The second tome of the Palace of pleasure conteyning store of goodly histories, tragicall matters, and other morall argument, very requisite for delighte and profit. Chosen and selected out of diuers good and commendable authors: by William Painter, clerke of the ordinance and armarie. Anno. 1567.

Mistresse Katherine of Bologna

¶ Master GENTIL of CARISENDI being come from MODENA toke a woman out of hir graue that was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for deade, who after she was come againe, broughte forth a sonne, which Master GENTIL rendred 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with the mother to master NICHOLAS 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hir husband.

The. xix. Nouel.

REading this Historie, I consider two straunge & rare chaunces: the one a lyberall and courteous acte of an 〈◊〉〈◊〉 louer towardes, his beloued & hir husband, in leauing hir vntouched, and not dishonored, although in full puissance to doe his pleasure: to hir husband or presenting him with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whome he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lo∣ued, and a newe borne childe: bothe supposed to be dead by hir friendes, and therefore intombed in graue. The other chaunce a singular desire of a gentlewoman, by hū∣ble sute for conseruation of hir honour, although long time pursued by a gentleman that reuiued hir almost frō 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and thought vtterly to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 voide of life. To praise the one, and to leaue the other not magnified, it were a part of discurtesie: but to extoll bothe with shoutes and

acclamations of infinite praise, no dout but very commē∣dable. If comparisons may be made with Princes of el∣der yeres, and not to note those of later, truely Maister Gentil by that his fact, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not much inferior to Sci∣pio Affricanus for sparing the wife of Indibilis, ne yet to king Cyrus for Panthea the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Abradatas: although both of them not in equal state of loue, (as wholy 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from that passion) like to master Gentil, who in dede for subduing that griefe and motion, deserueth greater praise. For sooner is that torment auoided at the first as∣sault and pinche, than when it is suffred long to flame & raigne in that yelding portion of man, the heart, which once fed with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of loue, is seldome or neuer loosed. To do at large to vnderstand y^e proofe of those most 〈◊〉〈◊〉 persones, thus beginneth the historie.

At Bologna a very notable Citie of Lombardie, there was a Knight of very great respect for his vertue, na∣med maister Gentil Carissendi, who in his youthe fell in loue with a gentlewoman called mistresse Katherine, the wife of one maister Nicholas Chasennemie. And bicause during that loue, he receiued a very yll coūterchange for his affection that he bare vnto that gentlewoman, he went away (like one desperate) to be the iudge & pote∣state of Modena, wherunto he was called. About y^t time the husband being out of Bologna, and the gentlewomā at 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Manor in the country, about a mile & a halfe from the Citie (whither she went to remaine, bicause she was with childe) it chaunced 〈◊〉〈◊〉 she was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 surprised with a sicknesse, which was such and of so great force, as there was no token of life in hir, but rather iudged by all Phisitians to be a dead woman. And bicause that hir 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, sayd that they heard hir say, that she could not be so long time with childe, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that the infant must be perfect and ready to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and therefore 〈◊〉〈◊〉

wyth some other disease and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that would bring hir to hir end; as a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or other swelling, rising of grosse humors, they thought hir a dead woman, and past recouerie: wherfore vpō a time she falling into a 〈◊〉〈◊〉, was verily supposed and left for dead. Who after they had mourned hir death, & bewailed the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 expiration of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 soul, caused hir to be buried w^tout 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of recouery (euen as she was in that extasie) in a graue of a church adioyning harde by the house where she dwelt. Which thing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was aduertised master Gentil by one of his frēds, who although he was not likely, as he thou∣ght, to attaine hir fauor, & in vtter dispaire therof, yet it grieued him very muche that no better héede was taken vnto hir, thinking by diligence and time she would haue come to hir self againe, saying thus in the end vnto him self:

How now 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Katherin, y^t death hath wrought, his will with you, and I could neuer obtein during your life one simple looke frō those your glistering eies, which lately I beheld to my great ouerthrow and decay: wher∣fore now when you cānot defend your self, I may be bold (you being dead) to steale from you some desired kisse.

When he had said so, being already night, and hauyng taken order that none should know of his departure, he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vpon his horse, accompanied with one only seruaūt, & without tarying any where, arriued at the place wher his Lady was buried, and opening the graue, forthwith he entred in, and laying him self down bisides hir, he ap∣proched 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hir face, and many times kissed hir, pou∣ring forthe great abundance of teares. But as we sée the appetite of man not to be content except it procéede fur∣ther (specially of such as be in loue) being determined to tarye no longer there, and to departe, he sayd:

Ah God why should I goe no further, why should I not touche hir, why shold I not proue whither she be aliue or dead?

〈◊〉〈◊〉 then with that motion, he felt hir 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and holding his hand there for a certeine time, perceiued hir heart as it were to pant, & thereby some life remaining in hir. Wherefore so softly as he could, with the helpe of his man, he raised hir out of the graue: and setting hir vpon his horsse before him, secretely caried hir home to his house at Bologna. The mother of maister Gentil dwelled there, which was a graue and vertuous gentle∣woman, who vnderstanding by hir sonne the whole ef∣fect of that chaunce, moued with compassion, vnknowne to any man, placing hir before a great fire, and cōforting hir with bathe prepared for the purpose, she recouered life in the gentlewoman that was supposed to be deade, who so soone as she was come to hir selfe, threwe forth a great sigh, and said:

Alas, where am I now? To whom the good olde woman 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Be of good chéere swete hart, ye be in a good place.

The gentlewoman hauing wholly recouered hir senses, and looking roūd about hir, not yet well knowing where she was, and séeing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gentil before hir, prayed his mother to tell hir howe she came 〈◊〉〈◊〉. To whome maister Gentil declared in order, what he had done for hir, and what meanes he vsed to bring hir thither. Whereof making hir complaint, and lamenting the little regard and negligence of hir frends, she rendred vnto hym innumerable thankes. Then she prayed him for the loue which at other times he bare hir, and for his 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that she might not receiue in hys house any thing that should be dishonorable to hir per∣son, ne yet to hir husband, but so soone as it was daye 〈◊〉〈◊〉 suffer hir to goe home to hir owne house: wherunto 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gentil answered:

Madame, what so euer I haue de∣sired in time 〈◊〉〈◊〉, nowe I purpose neuer to demaunde of you any thing, or to do here in this place or in any other 〈◊〉〈◊〉, but that I would to mine 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sister, sith it hath

pleased God to doe me suche pleasure, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from death to life to render you to me, in consideration 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the loue that I haue borne you heretofore.) But this good woorke, which this nyght I haue done for you, well deferueth some recompence. Wherfore my desire is, that you deny me not the pleasure which I shall demaund: whome the gentlewoman curteously answered, that she was very re∣dy, so the same were honest & in bir power to doe.

Then said maister Gentil:

Mystresse, all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and all they of Bologna, doe beleue for a trouthe that you be deade, wherfore there is none that loketh for you at home: and the pleasure then which I demaund, is, that you will 〈◊〉〈◊〉 secretely to tary here with my mother, vntill I returne from Modena, which shall be with so great ex∣pedition as I can: and the cause why I desire the same, is, for that I intend to make a faire and acceptable pre∣sent of you vnto your husband in the presence of y^t prin∣cipal of this Citie.

The gentlewoman knowing hirself to be greatly bound to the Knight, and that hys request was honest; disposed hir self to doe what he demaunded. Albeit she desired earnestly to reioyce hir frendes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hir recouered life, and so promised vpon hir faith. And vn∣nethes had she ended hir talke, but she felt the payne of childbirth: wherfore with the aide of the mother of ma∣ster Gentil, she taried not long before she was deliuered of a faire sonne, which greatly augmēted the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of ma∣ster Gentil and hir. Maister Gentil commaunded that she should haue all things that were necessary ministred vn∣to hir, and that she should be vsed as though she wer his owne wife. Then he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 returned to Modena, where when he had a while supplied his office, he returned to Bologna, and prepared a great feast at his house, the same morning that he arriued, for diuers gentlemen of the ci∣tie, amongs 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Nicholas Chasennemie was one.

When the cōpany of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 guests 〈◊〉〈◊〉, (the gentlewoman in so good helth & liking as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 she was, and hir childe wel and lusty, he sate downe amongs thē, doing vnto them incomparable mirthe and pastime, and serued them bountifully wyth diuerse fortes of meates. When dinner was almost done, hauing before tolde the Gentlewoman what be ment to doe, and in what man∣ner she shoulde behaue hir selfe, he began thus to saye.

My maisters, I do remember that whilom I haue heard tell that in the Countrie of Persia, there was a goodly cu∣stome (as me séemeth) that when some one was disposed to doe great honoure vnto his friend, he bad hym home to his house, and there shewed him the thyng which he loued best, were it wyfe, woman, daughter, or what so euer it were: affirming that like as he disdained not to shewe the same, which outwardly he loued best, euen so he wold if it were possible, willingly discouer his owne heart: which custome I purpose to obserue in this citie. Ye of your 〈◊〉〈◊〉 haue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to doe me so greate honor, as to repair vnto this my simple 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I wil recompēce after the Persian maner, by shewing vnto you the thing which I loue most déerely aboue any in this world, or hereafter shal be able to loue so long as my life endureth: but before I do the same, I pray you to tell me your opinion in a doubt which I shall propose. There was a certaine person which in hys house had a good & faithful seruaunt, who became extremely sick, that person without attending the end of his diseased seruāt, caused him to be caried into y^e midst of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with∣out any further care for him: In the meane time there 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a straunger by, who moued by compassion of the sicke seruaunt, bare him home to his owne house, where with great care and diligence, sparing no cost or charge, made him 〈◊〉〈◊〉 recouer his former helth. I wold now fain

know of you, whither for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the seruice of that seruaunt, his first maister by good 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cō∣plaine vpon the second, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he should demannd him again, or by demaunding of him againe, the second not disposed to restore him, might 〈◊〉〈◊〉 any damage.

The gentle∣men after many opinions and arguments debated too & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 amongs them, and at lengthe all concluding in one mind, gaue charge 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Nicholas Chasennemie (bicause he was an eloquent talker) to make the answer: who first 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 custome, sayde that he was, (with the rest) of this opinion, that the first maister had no fur∣ther title in hys seruaunt, hauing in such necessitie not only forsaken him, but throwen him into the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and that for the good turnes which the secōd master had done him, he oughte by good right to be his: wherefore by ke∣ping him, he did no wrong, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the first. All the rest at the Table (whith were right honest per∣sones) sayde all togither that they were of his opinion. The Knight content with that answer, and specially bi∣cause Nicholas Chasonnemie had pronoūted it, affirmed that he was likewise of that minde, and afterwardes he sayd:

Time it is then that I render vnto you the honor which you haue done me, in manner accordinglye as I haue promised.

Then he called vnto him two of his ser∣uauntes, and sent them to the Gentlewoman, whome he had caused to be apparelled and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 very gorgeously, praying hir by hir presence to content and satisfie all the companie. And she takyng in hir armes, hir little faire sonne, came into the hall, accompanied wyth the two seruauntes, and was placed (as it pleased the Knight) bisides a very honest Gentleman, and then he sayde:

〈◊〉〈◊〉, beholde the thing whyth I loue best, and purpose to loue aboud all worldly things, whither I haue occa∣sion so to doe, your eyes may be iudges.

The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 doing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 reuerence vnto hir, greatly praised hir, & said to the Knight that there was good rea∣son

why she ought to be beloued, Upon which commen∣dations they began more attentiuely to beholde hir, and many of them would haue sayd and sworne that it had bene she in déede if it had not bene thought that she had bene dead. But Nicholas behelde hir more than the rest, who very desirous to know what she was, could not for∣beare (when he saw that the Knight was a little depar∣ted from the place) to aske hir whyther she was of Bo∣logna, or a straunger. When the gentlewoman sawe hir husband to aske hir that question, she coulde scarce for∣beare frō making answere, notwithstanding to atchieue that which was purposed, she helde hir peace. Another asked hir if that little Boy was hirs: and another if she were the wife of master Gentil, or any kin vnto him: vn∣to whome she gaue no answer at all. But when master Gentil came in, one of the straungers sayd vnto him.

Syr this gentle womā is a very goodly creature, but she séemeth to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Is it true or not? Sirs sayd maister Gentil, that is but a litle argument of hir vertue, for this time to hold hir peace. Tel vs then (sayd he) what is she? That will I doe very gladly sayd the Knight, vnder con∣dition that none of you shall remoue out of his place for any thing I speake, vntill I haue ended my tale: which request being graunted, and the table taken vp, maister Gentil which was set downe by the gentlewoman, said: My maisters, this gentlewoman is the loyall and faith∣full seruant, of whome 〈◊〉〈◊〉. I propounded the question, whome I haue relieued from amids the strete, whither hir kin, litle caring for hir, threw hir as a vile and vnpro∣fitable thing: & haue by my greate care brought to passe, that I haue discharged hir from death, vpon an affection which God knoweth to be so pure and perfecte, as of a

lumpe of dead lothsome flesh he hath reuiued so fair and fresh as you sée: but to the intent you may more plainly vnderstand how it is come to passe, I wil open the same in few words.

And beginning at the day when he fell in loue with hir, he particularly told them, what had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 til that time, to the great maruell and admiration of them that heard him, and then he added these words:

By meanes whereof, if your minde be not chaunged within this little time, & specially maister Nicholas, of good right she is my wife, and none by iust title can claime hir.

Wherunto none at al made answer, loking that he shold haue procéeded further. In the meane while Nicho∣las and the rest that were there, fell into earnest weping. But maister Gentil rising from the borde, and taking in his armes the little childe, and the gentlewoman by the hand, went towards Nicholas, and sayd vnto him:

Rise vp sir gossip, I doe not restore vnto thée thy wife, whom thy frends and housholde did cast into the strécte, but I wil giue thée this gentlewoman my gossip, with the litle childe, y^t is, as I am assured begotten of thée, for whome at the christening I made answer and promise, and cal∣led him Gentil, and do pray thée that she be no lesse estée∣med of thée (for being in my house almost thrée moneths) than she was before. For I swere by the almighty God, who made me in loue with hir, (peraduenture that my loue might be the cause of hir preseruation) that she ne∣uer liued more honestly with hir father, mother, or with thée, than she hath done in company of my mother.

Whē he had sayd so, he returned towards the gentlewoman, and sayd vnto hir: Mistresse, from this time forth, I dis∣charge you of the promise which you haue made me, and leaue you to your husband franke and frée. And when he had bestowed the gentlewoman, and the childe in the fa∣thers armes, he returned to his place againe. Nicholas

ioyfully receiued his wife & childe, for the which so much the more he reioysed, as he was furthest of from hope of hir recouerie, rendering innumerable thankes to the Knight and the rest, who moued with compassion wept for company, greatly praising master Gentil for that act, who was commended of eche man that heard the re∣porte thereof. The Gentlewoman was receiued into hir house with maruellous ioy. And long time after she was gazed vpon by the Citizens of Bologna, as a thing to their great wonder reuiued againe.

Afterwards maister Gentil continued still a friend vnto Nicholas, and vnto his wife and children.