THE SIXT DAY

THE INDUCTION TO THE SIXT DAY

      GOVERNED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF MADAM ELIZA, AND THE ARGUMENT

    OF THE DISCOURSES OR NOVELLS THERE TO BE RECOUNTED, DOE CONCERNE

    SUDDEN, PERSONS; WHO BY SOME WITTY WORDS (WHEN ANY HAVE CHECKT OR

    RETORTING THEM) HAVE REVENGED THEMSELVES, IN A SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED

     AND DISCREET ANSWERE, THEREBY PREVENTING LOSSE, DANGER, SCORNE

       AND DISGRACE, RETORTING THEM ON THE BUSI-HEADED QUESTIONERS

  The Moone having past the heaven, lost her bright splendor, by the

arising of a more powerfull light, and every part of our world began

to looke cleare: when the Queene (being risen) caused all the

Company to be called, walking forth afterward upon the pearled dewe

(so farre as was supposed convenient) in faire and familiar conference

together, according as severally they were disposed, and repetition of

divers the passed Novels, especially those which were most pleasing,

and seemed so by their present commendations. But the Sunne beeing

somewhat higher mounted, gave such a sensible warmth to the ayre, as

caused their returne backe to the Pallace, where the Tables were

readily covered against their comming, strewed with sweete hearbes and

odoriferous flowers, seating themselves at the Tables (before the heat

grew more violent) according as the Queene commanded.

  After dinner, they sung divers excellent Canzonnets, and then some

went to sleepe, others played at the Chesse, and some at the Tables:

But Dioneus and Madam Lauretta, they sung the love-conflict betweene

Troylus and Cressida. Now was the houre come, of repairing to their

former Consistory or meeting place, the Queene having thereto

generally summoned them, and seating themselves (as they were wont

to doe) about the faire fountaine. As the Queene was commanding to

begin the first Novell, an accident suddenly happened, which never had

befalne before: to wit, they heard a great noyse and tumult, among the

houshold servants in the Kitchin. Whereupon, the Queene caused the

Master of the Houshold to be called, demaunding of him, what noyse

it was, and what might be the occasion thereof? He made answere,

that Lacisca and Tindaro were at some words of discontentment, but

what was the occasion thereof, he knew not. Whereupon, the Queene

commanded that they should be sent for, (their anger and violent

speeches still continuing) and being come into her presence, she

demaunded the reason of their discord; and Tindaro offering to make

answere, Lacisca (being somewhat more ancient then he, and of a

fiercer fiery spirit, even as if her heart would have leapt out of her

mouth) turned her selfe to him, and with a scornefull frowning

countenance, said. See how this bold, unmannerly and beastly fellow,

dare presume to speake in this place before me: Stand by (saucy

impudence) and give your better leave to answere; then turning to

the Queene, thus shee proceeded.

  Madam, this idle fellow would maintaine to me, that Signior

Sicophanto marrying with Madama della Grazza, had the victory of her

virginity the very first night; and I avouched the contrary, because

shee had been a mother twise before, in very faire adventuring of

her fortune. And he dared to affirme beside, that yong Maides are so

simple, as to loose the flourishing Aprill of their time, in meere

feare of their parents, and great prejudice of their friends.

  And then the Queene, somewhat offended at the folly of the former

controversie, commanded Madame Philomena, that she should give

beginning to the dayes Novels: which (in dutifull manner) shee

undertooke to doe, and seating her selfe in formall fashion, with

modest and very gracious gesture, thus she began.