their legges and feete, to wash them in the coole current. Others, not
so minded, walked on the greene grasse, and under the goodly spread:
trees. Dioneus and Madame Fiammetta, they sate singing together, the
love-warre between Arcit and Palemon. And thus with diversity of
disports, in choice delight and much contentment, all were imployed,
till Supper drew neere. When the houre re come, and the Tables covered
by the Ponds side: we need not question their dyet and dainties,
infinite Birds sweetly singing about them, as no musicke in the
world could be more pleasing; beside calme windes, fanning their faces
from the neighbouring hilles (free from flyes, or the least annoyance)
made a delicate addition to their pleasure.
No sooner were the Tables withdrawne, and all risen: but they fetcht
a few turnings about the vally, because the Sunne was not (as yet)
quite set. Then in the coole evening, according to the Queenes
appointment: in a soft and gentle pace, they walked homeward: devising
on a thousand occasions, as well those which the dayes discourses
had yeelded, as others of their owne inventing beside. It was almost
darke night, before they arrived at the Pallace; where, with variety
of choice Wines, and abounding plenty of rare Banquetting, they out
wore the little toile and wearinesse, which the long walke had charged
them withall. Afterward, according to their wonted order, the
Instruments being brought and played on, they fell to dancing about
the faire Fountaine; Tindaro intruding (now and then) the sound of his
Bagpipe, to make the musicke seeme more melodious. But in the end, the
Queene commanded Madame Philomena to sing; whereupon the Instruments
being tuned fit for the purpose, thus she began.
THE SONG
THE CHORUS SUNG BY THE WHOLE COMPANY
Wearisome is my life to me,
Because I cannot once againe returne;
Unto the place which made me first to mourne.
Nothing I know, yet feele a powerfull fire,
Burning within my brest,
Through deepe desire;
To be once more where first I felt unrest,
Which cannot be exprest.
O my sole good! O my best happinesse!
Why am I thus restrainde?
Is there no comfort in this wretchednesse?
Then let me live content, to be thus painde.
Wearisome is my life to me, etc,
I cannot tell what was that rare delight,
Which first enflamde my soule,
And gave command in spight,
That I should find no ease by day or night,
But still live in controule.
I see, I heare, and feele a kinde of blisse,
Yet find no forme at all:
Other in their desire, feele blessednesse,
But I have none, nor thinke I ever shall.
Wearisome is my life to me, etc.
Tell me, if I may hope in following dayes,
To have but one poore sight,
Of those bright Sunny rayes,
Dazeling my sence, did overecome me quite,
Bequeath'd to wandring wayes.
If I be poasted off, and may not prove,
To have the smallest grace:
Or but to know, that this proceeds from love,
Why should I live despisde in every place?
Wearisome is my life to me, etc.
Me thinkes milde favour whispers in mine eare,
And bids me not despaire;
There will a time appeare
To quell and quite confound consuming care,
And joy surmount proud feare.
In hope that gracious time will come at length,
To cheare my long dismay:
My spirits reassume your former strength,
And never dread to see that joyfull day.
Wearisome is my life to me,
Because I cannot once againe returne;
Unto the place, which made me first to mourne.
This Song gave occasion to the whole Company, to imagine, that
some new and pleasing apprehension of Love, constrained Madame
Philomena to sing in this manner. And because (by the discourse
thereof) it plainely appeared, that shee had felt more then shee
saw, shee was so much the more happy, and the like was wished by all
the rest. Wherefore, after the Song was ended; the Queene
remembring, that the next day following was Friday, turning her
selfe graciously to them all, thus she spake.
You know noble Ladies, and you likewise most noble Gentlemen, that
to morrow is the day consecrated to the Passion of our blessed Lord
and Saviour, which (if you have not forgotten it, as easily you
cannot) we devoutly celebrated, Madame Neiphila being then Queene,
ceasing from all our pleasant discoursing, as we did the like on the
Saturday following, sanctifiing the sacred Sabboth, in due regard of
it selfe. Wherefore, being desirous to imitate precedent good example,
which in worthy manner shee began to us all: I hold it very decent and
necessary, that we should abstaine to morrow, and the day ensuing,
from recounting any of our pleasant Novels, reducing to our
memories, what was done (as on those dayes) for the salvation of our
soules. This holy and Religious motion made by the Queene, was
commendably allowed by all the assembly, and therefore, humbly
taking their leave of her, and an indifferent part of the night
being already spent; severally they betooke themselves to their
Chambers.
THE INDUCTION TO THE EIGHT DAY
WHEREON ALL THE DISCOURSES, PASSE UNDER THE RULE AND
GOVERNMENT, OF THE HONOURABLE LADIE LAURETTA
Earely on the Sonday Morning, Aurora shewing her selfe bright and
lovely; the Sunnes Golden beames beganne to appeare, on the toppes
of the neere adjoyning Mountaines; so, that Hearbes, Plants, Trees,
and all things else, were verie evidently to be discerned.
When midday, and the heate thereof was well over-past, so that the
aire seemed mild and temperate: according as the Queene had commanded;
they were all seated againe about the Fountaine, with intent to
prosecute their former pastime. And then Madame Neiphila, by the
charge imposed on her, as first speaker for this day, beganne as
followeth.
THE EIGHT DAY, THE FIRST NOVELL
WHEREIN IS DECLARED, THAT SUCH WOMEN AS WILL MAKE SALE OF THEIR
HONESTIE, ARE SOMETIMES OVER-REACHED IN THEIR PAYMENT,
AND JUSTLY SERVED AS THEY SHOULD BE
Gulfardo made a match or wager, with the Wife of Gasparuolo, for the
obtaining of her amorous favour, in regard of a summe of money first
to be given her. The money hee borrowed of her Husband, and gave it in
payment to her, as in case of discharging him from her Husbands
debt. After his returne home from Geneway, hee told him in the
presence of his wife, how he had payde the whole summe to her, with
charge of delivering it to her Husband, which she confessed to be
true, albeit greatly against her will.
Seeing is my fortune, Gracious ladies, that I must give beginning to
this dayes discoursing, by some such Novel which I thinke expedient;
as duty bindeth me, I am therewith well contented. And because the
deceits of Women to men, have beene at large and liberally related;
I will tell you a subtile tricke of a man to a Woman. Not that I blame
him for the deede, or thinke the deceyte not well fitted to the woman:
but I speake it in a contrarie nature, as commending the man, and
condemning the woman very justly, as also to shew, how men can as well
beguile those crafty companions, which least beleeve any such
cunning in them, as they that stand most on their artificiall skill.
Howbeit, to speake more properly, the matter by me to be reported,
deserveth not the reproachfull title of deceite, but rather of a
recompence duly returned: because women ought to be chaste and honest,
and to preserve their honour as their lives, without yeelding to the
contamination thereof, for any occasion whatsoever. And yet
neverthelesse (in regard of our frailty) many times we proove not so
constant as we should be: yet I am of opinion, that she which
selleth her honestie for money, deserveth justly to be burned. Whereas
on the contrary, she that falleth into the offence, onely through
intire affection (the powerfull lawes of Love beeing above all
resistance) in equity meriteth pardon, especially of a Judge not
over-rigorous: as not long since wee heard from Philostratus, in
revealing what hapned to Madam Phillippa de Prato, upon the
dangerous Edict.
Understand then, my most worthy Auditors, that there lived
sometime in Millaine an Almaigne Soldiour, named Gulfardo, of
commendable carriage in his person, and very faithfull to such as he
served, a matter not common among the Almaignes. And because he made
just repayment, to every one which lent him monies; he grew to such
especiall credit, and was so familiar with the very best Marchants; as
(manie times) he could not be so ready to borrow, as they were willing
alwaies to lend him. He thus continuing in the Cittie of Millaine,
fastened his affection on a verie beautifull Gentlewoman, named
Mistresse Ambrosia, Wife unto a rich Merchant, who was called
Signior Gasparuolo Sagastraccio, who had good knowledge of him, and
respectively used him. Loving this Gentlewoman with great
discretion, without the least apprehension of her husband: he sent
upon a day to entreate conference with her, for enjoying the
fruition of her love, and she should find him ready to fulfill
whatsoever she pleased to command him, as, at any time he would make
good his promise.
The Gentlewoman, after divers of these private solicitings,
resolutely answered, that she was as ready to fulfill the request of
Gulfardo, provided, that two especiall considerations might ensue
thereon. First, the faithfull concealing thereof from any person
living. Next, because she knew him to be rich, and she had occasion to
use two hundred Crowns, about businesse of important consequence: he
should freely bestow so many on her, and (ever after) she was to be
commanded by him. Gulfardo perceiving the covetousnesse of this woman,
who (notwithstanding his doting affection) he thought to be intirely
honest to her Husband: became so deepely offended at her vile answere,
that his fervent love converted into as earnest loathing her;
determining constantlie to deceive her, and to make her avaritious
motion, the only means wherby to effect it.
He sent her word, that he was willing to performe her request, or
any farre greater matter for her: in which respect, he onely desired
for to know, when she would be pleased to have him come see her, and
to receive the money of him? No creature hee acquainted with his
setled purpose, but onely a deere friend and kinde companion, who
alwayes used to keepe him company, in the neerest occasions that
concerned him. The Gentlewoman, or rather most disloyall wife, uppon
this answer sent her, was extraordinarily jocond and contented,
returning him a secret Letter, wherein she signified: that
Gasparuolo her husband, had important affaires which called him to
Geneway: but he should understand of his departure, and then (with
safety) he might come see her, as also his bringing of the Crownes.
In the meane while, Gulfardo having determined what he would do,
watched a convenient time, when he went unto Gasparuolo, and sayde:
Sir, I have some businesse of maine importance, and shall neede to use
but two hundred Crownes onely: I desire you to lend me so many
Crownes, upon such profite as you were wont to take of mee, at other
times when I have made use of you, and I shall not faile you at my
day.
Gasparuolo was well contented with the motion, and made no more
adoe, but counted downe the Crownes: departing thence (within a few
dayes after) for Geneway, according to his Wives former message; she
giving Gulfardo also intelligence of his absence, that now (with
safety) hee might come see her, and bring the two hundred Crownes with
him.
Gulfardo, taking his friend in his company, went to visit
Mistresse Ambrosia, whom he found in expectation of his arrivall,
and the first thing he did, he counted downe the two hundred
Crownes; and delivering them to her in the presence of his friend,
saide: Mistresse Ambrosia, receive these two hundred Crownes, which
I desire you to pay unto your Husband on my behalfe, when he is
returned from Geneway. Ambrosia, receyved the two hundred Crownes, not
regarding wherefore Gulfardo used these words: because shee verily
beleeved, that hee spake in such manner, because his friend should
take no notice, of his giving them to her, upon any covenant passed
betweene them; whereuppon, she sayde. Sir, I will pay them to my
Husband for you; and cause him to give you a sufficient discharge: but
first I will count them over my selfe, to see whether the summe be
just, or no. And having drawne them over upon the Table, the summe
containing truly two hundred Crownes (wherewith she was most highly
contented) she lockt them safe uppe in her Cuppeboord, and
Gulfardoes Friend being gone (as formerly it was compacted betweene
them) shee came to converse more familiarly with him, having
provided a banquet for him. What passed between them afterward, both
then, and oftentimes beside, before her Husbande returned home, is a
matter out of y element, and rather requires my ignoance then
knowledge.
When Gasparuolo was come from Genway, Gulfardo observing a
convenient time, when he was sitting at the doore with his Wife; tooke
his Friend with him, and comming to Gasparuolo, said. Worthy Sir,
the two hundred Crownes which you lent me before your journy to
Geneway, in regard they could not serve my turne, to compasse the
businesse for which I borrowed them: within a day or two after, in the
presence of this Gentle man my friend, I made repayment of them to
your Wife, and therefore I pray you crosse me out of your booke.
Gasparuolo turning to his Wife, demanded; Whether it was so, or
no? She beholding the witnesse standing by, who was also present at
her receyving them: durst not make deniall, but thus answered. Indeede
Husband, I received two hundred Crownes of the Gentleman, and never
remembred, to acquaint you therewith since your comming home: but
hereafter I will be made no more your receiver, except I carried a
