THE SECOND NOVELL

 

        APPROVING, THAT A REQUEST OUGHT TO BE CIVILL, BEFORE IT

                SHOULD BE GRANTED TO ANY ONE WHATSOEVER

 

  Cistio a Baker, by a wittie answer which he gave unto Messer Geri

Spina, caused him to acknowledge a very indiscreete motion, which he

had made to the said Cistio.

 

  The words of Madame Oretta, were much commended by the men and

women; and the discourse being ended, the Queene gave command to Madam

Pampinea, that shee should follow next in order, which made her to

begin in this manner.

  Worthy Ladies, it exceedeth the power of my capacitie, to censure in

the case whereof I am to speake, by saying, who sinned most, either

Nature, in seating a Noble soule in a vile body, or Fortune, in

bestowing on a body (beautified with a noble soule) a base or wretched

condition of life. As we may observe by Cistio, a Citizen of our owne,

and many more beside; for, this Cistio beeing endued with a singular

good spirit, Fortune hath made him no better then a Baker. And beleeve

me Ladies, I could (in this case) lay as much blame on Nature, as on

Fortune; if I did not know Nature to be most absolutely wise, and that

Fortune hath a thousand eyes, albeit fooles have figured her to bee

blinde. But, upon more mature and deliberate consideration, I finde,

that they both (being truly wise and judicious) have dealt justly,

in imitation of our best advised mortals, who being uncertaine of such

inconveniences, as may happen unto them, do bury (for their own

benefit) the very best and choicest things of esteeme, in the most

vile and abject places of their houses, as being subject to least

suspition, and where they may be sure to have them at all times, for

supply of any necessitie whatsoever, because so base a conveyance hath

better kept them, then the very best chamber in the house could have

done. Even so these two great commanders of the world, do many times

hide their most precious Jewels of worth, under the clouds of Arts

or professions of worst estimation, to the end, that fetching them

thence when neede requires, their splendor may appeare to be the

more glorious. Nor was any such matter noted in our homely Baker

Cistio, by the best observation of Messer Geri Spina, who was spoken

of in the late repeated Novell, as being the husband to Madame Oretta;

whereby this accident came to my remembrance, and which (in a short

Tale) I will relate unto you.

  Let me then tell ye, that Pope Boniface (with whom the fore-named

Messer Geri Spina was in great regard) having sent divers Gentlemen of

his Court to Florence as Ambassadors, about very serious and important

businesse: they were lodged in the house of Messer Geri Spina, and

he employed (with them) in the saide Popes negotiation. It chanced,

that as being the most convenient way for passage, every morning

they walked on foot by the Church of Saint Marie d'Ughi, where

Cistio the Baker dwelt, and exercised the trade belonging to him.

Now although Fortune had humbled him to so meane a condition, yet shee

added a blessing of wealth to that contemptible quality, and (as

smiling on him continually) no disasters at any time befell him, but

still he flourished in riches, lived like a jolly Citizen, with all

things fitting for honest entertainment about him, and plenty of the

best Wines (both White and Claret) as Florence, or any part thereabout

yeelded.

  Our frolicke Baker perceiving, that Messer Geri Spina and the

other Ambassadors, used every morning to passe by his doore, and

afterward to returne backe the same way: seeing the season to be

somewhat hot and soultry, he tooke it as an action of kindnesse and

courtesie, to make them an offer of tasting his white wine. But having

respect to his owne meane degree, and the condition of Messer Geri:

hee thought it farre unfitting for him, to be so forward in such

presumption; but rather entred into consideration of some such meanes,

whereby Messer Geri might bee the inviter of himselfe to taste his

Wine. And having put on him a trusse or thin doublet, of very white

and fine Linnen cloath, as also breeches, and an apron of the same,

and a white cap upon his head, so that he seemed rather to be a

Miller, then a Baker: at such times as Messer Geri and the Ambassadors

should daily passe by, hee set before his doore a new Bucket of

faire water, and another small vessell of Bologna earth (as new and

sightly as the other) full of his best and choisest white Wine, with

two small Glasses, looking like silver, they were so cleare. Downe

he sate, with all this provision before him, and emptying his stomacke

twice or thrice, of some clotted flegmes which seemed to offend it:

even as the Gentlemen were passing by, he dranke one or two rouses

of his Wine so heartily, and with such a pleasing appetite, as might

have moved a longing (almost) in a dead man.

  Messer Geri well noting his behaviour, and observing the verie

same course in him two mornings together; on the third day (as he

was drinking) he said unto him. Well done Cistio, what, is it good, or

no? Cistio starting up, forthwith replyed; Yes Sir, the wine is good

indeed, but how can I make you to beleeve me, except you taste of

it? Messer Geri, eyther in regard of the times quality, or by reason

of his paines taken, perhaps more then ordinary, or else, because

hee saw Cistio had drunke so sprightly, was very desirous to taste

of the Wine, and turning unto the Ambassadors, in merriment he

saide. My Lords, me thinks it were not much amisse, if we tooke a

taste of this honest mans Wine, perhaps it is so good, that we shall

not neede to repent our labour.

  Heereupon, he went with them to Cistio, who had caused an handsome

seate to be fetched forth of his house, whereon he requested them to

sit downe, and having commanded his men to wash cleane the Glasses, he

saide. Fellowes, now get you gone, and leave me to the performance

of this service; for I am no worse a skinker, then a Baker, and

tarry you never so long, you shall not drinke a drop. Having thus

spoken, himselfe washed foure or five small glasses, faire and new,

and causing a Viall of his best wine to be brought him: hee diligently

filled it out to Messer Geri and the Ambassadours, to whom it seemed

the very best Wine, that they had drunke of in a long while before.

And having given Cistio most hearty thankes for his kindnesse, and the

Wine his due commendation: many dayes afterwardes (so long as they

continued there) they found the like courteous entertainment, and with

the good liking of honest Cistio.

  But when the affayres were fully concluded, for which they wer

thus sent to Florence, and their parting preparation in due

readinesse: Messer Geri made a very sumptuous Feast for them, inviting

thereto the most part of the honourablest Citizens, and Cistio to be

one amongst them; who (by no meanes) would bee seene in an assembly of

such State and pompe, albeit he was thereto (by the saide Messer Geri)

most earnestly entreated.

  In regard of which deniall, Messer Geri commaunded one of his

servants, to take a small Bottle, and request Cistio to fill it with

his good Wine; then afterward, to serve it in such sparing manner to

the Table, that each Gentleman might be allowed halfe a glasse-full at

their down-sitting. The Serving-man, who had heard great report of the

Wine, and was halfe offended because he could never taste thereof:

tooke a great Flaggon Bottle, containing foure or five Gallons at

the least, and comming there-with unto Cistio, saide unto him. Cistio,

because my Master cannot have your companie among his friends, he

prayes you to fill this Bottle with your best Wine. Cistio looking

uppon the huge Flaggon, replyed thus. Honest Fellow, Messer Geri never

sent thee with such a Message to me: which although the Serving-man

very stoutly maintained, yet getting no other answer, he returned

backe therwith to his Master.

  Messer Geri returned the Servant backe againe unto Cistio, saying:

Goe, and assure Cistio, that I sent thee to him, and if hee make

thee any more such answeres, then demaund of him, to what place else I

should send thee? Being come againe to Cistio, hee avouched that his

Maister had sent him, but Cistio affirming, that hee did not: the

Servant asked, to what place else hee should send him? Marrie (quoth

Cistio) unto the River of Arno, which runneth by Florence, there

thou mayest be sure to fill thy Flaggon. When the Servant had reported

this answer to Messer Geri, the eyes of his understanding beganne to

open, and calling to see what Bottle hee had carried with him: no

sooner looked he on the huge Flaggon, but severely reproving the

sawcinesse of his Servant, hee sayde. Now trust mee, Cistio told

thee nothing but trueth, for neither did I send thee with any such

dishonest message, nor had the reason to yeeld or grant it.

  Then he sent him with a bottle of more reasonable competencie, which

so soone as Cistio saw: Yea mary my friend, quoth he, now I am sure

that thy Master sent thee to me, and he shall have his desire with all

my hart. So, commaunding the Bottle to be filled, he sent it away by

the Servant, and presently following after him, when he came unto

Messer Geri, he spake unto him after this maner. Sir, I would not have

you to imagine, that the huge flaggon (which first came) did any jotte

dismay mee; but rather I conceyved, that the small Viall whereof you

tasted every morning, yet filled many mannerly Glasses together, was

fallen quite out of your remembrance; in plainer tearmes, it beeing no

Wine for Groomes or Peazants, as your selfe affirmed yesterday. And

because I meane to bee a Skinker no longer, by keeping Wine to

please any other pallate but mine owne: I have sent you halfe my

store, and heereafter thinke of mee as you shall please. Messer Geri

tooke both his guifte and speeches in most thankefull manner,

accepting him alwayes after, as his intimate Friend, because he had so

graced him before the Ambassadours.