_Madame_ Isabella, _delighting in the company of her affectedFriend, named_ Lionello, _and she being likewise beloved by_ SigniorLambertuccio: _At the same time as shee had entertained_ Lionello,_shee was also visited by_ Lambertuccio. _Her Husband returning home inthe very instant: shee caused_ Lambertuccio _to run forth with a drawnesword in his hand, and (by that meanes) made an excuse sufficient for_Lionello _to her husband._
The Sixth Novell.
_Wherein is manifestly discerned, that if Love be driven to a narrowstraite in any of his attempts, yet hee can accomplish his purpose bysome other supply._
Wondrously pleasing to all the company, was the reported Novell ofMadame _Fiammetta_, every one applauding the Womans wisedome, and thatshe had done no more, then as the jealous foole her husband justlydeserved. But shee having ended, the King gave order unto Madame_Pampinea_, that now it was her turne to speake, whereupon, thus shebegan. There are no meane store of people who say (though very falseand foolishly,) that Love maketh many to be out of their wits, and thatsuch as fall in Love, do utterly loose their understanding. To meethis appeareth a very ydle opinion, as already hath beene approved bythe related discourses, and shall also bee made manifest by another ofmine owne.
In our City of _Florence_, famous for some good, though as manybad qualities, there dwelt (not long since) a Gentlewoman, enduedwith choice beauty and admirable perfections, being wife to Signior_Beltramo_, a very valiant Knight, and a man of great possessions. Asoftentimes it commeth to passe, that a man cannot alwayes feede onone kind of bread, but his appetite will be longing after change: sofared it with this Lady, named _Isabella_, she being not satisfiedwith the delights of her Husband; grew enamoured of a young Gentleman,called _Lionello_, compleate of person and commendable qualities,albeit not of the fairest fortunes, yet his affection every waysutable to hers. And full well you know (faire Ladies) that where themindes irreciprocally accorded, no dilligence wanteth for the desiresexecution: so this amorous couple, made many solemne protestations,untill they should bee friended by opportunity.
It fortuned in the time of their hopefull expectation a Knight, namedSignior _Lambertuccio_, fell likewise in love with _Isabella_: butbecause he was somewhat unsightly of person, and utterly unpleasingin the eye, she grew regardlesse of his frequent solicitings, andwould not accept either tokens, or letters. Which when hee saw, (beingvery rich and of great power) hee sought to compasse his intent bya contrary course, threatning her with scandall and disgrace to herreputation, and with his associates to bandie against her best friends.She knowing what manner of man he was, and how able to abuse any withinfamous imputations, wisely returned him hopefull promises, thoughnever meaning to performe any, but onely (Lady-like) to flatter andfoole him therewith.
Some few miles distant from _Florence, Beltramo_ had a Castle ofpleasure, and there his Lady _Isabella_ used to live all Summer, asall other doe the like, being so possessed. On a day, _Beltramo_ beingridden from home, and she having sent for _Lionello_, to take theadvantage of her Husbands absence; accordingly he went, not doubtingbut to winne what he had long expected. Signior _Lambertuccio_ on theother side, meeting _Beltramo_ riding from his Castle, and _Isabella_now fit to enjoy his company: gallops thither with all possible speede,because hee would bee no longer delayed. Scarcely was _Lionello_entred the Castle, and receiving directions by the waiting woman, toher Ladies Chamber: but _Lambertuccio_ gallopped in at the Gate, whichthe woman perceiving, ranne presently and acquainted her Lady with thecomming of _Lambertuccio_.
Now was shee the onely sorrowfull woman of the world; for nothing wasnow to bee feared, but stormes and tempests, because _Lambertuccio_,spake no other, then Lightning and Thunder, and _Lionello_, (being nolesse affraide then shee) by her perswasion crept behind the bed,where he hid himselfe very contentedly. By this time _Lambertuccio_ wasdismounted from his Courser, which he fastened (by the bridle) to aring in the wall, and then the waiting woman came to him, to guide himto her Lady and Mistresse: who stood ready at the staires head, gracedhim with a very acceptable welcome, yet marvelling much at his sosodaine comming. Lady (quoth he) I met your Husband upon the way, whichgranting mine accesse to see you; I come to claime your long delayedpromise, the time being now so favourable for it.
Before he had uttered halfe these words, _Beltramo_, having forgotan especiall evidence in his Study, which was the onely occasion ofhis journey, came gallopping backe againe into the Castell Court,and seeing such a goodly Gelding stand fastened there, could notredily imagine who was the owner thereof. The waiting woman, uponthe sight of her Masters entring into the Court, came to her Lady,saying: My Master _Beltramo_ is returned backe, newly alighted, and(questionlesse) comming up the staires. Now was our Lady _Isabella_,ten times worse affrighted then before, (having two severall amouroussuters in her house, both hoping, neither speeding, yet her creditelying at the stake for either) by this unexpected returne of herHusband. Moreover, there was no possible meanes, for the concealing ofSignior _Lambertuccio_, because his Gelding stood in the open Court,and therefore made a shrewde presumption against her, upon the leastdoubtfull question urged.
Neverthelesse, as womens wits are alwayes best upon sudden constraints,looking forth of her window, and espying her Husband preparing to comeup: she threw her selfe on her day Couch, speaking thus (earnestly)to _Lambertuccio_. Sir, if ever you loved mee, and would have mefaithfully to beleeve it, by the instant safety both of your ownehonour, and my life, doe but as I advise you. Forth draw your Sword,and, with a stearne countenance, threatning death and destruction: rundowne the staires, and when you are beneath, say. I sweare by my bestfortunes, although I misse of thee now heere, yet I will be sure tofinde thee some where else. And if my Husband offer to stay you, ormoove any question to you: make no other answere, but what you formerlyspake in fury. Beside, so soone as you are mounted on horsebacke,have no further conference with him, upon any occasion whatsoever; toprevent all suspition in him, of our future intendments.
_Lambertuccio_ sware many terrible oathes, to observe her directionsin every part, and having drawne forth his Sword, grasping it naked inhis hand, and setting worse lookes one the businesse, then ever naturegave him, because he had spent so much labour in vaine; he failed notin a jot of the Ladies injunction. _Beltramo_ having commanded hishorse to safe custody, and meeting _Lambertuccio_ discending downe thestaires, so armed, swearing, and most extreamely storming, wondringextraordinarily as his threatning words, made offer to imbrace him,and understand the reason of his distemper. _Lambertuccio_ repulsinghim rudely, and setting foote in the stirrup, mounted on his Gelding,and spake nothing else but this. I sweare by the fairest of all myfortunes, although I misse of thee heere: yet I will be sure to findthee some where else, and so he gallopped mainely away.
When _Beltramo_ was come up into his wives Chamber, hee found her castdowne upon her Couch, weeping, full of feare, and greatly discomforted;wherefore he said unto her, What is hee that Signior _Lambertuccio_is so extreamely offended withall, and threatneth in such implacablemanner? The Lady arising from her Couch, and going neere to the Beds,because _Lionello_ might the better heare her; returned her Husbandthis answere. Husband (quoth she) never was I so dreadfully affrightedtill now; for, a young Gentleman, of whence, or what he is, I knownot, came running into our Castle for rescue, being pursued by Signior_Lambertuccio_; with a weapon ready drawne in his hand. Ascending upour stayres, by what fortune, I know not, he found my chamber doorestanding open, finding me also working on my Sampler, and in wonderfullfeare and trembling.
Good Madame (quoth hee) for Gods sake helpe to save my life, or elseI shall be slaine heere in your Chamber. Hearing his pittious cry,and compassionating his desperate case; I arose from my worke, andin my demaunding of whence, and what he was, that durst presume soboldly into my bed-chamber: presently came up Signior _Lambertuccio_also, in the same uncivill sorte, as before I tolde you, swaggeringand swearing, where is this traiterous villaine? Heereupon, I stept(somewhat stoutly) to my Chamber doore, an
d as hee offered to enter,with a womans courage I resisted him, which made him so much enragedagainst mee, that when hee saw mee to debarre his entrance; after manyterrible and vile oathes and vowes, hee ranne downe the stayres againe,in such like manner as you chaunced to meete him.
Now trust mee deare wife (said _Beltramo_) you behaved your selfe verywell and worthily: for, it would have beene a most notorious scandallto us, if a man should bee slaine in your bed-chamber: and Signior_Lambertuccio_ carryed himselfe most dishonestly, to pursue any man sooutragiously, having taken my Castle as his Sanctuary. But alas wife,what is become of the poore affrighted Gentleman? Introth Sir (quothshe) I know not, but (somewhere or other) heereabout hee is hidden.Where art thou honest friend? said plaine meaning _Beltramo_; Comeforth and feare not, for thine enemy is gone.
_Lionello_, who had heard all the fore-passed discourse, which shee haddelivered to her Husband _Beltramo_, came creeping forth amazedly (asone now very fearefully affrighted indeede) from under the further sideof the bedde, and _Beltramo_ saide to him, What a quarrell was this,between thee and furious _Lambertuccio_? Not any at all Sir, replyed_Lionello_, to my knowledge, which verily perswadeth me; that eitherhe is not well in his wits, or else he mistaketh me for some other;because, so soone as he saw me on the way, somewhat neere to this yourCastle, he drew forth his Sword, and swearing an horrible oath, said.Traitor thou art a dead man. Upon these rough words, I stayed not toquestion the occasion of mine offending him: but fled from him so fastas possibly I could; but confesse my selfe (indeede) over-bold, bypresuming into your Ladies bed chamber, which yet (equalled with hermercie) hath bin the onely meanes at this time, of saving my life.
She hath done like a good Lady, answered _Beltramo_, and I do veriemuch commend her for it. But, recollect thy dismayed spirits together,for I will see thee safely secured hence, afterward, looke to thyselfe so well as thou canst. Dinner being immediately made ready,and they having merrily feasted together: he bestowed a good Geldingon _Lionello_, and rode along with him to _Florence_, where he lefthim quietly in his owne lodging. The selfe-same Evening (accordingas _Isabella_ had given enstruction) _Lionello_ conferred with_Lambertuccio_: and such an agreement passed betweene them, that thoughsome rough speeches were noised abroad, to set the better colour onthe businesse; yet al matters were so cleanly carried, that _Beltramo_never knew this queint deceitfull policy of his Wife.