merry Musicke, except some more come to make up the consort.
His Wife being very timorous, yet diligent to doe whatsoever he
commanded, so prevailed with the Wife of Spinelloccio: that she came
to them quickely, and so much the rather, because her Husband dined
abroad. Shee being come up into the Chamber, Zeppa gave her most kinde
entertainment, taking her gently by the hand, and winking on his Wife,
that she should betake her selfe to the kitchin, to see dinner
speedily prepared, while he sat conversing with his neighbour in the
Chamber.
His wife being gone, he shut the doore after her; which the new-come
Neighbour perceyving, she sayde. Our blessed Lady defend me. Zeppa,
What is your meaning in this? Have you caused me to come hither to
this intent? Is this the love you beare to Spinelloccio, and your
professed loyalty in friendshippe? Zeppa, seating her downe on the
Chest, wherein her Husband was inclosed, entreating her patience, thus
began. Kinde and loving Neighbor, before you adventure too farre in
anger, vouchsafe to heare what I shall tell you.
I have loved, and still doe love, Spinelloccio as my brother, but
yesterday (albeit he knoweth it not) I found, the honest trust I
reposed in him, deserved no other, or better recompence, but even to
be bold with my wife, in the selfesame manner as I am, and as hee
ought to do with none but you. Now, in regard of the love which I
beare him, I intend to be no otherwise revenged on him, but in the
same kinde as the offence was committed. He hath bin more then
familiar with my wife. I must borrow the selfe-same courtesie of
you, which in equity you cannot deny mee, weighing the wrong you
have sustained by my wife. Our injuries are alike, in your Husband
to me, and in my wife to you: let then their punishment and ours be
alike also; as they, so we; for in this case there can be no juster
revenge.
The Woman hearing this, and perceiving the manifolde confirmations
thereof, protested (on solemne oath) by Zeppa; hir beliefe grew
setled, and thus she answered. My loving neighbor Zeppa, seeing this
kinde of revenge is (in meere justice) imposed on mee, and ordained as
a due scourge, as well to the breach of friendship and
neighbourhood, as abuse of his true and loyall wife: I am the more
willing to consent: alwaies provided, that it be no imbarrement of
love betweene your wife and mee, albeit I have good reason to alledge,
that she began the quarrell first: and what I do is but to right my
wrong, as any other woman of spirit would do: Afterwards, we may the
more pardon one another. For breach more easi of peace (answered
Zeppa) between my wife and you, take my honest word for your
warrant. Moreover, in requitall of this favour to mee, I will
bestowe a deare and precious jewell on you, excelling all the rest
which you have beside.
In delivering these words, he sweetly kissed and embraced her, as
she sat on the Chest wherein her husband lay: now, what they did
else beside, in recompence of the wrong received, I leave to your
imagination, as rather deserving silence, then immodest blabbing.
Spinelloccio, being all this while in the Chest, hearing easily all
the words which Zeppa had uttered, the answer of his wife, as also
what Musicke they made over his head: you may guesse in what a case he
was, his heart being ready to split with rage, and, but that hee stood
in feare of Zeppa, he would have railde and exclaimed on his wife,
as thus hee lay shut up in the Chest. But entering into better
consideration, that so great al injury was first begun by himselfe,
and Zeppa did no more, then in reason and equity he might well do
(having evermore carried himselfe like a kinde neighbour and frend
towards him, without the least offer of distaste) he faithfully
resolved, to be a firmer friend to Zeppa then formerly hee had bin, if
it might be embraced and accepted.
Delights and pleasures, be they never so long in contenting and
continuance, yet they come to a period and conclusion at last: So
Zeppa, having ended his amorous combate, and over the head of his
perfidious friend, thought himselfe sufficiently revenged. But now, in
consideration of a further promise made on the bargaine;
Spinelloccioes wife challengeth the jewel, then which kind of
recompence, nothing can be more welcom to women. Heereupon, Zeppa
calling for his owne wife, commanded her to open the Chest; which shee
did, and he merrily smiling, saide. Well wife, you have given mee a
Cake insted of bread, and you shal lose nothing for your labour. So
Spinelloccio comming forth of the Chest, it requireth a better witte
then mine, to tell you, which of them stood most confounded with
shame, either Spinelloccio seeing Zeppa, and knowing well enough
what he had done: or the woman beholding her husband, who easily heard
all their familiar conference, and the action thereupon so
deservedly performed.
See neighbour, is not this your dearest Jewell? Having kept it
awhile in my wives custody; according to my promise, here I deliver it
you. Spinellcccio being glad of his deliverance out of the Chest,
albeit not a little ashamed of himselfe; without using many
impertinent words saide. Zeppa, our wrongs are equally requited on
each other, and therefore I allow thy former speeches to my Wife, that
thou wast my friend, as I am the like to thee, and so I pray thee
let us still continue. For nothing else is now to bee divided betweene
us, seeing we have shared alike in our wives, which none knowing but
our selves, let it be as closely kept to our selves. Zeppa was wel
pleased with the motion, and so all foure dined lovingly together,
without any variance or discontentment. And thence forward, each of
the Women had two Husbands, as either Husband enjoyed two Wives,
without further contention or debate.
THE EIGHT DAY, THE NINTH NOVELL
WHEREIN IS APPROVED, THAT TITLES OF HONOUR, LEARNING, AND
DIGNITY, ARE NOT ALWAYES BESTOWNE ON THE WISEST MEN
Maestro Simone, an ydle-headed Doctor of Physicke, was throwne by
Bruno and Buffalmaco, into a common Leystall of Filth: The Physitian
fondly beleeving, that (in the night time) he should bee made one of a
new created Company, who usually went to see wonders at Corsica; and
there in the Leystall they left him.
After that the Ladies had a while considered, on the communication
betweene the two Wives of Sienna, and the falshood in friendship of
their Husbands: the Queene, who was the last to recount her Novell,
without offering injurie to Dioneus, began to speake thus.
The reward for a precedent wrong committed, which Zeppa retorted
upon Spinelloccio, was answerable to his desert, and no more then
equity required, in which respect, I am of opinion, that such men
ought not to be over-sharpely reproved, as do injurie to him, who
seeketh for it, and justly should have it, althogh Madam Pampinea (not
long since) avouched the contrary.
Now, it evidently appeareth, that Spinelloccio well deserved what
was done to him, and I purpose to speake of another, who needs would
seeke after his owne disgrace.
The rather to confirme my former speeches, that they which beguile
such wilfull foolish men; are not to bee blamed, but rather commended.
And he unto whom the shame was done, was a Physitian, which came
from Bologna to Florence; and returned thither againe like unto a
Beast, notoriously baffulled and disgraced.
It is a matter well knowne- to us, and (almost) observed day by day,
that divers of our Citizens, when they returne from their studying
at Bologna: one becommeth an Advocate, another a Physitian, and a
third a Notarie, with long and large gowns, some of Scarlet, and hoods
furred with Minever, beside divers other great apparances,
succeeding effectually daily in their severall kinds. Among whom,
there returned (not long since) thence, one Master. Simon da Villa,
more rich in possessions left him by his parents, then anie
knowledge thereto obtained: yet cloathed in Scarlet, with his
Miniver hood, and styled a Doctor of Physicke, which title hee onely
bestowed on himselfe, and tooke a goodly house for his dwelling, in
the street which wee commonly call La via del Cocomero. This Master
Doctor Simon, being thus newly come thither, among other notable
qualities in him, had one more especial then any of the rest,
namely, to know the names and conditions of such persons, as daily
passed by his doore, and what professions they were of, wherby any
likelyhood might be gathered of needing his helpe, and being his
patients, observing them all with very vigilant care.
But, among all the rest by him thus warily noted, he most observed
two Painters, of whom we have heeretofore twice discoursed, Bruno
and Buffalmaco, who walked continually together, and were his neere
dwelling neighbors. The matter which most of al he noted in them, was;
that they lived merrily, and with much lesse care, then any else in
the Cittie beside, and verily they did so in deede. Wherefore, he
demanded of divers persons, who had good understanding of them both,
of what estate and condition they were. And hearing by every one, that
they were but poore men and Painters: he greatly mervailed, how it
could be possible for them, that they should live so jocondly, and
in such poverty. It was related to him further beside, that they
were men of a quicke and ingenious apprehension, whereby hee
politikely imagined, that theyr poore condition could not so well
maintaine them; without some courses else, albeit not publiquely
knowne unto men, yet redounding to their great commoditie and profite.
In which regard, he grew exceeding desirous, by what meanes he might
become acquainted, and grow into familiarity with them both, or any of
them, at the least: wherein (at the length) he prevailed, and Bruno
proved to be the man.
Now Bruno plainly perceiving (within a short while of this new begun
acquaintance) that the Physitian was a Loggerhead, and meerely no
better then a Gregorian Animall: he beganne to have much good
pastime with him, by telling him strange and incredible Tales, such as
none but a Coxcombe would give credit too; yet they delighted Doctor
Dunce extraordinarily, and Brunoes familiarity was so highly
pleasing to him, that he was a daily guest at dinner and supper with
him, and hee was not meanly proud of enjoying his company. One day, as
they sate in familiar conference together, he told Bruno that he
wondred not a little at him and Buffalmaco, they being both so poore
people, yet lived far more jovially then Lords, and therefore
desired to understand, by what secret meanes they compassed such
mirthful maintenance. Bruno, hearing the Doctors demaund, and
perceiving that it savoured more of the foole, then any the very least
taste of wisedome: smiled unto himselfe, and determined to returne him
such an answere, as might be fitting for his folly, whereupon, thus he
replied.
Beleeve me Master Doctor, I would not impart to many people, what
private helpes we have for our maintenance: but yet I dare boldly
acquaint you therewith, in regard you are one of our most intimate
friends, and of such secrecie, as (I know) you will not reveale it
to any. True it is, that mine honest neighbor and my selfe, do leade
our lives in such merry manner as you see, and better then all the
world is aware of, for I cannot imagine you to bee so ignorant, but
are certainly perswaded: that if we had no better means, then our
poore manuall trade and profession; we might sit at home with bread
and water, and be nothing so lively spirited as wee are. Yet Sir, I
would not have you to conceive, that wee do eyther rob or steale, or
use any other unlawfull courses: onely we travayle to Corsica, from
whence we bring (without the least prejudice to anie other) all things
we stand in need of, or whatsoever wee can desire. Thus do we
maintaine our selves well and honestly, and live in this mirthfull
disposition.
Master Doctor hearing this Discourse, and beleeving it constantly,
without any further instruction or intelligence: became possessed with
verie much admiration, and had the most earnest desire in the world,
to know what this Travailing to Corsica might meane: entreating
Bruno with very great instances, to tell him what it was, and made
many protestations never to disclose it to anie one. How now Master
Doctor? answered Bruno, What a strange motion do you make to mee? It
is too great a secret, which you desire to know, yea, a matter of mine
owne ruine, and an utter expulsion out of this Worlde, with
condemnation into the mouth of Lucifer da San Gallo, if any man
whatsoever should know it from me, wherefore I pray you to urge it
no more. O my deer and honest neighbour Bruno (quoth the Doctor)
assure thy selfe upon my soul, that whatsoever thou revealest to me,
shall be under seale from all, but onely our selves. Fie, fie Master
Doctor, answered Bruno, you are too pressing and importunate. So
sitting smiling to himselfe, shaking his head, and beating his breast,
as if hee were in some straunge distraction of minde, stamping with
his feete, and beating his Fiste oftentimes on the Table, at ast he
started uppe, and spake in this manner.
Ah Master Doctor, the love I be to your capricious and rarely
circumcised experience, and likewise the confidence I repose in your
scrutinous taciturnitie, are both of such mighty and prevailing
power as I cannot conceale any thing from you, which you covet to
know. And therefore, if you wil sweare unto me by the crosse of
Monteson, that never (as you have already faithfully promised) you
will disclose a secret so admirable; I will relate it unto you, and
not otherwise. The Doctor sware, and sware againe, and then Bruno thus
began.
Know then my learned and judicious Doctor, that it is not long
time since, when there lived in this Citie of ours, a man very
excellent in the Art of Nigromancie, who named himselfe Michale Scoto,
because he was a Scottishman borne, of many woorthy Gentlemen (very
few of them being now living) hee was much honoured and respected.
