Certaine tragicall discourses written out of Frenche and Latin, by Geffraie Fenton, no lesse profitable then pleasaunt, and of like necessitye to al degrees that take pleasure in antiquityes or forreine reapportes

The argument

YF the wisemen of olde time founde cause of cohibicion in their vnruly chil∣dren, and ympes of wanton youthe, I thinke, we haue double reason, in this age, to vse a steddie eye, bothe vpon our daughters, and such as are geuen vs in socyetie of wedlock, not for that, I wish the one to be kepte vnder, as seruants or seruile slaues, nor to take awaye from the other, the whole skoope of libertie, appointed by the preferment of mariage, but exposinge an Indifferent and honeste meane, I wishe to eschewe the murmore of the world, by cuttinge of suche infyuit occa∣sions of infections, as seme to offer them selues to cor∣rupte and seduce the fragillitie of our youth, chieflye se∣inge a dayly experience of so many assaltes and alarams of fylthye loue, offered to our daughters and litle girles, beinge yet in the firste flame of the fyre whiche nature kindleth in the hartes of such as accompt themselues most confirmed in the yeres of maturitie or discrecion, neyther wolde I that either the maide or the maried woman, shold refuse to haue a bridel put to her libertie cōsiderīgitis such a garde of her quiet and honest name, wyth chiefe defence against the malice of the reprochefull worlde, that it were better to be chayned in the bottom of a darke pryson, then to enioye the benefit of the open ayer, being noted of such spottes of infamy as cōmonly attendes vpon an inordynat libertie and lice n••ious life, Wherein if the desolacion of so many parentes wepinge in the villanie of their wiues and daughters, vtter ruine and subuerciō of so many hou∣ses, presented in stage playes to feed the ••aine eyes of the reprochefull multitude, argued not the nomber of incon¦uenience happening by a dissolute and libertines lif, and y^t

in the persones of diuerse our great mens daughters now a daies, wee nede not seame so curious in keping this con∣tinuall watche and garde, but resigne such ceremonies to be practised in strang contries wher mē are Ielous of their owne shadow w^t opiniō that their wiues or daughters are not able to resist the least and most simple attaynt y^t can be offred. But wher thexamples are more then manifest, and the frutes of y^e folly burst out in open shew, let vs leaue to allow or assise the brutal opinion of such as perswade that awe is not necessary for youth, or y^e seuere correctiō or ra∣ther folysh pamperīg bredes a dolnes of wit, w^t impedimēt of y^e dispositiō of y^e mind, or hinderance to thincrease of na∣tural giftes The daughters of Rome lyued alwaies with∣in the house of their fathers, with no more libertie thē was measured vnto theim by y^e eye of their mother and yet we•• they vertuous matrons in their houses, and so sufficently instructed in cyuilitie, that I doubt y^e most perfect courtier we haue at this day deserueth not comparison with y^e least of their perfectiōs, for what other ciuilitie or exāple of ho¦nest life cā y^e maides of our time, learn in any cōpany now a dayes, if not to seame eloquēt in pratlinge discourses of vaine & filthie loue with words ful of vaine and filthy loue and inti••ing behauiors of an open curtisan, & somtime to make an experiēce of an act no lesse detestable in dede, thē the remēbrance ought to be hateful to al honest mē, albeit as I wold not by this meanes procure a general inhibiciō of honest conference and cōpany amongest the nobilitie of our cōtry, with exercises tollerated by y^e perscriptiō of liber¦tie lefte vnto vs by our aunciēts So it is an indeuor most necessary in mine opinion to make a contēplaciō or view of the maners or inclinaciō of wils with a discression to check such as be to froward, & make slack in some sort the raine

of awful gouermente to them that seame of more tender disposiciō, by y^e assistāte of which polycie, it cold not be cho∣sen but vertue shold glyster as greatly in y^e houses of great mē, as rude behauior in the cabynet of y^e paisāt or vnciuile trankeling, who cōmōly goeth more neare the discipline of thelders in norriture of their childrē, thē such as vndertake to be maisters of art of exquisit skil toochīg y^e educatiō of yonglīngs, for which cause the wise Emperour Marcus Aure lius wold not haue his doughters brought vp in y^e court, for how cā the norce (saith he,) he honest herself, or ympart vertu to her rhild, seing nothing but practises of euil, and vniuersatie of y^e disputaciō of loue, with a thousād vaine delites, to with drawe her from wel doinge, or to showe effectes of a godly lyfe: but to auoide the imputacion or title of a rigorous iudge, whiche some of oure ladies or gentlewomen, maye peraduenture bestowe vppon me, in prescribinge suche straite rules of their reformaciō, I prefer for my only defēce, y^t benefit of vertue, who I am sewer, wil alwaies appeare perfecte, as she is, both in bud & brāch, in what soile soeuer she be plan∣ted, wherin aswel for mine owne excase, as also to make, more noble y^e sinceritie of noble dames, by thimpudēt life of y^e slipperie sort of womē, I haue preferred this exāple of an Italiā coūtesse, who so lōg as her first husbād (not igno rāt of y^e humor of her inclinacion) kept her within the blew of his eye, seamed so curious of her reputaciō, y^t y^e same on∣ly was hable to pleade against al thennemies of her reno∣wme: but y^e vaile of this fre captiuitie, was no soner takē away by the death of her husband, but God knoweth what valyant exploites she performed, and your selues may be iudges what false bowndes she gaue to her owne honor, with badges of infamie to hym that shold haue gouerned her, in her second mariage, if you wil use patience in rea∣dinge the discourse that followeth.

THE DISORDERED LYF of the countesse of Celant, who liuynge long in adultery, and after she had procured diuerse morders, receaued the hier of her vvickednes by a shameful death.

IN thuttermoste partes of Pyemount, is a percell of thinheritaunce of the Marques mountferrat called CASALIA, where dwelte sometyme one Iames Scarpadon, a manne more notorius in those partes, by his treasure and abhomynable trade of vsurie and fylthie gaine, then of anye reputacion elswhere, by discēt of parentage, or monument of any vertue or godly disposicion, who, marienge a grecian damefell of equal qualitie and calibre, begat of her a dought ter more faire, then vertuouse, lesse honest then was neces∣sarie, and worse disposed, then well giuen any waye, yme∣diatlye after whose birthe, the father (as one ouercharged with yeres, and tormented with care to encrease the glee of his goldē coffers) renownced nature and dyed, bequeathing a porcion of a hundreth thowsande dockattes, to his younge doughter Blanche maria, who dismissing the age of infancie, accordyng to thordynarye course of tymes, seamed sooner rype in yeres, then confirmed in discrecion, or hable to admitt the order of good gouernement: for goinge on the .xvi. yere of her age, albeit her doinges were not voied of diuerse argumentes of bad disposicion, yet the respect of her beauty, with thintisinge desier of her large porcion, forced seuerall importunities in sondry noble men & princes of the contrey,

in such forte, as by extreame sute & mediacion of frendes, she was marryed at last to the Viscount Hermes, sonne and heir of the thyefest house in MYLLAN, who incontinent after the mariage, caried her in greate pompp to his house, leauinge her mother to traffyque thaffaires of her vsurye, accor∣dynge to the former trade of her late husbands.

This Viscount after he had practised a while thinclinacion of his wyfe, whom he noted more argumentes of wanton and vnseamelye glees, with a desyer of dysordinat liber∣ty, then apparance of any vertue, honest qualitie, or womā∣ly behauiour, began by litle and litle to preuent theffect of so many lyklyhodes of perentorye ylls, by puttinge Abry∣del to her wilfall appetite, wherein notwithstandyng he seamed so precise, bothe to avoyde the name of discour∣teouse on his wyues behalf, and also to shonne thimputaciō of A Jelouse or suspicius husbande, that wythout manye wordes of Keproche, eyther in publyke or secrette, Kepre∣hendinge her faulte Rather by Cyrcumstaunce, then plain Discourse, he broughte her at laste to dysmisse all Desyer to goe abroade, wyth contentement (perforce) to make her only solace of the societie and companye, whythe she fonde in his house, wherein also for his parte, forgat not to court & embrase her with a more continual haunte of his cōpany, thē eyther was necessarie for his health, or he well hable to performe, neyther yet cōuenient to haue ben don, yf by such pollicie, he had not gouerned her lightnes, & kept her in rea∣sonable breath & albeit the dames of MYLLAN haue a more skoape of libertie, then the reste of the Ladies in any part in Italie, hauyng by custume (as yt were) certaine dayes in the weeke of entercourse and meetinge together, yet thinde∣uour of this viscount, broughte his wyfe not onely in con∣tempt with suche assemblies, but also to disclaime all gos∣soppes trade or other felow shippe, sauing such as she foūde in the house of her husbande, from whose presence shee de∣parted not For any intreatye whatsoeuer: wherewith, her

companions and Ladies of the citie, fyndyng a lacke of her companie fearing withal, that the continuance of suche pre∣cedent, wolde in tyme preuaile aboue their present libertie in procuringe to theim all a semblable restraint from their accustuned accesse, suborned an olde matrone called Madona Hipolyta Sforce, who broakinge one daye with Seigneur Hermes of other affaires, asked hym why he kepte his wife so shorte, with aduise in the ende, that he woulde slacke somwat the bridle of his rigour, and enioyne her a longer line or com∣passe of libertie, leaste the worlde entred into moormure a∣gaynste hym, with ymaginacion that he eyther doated of her beautie, or had her honestie in doute, for (sayth she) ke∣pinge her in this straite mewe, you bringe her fragilitie in question, and wynneth to your self the title of a Jelouse husband. He aunswered her breef demaunde with tearmes of as shorte discourse, obseruing notwithstāding the condi∣cion of his owne estate, and qualitie of her that propouned the question. There is no man (good madam, (saith he) that speaketh not some time that, which he oughte not to thinke, euenso what eare is priuiledged from hearinge suche thin∣ges as are not true, for suche as are vainelie occupied in disputinge at large vppon my doinges, are ignorant of the cause, and muche lesse knowe they the disposicion of my wyf, whom I had rather kepe captif in seamclie order, then in gyuynge leaue to her libertie, to procure her dishonour, and myself iuste infamye, he that will kepe the thynge pe∣culyar to hymselfe whyche is desyred of many, muste ney∣ther offer yt to the sale, nor suffer yt to be seene but seldom: And as yt is only I that am pryuye to myne owne greef, so I am not ignoraunt of a medecyne to restore the disease, neyther am I voyed of discretion to gouerne in good sorte, the humours of my younge wyfe, nor at what tymes I shoulde lette flyppe the rayne that restraynes the fur∣ther lybertye you seame to require. But where you charge me wyth a dowte of her honestye, blame me not

yf I seeke to preuent that whyche I woulde not sholde hap∣pen, and to auoyde thimputacion of Ialousye, I am content that hensfurthe she come to your house, when & as often &, at such howers, as yt shall like you to desyer her companie, beynge perswaded that the ranke and reputation you hold, will not broke other societie or felowshyppe, then suche as aggree euerie waye with your grauitie and vertue, whiche onely shalbee her skoape, with suche other recreacion and pleasure as she fyndes in my house, to the common conten∣tement and mutuall tranquilletie of vs bothe: for the rest, I wyshe all importunities to ceasse, leaste they wrest me to a further rigour, for as I am hethervnto fullye perswaded of her honestie, so I accompte yt a wysdome to forsee, that the vse of to muche libertie, do not corrupte that, whyche as yet is without spot: wherein treulie he had great reason, and his precedent or example moste worthy of ymitacion, to suche as are in like state touchynge the gouernement of their wyues, for to that kynde of cattall, albeit for diuerse respectes wee ought to forbeare to minister thextremetye of rigour, yet lett vs not forgett for all that, to kepe theym somewhat short, and showe our selues worthye of thautho∣ritie giuen vs by God and nature, in exposynge the rodd of correction, affore they come to excede our awee, or gett the byt betwene their teethe, without power to reclaime theim by any art or pollecie: His prophecie also seamed fully vere∣fyed in the sequeile of the licenceous lyuing of his new wif, for that within fewe yeres after, the viscount, beyng serued with the processe of hys fatall sommonce, gaue place to the worlde, and yelded to the dome of hys destynes, whyche after Blanche maria had lamented with a fewe womanly tea∣res, and performed the funeral ceremonies, more to defend her from mormure of the people, then for respect of dutie to hym that was dead, she retyred to Mount ferrat, were she also encountred the newes of the deathe of her mother, whyche she disgested in lyke sorte, with an ordynary dule, & repaired ymediatly to CASALIA, where beynge ladye ouer all, and

subiect to the controlement of none, she tooke such a sewer taste, and Sypped so strongelie on the cup of licenceous ly∣bertie, that yt bredd in her an insatiable thurste of wanton and dissolute lyfe, as you shall heare hereafter: for her chief and comon excercise there, was, to force a frizilacion of her haire, with the bodkind, conuerting the naturall coollour in to a glistering glee suborned by arte, to abuse God and na∣ture, by alteringe the complexion of her face by a dye of fa∣dinge coollours deuised by pollecye, and that with more cu∣riosytie, then the most shameles curtisan in Rome, glaun∣cing vppon euery one oute of the windowe, kepinge priuat banquettes in the nighte with a haunte of masquers with couered face, and on the daye, sittinge at her gate as a stale, to allure a staye of suche as passed by the stretes, there was no offer made, whyche she dyd not admit, no request prefer∣red, whiche she dyd not willyngelye heare, nor letter sent, whyche shée dyd not receiue and aunswere. This was the fyrst earneste penny and foundacion of her licencious lyfe, wherein she gained at laste the price and chiefe praise from all women that euer made profession to weare the armes of CVPIDO or marched vnder thenseygne of hys mother Venus.

I wyshe the mothers and gouernours of lytle girles in our contrey, wolde respect chieflye ij. moste necessarie rules in theducacion of theyr tender ympes, the one to barre all secret conference in corners, whyche is the greatest corru∣pter of youthe, the other, open and publike cacquet in the streetes, whiche bringes their honour in question amongest the multitude: for as the towne and fortresse besieged, sea∣methe halfe won, and not hable to endure the force of the canon, yf she demande a parley or composicion, so the eare of a woman, that is open to the tale of euerie friuolus louer, or enclyned to giue the leaste creditt to hys discourse, albeyt her honour and chastetie bee not in interest, but cleare from imputacion of iuste cryme, yet dothe shee leaue a sufficient occasion to the people, to dispute and skan her doynges, with

other tearmes then she deserueth, for aswell muste wee a∣voide the suspicion as theffecte of euyll, seinge the good renowme is no lesse necessarie, thē thonest life, And she that wilbe noted of integretie, and sincere perfection of liuinge, must not only avoide the acte of adulterie, but also the suspi∣cion of the same: wherfore I wishe all Ladyes to stande so sewerly vpon their guarde, that they neyther be affected to thone, nor infected wyth thother, but rather in deuydinge their doinges into an honeste meane, to do nothinge in se∣cret, whych shame denieth theym to iustefye in publike, nor to be the secretarie of any mans vanitie, or cause of the cō∣mom hawnt or wonder of the people, but rather to obserue the pollecie of the serpent, who vseth to stoppe her eares w^t her taile, to thend she be not infected wyth the noyse of the charmer. But now to our BLANCHEMARIA, who resol∣ued whollie in the studie and exercises of loue, somtyme sit∣ting in the window, with a lute in her hande, sometime pas∣sing the streetes with open face, more to allure the people to a gaze, thē for her necessary affaires, or take the open ayre for preseruing of health, and now and then (for chaunge of recreacion) to make solemne banquettes, wher the presence of her parentes and frendes, and states of grauitie was not tollerable, but only the companie of the carpet sect, and such as cold make best court to Ladies, where amongest the rest of her ordenarye hawnt, shee was chieflie pursewed by the lorde GYSMOND GŌNSAGA, son and heir to the duke of MANTVA, and therle of CELAND, one of the greatest repu∣tacion for honor, in the dukedom of SCAVOYE, both whi∣che, as they did their best to obteine her in mariage, omit¦ting no meanes to aduance their seruice, and make theim meritorious of her fauour, so she made her onlye pastyme & toke singler pleasure in the sondry ymportunities of these .ii. woers, slenting at their sortes of deuises in woing, smi∣ling at their follie, carping their gesture and behauiour, and counterfetting so artyfyciallie their amarus regardes, hol∣low sighes and often tornes of the eye, wyth change of com∣plexion,

and ympedyment of the tong whilest they were vp∣pon tearmes to obteine her goodwill, that she seamed to haue red no other authors, or made profession of other experience in the whole discourse of her lyfe afore: Signeiur Gonsaga pro∣cured thassistance of his mother in lawe, the marques of Mounteferrat, whose perswacions wyth earnest sute in short tyme, had so sommoned the wydow to affection on hys behalf, that the mariage was not onely concluded, but at point of fy∣nall consommacion by order of the church, if the SCAVONI∣AN erle, had not (as it were) forbidded the banes, and inter∣cepted their resolucion by fyne force: for vnderstanding that another had entred the lystes, and made breache, wher he had geuen so many assaltes, and at the verye point to praye vpon his mistres, he vsinge the nexte offer of conueniente tyme, went to the lodging of his ladye, whom he founde all alone, & (as he thought) somewhat disposed to heare his discourse, whiche he broached vnto her, in these tearmes, with a kinde of countenance and gesture arguing sufficiently the simpli∣citie of his loue.

If I were as sewer of meanes to releue my distresse, as I am certeine to suffer the smart, I colde easelye dismisse my present perplexetie of mynde, occupied with treble dowte, the one, whether I shold blame my selfe, of negligence, ac∣cuse you of rigour (good madame) or cry out of my fortune, which hetherunto hath fauored me with a vainehope of good successe, and now left me to the mercie of absolute dispaire: for the small remorce and slender compassion which hether∣to haue appered in you, do argue a great wrōg on your part, touching the iustice of my cause, seing you haue not only de∣nied pitie towards my sodry passions, but also made none ac∣compt any way of the loyall & honest loue I beare you, for y^t you wold neuer allow nor seame to vnderstād any regard or other meanes I preferred for thaduancemente of the same, And yet I find a greater falt in my self, in suffring an other to cut the earthe frome vnder my féete, and marche so farre in my steppes, that I haue almoste loste thée tracke of

the praye I chieflye desyer: but aboue all I complaine vpon our common fortune that hath brought me in daunger of present dispaire, loasinge the thing I Iustely deserue, & you in semblable perill, by committinge you to a place, where your captiuitie shalbe no lesse, thē the slaues or seruile sorte of Moares condēned to y^e mynes in Portugale, or Indya, Haue you now forgot the sondrye miseries you endured vnder the gouernement of youre late husband Seigneur Hermes? Doth it not suffice, that he kept you in the mew, & (as it were) in his chamber the space of v. or vj. yeres, but that in retour∣nynge to a more desolacion, wyth exchaunge of that capti∣uitie for a more straite and extreme abridgement of libertie, you committ the remeindor of your florishyng youth, to the mercy of the Mantuans, whose heades are the cōmon fordge, whereupon the humour of frettynge Ielousye doth alwaies beate? weare it not better (good madame) that we, who ap∣proache neare the brauerie of Fraunce, enioying a natural participacion of the ayre and libertie of that contreye, shold lyue and be resident together, then in refusinge thoffer of so greate a commoditye, to make a seconde proffe of the curte∣sie of an Ytalian, who is not so suspicious, as cruell, & apte to synister conceites without iuste cause, and who can not breake thinstinct whiche nature hath giuen hym, not only to doubte of the honestie of his wife, be she neuer so vertuouse, but also to kepe her so shorte with strait imprisonment, that she shall neyther be suffred to visit her frendes abroade, nor admitt any accesse at hoame? besides, what will be the com∣mon brute of the world, if not, that thonly awe and feare of the Ladye Marquesse, hath forced you, to mary her son in lawe, neyther wil they haue other opinion of your doinges, but as a pupill, or one standynge in awe of her tutour, wherein you abuse the libertie whiche the lawe hath giuen you, in suffringe your selfe, not only to bée gouerned, but also forced by suche as haue no reason to rule you, nor au∣thoritie to commaunde you, whiche title, with his sequeile of a thousand incōueniences and annoyes, as I wishe you to

eschewe chiefly for the respect of your owne contentemit & quiett of lyf, so in preuenting so present and yminent a pe∣rill, dispose your self (good lady) to embrace the gifte of a bet∣ter time, and ymagyn that fortune hath here sente her mes∣senger, not only to present you with an offer of preset plea∣sure, but also an assured warrante and confirmacion of con∣tinuall contentement, euen vntill thextreme daye and date of your lyfe, wherin for my part, beyng voyde of solicitors, I am come (as you see) in person, to pleade for grace on mine owne behalf, preferrynge vnto you, a consideracion of the longe and honeste loue I haue borne you, sommoning your conscience also by iustice, not to be vnthankeful in the guer∣don of so due a meritt. You knowe my estate is voyde of ne∣cessetie, or lacke of any welthe, neyther are you ignorant (I am sewer) of my large power & possession in Scauoye, both whyche as I hope, will defende me from charge or note of couetuse desyer, in sekyng the graunte of your fauour, so I laye theim also afore you, as witnesses, to aduouche thus∣muche further on my behalfe, that thonlye respect of your beautie, with other giftes of rare consequence in you, haue sturred vpp my affection, with desyer to do you seruice, and craue good will in sorte of honest and lawfull mariage: and Albeit I coulde yet haue thassystance of a thousande other reasons to iustyfie thusmuche of me, yet reapposing muche for my self in thintegretie of my cause, I commende vnto you the present viewe of an vnfained experience, and comit my selfe whollie to thindifferencie of your iudgement: for yf my passion were not vehement, and my tormēt continual without comparaison, or yf my requeste had neyther reason nor iustice on his syde, I had but righte, yf I were retorned; with a repulse of my dissembled sute, & receiue the due hyer of a deceitful mynde: but seing my demaund standes vppon tearmes of simplicitie, & voyed of treason, importinge an vnfained effecte, semblable to the dollorous regardes of my complerion, and seing withal I come accompanied with sin∣cerity, & vndowted entēt of honest dealing, & that I cānot take

day with my passion, but by the consent of your good will, regarde I besech you the merite of my faith, and measure the meede according to thequitie of my deserte, resolue an equal difference (good madam) betwene the deserte of hym, that vnder the vaile of the power and authoritis of an other, dothe seke to conquere your good will, with intent to keepe you in continuall captiuitie, and the iust merite of me, who respectyng only your beautie and vertue, hath vowed mine honor and lyf to the continuall contemplacion of the same, with this further vowe to lyue & dye the seruant and slaue of the least of your commaundements, let the vehemency of my affection, with the vowe and intent of vnfained loyalty, precure you but to a iuste remorse and indiffrent considera∣cion of me, regarde (I beseche you) thembassadour, which is loue hymself, who (in conuertinge myne auncient libertye into a present captiuitie and awe of your beautie,) hath for∣ced also suche a vehemencie of zeale in me, that yf my cause retorne with an effect contrarye to the hope which hetherto hath only preserued me, you will come to too late a repen∣tance of your crueltie, & by my death shalbe witnessed thin∣tegretie and honest hart, which I bare to my onely mistrys and most faire ladie Blanche Maria, who notyng the rounde∣nes of therle, with the dollorus regardes of face, accompa∣nieng his complaint, gaue iudgemēt of the simplicity of his loue, & renewing besides in her mind, the misery of her laste mariage with the natural Ialousie of al Italians, seamed not only to mislike of her rash graunt to the marquesse, but also to prefer a special likyng to the present offer of the Scauonian, to whom she replied, that albeit y^e sondrie benefits of the La∣die marquesse, had bounde her to a thankefull consideracion to her power, & that she was almost as loath to offend her, as displease her self, yet she had not engaged her libertie so far, but she reserued one point to stande her self in stead, what neede so euer she had, for in the choice of our husbands (saith she) we ought to respect a fre wil & cōsent of our selues, and not to obserue thappetite of an other, or constrained there∣unto by straungers, seyng that as thinstitucion of god doth

gyue theim vnto vs for companions without seperacion, so yt is our partes to consider at large, afore we resolue of the choice, to thende that in breakyng so holye a ceremonie, we seame not vnworthie of so sacred and highe a participacion. But for my part (sir) yf yt were not to auoyde the grudge of suspicion in the wicked sorte, with the pertiall and poysoned bable of malicius tounges, I assure you, I would liue with∣out a seconde assaye of the curtesye of an other husbande, protestinge vnto you with vnfained vowe that if I thought, that he whom my destenies haue reserued for my nexte con∣sorte wolde represent, eyther in qualitie or condicion, cir∣cunstance or effect, the doinges of hym that is dead the bale sholde be broken from thinstant, and the bargaine reuoked, what earnest or assurance so euer is giuē of it. I thanke you for your aduertisement, with treble tribute, for the honour you do me in desyeringe a composicion of mariage betwene vs, promissing you, in simple consideracion of the same, with the small deceite and dissembled traison I note in you, the francke and free preferment of my mariage, yf I happen to dispose my selfe that waye, with addicion of further power ouer the Ladye Blanche Maria, then any one in the worlde, whereof you maye make as assured accompte, as yf the proff had alredie confirmed my wordes.

Therle, seynge so faire an entreye, thoughte not conueniēt to lett slipp the benefytt of so good a time, but fedynge the humor of his fortune, iudged yt no point of good husbādry to loase his frute after yt bee rype, nor his corne for wante of gettinge, but beatinge the bushe as the birde was readie to go oute, recharged her with a seconde admonishement, to bee no lesse carefull of his commoditie, then curious of her owne Quiett, and seyng (saith he) the remembrance of your plages passed, giues you reason to feare the fall of future bōdage, and that the vse of libertie is so deare vnto you, why sticke you to abandon the offer of seruilitie, & embrase a pre∣sente of the quiet you chyeflye desyer, or why make you conscience to condiscende to that, whiche can not redownde but to your honor & contentemēt? assure me by the breath of

your owne month, of the faith & loyaltye of maryage, & you shall sée me purseue the ende and worke it to effect, without offence or displeasure of anie: if y^e feare of the ladie marquess restrayne your consent, I thinke you do wrong to the chief vertues wherof she is renoumed, for you muste imagyne, that she wyll not become suche a tyranness over the wyll of her subiectes, as to cōstraine the ladies of her land, to marie agaynste their myndes, and muche lesse force that, whych god hath left in libertie to all sortes, wherwith beholdinge an alteracion of complexion in her face, with a general asto∣nishmēt thorow al her partes, like one ballancing in doubt∣full deuises, not hable to resolue a determynate iudgement wythout the assistance of some speciall councel, toke her by the hande, and kissinge it with no lesse delite, then he founde singler pleasure in thys argument of good successe, renfor∣ced her to a more corage, with desyer not to dismay wyth thassalte, seing thassalyante was readye to yelde to her mer∣cye, neyther doubt to admit hym to your husband (saieth he) who sweareth vnto you, all such dutie, amytie, and reue∣rence, as belong to a husband to performe to hys loyall and lawful wyfe, wyth thys further confirmacion of my affec∣cion towardes you, that afore the consommacion of the ma∣riage by thauthoritie of the church, I wyl assigne you what pryuiledge of libertie, your selfe, can or wyll deuise: do a∣way then the feare of the marquesse, who hauing neyther law nor reason to enter into mislike wyth you, cannot, nor will not reprehende you (I am sewer) in making your fan∣cie pryuie to the choice of your husbande, for a contract for∣ced, is a violacion of the sacrament of mariage: and let not the simple and bare promisse to the Lord Gonsaga (whom I knowe you loue not) bée any ympedyment to my requeste, for the vow or promisse ymportes no effecte, whiche is pro∣cured by cōstraint: wherwyth the widow: fearing to fal eft∣sones into seruitude, and fully perswaded of the large offer of libertie promised by the erle, was not hable to aunswere his ymportunities in other sort, then with a franke cōsent of her faith, wyth a confirmacion by worde and othe, whyche

likewise he aduowched for his part, by semblable ceremonies according to thorder of contractes, wherin for a more assu∣rance of the knot, and because the corde shold not breake, they wrastled a fall, the one a loft of the other in witnes of the bargayne.

This first earnest pennye or pleasante encownter of therle, procured him to contynue his hawnte, wyth more open and familyar accesse then affore, in such sort, as fame discouered ymediatly their secret consentes, whiche also the common brute brought to the eares of the Ladie marquesse, who not∣withstanding shée had iust cause of angry conceite againste the widow, yet the respect of therle, and regard to her owne honor, kept her from any intent of reueng, but swallowing a pil of pacience rather by force, then order of due disgestion, disposed herselfe, also to appease the Lorde GONSAGA, who repeating in his mynde the sondrie argumentes of wanton and light behauior heretofore noted in his lost wydowe, be∣gan to prophecie of thissue and end of his commedie, geuing God thankes for his happie delyuerie from so inconstante a creature, wherin he greued also on the behalfe of thinfortu∣nat erle, that had planted his affection in so pestilent a soile, exposing euen now manifest likelyhodes, of the dissolucion of the delite he seamed to take in his new consort and wantō wife, lamenting more his rashenes in thenterprise, then al∣lowing his wisedom in the choice, for that accordinge to the lattyne adage, he that vseth more haste in thexecucion, then councell or deuise in consulting of his busynes, shall lacke no tyme to repente his rashnes, nor leasure to do pennance for hys folly, and he that in che choice of his wife, hath more respect to her flattering bewtie, then giftes of true vertue, shall easely bée wearie of pleasure, and hardly enioye a conty¦nuall quiet of mind, the want wherof houered euen nowe to ouerwhelme this fond erle, who after publication of the ma¦riage, retired wyth his wyfe, to his house amongest y^e moun¦taines and craggie hills of Scauoye, where he began to take

councel of his present affaires, for that Syftynge somwhat nearelye the disposicion of his wyfe, he founde her attyred wholly in the apparell of wanton libertie, and more apte to followe thinclinacion of vaine and lasciuious desyer, then disposed to make a staye of her selfe in the trade of ho∣nest vertue, wherefore he accompted it an acte of wisdome, to take vp the vaine that fedd those humours, and stop her course afore she gained the plaine féelde, wherein albeit he vsed so steadie a hande in the dyot of so daungerous a crea∣ture, ministrynge the remedye wyth the consent of suche conuenient times, and meanes, and in order of suche sim∣plicitye and gentle dealyng, that she had no greate cause to note hym of discurtesie, yet she became veray waspishe in that he was so priuye to her disposicion, and forgat so soone the large pryuilege of the lybertye whiche he had promi∣sed her, reprehendynge wyth bitter tearmes, the generall infidelytie of men, with peculyar exclamacion against thini∣quitye or her fortune, for that, she had refused the prefer∣ment of the Ladye Marquesse, and promisse of mariage wyth Seigneur Gonsaga, exchaungyng diuerse and sondry offers of honor and libertie, for an yrkesome trade of seruile lyfe, wyth habitacion amongest the wilde deserts, and barraine séeldes of Sauoye, not forgettyng to reproche her husbande with diuerse wordes of spite & disdaine, assurynge hym for end, that she wold not remeine lōg coyffed & kept at cōmaū∣dement like a childe that is appointed his tymes to studie, & howers for recreacion. But therle neither ignorant in the sollies of women, nor voyde of experience to practise suche kinde of creatures, preferred a wounderful pacience, as his chiefest remedy against the rage of his wyf, laying afore her notwithstāding in gentle tearmes, the dutie and indeuor of a wyfe towardes her husband, how much (& in what sorte she ought to respect the honor of her self, and reputacion of ma∣riage, and that as no woman oughte to putt in interest her honor or honest name, so the greater she is in degrée, the more haynous is her offence, and a small faulte of a

great Ladie, is most mortall in the eye of y^e multitude, who lookes that the lyfe and vertue of greate Ladies, shold serue (as it were) as a torche of cleare flame to gyue lighte to the lesser companions, neither is the chastetie of y^e mynde (saith he) sufficient to confirme the perfect renowme of a gentle∣woman, if the wordes and outewarde hehauior of the bodye do not followe thinwarde vertue of the hart, & thordynarye hawnte and exercise, giue manifest declaracion of that whi∣che lieth hyd in the secretes of the stomacke, and for my part I wolde be loathe to giue you cause of miscontentement, seing that in the reapose of you, consistes the rest of my self, and you beynge oute of quiett, I can not escape without greeff, seynge that as the mutuall consent of our wills and affections, with the like coniunction of mariage, hath made you the one halfe and second part of my selfe, so I exspect at your handes only a simple accomplishement of that, which your publike othe affore God and man in the churche hath bounde you vnto, like as also I am readye to performe vnto you thuttermost of any promisse or priuiledge, where of at any tyme, I haue made protestacion, with full assurance frō this present of euerye part of the same, so that you giue me the due respect of a husbande, for as the head beyng the chief and principall part of the reste of the members, hath (as yt were) a speciall authority by nature, to gouerne the whole masse and remeynder of the bodye, so the woman, beynge thinferior part of her husbande, is subiect to all dutifull obe∣dience on his behalfe, & bounde to honor hym with no worse tearmes, then by the name of Lord and maister, for in omit∣tinge your duty towards him, you abuse the vertue of your vowe, approued by sollemne othe, and in incēsing his disho∣nor, you are gu••ltie of the violacion and breache of wed∣locke: one chief ouersighte I note in you is, for that vppon smal causes, you fordge great complaintes, which argueth the rather the ydlenes of your brayne, for the mynde that ys occupyed wyth vanitye, is forgettfull of all thyn∣ges, sauynge suche as thynstygacion of pleasure and

folly, do preferr to her remembraunce, where on the con∣trarye part, the sprite affected to vertue, exposeth alwayes ••rutes accordynge to so great a gyfte, dissimuling her passi∣ons, with wordes of wisdome, and in knowing-much, giueth not withstandynge a showe of an honest and moderate igno∣rance, & she that laboreth in a passion of particular cōceites, with detestacion of the due respecte of honor, can not studie other workes, then such as seame to fauor her follye, nor o∣pen her eares to any voice, if the same agrée not to the cōplot and cōtentement of her fancie, wherein as I hope, you will, eyther pardō me by iustice, or at least excuse my simplicitie, for that, as you late tearmes of reproche haue forced me to suche a plaines, so for ende, if you will renounce your trade of former folly, and fromhen••••urth retire to an orderly con∣firmitie of life, you shal not only procure a singler pleasure to me, but cause an absolute contentement with continuall quiet to your selfe, whereof bée careful as you thinke good. Here the erle had great reason and double pollecie, in seking to reforme thabuses in his wif without thassistance of cruel∣tie or constraint, for that suche disposicions are rather redu∣ced by faire intreaity, then reclaimed by feare or force of tor∣ments, according to the nature of diuerse of thinsensible crea¦tures, for the fierce Elephant standes not in awe of his kea∣per by force of any stripes, but is made tractable to bende his lardge bodie whilest he mounte vpon his backe, by certeine familiar voices and stroakinges of his keper, wherewith he ouercometh the naturall rudenes and crueltie of the beaste: The Tygre will take foode at the handes of the wildman no∣rished in the caues and desert habitacions amongest theim, where no stripes nor other awe of man can moue any mode∣racton to his wodnes, or cruell nature: So likewise some women, albeyt they are quite deuested of all honor or hone∣stie, yet are they founde to reteine some sparkes of ciuil hu∣manitie, beinge more easelye broughte to a reformacion by gentle order, then reclaimed by the smart of any tor∣ture or crueltie, wherein not withstandynge this countesse

seamed to vse a more extremety, and excede y^e doinges of any that euer haue bene noted of disorder that waye, for neither gentle perswacions colde allure her, nor feare nor force re∣duce her to reconcilement, or amendement of life, but accor∣dynge to the stone of Scylicia, vppon whom, the more you be∣ate, to bruse or breake yt in peces, the greater hardnes is dryuen into it, so the greater indeuor therle vsed to persuade his wyfe, eyther by allurement or offer of correction, the more peruersatie he founde in ber, with lesse hope of amen∣dement, and as she vsed a malicious scilence during the dis∣course of his exhor••acion, so she forced in her selfe for the pre¦sent, a wounderfull patience, to thend that with the consent of a more conuenient time, she might spitt oute the poyson whiche she shrowded secretly vnder the wynge of her vene∣mous stomacke, wherby for a first proofe of her conninge in the parte she mente to plaie, she forgat not to dissimule her passion, and conterfet the simple ypocrate in suche sorte, as a wiser man then therle, mighte easelye haue bene taken in the snare of her deceite, whiche notwithstandynge she vsed in such couert manner, that within shorte time, she had not only remoued al conceites of euill from the head of her hus∣band, but also brought him to an opinion of a maruelons ho∣nesty and assured confidence in her, in whyche good vaine, & for a more declaracion of his good mynde towardes her, he obserued her fancie so farfurth, as vpon a soddaine he brake vp house in Scauoye, and went to Casaliae, where laye her in∣heritance and chiefe possession.

Yf you marke wel the fetche of this womā, in procuring her husband to depart his cōtrey, & what a sodaine checke folow∣ed to him, with a false bound to y^e honor of her selfe, you may easely iudge, that a woman once bent, & resolued to do euill, hath a wit to ymagine al malice, & sorts of mischief to be mi∣nisters in therecucion of her wickednes, & that neither feare of punishement, imputacion of shame, perill nor daunger, how mortall so euer they appeare, can staye her from per∣forming the end of her dampnable deuise, wherof the trage∣die

of MEDEA, & follie of the frende of Theseus argueth suffi∣ciently their tickle constācie in vertue, & great zeale and de∣sier to do thinges contrarye to all honestie, neither doth the Egle soaring in the ayre, conueighe her selfe to so hyghe a gate, by the force & ••leight of her wings, as the vaine concei∣tes & ymaginacions of a woman gouernedby her owne opi∣nion, filleth her full of deuises of iniquitie, with desier and meanes to performe the••fe••t of any euill, wherin as I touch only suche as hauing made open sale of their honor, are not worthy eftesoones to chalenge their place amongest the so∣cietie of chaste & verteous dames, so I hope the same is suffi∣cient to procure my excuse amongest the crewe of honeste Ladies and gentlewomen, the rather for that the publicaciō and de••yphering of the iuste infamye of the corrupted sorte, giueth a greater show of your glorie, & makes your honour and vertue of more reputacion, neither woulde I be noted in this place of malice, to moue question of theime, whose liues and doinges euerie waye are ful of integretie, nor vse any pertiall adulacion or flutterie on the behalfe of suche, as be notorius of euill in the eye of al the world, but in making an indiffrent diuisiō of the desertes of euery degre, to giue to either sorte his peculiar title, neither conceiling the cor∣rupcion and villanie of the one, nor carping the vertue and iuste renowne of thother, whereof I leaue the iudgement, and my excuse in ballance amongest you chaste dames, who I am sewer do wishe no lesse a discouerie & punishement of the faltes of others, thē your selues desier a iuste encrease of glorie and name of reputacion for euer, and retornes nowe to the pursute of our countesse of CELAND, who dandlinge her husband at CASALIA with a glee of masqued frendship, kissinge & cherishing him after a Iudas order, who embrased her vn••ainedlie from the bottome of his hart, adding efteso∣nes a freshe remembrance to his late discurtesye, with a ve∣hement desyer to satisfye the glotte of her fyltie lust, whe∣rein she accompted the presence & companie of the countey, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 speciall ympediment seing y^e so long as she was with him,

yt was impossible to water her gardeine with other pott, then y^t which she detested no lesse then thoffer of poisō, deter∣myned to giue present remedie, and putt herself, in free li∣bertie, by a secret fleighte & stealinge awaye from her hus∣bande, wherein for a firste begynning or sewer fondation of this deuise, she leuied, by secret meanes, a great sōme of mo∣ney, whiche she put in banke to ronne in interest to her vse, and reseruinge a thousande doockattes to supplie her neces∣sarie torne till the daye of receite of the vsurie or hier of her banke, wherwith in the only companie of ij. or iij. seruantes, which wer secretaries of her deuise, shee taketh the aduaun∣tage of a faire nighte, when the clearenes of the moone, and starrs fauored the diligence of the ••••caboundes, and fleethe to PAVYA, a towne subiect to the state and dukedome of MYLLAN, where shee hyered one of the faireste lodgin∣ges in the towne, whose windowes opened all vppon the street with certeine backe doares to receiue a secret messen∣ger, a shoppe moste necessarie for her trade, and whych also she forgat not to decke and trym vpp with faire beddes, ri∣che hanginges, and other accottrementes of glee, more to allure a repaire of gesse, then eyther seamelie or necessarie for her estate. I leaue you to iudge what Tyntamar entred the head of therle, by the soddaine and secret departure of his wyfe, and I aske this question, how many of you, wold haue raised the hewe and crye, or dispatched any messengers, for the recouerie of so great a losse, I aduouche thusmuche on y^e behalf of therle, that at the first noise & brute of thaccident, he did not only enter into tearmesof inordina••rage, with intēt to raise the whole contreye, but also was readye to pursue the chasse in persō, albeit after y^e furie of his storme was reti∣red, giuing place to thinstigaciō of reasō, & that he had cōfer∣red y^e present effect & fact of his wife, with the former circū∣stance & argumēts of licencious desier in her, he rather gaue thākes to his fortune for her frēdship, thē entred into teares or sorowe for thabsence of so lew••e a guest, and seyng her de∣parture had discharged his head of a greate deale of care, he

determined not only to vse no impediment to her libertie, but also not to offer himself any waye to recouer her, whose absence imported an assurance of future quiet and contente∣mēt, during the remeinder or reste of his age. He that is as∣sured (saith he) of the malice of his enemye, hath smal cause to feare his force, for that he is warned to stande vpon his guarde againste all doubte or distruste of treason, but suche is in treble daunger, as embraseth in his armes a mortall enemye, in thabite and attire of an assured frende, and tru∣styng to the smilynge regardes of the Cockatrice, doth not es∣chew the peril, till she haue won the place to shootefurth her stinge of mischiefe, yf my wyf had taken longer dayes in dissimulynge her malice, my perill had increased with the ignorance of her wicked intent, where nowe I am not only priuye to her whole disposttiō, but happelie rid of so deceipt∣ful a frend, & secret enemye, who (no doubte) wold not onely haue slaūdered my bed, w^t vnlawful adulterie, but indefiling her handes with my blood, woulde one day haue made no cō∣science to cut my throate, or furthered my death otherwayes by some of her ruffyans, or coherentes of iniquitie: I am content with this indifferent pennance, and punishment due to me by ryght, for thextreme loue I hare her, wythout further desyer, that the breath and presence of so pestilent an infection, maye eftsones pollute the worste corner in my house, let her go, and rate her pleasure, at what interest she thinkes good, for this so late and familiar experience, shall suffice not only to instruct, but also warne me to be ware of suche deceiptful and counterfeite ymages. And procedynge still with tearmes of complaint, concluded that the honor of a man, did neyther depende, nor was any waye defaced by the disorder or dishonestye of his wycked wyfe, chieflye, where such abuse is deriued rather of a corrupte inclinacion of her selfe, then any discurtesie or vnseamelye dealyng on his parte: his passion forced hym to exclaime againste all sortes of women, sparynge neyther state nor degrée of that sect, against whome he séamed to inueygh, rather by trans∣port

then consent of reason, and without all regarde or re∣membraunce of any one of thinfynite nomber of honeste Ladyes, whose simplicitie and vpright order of lyfe, do not only defende themselues from the stinge of any reproche, but also discouereth the villenie of suche as abandone theyr honor wythout respect to honest shame, whiche as a com∣panion moste familiar) ought to gouerne and direct the do∣inges of all women. But now let vs resorte to Pauia, and visit the doinges of Blanche Maria, whose renowne in short time, became of no lesse brute in all the corners and costes of Ytalye, then the Corynthyan lays thorow all partes of Asya, being withal so prodigall of her libertie, wyth open and vn∣seamelye meanes, to make her selfe knowen to the worlde, that in the veray viewe and first begynnynge of her trade, appeared infallible arguments of future euils with a disor∣dered sequeile of lyfe. Albeit she seamed to reserue a certeyne maiestie and semblance of respect to her estate, for that she woulde not marche, but vnder enseignes of nobili∣tie, refusing eyther to bée séene or spoken to, of persones of meaner condicion, which delicate and coye order, she seamed to preferr, rather to set a greater price of her marchandise, accordyng to the Grecian curtisan, whom the orator refu∣sed for that he wolde not buy his repentaunce at so highe a rate, then to argue any diminution of her lascinius desyer, for her eye had no sooner encountred any younge and lustie Gentleman, that seamed sufficiently set furthe wyth fur∣niture of nature, and hable euerye waye to performe the ex∣spectation of her appetitte, but her countenaunce and other outwarde behauiour, were readye to make declaracion of her inwarde desyer, roauyng vpon hym wythout respect, wyth suche glée and liberall regardes, that he nede no in∣terpretor to decipher her meaninge, nor phisicion to disclose the misterie of her disease, neyther was she anye thynge inferior to Madona Mussalina the Romaine Princesse, sauyng that she haunted the banke and common places, and this performed her exploites in her owne house, the Romaine

put no difference betwene Carters and men of greater cal∣lynge, and this Demygreque prayed onely vppon nobilitye and ympes of tender yeres, wherin albeit she seamed more delicate of taste then the other, yet she exceded all the Banc∣rowtes of honor that euer were, in this one point, that she was alwayes rather wearie of trauell, then at any time sa∣tisfyed with pleasure, resemblynge a bottomles goolphe, receyuinge all that is putt into it, without castynge anye thinge vpp againe: this was the chaste lyfe, whiche this good Ladie ledd after she had got the bit betwene her téeth, and the raine of libertie within her owne hande, whereby you maye iudge, whether the Myllanoyse or first husbande had raison to refraine her forwarde inclinacion in the firste flame of her youth, seinge that as the gréene ozier or sallow of ij. or iij. yeres groth, is alwayes more plyable then the greate oke, seasoned either by pollecie or confirmed in hard∣nes by the continuance of many yeres, so it is necessarie we kepe an awful hande vppon suche youngelynges, as ap∣peare sooner ripe in appetit, then in gouernement or discre∣cion, to the ende that in plyeng the wax whilest the water is warme, we maye alwayes frame them to the posteye of our mindes, hauynge theim to supplie the necessitye of our affaires. And as the connynge grafter forseing the de∣struction of his stocke, by the tomuche forwardnes of the twigges, and certeine lytle hraunches, sukyng vp the moy∣sture and sapp, whiche should féede the reste of the trée, doth cut theim awaye, to thende the principall bowes maye flo∣rishe, and receiue their naturall norriture, so it is not suffi∣cient to minister correction to youth in their tender yeres, yf we reserue not a continuation of awe, to accompanie their encrease & ripenes of their age, to preuent the harmes wée sée ordinarilye happen by maturitye and to muche forward∣nes in desyer to bee frée from controlment.

As she was in theis exercises at Pauya, continuynge a traine of seruauntes accordynge to her trade and studie, it chaun∣ced that therle of Massyne, called Ardizyno Valpergo, came to

the seruice of themprour, by whyche occasion hée retired to PAVIA and lodged in the pallais of hys brother there, he was younge lustie, and geuen to all exercises of actiuitie, of semelie stature, wyth proporcion of lymmes according∣lie, sauinge that he halted somewhat of one legg, by rea∣son of a hurte he receuied in a skirmishe of warr, dymynish∣inge not wythstandinge, no parte of hys perfection or shapp of bodye, who vsinge one speciall recreacion in passinge vp and downe the streetes, behelde diuerse tymes the bewtie of the countesse, syttynge nowe and then in a windowe, geuinge onlye a showe of her face, and sometime woulde walke vp and downe in a gallarie or lowe hall, presentyng the whole viewe of her bodie, and to drawe the straunger to a more desyer to beholde her, shee woulde sometime appeare in braue attire at the porche or gate of her pallais; speciallye at suche tyme as the earle made hys walke that waye, who being alreadie gaulled wyth the arrowes of loue on her be∣halfe, pursewed his queste wyth such deuocion and diligence, that he conquered at last a convenient tyme and meane to speake to her, wherin albeit he preferred but a simple proffer of hys seruice, w^t other slight discourses, wherwyth the cour∣tyar or other gentleman of behauyor doth cōmonly fede the tyme, whilist he is in the companye of ladyes, and that the greate maiestie whych shee vsed woulde not suffer hym at the fyrste to geue righte iudgement of this masqued god∣des, yet he saw wel enough, y^t he neded not y^e whole strēgth of themprours camp to force the place, the which he iudged neither to be so strongly flanqued, nor sewerly rampierd, but the valiant souldiour, being furnished to geue y^e charge w^t the speare in the rest, might make an entrey w^tout greate peril, chieflie for that y^e trenches throwē down, and breach alreadie made, y^t place was sufficientlie assaltable, for any meane sol∣diour, al which he forgat not to cōuert to y^e cōmoditie & aduā∣tage of his desier, together w^t y^e consent of couentēt time and fortune, who placed theim one daye all alone, wythout any

accesse of companie in her chamber, where he forgat not to preferr his request wyth tearmes of humilitie, according to the vaine order of suche ydle personnes as abuse the gift of time, in pleading for grace in cases of loue, with a franke offer of his bodie and lyuinge, wyth commission to dispose of theim all as she thought good, wherin good madame (sayth he) it is not the sommonce of any synister conceite, or euill opynion, whiche hath moued me to boarde you so farr, but rather the vehement instigacion of loue, forcing me to sch an affectioned zeale on your behalfe, that I shoulde do indif∣frent wronge to the stimacion of your honor, and iniurye to the vowe of my loyall seruice sworne vnto you longe since, if I feame yet to prolonge a conceylement of that, whyche the present viewe of your bewtie hath set a broach and com∣mitted to open flame, wherefore if my presente offer, wyth respect of former merit, lack force to wrest a simple grant of fauor at your hand, yet ymagyn (good lady) that in forfeting the pawne whiche I haue preferred for the performance of my promisse, I hazarde also the vyolacion of the faithe and lyfe of a gentleman, wherof I yelde you eftesones a seconde confirmacion by the height and authoritie of the skyes, to be more carefull to obeye you, and lyue in the contynuall awe of your commaundement, then curious of myne own health and safetie, wyth this addicion, not to spare at any time to ymploie my carkasse wyth all that I haue in the defense of your causes, what condicion or qualitie soeuer they ymport. The subtill countesse, albeit she knew wel enough that the fyer was not so kindled in the stomake of therle, as it plea∣sed hym to set a face and fayned show of his passion, and that the large skoape of libertie in his tongue, wyth assurance & constancie in his countenance, argued rather a dissembled zeale, then a true transport of affection in his harte, yet seing hym younge, Iustie, and sufficient euery waye, to aunswers and discharge the combat of her gredie desyer, determyned not to lette slippe the offer of so fytt a praye, whyche shee thoughte woulde suffyce, to occupye the place,

till she hadde fonnde an other to enter the lystes and sup∣plie his lacke, wherwyth she passed a plaine graunte of her fauor vnder these couerte tearmes: like as Signeur Valpergo I am not ignorant in thordinarie deceites of men, declared speciallie on the behalfe of such, as reapposinge to muche cre¦dit in their honestie, do geue slender garde of theimselues, so I canne (I thanke god) contente my selfe to smile at their follies, and take pleasante recreacion to heare the braue∣rie of their requests, seaming to burn in the desires of loue, when in déede they are not only farr from such passion, but frée from intent to performe any effect of true loyaltie, sea∣minge also to enterlarde their ymportunities wyth a doble vehemencye, when they go most busilye abowte to make a praie of our bewtie and fragilitie, whereof albeit I accompt you not onlye one of the nomber, but also no lesse desloyall then any of the rest, yet respectinge the reputacion of your race, I am content to geue credit to your wordes, and accept your offer in such sort as you haue promised, reapposing so muche for my selfe in youre discrecion, that there shall ap∣pere in you no want of any thing that belongeth to the go∣uernmēt & wise conueigh of such secret affaires, wherin if I fid an effect of my exspectaciō, your self shal iudge of my li∣beralitie, in retorning the merite of your honest frendshipp, wherwyth thalteracion and breache of countenance in her face, argued a present troble and contrarietie of mynde with in her, whiche therle construinge to procede of a desyer she had to moue hym to dismisse all further delaies, and dispose hymselfe to thexecution of the thinge so indiffrentlie desye∣red of theym bothe, put diligence to the thankefull offer of tyme and fortune, in such sorte, as embrasinge her wyth a thowsande sortes of kysses, hee forgatt all ceremonies and circumstaunces, and gaue her checkmatt wythoute any oddes, vppon a lowe bedde or pallet couered cloase with a vaile or canapie of crymosyne veluet, frindged wyth syl∣uer thrombe, where was such indiffrente likinge on bothe partes, that they resolued at thinstaute of other times

and howers to méete at the shocke in so pleasant a skirmishe, wherin as she iudged hym hable enough to passe y^e moosters for suche respectes, determyninge to make stoare of hym, till fortune furnished her of a freshe supplie, so for his part, he founde her so delicate on his behalfe, that he resigned than thoritie whiche earste gouerned hym and his doinges, to the order and derection of her, in suche sort, as he spake nothing but by the mouthe of Blanche Marya, nor did any thing wher∣in her councell and commaundement bare not the greatest swaighe, being so drowned in the desyer of his beastelie trol, and blinded wyth the vaile of filthie loue, that both day and night were indiffrent for thexercise of his pleasure, making her bedd his pryuate lodginge, and delicate armes his place of pleasante excercise and tryall of actiuitie, wyth contynual aboade there, and that wyth suche publike signes and decla∣racion of his diseordered lyuinge, that to the comfirmacion of the common brute whyche passed of their follies, there lacked but some PLAVTVS or TERENCE, to prefer it in pub¦like stage, in the hearing of all the worlde. But what? is it like, that shee that had falsed her fayth to a husbande, more honest and vertuous then shée deserued, wold content herself wyth the companie of this younge erle, or who doubtes, but suche indiffrent women, as haue committed their bodies to the generall seruice of the worlde, are no lesse inconstante in their loue, then voyde of shame, in deuestinge theim of honest vertue, to vndertake so badd a kinde of lyfe, neyther do they like so well of any thinge, as often change of diot, to satisfye their insatiable and beastelie luste, seaminge as it were a champion or challenger, readie to aunswere all com∣mers, for a familiar proofe wherof, I commit you to thexpe∣rience of this rauenouse shee wolfe BLANCHE MARIA, who seynge her newe mynyon so sewerlie lymed wyth the blushe of her bewtie, that only a simple becke was sufficient to commaunde hym, taught hym a newe croscaprey, wyth a thousand trickes and sleightes in vawtynge, wherewyth

also addinge a further experience to his blinde simplicitie, she brought hym now and then to the honor of holdinge the moyle at the doare, whilest an other man ridd her errande in the chamber, whyche trafficke was not wythout greate perill on his parte, for that as the countey CELAND was borne to beare the badge of cornewal in the forme of a second Acteon, so this younge prince was ordeined by destynie to loase hys lyfe, with exspectation of al that he attended by the seruice of kinges or forreine princes, by the wicked treason of a pernicious and common whoare, for in this entercourse of her loue wyth SIGNEVR VALPERGO, and verye heat of thamarous glées betwene theim, fortune watchinge to enter the stage, and make sene, that her mobylytie diffreth litle or nothinge from the disposition and incerteintie of a woman, according to y^e meaning of the poetes, whiche haue set her furth, in shape, attire, and coollours like to one of that sect, gaue hym an ynklinge of thinconstancie of his mistrys, wherupon followed a litle dymynucion and restrainte of his company from her, who being whollie transformed into the forme of an vnreasonable creature, delyting in nothing but to roune, ryot, and hunt for chaunge of pasture, had her eyes and mynde more geuen to glottonie, then her stomake hable to brooke the sondry choice and sortes of dyot, ymploy∣ing her selfe whollie to gather newe soldiours, to supplie the lacke of tholde garryson and wearie capteine, wherein she was assisted, wyth more then a necessarie expedicion, for that wythin some xviii. or xx. dayes, after VALPERGO had taken possession and entred the forte of the countesse, there arryued at PAVYA, SEIGNEVR SANSEVERINO earle of GAIAZO, whose promptenes of wit and perfection of bo∣die and membres, with a valyant corage of the harte, as they made his name and renowme excede all other, betwene that & the mountes, so thys desloyal Aleyne & cruel Medea, had no soner takē a simple view on him, w^t a flickering glance of her vncertein eye, but she felt a mociō of vehemēt zeale sturr

and kindle within her, whiche within shorte tyme grewe to tearmes of suche certeine affection, that she which earste had dalyed with all men, becomes now to doate vppon this new earle, and that in such sorte, that yf fortune wold not award present compassion, and loue lende her a spedie meane to re∣couer thobiect of her desier, she seamed not only to enter the tormentes of dispair, but also to make smal accompte of the vse of longer lyfe, iudging by thexterior and outewarde pro∣mises of this younge Lorde, that it was only he, that seamed sufficient to quenche the thurste of her greedie appetit, wher¦fore she began to dispatche her handes of her first frend Val∣pergo, with whom from that instant, she did not onlye refuse to speake, but also shonninge all places of his presence and repaire, wold not sticke sometime to shott her gates against hym, whych he colde not disgest without certeine iniurious wordes and tearmes of reproche, whereuppon she grounded a grudge of suche mortall enimitie and spite, againste him, that her mynd reteined a remembrance of the quarrell, till her malice had procured his death, wherof the discourse fol∣loweth in his place, desiering (as yt seamed) thacquaintāce of therle Gainzo, aswel for her assistāce in thexcucion of theffect of her presēt spite, against Valpergo, as for the respect of true affection, wherein as she was whoattlye called vppon by ij. earnest solicitours, loue, and reuenge, the one sewinge for a consommacion of her wicked deuise, the other prickyng her with desier to procure theffect of her newe affection wyth the seconde earle, to whom albeyt she displayed suche ma∣nyfeste sygnes of good wyll, as eyther the arte of loue coulde imagyne, or her wanton and idle brayne deuise, yet seynge so slender a replye on his parte, withe an encrease of her burning appetite, she thought it necessarie to put spurs to his dull disposicion, makinge no conscience to become the shameles clyent in a cause, wherin the most vile and simple woman that is, suffreth her selfe to be sewed vnto with no small adoo, wherein beinge voyde of meanes to vse mutuall conference, she makes this litle letter the messenger of her

vnseamelie request.

The respect of the place and estimacion whiche I holde (syr) I am sewer will putt you in some amaze at the firste viewe of theis lynes & vndoubted messengers of my harte, seing, that in preferring the lewde suggestiō of my vnrulie fancie, afore the due regarde and consideracion of modestie, whiche oughte to accompanie all Ladies of honor, I make requeste of that, whose simple remembrance, makes me blushe at so greate an abuse: But yf you consider the com∣mission of loue, who sommoneth rather by commandement, then requeste, with suche a generall awe ouer all estates, and peculiar authoritie to punishe vs women with vehe∣mencye of affection, in desyeringe the thinges, whiche nature hath forbidden vs to attempte, you will not onelye dispense with my rashe follye, but dispose your selfe to take awaye, or at leaste diminish, the greatnes of my present pas∣sion, whiche as it was founded at fyrst, vppon the generall fame of your vertues, so the often viewe of your rare per∣fection of person since your repaire to Pauya, hath forced suche an increase of zeale, with aggrauacion of my desyer, that if my destenie denye me a spedye supplye of reléefe, or fortune forbide you to come and visitt my longyng estate, your crueltye shall mortifye my passion, and giue ende to my lyfe together, wherein, seinge loue hath fauored you wyth the victorie and conqueste of her, who earste had po∣wer to vanquishe all men, showe your selfe no lesse wil∣lynge to embrace the benefytt, then worthie of the glorye, and deferr not (syr) to expose effectes of pitie on the behalfe of her, who lyueth onely vnder the mercie of a simple hope, whiche yf the retourne of your resolucion do make fru∣strate, and conuerte my desyer into ayre, the same shall also pronounce the fatall ende of the vnhappie, and your moste loyall. Blanche Maria.

This embassage, with further commission by the mouth of the bringer, sturred vp no smal alteracion in the mynde

of the younge earle, chieflye for that he sawe hymselfe pur∣sued with a franke offer of that, whiche (yf the affectioned zeale he bare to his deare frende and companion the Lorde Valpergo, had not stayed thattempte) he had soughts longe since to obteine. And albeit he iudged it neyther tol∣lerable by humanitie, nor thoffice of a gentleman, to sup∣plant the pleasure of his frende, and marche in the steppes of his praye, yet being charmed (as it were) with the vehe∣ment wordes of the letter, with opinion that the discurtesie were to greate, to abuse the liberal offer of so faire a Ladye, gaue place to the sommonce and wente immediatlye to her house, where fyndynge her voyede of all companie in her bedd chamber, sawe small occasion to preferr halfe the cir∣cumstance and courtlike wooing, wiche Seigneur Valpergo vsed, for that both the one and the other, after certeine in∣tisinge kisses, and other drawyng allurements performed on both partes, disposed themselues tomake present sacri∣fyce to the goddesse of loue, in putting an effect to the thyng which they both thirsted to accomplish with equalitye of de∣syer, which amarous practise continued betwen them cer∣teine monethes, in such sorte, that therle was so assotted, & became so ydolatrous on her behalfe, that he performed no deuocion to other saint, sauing the vnseamely shryne of his new mynion, who also seing him stāde in water to the chin, & whollie subiect to the yoke of her awe, determined to kepe a harde hande of the bridle, with intent to make hym the bloddye executioner of her detestable deuise against her for∣mer louer Valpergo, whose felicitie defended him eyther frō the peril of that imaginacion, or els God wold not yet gyue leaue to her wickednes, for that her hope was deceiued tou∣ching any help or assistance of her newe frend, for Valpergo seing himself not onely dispossessed of the loue of his Ladye, but dishonored by her mouthe wyth diuerse wordes of re∣proche in hys absence, iudged it no grudge of conscience to mynister semblable reuenge on her behalfe, the ra∣ther for that she was bothe the authour of the euyll,

euill, first breaker of her faithe without cause, and now the begyner of the quarrell of slaunder, wherefore departynge from PAVIA, he painted her dishonestie vppon euerie poste he passed by, blasynge her armes, with suche base and vile coollours, and in suche liberall sorte, that euerye com∣panye whiche he haunted was pertaker of the renowne he gaue to Blanche Marya, who hearynge at laste, what esty∣macion she was in thorowe all LOMBARDIE, by the reap∣port of VALPERGO, began to enter into tearmes of rage, fyndynge a greate difficultie to dysgeste thyngratitude of her loste louer, whose doynges notwithstandynge shée al∣lowed some tymes by iustice, and sawe some reason in hys reuenge, for that her inorderlie dealynge opened the fyrste way to his discurtesie, and by & by flattered her selfe, with a vaine ymagynacion, that menne were borne to beare what ymposicions so euer suche tryflors as she woulde laye vp∣pon theyme, and that seynge they were but seruantes, they dyd but ryghte to endure and take in good parte any thynge sayed or don by theyr mistres, albeyt feedynge still of her malicious coller, with a certeine secret desyer of vengance determyned at laste to retorne hys discourtesye with no lesse interest then the losse of hys lyfe, with resolucion to procure the spedy effect by the hande of hym, whom she pre∣sumed to haue so muche at commaundement, that a simple requeste of her mouthe woulde make hym the minister of that.

Beholde with what ympudentie, and ragethys Tygresse goth abowte, to arme one frende agaynste an other, and that yt coulde not suffice to abuse her selfe towardes theim bothe, in the filthie vse of her bodye, but that with intent to mor∣der the one, she puttes in hazarde the equall destruction of them bothe, confirmynge her abhomynable adulterye, wyth manslaughter and wyllfull morder, a synne moste haynous of all other affore GOD and manne, wherein as her fretting mynde colde admitt neyther quiett nor conten∣temēt, til her eyes wer witnesses of theffect of her deuise or,

at leaste she had put her intent vpon tearmes to hym, whom she ment to make the bloddie boocher of her beastely wyll, so, attendynge the offer of conuenient tyme and place, she was assisted at last so farfurth, that one nyght as they were in bedd together, and in the chiefest delite of theyr pleasant excercise, she burste soddainly into vehement teares, with sighes and other signes of dollour in suche sorte, that wyth the counterfaite alarams whiche inwarde sorowe seamed to minister and set a broache, her passion appeared so mor∣tall, that her ignoraunt bedfelowe, thinkynge her soule and bodye to be at point to make present seperacion, the one from the other, enquired the cause of her grefe, wyth addi∣cion y^t if yt came by displeasure or wronge don to her by any man, his handes onely should gyue the reuenge wyth ab∣solute contentement to her selfe hereafter, wherewyth vsing the aduauntage of his promise, wherein she accompted a suf∣ficiencie to procure the ende of her enemye, tolde hym, that as nature had gyuen a certeine facilitie to the vile and base sorte of people, to beare and brooke the offer of any iniurie, so there was nothynge more contrarye to the condicion of the noble mynde, then to bee touched wyth such villanie as puttes the honor in interest, or the renowme vppon tear∣mes of publike infamie: I saye thusmuche (syr) sayth she, wéeting his face wyth the dewe of her waterie eyes, for that the Lorde Valpergo, who enioyed, I can not denye, the like frendshypp I showe vnto you, hath not had shame to blab of his doinges, slaundring me wyth no worse tearmes of infamye, then yf I were the moste infected strompett that euer abandoned her bodye to the Marynors and raskall crewe, alonge the costes of SCICILE: yf he had but made a simple vaunte of the fauours he founde in me, with par∣ticipacion but to his frendes, my honor had been but in question, where now it is past all doubte, besides if he had not added iniurius wordes, to his indecent slaunder, and made a common market tale of the thing which ought to be kepte most secret, I could haue disgested the euill wyth an

ordynarye pacience, wherfore seinge the haynous causes of my gréefe, import a speciall iustice and reason of reuenge, lett not the enemie of the honor of your deare Blanche Ma∣rya, escape wythout punishment, but in accomptynge the wronge whyche I susteine, indifferent to vs bothe, to bynde me (by the benefytt of this reuenge) to a more affec∣cioned zeale towardes you, with an assured loyaltye euen vntyll thextreme dissolucion of my naturall dayes, other∣wayes yf he lyue in the tryumphe of my slaunder, what cause haue I to ioye in lyfe, or comfort to expose the best part in me, for the contentement & pleasure of you, who stayeth to do me reason to so manifest a wronge.

Here the young erle felte hymselfe double passioned, whe∣ther he shoulde performe thexspectacion of his venemous BASILA, whom he loued without measure, or absteine from violacion of thinnocent blood of his frende, whome the lawe of frendshypp forbad hym any waye to abuse. Albeit to ap∣pease the present rage of the Countesse, he promised an ef∣fect of her desyer, wyth spedye punishment of hym, who is not worthie any waye (saith he) to serue you but in thought, féedyng her humour wyth franke wordes, dissimulynge notwithstandynge that whiche he thought on the behalfe of the Lord Valpergo, whose honestie he knew to be without ma¦lice, and that his discrecion and wisdom, woulde not suffer hym to sturre vp any synister, reporte without great occa∣sion on her part, besides, he considered that the iustice of the quarell rested in hym, for that he had taken the pray (as yt were out of his mouth, albeit by her procurement, and that after the other had discontinued his hawnte and course of repayre thether, where with eraminyng the circunstance at large, he founde the cause farre insufficient to moue any breache of frendshipp betwene theim, but determinynge to continue the league, he contented her wyth a dissembled promise, and restored in the meane tyme the exercise of their former pleasure, wherein he passed certaine mo∣neths wythoute the tender of anye quarell to the Lorde

Valpergo, who retourned (by this time) to Pauya, enioyed a mutuall conuersacion with therle Sanseuerino, wyth suche indifferent familiaritie, that for the moste parte they vsed but one bedd, and one borde, wyth one purse common be∣twene theim both, whiche was not vnmarked of the mali∣cious Blanche Maria, who seinge so many fyt occasions, with the offer of conuenient tyme and place, assistinge there∣cution of her execrable deuise, with prouocation to therle to performe his promisse, gaue iudgement of the case as it was, that her wickednes was not hable to force an enny∣mitye betwene the ij. Lordes, and that therle Gaiazo did but kepe her in breath with faire wordes, onely to continue the glott of his pleasure whiche he tooke of her, wherefore disdaynynge so greate an abuse in hym, whome (aboue all men) she reserued as the chief piller of her truste, she deter∣mined to make a second experience of the same meane, whiche serued her torne in the dispatche of her first frende, wherein she omitted neyther occasion nor expedicion, for as often as he came to her house, she was eyther sicke, or troubled wyth other bulynes that she coulde not kepe hym companie, not lettynge somtime to shoott her gates against hym, all whiche because she sawe, lacked force to make hym refraine, she retired to thassistance of pollecie, desyeryng hym wyth simple and colde termes, to do her so muche ho∣nor, as to forbeare from hensfurth all access to her house, for that she was in mynde to retourne to her husbande, with whome, theffect of attonement was alredye wroughte by certeine her frendes, who (beinge vpon the waye to fetche her hoame) she woulde not by any meanes should finde her in the attire of a Cortisan, or woman makynge loue. Be∣sides (syr) saith she, not without some dissembled teares, I féele a remorce of conscience on the behalfe of the longe a∣buse I haue vsed towardes hym, and that, albeit my offence procedynge of follye, seames not altogether worthye of frée pardon, yet it maye appeare in some sorte excusable, so he that confesseth his faulte, gyueth greate argument

of amendement, and restoreth the trespasse to sufficient recompense, desyerynge you for ende, to haue no lesse con∣sideracion of my present case, then heretofore you haue founde no wante of good wyll in me to satisfye the res∣pecte of your pleasure at all tymes, where with (to prefer a more credit to her suborned discourse) she promised hym a contynuacion of fauor, wyth assuraunce of vnfayned good wyll, so longe as nature was content to lende her the vse of lyfe. The erle whether he gaue faythe to her fayned woordes, or dissembled a credytt for the nonst, yet he sea∣med to perswade a trothe in the matter, for that, from the hower of suche conference, he checked the humour of hys accustomed desyer, vsynge exquisitt medecines to morti∣fye that blynd affection, whiche so longe had kepte hym in captiuitye in the bottomles goolphe of his Pyemount, And be cause he woulde aswell remoue the cause as take awaye the disease, ferynge leaste eyther the viewe of her presence, or some force of newe charme, mighte eftesones en∣chaunte hym, and sett abroche the humor of former de∣syers, he retired immediatlye to MYLLAN: He feared al∣so the fall of some soddaine mischiefe, chieflye for that he had sufficient experience of the cursed disposicion of this Viper, whose harte was so infected with the poysoned ayre of euery syn, that beinge wearye of the excercise of whor∣dome, she would make no conscience to furnishe the stage with vnnaturall morders: For what exspectation, of other frute is in them, whose mindes are cleane dispoiled of ver∣tue, if not suche as are allowed by the guyde and wicked spirite that gouerneth their diabolicall disposition, or who is ignoraunt of the tyrannye of a woman, conuerted whol∣lye into the appetit of rage and reuenge, neyther is her crueltye any thyng inferior to the deuouring monster, and excedes euerye waye, the brutishe inclination of the bar∣barous sorte of creatures, whose rage albeit now and then procureth them to vse force against the natural procreaciō & frutes of their owne wombes, yet do they staye to committ

any kinde of crueltie to suche as haue traffiqned wyth them in the trade of licencious luste, accomptinge no greater sa∣crilege or profanacion of the lawe and ceremonies due to their goddes, then to pollute their handes wyth the blodde of suche as earst haue supplied the luste of their sensual plea∣sure, wherin if they, whych had no kuowledge of god, nor fea∣red the deuill, and voyde altogether of discipline and expe∣rience in humanitie, reserued a certeine honor and respect to nature, why shoulde there be eyther frée dispense or tol∣leracion of punishment to the wretches of our age, who not∣wythstandynge the dayly vse of the lawe, written by the ve∣ry fynger of god, and reueiled vnto vs byhys prophetes and Apostles, wyth diuerse threateninge inhibicions noted in thinfallible booke, do not feare to offende the maiestie of the high este, not only in stayninge theyr sowles wyth the spot of adulterie, but also in dyenge the earthe wyth the blodd of their bretherne and fellowes in Christe, wherein this historie shal present you with a sufficiēt profe for this time.

The Lord GAIAZO had no soner lefte PAVYA, then this infernall goddesse began to attempte the recouerie of her firste louer VALPERGO wherin notwithstandinge there apeared an equalitie of doubt and difficultie, chieflie, for that she feared, that he that laste left her, had diciphered her intent, wyth reuelacion of the meane she had deuised to pro∣cure hys deathe: But what enterprise is it, that he dare not attempte, whose mynde is the bondeman and slaue of syn, wherin albeit the beginninge seame to ymport a certeine difficultie, for that the soule preferreth a resistance, and the conscience waueringe, is moued to a remorse and remem∣brance of repentance, yet whan a man is alreadis become old in syn, and the harte enuyroned with the braunches of ini∣quitie, the wycked man hath a more facilitie in thexecution of mischiefe, then he that is good, hable to kepe the renowne of vertue, euenso when youth is norished in ympudencie, and age deuested of honeste shame, there is no perill can make the one affraied, nor ymputacion of reproch geue cause to the

other to blushe, like as this ympudent Pyemount••••se, renew∣inge the traffique of her aunciente wickednes, practised so far wyth the familiars and frendes of hym, whose deathe (as you harde) she earste conspired by malice, excusinge herselfe so amplie by embassages and letters of vehement perswaci∣on, that he was content to heare in what sort she was hable to purge her selfe, wherin her iustificacion was the sooner admitted, for that the iudge was not only pertiall on her be∣halfe, but rather enclyned to foolishe pytie, then disposed to enioyne iuste pennance: shee promised by protestacion of fayth and religious othe, not only to become hys subiect and slaue, so longe as her soule was caried aboute vppon the mortall chariot of her bodie, but also gaue hym at thinstant, a pawne of her lyfe wyth all that she had, for the performāce of her laste promise: Here was the peace eftsones concluded betwene the wicked countesse and vnhappy earle, whose ar∣ticles were registred, and seales put to the night folowinge, when the Lorde VALPERGO was restored to the possession of the fortresse whiche earste was reuolted, and lyued longe dnder the awe of an other prince, wherin as they thus re∣newed the rounde of their amarous daunce, the one fynding a more skoape of libertie vnder her recouered louer, then a∣fore, the other resolued whollie to obserue thappetite of his Ladie, beholde a seconde desyer of blodd, and suggestion of morder appearing eftsones in the face of this MEGERA, who croppinge altogether the hearbe of reuenge, longed nowe for the destruction of hym, who (as you harde) promised to do sacrafice on the bodie whyche presentlie she embrased and helde in moste estimacion, wherof, if she had béene demaun∣ded the cause, I thinke she coulde haue geuen no other rea∣son of her malice, then, that deliting in bloddie enterprises, shee accompted it a pryncipall vertue, to commit mischie∣ues of greateste detestacion, for the whyche notwythstan∣dynge the rewarde of mordore was thondered vppon her at laste, wyth a shamefull and miserable ende to her selfe, and vntymelye deathe of hym, who as the fyrst companion,

and next neighbour to her follie, wyth equall perticipacion of filthie pleasure, reapposed to muche truste in the villenie of her, who, preferred vice afore vertue, and toke pleasure in the deuise of bloddie affaires, whereof you shall haue the discourse at large in the last act of this historie

BLANCHE, Marya, seinge her so rempierd in the harte of Valpergo, that her only worde was currant to commaunde hym, determyned to prefer hym to thoffice of a morderer vp∣pon the person of hym, who earst refuced the charge, wher∣in addinge an expedicion to her deuise, one night beinge in bedd together, after she had embrased and feasted him frank∣ly wyth the filthie follies in loue, wherein she had more then sufficient experience, shee discontynued her kisses wyth a soddaine scilence, and drawinge her traison a farr of, tolde hym, that it is longe since she had to present hym wyth one request of speciall fauour, wherin because shee doubted, ey∣ther to moue hys displeasure, or receiue a repulse, she hathe not onely defferred to be ymportunate, but stayed to declare the cause, whyche (sayth she) althoughe it touche you no lesse then the sauegarde of your lyfe, and vnworthie infamye to your deare Blanche Marya yet is the respecte of your fauor of such authoritie wyth me, that I had rather vse scilence with your frendshipp and contentment, then bee thawthor of the thinge that should incense you to anger. He gaue her not on∣ly libertie to make her demaund, but assurance (for hys part) to performe the effect, at what price so euer it were, for (saith he) if the matter ymport any perill to me, it behoueth me to vse care of my lyfe, but if the honor of you be abused, or your selfe destressed, you can not ymagyne the diligence, I will put to the reuenge of your wronge, and vndertake all your quarelles, wherfore doubte not (good Ladye to ym∣ploye hym, who lyuethe but to serue you, and is readye to dye to doo you pleasure, Here shee asked hym of the frendeshyype betwene therle GAIAZO and hym, and what assuraunce hee hadde of hys loyaltie: suche experiences

(saythe hee) as nothinge is hable to dissolue our amytie, for I woulde not stande to be intreated to offer my bodie to presente daunger, to remoue hys perill, nor hee (I am sewer) woulde make anye conscience to redéeme my ex∣tremetie wyth the hazarde of hys owne lyfe, neyther doo wée vse other, thenne a common conuersacion of all thin∣ges betwene vs, but nowe to the cause of youre question, wherewyth the traitresse, seynge sufficiente wordes pas∣sed in circumstance, thought e nowe tyme to broach a vente for her poyson, wherefore kissynge hym in more amarous sorte thenne euer hée felte hym selfe embra∣sed afore, tolde hym the poynies wherein hée was decei∣ued, touchynge the truste hee seamed to reappose in hys frende, for (saythe shée) you are not soo constante and as∣sured on hys behalfe, as hee full of villanyein dyssemblynge thée malice whyche hee hathe of longe, hatched vnder the winge of hys deceytful harte, And to vse a simple playnes in soo sewer a case, you haue cause to geue uone other iud∣gemente of hym, thenne as youre moste cruell and capi∣tall ennemye in all the worlde, wherein because I wyll not presse you to be credulous of a dreame, nor moue you to beleue anye thynge, whose Author is not of sufficiente authoritie, yon shal vnderstande, that hee aduowched noo lesse thenne I haue reapported by the breathe of hys owne mouthe, at suche tyme as hee practysed wyth mee in youre late absence, wyth thys addycion, that hee shoulde neuer enioy a perfectte quiett of mynd, nor taste of the benefite of assured reste or reappose, til his hands had made morsells of your body and deuyded al your partes into small peces, confirmynge at the same instaunte hys bloddye resoluci∣on by othe of the honoure and lyfe of a gentlemanne, that wythin the compasse of noo longe tyme, hee woulde bydde you too suche a banquette, that you shoulde not neede anye longer, to bee carefull of the worlde, nor myndefull to make loue to ladyes, wherein hee seamed

so resolute & groūded in his malice that (notwithstandyng all the persuacions I colde prefer) I colde neuer wrest from him the originall or cause of this mortall grudge, and albeit at that tyme, I was entred into termes of collour agaynste you, with more iustice to further his spite, then reason to preuent your perill, or showe fauor in the sauynge of your life, yet the remembrance of our auncient loue, (as a ver∣tue but halfe mortefied or dead in me) moued me to suche a remorse on your behalfe, that I dyd not onlye thuttermost of my indeuor to remoue the vaile of his entent, but also de∣syered hym with teares, to desyste from suche enterprise, whilest I was in place where you abode, for that I cold not endure the viewe of your iniury, and much lesse see you dis∣tressed to death, with out the spedie sacrafyce of myne owne lyfe, whereunto he gaue not onely a deaff eare, but bounde him eftesones to his former protestacion by a seconde othe, that eyther hys dead carkasse in the place, shold witnes hys good wil, or els he wolde delyuer the world of the Lord Val∣pergo, all which I had no meane (as thē) to imparte vnto you, by reason of your absence and small accesse you had hether, wherein (sir) seing since thē, your felicitie hath defended you from daunger and consomacion of his intent, so nowe I be∣seche you not only to stande vppon your garde in defending his malice, but also to preuent his pernicius resolucion, with an acte of equall curtesye, for yt is more wysdome to take awaye the lyfe of your enemie, then in giuinge place to his malice, to comit your bodye to the mercie of his mor∣deringe hande, besides yt is no breache of vertue, to requite thintent of iniurie, with an effect of equall reuēge, and your wisdom shold be of greater estimacion, and his traison more haynous (for that he hathe first abused and broken the lawe of frendshyp, in dressinge suche mortall ambushes, againste so deare a frende, wherein for my part, as I haue discouered the whole conspiracie, vnder a franke reapport of an vnfai∣ned trueth, so beinge no lesse carefull of your sauetie, then curius of myne owne lyfe, waghinge theim both in the bal∣lance

of indifferent zeale, I wishe you to followe my aduise in preuentyng so ymmynent a daunger, and for a more as∣surance of your sauetie, to offer thassalte to hym, that hathe alreadye sworne your destruction, wherein also you shall performe the vertue of a valyant knyghte, with full satisfa∣ction of the desyer of her, whom you can nott so amplie gra∣tefye, if you presented her with the fre gifte of the best Du∣kedome in Italye, and nowe shall I see an effect of the loue you beare me, who eftesones desiereth you not to suffer him to liue any longer, that triumpheth without measure, in the vnworthie slaunder of your most affectionate Blanche maria.

Yf the laste wordes of this folishe Lady had not broughte her whole requeste in suspicion, her importunities perad∣uenture had procured a consent in therle, who conferrynge the pointes of her discourse, with her vehemencie in persua∣ding, founde in deede, that her chiefest meanyng tended to the defence of her owne quarell, wherevppon he entred into a pawse, measuring in the secret of his mynde, the tearmes of her present malice, with thexperience and diuerse prof∣fes of the fydelitie of his frende, whom he knewe to be more assured in vertue, thē to ymagyn so great a villanie against him, and albeit he knewe yt was but a fetche of his Lady, to sowe y^e seedes of quarrel betwene therle GAIAZO and him, yet to flatter her fond humor for y^e time, he promissed to be∣come the mynister of her cursed will, for a more shewe and expedicion whereof, he tooke his leaue, and repaired yme∣diatlye to Myllan, where he ymparted to the Lorde Gaiazo euerie point and Article of the venemous discourse of the Countesse, her conclucion and burnynge desyer of his abso∣lute destruction, with special sute, that only his hādes might be the shamefull execucioners of her execrable deuise, wher∣with therle Gaiazo was no lesse astonied then he had cause, for conferring the tearmes of his present reaport, with a freshe remembrance of a former conspiracie (by his handes) touchinge the death of hym, whom she had now suborned to procure the destruction of himself, cryed oute of thyniquitie

of the gods in sufferynge the earthe to bée infected with the breathe of so wicked a woman, and exclaymed agaynst na∣ture, in that she dyd not abridge the course of lyfe in so hor∣rible a monster, whose pestilent ayre (saith he) yf God defend not his people, is hable to corrupte a whole countreye, oh how iustelye hathe God visited the synnes of her father, for his cursed vsuries, vpon his wretched doughter, and rightly punished y^e villenies of her predecessors, in an ymp sprōg of so vile a stocke: how is yt possible to make a froward kite, a forwarde hawke to the ryuer, or the boochers curr to drawe a true sent to the hurte deare? likewise this pattorne of cor∣ruption, beynge the doughter of a villaine, who was borne to no more porcion, then vij. foote of inheritance in the church yard, and her mother more faire then chast, and lesse vertuouse then honeste, hath not onlye abandoned her con∣trey and husbande for the glott of her insatiable luste, aun∣sweringe all comers without excepcion, in the singler com∣bat of her beastly desyer, but also is come to keepe an open boocherie or slaughter house to execute the nobilitie of Italy, But for my parte, yf yt were not for y^e dishonour that wolde attende me, in defyling my handes with the blode of suche a filth, I assure you I wold drawe her by the haire to the pu∣blike theatrie or place of execucion in Myllan, where after she had confessed, how often and in what sorte, she hath de∣siered me, with her handes cloased, and eyes full of dyssem∣blyng teares, regardyng the maiestie of the heauēs, to co∣mitt morder vppon my deare VALPERGO, thies handes should deuide her villanous carkasse into more peeces then there bee dayes in the yere. And besydes, I was neuer of so vile or base cōdicion, but that I durste discouer and aduon∣che what grudge so euer I had conceiued agaynst any man, neyther doo I thynke that you haue other opynion of me, then to bée one of your moste loyall and assured frendes, whereunto thother replyed that thonlie respect of the fide∣litie he reapposed in hym, keepte hym from performynge

her pernicius and bloddie sommonce, and that he had not on∣ly disclaymed her acquaintance and companye also, but a∣bandoned the place of her beynge, for feare of further en∣chauntement and seynge (sayth he) that God hathe holden hys holye haunde ouer vs, and our fortune hetherunto de∣fended vs from daunger, lett the viewe of our perill passed, withstande the offer of future mischiefe, and in eschewyng the ayre of suche infection, let vs also from hensfurthe dys∣misse oure deuocion to that ympp and ymage of SATHAN: had yt not bene a greate comendacion to vs, to haue entred into quarrell, and committed mutuall slaughter, one of an other, for the recreacion & pleasure of such a minion, who∣se simple remembrance I assure you is so hatefull vnto me at thys present, that I fynde a falte in my selfe, that in byd∣dynge her farewell, I gaue her not an hundreth estocka∣does thorowe the bodye, to thende the example and due hyer of her badd lyfe, myghte procure a terrour to others, that thurste after the blood of suche vnnaturall morders: Albeyt as the course of her wretched lyfe argueth an vnhappie end, soo I dowte not but her miserable deathe wyll take suffy∣cient reuenge of the wronge she hathe offred to vs bothe, In the meane tyme I wishe in vs both an vtter forgetful∣nes of her and her follies, And feynge the gayne shee hathe gott by vs, maye bée cowched in the leaste corner of her cof∣fers, wée haue small cause to greue in any losse, sauyng in the ympairiuge of our reputation, for yeldynge honour to one so farre vnworthie of our companie, wherewyth ended the discourse betwene the ij. young Lords, who (euer after) forgatte not to contynue the remembraunce of theyr ve∣nemous BASILIKE wyth woordes of oppen infamye in what companye so euer they were, bothe, what intisynge meanes she hadde to traine menne too her lure, and wyth what subteltyes shee dismyssed theyme, beynge wearye of their companye, or when she sawe an offer of fresh sup∣plye, the brute whereof, Albeyt gaue her certaine frettynge

alarams at the stomake, yet nature hadde lente her suche a grace, that she neyther blushed at the same, nor was mo∣ued to remorse wyth the viewe of her euill, But disgested both the one and the other wyth an ordynarie face of shame∣les complexion, wherein notwithstanding she was neyther so precise nor constant, but the inwarde grypes she felt, had almoste forced a depryuacion of libertie and sences, the ra∣ther with the view of an Italyan Epigram, inueighinge bit∣terlie agaynst her disordered life, composed as they sayd by therle VALPERGO, whyche because I neuer sawe, nor haue meanes to recouer a true copie, I leaue without iudgement or reapport, But thusmuche I dare aduowche of her colle∣rike passion, procedinge chieflye by that inuectiue, that if she had had eyther capteine or soldiours at her cōmaundement, she had made ij faire Anotomyes of bothe their bodies, wher∣of notwythstandynge Signeur Valpergo escaped not without sharpp pennance, as one vppon whom she founded her grea∣test grudge, for that as he was the fyrst that skirmished with her, hande to hande in her cloase chamber, so he was the last that brake his fayth, and dissembled theffect of his promisse: By this tyme euery post and posterne in PAVYA was pain∣ted wyth pamphelettes, written in proase and verse of the bowntefull lyfe of the countesse, euery comedie and stage plaie babled of her vicious trade, the bells rong of her inordi∣nat luste, and the birdes in the Ayre cryed out agaynst her, in suche sort, that she did not onely refraine to come abrode, and show her selfe eyther in streete or windowe, but ymagy∣ninge that the chaunge of ayre and place woulde take away the blaspheymous noyse of the brute, trussed vp her baggage, and departed by moone lighte wythout sounde of trompett from PAVIA to MYLLAN, where, as she was first inuested wyth robes of honor by mariage with the Viscont Hermes, so her destynies seamed to reserue that place as a witnes and theatry of her degradacion, not only of honor, but also of lyfe, for she had not longe so iornied at MILLAN, but there arryued a capteine wyth a charge of certeine trowpes of

horsmen called Don Pierro de Cardonne a Scycylyan borne, and bastarde brother to therle of Colysan, whose father dyinge at the battel faught at Bycoque, lefte hym no other porcion nor reuenue, but such as he gatt by the enterteinement of the warres: his age exceded not xx. or xxj. yeres, somwhat swarffye of complexion, and mallencollike in the regarde of his countenaunce, wyth a skar or hurte in the face, lent hym by chaunce in a fraye, but for the rest, sufficiently fur∣nished with good proporcion, who made his chief excercise to passe vp and downe the stréetes, where glauncinge nowe and then vpon this alluring ymage of Venus, tooke no tyme to debate the matter at large, but vppon the sodaine be∣came extremelie in loue wyth her, in suche sorte, as he en∣tred into deuise, to haue familiar conference, and make an offer of his seruice vnto her, who better experienced in the trade of loue then he, albeit she sawe hym younge and hable enoughe to aunswere the combatt of her luste, yet to sturre vpp a more vehemencie of loue, and gyue her selfe a greater incorporacion in his harte, she lewred hym by péecemeale, tyll she had sufficientlye manned hym, and framed hym by the measure of her owne will: for yf this younge pigeon of the fyrste plume chaunced to espie her out of the windowe: yeldynge her reuerence wyth a sighe accordynge to the vaine Spanyarde, she woulde not sticke to requite hym wyth a countenaunce of semblable cur∣tesie, and soddainelye shott the casement, and withdrawe her selfe from his sighte, leauynge the sellye Captaine, tye∣ringe vpon a taste of pleasure enterlarded also wyth a des∣perate hope neuer to enioye her otherwayes then in secrett and vncerteine wishes. And albeit he was of sufficient ex∣perience to traine and leade his men, wyth corage enough in the feeld, yet seamed he no lesse voyde of skill then farre from audacitie, and so ignoraunt in the pursute of this queste, as if he had neuer made courte to any Lady of reputacion or honor, whiche forced the rather a vehemencie of his torment on the behalfe of his newe mystres, whose

maiestie and coye estat, keping alwaies within her pallays, as yt argued a certaine degrée of honour, so the same gaue also a greater increase to his passion with intent to do her al honor he colde, for besides, that he passed by her gate euerye daye in greate brauerie of chaunge of horse and apparell, with his men moosteryng aboute hym, and other pomppe of a capteine, makynge his horse make good the Toto Pomado with other loftie tornes aboue grounde, when he came a∣gainst the window that yelded the first view and prospect of her beauty, yet for a further declaraciō of his affectioned ser∣uice, he walked one euening a long the pallaice of his ladye with a noyse of softe musicke, to procure her to come to the windowe, when himself tooke a treble lute, and gaue her a good night, in a songe, no lesse dolefull in note & tune, then of desperat substance, with such stoare of sighes and regards of pitie in his face, that who had séene his ghastelie counte∣nance at that time, wold haue iudged him to bée serued with the laste processe and sentence diffynitiue of his lyfe, or that he had made loue to one of the blood royall in spaine, in the end of whyche moarning musike, Dom Pierro, as one out of hope to recouer any one ••ote of fauor of his mistrys, beinge vpō his departure and retire to his lodging, was requested, to come in by one of her women, who opening the gate, con∣ueighed him alone thorowe a faire gardeine into a large gallerie, honge on either side, with sondrie sortes of pictures and tables of loue and follie, where the countesse did not on∣ly giue hym greate thankes for the honour he dyd her with hys solemne musycke, but also yelded hym suche other choice of familiar curtesye, that he seamed rather astoni∣ed with the presence of the place he so muche desyred, then hable to bestowe anye thankes, or other symple showe of dutie vppon hys newe gooddesse, who seynge hys sympli∣citie, thoughte yt was now time to stoppe the lewer vppon him, and giue him some assurance by wordes & effect, aswell as she had trained him so far by argumēts of outeward glée, wherfore taking him by the hand, she led him to a lowe bedd

furnished with gréene satten, where (beinge set together) she vsed this shorte order of collacion vnto hym.

Albeit (syr) y^e show of my present curtesy may stur vp in you some cause of synister suspiciō, the rather, for that, hauinge no other knowledge, nor assurance of your honest behauior, then a simple reaport of your name and nobilitye, I haue gyuen you credit to enter my house, at so indecēt an hower, yet being in som part excused by the libertye of our contrey, which excedes the strait inhibition of the Ladyes in Spaine and Scycylya, I am also to defeate all sortes of imputation that waye, by the speciall regarde of honor, I haue alwaies vsed on the behalf of straungers, towardes whom, as I was neuer a nigarde of my liberalitye, specially, when they do me that honor to visitte my house, So for your parte, for that I fynde no cause asyet eyther to disclaime or discon∣tinue my accustomed bountye from you, I am content to as¦sure you no lesse welcome, then any man that euer had ac∣cess hether, with commission, that the doare, beinge readye to bee opened at what hower so euer you knocke, you maye bee bolde to dispose of me and myne no lesse franklye, then yf the propertye of all that I haue rested in your selfe: which enterteinement, as it was vnloked for of Seigneur Pierro, So the liberall offer of hys mistres toke awaye the passion of his domme traunce, and not only restored hym againe to the libertye of his speache, but also renforced hym wyth a new corage to put his request vpon tearmes, and make a tender of his seruice, wyth protestation, that if she woulde passe a graunt of her good will, and admitt hym for her secret ser∣uant and frend, he would vse such indeuor to make declara∣tion of the dutifull zeale he bare her, that she shoulde fynde hym nothing inferior to any gentilman that euer made pro∣fession of loue or other seruice to his Ladye, nor haue cause any way to mislike her choise, for y^t he wold neuer be so rash in promise, as redie to expose an effect, nor she so willyng to require, as he twyse diligent to parforme thuttermost of her cōmaundements, she felyng her selfe clawed in y^t place that

ytched most, replyed with a smyling countenance, that ther perience of the often breache of promisse in suche as vse to court vs simple Ladyes wyth the marchandise of loue, doth argue so much thincōstancye of men, (saith she) that for my part, if I sawe a present effect of true loyaltye before myne eyes, yet could I hardlye he brought to repose eyther credit or assurance in any promise, seing men them selues nowe a dayes are infected wyth the ayre of such fragility, that they neyther respect the honestye of their word, nor the vertue in parformyng the least effect of a thousand liberal offers they make at vnwares. Albeit as he y^t chargeth the guyltles with the offence of the murderer, doth wrong to his innocencye, so I haue learned that it is a speciall vertue to be persiall in opinion toward straūgers, and iudge the best of euery man. wherfore for your part (syr) if you will enlarge the offer of your fyrst faith with this addicion, that I may be bold to im∣ploye you in one spectall affaire of mine at suche time as I shall sommon you therunto, I am content not onely to put you in possession of your request, But also to bynd my selfe to no lesse loyaltye on your behalfe, then euer appeared in any Ladye to wards her faythful seruant. The captayne that would willyngly haue sacrifised hym selfe for the raunsome of her fauor, stoode not to examine what charge she would en∣ioyne him vnto, but cōfirmed an assurance with sundry sorts of othes, being no lesse rashe in y^e promise of euel, thē hastie to performe thexecutiō, as herafter you shal heare. Here was brewed the broth or preparatyue of the fatall obsequies of her former loue, & the earnest penny gyuē of the blodie bar∣gayn & death of Seigneur Valpergo, for she, by the too liberall & vnhoneste vent of her honor, made him the Borreau & vnna∣tural executioner of noble blod, defacinge by y^e same meanes the gentrie of his house, which he ought to haue preserued til the last drop of blood in his body. And remaining there al that night, she made him so pleasant a bāquet of delicat kysses & other exercises of y^e bed, that the more he tasted of y^e pleasure, the more he thrusted with desyre to cōtinue y^e sport, & y^e subtil

Cirses for her part, semed so vehemēt in loue, with dissimuled arguments of vnfayned affection that in persuading him∣selfe of the victorye of her good wyl, he thought he had made a conquest of the whole easte parte of the worlde, seming so drowned in the deuocion of his new Sainte, & charmed with the enchauntmentes of her art, which (peraduenture lente her some power or assistance of legierdemain) to force his humor of earnest zeale, that if she had sayd the worde, he had made no conscience to haue committed the whole Citye of Myllan to the mercie of fyre and gunpowder, lyke as Blouse de Cume, was redye to put fyer into all partes of the cytie of Rome, if the Sedicius Tyberyus Gracchus had geuen it hym in charge: suche is the rage and frantyke folye of youth, when they suffer their amarous transport to excede the caryr of reason or discression, and from this fountayn haue distilled heretofore many destructions of Realmes with subuerciōs and alteracions of monarchies, wherin also may be noted a maruelous corrupt and vaine disposicion in such as wyl ra∣ther affect and haunte the companye of a publike curtysan, then honor the vertue of a chast lady, although she were his lawful wyfe and companion of bedd, and yet those gallan∣des wyll not sticke to Ieste and point at the maried man, go∣uerned sometime by the sage aduice of his lawful wife, wher they seme readye at the commaundemente of a strompet or arrand whoare, not only to hazarde the price of their honor, but also (in fauoring thinstygaciō of her wickednes) to make their testament vpon a skafolde layinge their heades vnder the edge of the sworde of Iustice, wherin I nede not torne ouer many bokes for copy of exāples, seing you may be suffi∣ciently satisfyed wyth y^e view of the folye of this bastarde of Cardonne in performinge the suggestion and malice of this mordering corntesse, who seinge her captayne sufficientlye framed to the postey of her wyll, thoughte it was now time to put him in remembrance of his promise, and somon him to the reuenge of them that thought no more of her cōspira∣cyes nor traynes of treason, wherin as the howre approched

that her Lasciuious trade of life shoulde be enioyned to open pennance, and the wrong & violacion of faith to her husbād, with her pernicious intentes & effectes of murders, receyue theire due hyre and punishment, and that the rage of de∣stenie woulde not be appeased tyll som man weare commit∣ted to execution, so for a more expedicion of the fatall ende of her miserable lyfe, she entised her bastard louer into a close arbor in the gardin where only y^e byrdes weare witnes of their discours, and brake with hym in this sorte. Yf na∣ture (Sir hath gyuen to euery one a speciall care to holde the vse of lyfe moste deare with a peculyar desyer to fauor the cours of our dayes wyth so lōg a tearme as we can, how much more are we bounde to embrace and be carefull of that whiche causeth vs to lyue wyth a singuler renome from a∣mongst the rest of the baser sort of people, who lyenge al∣waye in watch to marke oure order of lyuing, are no lesse glad to haue an occasion of slaunder, then redye to impart it to all the worlde, with such percialitye of vnworthie bruit, y^t the greater we seame in degrée, the more hainous they make our offence, and mortal fautes not only scarse noted, but also tollerable in meaner personages, wherin as we women are most incident to the awe of that malicious clymat of people, both for that they Sift vs and our doings more narrolye thē the rest, and because we beinge the weaker companye, are not armed with sufficient force to resiste their rage, so the indifferēt sorte ought not to be rashe in iudgement on their sydes, nor gyue sentence of discredit or dishonesty againste vs, the rather by a sinister suggestion of suche a vulgar and barbarous crewe, neyther ought we to spare or feare anye sort of reuenge, whiche maye aduaunce the recouerye of that wherof we are wrongfully deuested.

Thus much I haue inferred (syr as a preamble to the request I meane to make, which I take god to witnesse procedes not to much of desyer to pursue the reuenge of wrong I haue al∣redie receiued, as to make knowen to all the worlde, wyth what integritye I go about to preserue the renome of my

former reputacion, knowinge ryght well that the earthe beareth nothing so precious or of so great value, that is ha∣ble to restore or make good the forfeiture of the honor of a la dye of equall Calibre and callinge to mee, And because I wil not kepe you in long suspence, nor with tedyous circum stance moue anye myslike to hym that hath offered to Iustify my cause against them, whose wickednes haue procured these tearmes of iust complaynte, it may lyke you to vnderstand, this, as not long sins I remayned at PAVIA wyth a trayne conuenient for my degree, may ntaynynge court and hospi∣talitie in suche sorte, that the greateste estate seamed content wyth myneordynar ie, so amongest the rest of the repayre and accesse to my house, I was vysited wyth an often hawnt of two earles of equall nobylytie and sembla∣ble discent of honor, to whom albeit I vsed an indifferente countenaunce, exposing no great argument of famylyaritie on their behalfes, then (as you se) I show to euery gentlemā, yet forgetting thestymacion of their owne race, and ranke which I hold, they haue semed of late so vnthankfull, to the honor I vsed towards them, that I fynd a returne of the me∣ryt of my curtesye wyth a general brute of open slaunder, begon and contynued by them, who also cease not as yet to endeuor to make my name no lesse notoryous of Infamye, then if I weare the most cōmon curtisan in Rome or Venyce wherin as the vertue of my Innocencye is hable to satisfye thopynions of such as know me, for that thintegretie of my life hethervnto parswades them, that I am bothe belyed by malyce, and slaundred wythout cause, so al straungers, and specyallye the vulgar sorte, conferringe my delycate and braue order of lyuinge, wyth the parnicious rumor of these gallandes, doughts not to confirme their vylaynes wyth an absolute Iudgemēt, that I am no lesse dishonest in dede, then their brute hath published in euery corner and cuntrye of I talye, wherof besydes y^t myne owne conscyence doth abso∣lue me, yet dare I pleade & appeale to the testymony of your

selfe to depose the contrarye, protestynge vnto you by the heyght of the hyghest throne in heauen, that onlye you haue vanquyshed the chastyty of Blanche Marye, who yf she should anye waye lose your presence, could not enioye the ayre of MYLAN four and twentye howers, for that, those roysters & slaunderus earles haue brought me in so bad a tast amon∣gest all honest companye, and yet would I not depart with∣out a reuenge of the wronge they haue done me, wherein yf I cannot be assisted wyth the helpe of anye man, I assure you this carcasse shall eyther be found dead in thenterprise, or these handes shall comitt the fatall execution of these cor∣rupt wreches, whose malice haue set abroche the vessell of vnworthye slaunder to myn honour and estymacion, wher∣wyth she forsed a sodayn complexion of dolor in her face, in such sort, that the teares which distilled from her eyes drop∣ped all a longest her chekes and brestes of the coollour of thazured alablaster, and watered the whole bosom and body of the Scycilyan, who hauyng no other god but the countesse, and seynge thympetuositie of her distres, enquired of her in a meruelous rage, what he was that durste abuse her, who had at commaundement a captaine with his whole en∣seigne of men at armes and soldiours, ready to march at the sounde of her drom, to defende her quarrell, and take ven∣gance of such as oppresse her, swearyng at thinstante by the faith and honour of a soldior, that if he knewe the names of thies ympudēt wretches, al y^e world shold procure no dispen∣se of their death, and he only wolde cutt theym in as manye peces, as there be members of their wicked bodyes, where∣fore (saith he) (ymbrasing his infernal goddesse) giue me on∣ly a note of their names, and you shall sée what difference I vse betwene doyng & sayinge, simple wordes and dedes of effecte, and do away thies teares withoute further remem∣brance, or care to reuenge your enemyes, for you shall sée, that I will tonse theym so conyngly, that herafter they shal neede no barber to rownde their haire.

This franke promisse with the liklyhode of spedye effecte,

breathed suche a freshe ayre of consolacion into the morde∣ring countesse, that after she had coolled and embrased hym in a thousande sortes, with an offer and liberall dedica∣tion of her life, with all that shee had, even vntyll the laste and extreme dropp of her blodde, tolde hym the names of her enemies, who saithe she, are not hable to make good anye waye, the forfeiture of myne honour but by their deathe and perentorie destruction, wherewith he willed her eftsones to dismisse all care, and reapose herselfe vpon him, for saith he, afore thexpiraciō of many daies, you shal heare such newes as you long for, wherin he failed neither of the tyme nor effect of his promise, for that the nexte night hee was aduertised by certeine espialls, which he had set for the purpose, that therle Valpergo, supped in the towne, wherfore he armed him self with twentie menne at armes of his sol∣diours, and laye in ambushe of eyther side the strete, where therle should passe in his retorne to his lodgynge, who with his brother arme in arme, with some fyue or six of their pa∣ges and seruantes, betwene ten and eleuen of the clocke in the euenynge, came deuisynge merely together till they were at the Iaumbe or torne of a streete that stretcheth to sainte Iacques, where soddainly they sawe theym selues as∣sailed and set vpon on all sides with men in armor, and fin∣dynge their force far to weake to mainteine skirmish with so greate a trowpe armed at all pointes vpp to the throate, and they onely, the simple assistance of the rapior and cloke, began to flee, but they founde astopp of passage in euerye place, in suche sorte, as therle and his brother, with the rest of their small crewe, were cutt in peces in one instante, al∣beit as morder is the synne moste detestable affore God, so we see fewe or none escape vnpunyshed, nor any done in suche secret but the maiestye of the higheste, reserues a meane to discouer it, for in the heate of this sharpe medley, therle ARDIZZYNO espied the basterde PIERRO, whome he named and called vppon manye tymes, but all in vaine,

whiche beyng harde and aduouched by one of the townes∣men, standyng rather in his windowe to crye ayme, then helping any waye to parte the fraye, was the cause that he was taken the same nighte, and committed to prison, by thautoritie of the duke of BVRBON lieutenante and chyefe gouernour within MILLAN for themperour Charles the fyfte, and the nexte daye fearynge the offer of the racke or other tormentes, he confessed the facte, wyth the cause to procede of the sinister subornation of the Countesse Blanche Marie, whose lyfe and trade, accordyng to the discourse you haue alredy harde, he ymparted at large, to the DVKE and reste of the councell, she beynge aduertised of the whole, had tyme and libertie to flee, but god whyche is iuste, would not that her wickednes shoulde bée assisted with anye lon∣ger date, seynge that if she had liued, her malice, woulde al∣so haue raged vppon therle GAIAZO, who by good chaunce was at that tyme out of the towne.

The nexte daye shée was sente into an other prison in the towne, to auoyde conference betwene Dom Pierro and her, whereof there was more cause of feare then néeded, for that vppon the firste examination, she confessed the whole con∣spiracie, trustynge belyke, in, I can not tell howe manye her thousande crownes, where with shée hoped to corrupte the gouernour or suche as bare authoritie vnder him, wher∣in her exspectation, was no lesse frustrate, then her desti∣nies seamed wearie to fauour her with longer lyfe, for the offer of her crownes was hatefull to the vpryghte mi∣nisters of instice, and other meanes of medyacion hadde no place in the senate, for that she was iudged to bée taken oute of prison, the seconde daye after the morder, and loase her head in the place of publicke execution, in the meane while, the capteines of the armye, purchassed the lyfe of the bas∣tarde of CARDONO, and sente hym with diuers letters of comendacion to themperour, who for the respecte of hys experience and practis in warre, aduaunced him to a charge

conueniente for his skil.

And albeit the laste arreste and sentence diffinitiue of the miserable countesse, was communicated vnto her, to thende she mighte put her selfe in readines to passe the dreadfull iourney of deathe, yet seamynge to repose muche for her selfe in th'assistance of her coffers, she neyther dis∣mayed at the newes, nor disposed her self any waye toward God, vntill the sergeantes criminall, taking her out of her dongeon in the castell, led her to the fatall theatrie in the market place where was erected a faire skaffolde, to playe the laste acte of her tragedye vppon, there y^e wretched Ladye entred into open confession of her faltes and former lyfe in the hearyng of the multitude, desiring God vpon her knées wyth greate effusion of teares, not to deale with her accor∣ding to her deserts, but that she mought enioye the bene∣fytt of his mercye, and that he woulde not argue agaynste her, for yf he iudged her accordinge to her iniquities, shée was not hable to abyde it, and so desyering the people to pre∣ferr their prayers on her behalf, for her better assistance of y^e spirit of grace in her perillous passage which she had to par∣forme, she renounsed nature by the deadly blow of the sword of execution whiche toke awaye the head from the parni∣cious bodie of her, who in her life neuer founde any wicked∣nes whyche shee dyd not onelye ymbrace, but excede wyth ymitation, and increase with further vylanye, nor was acquaynted with any vertue, whyche she dyd not abuse, or conuert into an agrauacion of synne: a goodlye example suer, for the youth in oure tyme, seynge that the greatest parte launsynge indifferentlye into the gulphe of all ab∣hominacion, are gouerned onelye by the transport of their vaine & foolysh conceits, without hauing respect to the sūdry, mischefes & impositions of shame which fayle not to attend the end of suche exercises, for yf the Lord of Cardonne hadd not bene rescowed by th'assistance of a good fortune, and ta∣ken

out of the handes of distresse by speciall ayde of thother Captaynes, it may be easely iudged what miserie had thun∣dered vpon him by geuinge himselfe in praye to the flatte∣ringe appetit of a lighte and foolishe woman, who seamed to yelde him more glée or fauor, for the satisfieng of her own lust, and to performe her malicious deuise, then for any re∣spect of loyaltye or true loue, Indiferent care of his honor, or honest regard to her own estimation, and trewlye as hys misfortune is great, that bestoweth his affectiō vpō a whore, for that he is incident to a thousande inconueniences: So his folye is no lesse, that perswades himselfe to be beloued of a common doxie, seinge their amytie continueth no longer then they reape eyther pleasure or profit, neyther are they so inconstant in loue, as voyde of measure in Imaginacion of mischiefes, wherin for that our plentiful time yeldes vs choyse of examples and sorte of familyar experience, I am content to abridge the Iustification at this tyme, for that to maintain continuall argument of morders or affaires full of peril, is often hurtful to the quyet mynde, desiring som∣time a pleasant recreacion from affliction, no lesse then the pylot or weary mariner couets a present calme and appea∣sement of angrye EOLE after they haue bene longe for∣wearyed in contending against the malice of their fortune amonge the perillous strayghts of thunquiet occean.

And albeit the corruption of our owne nature is so great, that we take more delight to heare a discours or beadroll of folyes, then in reportes enterlarded with admonicions full of reason and wysedom, yet am I perswaded, that suche as haue their mindes typped wyth vertue, cānot be so perua••••, nor voyde of good disposition, as the other wretches, whose lyues bearynge the badge of infamie, makes theim also se∣questrated from the reste of the good sort, wherin we ought to be fullye resolued, that there is no Hystorie, (howe full of pleasant delyte so euer it appeare) which yeldes not with all, wholsomme Instructions to dyrecte oure lyues, ney∣neyther

ought we to be soscrupulous or ful of curiositie As eyther to condemne or mislike the pleasaunt comodye for that it is not painted with y^e serenety of the Stoickes, seing the volumes of prophaned records, & scripture it self do note vnto vs the lyues of sundre vicious parsons, not for that we shoulde enter into tearmes of grudge againste the rea∣port of suche auncient antiquitie, nor dispose our selues to the imitation of the like vices, but rather in vewynge the strange and greuous punishment whiche ordinarily hath ouerwhelmed suche sin, to learne and labor to directe our lyues by the contrary of their examples, whiche is one re∣specte that made me put my penne in exercise to prefer this historie to our vulgar tonge, to thend also that the frayle youth of our countrie, that folowe the damnable path of iniquitie, maye sée howe sewer they are to féele the heauye hand of God, who bles∣seth the good sorte wyth a plen∣tyfull gyft of his grace, and punisheth the wycked with sundrye sortes of affli∣ction.

FINIS.

Notes

• Blāche maria maried to the Viscount her∣mes.
• The order of a wise hus∣bād in repre hendinge the follies of his gyife.
• The vvise aunsvvere of the Viscount thouchynge the gouerne∣ment of hys vvife.
• The vise∣count dieth.
• VVomenne muste avoide asvvel the sus¦picion as thact of euyll.
• A pollecye of the ser∣pent.
• Alteracyons in a louer in the presence of his ladye.
• The carle vvoethe the vvidovve
• The Ytalian Ielousie by nature.
• The vvido∣vves replye.
• A contracte forced, is a vyolacion of mariage.
• A litle falte in a great la∣dy is made a mortal offēce in the iudge∣ment of the vvorlde.
• A vvoman re¦formed ra∣ther by faire intreatie the force of con¦straint.
• Phedra.
• She letteth her banke of money ••ōne in interest at Myllan.
• She rouneth from her hus¦bande.
• The honor of a mā ought not to be de∣faced by the deshonestie of his vvife.
• Shame ought to direct the doinges of vvomen.
• Demosthenes refused the companie of Lays, for that she held a nightes lod¦ging at to high a price.
• The first vn∣lavvfull louer of the coun∣tesse.
• The order of a curtisan to allure men to affection.
• Therle val∣pergo proffe¦reth his ser∣uice to the countesse.
• She graun∣teth fauor to therle.
• Acteon trans¦formed into a hart by Dy¦ana.
• Fortune dra∣vven in shape and attire of a vvoman.
• The coūtesse vvoeth therle Gaiazo by letter.
• Morder most ha••nous in the sighte of god
• She entrea∣teth her se∣cond frend to kyll her firste louer.
• She disconti∣nueth her frēdship vvith the Lord Ga∣iazo.
• Some faultes may be excu∣sed that can not be pardo∣ned.
• The barba∣rians more cu¦rious, thē vve, in obseruinge their lavves.
• Shame as ne∣cessarie for age as avve for yong mē.
• Death the due revv••••de of morder.
• The sin of the father pu¦nished vpon the children.
• The coūtesse to her last lo∣uer.
• No morder escapeth vn∣punished