Extremity of griefe and sorrow, withheld his tongue from returning
any answer, and she perceiving her end approaching, held the heart
still closer to her owne bare brest, saying; Here Fortune, receive two
true hearts latest oblation; for, in this manner are we comming to
thee. So closing her eyes, all sense forsooke her, life leaving her
body breathlesse. Thus ended the haplesse love of Guiscardo, and
Ghismonda, for whose sad disaster, when the King had mourned
sufficiently, and repented fruitlesly; he caused both their bodies
to be honourably embalmed, and buried in a most royall Monument; not
without generall sorrow of the subjects of Salerne.
THE FOURTH DAY, THE SECOND NOVELL
REPREHENDING THE LEWD LIVES OF DISSEMBLING HYPOCRITES; AND
CHECKING THE ARROGANT PRIDE OF VAINE-HEADED WOMEN
Fryar Albert made a young Venetian Gentlewoman beleeve, that God
Cupid was falne in love with her, and he resorted oftentimes unto her,
in the disguise of the same God. Afterward, being frighted by the
Gentlewomans kindred and friends, he cast himselfe out of her
Chamber window, and was bidden in a poore mans House; on the day
following, in the shape of a wilde or savage man, he was brought
upon the Rialto of Saint Marke, and being there publikely knowne by
the Brethren of his Order, he was committed to Prison.
The Novell recounted by Madam Fiammetta, caused teares many times in
the eyes of all the company; but it being finished, the King shewing a
stearne countenance, saide; I should have much commended the kindnesse
of fortune, if in the whole course of my life, I had tasted the
least moity of that delight, which Guiscardo received by conversing
with faire Ghismonda. Nor neede any of you to wonder thereat, or how
it can be otherwise, because hourely I feele a thousand dying
torments, without enjoying any hope of ease or pleasure: but referring
my fortunes to their owne poore condition, it is my will, that Madam
Pampinea proceed next in the argument of successelesse love, according
as Madam Fiammetta hath already begun, to let fall more dew-drops on
the fire of mine afflictions. Madam Pampinea perceiving what a taske
was imposed on her, knew well (by her owne disposition) the
inclination of the company, whereof shee was more respective then of
the Kings command: wherefore, chusing rather to recreate their
spirits, then to satisfie the Kings melancholy humour; she
determined to relate a Tale of mirthfull matter, and yet to keepe
within compasse of the purposed Argument It hath bene continually used
as a common Proverbe; that a bad man taken and reputed to be honest
and good, may commit many evils, yet neither credited, or suspected:
which proverbe giveth me very ample matter to speake of, and yet not
varying from our intention, concerning the hypocrisie of some
religious persons, who having their garments long and large, their
faces made artificially pale, their language meeke and humble to get
mens goods from them; yet sowre, harsh and stearne enough, in checking
and controuling other mens errours, as also in urging others to
give, and themselves to take, without any other hope or meanes of
salvation. Nor doe they endeavour like other men, to worke out their
soules health with feare and trembling; but, even as if they were sole
owners, Lords, and possessors of Paradice, will appoint to every dying
person, place (there) of greater or lesser excellency, according as
they thinke good, or as the legacies left by them are in quantity,
whereby they not onely deceive themselves, but all such as give credit
to their subtile perswasions. And were it lawfull for me, to make
knowne no more then is meerely necessary; I could quickly disclose
to simple credulous people, what craft lieth concealed under their
holy habites: and I would wish, that their lies and deluding should
speed with them, as they did with a Franciscane Friar, none of the
younger Novices, but one of them of greatest reputation, and belonging
to one of the best Monasteries in Venice. Which I am the rather
desirous to report, to recreate your spirits, after your teares for
the death of faire Ghismonda.
Sometime (Honourable Ladies) there lived in the City of Imola, a man
of most lewd and wicked life; named, Bertho de la messa, whose
shamelesse deedes were so well knowne to all the Citizens, and won
such respect among them; as all his lies could not compasse any
beleefe, no, not when he delivered a matter of sound truth. Wherefore,
perceiving that his lewdnesse allowed him no longer dwelling there;
like a desperate adventurer, he transported himselfe thence to Venice,
the receptacle of all foule sinne and abhomination, intending there to
exercise his wonted bad behaviour, and live as wickedly as ever he had
done before. It came to passe, that some remorse of conscience tooke
hold of him, for the former passages of his dissolute life, and he
pretended to be surprized with very great devotion, becomming much
more Catholike then any other man, taking on him the profession of a
Franciscane coldelier, and calling himselfe, Fryar Albert of Imola.
In this habite and outward appearance, hee seemed to leade an
austere and sanctimonious life, highly commending penance and
abstinence, never eating flesh, or drinking wine, but when he was
provided of both in a close corner. And before any person could take
notice thereof, hee became (of a theefe) Ruffian, forswearer, and
murtherer, as formerly he had-beene a great Preacher; yet not
abandoning the forenamed vices, when secretly he could put any of them
in execution. Moreover, being made Priest, when he was celebrating
Masse at the Altar, if he saw himselfe to be observed by any; he would
most mournefully reade the passion of our Saviour, as one whose teares
cost him little, whensoever hee pleased to use them; so that, in a
short while, by his preaching and teares, he fed the humours of the
Venetians so pleasingly, that they made him executor (well-neere) of
all their Testaments, yea, many chose him as depositary or Guardion of
their monies; because he was both Confessour and Councellor, almost to
all the men and women.
By this well seeming out-side of sanctity, the Wolfe became a
Shepheard, and his renowne for holinesse was so famous in those parts,
as Saint Frances himselfe had hardly any more. It fortuned, that a
young Gentlewoman, being somewhat foolish, wanton and proud minded,
named Madam Lisetta de Caquirino, wife to a wealthy Merchant, who went
with certaine Gallies into Flanders, and there lay as Lieger long
time: in company of other Gentlewomen, went to be confessed by this
ghostly Father; kneel. at his feete, although her heart was high
enough, like a proud minded woman, (for Venetians are presumptuous,
vaine-glorious, and witted much like to their skittish Gondoloes)
she made a very short rehearsall of her sinnes. At length Fryar Albert
demanded of her, whether shee had any amorous friend or lover? Her
patience being exceedingly provoked, stearne anger appeared in her
lookes, which caused her to returne him this answer. How now Sir
Domine? what? have you no eyes in your head? Can you not distinguish
between mine, and these other common beauties? I could have Lovers
enow, if I were so pleased; but those perfections remaining in me, are
not to be affected by this man, or that. How many beauties have you
beheld, any way answerable to mine, and are more fit for Gods, then
mortals.
Many other idle speeches shee uttered, in proud opinion of her
beauty, whereby Friar Albert presently perceived, that this
Gentlewoman had but a hollow braine, and was fit game for folly to
flye at; which made him instantly enamoured of her, and that beyond
all capacity of resisting, which yet he referred to a further, and
more commodious time. Neverthelesse, to shew himselfe an holy and
religious man now, he began to reprehend her, and told her plainely,
that she was vain-glorious, and overcome with infinite follies.
Heereupon, him call.ed him a logger headed beast, and he knew not
the difference betweene an ordinary complexion, and beauty of the
highest merit. In which respect, Friar Albert, being loth to offend
her any further; after confession was fully ended, let her passe
away among the other Gentlewomen, she giving him divers disdainfull
lookes.
Within some few dayes after, taking one of his trusty brethren in
his company, he went to the House of Madam Lisetta, where requiring to
have some conference alone with her selfe; shee tooke him into a
private Parlor, and being there, not to be seene by any body, he
fell on his knees before her, speaking in this manner. Madam, for
charities sake, and in regard of your owne most gracious nature, I
beseech you to pardon those harsh speeches, which I used to you the
other day, when you were with me at confession: because, the very
night ensuing thereon, I was chastised in such cruell manner, as I was
never able to stirre forth of my bed, untill this very instant
morning; whereto the weake-witted Gentlewoman thus replyed. And who
I pray you (quoth she) did chastise you so severely? I will tell you
Madam, said Friar Albert, but it is a matter of admirable secrecie.
Being alone by my selfe the same night in my Dorter, and in very
serious devotion, according to my usuall manner: suddenly I saw a
bright splendour about me, and I could no sooner arise to discerne
what it might be, and whence it came, but I espied a very goodly young
Lad standing by me, holding a golden Bow in his hand, and a rich
Quiver of Arrowes hanging at his backe. Catching fast hold on my Hood,
against the ground he threw me rudely, trampling on me with his feete,
and beating me with so many cruell blowes, that I thought my body to
be broken in peeces. Then I desired to know, why he was so rigorous to
me in his correction? Because (quoth he) thou didst so saucily presume
this day, to reprove the celestiall beauty of Madam Lisetta, who (next
to my Mother Venus) I love most dearely. Whereupon I perceived, he was
the great commanding God Cupid, and therefore I craved most humbly
pardon of him. I will pardon thee (quoth he) but upon this
condition, that thou goe to her so soone as conveniently thou canst,
and (by lowly humility) prevaile to obtaine her free pardon: which
if she will not vouchsafe to grant thee, then shall I in stearne anger
returne againe, and lay so many torturing afflictions on thee, that
all thy whole life time shall be most hatefull to thee. And what the
displeased God saide else beside, I dare not disclose, except you
please first to pardon me.
Mistresse shallow-braine, being swolne big with this wind, like an
empty bladder; conceived no small pride in hearing these words,
constantly crediting them to be true, and therefore thus answered. Did
I not tel you Father Albert, that my beauty was celestiall? But I
sweare by my beauty, notwithstanding your idle passed arrogancy, I
am heartily sorry for your so severe correction; which that it may
no more be inflicted on you, I do freely pardon you; yet with this
proviso, that you tell me what the God else saide unto you; whereto
Fryar Albert thus replyed. Madam, seeing you have so graciously
vouchsafed to pardon me, I will thankfully tell you all: but you
must be very carefull and respective, that whatsoever I shall
reveale unto you, must so closely be concealed, as no living
creature in the World may know it; for you are the onely happy Lady
now living, and that happinesse relleth on your silence and
secrecie: with solemne vowes and protestations she sealed up her
many promises, and then the Fryar thus proceeded.
Madam, the further charge imposed on me by God Cupid, was to tell
you, that himselfe is so extremely enamored of your beauty, and you
are become so gracious in his affection; as, many nights he hath
come to see you in your Chamber, sitting on your pillow, while you
slept sweetly, and desiring very often to awake you, but onely fearing
to affright you. Wherefore, now he sends you word by me, that one
night he intendeth to come visite you, and to spend some time in
conversing with you. But in regard he is a God, and meerely a spirit
in forme, whereby neither you or any else have capacity of beholding
him, much lesse to touch or feele him: he saith that (for your sake)
he will come in the shape of a man, giving me charge also to know of
you, when you shall please to have him come, and in whose similitude
you would have him to come, whereof he will not falle; in which
respect, you may justly thinke your selfe to be the onely happy
woman livng, and farre beyond all other in your good fortune.
Mistresse want-wit presently answered, shee was well contented, that
God Cupid should love her, and she would returne the like love
againe to him; protesting withill, that wheresoever shee should see
his majesticall picture, she would set a hallowed burning Taper before
it. Moreover, at all times he should be most welcome to her,
whensoever hee would vouchsafe to visite her; for, he should alwayes
finde her alone in her private Chamber: on this condition, that his
olde Love Psyches, and all other beauties else whatsoever, must be set
aside, and none but her selfe onely to be his best Mistresse,
referring his personall forme of appearance, to what shape himselfe
best pleased to assume, so that it might not be frightfull, or
offensive to her.
Madam (quoth Friar Albert) most wisely have you answered, and
leave the matter to me; for I will take order sufficiently, and to
your contentment. But you may do me a great grace, and without any
prejudice to your selfe, in granting me one poore request; namely,
to vouchsafe the Gods appearance to you, in my bodily shape and
person, and in the perfect forme of a man as now you behold me: so may
you safely give him entertainment, without any taxation of the
world, or ill apprehension of the most curious inquisition. Beside,
a greater happinesse can never befall me: for, while he assumeth the
soule out of my body, and walketh on the earth in my humane figure:
I shall be wandering in the joyes of Lovers Paradise, feeling the
