safely (afterward) bring you where you would be. Otherwise, I see no
possible meanes, how you may escape hence unknown; for it is without
all question to the contrary, that the Gentlewomans brethren,
knowing your concealment in some one place or other, wil set such
spies and watches for you throughout the City, as you must needs be
taken by them.
Now, although it seemed a most severe imposition, for Albert to
passe in any of these disguises: yet his exceeding feare of
Lisettaes brethren and friends, made him gladly yeelde, and to undergo
what shape the poore man pleased, which thus he ordered. Annointing
his naked body with Hony, he then covered it over with downy small
Feathers, and fastening a chaine about his necke, and a strange ugly
vizard on his face, he gave him a great staffe in the one hand, and
two huge Mastive dogs chained together in the other, which he had
borrowed in the Butchery. Afterward, he sent a man to the Rialto,
who there proclaimed by the sound of Trumpet: That all such as desired
to see God Cupid, which the last nights had descended downe from the
skies, and fell (by ill hap) into the Venetian gulfe, let them repaire
to the publike Market place of S. Marke, and there he would appeare in
his owne likenesse.
This being done, soone after he left his house, and leading him thus
disguised along by the chaine, he was followed by great crowds of
people, every one questioning of whence, and what he was. In which
manner, he brought him, to the Market place, where an infinite
number of people were gathered together, as well of the followers,
as of them that before heard the proclamation. There he made choice of
a pillar, which stood in a place somewhat highly exalted, wherto he
chained his savage man, making shew, as if be meant to awaite there,
till the hunting should begin: in which time, the Flies, Waspes, and
Hornets, did so terribly sting his naked body, being annointed with
Hony, that he endured therby unspeakable anguish. When the poore man
saw, that there needed no more concourse of people; pretending, as
if he purposed to let loose his Salvage man; he tooke the maske or
vizard from Alberts face, and then he spake aloud in this manner.
Gentlemen and others, seeing the wilde Boare commeth not to our
hunting, because I imagine that he cannot easily be found: I meane (to
the end you may not lose your labour in comming hither) to shew you
the great God of Love called Cupid, who Poets feigned long since to be
a little boy, but now growne to manly stature. You see in what maner
he hath left his high dwelling onely for the comfort of our Venetian
beauties: but belike, the night-fogs overflagging his wings, he fell
into our gulfe, and comes now to present his service to you. No sooner
had he taken off his vizard, but every one knew him to be Fryar
Albert; and sodainely arose such shoutes outcries, with most bitter
words breathed forth against him, hurling also stones, durt and
filth in his face, that his best acquaintance then could take no
knowledge of him, and not any one pittying his abusing. So long
continued the offended people in their fury, that the newes therof was
carried to the Convent, and six of his Religious Brethren came, who
casting an habite about him, and releasing him from his chaine, they
led him to the Monastery, not without much mollestation and trouble of
the people; where imprisoning him in their house, severity of some
inflicted punishment, or rather conceite for his open shame,
shortned his dayes, and so he dyed. Thus you see (fayre Ladies) when
licentious life must be clouded with a cloake of sanctifie, and
evill actions daylie committed, yet escaping uncredited: there will
come a time at length, for just discovering of all, that the good
may shine in their true luster of glory, and the bad sinke in their
owne deserved shame.
THE FOURTH DAY, THE THIRD NOVELL
HEEREIN IS DECLARED, HOW DANGEROUS THE OCCASION IS, ENSUING BY
ANGER AND DESPIGHT, IN SUCH AS ENTIRELY LOVE, ESPECIALLY
BEING INJURIED AND OFFENDED BY THEM THAT THEY LOVE
Three yong Gentlemen affecting three Sisters, fledde with them
into Candie. The eldest of them (through jealousie) becommeth the
death of her Lover; The second, by consenting to the Duke of Candies
request, is the meanes of saving her life. Afterward, her owne
Friend killeth her, and thence flyeth away with the elder Sister.
The third couple, are charged with her death, and being committed
prisoners, they confesse the fact; and fearing death, by corruption of
money they prevaile with their Keepers, escaping from thence to
Rhodes, where they dyed in great poverty.
When the King perceyved that Madame Pampinea had ended her
discourse, he sat sadly a pretty while, without uttering one word, but
afterward spake thus. Little goodnesse appeared in the beginning of
this Novell, because it ministred occasion of mirth; yet the ending
proved better, and I could wish, that worse inflictions had falne on
the venerious Friar. Then turning towards Madam Lauretta, he said;
Lady, do you tell us a better tale, if possible it may be. She
smiling, thus answered the King: Sir, you are over-cruelly bent
against poore Lovers, in desiring, that their amourous processions
should have harsh and sinister concludings. Neverthelesse, in
obedience to your severe command, among three persons amourously
perplexed, I will relate an unhappy ending; whereas all may be saide
to speede as unfortunately, being equally alike, in enjoying the issue
of their desires, and thus I purpose to proceed.
Every Vice (choice Ladies) as very well you know, redoundeth to
the great disgrace and prejudice of him, or her, by whom it is
practised, and oftentimes to others. Now, among those common
hurtfull enemies, the sinne or vice which most carrieth us with full
carrere, and draweth us into unadvoydable dangers (in mine opinion)
seemeth to be that of choller or anger, which is a sodain and
inconsiderate moving, provoked by some received injury, which having
excluded all respect of reason, and dimnd (with darke vapors) the
bright discerning sight of the understanding, enflameth the minde with
most violent fury. And albeit this inconvenience hapneth most to
men, and more to some few then others, yet notwithstanding, it hath
bene noted, that women have felt the selfesame infirmity, and in
more extreme manner, because it much sooner is kindled in them, and
burneth with the brighter flame, in regard they have the lesser
consideration, and therefore not to be wondred at. For if we wil
advisedly observe, we shall plainely perceive, that fire even of his
owne nature) taketh hold on such things as are light and tender,
much sooner then it can on hard and weighty substances; and some of us
women (let men take no offence at my words) are farre more soft and
delicate then they be, and therefore more fraile. In which regard,
seeing wee are naturally enclined hereto, and considering also, how
much our affability and gentlenesse do shew themselves pleasing and
full of content to those men with whom we are to live; and likewise,
how anger and fury are compacted of extraordinary perils: I purpose
(because we may be the more valiant in our courage, to outstand the
fierce assaults of wrath and rage) to shew you by mine ensuing Novell,
how the loves of three yong Gentlemen, and of as many Gentlewomen,
came to fatall and fortunat successe by the tempestuous anger of one
among them, as I have formerly related unto you.
Marseilles (as you are not now to learne) is in Provence; seated
on the Sea, and is also a very ancient and most Noble Citty, which
hath bene (heeretofore) inhabited with farre richer and more wealthy
Merchants, then at this instant time it is. Among whom, there was
one named Narnaldo Civida, a man but of meane condition, yet cleare in
faith and reputation, and in lands, goods, and ready monies,
immeasurably rich. Many children he had by his Wife, among whom were
three Daughters, which exceeded his Sonnes in yeeres. Two of them
being twinnes, and borne of one body, were counted to be fifteene
yeeres old; the third was foureteene, and nothing hindered marriage in
their Parents owne expectation but the returne home of Narnaldo, who
was then abroad in Spaine with his Merchandizes. The eldest of these
Sisters was named Ninetta, the second Magdalena, and the third
Bertella. A Gentleman (albeit but poore in fortunes) and called
Restagnone, was so extraordinarily enamoured of Ninetta, as no man
possibly could be more, and she likewise as earnest in affection
towards him; yet both carrying their loves proceeding with such
secrecy, as long time they enjoyed their hearts sweet contentment, yet
undiscovered.
It came to passe, that two other young Gallants, the one named
Folco, and the other Hugnetto, (who had attained to incredible wealth,
by the decease of their Father) were also as far in love, the one with
Magdalena, and the other with Bertella. When Restagnone had
intelligence thereof, by the meanes of his faire friend Ninetta, he
purposed to releeve his poverty, by friendly furthering both their
love, and his owne: and growing into familiarity with them, one
while he would walke abroad with Folco, and then againe with Hugnetto,
but oftner with them both together, to visite their Mistresses, and
continue worthy friendship. On a day, when hee saw the time suteable
to his intent, and that hee had invited the two Gentlemen home unto
his House, he fell into this like Conference with them.
Kinde Friends (quoth he) the honest familiarity which hath past
betweene us, may render you some certaine assurance, of the constant
love I beare to you both, being as willing to worke any meanes that
may tend to your good, as I desire to compasse And because the truth
of mine affection cannot conceale it selfe to you, I meane to acquaint
you with an intention, wherewith my braine hath a long While travelled
and now may soone be delivered of, if it may passe with your liking
and approbation. Let me then tell you, that except your speeches
savour of untruth, and your actions carry a double understaning, in
common behaviour both by night and day, you appeare to and consume
away, in the cordiall love you beare to two of the Sisters, as I
suffer the same afflictions for the third, with reciprocall. requitall
of their deerest affection to us. Now, to qualifie the heate of our
tormenting flames, if you will condescend to such a course as I
shall advise you, the remedy will yeild them equall ease to ours,
and we may safely injoy the benefit of contentment. As wealth
aboundeth with you both, so doth want most extremely tyrannize over
me: but if one banke might be made of both your rich substances, I
embraced therein as a third partaker, and some quarter of the world
dissigned out by us, where to live at hearts ease upon your
possessions, I durst engage my credit, that all the sisters (not
meanely stored with their Fathers treasure) shall beare us company
to what place soever we please. There each man freely enjoying his
owne deerest love, may live like three brethren, without any
hinderance to our mutuall content: it remaineth now in you
Gentlemen, to accept this comfortable offer, or to refuse it.
The two Brothers, whose pass exceeded their best means for
support, perceiving some hope how to enjoy their loves; desired no
long time of deliberation, or greatly disputed with their thoughts
what was best to be done: but readily replyed, that let happen any
danger whatsoever, they would joyne with him in this determination,
and he should partake with them in their wealthiest fortunes. After
Restagnone had heard their answer, within some few dayes following, he
went to confer with Ninetta, which was no easie matter for him to
compasse. Neverthelesse, opportunity proved so favourable to him, that
meeting with her at a private place appointed, he discoursed at large,
what had passed betweene him and the other two young Gentlemen,
maintaining the same with many good reasons, to have her like and
allow of the enterprize. Which although (for a while) he could very
hardly doe; yet, in regard shee had more desire then power, without
suspition to be daily in his company, she thus answered. My hearts
chosen friend, I cannot any way mislike your advice, and will take
such order with my Sisters, that they shal agree to our resolution.
Let it therefore be your charge, that you and the rest make every
thing ready, to depart from hence so soone, as with best convenient
meanes we may be enabled.
Restagnone being returned to Folco and Hugnetto, who thought
everie houre a yeare, to heare what would succeede upon the promise
past between them; he told them in plain termes, that their Ladies
were as free in consent as they, and nothing wanted now, but
furnishment for their sodaine departing. Having concluded, that Candye
should bee their harbour for entertainment, they made sale of some few
inheritances which lay the readiest for the purpose, as also the goods
in their Houses; and then, under colour of venting Merchandizes
abroad, they bought a nimble Pinnace, fortified with good strength and
preparation, and wayted but for a convenient winde. On the other side,
Ninetta who was sufficiently acquainted with the forwardnesse of her
Sisters desires, and her owne, had so substantially prevailed with
them, that a good Voyage now was the sole expectation. Whereupon,
the same night when they should set away, they opened a stronk
barred Chest of their Fathers, whence they tooke great store of Gold
and costly jewels, wherewith escaping secretly out of the house;
they came to the place where their Lovers attended for them, and going
all aboord the Pinnace, the windes were so furtherous to them, that
without touching any where, the night following, they arrived at
Geneway.
There being out of perill or pursuit, they all knit the knot of
holy wedlocke, and then freely enjoyed their long wished desires, from
whence setting saile againe, and being well furnished with all
things wanting passing on from Port to Port, at the end of eight
