THE FIFT NOVELL

 

     ADMONISHING ALL LADIES AND GENTLEWOMEN, THAT ARE DESIROUS TO

   PRESERVE THEIR CHASTITY, FREE FROM ALL BLEMISH AND TAXATION: TO

          MAKE NO PROMISE OF YEELDING TO ANY, UNDER A COMPACT OR

           COVENANT, HOW IMPOSSIBLE SOEVER IT MAY SEEME TO BE

 

  Madame Dianora, the Wife of Signior Gilberto, being immodestly

affected by Signior Ansaldo, to free her selfe from his tedious

importunity, she appointed him to performe (in her judgement) an act

of impossibility; namely, to give her a Garden, as plentifully

stored with fragrant Flowers in January, as in the flourishing

moneth of May. Ansaldo, by meanes of a bond which he made to a

Magitian, performed her request. Signior Gilberto, the Ladyes Husband,

gave consent, that his Wife should fulfill her promise made to

Ansaldo. Who hearing the bountifull mind of her Husband; released

her of her promise: And the Magitian likewise discharged Signior

Ansaldo, without taking any thing of him.

 

  Not any one in all the Company, but extolled the worthy Act of

Signior Gentile to the skies; till the King gave command to Madame

Aemillia, that she should follow next with her Tale, who boldly

stepping up, began in this order.

  Gracious Ladies, I thinke there is none heere present among us,

but (with good reason) may maintaine, that Signiour Gentile

performed a magnificent deede; but whosoever saith, it is impossible

to do more; perhaps is ignorant in such actions, as can and may be

done, as I meane to make good unto you, by a Novell not overlong or

tedious.

  The Countrey of Fretulium, better knowne by the name of Forum Julij;

although it be subject to much cold, yet it is pleasant, in regard

of many goodly Mountaines, Rivers, and cleare running Springs,

wherewith it is not meanly stored. Within those Territories, is a City

called Udina, where sometime lived a faire and Noble Lady, named

Madame Dianora, WiFe to a rich and woorthie Knight, called Signior

Gilberto, a man of very great fame and merite.

  This beautiful Lady, beeing very modest and vertuously inclined, was

highly affected by a Noble Baron of those parts, tearmed by the name

of Signior Ansaldo Gradense; a man of very great spirit, bountifull,

active in Armes, and yet very affable and courteous, which caused

him to be the better respected. His love to this Lady was

extraordinary, hardly to bee contained within any moderate compasse,

striving to bee in like manner affected of her: to which end, she

wanted no daily solicitings, Letters, Ambassages and Love-tokens,

all proving to no purpose.

  This vertuous Lady, being wearied with his often temptations, and

seeing, that by denying whatsoever he demanded, yet he wold not give

over his suite, but so much the more importunatly stil pursued her:

began to bethinke her selfe, how she might best be rid of him, by

imposing some such taske upon him, as should bee impossible (in her

opinion) for him to effect. An olde woman, whom hee imployed for his

continual messenger to her, as shee came one day about her ordinary

errand, with her she communed in this manner. Good woman (quoth she)

thou hast so often assured me, that Signior Ansaldo loveth me above

all other Women in the world, offering me wonderfull gifts and

presents in his name, which I have alwayes refused, and so stil wil

do, in regard I am not to be woon by any such allurements: yet if I

could be soundly perswaded, that his affection is answerable to thy

peremptory protestations, I shoulde (perhaps) be the sooner wonne,

to listen to his suite in milder manner, then hitherto I have done.

Wherefore, if he wil give me assurance, to perform such a businesse as

I mean to enjoyne him, he shall the speedier heare better answer

from me, and I wil confirme it with mine oath.

  Wonderfully pleased was Mistresse Maquerella, to heare a reply of

such comfortable hope; and therefore desired the Lady, to tel hir what

she wold have done. Listen to me wel (answerd Madam Dianora) the

matter which I would have him to effect for me, is; without the wals

of our City, and during the month of Januarie nexte ensuing, to

provide me a Garden, as fairely furnished with all kind of fragrant

flowers, as the flourishing month of May can yeelde no better. If he

be not able to accomplish this imposition, then I command him, never

hereafter to solicite me any more, either by thee, or any other

whatsoever: for, if he do importune me afterward, as hitherto I have

concealed his secret conspiring, both from my husband, and all my

friends; so wil I then lay his dishonest suite open to the world, that

he may receive punishment accordingly, for offering to wrong a

Gentleman in his wife.

  When Signior Ansaldo heard her demand, and the offer beside

thereuppon made him (although it seemed no easie matter, but a thing

meerly impossible to be done) he considered advisedly, that she made

this motion to no other end, but onely to bereave him of all his hope,

ever to enjoy what so earnestly hee desired: neverthelesse, he would

not so give it utterly over, but would needs approve what could be

done. Heereupon, hee sent into divers partes of the world, to find out

any one that was able to advise him in this doubtfull case. In the

end, one was brought to him, who beeing well recompenced for his

paines, by the Art of Nigromancie would under take to do it. With

him Signior Ansaldo covenanted, binding himselfe to pay a great

summe of mony, upon performance of so rare a deed, awaiting (in

hopefull expectation) for the month of januaries comming. It being

come, and the weather then in extreamity of cold, every being

covered with ice and snow, the Magitian prevailed so by his Art,

that after the Christmas Holy dayes were past, and the Calends of

january entred: in one night, and without the Cittie Wals, the

goodliest Garden of flowers and fruites, was sodainely sprung up, as

(in opinion of such as beheld it) never was the like seen before.

Now Ladies, I think I need not demand the question, whether Signior

Ansaldo were wel pleased, or no, who going to beholde t, saw it most

plenteously stored, with al kind of fruit trees, flowers, herbes and

plants, as no one could be named, that was wanting in this artificiall

garden. And having gathered some pretty store of them, secretly he

sent them to Madam Dianora, inviting hir to come see her Garden,

perfected according to her owne desire, and uppon view thereof, to

confesse the integrity of his love to her; considering and

remembring withall, the promise shee had made him under solemne

oath, that she might be reputed for a woman of her word.

  When the Lady beheld the fruites and flowers, and heard many other

thinges recounted, so wonderfully growing in the same Garden: began to

repent her rash promise made; yet notwithstanding her repentance, as

Women are covetous to see all rarities; so, accompanied with divers

Ladies and Gentlewomen more, she went to see the Garden; and having

commended it with much admiration, she returned home againe, the

most sorrowfull Woman as ever lived, considering what she had tyed her

selfe to, for enjoying this Garden. So excessive grew her griefe and

affliction, that it could not be so clouded or concealed: but her

Husband tooke notice of it, and would needs understand the occasion

thereof. Long the Lady (in regard of shame and modesty) sate without

returning any answer; but being in the end constrained, she disclosd

the whol History to him.

  At the first, Signior Gilberto waxed exceeding angry, but when he

further considered withall, the pure and honest intention of his Wife;

wisely he pacified his former distemper, and saide. Dianora, it is not

the part of a wise and honest woman, to lend an eare to ambassages

of such immodest nature, much lesse to compound or make agreement

for her honesty, with any person, under any condition whatsoever.

Those perswasions which the heart listeneth to, by allurement of the

eare, have greater power then many do imagine, and nothing is so

uneasie or difficult, but in a lovers judgement it appeareth possible.

Ill didst thou therefore first of all to listen, but worse (afterward)

to contract.

  But, because I know the purity of thy soule, I wil yeelde (to

disoblige thee of thy promise) as perhaps no wise man else would do:

mooved thereto onely by feare of the Magitian, who seeing Signior

Ansaldo displeased, because thou makest a mockage of him; will do some

such violent wrong to us, as we shal be never able to recover.

Wherefore, I would have thee go to Signior Ansaldo, and if thou

canst (by any meanes) obtaine of him, the safe-keeping of thy

honour, and ful discharge of thy promise; it shal be an eternall

fame to thee, and the crowne of a most victorious conquest. But if

it must needs be otherwise, lend him thy body onely for once, but

not thy wil: for actions committed by constraint, wherein the will

is no way guilty, are halfe pardonable by the necessity.

  Madame Dianora, hearing her husbands words, wept exceedingly, and

avouched, that shee had not deserved any such especiall grace of

him, and therefore she would rather dye, then doe it. Neverthelesse,

it was the wil of her Husband to have it so, and therefore (against

her wil) she gave consent. The next morning, by the breake of day,

Dianora arose, and attiring her selfe in her very meanest garments,

with two servingmen before her, and a waiting Woman following, she

went to the lodging of Signior Ansaldo, who hearing that Madam Dianora

was come to visite him, greatly mervailed, and being risen, he

called the Magitian to him, saying. Come go with me, and see what

effect will follow upon thine Art. And being come into her presence,

without any base or inordinate appetite, he did her humble

reverence, embracing her honestly, and taking her into a goodly

Chamber, where a faire fire was readilie prepared, causing her to

sit downe by him, he sayde unto her as followeth.

  Madam, I humbly intreat you to resolve me, if the affection I have

long time borne you, and yet do stil, deserve any recompence at all:

you would be pleased then to tel me truly, the occasion of your

instant comming hither, and thus attended as you are. Dianora,

blushing with modest shame, and the teares trickling mainly down her

faire cheekes, thus answered. Signior Ansaldo, not for any Love I

beare you, or care of my faithfull promise made to you, but onely by

the command of my husband (who respecting more the paynes and trave of

your inordinate love, then his owne reputation and honor, or mine;)

hath caused me to come hither: and by vertue of his command, am

ready (for once onely) to fulfill your pleasure, but far from any will

or consent in my selfe. If Signior Ansaldo were abashed at the

first, hee began now to be more confounded with admiration, when he

heard the Lady speake in such strange manner: and being much moved

with the liberall command of her husband, he began to alter his

inflamed heate, into most honourable respect and compassion, returning

her this answer.

  Most noble Lady, the Gods forbid (if it be so as you have sayd) that

I should (Villain-like) soile the honour of him, that takes such

unusuall compassion of my unchaste appetite. And therefore, you may

remaine heere so long as you please, in no other condition, but as

mine owne naturall borne Sister; and likewise, you may depart freely

when you will: conditionally, that (on my behalfe) you render such

thankes to your husband, as you thinke convenient for his great bounty

towards me, accounting me for ever heereafter, as his loyall Brother

and faithfull servant. Dianora having well observed his answer, her

heart being ready to mount out at her mouth with joy, said. All the

world could never make mee beleeve (considering your honourable

minde and honesty) that it would happen otherwise to me, then now it

hath done, for which noble courtesie, I will continually remaine

obliged to you. So, taking her leave, she returned home honorably

attended to her husband, and relating to him what had happened, it

proved the occasion of begetting intire love and friendship,

betweene himselfe and the Noble Lord Ansaldo.

  Now concerning the skilfull Magitian, to whom Ansaldo meant to

give the bountifull recompence agreed on betweene them, hee having

seene the strange liberality, which the husband expressed to Signior

Ansaldo, and that of Ansaldo to the Lady, hee presently saide. Great

jupiter strike me dead with thunder, having my selfe seene a husband

so liberall of his honour, and you Sir of true noble kindnesse, if I

should not be the like of my recompence: for, perceiving it to be so

worthily imployed, I am well contented that you shal keepe it. The

Noble Lord was modestly ashamed, and strove (so much as in him lay)

that he should take all, or the greater part thereof: but seeing he

laboured meerly in vaine, after the third day was past, and the

Magitian had destroyed the Garden againe, hee gave him free liberty to

depart, quite controlling all fond and unchaste affection in himselfe,

either towards Dianora, or any Lady else, and living (ever after) as

best becommeth any Nobleman to do.

  What say you now Ladies? Shal wee make any account of the woman

wel-neere dead, and the kindnesse growne cold in Signiour Gentile,

by losse of his former hopes, comparing them with the liberality of

Signior Ansaldo, affecting more fervently, then ever the other did?

And being (beyond hope) possessed of the booty, which (above all

things else in the world) he most desired to have, to part with it

meerly in fond compassion? I protest (in my judgement) the one is no

way comparable to the other; that of Geitile, with this last of

Signior Ansaldo.