The fryer, or, An historical treatise wherein the idle lives, vitiousness, malice, folly, and cruelty of the fryers is described : in two parts, tragical and comical : collected out of sundry authors, and several languages, and caused to be translated into English / by James Salgado ...

A Fryer fraudulently marrieth another Fryer, his Compani∣on, to a pretty Young Gentle∣woman, and a while after they were both punished.

A French Gentlewoman was once at Padua, in Italy, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whom was reported, that in ••he Bishops, or Chapter-Goal, ••as a Fryer imprisoned; and ••quiring after the reason (for she ••e that every body talk'd of it, ••r jests and laughings sake) was ••••ld that this Fryer being an el∣••erly man, was a Confessour to very honest Gentlewoman, and ••ous. She was a Widow, and ••••d but one Daughter, whom ••e loved so well, that no pains ••ere so hard, but she did take

them, for that she might give her a Portion, and get her a good honest Husband: She see∣ing her Daughter to grow up in years and body, was always de∣sirous to get her a Husband, who might live with them both, in peace, and quietness, that is, that he might be a man of a good Conscience, as she deemed her self to be. And because she heard some sottish Preacher saying: That it was a great deal better to do bad by the advice of the Do∣ctours, than good against the inspiration of the holy Ghost, she addresses her self to her Father Confessour, a man very ancient, and a Doctor in Divinity, for his Life and Conversation esteem∣ed by all the people of the City, assuring her self, that by his ad∣vice

and fervent prayers, she ••••uld not fail of obtaining a re∣ble for her, and her Daughter. ••nd when she very much pressed ••pon him, desiring him to choose ••••ch a Husband for her Daugh∣••••r, as was known to love God ••ove all, and to support his ••onour and good Name, with ••ertuous actions; he answered ••er; that for the first he will be∣••••ke himself to implore the ••race and assistance of the Holy ••••irit, by prayers and fastings. ••nd after the Lord would give 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to his prayers, he hoped to ••nd that out which she desired. ••fter this the Fryer repaired to place for to contrive the mat∣••••r. And because he had heard ••f the Dame, that she had five ••undred Ducats in a lump ready

to be given to her Daughter Husband, and that she would take upon her self the Charge of their Victuals, of the furni∣ture of the House of all house∣hold stuff, and of paying Cu∣stoms, he bethought himself; how that he had a young fellow-Fryer, of a handsom shape, and loving looks, and concluded to give unto him the pretty Maid, the House, Goods, he being sure of Victuals, and other ne∣cessaries, and to take the five hundred Ducats to himself, for to comfort and quench a little ar∣dent Covetousness. And after he had spoke to his Companion, and found they were both of a mind, he returned to the Gentle∣woman, and said: I believe without any doubt that God hath

sent to me his Angel Raphael, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 did to Tobias, for that I might ••nd as accomplished Husband for ••ur Daughter: For I'll assure you ••hat I have on my side, the honest∣•••• young Gentleman that ever ••as in Italy, who hath several ••m••s seen your Daughter, and is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 highly taken with her, that to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 when I was in prayers, God ••••nt him to me, and he declared 〈◊〉〈◊〉 me that desire he had of being ••arried with your Daughter: I ••••ow his Family, and his Parents ••nd Relations, as likewise that he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a notable good life, I have ••omised him to speak to you. 'Tis ••ue he hath one inconveniency, ••hich only I know of him; which 〈◊〉〈◊〉. That he willingly to rescue one 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his Friends, whom another ••ould have run throw, drew his

Sword, intending to part them but fortune ordered it so that he kill'd the other: Therefore he lest he might be taken and impri∣soned escap'd from thence, being he was present at his being killed and by the advise of his Friends, and near Relations, he is retire•• into this City, in a dress of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Schollar, where he keeps himself incognito, untill his Friends have compounded the matter, which he hopes will be shortly done, be∣cause of this, it will be most conveni∣ent the Marriage should be done privately, and that you should be contented, that at day times he may go to the publick Lectures, and as for night he will Sup and lie every night at your House.

Presently the good Woman answered him thus; Sir, I find

a great advantage in what you 〈◊〉〈◊〉 me, for at least I shall have ••••t near me which I desire above 〈◊〉〈◊〉 things in the world. Which ••e Fryer did, and conducted him 〈◊〉〈◊〉 her in good order, in a brave ••it of Crimson Sattin, wherein 〈◊〉〈◊〉 appeared very gallant; after ••••ey were come she made some ••ort Complements. A minute as scarcely over, but the anci∣••••t Fryer began to say the Mass, ••••d that being done, he Married ••••em; the young Couple went 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Bed together, and lay till the ••••ry break of day, when the ••usband said to his Wise, that ••r fear of being known, he must ••e forced to go into the College. ••aving taken his Crimson Suite, ••••d his long Gown, not forget∣ing his black Cap, came to take

his leave of his Wife, who w•••• yet in her Bed, assuring her th•••• he would come every night 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sup with her, but as for Di••∣ners she should not stay for him so he departed leaving his Wif•• who esteemed her self the happ•• est Woman in the world, becau•••• she had lighted on such a Hus∣band. The young married Fry∣er returned to his old Father, t•• whom he brought the five hu••∣dred Ducats, there where the had met together at the first when they were agreeing up•••• the terms of the marriage, an•• in the Evening did not fail t•• come to sup with her wh•• thought him to be her husband and he could insinuate himse•••• so well in her and in his Mothe•• kindness, that they would n••

••••ve given him for the best ••ince in the world. This life ••••ntinued for a while; but being 〈◊〉〈◊〉 goodness of God taketh pity 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them that are trapanned be∣••use of their credulity, it hap∣••••d that one morning both Mo∣••er and Daughter took a great ••••sire to go to Mass at Saint Pran∣••••, and to visit their Father ••onfessor, by the means of whom ••ey thought themselvs extreme, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 well provided, one of a beau∣••ul Son, the other of a loving ••usband. And by chance not ••••ding their Confessor, nor any ••••dy else of their acquaintance, ••ere resolved to hear high Mass, ••hich was just beginning, to see 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the mean time he might not ••ome: And amidst that the ••••ung Dame, very earnestly at∣tended

the Service, and ove•• weighed the mystery of it, th•• Priest turning about to say 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Dominus Vobiscum, she was qui•••• surprized and astonished, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it seemed unto her that it was ••∣ther her Husband or one ve•••• like him; but for all this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 would not make a great bustle but stayd till he should turn abo•••• once more, and then she too a fuller view of him, and d•••• not doubt but that it was he Therefore she draws her Moth•• to her, that was in a deep co••∣templation, and says: Alas, M••∣dam, what is that I see? Th•• Mother asked her, what it wa•• It is my Husband, quoth sh•• that says the Mass, or a perso•• that is the likest to him above ••∣ny man in the World.

The Mother that had not ta∣••en great notice of him, said, beseech you, good Daughter, ••t not such an opinion take place 〈◊〉〈◊〉 your head. For it is a thing together impossible, that they ••ho are Men, so holy should ••mmit so great a trumpery. You'l ••n greatly against God by giving ••edit to such an opinion as this. ••owever, she resolved to observe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 features and when he came to ••y Ita missa est, she verily did see, ••••at never two Brethren of one ••••d the same Mother could be li∣•••• yet she was so simple still, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 freely said, God forbid I should ••••eve what I see; but being ve∣•••• much touched with the love 〈◊〉〈◊〉 her Daughter, would not let ••e business be unknown, there∣fore she resolved to find out the

truth. Evening being com•• when the Husband was to return who had no way perceived them the Mother said to her Daughte••. If you will we shall know th•• truth about your Husband pre∣sently; for when he shall be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Bed, I'll come to the Chambe•• and stand behind him very easily without making him to hear i•• you in the mean time shall tak•• off his Night-Cap, and so w•• shall see if he hath such a shave•• Crown as he had that said th•• Mass: And as she said, so the•• did: For as soon as the rogui•••• Husband went to bed, the ol•• Gentlewoman came in, an•• took hold of both his hands her Daughter in the mean tim•• pulling off his Cap, discovere•• his pretty shaven pate. At whic••

••he Mother and Daughter being extremely astonished, insomuch ••hat they were not able to ex∣press it, immediately called their Servants, making them to take ••nd bind him till morning, not ••egarding his excuses and fair words. The day being come, ••he Gentlewoman sent for her Father Confessor, feigning as if ••he had to impart to him some secret matters of great impor∣••ance. The Father came pre∣sently, whom she made to be ••aken as well as the young one, ••eproaching him for cozening ••er so basely. And after this, ••he sent for some Justices, into ••he hands of whom she deliver∣ed them both, being of that o∣pinion, that if they had any Con∣science, they would not let them

escape unpunished. And accord∣ing to their deserts the young est was condem'd to a perpetua•• Prison, and the Eldest suspend∣ed of his Office.