revenged on her, which now he more earnestly desired to effect, then
to enjoy the benefit of her love, or to be embraced betweene her
armes.
After that the sad and discomfortable night had spent it selfe,
and the break of day was beginning to appeare; Ancilla the
waiting-woman, according as she was instructed by her Lady, went downe
and opened the Court doore, and seeming exceedingly to compassionate
the Schollers unfortunate night of sufferance, saide unto him.
Alas courteous Gentleman, in an unblessed houre came my Ladyes
brother hither yesternight, inflicting too much trouble upon us, and a
grievous time of affliction to you. But I am not ignorant, that you
being vertuous, and a judicious Scholler, have an invincible spirit of
pacience, and sufficient understanding withall; that what this night
could not affoord, another may make a sound amends for. This I can and
dare sufficiently assure you, that nothing could be more displeasing
to my Lady, neither can she well be quieted in her mind: untill she
have made a double and treble requitall, for such a strange unexpected
inconvenience, whereof she had not the very least suspition.
Reniero swelling with discontentment, yet wisely clouding it from
open apprehension, and knowing well enough, that such golden
speeches and promises, did alwaies savour of what intemperate
spleene would more lavishly have vented foorth, and therefore in a
modest dissembling manner; without the least shew of any anger, thus
he answered.
In good sadnesse Ancilla, I have endured the most miserablest
night of cold, frost and snow, that ever any poore Gentleman suffered;
but I know well enough, your Lady was not in any fault thereof,
neither meriteth to be blamed, for in her owne person (as being truely
compassionate of my distresse) she came so farre as the doore of
this Court, to excuse her selfe, and comfort mee. But as you saide,
and very well too, what hath failed this night, another hereafter
may more fortunately performe: in hope whereof, commend my love and
duteous service to her, and (what else remaineth mine) to your
gentle selfe.
So our halfe frozen Scholler, scarcely able to walke upon his
legges, returned home, (so well as hee could) to his owne lodging;
where, his spirits being grievously out of order, and his eyes staring
gastly through lacke of sleepe: he lay downe on h bed, and after a
little rest, he found himselfe in much worse condition then before, as
meerely taken lame in his armes and his legges. Whereupon he was
inforced to send for Phisitions, to be advised by their councell, in
such an extremity of cold received. Immediately, they made provision
for his healthes remedie (albeit his nerves and sinewes could very
hardly extend themselves) yet in regard he was yong, and Summer
swiftly drawing on; they had the better hope of affecting his safty,
out of so great and dangerous a cold.
But after he was become almost well and lusty againe, hee used to be
seldome seene abroad for an indifferent while; concealing his intended
revenge secret to himselfe, yet appearing more affectionate to
Madame Helena, then formerly he had beene.
Now, it came to passe (within no long while after) that Fortune
being favourable to our injured Scholler, prepared a new accident,
wherby he might fully effect his harts desire. For the lusty yong
Gallant, who was Madame Helenaes deare darling and delight, and (for
whose sake) she dealt so inhumanely with poore Reniero: became weary
of her amourous service, and was falne in liking of another Lady,
scorning and disdaining his former Mistresse; whereat shee grew
exceedingly displeased, and began to languish in sighes and teares.
But Ancilla her waiting-woman, compassionating the perilous
condition of her Lady, and knowing no likely meanes whereby to conquer
this oppressing melancholly, which shee suffered for the losse of
her hearts chosen friend: at length she began to consider, that the
Scholler still walked daily by the doore, as formerly hee was wont
to doe, and (by him) there might some good be done.
A fond and foolish opinion overswayed her, that the Scholler was
extraordinarily skilfull in the Art of Nigromancy, and could thereby
so over-rule the heart of her lost friend, as hee should bee compelled
to love her againe, in as effectuall manner as before; herewith
immediately she acquainted her Lady, who being as rashly credulous, as
her maide was opinionative (never considring, that if the Scholler had
any experience in Negromancy, hee would thereby have procured his owne
successe) gave releefe to her surmise, in very joviall and comfortable
manner, and entreated her in all kindnes, to know of him, whether he
could worke such a businesse, or no, and (upon his undertaking to
effect it) shee would give absolute assurance, that (in recompence
thereof) he should unfainedly obtaine his hearts desire. Ancilla was
quicke and expeditious, in delivering this message to discontented
Reniero, whose soule being ready to mount out of his body, onely by
conceit of joy; chearefully thus he said within himselfe. Gracious
Fortune! how highly am I obliged to thee for this so great favour? Now
thou hast blest me with a happy time, to be justly revenged on so
wicked a woman, who sought the utter ruine of my life, in recompence
of the unfaigned affection I bare her. Returne to thy Lady (quoth
he) and saluting her first on my behalfe, bid her to abandon all
care in this businesse; for, if her amourous Friend were in India, I
would make him come (in meere despight of his heart) and crave mercy
of her for his base transgression. But concerning the meanes how,
and in what manner it is to bee done, especially on her owne
behalfe: I will impart it to her so soone as she pleaseth: faile not
to tell her so constantly from me, with all my utmost paines at her
service.
Ancilla came jocondly home with her answere, and a conclusion was
set downe for their meeting together at Santa Lucia del prato, which
accordingly was performed, in very solemne conference between them.
Her fond affection had such power over her, that shee had forgot, into
what peril she brought his life, by such an unnatural nightwalke:
but disclosed all her other intention to him, how loth she was to lose
so deare a friend, and desiring him to exercise his utmost height of
skil, with large promises of her manifold favours to him, whereto
our Scholler thus replyed.
Very true it is Madam, that among other studies at Paris, I
learned the Art of Negromancy, the depth whereof I am as skilfull
in, as anie other Scholler whatsoever. But, because it is greatly
displeasing unto God, I made a vow never to use it, either for my
selfe, or anie other. Neverthelesse, the love I beare you is of such
power, as I know not well how to denie, whatsoever you please to
command me: in which respect, if in doing you my very best service,
I were sure to bee seized on by all the divels: I will not faile to
accomplish your desire, you onely having the power to command me.
But let me tell you Madame, it is a matter not so easie to be
performed, as you perhaps may rashly imagine, especially, when a Woman
would repeale a man to love her, or a man a woman: because, it is
not to be done, but by the person whom it properly concerneth. And
therefore it behoveth, that such as would have this businesse
effected, must be of a constant minde, without the least scruple of
feare: because it is to be accomplished in the darke night season,
in which difficulties I doe not know, how you are able to warrant your
selfe, or whether you have such courage of spirit, as (with boldnes)
to adventure.
Madame Helena, more hot in pursuite of her amorous contentment, then
any way governed by temperate discretion, presently thus answered.
Sir, Love hath set such a keene edge on my unconquerable affection, as
there is not any daunger so difficult, but I dare resolutely undertake
it, for the recovery of him, who hath so shamefullie refused my
kindnesse: wherefore (if you please) shew mee, wherein I must be so
constant and dreadlesse. The Scholler, who had (more then halfe)
caught a right Ninnyhammer by the beake, thus replyed. Madame, of
necessity I must make an image of Tin, in the name of him whom you
desire to recall. Which when I have sent you, the Moone being then
in her full, and your selfe stript starke naked: immediately after
your first sleepe, seaven times you must bathe your selfe with it in a
swift running River. Afterward, naked as you are, you must climbe up
upon some tree, or else upon an uninhabited house top, where
standing dreadlesse of any perill, and turning your face to the North,
with the Image in your hand, seaven times you must speake such wordes,
as I will deliver to you in writing.
After you have so often spoken them, two goodly Ladies (the very
fairest that ever you beheld) wil appeare unto you, very graciously
saluting you, and demanding what you would have them to performe for
you. Safely you may speake unto them, and orderly tel them what you
desire: but be very careful, that you name not one man insted of
another. When you have uttered your mind, they wil depart from you,
and then you may descend againe, to the place where you did leave your
garments, which having putte on, then returne to your house. And
undoubtedly, before the midst of the next night following, your friend
wil come in teares to you, and humbly crave your pardon on his
knees; beeing never able afterward to be false to you, or leave your
Love for any other whatsoever.
The Lady hearing these words, gave very setled beleefe to them,
imagining unfainedly, that shee had (more then halfe) recovered her
friend already, and held him embraced between her armes: in which
jocond perswasion, the chearful blood mounted up into hir cheekes, and
thus she replyed.
Never make you any doubt Sir, but that I can sufficiently performe
whatsoever you have said, and am provided of the onely place in the
world, where such a weighty businesse is to be effected. For I have
a Farme or dairy house, neere adjoyning to the vale of Arno, and
closely bordering upon the same River. It beeing now the moneth of
july, the most convenientest time of all the yeare to bathe in; I
can bee the easier induced thereunto.
Moreover, there is hard by the Rivers side a smal Tower or Turret
uninhabited; whereinto few people do sildome enter, but onely
Heardsmen or Flocke-keepers, who ascend uppe (by the helpe of a wodden
Ladder) to a Tarrasse on the top of the saide Tower, to looke all
about for their beasts, when they are wandred astray: it standing in a
solitary place, and out of the common way or resort. There dare I
boldly adventure to mount up, and with the invincible courage of a
wronged Lady (not fearing to looke death himself in the face) do al
that you have prescribed, yea, and much more, to recover my deare lost
Lover againe, whom I value equal with my owne Life.
Reniero, who perfectly knew both the Dairy Farme, and the old smal
Turret, not a little joyful, to heare how forward shee was to shame
her selfe, answered in this manner. Madame, I was never in those parts
of the Country, albeit they are so neere to our City, and therfore I
must needs be ignorant, not onely of your Farme, but the Turret
also. But if they stand in such convenient manner as you have
described, all the world could not yeelde the like elsewhere, so apt
and sutable to your purpose: wherefore, with such expedition as
possibly can use, I will make the Image, and send it you, as also
the charme, verie fairely written. But let me entreate you, that
when you have obtayned your hearts desire, and are able to Judge
truely of my love and service: not to be unmindfull of me, but (at
your best leysure) to performe what you have with such protestations
promised; which shee gave him her hand and faith to do, without any
impeach or hinderance: and so parting, she returned home to her house.
Our over-joyed Scholler, applauding his happy Starres, for
furthering him with faire a way to his revenge; immagining that it was
already halfe executed, made the Image in due forme, and wrote an
old Fable, insted of a Charme; both which he sent to the Lady, so
soone as he thought the time to be fitting: and this admonition
withall, that the Moone being entering into the full, without any
longer delay, she might venter on the businesse the next night
following; and remaine assured to repossesse her friend. Afterward for
the better pleasing of himselfe, he went secretly attended, onely by
his servant, to the house of a trusty frend of his, who dwelt
somwhat neere to the Turret, there to expect the issue of this
Lady-like enterprize. And Madam Helena accompanied with none but
Ancilla walked on to her dairy Farme, where the night ensuing,
pretending to take her rest sooner then formerly she used to doe,
she commanded Ancilla to bed, referring her selfe to her best liking.
After she had to her first sleepe (according to the Schollers
direction) departing softly out of her chamber, she went on towards
the ancient Tower, standing hard by the river of Arno, looking every
way heedfully about hir, least she should be spied by any person.
But perceiving hir selfe to be so secure as she could desire;
putting off all her garments, she hid them in a small brake of bushes:
afterward, holding the Image in hir hand, seven times she bathd hir
body in the river, and then returned with it to the Tower. The
Scholler, who at the nights closing up of day, had hid himselfe
among the willowes and other trees, which grew very thick about the
Tower, saw both hir going and returning from the River, and as she
passed thus naked by him, he plainly perceyved, that the nights
obscurity could not cloud the delicate whitenes of hir body, but
made the Starres themselves to gaze amorously on her, even as if
they were proud to behold her bathing, and (like so many twinkling
Tapers) shewed hir in emulation of another Diana. Now, what
conflicts this sight caused in the mind of our Scholler, one while,
quenching his hatefull spleen towards hir, al coveting to imbrace a
