The FIFT DAY

THE INDUCTION TO THE FIFT DAY

  WHEREON, ALL THE DISCOURSES DO PASSE UNDER THE GOVERNMENT OF THE

  MOST NOBLE LADY FIAMMETTA: CONCERNING SUCH PERSONS, AS HAVE BENE

            SUCCESSEFULL IN THEIR LOVE, AFTER MANY HARD AND

                      PERILLOUS MISFORTUNES

  Now began the Sunne to dart foorth his golden beames, when Madam

Fiammetta (incited by the sweete singing Birdes, which since the

breake of day, sat merrily chanting on the trees) arose from her

bed: as all the other Ladies likewise did, and the three young

Gentlemen descending downe into the fields, where they walked in a

gentle pace on the greene grasse, untill the Sunne were risen a little

higher. On many pleasant matters they conferred together, as they

walked in severall companies, till at the length the Queene, finding

the heate to enlarge it selfe strongly, returned backe to the

Castle; where when they were all arrived, she commanded, that after

this mornings walking, their stomackes should be refreshed with

wholsom Wines, as also divers sorts of banquetting stuffe.

Afterward, they all repaired into the Garden, not departing thence,

the houre of dinner was come: at which time, the Master of the

houshold, having prepared every thing in decent readinesse, after a

solemne song was sung, by order from the Queene, they were seated:

  When they had dined, to their own liking and contentment, they began

(in continuation of their former order) to exercise divers dances, and

afterward voyces to their instruments, and many pretty Madrigals and

Roundelayes. Upon the finishing of these delights, the Queene gave

them leave to take their rest, when such as were so minded, went to

sleep, others solaced themselves in the Garden. But after midday was

overpast, they met (according to their wonted manner) and as the

Queene had commanded, at the faire Fountaine; where she being placed

in her seate royall, and casting her eye upon Pamphilus, she bad him

begin the dayes discourses, of happy successe in love, after

disastrous and troublesome accidents; who yeelding thereto with humble

reverence, thus began.

  Many Novels (gracious Ladies) do offer themselves to my memory,

wherewith to beginne so pleasant a day, as it is her Highnesse

desire that this should be: among which plenty, I esteeme one above

all the rest, because you may comprehend thereby, not onely the

fortunate conclusion, wherewith we intend to begin our day; but

also, how mighty the forces of Love are, deserving to be both

admired and reverenced. Albeit there are many, who scarsely knowing

what they say, do condemne them with infinite grosse imputations:

which I purpose to disprove, and (I hope) to your no little pleasing.