THE TENTH NOVELL

 

      WHEREIN IS DECLARED, THAT SOMETIME BY ADVENTUROUS ACCIDENT,

   RATHER THEN ANY REASONABLE COMPREHENSION, A MAN MAY ESCAPE OUT OF

      MANIFOLD PERILLES, BUT ESPECIALLY IN OCCURRENCES OF LOVE.

 

  A physitians wife laide a Lover of her Maides (supposing him to be

dead) in a Chest, by reason that he had drunke Water, which usually

was given to procure a sleepy entrancing. Two Lombard usurers,

stealing the Chest, in hope of a rich booty, carryed it into their

owne house, where afterward the man awaking, was apprehended for a

Theefe. The Chamber-maide to the Physitians wife, going before the

bench of Justice, accuseth her selfe for putting the imagined dead

body into the Chest, by which meanes he escapeth hanging. And the

theeves which stole away the Chest, were condemned to pay a great

summe of money.

 

  After that the King had concluded his Novell, there remained none

now but Dioneus to tell the last: which himselfe confessing, and the

King commaunding him to proceede, hee beganne in this manner. So

many miseries of unfortunate Love, as all of you have already related,

hath not onely swolne your eyes with weeping, but also made sicke

our hearts with sighing: yea (Gracious Ladies) I my selfe finde my

spirits not meanly afflicted thereby. Wherefore the whole day hath

bene very irkesome 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 to make an addition, of any more such sad and

mournfull matter, good for nothing but onely to feede melancholly

humor, and from which (I hope) my faire Starres will defend me.

Tragicall discourse, thou art no fit companion for me, I will

therefore report a Novell which may minister a more joviall kinde of

argument, unto whose Tales that must be told to morrow, and with the

expiration of our present Kings reigne, to rid us of all

heart-greeving hereafter.

  Know then (most gracious assembly) that it is not many yeeres since,

when there lived in Salerne, a very famous Physitian, named Signieur

Mazzeo della Montagna, who being already well entred into yeeres,

would (neverthelesse) marrie with a beautifull young Mayden of the

City, bestowing rich garments, gaudie attyres, Ringes, and Jewelles on

her, such as few Women else could any way equall, because hee loved

her most deerely. Yet being an aged man, and never remembring, how

vaine and idle a thing it is, for age to make such an unfitting

Election, injurious to both; and therefore endangering that domesticke

agreement, which ought to be the sole and maine comfort of Marriage:

it maketh me therefore to misdoubt, that as in our former Tale of

Signiour Ricciardo de Cinzica, some dayes of the Calender did here

seeme as distastefull, as those that occasioned the other Womans

discontentment. In such unequall choyses, Parents commonly are more

blamewoorthy, then any imputation, to bee layde on the young Women,

who gladdely would enjoy such as in heart they have elected: but

that their Parents, looking through the glasse of greedie lucre, doe

overthrow both their owne hopes, and the faire fortunes of their

children together.

  Yet to speake uprightly of this young married Wife, she declared her

selfe to be of a wise and chearfull spirit, not discoraged with her

unequalitie of marriage: but bearing all with a contented browe, for

feare of urging the very least mislike in her Husband. And he, on

the other side, when occasions did not call him to visite his

Patients, or to be present at the Colledge among his fellow-Doctours,

would alwayes bee chearing and comforting his Wife, as one that could

hardly affoord to be out of her company. There is one especiall

fatall misfortune, which commonly awaiteth on olde Mens marriages;

when freezing December will match with flourishing May, and greene

desires appeare in age, beyond all possibility of performance. Nor

are there wanting good store of wanton Gallants, who hating to see

Beauty in this manner betrayed, and to the embraces of a loathed bed,

will make their folly seene in publike appearance, and by their daily

proffers of amorous services (seeming compassionate of the womans

disaster) are usually the cause of jealous suspitions, and very

heinous houshold discontentments.

  Among divers other, that faine would be nibling at this bayte of

beautie, there was one, named Ruggiero de Jeroly, of honourable

parentage, but yet of such a beboshed and disordered life, as

neither Kindred or Friends, were willing to take any knowledge of him,

but utterly gave him over to his dissolute courses: so that,

throughout all Salerne, his conditions caused his generall contempt,

and he accounted no better but even as a theeving and lewde company.

The Doctours Wife, had a Chamber-maide attending on her; who,

notwithstanding all the ugly deformities in Ruggiero, regarding more

his person then his imperfections (because he was a compleate and

well-featured youth) bestowed her affection most entirely on him,

and oftentimes did supplie his wants, with her owne best meanes.

  Ruggiero having this benefite of the Maides kinde love to him,

made it an hopefull mounting Ladder, whereby to derive some good

liking from the Mistresse, presuming rather on his outward comely

parts, then any other honest qualitie that might commend him. The

Mistresse knowing what choise her Maide had made, and unable by any

perswasions to remoove her, tooke knowledge of Ruggieroes private

resorting to her house, and in meere love to her Maide (who had very

many especiall deservings in her) oftentimes she would (in kinde

manner) rebuke him, and advise him to a more settled course of life;

which counsell, that it might take the better effect; she graced

with liberall gifts: one while with Golde, others with Silver, and

often with garments, for his comelier accesse thither; which bounty,

he (like a lewde mistaker) interpreted as assurances of her

affection to him, and that he was more gracefull in her eye, then

any man else could be.

  In the continuance of these proceedings, it came to passe, that

Master Doctor Mazzeo (being not onely a most expert Physitian, but

likewise as skilfull in Chirurgerie beside) had a Patient in cure, who

by great misfortune, had one of his legges broken all in pieces; which

some weaker judgement having formerly dealt withall, the bones and

sinewes were become so fowly putrified, as he tolde the parties

friends, that the legge must be quite cut off, or else the Patient

must needes dye: yet he intended so to order the matter, that the

perill should proceede no further, to prejudice any other part of

the body. The case beeing thus resolved on with the Pacient and his

Friends, the day and time was appointed when the deede should be done:

and the Doctor conceiving, that except the Patient were sleepily

entranced, he could not by any meanes endure the paine, but must

needes hinder what he meant to do: by distillation he made such an

artificiall Water, as (after the Patient hath received it) it will

procure a kinde of a dead sleepe, and endure so long a space, as

necessity requireth the use there of, in full performance of the

worke.

  After he had made this sleepy water, he put it into a glasse,

wherewith it was filled (almost) up to the brimme; and till the time

came when he should use it, hee set it in his owne Chamber-Window,

never acquainting any one, to what purpose he had provided the

water, nor what was his reason of setting it there; when it drew

towards the evening, and he was returned home from his pacients, a

Messenger brought him Letters from Malfy, concerning a great

conflict happening there betweene two Noble Families, wherein divers

were very dangerously wounded on either side, and without his speedy

repairing thither, it would prove to the losse of many lives.

Hereupon, the cure of the mans leg must needs be prolonged, untill

he was returned backe againe, in regard that many of the wounded

persons were his worthy friends, and liberall bounty was there to be

expected, which made him presently go aboord 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 more Crownes, and curtisie from the Mistresse, under formall

colour of courting the Maide. And being closely admitted into the

house, when divers Neighbours were in conference with her Mistresse,

and held her with much pleasing discourse, as required longer time

then was expected: the Maide, had no other roome to conceale

Ruggiero in, but onely the bed Chamber of her Master, where she

lockt him in; because none of the houshold people should descry him,

and stayed attending on her Mistris, till all the Guests tooke their

leave, and were gone. Ruggiero thus remayning alone in the Chamber,

for the space of three long houres and more was visited neither by

Maide nor Mistris, but awaited when he should be set at liberty.

  Now, whether feeding on salt meates before his coming thither, or

customary use of drinking, which maketh men unable any long while to

abstaine as being never satisfied with excesse; which of these two

extreames they were, I know not: but drinke needs he must. And, having

no other meanes for quenching his thirst, espied the glasse of water

standing in the Window, and thinking it to be some soveraigne kinde of

water, reserved by the Doctor for his owne drinking, to make him lusty

in his old yeeres, he tooke the glasse; and finding the water pleasing

to his pallate, dranke it off every drop; then sitting downe on a

Coffer by the beds side, soone after he fell into a sound sleepe,

according to the powerfull working of the water.

  No sooner were all the Neighbours gone, and the Maide at liberty

from her Mistresse, but unlocking the doore, into the Chamber she

went; and finding Ruggiero sitting fast asleepe, she began to hunch

and punche him, entreating him (softly) to awake: but all was to no

purpose, for he neither moved, or answered one word; whereat her

patience being somewhat provoked, she punched him more rudely, and

angerly saide: Awake for shame thou drowsie dullard, and if thou be so

desirous of sleeping, get thee home to thine owne lodging, because

thou art not allowed to sleepe here. Ruggiero being thus rudely

punched, fell from off the Coffer flat on the ground, appearing no

other in all respects, then as if he were a dead body. Whereat the

Maide being fearfully amazed, plucking him by the nose and young

beard, and what else she could devise to do, yet all her labour

proving still in vaine: she was almost beside her wits, stamping and

raving all about the roome, as if sense and reason had forsaken her;

so violent was her extreame distraction.

  Upon the hearing of this noise, her Mistris came sodainely into

the Chamber, where being affrighted at so strange an accident, and

suspecting that Ruggiero was dead indeed: she pinched him strongly,

and burnt his finger with a candle, yet all was as fruitelesse as

before. Then sitting downe, she began to consider advisedly with her

selfe, how much her honour and reputation would be endangered

hereby, both with her Husband, and in vulgar opinion when this

should come to publike notice. For (quoth she to her Maide) it is

not thy fond love to this unruly fellow that can sway the censure of

the monster multitude, in beleeving his accesse hither onely to

thee: but my good name, and honest repute, as yet untoucht with the

very least taxation, will be rackt on the tenter of infamous

judgement, and (though never so cleare) 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 and witty device, as when

it shall be found in the morning, his being here may passe without

suspition, and the worlds rash opinion no way touch US.

  Weeping and lamenting is now laid aside, and all hope in them of his

lives restoring: onely to rid his body but of the house, that now

requires their care and cunning: whereupon the Maide thus began.

Mistresse (quoth she) this evening, although it was very late, at

our next Neighbours doore (who you know is a joyner by his trade) I

saw a great Chest stand; and, as it seemeth, for a publike sale,

because two or three nights together, it hath not bene thence removed:

and if the owner have not lockt it, all invention else cannot

furnish us with the like helpe. For therein will we lay his body,

whereon I will bestow two or three wounds with my Knife, and leaving

him so, our house can be no more suspected concerning his being

here, then any other in the streete beside; nay rather farre lesse, in

regard of your husbands credite and authority. Moreover, hereof I am

certaine, that he being of such bad and disordered qualities: it

will the more likely be imagined, that he was slaine by some of his

own loose companions, being with them about some pilfering busines,

and afterward hid his body in the chest, it standing so fitly for

the purpose, and darke night also favouring the deed.

  The Maids counsell past under the seale of allowance, only her

Mistris thought it not convenient, that (having affected hirn so

deerely) she should mangle his body with any wounds; but rather to let

it be gathered by more likely-hood, that villaines had strangled

him, and then conveyed his body into the Chest. Away she sends the

Maide, to see whether the Chest stood there still, or no; as indeede

it did, and unlockt, whereof they were not a little joyfull. By the

helpe of her Mistresse, the Maide tooke Ruggiero upon her shoulders,

and bringing him to the doore, with dilligent respect that no one

could discover them; in the Chest they laide him, and so there left

him, closing downe the lidde according as they found it.

  In the same streete, and not farre from the joyner, dwelt two yong

men who were Lombards, living upon the interest of their moneyes,

coveting to get much, and to spend little. They having observed

where the Chest stood, and wanting a necessary mooveable to

houshold, yet loath to lay out money for buying it: complotted

together this very night, to steale it thence, and carry it home to

their house, as accordingly they did; finding it somewhat heavy, and

therefore imagining, that matter of woorth 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 downe to rest

likewise.

  Ruggiero, who had now slept a long while, the drinke being digested,

and the vertue thereof fully consummated; began to awake before day.

And although his naturall sleepe was broken, and his senses had

recovered their former power, yet notwithstanding, there remained such

an astonishment in his braine, as not onely did afflict him all the

day following, but also divers dayes and nights afterward. Having

his eyes wide open, and yet not discerning any thing, he stretched

forth his armes every where about him, and finding himselfe to be

enclosed in the Chest, he grew more broad awake, and said to himselfe.

What is this? Where am I? Do I wake or steepe? Full well I remember,

that not long since I was in my sweet-hearts Chamber, and now (me

thinkes) I am mewed up in a Chest. What should I thinke hereof? Is

Master Doctor returned home, or hath some other inconvenience happned,

whereby finding me a sleepe, she was enforced to hide me thus?

Surely it is so, and otherwise it cannot be: wherefore, it is best for

me to lye still, and listen when I can heare any talking in the

Chamber.

  Continuing thus a longer while then otherwise he would have done,

because his lying in the bare Chest was somewhat uneasie and

painfull to him; turning divers times on the one side, and then as

often againe on the other, coveting still for ease, yet could not

finde any: at length, he thrust his backe so strongly against the

Chests side, that (it standing on an un-even ground) it began to

totter, and after fell downe. In which fall, it made so loud a

noise, as the women (lying in the beds standing by) awaked, and were

so overcome with feare, that they had not the power to speake one

word. Ruggiero also being affrighted with the Chests fall, and

perceiving how by that meanes it was become open, he thought it

better, least some other sinister fortune should befall him, to be

at open liberty, then inclosed up so strictly. And because he knew not

where he was, as also hoping to meete with his Mistresse; he went

all about groping in the darke, to find either some staires or

doore, whereby to get forth.

  When the Women (being then awake) heard his trampling, as also his

justling against the doores and windowes; they demaunded, Who was

there? Ruggiero, not knowing their voyces, made them no answer;

wherefore they called to their husbands, who lay very soundly sleeping

by them, by reason of their so late walking abroad, and therefore

heard not this noise in the house. This made the Women much more

timorous, and therefore rising out of their beddes, they opened the

Casement towards the streete, crying out aloude, Theeves, Theeves. The

neighbours arose upon this outcry, running up and downe from place

to place, some engirting the house, and others entering into it: by

means of which troublesome noise, the two Lombards awaked, and seizing

there upon poore Ruggiero (who was well-neere affrighted out of his

wittes, at so strange an accident, and his owne ignorance, how he

happened thither, and how to escape from them) he stood gazing on them

without any answer.

  By this time, the Sergeants and other Officers of the City,

ordinarily attending on the Magistrate, being raised by the tumult

of this uproare, were come into the house, and had poore Ruggiero

committed unto their charge: who bringing him before the Governor, was

forthwith called in question, and known to be of a most wicked life, a

shame to all his friends and kindred. He could say little for

himselfe, never denying his taking in the house, and therefore

desiring to finish all his fortunes together, desperately confessed,

that he came with a fellonious intent to rob them, and the Governor

gave him sentence to be hanged.

  Soone were the newes spread throughout Salerne; that Ruggiero was

apprehended, about robbing the house of the two usuring Lombardes:

which when Mistresse Doctor and her Chamber-maide heard, they were

confounded with most strange admiration, and scarsely credited what

they themselves had done the night before, but rather imagined all

matters past, to be no more than meerely a dreame, concerning

Ruggieroes dying in the house, and their putting him into the Chest,

so that by no likely or possible meanes, he could be the man in this

perillous extreamitie.

  In a short while after, Master Doctor Mazzeo was returned from

Malfy, to proceede in his cure of the poore mans legge; and calling

for his glasse of Water, which he left standing in his owne Chamber

window, it was found quite empty, and not a drop in it: whereat he

raged so extreamly, as never had the like impatience bene noted in

him. His wife, and her Maide, who had another kinde of businesse in

their braine, about a dead man so strangely come to life againe,

knew not well what to say; but at the last, his Wife thus replyed

somewhat angerly. Sir (quoth she) what a coyle is here about a

paltry glasse of Water, which perhaps hath bene spilt, yet neyther

of us faulty therein? Is there no more such water to be had in the

world? Alas deere Wife (saide he) you might repute it to be a common

kinde of Water, but indeed it was not so; for I did purposely compound

it, onely to procure a dead seeming sleepe: And so related the whole

matter at large, of the Pacients legge, and his Waters losse.

  When she had heard these words of her husband, presently she

conceived, that the water was drunke off by Ruggiero, which had so

sleepily entranced his sences, as they verily thought him to be

dead, wherefore she saide. Beleeve me Sir, you never acquainted us

with any such matter, which would have procured more carefull

respect of it: but seeing it is gone, your skill extendeth to make

more, for now there is no other remedy. While thus Master Doctor and

his Wife were conferring together, the Maide went speedily into the

City, to understand truly, whither the condemned man was Ruggiero, and

what would now become of him. Being returned home againe, and alone

with her Mistresse in the Chamber, thus she spake. Now trust me

Mistresse, not one in the City speaketh well of Ruggiero, who is the

man condemned to dye; and, for ought I can perceive, he hath neither

Kinsman nor Friend that will doe any thing for him; but he is left

with the Provost, and must be executed to morrow morning. Moreover

Mistresse, by such instructions as I have received, I can well-neere

informe you, by what meanes he came to the two Lombards house, if

all be true that I have heard.

  You know the joyner before whose doore the Chest stoode, wherein

we did put Ruggiero; there is now a contention betweene him and

another man, to whom (it seemeth) the Chest doth belong; in regard

whereof, they are ready to quarrell extreamly each with other. For the

one owing the Chest, and trusting the joyner to sell it for him, would

have him to pay him for the Chest. The joyner denieth any sale

thereof, avouching, that the last night it was stolne from his

doore. Which the other man contrarying, maintaineth that he solde

the Chest to the two Lombard usurers, as himselfe is able to

affirme, because he found it in the house, when he (being present at

the apprehension of Ruggiero) sawe it there in the same house.

Hereupon, the joyner gave him the lye, because he never sold it to any

man; but if it were there, they had robd him of it, as he would make

it manifest to their faces. Then falling into clamerous speeches

they went together to the Lombardes house, even as I returned home.

Wherefore Mistresse, as you may easily perceive, 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 the

whole businesse, and in what manner it had bene carried, revealed to

the Maide her husbands speeches, concerning the glasse of sleepie

Water, which was the onely engine of all this trouble, clearly

acquitting Ruggiero of the robbery, howsoever (in desparate fury,

and to make an end of a life so contemptible) he had wrongfully

accused himselfe. And notwithstanding this his hard fortune, which

hath made him much more infamous then before, in all the dissolute

behaviour of his life: yet it could not quaile her affection towards

him; but being loath he should dye for some other mans offence, and

hoping his future reformation; she fell on her knees before her

Mistresse, and (drowned in her teares) most earnestly entreated her,

to advise her with some such happy course, as might be the safety of

poore Ruggieroes life. Mistresse Doctor, affecting her Maide

dearely, and plainely perceiving, that no disastrous fortune

whatsoever, could alter her love to condemned Ruggiero; hoping the

best hereafter, as the Maide her selfe did, and willing to save life

rather then suffer it to be lost without just cause, she directed

her in such discreet manner, as you will better conceive by the

successe.

  According as she was instructed by her Mistresse, she fell at the

feete of Master Doctor, desiring him to pardon a great error,

whereby she had over-much offended him. As how? said Master Doctor. In

this manner (quoth the Maide) and thus proceeded. You are not ignorant

Sir, what a lewde liver Ruggiero de Jeroly is, and notwithstanding all

his imperfections, how deerely I love him, as he protesteth the like

to me, and thus hath our love continued a yeere, and more. You being

gone to Malfy, and your absence granting me apt opportunity, for

conference with so kinde a friend; I made the bolder, and gave him

entrance into your house, yea even into mine owne Chamber, yet free

from any abuse, neither did he (bad though he be) offer any. Thirsty

he was before his comming thither, either by salt meat, or distempered

diet, and I being unable to fetch him wine or water, by reason my

Mistresse sat in the Hall, seriously talking with her Sisters;

remembred, that I saw a violl of Water standing in your Chamber

Window, which he drinking quite off, I set it empty in the place

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 sory for my

transgression; yet not so much for the water, as the hard fortune that

hath followed thereon; because thereby Ruggiero is in danger to lose

his life, and all my hopes are utterly lost. Let me entreat you

therefore (gentle Master) first to pardon me, and then to grant me

permission, to succour my poore condemned friend, by all the best

meanes I can devise.

  When the Doctor had heard all her discourse, angry though he were,

yet thus he answered with a smile. Much better had it bin, if thy

follies punishment had falne on thy selfe, that it might have paide

thee with deserved repentance, upon thy Mistresses finding thee

sleeping. But go and get his deliverance if thou canst, with this

caution, that if ever hereafter he be seene in my house, the perill

thereof shall light on thy selfe. Receiving this answer, for her first

entrance into the attempt, and as her Mistresse had advised her, in

all hast she went to the prison, where she prevailed so well with

the Jaylor, that hee granted her private conference with Ruggiero. She

having instructed him what he should say to the Provost, if he had any

purpose to escape with life; went thither before him to the Provost,

who admitting her into his presence, and knowing that shee was

Master Doctors Maid, a man especially respected of all the City, he

was the more willing to heare her message, he imagining that shee

was sent by her Master.

  Sir (quoth shee) you have apprehended Ruggiero de Jeroly, as a

theefe, and judgement of death is (as I heare) pronounced against him:

but hee is wrongfully accused, and is clearly innocent of such a

heinous detection. So entring into the History, she declared every

circumstance, from the originall to the end: relating truly, that

being her Lover, shee brought him into her Masters house, where he

dranke the compounded sleepy water, and reputed for dead, she laide

him in the Chest. Afterward, she rehearsed the speeches betweene the

Joyner, and him 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

easie to be knowne; sent first for Master Doctor Mazzeo, to know,

whether he compounded any such water, or no: which he affirmed to be

true, and upon what occasion he prepared it. Then the Joyner, the

owner of the Chest, and the two Lombards, being severally questioned

withall: it appeared evidently, that the Lombards did steale the Chest

in the night season, and carried it home to their owne house. In the

end, Ruggiero being brought from the prison, and demanded, where he

was lodged the night before, made answer, that he knew not where.

Onely he well remembred, that bearing affection to the Chamber-maide

of Master Doctor Mazzeo della Montagna, she brought him into a

Chamber, where a 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, he found himselfe enclosed in a Chest, and in the

house of the two Lombards) he could not say any thing.

  When the Provost had heard all their answers, which he caused them

to repeate over divers times, in regard they were very pleasing to

him: he cleared Ruggiero from the crime imposed on him, and

condemned the Lombards in three hundred Ducates, to be given to

Ruggiero in way of an amends, and to enable his marriage with the

Doctors Mayde, whose constancie was much commended, and wrought such a

miracle on penitent Ruggiero; that after his marriage, which was

graced with great and honourable pompe, he regained the intimate

love of all his kindred, and lived in most Noble condition, even as if

he had never bene any disordered man.

  If the former Novels had made all the Ladies sad and sighe, this

last of Dioneus as much delighted them, as restoring them to their

former jocond humor, and banishing Tragicall discourse for ever. The

King perceiving that the Sun was neere setting, and his government

as neere ending, with many kinde and courteous speeches, excused

himselfe to the Ladies, for being the motive of such an argument, as

expressed the infelicity of poore Lovers. And having finished his

excuse, up he rose, taking the Crown of Lawrell from off his owne

head, the Ladies awaiting on whose head he pleased next to set it,

which proved to be the gracious Lady Fiammetta, and thus he spake.

Here I place this Crowne on her head, that knoweth better then any

other, how to comfort this faire assembly to morrow, for the sorrow

which they have this day endured.

  Madame Fiammetta, whose lockes of haire were curled, long, and

like golden wiers, hanging somewhat downe over her white and

delicate shoulders, her visage round, wherein the Damaske Rose and

Lilly contended for priority, the eyes in her head, resembling those

of the Faulcon messenger, and a dainty mouth; her lippes looking

like two little Rubyes, with a commendable smile thus she replyed.

  Philostratus, gladly I do accept your gift; and to the end that ye

may the better remember your selfe, concerning what you have done

hitherto: I will and command, that generall preparation be made

against to morrow, for faire and happy fortunes hapning to Lovers,

after former cruell and unkinde accidents. Which proposition was

very pleasing to them all.

  Then calling for the Master of the Houshold, and taking order with

him, what was most needfull to be done; she gave leave unto the

whole company (who were all risen) to go recreate themselves untill

supper time. Some of them walked about the Garden, the beauty

whereof banished the least thought of wearinesse. Others walked by the

River to the Mill, which was not farre off, and the rest fell to

exercises, fitting their owne fancies, untill they heard the summons

for Supper. Hard by the goodly Fountaine (according to their wonted

manner) they supped altogether, and were served to their no meane

contentment: but being risen from the Table, they fell to their

delight of singing and dancing. While Philomena led the dance, the

Queene spake in this manner.

  Philostratus, I intend not to varie from those courses heretofore

observed by my predecessors, but even as they have already done, so it

is my authority, to command a Song. And because I am well assured,

that you are not unfurnished of Songs answerable to the quality of the

passed Novels: my desire is, in regard we would not be troubled

hereafter, with any more discourses of unfortunate Love, that you

shall sing a Song agreeing with your owne disposition. Philostratus

made answer, that hee was ready to accomplish her command, and without

all further ceremony, thus he began.