point to point with such likely protestations, without faltring or
failing in any one words utterance; and remembring perfectly for
truth, that his Father had formerly dwelt at Palermo; knowing also (by
some sensible feeling in himselfe) the custome of young people, who
are easily conquered by affection in their youthfull heate, seeing
beside the tears, trembling speeches, and earnest embracings of this
cunning commodity; he tooke all to be true by her thus spoken, and
upon her silence, thus replyed. Lady, let it not seeme strange to you,
that your words have raysed marvell in me, because (indeed) I had no
knowledge of you, even no more then as if I had never seene you: never
also having heard my father speak either of you or your mother (for
some considerations best known unto himselfe:) or if at any time he
used such language, either my youth then, or defective memory since,
hath utterly lost it. But truely, it is no little joy and comfort to
me, to finde a sister here, where I had no such hope or expectation,
and where also myselfe am a meere stranger. For to speake my minde
freely of you, and the perfections gracefully appearing in you I
know not any man of how great repute or qualitie soever, but you may
well beseeme his acceptance, much rather then mine, that am but a mean
Merchant. But faire Sister, I desire to be resolved in one thing, to
wit; by what means you had understanding of my being in this City?
whereto readily she returned him this answer.
Brother, a poore Woman of this City, whom I employ sometimes
houshold occasions, came to mee this morning, and (having seene you)
tolde me, that shee dwelt a long while with our Father, both at
Palermo and Perouse. And because I held it much better beseeming my
condition, to have you visite me in mine owne dwelling, then I to come
see you at a common Inne, I made the bolder to send for you hither.
After which words, in very orderly manner, she enquired of his
chiefest kindred and friends, calling them readily by their proper
names, according to her former instructions. Whereto Andrea still made
her answere, confirming thereby his beliefe of her the more
strongly, and crediting whatsoever she saide, farre better then
before.
Their conference having long time continued, and the heate of the
day being somewhat extraordinary, she called for Greeke wine, and
banquetting stuffe, drinking to Andrea; and he pledging her very
contentedly. After which, he would have returned to his lodging,
because it drew neere supper time; which by no meanes shee would
permit, but seeming more then halfe displeased, shee saide. Now I
plainely perceive brother, how little account you make of me,
considering, you are with your owne Sister, who (you say) you never
saw before, and in her owne House, whether you should alwayes resort
when you come to this City; and would you now refuse her, to goe and
sup at a common Inne? Beleeve me Brother, you shall sup with me, for
although my Husband is now from home, to my no little
discontentment: yet you shall find Brother, that his wife, can bid you
welcome, and make you good cheere beside.
Now was Andrea so confounded this extremity of courtesie, that he
knew not what to say, but onely thus replied. I love you as a Sister
ought to be loved, and accept of your exceeding kindnesse: but if I
returne not to my lodging, I shall wrong mine Host and his guests
too much, because they will not sup untill I come. For that (quoth
shee) we have a present remedy, one of my servants shall goe and
give warning, whereby they shall not tarry your comming. Albeit, you
might doe me a great kindnesse, to send for your friends to sup with
us here, where I assure ye, they shall finde that your Sister (for
your sake) will bid them welcome, and after supper, you may all
walke together to your Inne. Andrea answered, that he had no such
friends there, as should be so burthenous to her: but seeing she urged
him so farre, he would stay to sup with her, and referred himselfe
solely to her disposition.
Ceremonious shew was made, of sending a servant to the Inne, for not
expecting Andreas presence at Supper, though no such matter was
performed; but, after divers other discoursings, the table being
covered, and variety of costly viands placed thereon, downe they
sate to feeding, with plenty of curious Wines liberally walking about,
so that it was darke night before they arose from the table. Andrea
then offring to take his leave, she would (by no meanes) suffer it,
but tolde him, that Naples was a Citie of such strict Lawes and
Ordinances, as admitted no night-walkers, although they were
Natives, much lesse strangers, but punnished them with great severity.
And therefore, as she had formerly sent word to his Inne, that they
should not expect his comming to supper, the like had she done
concerning his bed, intending to give her Brother Andrea one nights
lodging, which as easily she could affoord him, as shee had done a
Supper. All which this new-caught Woodcocke verily crediting, and that
he was in company of his owne Sister Fiordeliza (for so did she
cunningly stile her selfe, and in which beleefe he was meerely
deluded) he accepted the more gladly her gentle offer, and concluded
to stay there all that night.
After supper, their conference lasted very long, purposely dilated
out in length, that a great part of the night might therein be wasted:
when, leaving Andrea to his Chamber, and a Lad to attend, that he
should lacke nothing; she with her women went to their lodgings, and
thus our Brother and supposed Sister were parted. The season then
being somewhat hot and soultry, Andrea put off his hose and doublet,
and being in his shirt alone, layed them underneath the beds boulster,
as seeming carefull of his money. But finding a provocation to the
house of Office, he demanded of the Lad, where hee might find it;
who shewed him a little doore in a corner of the Chamber, appointing
him to enter there. Safely enough he went in, but chanced to tread
upon a board, which was fastened at neither, ende to the joynts
whereon it lay, being a pit-fall made of purpose, to entrap any such
coxcombe, as would be trained to so base a place of lodging, so that
both he and the board fell downe together into the draught; yet such
being his good fortune, to receive no harme in the fall (although it
was of extraordinary height) onely the filth of the place, (it being
over full) had fowly myred him.
Now for your better understanding the quality of the place, and what
ensued thereupon, it is not unnecessary to describe it, according to a
common use, observed in those parts. There was a narrow passage or
entrie, as often we see reserved betweene two houses, for eithers
benefit to such a needfull place; and boards loosely lay upon the
joynts, which such as were acquainted withall, could easily avoide any
perille in passing to or from the stoole. But our so newly created
Brother, not dreaming to find a Queane to his Sister, receiving so
foule a fall into the vault, and knowing not how to helpe himselfe,
being sorrowfull beyond measure; cryed out to the boy for light and
aide, who intended not to give him any. For the crafty wag, (a meete
attendant for so honest a Mistresse) no sooner heard him to be fallen,
but presently he ran to enforme her thereof, and shee as speedily
returned to the Chamber, where finding his cloathes under the beds
head, shee needed no instruction for search of his pockets. But having
found the gold, which Andrea indiscreetely carried alwayes about
him, as thinking it could no where else be so safe: This was all
shee aymed at, and for which shee had ensnared him, faigning her selfe
to be of Palermo, and Daughter to Piero of Perouse, so that not
regarding him any longer, but making fast the house of Office doore,
there she left him in that miserable taking.
Poore Andrea perceiving, that his calles could get no answere from
the Lad; cryed out louder, but all to no purpose: when seeing into his
owne simplicity, and understanding his error, though somewhat too
late, hee made such meanes constrainedly, that he got over a wall,
which severed that foule sinke from the Worlds eye; and being in the
open streete, went to the doore of the House, which then he knew too
well to his cost, making loud exclaimes with rapping and knocking, but
all as fruitelesse as before. Sorrowing exceedingly, and manifestly
beholding his misfortune; Alas (quoth he) how soone have I lost a
Sister, and five hundred Crownes besides? With many other words,
loud calles, and beatings uppon the doore without intermission, the
neighbours finding themselves disturbed, and unable to endure any such
ceaselesse vexation, rose from their beddes, and called to him,
desiring him to be gone, and let them rest. A Maide also of the same
house, looking forth at the window, and seeming as newly raised from
sleepe, called to him, saying; What noyse is that beneath? Why
Virgin (answered Andrea) know you not me? I am Andrea de Piero,
Brother to your Mistresse Fiordeliza. Thou art a drunken knave replyed
the Maide, more full of drinke then wit: goe sleepe, goe sleepe, and
come againe to morrow: for I know no Andrea de Piero, neither hath
my Mistresse any such Brother. Get thee gone go ie good man, and
suffer us to sleepe I prythee. How now (quoth Andrea) doest thou not
understand what I say? Thou knowest that I supt with thy Mistresse
this night; but if our Sicilian kindred be so soone forgot, I
prythee give mee my Cloathes which I left in my Chamber, and then
verie gladly will I get mee gone. Hereat the Maide laughing out
aloude, saide; Surely the man is mad, or walketh the streetes in a
dreame: and so clasping fast the Window, away she went and left him.
Now could Andrea assure himselfe, that his Golde and cloathes were
past recovery, which mooving him to the mor impatience, his former
intercessions became converted into furie, and what hee could not
compasse by faire intreats, he intended to winne by outrage and
violence: so that taking up a great stone in his hand, hee layed
upon the doore verie powerfull strokes. The neighbors hearing this
mollestation still, admitting them not the least respite of rest,
reputed him for a troublesome fellow, and that he used those
counterfet words, onely to disturbe the Mistresse of the house, and
all that dwelled neere about her; looking againe out at their
windowes, they altogether beganne to rate and reprove him, even like
so many bawling Curres, barking at a strange dog passing through the
street. This is shamefull villany (quoth one) and not to be
suffered, that honest women should thus be molested in their houses,
with foolish idle words, and at such an unseasonable time of the
night. For Gods sake (good man) be gone, and let us sleepe; if thou
have any thing to say to the Gentlewoman of the house, come tomorrow
in the daytime, and no doubt but she will make thee sufficient answer.
Andrea, being some what pacified with these speeches, a
shagge-hayr'd swash-buckler, a grim visagde Ruffian (as sildome
bawdy houses are without such swaggering Champions) not seene or heard
by Andrea, all the while of his being in the house; rapping out two or
three terrible Oathes, opening a Casement, and with a stearne
dreadfull voyce, demanded, who durst keepe that noyse beneath?
Andrea fearefully looking up, and (by a little glimmering of the
Moone) seeing such a rough fellow, with a blacke beard, strowting like
the quilles of a Porcupine, and patches on his face, for hurts
received in no honest quarrels, yawning also and stretching, as
angry to have his sleepe disturbed: trembling and quaking, answered; I
am the Gentlewomans brother of the house. The Ruffian interrupting
him, and speaking more fiercely then before; sealing his words with
horrible Oathes, said. Sirra, Rascall, I know not of whence, or what
thou art; but if I come downe to thee, I will so bumbast thy prating
Coxecombe, as thou wast never so beaten in all thy life, like a
drunken slave and beast as thou art, that all this night wilt not
let us sleepe. And so hee clapt to the window againe.
The Neighbours well acquainted with this Ruffians rude conditions,
speaking in gentle manner to Andrea, said. Shift for thy selfe (good
man) in time, and tarrie not for his comming downe to thee, except
thou art weary of thy life: Be gone therefore, and say thou hast a
friendly warning. These words dismaying Andrea, but much more the
sterne oathes and ougly sight of the Ruffian, incited also by the
Neighbours counsell, whom he imagined to advise him in charitable
manner: it caused him to depart thence, taking the way home-ward to
his Inne, in no mean affliction and torment of minde, for the
monstrous abuse offered him, and losse of his money. Well he remembred
the passages, whereby the day before the young Gyrle had guided him,
but the loathsome smell about him, was so extreamely to himselfe, that
desiring to wash him at the Sea side, he strayed too farre wide on the
contrary hand, wandring up the street called Ruga Gatellana.
Proceeding on still, even to the highest part of the Citie, hee
espyed a Lanthorne and light, as also a man carrying it, and another
man with him in company, both of them comming towards him. Now,
because he suspected them two of the watch, or some persons that would
apprehend him., he stept aside to shunne them, and entred into an olde
house hard by at hand. The other mens intention was to the very same
place; and going in, without any knowledge of Andreaes beeing there,
one of them layde downe divers instruments of Iron which he had
brought thither on his backe, and had much talke with his fellow
concerning those Engines. At last one of them saide; I smell the
most abhominable stinke that ever I felt in all my life. So, lifting
up the Lanthorn, he espied poore pittifull Andrea, closely couched
behinde the wall. Which sight somewhat affrighting him, he yet
boldly demaunded, what and who he was? Whereto Andrea answered
nothing, but lay still and held his peace. Neerer they drew towards
him with their light, demanding how hee came thither, and in that
