THE EIGHT NOVELL

 

       WHICH PLAINLY DECLARETH, THAT A COVETOUS GENTLEMAN, IS NOT

                      WORTHY OF ANY HONOR OR RESPECT

 

  Guillaume Boursier, with a few quaint and familiar words, checkt the

miserable covetousnesse of Signior Herminio de Grimaldi.

 

  Madam Lauretta, sitting next to Philostratus, when she had heard the

witty conceite of Bergamino; knowing, that she was to say somewhat,

without injunction or command, pleasantly thus began.

  This last discourse (faire and vertuous company) induceth me to tell

you, how an honest Courtier reprehended in like manner (and nothing

unprofitably) base covetousnesse in a Merchant of extraordinary

wealth. Which Tale, although (in effect) it may seeme to resemble

the former; yet perhaps, it will prove no lesse pleasing to you, in

regard it sorted to as good an end.

  It is no long time since, that there lived in Genes or Geneway, a

Gentleman named Signior Herminio de Grimaldo, who (as every one wel

knew) was more rich in inheritances, and ready summes of currant money

then any other knowne Citizen in Italy. And as hee surpassed other men

in wealth, so did he likewise excell them in wretched Avarice, being

so miserably greedy and covetous, as no man in the world could be more

wicked that way; because, not onely he kept his purse lockt up from

pleasuring any, but denied needfull things to himselfe, enduring

many miseries onely to avoid expences, contrary to the Genewayes

generall custom, who alwayes delighted to be decently cloathed, and to

have their dyet of the best. By reason of which most miserable

basenesse, they tooke away from him the Sirname of Grimaldi, whereof

he was in right descended, and called him master Herminio the covetous

Mizer, a nickname very notably agreeing with his gripple nature.

  It came to passe, that in this time of his spending nothing, but

multiplying daily by infinite meanes, that a civill honest Gentleman

(a Courtier of ready wit, and discoursive in Languages) came to

Geneway, being named Guillaume Boursier. A man very farre differing

from divers Courtiers in these dayes, who for soothing shamefull and

gracelesse maners in such as allow them maintenance, are called and

reputed to bee Gentlemen, yea speciall favourites: whereas much more

worthily, they should be accounted as knaves and villaines, being

borne and bred in all filthinesse, and skilfull in every kinde of

basest behaviour, not fit to come in Princes Courts. For, whereas in

passed times, they spent their dayes and paines in making peace,

when Gentlemen were at warre or dissention, or treating on honest

marriages, betweene friends and familiars, and (with loving

speeches) would recreate disturbed mindes, desiring none but

commendable exercises in Court, and sharpely reprooving (like Fathers)

disordred life, or ill actions in any, albeit with recompence

little, or none at all; these upstarts now adayes, employ all their

paines in detractions, sowing questions and quarrels betweene one

another, making no spare of lyes and falshoods. Nay which is worse,

they wil do this in the presence of any man, upbraiding him with

injuries, shames, and scandals (true or not true) upon the very

least occasion. And by false and deceitful flatteries and villanies of

their owne inventing, they make Gentlemen to become as vile as

themselves. For which detestable qualities, they are better beloved

and respected of their misdemeanored Lords, and recompenced in more

bountifull maner, then men of vertuous carriage and desert. Which is

an argument sufficient, that goodnesse is gone up to heaven, and

hath quite forsaken these loathed lower Regions, where men are drowned

in the mud of all abhominable vices.

  But returning where I left (being led out of my way by a just and

religious anger against such deformity) this Gentleman, Master

Guillaume Boursier, was willingly seene, and gladly welcommed by all

the best men in Geneway. Having remained some few daies in the City,

and amongst other matters, heard much talke of the miserable

covetousnesse of master Herminio, he grew very desirous to have a

sight of him. Master Herminio had already understood, that this

Gentleman, Master Guillaume Boursier was vertuously disposed, and (how

covetously soever hee was inclined) having in him some sparkes of

noble nature, gave him very good words, and gracious entertainment,

discoursing with him on divers occasions.

  In company of other Genewayes with him, he brought him to a new

erected house of his, a building of great cost and beauty; where,

after he had shewne him all the variable rarieties, he beganne thus.

Master Guillaume, no doubt but you have heard and seene many things,

and you can instruct me in some queint conceit or device, to be fairly

figured in painting, at the entrance into the great Hall of my

House. Master Guillaume hearing him speake so simply, returned him

this answer: Sir, I cannot advise you in any thing, so rare or unseene

as you talk of: but how to sneeze (after a new manner) upon a full and

over-cloyed stomacke, to avoyde base humours that stupifie the braine,

or other matters of the like quality. But if you would be taught a

good one indeede, and had a disposition to see it fairely effected,

I could instruct you in an excellent Emblem, wherwith (as yet) you

never came acquainted.

  Master Herminio hearing him say so, and expecting no such answer

as he had, saide, Good Master Guillaume, tell me what it is, and on my

faith I will have it fairely painted. Whereto Master Guillaume

suddenly replied; Do nothing but this Sir: Paint over the Portall of

your Halles enterance, the lively picture of Liberality, to bid all

your friends better welcome, then hitherto they have beene. When

Master Herminio heard these words, he becam possessed with such a

sudden shame, that his complexion changed from the former palenesse,

and answered thus. Master Guillaume, I will have your advice so

truly figured over my gate, and shee shall give so good welcome to all

my guests, that both you, and all these Gentlemen shall say, I have

both seene her, and am become reasonably acquainted with her. From

that time forward, the words of Master Guillaume were so effectuall

with Signior Herminio, that he became the most bountifull and best

house-keeper, which lived in his time in Geneway: no man more

honouring and friendly welcoming both strangers and Citizens, then

he continually used to do.