Sir (quoth she) I desire no body to have care of mine honour,
beside my selfe, because it cannot be here abused. And as for my
Parents, what respect had they of me, when they made me your wife?
If then they could be so carelesse of mee, what reason have I to
regard them now? And whereas you taxe me, that I cannot live here
without capitall sin; farre is the thought thereof from me: for,
here I am regarded as the wife of Pagamino, but at Pisa, you reputed
me not worthy your society: because, by the point of the Moone, and
the quadratures of Geometrie; the Planets held conjunction betweene
you and me, whereas here I am subject to no such constellations. You
say beside, that hereafter you will strive to give me better
contentment then you have done; surely, in mine opinion it is no way
possible, because our complexions are so farre different, as yce is
from fire, or gold from drosse. As for your allegation, of this
Gentlemans rejecting me, when his humour is satisfied; should it prove
to be so (as it is the least part of my feare) what fortune soever
shall betide me, never will I make any meanes to you, what miseries or
misadventures may happen to me; but the world will affoord me one
resting place or other, and more to my contentment, then if I were
with you. Therefore I tell you once againe, to live secured from all
offence to holy Saints, and not to injure their feasts, fasts,
vigills, and other ceremonious seasons: here is my demourance, and
from hence I purpose not to part.
Our Judge was now in a wofull perplexity, and confessing his
folly, in marying a wife so young, and far unfit for his age and
abilitie: being halfe desperate, sad and displeased, he came forth
of the Chamber, using divers speeches to Pagamino, whereof he made
little or no account at all: and in the end, without any other
successe, left his wife there, and returned home to Pisa. There
further afflictions fell upon him, because the people began to
scorne him, demanding dayly of him, what was become of his gallant
young wife, making hornes, with ridiculous pointings at him: whereby
his sences became distracted, so that he ran raving about the
streetes, and afterward died in very miserable manner. Which newes
came no sooner to the eare of Pagamino, but, in the honourable
affection hee bare to Bertolomea, he maried her, with great solemnity;
banishing all Fasts, Vigils, and Lents from his house, and living with
her in much felicity. Wherfore (faire Ladies) I am of opinion, that
Bernardo of Geneway, in his disputation with Ambroginolo; might have
shewne himselfe a great deale wiser, and sparing his rash proceeding
with his wife.
This tale was so merrily entertained among the whole company, that
each one smiling upon another, with one consent commended Dioneus,
maintaining that he spake nothing but the truth, and condemning
Bernardo for his cruelty. Upon a generall silence commanded, the Queen
perceiving that the time was now very farre spent, and every one had
delivered their severall Novels, which likewise gave a period to her
Royalty: she gave the Crowne to Madam Neiphila, pleasantly speaking to
her in this order. Heereafter, the government of these few people is
committed to your trust and care, for with the day concludeth my
dominion. Madam Neiphila, blushing; at the honor done unto her, her
cheekes appeared of a vermillion tincture, her eyes glittering with
gracefull desires, and sparkeling like the morning Starre. And after
the modest murmure of the Assistants was ceased, and her courage in
chearfull manner setled, seating her selfe higher then she did before,
thus she spake.
Seeing it is so, that you have elected me your Queene, to varie
somewhat from the course observed by them that went before me, whose
governement you have all so much commended: by approbation of your
counsell, I am desirous to speake my mind, concerning what I wold have
to be next followed. It is not unknowne to you all, that to morrow
shal be Friday, and Saturday the next day following, which are daies
somewhat molestuous to the most part of men, for preparation of
their weekly food and sustenance. Moreover, Friday ought to be
reverendly respected, in remembrance of him, who died to give us life,
and endured his bitter passion, as on that day; which makes me to hold
it fit and expedient, that wee should mind more weight), matters,
and rather attend our prayers and devotions then the repetition of
tales or Novels. Now concerning Saturday, it hath bin a custome
observed among women, to bath and wash themselves from such
immundicities as the former weekes toile hath imposed on them. Beside,
it is a day of fasting, in honour of the ensuing Sabbath, whereon no
labor may be done, but the observation of holy exercises.
By that which hath bin saide, you may easily conceive, that the
course which we have hitherto continued, cannot bee prosecuted in
one and the same manner: where. fore, I would advise and do hold it an
action wel performed by us, to cease for these few dayes, from
recounting any other Novels. And because we have remained here foure
daies already, except we would allow the enlarging of our company,
with some other friends that may resort unto us: I thinke it necessary
to remove from hence, and take our pleasure in another place, which is
already by me determined. When we shalbe there assembled, and have
slept on the discourses formerly delivered, let our next argument be
still the mutabilities of Fortune, but especially to concerne such
persons, as by their wit and ingenuity, industriously have attained to
some matter earnestly desired, or else recovered againe, after the
losse. Heereon let us severally study and premeditate, that the
hearers may receive benefit thereby, with the comfortable
maintenance of our harmelesse recreations; the priviledge of Dioneus
alwayes reserved to himselfe.
Every one commended the Queens deliberation, concluding that it
shold be accordingly prosecuted: and thereupon, the master of the
houshold was called, to give him order for that evenings Table
service, and what else concerned the time of the Queenes Royalty,
wherein he was sufficiently instructed: which being done, the
company arose, licensing every one to doe what they listed. The Ladies
and Gentlemen walked to the Garden, and having sported themselves
there a while; when the houre of supper came, they sate downe, and
fared very daintily. Being risen from the Table, according to the
Queenes command, Madam Aemilia led the dance, and the ditty following,
was sung by Madam Pampinea, being answered by all the rest, as a
Chorus.
THE SONG
And if not I, what Lady else can sing,
Of those delights, which kind contentment bring?
Come, come, sweet Love, the cause of my chiefe good,
Of all my hopes, the firme and full effect;
Sing wee together, but in no sad mood,
Of sighes or teares, which joy doth countercheck:
Stolne pleasures are delightfull in the taste,
But yet Loves fire is oftentimes too fierce;
Consuming comfort with ore-speedy haste,
Which into gentle hearts too far doth pierce.
And if not I, etc.
The first day that I felt this fiery heate,
So sweete a passion did possesse my soule,
That though I found the torment sharp, and great;
Yet still me thought t'was but a sweete controule.
Nor could I count it rude, or rigorous,
Taking my wound from such a piercing eye:
As made the paine most pleasing, gracious,
That I desire in such assaults to die.
And if not I, etc.
Grant then great God of Love, that I may still
Enjoy the benefit of my desire;
And honour her with all my deepest skill,
That first enflam'd my heart with holy fire.
To her my bondage is free liberty,
My sicknesse health, my tortures sweet repose;
Say shee the word, in full felicity
All my extreames joyne in an happy close.
Then if not I, what Lover else can sing,
Of those delights which kind contentment bring?
After this Song was ended, they sung divers other beside, and having
great variety of instruments' they played to them as many pleasing
dances. But the Queene considering that the meete houre for rest was
come, with their lighted Torches before them, they all repaired to
their Chambers; sparing the other dayes next succeeding, for those
reasons by the Queene alledged, and spending the Sunday in solemne
devotion.
THE INDUCTION TO THE THIRD DAY
UPON WHICH DAY, ALL MATTERS TO BE DISCOURSED ON, DOE PASSE
UNDER THE REGIMENT OF MADAM NEIPHILA: CONCERNING SUCH PERSONS
AS (BY THEIR WIT AND INDUSTRY) HAVE ATTAINED TO THEIR LONG
WISHED DESIRES, OR RECOVERED SOMETHING, SUPPOSED TO BE LOST
The morning put on a vermillion countenance and made the Sunne to
rise blushing red, when the Queene (and all the faire company) were
come abroad forth of their Chambers; the Seneshall or great Master
of the Houshold, having (long before); sent all things necessary to
the place of their next intended meeting. And the people which
prepared there every needfull matter, suddainely when they saw the
Queene was setting forward, charged all the rest of their followers,
as if it had beene prepatation for a Campe; to make hast away with the
carriages, the rest of the Familie remaining behind, to attend upon
the Ladies and Gentlemen.
With a milde, majesticke, and gentle pace, the Queene rode on, being
followed by the other Ladies, and the three young Gentlemen, taking
their way towards the West; conducted by the musicall notes of
sweete singing Nightingales, and infinite other pretty Birds beside,
riding in a tract not much frequented, but richly abounding with faire
hearbes and flowres, which by reason of the Sunnes high mounting,
beganne to open their bosome.
But, after the dayes warmth was more mildely qualified, and every
one had made benefit of their best content: they went (by order sent
from the Queene) into the Meadow where the Fountaine stood, and
being set about it, as they used to do in telling their Tales (the
argument appointed by the Queene being propounded) the first that
had the charge imposed, was Philostratus, who began in this manner.
THE THIRD DAY, THE FIRST NOVELL
WHEREIN IS DECLARED, THAT VIRGINITY IS VERY HARDLY TO BE
KEPT IN ALL PLACES
Massetto di Lamporechio, by counterfetting himselfe to be dumbe,
became a Gardiner in a Monastery of Nunnes, where he had familiar
conversation with them all.
Most worthy Ladies, there wants no store of men and women, that
are so simple, as to credit for a certainty, that so soon as a yong
virgin hath the veile put on hir head, and the black Cowle given to
cover withall, she is no longer a woman, nor more sensible of feminine
affections, then as if in turning Nun, shee became converted to a
stone. And if (perchance) they heard some matters, contrary to their
former perswasion; then they grow so furiously offended, as if one had
committed a most foule and enormous sinne, directly against the course
of Nature. And the torrent of this opinion burries them on so
violently, that they wil admit no leisure to consider, how (in such
a scope of liberty) they have power to doe what they list, yea
beyond all meanes of sufficient satisfying, never remembring how
potent the priviledge of idlenes is, especially when it is backt by
solitude. In like manner, there are other people now, who verily
beleeve, that the Spade and Pickaxe, grosse feeding and labour, do
quench al sensual and fleshly concupiscence, yea, in such as till
and husband the ground, by making them dull, blockish, and (almost)
meere senslesse of understanding. But I will approve (according as the
Queene hath commanded me, and within the compasse of her direction) by
a short and pleasant Tale; how greatly they are abused by errour, that
build upon so weake a foundation.
Not farre from Alexandria, there was a great and goodly
Monasterie, belonging to the Lord of those parts, who is termed the
Admirall. And therein, under the care and trust of one woman, divers
virgins were kept as recluses, or Nuns, vowed to chastity of life; out
of whose number, the Soldan of Babylon (under whom they lived in
subjection) at every three yeers end, had usually three of these
virgins sent him. At the time wherof I am now to speake, there
remained in the Monastery, no more but eight religious Sisters only,
beside the Lady Abbesse, and an honest poor man, who was a Gardiner,
and kept the Garden in commendable order.
His wages being small, and he not well contented therewith, would
serve there no longer: but making his accounts even, with the Factotum
or Bayliffe belonging to the house, returned thence to the village
of Lamporechio, being a native of the place. Among many other that
gave him welcom home, was a yong Hebrew pezant of the country, sturdy,
strong and yet comely of person, being named Masset. But because he
was born not farre off from Lamporechio, and had there bin brought
up all his yonger dayes, his name of Masset (according to their vulgar
speech) was turnec to Massetto, and therefore he was usually called
and knowne by the name of Massetto of Lamporechio.
Massetto, falling in talke with the honest poore man, whose name was
Lurco, demanded of him what services hee had done in the Monasterie,
having continued there so long a time? Quoth Lurco, I laboured in
the Garden, which is very faire and great; then I went to the Forest
to fetch home wood, and cleft it for their Chamber fuell, drawing up
all theyr water beside, with many other toilsome services else: but
the allowance of my wages was so little, as it would not pay for the
shoes I wore. And that which was worst of all, they being all women, I
thinke the divel dwels among g them, for a man cannot doe any thing to
please them. When I have bene busie at my worke in the garden, one
would come and say, Put this heere, put that there; and others would
take the dibble out of my hand, telling me, that I did not performe
