from the Booke belonging to the Magazin, what wares are therein
stored, of what valew they bee, and who is the Owner of them.
Afterwards, by amorous actions, and affable speeches, they allure yong
Merchants to take knowledge of them, to bee familiar in their company,
till from some they get most part of their wealth, from others all.
Nay, divers have gone so farre, as to make Port-sale of Ship, Goods,
and Person, so cunningly they have bene shaven by these Barbers, and
yet without any Razor.
It came to passe, and no long time since, that a young Florentine of
ours, named Niccolo de Cignano, but more usually called Salabetto,
imployed as Factor for his Maister, arrived at Palermo; his Ship
stored with many Woollen Cloathes, a remainder of such as had bin sold
at the Mart of Salerno; amounting in valew to above five hundred
Florines of Gold. When he had given in his packet to the
Custome-house, and made them up safe in his Warehouse; without
making shew of desiring any speedy dispatch, he delighted to view
all parts of the City, as mens minds are continuallie addicted to
Novelties. He being a very faire and affable yong man, easie to kindle
affection in a very modest eie: it fortuned, that a Courtezane, one of
our before remembred shavers, who termed hir selfe Madame Biancafiore,
having heard somewhat concerning his affairs, beganne to dart
amorous glances at him. Which the indiscreete youth perceyving, and
thinking her to be some great Lady: began also to grow halfe
perswaded, that his comely person was pleasing to her and therefore he
would carrie this good fortune of his somewhat cautelously.
Without imparting his mind unto any one, he would daily passe too
and fro before her doore; which she observing, and having
indifferently wounded him with her wanton piercing lookes: she began
to use the first tricke of her Trade, by pretending her enflamed
affection towards him, which made her pine and consume away in care,
except he might be moved to pitty her. Whereupon, she sent one of
her Pandoraes unto him, perfectly instructed in the Art of a
Maquerella, who (after many cunning counterfetted sighes, and
teares, which she had alwayes ready at command) told him that his
comely person and compleate perfections, had so wounded the very soule
of her Mistresse, as she could enjoy no rest in any place, either by
day or night. In regard whereof, she desired (above all things else)
to meete with him privately in a Bathe: with which Wordes, she
straightway tooke a Ring forth of her pursse, and in most humble
manner, delivered it unto him, as a token from her Mistresse.
Salabetto having heard this Message, was the onely joyfull man
that could be: and having receyved the Ring, looking on it
advisedly; first kissed it, and then put it upon his finger. Then in
answer to the Messenger, he sayd: That if her Mistresse Biancafiore
affected him, she sustained no losse thereby, in regard he loved her
as fervently, and was ready to be commanded by her, at any time
whensoever she pleased.
She having delivered this message to her Mistresse, was presently
returned backe againe to him, to let him understand, in which of the
Bathes she meant to meet him, on the next morrow in the evening.
This being counsell for himselfe onely to keepe, he imparted it not to
any friend whatsoever; but when the houre for their meeting was
come, he went unto the place where he was appointed, a Bathe
(belike) best agreeing with such businesse.
Not long had he taried there, but two Women slaves came laden to
him, the one bearing a Mattresse of fine Fustian on hir head, and
the other a great Basket filled with many things. Having spred the
Mattresse in a faire Chamber on a Couch-bed, they covered it with
delicate white Linnen sheets, all about embroidred with faire
Fringes of gold, then laid they on costly quilts of rich Silkes,
artificially wrought with gold and silver knots, having pearles and
precious stones interwoven among them, and two such rich pillowes,
as sildome before had the like bin seene. Salabetto putting off his
garments, entred the Bath prepared for him, where the two Slaves
washed his body very neatly. Soone after came Biancafiore hirselfe,
attended on by two other women slaves, and seeing Salabetto in the
Bathe; making him a lowly reverence, breathing forth infinite
dissembled sighes, and teares trickling downe her cheekes, kissing and
embracing him, thus she spake.
I know not what man else in the worlde, beside thy selfe, could have
the power to bring me hither: the fire flew from thy faire eies (O
thou incompareable lovely Tuscane) that melted my soule, and makes
me onely live at thy command. Then hurling off her light wearing
garment (because she came prepared for the purpose) shee stept into
the bathe to him, and, not permitting the Slaves a-while to come
neere, none but her selfe must now lave his body, with Muske
compounded Sope and Gilly-floures. Afterward, the slaves washed both
him and her, bringing two goodly sheetes, softe and white, yeelding
such a delicate smell of Roses, even as if they had bene made of
Rose-leaves. In the one, they folded Salabetto, and her in the
other, and so conveyed them on their shoulders unto the prepared
Bed-Couch, where because they should not sweate any longer, they tooke
the sheets from about them, and laid them gently in the bed.
Then they opened the Basket, wherein were divers goodly Silver
bottles, some filled with Rosewaters, others with flowers of
Orenges, and Waters distilled of Gelsomine, Muske, and Amber-Greece,
wherewith (againe) the slaves bathed their bodyes in the bed, and
afterward presented them with variety of Comfites, as also very
precious Wines, serving them in stead of a little Collation. Salabetto
supposed himself to be in Paradise: for this appeared to be no earthly
joy, bestowing a thousand gladsome gazes on her, who (questionlesse)
was a most beautifull creature, and the tarrying of the Slaves, seemed
millions of yeares to him, that hee might more freely embrace his
Biancafiore. Leaving a Waxe Taper lighted in the Chamber, the slaves
departed, and then shee sweetly embracing Salabetto, bestowed those
further favours on him, which hee came for, and she was not
squeamish in the affoording; wherof he was exceedingly joyfull,
because he imagined, that they proceeded from the integrity of her
affection towards him.
When she thought it convenient time to depart thence, the slaves
returned; they cloathed themselves, and had a Banquet standing ready
prepared for them; wherewith they cheared their wearyed spirits, after
they had first washed in odorifferous waters. At parting: Salabetto
(quoth she) whensoever thy leysures shal best serve thee, I will
repute it as my cheefest happinesse, that thou wilt accept a Supper
and Lodging in my house, which let it be this instant night, if thou
canst. He being absolutely caught, both by hir beauty and flattering
behaviour: beleeved faithfully, that he was as intirely beloved of
her, as the heart is of the body: whereuppon hee thus answered.
Madame, whatsoever pleaseth you, must needes be much more acceptable
unto mee: and therefore, not onely may command my service this
night, but likewise the whole employment of my life, to be onely yours
in my very best studies and endeavours.
No sooner did she heare this answer, but she returned home to her
owne house, which she decked in most sumptuous maner, and also made
ready a costly Supper, expecting the arrivall of Salabetto: who when
the darke night was indifferently well entred, went thither, and was
welcommed with wonderfull kindnesse, wanting no costly Wines and
Delicates all the Supper while. Being afterward conducted into a
goodly Chamber, he smelt there admirable sweete senting savours,
such as might well beseeme a Princes Pallace. He beheld a most
costly Bed, and very rich furniture round about the roome: which
when he had duly considered to himself, he was constantly perswaded,
that she was a Lady of infinit wealth. And although he had heard
divers flying reports concerning her life, yet hee would not credite
any thing amisse of her, for albeit she might (perhappes) beguile some
other; yet shee affected him (he thought) in better manner, and no
such misfortune could happen to him.
Having spent all the night with her in wanton dalliances, and
being risen in the morning; to enflame his affection more and more
towards her, and to prevent any ill opinion he might conceyve of
her, she bestowed a rich and costly Girdle on him, as also a pursse
most curiously wrought, saying to him. My sweet Salabetto, with
these testimonies of my true affection to thee, I give thee faithfully
to understand, that as my person is onely subjected thine; so this
house and all the riches in it, remaineth absolutely at thy
disposition, or whatsoever hereafter shal happen within the compasse
of my power.
He being not a little proud of this her bountifull offer (having
never bestowed any gift on her, because by no meanes shee would
admit it) after many sweet kisses and embraces; departed thence, to
the place where the Merchants usually frequented: resorting to her
(from time to time) as occasion served, and paying not one single peny
for all his wanton pleasure, by which cunning baytes (at length) she
caught him.
It came to passe, that having made sale of all his Clothes,
whereby hee had great gaines, and the moneyes justly payed him at
the times appointed: Biancafiore got intelligence thereof; yet not
by him, but from one of the Brokers. Salabetto comming one night to
sup with her, she embraced and kissed him as she was wont to doe,
and seemed so wonderfully addicted in love to him, even as if shee
would have dyed with delight in his armes. Instantly, shee would needs
bestow two goodly gilt standing Cuppes on him, which Salabetto by no
meanes would receive, because she had formerly bin very bountifull
to him, to above the value of an hundred Crowns, and yet she would not
take of him so much as a mite. At length, pressing still more tokens
of her love and bounty on him, which he as courteously denied, as
she kindly offered: one of her Women-slaves (as shee had before
cunningly appointed) sodainely calling her, forthwith she departed out
of her Chamber. And when she had continued a pretty while absent,
she returned againe weeping, and throwing her selfe downe upon her
Pallet, breathed forth such sighes and wofull lamentations, as no
Woman could possibly doe the like.
Salabetto amazedly wondering thereat, tooke her in his Armes, and
weeping also with her, said. Alas my deare Love, what sodain
accident hath befalne you, to urge this lamentable alteration? If
you love me, hide it not from me. After he had of entreated her in
this manner, casting her armes about his necke, and sighing as if
her heart would breake, thus she replyed. Ah Salabetto, the onely
jewell of my joy on earth, I knowe not what to do, or say, for (even
now) I received Letters from Messina, wherein my Brother writes to me,
that although it cost the sale of all my goods, or whatsoever else I
have beside, I must (within eight dayes space) not faile to send him a
thousand Florins of gold, or else he must have his head smitten off,
and I know not by what meanes to procure them so soone. For, if the
limitation of fifteene dayes might serve the turne, I could borrow
them in a place, where I can command a farre greater summe, or else
I would sell some part of our Lands. But beeing no way able to
furnish him so soone, I would I had died before I heard these
dismall tydings. And in the uttering of these words, she graced them
with such cunning dissembled sorrow, as if she had meant truly indeed.
Salabetto, in whom the fury of his amorous flames, had consumed a
great part of his necessary understanding, beleeving these
counterfetted tears and complaints of hers, to proceed from an
honest meaning soule; rashly and foolishly thus replied. Deare
Biancafiore, I cannot furnish you with a thousand golden Florines, but
am able to lend you five hundred if I were sure of their repayment
at fifteene dayes, wherein you are highly beholding to Fortune, that I
have made sale of all my Cloathes; which if they had lyen still on
my hand, my power could not stretch to lend you five Florines. Alas
deare heart (quoth she) would you be in such want of money, and hide
it from her that loves you so loyally? Why did you not make your
need knowne to me? Although I am not furnished of a thousand Florines;
yet I have alwaies ready three or foure hundred by me, to do any kinde
office for my friend. In thus wronging me, you have robd me of all
boldnes, to presume upon your offer made me. Salabetto, far faster
inveigled by these words then before, said. Let not my folly (bright
Biancafiore) cause you to refuse my friendly offer, in such a case
of extreme necessity: I have them ready pre. pared for you, and am
heartily sory, that my power cannot furnish you with the whole summe.
Then catching him fast in her armes, thus she answered. Now I
plainly perceive, my dearest Salabetto, that the love thou bearest
me is true and perfect; when, without expectation of being
requested, thou art readie to succour me in such an urgent neede,
and with so faire a summe of Florines. Sufficiently was I thine owne
before, but now am much more ingaged by so high deserving; with this
particular acknowledgement for ever, that my Brothers head was
redeemed by thy goodnesse onely. Heaven beareth me record, how
unwilling I am to be beholding in this kind, considring that you are a
Merchant, and Merchants furnish al their affairs with ready monis: but
seeing necessity constraineth me, and I make no doubt of repaiment
at the time appointed: I . p shall the more boldly accept your
kindnes, with this absolute promise beside, that I wil rather sell all
the houses I have, then breake my honest word with you.
Counterfeit teares still drayning downe her cheeks, and Salabetto
kindly comforting her; he continued there with hir all that night,
to expresse him selfe her most liberall servant. And, without
