When he grew desirous to depart from hence, upon their earnest
motion and entreaty; he left here two of his Schollers behinde him,
men of absolute skill and experience: giving them especial charge
and command, to do all possible services they could devise, for
those Gentlemen who had so highly honoured him. The two famous
Schollers, were very helpefull to those Gentlemen, in divers of
their amorous occasions, and verie many other matters besides.
Not long after, they finding the Citie, and behaviour of the
people sufficiently pleasing to them; they resolved on their
continuance heere, entering into a league of love and friendshippe
with divers, never regarding, whether they were Gentlemen, or no, or
distinguishing the poore from the rich: but only in being conforme
to their complexions, sociable and fit for friendship.
They created a kinde Society, consisting of about five and twenty
men, who should meete together twice in a moneth, and in a place
reputed convenient for them: where being so assembled, every man
uttered his minde to those two Schollers, in such cases as they most
desired, to have wherwith they were all satisfied the self-same night.
It came so to passe, that Buffalmaco and I, grew into acquaintance
with those two worthy Schollers, and our private familiarity
together proved so prosperous, that we were admitted into the same
Society, and so have ever since continued. Now Sir, I am to tell you
matter deserving admiration, and which (in very good judgements) would
seeme to exceed all beleefe.
For, at every time when we were assembled together: you are not able
to imagine, what sumptuous hangings of Tapistrie, did adorne the
Hall where we sate at meate, the Tables covered in such Royall manner,
waited on by numberless Noble and goodly attendants, both Women and
Men, serving readily, at each mans command of the company. The Basins,
Ewers, Pots, Flaggons, and all the vessels else which stood before,
and for the service of our diet, being composed onely of Gold and
Silver, and out of no worse did we both eate and drinke: the viands
being very rare and dainty, abounding in plenty and variety, according
to the appetite of everie person, as nothing could be wished for,
but it was instantly obtained.
In good sadnesse Sir, I am not able to remember and tell you (within
the compasse of a thousand yeares) what, and how manie severall kindes
of Musicall Instruments, were continually played on before us; what
multiplicity of Waxe lights burned in all partes of the roomes;
neither the excessive store of rich Drugs, Marchpanes, Comfites, and
rare Banquetting stuffe, consumed there at one Feasting, wherein there
wanted no bounty of the best and purest wines. Nor do I (Master
Doctor) repute you so weakly witted, as to think, that in the time
of our being thus assembled there, any of us al were cloathed in
such simple and meane Garments, as ordinarily are worne in the streets
on mens bodies, or any so silly as the verie best you have: No Sir,
not any one man among us, but appeared by his apparrell, equall to the
greatest Emperour on the earth, his robe most sumptuously
imbroidered with precious stones, Pearles, and Carbuncles, as the
world affoordeth not the like. But above all the rest, the delights
and pleasures there, are beyond my capacity to expresse, or
(indeede) any comparison: as namely, store of goodly and beautifull
women, brought thither from all parts of the world; alwayes
provided, if men bee desirous of their company: but for your easier
comprehension, I will make some briefe relation of them to you,
according as I heard them there named.
There is the great Lady of Barbanicchia; the Queene of Baschia;
the Wife to the great Soldane, the Empresse of Osbeccho; the
Ciancianfera of Norniera; the Semistante of Berlinzona; and the
Scalpedra of Narsia. But why do I breake my braine, in numbering up so
many to you? All the Queenes of the world are there, even so farre
as to the Schinchimurra of Prester John, that hath a horne in the
midst of her posteriores, albeit not visible to every eye.
Now I am further that after we have tasted a Cup of precious Wine,
fed on a few delicate Comfits, and danced a dance or two to the rare
Musicke: every one taketh a Lady by the hand, of whom he pleaseth to
make his election, and she conducteth him to her Chamber, in very
grave and gracious manner. Concerning the Chambers there, each of them
resembleth a Paradise to looke on, they are so faire and goodly; and
no lesse odorifferous in smell, then the sweetest perfumes in your
Apothecaries shoppes, or the rare compounds of Spices, when they are
beaten in an open Morter. And as for the Beds, they are infinitely
richer, then the verie costliest belonging to the Duke of Venice:
yet (in such) each man is appointed to take his rest, the Musicke of
rare Cymbals lasting all night long, much better to be by you
considered, then in my rude eloquence expressed.
But of all those rich and sumptuous Beds (if pride of mine owne
opinion do not deceive me) them two provided for Buffalmaco and me,
had hardly any equall: he having the Queene of France as his Lady
and Mistresse, and I, the renowned Queene of England, the onely two
choise beauties of the whole World, and wee appeared so pleasing in
their eyes, as they would have refused the greatest Monarkes on the
earth, rather then to bee rejected by us. Now therefore, you may
easily consider with your selfe, what great reason we have to live
more merrily, then any other men can doe: in regard we enjoy the
gracious favour of two such Royall Queenes, receyving also from them
(whensoever wee please to commaund them) a thousand or two thousand
Florines at the least, which are both truly and duly sent us. Enjoying
thus the benefit of this high happinesse, we that are companions of
this Society, do tearme it in our vulgar Language, The Pyrats voyage
to Corsica. Because, as Rovers or Pyrats robbe and take away the
goodes of such as they meete withall, even so do we: only there
remaineth this difference betweene us, that they never restore what
they have taken: which we do immediately afterward, whether it be
required or no. And thus Master Doctor, as to my most endeered friend,
I have now revealed the meaning of sayling to Corsica, after the
manner of our private Pyracie, and how important the close retention
of the voiage is, you are best able your selfe to judge: In which
regarde, remember your Oathes and faithfull promises, or else I am
undone for ever.
Our worthy wise Doctor, whose best skill scarsely extended so farre,
as to cure the itch in Children; gave such sound beleefe to the
relation of Bruno, as any man could doe, to the most certaine truth of
ife or death: having his desire immeasurably enflamed, to bee made a
member of this straunge Societie, which hee more coveted, then any
thing in the world beside, accounting it a felicity farre beyond all
other.
Whereupon he answered Bruno, that it was no great matter of
mervaile, if he lived so merily as he did, having such a singular
supply, to avoide all necessities whatsoever: and very hardly could he
refraine from immediate request, to be accepted into the company.
But yet he thought fit to deferre it further, untill he had made Bruno
more beholding to him, by friendly entertainments and other
courtesies, when he might (with better hope) be bold to move the
motion.
Well may you conceive, that nothing more hammerd in the Doctors
head, then this rare voyage to Corsica, and Bruno was his daily
guest at dinner and supper, with such extraordinary apparances of
kindnesse and courtesie, as if the Physitian could not live, except he
had the company of Bruno. Who seeing himselfe to bee so lovingly
respected, and hating ingratitude, for favours so abundantly heaped on
him: hee painted the whole story of Lent about his Hall, and an
Agnus Dei fairely gilt, on the portall of his Chamber, as also a
goodly Urinall on his street doore, to the end, that such as had neede
of his counsell, might know where so judicious a Doctour dwelt. In a
Gallery likewise by his Garden, he painted the furious Battaile
betweene the Rats and Cats, which did (not a little) delight Master
Doctor.
Moreover, at such times as Bruno had not supt with our Physitian, he
would bee sure to tell him on the morrow, that the night passed, he
had bin with the Company which he did wot of. And there (quoth he) the
Queene of England having somewhat offended mee, I commanded, that
the Gomedra, belonging to the Grand Cham of Tartaria, should be
brought me, and instantly shee was. What may be the meaning of
Gomedrabe? said the Doctor, I understand not those difficult names.
I beleeve you Sir, answered Bruno, nor do I need to marvalle
thereat: and yet I have heard Porcograsso speake, and also Vannacenna,
and both unexperienced in our Language. You would say (replyed the
Doctor) Hippocrates and Avicenna, who were two admirable Physitians.
It may be so (said Bruno) and as hardly do I understand your names, as
you mine: but Gomedra, in the Grand Chams language, signifies Empresse
in ours. But had you once seene her Sir, she would make you forget all
Physicall observations, your arguments, receits, and medicines,
onely to be in her heavenly presence, which words he used
(perceiving his forward longing) to enflame him the more. Not long
after, as the doctor was holding the candle to Bruno, at the
perfecting the bloody Battayle of the Cattes and Rattes, because he
could never bee wearied in his Companie, and therefore was the more
willing, to undergoe the office of the Candle-holder: he resolved to
acquaint him with his minde, and being all alone by themselves, thus
he began.
Bruno, as heaven knoweth, there is not this day any creature living,
for whom I would gladly do more, then for thee, and the very least
word of thy mouth, hath power to commaund mee to goe bare-footed, even
from hence so farre as to Peretola, and account my labour well
employed for thy sake: wherefore, never wonder at my continuall
kindnesse towards thee, using thee as my Domesticke companion, and
embracing thee as my bosome friend, and therefore I am the bolder in
mooving one request unto thee. As thou well knowest, it is no long
while since, when thou diddest acquaint me with the behaviour of the
Corsicane Roving Company, to be one in so rare and excellent a
Society, such hath bin my earnest longing ever since, as day nor night
have I enjoyed anie rest, but should thinke my felicity beyond all
compare, if I could be entertained in fellowship among you.
Nor is this desire of mine but upon great occasion, as thou thy
selfe shalt perceive, if I prove accepted into your Societie, and
let me then be made a mocking stocke for ever, if I cause not to
come thither one of the most delicate young women, that ever anie
eye beheld, and which I my selfe saw (not above a yeare since) at
Cacavinciglia, on whom I bestowed my intirest affection, and (by the
best Urinall that ever I gazed on) would have given her tenne faire
Bologninaes, to yeeld the matter I moved to her, which yet I could not
(by any meanes) compasse. Therefore, with all the flowing faculties of
my soule I entreate thee, and all the very uttermost of my all
indeede; to instruct me in those wayes and meanes, whereby I may
hope to be a member of you. Which if thou dooest accomplish for me,
and I may finde it effectually performed: I shall not onely be thy
true and loyall friend for ever, but will honour thee beside, beyond
all men living.
I know thee to bee a man of judgement, deepely informed in all
well-grounded experience: thou seest what a propper, portly, and
comely man I am, how fitly my legges are answerable to my body, my
lookes amiable, lovely, and of Rosie colour: beside I am a Doctor of
Physicke, of which profession (being only most expedient) I thinke you
have not one in your Society. I have many commendable qualities in me,
as, playing on divers instruments, exquisite in singing, and composing
rare ditties, whereof I will instantly sing thee one. And so he
began to sing.
Bruno was swolne so bigge with desire of laughter, that hee had
scarsely any power to refraine from it: neverthelesse, he made the
best meanes he could devise: and the Song being ended, the Physition
saide. How now Bruno? What is thine opinion of my singing? Beleeve
me Sir, replyed Bruno, the Vialles of Sagginali, will loose their very
best times, in contending against you, so mirilifficially are the
sweet accents of your voice heard. I tell thee truly Bruno (answered
Master Doctor) thou couldst not by any possibility have beleeved it,
if thou hadst not heard it. In good sadnes Sir (said Bruno) you speake
most truly. I could (quoth the Doctor) sing thee infinite more beside,
but at this time I must forbeare them. Let mee then further informe
thee Bruno, that beside the compleat perfections thou seest in me,
my father was a Gentleman, althogh he dwelt in a poore Country
village, and by my mothers side, I am derived from them of Vallecchio.
Moreover, as I have formerly shewn thee, I have a goodly Library of
Bookes, yea, and so faire and costly garments, as few Physitians in
Florence have the like. I protest to thee upon my faith, I have one
gowne, which cost me (in readie money) almost an hundred poundes in
Bagattinoes, and it is not yet above ten yeares old. Wherefore let
me prevaile with thee, good Bruno, to worke so with the rest of thy
friends, that I may bee one of your singular Society; and, by the
honest trust thou reposest in mee, bee boldly sick whensoever thou
wilt, my paines and Physicke shall be freely thine, without the
payment of one single peny. Bruno hearing his importunate words, and
knowing him (as all men else did beside) to be a man of more words
then wit, saide. Master Doctor, snuffe the candle I pray you, and lend
me a little more light with it hitherward, until I have finished the
tailes of these Rats, and then I wil answer you.
When the Rats tailes were fully finished, Bruno declaring by outward
behaviour, that he greatly distasted the matter mooved, thus answered.
