expences, but maintained many servants, and store of unvalewable
Horses, beside Hawkes and Hounds, with open house for all commers; and
not onely all delights else fit for Gentlemen, but what vanities
beside best agreed with their wanton and youthfull appetites.
Not long had they run on this race, but the Treasures lefte them
by their Father, began greatly to diminish; and their Revennewes
suffised not, to support such lavish expences as they had begun: but
they fell to engaging and pawning their inheritances, selling one to
day, and another to morrow, so that they saw themselves quickely
come to nothing, and then poverty opened their eyes, which prodigality
had before clozed up. Heereupon, Lamberto (on a day) calling his
Brethren to him, shewed them what the honors of their Father had
beene, to what height his wealth amounted, and now to what an ebbe
of poverty it was falne, only thorow their inordinate expences.
Wherefore hee counselled them, (as best he could) before further
misery insulted over them, to make sale of the small remainder that
was left, and then to betake themselves unto some other abiding, where
fairer Fortune might chance to shine uppon them.
This advice prevailed with them; and so, without taking leave of any
body, or other solemnity then closest secrecie, they departed from
Florence, not tarrying in any place untill they were arrived in
England. Comming to the City of London, and taking there a small house
upon yearely rent, living on so little charge as possibly might be,
they began to lend out money at use: wherein Fortune was so favourable
to them, that (in few yeares) they had gathered a great summe of mony:
by means whereof it came to passe, that one while one of them, and
afterward another, returned backe againe to Florence: where, with
those summes, a great part of their inheritances were redeemed, and
many other bought beside. Linking themselves in marriage, and yet
continuing their usances in England; they sent a Nephew of theirs
thither, named Alessandro, a yong man, and of faire demeanor, to
maintaine their stocke in employment: while they three remained stil
in Florence, and growing forgetful of their former misery, fell againe
into as unreasonable expences as ever, never respecting their houshold
charges, because they had good credite among the Merchants, and the
monies still sent from Alessandro, supporting their expences divers
yeeres.
The dealings of Alessandro in England grew verie great, for hee lent
out much money to many Gentlemen, Lords, and Barons of the Land,
upon engagement of their Mannors; Castles, and other revennues: from
whence he derived immeasurable benefite. While the three Brethren held
on in their lavish expences, borrowing moneys when they wanted
untill their supplies came from England, whereon (indeede) was theyr
onely dependance: it fortuned, that (contrary to the opinion of all
men) warre happened betweene the King of England, and one of his
sonnes, which occasioned much trouble in the whole Countrey, by taking
part on either side, some with the sonne, and other with the Father.
In regard whereof, those Castles and places pawned to Alessandro, were
sodainely seized from him, nothing then remaining, that turned him any
profite. But living in hope day by day, that peace would be
concluded betweene the Father and the Sonne, he never doubted, but all
things then should be restored to him, both the principall and
interest, and therfore he would not depart out of the Countrey.
The three Brethren at Florence, bounding within no limites their
disordered spending; borrowed dayly more and more. And after some
few yeares, the creditors seeing no effect of their hopes to come from
them, all credit being lost with them, and no repayment of promised
dues, they were imprisoned, their Landes and all they had, not
suffising to pay the moitie of Debts, but their bodies remained in
prison for the rest, theyr Wives and young children being sent thence,
some to one village, some to another, so that nothing now was to be
expected, but poverty and misery of life for ever. As for honest
Alessandro, who had awaited long time for peace in England, perceyving
there was no likelyhoode of it; and considering also, that (beside his
tarrying there in vaine to recover his dues) he was in danger of his
life; without any further deferring, he set away for Italy. It came to
passe, that as he yssued foorth of Bruges, hee saw a young Abbot
also journeying thence, being cloathed in white, accompanied with
divers Monkes, and a great traine before, conducting the needfull
Carriage. Two auncient Knights, kinsmen to the King, followed after;
with whom Alessandro acquainted himselfe, as having formerly known
them, and was kindely accepted into their company. Alessandro riding
along with them, courteously requested to know, what those Monks
were that rode before, and such a traine attending on them? Whereto
one of the Knights thus answered.
He that rideth before, is a yong Gentleman, and our Kinsman, who
is newly elected Abbot of one of the best Abbeys in England, and
because he is more yong in yeeres, then the decrees for such a dignity
do allow, we travaile with him to Rome, to entreat our Holy Father,
that his.youth may be dispensed withall, and he confirmed in the
said dignitie; but hee is not to speake a word to any person. On
rode this new Abbot, sometimes before his Traine, and other whiles
after, as we see great Lords use to do, when they ride upon the
High-wayes.
It chanced on a day, that Alessandro rode somewhat neere to the
Abbot, who stedfastly beholding him, perceived that he was a very
comely young man, so affable, lovely, and gracious, that even in
this first encounter, he had never seene any man before that better
pleased him. Calling him a little closer, he began to conferre
familiarly with him, demanding what he was, whence he came, and
whether he travelled. Alessandro imparted freely to him all his
affaires, in every thing satisfying his demands, and offering
(although his power was small) to doe him all the service he could.
When the Abbot had heard his gentle answeres, so wisely and
discreetly delivered, considering also (more particularly) his
commendable carriage, hee tooke him to be (at the least) a
well-borne Gentleman, and far differing from his owne logger headed
traine. Wherefore, taking compassion on his great misfortunes, he
comforted him very kindly, wishing him to live alwayes in good hope.
For, if he were vertuous and honest, he should surely attaine to the
seate from whence Fortune had throwne him, or rather much higher.
Intreating him also, that seeing he journied towards Tuscany, as he
himselfe did the like, to continue stil (if he pleased) in his
company. Alessandro most humbly thanked him for such gracious comfort;
protesting, that he would be alwaies readie to do whatsoever he
commanded.
The Abbot riding on, with newer crotchets in his braine then he
had before the sight of Alessandro, it fortuned, that after divers
dayes of travaile, they came to a small Country Village, which
affoorded little store of Lodging, and yet the Abbot would needes
lye there. Alessandro, being well acquainted with the Hoste of the
house, willed him to provide for the Abbot and his people, and then to
lodge him where hee thought it meetest. Now before the Abbots
comming thither, the Harbenger that marshalled all such matters, had
provided for his Traine in the Village, some in one place, and
others elsewhere, in the best maner that the Towne could yeelde. But
when the Abbot had supt, a great part of the night being spent, and
every one else at his rest; Alessandro demaunded of the Hoste, what
provision he had made for him, and how hee should be lodged that
night?
In good sadnesse Sir (quoth the Host) you see that my house is
full of Guests, so that I and my people, must gladly sleepe on the
tables and benches: Neverthelesse, next adjoyning to my Lord Abbots
Chamber, there are certaine Corn-lofts, whether I can closely bring
you, and making shift there with a slender Pallet-bed, it may serve
for one night, insted of a better. But mine Host (quoth Alessandro)
how can I passe thorow my Lords Chamber, which is so little, as it
would not allow Lodging for any of his Monkes? If I had remembred so
much (said the Host) before the Curtaines were drawne, I could have
lodged his Monkes in the Corne-lofts, and then both you and I might
have slept where now they doe. But feare you not, my Lords Curtaines
are close drawne, hee sleepeth (no doubt) soundly, and I can
conveigh you thither quietly enough, without the least disturbance
to him, and a Pallet-bed shall be fitted there for you. Alessandro
perceiving that all this might be easily done, and no disease
offered to the Abbot, accepted it willingly, and went thither
without any noyse at all.
My Lord Abbot, whose thoughts were so busied about amorous
desires, that no sleepe at all could enter his eyes, heard all this
talke between the Host and Alessandro, and also where hee was
appointed to Lodge, he saide thus within himselfe. Seeing Fortune hath
fitted me with a propitious time, to compasse the happinesse of my
hearts desire; I know no reason why I should refuse it. Perhaps, I
shall never have the like offer againe, or ever be enabled with such
an opportunitie. So, beeing fully determined to prosecute his
intention, and perswading himself also, that the silence of the
night had bestowed sleepe on all the rest; with a lowe and trembling
voyce, he called Alessandro, advising him to come and lye downe by
him, which (after some few faint excuses) he did, and putting off
his cloaths, lay downe by the Abbot, being not a little proude of so
gracious a favour.
The Abbot, laying his arme over the others body, began to imbrace
and hugge him; even as amorous friends (provoked by earnest
affection), use to doe. Whereat Alessandro verie much mervayling,
and being an Italian himselfe, fearing least this folly in the
Abbot, would convert to foule and dishonest action, shrunke modestly
from him. Which the Abbot perceiving, and doubting least Alessandro
would depart and leave him, pleasantly smiling, and with bashfull
behaviour baring his stomack, he tooke Alessandroes hand, and laying
it thereon, saide; Alessandro, let all bad thoughts of bestiall
abuse be farre off from thee, and feele here, to resolve thee from all
such feare. Allessandro feeling the Abbots brest, found there two
pretty little mountaines, round, plumpe, and smooth, appearing as if
they had beene of polished Ivory; whereby he perceived, that the Abbot
was a woman: which, setting an edge on his youthful desires, made
him fall to embracing, and immediately he offered to kisse her; but
she somewhat rudely repulsing him, as halfe offended, saide.
Alessandro, forbeare such boldnesse, uppon thy lives perill, and
before thou further presume to touch me, understand what I shall
tell thee. I am (as thou perceivest) no man, but a woman; and
departing a Virgin from my Fathers House, am travelling towards the
Popes holinesse, to the end that he should bestow me in marriage.
But the other day, when first I beheld thee, whether it proceeded from
thy happinesse in fortune, or the fatall houre of my owne infelicity
for ever, I know not; I conceyved such an effectuall kinde of liking
towardes thee, as never did Woman love a man more truely then I doe
thee having sworn within my soule to make thee my Husband before any
other; and if thou wilt not accept me as thy wife, set a locke upon
thy lippes concerning what thou hast heard, and depart hence to
thine owne bed againe.
No doubt, but that these were strange newes to Alessandro, and
seemed meerely as a miracle to him. What shee was, he knew not, but in
regard of her traine and company, hee reputed her to be both noble and
rich, as also she was wonderfull faire and beautifull. His owne
fortunes stood out of future expectation by his kinsmens overthrow,
and his great losses in England; wherefore, upon an opportunity so
fairely offered, he held it no wisedome to returne refusall, but
accepted her gracious motion, and referred all to her disposing.
Shee arising out of her bed, called him to a little Table standing by,
where hung a faire Crucifixe upon the wall; before which, and
calling him to witnesse, that suffered such bitter and cruell torments
on his Crosse, putting a Ring upon his finger, there she faithfully
espoused him, refusing all the world, to be onely his: which being
on either side confirmed solemnly, by an holy Vow, and chaste
kisses; shee commanded him backe to his Chamber, and she returned to
her bed againe, sufficiently satisfied with her Loves acceptation, and
so they journied on till they came to Rome.
When they had rested themselves there for some few dayes, the
supposed Abbot, with the two Knights, and none else in company but
Alessandro, went before the Pope, and having done him such reverence
as beseemed, the Abbot began to speake in this manner.
Holy Father (as you know much better then any other) everie one that
desireth to live well and vertuously, ought to shunne (so farre as
in them lyeth) all occasions that may induce to the contrarie. To
the end therefore, that I (who desire nothing more) then to live
within the compasse of a vertuous conversation, may perfect my hopes
in this behalfe: I have fled from my Fathers Court, and am come hither
in this habite as you see, to crave therein your holy and fatherly
furtherance. I am daughter to the King of England, and have
sufficiently furnished my selfe with some of his Treasures, that
your Holinesse may bestow me in marriage; because mine unkind
Father, never regarding my youth and beauty (inferior to few in my
native country) would marry me to the King of North-Wales, an aged,
impotent, and sickely man. Yet let me tell your sanctity, that his age
and weakenesse hath not so much occasioned my Right, as feare of
mine owne youth and frailety; when being married to him, instead of
loyall and unstained life, lewd and dishonest desires might make me to
