The fift Nouell.

THE Tale reported by Dioneus, at the first hearing of the Ladies, began to rellish of some immodestie, as the bash∣full blood mounting vp into their faces, deliuered by appa∣rant testimonie. And beholding one another with scarse-pleasing lookes, during all the time it was in discoursing, no Page  19 sooner had hee concluded: but with a fewe milde and gentle speeches, they gaue him a modest reprehension, and meaning to let him know, that such tales ought not to be tolde among women. Afterward, the Queene commaunded Madame Fiammetta, (sitting on a banke of flowers before her) to take her turne as next in order: and she, smiling with such a virgin∣blush, as very beautifully became her, began in this manner.

It is no little ioy to me, that wee vnderstand so well (by the discourses already past) what power consisteth in the deliuery of wise and ready an∣sweres; And because it is a great part of sence and iudgement in men, to affect women of great birth and quality, then themselues, as also an ad∣mirable fore-sight in women, to keepe off from being surprized in loue, by Lords going beyond them in degree; a matter offereth it selfe to my memory, well deseruing my speech and your attention, how a Gentle∣woman (both in word and deede) should defend her honour in that kind, when importunity laboureth to betray it.

The Marquesse of Montferrat was a worthy and valiant Knight, who being Captaine Generall for the Church, the necessary seruice required his company on the Seas, in a goodly Army of the Christians against the Turkes. Vpon a day, in the Court of King Philip, sirnamed the one eyed King (who likewise made preparation in France, for a royall assistance to that expedition) as many speeches were deliuered, concerning the va∣lour and manhood of this Marquesse: it fortuned, that a Knight was then present, who knew him very familiarly, and hee gaue an addition to the former commendation, than the whole world contained not a more equall couple in mariage, then the Marquesse & his Lady. For, as among all Knights, the Marquesse could hardly be paraleld for Armes and ho∣nour; Page  [unnumbered] euen so his wife, in comparison of all other Ladies, was scarcely matchable for beauty and vertue. Which words were so waighty in the apprehension of King Philip, that suddainly (hauing as yet neuer seene her) he began to affect her very earnestly, concluding to embarque him∣selfe at Gennes or Genoua, there to set forward on the intended voyage, and iourneying thither by land: hee would shape some honest excuse to see the Lady Marquesse, whose Lord being then from home, opinion perswaded him ouer-fondly, that he should easily obtaine the issue of his amorous desire.

When hee was come within a dayes iourney, where the Lady Mar∣quesse then lay; he sent her word, that she should expect his company on the morrow at dinner. The Lady, being singularly wise and iudicious; answered the Messenger, that she reputed the Kings comming to her, as an extraordinary grace and fauour, and that hee should be most heartily welcome. Afterward, entring into further consideration with her selfe, what the King might meane by this priuate visitation, knowing her hus∣band to be from home, and it to be no meane barre to his apter enter∣tainement: at last she discreetly conceited (and therein was not deceiued) that babling report of her beauty and perfections, might thus occasion the Kings cōming thither, his iourny lying else a quite contrary way. Not∣withstanding, being a Princely Lady, and so loyall a wife as euer liued, shee intended to giue him her best entertainement: summoning the chiefest Gentlemen in the Country together, to take due order (by their aduise) for giuing the King a gracious welcome. But concerning the dinner, and diet for seruice to his table; that remained onely at her owne disposing.

Sending presently abroade, and buying all the Hennes that the Coun∣try afforded; shee commaunded her Cookes, that onely of them (with∣out any other prouision beside) they should prepare all the seruices that they could deuise. On the morrow, the King came according to his pro∣mise, and was most honourable welcommed by the Lady, who seemed in his eye (farre beyond the Knights speeches of her) the fairest creature that euer he had seene before; whereat he meruailed not a little, extolling her perfections to be peerelesse, which much the more enflamed his affecti∣ons, and (almost) made his desires impatient. The King being with∣drawne into such Chambers, as orderly were prepared for him, and as beseemed so great a Prince: the houre of dinner drawing on, the King and the Lady Marquesse were seated at one Table, and his attendants placed at other tables, answerable to their degrees of honour.

Plenty of dishes being serued in, and the rarest wines that the Coun∣trey yeelded, the King had more minde to the faire Lady Marquesse, then any meate that stood on the Table. Neuerthelesse, obseruing each ser∣uice after other, and that all the Viands (though variously cooked, and in diuers kindes) were nothing else but Hennes onely; he began to wonder, and so much the rather, because he knew the Countrey to be of such qua∣lity, that it affoorded all plenty both of Fowles and Venyson: beside, after Page  20 the time of his comming was heard, they had respite enough, both for hawking and hunting; and therefore it encreased his maruell the more, that nothing was prouided for him, but Hennes onely: wherein to be the better resolued, turning a merry countenance to the Lady, thus he spake. Madam, are Hennes onely bred in this Countrey, and no Cockes? The Lady Marquesse, very well vnderstanding his demand, which fitted her with an apt opportunity, to thwart his idle hope, and defend her owne honour; boldly returned the King this answere. Not so my Lord, but wo∣men and wiues, howsoeuer they differ in garments and graces one from another; yet notwithstanding, they are all heere as they be in other places.

When the King heard this reply, he knew well enough the occasion of his Henne dinner, as also, what vertue lay couched vnder her answer; perceiuing apparantly, that wanton words would proue but in vaine, and such a woman was not easily to be seduced; wherefore, as hee grew ena∣mored on her inconsiderately, so he found it best fitting for his honour, to quench this heate with wisedome discreetely. And so, without any more words, or further hope of speeding in so vnkingly a purpose, dinner being ended, by a sudden departing, he smoothly shadowed the cause of his comming, and thanking her for the honour shee had done him, com∣mended her to her chaste disposition, and posted away with speede to Gennes.