WOo God ( saies Machiavel ) in the ancient memories of the Florentine actions how that a wholly man , ( whose strictnesse of life was in those times had in great admiration ) being on a time very devoutly at his prayers was wrapt into a vision , wherein he saw the soules of many men who dying in the disgrace of God went to Hell , all or the greatest part of which complained , that their wives were the occasion of their coming unto that miserable place ; whereat Monos and Radamantus and the rest of the infernall Judges wondred extreamly , nor could they beleive the calumnies which those men so generally threw upon the feminine sex to have any coherence with trueth , but the complaints daily encreasing and report of them being made to Pluto , it was thought convenient that this case should be maturely examined before all the infernall Princes , and that course taken by them which should be thought most convenient , either to discover the fallacy , or discerne the trueth . In pursuance of which a council being called , Pluto spake to them to this effect . Although I ( dearly beloved ) by caelestiall disposition and absolute and irrevocable fatality possess this kingdome without controull , none can be obliged to any judgement heavenly or earthly , yet because it has been always accounted a part of prudence to take others advicee , have deliberated to be counselled by you how , I ought to governe my selfe in a case , which without a prudent management , may redound to the infamy of our Kingdome for the soules of all those men who come into this our kingdome , complaining that their wives have been the cause of their so great misery , and this seeming to us impossible , wee doubt least should wee proceed to give judgement according to this relation , wee might be esteemed too cruel , and not giving it as , sufficiently severe in and too little lovers of justice , and on the one side fall into the scandall of being accounted light and vaine , on the other side of injust , both which rocks we being willing to shun , we have called you that you might help us with such counsell as might preserve this Kingdome , which hitherto hath been maintained without disgrace or infamy , in the same state for the future .

To every one of the Princes respectively , this case seemed to be of great import , and worthy serious consideration , so all of them thought it necessary to find out the trueth , yet they differed extreamly in the manner : some proposed the sending of one , others of more into the world , who under the shape of men might personally informe themselves of the trueth of the complaint , others again thought it might be performed without so much trouble , by forcing divers soules by several torments to confesse it . But the greater party counselling the sending to earth , that course was determined on . But then another difficulty arose , for there was none who would willingly undergoe that travel , it was therefore put to the vote again who should be sent , & at length to avoid partiality , concluded that the lott should determine it , the lotts being therefore cast , it fell upon Belfagor arch-devil ( but before his fall from heaven arch angel ) who though somwhat unwilling ( yet constrained by Pluto's command ) fitted himself for the journey , & to be obedient to whatsoever was in the council determined concerning him , which was , That unto whomsoever it should fall to undergoe this business , there should immediately be given One Hundred thousand ducats , with which he should depart to this world , and under humane shape take a wife , and with her live ten years , and afterwards feigning himself to die , returne to Hell , & by experience relate to his superiours what were the burthens or Commodities of Marriage . It was likewise , declared that during that time he should be subject to all the burthens and ills incident to Mankind , as Poverty , Prisons , discontents , jealousies , sicknesse , and all other misfortune unto wich men run , unlesse by his cunning or ingenuity he could free himself from them , Belfagor having therefore accepted of these conditions , and the mony comes into the world , and having of his estate provided himself of Horse and Servants enters most honourably into Florence , which City above all others in the world , he chose to seate himselfe in , as the most fitting place for those who would live by usury , & causing himself to be called Roderigoti Castilia he took a house neere the Borough of all Saints , and not to let people know what he was , he gave out , That when young he departed from Spain unto Syria , and had in Alleppa gained his whole estate with which he was now restored into Italy , to take a wife in places more humane , and to a civill life , and his disposition more conformable . Roderigo was a very handsome man , And seemed to be about thirty years of age , which together with the great rules which in few daies he made shew to have , and his civil and courteous carriage made many noble Citizens of Florence who had a great many daughters , and little money to offer him them in marriage . Among all whom Roderigo chose out a most beautifull Damsel called Honesta , the daughter of Amerigo Donati , who had likewise three sons and three other daughters almost marriagible , and though he was of a most noble family , and of very good account in Florence , yet in respect of the great Charge he had , and likewise of his nobilitie , he was indeed but poor . Roderigo kept a most magnificent and splendid marriage , nor did he spare of any cost which might make it compleat or equal to any other feasts of the like nature , being by the laws imposed upon him before his coming from hell to be subject to all humane passions ; and therefore soon after he began to take pleasure in the honour and pomp of the world , and to love to be praised amongst men , which was some cause of no small expence , but besides that he had not lived long with his wise Madam Honesta , but he fell in love with her beyond measure , nor could he live if at any time he saw her sad or displeased ; yet so much pride had she with her nobility brought to Roderigo's house , that Lucifer never had so much , and he who had proved that of both , thought this of his wife the greater . But still it increased more and more when she had found out the great love which her husband bore her , whereby she perceivd that she might every way rule over him , so that she doubted not only to command him , but to abuse him with villanous words and scolding language , which though it were an incredible trouble to Roderigo , yet neverthelesse the respect he had to his father in law his friends the tie of matrimony , but above all to the love he bore her made him endure it with patience . I shall omit the grand expense which he was forced to be at in clothing her after the new modes and fashions which abound in Florence , his being forced if he would be at peace with his wife to help to marry her other sisters which cost him no small summe of money , for after this he was constrained to gain quietnesse from her to send one of her brothers with cloth into the Levant , the other with silkes into the West , and to open a shop for the third in Florence , by which means he spent the greatest part of his fortunes . And moreover in the times of Cornevale and Midsommer when that City of Florence by ancient customes use to feast , and the noble Citizens treat one another with sumptuous Banquets , Madam Honesta not to be inferiour to other Ladies in those entertainments forced Roderigo to exceed all others in splendidnesse . Yet all these charges made not so great a hole in Roderigo's estate ; as what she spent on her lovers , when under pretence of going for devotion sake to visit some Nunnery she met them at private Conventicles , which though her husband as our women now when they go to Lectures was sensible of , yet would he have patiently endured this with the rest ; could he but have lived quietly at home , or that by these means he might have had libertie to have peaceably expected his ruine . But it fell out quite contrary , for notwithstanding his insupportable expences , her insolent nature still increased , and there was neither maid-servant not man who could endure the house long , whereby Roderigo's affairs went daily to rack by reason he could not keep any servant to look after them ; for those Devils who in the habit of servants came with him from hell , chose rather to return into the fire of hell then remain there under herimperious brawlings . Roderigo thus enduring this tumultuous and unquiet life had now spent the greatest part of his estate , and began to live upon the hopes of his returns from the East and West , but having good credit , and still resolving to live according to the port he had first maintained , he in the mean time took up money at interest , which made him begin to be noted as a person in a decaying condition , to hasten which on a sudden news came , that one of the brothers of Madam Honesta had played away all those goods with which he was intrusted , and that the other returning with a ship laden with goods without having ensured them , was with them himself drowned ; upon which news the Creditors of Roderigo judging him now gone ( though they could not yet discover it because their money was not yer due ) took counsell together , least he should take occasion to fly before the day of payment . On the other side , Roderige seeing his case now desperate , and knowing to what the infernal law bound him , thought by all means to fly , and one morning early mounting on horseback , and living nigh the meddow-gate , gets by it out of the City , but his Creditors having watchfull spies upon him , the news of his escape was immediatly brought to the Magistrates , who soon ordered the pursuit of him ; nor indeed did the Serjeants onely , but the whole City run after him ; so that he not being above a mile from the Town when this Rumour was raised , found himself in an ill case , & therefore resolved to leave the road & traverse the fields , but not being able by reason of the many ditches , to go on horseback , alighting , he ran cross the Vineyards till he came to the house of Iohn Matthews a Countrey-fellow , to whom he made known his condition , promising , that if he would save him from the hands of his enemies who pursued him to make him dye in prison , he would make him rich , and would before his departure give him such an account of the w●y , that if he did not like it he should deliver him into his enemies hands . John Mathews , though a country-man , was a stout fellow , and knowing he could not lose by the businesse was content to undertake it , and to that effect thrust him under a woodstack , which he had no sooner done but the pursuers arrived , but could neither by threats nor promises perswade Iohn Mathews to confesse he saw him , whereupon they passed forward , but not finding him neither that day nor the other , Returned to Florence . When all things being quieted John Mathewes takes Roderigo from under the stack , and requires him to perform his promise , to which Roderigo answered , Brother , thou hast obliged me very much , and I am resolved by all meanes to satisfie thee , and because thou shalt believ that I can do it , I le tell thee who I am . Here hee recounted who he was the laws he had to come out of hell , and the taking of his wife &c. And then told him that the way whereby he would make him Rich should in fumm bee this , That when he should hear that any woman was possest with an evil spirit , he should beleive that it was he that was within her , and assured him that he would never go out till he came to fetch him , whereby he might have occasion to make himself be paid as he pleased , and having made this conclusion he vanished . Nor were there many daies past , but there was spread abroad a Rumor throughout all Florence how a daughter of Mr. Ambrogio Amadei was possest with a Devil , nor were her parents wanting to use all those remedies which are commonly used in Italy in like cases , puting on her head the Cap of St. Zanoby and the mantle of St. Geo . Gualberto , all which things Roderigo laught at , but to make it clearly appear that it was a Devil , he disputed in latine and discovered the sins of many , among which he told of a Frier , who under a young Friers habit , had kept a wench four years in his Cell , In the mean time no remedy was found , till Iohn Mathewes hearing of it , proffered Mr. Ambrogio to cure his daughter for five hundred Florines which he willingly agreeing to give , Iohn Mathews causing several masses to be said to colour the busines , whispered to Roderigo that he was come , and that therefore he should be as good as his word , to which Roderigo answered that he was content , but that he was not yet enough to make him rich , and that therefore as he was gone out of her , he would enter into the King of Naples daughter where he might have what reward he pleased , and that then he should trouble him no more . Which words ended he went out of the maid , to the pleasure and admiration of all Florence , nor past their much time but the news was spread that the King of Naples daughter was possessed , and no remedy being found , Iohn Mathewes , whose fame was now abroad , was sent for , who being arrived , after some feigned ceremony cured her , but Roderigo before he parted out , told him , Thou seest ( saith hee ) that I have observed my promise in making thee rich , and therfore being disobliged in that , I am not bound to thee in any thing whatsoever , therefore be content to come no more before me , for if thou doest , as I have hitherto don thee good , so I will for the future do thee harm . Thus Iohn Mathews haveing finished his work at Naples , returned to Florence very rich ( for the King of Naples had given fifty thousand ducats ) thinking now to enjoy himself , and not dreaming that Roderigo meant to offend him , but those thoughts of his were soon disturbed by certain new's from Prance , that the Kings daughter there was possessed which extreamly perplexed Iohn Matthews both to thinke of the power of that King , and of the words which Roderigo had spoke him , but whilest he was thus perplexed ( no other remedy being found ) comes a messenger to desire him to come and cast the Devil our , to whom he feined himself sick and unable to go , whereupon the King sent Ambassadors to the senate who forced him much against his will , being therefore come to Paris , he first began to argue with the King , and ●●… ll him , That it was true that he had heretofore cured some who had been possessed with Devils , but it could not from thence be thought that he was to cure all , for that there were some Devils of so perverse a nature that they feared neither threats nor inchantments , nor any Religion , but however he would doe his duty , and if he could not prevail , desired excuse and Pardon , to which the King passionately answered , that if he did not doe it he would hang him , Iohn Mathewes was extreamly troubled at this , but however , putting on a a good heart , he caused the Kings daughter to be brought before him , and whispering in her ear , humbly recommends himself to Roderigo , remembring him of the benefit he had done him and telling of how much Ingratitude he would be example of , if he should abandon him in so great necessity . To which Roderigo answered , ah Villain , Traytor , how durst thou appear again before me , dost thinke to boast that thou art made Rich by my means , I 'le make thee and every one else know how to give and take away at pleasure , and therfore before thou goest from hence I le have thee hanged , Wherupon Iohn Mathews , not seeing other remedy at present , thought to try his fortune another way , and sending away the possessed , tels the King , that as he had said before there were some perverse divels whom nothing could prevaile with , and this was one of them , but however he would try a farther experience , which if it prevailed his Majestie had what he desired , if not , he should be at his mercy , which he hoped he would use with that compasion which his innocence deserved . In the mean time ( sai's he ) your Majestie shall erect a large theatre , capable to containe all your Barons , and the Clergy of this City , the theater shall be covered with cloth of Gold and silk , and in the midst of it an altar erected and on the Sunday morning your Majestie , with the Clergy , and all the Princes and Barons of your Realm , with Kingly Pomp and splendid and rich habiliments shall assemble upon it , haveing first celebrated a Solemn masse , shall cause your daughter to be brought , and moreover in one corner of the theatre shall be placed at least twenty persons with Trumpets , Hornes , Drums , Cornets , Symbals , and all manner of loud Musick which when I lift up my hat , shall , sounding those instruments , advance towards the Altar , which things together with some other secret Remedies will , I hope , dispossess the Devil , These things were punctually ordered according to his desire , and Sunday Morning being come , and the theatre fild with noble personages and the whole place with people , the masse being celebrated , the possessed was brought to the Altar , conducted by two Bishops , accompanied with many other persons of quality . But when Roderigo saw all this pomp and splendor , he began to reason with himself thus , what hath this foolish fellow thought to doe , doth he think to fright me with all this show : do's he not know that I am used to see the pomp of Heaven , and the Furies of hell ? but I shall chastise him . In the mean time Iohn Mathewes coming towards him , began again to pray him that he should depart ; oh ( sai's he ) you have found out a fine invention , what dost think to do with all this foppery , dost think by this to escape my power , or the Kings anger ? no , I le have thee surely hang'd , and thus one praying , and the other still denying , Iohn Matthews thought fit not to loose any more time , lifting up his hat , the loud Musick advanced sounding , at which sudden noise Roderigo amazed , demanded what the meaning of it was , to which Iohn Matthews replied , my Roderigo , t is thy wife who is coming to find thee out here . T was beyond belief to think how much Roderigo was moved to hear his wife named , but so much it was , that not standing to think whether it was possible or not that she should be there , without replying any thing , in a great fright he immediately fled away , leaving the Kings daughter dispossessed , and chose rather to return to Hell , there to give an account of his actions , then again with so many disasters and discontents undergoe the matrimonial yoak . And thus Belfagor returned to Hell to give account how much mischief a wife breeds in a house , and Iohn Matthews who knew more then the Devil went merrily home .