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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 3 + +Author: William Painter + +Editor: Joseph Haslewood + Joseph Jacobs + +Release Date: January 3, 2011 [EBook #34840] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PALACE OF PLEASURE *** + + + + +Produced by Meredith Bach, Louise Hope, 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) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class = "mynote"> + +<p><a name = "start" id = "start">This text</a> uses UTF-8 (Unicode) +file encoding. If the apostrophes and quotation marks in this paragraph +appear as garbage, you may have an incompatible browser or unavailable +fonts. First, make sure that your browser’s “character set” or “file +encoding” is set to Unicode (UTF-8). You may also need to change the +default font.</p> + +<p>Typographical errors are shown in the text with <ins class = +"correction" title = "like this">mouse-hover popups</ins>. Details are +given at the end of the file. Square brackets [ ] are in the +original.</p> + +<p>Note that the editions of Painter and Haslewood were published in two +volumes (“Tome I” and “Tome II”), while Jacobs’s edition (the +present text) was published in three volumes.</p> + +<p>Volumes I and II of this work are available from Project Gutenberg as +e-texts <a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20241">20241</a> and +<a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/34053">34053</a>.</p> + +<p class = "center"> +<a href = "#contents">Contents</a> (entire Volume)<br> +<a href = "#tomeII_title">Tome II, Continued</a><br> +<a href = "#errata">Errors and Inconsistencies</a></p> + +</div> + + +<h1 class = "six">THE</h1> + +<h1 class = "extended">PALACE OF PLEASURE</h1> + +<h2 class = "five">VOL. III.</h2> + +<hr> + +<p> <br> </p> + +<h5><span class = "blackletter">Ballantyne Press</span></h5> +<h6>BALLANTYNE, HANSON AND CO.<br> +EDINBURGH AND LONDON</h6> + +<p> <br> </p> + +<hr> + +<p class = "illustration"> +<a name = "titlepage" id = "titlepage"> </a><br> +<img src = "images/vol3title.jpg" width = "407" height = "578" +alt = "see end of text"></p> + +<p class = "center"> +<span class = "mynote"><a href = "#titletext">Title Page +Text</a></span></p> + + +<p> <br> </p> + +<hr> +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page_v" id = "page_v">v</a></span> + +<h2><a name = "contents" id = "contents"> +<span class = "extended">TABLE OF CONTENTS</span>.</a></h2> + +<h4>VOLUME II.</h4> + +<p class = "illustration"> +<img src = "images/decline_toc.png" width = "74" height = "7" +alt = "----"></p> + +<table summary = "table of contents"> +<tr> +<td class = "heading" colspan = "3"> +TOME II.—<i>Continued.</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td></td> +<td class = "right smaller">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td>TITLE PAGE (EDITION 1580)</td> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#page1">1</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "item smaller">NOVEL</td> +<td></td> +<td></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class = "item"><a href = "#novel2_23">XXIII.</a></td> +<td>DUCHESS OF MALFY</td> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#page3">3</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class = "item"><a href = "#novel2_24">XXIV.</a></td> +<td>COUNTESS OF CELANT</td> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#page44">44</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "item"><a href = "#novel2_25">XXV.</a></td> +<td>ROMEO AND JULIET</td> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#page80">80</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "item"><a href = "#novel2_26">XXVI.</a></td> +<td>LADIES OF VENICE</td> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#page125">125</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "item"><a href = "#novel2_27">XXVII.</a></td> +<td>LORD OF VIRLE</td> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#page157">157</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "item"><a href = "#novel2_28">XXVIII.</a></td> +<td>LADY OF BOHEMIA</td> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#page195">195</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "item"><a href = "#novel2_29">XXIX.</a></td> +<td>DIEGO AND GINEVRA</td> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#page222">222</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "item"><a href = "#novel2_30">XXX.</a></td> +<td>SALIMBENE AND ANGELICA</td> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#page288">288</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "item"><a href = "#novel2_31">XXXI.</a></td> +<td>HELENA OF FLORENCE</td> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#page329">329</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "item"><a href = "#novel2_32">XXXII.</a></td> +<td>CAMIOLA AND ROLAND</td> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#page354">354</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "item"><a href = "#novel2_33">XXXIII.</a></td> +<td>LORDS OF NOCERA</td> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#page363">363</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "item"><a href = "#novel2_34">XXXIV.</a></td> +<td>SULTAN SOLYMAN</td> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#page395">395</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "item"><a href = "#novel2_35">XXXV.</a></td> +<td>KING OF MOROCCO</td> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#page416">416</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td>CONCLUSION</td> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#page431">431</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<a name = "page_vi" id = "page_vi"> </a> + +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page1" id = "page1">1</a></span> + +<p class = "illustration"> +<a name = "tomeII_title" id = "tomeII_title"> </a><br> +<img src = "images/tome2title.png" width = "396" height = "580" +alt = "see end of text"></p> + +<p class = "center"><span class = "mynote"> +<a href = "#tomeII_text">Tome II: Title Page Text</a></span></p> + +<a name = "page2" id = "page2"> </a> + +<div class = "maintext"> + +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page3" id = "page3">3</a></span> + +<h2 class = "blackletter">The Palace of Pleasure.</h2> + +<p class = "illustration"> +<img src = "images/decline0.png" width = "54" height = "7" +alt = "----"></p> + +<h3><a name = "novel2_23" id = "novel2_23"> +THE TWENTY-THIRD NOUELL.</a></h3> + +<p class = "summary"> +The infortunate mariage of a Gentleman, called Antonio Bologna, wyth the +Duchesse of Malfi, and the pitifull death of them both.</p> + +<p><span class = "firstword">The</span> great Honor and authority men +haue in thys World, and the greater their estimation is, the more +sensible and notorious are the faultes by theim committed, and the +greater is their slaunder. In lyke manner more difficult it is for that +man to tolerate and sustayne Fortune, which al the dayes of his life +hath lyued at his ease, if by chaunce he fall into any great necessity +than for hym whych neuer felt but woe, mishap, and aduersity. Dyonisius +the Tyraunt of Scicilia, felt greater payne when hee was expelled his +Kyngdome, than Milo did, beinge banished from Rome: for so mutch as the +one was a Soueraygne Lorde, the sonne of a Kynge, a Iusticiary on +Earth, and the other but a simple Citizen of a Citty, wherein the People +had Lawes, and the Lawes of Magistrates were had in reuerence. So +lykewyse the fall of a high and lofty Tree, maketh greater noyse, than +that whych is low and little. Hygh Towers, and stately Palaces of +Prynces bee seene further of, than the poore Cabans, and homely +Sheepeheardes Sheepecotes: the Walles of lofty Cittyes more a loofe doe +Salute the Viewers of the same, than the simple Caues, which the Poore +doe digge belowe the Mountayne Rockes. Wherefore it behooueth the Noble, +and sutch as haue charge of Common wealth, to lyue an honest Lyfe, and +beare their port vpright, that none haue cause to discourse vppon their +wicked deedes and naughty life. And aboue all modesty ought to be kept +by Women, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page4" id = "page4">4</a></span> +whom as their race, Noble birth, aucthority and name, maketh them more +famous, euen so their vertue, honesty, chastity, and continencie more +prayse worthy. And behoueful it is, that like as they wishe to be +honoured aboue all other, so their life do make them worthy of that +honour, without disgracing their name by deed or worde, or blemishing +that brightnesse which may commend the same. I greatly feare that +all the Princely factes, the exploytes and conquests done by the +Babylonian Queene Semyramis, neuer was recommended wyth sutch prayse, as +hir vice had shame in records by those which left remembrance of +auncient acts. Thus I say, because a woman being as it were the Image of +sweetnesse, curtesie and shamefastnesse, so soone as she steppeth out of +the right tract, and abandoneth the sweete smel of hir duety and +modesty, besides the denigration of hir honour, thrusteth her selfe into +infinite Troubles, causeth ruine <ins class = "correction" title = +"error for ‘of’">os</ins> sutch whych should bee honoured and praysed, +if Womens Allurementes solicited theym not to Folly. I wyll not +heere Indeuour my selfe to seeke for examples of Samson, Salomon or +other, which suffred themselues fondly to be abused by Women: and who by +meane of them be tumbled into great faults, and haue incurred greater +perils: contentinge my selfe to recyte a ryght pitifull History done +almost in our tyme, when the French vnder leadinge of that notable +Capitayne Gaston de Foix, vanquished the force of Spayne and Naples at +the Iourney of Rauenna in the time of the French Kynge called Lewes the +twelfth, who married the Lady Mary, Daughter to Kynge Henry the seuenth, +and Sister to the Victorious Prynce of worthy memory kynge Henry the +eyght, Wyfe (after the death of the sayd Lewes) to the puissaunt +Gentleman Charles, late Duke of Suffolke. In the very tyme then lyued a +Gentleman of Naples called Antonio Bologna, who hauing bin master of +Household to Fredericke of Aragon, somtime king of Naples, after the +French had expelled those of Aragon out of that Citty, the sayde Bologna +retyred into Fraunce, and thereby recouered the goods, which hee +possessed in his countrey. The Gentleman besides that he was valiant of +his persone, a good man of Warre, and wel esteemed amongs the best, +had a passing numbre of good graces, which made him to be loued and +cherished of euery +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page5" id = "page5">5</a></span> +wight: and for riding and managing of greate horse, he had not his +fellow in Italy: he could also play exceedynge well and trim vpon the +Lute, whose fayning voyce so wel agreed therevnto, that the moste +melancholike persons would forget their heauinesse, vpon hearing of his +heauenly noyse: and besides these qualyties, he was of personage comely, +and of good proportion. To be short: nature hauing trauayled and +dispoyled hir Treasure House for inriching of him, he had by Arte gotten +that, which made him most happy and worthy of prayse, which was, the +knowledge of good letters, wherein he was so well trayned, as by talke +and dispute thereof, he made those to blush that were of that state and +profession. Antonio Bologna hauing left Fredericke of Aragon in Fraunce, +who expulsed out of Naples was retired to king Lewes, went home to his +house to lyue at rest and to auoyd trouble, forgetting the delicates of +Courtes and houses of great men, to bee the only husband of his owne +reueneue. But what? it is impossible to eschue that which the heauens +haue determined vpon vs: or to shunne the vnhappe which seemeth to +follow vs, as it were naturally proceeding from our mother’s Wombe: in +sutch wyse as many times, he which seemeth the wisest man, guided by +misfortune, hasteth himself with stouping head to fall headlonge into +hys death and ruine. Euen so it chaunced to this Neapolitane Gentleman: +for in the very same place where he attained his aduauncement, he +receiued also his diminution and decay, and by that house which +preferred hym to what he had, he was depryued, both of his estate and +life: the discourse whereof you shall vnderstande. I haue tolde you +already, that this Gentleman was Mayster of the kinge of Naples +household, and beyng a gentle person, a good Courtier, wel trained +vp, and wyse for gouernment of himself in the Courte and in the seruice +of Princes, the Duchesse of Malfi thought to intreate him that he would +serue hir, in that office which he serued the King. This Duchesse was of +the house of Aragon, and sister to the Cardinall of Aragon, which then +was a rych and puissant personage. Being resolued, and persuaded, that +Bologna was deuoutly affected to the house of Aragon, as one brought vp +there from a Chylde: shee sent for him home to his House, and vpon hys +repaire vsed vnto him these, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page6" id = "page6">6</a></span> +or like Woordes: “Mayster Bologna, sith your ill fortune, nay rather the +vnhap of our whole House is sutch, as your good Lord and Mayster hath +forgon his state and dignity, and that you therwithall haue lost a good +Maister, without other recompence but the prayse which euery man giueth +you for your good seruice, I haue thought good to intreat you to +doe me the honor, as to take charge of the gouernment of my House, and +to vse the same, as you did that of the King your maister. I know +well that the office is to vnworthy for your calling; notwithstanding +you be not ignorant what I am, and how neare to him in bloud, to whom +you haue bene a Seruaunte so faythfull and Louing; and albeit that I am +no Queene, endued with greatest reuenue, yet with that little portyon I +haue, I beare a Pryncely heart: and sutch as you by experience do +knowe what I haue done, and dayly do to those which depart my seruice, +recompensing them according to theyr paine and trauaile: magnificence is +obserued as well in the Courts of poore Princes, as in the stately +Palaces of great Kings and monarches. I do remembre that I haue +read of a certain noble gentleman, a Persian borne, called +Ariobarzanes, who vsed great examples of curtesie and stoutnesse towards +King Artaxerxes, wherewith the king wondred at his magnificence, and +confessed himself to be vanquished: you shal take aduise of this +request, and in the meane time do think you will not refuse the same, +aswell for that my demaund is iust, as also being assured, that our +House and race is so well imprinted in your heart, as it is impossible +that the memory thereof can be defaced.” The gentleman hearynge that +curteous demaund of the Duchesse, knowing himselfe how deepely bound he +was to the name of Aragon, and led by some vnknowen prouocation to his +great il luck, answered hir in this wise: “I would to God, Madame, +that with so good reason and equity I were able to make denyall of your +commaundment, as iustly you maye require the same: wherfore for the +bounden duety which I owe to the name and memorie of the house of +Aragon, I make promise that I shall not only sustaine the trauell, +but also the daunger of my Lyfe, dayly to be offred for your seruice: +but I feele in mynde I know not what, which commaundeth me to withdraw +my selfe to lyue alone at home within +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page7" id = "page7">7</a></span> +my lyttle house, and to be content with that I haue, forgoing the +sumptuous charge of Prynces houses, which Lyfe would be wel liked of my +self, were it not for the feare that you Madame should be discontented +with my refusall, and that you should conceiue, that I disdained your +offred charge, or contempne your Court for respect of the great Office I +bare in the Courte of the Kyng, my Lord and Mayster: for I cannot +receiue more honour, than to serue hir, which is the paragon of that +stock and royal race. Therfore at all aduentures I am resolued to obey +your will, and humbly to satisfy the duety of the charge wherein it +pleaseth you to imploy me, more to pleasure you for auoiding of +displeasure, then for desire I haue to lyue an honorable lyfe in the +greatest Princes house of the world, sith I am discharged from him in +whose name resteth my comfort and only stay, thinking to haue liued a +solitarye life, and to passe my yeres in rest, except it were in the +pore abilitye of my seruice to that house, wherunto I am bound +continually to be a faithfull seruaunt. Thus Madame, you see me to be +the readiest man of the world, to fulfil the request, and accomplishe +sutch other seruice wherein it shall please you to imploy me.” The +Duchesse thanked him very heartily, and gaue him charge of all hir +housholde traine, commaunding ech person to do him sutch reuerence as to +hir self, and to obey him as the chief of al hir family. This Lady was a +widow, but a passing faire Gentlewoman, fine and very yong, hauing a +yong sonne vnder hir guard and keping, left by the deceased Duke hir +husband, togither with the Duchy, the inheritaunce of hir child. Now +consider hir personage being sutch, her easy life and delycate bringing +vp, and hir daily view of the youthly trade and manner of Courtiers +lyfe, whether she felt hir self pryckt wyth any desire, which burned hir +heart the more incessantly, as the flames were hidden and couert: from +the outward shew whereof shee stayed hir self so well as shee coulde. +But shee followinge beste aduice, rather esteemed the proofe of Maryage, +than to burne wyth so lyttle fire, or to incurre the exchange of louers, +as many vnshamefaste strumpets do, which be rather giuen ouer, than +satisfied with pleasure of loue. And to say the truthe, they be not +guided by wisedom’s lore, which suffer a maiden ripe for mariage to be +long +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page8" id = "page8">8</a></span> +vnwedded, or yong wife long to liue in widowe’s state, what assurance so +euer they make of their chaste and stayed lyfe. For bookes be to full of +sutch enterpryses, and houses stored with examples of sutch stolne and +secrete practises, as there neede no further proofe for assurance of our +cause, the daily experience maketh plaine and manifest. And a great +folly it is to build the fantasies of chastitye amid the follies of +worldly pleasures. I will not goe about to make those matters +impossible, ne yet will iudge at large, but that there be som maydens +and Wyues, which wiselye can conteine themselues amongs the troupe of +amorous suters. But what? the experience is very hard, and the proofe no +lesse daungerous, and perchaunce in a moment the mind of some peruerted, +which all their lyuyinge dayes haue closed theyr Eares from the Sute of +those that haue made offer of louyng seruice. And hereof we neede not +run to forrayne Hystories, ne yet to seeke records that be auncient, +sith wee may see the daily effects of the lyke, practised in Noble +houses, and Courtes of Kyngs and Prynces. That this is true, example of +this fayre Duchesse, who was moued wyth that desyre which pricketh +others that be of Flesh and Bone. Thys Lady waxed very weary of lying +alone, and gryeued hir Hearte to be wythoute a match, specially in the +Nyght, when the secrete silence and darkenesse of the same presented +beefore the eyes of hir mind, the Image of the pleasure which she felt +in the lyfe tyme of hir deceased Lord and Husband, whereof now feelyng +hir selfe despoyled, she felt a contynuall Combat, and durst not +attempte that which she desyred most, but eschued the thyng wherof hir +Mind lyked best. “Alas (sayd shee) is it possyble after the taste of the +Value of honest obedyence whych the Wyfe oweth vnto hir Husband, that I +should desyre to suffer the Heat whych burneth and altereth the martyred +mynds of those that subdue themselues to loue? Can sutch attempt pierce +the heart of me to become amorous by forgetting and straying from the +limmetts of honest life? But what desire is this? I haue a certayne +vnacquaynted lust, and yet very well know not what it is that moueth me, +and to whom I shall vow the spoyle thereof. I am truely more fond +and foolyshe than euer Narcissus was, for there is neyther shadow nor +voyce, vpon which I can well stay my sight, nor yet simple Imagination +of any worldly +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page9" id = "page9">9</a></span> +man, whereuppon I can arrest the conceypt of my vnstayed heart, and the +desires which prouoke my mynde. Pygmalion loued once a Marble Piller, +and I haue but one desire, the colour whereof is more pale than death. +There is nothyng which can geue the same so mutch as one spot of +vermilion rud. If I doe discouer these appetites to any wight, perhaps +they will mock me for my labor, and for all the beauty and Noble byrth +that is in me, they will make no conscience to deeme me for their +iesting stock, and to solace themselues with rehersall of my fond +conceits. But sith there is no enemy in the field, and that but simple +suspicion doth assayle me, why breake I not the same, and deface the +entier remembraunce of the lightnesse of my brayne? It appertayneth vnto +mee to shewe my selfe, as issued from the Noble house of Aragon: to me +it doeth belonge to take heede how I erre or degenerate from the royall +bloud whereof I came.” In this sort that fayre Wydow and young Princesse +fantasied in the night vppon the discourse of hir appetites. But when +the day was come, seeing the great multitude of the Neapolitan Lords and +Gentlemen that marched vp and downe the Citty, eyinge and beholdinge +their best beloued, or vsing talke of loue with them whose seruaunts +they were, all that which she thought vpon in the night, vanished so +sone as the flame of burned Straw, or the Pouder of Cannon shot, and +purposed for any respect to liue no longer in that sort, but promised +the conquest of some frend that was lusty and discreete. But the +difficulty rested in that she knew not vpon whom to fixe hir loue, +fearing to bee slaundered, and also that the light disposition and maner +of most part of youth were to be suspected, in sutch wise as giuing ouer +al them which vauted vpon their Gennets, Turkey Palfreis, and other +Coursers alonge the Citty of Naples, shee purposed to take repast of +other Venison, than of that fond and wanton troupe. So hir mishap began +already to spin the threede which choked the Ayre and Breath of hir +vnhappy life. Yee haue heard before that Mayster Bologna was one of the +wisest and most perfect Gentlemen that the land of Naples that tyme +brought forth, and for his Beauty, Proportion, Galantnesse, Valiaunce, +and good grace, without comparison. His fauour was so sweete and +pleasant, as they which kept him company, had somwhat to do to abstayne +their affection. +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page10" id = "page10">10</a></span> +Who then could blame thys fayre Princesse, if (pressed wyth desire of +match, to remoue the ticklish instigations of her wanton flesh, and +hauing in hir presence a man so wise) shee did set hir minde on hym, or +fantasy to mary him? Would not that party for calming of his thirst and +hunger, being set at a table before sundry sorts of delicate viands, +ease his hunger? Me thinke the person doth greatly forget himselfe, +which hauing handfast vpon occasion, suffreth the same to vanish and fly +away, sith it is wel known that she being bald behinde, hath no place to +sease vpon when desire moueth vs to lay hold vpon hir. Which was the +cause that the Duchesse became extremely in loue with the mayster of hir +house. In sutch wyse as before al men, she spared not to prayse the +great perfections of him whom she desired to be altogether hirs. And so +she was inamored, that it was as possible to see the night to be voide +of darknesse, as the Duchesse without the presence of hir Bologna, or +els by talke of words to set forth his prayse, the continuall +remembrance of who (for that shee loued him as hirselfe) was hir onely +minde’s repast. The Gentleman that was full wyse, and had at other times +felt the great force of the passion which proceedeth from extreeme loue, +immediatly did mark the countenaunce of the Duchesse, and perceyued the +same so neere, as vnfaynedly hee knew that very ardently the Lady was in +loue with him: and albeit he sawe the inequality and difference betweene +them both, she being sorted out of the royall bloud, and himself of +meaner calling, yet knowing loue to haue no respect to state or dignity, +determined to folow his fortune, and to serue hir which so louingly +shewed hir selfe to him. Then sodaynely reprouing his fonde conceit, he +sayd vnto himself: “What folly is that I enterprise, to the preiudice +and peril of mine honor and life? Ought the wisedome of a Gentleman to +stray and wandre through the assaults of an appetite rising of +sensuality, and that reason gieue place to that which doeth participate +with brute beasts depriued of all reason by subduinge the minde to the +affections of the body? No, no, a vertuous man ought to let shine +in him selfe the force of the generosity of his minde. This is not to +liue according to the spirite, when pleasure shall make vs forget our +duty and sauegard of our Conscience. The reputation of a wise Gentleman +resteth not only to be valiant, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page11" id = "page11">11</a></span> +and skilfull in feates of armes, or in seruice of the Noble: but +needefull it is for him by discreation to make himselfe prayse worthy, +and by vanquishinge of himselfe to open the gate to fame, whereby he may +euerlastingly make himselfe glorious to all posterity. Loue pricketh and +prouoketh the spirite to do well, I do confesse, but that affection +ought to be addressed to some vertuous end, tending to mariage, for +otherwise that vnspotted Image shall be soyled wyth the villany of +Beastly pleasure. Alas,” sayd he, “how easie it is to dispute, when the +thyng is absent, which can both force and violently assayle the Bulwarks +of most constant hearts. I full well doe see the troth, and doe +feele the thing that is good, and knowe what behoueth mee to follow: but +when I view the pereles beauty of my Lady, hir graces, wisedome, +behauiour and curtesie, when I see hir to cast so louinge an eye vpon +me, that she vseth so great familiarity, that she forgetteth the +greatnesse of hir house to abase hirselfe for my respect: how is it +possible that I should be so foolish to dispise a duety so rare and +precious, and to set light by that which the Noblest would pursue wyth +all reuerence and deuoyre? Shall I be so voyde of wisdome to suffer the +yonge Princesse to see hirselfe contempned of mee, thereby to conuert +hir loue to teares, by setting hir mynde upon an other, that shall seek +mine ouerthrow? Who knoweth not the fury of a woman: specially the Noble +dame, by seeing hirselfe despised? No, no, she loueth me, and I will be +hir seruaunt, and vse the fortune proffred. Shal I be the first simple +Gentleman that hath married or loued a Princesse? Is it not more +honourable for mee to settle my mind vpon a place so high, than vppon +some simple wench by whom I shall neyther attayne profit, or +aduancement? Baldouine of Flaunders, did not he a Noble enterprise when +he carried away Iudith the daughter of the French kynge, as she was +passing vpon the Seas into England, to be married to the kynge of that +Countrey? I am neither Pirat nor Aduenturer, for the Lady loueth +me. What wrong doe I then to any person by rendringe loue agayne? Is not +she at liberty? To whom ought shee to make accoumpt of hir deedes and +doinges, but to God alone and to hir owne Conscience? I wyll loue +hir, and cary lyke affection for the loue which I know and see that she +beareth vnto me, beinge +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page12" id = "page12">12</a></span> +assured that the same is directed to good ende, and that a Woman so wyse +as she is, will not hazard the bleamish of hir honor.” Thus Bologna +framed the plot for intertaynment of the Duchesse (albeit hir loue +already was fully bent vpon him) and fortified hym selfe agaynst all +perillous myshap and chaunce that might succeede, as ordinarily you see +that Louers conceyue all things for their aduauntage, and fantasie +dreames agreeable to their most desire, resemblinge the Mad and Bedlem +persons which haue before their eyes, the figured Fansies whych cause +the conceipt of their fury, and stay themselues vpon the vision of that +which most troubleth their offended Brayne. On the other side, the +Duchesse was in no lesse care of hir Louer, the will of whom was hid and +secret, whych more did vexe and torment hir, than the fire of loue that +burned hir feruently. She could not tell what way to hold, to do him +vnderstand hir heart and affection. She feared to discouer the same vnto +hym, doubtinge eyther that some fond and rigorous aunswere, or the +reueylinge of hir mynde to hym, whose presence pleased hir more than all +of the men of the World. “Alas,” sayd shee, “am I happed into so +straunge misery, that with mine owne mouth I must make request to him, +which with all humility ought to offer mee hys service? Shall a Lady of +sutch bloud as I am, be constrayned to sue, where all other be required +by importunate instance of their Suters? Ah loue, loue, what so euer he +was that clothed thee wyth sutch puissaunce, I dare say he was the +cruell ennimy of man’s freedom. It is impossible that thou hadst thy +being in heauen, sith the clemency and curteous influence of the same, +inuesteth man with better benefits, than to suffer hir nourse children +to be intreated with sutch rigor. He lieth which sayth that Venus is thy +mother, for the swetenes and good grace that resteth in that pitifull +Goddesse, who taketh no pleasure to see louers perced with so egre +trauayles as that which afflicteth my heart. It was some fierce +cogitation of Saturne, that brought thee forth, and sent thee into the +worlde to breake the ease of them which liue at rest without any passion +or griefe. Pardon me Loue, if I blaspheme thy maiesty, for the stresse +and endlesse grief wherein I am plunged, maketh me thus to roue at +large, and the doubts, which I conceyue, do take away the health and +soundnesse +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page13" id = "page13">13</a></span> +of my mynde, the little experience in thy schole causeth this amaze in +me, to be solicited with desire that countersayeth the duty, honor, and +reputation of my state: the party whom I loue, is a Gentleman, vertuous, +valiant, sage, and of good grace. In this there is no cause to blame +Loue of blindnesse, for all the inequality of our houses, apparant vpon +the first sight and shew of the same. But from whence Issue Monarchs, +Prynces and great Lords, but from the naturall and common Masse of +Earth, whereof other men do come? what maketh these differences betwene +those that loue ech other, if not the sottish opinion which we conceiue +of greatnesse, and preheminence: as though naturall affections bee like +to that ordayned by the fantasie of men in their lawes extreme. And what +greater right haue Princes to ioyne wyth a simple Gentlewoman, than the +Princesse to mary a Gentleman, and sutch as Anthonio Bologna is, in whom +Heauen and Nature haue forgotten nothinge to make him equall with them +which march amongs the greatest. I thinke we be the dayly slaues of +the fond and cruell fantasie of those Tyraunts, which say they haue +puissance ouer vs: and that straininge our will to their tiranny, we be +still bound to the chaine like the Galley slaue. No, no, Bologna shall +be my Husband, for of a freend I purpose to make my loyall and lawful +Husband, meaning therby not to offend God and men together, and pretend +to liue without offence of conscience, wherby my soule shal not be +hindred for any thyng I do, by marying him whom I so straungely loue. +I am sure not to be deceyued in loue. He loueth me so mutch or more +as I do him, but he dareth not disclose the same, fearing to be refused +and cast of with shame. Thus 2 vnited wils, and 2 hearts tied togethers +with equal knot cannot chose but bryng forth fruites worthy of sutch +society. Let men say what they list, I will doe none otherwyse than +my heade and mynd haue already framed. Semblably I neede not make +accompt to any persone for my fact, my body, and reputation beynge in +full liberty and freedome. The bond of mariage made, shall couer the +faulte whych men woulde fynde, and leauyng myne estate, I shall do +no wrong but to the greatnesse of my house, which maketh me amongs men +right honorable. But these honors be nothyng worth, where the Mynd is +voyd of contentation, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page14" id = "page14">14</a></span> +and wher the hearte pryckte forwarde by desire leaueth the Bodye and +Mynde restlesse wythout quiet.” Thus the Duchesse founded hir +enterpryse, determining to mary hir houshold Mayster, seeking for +occasion and time, meete for disclosing of the same, and albeit that a +certaine naturall shamefastnesse, which of custome accompanieth Ladies, +did close hir mouth, and made hir to deferre (for a certain time) the +effect of hir resolued minde: yet in the ende vanquished with loue and +impacience, she was forced to breake of silence, and to assure hir self +in him, reiecting feare conceiued of shame, to make hir waye to +pleasure, which she lusted more than mariage, the same seruyng hir, but +for a Maske and couerture to hide hir follies and shamelesse lusts, for +which she did the penaunce that hir folly deserued. For no colorable +dede or deceytful trompery can serue the excuse of any notable +wyckednesse. She then throughly persuaded in her intent, dreamyng and +thinking of nought else, but vpon the imbracement of hir Bologna, ended +and determined hir conceits and pretended follies: and vpon a time sent +for him vp into hir chamber, as commonly she did for the affaires and +matters of hir house, and taking him a side vnto a window, hauing +prospect into a garden, she knew not how to begin hir talk: (for the +heart being seased, the mind troubled, and the witts out of course, the +tongue fayled to do his office,) in sutch wise, as of long time she was +vnable to speake one onely woord. He surprised with like affection, was +more astonied by seeing the alteration of his Ladie. So the two Louers +stoode still like Images beholding one another, without any mouing at +all, vntill the Lady the hardiest of them bothe, as feelinge the most +vehement and greatest gryef, tooke Bologna by the hand, and dissembling +what she thought, vsed this or sutch language: “If any other besides +your selfe (Gentleman) should vnderstand the secret which now I purpose +to dysclose, I doubt what speeach were necessary to colour, what I +shall speake: but being assured of your discretion and wisdom, and with +what perfection nature hath indued you, and Arte, hauing accomplished +that in you, which nature did begin to worke, as one bred and brought vp +in the royal court of the seconde Alphonse, of Ferdinando, and Frederick +of Aragon my cousins, I wil make no doubt at all to manifest to +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page15" id = "page15">15</a></span> +you the hidden secretes of my heart, being well persuaded that when you +shall both heare and sauor my reasons, and tast the light which I bring +forth for me, easily you may iudge that mine aduice cannot be other than +iust and reasonable. But if your conceits shall straye from that whych I +determine, I shal he forced to thinke and saye that they which +esteeme you wise and sage, and to be a man of good and ready wytte, be +maruelously deceiued. Notwithstanding my heart foretelleth that it is +impossible for mayster Bologna, to wandre so farre from equitie, but +that by and by he wil enter the lystes and dyscerne the White from +Blacke, and the Wronge fro that whych is Iust and Ryghte: for so mutch +as hitherto I neuer saw thinge done by you, which Preposterated or +peruerted the good iudgement that all the world esteemeth to shine in +you, the same well manifested and declared by your tongue, the right +iudge of the Mynde, you knowe and see how I am a Wydow through the Death +of that Noble Gentleman of good remembrance, the Duke my Lord and +husbande: you be not ignoraunt also, that I haue lyued and gouerned my +self in sutch wise in my Widow state, as there is no man so hard and +seuere of iudgement, that can blason reproch of mee in that whych +appertayneth to the honestye and reputation of sutch a Lady as I am, +bearyng my port so righte, as my conscience yeldeth no remorse, +supposinge that no Man hathe wherewith to byte and accuse me. Touchyng +the order of the goods of the Duke my Sonne, I have vsed them with +diligence and discretion, as besides the Dettes, whych I haue dyscharged +sithens the death of my Lord: I haue purchased a goodly Manor in +Calabria, and haue annexed the same to the Dukedome of his heire: and at +this day doe not owe one peny to any creditor that lent money to the +Duke, which he toke vp to furnish the charges in the warres, which he +sustayned in the seruice of the Kinges our soueraine Lords in the late +warres for the Kyngdome of Naples. I haue as I suppose by this +meanes stopped the slaunderous mouth and giuen cause vnto my sonne, +during his life to accompt himself bound vnto his mother: now hauing +till thys time liued for other, and made my selfe subiect more than +nature could beare, I am entended to chaunge both my lyfe and +condition. I haue tyll thys time run, trauayled, and remoued to the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page16" id = "page16">16</a></span> +Castels and Lordeships of the Dukedome, to Naples and other places, +being in mind to tary as I am a widow. But what new affayres and new +councel hath possest my mynd? I haue trauayled and payned my self +inoughe: I haue to long abidden a widowe’s lyfe: I am +determined therefore to prouyde a Husbande, who by louing me, shall +honor and cherysh me according to the loue which I shall beare hym, and +my desert. For to loue a man without mariage, God defend my hearte +should euer think, and shal rather dye a hundred thousand deathes, than +a desire so wicked should soyle my conscience, knowyng well that a woman +which setteth hir honor to sale, is lesse than nothing, and deserueth +not the common ayre should breathe vpon hir, for all the reuerence that +men do beare vnto them. I accuse no person, albeit that many noble +women haue their forheds marked, with the blame of dishonest lyfe, and +being honored of some, bee neuerthelesse the common Fable of the Worlde. +To the intente then that sutch myshappe happen not to me, and perceyuyng +my selfe vnable styll thus to lyue, beyng younge as I am, and (God bee +thanked) neyther deformed nor yet paynted, I had rather bee the +louyng Wyfe of a symple feere, than the Concubyne of a kynge or greate +Prynce. And what? is the myghty Monarche able to washe away the faulte +of hys Wyfe whych hath abandoned him contrary to the duety and honesty +whych the vndefyled bed requyreth? no lesse then Pryncesses that whilom +trespassed with those whych were of baser stuffe than themselues. +Messalina with hir imperiall robe could not so wel couer hir faults, but +that the Historians, do defame hir with the name and title of a common +woman. Faustina the Wyfe of the sage Monarch Marcus Aurelius, gayned +lyke reporte by rendringe hir selfe to others pleasure, bysides hir +lawfull Spouse. To mary my selfe to one that is myne equall, it is +impossible, for so mutch as there is no Lorde in all this Countrey meete +for my degree, but is to olde of age, the rest being dead in these later +Warres. To mary a husband that yet is but a childe, is folly extreeme, +for the inconueniences which daily chaunce thereby, and the euil +intreaty that Ladies do receyue when they come to age, when their nature +waxeth cold, by reason whereof, imbracements be not so fauourable, and +their husbandes glutted +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page17" id = "page17">17</a></span> +with ordinary meate, vse to run in exchange: wherefore I am resolued +without respite or delay, to choose some well qualified and renoumed +Gentleman, that hath more vertue than richesse, that is of better Fame +and brute, then of wealth and reuenue, to the entent I may make him my +Lord, Espouse, and Husbande. For I cannot imploy my loue vpon treasure, +which may bee taken away from him, in whom richesse of the minde doth +fayle, and shall bee better content to see an honest Gentleman with +little liuing, to be praysed and commended of ech Degree for his good +Deedes, than a rich Carle curssed and detested of all the World. Thus +mutch I say, and it is the summe of all my secretes, wherein I pray your +councel and aduice. I know that some wil be offended with my +choise, and the Lords my Brothers, specially the Cardinall will thincke +it straunge, and receyue the same with ill Digesture, that mutch a do +shall I haue to bee agreed with them and to remoue the griefe they shall +conceyue against mee for this myne attempt: wherefore I would the same +should secretly be kept, until without peril and daunger eyther of my +self or him, whome I pretende to marry, I may publish and manyfest, +not my loue but the mariage which I hope in God shall soone bee +consummate and accomplished wyth one, whome I doe loue better than my +self, and who as I ful well do know, doeth loue me better than his owne +propre lyfe.” Mayster Bologna, which tyll then hearkned to the oration +of the Duchesse without mouing, feeling himselfe touched so neare, and +hearinge that his Lady had made hir approche for mariage, stode still +astonnied, hys tongue not able to frame one word, onely fantasied a +thousand chimeraes in the Ayre, and formed like number of imaginations +in his minde, not able to coniecture what hee was, to whom the duchesse +had vowed hir loue, and the possession of hir beauty. He could not +thinke that this ioy was prepared for hymselfe, for that his Lady spake +no word of him, and he lesse durst open his mouth, and yet was wel +assured that she loued him beyond measure. Notwithstanding knowing the +ficklenesse and vnstable heart of women, he sayd vnto himselfe that she +would change hir mynde, for seeing him to be so great a Coward, as not +to offer his seruice to a Lady by whom hee saw himselfe so many times +both wantonly looked vppon, and intertayned wyth some secresie more +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page18" id = "page18">18</a></span> +than familiar. The Duchesse which was a fine and subtile dame, seeinge +hir friend rapt with the passion, and standing still vnmooueable through +feare, pale and amazed, as if hee had bene accused and condempned to dy, +knew by that Countenaunce and astonishment of Bologna, that she was +perfectly beloued of him: and so meaning not to suffer him any longer to +contynue in that amaze, ne yet to further feare hym, wyth dissembled and +fayned mariage of any other but wyth hym, she tooke hym by the hand, and +beholdinge him with a wanton and luring eye, (in sutch sort as the +curious Philosophers themselues would awake, if sutch a Lampe and Torche +did burne wythin theyr studies,) she sayde thus vnto hym: “Seignor +Anthonio, I pray you be of good cheere, and torment not your selfe +for any thing that I haue sayd: I know well, and of long time haue +perceyued what good and faythful lone you beare mee, and with what +affection you haue serued me, sithens you first came into my company. +Thinke me not to bee so ignorant, but that I know ful wel by outward +signes, what secret thoughts be hid in the inner heart: and that +coniectures many times do geue me true and certayne knowledge of +concealed things: and am not so foolish to thinke you to be so +vndiscrete but that you haue marked my Countenaunce and maner, and +thereby haue knowen that I haue bene more affectioned to you, than to +any other: for that cause (sayde shee, strayninge hym by the hand very +louingly, and wyth cheerefull colour in hir face) I sware vnto you, +and doe promise that if you thinke meete, it shalbe none other but your +self whom I wil haue, and desire to take to husband and lawful spouse, +beynge assured so much of you, as the loue which so longe time hath ben +hidden and couered in our hartes, shall appeare by so euident proofe, as +onely death shal end and vndo the same.” The Gentleman hearing sutch +sodain talke, and the assurance of that which he most wished for, albeit +he saw the daunger extreme wherunto he launched himself by espousing +this great Ladie, and the ennimies he should get by entring sutch +aliaunce: notwythstandynge building vpon vaine hope, and thinking at +length that the choler of the Aragon brother would passe away if they +vnderstoode the maryage, determined to pursue the purpose, and not to +refuse that greate preferment, being so prodigally +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page19" id = "page19">19</a></span> +offred: for which cause hee answered his Lady in this manner: “If it +were in my power madame, to bryng to passe that, which I desire for your +seruice by acknowledging the benefits and fauors which you depart vnto +me, as my mind presenteth thanks for the same, I would think my +self the happyest Gentleman that lyueth, and you the beste serued +Pryncesse of the world. For one beter beloued (I dare presume to +say, and so long as I liue wil affirme) is not to be found. If tyll thys +time I delayed to open that which now I discouer vnto you, +I beseeche you madame to impute it to the greatnesse of your +estate, and to the duty of my calling and office in your house, being +not seemelye for a seruaunte to talk of sutch secrets with his Lady and +Mistresse. And truely the payne which I haue indured to hold my peace, +and to hyde my grief, hath ben more noysom to me than one hundred +thousand like sorrowes together, although it had bene lawfull to haue +reuealed them to some trusty friend: I doe not denye madame, but of +long time you did perceiue my follie and presumption, by addressing my +minde so high, as to the Aragon bloud, and to sutch a princesse as you +be. And who can beguile the Eye of a louer, specially of hir, whose +Paragon for good minde, wisedome and gentlenesse is not? And I confesse +to you besides, that I haue most euidentlye perceiued how a certain loue +hath lodged in your gracious hearte, wherwith you bare me greater +affection, than you dyd to anye other within the compasse of your +family. But what? great Ladyes heartes be fraught with secretes and +conceites of other effects than the Minds of Symple Women, which caused +me to hope for none other guerdon of my loyal and faithful affection, +than Deathe, and the same very short, and sith that little hope +accompanyed wyth great, nay, rather extreme passion, is not able to giue +sufficient force, both to suffer and to stablish my heart with +constancye. Nowe for so mutch as of your motion, grace, curtesie and +liberality the same is offred, and that it pleaseth you to accept me for +yours, I humblye beseche you to dispose of me not as husband, but +of one whych is, and shalbe your Seruaunt for euer, and sutch as is more +ready to obey, than you to commaund. It resteth now Madame, to consyder +how, and in what wise our affayres are to be directed, that thynges +being in assurance, you may so liue +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page20" id = "page20">20</a></span> +without perill and bruite of slaunderous tongues, as your good fame and +honest report may continue without spot or blemish.” Beholde the first +Acte of this Tragedy, and the prouision of the fare which afterwardes +sent them bothe to their graue, who immediatly gaue their mutual faith: +and the houre was assigned the next day, that the faire Princesse should +be in hir chamber alone, attended vpon with one onely Gentlewoman which +had ben brought vp with her from the cradle, and was made priuy to the +heauy mariage of those two louers which was consummate in hir presence. +And for the present time they passed the same in words: for ratification +whereof they went to bed togither: but the pain in the end was greater +than the pleasure, and had ben better for them bothe, yea and also for +the third, that they had shewed themselues so wyse in the deede, as +discrete in keeping silence of that which was don: for albeit theyr +mariage was secrete, and therby politikely gouerned themselues in their +stelthes and robberyes of Loue, and that Bologna more ofte helde the +state of the Stewarde of the House by Daye, than of Lorde of the same, +and by Nyghte supplyed that Place, yet in the ende, the thynge was +perceyued whych they desyred to bee closely kepte. And as it is +impossyble to tyll and culture a fertyle Grounde, but that the same +muste yelde some Fruycte, euen so the Duchesse after many pleasures +(being ripe and plentiful) became with childe, which at the firste +astonned the maried couple: neuerthelesse the same so well was prouided +for, as the first Childbed was kept secret, and none did know thereof: +the Childe was nourced in the Towne, and the father desired to haue him +named Frederick, for remembraunce of the parents of hys Wyfe. Nowe +fortune whych lieth in dayly wayte and ambushment, and lyketh not that +men should longe Loyter in Pleasure, and Passetime, being enuious of +sutch prosperity, cramped so the Legges of our two Louers, as they must +needes chaunge their Game, and learne some other practise: for so mutch +as the Duchesse beinge great with Childe agayne, and deliuered of a +Girle, the businesse of the same was not so secretly done, but that it +was discouered. And it sufficed not that the brute was noysed through +Naples, but that the sound flew further of: As eche man doth know that +Rumor hath many mouthes, who +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page21" id = "page21">21</a></span> +wyth the multitude of hys Tongues, and Trumps, Proclaymeth in diuers and +sundry places, the things which chaunce in al the Regions of the Earth: +euen so that bablinge foole, caried the newes of that second Childbed to +the eares of the Cardinall of Aragon the Duchesse brother, being then at +Rome. Think what Ioy, and Pleasure the Aragon brothers had, by hearinge +the report of their Sister’s fact: I dare presume to say, that +albeit they were extremely wroth wyth this happened Slaunder, and wyth +that dishonest fame which the Duchesse had gotten throughout Italy, yet +farre greater was their sorrow and griefe for that they did not know +what hee was, that so curteously was allied to their house, and in their +loue had increased their Ligneage: and therefore swelling wyth despite, +and rapt with fury to see themselues so defamed by one of their Bloude, +they purposed by all meanes whatsoeuer it cost them, to know the lucky +Louer that had so wel tilled the Duchesse their Sister’s field. Thus +desirous to remoue that shame from before their eyes, and to bee +reuenged of a wrong so notable, they sent Espials round about, and +scouts to Naples, to view and spy the behauiour and talke of the +Duchesse, to settle some certayne Iudgement of him, which stealingly was +become their Brother in lawe. The Duchesse Courte beinge in thys +trouble, she dyd contynually perceiue in hir house, hir brothers men to +marke hir countenance, and to note those that came thither to visite +hir, and to whom she vsed greatest familiaritie, bicause it is +impossible but that the fire, although it be raked vnder the ashes, must +giue some heat: and albeit the two Louers vsed eche others company, +without shewing any Sygne of their affection, yet they purposed to +chaung theyr estate for a tyme, by yelding truce to their pleasures: +yea, and although Bologna was a wise and prouident personage, fearing to +be surprised vpon the facte, or that the Gentlewoman of the chamber +corrupted with money, or forced by feare, should pronounce any matter to +his hinderance or disaduantage, determined to absent himself from +Naples, yet not so sodainly but that he made the Duchesse his faithfull +Lady and companion priuy of his intent: and as they were secretly in +their chamber together, he vsed these or sutch like words: “Madame, +albeit the right good intent and vnstained conscience, is free from +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page22" id = "page22">22</a></span> +faulte, yet the iudgement of men hath further relation to the exterior +apparance, than to vertue’s force and innocence it self, as ignoraunt of +the secrets of the thought: and so in things that be well done, wee must +of necessity fall into the sentence of those, whom beastly affection +rauisheth more, than ruled reason. You see the solempne watch and guarde +whych the Seruaunts of the Lordes your Brothers do within your house, +and the suspition which they haue conceiued by reason of your second +Childbed, and by what meanes they labor truely to know how your affayres +procede, and things do passe. I feare not death where your seruice +may be aduaunced, but ys herein the Maiden of your Cbamber be not +secrete, if she bee corrupted, and if she keepe not close that which +shee ought to doe, it is not ignoraunt to you that it is the losse of my +lyfe, and shall dye suspected to bee a Whoremonger and varlot, euen I, +(I say) shal incurre that Peryll, whych am your true and Lawfull +Husband. Thys separation chaunceth not by iustyce or desert, sith the +cause is to ryghteous for vs: but rather your brethren will procure my +death, when I shall thinke the same in greatest assurance. If I had to +do but wyth one or two, I would not chaunge the place, ne march one +step from Naples, but be assured, that a great band, and the same well +armed will set vppon me: I pray you, madame, suffer me to retire +for a time, for I am assured that when I am absent, they will neuer +soile their hands or imbrue their sweardes in your Bloud. If I doubted +any thing at all of Peryll touchyng your owne person, I had rather +a hundred hundred tymes die in your Company, than lyue to see you no +more: but out of doubt I am, that if our affaires were discouered, and +they knew you to be begotten with Chyld by me, your safety would be +prouided for wher I should sustain the penaunce of the fact, committed +without fault or sinne: and therfore I am determined to goe from Naples, +to order mine affaires, and to cause my Reuenue to be brought to the +place of mine abode, and from thence to Ancona, vntyl it pleaseth God to +mitigate the rage of your brethren, and recouer their good wills for +consent to our mariage. But I meane not to do or conclude any thing +without your aduise, and if thys intente doe not like you, gyue me +Councell Madame, what I were beste to doe, that +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page23" id = "page23">23</a></span> +both in Lyfe and Death you may knowe your faythfull seruaunt and louing +Husband is ready to obey and please you.” This good Lady hearing hir +husband’s discourse, vncertayne what to do, wept bitterly, as well for +grief to lose his presence, as for that she felt her self with child the +third time: the sighes and teares, the sobbes and heauy lookes, which +she threwe forth vppon hir sorrowful husband, gaue sufficient witnesse +of hir payne and Gryef: and if none had hard hir, I thynke her +playntes would haue well expressed hir inwarde smarte of mynde. But like +a wise Ladye seing the alleaged reasons of hir husbande, licensed him +although agaynste hir minde, not wythout vtterance of these fewe Words, +before hee went out of hir Chamber: “Deare husbande, if I were so well +assured of the affectyon of my Brethren, as I am of my mayde’s fidelity, +I would entreat you not to leaue me alone: specially in the case I +am, beynge wyth Chylde: but knowyng that to be iust and true whych you +haue sayde, I am content to force my wyll for a certayne tyme, that +hereafter we may lyue at rest together, ioyning our selues in the +companye of our Chyldren and Famylye, voyde of those troubles, whych +greate Courts ordinarily beare within the compasse of their Palaces. Of +one thing I must intreat you, that so often as you can by trusty +messenger, you send me word and intelligence of your health and state, +bicause the same shall bring vnto me greater pleasure and contentation, +than the welfare of mine owne: and bicause also, vpon sutch occurrentes +as shall chaunce, I may prouyde for myne owne affaires, the surety +of my self, and of our Children.” In saying so, she embraced him very +amorously, and he kissed hir with so greate sorrow and grief of heart, +as the soule was ready out of his Body to take hir flight, sorowful +beyond measure so to leaue hir whome he loued, for the great curtesies +and honor which hee had receiued at hir hands. In the end, fearing that +the Aragon espials woulde come and discrie them in those priuities, +Bologna tooke his leaue, and bad his Lady and spouse Farewell. And this +was the second Acte of this Tragicall Historie, to see a fugitife +husband, secretly to mary, especially hir, vpon whome hee ought not so +mutch as to loke but with feare and reuerence. Behold here (O ye +folish louers) a Glasse of your lightnesse, and yee Women, the +course of +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page24" id = "page24">24</a></span> +your fond behauyor. It behoueth not the wise sodainly to execute their +first motions and desyres of their heart for so mutch as they may be +assured that pleasure is pursued so neare with a repentaunce so sharp to +be suffred, and hard to be digested, as their voluptuousnesse shall +vtterly discontent them. True it is, that mariages be don in heauen and +performed in earth, but that saying may not be applied to fooles, which +gouerne them selues by carnall desires, whose scope is but pleasure, and +the reward many times equall to their follie. Shall I be of opinion that +a houshold seruaunt oughte to sollicite, nay rather suborne the Daughter +of his Lorde without punyshment, or that a vyle and abiect person dare +to mount vpon a Prynces Bed? No, no, pollicye requyreth order in all, +and eche wight ought to bee matched according to theyr qualytye, wythout +makynge a Pastyme of it to couer theyr Follyes, and knowe not of what +Force Loue and Desteny be, except the same be resysted. A goodly +thinge it is to Loue, but where reason looseth Place, Loue is wythoute +his effecte, and the sequele rage and Madnesse: leaue we to discourse of +those which beleue that they be constrayned to folowe the Force of theyr +Mynde, and may easilye subdue themselues to the Lawes of Vertue and +Honesty, lyke one that thrusteth hys Heade into a Sack, and thynkes he +can not get out: sutch people do please themselues in theyr losse, and +thinke all well that is noysome to their Health, daily folowyng theyr +owne delyghtes. Come wee againe then to sir Bologna, who after he had +left hys Wyfe in hir Castell, went to Naples, and hauing sessed a rent +vpon hir lands, and leuyed a good summe of Money, he repayred to Ancona +a city of the patrimonye of the Romane church, whither hee caryed the +two Chyldren, which he had of the Duchesse, causyng them to be brought +vp with suche Dyligence and care, as it is to be thought a Father well +affectyoned to hys Wyfe would doe, and who delyghted to see a Braunch of +the Tree, that to hym was the best beloued Fruyct of the World. There he +hyred a house for hys trayne, and for those that wayted vppon hys Wyfe, +who in the meane tyme was in great care, and could not tell of what +Woode to make hir arrowes, perceyuing that hir Belly began to swell, and +grow to the tyme of hir deliuery, seeing that from Day to Day, hir +Brothers seruaunts were at hir back, voide +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page25" id = "page25">25</a></span> +of Counsel and aduise, if one euenyng she had not spoken to the +Gentlewoman of her chamber, touchyng the doubts and peryl wherein she +was, not knowing how she might be deliuered from the same. That maiden +was gentle and of a good mind and stomake, and loued hir mistresse very +derely, and seeing hir so amazed and tormenting hir self to death, +mindyng to fray hir no further, ne to reproue hir of hir fault which +could not be amended, but rather to prouyde for the daunger wherunto she +had hedlong cast hir selfe, gaue hir this aduyse: “How now, Madame” +(sayd shee,) “is that wysdom whych from your Chyldhode hath ben so +famyliar in you, dislodged from your brest in time when it ought chiefly +to rest for incountryng of those mishaps that are comming vpon vs? think +you to auoid the dangers, by thus tormentyng your self, except you set +your hands to the work therby to gyue the repulse to aduerse fortune? +I haue heard you many tymes speake of the Constancye and Force of +Mynde, whych ought to shine in the deedes of Princesses, more clerely +than amongs those dames of baser house, and whych ought to make them +appeare like the sunne and the little starres: and yet I see you nowe +astonned, as though you had neuer forseene, that aduersity chaunceth so +wel to catch the great within his clouches, as the base and simple sort. +It is but now that you haue called to remembraunce that which might +insue your mariage with sir Bologna? Did hys onely presence assure you +against the waits of fortune, and was it the thought of paines, feares +and frights, which now turmoileth your dolorous mind? Ought you thus to +vexe your selfe, when nede it is to thinke how to saue both your honor, +and the fruicte wythin your intrailes? If your sorrow be so great ouer +sir Bologna, and if you feare your childbed wil be descried, why seeke +you not meanes to attempt some voyage, for couering of the fact, to +beguile the eyes of them whych so diligently do watch you? Doth your +hearte faile you in that matter? whereof do you dreame? why sweat and +freat you before you make me answer?” “Ah sweete hearte,” (answered the +Duchesse,) “if thou feltest the payne which I do suffer, thy tongue +would not be so mutch at wyll, as thou shewest it now to bee for +reproofe of my small Constancie. I do sorrow specially for the +causes which thou alleagest, and +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page26" id = "page26">26</a></span> +aboue all, for that I know well, that if my Brethren had neuer so litle +intelligence of my beynge with Chyld, I were vndone and my Lyfe at +an end, and peraduenture poore Wench, thou shouldest beare the penaunce +for my sinne. But what way can I take, that stil these Candels may not +giue light, and I voided of the Trayne whych ought to wayghte vpon my +Brethren? I thinke if I should descend into Hell, they would know, +whither any shadowe there were in loue with me. Now gesse if I should +trauayle the Realme, or retire to any other place, whither they would +let me liue in peace? Nothing lesse, for suspect they would, that the +cause of my departure proceeded of desyre to liue at liberty, to dallye +wyth hym, whom they Iudge to be other than my lawfull husbande: and it +may so be, that as they bee Wicked and suspicious, so will they doubte +of my beynge wyth Chylde and thereby shall I bee farre more infortunate +by trauaylyng, than here in miserie amidde myne anguishe: and you the +reste that be keepers of my Councell, fall into greater Daunger, vppon +whome no doubte they will bee reuenged: and fleshe themselues for your +vnhappy waiting and attendance vpon vs.” “Madame,” sayd the bolde +Maiden, “be not afraide, and followe mine aduise, for I hope that it +shall be the meanes both to see your spouse, and to rid those +troublesome verlets out of your house, and in like maner safely to +deliuer you into good assuraunce.” “Say your mind,” quod the Ladye, “for +it may bee, that I wyll gouerne my self according to the same.” “Mine +aduise is then,” sayd the Gentlewoman, “to let your houshold vnderstand, +that you made a Vowe to visite the Holy Temple of our Lady of Loretto, +(a Famous Pilgrimage in Italy) and that you commaund your Trayn to +make themselues ready to wayt vpon you for accomplyshment of your +deuotion, and from thence you shall take your Iourney to soiourne at +Ancona, whither before you goe hence, you shall send your Moueables and +Plate, wyth sutch Moneye as you thynke necessarye for furnyshing of your +Charges: and afterwards God will performe the rest, and through his holy +mercy will guyde and direct al your affaires.” The Duchesse hearing the +mayden speake her good aduise and amazed of her sodayne inuention, could +not forbear to imbrace and kysse hir, blessing the houre wherein she was +borne, and that euer she +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page27" id = "page27">27</a></span> +chaunced into hir Companye, to whome afterwards shee sayd: “My Wenche, +I had well determined to gyue ouer myne estate and Noble porte, +ioyfully to lyue a simple Gentlewoman with my deare and welbeloued +Husband, but I could not deuyse how I should conuenyently departe thys +countrey without suspition of some folly: and sith that thou hast so +well instructed mee for brynging that same to passe, I promyse thee +that so diligentlye thy counsel shal be performed, as I see the same to +be right good and necessary: for rather had I see my husband, beynge +alone without title of Duchesse or great Lady, than to liue without him +beautified with the graces and Names of Honor and preheminence.” This +deuised plot was no soner grounded, but she gaue order for execution of +the same, and brought it to passe with sutch dexterity as the Ladye in +lesse than <span class = "smallroman">VIII.</span> Dayes had conueyed +and sente the most part of hir Moueables, and specially the chyefest and +beste to Ancona, taking in the meane time hir way towards Loretto after +she had bruted hir solempne vow made for that Pilgrimage. It was not +sufficient for this folysh Woman to take a Husband more to glut hir +libidinous appetite, than for other occasion, except shee added to hir +sinne another excreable impietie, making holy places and dueties of +deuotion, to be as it were the shadowes of hir folly. But let vs +consider the force of Louers rage, which so soone as it hath seased vpon +the minds of men, we see how maruellous be the effects thereof, and with +what straint and puissaunce that madnesse subdueth the wise and +strongest worldlings: who woulde thinke that a great Lady besides the +abandoning hir estate, hir goodes and Chyld, would haue misprysed hir +honor and reputation, to follow like a vagabond, a pore and simple +Gentleman, and him besides that was the household seruaunt of hir +Courte? and yet you see this great and mighty Duchesse trot and run +after the Male, like a female Wolfe or Lionesse (when they goe to +sault,) and forget the Noble bloud of Aragon whereof she was descended, +to couple hir self almost with the simplest person of all the trimmest +Gentlemen of Naples. But turne we not the example of follies to be a +matter of consequence: for if one or two become bankrupt of theyr honor, +it followeth not, good Ladyes, that theyr fact should serue for a matche +to your +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page28" id = "page28">28</a></span> +deserts, and mutch lesse a patron for you to folow. These Hystories be +not wryten to trayne and trap you to pursue the thousand thousand +slippery sleightes of Loue’s gallantise, but rather carefully to warne +you to behold the semblable faultes, and to serue for a drugge to +dyscharge the Poyson which gnaweth and fretteth the integrytie and +soundnesse of the soule. The wyse and skilfull Apothecary or compositor +of drugges, dresseth Vipers flesh to purge the patyent from hote +corrupted bloud which conceyueth and engendreth Leprosie within hys +Body. In lyke manner, the fonde loue and wycked rybauldry of Semiramis, +Pasiphae, Messalina, Faustina, and Romilda is shewed in wryt, that euery +of you maye feare to be numbred and recorded amongs sutch common and +dishonourable women. You Princes and great Lords read the follies of +Paris, the adulteries of Hercules, the dainty and effeminate life of +Sardanapalus, the tiranny of Phalaris, Busiris, or Dyonisius of Sicile, +and see the history of Tiberius, Nero, Caligula, Domitian, and +Heliogabalus, and spare not to recompte them amongs our wanton youthes +which soile themselues villaines more filthily than the swine do in the +durt: al this intendeth it an instruction for your youth to follow the +infection and whoredome of those Monsters? Better it were all those +bokes were drenched in bottomlesse depth of seas, than Christian life by +their meanes should be corrupted: but the example of the wicked is +induced for to eschue and auoid them, as the life of the good and honest +is remembred to frame and addresse our behauior in this world to be +praise worthy and commended: otherwyse the holinesse of sacred writ +should serue for an argument to the vnthrifty and luxurious to confirm +and approue their beastly and licencious wickednesse. Come we againe +then to our purpose: the good Pilgrime of Loretto went forth hir voyage +to atchieue hir deuotions, by visiting the Saint for whose Reliques she +was departed the country of the Duke hir Sonne: when she had done hir +suffrages at Loretto, hir people thought hir voiage to be at an end, and +that she would haue returned again into hir Countrey: but she said vnto +them, that forsomutch as she was so neare Ancona, being but <span class += "smallroman">XV.</span> myles of, she would not retyre but she had +seen that auncient and goodlye city, which diuers Hystories do greatly +recommend, as wel for the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page29" id = "page29">29</a></span> +antiquitie, as for the pleasant seat therof. Al were of hir aduise, and +went forward to see the antiquities of Ancona, and she to renue the +pleasures whych she had before begon with hir Bologna, who was +aduertised of all hir determination, restyng now like a God, possessed +with the Iewels and rychesse of the Duchesse, and had taken a fayre +palace in the great Streat of the City, by the gate wherof the traine of +hys Lady must passe. The Harbinger of the Duchesse posted before to take +vp lodging for the train, but Bologna offred vnto hym hys Palace for the +Ladye. So Bologna whych was already welbeloued in Ancona, and newely +entred Amytye and greate Aquayntaunce wyth the Gentlemen of the Cytye, +wyth a goodlye troupe of them, wente forthe to meete hys Wyfe, to whom +he presented his house, and besought hir that shee and hir trayne would +vouchsafe to lodge there. She receiued the same very thankfully, and +withdrew hir selfe vnto his house, who conducted hir thither, not as a +husband, but like him that was hir humble and affectionate seruaunte. +But what needeth greate dyscourse of Woordes? The duchesse knowing that +it was impossible but eche man must be priuy to hir facte, and know what +secretes hath passed betweene hir and hir Husband, to the ende that no +other opynyon of hir Childebed should be conceyued, but that whych was +good and Honest, and done synce the accomplyshment of the Maryage, the +morrow after hir arryuall to Ancona, assembled all her Trayne in the +Hall, of purpose no longer to keepe cloase that sir Bologna was hir +Husbande, and that alreadye shee had had two Chyldren by him, and agayne +was great with childe, with a third. And when they were come togither +after dynner, in that presence of hir husbande, shee vsed vnto them +these woordes: “Gentlemen, and al ye my trusty and louyng seruaunts, +hyghe tyme it is to manyfest to euery of you, the thing which hath ben +done before the Face, and in the presence of hym who knoweth the most +obscure and hydden secrets of our thoughts. And needefull it is not to +keepe silente that which is neyther euyll done ne hurtfull to any +person: If things myght be kept secrete and styl remaine vnknowen, +except they were declared by the doers of them, yet would not I commit +the wrong in concealyng that, which to dyscouer vnto you doth greatly +delite me, and deliuereth my mind +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page30" id = "page30">30</a></span> +from exceeding grief, in sutch wise as if the flames of my desire could +break out with sutch violence, as the fire hath taken heate within my +mind, ye should see the smoke mount vp with greater smoulder than that +which the mount Gibel doeth vomit forth at certayne seasons of the +yeare. And to the intent I may not keepe you long in this suspect, this +secret fire wythin my Heart, and that which I shal cause to flame in +open ayre, is a certain opinion which I conceiue for a mariage by me +made certain yeares past, at what time I chose and wedded a husband to +my fantasie and liking, desirous no longer to liue in Widow state, being +vnwilling to do the thing that should preiudice and hurt my conscience. +The same is done, and yet in one thing I haue offended, which is by long +keepyng secrete the performed mariage: for the wycked brute dispearsed +through the realme by reason of my childbed, one yeare paste, hath +displeased some: howbeit my conscience receiueth comforte, for that the +same is free from fault or blot. Now shall ye know therefore what he is, +whom I acknowledg for my Lord and spouse, and who it is that lawfully +hath me espoused in the presence of this Gentlewoman here present, which +is the witnesse of our Nuptials and accorde of mariage. This gentleman +also Antonio Bologna, is he to whom I haue sworn and giuen my faith, and +hee againe to mee hath ingaged his. He it is whom I accompt for my +spouse and husband, (and with whome henceforth) I meane to rest and +contynue. In consideration whereof, if there be any heere amongs you +all, that shal mislike of my choyse, and is willing to wayt vppon my +sonne the Duke, I meane not to let them of their intent, prayinge +them faithfully to serue him, and to be careful of his person, and to be +vnto him so honest and loyall, as they haue bene to me so longe as I was +their mistresse. But if any of you desire stil to make your abode wyth +me, to be partakers of my Wealth and woe, I will so entertayne them +as they shall haue good cause to be contented, if not let them departe +hence to Malfi, and the steward shal prouide for them according to their +degre: for touching my self I do mind no more to be termed an infamous +Duchesse: rather would I be honored wyth the Tytle of a symple +Gentlewoman, or wyth that estate whych shee can haue that hath an honest +husband, and wyth whom she holdeth +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page31" id = "page31">31</a></span> +faithfull and loyall company, than reuerenced with the glory of a +Pryncesse, subiect to the despite of slaunderous tongues. Ye know” (said +she to Bologna) “what hath passed betwene vs, and God is the witnesse of +the integrity of my Conscyence, wherfore I pray you bryng forth our +Chyldren, that eche Man may beholde the Fruyctes raysed of our +allyance.” Hauynge spoken those Woordes, and the Chyldren broughte +forthe into the Hall, all the companye stoode styll so astonned wyth +that newe successe and tale, as though hornes sodainly had started forth +their heads, and rested vnmoueable and amazed, like the great marble +piller of Rome called Pasquile, for so mutch as they neuer thought, ne +coniectured that Bologna was the successor of the duke of Malfi in his +mariage bed. This was the preparatiue of the catastrophe and bloudy end +of this tragedie. For of all the Duchesse seruaunts, there was not one +that was willing to continue wyth theyr auncient mistresse, who with the +faithfull maiden of hir chamber remained at Ancona, enioying the ioyful +embracements of hir Husbande, in all sutch Pleasure and Delyghts as they +doe, whych hauyng lyued in fear, be set at liberty, and out of al +suspition, plunged in a sea of ioy, and fleting in the quiet calme of al +passetime, where Bologna had none other care, but how to please his best +beloued, and she studied nothing else but how to loue and obey him, as +the wyfe ought to doe hir husband. But thys fayre Weather lasted not +long, for as the ioyes of men do not long endure but wast in lyttle +time, so bee the delights of louers lesse firme and stedefast and passe +away almost in one moment of an houre. Now the seruaunts of the Duchesse +which wer retired, and durst tary no longer with hir, fearing the fury +of the cardinal of Aragon brother to the Lady, the verye Day they +departed from Ancona, deuised amongs themselues that one of them should +ride in post to Rome, to aduertise the cardinal of the ladye’s maryage, +to the intente that the Aragon brethren myght conceiue no cause to seke +reuenge of theyr disloyalty. That determination spedily was +accomplished, one posting towardes Rome, and the rest galloping to the +countrey Castles of the duke. These newes reported to the Cardinal and +his brother, it may be coniectured how gryeuously they toke the same, +and that they were not able to digest them wyth modestye, the yongest +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page32" id = "page32">32</a></span> +of the brethren, yalped forth a Thousand Cursses and despytes, agaynste +the symple sexe of womankind. “Ha,” said the Prince (transported with +choler, and driuen into deadly furie) “what law is able to punish or +restrayne the folysh indiscretion of a Woman, that yeldeth hir self to +hir own desires? What shame is able to brydle and withdrawe a Woman from +hir mind and madnesse? Or with what fear is it possible to snaffle them +from execution of theyr filthinesse? Ther is no beast be he neuer so +wilde, but man sometime may tame, and bring to his lure and order. The +force and diligence of Man is able to Make mylde the stronge and Proude, +and to ouertake the swyftest Beaste and Foule, or otherwyse to attayne +the hyghest and deepest things of the world: but this incarnate diuelish +beaste the Woman, no force can subdue hir, no swiftnesse can approch hir +mobylity, no good mind is able to preuent hir sleightes and deceites, +they seem to be procreated and borne againste all order of Nature, and +to liue withoute Lawe, whych gouerneth al other things indued with some +reason and vnderstanding. But howe great abhomination is this, that a +Gentlewoman of sutch a house as ours is, hath forgotten hir estate, and +the greatnesse of hir deceased husband, with the hope of the toward +youthe of the Duke hir sonne and our Nephew. Ah, false and vile bytch, +I sweare by the Almighty God and by his blessed wounds, that if I +can catch thee, and that wicked knaue thy chosen mate, I wil pype +ye both sutch a wofull galiard, as in your imbracements ye neuer felt +like ioy and mirthe. I wil make ye daunce sutch a bloudy bargenet, +as your whorish heate for euer shall be cooled. What abuse haue they +committed vnder title of mariage, whych was so secretly don, as their +children do witnesse their lecherous loue, but theyr promise of faith +was made in open aire, and serueth for a cloke and visarde of their +moste filthy whoredom. And what if mariage was concluded, be we of so +little respect, as the carion beast could not vouchsafe to aduertise vs +of hir entent? Or is Bologna a man worthy to be allied or mingled with +the roial bloud of Aragon and Castille? No, no, be he neuer so good a +gentleman, his race agreeth not with kingly state. But I make to God a +vow, that neuer wyll I take one sound and restful slepe, vntill I haue +dispatched that infamous fact from our bloud, and +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page33" id = "page33">33</a></span> +that the caitif whoremonger be vsed according to his desert.” The +cardinal also was out of quiet, grinding his teeth togither, chattering +forth of his Spanish mosel Jack an Apes Pater-noster, promising no +better vsage to their Bologna than hys yonger brother did. And the +better to intrap them both (without further sturre for that time) they +sent to the Lord Gismondo Gonsago the Cardinal of Mantua, than Legate +for pope Iulius the second at Ancona, at whose hands they enioyed sutch +friendship, as Bologna and all his family were commaunded spedily to +auoid the city. But for al that the Legat was able to do, of long time +he could not preuail, Bologna had so greate intelligence wythin Ancona. +Neuerthelesse whiles hee differred his departure, he caused the most +part of his trayne, his Children and goods to be conueyed to Siena, an +auncient Citty of Thoscane, which for the state and liberties, had long +time bin at warres with the Florentines, in sutch wyse as the very same +day that newes came to Bologna that hee should depart the Citty within +<span class = "smallroman">XV.</span> daies, hee was ready, and mounted +on horseback to take hys flight to Siena, whych brake for sorrow the +hearts of the Aragon brethren, seeinge that they were deceiued, and +frustrate of their intent, bicause they purposed by the way to apprehend +Bologna, and to cut him in peeces. But what? The tyme of his hard lucke +was not yet expired, and so the marche from Ancona, serued not for the +Theatre of those two infortunate louers ouerthrow, who certaine moneths +liued in peace in Thoscane. The Cardinall night nor day did sleepe, and +his brother still did wayt to performe hys othe of reuenge. And seeinge +their ennimy out of feare, they dispatched a post to Alfonso Castruccio, +the cardinall of Siena, to entreat the lord Borgliese, cheyfe of the +Seigniory there, that their Syster, and Bologna should be banished the +Countrey, and limits of that Citty, which wyth small suite was brought +to passe. These two infortunate, Husband and Wyfe, were chasid from all +places, and so vnlucky as whilom Achastus was when he was accursed, or +Oedipus, after his father’s death, and incestious mariage wyth his +mother, vncertayne to what Sainct to vow themselues, and to what place +to take their flight. In the ende they determined to goe to Venice, but +first to Ramagna, there to imbarke themselues for to retyre in saulfty +to the citty +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page34" id = "page34">34</a></span> +enuironned wyth the Sea Adriaticum, the richest in Europa. But the poore +soules made their reconinge there wythout their hoaste, faylinge halfe +the price of their banket. For being vppon the territory of Forly, one +of the trayne a farre of, did see a troupe of horsemen galloping +towardes their company, which by their countenaunce shewed no signe of +peace or amity at all, which made them consider that it was some ambush +of theyr Enimyes. The Neapolitan gentleman seeing the onset bendinge +vppon them, began to feare death, not for that hee cared at al for his +mishap, and ruine, but his heart began to cleaue for heauinesse to see +his Wyfe and little Children ready to be murdered, and serue for the +passetime of the Aragon Brethren’s eyes, for whose sakes he knew +himselfe already predestinate to dy, and that for despite of him, and to +accelerate his death by the ouerthrow of hys Wyfe and Children, he was +assured that they would dispatch them all before his face and presence. +But what is there to be done, where counsell and meanes to escape do +fayle? Full of teares therefore, astonishment and feare, he expected +death so cruell as man could deuise, and was already determined to +suffer the same with good courage, for any thing that the Duchesse could +say vnto him. He might well haue saued himself and his eldest sonne by +flight, being both wel mounted vpon two good Turkey horsses, whiche ran +so fast, as the quarrel out of a Crosbow. But he loued to mutch his wife +and children, and woulde kepe them company both in lyfe and death. In +th’ende the good Lady sayd vnto him: “Sir, for all the ioyes and +pleasures which you can do me, for God’s sake saue your selfe and the +litle infant next you, who can well indure the galloping of the horse. +For sure I am, that you being out of our company, we shall not neede to +feare any hurt: but if you do tary, you wil be the cause of the ruine +and ouerthrow of vs all, and we shal receiue thereby no profit or +aduauntage: take this purse therefore, and saue yourself, attending +better fortune in time to come.” The poore Gentleman Bologna knowing +that his wife had pronounced reason, and fearing that it was impossible +from that time forth that she or hir Traine could escape their hands, +taking leaue of hir, and kissing his chyldren not forgetting the money +which she offred vnto him, willed his seruants +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page35" id = "page35">35</a></span> +to saue themselues by sutch meanes as they thought best. So gieuing +spurs vnto his horse, he began to fly amayne, and his eldest sonne +seeing his father gone, began to followe in like sorte: and so for that +time they two were saued by breaking of the intended ill luck lyke to +light vpon them. And where he thought to rescue himselfe at Venice, he +turned another way, and by great Iourneys arriued at Millan. In the +meane time the horsemen were approched neere the Duchesse, who seeing +that Bologna had saued himselfe, very courteously began to speake vnto +the lady, were it that the Aragon brethren had geuen theym that charge, +or feared that the Lady would trouble them with hir importunate Cries, +and Lamentations. One therefore amongs the Troupe sayde thus vnto hir: +“Madam, we be commaunded by the Lordes your brethren, to conduct you +home vnto your house, that you may receiue agayne the Gouernment of the +Duchy, and the order of the Duke your sonne, and do maruell very mutch +at your folly, for giuing your selfe thus to wander the Countrey after a +man of so smal reputation as Bologna is, who when he had glutted his +lusting lecherrous minde with the comelines of your noble Personage, wil +despoyle you of your goods and honour, and then take his Legs into som +straung countrey.” The simple Lady, albeit greeuous it was vnto hir to +heare sutch speech of hir husband, yet helde hir peace and dissembled +what she thought, glad and wel contented with the curtesy done vnto hir, +fearinge before that they came to kyll hir and thought hirselfe already +discharged, hopinge vppon their courteous Dealinges, that shee, and hir +Chyldren from that tyme forth should lyue in good assuraunce. But she +was greatly deceyued, and knew within shorte space after, the good will +that hir Brethren bare hir: for so soone as these Gallants had conducted +hir into the kyngdome of Naples, to one of the Castels of hir sonne, she +was committed to pryson wyth hir chyldren, and she also that was the +secretary of hir infortunate mariage. Til this time Fortune was +contented to proceede with indifferent quiet against those Louers, but +henceforth yee shall heare the Issue of theyr little prosperous loue, +and how pleasure hauing blinded them, neuer forsooke them vntil it had +giuen them the ouerthrow. It booteth not heere to recite any Fables or +Hystories, contenting my +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page36" id = "page36">36</a></span> +self that Ladies do reade wythout to many weping teares, the pitifull +end of that myserable princesse, who seeing hir selfe a Prisoner in the +company of hir litle chyldren and welbeloued Mayden, paciently liued in +hope to see hir Brethren appaysed, comforting hir selfe for the escape +of hir husband out of the hands of his mortal foes. But hir assurance +was changed into an horrible feare and hir hope to no expectation of +surety, when certayne dayes after hir imprisonment, hir gaoler came in, +and sayde vnto hir: “Madame, I do aduise you henceforth to consider +and examine your Conscience, for so mutch as I suppose that euen thys +very day your Lyfe shall be taken from you.” I leaue for you to +thinke what horrour, and traunce assayled the feeble heart of this poore +Lady, and wyth what eares she receyued that cruell message, but hir +cryes, and moanes together with hir sighes and lamentations declared +with what chere she receyued the aduertisement. “Alas” (sayd she) “is it +possible that my brethren should so far forget themselues, as for a fact +nothing preiudicial vnto them, cruelly to put to death their innocent +Sister, and to imbrue the memory of their fact, in the bloud of one +which neuer did offend them? Must I against al right and equity be put +to death before the Iudge or Maiestrate haue made triall of my lyfe, and +knowne the righteousnesse of my cause? Ah God, most rightfull and +bountifull father, beholde the mallice of my Brethren, and the Tyrannous +cruelty of those which wrongfully doe seeke my bloud. Is it a sinne to +marry? Is it a fault to fly, and auoide the sinne of Whoredome? What +Lawes be these, where marriage bed, and ioyned matrimony is pursued wyth +lyke seuerity, that Murder, Theft, and Aduoutry are? And what +Christianity in a Cardinall, to shed the bloud which hee ought to +defend? What profession is thys, to assayle the innocent by the hygh way +side, and to reue them of lyfe in place to punish Theeues and Murderers? +O Lord God thou art iust, and dost al things in equity, I see +wel that I haue trespassed against thy maiesty in some more notoryous +crime than in marriage: I most humbly therefore beseech thee to +haue compassion on mee, and to pardon myne offences, accepting the +confession, and repentaunce of mee thine humble seruaunt for +satisfaction of my sinnes, which it pleased thee to washe away in +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page37" id = "page37">37</a></span> +the precious bloud of thy sonne our Sauiour, that being so purified, +I may appeare at the holy banket in thy glorious kingdome.” When +shee had thus finished hir prayer, two or three of the ministers which +had taken hir besides Forly, came in, and said vnto hir: “Now Madame +make ready your selfe to goe to God, for beholde your houre is come.” +“Praysed be that God” (sayd she) “for the wealth and woe that it +pleaseth hym to send vs. But I beseech you my friendes to haue pitty +vppon these lyttle Babes and innocent creatures: let them not feele the +smarte whych I am assured my Brethren beare agaynste their Poore vnhappy +Father.” “Well well, madame,” sayd they, “we wil conuey them to sutch +place as they shal not want.” “I also recommend vnto you” (quod +she) “this pore imprisoned mayden, and entreate hir well, in +consideration of hir good service done to the infortunate Duchesse of +Malfi.” As she had ended those words, the two Ruffians did put a coarde +about her neck, and strangled hir. The mayden seeing the pitious Tragedy +commensed vpon hir maystresse, cried out a maine, cursing the cruell +malice of those tormenters, and besought God to be witnesse of the same, +and crying out vpon his diuine Maiesty, she humbly praied unto him to +bend hys iudgement agaynst them which causelesse (being no Magistrates,) +had killed so innocent creatures. “Reason it is” (sayd one of the +Tyrants) “that thou be partaker of thy maystresse innocency, sith thou +hast bene so faythfull a Minister, and messenger of hir fleshly +follies.” And sodaynly caught hir by the hayre of the head, and in +steade of a Carcanet placed a roape about her necke. “How nowe” (quoth +shee,) “is this the promised fayth you made vnto my lady?” But those +words flew into the Ayre wyth hir Soule, in company of the myserable +Duchesse. And now hearken the most sorowfull scene of all the Tragedy. +The little Chyldren which had seene all this furious game executed vpon +their mother and hir mayde, as nature prouoked them, or as some presage +of their myshap might leade them thereunto, kneeled vpon their knees +before those Tyrants, and embracinge their Legges, wayled in sutch wyse, +as I thinke that any other, except a pitilesse heart spoyled of all +humanity, would haue had compassion. And impossible it was for them, to +vnfolde the embracementes of those innocent creatures, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page38" id = "page38">38</a></span> +whych seemed to foreiudge their death by Sauage lookes and Countenaunce +of those Roysters: whereby I think that needes it must be confessed, +that nature hath in hir selfe, and in vs imprinted some signe of +diuination, and specially at the Houre and tyme of death, so as the very +beastes doe feele some forewarninges, although they see neyther Sworde, +nor Staffe, and indeuoure to auoyde the cruell Passage of a thynge so +Fearefull, as the separation of two thynges so neerely vnyted, euen the +Body, and Soule, which for the motion that chaunceth at the very +instant, sheweth how <ins class = "correction" title = "error for ‘nature’">narure</ins> is constrained in that monstrous diuision, and +more than horrible ouerthrow. But who can appease a heart determined to +worke mischief, and hath sworne the death of another forced thereunto by +some special commaundment? The Aragon brethren ment hereby nothing else, +but to roote out the whole name and race of Bologna. And therfore the +two ministers of iniquity did like murder and slaughter vpon those two +tender babes, as they had done before vpon their mother not without some +motion of horror, for an act so detestable. Behold here how far the +cruelty of man extendeth, when it coueteth nothing else but vengeance, +and marke what excessyue choler the mind of them produceth, whych suffer +themselues to be forced and ouerwhelmed with fury. Leaue we apart the +cruelty of Euchrates, the Sonne of the kinge of Bactria, and of Phraates +the Sonne of the Persian Prynce, of Timon of Athenes, and of an infinit +number of those which were rulers and gouernors of the Empyre of Rome: +and let vs match with these Aragon brethren, one Vitoldus Duke of +Lituania, the cruelty of whom, constrained his own subiects to hang +themselues for feare leaste they should fall into his furious and bloudy +hands. We may confesse also these brutall brethren to be more butcherly +than euer Otho Erle of Monferrato, and prince of Vrbin was, who caused a +yeoman of his chamber to be wrapped in a sheete poudred with sulpher and +brimstone, and afterwards kindled with a Candle, was scalded and +consumed to death, bicause he waked not at an hour by him appointed: let +vs not excuse them also from some affinity with Manfredus the sonne of +Henry the second emperor, who smoldered hys own father, being an old +man, between two Couerlets. These former furies might haue some excuse +to +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page39" id = "page39">39</a></span> +couer their cruelty, but these had no other color but a certain beastly +madnesse which moued them to kil those litle Children their nephews, who +by no means could preiudice or anoy the Duke of Malfi or his title, in +the succession of his Duchie, the mother hauing withdrawen hir goods, +and had her dowrie assigned hir: but a wicked hart wrapt in malice must +nedes bring forth semblable workes. In the time of these murders the +infortunate Louer kept himself at Millan with his sonne Frederick, and +vowed himself to the Lord Siluio Sauello, who that tyme besieged the +Castell of Millan, in the behalf of Maximilian Sforcia, which in the end +he conquered and recouered by composition wyth the French within. But +that charge being atchieued, the general Sauello marched from thence to +Cremona with hys Campe, whyther Bologna durst not folow, but repayred to +the Marquize of Britone, in whych tyme the Aragon brethren so wroughte +as hys goods were confiscate at Naples, and he dryuen to hys shiftes to +vse the Golden Duckates which the Duchesse gaue him to relieue himselfe +at Millan, whose Death althoughe it were aduertised by many, yet hee +could not be persuaded to beleue the same, for that diuers which went +about to betray him, and feared he shoulde flie from Millan, kept his +beake vnder the water, (as the Prouerb is,) and assured him both of +the Lyfe and welfare of his Spouse, and that shortly his Brethren in law +would be reconciled because many Noble men fauored hym well, and desired +his returne home to hys countrey. Fed and filled with that vaine hope, +he remayned more than a yeare at Millan, frequentyng good company, who +was well entertayned of the rychest marchaunts and best Gentlemen of the +Cytye: and aboue all other, he had famyliar accesse to the house of the +Ladye Hippolita Bentiuoglia, where vppon a Daye after Dynner, takyng hys +lute in hand, whereon he could exceedyngly well play, he began to sing a +sonnet, whych he had composed vppon the discourse of hys mysfortune, the +tenor whereof insueth.</p> + + +<h4>The Song of Antonio Bologna, the husband of the Duchesse of +Malfi.</h4> + +<div class = "verse"> +<p>If loue, the death, or tract of tyme, haue measured my distresse,</p> +<p>Or if my beatinge sorrowes may my languor well expresse:</p> +<p>Then loue come soone to visit me, which most my heart desires,</p> +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page40" id = "page40">40</a></span> +<p>And so my dolor findes some ease, through flames of fansies +fires.</p> +<p>The time runnes out his rollinge course, for to prolong myne +ease,</p> +<p>To th’ end I shall enioy my loue, and heart himselfe appease,</p> +<p>A cruell darte brings happy death, my soule then rest shall find:</p> +<p>And sleepinge body vnder Toumbe, shall dreame time out of mynde,</p> +<p>And yet the Loue, the Time, nor Death, lookes not how I decreace:</p> +<p>Nor geueth eare to any thinge, of this my wofull peace.</p> +<p>Full farre I am from my good hap, or halfe the ioye I craue,</p> +<p>Whereby I chaung my state wyth teares, and draw full neere my +graue.</p> +<p>The courteous Gods that giues me lyfe, now mooues the Planets +all:</p> +<p>For to arrest my groning ghost, and hence my sprite to call.</p> +<p>Yet from them still I am separd, by thinges vnequall heere,</p> +<p>Not ment the Gods may be vniust, that breedes my chaunging +cheere.</p> +<p>For they prouide by their foresight, that none shall doe me +harme:</p> +<p>But she whose blasing beauty bright, hath brought me in a charme.</p> +<p>My mistresse hath the powre alone, to rid me from this woe:</p> +<p>Whose thrall I am, for whom I die, to whom my sprite shall goe.</p> +<p>Away my soule, goe from the griefs, that thee oppresseth still,</p> +<p>And let thy dolor witnesse beare, how mutch I want my will.</p> +<p>For since that loue and death himselfe, delights in guiltlesse +bloud,</p> +<p>Let time transport my troubled sprite, where destny seemeth good.</p> +</div> + +<p>This song ended, the poor Gentleman could not forbeare from pouring +forth his luke warme Tears, which abundantly ran downe his heauy Face, +and his pantinge Sighes truly discouered the alteration of his mynde, +whych mooued ech wight of that assembly to pitty his mournful State: and +one specially of no acquaintance, and yet knew the deuises that the +Aragon Brethren had trayned and contriued against hym: that vnacquaynted +gentleman his name was Delio, one very well learned, and of trim +inuention, who very excellently hath endited in the Italian vulgar +tongue. This Delio knowing the Gentleman to be husband to the deceased +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page41" id = "page41">41</a></span> +Duchesse of Malfi, came vnto him, and taking him aside, said: “Sir, +albeit I haue no great acquaintance with you, this being the first time +that euer I saw you, to my remembrance, so it is, that vertue hath sutch +force, and maketh gentle myndes so amorous of their like, as when they +doe beholde ech other, they feele themselues coupled as it were in a +bande of mindes, that impossible it is to diuide the same: now knowinge +what you be, and the good and commendable qualities in you, +I coumpt it my duty to reueale that which may chaunce to breede you +damage. Know you then, that I of late was in company with a Noble man of +Naples, whych is in this Citty, banded with a certaine company of +horsemen, who tolde mee that he had a speciall charge to kill you, and +therefore prayed me (as it seemed) to require you not to come in his +sight, to the intent he might not be constrayned to doe that which +should offend his Conscience, and grieue the same all the dayes of his +life: moreouer I haue worse Tidinges to tell you: the Duchesse your Wyfe +deade by violent hand in prison, and the most part of them that were in +hir company: besides this assure your selfe, that if you doe not take +heede to that which this Neapolitane Capitnyne hath differred, other +wyll doe and execute the same. This mutch I haue thought good to tell +you, bicause it would very mutch grieue me, that a Gentleman so +excellent as you be, should be murdered in that myserable wyse, and I +should deeme my selfe vnworthy of lyfe, if knowing these practises I +should dissemble the same.” Whereunto Bologna aunswered: “Syr Delio, +I am greatly bound vnto you, and geue you hearty thankes for the +good will you beare me. But in the conspiracy of the brethren of Aragon, +and of the death of my lady, you be deceyued, and some haue giuen you +wrong intelligence: for within these two dayes I receyued letters from +Naples, wherein I am aduertised, that the right honorable and reuerend +Cardinal and his Brother be almost appeased, and that my goods shall bee +rendred agayne, and my dear Wyfe restored.” “Ah syr,” sayde Delio, “how +you be beguiled and Fedde wyth Follyes, and nourished with sleights of +Court: assure your selfe that they which write these trifles, make sutch +shamefull sale of your lyfe, as the Butcher doth of his flesh in the +Shambles, and so wickedly betray you, as impossible it is to inuent +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page42" id = "page42">42</a></span> +a treason more detestable: but bethinke you well thereof.” When he had +sayd so, he tooke hys leaue, and ioyned hymselfe in company of fine and +pregnaunt Wyttes, there assembled together. In the meane tyme, the +cruell Spirite of the Aragon Brethren were not yet appeased with the +former murders, but needes must finish the last act of Bologna hys +Tragedy by losse of hys Lyfe, to keepe hys Wyfe and Chyldren company, so +well in an other Worlde as he was vnited with them in Loue in this +frayle and transitory passage. The Neapolitan gentleman before spoken of +by Delio, whych had taken this enterprise to <ins class = "correction" +title = "error for ‘satisfie’">satissie</ins> the barbarous Cardinall to +berieue his Countreyman of lyfe, hauinge chaunged his mynde, and +differring from day to day to sorte the same to effect, it chaunced that +a Lombarde of larger Conscience than the other, inueigled with +Couetousnesse, and hired for ready Money, practised the death of the +Duchesse poore husband: this bloudy beaste was called Daniel de Bozola +that had charge of a certayne bande of footemen in Millan. Thys newe +Iudas and pestilent manqueller, who wythin certayne dayes after knowinge +that Bologna oftentymes Repayred to heare Seruice at the Church and +conuent of S. Fraunces, secretly conueyed himself in ambush, hard +besides the church of S. Iames, (being accompanied wyth a certayne +troupe of Souldiers) to assayle infortunate Bologna, who was sooner +slayne than hee was able to thinke vpon defence, and whose mishap was +sutch, as hee whych kylled hym had good leysure to saue himselfe by +reason of the little pursuite made after hym. Beholde heere the Noble +fact of a Cardinall, and what sauer it hath of Christian purity, to +commit a slaughter for a fact done many yeares past vpon a poore +Gentleman which neuer thought him hurt. Is thys the sweete obseruation +of the Apostles, of whom they vaunt themselues to be the Successours and +followers? And yet we cannot finde nor reade, that the Apostles, or +those that stept in their trade of lyfe, hyred Ruffians, and Murderers +to cut the Throates of them which did them hurt. But what? it was in the +tyme of Iulius the second, who was more martiall than Christian, and +loued better to shed bloud than giue blessing to the people. Sutch ende +had the infortunate mariage of him, whych ought to haue contented +himselfe wyth that degree and honor that +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page43" id = "page43">43</a></span> +he had acquired by the deedes and glory of his vertues, so mutch by ech +wight recommended: we ought neuer to climb higher than our force +permitteth, ne yet surmount the bounds of duty, and lesse suffer our +selues to be haled fondly forth with desire of brutal sensuality. Which +sinne is of sutch nature, that he neuer giueth ouer the party whom he +maystereth, vntil he hath brought him to the shame of some Notable +Folly. You see the miserable discourse of a Princesse loue, that was not +very wyse, and of a Gentleman that had forgotten his estate, which ought +to serue for a lookinge Glasse to them which bee ouer hardy in makinge +Enterprises, and doe not measure their Ability wyth the greatnesse of +their Attemptes: where they ought to mayntayne themselues in reputation, +and beare the title of well aduised: foreseeing their ruine to be +example for all posterity, as may bee seene by the death of Bologna, and +by all them which sprang of him, and of his infortunate Spouse his Lady +and Maistresse. But we haue discoursed inough hereof, sith diuersity of +other hystories do call vs to bring the same in place, which were not +mutch more happy than the bloudy end of those, whose Hystory ye haue +already heard.</p> + + +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page44" id = "page44">44</a></span> +<h3><a name = "novel2_24" id = "novel2_24"> +THE TWENTY-FOURTH NOUELL.</a></h3> + +<p class = "summary"> +The disordered Lyfe of the Countesse of Celant, and how shee (causinge +the County of Masino to be murdered,) was beheaded at Millan.</p> + +<p><span class = "firstword">Not</span> wythout good cause of long tyme +haue the wyse, and discrete, Prudently gouerned their Children, and +taken great heede ouer their Daughters, and those also whom they haue +chosen to bee their Wyues, not in vsing them lyke Bondwomen, and Slaues, +to beereiue them of all Liberty, but rather to auoyde the murmur, and +secrete slaunderous Speach of the common people, and occasions offred +for infection, and marrying of Youth, specially circumspect of the +assaultes bent agaynst Maydens, being yet in the firste flames of fire, +kindled by nature in the hearts, yea of those that be the wysest, and +best brought vp. Some doe deeme it very straunge, that solempne Guard +bee obserued ouer those which ought to lyue at lyberty, and doe consider +how lyberty and the bridle of Lycence let slip vnto Youth, they breede +vnto the same most strong and tedious Bondage, that better it had bene +for youth to haue beene chayned, and closed in obscure Pryson, than +marked wyth those blottes of infamy, which Sutch Lycence and Lyberty doe +conduce. If England doe not by experience see Maydens of Noble Houses +Infamed through to mutch vnbrideled, and frank maner of Lyfe, and their +Parents desolate for sutch villanyes, and the name of their houses +become Fabulous and Ridiculous to the people: surely that manner of +Espiall and watch ouer Children, may be noted in Nations not very farre +conuening from vs, where men be Ielous of the very Fantasie of them, +whom they think to be indued with great vertues, and of those that dare +with their very Lookes geue attaynt, to behold their Daughters: but +where examples be euident, where all the World is assured of that which +they see by daily experience, that the fruicts of the disordered, breake +out into light, it behooueth no more to attend the daungerous customes +of Countreyes, to condescend to the sottish Opinions of those, whych say +that youth to narrowly looked vnto, is trayned vp in sutch grosenesse, +and blockishnesse of spyrite, as +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page45" id = "page45">45</a></span> +impossible it is afterwardes the same shoulde do any thinge prayse +worthy. The Romayne maydens whilom were Cloystered within their Fathers +Pallaces, still at their Mothers Elbowes, and notwithstanding were so +wel brought vp, that those of best ciuility and finest trained vp in our +age, shall not be the seconde to one of the least perfect in the Citty. +But who can learne ciuility and vertue in these our dayes? our Daughters +nousled in companies, whose mouthes run ouer with Whorish and filthy +talke, wyth behauiour full of Ribauldry, and many fraughted wyth facts +lesse honest than Speach is able to expresse. I doe not pretend +heereby to depriue that sexe of honest and seemely talke, and company, +and leste of exercise amonges the Noble Gentlemen of our Englyshe Soyle, +ne yet of the Liberty receyued from our Auncestours, only (me thyncke) +that requisite it were to contemplate the manners and inclination of +wils, and refrayne those that be prone to wantonnesse, and by lyke +meanes to reioyce the mindes of them that be bent to heauinesse, deuided +from <ins class = "correction" title = "error for ‘curtesie’">curtefie</ins> and Ciuility, by attendinge of whych choyse, +and considering of that difference, impossible it is but vertue must +shyne more bright in Noble houses than homelynesse in Cabanes of +Pesauntes, and Countrey Carles: who oftentymes better obserue the +Discipline of our Predecessours in education of their Chyldren, than +they which presume to prayse themselues for good skil in vse and +gouernment of that age, more troublesome and payneful to rule, than any +other wythin the compasse of man’s lyfe. Therefore the good and wise +Emperour Marcus Aurelius would not haue his Daughters to be trayned vp +in Courts. “For (quod he) what profit shall the Nurse receyue by +learning hir mayden honesty and vertue, when our workes intice them to +daliaunce and vice, apprehending the folly of those that bee amorous?” +I make this discourse, not that I am so rigorous a Iudge for our +maydens of England, but that I wish them so reformed, as to see and be +seene should be forbidden, as assured that vertue in what place so euer +she be, cannot but open things that shall fauor of hir excellency. And +now to talke of an Italian Dame, who so long as hir first husband +(knowing hir inclination) kept hir subiect, liued in reputation of a +modest and sober wyfe. Nothing was seene in hir that could defame hir +renoume. But so soone as the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page46" id = "page46">46</a></span> +shadow of that free captiuity was made free by the death of hir husband, +God knoweth what pageant she played, and how shee soyled both hir owne +reputation, and the honour of hir second Mate, as yee shall vnderstande +if with pacience yee vouchsafe to reade the discourse of thys present +Hystory. Casal, (as it is not vnknowen) is a Citty of Piedmont, and +subiect to the Marquize of Montferrato, where dwelled one that was very +rich, although of base birth, named Giachomo Scappardone, who being +growne wealthy, more by wicked art, and vsury, to mutch manifest, than +by his owne diligence, toke to Wife a yong Greeke mayden, which the +Marchiones of Montferrato mother of Marquize Guglielmo, had brought home +wyth hir from the voyage that shee made into Grætia wyth hir husbande, +when the Turkes ouerran the countrey of Macedonia, and seased vpon the +Citty of Modena which is in Morea. Of that mayden Scapperdone had a +Daughter indifferent fayre, and of behauiour liuely and pleasaunt, +called Bianca Maria. The Father dyed wythin a while after hir birth, as +one that was of good yeares, and had bin greatly turmoyled in getting of +riches, whose value amounted about one Hundred Thousand Crownes. Bianca +Maria arriued to the age of sixteene, or seuenteene yeares, was required +of many, aswell for hir Beauty, Gentlenes, and good grace, as for her +goods, and riches. In the ende she was maried to the Vicecount Hermes, +the Sonne of one of the chiefest Houses in Millan, who incontinently +after the mariage, conueyed hir home to hys house, leauing his Greeke +mother to gouerne the vsuries gotten by hir dead husband. The Gentleman +which amongs two greene, knew one that was ripe, hauing for a certayne +tyme well knowen, and learned the maners of hys Wyfe, saw that it +behooued hym rather to deale wyth the Bit and brydle than the spur, for +that she was wanton, full of desire, and coueted nothing so mutch as +fond and disordered liberty, and therefore without cruell dealing, +disquiet, or trouble, hee vsed by little and little to keepe hir in, and +cherished hir more than his nature willingly would suffer, of purpose to +holde hir wythin the boundes of duty. And although the Millan Dames haue +almost like lyberties that ours haue, yet the Lord Hermes kept hir +wythin Dores, and suffred hir to frequent none other house and company, +but the Lady Hippolita Sforcia, who +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page47" id = "page47">47</a></span> +vppon a day demaunded of him wherefore hee kept in his wyfe so short, +and persuaded hym to geue her somewhat more the Brydle, bicause diuers +already murmured of this order, as to strayte and Frowarde, esteeming +hym eyther to be to mutch fond ouer hir, or else to Jealous. “Madame,” +sayde the Millanoise, “they whych at pleasure so speake of me, know not +yet the nature of my Wyfe, who I had rather should be somewhat +restrayned, than run at Rouers to hir dishonour, and my shame. +I remember wel madame the proper saying of Paulus Emilius that +notable Romane: who being demauned wherefore he had put away his Wyfe +being a Gentlewoman so fayre and beautifull. ‘O,’ quod he and lifted vp +his leg <ins class = "addition" title = "open parenthesis missing">(</ins>whereupon was a new payre of Buskins) ‘yee see this +fayre Buskin, meete and seemely for this Leg to outward apparance not +greeuous or noysome, but in what place it hurteth me, or where it +wringeth yee doe neyther see nor yet feele.<ins class = "addition" title += "close quote added">’</ins> So I, madame, do feele in what place my +Hoase doeth hurt and wring my Legge. I know madame what it is to +graunt to so wanton a dame as my Wyfe is, hir will, and how farre I +ought to slip the rayne: iealous I am not vpon the fayth I beare vnto +God, but I feare what may chaunce vnto me. And by my trouth, madame, +I geeue her Lycence to repayre to you both Day and Nyght, at +whatsoeuer hour you please, being assured of the vertuous company that +haunteth your house: otherwyse my Pallace shall suffyce hir pleasure for +the common ioy of vs both, and therefore I wish no more talk hereof, +least too importunate suites do offend my nature, and make me thinke +that to be true whych of good will I am loth to suspect, contenting my +selfe with hir Chastity, for feare least to mutch liberty do corrupt +hir.” These words were not spoken wythout cause, for the wyse husband +saw wel that sutch beasts, albeit rudely they ought not to be vsed, yet +stifly to be holden short, and not suffred too mutch to wander at will. +And verily his prophecy was to true for respect of that which followed: +who had not bene maried full <span class = "smallroman">VI.</span> +yeares, but the Vicecount Hermes departed thys World, whereof she was +very sory bycause she loued him derely, hauing as yet not tasted the +licorous baites of sutch liberty, as afterwards she drank in gluttonous +draughts, when after hir husband’s obsequies, she retired to +Montferrato, and then to +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page48" id = "page48">48</a></span> +Casal to hir Father’s house, hir mother being also dead, and she a lone +woman to ioy at pleasure the fruict of hir desires, bendinge hir only +study to gay and trimme Apparell, and imployed the mornings with the +vermilion rud to colour hir cheekes by greater curiosity than the most +shamelesse Curtisan of Rome, fixing hir eyes vppon ech man, gyring, and +laughing with open mouth, and pleasantly disposed to talk and reason +with euery Gentleman that passed by the streate. This was the way to +attayne the glorious feast of hir triumphant filthines, who wan the +prise aboue the most famous women whych in hir tyme made profession of +those armes, wherewith Venus once dispoyled Mars, and toke from him the +strongest and best steeled armure of all his furniture. Thinck not fayre +maydes, that talk and clattering with youth is of small regarde. For a +Citty is halfe won when they within demaunde for parle, as loth to +indure the Canon shot. So when the eare of yong Wyfe or mayde is pliant +to lasciuious talk, and deliteth in wanton words, albeit hir chastity +receyue no damage, yet occasion of speach is ministred to the people, +and perchaunce wyth sutch disaduantage, as neuer after hir good name is +recouered. Wherefore needefull it is, not only to auoyde the effect of +euill, but also the least suspition: for good fame is requisite for the +Woman, as honest lyfe. The great Captain Iulius Cæsar, (which first of +al reduced the common wealth of Rome in fourme of monarchie) beinge once +demaunded wherefore hee hadde refused hys Wyfe before it was proued that +she had offended with Clodius, the night of the sacrifices done to the +Goddesse Bona, answered so wysely as truely, that the house of Cæsar +ought not onely to be voyde of whordome but of suspition therof. Behold +therfore what I haue sayd, and yet doe say againe, that ye oughte to +take greate heede to youre selues, and to laugh in tyme, not reclinyng +your eares to vncomely talke, but rather to follow the nature of the +Serpent, that stoppeth his eare with his tayle, to auoide the charms and +sorceries of the Enchaunter. Now this Bianca Maria was sued vnto, and +pursued of many at Casall that desired hir to Wyfe, and amonges the rest +two did profer themselues, which were the Lord Gismondo Gonzaga, the +neere kinsman of the Duke of Mantua, and the Counte of Celant, +a great Baron of Sauoy, whose landes lie in the vale of +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page49" id = "page49">49</a></span> +Agosta. A great pastyme it was to thys fyne Gentlewoman to feede +hir self wyth the Orations of those two Lordes and a ioye it was to hir, +to vse her owne discourse and aunswers expressinge with right good grace +sundry amorous countenances, intermingling therwithall sighes, sobbes, +and alteration of cheere, that full well it might haue bene sayde, of +loue trickes that shee was the only dame and mistresse. The Marchyonesse +of Montferrato desirous to gratify the Lord of Mantua his sonne in law, +endeuored to induce this wanton Lady to take for spouse Gismondo +Gonzaga, and the sute so well proceeded, as almost the mariage had bene +concluded if the Sauoy Earle had not come betwixte, and shewed forth his +Noblenesse of minde, when he vnderstode how things did passe, and that +another was ready to beare away the pryse, and recouer his mistresse. +For that cause he came to visit the Lady, who intertayned him wel, as of +custom she did al other. And for that he would not employe hys tyme in +vayne, when he founde hir alone and at conuenyent leysure, began to +preache vnto hir in thys wyse with sutch countenaunce, as she perceyued +the Counte to be far in loue with hir.</p> + + +<h4>The Oration of the Counte of Celant to his Ladye.</h4> + +<p>“I am in doubt Madame, of whome chiefly I ought to make complaynt, +whether of you, or of my selfe, or rather of fortune which guideth and +bryngeth us together. I see wel that you receiue some wrong, and +that my cause is not very iust, you taking no regarde vnto my passion +which is outragious, and lesse hearkeninge vnto my request that so many +times I haue giuen you to vnderstand onely grounded vpon the Honest loue +I beare you. But I am besides this more to be accused for suffering an +other to marche so far over my game and soyle, as I haue almost lost the +tracte of the pray after which I most desire, and specially doe condemne +my Fortune, for that I am in daunger to lose the thyng which I deserue, +and you in peryll to passe into that place where your captiuity shalbe +worse than the slaues by the Portugales condemned to the mines of India. +Doeth it not suffise you that the Lord Hermes closed you vp the space of +<span class = "smallroman">V.</span> or <span class = +"smallroman">VI.</span> yeares in his Chamber, but wil you nedes attempt +the rest of your youthly daies amid the Mantuanes, whose suspicious +heads are ful of hammers working in the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page50" id = "page50">50</a></span> +same? Better it were madame, that we approchynge neerer the gallante +guise of Fraunce, should live after the lyberty of that Countrey, than +bee captiue to an Italian house, whych wyll restrain you with like +bondage, as at other tymes you have felt the experience. Moreover ye see +what opinion is like to be conceiued of you, when it shalbe bruted that +for the Marquize feare, you haue maried the Mantuan Lord. And I know +well that you like not to be esteemed as a pupil, your nature cannot +abyde compulsion, you be free from hir authority, it were no reason you +should be constrained. And not to stay in framing of orations, or stand +vpon discourse of Words, I humbly beseche you to behold the +constant loue I beare you, and being a Gentleman so Wealthy as I am, +none other cause induceth me to make this sute, but your good grace and +bryngynge vp, whych force me to loue you aboue any other Gentlewoman +that liueth. And althoughe I myghte alleage other reasons to proue my +saying, yet referre I my self to the experience and bounty of youre +mynd, and to the equity of your Iudgement. If my passion were not +vehement, and my torment without comparison, I would wish my fained +griefs to be laughed to scorne, and my dissembled payne rewarded with +flouts. But my loue being sincere and pure, my trauail continuall, and +my griefs endlesse, for pity sake I beseche you madame to consider my +faithfull deserts with your duetiful curtesie, and then shall you see +how mutch I ought to be preferred before them, which vnder the shadow of +other mens puissance, do seke to purchase power to commaund you: where I +do faithfully bynd and tye my word and deede continually to loue and +serue you, wyth promyse al the dayes of my Lyfe to accomplish your +commaundements. Beholde if it please you what I am, and with what +affection I make mine humble playnt, regard the Messanger, loue it is +himself that holdeth me within your snares, and maketh mee captyue to +your beauty and gallant graces, which haue no piere. But if you refuse +my sute, and cause me breath my words into the aire, you shalbe accused +of cruelty, ye shall see the entier defaict of a gentleman which loueth +you better than loue himselfe is able to yelde flame and fire to force +any wight to loue mortal creature. But, verily, I beleue the +heauens haue departed in me sutch aboundance, to the intent in +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page51" id = "page51">51</a></span> +louyng you with vehemence so greate, you may also thinke that it is I +which ought to be the Friend and spouse of that gentle and curteous Lady +Bianca Maria, which alone may cal her self the mistresse of my Heart.” +The Ladye whych before was mocked and flouted wyth the Counte his +demaunds, hearing thys laste discourse, and remembring his first +mariage, and the natural iealosie of Italyans, half wonne, without +making other countenance, answered the Counte in thys manner: “Syr +counte, albeyt that I am obedyente to the wyll and commaundemente of +madame the Marchyonesse, and am loth to dysplease hir, yet wil I not so +farre gage my lybertye, but still reserue one poynt to saye what +reasteth in my thoughte. And what shoulde lette me to chose sutch one, +to whome I shalbe both his life and death? And whereof beinge once +possed, it is impossyble to be rid and acquited? I assure you, if I +feared not the speach and suspition of malycious mindes, and the venime +of slaunderous Tongues, neuer husband should bryng me more to bondage. +And if I thought that he whom I pretend to chose, would be so cruel to +me, as others whom I know, I would presently refuse mariage for +euer. I thanke you neuerthelesse, both of your aduertisements giuen +me, and of the honor you doe me, your self desiryng to accomplish that +honor by maryage to be celebrated betweene vs. For the fidelity of which +your talke, and the little dissimulation I see to be in you, +I promise you that there is no gentleman in this countrey to whom I +giue more puissance ouer me, than to you, if I chaunce to mary, and +thereof make you so good assurance, as if it were already done.” The +Counte seeing so good an entry would not suffer the tyme to slip, but +beating the Bushes vntill the praye was ready to spryng, replyed: “And +sith you know (madame) what thing is profitable, and what is hurtfull, +and that the benefite of lyberty is so mutch recommended, why doe you +not performe the thinge that may redounde to your honor? Assure mee then +of your word, and promise me the faith and loyaltie of maryage, then let +me alone to deale wyth the rest, for I hope to attayn the effect without +offense and displeasure of any.” And seeing hir to remaine in a muse +without speaking word, he toke hir by the hand and kissing the same a +million of tymes, added these Words: “How now, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page52" id = "page52">52</a></span> +madame, be you appalled for so pleasaunt an assault, wherin your +aduersary confesseth himselfe to be vanquished? Courage, madame, +I say courage, and beholde him heere which humbly praieth you to +receiue him for your lawfull husband, and who sweareth vnto you all +sutch amitye and reuerence that husband oweth to hys loyall spouse.” +“Ah, syr Counte,” sayd she, “and what wyll the Marquize say, vnto whom I +haue wholly referred my self for mariage? shal not she haue iust +occasion to frowne vppon mee, and frowardly to vse me for little respect +I beare vnto hir? God be my witnesse if I would not that Gonzaga had +neuer come into this countrey: for although I loue him not, yet I haue +almost made him a promyse, which I can not kepe.” “And sith there is +nothing don,” (said the Sauoy Lord) “what nede you to torment your +selfe? wyl the Marquize wrecke hir tyrannie ouer the will of hir +subiectes, and force Ladyes of hir Lande to marie againste their luste? +I thinke that so wyse a princesse, and so well nurtured, will not +so far forget hir self, as to straine that which God hath left at +lyberty to euerye wight: promise me onely maryage and leaue me to deale +wyth the rest: other thynges shalbe wel prouided for.” Bianca Maria +vanquished with that importunity, and fearing againe to fal into +seruytude, hoping that the Counte would mainteine sutch liberty as he +had assured, agreed vnto hym and plyghted vnto him her faithe, and for +the tyme vsed mutuall promises by wordes respectiuely one to another: +and the better to confirme the fact, and to let the knotte from +breakyng, they bedded themselues togethers. The Counte very ioyfull for +that encountre, yelded sutch good beginning by his countenance, and by +Famyliar and continuall haunte with Bianca Maria, as shortly after the +matter was knowen and came to the Marquesse eares, that the Daughter of +Scappardone had maryed the Counte of Celant. The good lady albeit that +shee was wroth beyond measure, and willingly would haue ben reuenged +vpon the bride, yet hauing respect to the Counte, which was a noble man +of great authority, swallowed down that pille wythout chewing, and +prayed the Lord Gonzaga not to be offended, who seing the light +behauiour of the Ladie, laughed at the matter, and praysed God for that +the thing was so wel broken off: and he did foresee already what issue +that Comedye would haue, beynge +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page53" id = "page53">53</a></span> +very famylyar for certayne Dayes in the House of Bianca Maria. Thys +maryage then was publyshed, and the solempnity of the Nuptyals were done +very pryncely, accordyng to the Nobylity of hym whych had maryed hir: +but the augurie and presage was heauy, and the melancholike face of the +season (which was obscured and darkened about the time they should go to +church) declared that the mirth and ioy should not long continue in the +house of the counte, according to the common saying: <i>He that loketh +not before he leapeth, may chaunce to stumble before he sleepeth</i>. +For the lord of Celant being retird home to his valeys of the Sauoy +mountains, began to loke about his businesse, and perceiued that his +wife surpassed al others in light behauiour and vnbrideled desires, +whereuppon hee resolued to take order and stop hir passage before she +had won the field, and that frankly she should goe seke hir ventures +where shee list, if she would not be ruled by his aduise. The foolish +Countesse seeing that hir husband well espied hir fond and foolysh +behauior, and that wisely he went about to remedy the same, was no whit +astonied, or regarded his aduise, but rather by forging complaints did +cast him in the teeth sometymes with hir riches that she brought him, +sometime with those whom she had refused for his sake, and with whom +farre of she liued lyke a sauage creature amid the mountaine deserts and +baren dales of Sauoy, and tolde him that by no meanes she minded to be +closed and shut vp like a tamelesse beast. The Counte which was wyse, +and would not breake the Ele vppon his knee, prouidently admonished hir +in what wise a Ladye ought to esteeme hir honor, and how the lightest +faults of Noble sorts appeare mortal sinnes before the world: and that +it was not sufficient for a Gentlewoman to haue hir body chast, if hir +speach were not according, and the minde correspondent to that outward +semblance, and the conseruation agreable to the secret conceiptes of +Mynd: “And I shall be ful sory swete Wife” (sayd the Counte) “to giue +you cause of discontent: for wher you shalbe vexed and molested, +I shall receiue no ioy or pleasure, you being [such one as ought to +be the second my self, determining] by God’s grace to keepe my promise, +and vse you like a wyfe, if so be you regard me with duety semblable: +for reason will not that the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page54" id = "page54">54</a></span> +head obey the members, if they shew not themselues to be sutch as depend +vpon the health and life of it. The husband being the Wyue’s chiefe, +ought to be obeyd in that which reason forbiddeth: and shee referring +hir selfe to the pleasure of hir head, forceth him to whom she is +adioyned, to do and assay all trauayle and payne for hir sake. Of one +thinge I must needes accuse you, which is, that for trifles you frame +complaynt: for the mynde occupied in folly, lusteth for nothinge more +than vayne things, and those that be of little profite, specially where +the pleasure of the Bodye is onely considered: where if it follow +reason, it dissembleth his griefes with wordes of wysedome, and in +knowing mutch, fayneth notwithstanding a subtile and honest ignoraunce: +but I may bee mutch deceyued herein, by thinking that a Woman fraught +with fickle Opinions may recline her eares to what so euer thing, except +to that whych deliteth hir mynde, and pleaseth the desires framed wyth +in hir foolyshe fantasie. Let not thys speach be straunge vnto you, for +your woordes vttered without discretion, make me vse thys language: +finally (good madame) you shall shew your selfe a Wyse and louing wyfe, +if by takinge heede to my requests, you faythfully follow the advise +thereof.” The Countesse whych was so fine and malicious as the Earle was +good and wyse, dissembling her griefe, and coueringe the venome hidden +in hir mynde, began so well to play the hypocrite before hir husbande, +and to counterfayte the simple Dame, as albeit he was right politike, +yet he was within hir Snare intrapt, who flattered him wyth so fayre +Wordes, as she won him to goe to Casal, to visite the lands of hir +Inheritaunce. We see whereunto the intent of this false Woman tended, +and what checkmate she ment to geue both to hir husband, and hir honour: +whereby we know that when a woman is disposed to giue hir selfe to +wickednesse, hir mynde is voyd of no malyce or inuention to sort to ende +any daunger or perill offered vnto hir. The factes of one Medea (if +credite may be gieuen to Poets) and of Phædra, the Woman of Theseus, wel +declare with what beastly zeale they began and finished their attempts: +the eagles flight is not so high, as the Foolyshe desires, and +Conceiptes of a Woman that trusteth in hir owne opinion, and treadeth +out of the tract of duety, and way of Wysedome. Pardon +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page55" id = "page55">55</a></span> +me, good Ladies, if I speake so largely, and yet think not that I mean +to display any other but sutch, as forget the degree wherin their +Auncestours haue placed them, and whych digresse from the true path of +those that haue immortalized the memory of themselues, of their +husbands, and of the houses also whereof they came. I am very lothe +to take vppon mee the office of a slaunderer, and no lesse do mean to +flatter those, whom I see to their great shame, offende openly in the +sight of the worlde: but why should I dyssemble that which I know your +selues would not conceyle, yf in conscyence yee were requyred? It were +extreame follye to decke and clothe vice wyth the holy garment of +Vertue, and to call that Curtesie and Ciuylity, whych is manyfest +whoredom and Trechery: let vs terme ech thyng by his due Name, and not +deface that whych of it selfe is faire and pure: let vs not also staine +the renoume of those, whom their own Vertue do recommende. This gentle +Countesse beeing at Casal, making mutch of hir husbande, and kissing him +with the kisse of treason, and of him being vnfainedly beloued and +cherished, not able to forget his sermons, and mutch lesse hir own +filthy lyfe, seeyng that with hir Counte it was impossyble for hir to +liue and glut her lecherous lust, determined to runne away and seeke hir +aduenture: for the brynging to passe wherof she had already taken order +for money, the interest wherof growing to hir daily profite at Millan: +and hauynge leuied a good summe of Ducates in hande, vntyll hir other +rents were ready, she fled away in the night in companye of certayne of +hir men which were priuie to her doeings. Hir retire was to Pauie, +a City subiecte to the state and Duchy of Millan, where she hired a +pryncely pallace, and apparelled the same according to hir estate and +Trayne of hir husband, and as her owne reuenue was able to beare. +I leaue for you to thinke what buzzings entred the Counte’s head, +by the sodayne flight of his wife, who would haue sent and gone him +selfe after to seke hir out, and bryng hir home againe, had he not well +considered and wayed his owne profite and aduantage, who knowing that +hir absence would rid out of his head a fardell of suspitions which he +before conceiued, was in the ende resolued to lette hir alone, and +suffer hir remaine in what place so euer she was retired, and whence hee +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page56" id = "page56">56</a></span> +neuer minded to cal hir home agayne. “I were a very foole,” (said +he) “to keepe in my House so pernicious and fearfull an enimy, as that +arrant whore is, who one day before I beware will cause some of hir +ruffians to cut my throte, besides the Vyolatyon of hir holye Maryage +Bed: God defende that sutch a Strumpet by hir presence should any longer +profane the house of the Lord of Celant, who is well rewarded and +punished for the exessiue loue whych he bare hir: let hir goe whether +shee list, and lyue a God’s name at hir ease, I do content my self +in knowing what Women be able to do, wythout further attempt of fortune +or other proofe of hir wycked Lyfe.” He added further, that the honor of +so Noble a personage as he was, depended not upon a woman’s mischief: +and assure your selfe the whole race of woman kind was not spared by the +Counte, against whom he then inueyed more through rage than reason, he +considered not the honest sort of women, which deface the vyllany of +those that giue themselues ouer to theyr own lusts, wythout regarde of +modesty and shame, which oughte to be Famylyar, as it were by a certain +Naturall inclynatyon in all degrees of Women and Maydens. But come we +again to Bianca Maria, holding now hir Courte and open house at Pauie, +wher she got so holy a fame, as mistresse Lais of Corinth did, whose +trumprie was neuer more common in Asia than that of this fayre dame, +almost in euery corner of Italy, and whose conuersation was sutch as hir +frank liberty and famyliar demeanor to ech wyghte, well witnessed hir +horryble Lyfe. True it was that her reputatyon ther was very smal, and +she hired not hir selfe, ne yet toke pains by setting hir body to sale, +but for some resonable gayne and earnest pain: howbeit she (of whom +somtimes the famous Greke orator would not buy repentaunce for so high a +pryce) was more excessiue in Sale of hir Merchaundyse, but not more +wanton: for she no sooner espyed a comely Gentleman that was youthly, +and well made, but would presently shew him so good countenance, as he +had ben a very foole, that knewe not what prouender this Colt did neigh: +whose shamelesse Gesture Massalina the Romane princesse dyd neuer +surmount, except it were in that shee visited and haunted common houses: +and this dame vsed hir disports wythin hir owne, the other also receiued +indyfferently Carters, Galleye slaues, and +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page57" id = "page57">57</a></span> +Porters: and thys halfe Greeke did hir pastyme wyth Noble Men that were +braue and lustye: but in one thing shee well resembled hir, whych was, +that Messalina was soner wearye with trauayle, than she satisfied with +pleasure and the filthy vse of hir body, like vnto a sink that receyueth +al filth, wythout disgorgyng any throwne into the same: this was the +chaste lyfe which that good Lady led, after she had taken flight from +hir husband. Marke now whether the Milanois that was hir first husbande, +were a grosse headed person or a foole, and whither hee were not learned +and skilful in the science of Phisiognomy, and time for him to make +ready the rods to make hir know hir duety, therwith to correct hir +wanton youth, and to cut of the lusty twigs and proud sciences that +soked the moisture and hart of the stock and braunches. It chaunced +whiles she liued at Pauie, in this good and honorable port, the Counte +of Massino called Ardizzino Valperga came to the Emperour’s service, and +therby made hys abode at Pauie with one of his brothers: the Counte +being a goodly Gentleman young and gallant in apparel, giuen to many +good quallities had but one onely fault, which was a mayme in one of his +legges, by reason of a certain aduenture and blow receiued in the +warres, although the same toke away no part of his comelinesse and fyne +behauyor. The Counte I say, remaining certayne days at Pauie beheld the +beauty and singularity of the Countesse of Celant, and stayed with sutch +deuotion to view and gaze vpon hir, as manye times he romed vp and down +the streate wherein she dwelt to find meanes to speak vnto hir. His +first talke was but a <i>Bon iour</i>: and simple salutation, sutch as +gentlemen commonly vse in company of Ladies, and at the firste brunte +Valperga coulde settle none other iudgement vpon that Goddesse, but that +she was a wise and honest dame, and yet sutch one as needed not the +Emperor’s camp to force the place, which as he thought was not so well +flanked and rampired but that a good man of Armes myght easily winne, +and the breache so liuely and sautable, as any souldier might passe the +same: he became so famyliar with the Lady, and talked with hir so +secretly, as vpon a day being with hir alone, hee courted in this wise: +“Were not I of all men moste blame worthy, and of greatest folly to be +reproued, so long time to be acquainted with a Lady +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page58" id = "page58">58</a></span> +so faire and curteous as you be, and not to offre my seruice life and +goodes to be disposed where you pleased? I speake not thys, Madame, +for any euil and sinister iudgement that I conceyue of you, for that I +prayse and esteeme you aboue any Gentlewoman that euer I knew til this +day, but rather for that I am so wonderfully attached with your good +graces, as wrong I should doe vnto your honor and my loyal seruice +towards you, if I continued dumbe, and did conceyle that whych +incessantly would consume my heart with infynyte numbre of ardent +desyres, and wast myne intrailes for the extreame and burning loue I +beare you. I do require you to put no credite in me, if I refuse +what it shall please you to commaund me: wherfore Madame, I humbly +besech you to accepte me for your owne, and to fauor me as sutch one, +whych with all fidelity hopeth to passe hys time in your company.” The +Countesse although she knew ful wel that the fire was not so liuely +kindled in the stomacke of the Counte as hee wente aboute to make hir +beleue, and that his wordes were to eloquent, and countenance to ioyfull +for so earnest a louer as hee semed to be, at thys first incountry: yet +for that he was a valiant Gentleman, yong, lusty, and strongly made, +minded to retaine him, and for a tyme to staye hir stomacke by +appeasying hir gluttonous appetite in matters of loue, with a morsell so +dainty, as was thys Mynion and lustye young Lorde: and when the Courage +of hym began to coole, another shoulde enter the listes. And therefore +she aunswered hym in thys wise: “Although I (knowying the vse and +manners of men, and with what Baits they Hoke for Ladies, if they take +not heede, hauing proued their malice and little loue,) determined neuer +to loue other than mine affection, ne yet to fauoure Man excepte it bee +by shewyng some Familiar manner to heare theyr talke, and for pastime to +hearken the braue requests of those which say they burne for loue, in +the mids of some delyghtsome brooke. And albeit I think you no better +than other bee, ne more fayhfully, more affectyonate, or otherwyse moued +than the rest, yet I am contente for respecte of youre honoure, somewhat +to beeleue you and to accepte you for myne owne, sith your dyscretyon is +sutch (I truste) as so Noble a Gentleman as you bee, wyll hym selfe +declare in those Affayres, and when I see the effecte of my +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page59" id = "page59">59</a></span> +hope succeede, I cannot be so vnkynde, but wyth all honesty shall +assaye to satisfy that your loue.” The Countee seeing hir alone, and +receyuing the Ladie’s language for his aduantage, and that hir +countenance by alteration of hir minde did ad a certayne beauty to hir +face, and perceyuing a desire in hir that he should not vse delay, or be +to squeimish, she demaunding naught else but execucion, tooke the +present offred time, forgetting all ceremonies, and reuerence, he +embraced hir and kissed hir a Hundred Thousande tymes. And albeit shee +made a certayne simple and prouoking resistance, yet the louer notinge +them to be but preparatiues for the sport of loue, he strayed from the +bounds of honesty, and threw her vppon a fielde Bed wythin the Chambre, +where hee solaced hymselfe wyth hys long desired suite. And finding hir +worthy to be beloued, and she him a curteous gentleman, consulted +together for continuaunce of their amity, in sutch wise as the Lorde +Ardizzino spake no more but by the mouth of Bianca Maria, and dyd +nothynge but what she commaunded, being so bewrapped wyth the heauy +Mantell of hir Beastly Loue, as hee still abode nyght and day in the +house of his beloued: whereby the brute was noysed throughout the Citty, +and the songes of their Loue more common in ech Citizen’s mouth, than +Stanze or Sonnettes of Petrarch, Played and Fayned vpon the Gittrone, +Lute, or Lyra, more fine and witty than those vnsauery Ballets that be +tuned and chaunted in the mouthes of the common sort. Beholde an Earle +well serued, and dressed by enioying so false a Woman, which had already +falsified the fayth betrouthed to hir husband, who was more honest, +milde, and vertuous than she deserued. Beholde also, yee Noble +Gentlemen, the simplicity of this good Earle, how it was deceyued by a +false and filthy strumpet, whose stincking lyfe and common vse of body +woulde haue withdrawen ech simple creature from mixture of their owne +wyth sutch a Carrion. A lesson to learne al youth to refrayne the +Whoorishe lookes of lighte conditioned Dames, a number (the more to +be pittied) shewinge foorth themselues to the Portsale of euery +Cheapener, that list demaunde the pryce, the grozenes whereof before +considered, were worthy to be defied and loathed. This Ladye seeinge her +Louer nousled in hir lust, dandled him with a thousand trumperyes, and +made +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page60" id = "page60">60</a></span> +hym holde the Mule, while other enioyed the secrete sporte which earst +hee vsed hymself. This acquayntance was so dangerous to the Counte, as +she hir selfe was shamelesse to the Counte of Celant: for the one bare +the armes of Cornwall, and became a seconde Acteon, and the other +wickedly led his lyfe, and lost the chiefest of that hee loked for by +the seruice of great Princes, throughe the treason of an arrante common +queane. Whiles this Loue contynued in al Pleasure and lyke contentation +of either parts: fortune that was ready to mounte the stage, and shew in +sight that her mobylytye was no more stable than a woman’s wyll<ins +class = "correction" title = "mismatched punctuation unchanged">: +</ins>for vnder sutch habite and sexe Painters and Poets describe +hir<ins class = "correction" title = "mismatched punctuation unchanged">) </ins>made Ardizzino suspecte what desire she had of +chaunge: and within a while after, sawe himselfe so farre misliked of +his Lady, as though he had neuer bene acquainted. The cause of which +recoile was, for that the Countesse was not contented with one kind of +fare, whose Eyes were more greedy than hir stomake able to digest, and +aboue al desired chaunge, not seking meanes to finde him that was worthy +to be beloued and intertayned of so great a Lady, as she esteemed hir +selfe to be, and as sutch of their owne opinion thinke themselues, who +counterfaicte more grauitie and reputation than they doe, whome Nature +and vertue for theyr maiesty and holynes of lyfe make Noble and praise +worthy. That desire deceiued hir nothing at all, for a certaine time +after that Ardizzino possessed the forte of this fayre Countesse, there +came to Pauia, one Roberto Sanseuerino earle of Gaiazzo, a yong and +valiaunte gentleman, whose Countreye lyeth on this side the Mountaines, +and was verye famylyar with the Earle of Massino. This vnfaythful Alcina +and cruel Medea had no soner cast hir Eye vppon Signor di Gaiazzo, but +was pierced with loue in sutch wise, as if forthwith shee had not +attayned hir desyres, she would haue run mad, bycause that Gentleman +bare a certayne statelye representatyon in hys Face, and promysed sutch +dexteritie in hys deedes, as sodaynly she thought him to be the man that +was able to staunch hir filthy thurst. And therfore so gently as she +could, gave ouer hir Ardizzino, with whom she vtterly refused to speake, +and shunned hys company when she saw him, and by shutting the gates +agaynst him: the Noble man was notable to forbeare from throwing forth +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page61" id = "page61">61</a></span> +some words of choler, wherby she tooke occasion both to expell him, and +also to beare hym sutch displeasure, as then she conspired his death, as +afterwards you shall perceyue. This greate hatred was the cause that she +fell in loue as you haue harde wyth the Counte of Gaiazzo, who shewed +vnto him all signe of Amitye, and seeing that hee made no greate sute +vnto hir, she wrote vnto him in this manner.</p> + + +<h4>The Letter of Bianca Marie, to the Counte of Gaiazzo.</h4> + +<p><span class = "firstword">Sir</span>, I doubt not by knowing the +state of my degree, but that ye blush to see the violence of my mynd, +which passing the limites of modesty, that ought to guard sutch a Lady +as I am, forceth me (vncertayn of the cause) to doe you vnderstand the +gryef that doeth torment me, which is of sutch constraynt, as if of +curtesie ye do not vouchsafe to come vnto me, you shall commyt two +faults, the one leauing the thing worthy for you to loue and regard, and +which deserueth not to be cast of, the other in causing the Death of +hir, that for Loue of you, is bereft of rest: wherby loue hath uery +little in me to sease vpon, either of heart or liberty. The ease of +which gryef proceedeth from your only grace, which is able to vanquyshe +hir, whose victorious hap hath conquered all other, and who attending +your resolut aunswer, shal rest vnder the mercifull refuge of hope, +whych deceiuing hir, shal se by that very meanes the wretched end of hir +that is al your owne.</p> + +<p class = "right">Bianca Maria Countesse of Celant.</p> + +<p>The yong Lorde mutch maruelled at this message, were it for that +already hee was in loue with hir, and that for loue of his friend +Ardizzino, durst not be known therof, or for that he feared she wold be +straught of wits, if she were despised, he determined to goe vnto hir, +and yet stayed thinking it not to be the part of a faythfull companyon +to deceiue his Friend: but in the end pleasure surmounting reason, and +the beauty ioyned wyth the good grace of the Lady hauing blinded him, +and bewitched his wits so wel as Ardizzino, he toke his way towards hir +house, who waited for him wyth good deuotion, whither being arriued, he +failed not to vse like spech that Valperga did, either of them (after +certain reuerences and other fewe words) minding and desyringe one kinde +of intertaynement. +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page62" id = "page62">62</a></span> +This practize dured certayn months, and the Countesse was so farre rapt +with her new louer, as she only employed hir self to please him, and he +shewed himself so affected as therby she thought to rule and gouerne him +in all things: wherof she was afterwards deceiued as you shall +vnderstand the maner. Ardizzino seing himself wholly abandoned the +presence and loue of his Lady, knowing that she railed vpon him in al +places where she came, departed Pauia halfe out of his wittes for Anger, +and so strayed from comely ordyr by reason of his rage, as hee displayed +the Countesse thre times more liuely in hir colours, than she could be +paynted, and reproued hir wyth the termes of the vilest and moste common +strumpet that euer ran at rouers, or shot at random. Bianca Maria +vnderstode hereof, and was aduertised of the vile report that Ardizzino +spread of hir, throughout Lombardie, which chaffed hir in sutch wyse as +she fared like the Bedlem fury, ceasing night nor day to playne the +vnkindnes and folly of hir reiected louer: somtimes saying, that she had +iust cause so to do, then flattering hir selfe, alledged, that men were +made of purpose to suffer sutch follyes as were wroughte by hir, and +where they termed themselues to bee Women’s Seruauntes, they ought at +theyr Mystresse Handes to endure what pleased them. In the end, not able +any longer to restrayne hir choler, ne vanquish the appetite of reuenge, +purposed at all aduenture to prouide for the death of her auncient +Enimy, and that by meanes of him whom she had now tangled in her Nettes. +See the vnshamefastnesse of this mastife bitche, and the rage of that +Female Tiger, howe shee goeth about to arme one friend against an other, +and was not content onely to abuse the Counte Gaiazzo, but deuised how +to make him the manqueller. And as one night they were in the middest of +their embracements, she began pitifully to weepe and sigh, in sutch wise +as a man would haue thought (by the vexation of hir hearte) that the +soule and body would haue parted. The younge Lorde louingly enquired the +cause of hir heauinesse: and sayd vnto hir, that if any had done hir +displeasure, hee would reuenge hir cause to hir contentment. She hearing +him say so, (then in studie vpon the deuice of hir Enimie’s death) spake +to the Counte in this manner: “You know sir, that the thing whych moste +tormenteth the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page63" id = "page63">63</a></span> +Gentle heart and minde that can abide no wronge, is defamation of +honoure and infamous reporte. Thus mutch I say for that the Lord of +Massino, (who to say the trouth, was fauoured of me in like sorte as you +be now) hath not been ashamed to publishe open slaunders agaynst me, as +thoughe I were the arrantest Whore that euer had giuen her self ouer to +the Galley slaues alongs the shore of Scicile. If he had vaunted the +fauour which I haue done him but to certayne of his privat Friendes, +I had incurred no slaunder at all, mutch lesse any lyttle +suspition, but hearyng the common reportes, the wrongfull Woordes and +wycked brutes that he hath raysed on me: I beseech you syr, to do +me reason that he may feele his offence and the smart for his committed +fault against hir that is al yours.” The Lord Sanseuerino hearyng this +discourse, promised hir to do hys best, and to teache Valperga to talke +more soberly of hir, whom he was not worthy for to serue, but in +thought. Notwithstandyng, he sayde more than he ment to do, for he knew +Ardizzino to be so honest, sage and curteous a personage, as hee would +neyther doe nor say any thing without good cause, and that Ardizzino had +iuster quarell agaynst him, by takyng that from hym whych hee loued +(althoughe it was after his discontinuance from that place, and vpon the +onely request of hir.) Thus he concluded in mind styl to remayne the +fryend of Ardizzino, and yet to spend his time with the Countesse, which +he did the space of certayn months without quarelling with Valperga, +that was retired to Pauie, with whom he was conuersant, and liued +familiarly, and most commonly vsed one table and bed togither. Bianca +Maria seeing that the Lord of Gaiazzo cared not mutch for hir, but onely +for his pleasure, determined to vse like practise against him, as she +did to hir former louer, and to banish him from hir House. So that when +he came to see hir, either she was sicke, or hir affaires were sutch, as +she could not kepe hym company: or else hir gate was shut vpon him. In +the end (playing double or quit) she prayed the sayd Lord to shewe hir +sutch pleasure and friendship, as to come no more vnto hir, bicause she +was in termes to goe home to hir husband the Counte of Celant, who had +sent for hir, and feared least his seruaunts shoulde finde her house ful +of suters, alleaging that she had liued long inoughe in +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page64" id = "page64">64</a></span> +that most sinful life, the lighest faultes whereof were to heynous for +dames of hir port and calling, concluding that so long as she lyued she +would beare him good affection for the Honest Company and conuersation +had betwene them, and for hys curtesie towards hir. The yong Earle, were +it that he gaue creadit vnto hir tale or not, made as though he did +beleue the same, and without longer dyscourse, forbare approche vnto hir +house, and droue out of his heade al the Amorous affection which he +caried to the Piedmont Circes. And to the ende he might haue no cause to +thinke vpon hir, or that his presence should make hym slaue againe to +hir that first pursued him, he retired in good time to Millan: by which +retire hee avoided that mishap, wherwith at length this Pestilent women +would haue cut him ouer the shinnes, euen when his mind was least +theron. Such was the malice and mischief of hir heart, who ceasing to +play the whore, applied hir whole pastime to murder. Gaiazzo being +departed from Pauie, thys Venus once agayne assayed the embracements of +hir Ardizzino, and knew not wel how to recouer hym agayne, bycause she +feared that the other had discouered the Enterpryse of his Murder. But +what dare not shee attempte whose mynde is slaue to sinne? The first +assayes be harde, and the minde doubtfull, and conscience gnaweth vpon +the worme of repentaunce, but the same once nousled in vice, and rooted +in the heart, it is more pleasaunte, and gladsome for the wicked to +execute, than vertue is familiar to those that follow hir: So that shame +separate from before the eyes of youth, riper age noursed in impudency, +their sight is so daseled, as they can see nothing that eyther shame or +feare can make them blush, which was the cause that this Lady, +continuinge still in hir mischiefe, so mutch practised the freendes of +hym whom she desired to kill, and made sutch fit excuse by hir +Ambassades, as hee was content to speake to hir, and to here hir +Iustifications, whych were easy inough to doe, the Iudge being not very +guilty. Shee promised and swore that if the fault were proued not to be +in him, neuer man should see Bianca Maria, (so long as she lyued) to be +other than a friend and slaue to the Lord Ardizzino, wholly submitting +hirselfe vnto his will and pleasure. See how peace was capitulated +betweene the two reconciled Louers, and what were the articles of +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page65" id = "page65">65</a></span> +the same, the Lorde of Massino entringe Possession agayne of the fort +that was reuolted, and was long tyme in the power of another. But when +he was seazed agayne, the Lady saw full wel, that hir recouered friend +was not so hard to please, as the other was, and that wyth him she liued +at greater liberty. Continuing then their amorous Daunce, and Ardizzino +hauing no more care but to reioyce himselfe, nor hys Lady, but to +cherishe and make mutch of hir friend, beholde eftsoones the desire of +Bloud and wyll of murder, newly reuiued in that new Megera, who incited +(I knowe not with what rage,) fansied to haue him slayne, whych +refused to kill hym, whom at this present shee loued as hirselfe. And he +that had inquired the cause thereof, I thyncke none other reason +coulde he rendred, but that a braynelesse heade and reasonlesse minde, +doe thincke most notable murders, and myschiefe be easie to be brought +to passe, who so strangely proceeded in disordred Lustes, which in fine +caused their myserable shame, and ruine, wyth the death of hirselfe and +hym, whom she had stirred to the fact, boldeninge him by persuasion, to +make him beleue Vyce to bee Vertue, and Gloriously commended hym in hys +follies, whych you shall heare by readinge at lengthe the discourse of +thys Hystory. Bianca Maria, seeing hirselfe in full possession of hir +Ardizzino, purposed to make hym chiefe executioner of the murder, by hir +intended, vpon Gaiazzo, for the doing whereof one night holdinge hym +betwene hir armes, after shee had long time dalyed with hym, like a +cunninge Maistresse of hir Art, in the ende weauinge and trayning hir +treason at large, she sayd thus vnto him: “Syr, of long time I haue bene +desirous to require a good turne at your hands, but fearing to trouble +you, and thereupon to be denied, I thought not to be importunate: +and albeit the matter toucheth you, yet did I rather holde my peace then +to here refusall of a thinge, which your selfe ought to profer, the same +concerning you.” “Madame,” sayd hir Louer, “you know the matter neede to +be haynous and of great importaunce, that I should deny you, specially +if it concerne the bleamish of your honor. But you say the same doth +touch mee somewhat neerely, and therefore if ability be in me, spare not +to vtter it, and I wyll assay your satisfaction to the vttermost of my +power.” “Syr,” sayd she, “is the Counte +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page66" id = "page66">66</a></span> +of Gaiazzo one of your very frends?” “I thinke” (aunswered +Valperga) “that he is one of the surest freends I haue, and in respect +of whose frendship, I will hazarde my selfe for him no lesse than +for my Brother, being certaine that if I have neede of him, he will not +fayle to do the like for me. But wherefore doe you aske me that +question?” “I will then tel you,” sayd the Traytresse (kissing him +so sweetely as euer he felt the like of any Woman,) “for somutch as you +be so deceyued of your opinion in him who is wicked in dissembling of +that, which maliciously lieth hidden in hys heart. And briefly to say +the effect: assure your selfe hee is the greatest and most mortall +Ennimy that you haue in the Worlde. And to the intent that you do not +think this to be some forged Tale, of light inuention, or that I heard +the report of some not worthy of credit, I will say nothinge but +that whych hymselfe did tell me, when in your absence he vsed my +company. He sware vnto me, without declaration of the cause, that hee +coulde neuer bee mery, nor hys mynde in rest, before hee saw you cut in +pieces, and shortly woulde giue you sutch assaulte, as al the dayes of +our lyfe, you shoulde neuer haue lust or mynde on Ladies loue. And +albeit then, I was in choler agaynst you, and that you had +ministred some cause, and reason of hatred, yet our first loue had taken +sutch force in my hart, and I besought him not to do that enterprise so +long as I was in place where you did remayne, because I cannot abide +(wythout present death) to see your finger ake, mutch lesse your lyfe +berieued from you. Vnto which my sute his Eare was deafe, swearing still +and protesting that either he would be slayne himselfe, or else dispatch +the Countee Ardizzino. I durst not” (quod she) “ne wel could as +then aduertise you thereof, for the smal accesse that my seruants had +vnto your lodging, but now I pray you to take good heede by preuenting +his diuelishe purpose: For better it were for you to take his lyfe, than +he to kill and murder you, or otherwyse work you mischiefe, and you shal +be esteemed the wiser man, and he pronounced a traytor to seeke the +death of him, that bare him sutch good will. Doe then accordinge to myne +aduice, and before he begin, doe you kill hym, by the which you shall +saue your selfe, and doe the part of a valyaunt knight, bisides, the +satisfying of the mynde of hir that +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page67" id = "page67">67</a></span> +aboue al pleasures of the World doth chiefly desire the same. Experience +now will let me proue whether you loue me or not, and what you will do +for hir that loueth you so dearly, who openeth this conspired murder, +aswell for your safety, as for lengthening of the lyfe of hir, which +wythout yours cannot endure: graunt this my sute (O friend most +deare) and suffer me not in sorrowfull plight to be despoyled of thy +presence: and wilt thou suffer that I shoulde dy, and that yonder +Proude, Trayterous, and vnfaythfull varlet should liue to laugh mee to +scorne?” If the Lady had not added those last words to hir foolish +sermon, perchaunce she might haue prouoked Ardizzino to folow hir +Counsell: but seeing hir so obstinately continue hir request, and to +prosecute the same with sutch violence, concluding vpon hir owne +quarrel, his conscience throbbed, and his minde measured the malice of +that Woman, with the honesty of him, against whom that tale was told, +who knew his frend to be so sound and trusty, as willingly he would not +do the thinge that should offend him, and therefore would geue no credit +to false report without good, and apparant proofe: for which cause hee +was persuaded that it was a malicious tale deuised by some that went +about to sowe debate betweene those two friendly earles. +Notwithstanding, vpon further pause, and not to make hir chafe, or force +hir into rage, he promised the execution of hir cursed wil, thanking hir +for hir aduertisement, and that he would prouide for hys defence and +surety: and to the intent that shee might thyncke he went about to +performe his promise, he tooke his leaue of hir to goe to Millan, which +hee did, not to follow the abhominable will of that rauenous Mastife, +but to reueale the matter to his companion, and direct the same as it +deserued. Being arriued at Millan, the chiefe Citty of Lombardy, he +imparted to Gaiazzo from poynct to poynct the discourse of the +Countesse, and the peticion shee made vnto hym, vppon the conclusion of +hir Tale: “O God” (sayd the lord Sanseuerino,) “who can beware the +traps of Whoores, if by thy grace our hands be not forbidden, and our +hearts and thoughts guided by thy goodnes? Is it possible that the Earth +can breede a Monster more pernicious than this most Pestilent Beast? +Thys is truely the grift of hir Father’s vsury, and the stench of all +hir Predecessours villanyes: it is impossible of a +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page68" id = "page68">68</a></span> +Kyte or Cormerant to make a good Sparhauk, or Tercle gentle. This carion +no doubt is the Daughter of a Vilayne, sprong of the basest race amongs +the common people, whose mother was more fine than chaste, more subtile +than sober: this minion hath forsaken hir husband, to erect bloudy +Skaffoldes of murder amid the Nobles of Italy: and were it not for the +dishonour which I should get to soyle my hands in the bloude of a Beast +so corrupt, I woulde teare hir with my Teeth in a hundreth Thousand +peeces: how many times hath she entreated mee before: in how many sundry +sortes with ioyned handes hath she besought mee to kill the Lorde +Ardizzino? Ah, my Companion, and right well beloued Freende, can you +thincke mee to bee so Trayterous, and Cowarde a Knaue, as that I dare +not tell to them to whome I beare displeasure what mallice lurketh in my +heart?” “By the fayth of a Gentleman,” (sayd Ardizzino,) “I would +be sory my mynd should seaze on sutch Folly, but I am come to reueale +thys vnto you, that the Song might sound no more wythin myne eares. It +behoueth vs then, sith God hath kept vs hytherto, to avoyde the ayre of +that infection, that our braynes be not putrified, and from henceforth +to fly those Bloudsuckers, the Schollers of Venus: and truely great +dishonour would redound to vs, to kill one an other for the onely +pastime and sottish fansie of that mynion: I haue repented me an +hundred times when she first mooued mee of the deuice to kill you, that +I did not geeue a hundred Poignaladoes wyth my Dagger, to stop the way +by that example for all other to attempt sutch Butcheries: for I am well +assured that the mallyce whych shee beareth you, proceedeth but of the +delay you made for satisfaction of hir murderous desire, whereof I +thancke you, and yelde my selfe in all causes to imploy my lyfe, and +that I haue, to do you seruice.” “Leaue we of that talk” (sayd Gaiazzo) +“for I haue done but my duety, and that which ech Noble heart ought to +euery wight, doing wrong to none, but prone to help, and doe good to +all: whych is the true marke and Badge of Nobility. Touching that +malignant Strumpet, hir owne lyfe shall reuenge the wrongs which she +hath gone about to venge on vs. In meane while let vs reioyce, and +thincke the goods, and richesse shee hath gotten of vs, wil not cause +hir Bagges mutch to Strout and Swel. +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page69" id = "page69">69</a></span> +To be short, she hath nothing whereby she may greatly laugh vs to +scorne, except our good entertainment of hir night and day do prouoke +hir: let other coyne the pence henceforth to fill her Coafers, for of vs +(so farre as I see) she is deceyued.” Thus the two Lordes passed forth +their tyme, and in all Companies where they came, they spent their +Talke, and Communication of the disordered lyfe of the Countesse of +Celant. The whole Citty also rang of the sleights and meanes she vsed to +trappe the Noblemen, and of her pollicies to be rid of them when her +thirst was stanched, or diet grew lothesome for want of chaunge. And +that whych greued hir most, an Italyan Epigram blased forth hir prowes +to hir great dishonour, whereof the Copy I cannot get, and some say that +Ardizzino was the author: for it was composed, when he was dispossessed +of pacience: and if shee coulde haue wreked hir will on the knights, +I beleeue in hir rage she would haue made an Anathomy of their +Bones. Of whych hir two enimies, Ardizzino was the greatest, agaynst +whom hir displeasure was the more, for that he was the first with whom +she entred skirmish. Nothing was more frequent in Pauy, than villanous +Iests, and Playes vppon the filthy Behauiour of the Countesse, which +made hir ashamed to goe out of hir Gates. In the ende shee purposed to +chaunge the Ayre and place, hoping by that alteration to stay the +Infamous Brute, and Slaunder: so she came to Millan, where first she was +inuested wyth state of honour, in honest Fame of Chaste lyfe so longe as +Vicount Hermes liued, and then was not pursued to staunch the thirst of +those that did ordinarily draw at hir Fountayne. About the tyme that she +departed from Pauy, Dom Pietro de Cardone a Scicilian, the Bastard +Brother of the Counte of Colisano, whose Lieuetenaunt he was, and their +father slayn at the Battayle of Bicocca wyth a band of horsemen arriued +at Milan. This Scicilian was about the age of one or two and twenty +yeres, somwhat black of face, but well made and sterne of countenance: +whiles the Countesse soiorned at Milan, this gentleman fell in loue with +hir, and searched all meanes he coulde to make hir hys friende, and to +enioy hir: who perceyuing him to be young, and a Nouice in Skirmishes of +Loue, lyke a Pigeon of the first coate, determined +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page70" id = "page70">70</a></span> +to lure him, and to serue hir turne in that which shee purposed to doe +on those agaynst whom shee was outragiously offended. Now the better to +entice thys younge Lorde vnto her Fantasye, and to catch hym wyth hir +bayte, when hee passed through the Streate, and saluted hir, and when he +Syghed after the manner of the Spaniard, rominge before hys Lady, shee +shewed him an indifferent mery Countenaunce, and sodaynely restrayned +that Cheere, to make hym taste the pleasure mingled with the soure of +one desire, which he could not tel how to accomplish: and the more faynt +was his hardines for that he was neuer practised in the daliance and +seruice of Lady of noble house or calling, who thincking that the +Gentlewoman was one of the Principall of Millan, he was straungely +vexed, and tormented for hir loue, in sutch wyse as in the night he +could not rest for fantasing, and thynking vpon hir, and in the Day +passed up and downe before the Doore of her lodging. One eueninge for +his disport hee went forth to walke in company of another Gentleman, +which well could play vppon the Lute, and desired him to gieue awake +vnto hys Lady, that then for iealousie was harkeninge at hir window, +both of the sounde of the Instrument, and the Ditty of hir amorous +Knight, where the Gentleman song thys Sonet.</p> + +<div class = "verse"> +<p>The death with trenchant dart, doth brede in brest sutch il,</p> +<p>As I cannot forget the smart, that thereby riseth stil.</p> +<p>Yet neerthelesse I am, the ill it selfe in deede,</p> +<p>That death with daily dolours deepe, within my breast doth +breede.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +I am my Mistresse thrall, and yet I doe not kno,</p> +<p>If she beare me good will at all, or if she loue or no.</p> +<p>My wound is made so large, with bitter wo in brest,</p> +<p>That still my heart prepares a place to lodge a carefull guest.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +O dame that hath my lyfe and death at thy desire.</p> +<p>Come ease my mind, wher fancies flames doth burne like Ethna +fire,</p> +<p>For wanting thee my life is death and doleful cheere,</p> +<p>And finding fauor in thy sight, my dayes are happy heere.</p> +</div> + +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page71" id = "page71">71</a></span> +<p>Then he began to sigh so terribly, as if already she had geuen +sentence, and difinitiue Iudgement of his farewell, and disputed with +his fellow in sutch sort, and wyth Opinion so assured of hys contempt, +as if he had bene in loue with some one of the Infants of Spayne: for +which cause he began very pitifully to sing these verses.</p> + +<div class = "verse"> +<p>That God that made my soule, and knows what I haue felt,</p> +<p>Who causeth sighes and sorows oft, the sely soule to swelt,</p> +<p>Doth see my torments now, and what I suffer still,</p> +<p>And vnderstands I tast mo griefs, than I can shew by skill.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +Hee doth consent I wot, to my ill hap and woe,</p> +<p>And hath accorded with the dame that is my pleasaunt foe,</p> +<p>To make my boyling brest abound in bitter blisse,</p> +<p>And so bereue me of my rest, when heart his hope shall misse.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +O what are not the songs, and sighs that louers haue,</p> +<p>When night and day with sweete desires, they draw vnto their +graue,</p> +<p>Their grief by frendship growes, where ruth nor pity raynes,</p> +<p>And so like snow against the Sun, they melt away with pains.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +My dayes must finish so, my destny hath it set,</p> +<p>And as the candle out I goe, before hir grace I get.</p> +<p>Before my sute be heard, my seruice throughly knowne,</p> +<p>I shalbe layd in Toumbe ful low, so colde as Marble stone.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +To thee fayre Dame I cry, that makes my senses arre,</p> +<p>And plantest peace within my brest and then makes sodain war:</p> +<p>Yet at thy pleasure still, thou must my sowre make sweete,</p> +<p>In graunting me the fauour due, for faythfull Louers meete.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +Which fauor geue me now, and to thy Noble mynde,</p> +<p>I doe remayne a Galley slaue, as thou by proofe shall finde.</p> +<p>And so thou shalt release my heart from cruell bandes,</p> +<p>And haue his fredome at thy wil that yelds into thy handes.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page72" id = "page72">72</a></span> +<p class = "stanza"> +So rendring all to thee, the gods may ioyne vs both</p> +<p>Within one lawe and league of loue, through force of constant +troth.</p> +<p>Then shalt thou mistresse be, of lyfe, of Limme and all,</p> +<p>My goods, my golde, and honour, loe! shall so be at thy call.</p> +</div> + +<p>Thys gentle order of loue greatly pleased the Lady, and therefore +opened hir gate to let the Scicilian lorde, who seeing hymselfe fauoured +(beyond all hope) of his Lady, and cheerefully intertayned, and +welcommed with great curtesie stoode so still astonnied, as if hee had +beene fallen from the Cloudes: but she which coulde teache hym good +manner, to make hym the minister of hir myschiefe, takynge hym by the +hande, made hym sit downe vpon a greene Bed besydes hir, and seeing that +he was not yet imboldened, for all hee was a Souldiour, shee shewed hir +selfe more hardy than hee, and firste assayled hym wyth talke, sayinge: +“Syr, I praye you thinke it not straunge, if at thys houre of the +nyght, I am bolde to cause you enter my house, beinge of no great +acquayntaunce wyth you, but by hearinge your curteous salutations: and +wee of thys Countrey bee somewhat more at liberty than they in those +partes from whence you come: besides it lyketh mee well (as I am able) +to honour straunge gentlemen, and to retayne theym with right good +willinge heart, sith it pleaseth theym to honour mee wyth repayre vnto +my house: so shall you be welcome styll when you please to knocke at my +Gate, whych at all tymes I wyll to be opened for you, wyth no lesse good +wyll than if yee were my naturall Brother, the same wyth all the thinges +therein, it may please you to dispose as if they were your own.” Dom +Pietro of Cardonne well satisfied, and contented wyth thys vnlooked for +kyndnesse, thanked her very Curteously, humbly praying hir besides to +dayne it in good parte, if he were so bolde to make requeste of loue, +and that it was the onelye thynge which hee aboue all other desyred +moste, so that if shee would receiue him for hir friende and Seruaunt, +shee shoulde vnderstande him to be a Gentleman, which lightly woulde +promise nothing excepte the accomplishment did followe: she that sawe a +greater onset than she loked for, answered hym smilyng with a very good +grace: +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page73" id = "page73">73</a></span> +“Sir, I haue knowne very many that haue vouched slipperie promyses, +and proffered lordly seruices vnto Ladies, the effect wherof if I myght +once see, I would not thinke that they coulde vanishe so soone, and +consume like smoake.” “Madame” (sayde the Scicilian) “yf I fayle in any +thing which you commaunde mee, I praye to God neuer to receiue any +fauor or grace of those Curtesies whych I craue.” “If then” (quod shee) +“you wyl promise to employ your selfe aboute a businesse that I haue to +do when I make request, I wyll also to accept you for a friende, +and graunt sutch secrecie as a faithful louer can desyre of his Lady.” +Dom Pietro which would have offred hym selfe in Sacrifice for hir, not +knowyng hir demaunde, tooke an othe, and promysed hir so lyghtly as +madly afterwardes he did put the same in proofe. Beholde the +preparatiues of the obsequies of their first loue, and the guages of a +bloudie Bed: the one was prodigall of hir honoure, the other the +tormente of his reputation, and neglected the duety and honor of his +state, which the house wherof he came, commaunded hym to kepe. Thus all +the nyght he remained with Bianca Maria, who made him so wel to like hir +good entertaynment and imbracementes, as he neuer was out of her +Company. And the warie Circes fayned her self so fare in loue wyth hym, +and vsed so many toyes and gametricks of her filthy science, as he not +onelye esteemed hym selfe the happiest Gentleman of Scicilia, but the +most fortunate wight of all the Worlde, and by bibbing of hir Wyne was +so straungely charmed with the Pleasures of his fayre Mystresse, as for +hir sake he would haue taken vpon him the whole ouerthrowe of Milan, so +well as Blose of Cumes to sette the Cittye of Rome on fire, if Tyberius +Gracchus the sedicious, woulde haue giuen it him in charge. Sutch is the +manner of wilde and foolish youth, whych suffreth it selfe to be caried +beyonde the boundes of reason. The same in time past did ouerthrow many +Realmes, and caused the chaunge of diuers Monarchies: and truely +vnseemely it is for a man to be subdued to the will of a common +strumpet. And as it is vncomly to submit him selfe to sutch one, so not +requisite to an honest and vertuous Dame, his maried Wyfe. Which vnmanly +deedes, be occasions that diuers Foolishe Women commit sutch filthy +factes, with +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page74" id = "page74">74</a></span> +their inspekable trumperies begiling the simple man, and perchance +through to mutch losing the Bridle raynes to the lawfull Wyfe, the poore +man is strangely deceyued by some adulterous varlet, whych at the Wyue’s +commaundment, when she seeth oportunity, wil not shrinke to hazarde the +honour of them both, in sutch wise as they serue for an example vppon a +common Scaffold to a whole generation and Posterity. I wyll not +seeke farre of for examples, being satisfied with the folly of the +Bastard Cardonne, to please the cruelty and malice of that infernall +fury the Countesse, who hauinge lulled, flattered, and bewitched with +hir louetricks (and peraduenture with some charmed drinke) her new +Pigeon, seeinge it time to solicite his promise, to be reuenged of +those, whych thought no more of hir conspiracies and trayterous deuises, +and also when the time was come for punishinge of hir whoredome, and +chastising of the breach of fayth made to hir husbande, and of hir +intended murders, and some of them put in execution, she I say, desirous +to see the ende of that, which in thought she had contryued, vppon a day +tooke Dom Pietro aside, and secretly began this Oration: “I take +God to witnes (sir) that the request which I pretend presently to make, +proceedeth of desire rather that the Worlde may know how iustly I seeke +meanes to mayntayne myne honour, than for desire of reuenge, knowinge +very well, that there is nothing so precious, and deere vnto a woman, as +the preseruation of that inestimable Iewell, specially in a Lady of that +honourable degre whych I mayntayne amonge the best. And to the intent I +seeme not tedious with prolixity of words, or vse other than direct +circumstances before him that hath offred iust reuenge for the wrongs I +haue receyued: knowe you sir, that for a certain tyme I continued at +Pauie, kepynge a house and Trayne so honest, as the best Lords were +contented wyth myne ordinarye. It chaunced that two honest Gentlemen of +Noble House haunted my Palace in lyke sort, and with the same +intertainment whych as you see, I doe receiue ech Gentleman, who +beyng well intreated and honoured of me, in the ende forgat themselues +so farre, as without respect of my state and callinge, wythout regard of +the race and family wherof they come, haue attempted the slaunder of my +good name, and vtter subuersion of my +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page75" id = "page75">75</a></span> +renoume: and sufficient it was not for them thus to deale with mee poore +Gentlewoman, without desert (excepte it were for admyttyng them to haue +accesse vnto my house) but also to continue their Blasphemies, to myne +extreame reproach and shame: and howe true the same is, they that know +me can well declare, by reason whereof, the vulgar people prone and +ready to wycked reportes, haue conceiued sutch opynion of me, as for +that they see me braue and fine in Apparell, and specyally throughe the +slaunderous speache of those gallantes, do deeme and repute me for a +common Whoore, wherof I craue none other wytnesse than your selfe and my +conscience. And I sweare vnto you, that sith I came to Milan, it is you +alone that hath vanquished, and made the Triumphe of my Chastytye: and +yf you were absent from this Citye, I assure you on my fayth that I +would not tarry heere <span class = "smallroman">XXIIII.</span> houres. +These infamous ruffians I say, these persecuters and termagantes of my +good name, haue chased mee out of all good Cityes, and made me to be +abhorred of ech honest company, that weary I am of my lyfe, and lothe to +lyue any longer except spedye redresse bee had for reuengement of thys +wronge: wherefore except I finde some Noble Champion and Valyaunte +Personage to requyte these Vyllains for their spitefull Speach blased on +me in euerye Corner of Towne and Countreye, and to paye them theyr +rewarde and hire that I may lyue at Lybertye and quyet, Sorrowe wyll +eyther consume mee or myne owne handes shall hasten spedye Death.” And +in speakyng those Woordes, shee beganne to weepe with sutch abundance of +teares streaming downe hir Cheekes and Necke of Alabaster hewe, as the +Scicilian whych almost had none other God but the Countesse, sayd vnto +hir: “And what is he, that dare molest and slaunder hir that hath in hir +puissaunce so many Souldiers and men of Warre? I make a vow to God, +that if I know the names of those two arrant villaynes, the which haue +so defamed my Mystresse name, the whole worlde shall not saue their +liues, whose carrion Bodies I will hew into so many gobbets, as they +haue members vpon the same: wherefore Madame” (sayd he, imbracing her) +“I pray you to grieue your selfe no more, commit your wronges to +me, only tell me the names of those Gallaunts, and afterwards you shall +vnderstande +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page76" id = "page76">76</a></span> +what difference I make of woorde and deede, and if I doe not trimme and +dresse theym so finely, as hereafter they shall haue no neede of Barber, +neuer trust me any more.” Shee, as reuiued from death to lyfe, kyssed +and embraced him a thousand tymes, thankinge hym for his good will, and +offering him all that she had. In the ende she tolde him that hir +enimies were the counties of Massino and Gaiazzo, which but by theyr +deaths alone were not able to amend and repayre hir honour. “Care not +you” (sayde hee) “for before that the Sunne shall spreade his Beames +twice 24 houres vpon the earth, you shall heare newes, and know what I +am able to do for the chastisement of those deuils.” As he promised, hee +fayled not to do: for wythin a whyle after as Ardizzino was goinge to +supper into the Citty, he was espyed by hym, that had in company +attendaunt vppon hym fyue and twenty men of Armes, which waited for +Ardizzino, in a Lane on the left hand of the Streate called Merauegli, +leading towards the church of Sainct Iames, through which the Countee +must needes passe. Who as he was going very pleasantly disposed with his +brother, and 5 or 6 of his men, was immediately assayled on euery side, +and not knowinge what it ment, would haue fled, but the Wayes, and +Passages were stopped rounde aboute: to defende himselfe it auayled not +hauing but their single Swords, and amid the troupe of sutch a bande +that were throughly armed, which in a moment had murdred, and cut in +peeces all that company. And although it was late, yet the Countie +Ardizzino many times named Dom Pietro, which caused hym to be taken, and +imprisoned by the Duke of Bourbon, that was fled out of Fraunce, and +then was Lieutenaunt for the Emperour Charles the fifth in Milan. +Whosoeuer was astonned and amazed with that Imprisonment, it is to bee +thoughte that the Scicilan was not greatly at his ease and quiet, who +needed no torments to force him confesse the fact, for of his owne +accorde voluntarily he dysclosed the same, but he sayde he was prouoked +thervnto by the persuasion of Bianca Maria telling the whole discourse +as you haue heard before. She had already intelligence of this chaunce, +and might haue fled and saued hir selfe before the fact (by the +confession of Dom Pietro) had ben discouered, and attended in some +secrete place till that stormie +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page77" id = "page77">77</a></span> +time had bene calmed and appeased. But God which is a rightfull iudge +woulde not suffer hir wickednesse stretch any further, sith she hauing +found out sutch a nimble and wilful executioner, the Countee of Gaiazzo +could not long haue remained aliue, who then in good time and happy +houre was absent out of the City. So soone as Dom Pietro had accused the +Countesse, the Lord of Bourbon sente her to pryson, and being examined, +confessed the whole matter, trustinge that hir infinite numbre of +Crownes woulde haue corrupted the Duke, or those that represented his +person. But hir Crownes and Lyfe passed all one way. For the day after +hir imprisonment shee was condempned to lose hir heade: and in the meane +time Dom Pietro was saued, by the diligence and suite of the Captaynes, +and was employed in other Warres, to whom the Duke gaue him, for that he +was lothe to lose so notable a Souldiour, the very right hand of his +Brother the Countee of Colisano. The Countesse hauing sentence +pronounced vppon hir, but trusting for pardon, would not prepare hir +selfe to dy, ne yet by any meanes craue forgiuenes of hir faults at the +hands of God, vntil she was conueyed out of the Castell, and ledde to +the common place of execution, where a Scaffolde was prepared for hir to +play the last Acte of thys Tragedy. Then the miserable Lady began to +know hirselfe, and to confesse hir faults before the people, deuoutly +praying God, not to haue regard to hir demerites, ne yet to determine +his wrath agaynst hir, or enter with hir in iudgement, for so mutch as +if the same were decreed accordinge to hir iniquity, no saluation was to +be looked for. She besought the people to pray for hir, and the countee +of Gaiazzo that was absent, to pardon hir malice, and treason which she +had deuised agaynst him. Thus miserably and repentantly dyed the +Countesse, which in hir lyfe refused not to imbrace and follow any +wickednes, no mischiefe shee accompted euill done, so the same were +imployed for hir pleasure and pastime. A goodly example truely for +the youth of our present time, sith the most part indifferently do +launch into the gulfe of disordred lyfe, suffring themselues to bee +plunged in the puddles of their owne vayne conceiptes, without +consideration of the mischieues that may ensue. If the Lord of Cardonne +had not bene beloued of his generall, into what calamity had he fallen +for +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page78" id = "page78">78</a></span> +yeldinge himselfe a pray to that bloudy Woman who had more regarde to +the light, and wilfull fansie of hir, whom he serued like a slaue, than +to his duety and estimation? And truely all sutch be voyde of their +right wits, which thincke themselues beloued of a Whoore. For their +amity endureth no longer than they sucke from their pursses and bodies +any profit or pleasure. And because almost euery day semblable examples +be seene, I will leaue of this discourse, to take me to a matter, +not farre more pleasaunt than this, although founded vpon better +grounde, and stablished upon loue, the first onset of lawfull mariage, +the successe whereof chaunced to murderous ende, and yet the same +intended by neyther of the beloued: as you shall be iudge by the +continuance of reading of the history ensuing. Beare with me good Ladyes +(for of you alone I craue this pardon) for introducing the Whoorish lyfe +of the Countesse, and hir bloudy enterprise: bicause I know right wel, +that recitall of murders, and bloudy facts wearieth the mindes of those +that loue to lyue at rest, and wish for fayre weather after the +troublesome stormes of raging Seas, no lesse than the Pilote and wise +Mariner, hauing long time endured and cut the perillous straicts of the +Ocean Sea. And albeit the corruption of our nature be so great, as +follies delighte vs more than ernest matters fraught wyth reason and +wisedome, yet I thinke not that our mindes be so peruerted and diuided +from trouth, but sometimes wee care and seeke to speake more grauely +than the countrey Hynde, or more soberly than they, whose lyues do beare +the marke of infamy, and be to euery wight notorious for the onely name +of their vocation. Suffiseth vs that an Hystory, be it neuer so full of +sporte and pleasure, do bring with it instruction of our lyfe, and +amendement of our maners. And wee ought not to be so curious or +scrupulous, to reiect merry and pleasant deuises that be voide of +harmeful talke, or wythout sutch glee as may hynder the education of +Youth procliue, and ready to choose that is corrupt, and naught. The +very bookes of holy scriptures doe describe vnto vs persons that bee +vicious, and so detestable as nothing more, whose factes vnto the simple +may seeme vnseemely, vpon the least recitall of the same. And shall wee +therefore reiect the readinge, and eschue those holy bookes? God forbid, +but with diligence to +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page79" id = "page79">79</a></span> +beware, that we do not resemble those that be remembred there for +example, forsomutch as speedely after sinne, ensueth grieuous, and as +sodayne punishment. For which cause I haue selected these Historyes, of +purpose to aduertise Youth, how they that follow the way of damnable +iniquity, fayle not shortly after their great offences, and execution of +their outragious vices, to feele the iust and mighty hand of God, who +guerdoneth the good for their good works and deedes, and rewardeth the +euil for their wickednes and mischiefe. Now turne we then to the Hystory +of two, the rarest Louers that euer were, the performaunce, and +finishinge whereof, had it bene so prosperous as the beginning, they had +ioyed ioyfully the Fruicts of their intent, and two noble houses of one +City reconciled to perpetuall frendship.</p> + + +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page80" id = "page80">80</a></span> +<h3><a name = "novel2_25" id = "novel2_25"> +THE TWENTY-FIFTH NOUELL.</a></h3> + +<p class = "summary"> +The goodly Hystory of the true, and constant Loue between Rhomeo and +Ivlietta, the one of whom died of Poyson, and the other of sorrow, and +heuinesse: wherein be comprysed many aduentures of Loue, and other +deuises touchinge the same.</p> + +<p><span class = "firstword">I am</span> sure that they which measure +the Greatnesse of Goddes worked accordinge to the capacity of their +Rude, and simple vnderstandinge, wyll not lightly adhibite credite vnto +thys History, so wel for the variety of straunge Accidents which be +therein described, as for the nouelty of so rare, and perfect amity. But +they that haue read Plinie, Valerius Maximus, Plutarche, and diuers +other Writers, do finde, that in olde time a great number of Men and +Women haue died, some of excessiue ioy, some of ouermutch sorrow, and +some of other passions: and amongs the same, Loue is not the least, +whych when it seazeth vppon any kynde and gentle subiect, and findeth no +resistaunce to serue for a rampart to stay the violence of his course, +by little and little vndermineth, melteth and consumeth the vertues of +naturall powers in sutch wyse as the spyrite yealdinge to the burden, +abandoneth the place of lyfe: which is verified by the pitifull, and +infortunate death of two Louers that surrendered their last Breath in +one Toumbe at Verona a Citty of Italy, wherein repose yet to thys day +(with great maruell) the Bones, and remnauntes of their late louing +bodies: an hystory no lesse wonderfull than true. If then perticular +affection which of good right euery man ought to beare to the place +where he was borne, doe not deceyue those that trauayle, I thincke +they will confesse wyth me, that few Citties in Italy, can surpasse the +sayd Citty of Verona, aswell for the Nauigable riuer called Adissa, +which passeth almost through the midst of the same, and thereby a great +trafique into Almayne, as also for the prospect towards the Fertile +Mountaynes, and pleasant valeys whych do enuiron the same, with a great +number of very clere and lyuely fountaynes, that serue for the ease and +commodity of the place. Omittinge (bisides many other singularities) +foure Bridges, and an +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page81" id = "page81">81</a></span> +infinite number of other honourable Antiquities dayly apparaunt vnto +those, that be to curious to viewe and looke vpon them. Which places I +haue somewhat touched, bicause thys most true History which I purpose +hereafter to recite, dependeth thereupon, the memory whereof to thys day +is so wel known at Verona, as vnneths their blubbred Eyes be yet dry, +that saw and beheld that lamentable sight. When the Senior Escala was +Lord of Verona, there were two families in the Citty, of farre greater +fame than the rest, aswell for riches as Nobility: the one called the +Montesches, and the other the Capellets: but lyke as most commonly there +is discorde amongs theym which be of semblable degree in honour, euen so +there hapned a certayne enmity betweene them: and for so mutch as the +beginning thereof was vnlawfull, and of ill foundation, so lykewyse in +processe of time it kindled to sutch flame, as by diuers and sundry +deuyses practised on both sides, many lost their lyues. The Lord +Bartholmew of Escala, (of whom we haue already spoken) being Lord of +Verona, and seeing sutch disorder in his common weale, assayed diuers +and sundry waies to reconcile those two houses, but all in vayne: for +their hatred had taken sutch roote, as the same could not be moderated +by any wyse counsell or good aduice: betweene whom no other thing could +be accorded, but geuing ouer Armour, and Weapon for the time, attending +some other season more conuenient, and wyth better leysure to appease +the rest. In the time that these thinges were adoing, one of the family +of Montesches called Rhomeo, of the age of 20 or 21. yeares, the +comliest and best conditioned Gentleman that was amonges the Veronian +youth, fell in loue with a yong Gentlewoman of Verona, and in few dayes +was attached with hir Beauty, and good behauiour, as he abandoned all +other affaires and busines, to serue and honour hir: and after many +Letters, Ambassades, and presents, he determined in the ende to speake +vnto hir, and to disclose hys passions, which he did without any other +practise. But she which was vertuously brought vp, knew how to make him +so good answer to cut of his amorous affections, as he had no lust after +that time to returne any more, and shewed hir self so austere, and +sharpe of Speach, as she vouchsafed not with one looke to behold him. +But how mutch the young Gentleman saw hir whist, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page82" id = "page82">82</a></span> +and silent, the more he was inflamed: and after he had continued +certayne months in that seruice wythout remedy of his griefe, he +determined in the ende to depart Verona, for proofe if by chaunge of the +place he might alter his affection, saying to himselfe: “What do I meane +to loue one that is so vnkinde, and thus doth disdayn me: I am all +hir owne, and yet she flieth from me. I can no longer liue, except +hir presence I doe enioy: and she hath no contented mynde, but when she +is furthest from me: I will then from henceforth Estraunge my selfe +from hir, for it may so come to passe by not beholding hir, that thys +fire in me which taketh increase and nourishment by hir fayre Eyes, by +little and little may dy and quench.” But minding to put in <ins class = +"correction" title = "error for ‘proofe’">proose</ins> what he thought, +at one instant hee was reduced to the contrary, who not knowing +whereupon to resolue, passed dayes and nights in marueilous Playnts, and +Lamentations: for Loue vexed him so neare, and had so well fixed the +Gentlewoman’s Beauty within the Bowels of his heart, and mynde, as not +able to resist, hee faynted with the charge, and consumed by little and +little as the Snow agaynst the Sunne: whereof hys parenttes, and kinred +did maruayle greatly, bewaylinge hys misfortune, but aboue all other one +of hys Companyons of riper Age, and Counsell than hee, began sharpely to +rebuke him: for the loue that he bare him was so great as hee felt hys +Martirdome, and was pertaker of hys passion: which caused him by ofte +viewyng his friend’s disquietnesse in amorous panges, to say thus vnto +him: “Rhomeo, I maruell mutch that thou spendest the best time of +thine age, in pursute of a thing, from which thou seest thy self +despised and banished, wythout respecte either to thy prodigall +dispense, to thine honor, to thy teares, or to thy myserable lyfe, which +be able to moue the most constant to pity: wherefore I pray thee for the +Loue of our auncient amity, and for thyne health sake, that thou wilt +learn to be thine owne man, and not to alyenat thy lyberty to any so +ingrate as she is: for so farre as I coniecture by things that are +passed betwene you, either she is in loue wyth some other, or else +determineth neuer to loue any. Thou arte yong, rich in goods and +fortune, and more excellent in beauty than any Gentleman in thys Cyty: +thou art well learned, and the onely sonne of the house wherof thou +commest: what gryef would +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page83" id = "page83">83</a></span> +it bee to thy poore olde Father and other thy parentes, to see the so +drowned in this dongeon of Vyce, specially at that age wherein thou +oughtest rather to put them in some Hope of thy Vertue? begyn then from +henceforth to acknowledge thyne error, wherein thou hast hitherto lyued, +doe away that amorous vaile or couerture whych blyndeth thyne Eyes and +letteth thee to folow the ryghte path, wherein thine auncestors haue +walked: or else if thou do feele thy self so subiect to thyne owne wyll, +yelde thy hearte to some other place, and chose some Mistresse accordyng +to thy worthynesse, and henceforth doe not sow thy Paynes in a Soyle so +barrayne whereof thou reapest no Fruycte: the tyme approcheth when al +the Dames of the Cyty shal assemble, where thou mayst behold sutch one +as shall make thee forget thy former gryefs.” Thys younge Gentleman +attentyuely hearyng all the persuadyng reasons of hys fryend, began +somewhat to moderate that heate and to acknowledge all the exhortatyons +which hee had made to be directed to good purpose: and then determined +to put them in proofe, and to be present indifferently at al the feasts +and assemblies of the City, without bearing affection more to one Woman +than to an other: and continued in thys manner of Lyfe, <span class = +"smallroman">II.</span> or <span class = "smallroman">III.</span> +monthes, thinking by that meanes to quench the sparks of auncient +flames. It chaunced then within few dayes after, about the feast of +Chrystmasse, when feasts and bankets most commonly be vsed, and maskes +accordinge to the custome frequented, that Anthonie Capellet being the +Chief of that Familye, and one of the principall Lords of the City too, +made a banket, and for the better Solempnization thereof, inuited all +the Noble men and dames, to which Feast resorted the most part of the +youth of Verona. The family of the Capellets (as we haue declared in the +beginninge of thys Hystory) was at variance with the Montesches, which +was the cause that none of that family repaired to that Banket, but +onelye the yong Gentleman Rhomeo, who came in a maske after supper with +certaine other yong Gentlemen: and after they had remained a certayne +space with their visards on, at length they did put of the same, and +Rhomeo very shamefast, withdrew himself into a Corner of the Hall: but +by reason of the light of the Torches which burned very bright, he was +by and by +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page84" id = "page84">84</a></span> +knowen and loked vpon of the whole Company, but specially of the Ladies, +for besides his Natiue Beauty wherewyth Nature had adorned him, they +maruelled at his audacity how hee durst presume to enter so secretly +into the House of that Famyllye which had litle cause to do him any +good. Notwithstanding, the Capellets dissembling their mallice, either +for the honor of the company, or else for respect of his Age, did not +misuse him eyther in Worde or Deede: by meanes whereof wyth free liberty +he behelde and viewed the Ladies at hys Pleasure, which hee dyd so well, +and wyth grace so good, as there was none but did very well lyke the +presence of his person: and after he had particularly giuen Iudgement +vppon the excellency of each one, according to his affection, hee sawe +one Gentlewoman amonges the reste of surpassinge Beautye who (althoughe +hee had neuer seene hir tofore) pleased him aboue the rest, and +attributed vnto hir in heart the Chyefest place for all perfection in +Beautye: and feastyng hir incessantlye with piteous lookes, the Loue +whych hee bare to his first Gentlewoman, was ouercomen with this newe +fire, that toke sutch norishment and vigor in his hart, as he was not +able neuer to quench the same but by Death onely: as you may vnderstande +by one of the strangest discourses, that euer any mortal man deuised. +The yong Rhomeo then felying himselfe thus tossed wyth thys newe +Tempest, could not tell what countenaunce to vse, but was so surprised +and chaunged with these last flames, as he had almost forgotten +himselfe, in sutch wise as he had not audacity to enquyre what she was, +and wholly bente himself to feede hys Eyes with hir sighte, wherewyth he +moystened the sweete amorous venome, which dyd so empoyson him, as hee +ended hys Dayes with a kinde of most cruell death. The Gentlewoman that +dydde put Rhomeo to sutch payne was called Iulietta, and was the +Daughter of Capellet, the mayster of the house wher that assembly was, +who as hir Eyes did rolle and wander too and fro, by chaunce espied +Rhomeo, which vnto hir seemed to be the goodliest personage that euer +shee sawe: and Loue (which lay in wayte neuer vntill that time,) +assayling the tender heart of that yong Gentlewoman, touched hir so at +the quicke, as for any resistance she coulde make, was not able to +defende his forces, and then began to set at naught +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page85" id = "page85">85</a></span> +the royalties of the feast, and felt no pleasure in hir heart, but when +she had a glimpse by throwing or receiuing some sight or looke of +Rhomeo. And after they had contented eche others troubled heart with +millions of amorous lookes which oftentimes interchangeably encountred +and met together, the burning Beames gaue sufficient testimony of loue’s +priuy onsettes. Loue hauing made the heartes breache of those two +louers, as they two sought meanes to speake together, Fortune offered +them a very meete and apt occasion. A certayne Lord of that troupe +and companye tooke Iulietta by the Hande to Daunce, wherein shee behaued +hir selfe so well, and wyth so excellent grace, as shee wanne that Daye +the prise of Honour from all the Damosels of Verona. Rhomeo hauynge +foreseene the place wherevnto shee mynded to retire, approched the same, +and so dyscretelye vsed the matter, as hee founde the meanes at hir +returne to sit beside hir: Iulietta when the daunce was finished, +returned to the very place where she was set before, and was placed +betwene Rhomeo and an other gentleman called Mercutio, which was a +courtlyke Gentleman, very well be loued of all men, and by reason of his +pleasaunt and curteous behauior was in euery company wel intertayned. +Mercutio that was of audacity among Maydens, as a Lyon is among Lambes, +seazed incontynently vpon the hande of Iulietta, whose hands wontedly +were so cold both in Wynter and Sommer as the Mountayne yce, although +the fire’s heat did warm the same. Rhomeo whych sat vppon the left side +of Iulietta, seynge that Mercutio held hir by the right hand, toke hir +by the other that he myght not be deceiued of his purpose, and strayning +the same a little, he felt himself so prest wyth that newe fauor, as he +remayned mute, not able to aunswer: but she perceyuyng by his chaunge of +color, that the fault proceded of the vehemence of loue, desyryng to +speake vnto hym, turned hir selfe towards hym, and wyth tremblyng voyce +ioyned with virginal shamefastnesse, intermedled with a certayn +bashfulnesse, sayd to hym: “Blessed be the houre of your neare +approche:” but mynding to procede in further talke, loue had so closed +vp hir mouth, as she was not able to end hir Tale. Wherunto the yong +Gentleman all rauished with ioy and contentation, sighing, asked hir +what was the cause of that ryght fortunate +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page86" id = "page86">86</a></span> +blessing: Iulietta, somwhat more emboldened with pytyful loke and +smyling countenance, said vnto him: “Syr, do not maruell yf I do blesse +your comminge hither, bicause sir Mercutio a good tyme wyth frosty hand +hath wholly frosen mine, and you of your curtesy haue warmed the same +agayne.” Wherunto immediatly Rhomeo replyed: “Madame, if the heauens +haue ben so fauorable to employe me to do you some agreeable seruice, +being repaired hither by chance amongs other Gentlemen, I esteeme +the same well bestowed, crauying no greater benefite for satisfaction of +all my contentations receiued in this World, than to serue obey and +honor you so long as my lyfe doth last, as experience shall yeld more +ample proofe when it shall please you to geue further assaye: moreouer, +if you haue receiued any Heat by touche of my Hand, you may be well +assured that those flames be dead in respect of the lyuely Sparkes and +violent fire which sorteth from you fayre Eyes, which fire hath so +fiercely inflamed all the most sensible parts of my body, as if I be not +succored by the fauoure of your good graces, I do attend the time +to be consumed to dust.” Scarse had he made an ende of those last words +but the daunce of the Torche was at an end: whereby Iulietta, which +wholly burnt in loue, straightly claspyng her Hand with hys, had no +leysure to make other aunswer, but softly thus to say: “My deare frend, +I know not what other assured wytnesse you desire of loue, but that +I let you vnderstand that you be no more your own, than I am yours, +beying ready and dysposed to obey you so farre as honour shal permyt, +beseechying you for the present tyme to content your selfe wyth thys +aunswere, vntyll some other season meeter to Commvnicate more secretly +of our affaires.” Rhomeo seeing himselfe pressed to part of the Company, +and for that hee knew not by what meanes he myght see hir agayne that +was hys Life and Death, demaunded of one of his friends what shee was, +who made aunswer that she was the Daughter of Capellet, the Lord of the +house, and Mayster of that daye’s feast (who wroth beyonde measure that +Fortune had sent him to so daungerous a place, thought it impossible to +bring to end his enterprise begon.) Iulietta couetous on the other side, +to know what yong Gentleman he was which had so curteously intertayned +hir that Nyght, and of whome shee felt +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page87" id = "page87">87</a></span> +the new wound in hir heart, called an olde Gentlewoman of honor which +had nursed hir and brought her vp, vnto whom she sayd leaning vpon hir +shoulder: “Mother, what two young Gentlemen be they which first goe +forth with the two Torches before them.” Vnto whome the old Gentlewoman +told the name of the houses wherof they came. Then she asked hir againe, +what young gentleman that was which holdeth the visarde in his hand, +wyth the damaske cloke about him. “It is” (quod she) “Romeo Montesche, +the sonne of youre Father’s capytall Enimye and deadly foe to all your +kinne.” But the Mayden at the onely Name of Montesche was altogyther +amazed, despayrynge for euer to attayne to husband hir great affectyoned +fryend Rhomeo, for the auncyent hatreds betweene those two Families. +Neuerthelesse she knewe so well how to dissemble hir grief and +discontented Minde, as the olde Gentlewoman perceiued nothing, who then +began to persuade hir to retire into hir Chamber: whom she obeyed, and +being in bed, thinking to take hir wonted rest, a great tempest of +diuers thoughtes began to enuiron and trouble hir Mynde, in sutch wyse +as shee was not able to close hir Eyes, but turninge heere and there, +fantasied diuers things in hir thought, sometimes purposed to cut of the +whole attempte of that amorous practise, sometimes to continue the same. +Thus was the poor pucell vexed with two contraries, the one comforted +hir to pursue hir intent, the other proposed the immynente Perill +wherevnto vndyscretly she headlong threwe hir self: and after she had +wandred of long time in this amorous Laberinth, she knew not whereuppon +to resolue, but wept incessantly, and accused hir selfe, saying: “Ah, +Caitife and myserable Creature, from whence do rise these vnaccustomed +Trauayles which I feele in Mynde, prouokynge mee to loose my reste: but +infortunate wretch, what doe I know if that yong Gentleman doe loue mee +as hee sayeth. It may be vnder the vaile of sugred woordes he goeth +about to steale away mine honore, to be reuenged of my Parentes whych +haue offended his, and by that meanes to my euerlastinge reproche to +make me the fable of the Verona people.” Afterwardes sodainly as she +condempned that which she suspected in the beginning, sayd: “Is it +possible that vnder sutch beautye and rare comelynesse, dysloyaltye and +treason may haue theyr +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page88" id = "page88">88</a></span> +Syedge and Lodgynge? If it bee true that the Face is the faythfull +Messanger of the Mynde’s Conceypte, I may bee assured that hee +doeth loue mee: for I marked so many chaunged Colours in his Face in +time of his talke with me, and sawe him so transported and besides +himselfe, as I cannot wyshe any other more certayne lucke of Loue, +wherein I wyll persyst immutable to the laste gaspe of Lyfe, to the +intente I may haue hym to bee my husband: for it maye so come to passe, +as this newe aliaunce shall engender a perpetuall peace and Amity +betweene hys House and mine.” Arrestinge then vppon this determynation +styll, as she saw Rhomeo passinge before hir Father’s Gate, she shewed +hir selfe with merry countenance, and followed him so with loke of Eye, +vntill she had lost his sight. And continuing this manner of Lyfe for +certaine Dayes, Rhomeo not able to content himself with lookes, daily +did behold and marke the situation of the house, and one day amongs +others hee espied Iulietta at hir Chamber Window, bounding vpon a narrow +Lane, ryght ouer against which Chamber he had a Gardein which was the +cause that Rhomeo fearing discouery of their loue, began the day time to +passe no more before the Gate, but so soone as the Night with his browne +Mantell had couered the Earth, hee walked alone vp and downe that little +streat: and after he had bene there many times, missing the chiefest +cause of his comming, Iulietta impacient of hir euill, one night +repaired to hir window, and perceiued throughe the bryghtnesse of the +Moone hir friend Rhomeo vnder hir window, no lesse attended for, than +hee hymselfe was waighting. Then she secretly with Teares in hir Eyes, +and wyth voyce interrupted by sighes, sayd: “Signior Rhomeo, me thinke +that you hazarde your person to mutch, and commyt the same into great +Daunger at thys time of the Nyght, to protrude your self to the Mercy of +them which meane you little good. Who yf they had taken would haue cut +you in pieces, and mine honor (which I esteme dearer than my lyfe,) +hindred and suspected for euer” “Madame” aunswered Rhomeo, “my Lyfe is +in the Hand of God, who only can dispose the same: howbeyt yf any Man +had soughte menes to beryeue mee of my Lyfe, I should (in the +presence of you) haue made him knowen what mine ability had ben to +defend the same. Notwythstandyng Lyfe is not so deare, and +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page89" id = "page89">89</a></span> +of sutch estimation wyth me, but that I coulde vouchsafe to sacryfice +the same for your sake: and althoughe my myshappe had bene so greate, as +to bee dyspatched in that Place, yet had I no cause to be sorrye +therefore, excepte it had bene by losynge the meanes, and way how to +make you vnderstande the good wyll and duety which I beare you, +desyrynge not to conserue the same for anye commodytye that I hope to +haue thereby, nor for anye other respecte, but onelye to Loue, Serue, +and Honor you, so long as breath shal remaine in me.” So soone as he had +made an end of his talke, loue and pity began to seaze vpon the heart of +Iulietta, and leaning hir head vpon hir hand, hauing hir face all +besprent wyth teares, she said vnto Rhomeo: “Syr Rhomeo, I pray you +not to renue that grief agayne: for the onely Memory of sutch +inconuenyence, maketh me to counterpoyse betwene death and Lyfe, my +heart being so vnited with yours, as you cannot receyue the least Iniury +in this world, wherein I shall not be so great a Partaker as your self: +beseechyng you for conclusion, that if you desire your owne health and +mine, to declare vnto me in fewe Wordes what youre determynation is to +attaine: for if you couetany other secrete thing at my Handes, more than +myne Honoure can well allowe, you are maruelously deceiued: but if your +desire be godly, and that the frendship which you protest to beare mee, +be founded vppon Vertue, and to bee concluded by Maryage, receiuing me +for your wyfe and lawfull Spouse, you shall haue sutch part in me, as +whereof without any regard to the obedience and reuerence that I owe to +my Parentes, or to the auncient Enimity of oure Famylyes, I wyll +make you the onely Lord and Mayster [ouer me], and of all the thyngys +that I possesse, being prest and ready in all poyntes to folow your +commaundement: but if your intent be otherwyse, and thinke to reape the +Fruycte of my Virginity, vnder pretense of wanton Amity, you be greatly +deceiued, and doe pray you to auoide and suffer me from henceforth to +lyue and rest amongs myne equals.” Rhomeo whych looked for none other +thyng, holding vp his Handes to the Heauens, wyth incredible ioy and +contentation, aunswered: “Madame, for so mutch as it hath pleased you to +doe me that honour to accepte me for sutch a one, I accorde and +consent to your request, and doe offer vnto you the best part +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page90" id = "page90">90</a></span> +of my heart, which shall remayn with you for guage and sure testimony of +my saying, vntill sutch tyme as God shall giue me leaue to make you the +entier owner and possessor of the same. And to the intent I may begyn +myn enterpryse, to morrow I will to the Frier Laurence for counsell in +the same, who besides that he is my ghostly father is accustomed to giue +me instruction in al my other secret affaires, and fayle not (if you +please) to meete me agayne in this place at this very hour, to the +intent I may giue you to vnderstand the deuice betwene him and me.” +Which she lyked very well, and ended their talke for that time. Rhomeo +receyuing none other fauour at hir hands for that night, but only +Wordes. Thys Fryer Laurence, of whom hereafter wee shall make more ample +mention, was an auncient Doctor of Diuinity, of the order of the Fryers +Minors, who besides the happy profession which he had made in study of +holy writ, was very skilful in Philosophy, and a great searcher of +nature’s Secrets, and exceeding famous in Magike knowledge, and other +hidden and secret sciences, which nothing diminished his reputation, +bicause hee did not abuse the same. And this Frier through his vertue +and piety, had so well won the citizens hearts of Verona, as he was +almost the Confessor to them all, and of all men generally reuerenced +and beloued: and many tymes for his great prudence was called by the +lords of the Citty, to the hearing of their weighty causes. And amonges +other he was greatly fauored by the Lorde of Escale, that tyme the +principall gouernor of Verona, and of all the Family of Montesches, and +of the Capellets, and of many other. The young Rhomeo (as we haue +already declared) from his tender age, bare a certayne particuler amity +to Frier Laurence, and departed to him his secrets, by meanes whereof so +soone as he was gone from Iulietta, went strayght to the Fryers +Franciscians, where from poinct to poinct he discoursed the successe of +his loue to that good father, and the conclusion of mariage betwene him +and Iulietta, adding vpon the ende of talke, that hee woulde rather +choose shamefull death, than to fayle hir of his promise. To whom the +good Frier after he had debated diuers matters, and proposed al the +inconueniences of that secret mariage, exhorted hym to more mature +deliberation of the same: notwithstandinge, all the alleged persuasions +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page91" id = "page91">91</a></span> +were not able to reuoke his promyse. Wherefore the Frier vanquished with +his stubbornesse, and also forecasting in his mynde that the mariage +might be some meanes of reconciliation of those two houses, in th’end +agreed to his request, intreating him, that he myght haue one dayes +respit for leysure to excogitate what was best to be done. But if Rhomeo +for his part was carefull to prouide for his affayres, Iulietta lykewise +did her indeuour. For seeing that shee had none about her to whom she +might discouer her passions, shee deuised to impart the whole to hir +Nurse which lay in her Chamber, appoyncted to wayte vppon hir, to whom +she committed the intier secrets of the loue between Rhomeo and hir. And +although the olde Woman in the beginninge resisted Iulietta hir intent, +yet in the ende she knew so wel how to persuade and win hir, that she +promised in all that she was able to do, to be at hir commaundement. And +then she sent hir with all diligence to speake to Rhomeo, and to know of +him by what meanes they might be maried, and that he would do hir to +vnderstand the determination betwene Fryer Laurence and him. Whom Rhomeo +aunswered, how the first day wherein he had informed Fryer Laurence of +the matter, the sayde Fryer deferred aunswere vntil the next, which was +the very same, and that it was not past one houre sithens he returned +with finall resolution, and that Frier Laurence and he had deuised, that +she the Saterday following, should craue leaue of hir mother to go to +confession, and to repayre to the Church of Saynct Francis, where in a +certayne Chappell secretly they should be maried, praying hir in any +wyse not to fayle to be there. Which thinge she brought to passe with +sutch discretion, as hir mother agreed to hir request: and accompanied +onely wyth hir gouernesse, and a young mayden, she repayred thither at +the determined day and tyme. And so soone as she was entred the Church, +she called for the good Doctor Fryer Laurence, vnto whom answere was +made that he was in the shriuing Chappell, and forthwith aduertisement +was gieuen him of hir comming. So soone as Fryer Laurence was certified +of Iulietta, hee went into the body of the Church, and willed the olde +Woman and yong mayden to go heare seruice, and that when hee had heard +the confession of Iulietta, he would send for them agayn. Iulietta +beinge entred a little Cell wyth Frier Laurence, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page92" id = "page92">92</a></span> +he shut fast the dore as he was wont to do, where Rhomeo and he had bin +together shut fast in, the space of one whole hour before. Then Frier +Laurence after that he had shriued them, sayd to Iulietta: “Daughter, as +Rhomeo here present hath certified me, you be agreed, and contented to +take him to husband, and he likewise you for his Espouse and Wyfe. Do +you now still persist and continue in that mynde?” The Louers aunswered +that they desired none other thing. The Fryer seeing theyr conformed and +agreeable willes, after he had discoursed somewhat vppon the +commendation of mariage dignity, pronounced the vsuall woordes of the +Church, and she hauing receyued the Ring from Rhomeo, they rose vp +before the Fryer, who sayd vnto them: “If you haue any other thing to +conferre together, do the same wyth speede: for I purpose that Rhomeo +shall goe from hence so secretly as he can.” Rhomeo sory to goe from +Iulietta sayde secretly vnto hir, that shee should send vnto hym after +diner the old Woman, and that he would cause to be made a corded Ladder +the same euening, thereby to climbe vp to her Chamber window, where at +more leisure they would deuise of their affaires. Things determined +betwene them, either of them retyred to their house with incredible +contentation, attendinge the happy houre for consummation of their +mariage. When Rhomeo was come home to his house, he declared wholly what +had passed betwen him and Iulietta, vnto a Seruaunt of his called +Pietro, whose fidelity he had so greatly tryed, as he durst haue trusted +him with hys life, and commaunded hym wyth expedition to prouide a +Ladder of Cordes wyth 2 strong Hookes of Iron fastned to both endes, +which he easily did, because they were mutch vsed in Italy. Iulietta did +not forget in the Euening about fiue of the Clocke, to send the olde +Woman to Rhomeo, who hauing prepared all things necessary, caused the +Ladder to be deliuered vnto her, and prayed hir to require Iulietta the +same euening not to fayle to bee at the accustomed place. But if this +Iorney seemed long to these two passioned Louers, let other Iudge, that +haue at other tymes assayed the lyke: for euery minute of an houre +seemed to them a Thousande yeares, so that if they had power to commaund +the Heauens (as Iosua did the Sunne) the Earth had incontinently bene +shadowed wyth darkest Cloudes. The +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page93" id = "page93">93</a></span> +apoyncted houre come, Rhomeo put on the most sumptuous apparell hee had, +and conducted by good fortune neere to the place where his heart tooke +lyfe, was so fully determined of hys purpose, as easily hee clymed vp +the Garden wall. Beinge arriued hard to the wyndow, he perceyued +Iulietta, who had already so well fastned the Ladder to draw him vp, as +without any daunger at all, he entred hir chambre, which was so clere as +the day, by reason of the Tapers of virgin Wax, which Iulietta had +caused to be lighted, that she might the better beholde hir Rhomeo. +Iulietta for hir part, was but in hir night kerchief: who so soon as she +perceyued him colled him about the Neck, and after shee had kissed and +rekissed hym a million of times, began to imbrace hym betwene hir armes, +hauing no power to speake vnto him, but by Sighes onely, holding hir +mouth close against his, and being in this traunce beheld him with +pitifull eye, which made him to liue and die together. And afterwards +somewhat come to hir selfe, she sayd with sighes deepely fetched from +the bottom of hir heart. “Ah Rhomeo, the exampler of al vertue and +gentlenes, most hartely welcome to this place, wherein for your lacke, +and absence, and for feare of your person, I haue gushed forth so +many Teares as the spring is almost dry: but now that I hold you betwen +my armes, let death and fortune doe what they list. For I count my selfe +more than satisfied of all my sorrowes past, by the fauour alone of your +presence.” Whom Rhomeo with weeping eye, giuing ouer silence aunswered: +“Madame, for somutch as I neuer receyued so mutch of fortune’s grace, as +to make you feele by liuely experience what power you had ouer me, and +the torment euery minute of the day sustained for your occasion, +I do assure you the least grief that vexeth me for your absence, is +a thousand times more paynefull than death, which long time or this had +cut of the threede of my lyfe, if the hope of this happy Iourney had not +bene, which paying mee now the iust Tribute of my weepings past, maketh +me better content, and more glad, than if the whole Worlde were at my +commaundement, beseeching you (without further memory of auncient +griefe) to take aduice in tyme to come how we may content our passionate +hearts, and to sort our affayres with sutch Wysedome and discretion, as +our enimies without aduantage may +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page94" id = "page94">94</a></span> +let vs continue the remnant of our dayes in rest and quiet.” And as +Iulietta was about to make answere, the Olde woman came in the meane +time, and sayd vnto them: “He that wasteth time in talke, recouereth the +same to late. But for so mutch as eyther of you hath endured sutch +mutuall paynes, behold (quoth shee) a campe which I haue made +ready:” (shewing them the Fielde bed which shee had prepared and +furnished,) whereunto they easily agreed, and being then betwene the +Sheets in priuy bed, after they had gladded and cherished themselues +with al kinde of delicate embracements which loue was able to deuise, +Rhomeo vnloosing the holy lines of virginity, tooke possession of the +place, which was not yet besieged with sutch ioy and contentation as +they can iudge which haue assayed like delites. Their marriage thus +consummate, Rhomeo perceyuing the morning make to hasty approch, tooke +his leaue, making promise that he would not fayle wythin a day or two to +resort agayne to the place by lyke meanes, and semblable time, vntil +Fortune had prouided sure occasion vnfearfully to manyfest their +marriage to the whole Worlde. And thus a month or twayne, they continued +their ioyful mindes to their incredible satisfaction, vntil lady Fortune +enuious of their prosperity, turned hir Wheele to tumble them into such +a bottomlesse pit, as they payed hir vsury for their pleasures past, by +a certaine most cruell and pitifull death, as you shal vnderstand +hereafter by the discourse that followeth. Now as we haue before +declared, the Capellets and the Montesches were not so well reconciled +by the Lord of Verona, but that there rested in them sutch sparks of +auncient displeasures, as either partes waited but for some light +occasion to draw togethers, which they did in the Easter holy dayes, (as +bloudy men commonly be most willingly disposed after a good time to +commit some nefarious deede) besides the Gate of Boursarie leading to +the olde castel of Verona, a troupe of Capellets rencountred with +certayne of the Montesches, and without other woordes began to set vpon +them. And the Capellets had for Chiefe of their glorious enterprise one +called Thibault, cosin Germayne to Iulietta, a yong man strongly +made, and of good experience of armes, who exhorted his Companions with +stout Stomakes to represse the boldnes of the Montesches, that ther +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page95" id = "page95">95</a></span> +might from that time forth no memory of them be left at all. The rumoure +of this fray was disperssed throughout al the corners of Verona, that +succour might come from all partes of the Citty to depart the same. +Whereof Rhomeo aduertized, who walked alonges the Citty with certayne of +his Companions, hasted him speadily to the place where the slaughter of +his Parents and alies were committed: and after he had well aduised and +beholden many wounded and hurt on both sides, he sayd to hys Companions: +“My frends let vs part them, for they be so flesht one vpon an other, as +will all be hewed to pieces before the game be done.” And saying so, he +thrust himselfe amids the troupe, and did no more but part the blowes on +eyther side, crying vpon them aloud: “My freends, no more, it is time +henceforth that our quarel cease. For besides the prouocation of God’s +iust wrath, our two families be slaunderous to the whole World, and are +the cause that this common wealth doth grow vnto disorder.” But they +were so egre and furious one agaynst the other, as they gaue no audience +to Rhomeo his councel, and bent theymselues too kyll, dysmember and +teare eche other in pieces. And the fyght was so cruell and outragious +betweene them as they which looked on, were amased to see theym endure +those blowes, for the grounde was all couered with armes, legges, +thighes, and bloude, wherein no signe of cowardnes appeared, and +mayntayned their feyghte so longe, that none was able to iudge who hadde +the better, vntill that Thibault Cousin to Iulietta inflamed with ire +and rage, turned towardes Rhomeo thinkinge with a pricke to runne him +through. But he was so wel armed and defended with a priuye coat whiche +he wore ordinarily for the doubt he had of the Capellets, as the pricke +rebounded: vnto whom Rhomeo made answeare: “Thibault thou maiest know by +the pacience which I haue had vntill this present tyme, that I came not +hether to fyght with thee or thyne, but to seeke peace and attonemente +betweene vs, and if thou thinkest that for defaulte of courage I haue +fayled myne endeuor, thou doest greate wronge to my reputacion. And +impute thys my suffrance to some other perticular respecte, rather than +to wante of stomacke. Wherfore abuse mee not but be content with this +greate effusion of Bloude and murders already committed. And +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page96" id = "page96">96</a></span> +prouoke mee not I beseeche thee to passe the boundes of my good will and +mynde.” “Ah Traitor,” sayd Thibaulte, “thou thinkeste to saue thy selfe +by the plotte of thy pleasaunt tounge, but see that thou defende thy +selfe, els presently I will make thee feele that thy tounge shal not +gard thy corps, nor yet be the Buckler to defende the same from present +death.” And saying so, he gaue him a blow with such furye, as hadde not +other warded the same hee had cutte of his heade from his shoulders, and +the one was no readyer to lende, but the other incontinentlye was able +to paye agayne, for hee being not onelye wroth with the blowe that hee +had receiued, but offended with the iniury which the other had don, +began to pursue his ennemy with suche courage and viuacity, as at the +third blowe with his swerd hee caused him to fall backewarde starke +deade vppon the grounde with a pricke vehementlye thruste into his +throte, whiche hee followed till hys Sworde appeared throughe the hynder +parte of the same, by reason wherof the conflicte ceassed. For besides +that Thibault was the chiefe of his companye he was also borne of one of +the Noblest houses within the Cittye, which caused the Potestate to +assemble his Souldiers with diligence for the apprehension and +imprisonment of Rhomeo, who seyeng yl fortune at hande, in secrete wise +conuayed him selfe to Fryer Laurence at the Friers Franciscanes. And the +Fryer vnderstandinge of his facte, kepte him in a certayne secrete place +of his couente vntil fortune did otherwyse prouyde for his safe goinge +abroade. The bruite spred throughout the citty, of this chaunce don vpon +the Lorde Thibault, the Capellets in mourning weedes caused the deade +bodye to be caryed before the sygnory of Verona, so well to moue them to +pytty, as to demaunde iustice for the murder: before whom came also the +Montesches, declaryng the innocencye of Rhomeo, and the wilfull assault +of the other. The councell assembled and witnesses heard on both partes +a straight commaundemente was geuen by the Lorde of the Cittye to geeue +ouer theire weapons, and touchinge the offence of Rhomeo, because he +hadde killed the other in his owne defence, he was banished Verona for +euer. This common misfortune published throughout the Citty, was +generally sorowed and lamented. Som complayneth the death of the Lorde +Thibault, so well for his dexteritye in armes as for the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page97" id = "page97">97</a></span> +hope of his great good seruice in time to come, if hee hadde not bene +preuented by sutch cruell Death. Other bewailed (specially the Ladies +and Gentlewomen) the ouerthrow of yong Rhomeo, who besides his beauty +and good grace wherwith he was enriched, had a certayne naturall +allurement, by vertue whereof he drew vnto him the hearts of eche man, +like as the stony Adamante doth the cancred iron, in sutch wise as the +whole nation and people of Verona lamented his mischaunce: but aboue all +infortunate Iulietta, who aduertised both of the death of hir cosin +Thibault, and of the banishment of hir husband, made the Ayre sound with +infinite number of mornefull playnts and miserable lamentations. Then +feeling hirselfe to mutch outraged with extreeme passion, she went into +hir chamber, and ouercome with sorrowe threwe hir selfe vpon hir bed, +where she began to reinforce hir dolor after so straunge fashion, as the +most constant would haue bene moued to pitty. Then like one out of hir +wits, she gazed heere and there, and by fortune beholding the Window +whereat Rhomeo was wont to enter into hir chamber, cried out: “Oh +vnhappy Windowe, oh entry most vnlucky, wherein were wouen the bitter +toyle of my former mishaps, if by thy meanes I haue receyued at other +tymes some light pleasure or transitory contentation, thou now makest me +pay a tribute so rigorous and paynefull, as my tender body not able any +longer to support the same, shall henceforth open the Gate to that lyfe +where the ghost discharged from this mortal burden, shal seeke in some +place els more assured rest. Ah Rhomeo, Rhomeo, when acquayntaunce first +began betweene vs, and reclined myne eares vnto thy suborned promisses, +confirmed with so many othes, I would neuer haue beleeued that in +place of our continued amyty, and in appeasing of the hatred of our +houses, thou wouldest haue sought occasion to breake the same by an acte +so shamefull, whereby thy fame shall be spotted for euer, and I +miserable wretch desolate of Spouse and Companion. But if thou haddest +beene so gready after the Cappelletts bloud, wherefore didst thou spare +the deare bloud of mine owne heart when so many tymes, and in sutch +secret place the same was at the mercy of thy cruell handes? The victory +which thou shouldest haue gotten ouer me, had it not bene glorious +inough for thine ambitious minde, but for more triumphant +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page98" id = "page98">98</a></span> +solempnity to bee crowned wyth the bloude of my dearest kinsman? Now get +thee hence therefore into some other place to deceiue some other, so +vnhappy as my selfe. Neuer come agayne in place where I am, for no +excuse shall heereafter take holde to asswage mine offended minde: in +the meane tyme I shall lament the rest of my heauy lyfe, with sutch +store of teares, as my body dried vp from all humidity, shall shortly +search reliefe in Earth.” And hauing made an ende of those hir wordes, +hir heart was so grieuously strayned, as shee coulde neyther weepe nor +speake, and stoode so immoueable, as if she had bene in a traunce. Then +being somewhat come agayne vnto hirselfe, with feeble voyce shee sayd: +“Ah, murderous tongue of other men’s honor, how darest thou so +infamously to speake of him whom his very enimies doe commend and +prayse? How presumest thou to impute the blame vpon Rhomeo, whose +vnguiltines and innocent deede euery man alloweth? Where from henceforth +shall be hys refuge, sith she which ought to bee the onely Bulwarke, and +assured rampire of his distresse, doth pursue and defame him? Receyue, +receyue then Rhomeo the satisfaction of mine ingratitude by the +sacrifice which I shal make of my proper lyfe, and so the faulte which I +haue committed agaynste thy loyaltye, shall bee made open to the Worlde, +thou being reuenged and my selfe punished.” And thinking to vse some +further talke, all the powers of hir body fayled hir wyth signes of +present death. But the good olde Woman whych could not imagine the cause +of Iulietta hir longe absence, doubted very mutch that she suffred some +passion, and sought hir vp and downe in euery place wythin hir Father’s +Pallace, vntill at length shee founde hir lyinge a long vpon hir Bed, +all the outwarde parts of hir body so colde as Marble. But the goode Old +woman which thought hir to bee deade, began to cry like one out of hir +Wittes, saying: “Ah deare Daughter, and Noursechylde, howe mutch doeth +thy death now grieue mee at the very heart?” And as she was feeling all +the partes of hir body, shee perceyued some sparke of Lyfe to bee yet +within the same, whych caused hir to call hir many tymes by her name, +til at length she brought her oute of her sounde, then sayde vnto her: +“Why Iulietta, myne owne deare darelyng, what meane you by this +tormoylinge of your selfe? I <span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page99" id = "page99">99</a></span> +cannot tel from whence this youre behauiour and that immoderate heauines +doe proceede, but wel I wot that within this houre I thought to haue +accompanied you to the graue.” “Alas good mother” (aunswered woful +Iulietta) “do you not most euidently perceiue and see what iust cause I +haue too sorrow and complayne, loosyng at one instante two persons of +the world which wer vnto mee most deare?” “Methinke,” aunsweared the +good woman, “that it is not seemely for a gentlewoman of your degree to +fall into such extremetye: for in tyme of tribulation wysedome should +most preuaile. And if the lord Thibault be deade do you thinke to get +him agayn by teares? What is he that doth not accuse his ouermutch +presumption: woulde you that Rhomeo hadd done that wronge to him, and +hys house, to suffer himselfe outraged and assayled by one to whom in +manhoode and prowesse he is not inferioure? Sufficeth you that Rhomeo is +alyue, and his affayres in sutche estate whoe in tyme may be called home +agayne from banishmente, for he is a greate lorde, and as you know well +allied and fauored of all men, wherefore arme your selfe from henceforth +with pacyence: for albeit that Fortune doth estraunge him from you for a +tyme, yet sure I am, that hereafter shee will restore him vnto you +agayne wyth greater ioye and Contentatyon than before. And to the Ende +that wee bee better assured in what state he is, yf you wyll promyse me +to gyue ouer your heauynesse, I wyll to Daye knowe of Fryer +Laurence whether he is gone.” To which request Iulietta agreed, and then +the good woman repayred to S. Frauncis, wher shee founde Fryer Laurence +who tolde her that the same nyghte Rhomeo would not fayle at hys +accustomed houre to visite Iulietta, and there to do hir to vnderstande +what he purposed to doe in tyme to come. This iorney then fared like the +voiages of mariners, who after they haue ben tost by greate and +troublous tempest seeyng some Sunne beame pearce the heauens to lyghten +the lande, assure themselues agayne, and thinkinge to haue auoyded +shipwracke, and sodaynlye the seas begynne to swell, the waues do roare +with sutch vehemence and noyse, as if they were fallen agayne into +greater danger than before. The assigned hour come, Rhomeo fayled not +accordinge to hys promise to bee in his Garden, where he founde his +furniture prest to mount +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page100" id = "page100">100</a></span> +the Chamber of Iulietta, who with displayed armes, began so strayghtly +to imbrace hym, as it seemed that the soule would haue abandoned hir +body. And they two more than a large quarter of an hour were in sutch +agony, as they were not able to pronounce one word, and wetting ech +others Face fast closed together, the teares trickeled downe in sutch +abundance as they seemed to be throughly bathed therein, which Rhomeo +perceyuing, thinking to stay those immoderate teares, sayd vnto hir: +“Myne owne dearest freend Iulietta, I am not now determined to +recite the particulars of the straung happes of frayle and inconstaunte +Fortune, who in a moment hoisteth a man vp to the hyghest degree of hir +wheele, and by and by, in lesse space than in the twynckeling of an eye, +she throweth hym downe agayne so lowe, as more misery is prepared for +him in one day, than fauour in one hundred yeares: whych I now proue, +and haue experience in my selfe, which haue bene nourished delicately +amonges my frends, and maynteyned in sutch prosperous state, as you doe +little know, (hoping for the full perfection of my felicity) by meanes +of our mariage to haue reconciled our Parents, and frends, and to +conduct the residue of my lyfe, according to the scope and lot +determined by Almighty God: and neuerthelesse all myne enterprises be +put backe, and my purposes tourned cleane contrary, in sutch wise as +from henceforth I must wander lyke a vagabonde through diuers Prouinces, +and sequestrate my selfe from my Frends, wythout assured place of myne +abode, whych I desire to let you weete, to the intent you may be +exhorted in tyme to come, paciently to beare so well myne absence, as +that whych it shal please God to appoint.” But Iulietta, al affrighted +wyth teares and mortal agonies, would not suffer hym to passe any +further, but interruptinge his purpose, sayd vnto hym: “Rhomeo, how +canst thou be so harde hearted and voyde of all pity, to leaue mee heere +lone, besieged with so manye deadlye myseries? There is neyther houre +nor Minute, wherein death doth not appeare a thousand tymes before mee, +and yet my missehappe is sutch, as I can not dye, and therefore doe +manyfestlye perceyue, that the same death preserueth my lyfe, of purpose +to delight in my gryefes, and tryumphe ouer my euyls. And thou lyke the +mynister and tyrante of hir cruelty, doest make +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page101" id = "page101">101</a></span> +no conscience (for ought that I can see) hauing atchieued the Summe of +thy desyres and pleasures on me, to abandon and forsake me: whereby I +well perceyue, that all the lawes of Amity are deade and vtterly +extinguyshed, forsomutch as he in whom I had greatest hope and +confidence, and for whose sake I am become an enimy to my self, doth +disdayne and contemne me. No, no Rhomeo, thou must fully resolue thy +selfe vppon one of these <span class = "smallroman">II.</span> points, +either to see me incontinently throwen down headlong from this high +Window after thee: or else to suffer me to accompany thee into that +Countrey or Place whither Fortune shall guide thee: for my heart is so +mutch transformed into thine, that so soone as I shall vnderstande of +thy departure, presently my lyfe will depart this wofull body: the +continuance whereof I doe not desire for any other purpose, but only to +delight my selfe in thy presence, to bee pertaker of thy misfortunes: +and therefore if euer there lodged any pity in the heart of gentleman, +I beseeche the Rhomeo with al humility, that it may now finde place +in thee, and that thou wilt vouchsafe to receyue me for thy seruaunt, +and the faithful companion of thy mishaps: and if thou thinke that thou +canst not conueniently receyue me in the estate and habite of a Wyfe, +who shall let me to chaunge myne apparell? Shall I be the first that +haue vsed like shiftes to escape the tyranny of parentes? Doste thou +doubt that my seruice will not bee so good vnto thee as that of Petre +thy seruaunte? Wyll my loyaltye and fidelity be lesse than his? My +beauty which at other tymes thou hast so greatly commended, it is not +esteemed of thee? my teares, my loue, and the aunciente pleasures and +delights that you haue taken in mee shal they be in obliuyon?” Rhomeo +seing hir in these alterations, fearing that worsse inconuenience would +chaunce, tooke hir agayne betweene hys armes, and kissing her amorously, +sayd:<ins class = "addition" title = "open quote added">“</ins>Iulietta, +the onely mistresse of my heart, I pray thee in the Name of God, +and for the feruent Loue whych thou bearest vnto me, to doe away those +vayne cogitations, excepte thou meane to seeke and hazard the +destruction of vs both: for if thou perseuer in this purpose, there is +no remedye but wee muste both perish: for so soone as thyne absence +shalbe knowen, thy Father will make sutch earnest pursute after vs, that +we cannot choose but be discried and taken, and in the ende cruelly +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page102" id = "page102">102</a></span> +punished, I as a theefe and stealer of thee, and thou as a +dysobedyent Daughter to thy Father: and so in stead of pleasaunt and +quiet Lyfe, our Dayes shalbe abridged by most shamefull Death. But if +thou wylt recline thy self to reason, (the ryght rule of humane Lyfe,) +and for the tyme abandon our mutuall delyghts, I will take sutch +order in the time of my banishment, as within three or foure Months +wythoute any delay, I shalbe reuoked home agayne: but if it fall +out otherwyse (as I trust not,) howsoeuer it happen, I wyll come +agayne vnto thee, and with the helpe of my Fryendes wyll fetch the from +Verona by strong Hand, not in Counterfeit Apparell as a straunger, but +lyke my spouse and perpetuall companion: in the meane tyme quyet your +selfe, and be sure that nothing else but death shall deuide and put vs a +sunder.” The reasons of Rhomeo so mutch preuailed with Iulietta, as shee +made hym thys aunswere: “My deare fryend, I wyll doe nothing +contrary to your wyll and pleasure: and to what place so euer you +repayre, my hearte shall bee your owne, in like sorte as you haue giuen +yours to be mine: in the meane while I pray you not to faile oftentimes +to aduertise me by Frier Laurence, in what state your affaires be, and +specially of the place of your abode.” Thus these two pore louers passed +the Night togither, vntil the day began to appeare which did dyuyde +them, to their extreame sorrow and gryef. Rhomeo hauiuge taken leaue of +Iulietta, went to S. Fraunces, and after he hadde aduertysed Frier +Laurence of his affaires, departed from Verona in the habit of a +Marchaunt straunger, and vsed sutch expedytyon, as without hurt he +arriued at Mantuona, (accompanied onely wyth Petre his Seruaunt, whome +hee hastily sente backe agayne to Verona, to serue his Father) where he +tooke a house: and lyuying in honorable companye, assayed certayne +Monthes to put away the gryefe whych so tormented him. But duryng the +tyme of his absence, miserable Iulietta could not so cloke hir sorrow, +but that through the euyll colour of hir face, hir inwarde passion was +discryed: by reason whereof hir Mother, who heard hir oftentimes +sighing, and incessantly complayning, coulde not forbeare to say vnto +hir: “Daughter, if you continue long after thys sort, you wyll hasten +the Death of your good Father and me, who loue you so dearely as +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page103" id = "page103">103</a></span> +our owne lyues: wherefore henceforth moderate your heauinesse, and +endeuor your self to be mery: think no more vpon the Death of your cosin +Thibault, whome (sith it pleased God to cal away) do you thinke to +reuoke wyth Teares, and so withstande his Almightye will?” But the pore +Gentlewoman not able to dyssemble hir griefe, sayd vnto hir: “Madame, +long time it is sithens the last Teares for Thibault were poured forth, +and I beleue that the fountayne is so well soked and dried vp, as no +more will spryng in that place.” The mother which could not tell to what +effect those Woords were spoken held hir peace, for feare she should +trouble hir Daughter: and certayne Dayes after seeing hir to continue in +heauinesse and continuall griefs, assaied by al meanes possible to know, +aswell of hir, as of other the housholde Seruauntes, the occasion of +their sorrow, but al in vayne: wherwith the pore mother vexed beyonde +measure, purposed to let the Lord Antonio hir Husband to vnderstand the +case of hir Daughter: and vppon a day seeing him at conuenient leisure, +she sayd vnto him: “My Lord, if you haue marked the countenaunce of our +daughter, and hir kinde of behauior sithens the Death of the Lord +Thibault hir Cosyn, you shall perceiue so straunge mutation in hir, as +it will make you to maruell, for she is not onely contented to forgoe +meate, drinke and slepe, but she spendeth hir tyme in nothinge else then +in Weeping and Lamentatyon, delighting to kepe hir self solytarye wythin +hir Chamber, where she tormenteth hir self so outragiously as yf wee +take not heede, hir Lyfe is to be doubted, and not able to knowe the +Oryginall of hir Payne, the more difficulte shall be the remedye: for +albeit that I haue sought meanes by all extremity, yet cannot I learne +the cause of hir sicknesse: and where I thought in the beginning, that +it proceded vpon the Death of hir Cosin, now I doe manifestly perceiue +the contrary, specially when she hir self did assure me that she had +already wept and shed the last teares for him that she was mynded to +doe: and vncertayne whereuppon to resolue, I do thinke verily that +she mourneth for some despite, to see the most part of theyr companions +maried, and she yet vnprouyded, persuading with hir selfe (it may be) +that wee hir Parents do not care for hir: wherefore deare Husband, +I heartely beseech you for our rest and hir quiet, that hereafter +ye be carefull +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page104" id = "page104">104</a></span> +to prouyde for hir some maryage worthy of our state.” Whereunto the Lord +Antonio, willingly agreed, saying vnto hir: “Wyfe, I haue many +times thought vppon that whereof you speake, notwythstandyng sith as yet +shee is not attayned to the age of <span class = +"smallroman">XVIII.</span> yeares, I thought to prouide a husband +at leysure: neuerthelesse things beinge come to these Termes, and +knowing the Virgins chastity is a dangerous Treasure, I wyll be +mindfull of the same to your contentation, and she matched in sutch +wyse, as she shall thynke the tyme hitherto well delayed. In the meane +while marke dylygently whyther she bee in loue wyth any, to the end that +we haue not so greate regarde to goodes, or the Nobylity of the house +wherein we meane to bestow hir, as to the Lyfe and Health of our +Daughter who is to me so deare as I had rather die a Begger without +Landes or goods, than to bestow hir vpon one which shall vse and intreat +hir il.” Certayne dayes after that the Lorde Antonio had bruted the +maryage of his daughter, many Gentlemen were suters, so wel for the +excellency of hir Beauty, as for hir great Rychesse and reuenue. But +aboue all others the alyaunce of a young Earle named Paris, the Counte +of Lodronne, lyked the Lord Antonio: vnto whom lyberally he gaue his +consent, and told his Wyfe the party vppon whom he dyd mean to bestow +his Daughter. The mother very ioyful that they had found so honest a +Gentleman for theyr Daughter, caused hir secretly to be called before +hir, doyng hir to vnderstande what things had passed betwen hir father +and the Counte Paris, discoursing vnto hir the beauty and good grace of +the yong Counte, the vertues for which he was commended of al men, +ioyning therevnto for conclusion the great richesse and fauor which he +had in the goods of fortune, by means whereof she and hir Fryends should +liue in eternal honor: but Iulietta which had rather to haue ben torne +in pieces than to agree to that maryage, answered hir mother with a more +than accustomed stoutnesse: “Madame, I mutch maruel, and +therewithal am astonned that you being a Ladye discrete and honorable, +wil be so liberal ouer your Daughter as to commit hir to the pleasure +and wil of an other, before you do know how hir mind is bent: you may do +as it pleaseth you, but of one thing I do wel assure you, that if you +bring it to passe, it shal be against my wil: and +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page105" id = "page105">105</a></span> +touching the regard and estimation of Counte Paris, I shal first +lose my Lyfe before he shal haue power to touch any part of my body: +which being done, it is you that shal be counted the murderer, by +deliueryng me into the handes of him, whome I neyther can, wil, or know +whiche way to loue: wherefore I praye you to suffer me henceforth thus +to lyue, wythout taking any further care of me, for so mutche as my +cruell fortune hath otherwyse disposed of me.” The dolorous Mother which +knewe not what Iudgement to fixe vpon hir daughter’s aunswere, lyke a +woman confused and besides hir selfe went to seeke the Lord Antonio, +vnto whom without conceyling any part of hir Daughter’s aunswer, she dyd +him vnderstand the whole. The good olde man offended beyond measure, +commaunded her incontinently by Force to be brought before him, if of +hir own good will she would not come: so soone as she came before hir +Father, hir eyes full of teares, fel down at his fete, which she bathed +with the luke warme drops that distilled from hir Eyes in great +abundance, and thynkyng to open hir mouth to crye him mercy, the sobbes +and sighes many tymes stopt hir speach, that shee remained dumbe not +able to frame a Woorde. But the olde man nothing moued with his +Daughter’s Teares, sayd vnto hir in great rage: “Come hither thou vnkynd +and dysobedient Daughter, hast thou forgotten how many tymes thou hast +hearde spoken at the Table, of the puissance and authoryty our auncyente +Romane Fathers had ouer their chyldren? vnto whom it was not onelye +lawfull to sell, guage, and otherwyse dispose them (in theyr necessity) +at their pleasure, but also which is more, they had absolute power ouer +their Death and Lyfe? With what yrons, with what torments, with what +racks would those good Fathers chasten and correct thee if they were a +liue againe, to see that ingratitude, misbehauior and disobedience which +thou vsest towards thy Father, who with many prayers and requestes hath +prouided one of the greatest Lords of this prouince to be thy husband, +a Gentleman of best renoume, and indued wyth all kynde of Vertues, +of whom thou and I be vnworthy, both for the notable masse of goods and +substance wherewith he is enriched, as also for the Honoure and +generositie of the house whereof hee is discended, and yet thou playest +the parte of an obstinate and +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page106" id = "page106">106</a></span> +rebellyous Chyld agaynst thy Father’s will. I take the omnipotency +of that Almightye God to witnesse, which hath vouchsafed to bryng the +forth into this world, that if vpon Tuesday nexte thou failest to +prepare thy selfe to be at my Castell of Villafranco, where the Counte +Paris purposeth to meete vs, and there giue thy consent to that whych +thy Mother and I haue agreed vppon, I will not onely depriue thee +of my worldly goodes, but also will make the espouse and marie a pryson +so straight and sharpe, as a thousande times thou shalt curse the Day +and tyme wherein thou wast borne: wherfore from henceforth take +aduisement what thou doest, for excepte the promise be kept which I haue +made to the counte Paris, I will make the feele how greate the iust +choler of an offended Father is against a Chylde vnkynde.” And without +staying for other answer of his Daughter, the olde man departed the +Chamber, and lefte hir vppon hir knees. Iulietta knowing the fury of hir +Father, fearing to incurre his indignation, or to prouoke his further +wrath, retired for the day into hir Chamber, and contriued that whole +Nyght more in weeping then slepyng. And the next Morning fayning to goe +heare seruice, she went forth with the woman of hir Chamber to the +Fryers, where she caused father Laurence to be called vnto hir, and +prayed him to heare hir confession: and when she was vpon hir knees +before hym, shee began hir Confession wyth Teares, tellinge him the +greate mischyefe that was prepared for hir, by the maryage accorded +betweene hir Father and the Counte Paris: and for conclusion sayd vnto +him: “Sir, for so mutch as you know that I cannot by God’s law bee +maried twice, and that I haue but one God, one husband and one faith, +I am determined when I am from hence, with these two hands which +you see ioyned before you, this Day to ende my sorowful lyfe, that my +soule may beare wytnesse in the Heauens, and my bloude vppon the Earth +of my faith and loyalty preserued.” Then hauyng ended hir talke, shee +looked about hir, and seemed by hir wylde countenaunce, as though she +had deuised some sinister purpose: wherefore Frier Laurence, astonned +beyonde measure, fearyng least she would haue executed that which she +was determyned, sayd vnto hir: “Mistresse Iulietta, I pray you in +the name of God by little and little to moderate youre conceiued +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page107" id = "page107">107</a></span> +griefe, and to content your self whilst you bee heere, vntill I haue +prouided what is best for you to doe, for before you part from hence, +I will giue you sutch consolation and remedy for your afflictions, +as you shall remaine satysfied and contented.” And resolued vppon thys +good minde, he speedily wente out of the Churche vnto his chamber, where +he began to consider of many things, his conscience beyng moued to +hinder the marriage betwene the Counte Paris and hir, knowing by his +meanes she had espoused an other, and callynge to remembraunce what a +daungerous enterprise he had begonne by committyng hymself to the mercy +of a symple damosell, and that if shee fayled to bee wyse and secrete, +all theyr doyngs should be discried, he defamed, and Rhomeo hir spouse +punished. Hee then after he had well debated vpon infinite numbre of +deuises, was in the end ouercome with pity, and determined rather to +hazarde his honour, than to suffer the Adultery of the Counte Paris with +Iulietta: and being determined herevpon, opened his closet, and takynge +a vyall in his Hande, retourned agayne to Iulietta, whom he found lyke +one that was in a Traunce, wayghtinge for newes, eyther of Lyfe or +Death: of whome the good olde Father demaunded vpon what Day hir maryage +was appoynted. “The firste daye of that appoyntment (quod shee) is vppon +Wednesdaye, whych is the Daye ordeyned for my Consente of Maryage +accorded betweene my father and Counte Paris, but the Nuptiall +solemnitye is not before the <span class = "smallroman">X.</span> day of +September.” “Wel then” (quod the religious father) “be of good cheere +daughter, for our Lord God hathe opened a way vnto me both to deliuer +you and Rhomeo from the prepared thraldom. I haue knowne your +husband from his cradle, and hee hath daily committed vnto me the +greatest secretes of hys Conscience, and I haue so dearely loued him +agayne, as if hee had ben mine owne sonne: wherefore my heart can not +abide that anye man should do him wrong in that specially wherein my +Counsell may stande him in stede. And forsomutch as you are his wyfe, +I ought lykewyse to loue you, and seke meanes to delyuer you from +the martyrdome and Anguish wherewyth I see your heart besieged: +vnderstande then (good Daughter) of a secrete which I purpose to +manifest vnto you, and take heede aboue all +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page108" id = "page108">108</a></span> +thinges that you declare it to no liuing creature, for therein +consisteth your life and Death. Ye be not ignorant by the common report +of the Cityzens of this City, and by the same published of me, that I +haue trauailed throughe all the Prouinces of the habytable Earthe, +wherby duryng the continuall tyme of <span class = +"smallroman">XX.</span> yeres, I haue soughte no rest for my +wearied body, but rather haue many times protruded the same to the mercy +of brute beasts in the Wyldernesse, and many times also to the +mercilesse Waues of the Seas, and to the pity of common Pirates together +with a thousand other Daungers and shipwracks vppon Sea and Land. So it +is good Daughter that all my wandring Voyages haue not bene altogethers +vnprofitable. For besides the incredible contentation receiued +ordinarily in mind, I haue gathered some particular fruyct, whereof +by the grace of God you shall shortly feele some experience. I haue +proued the secrete properties of Stones, of Plants, Metals, and other +thinges hydden within the Bowels of the Earth, wherewith I am able to +helpe my selfe againste the common Lawe of Men, when necessity doth +serue: specyally in thynges wherein I know mine eternal God to be least +offended. For as thou knowest I beynge approched as it were, euen to the +Brymme of my Graue, and that the Tyme draweth neare for yeldynge of myne +Accompte before the Audytor of all Audytors, I oughte therefore to +haue some deepe knowledge and apprehension of God’s iudgement more than +I had when the heat of inconsidered youth did boyle within my lusty +body. Know you therefore good daughter, that with those graces, and +fauours which the heauens prodigally haue bestowed vpon me, I haue +learned and proued of long time the composition of a certayne Paaste, +which I make of diuers soporiferous simples, which beaten afterwards to +Pouder, and dronke wyth a quantyty of Water, within a quarter of an +houre after, bringeth the receiuer into sutch a sleepe, and burieth so +deepely the senses and other sprites of life, that the cunningest +Phisitian will iudge the party dead: and besides that it hath a more +marueillous effect, for the person which vseth the same feeleth no kinde +of griefe, and according to the quantity of the dough, the pacient +remayneth in a sweete sleepe, but when the operation is wrought and +done, hee returneth into his first estate. Now then Iulietta receiue +myne +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page109" id = "page109">109</a></span> +instruction, put of all Feminine affection by taking vppon you a manly +stomacke for by the only courage of your minde consisteth the hap or +mishap of your affayres. Beholde here I geue you a Vyale which you shall +keepe as your owne propre heart, and the night before your mariage, or +in the morninge before day, you shall fil the same vp with water, and +drink so mutch as is contayned therein. And then you shall feele a +certayne kynde of pleasaunt sleepe, which incrochinge by litle and litle +all the partes of your body, wil constrayne them in sutch wyse, as +vnmoueable they shal remayne: and by not doing their accustomed dueties, +shall loose their naturall feelinges, and you abide in sutch extasie the +space of 40 houres at the least, without any beating of poulse or other +perceptible motion, which shall so astonne them that come to see you, as +they will iudge you to be deade, and according to the custome of our +Citty, you shal be caried to the Churchyarde hard by our Church, where +you shall be intoumbed in the common monument of the Capellets your +auncestors, and in the meane tyme we will send word to lord Rhomeo by a +speciall messanger of the effect of our deuice, who now abideth at +Mantua. And the night following I am sure he will not fayle to be heere, +then he and I together will open the graue, and lift vp your body, and +after the operation of the Pouder is past, hee shall conuey you secretly +to Mantua, vnknowen to all your Parents and frends. Afterwards (it may +be) Tyme, the mother of Truth, shall cause concord betwene the offended +City of Verona, and Rhomeo. At which time your common cause may be made +open to the general contentacion of all your frends.” The words of the +good father ended, new ioy surprised the heart of Iulietta, who was so +attentiue to his talke as she forgat no one poynct of hir lesson. Then +she sayd vnto him: “Father, doubt not at all that my heart shall fayle +in performaunce of your commaundement: for were it the strongest Poyson, +or most pestiferous Venome, rather would I thrust it into my body, than +to consent to fall in the hands of him, whom I vtterly mislike: with a +right strong reason then may I fortifie my selfe, and offer my body to +any kinde of mortall daunger to approch and draw neare to him, vpon whom +wholly dependeth my Life and all the solace I haue in this World.” “Go +your wayes then my +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page110" id = "page110">110</a></span> +daughter” (quod the Frier) “the mighty hand of God keepe you, and hys +surpassing power defende you, and confirme that will and good mynde of +yours, for the accomplishment of this worke.” Iulietta departed from +frier Laurence, and returned home to hir father’s Pallace about <span +class = "smallroman">II.</span> of the clock, where she found hir mother +at the Gate attending for hir: And in good deuotion demaunded if shee +continued still in hir former follies? But Iulietta with more gladsome +cheere than she was wont to vse, not suffering hir mother to aske +agayne, sayd vnto hir: “Madame I come from S. Frauncis Church, where I +haue taried longer peraduenture than my duety requireth: how be it not +without fruict and great rest to my afflicted conscience, by reason of +the godly persuasions of our ghostly Father Frier Laurence, vnto whom I +haue made a large declaration of my life. And chiefly haue communicated +vnto him in confession, that which hath past betwene my Lord my father +and you, vpon the mariage of Countee Paris and me. But the good man hath +reconciled me by his holy words, and commendable exhortations, that +where I had minde neuer to mary, now I am well disposed to obey your +pleasure and commaundement. Wherfore, madame, I beseech you to +recouer the fauor and good wyl of my father, aske pardon in my behalfe, +and say vnto him (if it please you) that by obeying his Fatherly +request, I am ready to meete the Countee Paris at Villafranco, and +there in your presence to accept him for my Lorde and husband: In +assuraunce whereof, by your pacience, I meane to repayre into my +Closet, to make choise of my most pretious Iewels, that I being richly +adorned, and decked, may appeare before him more agreeable to his mynde, +and pleasure.<ins class = "addition" title = "close quote added">”</ins> +The good mother rapt with exceeding great ioy, was not able to aunswere +a word, but rather made speede to seeke out hir husband the Lord +Antonio, vnto whom she reported the good will of hir daughter, and how +by meanes of Frier Laurence hir minde was chaunged. Whereof the good +olde man maruellous ioyfull, praysed God in heart, saying: “Wife this is +not the firste good turne which we haue receiued of that holy man, vnto +whom euery Cittizen of this Common wealth is dearely bounde. +I would to God that I had redeemed 20 of his yeares with the third +parte of my goods, so grieuous is to me his extreme old age.<ins class = +"addition" title = "apparent single quote at page-end">”</ins> +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page111" id = "page111">111</a></span> +The selfe same houre the Lord Antonio went to seeke the Countee Paris, +whom hee thought to perswade to goe to Villafranco. But the countee told +him agayne, that the charge would be to great, and that better it were +to reserue that cost to the mariage day, for the better celebration of +the same. Notwithstanding if it were his pleasure, he would himselfe goe +visite Iulietta: and so they went together. The Mother aduertised of his +comming, caused hir daughter to make hir selfe ready, and to spare no +costly Iewels for adorning of hir beauty agaynst the Countee’s comming, +which she bestowed so well for garnishing of hir Personage, that before +the Countee parted from the house, shee had so stolne away his heart, as +he liued not from that time forth, but vpon meditation of hir beauty, +and slacked no time for acceleration of the mariage day, ceasing not to +be importunate vpon father and mother for th’ende and consummation +thereof. And thus with ioy inough passed forth this day and many others +vntil the day before the mariage, against which time the mother of +Iulietta did so well prouide, that there wanted nothing to set forth the +magnificence and nobility of their house. Villafranco whereof we haue +made mention, was a place of pleasure, where the Lord Antonio was wont +many tymes to recreate himselfe a mile or two from Verona, there the +dynner was prepared, for so mutch as the ordinary solemnity of necessity +muste be done at Verona. Iulietta perceyuing hir time to approache +dyssembled the matter so well as shee coulde: and when tyme forced hir +to retire to hir Chamber, hir Woman would have waited vppon hir, and +haue lyen in hir Chambre, as hir custome was: but Iulietta sayd vnto +hir: “Good and faithfull mother, you know that to morrow is my maryage +Day, and for that I would spend the most parte of the Nyght in prayer, +I pray you for this time to let me alone, and to morrow in the +Mornyng about <span class = "smallroman">VI.</span> of the clocke come +to me agayne to helpe make mee readie.” The good olde woman willing to +follow hir minde, suffred hir alone, and doubted nothyng of that which +she did meane to do. Iulietta beinge within hir Chambre hauing an eawer +ful of Water standing vppon the Table filled the viole which the Frier +gaue her: and after she had made the mixture, she set it by hir bed +side, and went to Bed. And being layde, new thoughtes began to assaile +hir, with a conceipt +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page112" id = "page112">112</a></span> +of grieuous Death, which brought hir into sutch case as she could not +tell what to doe, but playning incessantly sayd: “Am not I the most +vnhappy and desperat creature, that euer was borne of Woman? For mee +there is nothyng left in this wretched worlde but mishap, misery, and +mortall woe, my distresse hath brought me to sutch extremity, as to saue +mine honor and conscience, I am forced to deuoure the drynke +whereof I know not the vertue: but what know I (sayd she) whether the +Operatyon of thys Pouder will be to soone or to late, or not +correspondent to the due tyme, and that my fault being discouered, +I shall remayne a Fable to the People? What know I moreouer, if the +Serpents and other venomous and crauling Wormes, whych commonly frequent +the Graues and pittes of the Earth wyll hurt me, thynkyng that I am +deade. But howe shall I indure the stynche of so many carions and Bones +of myne auncestors whych rest in the Graue, yf by fortune I do awake +before Rhomeo and Fryer Laurence doe come to help mee?” And as shee was +thus plunged in the deepe contemplatyon of thynges, she thought that she +saw a certayn vision or fansie of hir Cousin Thibault, in the very same +sort as shee sawe him wounded and imbrued wyth Bloud, and musing how +that she must be buried quick amongs so many dead Carcases and deadly +naked bones, hir tender and delycate body began to shake and tremble, +and hir yelowe lockes to stare for feare, in sutch wyse as fryghtned +with terroure, a cold sweate beganne to pierce hir heart and bedewe +the reste of al hir membres, in sutch wise as she thought that an +hundred thousand Deathes did stande about hir, haling hir on euery side, +and plucking hir in pieces, and feelyng that hir forces diminyshed by +lyttle and lyttle, fearing that through to great debilyty she was not +able to do hir enterpryse, like a furious and insensate Woman, with out +further care, gulped vp the Water wythin the Voyal, then crossing hir +armes vpon hir stomacke, she lost at that instante all the powers of hir +Body, restyng in a Traunce. And when the morning lyght began to thrust +his head out of his Oryent, hir Chaumber Woman which had lockte hir in +with the Key, did open the doore, and thynkyng to awake hir, called hir +many tymes, and sayd vnto hir: “Mistresse, you sleepe to long, the +Counte Paris will come to raise you.” The poore olde +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page113" id = "page113">113</a></span> +Woman spake vnto the wall, and sange a song vnto the deafe. For if all +the horrible and tempestuous soundes of the world had bene cannoned +forth out of the greatest bombardes and sounded through hir delycate +Eares, hir spyrites of Lyfe were so fast bounde and stopt, as she by no +meanes coulde awake, wherewith the pore olde Woman amazed, began to +shake hir by the armes and Handes, whych she found so colde as marble +stone. Then puttyng Hande vnto hir Mouthe, sodainely perceyued that she +was dead, for shee perceyued no breath in hir. Wherefore lyke a Woman +out of hir Wyttes, shee ranne to tell hir mother, who so madde as a +Tigre, berefte of hir Faunes hied hir selfe into hir Daughter’s +Chaumber, and in that pitiful state beholdynge hir Daughter, thinkyng +hir to be deade, cried out: “Ah cruell Death, which hast ended all my +ioye and Blysse, vse the last scourge of thy wrathfull ire agaynst me, +least by sufferyng mee to liue the rest of my woefull Dayes, my Torment +doe increase.” Then she began to fetch sutch strayning sighes, as hir +heart did seeme to cleaue in pieces. And as hir cries began to encrease, +behold the Father, the County Paris, and a great troupe of Gentlemen and +Ladies, which were come to honour the feaste, hearing no sooner tell of +that which chaunced, were stroke into sutch sorrowfull dumpes as he +which had beheld their Faces would easily haue iudged that the same had +ben a day of ire and pity, specially the Lord Antonio, whose heart was +frapped with sutch surpassing woe, as neither teare nor word could issue +forth, and knowing not what to doe, straight way sent to seeke the most +expert Phisitians of the towne, who after they had inquired of the life +past of Iulietta, deemed by common reporte, that melancoly was the cause +of that sodayne death, and then their sorows began to renue a fresh. And +if euer day was Lamentable, Piteous, Vnhappy, and Fatall, truly it was +that wherein Iulietta hir death was published in Verona: for shee was so +bewayled of great and small, that by the common playnts, the Common +wealth seemed to be in daunger, and not without cause: for besides hir +naturall beauty (accompanied with many vertues wherewith nature had +enriched hir) she was else so humble, wise, and debonaire, as for that +humility and curtesie she had stollen away the hearts of euery wight, +and there was none but did lament hir Misfortune. And whilest these +thinges +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page114" id = "page114">114</a></span> +were in this lamented state, Frier Laurence with diligence dispatched a +Frier of his Couent, named Frier Anselme, whom he trusted as himselfe, +and deliuered him a Letter written with hys owne hande, commaunding him +expressely not to giue the same to any other but to Rhomeo, wherein was +conteyned the chaunce which had passed betwene him and Iulietta, +specially the vertue of the Pouder, and commaunded him the nexte +ensuinge Nighte to speede himselfe to Verona, for that the operation of +the Pouder that time would take ende, and that he should cary wyth him +back agayne to Mantua his beloued Iulietta, in dissembled apparell, +vntill Fortune had otherwise prouided for them. The frier made sutch +hast as (too late) hee arriued at Mantua, within a while after. And +bicause the maner of Italy is, that the Frier trauayling abroade ought +to take a companion of his couent to doe his affaires wythin the City, +the Fryer went into his couent, and for that he was within, it was not +lawfull for him to come oute againe that Day, bicause that certain dayes +before, one relygious of that couent as it was sayd, dyd dye of the +plague: wherefore the Magistrates appoynted for the health and +visitation of the sick, commaunded the Warden of the House that no +Friers should wander abrode the city, or talke with any Citizen, vntil +they were licensed by the officers in that behalfe appoynted, which was +the cause of the great mishap which you shal heare hereafter. The Friar +being in this perplexitye, not able to goe forth, and not knowyng what +was contayned in the Letter, deferred hys Jorney for that Day. Whilst +things were in thys plyght, preparation was made at Verona, to doe the +obsequies of Iulietta. There is a custome also (which is common in +Italy,) to laye all the best of one lignage and Familye in one Tombe, +wherevppon Iulietta was intoumbed, in the ordinary Graue of the +Capellettes, in a Churcheyarde, hard by the Churche of the Fryers, where +also the Lord Thibault was interred, whose Obsequies honorably done, +euery man returned: whereunto Pietro, the seruaunt of Rhomeo, gaue hys +assystance: for as we haue before declared, hys mayster sente hym backe +agayne from Mantua to Verona, to do his father seruice, and to aduertise +him of that which should chaunce in his absence there: who seeyng the +Body of Iulietta, inclosed in Toumbe, thinkyng +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page115" id = "page115">115</a></span> +with the reste that shee had bene dead in deede, incontinently tooke +poste horse, and with dylygence rode to Mantua, where he founde his +Mayster in his wonted house, to whom he sayde, wyth hys Eyes full of +Teares: “Syr, there is chaunced vnto you so straunge a matter as if so +be you do not arme your selfe with Constancye, I am afrayed that I +shall be the cruell minyster of your Death: be it known vnto you sir, +that yesterday morning my mistresse Iulietta left hir Lyfe in thys +Worlde to seeke rest in an other: and wyth these Eyes I saw her buryed +in the Churchyarde of S. Frauncis.” At the sounde of whych heauye +message, Rhomeo begann woefullye to Lamente, as though hys spyrites +gryeued wyth the Tormente of his Passion at that instant would haue +abandoned his Bodye. But stronge Loue which woulde not permytte him to +faynt vntyl the extremity, framed a thoughte in hys fantesie, that if it +were possyble for him to dye besides hir his Death should be more +gloryous, and shee (as he thought) better contented: by reason whereof, +after he had washed his face for feare to discouer his sorrowe, hee +wente out of his Chamber, and commaunded hys man to tarry behynd him, +that he myght walke through out all the Corners of the Citye, to finde +propre remedye (if it were possyble) for hys gryefe. And amonges others, +beholdynge an Apoticarye’s shop of lyttle furnyture and lesse store of +Boxes and other thinges requisite for that scyence, thought that the +verye pouerty of the mayster Apothecarye would make hym wyllingle yeld +to that which he pretended to demaunde: and after he had taken hym +aside, secretly sayde vnto him: “Syr, if you be the Mayster of the +House, as I thynk you be, beholde here Fifty Ducates, whych I gyue you +to the intent you delyuer me some strong and vyolente Poyson that within +a quarter of an houre is able to procure Death vnto hym that shall vse +it.” The couetous Apothecarye entysed by gayne, agreed to his request, +and faynying to gyue hym some other medycine before the People’s Face, +he speedily made ready a strong and cruell Poyson, afterwardes he sayd +unto him softly: “Syr, I guye you more than is needefull, for the +one halfe is able to destroy the strongest manne of the world:” who +after he hadde receyued the poyfon, retourned home, where he commaunded +his man to departe with diligence to Verona, and that he should make +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page116" id = "page116">116</a></span> +prouision of candels, a tynder Boxe, and other Instrumentes meete +for the opening of the graue of Iulietta, and that aboue all things hee +shoulde not fayle to attende his commynge besides the Churchyarde of S. +Frauncis, and vppon Payne of Life to keepe hys intente in silence. Which +Pietro obeied in order as hys maister had requyred, and made therin +sutch expedityon, as he arriued in good time to Verona, taking order for +al things that wer commaunded him. Rhomeo in the meane while being +solycyted wyth mortall thoughtes caused incke and paper to be broughte +vnto hym, and in few words put in wryting all the discourse of his loue, +the mariage of him and Iulietta, the meane obserued for consummation of +the same, the helpe that he had of Frier Laurence, the buying of his +Poyson, and last of all his death. Afterwardes hauing finished his heauy +tragedy, hee closed the letters, and sealed the same with his seale, and +directed the Superscription thereof to hys Father: and puttyng the +letters into his pursse, he mounted on horsebacke, and vsed sutch +dylygence, as he arriued vppon darke Nyght at the Citye of Verona, +before the gates were shut, where he founde his seruaunte tarying for +him with a Lanterne and instrumentes as is before sayd, meete for the +opening of the graue, vnto whome hee said: “Pietro, helpe mee to open +this Tombe, and so soone as it is open I commaunde thee vppon payne of +thy life, not to come neere mee, nor to stay me from the thing I purpose +to doe. Beholde, there is a letter which thou shalt present to morrow in +the mornyng to my Father at his vprysing, which peraduenture shall +please him better than thou thinkest.” Pietro, not able to imagine what +was his maister’s intent, stode somewhat aloofe to beholde his maister’s +gestes and Countenance. And when they had opened the Vaulte, Rhomeo +descended downe two steppes, holdyng the candel in his hand and began to +behold wyth pityfull Eye, the body of hir, which was the organ of his +Eyes, and kyst it tenderly, holdyng it harde betwen his armes, and not +able to satisfie him selfe with hir sight, put hys fearefull handes +vppon the colde stomacke of Iulietta. And after he had touched hir in +many places, and not able to feele anye certayne Iudgemente of Lyfe, he +drewe the Poyson out of hys boxe, and swallowyng downe a great quantytye +of the same, cryed out: +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page117" id = "page117">117</a></span> +“O Iulietta, of whome the Worlde was vnworthye, what Death is it +possyble my Hearte coulde choose oute more agreeable than that whych yt +suffereth harde by thee? what Graue more Gloryous, than to bee buried in +thy Toumbe? what more woorthy or excellent Epytaphe can bee vowed for +Memorye, than the mutuall and pytyfull Sacryfice of our lyues?” And +thinkinge to renue his sorrowe, his hearte began to frette through the +vyolence of the Poyson, whiche by lyttle and lyttle assailed the same, +and lookyng about hym, espied the Bodye of the Lorde Thibault, lying +nexte vnto Iulietta, whych as yet was not al together putrified, and +speakyng to the bodye as though it hadde bene alyue, sayde: “In what +place so euer thou arte (O Cousyn Thibault) I most heartely do +crye the mercye for the offence whych I haue done by depryuing of thy +Lyfe: and yf thy Ghost doe wyshe and crye out for Vengeaunce vppon mee, +what greater or more cruell satysfaction canste thou desyre to haue, or +henceforth hope for, than to see him whych murdered thee, to bee +empoysoned with his owne handes, and buryed by thy side?” Then endynge +hys talke, felyng by lyttle and lyttle that his lyfe began to fayle, +falling prostrate vppon his knees, wyth feeble voyce hee softely sayd: +“O my Lord God, which to redeeme me didest discend from the bosom +of thy Father, and tookest humane fleshe in the Wombe of the Vyrgine, +I acknowledge and confesse, that this body of myne is nothing else +but Earth and Dust.” Then seazed vppon wyth desperate sorrow, he fell +downe vppon the Body of Iulietta with sutch vehemence, as the heart +faint and attenuated with too great torments, not able to beare so hard +a vyolence, was abandoned of all his sense and Naturall powers, in sutch +sorte as the siege of hys soule fayled him at that instant, and his +members stretched forthe, remayned stiffe and colde. Fryer Laurence +whych knew the certayne tyme of the pouder’s operation, maruelled that +he had no answere of the Letter which he sent to Rhomeo by his fellowe +Fryer Anselme, departed from S. Frauncis and with Instruments for the +purpose, determined to open the Graue to let in aire to Iulietta, whych +was ready to wake: and approchyng the place, hee espied a lyght within, +which made him afraide vntyll that Pietro whych was hard by, had +certyfied hym +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page118" id = "page118">118</a></span> +that Rhomeo was with in, and had not ceased there to Lamente and +Complayne the space of halfe an Houre: and when they two were entred the +Graue and finding Rhomeo without Lyfe, made sutch sorrowe as they can +well coneyue whych Loue their deare Fryende wyth lyke perfection. And as +they were making theyr complaints, Iulietta rising out of hir traunce, +and beholding light within the Toumbe, vncertayne wheather it were a +dreame or fantasie that appeared before <ins class = "correction" title += "error for ‘hir’">his</ins> eyes, comming agayne to hir selfe, knew +Frier Laurence, vnto whom she said: “Father, I pray thee in the +name of God to perfourme thy promise, for I am almost deade.” And then +frier Laurence concealing nothing from hir, (bycause he feared to be +taken through his too long abode in that place) faithfully rehearsed +vnto hir, how he had sent frier Anselme to Rhomeo at Mantua, from whom +as yet hee had receiued no aunswere. Notwithstanding he found Rhomeo +dead in the graue, whose body he poyncted vnto, lyinge hard by hir, +praying hir sith it was so, paciently to beare that sodayne misfortune, +and that if it pleased hir, he would conuey hir into some monastery of +women where she might in time moderate hir sorrow, and giue rest vnto +hir minde. Iulietta had no sooner cast eye vppon the deade corps of +Rhomeo, but began to breake the fountayne pipes of gushing teares, which +ran forth in sutch aboundance, as not able to support the furor of hir +griefe, she breathed without ceasing vpon his mouth, and then throwen +hir selfe vppon his body, and embracing it very hard, seemed that by +force of sighes and sobs, she would haue reuiued, and brought him againe +to life, and after she had kissed and rekissed hym a million of times, +she cried out: “Ah the sweete reste of my cares, and the onely port of +all my pleasures and pastimes, hadst thou so sure a hearte to choose thy +Churchyarde in this place betwene the armes of thy perfect Louer, and to +ende the course of thy life for my sake in the floure of thy Youth when +lyfe to thee should have bene most deare and delectable? how had this +tender body power to resist the furious Coumbat of death, very death it +selfe here present? how coulde thy tender and delicate youth willingly +permit that thou shouldest approch into this filthy and infected place, +where from henceforth thou shalt be the pasture of Worms vnworthy of +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page119" id = "page119">119</a></span> +thee? Alas, alas, by what meanes shall I now renue my playnts, which +time and long pacience ought to haue buried and clearely quenched? Ah I, +miserable and Caitife wretch, thinking to finde remedy for my griefs, +haue sharpned the Knife that hath gieuen me this cruell blow, whereof I +receiue the cause of mortall wound. Ah, happy and fortunate graue which +shalt serue in world to come for witnesse of the most perfect aliaunce +that euer was betwene two most infortunate louers, receyue now the last +sobbing sighes, and intertayment of the most cruell of all the cruell +subiects of ire and death.” And as she thought to continue hir +complaynts, Pietro aduertised Frier Laurence that he heard a noyse +besides the citadell, wherewyth being afrayd, they speadily departed, +fearing to be taken: and then Iulietta seeing hir selfe alone, and in +full Liberty, tooke agayne Rhomeo betweene hir armes, kissing him with +sutch affection, as she seemed to be more attaynted with loue than +death, and drawing out the Dagger which Rhomeo ware by his side, she +pricked hir selfe with many blowes against the heart, sayinge with +feeble and pitiful voice: “Ah death the end of sorrow, and beginning of +felicity, thou art most hartely welcome: feare not at this time to +sharpen thy dart: giue no longer delay of life, for feare that my sprite +trauayle not to finde Rhomeo’s ghost amongs sutch number of carion +corpses: and thou my deare Lord and loyall husband Rhomeo, if there rest +in thee any knowledge, receyue hir whom thou hast so faythfully loued, +the onely cause of thy violent death, which frankely offreth vp hir +soule that none but thou shalt ioy the loue whereof thou hast made so +lawfull conquest, and that our soules passing from this light, may +eternally liue together in the place of euerlasting ioy.” And when she +had ended those wordes shee yelded vp hir ghost. While these thinges +thus were done, the garde and watch of the Citty by chaunce passed by, +and seeing light within the graue, suspected straight that there were +some Necromancers which had opened the Toumbe to abuse the deade bodies +for ayde of their arte: and desirous to knowe what it ment, went downe +into the vaut, where they found Rhomeo and Iulietta, with their armes +imbracing ech other’s neck, as though there had bene some token of lyfe. +And after they had well viewed them at leysure, they perceyued in what +case they were: +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page120" id = "page120">120</a></span> +and then all amazed they sought for the theeues which (as they thought) +had done the murther, and in the ende founde the good father Fryer +Laurence, and Pietro the seruaunte of deade Rhomeo (whych had hid +themselues under a stall) whom they caryed to Pryson, and aduertysed the +Lord of Escala, and the magistrates of Verona of that horrible murder, +which by and by was published throughoute the City. Then flocked +together al the Citizens, women and children leauyng their houses, to +loke vppon that pityful sighte, and to the Ende that in presence of the +whole Cytie, the murder should be knowne, the Magistrates ordayned that +the two deade Bodies should <ins class = "correction" title = "error for ‘be’">he</ins> erected vppon a stage to the view and sight of the whole +World, in sutch sorte and manner as they were found withyn the Graue, +and that Pietro and frier Laurence should publikely bee examyned, that +afterwardes there myght be no murmure or other pretended cause of +ignoraunce. And thys good olde Frier beyinge vppon the Scaffold, hauinge +a whyte Bearde all wet and bathed with Teares, the Iudges commaunded him +to declare vnto them who were the Authors of that Murder, sith at +vntimely houre hee was apprehended with certayne Irons besides the +Graue. Fryer Laurence, a rounde and franke Man of talke, nothyng +moued with that accusation, answered them with stoute and bolde voyce: +“My maisters, there is none of you all (if you haue respect vnto my +forepassed Life, and to my aged Yeres, and therewithall haue +consideration of this heauy spectacle, whereunto vnhappy fortune hathe +presently brought me) but doeth greatly maruell of so sodaine mutation +and change vnlooked for so mutch as these three score and Ten or twelue +Yeares sithens I came into this Worlde, and began to proue the vanities +thereof, I was neuer suspected, touched, or found guilty of any +crime which was able to make me blushe, or hide my face, although +(before God) I doe confesse my self to be the greatest and most +abhominable sinner of al the redeemed flocke of Christ. So it is +notwythstanding, that sith I am prest and ready to render mine accompte, +and that Death, the Graue and wormes do dailye summon this wretched +corps of myne to appeare before the Iustyce seate of God, still +wayghtyng and attending to be carried to my hoped graue, this is the +houre I say, as you likewise may thinke wherein I am +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page121" id = "page121">121</a></span> +fallen to the greatest damage and preiudice of my Lyfe and honest porte, +and that which hath ingendred thys synyster opynyon of mee, may +peraduenture bee these greate Teares which in abundaunce tryckle downe +my Face as though the holy scriptures do not witnesse, that Jesus Christ +moued with humayne pitty, and compassion, did weepe, and poure forth +teares, and that many times teares be the faythfull messengers of a +man’s innocency. Or else the most likely euidence, and presumption, is +the suspected hour, which (as the magistrate doth say) doth make mee +culpable of the murder, as though all houres were not indifferently made +equall by God their Creator, who in his owne person declareth vnto vs +that there be twelue houres in the Day, shewing thereby that there is no +exception of houres nor of minutes, but that one may doe eyther good or +ill at all times indifferently, as the party is guided or forsaken by +the sprite of God: touching the Irons which were founde about me, +needefull it is not now to let you vnderstand for what vse Iron was +first made, and that of it selfe it is not able to increase in man +eyther good or euill, if not by the mischieuous minde of hym which doth +abuse it. Thus mutch I haue thought good to tell you, to the intent that +neyther teares nor Iron, ne yet suspected houre, are able to make me +guilty of the murder, or make me otherwyse than I am, but only the +witnesse of mine owne conscience, which alone if I were guilty should be +the accuser, the witnesse, and the hangman, whych, by reason of mine age +and the reputation I haue had amonges you, and the little time that I +haue to liue in this World shoulde more torment me within, than all the +mortall paynes that could be deuised: but (thankes be to myne eternall +God) I feele no worme that gnaweth, nor any remorse that pricketh +me touching that fact, for which I see you all troubled and amazed: and +to set your harts at rest, and to remoue the doubts which hereafter may +torment your consciences, I sweare vnto you by all the heauenly +parts wherein I hope to be, that forthwith I will disclose from first to +last the entire discourse of this pitifull tragedy, whych peraduenture +shall driue you into no lesse wondre and amaze, than those two poore +passionate Louers were strong and pacient, to expone themselues to the +mercy of death, for the feruent and indissoluble loue betwene +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page122" id = "page122">122</a></span> +then.” Then the Fatherly Frier began to repeate the beginning of the +loue betwene Iulietta, and Rhomeo, which by certayne space of time +confirmed, was prosecuted by wordes at the first, then by mutual promise +of mariage, vnknown to the world. And as within few dayes after, the two +Louers feelinge themselues sharpned and incited with stronger onset, +repaired vnto him vnder colour of confession, protesting by othe that +they were both maried, and that if he woulde not solempnize that mariage +in the face of the Church, they should be constrayned to offend God to +liue in disordred lust: in consideration whereof, and specially seeing +their alliaunce to be good, and comfortable in dignity, richesse and +Nobility on both sides, hoping by that meanes perchaunce to reconcile +the Montesches, and Capellets, and that by doing sutch an acceptable +worke to God, he gaue them the Churches blessingin a certayne Chappel of +the friers church whereof the night following they did consummate the +mariage fruicts in the Pallace of the Capellets. For testimony of which +copulation, the woman of Iuliettae’s Chamber was able to depose: Adding +moreouer, the murder of Thibault, which was Cousin to Iulietta: by +reason whereof the banishment of Rhomeo did followe, and howe in the +absence of the sayd Rhomeo, the mariage being kept secret betwene them, +a new Matrimony was intreated wyth the Countee Paris, which +misliked by Iulietta, she fell prostrate at his feete in a Chappell of +S. Frauncis church, with full determination to haue killed hirself with +hir owne hands, if he gaue hir not councell how she should auoyde the +mariage agreed betwene hir father and the Countee Paris. For conclusion, +he sayd, that although he was resolued by reason of his age, and +nearenesse of death to abhorre all secrete Sciences, wherein in his +younger yeares he had delight, notwithstanding, pressed with +importunity, and moued with pitty, fearing least Iulietta should do some +cruelty agaynst hirselfe, he strayned his conscience, and chose rather +with some little fault to grieue his minde, than to suffer the young +gentlewoman to destroy hir body, and hazarde the daunger of hir soule: +and therefore he opened some part of his auncient cunning, and gaue her +a certayne Pouder to make hir sleepe, by meanes whereof she was thought +to be deade. Then he +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page123" id = "page123">123</a></span> +tolde them how he had sent Frier Anselme to cary letters to Rhomeo of +their enterprise, whereof hitherto he had no aunswere. Then briefly he +concluded how he found Rhomeo dead within the graue, who as it is most +likely did impoyson himselfe, or was otherwise smothered or suffocated +with sorow by findinge Iulietta in that state, thinking shee had bene +dead. Then he tolde them how Iulietta did kill hirselfe with the Dagger +of Rhomeo to beare him company after his death, and how it was +impossible for them to saue hir for the noyse of the watch which forced +theym to flee from thence. And for more ample approbation of his saying, +he humbly besought the Lord of Verona and the Magistrats to send to +Mantua for Frier Anselme to know the cause of his slack returne, that +the content of the letter sent to Rhomeo might be seene: to examine the +Woman of the Chamber of Iulietta, and Pietro the seruaunt of Rhomeo, who +not attending for further request, sayd vnto them: “My Lordes, when +Rhomeo entred the graue, he gaue me this Pacquet, written as I suppose +with his owne hand, who gaue me expresse commaundement to deliuer it to +his father.” The pacquet opened, they found the whole effect of this +story, specially the Apothecarie’s name, which sold him the Poyson, the +price, and the cause wherefore he vsed it, and all appeared to be so +cleare and euident, as there rested nothing for further verification of +the same, but their presence at the doing of the particulers thereof, +for the whole was so well declared in order, as they were out of doubt +that the same was true: and then the Lord Bartholomew of Escala, after +he had debated with the Magistrates of these euents, decreed that the +Woman of Iulietta hir chamber should bee banished, because shee did +conceale that priuy mariage from the Father of Rhomeo, which if it had +beene knowne in tyme, had bred to the whole Citty an vniuersall benefit. +Pietro because he obeyed hys mayster’s commaundement, and kept close hys +lawfull secrets, according to the well conditioned nature of a trusty +seruaunt, was set at liberty. The Poticary taken, rackt, and founde +guilty, was hanged. The good olde man Frier Laurence, as well for +respect of his auncient seruice which he had done to the common wealth +of Verona, as also for his vertuous life (for the which hee was +specially recommended) was let goe in peace, without +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page124" id = "page124">124</a></span> +any note of Infamy. Notwithstanding by reason of his age, he voluntarily +gaue ouer the World, and closed himselfe in an Hermitage, two miles from +Verona, where he liued 5 or 6 yeares, and spent hys tyme in continuall +prayer, vntil he was called out of this transitory worlde, into the +blisful state of euerlasting ioy. And for the compassion of so straunge +an infortune, the Montesches, and Capellets poured forth sutch +abundaunce of teares, as with the same they did euacuate their auncient +grudge and choler, whereby they were then reconciled: and they which +coulde not bee brought to attonement by any wisedome or humayne +councell, were in the ende vanquished and made frends by pity: and to +immortalizate the memory of so intier and perfect amity, the Lord of +Verona ordayned, that the two bodies of those miraculous Louers should +be fast intoumbed in the graue where they ended their lyues, in which +place was erected a high marble Piller, honoured with an infinite number +of excellent Epytaphes, which to this day be apparaunt, with sutch noble +memory, as amongs all the rare excellencies, wherewith that City is +furnished, there is none more Famous than the Monument of Rhomeo and +Iulietta.</p> + + +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page125" id = "page125">125</a></span> +<h3><a name = "novel2_26" id = "novel2_26"> +THE TWENTY-SIXTH NOUELL.</a></h3> + +<p class = "summary"> +Two gentlemen of Venice were honourably deceiued of their Wyues, whose +notable practises, and secret conference for atchieuinge their desire, +occasioned diuers accidentes, and ingendred double benefit: wherein also +is recited an eloquent oration, made by one of them, pronounced before +the Duke and state of that Cittye: with other chaunces and actes +concerninge the same.</p> + +<p><span class = "firstword">Heere</span> haue I thought good to summon +2 Gentlewomen of Venice to appeare in Place, and to mount on Stage +amongs other Italian Dames to shew cause of their bolde incountrey +agaynst the Folly of their two Husbands, that vncharitably without +respect of neyghbourhoode, went about to assayle the honesty of eyther’s +wyfe, and weening they had enioyed others felicity, by the womens +prudence, foresight and ware gouernment, were both deceiued, and yet +attayned the chiefest benefit that mariage state doth looke for: so that +if search bee made amonges antiquities, it is to be doubted wheather +greater chastity, and better pollicy could be founde for accomplishment +of an intended purpose. Many deedes haue ben done by women for sauegard +of their Husbandes lyues, as that of the Minyæ, a sort of Women +whose husbandes were imprisoned at Lacedæmon, and for treason condemned, +who to saue their liues, entred into prison the night before they should +dy, and by exchange of apparell, deliuered them, and remayned there to +suffer for them. Of Hipsicratea also the Queene and Wyfe of Mithridates +king of Pontus, who spared not hir Noble beauty and golden lockes to +manure hir selfe in the vse of armes, to keepe hir husband company in +perils and daungers: and being ouercome by Pompeius, and flying away, +neuer left him vnaccompanied, ne forsooke sutch trauayle as he himselfe +sustayned. The like also of Æmilia, Turia, Sulpitia, Portia, and other +Romane Dames. But that sutch haue preuented their husband’s folly, +seldome we reade, sauing of Queene Marie, the Wife of Don Pietro king of +Arragon, who marking the insolency of hir husband, and sory for his +disordred life, honest iealousie opening hir continent +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page126" id = "page126">126</a></span> +eyes, forced hir to seeke meanes to remoue his wanton acts, or at +leastwise by pollicy and wise foresight to make him husbande and culture +his own soyle, that for want of seasonable tillage was barren and voyde +of fruicte. Wherefore consulting with the Lord chamberlayne, who of +custome brought whom the king liked best, was in place of his woman +bestowed in his Bed, and of her that night begat the yong Prynce +Giacomo, that afterwardes proued a valiaunte, and wise king. These +passing good pollicies of women many times abolish the frantik lecherous +fits of husbands gieuen to superfluous lusts, when first by their chast +behauiour and womanly patience they contayne that which they be loth to +see or heare of, and then demaunding counsell of sobriety and wisedome, +excogitate sleights to shun folly, and expell discurtesie, by husbande’s +carelesse vse. Sutch practises, and deuises, these two Gentlewomen whom +I now bringe forth, disclose in this discourse ensuing. In the Citty of +Venice, (which for riches and fayre Women excelleth all other within the +region of Italy) in the time that Francesco Foscari, a very wyse +Prynce, did gouerne the state, there were two young Gentlemen, the one +called Girolamo Bembo, and the other Anselmo Barbadico, betwene whom as +many times chaunceth amongs other, grew sutch great hatred and cruel +hostility, as ech of them by secret and all possible meanes deuised to +doe other shame and displeasure, which kindled to sutch outrage, as it +was thought impossible to be pacified. It chaunced that at one tyme both +of them did mary two noble young Gentlewomen, excellent and fayre, both +brought vp vnder one Nurse, and loued ech other lyke two Sisters, and as +though they had been both borne of one body. The Wyfe of Anselmo, called +Isotta, was the Daughter of Messer Marco Gradenigo, a man of great +estimation in that Citty, one of the procuratours of San Marco, whereof +there were not so great number in those dayes as there bee now, because +the Wysest men, and best Approued of Lyfe were chosen to that great and +Noble dignity, none allotted thereunto by Bribes or Ambition. The Wyfe +of Girolamo Bembo was called Lucia, the Daughter of Messer Gian +Francesco Valerio Caualiere, a Gentleman very well learned, and +many times sent by the State, Ambassador into diuers Countreys, and +after he had bene Orator wyth the Pope, for his +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page127" id = "page127">127</a></span> +wisedome in the execution of the same was in great estimation wyth the +whole Citty. The two Gentlewomen after they were maried, and heard of +the hatred betwene their Husbandes, were very sorrowfull and pensiue, +because they thought the Freendshyp and Loue betwene them twayne, +continued from their tender yeares, could not bee, but with greate +difficulty kept, or else altogither dissolued and broken. +Notwithstanding beyng discrete and wyse, for auoyding occasion of eche +Husbande’s offence, determined to cease their accustomed conuersation +and louinge Familiarity, and not to frequent others company, but at +Places and Tymes conuenient. To whom Fortune was so fauourable, as not +onely theyr Houses were neere together but also adioyninge, in the +Backsides whereof theyr Gardeyns also Confined, seperated onely wyth a +lyttle Hedge, that euery day they myght see one another, and many tymes +talke together: moreouer the Seruauntes, and People of eyther houses +were freendly, and familiar, whych didde greately content the two +Louynge Gentlewomen, bicause they also in the absence of theyr +Husbandes, myghte at pleasure in their Gardens disport themselues. And +continuing this order the space of three yeares neyther of them within +that terme were with chylde. In which space Anselmo many times viewing +and casting his eyes vpon Madonna Lucia, fell earnestly in loue with +hir, and was not that day well at ease, wherein he had not beholden hir +excellent beauty. She that was of Spirite, and Wit subtle, marked the +lookes and maner of Anselmo, who neyther for loue, ne other cause did +render like lookes on him, but to see to what ende his louing cheere and +Countenaunce would tend. Notwithstanding she seemed rather desirous to +behold him, than elswhere to imploye hir lookes. On the other side the +good behauiour, the wise order and pleasaunt beauty of Madonna Isotta +was so excellent and plausible in the sight of mayster Girolamo, as no +Louer in the World was better pleased with his beloued than he with hir: +who not able to liue wythout the sweete sight of Isotta (that was a +crafty and wily Wench) was by hir quickly perceiued. She being right +honest and wise, and louing hir husband very dearely, did beare that +countenaunce to Girolamo, that she generally did to any of the Citty, or +to other straunger that she neuer saw before. But hir +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page128" id = "page128">128</a></span> +husband more and more inflamed, hauing lost the liberty of himselfe, +wounded and pierced with the amorous arowes of Loue, coulde not conuert +his minde to any other but to mistresse Lucia. These two women wonted to +heare seruice euery day ordinarily at the church of Sanfantino, bicause +they lay long a bed in the mornings, and commonly seruice in that church +was sayd somewhat late: their pewes also somwhat distant one from an +other. Whether their 2 amorous husbands continually vsed to follow them +a loofe of, and to place themselues where eyther of them might best view +his beloued: by which custome they seemed to the common people to be +iealous ouer their Wyues. But they prosecuted the matter in sutch wyse, +as eyther of them without shipping, sought to send other into Cornouale. +It came to passe then, that these 2 beloued gentlewomen one knowing +nothing of another’s intent, determined to consider better of this loue, +because the great good will long time borne, should not be interrupted. +Vppon a certayne day when their husbands were abrode, resorting together +to talk at their Garden hedge according to theyr wonted manner, they +began to be pleasaunte and merry: and after louynge salutations, +Mistresse Lucia spake these Woordes vnto hir Companyon: “Isotta my deare +beloued sister, I haue a tale to tell you of your husband, that +perchaunce will seeme straunger than anye newes that euer you heard.” +“And I” (answered mistresse Isotta) “I have a story to tel you that +wil make you no lesse to wonder than I at that which you haue to say, +and it may be will put you into some choler and chafe.” “What is that?” +quod the one and other. In the ende eyther of them told what practizes +and loue their husbands went about. Whereat although they were in great +rage for theyr husbandes follye, yet for the time they laughed out the +matter, and thought that they were sufficient (as in very deede they +were, a thing not to be doubted) and able to satisfie their +husbands hunger and therewithall began to blame them and to say that +they deserued to learn to play of the Cornets, if they had no greater +feare of God, and care of honesty than their husbands had. Then after +mutch talke of this matter, concluded that they should do wel to expect +what their husbands would demaund. Hauing taken order as they thought +meete, they agreed dailye to espye what shoulde +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page129" id = "page129">129</a></span> +chaunce, and purposed first with sweete and pleasaunte lookes to bayte +and lure eche other feere, to put them in hope therby that they should +satisfie their desires, which done for that tyme they departed. And when +at the Church at Sanfantino or other place in Venice, they chanced to +meete their louers, they shewed vnto them cheareful and mery +Countenaunce: whych the Louers well notyng, were the gladdest Men of the +Worlde: and seeing that it was impossible in Speache to vtter their +Myndes, they purposed by Letters to signify the same. And hauing found +Purciuants to goe betwene parties (whereof this City was wont to be ful) +either of them wrote an Amorous Letter, to his beloued, the content +whereof was, that they were verye desyrous secretly to talke with them, +thereby to expresse the burnynge affectyons that inwardly they bare +them, whych without declaration and vtterance by Mouthe in theyr owne +presence, woulde breede them Torments more bytter than Deathe. And +wythin fewe Dayes after (no greate difference of Tyme betweene,) they +wrote their Letters. But Girolamo Bembo hauing a pregnant Wit, who +coulde well Endite both in prose, and Rime, wrote an excellent sonnet in +the prayse of his Darling in Italian Meeter, and wyth hys Letter sent +the same vnto hir, the effect whereof doth follow.</p> + +<div class = "verse"> +<p>A liuely face and pearcing beauty bright</p> +<p>Hath linkt in loue my sely sences all:</p> +<p>A comely porte, a goodly shaped wight</p> +<p>Hath made me slide that neuer thought to fall:</p> +<p>Hir eyes, hir grace, hir deedes and maners milde,</p> +<p>So straines my heart that loue hath Wit begilde.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +But not one dart of Cupide did me wounde,</p> +<p>A hundred shaftes lights all on me at ones:</p> +<p>As though dame kind some new deuise had founde,</p> +<p>To teare my flesh, and crash a two my bones:</p> +<p>And yet I feele sutch ioy in these my woes</p> +<p>That as I die my sprite to pleasure goes.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +These new found fits sutch change in me doe breede,</p> +<p>I hate the day and draw to darknesse, lo!</p> +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page130" id = "page130">130</a></span> +<p>Yet by the Lampe of beauty doe I feede</p> +<p>In dimmest dayes and darkest nights also,</p> +<p>Thus altring State and changing Diet still,</p> +<p>I feele and know the force of Venus will.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +The best I finde, is that I doe confesse,</p> +<p>I loue you Dame whose beauty doth excell:</p> +<p>But yet a toy doth breede me some distresse,</p> +<p>For that I dread you will not loue me well,</p> +<p>Than loue yee wot shall rest in me alone:</p> +<p>And fleshly brest, shall beare a heart of stone.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +O goddesse mine, yet heare my voyce of ruthe,</p> +<p>And pitie him that heart presents to thee:</p> +<p>And if thou want a witnesse for my truth</p> +<p>Let sighes and teares my iudge and record be,</p> +<p>Vnto the ende a day may come in hast,</p> +<p>To make me thinke I spend no time in waste.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +For nought preuayles in loue to serue and sue</p> +<p>If full effect ioyne not with words at neede,</p> +<p>What is desire or any fansies newe</p> +<p>More than the winde? that spreades abroade in deede,</p> +<p>My words and works, shall both in one agree,</p> +<p>To pleasure hir, whose Seruaunt would I bee.</p> +</div> + +<p>The subtill Dames receiuing those amorous letters and song, +disdanfully at the first seemed to take them at the bringers hands, as +they had determined, yet afterwardes they shewed better countenaunce. +These letters were tossed from one to an other, whereat they made great +pastime, and thought that the same would come to very good successe, +eyther of theym keepinge styll their Husbande’s Letter, and agreed +without iniury done one to an other trimly to deceyue their husbands. +The maner how you shall perceyue anone. They deuised to send word to +their Louers, that they were ready at al times to satisfie their sutes, +if the same might be secretly done, and safely might make repayre vnto +their houses, when their Husbands were absent, which in any wise they +sayde, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page131" id = "page131">131</a></span> +must be done in the night, for feare least in the day tyme they were +discried. Agayne these prouident and subtill Women had taken order wyth +their Maydes, whom they made priuy to their practyse that through their +Gardens they should enter into other’s house, and bee shut in their +Chambers without Lyght, there to tary for their Husbands, and by any +meanes not to bee seene or knowne. This order prescribed and giuen, +Mistresse Lucia first did hir louer to vnderstand, that the night +insuing at foure of the Clock at the Posterne dore, which should be left +open, he should come into hir house, where hir mayde should be ready to +bring him vp to hir Chaumbre, because hir husband Maister Girolamo +woulde that Night imbarke himselfe to goe to Padua. The like Mistresse +Isotta did to Maister Girolamo, appointing him at fiue of the clock, +whych she sayd was a very conuenient time, bicause mayster Anselmo that +night would sup and lye with certayne of his Fryends at Murano, +a place besides Venice. Vpon these newes, the 2 Louers thought them +selues the most valiaunt and fortunate of the World, no Enterprise now +there was but seemed easie for them to bring to passe, yea if it were to +expell the Saracens out of Hierusalem, or to depriue the great Turke of +his Kingdome of Constantinople. Their ioy was sutch, as they coulde not +tell where they were, thinking euery houre a whole day till night. At +length the tyme was come so long desired, and the Husbandes accordingly +gaue diligent attendaunce, and let their Wyues to vnderstande, (or at +least wyse beleeued they had) that they could not come home that night +for matters of great importaunce. The Women that were very wise, seeing +their ship sayle wyth so prosperous wynde, fayned themselues to credite +all that they offered. These young men tooke eyther of them his Gondola +(or as we tearm it theyr Barge) to disport themselues, and hauing supped +abroade, rowed in the Canali, which is the Water that passeth through +diuers Streates of the Citty, expecting their appoyncted houre. The +Women ready at three of the Clocke, repayred into their Gardens, and +after they had Talked, and Laughed together a prety whyle, went one into +an other’s house, and were by the maydes brought vp to the Chaumbers. +There eyther of them the Candle being light, began diligently to view +the order and situation of the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page132" id = "page132">132</a></span> +Place, and by little and little marked the chiefest things they looked +for, committing the same to memory. Afterwards they put out the Candle, +and both in trembling maner expected the comming of their Husbandes. And +iust at four of the Clocke the Mayden of Madonna Lucia stoode at the +dore to wayte for the comminge of Maister Anselmo, who within a while +after came, and gladly was let in by the mayde, and by hir conducted vp +to hir Bed side. The place there, was so dark as Hel, and impossible for +him to know his Wyfe. The two Wyues were so like of bignesse and Speach +as by darke wythout great difficulty they could be known: when Anselmo +had put of his clothes, he was of his Wyfe amorously intertayned, +thinking the Wyfe of Girolamo had receyued him betwene hir armes, who +aboue a Thousande times kissed hir very sweetely, and she for hir parte +sweetely rendred agayne to hym so many: what followed it were Folly to +describe. Girolamo lykewise at 5 of the clocke appeared, and was by the +mayde conueied vp to the Chamber, where he lay with his own Wife, to +their great contentations. Now these 2 husbands thinking they had ben +imbraced by their beloued Ladies, to seeme braue, and valiaunt men of +Warre, made greater proofe of their Manhoode, than they were wont to do. +At what time their Wyues (as it pleased God to manifest by their +deliuery) were begotten with child of 2 fayre Sons, and they the best +contented Women of the World. This practise continued betwene them many +times, fewe weekes passing but in this sort they lay together. Neither +of them for all this perceiued themselues to be deluded, or conceyued +any suspition of collusion for that the chamber was still without light, +and in the day the Women commonly fayled not to be together. The time +was not longe but their Bellies began to swell, whereat their Husbandes +were exceeding ioyfull, beleeuing verily that eyther of them had fixed +Hornes vpon the other’s head. Howbeit the poore men for all their false +Beliefe had bestowed theyr Laboure vppon their owne Soyle, watred onely +with the course of their proper Fountayne. These two Iolly Wenches +seeyng themselues by thys amorous practize to be with Childe, beganne to +deuise howe they might break of the same, douting least some slaunder +and ill talke should rise: and thereby the hatred and malice betwene +theyr husbandes +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page133" id = "page133">133</a></span> +increase to greater fury. And as they were aboute thys deuise, an +occasion chaunced vtterly to dissolue theyr accustomed meetynges, but +not in that sorte as they woulde haue had it. For the Women determined +as merily they had begon so iocundlye to ende: but Fortune the guide of +Humane Lyfe, disposeth all enterpryses after hir owne pleasure, who lyke +a puissant Lady caryeth with hir the successe of eche attempte. The +beginning she offereth freely to him that list, the Ende she calleth +for, as a ransome or trybute payable vnto hir. In the same streate, or +as they call it Rio, and Canale, not farre from theyr Houses, there +dwelled a young Woman very fayre and comely, not fully twenty yeares of +age, which then was a Widow, and a lyttle before the wife of M. Niccolo +Delphino, and the Daughter of M. Giuoanni Moro, called Gismonda: she +besides hir Father’s Dowrye (which was more than a Thousand Pound) had +left hir by hir Husband, a great Porcyon of Money, Iewels, Plate, +and houshold Furnitures. Wyth hir fell in Loue Aloisio Foscari, the +Nephewe of the Duke, who making greate sute to haue hir to Wyfe, +consumed the time in beholding his Ladye, and at length had brought the +matter to so good passe, as one Nighte she was contented, at one of the +Wyndowes of hir House directly ouer agaynste a little lane, to heare him +speake. Aloisio maruellous glad of those desired Newes, at the appoynted +Nyght, about fyue or sixe of the Clocke, with a Ladder made of Roapes +(bicause the Window was very high) went thyther alone. Beyng at the +place and making a signe concluded vppon betweene them, attended when +the gentlewoman should throw down hir cord to draw vp the Ladder +accordingly as was appointed, which not longe after was done. Gismonda +when shee had receiued the ende of the Ladder, tied it fast to the iawme +of the wyndow, and gaue a token to hir Louer to mount. He by force of +loue being very venturous, liuely and lustely scaled the Wyndow: and +when he was vppon the Top of the same, desirous to caste himselfe in, to +embrace his Lady, and shee not readye to receiue him, or else vppon +other occasion, he fel downe backewarde, thinking as he fell to haue +saued himselfe twice or thryce by catchyng holde vppon the Ladder, but +it would not be. Notwithstanding, as God would haue it, the poise of his +Body fell not vppon the pauement of the streate fully, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page134" id = "page134">134</a></span> +but was stayed by some lets in the fall, whych had it not bene so, no +doubt he had bene slayne out of hande, but yet his bones were sore +brused and his heade deepely wounded. The infortunate Louer seeing +himselfe sore hurt wyth that pityfull fall, albeyt hee thought that hee +had receiued his Death’s Wounde, and impossyble to liue any longer, yet +the loue that he bare to the Widow, did so far surmount hys payne and +the gryefe of hys Body sore crushed and broken, that so well as he +could, hee rose vp, and with his hands stayed the Bloud that ranne from +hys Heade, to the intente yt myghte not rayse some slaunder vppon the +Widow whom hee loued so wel: and went alonges the streate towarde the +houses of Girolamo and Anselmo aforesaid. Being come thither wyth greate +difficulty not able to goe anye further for verye payne and gryefe, hee +faynted and fell downe as deade, where the Bloude issued in sutch +aboundaunce, as the Grounde therewyth was greatly imbrued, and euery one +that saw him thought him to be voide of Lyfe. Mistresse Gismonda +exceeding sorrowful for this mischaunce, doubted that he had broken his +Necke, but when she saw hym depart, she comforted him so well as she +could, and drewe vp the Ladder into hir Chamber. Sutch Chaunces happen +to earnest Louers, who when they think they haue scaled the top of theyr +Felicity, sodaynly tomble downe into the Pit of extreme despayre, that +better it had ben for them leysurely to expect the grace of their Ladyes +at conuenient place and houre, than hardily without prouidence to +aduenture lyke desperat souldiers to clym the top of the vamure, without +measurying the height of the Wals, or viewynge the substaunce of theyr +Ladders, do receyue in the ende cruell repulse, and fal down headlonge +either by present Death or mortall Wounde, to receyue euerlastyng +reproche and shame. But turne we agayne now to this disgraced Louer, who +lay gasping betwene Lyfe and Death. And as he was in this sorrowful +state, one of the Captaynes, a Noble man appointed to see orders +obserued in the Nighte, wyth hys bande (which they call Zaffi) came +thither: and finding hym lying vpon the ground, knew that it was Aloisio +Foscari, and causing him to be taken vp from the place wher he lay, +(thinking he had ben dead) commanded that he should be conueyed into the +Church adioyning whych immediately was done. And when he had wel +considered +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page135" id = "page135">135</a></span> +the place where hee was founde, hee doubted that eyther Girolamo Bembo +or Anselmo Barbadico, before whose Dores hee thought the murder +committed, had kylled him, which afterwards he beleued to be true, +bycause he heard a certayne noyse of mennes Feete at one of their +Doores: wherefore he deuided his company, placyng some on the one side +of their houses, and some on the other, besieging the same so well as he +coulde. And as Fortune woulde he founde by Neglygence of the mayds, the +dores of the <span class = "smallroman">II.</span> houses open. It +chaunced also that Nyght that the two Louers one in other’s House were +gone to lye with their Ladyes, who hearynge the hurly burly, and sturre +made in the house by the Sergeants, sodaynely the Women lept out of +their Beds, and bearyng their apparell vppon theyr shoulders, went home +to their houses throughe their Gardeins vnseene of any, and in fearefull +wyse did attende what should be the End of the same. Girolamo, and +Anselmo not knowing what rumor and noise that was, although they made +hast in the Darke to cloth themselues, were by the Offycers without any +field fought, apprehended in ech other’s Chamber, and remained Prysoners +at theyr mercy: whereat the Captayne and hys Band did greatly maruell, +knowyng the Hatred betweene them. But when Torches and Lyghts were +brought, and the two Gentlemen caried out of Doores, the wonder was the +greater for that they perceyued them almoste Naked, and prysoners taken +in eche other’s House. And besydes thys admiratyon, sutch murmur and +slaunder was bruted, as the quality of euerye Vulgar Heade coulde +secretlye deuyse or Imagyne, but specyally of the innocente Women, who +howe faultlesse they were, euery Man by what is sayde before maye +conceyue, and yet the cancred Stomackes of that Troupe bare sutch Malyce +agaynste them, as they iarred and brawled agaynst them lyke curryshe +Curres at straunge Dogges whom they neuer sawe before. The Gentlemen +immediately were caried to pryson, ignorant vppon what occasion: +afterwards vnderstandinge that they were committed for the murder of +Aloisio Foscari, and imprysoned like theeues, albeit they knew +themselues guiltlesse of murder or Theft, yet their gryef and sorrowe +was very greate, beynge certayne that all Venice should vnderstande howe +they betweene whome had ben mortall hatred, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page136" id = "page136">136</a></span> +were nowe become copartners of that whych none but the true possessours +ought to enioy: and althoughe they coulde not abyde to speake together, +lyke those that deadely dyd hate one another, yet both theyr myndes were +fyxed vppon one thought. In the ende, conceyuing Fury and despite +agaynste theyr Wyues, the place being so darke that no Lyght or Sunne +coulde pierce into the same, whereby wythout shame or disdayne one of +them began to speake to another, and with terrible Othes they gaue theyr +fayth to disclose the troth in what sort eyther of them was taken in +other’s Chamber, and frankely told the way and meane howe eche of them +enioyed hys Pleasure of other’s Wyfe: whereupon the whole matter +(according to their knowledge) was altogether by little and little +manifest and knowne. Then they accompted theyr Wiues to be the most +arrant strumpets within the whole City, by dispraysing of whom theyr +olde rancor was forgotten, and they agreed together like two Fryends, +who thought that for shame they should neuer be able to looke Men in the +face, ne yet to shew themselues openlye within the Citye, for sorrow +whereof they deemed Death the greatest good turne and best Benefit that +could chance vnto them. To be short, seeing no meanes or occasion to +comfort and relieue theyr pensyue and heauy states, they fell into +extreeme despayre, who ashamed to lyue any longer, deuised way to rid +them selues of Lyfe, concludyng to make themselues guilty of the murder +of Aloiso Foscari: and after mutch talke betweene them of that cruell +determination, styll approuing the same to be theyr best refuge, they +expected nothyng else, but when they should be examined before the +Magistrates. Foscari as is before declared was carryed into the Churche +for Deade, and the Pryest straightly charged wyth the keepynge of hym, +who caused hym to be conueyed into the myddes of the Church, setting +<span class = "smallroman">II.</span> Torches a Light, the one at his +heade, and the other at his feete, and when the Company was gone, he +determined to goe to bed the remnant of the Nyght to take his rest: but +before he went, seeing the Torches were but short, and could not last +paste two or three houres, he lighted two other, and set them in the +others place, for that it should seeme to his frends, if any chaunced to +come what care and worship he bestowed vpon him. The Priest +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page137" id = "page137">137</a></span> +ready to depart, perceiued the Body somewhat to moue, with that looking +vppon his Face, espyed his eyes a little to begin to open. Wherewithall +somewhat afraide, he crying out, ran awaye: notwithstanding his Courage +began to come to him again, and laying his hand vpon his breast, +perceiued his heart to beate, and then twas out of doubt that he was not +dead, although by reason of losse of his bloud he thought little life to +remaine in him: wherefore he with one of his fellow priests which was a +bed, and the Clerck of the Parish, caried maister Foscari so tenderly as +they could into the Priests Chamber, which adioined next the Church. +Then he sente for a surgeon that dwelt hard by, and required him +diligently to search the Wounde, who so well as he could purged the same +from the corrupt Bloud, and perceiuyng it not to be mortall, so dressed +it wyth Oyles and other precious ointments, as Aloisio came agayn to +hymselfe: and when he had anoynted that recouered body wyth certayne +Precious and comfortable Oyles, he suffred him to take his rest: the +Priest also went to bed and slepte till it was Daye, who so soone as he +was vp, went to seeke the Captayne to tel him that Maister Aloisio was +recouered. The Captaine at that tyme was gone to the pallace at San. +Marco, to giue the Duke aduertisement of thys Chaunce, after whom the +Priest went and was let in to the Duke’s Chamber: to whom he declared +what he had done to Aloisio. The Duke very glad to heare tell of his +Nephewe’s lyfe, although then very pensiue for the newes broughte vnto +him by the Captayne, intreated one of the Signor de notte, to take with +him two of the best surgions, and to call him that had already dressed +his Nephew, to goe to visite the wounded Gentleman, that hee might be +certified of the truth of that Chaunce. All which together repaired to +the Pryeste’s Chaumber, where fyndinge hym not a sleepe, and the Wounde +fayre inoughe to heale, dyd therevnto what their cunning thoughte meete: +and then they began to inquire of hym, that was not yet full recouered +to perfecte speache, howe that chaunce happened, telling hym that he +might frankelye confesse vnto them the trouthe. The more dilygent they +were in this demaunde, bicause the Surgeon that dressed him fyrst, +alleaged, that the Wounde was not made with Sworde, but receiued by some +greate fall or blowe with Mace or +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page138" id = "page138">138</a></span> +Clubbe, or rather seemed to come of some high fall from a Wyndowe, by +reason his Head was so gryevously brused. Aloisio hearynge the Surgeons +sodayne demaunde, presentlye aunswered, that he fell downe from a +Wyndowe, and named also the House. And he had no sooner spoken those +Woordes, but he was very angry wyth him selfe and sorrye: and +wherewithall his dismayde Spyrites began to reuyue in sutch wyse, as +sodainlye he choyse rather to dye than to speake any thynge to the +dyshonoure of mystresse Gismonda. Then the Signior di notte, asked hym +what he dyd there aboute that Tyme of the Nyght, and wherfore hee dyd +clymb vp to the Wyndowe, beynge so hyghe: whych hee coulde not keepe +secrete, consyderyng the Authorytye of the Magystrate that demaunded the +questyon, albeyt hee thoughte that yf his Tongue hadde runne at large, +and commytted a Faulte by rashe speakynge, hys Bodye should therefore +suffer the smart: wherefore before hee woulde in any wyse gyue occasion +to slaunder hir, whome hee loued better than hys owne Lyfe, determined +to hazarde hys Lyfe and Honoure, to the mercye of Iustice, and sayde: +“I declared euen nowe, whych I cannot denye, that I fell downe from +the wyndowe of Mystresse Gismonda Mora. The cause thereof (beeynge now +at state, wherein I knowe not whether I shall Lyue or Dye) I will +truelye dysclose: Mystresse Gismonda beynge a Wydowe and a younge Woman, +wythoute anye Man in hir House, bycause by reporte shee is very rych of +Iewels and Money, I purposed to robbe and dyspoyle: wherefore I +deuysed a ladder to clymbe vp to hir Wyndowe, with Mynde full bent to +kill all those that should resiste me: but my mishappe was sutch as the +Ladder being not well fastened fell downe, and I my selfe therwithall, +and thinking to recouer home to my lodging with my corded Ladder, my +Spirites beganne to fayle, and tombled downe I wotte not where.” The +Signor de notte, whose name was Domenico Mariperto hearing him say so, +maruelled greatly, and was very sorie, that all they in the Chamber, +which were a great number, (as at sutch chaunces commonly be) dyd heare +those Woordes: and bicause they were spoken so openly, he was forced to +saye vnto hym: “Aloisio, it doth not a little grieue me that thou hast +committed sutch follye, but for so mutch as sorrowe now will not +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page139" id = "page139">139</a></span> +serue to remedye the Trespasse, I muste needes shew my selfe both +faithfull to my countrey, and also carefull of mine honor, withoute +respect of persons: wherefore thou shalte remaine here in sutch safe +custody as I shal appoint, and when thou art better amended, thou must +according to desert be referred to the Gaole.” Leauing him there vnder +sure keeping, he went to the counsell of the Dieci, (which magistrates +in that City be of greatest authority) and finding the Lords in +Counsell, he opened the whole matter vnto them: the presidentes of the +Counsell which had hearde a great numbre of complaynts of many Theftes +don in the Nyght wythin the Citye, tooke order that one of the Captaynes +that were appoynted to the dilygente Watche and keepyng of Aloisio, +remayning in the Pryeste’s House, should cause him to be examined, and +with tormentes forced to tell the truth, for that they did verely +beleeue that hee had committed many Robberies besides, or at the least +was priuy and accessarie to the same, and knew where the Theues were +become. Afterwardes the sayd Counsell did sitte vppon the matter of +Girolamo Bembo and Anselmo Barbadico, found at myde Night naked in eche +other’s Chambre, and commytted to Pryson as is before remembred: and +bicause they had many matters besides of greater importaunce, to consult +vppon, amongs which the warres betwene them and Philippo Maria Visconte, +Duke of Milane, the aforesayde causes were deferred tyll an other tyme, +notwythstandyng in the meane while they were examyned. The Duke himselfe +that tyme being in Counsell, spake most seuerely against his Nephew: +neuerthelesse he did hardly beleeue that his Nephew being very rich, and +indued with great honesty, would abase himselfe to a vice so vile and +abhominable as theft is, wherevppon he began to consider of many +thinges, and in the ende talked with hys Nephew secretly alone, and by +that meanes learned the trouth of the whole matter. In like maner +Anselmo and Girolamo were Examined by Commissioners appoyncted by the +state, what one of them did in an other’s chamber, at that houre of the +night, who confessed that many tymes they had seene Aloisio Foscari, to +passe vp and down before their houses at times inconuenient, and that +night by chaunce one of them not knowing of another, espied Aloisio, +thinking that he lingered about their +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page140" id = "page140">140</a></span> +houses to abuse one of their Wyues, for which cause they went out, and +with their Weapons sodenly killed him: which confession they openly +declared accordingly, as whereupon before they were agreed. Afterwardes +with further circumstaunce being examined vpon the Article of being one +in another’s Chaumber, it appeared that their first tale was vtterly +vntrue: of all which contradictions the Duke was aduertised, and was +driuen into extreeme admiration, for that the truth of those disorders +coulde not be to the full vnderstanded and knowne. Whereuppon the Dieci, +and the assistauntes were agayne assembled in councell accordinge to the +maner, at what time after all things throughly were debated and ended, +the Duke being a very graue man, of excellent Witte, aduaunced to the +Dukedome by the consent of the whole State, as euery of theym were about +to rise vp, hee sayde vnto them: “My Lordes, there resteth one thinge +yet to be moued, which peraduenture hitherto hath not bene thought vpon: +there are before vs two complaynts, the effect whereof in my iudgement +is not throughly conceyed in the Opinions of diuers. Anselmo Barbadico, +and Girolamo Bembo, betwene whom there hath bene euer continuall hatred, +left vnto them as a man may say euen by Fathers Inheritance both of them +in eyther of their Chaumbers, were apprehended in a manner naked by our +Sergeaunts, and without Torments, or for feare to bee racked vpon the +onely interrogatories of oure ministers, they haue voluntarily confessed +that before their houses they killed Aloisio our Nephew: and albeit that +our sayde Nephew yet liueth, and was not striken by them or any other as +should appeare, yet they confesse themselues guilty of murder. What +shall be sayd then to the matter, doth it not seeme doubtfull? Our +Nephew again hath declared, that in going about to rob the house of +Mistresse Gismonda Mora, whom he ment to haue slayne, he fel downe to +the Ground from the top of a window, wherefore by reason so many +robberies haue bene discouered within the Citty, it may be presumed that +hee was the theefe and malefactor, who ought to be put to the torments, +that the truth may be knowne, and being found guilty, to feele the +seuere punishment that he hath deserued. Moreouer when he was found +lying vpon the ground, he had neither Ladder nor Weapon, whereupon may +bee +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page141" id = "page141">141</a></span> +thought that the fact was otherwise done, than hitherto is confessed. +And because amongs morall vertues, temperance is the chiefest and worthy +of greatest commendation, and that iustice not righteously executed, is +iniustice and wronge, it is meete and conuenient for vs in these +straunge accidents, rather to vse temperaunce than the rigor of iustice: +and that it may appeare that I do not speake these words without good +grounde, marke what I shall saye vnto you. These two most mortall +enimies doe confesse that which is impossible to be true, for that our +Nephew (as is before declared) is a liue, and his wounde was not made by +Sworde, as hee himselfe hath confessed. Now who can tell or say the +contrary, but that shame for being taken in their seuerall Chambers, and +the dishonesty of both their Wyues, hath caused them to despise life, +and to desire death? we shall finde if the matter be diligently inquired +and searched, that it will fall out otherwise than is already supposed +by common opinion. For the contrariety of examinations, vnlikelihoode of +circumstances, and the impossibility of the cause, rendreth the matter +doubtfull: wherefore it is very needeful diligently to examine these +attempts, and thereof to vse more aduised consideration. On the other +side, our Nephew accuseth himselfe to be a theefe and which is more, +that hee ment to kill Mistresse Mora when hee brake into hir house. +Vnder this Grasse, my Lords, as I suppose, some other Serpent lieth +hiden, that is not yet thought of. The Gentleman yee know before this +time was neuer defamed of sutch outrage, ne suspected of the least +offence that may be obiected: besides that, all yee doe know, (thanks +therefore be geuen to almighty God) that he is a man of great richesse, +and possessions, and hath no neede to rob: for what necessity should +driue him to rob a widowe, that hath of his owne liberally to bestow +vpon the succour of Widowes? Were there none els of substance in the +Citty for him to geue attempt but to a Wyddowe, a comfortlesse +creature, contented with quiet lyfe to lyue amonges hir family within +the boundes of hir owne house? What if hir richesse, Iewels and plate be +great, hath not Aloisio of his owne to redouble the same? but truly this +Robbery was done after some other manner than hee hath confessed: to vs +then my Lords it appertayneth, if it so stande with your pleasures, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page142" id = "page142">142</a></span> +to make further inquiry of the same, promisinge vnto you vppon our +Fayth, that wee shall imploy our whole diligence in the true examination +of thys matter, and hope to bring the same to sutch good ende, as none +shall haue cause to blame vs, the finall sentence whereof shall bee +reserued to youre iudgement.” Thys graue request and wise talke of the +Duke pleased greatly the Lordes of the Counsayle, who referred not onely +the examination, but also the finall sentence vnto hym. Whereuppon the +wyse Prynce beinge fully enformed of the chaunce happened to his +Nephewe, attended onely to make search, if he could vnderstand the +occasion why Bembo and Barbadico so foolishly had accused themselues of +that which they neuer did. And so after mutch counsayle, and great tyme +contriued in their seueral examinations, his Nephew then was well +recouered, and able to goe abroade, being set at liberty. The Duke then +hauinge bestowed hys trauayle with the other two prisoners, communicated +to the Lords of the aforesayd councel called Dieci the whole trouth of +the matter. Then he caused with great discretion, proclamation to be +made throughout Venice, that Anselmo and Girolamo shold be beheded +betwene the two Pyllers, and Aloisio hanged, whereby he thought to know +what sute the women would make, eyther with or against their Husbandes, +and what euidence mistresse Gismonda woulde geue against Aloisio. The +brute hereof dispersed, diuers talke thereuppon was raysed, and no +communication of any thing els in open streats, and priuate houses, but +of the putting to death of those men. And bicause all three were of +honorable houses, their kinsmen, and Friendes made sute by all possible +meanes for theyr pardon. But their Confessions published, the rumor was +made worse, (as it dayly chaunceth in like cases) than the matter was in +deede, and the same was noysed how Foscari had confessed so many theftes +done by him at diuers tymes, as none of his freends or Kin durst speake +for him. Mistresse Gismonda which bitterly lamented the mischaunce of +hir Louer, after she vnderstoode the confession hee had made, and +euidently knew that because hee woulde not bleamish hir honour, he had +rather willingly forgo his owne, and therewithall his lyfe, felt hir +selfe so oppressed with feruent loue, as shee was ready presently to +surrender hir ghost. Wherefore +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page143" id = "page143">143</a></span> +shee sent him woorde that he should comfort himselfe, because shee was +determined to manifest the very trouth of the matter, and hoped vppon +hir declaration of true euidence, sentence shoulde bee reuoked, for +testimony whereof, shee had his louinge letters yet to shewe, written to +hir with his owne handes, and would bring forth in the iudgement place, +the corded ladder, which she had kept stil in her chamber. Aloisio +hearinge these louing newes, and of the euidence which his Lady woulde +giue for his defence, was the gladdest man of the worlde, and caused +infinite thankes to be rendred vnto hir, wyth promise that if hee might +bee rid and discharged out of prison, he woulde take hir for his louing +spouse and wyfe. Whereof the gentlewoman conceyued singuler solace, +louing hir deere freende with more entier affection than hir owne soule. +Mistresse Lucia, and mistresse Isotta, hearing the dispercled voyce of +the death of their husbands, and vnderstanding the case of mistresse +Gismonda by an other woman, layd their heads together likwise to deuise +meanes for sauing their husbandes liues: and entring into their Barge, +or Gondola, wente to seeke mistresse Gismonda and when they had debated +vppon the trouthe of these euents, concluded with one assent to prouide +for the safegarde and deliuerye of theyr husbandes, wherein they shewed +themselues both wise and honest. For what state is more honorable and of +greater Comforte than the marryed Lyfe, if in deede they that haue +yoaked themselues therein be conformable to those Delightes, and +contentation which the same conduceth? Wealth and Riches maketh the true +vnyted couple to reioyce in the Benefits of Fortune, graunted by the +sender of the same, either of them prouiding for disposing thereof, +against the decripite time of olde age, and for the bestowing of the +same vppon the Fruicte accrued of theyr Bodies. Pouerty in any wise +dothe not offend them, both of them glad to laboure and trauaile like +one Body, to sustaine theyr poore and neady Lyfe, eyther of them +Comfortably doth Minyster comforte in the cruell tyme of Aduersity, +rendring humble thankes to God for hys sharp Rodde and Punyshment +enflicted vppon them for their manyfolde sinnes commytted againste hys +maiestye, trauailinge by night and Daye by sweatinge Browes to get +browne Breade, and drynke ful thin to cease the Cryes and pytifull +crauinges +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page144" id = "page144">144</a></span> +of their tender Babes, wrapt in Cradle and instant on their mother to +fill their hungry mouthes. Aduerse fortune maketh not one to forsake the +other. The louing Wyfe ceaseth not by paynfull sute to trot and go by +Night and day in heate and colde to relieue the miserye of hir husband. +He likewise spareth not his payne to get and gayne the liuyng of them +both. He abrode and at home according to his called state, she at home +to saue the Lucre of that Labor, and to doe sutch necessary trauayle +incident to the married kinde. He carefull for to get, she heedeful for +to saue, he by trafique and Arte, shee by diligence and housholde toile. +O the happy state of married folke: O surpassing delights of +mariage bed: which maketh these <span class = "smallroman">II.</span> +poore Gentlewomen, that by honorable pollicy saued the honor of +themselues and honesty of theyr husbandes, to make humble sute for their +preseruation, who were like to be berieued of their greatest comforts. +But come we again to declare the last act of this Comical discourse. +These maried Women, after this chaunce befell, vpon their husbandes +imprysonment, began to be abhorred of their Friendes and Parentes, for +that they were suspected to be dishoneste, by reason whereof dolefully +lamenting their Misfortune, notwithstandynge their owne conscience voyde +of faulte, dyd byd them to be of good cheere and comfort. And when the +daye of execution came, they dyd theyr Friends and Parents to vnderstand +that their conceiued opinyon was vntrue, and prayed them to forbeare +their disdain and malice, till the truth should be throughly manifested, +assuring them that in the End their owne innocencie and the guiltlesse +cryme of their Husbands should openly be reuealed to the Worlde. In the +meane time they made request vnto their Friendes, that one of the Lordes +called Auogadori might be admitted to vnderstande their case, the rest +to be referred to themselues, wherein they had no neede either of +Proctor or Aduocate. This request seemed verye straunge to their +friends, deeming their case to be shameful and abhominable: neuertheles +diligently they accomplyshed their request and vnderstandyng that the +Counsell of the Dieci had commytted the matter wholy to the Duke, they +made a supplicatyon vnto hym in the name of the three Gentlewomen, +wherein they craued nothing else but theyr matter might be hearde. The +Duke perceiuying hys aduise like to take +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page145" id = "page145">145</a></span> +effect, assigned them a Day, commaundinge them at that tyme before hym +and the Lords of the Councell and all the College of the estate to +appeare. The Day being come, all the Lordes assembled, desirous to see +to what issue this matter would grow. On the morning the three +Gentlewomen honestly accompanied with other Dames, went to the Palace, +and goynge along the streate of San Marco the people began to vtter many +raylyng words against them: some cried out (as we see by vnstable order +the vulgare people in like cases vse to do) and doinge a certain curtisy +by way of disdain and mockery: “Behold the honest women, that without +sending their husbands out of Venice, haue placed them in the Castell of +Cornetto, and yet the arrante Whoores bee not ashamed to shewe them +selues abrode, as thoughe they hadde done a thynge that were Honeste and +prayse worthye.” Other shot forth theyr Boltes, and wyth theyr Prouerbes +proceedyng from their malicious Mouthes thwited the pore Women at their +pleasure. Other also seeyng Mystresse Gismonda in their Company, thought +that she went to declame against maister Aloisio Foscari, and none of +them all hapned on the trouth. Arryued at the pallace, ascending the +marble staires or steps of the same, they were brought into the great +hal, wher the Duke appointed the matter to be heard. Thither repaired +the friends and those of nearest kin to the three Gentlewomen, and +before the matter did begin, the Duke caused also the thre prisoners to +be brought thither. Thither also came many other Gentlemen, with great +desire to see the end of those euents. Silence being made the Duke +turning his face to the women, sayd vnto them: “Ye Gentlewomen haue made +requeste by supplycatyon to graunt you publike audyence accordyng to +Iustice, for that you do alleage that Law and order doth so require, and +that euery wel ordred common wealth condemneth no subiecte withoute due +answere by order of lawe. Beholde therefore, that we desirous to do +Iustice, bee ready in Place to heare what ye can say.” The two husbands +were very angrie and wrathfull against their wiues, and the more their +stomackes did fret with choler and disdayne, by how mutch they saw their +impudente and shamelesse wiues wyth sutch audacity to appeare before the +maiesty of a counsel so honourable and dreadfull, as though they had ben +the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page146" id = "page146">146</a></span> +most honeste and chast Women of the World. The two honeste wiues +perceyued the anger and displeasure of their husbands, and for all that +were not afrayde ne yet dismayde, but smyling to themselues and somewhat +mouing their heads in decente wyse seemed vnto them as though they had +mocked them. Anselmo more angry and impacient then Girolamo, brake out +into sutch furie, as had it not ben for the maiesty of the place, and +the Companye of People to haue stayed him, woulde haue kylled them: and +seyng he was not able to hurt them, he began to vtter the vylest Woords, +that he possibly could deuise agaynst them. Mistresse Isotta hearing hir +husband so spytefully to spit forth his poyson in the presence of that +honourable assemblye, conceiued courage, and crauinge licence of the +Duke to speake, with merrye countenance and good vttrance began thus to +say her mind: “Most excellent Prince, and yee right honourable Lordes, +I doe perceyue how my deare husbande vncomely and very dishonestly +doth vse himselfe agaynst me in this noble company, thincking also that +mayster Girolamo Bembo is affected with like rage and minde agaynst this +Gentlewoman mystresse Lucia hys wyfe, although more temperate in words, +he do not expresse the same. Agaynst whom if no reply be made, it may +seeme that he doth well and hath spoken a truth, and that we by silence +do condemne our selues to be those most wicked women whom hee alleageth +vs to be. Wherefore by your gratious pardon and licence (most +honourable) in the behalfe of mistresse Lucia and my selfe, for our +defence I purpose to declare the effect of my mynde, although my purpose +be cleane altered from that I had thought to say, being now iustly +prouoked by the vnkinde behauiour of him whom I loue better than my +selfe, and whose disloyalty, had hee beene silent and not so rashly +runne to the ouerthrow of me and my good name, coulde I haue concealed, +and onely touched that which had concerned the Purgation and sauegard of +them both, which was the onely intent and meaning of vs, by making our +humble supplication to your Maiesties. Neuerthelesse, so farre as my +feeble force shall stretch, I will assay to do both the one and the +other, although it be not appropriate to our kinde in publike place to +declayme, nor yet to open sutch bold attempts, but that necessity of +matter and oportunity +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page147" id = "page147">147</a></span> +of time, and place dothe bolden vs to enter into these termes, whereof +we craue a thousand pardons for our vnkindely dealings, and render +double thanks to your honours, for admitting vs to speake. Be it knowne +therefore vnto you, that our husbands agaynst duety of loue, lawes of +mariage, and against all reason, do make their heauy complaynts, which +by and by I will make playne and euident. I am right well assured, +that their extreme rage and bitter hearts sorrow do proceede of 2 +occasions: The one, of the murder whereof they haue falsely accused +theymselues: the other of iealousie, which grieuously doth gnawe their +hearts, thinking vs to be vile, and abhominable Women, because they were +surprised in ech other’s Chaumber. Concerning the murder, if they haue +soyled their handes therein, it appertayneth vnto you my Lords to render +their desert. But how can the same be layd to our charge, for somutch as +they (if it were done by them) committed the same without our knowledge, +our help and counsel? And truly I see no cause why any of vs ought to be +burdened with the outrage, and mutch lesse cause haue they to laye the +same to our charge: for meete it is that he that doth any vnlawful act, +or is accessary to the same, should suffer the due penalty and seuere +chastisement accordingly as the sacred lawes do prescribe, to be an +example for other to abstayne from wicked facts. But hereof what neede I +to dispute, wherein the blind may see to bee none offence, because +(thankes bee to <span class = "smallcaps">God</span>) Mayster Aloisio +liueth, which declareth the fonde Confession of our vngentil husbandes +to bee contrary to trouth? And if so be our husbands in deede had done +sutch an abhominable enterprise, reason and duety had moued vs to +sorrowe and lament them, because they be borne of noble bloud, and be +gentlemen of this noble Citty, which like a pure virgin inuiolably doth +conserue hir lawes and customes. Great cause I say, had we to lament +them, if lyke homicides, and murderers they had spotted their bloud with +sutch fowle bleamish thereby deseruing death, to leaue vs yong Women +Widowes in wofull plight. Nowe it behoueth me to speake of the Iealousie +they haue conceyued of vs, for that they were in ech other’s Chamber, +which truly is the doubtfull knot and scruple that forceth all their +disdaine and griefe. This I knowe well is the Nayle that +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page148" id = "page148">148</a></span> +pierceth their heart: other cause of offence they haue not: who like men +not well aduised, without examination of vs and our demeanour, bee +fallen into despayre, and like men desperate, haue wrongfully accused +themselues: but because I may not consume words in vayne, to stay you by +my long discourse from matters of greater importaunce, I humbly +beseech you (right excellent prince) to commaunde them to tell what +thing it is, which so bitterly doth torment them.” Then the Duke caused +one of the noble men assistaunt there, to demaund of them the question: +Who aunswered that the chiefest occasion was, bicause they knew their +Wyues to be Harlots, whom they supposed to be very honest: and +forsomutch as they knew them to be sutch, they conceyued sorrow and +griefe, which with sutch extremity did gripe them at the heart, as not +able to sustayne that great Infamy, ashamed to be sene of men, were +induced through desire of death to confesse that they neuer did. +Mistresse Isotta hearing them say so, began to speak agayne, turning hir +selfe vnto them: “Were you offended then at a thynge which yee thought +inconuenient and not meete to be done? Wee then haue greatest cause to +complayne. Why then sweete Husband went you to the Chaumber of mistresse +Lucia at that time of the night? What had you to do there? What thing +thought you to finde there more than was in your own house? And you +Mayster Girolamo, what constrayned you to forsake your Wyue’s Bed to +come to my Husband’s, where no man euer had, or at this present hath to +do but himselfe? Were not the Sheetes of the one so white, so fine, +neate, and sweete as the other? I am (most noble Prince) sory to +declare my Husbande’s folly, and ashamed that hee should forsake my Bed +to go to an other, that did accompt myselfe so well worthy to entertayne +hym in myne owne, as the best Wyfe in Venice, and now through his abuse, +I abstayne to shewe my <ins class = "correction" title = "error for ‘selfe’">selse</ins> amonges the Beautifull, and noble Dames of this +Citty. The lyke misliking of hirselfe is in mistresse Lucia, who (as you +see) may be numbred amongs the fayrest. Eyther of you ought to haue bene +contented with your Wyues, and not (as wickedly you haue done) to +forsake them, to seeke for better breade than is made of Wheate, or for +purer Golde than whereof the Angell is made: O worthy deede of +yours, that haue the Face to leaue your +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page149" id = "page149">149</a></span> +owne Wyues, that be comely, fayre, and honest, to seeke after straunge +Carrion. O beastly order of Men that cannot conteyne their lust +within the boundes of their owne House, but must goe hunt after other +Women as Beastes do after the nexte of their kinde that they chaunce +vppon. What vile affection possessed your hearts to lust after others +Wyfe? You make complaynte of vs, but wee with you haue right good cause +to be offended, you ought to bee grieued with your owne disorder, and +not with others offence, and thys your affliction patiently to beare, +bycause you went about to beguile one an other’s Loue, lyke them that be +weary, and Glutted with their owne fare, seekinge after other daynties +more delicate if they were to be founde. But praysed be <span class = +"smallcaps">God</span> and our prouident discretion, if any hurt or +shame hath chaunced, the same doth light on you. Moreouer I know no +cause why men should haue more liberty to doe euill than we Women haue: +albeit through the weaknes and cowardise of our Sexe, yee men will doe +what ye list. But ye be now no Lords, nor we Seruaunts, and husbands we +do you call, bicause the holy Lawes of Matrimony (which was the first +Sacrament giuen by <span class = "smallcaps">God</span> to Men after the +creation of the Worlde) doe require equall fayth, and so well is the +husband bound to the Wyfe as she vnto him. Go to then and make your +complaynt: the next Asse or Beast ye meete take hir to be your Wyfe. Why +do yee not know that the balance of iustice is equall, and wayeth downe +no more of one side than of other? But let vs nowe leaue of to reason of +this matter, and come to that for which we be come hither. Two things +(most ryghteous Prynce) haue moued vs to come before your maiesty, and +all this honourable assembly, which had they not bene, we would haue +bene ashamed to shewe our Faces, and lesse presumed to speake or once to +open our Lippes in this Noble audience, which is a place only meete for +them that be most Expert, and eloquent Orators, and not for vs, to whom +the Needle, and Distaffe be more requisite. The first cause that forced +vs to come forth of our owne house, was to let you understand that our +Husbands be no murderers, as is supposed, neyther of this Gentleman +present maister Aloisio, ne yet of any man els: and thereof we haue +sufficient and worthy testimony. But herein we neede +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page150" id = "page150">150</a></span> +not to trauaile mutch, or to vse many wordes: for neyther maister <ins +class = "correction" title = "elsewhere ‘Aloisio’">Alosio</ins> is +slayne, ne any other murdred that is known or manifest hitherto. One +thyng resteth, which is that Madonna Lucia and I do humbly beseech youre +excellente Maiestye, that youre grace and the authoritye of the right +honourable Lords here present, will vouchsafe to reconcile vs to our +husbands, that we may obtayne pardon and fauor at their handes, bicause +we haue so manifestly made their acts to appeare, and for that we be the +offence, and they the Offendours, and yet by their owne occasions, we +haue committed the Error (if it may be so termed.) And now to come to +the conclusion, I doe remember, sithens I was a Chylde, that I haue +heard the Gentlewoman my mother saye (whose soule God pardon) many times +vnto me, and other my sisters, and to mistresse Lucia, that was brought +vp with vs, being by hir instructed in diuers good and vertuous Lessons, +that all the honor a woman can doe vnto hir husband, whereby she +beautifieth him and his whole race and family, consisteth in hir honest, +chast, and vertuous lyfe, without which, she oughte rather to die than +liue. And that a Gentleman’s Wyfe when she hath giuen hir body to the +vse of an other man, is the common marke for euery man to point at in +the streate where she goeth, hir husband therby incurring reproche and +shame, whych no doubt is the greatest iniury and scorne that an honest +Gentleman can receiue, and the moste shamefull reproche that can deface +his house. Which Lesson we so well remembryng, desirous not to suffer +the carelesse and vnbrideled appetites of our husbandes to be vnrained, +and runne at large to some dishonest Ende, by a faithfull and +commendable pollicy, did prouide for the mischyefe that myghte ensue. +I neede not heere rehearse the enimytye and debate that manye +yeares did raigne betweene our husbandes Fathers, bicause it is knowne +to the whole City. Wee too therefore here presente, the Wiues of those +noble Gentlemen, brought vp together from oure Cradle, perceiuing the +malyce betwene our husbandes, made a vertue of Necessity, deemynge it +better for vs to lose our sweete and auncient conuersation, than to +mynister cause of disquietnesse. But the nearenesse of our houses would +not that naturall hatred shoulde defraude and take away olde ingrafted +amity. Wherefore many times +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page151" id = "page151">151</a></span> +when our Husbands were gone forth, we met together, and talked in our +Gardens, betwene whych there is but a slender hedge beset with Primme +and Roses, which commoditye in their absence we did discretly vse. And +as sometimes for pleasure we walked with oure husbandes there, ye (shee +turninge vnto them) did cast your eyes vpon ech other’s wyfe, and were +strayghte way in loue, or else perchance you fained your selues to bee, +whych espied by vs, many times betwene our selues did deuise vppon the +same, and red your amorous letters, and sonnet sent vnto vs. For which +disloyalty and treason toward vs your Wyues, we sought no dishonour to +youre persons, wee were content to suffer you to bee abused with your +fond loue, we blabbed it not abroade to our Gossips, as many leude and +fantasticall women bee wont to doe, thereby to rayse slaunder to our +husbands, and to sturre vp ill reporte vpon them, whose infirmities it +becommeth vs to conceale and hide. We deuised meanes by some other way +to let you understand your fault, and did cast vpon you many times right +louinge lookes. Which although it were agaynste our owne desire, yet the +cause, and full conclusion of the same, was to practise, if it were +possible, to make you frendes: But consideringe that this loue, and +allurementes of eyther parts, could not tend to other end, as wee +coniectured, but to increase displeasure, and to put the swords into +your handes, we therefore consulted, and vniformely in one minde agreed +for the appeasinge, and satisfaction of all partes, at sutch nightes as +ye fayned to go into diuers places about earnest affayres as yee +alleaged, Mistresse Lucia with the help of Cassandra my mayde, through +the Gardeine came into my chamber, and I by meanes of Iane hir maide by +like way repayred vnto hirs. And yee poore men guided by our maydes were +brought vnto your chambers where ye lay with your owne Wyues, and so by +tilth of others land in straunge soyle (as yee beleeued) yee lost no +labour. And bicause your embracements then, were like to those atchieued +by amorous Gentlemen, vsinge vs with more earnest desire than you were +wont to do, both wee were begotten with childe: which ought to be very +gladsome, and gratefull vnto you, if yee were so fayne to haue children +as yee shewed your selues to bee. If then none other offence doth grieue +you, if remorse of Conscience for other cause doeth not +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page152" id = "page152">152</a></span> +offend you, if none other sorrowe doeth displease you: gieue ouer your +griefe. Remit your displeasure. Be glad, and ioyfull. Thanke vs for our +pollicy and pleasaunt disport that wee made you. If hitherto yee haue +ben enimies, henceforth be frends, put of that auncient mallice so long +continued, mitigate your hatefull moode, and liue yee from henceforth +like friendly Gentlemen, yelde vp your rancor into the lap of your +Countrey, that shee may put him in exile for euer, who like a pitifull, +and louing mother woulde gladly see all hir children of one accorde and +minde. Which if yee doe, (ye shall do singulare pleasure to your +friendes), ye shall doe great discomfort to your foes, yee shall do +singular good to the commonwealth, yee shall doe greatest benefit to +your selues, ye shall make vs humble Wyues, yee shall encrease your +posterity, yee shall be praysed of all men, and finally shall depart the +best contented that euer the World brought forth. And now because yee +shall not thinke that wee haue picked out thys Tale at our fingers ends, +thereby to seeke your sauegard and our owne Fame, and prayse, beholde +the letters which you sent vs, beholde <ins class = "correction" title = +"error for ‘your’">you</ins> owne handes subscribed to the same, beholde +your seales assigned thereunto, which shall render true testimony of +that which vnfaynedly we haue affirmed.” Then both deliuered their +letters, which viewed and seene, were well knowne to be their owne +husbandes handes, and the same so well approued hir tale, as their +husbands were the gladdest men of the world and the Duke and Seignory +maruaylously satisfied and contented. In so mutch as the whole assembly +with one voyce, cried out for their husbands deliueraunce. And so with +the consent of the Duke and the whole seignory they were clearely +discharged. The Parents, Cosins, and Friends of the husbands and wyues +were wonderfully amazed to heere this long hystory, and greatly praysed +the maner of their deliuery, accoumpting the women to be very wise, and +mistresse Isotta to be an eloquent gentlewoman, for that shee had so +well defended the cause of their husbands and of themselues. Anselmo and +Girolamo openly in the presence of all the people embraced, and kissed +their Wyues with great reioysing. And then the husbands shaked one an +other by the hands, betwene whom began a Brotherly accorde, and from +that time forth liued in perfect amity, and +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page153" id = "page153">153</a></span> +Friendship, exchaunging the wanton loue that eyther of them bare to +other’s wyfe into Brotherly Friendship, to the great delight of the +whole Citty. When the multitude assembled, to heare this matter +throughly was satisfied, the Duke with cheerefull Countenaunce lookinge +toward Gismonda, sayde thus vnto hir: “And you fayre Gentlewoman, what +haue you to say: Bee bolde to vtter your minde, and wee wil gladly heare +you.” Mistresse Gismonda bashfull to speake, began wonderfully to blush, +into whose cheekes entred an orient rud, intermixed with an alabaster +white, which made her countenaunce more amiable than it was wont to be. +After she had stode still a while with hir eyes declined towards the +ground, in comly wise lifting them vp againe with shamefast audacity she +began thus to speake: “If I most Noble Prince, in open audience should +attempt to discourse of Loue, whereof I neuer had experience, or knew +what thing it was, I should be doubtfull what to say thereof, and +peraduenture durst not open my mouth at al. But hearing my father (of +worthy memory) many times to tel that your maiesty in the time of your +youth disdained not to open your heart to receiue the amorous flames of +loue, and being assured that there is none but that doth loue little or +mutch, I do not doubt but for the words which I shal speake, to +obtaine both pity and pardon. To come then to the matter: God I thanke +him of his goodnesse, hath not permitted me to bee one of those women, +that like hipocrites do mumble their Paternoster to saincts: appearing +outwardly to be devout and holy and in Fruict doe bring forth Deuils, +and al kinds of vices, specially ingratitude, which is a vice that doth +suck and dry vp the fountain of godly Piety. Life is deare to mee (as +naturally it is to all) next which I esteeme myne honor, which is to be +preferred before life, bicause without honor life is of no regard. And +where man and woman do liue in shame notorious to the world, the same +may be termed a liuing death rather than a life. But the loue that I +beare to mine onely beloued Aloisio here present, I do esteeme +aboue al the Iewels and treasures of the world, whose personage I do +regard more than mine owne Lyfe. The reason that moueth me thereto is +very great, for before that I loued him or euer ment to fixe my mind +that way, he dearely regarded me, continually deuising which way he +might win and obtain my +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page154" id = "page154">154</a></span> +loue, sparing no trauel by Night and Day to seeke the same. For which +tender affection should I shew myself vnkind and froward? God forbid. +And to be playn with your honors, he is more deare and acceptable vnto +me, than the balles of mine own eyes, being the chiefest things that +appertain to the furniture of the body of man, without which no earthly +thing can be gladsome and ioyful to the sense, and feelinge. Last of all +his amorous, and affectionate demonstration of his loue towards me, by +declaringe himselfe to be carefull of mine honor, rather more willinge +to bestow his owne, than to suffer the same to be touched with the least +suspicion of dishonesty, I can not choose, but so faythfully +imbrace, as I am ready to guage my life for his sake, rather than his +finger shoulde ake for offence. And where hath there bene euer found +sutch liberality in any louer? What is he that hath bene euer so +prodigall, to employ his life (the most speciall pledge in this worlde,) +rather than hee would suffer his beloued to incurre dishonoure? Many +hystoryes haue I red, and Chronicles of our time, and yet I haue found +few or none comparable vnto thys Gentleman, the like of whom be so rare +and seldome as white Crowes, or Swannes of colour blacke. +O singuler liberality, never hearde of before. O fact that can +neuer be sufficiently praysed. O true loue most vnfayned. Maister +Aloisio rather than he would haue my fame any one iote to be impayred, +or to suffer any shadow of suspition to bleamish the same, frankly hath +confessed himselfe to be a theefe, and murdrer, regardinge mee and mine +honor more than himselfe, and life. And albeit that he might a thousand +wayes haue saued himselfe without the imprisonment and aduersity which +he hath sustained: neuerthelesse after he had sayd, beinge then past +remembrance through the fall, that he fell downe from my window, and +perceyued how mutch that confession would preiudice and hurt my good +name, and hurt the known honesty of the same, of his good wyll did chose +to dye rather than to speake any words that might breede yll opinion of +mee, or the least thinge of the worlde that might ingender infamy and +slaunder. And therefore not able to revoke the words hee had spoken of +the fall, nor by any meanes coulde coloure the same, hee thought to saue +the good name of another by his owne hurt. If he then thus redily and +liberally hath protruded his life into manifest daunger +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page155" id = "page155">155</a></span> +for my benefit and saueguard, preferring mine honour aboue the care of +himselfe, shall not I abandon all that I haue, yea and therewithall +hazard mine honor for his saluation? But what? Shall I disdayne +bountifully to imploy my selfe and all the endeuor of my Frendes for his +deliuery? No, no (my Lords) if I had a thousand liues, and so many +honors at my commaundement, I woulde giue them al for his releyse +and comfort, yea if it were possible for me to recouer a fresh <span +class = "smallroman">X.C.M.</span> lyues, I woulde so frankly +bestow them all, as euer I desired to liue, that I might enioy mine owne +Aloisio. But I am sorry, and euer shal be sorry, for that it is not +lawful for me to do more for him, than that which my power and +possibility is able. For if he should die, truely my life could not +endure: if he were depriued of life, what pleasure should I haue to liue +in this world after him: whereby (moste honorable and righteous iudge,) +I beleeue before the honest, not to loose any one iote of myne +honor, bicause I being (as you may see) a younge Woman and a Widow +desirous to marry againe, it is lawful for me to loue and to bee +beloued, for none other intent (whereof God is the onely iudge) but to +attaine a husbande according to my degre. But if I should lose my +reputation and honor, why should not I aduenture the same for hym, that +hath not spared hys own for me? Now to come to the effect of the matter, +I do say wyth al dutifull reuerence, that it is an accusation +altogither false and vntrue, that euer mayster Alolsio came to my house +as a Theefe against my wil. For what neede he to be a thefe, or what +nede had he of my goodes, that is a Lorde and owner of twenty times so +mutch as I haue? Alas good Gentleman, I dare depose and guage my +lyfe, that he neuer thoughte mutch lesse dyd any robbery or thing +vnlawful, wherewith iustly he may be charged, but he repayred to my +house with my consent, as a louing and affectionate Louer, the +circumstance whereof, if it be duly marked, must aduouch the same to be +of trouth infallible. For if I had not giuen him licence to come, how +was it possible for him to conuey his ladder so high, that was made but +of Ropes, and to fasten the same to the iaume of the window, if none +within did helpe hym? Againe, howe could the Window of the Chaumber be +open at that time of the night, which is still kept shut, if it had not +bene by my consent? But +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page156" id = "page156">156</a></span> +I with the helpe of my mayde threwe downe to him a little Rope, +whereunto he tyed his Ladder and drewe the same vp, and making it so +fast, as it could not vndo, gaue a signe for him to Mounte. But as both +our ill Fortune would haue it, before I could catch any hold of him, to +mine inestimable griefe and hart’s sorrow he fell downe to the ground. +Wherefore (my Lords) I beseech your honours to reuoke the +confession wherein he hath made hymselfe to be a theefe. And you maister +Aloisio declare the trouth as it was, sith I am not ashamed in this +honourable assemble to tel the same. Beholde the letters (my Lordes) +which so many tymes he wrote vnto me, wherein hee made suite to come to +my speache, and continually in the same doth call me Wyfe. Beholde the +Ladder, which till nowe, did still remayne in my chaumber. Beholde my +maide, whych in all mine affayres, is as it were myne owne hande and +helper.” Aloisio being hereupon demaunded by the Lordes of the articles, +which she in hir tale had recited, confessed them al to be true: who +also at the same instant was discharged. The Duke greatly commended them +both, hir for hir stoute audacity, in defence of an innocent Gentleman, +and him for his honour, and modesty, by seeking to preserue the Fame and +good reporte of a vertuouse Gentlewoman. Whych done, the Counsell +disassembled and brake up. And the friendes of both the parties +accompanied them home to the house of mistresse Gismonda, where to the +great reioyce, and pleasure of all men, they were solemnely maried in +sumptuous and honourable wise, and Aloisio with hys Wyfe lyued in great +prosperity long time after. Mistresse Lucia, and mistresse Isotta, at +the expyred tyme were deliuered of two goodly sonnes, in whom the +Fathers tooke great Ioy, and delight. Who wyth their Wyues after that +tyme liued very quietly, and well, one louing an other like naturall +Brethren, many times sporting among themselues discretely at the +deceipts of their Wyues. The wisedome of the Duke also was wonderfully +extolled and commended of all men, the fame whereof was increased and +bruted throughout the Region of Italy. And not without cause. For by hys +prudence and aduise, the Dominion of the State, and Common wealth was +amplified and dilated. And yet in th’ende being old and impotent, they +vnkindly deposed him from his Dukedom.</p> + + +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page157" id = "page157">157</a></span> +<h3><a name = "novel2_27" id = "novel2_27"> +THE TWENTY-SEVENTH NOUELL.</a></h3> + +<p class = "summary"> +The Lorde of Virle, by the commaundement of a fayre younge Wydow called +Zilia, for hys promise made, the better to attaine hir loue, was +contented to remayne dumbe the space of three yeares, and by what meanes +he was reuenged, and obtayned hys suite.</p> + +<p><span class = "firstword">They</span> that haue spent their youth in +humayne follies, and haue followed the Vanities of loue, not addicted to +the contemplation of high secrets, nor haue made entry here on Earth, to +inlarge and amplyfy the boundes of their honor and Estimation. Those +Worldlings (I say) and embracers of transitory pleasures, shall +witnesse with me, and confirme, this olde and auncient Theme and +proposition to be true which is: that the Beauty, and comely grace of a +Woman, is the very true and naturall adamant (for the attractiue power, +and agreeable quality there inclosed,) to draw vnto it the hearts, and +affections of men: which hath made man beleue, that the same onely +essence, was sent downe from aboue to serue both for ioy and torment +together. For the amplyfyinge of which proposition, I will not +bring forth, the immoderate loue of Paris by forsaking his owne Natiue +country of Troy, to visite fayre Helena in Greece, nor yet tell how +Hercules gaue ouer his mace to handle the Distaffe, vpon the +commaundement of Omphale, nor yet how Sampson and Salomon were sotted in +the slaueries of Dalida and other concubines. But my discourse here +folowing shall ring out a loud Peale, of a meane Gentlewoman, of +Piedmount, that shewed no fauor or Curtesy at all to her suppliant, +a Gentleman not inferior to Paris for his actiuity and prowesse: +which for her seruice and atchyeues of her loue, refused not to bee +dombe the space of many yeares, and to giue ouer the best porcion of his +sences wherewith the Almighty, made Man differente from brute and sauage +Beastes. If this thing declare not sufficiently the force and power of +that attractiue and drawing power in woman, no other example is worthy +to be preferred. Those aforesayd and many other haue voluntarily yoaked +themselues in the chains of loue’s obedience, rendreth the masse of +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page158" id = "page158">158</a></span> +their mirye corps to the slauery thereof, but that any haue franckely +tyed vp their Tongue, the chiefest Instrument of the bodies furniture: +in honorable assembly or where dexterity of seruice shoulde make him +glorious, the like of that subiection was neuer seene or founde. And yet +our fathers dayes did see this miracle wrought by a Woman, vpon a +Gentleman very wise, and well trained vp in all good exercyse. This +example, and what this Malapert Dame did gaine, by the penance of this +louing knight, shal in this discourse be manifestly pronounced. The City +of Thurin (as is well knowne to them that haue trauelled Piedmont) is +the ornament and bulwark of al the Countrey, so well for the natural +site of the place, as for the artificial and industrious worke of man’s +hande, which hath instaured and furnished with great magnificence, that +which nature had indifferently enryched, for the rudenesse and litle +knowledg of the time past. Now besides this stately and strong city, +there standeth a litle towne named Montcall, a place no lesse +strong, and of good defence, than wel planted in a faire and rich soyle. +In this Towne there dwelt a Gentlewoman a widow called Zilia, beautiful +amongs the most excellent fayre Gentlewomen of the countrey, which +country (besides other happy and heauenly influences) seemeth to be +specially fauored, for hauing the most fairest and curteous Gentlewomen, +aboue any other within the compasse of Europa. Notwithstanding this +faire Silia, degenerating from the nature of hir climate was so haggard +and cruel, as it might haue ben thought, she had ben rather nourished +and brought vp amid the most desert mountaines of Sauoy, than in the +pleasant and rich Champian Countreye, watred and moystened with +Eridanus, the father of Riuers, at this Day called the Pau, the +largenesse whereof doth make men to maruel, and the fertility allureth +ech man to be desirous to inhabit vpon the same. This fayre rebellious +Widow, albeit, that she was not aboue <span class = +"smallroman">XXIV.</span> or <span class = "smallroman">XXV.</span> +yeres of age, yet protested neuer more to be subiect to man, by mariage, +or otherwise, thinking her selfe wel able to liue in single life: +a Minde truly very holy and commendable, if the pricks of the flesh +do obey the first motions and adhortations of the spirit, but where +youth, pleasure, and multitude of suters do addresse their endeuour +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page159" id = "page159">159</a></span> +against that chastity (which is lightly enterprysed) the Apostels +counsel oughte to be followed, who willeth yong widows to marry in +Christ, to auoid the temptations of the flesh, and to flye offensiue +slaunder and dishonour before men. This mistresse Zilia (hir husband +being dead) only bent hir selfe to enrich hir house, and to amplify the +possession of a little infant which she had by hir late departed +Husband. After whose death she became so couetous, as hauing remoued, +and almost cut of quite the wonted port she vsed in hir husband’s dayes, +imployed hir maids in houshold affaires, thinking nothing to be wel don +that passed not through hir owne Handes. A thinge truely more +prayse worthy, than to see a sorte of effeminate, fine and daynty +fyngred Dames, that thinke their honor diminished yf they holde but +their Nose ouer theyr Housholde Matters, where theyr Hande and Dylygence +were more requisite, for so mutch as the mystresse of a House is not +placed the Cheyfe to heare onely the reasons of them that Labor, but +thereunto to put hir hands, for hir presente eye seemeth to giue a +certyn perfection to the worke that the Seruauntes doe by hir +commaundement. Which caused the Hystoryans in tymes past, to describe +vnto the Posterity a Gentlewoman called Lucretia, not babbling amongs +young girles, or running to feastes and Maigames, or Masking in the +night, withoute any regard of the honor and dygnitye of hir race and +house, but in hir Chaumber Sowing, Spinning and Carding, amids the Troup +of hir Mayden Seruaunts: wherein our mistresse Zilia passed the moste +part of hir time, spending no minute of the day, without some honest +exercise, for that she the rather did for that she liked not to be seene +at Feasts, or Bankets, or to be gadding vp and downe the streetes, +wandring to Gardeyns or places of pleasure, although to sutch places +youth sometimes may haue their honest repayre to refresh their wearied +bodies with vertuous recreation, and thereby reioyce the heauinesse of +their mynde. But this Gentlewoman was so seuere in following the +rigorous, and constrayned maners of our auncients, as impossible it was, +to see hir abroade: except it were when she went to the Church to heare +deuine seruice. This Gentlewoman seemed to haue studied the diuinity of +the Ægyptians which paynt Venus holding a key before hir mouth, and +setting +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page160" id = "page160">160</a></span> +hir Fote vpon a Tortus, signifying vnto us thereby the duety of a chaste +Woman, whose tongue ought to bee locked, that shee speak not but in tyme +and place, and her feete not straying or wandering, but to keepe hir +selfe within the limits of hir owne house, except it be to serue God, +and sometimes to render bounden duety to them which brought them into +light. Moreouer Zilia was so religious (I will not say +superstitious) and rigorous to obserue customes, as she made it very +squeimish and straung to kisse a Gentleman that met hir, a ciuility +which of long time hath bene obserued, and yet remayneth in the greatest +parte of the Worlde, that Gentlewomen do welcome straungers and Guests +into their houses with an honest and chaste kisse. Notwithstandinge the +institution and profession of this Wyddow had wiped away this poyncte of +hir youth: whether it were for that she esteemed hirselfe so fayre as +all men were vnworthy to touch the vtter partes of so rare and pretious +a vessell, or that hir great, and inimitable chastity made hir so +straunge, to refuse that which hir duety and honour woulde haue +permitted hir to graunt. There chaunced about this time that a Gentleman +of the Countrey, called Sir Philiberto of Virle, esteemed to be one of +the most valiaunt gentlemen in those parts, repayred vpon an holy day to +Montcall, (whose house was not very farre of the Towne) and being at +diuine seruice, in place of occupying his Sence and Mynde in heauenly +things, and attending the holy words of a Preacher, which that day +declared the worde of God vnto the people, hee gaue himselfe to +contemplate the excellent beauty of Zilia, who had put of for a while +hir mourninge vayle, that she might the better beholde the good father +that preached, and receyue a little ayre, because the day was extreme +hot. The Gentleman at the first blushe, when hee sawe that sweete +temptation before his eyes, thought himselfe rapt aboue the thirde +heauen, and not able to withdraw his looke, he fed himselfe with the +Venome which by little, and little, so seased vpon the soundest parts of +hys mynde, as afterwards being rooted in heart, he was in daunger still +to remayne there for a Guage, wythout any hope of ease or comforte, as +more amply this followinge discourse, shall giue you to vnderstande. +Thus all the morning hee behelde the Gentlewoman, who made no more +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page161" id = "page161">161</a></span> +accoumpt of theym, that wyth great admiration did behold hir, than they +themselues did of their life, by committing the same to the handes of a +Woman so cruell. This Gentleman being come home to his lodging enquired +what fayre Wyddow that was, of what calling, and behauiour, but hee +heard tell of more truely than he would of good will haue known or +desired to haue ben in hir, whom he did presently chose to be the only +mistresse of his most secret thoughts. Now vnderstandynge well the +stubburne Nature, and vnciuile Manner of that Wyddowe, hee coulde not +tell what parte to take, nor to what Sainct to vow his Deuotion, to make +suite vnto hir hee thought it tyme lost, to bee hir Seruaunt, it was not +in his power, hauing already inguaged his Lyberty into the handes of +that beauty, whych once holding captiue the hearte of men, will not +infraunchise them so soone as Thought and Wyll desire. Wherefore +baytinge hymself with hope, and tickled wyth loue, he determined +whatsoeuer chaunced, to loue hir, and to assay if by long seruice he +could lenifie that harde hearte, and make tender that vnpliaunt wyll, to +haue pitty vppon the payne which shee saw him to endure, and to +recompence hys laboursome Trauayles, which hee thought were vertuously +imployed for gayning of hir good grace. And vpon this settled +deliberation, he retired agayne to Virle (so was his house named) where +disposinge hys thinges in order, he retorned agayne to Montcall to make +his long resiaunce there, to put in readines his furniture, and to welde +his artillary with sutch industry, as in the ende he might make a +reasonable breach to force and take the place: for surprising whereof, +hee hazarded great daungers, the rather that himselfe might first be +taken. And where his assaults and pollicies could not preuayle, hee +minded to content his Fancy wyth the pleasure and pastyme that hee was +to receyue in the contemplation of a thing so fayre, and of an image so +excellent. The memory of whom rather increased his paine than yelded +comfort, did rather minister corrosiue poyson, than giue remedy of ease, +a cause of more cruell and sodayne death, than of prolonged lyfe. +Philiberto then being become a citizen of Montcal, vsed to frequent the +Church more than hee was wont to doe, or his deuotion serued hym, and +that bycause he was not able elsewhere to enioy +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page162" id = "page162">162</a></span> +the presence of hys Saynct, but in places and Temples of Deuotion: which +no doubt was a very holy and worthy Disposition, but yet not meete or +requisite to obserue sutch holy places for those intentes, which ought +not to bee prophaned in things so fonde and foolishe, and Actes so +contrary to the Institution, and mynde of those, whych in tymes past +were the firste Founders and Erectoures of Temples. Seignior Philiberto +then mooued wyth that Religious Superstition, made no Conscience at al +to speake vnto hir wythin the Church. And true it is, when she went out +of the same, he (mooued wyth a certayne familiar curtesie, naturall to +eche Gentleman of good bringing vp) many tymes conducted hir home to hir +house, not able for all that (what so euer hee sayd) to win the thing +that was able to ingender any little solace, which greeued him very +much: for the cruell woman fained as though she vnderstoode nothing of +that he sayde, and turnyng the Wayne agaynst the Oxen, by contrary talke +shee began to tell hym a tale of a Tubbe, of matters of hir Householde, +whereunto hee gaue so good heede, as shee did to the hearing of his +complaynts. Thus these two, of diuers Affections, and mooued wyth +contrary thoughtes, spake one to another, without apt aunswere to +eyther’s talke. Whereby the Gentleman conceyued an assured argument of +hys Ruine, who voyde of all hope, and meanes, practised with certayne +Dames of the Citty, that had familiar accesse vnto hyr house, and vsed +frequent conuersation wyth hys rebellious Lady Zilia. To one of them, +then hee determined to communicate hys secrets, and to doe hir to +vnderstand in deede the only cause that made him to soiorne at Montcall, +and the griefe which he suffered, for that he was not able to discouer +his torment vnto hir, that had giuen him the wounde. Thys Gentleman +therefore, repayred to one of his neyghbours, a Woman of good +corage, which at other tymes had experimented what meates they feede on +that sit at Venus Table, and what bitternesse is intermingled amid those +drinckes that Cupido quaffeth vnto hys Guestes. Vnto whom (hauing before +coniured hir to keepe close that whych hee woulde declare) he discouered +the secrets of hys mynde, expressinge hys loue wythout naming hys Lady +before he heard the aunswere of hys Neyghbour, who vnderstanding almost +to what purpose the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page163" id = "page163">163</a></span> +affections of the Pacient were directed, sayd vnto hym: “Sir, needful it +is not to vse longe orations, the loue that I beare you for the honest +qualities whych hytherto I haue knowne to be in you, shall make me to +keepe silent, that whereof as yet I do not know the matter, and the +assuraunce you haue, not to bee abused by mee, constrayneth me to +warrant you, that I wyll not spare to do you all the pleasure and honest +seruice I can.” “Ah mistresse,” (aunswered sir Philiberto) “so long as I +lyue, I will not fayle to acknowledge the Liberality of your +endeuour by offeringe your selfe paciently to heare, and secretly, to +keepe the Words I speake accordingly as they deserue: and that (whych is +more than I require) you doe assure me that I shall finde sutch one of +you as wil not spare to gieue your ayde. Alas, I resemble the good +and wyse Captayne, who to take a forte doeth not only ayde himselfe with +the forwardnesse, and valiaunce of his Souldiers, but to spare them, and +to auoyde slaughter for makinge of way, planteth his cannon, and +battereth the Walle of the fort, which hee would assaile, to the intent +that both the Souldier, and the ordinaunce may perfourme and suffise the +perfection of the plat, which hee hath framed and deuised within his +pollitike heade. I haue already encouraged my souldiers, and haue +lost the better part truely in the skirmish which hath deliuered vnto +mee my sweete cruell Ennimy. Now I am driuen to make ready the fire, +which resteth in the kindled match of your conceiptes, to batter the +fort hitherto inexpugnable, for any assault that I can make.” +“I vnderstand not” (sayd she smilyng) “these labyrynths of your +complaynts, except you speake more playn. I neuer haunted the +Warres, ne knewe what thynge it is to handle weapons, improper and not +seemely for myne estate and kynde.” “The Warre” (quod he) <ins class = +"addition" title = "open quote added">“</ins>whereof I speake, is so +naturall and common, as I doubt not, but you haue sometymes assayed, +with what sleightes and camisados men vse to surpryse their enimies, +howe they plant their ambushes, and what meanes both the assaylant and +defendant ought to vse.” “So far as I see” (sayd shee) “there resteth +nothing for vs, but the assurance of the field, sith wee bee ready to +enter in combat: and doe thinke that the fort shall not bee harde to +winne, by reason of the Walles, dikes, rampers, bulwarks, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page164" id = "page164">164</a></span> +platformes, counterforts, curtines, vamewres and engins which you haue +prepared, besides a numbre of false brayes and flanks, placed in good +order, and the whole defended from the thundringe Cannons and Bombardes, +which do amaze the wandring enemy in the field. But I pray you leauing +these warlike Tumults, to speak more boldly without these extrauagantes +and digressions, for I take pitye to see you thus troubled: ready to +exceede the boundes of your modesty and wonted wysedome.” “Do not +maruell at all mistresse” (quod he) “sith accordynge to new occurrentes +and alterations, the purpose, talke, and counsel ordinarily do change I +am become the seruaunt of one which maketh me altogither lyke vnto those +that bee madde, and bound in Chaines, not able to speake or say any +thing, but what the spyrites that be in them, do force them to vtter. +For neither will I thynke, or speake any thing, but that which the +Enchaunter Loue doth commaunde and suffer to expresse, who so rygorously +doth vexe my hearte, as in place wher bouldenesse is most requysite, hee +depriueth me of force, and leaueth mee without any Countenance. And +being alone, God knoweth how frankly I doe wander in the place, where +myne enemy may commaunde, and with what hardinesse I do inuade hir +prouince. Alas, is it not pity then to see these diuersities in one +selfe matter, and vpon one very thing? Truely I would endure wyllingly +all these trauailes, if I wyst in the end, my seruice woulde be +accepted, and hoped that my Martirdome shoulde fynde releefe: but liuing +in this vncertainty, I must needes norysh the hunger and solace of +the vnhappy, which are wishes and vaine hopes, trusting that some God +wyll gayne me a faythful friend that will assaye to rid me from the +hell, into the which I am throwne, or else to shorten thys Miserable +lyfe, whych is a hundred tymes more paynfull than Death.” In sayinge so, +he began to sighe so straungely as a man would haue thought that two +Smithes sledges working at the forge, had gyuen two blowes at his +stomake, so vehement was the inclosed winde within his heart, that made +him to fetche forth those terrible sighes, the Eyes not forgetting to +yeld forth a Riuer of Teares, which gushynge forthe at the centre of hys +Hearte, mounted into his Braynes, at lengthe to make issue through the +Spoute, proper to the Chanell +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page165" id = "page165">165</a></span> +of sutch a Fountayne. Which the Gentlewoman seyng, moued with +compassion, coulde not contain also from Weepyng, and therewythall sayde +vnto him: “Although mine estate and reputation, which to this day I have +kept vnspotted, defend the vse of my good wyl in al things that may +defame mine honor, yet sir, seing the extremity which you suffer to be +vnfained, I wil somwhat stretch my conscience, and assay to succor +you with so good heart, as frankely you trust me with the secrets of +your thought. It resteth then now for me to know what she is, to whome +your deuocions be inclined whose heart and mind I wil so relief with the +taste of your good wil, as I dare giue warrant, her appetit shal accept +your profred seruice, and truly that woman may count her self happy that +shal intertain the offer of a gentleman that is so honest and curteous, +who meaneth with al fidelity to aduance and honor, not onely the +superficial ornament of hir beauty, but the inward vertues of hir +constant mind. And truly the earth seldom yeldeth those frutes in the +harts of men in these our barren days, they being ouer growen with the +shrubbes of disloialty the same choke vp the plantes of true Fidelity, +the sedes whereof are sowen and replanted in the soyle of womens hartes, +who not able to depart and vse the force and effects thereof will put +vpon them conditions that bee cruell, to punish the Foolysh +indiscreation of tryfling Louers, who disguised with the vizard of +fained friendship, and paynted with coloured Amity, languishing in +sighes and sorrowes, goe aboute to assay to deceiue the flexible Nature +of them that prodigally employ theyr honor into the hands of sutch +cruel, inconstante and foolysh suters.” “Ah Mistresse” answered the +Gentleman: “howe may I bee able to recompence that onely benefite which +you promyse me now? But be sure that you see heere a Souldier and +Gentleman presente which shall no lesse bee prodigall of hys Lyfe to doe +you seruyce, than you bee lyberall of your reputation, to ease his +Paines. Now sith it pleaseth you to shew sutch fauour to offer me your +helpe and support in that which payneth me, I require no more at +your hands, but to beare a letter which I shall wryte to mystresse +Zilia, with whome I am so farre in loue, as if I do receiue no solace of +my griefe, I know not howe I shall auoyde the cuttyng of the +Threede, whych the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page166" id = "page166">166</a></span> +spynning systers haue twisted to prolonge my lyfe, that henceforth can +receiue no succor if by your meanes I do not atchieue the thing that +holdeth me in bondage.” The Gentlewoman was very sorrowful, when she +vnderstoode that Seignior Philiberto had bent his Loue vpon sutch one, +as would not consente to that requeste, and mutch lesse would render +rest vnto hys myseryes, and therefore enforced hir selfe to moue that +Foolyshe Fantasye out of his head. But he beyng already resolued in thys +myshappe, and the same perceyued by her in the ende she sayde: “To the +intente sir that you may not thynke that I doe meane to excuse the +Satysfactyon of my promyse, make youre Letters, and of my Fayth I wil +delyuer them. And albeyt I knowe verye well what bee the Honoures and +Glorye of that Pylgryme, yet I wyll render to you agayne the true +aunswere of hir speache whereby you maye consider the gayne you are lyke +to make, by pursuing a Woman (although faire) of so small desert.” The +Gentleman fayled not to gyue her heartye Thankes, prayinge hir to tarry +vntyll hee had written his letters: whereunto she most willingly obeyed. +He then in his chaumber, began to fantasie a hundred hundred matters to +write vnto his Mistresse, and after he had fixed theym in minde tooke +Incke and Paper writing as followeth.</p> + + +<h4>The Letters of Seignior Philiberto of Virle, to Mistresse Zelia of +Montcall.</h4> + +<p>“The passion extreeme which I endure, (Madame) through the feruent +loue I beare you, is sutch, as besides that I am assured of the little +affection that resteth in you towards me agayne, in respect of that +incredible seruitude which my desire is ready to employ, I haue no +power to commaunde my force, ne yet to rid my selfe from my vowed +deuotion and will to your incomparable beauty, although euen from the +beginning I felt the pricks of the mortall shot which now torments my +mynde. Alas, I do not know vnder what influence I am borne, nor +what Fate doth guide my yeares, sith I doe perceyue that heauen, and +loue, and hir whom alone I honor, doe confirme themselues with one +assent to seeke myne ouerthrow. Alas, I thinke that all the powers +aboue conspired together, to make me be the faythfull man, and +perpetuall +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page167" id = "page167">167</a></span> +seruaunt of you my mistresse deare, to whom alone, I yelde my heart +afflicted as it is, and the ioy of hidden thoughts noursed in my minde, +by the contemplation and remembraunce of your excellent and perfect +graces, whereof, if I be not fauored, I waight for death, from +whych euen now I fly: not for feare of that whych she can doe, or of the +vgly shape which I conceyue to be in hir, but rather to confirme my +life, this Body for instrument to exercise the myndes conceypts for +doinge your Commaundements, which Body I greatly feare shall proue the +vnworthy cruelty, both of your gentle nouriture, and of those graces +which Dame Nature most aboundantly hath powred in you. Be sure Madame +that you shall shortlye see the Ende of him, which attendeth yet to +beare so mutch as in him doeth lye, the vehement loue into an other +world, which maketh me to pray you to haue pity on him, who (attending +the rest and final sentence of his Death or Lyfe) doth humbly kisse your +white and delicate handes, beseeching God to giue to you like ioy as his +is, who desireth to be,</p> + +<p class = "center">Wholy yours or not to be at all</p> + +<p class = "right"><span class = "smallcaps">Philiberto of +Virle</span>.<ins class = "addition">” </ins></p> + +<p>The Letter written, closed and sealed, he deliuered to his neighbour, +who promysed hym agayne to bryng him answere at Night. Thus this +Messenger went hir way, leauing this pore languishyng Gentlemen hoping +against hope, and fayning by and by some ioy and pleasure, wherein he +bained himself with great contented minde. Then sodaynly he called +againe vnto remembraunce, the cruelty and inciuility of Zilia, which +shewed before his eyes so many kindes of Death, as tymes he thought vpon +the same, thinking that he saw the choler wherewith his little curteous +mistresse furiously did intertaine the messenger, who findinge Zilia +comming forth of a garden adioining to her house, and hauing saluted +her, and receiued like curteous salutation would haue framed hir talke, +by honest excuse in the vnsemely charge and message: to hir vnto whom +she was sent, and for some ease to the pore gentleman which approched +nearer death than life. But Zilia break of hir talke saying: +“I maruell mutch Gentle neighbor to see you heere at this time of +the day, knowing your honest custome is to let passe no minute of the +tyme, except it be emploied in some vertuous +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page168" id = "page168">168</a></span> +exercise.” “Mistresse” answered the messanger, “I thank you for the +good opinion you haue of me, and doe pray you to continue the same. For +I do assure you that nothinge vayne or of lyttle effect hath made me +slacke my businesse at this time, which me think I do not forslow, when +I inforce my selfe to take pitye and mercy vpon the afflicted and the +substaunce thereof I woulde disclose, if I feared not to offend you, and +break the loue which of long tyme betweene vs two hath ben frequented.” +“I know not” (said Zilia) “whereunto your words do tend, althoughe +my Hearte doth throbbe, and minde doth moue to make mee thinke your +purposed talke to bee of none other effecte, than to say a thing which +may redound to the preiudice of myne honour. Wherefore I pray you do not +disclose what shall be contrary, (be it neuer so little) to the duety of +Dames of our Degree.” “Mystresse” sayd the Neighboure, “I suppose +that the lyttle Lykelihoode touchyng in you the thinge for the helpe +whereof I come, hath made you feele some passion, contrary to the greefe +of him that indures so mutch for your sake. Vnto whome without feare of +your dyspleasure, I gaue my Faithe in Pledge to beare this Letter.” +In saying so, she drewe the same out of hir Bosome, and presentyng it to +cruell Silia, shee sayde: “I beseeche you to thynke that I am not +ignoraunt of the evyll wherewyth the Lorde of Virle is affected, who +wrote these letters. I promysed him the duety of a Messanger +towards you: and so constrayned by promyse I could doe no lesse, than to +delyuer you that which hee doeth sende, with Seruyce sutch as shall +endure for euer, or yf it shall please you to accept him for sutch a one +as hee desireth to be. For my parte I onelye praye you to reade the +Contentes, and accordynglye to gyue mee Aunswere: for my Fayth is no +further bounde, but trustelye to report to hym the thinge whereuppon you +shall bee resolued.” Zilia which was not wonte to receyue very ofte +sutch Ambassades, at the firste was in mind to breake the Letters, and +to retourne the Messanger wythout aunswere to hir shame. But in the Ende +takyng Heart, and chaunging hir affectyon, she red the Letters not +without shewing some very great alteration outwardely, which declared +the meanynge of hir thought that diuersly did stryue wythin hir mynde: +for sodaynly shee +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page169" id = "page169">169</a></span> +chaunged her Coloure twyce or thryce, nowe waxing pale lyke the +increasynge Moone Eclypsed by the Sunne, when shee feeleth a certayne +darkenynge of hir borowed Lyghte, then the Vermylyon and coloured Taynte +came into hir Face agayne, wyth no lesse hewe than the blomed Rose +newelye budded forthe, whych Encreased halfe so mutch agayne, the +excellencye of that wherewyth Nature had indued hir. And then she paused +a whyle. Notwythstandynge, after that shee had red, and red agayne hir +Louer’s letter, not able to dissemble hir foolishe anger which vexed hir +heart, shee sayde vnto the mistresse messanger: “I would not haue +thought that you, being a woman of good fame would (by abusinge your +duety,) haue bene the ambassador of a thing so vncomely for your Estate, +and the house where of you come, and towards me which neuer was sutch +one (ne yet pretend to be.) And trust me it is the loue I beare +you, which shall for this tyme make me dissemble what I thincke, +reseruinge in silence, that whych (had it come from an other) +I would haue published to the great dishonour of hir that maketh so +little accoumpt of my chastity. Let it suffice therefore in tyme to come +for you to thinke and beleue, that I am chaste and honest: and to +aduertise the Lord of Virle to proceede no further in his sute: for +rather will I dy, than agree to the least poynct of that which hee +desires of mee. And that he may knowe the same, be well assured that hee +shall take his leaue of that priuate talke which sometimes I vsed with +him to my great dishonor, as far as I can see. Get you home therefore, +and if you loue your credit so mutch, as you see me curious of my +chastity, I beseech you vse no further talke of hym, whom I hate so +mutch, as his folly is excessiue, for I do little esteeme the amorous +Toyes and fayned passions, whereunto sutch louinge fooles doe suffer +themselues to be caried headlong.” The messenger ashamed to heare hir +selfe thus pinched to the quicke, aunswered hir very quietly without +mouing of hir pacience: “I pray to God (mistresse) that he may +recouer the different disease al most incurable in eyther of you twayne, +the same being so vehement, as altered into a phrenesie, maketh you in +this wyse, incapable of reason.” Finishing these wordes she tooke hir +leaue of Zilia, and arriued to the Louer’s house, she founde him +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page170" id = "page170">170</a></span> +lying vpon his bed, rather dead than a liue: who seeing his neyghbor +returned backe agayne, with Face so sadde, not tarying for the aunswere +which she was about to make, he began to say: “Ah infortunate Gentleman, +thou payest wel the vsury of thy pleasures past when thou diddest lyue +at lyberty, free from those trauayles which now do put thee to death, +without suffering thee to dy. Oh happy, and more than happy had I ben, +if inconstant Fortune had not deuised this treason, wherein I am +surprised and caught, and yet no raunsome can redeeme from prison, but +the most miserable death that euer poore louer suffred. Ah Mistresse, +I knowe well that Zilia esteemeth not my Letters, ne yet regardeth +my loue, I confesse that I haue done you wrong by thus abusing your +honest amity, for the solace of my payne. Ah fickle loue, what foole is +hee which doth commit hymselfe to the rage and fury of the Waues of thy +foming and tempestuous Seas? Alas I am entred in, with great, and +gladsome cheere, through the glistering shew before myne eyes of the +faynt shining Sunne beames, whereunto as soone as I made sayle, the same +denied me light of purpose to thrust me forth into a thousand winds, +tempests, and raging stormes of Rayne. By meanes whereof I see no meane +at all to hope for end of my mishaps: and mutche lesse the shipwracke +that sodainely may rid me from this daunger more intollerable, than if I +were ouerwhelmed wythin the bottomlesse depth of the mayne Ocean. Ah +deceyuer and wily Souldiour, why hast thou made me enterprise the voyage +farre of from thy solitudes and Wildernesse, to geue me ouer in the +middest of my necessity? Is this thy maner towards them which franckly +followe thy tract, and pleasauntly subdue themselues to thy trayterous +follies? At least wyse if I sawe some hope of health would indure +without complaynt thereof: yea, and it were a more daungerous tempest. +But O good God, what is he of whom I speake? Of whom do I attend for +solace and releefe? Of him truely which is borne for the ouerthrow of +men. Of whom hope I for health? Of the most noysom poyson that euer was +mingled with the subtilest druggs that euer were. Whom shall I take to +be my Patron? He which is in ambush traiterously to catch me, that he +may martir me worsse than he hath done before. Ah cruell Dame, that +measurest +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page171" id = "page171">171</a></span> +so euill, the good will of him that neuer purposed to trespasse the +least of thy commaundements. Ah, that thy beauty should finde a Subiect +so stubborne in thee, to torment them that loue and honor thee. +O maigre and vnkinde recompence, to expell good seruaunts that be +affectionate to a seruice so iust and honest. Ah Basiliske, coloured +ouer with pleasure and swetnesse, how hath thy sight dispersed his +poyson throughout mine heart? At least wise if I had some drugge to +repell thy force, I should liue at ease, and that without this sute +and trouble. But I feele and proue that this sentence is more than +true:</p> + +<div class = "verse"> +<p>No physicke hearbes the griefe of loue can cure,</p> +<p>Ne yet no drugge that payne can well assure.</p> +</div> + +<p>Alas, the seare cloath will not serue, to tent the wound the time +shall be but lost, to launch the sore, and to salue the same it breeds +myne ouerthrow. To be short, any dressing can not auayle, except the +hand of hir alone which gaue the wounde. I woulde to God shee sawe +the bottome of my heart, and viewed the Closet of my mynde, that shee +might iudge of my firme fayth and know the wrong she doth me by hir +rigor and froward will. But O vnhappy man, I feele that she is so +resolued in obstinate mynde, as hir rest seemeth only to depend vpon my +payne, hir ease vpon my griefe, and hir ioy vpon my sadnesse.” And +saying so, began straungly to weepe, and sighing betwene, lamented, in +so mutch as, the mistresse messaunger not able to abide the griefe and +paynefull trauayle wherein shee saw the poore gentleman wrapped, went +home to hir house: notwithstanding she told afterward the whole successe +of his loue to a Gentleman, the friend of Philiberto. Now this Gentleman +was a companion in armes to the Lorde of Virle, and a very familyar +Freend of his, that went about by all meanes to put away those foolishe, +and Franticke conceypts out of his fansie, but hee profited as mutch by +his endeuour, as the passionate gayned by his heauines: who determining +to dye, yelded so mutch to care and grief, as he fell into a greeuous +sicknes, which both hindred him from sleepe, and also his Appetite to +eate and drinke, geuing himselfe to muse vppon his follies, and fansied +dreames, without hearing or admitting any man to speake +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page172" id = "page172">172</a></span> +vnto hym. And if perchaunce hee hearkened to the persuasions of his +frends, he ceassed not his complaynt, bewayling the cruelty of one, whom +he named not. The Phisitians round about were sought for, and they +coulde geue no iudgement of his malady (neyther for all the Signes they +saw, or any inspection of his Vrine, or touching of his pulse) but sayd +that it was melancholie humor distilling from the Brayne, that caused +the alteration of his sense: howbeit their Arte and knowledge were void +of skil to evacuate the grosse Bloud that was congeled of his disease. +And therefore dispayryng of his health, with hands full of Money, they +gaue him ouer. Which his friend and Companion perceiuing, maruellous +sorry for his affliction he ceased not to practise all that he could by +Letters, gifts, promises and complaynts to procure Zilia to visite her +pacient. For hee was assured that her onely presence was able to recouer +him. But the cruell woman excused hir self that she was a Widow and that +it shoulde bee vnseemely for one of hir degree (of intente) to visite a +Gentleman, whose Parentage and Alliance she knew not. The soliciter of +the Lord of Virle his health, seeing how lyttle hys prayers auailed to +his implacable gryefe could not tell to what Sainct he might vow himself +for Counsell, in the ende resolued to sollicite hir again that hadde +done the first Message, that she myght eftsons deuise some meanes to +bryng them to speake togither. And fynding hir for hys purpose, thus he +sayed vnto hir: “Mystresse I maruell mutch that you make so little +accompt of the pore lorde of Virle who lyeth in his Bedde attending for +Death. Alas, if euer pitty had place in Woman’s heart, I beseech +you to gyue your ayde to help him, the meane of whose recouery, is not +ignoraunt vnto you.” “God is my witnesse” (quod she) “what trauaile my +heart is willing to vndertake to helpe that Gentleman, but in things +impossible, it is not in man to determine, or rest assured iudgement. +I wil go vnto him and comfort hym so well as I can, that +peraduenture my Promyses may ease some part of his payne: and afterward +we wil at leysure better consider, what is best for vs to do.” Herevppon +they wente together to see the Pacient, that beganne to looke more +chearefull than he dyd before: who seeing the Gentlewoman, said vnto +hir: “Ah mistres, I would to God I had neuer +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page173" id = "page173">173</a></span> +proued your fidelity, then had I not felt the passing cruell Heart of +hir, that esteemeth more hir honour to practise rigour and tyranny than +with gentlenesse to maintaine the Lyfe of a pore feeble knight.” “Sir,” +(said she,) “be of good cheare, doe not thus torment your selfe: for I +trust to gyue you remedy betwene thys and to morrowe, and wyll doe myne +endeuor to cause you to speake with hir, vppon whome wrongfully +perchaunce you doe complayne, and who dare not come vnto you, least ill +speakers conceiue occasion of suspicion, who wil make the report more +slaunderous, then remedie for the cause of your disease.” “Ah” (sayd the +pacient) “howe ioyefull and pleasaunt is your talke? I see wel that +you desire my health, and for that purpose would haue me drinke those +liquors, which superficiallay appeare to bee sweete, which afterwardes +may make my lyfe a hundred tymes more faint and feeble than now it is.” +“Be you there,” sayed she? “And I sweare vnto you by my faith not to +faile to keepe my promyse, to cause you speake alone with mistresse +Zilia.” “Alas, mistresse” sayd the louer, “I aske no more at your +<ins class = "correction" title = "error for ‘handes’">haudes</ins>, +that I may heare with myne own eares the last sentence of hope or +defiance.” “Well put your trust in me,” sayd she, “and take no thought +but for your health. For I am assured ere it be longe, to cause hir to +come vnto you, and then you shall see whether, my diligence shall +aunswere the effect of myne attempt.” “Me thinke already” (quod he) +“that sicknesse is not able to stay me from going to hir that is the +cause, sith her onely remembraunce hath no lesse force in mee, than the +clearnesse of the Sun beames to euaporate the thicknesse of the morning +mistes.” With that the Gentlewoman tooke her leaue of hym, and went home +attendynge oportunity to speake to Zilia, whome two or three Dayes after +she mette at Church, and they two beyng alone togither in a Chapell, she +sayd vnto hir with fayned Teares, forced from her Eyes, and sending +forth a Cloude of sighes, these woordes: “Madame, I nothing doubt +at al, but the last Letters which I brought you, made you conceiue some +il opinion of me, which I do guesse by the frownyng countenance that +euer sithens you haue borne me. But when you shall knowe the hurte which +it hath done, I thinke you wyll not be so harde, and voyde of +pitye, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page174" id = "page174">174</a></span> +but with pacyence hearken that whych I shall saye, and therewythall bee +moued to pitye the state of a pore Gentleman, who by your meanes is in +the pangs of death.” Zilia, which til then neuer regarded the payne and +sicknesse of the pacient, began to sorrow, with sutch passion, as not to +graunt him further fauor than he had already receiued, but to finde some +means to ease him of hys gryefe, and then to gyue hym ouer for euer. And +therefore she sayd vnto hir neyghbor: “My good frend, I thought +that all these sutes had beene forgotten, vntill the other day a certen +Gentleman praied me to go see the Lord of Virle, who told me as you do +now, that he was in great daunger. And now vnderstanding by you that he +waxeth worsse, and worsse, I will be ruled, being well assured of +your honesty and vertue, and that you will not aduise me to any thing +that shall be hurtfull to myne honour. And when you haue done what you +can, you shal winne of me so mutch as nothinge, and geeue no ease to him +at all that wrongfully playneth of my cruelty. For I purpose not to do +any priuate fact with him, but that which shall be meete for an honest +Gentlewoman, and sutch as a faythfull tutor of hir chastity, may graunt +to an honest and vertuous Gentleman.” “His desire is none other” (sayd +the gentlewoman) “for he craueth but your presence, to let you wit by +word, that he is ready to do the thing you shall commaund him.” “Alas” +sayde Zilia, “it is impossible for me to go to hym without suspition, +which the common people will lightly conceiue of sutch light and +familiar Behauiour. And rather would I dy than aduenture mine honor +hitherto conserued wyth great seuerity and diligence. And yet sith you +say, that he is in extremes of death, for your sake, I wil not +stick to heare him speake.” “I thanke you” (sayd the Messanger) +“for the good wil you beare me and for the help you promise vnto the +poore passionate Gentleman, whom these newes wil bring on foote againe, +and who al the dayes of his life wil do you honor for that good turne.” +“Sith it is so (sayd Zilia) to morrow at noone let him come vnto my +house, wherein a low chamber, he shall haue leysure to say to mee his +mind. But I purpose by God’s help, to suffer him no further than that +which I haue already graunted.” “As it shall please you” (sayd hir +neighbour) “for +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page175" id = "page175">175</a></span> +I craue no more of you but that only fauour, which as a Messanger of +good Newes, I go to shew hym, recommending my selfe in the meane +tyme to your commaunde.” And then she went vnto the pacient, whom she +found walkinge vp and downe the Chaumber, indifferent lusty of his +person, and of colour meetely freshe for the tyme hee left his Bed<ins +class = "correction" title = "superfluous close quote">.”</ins> Now when +sir Philiberto saw the Messanger, hee sayde vnto hir: “And how now +mystresse, what Newes? Is Zilia so stubborne as shee was wont to be?” +“You may see hir” (sayd she) “if to morrowe at Noone you haue the heart +to aduenture to goe vnto hir house.” “Is it possible” (sayd hee +embracing hir) “that you haue procured my delyueraunce from the misery, +wherewith I haue so long tyme beene affected? Ah trusty and assured +frende, all the dayes of my lyfe I wil remember that pleasure, and +benefite, and by acknowledging of the same, shall be ready to render +like, when you please to commaunde, or els let me be counted the most +vncurteous Gentleman that euer made profession of loue: I will go +by God’s help to see mistresse Zilia, with intent to endure all +vexation, wherewith Dame Fortune shall afflict me, protesting to vex my +selfe no more, although I see my wished hap otherwise to ende than my +desert requireth. But yet agaynst Fortune to contend, is to warre +agaynst my selfe, whereof the Victory can be but daungerous.” Thus he +passed all the day, which seemed to last a thousand years to hym, that +thought to receyue some good intertaynment of hys Lady, in whose Bonds +hee was catched before he thought that Woman’s malice could so farre +exceede, or display hir venomous Sting. And truly that man is voyde of +Sense, whych suffreth hym selfe so fondly to bee charmed, sith the +pearill of others before time abused, ought to serue hym for exaumple. +Women be vnto mankinde a greate confusion, and vnwares for want of hys +due foresight, it doth suffer it selfe to bee bounde and taken captiue +by the very thing which hath no being to worke effect, but by free will. +Which Inchauntment of woman’s beauty, being to men a pleasaunt +displeasure, I thinke to bee decked with that drawinge vertue, and +allurement, for chastising of their sinnes who once fed and bayted with +their fading fauour and poysoned sweetnesse, forget their owne +perfection, and nousled in +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page176" id = "page176">176</a></span> +their foolishe Fansies, they seeke Felicity, and soueraygne delight, in +the matter wherein doth lie the summe of their vnhaps. Semblaly the +vertuous and shamefaste dames, haue not the eyes of their minde so +blindfolde, but that they see whereunto those francke seruices, those +disloyal Faythes and Vyces coloured and stuffed with exterior vertue, +doe tende: Who doubt not also but sutch louers do imitate the Scorpion, +whose Venome lieth in his Tayle, the ende of which is loue beinge the +ruine of good Renoume, and the Decay of former vertues. For which cause +the heauens, the Frende of their sexe, haue giuen them a prouidence, +which those Gentle, vnfauoured louers terme to be rigor, thereby to +proue the deserts of Suters, aswell for their great contentation and +prayse, as for the rest of them that do them seruice. Howbeit this iust +and modest prouidence, that cruel Gentlewoman practised not in hir +louer, the Lord of Virle, who was so humble a seruaunt of his vnkinde +mistresse, as his obedience redounded to his great mishap, and folly, as +manifestly may appeare by that whych followeth. Sir Philiberto then +thinking to haue gayned mutch by hauing made promise, liberally to +speake to his Lady, went vnto hir at the appoyncted hour, so well +contented truely of that grace, as all the vnkindnesse past was quite +forgot. Now being come to the Lodging of Mistresse Zilia, he found hir +in the deuised place with one of hir maydes attending vpon hir. When she +saw him, after a little cold entertaynment, she began to say vnto him +with fayned ioy, that neuer mooued hir heart, these woordes: “Now sir, +I see that your late sicknesse was not so straunge as I was geeuen +to vnderstand, for the good state wherein I see you presently to be, +which from henceforth shall make mee beleue, that the passions of Men +endure so long as the cause of their affections continue within their +fansies, mutch like vnto looking Glasses, which albeit they make the +equality or excesse of things represented to appeare, yet when the thing +seene doth passe, and vanishe away, the formes also do voyde out of +remembraunce, resembling the wynde that lightly whorleth to and fro +through the plane of some deepe valley.” “Ah madame” aunswered he, “how +easie a matter it is for the griefelesse person to counterfayt both ioy +and dissimulation in one very thing, which not onely +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page177" id = "page177">177</a></span> +may forget the conceipt that mooueth his affections, but the obiect must +continually remayne in him, as paynted, and grauen in his minde. Which +truely as you say is a looking Glasse, not sutch one for all that, as +the counterfayted apparaunce of represented formes hath like vigor in +it, that the first and true idees and shapes can so soone vanish without +leauiug most perfect impression of sutch formes within the minde of him, +that liueth vpon their onely remembraunce. In this mirror then (which by +reason of the hidden force I may well say to bee ardent and burning) +haue I looked so well as I can, thereby to form the sustentation of my +good hap. But the imagined Shape not able to support sutch perfection, +hath made the rest of the body to fayle (weakned through the mindes +passions) in sutch wise as if the hope to recouer this better parte +halfe lost, had not cured both, the whole decay of the one had followed, +by thinking to giue some accomplishment in the other. And if you see me +Madame, attayne to some good state, impute the same I beseech you, to +the good will and fauor which I receiue by seeing you in a priuate +place, wherein I conceyue greater ioy than euer I did, to say vnto you +the thing which you would not beleeue, by woords at other times +proceeding from my mouth, ne yet by aduertisement signified in my +written letters. Notwithstanding I think that my Martirdome is known to +bee sutch as euery man may perceyue that the Summe of my desire is onely +to serue and obey you, for so mutch as I can receyue no greater +comforte, than to be commaunded to make repayre to you, to let you know +that I am whole (although giuen ouer by Phisitians) when you vouchsafe +to employ me in your seruice, and thinke my selfe raysed vp agayne from +one hundred thousand deathes at once, when it shall please you to haue +pitty vpon the griefe and passion, that I endure. Alas, what causeth my +mishap, that the heauenly beauty of yours should make proofe of a +cruelty so great? Haue you decreed Madame thus to torment mee poore +Gentleman that am ready to sacrifice myselfe in your seruice, when you +shall impart some fauour of your good grace? Do you thinke that my +passions be dissembled? Alacke, alacke, the teares which I haue shed, +the losse of lust to eate and drinke, the weary passed nights, the longe +contriued sleepelesse tyme the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page178" id = "page178">178</a></span> +restlesse turmoyle of my consumed corps may wel assure that my loyall +heart is of better merite than you esteeme.” Then seeing hir to fixe hir +eyes vpon the ground, and thinkinge that hee had already wonne hir, he +reinforced his humble Speache, and Sighing at fits betwene, not sparinge +the Teares, whych trickled downe alongs hys Face, he prosecuted his Tale +as followeth: “Ah fayre amongs the fayrest, woulde you blot that +surpassing Beauty with a cruelty so furious, as to cause the death of +him which loueth you better than himselfe? Ah my withered eyes, which +hitherto haue bene serued with two liuely springs to expresse the hidden +griefs within the heart, if your vnhap be sutch that the only Mistresse +of your contemplations, and cause of your driery teares, doe force the +Humor to encrease, which hitherto in sutch wise hath emptied my Brayne, +as there is no more in mee to moisten your drouth, I am content to +endure al extremity, vntil my heart shal feele the last Pangue, that +depriueth yee of nourishment, and me of mine affected Ioy.” The +Gentlewoman, whether shee was weary of that Oration, or rather doubted +that in the end hir chastity would receue some assault through the +dismeasured passion which she saw to continue in him, answered with +rigorous words: “You haue talked, and written inough, you haue +indifferently well solicited hir, whych is throughly resolued in former +minde, to keepe hir honor in that worthy reputation of degree, wherein +she maynetayneth the same amongs the best. I haue hitherto suffered +you to abuse my patience, and haue shewed that familiarity which they +deserue not that go about leudly to assayle the chastity of those Women +that patiently gieue them eare, for the opinion they haue conceiued of +the shadowing vertues of like foolishe Suters. I now doe see that +all your woordes doe tend to beguile mee, and to depriue mee of that you +cannot giue mee: Which shall bee a warning for me henceforth, more +wisely to looke about my businesse, and more warely to shunne the +Charmes of sutch as you bee, to the ende that I by bending mine open +eares, be not surprised, and ouercome wyth your enchaunted Speaches. +I pray you then for conclusion, that I heare no more hereof, +neyther from you, nor yet from the Ambassadour that commeth from you. +For I neyther will, ne yet pretend to depart to you any +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page179" id = "page179">179</a></span> +other fauour than that which I haue enlarged for your comfort: but +rather doe protest, that so longe as you abide in this Countrey, +I will neyther goe forth in streate, nor suffer any Gentleman to +haue accesse into this place except he be my neare Kinsman. Thus for +your importunat sute, I will chastise my light consent, for +harkeninge vnto you in those requests, which duty and Womanhoode ought +not to suffre. And if you do proceede in these your follies, I will +seeke redresse according to your desert, which till now I haue deferred, +thinking that time would haue put out the ardent heate of your rash, and +wanton youth.” The infortunate Lord of Virle, hearing this sharpe +sentence, remayned long time without speach, so astonned as if he had +bene falne from the Clouds. In the ende for al his despayre he replyed +to Zilia with Countenaunce indifferent merry: “Sith it is so madame, +that you take from mee all hope to be your perpetuall Seruaunt, and that +without other comfort or contentation I must nedes depart your presence, +neuer (perchaunce) hereafter to speake vnto you againe, be not yet so +squeimish of your beauty, and so cruell towards your languishing louer, +as to deny him a kisse for pledge of his last farewell. I demaund +nothing here in secret, but that honestly you may openly performe. It is +al that I doe craue at your handes in recompence of the trauayles, +paynes, and afflictions suffred for your sake.” The malitious dame full +of rancor, and spitefull rage sayd vnto him: “I shall see by and by +sir, if the loue which you vaunt to beare mee, be so vehement as you +seeme to make it.” “Ah Madame” (sayd the vnaduised Louer) “commaunde +only, and you shal see with what deuotion I will performe your will, +were it that it should cost me the price of my proper life.” “You shall +haue” (quod she) “the kisse which you require of me if you will make +promise, and sweare by the fayth of a Gentleman, to do the thinge that I +shall commaund, without fraude, couin or other delay.” “Madame” (sayd +the ouer wilful louer) “I take God to witnesse that of the thing +which you shall commaunde I will not leaue one iote vndone, but it shall +bee executed to the vttermost of your request and will.” She hearing him +sweare with so good affection, sayd vnto him smiling: “Now then vpon +your oth which I beleue, and being assured of your Vertue and Noble +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page180" id = "page180">180</a></span> +nature, I will also performe and keepe my promise.” And saying so, +shee Embraced and kissed him very louingly. The poore Gentleman not +knowing how dearely hee had bought that disfauorable curtesie, and +bitter sweetenesse, helde hir a while betwene his armes, doubling kisse +vppon kisse, with sutch Pleasure, as his soule thought to fly vp to the +heauens being inspired with that impoysoned Baulme which hee sucked in +the sweete and sugred breath of his cruel mistresse: who vndoing hir +selfe out of his armes, sayde vnto him: “Sith that I haue made the first +disclosure both of the promise and of the effect, it behooueth that you +performe the rest, for the full accomplyshment of the same.” “Come on +hardily” (sayeth hee) “and God knoweth how spedily you shal be obeyed.” +“I wil then” (quod shee) “and commaund you vpon your promysed faith +that from this present time, vntyl the space of three yeres be expyred, +you speake to no lyuing person for any thing that shall happen vnto you, +nor yet expresse by tonge, by sound of word or speache what thing you +wante or els desyre, whych requeste if you do breake, I will neuer +truste liuing man for youre sake, but wil publyshe your fame to bee +villanous, and your person periured, and a promyse breaker.” +I leaue for you to think whether this vnhappy louer were amazed or +not, to heare a Commaundment so vniust, and therewithall the difficulty +for the performance. Notwithstanding he was so stoute of hearte, and so +religious an obseruer of his Othe as euen at that very instant he began +to do the part which she had commaunded, playing at Mumchaunce, and +vsing other signes, for doing of his duetye, accordynge to hir demaund. +Thus after his ryghte humble reuerence made vnto hir, he went home, +where faining that hee had lost his speach by meanes of a Catarre or +reume which distilled from his brayne, he determined to forsake his +Countrey vntill his tyme of penance was rune out. Wherfore setting staye +in hys affayres, and prouydyng for his trayne, he made him ready to +depart. Notwithstanding, he wrot a Letter vnto Zilia, before he toke hys +iovrney into Fraunce, that in olde tyme hadde ben the Solace and refuge +of the miserable, as wel for the pleasantnes and temperature of the +ayre, the great wealth and the aboundance of al thynges, as for the +curtesye, gentlenes and +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page181" id = "page181">181</a></span> +familyarity of the people: wherein that region may compare with any +other nation vpon the earth. Now the Letter of Philiberto, fell into the +hands of lady Zilia, by meanes of hys Page instructed for that purpose: +who aduertised hir of the departure of his mayster, and of the despaire +wherein hee was. Whereof shee was somewhat sory, and offended: But yet +puttinge on hir Aunciente seuerytye, tooke the <ins class = "correction" +title = "error for ‘Letter’ (singular)">Letters</ins>, and breakinge the +Seale, found that which followeth.</p> + +<div class = "verse"> +<p>The very euill that causeth mine anoy</p> +<p>The matter is that breedes to me my ioy,</p> +<p>Which doth my wofull heart full sore displease,</p> +<p>And yet my hap and hard yll lucke doth ease.</p> +<p>I hope one day when I am franke and free,</p> +<p>To make thee do the thing that pleaseth mee,</p> +<p>Whereby gayne I shall, some pleasaunt gladnesse,</p> +<p>To supply mine vndeserued sadnesse,</p> +<p>The like whereof no mortall Dame can giue</p> +<p>To louing man that heere on earth doth lyue.</p> +<p>This great good turne which I on thee pretende,</p> +<p>Of my Conceites the full desired ende,</p> +<p>Proceedes from thee (O cruell mystresse myne)</p> +<p>Whose froward heart hath made mee to resigne</p> +<p>The full effect of all my liberty,</p> +<p>(To please and ease thy fonde fickle fansy)</p> +<p>My vse of speache in silence to remayne:</p> +<p>To euery wight a double hellishe payne.</p> +<p>Whose fayth hadst thou not wickedly abusde</p> +<p>No stresse of payne for thee had bene refusde,</p> +<p>Who was to thee a trusty seruaunt sure,</p> +<p>And for thy sake all daungers would endure.</p> +<p>For which thou hast defaced thy good name,</p> +<p>And thereunto procurde eternall shame.</p> +<p>¶ That roaring tempest huge which thou hast made me felt,</p> +<p>The raging stormes whereof, well neere my heart hath swelt</p> +<p>By paineful pangs: whose waltering waues by troubled Skies,</p> +<p>And thousand blasts of winde that in those Seas do ryse</p> +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page182" id = "page182">182</a></span> +<p>Do promise shipwracke sure of that thy sayling Barke,</p> +<p>When after weather cleare doth rise some Tempest darke.</p> +<p>For eyther I or thou which art of Tyger’s kinde,</p> +<p>In that great raging gulfe some daunger sure shalt finde,</p> +<p>Of that thy nature rude the dest’nies en’mies bee,</p> +<p>And thy great ouerthrow full well they do foresee.</p> +<p>The heauens vnto my estate no doubt great friendship shoe,</p> +<p>And do seeke wayes to ende, and finish all my woe.</p> +<p>This penaunce which I beare by yelding to thy hest</p> +<p>Great store of ioyes shall heape, and bring my mynde to rest.</p> +<p>And when I am at ease amids my pleasaunt happes,</p> +<p>Then shall I see thee fall, and snarld in Fortune’s trappes.</p> +<p>Then shall I see thee ban and cursse the wicked time,</p> +<p>Wherin thou madest me gulp such draught of poysoned wine.</p> +<p>Of which thy mortall cup, I am the offerd wight,</p> +<p>A vowed sacrifice to that thy cruell spight.</p> +<p>Wherefore my hoping heart doth hope to see the day,</p> +<p>That thou for silence now to me shalt be the pray.</p> +<p>¶ O Blessed God most iust, whose worthy laude and prayse</p> +<p>With vttered speach in Skies a loft I dare not once to rayse,</p> +<p>And may not well pronounce and speak what suffrance I sustain,</p> +<p>Ne yet what death I do indure, whiles I in lyfe remayne,</p> +<p>Take vengeance on that traytresse rude, afflict hir corps with +woe</p> +<p>Thy holy arme redresse hir fault, that she no more do soe:</p> +<p>My reason hath not so farre strayed but I may hope and trust</p> +<p>To see hir for hir wickednes, be whipt with plague most iust.</p> +<p>In the meane while great heauines my sence and soule doth bite,</p> +<p>And shaking feuer vex my corps for griefe of hir despite.</p> +<p>My mynde now set at liberty from thee (O cruell Dame)</p> +<p>Doth giue defiaunce to thy wrath, and to thy cursed name,</p> +<p>Proclayming mortal warre on thee vntill my tongue vntide,</p> +<p>Shall ioy to speak to Zilia fast weping by my side.</p> +<p>The heauens forbid that causlesse wrong abroad shold make his +vaunt,</p> +<p>Or that an vndeserued death forgetfull tombe should haunt:</p> +<p>But that in written booke and verse their names shold euer liue</p> +<p>And eke their wicked deedes shold dy, and vertues stil reuiue.</p> +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page183" id = "page183">183</a></span> +<p>So shall the pride and glory both, of hir be punisht right,</p> +<p>By length of yeares, and tract of time. And I by vertues might,</p> +<p>Full recompence thereby shal haue and stand still in good Fame,</p> +<p>And she like caitif wretch shall liue, to hir long lasting shame.</p> +<p>Whose fond regard of beautie’s grace, contemned hath the force</p> +<p>Of my true loue full fixt in hir: hir heart voide of remorse,</p> +<p>Esteemed it selfe right foolishly and me abused still,</p> +<p>Vsurping my good honest fayth and credite at hir will.</p> +<p>Whose loyall faith doth rest in soule, and therein stil shal +bide,</p> +<p>Vntill in filthy stincking graue the earth my corps shall hide.</p> +<p>Then shal that soule fraught with that faith, to heuens make his +repaire</p> +<p>And rest among the heuenly rout, bedect with sacred aire.</p> +<p>And thou for thy great cruelty, as God aboue doth know,</p> +<p>With ruful voice shalt wepe and wayle for thy gret ouerthrow,</p> +<p>And when thou woldst fayn purge thy self for that thy wretched +dede</p> +<p>No kindnes shal to the be done, extreme shal be thy mede:</p> +<p>And where my tongue doth want his wil, thy mischiefe to display,</p> +<p>My hand and penne supplies the place, and shall do so alway.</p> +<p>For so thou hast constraynd the same by force of thy behest:</p> +<p>In silence still my tongue to keepe, t’accomplishe thy request.</p> +<p>Adieu, farewell my tormenter, thy frend that is full mute,</p> +<p>Doth bid thee farewell once agayne, and so hee ends his sute.</p> +</div> + +<p class = "center">He that liueth only to be reuenged of thy +cruelty,</p> + +<p class = "center"><span class = "smallcaps">Philiberto of +Virle</span>.</p> + +<p>Zilia lyke a disdaynefull Dame, made but a Iest at theese Letters and +Complayntes of the infortunate Louer, saying that she was very well +content with his Seruice: and that when he should perfourme the tyme of +his probation, shee shoulde see if he were worthy to bee admitted into +the Felowship of theym which had made sufficient proofe of the Order, +and Rule of Loue. In the meane tyme Philiberto rode by great Iourneys +(as we haue sayde before) towardes the goodly, and pleasaunte countrey +of Fraunce, wherein Charles the Seuenth that tyme did raygne, who +miraculously (But gieue the Frencheman leaue to flatter, and speake well +of hys owne Countrey, accordinge to the flatteringe, and vauntinge +Nature of that Nation) chased the Englishemen out of hys +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page184" id = "page184">184</a></span> +Landes, and Auncient Patrimony in the yeare of our Lord 1451. This Kynge +had hys Campe then Warrefaringe in Gascoine, whose Lucke was so +Fortunate as hee expelled hys Ennymies, and left no Place for theym to +Fortyfy there, whych Incouraged the Kynge to followe that good Occasion, +and by Prosecutinge hys Victoryous Fortune, to Profligate out of +Normandie, and to dispatch himselfe of that Ennemy, into whose Handes, +and seruitude the Countrey of Guyene was ryghtly delyuered, and +Victoryously wonne, and gotten by the Englishmen. The kynge then beeinge +in hys Campe in Normandie, the Piedmount Gentleman the Lorde of Virle +aforesayde, Repayred thereunto to Serue hym in hys Person, where hee was +well knowne of some Captaynes whych had seene hym at other tymes, and in +place where worthy Gentlemen are wonte to Frequente, and in the Duke of +Sauoyes Courte, whych the Frenchemen dyd very mutch Haunte, because the +Earle of Piedmont that then was Duke of Sauoy had Marryed Iolanta, the +seconde daughter of Charles the Seuenth. Theese Gentlemen of Fraunce +were very mutch sory for the Mysfortune of the Lord of Virle, and +knowinge hym to be one of the Brauest, and Lustyest Men of Armes that +was in his tyme within the Country of Piedmont, presented him before the +King, commending vnto hys grace the vertue, gentlenesse, and valiaunce +of the man of Warre: who after hee had done his reuerence accordinge to +hys duety, whych hee knew ful wel to doe, declared vnto him by signes +that he was come for none other intent, but in those Warres to serue hys +Maiestye: whom the King heard and thankefully receyued assuryng himself +and promising very mutch of the dumbe Gentleman for respect of his +personage which was comely and wel proportioned, and therefore +represented some Force and greate Dexterity: and that whych made the +king the better to fantasie the Gentleman, was the reporte of so many +worthy men which extolled euen to the heauens the prowesse of the +Piedmont knight. Whereof he gaue assured testimony in the assault which +the king made to deliuer Roane, the Chyefe Citye and defence of all +Normandie, in the year of our Lord 1451. where Philiberto behaued +himself so valiantly as he was the first that mounted upon the Wals, and +by his Dexterity and inuincyble force, made way to the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page185" id = "page185">185</a></span> +souldiers in the breche, whereby a little while after they entred and +sacked the Enemies, dryuing them out of the Citye, and wherein not long +before, that is to say 1430. the duke of Somerset caused Ioane the +Pucelle to be burnt. The king aduertised of the Seruice of the Dumbe +Gentleman, to recompence him according to his desert, and bycause hee +knewe hym to bee of a good house, he made him a Gentleman of his +Chambre, and gaue him a good pension, promysing him moreouer to continue +hys liberality, when he should see him prosecute in time to come, the +towardnesse of seruice which he had so haply begon. The dumbe Gentleman +thanking the King very humbly, both for the present pryncely reward, and +for promise in time to come, lifted vp his hand to heauen as taking God +to witnesse of the faith, which inuiolable he promysed to keepe vnto his +Prynce: which he did so earnestly, as hardely he had promysed, as well +appeared in a Skirmishe betweene the Frrench, and their auncient Enimies +the Englysh-Men, on whose side was the valiaunt and hardy Captayne the +Lord Talbot, who hath eternized his memory in the victories obtained +vpon that People, which sometimes made Europa and Asia to tremble, and +appalled the monstruous and Warlike Countrey of Affrica. In this +conflycte the Piedmont Knighte combated with the Lorde Talbot, agaynste +whome he had so happy successe, as vpon the shock and incountre he +ouerthrewe both man and Horse, which caused the discomfiture of the +Englishe Men: who after they had horsed agayne their Captain fled +amaine, leauing the field bespred with dead Bodyes and bludshed of their +Companions. This victory recouered sutch corage and boldnes to the +French, as from that tyme forth the Englishmen began with their places +and forts to lose also theyr hartes to defend themselues. The king +excedingly wel contented wyth the prowesse and valiance of the dumbe +Gentleman, gaue him for seruice past the Charge of <span class = +"smallroman">V.C.</span> men of armes, and indued him with some +possessions, attending better fortune to make him vnderstand howe mutch +the vertue of valiance ought to be rewarded and cheryshed by Prynces +that be aided in their Necessity with the Dylygence of sutch a vertuous +and noble Gentleman. In lyke manner when a Prynce hath something good in +himself, he can do no lesse but loue and fauor that which +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page186" id = "page186">186</a></span> +resembleth himself by Pryncely Conditions, sith the Vertue in what +soeuer place it taketh roote, can not chose but produce good fruicte, +the vse whereof far surmounts them all which approche the place, where +these first seedes of Nobility were throwen. Certaine dayes after the +kinge desirous to reioyce his Knights and Captaines that were in his +trayne, and desirous to extinguish quite the woefull time which so long +space held Fraunce in fearefull silence, caused a triumph of Turney to +bee proclaimed within the City of Roane, wherein the Lord of Virle was +deemed and esteemed one of the best, whych further did increase in him +the good wyl of the kyng, in sutch wyse as he determined to procure his +health, and to make him haue his speache againe. For he was verye sorry +that a Gentleman so valiant was not able to expresse his minde, which if +it might be had in counsel it would serve the state of a commonwealth, +so wel as the force and valor of his body had til then serued for +defence and recovery of his country. And for that purpose he made +Proclamation by sound of Trumpet throughout the prouinces as wel within +his own kingdome, as the regions adioyning vpon the same, that who so +euer could heale that dumb Gentleman, shoulde haue ten thousand Frankes +for recompence. A Man myght then haue seene thousands of Physitians +assemble in fielde, not to skirmish with the Englysh men, but to combat +for reward in recouery of the pacient’s speache, who begon to make sutch +Warre against those ten thousand Frankes, as the kyng was afrayde that +the cure of that disease could take no effect: and for that cause +ordained furthermore, that whosoeuer would take in hand to heale the +dumbe, and did not keepe promyse within a certaine prefixed time, should +pay the sayd summe, or for default thereof should pledge his head in +gage. A Man myght then haue seene those Phisicke Maysters, aswell +beyonde the Mountaynes, as in Fraunce it selfe, retire home againe, +bleeding at the Nose, cursing with great impiety their Patrones, Galen, +Hypocrates, and Auicen, and blamed with more than reprochful Woordes, +the Arte wherewith they fished for honor and richesse. This brute was +spred so far, and babblyng Fame had already by mouth of her Trump +publyshed the same throughout the most part of the Prouinces, Townes, +and Cities neare and farre off to Fraunce, in sutch +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page187" id = "page187">187</a></span> +wyse as a Man woulde haue thought that the two young men (which once in +the tyme of the Macedonian Warres brought Tydings to Varinius that the +king of Macedon was taken by the Consul Paulus Emilius) had ben vagarant +and wandering abrode to carry Newes of the king’s edicte for the healing +of the Lord of Virle. Which caused that not only the brute of the +Proclamation, but also the Credyte and reputatyon wherein the sayd Lord +was with the French king arriued euen at Montcal and passed from mouth +to mouth, til at length Zilia the principal cause thereof vnderstode the +newes, which reioyced hir very mutch, seing the firme Amitie of the +dumbe Lord, and the syncere faith of hym in a promise vnworthy to be +kept, for so mutch as where Fraude and feare doe rule in Heartes of Men, +relygyon of promise, specially the Place of the gyuen Fayth, surrendreth +hys force and reuolteth, and is no more bound but to that which by good +wyll he woulde obserue. Nowe thoughte shee, thoughte? nay rather shee +assured hir selfe, that the Gentleman for all hys wrytten Letter was +stil so surprysed wyth hir Loue, and kindled wyth her fire in so ample +wyse, as when hee was at Montcall: and therefore determyned to goe to +Paris, not for desire shee had to see hir pacient and penetenciarie, but +rather for couetise of the ten thousand Francks, wherof already shee +thought hir self assured, making good accompt that the dumbe Gentleman +when hee should see himself discharged of his promise, for gratifying of +hir, would make no stay to speak to the intent she myght beare away both +the prayse and Money, whereof all others had failed tyll that tyme. Thus +you see that she, whome honest Amitye and long service could lytle +induce to compassion and desire to giue some ease vnto hir moste earnest +louer, yelded hir selfe to couetous gaine and greadinesse for to +encrease hir Rychesse. O cursed hunger of Money, how long wilt thou +thus blinde the reason and Sprytes of men? Ah perillous gulfe, how many +hast thou ouerwhelmed within thy bottomlesse Throte, whose glory, had it +not bene for thee, had surpassed the Clouds, and bene equall with the +bryghtnesse of the Sunne, where now they bee obscured wyth the +thicknesse of thy fogges and Palpable darknesse. Alas, the fruicts whych +thou bryngest forth for all thine outewarde apparance, conduce no +felycity to them +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page188" id = "page188">188</a></span> +that bee thy possessors, for the dropsey that is hydden in their Mynde, +whych maketh them so mutch the more drye, as they drynke ofte in that +thirsty Fountaine, is cause of their alteration: and moste miserable is +that insaciable desire the Couetous haue to glut their appetite, whych +can receiue no contentment. Thys onely Couetousnesse sometimes procured +the Death of the great and rych Romane Crassus who through <span class = +"smallcaps">God</span>’s punyshment fell into the Handes of the +Persians, for violating and sacking the Temple of God that was in +Ierusalem. Sextimuleus burnyng with Avarice and greedynesse of money, +dyd once cut of the head of hys Patron and defender Caius Gracchus the +Tribune of the People, incyted by the Tirant, which tormenteth the +hearts of the couetous. I wil not speake of a good number of other +Examples of people of all kyndes, and divers nations, to come again to +Zilia. Who forgetting hir virtue, the first ornament and shining quality +of hir honest behauiour, feared not the wearines and trauaile of way, to +commit her selfe to that danger of losse of honor, and to yeld to the +mercy of one, vnto whom she had don so great iniury, as hir conscyence +(if shee hadde not lost hir ryghte sence) oughte to haue made hir thinke +that hee was not without desire to reuenge the wrong vniustly don vnto +him, and specially being in place where she was not known, and he +greatly honoured and esteemed, for whose loue that Proclamation and +search of Physicke was made and ordained. Zilia then hauing put in order +hir affaires at home departed from Montcall, and passing the Mounts, +arrived at Paris, in that time when greatest despayre was of the dumbe +Knight’s recouery. Beynge arryued, wythin fewe Dayes after she inquyred +for them that had the charge to entertayne sutch as came, for the cure +of the pacient. “For (sayd she) if ther be any in the world, by whom the +knigt may recouer his health, I hope in God that I am she that shal +haue the prayse.” Heereof the Commissaries deputed hereunto, were +aduertysed, who caused the fayre Physitian to come before them, and +asked her if it were she, that would take vppon hir to cure this dumbe +Gentleman. To whom shee aunsweared. “My maysters it hath pleased God to +reueale vnto me a certayne secrete very proper and meete for the healyng +of hys Malady, wherewithal if the pacyent wyll, I hope to make hym +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page189" id = "page189">189</a></span> +speake so well, as he dyd these two yeares past and more.” +“I suppose, sayd one of the Commissaries, that you be not +ignoraunte of the Circumstances of the Kynges Proclamation.” +“I knowe ful wel” (quod she) “the Effecte therefore, and therefore +doe say vnto you, that I wyll loose my life yf I doe not accomplysh that +which I doe promyse so that I may haue Lycence, to tarry wyth hym alone, +bycause it is of no lesse importaunce than hys Health.” “It is no +maruell,” sayde the Commissary, “consideryng your Beauty, which is +sufficient to frame a Newe Tongue in the moste dumbe Person that is +vnder the Heauens. And therefore doe your Endeuor, assuring you that you +shall doe a great pleasure vnto the King, and besides the prayse you +shall gette the good wyll of the dumbe Gentleman, which is the most +excellent man of the World and therefore so well recompensed as you +shall haue good cause to be contented wyth the kynges Lyberalitye. But +(to the intente you be not deceyued) the meanynge of the Edicte is, that +within fiftene dayes after you begin the cure, you muste make hym whole, +or else to satisfie the Paynes ordayned in the same.” Whereunto she +submitted hir selfe, blinded by Auarice and presumption, thinking that +she had like power nowe ouer the Lord of Virle, as when she gaue him +that sharpe and cruel penance. These Conditions promysed, the +Commissaries went to aduertise the Knight, how a gentlewoman of Piedmont +was of purpose come into Fraunce to helpe him: whereof he was +maruelously astonned. Now he would neuer haue thoughte that Zilia had +borne hym so great good wil, as by abasing the pryde of hir Corage, +would haue come so farre to ease the griefe of him, whome by sutch +greate torments she had so wonderfully persecuted. He thought againe +that it was the Gentlewoman his Neighboure, whych sometymes had done hir +endeuor to helpe him, and that nowe she had prouoked Zilia to absolue +him of his faith, and requite him of hys promise. Musing vpon the +diuersitie of these things, and not knowing wherevpon to settle hys +iudgment, the deputies commaunded that the Woman Physitian should be +admitted to speake with the patient. Which was done and brought in +place, the Commissaries presently withdrew themselues. The Lord of Virle +seeinge hys Ennemye come before him, whom sometimes hee loued very +dearely, iudged by +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page190" id = "page190">190</a></span> +and by the cause wherefore she came, that onely Auaryce and greedy +desire of gaine had rather procured hir to passe the mountayns trauaile, +than due and honest Amitye, wherewith she was double bound through his +perseuerance and humble seruice, with whose sight hee was so appalled, +as he fared like a shadowe and Image of a deade man. Wherefore callyng +to mynd the rigour of his lady, hir inciuility and fonde Commaundement, +so longe time to forbidde hys Speach, the Loue which once hee bare hir, +with vehement desire to obey hir, sodainly was so cooled and qualyfyed, +that loue was turned into hatred, and will to serue hir, into an +appetite of reuenge: whereupon he determined to vse that presente +Fortune, and to playe his parte wyth hir, vpon whom hee had so foolyshly +doted, and to pay hir with that Money wherewyth she made him feele the +Fruicts of vnspeakable crueltye, to giue example to fonde and +presumptuous dames, how they abuse Gentlemen of sutch Degree whereof the +Knyghte was, and that by hauing regarde to the merite of sutch +personages, they be not so prodigall of themselues, as to set their +honour in sale for vyle reward and filthy mucke: whych was so constantly +conserued and defended by this Gentlewoman, agaynst the assaultes of the +good grace, beauty, valour, and gentlenesse, of that vertuous and honest +suter. And notwithstanding, in these dayes wee see some to resiste the +amity of those that loue, for an opynyon of a certayne vertue, which +they thinke to be hydden within the corps of excellent beauty, who +afterwards do set themselues to sale to hym that giueth most, and +offreth greatest reward. Sutch do not deserue to be placed in rank of +chast Gentlewomen, of whome they haue no smacke at al, but amongs the +throng of strumpets kynde, that haue some sparke and outward shew of +loue: for she which loueth money and hunteth after gayne, wyl make no +bones, by treason’s trap to betray that vnhappy man, which shall yelde +himselfe to hir: hir loue tending to vnsensible things, and sutch in +dede, as make the wisest sorte to falsifie their fayth, and sel the +ryghte and Equity of their Iudgment. The Lorde of Virle, seeing Zilia +then in his company, and almost at his commaundement, fayned as though +hee knew hir not, by reason of his small regard and lesse intertaynment +shewed vnto hir at hir first comming. Which +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page191" id = "page191">191</a></span> +greatly made the poore Gentlewoman to muse. Neuerthelesse she making a +vertue of necessity, and seeing hir selfe to bee in that place, from +whence shee could not depart, without the losse of hir honor and Lyfe, +purposed to proue Fortune, and to committe hir selfe vnto his mercy, for +all the mobilytie whych the auncients attribute vnto Fortune. Wherefore +shutting fast the doore, shee went vnto the Knight, to whom she spake +these words: “And what is the matter (sir knight) that now you make so +little accompte of your owne Zilia, who in times past you sayd, had +great power and Authorytye ouer you? what is the cause that moueth you +hereunto? haue you so soone forgotten hir? Beholde me better, and you +shal see hir before you that is able to acquyte you of youre promyse, +and therefore prayeth you to pardon hir committed faultes done in tymes +past by abusing so cruelly the honest and firme loue which you bare hir. +I am she, which through follye and temeritie did stoppe your mouth, +and tyed vp your Tongue. Giue me leaue, I beseeche you, to open the +same agayne, and to breake the Lyne, whych letteth the liberty of your +Speache.” She seeying that the dumbe Gentleman would make no aunswere at +all, but mumme, and shewed by signes, that he was not able to vndoe his +Tongue, weepyng began to kysse hym, imbrace hym and make mutch of hym, +in sutch wyse, as he whych once studyed to make Eloquent Orations before +hys Ladye, to induce hir to pity, forgat then those Ceremonyes, and +spared his talke, to shewe hymselfe to be sutch one as shee had made at +hir Commaundement, mused and deuysed altogether vpon the executyon of +that, which sometyme hee hadde so paynefully pursued, both by Woords and +contynuall Seruyce, and coulde profite nothing. Thus waked agayne by +hir, whych once had Mortyfyed hys Mynde, assayed to renue in hir that, +whych long tyme before seemed to be a sleepe. She more for feare of +losse of Lyfe, and the pryce of the rewarde, than for any true or +earnest loue suffred hym to receyue that of hir, whych the long Suter +desireth to obtaine of his mistresse. They liued in this ioy and +Pleasure the space of fiftene Dayes ordained for the assigned Terme of +his Cure, wherein the poore Gentlewoman was not able to conuert hir +offended Fryende to speake, although she humbly prayed him to shewe so +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page192" id = "page192">192</a></span> +mutch favour as at least she might goe free, from either losse: telling +hym howe lyttle regard shee hadde to hir honour, to come so farre to doe +him pleasure, and to discharge him of his promise. Mutch other gay and +lowlye talke shee hadde. But the knyghte nothing moued with what she +sayde determined to brynge hir in sutch feare, as he had bene vexed with +heauinesse, which came to passe at the expyred tyme. For the +Commissaries seeing that their pacyent spake not at all, summoned the +Gentlewoman to pay the Penaltye pronounced in the Edict, or else to +loose hyr lyfe. Alas, howe bytter seemed thys drynke to thys poore +gentlewoman who not able to dissemble the gryef that prest on euery +syde, beganne to saye: “Ah, I Wretched and Caytyfe Woman, by +thinking to deceiue an other, haue sharpened the Sworde to finish myne +owne lyfe. Was it not enough for me to vse sutch crueltye towardes this +myne Enemye, which most cruelly in double wyse taketh Reuenge, but I +must come to bee thus tangled in his Snares, and in the Handes of him, +who inioying the Spoyles of myne Honour, will with my Lyfe, depryue me +of my Fame, by making mee a Common Fable, to all Posterity in tyme to +come? O what hap had I, that I was not rather deuoured by some +Furious and cruell beast, when I passed the mountaines, or else that I +brake not my Necke, downe some steepe and headlong hil, of those high +and hideous mountains, rather than to bee set heare in stage, +a Pageant to the whole Citye to gaze vppon, for enterprysing a +thing so vayne, done of purpose by him, whome I haue offended. Ah, +Signior Philiberto, what Euill rewardest thou for pleasures receiued, +and fauors felt in hir whom thou didst loue so much, as to make hir dye +sutch shameful, and dreadfull death. But O <span class = +"smallcaps">God</span>, I know that it is for worthy guerdon of my +folysh and wycked Lyfe. Ah disloyaltye and fickle trust, is it possible +that thou be harbored in the hearte of hym which hadde the Brute to bee +the most Loyall and Curteous Gentleman of hys Countrey? Alas, I see +well nowe that I must die through myne onelye simplicity, and that I +muste sacrifice mine Honoure to the rygour of hym, which with two +aduauntages, taketh ouer cruell reuenge of the lyttle wrong, wherewith +my chastity touched him before.” As she thus had finished hir +complainte, one came in to carrye +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page193" id = "page193">193</a></span> +hir to Pryson, whether willinglye shee wente for that she was already +resolued in desire, to lyue no longer in that miserie. The Gentleman +contented wyth that payne, and not able for to dissemble the gryefe, +which hee conceyued for the passion whych hee sawe hys Welbeloued to +endure, the enioyinge of whome renued the heate of the flames forepast, +repayred to the Kyng, vnto whome to the great pleasure of the Standers +by, and exceding reioyce of hys Maiestye (to heare hym speake) he told +the whole discourse of the Loue betweene hym and cruell Zilia, the cause +of the losse of his speach, and the somme of hys reuenge<ins class = +"correction" title = "misplaced close quote for open quote">.” </ins>By the fayth of a Gentleman (sayed the king) but +here is so straunge an hystorye as euer I heard: and verely your fayth +and loyaltye is no lesse to be praised and commended than the cruelty +and couetousnes of the Woman worthy of reproch and blame, which truly +deserueth some greeuous and notable iustice, if so be she were not able +to render some apparant cause for the couerture and hiding of hir +folly.” “Alas sir,” (sayd the Gentleman) “pleaseth your maiesty to +deliuer hir (although she be worthy of punishment) and discharge the +rest that be in prison for not recouery of my speach, sith my onely help +did rest, eyther at hir Commaundemente whych had bounde me to that +wrong, or else in the expired time, for whych I had pleadged my fayth.” +To which request, the Kinge very willingly agreed, greatly praysing the +Wisedome, Curtesie, and aboue all the fidelity of the Lord of Virle, who +causing his penitenciary to be set at liberty, kept hir company certayne +dayes, as well to Feaste, and banket hir, in those Landes and +Possessions which the kinges maiesty had liberally bestowed vpon him, as +to saciate his Appetite with some fruictes whereof he had sauoured his +taste when he was voluntaryly Dumbe. Zilia founde that fauour so +pleasaunt, as in maner shee counted hir imprisonment happy, and hir +trauell rest, by reason that distresse made hir then feele more liuely +the force and pleasure of Liberty, which shee had not founde to bee so +delicate, had she not receyued the experience and payne thereof. Marke +heere how Fortune dealeth with them which trustinge in their force, +despise (in respect of that which they doe themselues) the little +portion that they iudge to bee in others. If the Vayneglory, and +arrogante +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page194" id = "page194">194</a></span> +Presumption of a Chastity Impregnable had not deceiued this Gentlewoman, +if the sacred hunger of gold had not blinded hir, it could not haue bene +knowne, wherein hir incontinency consisted, not in the Mynion delights, +and alluring Toyes of a passionate Louer, but in the couetous desire of +filling hir Purse, and Hypocriticall glory of praise among men. And +notwithstanding yee see hir gaine to serue hir turne nothing at all but +to the perpetuall reproch of hir name, and the slaunder sutch as ill +speakers and enimies of womankinde, do burden the Sexe withall. But the +fault of one Woman, which by hir owne presumption deceyued hir selfe, +ought not to obscure the glory of so many vertuous, Fayre, and Honest +dames, who by their Chastity, Liberality, and Curtesy, be able to deface +the blot of Folly, Couetousnes and cruelty of this Gentlewoman heere, +and of all other that do resemble hir. Who taking leaue of hir Louer, +went home agayne to Piedmount, not without an ordinary griefe of heart, +which serued hir for a spur to hir Conscience, and continually forced +hir to thinke, that the force of man is lesse than nothing, where God +worketh not by his grace, which fayling in vs, oure worckes can fauor +but of the stench and corruption of our nature, wherein it tumbleth and +tosseth lyke the Sow that walloweth in the puddle of filth and dirt. And +because yee shall not thincke in generall termes of Woman’s chastity, +and discretion, that I am not able to vouche some particular example of +later years, I meane to tell you of one, that is not onely to bee +praysed for hir Chastity in the absence of hir husband, but also of hir +Courage and Pollicy in chastisinge the vaunting natures of two Hungarian +Lords that made their braggs they would win hir to their Willes, and not +only hir, but all other, whatsoeuer they were of Womankynde.</p> + + +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page195" id = "page195">195</a></span> +<h3><a name = "novel2_28" id = "novel2_28"> +THE TWENTY-EIGHTH NOUELL.</a></h3> + +<p class = "summary"> +Two Barons of Hvngarie assuring themselues to obtayne their sute to a +fayre Lady of Boeme, receyued of hir a straung and maruelous repulse, to +their great shame and Infamy, cursinge the tyme that euer they +aduentured an Enterprise so foolish.</p> + +<p><span class = "firstword">Penelope</span>, the woful Wife of absent +Vlisses, in hir tedious longing for the home retourne of that hir +aduenturous knight, assayled wyth Carefull heart amid the troupe of +amorous Suters, and within the Bowels of hir royall Pallace, deserued no +greater fame for hir valiaunt encountries and stoute defence of the +inuincible, and Adamant fort of hir chastity than this Boeme Lady doth +by resisting two mighty Barrons, that canoned the Walles, and well mured +rampart of hir pudicity. For being threatned in his Princes Court, +whether al the well trayned crew of eche science and profession, dyd +make repayre, beyng menaced by Venus’ band, which not onely summoned hir +fort and gaue hir a camisado by thick <i>Al’ Armes</i>, but also forced +the place by fierce assault, she lyke a couragious and politike +captayne, gaue those braue and lusty Souldiers, a fowle repulse, +and in end taking them captiues, vrged them for their victuals to fall +to woman’s toyle, more shamefull than shamelesse Sardanapalus amid hys +amorous troupe. I neede not amplifie by length of preamble, the +fame of this Boeme Lady, nor yet briefly recompt the Triumph of hir +Victory: vayne it were also by glorious hymnes to chaunte the wisedome +of hir beleuing maake, who not carelesse of hir Lyfe, employed hys care +to serue hys Prynce, and by seruice atchieued the cause that draue him +to a souldier’s state. But yet for trustlesse faith in the pryme +conference of his future porte, hee consulted wyth a Pollaco, for a +compounded drugge, to ease his suspect mind, whych medicine so eased his +maladie, as it not onely preserued hym from the infected humour, but +also made hir happy for euer. Sutch fall the euents of valiaunt mindes, +though many tymes mother iealosie that cancred Wytch steppeth in hir +foote to anoy the well disposed heart. For had he ioyned to his +valyaunce credite of his louynge wife, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page196" id = "page196">196</a></span> +without the blynde aduyse of sutch as professe that blacke and lying +scyence, double glorye hee had gayned: once for endeuoryng by seruice to +seeke honour: the seconde, for absolute truste in hir, that neuer ment +to beguyle him, as by hir firste aunswere to his first motion appeareth. +But what is to be obiected against the Barons? Let them answere for +their fault, in this discourse ensuing: whych so lessoneth all Noble +Myndes, as warely they ought to beware how they aduenture upon the +honour of Ladies, who bee not altogither of one selfe and yelding +trampe, but wel forged and steeled in the shamefast shoppe of Loyaltie, +which armure defendeth them against the fond skirmishes and vnconsidred +conflicts of Venus’ wanton band. The maiesties also of the king and +Queene, are to be aduaunced aboue the starres for their wise dissuasion +of those Noblemen from their hot and hedlesse enterpryse, and then their +Iustice for due execution of their forfait, the particularity of whych +discourse in this wyse doth begynne. Mathie Coruine, sometime king of +Hungarie, aboute the yeare of oure Lorde 1458, was a valiaunt man of +Warre, and of goodly personage. Hee was the first that was Famous, or +feared of the Turks, of any Prynce that gouerned that kingdome. And +amongs other his vertues, so well in Armes and Letters, as in +Lyberallyty and Curtesie he excelled al the Prynces that raygned in his +time. He had to Wyfe Queene Beatrice of Arragon, the Daughter of olde +Ferdinando kyng of Naples, and sister to the mother of Alphonsus, Duke +of Ferrara, who in learnyng, good conditions, and all other vertues +generally dispersed in hir, was a surpassing princesse, and shewed +hirself not onely a curteous and Liberall Gentlewoman to king Mathie hir +husband, but to all other, that for vertue seemed worthy of honour and +reward: in sutch wise as to the Court of these two noble Princes, +repayred the most notable Men of al Nations that were giuen to any kind +of good exercise, and euery of them according to theyr desert and degree +welcomed and entertained. It chaunced in this time, that a knight of +Boeme the vasall of Kinge Mathie, for that he was likewyse kyng of that +countrey, born of a noble house, very valiant and wel exercised in +armes, fell in loue with a passing faire Gentlewoman of like nobility, +and reputed to be the fairest of al the country, and had a brother +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page197" id = "page197">197</a></span> +that was but a pore Gentleman, not lucky to the goods of fortune. This +Boemian knight was also not very rich, hauing onely a Castle, wyth +certain reuenues thervnto, which was scarce able to yeld vnto him any +great maintenance of liuing. Fallyng in loue then with this faire +Gentlewoman, he demaunded hir in mariage of hir brother, and with hir +had but a very little dowrie. And this knight not wel forseeing his +poore estate, brought his wyfe home to his house, and there, at more +leisure considering the same, began to fele his lacke and penury, and +how hardly and scant his reuenues were able to maintein his port. He was +a very honest and gentle person, and one that delighted not by any +meanes to burden and fine his tenants, contenting himself with that +reuenue which his ancesters left him, the same amounting to no great +yerely rent. When this gentleman perceiued that he stode in neede of +extraordinary relyefe, after many and diuers consyderations with +himself, he purposed to folow the Court, and to serue king Mathie his +souerain lord and master, there by his diligence and experience, to seke +meanes for ability to sustaine his wife and himself. But so great and +feruent was the loue that he bare vnto his Lady, as he thought it +impossible for him to liue one houre without hir, and yet iudged it not +best to haue hir with him to the court, for auoidinge of further Charges +incydente to Courtyng Ladyes, whose Delight and Pleasure resteth in the +toyes and trycks of the same, that cannot be wel auoyded in poore +Gentlemen, without theyr Names in the Mercer’s or Draper’s Iornals, +a heauy thyng for them to consyder if for their disport they lyke +to walke the stretes. The daily thynkyng thereupon, brought the poore +Gentleman to great sorrow and heauinesse. The Lady that was young, wise +and discrete, marking the maner of hir husband, feared that he had some +misliking of hir. Wherefore vpon a day she thus sayd vnto hym: “Dere +husband, willingly would I desire a good turne at your hand, if I wist I +should not displease you.” “Demaund what you will,” (said the knighte) +“if I can, I shall gladly performe it, bicause I do esteeme your +satisfaction, as I do mine owne lyfe.” Then the Lady very sobrely praied +him, that he would open vnto hir the cause of that discontentment, which +hee shewed outwardly to haue, for that his mynd and behauiour seemed to +bee +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page198" id = "page198">198</a></span> +contrary to ordinary Custome, and contriued Daye and Nyghte in sighes, +auoydinge the Company of them that were wont specially to delyght him. +The Knight hearing his Ladyes request, paused a whyle, and then sayd +vnto hir: “My wel beloued Wyfe, for so mutch as you desyre to vnderstand +my thoughte and mynde, and whereof it commeth that I am sad and pensife, +I wyll tell you: all the Heauinesse wherewith you see me to be +affected, doth tend to this end. Fayne would I deuyse that you and I may +in honour lyue together, accordyng to our calling. For in respect of our +Parentage, our Liuelode is very slender, the occasion whereof were our +Parents, who morgaged their Lands, and consumed a great part of their +goods that our Auncestors lefte them. I dayly thynking hereupon, +and conceiuyng in my head dyuers Imaginations, can deuise no meanes but +one, that in my fansie seemeth best, which is, that I go to the Court of +our soueraine lord Mathie who at this present is inferring Warres vpon +the Turk, at whose hands I do not mistrust to receyue good +intertainment, beynge a most Lyberal Prynce, and one that esteemeth al +sutch as be valiant and actiue. And I for my parte wyll so gouerne my +selfe (by God’s grace) that by deserte I wyll procure sutch lyuing and +fauour as hereafter we may lyue in oure Olde Dayes a quyet Lyfe to oure +great stay and comforte: For althoughe Fortune hitherto hath not fauored +that state of Parentage, whereof we be, I doubt not wyth Noble +Courage to win that in despyte of Fortune’s Teeth, which obstinately +hitherto she hath denyed. And the more assured am I of thys +determination, bycause at other tymes, I haue serued vnder the +Vaiuoda in Transiluania, agaynst the Turke, where many tymes I haue bene +requyred to serue also in the Courte, by that honourable Gentleman, the +Counte of Cilia. But when I dyd consider the beloued Company of you +(deare Wyfe) the swetest Companyon that euer Wyght possessed, +I thought it vnpossible for me to forbeare your presence, whych yf +I should doe, I were worthy to sustayne that dishonour, which a +great number of carelesse Gentlemen doe, who following their pryuate +gayne and Wyll, abandon theyr young and fayre Wyues, neglectinge the +fyre which Nature hath instilled to the delycate bodies of sutch tender +Creatures. Fearing therewythall, that so soone as I shoulde depart +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page199" id = "page199">199</a></span> +the lusty yong Barons and Gentlemen of the Countrey would pursue the +gaine of that loue, the pryce whereof I do esteeme aboue the crowne of +the greatest Emperour in all the World, and woulde not forgoe for all +the Riches and Precious Iewels in the fertyle Soyle of Arabie, who no +doubte would swarme togyther in greater heapes then euer dyd the wowers +of Penelope, within the famous graunge of Ithaca, the house of Wandering +Vlisses. Whych pursute if they dyd attayne, I shoulde for euer +hereafter be ashamed to shewe my face before those that be of valour and +regard. And this is the whole effect of the scruple (sweete wyfe) that +hyndreth me, to seeke for our better estate and fortune.” When he had +spoken these words, he held his peace. The Gentlewoman which was wyse +and stout, perceyuing the great loue that her husband bare hir, when hee +had stayed himselfe from talke, with good and merry Countenance answered +hym in thys wyse: “Sir Vlrico,” (which was the name of the Gentleman) +“I in lyke manner as you haue done, haue deuysed and thoughte vpon +the Nobilitye and Byrth of our Auncestors, from whose state and port +(and that wythout oure fault and cryme) we be far wyde and deuyded. +Notwythstanding I determined to set a good face vpon the matter, and to +make so mutch of our paynted sheath as I could. In deede I confesse my +selfe to be a Woman, and you Men doe say that Womens heartes be faynt +and feeble: but to bee playne wyth you, the contrary is in me, my hearte +is so stoute and ambitious as peraduenture not meete and consonant to +power and ability, although we Women will finde no lacke if our Hartes +haue pith and strength inough to beare it out. And faine woulde I +support the state wherein my mother maintayned me. Howe be it for mine +owne part (to God I yeld the thanks) I can so moderate and stay my +little great heart, that contented and satisfied I can be, with that +which your abilitye can beare, and pleasure commaund. But to come to the +point, I say that debating with my selfe of our state as you full +wisely do, I do verily think that you being a yong Gentleman, lusty +and valiaunt, no better remedy or deuyse can be found than for you to +aspyre and seeke the Kyng’s fauor and seruice. And it must needes ryse +and redounde to your gaine and preferment, for that I heare you say the +King’s Maiestye doth +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page200" id = "page200">200</a></span> +already knowe you. Wherefore I do suppose that hys grace +(a skilfull Gentleman to way and esteeme the vertue and valor of +ech man) cannot chose but reward and recompence the well doer to his +singular contentation and comfort. Of this myne Opinion I durst not +before thys time vtter Word or signe for feare of your displeasure. But +nowe sith your selfe hath opened the way and meanes, I haue +presumed to discouer the same, do what shal seeme best vnto your good +pleasure. And I for my parte, although that I am a woman (accordingly as +I saied euen now) that by Nature am desirous of honor, and to shew my +selfe abrode more rich and sumptuous than other, yet in respect of our +fortune, I shal be contented so long as I lyue to continue with you +in this our Castell, where by the grace of God I will not fayle to +serue, loue and obey you, and to keepe your House in that moderate +sorte, as the reuenues shall be able to maintayne the same. And no doubt +but that poore liuing we haue orderly vsed, shal be sufficient to finde +vs two, and fiue or sixe seruaunts with a couple of horsse, and so to +lyue a quyet and merry Lyfe. If God doe send vs any Children, tyl they +come to lawfull age, we will with our poore liuing bryng them vp so well +as wee can and then to prefer them to some Noble mens seruices, with +whome by God’s grace they may acquire honoure and lyuing, to keepe them +in their aged dayes. And I doe trust that wee two shall vse sutch +mutuall loue and reioyce, that so long as our Lyfe doth last in wealth +and woe, our contented mindes shall rest satisfied. But I waying the +stoutnesse of your minde, doe know that you esteeme more an Ounce of +honor, than all the Golde that is in the world. For as your birth is +Noble, so is your heart and stomacke. And therefore many tymes seeing +your great heauinesse, and manyfolde muses and studies, I haue +wondred with my selfe whereof they should proceede, and amongs other my +conceipts, I thought that either my behauior and order of dealyng, +or my personage did not lyke you: or else that your wonted gentle minde +and disposition had ben altered and transformed into some other Nature: +many times also I was contente to thynke that the cause of your disquiet +mynde, dyd ryse vppon the disuse of Armes, wherein you were wonte dailye +to accustome youre selfe amonges the Troupes of the honourable, +a company in +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page201" id = "page201">201</a></span> +dede most worthy of your presence. Reuoluing many times these and sutch +lyke cogitations, I haue sought meanes by sutch alurementes as I +could deuyse, to ease and mitigate your troubled minde, and to wythdraw +the great vnquiet and care wherewith I sawe you to be affected. Bycause +I do esteeme you aboue all the Worlde deemyng your onely gryefe to be my +double Payne, your aking Fynger, a feruent Feuer fit, and the least +Woe you can sustayne moste bytter Death to me, that loueth you more +dearelye than my selfe. And for that I doe perceyue you are determyned +to serue our Noble King, the sorrowe which without doubte wyll assayle +mee by reason of your absence, I wyll sweeten and lenifie wyth +Contentatyon, to see your Commendable desyre appeased and quiet. And the +pleasaunt Memory of your valyaunt facts beguyle my pensife thoughts, +hopyng our nexte meetyng shall bee more ioyfull than thys our +dysiunctyon and departure heauy. And where you doubt of the Confluence +and repayre of the dyshoneste whych shall attempt the wynnyng and +subduing of myne heart and vnspotted bodye, hytherto inuyolably kepte +from the touch of any person, cast from you that feare, expel from your +minde that fonde conceipt: for death shall sooner close these mortall +Eyes, than my Chastitye shall bee defyled. For pledge whereof I haue +none other thyng to gyue but my true and symple fayth, whych if you dare +trust it shal hereafter appeare so firme and inuiolable as no sparke of +suspition shal enter your careful minde, which I may wel terme to be +carefull, bicause some care before hand doth rise of my behauior in your +absence. The tryall wherefore shall yelde sure euidence and testimony, +by passing my careful life which I may with better cause so terme in +your absence, that God knoweth wil be right pensife and carefull vnto +mee, who ioyeth in nothinge else but in your welfare. Neuerthelesse all +meanes and wayes shall bee agreeable vnto my minde for your assurance, +and shall breede in me a wonderful contentation, which lusteth after +nothing but your satisfaction. And if you list to close me vp in one of +the Castell towers til your return, right glad I am there to continue an +Ankresse life: so that the same may ease your desired mind.” The knight +with great delyght gaue ear to the aunswere of his Wife, and when she +had ended hir talke, he began to reply +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page202" id = "page202">202</a></span> +vnto hir: “My welbeloued, I doe lyke wel and greatly commended the +stoutnesse of your heart, it pleaseth me greatly to see the same +agreeable vnto mine. You haue lightned the same from inestimable woe by +vnderstanding your conceiued purpose and determination to gard and +preserue your honor, praying you therein to perseuere, still remembring +that when a Woman hath lost hir honor, shee hath forgone the chiefest +Iewel she hath in this Life, and deserueth no longer to be called woman. +And touching my talke proposed vnto you although it be of great +importaunce, yet I meane not to depart so soone. But if it do come to +effect I assure thee Wife, I will leaue thee Lady and mistresse of +all that I haue. In the meane time I will consider better of my +businesse, and consult with my fryendes and kinsmen, and then determine +what is best to be done. Til when let vs lyue and spend our tyme so +merely as we can.” To bee shorte there was nothing that so mutch +molested the knight, as the doubt he had of his wife, for that she was a +very fine and faire yong Gentlewoman: And therefore he stil deuised and +imagined what assurance he myght finde of hir behauior in his absence. +And resting in this imagination, not long after it cam to passe that the +knight being in company of diuers Gentleman, and talking of sundry +matters, a tale was tolde what chaunced to a gentleman of the +Countrey whych had obtained the fauoure and good wyll of a Woman, by +meanes of an olde man called Pollacco, which had the name to be a famous +enchaunter and Physitian, dwelling at Cutiano a Citie of Boeme, where +plenty of siluer mines and other metals is. The knight whose Castle was +not far from Cutiano, had occasion to repaire vnto that Citye, and +according to his desire found out this Pollacco, which was a very old +man, and talking with him of diuers things, perceiued him to be of great +skil. In end he entreated him, that for so mutch as he had don pleasure +to many for apprehension of their loue, he wold also instruct him, how +he might be assured that hys wife did keepe hir self honest all the time +of his absence, and that by certaine signes hee might have sure +knowledge whether she brake hir faith, by sending his honesty into +Cornwall. Sutch vaine trust this knight reposed in the lying Science of +Sorcery, whych although to many other is found deceitful, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page203" id = "page203">203</a></span> +yet to him serued for sure euidence of his wiue’s fidelity. This +Pollacco which was a very cunning enchaunter as you haue heard sayd vnto +him: “Sir you demaund a very straunge matter, sutch as wherwyth neuer +hitherto I haue bene acquainted, ne yet searched the depthe of those +hydden secrets, a thyng not commonly sued for, ne yet practized by +me. For who is able to make assurance of a woman’s chastity, or tel by +signes except he were at the deede doing, that she had don amisse? Or +who can gaine by proctors wryt, to summon or sue at spiritual Courte, +peremptorily to affirme by neuer so good euydence or testimony, that a +woman hath hazarded hir honesty, except he sweare Rem to be in Re, which +the greatest Ciuilian that ever Padua bred neuer sawe by processe duely +tried? Shall I then warrante you the honesty of such slippery Catell, +prone and ready to lust, easy to be vanquished by the suites of earnest +pursuers? But blameworthy surely I am, thus generally to speake: for +some I know, although not many, for whose poore honesties I dare +aduenture mine owne. And yet that number how small so euer it be, is +worthy all due Reuerence and Honoure. Notwythstandyng (bycause you seeme +to bee an Honeste Gentleman) of that Knowledge which I haue, I will +not bee greatelye squeimyshe, a certayne secrete experiment in +deede I haue, wherewith perchaunce I may satisfy your demaund. And this +is it: I can by mine Arte in smal time, by certaine compositions, +frame a Woman’s Image, which you continually in a lyttle Boxe may carry +about you, and so ofte as you list behold the same. If the wife doe not +breake hir maryage faith, you shall still see the same so fayre and wel +coloured as it was at the first making, and seeme as though it newly +came from the painter’s shop, but if perchaunce she meane to abuse hir +honesty the same wil waxe pale, and in deede committing that filthy +Fact, sodainly the colour will bee blacke, as arayed with Cole or other +filth, and the smel thereof wyl not be very pleasaunt, but at al times +when she is attempted or pursued, the colour will be so yealow as Gold.” +This maruellous secrete deuyse greatly pleased the Knyght verely +beleuing the same to be true, specially mutch moued and assured by the +same bruted abrode of his science, whereof the Cytyzens of Cutiano, +tolde very +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page204" id = "page204">204</a></span> +straunge and incredyble things. When the pryce was paied for this +precious Iewel, hee receiued the Image, and ioyfully returned home to +his Castell, where tarryinge certain dayes, he determined to repayre to +the Court of the glorious king Mathie, making his wife priuy of hys +intent. Afterwards when he had disposed his household matters in order, +he committed the gouernment therof to his Wife, and hauinge prepared all +Necessaries for his voyage, to the great sorrow and grief of his +beloued, he departed and arryued at Alba Regale, where that time the +king lay with Beattrix his Wife, of whom hee was ioyfully receiued and +entertayned. He had not long continued in the Court, but he had obtained +and won the fauor and good wyll of all men. The king which knew him full +well very honorably placed him in his Courte, and by him accomplished +diuers and many waighty affairs, which very wisely and trustely he +brought to passe according to the king’s mind and pleasure. Afterwards +he was made Colonell of a certain number of footmen sent by the king +against the Turks to defende a holde which the enimies of God began to +assaile vnder the conduct of Mustapha Basca, which conduct he so wel +directed and therin stoutly behaued himself, as he chased al the +infidels oute of those coasts, winning therby the name of a most +valiaunt soldier and prudent Captaine, whereby he merueylously gayned +the fauor and grace of the king, who (ouer and besides his dayly +intertaynment) gaue vnto him a Castle, and the Reuenue in fee farme for +euer. Sutch rewards deserue all valiaunt men, which for the honour of +theyr Prince and countrey do willingly imploy their seruice, worthy no +doubt of great regard and chearishinge, vpon their home returne, because +they hate idlenes to win Glory, deuisinge rather to spende whole dayes +in fielde, than houres in Courte, which this worthy knight deserued, who +not able to sustayne his poore Estate, by politick wisdome and prowesse +of armes endeuored to serue his Lord and countrey, wherein surely hee +made a very good choyse<ins class = "addition" title = ". invisible">. </ins>Then he deuoutly praysed God, for that he put +into his minde sutch a noble enterprise, trusting dayly to atchieue +greater Fame and Glory: but the greater was his ioy and contentation, +bicause the Image of hys Wyfe inclosed wythin a Boxe, whych still hee +caried about him in hys pursse, continued freshe of coloure without +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page205" id = "page205">205</a></span> +alteration. It was noysed in the Court how thys valiaunt Knight Vlrico, +had in Boeme the fayrest and goodliest Lady to his Wife that liued +eyther in Boeme, or Hungary. It chaunced as a certaine company of young +Gentlemen in the Courte were together (amongs whom was this Knight) that +a Hungarian Baron sayd vnto him: “How is it possible, syr Vlrico, being +a yeare and a halfe since you departed out of Boeme, that you haue no +minde to returne to see your Wife, who, as the common fame reporteth, is +one of the goodliest Women of all the Countrey: truely it seemeth to me, +that you care not for hir, which were great pitty if hir beauty be +correspondent to hir Fame.” “Syr,” (quod Vlrico) “what hir beauty is I +referre vnto the World, but how so euer you esteeme me to care of hir, +you shall vnderstand that I doe loue hir, and wil do so duringe my lyfe. +And the cause why I haue not visited hir of long time, is no little +proofe of the great assurance I haue of her vertue and honest lyfe. The +argument of hir vertue I proue, for that she is contented that I should +serue my Lord and king, and sufficient it is for me to giue hir +intelligence of my state and welfare, whych many tymes by Letters at +opportunity I fayle not to do: The proofe of my Fayth is euydent by +reason of my bounden duety to our Soueraigne Lord of whom I haue +receyued so great, and ample Benefites, and the Warrefare which I vse in +his grace’s seruice vpon the Frontiers of his Realme agaynst the enimies +of Christe, whereunto I bear more good will than I doe to Wedlocke Loue, +preferring duety to Prince before mariage: albeit my Wiue’s fayth, and +constancy is sutch, as freely I may spend my lyfe without care of hir +deuoyr, being assured that besides hir Beauty shee is wise, vertuous and +honest, and loueth me aboue al worldly things, tendring me so dearely as +she doth the Balles of hir owne eyes.” “You haue stoutly sayd,” +(answered the Baron) “in defence of your Wiue’s chastity, whereof she +can make vnto hir selfe no great warrantice, because a woman some tymes +will bee in minde not to be mooued at the requests, and gifts offred by +the greatest Prince of the World who afterwards within a day vpon the +onely sight, and view of some lusty youth, at one simple worde vttered +with a few Teares, and shorter suite, yeldeth to his request. And what +is she then that can conceyue +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page206" id = "page206">206</a></span> +sutch assuraunce in hir selfe? What is hee that knoweth the secretes of +heartes which be impenetrable? Surely none as I suppose, except God him +selfe. A Woman of hir owne nature is mooueable and plyant, and is +the moste ambitious creature of the Worlde. And (by God) no Woman doe I +know but that she lusteth and desireth to be beloued, required, sued +vnto, honored and cherished? And oftentimes it commeth to passe that the +most crafty Dames which thincke with fayned Lookes to feede their diuers +Louers, be the first that thrust their heads into the amorous Nets, and +lyke little Birdes in hard distresse of weather be caught in Louer’s +Limetwigges. Whereby, sir Vlrico, I do not see that your Wyfe +(aboue all other Women compact of flesh and bone) hath sutch priuiledge +from God, but that she may be soone entised and corrupted.” “Well sir,” +(sayd the Boeme Knight) “I am persuaded of that which I haue +spoken, and verely doe beleue the effect of my beliefe most true. Euery +man knoweth his owne affayres, and the Foole knoweth better what hee +hath, than hys neighbors, do, be they neuer so wise. Beleue you what you +thincke for good. I meane not to disgresse from that which I +conceyue. And suffer me (I pray you) to beleue what I list, sith +beliefe cannot hurt me, nor yet your discredite can hinder my beliefe, +being free for ech man in semblable chaunces to thinke, and belieue what +his mynde lusteth and liketh.” There were many other Lordes and +Gentlemen of the court present at there talke, and as we commonly see +(at sutch like meetinges) euery man vttereth his minde: whereupon sundry +opinions were produced touching that question. And because diuers men be +of diuers natures, and many presuminge vpon the pregnancy of their wise +heads there rose some stur about that talke, each man obstinate in hys +alledged reason, more froward peraduenture than reason, more rightly +required: the communication grew so hot and talke brake forth so loude, +as the same was reported to the Queene. The good Lady sory to heare tell +of sutch strife within hir Court, abhorring naturally all controuersie +and contention, sent for the parties, and required theym from poynct to +poynct to make recitall of the beginning, and circumstaunce of their +reasons, and arguments. And when she vnderstoode the effect of al their +talke, she sayd, that euery man at his +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page207" id = "page207">207</a></span> +owne pleasure might beleeue what he list, affirming it to be +presumptuous and extreme folly, to iudge all women to be of one +disposition, in like sort as it were a great errour to say that all men +bee of one quality and condicion: the contrary by dayly experience +manifestly appearing. For both in men and women, there is so great +difference and variety of natures, as there bee heades, and wits. And +how it is commonly seene that two Brothers, and Sisters, borne at one +Byrth, bee yet of contrary Natures and Complexions, of Manners, and +Conditions so diuers, as the thinge which shall please the one, is +altogeather displeasaunt to the other. Wherevppon the Queene concluded, +that the Boeme knight had good reason to continue that good and honest +credit of his Wyfe, as hauing proued hir fidelity of long time, wherein +she shewed hirself to be very wise and discret. Now because (as many +times we see) the natures and appetites of diuers men be insaciable, and +one man sometimes more foolish hardy than another, euen so (to say the +troth) were those two Hungarian Barons, who seeming wise in their owne +conceiptes, one of them sayd to the Queene in this manner: “Madame, your +grace doth wel maintaine the sexe of womankinde, because you be a Woman. +For by nature it is gieuen to that kinde, stoutly to stand in defence of +themselues, because their imbecillity, and weakenes otherwise would +bewray them: and although good reasons might be alledged to open the +causes of their debility, and why they be not able to attayne the hault +excellency of man, yet for this tyme I doe not meane to be tedious vnto +your grace, least the little heart of Woman should ryse and display that +conceit which is wrapt within that little Moulde. But to retourne to +this chaste Lady, through whom our talke began, is we might craue +licence of your Maiesty, and saulfe Conduct of thys Gentleman to knowe +hir dwelling place, and haue leaue to speake to hir, we doubt not but to +breake with our batteringe talke the Adamant Walles of hir Chastity that +is so famous, and cary away that Spoile which victoriously we shall +atchieue.” “I know not,” aunswered the Boeme Knight, “what yee can, +or will doe, but sure I am, that hitherto I am not deceyued.” Many +things were spoken there, and sundry opinions of eyther partes alledged, +in ende the two Hungarian Barons persuaded +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page208" id = "page208">208</a></span> +them selues, and made their vaunts that they were able to climbe the +Skyes, and both would attempt and also bring to passe any enterprise +were it neuer so great, affirming their former offer by othe, and +offering to Guage all the Landes, and goods they had, that within the +space of 5 moneths they woulde eyther of them obtayne the Gentlewoman’s +good will to do what they list, so that the knight were bound, neyther +to returne home, ne yet to aduertise hir of their determination. The +Queene, and all the standers by, laughed heartely at this their offer, +mocking and iesting at their foolish, and youthly conceites. Whych the +Barons perceiuiug, sayde: “You thinke Madame that we speake triflingly, +and be not able to accomplish this our proposed enterprise, but Madame, +may it please you to gieue vs leaue, wee meane by earnest attempt to +gieue proofe thereof.” And as they were thus in reasoninge and debating +the matter, the kinge (hearinge tell of this large offer made by the +Barons) came into the place where the queene was, at such time as she +was about to dissuade them from the frantik deuise. Before whom he being +entred the chamber, the two Barons fell downe vpon their Knees, and +humbly besought his Grace, that the compact made betwene sir Vlrico and +them might proceede, disclosing vnto him in few wordes the effect of all +their talke, which franckly was graunted by the king. But the Barons +added a Prouisio, that when they had won their Wager, the Knight by no +meanes shoulde hurt his Wyfe, and from that tyme forth should gieue ouer +hys false Opinion, that women were not naturally gieuen to the sutes and +requests of amorous persons. The Boeme Knight, who was assured of hys +Wyue’s great Honesty, and Loyall fayth, beleeued so true as the Gospell, +the proportion and quality of the Image, who in all the tyme that hee +was farre of, neuer perceyued the same to bee eyther Pale or Black, but +at that tyme lookinge vpon the Image, hee perceiued a certayne Yealow +colour to rise, as hee thought his Wyfe was by some loue pursued, but +yet sodeynly it returned agayne to his naturall hewe, which boldned him +to say these words to the Hungarian Barons: “Yee be a couple of +pleasaunt, and vnbeleeuing Gentlemen, and haue conceyued so fantasticall +opinion, as euer men of your calling did: but sith you proceede in your +obstinate folly, and +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page209" id = "page209">209</a></span> +wil needes guage all the Lands, and goods you haue, that you bee able to +vanquishe my Wyue’s Honest, and Chaste heart, I am contented, for +the singuler credite which I repose in hir, to ioyne with you, and will +pledge the poore lyuinge I haue for proofe of mine Opinion, and shall +accomplishe al other your requestes made here, before the maiesties of +the Kinge and Queene. And therefore may it please your highnesse, sith +this fond deuice can not be beaten out of their heads, to gieue Licence +vnto those Noblemen, the Lords Vladislao and Alberto, (so were they +called) to put in proofe the mery conceipt of their disposed mindes +(whereof they do so greatly bragge) and I by your good grace and +fauoure, am content to agree to their demaundes: and wee, answered the +Hungarians, do once agayne affirme the same which wee haue spoken.” The +king willing to haue them gyue ouer that strife, was intreated to the +contrary by the Barons: whereupon the kinge perceyuinge their Follies, +caused a decree of the bargayne to be put in writing, eyther Parties +interchaungeably subscribiug the same. Which done, they tooke their +leaues. Afterwards, the two Hungarians began to put their enterprise in +order and agreed betweene themselues, Alberto to bee the firste that +should aduenture vppon the Lady. And that within sixe Weekes after vpon +his returne, the lord Vladislao should proceede. These things concluded, +and all Furnitures for their seuerall Iorneys disposed, the lord Alberto +departed in good order, with two seruaunts directly trauayling to the +castle of the Boeme Knight, where being arriued, hee lighted at an Inne +of the towne adioyning to the Castle, and demaunding of the hoste, the +Conditions of the lady, hee vnderstoode that shee was a very fayre +Woman, and that hir honesty, and loue towards hir husbande farre +excelled hir beauty. Which wordes nothing dismayede the Amorous Baron, +but when hee had pulled of his Bootes, and richely arayed hymselfe, he +repayred to the Castle, and knockinge at the Gates, gaue the Lady to +vnderstand that he was come to see hir. She which was a curteous +Gentlewoman, caused him to be brought in, and gently gaue him honourable +intertaynment. The Baron greatly mused vppon the beauty, and goodlinesse +of the Lady, singularly commending hir honest order and Behauiour. And +beinge set down, the young +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page210" id = "page210">210</a></span> +Gentleman sayd vnto hir: “Madame, mooued with the fame of your +surpassing Beauty, which now I see to bee more excellent than Fame with +hir swiftest Wyngs is able to cary: I am come from the Court to +view and see if that were true, or whether lyinge Brutes had scattered +their Vulgar talke in vayne: but finding the same farre more fine and +pure than erst I did expect, I craue Lycence of your Ladyship, to +conceyue none offence of this my boulde, and rude attempt.” And +herewithall hee began to ioyne many trifling and vayne words, whych +dalyinge Suters by heate of Lusty bloude bee wont to shoote forth, to +declare theym selues not to be Speachlesse, or Tongue tied. Which the +Lady well espying speedily imagined into what Porte hys rotten Barke +would arriue: wherefore in the ende when shee sawe his Shippe at Roade, +began to enter in prety louinge talke, by little, and little to +incourage his fond attempt. The Baron thinkinge hee had caught the Ele +by the Tayle, not well practised in Cicero his schoole, ceased not +fondly to contriue the time, by making hir beleeue, that he was farre in +loue. The Lady weary (God wote) of his fonde behauiour, and amorous +reasons, and yet not to seeme scornfull, made him good countenaunce, in +sutch wyse as the Hungarian two or three dayes did nothing else but +proceede in vayne Pursute, Shee perceyuing him to bee but a Hauke of the +first Coate, deuysed to recompence hys Follies with sutch +entertaynement, as during his life, he shoulde keepe the same in good +remembraunce. Wherefore not long after, fayning as though his great +wisedome, vttered by eloquent Talke, had subdued hir, shee sayd thus +vnto him: “My Lord, the reasons you produce, and your pleasaunt gesture +in my house, haue so inchaunted mee, that impossible it is, but I must +needes agree vnto your wyll: for where I neuer thought during lyfe, to +stayne the purity of mariage Bed, and determined continually to preserue +my selfe inuiolably for my Husbande: your noble grace, and curteous +behauiour, haue (I say) so bewitched mee, that ready I am to bee at +your commaundement, humbly beseeching your honour to beware, that +knowledge hereof may not come vnto myne Husband’s eares, who is so +fierce and cruell, and loueth me so dearely, as no doubt he will without +further triall eyther him selfe kill me, or otherwise procure my +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page211" id = "page211">211</a></span> +death: and to the intent none of my house may suspect our doings, +I shall desire you to morrow in the morninge about nyne of the +Clock, which is the accustomed time of your repayre hither, to come vnto +my Castle, wherein when you be entred, speedily to mount vp to the +Chaumber of the highest Tower, ouer the doore whereof, yee shall finde +the armes of my Husband, entayled in Marble: and when you be entred in, +to shut the Doore fast after you, and in the meane time I will wayte and +prouyde, that none shall molest and trouble vs, and then we shall +bestowe our selues for accomplishement of that which your loue +desireth.” Nowe in very deede this Chaumber was a very strong Pryson +ordayned in auncient time by the Progenitours of that Territory, to +Impryson, and punishe the Vassals, and Tenants of the same, for +offences, and Crimes committed. The Baron hearynge this Lyberall offer +of the Ladye, thinking that he had obteined the summe of al his ioy, so +glad as if he had conquered a whole kingdome, the best contented man +aliue, thanking the Lady for hir curteous answere, departed and +retourned to his Inne. God knoweth vppon howe merry a Pinne the hearte +of this young Baron was sette, and after he had liberally banketted his +hoste and hostesse, pleasantly disposing himselfe to myrth and +recreation, he wente to bed, where ioy so lightned his merry head, as no +slepe at all could close his eyes, sutch be the sauage pangs of those +that aspyre to like delyghts as the best reclaimer of the wildest hauk +could neuer take more payne or deuise mo shiftes to Man the same for the +better atchieuing of hir pray than dyd this braue Baron for brynging hys +Enterprise to effect. The nexte day early in the morning hee rose, +dressing himselfe with the sweete Perfumes, and puttinge on hys finest +suite of Apparell, at the appoincted houre hee went to the Castell, and +so secretly as he could, accordinge to the Ladies instruction, hee +conueyed himselfe vp into the Chaumber which hee founde open, and when +he was entred, hee shut the same, the maner of the Doore was sutch, as +none within coulde open it without a Key, and besides the strong Locke, +it hadde both barre and Bolt on the outside, wyth sutch fasteninge as +the Deuill himselfe being locked within, could not breake forth. The +Lady whych wayted hard by for his comming, so soone as she perceyued +that +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page212" id = "page212">212</a></span> +the Doore was shut, stept vnto the same, and both double Locked the +Doore, and also without she barred, and fast Bolted the same, caryng the +Key away with hir. This Chamber was in the hyghest Tower of the House +(as is before sayd) wherein was placed a Bedde wyth good Furniture, the +Wyndow whereof was so high, that none coulde looke out wythout a Ladder. +The other partes thereof were in good, and conuenient order, apt and +meete for an honest Pryson. When the Lorde Alberto was within, hee sat +downe, wayting (as the Iewes do for Messias) when the Lady according to +hir appoynctment shoulde come. And as he was in this expectation +building castles in the Ayre, and deuising a thousand Chimeras in his +braine, behold he heard one to open a little wicket that was in the +doore of that Chamber, which was as straight, as scarcely able to +receiue a loafe of bread, or cruse of Wyne, vsed to be sent to the +prysoners. He thinking that it had ben the Lady, rose vp, and hearde the +noyse of a lyttle girle, who looking in at the hole, thus sayd vnto him: +“My Lord Alberto, the Lady Barbara my mistresse (for that was hir name) +hath sent me thus to say vnto you: ‘That for as much as you be come into +this place, by countenaunce of Loue, to dispoyle hir of hir honour, shee +hath imprysoned you like a theefe, accordinge to your deserte, and +purposeth to make you suffer penance, equall to the measure of your +offence. Wherefore so long as you shal remain in thys place, she mindeth +to force you to gaine your bread and drinke with the arte of spinning, +as poore Women doe for gayne of theyr lyuinge, meanynge thereby to coole +the heate of your lusty youth, and to make you tast the sorrow of sauce +meete for them to assay, that go about to robbe Ladyes of theyr honour: +she bad me lykewise to tell you, that the more yarne you spin, the +greater shall be the abundance and delycacie of your fare, the greater +payne you take to earne your foode, the more lyberall she will be in +dystrybutyng of the same, otherwise (she sayeth) that you shall faste +wyth Breade and Water.’ Which determinate sentence she hath decreed not +to be infringed and broken for any kinde of sute or intreaty that you be +able to make.” When the maiden had spoken these Wordes, she shut the +lyttle dore, and returned to hir Ladye, the Baron which thought that he +had ben commen to a mariage, did eate nothing al the mornyng +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page213" id = "page213">213</a></span> +before, bycause he thought to be enterteyned with better and daintier +store of viandes, who nowe at those newes fared like one out of his +wittes and stoode still so amazed, as though his leggs would haue fayled +him, and in one moment his Spyrites began to vanysh and hys force and +breath forsoke hym, and fel downe vpon the Chamber flore, in sutch wise +as hee that had beheld hym would haue thought him rather dead than +liuyng. In this state he was a great tyme, and afterwardes somewhat +commynge to himselfe, he could not tel whether hee dreamed, or else that +the Words were true, which the maiden had sayde vnto hym: In the end +seeing, and beynge verely assured, that he was in a Pryson so sure as +Bird in Cage, through disdayne and rage was like to dye or else to lose +his wits, faring with himselfe of long time lyke a madde Man, and not +knowing what to do, passed the rest of the Day in walking vppe and downe +the Chaumber, rauing, stamping, staring, Cursynge and vsing Words of +greatest Villanie, lamenting and bewailinge the time and day, that so +like a beast and Brutysh man, he gave the attempt to dispoyle the +honesty of an other man’s Wyfe. Then came to his mind the losse of all +his Lands and Goods, which by the king’s authority were put in +comprimise, then the shame, the scorne, and rebuke whych hee should +receiue at other mens handes, beyonde measure vexed him: and reporte +bruted in the Courte (for that it was impossible but the whole Worlde +should knowe it) so gryeued hym, as his heart seemed to be strained with +two sharp and bityng Nailes: the Paynes whereof, forced hym to loose hys +wyttes and vnderstandynge. In the myddes of whych Pangs furiously +vauntyng vp and downe the Chaumber, hee espied by chaunce in a Corner, +a Dystaffe furnyshed with good store of flaxe, and a spyndle +hangyng thereuppon: and ouercome wyth Choler and rage, hee was aboute to +spoyle and break the same in pieces: but remembryng what a harde Weapon +Necessitye is, hee stayed his wysedome, and albeyt he hadde rather to +haue contryued hys leysure in Noble and Gentlemanlyke pastyme, yet +rather than he would be idle he thought to reserue that Instrument to +auoyde the tedious lacke of honest and Familiar Company. When supper +time was come, the mayden retourned agayne, who opening the Portall +dore, saluted the Baron, and sayde: “My +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page214" id = "page214">214</a></span> +Lord, my mistresse hath sent mee to vysite your good Lordshyp, and to +receiue at youre good Handes the effecte of your laboure, who hopeth +that you haue sponne some substanciall store of threede for earning of +your Supper, whych beynge done, shall be readily brought vnto you.” The +Baron full of Rage, Furie, and felonious moode, if before he were fallen +into choler, now by protestation of these words, seemed to transgresse +the bounds of reason, and began to raile at the poore wench, scolding +and chiding hir like a strumpet of the stews, faring as though he would +haue beaten hir, or don hir some other mischiefe: but his moode was +stayed from doyng any hurt. The poore Wench lessoned by her mistresse, +in laughing wise sayd vnto him: “Why (my Lord) do you <ins class = +"correction" title = "error for ‘chafe’">chase</ins> and rage againste +mee? Me thinks, you do me wrong to vse sutch reprochful words, which am +but a seruaunt, and bounde to the commaundement of my mistresse: Why +sir, do you not know that a pursiuaunt or messanger suffreth no paine or +blame? The greatest Kyng or Emperour of the Worlde, receiuing defiaunce +from a meaner Prynce, neuer vseth his ambassador with scolding Wordes, +ne yet by villany or rebuke abuseth his person. Is it wisdome then for +you, being a present prysoner, at the mercy of your kepers, in thys +dishonorable sorte to reuile me with disordred talke? But sir, leaue of +your rages, and quiet your selfe for this present tyme, for my mistresse +maruelleth much why you durst come (for al your Noble state) to giue +attemptes to violate hir good name, which message shee requyred me to +tell you, ouer and besides a desire shee hath to know whether by the +Scyence of Spynning, you haue gained your meat for you seeme to kicke +against the wynd, and beat Water in a morter, if you think from hence to +goe before you haue earned a recompense for the meat which shal be giuen +you. Wherefore it is your lot paciently to suffer the penance of your +fond attempt, which I pray you gently to sustaine, and think no scorn +thereof hardely, for desperate men and hard aduentures must needes +suffer the daungers thereunto belonging. This is the determinate +sentence of my mistresse mynd, who fourdeth you no better fare than +Bread and Water, if you can not shewe some prety Spyndle full of yarne +for signe of your good wyll at this present pynch of your distresse.” +The +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page215" id = "page215">215</a></span> +Mayden seeying that hee was not dysposed to shewe some part of wylling +mind to gaine his lyuing by that prefixed scyence shut the portall +Doore, and went her way. The unhappy Baron (arryued thether in very yll +tyme) that Nyght had Neyther Breade nor Broth, and therefore he fared +accordynge to the Prouerbe: He that goeth to bed supperlesse, lyeth in +his Bed restlesse, for during the whole night, no sleepe could fasten +hys Eyes. Now as this Baron was closed in pryson faste, so the Ladye +tooke order, that secretly wyth great cheare hys Seruauntes should be +interteyned, and his Horsse wyth sweete haye and good prouender well +mainteined, all his furnitures, sumpture horse and caryages conueyed +within the Castle, where wanted nothyng for the state of sutch a +personage but onely Lyberty, makyng the host of the Inne beleue (wher +the Lord harbored before) that he was returned into Hungarie. But now +turne we to the Boeme knight, who knowynge that one of the two Hungarian +Competitors, were departed the Court and ridden into Boeme, dyd still +behold the quality of the inchaunted Image, wherein by the space of thre +or foure Dayes, in whych time, the Baron made his greatest sute to his +Ladie: he marked a certaine alteration of Coloure in the same, but +afterwards returned to his Natiue forme: and seeing no greater +transformation, he was wel assured, that the Hungarian Baron was +repulsed, and imployed his Labor in vaine. Whereof the Boeme knight was +excedingly pleased and contented, bycause he was well assured, that his +Wyfe had kept hir selfe ryghte pure and honest. Notwithstandyng hys +Mynde was not wel settled, ne yet hys heart at rest, doubting that the +lord Vladislao, which as yet was not departed the courte, would obtayne +the thing, and acquite the faulte, which his Companion had committed. +The imprysoned Baron which all this tyme had neither eaten nor dronken, +nor in the night could sleepe, in the mornyng, after he had considred +his misaduenture, and well perceyued no remedy for him to goe forth, +except hee obeyed the Ladie’s hest, made of Necessity a Vertue, and +applyed himselfe to learne to Spynne by force, which freedome and honour +could neuer haue made him to do. Whereuppon he toke the distaffe and +beganne to Spynne. And albeyt that hee neuer Sponne in al hys Lyfe +before, yet instructed by Necessity, so well as he could, he +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page216" id = "page216">216</a></span> +drewe out his Threede, now small and then greate, and manye times of the +meanest sort, but verye often broade, yl fauored, yll closed, and worse +twisted, all oute of fourme and fashyon, that sundry tymes very heartely +he laughed to himselfe, to see his cunning, but would haue made a +cunning Woman spinner burst into Ten Thousand laughters, if she had ben +there. Thus all the morning he spent in spynning, and when dynner came, +his accustomed messenger, the mayden, repayred vnto him againe, and +opening the wyndow demaunded of the Baron how his worke went foreward, +and whether he were disposed to manifest the cause of hys comming into +Boeme? Hee well beaten in the schoole of shame, vttered vnto the Maide +the whole compact and bargayne made betweene him and his Companion, and +the Boeme knyghte hir mayster, and afterwards shewed vnto hir his +Spyndle ful of threde. The young Wenche smylyng at hys Woorke, sayd: “By +Sainct Marie this is well done, you are worthy of victual for your hire: +for now I well perceiue that Hunger forceth the Woulf oute of hir Denne. +I conne you thanck, that like a Lord you can so puissantly gayne +your lyuing. Wherefore proceeding in that which you haue begonne, +I doubt not but shortely you will proue sutche a workeman, as my +mistresse shall not neede to put oute hir flax to spinne (to hir great +charge and coste) for making of hir smockes, but that the same may wel +be don within hir own house, yea althoughe the same doe serue but for +Kitchen Cloathes, for dresser bordes, or cleanynge of hir Vessell before +they bee serued forth. And as your good deserts doe merite thankes for +this your arte, now well begonne, euen so your new told tale of comming +hyther, requyreth no lesse, for that you haue dysclosed the trouth.” +When she had spoken these Woords, she reached hym some store of meates +for hys dynner, and bade hym fare well. When shee was returned vnto hir +Lady, shee shewed vnto hir the Spyndle full of threde, and told hir +therewythall the whole story of the compact betwene the knight Vlrico, +and the two Hungarian barons. Whereof the Lady sore astonned, for the +snares layd to entrappe hir, was notwithstanding wel contented, for that +shee had so well forseene the same: but most of all reioysed, that hir +husband had so good opinion of hir honest lyfe. And before she would +aduertise +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page217" id = "page217">217</a></span> +hym of those euents, she purposed to attend the commyng of the lord +Vladislao to whome she ment to do like penance for his carelesse +bargayne and dishonest opinion, accordyngly as he deserued, maruelling +very mutch that both the Barons, were so rash and presumptuous, +daungerously (not knowing what kind of Woman she was) to put their +Landes and goodes in hazard. But considering the Nature of diuers +brainsick men, which passe not how carelesly they aduenture their gained +goods, and inherited Lands, so they may atchieue the pray, after which +they vainely hunt, for the preiudice and hurt of other, she made no +accompt of these attemptes, sith honest Matrones force not vppon the +sutes, or vayne consumed time of lyght brained Cockscombs, that care not +what fond cost or ill imployed houres they waste to anoy the good +renoume and honest brutes of Women. But not to discourse from point to +point the particulers of this intended iorney, this poore deceiued Baron +in short time proued a very good Spinner, by exercise whereof, he felt +sutch solace, as not onely the same was a comfortable sporte for his +captiue time, but also for want of better recreation, it seemed so +ioyfull, as if he had bene pluming and feding his Hawke, or doing other +sports belongyng to the honourable state of a Lord. Which his wel +attriued labour, the Maiden recompensed with abundance of good and +delycate meates. And although the Lady was many times requyred to visite +the Baron, yet she would neuer to that request consent. In whych tyme +the knyght Vlrico ceased not continually to viewe and reuewe the state +of his Image, which appeared styll to bee of one well coloured sorte, +and although thys vse of hys was diuers times marked and seene of many, +yet being earnestly demaunded the cause thereof hee would neuer disclose +the same. Many coniectures thereof were made, but none could attayne the +trouthe. And who would haue thought that a knight so wyse and prudente +had worne within his pursse any inchaunted thyng? And albeyt the Kyng +and Queene had intelligence of thys frequent practyse of the knight, yet +they thought not mete for the priuate and secrete Mystery, to demaund +the cause. One moneth and a halfe was passed now that the Lorde Alberto +was departed the Court, and become a Castle knyghte and cunning +Spynster: which made the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page218" id = "page218">218</a></span> +Lord Vladislao to muse, for that the promise made betweene them was +broken, and hearde neyther by Letter or messenger what successe he had +receiued. After diuers thoughts imagyned in his mynde, he conceyued that +his companion had happily enioyed the ende of his desired ioy, and had +gathered the wyshed fruicts of the Lady, and drowned in the mayne Sea of +his owne pleasures, was ouerwhelmed in the bottome of Obliuion: +wherefore he determined to set forward on his iourney to giue onset of +his desired fortune: who without long delay for execution of his +purpose, prepared all necessaries for that voyage, and mounted on +horsebacke with two of his men, he iourneyed towards Boeme, and within a +few daies after arryued at the Castle of the fayre and most honest Lady. +And when hee was entred the Inne where the Lord Alberto was first +lodged, he dilygently enquyred of him, and heard tell that he was +returned into Hungarie many dayes before, whereof mutch maruelling, +could not tel what to say or think. In the end purposing to put in prose +the cause wherefore he was departed out of Hungarie, after dilygent +searche of the maners of the Lady, he vnderstoode by general voyce, that +she was without comparison the honestest, wisest, gentlest, and +comelyest Lady within the whole Countrey of Boeme. Incontinently the +Lady was aduertised of the arriual of this Baron, and knowing his +message, she determyned to paye him also wyth that Money whych she had +already coyned for the other. The next Day the Baron went vnto the +Castle, and knocking at the Gate, sent in woord how that he was come +from the Court of king Mathie, to visite and salute the Lady of that +Castle: and as she did entertayne the first Baron in curteous guise, and +with louing Countenaunce, euen so she dyd the second, who thought +thereby that he had attayned by that pleasaunt entertaynment, the game +which he hunted. And discoursing vppon dyuers matters, the lady shewed +hir selfe a pleasaunt and Familyar Gentlewoman, whych made the Baron to +thynk that in short tyme he should wyn the pryce for which he came. +Notwithstanding, at the fyrste brunt he would not by any meanes descend +to any particularity of his purpose, but hys Words ran general, which +were, that hearynge tell of the fame of hir Beauty, good grace and +comelinesse, by hauing +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page219" id = "page219">219</a></span> +occasion to repayre into Boeme to doe certayne his affaires, he thought +it labor wel spent to ride some portion of his iourney, though it were +besides the way, to dygresse to do reuerence vnto hir, whom fame +aduaunced aboue the Skyes: and thus passing his first visitation he +returned againe to his lodging. The lady when the Baron was gone from +hir Castle, was rapt into a rage, greatlye offended that those two +Hungarian Lordes so presumptuously had bended themselues lyke common +Theeues to wander and roue the Countreys, not onely to robbe and spoyle +hir of hir honour, but also to bryng hir in displeasure of hir husband, +and thereby into the Daunger and Peryll of Death. By reason of which +rage (not without cause conceived) she caused an other Chamber to be +made ready, next Wall to the other Baron that was become sutch a notable +Spynster, and vpon the nexte returne of the Lord Vladislao, she receiued +him with no lesse good entertainement than before, and when Nyght came, +caused him to be lodged in hir owne house in the Chamber prepared as +before, where he slept not very soundly all that Night, through the +continuall remembraunce of hys Ladies beauty. Next morning he perceiued +himself to be locked fast in a Pryson. And when he had made him readye, +thinking to descend to bid the Lady good Morrow, seeking meanes to +vnlock the Doore, and perceiuing that he could not, he stoode styll in a +dumpe. And as hee was thus standyng, maruelling the cause of his +shuttyng in so fast, the maiden repaired to the hole of the dore, giuing +his honor an vnaccustomed salutation, which was that hir mistresse +commaunded hir to giue him to vnderstand, that if hee had any lust or +appetyte to his breakfast, or if he minded from thenceforth to ease his +hunger or conteine Lyfe, that he should giue him selfe to learne to +reele yarne. And for that purpose she willed him to looke in sutch a +corner of the Chamber, and he should find certaine spindles of thred, +and an instrument to winde his yarn vpon. “Wherefore” (quod she) “apply +your self thereunto, and loose no time.” He that had that tyme beholden +the Baron in the Face, would haue thought that hee had seene rather a +Marble stone, than the figure of a man. But conuerting his could +conceyued moode, into mad anger, he fell into ten times more displeasure +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page220" id = "page220">220</a></span> +with himselfe, than is before described by the other Baron. But seeinge +that his mad behauiour, and beastly vsage was bestowed in vayne, the +next day he began to Reele. The Lady afterwardes when shee had +intelligence of the good, and gaynefull Spinning of the Lord Alberto, +and the wel disposed, and towardly Reeling of the Lord Vladislao, +greatly reioyced for makinge of sutch two Notable Workemen, whose +workemanship exceeded the labours of them that had been Apprentyzes to +the Occupation seuen Yeares togeather. Sutch bee the apt and ready Wyts +of the Souldiers of Loue: wherein I would wishe all Cupides Dearlings to +be nousled and applied in their youthly time: then no doubt their +passions woulde appease, and rages assuage, and would giue ouer bolde +attempts, for which they haue no thancke of the chaste and honest. And +to thys goodly sight the Lady brought the Seruaunts of these noblemen, +willing them to marke and beholde the diligence of their Maysters, and +to imitate the industry of their gallant exercise, who neuer attayned +meate before by labour they had gayned the same. Which done, shee made +them take their Horse, and Furnitures of their Lords, and to depart: +otherwise if by violence they resisted, she would cause their choller to +be caulmed with sutch like seruice as they saw their Lordes doe before +their Eyes. The Seruaunts seeing no remedy, but must needes depart, +tooke their leaue. Afterwards she sent one of hir Seruaunts in poast to +the Courte, to aduertise hir husband of all that which chaunced. The +Boeme knight receyuing these good newes, declared the same vnto the King +and Queene, and recited the whole story of the two Hungarian Barons, +accordingly as the tenor of his Wyues letters did purport. The Princes +stoode still in great admiration, and highly commended the wisedome of +the Lady, esteeming hir for a very sage and polliticke woman. Afterwards +the knight Vlrico humbly besought the king for execution of his decree +and performaunce of the Bargayne. Whereupon the king assembled his +counsell, and required euery of them to saye their minde. Vpon the +deliberation whereof, the Lord Chauncellor of the Kingdome, with two +Counsellers, were sent to the Castle of the Boeme knight, to enquire, +and learne the processe and doinges of the two Lordes, who diligently +accomplished the kinge’s commaundement. +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page221" id = "page221">221</a></span> +And hauinge examined the Lady and hir mayden with other of the house, +and the barons also, whom a little before the arriuall of these +Commissioners, the Lady had caused to be put together, that by Spinning +and Reeling they might comfort one another. When the Lord Chauncellor +had framed and digested in order the whole discourse of this history, +returned to the Court where the king and Queene, with the Pieres and +Noblemen of his kingdome, caused the acts of the same to be diuulged and +bruted abroade, and after mutch talk, and discourse of the performaunce +of this compact, pro, and contra, the Queene taking the Ladie’s part, +and fauoring the knight, the kinge gaue sentence that sir Vlrico should +wholly possesse the landes and goods of the two Barons to him, and to +his Heyres for euer, and that the Barons should be banished the +kingdomes of Hungary and Boeme, neuer to returne vpon payne of death. +This sentence was put in execution, and the vnfortunat Barons exiled, +which specially to those that were of their consanguinity and bloud, +seemed to seuere, and rigorous. Neuerthelesse the couenaunt being most +playne and euident to most men, the same seemed to bee pronounced with +greate Iustice and equity, for example in time to come, to lesson rash +wits how they iudge and deeme so indifferently of Womens behaviours, +amongs whom no doubt there bee both good and bad as there bee of men. +Afterwards the 2 princes sent for the Lady to the Court, who there was +courteously intertayned, and for this hir wise and polliticke fact had +in great admiration. The Queene then appoynted hir to be one of hir +women of honor, and esteemed hir very deerely. The knight also daily +grew to great promotion well beloued and fauored of the king, who with +his lady long time liued in greate ioy and felicity, not forgetting the +cunning Pollacco, that made him the image and likenes of his wife: whose +frendship and labor he rewarded with money, and other Benefits very +liberally.</p> + + +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page222" id = "page222">222</a></span> +<h3><a name = "novel2_29" id = "novel2_29"> +THE TWENTY-NINTH NOUELL.</a></h3> + +<p class = "summary"> +Dom Diego a Gentleman of Spayne fell in loue with fayre Gineura, and she +with him: their loue by meanes of one that enuied Dom Diego his happy +choyse, was by default of light credit on hir part interrupted. He +constant of mynde, fell into despayre, and abandoninge all his frends +and liuing, repayred to the Pyrene Mountaynes, where he led a sauage +lyfe for certayne moneths, and afterwardes knowne by one of hys +freendes, was (by marueylous Circumstaunce) reconciled to hys froward +mistresse, and maryed.</p> + +<p><span class = "firstword">Mens</span> mischaunces occurring on the +brunts of dyuers Tragicall fortunes, albeit vpon their first taste of +bitternesse, they sauor of a certayne kinde of lothsome relish, yet +vnder the Rynde of that vnsauerouse Sap, doth lurke a sweeter honnye, +than sweetenesse it selfe, for the fruit that the Posterity may gather, +and learne by others hurts, how they may loathe, and shun the like. But +bicause all thinges haue their seasons, and euery thynge is not +conuenient for all Times, and Places, I purpose now to shew a +notable example of a vayne and superstitious Louer, that abandoned his +liuing and friendes, to become a Sauage Desert man. Which History +resembleth in a maner a Tragical Comedy, comprehending the very same +matter and Argument, wherewyth the greatest part of the sottishe sorte +Arme themselues to couer and defend their Follies. It is red and seene +to often by common custome, and therefore needelesse heere to display +what rage doth gouerne, and headlong hale fonde and licentious youth +(conducted by the pangue of loue, if the same be not moderated by +reason, and cooled with sacred Lessons) euen from the cradle to more +murture and riper age. For the Tiranny of Loue amonges all the deadly +Foes that vexe and afflict our mindes, glorieth of his force, vaunting +hymselfe able to chaunge the proper nature of things, be they neuer so +sounde and perfect: who to make them like his lustes, transformeth +himselfe into a substaunce qualified diuersly, the better to intrap +sutch as be giuen to his vanities. But hauing auouched so many examples +before, I am content for this present to tell the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page223" id = "page223">223</a></span> +discourse of two persons, chaunced not long sithens in Catheloigne. Of a +Gentleman that for his constancy declared two extremities in himselfe of +loue and folly. And of a Gentlewoman so fickle and inconstant, as loue +and they which wayted on him, be disordered, for the trustlesse grounde +whereupon sutch foundation of seruice is layed, which yee shall easely +conceiue by well viewing the difference of these twayne: whom I meane to +summon to the lists, by the blast of this sounding trump. And thus the +same beginneth. Not long after that the victorious and Noble Prynce, +younge Ferdinandus, the Sonne of Alphonsus Kynge of Aragon was deade, +Lewes the Twelfth, that tyme being Frenche king, vpon, the Marches of +Catheloigne, betwene Barcelona, and the Mountaynes, there was a good +Lady then a Wyddow, which had bene the Wyfe of an excellant and Noble +knight of the Countrey, by whom she hadde left one only Daughter, which +was so carefully brought vp by the mother as nothinge was to deare or +hard to bee brought to passe for hir desire, thinking that a creature so +Noble and perfect, could not be trayned vp to delicately. Now besides +hir incomparable furniture of beauty, this Gentlewoman was adorned with +Hayre so fayre, curle, and Yealow, as the new fined golde was not +matchable to the shining locks of this tender Infant, who therefore was +commonly called Gineura la Blonde. Halfe adaye’s iorney from the house +of this Wyddow, lay the lands of another Lady a Wydow also, that was +very rich, and so wel allied as any in all the Land. This Lady had a +Sonne, whom she caused to be trayned vp so well in Armes and good +letters, as in other honest Exercises proper and mete for a Gentleman +and great Lorde, for which respect shee had sent him to Barcelona the +chyefe Citty of all the Countrey of Catheloigne. Senior Dom Diego, (for +so was the Sonne of that Wydow called) profited so well in all thynges, +that when hee was 18 yeares of age, there was no Gentleman of his +degree, that did excell him, ne yet was able to approche vnto his +Perfections and commendable Behauiour. A thing that did so well +content the good Lady his mother as she could not tell what countenaunce +to keepe to couer hir ioy. A vice very common to fond and foolish +mothers, who flatter themselues with a shadowed hope of the future +goodnesse of their children, which many times +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page224" id = "page224">224</a></span> +doth more hurt to that wanton and wilfull age, than profit or +aduauncement. The persuasion also of sutch towardnesse, full oft doth +blinde the Spirites of Youth, as the Faults which follow the same bee +farre more vile than before they were: whereby the first Table (made in +his first coloures) of that imagined vertue, can take no force or +perfection, and so by incurring sundry mishaps the Parent and Chylde +commonly escape not without equall blame. To come agayne therefore to +our discourse: It chaunced in that tyme that (the Catholike Kyng +deceased) Phillippe of Austrich which Succeeded him as Heyre, passing +through Fraunce came into Spayne to bee Inuested, and take Possession of +all hys Seigniories, and Kyngdomes: which knowen to the Cittyzens of +Barcelona, they determined to receiue hym with sutch Pompe, +Magnificence, and Honor, as duely appertaineth to the greatnes and +maiesty of so great a Prince, as is the sonne of the Romane Emperour. +And amonges other thinges they prepared a Triumphe at the Tilt, where +none was suffred to enter the lists, but yong Gentlemen, sutch as neuer +yet had followed armes. Amongs whom Don Diego as the Noblest person was +chosen chiefe of one part. The Archduke then come to Barcelona after the +receyued honors and Ceremonies, accustomed for sutch entertaynment, to +gratifie his Subiects, and to see the brauery of the yong Spanish +Nobility in armes, would place himselfe vpon the scaffolde to iudge the +courses and valiaunce of the runners. In that magnifique and Princely +conflict, all mens eyes were bent vpon Dom Diego, who course by course +made hys aduersaries to feele the force of his armes, his manhoode, and +dexterity, on horsebacke, and caused them to muse vpon his toward +valiance in time to come, whose noble Ghests then acquired the victory +of the Campe on his side. Which mooued King Phillip to say, that in all +his life he neuer saw triumph better handled, and that the same seemed +rather a battell of strong and hardy men, than an exercise of yong +Gentlemen neuer wonted to support the deedes of armes, and trauayle of +warfare. For which cause calling Dom Diego before him he sayd: “God +graunt (yong Gentleman) that your ende agree with your good beginnings +and hardy shock of proofe done this day. In memory whereof I will this +night that ye do your watch, for I meane to +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page225" id = "page225">225</a></span> +morrow (by God’s assistance) to dub you Knight.” The yong Gentleman +blushing for shame, vpon his knees kissed the Prince’s hands, thanking +him most humbly of the honor and fauor which it pleased his maiesty to +do to him, vowing and promising to do so wel in time to come, as no man +should be deceyued of their conceyued opinion, nor the king frustrate of +his seruice, which was one of his most obedient Vassals and subiects. So +the next day he was made knight, and receyued the coller of the order at +the hands of king Phillip, who after the departure of his prince which +tooke his iorney into Castille, retired to his owne landes and house +more to see his mother, whom long time before he had not seene, than for +desire of pleasure that be in fieldes, which notwithstanding he +exercised so wel as in end he perceyued refiaunce in townes and Citties, +to be an imprisonment in respect of that he felt in Countrey. As the +Poets whilome fayned Loue to shoote his Arrowes amid the Woods, +Forrests, fertile Fields, Sea coasts, Shores of great Ryuers, and +Fountayne brinkes, and also vppon the tops of Huge, and hygh Mountaynes +at the pursute of the sundry sorted Nymphes, and fieldish Dimigods, +deeming the same to bee a meane of liberty to follow Loue’s tract +without suspition, voyde of company and lothsome cries of Citties, where +Iealousie, Enuy, false report, and ill Opinion of all things, haue +pitched their Camp, and raysed their Tents. And contrariwise franckly +and wythout dissimulation in the fieldes, the Freende discouering his +passion to his Mistresse, they enioy the pleasure of hunting, the +naturall musicke of Byrds and sometimes in pleasaunt Herbers compassed +with the murmur of some running Brookes, they communicate their +Thoughts, beautifie the accorde and vnity of Louers, and make the place +famous for the first witnesse of their amorous acquaintaunce. In like +manner thrice, and foure times blest be they there, who leeuing the +vnquiet toyle that ordinarily doth chaunce to them that abyde in +Citties, doe render duety of their studies to the Muses wherevnto they +be most Addicted. Now Dom Diego at his owne house loued and cherished of +his mother, reuerenced and obeyed of hys Subiects after he had imployed +some time at his study, had none other ordinary pleasure but in rousing +the Deere, hunting the wylde Bore, run the Hare, sometimes to fly at the +Hearon, or fearful +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page226" id = "page226">226</a></span> +Partrich alongs the fields, Forests, Ponds, and steepe Mountaynes. It +came to passe one day, as he Hunted the wylde Mountayne Goate, which he +had dislodged vpon the Hill top, he espied an olde Hart that his Dogges +had found, who so ioyfull as was possible of that good lucke, followed +the course of that swift, and fearefull beast. But (sutch was his +Fortune) the Dogges lost the foote of that pray, and he his men: for +being horssed of purpose, vpon a fayre Iennet, could not be followed, +and in ende loosinge the sight of the Deere, was so farre seuered from +company, as he was vtterly ignoraunt which way to take. And that which +grieued him moste was his Horse out of Breath scarce able to goe a false +Gallop. For which cause he put his horne to his mouth, and blew so loude +as he could: but his men were so farre of, as they could not here him. +The young Gentleman being in this distresse, could not tell what to doe, +but to returne backe, wherein he was more deceyued than before, for +thinkinge to take the way home to hys Castle, wandred still further of +from the same. And trotting thus a long tyme, he spied a Castle Situated +vppon a little Hill, whereby he knew himselfe far from his owne house. +Neuerthelesse hearing a certayne noyse of Hunters, thinking they had +bene his People, resorted to the same, who in deede were the Seruaunts +of the Mother of Gineura with the golden Locks, which in company of +their Mistresse had hunted the Hare. Dom Diego, when he drue neere to +the cry of the Hounds, saw right well that hee was deceyued. At what +tyme Night approched, and the Shadowes darkening the Earth, by reason of +the Sunnes departure, began to Cloth the Heauens with a Browne and misty +Mantell. When the Mother of Gineura saw the knight which Rode a soft +pace, for that his Horsse was tired, and could trauayle no longer, and +knowing by his outward apperance that he was some great Lord, and ridden +out of his way, sent one of hir men to knowe what he was, who returned +agayne with sutch aunswere as shee desired. The Lady ioyfull to +entertayne a Gentleman so excellent and famous, one of hir next +neighbors, went forwarde to bid hym welcome, which she did with so great +curtesy as the Knight sayd vnto hir: “Madame, I thinke that fortune +hath done me this fauour, by setting me out of the way, to proue your +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page227" id = "page227">227</a></span> +curtesie and gentle entertaynment, and to receyue this ioy by visiting +your house, whereof I trust in time to come to be so perfect a frend, as +my predecessors heretofore haue hene.” “Sir,” sayd the Lady, “if +happinesse may be attributed to them, that most doe gayne, +I thincke my selfe better fauored than you, for that it is my +chaunce to lodge and entertayne him, that is the worthiest person and +best beloued in all Catheloigne.” The Gentleman blushing at that prayse, +sayd nothing els, but that affection forced men so to speake of his +vertues, notwithstandinge sutch as hee was, he vowed from thenceforth +his seruice to hir and all hir Houshold. Gineura desirous not to bee +slacke in curtesie, sayd that he should not so do, except she were +partaker of some part of that, which the knight so liberally had offered +to the whole Family of hir Mother. The Gentleman which till that time +tooke no heede to the deuine Beauty of the Gentlewoman, beholding hir at +his pleasure, was so astoonned, as hee could not tell what to aunswere, +his eyes were so fixed vpon hir, spendinge his lookes in contemplation +of that freshe hew, stayned with a red Vermilion, vppon the Alabaster +and fayre colour of hir cleare and beautifull face. And for the +imbelishing of that naturall perfection, the attire vppon hir head was +so couenable and proper, as it seemed the same day shee had Looked for +the comming of him, that afterwardes indured so mutch for hir sake. For +hir head was Adorned with a Garlande of Floures, interlaced wyth hir +Golden, and Enamiled hayre, which gorgeously couered some part of hir +Shoulders, disparcled, and hanging down some tyme ouer hir passing fayre +Foreheade, somewhyles vpon hir ruddy Cheekes, as the Sweete, and +Pleasaunt windy Breath dyd mooue them to, and fro: Yee should haue seene +hir wauering and crisped tresses disposed with so good grace, and +comelynesse, as a man would haue thought that Loue and the three Graces +coulde not tell els where to harbor themselues, but in that riche and +delectable place of pleasure, in gorgeous wise laced and imbraudred. +Vpon hir Eares did hang two Sumptuous and Riche orientall Pearles, which +to the artificiall order of hir hayre added a certen splendent +brightnes. And he that had beholden the shining and large Forehead of +that Nimph which Gallantly was beset with a Diamonde of inestimable +price +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page228" id = "page228">228</a></span> +and value, chased with a tresse of Golde made in form of little Starres, +would haue thought that he had seene a Rancke of the twinckeling +Planettes, fixed in the Firmament in the hottest time of Sommer, when +that fayre season discouereth the order of his glittering Cloudes. In +lyke maner the sparkeling eyes of the fayre Gentlewoman, adorned with a +stately vaulte with two Archers, equally by euen spaces distinct, and +deuided, stayned with the Ebene Indian tree, did so well set forth their +Brightnesse, as the eyes of them that stayed their lookes at Noone +daye’s directly vpon the Sunne, could no more be dazeled and offended, +than those were that did contemplate those two flaminge Starres, which +were in force able throughly to pierce euen the Bottome of the inward +partes. The Nose well fourmed, iustly placed in the Amiable valley of +the Vysage, by equall conformity Distinguished the two Cheekes, stayned +wyth a pure Carnation, resemblinge two lyttle Apples that were arryued +to the due time of their maturity and ripenesse. And then hir Coralline +mouth, through which breathing, issued out a breath more soote and +sauorous than Ambre, Muske, or other Aromaticall Parfume, that euer the +sweete Soyle of Arabie brought forth. She sometime vnclosing the doore +of hir Lips, discouered two rancke of Pearles, so finely blanched, as +the purest Orient would blushe, if it were compared with the Beauty of +thys incomparable whitenesse. But hee that will take vppon hym to speake +of all hir inspeakable Beauty, may make his vaunte that he hath seene +all the greatest perfections that euer dame Nature wrought. Now to come +a little lower, on this freshe Diana appeared a Neck, that surmounted +the Blaunch colour of Mylke, were it neuer so excellent white, and hir +Stomacke somewhat mounting by the two Pomels, and firme Teates of hir +Breasts separated in equal distaunce, was couered wyth a vayle, so lose, +and fine, as those two little prety Mountaynes might easily be Discried, +to moue, and remooue, according to the affection that rose in the centre +of that modest, and sober Pucelle’s mynde: who ouer, and besides all +thys, had sutch a pleasaunt Countenaunce, and ioyefull cheere, as hir +Beauty more than wonderfull, rendred hir not so woorthy to be serued, +and loued, as hir natural goodnesse, and disposed curtesie appearing in +hir Face, and hir excellent +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page229" id = "page229">229</a></span> +entertaynement and comely Grace to all indifferently. This was not to +imitate the maner of the most parte of our fayre Ladies, and +Gentlewomen, who (mooued wyth what Opinion I know not) be so +disdaynefull, as almost theyr name causeth discontentment, and breedeth +in them great imperfection. And who by thinking to appeare more braue, +and fine, by to mutch squeymishe dealing, doe offuscate and darken with +folly their exterior Beauty, blotting, and defacing that which beauty +maketh amiable, and worthy of honor. I leaue you now to consider +wheather Dom Deigo had occasion to Forgo his Speach, and to bee bereft +of Sense, being liuely assayled with one so well armed as Gineura was +with hir Graces and Honesty: who no lesse abashed with the Port, +Countenaunce, sweete talk, and stately Behauiour of the knight, which +she vewed to be in him by stealing lookes, felt a motion (not wonted or +accustomed) in hir tender heart, that made hir to chaunge color, and by +like occasion speachlesse: an ordinary custome in them that be surprised +with the malady of loue to lose the vse of speach where the same is most +needefull to gieue the intier charge in the heart, which not able to +support and beare the burden of so many passions, departeth some portion +to the eyes, as to the faythful messengers of the mynde’s secret +conceipts, which tormented beyond measure, and burninge with affection, +causeth sometimes the Humor to gushe out in that parte that discouered +the first assault, and bred the cause of that Feuer, which frighted the +hearts of those two yong persons, not knowing well what the same might +be. When they were come to the Castle, and dismounted from their +Horsses, many Welcomes and Gratulations were made to the knight, which +yelded more wood to the fire, and liuely touched the yong Gentleman, who +was so outraged with loue, as almost he had no minde of himselfe, and +rapt by litle, and little, was so intoxicated with an Amorous passion, +as all other thoughtes were lothsome, and Ioye displeasaunt in respect +of the fauourable Martirdome which hee suffered by thinking of his fayre +and gentle Gineura. Thus the knight which in the morning disposed him +selfe to pursue the Hart, was in heart so attached, as at euening he was +become a Seruaunt, yea and sutch a Slaue, as that voluntary seruitude +wholly dispossessed him from his former +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page230" id = "page230">230</a></span> +Freedome. These be the fruictes also of Folly, inuegling the lookes of +men, that launch themselues with eyes shut into the Gulfe of despayre +which in ende doth cause the ruin and ouerthrow of him, that yeldeth +thereunto. Loue proceedeth neuer but of opinion: so likewise the ill +order of those that bee afflicted with that Passion, ryseth not +elswhere, but by the fond persuasion which they conceiyue, to bee +Blamed, Despised, and deceyued of the thing beloued: where if they +measured that passion according to his valor, they would make no more +accoumpt of that which doth torment them, than they do of their health, +honor, and life, which loue for their great seruice and labor deludeth +them, and recompenseth another with that for which the foolish Louer +imployeth thys trauel, which at length doth haste despaire, and ende +more than desperate, when an other enioy that, for which hee hath so +longe time beate the Bushes. During the time that supper was preparyng, +the Lady sente hir men to seeke the huntesmen of Dom Diego, to gyue them +knowledge where he was become, and thereof to certify his mother, who +when she heard tell that her sonne was lodged there, was very glad beyng +a ryght good fryend and very familiar Neighbor with the Lady, the +hostesse of Dom Diego. The Gentleman at supper after he had tasted the +feruent heate that broyled in his Minde, coulde eate little meate, +beinge satisfied with the feeding diete of his Amorous eyes, which +without any maner of Iealousie, distributed their nourishment to the +heart, who sat very soberly, priuily throwing his secretly Prickes, with +louely, and wanton lookes, vppon the heart of the fayre Lady, which for +hir part spared not to render vsury of rolling regardes, whereof he was +so sparing, as almost he durst not lift vp his eyes for dazeling of +them. After Supper, the knight bidding the mother and Daughter good +night, went to Bed, where in steede of sleepe, he fell to sighinge and +imageninge a thousande diuers deuises, fantasiyng like number of +follies, sutch as they doe whose Braynes be fraught loue. “Alas,” (sayde +hee) “what meaneth it, that alwayes I haue lyued in so great liberty, +and nowe doe feele my self attached with sutch bondage as I cannot +expresse whose effects neuerthelesse be fastned in me? Haue I hunted to +be taken? Came I from my house in liberty, to be +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page231" id = "page231">231</a></span> +shut vp in Pryson, and do not know wheather I shall be receyued, or +being receyued haue intertaynment, according to desert? Ah Gineura, +I would to God, that thy Beauty did pricke mee no worsse, than the +tree whereof thou takest thy name, is sharp in touching, and bitter to +them that taste it. Truely I esteeme my comming hither happy (for all +the Passion that I indure) sith the purchase of a griefe so lucky doth +qualify the ioy, that made me to wander thus ouer frankly. Ah Fayre +amonges the Fayrest, truely the fearefull Beast which with the bloudy +Hare Houndes was torne in pieces, is not more Martired, than my heart +deuided in Opinions vppon thyne Affection. And what doe I know if thou +louest an other more worthy to bee Fauoured of thee than thy poore Dom +Diego. But it is impossible that any can approche the sincerity that I +feele in my heart, determining rather to indure death, than to serue +other but fayre and golden Gineura: therefore my loyalty receyuing no +comparison, cannot bee matched in man sufficient (for respect of the +same) to be called seruaunt of thine excellency. Now come what shal, by +meanes of this, I am assured that so long as Dom Diego liueth, his +heart shal receyue none other impression or desire, but that which +inciteth him to loue, serue, and honor the fairest creature at thys day +within the compasse of Spayne.” Resolued hereupon, sweating, laboring, +and trauelling upon the framing of his loue, he founde nothing more +expedient than to tel hir his passion, and let hir vnderstand the good +wil that he had to do hir seruice, and to pray hir to accept hym for +sutch, as from that time forth would execute nothing but under the title +of hir good name. On th’otherside Gineura could not close hir eyes, and +knew not the cause almost that so impeched hir of sleepe, wherefore now +tossing on th’one side, and then turning to the other, in hir rich and +goodly Bed, fantasied no fewer deuises than passionated Dom Diego did. +In th’end she concluded, that if the knight shewed hir any euident +signe, or opened by word of mouth any Speach of loue and seruice, she +would not refuse to do the like to him. Thus passed the night in +thoughts, sighes, and wishes betwene these 2 apprentises of the thing, +whereof they that be learners, shal soone attayne the experience, and +they that follow the occupation throughly, in short time be their crafts +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page232" id = "page232">232</a></span> +maisters. The next day the knight would depart so soone as he was vp: +but the good widow, imbracing the personage and good order of the knight +in hir heart, more than any other that she had seene of long time, +intreated him so earnestly to tarry as he which loued better to obey hir +request then to depart, although fayned the contrary, in the end +appeared to be vanquished vpon the great importunity of the Lady. Al +that morning the Mother and the Daughter passed the time with Dom Deigo +in great talke of common matters. But he was then more astonned and +inamored than the night before, in sutch wise as many times he aunswered +so vnaptly to their demaunds, as it was easily perceiued that his minde +was mutch disquieted with some thing, that only did possesse the force +and vehemence of the same: notwithstanding the Lady imputed that to the +shamefastnesse of the Gentleman, and to his simplicity, which had not +greatly frequented the company of Ladies. When dinner time was come, +they were serued with sutch great fare and sundry delicates accordingly +as with hir hart she wyshed to intertain the young Lord, to the intent +from that time forth, he might more willinglye make repaire to hir +house. After dinner he rendred thanks to his hostesse for his good +cheare and intertainment that he had receiued, assuring hir, that all +the dayes of his Life he would imploy himselfe to recompence hir +curtesy, and with all duety and indeuor to acknowledge that fauor. And +hauing taken his leaue of the mother, he went to the Damosell, to hir I +say, that had so sore wounded his hearte who already was so deeply +grauen in his mind, as the marke remained there for euer, taking leaue +of hir, kissed hir handes, and thinking verily to expresse that +whereuppon hee imagined all the Nyghte, his Tongue and Wits were so tyed +and rapt, as the Gentlewoman perfectly perceiued this alteration, +whereat she was no whit discontented and therefore all blushyng, sayde +vnto him: “I pray to God sir, to ease and comfort your gryefe, as +you leaue vs desirous and glad, long to enioy your company.” “Truely +Gentlewoman,” (aunswered the Knyght) “I think my selfe more than +happy, to heare that wysh proceede from sutch a one as you be, and +specially for the desire whych you say you haue of my presence, whych +shall be euer readye +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page233" id = "page233">233</a></span> +to doe that whych it shall please you to commaunde.” The Gentlewoman +bashfull for that offer, thanked hym verye heartilye praying him wyth +sweete and smilinge Countenance, not to forget the waye to come to +visite them, beyng wel assured, that hir mother would be very glad +thereof. “And for mine owne part,” (quod she) “I shall thinke my +self happy to be partaker of the pleasure and great amity that is +betwene our two houses.” After great reuerence and leaue taken between +them, Dom Diego returned home, where he tolde his mother of the good +interteynment made him, and of the great honesty of the Lady hys +hostesse: “Wherfore madam,” (quod he to hys Mother) “I am desyrous +(if it be your pleasure) to let them know how much their bountifull +hospitality hath tied me to them, and what desire I haue to recompence +the same. I am therefore wyllyng to bydde them hyther, and to make +them so good cheare, as wyth all theyr Hearte they made me when I was +wyth them.” The Lady whych was the assured fryende of the Mother of +Gineura, lyked well the aduyse of hir sonne, and tolde him that they +should bee welcome, for the aunciente amity of long time betwene them, +who was wont many times to visit one an other. Dom Diego vpon his +mother’s words, sent to intreat the Lady and fayr Gineura, that it +woulde please them to do him the honour to come into his house: to which +request she so willingly yelded, as he was desirous to bid them. At the +appointed day Dom Diego sought al meanes possible honourably to receyue +them: In meates whereof there was no want, in Instruments of all sortes, +Mummeries, Morescoes, and a thousand other pastymes, whereby he declared +his good bringing vp, the gentlenesse of his Spyryte, and the desire +that he had to appeare sutch one as he was, before hir, which had +already the full possession of his liberty. And bicause he would not +faile to accomplyshe the perfection of his intent, hee inuyted all the +Gentlemen and Gentlewomen that were his neighbours. I will not here +describe the moste part of the prouision for that feast, nor the +diuersity of Meates, or the delycate kyndes of Wines. It shall suffise +mee to tell that after dynner they daunced, where the knight tooke his +mistresse by the hand who was so glad to see hir +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page234" id = "page234">234</a></span> +selfe so aduanced, as he was content to be so neare hir, that was the +sweete torment and vnspeakable passion of his mynd, whych hee began to +discouer vnto hir in this wyse: “Mistresse Gineura I have ben alwayes of +this Minde, that Musike hath a certeine secrete hydden vertue (which wel +can not be expressed) to reuiue the thoughts and cogitations of man, be +he neuer so mornfull and pensiue, forcing him to vtter some outward +reioyse: I speake it by my self, for that I liue in extreme anguish +and payne, that al the ioy of the World seemeth vnto mee displeasaunt, +care, and disquyetnesse: and neuerthelesse my passion, agreeing with the +plaintife voice of the Instrument, doth reioyce and conceiue comforte, +as well to heare insensible thinges conformable to my desires as also to +see my self so neere vnto hir, that hath the salue to ease my payne, to +discharge my disease, and to depryue my Mynd from all gryefs. In like +maner reason it is, that she hir selfe do remedy my disease, of whom I +receiued the prycke, and which is the first foundation of all mine +euil.” “I can not tell” (sayd the Gentlewoman) <ins class = +"addition" title = "open quote added">“</ins>what disease it is you +speak of, for I shoulde bee very vnkinde to gieue him occasion of +griefe, that doth make vs this great cheere.” “Ah Lady myne,” (sayd the +knight, fetching a sigh from the bottome of his heart,) “the +intertaynement that I receyue by the continuall contemplation of your +diuine Beauties, and the vnspeakeable brightnesse of those two Beames, +which twinkle in your Face, bee they that happily doe vex me, and make +me drink this Cup of bitternesse, wherein notwithstanding I finde sutch +sweetenesse as al the Heauenly Drincke called Ambrosia, fayned by the +Poets, is but Gall in respect of that which I taste in mynde, feeling my +deuotion so bent to do you seruice, as onely Death shall vnty the knot +wherewith voluntarily I Knyt my selfe to be your Seruaunt for euer, and +if it so please vou, your Faythfull, and Loyall Freende, and Husbande.” +The yonge Damosell not wonted for to heare sutch Songs, did chaunge hir +coloure at least three or foure times, and neuerthelesse fayned a little +angre of that which did content hir most: and yet not so sharpe, but +that the Gentleman perceyued well enough, that shee was touched at the +quicke, and also that he was accepted into hir +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page235" id = "page235">235</a></span> +good Grace and Fauoure. And therefore hee continued styll hys talke, all +that time after dinner, vntill the Mayden made hym thys aunswere: “Sir, +I will nowe confesse that griefe may couer alteration of affections +proceeding of Loue. For although I had determined to dissemble that +which I thinke, yet there is a thinge in my Mynde (which I can not name) +that gouerneth mee so farre from my proper Deuises, and Conceyptes, as I +am constrayned to doe that which this second Inspiration leadeth mee +vnto, and forceth my Mynde to receyue an Impression: but what will be +the ende thereof, as yet I knowe not. Notwythstandinge, reposinge mee in +youre Vertue, and Honesty, and acknowledgynge youre merite, +I thincke my selfe happy to haue sutch one for my Freende, that is +so Fayre and comely a knight, and for sutch I doe accept you vntill you +haue obtayned of the Lady, my Mother, the second poynct, which may +accomplish that which is moste desyred of them, that for vertue’s sake +do loue. And but for that you shall bee none otherwyse fauoured of me, +than hytherto you haue ben.” “Tyll now haue I attended for thys ryght +happye day of Ioy and Blysse (sayd the Knyght) in token whereof, +I doe kysse your whyte and delycate Hands, and for acknowledging +the fauour that presently I do receiue, I make my vaunt to be the +seruaunt of hir that is the fayrest, and most curteous Gentlewoman, on +thys side the Mountaynes.” As hee had fynished those words they came to +couer for Supper, where they were serued so honourably, as yf they had +ben in the Court of the Monarch of Spayne. After Supper they went to +walke abroade alongs the Riuer side, besette wyth Wyllow Trees, where +both the Beauty of the time, the runnyng Ryuer, the Charme of the +Natural musicke of birds, and the pleasaunt Murmure of the tremblyng +Leaues, at the whistelyng of the swete Westerne Wynd, moued them agayne +to renew theyr Pastyme after Dynner. For some dyd gyue themselues to +talke, and to deuyse of delectable matter: some framed Nosegayes, +Garlandes, and other prety posyes for theyr Fryendes; other some did +leape, runne, and throwe the Barre. In the end a great Lord, neighbor to +Dom Diego, whose name was Dom Roderico, knowyng by his Fryend’s +Countenaunce to what saynt hee was vowed, and perceyuing +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page236" id = "page236">236</a></span> +for whose loue the feaste was celebrate, tooke by the hand a Gentlewoman +that sate nexte to fayre Gineura, and prayed hir to daunce after a Song, +whereunto shee beeynge pleasaunt and wyse, made no great refusall. Dom +Diego fayled not to ioyne wyth hys mystresse, after whome folowed the +rest of that noble trayne, euery of them as they thought best. Now the +Gentlewoman, that was ledde into daunce, song thys song so apt for the +purpose, as if shee had entred the heart of the Ennimy and Mystresse of +Dom Diego, or of purpose had made the same in the Name of hir, whom the +matter touched aboue the rest.</p> + +<div class = "verse"> +<p>Who may better sing and daunce amongs vs Ladies all,</p> +<p>Than she that doth hir louer’s heart possesse in bondage thrall?</p> +<p class = "indent2">The yong and tender feeblenesse</p> +<p class = "indent2">Of myne vnskilfull age,</p> +<p class = "indent2">Whereof also the tendernesse</p> +<p class = "indent2">Doth feeble heart assuage:</p> +<p class = "indent2">Whom Beautye’s force hath made to frame</p> +<p class = "indent2">Vnto a Louer’s hest,</p> +<p class = "indent2">So soone as first the kindled flame</p> +<p class = "indent2">Of louinge Toyes increst.</p> +<p>Who may better sing and daunce amongs vs Ladies all,</p> +<p>Than she that doth hir louer’s heart possesse in bondage thrall?</p> +<p class = "indent2">I haue assayed out to put</p> +<p class = "indent2">The fier thus begoone,</p> +<p class = "indent2">And haue attempted of to cut,</p> +<p class = "indent2">The threede which loue hath spoone:</p> +<p class = "indent2">And new alliance fayne would flee</p> +<p class = "indent2">Of him whom I loue best,</p> +<p class = "indent2">But that the Gods haue willed me</p> +<p class = "indent2">To yeld to his request.</p> +<p>Who may better sing and daunce among vs Ladies all,</p> +<p>Than she that doth hir louer’s heart possesse in bondage thrall?</p> +<p class = "indent2">So amiable is his grace,</p> +<p class = "indent2">Not like among vs all:</p> +<p class = "indent2">So passing fayre is his Face,</p> +<p class = "indent2">Whose hue doth stayne us all:</p> +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page237" id = "page237">237</a></span> +<p class = "indent2">And as the shining sunny day</p> +<p class = "indent2">Doth eu’ry man delight,</p> +<p class = "indent2">So he alone doth beare the sway,</p> +<p class = "indent2">Amongs eche louing wight.</p> +<p>Who may better sing and daunce amongs vs Ladies all</p> +<p>Than she that doth hir louer’s heart possesse in bondage thrall?</p> +<p class = "indent2">Why should not then, the fayrest dame,</p> +<p class = "indent2">Apply her gentle minde,</p> +<p class = "indent2">And honor giue vnto his name,</p> +<p class = "indent2">Wyth humble heart and kinde?</p> +<p class = "indent2">Sith he is full of curtesie,</p> +<p class = "indent2">Indewd with noble grace,</p> +<p class = "indent2">And brest replete with honesty,</p> +<p class = "indent2">Well knowne in euery place.</p> +<p>Who may better sing and daunce amongs vs Ladies all,</p> +<p>Than she that doth hir louer’s heart possesse in bondage thrall?</p> +<p class = "indent2">If I should loue, and serue him than,</p> +<p class = "indent2">May it be counted vice?</p> +<p class = "indent2">If I retayne that worthy man,</p> +<p class = "indent2">Shall I be deemde vnwise?</p> +<p class = "indent2">I will be gentle to him sure,</p> +<p class = "indent2">And render him myne ayde:</p> +<p class = "indent2">And loue that wight with heart full pure,</p> +<p class = "indent2">That neuer loue assayde.</p> +<p>Who may better sing and daunce amongs vs Ladies all,</p> +<p>Than she that doth hir louer’s heart possesse in bondage thrall?</p> +<p class = "indent2">Thus the most sacred vnity,</p> +<p class = "indent2">That doth our hearts combine:</p> +<p class = "indent2">Is voyde of wicked flattery,</p> +<p class = "indent2">The same for to vntwine.</p> +<p class = "indent2">No hardned rigor is our guide,</p> +<p class = "indent2">Nor folly doth vs lead:</p> +<p class = "indent2">No Fortune can vs twayne deuide,</p> +<p class = "indent2">Vntill we both be deade.</p> +<p>Who may better sing and daunce amongs vs Ladies all,</p> +<p>Than she that doth hir louer’s heart possesse in bondage thrall?</p> +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page238" id = "page238">238</a></span> +<p class = "indent2">And thus assured certaynely,</p> +<p class = "indent2">That this our loue shall dure,</p> +<p class = "indent2">And with good lucke hope verely,</p> +<p class = "indent2">The same to put in vre</p> +<p class = "indent2">The sowen seedes of amity,</p> +<p class = "indent2">Begon betwixt vs twayne,</p> +<p class = "indent2">Shall in most perfect vnity,</p> +<p class = "indent2">For euermore remayne.</p> +<p>Who may better sing and daunce amongs vs Ladies all,</p> +<p>Than she that doth hir louer’s heart possesse in bondage thrall?</p> +</div> + +<p>Thys Song delighted the Myndes of many in that company, and +principally Dom Deigo, and Gineura, who felt themselues tickled without +laughing: And the mayden reioysed to heare hir selfe so greatly praysed +in so noble a company, and specially in the presence of hir friende who +had no lesse pleasure by hearing the praises of his beloued, than if he +had bin made Lord of all Aragon. She for all hir dissembled Countenaunce +could not hide the alteration of hir Mynde, without sending forth a +sodayne chaunge of colour, that forced a fayre and goodly taynt in hir +Face. Dom Diego seeing that mutation, was so ioyful as was possible, for +thereby he knew and Iudged himselfe assured of the good grace of hys +Mistresse, and therefore wringing hir finely by the hands, sayd vnto her +very soberly Smiling: “What greater pleasure my louinge Wench can there +happen vnto your Seruaunt, than to see the accomplishment of this +Propheticall Song? I assure you that in all my life I neuer heard +musicke, that delighted me so mutch as this, and thereby doe vnderstand +the good will of the Gentlewoman, which so curteously hath discouered +yours towards me, and the faythfull seruice whereof you shall see me +from henceforth so liberall, as neyther goods nor life shalbe spared for +your sake.” Ginuera who loued him with all hir heart, thanked him very +humbly, and prayed him to beleeue that the Song was truely soonge, and +that without any fayle, she that soonge, had thereby manyfested all the +secrets of hir mynde. The daunce ended, they sat theym downe rounde +about a cleare Fountayne, which by silent discourse, issued from an high +and moysty rock, enuironned +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page239" id = "page239">239</a></span> +with an infinite number of Maple trees, Poplars, and Ashes. To which +place a Page brought a Lute to Dom Diego, whereupon hee could play very +well, and made it more pleasauntly to sound for that hee accorded hys +Fayninge Voyce to the Instrument, Singing this song that followeth.</p> + +<div class = "verse"> +<p>That I should loue and serue also, good reason doth require,</p> +<p>What though I suffre loathsome grief, my life in woe to wrap?</p> +<p>The same be th’only instruments of my good lucke and hap,</p> +<p>The foode and pray for hungry corps, of rest th’assured hire.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +By thought wherof (O heauy man) gush forth of teares great store</p> +<p>And by and by reioyst agayne, my driery teares do cease:</p> +<p>Which guerdon shall mine honor sure in that triumphant peace,</p> +<p>The summe wherof I offer now, were it of price mutch more.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +Which I do make withall my heart, vnto that blessed wight,</p> +<p>My proper Goddesse here on earth, and only mistresse deere:</p> +<p>My goods and life, my brething ghost within this carcase here,</p> +<p>I vow vnto that maiesty, that heauenly starre most bright.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +Now sith my willing vow is made, I humbly pray hir grace,</p> +<p>To end th’accord betwene vs pight, no longer time to tracte:</p> +<p>Whych if it be by sured band, so haply brought to passe,</p> +<p>I must my self thrice happy count, for that most heauenly fact.</p> +</div> + +<p>Thys Song made the company to muse, who commended the trim inuention +of the Knight, and aboue all Gineura praysed him more than before, and +could not so well refrayne hir lookes from him, and he with +counterchaunge rendring alike agayne, but that the two wydowes their +Mothers tooke great heede thereof, reioysing greatly to see the same, +desirous in time to couple them togeather. For at that present they +deferred the same, in consideration they were both very young. +Notwithstanding it had bene better that the same Coniunction had ben +made, before Fortune +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page240" id = "page240">240</a></span> +had turned the Wheele of hir vnstablenes. And truely delay and +prolongation of time sometimes bryngeth sutch and so great missehappe +that one hundred times men cursse their fortune, and little aduyse in +foresight of their infortunate chaunces that commonly do come to passe. +As it chaunced to those Wydowes, one of them thinking to loose hir son +by the vaine behauior of the other’s daughter, who wythout the help of +<span class = "smallcaps">God</span>, or care vnto his wil, disparaged +hir honor, and prepared a poyson so daungerous for his Mother’s age, as +the foode thereof hastened the way to the good Ladye’s Graue. Now whiles +this loue in thys manner increased and that the desire of these two +Louers, flamed forth ordinarily in fire and flames more violent, Dom +Diego all chaunged and transformed into a new man, receiued no delyght, +but in the sight of his Gineura. And she thought that there could be no +greater Felicity or more to be wyshed for, than to haue a Fryend so +perfect, and so well accomplyshed wyth all thyngs requisite for the +ornament and full furniture of a Gentleman. This was the occasion that +the young Knyght let no Weeke to passe without visiting his mystresse +twice or thryce at the least, and she did vnto hym the greatest curtesy +and best Entertaynment, that vertue could suffer a Mayden to doe, whych +was the diligent Treasurer and careful tutor of hir honor. And this she +dyd by consent of hir Mother. In lyk maner, honestie doth not permyt +chaste Maydens to vse long talk or immoderate speach, with the fyrst +that be suters vnto them, and mutch lesse seemely it is for them to be +ouer squeimysh Nice, wyth that man whych seeketh (by way of marryage) to +wynne power and tytle of the Body, beyng in very deede, or ought to be +the moiety of theyr soule. Sutch was the desyres of these two Louers, +which notwithstanding was impeeched by meanes, as hereafter you shal +heare. For duryng the rebounding ioy of those faire couple of Loyall +Louers, it chaunced that the Daughter of a Nobleman of the Countrey, +named Ferrando de la Serre, whych was fayre, very Comely, Wise, and of +good behauiour, by keepynge daily Company with Gineura, fell extreamely +in loue with Dom Diego, and assayed by all meanes to do him to +vnderstand what the puissance was of hir Loue which willingly shee meant +to bestowe vpon him, if it woold please hym +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page241" id = "page241">241</a></span> +to honor hir so mutch, as to loue hir with like sincerity. But the +knight which was no more his own Man, beyng possessed of another, had +with hys Lybertye lost his Wyts and Mynd to marke the affectyon of this +Gentlewoman, of whom he made no accompt. The Maiden neuerthelesse ceased +not to loue him, and to proue all possible wayes to make him hir owne. +And knowing how mutch Dom Diego loued Hawking, she bought a hauke the +best in all the countrey, and sent the same to Dom Diego, who wyth all +his heart receiued the same, and affectuously gaue hir thanks for that +desired gyft, praying the messanger to recommend him to the good grace +of his mistresse, and to assure hir self of his faythfull seruice, and +that for hir sake he would kepe the Hauke so tenderly as the Balles of +his eyes. Thys Hauke was the cause of the ill fortune that afterwards +chaunced to this poore Louer. For going many times to see <ins class = +"correction" title = "error for ‘Gineura’">Gienura</ins> with the hauke +on his fist and bearing with him the tokens of the goodnesse of his +Hauke, it escaped his mouth to say, that the same was one of the things +that in all the World he loued best. Truely this Word was taken at the +first bound contrary to his meaning, wherewith the matter so fell out, +as afterwards by despayre he was like to lose his Lyfe. Certaine dayes +after, as in the absence of the knight, talk rose of his vertue and +honest conditions, one praysing his prowesse and valyance, another his +great Beauty and Curtesy, another passing further, extolling the sincere +affectyon and constancy which appeared in him touching matters of Loue, +one enuious person named Gracian spake his mind of hym in this wyse: +“I will not deny but that Dom Diego is one of the most excellent +most honest and brauest knyghtes of Catheloigne, but in matters of Loue +he seemeth to me so walteryng and inconstant, as in euery place where he +commeth, by and by he falleth in loue, and maketh as though he were +sicke and would dy for the same.” Gineura maruelling at those words said +vnto him: “I pray you my frend to vse better talk of the Lord Dom +Diego. For I do thynk the Loue whych the Knight doth beare to a +Gentlewoman of thys countrey, is so firme and assured, as none other can +remoue the same out of the siege of hys mind?” “Lo howe you be deceiued +Gentlewoman” (quod Gracian) “for vnder coloure of dissymulate seruice, +he and sutch as he is doe abuse the simplicity of young +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page242" id = "page242">242</a></span> +Gentlewomen. And to proue my sayinge true, I am assured that he is +extremely enamored wyth the Daughter of Dom Ferrando de la Serre, of +whom he receyued an Hauke, that he loueth aboue all other things.” +Gineura remembrying the words which certayn dayes before Dom Diego spake +touching his hauke, began to suspect and beleue that which Gracian +alleaged, and not able to support the choler, whych cold Iealosy bred in +hir stomack, went into hir Chaumber full of so greate gryefe and +heauynesse as she was many tymes lyke to kyll hir selfe. In the end, +hopyng to be reuenged of the wrong whych shee beleued to receyue of Dom +Diego, determyned to endure hir fortune paciently. In the meane tyme she +conceyued in hir Mynd a despyte and hatred so great and extreame agaynst +the poore Gentleman that thought lyttle hereof, as the former loue was +nothing in respecte of the reuenge by death which she then desired vpon +hym. Who the next day after his wonted maner came to see hir, hauing (to +hys great damage) the hauke on his fiste, which was the onely cause of +all her Iealosie. Nowe as the knyght was in talke with the Mother, +seeynge that his beloued came not at al (accordyng to hir custome) to +salute him and bid him welcome, inquired how she dyd. One that loued hym +more than the rest, sayd vnto him: “Syr, so soone as she knewe of your +comming, immedyately she wythdrew hir self into hir Chaumber.” He that +was wyse and well trayned vp dissembled what he thought, imagining that +it was for some lyttle fantasie, whereunto Women wyllingly be subiecte. +And therfore when he thought time to depart he toke leaue of the wydow, +and as he was goyng down the staires of the great Chamber, he met one of +the maides of Gineura, whom he prayed to commend him to hir mistresse. +Gineura duryng al this time tooke no reste, deuising howe shee myghte +cutte of cleane hir loue entertained in Dom Diego, after she knewe that +hee carryed the hawke on his fyst: beyng the onely instrument of her +frensie. And therefore thynkyng hir selfe both despysed and mocked of +hir Knyght, and that he had done it in despyte of hir, she entred into +so great rage and Choler as she was like to fall mad. She being then in +this trouble of Mynde, behold hir Gentlewoman came vnto hir, and dyd the +knyght’s message. Who hearing but the symple name of hir supposed +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page243" id = "page243">243</a></span> +Ennimy, began to sighe so straungely, as a Man would haue thought hir +soule presently would haue departed hir Body. Afterwards when she had +vanquished hir raging fit whych stayed hir speach, she gan very tenderly +to weepe, saying: “Ah traytor and vnfaithful Louer, is thys the +recompence of the honest, and firme Amity whych I haue borne thee, so +wyckedly to deceiue me vnder the colour of so faint and detestable a +Fryendship? Ah rashe and arrant Theefe, is it I vppon whom thou oughtest +to bend thy wycked Trumperies? Doste thou thinke that I am no better +worth but that thou prodigally shouldest waste myne honor to bear the +spoyles thereof to hir, that is in nothing comparable vnto me? Wherein +haue I deserued thys discurtesy, if not by louyng thee more than thy +beauty and fained loue deserue? Diddest thou dare to aduenture vppon me, +hauyng thy conscyence wounded wyth sutch an abhominable and deadly +Treason? Durste thou to offer thy Mouth to kysse my Hand, by the mouth +of another, to whome thou haddest before dedicated thy lying Lyppes in +thine owne person? I most humbly thancke Almighty God that it +pleased him to let me see the Poison by thee prepared for the ruine of +my lyfe and honor. Ha foole, hope not to take me in thy Trap, nor yet to +deceyue me through thy sugred and deceitfull Words. For I sweare by the +Almyghty God, that so long as I shall liue, I will accompte thee +none other, but the most cruell and mortall Ennimy that I haue in this +world.” Then to accomplish the rest of hir carefull Minde she wrote a +Letter to giue hir farewell to hir olde Friend Dom Diego. And for that +purpose instructed hir Page with this Lesson, that when the knyght +should come, he should be ready before hir lodging and say vnto him in +the behalfe of hir, that before he passed any further, hee shoulde reade +the Letter, and not to fayle to doe the Contents: the Page which was +malicious, and il affectioned to Dom Diego, knowyng the appointed day of +hys comming, wayted for hym a quarter of a mile from the Castle, where +he had not long taryed, but the innocent louer came, agaynst whome the +page went, bearyng about him more hurtfull and noysome weapons than al +the Theeues and robbers had in all the Countrey of Catheloigne. In this +manner presenting his mystresse letters, he said vnto him: “My Lord, +madame Gineura my +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page244" id = "page244">244</a></span> +mistresse hath sent me vnto you: and bicause she knoweth how feareful +you be to dysplease hir, prayeth you not to fayle to reade this Letter +before you passe anye further, and there wyth al to accomplysh the +effecte thereof.” The knyght abashed wyth that sodayne message, +aunswered the Page: “God forbid my fryend,” (quod he) “that I should +disobey hir by anye meanes, vnto whom I haue gyuen a full authority and +puissaunce over myne affectyons.” So receyuing the letters, he kissed +them thre or four times, and openyng them, found that he loked not for, +and red that whych he thought not off. The contents were these.</p> + + +<h4>The letters of faire Ginuera, to the Knight Dom Diego.</h4> + +<p>There shall passe no day of my Lyfe, from makyng complaynts of the +disloyall and periured Louer, who being more esteemed and better beloued +than thou dydst deserue, hast made so small accompte of mee, whereof I +wyll be reuenged vpon my selfe, for that I so lyghtly beleued thy wordes +so full of crafte and guyle. I am in mynd that thou henceforth +shalt flye to buzze and beat the Bushes, where thou suspectest to catch +the pray: for heere thou art lyke to be deceiued. Goe varlet, (goe I +say,) to deceyue hir whych holdeth thee in hir nets and snares, and +whose Presentes (althoughe of small Value) moued thee more than the +Honeste, Vertuous and Chaste Loue, that Vertue hir selfe began to knytte +betweene vs. And sith a Carrion Kyte hath made the fly further off, than +the Wynde of the Ayre was able to bear thee, God <ins class = +"correction" title = "error for ‘defende’">desende</ins> that Gineura +should goe aboute to hynder thy follyes, and mutch lesse to suffer hir +selfe to bee beguyled throughe thine Excuses. Nay rather God defend +(except thou desirest to se me dy) that thou shouldest euer bee in place +where I am, assuryng thee of thys my mynde, neuer to be chaunged so long +as my soule shall rest wythin my body: which giuing breath vnto my +panting breast, shal neuer be other, but a mortall enimy to Dom Diego: +and sutch one as euen to the Death wyl not fayle to prosecute the +default of the most traiterous and vnfaythfull Knyght that euer was +gyrte in girdle, or armed with Sword. And behold the last fauour that +thou canst, or oughtest to hope of me, who +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page245" id = "page245">245</a></span> +lyueth not but onelye to martir and crucify thee, and neuer shal be<ins +class = "addition" title = "space added"> </ins>other but</p> + +<p class = "center">The greatest Enimy, that euer thou haddest, or</p> + +<p class = "right">shalt haue, Gineura the fayre.</p> + +<p>The myserable louer had no sooner red the Letter, but lifting vp his +eyes to the heauens, he sayd: “Alas, my God thou knowest well if euer I +haue offended, that I ought to be banyshed from the place, where my +contentation is chyefly fixed, and from whence my heart<ins class = +"addition" title = "space added"> </ins>shall neuer departe, +chaunce what myssehappe and Fortune so euer shall.” Then tournyng +himself towards the Page, hee sayd: “Sir Page my fryend, say vnto my +Ladye, most humblye commending me vnto hir, that for this present time I +wyll not see hir, but hereafter she shall heare some newes from me.” The +page well lessoned for the purpose, made hym aunswere, saying: “Sir, she +hath wylled me to say thus mutch by mouth, that ye cannot do hir greater +pleasure, than neuer to come in place where shee is: for so mutch as the +Daughter of Dom Ferrando de la Serre hath so catched you in hir nettes, +that loth she is your faithfull heart shoulde hange in ballance, and +expect the vncertaine Loue of two Ladyes at once.” Dom Diego hearing the +truth of hys missehap, and the occasion of the same, made Lyghte of the +matter for that tyme, till at length the Choler of his Mistresse were +abated, that thereby shee might know vpon how bryttle Ground she hadde +planted a suspition of hir most faythfull and louing Seruaunt, and so +retiring to his House, altogither vexed and yll contented, he wente into +hys Chaumber where with his Dagger he paunched the gorge of the poore +birde, the cause of hys Ladies Anger, saying: “Ha vyle carraine kite, +I sweare by the bloud of him, that thou shalt neuer be the cause +agayne, to make hir fret for sutch a triflyng thing as thou art: +I beleue that what so euer fury is hidden within the Body of this +curssed Kite, to engender a Plague, the same now is seased on me, but I +hope to doe my Mystresse vnderstande what Sacrifice I haue made of the +thyng that was sent me, ready to do the lyke vppon mine owne flesh, +where it shall please her to commaund.” So taking Inke and Paper, he +made aunswere to Gineura as foloweth.</p> + + +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page246" id = "page246">246</a></span> +<h4>The Letters of Dom Diego, to Gineura the faire.</h4> + +<p>But who would euer thynck (my Lady deare) that a Lyght Opinion could +so soone haue deuided your good iudgement, to condempn your Knight +before you had heard what he was able to say, for himself? truely I +thought no more to offend you, than the man which you neuer knew, +although you haue bene deceiued by colored words, vttered by those that +be enuious of my happe, and Enimies of your ioy, who haue filled your +minde full of false report. I swere vnto you (by God, my good Lady) +that neuer thinge entred into my fantasie more, than a desire to serue +you alone and to auoide the acquaintance of all other, to preserue for +you a pure and entire heart. Whereof longe agone I made you an offer. In +wytnesse whereof I humbly beseech you to beleue, that so soone as you +see this Birde (the cause of your anger and occasion of my mishap) torne +and pluckte in pieces, that my heart feeleth no lesse alteration or +torment: for so long as I shall vnderstand your displeasure to endure +against mee, assure your selfe my Life shall abide in no lesse paine +than my ioye was great when I franckly possessed your presence. Be it +sufficient (Madame) for you to know, that I neuer thought to offend you. +Be contented I beseech you, with this sacrifice which I send you, if not +that I doe the like vpon myne owne body, which without your good will +and grace can no longer liue. For my lyfe depending vppon that only +benefit, you ought not to be astonned if the same fayling his +nourishment doth pearish, as frustrate of that foode, propre, and apt +for his Appetite: and by like meanes my sayd life shall reuiue, if it +may please you to spread your beames ouer mine obscure and base +personage, and to receiue thys satisfaction for a fault not committed. +And so wayting a gentle aunswere from your great curtesie, I humbly +kisse your white and delicate handes, with all humility, praying God +sweete Lady, to let you see how mutch I suffer without desert, and what +puissaunce you haue ouer him that is all your</p> + +<p class = "center">Faythfull and euer servaunt</p> + +<p class = "right">most obedient, Dom Diego.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page247" id = "page247">247</a></span> +<p>The letter closed, and sealed, he deliuered to one of his faythfull +and secret Seruaunts, to beare (with the deade Hauke) vnto Gineura, +charging him diligently to take heede to hir countenaunce, and aboue +all, that faithfully he should beare away what she dyd say vnto him for +aunswere. His man fayled not to speede himselfe with diligence: and +being come before Gineura, he presented that which his maister had sent +hir. She full of wrath and indignation, would not once vouchsafe to +reade the letter, and mutch lesse to accept the present which was a +witnesse of the contrary of that shee did beleue, and turninge vnto the +messenger, she sayde: “My Frende, thou mayest goe get thee backe agayne, +wyth the selfe same charge which thou hast brought, and say vnto thy +mayster, that I haue nothing to doe with his Letters, his Excuses, or +any other thing that commeth from his handes, as one hauing good +experience of his sleyghts and deceipts. Tell him also, that I prayse +God, in good time I haue taken heede to the little fayth and trust that +is in him for a countergarde, lightly neuer hereafter to bee deceiued.” +The seruyng man would fayne haue framed an Oration to purge his maister, +but the fierce Gentlewoman brake of his talke, saying vnto hym, that she +was wel resolued vpon hir intent, whych was that Dom Diego should neuer +recouer place in hir minde: and that shee hated hym as mutch at that +time as euer shee loued him before. Vppon whych aunswere the Messanger +returned, so sorrowfull for the Misfortune of his Mayster (knowing hym +to bee very innocent) as he knew full well into what despayre his +Mayster would fall, when he vnderstode those pitifull and heavy newes: +notwithstanding needes he must knowe them, and therefore when he was +come before Dom Diego, he recyted vnto hym from poynt to poynt his +ambassage, and deliuered hym agayne his Letters. Whereof the infortunate +Gentleman was so sore astonned, as he was like to haue fallen downe dead +at that instant. “Alas,” (sayd he) “what yll lucke is this, that when I +thought to enioye the benefite of my attempte, Fortune hath reuolted to +bryng me to the extremity of the moste desparate man that ever lyued? Is +it possible that my good seruice should bee the cause of my approached +ouerthrow? Alas, what may true and faithfull louers henceforth hope for, +if not the losse of theyr tyme, when +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page248" id = "page248">248</a></span> +after long deuoire and duetye, an Enuious fool shall come to depryue +them of theyr ioy and gladnesse, and they feelyng the bytternesse of +theyr abandoned farewell, one that loueth lesse shall beare away the +sweete fruicte of sutch hope, and shall possesse withoute deserte the +glory due to a good and faythfull suter. Ah fayre Gineura, that thou +seest not the griefe whych I do feele, and the affection wherewith I +serue thee, and how mutch I would suffer to gayne and recouer thy good +grace and fauor. Ha vayne hope, which vntill now hast fylled me, with +mirth and gladnesse, altogether spent and ouerwhelmed in the gaulle of +thy bytter sauour, and in the tast of thy corrupted lycour: better it +had ben for me at the begining to haue refused thee, than afterwards +receiued, cherished, and sincerely beloued, to be banished for so light +occasion, as I am ful sore ashamed to conceyue the same within +remembrance: but fortune shal not haue hir wil ouer me: for so long as I +shall liue I wyll contynue the seruaunt of Gineura, and my lyfe I wyll +preserue, to lette her vnderstand the force of Loue: by continuaunce +whereof, I wyll not sticke to sette my selfe on fyre with the +liuely flames of my passions, and then withdrawe the fyrebrandes of my +ioy, by the rigour and frowardnesse that shall proceede from hir.” When +he had fynished his talke, he began to sigh and lament so strangely, as +his man was about to go cal the lady his mother. In whom dyd appeare +sutch signes, as if death had ben at hand, or els that he had ben +attached wyth the Spirite of phrensie. But when hee sawe hym aboute to +come agayne to himselfe, he sayed thus vnto him: “How now, syr, wyl you +cast your selfe away for the foolyshe toy of an vndiscrete girle, yll +mannered and taught, and who perchaunce doth al this to proue how +constant you would be? No, no sir, you must turne ouer an other Leafe, +and sith you bee determyned to loue hir, you must perseuere in your +pursute. For at length it is impossible, but that this Diamont +hardnesse, must needes bee mollified, if she be not a Diuell incarnate, +more furious than the wildest beasts, whych haunt the deserts of Lybia.” +Dom Diego was comforted with that admonition, and purposed to persist in +hys affection, and therefore sent many messages, giftes, letters, and +excuses to hys angry mistresse Gineura. But she made yet lesse accompt +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page249" id = "page249">249</a></span> +of them than of the first, charging the messangers not to trouble +themselues about those trifles, for shee had rather dye than see hym, or +to receyue any thyng from him, whom she deadly hated. When newes hereof +came to the knyght, he was altogether impacient, and seeing the small +profite which he did gaine by pursuing his folysh opinion, and not able +to bestow his loue elsewhere, he determined to die: and yet vnwilling to +imbrue his hands with his owne bloud, he purposed to wander as a +vacabond into some deserte, to perfourme the course of his vnhappye and +sorrowfull dayes, hoping by that meanes to quench the heat of that +amorous rage, either by length of tyme, or by death, the last refuge of +the myserable. For which purpose then, he caused to be made two pylgrims +wedes, the one for himselfe, and the other for his man, and prepared al +their necessaries for his voiage. Then writing a Letter to his Gineura, +he called one of his men, to whom he said: “I am going about +certayne of myne affayres, whereof I will haue no man to knowe, and +therefore when I am gone, thou shalt tell my Lady Mother what I say to +thee, and that within twenty dayes (God willing) I meane to +retourne: moreouer I require thee, that foure dayes after my departure, +and not before, thou beare theese letters to mistresse Gineura, and if +so be she refuse to receyue them, fayle not to deliuer them vnto hir +mother. Take heede therefore if thou loue me, to do all that which I +haue geuen thee in charge.” Afterwards he called his seruaunt vnto hym, +which had done the first message vnto Gineura, which was a wise, and +gentle fellow, in whom the knight reposed great affiaunce, to him he +declared all his enterprise, and th’ende whereunto his fierce +determination did extend. The good Seruaunt whych loued his mayster, +hearing his intent so vnreasonable, sayde vnto him: “Is it not enough +for you sir, to yelde your selfe a pray to the most fierce, and cruell +woman that lyueth, but thus to augment hir glory, by seeing hir selfe so +victorious over you? Are you ignoraunt what the mallice of Women is, and +how mutch they triumph in tormenting the poore blynded soules that +become their Seruaunts, and what prayse they attribute vnto themselues, +if by some misfortune they driue them to dispaire? Was it without cause +that the Sage in times past did so greatly hate that Sexe, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page250" id = "page250">250</a></span> +and Kinde, as the common Ruine, and ouerthrow of men? What mooued the +Greeke Poet to sing theese verses against all sorts of Women?</p> + +<div class = "verse"> +<p>A common woe though silly woman be to man,</p> +<p>Yet double ioy againe she doth vnto him bring:</p> +<p>The wedding night is one, as wedded folk tell can,</p> +<p>The other when the knill for hir poore soule doth ring.</p> +</div> + +<p>If not for that he knew the happinesse of man consisted more in +auoyding the acquaintaunce of that fury, than by imbracinge, and +chearishing of the same, sith hir nature is altogether like vnto Æsop’s +Serpent, which being deliuered from pearill and daunger of death by the +shepeheard, for recompence thereof, infected his whole house with his +venomous hissing, and rammish Breath. O howe happy is hee that can +mayster his owne affections, and like a free man from that passion, can +reioyce in liberty, fleeing the sweete euill which (as I well perceyue) +is the cause of your despayre. But sir, your wisedome ought to vanquish +those light conceipts, by setting so light of that your rebellious +Gentlewoman, as shee is vnworthy to be fauoured by so great a Lord as +you be, who deserueth a better personage than hir’s is, and a frendlier +entertainment than a farewell so fondly giuen.” Dom Diego, although that +he tooke pleasure to heare those discourses of his faythfull seruaunt, +yet he shewed so sower a Countenaunce vnto him, as the other with theese +fewe wordes helde his peace: “Sith then it is so syr, that you be +resolued in your mishap, it may please you to accept mee to wayte vpon +you, whither you are determined to goe: for I meane not to liue at mine +ease, and suffer my mayster, in payne, and griefe. I will be +partaker of that which Fortune shall prepare, vntill the heauens doe +mitigate their rage vpon you, and your predestinate mishap.” Dom Diego, +who desired no better company, imbraced him very louingly, thankinge him +for the good will that hee bare him, and sayd: “This present Night about +midnight, we wil take our Iourney, euen that way wheather our Lot and +also Fortune shall Guide vs, attendinge eyther the ende of my Passion, +or the whole ouerthrow of my selfe.” Their intent they did put in +proofe: for at Midnight the Moone being cleere +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page251" id = "page251">251</a></span> +when all thinges were at rest, and the Crickets chirpinge through the +Creauises of the Earth, they tooke their way vnseene of any. And so +soone as Aurora began to garnish hir Mantle with colors of red and +white, and the morning Starre of the Goddesse of stealing loue, +appeared, Dom Diego began to sigh, saying: “Ah yee freshe and dewy +Morninges, that my hap is farre from the quiet of others, who after they +haue rested vpon the Cogitation of their Ease, and ioye, doe awake by +the pleasaunte Tunes of the Byrdes, to perfourme by effect that which +the Shadowe and Fantasie of their Minde, did present by dreaming in the +Night, where I am constrayned to separate by great distaunce exceeding +vehement continuation of my Torments, to followe wilde Beasts, wandring +from thence where the greatest number of men doe quietly sleepe and take +their rest. Ah Venus, whose Starre now conducteth me, and whose beames +long agoe did glow and kindle my louing heart, how chaunceth it that I +am not intreated according to the desert of my constant minde and +meaning most sincere? Alas, I looke not to expect any thyng +certayne from thee, sith thou hast thy course amongs the wandring +starres. Must the Influence of one Starre that ruleth ouer mee, deface +that which the Heauens would to bee accomplished, and that my cruel +mistresse, deluding my languors and griefs, triumpheth ouer mine +infirmity, and ouerwhelmeth me with care and sorow, that I liue pyning +away, amongs the sauage beasts in the Wildernesse? For somutch as +without the grace of my Lady, all company shalbe so tedious and lothsom +vnto me, that the only thought of a true reconciliation with hir, that +hath my heart, shal serue for the comfort and true remedy of all my +troubles.” Whiles he had with these pangs forgotten himselfe, hee sawe +that the day began to waxe cleere, the Sun already spreading his golden +beames vpon the earth and therefore hastely he set himself forthwards, +vsing Bywayes, and far from common vsed trades, so neere as he could, +that hee might not by any meanes be knowne. Thus they rode forth till +Noone: but seeing their horsse to be weary and faynt, they lighted at a +village, farre from the high way: where they refreshed themselues, and +bayted their horsse vntill it was late. In this sort by the space of +three daies they trauersed the Countrey vntill they arriued to the foote +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page252" id = "page252">252</a></span> +of a mountayne, not frequented almost but by Wilde and sauage Beasts. +The countrey round about was very fayre, pleasaunt, and fit for the +solitarines of the Knight: for if shadow pleased him, hee might be +delighted with the couert of an infinite number of fruictfull trees, +wherewith only nature had furnished those hideous and Sauage Desertes. +Next to the high and wel timbred Forrests, there were groues and bushes +for exercise of hunting. A man could desire no kinde of Veneson, +but it was to be had in that Wildernesse: there might be seene also a +certain sharpe and rude situation of craggy, and vnfruictful rocks, +which notwithstanding yelded some pleasure to the Eyes, to see theym +tapissed with a pale moasie greene, which disposed into a frizeled +guise, made the place pleasaunt and the rock soft, according to the +fashion of a couerture. There was also a very fayre and wide Caue, which +liked him well compassed round about with Firre trees, Pine apples, +Cipres, and Trees distilling a certayne Rosen or Gumme, towards the +bottom whereof, in the way downe to the valley, a man might haue +viewed a passing company of Ewe trees, Poplers of all sortes, and Maple +trees, the Leaues whereof fell into a Lake or Pond, which came by +certayne smal gutters into a fresh and very cleare fountayne right +agaynst that Caue. The knight viewing the auncienty and excellency of +the place, deliberated by and by to plant there the siege of his abode, +for performing of his penaunce and life. And therefore sayd unto his +seruaunt: “My friend, I am aduised that this place shall be the +Monastery, for the voluntary profession of our religion, and where we +will accomplish the Voyage of our Deuotion. Thou seest both the beauty +and solitarinesse, which do rather commaund vs here to rest, than any +other place nere at hand.” The Seruaunt yelded to the pleasure of his +mayster, and so lightinge from their horsse, they disfurnished them of +their Saddles, and Bridles, gieuing to them the liberty of the fields, +of whom afterwards they neuer heard more newes. The saddles they placed +within the Caue and leauing their ordinary apparell, clothed themselues +in Pilgrimes weedes, fortifying the mouth of the caue, that wilde beasts +should not hurt them when they were a sleepe. There the seruaunt began +to play the Vpholster, and to make 2 little beds of mosse, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page253" id = "page253">253</a></span> +whose spindle and wheele were of wood, so well pollished and trimmed, as +if he had bin a carpenter wel expert in that Science. They liued of +nothing els, but of the fruicts of those wilde trees, sometimes of +herbs, vntill they had deuised to make a crosbow of wood, wherewith they +killed now and then a Hare, a Cony, a Kid, and many times some +stronger beast remayned with them for gage: whose bloude they pressed +out betwene two pieces of wood and rosted them against the Sunne, +seruing the same in, as if it had bene a right good Dishe for their +first course of their sober and vndelicate Table, whereat the pure water +of the fountayne, next vnto their hollow and deepe house, serued in +steade of the good Wynes, and delicious Drinks that abounded in the +house of Dom Diego. Who liuing in this poore state, ceased night nor day +to complayne of his hard fortune and curssed plight, going many times +through the Desertes all alone, the better to muse and study thereupon, +or (peraduenture) desirous that some hungry Beare should descend from +the mountayne, to finishe his life and paynefull griefes. But the good +Seruaunt knowing his Mayster’s sorow and mishap, would neuer go out of +his sight but rather exhorted him to retourne home againe to his goods +and possessions, and to forget that order of lyfe, vnworthy for sutch a +personage as he was, and vncomely for him that ought to be indued with +reason and iudgement. But the desperate Gentleman wilfull in his former +deliberation, would not heare him speake of sutch retrayt. So that if it +escaped the seruaunt to be earnest and sharpe agaynst the rudenesse and +sottish cruelty of Gineura, it was a pastime to see Dom Diego mount in +choller against him, saying: “Art thou so hardy to speak il of the +gentlewoman, which is the most vertuous personage vnder the coape of +heauen? Thou maist thancke the loue I beare thee, otherwise I would make +thee feele how mutch the slaunder of hir toucheth mee at the heart, +which hath right to punishe me thus for mine indiscretion, and that it +is I that commit the wronge in complayning of hir seuerity.” “Now sir,” +sayd the seruaunt, “I do indeede perceyue what maner of thing the +contagion of loue is. For they which once doe feele the corruption of +that Ayre, think nothing good or sauory, but the filthy smel of that +pestiferous meat. Wherefore +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page254" id = "page254">254</a></span> +I humbly beseech you a little to set apart, and remoue from minde, that +feare and presumptuous dame Gineura, and by forgetting hir beauty, to +measure hir Desert and your griefe, you shall know then (being guided by +reason’s lore) that you are the simplest and weakest man in the worlde, +to torment your selfe in this wise, and that shee is the fondest Girle, +wholly straught of wits, so to abuse a Noble man that meriteth the good +grace and sweete embracement of one more fayre, wise and modest, than +she sheweth hirselfe to be.” The knight hearing these words thought to +abandon pacience, but yet replied vnto him: “I sweare vnto thee by +God, that if euer thou haue any sutch talke agayne, eyther I will dye, +or thou shalt depart out of my company, for I cannot abide by any meanes +to suffer one to despise hir whom I do loue and honor, and shal so do +during life.” The seruaunt loth to offend his mayster held his peace, +heauy for all that in heart, to remember how the poore gentleman was +resolued to finish there, (in a desert unknowen to his Freendes) all the +remnaunt of his life. And who aswell for the euill order, and not +accustome nourture, as for assiduall playnts and weepings, was become so +pale and leane, as he better resembled a dry Chip, than a man, hauing +feeling or lyfe. His eyes were sonke into his Head, his Beard vnkempt, +his hayre staring, his skin ful of filth, altogether more like a wilde +and Sauage creature (sutch one as is depainted in brutal forme) than +faire Dom Diego, so mutch commended, and esteemed throughout the +kingdome of Spayne. Now leaue we this Amorous Hermit to passionate and +playne his misfortune, to see to what ende the Letters came that he +wrote to his cruel Mistresse. The day prefixed for deliuery of his +Letters, his seruaunt did his charge, and being come to the house of +Gineura, founde hir in the hall with hir mother, where kissing his +Mayster’s Letters, hee presented them with very great reuerence to the +Gentlewoman. Who so soone as shee knew that they came from Dom Diego, +all chaunged into raging colour, and foolishe choller, threwe theym +incontinently vppon the grounde, sayinge: “Sufficeth it not thy Mayster, +that already twice I haue done him to vnderstand, that I haue nothing to +doe with his Letters nor Ambassades, and yet goeth he about by sutch +assaultes to encrease +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page255" id = "page255">255</a></span> +my displeasure and agony, by the only remembraunce of his folly?” The +Mother seeing that vnciuile order, although shee vnderstoode the cause, +and knowinge that there was some discorde betweene the two Louers, yet +thought it to bee but light, sithe the Comike Poet sayeth:</p> + +<div class = "verse"> +<p>The Louers often falling out,</p> +<p>And prety warling rage:</p> +<p>Of pleasaunt loue it is no doubt,</p> +<p>The sure renewing gage.</p> +</div> + +<p>She went vnto hir Daughter, and sayd vnto hir: “What great rage is +this: let me see that Letter that I may reade it: for I haue no feare +that Dom Diego can deceyue me with the sweetenes of his honny words. And +truly Daughter you neede not fear to touch theym, for if there were any +Poyson in theym, it proceeded from your beauty that hath bitten and +stong the knight, whereof if he assay to make you a partaker, I see +no cause why he ought to be thus rigorously reiected, deseruing by his +honesty a better entertaynement at your hands.” In the meane time one of +the seruing men toke vp the Letters, and gaue them to the Lady, who +reading them, found written as followeth.</p> + + +<h4>The letters of Dom Diego, to mistresse Gineura.</h4> + +<p>My dearest and most wel beloued Lady, sith that mine innocency can +finde no resting place within your tender Corpse, what honest excuse or +true reason so euer I do alledge, and sith your heart declareth itself +to be Implacable, and not pleased with hym that neuer offended you, +except it were for ouermutch loue, which for guerdon of the rare and +incomparable amity, I perceyue my selfe to be hated deadly of you +and in sutch wise contemned, as the only record of my name causeth in +you an insupportable griefe and displeasure vnspeakeable. To auoide I +say your indignation, and by my mishap to render vnto you some ease and +contentment, I haue meant to dislodge my self so far from this +Countrey, as neyther you nor any other, shal euer heare by fame +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page256" id = "page256">256</a></span> +or true report, the place of my abode, nor the graue wherein my bones +shall rest. And although it be an inexplicable heart’s sorrow and +torment, which by way of pen can not be declared, to be thus misprised +of you, whom alone I do loue and shal, so long as mine afflicted soule +shall hang vpon the feeble and brittle threede of life: yet for all +that, this griefe falling vpon me, is not irkesome, as the punishment is +grieuous, by imagining the passion of your minde when it is disquieted +with disdayne and wrath agaynst me, who liueth not, but to wander vpon +the thoughts of your perfections. And forsomutch as I doe feele for the +debility that is in me, that I am not able any longer to beare the sowre +shockes of my bitter torments and martyrdome that I presently doe +suffer, yet before my life doe fayle, and death doe sease vpon my +senses, I haue written vnto you this present letter for a +testimoniall of your rigour, which is the marke that iustifieth my +vnguiltynesse. And although I doe complayne of mine vnhappy fortune, yet +I meane not to accuse you, onely contented that eche man doe know, that +firme affection and eternall thraldome do deserue other recompence than +a farewell so cruell. And I am wel assured, that when I am deade, you +will pitty my torment, knowing then, although to late, that my loyalty +was so sincere, as the report of those was false, that made you beleeue, +that I was very far in loue with the Daughter of Dom Ferrande de la +Serre. Alas, shall a Noble gentleman that hath bene well trayned vp, be +forbidden to receiue the gifts that come from a vertuous Gentlewoman? +Ought you to be so incapable and voyde of humanity, that the sacrifice +which I haue made of the poore Birde, the cause of your disdayne, my +repentaunce, my lawfull excuses, are not able to let you see the +contrary of your persuasion? Ah, ah, I see that the dark and +obscure vayle of uniust disdayne and immoderate anger, hath so blindfold +your eyes, and inuegled your mynde, as you can not iudge the truth of my +cause and the vnrightousnes of your quarell. I will render vnto you +none other certificate of myne innocency, but my languishinge heart, +which you clepe betweene your hands, feling sutch rude intertaynment +there, of whom he loaked for reioyse of his trauayles. But forsomutch +then as you do hate me, what resteth for me to do, but to procure +destruction to my self? +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page257" id = "page257">257</a></span> +And sith your pleasure consisteth in mine ouerthrow, reason willeth that +I obey you, and by deth to sacrifice my life in like maner as by life +you were the only mistresse of my heart. One only thing cheereth vp my +heart agayne, and maketh my death more myserable, which is, that in +dying so innocent as I am, you shall remayne guilty, and the onely cause +of my ruine. My Lyfe will depart like a Puffe, and Soule shall vanish +like a sweete Sommer’s blast: whereby you shall be euer deemed for a +cruell Woman and bloudy Murderer of your deuout and faythfull Seruaunt. +I pray to God mine owne sweete Lady, to giue you sutch +Contentation, Ioye, Pleasure, and Gladnesse, as you do cause through +your Rigor, Discontentment, Griefe, and Displeasure to the poore +languishing Creature, and who for euermore shall bee</p> + +<p class = "center">Your most obedient and affected</p> + +<p class = "right">seruaunt Dom Diego.</p> + +<p>The good Lady hauing red the Letter, was so astonned, as hir words +for a long space staied within hir mouth; hir heart panted, and spirite +was full of confusion, hir minde was filled with sorrow to consider the +anguishes of the poore vagabound, and foster Hermit. In the ende before +the houshold dissembling hir passion which mooued hir sense, she tooke +her Daughter a side, whom very sharply she rebuked, for that she was the +cause of the losse of so notable and perfect a Knight as Dom Diego was. +Then she red the Letter vnto hir, and as all hir eloquence was not able +to moue that cruel damsell, more venemous than a Serpent agaynst the +knight, who (as she thought) had not indured the one halfe of that which +his inconstancy and lightnesse had wel deserued, whose obstinate minde +the mother perceyuinge, sayde vnto hir: “I pray to God (deare +daughter) that for your frowardnesse, you bee not blinded in your +beauty, and for refusall of so great a benefit as is the alliaunce of +Dom Diego, you be not abused with sutch a one as shall dimme the light +of your renoume and glory, which hitherto you haue gayned amongs the +sobrest and modest maydens.” Hauing sayd so, the wyse and sage widow, +went to the seruaunt of Dom Diego, of whom she demaunded what day his +mayster departed, which she knowing, and not ignoraunt +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page258" id = "page258">258</a></span> +of the occasion, was more wroth than before: notwithstanding she +dissembled what she thought, and sending backe his seruant, she required +him to do hir hearty commendations to the Lady his mistresse, which he +did. The good Lady was ioyfull of them not knowing the contents of her +sonne’s letters, but looked rather that he had sent word vnto his lady +of the iust hour of his returne. Howbeit when she saw that in the space +of 20 dayes, nor yet within a moneth he came not, shee could not tell +what to thinke, so dolorous was she for the absence of hir sonne. The +time passinge without hearing any newes from him she began to torment +hirselfe, and be so pensiue, as if she had heard certayne newes of his +death. “Alas,” (quod she) “and wherefore haue the heauens giuen me the +possession of sutch an exquisite fruict, to depriue mee thereof before I +do partake the goodnesse, and swetenes therof, and before I do enioy the +grifts proceding from so goodly a stock. Ah God, I fear that my +immoderate loue is the occasion of the losse of my sonne, and the whole +ruine of the mother, with the demolition and wast of al our goods. And I +would that it had pleased God (my Son) the hunter’s game had neuer bene +so deere, for thinking to catch that pray thou thy selfe wast taken and +thou wandring for thy better disport, missing the right way, so +strangely didst straggle, that hard it is to reduce thee into the right +track agayne. At least wise if I knew the place, whereunto thou arte +repaired to finde againe thy losse, I would trauell thither to +beare the company, rather than to lyue heere voyde of a Husbande, +betrayed by them whom I best trusted and bereft from the presence of the +my Sonne, the Staffe and onely comfort of myne olde age, and the +certayne hope of all our House and Family.” Now if the Mother vexed hir +selfe, the Sonne was eased with no great reioyce, being now a free +cittizen with the Beasts, and Foules of the Forrests, Dennes, and Caues, +leauing not the Profundity of the Woods, the Craggednes of the Rocks, or +beauty of the Valley, without some signe or token of his griefe. +Sometime with a Puncheon wel sharpned, seruing him in steede of a +Penknife, he graued the successe of his loue vpon an hard stone. Other +times the softe Bark of some tender and new growen spray serued him in +steede of Paper, or Parchment. For there he +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page259" id = "page259">259</a></span> +carued in Cyphres properly combined with a Knot (not easily to be +knowne) the name of his Lady, interlaced so properly with his owne, that +the finest heads might bee deceyued, to Disciphre the righte +interpretation. Vpon a day then, as he passed his time (accordinge to +his custome) to muse vpon Myssehaps, and to frame his successe of loue +in the Ayre, hee Ingraued these Verses vpon a Stone by a Fountayne side, +adioyning to his rude and Sauage house.</p> + +<div class = "verse"> +<p>If any Forrest Pan, doth haunt here in this place,</p> +<p>Or wandring Nymphe, hath hard my wofull playnt:</p> +<p>The one may well beholde, and view what drop of grace,</p> +<p>I haue deseru’de, and eke what griefes my heart do taynt,</p> +<p>The other lend to me some broke, or showre of rayne</p> +<p>To moyst myne heart and eyes, the gutters of my brayne.</p> +</div> + +<p>Somewhat further of many times at the rising of the Sunne, he mounted +the Top of an high and greene Mountayne to solace himselfe vpon the +freshe and greene grasse, where four Pillers were erected, (eyther +naturally done by dame Nature, or wrought by the industry of man,) which +bore a stone in forme four square, well hewed, made and trimmed in maner +of an Aulter, vpon which Aulter he dedicated these verses to the +Posterity.</p> + +<div class = "verse"> +<p>Vpon this holy squared stone, which Aulter men doe call,</p> +<p>To some one of the Gods aboue that consecrated is,</p> +<p>This dolefull verse I do ingraue, in token of my thrall,</p> +<p>And deadly griefes that do my silly heart oppresse,</p> +<p>And vex with endelesse paynes, which neuer quiet is,</p> +<p>This wofull verse (I say) as surest gage of my distresse,</p> +<p>I fixe on Aulter stone for euer to remayne,</p> +<p>To shew the heart of truest wight, that euer liued in payne.</p> +</div> + +<p>And vpon the brims of that Table, he carued these Wordes:</p> + +<div class = "verse"> +<p>This Mason worke erected here, shall not so long abide,</p> +<p>As shall the common name of two, that now vncoupled bee,</p> +<p>Who after froward fortune past, knit eche in one degree,</p> +<p>Shall render for right earnest loue, reward on either side.</p> +</div> + +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page260" id = "page260">260</a></span> +<p>And before his Lodging in that wilde and stony Forrest vpon the Barke +of a lofty Beeche Tree, feeling in himselfe an unaccustomed lustinesse, +thus he wrote:</p> + +<div class = "verse"> +<p>Th’encreasing beauty of thy shape, extending far thy name,</p> +<p>By like increase I hope to see, so stretched forth my fame.</p> +</div> + +<p>His man seeing him to begin to be merily disposed, one day said vnto +him: “And wherefore sir serueth the Lute, which I brought amongs our +Males, if you do not assay thereby to recreate youre selfe, and sing +thereupon the prayses of hir whom you loue so wel: yea and if I may so +say, by worshipping hir, you do commit idolatry in your minde. Is it not +your pleasure that I fetche the same vnto you, that by immitation of +Orpheus, you may mooue the Trees, Rocks, and wylde Beastes to bewayle +your misfortune, and witnesse the penaunce that you doe for hir sake, +without cause of so haynous punishment:” “I see well,” (quod the +knight) “that thou wouldest I should be mery, but mirth is so far from +me, as I am estraunged from hir that holdeth me in this misery. +Notwithstanding I will performe thy request, and will awake that +instrument in this desert place, wherewith sometime I witnessed the +greatest part of my passions.” Then the knight receyuing the Lute +sounded thereupon this song ensuing.</p> + +<div class = "verse"> +<p>The waues and troubled scum, that mooues the Seas alofte,</p> +<p>Which runs and roares against the rocks, and threatneth daungers +oft</p> +<p class = "indent1">Resembleth lo the fits of loue,</p> +<p class = "indent1">That dayly do my fansie moue.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +My heart it is the ship, that driues on salt Sea fome,</p> +<p>And reason sayles with senselesse wit, and neuer loketh home,</p> +<p class = "indent1">For loue is guide, and leades the daunce,</p> +<p class = "indent1">That brings good hap, or breedes mischaunce.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +The furious flames of loue, that neuer ceaseth sure,</p> +<p>Are loe the busie sailes and oares, that would my rest procure,</p> +<p class = "indent1">And as in Skies, great windes do blo,</p> +<p class = "indent1">My swift desires runnes, fleeting so.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page261" id = "page261">261</a></span> +<p class = "stanza"> +As sweete Zephyrus breath, in spring time feedes the floures,</p> +<p>My mistresse voice would ioye my wits, by hir most heauenly +powers,</p> +<p class = "indent1">And would exchaunge my state I say,</p> +<p class = "indent1">As Sommer chaungeth Winter’s day.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +She is the Artique starre, the gratious Goddesse to,</p> +<p>She hath the might to make and marre, to helpe or els vndo,</p> +<p class = "indent1">Both death and life she hath at call,</p> +<p class = "indent1">My warre, my peace, my ruine and all.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +She makes me liue in woe, and guides my sighs and lookes,</p> +<p>She holds my fredome by a lace, as fish is held with hookes,</p> +<p class = "indent1">Thus by despayre in this conceite,</p> +<p class = "indent1">I swallow vp both hooke and baite.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +And in the deserts loe I liue, among the sauage kinde,</p> +<p>And spend my time in wofull sighs, rays’d vp by care of minde,</p> +<p class = "indent1">All hopelesse to in paynes I pyne,</p> +<p class = "indent1">And ioyes for euer doe resigne.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +I dread but Charon’s boat if she no mercy giue,</p> +<p>In darknesse then my soule shall dwell, in Pluto’s raygne to +liue,</p> +<p class = "indent1">But I beleue she hath no care,</p> +<p class = "indent1">On him that caught is in hir snare.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +If she release my woe, a thousand thankes therefore,</p> +<p>I shall hir giue, and make the world to honor hir the more,</p> +<p class = "indent1">The Gods in Skies will prayse the same,</p> +<p class = "indent1">And recorde beare of hir good name.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +O happy is that life, that after torment straunge,</p> +<p>And earthly sorows on this mould, for better life shal chaunge</p> +<p class = "indent1">And liue amongs the Gods on high,</p> +<p class = "indent1">Where loue and Louers neuer die.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +O lyfe that here I leade, I freely giue thee now,</p> +<p>Vnto the fayre where ere she rests, and loke thou shew hir how</p> +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page262" id = "page262">262</a></span> +<p class = "indent1">I linger forth my yeares and dayes,</p> +<p class = "indent1">To win of hir a crowne of prayse.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +And thou my pleasaunt Lute, cease not my songs to sound,</p> +<p>And shew the torments of my minde, that I through loue haue +found,</p> +<p class = "indent1">And alwayes tell my Mistresse still,</p> +<p class = "indent1">Hir worthy vertues rules my will.</p> +</div> + +<p class = "right">The Foster Louer.</p> + +<p>The Foster louer singing this song, sighing sundry tymes betwene, the +tricling teares ranne downe his Face: which thereby was so disfigured, +as scarse could any man haue knowne him, that al the dayes of their lyfe +had frequented his company. Sutch was the state of this myserable yong +gentleman, who dronke with hys owne Wyne, balanced himselfe downe to +despayre rather than to the hope of that which he durst not looke for. +Howbeit like as the mischiefs of men be not alwayes durable, and that +all thinges haue their proper season, euen so Fortune repentinge hir +euill intreaty which wrongfully shee had caused this poore penetenciary +of Gineura to endure, prepared a meanes to readuaunce him aloft vppon +hir Wheele, euen when he thought least of it. And certes, herein +appeared the mercy of God, who causeth things difficult and almost +impossible, to be so easy, as those that ordinarily be brought to passe. +How may this example show how they which be plunged in the bottome of +defiaunce, deeming their life vtterly forlorne, be soone exalted euen to +the top of all glory, and felicity? Hath not our age seene a man whych +was by aucthority of his Enimy iudged to dye, ready to bee caried forth +to the Scaffolde miraculously deliuered from that daunger, and (wherein +the works of God are to be marueyled) the same man to be called to the +dignity of a Prynce, and preferred aboue all the rest of the people? Now +Dom Diego attending his fieldish Philosophy in the solitary valeys of +the riche Mountayne Pyrene, was rescowed with an helpe vnlooked for as +you shall heare. You haue hard how hee had a Neyghbour and singuler +Frend a Noble Gentleman named Dom Roderico. Thys Gentleman amongs all +his faithfull Companions did most lament the harde fortune of Dom Diego. +It came to passe that 22 moneths after that the poore Wilde penitent +person +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page263" id = "page263">263</a></span> +was gonne on Pilgrimage, Dom Roderico tooke his Iourney into Gascoyne +for diuers his vrgent Affayres, which after hee had dispatched, were it +that hee was gon out of his way, or that <span class = +"smallcaps">God</span> (as it is most likely) did driue him thither, he +approched towarde that Coaste of the Pyrene Mountaynes, where that tyme +his good Frende Dom Diego did Inhabite, who dayly grew so Weake and +Feeble, as if God had not sent him sodayne succour hee had gotten that +hee most desired, which was death that should haue bene the ende of his +trauayles and Afflictions. The trayne of Dom Roderico being then a bowe +shot of from the sauage Caben of Dom Diego, espyed the tractes of mens +Feete newly troden, and beganne to maruayle what hee should bee that +dwelled there, considering the Solitude, and Infertility of the Place, +and also that the same was farre of from Towne or House. And as they +deuised hereupon, they saw a man going into a Caue, which was Dom Diego, +comming from making his complayntes vppon the Rock spoken of before. +From which hauinge turned his face toward that parte of the worlde where +he thought the lodging was of that Saynct, whereunto he addressed his +deuotions, Dom Diego hearinge the Noyse of the horsse, was retired +because hee woulde not bee seene. The knight which rode that way, seeing +that, and knowing how far he was oute of the way, commaunded one of his +men to Gallop towardes the Rocke, to learne what people they were that +dwelled within, and to demaund how they might coaste to the high way +that led to Barcelona. The Seruaunt approching neare the Caue, perceiued +the same so well Empaled and Fortified with Beasts skins before, fearing +also that they were Theeues and Robbers that dwelled there, durst not +approche, and lesse enquire the way, and therefore returned towards his +mayster, to whom hee tolde what hee saw. The knight of another maner of +Metall and hardinesse than that Rascall and coward seruaunt, like a +stout, Couragious, and valiaunt Man, poasted to the Caue, and +demaundinge who was within, he saw a man come forth so disfigured, +horrible to looke vppon, pale with staring hayre vpright, as pitifull it +was to behold him, which was the seruant of the foster Hermit. Of him +Roderico demaunded what he was, and which was the way to <ins class = +"correction" title = "elsewhere ‘Barcelona’">Barcelone</ins>. “Syr,” +aunswered that disguised person: “I know not +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page264" id = "page264">264</a></span> +how to aunswere your demaund, and mutch lesse I know the country where +we now presently be. But sir, (sayde he sighing) true it is that we be +two poore companions whom Fortune hath sent hither, by what il aduenture +I know not, to do penaunce for our Trespasses, and Offences.” Roderico +hearing him say so, began to call to his remembraunce his Freende Dom +Diego, although he neuer before that tyme suspected the place of his +abode. He lighted then from his horsse, desirous to see the +singularities of the Rocke, and the magnificence of the Cauish lodging, +where hee entred and sawe him whom he sought for, and yet for all that +did not know him: He commoned with him a long tyme of the pleasure of +the solitary life in respect of theym that liued intangled with the +combersome Follies of this World. “For <ins class = "notation" title = +"no space in original">somutch</ins>” (quod he) as the spirite +distracted and withdrawen from Worldly troubles is eleuate to the +contemplation of heauenly thinges, and sooner attendeth to the knowledge +and reuerence of his God, than those that bee conuersaunt amongs men, +and to conclude, the complaynts, the delights, ambitions, couetousnesse, +vanities, and superfluities that abounde in the confused Maze of +Worldely troupe, doe cause a misknowledge of our selues, +a forgetfulnesse of our Creator, and many times a negligence of +piety and purenesse of Religion. Whiles the vnknowne Hermit, and the +knight Roderico talked of these thinges, the Seruauntes of Roderico +visiting all the Corners of the deepe, and Stony Cell of those +Penitents, by Fortune espied two Saddles, one of theym rychely wroughte +and Armed wyth Plates of Steele, that had bene made for some goodly +Ienet. And vppon the Plate well Wroughte, Grauen and Enameled, the Golde +for all the Rust cankering the Plate, did yet appear. For whych Purpose +one of theym sayde to the seruaunt of Dom Diego: “Good Father hitherto I +see neyther Mule, nor Horsse, for whom these Saddles can serue, +I pray thee to sell them vnto vs, for they will doe vs more +pleasure, than presently they do you.” “Maisters (quod the Hermit,) if +they like you, they be at your commaundement.” In the meane time +Roderico hauing ended his talke with the other Hermit, without knowing +of any thinge that he desired, sayd vnto his men: “Now sirs to horse, +and leaue wee theese poore people to rest in peace, and let vs goe seeke +for the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page265" id = "page265">265</a></span> +right way which we so well as they haue lost.” “Syr,” (quod one of his +men,) “there be two Saddles, and one of them is so exceeding fayre, so +well garnished and wrought as euer you saw.” The knight feeling in +himselfe an vnaccustomed motion, caused them to be brought before him, +and as he viewed and marked the riche Harnesse, and Trappings of the +same, he stayeth to looke vppon the Hinder parte minionly wrought, and +in the middest of the engrauing he red this deuise in the Spanish +Tongue.</p> + +<p class = "center"> +<i>Que brantare la fe, es causa muy fea.</i></p> + +<p class = "center"> +That is,<br> +To violate or breake fayth, is a thing detestable.</p> + +<p>That only inscription made him to pause a while. For it was the +Poesie that Dom Diego bore ordinarily in his armes, which moued him to +think that without doubt one of those Pilgrimes was the very same man to +whom that Saddle did appertayne. And therefore he bent himselfe very +attentiuely afterwardes to behold first the one, and then the other of +those desert Citizens. But they were so altered, as hee was not able to +know them agayne. Dom Diego seeing his Freende so neare him, and the +desire that he had to knowe hym, chafed very mutch in hys mynde, and the +more his Rage began to waxe, when hee saw Roderico approch neare vnto +hym more aduisedly to looke vpon hym, for hee had not his own Affections +so mutch at commaundement, but hys Bloude mooued hys Entrailes, and +mounting into the most knowen place, caused outwardly the alteration +which hee endured, to appeare. Roderico seeing hym to chaunge colour, +was assured of that which before hee durst not suspect: and that which +made him the sooner beleeue that he was not deceived, was a lyttle tuft +of haire, so yelow as Gold, which Dom Diego had vpon his Necke, whereof +Dom Roderico takyng heede, gaue ouer all suspition, and was well assured +of that he doubted. And therefore displaying himselfe with hys armes +opened vpon the necke of his friend, and imbracing him very louingly, +his face bedewed with tears, sayd vnto him: “Alas, my Lord Dom Diego, +what euill lucke from Heauen hath departed you from the good company of +them which dye for sorrow, to see themselues berieued of the Beauty, +lyght and ornament of their felowship? What are they that haue giuen +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page266" id = "page266">266</a></span> +you occasion thus to Eclipse the bryghtnesse of your name, when it +oughte most clearely to shyne, both for theyr present pleasure, and for +the honour of your age? Is it from me sir, that you oughte thus to hide +yourselfe? Do you think me so to be blynd, that I know not ryght well, +that you are Dom Diego, that is so renoumed for vertue and prowesse? +I would not haue tarried here so longe, but to carry away a power +to reioyce two persons, you being the one, by withdrawing your selfe +from this heauy and vnseemely Wyldernesse, and my selfe the other, to +enioy your Company, and by bearyng newes to your fryends, who sith your +departure, do bewaile and lament the same.” Dom Diego seeing that he was +not able to conceyle the truth of that which was euidently seene, and +the louing imbracements of his best Friende, began to feele a certayne +tendernesse of heart lyke vnto that whych the Mother conceyueth, when +she recouereth hir Sonne that is long absent, or the chaste wyfe, the +presence of hir deare Husband, when she clepeth him betwene hir armes, +and frankely culleth and cherisheth hym at hir pleasure. For whych cause +not able to refrain any longer for ioy and sorrow together, weping and +sighing began to imbrace him wyth so good and hearty affection, as with +good wyl the other had sought and longed to knowe where he was. And +being come againe to himself, he sayd to his faithfull and most louinge +friend: “Oh God, how vneasy and difficult be thy iudgments to +comprehend? I had thought to liue here miserably, vnknowen to al +the world, and behold, I am here discouered, when I thought least +of it. I am indeede” (quod he to Roderico) “that wretched and +vnfortunate Dom Diego, euen that thy very great and louing fryend, who +weary of his lyfe, afflycted wyth his vnhap, and tormented by fortune, +is retyred into these desertes to accomplysh the ouerplus of the rest of +his il luck. Now sith that I haue satisfied you herein, I beseech +you that being content wyth my sighte, yee wyll get you hence and leaue +me heere to performe that lyttle remnant whych I haue to lyue, without +telling to any person that I am aliue, or yet to manifeste the place of +my abode.” “What is that you say sir,” (sayd Roderico) “are you so farre +straught from your ryght wits, to haue a minde to continue this brutal +Lyfe, to depryue al your +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page267" id = "page267">267</a></span> +friends from the ioy whych they receiue by inioying your company? Think +I pray you that God hath caused vs to be born noble men, and hauing +power and authority not to lyue in Corners, or be buryed amid the +slauery of the popular sort, or remain idle within great palaces or +secrete Corners, but rather to illustrat and giue lyght with the example +of our vertue to those that shal apply themselues to our dexterity of +good behauior, and do lyue as depending vpon our edicts and +commaundments: I appeale to your faith, what good shall succede to +your subiects, who haue both heard and also knowne the benefit bestowed +vppon them by God, for that hee gaue them a Lord so modest and vertuous, +and before they haue experimented the effect of his goodnesse and +Vertue, depriued of him, that is adorned and garnished with sutch +perfections? What comfort, contentation and ioy shall the Lady your +mother receiue, by feelyng your losse to be so sodaine, after your good +and delycate bryngyng up, instructed with sutch great diligence and +vtterly berieued of the fruict of that education? It is you sir, that +may commaund obedience to Parents, succor to the afflicted, and do +iustice to them that craue it: Alas, they be your poore subiectes that +make complaints, euen of you, for denying them your due presence. It is +you of whom my good madame doth complayne, as of him that hath broken +and violated his faith, for not comming home at the promised day.” Now +as he was about to continue his oration, Dom Diego vnwilling to heare +him, brake of his talk saying: “Ah sir, and my great Friend: It is an +easy matter for you to iudge of mine affayres, and to blame myne +absence, not knowing peraduenture the cause thereof. But I esteeme you a +man of so good iudgement, and so great a fryend of thinges that be +honeste, and a Gentleman of great fidelity, as by vnderstanding my hard +luck, when you be aduertised of the cause of my withdrawing into this +solitarie place, you wyll rightly confesse, and playnely see that the +wisest and most constant haue committed more vaine follies than those +don by mee, forced with like spirite that now moueth and tormenteth me.” +Hauing sayd, he tooke aside Roderico, where he dyd tell vnto hym the +whole discourse both of his Loue, and also of the rigor of hys Lady, not +without weepyng, in sutch abundaunce +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page268" id = "page268">268</a></span> +and with sutch frequent sighes and sobs interruptyng so hys speach, as +Roderico was constrained to keepe him company, by remembryng the +obstinacie of hir that was the Mistresse of his heart, and thinkynge +that already he had seene the effect of lyke missehap to fal vpon his +owne head, or neare vnto the lyke, or greater distresse than that which +he sawe his deare and perfect Fryend to endure. Notwythstanding he +assayed to remoue him from that desperate minde and opinion of +continuance in the desert. But the froward penitente swore vnto him, +that so long as he liued (without place recouered in the good graces of +his Gineura,) he would not returne home to his house, but rather change +his being, to seke more sauage abode, and lesse frequented than that +was. “For” (quod hee) “to what purpose shall my retourne serue where +continuinge mine affection, I shall fele lyke cruelty that I dyd in +time past, which wil bee more painful and heauy for me to beare than +voluntary exile and banyshment, or bring me to that end wherein +presently I am.” “Contente your self I beseech you, and suffer me to be +but once vnhappy, and do not perswade mee to proue a second affliction, +worsse than the first.” Roderico hearing his reasons so liuely and wel +applied would not reply, onely content that he would make him promyse to +tarry there two monthes, and in that time attempt to reioyse himselfe so +wel as he could. And for hys owne part, he swore vnto him, that he would +bee a meanes to reconcile Gineura, and brynge them to talke together. +Moreouer, he gaue him assurance by othe, that hee shoulde not bee +discouered by hym, nor by any in his Company. Wherewith the knyght +somewhat recomforted, thanked him very affectuously. And so leauyng wyth +him a fielde bed, two seruaunts, and Money for his Necessities, Roderico +tooke hys leaue, tellyng hym that shortely he would visite him againe, +to his great contentation, as euer he was left and forsaken with gryefe +and sorrow, himselfe makyng great mone for the vnseemely state and +myserable plyght of Dom Diego. And God knoweth whether by the way, he +detested the cruelty of pitilesse Gineura, blasphemyng a million of +times the whole sexe of Womankynd, peraduenture not without iust cause. +For there lieth hydden (I know not what) in the brests of Women, +which at times like the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page269" id = "page269">269</a></span> +Wane and increase of the Moone, doth chaunge and alter, whereof a man +can not tell on what foote to stand to conceiue the reasons of the same: +whych fickle fragility of theirs (I dare not say mobility) is +sutch, as the subtillest wench of them al best skilled in Turner’s Art, +can not (I say deface) or so mutch as hide or colour that naturall +imperfection. Roderico arriued at his house, frequented many times the +lodging of Gineura, to espy hir fashions, and to see if any other had +conquered that place, that was so well assayled and besieged by Dom +Diego. And this wyse and sage knyght vsed the matter so well, that he +fell in acquaintance wyth one of the Gentlewoman’s Pages, in whom she +had so great trust, as she conceyled from him very few of hir greatest +secretes, not well obseruing the preceipte of the wyse man, who +councelleth vs not to tell the secretes of the mynde to those, whose +iudgement is but weake, and tongue very lauish and frank of speach. The +Knyght then familiar with this Page, dandled him so with faire words, as +by lyttle and lytle he wrong the Wormes out of his Nose, and vnderstode +that when Gineura began once to take Pepper in snuffe against Dom Diego, +she fell in loue wyth a Gentleman of Biskaye, very poore, but +Beautyfull, young and lustye, whych was the Stewarde of the house: and +the Page added further that hee was not then there, but woulde returne +wythin three Dayes, as he had sent Woorde to hys mystresse, and that two +other Gentlemen woulde accompany him to cary away Gineura into Biskaye, +for that was their last conclusion: “And I hope” (quod he) “that she +will take me with hir, bicause I am made priuy to their whole intent.” +Roderico hearing the treason of this flight and departure of the +vnfaithful daughter, was at the first brunt astonned, but desirous that +the Page should not marke his altered Countenaunce, said vnto him: “In +very deede meete it is, that the Gentlewoman should make hir owne choice +of husband, sith hir mother so little careth to prouide for hir. And +albeit that the Gentleman be not so riche and Noble as hir estate +deserueth, hir affection in that behalfe ought to suffise and the +honesty of his person: for the rest Gineura hath (thanks be to God) +wherewith to intertaine the state of them both.” These wordes he spake, +farre from the thought of his hearte. For being alone by himself, thus +he said: +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page270" id = "page270">270</a></span> +“O blessed God, how blinde is that loue, which is vnruled, and out of +order: and what dispayre to recline to them, which (voide of reason) doe +feede so foolishly of vayne thoughts and fond desires, in sutch wise as +two commodities, presented vnto them, by what ill lucke I know not, they +forsake the beste, and make choise of the worst. Ah Gineura, the fairest +Lady in all this Countrey, and the moste vnfaithfull Woman of oure time, +where be thine eyes and iudgement? Whither is thy mynde straied and +wandred, to acquite thyselfe from a great Lord, faire, rich, noble, and +vertuous, to be giuen to one that is poore, whose parents be vnknowne, +his prowesse obscure, and birth of no aparant reputation. Behold, what +maketh me beleue, that loue (so wel as Fortune) is not onely blynd, but +also dazeleth the sight of them that hee imbraceth and captiuateth vnder +his power and bondage. But I make a vowe (false woman) that it shal +neuer come to passe and that this Biskaye gentleman shall neuer enioy +the spoyles whych iustely bee due vnto the Trauaile and faithfull +seruice of the valyaunt and vertuous knyght Dom Diego. It shal be hee, +or else I wil dye for it, whych shall haue the recompense of his +troubles, and shall feele the caulme of that tempest, whych presently +holdeth hym at Anker, amyd the most daungerous rockes that euer were.” +By this meanes Roderico knew the way how to keepe promise wyth his +friende, which liued in expectation of the same. The two dayes past, +whereof the Page had spoken, the beloued of Gineura, fayled not to come, +and with him two Gallants of Biskaye, valiaunt Gentlemen, and well +exercysed in Armes. That Nighte Roderico wente to see the olde Wydowe +Lady, the Mother of the Mayden, and fyndyng oportunity to speak to the +Page, hee said vnto hym: “I see my Friend, accordingly as thou +diddest tell mee, that ye are vppon departing, the steward of the house +beeing now retourned. I pray the tel mee, if thou haue neade of +mee, or of any thyng that I am able doe for thee, assuring thee that +thou shalt obtaine and haue what so euer thou requirest. And +therewithall I haue thought good to tel thee, and giue the warning (for +thine owne sake specially) that thou keepe all thynges close and +secrete, that no slaunder or dishonour do followe, to blot and deface +the Same and prayse of thy Mistresse. And for my selfe I had rather dye, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page271" id = "page271">271</a></span> +than once to open my mouth, to discouer the least intent of this +enterpryse. But tell mee, I praye thee, when do ye depart?” “Sir” +(quod the Page) “as my Mistresse saieth, to morow about ten or eleuen of +the Clocke in the Euening, when the Lady hir Mother shall bee in the +sound of hir first sleepe.” The knight hearyng that, and desirous of no +better time, tooke hys leaue of the Page, and went home, where he caused +to bee sente for tenne or twelue Gentlemen, his Neighbours and Tenaunts, +whom he made priuy of his secretes, and partakers of that he went about, +to deliuer out of Captiuity and miserie the chiefest of all his Friends. +The Nighte of those two Louers departure being come, Dom Roderico, which +knewe the way where they should passe, bestowed him selfe and his +Company in Ambush, in a little Groue, almost three Miles of the Lodging +of this fugitiue Gentlewoman: where they hadde not long tarried but they +hearde the tramplinge of Horsse, and a certaine whispring noise of +People riding before them. Nowe the Nighte was somwhat cleare, which was +the cause, that the Knighte amonges the thronge, knew the Gentlewoman, +besides whome rode the Miserable Wretche that hadde stolne hir awaye. +Whome so soone as Roderico perceyued full of despyte, moued wyth extreme +passion, welding his launce into his rest, brake in the nearest way vpon +the infortunate louer, with sutch vehemency, as neither coate of Maile +or Placard was able to saue his lyfe, or warraunt him to keepe company +wyth that troupe which banded vnder loue’s Enseigne, was miserably +slayne, by the guide of a blynd, naked, and thieuish litle boy. And when +he saw he had done that he came for, he sayd to the rest of the Company: +“My Friends, thys man was carelesse to make inuasion vpon other mens +ground.” These poore Biskayes surprysed vpon the sodayne, and seeyng the +ambushment to multiply, put spurres to theyr horsse to the best +aduantage they could for expedition, leauing their Conduct or guid +gaping for breath and geuing a signe that he was dead. Whiles the other +were making themselues ready to runne away, two of Roderico his men, +couered with Skarfes, armed, and vnknowne, came to sease vppon +sorrowfull Gineura, who beholdyng her fryende deade, began to weepe and +crye so straungely, as it was maruell that hir breath fayled +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page272" id = "page272">272</a></span> +not. “Ah trayterous Theeues,” (said she) “and bloudy Murderers, why do +ye not addresse your selues to execute cruelty vppon the rest, sith you +haue done to death hym, that is of greater value than you all? Ah my +deare Fryend, what crooked and grieuous Fortune haue I, to see thee +grouelyng dead on ground and I abyding in life, to be the pray of +murderous Theeues and thou so cowardly beryued of lyfe.” Roderico wyth +his face couered, drew neare vnto her, and sayde: “I beseech you +Gentlewoman, to forget these straunge fashions of complaynt, sith by +them ye bee not able to reuiue the dead, ne yet make your ende of +gryefes.” The maiden knowing the voyce of hym, that had slayne hir +fryende, began to cry out more fiercely than before. For whych cause one +of the gentlemen in company with Roderico, hauing a blacke counterfait +beard with two lunets, in manner of spectacles, very large and great, +that couered the moste part of his Face, approched neare the bashful +maiden, and with bigge voice and terrible talk, holding his dagger vpon +hir white and delicate breast, said vnto hir: “I sweare by the +Almighty God, if I heare thee speake one word more, I wil sacrifice +thee vnto the ghost of that varlet, for whome thou makest thy mone, who +deserued to end his daies vpon a gallow tree rather than by the hands of +a gentleman. Holde thy peace therefore thou foolysh girle, for greater +honour and more ample Benefite is meant to thee, than thou hast +deserued. Ingratitude onely hath so ouerwhelmed thy good Nature, as thou +art not able to iudge who be thy friends.” The gentlewoman fearing +death, whych as she thought was present, held hir peace, downe alonges +whose Eyes a ryuer of Teares dyd run, and the passion of whose heart +appeared by assiduall sighes, and neuer ceassing sobbes, whych in end so +quallifyed hir cheare, that the exteriour sadnesse was wholy inclosed +wythin the mynd and thought of the afflicted Gentlewoman. Then Roderico +caused the body of the dead to be buryed in a lyttle Countrey Chappell, +not farre out of theyr way. Thus they trauayled two dayes before Gineura +knew any of them, that had taken hir away from hir louer: who permytted +none to speake vnto hir nor she to any of hir company, beyng but a +waiting maid, and the page that hadde dyscouered al the secretes to Dom +Roderico. A notable example +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page273" id = "page273">273</a></span> +surely for stolne and secrete mariages, whereby the honour of the +contracted partes, is most commonly blemyshed, and the Commaundement of +<span class = "smallcaps">God</span> violated, whose word enioyneth +obedience to Parents in all ryghtfull causes, who if for any lyght +offence, they haue power to take from vs the inheritance whych otherwyse +naturall law would giue vs, what ought they of duety to doe, where +rebellyous Chyldren abusing theyr goodnesse, do consume without feare of +Liberty, the thynge that is in theyr free wyll and gouernement. In like +maner diuers vndiscrete and folysh mothers are to be accused, which +suffer their daughters of tender and chyldysh age to be enamored of +theyr seruants, not remembryng how weake the flesh is, how prone and +ready men be to do euyl, and how the seducyng spirite wayting stil vpon +us, is procliue and prone to surpryse and catch vs wythin his Snares, to +the intent he may reioyce in the ruine of soules washed and redeemed +wyth the bloud of the Son of God. This troupe drawing neare to the caue +of Dom Diego, Roderico sent one of his men to aduertise him of their +comming, who in the absence of his fryende, fylled and susteined with +hope, shortely to see the onely Lady of hys hearte, accompanyed wyth a +merry and ioyfull Trayne, so soone as hee had somewhat chaunged his +wilde maner of Lyfe, he also by lyttle and lyttle gayned a good part of +hys lusty and fresh coloure, and almost had recouered that beauty, which +he had when he firste became a Citizen of those desertes. Now hauiug +vnderstanded the message sent vnto him by Roderico, God knoweth if with +that pleasaunt tydings he felt a motion of Bloud, sutch as made all his +members to leape and daunce, whych rendred hys Mynde astonned, for the +onely memorye of the thynge that poysed hys mynd vp and downe, not able +to be wayed in equall Balaunce whereof rather he ought to haue made +reioyse than complayne, being assured to see hir, of whome he demaunded +onely grace and pardon, but for recouery of hir, he durst not repose any +certayne Iudgement. In the Ende hoystyng vp hys head lyke one rysen from +a long and sound sleepe, hee sayd: “Praise be to God, who yet before I +dye, hath done me great pleasure, to suffer me to haue a syght of hir, +that by causing my Matirdome, continueth hir stubburne manner of Lyfe, +whych shall procure in like sort myne +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page274" id = "page274">274</a></span> +vtter ruine and decay. Vpon the approch of whom I shall goe more +ioyfull, charged with incomparable loue, to vysit the ghosts beneath, in +the presence of that cruel swete, that now tormenteth me with the +ticklysh tentation, and who sometimes hath made me tast a kind of Hony +sugred with bytter Gal, more daungerous than the suck of Poyson and +vnder the vermyllion rudde of a new sprouted Rose <ins class = +"correction" title = "error for ‘diuinely’">diuiuely</ins> blowen forth, +hath hydden secrete Thornes the pryckes whereof hath me so lyuely +touched, as my Wound cannot well bee cured, by any Baulme that may be +thereunto applyed, without enioying of that myne owne missehappe, moste +happy or wythout that remedy, whych almost I feele restyng in death, +that so long and oftentymes I haue desired as the true remedy of all my +paynes and gryefe.” In the meane whyle Dom Roderico, whych tyll that +tyme was not knowen vnto Gineura, drew neare vnto hir by the way as he +rode, and talked wyth hir in this sorte: “I doubt not (Gentlewoman) +but that you think your self not wel contented to se me in this place, +in sutch company and for occasion so vnseemely for my degre, and state, +and moreouer knowying what iniury I seeme to do vnto you, that euer was, +and am so affectionate and friendly to the whole stocke of your race and +Lynage, and am not ignoraunte that vppon the firste brunte you may iudge +my cause vniust to carry you away from the handes of your fryend, to +bring you into these desertes, wylde, and solitary places. But if ye +considred the force of that true amity, which by vertue sheweth the +common Bondes of hearts and myndes of Men, and shall measure to what end +this acte is done, without to mutch staying vpon the lyght apprehension +of Choler, for a beginnynge somewhat troublesom, I am assured then +(that if you be not wholly depryued of reason) you shall perceiue that I +am not altogether worthy blame nor your selfe vtterly voyde of fault. +And bycause we draw neare vnto the place, whether (by the help of God) +I meane to conduct you, I beseech you to consider, that the +true Seruaunt whych by all seruice and duety studieth to execute the +commaundementes of him that hath puissance ouer him, doth not deserue to +bee beaten or driuen away from the house of his maister, but to be +fauored and cherished, and ought to receyue equal recompense for +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page275" id = "page275">275</a></span> +his seruice. I speake not this for my selfe, my deuotion beinge +vowed elsewhere, but for that honest affection which I beare to all +vertuous and chaste persons. The effect whereof I will not deny to tell +you in tyme and place, where I shall use sutch modesty towards you, as +is meete for a maiden of your age and state. For the greatnesse of Noble +Men and puisant, doth most appeare and shew forth it self, when they vse +Mildenesse and Gentlenesse vnto those, to whom by reason of their +Authority they mighte execute cruelty and malice. Now to the end that I +do not make you doubtfull long, al that which I haue done and yet meane +to doe, is for none other purpose but to ease the grieuous paines of +that moste faithful louer that loueth at thys Daye vnder the Circle of +the Moone. It is for the good Knighte Dom Diego, that loueth you so +dearely and still worshippeth your Noble fame, who bicause he wil not +shew himself disobedient, liueth miserably amonge bruite beasts, amid +the craggy rocks and mountaines, and in the deepe solitudes of +comfortlesse dales and valleis. It is to him I say that I do bryng you, +protesting vnto you by othe (Gentlewoman) that the misery wherein I saw +him, little more than <span class = "smallroman">VI.</span> Wekes past, +toucheth me so neare the heart, as if the Sacrifice of my lyfe sufficed +alone, (and without letting you to feele this painfull voyage) for the +solace of his martirdome I would spare it no more, than I do mine owne +endeuor and honor, besides the hazarding of the losse of your good grace +and fauour. And albeit I wel perceiue, that I do grieue you, by causing +you to enter this painfull iourney, yet I besech you that the whole +displeasure of this fact may bee imputed vnto my charge, and that it +would please you louingly to deale with him, who for your sake vseth so +great violence against himself.” Gineura as a woman half in despayre for +the death of hir friend, behaued hir selfe like a mad woman void of wit +and sense, and the simple remembraunce of Dom Diego his name so astonned +her, (which name she hated far more than the pangs of death) that she +staied a long time, hir mouth not able to shape one word to speake. In +the ende vanquished with impacience, burning with choler, and trembling +for sorrow, loked vpon Dom Roderico with an Eye no lesse furious, than a +Tigresse caught within the Net, and seeth before hir face hir young +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page276" id = "page276">276</a></span> +Fawnes murdered, wringing hir hands and beating hir delicate brest, she +vsed these or sutch like woordes: “Ah bloudy traitor and no more Knight, +is it of thee that I oughte to looke for so detestable a villany and +treason? How darest thou be so hardy to entreat me for an other, that +hast in myne owne presence killed him, whose death I will pursue vpon +thee, so longe as I haue life within this body? Is it to thee false +theefe and murderer, that I ought to render accompte of that which I +meant to doe? Who hath appointed thee to be arbitrator, or who gaue thee +commission to capitulate the Articles of my mariage? Is it by force +then, that thou wouldest I should loue that vnfaithfull Knighte, for +whom thou hast committed and done this acte, that so longe as thou +liuest shal blot and blemish thy renoume, and shal be so wel fixed in my +mind, and the wounds shal cleaue so neare my heart, vntill at my +pleasure I be reuenged of this wrong? No, no, I assure thee no +force done vnto mee, shall neuer make mee otherwyse dysposed, than a +mortall Enimy both to thee which art a Theefe and rauisher of an other +man’s wife, and also to thy desperate frend Dom Diego, which is the +cause of this my losse: and now not satisfied with the former wrong done +vnto me, thou goest about to deceiue me vnder the Colour of good and +pure Friendship. But sith wicked Fortune hath made me thy Prysoner, doe +with me what thou wylt, and yet before I suffer and endure that that +Traytor Dom Diego doe enioy my Virginity, I will offer vp my lyfe +to the shadowes and Ghostes of my faythful fryend and husband, whome +thou hast so trayterously murdred. And therefore (if honestlye I may or +ought entreate mine Enimy) I pray thee that by doynge thy duety, +thou suffer vs in peace, and gyue lycence to mee, thys Page, and my two +pore Maydens to depart whether we lyst.” “God forbid” (quod Roderico) +“that I should doe a Trespasse so shamefull, as to depryue my dearest +fryend of his ioy and contentation, and by falsifiing my faith be an +occasion of hys death, and of your losse, by leauing you without +company, wandring amids this wildernesse.” And thus he continued his +former discourse and talk, to reclaime thys cruell Damosell to haue pity +vpon hir poore penytent, but he gained as mutch thereby, as if he had +gone aboute to number the Sands alongs the Sea Coastes of +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page277" id = "page277">277</a></span> +the maine Ocean. Thus deuising from one talke to an other, they arryued +neare the Caue, which was the stately house of Dom Diego: where Gineura +lyghted, and saw the pore amorous Knight, humbly falling downe at hir +feete, all forworne, pale, and disfigured, who weeping with warme +teares, said vnto hir: “Alas, my deare Lady, the alone and onely +mistresse of my heart, do you not thinke that my penaunce is long +inoughe for the sinne which ignorauntly I haue committed, if euer I haue +don any fault at al? Behold [I beseech you (good ladie deare) what +ioy] I haue conceiued in your absence, what pleasures haue nursed +mine hope, and what consolation hath entertained my life: which truely +had it not bene for the continual remembraunce of your diuine Beauty, +I had of long time abreuiated the pains which do renew in me so +many times the pangs of death: as oftentimes I think vpon the vnkindnes +shewed vnto me by making so litle accompt of my fidelity: whych can nor +shal receiue the same in good part, wer it so perfect as any assuraunce +were able to make it.” Gineura swelling with sorrow and full of feminine +rage, blushing with fury, hir eyes sparcklinge forth hir chollerick +conceypts, vouchsafed not so mutch as to giue him one word for aunswere, +and bicause she would not looke vppon him, she turned hir face on the +other side. The poore and afflicted Louer, seeing the great cruelty of +his felonous Mystresse, still kneeling vpon his knees, redoubling his +armes, fetching Sighes with a voyce that seemed to bee drawne by force +from the bottome of his heart, proceeded in these wordes: “Syth the +sincerity of my fayth, and my long seruice madame Gineura, cannot +persuade you that I haue beene most Obedient, Faythfull, and very Loyall +seruaunt towards you, as euer any that hath serued Lady or Gentlewoman, +and that without your fauour and grace it is vnpossible for mee any +longer to liue, yet I doe very humbly beseech you, for that all other +comfort is denied me, if there bee any gentlenesse and curtesie in you, +that I may receyue this onely grace at your hands for the last that euer +I hope to craue: which is, that you being thus greeuously offended with +me, would do iustice vpon that vnfortunate man, that vpon his Knees doth +instantly craue the same. Graunt (cruell mistresse) this my request, doe +vengeaunce +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page278" id = "page278">278</a></span> +at your pleasure vpon him, which willingly yeldeth himselfe to death +with the effusion of his poore innocent bloud to satisfy you, and verily +farre more expedient it is for him thus to die, by appeasing your wrath, +than to rest or liue to your discontentment or anoiaunce. Alas, shal I +be so vnfortunate, that both life and death should bee denied me by one +person of the world, whom I hoped to content and please by any sort or +meanes what so euer restinge in mine humble obedience? Alas gentlewoman +rid mee from this Torment, and dispatch your selfe from the griefe you +haue to see this vnhappy Knight, who would say and esteeme himselfe most +happy (his life being lothsome vnto you) if he may content you, by death +done by your owne handes, sith other fauour he cannot expect or hope +for.” The Mayden hardned in hir Opinion, stoode still immoueable mutch +like vnto a Rocke in the midst of the Sea, disquieted with a tempest of +billowes, and fomy Waues in sutch wise as one word could not be procured +from hir mouth. Which vnlucky Dom Diego perceyuing, attached with the +feare of present death, and faylinge his Naturall force fell downe to +the Grounde, and faintyng saied: “Ah, what a recompence doe I receiue +for this so faythfull Loue?” Roderico bebolding that rufull sight, +whilest the others went about to relieue Dom Diego, repaired to Gineura, +and full of heauinesse mingled with fury, said vnto hir: “By God (false +fiendish woman) if so be that I doe chaunge my mind, I will make +thee feele the smarte, no lesse than thou shewest thy selfe +dishonourable to them that doe thee honour: Art thou so carelesse of so +greate a Lord as this is, that humbleth himselfe so lowe to sutch a +strumpet as thou art: who without regarde either to hys renoume, or the +honour of his House, is content to bee abandoned from his noble state, +to become a fugitiue and straunger? What cruelty is this for thee to +mispryse the greatest humility that man can Imagin? What greater amends +canst thou wysh to haue, yea though the offence which thou presupposest +had ben true? Now (if thou be wyse) chaunge thy Opinion, except thou +wouldest haue mee doe into so many pieces, thy cruel corpse and +vnfaithful heart, as once this poore Knight did in parts the vnhappy +hauke, which through thy folly did breede vnto him this distresse, and +to thy self the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page279" id = "page279">279</a></span> +name of the most cruell and disloyall Woman that euer lyued. But what +greater benefite can happen vnto thee, than to see thys Gentleman +vtterly to forget the fault, to conceiue no sinister suspition of thy +running away, crauing pardon at thy Hands, and is contented to sacrifice +him self vnto thine Anger, to appease and mytigate thy rage? Now to +speake no more hereof, but to proceede in that which I began to say, +I offer vnto thee then both death and Loue, choose whether thou +lyst. For I sweare againe by hym that seeth and heareth all thinges, +that if thou play the foole, that thou shalt feele and proue me to be +the cruellest Ennimy that euer thou hadst: and sutch a one as shall not +feare to imbrue his hands wyth the bloud of hir that is the death of the +greatest friend I haue, and truest knight that euer bare armes.” Gineura +hearing that resolute aunswere, shewed hir selfe to be nothing afrayde +nor declared any token of feare, but rather seemed to haue encouraged +Roderico, in braue and mannish sort, farre diuers from the simplicity of +a young and tender Mayden, as a Man would say, sutch a one as had neuer +felt the assaultes and troubles of adverse fortune. Wherefore frouncyng +her Browes, and grating hir Teeth wyth closed fists, and Countenaunce +very bold, she made him answere: “Ah thou Knight, whych once gauest +assault to commit a villany and Treason thinkest thou now without +remorse of conscyence to continue thy mischyefe: I speak it to thee +Villayne, whych hauing shed the Bloud of an honester Man than thou art, +fearest not now to make me a Companion of hys Death. Which thyng spare +not hardily to accomplysh, to the intent that I liuinge, may not be +sutch a one as thou falsly iudgest me to be: for neuer Man hitherto +vaunted, and never shall, that hath had the spoyle of my dearest Iewell: +from the Fruict whereof, like an arrant Thiefe, thou hast depryued my +loyall Spouse. Now doe what you lyste: for I am farre better content to +suffer death, be it as cruel as thou art mischieuous, and borne for the +disquieting and vexation of honest Maidens then yelde vnto thy furies: +notwithstanding I humbly beseech Almyghty God, to gyue thee so mutch +pleasure, contentation and ioy in thy loue, as thou hast done to me, by +hastening the death of my deare Husband. O <span class = +"smallcaps">God</span>, if thou be a iust <span class = +"smallcaps">God</span>, sutch a one, as from whom we thy +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page280" id = "page280">280</a></span> +poore Creatures do beleue al iustice to proceede, thou I say which art +the Rampire and refuge of al iustice, poure downe thy vengeance and +plague vpon these pestiferous Thieues and murderers, which prepared a +worldely plague vpon me thine innocent damsel. Ah wycked Roderico, think +not that death can be so fearful vnto me, but that with good heart, +I am able to accept the same, trusting verily that one day it shal +be the cause of thy ruine, and the ouerthrowe of him for whom thou +takest al these paines.” Dom Roderico maruelously rapte in sense +imagined the Woman to be fully bente against hym, who then had puissance +(as he thought,) ouer hir own heart: and thinking, that he sawe hir +moued with like rage against him, as she was against Dom Diego, stode +stil so perplexed and voyde of ryghte minde, as he was constrained to +sitte downe, so feeble he felt him self for the onely remembraunce of +hir euyll demeanor. And whilest this Pageant was a doing, the handmayd +of Gineura, and hir page, inforced to persuade their mystresse to haue +compassion vpon the Knight that had suffred so mutch for hir sake, and +that she would consent to the honest requests and good counsell of +Roderico. But she which was stubbornely bent in hir fonde persuasions, +made them aunsere: “What fooles? are you so mutch bewitched, eyther with +the fayned teares of this disloyall Knight, whych colorably thus doth +torment himselfe, or els are yee inchaunted with the venomous honny and +tirannicall brauery of the Theefe which murdered my husbande, and your +mayster? Ah vnhappy caytife mayden, is it my chaunce to endure the +assault of sutch Fortune, when I thought to liue at my best ease, and +thus cruelly to tomble into the handes of him, whom I hate so mutch as +he fayneth loue vnto me? And moreouer my vnlucky fate is not herewith +content, but redoubleth my sorrowe, euen by those that be of my trayne, +who ought rather to incourage mee to dy, than consent to so vnreasonable +requests. Ah loue, loue, how euill be they recompenced which faythfully +doe Homage vnto thee? And why should not I forget all Affection, neuer +hereafter to haue mynde on man to proue beginning of a pleasure, which +tasted and felt bringeth more displeasure than euer ioy engendreth +delight. Alas, I neuer knewe what was the fruicte of that which so +straungely did attach me, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page281" id = "page281">281</a></span> +and thou O trayterous and theeuishe Loue, haste ordayned a banket serued +with sutch bitter dishes, as forced I am perforce to taste of their egre +sweetes: Auaunt sweete folly, auaunt, I doe henceforth for euer let +thee slip, to imbrace the death, wherein I hope to find my greatest +rest, for in thee I finde noughte else but heapes of strayninge +Passions. Auoyde from me all mishap, flee from me ye furious ghostes and +Fayries most vnkinde, whose gaudes and toyes dame loue hath wrought to +keepe occupied my louing minde, and suffer me to take ende in thee, that +I may liue in an other life without thee, being now charged with cup of +griefe, which I shall quaffe in venomous drincke soaked in the Sops of +bitternesse. Sharpen thou thy selfe, (O death vnkinde) prepare thy +Darte, to strike the Corpse of hir, that she may voyde the Quarelles +shotte agaynst hir by hir Aduersary. Ah poore hearte, strip thy selfe +from hope, and qualifie thy desires. Cease henceforth to wishe thy Lyfe, +seeing, and feelinge the appoyncted sight of loue and Life, combattyng +within my minde, els where to seeke my peace in an other world, with him +to ioy, whych for my sake was sacrificed to the treason of varlets +handes, who for the perfite hoorde of his desires, noughte else dyd +seeke but to soile his bloudy fists with the purest bloude of my loyall +friend. And I this floud of Teares do shead to saciate his felonous +moode that is the iust shortening of my dolefull Dayes.” When she had +thus complayned, she began horribly to torment hir selfe that the +cruellest of the company were moued with compassion, to see hir thus +strangely straught of hir wits: neuertheles they did not discontinue by +duety to solicite hir to haue regard to that which poore fayntyng Dom +Diego dyd endure: who so soone as wyth freshe Fountayn water hee was +reuiued, seeing still the heauinesse of his Lady, and hir increased +disdaine and choler againste hym vanished in diuers soundings: which +moued Roderico from studye deepe, wherein he was, to ryse, whereunto the +rage of Gineura had cast him downe, bicause forgetting all imaginarie +affection of his Lady, and proposing his duety before his eyes, whych +ech Gentleman oweth to Gentle Damsels [and womenkind], styll beholding +with honorable aspect the gryefe of the martyred wyldernesse Knyght, +sighing yet in former gryefes, he sayd vnto Gineura, “Alas, is it +possyble, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page282" id = "page282">282</a></span> +that in the heart of so young and delicate a maiden, there may bee +harboured so straunge fury and vnreasonable rage? O God, the effect +of the cruelty resting in this Woman, painting it selfe in the +imaginatiue force of my mind, hath made me feare the like myssehappe to +come to the cruell state of this disaduenturous gentleman? +Notwithstanding (O thou cruell beast) thinke not that thys thy fury +shall stay me from doing thee to death, to rid thee from follye and +disdayne, and this vnfortunate louer from despayre and trouble, verily +beleuing, that in tyme it shalbe knowne what profit the World shall +gayne by purgyng the same of sutch an infected plague as is an vnkynd +and arrogante hearte: and it shall feele what vtility ryseth by thyne +ouerthrowe. And I doe hope besydes in tyme to come, that Men shall +prayse this deede of myne, who for preseruynge the Honoure of one House, +hath chosen rather to doe to death two offenders, than to leaue one of +them aliue, to obscure the glory and brightnesse of the other. And +therefore” (sayd he, tourning his face to those of his traine,) “cut the +throte of this stubborne and froward beast, and doe the like to them +that be come with hir, shewe no more fauor vnto them all, than that +curssed strumpet doth mercy to the life of that miserable Gentleman, who +lieth a dying there for loue of hir.” The Mayden hearing the cruel +sentence of hir death, cryed out so loud as she coulde, thinking reskue +woulde haue come, but the poore Wench was deceiued: for the desert knew +none other, but those that were abiding in that troupe. The Page and the +woman seruaunt exclamed vpon Roderico for mercy, but he made as though +he heard them not, and rather made signe to his men to do what he +commaunded. When Gineura sawe that their deathe was purposed in deede, +confirmed in opinion rather to dy, than to obey, she said vnto the +executioners: “My friends, I beseech you let not these innocentes +abide the penaunce of that which they neuer committed. And you, Dom +Roderico, be reuenged on me, by whome the fault, (if a woman’s faith to +hir husband may be termed a faulte) is don. And let these infortunate +depart, that bee God knoweth guiltles of any cryme. And thou my friend, +which liuest amonges the shadowes of faythfull louers, if thou haue any +feelinge, as in deede thou prouest being in another world, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page283" id = "page283">283</a></span> +behold the purenesse of mine heart and fidelity of my loue: who to keep +the same inuiolable, do offer my self voluntarily to the death, which +this cruell tyrant prepareth for me. And thou hangman the executioner of +my ioyes, and murderer of the immortall pleasures of my loue (sayd she +to Roderico) glut thy vnsaciable desire of bloud, make dronke thy mind +with murder, and boast of thy litle triumph, which for all thy threates +or persuasible words, thou canst not get from the heart of a simple +maiden, ne cary away the victory for all the battred breach made into +the rampare of hir honour.” When she had so said, a Man would haue +thought that the memory of death had cooled hir heate, but the same +serued hir as an assured solace of hir paynes. Dom Diego being come to +himself and seing the discourse of that tragedy, being now addressed to +the last act and end of that life and stage of faire and golden locked +Gineura, making a vertue of necessity, recouered a lyttle corage to +saue, (if it were possible) the life of hir, that had put hys owne in +hazard miserably to end. Hauing stayed them that held the maiden, he +repayred to Dom Roderico, to whom he spake in this wise: “I see wel +my good Lord and great Friende, that the good will you beare me, causeth +you to vse this honest order for my behalf, whereof I doubt if I should +lyue a whole hundred yeares, I shall not be able to satisfy the +least of the bondes wherein I am bound, the same surpassing all mine +ability and power. Yet for al that (deare friend) sith you see the fault +of this missehap to arise of my predestinate ill lucke, and that man +cannot auoyde things once ordained, I beseech you do me yet this +good pleasure (for all the benefits that euer I haue receiued) to send +back again this gentlewoman with hir trayne, to the place from whence +you toke hir, wyth like assurance and conduct, as if shee were your +sister. For I am pleased with your endeuor, and contented with my +misfortune, assuring you sir besides, that the trouble which she +endureth, doth far more gryeue my heart than al the paine which for hir +sake I suffer. That hir sorrow then may decrease and mine may renue +againe, that she may lyue in peace, and I in Warre for hir cruel beauty +sake, I wyll wayt vppon Clotho, the Spynner of the threden life of +man vntil she breake the twysted lace that holdeth the fatall course of +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page284" id = "page284">284</a></span> +my dolefull yeares. And you Gentlewoman lyue in rest, as your poore +suppliant, wretched Dom Diego, shalbe citizen of wyld places, and vaunt +you hardely that yee were the best beloued maiden that euer liued.” +Maruellous truly be the forces of loue, when they discouer their +perfection, for by their meanes thinges otherwise impossible be reduced +to sutch facility, as a man would iudge that they had neuer bene so hard +to obtaine, and so painefull to pursue: As appeared by this damsel, in +whome the wrath of fortune, the pynche of iealosie, the intollerable +rage of hir fryendes losse, had ingendred a contempte of Dom Diego, an +extreame desire to be reuenged on Dom Roderico, and a tediousnesse of +longer Lyfe. And now putting of the vaile of blynde appetite, for the +esclarishing of hir vnderstandyng Eyes, and breakyng the Adamant Rocke +planted in the middes of hir breast, she beheld in open sight the +stedfastnesse, pacience and perseueration of hir great fryend. For that +supplycation of the Knight had greater force in Gineura, than all hys +former seruyces. And full wel she shewed the same, when throwyng hir +selfe vppon the Necke of the desperate Gentleman, and imbracyng hym very +louyngly she sayd vnto him: “Ah sir, that your felicity is the begynnyng +of my great ioy of Mynd, whych sauoreth now of sweetnes in the very +same, in whom I imagyned to be the welsprynge of bytternesse. The +diminutyon of one gryefe is, and shall bee the increase of a bonde, +sutch as for euer I wyll call my selfe the moste humble slaue of your +honor, lowly beseechyng you neuerthelesse to pardon my follyes, +wherewyth full fondely I haue abused youre pacience. Consider a whyle +sir, I beseech you, the Nature and secrecye of loue. For those that +be blinded in that passion, thynke them selues to be perfecte Seers, and +yet be the first that commit most filthy faultes. I doe not denie +any committed wrong and trespasse, and doe not refuse therefore the +honest and gentle Correction that you shall appointe mee, for expiation +of myne offence.” “Ah my Noble Lady,” (aunswered the knight, all rapt +wyth pleasure, and halfeway out of his wyts for ioy) “I humbly +beseech you inflyct vppon my poore wretched body no further panges of +Death, by remembryng the glory of my thought, sith the recitall bryngeth +with it a tast of the trauailes which you +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page285" id = "page285">285</a></span> +haue suffred for my ioy and contentation.” “It is therefore,” (quod she) +“that I think my self happy: for by that meanes I haue knowne the +perfect qualyties that be in you, and haue proued two extremities of +vertue. One consisting in your constancy and loyalty wherby you may +vaunt yourself aboue hym that sacrificed his Lyfe vpon the bloudy body +of his Ladye who for dying so, finished his Trauailes. Where you haue +chosen a life worse than death, no lesse paynefull a hundred times a +Day, than very death it self. The other in the clemency wherwyth you +calme and appease the rage of your greatest aduersaries. As my self +which before hated you to death, vanquished by your courtesie do +confesse that I am double bound vnto you, both for my lyfe and honor: +and hearty thankes do I render to the Lord Roderico for the violence he +dyd vnto me, by which meanes I was induced to acknowledge my wrong, and +the right whych you had to complayne of my beastly resistance.” “Al is +wel,” sayd Roderico, “sith without peril of honor we may returne home to +our houses: I intend therefore (sayd he) to send word before to the +Ladies your mothers of your returne, for I know how so wel to couer and +excuse this our enterpryse and secrete iorneis, as by God’s assistance +no blame or displeasure shall ensue thereof. And like as (said he +smiling) I haue builded the fortresse whych shot into your campe, +and made you flie, euen so I hope (Gentlewoman) that I shalbe the +occasion of your victorye, when you combat in close campe, with your +sweete cruel Ennimy.” Thus they passed the iorney in pleasaunt talk, +recompensing the 2 Louers with al honest and vertuous intertainment for +their griefs and troubles past. In the meane while they sent one of +their Seruaunts to the two widow Ladies, which were in greate care for +their Children, to aduertise them that Gineura was gone to visit Dom +Diego, then being in one of the castles of Roderico, where they were +determined if it were their good pleasure, to consumate their mariage, +hauing giuen faith and affiance one to the other. The mother of Gineura +could not heare tel of more pleasant newes: for she had vnderstanded of +the foolysh flyght and escape of hir daughter, with the steward of hir +house, wherof she was very sorrowful, and for grief was like to die, but +assured and recomforted with those newes +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page286" id = "page286">286</a></span> +she failed not to mete the mother of Dom Diego, at the appointed place +whether the 2 louers were arriued two daies before. Ther the mariage of +that fair couple (so long desired) was solempnised with sutch +magnificence as was requisite for the state of those two noble houses. +Thus the torment indured, made the ioye to sauour of some other taste +than they do feele, which without paine in the exercise of loue’s +pursute, attaine the top of theyr desires: and truly their pleasure was +altogether like to him that nourished in superfluous delicacy of meates +cannot aptly so wel iudge of pleasure as he which sometimes lacketh the +abundance. And verily loue wythout bitternesse, is almost a cause +without effects, for he that shall take away gryefs and troubled fansies +from Louers, depryueth them of the prayse of their stedfastnesse, and +maketh vayne the glory of their perseuerence: For<ins class = "addition" +title = "space added"> </ins>hee is vnworthy to beare away the +price and Garland of triumph in the Conflict, that behaueth himselfe +like a coward, and doth not obserue the lawes of armes and manlike +dueties incident to a combat. This History then is a Mirrour for Loyall +Louers and Chaste Suters, and maketh them detest the vnshamefastnesse of +those, which vpon the first view do followe with might and mayne, the +Gentlewoman or Lady that gieueth them good Face, or Countenaunce whereof +any gentle heart, or mynde, noursed in the Schoolehouse of vertuous +education, will not bee squeymishe to those that shall by chaste +salutation or other incountry, doe their curteous reuerence. This +History also yeldeth contempt of them, which in their affection forget +themselues abasing the Generosity of their Courages to be reputed of +fooles the true champions of loue, whose like are they that desire such +regarde. For the perfection of a true Louer consisteth in passions, in +sorrows, griefes, martirdomes, or cares, and mutch lesse arriueth he to +his desire, by sighes, exclamations, Weapings, and childishe playnts: +For so mutch as vertue ought to be the bande of that indissoluble amity, +which maketh the vnion of the two seuered bodies of that Woman man, +which Plato describeth, and causeth man to trauell for hys whole +accomplishment in the true pursute of chaste loue. In which labour +truly, fondly walked Dom Diego, thinking to finde the same by his +dispayre amiddest the sharpe solitary Deserts of those Pyrene +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page287" id = "page287">287</a></span> +Mountaynes. And truely the duety of his perfect friende, did more liuely +disclose the same (what fault so euer he did) than all his +Countenaunces, eloquent letters or amorous Messages. In like manner a +man doth not know what a treasure a true Friende is, vntill hee hath +proued his excellency, specially where necessity maketh him to taste the +swetenes of sutch delicate meate. For a frend being a seconde himselfe, +agreeth by a certayne naturall Sympathie and attonement to th’affections +of him whom he loueth both to particpate his ioyes and pleasures, and to +sorrowe his aduersity, where Fortune shall vse by some misaduentures, to +shewe hir accustomed mobility.</p> + + +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page288" id = "page288">288</a></span> +<h3><a name = "novel2_30" id = "novel2_30"> +THE THIRTIETH NOUELL.</a></h3> + +<p class = "summary"> +A Gentleman of Siena, called Anselmo Salimbene, curteously and gently +deliuereth his enemy from death. The condemned party seeing the kinde +parte of Salimbene, rendreth into his hands his sister Angelica, with +whom he was in loue, which gratitude and curtesie, Salimbene well +markinge, moued in Conscience, woulde not abuse hir, but for recompence +tooke hir to his wyfe.</p> + +<p><span class = "firstword">Wee</span> do not meane here to discouer +the Sumptuosity and Magnificence of Palaces, stately, and wonderfully to +the view of men, ne yet to reduce to memory the maruellous effectes of +man’s Industry to builde and lay Foundations in the deepest Chanel of +the mayne sea, ne to describe their ingenious Industry, in breaking the +Craggy Mountaynes, and hardest Rocks, to ease the crooked Passages of +weary waies, for Armies to marche through in accessible places. Onely +now do we pretend to shewe the effects of loue, which surmount all +Opinion of common thinges, and appeare so miraculous as the founding, +and erecting of the Collissæi, Collossæi, Theatres, Amphitheatres, +Pyramides, and other workes wonderfull to the world, for that the hard +indured path of hatred and displeasure long time begoon, and obstinately +pursued wyth straunge cruelty, was conuerted into loue, by th’effect of +concord, sutch as I know none, but is so mutch astonned, as hee maye +haue good cause to wonder, consyderyng the stately foundations vppon +which Kinges and greate Monarches haue employed the chyefest reuenues of +their prouinces. Now lyke as ingratitude is a vice of greatest blame and +discommendation amongs men, euen so Gentlenesse and Kindnesse ought to +beare the title of a most commendable vertue. And as the Thebans were +accused of that crime, for their great Captaynes Epaminondas and +Pelopidas. So the Plateens (contrarywise) are praised for their solempne +obseruation of the Grekes benefits, which deliuered them oute of the +Persians bondage. And the Sicyonians beare away the pryse of eternall +prayse, for acknowledgyng the good turnes receiued of Aratus, that +delyuered them from the cruelty of the tyrants. And +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page289" id = "page289">289</a></span> +if Philippo Maria, duke of Milan, deserued eternal reproch for his +ingratitude to his wife Beatrix, for the secrete killing of hir, he +being enryched with hir goodes and treasures: a barbarous Turke +borne in Arabia, shal carry the praise, who being vanquished in Arabia, +by Baldouine, kyng of Hierusalem, and he and his Wife taken prysoners, +and his treasures fallen into the hands of that good king, issued of the +Loraine bloud, who neuerthelesse seeing that the Chrystian had deliuered +him, and restored againe his wife would not be vanquished in +magnificence and liberalitye, and mutch lesse beare the name of an +vnkind prince, but rather when Baldouine was ouercome of the infidels, +and being retyred within a certaine city, the Admiral of Arabie, came to +him in the night, and tellyng him the deuice of his companions, conueyed +hym out of the City, and was hys guide vntill he sawe hym free from +peril. I haue alleaged the premysses, bycause the History whych I +purpose to recyte, aduoucheth two examples not Vulgare or Common, the +one of very great Loue, and the other of sutch acceptation and +knowledgyng thereof, as I thought it pity the same should lurk from the +Acquayntaunce of vs Englysh Men. And that they alone should haue the +Benefite thereof whych vnderstand the Italian tongue, supposing that it +shall bryng some fruyct and commodity to this our Englishe Soyle, that +ech Wyghte may frame their lyfe on those whych in straung Countries far +from vs, haue lyued vertuously wythout reproch that might soyle or +spotte theyr name. In Siena then (an auncient, and very noble Citty of +Toscane, which no longe time past was gouerned by hir Magistrates, and +liued in hir own lawes and liberties, as the Lucquois, Pisans, and +Florentines do) were two families very rich, noble, and the chiefe of +the Citty called the Salimbenes, and Montanines, of the Race and Stock +whereof, excellent men in their Common wealth haue descended, very good +and expert Souldiers for conducte of Armies. Those two houses in the +beginning were so great freendes, and frequented sutch loue and +familiarity, as it seemed they had bene but one house and bloude, dayly +vsinge eche others company, and banketting one another. But Italy in all +times being as it were a Store house of troubles, and a very marte of +sedition, bandes, and parcialities, specially of ciuill warres in euery +Citty, it coulde +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page290" id = "page290">290</a></span> +not be that Siena shoulde alone enioy hir liberty in peace, and accorde +of Cittizens, and vaunt hir selfe to bee free from knowledge of +particular debate. For of warres shee had good experience against the +Florentines, who by long remembraunce haue don what they coulde to make +hir subiect vnto them. Nowe the cause of that discorde rose euen by them +which kept the Cittizens in vnity and concord, and was occasioned by +those 2 houses the noblest, and most puissant of their common wealth. It +is not vnknowne to any man, that antiquity ordayned it to be peculiar +for nobility, to trayne vp there children in huntinge, aswell to bolden +and Nosell theym in daungers, as to make them stronge, and accustomed in +trauayle, and to force them shun the delicate lyfe and great Idlenes +which accompany honorable houses, and those of gentle bloud, forsomutch +as by the pursuite of Beastes, sleyghts of warre bee obserued: the +Hounds be the square battell, the Greyhoundes be the flanquarts and +Wynges to follow the enimy, the horseman serueth to gieue the Chace, +when the Game speedeth to couert, the Hornes be the Trumpets to sounde +the Chase and Retire, and for incouragement of the Dogges to run. To be +short, it seemeth a very Campe in battayle, ordayned for the pleasure +and passetyme of noble youth. Neuerthelesse, by hunting diuers +missefortunes doe arise, and sundry daungers haue happened by the same. +Meleager lost his Lyfe for the victory of the wyld Bore of Callydonia, +Cephalus was slaine for kylling his deare beloued Pocris, and Acastus +was accursed for murdering the King’s sonne of whome he was the Tutour. +William Rufus, one of our Englysh Kings, the son of the Conquerour, was +killed with an Arrow in the New Forrest by a French Gentleman called +Walter Tyrel, as he was pursuing the Harte. Other histories reporte +dyuers peryls chaunced in hunting, but yet the same worthy to be +cheryshed, frequented and vsed by good aduise and moderate pastyme. So +the huntinge of the wylde Bore defyled the City of Siena, with the bloud +of hir owne Citizens, when the Salimbenes and Montanines vppon a daye in +an assembled company, incountring vpon a greate and fierce Bore, toke +hym by force of men and Beastes. When they had don, as they were +banketting and communing of the nimblenesse of their dogs, ech man +praising his owne, as hauing done beste, there +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page291" id = "page291">291</a></span> +rose greate debate amongs them [vpon that matter], and proceeded so +farre, as fondly they began to reuile one another with words, and from +taunting termes to earnest blowes, wherewith diuers in that skirmish +were hurt on both sides: In the end the Salimbenes had the worsse, and +one of the principall slayne in the place, which appalled the rest, not +that they were discoraged, but attending time and season of reuenge. +This hatred so strangely kindled betwene both partes, that by lyttle and +lyttle, after many combats and ouerthrowes of eyther side, the losse +lyghted vpon the Montanines, who with their wealth and rychesse were +almost brought to nothing, and thereby the rygour and Choler of the +Salimbenes appeased, none being able to resist them, and in space of +time forgot all iniuries. The Montanines also that remayned at Siena, +liued in quyet, wythoute chalenge or quarell of their aduersaries, +howbeit mutuall talke and haunt of others company vtterly surceased. And +to say the truth, there were almost none to quarell wythall, for the +whole Bloude and Name of the Montanines rested in one alone, called +Charles the Sonne of Thomas Montanine, a young man so honest and +well brought vp as any then in Siena, who had a syster, that for beauty, +grace, curtesy and honesty, was comparable with the best in all +Thoscane. This poore young Gentleman had no great reuenue, for that the +patrimonie of his predecessors was wasted in charges for entertainement +of Souldiers in the time of the hurly burly and debates aforesaid. +A good parte also was confiscate to the Chamber of Siena for +trespasses and forfaitures committed: with the remayne he sustained his +family, and indifferently maintained hys porte soberly within his owne +house, keping his sister in decent and moderate order. The Maiden was +called Angelica, a Name of trouth, without offence to other, due to +hir. For in very deede in hir were harbored the vertue of Curtesy and +Gentlenesse, and was so wel instructed and nobly brought vp, as they +which loued not the Name or race of hir, could not forbeare to commend +hir, and wyshe theyr owne daughters to be hir lyke. In sutch wise as one +of hir chiefest foes was so sharpely beset with hir vertue and beauty, +as he lost his quiet sleepe, and lust to eate and drinke. His name was +Anselmo Salimbene, who woulde wyllinglye haue made sute +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page292" id = "page292">292</a></span> +to marry hir, but the discord past, quite mortified his desire, so soone +as he had deuised the plot wythin his brayne and fansie. Notwithstanding +it was impossible that the louer so lyuely grauen and roted in his mind, +could easily be defaced. For if once in a day he had not seene hir, his +heart did fele the torments of tosting flames, and wished that the +hunting of the Bore, had neuer decaied a family so excellent, to the +intent he myght haue matched himself with hir, whome none other could +displace out of his remembraunce, that was one of the rychest Gentlemen +and of greatest power in Siena. Now for that he durst not discouer his +amorous griefe to any person, was the chiefest cause that martired most +his hearte, and for the auncient festred malice of those two families, +he despayred for euer, to gather either floure or fruict of that +affection, presupposing that Angelica would neuer fixe hir Loue on him, +for that his Parents were the cause of the defaite and ouerthrow of the +Montanine house. But what? There is nothing durable vnder the heauens. +Both good and euyll haue theyr reuolution in the gouernment of humane +affayres. The amityes and hatredes of Kynges and Prynces, be they so +hardened, as commonly in a Moment hee is not seene to be a hearty +Friende, that lately was a cruell Foe, and spyred naught else but the +ruine of his Aduersary? Wee see the variety of Humayne chaunces, and +then doe iudge at eye what great simplicity it is to stay and settle +certayne, and infallible iudgement vppon man’s vnstayed doings. He that +erst gouerned a king, and made all things to tremble at his word, is +sodaynely throwne downe, and dyeth a shamefull death. In like sorte, +another whych looketh for his owne vndoinge, seeth himselfe aduaunced to +hys estate agayne, by reuenge ouer his Enimies. Calir Bassa gouerned +whilom the great Mahomet, that wan the Empire of Constantinople, who +attempted nothing without the aduice of that Bassa. But vpon the sodayne +he saw him selfe reiected, and the next day strangled by commaundement +of him, which so greatly honoured him, and without iust cause did him to +a death so cruell. Contrarywise Aragon the Tartarian entring Armes +against his Vncle Tangodor Caui, when hee was vpon the Poynct to lose +his Lyfe for his rebellion, and was conueyed into Armenia to be executed +there, was rescued by certayne Tartarians +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page293" id = "page293">293</a></span> +the houshold seruaunts of his dead vncle, and afterwards Proclaymed King +of Tartary about the year 1285. The example of the Empresse Adaleda is +of no lesse credit than the former, who being fallen into the hands of +Beranger the Vsurper of the Empyre escaped his fury and cruelty by +flight, and in the ende maried to Otho the firste, sawe hir wrong +reuenged vpon Beranger and all his Race by hir Sonne Otho the second. +I aduouch these Hystories to proue the mobility of fortune, and the +chaunge of worldly chaunces, to th’ende you may see that the very same +misery which followed Charles Montanine hoysted him aloft agayne, and +when he looked for least succour, he saw deliueraunce at hand. Now to +prosecute our Hystory: know yee that while Salimbene by little and +little pined for loue of Angelica, whereof shee was ignoraunt and +carelesse, and albeit shee curteously rendred health to him, when +sometimes in his amorous fit he beheld hir at a Window, yet for al that +shee neuer so mutch as guessed the thoughts of hir louing enimy. During +these haps it chaunced that a rich Cittizen of Siena, hauing a ferme +adioyning to the Lands of Montanine, desirous to encrease his Patrimony, +and annexe the same vnto his owne, and knowing that the yong Gentleman +wanted many thinges, moued him to sel his inheritaunce, offring hym for +it in ready money, a <span class = "smallroman">M.</span> Ducates, +Charles which of al the wealth and substaunce left him by his auncester, +had no more remaynyng but that countrey Ferme, and a Palace in the City +(so the rich Italians of ech City, terme their houses,) and with that +lytle lyued honestly, and maintained his sister so wel as he could, +refused flatly to dispossesse himselfe of the portion, that renewed vnto +him the happy memory of those that had ben the chiefe of all the Common +Wealth. The couetous wretch seeing himselfe frustrate of his pray, +conceiued sutch rancor against Montanine, as he purposed by right or +wrong to make him not only to forfait the same, but also to lose his +lyfe, following the wicked desire of tirannous Iesabell, that made +Naboth to be stonned to death to extort and wrongfully get his vineyard. +About that time for the quarels and common dyscordes raigning throughout +Italy, the Nobility were not assured of safety in their Countreis, but +rather the common sort and rascall number, were the chief rulers and +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page294" id = "page294">294</a></span> +gouerners of the common wealth, whereby the greatest part of the +Nobility or those of beste authority being banished, the villanous band, +and grosest kind of common people made a law (like to the Athenians in +the time of Solon) that all persons of what degree and condition so euer +they were, which practized by himselfe or other meanes the restablyshing +or reuocation of sutch as were banished out of their Citye, should lose +and forfaite the summe of <span class = "smallroman">M.</span> Florens, +and hauing not wherewith to pay the condempnation, their head should +remaine for gage. A law no doubt very iust and righteous, scenting +rather of the barbarous cruelty of the Gothes and Vandales, than of true +christians, stopping the retire of innocents exiled for particular +quarels of Citizens incited one against another, and rigorously +rewarding mercy and curtesy, with execution of cruelty incomparable. +This Citizen then purposed to accuse Montanine for offending against the +law, bicause otherwise he could not purchase his entent, and the same +was easy inough for him to compasse, by reason of his authority and +estimation in the Citye: for the Endytemente and plea was no sooner red +and giuen, but a number of post knightes appeared to depose against the +poore Gentleman, to beare witnesse that he had trespassed the Lawes of +the Countrey, and had sought meanes to introduce the banished, with +intent to kyll the gouerners, and to place in state those factious, that +were the cause of the Italian troubles. The myserable Gentleman knewe +not what to do, ne how to defend himself. There were against him the +Moone and the <span class = "smallroman">VII.</span> starres, the state +of the City, the Proctor and Iudge of the Courte, the wytnesses that +gaue euidence, and the law whych condempned him. He was sent to Pryson, +sentence was pronounced against him with sutch expedition, as he had no +leysure to consider his affayres. There was no man, for feare to incurre +the displeasures of the Magistrates, that durst open hys mouth to speake +or make sute for hys delyueraunce. Like as the most part of fryendes in +these dayes resembling the crow, that flyeth not but after carrian to +gorge his rauenous Crop, and sutch friends doe visite the house of the +fryend but for profit, reuerencyng him so long as he is in prosperitye, +accordyng to the Poet’s complaynt.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page295" id = "page295">295</a></span> +<div class = "verse"> +<p>Like as the purest gold in fieri flames is tried,</p> +<p>Euen so is fayth of fryends in hard estate descried.</p> +<p>If hard missehap doth thee affray,</p> +<p>Ech of thy friends do flie away,</p> +<p>And he which erst full friendly semde to thee,</p> +<p>A friend no more to thy poor state is hee.</p> +</div> + +<p>And simple Wyghtes ought not to bee afrayde, and thynke amyss if +Fryendes doe flee away, sith Prynces and great Lords incurre sutch hap +and Fortune. The great leader of the Romayne Armies, Pompeius, the honor +of the people and Senate of Rome, what companion had he to flee with +hym? Whych of his auncient friends toke paine to rescue and delyuer him +from his Enimyes hands which did pursue him? A king of Ægipt which +had known and found this good Romane Prynce a kind and gentle fryend, +was he that killed him, and sent his head to his Victor and <ins class = +"correction" title = "spelling unchanged">unsatible</ins> greedy gutte +Iulius Cæsar, falsifying his promised fayth, and forgetting his receiued +pleasures. Amongs all the comforts which this pore Siena Gentleman +found, although but a curssed Traitor, was thys vnfaithfull and +pestiferous Camæleon, who came and offred him al the pleasure and +kindnesse he was able to do. But the varlet attended conuenient tyme to +make him taste his poyson, and to let him see by effect, how dangerous a +thing it is to be il neighbored, hoping after the condempnation of +Montanine he should at pleasure purchase the Lordshippe, after whych +with so open mouth he gaped. Ouer whom he had hys wyll: for two or three +dayes after the recitall of the endytement, and giuing of the euydence, +Charles was condempned, and his fine sessed at <span class = +"smallroman">M.</span> Florins to be payed within <span class = +"smallroman">XV.</span> dayes, vntyl whych time to remaine in Pryson. +And for default of sutch payment to loose his heade, bicause he had +infringed the Lawes, and broken the Statutes of the Senate. This +sentence was very difficult for poor Montanine to digest, who saw all +his goodes like to be dispoyled and confiscate, complayning specially +the fortune of fayre Angelica his sister, whych all the tyme of the +imprysonment of hir deare brother, neuer went out of the house, ne +ceased to weepe and lamente the hard fortune whereinto their family was +lyke to fall by that new +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page296" id = "page296">296</a></span> +mischaunce: “Alas,” said the fayre curteous damsel, “will the heauens +never be appeased but continually extend their wrathe vpon our deplored +family, and shal our missehaps neuer cease? Had it not bene more +tollerable for our consumed bloude, that the dissentions past, had been +tried by dent of sword, than to see the present innocency of the young +Gentleman my brother in daunger to be innocently accused and put to +death, through the vniustice of those, which beare mortal malice to +noble bloud, and glory in depryuation of the whole remembrance of the +same? O dampnable state that muste hale the guiltlesse to the gibet +and irreuocable sentence of those iudges remaining in a city, which men +cal free, albeit a confused multitude hath the vpper hande, and may so +bee, that Nature hath produced them to treade vnder foote noble Wightes +for their Offences. Ah dear Brother, I see well what is the cause. +If thou hadst not that lytle lordshyp in the Countrey, and Pryncely +House in the City, no man would haue enuied thine estate, or could haue +charged thee with any Crime, which I would to God, thou hadst not onely +enterprysed, but also broughte to passe, to the intent thou mightest +haue ben reuenged of the wrong which these cankred Carles ordinarily do +vnto my Noble bloud. But what reason is it that marchants and +artificers, or the sonnes of villaines should rule a common Wealth? +O happy Countreis where kings giue Lawes, and Princes see by proued +sight, those persons which resemble them, and in their places beare the +sway. And O unhappy wee, that be the slaues of a waiwarde state, +peruerted by corruption. Why dyd our predecessors minde to stablysh any +lyberty at al, to thrust the same into the confused gouernment of the +commons of our Countrey? We haue stil the Frenchman at our tayle, or the +people of our highest Bishop, or else those crafty Florentines, we be +the common pray of al those that list to follow the haunt, and that +which is our extreamest misery, we make oure selues the very slaues of +them that of right ought to be reputed the vilest amongs us al. Ah deare +Brother, that thy wretched tyme is come, the onely hope of our decayed +family. Thou hadest neuer bene committed to Warde, had not thy false +assured foes bene assure of witnesse to condempne thee. Ah that my life +mighte raunsome thine, and +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page297" id = "page297">297</a></span> +redeme agayn thyne estate and succor, thou shouldest be sure that +forthwith Angelica would prepare hirself to bee the pray of those hungry +rauenyng Wolues, which bleat and bellow after thy Lands and Lyfe.” Whyle +this fayre Damsell of Siena in this sort dyd torment hir self, poore +Montanine, seeinge that he was brought to the last extremity of his +desired hope, as eche man naturally doth seke meanes to prolong his +lyfe, knowing that all other help fayled for hys delyueraunce except he +sold his land, aswel to satisfy the fine, as to preuayle in the rest of +his Affaires, sent one of the gailers to that worshipfull usurer the +cause of hys Calamity, to offer him his Land for the pryce and sum of a +<span class = "smallroman">M.</span> Ducates. The pernicious and +trayterous villain, seeing that Montanine was at his mercy, and stode in +the water up to the very throte, and knew no more what to do, as if +already he had tryumphed of hys life and Land so greatly coueted, +answered him in this manner: “My friend thou shalt say to Charles +Montanine, that not long ago I would willingly haue giuen him a good +Summe of Money for his Ferme, but sithens that tyme I haue imployed my +Money to some better profit: and albeit I was in minde to buy it, +I would be loth to give aboue 7. <span class = +"smallroman">C.</span> Florins, being assured that it cannot be so +commodious, as my Money is able to bring yearely Gayne into my Purse.” +See how Auarice is the Pickpurse of secret and hidden gayne, and the +very Whirlepoole of Honesty, and Conscience, couetinge nought els but by +vnrighteous Pray of other mens goods, to accumulate and heape together. +The aboundance whereof bringeth no greater good hap vnto the gluttonous +Owner, but rather the minde of sutch is more miserable, and carryeth +therewithall more decrease of quiet, than increase of filthy muck. The +couetous man beareth no loue but to his Treasure, nor exerciseth charity +but vpon his Coafers, who, than he would be dispossessed thereof, had +rather sell the life of his naturall Father. This detestable Villayne +hauing sometimes offered <span class = "smallroman">M.</span> Ducates to +Charles for his Enherytaunce, will now doe so no more, aspiring the +totall Ruine of the Montanine Family. Charles aduertised of his minde, +and amazed for the Counsels decree, well saw that all thinges contraried +hys hope and expectation, and that he must needes dye to satisfie the +excessiue and couetous Lust of the Cormerant, whose malice hee +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page298" id = "page298">298</a></span> +knew to bee so vehement, as none durst offer him Money, by reason of the +vnhappy desire of this neuer contented Varlet: For which consideration +throughly resolved to dye, rather than to leaue hys poore Sister +helplesse, and without reliefe, and rather than he would agree to the +bargayne tending to his so great losse and disadvauntage, and to the +Tirannous dealing of the wicked Tormentor of hys Lyfe, seeing also that +all meanes to purge and auerre his innocency, was taken from him, the +finall decree of the Iudges being already passed, he began to dispose +himselfe to repentaunce and saluation of his Soule, making complaynte of +his Mishaps in thys manner.</p> + +<div class = "verse"> +<p>To what hath not the heauens hatefull bin,</p> +<p>Since for the ease of man they weaue sutch woe?</p> +<p>By diuers toyles they lap our crosses in</p> +<p>With cares and griefes, whereon our mischiefes groe:</p> +<p>The bloudy hands and Sword of mortall foe,</p> +<p>Doe search mine euill, and would destroy me quite,</p> +<p>Through heynous hate and hatefull heaped spite.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +Wherefore come not the fatall sisters three,</p> +<p>That draw the line of life and death by right?</p> +<p>Com furies all, and make an ende of mee,</p> +<p>For from the world, my sprite would take his flight.</p> +<p>Why comes not nowe fowle Gorgon full in sight,</p> +<p>And Typhon’s head, that deepe in hell remaynes,</p> +<p>For to torment the silly soules in paynes?</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +It better were for mee to feele your force,</p> +<p>Than this missehap of murdring enuy’es rage,</p> +<p>By curssed meanes and fall vpon my corse,</p> +<p>And worke my ruine amid my flouring age:</p> +<p>For if I were dispatch’de in this desire,</p> +<p>The feare were gone, of blacke infernall fire.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +O Gods of Seas, and cause of blustring winde,</p> +<p>Thou Æolus and Neptune to I say,</p> +<p>Why did you let my Barke sutch fortune finde,</p> +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page299" id = "page299">299</a></span> +<p>That safe to shore I came by any way?</p> +<p>Why brake yee not, agaynst some Rocke or Bay,</p> +<p>The keele, the sterne, or els blew downe the Mast,</p> +<p>By whose large sayles through surging seas I past?</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +Had these things hapt, I had not seene this houre,</p> +<p>The house of dole where wofull sprites complayne,</p> +<p>Nor vserers on me had vsde sutch power,</p> +<p>Nor I had seene depaynted in disdayne,</p> +<p>The God of care, with whom dead Ghosts remayne.</p> +<p>Who howles and Skrekes in hollow trees and holes,</p> +<p>Where Charon raygnes among condemned soules.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +Ah, ah, since hap will worke my wretched end,</p> +<p>And that my ruine by iudgement is decreed:</p> +<p>Why doth not happe sutch happy fortune send,</p> +<p>That I may lead with me the man in deede,</p> +<p>That staynd his fayth, and faylde me at my neede,</p> +<p>For gayne of golde, as vsurers do God knowes,</p> +<p>Who cannot spare the dropping of their nose?</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +I should haue slayne the slaue that seru’d me so,</p> +<p>O God forbid my hands were brued in blood,</p> +<p>Should I desire the harme of friend or foe?</p> +<p>Nay better were to wishe mine en’my good:</p> +<p>For if my death I throughly vnderstood,</p> +<p>I should make short the course I haue to run,</p> +<p>Since rest is got when worldly toyle is done.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +Alas, alas, my chiefest way is this,</p> +<p>A guiltlesse death to suffer as I can,</p> +<p>So shall my soule be sure of heauen’s blisse,</p> +<p>And good renoume shall rest behinde me than,</p> +<p>And body shall take end where it began,</p> +<p>And fame shall fly before me, ere I flit</p> +<p>Vnto the Gods, where Ioue in throne doth sit.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page300" id = "page300">300</a></span> +<p class = "stanza"> +O God conuert, from vyce to vertue now,</p> +<p>The heart of him that falseth fayth wyth me,</p> +<p>And chaunge his minde and mend his maners throw,</p> +<p>That he his fault and fowle offence may see,</p> +<p>For death shall make my fame immortall bee:</p> +<p>And whiles the Sunne which in the heauens doth shine,</p> +<p>The shame is his, and honor shall be mine.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +Alas, I mourne not for my selfe alone,</p> +<p>Nor for the fame of my Forefathers olde,</p> +<p>’Tys Angelike, that causeth me to mone,</p> +<p>’Tys she that filles my brest with fansies colde,</p> +<p>’Tys shee more worth, than was the fliece of golde,</p> +<p>That mooues my minde and breedes sutch passions straunge,</p> +<p>As in my selfe I feele a wonderous chaunge.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +Haue pitty Lord of hir and mee this day,</p> +<p>Since destny thus hath sundred vs in spite,</p> +<p>O suffer not hir vertues to decay,</p> +<p>But let hir take in friendship sutch delite,</p> +<p>That from hir brest all vice be banisht quite:</p> +<p>And let hir like as did hir noble race,</p> +<p>When I poore man am deade, and out of place.</p> + +<p class = "stanza"> +Alas my hand would write these wofull lines,</p> +<p>That feeble sprite denyes for want of might,</p> +<p>Wherefore my heart in brest consumes and pines,</p> +<p>With deepe desires, that far is from man’s sight,</p> +<p>But God he sees myne innocencie and right,</p> +<p>And knowes the cause of myne Accuser still,</p> +<p>Who seekes my bloud to haue on mee his will.</p> +</div> + +<p>When Charles thus complayned himself, and throughly was determined to +dy, great pitty it was to see how fayre Angelica did rent hir Face, and +teare hir golden Locks, when she saw how impossible it was to saue hir +obstinate brother from the cruel +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page301" id = "page301">301</a></span> +sentence pronounced vpon him, for whom she had imployed all hir wits and +fayre speach, to perswade the neerest of hir Kin to make sute. Thus +rested she alone ful of sutch heauinesse and vexation as they can think +which see themselues depriued of things that they esteeme most dere. But +of one thing I can wel assure you, that if ill fortune had permitted +that Charles should haue bin put to death, the gentle damsel also had +breathed forth the final gasp of hir sorowful life, yeldinge +therewithall the last end of the Montanine race and family. What booteth +it to hold processe of long discourse? Beholde the last day is come +deferred by the Iudges, whereupon he must eyther satisfie the fine, or +dye the next day after like a rebel and Traytor against the state, +without any of his kin making sute or meane for his deliueraunce: albeit +they visited the fayre mayden, and comforted hir in that hir wretched +state, instructing hir how shee should gouerne hir selfe patiently to +suffer things remedilesse. Angelica accompanied with hir kin, and the +maidens dwelling by, that were hir companions, made the ayre to sound +with outcries and waymentings, and she hir selfe exclaymed like a woman +destraught of Wits, whose plaints the multitude assisted with like +eiulations and outcries, wayling the fortune of the yong gentleman, and +sorowfull to see the mayden in daunger to fal into some mishap. As these +things were thus bewayled, it chaunced about nine of the clocke at +night, that Anselmo Salimbene, he whom we haue sayd to be surprised with +the loue of Angelica, returning out of the Countrey, where he had +remayned for a certayne time, and passing before the house of his Lady, +according to his custome, heard the voyce of women and maydens which +mourned for Montanine, and therewithall stayd: the chiefest cause of his +stay was, for that he saw go forth out of the Pallace of hys Angelica, +diuers Women making Moane, and Lamentation: wherefore he demaunded of +the neyghbors what noyse that was, and whether any in those Quarters +were dead or no. To whom they declared at length, al that which yee haue +heard before. Salimbene hearing this story, went home to his house, and +being secretly entred into his chamber, began discourse with himselfe +vpon that accident, and fantasying a thousand things in his heade, in +the ende thought that Charles +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page302" id = "page302">302</a></span> +should not so be cast away, were he iustly or innocently condempned, and +for the only respect of his sister, that she might not bee left +destitute of the Goods, and Inheritaunce. Thus discoursing diuers +things, at length he sayd: “I were a very simple person nowe to +rest in doubt, sith Fortune is more curious of my felicity than I could +wishe, and seeketh the effect of my desires, when least of all I though +vpon them. For behold, Montanine alone is left of all the mortall +enimies of our house, whych to morrow openly shall lose his head like a +rebell and seditious person, vpon whose Auncesters, in him shall I be +reuenged, and the quarell betweene our two Families, shall take ende, +hauinge no more cause to feare renuing of discorde, by any that can +descend from him. And who shall let mee then from inioying hir, whom I +doe loue, hir brother being dead, and his goods confiscate to the +Seigniory, and she without all Maynetenaunce, and Reliefe, except the +ayde of hir onely beauty and curtesie? What maynetenaunce shall she +haue, if not by the loue of some honest Gentleman, that for hys pleasure +may support hir, and haue pitty vppon the losse of so excellent beauty? +Ah Salimbene, what hast thou sayd? Hast thou already forgotten that a +Gentleman for that only cause is esteemed aboue al other, whose glorious +facts ought to shine before the brightnesse of those that force +theymselues to followe vertue? Art not thou a Gentleman borne, and Bred +in noble house, Issued from the Loyns of gentle and noble Parentes? Is +it ignoraunt vnto thee, that it pertayneth vnto a noble and gentle +heart, to reuenge receyued Iniuries himselfe, without seeking ayde of +other or else to pardon them by vsing clemency and princely curtesie, +burying all desire of vengeaunce vnder the Toumbe of eternall obliuion? +And what greater glory can man acquire, than by vanquishing himselfe, +and chastising his affections and rage, to bynde him which neuer thought +to receyue pleasure or benefit at his hand? It is a thing which +exceedeth the common order of nature, and so is it meete and requisite, +that the most excellent doe make the effects of their excellency +appeare, and seeke meanes for the immortality of their remembraunce. The +great Dictator Cæsar was more praysed for pardoning hys enimies, and for +shewing himselfe curteous and easie to be spoken to, than for subduinge +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page303" id = "page303">303</a></span> +the braue and valiaunt Galles and Britons, or vanquishing the mighty +Pompee. Dom Roderico Viuario, the Spaniard, although he might haue bene +reuenged vpon Dom Pietro, king of Aragon, for his infidelity, bicause he +went about to hinder his voyage agaynst the Saracens at Grenado, yet +woulde not Punishe or Raunsome him, but taking him Prysoner in the +Warres, suffred him to goe without any Tribute, or any exaction of him +and his Realme. The more I followe the example of mighty Personages in +thinges that be good, the more notorious and wonderful shall I make my +selfe in their rare and noble deedes. And not willing to forget a wrong +done vnto me, whereof may I complayne of Montanine? What thinge hath hee +euer done agaynst me or mine? And albeit his Predecessors were enimies +to our Family, they haue therefore borne the penaunce, more harde than +the sinne deserued. And truly I should be afrayde, that God would suffer +me to tumble into some mishap, if seeing one afflicted, I should +reioyce in his affliction, and take by his decay an argument of ioy and +pleasure. No, no, Salimbene is not of minde that sutch fond Imagination +should Bereue good will to make hymselfe a Freende, and to gayne by +liberality and curtesie hir, which for hir only vertue deserueth a +greater lord than I. Being assured, that there is no man (except he were +dispoyled of all good nature and humanity) specially bearing the loue to +Angelica, that I do, but he would be sory to see hir in sutch heauinesse +and despayre, and would attempt to deliuer hir from sutch dolorous +griefe. For if I loue hir as I do in deede, must not I likewise loue all +that which she earnestly loueth, as him that is nowe in daunger of death +for a simple fine of a thousand Florens? That my heart doe make appeere +what the loue is, which maketh me Tributary and Subiect to fayre +Angelica, and that eche man may knowe, that furious loue hath vanquisht +kings and great monarches, it behoueth not me to be abashed, if I which +am a man and subiect to passions, so well as other, doe submit my selfe +to the seruice of hir, who I am assured is so vertuous as euen very +necessity cannot force hir to forget the house, whereof she tooke hir +originall. Vaunt thy selfe then O Angelica, to haue forced a heart of it +selfe impregnable, and giuen him a wound which the stoutest Lads might +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page304" id = "page304">304</a></span> +sooner haue depriued of lyfe, than put him out of the way of his gentle +kinde: and thou, Montanine, thinke, that if thou wilt thy selfe, thou +winnest to day so hearty a frende, as only death shall separate the +vnion of vs twayne, and of all our posterity. It is I, nay it is I my +selfe, that shall excell thee in duety, poynting the way for the wisest, +to get honor, and violently compel the mooued myndes of those that be +our aduersaries, desiring rather vainely to forgo myne own life, than to +giue ouer the vertuous conceipts, which be already grifted in my minde.” +After this long discourse seeing the tyme required dilligence, hee tooke +a thousand Ducats, and went to the Treasurer of the fines, deputed by +the state, whom he founde in his office, and sayde vnto him: +“I haue brought you sir, the Thousande Ducates, which Charles +Montanine is bounde to pay for his deliueraunce. Tell them, and gieue +him an acquittaunce, that presently hee may come forth.” The Treasorer +woulde haue giuen him the rest, that exceeded the Summe of a Thousand +Florens: but Salimbene refused the same, and receyuing a letter for his +discharge, he sent one of his Seruaunts therewithal to the chiefe +Gayler, who seeing that the Summe of his condemnation was payd, +immediately deliuered Montanine out of the Prison where he was fast +shut, and fettered with great, and weyghty Giues. Charles thinckinge +that some Frier had bin come to confesse him, and that they had shewed +him some mercy to doe hym to death in Prison, that abroade in open shame +of the world he might not deface the Noble house whereof he came, was at +the first sight astonned, but hauing prepared himselfe to die, praysed +God, and besought him to vouchsafe not to forget him in the sorrowful +passage, wherein the stoutest and coragious many times be faynt and +inconstaunt. He recommended his Soule, he prayed forgieuenesse of his +sinnes: and aboue all, he humbly besought the goodnesse of God, that it +would please him to haue pitty vpon his Sister, and to deliuer hir from +all Infamy and dishonor. When he was caried out of Pryson, and brought +before the Chiefe Gayler, sodaynely his Giues were discharged from his +Legges, and euery of the standers by looked merily vppon hym, without +speakinge any Woorde that might affray hym. That Curtesie vnlooked for, +made hym attende some better thynge, and assured hym of that whych +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page305" id = "page305">305</a></span> +before by any meanes hee durste not thyncke. And hys expectation was not +deceiued. For the Gayler sayde vnto hym: “Bee of good Cheare Sir, for +beholde the letters of your discharge, wherefore you may goe at liberty +whether you list.” In saying so, he opened the Pryson, and licenced +Montanine to departe, praying him not to take in ill part his intreaty +and hard imprysonment, for that hee durst doe none other, the State of +the City hauing so enioyned hym. May not ech Wyght now behold how that +the euents of loue be diuers from other passions of the mind? How could +Salimbene haue so charitably deliuered Montanine, the hatred beyng so +long tyme rooted between the two houses, if some greate occasion whych +hath no name in Loue, had not altred his Nature, and extinguished hys +affection? It is meritoryous to succour them whome we neuer saw before, +sith nature moueth vs to doe well to them that be lyke our selues. But +faith surmounteth there, where the very naturall inclynation feeleth it +self constrayned and seeth that to be broken, whych obstynately was +purposed to be kept in mynde. The graces, gentlenesse, Beauty, mild +behauior and allurement of Angelica, had greater force ouer Salimbene, +than the humility of hir Brother, although he had kneeled a hundred +tymes before him. But what heart is so brute, but may be made tractable +and Mylde, by the Contemplation of a thyng so rare, as the excellent +Beauty of that Siena Mayden, and woulde not humble it selfe to acquyre +the good graces of so perfect a Damsel? I wyll neuer accuse man for +beyng in Loue wyth a fayre and vertuous Woman, nor esteeme hym a slaue, +whych painefully serueth a sobre Mayden, whose heart is fraught wyth +honeste affections, and Mynd wyth desyre tending to good ende. Well +worthy of blame is he to be deemed whych is in loue wyth the outeward +hew, and prayseth the Tree onely layden with floures, without regard to +the fruict, whych maketh it worthye of commendation. The young maiden +must needes resemble the floure of the Spryng time, vntill by hir +constancy, modesty, and chastity she hath vanquished the concupiscence +of the flesh, and brought forth the hoped fruicte of a Vertue and +Chastity not Common. Otherwyse, shee shall bee lyke the inrolled +Souldyer, whose valyance hys only mind doth wytnes, and the offer whych +he maketh +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page306" id = "page306">306</a></span> +to hym that doth register his name in the muster bookes. But when the +effect of seruyce is ioyned wyth his attempt, and proofe belyeth not hys +promyse, then the Captain imbraceth him, and aduaunceth him, as a glasse +for his affaires from that time forth. The lyke of Dames hauing passed +the assaults and resisted the attempts of theyr assaylants which be +honest, not by force being not requyred, but inclyned by ther owne +nature, and the dyligence of theyr chast and inuincyble heart. But turne +we againe vnto our purpose, Montanine, when he was delyuered, forthwyth +wente home to hys house, to comfort hir, whom he was more than sure to +be in great distresse and heauinesse for his sake, and whych had so +mutch neede of comfort as he had, to take his rest. He came to the gate +of his Pallace (where beyng knowne that it was Montanine) his sister by +any meanes coulde not bee made to beleue the same: so impossible seeme +thynges vnto vs, which we most desyre. They were all in doubte, lyke as +wee reade that they were when S. Peter escaped Herod’s Pryson by the +Angel’s meanes. When Angelica was assured that it was hir Brother, +sobbes wer layde aside, sighes were cast away, and heauy weepings +conuerted into teares of ioy, she went to imbrace and kisse hir Brother, +praising <span class = "smallcaps">God</span> for hys delyuerance, and +making accompt that he had ben raised from death to lyfe, considering +his stoutnes of minde rather bent to dye than to forgo his Land, for so +smal a pryce. The Dames that wer kin vnto hym, and tarried there in +Company of the maiden half in dispayre, least by dispayre and fury shee +might fall into outrage therby to put hir lyfe in peril, with all +expedition aduertised their husbands of Montanine’s Lyberty, not looked +for, who repayred thither, as wel to reioyce with him in his ioy and +good fortune, as to make their excuse, for that they had not trauayled +to ryd him from that misery. Charles whych cared nothing at al for those +mouth blessings, dissembled what he thought, thanking them neuerthelesse +for their visitation and good remembrance they had of hym, for visiting +and comforting his sister which honor, he estemed no lesse than if they +had imployed the same vpon his owne person. Their friends and kinsfolk +being departed, and assured that none of them had payde his ransome, hee +was wonderfully astonned +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page307" id = "page307">307</a></span> +and the greater was his gryef for that he could not tell what hee was, +whych withoute requeste, had made so gentle a proofe of his lyberality: +if he knew nothing, farre more ignoraunte was his sister, forsomutch as +she dyd thinke, that he had changed his mind, and that the horrour of +death had made him sel his countrey inheritance, to hym whych made the +first offer to buy the same: but either of them deceyued of their +thought went to bed. Montanine rested not all the Nyght, hauyng still +before his eyes, the vnknowne image of hym that had delyuered him. His +bed serued his turne to none other purpose, but as a large field or some +long alley within a Wood, for walkes to make discourse of hys mynde’s +conceipts, sometimes remembryng one, sometimes another, without hitting +the blanke and namyng of him that was his deliuerer, vnto whome he +confessed him selfe to owe hys seruice and duety so long as hee lyued. +And when hee saw the day begyn to appeare and that the Mornyng, the +Vauntcurrour of the day, summoned Apollo to harnesse hys Horsse to +begynne his course in our Hemisphere, he rose and went to the +Chamberlaine or Treasurer, sutch as was deputed for receypt of the +Fines, sessed by the State, whom he saluted, and receyuing lyke +salutation, he prayed hym to shewe hym so mutch pleasure as to tell hym +the parties name, that was so Lyberall to satysfie his fine due in the +Eschequer of the State. To whome the other aunswered: “None other hath +caused thy delyueraunce (O Montanine) but a certain person of the +World, whose Name thou mayst easily gesse, to whome I gaue an +acquittance of thyne imprysonmente, but not of the iuste summe, bycause +hee gaue me a Thousand Ducates for a Thousand Florens, and woulde not +receyue the ouerplus of the debte, whych I am readye to delyuer thee +wyth thyne acquyttaunce.” “I haue not to doe wyth the Money” (sayd +Charles) “onely I pray you to tell me the name of him that hath don me +thys great curtesy, that hereafter I may acknowledge him to be my +Friend.” “It is” (sayd the Chamberlayne) “Anselmo Salimbene, who is to +bee commended and praysed aboue all thy parents and kinne, and came +hither very late to bryng the Money, the surplusage whereof, beholde +here it is.” “God forbid” (sayd <ins class = "correction" title = +"elsewhere ‘Montanine’">Montaine</ins>) “that I should take awaye that, +whych so happily was brought hither to rid me out of payne.” +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page308" id = "page308">308</a></span> +And so went away wyth his acquittance, his mind charged with a numbre of +fansies for the fact don by Salimbene. Being at home at his house, he +was long time stayed in a deepe consideration, desirous to know the +cause of that gentle parte, proceeding from him whose Parents and +Auncesters were the capitall Enimies of his race. In the end lyke one +risyng from a sound sleepe, he called to mynd, that very many times he +had seene Anselmo with attentiue eye and fixed looke to behold Angelica, +and in eying hir uery louyngly, he passed euery day (before theyr gate) +not shewing other countenaunce, but of good wyll, and wyth fryendly +gesture, rather than any Ennimies Face, saluting Angelica at all tymes +when he met hir. Wherefore Montanine was assured, that the onely loue of +Salimbene towards his sister caused that delyueraunce, concluding that +when the passion doth proceede of good loue, seazed in gentle heart and +of noble enterpryse, it is impossible but it muste bryng forth the +maruellous effects of vertue’s gallantize, of honesty and curtesy, and +that the spyrite wel borne, can not so mutch hide hys gentle nourtoure, +but the fyre must flame abroade, and that whych seemeth dyfficult to bee +brought to passe, is facilitye, and made possible by the conceiptes and +indeuors so wel imployed: wherefore in the Ende not to bee surmounted in +Honesty, ne yet to beare the marke of one, that vnthankefully accepteth +good turnes, he determyned to vse a great prodigality vppon him, that +vnder the name of foe, had shewed himselfe a more faythful friend, then +those that bare good face, and at neede wer furthest off from afflicted +Montanine, who not knowing what present to make to Salimbene, but of +himselfe and hys syster, purposed to impart his minde to Angelica, and +then vpon knowledge of hir wil to performe his intent. For which cause +vnderstanding that his gracious enimy was gone into the Countrey, he +thoughte well to consyder of his determynatyon, and to breake wyth hir +in hys absence, the better to Execute the same, vppon his nexte retourne +to the Citye. He called Angelica asyde, and beynge bothe alone together, +hee vsed these or sutch lyke Woordes: “You knowe, deare Sister, that the +higher the fall is, the more daungerous and greater gryefe he feeleth +that doth fall from highe than hee that tumbleth downe from place more +low +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page309" id = "page309">309</a></span> +and of lesser steepenes. I speak this, bicause I cal to mind the +condition, nobility, and excellency of our ancesters, the glorie of our +race, and riches of all our house, which constraineth me many tymes to +sigh, and sheade a streame of teares, when I see the sumptuous palaces +that were the homes and resting places of our Fathers, and grand +fathers, when I see on al parts of this City, the Armes, and Scutcheons +painted and imbossed, bearyng the mark of the Antiquity of our house, +and when I beholde the stately marble tombes and brasen Monuments, in +dyuers our Temples erected for perpetuall Memorye of many knyghtes and +generalles of warres, that sorted forth of the Montanine race: and +chyefly I neuer enter thys great Palace, the remnant of our inheritaunce +and patrimony, but the remembraunce of our auncesters, so glaunceth ouer +mine Hearte, as an hundred hundred tymes, I wysh for death, to +thynke that I am the Post alone of the mysery and decay fallen vppon the +name and famous familye of the Montanines, whych maketh me thinke our +life to be vnhappy, being downe fallen from sutch felicity, to feele a +mysery most extreame. But one thing alone ought to content vs, that amid +so great pouerty, yl luck, ruine and abasement, none is able to lay vnto +our charge any thing vnworthy of the nobility and the house, whereof we +be descended, our lyfe being conformable to the generositie of our +predecessors: whereby it chanceth, that although our poore estate be +generally knowne, yet none can affirme, that we haue forligned the +vertue of them, which vertuously haue lyued before vs. If so bee wee +haue receiued pleasure or benefit of any man, neuer disdained I with al +duety to acknowledge a good turne, stil shunning the vyce of +ingratytude, to soyle the reputation wherein hitherto I haue passed my +lyfe. Is there anye blot which more spotteth the renoume of man, than +not confessing receiued benefites and pleasures perfourmed in our +necessity? You know in what peril of death I was, these few daies past, +through their false surmise which neuer loued me, and how almost +miraculously I was redemed out of the hangman’s hands, and the cruel +sentence of the vnryghteous Magistrate, not one of our kin offrynge +themselues in deede or word for my defense, which forceth mee to say, +that I haue felt of my Kin, which I neuer thought, and haue tasted +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page310" id = "page310">310</a></span> +sutch commodity at his hands, of whome I neuer durst expect or hope for +pleasure, relief, aide or any comfort. I attended my delyueraunce +by sute of those whome I counted for Kin and fryends, but the same so +soon vanished, as the Necessity and peryll were present. So pressed with +woe, and forsaken of fryends, I was affrayde that our aduersaries +(to remoue all feare and suspition in tyme to come) would haue purchased +my totall ruine, and procured the ouerthrowe of the Montanines name, by +my Death, and approched end. But good God, from the place whereof I +feared the danger, the calme arose, which hath brought my Barke to the +hauen of health, and at his hands where I attended ruine, I haue +tasted affiance and sustentation of myne honor and lyfe. And playnely to +procede, it is Anselmo Salimbene, the son of our auncient and capital +enimies, that hath shewed himself the very loyall and faithful fryend of +our family, and hath deliuered your brother by payment to the State, the +summe of a Thousand Ducats to raunsome the life of him, who thought him +to be his moste cruel aduersary. O Gentleman’s heart in dede and +gentle mind, whose rare vertues do surpasse all humaine vnderstanding. +Friends vnited together in band of Amitye, amaze the World by the +effects not vulgar in things whych they do one for an other. But thys +surmounteth all, a mortall Ennimy, not reconcyled or requyred, +without demaund of assuraunce for the pleasure which he doth, payeth the +debts of his aduersarie: which facte exceedeth all consideration in +them, that discouer the factes of men. I can not tel what name to +attribute to the deede of Salimbene, and what I ought to call that his +curtesy, but this must I needes protest, that the example of his +honestie and gentlenes is of sutch force, and so mutch hath vanquished +me, as whether I shal dye in payne or lyue at ease, neuer am I able to +exceede his lyberality. Now my life being ingaged for that which he hath +don to mee, and hee hauynge delyuered the same from infamous Death, it +is in your handes (deare sister) to practize the deuyse imagined in my +mind, to the intente that I may be onely bound to you for satisfying the +liberalitye of Salimbene, by meanes whereof, you which wepte the death +and wayled the lost liberty of your Brother, doe see me free and in +safety hauyng none other care but to be acquited of +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page311" id = "page311">311</a></span> +hym, to whome both you and I be dearely bound.” Angelica hearyng hir +brother speak those words, and knowing that Salimbene was he, that had +surpassed all their kinne in amity and comforte of theyr familye, +answered her brother, sayinge: “I woulde neuer haue thought (good +Brother) that your deliuerance had come to passe by him whose name euen +now you tolde, and that our Ennimyes breaking al remembraunce of +auncient quarels, had care of the health and conseruation of the +Montanines. Wherefore if it were in my power I would satisfy the curtesy +and gentlenesse of Anselmo, but I know not which way to begin the same. +I being a maid that knoweth not how to recompense a good turne, but +by acknowledging the same in heart: and to go to render thanks, it is +neither lawfull or comely for me, and mutch lesse to offer him any +thynge for the lyttle accesse I haue to his house, and the small +familiarity I haue with the Gentlewomen of his kinne. Notwythstanding, +Brother, consider you wherein my power resteth to ayde and helpe you, +and be assured (myne honor saued) I wyll spare nothynge for your +contentment.” “Sister” (sayd Montanine) “I haue of long time +debated with my self what is to be done, and deuised what myghte be the +occasion that moued this young Gentleman to vse so greate kindnesse +toward mee, and hauing diligently pondred and waied what I haue seene +and knowne, at length I founde that it was the onely force of Loue, +which constrained his affection, and altered the auncient hatred that he +bare vs, into new loue, that by no meanes can be quenched. It is the +couert fire which Loue hathe kindled in his intrailes, it is loue whych +hath raysed the true effects of gentlenesse, and hath consumed the +conceipts of displeased mind. O the great force of that amorous +alteration, which vppon the sodain exchaung, seemeth impossible to +receiue any more chaung or mutation. The onely Beauty and good grace of +you Syster, hath induced our gracious Enimy, the seruaunt of your +perfections, to delyuer the poore Gentleman forlorn of all good fortune. +It is the honest lyfe and commendable behauiour of Angelica Montanine, +that hath incyted Anselmo to doe an acte so praise worthy, and a deede +so kinde, to procure the deliuerance of one, which looked not for a +chaunce of so great consequence. Ah gentle younge gentleman: +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page312" id = "page312">312</a></span> +Ah pryncely minde, and heart noble and magnanimous. Alas how shall it be +possyble that euer I can approche the honest liberalitye wherwyth thou +hast bound me for euer? My lyfe is thine, myne honour dependeth of thee, +my goodes be tyed to thee. What resteth then, if not that you (sister) +voyde of cruelty do vse no vnkyndnesse to hym that loueth you, and who +for love of you hathe prodygally offred hys owne goodes to ryd me from +payne and dyshonor? If so be, my lyfe and sauegarde haue ben acceptable +vnto thee, and the sight of me dyscharged from Pryson was ioyful unto +thee, if thou gauest thy willing consent that I should sel my patrimony, +graunt presently that I may wyth a great, rare, and precious present, +requyte the Goodnesse, Pleasure and curtesye that Salimbene hath done +for your sake: And syth I am not able with goodes of Fortune to satisfie +his bountye, it is your person which may supply that default, to the +intent that you and I may be quytted of the oblygation, wherein we stand +bound vnto him. It behoueth that for the offer and reward of Money whych +he hath imployed, we make present of your Beautye, not selling the pryce +of your chastity, but delyueryng the same in exchaunge of curtesye, +beyng assured for hys gentlenesse and good Nourtoure sake, hee wyll vse +you none otherwyse, or vsurpe any greater authority ouer you, than +Vertue permitteth in ech gentle and Noble hearte. I haue none other +means of satisfaction, ne larger raumsome to render free my head from +the Tribute whych Salimbene hathe gyuen for my Lyfe and Liberty. Thynke +(deare Sister) what determinate aunswere you wyll make me, and consider +if my request be meete to be denyed. It is in your choise and pleasure +to deny or consent to my demaund. If so be that I be denyed and loose +the meanes by your refuse to be acquitted of my defender, I had +rather forsake my Citye and Countrey, than to lyue heere wyth the title +of ingratitude, for not acknowledging so greate a pleasure. But alas, +with what Eye, shall I dare behold the Nobility of Siena, if by greate +vnkyndnesse I passe vnder silence the rarest friendship that euer was +deuised? What heartes sorrow shall I conceyue to bee pointed at wyth the +finger, like one that hath forgotten in acknowledging by effecte, the +receiued pleasure of my delyueraunce? No (sister) eyther you must bee +the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page313" id = "page313">313</a></span> +quyet of my Minde, and the acquittance of vs bothe, or else must I dye, +or wander lyke a vagabond into straunge Countries, and neuer put foote +agayne into Italy.” At those words Angelica stode so astonned and +confused, and so besides hir selfe, like as wee see one distraught of +sense that feeleth himself attached with some amaze of the Palsey. In +the end recouering hir sprytes, and bee blubbered al with teares, hir +stomacke panting like the Bellowes of a forge, she answeared hir brother +in thys manner: “I knowe not louyng Brother by reason of my +troubled minde howe to aunswere your demaund, which seemeth to be both +ryght, and wronge, right for respect of the bond, not so, in +consideration of the request. But how I proue the same, and what reason +I can alleadge and discouer for that proofe, hearken me so paciently, as +I haue reason to complayne and dispute vpon this chaunce more hard and +difficulte to auoyde, than by reply able to be defended, sith that Lyfe +and the hazarding thereof is nothing, in regarde of that which you wyll +haue me to present with too exceeding prodigall Liberality, and I would +to God that Life mighte satisfie the same, than be sure it should so +soone be imployed, as the promise made thereof. Alas, good God, +I thought that when I sawe my brother out of Pryson, the neare +distresse of death, whereunto vniustly he was thrown, I thought +(I say) and firmely did beleue, that fortune the Enimy of our ioy, +had vomitted al hir poison, and being despoyled of hir fury and crabbed +Nature had broken the bloudy and Venemous Arrowes, wherewyth so longe +tyme she hath plagued our family, and that by resting of hir selfe, shee +had gyuen some rest to the Montanine house of al theyr troubles and +misaduentures. But I (O miserable wight) do see and feele how far I +am deuided from my hope, and deceiued of mine opinion, sith the furious +stepdame, appeareth before me with a face more fierce and threatning, +then euer she did, sharpening hir selfe against my youth in other sort, +then euer against any of our race. If euer she persecuted our +auncesters, if she brought them to ruine and decay, she now doth purpose +wholly to subuerte the same, and throw vs headelong into the bottomlesse +pit of all misery, exterminating for all tegether, the remnaunte of our +consumed house. Be it either by losse of thee (good brother) or the +vyolent death +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page314" id = "page314">314</a></span> +of me which cannot hazarde my Chastity for the pryce of myne vnhappy +life: Ah, good God, into what anguish is my mynde exponed, and how doe I +feele the force and Vyolence of froward Fortune? But what speak I of +fortune? How doth hard lucke insue, that is predestinated by the heauens +vppon our familly? Must I at so tender yeares, and of so feeble kinde +make choyse of a thing, which would put the wysest vpon Earth into their +shifts? My heart doth fayle me, reason wanteth and Iudgement hangeth in +ballaunce by continuall agitations, to see how I am dryuen to the +extremity of two daungerous straits, and enuironned with fearefull +ieoperdies, forcibly compelled either to bee deuided and separated from +thee (my Brother,) whome I loue aboue mine owne life, and in whome next +after God I haue fyxed and put my hope and trust, hauing none other +solace, Comfort and helpe, but thee, or else by keping thee, am forced +to giue vnto an other, and know not how, the precious treasure which +beyng once lost, cannot be recouered by any meanes, and for the gard and +conseruation whereof, euery woman of good iudgement that loueth vertue, +ought a thousand times to offer hir selfe to death (if so many wayes she +could) rather than to blot or soyle that inestimable Iewell of chastity, +wherewith our lyfe is a true lyfe: contrarywyse shee which fondly +suffreth hir self to be disseazed and spoyled of the same, and looseth +it without honest title, albeit she be a lyue, yet is she buryed in the +most obscure caue of death, hauing lost the honour which maketh Maydens +march with head vpryght. But what goodnesse hath a Ladye, Gentlewoman, +Maiden, or Wyfe, wherein she can glory, hir honour being in doubt, and +reputatyon darkened with infamie? Whereto serued the imperyall house of +Augustus, in those Ladyes that were intituled the Emperour’s Daughters, +when for their villany, <ins class = "correction" title = "error for ‘they’">theyr</ins> were vnworthy of the title of chaste and vertuous? +What profited Faustina the Emperiall Crowne vpon hir head, hir chastity +through hir abhominable Life, being rapt and despoyled? What wronge hath +bene done to many symple Women, for being buryed in the Tombe of dark +obliuion, which for their vertue and pudique Lyfe, meryted Eternall +prayse? Ah Charles, my Brother deare, where hast thou <ins class = +"correction" title = "error for ‘bestowed’">bestowrd</ins> the Eye of +thy foreseeing mynde, that without prouidence and care of the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page315" id = "page315">315</a></span> +fame due to honest Dames, and chast Damosels of our Family, hauyng lost +the goodes and Fathers inheritance, wilt haue me in like sort forgoe my +Chastity, whych hytherto I haue kept with heedeful dilygence. Wilte thou +deare Brother, by the pryce of my virginity, that Anselmo shall haue +greater victorye ouer vs, than he hath gotten by fight of Sword vpon the +allied remnaunt of our house? Art thou ignorant that the woundes and +diseases of the Mynd, be more vehement than those which afflict the +Body? Ah I vnhappy mayden, and what ill lucke is reserued for me, what +destiny hath kept me till this day to be presented for Venus’ Sacrifice, +to satisfy a young manne’s lust, which coueteth (peraduenture) but the +spoile of mine honor? O happy the Romain maide, slayne by the +proper hands of hir woeful Father Virginius, that she myght not<ins +class = "addition" title = "space added"> </ins>be soyled with +infamy, by the Lecherous embracements of rauenous Appius, which desired +hir acquaintaunce. Alas, that my brother doe not so, rather I woulde to +God of his owne accord he be the infamous minister of my life ready to +be violated, if God by his grace take not my cause in hand? Alas death, +why dost thou not throwe against my hearte thy most pearcing dart, that +I may goe waite vpon the shadowes of my thryce happy Parents, who +knowing this my gryefe, wyll not be voide of passion to helpe me wayle +my woefull state. O God, why was not I choaked and strangled, so +soone as I was taken forth the secret imbracements of my mother’s Wombe, +rather than to arriue into this mishap, that either must I lose the +thing I deeme moste deare, or die with the violence of my proper hands? +Come death, come and cut the vnhappy threede of my woefull Lyfe: stope +the pace of teares with thy trenchant Darte that streame outragiously +downe my face, and close the breathing wind of sighes, which hynder thee +from doing thine office vpon my heart, by suffocation of my lyfe and +it.” When she had ended those Words, hir speache dyd faile, and waxing +pale and faint, (sitting vppon hir stoole) she fared as though that very +death had sitten in hir place. Charles thynking that his sister had bene +deade, mated with sorrowe, and desirous to lyue no longer after hir, +seeing he was the cause of that sownyng, fell downe dead vpon the +Ground, mouing neither hand nor foote, as though the soule had ben +departed from the bodye. At the noyse +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page316" id = "page316">316</a></span> +which Montanine made by reason of hys fall, Angelica reuiued out of hir +sowne, and seeinge hir Brother in so pytifull plyght, and supposing he +had bene dead for care of hys request, for beyng berieued of hir +Brother, was so moued, as a lyttle thynge would haue made hir do, as +Thisbe dyd, when she viewed Pyramus to be slayne. But conceyuing hope, +she threw hir selfe vppon hir Brother, cursing hir Fortune, bannyng the +Starres of cruelty, and hir lauish speach, and hir self for hir little +loue to hir brother, who made no refusall to dye to saue his Lande for +reliefe of hir: wher she denyed to yeld hir selfe to him that loued hir +with so good affection. In the end she applied so many remedies vnto hir +brother, sometimes casting cold water vpon his face, sometimes pinching +and rubbing the temples and pulses of his armes and his mouth with +vineger, that she made hym to come agayne: and seeing that his eyes were +open, beholding hir intentiuely with the countenance of a man half in +despayre, she saied vnto him: “For so mutch brother as I see fortune to +be so froward, that by no meanes thou canst auoide the cruel lot, which +launceth me into the bottome of mortall misery, and that I must +aduenture to folowe the indeuors of thy minde, and obey thy will, which +is more gentle and Noble, than fraught with reason, I am content to +satisfy the same and the loue which hitherto thou hast born me. Be of +good cheere, and doe wyth mee and my body what thou list, giue and +presente the same to whom thou pleasest. Wel be thou sure, that so sone +as I shal bee out of thy hands and power, I wyl be called or +esteemed thine no more, and thou shalt haue lesse authority to stay me +from doing the deuises of my fantasie, swearing and protesting by the +Almighty God, that neuer man shall touch Angelica, except it be in +mariage, and that if he assay to passe any further, I haue a heart +that shall incourage my hands to sacrifice my Life to the Chastitye of +Noble Dames whych had rather dye than liue in slaunder of dyshonesty. +I wyll die a body without defame, and the Mynde voyde of consent, +shall receiue no shame or filth that can soyle or spot the same.” In +saying so, she began againe to weepe in sutch aboundance, as the humour +of hir brayne ranne downe by the issue of bothe hir Eyes. Montanine +albeit sorrowful beyond measure to see his gentle and chast sister +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page317" id = "page317">317</a></span> +in sutch vexation and heauinesse, reioysed yet in his mind, that she had +agreed to his request, which presaged the good lucke that afterwardes +chaunced vnto him, for hys Lyberal offer. “Wherefore” (said he to +Angelica,) “I was neuer in my Lyfe so desirous to liue, but that I +rather choose to dye, than procure a thinge that should turne thee to +displeasure and griefe, or to hazarde thine honor and reputation in +daunger or peryll of damage, which thou hast euer knowne, and shouldest +haue still perceyued by effect, or more properly to speak, touched with +thy finger if that incomparable and rare curtesy and Lyberality of +Salimbene had not prouoked me to requyre that, which honestly thou canst +not gyue, nor I demaunde without wronge to thee, and preiudice to mine +owne estimation and honoure. But what? the feare I haue to be deemed +ingrate, hath made me forget thee, and the great honesty of Anselmo +maketh me hope, yea and stedfastly beleue, that thou shalt receiue none +other displeasure, but to be presented vnto him whome at other times we +haue thought to be our mortal enimy. And I thinke it impossible that he +wil vse any villany to hir whome he so feruently loueth, for whose sake +he feareth not the hatred of his friends, and disdained not to save him +whome he hated, and on whome he myght haue bene reuenged. And forsomutch +sister, as the face commonly sheweth the signe and token of the hearte’s +affection, I pray thee by any meanes declare no sad countenaunce in +the presence of Salimbene, but rather cheere vp thy face, dry vp the +aboundance of thy teares, that he by seeing thee Ioyfull and mery, may +be moued to continue his curtesy and use thee honestly, being satisfied +with thy liberality, and the offer that I shall make of our seruice.” +Here may be seene the extremitie of two dyuers thinges, duety combatting +with shame, reason being in contention with himself. Angelica knew and +confessed that hir brother did but his duetye, and that she was bound by +the same very bond. On the other side, hir estate and virginall +chastity, brake the endeuours of hir duety, and denyed to doe that which +she esteemed ryght. Neuerthelesse shee prepared hir self to follow both +the one and the other: and by acquitting the duety to hir brother, she +ordayned the meane, to discharge him of that which he was bound to his +benefactor, determinynge neuerthelesse +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page318" id = "page318">318</a></span> +rather to dye, than shamefully to suffer hir selfe to be abused, or to +make hir lose the floure, which made hir glyster amongs the maidens of +the city, and to deface hir good fame by an acte so vyllanous. But that +speciall rare vertue was more singular in hir, than was that continency +of Cyrus the Persian King, who fearing to be forced by the allurements +of the excellent beauty of chast Panthea, would not suffer hir to be +brought into his presence, for feare that hee being surmounted with +folysh lustes, should force hir, that by other meanes could not be +persuaded to breake the holy lawes of Mariage, and promised faith to hir +husband. For Salimbene hauing in his presence, and at his commaundement +hir whome aboue al thyngs he loued would by no meanes abuse his power, +but declared his gentle nature to bee of other force and effect, than +that of the aforesaid king as by reading the successe of this historie +you shal perceiue. After that Montanine and his sister had vttered many +other words vpon their determination, and that the fayre maiden was +appeased of hir sorrow, attending the issue of that which they went +about to begin: Anselmo was come home out of the Countrey, whereof +Charles hauing intelligence, about the second houre of the night, he +caused his sister to make hir ready, and in company of one of their +seruants that caried light before them, they came to the lodginge of +Salimbene, whose seruaunt seeing Montanine so accompanied to knocke at +the Gate, if hee did maruel I leaue for you to think, by reason of the +displeasure and hatred which he knew to bee betweene the two families, +not knowing that which had already passed for the heginning of a final +peace of so many controuersies: for which cause so astonned as he was, +he went to tel his maister that Montanine was at the gate, desirous +secretly to talk vnto him. Salimbene knowing what company Charles had +with him, was not vnwilling to goe downe, and causing two Torches to be +lighted, came to his gate to entertaine them, and to welcome the brother +and the sister, wyth so great curtesie and friendship as he was +surprysed with loue, seeing before his eyes the sight of hir that burned +hys heart incessantly, not discoueryng as yet the secrets of his thought +by making hir to vnderstand the good wyl he bare hir, and how mutch he +was hir seruant. +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page319" id = "page319">319</a></span> +He could not tel wel whether he was incharmed or his eyes daselled, or +not wel wakened from sleepe when he saw Angelica, so amazed was he with +the straungenesse of the fact, and arriuall of the maiden to his house. +Charles seeing hym so confused, and knowing that the great affection he +bare vnto his sister, made him so perplexed and besides himself, said +vnto him: “Sir, we would gladly speake with you in one of your Chambers, +that there myght be none other witnesse of our dyscourse, but we three +together.” Salimbene which was wrapt wyth ioy, was able to make none +other aunsweare, but: “Goe we whether you please.” So taking his +Angelica by the hand, they went into the Hall, and from thence into his +chamber, whych was furnyshed accordinge to the state and riches of a +Lord, he being one of the welthiest and chiefe of the City of Siena. +When they were set downe, and al the seruants gone forth, Charles began +to say to Salimbene, these words: “You may not thinke it straunge (sir +Salimbene) if against the Lawes and customes of our Common Wealthe, +I at thys tyme of the Nyght doe call you vp, for knowyng the Bande +wherewyth I am bound vnto you, I must for euer confesse and count +my selfe to be your slaue and bondman, you hauing don a thing in my +behalf that deserueth the name of Lord and maister. But what vngrateful +man is he that wil forget so greate a benefit, as that which I haue +receyued of you, holding of you, life, goods, honor, and this mine own +sister that enioyeth by your meanes the presence of hir brother and hir +rest of mind, not losing our noble reputation by the losse prepared for +me through vnrighteous iudgement, you hauing staied the ruine both of +hir and me, and the rest of our house and kin. I am ryghte glad +sir, that this my duety and seruice is bounden to so vertuous a +Gentleman as you be, but exceeding sorry, that fortune is so froward and +contrary vnto me, that I am not able to accomplishe my good will, and if +ingratitude may lodge in mind of a neady Gentleman, who hath no helpe +but of himselfe, and in the wyll of hys chast sister, and minde vnited +in two persons onely saued by you, duety doeth requyre to present the +rest, and to submit al that is left to be disposed at your good +pleasure. And bicause that I am well assured, that it is Angelica alone +which hath kindled the flame of desire, and hath caused you +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page320" id = "page320">320</a></span> +to loue that which your predecessours haue deadly hated, that same +sparke of knowledge, whych our misery could not quench with all his +force, hath made the way and shewed the path whereby we shall auoide the +name of ingrate and forgetfull persons, and that same which hath made +you lyberall towards me, shalbe bountifully bestowed vpon you. It is +Angelica sir, which you see present heere, who to discharge my band, +hath willingly rendred to be your owne, submittinge hir selfe to your +good wyll, for euer to be youres. And I which am hir brother, and haue +receiued that great good wyll of hir, as in my power to haue hir wyl, do +present the same, and leaue hir in your hands, to vse as you would your +owne, praying you to accept the same, and to consider whose is the gift, +and from whence it commeth, and how it ought to be regarded.” When he +had sayd so, Montanine rose vp, and without further talke, went home +vnto his house. If Anselmo were abashed at the Montanines arriuall, and +astonned at the Oration of Charles, his sodain departure was more to be +maruelled at, and therwithal to see the effect of a thing which he neuer +hoped, nor thought vpon. He was exceding glad and ioyfull to see himself +in the company of hir, whome he desired aboue al things of the world, +but sory to see hir heauy and sorrowful for sutch chaunce. He supposed +hir being ther, to procede rather of the yong man’s good and gentle +Nature, than of the Maiden’s will and lykynge. For whych cause taking +hir by the hand, and holding hir betwene hys armes, he vsed these or +sutch lyke words: “Gentlewoman, if euer I had felt and knowne with what +Wing the variety and lyghtnesse of worldly thynges do flye, and the +gaynes of inconstant fortune, at this present I haue seen one of the +most manifest profes which seemeth to me so straunge, as almost I dare +not beeleue that I see before myne Eyes. I know well that it is for +you, and for the seruice that I beare you, that I haue broken the effect +of that hatred, whych by inheritaunce I haue receiued against your +House, and for that deuotion haue deliuered your Brother. But I see that +Fortune wyll not let mee to haue the vpper hand, to bee the Conquerer of +hir sodaine pangs. But you your self shall see, and euery man shall know +that my heart is none other than noble, and my deuises tend, but to the +exploit of +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page321" id = "page321">321</a></span> +all vertue and Gentlenesse: wherefore I pray you (sayd he, kissing hir +louingly) be not sad, and doubt not that your seruaunt is any other now, +hauing you in his power, than he was when he durst not dyscouer the +ardent Loue that vexed him, and held him in feeble state, ful of desire +and thought: you also may bee sure, that he hath not had the better +hande ouer me, ne yet for his curtesy hath obteined victory, nor you for +obeying him. For sith that you be myne, and for sutch yelded and giuen +to me, I wyl keepe you, as hir whome I loue and esteme aboue al +things of the World, makyng you my Companion and the onely mistresse of +my goodes heart, and wyll. Thinke not that I am the Fryend of Fortune, +and practise pleasure alone without vertue. It is modesty which +commaundeth me, and honesty is the guide of my conceipts. Assure you +then, and repose your comfort on mee: for none other than Angelica +Montanine shall be the wyfe of Anselmo Salimbene: and during my life, +I wyll bee the Fryend, the defender and supporter of your house.” +At these good Newes, the drousie and wandryng Spirite of the fayre Siena +mayd awaked, who endyng hir teares and appeasing hir sorrow, rose vp, +and made a very lowe reuerence vnto hir curteous fryend, thanking hym +for hys greate and incomparable liberalitye, promising all seruice, +duetie, and Amitye, that a Gentlewoman ought to beare vnto him, whom God +hath reserued for hir Spouse and husband. After an infinite number of +honest imbracements and pleasaunte kisses giuen and receiued on both +partes, Anselmo called vnto him one of his Auntes that dwelled within +him, to whome he deliuered his new Conquest to keepe, and spedily +without delay he sent for the next of his Kinne and dearest friends: and +being come, he intreated them to kepe him company, in a very vrgent and +weighty businesse he had to do, wherein if they shewed themselues +dilygent in his request, doubtful it is not, but he addressed speede for +accomplishment of his Enterpryse. Then causyng hys Aunte and welbeloued +Angelica to come forth, he carryed them (not without their great +admiration) to the pallace of Montanine, whither being arryued: he and +hys Companie were well intertayned of the sayd Montanine, the Brother of +fayre Angelica. When they were in the Hall, Salimbene sayd to hys +Brother in law that should be: “Senio +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page322" id = "page322">322</a></span> +Montanine, it is not long sithens, that you in company of my faire +Gentlewoman heere, came home to speake wyth mee, desirous to haue no man +priuy to the effect of your conference. But I am come to you with this +troupe to disclose my minde before you al, and to manifeste what I +purpose to doe, to the intente the whole World may know your good and +honest Nature, and vnderstand how I can be requited on them, which +indeuor to gratifie me in any thing.” Hauing said so, and euery man +being set down he turned his talk to the rest of the company in thys +wise: “I doubt not my friends and Noble Dames, but that ye mutch +muse and maruell to see me in this house so late, and in your company, +and am sure, that a great desire moueth your minds to know for what +purpose, the cause, and why I haue gathered this assemblie in a time +vnlooked for, and in place where none of our race and kinne of long time +did enter, and lesse did meane to make hither their repaire. But when +you doe consider what vertue and goodnesse resteth in the heartes of +those men, that shunne and auoide the brutyshnesse of Minde, to followe +the reasonable part, and which proprely is called Spirituall, you shall +thereby perceiue, that when Gentle kynde and Noble Heart, by the great +mistresse dame Nature be gryfted in the myndes of Men, they cease not to +make appeare the effect of their doings, sometyme producing one vertue, +sometimes another, which cease not to cause the fruicte of sutch +industry both to blome and beare: In sutch wyse, as the more those +vertuous actes and commendable workes, do appeare abroade, the greater +dyligence is imployed to searche the matter wherein she can cause to +appeare the force of vertue and excellency, conceiuing singular delyghte +in that hir good and holy delyuery, which bryngeth forth a fruict worthy +of sutch a stocke. And that force of mind and Generosity of Noble Heart +is so firme and sure in operation, as although humane thinges be +vnstable and subiect to chaung, yet they cannot be seuered or +disparcled. And although it be the Butte and white, whereat fortune +dischargeth al hir dartes and shaftes, threatning shooting and assayling +the same round, yet it continueth stable and firme like a Rocke and +Clyffe beaten wyth the vyolent fury of waues rising by wind or tempest. +Whereby it chaunceth, that riches and dignity can no more +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page323" id = "page323">323</a></span> +aduaunce the heart of a slaue and villaine, than pouerty make vile and +abase the greatnesse of courage in them that be procreated of other +stuffe than of common sorte, whych daily keepe the maiesty of their +oryginall, and lyve after the instincte of good and Noble Bloude, +wherewith their auncesters were made Noble, and sucked the same vertue +oute of the Teates of Noursses Breasses, who in the myddes of +troublesome trauayles of Fortune that doe assayle them, and depresse +theyr modesty, their face and Countenaunce, and theyr factes full well +declare theyr condition, and to doe to vnderstande, that vnder sutch a +Misery, a Mynde is hydde which deserueth greater Guerdon than the +eigre taste of Calamitye. In that dyd glowe and shyne the Youthe of the +Persian and Median Monarch, beynge nourssed amonges the stalles and +Stables of hys Grandfather, and the gentle kind of the founder of +stately Rome sockeled in the Shepecoates of Prynces sheepehierds. Thus +mutch haue I sayd, my good lords and dames, in consideration of the +noble corage and gentle minde of Charles Montanine, and of his sister, +who without preiudice to any other I dare to say, is the paragon and +mirrour of all chast and curteous maidens, well trayned vp, amonges the +whole Troupe of those that lyue thys day in Siena, who beeyng brought to +the ende and last poynt of their ruine, as euery of you doth knowe, and +theyr race so sore decayed as there remayneth but the onely Name of +Montanine: notwythstanding they neuer lost the heart, desire, ne yet the +effect of the curtesy, and naturall bounty, whych euer doth accompany +the mynd of those that be Noble in deede. Whych is the cause that I am +constrayned to accuse our Auncesters, of to mutch cruelty, and of the +lyttle respecte whych for a controuersye occured by chaunce, haue +pursued them with sutch mortall reuenge, as without ceasing, with all +their force, they haue assayed to ruinate, abolyshe, and for euer +adnichilate that a ryghte Noble and illustre race of the Montanines, +amongs whome if neuer any goodnesse appeared to the Worlde, but the +Honesty, Gentlenesse, Curtesy and vertuous maners of these twayne here +presente, the Brother and sister, yet they ought to be accompted amonges +the ranke of the Noblest and chiefest of our City, to the intent in time +to come it may not be reported, that wee haue esteemed and chearyshed +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page324" id = "page324">324</a></span> +Riches and drossie mucke, more than vertue and modesty. But imitating +those excellent gouerners of Italy, whych held the Romane Empire, let vs +rather reuerence the Vertuous Poore, than prayse or pryse the Rich, +gyuen to vice and wickednesse. And for so mutch as I do see you all to +be desirous to knowe the cause and argument, whych maketh me to vse this +talke, and forceth mee to prayse the curtesy and goodnesse of the +Montanines, pleaseth you to stay a lyttle with pacience, and not think +the tyme tedyous, I meane to declare the same. Playnely to confesse +vnto you (for that it is no cryme of Death, or heinous offence) the +gyfts of nature, the Beauty and comelynesse of fayre Angelica heere +present, haue so captiuate my Mind, and depriued my heart of Lyberty, as +Night and Day trauailing how I might discouer vnto hir my martirdom, +I did consume in sutch wyse, as losing lust of slepe and meate, +I feared ere long to be either dead of sorrow or estranged of my +right wits, seing no meanes how I might auoide the same, bicause our two +houses and Families were at contynuall debate: and albeit conflicts were +ceased, and quarelles forgotten, yet there rested (as I thought) +a certaine desire both in the one and the other of offence, when +time and occasion did serue. And yet mine affection for all that was not +decreased, but rather more tormented, and my gryefe increased, hopelesse +of help, which now is chaunced to me as you shall heare. You do know, +and so do all men, howe wythin these fewe dayes past, the Lord Montanine +here present, was accused before the Seniorie, for trespasses against +the statutes and Edicts of the same, and being Prysoner, hauing not +wherewith to satisfie the condempnation, the Law affirmed that his life +should recompence and supply default of Money. I not able to suffer +the want of hym, which is the brother of the dearest thing I esteeme in +the Worlde, and hauing not hir in possession, nor lyke without him to +attayne hir, payed that Summe, and delyuered hym. He, by what meanes I +know not, or how he coniectured the beneuolence of my deede, thynking +that it proceeded of the honest Loue and affection which I bare to +gracious and amiable Angelica, wel consideryng of my curtesy, hath +ouercome me in prodigalitye, he this Nyght came vnto mee, with his +sister my mistresse, yelding hir my slaue and Bondwoman, leauyng +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page325" id = "page325">325</a></span> +hir with me, to doe with hir as I would with any thing I had. Behold my +good Lordes, and yee Noble Ladies and cosins, and consider how I may +recompence this Benefit, and be able to satisfie a present so precious, +and of sutch Value and regard as both of them be, sutch as a right +puissant prince and Lord may be contented wyth, a duety so Liberall +and Iewell inestymable of two offered thynges.” The assistants that were +there, could not tell what to say, the discourse had so mutch drawne +their myndes into dyuers fantasies and contrary opinions, seing that the +same requyred by deliberation to be considered, before lightly they +vttred their mindes. But they knew not the intent of him, which had +called them thither, more to testify his fact, than to iudge of the +thing he went about, or able to hinder and let the same. True it is, +that the ladies viewing and marking the amiable countenance of the +Montanine Damsell, woulde haue iudged for hir, if they feared not to bee +refused of hym, whome the thing did touche most neere. Who without +longer staye, opened to them al, what he was purposed to do, saying: +“Sith ye do spende time so long vpon a matter already meant and +determyned, I wyll ye to knowe, that hauing regard of mine honour, +and desirous to satisfie the honesty of the Brother and sister, +I mynde to take Angelica to my wyfe and lawfull spouse, vniting +that whych so long tyme hath bene deuyded, and making into two bodyes, +whilom not well accorded and agreed, one like and vniforme wyll, praying +you ech one, ioyfully to ioy with me, and your selues to reioyse in that +alliaunce, whych seemeth rather a worke from Heauen, than a deede +concluded by the Counsell and industrie of Men. So lykewyse all wedded +feeres in holy Wedlocke (by reason of the effect and the Author of the +same, euen God himselfe, whych dyd ordayne it firste) bee wrytten in the +infallible booke of hys owne prescience, to the intent that nothing may +decay, whych is sustayned wyth the mighty hand of that Almyghty God, the +God of wonders, which verily hee hath displayed ouer thee (deare +Brother) by makynge thee to fall into distresse and daunger of death, +that myne Angelica, beeing the meane of thy delyueraunce, myght also bee +cause of the attonement which I doe hope henceforth shall bee, betwene +so Noble houses as ours be.” Thys finall +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page326" id = "page326">326</a></span> +decree reueled in open audience, as it was, against their expectation, +and the ende that the kindred of Anselmo looked for, so was the same no +lesse straunge and bashfull, as ioyful and pleasaunt, feeling a sodain +ioy, not accustomed in theyr mynde, for that vnion and allyaunce. And +albeit that their ryches was vnequall, and the dowry of Angelica nothyng +neare the great wealth of Salimbene, yet all Men dyd deeme him happy, +that hee had chaunced vpon so vertuous a maiden, the onely Modestie and +Integritie of whome, deserued to bee coupled wyth the most honourable. +For when a man hath respecte onely to the beauty or Riches of hir, whome +he meaneth to take to Wyfe, hee moste commonly doth incurre the +Mischiefe, that the Spyrite of dyssention intermeddleth amyd theyr +household, whereby Pleasuere vanishing wyth Age, maketh the riueled Face +(beset wyth a Thousand wrynkeled furrowes) to growe pale and drye. The +Wyfe lykewyse when she seeth her goodes to surmount the substance of hir +wedded Husband, she aduaunceth hir hearte, she swelleth wyth pryde, +indeuoryng the vpper hand and souerainty in all thyngs, whereupon it +riseth, that of two frayle and transitorie things, the building which +hath so fyckle foundation, can not indure, man being borne to commaund, +and can not abyde a mayster ouer hym, beyng the chyefe and Lord of hys +Wyfe. Now Salimbene, to perfourme the effect of hys curtesie, gaue his +fayre Wife the moytie of his Lands and goods, in fauoure of the Mariage, +adopting by that meanes, Montanine to bee his Brother, appointing hym to +be heyre of all hys goodes in case he deceased wythout heyres of his +Body. And if <span class = "smallcaps">God</span> did send hym Children, +he instituted him to bee the heyre of the other halfe, which rested by +hys donation to Angelica his new espouse: Whom he maried solempnely the +Sunday folowing, to the great contentation and maruell of the whole +City, which long time was afflicted by the ciuile dissentions of those +two houses. But what? Sutch be the varieties of worldly successe, and +sutch is the mischiefe amongs men, that the same which honesty hath no +power to winne, is surmounted by the disgrace and misfortune of wretched +time. I neede not to alleage here those amongs the Romanes, which +from great hatred and malice were reconciled with the indissoluble knot +of Amity; forsomutch as the dignyties +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page327" id = "page327">327</a></span> +and Honoures of theyr Citty prouoked one to flatter and fawne vpon an +other for particular profit, and not one of them attained to sutch +excellencie and renoume, as the foresayd did, one of whome was +vanquyshed with the fire of an amorous passion, whych forcyng nature hir +selfe, brought that to passe, which could neuer haue bene thoughte or +imagyned. And yet Men wyll accuse loue, and painte hir in the Colours of +foolysh Furye and raging Madnesse. No, no, Loue in a gentle heart is the +true subiect and substance of Vertue, Curtesy, and Modest Manners, +expellynge all Cruelty and Vengeance, and nourishyng peace amongs men. +But if any do violate and prophane the holy Lawes of Loue, and peruert +that which is Vertuous, the faulte is not in that holye Saincte but in +hym whych foloweth it wythout skyll, and knoweth not the perfection. As +hapneth in euery operation, that of it selfe is honest, although defamed +by those, who thinking to vse it, doe filthily abuse the same, and cause +the grosse and ignoraunte to condempne that is good, for the folye of +sutch inconstant fooles: In the other is painted a heart so voyde of the +blody and abhominable sinne of Ingratitude, as if death had ben the true +remedy and meane to satisfie his band and duety, he would haue made no +conscience to offer himselfe frankly and freely to the dreadful passage +of the same. You see what is the force of a gentle heart wel trained vp, +that would not be vanquished in curtesye and Lyberality. I make you +to be iudges, (I meane you) that be conuersant in loue’s causes, +and that with a Iudgement passionlesse, voide of parciality doe +dyscourse vppon the factes and occurrentes that chaunce to men. +I make you (I saye) iudges to gyue sentence, whether of three +caried away the pryse, and most bound his companion by lyberall acte, +and curtesie not forced. You see a mortall enimy sorrow for the misery +of his aduersary, but solycited therunto by the ineuitable force of +Loue. The other marcheth with the glory of a present so rare and +exquisite, as a great Monarch would haue accompted it for singuler fauor +and prodigality. The maiden steppeth forth to make the third in ranke, +wyth a loue so stayed and charity wonderfull towards hir brother, as +being nothynge assured whether he to whome she offered hir selfe were so +Moderate, as Curteous, she yeldeth hir selfe to the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page328" id = "page328">328</a></span> +losse of hir chastity. The first assayeth to make himselfe a conquerour +by mariage, but she diminishyng no iote of hir Noble mind, he must seeke +else where hys pryse of victory. To hir a desyre to kyll hir selfe (if +thinges succeeded contrary to hir minde) myght haue stopped the way to +hir great glory, had she not regarded hir virginity, more than hir own +Lyfe. The second seemeth to go half constrained, and by maner of +acquitall, and had hys affectyon bene to render hymselfe Slaue to hys +Foe, hys Patron and preseruer, it would haue diminished his prayse. But +sithens inough wee haue hereof dyscoursed, and bene large in treatie of +Tragicomicall matters, intermyxed and suaged (in some parte) wyth the +Enteruiewes of dolor, modesty, and indifferente good hap, and in some +wholly imparted the dreadfull endes like to terrible beginnings, +I meane for a reliefe, and after sutch sowre sweete bankets, to +interlarde a licorous refection for sweeting the mouthes of the +delicate: And do purpose in this Nouell insuing, to manifest a pleasaunt +disport betweene a Wydow and a Scholler, a passing Practise of a +crafty Dame, not well schooled in the discipline of Academicall rules, +a surmountinge science to trade the nouices of that forme, by ware +foresight, to incountre those that by laborsome trauayle and nightly +watch, haue studied the rare knowledge of Mathematicalles, and other +hidden and secrete Artes. Wishing them so well to beware, as I am +desirous to let them know by this rudiment, the successe of sutch +attemptes.</p> + + +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page329" id = "page329">329</a></span> +<h3><a name = "novel2_31" id = "novel2_31"> +THE THIRTY-FIRST NOUELL.</a></h3> + +<p class = "summary"> +A Wydow called Mistresse Helena, wyth whom a Scholler was in loue, (shee +louing an other) made the same Scholler to stande a whole Wynter’s night +in the Snow to wayte for hir, who afterwardes by a sleyght and pollicie, +caused hir in Iuly, to stand vppon a Tower starke naked amongs Flies and +Gnats, and in the Sunne.</p> + +<p><span class = "firstword">Diuert</span> we now a little from these +sundry haps, to solace our selues wyth a merry deuice, and pleasaunt +circumstaunce of a Scholler’s loue, and of the wily guily Subtilties of +an amorous Wydow of Florence. A Scholler returned from Paris to +practise hys knowledge at home in his owne Countrey, learneth a more +cunning Lecture of Mistresse Helena, than he did of the subtillest +Sorbone Doctor, or other Mathematicall from whence he came. The Scholler +as playnely hee had applied his booke, and earnestly harkned his +readings, so he simply meant to be a faythfull Louer and deuout +requirant to this Iolly dame, that had vowed his Deuotion and promised +Pilgrimage to an other Saynct. The Scholler vpon the first view of the +Wydowe’s wandring Lookes, forgetting Ouide’s Lessons of Loue’s guiles, +pursued his conceipt to the vttermost. The Scholler neuer remembred how +many valiaunt, wise and learned men, wanton Women had seduced and +deceyued. Hee had forgot how Catullus was beguiled by Lesbia, Tibullus +by Delia, Propertius by Cynthia, Naso by Corinna, Demetrius by Lamia, +Timotheus by Phryne, Philip by a Greeke mayden, Alexander by Thays, +Hanniball by Campania, Cæsar by Cleopatra, Pompeius by Flora, Pericles +by Aspaga, Psammiticus the king of Ægypt by Rhodope, and diuers other +very famous by Women of that stampe. Hee had not ben wel trayned in holy +writ, or heard of Samson’s Dalida, or of Salomon’s Concubins, but like a +playne dealinge man, beleued what she promised, followed what she bad +him, waited whiles she mocked him, attended till shee laughed him to +scorne. And yet for all these Iolly pastimes inuented by this Widdow, to +deceyue the poore Scholler, she scaped not free from his Logike rules, +not saife from his Philosophy. He was forced +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page330" id = "page330">330</a></span> +to turne ouer Aristotle, to reuolue his Porphyrie, and to gather his +Wits about hym to requite this louing Peate, that had so charitably delt +with him. He willingly serched ouer Ptolome, perused Albumazar, made +haste to Haly, yea and for a shift besturred him in Erra Pater, for +matching two contrary Elements. For colde in Christmasse holy dayes, and +Frost at Twelftide, shewed no more force on this poore learned Scholler, +than the Sunne’s heate in the Feries of Iuly, Gnats, Flyes, and Waspes, +at Noone dayes in Sommer vpon the naked tender Corpse of this fayre +Wyddow. The Scholler stoode belowe in a Court, benoommed for colde, the +Wyddowe preached a lofte in the top of a Tower, and fayne would haue had +water to coole hir extreme heate. The Scholler in his Shyrt bedecked +wyth his demissaries. The Wyddow so Naked as hir Graundmother Eue, +wythout vesture to shroud hir. The Wyddow by magike arte what so euer it +cost, would fayne haue recouered hir lost Louer. The Scholler well +espying his aduantage when hee was asked councell, so Incharmed hir with +his Sillogismes, as he made hir to mount a Tower, to cursse the time +that euer she knew him or hir Louer. So the Wydow not well beaten in +causes of Schoole, was whipt with the Rod, wherewith shee scourged +other. Alas good Woman, had she known that olde malice had not bene +forgotten, she woulde not haue trusted, and lesse committed hir selfe to +the Circle of his Enchauntments. If women wist what dealings are wyth +men of great reading, they would amongs one hundred other, not deale +wyth one of thee meanest of those that be Bookish. One Girolamo +Ruscelli, a learned Italyan making prety notes for the better +elucidation of the Italyan Decamerone of Boccaccio, iudgeth Boccaccio +himselfe to be this scholler, whom by an other name he termeth to be +Rinieri. But whatsoeuer that Scholler was, he was truely to extreme in +reueng, and therein could vse no meane. For hee neuer left the poore +feeble soule, for all hir curteous Words and gentle Supplication, vntill +the Skin of hir flesh was Parched with the scalding Sunne beames. And +not contented with that, delt his Almose also to hir Mayde, by sending +hir to help hir Mistresse, where also she brake hir Legge. Yet Phileno +was more pityfull ouer the 3 nymphes and fayre Goddesses of Bologna, +whose Hystory you may reade in the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page331" id = "page331">331</a></span> +49 Nouell of my former Tome. He fared not so roughly with those, as +Rinieri did with thys, that sought but to gayne what she had lost. Well, +how so euer it was, and what differency betweene eyther of theym, this +Hystory ensuinge, more aptly shall gieue to vnderstande. Not long +sithens, there was in Florence, a young Gentlewoman of worshipfull +parentage, fayre and comely of personage, of courage stout, and +abounding in goods of Fortune (called Helena,) who being a widow, +determined not to mary agayne, bicause she was in loue with a yong man +that was not voyde of Nature’s good gifts, whom for hir owne Tooth, +aboue other shee had specially chosen. In whom (setting aside all other +care) many tymes (by meanes of one of hir maydes which she trusted best) +she had great pleasure and delight. It chaunced about the same time that +a yong Gentleman of that Citty called Rinieri, hauinge a great time +studied at Paris, returned to Florence, not to sell his Science by +retayle, as many doe, but to knowe the reasons of things, and the causes +thereof, which is a speciall good exercise for a Gentleman. And being +there honoured and greatly esteemed of all men, aswell for his curteous +behauiour, as also for his knowledge, he liued like a good Cittizen. But +it is commonly seene, they which haue best vnderstandinge and knowledge, +are soonest tangled in Loue: euen so it hapned with this Rinieri, who +repayringe one day for his passetime to a Feaste, this Madame Helena +clothed al in blacke, (after the manner of Widowes) was there also, and +seemed in his eyes so beautifull and well fauored, as any woman euer he +saw, and thought that hee might bee accoumpted happy, to whom God did +shewe so mutch fauoure, as to suffer him to be cleped betweene hir +Armes: and beholdinge her diuers tymes and knowing that the greatest and +dearest things cannot be gotten with out labour, he determined to use +all his endeuour and care in pleasing of hir, that thereby he might +obtayne hir loue, and so enioy hir. The yong Gentlewoman not very +bashfull, conceyuing greater opinion of hir selfe, than was needefull, +not castinge hir Eyes towards the Ground, but rolling them artificially +on euery side, and by and by perceyuing mutch gazing to be vpon hir, +espied Rinieri earnestly beholding hir, and sayd, smiling to hir selfe: +“I thinke that I haue not this day lost my +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page332" id = "page332">332</a></span> +time in comming hither, for if I bee not deceyued, I shall catch a +Pigeon by the Nose.” And beginning certayne times stedfastly to looke +vpon him, she forced hir selfe so mutch as she could, to seeme very +ernestly to beholde him. And on the other part thinking, that the more +pleasaunt and amorous she shewed hirselfe to be, the more hir beauty +should be esteemed, chiefly of him whom specially shee was disposed to +loue. The wise Scholler giuing ouer his Philosophy, bent all his +endeuour here vnto, and thinking to be hir seruaunt, learned where she +dwelt, and began to passe before hir house under pretence of some other +occasion: whereat the Gentlewoman reioysed for the causes beforesayde, +fayning an earnest desire to looke vpon him. Wherefore the Scholler +hauing found a certayne meane to be acquaynted wyth hir Mayde discouered +his loue: Praying her to deale so with hir mistresse, as he might haue +hir fauor. The maide promised him very louingly incontinently reporting +the same to hir mistresse, who with the greatest Scoffes in the Worlde, +gaue ear thereunto and sayd: “Seest thou not from whence this +Goodfellowe is come to lose al his knowledge and doctrine that he hath +brought vs from Paris. Now let vs deuise therefore how he may bee +handled for going about to seeke that, which he is not like to obtaine. +Thou shalt say vnto him, when he speaketh to thee agayne, that I loue +him better than he loueth me, but it behooueth me to saue mine honoure, +and to keepe my good name and estimation amongs other Women.” Whych +thinge, if he be so wise (as hee seemeth) hee ought to Esteeme and +Regarde. “Ah, poore Wench, she knoweth not wel, what it is to mingle +Huswiuery with learning, or to intermeddle distaues with bookes.<ins +class = "addition" title = "close quote added">”</ins> Now the mayde +when she had founde the Scholler, tolde him as hir mistresse had +commaunded: whereof the Scholler was so glad, as he with greater endeuor +proceded in his enterprise, and began to write Letters to the +Gentlewoman, which were not refused, although he could receyue no +aunsweres that pleased him, but sutch as were done openly. And in this +sorte the Gentlewoman long time fed him with delayes. In the ende she +discouered all this new loue vnto hir frend, who was attached with sutch +an Aking Disease in his heade, as the same was Fraught with the Reume of +Iealousie: +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page333" id = "page333">333</a></span> +wherefore she to shewe hir selfe to be suspected without cause (very +carefull for the Scholler) sent hir mayde to tell him, that she had no +conuenient time to doe the thinge that should please him, sithens he was +first assured of hir loue, but hoped the next Christmasse holly dayes to +be at his commaundement: wherefore if he would vouchsafe to come the +night following the first holly day, into the Court of hir house, she +would wayte there for his comminge. The Scholler the best contented man +in the Worlde fayled not at the time appoyncted, to go to the +Gentlewoman’s house: where being placed by the Mayde in a base Court, +and shut fast within the same, he attended for hir, who Suppinge with +hir friende that night, very pleasauntly recited vnto him all that she +had determined then to doe, saying: “Thou mayst see now what loue I do +beare vnto him, of whom thou hast foolishly conceyued thys Iealousie. To +which woordes hir Freende gaue eare with great delectation, desiringe to +see the effect of that, whereof she gaue him to vnderstand by wordes.” +Now as it chaunced the day before the Snowe fell downe so thicke from +aboue, as it couered the Earth, by which meanes the Scholler within a +very little space after his arriuall, began to be very colde: howbeit +hopinge to receyue recompence, he suffred it paciently. The Gentlewoman +a little whyle after, sayd vnto hir Freende: “I pray thee let vs +goe into my chuamber, where at a little Window we may looke out, and see +what he doth that maketh thee so Iealous, and herken what aunswere he +will make to my Mayde, whom of purpose I wyll send forth to speake vnto +him.” When she had so sayde, they went to the Window, where they seeing +the Scholler (they not seene of hym,) heard the Mayde speake these +wordes: “Rinieri, my Mystresse is the angriest Woman in the World, for +that as yet she cannot come vnto thee. But the cause is, that one of hir +Brethren is come to visite hir this Euening, and hath made a long +discourse of talke vnto hir, and afterwardes bad himselfe to Supper, and +as yet is not departed, but I thinke hee will not tary longe, and then +immediately she will come. In the meane tyme she prayeth thee to take a +little payne.” The Scholler beleeuing this to be true, sayde vnto hir: +“Require your Mistresse to take no care for mee till hir leasure may +serue: But yet entreat hir to make +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page334" id = "page334">334</a></span> +so mutch hast as she can.” The Mayde returned and went to Bed, and the +Dame of the house sayd then vnto hir frend: “Now sir, what say you to +this? Doe you thincke that if I loued him, as you mystrust, that I would +suffer him to tarry beneath in this greate colde to coole himselfe?” And +hauing sayd so, she went to Bed with hir frende, who then was partly +satisfied, and all the night they continued in greate pleasure and +solace, laughing, and mocking the miserable Scholler that walked vp and +downe the Court to chafe himselfe, not knowing where to sit, or which +way to auoyde the colde, and curssed the long taryinge, of his mistresse +Brother, hoping at euery noyse he heard, that she had come to open the +dore to let him in, but his hope was in vayne. Now she hauinge sported +hir selfe almost till midnight, sayd vnto hir frend: “How think you +(sir) by our Scholler, whether iudge you is greater, his Wysedome, or +the loue that I beare vnto him? The colde that I make him to suffer, +will extinguish the heate of suspition whych yee conceyued of my wordes +the other day.” “Yee say true,” (sayd hir frend,) “and I do assure you, +that like as you are my delight, my rest, my comfort, and all my hope, +euen so I am yours, and shalbe during life.” For the confirmation of +which renewed amity, they spared no delights which the louing Goddesse +doeth vse to serue and imploy vpon her seruaunts and suters. And after +they had talked a certayne time, she sayd vnto him: “For God’s sake +(sir) let vs rise a little, to see if the glowing fire which this my new +louer hath dayly written vnto me, to burn in him, bee quenched or not.” +And rysing out of their Beds, they went to a little Window and looking +downe into the Courte, they saw the Scholler dauncing vpon the Snow, +whereunto his shiuering teeth were so good Instruments, as he seemed the +trimmest Dauncer that euer trode a Cinquepace after sutch Musicke, being +forced thereunto through the great colde which he suffered. And then she +sayde vnto him: “What say you to this my frende, do you not see how +cunninge I am to make men daunce without Taber, or Pipe?” “Yes in +deede,” (sayd hir Louer) “yee be an excellent Musitian.” “Then” (quod +shee) “let vs go downe to the dore, and I will speake vnto him, but in +any Wise say you nothing, and we shal heare what reasons and arguments +he will frame to mooue me to compassion, and +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page335" id = "page335">335</a></span> +perchaunce shall haue no little pastime to behold him.” Whereupon they +went downe softly to the dore, and there without opening the same, shee +with a softe voyce out at a little whole, called the Scholler vnto hir. +Which hee hearinge, began to prayse God and thancke hym a thousande +times, beleeuing veryly that he should then be let in, and approching +the dore, said: “I am heere mine (owne sweete heart) open the dore +for God’s sake, for I am like to die for Cold.” Whom in mocking wise she +answered: “Can you make me beleue (M. Scholler) that you are so +tender, or that the colde is so great as you affirme, for a little Snow +newly falne downe? There be at Paris farre greater Snowes than these be, +but to tell you the troth, you cannot come in yet, for my Brother (the +deuell take him) came yesternight to supper, and is not yet departed, +but by and by hee wyll be gon, and then you shall obtayne the effect of +your desire, assuring you, that with mutch a doe I haue stolne away from +hym, to come hither for your comfort, praying you not to thincke it +longe.” “Madame” sayd the Scholler, “I beseech you for God’s sake +to open the dore, that I may stand in couert from the Snow, which within +this houre hath fallen in great aboundaunce, and doth yet continue: and +there I will attend your pleasure.” “Alas sweet Friend” (sayd she) “the +dore maketh sutch a noyse when it is opened, that it will easily be +heard of my brother, but I will pray him to depart, that I may quickely +returne agayne to open the same.” “Goe your way then” (sayd the +Scholler) “and I pray you cause a great fire to be made, that I may +warme mee when I come in, for I can scarce feele my selfe for colde.” +“Why, it is not possible” (quod the Woman) “if it be true that you +wholly burne in loue for me, as by your sundry Letters written, it +appeareth, but now I perceyue that you mocke me, and therefore tary +there still on God’s name.” Hir frende which heard all this, and tooke +pleasure in those wordes, went agayne to Bed with hir, into whose eyes +no slepe that night coulde enter for the pleasure and sport they had +with the poore Scholler. The vnhappy wretched Scholler whose teeth +chattered for colde, faring like a Storke in colde nights, perceyuing +himselfe to be mocked, assayed to open the dore, or if he might goe out +by some other way: and seeing it impossible, stalking vp and downe like +a Lyon, curssed +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page336" id = "page336">336</a></span> +the nature of the time, the wickednesse of the woman, the length of the +Night, and the Folly and simplicity of himselfe: and conceyuing great +rage, and despight agaynst hir, turned sodaynely the long and feruent +loue that he bare hir, into despight and cruell hatred, deuising many +and diuers meanes to bee reuenged, whych he then farre more desired, +than hee did in the beginninge to lye with his Widow. After that longe +and tedious night, day approched, and the dawning thereof began to +appeare: wherefore the mayde instructed by hir mistresse, went downe +into the court, and seemyng to haue pity uppon the Scholler, sayd vnto +hym: “The Diuell take hym that euer he came hyther this nyghte, for hee +hath bothe let vs of sleepe, and hath made you to be frozen for colde, +but take it paciently for this tyme, some other Nyght must be appointed. +For I know well that neuer thyng coulde chaunce more displeasantly to my +Mistresse than this.” But the Scholler full of dysdayne, lyke a wyse man +which knew well that threats and menacyng words, were weapons without +hands to the threatned, retayned in hys Stomacke that whych intemporate +wyll would haue broken forth, and wyth so quiet Woordes as hee coulde, +not shewynge hymselfe to bee angry, sayd: “In deede I haue suffred the +worste Nyghte that euer I dyd, but I knowe the same was not throughe +your mistresse fault, bicause shee hauing pitye vppon me, and as you +say, that which cannot be to Night, may be done another time, commend me +then vnto hir, and farewell.” And thus the poore Scholler stiffe for +colde, so well as hee coulde, retourned home to his house, where for the +extremitye of the tyme and lacke of sleepe beyng almost deade, he threwe +hymselfe vppon his bed, and when he awaked, his Armes and Legges had no +feeling. Wherefore he sent for Physitions and tolde them of the colde he +had taken, who incontinently prouided for his health: and yet for al +their best and spedy remedies, they could scarce recouer his Iointes and +Sinewes, wherein they did what they could: and had it not bene that he +was yong, and the Sommer approching, it had ben to mutch for him to haue +endured. But after he was come to Healthe, and grewe to be lusty, +secrete Malyce still resting in his breaste, hee thought vpon reuenge. +And it chaunced in a lytle tyme after, that Fortune prepared a new +accident to the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page337" id = "page337">337</a></span> +scholer to satisfy his desire, bycause the young man which was beloued +of the Gentlewoman, not caring any longer for hir, fel in loue with an +other, and gaue ouer the solace and pleasure he was wont to doe to +mistresse Helena, for which despite she consumed herself in wepings and +lamentations. But hir maid hauing pity vpon hir mistresse sorrowes, +knowing no meanes to remoue the melancoly which she conceiued for the +losse of hir friend, and seing the scholler daily passe by accordinge to +his common Custome, conceiued a foolishe beliefe that hir mistresse +friend might be brought to loue hir agayne, and wholly recouered, by +some charme or other sleight of Necromancy, to bee wrought and brought +to passe by the Scholler. Which deuise she tolde vnto hir mistresse, and +she vndiscretely (and without due consideration that if the scholler had +any knowledge in that science, he would helpe himselfe) gaue credite to +the words of hir mayde, and by and by sayd vnto hir, that shee was able +to bring it to passe, if he would take it in hande, and therewithall +promised assuredly, that for recompense he should vse hir at his +pleasure. The mayde diligently tolde the Scholler hereof, who very +ioyfull for those newes, sayd vnto himselfe: “O God, praysed be thy +name, for now the time is come, that by thy helpe I shall requite the +iniuries done vnto me by this wicked Woman, and be recompensed of the +great loue that I bare vnto hir:” And aunswered the mayd: “Go tell thy +mistresse that for this matter she neede to take no care, for if hir +frend were in India, I can presently force him to come hither, and +aske hir forgiuenesse of the fault he hath committed agaynst hir. And +the maner, and way how to vse hir selfe in this behalfe, I will +gieue hir to vnderstand when it shal please hir to appoinct me: and +fayle not to tell hir what I say, comforting hir in my behalfe.” The +mayde caried the aunswere, and it was concluded, that they should talke +more hereof at the Church of S. Lucie, whither being come, and reasoning +together alone, not remembring that she had brought the Scholler almost +to the poynct of death, she reueyled vnto him all the whole matter, and +the thing which he desired, praying him instantly to helpe hir, to whome +the scholler sayd: “True it is lady, that amongs other things which I +learned at Paris, the arte of Necromancie, (whereof +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page338" id = "page338">338</a></span> +I haue very great skill,) is one: But bycause it is mutch displeasaunt +to God, I haue made an othe neuer to vse it, eyther for my selfe, +or for any other: howbeit the loue which I beare you, is of sutch force, +as I cannot deny you any request, yea and if I should be damned amongs +all the deuils in hell, I am ready to performe your pleasure. But I +tell you before, that it is a harder matter to be done, than +paraduenture you belieue, and specially where a Woman shall prouoke a +Man to loue, or a Man the Woman, bycause it can not be done by the +propre Person, whome it doth touche, and therefore it is meete, +whatsoeuer is done, in any wyse not to be affrayde, for that the +coniuration must bee made in the Nyght, and in a solytarie place wythout +Companye: which thing I know not how you shal bee disposed to doe.” To +whom the Woman more amorous than wise, aunswered: “Loue prycketh mee in +sutch wise, as there is nothyng but I dare attempt, to haue him againe, +that causelesse hath forsaken me. But tel me I beseech you wherein it +behoueth that I be so bold and hardy.” The Scholer (subtil inough) said: +“I muste of necessity make an image of brasse, in the name of him +that you desire to haue, which being sent vnto you you must, when the +Mone is at hir ful, bath your self stark naked in a running riuer at the +first houre of sleepe <span class = "smallroman">VII.</span> times with +the same image: and afterwards beyng stil naked, you must go vp into +some tree or house vnhabited, and turning your selfe towardes the North +side thereof wyth the image in your hand you shal say <span class = +"smallroman">VII.</span> times certain words, that I wil giue you in +writing, which when you haue done, two damsels shal come vnto you, the +fairest that euer you saw, and they shall salute you, humbly demaundyng +what your pleasure is to commaund them: to whome you shal willingly +declare in good order what you desire: and take hede aboue al things, +that you name not one for an other: and when they begonne, you may +descend downe to the place where you left your Apparel, and array your +selfe agayne, and afterwardes retourne home vnto your house, and assure +your self, that before the mid of the nexte Nyghte folowing, your Fryend +shall come vnto you weepyng, and crying Mercye and forgyuenesse at youre +Handes. And know yee, that from that tyme forth, he wil neuer forsake +you for any other.” The gentlewoman hearing those +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page339" id = "page339">339</a></span> +words, gaue great credyte thervnto: and thought that already she helde +hir fryend betweene hir Armes, and very ioyfull sayd: “Doubt not sir, +but I wyll accomplysh al that you haue inioyned me: and I haue the +meetest place in the World to doe it: for vppon the valley of Arno, very +neare the Ryuer syde I haue a Manor house, secretly to woorke any +attempt that I list: and now it is the moneth of Iuly, in which tyme +bathing is most pleasaunt. And also I remembre that not far from the +Ryuer, there is a lyttle Toure vnhabited, into which one can scarce get +vp, but by a certain Ladder made of chesnut tree, which is already +there, whereuppon the shephierds do sometime ascende to the turrasse of +the same Toure, to looke for their cattell when they be gone astray: and +the place is very solitarie out of the way. Into that Toure wyll I goe +vp, and trust to execute what you haue requyred me.” The Scholler which +knew very well both the village whereof she spake, and also the Toure, +right glad for that he was assured of his purpose, sayde: “Madame, +I was neuer there, ne yet do knowe the village, nor the Toure, but +if it bee as you saye, it is not possible to finde anye better place in +the Worlde: wherefore when the tyme is come, I wyll send you the +Image, and the prayer. But I heartily beseech you, when you haue +obtained your desire, and do perceyue that I haue well serued your +turne, to haue me in remembraunce, and to keepe your promyse.” Which the +Gentlewoman assured hym to doe withoute fayle, and taking hir leaue of +him, she retired home to hir house. The Scholer ioyfull for that his +deuise should in deede come to passe, caused an image to be made with +certaine Characters, and wrote a tale of a Tubbe in stede of the prayer. +And when hee sawe tyme he sent them to the Gentlewoman, aduertising hir +that the Nyght folowyng, she must doe the thing he had appoynted hir. +Then to procede in his enterprise, he and his man went secretly to one +of his fryends houses that dwelte harde by the towne. The Woman on the +other side, and hir Mayde repaired to hir place: where when it was +nyght, makyng as though she would go slepe, she sent hir Mayde to Bed: +afterwards about ten of the Clocke she conueyed hirself very softly out +of hir lodgyng, and repayred neare to the Towne vpon the riuer of Arno, +and lookyng aboute hir, not seeing or perceiuing +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page340" id = "page340">340</a></span> +any man, she vnclothed hir selfe, and hidde hir apparell vnder a bush of +Thornes, and then bathed hir selfe <span class = +"smallroman">VII.</span> tymes with the Image, and afterwardes starke +naked, holding the same in her hand, she went towardes the Toure. The +Scholler at the beginning of the Nyghte beying hydden wyth hys seruaunt +amongs the willowes and other trees neere the Toure, saw all the +aforesayde thinges, and hir also passing naked by him, (the whitenesse +of whose body surpassed as he thought, the darknesse of the night, so +farre as blacke exceedeth white) who afterwardes behelde hir Stomack, +and the other partes of hir body, which seemed unto him to be very +delectable. And remembringe what would shortly come to passe, he had +some pitty vppon hir, on the other side, the temptation of the Flesh +sodaynely assayled hym, prouoking him to issue forth of the secret +corner, to Surprise hir, and to take his pleasure vpon hir. But calling +to hys rememberaunce what shee was, and what great wrong hee had +sustayned, his mallice began to kindle agayne, and did remoue his pitty, +and lust, continuing still stedfast in his determination, suffring her +to passe hir Iorney. The Wydow being vppon the Toure, and turning hir +face towards the North, began to say the wordes which the Scholler had +giuen hir. Within a while after the Scholler entred in very softly, and +tooke away the ladder whereupon she got vp, and stoode still to heare +what she did say and doe. Who hauing <span class = +"smallroman">VII.</span> times recited hir prayer, attended the comming +of the two damsels: for whom she wayted so long in vayne, and +therewithall began to be extreemely colde, and perceyued the dawning of +the day appeare. Wherefore taking great displeasure that it came not to +passe as the Scholler had tolde hir, she spake theese wordes to hir +selfe: “I doubt mutch least this Scholler will rewarde mee with +sutch another night, as wherein once I made him to wayte: but if he haue +done it for that respect, he is not well reuenged, for the nights now +want the third part of the length of those, then, besides the colde that +he indured, which was of greater extremity.” And that the day might not +discouer hir, she woulde haue gone downe from the Toure, but she found +the Ladder to be taken away. Then as thou the Worlde had molten vnder +hir Feete, hir heart began to fayle, and Fayntinge, fell downe vppon the +tarrasse of the toure, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page341" id = "page341">341</a></span> +and when hir force reuiued agayne, she began pitifully to weepe and +complayne. And knowing well that the Scholler had done that deede for +reuenge, she grew to be angry wyth hir selfe, for that shee hadde +Offended another, and to mutch trusted hym whom she ought (by good +reason) to haue accoumpted hir enimy. And after she had remayned a great +while in this plight, then looking if there were any way for hir to goe +downe, and perceyuinge none, she renued hir weeping, whose minde great +care and sorrow did pierce saying thus to hir selfe: “O vnhappy +wretch, what will thy brethren say, thy Parents, thy Neyghbors, and +generally all they of Florence, when they shall vnderstande that thou +hast bene found heere naked? Thy honesty which hitherto hath bene neuer +stayned, shall now bee blotted with the stayne of shame, yea, and if +thou were able to finde (for reamedy hereof) any matter of excuse (sutch +as might be founde) the wicked Scholler (who knoweth all thy doings) +will not suffer thee to ly: ah miserable wretch, that in one houre’s +space, thou hast lost both thy freende and thyne honour. What shall +become of thee? Who is able to couer thy shame?” When she had thus +complayned hirselfe, hir sorrowe was not so great as shee was like to +cast hirselfe headlong downe from the Toure: but the Sunne being already +risen, she approched neare one of the corners of the Walle, espying if +she coulde see any Boy keeping of cattell, that she might send him for +hir Mayde. And it chaunced that the Scholler which lay and slept in +couert, awaked, one espying the other, the Scholler saluted hir thus: +“Good morow, Lady, be the Damsels yet come?” The Woman seeing, and +hearing him, began agayne bitterly to weepe, and prayed him to come vp +to the Toure, that she might speake with him. The Scholler was thereunto +very agreable, and she lying on hir belly vpon the terrasse of the +Touer, discouering nothing but hir head ouer the side of the same, sayd +vnto him weeping: “Rinieri, truly, if euer I caused thee to endure an +ill Night, thou art now well reuenged on me; for although it be the +moneth of Iuly, I thought (because I was naked) that I should haue +frosen to death this night for cold, besides my great, and continuall +Teares for the offence which I haue done thee, and of my Folly for +beleeuing thee, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page342" id = "page342">342</a></span> +that maruell it is mine eyes do remayne within my head: And therefore I +pray thee, not for the loue of me, whom thou oughtest not to loue, but +for thine owne sake which art a gentleman, that the shame and payne +which I haue sustayned, may satisfy the offence and wrong I haue +committed agaynst thee: and cause mine apparell I beseech thee to be +brought vnto me, that I may goe downe from hence, and doe not robbe mee +of that, which afterwardes thou art not able to restore, which is, myne +honor: for if I haue deceyued thee of one night, I can at all times +when it shall please thee, render vnto thee for that one, many. Let it +suffice thee then with this, and like an honest man content thy selfe by +being a little reuenged on me, by making me to know now what it is to +hurt another. Do not, I pray thee, practise thy power against a +woman: for the Egle hath no fame for conquering of the Doue. Then for +the loue of God, and for thine honor sake, haue pitty and remorse vpon +me.” The Scholler with a cruel heart remembring the iniury that he hath +receyued, and seeing hir so to weepe and pray, conceyued at one instant +both pleasure and griefe in his minde: pleasure of the reuenge which he +aboue all things desired, and griefe mooued his manhoode to haue +compassion vpon the myserable woman. Notwithstanding, pitty not able to +ouercome the fury of his reuenge, he aunswered: “Mistresse Helena, if my +praiers (which in dede I could not moysten with teares, ne yet sweeten +them with sugred woordes, as you doe yours nowe) might haue obtained +that night wherein I thought I should haue died for colde in the Court +full of snowe, to haue bene conueyed by you into some couert place, an +easie matter it had beene for mee at this instant to heare your suite. +But if now more than in times past your honor do waxe warme, and that it +greeueth you to stand starke naked, make your prayers to him, betweene +whose Armes you ware not offended to be naked that night, wherein you +hearde me trot vp and downe your Courte, my Teeth chattering for cold +and marching vpon the Snow: And at his handes seeke releefe, and pray +him to bring your Clothes, and fetch a Ladder that you may come downe: +Force your selfe to set your honor’s care on him for whom both then, and +now besides many other times, you haue not feared to put the same in +perill, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page343" id = "page343">343</a></span> +Why doe you not cal for him to come and help you? And to whom doth your +help better appertayne than vnto him? You are his owne, and what things +will he not prouyde in this distresse of yours? Or else what person will +hee seeke to succour, if not to helpe and succour you? Call him +(O foolish woman) and proue if the loue which thou bearest him, and +thy wit together with his, be able to deliuer thee from my Folly, where +(when both you were togethers) you tooke your Pleasure. And now thou +haste Experience wheather my Folly or the Loue which thou diddest beare +vnto him, is greatest. And be not now so Lyberall, and Curteous of that +which I go not about to seeke: reserue thy good Nights to thy beloued +freende, if thou chaunce to escape from hence aliue: for from my selfe I +cleerely discharge you both. And truly I haue had to mutch of one: and +sufficient it is for mee to bee mocked once. Moreouer by thy crafty +talke vttered by subtill speache, and by thyne vntimely prayse, thou +thinkest to force the getting of my good will, and thou callest me +Gentleman, valiaunt man, thinkinge thereby to withdrawe my valyaunte +minde from punishing of thy wretched body: but thy flatteries shall not +yet bleare mine vnderstanding eyes, as once wyth thy vnfathyfull +promises thou diddest beguile my ouerweeninge wit. I now to well do +know, and thereof thee well assure, that all the time I was a Scholler +in Paris, I neuer learned so mutch as thou in one night diddest +teach mee. But put the Case that I were a valiaunt man, yet thou art +none of them vpon whom valiaunce ought to shewe his effects: and for the +end of sutch tormenting and passing cruell beasts, as thou art, only +death is fittest rewarde: for if a Woman made but halfe these playnts, +there is no man, but woulde asswage his reuenge. But yet as I am no +Eagle, and thou no Doue, but a most venomous Serpent, I intend so +well as I can to persecute thee mine auncient enimy, wyth the greatest +mallice I can deuise, which I cannot so properly cal reuenge, as I may +terme it Correction: for that the reuenge of a matter ought to surmount +the Offence, and I will bestow no reuenge on thee: for if I were +disposed to apply my mynde therevnto, for respect of thy displeasure +done to me, thy Lyfe should not suffise, nor one hundred more like vnto +thine: which if I tooke away, I should but rid the Worlde of a most +vile, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page344" id = "page344">344</a></span> +and wicked woman. And to say the truth, what other art thou then a +Deuill accept a little beauty in thy Face, which within few yeares will +vanishe and consume: for thou tookest no care to kill, and destroy an +honest man (as thou euen now diddest terme me) whose Life, may in tyme +to come bee more profitable to the Worlde, than an hundred thousand +sutch as thyne, so long as the World indureth. I wil teach thee +then by the paine thou suffrest, what is it to mock sutch Men as bee of +skyll, and what maner of thyng it is to delude and Scorne poore +schollers, gyuing thee warning hereby, that thou never fall into sutch +folly, if thou escapest this. But if thou haue so great a will to come +downe as thou sayest thou hast, why doest thou not throwe downe thy +selfe headlonge, that by breaking of thy Necke (if it please God) at one +instante thou rid thy selfe of the payne, wherein thou sayest thou art, +and make mee the best contented man of the Worlde. For this tyme I will +say no more to thee, but that I haue done inough to make thee clime so +high. Learne then now so wel how thou maist get down, as thou didst know +how to mock and deceyue me.” While the Scholler had preached vnto hir +these words, the wretched woman wepte continually, and the time stil did +passe away, the Sunne increasing more and more: but when the Scholler +held his peace, she replyed: “O cruell man, if that curssed nyght +was grieuous vnto thee, and my fault appeared great, cannot my youth and +Beauty, my Teares and humble Prayers bee able to mitigate thy wrath and +to moue thee to pitty: do at least that thou mayst be moued and thy +cruell minde appeased for that onely act, let me once again be trusted +of thee, and sith I haue manifested al my desire, pardon me for this +tyme, sith thou hast sufficiently made me feele the penance of my sinne. +For, if I had not reposed my trust in thee, thou hadst not now reuenged +thy self on me, which with desire most spytefull thou doest full well +declare. Gyue ouer then thine anger, and pardon me henceforth: for I am +determined if thou wilt forgeue mee, and cause me to come downe out of +this place, to forsake for ever that vnfaithfull Louer, and to receive +thee for my only friend and Lord. Moreouer where thou greatly blamest my +beauty, esteeming it to be short, and of smal accompt, sutch as it is, +and the like of other women I know, not +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page345" id = "page345">345</a></span> +be regarded for other cause but for pastime and plesure of youthly Men, +and therefore not to be contemned: and thou thy self truly art not very +old; and albeit that cruelly I am intreated of thee, yet can I not +beleue that thou wouldest haue me so miserably to die, as to cast my +selfe down headlong, like one desperate, before thine eyes, whome +(except thou were a lier as thou seemest to be now) in time past I did +wel please and like. Haue pitye then upon me, for God’s sake, for the +Sunne begins to grow exceding hot, and as the extreame and bitter cold +did hurt me the last Night euen so the heat beginneth to molest me.” +Whereunto the Scholler which kept hir there for the nonce, and for his +pleasure, answered: “Mistresse you did not now commit your faith to me +for any loue you bare, but to get that again which you had lost, +wherfore that deserueth no good turne, but greater pain: and fondlye +thou thinkest this to be the onely meanes, whereby I am able to take +desired reuenge. For I haue a thousand other wayes and a thousand +Trappes haue I layed to tangle thy feete, in makynge thee beleue that I +dyd loue thee: in sutch wyse as thou shouldest haue gone no where at any +tyme, is thys had not chanced but thou shouldest haue fallen into one of +them: and surely thou couldest haue falne into none of them, but would +haue bred thee more anoyaunce and shame than this (which I chose not for +thyne ease, but for my greater pleasure.) And besides if all these +meanes had fayled me, the pen should not, wherewyth I would haue +displayed thee in sutch Colours, as when the simple brute thereof hadde +come to thyne eares, thou wouldest haue desired a thousand times a Day, +that thou hadst neuer bene born. For the forces of the pen be farre more +vehement, than they can esteeme that haue not proued them by experience. +I swear vnto thee by God, that I doe reioyse, and so wil to the +ende, for this reuenge I take of thee, and so haue I done from the +beginning: but if I had with pen painted thy maners to the Worlde, thou +shouldest not haue ben so mutch ashamed of other, as of thy selfe, that +rather than thou wouldest haue loked mee in the Face agayne, thou +wouldest haue plucked thyne Eyes oute of thy head: and therefore reproue +no more the Sea, for beeing increased wyth a lyttle Brooke. For thy +loue, or for that thou wilt be mine own, I <span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page346" id = "page346">346</a></span> +care not, as I haue already told thee, and loue him again if thou canst, +so mutch as thou wilt, to whome for the hatred that I haue borne, +I presently bear so mutch good wyll agayne, and for the pleasure +that he hath don thee now. You be amorous and couet the loue of young +men, bicause you see theyr Colour somewhat fresh, their beard more +black, their bodies well shaped to daunce and runne at Tylt and Ryng, +but al these qualities haue they had, that be growne to elder yeares, +and they by good experience know what other are yet to learn. Moreouer +you deeme them the better horssemen, bicause they can iourney more myles +a day than those that be of farther yeares. Truely I confesse, that with +great paynes they please sutch Venerial Gentlewomen as you be, who doe +not perceyue (like sauage Beastes) what heapes of euill doe lurke vnder +the forme of fayre apparance. Younge men be not content with one Louer, +but so many as they behold, they do desire, and of so many they think +themselues worthy: wherefore their loue cannot be stable. And that this +is true, thou mayest now be thine owne wytnesse. And yong men thynkyng +themselues worthy to be honoured and cherished of theyr Ladies, haue +none other glory but to vaunt themselues of those whome they have +enioyed: whych fault maketh many to yeld themselues to those that be +discrete and wise, and to sutch as be no blabbes or Teltales. And where +thou sayest that thy loue is knowne to none, but to thy mayde and me, +thou art deceiued, if thou beleue the same, for al the inhabitants of +the streete wherein thy Louer dwelleth, and the streete also wherein thy +house doth stand, talke of nothynge more than of your Loue. But many +times in sutch cases, the party whome sutch Brute doth touch, is the +last that knoweth it. Moreouer, young men do robbe thee, where they of +elder yeares do gyue thee. Thou then (which hast made sutch choyse), +remayne to him whome thou hast chosen, and me (whom thou floutest) gyue +leaue to apply to an other: for I haue found a Woman to bee my fryend, +which is of an other discretion than thou art, and knoweth me better +than thou dost. And that thou mayst in an other world be more certaine +of myne Eyes desire, than thou hitherto art, throwe thy selfe downe so +soone as thou canst, that thy soule already (as I suppose) receiued +betwene the armes of the diuel hym selfe may +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page347" id = "page347">347</a></span> +se if mine eyes be troubled or not, to view thee breake thy Necke. But +bicause I think thou wilt not do me that good turne, I say if the +Sunne begin to warme thee, remember the cold thou madest me suffer, +which if thou canst mingle with that heat, no doubt thou shalt feele the +same more temperate.” The comfortlesse Woman seeing that the Scholler’s +words tended but to cruell end, began to weepe and said: “Now then sith +nothing can moue thee to take pity for my sake, at lest wise for the +loue of hir, whom thou saiest to be of better discretion than I, take +some compassion: for hir sake (I say) whom thou callest thy friend, +pardon mee and bryng hither my clothes that I may put them on, and cause +me if it please thee to come down from hence.” Then the Scholler began +to laugh, and seing that it was a good while past <span class = +"smallroman">III.</span> of the clocke, he answered: “Well go to, for +that woman’s sake I cannot wel say nay, or refuse thy request, tel me +where thy garments be, and I wyll go seke them, and cause thee to come +downe.” She beleuing hym, was some what comforted, and told hym the +place where she had bestowed them. And the Scholler going out of the +Toure, commaunded his seruaunt to tarry there, and to take heede that +none went in vntil he came againe. Then he departed to one of hys +friends houses, where he wel refreshed himselfe, and afterwards when he +thought time, he layd him downe to slepe. Al that space mistresse Helena +whych was styll vpon the Toure, and recomforted with a lyttle foolish +hope, sorrowful beyonde measure, began to sit downe, seeking some +shadowed place to bestow hir selfe, and with bitter thoughts and heauy +cheare in good deuotion, wayted for his comming, now musing, now wepyng, +then hopyng, and sodaynely dispayring the Scholler’s retourne wyth hir +Clothes: and chaunging from one thought to another, like one that was +weary of trauel, and had taken no rest al the Nyght, she fel into a +litle slumbre. But the Sun whych was passing hote, being aboute noone, +glaunced his burning beames vpon hir tender body and bare head, with +sutch force, as not only it singed the flesh in sight, but also did chip +and parch the same with sutch rosting heat, as she which soundly slepte, +was constrayned to wake: and feling that raging warmth, desirous +somewhat to remoue hir self, she thought in turning that all hir tosted +flesh had +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page348" id = "page348">348</a></span> +opened and broken, like vnto a skyn of parchement holden against the +fire: besides with payne extreame, hir head began to ake, with sutch +vehemence, as it seemed to be knocked in pieces: and no maruel, for the +pament of the Toure was so passing hotte, as neither vpon hir feete, or +by other remedy, shee could find place of rest. Wherefore without power +to abide in one place, she stil remoued to and fro wepying bitterly. And +moreouer, for that no Wynd did blow, the Toure was haunted wyth sutch a +swarme of Flies, and Gnats, as they lighting vppon hir parched flesh, +did so cruelly byte and stinge hir, that euery of them seemed worsse +than the prycke of a Nedle, which made hir to bestirre hir hands, +incessantly to beate them off cursing still hir selfe, hir Lyfe, hir +friend and Scholler. And being thus and with sutch pain bitten and +afflicted with the vehement heat of the Sun, with the Flies and gnats, +hungry, and mutch more thyrsty, assailed with a thousand grieuous +thoughts, she arose vp, and began to loke about hir if she could heare +or see any person, purposing whatsoeuer came of it to call for helpe. +But hir ill fortune had taken way al this hoped meanes of hir reliefe: +for the Husbandmen and other Laborers were al gone out of the fields to +shrowd themselues from the heate of the day, sparing their trauail +abrode, to thresh their corn and doe other things at home, by reason +whereof she neither saw nor hearde any thing, except Butterflies, humble +bees, crickets, and the riuer of Arno, which making hir lust to drink of +the water quenched hir thirst nothing at al, but rather did augment the +same. She sawe besides in many places, woodes, shadows and houses, which +lykewyse did breede hir double grief, for desire she had vnto the same. +But what shal we speak any more of this vnhappy woman? The Sunne aboue, +and the hot Toure paiment below, wyth the bitings of the flies and +gnats, had on euery part so dressed hir tender corps, that where before +the whitenesse of hir body did passe the darkenesse of the Night, the +same was become red, al arayed and spotted wyth gore bloud, that to the +beholder and viewer of hir state, she seemed the most yll sauored thyng +of the Worlde: and remayning in thys plyght without hope or councel, she +loked rather for death than other comfort. The Scholler after the Clocke +had rounded three in the afternoon, awaked, and remembring +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page349" id = "page349">349</a></span> +his lady, went to the Toure to see what was become of hir, and sent his +man to dinner, that had eaten nothing all that day. The Gentlewoman +hearing the Scholler, repayred so feeble and tormented as shee was, vnto +the trap doore, and sitting vppon the same, pityfully weeping began to +say: “Rinieri, thou art beyonde measure reuenged on me, for if I made +thee freese all night in mine open Court, thou haste tosted me to day +vppon this Toure, nay rather burnt with heate, consumed me: and besides +that, to dye and sterue for hunger, and thirst. Wherefore I pray thee +for God’s sake to come vp, and sith my heart is faynt to kill my selfe, +I pray thee heartely speedily to do it. For aboue all things I +desire to dy, so great and bitter is the torment which I endure. And if +thou wilt not shewe me that fauor, yet cause a glasse of Water to be +brought vnto me, that I may moysten my mouth, sith my teares bee not +able to coole the same, so great is the drouth and heate I haue within.” +Wel knew the Scholler by hir voyce, hir weake estate, and sawe besides +the most part of hir body all tosted with the Sunne: by the viewe +whereof, and humble sute of hir, he conceiued a little pitty. +Notwythstanding he aunsweared hir in this wise: “Wicked woman thou shalt +not dye with my hands, but of thine owne, if thou desire the same, and +so mutch water shalt thou haue of me for coolinge of thine heate, as +dampned Diues had in hell at Lazarus handes, when he lifted up his cry +to Abraham, holdinge that saued wighte within his blessed bosome, or as +I had fire of thee for easing of my colde. The greater is my griefe that +the vehemence of my colde must be cured with the heate of sutch a +stincking carion beast, and thy heate healed with the coldnesse of most +Soote and sauerous Water distilled from the orient Rose. And where I was +in daunger to loose my Limmes, and life, thou wilt renew thy Beauty like +the Serpent that casteth his Skin once a yeare.” “Oh myserable wretch” +(sayd the woman) “God gieue him sutch Beauty gotten in this sorte, that +wisheth me sutch euill. But (thou more cruell than any other beast) what +heart haste thou, thus like a Tyraunte to deale with me? What more +grieuous payne coulde I endure of thee, or of any other, than I do, if I +had killed, and done to death thy parents or whole race of thy stocke +and kin with most cruel torments? +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page350" id = "page350">350</a></span> +Truely I know not what greater tyranny coulde be vsed agaynst a Trayter +that had sacced or put a whole Citty to the sword, than that thou haste +done to me, to make my flesh to bee the foode and rost meate of the +Sunne, and the baite for licorous flies, not vouchsafing to reach hither +a simple glasse of Water whych would haue bene graunted to the +condempned Theefe, and Manqueller, when they be haled forth to hanging, +yea wine most commonly, if they aske the same. Now for that I see thee +still remayne in obstinate mind, and that my passion can nothinge mooue +thee, I wyll prepare paciently to receiue my death, that <span +class = "smallcaps">God</span> may haue mercy on my soule, whom I humbly +beseech with his righteous eyes to beholde that cruell act of thyne.” +And with those woords, she approched with payne to the middle of the +terrasse, despayring to escape that burning heate, and not onely once, +but a thousande times, (besides hir other sorowes) she thought to sowne +for thirst, and bitterly wept without ceasing, complayning hir mishap. +But being almost night, the Scholler thought hee had done inough, +wherefore he tooke hir clothes, and wrapping the same within his +seruaunt’s cloke, he went home to the Gentlewoman’s house where he +founde before the gate, hir mayde sitting al sad and heauy, of whom he +asked where hir mistresse was. “Syr,” (sayd she) “I cannot tell, +I thought this morning to finde hir a Bed, where I left hir yester +night, but I cannot finde hir there, nor in any other place, ne yet can +tell wheather to goe seeke hir, which maketh my hearte to throb some +misfortune chaunced vnto hir. But (sir quod she) cannot you tell where +she is?” The Scholler aunswered: “I would thou haddest bene with +hir in the place where I left hir, that I might haue bene reuenged on +thee so well, as I am of hir. But beleue assuredly, that thou shalt not +escape my handes vntill I pay thee thy desert, to the intent hereafter +in mocking other, thou mayst haue cause to remember me.” When hee had +sayde so, hee willed his man to gieue the mayde hir Mistresse Clothes, +and then did bidde hir seeke hir out if shee would. The Seruaunte did +his Mayster’s commaundment, and the Mayde hauinge receyued them, knewe +them by and by, and markinge well the scholler’s wordes, she doubted +least hee had slayne hir Mistresse, and mutch adoe she had to refrayne +from crying out. And the Scholler being gone, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page351" id = "page351">351</a></span> +she tooke hir Mistresse Garments, and ran vnto the Toure. That day by +hap, one of the Gentlewoman’s labouring Men had two of his hogges runne +a stray, and as he went to seeke them (a little while after the +Scholler’s departure) he approched neare the Toure looking round about +if he might see them. In the busie searche of whom hee heard the +miserable playnt that the vnhappy Woman made, wherefore so loude as he +coulde, be cried out: “Who weepeth there aboue?” The Woman knew the +voice of hir man, and calling him by his name, shee sayde vnto him: “Goe +home I pray thee to call my mayde and cause her to come vp hither vnto +me.” The fellow knowing his mistresse voice sayd vnto hir: “What Dame, +who hath borne you vp so hygh? Your mayde hath sought you al this day, +and who would haue thought to finde you there?” He then taking the +staues of the Ladder, did set it vp against the Toure as it ought to be, +and bounde the steppes that were wanting, with fastenings of Wyllowe +twigges, and sutch like pliant stuffe as he could finde. And at that +instant the mayde came thither, who so soone as she was entred the +Toure, not able to forbeare hir voyce, beating hir hands, shee began to +crye: “Alas sweete Mistresse where be you?” She hearing the voyce of hir +Mayde aunswered so well as shee could: “Ah (sweete Wench) I am +heere aboue, cry no more, but bring me hither my clothes.” When the +mayde heard hir speake, by and by for ioy, in haste she mounted vp the +Ladder, which the Labourer had made ready, and with his helpe gat vp to +the Terrasse of the Toure, and seeing hir Mystresse resembling not a +humayne body but rather a wodden Faggot halfe consumed with fire, all +weary and whithered, lying a long starke naked vppon the Grounde, she +began with hir Nayles to wreke the griefe vpon hir Face, and wept ouer +hir with sutch vehemency as if she had beene deade. But hir Dame prayed +hir for God’s sake to holde hir peace, and to help hir to make hir +ready: and vnderstanding by hir, that no man knewe where she was become, +except they which caried home hir clothes, and the Labourer that was +present there, shee was somewhat recomforted, and prayed them for God’s +sake to say nothing of that chaunce to any person. The Laborer after +mutch talke, and request to his Mistresse, to be of good cheere, when +shee was rysen vp, caried +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page352" id = "page352">352</a></span> +hir downe vpon his Necke, for that she was not able to goe so farre, as +out of the Toure. The poore Mayde which came behinde, in goinge downe +the Ladder without takinge heede, hir foote fayled, and fallinge downe +to the Grounde, shee brake hir Thigh, for griefe whereof she roared, and +cryed out lyke a Lyon. Wherefore the Labourer hauing placed his Dame +vpon a greene banke, went to see what hurt the Mayde had taken, and +perceyued that she had broken hir Thigh, he caried hir likewise vnto +that banke, and placed hir besides hir mistresse, who seeing one +mischiefe vppon another to chaunce, and that she of whom she hoped for +greater help, than of any other, had broken hir Thigh, sorrowfull +beyonde measure, renewed hir cry so miserably, as not onely the Labourer +was not able to comforte hir, but he himself began to weepe for company. +The Sunne hauinge trauayled into hys Westerne course, and taking his +farewell by settling himselfe to rest, was at the poynct of goinge +downe. And the poore desolate woman vnwilling to be benighted, went home +to the Labourer’s house, where taking two of his Brothers, and his Wyfe, +returned to fetch the Mayde, and caried hir home in a Chayre. Then +cheering vp hys Dame with a little fresh water, and many fayre Wordes, +he caried hir vpon his Necke into a Chaumber, afterwardes his Wyfe made +hir warm Drinks and Meates, and putting of hir clothes, layd hir in hir +Bed, and tooke order that the mistresse and maide that night were caried +to Florence, where the Mistresse ful of lies, deuised a Tale all out of +order of that which chaunced to hir, and hir Mayde, making hir Brethren, +hir Sisters, and other hir neighbours beleeue, that by flush of +lightning, and euill Sprites, hir face and body were Blistered, and the +Mayde stroken vnder the Arse bone with a Thunderbolt. Then Physitians +were sent for, who not without greate griefe, and payne to the Woman +(which many tymes left hir Skin sticking to the Sheets) cured hir cruell +Feuer, and other hir diseases, and lykewise the mayde of hir Thigh: +which caused the Gentlewoman to forget hir Louer, and from that time +forth wisely did beware and take heede whom she did mocke, and where she +did bestow hir loue. And the Scholler knowing that the Mayde had broken +hir Thigh, thought himselfe sufficiently reuenged, ioyfully passing by +them both many times in silence. +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page353" id = "page353">353</a></span> +Beholde the reward of a foolish wanton widow for hir Mockes and Flouts, +thinking that no greate care or more prouident heede ought to be taken +in iesting with a Scholler, than with any other common person, nor well +remembring how they doe know (not all, I say, but the greatest +parte) where the Diuell holdeth his Tayle: and therefore take heede good +Wyues, and Wydowes, how you giue your selues to mockes and daliaunce, +specially of Schollers. But nowe turne we to another Wyddow that was no +amorous Dame but a sober Matrone, a motherly Gentlewoman, that by +pitty, and Money Redeemed, and Raunsomed a King’s Sonne out of myserable +Captiuity, that was vtterly abandoned of all his Friendes. The manner +and meanes how the Nouell ensuing shall shewe.</p> + + +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page354" id = "page354">354</a></span> +<h3><a name = "novel2_32" id = "novel2_32"> +THE THIRTY-SECOND NOUELL.</a></h3> + +<p class = "summary"> +A Gentlewoman and Wydow called Camiola of hir owne minde Raunsomed +Roland the Kyng’s Sonne of Sicilia, of purpose to haue him to hir +Husband, who when he was redeemed unkindly denied hir, agaynst whom very +Eloquently she Inueyed, and although the Law proued him to be hir +Husband, yet for his vnkindnes, shee vtterly refused him.</p> + +<p><span class = "firstword">Bvsa</span> a Gentlewoman of Apulia, +maynetayned ten Thousande Romayne souldiers within the walles of Cannas, +that were the remnaunte of the army after the ouerthrow there: and yet +hir State of Rychesse was saulfe and nothynge dimynished, and left +therby a worthy Testimony of Lyberality as Valerius Maximus affirmeth. +If this worthy woman Busa for Liberality is commended by auncient +Authors: if she deserue a Monument amongs famous Wryters for that +splendent vertue which so brightly blasoneth the Heroicall natures of +Noble dames, then may I bee so bolde amonges these Nouels to bring in +(as it were by the hand) a Wyddow of Messina, that was a +Gentlewoman borne, adorned with passing beauty and vertues. Amongs the +rancke of which hir comely Qualities, the vertue of Liberality glistered +lyke the morninge Starre after the Night hath cast of his darke and +Cloudy Mantell. This Gentlewoman remayning in Wyddowes state, and +hearing tell that one of the Sonnes of Federicke, and Brother to Peter +that was then King of the sayd Ilande called Rolande, was caried +Prysoner to Naples, and there kept in miserable Captiuity, and not like +to bee redeemed by his Brother for a displeasure conceyued, nor by any +other, pittying the state of the young Gentleman, and mooued by hir +gentle, and couragious disposition, and specially with the vertue of +liberality, raunsomed the sayd Rolande, and craued no other interest or +vsury for the same, but him to husband, that ought upon his knees to +haue made sute to be hir slaue and seruaunte for respect of his +miserable state of Imprisonment. An affiaunce betweene them was +concluded, and he redeemed, and when hee was returned, hee falsed his +former fayth, and cared not for hir: +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page355" id = "page355">355</a></span> +for which vnkinde part, she before his Frends inueyeth agaynst that +ingratitude, and vtterly forsaketh him, when (sore ashamed) he would +very fayne haue recouered hir good wil. But she like a wise gentlewoman +well waying his inconstant mynde before mariage, lusted not to taste or +put in proofe the fruicts and successe thereof. The intire Discourse of +whom you shall briefly and presently vnderstand.<ins class = +"correction" title = "handwritten ¶ sign omitted"> </ins>Camiola a widow of the City of Siena, the +Daughter of a gentle Knight called Signor Lorenzo Toringo, was a Woman +of great renoume and fame for hir beauty liberality and shamefastnesse, +and led a life in Massina, (an auncient Citty of Sicile) no lesse +commendable than famous, in the company of hir parentes, contenting +hirself wyth one only Husbande, while she liued, which was in the tyme +when Federick the thirde was Kyng of that Isle: And after their death +she was an heyre of very great wealth and ritchesse, which were alwayes +by hir conserued and kept in maruellous honest sort. Nowe it chaunced +that after the death of Federick, Peter succeedinge by his +Commaundement, a great Army by Sea was equipped from Messina, vnder +the conduct of Iohn Countee of Chiaramonte, (the most Renoumed in those +dayes in Feats of Warre,) for to ayde the people of Lippary, which were +so strongly and earnestly besieged, as they were almost all dead and +consumed for hunger. In this Army, ouer and besides those that were in +pay, many Barons and Gentlemen willingly went vpon their own proper +costes, and charges, as well by Sea as Lande, onely for fame, and to be +renoumed in armes. This Castell of Lippari was assaulted by Godefrey of +Squilatio a valiaunt Man, and at that time Admiral to Robert Kyng of +Ierusalem and Sicile: Which Godefrey by long siege and assault, had so +famished the people within, as dayly he hoped they would surrender. But +hauing aduertisement (by certayne Brigandens which he had sent abroade +to scour the Seas) that the Enimies Army (which was farre greater than +his) was at hand, after that he had assembled all his Nauy togeather in +one sure place, he expected the euent of Fortune. The Enimies so soone +as they were seased and possessed of the place, without any resistaunce +of the places abandoned by Godefrey, caried into the Citty at their +pleasure all their victualles<ins class = "correction" title = ". for ,">. </ins>which they brought wyth them, for which good happe and +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page356" id = "page356">356</a></span> +chaunce the sayde Countee Iohn being very mutch encouraged and puffed vp +wyth pryde, offred Battell to Godefrey. Wherefore he not refusing the +same, being a man of great corage, in the Night time fortified his Army +with Boordes, Timber, and other Rampiers, and hauing put his Nauy in +good order, he encouraged his Men to fight, and to doe valiauntly the +next day, which done, hee caused the Ankers to bee wayed, and gieuing +the signe, tourned the prowees of hys Shyppes agaynst the Sicilians +Army, but Countee Iohn who thought that Godefrey would not fight, and +durst not once looke vpon the great army of the Sicilians, did not put +his Fleete in order to fight, but rather in readinesse to pursue the +enimies. But seeing the Courage, and the approch of theym that came +agaynste him, began to feare, his heart almost fayling him, and repented +him that he had required his Enimy to that which he thought neuer to +haue obtayned. In sutch wise as mistrusting the Battayle with troubled +minde, changing the order giuen, and notwithstanding not to seeme +altogither fearefull, incontinently caused his Ships to be put into +order after the best maner he could for so little tyme, himselfe gieuing +the signe of battell. In the meane while their enimies being approched +neere vnto them, and making a very great noyse with Cryes and Shoutes, +furiously entred the Sicilians, which came slowly forth, and hauing +first throwne their Hookes and Grapples to stay them, they began the +fight with Dartes, Crosse-bowes, and other Shot, in sutch sort as the +Sicilians being amazed for the sodayne mutation of Councell, and all +enuironned with feare, and the Souldiers of Godefrey perceyuing the +same, entred their enimies Ships, and comming to blowes, even in a +moment all was filled with bloud, by reason whereof the Sicilians, then +despayring of themselues, and they that feared turning the prowes fled +away: But neuerthelesse the Victorye reclininge towardes Godefrey, many +of their Ships were drowned, many taken, and diuers Pinnasses by force +of their Oares escaped. In that fight died fewe people, but many were +hurt, and Ihon the Captayne Generall taken Prysoner, and with him almost +all the Barons, which of their own accordes repayred to those Warres, +and besides a great number of Souldiers, many Ensignes as well of the +field, as of the Galleyes, and specially the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page357" id = "page357">357</a></span> +mayne Standerd was taken. And in the ende, the Castell being rendred +after long Voyages, and great Fortunes by Sea, they were al chayned, +caried to Naples and there imprisoned. Amongs those Prisoners, there was +a certayne Gentleman named Rowlande, the Naturall Sonne of King Federick +deceased, a yong prince very comely and valyaunt. Who not being +redeemed, taried alone in prison very sorrowfull to see all others +discharged after they had payd their Raunsome and himselfe not to have +wherewith to furnish the same. For king Pietro (to whom the care of him +appertayned by reason he was his Brother), for that his warres had no +better successe, and done contrary to his commaundement, conceyued +displeasure so wel agaynst him, as all others which were at that +battell. Nowe hee then being prisoner without hope of any liberty, by +meanes of the dampishe prison, and his feete clogged with yrons, grewe +to bee sicke and feeble. It chaunced by fortune, that Camiola remembred +him, and seeing him forsaken of his brethren, had compassyon vppon his +missehappe in sutch wise, as she purposed (if honestly she might doe the +same) to set hym at liberty. For the accomplishment whereof without +preiudice of hir honour, she sawe none other wayes but take him to +husband. Wherefore shee sent diuers vnto him secretely, to conferre if +he would come forth vpon that condition, whereunto he wilingly agreed. +And performing ech due ceremonie, vnder promised faith, vpon the gift of +a ring willingly by a deputy espoused Camiola, who with so mutch +diligence as she could, payed two thousand Crownes for his ransome, and +by that meanes he was deliuerd. When he was retourned to Messina, he +repayred not to his Wyfe, but fared as though there had neuer bene any +sutch talke beetwene theym: whereof at the begynninge Camiola very mutch +maruelled, and afterwardes knowinge his vnkindenesse was greatly +offended in hir heart against him. Notwithstanding to the intent she +might not seeme to be grieued without reason, before she proceded any +further, caused him louingly to be talked withal, and to be exhorted by +folowing his promyse to consummate the mariage: and seeing that he +denied euer any sutch Contract to be made, she caused him to be summoned +before the Ecclesiastical Iudge, by whome sentence was giuen that hee +was +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page358" id = "page358">358</a></span> +hir husband euidence of his owne letters, and by witnesse of certayne +other personages of good reputation, which afterwards he himself +confessed, his face blushyng for shame, for that he had forgotten sutch +a manifest benefit and good turne. When the kynde part of Camiola done +vnto him was throughly known, he was by hys Brethren reproued and +checked for hys villany, whereupon by their instigation, and the +persuasion of his frends, he was contented by humble request to desire +Camiola to perform the Nuptials. But that gentlewoman which was of great +corage in the presence of diuers that were wyth him, when he required +hir thereunto, answered him in this maner: “Rowland I haue great cause +to render thankes to almyghty God, for that it pleased him to declare +vnto me the proofe of thine vnfaythfulnesse, before thou didst by any +meanes contaminate (vnder colour of mariage) the purity of my body, and +that through his fauour, by whose most holy name thou wentest about to +abuse me by false and periured Oth, I haue foreseene thy Trumpery +and deceypt, wherein I beleeue that I have gayned more than I shoulde +haue done by thee in mariage. I suppose that when thou were in +pryson, thou didst meane no lesse, than now, by effect thou shewest, and +diddest thinke that I, forgetting of what house I was, presumptuously +desired a Husband of the Royal bloud, and therefore wholly inflamed with +thy love, did purpose to beguile mee by denying the Trouth, when thou +haddest recouered lyberty thorough my Money, and thereby to reserue thy +selfe for some other of more famous Aliaunce, being restored to thy +former degree. And thereby thou hast gieuen proofe of thy will, and what +minde thou haddest so to do if thyne ability had bene correspondent. But +God, who from the lofty Skyes doth beholde the humble and low, and who +forsaketh none that hopeth in him, knowing the sincerity of my +Conscience, hath gieuen mee the grace by little trauayle, to breake the +bands of thy deceipts, to discouer thine ingratitude, and make manifest +thine infidelity, which I haue not done only to display the wrong +towardes me, but that thy Brethren and other thy friends might from +henceforth know what thou art, what affiaunce they ought to repose in +thy fayth, and thereby what thy frends ought to looke for, and +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page359" id = "page359">359</a></span> +what thine enimies ought to feare. I have lost my Money, thou thy +good name: I haue lost the hope which I had of thee, thou the +fauour of the Kinge, and of thy brethren: I the expectation of my +mariage, thou a true and constant Wife: I the fruits of charity, +thou the gayne of amity: I an vnfaythful husband, thou a most pure +and loyall Wyfe. Now the Gentlewomen of Sicilia doe maruayle at my +Magnificence, and Beauty, and by prayses aduaunce the same vp into the +heauens: and contrarywise euery of theym doe mock thee, and deeme thee +to be Infamous. The Renoumed Wryters of ech Countrey will place me +amongs the ranke of the noblest Dames, where thou shalt be depressed, +and throwne downe amonges the Heapes of moste vnkynde. True it is, that +I am somewhat deceyued by deliuering out of Pryson, a yong man of +Royal, and noble race, in steede of whom I have redeemed a Rascall, +a Lier, a Falsifier of his faith, and a cruell Beast: and take +heede hardily how thou do greatly esteme thyselfe, and I wish thee not +to think that I was moued to draw thee out of Pryson, and take thee to +Husbande for the good qualities that were in thee, but for the memory of +auncient benefits which my father receyued of thine (if Federick, +a king of most sacred remembraunce were thy father, for I can +scarsly beleeue, that a sonne so dishonest should proceede from so noble +a Gentleman as was that famous Prince.) I know well thou thinkest +that it was an vnworthy thing, that a Widow not being of the Royal bloud +should have to husband, the sonne of a Kinge, so strong and of so goodly +personage, which I willingly confesse: but I would haue thee a little to +make me aunswere (at the least wise if thou canst by reason) when I payd +so great a sum of money to deliuer thee from bondage and captiuity, +where was then the nobility of thy Royall race? Where was thy force of +Youth? And where thy Beauty? If not that they were closed up in a +terrible Pryson, where thou wast detayned in bitter griefe, and sorrowe, +and there with those naturall qualities, couered also in obscure +darknesse, that compassed thee round about. The ill fauoured noyse and +iangling of thy chaines, the deformity of thy Face forced for lack of +light, and the stench of the infected Prison that prouoked sicknesse, +and the forsaking of thy Frends, had quite +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page360" id = "page360">360</a></span> +debased al these perfections wherewith now thou seemest to be so lusty. +Thou thoughtest me then to be worthy, not onely of a yong man of a +royall bloud, but of a God, if it were possible to haue him, and so soon +as thou (contrary to all hope) didst once visite thy natural Countrey, +like a most pestilent person without any difficulty, haste chaunged thy +mynde, and neuer since thou wast deliuered, once did call into thy +remembraunce how I was that Camiola, that I was shee (alone) that did +remembre thee: that I was shee (alone) that had compassion on thy +mishap, and that I was onely shee, who for thy health did imploy all the +goods I had. I am, I am (I say) that Camiola, who by hir +Money raunsomed thee out of the hands of the Capitall enimies of thine +Auncesters, from Fetters, from Pryson: and finally deliuered thee from +Misery extreme, before thou were altogether settled in dispayre. +I reduced thee agayne to hope, I haue reuoked thee into thy +Countrey, I haue brought thee into the Royal Pallace, and restored +thee into thy former Estate, and of a Prisoner weake, and ill fauoured, +haue made the a younge Prynce, strong, and of fayre aspect. But +wherefore haue I remembred these things, whereof thou oughtest to bee +very mindefull thy selfe, and which thou art not able to deny? Sith that +for so great benefits thou hast rendred me sutch thanks, as being my +husband in deede, thou haddest the Face to deny me mariage, already +contracted by the deposition of honest Witnesses, and approued by +Lettres, Signed with thine owne hand. Wherefore diddest thou despise me +that hath delyuered thee? Yea and if thou couldest haue stayned the Name +of hir with Infamy, that was thine onely Refuge, and Defender, thou +wouldest gladly haue giuen cause to the common people, to thinke lesse +than Honesty of hir. Art thou ashamed (thou Man of little Iudgement) to +haue to Wyfe a Wyddowe, the Daughter of a Knight? O how farre +better had it ben for thee to haue bene ashamed to breake thy promised +fayth, to haue dispised the holy and dreadfull name of God, and to haue +declared by thy curssed vnkindnes, how full fraught thou art with Vice. +I doe confesse in deede that I am not of the Royall bloud: +notwithstanding from the Cradle, being Trayned, and brought vp in the +Company of kinges Wyues, and Daughters, no great maruayle it is, if I +haue +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page361" id = "page361">361</a></span> +indued and put on a Royall heart and manners, that is able to get, and +purchase royall Nobility: but wherefore doe I multiply so many wordes? +No, no, I will be very facile, and easie in that wherein thou haste +ben to me so difficult and hard by resisting the same with all thy +power. Thou haste refused heretofore to be mine, and hauing vanquished +thee, to be sutch, franckly of myne owne accorde, I doe graunt that +thou art not. Abide (on God’s name) with thy royall Nobility, +neuerthelesse defiled with the spot of Infidelity. Make mutch of thy +youthly lustinesse, and of thy transitory beauty, and I shal be +contented with my Wyddow apparell, and shall leaue the riches which God +hath geuen me to Heyres more honest than those that might haue come of +thee. Auaunt thou wycked yong man, and sith thou art coumpted to be +vnworthy of me, learne with thine own experience, by what subtilty and +guiles thou maiest betray other dames, suffiseth it for me to be once +deceyued. And I for my parte fully determine neuer to tary longer with +thee, but rather chastly to lyue without husband, which lyfe I deeme +farre more excellent than with thy match continually to be coupled.” +After shee had spoken these words, shee departed from him, and from that +time forth, it was impossible eyther by prayers, or Admonitions to cause +hir chaunge hir holy intent. But Rowland al confused, repenting himself +to late of hys Ingratitude, blamed of ech man, his eyes fixed vpon the +grounde, auoyding not onely the presence of his brethren, but of all +sorts of people, dayly led from that time forth, a most miserable +life, and neuer durst by reason to demaunde hir againe to Wife, whom he +had by disloyalty refused. The King and the other Barons, marueyling of +the noble heart of the Lady, singularly commended hir, and exalted hir +prayses vp into the Skyes, vncertayne neuerthelesse wherein shee was +most worthy of prayse, eyther for that (contrary to the couetous nature +of Women) she had raunsomed a yong man with so great a Summe of Money, +or else after she had deliuered him, and sentence gieuen that he was hir +Husbande, she so couragiously refused him, as an vnkinde man, vnworthy +of hir company. But leaue we for a tyme, to talke of Wydowes, and let vs +see what the Captayne, and Lieutenaunt +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page362" id = "page362">362</a></span> +of Nocera can alledge vpon the discourse of his cruelties, which +although an ouer cruell Hystory, yet depaynteth the successe of those +that apply their myndes to the Sportes of Loue, sutch Loue I meane, as +is wantonly placed, and directed to no good purpose, but for glutting of +the Bodye’s delight, which both corrupteth nature, maketh feeble the +body, lewdly spendeth the time, and specially offendeth him who maketh +proclamation, that Whooremongers and adultrers shal neuer Inherite his +Kyngdome.</p> + + +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page363" id = "page363">363</a></span> +<h3><a name = "novel2_33" id = "novel2_33"> +THE THIRTY-THIRD NOUELL.</a></h3> + +<p class = "summary"> +Great cruelties chaunced to the Lords of Nocera, for adultry by one of +them committed with the Captayne’s wyfe of the forte of that Citty, with +an enterprise moued by the Captaine to the Cittyzens of the same for +Rebellion, and the good and dutyfull aunswere of them: with other +pityfull euents rysing of that notable and outragious vyce of +whoredom.</p> + +<p><span class = "firstword">The</span> furious rage of a Husband +offended for the chastity violated in his Wyfe, surpasseth all other, +and ingendreth mallice agaynst the doer whatsoeuer he be. For if a +Gentleman, or one of good nature, cannot abyde an other to doe him any +kinde of displeasure, and mutch lesse to hurt him in hys Body, how is he +able to endure to haue his honour touched, specially in that part which +is so neere vnto him as his owne Soule? Man, and Wyfe being as it were +one body and one will, wherein Men of good Judgement cannot well like +the Opinion of those which say that the honour of a lusty and couragious +person dependeth not vpon the fault of a foolish woman: for if that wer +true which they so lightly vaunt, I would demaund why they be so +animated and angry against them which adorne their head with braunched +Hornes, the Ensignes of a Cuckolde: and truely nature hath so well +prouided in that behalfe, as the very sauage Beastes doe fight, and +suffer death for sutch honest Jealousie. Yet will I not prayse, but +rather accuse aboue al faulty men, those that be so fondly Jealous, as +eche thinge troubling their mindes, be afrayde of the Flyes very shadowe +that buzze about their Faces. For by payning and molestinge theymselues +with a thinge that so little doth please and content them, vntill +manifest, and euident proofe appeare, they display the folly of their +minde’s imperfection, and the weakenesse of their Fantasy. But where the +fault is knowne, and the Vyce discouered, where the husbande seeth +himselfe to receyue Damage in the soundest part of his moueable goods, +reason it is that he therein be aduised by timely deliberation and sage +foresight, rather than with headlong fury, and raging rashnesse +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page364" id = "page364">364</a></span> +to hazard the losse of his honour, and the ruine of his life and goods. +And lyke as the fayth and fidelity of the vndefiled Bed hath in all +times worthely ben commended and rewarded: euen so he that polluteth it +by Infamy, beareth the penaunce of the same. Portia the Daughter of +Cato, and wife of Brutus shall be praysed for euer, for the honest and +inuiolable loue which she bare vnto hir beloued husband, almost like to +lose hir life when she heard tell of his certayne death. The pudicity of +Paulina the wife of Seneca appeared also, when she assayed to dy by the +same kinde of death wherewith hir Husband violently was tormented by the +vniust commaundement of the most cruel and horrible Emperoure Nero. But +Whores and Harlottes, having honest Husbands, and well allied in Kin, +and Ligneage by abandoning their bodyes, doe prodigally consume their +good Renoume: yea but if they escape the Magistrates, or auoyde the +wrath of offended husbandes for the wrong done vnto them, yet they leaue +an immortall slaunder of their wicked life, and youth thereby may take +example aswell to shun sutch shamelesse Women, as to followe those Dames +that be Chaste, and Vertuous. Now of this contempt whych the Wyfe +beareth to hir Husband, do rise very many times notorious slaunders, and +sutch as are accompanied with passinge cruelties: wherein the Husbande +ought to moderate his heate, and calme his choler, and soberly to +chastise the fault, for so mutch as excessiue wrath, and anger, doe +Eclipse in man the light of reason, and sutch rages doe make them to be +semblable vnto Brute, and reasonlesse Beastes: meete it is to be angry +for thinges done contrary to Right, and Equity, but Temperaunce, and +Modesty is necessary in al occurrentes, bee they wyth vs, or against vs. +But if to resist anger in those matters, it be hard and difficulte, yet +the greater impossibility there is in the operation, and effect of any +good thinge, the greater is the glory that vanquisheth the affection and +mastereth the first motion of the minde which is not so impossible to +gouerne, and subdue to reason, as many do esteeme. A wise man then +cannot so farre forget his duety, as to exceede the Boundes, and Limits +of reason, and to suffer his mynde to wander from the siege of +Temperaunce, which if he doe after hee hath well mingled Water in his +Wyne, hee may chaunce to +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page365" id = "page365">365</a></span> +finde cause of Repentaunce, and by desire to repayre his Offense augment +his fault, sinne being so prompt and ready in man, as the crime which +might bee couered with certayne Iustice, and coloured by some lawe or +righteous cause, maketh him many tymes to fall into detestable Vice and +Synne, so contrary to mildnesse and modesty, as the very Tyraunts +themselues woulde abhorre sutch wickednesse. And to the ende that I do +not trouble you with Allegation of infinite numbres of examples, seruing +to this purpose, ne render occasion of tediousnes for you to reuolue so +many bookes, I am contented for this present, to bring in place an +Hystory so ouer cruell, as the cause was not mutch vnreasonable, if duty +in the one had bene considered, and rage in the other bridled and +foreseene, who madly murthered and offended those that were nothing +guilty of the Facte, that touched him so neare. And although that these +be matters of loue, yet the Reader ought not to bee grieued nor take in +evill parte, that we bee still in that Argument. For we doe not hereby +goe about to erect a Schoolehouse of Loue, or to teache Youth the wanton +Toyes of the same. But rather bryng forth these Examples to withdraw the +plyant, and tender Age of this our time, from the pursuite of like +Follies, which may (were they not in this sort warned) ingender lyke +effects that these our Hystoryes do recoumpt, and whereof you shall bee +Partakers by reading the discourse that followeth. Yee must than +vnderstand, that in the time that Braccio Montone, and Sforza Attendulo +florished in Italy, and were the chiefest of the Italian men of warre, +there were three Lords and brethren which held vnder their authority and +Puissaunce Foligno, Nocera, and Treuio, parcell of the Dukedome of +Spoleto, who gouerned so louingly their Landes together, as without +diuision, they maynetayned themselues in great Estate, and lyued in +Brotherly concorde. The name of the Eldest of these three Lordes was +Nicholas, the second Cæsar, the yongest Conrade, gentle Personages, wise +and wel beloued so well of the Noble men their Neyghbours, as also of +the Cittyzens that were vnder their Obeysaunce, who in the ende, shewed +greater loyalty towards them, than those that had sworne their fayth, +and had giuen Pleadges for confirmation, as yee shal perceyue by reading +what insueth. It chaunced that the eldest +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page366" id = "page366">366</a></span> +oftentimes repayring from Foligno to Nocera, and lodging still in the +Castell, behelde with a little to mutch wanton Eye, the Wyfe of his +Lieutenaunt whych was placed there with a good number of dead payes, to +Guard the Fort, and keepe vnder the Cittizens, if by chaunce (as it +happeneth vpon the new erection of Estates) they attemped some new +enterprise agaynst their Soueraygne Lordes. Nowe this Gentlewoman was +very fayre, singularly delighting to be looked vpon: which occasioned +the Lord Nicholas, by perceyuing the wantonesse and good wyll of the +Mystresse of the Castell, not to refuse so good occasion, determining to +prosecute the inioying of hir, that was the Bird after which he hunted, +whose Beauty and good grace had deepely wounded his Mind, wherin if he +forgot his duety, I leaue for al men of good iudgement to consider. +For me thinke that this young Lorde ought rather singularly to loue and +cherysh his liuetenaunt that faithfullye and trustily had kept his +Castell and Forte, than to prepare agaynst him so Trayterous an Attempt, +and Ambushe. And if so bee hys sayd Lieutenaunt had bene accused of +felony, misprison, or Treason (yet to speake the trouth) hee might haue +deliuered the charge of his Castell vnto an other, rather then to +suborne his Wyfe to folly. And ought likewise to haue considered that +the Lieuetenaunt by puttinge his trust in him, had iust cause to +complayne for Rauishing hys Honoure from hym in the Person of hys Wyfe, +whom hee ought to haue loued wythout any affection to Infrindge the Holy +Lawe of Amitye, the breakinge whereof dissolueth the duety of ech +Seruaunt towardes his Soueraygne Lord and mayster. To be short, this +blinded Louer yelding no resistaunce to loue, and the foolish conceipt +which altereth the iudgements of the wisest, suffred his fansie to roue +so farre vnto hys Appetites, as on a daye when the Lieuetenaunte was +walked abroade into the Castel to view the Souldiours and deade payes +(to pleasure him that sought the meanes of his displeasure) hee spake to +the Gentlewoman his Wyfe in this manner: “Gentlewoman, you being wise +and curteous as ech man knoweth, needefull it is not to vse long or +Rethoricall Orations, for so mutch as you without further supply of talk +do clearely perceyue by my Looks, Sighes, and earnest Viewes, the loue +that I beare you, which without comparison nippeth my +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page367" id = "page367">367</a></span> +Hearte so neare as none can feele the parching paynes, that the same +poore portion of me doth suffer. Wherefore hauing no great leysure to +let you further vnderstand my mynde, it may please you to shewe me so +mutch Fauour as I may be receyued for him, who hauing the better right +of your good grace, may therewithall enioy that secret Acquayntance, +which sutch a one as I am deserueth: of whom yee shall haue better +experience if you please to accept him for your owne.” This mistresse +Lieutenaunt which compted hir selfe happy to be beloued of hir Lorde, +and who tooke great pleasure in that aduenture, albeit that shee desyred +to lette hym knowe the good will that she bare vnto him, yet dissembled +the matter a little, by aunswering him in this wise: “Your disease Sir +is sodayne, if in so little time you haue felt sutch excesse of malady: +but perchance it is your heart that being ouer tender, hath lightly +receyued the pricke, which no doubt will so soone vanish, as it hath +made so ready entry. I am very glade (Sir) that your heart is so +merily disposed to daliaunce, and can finde some matter to contriue the +superfluitie of tyme, the same altering the diuersity of man’s +complexion, accordingly as the condition of the hourely Planet guideth +the nature of euery wight.” “It is altogither otherwise (aunswered hee) +for being come hither as a master and Lord, I am become a seruaunt +and slaue: and briefly to speake my minde, if you haue not pitty vpon +me, the disease which you call sodayne, not only will take increase, but +procure the death and finall ruine of my heart.” “Ah sir,” (sayd the +Gentlewoman) “your griefe is not so deepely rooted, and death so present +to succeede as you affirme, ne yet so ready to gieue ouer the place, as +you protest, but I see what is the matter, you desire to laugh mee to +scorne, and your heart craueth something to solace it selfe which cannot +be idle, but must imploy the vacant tyme vpon some pleasaunt Toyes.” +“You haue touched the pricke (aunswered the Louer) for it is you in +deede wherevpon my hearte doth ioy, and you are the cause of my Laughter +and passetime, for otherwise all my delights were displeasures, and you +also by denying me to be your seruaunt, shall abbreuiate, and shorten my +liuing dayes, who only reioyseth for choyse of sutch a mystresse.” “And +how (replied she) +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page368" id = "page368">368</a></span> +can I be assured of that you say? The disloyalty, and infidelity of man +being in these dayes so faste vnited, so hastely following one another, +as the Shadow doth the Body, wheresoeuer it goeth.” “Onely experience” +(sayed he) “shall make you know what I am, and shall teach you wheather +my heart is any thing different from my wordes, and I dare bee bolde to +say, that if you vouchsafe to do mee the pleasure to receyue mee for +your owne, you may make your vaunt to haue a Gentleman so faythfull for +your frend, as I esteeme you to be discrete, and as I desire to let you +taste the effect of mine affection, by sutch some honest order as may be +deuised.” “Sir” (sayd she) “it is well and aduisedly spoken of you, but +yet I thincke it straunge for sutch a Gentleman as you be, to debase +your honor to so poore a Gentlewoman, and to goe about both to dishonor +me, and to put my life in pearill.” “God forbid” (aunswered the Lord +Nicholas) “that I be cause of any slaunder, and rather had I dye my +selfe than minister one simple occasion whereby your fame should be +brought in question. Only I doe pray you to have pitty vpon me, and by +vsing your curtesie, to satisfie that which my seruice and faythfull +friendship doth constrayne, and binde you for the comfort of him that +loueth you better than himselfe.” “We will talke more thereof hereafter” +(aunswered the lieuetenaunt’s Wyfe) “and than will I tell you mine +aduise, and what resolution shall follow the summe of your demaunde.” +“How now Gentlewoman” (sayd he) “haue you the heart to leaue me voyde of +hope, to make me languish for the prorogation of a thing so doubtful as +the delayes bee which loue deferreth? I humbly pray you to tell me +whereunto I shall trust: to the intent that by punishing my heart for +proofe of this enterprise, I may chastise all mine Eyes by reuing +from them the meanes for euer more to see that which contenteth me best, +and wherein resteth my solace, leauing my minde full of desires, and my +heart without final stay, vppon the greatest Pleasure that euer man +coulde choose.” The Gentlewoman would not loose a Noble man so good and +perfect: whose presence already pleased hir aboue all other thinges, +and, who voluntarily had agreed to hys request, by the onely signe of +hir Gests, and Lookes, sayde vnto him smilinge with a very good grace: +“Doe not accuse my heart of lightnesse, nor +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page369" id = "page369">369</a></span> +my minde of infidelity and treason, if to please and obey you, +I forget my duty, and abuse the promise made unto my Husband, for I +sweare vnto you (sir) by God, that I haue more forced my thought, and of +long time haue constrayned mine appetites in dissembling the loue that I +beare you, than I haue receiued pleasure, by knowing my selfe to be +beloued by one agreeable to mine affection. For which cause you shall +finde me (being but a poore Gentlewoman) more ready to do your pleasure, +and to be at your commaundement, than any other that liueth be shee of +greater Port, and regarde than I am. And who to satisfie your request, +shal one day sacrifice that fidelity to the iealous fury of hir +husband.” “God defend” (sayd the young Lord) “for we shal be so discrete +in our doings, and so seldome communicate, and talke togeather, as +impossible for any man to discry the same. But if mishap will haue it +so, and that some ill lucke doe discouer our dealinges, I haue +shift of wayes to coloure it, and power to stop the mouthes of them that +dare presume to clatter and haue to do with our priuate conference.” +“All that I know wel inough sir” (sayd she) “but it is great simplicity +in sutch thinges for a man to trust to his authority, the forced +inhibition whereof shall prouoke more babble, than rumor is able to +spreade for all his tattling talk of our secret follies. Moreouer I +would be very glad to do what pleaseth you, so the same may be without +slaunder. For I had rather dy, than any should take vs in our priuities +and familier pastimes: let vs be contented with the pleasure that the +ease of our ioy may graunt, and not with sutch contentation as shal +offend vs, by blotting the clerenesse of our good name.” Concluding then +the time of their new acquayntaunce, which was the next day at noone, +when the Lieutenaunt did walke into the Citty, they ceased their talke +for feare of his enteruiew. Who (upon his retourne) doing reuerence vnto +his Lord, tolde him that hee knewe where a wilde Boare did haunte, if it +pleased him to see the pastime. Whereunto the Lord Nicholas fayned +louingly to gieue eare (although agaynst his will) for so mutch as hee +thought the same Huntinge should be a delay for certayne dayes to the +enioying, (pretended and assured) of his beloued. But she that was so +mutch or more esprysed with the raging and intollerable fire of loue, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page370" id = "page370">370</a></span> +speedily found meanes to satisfie hir louer’s sute, but not in sutch +manner as was desired of eyther partes, wherefore they were constrayned +to defer the rest vntill an other time. This pleasaunt beginning so +allured the Lord of Nocera, as vnder the pretence of huntinge, there was +no weeke that passed, but hee came to visite the Warrener of hys +Lieutenaunt. And this order continuing without any one little suspition +of their loue, they gouerned theymselues wisely in pursute thereof. And +the Lord Nicholas vsed the game and sporte of Hunting, and an infinite +number of other exercises, as the running of the Ring, and Tennis, not +so mutch thereby to finde meanes to enioy his Lady, as to auoyde +occasion of Iealosie in hir Husband, being a very familiar vice in all +Italians, the Cloake whereof is very heauy to beare, and the disease +troublesome to sustayne. But what? Like as it is hard to beguile an +Vsurer in the accoumpt of his money, for his continuall watch ouer the +same, and slumbring sleepes vpon the Bookes of his recknings and +accoumpts, so difficult it is to deceyue the heart of a iealous man, and +specially when he is assured of the griefe which his head conceyueth. +Argus was neuer so cleere eyed for all his hundred Eyes ouer Iupiter’s +Lemman, as those Louers be, whose opinions be ill affected ouer the +chastity of their Wyues. Moreouer what Foole, or Asse is hee, who seeing +sutch vndiscrete familiarity of two Louers, the priuy gestures and +demeanors without witnesse, theyr stolne walkes at vntymely houres, and +sometimes theyr embracements to, strayght and common before seruants, +that would not doubt of that whych most secretly did passe? True it is +that in England (where liberty is so honestly obserued as being alone or +secrete conuersation gyueth no cause of suspition) the same mighte haue +bene borne withall. But in Italy, where the Parents themselues be for +the most part suspected, (if there had bene no facte in deede committed) +that familiarity of the Lord Nicholas, with hys Lieutenaunte’s Wyfe was +not suffrable, but exceded the Bounds of reason, for so mutch as the +Commoditie which they had chosen for possessing of theyr loue, (albeit +the same not suspitions) animated them afterwards to frequent their +familiarity and dysporte to frankly, and wythout discretion: which was +the cause that fortune (who neuer leaueth the ioyes of men wythout +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page371" id = "page371">371</a></span> +giuing thereunto some great alarme,) being enuious of the mutuall +delightes of those two louers, made the husband to doubt of that which +hee would haue dissembled, if honor could so easily be loste wythoute +reproch, as bloud is shed without peryll of Lyfe, but the matter being +so cleare, as the fault was euident, specyally in the party which +touched him so neare as hymselfe, the Lieuetenaunt before he would +enterpryse any thing, and declare what he thought desired throughly to +bee resolued of that whych hee sawe as it were but in a Cloude, and by +reason of hys conceyued Opynion hee dealt so warely and wisely in those +affaires, and was so subtil an espiall, as one day when the louers were +at theyr game, and in their most straite and secrete embracements, he +viewed them coupled with other leash, than he would haue wished, and +colled with straighter bands then reason or honesty did permit. He saw +with out beeing seene, wherein he felt a certaine ease and contentment, +for being assured of that he doubted, and purposed to ordeyne a sowre +refection after their delightsome banket, the simple louers ignoraunt by +signe or coniecture, that their enterpryses were dyscouered. And truely +it had ben more tollerable and lesse hurteful for the Lieuetenaunte, if +euen then hee had perpetrated his vengeaunce, and punyshed them for +theyr wyckednesse, than to vse the Cruelty wherewith afterwardes he +blotted his renoume, and soyled his hands by Bedlem rage in the innocent +bloud of those that were not priuye to the folly, and lesse guilty of +the wronge don vnto him. Now the Captain of the Castel for al his +dissimulation in couering of his griefe, and his fellony and Treason +intended against his soueraigne Lord, which he desired not yet +manifestly to appeare, was not able any more from that time forth to +speake so louingly vnto him, nor with sutch respect and reuerence as he +did before, which caused his Wife thus to say vnto hir Louer: “My Lord I +doubt very mutch least my husband doth perceiue these our common +practizes, and secrete familiar dealings, and that he hath some Hammer +working in his heade, by reason of the Countenaunce,<ins class = +"addition" title = "space added"> </ins>and vncheareful +entertaynement which he sheweth to your Lordship, wherefore myne aduyse +is, that you retire for a certaine tyme to Foligno. In the meane space I +wil marke and espye if that his alteration be conceiued for any matter +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page372" id = "page372">372</a></span> +against vs, and wherefore his wonted lookes haue put on this new +alteration and chaunge. All which when I haue (by my espial and secret +practize sounded) I will spedily aduertise you, to the end that you +may provide for the sauegard of your faithfull and louing seruaunt.” The +young Lord, who loued the Gentlewoman wyth al his heart, was attached +with so great gryefe, and dryuen into sutch rage by hearyng those wycked +Newes, as euen presently he woulde haue knowne of hys Lieuetenaunt, the +cause of his dyswonted cheare. But weighing the good aduyse whych his +woman had giuen him, paused vppon the same, and promysed hir to doe what +she thought best. By reason whereof, gyuynge warnyng to his Seruantes +for hys departure, he caused the Lyeuetenaunte to be called before him, +vnto whome hee sayd: “Captayne, I had thoughte for certayne Dayes +to sporte and passe my tyme, but hearing tell that the Duke of Camarino +commeth to Foligno, to debate with vs of matters of importaunce, +I am constrained to departe, and do pray you in the meane time to +haue good regard vnto our affaires, and if any newes doe chaunce to +aduertise the same wyth all Expedytion.” “Sir” (sayd the Captayne) +“I am sorrye that now when our passetime of hunting myght yelde +some good recreation vnto your honour, that you doe thus forsake vs, +notwithstanding sith it is your good pleasure, we will cease the chase +of the wylde Bore till your retourne. In the meane time, I will +make ready the Coardes and Tramelles, that vppon your comming, nothing +want for the Furniture of our sport.” The Lord Nicholas, seeing his +Lieuetenaunt so pleasauntly disposed, and so litle bent to Choller, or +iealous fantasie, was persuaded, that some other toy had rather occupyed +his Minde, than any suspition betweene his Wife and hym. But the subtyll +Husband searched other meanes to be reuenged, than by kylling him alone, +of whom he receyued that dishonour, and was more craftie to enterpryse, +and more hardie to execute, than the Louers were wyse or well aduised to +preuent and wythstande his sleightes and pollicies. And albeit that the +Wyfe (after the departure of hir Fryend) assayed to drawe from him the +cause of his altered cheare yet coulde shee neuer learne, that hir +husband had any ill opinion of theyr Loue. For so many tymes as talke +was moued of the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page373" id = "page373">373</a></span> +Lord Nicholas, hee exalted his prayse vp into the Heauens, and commended +hym aboue all his Brethren. All whych hee dyd to beguyle the pollycies +of hir, whome he saw to blush, and many times chaunge Colour, when she +heard him spoken of, to whom she bare better affection than to hir +Husband, vnto whom (in very dede) she did owe the faith and integritie +of hir body. This was the very toile which he had laid to intrap those +amorous persons and purposed to rid the world of them by that meanes, to +remoue from before his eyes, the shame of a Cuckolde’s title, and to +reuenge the iniurie don to his reputation. The mistresse of the Castel +seeynge that hir husband (as shee thought) by no meanes did vnderstande +hir follies, desired to continue the pleasure, which either of them +desired, and which made the third to die of phrenesie, wrote to the Lord +Nicholas, the letter that followeth.</p> + +<p>“My Lord, the feare I had, that my husband should perceyue our loue, +caused me to intreat you certaine dayes past, to discontinue for a time, +the frequentation of your owne house, whereby I am not little agrieued, +that contrary to my wil, I am defrauded of your presence, which is +far more pleasaunt vnto me, than my husband’s flatteries, who ceaseth +not contynually to talke of the honest behauiour, and commendable +qualyties that be in you, and is sorry for your departure, bicause he +feareth that you mislyke youre entertainement, whych should be (sayth +he) so gryeuous and noysome vnto him, as death it selfe. Wherefore, +I pray you sir, if it be possible, and that your affayres doe +suffer you, to come hither to the ende I may enioy your amayable +presence, and vse the Liberty that our good hap hath prepared, through +the litle iealousie of my husband your Lieuetenaunt: who I suppose +before it be long wil intreat you, so great is his desire to make you +passetime of hunting within your owne Land and territory. Fayle not then +to come I beseech you, and we wyll so well consider the gouernment of +our affaires, as the best sighted shall not once discry the least +suspicion thereof, recommending my selfe most humbly (after the best +maner I can) to your good Lordship.”</p> + +<p>This Letter was deliuered to a Lackey to beare to the Lord Nicholas, +and not so priuily done, but the Lieutenaunt immediately espied the +deceipt which the sooner was disciphred, for so mutch as he +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page374" id = "page374">374</a></span> +dayely lay in wayte to find the meanes to reuenge the wrong done vnto +him, of purpose to beate the iron so long as it was hotte, and to +execute hys purpose before his Wife tooke heede, and felte the endeuor +of his Enterpryse. And bicause that shee had assayed by diuers wayes to +sound his heart, and fele whether he had conceiued displeasure against +the Lord hir louer, the Day after wherein she had written to hir friend, +hee sent one of his Men in poste to the three Lordes, to requyre them to +come the nexte Day to see the pastime of the fayrest and greatest wild +Bore, that long tyme was bred in the Forrests adioyning vnto Nocera, +Albeit that the Countrey was fayre for coursinge, and that dyuers tymes +many fayre Bores haue ben encountred there. But it was not for this, +that he had framed his errand, but to trap in one toyle and snare the +thre brethren, whom he determined to sacrifice to the aulter of his +vengeance, for the expiation of theyr elder brother’s trespasse, and for +soyling the Nuptial bed of his seruaunt. He was the wylde Bore whome he +meant to strike, hee was the pray of his vnsaciable and cruell Appetite. +If the fault had ben generall of all three togethers, he had had some +reason to make them passe the bracke of one equall fortune, and to +tangle them within one net, both to preuent thereby (as he thought) his +further hurt, and to chastise their leude behauiour. For many tymes (as +lamentable experience teacheth) Noble men for the onely respecte of +their Nobility, make no Conscience to doe wrong to the honor of them, +whose reputation and honesty, they ought so wel to regard as their owne. +Herein offended the good Prynce of the Iewes Dauid, when to vse his +Bersabe without suspition, he caused innocent Vrias to bee slayne, in +lieu of recompence for his good seruice, and diligent execution of his +behests. The children of the proud Romane king Tarquinius, did herein +greatly abuse them selues, when they violated that noble Gentlewoman +Lucrece, whom al histories do so mutch remembre, and whose chastity, al +famous writers do commend. Vppon sutch as they be, vengeance ought to be +don, and not to defile the hands in the bloud of innocents, as the +Parents and Kinsemen of deade Lucrece did at Rome, and this Lieutenaunt +at Nocera, vppon the brethren of him that had sent him into Cornwal, +without passing ouer the Seas. But what? Anger proceding +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page375" id = "page375">375</a></span> +of sutch wronge, surmounteth al phrenesie, and exceedeth al the bounds +of reason, and man is so deuoyd of Wyts, by seeing the blot of +defamation, to lyght vpon him, as he seeketh al meanes to hurt and +displease him that polluteth his renoume. Al the race of the Tarquines +for like fact were banyshed Rome, for the onely brute whereof, the +husband of the faire rauished wife, was constrayned to auoid the Place +of his natiuity. Paris alone violated the body of Menelaus, the +Lacedemonian kyng, but for reuenge of the rauyshed Greeke, not onely the +glory and Rychesse of stately Troy, but also the most parte of Asia and +Europa, was ouertourned and defaced, if credyte may be gyuen to the +recordes of the Auncyent. So in this fact of the Lieutenaunt, the Lord +Nicholas alone, had polluted his bed, but the reuenge of the cruel man +extended further, and his fury raged so farre, as the guiltlesse were in +greate Daunger to beare the penaunce, which shall be well perceiued by +the discourse that foloweth. The Captaine then hauing sent his message, +and beyng sure of his intent (no lesse than is he already had the +brethren within his hold, vpon the point to couple them together with +his wife, to send them all in pilgrimage to visite the faithfull forte, +that blason their loues in an other worlde, with Dydo, Phyllis, and +sutch like, that more for dispayre than loue, bee passed the straictes +of death) caused to be called before him in a secrete place, al the +souldiers of the Fort, and sutch as with whome he was sure to preuayle, +to whom not without sheading forth some teares, in heauie Countenaunce, +he spake in this maner: “My Companions and Fryends, I doubt not but +yee bee abashed to see me wrapt in so heauy plyght, and appeare in this +forme before you (that is to say) bewept, heauy, panting with sighes, +and all contrary to my custome, in other state and maner, than my +courage and degree requyre. But when ye shall vnderstand the cause I am +assured that the case whych seemeth straunge to you, shall be thought +just and ryght and so will perfourme the thing wherein I shall employe +you. Ye knowe that the first point that a Gentleman ought to regarde, +consisteth not onely in repelling the iniury done vnto the body, but +rather it behoueth that the fight begin for the defense of his honor, +which is a thinge that proceedeth from the Minde, and resorteth to the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page376" id = "page376">376</a></span> +Body, as the Instrument to worke that which the spyryte appointeth. Now +it is honour, for conseruation whereof, an honest man and one of good +Courage feareth not to put hymselfe in all perill and daunger of death +and losse of goodes, referring himselfe also to the guarde of that whych +toucheth as it were oure owne reputation. In sutch wyse as if a good +Captaine do suffer hys souldier to be a wycked man, a Robber, +a Murderer, and an exacter, he beareth the note of dyshonor albeit +in all his doings he gouerneth his estate after the rule of honesty, and +doth nothing that is vnworthy his vocation. But what? he being a head +vnited to sutch members, if the partes of that vnited thing be corrupt +and naught, the head must needes bear the blot of the fault before +referred to the whole Body. Alas (sayd he sighing) what parte is more +neare, and dearer to Man, than that which is giuen vnto him for a Pledge +and Comfort duryng his Life, and which is conioyned to be bone of his +bone, and flesh of his flesh, to breath forth one Mynde, and to think +with one heart and equall wil. It is of the Wyfe that I speake, who +being the moytie of hir husband, ye ought not to muse if I say, that the +honoure of the one is the rest of the other, and the one infamous and +wycked, the other feeleth the troubles of sutch mischiefe, and the Wife +being carelesse of hir honour, the husband’s reputation is defiled, and +is not worthy of prayse, if he suffer sutch shame vnreuenged: +I must (Companions and good friends) here dyscouer that whych my +heart would faine kepe secrete, if it were possible, and must rehearse a +thing vnto you, which so sone as my Mouth would faine kepe close, the +Minde assayeth to force the ouerture. And loth I am to do it, were it +not that I make so good accompt of you, as ye being tied to me with an +vnseparable Amity, will yeld me your comfort and Ayde against him that +hath done mee this Villany, sutch as if I be not reuenged vpon, needes +must I be the Executioner of that vengeance vppon my selfe, that I am +loth to lyue in this dishonor, whych all the dayes of my life (without +due vltion) like a Worme wyll torment and gnaw my conscyence. Wherefore +before I goe any further, I woulde knowe whether I myght so well +trust your aide and succour in this my businesse, as in all others I am +assured you would not leaue mee so long as +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page377" id = "page377">377</a></span> +any breath of life remained in you. For without sutch assurance, +I do not purpose to let you know the pricking naile that pierceth +my heart, nor the gryefe that grieueth me so neare, as by vttering it +without hope of help I shall open the Gate to death, and dye without +reliefe of my desire, by punishing him, of whome I haue receyued an +iniury more bloudy than any man can doe.” The Souldiers whych loued the +Captaine as theyr owne Lyfe, were sorry to see him in sutch estate, and +greater was theyr dolour to heare wordes that tended to nothing else but +to fury, vengeaunce, and murder of hymselfe. Wherefore all wyth one +accorde promysed theyr helpe and mayne force towardes and against all +men for the bryngyng to passe of that whych hee dyd meane to requyre. +The Lieutenaunt assured of his Men conceyued heart and Courage, and +continuing his Oration and purpose, determyned the slaughter and +ouerthrowe of thre Trinicien Brethren, (for that was the surname of the +Lordes of Foligno,) who pursued his Oration in this maner: “Know ye then +(my Companions and good Friends) that it is my Wife, by whome I haue +indured the hurt and losse of myne honour, and she is the party touched, +and I am he that am most offended. And to the ende that I do not hold +you longer in suspence, and the party be concealed from you, whych hath +don me thys Outrage: ye shall vnderstand that Nicholas Trinicio, the +elder of the three Lordes of Folingno and Nocera, is he, that against +all ryght and equity hath suborned the Wife of his Lieuetenaunt, and +soyled the Bed of him, whereof he ought to haue ben the defender and the +very bulwarke of his reputation. It is of hym my good Fryends, and of +his that I meane to take sutch Vengeaunce, as eternall memory shall +display the same to all posterity: and neuer Lord shal dare to doe a +like wrong to mine, without remembraunce what his duety is, which shall +teach hym how to abuse the honest seruice of a Gentleman that is one of +his owne trayne. It resteth in you both to holde vp your hand, and keepe +your promise, to the end that the Lord Nicholas, deceiuyng and mocking +me, may not trust and put affiance in your force, vnto whych I heartily +do recommend my selfe.” The Souldiers moued and incited with the +wickednesse of theyr Lord and with the wrong +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page378" id = "page378">378</a></span> +done to him, of whom they receyued wages, swore agayne to serue his +turne in any exploit he went about, and requyred him to be assured, that +the, Trinicien Brethren should be ouerthrowne, and suffer deserued +penaunce, if they might lay hands vpon them, and therefore willed him to +seke meanes to allure them thither, that they might be dispatched. The +Lieuetenaunt at these words renuing a chearefull Countenaunce, and +shewing himself very ioyfull for sutch successe after he had thanked his +Souldyers, and very louingly imbraced the chiefest of them, reuealed hys +deuised pollicy, and hoped shortly to haue them at his commaundement +within the Fort, alleaging that he had dispatched two Messengers vnto +them, and that his wife also priuily had sent hir page: vnto whome he +purposed to gyue so good a recompense, as neuer more she should plant +his hornes so hygh, vnder a colour of gentle entertaynement of hir +ribauld and Friend. They were scarce resolued vpon this intent, but +newes were brought him, that the next day morning, the three lords +accompanied with other nobility would come to Nocera, to hunt that huge +wylde Bore, whereof the Lieutenaunt had made so greate auant. These +newes did not greatly please the Captaine, for so mutch as he feared, +that his purpose could not (conueniently) be brought to passe, if the +company were so great. But when he considered that the Lords alone, +should lodge within the Fort, he was of good cheare again, and staied +vpon his first intent. The Triniciens the next day after came very late, +bicause the Lord Berardo of Verano duke of Camerino, desired to be one, +and also the two brethren taried for Conrade, who was at a mariage, and +could not assist the Tragedie that was played at Nocera, to his great +hap and profit. So this troupe came to Nocera late, and hauing supped in +the City, the Lord Nicholas, and the Duke of Camerino went to Bed in the +Fort, Cæsar the brother of Trinicio tarying behind with the Trayne, to +lodge in the city. Stay here a while (ye Gentlemen) ye I say, that +pursue the secrete stelths of loue, neuer put any great trust in +fortune, which seldome kepeth hir promise with you. Ye had neede +therfore to take goode heede, least ye be surprysed in the place, wher +priuily you giue the assault, and in the acte +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page379" id = "page379">379</a></span> +wherein ye desire the assistance of none. See the barbarous cruelty of a +Lieutenant, which loued rather to kill his corriual in his cold bloud, +than otherwise to be reuenged, when he saw him a bed with his Wife, +purposely that the example of his fury myght be the better knowne, and +the secret sclander more euident, from the roote whereof did spryng an +infinite number of Murders and mischiefs. About midnight then, when all +thinges were at rest vnder the darke silence of the nyght, the +Lieutenant came to the Chamber of the Lord Nicholas, accompanied with +the most part of the Watch, and hauyng stopt vp the yeoman of hys +Chaumber, hee so dressed the Companion of hys Bedde, as for the first +proofe of his courtesie, he caused hys Membres and priuy partes to be +cut of, saying vnto him with cruell disdayne: “Thou shalt not henceforth +(wycked wretch) weld this launce into the rest, thereby to batter the +honour of an honester man than thy self.” Then lanching his stomacke +with a piercing blade, he tare the heart out of his belly, saying: “Is +this the trayterous Heart that hath framed the plot and deuysed the +enterprise of my shame, to make this infamous villaine without Life, and +his renoume without prayse?” And not content with this Cruelty, he +wreakt the like vpon the remnaunt of his body, that sometimes the +runnagate Medea did vpon hir innocent brother, to saue the Lyfe of hir +selfe, and of hir friend Iason. For she cut him into an hundred thousand +pieces, gyuing to euery Membre of the poore murdred soule hir word of +mockery and contempt. Was it not sufficient for a tirannous husband to +be reuenged of hys shame, and to kill the party which had defamed him, +without vsing so furious Anotamie vpon a dead body, and wherein there +was no longer feeling? But what? Ire beyng wythout measure, and anger +wythout Brydle or reason, it is not to be wondred, if in al his actes +the Captayne ouerpassed the iust measure of vengeance. Many would thinke +the committed murder vppon Nicholas, to be good and iust: but the +Iustice of an offense, ought not so longe time to be conceyled, but +rather to make him feele the smart at the very tyme the deed is done, to +the ende that the nypping gryefe of pestilent treason wrought against +the betrayed party, be not obscured and hydden by sodayne rage and lacke +of +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page380" id = "page380">380</a></span> +reason rising in the mindes first motions, and thereby also the faulte +of the guilty, by hys indiscretion couered: otherwyse there is nothyng +that can colour sutch vice. For the law indifferently doth punish euery +man, that without the Magistrates order taketh authority to venge his +own wrong. But come we againe vnto our purpose. The Captayne all imbrued +in bloude, entred the Chaumber of the Duke of Camerino, whom with al the +rest of the strangers that were wythin the Castle, hee lodged (without +speakynge any worde) in a deepe and obscure pryson. Beholde, what reste +they tooke that nyghte, whych were come to hunt the Wylde Boare. For +wythout trauaylyng farre, they were intrapped in the subtill engines and +Nettes of the furious Lieuetenaunte, who when the morning bedecked with +hir vermilion cleare began to shewe hir selfe, when all the Hunters dyd +put them selues in readynesse, and coupled vp theyr Dogges to marche +into the Fielde, beholde, one of the Captayne’s cruell Ministers wente +into the City, to cause the Lord Cæsar to come and speake with hys +brother Nicholas, and intreated him not to tarry, for that he and the +Duke were dysposed to shewe hym some disport. Cæsar whych neuer +suspected the least of these chaunced murders, desired not to be prayed +agayne, but made haste to the Butcherie like a lamb, and in the company +of the Wolues themselues that were in readynesse to kyll hym. He was no +sooner in the Court of the Castle, but seuen or eyght Varlets +apprehended hym and hys Men, and carryed hym into the Chaumber (bound +lyke a thefe) wherin the Membres of hys Myserable Brother were cut of +and dispersed, whose corpse was pitifully gored and arrayed in Bloud. If +Cæsar were abashed to see himselfe bound and taken prysoner he was more +astonned when he perceyued a body so dysmembred, and which as yet he +knewe not. “Alas,” (sayd he) “what sighte is this? Is thys the bore +whych thou hast caused vs to come hyther to hunt within our very Fort?” +The Captayne rising vp, al imbrued wyth bloud, whose face and voyce +promised nothing but Murder to the miserable young Gentleman sayd: “See +Cæsar, the Body of thine adulterous brother Nicholas, that infamous +whoremonger, and marke if this be not his head: I woulde to God +that Conrade were here also that ye might all three +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page381" id = "page381">381</a></span> +be placed at this sumptuous Banket, which I haue prepared for you. +I sweare vnto thee then, that this should be the last day of all +the Trinicien race, and the end of your Tirannies and wicked Life. But +sith I cannot get the effect of that whych my heart desireth, my minde +shal take repast in the triumph which Fortune hath ordeined. Curssed be +the mariage and Wedding at Trevio, that hath hyndred me of an occasion +so apte, and of the meanes to dispatch a matter of sutch importance as +is the ouerthrow of so many tirants.” Cæsar at this sentence stode so +stil, as whilom dyd the wyfe of Loth, by seing the City on fire, and +consume into ashes: by the sight whereof she was conuerted into a stone +of Salt. For when he sawe that bloudy Pageant, and knew that it was his +brother Nicholas, pity and feare so stopt the pipes of his speach, as +without complayning himself or framing one word, he suffred his throte +to be cut by the barbarous captaine, who threw him halfe dead vpon the +corps of his brother, that the bloud of either of them might cry vp to +the heauens for so loud vengeance as that of Abel dyd, being slain by +the treason of his nearest brother. Beholde the dreadful begynnings of a +heart rapt in fury, and of the mind of him that not resisting his fond +affections, executed the terrible practizes of his owne braine, and +preferring his fantasie aboue reason, deuised sutch ruine and decay, as +by these Examples the Posteritye shall haue good cause to wonder. The +lyke Cruelty vsed Tiphon towards his brother Osyris by chopping his body +in <ins class = "correction" title = "anomalous lower-case numeral in original">xxvi.</ins> gobbets, whereby ensued the decay of him and his, +by Orus whome some doe surname Appollo. And troweth the Captayne to loke +for lesse mercy of the Brother of the other twayne that were murdered +and of the Dukes kindred whome he kept Prysoner? But he was so blynded +with Fury, and it may be, led by ambition and desyre to be made Lord of +Nocera, that he was not contented to venge his shame on hym whych had +offended, but assayed to murder and extinguysh all the Trinicien bloud: +the enheritaunce only remaining in them. And to come to the end of his +Enterprise, this Italyan Nero, not content wyth these so many +slaughters, but thereunto adioyned a new Treason assaying to win the +Citizens of Nocera to moue rebellion agaynst their Lord, causing them to +assemble before the Forte, vnto whome +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page382" id = "page382">382</a></span> +vppon the Walles, he vsed this or like Oration: “I haue hitherto +(my Maisters) dissembled the lyttle pleasure that my heart hath felt to +see so many true and faithful Citizens, subiecte vnder the wyll and +unbrydeled lustes of two or three Tyraunts: who hauing gotten Power and +authority ouer vs, more through our owne folly and cowardyse, than by +valiance, vertue and iustice, either in them or those which haue +dispoyled this countrey of their auncient liberty. I will not deny +but pryncipalities of longe entraunce and Foundation deryued by +succession of inherytaunce, haue had some spyce and kynde of Equity, and +that Lordes of good lyfe and conuersation ought to be obeyed, defended +and honored. But where inuasion and seasure is against ryght, where the +people is spoyled and Lawes violated, it is no conscience to disobey and +abolish sutch monsters of nature. The Romanes in the prime age of their +Common Wealth ful wel declared the same, when they banished out of their +City that proud race of the Tirant Tarquine, and when they went about to +exterminate al the rootes of cruelty and tyrannical power. Our Neighbors +the Sicillians once dyd the like vnder the conduct of Dion, against the +disruled fury and wilful cruelty of Denis the tyrant of Syracusa, and +the Atheniens against the Chyldren of Pisistratus. And ye that be sorted +from the stocke of those Samnites, which in times past so long heald vp +their Heades against the Romane force, will ye be so very cowardes and +weake hearted for respect of the title of your seigniorie as ye dare not +with me to attempt a valiant enterprise for reducing your selues into +libertye, and to expell that vermyne broode of Tyraunts which swarme +through out the whole regyon of Italy. Wyll yee bee so mated and dumped, +as the shadow alone of a fond and inconstant young man, shall holde your +Nose to the Grindstone, and drawe you at his lust lyke an Oxe into the +stall? I feare that if ye saw your Wiues and Daughters haled to the +passetyme and pleasure of these Tirauntes, to glutte the whoredome of +those styncking Goate Bucks, more Lecherous and filthy than the senseles +sparrowes: I feare (I say) that ye durst not make one Sygne +for demonstratyon of your Wrath and dyspleasure. No, no (my maysters of +Nocera,) it is hyghe tyme to cutte of the Hydra hys heads, and to +strangle hym wythin hys Caue. The tyme is come +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page383" id = "page383">383</a></span> +(I say) wherein it behoueth you to shewe your selues lyke Men, and +no longer to dissemble the case that toucheth you so neare. Consyder +whether it bee good to follow myne aduyse, to repossede agayne the thyng +whych is your owne, (that is) the Freedome wherein your Auncesters +gloryfied so mutch, and for which they feared not to hazarde theyr +Goodes and Lyues. It wyll come good cheape, if you be ruled by me, it +wyll redound to your treble Fame, if lyke Men ye follow my aduyse, whych +I hope to let you shortely see wythout any great peryll or losse of your +Citizens Bloud. I haue felt the effect of the Trinicien Tirannye, +and the rigor of their vnrighteous gouernment, which hauing begonne in +me, they will not faile, if they be not chastised in time, to extend on +you also, whome they deeme to be their slaues. In lyke manner I haue +first begon to represse their boldnesse, and to wythstande their leud +behauior: yea and if you Mynde to vnderstande ryght from wrong, an easy +matter it will be to perfourme the rest, the time beinge so commodious, +and the discouery of the thinge whereof I haue made you so priuy, so +conuenient. And know ye, that for the exploit of mine intent, and to +bryng you agayne altogether in Liberty, I haue taken the two Lords +Nicholas and Cæsar prysonners, attending till fortune do bryng to me the +third, to pay him with like money and equals guerdon, that not onely you +may bee free and setled in your auncient priuiledge, but my heart also +satisfied of the wrong which I haue receiued by their iniustice. Beleue +(Maisters) that the thing whych I haue done: was not wythoute open +iniury receiued, as by keepyng it close I burst, and by telling the same +I am ashamed. I wil kepe it secrete, notwithstanding, and shal pray +you to take heede vnto your selues, that by vniuersal consent, the +mischiefe may be preuented. Deuise what answer you wyll make me, to the +intent that I by following your aduise, may also be resolued vpon that I +haue to do, without Preiudice but to them to whome the case doth chyefly +appertayne.” Duryng al this discourse, the wycked Captayne kept close +the Murder which hee had committed, to drawe the Worme out of the +Nocerines Nose, and to see of what Mynde they were, that vppon the +intellygence thereof, he myght woorke and follow the tyme accordyngly. +Hee that had seene the Cytizens of Nocera after that sedytious +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page384" id = "page384">384</a></span> +Oration, would haue thought that he had heard a murmure of Bees, when +issuing forth their Hyues, they light amidst a pleasaunt Herber, adorned +and beautyfied with diuers coloured floures. For the people flocked and +assembled togythers, and began to grudge at the imprysonment of ther +Lord, and the treason committed by the Lieuetenaunte, thynking it very +straunge that he which was a houshold seruaunt durst be so bold to sease +on those to whome he dyd owe all honour and Reuerence. And do assure you +that if he had ben below, as he was vpon the rampire of the Walles, they +had torne him into so many pieces, as he had made Gobbets of the Lord +Nicholas body. But seing that they could not take him, they went about +to seeke the deliueraunce of them, whome they thought to be yet aliue: +and one of the chyef of the City in the Name of them all shortly and +bryefly, aunswered him thus: “If malice did not well discouer it selfe +in the sugred and Traiterous composition of thy woordes +(O Captayne) it were easy inough for an inconstant People (bent to +chaunge, and desirous of innouations,) to heare and do that, which sutch +a traitor and flatterer as thou art dost propose: but we hauing til now +indured nothing of the Triniciens that sauoreth of Tiranny, cruelty, or +excesse, we were no lesse to be accused of felony, than thou art guilty +of Rebels cryme, by seasyng vpon the Persons of thy Lords, if we shoulde +yelde credyt to thy Serpents hissing, or lend aide to thy traiterous +practise, thou goest about against them who innoblyng thee are +trayterously berieued of that which concerned their reputation and +greatnesse. We be an honest People and faithfull Subiects. We wyll not +be both Wicked and vnhappy at once, and without cause expell our heads +out of our common Wealth. No though they should perpetrate the +mischiefes whych thou hast alleadged. Vppon sutch Nouelties and straunge +facts we shall take newe aduise and Councell. To be short, thou shalt +pleasure vs to set our Lordes at Lyberty, and thou like a wyse man shalt +doe thy duety, and satisfy a People which easily can not endure that a +subiecte do wrong to those to whome he oweth obedience. And feare not to +receiue anye euill of them, nor yet to feele anoyaunce, for wee wyll +take vppon vs by honest meanes to craue pardon for thy fault how haynous +so euer it be. But if thou continue thine +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page385" id = "page385">385</a></span> +offence, be sure that the Lord Conrade shall be aduertised, and with all +our power we shall succour him by force, to let thee feele the Nature of +Treason, and what reward is incydent to the practizers of the same.” The +Captaine albeit he was abashed with that aunswere, and saw that it would +not be wel wyth him if he did not prouid spedy remedy and order for his +affayres, aswell for the comming of the Lord Conrade, as of the brother +of the Duke Camerino, told the Citizens that within three or foure dayes +he would giue them a resolute aunswer, and so it might be, yelde vnto +theyr wylles, and delyuer them whom he had in holde. Thys gentle +aunswere dyd nothyng stay the Citizens for the accomplyshment of that +which they thought best to do, knowing also that the gallant had not +commenced that Tragedy, but for other toyes whych his vngracious head +had framed for a further intended Myschiefe, for which cause they +assembled their Councell, and concluded that one should ryde in poste to +the Lord Conrade, (the third and remnaunt of the Brethren,) that hee +myghte come to take order for the delyueraunce of Nicholas and Cæsar +whome they thought he had reserued still alyue in Captiuity. The +Nocerines shewed this curtesie (not but that they woulde gladly haue +bene at lyberty, if the way had bene better troden,) aswell for the +lyttle trust they reposed in the Captayne, who they thoughte would be no +more gentle and faithfull, than he shewed himselfe to be loyall to his +Maisters, and for that Conrade was well beloued of the Lordes his +Neighbors, and specially of the imprysoned Duke and his Brother Braccio +Montone, who had the Italian men of Warre at his pleasure, and that the +Noble men woulde assiste him wyth all their power. Wherefore they +considered that theyr fairest and best way, for auoiding of factions, +was to kepe themselues trusty and true, and by not hearkening to a +Traitor, to bynd their soueraigne Lord with sutch duety and obedience, +as the vnkindest man of the world would confesse and acknowledg for the +consequence of a matter of sutch importance. The seditious captaine on +the other side, void of hope, and in greater rage than hee was before, +persisted in hys folly, not without foreseeyng howe hee myghte saue +himselfe, which hee had pollitikely brought to passe, if God had not +shortened his waye, by payment of Vsury +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page386" id = "page386">386</a></span> +for hys Wyckednesse, and by very dilygence of them in whome hee reposed +his truste, the manner and howe, immedyately doeth follow. So soone as +he had gyuen ouer the Councell of the Citizens and a lyttle bethought +him what he had to do, he called before him two yong Men, whom aboue al +others he trusted best. To these yong men he deliuered all his Gold, +Syluer and Iewels, that they mighte conuey the same out of the +iurisdiction of his Lords, to the intente that when he saw hymself in +daunger, he myght retire to the place where those gallants had before +carryed his furniture, and mountinge them vpon two good steedes, he let +them forth at the Posterne gate, praying them so soone as they could to +retourne aduertysement of their abode, and that spedily he would send +after them hys Chyldren and the rest of his moueables, tellyng them that +he specially committed his Lyfe and goodes into their hands, and that in +time and place he would acknowledg the Benefite don vnto him in that +distresse. The two that were thus put in trust for sauegard of hys +thyngs, promised vnto him Golden Hilles and Miracles: but so soone as +they had lost the sight of theyr maister, they deuised another complotte +and determined to breake faith to him, which was forsworne, and who made +no conscience not onely to reuolt, but also cruelly to kill his +soueraigne Lordes. They thought it better to ryde to Treuio, to tell the +Lord Conrade the pitifull end of his brethren, and the imprysonment of +the Duke of Camerino, than to seeke rest for him, whome God permitted +not to be saued, for his heinous sinne already committed, and for that +which he mente to do vppon hys Wyfe. For all the dyligence that the +Nocerines had made, yet were the Lieuetenaunte’s Men at Treuio before +them, and hauyng filled the Eares of Conrade with those heauy Newes, and +hys Eyes with Teares, his Mynde with sorrow, and Spyrite with desyre to +be reuenged, and as Conrade was about to mount on horse backe wyth the +Trayne hee had, the Citizens were arryued to disclose the Imprysonment +of his brethren. To whome Conrade made aunswere: “I would to <span +class = "smallcaps">God</span> (my friends) that the tirant had ben +contented with the litle cruelty wherof you speake, for then I would +find the meanes to agree the parties vpon the knowledge of their +variance. But (alas) his malice hath passed further, and hath beastly +slain my brethren: but I swear +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page387" id = "page387">387</a></span> +by the almighty God, that if he giue me life, I wil take sutch, and +so cruell vengeaunce on him, as he shall be a Glasse to all his lyke, +for punishment of a fault so horrible. Depart my frends, depart and get +you home, dispose your watch and gard about the Castell, that the +traiter do not escape: and assure your selues that this your loue shall +neuer be forgotten, and you shall haue of me not a Tirant as he +maliciously hath protested, but rather sutch a Lord, and better also, +than hytherto ye haue me proued.” If Conrade had not ben pressed with +heauinesse, he had chaunted goodly Songes against the Treason of the +Lieuetenaunt, and would haue accused his Brother of indiscretion, for +trusting him, whose wyfe hee had abused, and wel did know that he espyed +the same. But what? The businesse requyred other things than Words: and +extreame folly it is to nippe the Dead with taunts, or with vayne words +to abuse the absent, speciall where vltion and reuenge is easy, and the +meanes manifest to chastise the temerity of sutch, and to be acquited of +the wrong done vnto him that cannot do it hymselfe. Conrade then toke +his way to Tuderto, where then remained the Lord Braccio, and thereof +was Lord and Gouernour, and had also vnder his gouernement Perugia, and +many other Cityes of the Romane Church, and who wyth the dignity of the +great Constable of Naples, was also Prynce of Capua, to him the +Trinicien Brother, all be sprent wyth Teares and transported wyth +choller and griefe, came to demaunde succor for reuenge of the +Lieuetenaunt’s trespasse, saying: “For what assurance (my Lord) can +Prynces and great Lordes hope henceforth, when their very seruaunts +shall ryse, and by constraining their Maisters, make assay to vsurp +their seigniories wherein they haue no title or interest? Is this a +reuenge of wrong, in steede of one to kill twaine, and yet to wishe for +the third to dispatch the World of our race? Is this to pursue his +ennimy, to seeke to catch hym in trappe, whych knoweth nothing of the +quarell, and to make hym to suffer the payne? My two Brethren be dead, +our Cosin Germaine the Duke is in pryson, I am heere comfortlesse, +all sad and pensife before you, whome lykewyse this matter toucheth, +although not so near as it doeth me, but yet with lyke dishonor. Let vs +go (my Lorde) let vs goe I beseech you to visite our good hoste that so +rudely +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page388" id = "page388">388</a></span> +intreateth his Ghests which come to visite him, and let vs beare him a +reward, that he may taste of our comming, let vs goe before hee saue +himselfe, that with little trauayle and lesse harme to an other the +ribauld may be punished, who by his example if he longer liue, may +increase courage both in Seruaunts to disobey, and in Subiects to +rebell, without conscience, agaynst their heads, and gouerners? It is a +case of very great importaunce, and which ought to be followed with all +rigor and cruelty. And he ought neuer to bee supported, comforted or +fauored, which shall by any meanes attempt to reuolt or arme himselfe +agaynst his Prince, or shall constrayne him or hir that is his +Soueraygne Lord, or Mistresse. Is not a Prynce constituted of <span +class = "smallcaps">God</span> to be obeyed, loued, and cherished of his +Subiects? Is it not in him to make and ordaine lawes, sutch as shalbe +thought needefull and necessary for Common wealth? Ought not he then to +be obeyed of his subiectes and vassals? Ought they then to teach the +head, and commaund the chiefest Member of their body? I do remember +a tale (my Lord) recited by Menenius Agrippa that wyse, and Notable +Romayne, who going about to reconcile the commons with the Senate, +alleaged a fit and conuenable example. In time past (quod he) when the +partes of Mankinde were at variaunce, and euery member would be a Lord +generally conspiring, grudging and alleaging how by their great +trauayle, paynes, and carefull ministery, they prouided all furniture, +and mayntenaunce for the belly, and that he like a sluggish Beast stoode +still, and enioyed sutch pleasures as were geuen him, in this murmure +and mutine, al they agreed that the hands should not minister, the Mouth +should not feede, the Teeth should not make it seruiceable, the Feete +should not trauayle, nor Heade deuise to get the same: and whylest euery +of them did forsake their seruice and obedience, the belly grew so thin, +and the Members so weake and feeble, as the whole body was brought to +extreme decay, and ruine, whereby (sayd Agrippa) it appeareth that the +seruice due vnto the Belly (as the chiefe portion of man) by the other +Members is most necessary, the obeying and nurssing of whom doth instil +force and vigor into the other parts through which we doe liue, and bee +refreshed, and the same disgested and dispearsed into the vaynes, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page389" id = "page389">389</a></span> +and vitall powers ingendreth mature and fine bloud, and mayntaineth the +whole state of the body, in comely forme and order. By which trim +comparison, applyed to ciuile warre was deflected and mollified the +stout corage and attempts of the multitude. Euen so agreing with +Agrippa, if the Members grudge, and disobey against their chiefe, the +state must grow to ruine. To be short, in certaine haps a Trayter may be +chearished, and that hath falsified his first fayth: but treason and +periury euermore be detested as vices execrable. In this deede neyther +the thing, nor yet the doer hath any colour of excuse, the trespasse and +cause for which it is don being considered. Suffiseth it Sir, for so +mutch as there is neyther time nor cause of further discourse, what +neede we to decide the matter, whych of it selfe is euident? Beholde mee +heere a poore Trinician Brother without brethren, ioylesse without a +Fort at Nocera. On the other part confider the Duke of Camerino in great +distresse and daunger, to passe that strait of death my Brethren did. +Let vs goe (I pray you) to deliuer the Captiue, and by reuenging +these offenses and murders, to settle my Citty in former State, and +freedome, which the villayne goeth about to take from me, by +encouraginge my Subiects to reuolt and enter armes, thereby to expel our +house from the Title of the same.” As Conrade spake these woords, and +wyth great grauity, and constancy pronouncing sundry tokens of sorrow, +the Conestable of Naples, wroth beyond measure for these vnpleasant +newes, and full of griefe and choller against the trayterous +Lieutenaunt, swore in the hearing of them all, that he would neuer rest +one good sleepe vntill that quarell were auenged, and had quited the +outrage done to the Lord Conrade, and the wrong which he felt in him for +the imprisonment of the Duke of Camerino. So he concluded, and the +Souldiours were assembled thorough out all the parts of the Conestable’s +Lands, vpon the ende of the weeke to march against the Fort of Nocera, +the Cittizens whereof had layd diligent Scout, and watch for the escape +of the Captayne, who without bashfulnesse determined with his men to +defend the same and to proue fortune, making himselfe beleeue that his +quarell was good, and cause iust to withstand them that shoulde haue the +heart to come to assayle him. The Constable in the mean time +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page390" id = "page390">390</a></span> +sent a Trumpet to Nocera to summon the Captaine to surrender, and to +tell the cause of his reuolt, and at whose prouocation hee had committed +so detestable a Treason. The Captaine well assured and boldned in his +Wyckednesse, aunswered that he was not so well fortified to make a +surrender so good cheape, and for so small a pryce to forgo his honor +and reputation: and furthermore, that his wit was not so slender, but +hee durst deuise and attempt sutch a matter without the councel of any +other, and that all the deedes and deuises passed till that time, were +of his owne inuention. And to be enen with the wrong done to his honor +by the Lord Nicholas Trinicio, for the violation of his Wiue’s Chastity, +he had committed the Murders (tolde to Braccio) beyng angry, that all +the Tirannous race was not in his hand to spyll, to the end he mighte +deliuer his Countrey, and put the Citizens in Liberty, albeit that +fondly they bad refused the same as vnworthy of sutch a Benefite, and +well deserued that the Tyrants should taxe them at theyr pleasure, and +make them also theyr common slaues and Drudges. The Trumpet warned hym +also to render to hym the Duke, bicause he was guiltlesse of the facte, +whych the Captayne regarded so little as he did the first demaundes, +whych was the cause (the Company being arriued at Nocera, and the +Constable vnderstandyng the litle accompte the Castell Gentleman made of +his summons) that the battry the very day of theyr arriuall was laid and +shotte against the place with sutch thunder and dreadfull thumpes of +Canon shot, as the hardiest of the Mortpayes within, began to faint. But +the corage and litle feare of theyr chyefe, retired theyr hearts into +theyr bellyes. The breach being made againe, the Constable who feared to +lose the Duke in the Captaine’s Fury, caused the Trumpet to summon them +wythin to fall to Composition, that Bloudshed might not stirre theyr +Souldioures to further cruelty. But so mutch gayned this second warnyng +as the first, for which cause the nexte day after the assault was gyuen, +where if the assaulte was valiant, the resistaunce was no lesse than +bolde and venturous. But what can Thirtie or Fortie Men doe agaynste the +Force of a whole Countrey, and where the Generall was one of the most +valiaunte, and wisest Captaynes of hys tyme and who was accompanied with +the floure of the Neapolitane +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page391" id = "page391">391</a></span> +Fotemen. The assault continued four or fiue Houres, but in the end the +Dead payes not able to sustayne the force of the assaylants, forsooke +the Breache, and assaying to saue themselues, the Lieuetenaunt retired +to the Kipe of the Fort, where his Wife continued prisoner, from the +time that the two brethren were slaine. Whiles they without, ruffled in +together in heapes amonges the defendauntes, the Duke of Camerino, with +his Men, found meanes to escape out of Pryson, and therewithal began +furiously to chastise the ministers of the disloyal Captaine, which in +little tyme were cut al to pieces. Conrade being within found the +Captayn’s Father, vppon whom he was reuenged, and killed him with his +owne hands. And not content with that, caried into further rage, and +fury, he slashed him into gobbets, and threwe them to the dogs. Truly a +straunge maner of reuenge, if the Captain’s cruelty had not attempted +like inhumanity. To bee shorte, horrible it is to repeate the murders +done in that sturre, and hurly burly. For they that were of the +Captayne’s part, and taken, receyued all the straungest and cruellest +punishment that man could deuise. And were it not that I haue a desire +in nothing to beely the Author, and lesse will to leaue that which he +had wrytten vpon the miserable end of those that were the ministers and +seruaunts to the barbarous tirrany of the Captayne, I would passe +no further, but conceale that which doth not deserue remembraunce, +except to auoide the example, which is not straunge, the Cruelty of +reuenging heart in the nature of Man, in al times growinge to sutch +audacity, as the torments which seeme incredyble, be lyable to credite +as wel for those we reade in auncient Historyes, as those we heare tell +of by heare say, and chauncyng in our tyme. Hee that had the vpper hand +of his Enimy, not content to kyll, but to eate with his rauenous teeth +the heart disentraylde from his aduersary, was hee lesse furious than +Conrade, by makinge Anatomy of the Captayn’s Father? And he that thrust +Galleazze Fogase in to the mouth of a Canon, tying his Head vnto his +Knees and causing him to be caried by the violent force of Gunpouder +into the City from whence he came, to bribe and corrupt certayne of hys +enemies army, did he shew himselfe to be more curteous than one of +these? Leaue we a part those that be past, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page392" id = "page392">392</a></span> +to touch the miserable ende wherewith Conrade caused the last tribute of +the Captain’s souldyers to bee payd. Now amongs these some were tied to +the Tayles of wilde Horses, and trayned ouer Hedges, and Bushes, and +downe the stiepnes of high Rocks, some were haled in pieces, and +afterwards burnt with great Martyrdome, some were deuyded and parted +aliue in four quarters, other sowed naked wythin an Oxe Hyde, and so +buried in Earth, vp to the Chin, by whych torments they finished their +Liues with fearful gronings. Will ye say that the Bull of Perillus, or +Diomedes Horsses, were afflictions more cruell than these? I know +not what ye cal cruelty, if these acts may beare the title of modesty. +But all thys, proceeded of wrath and disdayne of eyther partes. The one +dysdayned that the seruaunt should be his head, and the other was +offended, that his soueraygne Lord should assay to take that from him, +which his duty commaunded him to keepe. Conrade toke in ill part the +treason of the Captayn, who beyond measure was angry, that the Lord +Nicholas had made him a brother of Vulcan’s order, and regestred him in +the booke of husbands, which know that they dare not speake. In summe, +the one had right, and the other was not without some reason, and +notwithstanding both surmounted the boundes of man’s milde nature. The +one ought to content hymselfe (as I haue sayd) for being reuenged on him +that had offended him, and the other of the murder done, duringe the +assault without shewing so bloudy tokens of cruelty and so apparent +euidence of tiranny, vpon the ministers of the brutall and bloudy +Captayne, who seeing his father put to death with sutch Martirdome, and +his men so straungely tormented, was vanquished with choller, dispayre +and impacyence. And albeit the Captayne had no greate desire to hurt his +Wyfe, yet was he surmounted with sutch rage, as apprehending hir, and +binding hir hands and feete, she styl crying him mercy, and crauing +pardon for hir faultes at the hands of God and him, he threw hir downe +from the highest Toure of the Kipe vpon the pauement of the Castle +courte, not without teares and abashment of al, which saw that monstrous +and dreadful sight, which the Souldiers viewing, they fired the Toure, +and with fire and smoke forced the Captaine to come forth, and by lyke +meanes +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page393" id = "page393">393</a></span> +made him, his Brother and Chyldren to tread the daunce that his Wyfe +before had don. Conrade by and by caused those bodies to be throwne +forth for Foode to the Wolues, and other raueninge Beasts, and Byrdes +liuing vpon the pray of Carrion, causing also his Brethren honourably to +bee buryed, and the Gentlewoman that had home the penaunce worthy for +hir fault. Sutch was the end of the most myserable, and worst gouerned +loue, that I thinke man hath euer red in wryting, and which doth +clearely witnesse, that there is no pleasure so great but Fortune by +chaunging and turning hir Wheele maketh a hundred times more bitter than +desire of sutch ioy doth yelde delyght. And farre better it were +(besides the offence done to God) neuer to cast Eye on Woman, than to +bord or proue them, to rayse sutch Sclaunders and Facts which cannot be +recounted but with the horrour of the Hearers, nor wrytten but to the +great griefe of those that muse and study vpon the same: Notwithstanding +for instruction of our life, both good and bad Examples bee introduced +and offred to the view of ech degree, and state. To the end that +Whoredome may bee auoyded, and bodily Pleasure eschued, as most Mortal +and pernicious Plagues that doe infect as well the Body and Reputation +of man, as the integrity of the Minde. Besides that ech man ought to +possesse his own Vessel, and not to couet that is none of hys, vnseemely +also it is to solicite the Neyghbor’s Wyfe, to procure thereby the +disiunction and defaite of the whole bond of mariage, which is a +Treasure so deare and precious, and carieth so greate griefe to him that +seeth it defaced, as our Lord (to declare the grauity of the Fact) +maketh a comparison of his Wrath agaynste them which run after straunge +<span class = "smallcaps">Gods</span>, and applyeth the honour due vnto +him to others that doe not deserue the same, with the iust disdayne, and +ryghtfull Choller of a Iealous Husbande, Fraught wyth despyght to see +himselfe dispoyled of the Seasure, and Possession onely giuen to him, +and not subiect to any other, whatsoeuer he be. Learne here also +(O yee husbands) not to fly with so nimble Wing, as by your owne +authority yee seeke reueng without fearing the follies and sclaunders +that may insue. Your sorrow is iust, but it behoueth that reason doe +guide your fantasies, and bridle your ouer sodayne passions, to the +intent that yee come +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page394" id = "page394">394</a></span> +not after to sing the doleful Song of repentaunce, like vnto this +foolish man, who hauing done more than he ought, and not able to retire +without his ouerthrow, threw himselfe into the bottomlesse gulfe of +perdition. And let vs all fixe fast in memory, that neuer vnruled rage, +and wilful choller bringeth other benefit than the ruine of him that +suffereth himselfe to runne headlonge into the same, and who thinketh +that all that is naturall in vs, is also reasonable, as though Nature +were so perfect a worckwoman, as in man’s corruption she could make vs +Aungels, or halfe Gods. Nature following the instinct of that which is +naturall in vs, doth not greatly stray from perfection, but that is +giuen to few, and those whom God doth loue and choose. And Vertue is so +seldome founde, as it is almost impossible to imitate that perfection. +And briefly to say, I will conclude with the Author of this present +Hystory.</p> + +<div class = "verse"> +<p>Angre is a fury short,</p> +<p>To him that can the same excell:</p> +<p>But it is no laughing sport</p> +<p>In whom that senselesse rage doth dwell.</p> +<p>That pang confoundeth ech man’s wits</p> +<p>And shameth him with open shame,</p> +<p>His honour fades in frantike fits,</p> +<p>And blemisheth his good name.</p> +</div> + + +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page395" id = "page395">395</a></span> +<h3><a name = "novel2_34" id = "novel2_34"> +THE THIRTY-FOURTH NOUELL.</a></h3> + +<p class = "summary"> +The horrible and cruell murder of Soltan Solyman, late the Emperor of +the Turkes and father of Selym that now raigneth, done vpon his eldest +Sonne Mvstapha, by the procurement, and meanes of Rosa his mother in +lawe, and by the speciall instigation of one of his noble men called +Rvstanvs: where also is remembred the wilful death of one of his Sons +named Giangir, for the griefe he conceiued to see Mvstapha so miserably +strangled.</p> + +<p><span class = "firstword">Twenty</span> two yeares past or +thereabouts I translated this present Hystory out of the Latine tongue. +And for the rarenes of the Fact, and the disnaturall part of that late +Furiose Enemy of God, and his Sonne Christ: I dedicated the same to +the right honorable, my speciall good Lord, with al vertues, and +nobility, fully accomplyshed, the Lord Cobbam Lorde Warden of the cinque +Portes, by the name of Sir VVilliam Cobham Knyght. And bycause I would +haue it continue in man’s remembraunce thereby to renue the auncient +detestation, which we haue, and our Progenitors had against that +horrible Termagant, and Persecutor of Christyans, I haue insinuated +the same amongs the rest of these Nouels. For of one thing I dare make +warrantise, that auncient Writers haue not remembred, nor old Poets +reported a more notorious or horyble Tragedy or fact executed against +nature, then that vnnaturall murder done by the sayd enemy of +Christianity, the late Soltan Solyman, otherwyse called the great Turke. +I remember the description of Nero’s Parricide vppon his louynge +Mother, of purpose to behold the place of his byrth. I call to +memory also the wycked Murther of Orestes, on hys Mother Clytemnestra. +I also consider the vnfatherly part of Tantalus, who wyth the flesh +of his owne sonne Pelops, feasted the Gods. All which are not farre +dyfferent from this pestiferous Fury, and may wyth the same, and the +lyke bee comparable by any Man heeretofore committed. This Hellysh +Champyon hys owne Sonne, of hys owne Seede, Naturally conceaued wythin +hys mother’s Wombe, vnnaturally in his owne presence moste Myserably did +kill. O pityfull case, But alas, voyde of pitty +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page396" id = "page396">396</a></span> +to a pyttylesse man. O cruell fact, but not ouer cruell to him that +liued a cruell Man. What Beast be he neuer so woode, or Sauage, can +suffer his Yonglings to take harme, mutch lesse to doe them hurte +himselfe? What fierce Lyonesse can infeste hir owne Whelpe, which with +Naturall paines brought it into light? But what doe I stand vpon +Lamentation of the case and leaue the brutenesse of this Madman far +bruter then Lyons vnconsidered? The brutenesse of this fury so farre +ecceedeth Beasts, as Reasonable passeth Vnreasonable. The fury of the +Deuill, whom he serueth, so raged in his tirannous life, as loe, he slue +his owne Sonne. The care of God, and Christe was so farre out of his +Sighte as hee subuerted Nature. The libidonous lustes os this Lecherous +Infidell, so surmounted the bounds of reason, as the fire thereof +consumed his owne flesh. This Enemy of Christe was so bewytched as the +dotage of his infidelity consented to murder. And as tiranny like a Lord +possessed his Brayne in huntinge after the bloud of Christians, so +Tiranny like an Enchaunter with the Sorcery of Feminine adulation shed +the bloud of his owne begotten. Thus as tiranny was the Regent of his +life most wicked, so Tiranny was the Plague of his owne generation. For +as the Wryter of this Hystory reporteth, it was thoughte that the same +was done by Diuyne Prouydence. And lyke as this vnhappy Father was a +deadly Enemy vnto Chryst and hys Church, so this yonge Whelpe was no +lesse a sheder of Christian Bloud. No doubt a very froward Impe, and a +towarde Champion for the diuel’s Theatre: and as it is sayd hereafter, +so goodly a yong man in Stature and other externe qualities of the body, +as Nature could not frame a better. So excellent, and couragious in +Feates of armes as Bellona hirselfe could not procreate a lustier. This +History in the Latin tongue is written by Nicholas Moffan a Burgonian +borne, a man so well in the warfare of good learning (as it +appeareth) as in the seruice of the warres well expert. Who being a +Souldiour in Hercules warres (the old Champyon of Christendome, and +Pagan Enimy, Charles the fifte) was sore wounded and taken Prysoner in +Bulgaria, in the yeare of our Lord 1552, and continued Captiue till +September, 1555, almost three yeares. Whose Misery, Trouble, Famine, +Colde, and other Torments by him sustayned, during the sayd time +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page397" id = "page397">397</a></span> +if it should bee declared, perhaps woulde seeme incredible. But when the +Turke had kept him in miserable bandes two yeares, and saw he could not +obtayne the Raunsome, whych he immesurably requyred, at length sent him +to the Castell of Strigon, where for a certayne time he remayned +hampered with double chaynes vpon his Necke, Handes, and Feete. And +within sometime after hys comming thither he was made to toile in the +day, like a common slaue, to hew and carry Woode, keepe Horse, sweepe +Houses, and sutch other busines. Which Drudgery, he was glad to doe +aswell for exercyse of his Members, which with colde yrons were +benommed, as also to get Breade to relieue his hunger. For when hee had +done his stinte, his Maister gaue him Bread, Onions, Garlicke, Cheese, +and sutch other fare: and at Night he was sent agayne to Pryson, where +he was matched with a Mate, that for Debte was condempned to perpetual +Pryson, of whom he learned many things, aswel of their Lawes, Religion, +warlike Affayres, and other maners of the Turkes, as also of the order +of this horrible Fact don by Solyman. And by the report of his sayd +Companion in pryson, he digested the same into the forme of this +history. And after this man had payed hys Raunsome, and was set at +lyberty, he arriued into the partes of Chrystedome. The Verity of whych +is sutch, as it is not onely credyble bycause thys Man dyd wryte it, who +was three Yeares there resiaunt, and in manner aforesaid, heard the +truth thereof, but also is warranted, by sundry Marchant Men, Trauellers +into farre Countreyes, faythfully verifiing the same to bee true. And +before I drawe to the dyscourse of the Story, I will set downe some +of the manners of Solyman’s greatest states and fauorites, and the +pryncipal offices and honors of that hellish Monarchy. As Mustapha, +Machomet, Baiasith, Selim, Gianger, Chrustam, and Hibrahim. This +Hibrahim was so dearely beloued with the Emperour Solyman as he +exercysed the Office of Vesiri, whych is nexte to the Emperour, the +chyefest in degree of honor. Who by increase of that Office, became more +wealthy in Treasure then Solyman himselfe, whych when he perceyued, +without any respect of the honorable office, or the honor of the party, +neglecting in respect of richesse (according to the natural desire of +Auarice, wherewith the greedy Appetites of the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page398" id = "page398">398</a></span> +stocke are endued) all religion, honour, Parents, countrey, friends or +amity, he caused in his own presence, his head to be striken of, adding +the treasures of the said Hibrahim to his owne Coafers, and placed one +Rustanus to succeede in his office. Besides which honorable places ther +be diuers degrees of honor, as Mutchty, which is of that honor with them +as the chief bishop or Pope in other Countreies, and of sutch authority +with the Emperour, that aswel in time of Peace, as also in Warres, he +determineth vppon nothing without the counsel of Muchti. Bascha (which +we commonly call VVascha) is the Lieuetenaunt of a Prouince. But +forsomutch as all other offices and dignities, depend only vpon the +Emperor, and are bestowed as he listeth, none of them hauing any thing +proper that he may call his owne: the sayd Baschas in all Prouinces, +euery three yeare are chaunged after the disposition of the Emperour, +and continue no longer Gouernors, than the sayd terme, without his +special decree, and commaundement. And this chaunge and seueral +mutation, is done for two causes. First that notwithstanding the sayd +Offices are bestowed by turnes, yet they which are most excellente in +prowes of Armes, and Valiaunce, are best in fauour, and are placed in +the most fertile Countreyes. But the maner in the disposition of the +same Office is now degenerated, for where in tyme paste the same were +bestowed vppon the best Captaynes and Souldyers, in these Days, are +through Fauoure and Money, throughly corrupted. So that now amonges them +all thynges for Money are venalia, ready to be solde, and yet the same +vnknowen to the Emperour him selfe. The other cause, of the alteration +and chaunge of the sayd Baschæ, and the Chyefest cause, as I haue +learned is, least through theyr longe abode in the sayd Prouinces so to +them assigned, by some incydent occasion they myght entre familiarilie +wyth the Christians, and in successe of tyme be conuerted. The Turkes +haue also amonges them certayne Noble Men which in theyr Language they +call Spahy, and it is the first degree of honour, but it hath no discent +or succession to the Posterity, and they only deserue the tytle thereof, +whych in Warrelyke Affayres behaue them selues moste Manfully, and who +at length are preferred to another degree of honour, and are called +Subasche, which worde so farre as I can vnderstande, may be referred to +the Title of Baron. Next +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page399" id = "page399">399</a></span> +to the same Subaschæ here is another called Begg. But here is meete to +be knowne howe that woorde is taken amonges them two wayes, for +generally all they which excell other in any promotion are called Beggi. +That is to say Lordes or Maysters: but if it be meant singularly or +properly, then it signifieth not simply a Captaine (for they call a +Captaine Aga) but also an Earle. And if the sayd Begg chaunce to be +endued by the Emperour with the order of Knyghthoode, then hee is called +Sanggakbegg. And they likewise are accustomed to bee transposed from +County to county, as the Baschæ are, and the same do not descend to the +heires, but when the Earle is deade. And then both the promotion and +county, are by the Emperour giuen to another. And hereby it appeareth +that no man hath any thynge proper or his own, and therfore they cal +themselues, Padiscahumcullari. That is to say, the Emperour’s bondmen. +Here also I ought to entreat of the manners of the Turkes in theyr +Warres, and the sundry offices therein. In what sorte they leuy, and +muster their Souldiers, the order of their marching, the order in +putting the same in array, and by what diligence they vse their Skouts, +and Wardes, all which had bene necessary to haue bene spoken of, but +that I might not be tedious. And yet of one thing for a conclusion I +entend to speake of, which is of the Ianischari. The sayd Ianischari are +the whole strength of the Turkes battell, who neuer obtayne victory, but +the same is astributed to their valiaunce. They bee very expert, and +skilfull in the vse of small shot, and great Ordinaunce, and in that +kinde of defence and munition, they chiefly excell. And as I haue red, +the Turke hath continually in wages thirty <span class = +"smallroman">M.</span> of the sayd Ianischari. They haue aboue other +many singuler Pryuiledges, in so mutch as the name of a Ianischarus is +in sutch reuerence amongs them, that notwithstanding any offence, or +crime, done by them worthy capitall death, they in no wise shalbe +punished, except before the committing of the offence, they be depriued +of their estate by their Captaynes. Thys Priuiledge also they haue aboue +others, that vnlesse they lye in Campe, they bee neuer compelled to +watch nor warde, without great necessity do force them. And for this +they be hatefull and odious to other Souldiours. It is sayd, that all +they be Christian men’s children. And in those countreyes which he +vanquisheth, he chooseth out the Boyes of +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page400" id = "page400">400</a></span> +the same, sutch as he thinketh meete, and carrieth them away, and +bringeth them vp in his owne trade, and lawes, with exercise of feates +in armes, and being growen to ripe yeares, and man’s state, they be +alloted amongs the number of Ianischari. And thus mutch touching the +maners, dignities, and offices of that Turkish broode: Now to the +Hystory. Bee it knowne therefore, that Solyman had of a certayne bonde +Woman this Mustapha, to whom from his Youth hee gaue in charge the +Countrey of Amasia. Who with his Mother continually resiaunt in the sayd +countrey, became so forwards in Feates of armes, as it was supposed of +all men, that hee was gieuen vnto their countrey by some heauenly +prouidence. This Mustapha, with his Mother being placed in the said +Countrey, it chaunced that the Kynge his Father was beyonde measure +wrapt with the beauty of another of his Concubins called Rosa, of whom +hee begat foure sonnes, and one daughter. The eldest of the Sonnes was +called Machomet, to whom the Prouince of Caramania was assigned. The +second, Baiasith, who enioyed the countrey of Magnesia. The third called +Selymus, to whom after the death of Machomet the eldest, the sayd +Countrey of Caramania was appoincted. The fourth Iangir, whose surname, +by reason hee was croke backed, notwithstanding his pregnant wit, was +Gibbus. And the daughter he bestowed in mariage vppon Rustanus Bascha, +who when Hibrahim was put to death, exercised the office of Vesiri as is +aforesayd (which office we vse to call the President of the Counsayle) +and according to his natural disposition to couetousnesse, abusing the +sayd office, altered and chaunged all maner of thinges belonging to the +same. He diminished the Souldiours wages, being by them called +Ianischari. He abated the stipends of the Captayns, whom they nominate +Saniachi. Hee also seassed vpon the Prouinces yearely Taxes and Tributs. +And herewith being not satisfied, he ordayned a stint vpon the charges +of the kings houshold, wherby he sought, but to accumulate vnto +himselfe, infinite treasures, gotten by deceiptfull extortion, through +occasion whereof, he was supposed to be faythfull, and diligent +Seruaunte, and thereby greatly insinuated himselfe into the king’s +fauour, little regardinge the hatred and displeasure of others. In the +meane time, this Rosa of whom mencion is made +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page401" id = "page401">401</a></span> +before, perceyuing hir selfe before others to be beloued of the Kinge, +vnder the Cloake of devotion declared vnto Muchty (which is the chiefe +Bishop of Machomet’s religion) that she was affected with a Godly zeale +to builde a Temple, and Hospitall for straungers, to the chiefe God, and +honor of Machomet: but she was not minded to attempt the same without +his aduice. And therefore shee asked whether the same would bee +acceptable to God, and profitable for the health of her soule. Whereunto +Muchty aunswered: that the worke to God was acceptable, although to hir +soule it was nothing auaileable. Adding further, that not onely all hir +Substance was at the Kinge’s disposition, but hir Life also, being a +Bondwoman. And therefore that worke woulde be more profitable to the +Kinge. With which aunswere the woman in hir mind dayly being troubled, +became very pensiffe, like one that was voyde of all comfort. The King +being aduertised of hir sorrow very gently began to comfort hir, +affirming that shortely he would finde sutch meanes, as she should enioy +the effect of hir desire. And forthwith manumised hir and made hir free, +a writing and instrument made in that behalfe, according to their +custome, to the intent she might not be at commaundement any more to be +yoked in bondage. Hauinge in this sorte obtayned this fauoure, the sayd +Rosa, with a great Masse of Money determined to proceede in hir entended +purpose. In the meane season, the Kyng wythout measure being incensed +with the desire of the sayd Rosa, as is aforesayd, sent for hir by a +messenger, willing hir to repayre to the Court. But the crafty Woman, +vnskilful of no pollicy, returned the Messenger with subtile aunswere, +which was, that he should admonish the King hir Lord and Soueraygne, to +call to his remembraunce aswell the lawe of honesty, as also the +precepts of his owne lawes, and to remembre she was no more a Bondwoman +and yet she could not deny but hir life remained at the disposition of +his maiesty, but touching Carnall copulation to be had agayne with his +person, that could in no wise be done, without committing of sinne most +heynous. And to the intent he should not thinke the same to be fayned or +deuised of hir selfe, she referred it to the iudgement of Muchty. Which +aunswere of repulse, so excited the inflamed affections of the Kyng, as +setting all +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page402" id = "page402">402</a></span> +other businesse a part, he caused the Muchty to be sent for. And giuing +him liberty to aunswere, he demaunded whether his Bondwomen being once +manumised, could not be knowen carnally without violation of the lawes? +Whereunto Muchty aunswered: that in no wise it was lawfull, vnlesse +before he should with hir contract matrimony. The difficulty of which +Lawe in sutch sorte augmented the Kyng’s desires, as being beyond +measure blinded with Concupiscence, at length agreed to the marriage of +the sayd manumysed woman, and after the Nuptial writinges according to +the custome were ratified, and that he had giuen vnto hir for a Dowry +5000 Soltan Ducats, the marriage was concluded, not without great +admiration of all men, especially for that it was done contrary to the +vse of the Ottomane Ligneage. For to eschew Society in gouernment, they +marry no free or lawfull Wyues, but in their steades to satisfy theyr +owne pleasures, and libidinous Appetites (wherein most vily, and +filthely aboue any other Nation they chiefly excell) they chose out of +diuers Regions of the World the most Beautifull, and fayrest Wenches, +whom after a Kyngly sorte very honourably they bring vp in a place of +their Courte, which they call Sarai: and instruct them in honest, and +ciuile maners, with whom also they vse to accompany by turnes, as theyr +pleasure most lyketh. But if any of them do conceyue, and bring forth +childe, then she aboue all other is honoured, and had in reuerence, and +is called the Soltanes most worthy. And sutch after they haue brought +forth childe, are bestowed in marriage vppon the Pieres and Nobility, +called Baschæ, and Sangacæ. But now to returne to our purpose. This +manumised Woman being aduaunced through Fortune’s benefit, was esteemed +for the chiefe Lady of Asia, not without great happinesse succeeding in +al hir affayres. And for the satisfiyng of hir ambicious entents, there +wanted but only a meane and occasion, that after the death of Solyman, +one of hir own children might obtayne the Empire. Where vnto the +generosity and good behauiour of Mustapha was a great hinderaunce, who +in deede was a yong man of great magnanimity, and of Wit most excellent, +whose Stomach was no lesse couragious, than he was manly in person, and +force. For which qualities he was meruaylously beloued of the Souldiours +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page403" id = "page403">403</a></span> +and Men of warre, and for his wisedome and iustice very acceptable to +the people. All which things this subtile woman considering, she priuely +vsed the counsayle of Rustanus for the better accomplishing of hir +purpose, knowing that he would rather seeke th’aduauncement of his +kinsman and the brother of his owne Wyfe as reason was, then the +preferment of Mustapha, with whom she certaynely knew that Rustanus was +in displeasure. For in the beginning, as he sought meanes to extenuate +the liuings of all other (as is aforesayd) so also he went about (but in +vayne) to plucke somewhat from Mustapha. Whereby he thought that if he +should once obtayne the gouernment, he would skarce forget sutch an +iniury, and thereby not only in hazarde of his Office, and dignity, but +also in daunger of losse of his heade. All which thinges, this wicked +woman pondering in hir vngratious Stomacke went about to insert into the +King’s mynde, no small suspitions of Mustapha, saying that he was +ambitiouse and bolde vpon the Fauour and good wil of all men (wherewith +in deede he was greatly endued) and reioysing in his force, let no other +thing to be expected, then oportunity of time to aspire to the Kingdome, +and to attempt the slaughter of his Father. And for the better cloaking +of the matter, she caused Rustanus at conuenient tyme, more at large to +amplifie and set forwards hir mallice, who alwayes had in charge all +principall and weyghty affayres. In whom also was no lacke of matter to +accelerate the accusation and death of the yong man. Moreouer to sutch +as were appoyncted to the administration of the countrey of Syria, he +priuely declared, that Mustapha was greatly suspected of his Father, +commaunding euery of them dilligently to take heede to his estate, and +of all sutch things as they eyther saw or perceyued in him, with all +expedition to send aduertisement, affirming that the more spightfully +they wrote of him, the more acceptable it should be to the Kinge. +Wherefore diuers time Rustanus being certified of the kingly Estimation, +Magnanimity, Wysedome, and Fortitude of Mustapha, and of his beneuolence +and liberality towards all men, wherewith he greatly conciled their +fauour, and how the ardent desires of the People, were inclined to hys +election: he therefore durst not take vppon him to be the first that +should sow the seede of that wicked conspiracy, but deliuering his +Letters to the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page404" id = "page404">404</a></span> +vngratious Woman, left the rest to the deuise of his vnhappy brayne: But +Rosa espying oportunity of time to succeede hir vnhappy desyre, ceased +not to corrupt the Kyng’s mynde, sometimes with promise of the vse of +other Women, and sometimes with sundry other adulations. So that if +mention was made of Mustapha at any time, she woulde take sutch occasion +to open the Letters, as might serue most apt for hir purpose. And she +was not deceyued of hir expectation. For taking a conuenient time not +without teares (which Women neuer want in cloaked matter) she admonished +the Kinge of the pearill wherein he stoode, remembring amongs other +thinges, how his Father Selymus, by sutch meanes depryued his owne +Father both from his kingdome, and Life, instantly requiringe him by +that example to beware. But these Arguments of suspition, at the first +brunt seemed not probable to the Kyng, and therefore by this meanes the +deuilishe Woman could little preuayle, which when hir enuious Stomacke +perceyued, she began to direct hir mischieuous mynde to other deuises, +seeking meanes with poyson to destroy the yonge man. And there wanted +not also, gracelesse persons, prompt and ready to accomplish that +mischieuous fact, had not diuine prouidence resisted the same. For Rosa +sent vnto Mustapha a sute of Apparell in the name of his Father, which +by marueylous craft was enuenimed with Poyson. But Mustapha in no wyse +would weare the sayd apparell before one of his slaues had assayed the +same, whereby he preuented the Mischiefe of his vngratious Stepmother, +opening to all men the deceipt of the poyson. And yet this pestilent +Woman ceased not to attempt other Enterprises. She went about to +purchase vnto hir the good will and familiarity of the Kyng in sutch +sort as the like neuer obtayned in the Courte of Ottoman, (for she vsed +certayne Sorceries through the helpe of a Woman a Jewe borne, which was +a famous Enchauntresse, to wyn the loue of the Kyng, and thereby +perswaded hir selfe to procure greater things at his hands) in so mutch +as she obtayned that hir Children by course should be resiant in their +Father’s Courte, that by theyr continuall presence and assiduall +flattering, they might get the loue of their Father. So that if Mustapha +did at any time come to the Court, by that meane she might haue a better +meanes to rid him of his life, if not, to tary a time, wherein he should +be dispatched +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page405" id = "page405">405</a></span> +by the help of others. But Mustapha not repayring to the Courte (for the +Kyng’s chyldren do not vse to go out of their Countreys assigned vnto +them, without their Father’s knowledge, nor to repayre to Constantinople +with any number of men of Warre, to receyue their Inheritance till their +Father be deade) she deuised another mischiefe. For enioying hir former +request, she recouered another, also hauing brought to passe that not +onely in the Citty, but also in the countrey, hir children should attend +vppon theyr Father. Yea, and Giangir the crokebacked should alwayes +attend on his father in his Warres. But the Stepmother’s deuise for +certayne yeares hanging as it were in ballance, at length Fortune +throughly fauoured hir wicked endeuours. For the Bascha which had the +protection of Mustapha, and the gouernment of the Prouince of Amasia, +(For euery one of the Kyng’s chyldren haue one Bascha, that is to say a +Liutenaunt, which doe aunswere the people according to the lawes and +gieue orders for the administration of the Warres, and also euery one of +them haue a learned Man to Instruct them in good dyscipline, and +Pryncely qualities) the sayd Bascha I say deuised Letters wherein was +contayned a certayne treatise of Marriage, betwene Mustapha and the +Kyng’s Daughter of Persia, and how he had referred the matter to the +Ministers of the Temple, to the intent that if it had not good successe, +he should be free from all suspition, and sent the same Letters to +Rustanus who greatly reioysed for that he hoped to bring his desyred +purpose to good effect. And fearing the matter no longer, incontinently +he vttered the same to Rosa, who both togethers, forthwith went into the +Pallace, and discouered the whole matter to the King. And to the intent +they might throughly incense the Kyng’s mynde with suspicions, that +before was doubtefull, and deliberatiue in the matter, to put him out of +all doubt, they affyrmed that Mustapha like an ambitiouse man, sought +meanes to conspyre his death being incensed like a Madman to the +gouernment of his large Empyre, contrary to nature, and Law diuine. And +to the intent better creadit might be gieuen to their subtile +Suggestions, they alleaged the Treaty of Marriage betwene Mustapha and +the Kyng of Persia, the deadly and auncient enimy of the Ottoman +Ligneage. For respect whereof, he ought diligently to take heede +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page406" id = "page406">406</a></span> +least by conioyning the power of the Persians with the Sangachi, and +Ianischari, which are the Captayns, and Souldiours, whose good willes he +had with his lyberality already tyed to his fauour, in short time, would +go about to depriue him of his Kyngdome and Lyfe. With these accusations +and sutch lyke they had so farre sturred the king, as he himselfe sought +the Death of his owne Sonne, in manner as foloweth. Therefore in the +yere of our Lord 1552, he caused to be published with al expedition +throughout his prouinces, that the Persians had made their vauntes how +they woulde inuade the Countrey of Syria, win the Cityes there, and +carry away the Captiues, and also would destroy euery place with fier +and Sword, in sutch sort as no man should withstand them. Wherefore to +prouide against the sayd proude and haultie Bragges, hee was forced to +send Rustanus thyther with an Armie. The Souldiours being leuied, hee +pryvily commaunded Rustanus in as secret manner as hee could and without +any Tumulte to lay handes vpon Mustapha, and to bryng hym bound to +Canstantinople. But if he could not conueniently bryng that to passe, +then to dispatch hym of hys Lyfe by sutch meanes as he could. Rustanus +receyuyng thys wycked and cruell Commaundement, marched towardes Syria +wyth a power. Wher when he arryued Mustapha, hauing knowledge thereof +setting all other businesse a parte, beying accompanyed with the +Lustyest and best appoynted Men of Warre in al Turkey to the Numbre of +seuen Thousande, hee directed his Iorney also towardes Syria. Whereof +when Rustanus had vnderstandynge, and perceyued hee could not well +accomplysh the wycked desire of the Kyng, immedyately retourned backe +agayne to Constantinople in sutch haste that hee durste not abyde the +sight of the Duste rered into the Ayre by Mustaphae’s Horse Men, and +mutch lesse hys commyng. When the Souldyers were retired Rustanus +declared to all Men that the Countrey was in good quyet, and pryuely +repayred to the Kynge, and vttered to hym the cause of hys retourne, +addynge further, that as farre as hee could see by manyfeste Sygnes, and +Coniectures, the good Wylles of all the Armye were inclyned to Mustapha, +and for that cause in so daungerous an Enterpryse, hee durste not +aduenture with open Warres, but lefte all to the consideration of hys +Maiesty. This +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page407" id = "page407">407</a></span> +reporte bred to the cruell Father (who nothynge degenerated from the +Naturall Tirannye of hys Auncestors) greater Suspicions: for reuengement +whereof he most wickedly toke further aduise. The yeare folowyng he +commaunded an huge Army to be leuied once againe makyng Proclamation +that the Persians with a greater Power would inuade Syria, and therefore +thought it mete that he himself for the Common sauegarde of them all, +ought personally to repayre thyther with a power to withstande the +indeuors of his Ennimies. The Army being assembled, and al furnitures +prouyded in that behalfe, they marched forwardes, and within fewe dayes +after the cruell Father folowed. Who beynge come into Syria, addressed a +messenger to Mustapha, to commaund him forthwith to repayre vnto him, +then being encamped at Alepes. And yet Solymane could not keepe secret +the mortall hatred he bare to hys Sonne from others, although he +imployed dilygent care for that purpose, but that the knowledge thereof +came to the Eares of one of the Baschæ, and others of Honour. Emonges +whome Achmet Bascha pryuily sent Woorde to Mustapha, to the intent he +myght take the better heede to hymself. And it seemed not without Wonder +to Mustapha, that his Father, wythout necessary cause, shoulde arryue in +those partes wyth so great a Number. Who notwithstanding, knowing +hymselfe innocente, althoughe in extreame sorrow and pensifenes of mynd +determyned to obey hys Father’s Commaundement although he shoulde stand +in Daunger of hys Lyfe. For hee esteemed it a more honest and laudable +part to incurre the Peryll of death in Obedience to hys Father, than to +lyue in contumelye by disobedyence. Therefore in that great anxietye and +care of Mynde, debatyng many thinges wyth hymselfe: At length he +demaunded of a learned Man whych contynually was conuersaunt wyth hym in +his House (as is aforesayde,) whether the Empyre of the whole World or a +vertuous Lyfe ought rather to be wyshed for. To whom this Learned Man +most Godly aunswered. That hee which dilygently weyed the Gouernement of +this Worlde, shall perceiue no other Felycitye therein then a vayne and +foolysh apparence of goodnesse. “For there is nothyng” (quod he) “more +frayle or vnsure then the Worlde’s prosperity. And it bryngeth none +other Fruicts but Feare, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page408" id = "page408">408</a></span> +sorrow, troubles, suspicions, murders, Wickednesse, vnrighteousnes, +spoyle, Pouerty, Captiuity, and sutch lyke whych to a man that affecteth +a blessed Lyfe, are in no wyse to be wyshed for. For whose sake who so +list to enioy them, leaseth the happines of that Lyfe. But to whome it +is gyuen from aboue to way and consider the frayltye and shortnes of +thys state (which the Common People deemeth to be a Lyfe) and to resist +the vanityes of the World, at length to embrace vertue, to them truely +in heauen there is a Place assigned and prepared of the highest <span +class = "smallcaps">God</span>, where hee shall inherite perpetuall +Ioyes, and Felicity of the Lyfe to come.” Wyth whych aunswer Mustapha +beyng somwhat prycked in conscience wonderfully was satisfied, as being +tolde of him which seemed by a certaine Prophecy to pronosticate his +end. And tarrying vppon no longer disputation, immedyately dyrected his +Iourney towards his cruell Father. And vsing that expedition he could, +arriued at the place where his Father encamped, and not farre from the +same he pitched his pauilion. But this expedite arriuall of Mustapha did +inculcat a greater suspicion in the wycked Father. And Rustanus was not +behynde wyth lyes, and other subtill informacions to set forwardes the +same. And after he had called together the common Souldiours and the +chiefe men of Warre in the Army, hee sente them to meete wyth Mustapha, +who without any tarrying most readily obeyed his commaundement, to put +themselues in readines. In the mean time this crafty Verlet, shewing by +outward countenance the hid enuy that lay secrete in his heart, +forthwith repaired into the Kynge’s Pauilion, and without shame or +honesty told the King, howe almost euery one of the principall +Souldiours of their owne accorde went to meete Mustapha. Then the King +being troubled in mind, went forth of his tent, and persuaded with +himself that Rustanus Wordes were true. Now Mustapha lacked not sondry +tokens of his vnhappy fate: For not thre daies before he should take his +iorney about the breake of day in the morning being in slepe, he dreamed +that he saw Machomet clad in gorgious apparel, to take him by the hand, +and lead him into a most pleasant place beutified with sundry turrets +and sumptuous buildinge hauing in it a most delectable gardein, who +shewing him al those things with his finger, spake these +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page409" id = "page409">409</a></span> +wordes: “Here” (quod he) “doe they rest for euer, which in the World +haue lyued a Godly and iust Life, and haue bene Aduauncers of Law and +Iustice, and contempners of vice.” And turning his face to the other +syde, he saw two swifte and broad Riuers, the one of them boiled more +blacke then Pitch. And in the sayd Riuers many were drowned, whereof +some appeared aboue Water crying with horrible voices, Mercy, Mercy. +“And there” (quod he) “are tormented all sutch, which in the World most +wyckedly haue committed Mischiefe.” And the chiefe of them he sayed were +Prynces, Kinges, Emperours, and other great Men. With that Mustapha +awaked and callyng the saied learned Man vnto him, vttered his dreame. +And pausyng a lyttle whyle (for the supersticious Machometistes +attribute mutch Credite to dotage of dreames) being ful of sorrow and +pensifnesse, at length answered That the vision was very dreadful, for +that it pronosticated extreame peril of his life. Therefore he required +him to haue diligent respect thereunto. But Mustapha beynge of great +valiaunce and fortitude, hauing no regard to the aunswer aforesaid, +couragiously replied with these wordes: “Shall I suffer my self to be +vanquished with vaine and childish feare? Nay I wil rather take a good +heart, and make hast to my Father. For I am assured that alwayes from +time to time I haue honored his maiesty accordyng to my duety, in so +mutch as neyther Fote trauelled, nor Eye looked, mutch lesse heart +thought agaynst his will to desyre or couet to raigne, except it had +pleased the highe <span class = "smallcaps">God</span> to haue called +hys Maiesty from thys Lyfe to a better. And besydes that my Mynde was +neuer bente after hys Death to beare rule, excepte Generall Electyon of +all the Army, to the intent I myghte entre the Imperiall Seate wythout +slaughter, Bloudshed, or any other cruell fact, and thereby preserue the +friendship of my Brethren inuiolat, and free from any spot of hatred. +For I alwayes determyned, and chose rather (since my Father’s pleasure +is so) to end my Life like an obedyent Child, than continually to +raigne, and be counted of al men, obstinate and disobedient, especially +of mine enimies.” When he had spoken those wordes, he made hast to his +father. And at his arriual to the Campe, so sone as he had pitched his +Tent he apparelled himself al in white, and putting certain letters into +his +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page410" id = "page410">410</a></span> +bosome, which the Turkes vse to do, when they go to any place (for in +supersticions they vse maruailous dotage) he proceded towards his +father, entending wyth reuerence (as the manner is) to kisse his hand. +But when hee was come to the entry of the tent, he rememberd himself of +his Dagger which he wore about him, and therefore vngirding himself he +put it of for auoiding of al suspicion. Which don, when he was entred +the Tent, he was very curteously (with sutch reuerence as behoued) +welcomed of his father’s Eunuches. And when he saw no man else, but the +seat royal, where his father was wont to sitte readye furnished, with a +sorrowful heart stode stil, and at length demaunded where his Father +was. Who answered that forthwith hee would come in presence. In the +meane season he saw seuen dombe men (which the Turke vseth as +Instruments to kepe his secrets, and priuily to do sutch murthers as he +commaundeth) and therewith immediately was wonderfully mased saying: +“Beholde my present Death.” And therewith stepped aside to auoide them, +but it was in vaine, For being apprehended of the Eunuches and garde, +was by force drawen to the place appointed for him to loose hys Lyfe, +and sodainly the domb Men fastened a Bowstryng about his Necke. But +Mustapha, some what striuing, requyred to speak but two Wordes with his +Father. Which when the wicked parricide his Father hearde, beholding the +Cruell Spectacle on the other side of the Tente, rebuked the dombe Men, +saying: “Wil you neuer execute my Commaundement, and doe as I bid you? +Wyll you not kyll the Traitor, which these ten years space would not +suffer me to slepe one quyet Night?” Who when they harde him speake +those cruell Woordes, the Eunuches and dombe Men threw him prostrate +vpon the ground, and cording the string with a double knot most +pitifully strangled him. Which wycked and cruell facte being done, the +Bascha that was Lieuetenaunt of Amasia was also apprehended by the +Kynge’s Commaundement, and likewyse beheaded in hys owne Presence. This +Facte also commytted, he caused to be called before hym Gianger the +Crokebacke, who was Ignoraunte of that was done, and Iestynge wyth hym +as though hee had done a thynge worthie commendation, bad him to go and +meete his Brother Mustapha: who with a ioyful cheere made hast to meete +him. +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page411" id = "page411">411</a></span> +But when he came to the place and saw his infortunate Brother ly +strangled and dead vpon the earth, it is impossible to tell with what +sorrow he was affected. And he was <ins class = "correction" title = +"error for ‘scarce’">scasce</ins> come to the place, but his wicked +Father sent Messengers after him, to tell him that the Kyng had giuen +him all Mustapha, his Treasures, Horsemen, Bondmen, Pauilions, Apparell: +Yea, and moreouer the Prouince of Amasia. But Giangir conceyuing extreme +sorrow for the cruell murder of his deere brother, with lamentable +teares spake these words. “Oh cruell and wicked Dogge: yea, and if I may +so call my father, Oh Traytor most pestilent, do thou enioy Mustapha, +his Treasures, his Horses, Furnitures, and the sayd Countrey to. Is thy +heart so vnnaturall, cruell, and wicked, to kill a yongue man so notable +as Mustapha was, so good a Warriour, and so worthy a Gentleman as the +Ottoman house neuer had or shall haue the like, without any respect of +Humanity or Zeale naturall? By Saynct Mary I neede to take heede least +hereafter in like maner thou as impudently do triumph of my death, being +but a crokebacke and deformed man.” When hee had spoken theese wordes, +plucking out his Dagger, he slew himselfe. Whereof when the Emperor had +aduertisement, he conceyued inspeakable sorrow. But for al that, his +sorrowfull heart vanquished not his couetouse minde. For he commaunded +all Mustaphe’s Treasure, and other Furnitures to bee brought into his +Tent. And the Souldiours thincking the same should be gieuen amongs them +made as mutch haste to dispatche his commaundement. In the meane tyme +Mustaphe’s Souldiours (not knowing what was become of their Mayster) +seeing sutch a number runne in heapes without order came forth of their +Camp to withstande their foolishe tumult, who very manfully, not without +mutch slaughter withstoode the same. And when the Fame of that Tragicall +tumult was bruted amongs the King’s souldiers, (who perceyuing the same +more and more to waxe hot,) they went forth to succour their fellowes, +but the Onset being gieuen on all sides, the fight on both parts was so +fierce, as in short space there were slayne very neere the number of two +thousande men besides the hurt and wounded, whereof the number was +greater. Howbeit this Broyle had not bene thus ended, had not Achmat +Bascha, a graue and wise man, and for his experimentes in the +Warres of great aucthority amongs the +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page412" id = "page412">412</a></span> +souldiers driuen them back, and repressed their fury. Who turning +himself towards Mustaphe’s souldiers with smiling countenaunce and milde +words appeasing their furious stomacks spake these wordes: “Why my deere +brethren and freends wil yee now degenerate from your olde accustomed +wisedome, sufficiently tried in you these many yeares past, and will now +resist the commaundment of the great Soltan the lord and soueraigne of +vs all? I cannot chuse (as God shal help me) but meruayle what +should mooue you whom hitherto I haue proued to be so notable and +valiant men, and in this ciuile conflict, you should bende your force +vpon your own frends, and raise vp sutch a spectacle to the Ottoman +enemy, against whom heretofore you haue very prosperously and manfully +fought, and therewith by mutuall slaughter to make them reioyse whom +heretofore with the like, you haue made heauy and pensive. Therefore my +fellowes as you tender your own valiaunce and Magnanimity, take heede, +that by your own folly you do not lese the estimation of your wonted +fortitude and wisedome, wherein hitherto you haue excelled all men. And +reserue your force, which you now more than inough haue vsed amongs your +owne Fellowes till you come against your Enemies, where you shall haue a +more laudable, and better occasion to vse it.” With these woordes and +the like spoken by Achamat Basca, the Souldiours were somewhat appeased, +and all thinges were franckely suffered to bee carried out of Mustapha +hys Pavylion to the Kynge’s. But when the death of Mustapha came to the +knowledge of the Ianischari, and the rest of the Army, forthwith began +another sedition. And after the Trumpets had blowen the onset, there was +sutch a Tumult and styrre amongs the Souldiours, mixte wyth sundry +Lamentations, and Teares, that like Madmen with great violence, they ran +into the Courte, with theyr Swords naked in theyr hands ready bent to +strike. And this renued and sudden styrre so terrified the Kyng, that +hee wiste not what to do who for all the dampes would needes haue fled. +But being persuaded of his Counselloures to tarry, hauing throughe +Necessity, gotten occasion to attempt that whych in the tyme of hys most +security he durst scarce haue enterprysed, went forth, and with sterne +Countenaunce, spake to hys Souldyers in this manner. “What rumors, what +tumultes, and what mad partes are these, wherewith +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page413" id = "page413">413</a></span> +so proudely in this sort ye disquiet me? What meane these enflamed +countenances? What signify these haulty gestures, these proude and angry +lokes? Doe you not remembre that I am your King that hath Power and +Authority to gouerne and rule you? Are you determyned in this sort to +spot your Auncyent and inuincible valiaunce, and the notable Warrefare +of your predecessours, with the bloud of your Emperour?” And while the +King was speaking these Words, the souldiers boldly answered, how they +confessed him to be the same, whome many yeares ago they chose to be +their Kinge, and for that hee alleaged how they had with their good +seruice in the Warres acquired vnto him many great conquests and had +diligently kepte the same: all that they did of purpose that he should +vse towards them againe a godly Authority and iust Gouernment, and not +vnaduisedly should lay his bloudy handes vppon euery iuste Man, and so +to staine and defile himselfe with the Bloud of Innocents. And againe, +where he laide to their charge, that they were issued from their Cabanes +armed with Weapon, they affirmed the same to be done in a iust quarell, +euen to reuenge the slaughter of innocent Mustapha, and for that they +ought not to haue sutch a Kynge as should worke his anger vppon them +that had not deserued it. Further they required that they might cleare +themselues openly of the offence of Treason, whereof falsly they were +accused by Mustapha, his Enimies, and to haue their accuser to be +brought forth in open presence. And sayde more that before he personally +did appeare before the Indgement Seat Face to Face to giue euidence, +<i>sub talionis pœna</i>, accordinge to the Law, they would not vnarme +nor yet disasemble themselues. [And whiles these things were debated +betwene the emperor and the souldiers, the cruelty of the fact, so +moued] all men to teares, that the Kyng him selfe seemed to take great +repentaunce for his horrible deede, and promysed the Souldiours that +they should haue their requests, and went about with fayre perswasions +to mittigate (as mutch as lay in him) their furious stomakes. Howbeit +the Souldiours gaue diligent heede to their watch and warde euery man in +his place appoynted, that the king might not secretly conuey himselfe +away, and so deceyue theym of his promisses, and the expectation of +their requests. In +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page414" id = "page414">414</a></span> +the meane time the Kyng depriued Rustanus of all his offices, and +promotions, and tooke away from him the priuy Signet whereof he had the +keeping, and deliuered it to Achmat Bascha. Rustanus amased with the +terror and feare of the Souldiours, thinking himselfe scarce in good +security amongs his owne men, secretly conueyed himselfe to Achmat +Bascha his Pauilyon, and asked counsell of him what was best to be done +in so doubtfull, and daungerous a case. Who aduised him therein to haue +the kyng’s aduice, and as he commaunded him so in any wyse to doe. Which +counsayle marueylously satisfied the mynde of Rustanus. And without any +longer delay by certaine Messengers which were his faythfull, and +familier Freends required the King’s aduise. Whereunto the King +aunswered that forthwith without longer tariaunce he should auoyde his +syght, and absent himselfe from his Campe. Who replied that without +Money and other furnitures, he could not conueniently execute hys +commaundement. But the King had hym to do what hee list, for he woulde +in no wise gieue hym leaue to haue any longer time or space to +deliberate the matter. At length Rustanus without further stay, as +guilty of his cursed deuises, accompanied with eyght of his trustiest +Frends directed his Iorney to Constantinople, and vsing mutch expedition +(as feare in fearefull matters putteth spurres to the horse) came to +Constantinople: and there with Rosa and other the Conspiratours expected +the euents of Fortune not without daunger of their liues. Moreouer it +was sayd that Solyman, whose Conscience bewrayed the beastlynes of his +abhominable facte, being pricked with a supersticious repentance, +determined to trauel on pilgrimage to Mecha, and proceding in his +voiage, he was driuen by meanes of the Persians force to go to +Hierusalem there to offer sacrifice for the death of his Sonne, which +they call Corba. But now to conclude, and somewhat to speake of Mustapha +or rather by way of admonition this one thing to say of him, that the +sayde Mustapha was so acceptable and well beloued of all men for his +warlike experience, and for his redinesse to sheade Christian bloud, +that they supposed the like would neuer be in the Ottoman house more +towards to enlarge, and amplyfie their Empyre, or promysed greatter +thinges for the perfourmance thereof. In so mutch as +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page415" id = "page415">415</a></span> +then they dispayred so of their Enterprises, as this Prouerbe rose vp +amongs them, Gietti Soltan Mustapha, which signifieth an vtter dispayre +in thinges which they thought before to goe about. Therefore we haue +good cause to reioyce for the death of thys cruell enimy that should +haue raygned, and to thinck the slaughter of him not to be done without +God’s speciall prouidence, who in this sorte hath prouided for vs. And +at length to be wise, and abstayne from ciuile Warre and dissencions. +And with common Force to set vppon this wicked Tarmegant, considering +that he is not only a generall Ennimy to our Countrey and Lyfe, but also +to our Soules. Which thing if we do, it will not be so hard a matter to +withstand the force of this enemy of Christendome, as if we doe not, it +wyll be daungerous through our continuall discorde to gieue him occasion +to inuade the rest of Europe, and so with his tiranny bring the same to +vtter destruction, which God that is omnipotent forbid, who bring vs to +vnity through his Sonne Iesus Christe, Amen.</p> + + +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page416" id = "page416">416</a></span> +<h3><a name = "novel2_35" id = "novel2_35"> +THE THIRTY-FIFTH NOUELL.</a></h3> + +<p class = "summary"> +The great curtesie of the Kyng of Marocco, (a Citty in Barbarie) +toward a poore Fisherman, one of his subiects, that had lodged the Kyng, +being strayed from his Company in hunting.</p> + +<p><span class = "firstword">For</span> somutch as the more than beastly +cruelty recounted in the former Hystory, doth yelde some sowre taste to +the minds of those that be curteous, gentle and well conditioned by +nature, and as the Stomacke of him that dayly vseth one kinde of meate, +be it neuer so delycate and daynty, doth at length lothe, and disdayne +the same, and vtterly refuseth it: I now chaunge the Diet, leauing +murders, slaughters, despayres, and tragicall accidents, and turne my +stile to a more pleasaunt thing, that may so well serue for instruction +of the noble to follow vertue, as that which I haue already written, may +rise to their profit, warely to take heede they fal not into sutch +deformed and filthy faults, as the name and prayse of man be defaced, +and his reputation decayed: if then the contraries be knowne by that +which is of diuers natures, the villany of great cruelty shalbe +conuerted into the gentlenesse of milde curtesie, and rigor shalbe +condempned, when with sweetenesse and generosity, the noble shall assaye +to wyn the heart, seruice, and affected deuotion of the basest sorte: So +the greatnesse and nobility of man placed in dignity, and who hath +puissaunce ouer other, consisteth not to shew himselfe hard, and +terrible, for that is the manner of Tyraunts, bicause he that is feared, +is consequently hated, euyll beloued, and in the ende forsaken, of the +whole World, which hath bene the cause that in times past Prynces +aspiring to great Conquests, haue made their way more easie by +gentlenesse and Curtesie, than by fury of armes, stablishing the +foundations of their dominions more firme and durable by those meanes, +than they which by rigor and cruelty haue sacked townes, ouerthrowne +Cities, depopulated Prouinces, and fatted Landes with the bodies of +those, whose liues they haue depriued by dent of sword, sith the +gouernement and authority ouer other, caryeth greater subiection, than +puissance. Wherefore +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page417" id = "page417">417</a></span> +Antigonus, one of the successors of great Alexander (that made all the +Earth to tremble vppon the recitall of hys name) <ins class = +"correction" title = "i invisible">seeing</ins> that hys Sonne behaued +himselfe arrogantly, and wythout modesty to one of hys Subiects, +reproued and checked hym, and amongs many wordes of chastisement and +admonition, sayd vnto him: “Knowest thou not my Sonne, that the estate +of a Kyng is a noble and honourable seruitude?” Royall wordes (in deede) +and meete for Kyng: For albeit that eche man doth reuerence to a Kyng, +and that he be honoured, and obeyed of all, yet is hee for all that, the +Seruaunt, and publike Mynister, who ought no lesse to defend hys +Subiect, than the Subiect to do him honour and Homage. And the more the +Prynce doth humble himselfe, the greater increase hath his glory, and +the more wonderfull he is to euery Wyght. What aduaunced the Glory of +Iulius Cæsar, who first depressed the Senatorie State of gouernment at +Rome? Where his Victoryes atchieued ouer the Galles and Britons, and +afterwardes ouer Rome it selfe, when he had vanquished Pompee? All those +serued his tourne, but his greatest fame rose of his Clemency and +Curtesie: By the whych Vertues hee shewed himselfe to be gentle, and +fauorable euen to those, whom hee knewe not to loue him, otherwise than +if hee had beene their mortall Enimy. His Successors as Augustus, +Vespasianus, Titus, Marcus Aurelius, and Flauius were worthily noted for +clemency: Notwithstanding I see not one drawe neere to the great +Courage, and Gentlenesse, ioyned wyth the singuler Curtesie of Dom +Roderigo Viuario the Spanyarde Surnamed Cid, towarde Kyng Pietro of +Aragon that hindred his expedityon agaynst the Mores at Grenadoe. For +hauing vanquyshed the sayde King, and taken hym in Battell, not onely +remitted the reuenge of his wrong, but also suffered hym to go wythout +raunsome, and tooke not from him so mutch as one Forte, esteemyng it to +bee a better exploite to winne sutch a King with curtesie, than beare +the name of cruell in putting him to Death, or seasing vpon his land. +But bicause acknowledging of the poore, and enriching the smal, is +commendable in a Prynce, than when he sheweth himselfe gentle to his +lyke, I haue collected this discourse and facte of Kynge Mansor of +Marocco, whose Chyldren (by subtile and fained religion) Cherif +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page418" id = "page418">418</a></span> +succeded, the Sonne of whom at this day inioyeth the kingdomes of Su, +Marocco, and the most part of the isles confinynge vpon Æthiopia. This +history was told by an Italian called Nicholoso Baciadonne, who vppon +this accydent was in Affrica, and in trafike of Marchandyse in the Land +of Oran, situated vppon the coast of the South seas, and where the +Geneuois and Spanyards vse great entercourse, bicause the countrey is +faire, wel peopled, and wher the inhabitants (although the soyle be +barbarous) lyue indifferent ciuilly, vsing great curtesie to Straungers, +and largely departing their goodes to the poore, towards whom they be so +earnestly bente, and louing, as for theyr Lyberality and pytiful +almesse, they shame vs Christians. They meinteine a grest numbre of +Hospitalles, to receiue and intertaine the poore and neady, wherein they +shew themselues more deuout than they that be bounde by the law of Iesus +Christe, to vse Charity towardes theyr brethren, with more curtesie and +greater myldnesse. These Oraniens delight also to record in wryting the +successe of thinges that chaunce in their time and carefully reserue the +same in Memorie, whych was the cause that hauyng registred in theyr +Chronicles, (wrytten in Arabie letters, as the most part of those +Countreyes do vse) this present history, they imparted the same to the +Geneuois marchants of whom the Italian author confesseth to haue +receyued the copie. The cause why the Geneuois marchant was so diligent +to make the enquirie, was by reason of a City of that prouince, builte +through the chaunce of thys Historye, and which was called in theyr +Tongue, Cæsar Elcabir, so mutch to say as, A great Pallace. And +bycause I am assured, that curteous Myndes will delyght in deedes of +Curtesie, I haue amonges other the Nouelles of Bandello, chosen by +Francois de Belleforest and my self, discoursed thys, albeit the matter +be not of great importance. For greater thynges and more notorious +curtesies haue bene done by our own Kinges and Prynces. As that of Henry +the eight a Prynce of notable memorye in hys Progresse into the North +the <span class = "smallroman">XXXIII.</span> yeare of his raigne, when +he dysdayned not a pore Miller’s house being stragled from his trayne, +busily pursuing the Hart, and ther vnknowne of the Miller, was welcomed +with homely cheare, as hys mealy house was able for the time to +minister, and afterwardes +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page419" id = "page419">419</a></span> +for acknowledging his willing Mynde, recompenced him wyth daynties of +the Courte, and a Pryncely rewarde. Of Edwarde the thyrde, whose royall +Nature was not displeased pleasauntly to vse a Waifaring Tanner, when +deuyded from his Company, he mette hym by the way not far from Tomworth +in Staffordshire, and by cheapening of his welfare steede (for +stedinesse sure and able to carry him so farre as the stable dore) grewe +to a price, and for exchaunge the Tanner craued fiue shillings to boote +betwene the Kings and his. And when the King satisfied with disport, +desired to shew himself by sounding his warning blaste, assembled all +hys Traine, and to the great amaze of the poore Tanner, (when he was +guarded with that Troupe) he well guerdoned his good Pastime and +familiar dealing, with the order of Knighthoode and reasonable reuenue +for the maintenaunce of the same. The lyke Examples our Chronicles, +memory, and reporte plentifully doe auouche and witnesse. But what? this +Hystory is the more rare and worthy of notyng, for respect of the People +and Countrey, where seldome or neuer Curtesie haunteth or findeth +harborough, and where Nature doth bryng forth greater store of monsters, +than thinges worthy of praise. This great King Mansor then was not onely +the Temporall Lord of the Countrey of Oran and Marocco, but also (as is +saide of Prete Iean,) Byshop of his Law and the Mahomet Priest, as he is +at thys Day that raighneth in Feze, Sus, and Marocco. Now thys Prynce +aboue all other pleasure, loued the game of Hunting. And he so mutch +delighted in that passetime, as sometime he would cause his Tentes in +the myd of the desertes to be erected, to lye there all Nyght, to the +end, that the next day he might renew his game, and defraud his men of +idlenesse, and the Wild beasts of rest. And this manner of Life he vsed +still, after he had done Iustice and hearkened the complaintes for which +his Subiectes came to disclose thereby theyr griefes. Wherein also he +toke so great pleasure, as some of our magistrates do seeke their +profite, whereof they be so squeymishe, as they be desirous to satisfy +the place whereunto they be called, and render all men their righte due +vnto them. For wyth theyr Bribery and Sacred Golden Hunger, Kings and +Prynces in these dayes be ill serued, the people wronged, and the wycked +out of +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page420" id = "page420">420</a></span> +feare. There is none offence almost how villanous so euer it be, but is +washed in the Water of Bribery, and clensed in the holly drop, wherewith +the Poets faine Iupiter to corrupt the daughter of Acrifius fast closed +within the brasen Toure. And who is able to resist that, which hath +subdued the highest powers? Now returne we from our wanderings: This +greate Kynge Mansor on a day assembled his People to hunt in the marish +and fenny Countrey, that in elder age was not farre of from the City of +Alela, which the Portugalles holde at this present, to make the way more +free into the Isles of Molucca, of the most part wherof their King is +Lord. As he was attentife in folowing a Beare, and his pastime at the +best, the Elements began to darke and a great tempest rose, such as with +the storme and violent Winde, scattered the trayne far of from the King, +who not knowing what way to take, nor into what place he might retire, +to auoid the tempest, the greatest that he felt in al his life, would +with a good wil haue ben accompanied as the Troiane Æneas was, when +being in like pastime and fear he was constrayned to enter into a Caue +wyth his Queene Dido, where he perfourmed the Ioyes of hys vnhappy +Maryage. But Mansor beeynge without Companye, and wythout any Caue at +Hande, wandered alonges the Champayne so carefull of hys Lyfe for feare +of Wylde Beastes, whych flocke together in those desertes as the +Courtiers were pensiue, for that they knew not whether theyr Prynce was +gone. And that which chiefly grieued Mansor was hys being alone without +guide: And for all he was well mounted, he durst passe no further for +fear of drownyng, and to be destroyed amiddes those Marshes, whereof all +the Countrey was very ful. On the one side he was fryghted with +Thunderclaps, which rumbled in the ayre very thicke and terryble: On the +other side the lightning continually flashed on his face, the roring of +the Beastes apalled him, the ignoraunce of the way so astonned him, as +he was affraide to fall into the running Brokes, which the outragious +raignes had caused to swell and ryse. It is not to be doubted, that +orisons and prayers vnto hys greate prophet Mahomet were forgotten, and +doubtfull it is whether he were more deuout when he went on Pilgrimage +to the Idolatrous Temple of Mosqua. Hee complayned of ill lucke, +accusing Fortune, but chiefly hys +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page421" id = "page421">421</a></span> +owne folly, for giuing himselfe so mutch to hunting, for the desire +whereof, hee was thus straggled into vnknowen Countreyes. Sometimes he +raued and vomytted his Gall agaynst his Gentlemen and houshold +seruaunts, and threatned death vnto his guarde. But afterwards, when +reason ouershadowed his sense, he saw that the tyme, and not their +neglygence or little care caused that disgrace. He thoughte that his +Prophet had poured downe that tempest for some Notable sinne, and had +brought him into such and so dangerous extremity for his faults. For +which cause he lifted vp his Eyes, and made a thousand Mahomet mowes, +and Apish mocks (according to theyr manner.) And as he fixed his eyes +aloft vp to the heauens, a flash of lightning glaunced on his Face +so violently, as it made him to holde downe his head, lyke a lyttle +Chyld reproued of his maister. But he was further daunted and amazed, +when he saw the night approche, which with the darkenes of his cloudy +Mantell, stayed hys pace from going any further, and brought him into +such perplexitye, as willingly he would haue forsaken both his hunting +and company of his Seruants to be quit of that Daunger. But God carefull +of good Myndes (with what law so euer they be trayned vp,) and who +maketh the Sunne to shine vpon the iust <ins class = "correction" title += "repetition in original at mid-line">and and</ins> vniuste, prepared a +meanes for his sauegarde, as you shal heare. The Affricane King beyng in +his traunce, and naked of all hope, necessity (which is the clearest +loking glasse that may be found,) made him diligently to loke about, +whether he could see any persone by whome he might attayne some +securitie. And as he thus bent himselfe to discry all the partes of the +Countrey, he saw not far of from him, the glimpse of a light which +glimmered out at a little Window, whereunto he addressed himselfe, and +perceiued that it was a simple Cabane situate in the middest of the +Fennes, to which he approached for his succor and defense in the time of +that tempest. He reioysed as you may think, and whither his heart lept +for ioy, I leaue for them to iudge which haue assayed like +daungers, how be it I dare beleue, that the saylers on the seas feele no +greater ioy when they arriue to harborough, than the king of Marocco +dyd: or when after a Tempest, or other peril, they discrye vppon the +prowe of their shyppe, the bryghtnesse of +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page422" id = "page422">422</a></span> +some clyffe, or other land. And thys king hauing felt the tempest of +Wind, raine, haile, lyghtenyng, and Thunder claps, compassed round +aboute with Marshes and violent streames of little Riuers that ran along +his way, thought he had found Paradise by chauncing vpon that rusticall +lodge. Now that Cotage was the refuge place of a pore Fisher man, who +lived and susteined his Wife and children with Eeles which he toke +alongs the ditches of those deepe and huge Marshes. Mansor when he was +arrived at the dore of that great pallace couered and thacked with +Reede, called to them wythin, who at the first would make no answer to +the Prynce that taried there comming at the Gate. Then he knocked +againe, and with louder voyce than before, which caused this fisher man, +thinkynge that he had bene some rippier (to whom he was wont to sell hys +ware, or else some straunger strayed out of his way,) spedily went out, +and seeinge the Kinge well mounted and richlye clothed, and albeit he +tooke him not to be his soueraigne <span class = +"smallcaps">Lord</span>, yet he thought he was some one of his Courtly +Gentlemen. Wherefore hee sayde: “What Fortune hath dryuen you (sir) into +these so deserte and solytarye Places, and sutch as I maruell that you +were not drowned a hundred tymes, in these streames, and bogges whereof +this Marrish and fenny Countrey are full?” “It is the great God” +(aunswered Mansor) “which hath had some care of me, and will not suffer +me to perysh without doynge greater good turnes and better deedes than +hitherto I haue don.” The King’s comming thither, seemed to +Prognosticate that whych after chaunced, and that God poured downe the +Tempest for the Wealth of the Fisher man, and commodity of the Country. +And the straying of the Kyng was a thyng appoynted to make voyde those +Marshes, and to purge and clense the Countrey: Semblable chaunces haue +happened to other Prynces, as to Constantine the great, besides his City +called New Rome, when he caused certayne Marshes and Ditches to be +filled vp and dryed, to build a fayre and sumptuous Temple, in the Honor +and Memory of the blessed Virgin that brought forth the Sauior of the +World. “But tel me good man” (replyed Mansor) <ins class = "addition" +title = "open quote added">“</ins>canst thou not shew me the way to the +Court, and whether the King is gone, for gladly (if it were possible) +would I ride thither.” “Verily” (sayd the Fisher Man) “it will be almost +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page423" id = "page423">423</a></span> +day before ye can come there, the same beinge ten leagues from +hence.<ins class = "addition" title = "close quote added">”</ins> +“Forsomutch as thou knowest the way” (aunswered Mansor) “doe me so great +pleasure to brynge me thither, and be assured that besides the good +turne, for which I shall be bound vnto thee, I will curteously +content thee for thy paynes.” “Sir” (sayd the poore man) “you seeme to +be an honest Gentleman, wherfore I pray you to lyght, and to tarry heere +this Night, for that it is so late, and the way to the City very euyll +and combersome for you to passe.” “No, no,” (sayd the King) “if it be +possible, I must repayre to the place whither the King is gone, +wherefore doe so mutch for me as to bee my guide, and thou shalt see +whether I be vnthankfull to them that imploy their paynes for mee.” “If +Kyng Mansor” (sayd the Fisher man) “were heere hymselfe in Person and +made the lyke request, I would not be so very a foole, nor so +presumptuous, (at this time of the Nyght) to take vppon me without +Daunger to bryng hym to his Palace.” “Wherefore?” (sayed the Kyng) +“Wherefore? (quod you), bicause the Marshes bee so daungerous, as in the +Day tyme, if one know not wel the way, the Horse, (be hee neuer so +stronge and Lusty,) may chaunce to sticke fast, and tarry behynd for +gage. And I would be sorry if the King were heere, that he should fall +into Peryl, or suffer any anoyance and therewythall would deeme my selfe +vnhappy if I did let hym to incur sutch euyll or incombrance.” Mansor +that delighted in the communication of this good man, and desirous to +know the cause that moued him to speak with sutch affection, said vnto +him: “And why carest thou for the Life, health, or preseruation of the +Kynge? What hast thou to doe wyth him that wouldest be so sorry for hys +state, and carefull of his safety.” “Ho, ho,” said the good man, “doe +you say that I am carefull for my Prince? Verily I loue him a hundred +tymes better than I do my selfe, my Wife or children whych God hath sent +me: and what sir, do not you loue our Prince?” “Yes that I doe” (replyed +the Kyng,) “for I haue better cause than thou, for that I am many times +in his company, and liue vpon his charge and am entertayned with his +wages. But what nedest thou to care for hym? Thou knowest him not, hee +neuer did thee anye good turne or pleasure: nor yet thou nedest not hope +henceforth to haue any pleasure at his hands.” +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page424" id = "page424">424</a></span> +“What?” (said the Fisher man) “must a Prince be loued for gaine and good +turnes, rather than for hys Iustice and curtesie? I see wel that +amongs you maister Courtiers, the benefits of kings be more regarded, +and their gifts better liked than their vertue and nobility, which +maketh them wonderful vnto vs: and ye do more esteme the gold, honor and +estates that they bestow vpon you, than their health and sauegard, which +are the more to be considered, for that the King is our head, and <span +class = "smallcaps">God</span> hath made him sutch one to kepe vs in +Peace, and to be carefull of our states. Pardon me if I speake so boldly +in your presence.” The kyng (which toke singular delight in this +Countrey Philosopher,) answered him: “I am not offended bicause thy +words approche so neare the troth: but tel me what benefit hast thou +receiued of that King Mansor, of whome thou makest sutch accompt and +louest so wel? For I cannot thinke that euer he dyd thee good, or shewed +thee pleasure, by reason of thy pouerty, and the little Furnyture within +thy house in respect of that which they possesse whome hee loueth and +fauoreth, and vnto whome he sheweth so great familyaritye and Benefite.” +“Doe tell me sir” (replyed the good man) “for so mutch as you so greatly +regard the fauoures which Subiects receiue at theyr Prynces handes, as +in deede they ought to doe, What greater goodnesse, richesse, or +Benefite ought I to hope for, or can receyue of my King (being sutch one +as I am,) but the profite and vtility that all we whych be his +vassalles do apprehend from day to day in the Iustyce that he rendereth +to euery Wyghte, by not suffering the puissant and Rich to suppresse and +ouertread the feeble and weake, and him that is deuoid of Fortune’s +goods, that indifferency be maintayned by the Officers, to whom he +committeth the gouernement of his Prouinces, and the care which he hath +that his people be not deuoured by exactions, and intolerable tributes. +I do esteeme more his goodnesse, clemency and Loue, that he beareth +to his subiects, than I doe all your delycates and ease in following the +Court. I most humbly honor and reuerence my king in that he being +farre from vs, doeth neuerthelesse so vse his gouernment as we feele his +presence like the Image of God, for the peace and vnion wherein we +through him do lyue and enioy, without disturbaunce, that lytle whych +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page425" id = "page425">425</a></span> +<span class = "smallcaps">God</span> and Fortune haue gyuen vs. Who (if +not the king) is he that doeth preserue vs, and defend vs from the +incursions and pillages of those Theues and Pirates of Arabie, which +inuade and make warre with their neighbours? and there is no friend they +haue but they would displease if the King wysely did not forbyd and +preuent their villanies. That great Lord which kepeth his Court at +Constantinople and maketh himself to be adored of his people like a God, +brideleth not so mutch the Arabians, as our king doth, vnder the +Protection and sauegard of whome, I that am a poore Fisher man, do +ioy my pouerty in peace, and without fear of theeues do norish my litle +family, applying my selfe to the fishing of Eeles that be in these +ditches and fenny places, which I carry to the market townes, and sell +for the sustenance and feeding of my wife and children, and esteeme my +self right happy, that returning to my cabane, and homely lodge at my +pleasure, in whatsoeuer place I do abide, bicause (albeit far of from +Neighboures,) by the benefite and dilygence of my Prince, none staye my +iourney, or offendeth me by any meanes, whych is the cause (sayd he +lifting vp his hands and eyes aloft,) that I pray vnto God and his great +Prophet Mahomet, that it may please them to preserue our King in health, +and to gyue him so great happe and contentation, as he is vertuous and +debonaire, and that ouer hys Ennimies (flying before him,) he may +euermore be victorious, for noryshing his people in peace, and his +children in ioy and Nobility.” The King seeing that deuout affectyon of +the paisaunte, and knowyng it to be without guile or Hypocrisie, would +gladly haue discouered himself, but yet willyng to reserue the same for +better opportunity, he sayd vnto him: “Forsomutch as thou louest the +king so well, it is not impossible but those of his house be welcome +vnto thee, and that for thy Mansor’s sake, thou wilt helpe and do +seruice to his Gentlemen.” “Let it suffise you” (replyed he) “that my +heart is more inclined to the King, than to the willes of those that +serue him for hope of preferment. Now being so affectionate to the king +as I am, thynke whyther hys householde Seruauntes haue power to commaund +me, and whither my willing mynde be prest to doe them good or not. But +mee thynke ye neede not to stay heere at the gate in talke, being so wet +as +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page426" id = "page426">426</a></span> +you be: Wherefore vouchsafe to come into my house, which is youre owne, +to take sutch simple lodging as I haue, where I wyl entreat you, (not +according to your merite) but with the little that God and his Prophet +haue departed to my pouerty: And to morrow morning I will conduct you to +the City, euen to the royall Palace of my Prynce.” “Truly” (answered the +King) “albeit necessity did not prouoke me, yet thine honesty deserueth +well other reputation than a simple Countrey man, and I do thinke that I +haue profited more in hearing thee speake than by hearkenyng to the +flattering and babbling tales of Courting triflers, which dayly employ +themselues to corrupte the eares of Prynces.” “What sir?” (sayd the +Paysant) “thynke you that thys poore Coate and simple lodging be not +able to apprehend the Preceptes of Vertue? I haue sometimes heard +tell, that the wise auoyding Cityes and Troupes of Men, haue wythdrawne +themselues into the desertes, for leysure to contemplate heauenly +thynges.” “Your skyll is greate,” replyed Mansor: “Goe we then, sith you +please to doe me that Curtesie as this night to be myne hoste.” So the +king went into the Rustical Lodge, where insteede of Tapistery and +Turkey hangings, he sawe the house stately hanged with fisher Nets and +Cordes, and in place of rich seeling of Noble mens houses, he beheld +Canes and Reedes whych serued both for the seeling and couering. The +Fisher man’s Wife continued in the kitchen, whilest Mansor hymself both +walked and dressed his owne horse, to which horse the Fisher man durste +not once come neare for his Corage and stately trappour, wyth one thing +he was abundantly refreshed, and that the moste needefull thing which +was fire, whereof there was no spare, no more then there was of Fishe. +But the king which had been dayntely fed, and did not well taste and +lyke that kynde of meat, demaunded if hys hunger could not be supplyed +with a lytle Flesh, for that his stomacke was anoyed with the onely +sauoure of the Eeles. The poore man, (as ye haue somewhat perceiued by +the former discourse) was a pleasaunt fellow, and delighted rather to +prouoke laughter than to prepare more dainty meat, said vnto the king: +“It is no maruell, though our kinges do furnishe themselues with +Countrey men, to serue them in their Warres, for the delicate bringing +vp and litle force in fine Courtiers. +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page427" id = "page427">427</a></span> +Wee, albeit the Raine doth fal vppon our heads, and the Winde assaile +euery part of our bodies all durtie and Wet, doe not care either for +fire or Bed, wee feede vpon any kinde of meate that is set before vs, +withoute seeking Sauce for increasing of our appetite: and we (beholde) +are nimble, healthy, lusty, and neuer sicke, nor our mouth out of tast, +where ye do feele sutch distemperaunce of stomacke, as pity it is to +see, and more ado there is to bring the same into his right order and +taste, than to ordeine and dresse a supper for a whole armie.” The king +who laughed (with displayed throte,) hearing his hoste so merily +disposed, could haue been contented to haue heard him still had not his +appetite prouoked him, and the time of the Night very late. Wherefore he +said vnto him: “I do agree to what you alleage, but performe I pray +thee my request, and then wee will satisfie ourselues with further +talke.” “Well sir” (replied the king’s Hoste,) “I see well that a +hungry Belly hath no luste to heare a merry song, whereof were you not +so egre and sharpe set, I could sing a hundred. But I haue a lytle +Kidde which as yet is not weaned, the same wil I cause to bee made +ready, for I think it cannot be better bestowed.” The supper by reason +of the hoste’s curtesie, was passed forth in a thousand pleasant +passetimes, whych the Fisherman of purpose vttered to recreate hys +Guest, bicause he sawe hym to delight in those deuyses. And vppon the +end of Supper, he sayd vnto the King: “Now sir, how like you this +banket? It is not so sumptuous as those that be ordinarily made at our +Prynce’s Court, yet I thynke that you shal slepe wyth no lesse appetyte +than you haue eaten with a god stomack, as appeareth by the few Woords +you have vttered in the tyme of your repast. But whereunto booteh it to +employ tyme, ordeyned for eating, in expense of talke, whych serueth not +but to passe the tyme, and to shorten, the day? And meats ought rather +to be taken for sustentation of Nature then for prouocation or motion of +thys feeble and Transitorye Fleshe?” “Verily” (sayd the King) “your +reason is good, and I doe meane to ryse from the Table, to passe the +remnant of the Nyght in rest, therewyth to satisfie my selfe so well as +I haue wyth eatyng, and do thanke you heartily for your good +aduertysement.” So the King went to Bed, and it was not long ere hee +fell a +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page428" id = "page428">428</a></span> +sleepe, and contynued tyll the Mornynge. And when the Sunne dyd ryse, +the Fisherman came to wake hym, tellyng hym that it was tyme to rise, +and that hee was ready to bryng him to the Court. All this whyle the +Gentlemen of the kinge’s Traine were searching round aboute the Countrey +to fynde his Maiesty, makyng Cryes and Hues, that he myghte heare them. +The kyng knowyng their voices, and the noyes they made, went forth to +meete them, and if his People were gladde when they founde him, the +Fisherman was no lesse amazed to see the honor the Courtyers did vnto +his Guest. Which the curteous king perceiuing, sayd vnto him: “My +Friend, thou seest here, that Mansor, of whome yesternight thou madest +so great accompt, and whome thou saidst, that thou didst loue so well. +Bee assured, that for the Curtisie thou hast done him, before it bee +longe, the same shall be so well acquyted, as for euer thou shalte haue +good cause to remembre it.” The good man was already vpon his marybones +beseeching the King that it would please him pardon hys rude +entertainement and his ouermutch familiarity whych hee had vsed vnto +him. But Mansor causing him to rise vp, willed hym to depart, and sayed +that within few dayes after he shoulde heare further Newes. Now in these +Fennish and marrysh groundes, the Kyng had already builded diuers +Castles and lodges for the pleasure and solace of hunting. Wherefore he +purposed there to erect a goodly City, causing the waters to be voyded +with greate expedition, whych City he builded immediately, and +compassyng the circuite of the appoynted place, with strong Walles and +depe Ditches, he gaue many immunities and Pryuiledges to those, that +would repayre to people the same, by meanes whereof, in litle tyme, was +reduced to the state of a beautifull and wealthy City, whych is the very +same that before we sayd to be Cæsar Elcabir, as mutch to say: “The +great Palace.” This goodly worke beinge thus performed Mansor sent for +his host, to whome hee sayde: “To the end from henceforth thou mayest +more honourably entertaine Kyngs into thy House, and mayest intreate +them wyth greater sumptuositie, for the better solacyng of them wyth thy +curtesy and pleasaunt talke, beholde the City that I haue buylded, which +I doe gyue vnto thee and thyne for euer, reseruing nothyng but an +acknowledgement of good wil, +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page429" id = "page429">429</a></span> +to the end thou mayst know that a Gentleman’s mind nousled in villany, +is discouered, when forgetting a good turne, he incurreth the vice of +Ingratitude.” The good man seeing so liberall an offer and present +worthy of sutch a king fell downe vppon his knees, and kyssing his foote +with al humility, sayd vnto him: “Sir if your Liberality did not supply +the imperfection of my Meryte, and perfourmed not what wanted in me, to +attayne so great estate, I would excuse my selfe of the charge +whych it pleaseth you to gyue mee, and whereunto for lacke of trayning +vp, and vse of sutch a Dignity, I am altogether vnfit. But sith +that the graces of <span class = "smallcaps">God</span>, and the gyftes +of Kynges ought neuer to bee reiected, by acceptynge thys Benefite wyth +humble thankes for the clemencye of your royall Maiestye, I rest +the Seruaunt and slaue of you and yours.” The king hearing hym speake so +wisely, took hym vp, and imbraced him, saying: “Would to God and his +great Prophete, that all they which rule Cityes, and gouerne Prouinces, +had so good a Nature as thine then I durst be bolde to say, that the +People shoulde lyue better at theyr ease, and Monarches without charge +of conscience, for the ill behauyors of theyr Officers. Lyue good man, +lyue at thine ease, maynteine thy people, obserue our lawes, and +increase the Beauty of the City, whereof from this time forth wee doe +make the possesser.<ins class = "addition" title = "close quote missing">”</ins> And truly the present was not to bee contempned, for +that the same at this day is one of the fairest that is in Affrica, and +is the Land of the blacke People, sutch as the Spaniards call Negroes. +It is very full of Gardeins, furnished with aboundance of Spyces brought +from the Moluccas, bicause of the martes and faires ordeined there. To +be short, Mansor shewed by this gift what is the force of a gentle +heart, which can not abyde to bee vanquished in curtesie, and lesse +suffer that vnder forgetfulnesse the memorye of a receyued good turne be +lost. King Darius whilome, for a little garment, receiued in gift by +Silofon the Samien, recompenced him wyth the gaine and royall dignity of +that City, and made him soueraine Lord thereof, and of the Isle of +Samos. And what greater vertue can illustrate the name of a noble man, +than to acknowledge and preferre them, which for Natural shame and +bashfulnesse, dare not beholde the Maiesty of their greatnesse? God +sometymes with +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page430" id = "page430">430</a></span> +a more curteous Eye doth loke vpon the presents of a poore man, than the +fat and rych offerings of him that is great and wealthy? Euen so a +benefite, from what hand soeuer it procedeth, cannot chose but bryng +forth the fruicts of his Liberality that giueth the same, who by vsing +largesse, feleth also the like in him to whom it is employed. That +magnificence no long time past vsed the Seigniorie of Venice, to +Francesco Dandulo, who after he had dured the great displeasures of the +Pope, in the name of the whole City, vpon his returne to Venice, for +acknowledgment of his pacyence, and for abolishmente of that Shame, was +wyth happye and vniforme Acclamatyon of the whole state elected, and +made Prince, and Duke of that Common wealth. Worthy of prayse truly is +he, that by some pleasure bindeth another to his curtesie: but when a +Noble man acknowledgeth for a benefit, that which a Subiect is bounde to +gieue him by duty and seruice, there the proofe of prayse carryeth no +Fame at all. For which cause I determined to display the Hystory of the +barbarous King Mansor, to the intent that our Gentlemen, noryshed and +trained vp in great ciuilytie, may assay by their mildenesse and good +education, to surmount the curtesie of that Prynce, of whom for this +time wee purpose to take our Farewell.</p> + + +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page431" id = "page431">431</a></span> +<h3><a name = "conclusion" id = "conclusion"> +<span class = "smallest">THE</span><br> +<span class = "larger extended">CONCLUSION,</span><br> +<span class = "smallest">WITH</span><br> +AN ADUERTISEMENT TO THE READER.</a></h3> + +<p class = "illustration"> +<img src = "images/decline0.png" width = "54" height = "7" +alt = "----"></p> + +<p><span class = "firstword">What</span> thou hast gained for thy better +instruction, or what conceiued for recreation by reading these thirty +fiue Nouells, I am no Iudge, although (by deeming) in reading and +perusing, thou mayst (at thy pleasure) gather both. But howsoeuer +profite, or delight, can satisfy mine apoyntment, wherefore they were +preferred into thy hands, contented am I that thou doe vouchsafe them +Good lessons how to shun the Darts, and Prickes of insolency thou +findest in the same. The vertuous noble may sauor the fruits and taste +the licour that stilleth from the gums or buds of Vertue. The contrary +may see the blossoms fall, that blome from the shrubs of disloialty and +degenerat kinde. Yong Gentlemen, and Ladies do view a plot founded on +sured grounde, and what the foundation is, planted in shattring Soyle, +with a fashion of attire to garnish their inward parts, so well as +(sparelesse) they imploy vpon the vanishing pompe. Euery sort and sexe +that warfare in the fielde of humayne life, may set here the sauourous +fruict (to outwarde lyking) that fansied the sensuall taste of Adam’s +Wyfe. They see also what griefts sutch fading fruicts produce vnto +posterity: what likewise the lusty growth and spring of vertue’s plant, +and what delicates it brauncheth to those that carefully keepe the slips +thereof, within the Orchard of their mindes. Diuers Tragical shewes by +the pennes description haue +<span class = "pagenum"> +<a name = "page432" id = "page432">432</a></span> +bene disclosed in greatest number of these Hystories, the same also I +haue mollified and sweetened with the course of pleasaunt matters, of +purpose not to dampe the deynty mindes of those that shrinke and feare +at such rehearsall. And bicause sodaynly (contrary to expectation) this +Volume is risen to greater heape of leaues, I doe omit for this +present time sundry Nouels of mery deuise, reseruing the same to be +ioyned with the rest of an other part, wherein shall succeede the +remnaunt of Bandello, specially sutch (suffrable) as the learned French +man François de Belleforrest hath selected, and the choysest done in the +Italian. Some also out of Erizzo, Ser Giouani Florentino, Parabosco, +Cynthio, Straparole, Sansouino, and the best liked out of the Queene of +Nauarre, and other Authors. Take these in so good part with those that +haue and shall come forth, as I do offre them with good will curteously +correcting sutch Faults, and Errors, as shall present themselues, eyther +burying them in the Bosome of Fauor, or pretermitting them with the beck +of Curtesie.</p> + +<p> <br> </p> + +<h4>FINIS.</h4> + +<hr class = "mid"> + +<p class = "center smallest"> +BALLANTYNE PRESS: EDINBURGH AND LONDON.</p> + +</div> + +<!-- end div maintext --> + +<div class = "endnote"> + +<h4>Title Pages</h4> + +<h5><a name = "titletext" id = "titletext" href = "#titlepage"> +Volume III Title Page</a></h5> + +<p class = "center">THE<br> + <br> +<span class = "largest"><b>Palace of Pleasure</b></span><br> + <br> +<i>ELIZABETHAN VERSIONS OF ITALIAN AND FRENCH NOVELS<br> +FROM BOCCACCIO, BANDELLO, CINTHIO, STRAPAROLA,<br> +QUEEN MARGARET OF NAVARRE,<br> +AND OTHERS</i><br> + <br> +DONE INTO ENGLISH<br> +<span class = "smallcaps">by WILLIAM PAINTER</span><br> + <br> +<i>NOW AGAIN EDITED FOR THE FOURTH TIME</i><br> +<span class = "smallcaps">by JOSEPH JACOBS</span><br> + <br> +VOL. III.<br> + <br> +[Publisher’s Mark: IN NUCE LIBELLUS]<br> + <br> +<i>LONDON: PUBLISHED BY DAVID NUTT IN THE STRAND</i><br> +MDCCCXC</p> + + +<h5><a name = "tomeII_text" id = "tomeII_text" href = "#tomeII_title"> +Tome II Title Page</a></h5> + +<p class = "center"> +<span class = "largest">The second Tome</span><br> +<span class = "larger">of the Palace of Pleasure,</span><br> +<span class = "blackletter">contayning store of goodlye +Histories,</span><br> +Tragical matters, and other Mo-<br> +<span class = "blackletter">rall argumentes, very re-</span><br> +<i>quisite for delight</i><br> +<span class = "blackletter">and profyte.</span><br> + <br> +<span class = "larger"><i>Chosen and selected out of</i></span><br> +<i>diuers good and commen-<br> +dable Authors:</i><br> + <br> +and now once agayn corrected and<br> +encreased<br> + <br> +<span class = "larger">By William Painter, Clerke of the</span><br> +Ordinance and Armarie.<br> + <br> +<span class = "largest">Imprinted at London, in</span><br> +Fleat strete, by Thomas<br> +Marshe.</p> + +<hr class = "mid"> + +<h4><a name = "errata" id = "errata"> +Errors and Inconsistencies</a></h4> + +<h5>Spelling in the Novels</h5> + +<p>Spelling is more consistent in this third volume than in the first +two. Word-initial “u” and non-initial “v” are in the original. In Novel +29, the name “Diego” occurs often enough to establish consistency. In +three places it is printed “Deigo”; they are not individually marked. +The spelling “Ihon” is anomalous but occurs in other texts of similar +age.</p> + +<p>Specific words:</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +“the” is often used for “thee”<br> +“liuetenaunt” occurs twice, “lieuetenaunt” once</p> + +<h5>Errors</h5> + +<p>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).</p> + +<p>Errors and anomalies are handled in one of three ways, all using +mouse-hover popups:</p> + +<div class = "hanging"> +<p>Clear errors in the text are marked but not changed: <ins class = +"correction" title = "error for ‘giue’">guie</ins>.</p> + +<p>Missing punctuation—generally closing quotation marks—or +omitted space between some words is added in grey with a note: <ins +class = "addition" title = "close quote missing">”</ins>.</p> + +<p>A few unexpected forms were simply noted: <ins class = "notation" +title = "abbreviation for ‘usque’">usq;</ins>.</p> +</div> + +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Palace of Pleasure, by William Painter + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PALACE OF PLEASURE *** + +***** This file should be named 34840-h.htm or 34840-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/8/4/34840/ + +Produced by Meredith Bach, Louise Hope, 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) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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