THE FIFTH NOVELL

 

    WHEREIN IS DESCRIBED THE FRAILETY OF SOME WOMEN, AND FOLLY OF

    SUCH HUSBANDS, AS LEAVE THEM ALONE TO THEIR OWNE DISPOSITION

 

  Ricciardo surnamed the Magnifico, gave a Horse to Signior

Francesco Vergillisi, on condition that he might speake to his wife in

his presence; which he did, and she not returning him any answer, made

answer to himselfe on her behalfe, and according to his answer, so the

effect followed.

 

  Pamphilus having ended his novell of Puccio the Alchimist, the

Queene fixing her eye on Madam Eliza, gave order, that shee should

succeed. She looking somewhat more austerely then any of the rest

not in any spleen, but as it was her usuall manner, thus began. The

world containeth some particular people, who beleeve (because they

know something) that others are ignorant in all things, who for the

most part, while they intend to make a scorne of other men, upon

triall, finde themselves to carry away the scorne. Therefore, I

account it no meane folly in them, who (upon no occasion) wil tempt

the power of another mans wit or experience. But because all men and

women are not of my opinion; I meane that you shall perceive it more

apparantly, by an accident happening to a Knight of Pistoia, as you

shall heare by me related.

  In the Town of Pistoia, bordering upon Florence, there lived not

long since, a Knight named Signieur Francesco, descended of the linage

or family of the Vergellisi, a man very rich, wise, and in many things

provident, but gripple, covetous, and too close handed, without

respect to his worth and reputation. He being called to the Office

of Podesta in the City of Millaine, furnished himselfe with all things

(in honourable manner) beseeming such a charge; onely, a comely

horse for his owne saddle excepted, which he knew not by any meanes

how to compasse, so loath hee was lay out money, albeit his credit

much depended thereon.

  At the same time, there lived in Pistoya likewise, a young man,

named Ricciardo, derived of meane birth, but very wealthy, quicke

witted, and of commendable person, alwayes going so neate, fine, and

formall in his apparrell, that he was generally tearmed the Magnifico,

who had long time affected, yea, and closely courted, (though any

advantage or successe) the Lady and wife of Signior Francesco, who was

very beautifull, vertuous, and chaste. It so chanced, that this

Magnifico had the very choisest and goodliest ambling Gelding in all

Tuscany, which hee loved dearely, for his faire forme, and other

good parts. Upon a flying rumor throughout Pistoia, that he daily made

love to the foresaid Ladie, some busie-body put it into the head of

Signior Francesco, that if he pleased to request the Gelding, the

Magnifico would frankely give it him, in regard of the love he bare to

his wife.

  The base-minded Knight, coveting to have the Horse, and yet not to

part with any money, sent for the Magnifico, desiring to buy his fayre

Gelding of him, because he hoped to have him of free gift. The

Magnifico hearing this request, was very joyfull, and thus answered;

Sir, if you would give me all the wealth which you possesse in this

world, I wil not sell you my horse, rather I wil bestow him on you

as a Gentlemans gift: but yet upon this condition, that before you

have him delivered, I may with your license, and in your presence

speake a few words to your vertuous Ladie, and so farre off in

distance from you, as I may not be heard by any, but onely her

selfe. Signior Francesco, wholly conducted by his base avaricious

desire, and meaning to make a scorne at the Magnifico, made answer,

that he was well contented to let him speak with her when he would;

and leaving him in the great Hall of the house, went to his wives

Chamber, and told her how easily he might enjoy the horse,

commanding her forthwith to come and heare what he could say to her,

only she should abstaine, and not returne him any answer. The Lady

with a modest blush, much condemned this folly in him, that his

covetousnes should serve as a cloake to cover any unfitting speeches

which her chaste eares could never endure to heare. Neverthelesse

being to obey her husbands will, she promised to do it, and followed

him down into the Hall, to heare what the Magnifico would say.

Againe he there confirmed the bargaine made with her husband, and

sitting downe by her in a corner of the Hall, farre enough off from

any ones hearing, taking her curteously by the hand, thus he spake.

  Worthy Lady, it seemeth to me, that you are so truly wise, as no

doubt you have long since perceived, what unfeigned affection your

beauty (far excelling) hath compelled me to beare you. Setting aside

those commendable qualities and singular vertues gloriously shining in

you, and powerfull enough to make a conquest of the stoutest

courage, I held it utterly needlesse, to let you understand by

words, how faithfull the love is I bear you, were it not much more

fervent and constant, then ever any other man can expresse to a woman.

In which condition it shall still continue, without the least

blemish or impayre, so long as I enjoy life or motion; yea, and I dare

assure you, that if in the future world, affection may containe the

same powerfull dominion, as it doth in this; I am the man borne to

love you perpetually. Whereby you may rest confidently perswaded, that

you enjoy not any thing, how poore or precious soever it be, which you

can so solemnely account to be your owne, and in the truest title of

right, as you may my selfe, in all that I have, or for ever shall be

mine.

  To confirme your opinion in this case by any argument of greater

power, let me tell you, that I should repute it as my fairest and most

gracious fortune, if you would command me some such service, as

consisteth in mine ability to performe, and in your courteous favour

to accept, yea, if it were thorow the whole world, right to traval

am I, and obedient. In which regard faire Madam, if I be so much,

yours, as you heare I am, I may boldly adventure (and not without good

reason) to acquaint your chaste eares with my earnest desires, for

on you onely depends my happinesse, life, and absolute comfort, and as

your most humble servant, I beseech you (my deerest good, and sole

hope of my soule) that rigour may dwell no longer in your gentle

brest, but Lady-like pitty and compassion, whereby I shall say, that

as your divine beauty enflamed mine affections, even so it extended

such a merciful qualification, is exceeded all my hope, but not the

halfe part of your pitty.

  Admit (myracle of Ladies) that I should die in this distresse: Alas,

my death would be but your dishonour; I cannot be termed mine owne

murtherer, when the Dart came from your eye that did it, and must

remaine a witnes of your rigor. You cannot then chuse but call to

minde, and say within your own soule: Alas, what a sinne have I

committed, in being so unmercifull to my Magnifico. Repentance then

serves to no purpose, but you must answer for such unkinde cruelty.

Wherefore, to prevent so blacke a scandall to your bright beauty,

beside the ceaselesse acclamations, which will dog your walkes in

the day time, and breake your quiet sleepes in the night season,

with fearefull sights and gastly apparitions, hovering and haunting

about your bed; let all these moove you to milde mercy, and spill

not life, when you may save it.

  So the Magnifico ceasing, with teares streaming from his eyes, and

sighes breaking from his heart, hee sate still in expectation of the

Ladies answere, who made neither long or short of the matter,

neither Tilts nor Tourneying, nor many lost mornings and evenings, nor

infinite other such like Offices, which the Magnifico (for her sake)

from time to time had spent in vaine, without the least shew of

acceptation, or any hope at all to winne her love: mooved now in

this very houre, by these solemne is protestations, or rather most

prevailing asseverations, she began to finde that in her, which

(before) she never felt, namely Love. And although (to keepe her

promise made to her husband) shee spake not a word: yet her heart

heaving, her soule throbbing, sighes intermixing, and complexion

altering, could not hide her intended answer to the Magnifico, if

promise had beene no hinderance to her will. All this while the

Magnifico sate as mute as she, and seeing she would not give him any

answere at all, he could not choose but wonder thereat, yet at

length perceived, that it was thus cunningly contrived by her husband.

Notwithstanding, observing well her countenance, that it was in a

quite contrary temper, another kinde of fire sparkling in her eye,

other humours flowing, her pulses strongly beating, her stomacke

rising, and sighes swelling, all these were arguments of a change, and

motives to advance his hope. Taking courage by this ticklish

perswasion, and instructing his mind with a new kinde of counsell;

he would needes answer himselfe on her behalfe, and as if she had

uttered the words, thus he spake.

  Magnifico, and my friend, surely it is a long time since, when I

first noted thine affection toward me to be very great and most

perfect, but now I am much more certain thereof, by thine owne

honest and gentle speeches, which content me as they ought to do.

Neverthelesse, if heretofore I have seemed cruell and unkinde to thee,

I would not have thee thinke, that my heart was any way guilty of my

outward severity, but did evermore love thee, and held thee deerer

then any man living. But yet it became me to do so, as well in feare

of others, as for the renowne of mine owne reputation. But now is

the time at hand, to let thee knowe more clearly, whether I do

affect thee or no: as a just guerdon of thy constant love

which long thou hast, and still doest beare to me. Wherefore,

comfort thy selfe, and dwell on this undoubted hope, because Signior

Francesco my husband, is to be absent hence for many dayes, beeing

chosen Podesta at Millaine, as thou canst not choose but heare, for it

is common through the Country.

  I know (for my sake) thou hast given him thy goodly ambling Gelding,

and so soone as he is gone, I promise thee upon my word, and by the

faithfull love I beare thee; that I will have further conference

with thee, and let thee understand somewhat more of my minde. And

because this is neither fitting time nor place, to discourse on

matters of such serious moment: observe heereafter, as a signall, when

thou seest my Crimson Skarfe hanging in the window of my Chamber,

which is upon the Garden side, that evening (so soone as it is

night) come to the Garden gate, with wary respect that no eye do

discover thee, and there thou shalt finde me walking, and ready to

acquaint thee with other matters, according as I shall finde occasion.

  When the Magnifico in the person of the Lady, had spoken thus,

then he returned her this answer. Most vertuous Lady, my spirits are

so transported with extraordinary joy, for this your gracious and

welcome answer, that my sences faile me, and all my faculties quite

forsake me, that I cannot give you such thankes as I would. And if I

could speak equally to my desire, yet the season suites not therewith,

neither were it convenient that I should be so troublesome to you. Let

me therefore humbly beseech you, that the desire I have to

accomplish your will (which wordes availe not to expresse) may remaine

in your kinde consideration. And as you have commanded me, so will I

not faile to performe it accordingly, and in more thankfull manner,

then (as yet) I am able to let you know. Now there resteth nothing

else to do, but under the protection of your gracious pardon, I to

give over speech, and you to attend your woorthy Husband.

  Notwithstanding all that hee had spoken, yet shee replyed not one

word; wherefore the Magnifico arose, and returned to the Knight, who

went to meete him, saying in a lowd laughter. How now man? Have I

not kept my promise with thee? No Sir, answered the Magnifico, for you

promised I should speake with your wife, and you have made mee talke

to a marble Statue. This answere, was greatly pleasing to the

Knight, who, although hee had an undoubted opinion of his wife; yet

this did much more strengthen his beliefe, and hee said. Now thou

confessest thy Gelding to bee mine? I doe, replied the Magnifico,

but if I had thought, that no better successe would have ensued on the

bargaine; without your motion for the horse, I would have given him

you: and I am sorie that I did not, because now you have bought my

horse, and yet I have not sold him. The Knight laughed heartily at

this answer, and being thus provided of so faire a beast, hee rode

on his journey to Millaine, and there entred into his authority of

Podesta.

  The Lady remained now in liberty at home, considering on the

Magnificoes words, and likewise the Gelding, which (for her sake)

was given to her husband. Oftentimes shee saw him passe too and fro

before her windowe, still looking when the Flagge of defiance should

be hanged forth, that hee might fight valiantly under her Colours. The

Story saith, that among many of her much better meditations, shee

was heard to talke thus idely to her selfe. What doe I meane?

Wherefore is my youth? The olde miserable man is gone to Millaine, and

God knoweth when hee comes backe againe, ever, or never. Is dignity

preferred before wedlockes holy duty, and pleasures abroade, more then

comforts at home? Ill can age pay youths arrerages, when: time is

spent, and no hope sparde. Actions omitted, are oftentimes repented,

but done in due season, they are sildome sorrowed for. Upon these

un-Lady-like private consultations, whether the window shewed the

signa or no; it is no matter belonging to my charge: I say, husbands

are unwise, to graunt such ill advantages, and wives much worse, if

they take hold of them, onely Judge you the best, and so the Tale is

ended.