indiscretion of Bernardo, but much more the base arrogance of
Ambroginolo, how justly deserved shame fell upon him, as well it may
happen to all other, that are so vile in their owne opinions, as he
apparantly approved himselfe to be. For, as men wander abroad in the
world, according to their occasions in diversity of Countries and
observations of the peoples behaviour; so are their humours as
variously transported. And if they finde women wantonly disposed
abroade, the like judgement they give of their Wives at home; as if
they had never knowne their birth and breeding, or made proofe of
their loyall carriage towards them. Wherefore, the Tale that I purpose
to relate, will likewise condemne all the like kind of men, but more
especially such as thinke themselves endued with more strength then
Nature meant to bestow on them, foolishly beleeving, that they can
cover their owne defects by fabulous demonstrations, and thinking to
fashion other of their owne complexions, that are meerely strangers to
such grosse follies.
Know then, that there lived in Pisa (some hundred yeeres before
Tuscany and Liguria embraced the Christian faith) a judge better
stored with wisedome and ingenuity, then corporall abilities of the
body, named Signior Ricciardo di Cinzica. He being more then halfe
perswaded, that hee could content a woman with such satisfaction as
hee daily bestowed on his studies, being a widdower, and extraordinary
wealthy, laboured with no meane paines, to enjoy a faire and youthfull
wife in marriage: both which qualities hee should much rather have
avoyded, if he could have ministred as good counsell to himselfe, as
he did to others, resorting to him for advice. Upon this his amorous
and diligent inquisition, it came so to passe, that a worthy
Gentlewoman, called Bertolomea, one of the fairest and choisest yong
maids in Pisa, whose youth did hardly agree with his age; but muck was
the motive of this mariage, and no expectation of mutuall contentment.
The Judge being married, and the Bride brought solemnly home to his
house, we need make no question of brave cheare and banquetting,
well furnished by their friends on either side: other matters were now
hammering in the judges head, for thogh he could please all his
Clients with counsel, yet now such a suit was commenced against
himselfe, and in Beauties Court of continuall requests, that the Judge
failing in plea for his own defence, was often nonsuited by lack of
answer; yet he wanted not good wines, drugs, and all sorts of
restoratives to comfort the heart, and encrease good blood: but all
availed not.
But well fare a good courage, where performance faileth, hee could
liberally commend his passed joviall daies, and make a promise of as
faire felicities yet to come; because his youth would renew it selfe
like to the Eagle, and his vigour in as full force as before. But
beside all these ydle allegations, would needs instruct his wife in an
Almanacke or Kalender, which he had (formerly) bought at Ravenna,
and wherein he plainely shewed her, that there was not one day in
the yeere, but it was dedicated to some Saint or other. In reverence
of whom, and for their sakes, he approved by divers arguments and
reasons, that a man and his wife ought to abstaine from bedding
together. Adding withall, that those Saints dayes had their Fasts
and Feasts, beside the foure seasons of the yeer, the vigils of the
Apostles, and a thousand other holy dayes, with Fridayes,
Saterdayes, and Sundayes, in honor of our Lords rest, and al the
holy time of Lent; as also certain observations of the Moone, and
infinit other exceptions beside; thinking perhaps, that it was as
convenient for men to refraine from their wives conversation, as he
did often time from sitting in the Court. These were his dayly
documents to his young wife, wherewith (poore soule) she became so
tyred, as nothing could be more irksom to her, and very careful he
was, lest any other should teach her what belonged to working daies,
because he would have her know none but holy daies. It came to
passe, that the season waxing extremely hot, Signior Ricciardo would
go to recreate himselfe at his house in the country, neere to the
blacke Mountaine, where for his faire wives more contentment, he
continued divers daies together. And for her further recreation, he
gave order to have a day of fishing, he going aboord a small Pinnace
among the Fishers, and she in another, consorted with divers other
Gentlewomen, in whose company she was very well pleased. Delight
made them launch further into the Sea, then either the Judge was
willing they should have done, or agreed with their owne safety. For
sodainly a Galliot came upon them, wherein was one Pagamino a famous
Pyrate, who espying the two Pinnaces, made presently to them, and
seized on that wherein the women were. When he beheld there so faire a
young Woman, he coveted after no other purchase; but mounting her into
his Galliot, in the sight of Signior Ricciardo, who by this time was
fearefully landed, he carried her away with him. When Signior Judge
had seene this theft (he being so jealous of his wife, as scarsely
he would let the ayre breathe on her) it were needlesse to know
whether he was offended, or no. He made complaint at Pisa, and in
other places beside, what injurie he had sustained by those Pyrates,
in carrying away his wife from him: but all in vaine, he neither (as
yet) knew the man, nor what was become of him. Pagamino perceiving
what a beautifull woman shee was, made the more precious esteeme of
his purchase, and being himselfe a Batchelor, intended to keepe her as
his owne, comforting her with kinde and pleasing speeches, not using
any ill demeanor to her, because she wept and lamented greevously. But
when night came, her husbands Kalender falling from her girdle, and
all the fasts and feasts quite out of her remembrance, she received
such curtesies from Pagamino, that before they could arrive at Monaco,
the Judge and his Law cases were almost out of memory; such was his
affable behaviour to her, and she began to converse with him in more
friendly manner, and he entreated her as honourably, as if she had bin
his espoused wife.
Within a short while after, report had acquainted the Judge, where
and how his wife was kept from him; whereupon hee determined, not to
send, but rather to go himselfe in person, and to redeeme her from the
Pyrate, with what summes of money he should demand. By sea he passed
to Monaco, where he saw his wife, and she him, as (soone after) shee
made known to Pagamino. The next morning, Signior Ricciardo meeting
with Pagamino, made meanes to be acquainted with bim, and within lesse
then an houres space, they grew into familiar conference; Pagamino yet
pretending not to know him, but expected what issue this talke would
sort to. When time served, the Judge discoursed the occasion of his
comming thither, desiring him to demand what ransome he pleased, and
that he might have his wife home with him. Whereto Pagamino answered.
My Lord Judge, you are welcome hither, and to answer you breefely
very true it is, that I have a yong Gentlewoman in my house, whom I
neither know to be your wife, or any other mans else whatsoever: for I
am ignorant both of you and her, albeit she hath remained a while here
with me. If you be her husband, as you seeme to avouch, I will bring
her to you, for you appeare to be a worthy Gentleman, and
(questionlesse) she cannot chuse but know you perfectly. If she do
confirme that which you have saide, and be willing to depart hence
with you: I shal rest well satisfied, and will have no other
recompence for her ransome (in regard of your grave and reverend
yeeres) but what your selfe shall please to give me. But if it fall
out other then you have affirmed, you shal offer me great wrong, in
seeking to get her from me; because I am a young man, and can as
well maintaine so faire a wife as you, or any man else that I know.
Beleeve it certainly, replyed the judge, that she is my wife, and if
you please to bring me where she is, you shall soone perceive it:
for she will presently cast her armes about my necke, and I durst
adventure the utter losse of her, if she deny to do it in your
presence. Come on then, saide Pagamino, and let us delay the time no
longer.
When they were entred into Pagaminos house, and sat downe in the
Hall, he caused her to be called, and she (being readily prepared
for the purpose), came forth of her Chamber before them both, where
friendly they sate conversing together; never uttering any word unto
Signieur Ricciardo, or knowing him from any other stranger, that
Pagamino might bring into the house with him. Which when my Lord the
Judge beheld, (who expected to finde a farre more gracious welcome) he
stoode as a man amazed, saying to himselfe. Perhaps the
extraordinary greefe and melancholly suffered by me since the time
of her losse, hath so altred my wonted complexion, that shee is not
able to take knowledge of me. Wherefore, going neerer to her, he
saide: Faire Love, deerely have I bought your going on fishing,
because never man felt the like afflictions as I have done since the
day when I lost you: but by this your uncivil silence, you seeme as if
you did not know me. Why deerest love, seest thou not that I am thy
husband Ricciardo, who am come to pay what ransome this Gentleman
shall demaund, even in the house where now we are, so to convey thee
home againe, upon his kind promise of thy deliverance, after the
payment of thy ransome?
Bertolomea turning towards him, and seeming as if shee smiled to her
selfe, thus answered. Sir, speake you to me? Advise your selfe well,
least you mistake me for some other, for mine owne part, I never saw
you till now. How now quoth Ricciardo? Consider better what you say,
looke more circumspectly on me, and then you will remember, that I
am your loving husband, and my name is Ricciardo di Cinzica. You
must pardon me Sir, replyed Bertolomea, I know it not so fitting for a
modest; woman to stand gazing in the faces of men: and let me looke
uppon you never so often, certaine I am, that (till this instant) I
have not seene you. My Lord Judge conceived in his minde, that thus
she denied all knowledge of him, as standing in feare of Pagamino, and
would not confesse him in his presence. Wherefore hee entreated of
Pagamino, to affoord him so much favour, that he might speake alone
with her in her Chamber. Pagamino answered, that he was well contented
therewith, provided, that he should not kisse her against her will.
Then he requested Bartolomea, to goe with him alone into her
Chamber, there to heare what he could say, and to answere him as
shee found occasion. When they were come into the Chamber, and none
there present but he and shee, Signior Ricciardo began in this manner.
Heart of my heart, life of my life, the sweetest hope that I have in
this world; wilt thou not know thine owne Ricciardo, who loveth thee
more then he doth himselfe? Why art thou so strange? Am I so
disfigured, that thou knowest me not? Behold me with a more pleasing
eye, I pray thee.
Bartolomea smiled to her self and without suffering him to proceed
any further in speech, returned him this answere. I would have you
to understand Sir, that my memory is not so oblivious, but I know
you to be Signior Ricciardo di Cinzica, and my husband by name or
title, but during the time that I was with you, it very ill appeared
that you had any knowledge of me. For if you had bene so wise and
considerate, as (in your own judgement) the world reputed you to be,
you could not be voide of so much apprehension, but did apparantly
perceive, that I was yong, fresh, and cheerefully disposed; and so (by
consequent) meet to know matters requisite for such young women,
beside allowance of food and garments, though bashfulnesse and modesty
forbid to utter it. But if studying the Lawes were more welcome to you
then a wife, you ought not to have maried, and you loose the worthy
reputation of a judge, when you fall from that venerable profession,
and make your selfe a common proclaimer of feasts and fasting dayes,
lenten seasons, vigils, and solemnities due to Saints, which prohibite
the houshold conversation of husbands and wives.
Here am I now with a worthy Gentleman, that entertaineth me with
very honourable respect, and here I live in this Chamber, not so
much as hearing of any feasts or fasting dayes; for, neither Fridaies,
Saturdaies, vigils of Saints, or any lingering Lent, enter at this
doore: but heere is honest and civill conversation, better agreeing
with a youthfull disposition, then those harsh documents wherewith you
tutord me. Wherefore my purpose is to continue here with him, as being
a place sutable to my minde and youth, referring feasts, vigils, and
fasting daies, to a more mature and stayed time of age, when the
body is better able to endure them, and the mind may be prepared for
such ghostly meditations: depart therefore at your owne pleasure,
and make much of your Calender, without enjoying any company of
mine, for you heare my resolved determination.
The Judge hearing these words, was overcome with exceeding griefe,
and when she was silent, thus he began. Alas deare Love, what an
answere is this? Hast thou no regard of thine owne honor, thy Parents,
and friends? Canst thou rather affect to abide here, for the pleasures
of this man, and so sin capitolly, then to live at Pisa in the state
of my wife? Consider deare heart, when this man shall waxe weary of
thee, to thy shame and his owne disgrace, he will reject thee. I
must and shall love thee for ever, and when I dye, I leave thee Lady
and commandresse of all that is mine. Can an inordinate appetite,
cause thee to be carelesse of thine honour, and of him that loves thee
as his owne life? Alas, my fairest hope, say no more so, but returne
home with me, and now that I am acquainted with thy inclination; I
will endeavour heereafter to give thee better contentment. Wherefore
(deare heart) doe not denie me, but change thy minde, and goe with me,
for I never saw merry day since I lost thee.
