sences became no lesse disturbed, then as if he had beene of farre
younger temper, and no night could any quietnesse possesse his
soule, except (the day before) he had seene the sweet countenance of
this lovely widdow. In regard whereof, his dayly passage was by her
doore, one while on horsebacke, and then againe on foot; as best might
declare his plaine purpose to see her.
Both shee and other Gentlewomen, perceiving the occasion of his
passing and repassing; would privately jest thereat together, to see a
man of such yeares and discretion, to be amorously addicted, or
overswayed by effeminate passions. For they were partly perswaded,
that such wanton Ague fits of Love, were fit for none but youthfull
apprehensions, as best agreeing with their chearefull complexion.
Master Albert continuing his dayly walkes by the widdowes lodging,
it chaunced upon a Feastivall day, that shee (accompanied with
divers other women of great account) being sitting at her doore;
espied Master Albert (farre off) comming thitherward, and a resolved
determination among themselves was set downe, to allow him
favourable entertainement, and to jest (in some merry manner) at his
loving folly, as afterward they did indeede.
No sooner was he come neere, but they all arose, and courteously
invited him to enter with them, conducting him into a goodly Garden,
where readily was prepared choyse of delicate wines and banquetting.
At length, among other pleasant and delightfull discourses, they
demanded of him; how it was possible for him, to be amorously affected
towards so beautifull a woman, both knowing and seeing, how
earnestly she was sollicited by many gracious, gallant, and
youthfull spirits, aptly suting with her yeares and desires? Master
Albert perceiving, that they had drawne him in among them, onely to
scoffe and make a mockery of him; set a merry countenance on the
matter, and honestly thus answered.
Beleeve mee Gentlewoman (speaking to the widdowe her selfe) it
should not appeare strange to any of wisedome and discretion, that I
am amorously enclined, and especially to you, because you are well
worthy of it. And although those powers, which naturally appertaine to
the exercises of Love, are bereft and gone from aged people; yet
good will thereto cannot be taken from them, neither judgement to know
such as deserve to be affected: for, by how much they exceede youth in
knowledge and experience, by so much the more hath nature made them
meet for respect and reverence. The hope which incited me (being aged)
to love you, that are affected of so many youthfull Gallants, grew
thus. I have often chaunced into divers places, where I have seene
Ladies and Gentlwomen, being disposed to a Collation or rerebanquet
after dinner, to feede on Lupines, and young Onions or Leekes, and
although it may be so, that there is little or no goodnesse at all
in them; yet the heads of them are least hurtfull, and most pleasing
in the mouth. And you Gentlewomen generally (guided by unreasonable
appetite) will hold the heads of them in your hands, and feede upon
the blades or stalkes: which not onely are not good for any thing, but
also are of very bad savour. And what know I (Lady) whether among
the choise of friends, it may fit your fancy to doe the like? For,
if you did so, it were no fault of mine to be chosen of you, but
thereby were all the rest of your suters the sooner answered.
The widdowed Gentlewoman, and all the rest in her company, being
bashfully ashamed of her owne and their folly, presently said.
Master Albert, you have both well and worthily chastised our over-bold
presumption, and beleeve me Sir, I repute your love and kindnesse of
no meane merrit, comming from a man so wise and vertuous: And
therefore (mine honour reserved) commaund my uttermost, as alwayes
ready to do you any honest service. Master Albert, arising from his
seat, thanking the faire widdow for her gentle offer; tooke leave of
her and all the company, and she blushing, as all the rest were
therein not much behinde her, thinking to checke him, became chidden
her selfe, whereby (if we be wise) let us all take warning.
The Sunne was now somewhat farre declined, and the heates
extremity well worne away: when the Tales of the seaven Ladies and
three Gentlemen were thus finished, whereupon their Queene
pleasantly said. For this day (faire company) there remaineth nothing
more to be done under my regiment, but onely to bestow a new Queene
upon you, who (according to her judgement) must take her turne, and
dispose what next is to be done, for continuing our time in honest
pleasure. And although the day should endure till darke night; in
regard, that when some time is taken before, the better preparation
may bee made for occasions to follow, to the end also, that whatsoever
the new Queene shall please to appoint, may be the better fitted for
the morrow: I am of opinion, that at the same houre as we now cease,
the following dayes shall severally begin. And therefore, in reverence
to him that giveth life to all things, and in hope of comfort by our
second day; Madam Philomena, a most wise young Lady, shall governe
as Queene this our Kingdome.
So soone as she had thus spoken, arising from her seate of
dignity, and taking the Lawrell Crowne from off her owne head; she
reverently placed it upon Madam Philomenaes, shee first of all
humbly saluting her, and then all the rest, openly confessing her to
be their Queene, made gracious offer to obey whatsoever she commanded.
Philomena, her cheekes delivering a scarlet tincture, to see her selfe
thus honoured as their Queene, and well remembring the words, so
lately uttered by Madam Pampinea; that dulnesse or neglect might not
be noted in her, tooke cheerefull courage to her, and first of all,
she confirmed the officers, which Pampinea had appointed the day
before, then she ordained for the morrowes provision, as also for
the supper so neere approiching, before they departed away from
thence, and then thus began.
Lovely Companions, although that Madam Pampinea, more in her owne
courtesie, then any matter of merit remaining in me, hath made me your
Queene: I am not determined, to alter the forme of our intended
life, nor to be guided by mine owne judgement, but to associate the
same with your assistance. And because you may know what I intend to
do, and so (consequently) adde or diminish at your pleasure; in very
few words, you shall plainly understand my meaning. If you have well
considered on the course, which this day hath bene kept by Madam
Pampinea, me thinkes it hath bene very pleasing and commendable; in
which regard, untill by over-tedious continuation, or other
occasions of irkesome offence, it shall seeme injurious, I am of the
minde, not to alter it. Holding on the order then as we have begun
to doe, we will depart from hence to recreate our selves a while,
and when the Sun groweth towards setting, we will sup in the fresh and
open ayre; afterward, with Canzonets and other pastimes, we will
out-weare the houres till bed time. To morrow morning, in the fresh
and gentle breath thereof, we will rise and walke to such places, as
every one shall finde fittest for them, even as already this day we
have done; untill due time shall summon us hither againe, to
continue our discoursive Tales, wherein (me thinkes) consisteth both
pleasure and profit, especially by discreete observation.
Very true it is, that some things which Madam Pampinea could not
accomplish, by reason of her so small time of authority, I will
begin to undergo, to wit, in restraining some matters whereon we are
to speake, that better premeditation may passe upon them. For, when
respite and a little leysure goeth before them, each discourse will
savour of the more formality; and if it might so please you, thus
would I direct the order. As since the beginning of the world, all men
have bene guided (by Fortune) thorow divers accidents and occasions:
so beyond all hope and expectation, the issue and successe hath bin
good and successful, and accordingly should every one of our arguments
be chosen.
The Ladies, and the yong Gentlemen likewise, commended her advice,
and promised to imitate it; onely Dioneus excepted, who when every one
was silent, spake thus. Madam, I say as all the rest have done, that
the order by you appointed, is most pleasing and worthy to bee
allowed. But I intreate one speciall favour for my selfe, and to have
it confirmed to mee, so long as our company continueth; namely, that I
may not be constrained to this Law of direction, but to tell my Tale
at liberty, after mine owne minde, and according to the freedome first
instituted. And because no one shall imagine, that I urge this grace
of you, as being unfurnished of discourses in this kinde, I am well
contented to bee the last in every dayes exercise.
The Queene, knowing him to be a man full of mirth and matter,
began to consider very advisedly, that he would not have mooved this
request, but onely to the end, that if the company grew wearied by any
of the Tales re-counted, hee would shut up the dayes disport with some
mirthfull accident. Wherefore willingly, and with consent of all the
rest he had his suite granted. So, arising all, they walked to a
Christall river, descending downe a little hill into a valley,
graciously shaded with goodly Trees; where washing both their hands
and feete, much pretty pleasure passed among them; till supper time
drawing neere, made them returne home to the Palace. When supper was
ended, and bookes and instruments being laide before them, the
Queene commanded a dance, and that Madam Aemilia, assisted by Madam
Lauretta and Dioneus, should sing a sweet ditty. At which command,
Lauretta undertooke the dance, and led it, Aemilia singing this song
ensuing.
THE SONG
So much delight my beauty yeelds to mee,
That any other Love,
To wish or prove;
Can never sute it selfe with my desire.
Therein I see, upon good observation,
What sweet content due understanding lends:
Old or new thoughts cannot in any fashion
Rob me of that, which mine owne soule commends.
What object then,
(mongst infinites of men)
Can I never finde
to dispossesse my minde,
And plaint therein another new desire?
So much delight, etc.
But were it so, the blisse that I would chuse,
Is, by continuall sight to comfort me:
So rare a presence never to refuse,
Which mortall tongue or thought, what ere it be
Must still conceale,
not able to reveale,
Such a sacred sweete,
for none other meete,
But hearts enflamed with the same desire.
So much delight, etc.
The Song being ended, the Chorus whereof was answered by them all,
it passed with generall applause: and after a few other daunces, the
night being well run on, the Queene gave ending to this first dayes
Recreation. So, lights being brought, they departed to their
severall Lodgings, to take their rest till the next morning.
THE INDUCTION TO THE SECOND DAY
WHEREIN, ALL THE DISCOURSES ARE UNDER THE GOVERNMENT OF
MADAM PHILOMENA: CONCERNING SUCH MEN OR WOMEN, AS (IN DIVERS
ACCIDENTS) HAVE BEEN MUCH MOLLESTED BY FORTUNE, AND YET AFTERWARD
(CONTRARY TO THEIR HOPE AND EXPECTATION) HAVE HAD
A HAPPY AND SUCCESSEFULL DELIVERANCE
Already had the bright Sunne renewed the day every where with his
splendant beames, and the Birds sate merrily singing on the blooming
branches, yeelding testimony thereof to the eares of all hearers; when
the seven Ladies, and the three Gentlemen (after they were risen)
entered the Gardens, and there spent some time in walking, as also
making of Nose-gayes and Chaplets of Flowers. And even as they had
done the day before, so did they now follow the same course; for,
after they had dined, in a coole and pleasing aire they fell to
dancing, and then went to sleepe a while, from which being awaked,
they tooke their places (according as it pleased the Queene to
appoint) in the same faire Meadow about her. And she, being a goodly
creature, and highly pleasing to behold, having put on her Crowne of
Lawrell, and giving a gracious countenance to the whole company;
commanded Madam Neiphila that her Tale should begin this daies
delight. Whereupon she, without returning any excuse or deniall, began
in this manner.
THE SECOND DAY, THE FIRST NOVELL
WHEREIN IS SIGNIFIED, HOW EASIE A THING IT IS, FOR WICKED MEN
TO DECEIVE THE WORLD, UNDER THE SHADOW AND COLOUR OF MIRACLES:
AND THAT SUCH TREACHERY (OFTENTIMES) REDOUNDETH TO
THE HARME OF THE DEVISER
Martellino counterfeitting to be lame of his members, caused
himselfe to be set on the body of Saint Arriguo, where he made shew of
his sudden recovery; but when his dissimulation was discovered, he was
well beaten, being afterward taken prisoner, and in great danger of
being hanged and strangled by the necke, and yet he escaped in the
end.
Faire Ladies, it hath happened many times, that he who striveth to
scorne and floute other men, and especially in occasions deserving
to be respected, proveth to mocke himselfe with the selfe same matter,
yea, and to his no meane danger beside. As you shall perceive by a
Tale, which I intend to tell you, obeying therein the command of our
Queene, and according to the subject by her enjoyned. In which
discourse, you may first observe, what great mischance happened to one
our Citizens; and yet afterward, how (beyond all hope) he happily
escaped.
Not long since, there lived in the City of Trevers, an Almaine or
Germaine, named Arriguo, who being a poore man, served as a Porter, or
burden-bearer for money, when any man pleased to employ him. And
yet, notwithstanding his poore and meane condition, he was generally
reputed, to be of good and sanctified life. In which regard (whether
it were true or no, I know not) it happened, that when he died (at
