Worthy Master Doctor, the courtesies you have already extended towards
me, and the bountifull favours promised beside, I know to be exceeding
great, and farre beyond the compasse of any merit in me. But
concerning your request, albeit in respect of your admired braine
and Wisedome, it is of little or no moment at all; yet it appeareth
over-mighty to mee, and there is not any man now living in the
world, that hath the like Authoritie over me, and can more commaund
me, then you (with one poore syllable) easily may doe: as well in
regarde of my Love and Dutie, as also your singular and sententious
speeches, able not onelie to make me breake a sound and setled
resolution, but (almost) to move Mountaines out of their places, and
the more I am in your Learned company, so much the faster am I lincked
unto you, in immooveable affection, so farre am I in love with your
admirable qualities. And had I no other reason, to affect you in
such endeared manner, as I doe; yet because you are enamoured of so
rare a beauty, as you have already related to me, it onely were a
motive sufficient to compell me. But indeed I must need tell you, that
I have not so much power in this case, as you (perhaps) do imagine,
which barreth me from such forward readines, as otherwise needed not
to be urged. Neverthelesse, having so solemnly ingaged your faith to
me, and no way misdoubting your faithfull secrecy, I shall instruct
you in some meanes to be observed; and it appeareth plainly to me,
that being furnished with such plenty of Bookes, as you are, and other
rich endowments, as you have before rehersed, you cannot but attaine
to the full period of your longing desire.
Speake boldly thy minde Bruno, answered the Doctour: for, I perceive
thou hast no perfect knowledge of me as yet, neither what an especiall
gift I have of secrecy. Messer Gasparino da Salicete, when he was
Judge and Potestat over the people of Forlini, made choise of mee
(among infinite of his dearest friends) to acquaint with a secret of
no meane moment. And such a faithfull Secretary he found me, as I
was the onely man, that knew his mariage with Bergamino; why then
should any distrust be made of me? If it be so as you say Sir
(answered Bruno) your credit is the sounder, and I dare the better
adventure on your fidelity: the meanes then which you are to worke by,
I shall now direct you in.
We have alwayes in this noble Society of ours, a Captaine, and two
Counsellors, which are changed at every six months end. And now at
Christmas next (so neere drawing on) Buffalmaco shal be elected
Captaine, and my selfe one of the Counsellers, for so it is already
agreed on, and orderly set downe. Now, he that is Captain, may doe
much more then any other can, and appoint matters as himselfe
pleaseth. Wherefore I thinke it very expedient, that so soone as
possibly you may, you procure acquaintance with Buffalmaco, entreating
him with all respective courtesie. Hee is a man, who when he
perceyveth you to be so wonderfully Wise and discreete, he will be
immediatly in love with you: so, when you have your best senses
about you, and your richest wearing Garments on (alwayes remembred,
that your acquaintance first be fully confirmed) then never feare to
urge your request, for he can have no power at all to denie you;
because I have already spoken of you to him, and find him to stand
affected unto you verie intirely: thus when you have begunne the
businesse, leave me to deale with him in the rest.
Now trust me kinde friend Bruno, replyed the Physitian, I like
your advice exceeding well. For, if hee be a man, that taketh
delight to converse with men of skill and judgement, and you have made
the way for his knowing me: he wil him thirst, and long to follow
after mee, to understand the incredible eloquence flowing from me, and
the rare composition of my Musicall Ditties, out of which he may
learne no meane wisedome. When the matter was thus agreed on
betweene them, Bruno departed thence, and acquainted Buffalmaco with
everie circumstance: which made him thinke everie day a yeare,
untill he might in the fooling of Mayster Doctoar, according to his
owne fancie. Who beeing also as desirous on the other side, to make
one in the Corsicane Voyage; could take no manner of rest either by
day or night, till he was linked in friendship with Buffalmaco,
which very quickely after hee compassed.
For now there wanted no costly dinners and suppers, with al
delicates could be devised, for the entertainement of Buffalmaco and
Bruno; who, like Guests very easie to be invited, where rich wines and
good cheare are never wanting, needed little sending for, because
his house was as familiar to them, as their owne. In the end, when the
Physitian espyed an opportunitie apt for the purpose, he made the same
request to Buffalmaco, as formerly hee had done to Bruno. Whereat
Buffalmaco, sodainly starting, and looking frowningly on Bruno, as
if he were extraordinarily incensed against him: clapping his hand
furiously on the Table, he sayde. I sweare by the great God of
Pasignano, that I can hardly refrayne from giving thee such a blow
on the face, as should make thy Nose to fall at thy heeles: vile
Traitor as thou art: for none beside thy selfe, could discover so rare
and excellent a secret unto this famous Physitian. The Doctour, with
very plausible and pleasing tearmes, excused the matter verie
artificially; protesting, that another had revealed it unto him: and
after many wise circumstantiall Allegations, at length hee prevailed
so farre, that Buffalmaco was pacified; who afterwardes turning in
kinde manner, thus hee beganne.
Master Doctour, you have lived both at Bologna, and heere in these
partes with us, having (no doubt) sufficiently understoode, what it is
to carry a close mouth, I meane the true Charracter of taciturnitie.
Questionlesse, you never learned the A. B. C. as now foolish Ideots
do, blabbing their lessons all about the towne, which is much better
apprehended by rumination; and surely (if I be not much deceyved) your
Nativity happened on a Sonday morning, Sol being at that time, Lord of
the ascendent, joyned with Mercurie in a fierie Triplicitie. By such
conference as I have had with Bruno, I conceyved (as he himselfe
also did) that you were verie singular in Physicke onely: but it
seemeth, your Studies reached a higher straine, for you have
learned, and know verie skilfullie, how to steale mens hearts from
them, yea, to bereave them of their verie soules, which I perceyve
that you can farre better doe, then any man else living to my
knowledge, only by your wise, witty, judicious, and more then meere
Mercurian eloquence, such as I never heard before.
The Physitian interrupting him bashfully, turned himselfe unto
Bruno, saying. Did not I tell thee this before? Observe what a notable
thing it is, to speake well, and to frequent the company of the
Wise. A thousand other, meerely blockes and dullardes by Nature, could
never so soone comprehend all the particularities of my knowledge,
as this honest and apprehensive man hath done. Thou didst not search
into it halfe so soone, nor (indeed) did I expresse a quarter of my
ingenuity to thee, as (since his comming) hath prodigally flowne
from me.
Well do I remember thy words, that Buffalmaco delighted to be
among men of Wisedome: and have I not now fitted him unto his owne
desire? How thinkest thou Bruno? The best (quoth Bruno) that any man
living in the World could do. Ah worthy Buffalmaco, answered the
Physitian: What wouldst thou then have sayde, if thou hadst seene me
at Bologna, where there was neyther great nor small, Doctor nor
Scholler, but thought themselves happy by being in my company? If I
ought any debts, I discharged them with my very wittie words: and
whensoever I spake, I could set them al on a hearty laughter, so
much pleasure they tooke in hearing mee. And when I departed thence,
no men in the world could bee more sorrowfull then they, as desiring
nothing more then my remayning among them; which they expressed so
apparantly, that they made humble suite and intercession to me, to bee
cheefe Reader of the Physicke-Lecture, to all the Schollers studying
our profession. But I could not be so perswaded, because my minde
was wholly addicted hither, to enjoy those Goods, Landes, and
Inheritances, belonging lineally to them of our house, and accordingly
I did performe it.
How now Buffalmaco (quoth Bruno) what is thine opinion now? Thou
wouldst not beleeve me when I told thee, that there is not a Doctor in
all these parts, more skilfull in distinguishing the Urine of an Asse,
from any other, then this most expert and singular man: and I dare
boldly maintaine it, that his fellow is not to bee found, from hence
to the very gates of Paris. Go then, and doe the uttermost endeavour
that thou canst, to grant the request which he hath made.
Beleeve me Buffalmaco, saide the Doctor, Bruno hath spoken nothing
but truth, for I am scarsely knowne heere in this City, where (for the
most part) they are all grosse-witted people, rather then any jot
judicious: but I would thou hadst seene me among the Doctors, in
manner as I was wont to be. In troth Sir, replyed Buffalmaco, you
are much more Learned then ever I imagined, in which respect, speak
unto you as it becommeth me, to a man so excellent in wit and
understanding: I dare assure you, that (without any faile) I wit
procure you to be one of our Company.
After this promise thus made, the good cheare, favors and kindnesses
done by the Doctor to them, was beyond the compasse of all relation:
whereof they made no more then a meere mockery, flouting him to his
face, and yet his Wisedome could not discerne it. Moreover, they
promised, that they would give him to Wife, the faire Countesse di
Civillari, who was the onely goodliest creature to be found in the
whole Culattario of humane generation. The Doctor demanded, what
Countesse that was? Oh Sir, answered Buffalmaco, she is a great
Lady, one worthy to have issue by; and few houses are there in the
world, where she hath not some jurisdiction and command: so that not
meane people onely, but even the greatest Lords, at the sound of her
Trumpets, do very gladlie pay her tribute. And I dare boldly
affirme, that whensoever shee walketh to any place, she yeeldeth a hot
and sensible savour, albeit she keepeth most of all close. Yet once
every night, shee duely observeth it (as a Custome) to passe from
her owne house, to bathe her feete in the River of Arno, and take a
little of the sweeter Ayre: albeit her continuall residencie, is
within the Kingdome of Laterino.
She seldome walketh abroad, but goeth with her attending Officers
about her, who (for more demonstration of her greatnesse) do carry the
Rod and plummet of Lead. Store of her Lords and Barons are every where
to be seene; as the Tamagnino della porta, Don Meta di Sirropa; Manico
di Scopa; Signior Squacchera, and others beside, who are (as I
suppose) oftentimes your visitants, when of necessity they must be
remembred. All our care and courtesie shall extend so farre (if we doe
not falle in our enterprize) to leave you in the armes of so Majestick
a Ladie, quite forgetting hir of Cacavinciglia.
The Physitian, who was borne and brought up at Bologna, and
therefore understoode not these Florentine tearmes: became fully
contented to enjoy the Ladie; and, within some few dayes following,
the Painters brought him tydings, that they had prepared the way for
his entertainment into the Societie of Rovers. The day being come,
when the supposed assembly was to be made the night following: the
Physitian invited them both to dinner; when he demanding, what
provision he shold make for his entrance into their company,
Buffalmaco returned him this answer, whereto hee gave very heedfull
attention.
Master Doctor, you must be first of all, strongly armed with
resolution and confidence: for, if you be not, you may not only
receyve hindrance, but also do us great harme beside: and now you
shall heare, in what manner, and how you are to be bold and
constant. You must procure the meanes, this instant night, when all
the people are in their soundest sleepe, to stand upon one of those
high exalted Tombs or Monuments, which are in the churchyard of
Santa Maria Novella, with the very fairest gowne you have about you,
because you may appeare in the more honorable condition, before the
assembly seated together, and likewise to make good our speeches
already delivered of you, concerning your qualitie and profession:
that the Countesse, perceyving you to bee a woorthie Gentleman, may
have you first honoured with the Bathe, and afterward Knighted at
her owne cost and charge. But you must continue stil upon the Tombe
(dreadlesse of nightly apparitions and visions) untill such time as we
send for you.
And for your better information in every particulare; a Beaste,
blacke and horned, but of no great stature, will come to fetch you:
perhaps he will use some gastly noises, straunge leapes, and loftie
trickes, onely to terrifie and affright you: but when he perceiveth
that he cannot daunt you, hee will gently come neere you, which when
he hath done, you may descend from off the Tombe; and, without
naming or thinking on God, or any of his Saintes, mount boldly on
his backe, for he will stand ready to receive you. Being so seated,
crosse your armes over your brest, without presuming to touch or
handle the Beast, for he will carry you thence softly, and so bring
you along to the company. But if in all this time of your travaile,
you call on heaven, any Saint, or bee possessed with the least thought
of feare: I must plainely tell you, that either hee will cast you
dangerously, or throw you into some noysom place. And therefore, if
you know your selfe, not to be of a constant courage, and sprightly
bold, to undertake such an adventure as this: never presume any
further, because you may doe us a great deale of injurie, without
any gaine or benefite to your selfe, but rather such wrong, as we
would be very sorry should happen unto so deere a Friend.
