neighbouring parts round about, to see the comming of the Lord
Marquesses new Spouse.
By the Lords and Ladies she was joyfully entertained, and comming
into the great Hall, where the tables were readily covered:
Grizelda, in her homely Country habite, humbled her selfe before
her, saying. Gracious welcome, to the new elected Spouse of the Lord
Marquesse.
All the Ladies there present, who had very earnestly importuned
Gualtiero (but in vaine) that Grizelda, might better be shut up in
some Chamber, or else to lend her the wearing of any other garments,
which formerly had been her owne, because she should not be so poorely
seene among strangers: being seated at the Tables, she waited on
them very serviceably. The yong Virgin was observed by every one,
who spared not to say; that the Marquesse had made an excellent
change: but above them all, Grizelda did most commend her, and so
did her brother likewise, as young as he was, yet not knowing her to
be his Sister.
Now was the Marquesse sufficiently satisfied in his soule, that he
had seene so much as he desired, concerning the patience of his
Wife, who in so many hart-grieving trials, was never noated so much as
to alter her countenance. And being absolutely perswaded, that this
proceeded not from any want of understanding in her, because he knew
her to be singularly wise: he thought it high time now, to free her
from these afflicting oppressions, and give her such assurance as
she ought to have. Wherefore, commanding her into his presence, openly
before all his assembled friends, smiling on her, he said. What
thinkst thou Grizelda of our new chosen Spouse? My Lord (quoth she)
I like her exceeding well, and if she be so wise, as she is faire
(which verely I thinke she is) I make no doubt but you shall live with
her, as the onely happy man of the world. But I humbly entreat your
Honor (if I have any power in me to prevaile by) that you would not
give her such cutting and unkind language, as you did to your other
wife: for I cannot thinke her armed with such patience, as should
(indeed) support them: as wel in regard she is much yonger, as also
her more delicate breeding and education, whereas she who you had
before, was brought up in continual toile and travaile.
When the Marquesse perceyved, that Grizelda beleeved verily, this
yong daughter of hers should be his wife, and answered him in so
honest and modest manner: he commanded her to sit downe by him, and
saide. Grizelda, it is now more then fitte time, that thou shouldst
taste the fruite of thy long admired patience, and that they who
have thought me cruell, harsh and uncivill natured, should at length
observe, that I have done nothing basely, or unadvisedly. For this was
a worke premeditated before, for enstructing thee, what it is to be
a married wife, and to let them know (whosoever they be) how to take
and keepe a wife. Which hath begotten (to me) perpetuall joy and
happinesse, so long as I have a day to live with thee: a matter
whereof I stoode before greatly in feare, and which (in marriage I
thought) would never happen to me.
It is not unknown to thee, in how many kinds (for my first proofe) I
gave thee harsh and unpleasing speeches, which drawing no
discontentment from thee, either in lookes, words, or behaviour, but
rather such comfort as my soule desired, and so in my other
succeedings afterward: in one minute now, I purpose to give thee
that consolation, which I bereft thee of in many tempestuous
stormes, and make a sweet restauration, for all thy former sower
sufferinges. My faire and dearly affected Grizelda, shee whom thou
supposest for my new elected Spouse, with a glad and cheerfull hart,
imbrace for thine owne daughter, and this also her Brother, beeing
both of them thy children and mine, in common opinion of the vulgar
multitude, imagined to be (by my command) long since slaine. I am
thy honourable Lord and Husband, who doth, and will love thee farre
above all women else in the world; giving thee justly this deserved
praise and commendation, That no man living hath the like Wife, as I
have.
So, sweetly kissing her infinitely, and hugging her joyfully in
his armes (the teares now streaming like new-let-loose Rivers, downe
her faire face, which no disaster before could force from her) hee
brought her, and seated her by her daughter, who was not a little
amazed at so rare an alteration. Shee having in zeale of affection)
kissed and embraced them both, all else there present being clearely
resolved from the former doubt which too long deluded them; the ladies
arose jocondly from the tables, and attending on Grizelda to her
Chamber, in signe of a more successfull augury to follow, tooke off
her poor contemptible rags, and put on such costly robes, which (as
Lady Marchionesse) she used to weare before.
Afterward, they waited on her into the Hall againe, being their true
Soveraigne Lady and Mistresse, as she was no lesse in her poorest
Garments; where all rejoycing for the new restored Mother, and happy
recovery of so noble a son and daughter, the Festivall continued
many months after. Now every one thought the Marquesse to be a noble
and wise Prince, though somewhat sharpe and unsufferable, in the
severe experiences made of his wife: but (above al) they reputed
Grizelda, to be a most wise, patient, and vertuous Lady. The Count
of Panago, within few daies after returned backe to Bologna; and the
Lord Marques, fetching home old Janiculo from his country drudgery, to
live with him (as his Father in law) in his Princely Palace, gave
him honorable maintenance, wherein hee long continued, and ended his
daies. Afterward, he matched his daughter in a Noble marriage: he
and Grizelda living a long time together, in the highest honor that
possibly could be.
What can now be saide to the contrary, but that poore Country
Cottages, may yeeld as divine and excellent spirits, as the most
stately and Royall mansions, which breed and bring uppe some, more
worthy to be Hog-rubbers, then hold any soveraignty over men? Where is
any other (beside Grizelda) who not only without a wet eye, but
imboldned by a valiant and invincible courage: that can suffer the
sharpe rigors, and (never the like heard of proofes) made by the
Marquesse? Perhaps he might have met with another, who would have
quitted him in a contrary kinde, and for thrusting her forth of doores
in her smocke, could have found better succor somewhere else, rather
then walke so nakedly in the cold streets.
Dioneus having thus ended his Novel, and the Ladies delivering their
severall judgements, according to their owne fancies, some holding one
conceite, others leaning to the contrary; one blaming this thing,
and another commending that, the King lifting his eyes to heaven,
and seeing the Sun began to fal low, by rising of the Evening
Starre; without arising from his seat, spake as followeth. Discreet
Ladies, I am perswaded you know sufficiently, that the sense and
understanding of us mortals, consisteth not onely (as I think) by
preserving in memory things past, or knowledge of them present; but
such as both by the one and other, know how to foresee future
occasions, are worthily thought wise, and of no common capacity.
It will be (to morrow) fifteene dayes, since we departed from the
City of Florence, to come hither for our pastime and comfort, the
conservation of our lives, and support of our health, by avoyding
those melanchollies, griefes and anguishes, which we beheld daylie
in our City, since the pestilentiall visitation beganne there, wherein
(by my judgement) we have done well and honestly. Albeit some light
Novels, perhaps attractive to a little wantonnes, as some say, and our
joviall feasting with good cheare, singing and dancing, may seeme
matters inciting to incivility, especially in weake and shallow
understandings. But I have neither seene, heard, or knowne, any
acte, word, or whatsoever else, either on your part or ours, justly
deserving to be blamed: but all has bin honest, as in a sweete and
hermonious concord, such as might well beseeme the communitie of
Brethren and Sisters; which assuredly, as well in regard of you, as
us, hath much contented me.
And therefore, least by over-long consuetude, something should
take life, which might be converted to a bad construction, and by
our country demourance for so many dayes, some captious conceit may
wrest out an ill imagination; I am of the minde (if yours be the like)
seeing each of us hath had the honor, which now remaineth still on me:
that it is very fitting for us, to returne thither from whence we
came. And so much the rather, because this sociable meeting of ours,
which already hath wonne the knowledge of many dwellers here about us,
should not grow to such an increase, as might make our purposed
pastime offensive to us. In which respect (if you allow of advise) I
wil keepe the Crowne till our departing hence; the which I intend
shalbe to morrow: but if you determine otherwise I am the man ready
to make my resignation.
Many imaginations passed amongst the Ladies, and likewise the men,
but yet in the end, they reputed the Kings counsell to bee the best
and wisest, concluding to do as he thought convenient. Wherupon, hee
called the Master of the housholde, and conferred with him, of the
businesse belonging to the next morning, and then gave the company
leave to rise. The Ladies and the rest, when they were risen, fel some
to one kinde of recreation, and others as their fancies served them,
even as (before) they had done. And when Supper time came, they
dispatcht it in very loving manner. Then they began to play on
instruments, sing and dance, and Madame Lauretta leading the dance:
the King commaunded Madame Fiammetta to sing a song, which
pleasantly she began in this manner.
THE SONG
THE CHORUS SUNG BY ALL THE REST OF THE COMPANY
If Love were free from Jealousie,
No Lady living,
Had lesse heart-greeving,
Or liv'd so happily as I.
If gallant youth
In a faire friend, a woman could content,
If vertues prize, valour and hardiment,
Wit, carriage, purest eloquence,
Could free a woman from impatience:
Then I am she can vaunt (if I were wise)
All these in one faire flower,
Are in my power,
And yet I boast no more but trueth.
If Love were free from jealousie, etc.
But I behold
That other Women are as wise as
Which killes me quite,
Fearing false sirquedrie.
For when my fire begins to flame
Others desires misguide my aim,
And so bereaves me of secure delight.
Onely through fond mistrust, he is unjust:
Thus are my comforts hourely hot and cold.
If Love were free, etc.
If in my friend,
I found like faith, as manly minde I know;
Mistrust were slaine.
But my fresh griefes still grow,
By sight of such as do allure,
So I can thinke none true, none sure,
But all would rob me of my golden gaine.
Loe thus I dye, in jealousie,
For losse of him, on whom I most depend.
If Love were free, etc.
Let me advise
Such Ladies as in Love are bravely bold,
Not to wrong me, I scorne to be controld.
If any one I chance to finde,
By winkes, words, smiles, in crafty kinde,
Seeking for that, which onely mine should be:
Then I protest, to do my best,
And make them know, that they are scarsly wise.
If Love were free from jealousie,
I know no Lady living,
Could have lesse heart-greeving,
Or live so happily as I.
So soone as Madam Flammetta had ended her Song; Dioneus, who sate by
her, smiling said. Truly Madam, you may do us a great courtesie, to
expresse your selfe more plainly to us all, least (thorow ignorance)
the possession may be imposed on your selfe, and so you remaine the
more offended.
After the Song was past, divers other were sung beside, and it now
drawing wel-neere midnight, by the Kings command, they all went to
bed. And when new day appeared, and all the world awaked out of
sleepe, the Master of the Houshold having sent away the carriages;
they returned (under the conduct of their discreet King) to
Florence, where the three Gentlemen left the seven Ladies at the
Church of Santa Maria Novella, from whence they went with them at
the first. And having parted with kinde salutations, the Gentlemen
went whether themselves best pleased, and the Ladies repaired home
to their houses.
-THE END-
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