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

Friar Reynard, falling in loue with a Gentlewoman, Wife to a man of good account; found the meanes to become her Gossip. Afterward, he being con∣ferring closely with her in her Chamber, and her Husband coming sodainly thither: she made him beleeue, that he came thither for no other end; but to cure his God-sonne by a charme, of a dangerous disease which he had by Wormes.

The Third Nouell.

Seruing as a friendly aduertisement to married women, that Monks, Friars, and Priests may be none of their Gossips, in regard of vnauoydable perilles ensuing thereby.

PHilostratus told not this Tale so couertly, concerning Lazaros simplicity, and Peronellaes witty policy; but the Ladies found a knot in the rush, and laughed not a little, at his queint man∣ner of discoursing it. But vpon the conclusion, the King looking vpon Madam Eliza, willed her to succeede next, which as willingly she gran∣ted, and thus began. Pleasant Ladies, the charme or coniuration wher∣with Madam Aemillia laid her night-walking Spirit, maketh me remem∣ber a Nouell of another enchantment; which although it carrieth not commendation equall to the other, yet I intend to report it, because it suteth with our present purpose, and I cannot sodainly be furnisht with another, answerable thereto in nature.

You are to vnderstand then, that there liued in Stena, a proper yong man, of good birth and well friended, being named Reynard. Earnestly he affected his neere dwelling neighbour, a beautifull Gentlewoman, and wife to a man of good esteeme: of whom hee grew halfe perswa∣ded, that if he could (without suspition) compasse priuate conference with her, he should reach the height of his amorous desires. Yet seeing no likely meanes wherewith to further his hope, and shee being great with childe, he resolued to become a Godfather to the childe, at such time as it should be brought to Christening. And being inwardly ac∣quainted with her Husband, who was named Credulano; such familiar entercourses passed betweene them, both of Reynards kinde offer, and Credulanoes as courteous acceptance, that hee was set downe for a Gos∣sippe.

Reynard being thus embraced for Madam Agnesiaes Gossip, and this prouing the onely colourable meanes, for his safer permission of speech with her, to let her now vnderstand by word of mouth, what long be∣fore she collected by his lookes and behauiour: it fell out no way bene∣ficiall to him, albeit Agnesia seemed not nice or scrupulous in hearing, yet she had a more precious care of her honor. It came to passe, within a while after (whether by seeing his labour vainly spent, or some other vrgent occasion mouing him thereto, I know not) Reynard would needs enter into Religion, and whatsoeuer strictnesse or austeritie hee found to be in that kinde of life, yet he determined to perseuere therein, whe∣ther it were for his good or ill. And although within a short space, af∣ter he was thus become a Religious Monke, hee seemed to forget the former loue which he bare to his gossip Agnesia, and diuers other enor∣mous vanities beside: yet let me tell you, successe of time tutord him in them againe; and, without any respect to his poore holy habite, but rather in contempt thereof (as it were) he tooke an especiall delight, in wearing garments of much richer esteeme, yet fauoured by the same Monasticall profession, appearing (in all respects) like a Court-Minion or Fauourite, of a sprightly and Poeticall disposition, for composing Verses, Sonnets, and Canzons, singing them to sundry excellent instru∣ments, and yet not greatly curious of his company, so they were some

of the best, and Madame Agnesia one, his former Gossip.

But why doe I trouble my selfe, in talking thus of our so lately con∣uerted Friar, holy Father Reynard, when they of longer standing, and reputed meerely for Saints in life, are rather much more vile then hee? Such is the wretched condition of this world, that they shame not (fat, foggie, and nastie Abbey-lubbers) to shew how full fedde they liue in their Cloysters, with cherry cheekes, and smooth shining lookes, gay and gaudy garments, far from the least expression of humility, not wal∣king in the streets like Doues: but high-crested like Cockes, with well cramd gorges. Nay, which is worse, if you did but see their Chambers furnished with Gally-pots of Electuaries, precious Vnguents, Apothe∣cary Boxes, filled with various Confections, Conserues, excellent Per∣fumes, and other goodly Glasses of artificiall Oyles and Waters: beside Rundlers and small Barrels full of Greeke Wine, Muscatella, Lachrime Christi, and other such like most precious Wines, so that (to such as see them) they seeme not to bee Chambers of Religious men; but rather Apothecaries Shoppes, or appertaining to Druggists, Grocers, or Per∣fumers.

It is no disgrace to them to be Gowty; because when other men know it not, they alledge, that strict fasting, feeding on grosse meates (though neuer so li••le,) continuall studying, and such like restraints from the bo∣dies freer exercise, maketh them subiect to many infirmities. And yet, when any one of them chanceth to fall sicke, the Physitian must minister no such counsell to them, as Chastity, Abstinence from voluptuous meats, Discipline of the body, or any of those matters appertaining to a modest religious life. For, concerning the plaine, vulgar, and Plebeian people, these holy Fathers are perswaded, that they know nothing real∣ly belonging to a sanctimonious life; as long watching, praying, disci∣pline and fasting, which (in themselues) are not able, to make men look leane, wretched, and pale. Because Saint Dominicke, Saint Fraunces, and diuers other holy Saints beside, obserued the selfesame religious or∣ders and constitutions, as now their carefull successors do. Moreouer, in example of those fore-named Saints, who went wel cloathed, though they had not three Garments for one, nor made of the finest Woollen excellent cloath: but rather of the very coarsest of all other, and of the common ordinary colour, to expell cold onely, but not to appear braue or gallant, deceyuing thereby infinite simple credulous soules, whose purses (neuerthelesse) are their best pay-masters.

But leaue we this, and returne wee backe to vertuous Fryar Reynard, who falling againe to his former appetites; became an often visitant of his Gossip Agnesia, and now hee had learned such a blushlesse kinde of boldnesse; that he durst be more instant with her (concerning his priuie sute) then euer formerly he had bin, yea, euen to solicite the enioying of his immodest desires. The good Gentlewoman, seeing her selfe so im∣portunately pursued, and Fryar Reynard appearing now (perhappes) of sweeter and more delicare complexion, then at his entrance into Religi∣on:

at a set time of his secret communing with her; she answered him in as apt tearmes, as they vse to do, who are not greatly squeamish, in gran∣ting matters demanded of them.

Why how now Friar Reynard? quoth shee, Doe God-fathers vse to moue such questions? Whereto the Friar thus replyed. Madam, when I haue laide off this holy habite (which is a matter very easie for mee to do) I shall seeme in your eye, in all respects made like another man, quite from the course of any Religious life. Agnesia, biting the lip with a pre∣ty smile, said; O my faire Starres! You will neuer bee so vnfriendly to me. What? You being my Gossip, would you haue me consent vnto such a sinne? Our blessed Lady shield mee, for my ghostly Father hath often told me, that it is vtterly vnpardonable: but if it were, I feare too much confiding on mine owne strength. Gossip, Gossip, answered the Friar, you speake like a Foole, and feare (in this case) is wholly friuo∣lous, especially, when the motions mooued by such an one as my selfe, who (vpon repentance) can grant you pardon and indulgence present∣ly. But I pray you let mee aske you one question, Who is the neerest Kinsman to your Son; either I, that stood at the Font for his Baptisme, or your Husband that begot him? The Lady made answere, that it was her Husband. You say very true Gossip, replyed the Friar, and yet notwithstanding, doth not your Husband (both at boord and bed) en∣ioy the sweet benefit of your company? Yes, said the Lady, why shold he not? Then Lady (quoth Reynard) I, who am not so neere a Kinsman to your Sonne, as your Husband is, why may ye not afford mee the like fauour, as you do him? Agnesia, who was no Logitian, and therefore could not stand on any curious answer, especially being so cuningly mo∣ued; beleeued, or rather made shew of beleeuing, that the Godfather said nothing but truth, and thus answered. What woman is she (Gossip) that knoweth how to answer your strange speeches? And, how it came to passe, I know not, but such an agreement passed betweene them, that, for once onely (so it might not infrindge the league of Gossip-ship, but that title to countenance their further intent) such a fauour should be affoor∣ded, so it might stand cleare from suspition.

An especiall time being appointed, when this amorous Combate should be fought in loues field, Friar Reynard came to his Gossips house, where none being present to hinder his purpose, but onely the Nursse which attended on the child, who was an indifferent faire & proper wo∣man: his holy brother that came thither in his company (because Friars were not allowed to walke alone) was sent aside with her into the Pige∣on loft, to enstruct her in a new kinde of Pater noster, lately deuised in their holy Conuent. In the meane while, as Friar Reynard and Agnesia were entring into hir chamber, she leading her little son by the hand, and making fast the doore for their better safety: the Fri••r laide by his holie habit, Cowle, Hood, Booke, and Beads, to bee (in all respects) as other men were. No sooner were they thus entred the Chamber, but her hus∣band Credulano, being come into the house, and vnseen of any, staid not

till he was at the Chamber doore, where hee knockt, and called for his Wife.

She hearing his voice: Alas Gossip (quoth she) what shall I do? My Husband knocketh at the doore, and now he will perceiue the occasion of our so familiar acquaintance. Reynard being stript into his Trusse and straite Strouses, began to tremble and quake exceedingly. I heare your Husbands tongue Gossip, said he, and seeing no harme as yet hath bin done, if I had but my garments on againe; wee would haue one excuse or other to serue the turne, but till then you may not open the doore. As womens wits are sildome gadding abroad, when any necessitie con∣cerneth them at home: euen so Agnesia, being sodainly prouided of an inuention, both how to speake and carry her selfe in this extreamitie, saide to the Friar. Get on your garments quickely, and when you are cloathed, take your little God-son in your armes, and listning wel what I shall say, shape your answeres according to my words, and then refer the matter to me. Credulano had scarsely ended his knocking, but Agne∣sia stepping to the doore said: Husband, I come to you. So she opened the doore, and (going forth to him) with a chearefull countenance thus spake. Beleeue me Husband, you could not haue come in a more hap∣py time, for our yong Son was sodainly extreamly sicke, and (as good Fortune would haue it) our louing Gossip Reynard chanced to come in; and questionlesse, but by his good prayers and other religious paynes, we had vtterly lost our childe, for he had no life left in him.

Credulano, being as credulous as his name imported, seemed ready to swoune with sodaine conceit: Alas good wife (quoth he) how hapned this? Sit downe sweet Husband said she, and I wil tell you al. Our child was sodainly taken with a swouning, wherein I being vnskilful, did ve∣rily suppose him to be dead, not knowing what to doe, or say. By good hap, our Gossip Reynard came in, and taking the childe vp in his armes, said to me. Gossip, this is nothing else but Wormes in the bellie of the childe, which ascending to the heart, must needs kill the child, without all question to the contrary. But be of good comfort Gossip, and feare not, for I can charme them in such sort, that they shall all die, and be∣fore I depart hence, you shall see your Son as healthfull as euer. And because the maner of this charm is of such nature, that it required pray∣er and exorcising in two places at once: Nurse went vp with his Holye Brother into our Pigeon loft, to exercise their deuotion there, while we did the like heere. For none but the mother of the childe must bee pre∣sent at such a mystery, nor any enter to hinder the operation of the charme; which was the reason of making fast the Chamber doore. You shall see Husband anon the Childe, which is indifferently recouered in his armes, and if Nurse and his holy Brother were returned from theyr meditations; he saith, that the charme would then be fully effected: for the child beginneth to looke chearefull and merry.

So deerely did Credulano loue the childe, that hee verily beleeued, what his Wife had saide, neuer misdoubting any other treachery: and,

lifting vp his eyes, with a vehement sigh, said. Wife, may not I goe in and take the child into my armes? Oh no, not yet good husband (quoth she) in any case, least you should ouerthrow all that is done. Stay but a little while, I will go in againe, and if all bee well, then will I call you. In went Agnesia againe, making the doore fast after her, the Fryar ha∣uing heard all the passed speeches, by this time he was fitted with his ha∣bite, and taking the childe in his armes, he said to Agnesia. Gossip me∣thought I heard your Husbands voice, is hee at your Chamber doore? Yes Gossip Reynard (quoth Credulano without, while Agnesia opened the doore, and admitted him entrance) indeede it is I. Come in Sir, I pray you, replyed the Friar, and heere receiue your childe of mee, who was in great danger, of your euer seeing him any more aliue. But you must take order, to make an Image of waxe, agreeing with the stature of the childe, to be placed on the Altar before the Image of S. Frances, by whose merires the childe is thus restored to health.

The childe, beholding his Father, made signes of comming to him, reioycing merrily, as yong infants vse to do; and Credulano clasping him in his armes, wept with conceite of ioy, kissing him infinitely, and hear∣tily thanking his Gossip Reynard, for the recouery of his God-son. The Friars brotherly Companion, who had giuen sufficient enstructions to the Nurse, and a small purse full of Sisters white thred, which a Nunne (after shrift) had bestowed on him, vpon the husbands admittance into the Chamber (which they easily heard) came in also to them, and see∣ing all in very good tearmes, they holpe to make a ioyfull conclusion, the Brother saying to Friar Reynard: Brother, I haue finished all those foure Iaculatory prayers, which you commanded me.

Brother, answered Reynard, you haue a better breath then I, and your successe hath prooued happier then mine, for before the arriuall of my Gossip Credulano, I could accomplish but two Iaculatory prayers one∣ly. But it appeareth, that we haue both preuailed in our deuout desires, because the childe is perfectly cured. Credulano calling for Wine and good cheare, feasted both the Friars very iocondly, and then conduct∣ing them forth of his house, without any further intermission, caused the childs Image of waxe to be made, and sent it to be placed on the Al∣tar of Saint Frances, among many other the like oblations.