Philipello, were at any time offended, because I affected you, or
beleeved that I received any kindnes from you: but whether it were
so or no, I could never discerne it by any outward apparance. But
now awaiting for the opportunity of time, which he conceived should
affoord me the least suspition, he seekes to compasse that, which (I
doubt) he feares I would have done to him, in plaine termes Madam,
to have his pleasure of my wife. And as by some carriages I have
observed, within few daies past he hath solicited and pursued his
purpose very secretly, by many Ambassages, and meanes, as (indeed) I
have learned from her selfe, and alwaies she hath returned in such
answers, as she receyved by my direction.
And no longer ago Madam, then this very morning, before my comming
hither, I found a woman-messenger in my house, in very close
conference with my Wife, when growing doubtfull of that which was true
indeede, I called my Wife, enquiring, what the woman would have with
her; and she told me, it was another pursuite of Philipello
Fighinolfi, who (quoth shee) upon such answers as you have caused me
to send him from time to time, perhappes doth gather some hope of
prevailing in the end, which maketh him still to importune me as he
doth. And now he adventureth so farre, as to understand my finall
intention, having thus ordered his complot, that when I please, I must
meet him secretly in a house of this City, where he hath prepared a
Bath ready for me, and hopeth to enjoy the end of his desire, as
very earnestly he hath solicited me thereto. But if you had not
commanded me, to hold him in suspense with so many frivolous
answers, I would ere this, have sent him such a message, as should
have bene little to his liking.
With patience Madam I endured all before, but now (me thinkes) he
proceedeth too farre, which is not any way to be suffered; and
therefore I intended to let you know it, that you may perceive, how
wel you are rewarded for the faithfull and loyall love you beare
him, and for which, I was even at deaths dore. Now, because you may be
the surer of my speeches, not to be any lyes or fables, and that you
may (if you please) approve the truth by your owne experience, I
caused my wife to send him word, that she would meet him to morrow
at the Bathing-house appointed, about the houre of noone-day, when
people repose themselves in regard of the heates violence; with
which answer the woman returned very jocondly. Let me now tell you
Lady, I hope you have better opinion of my wit, then any meaning in
me, to send my wife thither; I rather did it to this end, that
having acquainted you with his treacherous intent, you should supply
my wives place, by saving both his reputation and your owne, and
frustrating his unkind purpose to me. Moreover, upon the view of his
owne delusion, wrought by my wife in meere love to you, he shall see
his foule shame, and your most noble care, to keepe the rites of
marriage betweene you still unstained.
Madame Catulla, having heard this long and unpleasing report,
without any consideration, either what he was that tolde the tale,
or what a treason he intended against her: immediately (as jealous
persons use to doe) she gave faith to his forgerie, and began to
discourse many things to him, which imagination had often misguided
her in, against her honest minded husband, and enflamed with rage,
suddenly replied; that shee would doe according as he had advised her,
as being a matter of no difficulty. But if he came, she would so shame
and dishonour him, as no woman whatsoever should better schoole him.
Ricciardo highly pleased herewith, and being perswaded, that his
purpose would take the full effect: confirmed the Lady in her
determination with many words more; yet putting her in memory, to
keepe her faithfull promise made, without revealing the matter to
any living person, as shee had sworne upon her faith.
On the morrow morning, Ricciardo went to an auncient woman of his
acquaintance, who was the Mistresse of a Bathing-house, and there
where he had appointed Madame Catulla, that the Bath should bee
prepared for her, giving her to understand the whole businesse, and
desiring her to be favourable therein to him. The woman, who had beene
much beholding to him in other matters, promised very willingly to
fulfill his request, concluding with him, both what should be done and
said. She had in her house a very darke Chamber, without any window to
affoord it the least light, which Chamber she had made ready,
according to Ricciardoes direction, with a rich Bed thereir, so soft
and delicate as possible could bee, wherein he entred so soone as he
had dined, to attend the arrivall of Madame Catulla. On the same
day, as she had heard the speeches of Ricciardo, and gave more
credit to them then became her; shee returned home to her house in
wonderfull impatience. And Philippello her husband came home
discontentedly too, whose head being busied about some worldly
affaires, perhaps he looked not so pleasantly, neither used her so
kindly, as he was wont to doe. Which Catulla perceiving, shee was
ten times more suspicious then before, saying to her selfe. Now
apparent trueth doth disclose it selfe, my husbands head is troubled
now with nothing else, but Ricciardoes wife, with whom (to morrow)
he purposeth his meeting; wherein he shall be disappointed, if I live;
taking no rest at all the whole night, for thinking how to handle
her husband.
What shall I say more? On the morrow, at the houre of mid-day
accompanied onely with her Chamber-mayde, and without any other
alteration in opinion; shee went to the house where the Bath was
promised, and meeting there with the olde woman, demaunded of her,
if Philippello were come thither as yet or no? The woman, being well
instructed by Ricciardo, answered: Are you shee that should meete
him heere? Yes, replied Catulla. Goe in then to him (quoth the
woman) for he is not farre off before you.
Madame Catulla, who went to seeke that which shee would not finde,
being brought vailed into the darke Chamber where Ricciardo was,
entred into the Bath, hoping to finde none other there but her
husband, and the custome of the Country, never disallowed such
meetings of men with their wives, but held them to be good and
commendable. In a counterfeit voyce he bad her welcome, and she, not
seeming to be any other then shee was indeed, entertained his
imbracings in as loving manner; yet not daring to speake, least he
should know her, but suffered him to proceede in his owne errour.
Let passe the wanton follies passing betweene them, and come to
Madame Catulla, who finding it a fit and convenient time, to vent
forth the tempest of her spleene, began in this manner. Alas! how
mighty, are the misfortunes of women, and how ill requited is all
the loyall love of many wives to their husbands? I, a poore
miserable Lady, who, for the space of eight yeeres now fully
compleated, have loved thee: more dearely then mine owne life, finde
now (to my hearts endlesse griefe) how thou wastest and consumest
thy desires, to delight them with a strange woman, like a most vile
and wicked man as thou art. With whom doest thou now imagine thy selfe
to be? Thou art with her, whom thou hast long time deluded by false
blandishments, feigning to affect her, when thou doatest in thy
desires else-where. I am thine owne Catulla, and not the wife of
Ricciardo, trayterous and unfaithfull man, as thou art. I am sure thou
knowest my voyce, and I thinke it a thousand yeeres, until wee may see
each other in the light, to doe thee such dishonour as thou justly
deservest, dogged, disdainfull, and villainous wretch. By conceiving
to have another woman in thy wanton embraces thou hast declared more
joviall disposition, and demonstrations of farre greater kindnesse,
then domesticke familiarity. At home thou lookest sower, sullen or
surly, often froward, and seldome well pleased. But the best is,
whereas thou intendest this husbandrie for another mans ground, thou
hast (against thy will) bestowed it on thine owne, and the water
hath runne a contrary course, quite from the current where thou
meantst it.
What answer canst thou make, devill, and no man? What, have my words
smitten thee dumbe? Thou mayest (with shame enough) hold thy peace,
for with the face of a man, and love of an husband to his wife, thou
art not able to make any answere.
Ricciardo durst not speake one word, but still expressed his affable
behaviour towards her, bestowing infinite embraces and kisses on
her: which so much the more augmented her rage and anger, continuing
on her chiding thus. If by these flatteries and idle follies, thou
hopest to comfort or pacifie me, thou runnest quite by as from thy
reckoning; for I shall never imagine my selfe halfe satisfied,
untill in the presence of my parents, friends, and neighbours, I
have revealed thy base behaviour. Tell mee, treacherous man, am not
I as faire, as the wife of Ricciardo? Am I not as good a Gentlewoman
borne, as shee is? What canst thou more respect in her, then is in
mee? Villaine, monster, why doest thou not answere mee? I will send to
Ricciardo, who loveth mee beyond all other women in Naples, and yet
could never vaunt, that I gave him so much as a friendly looke: he
shall know, what a dishonour thou hadst intended towards him; which
both he and his friends will revenge soundly upon thee. The
exclamations of the Lady were so tedious and irksome, that Ricciardo
perceiving, if shee continued longer in these complaints, worse
would ensue thereon, then could bee easily remedied: resolved to
make himselfe knowne unto her, to reclaime her out of this violent
extasie, and holding her somewhat strictly, to prevent her escaping
from him, he said. Madam, afflict your selfe no further, for, what I
could not obtaine by simply loving you, subtilty hath better taught
me, and I am your Ricciardo: which she hearing, and perfectly
knowing him by his voyce; shee would have leapt out of the Bath, but
shee could not, and to avoyde her crying out, he layde his hand on her
mouth, saying. Lady, what is done, cannot now be undone, albeit you
cried out all your life time. If you exclaime, or make this knowne
openly by any meanes; two unavoydable dangers must needes ensue
thereon. The one (which you ought more carefully to respect) is the
wounding of your good renowne and honour, because, when you shall say,
that by treacherie I drew you hither: I will boldly maintaine the
contrary, avouching, that having corrupted you with gold, and not
giving you so much as covetously you desired; you grew offended, and
thereon made the outcry, and you are not to learne, that the world
is more easily induced to beleeve the worst, then any goodnesse, be it
never so manifest. Next unto this, mortall hatred must arise
betweene your husband and mee, and (perhaps) I shall as soone kill
him, as he me; whereby you can hardly, live in any true contentment
after. Wherefore, joy of my life, doe not in one moment, both shame
your selfe, and cause such perill betweene your husband and me: for
you are not the first, neither can be the last, that shall be
deceived. I have not beguiled you, to take any honour from you, but
onely declared, the faithfull affection I beare you, and so shall
doe for ever, as being your bounden and most obedient servant; and
as it is a long time agoe, since I dedicated my selfe and all mine
to your service, so hence-forth must I remaine for ever. You are
wise enough (I know) in all other things: then shew your selfe not
to be silly or simple in this.
Ricciardo uttered these words, teares streaming aboundantly downe
his cheekes, and Madame Catulla (all the while) likewise showred forth
her sorrowes equally to his, now, although she was exceedingly
troubled in mind, and saw what her owne jealous folly had now
brought her to, a shame beyond all other whatsoever: in the middest of
her tormenting passions, shee considered on the words of Ricciardo,
found good reason in them, in regard of the unavoydable evils
whereupon shee thus spake. Ricciardo, I know not how to beare the
horrible injurie, and notorious treason used by thee against me, grace
and goodnesse having so forsaken me, to let me fall in so foule a
manner. Nor becommeth it me, to make any noyse or out-cry heere,
whereto simplicity, or rather devillish jealousie, did conduct me. But
certaine I am of one thing, that I shall never see any one joyfull
day, till (by one meanes or other) I bee reverged on thee. Thou hast
glutted thy desire with my disgrace, let me therefore go from thee,
never more to looke upon my wronged husband, or let any honest woman
ever see my face.
Ricciardo perceiving the extremity of her perplexed minde, used
all manly and milde perswasions, which possibly he could devise to
doe, to turne the torrent of this high tide, to a calmer course; as by
outward shew shee made appearance of, untill (in frightfull feares
shunning every one shee met withall, as arguments of her
guiltinesse) shee recovered her owne house, where remorse so
tortured her distressed soule, that she fell into so fierce a
melancholy, as never left her till shee died. Upon the report whereof,
Ricciardo becomming likewise a widdower, and grieving
extraordinarily for his haynous transgression, penitently betooke
himselfe to live in a wildernesse, where (not long after) he ended his
dayes.
THE THIRD DAY, THE SEAVENTH NOVELL
WHEREIN IS SIGNIFIED THE POWER OF LOVE, AND THE DIVERSITY OF
DANGERS, WHEREINTO MEN MAY DAYLY FALL.
Theobaldo Elisei, having received an unkinde repulse by his beloved,
departed from Florence, and returning thither (a long while after)
in the habite of a Pilgrime; he spake with her, and made his wrongs
knowne unto her. He delivered her Father from the danger of death,
because it was proved, that he had slaine Theobaldo: he made peace
with his brethren, and in the end, wisely enjoyed his hearts desire.
So ceased Fiammetta her discourse, being generally commended, when
the Queene, to prevent the losse of time, commanded Aemillia to follow
