The decameron containing an hundred pleasant nouels. Wittily discoursed, betweene seauen honourable ladies, and three noble gentlemen.

Iohn of Lorraine heard one knocke at his doore in the night time, whereup∣pon he awaked his Wife Monna Tessa. She made him beleeue, that it was a Spirit which knocked at the doore, and so they arose, going both together to coniure the Spirit with a prayer; and afterwardes, they heard no more knocking.

The First Nouell.

Reprehending the simplicity of some sottish Husbands: And discouering the wanton subtilties of some women, to compasse their vnlawfull desires.

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MY Gracious Lord (quoth Madame Aemillia) it had bene a matter highly pleasing to mee, that any other (rather then my selfe) should haue be∣gun to speake of this argument, which it hath pleased you to apoint. But seeing it is your High∣nesse pleasure, that I must make a passage of assu∣rance for all the rest; I will not be irregular, be∣cause obedience is our cheefe Article. I shall therefore (Gracious Ladies) striue, to speake something, which may bee aduantageable to you heereafter, in regard, that if other women bee as fearfull as we, especially of Spirits, of which all our sexe haue generally bin timorous (although, vpon my credite, I know not what they are, nor euer could meete with any, to tell me what they be) you may, by the diligent obseruation of my Nouell: learne a wholsome and holy pray∣er, very auaileable, and of precious power, to coniure and driue them a∣way, whensoeuer they shall presume to assault you in any place.

There dwelt sometime in Florence, and in the street of Saint Branca∣zio, a woollen Weauer, named Iohn of Lorrayne; a man more happy in his Art, then wise in any thing else beside: because, sauouring some∣what of the Gregorie, and (in very deede) little lesse then an Ideot; Hee was many times made Captain of the Woollen-Weauers, in the quar∣ters belonging to Santa Maria Nouella, and his house was the Schoole or receptacle, for all their meetings and assemblies. He had diuers other petty Offices beside, by the dignity and authority whereof, hee suppo∣sed himselfe much exalted or eleuated, aboue the common pitch of o∣ther men. And this humour became the more tractable to him, because he addicted himselfe oftentimes (as being a man of an easie inclination) to be a benefactor to the holy Fathers of Santa Maria Nouella, giuing (beside his other charitable Almes) to some one a paire of Breeches, to another a Hood, and to another a whole habit. In reward whereof, they taught him (by heart) many wholsome prayers, as the Pater noster in the vulgar tongue; the Song of Saint Alexis; the Lamentations of Saint Bernard, the Hymne of Madame Matilda, and many other such like matters, which he kept charily, and repeated vsually, as tending to the saluation of his soule.

This man, had a very faire and louely wife, named Monna Tessa, the daughter of Manuccio della Cuculia, wise and well aduised; who know∣ing the simplicity of her Husband, and affecting Frederigo di Neri Pego∣lotti, who was a comely yong Gentleman, fresh, and in the floure of his time, euen as she was, therefore they agreed the better together. By meanes of her Chamber-maid, Frederigo and shee met often together, at a Countrie Farme of Iohn of Lorraynes, which hee had neere to Flo∣rence, and where she vsed to lodge all the Summer time, called Came∣rata, whether Iohn resorted somtimes to Supper, and lodge for a night, returning home againe to his City house the next morning; yet often he would stay there longer with his owne companions.

Frederigo, who was no meane man in his Mistresses fauor, and there∣fore these priuate meetings the more welcome to him; receiued a sum∣mons or assignation from her, to be there on such a night, when hir hus∣band had no intent of comming thither. There they supped merrily together, and (no doubt) did other things, nothing appertaining to our purpose, she both acquainting, and well instructing him, in a dozen (at the least) of her Husbands deuout prayers. Nor did shee make any ac∣count, or Frederigo either, that this should be the last time of their mee∣ting, because (indeede) it was not the first: and therfore they set down an order and conclusion together (because the Chambermaide must be no longer the messenger) in such manner as you shall heare.

Frederigo was to obserue especially, that alwayes when hee went or came from his owne house, which stood much higher then Iohn of Lor∣raynes did, to looke vpon a Vine, closely adioyning to her house, where stood the scull of an Asses head, aduanced vpon an high pole; & when the face thereof looked towards Florence, he might safely come, it be∣ing

an assured signe, that Iohn kept at home. And if he found the doore fast shut, he should softly knocke three seuerall times, and thereon bee admitted entrance. But if the face stood towards Fiesola; then he might not come, for it was the signe of Iohns being there, and then there might be no medling at all.

Hauing thus agreed vpon this conclusion, and had many merry mee∣tings together: one night aboue the rest, where Frederigo was appoin∣ted to suppe with Monna Tessa, who had made ready two fat Capons, drest in most dainty and delicate manner: it fell out so vnfortunately, that Iohn (whose Kue was not to come that night came thither very late, yet before Frederigo, wherewith she being not a little offended, gaue Iohn a slight supper, of Lard, Bacon, and such like coarse prouision, because the other was kept for a better guest. In the meane time, and while Iohn was at supper, the Maide (by her Mistresses direction) had conueighed the two Capons, with boyled Egges, Bread and a Bottle of Wine (all folded vp in a faire cleane table cloth) into her Garden, that had a pas∣sage to it, without entering into the house, and where shee had diuers times supt with Frederigo. She further willed the Maide, to set all those things vnder a Peach tree, which adioyned to the fields side: but, so an∣gry she was at her husbands vnexpected comming, that shee for got to bid her tarrie there, till Frederigoes comming, and to tell him of Iohns being there: as also, to take what he found prepared readie for his Sup∣per.

Iohn and she being gone to bed together, and the Maide likewise, it was not long after, before Frederigo came, and knocking once softly at the doore, which was very neere to their lodging Chamber, Iohn heard the noise, and so did his wife. But to the end, that Iohn might not haue the least scruple of suspition, she seemed to be fast asleepe; and Frederigo pausing a while, according to the order directed, knockt againe the se∣cond time. Iohn wondering thereat very much, iogd his wife a litle, and saide to her: Tessa, hearest thou nothing? Me thinkes one knocketh at our doore. Monna Tessa, who was better acquainted with the knocke, then plaine honest meaning Iohn was, dissembling as if shee awaked our of a drowsie dreame, saide: Alas Husband, dost thou know what this is? In the name of our blessed Ladie, be not affraid, this is but the Spirit which haunts our Countrey houses, whereof I haue often told thee, and it hath many times much dismayed me, liuing heere alone without thy comfort. Nay, such hath bin my feare, that in diuers nights past, so soone as I heard the knockes: I was feigne to hide my selfe in the bedde ouer-head and eares (as we vsually say) neuer daring to be so bold, as to looke out, vntill it was broad open day. Arise good wife (quoth Iohn) and if it be such a Spirit of the Countrey, as thou talkest of, neuer be af∣fraid; for before we went to bed, I said the Telucis, the Intemerata, with many other good prayers beside. Moreouer, I made the signe of the signe of the Crosse at euery corner of our bed, in the name of the Father, Son, and holy Ghost, so that no doubt at all needs to be made, of any

power it can haue to hurt or touch vs.

Monna Tessa, because (perhaps) Frederigo might receiue some other suspition, and so enter into distaste of her by anger or offence: determi∣ned to arise indeede, and to let him couertly vnderstand, that Iohn was there, and therefore saide to her husband. Beleeue me Iohn, thy coun∣sell is good, and euery one of thy words hath wisedome in it: but I hold it best for our owne safety, thou being heere; that wee should coniure him quite away, to the end he may neuer more haunt our hovse, Con∣iure him Wife? Quoth Iohn, By what meanes? and how? Bee patient good man (quoth Tessa) and I will enstruct thee. I haue learned an ex∣cellent kinde of coniuration; for, the last weeke, when I went to procure the pardons at Fiesola, one of the holy recluse Nuns, who (indeede Iohn) is my indeered Sister and Friend, and the most sanctimonius in life of them all; perceiuing me to be troubled and terrified by Spirits; taught me a wholsome and holy prayer, and protested withall, that shee had often made experiment thereof, before she became a Recluse, & found it (alwayes) a present helpe to her. Yet neuer durst I aduenture to essay it, liuing heere by my selfe all alone: but honest Iohn, seeing thou art heere with me, we will go both together, and coniure this Spirit. Iohn replyed, that he was very willing; and being both vp, they went fayre and softly to the doore, where Frederigo stoode still without, and was growne somewhat suspitious of his long attendance.

When they were come to the doore, Monna Tessa said to Iohn: Thou must cough and spet, at such time as I shall bid thee. Well (quoth Iohn) I will not faile you. Immediately she beganne her prayer in this man∣ner.

Spirit, that walkst thus in the night, Poore Countrey people to affright: Thou hast mistane thy marke and ayme, The head stood right, but Iohn home came, And therefore thou must packe away, For I haue nothing else to say: But to my Garden get the gone, Vnder the Peach-tree stands alone, There shalt thou finde two Capons drest, And Egges laide in mine owne Hennes nest, Bread, and a Bottle of good Wine, All wrapt vp in a cloath most fine. Is not this good Goblins fare? Packe and say you haue your share; Not doing harme to Iohn or me, Who this night keepes me companie.

No sooner had she ended her deuoute coniuring prayer, but she saide to her husband: Now Iohn, cough and spet: which Iohn accordingly

did. And Frederigo, being all this while without, hearing her witty con∣iuration of a Spirit, which he himselfe was supposed to be being ridde of his former iealous suspition: in the middst of all his melancholy, could very hardly refraine from laughing, the iest appeared so pleasing to him: But when Iohn cought and spet, softly he said to himselfe: When next thou spetst, spet out all thy teeth.

The woman hauing three seuerall times coniured the Spirite, in such manner as you haue already heard; returned to bed againe with her hus∣band: and Frederigo, who came as perswaded to sup with her, being sup∣perlesse all this while; directed by the words of Monna Tessa in hir prai∣er, went into the Garden. At the foot of the Peach-tree, there he found the linnen cloth, with the two hot Capons, Bread, Egges, and a Bottle of Wine in it, all which he carried away with him, and went to Supper at better leysure. Oftentimes afterward, vpon other meetings of Frede∣rigo and she together, they laughed heartily at her enchantment, and the honest beleefe of silly Iohn.

I cannot deny, but that some do affirme, that the Woman had tur∣ned the face of the Asses head towards Fiesola, and a Country Trauailer passing by the Vine, hauing a long piked staffe on his necke: the staffe, (by chance) touched the head, and made it turne diuers times-about, & in the end faced Florence, which being the cal for Frederigoes comming, by this meanes he was disappointed. In like maner some say, that Mon∣na Tessaes prayer for coniuring the Spirit, was in this order.

Spirit, Spirit, go thy way, And come againe some other day. It was not I that turnd the head, But some other. In our Bed Are Iohn and I: Go from our dore, And see thou trouble vs no more.

So that Frederigo departed thence, both with the losse of his lahour & supper. But a neighbour of mine, who is a woman of good yeares, told me, that both the one and other were true, as she her selfe heard, when she was a little Girle. And concerning the latter accident, it was not to Iohn of Lorrayne, but to another, named Iohn de Nello, that dwelt at S. Peters Gate, and of the same profession as Iohn of Lorrayne was. Where∣fore (faire Ladies) it remaineth in your owne choice, to entertain which of the two prayers you please, or both together if you will: for they are of extraordinary vertue in such strange occurrences, as you haue heere∣tofore heard, and (vpon doubt) may proue by experience. It shall not therefore be amisse for you, to learne them both by hart, for (peraduen∣ture) they may stand you in good sted, if euer you chance to haue the like occasion.