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

Madame Vsimbalda, Lady Abbesse of a Monastery of Nu••s in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bardie, arising hastily in the night time without a Candle, to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one of her Daughter Nu••••es in bed with a yong Gentleman, where∣of she was enuiously accused, by certaine of her other Sisters 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Abbesse her selfe (being at the same time in bed with a Priest) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to haue put or her head her plaited vayle, put on the Priest breeches. Which when the poore Nunne perceyued; by causing the Abbesse to see her owne error, she got her selfe to be absolued, and had the freer liberty afterward, to be more familiar with her frend, then formerly she had bin.

The Second Nouell.

Whereby is declared, that whosoeuer is desirous to reprehend sinne in other men, should first examine himselfe, that he be not guiltie of the same crime.

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BY this time, Madame Philomena sate silent, and the wit of Francesca, in freeing her selfe from them whom she could not fancie, was generally commended 〈◊〉〈◊〉 also on the con∣trary, the bold presumption of the two amorous suiters, was repu∣ted not to be loue, but meerely folly. And then the Queene, with a gracious admonition, gaue way for Madam Eliza to follow next, who presently thus began.

Worthy Ladies, Madame Francesca deliuered her selfe discreet∣ly from trouble, as already hath bin related: but a yong Nun, by the helpe and fauour of Fortune, did also free her selfe (in speaking aduisedly) from an inconuenience sodainly falling on her. And as you well know, there wants none of them, who (like bold Bayards) will be very forward in checking other mens misdemeanors, when themselues, as my Nouell will approue, deserue more iustly to bee corrected. As hapned to a Lady Abbesse, vnder whose gouerne∣ment the same young Nunne was, of whom I am now to speake.

You are then to vnderstand (Gracious Auditors) that in Lombar∣die there was a goodly Monastery, very famous for Holinesse and Religion, where, among other sanctified Sisters, there was a yong Gentlewoman, endued with very singular beautie, being named I∣sabella, who on a day, when a Kinsman of hers came to see her at the grate, became enamored of a young Gentleman, being then in his company.

He likewise, beholding her to be so admirably beautifull, & con∣ceyuing by the pretty glances of her eye, that they appeared to bee silent intelligencers, of the hearts meaning, grew also as affectio∣nately inclined towards her, and this mutuall loue continued thus concealed a long while, but not without great affliction vnto them both. In the end, either of them being circumspect and prouident enough, the Gentleman contriued a meanes, whereby he might se∣cretly visite his Nunne, wherewith she seemed no way disconten∣ted: and this visitation was not for once or twice, but verie often, and closely concealed to themselues.

At length it came to passe, that either through their owne indis∣creete carriage, or ielous suspition in some others: it was espied by one of the Sisters, both the Gentlemans comming and departing, yet vnknowne to him or Isabella. The saide Sister, disclosing the same to two or three more: they agreed together, to reueale it to the Lady Abbesse, who was named Madame Vsimbalda, a holy and deuout Lady, in common opinion of all the Nunnes, and whosoe∣uer else knew her.

They further concluded (because Isabella should not deny theyr accusation) to contriue the businesse so cunningly: that the Ladie Abbesse should come her selfe in person, and take the yong Gentle∣man in bed with the Nun. And vppon this determination, they a∣greed to watch nightly by turnes, because by no meanes they wold be preuented: so to surprise poore Isabella, who beeing ignorant of their treachery, suspected nothing. Presuming thus still on this se∣cret felicitie, and fearing no disaster to befall her: it chaunced (on a night) that the yong Gentleman being entred into the Nuns Dor∣ter,

the Scowts had descried him, & intended to be reuenged on her.

After some part of the night was ouerpast; they diuied them∣selues into two bands, one to guard Isabellaes Dorter doore, the o∣ther to carry newes to the Abbesse, and knocking at her Close•• doore, saide. Rise quickely Madame, and vse all the hast you may, for we haue seene a man enter our Sister Isabellaes Dorter, and you may take her in bed with him. The Lady Abbesse, who (the very same night) had the company of a lusty Priest in bed with her selfe, as oftentimes before she had, and he being alwayes brought thither in a Chest: hearing these tidings, and fearing also, lest the Nunnes hastie knocking at her doore, might cause it to fly open, and so (by their entrance) haue her owne shame discouered: arose very hasti∣ly, and thinking she had put on her plaited vaile, which alwayes she walked with in the night season, and vsed to tearme her Psalter; she she put the Priests breeches vpon her head, and so went away in all hast with them, supposing them verily to be her Psalter: but making fast the Closet doore with her keye, because the Priest should not be discouered.

Away shee went in all haste with the Sisters, who were so forward in the detection of poore Isabella, as they neuer regarded what manner of vaile the Lady Abbesse wore on her head. And being come to the Dorter doore, quickly they lifted it off from the hookes, and being entred, found the two Louers sweetly imbra∣cing: but yet so amazed at this sudden surprisall, as they durst not stirre, nor speake one word. The young Nunne Isabella, was raised forthwith by the other Sisters, and according as the Abbesse had comanded, was brought by them into the Chapter-house: the yong Gentleman remaining still in the Chamber, where he put on his garments, awaiting to see the issue of this businesse, and verily inten∣ding to act seuere reuenge on his betrayers, if any harme were done to Isabella, and afterward to take her thence away with him, as meaning to make her amends by marriage.

The Abbesse being seated in the Chapter house, and all the other Nunnes then called before her, who minded nothing else but the poore offending Sister: she began to giue her very harsh and vile speeches, as neuer any transgressor suffered the like, and as to her who had (if it should be openly knowne abroad) contaminated by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lewde life and actions, the sanctity and good renowne of the whole Monastery, and threatned her with very seuere chastisement. Poore Isabella, confounded with feare and shame, as being no way able to excuse her fault, knew not what answer to make, but stan∣ding silent, made her case compassionable to all the rest, euen those hard-hearted Sisters which betrayed her.

And the Abbesse still continuing her harsh speeches, it fortuned,

that Isabella raising her head, which before she deiected into hir bo∣some, espied the breeches on her head, with the stockings hanging on either side of her; the sight whereof did so much encourage her, that boldly she said. Madam, let a poore offender aduise you for to mend your veile, and afterward say to me what you will.

The Abbesse being very angry; and not vnderstanding what she meant, frowningly answered. Why how now saucy companion? What vaile are you prating of? Are you so malapert, to bee chat∣ting already? Is the deed you haue done, to be answered in such im∣modest manner? Isabella not a iot danted by her sterne behauiour, once againe said. Good Madam let me perswade you to fette your vaile right, and then chide me as long as you will. At these words, all the rest of the Nunnes exalted their lookes, to behold what vaile the Abbesse wore on her head, wherewith Isabella should finde such fault, and she her selfe lift vp her hand to feele it: and then they all perceyued plainly, the reason of Isabellas speeches, and the Abbesse saw her owne error.

Hereupon, when the rest obserued, that she had no help to cloud this palpable shame withall, the tide began ro turne, and hir tongue found another manner of Language, then her former fury to poore Isabella, growing to this conclusion, that it is impossible to resist a∣gainst the temptations of the flesh. And therefore she saide: Let all of you take occasion, according as it offereth it selfe, as both we and our predecessors haue done: to be prouident for your selues, take time while you may, hauing this sentence alwaies in remembrance, Si non caste, tamen caute.

So, hauing granted the yong Nunne Isabella free absolution: the Lady Abbesse returned backe againe to bed to the Priest, and Isa∣bella to the Gentleman. As for the other Sisters, who (as yet) were without the benefit of friends; they intended to prouide themselues so soone as they could, being enduced thereto by so good example.