horse-backe, albeit he came poorely thether on foot.
Master Can de la Scala, who was a man of good understanding,
perceived immediately (without any further interpretation) what
Bergamino meant by this morall, and smiling on him, saide:
Bergamino, thou hast honestly expressed thy vertue and necessities,
and justly reprooved mine avarice, niggardnesse, and base folly. And
trust me Bergamino, I never felt such a fit of covetousnesse come upon
me, as this which I have dishonestly declared to thee: and which I
will now banish from me, with the same correction as thou hast
taught mee. So, having payed the Host all his charges, redeeming
also his robes or garments, mounting him on a good Gelding, and
putting plenty of Crownes in his purse, he referd it to his owne
choise to depart, or dwell there still with him.
THE FIRST DAY, THE EIGHT NOVELL
WHICH PLAINLY DECLARETH, THAT A COVETOUS GENTLEMAN, IS NOT
WORTHY OF ANY HONOR OR RESPECT
Guillaume Boursier, with a few quaint and familiar words, checkt the
miserable covetousnesse of Signior Herminio de Grimaldi.
Madam Lauretta, sitting next to Philostratus, when she had heard the
witty conceite of Bergamino; knowing, that she was to say somewhat,
without injunction or command, pleasantly thus began.
This last discourse (faire and vertuous company) induceth me to tell
you, how an honest Courtier reprehended in like manner (and nothing
unprofitably) base covetousnesse in a Merchant of extraordinary
wealth. Which Tale, although (in effect) it may seeme to resemble
the former; yet perhaps, it will prove no lesse pleasing to you, in
regard it sorted to as good an end.
It is no long time since, that there lived in Genes or Geneway, a
Gentleman named Signior Herminio de Grimaldo, who (as every one wel
knew) was more rich in inheritances, and ready summes of currant money
then any other knowne Citizen in Italy. And as hee surpassed other men
in wealth, so did he likewise excell them in wretched Avarice, being
so miserably greedy and covetous, as no man in the world could be more
wicked that way; because, not onely he kept his purse lockt up from
pleasuring any, but denied needfull things to himselfe, enduring
many miseries onely to avoid expences, contrary to the Genewayes
generall custom, who alwayes delighted to be decently cloathed, and to
have their dyet of the best. By reason of which most miserable
basenesse, they tooke away from him the Sirname of Grimaldi, whereof
he was in right descended, and called him master Herminio the covetous
Mizer, a nickname very notably agreeing with his gripple nature.
It came to passe, that in this time of his spending nothing, but
multiplying daily by infinite meanes, that a civill honest Gentleman
(a Courtier of ready wit, and discoursive in Languages) came to
Geneway, being named Guillaume Boursier. A man very farre differing
from divers Courtiers in these dayes, who for soothing shamefull and
gracelesse maners in such as allow them maintenance, are called and
reputed to bee Gentlemen, yea speciall favourites: whereas much more
worthily, they should be accounted as knaves and villaines, being
borne and bred in all filthinesse, and skilfull in every kinde of
basest behaviour, not fit to come in Princes Courts. For, whereas in
passed times, they spent their dayes and paines in making peace,
when Gentlemen were at warre or dissention, or treating on honest
marriages, betweene friends and familiars, and (with loving
speeches) would recreate disturbed mindes, desiring none but
commendable exercises in Court, and sharpely reprooving (like Fathers)
disordred life, or ill actions in any, albeit with recompence
little, or none at all; these upstarts now adayes, employ all their
paines in detractions, sowing questions and quarrels betweene one
another, making no spare of lyes and falshoods. Nay which is worse,
they wil do this in the presence of any man, upbraiding him with
injuries, shames, and scandals (true or not true) upon the very
least occasion. And by false and deceitful flatteries and villanies of
their owne inventing, they make Gentlemen to become as vile as
themselves. For which detestable qualities, they are better beloved
and respected of their misdemeanored Lords, and recompenced in more
bountifull maner, then men of vertuous carriage and desert. Which is
an argument sufficient, that goodnesse is gone up to heaven, and
hath quite forsaken these loathed lower Regions, where men are drowned
in the mud of all abhominable vices.
But returning where I left (being led out of my way by a just and
religious anger against such deformity) this Gentleman, Master
Guillaume Boursier, was willingly seene, and gladly welcommed by all
the best men in Geneway. Having remained some few daies in the City,
and amongst other matters, heard much talke of the miserable
covetousnesse of master Herminio, he grew very desirous to have a
sight of him. Master Herminio had already understood, that this
Gentleman, Master Guillaume Boursier was vertuously disposed, and (how
covetously soever hee was inclined) having in him some sparkes of
noble nature, gave him very good words, and gracious entertainment,
discoursing with him on divers occasions.
In company of other Genewayes with him, he brought him to a new
erected house of his, a building of great cost and beauty; where,
after he had shewne him all the variable rarieties, he beganne thus.
Master Guillaume, no doubt but you have heard and seene many things,
and you can instruct me in some queint conceit or device, to be fairly
figured in painting, at the entrance into the great Hall of my
House. Master Guillaume hearing him speake so simply, returned him
this answer: Sir, I cannot advise you in any thing, so rare or unseene
as you talk of: but how to sneeze (after a new manner) upon a full and
over-cloyed stomacke, to avoyde base humours that stupifie the braine,
or other matters of the like quality. But if you would be taught a
good one indeede, and had a disposition to see it fairely effected,
I could instruct you in an excellent Emblem, wherwith (as yet) you
never came acquainted.
Master Herminio hearing him say so, and expecting no such answer
as he had, saide, Good Master Guillaume, tell me what it is, and on my
faith I will have it fairely painted. Whereto Master Guillaume
suddenly replied; Do nothing but this Sir: Paint over the Portall of
your Halles enterance, the lively picture of Liberality, to bid all
your friends better welcome, then hitherto they have beene. When
Master Herminio heard these words, he becam possessed with such a
sudden shame, that his complexion changed from the former palenesse,
and answered thus. Master Guillaume, I will have your advice so
truly figured over my gate, and shee shall give so good welcome to all
my guests, that both you, and all these Gentlemen shall say, I have
both seene her, and am become reasonably acquainted with her. From
that time forward, the words of Master Guillaume were so effectuall
with Signior Herminio, that he became the most bountifull and best
house-keeper, which lived in his time in Geneway: no man more
honouring and friendly welcoming both strangers and Citizens, then
he continually used to do.
THE FIRST DAY, THE NINTH NOVELL
GIVING ALL MEN TO UNDERSTAND, THAT JUSTICE IS NECESSARY
IN A KING ABOVE AL THINGS ELSE WHATSOEVER
The King of Cyprus was wittily reprehended, by the words of a
Gentlewoman of Gascoignie, and became vertuously altered from his
vicious disposition.
The last command of the Queene, remained upon Madam Elissa, or
Eliza, who (without any delaying) thus beganne. Young Ladies, it
hath often beene seene, that much paine hath beene bestowed, and
many reprehensions spent in vaine, till a word happening at adventure,
and perhaps not purposely determined, hath effectually done the deede:
as appeareth by the Tale of Madame Lauretta, and another of mine owne,
where with I intend briefly to acquaint you, approving that when
good words are discreetly observed, they are of soveraigne power and
vertue.
In the dayes of the first King of Cyprus, after the Conquest made in
the holy Land by Godfrey of Bullen, it fortuned that a Gentlewoman
of Gascoignie, travelling in pilgrimage to visit the sacred
Sepulcher in Jerusalem, returning home againe, arrived at Cyprus,
where shee was villanously abused by certaine base wretches.
Complaining thereof, without any comfort or redresse, shee intended to
make her moane to the King of the Country. Whereupon it was tolde her,
that therein shee should but loose her labour, because hee was so
womanish, and faint-hearted; that not onely he refused to punish
with justice the offence of others, but also suffered shamefull
injuries done to himselfe. And therefore, such as were displeased by
his negligence, might easily discharge their spleene against him,
and doe him what dishonour they would.
When the Gentlewoman heard this, despairing of any consolation, or
revenge for her wrongs, shee resolved to checke the Kings deniall of
justice, and comming before him weeping, spake in this manner. Sir,
I presume not into your presence, as hoping to have redresse by you,
for divers dishonourable injuries done unto me; but, as full
satisfaction for them, doe but teach me how you suffer such vile
abuses, as daily are offered to your selfe. To the end, that being
therein instructed by you, I may the more patiently beare mine owne;
which (as God knoweth) I would bestow on you very gladly, because
you know so well how to endure them.
The King, who (till then) had beene very bad, dull, and slothfull,
even as sleeping out his time of governement; beganne to revenge the
wrongs done to this Gentlewoman very severely, and (thence forward)
became a most sharpe Justicer, for the least offence offered against
the honour of his Crowne, or to any of his subjects beside.
THE FIRST DAY, THE TENTH NOVELL
WHEREIN IS DECLARED, THAT HONEST LOVE AGREETH WITH PEOPLE
OF ALL AGES
Master Albert of Bullen, honestly made a Lady to blush, that thought
to have done as much to him, because shee perceived him, to be
amorously affected towards her.
After that Madam Eliza sate silent, the last charge and labour of
the like employment, remained to the Queene her selfe; whereupon
shee beganne thus to speake: Honest and vertuous young Ladies, like as
the Starres (when the Ayre is faire and cleere) are the adorning and
beauty of Heaven, and flowers (while the Spring time lasteth) doe
graciously embellish the Meadowes; even so sweete speeches and
pleasing conferences, to passe the time with commendable discourses,
are the best habit of the minde, and an outward beauty to the body:
which ornaments of words, when they appeare to be short and sweete,
are much more seemely in women, then in men; because long and
tedious talking (when it may be done in lesser time) is a greater
blemish in women, then in men.
Among us women, this day, I thinke few or none have therein
offended, but as readily have understood short and pithy speeches, as
they have beene quicke and quaintly delivered. But when answering
suteth not with understanding, it is generally a shame in us, and all
such as live; because our moderne times have converted that vertue,
which was within them who lived before us, into garments of the body,
and shew whose habites were noted to bee most gaudy, fullest of
imbroyderies and fantastick fashions: she was reputed to have most
matter in her, and therefore to be more honoured and esteemed. Never
considering, that whosoever loadeth the backe of an Asse, or puts upon
him the richest braverie; he becommeth not thereby a jot the wiser, or
meriteth any more honor then an Asse should have. I am ashamed to
speake it, because in detecting other, I may (perhaps) as justly taxe
my selfe.
Such imbroydered bodies, tricked and trimmed in such boasting
bravery, are they any thing else but as Marble Statues, dumbe, dull,
and utterly insensible? Or if (perchaunce) they make an answere,
when some question is demanded of them; it were much better for them
to be silent. For defence of honest devise and conference among men
and women, they would have the world to thinke, that it proceedeth but
from simplicity and precise opinion, covering their owne folly with
the name of honesty: as if there were no other honest woman, but
shee that conferres onely with her Chambermaide, Laundresse, or
Kitchin-woman: as if nature had allowed them, (in their owne idle
conceite) no other kinde of talking.
Most true it is, that as there is a respect to be used in the action
of things; so, time and place are necessarily to be considered, and
also whom we converse withall; because sometimes it happeneth, that
a man or woman, intending (by a word of jest and merriment) to make
another body blush or be ashamed: not knowing what strength of wit
remaineth in the opposite, doe convert the same disgrace upon
themselves. Therefore, that we may the more advisedly stand upon our
owne guard, and to prevent the common proverbe, That Women (in all
things) make choyse of the worst: I desire that this dayes last
tale, which is to come from my selfe, may make us all wise. To the
end, that as in gentlenesse of minde we conferre with other; so by
excellency in good manners, we may shew our selves not inferiour to
them.
It is not many yeares since (worthy assembly) that in Bulloigne
there dwelt a learned Physitian, a man famous for skill, and farre
renowned, whose name was Master Albert, and being growne aged, to
the estimate of threescore and tenne yeares: hee had yet such a
sprightly disposition, that though naturall heate and vigour had quite
shaken hands with him, yet amorous flames and desires had not wholly
forsaken him. Having seene (at a Banquet) a very beautifull woman,
being then in the estate of widdowhood, named (as some say) Madam
Margaret de Chisolieri, shee appeared so pleasing in his eye; that his
