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

Madame Dianora, the Wife of Signior Gilberto, being immodestly affected by Signior Ansaldo, to free her selfe from his tedious im∣portunity, she appointed him to performe (in her iudgement) an act of impossibility; namely, to giue her a Garden, as plentifully stored with fragrant Flowers in lanuary, as in the flourishing moneth of May. Ansaldo, by meanes of a bond which he made to a Magiti∣an, performed her request. Signior Gilberto, the Ladyes Hus∣band, gaue consent, that his Wife should fulfill her promise made to Ansaldo. Who hearing the bountifull mind of her Husband; re∣leased her of her promise: And the Magitian likewise discharged Signior Ansaldo, without taking any thing of him.

The Fift Nouell.

Admonishing all Ladies and Gentlewomen, that are desirous to pre∣serue their chastity, free from all blemish and taxation: to make no promise of yeelding to any, vnder a compact or couenant, how impos∣sible soeuer it may seeme to be.

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NOt any one in all the Company, but extolled the worthy Act of Signior Gentile to the skies; till the King gaue command to Madame Aemillia, that she should follow next with her Tale, who boldly stepping vp, began in this order.

Gracious Ladies, I thinke there is none heere present among vs, but (with good reason) may maintaine, that Signiour Gentile per∣formed a magnificent deede: but whosoeuer saith, it is impossible to do more; perhaps is ignorant in such actions, as can and may be done, as I meane to make good vnto you, by a Nouell not ouer∣long or tedious.

The Countrey of Fretulium, better knowne by the name of Fo∣rum Iulij; although it be subiect to much cold, yet it is pleasant, in regard of many goodly Mountaines, Riuers, and cleare running Springs, wherewith it is not meanly stored. Within those Territo∣ries, is a City called Vdina, where sometime liued a faire and No∣ble Lady, named Madame Dianora, Wife to a rich and woorthie Knight, called Signior Gilberto, a man of very great fame and me∣rite.

This beautiful Lady, beeing very modest and vertuously incli∣ned, was highly affected by a Noble Baron of those parts, tearmed by the name of Signior Ansaldo Gradense; a man of very great spirit, bountifull, actiue in Armes, and yet very affable and courteous, which caused him to be the better respected. His loue to this Lady was extraordinary, hardly to bee contained within any moderate compasse, striuing to bee in like manner affected of her: to vvhich end, she wanted no daily solicitings, Letters, Ambassages and Loue∣tokens, all prouing to no purpose.

This vertuous Lady, being wearied with his often temptations, and seeing, that by denying whatsoeuer he demanded, yet he wold not giue ouer his suite, but so much the more importunatly stil pur∣sued her: began to bethinke her selfe, how she might best be rid of him, by imposing some such taske vpon him, as should bee impossi∣ble (in her opinion) for him to effect. An olde woman, whom hee imployed for his continual messenger to her, as shee came one day about her ordinary errand, with her she communed in this manner. Good woman (quoth she) thou hast so often assured me, that Sig∣nior Ansaldo loueth me aboue all other Women in the world, offe∣ring me wonderfull gifts and presents in his name, which I haue al∣wayes refused, and so stil wil do, in regard I am not to be woon by any such allurements: yet if I could be soundly perswaded, that his affection is answerable to thy peremptory protestations, I shoulde (perhaps) be the sooner wonne, to listen to his suite in milder man∣ner, then hitherto I haue done. Wherefore, if he wil giue me assu∣rance, to perform such a businesse as I mean to enioyne him, he shall the speedier heare better answer from me▪ and I wil confirme it with mine oath.

Wonderfully pleased was Mistresse Maquerella, to heare a reply

of such comfortable hope; and therefore desired the Lady, to tel hir what she wold haue done. Listen to me wel (answerd Madam Dia∣nora) the matter which I would haue him to effect for me, is; with∣out the wals of our City, and during the month of Ianuarie nexte ensuing, to prouide me a Garden, as fairely furnished with all kind of fragrant flowers, as the flourishing month of May can yeelde no better. If he be not able to accomplish this imposition, then I com∣mand him, neuer hereafter to solicite me any more, either by thee, or any other whatsoeuer: for, if he do importune me afterward, as hitherto I haue concealed his secret conspiring, both from my hus∣band, and all my friends; so will I then lay his dishonest suite open to the world, that he may receiue punishment accordingly, for offe∣ring to wrong a Gentleman in his wife.

When Signior Ansaldo heard her demand, and the offer beside thereuppon made him (although it seemed no easie matter, but a thing meerly impossible to be done) he considered aduisedly, that she made this motion to no other end, but onely to bereaue him of all his hope, euer to enioy what so earnestly hee desired: neuerthe∣lesse, he would not so giue it vtterly ouer, but would needs approue what could be done. Heereupon, hee sent into diuers partes of the world, to find out any one that was able to aduise him in this doubt∣full case. In the end, one was brought to him, who beeing well re∣compenced for his paines, by the Art of Nigromancie would vnder take to do it. With him Signior Ansaldo couenanted, binding him∣selfe to pay a great summe of mony, vpon performance of so rare a deed, awaiting (in hopefull expectation) for the month of Ianuaries comming.

It being come, and the weather then in extreamity of cold, euery thing being couered with ice and snow, the Magitian preuailed so by his Art, that after the Christmas Holy dayes were past, and the Calends of Ianuary entred: in one night, and without the Cittie Wals, the goodliest Garden of flowers and fruites, was sodainely sprung vp, as (in opinion of such as beheld it) neuer was the like seen before. Now Ladies, I think I need not demand the question, whe∣ther Signior Ansaldo were wel pleased, or no, who going to beholde it, saw it most plenteously stored, with al kind of fruit trees, flowers, herbes and plants, as no one could be named, that was wanting in this artificiall garden. And hauing gathered some pretty store of them, secretly he sent them to Madam Dianora, inuiting hir to come see her Garden, perfected according to her owne desire, and vppon view thereof, to confesse the integrity of his loue to her, considering and remembring withall, the promise shee had made him vnder so∣lemne oath, that she might be reputed for a woman of her word.

When the Lady beheld the fruites and flowers, and heard ma∣ny other thinges re-counted, so wonderfully growing in the same Garden: she began to repent her rash promise made; yet notwith∣standing her repentance, as Women are couetous to see all rarities; so, accompanied with diuers Ladies and Gentlewomen more, she went to see the Garden; and hauing commended it with much ad∣miration, she returned home againe, the most sorrowfull Woman as euer liued, considering what she had tyed her selfe to, for enioy∣ing this Garden. So excessiue grew her griefe and affliction, that it could not be so clouded or concealed: but her Husband tooke no∣tice of it, and would needs vnderstand the occasion thereof. Long the Lady (in regard of shame and modesty) sate without returning any answer; but being in the end constrained, she disclosd the whol History to him.

At the first, Signior Gilberto waxed exceeding angry, but when he further considered withall, the pure and honest intention of his Wife; wisely he pacified his former distemper, and saide. Dianora, it is not the part of a wise and honest woman, to lend an eare to am∣bassages of such immodest nature, much lesse to compound or make agreement for her honesty, with any person, vnder any condition whatsoeuer. Those perswasions which the heart listeneth to, by al∣lurement of the eare, haue greater power then many do imagine, & nothing is so vneasie or difficult, but in a louers iudgement it appea∣reth possible. Ill didst thou therefore first of all to listen, but worse (afterward) to contract.

But, because I know the purity of thy soule, I wil yeelde (to dis∣oblige thee of thy promise) as perhaps no wise man else would do: mooued thereto onely by feare of the Magitian, who seeing Signi∣or Ansaldo displeased, because thou makest a mockage of him; will do some such violent wrong to vs, as we shal be neuer able to reco∣uer. Wherefore, I would haue thee go to Signior Ansaldo, and if thou canst (by any meanes) obtaine of him, the safe-keeping of thy honour, and ful discharge of thy promise; it shal be an eternall fame to thee, and the crowne of a most victorious conquest. But if it must needs be otherwise, lend him thy body onely for once, but not thy wil: for actions committed by constraint, wherein the will is no way guilty, are halfe pardonable by the necessity.

Madame Dianora, hearing her husbands words, wept exceed∣ingly, and auouched, that shee had not deserued any such especiall grace of him, and therefore she would rather dye, then doe it. Ne∣uerthelesse, it was the wil of her Husband to haue it so, and there∣fore (against her wil) she gaue consent. The next morning, by the breake of day, Dianora arose, and attiring her selfe in her very mea∣nest

garments, with two seruingmen before her, and a waiting Wo∣man following, she went to the lodging of Signior Ansaldo, who hearing that Madam Dianora was come to visite him, greatly mer∣uailed, and being risen, he called the Magitian to him▪ saying. Come go with me, and see what effect will follow vpon thine Art. And be∣ing come into her presence, without any base or inordinate appe∣tite, he did her humble reuerence, embracing her honestly, and ta∣king her into a goodly Chamber, where a faire fire was readilie prepared, causing her to sit downe by him, he sayde vnto her as fol∣loweth.

Madam, I humbly intreat you to resolue me, if the affection I haue long time borne you, and yet do stil, deserue any recompence at all: you would be pleased then to tel me truly, the occasion of your in∣stant comming hither, and thus attended as you are. Dianora, blu∣shing with modest shame, and the teares trickling mainly down her faire cheekes, thus answered. Signior Ansaldo, not for any Loue I beare you, or care of my faithfull promise made to you, but onely by the command of my husband (who respecting more the paynes and trauels of your inordinate loue, then his owne reputation and honor, or mine;) hath caused me to come hither: and by vertue of his command, am ready (for once onely) to fulfill your pleasure, but far from any will or consent in my selfe. If Signior Ansaldo were a∣bashed at the first, hee began now to be more confounded with ad∣miration, when he heard the Lady speake in such strange manner: & being much moued with the liberall command of her husband, he began to alter his inflamed heate, into most honourable respect and compassion, returning her this answer.

Most noble Lady, the Gods forbid (if it be so as you haue sayd) that I should (Villain-like) soile the honour of him, that takes such vnvsuall compassion of my vnchaste appetite. And therefore, you may remaine heere so long as you please, in no other condition, but as mine owne naturall borne Sister; and likewise, you may depart freely when you will: conditionally, that (on my behalfe) you ren∣der such thankes to your husband, as you thinke conuenient for his great bounty towards me, accounting me for euer heereafter, as his loyall Brother and faithfull seruant. Dianora hauing well obserued his answer, her heart being ready to mount out at her mouth vvith ioy, said. All the world could neuer make mee beleeue (considering your honourable minde and honesty) that it would happen other∣wise to me, then now it hath done, for which noble courtesie, I will continually remaine obliged to you. So, taking her leaue, she retur∣ned home honorably attended to her husband, and relating to him what had happened, it proued the occasion of begetting intire loue

and friendship, betweene himselfe and the Noble Lord Ansaldo.

Now concerning the skilfull Magitian, to whom Ansaldo meant to giue the bountifull recompence agreed on betweene them, hee hauing seene the strange liberality, which the husband expressed to Signior Ansaldo, and that of Ansaldo to the Lady, hee presently saide. Great Iupiter strike me dead with thunder, hauing my selfe seene a husband so liberall of his honour, and you Sir of true noble kindnesse, if I should not be the like of my recompence: for, percei∣uing it to be so worthily imployed, I am well contented that you shal keepe it. The Noble Lord was modestly ashamed, and stroue (so much as in him lay) that he should take all, or the greater part thereof: but seeing he laboured meerly in vaine, after the third day was past, and the Magitian had destroyed the Garden againe, hee gaue him free liberty to depart, quite controlling all fond and vnchaste affection in himselfe, either towards Dianora, or any La∣dy else, and liuing (euer after) as best becommeth any Nobleman to do.

What say you now Ladies? Shal wee make any account of the woman wel-neere dead, and the kindnesse growne cold in Signiour Gentile, by losse of his former hopes, comparing them with the li∣berality of Signior Ansaldo, affecting more feruently, then euer the other did? And being (beyond hope) possessed of the booty, which (aboue all things else in the world) he most desired to haue, to part with it meerly in fond compassion? I protest (in my iudgement) the one is no way comparable to the other, that of Gentile, with this last of Signior Ansaldo.