my death would be but your dishonour; I cannot be termed mine owne
murtherer, when the Dart came from your eye that did it, and must
remaine a witnes of your rigor. You cannot then chuse but call to
minde, and say within your own soule: Alas, what a sinne have I
committed, in being so unmercifull to my Magnifico. Repentance then
serves to no purpose, but you must answer for such unkinde cruelty.
Wherefore, to prevent so blacke a scandall to your bright beauty,
beside the ceaselesse acclamations, which will dog your walkes in
the day time, and breake your quiet sleepes in the night season,
with fearefull sights and gastly apparitions, hovering and haunting
about your bed; let all these moove you to milde mercy, and spill
not life, when you may save it.
So the Magnifico ceasing, with teares streaming from his eyes, and
sighes breaking from his heart, hee sate still in expectation of the
Ladies answere, who made neither long or short of the matter,
neither Tilts nor Tourneying, nor many lost mornings and evenings, nor
infinite other such like Offices, which the Magnifico (for her sake)
from time to time had spent in vaine, without the least shew of
acceptation, or any hope at all to winne her love: mooved now in
this very houre, by these solemne is protestations, or rather most
prevailing asseverations, she began to finde that in her, which
(before) she never felt, namely Love. And although (to keepe her
promise made to her husband) shee spake not a word: yet her heart
heaving, her soule throbbing, sighes intermixing, and complexion
altering, could not hide her intended answer to the Magnifico, if
promise had beene no hinderance to her will. All this while the
Magnifico sate as mute as she, and seeing she would not give him any
answere at all, he could not choose but wonder thereat, yet at
length perceived, that it was thus cunningly contrived by her husband.
Notwithstanding, observing well her countenance, that it was in a
quite contrary temper, another kinde of fire sparkling in her eye,
other humours flowing, her pulses strongly beating, her stomacke
rising, and sighes swelling, all these were arguments of a change, and
motives to advance his hope. Taking courage by this ticklish
perswasion, and instructing his mind with a new kinde of counsell;
he would needes answer himselfe on her behalfe, and as if she had
uttered the words, thus he spake.
Magnifico, and my friend, surely it is a long time since, when I
first noted thine affection toward me to be very great and most
perfect, but now I am much more certain thereof, by thine owne
honest and gentle speeches, which content me as they ought to do.
Neverthelesse, if heretofore I have seemed cruell and unkinde to thee,
I would not have thee thinke, that my heart was any way guilty of my
outward severity, but did evermore love thee, and held thee deerer
then any man living. But yet it became me to do so, as well in feare
of others, as for the renowne of mine owne reputation. But now is
the time at hand, to let thee knowe more clearly, whether I do
affect thee or no: as a just guerdon of thy constant love
which long thou hast, and still doest beare to me. Wherefore,
comfort thy selfe, and dwell on this undoubted hope, because Signior
Francesco my husband, is to be absent hence for many dayes, beeing
chosen Podesta at Millaine, as thou canst not choose but heare, for it
is common through the Country.
I know (for my sake) thou hast given him thy goodly ambling Gelding,
and so soone as he is gone, I promise thee upon my word, and by the
faithfull love I beare thee; that I will have further conference
with thee, and let thee understand somewhat more of my minde. And
because this is neither fitting time nor place, to discourse on
matters of such serious moment: observe heereafter, as a signall, when
thou seest my Crimson Skarfe hanging in the window of my Chamber,
which is upon the Garden side, that evening (so soone as it is
night) come to the Garden gate, with wary respect that no eye do
discover thee, and there thou shalt finde me walking, and ready to
acquaint thee with other matters, according as I shall finde occasion.
When the Magnifico in the person of the Lady, had spoken thus,
then he returned her this answer. Most vertuous Lady, my spirits are
so transported with extraordinary joy, for this your gracious and
welcome answer, that my sences faile me, and all my faculties quite
forsake me, that I cannot give you such thankes as I would. And if I
could speak equally to my desire, yet the season suites not therewith,
neither were it convenient that I should be so troublesome to you. Let
me therefore humbly beseech you, that the desire I have to
accomplish your will (which wordes availe not to expresse) may remaine
in your kinde consideration. And as you have commanded me, so will I
not faile to performe it accordingly, and in more thankfull manner,
then (as yet) I am able to let you know. Now there resteth nothing
else to do, but under the protection of your gracious pardon, I to
give over speech, and you to attend your woorthy Husband.
Notwithstanding all that hee had spoken, yet shee replyed not one
word; wherefore the Magnifico arose, and returned to the Knight, who
went to meete him, saying in a lowd laughter. How now man? Have I
not kept my promise with thee? No Sir, answered the Magnifico, for you
promised I should speake with your wife, and you have made mee talke
to a marble Statue. This answere, was greatly pleasing to the
Knight, who, although hee had an undoubted opinion of his wife; yet
this did much more strengthen his beliefe, and hee said. Now thou
confessest thy Gelding to bee mine? I doe, replied the Magnifico,
but if I had thought, that no better successe would have ensued on the
bargaine; without your motion for the horse, I would have given him
you: and I am sorie that I did not, because now you have bought my
horse, and yet I have not sold him. The Knight laughed heartily at
this answer, and being thus provided of so faire a beast, hee rode
on his journey to Millaine, and there entred into his authority of
Podesta.
The Lady remained now in liberty at home, considering on the
Magnificoes words, and likewise the Gelding, which (for her sake)
was given to her husband. Oftentimes shee saw him passe too and fro
before her windowe, still looking when the Flagge of defiance should
be hanged forth, that hee might fight valiantly under her Colours. The
Story saith, that among many of her much better meditations, shee
was heard to talke thus idely to her selfe. What doe I meane?
Wherefore is my youth? The olde miserable man is gone to Millaine, and
God knoweth when hee comes backe againe, ever, or never. Is dignity
preferred before wedlockes holy duty, and pleasures abroade, more then
comforts at home? Ill can age pay youths arrerages, when: time is
spent, and no hope sparde. Actions omitted, are oftentimes repented,
but done in due season, they are sildome sorrowed for. Upon these
un-Lady-like private consultations, whether the window shewed the
signa or no; it is no matter belonging to my charge: I say, husbands
are unwise, to graunt such ill advantages, and wives much worse, if
they take hold of them, onely Judge you the best, and so the Tale is
ended.
THE THIRD DAY THE SIXTH NOVELL
DECLARING, HOW MUCH PERSEVERANCE, AND A COURAGIOUS SPIRIT IS
AVAILABLE IN LOVE
Ricciardo Minutolo fell in love with the wife of Philippello
Fighinolfi, and knowing her to be very jealous of her Husband, gave
her to understand, that hee was greatly enamoured of his Wife, and had
appointed to meete her privately in a Bathing house, on the next day
following: where shee hoping to take him tardie with his close
compacted Mistresse, found her selfe to be deceived by the said
Ricciardo.
No more remained to be spoken by Madame Eliza, but the cunning of
the Magnifico, being much commended by all the company: the Queene
commanded Madame Fiammetta, to succede next in order with one of her
Novels, who (smiling) made answer that shee would, and began thus.
Gracious Ladies, mee thinkes wee have spoken enough already,
concerning our owne Citie, which as it aboundeth copiously in all
commodities, so is it an example also to every convenient purpose. And
as Madam Eliza hath done, by recounting occasions happening in another
World, so must we now leape a little further off, even so far as
Naples, to see how one of those Saint-like Dames that nicely seemes to
shun loves allurings, was guided by the good spirit to a friend of
hers, and tasted of the fruite, before she knew the flowers. A
sufficient warning for you to apprehend before hand what may follow
after, and to let you see beside, that when an error is committed, how
to bee discreete in keeping it from publike knowledge.
In the Citie of Naples, it being of great antiquity, and (perhaps)
as pleasantly situated, as any other City in all Italy, there dwelt
sometime a yong Gentleman, of noble parentage, and well knowne to
bee wealthy, named Ricciardo Minutolo, who although hee had a
Gentlewoman of excellent beuty, and worthy the verie kindest affecting
to his wife; yet his gadding eye gazed elsewhere, and he became
enamored of another, which (in generall opinion) surpassed all the
Neapolitane Women else, in feature, favour, and the choysest
perfections, shee being named Madam Catulla wife to as gallant a young
Gentleman, called Philippello Fighinolfi, who most dearly he loved
beyond all other, for her vertue and admired chastity.
Ricciardo loving this Madam Catulla, and using all such means
whereby the grace and liking of a Lady might be obtained; found it yet
a matter beyond possibility, to compasse the height of his desire:
so that many desperate and dangerous resolutions beleagred his braine,
seeming so intricate and unlikely to affoord any hopefull yssue, as
hee wished for nothing more then death.
And death (as yet) being deafe to all his earnest imprecations,
delayed him on in lingering afflictions: and continuing still in
such an extreame condition, he was advised by some of his best
friends, utterly to abstaine from this fond pursuit, because his hopes
were meerely in vaine, and Madam Catulla prized nothing more
precious to her in the World, then unstayned loyaltie to her
Husband: and yet shee lived in such extreame jealousie of him, as
fearing least some bird flying in the ayre should snatch him from her.
Ricciardo not unacquainted with this her jealous humour, as well
by credible hearing thereof, as also by daily observation, began to
with himselfe, that it were best to consider for him, to dissemble
amorous affection in some other place, and (henceforward) to set aside
all hope, of ever enjoying the love of Madam Catulla, because he was
now become the servant to another Gentlewoman, pretending (in her
honour) to performe many worthy actions of Armes, Joustes,
Tournaments, and all such like noble exercises, as he was wont to
doe for Madam Catulla. So that most of the people of Naples, but
especially Madam Catulla, becam perswaded, that his former
fruitlesse love to her was quite changed, and the new elected Lady had
all the glory of his best endevours, persevering so long in this
opinion, as now it passed absolutely for currant. Thus seemed he now
as meere a stranger to her, whose house before he familiarly
frequented, yet as a neighbour gave her the daies salutations,
according as he chanced to see her, or meet her.
It came so to passe, that it being now the delightfull Summer
season, when all Gentlemen and Gentlewomen used to meete together
(according to a custome long observed in that Country) sporting
along on the Sea Coast, dining and supping there very often, Ricciardo
Minutolo happened to heare, that Madam Catulla (with a company of
her friends) intended also to be present there among them; at which
time, consorted with a seemely traine of his confederates, he resorted
thither, and was graciously welcommed by Madam Catulla, where he
pretended no willing long time of tarrying, but that Catulla and the
other Ladies were faine to entreate him, discoursing of his love to
his new elected Mistresse: which Minutolo graced with so solemne a
countenance, as it ministred much more matter of conference, all
coveting to know what she was.
So farre they walked, and held on this kinde of discoursing, as
every Lady and Gentlewoman, waxing weary of too long a continued
argument, began to separate her selfe with such an associate as shee
best liked, and as in such walking women are wont to doe; so that
Madam Catulla having few females left with her, stayed behind with
Minutolo, who sodainly shot forth a word concerning her husband
Philipello, and of his loving another woman beside her selfe. She that
was overmuch jealous before, became so sodainely set on fire to know
what shee was of whom Minutolo spake, as she sat silent a long
while, til being able to containe no longer, shee entreated
Ricciardo even for the Ladies sake, whose love he had so devoutly
embraced, to resolve her certainly in this strange alteration of her
husband; whereunto thus he answered.
Madam, you have so straitly concured me, by urging the remembrance
of her; for whose sake I am not able to deny any thing you can demand,
as I am readie therein to pleasure you. But first you must promise me,
that neither you, or any other person for you, shall at any time
disclose it to your Husband, untill you have seene by effect, that
which I have told you proveth to be true: and when you please, I wil
instruct you how your selfe shall see it. The Ladie was not a little
joyfull to be thus satisfied in her Husbands folly, and constantly
crediting his words to be true, shee sware a solemne oath, that no one
alive should ever know it. So stepping a little further aside, because
no listening eare should heare him, thus he beganne.
Lady, if I did love you now so effectually as heeretofore I have
done, I should be very circumspect, in uttering any thing which I
immagined might distast you. I know not whether your husband
