THE FIRST NOVELL

 

    WHEREIN IS DECLARED, THAT SUCH WOMEN AS WILL MAKE SALE OF THEIR

          HONESTIE, ARE SOMETIMES OVER-REACHED IN THEIR PAYMENT,

                   AND JUSTLY SERVED AS THEY SHOULD BE

 

  Gulfardo made a match or wager, with the Wife of Gasparuolo, for the

obtaining of her amorous favour, in regard of a summe of money first

to be given her. The money hee borrowed of her Husband, and gave it in

payment to her, as in case of discharging him from her Husbands

debt. After his returne home from Geneway, hee told him in the

presence of his wife, how he had payde the whole summe to her, with

charge of delivering it to her Husband, which she confessed to be

true, albeit greatly against her will.

 

  Seeing is my fortune, Gracious ladies, that I must give beginning to

this dayes discoursing, by some such Novel which I thinke expedient;

as duty bindeth me, I am therewith well contented. And because the

deceits of Women to men, have beene at large and liberally related;

I will tell you a subtile tricke of a man to a Woman. Not that I blame

him for the deede, or thinke the deceyte not well fitted to the woman:

but I speake it in a contrarie nature, as commending the man, and

condemning the woman very justly, as also to shew, how men can as well

beguile those crafty companions, which least beleeve any such

cunning in them, as they that stand most on their artificiall skill.

  Howbeit, to speake more properly, the matter by me to be reported,

deserveth not the reproachfull title of deceite, but rather of a

recompence duly returned: because women ought to be chaste and honest,

and to preserve their honour as their lives, without yeelding to the

contamination thereof, for any occasion whatsoever. And yet

neverthelesse (in regard of our frailty) many times we proove not so

constant as we should be: yet I am of opinion, that she which

selleth her honestie for money, deserveth justly to be burned. Whereas

on the contrary, she that falleth into the offence, onely through

intire affection (the powerfull lawes of Love beeing above all

resistance) in equity meriteth pardon, especially of a Judge not

over-rigorous: as not long since wee heard from Philostratus, in

revealing what hapned to Madam Phillippa de Prato, upon the

dangerous Edict.

  Understand then, my most worthy Auditors, that there lived

sometime in Millaine an Almaigne Soldiour, named Gulfardo, of

commendable carriage in his person, and very faithfull to such as he

served, a matter not common among the Almaignes. And because he made

just repayment, to every one which lent him monies; he grew to such

especiall credit, and was so familiar with the very best Marchants; as

(manie times) he could not be so ready to borrow, as they were willing

alwaies to lend him. He thus continuing in the Cittie of Millaine,

fastened his affection on a verie beautifull Gentlewoman, named

Mistresse Ambrosia, Wife unto a rich Merchant, who was called

Signior Gasparuolo Sagastraccio, who had good knowledge of him, and

respectively used him. Loving this Gentlewoman with great

discretion, without the least apprehension of her husband: he sent

upon a day to entreate conference with her, for enjoying the

fruition of her love, and she should find him ready to fulfill

whatsoever she pleased to command him, as, at any time he would make

good his promise.

  The Gentlewoman, after divers of these private solicitings,

resolutely answered, that she was as ready to fulfill the request of

Gulfardo, provided, that two especiall considerations might ensue

thereon. First, the faithfull concealing thereof from any person

living. Next, because she knew him to be rich, and she had occasion to

use two hundred Crowns, about businesse of important consequence: he

should freely bestow so many on her, and (ever after) she was to be

commanded by him. Gulfardo perceiving the covetousnesse of this woman,

who (notwithstanding his doting affection) he thought to be intirely

honest to her Husband: became so deepely offended at her vile answere,

that his fervent love converted into as earnest loathing her;

determining constantlie to deceive her, and to make her avaritious

motion, the only means wherby to effect it.

  He sent her word, that he was willing to performe her request, or

any farre greater matter for her: in which respect, he onely desired

for to know, when she would be pleased to have him come see her, and

to receive the money of him? No creature hee acquainted with his

setled purpose, but onely a deere friend and kinde companion, who

alwayes used to keepe him company, in the neerest occasions that

concerned him. The Gentlewoman, or rather most disloyall wife, uppon

this answer sent her, was extraordinarily jocond and contented,

returning him a secret Letter, wherein she signified: that

Gasparuolo her husband, had important affaires which called him to

Geneway: but he should understand of his departure, and then (with

safety) he might come see her, as also his bringing of the Crownes.

  In the meane while, Gulfardo having determined what he would do,

watched a convenient time, when he went unto Gasparuolo, and sayde:

Sir, I have some businesse of maine importance, and shall neede to use

but two hundred Crownes onely: I desire you to lend me so many

Crownes, upon such profite as you were wont to take of mee, at other

times when I have made use of you, and I shall not faile you at my

day.

  Gasparuolo was well contented with the motion, and made no more

adoe, but counted downe the Crownes: departing thence (within a few

dayes after) for Geneway, according to his Wives former message; she

giving Gulfardo also intelligence of his absence, that now (with

safety) hee might come see her, and bring the two hundred Crownes with

him.

  Gulfardo, taking his friend in his company, went to visit

Mistresse Ambrosia, whom he found in expectation of his arrivall,

and the first thing he did, he counted downe the two hundred

Crownes; and delivering them to her in the presence of his friend,

saide: Mistresse Ambrosia, receive these two hundred Crownes, which

I desire you to pay unto your Husband on my behalfe, when he is

returned from Geneway. Ambrosia, receyved the two hundred Crownes, not

regarding wherefore Gulfardo used these words: because shee verily

beleeved, that hee spake in such manner, because his friend should

take no notice, of his giving them to her, upon any covenant passed

betweene them; whereuppon, she sayde. Sir, I will pay them to my

Husband for you; and cause him to give you a sufficient discharge: but

first I will count them over my selfe, to see whether the summe be

just, or no. And having drawne them over upon the Table, the summe

containing truly two hundred Crownes (wherewith she was most highly

contented) she lockt them safe uppe in her Cuppeboord, and

Gulfardoes Friend being gone (as formerly it was compacted betweene

them) shee came to converse more familiarly with him, having

provided a banquet for him. What passed between them afterward, both

then, and oftentimes beside, before her Husbande returned home, is a

matter out of y element, and rather requires my ignoance then

knowledge.

  When Gasparuolo was come from Genway, Gulfardo observing a

convenient time, when he was sitting at the doore with his Wife; tooke

his Friend with him, and comming to Gasparuolo, said. Worthy Sir,

the two hundred Crownes which you lent me before your journy to

Geneway, in regard they could not serve my turne, to compasse the

businesse for which I borrowed them: within a day or two after, in the

presence of this Gentle man my friend, I made repayment of them to

your Wife, and therefore I pray you crosse me out of your booke.

  Gasparuolo turning to his Wife, demanded; Whether it was so, or

no? She beholding the witnesse standing by, who was also present at

her receyving them: durst not make deniall, but thus answered. Indeede

Husband, I received two hundred Crownes of the Gentleman, and never

remembred, to acquaint you therewith since your comming home: but

hereafter I will be made no more your receiver, except I carried a

quicker memory. Then saide Gasparuolo: Signior Gulfardo, I finde you

alwaies a most honest Gentleman, and will be readie at any time, to

doe you the like, or a farre greater kindnesse; depart at your

pleasure, and feare not the crossing of my Booke. So Gulfardo went

away merily contented, and Ambrosia was served as she justly

merited; she paying the price of her owne leudnesse to her Husband,

which she had a more covetous intent to keepe, questionlesse, not

caring how many like lustfull matches shee coulde make, to be so

liberally rewarded, if this had succeeded to her minde: whereas he

shewed himselfe wise and discreete, in paying nothing for his

pleasure, and requiting a covetous queane in her kinde.