THE SECOND NOVELL

 

     WHEREBY IS DECLARED, THAT WHOSOEVER IS DESIROUS TO REPREHEND

      SINNE IN OTHER MEN, SHOULD FIRST EXAMINE HIMSELFE, THAT HE

                   BE NOT GUILTIE OF THE SAME CRIME

 

  Madame Usimbalda, Lady Abbesse of a Monastery of Nuns in

Lombardie, arising hastily in the night time without a Candle, to take

one of her Daughter Nunnes in bed with a yong Gentleman, whereof she

was enviously accused, by certaine of her other Sisters: The Abbesse

her selfe (being at the same time in bed with a Priest) imagining to

have put on her head her plaited vayle, put on the Priests breeches.

Which when the poore Nunne perceyved; by causing the Abbesse to see

her owne error, she got her selfe to be absolved, and had the freer

liberty afterward, to be more familiar with her frend, then formerly

she had bin.

 

  By this time, Madame Philomena sate silent, and the wit of

Francesca, in freeing her selfe from them whom she could not fancie,

was generally commended: as also on the contrary, the bold presumption

of the two amorous suiters, was reputed not to be love, but meerely

folly. And then the Queene, with a gracious admonition, gave way for

Madam Eliza to follow next; who presently thus began.

  Worthy Ladies, Madame Francesca delivered her selfe discreetly

from trouble, as already hath bin related: but a yong Nun, by the

helpe and favour of Fortune, did also free her selfe (in speaking

advisedly) from an inconvenience sodainly falling on her. And as you

well know, there wants none of them, who (like bold Bayards) will be

very forward in checking other mens misdemeanors, when themselves,

as my Novell will approve, deserve more justly to bee corrected. As

hapned to a Lady Abbesse, under whose governement the same young Nunne

was, of whom I am now to speake.

  You are then to understand (Gracious Auditors) that in Lombardie

there was a goodly Monastery, very famous for Holinesse and

Religion, where, among other sanctified Sisters, there was a yong

Gentlewoman, endued with very singular beautie, being named

Isabella, who on a day, when a Kinsman of hers came to see her at

the grate, became enamored of a young Gentleman, being then in his

company.

  He likewise, beholding her to be so admirably beautifull, and

conceyving by the pretty glances of her eye, that they appeared to bee

silent intelligencers of the hearts meaning, grew also as

affectionately inclined towards her, and this mutuall love continued

thus concealed a long while, but not without great affliction unto

them both. In the end, either of them being circumspect and

provident enough, the Gentleman contrived a meanes, whereby he might

secretly visite his Nunne, wherewith she seemed no way discontented:

and this visitation was not for once or twice, but verie often, and

closely concealed to themselves.

  At length it came to passe, that either through their owne

indiscreete carriage, or jelous suspition in some others: it was

espied by one of the Sisters, both the Gentlemans comming and

departing, yet unknowne to him or Isabella. The saide Sister,

disclosing the same to two or three more: they agreed together, to

reveale it to the Lady Abbesse, who was named Madame Usimbalda, a holy

and devout Lady, in common opinion of all the Nunnes, and whosoever

else knew her.

  They further concluded (because Isabella should not deny theyr

accusation) to contrive the businesse so cunningly: that the Ladle

Abbesse should come her selfe in person, and take the yong Gentleman

in bed with the Nun. And uppon this determination, they agreed to

watch nightly by turnes, because by no meanes they wold be

prevented: so to surprise poore Isabella, who beeing ignorant of their

treachery, suspected nothing. Presuming thus still on this secret

felicitie, and fearing no disaster to befall her: it chaunced (on a

night) that the yong Gentleman being entred into the Nuns Dorter,

the Scowts had descried him, and intended to be revenged on her.

  After some part of the night was overpast, they divided themselves

into two bands, one to guard Isabellaes Dorter doore, the other to

carry newes to the Abbesse, and knocking at her Closet doore, saide.

Rise quickely Madame, and use all the hast you may, for we have

seene a man enter our Sister Isabellaes Dorter, and you may take her

in bed with him. The Lady Abbesse, who (the very same night) had the

company of a lusty Priest in bed with her selfe, as oftentimes

before she had, and he being alwayes brought thither in a Chest:

hearing these tidings, and fearing also, lest the Nunnes hastie

knocking at her doore, might cause it to fly open, and so (by their

entrance) have her owne shame discovered: arose very hastily, and

thinking she had put on her plaited vaile, which alwayes she walked

with in the night season, and used to tearme her Psalter; she put

the Priests breeches upon her head, and so went away in all hast

with them, supposing them verily to be her Psalter: but making fast

the Closet doore with her keye, because the Priest should not be

discovered.

  Away shee went in all haste with the Sisters, who were so forward in

the detection of poore Isabella, as they never regarded what manner of

vaile the Lady Abbesse wore on her head. And being come to the

Dorter doore, quickly they lifted it off from the hookes, and being

entred, found the two Lovers sweetly imbracing: but yet so amazed at

this sudden surprisall, as they durst not stirre, nor speake one word.

The young Nunne Isabella, was raised forthwith by the other Sisters,

and according as the Abbesse had comanded, was brought by them into

the Chapter-house: the yong Gentleman remaining still in the

Chamber, where he put on his garments, awaiting to see the issue of

this businesse, and verily intending to act severe revenge on his

betrayers, if any harme were done to Isabella, and afterward to take

her thence away with him, as meaning to make her amends by marriage.

  The Abbesse being seated in the Chapter house, and all the other

Nunnes then called before her, who minded nothing else but the poore

offending Sister: she began to give her very harsh and vile

speeches, as never any transgressor suffered the like, and as to her

who had (if it should be openly knowne abroad) contaminated by her

lewde life and actions, the sanctity and good renowne of the whole

Monastery, and threatned her with very severe chastisement. Poore

Isabella, confounded with feare and shame, as being no way able to

excuse her fault, knew not what answer to make, but standing silent,

made her case compassionable to all the rest, even those

hard-hearted Sisters which betrayed her.

  And the Abbesse still continuing her harsh speeches, it fortuned,

that Isabella raising her head, which before she dejected into hir

bosome, espied the breeches on her head, with the stockings hanging on

either side of her; the sight whereof did so much encourage her,

that boldly she said. Madam, let a poore offender advise you for to

mend your veile, and afterward say to me what you will.

  The Abbesse being very angry; and not understanding what she

meant, frowningly answered. Why how now saucy companion? What vaile

are you prating of? Are you so malapert, to bee chatting already? Is

the deed you have done, to be answered in such immodest manner?

Isabella not a jot danted by her sterne behaviour, once againe said.

Good Madam let me perswade you to sette your vaile right, and then

chide me as long as you will. At these words, all the rest of the

Nunnes exalted their lookes, to behold what vaile the Abbesse wore

on her head, wherewith Isabella should finde such fault, and she her

selfe lift up her hand to feele it: and then they all perceyved

plainly, the reason of Isabellas speeches, and the Abbesse saw her

owne error.

  Hereupon, when the rest observed, that she had no help to cloud this

palpable shame withall, the tide began to turne, and hir tongue

found another manner of Language, then her former fury to poore

Isabella, growing to this conclusion, that it is impossible to

resist against the temptations of the flesh. And therefore she

saide: Let all of you take occasion, according as it offereth it

selfe, as both we and our predecessors have done: to be provident

for your selves, take time while you may, having this sentence alwaies

in remembrance, Si non caste, tamen caute.

  So, having granted the yong Nunne Isabella free absolution: the Lady

Abbesse returned backe againe to bed to the Priest, and Isabella to

the Gentleman. As for the other Sisters, who (as yet) were without the

benefit of friends; they intended to provide themselves so soone as

they could, being enduced thereto by so good example.