expecting any more requesting, the next morning he brought her the
five hundred Florines, which she received with a laughing heart, but
outward dissembled weeping eies; Salabetto never demanding any other
security, but onely her single promise.
Biancafiore, having thus received the five hundred Florines, the
indiction of the Almanacke began to alter: and whereas (before)
Salabetto could come see her whensoever he pleased, many occasions now
happened, whereby he came seven times for once, and yet his entrance
was scarsely admitted, neither was his entertainment so affable, or
his cheare so bountifull, as in his former accesses thither. Moreover,
when the time for repaiment was come, yea a moneth or two over-past,
and he demanded to have his money; hee could have nothing but words
for paiment. Now he began to consider on the craft and cunning of this
wicked Woman, as also his owne shallow understanding, knowing he could
make no proofe of his debt, but what her selfe listed to say, having
neither witnes, specialty, bill or bond to shew: which made his
folly so shamefull to him, that he durst not complaine to any
person, because he had received some advertisements before, whereto he
wold by no means listen, and now should have no other amends, but
publike infamie, scorne and disgrace, which made him almost weary of
his life, and much to bemoane his owne unhappinesse. He received
also divers Letters from his Master, to make returne of the 500
Florines over by way of banke, according as he had used to do: but
nowe could performe no such matter.
Hereupon, because his error should not be discovered, he departed in
a small vessell thence, not making for Pisa, as he should have done,
but directly for Naples hee shaped his course. At that instant
lodged there, Don Pietro della Canigiano, Treasurer of the Empresse of
Constantinople, a man of great wisedome and understanding, as also
very ingenious and politike, he being an especiall Favourer of
Salabetto and all his friendes, which made him presume the more boldly
(being urged thereto by meere necessity, the best corrector of
wandering wits) to acquaint him with his lamentable misfortune, in
every particular as it had hapned, requesting his aid and advice,
how he might best weare out the rest of his dayes, because hee never
meant to visit Florence any more.
Canigiano being much displeased at the repetition of his Follie,
sharply reproved him, saying. Thou hast done leudly, in carying thy
selfe so loosely, and spending thy Masters goods so carelesly, which
though I cannot truly tearme spent, but rather art meerely cousened
and cheated of them, yet thou seest at what a deere rate thou hast
purchased pleasure, which yet is not utterly helplesse, but may by one
meanes or other be recovered. And being a man of woonderfull
apprehension, advised him instantly what was to bee done, furnishing
him also with a summe of money, wherewith to adventure a second losse,
in hope of recovering the first againe: he caused divers Packes to
be well bound up, with the Merchants markes orderly made on them,
and bought about twenty Buttes or Barrelles, all filled (as it were)
with Oyle, and these pretended commodities being shipt, Salabetto
returned with them to Palermo. Where having given in his packets to
the Customehouse, and entred them all under his owne name, as being
both owner and factor: all his Wares were lockt up in his Magizine,
with open publication, that he would not vent any of them, before
other merchandises (which he daily expected) were there also arrived.
Biancafiore having heard thereof, and understanding withall, that he
had brought Merchandises now with him, amounting to above two thousand
Florins, staying also in expectation of other commodities, valewing
better then three thousand more, she beganne to consider with her
selfe, that she had not yet gotten money enough from him, and
therefore would cast a figure for a farre bigger booty. Which that she
might the more fairely effect, without so much as an imagination of
the least mistrust: she would repay him backe his five hundred
Florines, to winne from him a larger portion of two or three
thousand at the least, and having thus setled her determination, she
sent to have him come speake with her. Salabetto, having bene
soundly bitten before, and therefore the better warranted from the
like ranckling teeth, willingly went to her, not shewing any signe
of former discontent: and she, seeming as if she knew nothing of the
wealth he brought with him, gracing him in as loving manner as ever
she had done, thus she spake.
I am sure Salabetto, you are angry with mee, because I restored
not your Florines at my promised day. Salabetto smiling, presently
answered. Beleeve me Lady (quoth he) it did a little distast me,
even as I could have bin offended with him, that should plucke out
my heart to bestow it on you, if it would yeelde you any
contentment. But to let you know unfainedly, how much I am incensed
with anger against you: such and so great is the affection I beare
you, that I have solde the better part of my whole estate,
converting the same into Wealthy Merchandises, which I have alreadie
brought hither with mee, and valewing above two thousand Florines, all
which are stored up in my Magazine. There must they remaine, till
another Ship come forth of the Westerne parts, wherein I have a much
greater adventure, amounting unto more then three thousand Florines.
And my purpose is, to make my aboade heere in this City, which hath
won the sole possession of my heart, onely in regard of my
Biancafiore, to whom I am so intirely devoted, as both my selfe, and
whatsoever else is mine (now or hereafter) is dedicated onely to her
service; whereto thus she replyed.
Now trust me Salabetto, whatsoever redoundeth to thy good and
benefite, is the cheefest comfort of my soule, in regard I prize thy
love dearer then mine owne life, and am most joyfull of thy returne
hither againe; but much more of thy still abiding heere, because I
intend to live onely with thee, so soone as I have taken order for
some businesse of import. In the meane while, let me entreate thee
to hold me excused, because before thy departure hence, thou camest
sometimes to see me, without thy entrance admitted; and other-whiles
againe, found not such entertainement, as formerly had bene affoorded.
But indeede, and above all the rest, in not re-paying thy money
according to my promise. But consider good Salabetto, in what great
trouble and affliction of minde I then was, both in regard of my
Brothers danger, and other important occurrences beside, which
mollestations do much distract the senses, and hinder kinde
courtesies, which otherwise would bee extended liberally.
Last of all consider also, how difficult a thing it is for a
woman, so sodainly to raise the summe of a thousand golden Florines,
when one friend promiseth, and performeth not; another protesteth, yet
hath no such meaning; a third sweareth, and yet proveth a false
Lyar: so that by being thus ungently used, a breach is made betweene
the best frends living. From hence it proceeded, and no other defect
else, that I made not due returne of your five hundred Florins. No
sooner were you departed her but I had them readie, and as many
more, and could I have knowne whither to send them, they had bene with
you long time since, which because I could not (by any meanes)
compasse, I kept them still for you in continuall readinesse, as
hoping of your comming hither againe. So causing a purse to be
brought, wherein the same Florines were, which hee had delivered
her; she gave it into his hand, and prayed him to count them over,
whether there were so many, or no.
Never was Salabettoes heart halfe so joyfull before; and having
counted them, found them to be his owne five hundred Florines: then,
putting them up into his pocket, he saide. Comfort of my life, Full
well I know that whatsoever you have saide, is most certaine; but
let us talke no more of falshood in friendship, or casuall accidents
happening unexpected: you have dealt with mee like a most loyall
Mistresse, and heere I protest unfainedly to you, that as well in
respect of this kinde courtesie, as also the constancy of mine
affection to you, you cannot request hereafter a far greater summe
of me, to supply any necessarie occasion of yours; but (if my power
can performe it) you shall assuredly finde it certaine: make proofe
thereof whensoever you please, after my other goods are Landed, and
I have established my estate here in your City.
Having in this manner renewed his wonted amity with her, and with
words farre enough off from all further meaning: Salabetto began
againe to frequent her company, she expressing all former familiarity,
shewing her selfe as lavishly bountifull to him, in all respects as
before she had done, nay, many times in more magnificent manner.
But he intending to punish her notorious trechery towards him,
when she left him as an open scorne to the World, wounded with
disgrace, and quite out of credit with all his friends: she having (on
a day) solemnly invited him, to suppe and lodge in her house all
night; he went, both with sad and melancholly lookes, seeming as
overcome with extreamity of sorrow. Biancafiore mervayling at this
strange alteration in him, sweetly kissing and embracing him: would
needs know the reason of his passionate affliction, and he
permitting her to urge the question oftentimes together, without
returning any direct answere; to quit her in her kind, and with
coine of her owne stampe, after a few dissembled sighes, he began in
this manner.
Ah my dearest Love, I am utterly undone, because the Shippe
containing the rest of mine expected Merchandises, is taken by the
Pyrates of Monago, and put to the ransome of tenne thousand Florines
of Gold, and my part particularly, is to pay one thousand. At this
instant I am utterly destitute of money, because the five hundred
Florines which I received of you, I sent hence the next daie following
to Naples, to buy more cloathes, which likewise are to be sent hither.
And if I should now make sale of the Merchandizes in my Magazine
(the time of generall utterance being not yet come) I shall not make a
pennyworth for a penny. And my misfortune is the greater, because I am
not so well knowne heere in your City, as to find some succour in such
an important distresse; wherfore I know not what to do or say.
Moreover, if the money be not speedily sent, our goods will be carried
into Monago, and then they are past all redemption utterly.
Biancafiore appearing greatly discontented, as one verily perswaded,
that this pretended losse was rather hers, then his, because she aymed
at the mainest part of all his wealth: began to consider with her
selfe, which was the likeliest course to bee taken, for saving the
goods from carriage to Monago: wherupon thus she replied. Heaven
knoweth (my dearest Salabetto) how thy love maketh me sorrowfull for
this misfortune, and it greeveth me to see thee any way distressed:
for if I had mony lying by mee (as many times I have) thou shouldst
finde succour from my selfe onely, but indeede I am not able to
helpe thee. True it is, there is a friend of mine, who did lend me
five hundred Florines in my need, to make uppe the other summe which I
borrowed of thee: but he demandeth extreme interest, because he will
not abate any thing of thirty in the hundred, and if you should bee
forced to use him, you must give him some good security. Now for my
part, the most of my goods here I will pawne for thee: but what pledge
can you deliver in to make up the rest? Wel did Salabetto conceive the
occasion why she urged this motion, and was so diligent in doing him
such a pleasure: for it appeared evidently to him, that her selfe
was to lend the mony, wherof he was not a litle joyful, seeming very
thankful to hir. Then he told her, that being driven to such
extremity, how unreasonable soever the usury was, yet he would
gladly pay for it. And for her Friends further security, hee would
pawne him all the goods in his Magazine, entering them downe in the
name of the party, who lent the money. Onely he desired to keepe the
Keyes of the Ware-house, as well to shew his Merchandises, when any
Merchant shot bee so desirous: as also to preserve them from ill
using, transporting or changing, before his redemption of them.
She found no fault with his honest offer, but sayde, hee shewed
himselfe a well-meaning man, and the next morning shee sent for a
Broker, in whom she reposed especiall trust; and after they had
privately consulted together, shee delivered him a thousand Golden
Florines, which were caried by him presently to Salabetto, and the
Bond made in the Brokers name, of all the goods remaining in
Salabettoes ware-house, with composition and absolute agreement, for
the prefixed time of the monies repaiment. No sooner was this tricke
fully accomplished, but Salabetto seeming as if he went to redeeme his
taken goods: set saile for Naples towards Pietro della Canigiano, with
fifteene hundred Florines of Gold: from whence also he sent
contentment to his Master at Florence (who imployd him as his Factor
at Palermo) beside his owne packes of Cloathes. He made repayment
likewise to Canigiano, for the monies which furnished him in this last
voyage, and any other to whom hee was indebted. So there he stayed
awhile with Canigiano, whose counsel thus holpe him to out-reach the
Sicillian Courtezane: and meaning to deale in Merchandise no more,
afterward he returned to Florence and there lived in good reputation.
Now as concerning Biancafiore, when she saw that Salabetto
returned not againe to Palermo, she beganne to grow somewhat
abashed, as halfe suspecting that which followed. After she had
tarried for him above two moneths space, and perceived hee came not,
nor any tydings heard of him: shee caused the Broker to breake open
the Magazine, casting forth the Buttes or Barrels, which shee beleeved
to bee full of good Oyles. But they were all filled with Seawater,
each of them having a small quantity of Oyle floating on the toppe,
