heard her answer in such comfortable maner, she mounted up the Ladder,
which the peazant had made very firme and strong, holding it fast
for her safer ascending; by which meanes she went up on the Tarras.
Beholding her Ladie in so strange a condition, resembling no humane
body, but rather the trunke of a Tree halfe burned, lying flat on
her face, naked, scorched and strangely deformed: shee beganne to
teare the lockes of her owne hayre, raving and raging in as
pittifull manner, as if her Ladie had beene quite dead. Which storming
tempest, Madame Helena soone pacified, entreating her to use
silence, and helpe to put on her garments.
Having understood by her, that no one knew of her being there, but
such as brought her cloathes, and the poore peazant, attending there
still to do her any service: shee became the better comforted,
entreating them by all meanes, that it might bee concealed from any
further discovery, which was on eyther side, most faithfullie
protested.
The poore Clowne holpe to beare downe his Lady uppon his backe,
because the Ladder stood not conveniently enough for her descending,
neither were her limbes plyable for her owne use, by reason of their
rifts and smarting. Ancilla following after, and being more respective
of her Lady, then her owne security in descending, missing the step in
the midst of the Ladder, fell downe to the ground, and quite brake her
legge in the fall, the paine whereof was so greevous to her, that
she cried and roared extraordinarily, even like a Lyon in the desert.
When the Clowne had set his Lady safe on a faire green banke, he
returned to see what the waiting woman ayled, and finding her leg to
be quite broken: he caried her also to the same banke, and there
seated her by her Lady: who perceiving what a mischance had hapned,
and she (from whom she expected her onely best helpe) to bee now in
far greater necessity her selfe: shee lamented exceedingly,
complaining on Fortunes cruel malice toward her, in thus heaping one
misery upon another, and never ceasing to torment her, especially
now in the conclusion of all, and when shee thought all future
perils to be past.
Now was the Sun upon his setting, when the poore honest country-man,
because darke night should not overtake them, conducted the Lady
home to his owne house: and gaining the assistance of his two brethren
and wife, setting the waiting-woman in a Chaire, thither they
brought her in like manner. And questionles, there wanted no diligence
and comfortable language, to pacifie the Ladyes continuall
lamentations. The good wife, led the Lady into hir own poore
lodging, where (such cates as they had to feede on) lovingly she set
before her: conveying her afterward into her owne bed, and taking such
good order, that Ancilla was carried in the night time to Florence, to
prevent all further ensuing danger, by reason of her legs breaking.
Madame Helena, to colour this misfortune of her owne: as also the
great mishap of her woman: forged an artificiall and cunning tale,
to give some formall apparance of hir being in the Tower, perswading
the poore simple Country people, that in a straunge accident of
thunder and lightning, and by the illusions of wicked spirits, all
this adventure hapned to her. Then Physitians were sent for; who,
not without much anguish and affliction to the Ladie (by reason of her
fleshes flaying off, with the Medicines and Emplaysters applyed to the
body) was glad to suffer whatsoever- they did, beside falling into a
very dangerous Feaver; out of which she was not recovered in a long
while after, but continued in daily dispayre of her life; beside other
accidents hapning in her time of Physicke, utterly unavoydable in such
extreamities: and hardly had Ancilla her legge cured.
By this unexpected pennance imposed on Madame Helena, she utterly
forgot her amorous friend; and (from thence forward) carefully kept
her selfe from fond loves allurements, and such scornfull behaviour,
wherein she was most disorderly faulty. And Reniero the Scholler,
understanding that Ancilla had broken her leg, r , which he reputed as
a punishment sufficient for her, held himselfe satisfyed, because
neither the Mistresse nor her Maide, could now make any great boast,
of his nights hard entertainment, and so concealed all matters else.
Thus a wanton-headed Lady, could finde no other subject to worke her
mocking folly on, but a learned Scholler, of whom shee made no more
respect, then any other ordinary man. Never remembring, that such
men are expert (I cannot say all, but the greater part of them) to
helpe the frenzie of foolish Ladies, that must injoy their loose
desires, by Negromancy, and the Divelles meanes. Let it therefore
(faire Ladies) be my loving admonition to you, to detest all unwomanly
mocking and scorning, but more especiallie to Schollers.
THE EIGHT DAY, THE EIGHT NOVELL
WHEREIN IS APPROVED, THAT HE WHICH OFFERETH SHAME AND DISGRACE TO
HIS NEIGHBOUR; MAY RECEIVE THE LIKE INJURY (IF
NOT IN WORSE MANNER) BY THE SAME MAN
Two neere dwelling Neighbours, the one beeing named Spineloccio
Tavena, and the other Zeppa di Mino, frequenting each others company
daily. together; Spinelloccio Cuckolded his Friend and Neighbour.
Which happening to the knowledge of Zeppa, he prevailed so well with
the Wife of Spinelloccio, that he being lockt up in a Chest, he
revenged his wrong at that instant, so that neyther of them complained
of his misfortune.
Greevous, and full of compassion, appeared the hard Fortunes of
Madame Helena to be, having much descontented, and (well-neere)
wearied all the Ladies in hearing them recounted. But because they
were very justly inflicted upon her, and according as (in equity) shee
had deserved, they were the more moderate in their commisseration:
howbeit, they reputed the Scholler not onely over-obstinate, but
also too strict, rigorous and severe. Wherefore, when Madame
Pampinea had finished hir Novell, the Queene gave command to Madame
Fiammetta, that she should follow next with her discourse; whereto
shee shewing obedience, thus beganne.
Because it appeareth in my judgement (faire Ladyes) that the
Schollers cruelty hath much displeased you, making you more
melancholly then this time requireth: I holde it therefore very
convenient, that your contristed spirits should be chearfully revived,
with matter more pleasing and delightfull. And therefore, I mean to
report a Novell of a certaine man, who too an injury done him, in much
milder manner, and revenged his wrong more moderately, then the
furious incensed Scholler did. Whereby you may comprehend, that it
is sufficient for any man, and so he ought to esteeme it, to serve
another with the same sawce, which the offending party caused him
first to taste of: without coveting any stricter revenge, then agreeth
with the quality of the injury received.
Know then (Gracious assembly) that, as have heretofore heard,
there lived not long since in Sienna, two young men, of honest
parentage and equall condition, neither of the best, nor yet the
meanest calling in the City: the one being named Spinelloccio
Tavena, and the other tearmed Zeppa di Mino, their houses Neighbouring
together in the streete Camollia. Seldome the one walked abroade
without the others Company, and their houses allowed equall welcome to
them both; so that by outward demonstrations, and inward mutuall
affection, as far as humane capacity had power to extend, they lived
and loved like two Brethren, they both beeing wealthy, and married
unto two beautifull women.
It came to passe, that Spinelloccio, by often resorting to the house
of Zeppa, as well in his absence, as when he abode at home; beganne to
glance amorous looks on Zeppaes wife, and pursued his unneighbourly
purpose in such sort: that hee being the stronger perswader, and she
(belike) too credulous in beleeving, or else overfeeble in
resisting; from private imparlance, they fell to action; and continued
their close fight a long while together, unseene and without
suspition, no doubt to their equall joy and contentment.
But, whether as a just punishment, for breaking so loving a league of
friendship and neighbour-hood, or rather a fatall infliction, evermore
attending on the closest Cuckoldry, their felicity still continuing in
this kinde: it fortuned on a day, Zeppa abiding within doors, contrary
to the knowledge of his wife, Spinelloccio came to enquire for him,
and she answering (as she verily supposed) that he was gon abroad:
uppe they went both together into the Hall, and no bodie being there
to hinder what they intended, they fell to their wonted recreation
without any feare, kissing and embracing as Lovers use to do.
Zeppa seeing all this, spake not one word, neither made any noise at
all; but kept himselfe closely hidden, to observe the yssue of this
amorous conflict. To be briefe, he saw Spinelloccio goe with his
wife into the Chamber, and make the doore fast after them, whereat
he could have beene angry, which he held to be no part of true
wisedome. For he knew well enough, that to make an out crie in this
case, or otherwise to reveale this kinde of injury, it could no way
make it lesse, but rather give a greater addition of shame and
scandall: he thought this no course for him to take; wiser
considerations entred his braine, to have this wrong fully revenged,
yet with such a discreete and orderly carriage, as no neighbours
knowledge should by any meanes apprehend it, or the least sig of
discontent in himselfe blabbe it, because they were two dangerous
evils.
Many notable courses whee.ed about his conceit, every one
promising fairely, and ministring meanes of formall apparance, yet one
(above the rest) wonne his absolute allowance, which he intended to
prosecute as best he might. In which resolution, he kept still very
close, so long as Spinelloccio was with his Wife; but hee being
gone, he went into the Chamber, where he found his wife, amending
the forme of her head attyre, which Spinelloccio had put into a
disordred fashion. Wife (quoth be) what art thou doing? Why? Do you
not see Husband? answered she. Yes that I do wife, replied Zeppa,
and something else happened to my sight, which I could wish that I had
not seene. Rougher Language growing betweene them, of his avouching,
and her as stout denying, with defending her cause over-weakely,
against the manifest proofes both of eye and eare: at last she fell on
her knees before him, weeping incessantly, and no excuses now
availing, she confest her long acquaintance with Spinelloccio, and
most humbly entreated him to forgive her. Uppon the which penitent
confession and submission, Zeppa thus answered.
Wife, if inward contrition be answerable to thy outward seeming
sorrow, then I make no doubt, but faithfully thou dost acknowledge
thine owne evill dooing: for which, if thou expectest pardon of me;
determine then to fulfill effectually, such a busines as I must
enjoyne, and thou performe. I command thee to tell Spinelloccio,
that to morrow morning, about nine of the clocke, we being both abroad
walking, he must finde some apt occasion to leave my company, and then
come hither to visit thee. When he is here, sodainly will I returne
home, and upon thy hearing of my entraunce: to save his owne
credite, and thee from detection, thou shalt require him to enter this
Chest, untill such time as I am gone forth againe; which he doing, for
both your safeties, so soon as he is in the chest, take the key and
locke him up fast. When thou hast effected this, then shall I acquaint
thee with the rest remaining, which also must be done by thee, without
dread of the least harme to him or thee, because there is no malicious
meaning in me, but such as (I am perswaded) thou canst not justly
mislike. The wife, to make some satisfaction for her offence committed
promised that she would performe it, and so she did.
On the morrow morning, the houre of nine being come, when Zeppa
and Spinelloccio were walking abroad together, Spinelloccio remembring
his promise unto his Mistresse, and the clocke telling him the
appointed houre, hee saide to Zeppa. I am to dine this day with an
especiall friend of mine, who I would be loath should tarry for my
comming; and therefore holde my departure excused. How now? answered
Zeppa, the time for dinner is yet farre enough off, wherefore then
should we part so soone? Yea but Zeppa, replied Spinelloccio, wee have
weighty matters to confer on before dinner, which will require three
houres space at the least, and therefore it behoveth me to respect due
time.
Spinelloccio being departed from Zeppa (who followed faire and
softly after him)
being come to the house, and kindly welcommed by the wife: they were
no sooner gone up the staires, and entering in at the Chamber doore;
but the Woman heard her Husband cough, and also his comming up the
staires. Alas deare Spinelloccio (quoth she) what shall we do? My
Husband is comming uppe, and we shall be both taken tardie, step
into this Chest, lye downe there and stirre not, till I have sent
him forth againe, which shall be within a very short while.
Spinelloccio was not a little joyfull for her good advice; downe in
the Chest lay he, and she lockt him in: by which time Zeppa was entred
the Chamber. Where are you Wife? said he, (speaking so loud, as hee in
the Chest might heare him) What, is it time to go to dinner? It will
be anon Sir, answered she, as yet it is overearly but seeing you are
come, the more hast shall be made, and every thing will be ready
quickly.
Zeppa, sitting downe upon the Chest, wherein Spinelloccio lay not
a little affrighted, speaking stil aloud, as formerly he did: Come
hither Wife (quoth he) how shall we do for some good companie to
dine with us? Mine honest kinde neighbour Spinelloccio is not at home,
because he dineth forth to day with a deare friend of his, by which
meanes, his wife is left at home alone: give her a call out at our
Window, and desire her to come dine with us: for we two can make no
