_A Physitians wife laide a Lover of her Maids (supposing him to beedead) in a Chest, by reason that he had drunke water, which usually wasgiven to procure a sleepy entrancing. Two Lombard Usurers, stealingthe Chest, in hope of a rich booty, carried it into their owne house,where afterward the man awaking, was apprehended for a Theefe. TheChamber-maide to the Physitians wife, going before the bench ofJustice, accuseth her selfe for putting the imagined dead body into theChest, by which meanes he escapeth hanging. And the theeves which stoleaway the Chest, were condemned to pay a great summe of money._
The tenth Novell.
_Wherein is declared, that sometime by adventurous accident, ratherthen anie reasonable comprehension, a man may escape out of manifoldperilles, but especially in occurrences of Love._
After that the King had concluded his Novell, there remained none nowbut _Dioneus_ to tell the last; which himselfe confessing, and theKing commaunding him to proceede, he beganne in this manner. So manymiseries of unfortunate Love, as all of you have alreadie related,hath not onely swolne your eyes with weeping, but also made sicke ourhearts with sighing: yea (Gracious Ladies) I my selfe finde my spiritsnot meanly afflicted thereby. Wherefore the whole day hath bene veryirkesome to me, and I am not a little glad, that it is so neere ending.Now, for the better shutting it up altogether, I would be very loath tomake an addition, of any more such sad and mournfull matter, good fornothing but onely to feede melancholly humour, and from which (I hope)my faire Starres will defend me. Tragical discourse, thou art no fitcompanion for me, I will therefore report a Novell which may minister amore joviall kinde of argument, unto those tales that must bee told tomorrow, and with the expiration of our present Kings reigne, to rid usof all heart-greeving heereafter.
Know then (most gracious assembly) that it is not many yeares since,when there lived in _Salerne_, a verie famous Physitian, named Signieur_Mazzeo della Montagna_, who being already well entred into years,would (neverthelesse) marrie with a beautifull young Mayden of theCittie, bestowing rich garments, gaudie attyres, Ringes, and Jewelleson her, such as few Women elsee could any way equall, because heeloved her most deerely. Yet being an aged man, and never remembering,how vaine and idle a thing it is, for age to make such an unfittingElection, injurious to both; and therefore endangering that domestickeagreement, which ought to bee the sole and maine comfort of Marriage:it maketh mee therefore to misdoubt, that as in our former Tale ofSigniour _Ricciardo de Cinzica_, some dayes of the Calender did heereseeme as distastefull, as those that occasioned the other Womansdiscontentment. In such unequall choyses, Parents commonly are moreblame-woorthie, then any imputation, to bee layde on the young Women,who gladdely would enjoy such as in heart they have elected: butthat their Parents, looking thorough the glasses of greedie lucre,doe overthrow both their owne hopes, and the faire fortunes of theirchildren together.
Yet to speake uprightly of this young married Wife, she declared herselfe to be of a wise and chearefull spirit, not discoraged with herinequalitie of marriage: but bearing all with a contented browe, forfeare of urging the very least mislike in her Husband. And hee, on theother side, when occasions did not call him to visite his pacients, orto be present at the Colledge among his fellow-Doctours, would alwayesbee chearing and comforting his Wife, as one that could hardly affoordto bee out of her company. There is one especiall fatall misfortune,which commonly awaiteth on olde mens marriages; when freezing Decemberwill match with flouring May, and greene desires appeare in age, beyondall possibility of performance. Nor are there wanting good store ofwanton Gallants, who hating to see Beauty in this manner betrayed,and to the embraces of a loathed bed, will make their folly seene inpublike appearance, and by their dayly proffers of amorous services(seeming compassionate of the womans disaster) are usually the cause ofjealous suspitions, & very heinous houshold discontentments.
Among divers other, that faine would bee nibling at this bayte ofbeautie, there was one, named _Ruggiero de Jeroly_, of honourableparentage, but yet of such a deboshed and disordered life, as neitherKindred or Friends, were willing to take any knowledge of him, bututterly gave him over to his dissolute courses: so that, thoroughoutall _Salerne_, his conditions caused his generall contempt, and heeaccounted no better, but even as a theeving and lewde companion.The Doctours Wife, had a Chamber-maide attending on her; who,notwithstanding all the ugly deformities in _Ruggiero_, regarding morehis person then his imperfections (because hee was a compleate andwell-featured youth) bestowed her affection most entirely on him, andoftentimes did supplie his wants, with her owne best meanes.
_Ruggiero_ having this benefite of the Maides kinde love to him, madeit an hopefull mounting Ladder, whereby to derive some good liking fromthe Mistresse, presuming rather on his outward comely parts, then anieother honest quality that might commend him. The Mistresse knowing whatchoyse her Maide had made, and unable by any perswasions to remooveher, tooke knowledge of _Ruggieroes_ privat resorting to hir house,and in meere love to her Maide (who had very many especiall deservingsin her) oftentimes she would (in kinde manner) rebuke him, and advisehim to a more setled course of life; which counsell, that it mighttake the better effect; she graced with liberall gifts: one while withGold, others with Silver, and often with garments, for his comelieraccesse thether: which bounty, he (like a lewde mistaker) interpretedas assurances of her affection to him, and that he was more graceful inher eye, then any man elsee could be.
In the continuance of these proceedings, it came to passe, thatmaster Doctor _Mazzeo_ (being not onely a most expert Physitian, butlikewise as skilfull in Chirurgerie beside) hadde a Pacient in cure,who by great misfortune, had one of his legges broken all in pieces;which some weaker judgement having formerly dealt withall, the bonesand sinewes were become so fowly putrified, as he tolde the partiesfriends, that the legge must bee quite cut off, or elsee the Pacientmust needes dye: yet he intended so to order the matter, that theperrill should proceede no further, to prejudice any other part ofthe bodie. The case beeing thus resolved on with the Pacient andhis Friends, the day and time was appointed when the deede shouldbe done: and the Doctor conceyving, that except the Patient weresleepily entranced, hee could not by anie meanes endure the paine,but must needes hinder what he meant to do: by distillation hee madesuch an artificiall Water, as (after the Pacient hath receyved it) itwill procure a kinde of dead sleepe, and endure so long a space, asnecessity requireth the use thereof, in full performance of the worke.
After he had made this sleepy water, he put it into a glasse, wherewithit was filled (almost) up to the brimme; and till the time came whenhee should use it; hee set it in his owne Chamber-Windowe, neveracquainting any one, to what purpose he had provided the water, norwhat was his reason of setting it there; when it drew towards theevening, and he was returned home from his pacients, a Messengerbrought him Letters from _Malfy_, concerning a great conflict hapningthere between two Noble Families, wherein divers were very dangerouslywounded on either side, and without his speedy repairing thither, itwould prove to the losse of many lives. Heereupon, the cure of the mansleg must needs bee prolonged, untill he was returned backe againe, inregard that manie of the wounded persons were his worthy friends, andliberall bountie was there to be expected, which made him presently goaboord a small Barke, and forthwith set away towards _Malfy_.
This absence of Master Doctor _Mazzeo_, gave opportunity to adventurous_Ruggiero_, to visite his house (he being gone) in hope to get moreCrownes, and courtesie from the Mistresse, under formall colour ofcourting the Maide. And being closely admitted into the house, whendivers Neighbours were in conference with her Mistresse, and heldeher with such pleasing Discourse, as required longer time then wasexpected: the Maide, had no other roome to conceale _Ruggiero_ in, butonely the bed chamber of her Master, where she lockt him in; becausenone of the houshold people should descry him, and stayed attendingon her Mistris, till all the Guests tooke their leave, and were gone._Ruggiero_ thus remayning alone in the Chamber, for the space of threelong houres and more, was vis
ited neither by Maide nor Mistris, butawaited when he should bee set at liberty.
Now, whether feeding on salt meats before his coming thither, orcustomary use of drinking, which maketh men unable any long while toabstain, as being never satisfied with excesse; which of these twoextreams they were, I know not: but drink needs hee must. And, havingno other meanes for quenching his thirst, espied the glasse of waterstanding in the Window, and thinking it to be some soveraigne kindeof water, reserved by the Doctor for his owne drinking, to make himlusty in his old years, he tooke the glasse; and finding the Waterpleasing to his pallate, dranke it off every drop; then sitting downeon a Coffer by the beds side, soone after hee fell into a sound sleepe,according to the powerfull working of the water.
No sooner were all the Neighbours gone, and the Maide at libertie fromher Mistresse, but unlocking the doore, into the chamber she went; andfinding _Ruggiero_ sitting fast asleepe, she began to hunch and punchehim, entreating him (softly) to awake: but all was to no purpose, forhee neither mooved, or answered one word, whereat her patience beingsome what provoked, she punched him more rudely, and angerly said: Awakefor shame thou drowsie dullard, and if thou be so desirous of sleeping,get thee home to thine owne lodging, because thou art not allowed tosleep heere. _Ruggiero_ being thus rudely punched, fell from off theCoffer flat on the ground, appearing no other in all respects, thenas if hee were a dead body. Whereat the Maide being fearfully amazed,plucking him by the nose and yong beard, and what elsee she coulddevise to do, yet all her labour proving still in vaine: she was almostbeside her wits, stamping and raving all about the roome, as if senceand reason had forsaken her; so violent was her extreame distraction.
Upon the hearing of this noise, her Mistris came sodainely intothe Chamber, where being affrighted at so strange an accident, andsuspecting that _Ruggiero_ was dead indeed: she pinched him strongly,and burnt his fingers with a candle, yet all was as fruitlesse asbefore. Then sitting downe, she began to consider advisedly with herselfe, how much her honour and reputation would be endangered heereby,both with her Husband, and in vulgar opinion when this should cometo publique notice. For (quoth she to her Maide) it is not thy fondlove to this unruly fellow that can sway the censure of the monstermultitude, in beleeving his accesse hither onely to thee: but my goodname, and honest repute, as yet untoucht with the very least taxation,will be rackt on the tenter of infamous judgement, and (though never socleare) branded with generall condemnation. It is wisedome therefore,that we should make no noise but (in silence) consider with our selves,how to cleare the house of this dead body, by some such helpfull andwitty device, as when it shall bee found in the morning, his beingheere may passe without suspition, and the worlds rash opinion no waytouch us.
Weeping and lamenting is now laid aside, and all hope in them of hislives restoring: onely to rid his body out of the house, that nowrequires their care and cunning, whereupon the Maide thus beganne.Mistresse (quoth she) this evening, although it was very late, at ournext Neighbours doore (who you know is a Joyner by his trade) I sawa great Chest stand; and, as it seemeth, for a publike sale, becausetwo or three nightes together, it hath not bene thence remooved: andif the owner have not lockt it, all invention elsee cannot furnish uswith the like help. For therein will we lay his body, whereon I willbestow two or three wounds with my Knife, and leaving him so, our housecan be no more suspected concerning his being heere, then any other inthe streete beside; nay rather farre lesse, in regard of your husbandscredit and authority. Moreover, heereof I am certaine, that he being ofsuch bad and disordered qualities: it will the more likely be imagined,that he was slaine by some of his own loose companions, being with themabout some pilfering busines, and afterward hid his body in the chest,it standing so fitly for the purpose, and darke night also favouringthe deed.
The Maids counsell past under the seale of allowance, only her Mistristhought it not convenient, that (having affected him so deerely)shee should mangle his body with any wounds; but rather to let it begathered by more likely-hood, that villaines had strangled him, andthen conveied his body into the Chest. Away she sends the Maide, tosee whether the Chest stood there still, or no; as indeede it did, andunlockt, whereof they were not a little joyfull. By the helpe of herMistresse, the Maide tooke _Ruggiero_ upon her shoulders, and bringinghim to the doore, with diligent respect that no one could discoverthem; in the Chest they laide him, and so there left him, closing downethe lidde according as they found it.
In the same street, and not farre from the Joyner, dwelt two yong menwho were Lombards, living uppon the interest of their moneyes, covetingto get much, and spend little. They having observed where the cheststood, and wanting a necessary mooveable to houshold, yet loath to layout mony for buying it: complotted together this very night, to stealeit thence, and carry it home to their house, as accordingly they did;finding it somewhat heavy, and therefore imagining, that matter ofwoorth was contained therein. In the chamber where their wives lay,they left it; and so without any further search till the next morning,they laid them down to rest likewise.
_Ruggiero_, who had now slept a long while, the drinke being digested,& the vertue thereof fully consummated; began to awake before day. Andalthough his naturall sleep was broken, and his sences had recoverdtheir former power, yet notwithstanding, there remained such anastonishment in his braine, as not onely did afflict him all the dayfollowing, but also divers dayes and nights afterward. Having hiseies wide open, & yet not discerning any thing, he stretched forthhis armes every where about him, and finding himselfe to be enclosedin the chest, he grew more broad awake, and said to himselfe. What isthis? Where am I? Do I wake or sleepe? Full well I remember, that notlong since I was in my sweet-hearts Chamber, and now (me thinkes) Iam mewed up in a chest. What shold I thinke heereof? Is master Doctorreturned home, or hath some other inconvenience hapned, whereby findingme asleepe, she was enforced to hide me thus? Surely it is so, andotherwise it cannot bee: wherefore, it is best for mee to lye still,and listen when I can heare any talking in the Chamber.
Continuing thus a longer while then otherwise hee would have done,because his lying in the bare Chest was somewhat uneasie and painfullto him; turning divers times on the one side, and then as often againon the other, coveting still for ease, yet could not find any: atlength, he thrust his backe so strongly against the Chests side, that(it standing on an un-even ground) it began to totter, and after felldowne. In which fall, it made so loud a noise, as the women (lyingin the beds standing by) awaked, and were so overcome with feare,that they had not the power to speake one word. _Ruggiero_ also beingaffrighted with the Chests fall, and perceiving how by that meanesit was become open: he thought it better, least some other sinisterfortune should befall him, to be at open liberty, then inclosed up sostrictly. And because he knew not where he was, as also hoping to meetwith his Mistresse; he went all about groping in the dark, to findeeither some staires or doore, whereby to get forth.
When the Women (being then awake) heard his trampling, as also hisjustling against the doores and Windowes; they demaunded, Who wasthere? _Ruggiero_, not knowing their voyces, made them no answer,wherefore they called to their husbands, who lay verie soundly sleepingby them, by reason of their so late walking abroad, and thereforeheard not this noise in the house. This made the Women much moretimorous, and therefore rising out of their beddes, they opened theCasements towards the streete, crying out aloude, Theeves, Theeves.The neighbours arose upon this outcry, running up and downe from placeto place, some engirting the house, and others entering into it: bymeans of which troublesome noise, the two Lombards awaked, and seizingthere uppon poore _Ruggiero_, (who was well-neere affrighted out ofhis wittes, at so strange an accident, and his owne ignorance, how hehappened thither, and how to escape from them) he stood gazing on themwithout any answer.
By this time, the Sergeants and other Officers of the City, ordinarilyattending on the Magistrate, beeing raised by the tumult of thisuproare, were come into the house, and had poore _Ruggiero_ committedunto their c
harge: who bringing him before the Governor, was forthwithcalled in question, and known to be of a most wicked life, a shame toal his friends and kindred. He could say little for himselfe, neverdenying his taking in the house, and therefore desiring to finish allhis fortunes together, desperately confessed, that he came with afellonious intent to rob them, and the Governor gave him sentence to behanged.
Soone were the newes spread throughout _Salerne_, that _Ruggiero_ wasapprehended, about robbing the house of the two usuring Lombardes:which when Mistresse Doctor and her Chamber-maide heard, they wereconfounded with most straunge admiration, and scarsely creditedwhat they themselves had done the night before, but rather imaginedall matters past, to be no more then meerely a dreame, concerning_Ruggieroes_ dying in the house, and their putting him into the Chest,so that by no likely or possible meanes, hee could bee the man in thisperillous extreamitie.
In a short while after, Master Doctor _Mazzeo_ was returned from_Malfy_, to proceede in his cure of the poore mans legge; and callingfor his glasse of Water, which he left standing in his owne Chamberwindow, it was found quite empty, and not a drop in it: whereat heeraged so extreamly, as never had the like impatience beene noted inhim. His wife, and her Maide, who had another kinde of businesse intheir braine, about a dead man so strangely come to life againe, knewenot well what to say; but at the last, his Wife thus replyed somewhatangerly. Sir (quoth she) what a coyle is heere about a paltry glasseof Water, which perhaps hath bene spilt, yet neyther of us faultytherein? Is there no more such water to be had in the world? Alas deereWife (saide hee) you might repute it to be a common kinde of Water,but indeede it was not so; for I did purposely compound it, onely toprocure a dead-seeming sleepe: And so related the whole matter atlarge, of the Pacients legge, and his Waters losse.
When she had heard these words of her husband, presently sheconceived, that the water was drunke off by _Ruggiero_, which had sosleepily entranced his sences, as they verily thought him to bee dead,wherefore she saide. Beleeve me Sir, you never acquainted us with anysuch matter, which would have procured more carefull respect of it: butseeing it is gone, your skill extendeth to make more, for now there isno other remedy. While thus Master Doctor and his Wife were conferringtogether, the Maide went speedily into the Citie, to understand truly,whither the condemned man was _Ruggiero_, and what would now become ofhim. Beeing returned home againe, and alone with her Mistresse in theChamber, thus she spake. Now trust me Mistresse, not one in the Citiespeaketh well of _Ruggiero_, who is the man condemned to dye; and,for ought I can perceive, he hath neither Kinsman nor Friend that willdoe any thing for him; but he is left with the Provost, and must beexecuted to morrow morning. Moreover Mistresse, by such instructions asI have received, I can well-neere informe you, by what meanes hee cameto the two Lombards house, if all be true that I have heard.
You know the Joyner before whose doore the Chest stoode, wherein wedid put _Ruggiero_; there is now a contention betweene him and anotherman, to whom (it seemeth) the Chest doth belong; in regard whereof, theyare readie to quarrell extremly each with other. For the one owningthe Chest, and trusting the Joyner to sell it for him, would havehim to pay him for the Chest. The Joyner denieth any sale thereof,avouching, that the last night it was stolne from his doore. Which theother man contrarying, maintaineth that he solde the Chest to the twoLombard usurers, as himself is able to affirme, because he found it inthe house, when he (being present at the apprehension of _Ruggiero_)sawe it there in the same house. Heereupon, the Joyner gave him thelye, because he never sold it to any man; but if it were there, theyhad robd him of it, as hee would make it manifest to their faces.Then falling into calmer speeches they went together to the Lombardeshouse, even as I returned home. Wherefore Mistresse, as you may easilyperceive, _Ruggiero_ was (questionlesse) carried thither in the chest,and so there found; but how he revived againe, I cannot comprehend.
The Mistresse understanding now apparantly, the full effect of thewhole businesse, and in what manner it had bene carried, revealed tothe maide her husbands speeches, concerning the glasse of sleepieWater, which was the onely engine of all this trouble, clearlyacquitting _Ruggiero_ of the robbery, howsoever (in desperate fury, andto make an end of a life so contemptible) he had wrongfully accusedhimselfe. And notwithstanding this his hard fortune, which hath madehim much more infamous then before, in all the dissolute behaviour ofhis life: yet it coulde not quaile her affection towards him; but beingloath he should dye for some other mans offence, and hoping his futurereformation; she fell on her knees before her mistresse, and (drownedin her teares) most earnestly entreated her, to advise her with somesuch happy course, as might bee the safety of poore _Ruggieroes_life. Mistresse Doctor, affecting her maide dearely, and plainlyperceiving, that no disastrous fortune whatsoever, could alter her loveto condemned _Ruggiero_; hoping the best heereafter, as the Maide herselfe did, and willing to save life rather then suffer it to be lostwithout just cause, she directed her in such discreet manner, as youwill better conceyve by the successe.
According as she was instructed by hir Mistris, shee fell at thefeete of Master Doctor, desiring him to pardon a great error, wherebyshee had over-much offended him. As how? said Master Doctor. In thismanner (quoth the Maid) and thus proceeded. You are not ignorantSir, what a leud liver _Ruggiero de Jeroly_ is, and notwithstandingall his imperfections, how dearely I love him, as hee protesteth thelike to me, and thus hath our love continued a yeare, and more. Youbeeing gone to _Malfy_, and your absence granting me apt opportunity,for conference with so kinde a friend; I made the bolder, and gavehim entrance into your house, yea even into mine owne Chamber, yetfree from any abuse, neyther did hee (bad though he be) offer any.Thirsty he was before his coming thether, either by salt meats, ordistempered diet, and I being unable to fetch him wine or water, byreason my Mistresse sate in the Hall, seriouslie talking with herSisters; remembred, that I saw a viall of Water standing in yourChamber Windowe, which hee drinking quite off, I set it emptie in theplace againe. I have heard your discontentment for the said Water,and confesse my fault to you therein: but who liveth so justly,without offending at one time or other? And I am heartily sorry formy transgression; yet not so much for the water, as the hard fortunethat hath followd thereon; because thereby _Ruggiero_ is in dangerto lose his life, and all my hopes are utterly lost. Let me entreatyou therefore (gentle Master) first to pardon me, and then to grantme permission, to succour my poore condemned friend, by all the bestmeanes I can devise.
When the Doctor had heard all her discourse, angry though he were, yetthus he answered with a smile. Much better had it bin, if thy folliespunishment had falne on thy selfe, that it might have paide thee withdeserved repentance, upon thy Mistresses finding thee sleeping. Butgo and get his deliverance if thou canst, with this caution, that ifever heereafter he be seene in my house, the peril thereof shall lighton thy selfe. Receyving this answer, for her first entrance into theattempt, and as her Mistris had advised her, in all hast shee went tothe prison, where shee prevailed so well with the Jaylor, that heegranted her private conference with _Ruggiero_. She having instructedhim what he should say to the Provost, if he had any purpose to escapewith life; went thither before him to the Provost, who admitting herinto his presence, and knowing that shee was Master Doctors maid, a manespecially respected of all the Citie, he was the more willing to heareher message, he imagining that shee was sent by her Master.
Sir (quoth shee) you have apprehended _Ruggiero de Jeroly_, as atheefe, and judgement of death is (as I heare) pronounced againsthim: but hee is wrongfully accused, and is clearly innocent of such aheinous detection. So entering into the History, she declared everycircumstance, from the originall to the end: relating truly, that beingher Lover, shee brought him into her Masters house, where he dranke thecompounded sleepy water, and reputed for dead, she laide him in theChest. Afterward, she rehearsed the speeches betweene the Joyner, andhim that laide claime to the Chest, giving him to understand thereby,how _Ruggiero_ was taken in the Lombards house.
The Provost presently gathering, that the truth in this case was easyto be knowne; sent first for Master Doctor _Mazzeo_, to know, whetherhee compounded any such water, or no: which he affirmed to bee true,and upon what occasion he prepared it. Then the Joyner, the owner ofthe Chest, and the two Lombards, being severally questioned withall:it appeared evidently, that the Lombards did steale the chest in thenight season, and carried it home to their owne house. In the end,_Ruggiero_ being brought from the prison, and demanded, where hee waslodged the night before, made answer, that he knew not where. Only hewell remembred, that bearing affection to the Chamber-maide of MasterDoctor _Mazzeo della Montagna_, she brought him into a Chamber, wherea violl of water stoode in the Window, and he being extreamly thirsty,dranke it off all. But what became of him afterward (till being awake,hee found himselfe enclosed in a Chest, and in the house of the twoLombards) he could not say any thing.
When the Provost had heard all their answers, which he caused them torepeate over divers times, in regard they were very pleasing to him:he cleared _Ruggiero_ from the crime imposed on him, and condemned theLombards in three hundred Ducates, to bee given to _Ruggiero_ in wayof an amends, and to enable his marriage with the Doctors Mayde, whoseconstancie was much commended, and wrought such a miracle on penitent_Ruggiero_; that, after his marriage, which was graced with great andhonourable pompe, he regained the intimate love of all his kindred,and lived in most Noble condition, even as if he had never beene thedisordered man.
If the former Novelse had made all the Ladies sad and sighe, this lastof _Dioneus_ as much delighted them, as restoring them to their formerjocond humour, and banishing Tragicall discourse for ever. The Kingperceyving that the Sun was neere setting, and his government as neereending, with many kinde and courteous speeches, excused himselfe tothe Ladies, for being the motive of such an argument, as expressedthe infelicity of poore Lovers. And having finished his excuse, up hearose, taking the Crowne of Lawrell from off his owne head, the Ladiesawaiting on whose head he pleased next to set it, which proved to bethe gracious Lady _Fiammetta_, and thus hee spake. Heere I place thisCrowne on her head, that knoweth better then any other, how to comfortthis fayre assembly to morrow, for the sorrow which they have this dayendured.
Madame _Fiammetta_, whose lockes of haire were curled, long, andlike golden wiers, hanging somewhat downe over her white & delicateshoulders, her visage round, wherein the Damaske Rose and Lillycontended for priority, the eyes in her head, resembling those of theFaulcon messenger, and a dainty mouth; her lippes looking like twolittle Rubyes with a commendable smile thus she replyed.
_Philostratus_, gladly I do accept your gift; and to the end that yemay the better remember your selfe, concerning what you have donehitherto: I will and commaund, that generall preparation bee madeagainst to morrow, for faire and happy fortunes hapning to Lovers,after former cruell and unkinde accidents. Which proposition was verypleasing to them all.
Then calling for the Master of the Housholde, and taking order withhim, what was most needfull to be done; shee gave leave unto thewhole company (who were all risen) to go recreate themselves untilsupper time. Some of them walked about the Garden, the beauty whereofbanished the least thought of wearinesse. Others walked by the Riverto the Mill, which was not farre off, and the rest fel to exercises,fitting their own fancies, untill they heard the summons for Supper.Hard by the goodly Fountaine (according to their wonted manner) theysupped altogether, and were served to their no mean contentment: butbeing risen from the Table, they fell to their delight of singing anddancing. While _Philomena_ led the dance, the Queene spake in thismanner.
_Philostratus_, I intend not to varie from those courses heeretoforeobserved by my predecessors, but even as they have already done, soit is my authority, to command a Song. And because I am well assured,that you are not unfurnished of Songs answerable to the quality ofthe passed Novelse: my desire is, in regard we would not be troubledheereafter, with any more discourses of unfortunate Love, that youshall sing a Song agreeing with your owne disposition. _Philostratus_made answer, that he was readie to accomplish her command, and withoutall further ceremony, thus he began.
_The Song._
Chorus. _My teares do plainly prove, How justly that poore heart hath cause to greeve, Which (under trust) findes Treason in his love.
When first I saw her, that now makes me sigh, Distrust did never enter in my thoughts. So many vertues clearly shin'd in her, That I esteem'd all martyrdome was light Which Love could lay on me. Nor did I greeve, Although I found my liberty was lost. But now mine error I do plainly see: Not without sorrow, thus betray'd to bee. My teares do, &c.
For, being left by basest treachery Of her in whom I most reposed trust: I then could see apparant flatterie In all the fairest shewes that she did make. But when I strove to get forth of the snare, I found myselfe the further plunged in. For I beheld another in my place, And I cast off, with manifest disgrace. My teares do, &c.
Then felt my heart such helse of heavy woes, Not utterable. I curst the day and houre When first I saw her lovely countenance, Enricht with beautie, farre beyond all other, Which set my soule on fire, enflamde each part, Making a martyrdome of my poore hart. My faith and hope being basely thus betrayde; I durst not moove, to speake I was affrayde. My teares do, &c.
Thou canst (thou powerfull God of Love) perceive, My ceasselesse sorrow, voide of any comfort, I make my moane to thee, and do not fable, Desiring, that to end my misery, Death may come speedily, and with his Dart With one fierce stroke, quite passing through my hart: To cut off future fell contending strife, An happy end be made of Love and Life. My teares do, &c.
No other meanes of comfort doth remaine, To ease me of such sharpe afflictions, But only death. Grant then that I may die, To finish greefe and life in one blest houre. For, being bereft of any future joyes, Come, take me quickly from so false a friend. Yet in my death, let thy great power approve, That I died true, and constant in my Love. My teares, &c.
Happy shall I account this sighing Song, If some (beside my selfe) doe learne to sing it, And so consider of my miseries, As may incite them to lament my wrongs. And to be warned by my wretched fate; Least (like my selfe) themselves do sigh too late. Learne Lovers learne, what tis to be unjust, And be betrayed where you repose best trust._
Finis
The words contained in this Song, did manifestly declare, whattorturing afflictions poore _Philostratus_ felt, and more (perhaps)had beene perceived by the lookes of the Lady whom he spake of, beingthen present in the dance; if the sodaine ensuing darknesse had not hidthe crimson blush, which mounted up into her face. But the Song beingended, & divers other beside, lasting till the houre of rest drew on;by command of the Queene, they all repaired to their Chambers.
_The End of the Fourth Day._
The Decameron (Day 1 to Day 5) Page 47