THE NINTH NOVELL

 

       NOTABLY DISCOVERING THE GREAT DIFFERENCE THAT IS BETWEENE

         LEARNING AND IGNORANCE, UPON JUDICIOUS APPREHENSION

 

  Signior Guido Cavalcante, with a sodaine and witty answer,

reprehended the rash folly of certaine Florentine Gentlemen, that

thought to scorne and flout him.

 

  When the Queene perceived, that Madame Aemillia was discharged of

her Novell, and none remained now to speake next, but onely her selfe,

his priviledge alwayes remembred, to whom it belonged to be the

last, she began in this manner.

  Faire Company, you have this day disappointed me of two Novells at

the least, whereof I had intended to make use. Neverthelesse, you

shall not imagine mee so unfurnished, but that I have left one in

store; the conclusion whereof, may minister such instruction, as

will not bee reputed for ydle and impertinent: but rather of such

materiall consequence, as better hath not this day past among us.

  Understand then (most faire Ladies) that in former times long

since past, our Cittie had many excellent and commendable customes

in it; whereof (in these unhappy dayes of ours) we cannot say that

poore one remaineth, such hath beene the too much encrease of Wealth

and Covetousnesse, the onely supplanters of all good qualities

whatsoever. Among which lawdable and friendly observations, there

was one well deserving note, namely, that in divers places of

Florence, men of the best houses in every quarter, had a sociable

and neighbourly assemblie together, creating their company to

consist of a certaine number, such as were able to supply their

expences; as this day one, and to morrow another: and thus in a

kinde of friendly course, each dally furnished the Table, for the rest

of the company. Oftentimes, they did honour to divers Gentlemen and

strangers, upon their arrivall in our Citty, by inviting them into

their assembly, and many of our worthiest Citizens beside; so that

it grew to a customary use, and one especially day in the yeare

appointed, in memory of this so loving a meeting, when they would ride

(triumphally as it were) on horsebacke thorow the Cittie, sometimes

performing Tilts, Tourneyes, and other Martiall exercises, but they

were reserved for Feastivall dayes.

  Among which company, there was one called, Signior Betto

Bruneleschi, who was earnestly desirous, to procure Signior Guido

Cavalcante de Cavalcanti, to make one in this their friendly

society. And not without great reason: for, over and beside his

being one of the best Logitians as those times could not yeeld a

better: He was also a most absolute naturall Philosopher (which worthy

qualities were little esteemed among these honest meeters) a very

friendly Gentleman, singularly well spoken, and whatsoever else was

commendable in any man, was no way wanting in him, being wealthy

withall, and able to returne equall honors, where he found them to

be duly deserved, as no man therin could go beyond him. But Signior

Betto, notwithstanding his long continued importunitie, could not draw

him into their assembly, which made him and the rest of his company

conceive, that the solitude of Guido, retiring himselfe alwaies from

familiar conversing with men: provoked him to many curious

speculations: and because he retained some part of the Epicurean

Opinion, their vulgare judgement passed on him, that his

speculations tended to no other end, but onely to finde out that which

was never done.

  It chanced upon a day, that Signior Guido departing from the

Church of Saint Michaell d'Horta, and passing along by the Adamari, so

farre as to Saint Johns Church, which evermore was his customarie

Walke: many goodly Marble Tombes were then about the saide Church,

as now adayes are at Saint Reparata, and divers more beside. He

entring among the Collumbes of Porphiry, and the other Sepulchers

being there, because the doore of the Church was shut: Signior Betto

and his companie, came riding from S. Reparata, and espying Signior

Guldo among the graves and tombes, said. Come, let us go make some

jests to anger him. So putting the spurs to their horses, they rode

apace towards him: and being upon him before he perceived them, one of

them said. Guido thou refusest to be one of our society, and seekest

for that which never was: when thou hast found it, tell us, what

wilt thou do with it?

  Guido seeing himselfe round engirt with them, sodainly thus replyed:

Gentlemen, you may use mee in your owne house as you please. And

setting his hand on one of the Tombes (which was some-what great) he

tooke his rising, and leapt quite over it on the further side, as

being of an agile and sprightly body, and being thus freed from

them, he went away to his owne lodging. They stoode all like men

amazed, strangely looking one upon another, and began afterward to

murmure among themselves: That Guido was a man without any

understanding, and the answer which he had made unto them, was to no

purpose, neither favoured of any discretion, but meerely came from

an empty brain because they had no more to do in the place where now

they were, then any of the other Citizens, and Signior Guido

(himselfe) as little as any of them; whereto Signior Betto thus

replyed.

  Alas Gentlemen, it is you your selves that are void of

understanding: for, if you had but observed the answer which he made

unto us: hee did honestly, and (in verie few words) not onely

notably expresse his owne wisedome, but also deservedly reprehend

us. Because, if wee observe things as we ought to doe, Graves and

Tombes are the houses of the dead, ordained and prepared to be their

latest dwellings. He tolde us moreover, that although we have heere

(in this life) other habitations and abidings; yet these (or the like)

must at last be our houses. To let us know, and all other foolish,

indiscreete, and unleartied men, that we are worse then dead men, in

comparison of him, and other men equall to him in skill and

learning. And therefore, while wee are heere among these Graves and

Monuments, it may well be said, that we are not farre from our owne

houses, or how soone we shall be possessors of them, in regard of

the frailty attending on us.

  Then every one could presently say, that Signior Guido had spoken

nothing but the truth, and were much ashamed of their owne folly,

and shallow estimation which they had made of Guido, desiring never

more after to meddle with him so grossely, and thanking Signior Betto,

for so well reforming their ignorance, by his much better

apprehension.