messages from her Mistresse, according as she had given her in charge;
whereunto each of them answered, that they woulde (for her sake) not
onely descend into a Grave, but also into hell, if it were her
pleasure.
She returning with this answer unto her Mistresse, Francesca
remained in expectation, what the issue of these fond attemptes in
them, would sort unto. When night was come, and the middle houre
thereof already past, Alessandro Chiarmontesi, having put off all
other garments to his doublet and hose; departed secretly from his
lodging, walking towards the Church-yard, where Scannadio lay in his
grave: but by the way as he went, hee became surprized with divers
dreadfull conceites and imaginations, and questioned with himselfe
thus.
What a beast am I? What a businesse have I undertaken? And whither
am I going? What do I know, but that the Kinsman unto this Woman,
perhappes understanding mine affection to her, and crediting some such
matter, as is nothing so: hath laide this politicke traine for me,
that he may murther me in the grave? Which (if it should so happen) my
life is lost, and yet the occasion never knowne whereby it was done.
Or what know I, whether some secret enemy of mine (affecting her in
like manner, as I do) have devised this stratagem (out of malice)
against mee, to draw my life in danger, and further his owne good
Fortune? Then, contrary motions, overswaying these suspitions, he
questioned his thoughts in another nature.
Let me (quoth he) admit the case, that none of these surmises are
intended, but her Kinsman (by and in this manner devised) must bring
me into her house: I am not therefore perswaded, that he or they do
covet, to have the body of Scannadio, either to carry it thither, or
present it to her, but rather do aime at some other end. May not I
conjecture, that my close murthering is purposed, and this way
acted, as on him that (in his life time) had offended them? The Maid
hath straitly charged me, that whatsoever is said or done unto me, I
am not to speake a word. What if they pul out mine eies, teare out
my teeth, cut off my hands, or do me any other mischiefe: Where am I
then? Shall all these extremities barre me of speaking? On the other
side, if I speake, then I shall be knowne, and so much the sooner
(perhaps) be abused. But admit that I sustaine no injurie at all, as
being guilty of no transgression: yet (perchance) I shall not be
carried to her house, but to some other baser place, and afterward she
shall reprove me, that I did not accomplish what shee commanded, and
so all my labour is utterly lost.
Perplexed with these various contradicting opinions, he was
willing divers times to turne home backe againe: yet such was the
violence of his love, and the power thereof prevailing against all
sinister arguments; as he went to the grave, and removing the
boordes covering it, whereinto he entred; and having despoiled
Scannadio of his garments, cloathed himselfe with them, and so laid
him down, having first covered the grave againe. Not long had hee
tarryed there, but he began to bethinke him, what manner of man
Scannadio was, and what strange reports had bene noised of him, not
onely for ransacking dead mens graves in the night season, but many
other abhominable Villanies committed by him, which so fearfully
assaulted him; that his haire stoode on end, every member of him
quaked, and every minute he imagined Scannadio rising, with intent
to strangle him in the grave. But his fervent affection overcoming all
these idle feares, and lying stone still, as if he had beene the
dead man indeede; he remained to see the end of his hope.
On the contrary side, after midnight was past, Rinuccio Palermini
departed from his lodging, to do what hee was enjoyned by his hearts
Mistresse, and as hee went along, divers considerations also ran in
his minde, concerning occasions possible to happen. As, falling into
the hands of Justice, with the body of Scannadio upon his backe, and
being condemned for sacriledge, in robbing graves of the dead;
either to be burned, or otherwise so punished, as might make him
hatefull to his best friends, and meerely a shame to himselfe.
Many other the like conceits mollested him, sufficient to alter
his determination: but affection was much more prevayling in him,
and made him use this consultation. How now Rinuccio? Wilt dare to
deny the first request, being mooved to thee by a Gentlewoman, whom
thou dearly lovest, and is the onely meanes, whereby to gaine
assurance of her gracious favour? Undoubtedly, were I sure to die in
the attempt, yet I will accomplish my promise. And so he went on
with courage to the grave.
Alessandro hearing his arrivall, and also the removall of the bords,
although he was exceedingly affraid; yet he lay quietly stil, and
stirred not, and Rinuccio beeing in the grave, tooke Alessandro by the
feete, haling him forth, and (mounting him uppon his backe) went on
thus loden, towards the house of Madam Francesca. As he passed along
the streets, unseene or unmet by any, Alessandro suffered many
shrewd rushings and punches, by turnings at the streets corners, and
jolting against bulkes, poasts, and stalles, which Rinuccio could
not avoyd, in regard the night was so wonderfully darke, as hee
could not see which way he went.
Being come somewhat neere to the Gentlewomans house, and she
standing readie in the Window with her Maide, to see when Rinuccio
should arrive there with Alessandro, provided also of an apt excuse,
to send them thence like a couple of Coxcombes; it fortuned, that
the Watchmen, attending there in the same streete, for the
apprehension of a banished man, stolne into the City contrarie to
order; hearing the trampling of Rinuccioes feete, directed their
course as they heard the noise, having their Lanthorne and light
closely covered, to see who it should be, and what he intended, and
beating their weapons against the ground, demanded, Who goes there?
Rinuccio knowing their voyces, and that now was no time for any long
deliberation: let fall Alessandro, and ran away as fast as his legs
could carry him.
Alessandro being risen againe (although he was cloathed in
Scannadioes Garments, which were long and too bigge for him) fledde
away also as Rinuccio did. All which Madame Francesca easily discerned
by helpe of the Watchmens Lanthorne, and how Rinuccio carried
Alessandro on his backe, beeing attired in the Garments of
Scannadio: whereat she mervailed not a litle, as also the great
boldnesse of them both. But in the midst of her mervailing, she
laughed very heartily, when she saw the one let the other fall, and
both to runne away so manfully. Which accident pleasing her beyond all
comparison, and applauding her good Fortune, to bee so happily
delivered from their daily mollestation: she betooke her selfe to
hir Chamber with the Maide, avouching solemnly to her, that
(questionlesse) they both affected her dearely, having undertaken such
a straunge imposition, and verie neere brought it to a finall
conclusion.
Rinuccio, being sadly discontented, and curssing his hard fortune,
would not yet returne home to his Lodging: but, when the watch was
gone forth of that streete, came backe to the place where he let
fall Alessandro, purposing to accomplish the rest of his enterprize.
But not finding the body, and remaining fully perswaded, that the
Watchmen were possessed thereof; hee went away, greeving extreamly.
And Alessandro, not knowing now what should become of him:
confounded with the like griefe and sorrow, that all his hope was thus
utterly overthrowne, retired thence unto his owne house, not knowing
who was the Porter which carried him.
The next morning, the grave of Scannadio being found open, and the
body not in it, because Alessandro had thrown it into a deep ditch
neere adjoyning: all the people of Pistoya were possessed with
sundry opinions, some of the more foolish sort verily beleeving,
that the divell had caried away the dead body. Neverthelesse, each
of the Lovers severally made knowne to Madam Francesca, what he had
done, and how disappointed, either excusing himselfe, that though
her command had not bin fully accomplished, yet to continue her favour
towards him. But she, like a wise and discreet Gentlewoman, seeming
not to credit either the one or other: discharged her selfe honestly
of them both, with a cutting answere, That shee would never
(afterward) expect any other service from them, because they had
fayled in their first injunction.
THE NINTH DAY, THE SECOND NOVELL
WHEREBY IS DECLARED, THAT WHOSOEVER IS DESIROUS TO REPREHEND
SINNE IN OTHER MEN, SHOULD FIRST EXAMINE HIMSELFE, THAT HE
BE NOT GUILTIE OF THE SAME CRIME
Madame Usimbalda, Lady Abbesse of a Monastery of Nuns in
Lombardie, arising hastily in the night time without a Candle, to take
one of her Daughter Nunnes in bed with a yong Gentleman, whereof she
was enviously accused, by certaine of her other Sisters: The Abbesse
her selfe (being at the same time in bed with a Priest) imagining to
have put on her head her plaited vayle, put on the Priests breeches.
Which when the poore Nunne perceyved; by causing the Abbesse to see
her owne error, she got her selfe to be absolved, and had the freer
liberty afterward, to be more familiar with her frend, then formerly
she had bin.
By this time, Madame Philomena sate silent, and the wit of
Francesca, in freeing her selfe from them whom she could not fancie,
was generally commended: as also on the contrary, the bold presumption
of the two amorous suiters, was reputed not to be love, but meerely
folly. And then the Queene, with a gracious admonition, gave way for
Madam Eliza to follow next; who presently thus began.
Worthy Ladies, Madame Francesca delivered her selfe discreetly
from trouble, as already hath bin related: but a yong Nun, by the
helpe and favour of Fortune, did also free her selfe (in speaking
advisedly) from an inconvenience sodainly falling on her. And as you
well know, there wants none of them, who (like bold Bayards) will be
very forward in checking other mens misdemeanors, when themselves,
as my Novell will approve, deserve more justly to bee corrected. As
hapned to a Lady Abbesse, under whose governement the same young Nunne
was, of whom I am now to speake.
You are then to understand (Gracious Auditors) that in Lombardie
there was a goodly Monastery, very famous for Holinesse and
Religion, where, among other sanctified Sisters, there was a yong
Gentlewoman, endued with very singular beautie, being named
Isabella, who on a day, when a Kinsman of hers came to see her at
the grate, became enamored of a young Gentleman, being then in his
company.
He likewise, beholding her to be so admirably beautifull, and
conceyving by the pretty glances of her eye, that they appeared to bee
silent intelligencers of the hearts meaning, grew also as
affectionately inclined towards her, and this mutuall love continued
thus concealed a long while, but not without great affliction unto
them both. In the end, either of them being circumspect and
provident enough, the Gentleman contrived a meanes, whereby he might
secretly visite his Nunne, wherewith she seemed no way discontented:
and this visitation was not for once or twice, but verie often, and
closely concealed to themselves.
At length it came to passe, that either through their owne
indiscreete carriage, or jelous suspition in some others: it was
espied by one of the Sisters, both the Gentlemans comming and
departing, yet unknowne to him or Isabella. The saide Sister,
disclosing the same to two or three more: they agreed together, to
reveale it to the Lady Abbesse, who was named Madame Usimbalda, a holy
and devout Lady, in common opinion of all the Nunnes, and whosoever
else knew her.
They further concluded (because Isabella should not deny theyr
accusation) to contrive the businesse so cunningly: that the Ladle
Abbesse should come her selfe in person, and take the yong Gentleman
in bed with the Nun. And uppon this determination, they agreed to
watch nightly by turnes, because by no meanes they wold be
prevented: so to surprise poore Isabella, who beeing ignorant of their
treachery, suspected nothing. Presuming thus still on this secret
felicitie, and fearing no disaster to befall her: it chaunced (on a
night) that the yong Gentleman being entred into the Nuns Dorter,
the Scowts had descried him, and intended to be revenged on her.
After some part of the night was overpast, they divided themselves
into two bands, one to guard Isabellaes Dorter doore, the other to
carry newes to the Abbesse, and knocking at her Closet doore, saide.
Rise quickely Madame, and use all the hast you may, for we have
seene a man enter our Sister Isabellaes Dorter, and you may take her
in bed with him. The Lady Abbesse, who (the very same night) had the
company of a lusty Priest in bed with her selfe, as oftentimes
before she had, and he being alwayes brought thither in a Chest:
hearing these tidings, and fearing also, lest the Nunnes hastie
knocking at her doore, might cause it to fly open, and so (by their
entrance) have her owne shame discovered: arose very hastily, and
thinking she had put on her plaited vaile, which alwayes she walked
with in the night season, and used to tearme her Psalter; she put
the Priests breeches upon her head, and so went away in all hast
with them, supposing them verily to be her Psalter: but making fast
the Closet doore with her keye, because the Priest should not be
discovered.
Away shee went in all haste with the Sisters, who were so forward in
the detection of poore Isabella, as they never regarded what manner of
vaile the Lady Abbesse wore on her head. And being come to the
Dorter doore, quickly they lifted it off from the hookes, and being
entred, found the two Lovers sweetly imbracing: but yet so amazed at
this sudden surprisall, as they durst not stirre, nor speake one word.
The young Nunne Isabella, was raised forthwith by the other Sisters,
