enterpryse to happy successe. The Queene had to her
+Gouernesse Madonna Paola dei Cauali, a Gentlewoman of Verona,
+very auncient and graue (aduaunced to the callyng, by Madonna
+Bianca Maria Sforza the wyfe of the Emperour Maximilian) whom
+Queene Anne requyred dylygently to procure for hir, sutch
+Rithmes in the Thuscane language and other Italian workes, as
+were to be found, bicause hir dysposition was to be conuersant
+and familiar in that tongue, and employed great diligence to
+learne and exercise the same, wherein shee attained sutch
+perfection, as all Italians coulde very well vnderstande her.
+Now (as the good lucke of mayster Philippo woulde haue it) he
+that day went to the Courte alone, continuallye deuisinge if it
+were possible, at al tymes to be in presence of the Quene: Whome
+so soone as Madonna Paola espyed, bicause she familiarly knew
+him went vnto him, and sayd: “My welbeloued friend maister
+Philippo, bicause the Queene hath great delight to learn our
+tongue, and therein already hath some towardnesse, as by hir
+common speakying of the same you may perceyue, this mornyng at
+hir vprising shee gaue me a great charge to procure for hir,
+certayne Italian Rithmes, who besides those bookes in that
+tongue already prynted, gladly desireth to see some trymme
+deuises of diuerse learned men that make in oure Daies.
+specially hir mind is earnestlye disposed vpon Rithmes cunningly
+composed, whereof I thinke you haue some store by reason of your
+delight in that exercise: Wherefore I thought good to repayre
+vnto you, and doe heartily pray you, to make hir Maiesty
+pertaker of sutch as you haue, wherein you shal do hir great and
+grateful seruice, and I shal remain continually bound vnto you:
+besides that I doe purpose when I present them vnto hir, to make
+hit priuie that I receyued them at your hands, which bicause of
+the loue shee beareth to our Natyon, she wyl fauorably accept,
+and the same no doubte when opportunitye serueth, liberally
+reward.” Maister Philippo in curteous wise thanked the
+gentlewoman, and said, that he was sorry he was not able better
+to satisefie hir request, bicause in that countrey he had small
+store of sutch desired things, neuerthelesse he would make
+diligent search, to get so many as were possible to be found,
+either amongs the Gentlemen that folowed the Court, or else
+where they were to be gotten. In the meane time, he sayd, that
+he would deliuer those few hee had, and bring them vnto hir that
+night, praying hir to commend hym to the good grace, and fauour
+of hir maiesty. And so he tooke hys leaue, and went strayght to
+hys Lodging, where diligently he began to search among his
+writings (the gladdest man in the Worlde for that occasion
+offered) and founde amonges the same diuers rithmes which hee
+thought vnworthy to passe into the handes of so great a Lady,
+sauing the third Rithme or Chapter, as we commonly call it, made
+by a notable Doctor of the lawes, and excellent Poet called
+M. Niccolo Amanio, of Crema, who no doubt for making of vulgar
+rithmes, thereby expressing the amorous affections of Louers,
+was in our time without comparison. And bicause the same was so
+apt for the purpose of mayster Philippo his loue, as could be
+desired, he wrote the same fayre (being in deede a very fayre
+sheete of Paper,) which soundeth to this effect.
+
+  _Quanto piu cresce (Amor) Paspro tormento, &c._
+
+  The more (O Loue) thy bitter pangs augment,
+      Melting by times my sad accensed spreete,
+      The more to burne I feele my selfe content:
+  And though ech day a thousande times I fleete
+      Twixt hope and dreade, all dolour yet and smart
+      My glorious proofe of enterprise makes sweete.
+  The fire so high which kindled hath myne hart,
+      As by loue’s flames none euer had (I know)
+      So lofty source of heate in any part,
+  Sweete then my torments are, sweete is my woe,
+      Sweete eke of loue the light, sweete the conceyte
+      From so high beames, fallen in my breast, groe.
+  Sutch power of porte, sutch maiesty most gret
+      I tremble to beholde, and do confesse
+      My lot to base, so worthy a blisse to get.
+  But will herein my Reason doth suppresse,
+      And those fayre eyes, where loue himselfe ny lies,
+      Armed with lookes of ioy and gentlenesse,
+  Lookes that vpliftes my soule aboue the Skies,
+      And in each coast al cloudes expelling cleane,
+      Do teach ten thousand pathes to Paradise.
+  My Goddesse braue, Angelicall Sirene,
+      Fayrenesse it selfe, Dame Beautie’s sacred heire:
+      What mounts of ioy may match my happy paine,
+  Whose scaling hope how so ensue dispeire,
+      Leues vaunt of thoughts, which once so highly flew
+      As honour, all that earth besides doth beare,
+      Comparde to this, but baggage were to vew.
+
+When Mayster Philippo had written out these verses, immediately
+he returned to the court, and caused Madona Paolo, to be called
+vnto him by one of the Gromes of the Chamber, to whom he sayd:
+“Maystresse Paola, I haue brought you a ditty, that is very trim
+and prety, which I pray you deliuer to the Queene, and I will do
+what I can to get other.” Maistresse Paola tooke them, and went
+into the chamber, and findinge the Queene alone, sayd to hir:
+“Madame, this morninge yee commaunded me to get you some Italian
+Rithmes, and vpon inquirie I haue receyued these few verses of
+mayster Philippo, secretary to the Lord Andrea Borgo, who hath
+promised to bring me other.” The Queene hearing hir speake those
+words, smilinge receiued the Paper, and read the same: the sense
+whereof she liked very well, thinking that mayster Philippo had
+bene the compositor of the same, and that of purpose he had made
+them for hir, whereby shee was out of doubt that it was shee
+that mayster Philippo so feruently loued, and the better hir
+opinion was confirmed, bicause some of the words tended to the
+state of hir personage. And considering the valor of hys minde,
+she praysed Nature, for that in a man so basely borne shee had
+sowen the seeds of a gentlemanlike and noble heart, greatly to
+hir selfe commendynge the yong man. Then she conferred the whole
+matter wyth hir Coosin Queene Marie: which was a wyse and comely
+Ladye, and vpon that loue they vsed many discourses, more and
+more hauing in regard the behauiour of that yong Gentleman.
+Queene Anne determined, when conueniently shee might, to rendre
+to mayster Philippo, for his great loue condigne rewarde: and
+studying still how to requite his curtesie, euer when she saw
+maister Philippo, shee vsed him with her wonted chere and
+grateful salutation (which thinge onely euery honest gentleman
+ought to expect that is indued wyth reason at the hands of a
+pryncesse so noble and worthy, as a reward sufficient, the
+inequality of the parties considered.) Whereof mayster Philippo
+was the best contented man of the world, and durst not hope for
+greater guerdon, continuing his wonted lyfe fed hym self stil
+with that beloued sight, in sutch wyse as many Gentlemen enuied
+the fauor borne vnto him by the Queene, who for none other cause
+did vse that curtesy, but for that she saw him to be Vertuous
+and well learned: continually esteemyng sutch as wyth learning
+or other gyftes of the mynd were indewed: and when occasion
+chaunced, shee vouchesafed to bestowe vpon them curteous
+intertaynment and lyberall rewardes. It fortuned about that time
+that the Emperor Maximilian died, Charles his nephew (which was
+the Emperor Charles, the fifth,) then beyng in Spayne, by reason
+of whose death the Lord Andrea Borgo, purposed to send one of
+hys Gentlemen to kyng Charles, for the confirmation of that
+lyuing he enioyed, giuen vnto him for his long and faythfull
+seruyce by the said Maximilian. Amongst al he chose this maister
+Philippo, for his wisdome and experience in sutch affayres.
+Which don, he went to the Queenes, and gaue them to vnderstand
+that shortely he would send his Secretarie into Spayne, and told
+them the cause, humbly praying them both, that they would write
+their fauorable letters in his behalf. The Queenes knowing what
+payne and trauell hee had sustayned in the seruice of
+Maximilian, and what daungers he had passed, were very willing
+therunto. Now Queene Anne remembred that she had conuenient time
+to recompence maister Philippo for hys long loue born vnto hir:
+and bicause she was the most curteous Lady of the world, and
+therwithal most bountifull and liberal, and not onely with
+comely talke and gesture: but also in effecte willing to do them
+good, whome she honoured in minde, concluded what to do,
+requiring the Lord Andrea to send his Secretarie vnto hir, when
+he was ready to depart, for that besides Letters, she woulde by
+mouth commit certain businesse for hir to do in the Courte of
+Spayne. When the Lord Andrea was gone, Queene Anne began to
+deuise with the other Queene what she mighte doe for mayster
+Philippo, who prayed Queene Anne, after she had commended him in
+letters, to suffer hir to make the ende and conclusion of the
+same. Whereupon both the Queenes wrote many letters into Spayne,
+to king Charles, and to the Lord Chancellour and other Noble
+men, whome they thought to bee apte and mete ministers to bring
+the effect of their letters to passe. When the Lord Andrea had
+put all thinges in order for that dispatch, he sayd to mayster
+Philippo, (which was now furnished with all thyngs necessary and
+apertinent for that long voyage:) “Philippo, remembre this day
+that you goe to Quene Anne, and tell her, that I require you to
+come vnto hir, to know if she would commaund you any seruice to
+the Catholike Kynge, where you shall humbly offer your seruice,
+in what it pleaseth hir to commaunde: you shall also tel hir
+what things I haue gyuen vnto you in charge by speciall
+commission.” Neuer could more pleasant talke found into the
+eares of maister Philippo, than this, who for that he should
+bothe see and speake vnto his Lady before his departure, and for
+that she would commit vnto him the doing of hir affayres in
+Spayne, was the gladdest and best contented man of the world.
+The houre come when he thought good to repayre to the Queene, he
+went vnto hir, and gaue hir to vnderstand by one of the priuy
+Chamber, that he was attendant there to know hir pleasure. The
+Quene certyfied of his readinesse to depart, by and by toke
+order that he should come into hir chambre, who entring the same
+with trembling heart, and after he had done hys humble
+reuerence, with great feare and bashfulnesse, said: “Pleaseth
+your Maiesty, that my Lorde Borgo, being about to addresse mee
+hys Secretarie into Spayne, to the Catholike King there, hath
+commaunded me to wayte vpon your hyghnesse, to knowe your
+pleasure for certain affayres to be don for your maiesty:
+Wherfore may it please the same to employ mee, your humble
+seruaunte, I shall thinke my self the happiest man of the world:
+A thing so blessed and ioyfull vnto me, as no benefite or
+commoditie can render vnto me greater felicitie.” Then he
+dysclosed vnto her thee rest of his message, which was committed
+vnto hym by his lord and maister. The Queene beholding hym wyth
+mery countenaunce gently sayd vnto hym: “And we for the trust we
+haue in you to do our message and other affayres in Spayne, haue
+requyred you to come hither: And bycause we knowyng you to be a
+Gentleman, and assured that you wyll gladly do your endeuour in
+any thing that may do vs pleasure, haue chosen you aboue any
+other. Our wyl and commaundement is, that fyrst you delyuer
+these letters, conteining matters of great importance to the
+hands of the catholike King, and that you do our humble
+commendations to his maiesty. Then al the rest accordingly as
+they be directed, which principally aboue other things we pray
+you to dispatch vpon your arriuall: And if we bee able to do you
+any pleasure, eyther for your preferment, or for other
+commodity, spare not to write vnto vs your mynd, and (we doe
+assure you) the same shalbe efectually accomplyshed, to the
+vttermoste of our indeuour, whych we do of our owne motion
+frankely offre vnto you, in consideration of the fidelitie,
+worthinesse, and honeste behauiour alwayes knowen to be in you.”
+Mayster Philippo hearynge these wordes was replenyshed with
+sutch ioy, as he thought hymselfe rapt into the heauens, and his
+heart felt sutch pleasure, as it semed to flote in some depe sea
+of delights: and after the best maner he coulde, thanked hir for
+hir curtesie: and albeit (he sayd) that hee knew hymself
+vnworthy of that fauor, yet he dedicated the same to hir
+commaundement, surrendring himselfe as a slaue and faythful
+seruant to hir maiesty. Then vppon his knees, to his great
+contentation he kissed hir hands, which of hir selfe she offred
+vnto him, and then reuerently he toke his leaue. When hee was
+gone oute of the chamber, he met with the Queene’s Coferer, that
+attended for him, who taking him aside, did put into his hand a
+purse with 500. crowns, and the maister of the horsse presented
+vnto him a very goodly and beautifull horse, wherewith maister
+Philippo was so well pleased, as he was like to leape out of his
+skin for ioy. Then he toke his iorney and arriued at the Courte
+in Spayne, where at oportunity, he deliuered his Letters to King
+Charles, and accomplished other busines and message prescribed
+vnto him by Quene Anne: And when he had dispatched the Queene’s
+other letters, he attended the businesse of his Lord Andrea
+Borgo. The king perused the Contentes of the letters sent vnto
+him by his sister and kynswoman, so did the Lord Chauncellour,
+(which at that time was the Lord Mercurino Gattinara,) and
+other, to whom the Queenes had written: whereby the king was
+solicited to stand good Lord, to the Lorde Andrea Borgo, and
+likewise exhorted him to be beneficial to mayster Phylippo, whom
+for his good condicions and experience they had sent vnto him in
+the ambassage. Vpon a day the king moued by the Lorde
+Chancellor, caused maister Philippo to come before him, to whom
+kneling before his maiesty, the king said these words: “The
+testimony and report so honorably made of you by the two
+Queenes, from whom you brought vs letters, and the hope which we
+haue to find you a faithful and profitable seruant, and to be
+correspondent in effecte to the tenor of those letters, moueth
+vs to accepte you into the numbre of one of our Secretaries,
+wherein before our presence you shal sweare vnto vs to be
+faithfull and true.” Maister Philippo that expected for no sutch
+dignity, maruelled at the Kyng’s wordes, and there by oth
+ministred vnto hym by the Lorde Chauncellour was receyued into
+his seruice, and exercysed that office, in singular fauor of the
+King, to the great satysfaction of al men. And after that King
+Charles was elected Emperor, knowing the experience that maister
+Philippo had in the affaires of Italy, and specially in
+Lombardie, he commytted vnto hym all matters touchyng the state
+of the region, which so happily came to passe to maister
+Philippo, as besides the ornaments of vertue and wisedom, he
+acquyred greate riches, and yet he continually serued and
+worshipped the Queene as his noble patronesse and worthy
+mystresse. Tel me now ye faire Ladies and Gentlewomen! What
+shall we say of the princely behauiour and noble disposition of
+this Queene? Truly in my iudgment, she deserueth that prayse and
+commendation that may be attributed to the moste excellente
+Ladye of the Worlde, who neuer gaue ouer her faythful seruant
+tyl she had bountifully with hir own hands and commendation,
+rendred vnto hym a most Pryncely rewarde. And as the funne in
+beautye and bryghtnesse doeth surmounte the other furniture of
+the Skies, euen so Magnyfycence, and liberality in ech Lady doth
+excell all other vertues, specially in those personages, that
+keepe the state of Princes. But to conclude, mete and requisite
+it is, that yee beautify this most curtuous and liberall Queene
+wyth due prayses: For surely in my iudgement, if all Women would
+confer theyr heades and Wittes together, and deuise Hymnes and
+Sonnets of Liberality, they can neuer sufficiently be able to
+celebrate the prayse and glory of thys Queene.
+
+
+
+
+THE TWENTY-SECOND NOUELL.
+
+  _The gentle and iust act of Alexander de Medices Duke of Florence,
+  vpon a Gentleman whom he fauoured, who hauing rauished the Daughter
+  of a poore Myller, caused him to mary hir, for the greater honour
+  and celebration whereof, he appoynted hir a rich and honourable
+  Dowry._
+
+
+If the Force of Vertue were apparant at the sight of eye, it
+would be deemed to be of lesse value than the greatnesse thereof
+deserueth (for sundry causes rising in the mindes of men) and
+that by performinge the little which rested for th’entier
+perfection of hir whole vnited glory. Now because that hir
+effects be diuerse, and that dyuersly they be vsed, the examples
+also of sutch diuersity, do variate and make diuerse the
+affections of men: some to follow that quality and other that
+part, proceeding from the whole and perfect body of vertue,
+which hath caused some to win the price of modesty and
+temperance in their deedes, other full of magnanimity (not
+familiar to many) haue resisted the assaults of fortune. Many
+other haue embraced that only honor whych is the nourice of ech
+good act, whereby they haue either wel ruled the state of free
+citties, or guided the armies of mighty Monarchs. And sutch
+whilom the cities of Rome, Athenes, Sparta, and the auncient
+Monarchs of the Medes, Persians, and the Assyrians did see.
+I wil omit a good company of the sage and wyse, which haue
+appaysed the troubles of Citties, the inquietations of Palaces,
+the cries of Iudgement seates, the dissimulation and deceiptfull
+flatteries of Courts, the carefull griefs which the householder
+by gouernment of his house and family doth sustaine and feele,
+of purpose more frankly to retire to the study of sapience,
+which alone is able to make a man happy, and worthy to be
+partaker of the diuinity. But aboue al, I wil prayse him which
+not subiect to the law lyueth neuerthelesse like him that is
+most thrall thereunto, or without respect of bloude or frendship
+shall exercise Iustice vpon his dearest and best beloued: as in
+olde time Manlius and Torquatus at Rome, the people of Athenes
+towards one Timagoras, who beyond the duty of the Ambassador of
+a frank citty, fel down on his knees and worshipped the Persian
+king. And in our time the Marquize of Ferrara, by doing to death
+his own son for adultry committed wyth his mother in Law. And
+yet Iustice may fauour of some cruelty, which rather turneth to
+shame than praise: as Ihon Maria Visconte Duke of Milan, when he
+caused a couetous priest to be buried quick with the corps of
+him whom he had refused to bury without money, the history
+wherof is hereafter remembred. So as mediocrity of punishment
+ought to be yoked with the rigor of law, for the mitigation
+thereof. And beholde, wherefore the great Dictator Iulius Cæsar
+loued better to gayn the heart of his enemies with mercy, than
+vanquish and bring them to obedience with massy manacles and
+giues of Iron. Moreouer in our age Alphonsus of Aragon (the true
+Sampler of a iust and Righteous Prynce) dyd not hee esteeme
+(when hee strayghtly besieged Gaiette) the Vyctory to be more
+Gloryous and better gotten, which is done by composition and
+gentlenesse, than the bloudy conquest, colored wyth teares and
+bloud of a poore simple people? And truly princes, and great
+lordes, specially they which newly (without succession receyued
+from their ancestors) arriue to the gouernment of some
+commonwealth, ought continually to haue before their eies, an
+honest seuerity for the holines of the law, and a graue
+mildnesse, to moderat the rigour of their duety: For by that
+meanes right is mainteined, the heart of man is won, so wel as
+by violence: and the state of gouernment taketh so good footing,
+as the winde of no sedition afterwards can remoue the same,
+beinge founded vpon a sure stone, and framed vpon a rock durable
+for a long tyme. Whereof wee haue an example of fresh memory of
+a kinde act, full both of wysedome and of gentle seuerity, in a
+prynce of our time, who wythout effusion of bloud punished with
+rigor enough, a trespasse committed, and sweetely remitted the
+payne vpon him, which merited grieuous, nay mortall punishment,
+as at large you shall see by the discourse that followeth.
+Alexander de Medices, fauoured by the Church of Rome, (and armed
+with the Papall standard) was hee that first with great actiuity
+and Wisedome inueyed the Seniory of Florence, immediatly
+vsurping the name, title, and prerogatiue of Duke. The same
+albeit vpon the prime face he was odious to the people of
+Florence, wroth for losing of their ancient liberty, and
+displeasant to the Senatours and potentates, to see them selues
+depriued of the soueraignty of Iustice, and of the authority
+they had to commaund ouer all the Citizens, yet for all that was
+he indued wyth so good qualities, and gouerned so wel his
+principality, as that which at the beginning was termed Tyranny,
+was receyued as iust domination, and that which was supposed to
+be abused by force, seemed to be done as it were by lawfull
+succession. And they counted themselues happy (when they saw
+their lucke to bee sutch as their common wealth must needs obey
+the aduice and pleasure of one Prince alone) to haue a soueraygn
+lord, so wise, so vertuous and so ful of curtesie: and albeit in
+all other things he shewed himselfe prayse worthy, noble, and of
+gentle kinde, yet in this he vanquished himselfe in himselfe, by
+that indifferent iustice, which made him wonderful, denying the
+same to none, and in no one iote shewed himselfe parcial to any,
+which thought by hym to bee supported in their follies: And that
+which is more to bee wondred in him, and doth augment the prayse
+of his integrity in iudgement, was, that he punished in another
+the thynge, which hee ought to haue pardoned and remitted, hee
+hymselfe beinge attaynted wyth that dysease. But thys good Duke
+applyed to Reason, to tyme, and to the Grauity of the fact and
+quality of the offended persones: For where the greatnesse of a
+deede surpasseth all occasion of pardon and mercye, there the
+Prynce, Iudge, or Magistrate ought to dispoyle and put of his
+sweetest affections, to apparell himselfe with rigor, whych
+reacheth the knyfe into the hand of the Ruler, of purpose that
+pryuate familiaritie, do not in ende rayse in the subiect’s
+hearte a contempte of superiours, and unbrydled licence,
+lawlesse to liue at their pleasure. Now the thing which I meane
+to tell, consisteth in the proofe of a rare and exquisite
+Prynce, which seldome or neuer harboureth in yong age, the
+heates whereof can not but with greate difficultie, feele the
+coldnesse and correction of reason: And likewise the causes from
+whence wisdome’s force proceede, do rest in longe experience of
+things, whereby men waxe olde in ripenesse of witte, and theyr
+deedes become worthy of prayse. This Duke Alexander ordred so
+wel his estates, and kepte sutch a goodly and plentifull Court,
+as the same gaue place to no Prynce of Italy, how great or rich
+so euer it was, which noble court he kept aswell for his owne
+garde and honor as to shew the naturall stoutnesse of his
+corage, not vsing for all that any insolencie or vnseemely
+dealing agaynste the haynous and auncient enemies of his
+familie. Amongs his gallant troupe of Courtiers, which
+ordinarily attended, there was a Florentine gentleman, very
+neare the Duke, and the beste beeloued of them all. This yong
+Gentleman had a Manor hard by Florence, where he was very well
+and stately lodged, which caused him many times to forsake the
+City, wyth two of his companions, to recreate himself in that
+pleasant place. It chaunced vpon a time, he being in his
+fieldish house, besides the which there was a Myll, the maister
+of the sayd Myll had a passing fayre daughter, whom thys
+Gentleman did well marke and beholde, and with hir beauty
+beecame straungely in loue, in whom also appeared some Noble
+port, that exceded the bloud and race whereof she came. But
+what? The heauens be not to spare distributers of theyr gifts,
+but sometimes they diuide them with the least measure, and at
+some other times in equall weight or greatest heape, to them
+that be of the basest sorte and popular degree, so wel, as to
+the greatest and of most noble race. Rome somtimes hath seen a
+bondman and slaue, somtimes a Runnegate’s sonne, for his wit and
+Courage to beare the Scepter in his hand, and to decide the
+causes of that lofty people, who by sleyghts and practises
+aspired the Empyre of the whole worlde. And he that within our
+Fathers remembrance desireth to knowe what great Tamberlane of
+Tartarie was, the astonishment and ruine of al the East partes,
+shall well perceyue that his originall sorted from the vulgar
+sorte, and from the lowest degree that was amongs all estates:
+whereby must be confessed, that the goodnesse of nature is sutch
+and so great, as she will helpe hir nourice children (whatsoeuer
+they be,) the best she can: Not that I meane to infer hereby,
+but that the bloud of Predecessors, with the institution of
+their Posterity, mutch augmenteth the force of the spirit, and
+accomplisheth that more sincerely whereunto nature hath giuen a
+beginninge. Now to com to our purpose, this yong Courtier, taken
+and chayned in the bands of loue, settred and clogged wyth the
+Beauty and good grace of that Countrey wench, forethought the
+meanes how he myght inioy the thynge after which hee hoped. To
+loue hir he deemed it vnworthy of his degre: And yet he knew hir
+to be sutch (by report of many) as had a very good Wit, tongue
+at wyll, and which is more esteemed, a Paragon and mirror of
+chaste life and modesty. Which tormented this amorous Mounsier
+beyond measure, and yet chaunged not his affection, assuring
+himselfe that at length he should attayne th’ end of his
+desires, and glut that his vnsatiable hunger, which pressed him
+from day to day to gather the soote and sauorous frute which
+Louers so egerly sue for at maydens handes of semblable age, who
+then was betweene XVI. and XVII. yeares. This Louer dyd to
+vnderstand to hys companions his griefe and frensie, who sory
+for the same, assayed by all meanes, to make him forget it,
+telling hym that it was unseemely for a Gentleman of his
+accompt, to make himselfe a fable to the people, which woulde
+come to passe if they knew how vndiscretely hee had placed hys
+loue: and that there were a number of fayre and honest
+gentlewomen more to whom besides conuenably and with greater
+contentation he might addresse the same. But he which mutch
+lesse saw, than blind loue himselfe that was his guid, and he
+that was more bare of reason and aduice than the Poets fayne
+Cupido to be naked of apparell, would not harken to the good
+counsel, which his companions gaue him, but rather sayd that it
+was lost time for them to vse sutch spech, for he had rather dy,
+and indure all the mocks and scoffs of the world, than lose the
+most delicate pray (in his mynde,) that could chaunce into the
+hands of man, adding moreouer, that the homelynesse and rudenes
+of the country, had not so mutch anoyed his new beloued, but she
+deserued for hir beauty to be compared with the greatest Minion
+and finest attyred gentlewoman of the Citty: For this mayden had
+but the ornament and mynionnesse which nature had enlarged,
+where other artificially force by trumperies, to vsurpe that
+which the heauens deny them. “Touching her vertue let that passe
+in silence, sithens that she” (quod he sighinge) “is to chast
+and vertuous for one whom I would choose to daly withal: My
+desire is not to make hir a Lucrece, or some of those auncient
+Matrones, which in elder yeres builded the temple of woman’s
+Fortune at Rome.” The companions of this louer seeing how
+he was bent, promised him what they were able to doe, for
+accomplishment of his will, for the which he thanked them very
+heartely, offring like duty, where fortune should prepare the
+proofe of their affection and neede of his amorous seruice: In
+the mean time, conceiuing in his minde some new deuice, which so
+soone as he had found out was not able to be brought to passe,
+and knowing that the duke seldome would haue him out of his
+sight, began to inuent lyes, doing hym to vnderstand that he had
+necessary occasion, for a certain time, to remain and be at his
+country house. The duke which loued him, and who thought that
+either he had som secret sicknes, or els som wench which he was
+loth to discouer before his companions, gaue him leaue for a
+month, which so pleased this amorous Gentleman, as he lept for
+ioye, and was not able to rest one hour before he had found out
+his frends and companions, to mount on horsback to visit hir
+that had vnder hir power and obeisance the best portion of him,
+which was his hart and his most secret thought. When he was come
+to his Countrey house, hee began to stalke abrode, and daunce a
+round about the Mill, where his beloued did dwel, who was not so
+foolish, but by and by suspected whereunto those goings and
+commings of the Pilgrim tended, and for what pray he led his
+Dogs in lease, and caused so many Nets and Cords to be displayed
+by hunters of euery age and sexe, who to discouer the Countrey,
+assayde by beating the Bushes, to take the Beaste at forme: For
+which cause she also for hir part, began to fly the snares of
+those Byrders, and the raunging of the Dogs that vented after
+hir, strayinge not from the house of the good man hir Father:
+whereof this poore louer conceyued great dispayre, not knowinge
+by what meanes he might rouse the Game after which he hunted, ne
+finde the meanes to do hir vnderstand his playnts and vnmeasured
+griefe of heart, the firme loue, and sinceere mynde wherewyth he
+was so earnestly bent, both to obay and loue hir aboue all
+other: And that which most of all increased his payne, was that
+of so great a troupe of messages whych he had sent, with giftes
+and promisses the better to atchieue his purpose, no one was
+able to take place or force (neuer so little) the chastity of
+that sober and modest mayde. It chaunced one day as this
+Gentleman was walking a long a wode side newly felled, hard
+adioyning to his house, by whych there was a cleare and goodly
+fountayne shadowed betweene two thick and lofty Maple trees, the
+Myller’s Daughter went thither for water, and as she had set
+downe hir payles vpon the fountaine brink, hir Louer came vnto
+hir, litle thinking of sutch a ioyful meeting, which he wel
+declared by these words: “Praysed be God, that when I hoped
+least of this good hap, he hath sent me hither, to see the onely
+substaunce of my ioy.” Then turninge his face towards the
+mayden, sayd vnto her: “Is it true that thou art heere (or do I
+dreame) and so neare to him that most desireth to gratyfie thee
+in any thynge wherewyth it may please thee to commaunde him?
+Wilt thou not haue pity vpon the paynes and griefs which
+continually I indure for the extreme loue I beare thee?” And
+saying so, he would haue imbraced hir. But the mayde, which
+cared no more for his flatteries, than before she did for his
+presents and messages seeing the same to tend to nothing else
+but to hir ruine and great dishonor, wyth stout countenaunce,
+and by hir liuely colour declaring the chast and vertuous motion
+of her bloud, sayd to this valiant Gentleman: “How now, syr, do
+you thinke that the vilenesse of myne apparell, holdeth lesse
+vertue, than is vnder the rich and sumptuous Ornaments of
+greatest Ladyes? Do you suppose that my bringing vp hath bred in
+me sutch grose bloud, as for your only pleasure, I shoulde
+corrupt the perfection of my minde, and blot the honour which
+hitherto so carefully I haue kept and religiously preserued? Be
+sure that sooner death shall separate the soule from my body,
+than willingly I would suffer the ouerthrow and violation of my
+virginity. It is not the part of sutch a Gentleman as you be,
+thus to espy and subtlely pursue vs poore Countrey maydens to
+charme vs with your sleights and guilfull talke: It is not the
+duety of a Gentleman to subborne sutch vaunte currors to
+discouer and put in perill, the honour of chaste maydens and
+honest Wyues, as heretofore you haue done to me. It ought to
+suffice, that you haue receyued shame by repulse of your
+messengers, and not to come your selfe to bee partaker of their
+Confusion.” “And that is it, that ought to moue you sweete
+heart” (aunswered he) “to take pitty vpon my griefe, so playnly
+seeing that vnfaynedly I doe loue you, and that my loue is so
+well planted, as rather had I suffer death, than occasion the
+least offence that may displease you: Only I beseech you, not to
+shew your selfe so cruel vnto him, who disdayning all other,
+hath made you so frank an offer both of himselfe and of al that
+he hath to commaund.” The maide not greatly trusting his words,
+feared that he prolonged time to make hir stay till hys seruants
+came to steale hir away: And therefore without further aunswere,
+she taking vp hir payles, and half running till she came neere
+the Myll, escaped his hands, telling hir father no part of that
+talk betwene them: who began already to doubt the treason,
+deuised by the Gentleman, agaynst the pudicity of his daughter,
+vnto whom he neuer disclosed his suspition, were it that he knew
+hir to be vertuous inough, and constant to resist the luring
+assaults of loue, or considred the imbecillity of our flesh, and
+the malice of the same, which dayly aspireth things thereunto
+defended, and by lawes limitted and prescribed, which lawes it
+ought not to excede, and yet therof it wisheth the abolishment.
+The Gentleman seeinge that the mayden had forsaken hym, and
+little esteemed hys amorous onset, outraged for loue, and chased
+wyth choler, spake these wordes to hymselfe: “Ah foolish and
+dastard louer, what didst thou meane when thou hadst hir so
+neere thee, in place so commodious, where shee durst not
+gaynesay thee that thou didst no better pursue hir? And what
+knowest thou if shee came of purpose to ease thy payne and to
+finish thy troublesome trauels? Surely I suppose she did so, but
+that shame and duety forced hir to vse those wordes, to make mee
+thinke, that lyghtly she would not bee ouercome by persuasions:
+And put the case that it were not so, who coulde haue let mee to
+take by force that, whereunto willingly she would not accorde:
+But what is she to be reuenged of sutch an iniury? She is for
+conclusion the daughter of a Miller, and may make hir vaunte,
+that she hath mocked a Gentleman, who beinge alone wyth hir, and
+burninge wyth loue, durst not staunch hys thirst (although full
+dry) so neere the fountayne: And by God (sayd he rising from a
+greene banke neere the fountayne’s side) if I dy therefore,
+I wyll haue it eyther by loue or force.” In this wicked and
+tyrannicall mynde, hee returned to hys place, where his
+companions seeing him so out of quiet, sayd vnto him: “Is thys
+the guise of a gentle minde, to abase it selfe to the pursute of
+so simple a Wench? Doe not you know the malice of that sexe, and
+the guiles wherewith those Serpents poyson men? Care you so
+little for a woman as she doth for you, and then wyll she
+imbrace you and make mutch of you, whose only study is (which I
+beleeue) to frame hirselfe agaynst all that, for which humble
+sute is made: But admit, that women hath some qualities to draw
+men to loue them, to honour and serue them, which if it so be
+truely that office and dutifull deuoyre ought to be imployed in
+seruice of them, that be honourable and in spirite and iudgement
+of gentle kinde, which no doubt wil counteruayle the merite of
+sutch a suter: And certesse I am of opinion that a man may
+vaynely consume a yere or two in pursute and seruice of this
+mealy Countrey wench, so well as addresse his loue in the
+obedience of some fayre and honest Gentlewoman: which
+courteously and with some fauour wyll recompence, the trauayles
+of hir seruaunt, where that rude and sottish gyrle, by pryde
+will vaunt and looke a loft, at the honor done vnto hir, despise
+theym whose worthynesse she knoweth not, and whom neyther she
+nor the best of her seede, be worthy to serue in any respect:
+will you know then what I thinke best for you to do? myne aduice
+is then, that one of these euenings, she be trussed vp in a
+Maile and brought hither, or in some place els where you thinke
+good, that you may enioy at pleasure the beauty of hir whom you
+do praise and wonder at so mutch: And afterwards let hir
+dissemble it she lust, and make a Iewel of hir chastity when she
+hath not to triumph ouer you, by bearing away the victory of
+your pursutes.” “Ah my good friend,” aunswered the desperate
+louer, “how rightly you touch the most daungerous place of al my
+wound, and how soueraygne a salue and plaister you apply
+therevnto: I had thought truly to intreate you of that, whereof
+euen now you haue made the ouerture, but fearing to offend you,
+or to mutch vsurpe vpon your friendship, rather had I suffer a
+death continuall, than rayse one point of offence, or
+discontentation in them, which so frankly haue offred to doe me
+pleasure, whereof (by God’s assistaunce) I hope to be acquited
+with all duety and office of frendship. Now resteth it, to put
+in proofe, the effect of your deuise, and that so shortly as I
+can: In like manner you see that the terme of my heere abode,
+will shortly expire, and if wee be once at the Courte,
+impossible it is for me to recouer so good occasion, and
+peraduenture she wil be maried, or some other shal cary away the
+pray after which I haue beaten the Bush.” The plot then of this
+mayden’s rape, was resolued vpon, and the first espied occasion
+taken: But the louer which feared least this heat of his
+companions would coole, sollicited them so mutch, as the
+execution was ordayned the following night: which they did, not
+so mutch for the pleasure of their frend, to whom in sutch
+aduentures they ought to deny all helpe, (sith frendship ought
+not to passe, _Sed vsq; ad aras_, as Pericles the Athenian sayd,
+so far as was sufferable by the lawes of God) as for that they
+wer of nature of the self same tramp, which their passionate
+companion was, and would haue made no conscience to enterpryse
+the same for themselues, although the other had not tolde them
+hys affections: These bee the Fruictes of vnruled Youth, wherein
+onely the Verdure and greennesse of the Age beareth greatest
+sway, the wyll whereof reason can not restrayne, which sooner
+reclineth to the carnall part, than to that which tendeth to the
+honest repast and contentment of the mynd. The next night, they
+three accompanied with V. or VI. seruauntes (so honest as theyr
+maisters) gaue the onset in armure and weapons well appointed to
+defende and hurt, if any resistance were made, they myght be
+able to repell theyr aduersaries. Thus about two of the clocke
+in the night they came to the Mil, the Heauens hauyng throwne
+theyr mantell ouer the vaporous earthe, and dymmed hir Face with
+theyr vayle obscure and darke, and yet not sutch, but that the
+ayre was cloudye cleere: and when no man doubted of so great
+offence, and of sutch vnhappy rape, they brake into the poore
+Miller’s House, beetwene whose armes they toke away his daughter
+deare, and almost dead for feare, piteously began to cry for
+help, defending herself so well as she could from those Theeues
+and Murderers. The desolate father raging with no lesse fury
+then the Hircanian Tigre, when hir Faucons be kylled or taken
+away, ran first to one, and then to another, to stay them from
+carying of hir away, for whom they came. In the end the amorous
+rauisher of his daughter sayd vnto hym: “Father, Father,
+I aduyse thee to get thee hence if thou loue thy lyfe, for thy
+force is too weake to resist so many, the least of whome is able
+to coole this thy foolish heart and choler, for the whych I
+would be sory, for the great Loue I beare vnto thy daughter, who
+(I hope) before she depart my company, shal haue wherewith to be
+contented: and thou cause to pacifye this thine immoderate rage,
+which in vayne thou yalpest forth agaynst this troupe.” “Ah
+false Knaue and theefe,” (sayd the honest pore man) “it is thou
+then, which by thine infamous filthinesse and insaciable
+knauery, doest dishonor the commendable fame of my daughter, and
+by like meanes shortnest the hoped yeres of me hir poore vnhappy
+father, loosinge through thy wickednesse, the staffe and stay of
+myne olde aged life? Thynkest thou Traytor, that liuing till
+this day (for all my pouertye) in reputation of an honest Man,
+in myne olde Dayes will become an vnshamefast and vyle Minister
+and Chapman of my daughter’s maidenhoode and virginity? No knaue
+thinke not that I forget the wrong receiued of thee, for which
+by some meanes or other, I wyll purchase iust reuenge vpon thee
+or thyne?” The Gentleman caryng little or nothyng for the old
+man’s wordes, hauyng in hys hand his desired spoyle, commanded
+his Men to marche before with the Mayden, leauing behind the
+poore olde Man which thundred against them a thousand bitter
+cursses, threatning and reuyling them, by all the termes he
+could deuise, desirous (as I think) to haue them turne backe to
+kyll him. But thereunto they gaue so little heede, as when he
+wylled them to leaue his daughter behynde them: to whome the
+amorous courtier addressing himselfe, began to kysse hir, and
+assayed by all meanes with pleasaunt Woordes and many sweete
+promisses to comfort hir: but the poore Wenche knowyng full
+well, that they wente about to play the Butchers wyth her
+Chastitye, and to commyt Murder wyth the floure of hir
+Virginity, began to cry so piteously with dolorous voice, as she
+would haue moued to compassion the hardest Hartes that euer
+were, excepte the Hearte of hym which craued nothyng more than
+the spoyle of that his sweetest Enimy. When the poore Wenche saw
+hir Vertue ready to be spoyled by one, who (not in Maryage
+ioyned) wente aboute to vyolate and possesse the same, and knewe
+that afterwardes hee woulde vaunte hymselfe for the Victorye of
+sutch a precious pryce: “Alas (quod she) is it possyble that the
+Souerayne Iustyce of God can abyde a Myschiefe so greate and
+curssed, and that the Voyce of a poore Wretched afflicted Mayde
+cannot be heard in the presence of the Myghty Lord aboue? Why
+may not I nowe rather suffer Deathe, than the Infamy whych I see
+to wander before myne Eyes? O the good olde Man my deare and
+louing Father, how farre better had it bene for thee to haue
+slayne mee wyth thy Dagger, betwene the Handes of these moste
+wycked Theeues, than to let mee goe to bee the praye of those my
+Foes that seeke the spoyle of Vertue, and the blotte of thy
+reputation. O happy a hundred hundred tymes bee yee, whych haue
+already passed the ineuitable tract of Death when ye were in
+cradle, and I poore vnhappy Wench no lesse blessed had I bene if
+pertaker of your Ioy, where now I rest alyue to feele the smarte
+and Anguish of that Death more egre to support, than that whych
+deuydeth the body and soule.” The Gentleman offended with those
+complaynts, beganne to threaten, that hee woulde make hir forget
+hir disordered behauiour, sayinge that shee must change an other
+tune, and that hir plaints were to no purpose amongs them which
+cared not, nor yet were bent to stay vppon hir Womanishe teares,
+Lamentations and cries. The poore Mayden hearinge there
+resolution, and seeing that shee vaynely dysparckled hir Voyce
+into the Ayre, began to holde hir peace, whych caused the Louer
+to speake vnto hir these wordes: “And what my Wench? Dost thou
+thinke it straunge, that for the heate of loue I beare to thee
+that I should force sutch violence? Alas it is not malyce nor
+euill wyll that causeth me to doe the same, it is loue whych
+cannot bee inclosed, but must needes breake forth to manyfest
+his force. Ah that thou hadest felt, what I doe suffer and
+indure for loue of thee. I beleeue then thou wouldest not bee so
+hard hearted, but haue pitty vppon the griefe whereof thou
+shouldest haue proued the vehemence.” Whereunto the mayde
+aunswered nothinge but Teares and Syghes, wringing hir Armes and
+Handes, and sometymes makinge Warre vppon hir fayre Hayre. But
+all these Feminine Waylinges nothinge mooued thys Gallant, and
+lesse Remooued hys former desire to haue hir, which hee
+atchieued in dispite of hir Teeth, so soone as hee arryued at
+his owne House. The remnaunt of the Night they lay together,
+where hee vsed hir wyth all sutch kynde of flatteringe and
+louinge Speech, as a Louer (of longe tyme) a Suter could deuise
+to do to hir, whom at length he dyd Possesse. Now all these
+flatteringe Follies tended onely to make hir his owne, to keepe
+hir in hys Countrey House for hys Pleasure. Shee that for hir
+Age (as before is sayd) was of condition Sage, and of gentle
+mynde, began subtilely to dissemble and fayne to take Pleasure
+in that which was to hir more bitter than any Aloes or Woode of
+Myrrha, and more agaynst hir heart than remembraunce of Death,
+whych styll shee wyshed for remedy of hir gryefe, and
+Voluntaryly woulde haue killed her selfe lyke a Lucrece, if the
+feare of God, and dreadfull losse of Body and Soule, had not
+turned hir mynde, and also hoped in God that the Rauysher should
+repayre the fault whych he committed, and beare the penaunce for
+his temerity, whereof she was no whit deceyued, as yee shall
+perceyue, by that which presently doth follow. Now whilest the
+Rauisher tooke his pleasure wyth his Rape, the miserable father
+made the Ayre to sound with his complaints, accusinge fortune
+for letting the Whorish varlet so to passe, wythout doing him to
+feele the lustinesse of hys age, and the force that yet reasted
+in his furrowed face, and corpse withered with length of yeares.
+In the end knowing that his playnts, curses, and desire were
+throwne forth in vayne, perceiuing also his force vnequal to
+deale with sutch an Ennimy, and to get agayne by violence hys
+stolne Daughter, or to recouer hir by that meanes whereby she
+was taken away, he determined the next day to go and complaine
+to the Duke: and vpon that determination he layd him downe to
+sleepe vnder the trees, which ioyned to the fountayne, where
+sometimes the Courtier had communed with his daughter. And
+seeing that the Element began to to shewe some splendent hue
+Interpaled with coulours of White, Yealow, and Red, Signes
+preceedinge the risinge of fresh Aurora, started from his sleepe
+and tooke hys way to Florence, whither he came, vpon the
+openinge of the Citty Gates. Then going to the Pallace of the
+Duke, he tarried vntill he saw the Prynce goe forth to seruice.
+The good man seeing him of whom he attended to receyue succour,
+fauour, and iustice, began to freat, and rage for remembraunce
+of his receyued wronge, and was ashamed to see himself in place
+not accustomed: and although it grieued his heart wyth hardy
+speach to presume in presence of so many, yet the iust anger and
+desire of vengeance emboldned hym so mutch, as kneelinge vpon
+his knees before the Maiesty of the Duke, aloud he spake these
+woordes: “Alas (my Soueraygne Lord) if euer your grace had pity
+vpon a desolate man, full of dispayre, I humbly beseech the same
+that now you do regard the misery which on euery side assayleth
+me. Haue pity vpon the pouerty of that vnfortunate olde man
+agaynst whom one hath done sutch wrong, as I hope by force of
+your vertue and accustomed iustice, you wil not leaue a sin so
+detestable without deserued punishment, for respect of
+mischiefes that may insue where sutch wickednesse shalbe
+dissembled without due correction.” Sayinge so, the great teares
+ran downe his hory Bearde, and by reason of his interrupted
+sighes and continual sobbes, the panting of his stomack might
+easily haue bene perceiued all riueld for age, and Sunneburned
+with heate and continuall Countrey trauaile: and that which
+moued most the standers by, was the ruefull loke of the good old
+man, who casting his lookes heare and there, beheld eche one
+with hys holowe and dolorous Eyes, in sutch wise as if he had
+not spoken any word, hys countenance would haue moued the Lords
+to haue compassion vpon his misery, and his teares were of sutch
+force, as the Duke which was a wyse man, and who measured
+thinges by reason’s guide, prouided with wisedome, and
+foreseeinge not without timely iudgement, would know the cause
+whych made that man so to make his plaint, and notwithstanding
+assailed (with what suspition I know not) would not haue him
+openly to tel hys tale, but leading him aside, he sayd vnto him:
+“My frend, albeit that greeuous faultes of great importance,
+ought grieuously and openly to be corrected, yet it chaunceth
+oftentimes, that he which in a heate and choler doth execution
+for the guylt (although that iustly after hee hath disgested his
+rage, at leasure hee repenteth his rigor and ouer sodaine
+seueritie,) offence being naturall in man, may sometyme (where
+slaunder is not euident) by mild and mercyfull meanes forget the
+same without infringing or violating the holy and ciuil
+constitutions of Lawmakers. I speake thus mutch bicause my heart
+doeth throbbe that some of my house haue don some filthy faulte
+against thee or some of thine. Now I would not that they openlye
+should be slaundered, and yet lesse pretend I to leaue theyr
+faultes vnpunished, specially sutch as by whose offensiue cryme
+the common peace is molested, wherein I desyre, that my People
+shoulde lyue. For which purpose God hath constituted Prynces and
+Potestates as shepheardes and guides of hys flocke, to the ende
+that the Tyrannicall fury of the vitious, mighte not destroy,
+deuoure and scatter the impotente flock, of no valoure if
+it be forsaken and lefte forlorne by the mighty Armes of
+Pryncipalities and Monarchyes.{”} A singuler modesty doubtlesse,
+and an incredyble example of Clemencye in hym, whome hys
+Cytyzens thoughte to be a Tyrant and vniust vsurper of a free
+Segnyorye, who so priuily and with sutch familiarity, as the
+Friend could wish of his companion, hearkened to the cause of
+the poore Countrey man, and moreouer hys modesty so great, as
+hee would it not to bee knowen what fault it was, or else that
+the offenders shoulde publikely bee accused, offering for all
+that to be the reuenger of the wronge done vnto the poore, and
+the punisher of the iniury exercised agaynste the desolate,
+a worke certainly worthy of a true Chrystian Prince, and which
+establisheth kingdomes decayed, conserueth those that be,
+rendring the Prynce to be beloued of God, and feared of his
+Subiects. The pore olde man seeing the Duke in so good mynde,
+and that accordingly hee demaunded to know the wrong don vnto
+him, the Name of the factor, and that also he had promised him
+his help and ryghtfull correctyon due vnto the deserued fault,
+the good olde man I say conceiuing courage, recited from poynt
+to poynte the whole discourse of the rape, and the violence
+done, vppon hys poore vertuous Daughter, declaring besides the
+name and surname of those which accompanied the Gentleman, the
+author of that conspiracy, who (as we haue already sayd) was one
+that was in greatest fauor with the Duke: who notwithstanding
+the Loue that he bare to the accused, hearing the vnworthinesse
+of a deede so execrable, said: “As God liueth this is a
+detestable facte, and well deserueth a sharpe and cruell
+punyshment: Notwithstanding freend, take good heede that thou
+doeste not mistake the same, by accusing one for an other, for
+the Gentleman whome thou haste named to be the rauisher of thy
+daughter, is of all men deemed to bee very honest, and doe well
+assure thee that if I finde thee a lyer, thy heade shall answere
+for example to eche false accuser and slaunderer in time to
+come. But if the matter be so true as thou hast sayde, I promise
+thee by the faith I beare to God, so wel to redresse thy wrong,
+as thou shalt haue cause to be thoroughly satisfied with my
+iustice.” To whome the good olde man thus answered: “My Lord the
+matter is so true, as at this day hee keepeth my Daughter (like
+a common strumpet) in his house. And if it please your highnesse
+to send thither, you shall know that I do not falsely accuse or
+vtter lying woordes before you, my Lord and Prynce, in presence
+of whom as before the mynister and Lyeuetenaunte of God, Man
+oughte not to speake but truely and religeously.” “Sith it is
+so,” sayd the Duke, “get thee home to thy house, where God
+willing, I will be this day at dinner, but take hede vpon thy
+life, thou say nothing to any man what so euer he be: for the
+rest let me alone, I will prouide according to reason.” The good
+man almost so glad for his good exploit, as the day before he
+was sorowful for his losse, ioyfully went home to his homely
+house and Countrey Cabane, whych he caused to be made ready so
+wel as hee could, attending the comming of his deliuerer,
+succor, support, and iudge, who when he had heard seruice,
+commanded his Horse to be made ready: “For (sayd he) I heare say
+there is a wylde Boare haunting hereby, so well lodged as is
+possible to see: wee wyll goe thyther to wake hym from his
+sleepe and ease, and vse that pastime til our dinner be ready.”
+So departing from Florence, he rode straight vnto the Mil wher
+his dinner was prepared by hys Seruauntes. There he dined very
+soberly, and vsing fewe words vnto his company, sate stil al
+pensiue, musing vpon that he had to doe: For on the one side the
+grauitie of the facte moued him rigorously to chastise him which
+had committed the same. On the other side the loue which he bare
+him (mollifing his heart) made him change his minde, and to
+moderate his sentence. The Prynce’s minde, thus wandering
+beetwene loue and rigor, one brought him worde that the Dogs had
+rousde the greatest Hart that euer he sawe: which newes pleased
+him very mutch, for by that meanes he sent away the multitude of
+his Gentlemen to follow the chase, retaining with him his moste
+familiar friends, and those that were of his priuy and secrete
+councel, whom he would to be witnesses of that which he intended
+to doe, and causing his hoast to come before him, he sayd: “My
+friend, thou muste brynge vs to the place whereof thys Mornynge
+thou toldest me, that I may discharge my promyse.” The Courtyers
+wondred at those Woordes. ignoraunte whereunto the same were
+spoken: but the good Man whose Hearte leapte for ioy, as already
+feelynge some greate Benefyte at Hand, and Honoure prepared for
+the beautyfyinge of hys House, seeynge the Duke on Horsebacke,
+ran besydes hym in steade of hys Lackey, wyth whome the Prynce
+held mutch pleasaunt talke all along the way as they wente
+togyther, but they had not gone farre, but the Gentleman the
+Rauysher, wyth his Companyons, vnderstandyng that the Duke
+hunted there aboutes, came to doe hym reuerence: and his Fortune
+was sutch, as hee nor any of his frends perceiued the olde man,
+by meanes whereof they nothing suspected what did insue. For
+that cause the said Rauisher said to his prince: “My Lord, if
+fortune had so mutch fauored me, as I mighte haue knowen of your
+commyng into these quarters, I would haue don my duetie to
+entertaine you, not as appertayneth to the greatnesse of your
+excellency, but according to the ability of the least, and yet
+the most obedient of your seruaunts.” To whom the Duke
+dissembling his anger sayd: “Sir, I dined heere hard by within
+my tents, not knowing that your house was so neare vs: but sith
+that I haue met you vpon your own Marches and Confines, I wyll
+not goe hence before I see your lodging: for so farre as I can
+iudge by the outwarde parte of this goodly building, me thinkes
+the workman hath not forgotten any thing that should serue for
+the setting forth and ornament of this parte of the house, which
+for the quantity is one of the fairest plottes that I haue
+seene.” So approching the Castell the Duke lyghted to view the
+commodities of the place, and specially the image, for whych
+alone hee was departed from his City, whereof the Mayster of the
+House (dronke with the sodaine pleasure to see the Duke there)
+thought nothyng. So descending into the base Court, they saw a
+Marble fountaine that discharged the water in foure greate
+gutters, receiued by foure naked Nimphes, and by them poured
+into Vessells, richely wrought with Damaskyne, where was an
+armed Knyght, lying vnder an hyghe and broade tree, that
+ouershadowed the Fountaine: And hard by, they espied a lyttle
+doore whych shewed the way into so singulare and well planted
+a Garden, as euer the delycious and pleasant Gardens were
+of Alcinoe: For in the same (bysides the Artyfyciall
+Workemanshyppe, and ordinarye Trauell of the Gardener) Nature
+produced foure Fountaynes in the foure Corners, makynge the
+Place and plaine of Garden equally parted in fouresquare forme.
+Now these fountaynes watered all the fayre knots of the same,
+wythout any payne to the Gardener, except to open certayne
+little Conduicts, whereby the water sprange and ran to what part
+he thought it needfull. I will heere leaue to speake of the
+Trees and fruictes deuided in fiue forme order, the Laberynthes
+subtilely and finely wrought, the sweete Herbers yelding sutch
+contentation to the eye, as if the Duke had not respected the
+wrong done to the Miller’s daughter, the gentlenesse of the
+mayster of the house, and the singularity of the place,
+perchaunce might haue made him forget himselfe within that
+little earthly Paradise. And to performe the excellency of that
+Garden, the workinge hand and industry of man, holpen by the
+benefite of Nature, had formed within the Ground wherein were
+bestowed a number of Antiquities, and wherein the immortal voice
+of an Eccho answered their talke with a triple sounde in that
+profound and earthly place: which moued the Duke to call the
+Gentleman vnto him, vnto whom he sayd: “If it bee so, that the
+rest of the house doe match wyth that whych I haue already
+seene, I am out of doubt it is one of the fayrest and most
+delectable houses at thys day wythin the compasse of all Italy.
+Wherefore my Frende, I pray thee that wee may see the whole,
+both for the contentation of our Mindes, and also that I may
+make some vaunt that I haue seene the rarest and best furnished
+little House that is within the iurisdiction of Florence.” The
+Gentleman bathed in ease and full of pleasure, seeynge that the
+Duke lyked so well his House, brought hym from chamber to
+chamber, which was enryched eyther with stately tapissarie of
+Turkey making, or with riche Tables diuinely wrought, vtensils
+so neate and fit, as the Duke could cast his eye vpon none of
+them, but he was driuen into an admiration and Wonder. And the
+further he went, the greater hee sawe the increase, and almost a
+Regeneration, or as I may say, a newe Byrth of rare thinges,
+which made the littlenesse of the Place more Stately and
+wonderfull: Wherefore hee greatly esteemed hym in hys Mynde
+whych had deuysed the Magnificence of sutch a Furnyture. After
+then that hee had visited the Portals, Galleries, Parlers,
+Chambers, Garrets, Wardrobes, Closets, and chiefest Romes of
+that house, they came into a Gallerie, which had a direct
+prospect vpon the Garden, at the end wherof there was a chamber
+shut, ouer which sutch Antike and Imbossed worke, as it was
+maruell to behold, and vpon the garden side in like
+workemanship, yee mighte haue viewed a troupe of Nymphes (a long
+the side of a woode adioyning vpon a great Riuer) flying from an
+hierd of Satires, that made as though they would haue ouerrunne
+them: a pleasure it was to see their gaping mouthes, theyr eyes
+fixed vpon the place where theyr clouen-footed pursuters were,
+and the countenance of them, which so well expressed theyr
+feare, as there wanted nothing but speache. Moreouer a better
+sight it was to beholde the Satire Bucks, with dysplayed throte,
+and theyr fyngers poynting at the hast of those pore fearfull
+runawayes, as though they mocked theyr sodaine flyghte. Within a
+while after ye might haue seene Hercules lyinge a Bed with his
+wife, towards whom a Faunus came thinking to enjoy the beauty
+and embracements of the sleping dame: But fayrer it was to see
+how that strong Amphitrionian gaue him the mocke, and strained
+him so hard, as he thought his belly would burste. The Duke
+beholding as he thought, the fayrest Chamber of the house so
+shut, by and by suspected the truth of the cause: For the
+Gentleman knowing the comming of the Duke, had withdrawen his
+woman into the same for that it was the most secrete of his
+house, and the furdest from all ordinary seruice. Vpon surmise
+the Duke demaunded wherefore that Chamber was not opened so wel
+as the rest: “I suppose the same to be your treasure house?”
+(quod hee) “and the storehouse of your most delicate things: Wee
+pray you let vs looke into it.” “My Lord” (sayd the Gentleman)
+“the place is to farre out of order, at this time to shew your
+grace: Moreouer I knowe not where the Keyes be, for thys morning
+the keeper of my house is gone into the city, and I can not tell
+to whom hee hath delyuered them.” The Duke which heard the end
+of his excuse, not accepting the same for the pryce which the
+Courtier woulde and thoughte to haue solde it, was sure then of
+that which before he did suspect. Wherfore with furious
+countenaunce he sayd vnto him: “Goe too, goe too, either with
+the key, or without the Key, let this door be opened, that I may
+see all thy secretes within.” The rauisher seeing the Duke to be
+earnest, could not tell at the first Face, of what Woode to make
+his arrowes, stode stil astonned, and was surprysed wyth a newe
+feare. In the end notwythstandyng, playinge the good fellowe,
+hee went vnto the Duke, in whose eare smilinge hee whispered
+(bicause he knew right well that the Duke was an indifferent
+good companion, and loued so well his neighbor’s Wyfe, as his
+owne:) and sayd: “My Lord there is a prety wench within, whome I
+do kepe, and would not shewe hir to any lyuing man but to you.”
+“That is the cause I aske” (sayd the duke) “let vs see hir that
+I may geue iudgement of hir beauty, and tell you whither shee
+bee worth the keeping or not.” The mayster of the house opened
+the chamber dore, thinking to haue gained mutch, and supposed to
+insinuate himselfe the better into the fauor of the Duke, but
+immediatlye hee saw himselfe farre deceiued of his accompt. For
+the rauished and shamefast maiden comming forth of the Chamber
+with hir hayre about hir eyes, and hir garments berent and
+torne, hir stomake and breast all naked and discouered, hir Face
+and Eyes all blubbered wyth Teares, lyke a desperate woman threw
+hir selfe at the Prince’s feete, crying out: “Ah (my lord)
+beholde heere and haue pity vpon the most vnfortunate Wenche of
+all most wretched caytyfe Women, who shamefully and Trayterously
+hath bene abused and defloured by him, whych impudently dareth
+to bryng you into the place the wytnesse of hys abhominable and
+wycked Lyfe.” The Duke seeing this sight, and hauing compassion
+vpon the Maiden, turned his face towardes the Gentleman and hys
+Companyons (which by chance wer come thither, as the Duke was
+entred into the Gallerie) not with milde and pleasant
+countenance as hee shewed from the beginning, but with a looke
+so graue and seuere, as the hardiest of the company could not
+tell what to do, or what answere to make hym. Vpon them than
+began the ryghteous Prynce to vomit his dyspleasure, sayinge:
+“Is this the innobling of the Bloud whereof thou art descended,
+to rauyshe thy Neyghbors and my subiectes Daughters, that
+duetyfully lyue vnder myne obeysance and protection? Doest thou
+thus abuse the familiaritie whych hytherto I haue shewed vnto
+thee? Thinkest thou that the Lawes be peruerted together with
+the chaunge of the common Wealth of Florence? No, I assure thee,
+for so long as the Soule shal abyde within my body, I will be he
+that shal pursue the wycked wyth all extremitie, and shall not
+indure the oppressyon of the pore, enough afflicted with their
+own proper misery. O God could I haue thought that a Gentleman
+of my House, woulde haue bene so prodigall of his honour, as to
+soyle hys Hands so filthily by rauishing of them which ought to
+be required, and to dishonour them in place where their Vertue
+ought to shine for generall example? I cannot tell what stayeth
+me from cutting those curssed Heades of yours from of your
+shoulders like arrant Traytors and Theues as you be. Get ye
+hence, ye infamous villaynes and beastly Ruffians, the troubles
+of your Neyghbors rest, and the spoylers of the fame of hir,
+that is more worth than all ye together.” Then speaking to the
+Mayde hee sayd: “Rise vp my wench, and on me repose thy comfort,
+for I promise the by the faith of a Gentleman, that I will do
+thee sutch reason, and vse thee so vpryghtlye as bothe my
+Conscience shal be quieted, thou contented, and thine honour
+restored for the wrong and iniury whych it hath receiued of
+these Gallantes.” And by and by he commaunded the Miller to come
+before him, and all those whom he had brought wyth hym to assist
+his doings, before whom he caused to be brought both the
+rauished maiden, and the condempned of the rape: vnto whom he
+said: “This is the pray my friends that I sought after, which I
+haue taken without toyles, nets, or chaunting of the Dogs.
+Beholde, I pray you the Honoure whych my Householde Seruauntes
+doe vnto my House, who ouerrunne the Symple Countrey People, and
+rauyshe theyr Daughters betweene the Armes of theyr propre
+parentes, who breake, beate downe, and ouerthrowe the Doores of
+theyr Houses, that under the Lawes of our City and ought to
+enioy lyke Pryuiledge of Lybertye and Franchyze. If one respecte
+(whych I wyll not dysclose) dyd not impeache and stay mee,
+I would doe sutch cruell iustice vppon the offenders as the
+posterity should make report thereof. Notwithstanding it shal
+suffise that they receiue this shame before you all, by seeing
+themselues vanquished of a crime, which for expiation and
+reuenge, deserueth most shamefull death, and to receyue of mee
+for proofe of mercy, an vndeserued pardon of their fault: with
+condition neuerthelesse that thou (speaking to the Gentleman
+Rauisher) shalt take this mayden to Wyfe, for otherwyse thou art
+not able to repayre the honour thou hast taken from hir) and
+shalt loue hir so dearely, as fondly heeretofore she was beloued
+of thee, to esteeme and loue hir so mutch, as if she were the
+very sister of me the Duke of Florence, who commaundeth thee for
+the raunsome and redemption of thy head, presently to mary hir.
+I will moreouer, and ordayne by reason of hir father’s pouerty,
+that for the wrong which he hath receyued of you three, that his
+daughter shall bee indowed wyth two thousand Crownes by him that
+marrieth hir, and with a thousand of eyther of the two other, to
+th’ entent that if hir husband dy (wythout heire,) shee haue
+wherewith honestly to mayntayne hir degree, and the honest port
+of hir house. And hereof I will that without delay a contract be
+made, and a publike instrument of good record inrolled, swearing
+once agayne before thee, that if I vnderstand, thou vse her
+otherwise, than a Wyfe ought to bee of hir husband, I will deale
+sutch punishment and correction ouer thee, as all men in time to
+come shal take example.” The Gentleman which expected no better
+meede than death, ioyfull of that sentence, fell downe prostrate
+before the Duke in signe of consente, and the lyke did his
+Companions. But the ioy of the Miller and his daughter cannot be
+expressed, who extolled the vertue and iustice of the Prynce vp
+into the heauens: to whom with sutch humility they rendred theyr
+humble thanks, as he would doe that saw himselfe in so great
+calamity, and brought to sutch dishonour as earst they were
+seene to be, by meanes of him that acknowledged one of them for
+his sonne, and the other for hir lawfull Spouse. Thus was the
+mariage consummat in presence of the Duke, with so great ioye,
+and content of all partes, as there was rage and trouble for the
+Rape of the Bryde. The Duke beinge retourned to Florence, the
+Brute of this act incontinently was disparkled almost throughout
+the Region of Italy, and this iudgement no lesse praysed, than
+the sentence which Kynge Solomon gaue vppon the Controuersie of
+the two Harlots for the liuing childe, which eyther of them
+claimed for hir owne. And for this cause was hee extolled aboue
+any other Prynce or Lorde that in tymes passed did commaund or
+rule the Common wealth wythin the Countrey of Thuscan. In thys
+wyse that modesty made him worthy of the Principality, which
+almost against all ryght he had vsurped, and of a prayse whych
+shall no lesse continue, than the Memory of man is able to
+extende the same from one generation to an other, and which
+those that be Couetous of the prayse of a Prince so vertuous,
+iust and modest, shal not cease to illustrate and gloriously
+aduaunce him in open euydence, to the ende that hys like may
+exercise like things, or of greater consequence, by not
+sufferinge venemous and vnprofitable hearbs to grow within the
+Garden of their Common wealth. Wythin the which, a little mildew
+or vntimely rayne, is able to marre and corrupt all the good
+Seedes and Plantes sowen, and grifted there before: For commonly
+wicked Weedes and Bastard Impes take deeper roote than those
+that beare a good and fauorous fruict, for conseruation whereof,
+the diligent husbandman imployeth his labour throughout all the
+Seasons of the yeare.
+
+
+
+
+END OF VOL. II.
+
+BALLANTYNE PRESS: EDINBURGH AND LONDON.
+
+
+         *       *       *       *       *
+             *       *       *       *
+
+Errors and Inconsistencies:
+
+The printed book did not include an Errata list. It is therefore
+impossible to tell whether irregularities of spelling, punctuation and
+typography in the primary text are unique to the Jacobs edition (1890),
+or whether they were deliberately carried over from Haslewood (1813)
+and/or Painter (1566 and later).
+
+As noted above, missing spaces, punctuation--chiefly quotation
+marks--and single letters are shown in {braces} without further
+annotation.
+
+Other possible errors, including superfluous punctuation, are listed
+here.
+
+  “Most certaine and true,” aunsweared the Lady.”
+    [superfluous close quote]
+  setting his foote vpon a borde vnnnayled from the ioyst
+    [“nnn” in original]
+  forsaking of him, [to] moue you  [brackets in original]
+  fewe men whiche behelde her, coulde escape her bondes,
+    [final comma for period]
+  and sayd vnto him. “O my Lord  [period for comma]
+  And by forgoing of those ioyes by to to much mishap
+    [“to to” in original]
+  Wherof Rolandine being dauertised  [error for aduertised]
+  and for the enriching of his Couutry  [error for Country]
+  the constant mynd of a chast and and vertuous mayden
+    [and/ and at line break]
+  wherevpon there rose a general talke  [where-/vpon at line break]
+  which were couragiously and houourably broken  [error for honourably]
+  not onely of mouable thiugs, but also of Castels  [error for things]
+  together with the kynge and Queene themselues.  [period for comma]
+  Cilon the familiar freend of Aristimus  [error for Aristotimus]
+  which excyte all good dispositions to aspyre vnto houour
+    [error for honour]
+  to atchieue and conquere newe kingdoms as thy father did.
+    [period for question mark]
+  she sayd: “O the the glorie and honor
+    [the/ the at line break]
+  the thrirde watch of the night  [error for thirde]
+  what was the cause that amitye betwene lwo louers was broken?
+    [error for two]
+  whose country also was not so famous,  [comma for period]
+  the principal heire of all hir goods and Iuells. the Romain people
+    [period for comma]
+  whych in memorye of Fora was called Florianum  [error for Flora]
+  the auncient linage of the Ptolomes, sometymes Kinges of Ægypt
+    [s in “sometymes” invisible]
+  Whervnto Nathan made none other answer  [Wher-/vnto at line break]
+  and not I.” and making great chere
+    [punctuation and capitalization unchanged]
+  a Lady of later dayes, Anne the Queene of Hungary.  [period for comma]
+  of the vniuersal worlde.” when he had sayd
+    [punctuation and capitalization unchanged]
+  that make in oure Daies. specially hir mind
+    [punctuation and capitalization unchanged]
+  _Sed vsq; ad aras_  [abbreviation for “usque”]
+  the Element began to to shewe some splendent hue
+    [“to to” in original]
+  The Courtyers wondred at those Woordes. ignoraunte whereunto
+    [period for comma]
+  repayre the honour thou hast taken from hir)
+    [superfluous parenthesis in original]
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Palace of Pleasure, by William Painter
+
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