and the weaknesse or strength as other women have, to resist
naturall appetites as her owne are. In regard whereof, it is meerely
impossible (although she be most honest) but she must needs doe that
which other Women doe: for there is nothing else possible, either to
be denied or affirmed to the contrary, as thou most unadvisedly hast
done.
Bernardo answered in this manner. I am a Merchant, and no
Philosopher, and like a Merchant I meane to answer thee. I am not to
learne, that these accidents by thee related, may happen to fooles,
who are voide of understanding or shame: but such as are wise, and
endued with vertue, have alwayes such a precious esteeme of their
honour, that they wil containe those principles of constancie, which
men are meerely carelesse of, and I justifie my wife to be one of
them. Beleeve me Bernardo, replyed Ambroginolo, if so often as thy
wives minde is addicted to wanton folly, a badge of scorne should
arise on thy forehead, to render testimony of hir female frailty, I
beleeve the number of them would be more, then willingly you would
wish them to be. And among all married men in every degree, the
notes are so secret of their wives imperfections, that the sharpest
sight is not able to discerne them: and the wiser sort of men are
willing not to know them; because shame and losse of honour is never
imposed, but in cases evident and apparant.
Perswade thy selfe then Bernardo, that what women may accomplish
in secret, they will rarely faile to doe: or if they abstaine, it is
through feare and folly. Wherefore, hold it for a certaine rule,
that that is onely chaste, that never was solicited personally, or
if she endured any such suite, either shee answered yea, or no. And
albeit I know this to be true, by many infallible and naturall
reasons, yet could I not speak so exactly as I doe, if I had not tried
experimentally, the humours and affections of divers Women. Yea, and
let me tell thee more Bernardo, were I in private company with thy
wife, howsoever thou presumest to thinke her to be, I should account
it a matter of no impossibility, to finde in her the selfesame
frailty.
Bernardoes blood now began to boyle, and patience being a little put
downe by choller, thus he replyed. A combat of words requires
over-long continuance; for I maintaine the matter which thou
deniest, and all this sorts to nothing in the end. But seeing thou
presumest, that all women are so apt and tractable, and thy selfe so
confident of thine owne power: I willingly yeeld (for the better
assurance of my wifes constant loyalty) to have my head smitten off,
if thou canst winne her to any such dishonest act, by any meanes
whatsoever thou canst use unto her; which if thou canst not doe,
thou shalt onely loose a thousand duckets of Gold. Now began
Ambroginolo to be heated with these words, answering thus. Bernardo,
if I had won the wager, I know not what I should doe with thy head;
but if thou be willing to stand upon the proofe, pawne downe five
thousand Duckets of gold, (a matter of much lesse value then thy head)
against a thousand Duckets of mine, granting me a lawfull limited
time, which I require to be no more then the space of three moneths,
after the day of my departing hence. I will stand bound to goe for
Geneway, and there winne such kinde consent of thy Wife, as shall be
to mine owne content. In witnesse whereof, I will bring backe with
me such private and especiall tokens, as thou thy selfe shalt confesse
that I have not failed. Provided, that thou doe first promise upon thy
faith, to absent thy selfe thence during my limitted time, and be no
hinderance to me by thy Letters, concerning the attempt by me
undertaken.
Bernardo saide, Be it a bargaine, am the man that will make good
my five thousand Duckets; and albeit the other Merchants then present,
earnestly laboured to breake the wager, knowing great harme must needs
ensue thereon: yet both the parties were so hot and fiery, as all
the other men spake to no effect, but writings was made, sealed, and
delivered under either of their hands, Bernardo remaining at Paris,
and Ambroginolo departing for Geneway. There he remained some few
dayes, to learne the streetes name where Bernardo dwelt, as also the
conditions and qualities of his Wife, which scarcely pleased him
when he heard them; because they were farre beyond her Husbands
relation, and shee reputed to be the onely wonder of women; whereby he
plainely perceived, that he had undertaken a very idle enterprise, yet
would he not give it over so, but proceeded therein a little further.
He wrought such meanes, that he came acquainted with a poore
woman, who often frequented Bernardoes house, and was greatly in
favour with his wife; upon whose poverty he so prevailed, by earnest
perswasions, but much more by large gifts of money, that he won her to
further him in this manner following. A faire and artificiall Chest he
caused to be purposely made, wherein himselfe might be aptly
contained, and so conveyed into the House of Bernardoes Wife, under
colour of a formall excuse; that the poore woman should be absent from
the City two or three dayes, and shee must keepe it safe till she
returne. The Gentlewoman suspecting no guile, but that the Chest was
the receptacle of all the womans wealth; would trust it in no other
roome, then her owne Bed-chamber, which was the place where
Ambroginolo most desired to bee.
Being thus conveyed into the Chamber, the night going on apace,
and the Gentlewoman fast asleepe in her bed, a lighted Taper stood
burning on the Table by her, as in her Husbands absence shee ever used
to have: Ambroginolo softly opened the Chest, according as cunningly
hee had contrived it, and stepping forth in his sockes made of cloath,
observed the scituation of the Chamber, the paintings, pictures, and
beautifull hangings, with all things else that were remarkable,
which perfectly he committed to his memory. Going neere to the bed, he
saw her lie there sweetly sleeping, and her young Daughter in like
manner by her, she seeming then as compleate and pleasing a
creature, as when shee was attired in her best bravery. No especiall
note or marke could hee descrie, whereof he might make credible
report, but onely a small wart upon her left pappe, with some few
haires growing thereon, appearing to be as yellow as gold.
Sufficient had he seene, and durst presume no further; but taking
one of her Rings, which lay upon the Table, a purse of hers, hanging
by on the wall, a light wearing Robe of silke, and her girdle, all
which he put into the Chest; and being in himselfe, closed it fast
as it was before, so continuing there in the Chamber two severall
nights, the Gentlewoman neither mistrusting or missing any thing.
The third day being come, the poore woman, according as formerly was
concluded, came to have home her Chest againe, and brought it safely
into her owne house; where Ambroginolo comming forth of it,
satisfied the poore woman to her owne liking, returning (with all
the forenamed things) so fast as conveniently he could to Paris.
Being arrived there long before his limmitted time, he called the
Merchants together, who were present at the passed words and wager;
avouching before Bernardo, that he had won his five thousand
Duckets, and performed the taske he undertooke. To make good his
protestation, first he described the forme of the Chamber, the curious
pictures hanging about it, in what manner the bed stood, and every
circumstance else beside. Next he shewed the severall things, which he
brought away thence with him, affirming that he had received them of
her selfe. Bernardo confessed, that his description of the Chamber was
true, and acknowledged moreover, that these other things did belong to
his Wife: But (quoth he) this may be gotten, by corrupting some
servant of mine, both for intelligence of the Chamber, as also of
the Ring, Purse, and what else is beside; all which suffice not to win
the wager, without some other more apparant and pregnant token. In
troth, answered Ambroginolo, me thinkes these should serve for
sufficient proofes; but seeing thou art so desirous to know more: I
plainely tell thee, that faire Genevra thy Wife, hath a small round
wart upon her left pappe, and some few little golden haires growing
thereon.
When Bernardo heard these words, they were as so many stabs to his
heart, yea, beyond all compasse of patient sufferance, and by the
changing of his colour, it was noted manifestly, (being unable to
utter one word) that Ambroginolo had spoken nothing but the truth.
Within a while after, he saide; Gentlemen, that which Ambroginolo hath
saide, is very true, wherefore let him come when he will, and he shall
be paide; which accordingly he performed on the very next day, even to
the utmost penny, departing then from Paris towards Geneway, with a
most malitious intention to his Wife: Being come neere to the City, he
would not enter it, but rode to a Country house of his, standing about
tenne miles distant thence. Being there arrived, he called a
servant, in whom hee reposed especiall trust, sending him to Geneway
with two Horses, writing to his Wife, that he was returned, and shee
should come thither to see him. But secretly he charged his servant,
that so soone as he had brought her to a convenient place, he should
there kill her, without any pitty or compassion, and then returne to
him againe.
When the servant was come to Geneway, and had delivered his Letter
and message, Genevra gave him most joyfull welcome, and on the
morrow morning mounting on Horse-backe with the servant, rode
merrily towards the Country house; divers things shee discoursed on by
the way, till they descended into a deepe solitary valey, very thickly
beset with high and huge spreading Trees, which the servant supposed
to be a meete place, for the execution of his Masters command.
Suddenly drawing forth his Sword, and holding Genevra fast by the
arme, he saide; Mistresse, quickly commend your soule to God, for
you must die, before you passe any further. Genevra seeing the naked
Sword, and hearing the words so peremptorily delivered, fearefully
answered; Alas deare friend, mercy for Gods sake; and before thou kill
me, tell me wherein I have offended thee, and why thou must kill me?
Alas good Mistresse replied the servant, you have not any way offended
me, but in what occasion you have displeased your Husband, it is
utterly unknowne to me: for he hath strictly commanded me, without
respect of pitty or compassion, to kill you by the way as I bring you,
and if I doe it not, he hath sworne to hang me by the necke. You
know good Mistresse, how much I stand obliged to him, and how
impossible it is for me, to contradict any thing that he commandeth.
God is my witnesse, that I am truly compassionate of you, and yet
(by no meanes) may I let you live.
Genevra kneeling before him weeping, wringing her hands, thus
replyed. Wilt thou turne Monster, and be a murtherer of her that never
wronged thee, to please another man, and on a bare command? God, who
truly knoweth all things, is my faithfull witnesse, that I never
committed any offence, whereby to deserve the dislike of my Husband,
much lesse so harsh a recompence as this is. But flying from mine owne
justification, and appealing to thy manly mercy, thou mayest (wert
thou but so well pleased) in a moment satisfie both thy Master and me,
in such manner as I will make plaine and apparant to thee. Take thou
my garments, spare me onely thy doublet, and such a Bonnet as is
fitting for a man, so returne with my habite to thy Master, assuring
him, that the deede is done. And here I sweare to thee, by that life
which I enjoy but by thy mercy, I will so strangely disguise my selfe,
and wander so far off from these Countries, as neither he or thou, nor
any person belonging to these parts, shall ever heare any tydings of
me.
The servant, who had no great good will to kill her, very easily
grew pittifull, tooke off her upper garments, and gave her a poore
ragged doublet, a sillie Chapperone, and such small store of money
as he had, desiring her to forsake that Country, and so left her to
walke on foote out of the valley. When he came to his Maister, and had
delivered him her garments, he assured him, that he had not onely
accomplished his commaund, but also was most secure from any
discovery: because he had no sooner done the deede, but foure or
five very ravenous Woolves, came presently running to the dead
bodie, and gave it buriall in their bellyes. Bernardo soone after
returning to Geneway, was much blamed for such unkinde cruelty to
his wife; but his constant avouching of her treason to him
(according then to the Countries custome) did cleare him from all
pursuite of Law.
Poor Genevra was left thus alone and disconsolate, and night
stealing fast upon her, shee went to a silly village neere
adjoyning, where (by the meanes of a good olde woman) she got such
provision as the place afforded, making the doublet fit to her body,
and converting her petticoate to a paire of breeches, according to the
Mariners fashion: then cutting her haire, and quaintly disguised
like unto a Saylor, she went to the Sea coast. By good fortune, she
met there with a Gentleman of Cathalogna, whose name was Signior
Enchararcho, who came on land from his Ship, which lay hulling there
about Albagia, to refresh himselfe at a pleasant Spring. Enchararcho
taking her to be a man, as shee appeared no otherwise by her habite;
upon some conference passing betweene them, shee was entertayned
into his service, and being brought aboord the Ship, she went under
the name of Sicurano da Finale. There shee had better apparrell
bestowne on her by the Gentleman, and her service proved so pleasing
and acceptable to him, that hee liked her care and diligence beyond
all comparison.
It came to passe within a short while after, that this Gentleman
of Cathalogna sayled (with some charge of his) into Alexandria,
carrying thither certaine Faulcons, which he presented to the
Soldan, who oftentimes welcommed this Gentleman to his table, where he
