so farre in his wylie apprehensions, that (by a few sparkes close kept
together) he kindled part of the same fire in her, which began to
flame apparantly in him. And hee very wittily observing the same, as
occasion first smiled on him, and allowed him favourable
opportunity, so did hee impart his intention to her.
Now albeit he found her plyant enough, to gaine physicke for her
owne griefe, as soone as his; yet the meanes and manner were (as
yet) quite out of all apprehension. For shee in no other part of the
World, would trust her selfe in the young mans company, but onely in
her Fathers house; and that was a place out of all possibility,
because Puccio (by a long continued custome) used to watch
well-neere all the night, as commonly he did, each night after
other, never stirring foorth of the roomes, which much abated the edge
of the young mans appetite. After infinite intricate revolvings,
wheeling about his busied braine, he thought it not altogether an
Herculian taske, to enjoy his happinesse in the house, and without any
suspition, albeit Puccio kept still within doores, and watched as
hee was wont to doe.
Upon a day as he sate in familiar conference with Puccio, he began
to speake unto him in this manner; I have many times noted, kinde
friend Puccio, that all thy desire and endeavour is, by what meanes
thou mayst become very rich, wherein (me thinkes) thou takest too wide
a course, when there is a much neerer and shorter way, which Mighell
Scotus, and other his associates, very diligently observed and
followed, yet were never willing to instruct other men therein;
whereby the mysterie might bee drowned in oblivion, and prosecuted
by none but onely great Lords, that are able to undergoe it. But
because thou art mine especiall friend, and I have received from
thee infinite kind favours; whereas I never intended, that any man (by
me) should be acquainted with so rare a secret; if thou wilt imitate
the course as I shall shew thee, I purpose to teach it thee in full
perfection. Puccio being very earnestly desirous to understand the
speediest way to so singular a mysterie, first began to entreat him
(with no meane instance) to acquaint him with the rules of so rich a
Science; and afterward sware unto him, never to disclose it to any
person, except hee gave his consent thereto; affirming beside, that it
was a rarity, not easie to bee comprehended by very apprehensive
judgements. Well (quoth Felice) seeing thou has: made me such a
sound and solemne promise, I will make it knowne unto thee.
Know then friend Puccio, the Philosophers do hold, that such as
covet to become rich indeed, must understand how to make the Stone: as
I will tell thee how, but marke the manner very heedfully. I do not
say, that after the Stone is obtained, thou shalt bee even as rich
as now thou art; but thou shalt plainly perceive, that the very
grosest substances, which hitherto thou hast seene, all of them shalbe
made pure golde: and such as afterward thou makest, shall be more
certaine, then to go or come with Aqua fortis, as now they do. Most
expedient is it therefore, that when a man will go diligently about
this businesse, and purposeth to prosecute such a singular labour,
which will and must continue for the space of 40 nights, he must
give very carefull attendance, wholly abstaining from sleepe,
slumbering, or so much as nodding all that while.
Moreover, in some apt and convenient place of thy house, there
must be a forge or furnace erected, framed in decent and formall
fashion, and neere it a large table placed, ordered in such sort, as
standing upright on feete, and leaning the reines of thy backe against
it; thou must stande stedfastly in that manner every night, without
the least motion or stirring, untill the breake of day appeareth,
and thine eyes still uppon the Furnace fixed, to keepe ever in memory,
the true order which I have prescribed. So soone as the morning is
seene, thou mayest (if thou wilt) walke, or rest a little upon thy
bed, and afterward go about thy businesse, if thou have any. Then go
to dinner, attending readily till the evenings approch, preparing such
things as I will readily set thee downe in writing, without which
there is not any thing to bee done; and then returne to the same taske
againe, not varying a jot from the course directed. Before the time be
fully expired, thou shalt perceive many apparant signes, that the
stone is still in absolute forwardnesse, but it will bee utterly
lost if thou fayle in the least of all the observances. And when the
experience hath crowned thy labour, thou art sure to have the
Philosophers stone, and thereby shalt be able to enrich all, and worke
wonders beside.
Puccio instantly replyed. Now trust me Sir, there is no great
difficultie in this labour, neither doth it require any
extraordinary length of time: but it may very easily be followed and
performed, and (by your friendly favor, in helping to direct the
Furnace and Table, according as you imagine most convenient) on Sunday
at night next, I will begin my taske.
The place which Puccio had chosen, for his hopefull attaining to
the Philosophers Stone, was close to the Chamber where his daughter
lay having no other separation or division, but an old ruinous
tottring wall. So that, when the Scholler was playing his prize,
Puccio heard an unwonted noise in the house, which he had never
observed before, neither knew the wall to have any such motion:
wherefore, not daring to stirre from his standing, least all should be
marrd in the very beginning, he called to his daughter, demanding,
what busle labour she was about? The widdow, being much addicted to
frumping according as questions were demanded of her, and (perhaps)
forgetting who spake to her, pleasantly replied: Whoop Sir, where
are we now? Are the Spirits of Alchimy walking in the house, that we
cannot lye quietly in our beds?
Pucclo mervalling at this answere, knowing she never gave him the
like before; demanded againe, what she did? The subtle wench,
remembring that she had not answered as became her, said: Pardon mee
Father, my wits were not mine owne, when you demanded such a sodaine
question; and I have heard you say an hundred times, that when folke
go supperles to bed, either they walke in their sleepe, or being
awake, talke very idely, as (no doubt) you have discern'd by me. Nay
daughter (quoth he) it may be, that I was in a waking dreame, and
thought I heard the olde wall totter: but I see I was deceived, for no
it is quiet and still enough. Talke no more good Father, saide she,
least you stirre from your place, and hinder your labour: take no care
for mee, I am able enough to have care of my selfe.
To prevent any more of these nightly disturbances, they went to
lodge in another part of the house, where they continued out the
time of Puccioes paines, with equall contentment to them both, which
made her divers times say to Felice: You teach my father the cheefe
grounds of Alchimy, while we helpe to waste away his treasure. Thus
the Scholler being but poore, yet well forwarded in Learning, made use
of Puccioes folly, and found benefit thereby, to keepe him out of
wants, which is the bane and overthrow of numberlesse good wits. And
Puccio dying, before the date of his limited time, because he failed
of the Philosophers Stone, Isabetta joyned in marriage with Felice, to
make him amends for instructing her father, by which meanes he came to
be her husband.
THE THIRD DAY THE FIFTH NOVELL
WHEREIN IS DESCRIBED THE FRAILETY OF SOME WOMEN, AND FOLLY OF
SUCH HUSBANDS, AS LEAVE THEM ALONE TO THEIR OWNE DISPOSITION
Ricciardo surnamed the Magnifico, gave a Horse to Signior
Francesco Vergillisi, on condition that he might speake to his wife in
his presence; which he did, and she not returning him any answer, made
answer to himselfe on her behalfe, and according to his answer, so the
effect followed.
Pamphilus having ended his novell of Puccio the Alchimist, the
Queene fixing her eye on Madam Eliza, gave order, that shee should
succeed. She looking somewhat more austerely then any of the rest
not in any spleen, but as it was her usuall manner, thus began. The
world containeth some particular people, who beleeve (because they
know something) that others are ignorant in all things, who for the
most part, while they intend to make a scorne of other men, upon
triall, finde themselves to carry away the scorne. Therefore, I
account it no meane folly in them, who (upon no occasion) wil tempt
the power of another mans wit or experience. But because all men and
women are not of my opinion; I meane that you shall perceive it more
apparantly, by an accident happening to a Knight of Pistoia, as you
shall heare by me related.
In the Town of Pistoia, bordering upon Florence, there lived not
long since, a Knight named Signieur Francesco, descended of the linage
or family of the Vergellisi, a man very rich, wise, and in many things
provident, but gripple, covetous, and too close handed, without
respect to his worth and reputation. He being called to the Office
of Podesta in the City of Millaine, furnished himselfe with all things
(in honourable manner) beseeming such a charge; onely, a comely
horse for his owne saddle excepted, which he knew not by any meanes
how to compasse, so loath hee was lay out money, albeit his credit
much depended thereon.
At the same time, there lived in Pistoya likewise, a young man,
named Ricciardo, derived of meane birth, but very wealthy, quicke
witted, and of commendable person, alwayes going so neate, fine, and
formall in his apparrell, that he was generally tearmed the Magnifico,
who had long time affected, yea, and closely courted, (though any
advantage or successe) the Lady and wife of Signior Francesco, who was
very beautifull, vertuous, and chaste. It so chanced, that this
Magnifico had the very choisest and goodliest ambling Gelding in all
Tuscany, which hee loved dearely, for his faire forme, and other
good parts. Upon a flying rumor throughout Pistoia, that he daily made
love to the foresaid Ladie, some busie-body put it into the head of
Signior Francesco, that if he pleased to request the Gelding, the
Magnifico would frankely give it him, in regard of the love he bare to
his wife.
The base-minded Knight, coveting to have the Horse, and yet not to
part with any money, sent for the Magnifico, desiring to buy his fayre
Gelding of him, because he hoped to have him of free gift. The
Magnifico hearing this request, was very joyfull, and thus answered;
Sir, if you would give me all the wealth which you possesse in this
world, I wil not sell you my horse, rather I wil bestow him on you
as a Gentlemans gift: but yet upon this condition, that before you
have him delivered, I may with your license, and in your presence
speake a few words to your vertuous Ladie, and so farre off in
distance from you, as I may not be heard by any, but onely her
selfe. Signior Francesco, wholly conducted by his base avaricious
desire, and meaning to make a scorne at the Magnifico, made answer,
that he was well contented to let him speak with her when he would;
and leaving him in the great Hall of the house, went to his wives
Chamber, and told her how easily he might enjoy the horse,
commanding her forthwith to come and heare what he could say to her,
only she should abstaine, and not returne him any answer. The Lady
with a modest blush, much condemned this folly in him, that his
covetousnes should serve as a cloake to cover any unfitting speeches
which her chaste eares could never endure to heare. Neverthelesse
being to obey her husbands will, she promised to do it, and followed
him down into the Hall, to heare what the Magnifico would say.
Againe he there confirmed the bargaine made with her husband, and
sitting downe by her in a corner of the Hall, farre enough off from
any ones hearing, taking her curteously by the hand, thus he spake.
Worthy Lady, it seemeth to me, that you are so truly wise, as no
doubt you have long since perceived, what unfeigned affection your
beauty (far excelling) hath compelled me to beare you. Setting aside
those commendable qualities and singular vertues gloriously shining in
you, and powerfull enough to make a conquest of the stoutest
courage, I held it utterly needlesse, to let you understand by
words, how faithfull the love is I bear you, were it not much more
fervent and constant, then ever any other man can expresse to a woman.
In which condition it shall still continue, without the least
blemish or impayre, so long as I enjoy life or motion; yea, and I dare
assure you, that if in the future world, affection may containe the
same powerfull dominion, as it doth in this; I am the man borne to
love you perpetually. Whereby you may rest confidently perswaded, that
you enjoy not any thing, how poore or precious soever it be, which you
can so solemnely account to be your owne, and in the truest title of
right, as you may my selfe, in all that I have, or for ever shall be
mine.
To confirme your opinion in this case by any argument of greater
power, let me tell you, that I should repute it as my fairest and most
gracious fortune, if you would command me some such service, as
consisteth in mine ability to performe, and in your courteous favour
to accept, yea, if it were thorow the whole world, right to traval
am I, and obedient. In which regard faire Madam, if I be so much,
yours, as you heare I am, I may boldly adventure (and not without good
reason) to acquaint your chaste eares with my earnest desires, for
on you onely depends my happinesse, life, and absolute comfort, and as
your most humble servant, I beseech you (my deerest good, and sole
hope of my soule) that rigour may dwell no longer in your gentle
brest, but Lady-like pitty and compassion, whereby I shall say, that
as your divine beauty enflamed mine affections, even so it extended
such a merciful qualification, is exceeded all my hope, but not the
halfe part of your pitty.
Admit (myracle of Ladies) that I should die in this distresse: Alas,
