¶ THE DISORDERED life, of Bianca Maria, countesse of Celaunt, in forme of her complainte, suppo­sed at the houre of her beheading, for procu­ring the murder of Ardissino Val­perga Earle of Massino.

¶ An Inuectiue written by Ro­berto Sanseuerino, Earle of Giazzo, against Bianca Maria, Coun­tesse of Celant.

The Countesse of Zeland, continueth in her complaint.

The Argument, for Cres­sids complaint.

THE inconstancie of Cressid, is so readie in euery mans mouth, as it is a needelesse labour, to blase at full her a­buse towardes yong Troilus, her frowning on Syr Diomede, her wanton lures and loue, neuerthelesse, her companie scorned, of thousandes sometimes sought, her beggerie after brauerie, her lothsome leprosie, after liuely beautie, her wretched age, after wanton youth, and her perpetuall infa­mie, after violent death, are worthy notes (for others heede) to be remembred. And for as much as Cressids heires in eue­ry corner liue, yea more cunning then Cressid her selfe, in wanton exercises, toyes, and inticements: to forewarne all men of such filthes, to persuade the infected, to fall from their follies, & to rayse a feare in dames vntainted to offend, I haue reported the subtile sleites, the leaud life, and euill fortunes of a Courtisane, in Cressid: name, whom you may suppose, in tattered weedes, halfe hungerstarued, miserably arrayde, with scabs, leprosie, and mayngie, to complaine as followeth.

Cressids complaint.

The Argument, for the discourse of Rinaldo and Giletta.

GOod Reader (to continue thy delight) I haue made chaunge of thy exercise of reading bad verse, with the proffer of worsser prose: requesting (as earst I haue) that thou wilt vouchsafe my well meaning, and mend what thou sindest amisse. This discourse was first written in Italian by an vnknowne authour, the argument of whose woorke in­sueth. Rinaldo masking with faire Giletta (at her brothers marriage) was so straungly surprised with the loue of her, that necessitie inforst him to discouer his sorrowes: Giletta sufficiently persuaded of his constancie (after long suite by Rinaldo made) was in the end contented to loue: After these two (secretely) had thus assured them selues, Rinaldo fel sicke, in whose absence one Seigner Frizaldo ▪ (by her parentes con­sent) was an earnest suter to Giletta ▪ who (inferring on the fa­miliaritie, betweene Rinaldo and Giletta) became iealous, to quench whose mistrust, Giletta (for feare of her friendes dis­pleasure) wa [...] forst to make a shewe of good will towardes Frizaldo, whome she loued not, and to hate Rinaldo, whome she liked as hir life. Rinaldo (vnacquainted with his maistresse meaning) by the peruerse practises of Frizaldo, was driuen in­to despaire, in so muche as he leapt into the riuer of [...], of purpose to drowne himselfe: But wearie of this enterprise, (labouring for life) he recouered the shoare: afterwards was knowne vnto Giletta, and hauing notice of Frizaldos treche­rie, he slue him in a combat, and after, with the consent of her friendes, married Giletta.

The storie at large.

IN Italie (neare to the riuer of Poo) there dwelled a noble man of great reputation, called the Lord de Bologna, who (besides his speciall credite▪ with his Prince, his destered companie: among the noble men, his vncontrouled sway, both in court and countrie: the great possessions, inheritaun­ces, reuenues, annuities, and other commodities he had, [Page 24] to maintaine his honourable calling, to worke his chiefest comfort) had by the Lady Katherine his wife, a toward yong Gentleman, to his sonne called Petro de Bologna, and also a daughter whose name was Giletta, at that time vnmatcht, both for vertue, beautie, and shape.

Petro de Bologna, hauing ouerrun ninetene or twentie yeares (still ouerlookt with the counselling eyes of his natu­rall parents assured friends, and carefull tutors) became not now only desierous of more libertie, but wonne with the in­tising pleasure of the Court, and finding in him self sufficient cause of desart, he bent him selfe wholy to professe the exerci­ses of a perfect courtier, where in in short time, he so greatly profited, as that he was reputed to be one of the gallantest Gentlemen in all Italie. Petro de Bologna (attaining this estimation) liued awhile vnwitcht, with the alluring beau­ties of braue Ladies, yet on the souden, subiected with the sight of fayre Iuliet (a noble mans daughter of the sayd coun­trie) & ioyning her excellēt shape, with y^e report of her match­lesse vertue, he foorthwith transformed his late liking, vnto such faythful loue, as secretly he vowed, that neyther change nor chaunce, should (whiles life lasted) remoue his affection, and to make his thraldome knowne, by continuall seruice, he craued reward. Maistresse Iuliet finding his wordes▪ in wor­kes, & perceiuing by the oftē alteratiō of his colour, what hu­mour most of all fead him (ioyning the assured knowledge of his loyall loue, with other his desarts) presently in thought she gaue consent to loue, so that afterward she vsed towardes Petro de Bologna, what honest courtesie she coulde. The newes of this loue, was so [...]denly spread throughout y^e whole Court, and in the end it came vnto their parents eares, who waying the equalitie of the matche, gaue willingly consent, vnto that, these two louers most desiered. And to exile all iea­lous mistrust that lingring might bréede, the marriage day was in great haste appointed.

To honour which, a worlde of people resorted vnto the Lord de Bolognas castle. For the intertainment of whiche guestes, there neither wanted costly cheare, curious shewes, [Page 25] or pleasaunt deuises, that eyther money, friendship, or cun­ning might compasse. And to be short, diuers Gentlemen that were the bridegromes companions (the more to honour the marriage) presented him one night with a maske, so curi­ously set foorth, as it yealded a singular delight, vnto all the beholders. Amōg the which maskers, ther was one Roberto Rinaldo (a Gentleman of better qualities and shape, then ei­ther of byrth or liuing) made choice to maske maistresse Gi­letta, the bridegromes sister. But on the souden he was so surprised, with her passing beautie, as he fared as one, whose senses, had forgone their dutifull office, he ofte forgot to vse due reuerenc [...] vnto his maistresse. Sometimes he masked without measure, and many times when the rest presented their Ladies with voluntarie prattle, he vsed silence. Thus continually visited with passionate fits (of the beholders marked, of his maistresse misliked:) time in the ende, forced him and the rest from dauncing, whiche done, the maskers were inuited vnto a costly banquet, who (marching with their La­dies) with manly force encountred with many a monster, whose grose bodies, were trāsformed into a sugred substance. The maskers nowe (on easie request) did off their visardes, as wel to make them selues knowne vnto their maistresses, to manifest their zeale towardes the Lorde of the house, the bridegrome and his faire bride, as to shew their desire, to de­light the whole companie. Rinaldo (greatly ashamed of his disordered masking) with blushing chéekes oftentimes, very earnestly behelde faire Giletta, Maistresse▪ Giletta seeing him in these passions, and knowing his wonted audacitie, was as­sured somewhat was amisse with him, so that to be better acquainted with his malladie, with a prettie smyle she vsed these speaches.

Quoth she: Friend Rinaldo, I suppose your visard did you great wrong this night, for that by your vnperfect sight, you mistooke your choice, so that wroth with your fortunes, or an­grie with poore Giletta, she hath noted a number of souden alterations in you, but if eyther be the cause, remoue your choler, and comfort your selfe, that you tempered your toung [Page 26] so well, as she knoweth none of your secretes.

Rinaldo glad of this opportunitie, answered: My souereine maistresse, in very déede, I greatly mistooke my chocie: For wheras I had thought and determined, to haue made it so in different, as I might haue vsed my tong at will and plea­sure, I confesse it fel out so vnegal, as I (forst) must yeald vn­worthy to be your slaue, so that musing on this mistaking, I not only masked mute, but I forgot to present you with my willing seruice. Rinaldo being newely entered into his an­swere, the Reuels broke vp, and euery man went vnto his rest, so that he was forced to discontinue his suite, and bid his maistresse fare well: which reuerently done, he foorthwith went into his chamber, and so to bed, but his sleepe he diuided on those, whose heades were frée from fancies: For he (God wot) one while, matching his base estate with her highe cal­ling, sawe an impossibilitie of fauour. Anone, ioyning her cur­teous disposition with the force of loue, was fed with slender hope Thus hanging betwene hap & harme, the more he striued, the more he was measht, in the nextes of restlesse fancie: but in the end, resolued to prosecute his suit, he soudenly caused his man to light a candle, and then to pro [...]er his seruice▪ to paint his sorrowes, and to vse excuse for his late silence, he inuented these verses following.

This little leasure, together with the disquietnesse of mynde (as appeareth by the plainenesse of this inuention) wrought an alteration in Rinaldos muse, yet for that his de­uise, somewhat answered his owne estate, he was content to present it to maistresse Giletta, and perseuering in the sayde purpose, the next morning he clothed him selfe in russet sat­ten, garded with blacke veluet, whiche witnessed he did both hope, and dread: he thus appointed (chusing a place of moste aduauntage) willingly lost these verses. Giletta by this eue­ning fare well, looking for such a morning welcome, was the first that found them, who soudenly withdrewe her self, with earnest desire, effectually to peruse Rinaldos deuise. Which done, one while she scorned his base estate, and straight she was contented of Rinaldo to be beloued: so that (her mynde [Page 28] distempered with the contrarietie of fancies) neyther angrie nor well pleased, she wrote this following answere.

This letter so soone as Giletta had surely sealed, she pre­sented her selfe in the great chamber: Rinaldo (delighted in nothing so muche, as in the sight of his maistresse) with the first saluted her. Maistresse Giletta, courteously (as she did the rest) acquited him, dissembling as then, her knowledge of his verses, but notwithstanding this carelesse shewe, her mynde was combred with a thousand contrarie fancies, one while she mistrusted the inuention to be his owne deuise, an other while she feared to deliuer her answere: nowe she lo­ued, straight she scorned, and yet in her greatest disliking, she liked to looke on Rinaldo, and as it is the nature of louers (subiect to a thousand distresses) to search all meanes to be as­sured of their choyces loyaltie, so here maistresse Giletta (newly entered into that profession) by the often beholding of Ri­naldo, and marking the colour in his apparell, tooke occasion vnder the colour of a pleasant request, to be acquainted (per­haps) with his inward disposition, in so much, when as other Ladies, charged such as they thought well of, with seruice, Quoth she, for that I know (maister Rinaldo) you are a very [Page 29] good Poet, I inioyne you without further studie, to shewe in vearse, to what ende you weare blacke vpon russet: quoth Rinaldo (willing to obey this iniunction) deare Lady, altho­ugh my sight in Poetrie be but small, yet will I (to satisfie your request,) supply my inabilitie of skill, with the abilitie of good will: and to execute the same, he called for pen, ynke, and paper, in the presence of a number, writing as followeth.

These verses were reasonably liked, both for that they were done of the souden, and that they somewhat answered [Page 30] the demaunde, and yet this proffered loue to Giletta, bred no suspicion, for that euery one thought, Rinaldo on so good oc­casion, could not otherwise choose, but proffer some shewe of louing seruice: After many had thus cōmended y^e redinesse of Rinaldos wit, by profe of this inuention, at the length (quoth Giletta halfe smyling) maister Rinaldo, you haue clearkly answered my question, and nowe knowing your cunning, I may haply set you a worke in matters of more importance. Rinaldo (glad of this commendation) made answere, her causes could neuer wearie him, for that he had both left his own, and al other businesse, of purpose, to do her seruice. The musicke now (a while) commaunded them from prattle, and the gallants addressed thē selues to dauncing, where Rinal­do, to make amendes for his other nights negligence, reque­sted to leade maistresse Giletta the measures. Giletta, al­though at the first made the matter coy, yet won by impor­tancie, accepted his courtesie. Rinaldo somewhat incouraged by hope, bestowed him selfe to the best liking he could, and (to report the truth) with the perfection of Arte, he made full sa­tisfaction for his former disorder. The dauncers nowe wea­ried with heate, applied thēselues vnto more cooler pastimes, and Rinaldo and Giletta went to take the ayre at a medowe, where Giletta to bewray her knowledge of his verses, vsed these speaches.

In good fayth (although against my will) I sée it is my for­tune to be acquainted with your secretes, so that before mi­strusting, that I am most assured of, by your passionate ver­ses which (by fortune) I perceiue, that the late mistaking of your loue inraged you, yet for that they appertaine not vnto me, and that ye shall remoue your anger from me (if you wil stay my returne) I will fetch them, and make restitution, as­suring you, that I neyther haue, nor will, reueale the know­ledge of them to any aliue. To stay her departure quoth Rinaldo (softly distrayning her hand) since my fortunes were so euill to lose them, for that séeing an inpossibilitie of hap, I would haue concealed my harme, I am glad my fortune is so good, that they light into her handes, to whome in right they be­long, [Page 31] vnto whose power (with vowe of continuall seruice) I subiect my life, liuing, & libertie. Maistresse Giletta raking vp her conceiued loue, in the ashes of secrecie, thus answered: If I were so simple to be bewitcht with shadowes, your in­tising words, might no doubt worke spoyle of myne honour. In the chiefest hope of my wel doing, quoth Rinaldo, (distur­bing her tale) you haue truly described my present condition: for being reft of heart the only stay of life, and dying through despaire, I am in no better state then a shadow. Well quoth Giletta, since your wit serues you to flourish on euery worde figuratiuely spoken, I will deliuer the rest of my minde in more plaine speaches. First I must confesse, my inabilitie, and vnworthinesse, to entertaine such a seruant: then graunt your wisdome to be such, that you will not bestowe your able seruice, but where you sée sufficient abilitie, for your well de­seruing zeale to haue deserued hyre. Nowe to your verses I thus muche conceiue, that to colour that, your owne colour bewrayes, I meane your loue else where bestowed, for that I (vnhappily) ministred some speaches of mistrust, to dymme mine eyes with a vaine flourish, til time fits your better for­tunes, you vse this fonde profession of loue. Thus much I ga­ther both by your wordes, and workes, and thus much I had thought to haue deliuered in, in embassage, vnto this teltale paper, (making shew of the letter she had written) but knowing (quoth she) letters to be very blabs, I am glad opportuni­tie so serues, that I may deliuer in wordes, both what I thinke of you and your suite, with this she put vp her letter againe, I thinke for that she woulde not discomfort Rinaldo with the sharpnesse thereof, who faine would haue fingered the same, onely to haue bestowed his skill in answere: but to shew his able force to incounter her in wordes, in déed quoth he, letters are but to be vsed in necessitie, & yet where griefs can not otherwise be vttered, necessarie instruments. But I find this benefit in my bondage, y^t if I were both bard of tong and pen, my flaming sighes, my frosen teares, my wan lookes, and withered fleshe, would witnesse with what deuotion I serued: which zeale through my chaunging colour by you no­ted, [Page 32] I not a litle ioyed, and I no lesse sorrowed, you would not take notice, to what Saint I vsed this deuotion, when as Ri­naldo calleth heauen and earth to witnesse, that neyther beautie, brauerie, or any other inticement ioyned with the credite, of the greatest Lady in all Italie, coulde subiect his libertie, til Gilettas vertue, matcht with matchlesse beautie, reacht the pitch that stoupt his moūting thoughts, to whom, and for whom he vseth this suite, and suffreth these sorowes. Giletta séeing the continuance of his vehemencie, was preti­ly well persuaded of his loyaltie, in so muche as after a num­ber of other proffers and defences, in hope (quoth she) of your readie dutie, I admit you my seruant, with promise to mea­sure your rewarde beyond desart. Rinaldo glad of this con­quest, after double vowe of faythfulnesse, reuerently kissed his maistresse hand, and for that time committed her, a Dio.

I will nowe ouerleape, what a number of sowre and swéete thoughtes fead these vnfained louers, one while they were distempered with dread: anon quieted with hope: now desierous with secrete vowe to warrant eache other loue: straight hindered by some vnfortunate accident, still meashed in the snares of miserie, till time that eyther (with out condi­tion) might gage the other loyaltie, fayth, and constancie, pro­uided this wished opportunitie, which was: On a day y^e Lord Sonsago, father to the late rehearsed bride, to perfect the glory of the sayde marriage, inuited the Lorde of Bologna, and his sonne in law, with other of their friendes, and allies, vnto his castle, at whiche place Rinaldo with the rest of the ruffling youth, on smal warning, & lesse bidding, as ordinarie visitors of such pastimes, presented them selues. The dinner solemnly ended, euery one was addrest vnto y^e sport most a­gréeable to his or their fancie, some fell to dauncing, some to putting of purposes, & such volūtarie prattle. But Rinaldo and his Giletta, otherwise affected, then to listen to those cou­terfet contentmēts, (to find opportunitie to discourse of more serious matters) with a chosen companie conueyed them sel­ues, vnto one end of the great chamber, where Rinaldo, to passe the time, in reporting the straunge effects of loue (play­ing [Page 33] on a Lute) soung the following inuention.

These Uerses although they were in number few, yet the swéetnes of the tune, together with the rarenes of the inuen­tion, running altogether vppon contraries, made them to be singularly well liked, especially of mystresse Giletta, who could now no longer dissemble her loue: In somuch as to fur­ther occasion of knowledge, shée requested of her seruaunt, to haue a coppie of the said Uerses. Rinaldo of nothing more desirous, then with courtesie and seruice, to present his my­stresse, hauing this Sonet already faire written, first satis­fied her request, with the deliuery thereof, and next solicited his owne sorrowes, with these persuading wordes.

My good mystresse, I am glad (quoth hee) your eare was so ready, to heare my straunge estate discoursed, as that your [Page 34] heart consenteth (in perusing this worthlesse Sonet) to con­tinue in your remembraunce my sower passions, neuer ap­peased, though sometimes comforted with the swéete effects of hope. So that if it please you to note the sequele of my life, you shal easily sée y^e subiection of my libertie, which knowne, I no otherwise conceiue of your courteous disposition, but so often as you reade my crauing woords, seing them confirmed in works, so oftē you wil be ready to perfect my vnsure hope, with assured hap: I meane, bestowe your loue on him, who were it not to do you seruice, would through the extremitie of loue, rather wish to die then liue. My good seruaunt (quoth Giletta) I thinke your cure stands not vppon such necessitie, but reason in time may qualifie your raging fire, and wyse­dome warme your frosen feares, or at the least wise warne you frō such vntemperate affections. O, no (quoth Rinaldo) time hath made both extréemes more extréeme, for when as reason would haue quenched, my burning loue, with the thought of my vnwoorthines, the remembraunce of your worthines, made my heate more feruent: when hope would haue warmed my frosen doubtes with the knowledge of your great pitie and compassion, the consideration of my base desert, streight made my cold more cruell: So that intertay­ning time with these thoughtes, time hath brought both ex­tremities, now to such a mischiefe, that necessitie (perforce) commaundes mée to séeke qualification at your handes, in whose good will, the termperature consisteth.

I thinke (quoth Giletta) my milde disposition, in very déede, makes you a great deale more desirous, yea your knowledge of my inward lyking by my outward lookes discouered, ma­kes you so earnest a suter: But if I were persuaded your loue to be as great in zeale, as in showe, yet for that I know not whether it tends to honestie or my dishonour, I can hardly aunsweare your sute, if any way, with the spoile of my good name, you seeke to féede some foule affectiō, your loue I loth, and so you sue in vaine. O my swéete mystresse (quoth Rinal­do) your words at one instant haue ioynde two cōtraries, in such mortall fight, as to whom the victorie will incline, is as [Page 35] yet doubtful, I meane hope and despaire: for I earnestly be­holding your lokes, when as you said, they shewde you loued, in very déede to my iudgement I sawe in them the very I­mage of loue: therewithall (quoth I) to my selfe: Loue cannot hate the welwillers of loue. But as I was continuing this fan­cie, with the continuaunce of other your comfortable spea­ches, on the soudaine, an Yf, distrusting my loyaltie, cleane altered the case: For trust mée (swete mystresse) my faithful loue, vnspotted with villanous desire, when you vsed those speaches, streight murmured at your suspicion, yea dread still persuades mée, your ouer often mistrust, will hinder the acquitall of my deserte, and yet hope destrous of victory, wills mée not to bée discomforted thorough your wise misdoubte, least silence in mée, should woorke in you a greater suspicion: wherefore before God and you, I protest with my heart, yea if you please, to vse the world for after witnes, I wil sweare vnto you all, I neuer had the thought, that tended vnto your dishonour: then dashe (good Lady) this hard condition of foule desire, from out the other couenaunts of loue, and take my vow of faithfulnes, for the warrantyse of my honest and true intent. Sutes must haue an end, & sorrowes a salue, ei­ther by the benefite of fortune, or violence of death: For I, thorough the extremitie of sorrow, being now brought to the exigent of desperation, am forst to sue vnto you for attone­ment, presenting vnto mee in this case, both the image of good fortune and death: of good fortune if you loue, where you are loued: of death, if you hate where you are honoured. Suffi­cient triall you haue had of my loyaltie. Since so (good Lady) say yea, or no: either answere wil worke appeasement of my sorrowes, the one with death, the other with delighte. Soft (quoth Giletta) haste makes waste, your Haruest is yet in grasse, you may very well stay for aunsweare. These words with a smyling countenaunce deliuered, shée forced to de­parte, yet not in such hast, but that Rinaldo had leysure y­noughe to rob her of a kisse, which fed him with such a swéete conceite, as that hee was persuaded, with the assault of im­portunancie, on y^e next aduenture to conquer her straungnes [Page 36] and attaine good will, so that to lay his siedge with the better aduauntage, to her doubtfull woordes hee thus replied.

[Page 37]These verses were written in hast, & presented in as much haste, such was Rinaldos hastie desire a fresh to followe his sute: and yet not so hastie, as of Giletta hartily wished, the heate of eithers loue, for eithers sight so hastily thyrsted. But now to cut off ciccumstances, Rinaldo, vppon this new onset, charged his maistres with such vehement persuasiōs, as her nicenesse was of no force to make further defence, in so much, vppon a modest occasion, shée yelded to loue. This swéete consent by Giletta pronounced, with soudaine ioy so spoiled Rinaldoes senses, as for a time, hée fared like one in an extasie. But so soone as this fit was ouerblowne (quoth he.) Rinaldo how bountifully hath Fortune dealt with thee? How blessed is thy estate? canst thou tell? O, noe. Thy ioyes so hugely flow, as the least of a thousand comforts, thou canst not vtter. And could good Giletta so much tēder thy distresse? Could shée brooke Rinaldoes pouertie? And could shée loue the wight vnworthie to be her slaue? Her selfe said, yea: Then (as homage of his saued life) most worthie mistresse, of thy vnworthie seruaunt, receiue, with vowe of continuaunce, Faith, honour, loue, and seruice. I craue no more saue faith­full loue (quoth Giletta.) Giletta herselfe, in discharge of her duetie, will vse towards her Rinaldo, honour and obedience. Whom if shée finde constante, let fortune doe her worst, shée hath her contentment, and yet my good Rinaldo (quoth shee) foresight is the onely instrument of quietnes. I knowe my father & other friends, if they knewe of our loue, with stor­mes of displeasure, would hinder the accomplishment of our desires, if whose good will by any meanes, may be wonne, the execution of our ioyes, I meane our mariage day is well de­layed, but if they nill consent, happ wel, happ ill, Giletta sub­mittes her selfe to Rinaldoes good will. My good maistresse (quoth hée) your poore seruaunt (full satisfied for his harde fortunes fore past, as also to come) subiectes himself to your wise consideration: Yea, Rinaldo wil not in one iot, contra­ry Gilettas direction, althoughe hée purchase death with the executiō of her pleasure. Wel quoth Giletta, let time worke her will, yet liue thou Rinaldo assured of thy Gilettas loue, [Page 38] who likewise liueth in hope of thine: But in hope swéete mystresse (quoth Rinaldo) there is no hope withoute mi­struste, and causelesse mistrust woorketh two iniuries: The one in distempering the mistrusters minde, the other in suspecting the well meaninge friend. But the offence to­wardes mee I fréely pardon, so that thou wilte (to woorke thine owne quietnesse) take knowledge, how that my heart is close prisoner in thy breast, which maye not be remoued without thy consente. And for that wée must attende time, for the perfection of oure ioyes, to intertaine time withoute distruste of loyaltie, Deare Lady, of thy poore seruaunte, vouchsafe to take this Diamond, whose poesie is: I will not false my faith: Protestinge before the hyest, to accomplish those woordes in woorkes. Giletta willingly receyuinge this ring, in this sort acquited him: My good Rinaldo (quoth shée) I gratefully accept your gift, and that in absence, you may both thinke of mée, and your vowe, for my sake weare you this Iewell, wherein is written: Fortune may hinder my loue, yet none but death shall breake my vowe. These two louers hauing by secrete othe, thus warranted eche o­thers loue, least their ouerlonge talke, mighte breede suspi­cion, now conueyed themselues into the thickest of the com­pany, where after they had a while shewed themselues, Ri­naldo in respecte of his late conqueste, had the ordinarye pleasures, the which hée sawe in skorne. In somuch that to perfecte his contentemente with swéete imaginations, hée conuayed himselfe into his chamber: where, in praise of his good mystresse, and triumphe of his Fortunes, hée wrote as followeth.

These Uerses although they were too affectionately writ­ten, yet for two causes they were of Giletta very well ly­ked: the one was thoroughe the humour, wherewith moste women are infected, desirous to be praised: the other for that Rinaldo was the man that had soe highlye commended her, whom shée wished to be as farre ouerséene, in affection, as in his inuention: & although she acquited not his paines, with her penne, yet with other courtesies shée sufficiently wrought his contentment. In this sort, in absence, with letters, in presence, with lokes, signes, and louing gréetings, now & then, with a stollen kisse interioyned, for a space these louers, y^e one the other delighted. But (oh) I sighe to report, how soudainly fortune threatened the spoile of their desires, yea whē they thought themselues of her fauor most assured, [Page 40] such are the chaunges & chaunces of loue. But sith her thret­ning (after a number of griefes by these two louers suffered) tourned into grace: with more willingnes, I enter into dis­course of their sorrowes as followeth.

Rinaldo (vnhappily) matched with an ague, through the extremitie of his malladie, was forst to kéepe his chamber, so that by this accident exiled from the sight of his faire mai­stresse, the furie of his feuer was no sooner ouerpaste, but streight hée was charged with feareful fancies,Passing loue the cause of ielousie. continually dreading how that his absence would turne his Ladies loue to mislyking: thus hourely visited with vntemperate fittes, (poore man) hée was brought so lowe, as that, a liue, hée re­presented the very image of death. Good Giletta sorrowing the long absence of her Rinaldo, in the ende hearing the vn­welcome newes of his daungerous sicknes, presently fared, as though shée had felt the extremitie of his fitts: one while, she determined, to goe her selfe and comfort him, streight she dreaded the suspicion that might growe thereof, especially, for that Seignior Frizaldo, by y^e procurement of her friends, was so hot a suter,Frizaldo a su­ter to Giletta. as without some ielous thought he could neuer part her sighte: yet notwithstanding all these hinde­raunces, in the ende shée was resolued, to visite her louinge Rinaldo, not by secret stealth, but with such a chosen compa­nie, as it could be no otherwise thoughte, but that onely for courtesie, she went to comfort him. Seignior Frizaldo (with the rest of the Gentles) would néedes waite of mistresse Gi­letta, whose seruice I am assured was yll accepted, and him­selfe to Rinaldo worse welcome:An vnwel­come guest. But secrete griefes, shado­wed with fained good will, Giletta outwardly for his curte­sie, thanked Frizaldo, and went with him and the rest, to Ri­naldoes lodging: which Courtly company at their first com­ming, were brought into the sickmans chamber, whom when Giletta espyed, to lye languishing in his bedde, to comforte him first of all she vsed this greeting: How fares my good ser­uaunt (quoth shée.) Rinaldo on the soudaine vewing his La­die, was so ouercome with soudaine ioy, as on the soudaine, the aunswere of his estate was farre to séeke: which when [Page 41] Giletta perceiued, in this sort shée continued her comforting woordes: what man (quoth shée) be of good chéere, a lustie hart will soone conquere this sicknes, dismay not your selfe with feare. By this time a sighe had vntyde Rinaldoes tongue, who very softly for feare of suspicion, thus replied: In very déede swéete mystresse (quoth hée) if I had had the vse of my hart, longe or this my griefes had béene eased: but, ah, my hart else where attends, it is Giletta (and none else, that may dispose y^e same. Well (quoth shée) since I haue the vse thereof, I am taught by good authoritie, to keepe the sound from the sicke: your body is now distempered with a feuer, your heart with mée fareth no woorse then mine: so that at the least I will haue the bestowing therof, till I see you in perfect health, yet thinke that the comfort both of mine and your owne, shal be applyed for your reliefe. Here Giletta gaue libertie vnto the rest for to gréete Rinaldo, who bestowed their talke (as they thought) to his great delight: But Rinaldo, that rather regarded the sober lookes, and modest behauiour of Giletta, then the shyning brauerie of the rest, gaue small eare, vnto their pleasaunt prattle: Yea, séemed halfe offended with the continuaunce thereof, as who would saye, the sight of their wantonnes, wrought a fresh remembrance of his wretched­nes. And truly there can be no greater torment vnto the pē ­siue wight,Others plea­sures a griefe to the wret­ched. then to be throwne into the companie of the plea­sant: not for that hée repineth at them, but that he cannot at­taine their happinesse. The company perceyuing the small comforte, Rinaldo toke in their persuasions, on the soudaine became silente, so that Giletta had now libertie to make an ende of her tale: who (for that night drue neare) knit it vppe with this farewell. I sée wel good seruaunt (quoth shée) that our company (although wée came for courtesie) is rather a cumber then a comfort to your sorrowes, and therefore wée will now betake you to God. But to witnesse, I alwayes wish your contentment,A secrete ver­tue in giliflo­wers. vouchsafe this posie of Giliflowers, which carrieth this vertue, that about whose head they bee bestowed, the same wighte shal not bee much frighted with fearefull fancies. God graunt that be true (quod Rinaldo) [Page 42] for trust mée, swéete mystresse, the disquietnes of my minde hurtes mée more, then the distemperature of my body, but howe much of this vertue faileth in your flowers, so much I already finde in your friendly woordes, and to continue in remembraunce, your care to cure my miseries, weare you, good mystresse, this Rosemary braunche. Giletta willingly receyuing the same, for that she was to depart, with the help of another Gentlewoman, raised Rinaldoes pillowes, and layde his bedde furniture handsomly about him, where Gi­letta bowing ouer him, to amende some thinge oute of order, by fortune left with Rinaldo a kisse, the comforte whereof exiled the griefe hée should else haue conceiued, by her depar­ture: but I am assured this poore stolen kisse, no more pleased Rinaldo, then it offended Frizaldo, who (god wot) with great impatiencie, murmured at these two louers familiaritie, & although the rest toke no heede of their speaches, yet his ie­lious suspicion, both read the letters of their flowers, and wrested out the sense of their subtile wordes. Neuerthe­lesse (for the place sake at that time) hée hidde his conceyued hatred, towards Rinaldo, with a friendly farewell. But in the waye homeward, hee pincht Giletta, with this scoffinge request: Away with this Rosemary (quoth hée) lest it hide some infection (being sometime sicke Rinaldoes) That maye offende you, (quoth Giletta) if it were any wayes infected, by this time the open ayre hath purged it, but if before this time, I my selfe am infected, it smally helpes to throwe a­way this poore braunch, and so your counsel is out of season, and yet for the same I courteously thancke you. Well quoth Frizaldo snuffinge at this aunsweare, you were best to perfecte your delighte, to weare a Rose with your Rose­marie, meaninge the first letters of those two flowers, aun­sweared her louers name, Roberto Rinaldo. These woor­des stroake poore Giletta dead, and yet shée pretily (dissem­blinge her knowledge of Frizaldoes minde) found out mea­nes, to cutte off those crosse speaches, with argumente that méetely well contented him. But, poore wench, so soone as shée was bestowed alone in her Chamber, solitarinesse [Page 43] wroughte a freshe remembraunce of Frizaldoes doubtfull woordes, but yet after shee had a space bewayled her For­tunes, shée wisely entered into the consideration of her owne estate, and waying, howe greatly that Frizaldo was fauou­red of her friendes, and on the contrarie parte, Rinaldo of small accompte, shée concluded (to please all her friendes, and contente both her louers) to vse this policie. Fri­zaldo whom shee smally esteemed, shée mente to féede with courteous delayes: Rinaldo, whom in déede shée honoured, shée determined in heart to loue, and in showe to hate, thin­king by this meanes that she should extinguish & quench Fri­zaldos ielous suspicion:Ielosie can ne­uer be perfectly quenched. which in very déede, contraried her imagination. For although he liked Gilettas intertaynment, yet hee continually feared her affection towardes Rinaldo, yea hée eyed her with such mistrust, as that shée could hard­ly finde occasion to acquainte her Rinaldo with this deuise: notwithstanding hopinge of fauourable time to execute her purpose, shée continued her fained good will towards Frizal­do, but Rinaldo shée would neither sée, send, nor write vnto: Who wonderinge at this insolencie and straungenes, al­thoughe hée had hardly recouered his empayred health, yet hée aduentured abroade, to learne the cause of this soudaine alteration. But his ouermuch temeritie and makinge hast herein, had wroughte wofull waste of his life, had not God wonderfully saued him. For, repayringe vnto the place of his wonted ioy, and accustomed comforte, hée found his my­stresse dallying with a fresh gallant: On him shée would not vouchsafe to looke: Yea, if on occasion hée saluted her by the name of his mystresse, very disdainful [...]y and scornefully, or not at all shée aunsweared him: On him shée frowned with a curst countenaunce: On his enimie shée fleared with a de­lightsome fauour: with him shee would not speake: with his enimie shée continually talked. Which vnfriendly welcome was far worse (God wot) to Rinaldo, then his late sicknes: But worst of al he digested the report of the Courtiers, who (inferring on their familiaritie) gaue out for certainty, that Segnior Frizaldo, should marie with mystres Giletta. These [Page 44] newes poore Rinaldo was like ynough to credite, himselfe se­ing such apparaunte proofe thereof, yea hée credited them so farre, as hée could not away with any thought of hope. In so much that scorning both Courte and companie, as one forsa­ken of himselfe, hée forthwith went vnto his chamber, wher­as passionately discoursinge on his harde Fortunes, which plaint, hée powdred with a thousand sighes, by chaunce hée fastned his eye, on the Iewel which Giletta had bestowed on him, and with litle lust reading the posie thereof, supposinge she had falsified her vowe, toucht with the proofe of his wret­chednes, hée forthwith wrote these vnder written Uerses.

Unto these Uerses Rinaldo set a very sollem note, and the nighte following, hée bestowed himselfe vnder Gilettas chamber windowe, where (playing on his lute) hée very mournefully sounge this passionate inuentiō, of purpose (like vnto the Swanne, that sings before her death) to bid his my­stresse adieu for euer.

Good Giletta, hearing this sorrowfull farewell, much la­mented her seruants estate, yet durst shée not at that instant any wayes comfort him. The cause was, Segnior Frizaldo, was then in her chamber, who knew very well, that it was Rinaldo, that with his sollem musicke, saluted mystresse Gi­letta, yea hée knew by the ouer often chaunging of her cou­ler, how (notwithstanding her dissimulation) she greatly sor­rowed Rinaldos distresse: and therefore he thought best, du­ring his discomforture, by some slye policie, at once to ouer­throw him with distrust: and vntil the execution of this trea­chery, he thought best, to giue him this bone to gnaw vppon. First to shew his credite to be admitted into her chamber at that time of the night: Next (to proue his authoritie) hée cal­led Giletta, by the name of his subiect: Who duetifully aun­swered him, with y^e title of her souereigne: which done (quoch hée looking out of the window) it is for you sake (faire Lady) wée are presented with this swéete musicke, & although your vnknowen welwiller, maketh show of the sorrowes hée suf­fers not, yet courtesie wills you to intercept his paines with thankes. Poore Rinaldo hearing Frizaldos tongue, made no [Page 46] stay for Gilettas thankes, but returning to his chamber (as one that had foregone his senses (a while in sighes he vttered his plainte. And after his sorrowe was somewhat eased, (quoth hée) alas good Giletta, thy exchaunge is very hard, to leaue to be Rinaldos mystresse, to become Frizaldos subiect, But Rinaldo, worse is thy hap, that thou must serue her, that is subiect to thy mortal enimie, thy thraldome is intolle­rable, thy tornients without end, with violent death dispatch both thy seruitude and sorrowes, so shalt thou force them to pittie, that now triumphe at thy miseries. In this sort Ri­naldo continually raged at his fortunes. Well, how euer Rinaldo fared, Giletta was not frée from sorrowes: for good soule, shée thought it hie time to acquaint her seruaunt with the continuance of her loue, and although shée had attemp­ted many wayes, yet shée found no currant opportunitie for discouerie thereof, till in the end, shée determined, by letters to deliuer the Embassage of her minde, to which effecte, shee one day wrote these lines following.

When good Giletta had thus ended her letters, for that shée durst not trust Rosina her wayting woman with the de­liuerie [Page 47] of them, whom shée knewe to be too well affected to­wardes Frizaldo to woorke him such an iniurie, shée deter­mined to be the Embassadour her selfe, to accomplish which deuise, shee made an apple hollowe, wherein shée bestowed this letter, which shée closed so cunningly, that none by the outward show, could perceiue y^e inward charge thereof: But oh the force of ielosie, Frizaldo for that he could not alwayes be present to eye Gilettas behauiour, wonne her waytinge woman to watch her so narrowly, as shée might bée able to yeeld accompt of all her doinges. This trayterous mayde to her mystresse, so trustily performed his request, as although Giletta practised this deuise, in her secrete closet, yet through the cranell of a wall, shée had notice thereof, so that the night following, shée came to the fingering of this apple, and fin­ding these louing lines in the body thereof, shée forthwith went to Frizaldo, to whom shée deliuered both the letter and apple, but he that foreknew Gilettas loue, towards Rinaldo, was rather glad, then sadde of these newes: For by this meanes, he spyde occasion presently to ouerthrowe Rinaldo with despaire: To further which villanous trechery, as néere as he could, he counterfeted Gilettas hand, and then in stéede of her courteous lines (in her name) hée wrote this vn­comfortable letter.

When Frizaldo had made an ende of this letter, hée be­stowed it in the apple, and wild Rosina, to laye the same [Page 48] where shée found it, the next day, hée brought Giletta where of force shée must sée her louing Rinaldo, and of purpose see­med carelesse of her behauiour, that she might haue opportu­nitie, to salute her sorrowful seruaunt. Poore Giletta vnac­quainted with this treacherie, simplie deliuered Rinaldo the apple: saying, the vertue in the fruite, was of force to end his sorrowes. Herewith shée hasted after Frizaldo, without ei­ther aunswere or thankes, at her seruauntes hands, who re­ceyuing this courtesie, beyond all hope, as one amased, at so soudaine a ioy, it was longe ere hée tasted this apple, and fin­ding a letter inclosed therein, I can hardly report, the one halfe of his delight: But this I am assured, for his faire my­stresse sake, he a hundred times kist both the seale, and super­scription, before he aduētured to take knowledge of the hid­den message therein: but when hée ripped it open, and found the forecited newes, alas poore man, his late swéete moti­ons so increased his sowre passions, that if it were possible, for anye to taste more miseries, his fare excéeded the tor­ments of Hell.

Ah God (quoth hée) how may it so swéete a face, should bée matcht with so cruel a hart, such heauenly lookes, with such hellish thoughts, so faire a creature, with so foule conditions, and so modest a countenaunce, with so mercilesse a minde. O Giletta, what meanest thou so to ecclipse thy honour, darken thy vertue, and spoile thy wonted report of pitie, by murthe­ring of thy faithfull friend? Hadst thou no feare of infamie? no thought of former vow? Might not remorse of conscience, withdrawe thée from disloyaltie? Madest thou no more ac­compte of loue, then like vnto a garment, at thy pleasure to put off and on? Couldest thou doe Rinaldo such iniurie, as to let another deuoure the fruites of his toyle? Wouldest thou suffer Frizaldo to reape the crop of loue, that Rinaldo sowed with sighes, wéeded with faith, did nourish with teares, and ripened with continual seruice. Suppose, I admitt the force of thy second loue, in excuse of all these wronges, with what face, couldst thou triumphe in my miseries? Yea desire my death, that loued thée so deare? Trust mée, cruell Giletta, if [Page 33] thine owne writing had not béene witnesse, I would ne­uer haue thought thee inconstāt, nor had not thine own hāds deliuered the instrument of my destruction, I would hardly a credited thy letters, but on so certaine a proofe, in vayne it were to hope. Ah, God, how rightly didst thou hit my fortune when as thou saidst, thy apple woulde ease my sorrowes: in deed I found in it my death, & only death must cure my grief. And sith so subtily, thou prophesiedst my destruction, since it agréeth with thy wil, thy wretched desire, shal foorthwith be wrought. In this desperate mynde Rinaldo hasted vnto the riuer of Poo, where by the shore side he sawe a simple man, to whome he deliuered a scroll, wherein was written:

Whiche verses he requested the poore man to deliuer at the Lorde de Bolognas castle, to maistresse Giletta, and then without vsing any other speache, he lept into the riuer. The poore man halfe amazed, at this wilful acte, foorthwith hasted vnto the Lorde de Bolognas castle, where after he had deli­uered the writing to Giletta, he shewed for certaintie, he saw Rinaldo drowne him self. The newes was vnwelcome vnto euerie hearer (saue only to Frizaldo, that trayned him into this mischiefe) but especially to Giletta this tydinges was too too grieuous, she weapt, she waylde, she blamed her and his vnlucky fortune, Frizaldos iealousie, her friendes vn­towardnesse, and chiefly her owne nycenesse, as instruments of Rinaldos lamentable destnie: in so much as, neither shew of pleasure, companie of acquaintance, or persuasion of frien­des, could moue her vnto any comfort. Well, leaue we sor­rowfull Giletta, continually bemoning the death of her best beloued seruant: and turne we to Rinaldo, who after he had a while felt the furie of the floudes, was wearie of dying, so that for life he laboured vnto the shoare, which happily re­couered, he felt his stomacke at that instant rather ouerchar­ged with water then loue, yet for that by sight of his sowre-swéete [Page 50] maistresse, he would not renue his sorrowes, nor that he coulde brooke, in the court to be frumpt and slouted at, he consented in a forrest neare adioyning vnto this riuer, in mi­serie to consume the residue of his life. And abasing his mind, vnto the condition of his distresse, he was content to take a hollow caue, for his house, and herbour, the bare ground, both for his bed and bedding. For companions, to make choice of wild beastes: to bemone his fortunes, vnto the wild forrests, to make the night rauen his clocke, his harmonie of hellishe noise of monsters, & his foode the fruits of y^e earth, O strange effectes of loue, that could vaile his mynde to vouchsafe these miseries: that lately held at will, almost what he could wish. But leaue I now to write of loue his force (whom no mā hi­therto, could either truly define or describe) and turne againe to poore Rinaldos hard estate, who roming in the wilde for­restes for foode, espied an apple trée, the fruit wherof, put him in remembrance, of the apple Giletta deliuered him, wherin he found a letter that forst him to this penance, y^e sight wher­of with sorrow, not only slaked his hunger, but moued him to such impatiencie, that in despaire, and despight of the fruite, vpon the trée he carued this inuention.

Rinaldo thus freshly entered, into the consideration of his former loue, likewise felt his former vnquietnesse of mynd, faine would he haue found out some litle sparke of hope, but out alas, the sowre letter his swéete maistresse deliuered, together with her hatefull shewe against him, and her louing zeale towardes Frizaldo, so hugely increased his distrust, as by no means he could away with hope: in so much (quoth he) O cowardly wretch, why dost thou not by death, at once dis­patch thy sorowes: rather thē to die a thousād deaths, by pr [...] ­roging a lothed life, canst thou brooke continual bondage, whē with one blow thou maist rid thy wretchednesse, set feare a­side, vse force vpon thy selfe, thou hast liued an exile too long, since thou séest no hope of attonemēt at home, nor fealest qui­etnesse abroad. In this desperate passion, Rinaldo was deter­mined to commit murder vpon him selfe, and yet he thought best to deferre the execution, vntil he might conuey him selfe neare vnto Gilettas lodging, that there her eyes might be witnesse of his loyaltie, & her owne crueltie. To has [...]ē which follie, the next night he tooke his iourney towardes Bologna castle, and by the way he deuised this petition.

These verses Rinaldo determined to write with bloud y^t issued from his deadly wound, & cōming vnto the place, of his desired rest, he drew his dagger, in mind to finish his sorowes But finding his enterprise (by reason of y^e dead time of night) vnlikely to be troubled, before he executed this tragedie, he weakely wrested foorth this heauie farewell.

[Page 36]Oh God (quoth he) that the grones, procéeding from my gored hart, might now awake Giletta, that she might sée the vse of my murthering knife, then wold my yawning breath, my bloudy sighs, & deadly gaspes, no dout bedew her chéekes, whiche hitherto my intollerable miseries, with ruthfull teares could neuer wet: so should she knowe my escaped dan­gers, were but lightening ioyes, for to inlarge my sorrowes: so might she sée, the vnfained confirmation of my loyaltie, ac­cuse her of inconstancie: so séeing so vnnaturall a tragedie executed (by the dome of her scorne) vpon her faultlesse ser­uaunt, remorse might happily moue her to repentaunce, and pittie winne her from her wauering fancies. But (oh) I tyre time with too néedelesse a tale: she quietly sléepes, to whom I thus sorrowfully talke. Fare wel Giletta, farewel. These naked wals (besprent with bloud) shal shortly bewray my mone. My breathlesse corps, shal witnesse my constancie, and purchase (I trust) so muche pitie, as (notwithstanding my carelesse prouision) to be bestowed in some forgetlesse tumbe. I can not stay thy answere, and therfore I leaue it to thy curtesie. Come wished death, now vse thy force, my will is made, the time and place fitteth my desire, my teares and sighes are already bestowed, these wa [...]es (my executors) only wanteth their hire: my waste bloud I bequeath thē, only to continue remembrance of my loyaltie. &c. Good Giletta continually la­mēting the losse of her seruant, both night & day was smally disposed to rest, in so much that leaning in her chamber win­dow, she heard (though not perfectly) this sorowful discourse, and being moued with pitie (as Rinaldos complaint grew to an end) she vsed these words. Yonder mans tong, mone, and miseries, workes such fresh remembrance of my good Rinal­dos destruction,An vnlookte for comfort. as for his sake, I wil apply vnto his sorowes what honest comfort I can. Therewithall she prepared her selfe to learne his cause of griefe: Rinaldo amased with this souden comfort, helde his hande from his throte, till Giletta was at his elbowe, who verie modestly demaunded, both what he was, & what forst him so pitiously to cōplaine. Rinal­do, on this small incouragement, began now to mistrust yll [Page 53] measure in others, and yet to trie in whome the fault might be, he at the first, both hid his name, and the true cause of his griefe from Giletta. Giletta earnestly noting the order of his talk, began now to be so distempered with the thought of Rinaldo, as she fell straight thus to bee moue his hard for­tunes. Ah, good Rinaldo (quoth she) whersoeuer thy body lies in thought I so perfectly beholde thy image, as in euery mournefull tale, my thinkes I heare thy tong. Woe worth thée Frizaldo, to coole whole iealous distrust, I vsed shewe of hate where in heart I loued, and yet Rinaldo, thou art not blamelesse in that, when as I made thée priuie to the cause of my straungnesse, thou wilfully afterwards didst drowne thy selfe▪ Herewith, Rinaldo to make Giletta partaker of his newe conceiued ioyes could not choose but discouer him self, whome when she perfectly knewe, And liues Rinaldo yet, (quoth she) and therwithal imbracing her best beloued, with very ioy fell into a swoone. Rinaldo séeing his Lady and loue to faint, spared for no kisses to fetch her againe. She being re­uiued, and the heate of their ioyes somwhat qualified, I want skill, to will, to shewe what desire the one had to delight the other, but this I am assured, they in such sort ouerwent the night, that morning willed them away, ere eyther of them had thought of former sorrowes, or sought to worke for fu­ture ioyes.The womans [...]. But as it is sayde, the womans vnt, is more rea­dier thē y^e mans, in practises that answereth their liking: ex­perience here makes proofe of no lesse. For when Giletta espied Rinaldo in a browne studie, with debating, which way they might best, easiest, and soonest, perfect their [...] de­lightes, she comforting him with a pretie smyle, willed him to commit that charge vnto her, but in any case she warned him to liue a while vnknowne. Rinaldo faithfully promised to obey her direction, who after he had giuen, and taken a hundred loth to depart kisses, foorthwith posted vnto the next vncouth place, and Giletta secretly conueyed her self vn­to her chamber: Who the next day forsooke her mourning wéedes, & with a chearefull countenance, she bid her friendes Buon giorno: who reioycing to sée her so pretily comforted, [Page 54] applyed them selues, vnto such exercises and persuasions, as they thought would best worke her contentation. Especially Frizaldo, who (after it was giuen out Rinaldo was drownd) was so muche of Giletta misliked, as that she could neyther abide his sight, nor would patiently heare his name, now see­ing her stormie anger somwhat appeased, by litle & litle renued his louing suite. Giletta nowe to worke sure, (bicause he should no more suspect fraude in her ouermuch familiaritie) made the matter somewhat strange, & yet not so strange, but that Frizaldo might picke out incouragement to continue his bootlesse suite. Who refusing no aduauntage, charged her, and double charged her with importunate persuasions: she at euery assault, séemed somewhat to relent, yea, in the end she was content patiently to heare his request, & if she chaunced to crosse him with froward language, she wold comfort him with some fained good looke. Gilettaes father seeing some like­lyhoode of the match he long desiered, I meane betweene Fri­zaldo and Giletta his daughter, furthered Frizaldos desire in what he could, in so much as coueting a spéedy dispatche, he one day inioyned his daughter to giue him a direct answere off, or on. Giletta modestly answered, y^e promise she made Ri­naldo, was such a corsie to her conscience, through y^e feare of infamie, as althogh she had sufficiētly tried (& by trying liked) Frizaldos honest and faithfull loue, yet she feared to giue hir willing consent, to y^t she hartily wished. Why quoth her fa­ther, your promise died w^t Rinaldo, & though he desperately dispatcht his life, neither law of God, nor Nature, can forbid you marriage: and to make you y^e more willing to y^t I wish, there shalbe proclamation made, y^t if Rinaldo w^tin one mon­eth come in & make clame to Giletta, he shuld be indifferent-heard, if not, Frizaldo to haue her as his lawful wife: by this means (quoth he) the clattering tongs y^t thou fearest, (would note thee of inconstancie) well persuaded of his death, by rea­son of his absence, will sure be staid. Giletta thus proffered, what she had thought to haue requested, set nicenesse aside, & fayning her fathers persuasions to haue conquered her, vpon this condition, yealded to marrie Frizaldo. The Lord de Bo­logna, made no delay, but presently vpon this cōsent, assured [Page 55] Frizaldo to his daughter Giletta, & caused proclamation to be made. This news wrought ioy on al sides: Rinaldo laught to heare this proclamation, for that he knew how to prouide sowre sauce for Frizaldos sweet delights. Giletta smilde to see how wi [...]el [...]ly, she had won her fathers consent, to haue Rinal­do, who she knew was ready to make clame. Gilettas frends reioyced to see her sorowes appeased: but Frizaldo aboue the rest triumphed in shew, he made no account of the prouiso in his assurance. For why, he thought a dround man wold hard­ly clame his right, the kind intertainment of his maistresse, so laded him with ioy, as y^t he bad iealouzie go trudge, distrust a­dieu, and al other hinderances auaunt: one while he inuites his friends, another while he makes choice of martiall calen­gers & champions, for iusting, turne, barriers. &c. Now he cō ­sults, w^t carpet knights, about curious masks & other delightful shewes: anon he runs vnto the tailers, to sée his apparell made of y^e straungest & costliest fashion, thus was he occupied in prouision of brauerie against his marriage day, he had no thought how Rinaldo wold be auēged of his trecherie, ouer­throw him in combat, weare his wéedes, marrie his wife, and vse his prouision of plesure, for y^e honor of his own wedding: he wold not sée secret hate y^t lay hid in Gilettas louing lookes, as y^e snake lurkes in y^e swéet grasse: his blinde affection made him forget the villanie he had offered Rinaldo, so that pricke of conscience could moue him to no repentance. For hauing reacht y^e height of his desires, he made her the instrument of his destruction, by whose dishonest seruice, he attained this shew of preferment, I meane Rosina, Gilettas waiting wo­man: who séeing y^e preparation for her maistres marriage, be­gan to loure on Frizaldo, y^e reasō was, at such time as he was out of Gilettas fauor, to currie friendship w^t her, he tolde this dāsel, in respect of her curtesies, & in despight of her maistres iniuries, he would marrie her: which faire promise, this fouly falsed, might very wel force y^e poore wench to frowne. Which Frizaldo seeing, likewise saw w^tout wise foresight a hindrāce to his desires, & deuising how to repaire this breach of amit [...]e, he called to mind what smal trust was in a womans secrecie & waying what mischiefe he had executed, to compasse his [Page 56] louing affaires, now to perfect the successe he long looked for, he concluded (in acquitall of the poore wenches courtesies) to shorten her life. O wretch spoyled of pitie, rest of humani­tie, catyfe more cruell then any Tygre, howe couldest thou professe to loue, with so bl [...]ndy a mynde, especially to acquite her with such crueltie, that spoyled her credit to do thée cour­tesie. But why weare I time to wonder at thy vnnaturall villanies, which spendst thy life without thought of vertue, and diedst without shewe of repentance. And nowe againe, vnto this tyrant Frizaldos actions, with a friendly counte­naunce, he came vnto Rosina, and after his courteous salu­tations,Faire wordes makes fooles faine. he hayted his poysoned enterprise with this swéete persuasiō. Sweete wench quoth he, thou séest a great prepa­ration (supposed) for a marriage betwéene thy maistresse and me, if which were true, in fayth I should do thée too too much wrong, to whome I am in conscience betrothed. But for that thou maist now find performance of that in déeds, y^t hitherto I promised in words, I giue thée to wit my intent. Thou ve­ry well knowest my faithful loue once towardes Giletta, her smal regard of me, my suite, her scorne, yea her crosse answe­ring of all my amorous actions, so that my necessitie enforst, I shund her sight, that nothing estéemed my seruice, dayly pleaded with teares, & solicited with sighes, which vncurte­ous (nay cruel) vsage (as thou knowest ful wel) soudenly chā ­ged my loue to hate, so that continuing (or rather increasing) my malice, I haue hitherto sought, how to be auenged. And lo, a happie opportunitie, her coynesse is come downe, & nowe she is content to loue the man, that she so highly hated, yea, to allure him with friendly lookes, whose teares sometimes could purchase no ruth, I meane my selfe, she is thus affected to: Who (in truth) rather séekes to be reuenged, of her for­mer crueltie, then to reward her present courtesie, and to vse auenge more currantly. Upon this newe reconcilement, I shadowed my displeasure, with the shew of wonted kindnesse of purpose, when she thought her selfe most assured, then to giue her the slip, and now the (supposed) wedding day drawes neare, but her delight farre enough off. Nowe, nowe, swéete [Page 57] wench, the accomplishment of my promise, and thy comfort approcheth, it is thou shalt inioy the benefite of this prepara­tion. Frizaldo meanes to marrie none but Rosina, whome he will shortly espouse: Wherfore (quoth he) to worke both secretely and safely in this matter, I meane the night before my (supposed) marriage with Giletta, to conuey thée to my house, and the next morning to make thée my wife▪ This cur­rant tale not a little pleased Rosina. She thought all was gold that glistered, she neuer remembred howe the poysoned hooke, lay wrapt in pleasant bayte, howe the Crocodile ob­taines her pray with pitifull teares, nor howe subtile deui­ses, are ( [...]or the most) compassed with sugred wordes, she ne­uer dreaded insuing danger, but presently consented, to what Frizaldo should demaund, yea, she thought euery day a yere, vntill she had ouertaken this appointed houre: at which time according vnto promise, Frizaldo with two other ruffens, to whome he had deliuered his mynd, repayred to this mistrust­lesse mayde, whome Frizaldo wild quickly to prepare her selfe to ryde with those his men vnto his house, and he him selfe would make what speede he might after. She (that was ready an houre before Frizaldo came) made answere, she was in a readinesse to perfourme his pleasure, and so with more haste, then good successe, away she packs. But so soone as these two ruffens had her in the forrest (to sowre her swéete conceites) they made her acquainted with Frizaldos com­maundement. It was his pleasure she shuld be slaine, whose dome they promist, and would obey, and execute, and there­fore they willed her to vse her prayers, for no persuasions might purchase grace. The poore wench thus beset with na­ked swordes, and séeing (by their stearne countenances) how those traytors were spoyled of pitie, began very lamentably to cry and scrike out: which these gracelesse variets hearing, commaunded her foorthwith to forsake her ouerloude cla­mors, and fall (if she woulde) quietly to her prayers, if not, they would abridge her short time of repentance. Good soule, she séeing them so furiously bent, became foorthwith silent, and only to proroge her life, (I thinke) with small deuotion, [Page 58] she fel a praying, for whē she setled her self to most patiencie, she would soudenly exclame of Frizaldos tirannie. Rinaldo, who (since his owne wilful exile) liued in this forrest, by for­tune hearde Rosinaes pitious complaint, and being well ar­med, hasted to learne the cause of so great an outcrie, who es­pying a gentlewoman, vpon her knées betwéen two ruffens, that with naked swordes were readie to shorten her life, set spurres vnto his horse,A vnlooked for rescue. for her more spéedie rescue. The var­lets séeing an armed knight make towardes them (without damaging the Gentlewoman) foorthwith fled to saue them selues. Rosina thus happily preserued, through very ioy fell into an extasie, but being both reuiued and comforted by Ri­naldo. Rinaldo presētly perceiued, how that he had wrought this saftie vnto Gilettas waiting woman, and greatly won­dering at the rarenesse of the chaunce, was earnest to knowe what led her to this misfortune, she not knowing (by reason he was armed) that whē she had so oftē wronged to pleasure Frizaldo, was the man that saued her life, whiche Frizaldo traiterously sought, from the first to the last, layde open all Frizaldos trecherie, and further she sayde, that to morrowe he should espouse good Giletta. Nay, quoth Rinaldo, I my self hope to hinder that match, and to morrowe (quoth he) we wil both go to Bologna castle, in the meane while he prayed her to rest contented, with his intertainment. This long lookt for morrowe morning, is now at length come, and yet not so fortunate as to some wished for, but to him to whome it was most daungerous, it was best welcome, I meane to Frizaldo who (hauing a lightening delight, against his souden destruc­tion) very early gets him vp, brauely arrayes him selfe, and accompanied with diuers gay gallants, with delicat musike, awakens Giletta. Giletta that liued assured of Rinaldos cha­lenge, séemed greatly contented with Frizaldos readinesse, and with what spéede she might, she decked her self as braue­ly as she could. The bridegrome and the bride being readie, the Lord of the castle, with the Lady his wife, accompanied with other their friends (with what honor they could) accom­panied them both towards the church. But loe (by the way) [Page 59] an vnlookt for let, in viewe of the whole companie, there po­sted towards them a knight, accōpanied with one only Gen­tlewoman, the knight (well mounted vpon a blacke horse) was armed all in blacke armour, saue vpon the left side, a­bout his hearts defence, there was grauen a white Turtle Doue, with this poesie, Once chose, and neuer chaunge, the strangnesse of which sight enforst them to stay, to knowe the knights errant, who being arriued among them, his Gentle­woman was straight waies knowne, which straunge aduen­ture, greatly increast their wonder, and more greatly Fri­zaldos feare. Well, this gentlewoman, vpon her knées re­quested both pardon, and respyt to speake, whiche graunted, she made firs [...] report of the loue betwéene Rinaldo and Gi­letta: then of Frizaldos liking & iealous distrust, further how Giletta fained to fancie him, & to forsake Rinaldo, which de­uise she wrote in a letter, & inclosed it in an aple, thinking by y^e deliuery therof, to acquaint Rinaldo w^t her mind. But (quoth she) this aple came to my vnhappie fingring, y^t which I deli­uered to Frizaldo, who toke out y^e cōfortable, & counterfetted in Gilettas name, a cruel letter, y^t which he wrapt in y^e aple, & wild me to bestow y^e same where I found it: y^e day folowing, Frizaldo allured Giletta, wher of force she shuld sée Rinaldo, who deliuered Rinaldo this aple. Rinaldo reading the coun­terfetted letter, desperatly drowned him selfe: Which ill ne­wes so discomforted Giletta, as she repined at all the instru­ments of his ill fortune, especially at Frizaldo, whose name she could not abide. Frizaldo séeing his suits so smally regar­ded, w^t shew of malice, in despight of her (as he saide) promist me marriage. Since Giletta won frō this displeasure, Frizal­do w^t faire words, promist now to perform y^t in déed, y^e hither­to he promist in worde, I meane, vnder y^e colour of marriage, won me to go w^t two ruffens to his house, who by Frizaldos appointment, in a forrest not far off, were ready to murther me, had not this knight in happie time recouered me. I nowe haue said, vse your pleasure, & if you please pardon me. This straunge discourse, made them all secretly to grudge at Fri­zaldo. But Giletta, being perplexed, both w^t malice & feare, [Page 60] with malice against Frizaldo, for his too apparant trecherie, with feare, for Rinaldos absence, who she little thought to be the instrument of this discouerie. Frizaldo perceiued (by the alteration of countenances) what harts were won from him, by Rosinaes too true a tale: and although he found him selfe guiltie, yet he began to cleare him self with this shame­lesse answere. This strumpet (quoth he) won by some ruffen­ly companiō, that repineth at my good fortune, or thinketh by this meanes, to be auenged, for Rinaldos desperate and foo­lish end, without shame in her selfe, thus shamefully slaunde­reth me: But for that wordes will hardly quench the suspici­on, that her infamous tale hath fired, I wil presently in com­bat proue my innocencie, and (I trust) discouer her trecherie, if any dare mainteine her vntrue sayings true. Frizaldo had scarcely concluded his chalenge, ere Rinaldo thus replyed. Notorious varlet (spoyled of all humanitie) I am he that wil mainteine her sayings true, and in reuenge of thy trecherie, will (I trust) soone seperate thy condēned soule (w^tout speedie repentance) from thy carren body. Goe arme thy selfe, I at­tend thy comming. Infamous ruffen, wilt thou (quoth Fri­zaldo) and counterfetting (through necessitie) furie in steade of feare, foorthwith he went to arme him selfe. The rest of the companie, rather desirous to see an end of this accusation, thē the solemnising of the marriage, attended Frizaldos return, who sone came, very richly armed into the field. The knights nowe sweare that eyther quarrell is iust, and at the trum­pets sound so fiercely incountreth other, that both horse and men fal thundering to y^e earth. Frizaldo trusting in his force, Rinaldo both in his force & honest quarell, eyther quickly re­couereth him self, and (forsaking their shiuered speares) with arming blade, freshly falles a hewing at others skonce. The knights thus furiously fighting, the standers by pray as they are affected, the indifferent, victory vnto the innocent, Ri­naldos friendes vnto the vnknowne knight: but Giletta a­boue the rest, wisheth Frizaldos ouerthrowe, whome she knowes to be faultie in the quarell. Still they fight, and yet the victorie doubtfull, one while Rinaldo hath the best, and [Page 45] straight a crosse blowe makes him lose his aduauntage. Re­morse of conscience nothing weakeneth Frizaldo, but Rinal­dos honest cause doubleth his strength, so that the longer he fought, the fearcer he was, and yet Frizaldo valiantly main­teines his dishonest quarrell. But what doth might auaile, when God assistes the right. Frizaldo for all his force, in the end beganne to faint: which Rinaldo espying, and eying his Ladies beautie, assaild him with such furie, that ere long he sent him dead to y^e earth. The battell thus fortunately won, Rinaldo vnarmes him self, & clames Giletta as his wife, the people at the sight of Rinaldo shoke the earth, with clamors of ioy. Giletta (that lately wondered at Rinaldos absence) now charged her father with his promise: the Lorde de Bo­logna, with the rest of his friends, agréed Rinaldo and Gilet­ta should forthwith be married. The courtly companie that came to honor Frizaldos marriage, had his dishonest actions in such disdaine, as now they would not vouchsafe to sée him honestly buried. But with all their prouision of brauerie, on Rinaldo they willingly attended, glad was be y^t could with any curtesie present him. The marriage rites solemnly pro­nounced, these faithfull louers repaired to Bologna castle, where they were welcomed, with what pleasure might be had: yea, to cōclude, for to worke satisfactiō for their long mi­series, there wanted nothing, that coyne, cunning, or credit might compasse. And thus after fortune had long threatned the shipwracke of their delightes, their constancie conducted them to the port of their wished desires.

DOM DIEGO HIS dolerous discourse.

Dom Diego hauing for the space of 22. monethes, thus li­ued an exiles life, onely accōpanied with sorrow, wretched­nes and miserie, which comfortlesse cōpanions no one houre forsooke him: it chaunced that Dom Roderico (a speciall friend of his) had occasion to trauel into Gascoine, and as hée iourneyed (in the desart forrest, whereof this wretched louer was made frée citizen) he mist of his way: in the end finding out Dom Diegos homely caben, of whom he demaunded the way to Barcelone, & hauing his aunswere, as he departed, hée espied in a corner of his cotage, two faire saddles, vppon the one of them was ingrauen this Poesse in Spanish:

Dom Roderico reading this poesse, called to remembraunce,B how y^t his frend Dom Diego, in al his deuises vsed y^e same, & to be short, he so handled the matter, as the hermite, whō hée knewe not (so was hée ouergrowne with haire, and worne with woe) confessed himselfe to be Dom Diego his friend, & [Page 68] taking him a side, hée deliuered the whole cause of his exile. Dom Roderico, séeing this foster louers miserable estate, vowed (with what possible speede hée could) to worke his re­medie, who (for more haste) forsooke his iourney, and retur­ned home vnto his owne castle. At his comming home (ma­king no semblaunce of his knowledg) hée roade to the place, where fayre Geneuora with her mother soiourned, of pur­pose to learne what new gallant had wooed her, and finting him to bée a yonge gentleman of Biskaye, who shortly after (by her owne consent) was minded to steale her away, Dom Roderico, so cunningly coyned with Geneuoras Page (who wholy knew his mystresse secretes) that he certainly learned the night of these louers departure. The same night, accom­panied with ix. or x. Gentlemen his cōpanions, and friends, he laye in waite for this Biskayne louer, & his Lady, who (a­bout x. or a xi. of y^e clocke, only accompanied with two or thrée gentlemen his companions) came merely on their way. Ro­derico, so soone as he saw y^e instrument of Dom Diegos mise­rie, set spurres vnto his horse, & with speare in Rest, so rude­ly welcomed this Biskayne, that for all his coate of plate, hée pearst through both his sides. The souldiers of this amorous captaine, séeing their maister thus infortunately slaine, and waying their vnable force, to incounter with Dom Roderi­cos cōpany, saued thēselues by flight, & left woofull Geneuo­ra to shift for her selfe: on whom Rodericos seruauntes sou­dainly seased▪ & blinding her with a scarfe, with spéed cōuayd her, where wretched Dom Diego liued. Dom Diego some­what comforted with the sight of his swéete mystresse, began amaine to craue recōpence for his faithful seruice. Geneuora so soone as she saw Dom Diego, and knew that syr Roderico for his cause, had murthered her miniō, answered him (& ex­claimed on thē both) w^t what opprobrious speach she coulde, yea the more they persuaded her with friendly requestes, y^e more peruerse was her refusal. Dom Diego thus seing an impossibilitie of fauour, w^t inward sorrow fel into a swoon. Dom Roderico, seig the distresse of his deare friend, and y^e continu­ance, or rather increasing of Geneuoras disdaine, cōmaunded [Page 69] presently her throte to be cut. Dom Diego halfe reuiued, se­ing one redie to execute this iudgement, profered what res­kue hée could. Oh good Roderico stay (quoth hée) I allow of thy honest zeale, yet attribute my wretchednes to fortune, not her fault: Wherefore for the loue thou bearest to mee, for the loue I owe to her, sée Geneuora without further da­mage, safely conueyed home. Geneuora seeing him offer res­kue and craue her safe conduite, whose death, her froward­nes well nie had wrought, on the soudaiue was wonne vnto pitie, and louingly imbracing Dom Diego, shée offered satis­faction for his sorrowes, and for an earnest pennie shée freely B kist him. Dom Diego, late the miserablest creature liuing, vnwares became the happiest man aliue, whose matchlesse pleasures appeare in this vnder written triumphe.

Dom Diego his triumphe.

The honest minded mans aduen­tures, his largesse: and his farewell to the world. A worke discouering, the subtilties of all sortes of men.