The Clearke comming to the house of Belcolore, found her sitting
at dinner with her Husband, and delivering her the Pestell and Morter,
performed the rest of Sir Simons message. Belcolore hearing the Cloake
demaunded, stept up to make answere: But Bentivegna, seeming (by his
lookes) to be much offended, roughly replyed. Why how now wife? Is not
Sir Simon our especiall friend, and cannot he be pleasured without a
pawne? I protest upon my word, I could find in my heart to smite
thee for it. Rise quickely thou wert best, and send him backe his
Cloake; with this warning hereafter, that whatsoever he will have,
be it your poore Asse, or any thing else being ours, let him have
it: and tell him (Master Clearke) he may command it. Belcolore rose
grumbling from the Table, and fetching the Cloake forth of the
Chest, which stood neere at hand in the same roome; shee delivered
it to the Clearke, saying. Tell Sir Simon from me, and boldly say
you heard me speake it: that I make a vow to my selfe, he shall
never make use of my Morter hereafter, to beat any more of his
sawcinesse in, let my Husband say whatsoever he will, I speake the
word, and will performe it.
Away went the Clearke home with the Cloake, and told Sir Simon
what she had said, whereto he replyed. If I must make use of her
Morter no more; I will not trust her with the keeping of my Cloake,
for feare it goe to gage indeed.
Bentivegna was a little displeased at his wives words, because hee
thought she spake but in jest; albeit Belcolore was so angry with
Sir Simon, that she would not speake to him till vintage time
following. But then Sir Simon, what by sharpe threatenings, of her
soule to be in danger of hell fire, continuing so long in hatred of
a holy Priest, which words did not a little terrifie her; besides
daily presents to her, of sweet new Wines, roasted Chesse-nuts, Figges
and Almonds: all unkindnesse became converted to former familiarity;
the garments were redeemed: he gave her Sonnets which she would
sweetly sing to her Cimbale, and further friendship increased betweene
her and sweet Sir Simon.
THE EIGHT DAY, THE THIRD NOVELL
JUSTLY REPREHENDING THE SIMPLICITY OF SUCH MEN, AS ARE TOO MUCH
ADDICTED TO CREDULITIE, AND WILL GIVE CREDIT TO EVERY
THING THEY HEARE
Calandrino, Bruno, and Buffalmaco, all of them being Painters by
profession, travelled to the Plaine of Mugnone, to finde the
precious Stone called Helitropium. Calandrino no perswaded himselfe to
have found it; returned home to his house heavily loaden with
stones. His Wife rebuking him for his absence, hee groweth into anger,
and shrewdly beateth her. Afterward, when the case is debated among
his other friends Bruno and Buffalmaco, all is found to be meere
foolery.
Pamphilus having ended his Novell, whereat the Ladies laughed
exceedingly, so that very hardly they could give over. The Queene gave
charge to Madame Eliza, that shee should next succeed in order;
when, being scarcely able to refraine from smyling, thus she began.
I know not (Gracious Ladies) whether I can move you to as hearty
laughter, with a briefe Novell of mine owne, as Pamphilus lately did
with his: yet I dare assure you, that it is both true and pleasant,
and I will relate it in the best manner I can.
In our owne Citie, which evermore hath contained all sorts of
people, not long since there dwelt, a Painter, named Calandrino, a
simple man; yet as much adicted to matters of novelty, as any man
whatsoever could be. The most part of his time, he spent in the
company of two other Painters, the one called Bruno, and the other
Buffalmaco, men of very recreative spirits, and of indifferent good
capacity, often resorting to the said Calandrino, because they tooke
delight in his honest simplicity, and pleasant order of behaviour.
At the same time likewise, there dwelt in Florence, a yong Gentleman
of singular disposition, to every generous and witty conceite, as
the world did not yeeld a more pleasant companion, he being named Maso
del Saggio, who having heard somwhat of Calandrinos sillinesse:
determined to jest with him in merry manner, and to suggest his
longing humors after Novelties, with some conceit of extraordinary
nature.
He happening (on a day) to meete him in the Church of Saint John,
and seeing him seriously busied, in beholding the rare pictures, and
the curious carved Tabernacle, which (not long before) was placed on
the. high Altar in the said Church: considered with himselfe, that
he had now fit place and opportunity, to effect what hee had long time
desired. And having imparted his minde to a very intimate friend,
how he intended to deale with simple Calandrino: they went both very
neere him, where he sate all alone, and making shew as if they saw him
not; began to consult between themselves, concerning the rare
properties of precious stones; whereof Maso discoursed as exactly,
as he had beene a most skilfull Lapidarie; to which conference of
theirs, Calandrino lent an attentive eare, in regard it was matter
of singular rarity.
Soone after, Calandrino started up, and perceiving by their loude
speaking, that they talked of nothing which required secret
Counsell: he went into their company (the onely thing which Maso
desired) and holding on still the former Argument; Calandrino would
needs request to know, in what place these precious stones were to
be found, which had such excellent vertues in them? Maso made answere,
that the most of them were to be had in Berlinzona, neere to the
City of Bascha, which was in the Territory of a Countrey, called
Bengodi, where the Vines were bound about with Sawcidges, a Goose
was sold for a penny, and the Goslings freely given in to boote. There
was also an high mountaine wholly made of Parmezane, grated Cheese,
whereon dwelt people, who did nothing else but make Mocharones and
Ravivolies, boyling them with broth of Capons, and afterward hurled
them all about, to whosoever can or will catch them. Neere to this
mountaine runneth a faire River, the whole streame being pure white
Bastard, none such was ever sold for any money, and without one drop
of water in it.
Now trust me Sir, (said Calandrino) that is an excellent Countrey to
dwell in: but I pray you tell me Sir, what do they with the Capons
after they have boyld them? The Baschanes (quoth Maso) eate them
all. Have you Sir, said Calandrino, at any time beene in that
Countrey? How? answered Maso, doe you demaund if have beene there? Yes
man, above a thousand times, at the least. How farre Sir, I pray you
(quoth Calandrino) is that worthy Countrey, from this our City? In
troth, replyed Maso, the miles are hardly to be numbred, for the
most part of them, we travell when we are nightly in our beddes, and
if a man dreame right; he may be there upon a sudden.
Surely Sir, said Calandrino, it is further hence, then to Abruzzi?
Yes questionlesse, replyed Maso; but, to a willing minde, no travell
seemeth tedious.
Calandrino well noting, that Maso delivered all these speeches, with
a stedfast countenance, no signe of smyling, or any gesture to urge
the least mislike: he gave such credit to them, as to any matter of
apparent and manifest truth, and upon this assured confidence, he
said.
Beleeve me Sir, the journey is over-farre for mee to undertake,
but if it were neerer; I could affoord to goe in your Company; onely
to see how they make these Macherones, and to fill my belly with them.
But now wee are in talke Sir, I pray you pardon mee to aske, whether
any such precious stones, as you spake off, are to be found in that
Countrey, or no? Yes indeed, replyed Maso, there are two kinds of them
to be found in those Territories, both being of very great vertue. One
kind, are gritty stones, of Settignano, and of Montisca, by vertue
of which places, when any Mill-stones or Grind-stones are to bee made,
they knede the sand as they use to doe meale, and so make them of what
bignesse they please. In which respect, they have a common saying
there: that Nature maketh common stones, but Montisca Mill-stones.
Such plenty are there of these Mill-stones, so slenderly here esteemed
among us, as Emeralds are with them, whereof they have whole
mountaines, farre greater then our Montemorello, which shine most
gloriously at midnight. And how meanly soever we account of their
Mill-stones; yet there they drill them, and enchase them in Rings,
which afterward they send to the great Soldane, and have whatsoever
they will demaund for them.
The other kinde is a most precious Stone indeede, which our best
Lapidaries call the Helitropium, the vertue whereof is so admirable;
as whosoever beareth it about him, so long as he keepeth it, it is
impossible for any eye to discerne him, because he walketh meerely
invisible. O Lord Sir (quoth Calandrino) those stones are of rare
vertue indeede: but where else may a man finde that Helitropium?
Whereto Maso thus answered: That Countrey onely doth not containe
the Helitropium; for they be many times found upon our plaine of
Mugnone. Of what bignesse Sir (quoth Calandrino) is the Stone, and
what coulour? The Helitropium, answered Maso, is not alwayes of one
quality, because some are bigge, and others lesse; but all are of
one coulour, namely blacke.
Calandrino committing all these things to respective memory, and
pretending to be called thence by some other especiall affaires;
departed from Maso, concluding resolvedly with himselfe, to finde this
precious stone, if possibly hee could: yet intending to doe nothing,
untill hee had acquainted Bruno and Buffalmaco therewith, whom he
loved dearly: he went in all hast to seeke them; because, (without any
longer trifling the time) they three might bee the first men, that
should find out this precious stone, spending almost the whole morning
before they were all three met together. For they were painting at the
Monastery of the Sisters of Faenza, where they had very serious
imployment, and followed their businesse diligently: where having
found them, and saluting them in such kinde manner, as continually
he used to doe, thus he began.
Loving friends, if you were pleased to follow mine advise, wee three
will quickely be the richest men in Florence; because, by
information from a Gentleman (well deserving to be credited) on the
Plaine of Mugnone: there is a precious stone to be found, which
whosoever carrieth it about him, walketh invisible, and is not to be
seene by any one. Let us three be the first men to goe and finde it,
before any other heare thereof, and goe about it, and assure our
selves that we shall finde it, for I know it (by discription) so soone
as I see it. And when wee have it, who can hinder us from bearing it
about us? Then will we goe to the Tables of our Bankers, or money
Changers, which we see daily charged with plenty of gold and silver,
where we may take so much as wee list, for they (nor any) are able
to descrie us. So, (in short time) shall wee all be wealthy, never
needing to drudge any more, or paint muddy walles, as hitherto we have
done; and, as many of our poore profession are forced to doe.
Bruno and Buffalmaco hearing this, began to smile, and looking
merily each on other, they seemed to wonder thereat, and greatly
commended the counsell of Calandrino. Buffalmaco demaunding how the
stone was named. Now it fortuned, that Calandrino (who had but a
grosse and blockish memory) had quite forgot the name of the stone,
and therefore said. What neede have wee of the name, when we know, and
are assured of the stones vertue? Let us make no more adoe, but
(setting aside all other businesse) goe seeke where it is to be found.
Well my friend (answered Bruno) you say wee may finde it, but how, and
by what meanes?
There are two sorts of them (quoth Calandrino) some bigge, others
smaller, but all carry a blacke colour: therefore (in mine opinion)
let us gather all such stones as are blacke, so shall we be sure to
finde it among them, without any further losse of time.
Buffalmaco and Bruno, liked and allowed the counsell of
Calandrino, which when they had (by severall commendations) given
him assurance of, Bruno saide. I doe not thinke it a convenient time
now, for us to go about so weighty a businesse: for the Sun is yet
in the highest degree, and striketh such a heate on the plaine of
Mugnone, as all the stones are extreamly dryed, and the very
blackest will nowe seeme whitest. But in the morning, after the dew is
falne, and before the Sunne shineth forth, every stone retaineth his
true colour. Moreover, there be many Labourers now working on the
plaine, about such businesse as they are severally assigned, who
seeing us in so serious a serch: may imagine what we seeke for, and
partake with us in the same inquisition, by which meanes they may
chance to speed before us, and so wee may lose both our trot and
amble. Wherefore, by my consent, if your opinion jumpe with mine, this
is an enterprize onely to be perfourmed in an early morning, when
the blacke stones are to be distinguisht from the white, and a
Festivall day were the best of all other, for then there will be
none to discover us.
Buffalmaco applauded the advice of Bruno, and Calandrino did no
lesse, concluding all together; that Sunday morning (next ensuing)
should be the time, and then they all three would go see the Stone.
But Calandrino was verie earnest with them, that they shold not
reveale it to any living body, because it was tolde him as an
especiall secret: disclosing further to them, what hee had heard
concerning the Countrey of Bengodi, maintaining (with solemn oaths and
protestations) that every part thereof was true. Uppon this agreement,
they parted from Calandrino who hardly enjoyed anie rest at all,
either by night or day, so greedie he was to bee possessed of the
stone. On the Sonday morning, hee called up his Companions before
breake of day, and going forth at S. Galls Port, they stayed not, till
they came to the plaine of Mugnone, where they searched all about to
finde this strange stone.
