THE SIXTH NOVELL

 

  WHEREIN IS MANIFESTLY DISCERNED, THAT IF LOVE BE DRIVEN TO A NARROW

               STRAITE IN ANY OF HIS ATTEMPTS; YET HEE CAN

              ACCOMPLISH HIS PURPOSE BY SOME OTHER SUPPLY

 

  Madame Isabella, delighting in the company of her affected Friend,

named Lionello, and she being likewise beloved by Signior

Lambertuccio: At the same time as shee had entertained Lionello,

shee was also visited by Lambertuccio. Her Husband returning home in

the very instant; shee caused Lambertuccio to run forth with a

drawne sword in his hand, and (by that meanes) made an excuse

sufficient for Lionello to her husband.

 

  Wondrously pleasing to all the company, was the reported Novell of

Madame Fiammetta, every one applauding the Womans wisedome, and that

she had done no more, then as the jealous foole her husband justly

deserved. But shee having ended, the King gave order unto Madame

Pampinea, that now it was her turne to speake, whereupon, thus she

began. There are no meane store of people who say (though very false

and foolishly,) that Love maketh many to be out of their wits, and

that such as fall in Love, do utterly loose their understanding. To

mee this appeareth a very ydle opinion, as already hath beene approved

by the related discourses, and shall also bee made manifest by another

of mine owne.

  In our City of Florence, famous for some good, though as many bad

qualities, there dwelt (not long since) a Gentlewoman, endued with

choice beauty and admirable perfections, being wife to Signior

Beltramo, a very valiant Knight, and a man of great possessions. As

oftentimes it commeth to passe, that a man cannot alwayes feede on one

kind of bread, but his appetite will be longing after change: so fared

it with this Lady, named Isabella, she being not satisfied with the

delights of her Husband; grew enamoured of a young Gentleman, called

Lionello, compleate of person and commendable qualities, albeit not of

the fairest fortunes, yet his affection every way sutable to hers. And

full well you know (faire Ladies) that where the mindes irreciprocally

accorded, no dilligence wanteth for the desires execution: so this

amorous couple, made many solemne protestations, untill they should

bee friended by opportunity.

  It fortuned in the time of their hopefull expectation a Knight,

named Signior Lambertuccio, fell likewise in love with Isabella: but

because he was somewhat unsightly of person, and utterly unpleasing in

the eye, she grew regardlesse of his frequent solicitings, and would

not accept either tokens, or letters. Which when hee saw, (being

very rich and of great power) hee sought to compasse his intent by a

contrary course, threatning her with scandall and disgrace to her

reputation, and with his associates to bandie against her best

friends. She knowing what manner of man he was, and how able to

abuse any with infamous imputations, wisely returned him hopefull

promises, though never meaning to performe any, but onely

(Lady-like) to flatter and foole him therewith.

  Some few miles distant from Florence, Beltramo had a Castle of

pleasure, and there his Lady Isabella used to live all Summer, as

all other doe the like, being so possessed. On a day, Beltramo being

ridden from home, and she having sent for Lionello, to take the

advantage of her Husbands absence; accordingly he went, not doubting

but to winne what he had long expected. Signior Lambertuccio on the

other side, meeting Beltramo riding from his Castle, and Isabella

now fit to enjoy his company: gallops thither with all possible

speede, because hee would bee no longer delayed. Scarcely was Lionello

entred the Castle, and receiving directions by the waiting woman, to

her Ladies Chamber: but Lambertuccio gallopped in at the Gate, which

the woman perceiving, ranne presently and acquainted her Lady with the

comming of Lambertuccio.

  Now was shee the onely sorrowfull woman of the world; for nothing

was now to bee feared, but stormes and tempests, because Lambertuccio,

spake no other then Lightning and Thunder, and Lionello, (being no

lesse affraide then shee) by her perswasion crept behind the bed,

where he hid himselfe very contentedly. By this time Lambertuccio

was dismounted from his Courser, which he fastened (by the bridle)

to a ring in the wall, and then the waiting woman came to him, to

guide him to her Lady and Mistresse: who stood ready at the staires

head, graced him with a very acceptable welcome, yet marvelling much

at his so sodaine comming. Lady (quoth he) I met your Husband upon the

way, which granting mine accesse to see you; I come to claime your

long delayed promise, the time being now so favourable for it.

  Before he had uttered halfe these words, Beltramo, having forgot

an especiall evidence in his Study, which was the onely occasion of

his journey, came gallopping backe againe into the Castell Court,

and seeing such a goodly Gelding stand fastened there, could not

redily imagine who was the owner thereof. The waiting woman, upon

the sight of her Masters entring into the Court, came to her Lady,

saying: My Master Beltramo is returned back?, newly alighted, and

(questionlesse) comming up the staires. Now was our Lady Isabella, ten

times worse affrighted then before, (having two severall amourous

suters in her house, both hoping, neither speeding, yet her credite

lying at the stake for either) by this unexpected returne of her

Husband. Moreover, there was no possible meanes, for the concealing of

Signior Lambertuccio, because his Gelding stood in the open Court, and

therefore made a shrewde presumption against her, upon the least

doubtfull question urged.

  Neverthelesse, as womens wits are alwayes best upon sudden

constraints, looking forth of her window, and espying her Husband

preparing to come up: she threw her selfe on her day Couch, speaking

thus (earnestly) to Lambertuccio. Sir, if ever you loved mee, and

would have me faithfully to beleeve it, by the instant safety both

of your owne honour, and my life, doe but as I advise you. Forth

draw your Sword, and, with a stearne countenance, threatning death and

destruction: run downe the staires, and when you are beneath, say. I

sweare by my best fortunes, although I misse of thee now heere, yet

I will be sure to finde thee some where else. And if my Husband

offer to stay you, or moove any question to you: make no other

answere, but what you formerly spake in fury. Beside, so soone as

you are mounted on horsebacke, have no further conference with him,

upon any occasion whatsoever; to prevent all suspition in him, of

our future intendments.

  Lambertuccio sware many terrible oathes, to observe her directions

in every part, and having drawne forth his Sword, grasping it naked in

his hand, and setting worse lookes on the businesse, then ever

nature gave him, because he had spent so much labour in vaine; he

failed not in a jot of the Ladies injunction. Beltramo having

commanded his horse to safe custody, and meeting Lambertuccio

discending downe the staires, so armed, swearing, and most

extreamely storming, wondring extraordinarily at his threatning words,

made offer to imbrace him., and understand the reason of his

distemper. Lambertuccio repulsing him rudely, and setting foote in the

stirrup, mounted on his Gelding, and spake nothing else but this. I

sweare by the fairest of all my fortunes, although I misse of thee

heere: yet I will be sure to find thee some where else, and so he

gallopped mainely away.

  When Beltramo was come up into his wives Chamber, hee found her cast

downe upon her Couch, weeping, full of feare, and greatly

discomforted; wherefore he said unto her, What is hee that Signior

Lambertuccio is so extreamely offended withall, and threatneth in such

implacable manner? The Lady arising from her Couch, and going neere to

the Bed, because Lionello might the better heare her; returned her

Husband this answere. Husband (quoth she) never was I so dreadfully

affrighted till now; for, a young Gentleman, of whence, or what he is,

I know not, came running into our Castle for rescue, being pursued

 

by Signior Lambertuccio, a weapon ready drawne in his hand.

Ascending up our stayres, by what fortune, I know not, he found my

Chamber doore standing open, finding me also working on my Sampler,

and in wonderfull feare and trembling.

  Good Madame (quoth hee) for Gods sake helpe to save my life, or else

I shall be slaine heere in your Chamber. Hearing his pittious cry, and

compassionating his desperate case; I arose from my worke, and in my

demaunding of whence, and what he was, that durst presume so boldly

into my bed-chamber: presently came up Signior Lambertuccio also, in

the same uncivill sorte, as before I tolde you, swaggering and

swearing; where is this traiterous villaine? Heereupon, I stept

(somewhat stoutly) to my Chamber doore, and as hee offered to enter,

with a womans courage I resisted him, which made him so much enraged

against mee, that when hee saw mee to debarre his entrance; after many

terrible and vile oathes and vowes, hee ranne downe the stayres

againe, in such like manner as you chaunced to meete him.

  Now trust mee deare wife (said Beltramo) you behaved your selfe very

well and worthily: for, it would have beene a most notorious

scandall to us, if a man should bee slaine in your bed-chamber: and

Signior Lambertuccio carryed himselfe most dishonestly, to pursue

any man so outragiously, having taken my Castle as his Sanctuary.

But alas wife, what is become of the poore affrighted Gentleman?

Introth Sir (quoth she) I know not, but (somewhere or other)

heereabout hee is hidden. Where art you honest friend" said plaine

meaning Beltramo; Come forth and feare not, for thine enemy is gone.

  Lionello, who had heard all the forepassed discourse, which shee had

delivered to her Husband Beltramo, came creeping forth amazedly (as

one now very fearefully affrighted indeede) from under the further

side of the bedde, and Beltramo saide to him, What a quarrell was

this, between thee and furious Lambertuccio? Not any at all Sir,

replyed Lionello, to my knowledge, which verily perswadeth me; that

either he is not well in his wits, or else he mistaketh me for some

other; because, so soone as he saw me on the way, somewhat neere to

this your Castle, he drew forth hi Sword, and swearing an horrible

oath, said. Traitor thou art a dead man. Upon these rough words, I

stayed not to question the occasion of mine offending him: but fied

from him so fast as possibly I could; but confesse my selfe

(indeede) over-bold, by presuming into your Ladies bed chamber,

which yet (equalled with her mercie) hath bin the onely meanes at this

time, of saving my life She hath done like a good Lady, answered

Beltramo, and I do verie much commend her for it. But, recollect thy

dismayed spirits together, for I will see thee safely secured

lience, afterward, looke to thy selfe so well as thou canst. Dinner

being immediately made ready, and they having merrily feasted

together: he bestowed a good Gelding on Lionello, and rode along

with him to Florence, where he left him quietly in his owne lodging.

The selfe-same Evening (according as Isabella had given enstruction)

Lionello conferred with Lambertuccio: and such an agreement passed

betweene them, that though some rough speeches were noised abroad,

to set the better colour on the businesse; yet al matters were so

cleanly carried, that Beltramo never knew this queint deceitfull

policy of his Wife.