belly. But otherwise he was of sufficient and commendable carriage,
fairely demeaned, and well- discoursing on any argument: yet, not as a
curious and spruce Courtier, but rather a frequenter of rich mens
Tables, where choice of good cheere is sildome wanting, and such
should have his company, albeit not invited, yet (like a bold
intruder) he had the courage to bid himselfe welcome.
At the same time, and in our City of Florence also, there was
another man, named Blondello, very low of stature, yet comly formed,
quicke witted, more neat and brisk then a Butterflye, alwaies
wearing a wrought silke cap on his head, and not a haire staring out
of order, but the tuft flourishing above the forehead, and he such
another trencher-fly for the table, as our forenamed Guiotto was. It
so fel out on a morning in the Lent time, that hee went into the
Fishmarket, where he bought two goodly Lampreyes, for Messer Viero
de Cherchi, and was espied by Guiotto, who to Blondello) said. What is
the meaning of this cost, and for whom is it? Whereto Blondello thus
answered. Yesternight, three other Lampries, far fairer and fatter
then these, and a whole Sturgeon, were sent unto Messer Corso
Donati, and being not sufficient to feede divers Gentlemen, whom hee
hath invited this day to dine with him, hee caused me to buy these two
beside: Doest not thou intend to make one among them? Yes I warrant
thee, replied Guiotto, thou knowst I can invite my selfe thither,
without any other bidding.
So parting; about the houre of dinner time, Guiotto went to the
house of the saide Messer Corso, whom he found sitting and talking
with certain of his neighbors, but dinner was not (as yet) ready,
neither were they come thither to dinner. Messer Corso demaunded of
Guiotto, what newes with him, and whither he went? Why Sir (said
Guiotto) I come to dine with you, and your good company. Wherto Messer
Corso answered, That he was welcom, and his other friends being
gone, dinner was served in, none els therat present but Messer Corso
and Guiotto: al the diet being a poore dish of Pease, a litle piece of
Tunny, and a few smal fishes fried, without any other dishes to follow
after. Guiotto seeing no better fare, but being disapointed of his
expectation, as longing to feed on the Lampries and Sturgeon, and so
to have made a ful dinner indeed: was of a quick apprehension, and
apparantly perceived, that Blondello had meerly guld him in a knavery,
which did not a litle vex him, and made him vow to be revenged on
Blondello, as he could compasse occasion afterward.
Before many dales were past, it was his fortune to meete with
Blondello, who having told this jest to divers of his friends, and
much good merriment made thereat: he saluted Guiotto in ceremonious
manner, saying. How didst thou like the fat Lampreyes and Sturgeon,
which thou fedst on at the house of Messer Corso Donati? Wel Sir
(answered Guiotto) perhaps before eight dayes passe over my head, thou
shalt meet with as pleasing a dinner as I did. So, parting away from
Blondello, he met with a Porter or burthen-bearer, such as are usually
sent on errands; and hyring him to deliver a message for him, gave him
a glasse bottle, and bringing him neere to the Hal-house of
Cavicciuli, shewed him there a knight, called Signior Phillipo
Argenti, a man of huge stature, stout, strong, vain-glorious, fierce
and sooner mooved to anger then any other man. To him (quoth
Guiotto) thou must go with this bottle in thy hand, and say thus to
him. Sir, Blondello sent me to you, and courteously entreateth you,
that you would enrubinate this glasse bottle with your best Claret
Wine; because he would make merry with a few friends of his. But
beware he lay no hand on thee, because he may bee easi induced to
misuse thee, and so my businesse be disappointed. Well Sir replied the
Porter, shal I say any thing else unto him? No (quoth Guiotto) only go
and deliver this message, and when thou art returned, Ile pay thee for
thy paines.
The Porter being gone to the house, delivered his message to the
knight, who being a man of no great civill breeding, but furious,
rash, and inconsiderate: presently conceived, that Blondello (whom
he knew well enough) sent this message in meere mockage of him, and
starting up with fiery lookes, said: What enrubination of Claret
should I send him? and what have I to do with him, or his drunken
friends? Let him and thee go hang your selves together. So he stept to
catch hold on the Porter, but he (being well warnd before) was
quicke and nimble, and escaping from him, returned backe to Guiotto
(who observed all) and told him the answer of Signior Phillippo.
Guiotto not a little contented, paied the Porter, and taried not in
any place til he met with Blondello, to whom he said. When wast thou
at the Hall of Cavicciuli? Not a long while, answerd Blondello, but
why dost thou demand such a question? Because (quoth Guiotto)
Signior Phillippo hath sought about for thee, yet knowe not I what
he would have with thee. Is it so? replied Blondello, then I wil walke
thither presently, to understand his pleasure.
When Blondello was thus parted from him, Guiotto folowed not farre
off behind him, to behold the issue of this angry businesse; and
Signior Phillippo, because he could not catch the Porter, continued
much distempred, fretting and fuming, in regard he could not
comprehend the meaning of the Porters message: but onely surmized,
that Blondello (by the procurement of some body else) had done this in
scorne of him.
While he remained thus deeply discontented, he espied Blondello
comming towards him, and meeting him by the way, he stept close to
him, and gave him a cruell blow on the face, causing his nose to
fall out a bleeding. Alas Sir, said Blondello, wherefore do you strike
me? Signior Phillippo, catching him by the haire of the head, trampled
his wrought night-cap in the dirt, and his cloke also; when, laying
many violent blowes on him, he said. Villanous Traitor as thou art,
Ile teach thee what it is to enrubinate with Claret, either thy selfe,
or any of thy cupping companions: . ons: Am I a child, to be jested
withall?
Nor was he more furious in words, then in strokes also, beating
him about the face, hardly leaving any haire on his head, and dragging
him along in the mire, spoyling all his garments, and he not able
(from the first blow given) to speake a word in defence of himselfe.
In the end, Signior Phillippo having extreamly beaten him, and many
people gathering about them, to succour a man so much misused, the
matter was at large related, and manner of the message sending. For
which, they all present, did greatly reprehend Blondello,
considering he knew what kinde of man Philippo was, not any way to
be jested with Blondello in teares constantly maintained, that he
never sent any such message for wine, or intended it in the least
degree: so, when the tempest was more mildly calmed, and Blondello
(thus cruelly beaten and durtied) had gotten home to his owne house,
he could then remember, that (questionles) this was occasioned by
Guiotto.
After some few dayes were passed over, and the hurts in his face
indifferently cured; Blondello beginning to walke abroade againe,
chanced to meet with Guiotto: who laughing heartily at him, sayde.
Tell me Blondello, how doost thou like the enrubinating Clarret of
Signior Phillippo? As well (quoth Blondello) as thou didst the
Sturgeon and Lampreyes at Messer Corso Donaties. Why then (sayde
Guiotto) let these two tokens continue familiar betweene thee and
me, when thou wouldst bestow such another dinner on mee, then wil I
enrubinate thy nose with a bottle of the same Claret. But Blondello
perceived (to his cost) that hee had met with the worser bargaine, and
Guiotto got cheare, without any blowes: and therefore desired a
peacefull attonement, each of them (alwayes after) abstaining from
flouting one another.
THE NINTH DAY, THE NINTH NOVELL
CONTAINING AN EXCELLENT ADMONITION, THAT SUCH AS COVET TO HAVE
THE LOVE OF OTHER MEN, MUST FIRST LEARNE THEMSELVES, HOW TO LOVE:
ALSO, BY WHAT MEANES SUCH WOMEN AS ARE CURST AND SELF-WILLED, MAY
BE REDUCED TO CIVILL OBEDIENCE
Two yong Gentlemen, the one named Melisso, borne in the City of
Laiazzo: and the other Giose of Antioche, travalled together unto
Salomon, the famous King of Great Britaine. The one desiring to learne
what he should do, whereby to compasse and winne the love of men.
The other craved to be enstructed by what meanes hee might reclaime an
headstrong and unruly wife. And what answeres the wise King gave
unto them both, before they departed away from him.
Upon the conclusion of Madame urettaes Novell, none now ained to
succeede next in er, but onely the Queene r viledge reserved,
granted to Dioneus; wherefore, after they had all smiled at the
folly of Blondello, with a chearfull countenance thus the Queene
began.
Honourable Ladies, if with advised judgement, we do duly consider
the order of all things, we shall very easily perceyve, That the whole
universall multiplicitie of Women, by Nature, custome, and lawes,
are and ought to be subject to men, yea, and to be governd by their
discretion. Because every one desiring to enjoy peace, repose and
comfort with them, under whose charge they are; ought to be humble,
patient and obedient, over and beside her spotlesse honesty, which
is the crowne and honour of every good woman. And although those
lawes, which respect the common good of all things, or rather use
and custome (as our wonted saying is) the powers wherof are very
great, and worthy to be reverenced, should not make us wise in this
case. Yet Nature hath given us a sufficient demonstration, in creating
our bodies more soft and delicate, yea, and our hearts timorous,
fearefull, benigne and compassionable, our strength feeble, our voyces
pleasing, and the motion of our members sweetly plyant: all which
are apparant testimonies, that wee have neede of others government.
Now, it is not to be denyed, that whosoever hath need of helpe,
and is to bee governed: meerely reason commandeth, that they should
bee subject and obedient to their governour. Who then should we have
for our helps and governours, if not men? Wherfore, we should be
intirely subject to them, in giving them due honour and reverence, and
such a one as shall depart from this rule: she (in mine opinion) is
not onely worthy of grievous reprehension, but also severe
chastisement beside. And to this exact consideration (over and above
divers other important reasons) I am the rather induced, by the
Novel which Madame Pampinea so lately reported, concerning the froward
and wilfull wife of Talano, who had a heavier punishment inflicted
on her, then her Husband could devise to doe. And therefore it is my
peremptory sentence, that all such women as will not be gracious,
benigne and pleasing: doe justly deserve (as I have already said)
rude, rough and harsh handling, as both nature, custome and lawes have
commanded.
To make good what I have said, I wil declare unto you the counsell
and advise, given by Salomon, the wise and famous King of Great
Britaine, as a most wholesome and soveraigne medicine for the cure
of such a dangerous disease, in any woman so fouly infected. Which
counsel (notwithstanding) all such women as have no need of this
Phisicke, I would not have them to imagine, that it was meant for
them, albeit men have a common Proverbe, to wit.
As the good horse and bad horse, doe both need the spurre.
So a good wife and bad wife, a wand will make stirre.
Which saying, whosoever doth interpret it in such pleasing manner as
they ought, shal find it (as you al wil affirm no lesse) to be very
true: especially in the morall meaning, it is beyond all
contradiction. Women are naturally all unstable, and easily
enclining to misgovernment; wherefore to correct the iniquity of
such a distemperature in them that out-step the tearmes and bounds
of womanhood, a wand hath been allowed for especiall phisicke. As in
the like manner, for support of vertue, in those of contrary
condition, shaming to be sullyed with so grosse a sinne: the
correcting Wand may serve as a walking staffe, to protect them from
all other feares. But, forbearing to teach any longer; let mee proceed
to my purpose, and tell you my Novell.
In those ancient and reverend dayes, wherof I am now to speake,
the high renowne and admirable wisedome of Salomon, King of Great
Brittain, was most famous throughout all parts of the world; for
answering all doubtfull questions and demaunds whatsoever, that
possibly could be propounded to him. So that many resorted to him,
from the most remote and furthest off countreyes, to heare his
miraculous knowledge and experience, yea, and to crave his counsell,
in matters of greatest importance. Among the rest of them which
repaired thither, was a rich yong Gentleman, honourably descended,
named Melisso, who came from the City of Laiazzo, where he was both
borne, and dwelt.
In his riding towards France, as he passed by Naples, hee
overtooke another yong Gentleman, a native of Antioch, and named
Giosefo, whose journey lay the same way as the others did. Having
ridden in company some few dayes together, as it is a custome commonly
observed among Travellers, to understand one anothers Countrey and
condition, as also to what part his occasions call him: so happened it
with them, Giosefo directly telling him, that he journyed, towards the
wise King Salomon, to desire his advise what meanes he should
observe in the reclaiming of a wilfull wife, the most froward and
selfe-willed woman that ever lived; whom neither faire perswasions,
nor gentle courtesies could in any manner prevaile withall.
Afterward he demaunded of Melisso, to know the occasion of his
travell, and whither.
Now trust me Sir, answered Melisso, I am a native of Laiazzo, and as
you are vexed with one great mis-fortune, even so am I offended with
another. I am young, wealthy, well derived by birth, and allow
