THE TENTH NOVELL

 

     IN JUST REPROOFE OF SUCH FOOLISH MEN, AS WILL BE GOVERNED BY

                           OVER-LIGHT BELEEFE

 

  John de Barolo, at the instance and request of his Gossip Pietro

da Tresanti, made an enchantment, to have his wife become a Mule.

And when it came to the fastening on of the taile; Gossip Pietro by

saying she should have no taile at all, spoyled the whole enchantment.

 

  This Novell reported by the Queene, caused a little murmuring

among the Ladies, albeit the men laughed heartely thereat: but after

they were all growne silent, Dioneus began in this manner. Gracious

Beauties, among many white Doves, one blacke Crow will seeme more

sightly, then the very whitest Swanne can doe. In like manner, among a

multitude of wise men, sometimes one of much lesse wisedome and

discretion, shall not onely increase the splendour and Majestie of

their maturity, but also give an addition of delight and solace.

  In which regard, you all being modest and discreet Ladies, and my

selfe more, much defective in braine, then otherwise able: in making

your vertues shine gloriously, through the evident apparance of mine

owne weakenesse, you should esteeme the better of mee, by how much I

seeme the more cloudy and obscure. And consequently, I ought to have

the larger scope of liberty, by plainely expressing what I am, and

be the more patiently endured by you all, in saying what absurdly I

shall; then I should be if my speeches savoured of absolute wisdome. I

will therfore tell you a Tale, which shall not be of any great length,

whereby you may comprehend, how carefully such things should be

observed, which are commanded by them, as can effect matters by the

power of enchantment, and how little delayance also ought to be in

such, as would not have an enchantment to be hindered.

  About a yeare already past since, there dwelt at Barletta, an honest

man, called John de Barolo, who because he was of poore condition; for

maintenance in his contented estate, provided himselfe of a Mule, to

carry commodities from place to place, where Faires and Markets were

in request, but most especially to Apuglia, buying and selling in

the nature of a petty Chapman. Travelling thus thorow the

Countreyes, he grew into great and familiar acquaintance, with one who

named himselfe Pietro da Tresanti, following the same Trade of life as

he did, carrying his commodities upon an Asse. In signe of amitie,

according to the Countreyes custome, he never tearmed him otherwise

then by the name of Gossip Pietro and alwayes when he came to

Barletta, he brought him to his own house, taking it as his Inne,

entreating him very friendly, and in the best manner he could devise

to doe. On the other side, Gossip Pietro being very poore, having

but one simple habitation in the village of Tresanti, hardly sufecient

for him, and an handsome young woman which he had to his wife, as also

his Asse: evermore when John de Barolo came to Tresanti, he would

bring him to his poore abiding, with all his uttermost abilitie of

entertainement, in due acknowledgement of the courtesie he afforded to

him at Barletta. But when he came to take repose in the night

season, Gossip Pietro could not lodge him as gladly he would:

because he had but one silly bed, wherein himselfe and his wife lay;

so that John de Barolo was faigne to lie on a little straw, in a small

stable, close adjoyning by his owne Mule and the Asse.

  The woman understanding, what good and honest welcome, Gossip John

afforded her husband, when he came to Barletta, was often very willing

to goe lodge with an honest neighbour of hers, called Carapresa di

Gludice Leo, because the two Gossips might both lie together in one

bed; wherewith divers times she acquainted her Husband, but by no

meanes he would admit it.

  At one time among the rest, as she was making the same motion againe

to her Husband, that his friend might be lodged in better manner:

Gossip John thus spake to her. Good Zita Carapresa, never molest

your selfe for me, because I lodge to mine owne contentment, and so

much the rather, in regard that whensoever I list: I can convert my

Mule into a faire young woman, to give mee much delight in the

night-season, and afterward make her a Mule againe: thus am I never

without her company.

  The young woman wondring at these words, and beleeving he did not

fable in them: she told them to her Husband, with this addition

beside, Pietro (quoth she) if he be such a deare friend to thee, as

thou hast often avouched to me; wish him to instruct thee in so rare a

cunning, that thou maist make a Mule of me; then shalt thou have

both an Asse and a Mule to travell withall about thy businesse,

whereby thy benefit will be double: and when we returne home to our

house, then thou maist make mee thy wife againe, in the same condition

as I was before. Gossip Pietro, who was (indeed) but a very Coxecombe;

beleeved also the words to be true, yeelding therefore the more gladly

to her advise; and moving the matter to his Gossip John, to teach

him such a wonderfull secret, which would redound so greatly to his

benefit: but John began to disswade him from it, as having spoken it

in merriment, yet perceiving, that no contradiction would serve to

Frevaile, thus he began.

  Seeing you will needs have it so, let us rise to morrow morning

before day, as in our travell we use to doe, and then I will shew

you how it is to be done: onely I must and doe confesse, that the most

difficult thing of all the rest, is, to fasten on the taile, as thou

shalt see.

  Gossip Pietro and his wife, could hardly take any rest all the night

long, so desirous they were to have the deed done; and therefore

when it drew towards day, up they arose, and calling Gossip John, he

came presently to them in his shirt, and being in the Chamber with

them, he said. I know not any man in the world, to whom I would

disclose this secret, but to you, and therefore because you so

earnestly desire it, I am the more willing to doe it. Onely you must

consent, to doe whatsoever I say, if you are desirous to have it done.

Faithfully they ey ,h promised to performe all, whereupon John

delivering a lighted Candle to Gossip Petro, to hold in his hand,

said. Marke well what I doe, and remember all the words I say: but

be very carefull, that whatsoever thou hearest or seest, thou doe

not speake one word, for then the enchantment will be utterly

overthrowne, onely wish that the taile may be well set on, for therein

consisteth all the cunning.

  Gossip Pietro holding the Candle, and the woman being prepared as

John had appointed her, she bowed her selfe forwardes with her hands

set to the ground, even as if she stood upon foure feete. First with

his hands he touched her head and face, saying, Heere is the goodly

head of a Mule: then handling her disheveld haire, termed them the

goodly mane of a Mule. Afterwardes, touching the body, armes, legs,

and feete, gave them all the apt names (for those parts) belonging

to a Mule, nothing else remaining, but onely the forming of the taile,

which when Pietro perceived, how John was preparing to fasten it on

(having no way misliked all his former proceeding:) he called to

him, saying: Forbeare Gossippe John, my Mule shal have no taile at

all, I am contented to have her without a taile.

  How now Gossip Pietro? answered John, What hast thou done? Thou hast

mard all by this unadvised speaking, even when the worke was almost

fully finished. It is no matter Gossip (answered Pietro) I can like my

Mule better without a taile, then to see it set on in such manner.

  The fond yong woman, more covetously addicted to gayne and

commodity, then looking into the knavish intention of her Gossip John;

began to grow greatly offended.

  Beast as thou art (quoth she to her Husband) why hast thou

overthrowne both thine owne good Fortune and mine? Diddest thou ever

see a Mule without a taile? Wouldst thou have had him make me a

monster? Thou art wretchedly poore, and when we might have bin

enriched for ever, by a secret knowne to none but our selves, thou art

the Asse that hast defeated all, and made thy friend to become thine

enemy. Gossippe John began to pacifie the woman, with solemne

protestations of his still continuing friendship, albeit

(afterwards) there was no further desiring of any more Mulemaking: but

Gossip Pietro fel to his former Trading onely with his Asse, as he was

no lesse himselfe, and hee went no more with Gossip John to the Faires

in Apuglia, neyther did he ever request, to have the like peece of

service done for him.

  Although there was much laughing at this Novell, the Ladies

understanding it better, then Dioneus intended that they should have

done, yet himselfe scarsely smiled. But the Novels being all ended,

and the Sunne beginning to loose his heate; the Queene also knowing,

that the full period of her government was come: dispossessing her

selfe of the Crowne, shee placed it on the head of Pamphilus, who

was the last of all to be honoured with this dignity; wherefore

(with a gracious smile) thus she spake to him.

  Sir, it is no meane charge which you are to undergo, in making

amends (perhaps) for all the faults committed by my selfe and the

rest, who have gone before you in the same authority; and, may it

prove as prosperous unto you, as I was willing to create you our King.

Pamphilus having received the Honor with a chearfull mind, thus

answered. Madam, your sacred vertues, and those (beside) remaining

in my other Subjects, will (no doubt) worke so effectually for me,

that (as the rest have done) I shall deserve your generall good

opinion. And having given order to the Master of the Houshold (as

all his predecessors had formerly done, for every necessary

occasion; he turned to the Ladies, who expected his gracious favour,

and said.

  Bright Beauties, it was the discretion of your late Soveraigne and

Queene, in regard of ease and recreation unto your tyred spirits, to

grant you free liberty, for discoursing on whatsoever your selves best

pleased: wherefore, having enjoyed such a time of rest, I am of

opinion, that it is best to returne once more to our wonted Law, in

which respect, I would have every one to speake in this manner to

morrow. Namety, of those men or women, who have done any thing

bountifully or magnificently, either in matter of amity, or otherwise.

The relation of such worthy arguments, wil (doubtlesse) give an

addition to our very best desires, for a free and forward

inclination to good actions, whereby our lives (how short soever

they bee) may perpetuate an ever-living renowne and fame, after our

mortall bodies are converted into dust, which (otherwise)

  are no better then those of bruite beasts, reason onely

distinguishing this difference, that as they live to perish utterly,

so we respire to reigne in eternity. Theame was exceedingly pleasing

to the whole Company; who being all risen, by permission of the new

King, every one fel to their wonted recreations, as best agreed with

their owne disposition; untill the houre for Supper came, wherein they

were served very sumptuously. But being risen from the Table, they

began their dances, among which, many sweet Sonnets were enterlaced,

with such delicate Tunes as moved admiration. Then the King

commanded Madam Neiphila, to sing a song in his name, or how her selfe

stood best affected. And immediatly with a cleare and rare voice, thus

she began.