Two tales, translated out of Ariosto: the one in dispraise of men, the other in disgrace of women. VVith certaine other Italian stanzas and prouerbs. By R.T. gentleman

Two Tales , Translated out of Ariosto : The one in dispraise of Men , the other in disgrace of Women .

With certaine other Italian Stanzes and Prouerbs .

By R. T. Gentleman .

Cascan le Rose , et restan poi le spine , Non iudicate nulla inanzi il fine .

Printed at London by Valentine Sims dwelling on Adling hill at the signe of the white Swanne . 1597.

The Printer to the courteous and Gentlemen Readers .

GEntlemen , these two Tales translated out of ARIOSTO , and the other Stanzies following , were not done by this Translator , to compare ( as it were ) with master HARRINGTONS verses ( for he acknowledgeth himselfe euery way his inferiour ) but for his owne priuate exercise , and at the earnest intreatie of some gentlemen his friends , all which he did in the yeere 1592. he being then in Italie : Yet the rather is hee content they should come abroad , because that by the harshnes of the one , you may perceiue the sweetenesse of the other . And thus not doubting of your wonted curtesies , I commit my selfe , and them to your fauourable constructions , and so bid you farewell .

THE FIRST TALE : Cant. 43. Stanza 11. beginning thus : Qua su lasciasti vna citta vicina , NOt farre from hence you left a cittie nie , Bout which a cristal riuer cleere doth run , Into whose streame the surging Po doth hie And fountains head doth from Benaco come This cittie founded was ( when cruelly Thebes was destroyd ) built by Agenors sonne ) There was I borne of ancient gentle blood , But poore in wealth , in liuing and in good . If Fortune at my birth had little care , To make me rich in heapes of glittring gold , Nature that fault supplide with beauty rare , That fairer then my selfe none could beholde , Both maides and married wiues goodwill me bare , When I was young , their hearts for loue were colde , For I was curteous , and still shewd the same , ( Although for one to praise himselfe t is shame . ) ( By chaunce ) within this cittie did abide , A reuerend Sire , whose learning did surmount Beyond all credit farre , who when he dide , His yeares a hundred twentie eight did count , From company he kept himselfe still wide , Till in his latter age he left his wont , For being in loue , through gifts ( such was his lot , ) He of a matron faire , a maide begot . And to prouide the daughter should not be Like to the mother , who for greedy gaine , Did sell that gemme ( sans price ) her chastitie , Worth faire more golde than doth in world remaine , From place where was resort , he ( here ) did hie . Where finding this alone and desart plaine , This rich and sumptuous Pallace passing faire , He diuells forc'te to make b'inchantment rare . By women old and chaste , his daughter deere He causde in this for to be nourished , Where neuer man she once could see , or heare To speake ( whilst she was yong ) was suffered , And that she might of Ladies without peere , Examples take , of such as banished Al lawlesse loue , he made for hir delight . Such to be carude , and drawne in colours right . Not onely such as by their vertues rare , Adorned haue the world in times that s past , Whose glorious fame olde histories declare , And make them liue whilst heau'n and earth shall last , But such to come , who Italie most faire Shall make through their behauiour sweete and chaste He causde their pictures liuely drawne to be , As are these Eight you in this fountaine see . At last , when he his daughter iudged ripe , To ioyne with man in nuptiall married bed , Whether my good lucke t was , or me to spite , I chosen was fore others , her to wed , These spatious fieldes about the walles in sight , With fish-ponds , champaine grounds where beasts are bred ( Which twenty miles in compasse bout do wind , ) He for his daughters dowry me assinde . Faire was she , and so louely qualified , As I desire could not , or couet more For cunning stitch where needle , colours hide , The wittie Pallas she might goe before , Her touch on lute , and song did well describe , In heau'n , and not on earth that she was bore , And so to the liberall Artes she had giuen her minde , She little came her fathers skill behinde . With wisedome great , with beauty ( daunting blame ) ( Which would haue made to loue a senslesse stone ) Was ioynde such loue , and sweetenesse to the same As makes my heart ( to thinke thereon , ) to groane , No ioy nor pleasure did she feele , but paine , Vnlesse she went , and was with me alone , Thus long we liude sans iarre or iealous gruch , At last , through folly mine we had too much . When I fiue yeeres had liude a married man , My father in lawe did leaue this world of woe , And then to spring my sorrowes first began , Which yet I feele , and how the same I le show , Whilst on my wife Loue breathde with chastest fan Fresh loue for me , which causde me loue her so , A noble Dame of this our Cittie here , Enamoured mightily of me did appeare . She of enchantments and of witches craft , Did know as much as any sorceresse , The day as night , the night she day by Art , And sunne moouelesse could make , the earth stil fresh As Maie , yet neuer could she mooue my heart , To heale her amorous wound remedilesse , With plaister such as well I could not giue , Vnlesse I should my wife vniustly grieue . And though she curteous was and louely more , And though I knew she lou'de me as her selfe , Although she offered gifts and promist store , And laide before me baites of ticing pelfe , Yet not one iote of my good will therefore Shee ere could get from me by amorous stealth , To know my wife to me was constant true , My heart and fancie to her wholly drew . The hope , the firme beliefe , sure certainety , I held of my deare Spouses loyalnesse , Would me haue made the beauty to deny Of Ledas daughter , and her daintinesse , Or th' other proffers which on Ida hie , Had Paris by the angry Goddesses , Yet were not my repulses of such strength , That I could rid my hands of her at length . One day as forth , this witch of Pallas mine , Melissa found me , ( so each did her call ) And to discourse with me had space and time , She found the meanes to turne my sweete to gall , That faith I had still of my wife so kind , Through iealousie she causde from heart to fall , Beginning thus : She praised mine intent , Faithfull to be where faithfulnesse was meant . But say thou canst not , faithfull is thy Wiue , Lesse first ( quoth she ) of her thou triall make , Put case the loyalst wench she be aliue , If falne she hath not , yet she fall may take , Then if thou n'er her from thy side depriue , Nor other man than thee , sees sleepe , or wake , How hast thou this foole hardinesse to say ? She constant is like to the Laurel Bay . Do but absent thy selfe awhile from home ▪ Through citie and through country giue thou out , That thou art parted , and leaue her alone And licence Louers come with reuell rowt , If she by luring gifts or piteous mone Make not strange grafts within thy braine to sprowt , And seek to hide the same , hauing done amisse , Then maist thou rightly say , she honest is . With such strange speech , and to the same much leeke Th' enchantresse ( subtill ) egges me onward stil , That I to know my Ladies faith will seeke By proofe to see , hap to me good or ill , Suppose ( quoth I ) the nuptiall bands she breke , Which I cannot beleeue , beleeue nor will , How may I afterward my selfe assure , If praise , or shame she merites to endure ? Melissa answered ; I le bestowe on thee A Cup to drinke in , of rare Vertue strange , ( Morgana's worke ) that brother hers might see , How oft from faith Geneuora did range , Who a wife hath chaste , drinke in 't may frank & free , But , he cannot , if she be giuen to change : For when he thinkes the wine to drinke therein , It spils and spurts in bosome strait of him . Before thou part , I will the same thou proue , And without shedding drop , thou drink it shall , For I do know thy wife 's yet true in loue , As soone thou this effect see plainely shal ; But if at thy returne thy hart thee moue Triall to make , I doubt what will befall , For if not shedding in bosome drinke thou can , Then I le count thee the happiest married man . This proffer ( with the Cup ) she doth bestowe On me , I do accept and put in vre The proofe , and finde ( as I desirde ) to know My louing Mate , chaste to me , constant , pure Melissa saith , alittle from her go , A month or two to stay from home endure : Then turne againe and trie , if in this Cup , Thou without spilling , canst the wine drinke vp . To me it seemde a death , to go my way , Not that I doubted of her faith so much , As , cause a day , I could not form her stay , No not an houre , my loue to her was such , I le make thee finde the trueth of this , did say Melissa , if thou wilt by other touch , Change shalt thou speech and wotdes for this intent , And ( like another ) fore her thy selfe present . Hearke how . The Po a citie doth defend , Which stands here by with fierce and threatning Horn Whose iurisdiction doth from hence extend To the place where Sea his ebbe and flow doth turne , For auncientnesse it yeeldes ▪ but doth contend With others , richnes such doth it adorne . The Troyans Ofspring there , first plot did lay , Which scaped from the scourge of Attila . In treasure rich , a louely youthfull Knight , This Cittie bridle doth with lordly raine , Who after Falcon ranne ( which did alight One day by chance in pallace thine ) amaine : Where he thy wife sawe , who so at first sight Pleasde him , as signe in heart doth still remaine , And many shifts he vsed afterward To his desire to make her bowe ( too hard . ) Yet her repulses sharpe , so bitter were , That he his sute gaue ore as desperate , But yet her beauty , which Loue drawne had there , Within his minde he helde , and n'er forgate . Melissa so me flattered , in mine eare , As I content was she should lay this plat : And me she changde ( but how I know not I ) Like him in speech , and fauour sodainely . I had ( before ) vnto my wife yfainde , That towardes the Leuant , I parted was to goe : But in this youthfull louer being changde , In gate , in voyce , in habite , and in show , I with my Witch returnde , who still remainde With me , and tooke of Page the shape as tho , And gemmes of price had , which as we did faine , From th' Indians and the Eritreans came . I which did know ech doore of pallace mine , Boldly entred , Melissa following me , And found my Woman then at such a time , As man nor maide I there with her could see , I shew my griefe , and then with cunning fine , ( The Spurres of euill , if so she will agree ) I offer Rubies , Diamonds , Emeraulds , such As would haue moude a minde more chaste by much . And tell her , this is but a trifle small , To such rare Iewels , as afterward shall come , The opportunitie she hath withall I shew her , sith her husband is from home , Then ( as she knew ) I prayde to mind to call , How I to be her Louer still haue showne : And that I louing her with loue so chaste , Well worthy was of some rewarde at last . Much was she grieude at first these words to heare , Nor would she heare me speake , but blusht for shame , But seeing those costly gems , which shone more cleare Than fire , her stubberne hart , strait meek became , And answered with a soft and fainting cheare , That , which to thinke on makes me dead remaine , That if she were assurde none might this know , She ready was this pleasure me to show . This speech to my heart as poisned dart did come , Through which my soule ( me thought ) transfixed was : Through euery ioint a sodaine cold did run , My speech remaind twixt iawes , nor forth could passe : Melissa , who her Chauntments had vndone , Turnde me into my proper shape and face , Imagin how she lookte , when found by me , Her selfe she sawe in so fowle fault to be . Both of vs pale became , as death most like , Both of vs speechlesse , with our eyes on ground , Scarce had my faltring tongue such force and might , Thus to crie out ( griefe so my heart did wound , ) And wouldst thou then betray me ( shamelesse wight ? When who would buy mine honor ) thou hadst found ? To this no answere gaue she me at all , But teares like orient pearles on cheekes let fall . Great was her shame , her coller more , not lesse , To see me gainst her worke this strange disgrace , And so increast ( as last ) in headinesse , As rage and deadly hate in her tooke place : Seeking to flie from me with speedinesse , And when the Sunne had run his wonted race , She to the riuer steales , where all the night In Barge she rowes away with maine and might . And in the morning doth her selfe present Before that Knight , who her long time had lou'de , Vnder whose habite false and shape I went , When witlesse gainst mine honour I her mou'de . Iudge you how welcome , she , and her intent Was , to him , who n'er thoght such ioy t' haue prou'de : Thence word she sent me ( which as death doth gore ) That n'er she would be mine , nor loue me more . Wo is me , from that day vnto this , in ioy She liues with him , and iesteth at my griefe , And I ( thankes to my selfe ) in this annoy Do pine away , and no where finde reliefe , Still growes it , and iust t is , it me destroy , And little now remaines my dayes to briefe , Nor scarce I thinke , the first yeere had I liuen , But that one thing to me hath comfort giuen . The comfort 's this , that of so many men , Which here for ten yeeres space y-lodged be , ( For I this Cup doe offer all of them ) Not one ( sauns sheading ) drinke I yet could see , To see , ( as mine , ) so many , with like wem Vpon their cheeke , some comfort is to me , Thou onely done , amongst so many hast Wisely , for to refuse so dangerous taste . My curious will , which made me search to know , ( More than I ought ) the manners of my Wife , Makes care and griefe fresh in me still to grow , And forceth me to leade a hellish life . Of this Melissa glad herselfe did show , ( But small it durde ) being author of this strife , For I her hated so , for this my ill , That her In'er would see , and so do still . She taking this my hate impatient Whome she to loue more then her selfe did faine , Where Lady of my heart incontinent , She thought in place of th' other to remaine , Not for to haue her griefe so nigh , she went Heauie from hence , because of my disdaine , And from this country wandred she so far , As after neuer newes I heard of her . Thus saide and ceast , the wofull Caualiere , Who liude in anguish to his latest day , Too late repenting that his louely Pheere Through folly his , he forst to go her way : A caueat good for iealous heads to beare In minde , lest for their paines they finde like pay , To whom I wish such lucke as had this Knight , And to their Wiues like change for their delight . Siena 28. di Lulio 1592.

THE SECOND TALE Cant. 43. Stanza 73. beginning thus : Gia su di questa . Terra , vn Anselmo di famiglia degna . WIthin this citty dwelt not long agoe , One calld Anselmo , of rich family , Who , Studient like his youth did spend , to know , The Laws which Vlpian taught most curiously At last he sought a wife , which wel might show His match , for birth , for fame and honesty : And one ( by chance ) not farre from hence he found , The fairest Wench that euer trod on ground . With sweete behauiour , such a heauenly grace , As she did seeme al Loue and Amorousnes , And for his state ( perhaps ) too lustie was , Whose yeeres ( good man ) craude not such youthfulnes : No sooner had he her , but he did passe For iealousie , that tong cannot the same expresse , Not that she gaue him cause so for to care , But , cause she was so wittie and so faire . In this selfe Citty was a worthy Knight , Of ancient stocke and honorable race , Who did descend from that same Linage hight , Which sprung from out the iawes and Serpents face , Whence Manto , with many a worthy wight That Mantua built , are comen in like case : This Caualire Adonio had to name , Who fell enamored of this daintie Dame . And for to gaine her loue , in princelike wise , Without all reason he beganne to spend In rich Attire , in Feasts , in strange Deuise , Or what to make him famous more did tend : Tiberius th emperors gold , could scarce suffice , For charges such● although t was without end , So ( as I guesse ) scarse passed were two yeere , But that consumde both land and liuing were . His house which was before frequented so , With troupes of fained friendes both night and day , Al desolate remainde , when once the show Of Phesant , Quaile , and Partridge did decay , And he which captaine of the crue did goe Before , behinde the doore as now doth stay : And seeing himselfe , by spending thus orethrowne , He thought to go where n'er he should be knowne . With this intent one morning early , he Without leaue taking , leaues his natrue home , And with salt teares and sighes most heauily , Along the citties moated wall doth rome , Nor can he Lady his , from memory Let slip , ( a cause of second griefe and mone ) When , lo , from greatest ill , a sodaine chance To greatest good , ( vnlookte for ) him doth vance . He seeth a country Clowne with cudgel great , Belaboring in the field a bush amaine , Wherewith he stayes , and why he so doth beate That vncouth place , demaundeth of the Swaine , Who answers , that within that hedgy Set , An old and hugie Snake did there remaine , So great and long , as nere he saw before In all his life , nor thought he see should more . Affirming , thence he would not wend his way , Before that he had found and killd her there , Adonio , when he heard him so to say , No longer patiently those wordes could heare , For vnto Snakes a fauour bare he ay , And for their Armes , his House the same did beare In memory , his Predecessors came , Of Serpents teeth ysowne , by Cadmus slaine . And so much with this pesant did and said , That ( gainst his will ) he left that enterprise , So as the Snake slaine was not , or more fraid , Nor hurt , or sought for more in any wise . Adonio ( after ) so his iourney made , As none , nor him , nor his estate descries : And in great neede , and griefe of mind doth beare His countries absence almost seu'n whole yeare . Yet neither distance far , from cittie thence , Nor wretched life he did sustaine through neede , His wandring thoughts from ancient loue could fence , Which still afresh within his heart doth breede , And him doth force againe to his louing Wench To turne , his eyes on beauty hers to feede : With bushie beard , sicke cheere , and ragged weede , His way from whence he came he takes with speede . Meane time , it hapt our Citie had to send Bout busines great to the Pope , an Orater , Who on his Holinesse should wait and tend , How long , none knew , this sute for to prefer , ( The lots cast ) t is the Iudges lucke to wend , A dismall day for this Ambaslater , He faines excuse , prayes , giues , with promise moe , To stay at home ( but forc'te ) he needes must goe . Not vnto him so cruel had it beene , And he supported had with lesser griefe , His bowels ripped forth for to haue seene : And bloody heart , torne out , without reliefe , Through iealous feare with visage pale and leane , In absence his , his Wife he doubteth chiefe , Yet in best maner , with sweete words most trim , He prayes her , she will true be vnto him . Saying , a woman , neither Fauour faire , Nobility , nor Fortunes worldly wealth Famous can make , and in truth nor care , If chaste in life she be not of hir selfe , And that such Vertue , alwayes triumph bare , Which being forc'te , yeeldes not , for life or Pelfe , Great proofe whereof , whilst he should absent be , He said , he haue should of her Chastitie . With these and such like speeches to the same , He her persuades , that she would constant dure : For his departure she doth waile amaine , And of her faith , she weeping doth him sure , Swearing , the Sunne first darkened shall remaine , Before she once wil staine her Honor pure , And that shee 'le bide to die a thousand time , Than once be spotted with so foule a crime . Although he at her vowes and promise sweete Some credite gaue , and quiet was in show , Yet leaue he did not , further for to seeke ( Cause for to haue indeede to waile and woe ) A friend he had , for cunning great , none leeke , Of things to come , the certaine to foreshow , Of Sorcery , Lots casting , Magicke Art , All knew he , or of all , the greatest part . To him he goes , and prayes him take the paine , By his rare skill , the truth to him to show , If that Argia ( so his Wife had name ) Should ( whilst he broade were ) honest be or no , Whereto he strait agreeing ( intreated so ) His Compas takes , the Poles he measures plaine , Anselmo leaues him studying , and next day For answer of him , takes his ready way . Th' astronomer , not for to tell what might The Doctor gall , kept silence for a while , And sought excuse to hide it from his sight , But when he sawe he was as one with Chile , To know his ill , he saide , her faith once plight She breake should , ere he gone was forth one mile , Not forc'te by Praiers , or Beauty in this case , But fouly being corrupt by gaine most base . Ioynde to first feare and doubt he had as now , The threatnings of the angry Heauens aboue , How he did feele himselfe imagin thou , If such like chance hath hapned thee in Loue , Yet that which makes his heart to burst and bow , And most of all his galled minde doth moue , Is for to know , orecome with Auarice , Shee le sell her Honor at a worthlesse price . Now to preuent what possible might be , That into Errors such she might not fall , ( For Want makes men the Alters oft we see , To robbe , that they may liue from needy Thrall , Such iewels and gold , as he had vnder key , ( For he had mountaines ) to her gaue he all , ) Rents , Leases , Debts , Reuenues of his land , And all he had he put into her hand . With leaue ( quoth he ) not onely thou this Wealth For thy expenses ( as shall like thee ) take , But as thou please , sell , spend this paltry Pelfe , Waste , and consume , and hauocke of all make , Nor other count I le haue ( ere ) of thy selfe So , as I leaue thee , I may ( louing Mate ) Find thee the same , so , such I find thee may , Sell , House . Farme , Liuings , Lease , and all away . Besides , when he shall part , he her doth pray She would to the Country , to her Mannor wend. And not within the noysome cittie stay , Where she might liue more free from troubles pend : All this saide hee , because he thought not ay , Those country Swaines who beasts and plows do tend , Could ere corrupt by subtile shifts most rife , The chaste desires of his beloued Wife . Meane while Argia doth with armes embrace , And hangs her fearefull husbands necke about , And doth with pearly drops bedew that face , Which forth from eies , as from a fountaine sprowt , It grieues her she is blamed in this case , As if already she had causde him doubt : And that from hence suspition his vniust Did spring , bicause her Faith he did mistrust . Orelong it were , all here for to be pend , Which at his parting , said was by them both , At last ( quoth he ) mine Honor I commend To thee , and so doth wend his way , though loath : And surely then his life seemde for to end , When horse he turnes , and riding from her goth , She him lookes after , till he is out of sight , Sweete teares distilling from Loues Lymbecke bright . Meane while wretched Adonio pale and wan , And ( as I said before ) much changde to see , Towardes country his , his iourney tooke ( poore man , ) Hoping he should not knowne of any be : And by that Lake hard by the cittie came , Where he the Snake from country Boore did free , Who her besieging , in the hedge had pent , And meant to kill her , ere away he went . Arriuing there , bout dawning of the day , ( For yet the skies some starres cleere shining bare ) He saw to come in princely garments gay , Towardes him alongst the shore a Lady faire , And though nor Man , nor Maide with her did stay , Her presence shewd , she was Persnage rare , Who him accosts with sweete and gratious cheare , And after , him salutes , as you shall heare . Although ( sir Knight ) to you vnknowne I am , Yet I your Parent hight , much to you bound , For both of vs from worthy Cadmus came , And to descend from that same line are found : The Fairy Manto am I ( of whose name , Because to build this Cittie , I in ground The first stone laide , it Mantua called is , As oft th' ast heard , vnlesse my markes I misse . ) Of Fairies one am I , and of our fatall starre , ( Cause it importes vs ) to thee shew I will : In such a time borne were we , as we are ( Excepting death ) subiect to eu'ry ill , But ( so ) to be immortall worse is farre , Then for to die , for ( liuing ( die we still , Since each of vs , each seuenth whole day is sure , From Fate , to Snake ( changde so ) that time to dure . To see our selues closde in so foule a skin , And crawling creepe , so loathsome is a sight , As to the world no vglier thing can seeme , And curse we do the houre we first sawe light . How I ▪ beholding to thee much haue beene , ( For I will shew thee whence this comes aright : ) Know then , that whilst in snakie shape we lurke , We are in danger of great harmes and hurt . No liuing thing on earth is hated so , As Serpents are , and we which haue their forme , If we be spide , do suffer wracke and woe , Each one assailing vs , with furious storme , If we some hole finde not wherein to goe : Our skinnes , with blowes are all to beate and torne . And better a thousand times to die it were , Than maimde and lame , such plages stil for to beare . Much am I bound to thee ; for on a time As thou didst passe along this pleasant Shade , From country Carle thou sau'dst this life of mine , Who in this place , me , dead for feare sore fraid , And had't not bin for thee this heauy signe I borne had on my backe , who loade on laid , Or at the least had made me ' smembred lie , Though t was not in his power to make me die . For whilst we traile like Snakes our breasts on ground , The Planets , which vnto vs subiect are At other times , now ( contrary ) are found , We wanting force , their power from vs they barre : At other times , the Sunne by vs is bound Still for to stand , more darke than Darkenesse farre , The earth to moue , and turne in strangest guise , The Ice to flame , and fire to melt like Ice . Now am I come to thanke thee for thy paine , And this good turne done me , to recompence , Aske what thou wilt , ( nor ask't shalt thou in vaine ) For now I am free from Vipers shape and sence , Thrice richer than thy father did remaine I will thou be , before thou goe from hence , Nor though thou wouldst , thou ere more shalt be poore But still , the more thou spendst , rich shalt be more . And for bicause I know th' art still in loue , Where first thou wast ( nor change canst thy desire ) A way I le shew thee forthy best behoue , How thou maist to thy wished will aspire , I will foorthwith this counsell mine thou proue , ( For iealous Husband is from home , not by her ) Thou to the Country ( where she bides ) shalt wend , And I to help thee , wil on thee attend . And therewithall she gan most cunningly , To teach him how himselfe he should present Fore Lady his , how her to tempt and trie , What Weeds to weare to further his intent , And doth bethinke what shape most fittingly She take should for her selfe , for this attempt , For but the terme , whilst she liude as a Snake , She might what forme she pleasde vpon her take . In habite of a pouer Pelegrine , She him doth change which begs from doore to doore Her selfe into a little Dog so small and fine , As Nature n'er had made the like before , With curld haire , white like to the Armeline , For making strange , but strange for tricks much more : Thus metamorphosde both , they take their way , Towards Argiaes house , where she did stay . And first amongst her Plowmen and her Hindes , Before he would into her Mannor go . His oten pipe , with cunning great he windes ; At sound whereof , the Dog to Dance doth show : This noyse and newes Argia straitway findes , And she would see if it were true or no , And causde the beggar come into their court , As was the Doctors Destiny and S●rt . And there Adonio doth his Dog commaund , ( Who dauncing many Galliardes ) him obayes , Both Ours , and Forraine he doth vnderstand , With trickes , the Measures iust , he keepes alwayes , In briefe he knowes so well in turne of hand To do what he is bid , whilst thother plaies , That whoso seeth him , in loue 's with him so , As not from thence his eies lets willing goe . The Lady at this same doth much admire , And longs to haue this prety Puppy small , And by her Nurse , for price doth it require , ( As she doth thinke ) she might haue sped withall . If I , quoth he , more wealth had , than desire Could in the greedy mindes of Women fall , Sufficient valure were it not , nor boote , No not to buy my little Dogge his foote . And for to shew he naught but truth had told , He tooke the Nurse into a corner by , And willd his Dog one peece of purest gold To giue to her , in signe of Curtesie : He shakte his haire , the coyne she did beholde , Adonio willd her take it presently , Saying , Now tell me , thinkst thou any prise , Able to buy my Dog in worthy wise ? Whatso I will , the same I neuer misse , Nor ere with emptie hands I turne from him : And euer when he shakes his haire , it is , Or Ring , or Pearle , or Garments rich and trim , Yet tell thy Dame , at her commandment t is , But not for golde , though I in golde might swimme : But if I lie with her one Night she will , The Dog is hers , to haue and holde it still . So saide , a pretious Iemme new shakte on ground He giues the Nursse , her Mistris to present , Who thinkes a better bargaine she hath found , Than if a hundred Ducats her were sent : She turnes th' embassage she deliuers round , And her persuades , hat she would be content To take the Dog : and taking so the same , At such a price , not loose she doth , but gaine . At first Argia faire vnwilling seemes , Partly , because her faith she would not breake , Partly , because she such reportes still deemes Most false , which she the crafty Nurse heard speake , Who her persuades , her will from thence she weenes , Saying , so great a Good , Chance , seeld doth reake , Which causde her point another day when she , The Dog such wonders worke , alone might see . This second Audience , which Adonio got , The Iudges ruine wrought , and vtter fall , His Dog dischargde such double golden shot , Such chaines of pearle , gems , pretious stones withall , As vanquisht heart did yeeld to th' assault so hot , And sooner was the Breach made in this wall , When she did know , this Knight her louer was , Which for her sake from country long did passe . The counsell still ( her Proxie ) to her gaue , The prayers of her Louer there in place , The gaine she sawe by this which she should haue , The wretched Doctors absence in like case , The hope that none for this would her depraue , Each thought most chaste from breast away did chase : As she the Dog doth take , which to requite , She yeeldes her selfe a pray to his delight . Adonio of his louely Lasse long time Did reape the dulcet Sweet , to whom the Fate So great good would , as she her selfe did bine Ay for to stay with her in selfe same state : The Sunne by order now had passt ech signe , Before the Iudge had leaue to part : though late ▪ At last he turnes , but yet suspecting sore , What the Astronomer foretolde before . He being come to the Cittie , strait doth goe , Vnto the house of this his friend , and prayes He of his Wife , the trueth to him would show , If ( yet ) she false or true vnto him stayes , The Site he of the Poles doth figure tho , And to each Planet giues his Place straightwaies , And after answered , that most true it was , That what he first feard , was now come to passe . That through great gifts cotrupted was his Wife , By one whome she did loue and honour chiefe : This to the Doctors heart , went like a knife , Or farre by oddes , so pricking was his griefe , Yet for to know the certaintie more rife , ( Although too much before , he did beliefe ) To the Nurse he goes , and taketh her apart , And for to know the same , doth vse great Art . Like Blood-hound skild , he windes about the Bush , Now here , now there , to finde this cunning Trace , But ( all in vayne , ) for all at first was hush , Although great Arte he vsed in this Case : For , she as one that knew ( at deadly push ) To helpe , denied each thing with brasen Face : And ( as a craftie Queane ) one Month or more , She helde him in suspence , yet doubting sore . But , had he known what griefe the trueth would bring , Most sweete had seemde to him , thus , so to doubt : When he in vaine saw , that not any thing , From Nurse by Prayers or Giftes , he could bolt out , He thought to touch another kinde of String , And with great Cunning went the same about : Watching to see , if they would fall at iarre , For where as Women be , is strife and warre . And as he lookt for , so did hap the same : For at first Breach , which twixt them did arise , The Beldam ( without seeking ) to him came , And , all she knew , bewraid in spightfull wise : Which when he heard , Griefe ( so ) his heart did paine , As scarse to tell , no Toungue can well deuise . For little wanted he through Passions sadde , That he became not then starke staring madde . In th' end , o'recome with rage , he doth dispose To kill himselfe , ( but first ) his Wife to slay , And that one bloodie Sword from both should lose , From him his Griefe , from her , the Shame away : Incenst with Furie thus , he forthwith goes To the Cittie , and selfe mind in him doth stay ; Thence , One he trustes , to his Mannour he doth will To goe , and what he bids , doth charge fulfill . The Charge is this ; That to his Wife he tell From him , to come from Countrie speedily , For he an Ague hath so sharpe and sell , As if she haste not , ( ere she coms , ) he 'le dye , So as if she will shew to loue him well , She come with him , without more Companye : She will come lie knowes , and then in midst of way , Her Throat he bids him cutte , without delay , The Seruant , to his Mistresse , out of hand , ( As he was wil'd , ) doth tell his errand straite : Away she coms , as th' usband did command , And takes with her her Dogge , ( that friendly Fate ) Who made her ( fore ) this Danger t' vnderstand , Yet bad her goe , not doubting her Estate : For she ( foreseeing the same ) prouided had To helpe her , when she should be ill bestadde . Out of right way , the Seruant now was gonne , By diuers vncooth Pathes not vsde at all , Chaunsing a Riuer for to light vpon , Which in this Flood , from Th' appenine doth fall , Where was a Wood , on which no Sunne had shonne : From Village wide , and farre from Citties Wall : This secret Place , ( for his Intent most fit ) He thought , what he was wild , for to commit . He drawes his Sword , and his Authoritie To his Mistresse , ( from his Lorde ) he telleth plaine , And therefore wills her , God and World to crie Mercie , before she dyeth , for sinfull Shame , I know not how , she vanisht sodainly : But when he thought her , there for to haue slaine , No more he saw her , though he sought all day , So as a Foole he came , he went away . Backe to the Iudge returnes he much ashamde , Astonisht and amazde with fearefull cheere , And doth r'account this Accident so framde ; Anselmo , what to thinke well of this geere Knoweth not , nor that the Manto Fate remaind At Seruice of his Wife , he ne're did heare : For when to him , the Nurse the rest reuealde , This onely ( why I know not ) she concealde . He knowes not what to doe ; for of the spight He 's not reuengde , nor lessened is his Woe : What first a Straw was , ( now ) a Beame's in sight , So heauie lyeth it at his Heart below : The Fault few knew , he now hath made so bright , As shrode he doubtes , each one the same will know , The first Scape might be hidde ▪ The second , hard , And each where would be publisht afterward . Too well he knew , that since he had bewraid His cruell minde , when her , he would haue kild , ( Because to turne againe she was afraid ) She to some Personage great her selfe would yield , Who her would keepe , whilst he a Skorne is made , And onely ( to his Shame ) by Th' others held : Perhaps ( who knowes ) with such one , she may gree , As may both Ruffian and Adnlterer bee . In haste therefore he sendes , this to preuent , By Postes , and Letters , for to finde her out : Who ( here and there ) demaunding for her went , Through all the Citties Lombardie about : Himselfe ( in th' end ) doth goe for this intent , Leauing no Place , that is not sought by Skout : But ( all in vaine ) which makes him much to muse , Where she should bide , he neuer could haue newes . At last , the Man , to whom in trust he past To kill his Wife , ( which Drift the Fate did marre ) He causde to bring him to that place in hast , Where she escapt , to see if she were there : Might be , she kept in hedge , whilst day did last . And to some house , when Night was , did repaire : This thought he ; So his Man him guides , where he , In stead of Wood , a Pallace strange doth see . Meane time Argia faire , had made the Fate A Pallace , ( framde of Alabaster rych By strange Enchantment ) sodenly to make , All Gold it seemde , and fairer then NONESYCH ▪ None can of it describe the pompous State : Faire was 't without , richer within by mych , That , of my Lordes ( which you last night to passe For Cost did thinke ) to this a Cottage was . For , not alone the Halles were costly dighte , And Chambers with rich Hangings fashiond newe , But Sellars and the Stables had the like , And furnisht with such Stuffe you might them view : Such Plate , and so much , as count could no Wighr . All sortes of precious Stone of sundry hew ▪ The Cuppes and Platters were meate for to hold : And with our ende , the Clothes of Silke and Gold . Now as I said before , it chaunst to be The Iudges lucke , to come there in meane space , Where , then , he not so much did thinke to see As Cottage poore , but shaddowing woodie Place ; And at this Chance so musde and maruelld he He knew not where he was , in such a case , He knew not if he slept , or waken were , Or if his Braine did swimme with double beere . He spieth an Ethiope , standing at the doore , In shape deformde , so vgly , as in minde , So bad a Good-face , he n'er saw before , Nor possible his match so foule to finde , Than Esope thousand times deformed more , His Lookes , enough to make One ( sodaine ) blinde , Besmeerde , begreasde , Tom Tarrarag in Attire , Nor yet the halfe I tell of this sweete Squire . Anselmo seeing him ( seeing none other Man , Of whom he might demaund whose House it is ) Askes him , if he this doubt resolue him can , Who answereth , Yea , And Lord am I of This , The Iudge thinkes surely , as he there doth stand , The Moore doth mocke him , and that t is not his , But with great Oathes the Negro sweares most plaine , His is this Pallace , and All in the same . And offers him to see it , if he like , To enter , and a view thereof to take , Requesting him , if aught him there delight , To vse it for himselfe or his friends sake : The Iudge his Horse giues to his Man , this Sight To see , and bold of Courtsie this doth make : And being shewd Halles , Galleries , Chambers such , He marketh eu'ry Rowme with maruell much . The Forme and Site , the curious Building wrought , He wonders at , and Golden Treasures rare , And often saith , the Worldes whole Wealth is nought , In Price to Pallace this so rich and faire : The lothsome Moore , who long these words had soght Strait saide , And yet at Worth they valewed are , Though Gold nor Siluer thou for this canst pay , Yet , what doth cost thee lesse , giue me thou may . And therewithall , doth make to him Request , As did Adonio to his Wife before : For which Demaund the Iudge thinkes him a Beast , And Bedlem like to haue of wit small store , Nor ( though repulsed oft ) to leaue doth rest , But with so apt persuations egges him sore , His Pallace for requitall offering still , That he at last yeeldes to his shamelesse will . Argia stoode ( though hid ) yet nigh enough , Who when she saw him in this Error fall , Leapt forth strait crying , This is goodly stuffe , That I a Doctor finde helde sage of All , To do such Sinne , and with so foule a Chuffe , Iudge if him ( shamde and grieude ) she did not gall : He rather wisht he suncke had bin in ground , Than she with this vile Act , him should haue found . His Wife more for his Shame , and her Excuse , Begins to thunder Scoldes Shot , mightily , Saying , to plague thee what way might I chuse ? For what th' ast done with such a Beast as he , If I ( orecome to do sweete Natures vse ) By Louers prayers , thou thoughtst to murther me , Who faire and louely was , and gaue me such A present , as thy House excells by much : If I one Death deserued in thy minde , Know , thou to haue a hundred worthy art , And though my selfe so strong I here do finde , As I might make thee to repent from heart , Yet will I not to thee be so vnkinde , Nor aught Reuenge , but this , seeke for my part , Set the Goose giblets , gainst the Hare his foote , Forgiue me , as I thee , from hearty roote . Let s liue in peace for euer and a day , Remembring neuer more these Follies past , That I of thee , nor thou of me , n'er may Through mallice of these scapes in teeth be cast . This liked well her Husband euery way , Who to agreement this , was not the last : So to their House in peace they turnde againe , And ( euer after ) louing did remaine . Epilogue . THus by the wisedome of this Louely Wife , All former faults ( soone ) quite forgotten be , I doubt me ( nowadayes ) few such are rife , Which would vnto the same so willing gree , And chiefely when their Husbands sinne in life Against sweete BEVTIES HEIRES so monstrously , But maruell none , the Doctors Hornes were blinde , Where he should go before , he went behinde . Lenuoy . ANd you ( faire Ladie ) who haue heard this Tale , Vouchsafe to thinke I am that Louing Knight , The Iudge your Husband , though he doth not faile As th' other did , yet failes his Vow once plight , Not Goodes for you , but Life I le spend and All , To ioy once more the fauour of your Sight , I cannot giue a Golden Dogge as he , And yet ( perhaps ) what shall more pleasing be . Dixi R. T. In Napoli agli 27. di Marzo . 1593.