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hands with Saint Johns golden grease （a verie singular remedie against
the Disease Pestilentiall in covetous Priests； especially Friars
Minors； that dare touch no money） as the case became very quickly
altered。
This soveraigne Unction was of such vertue （though Galen speakes not
a word thereof among all his cheefest Medicines） and so farre
prevailed； that the terrible threatning words of fire and faggot；
became meerly frozen up； and gracious language blew a more gentle
and calmer ayre； the Inquisitor delivering him an hallowed
Crucifixe； creating him a Soldier of the Crosse （because he had
payed Crosses good store for it；） and even as if he were to travell
under that Standard to the holy Land； so did hee appoint him a
home…paying pennance； namely； to visit him thrice every weeke in his
Chamber； and to annoint his hands with the selfe…same yellow
unguent； and afterward； to heare Masse of the holy Crosse； visiting
him also at dinner time； which being ended； to do nothing all the rest
of the day； but according as he directed him。
The simple man； yet not so simple； but seeing that this weekely
greazing the Inquisitors hands； would in time graspe away all his
gold； grew weary of this annointing； and began to consider with
himselfe； how to stay the course of this chargeable penance。 And
comming one morning （according to his injunction） to heare Masse； in
the Gospell he observed these words； You shall receive an hundred
for one； and so possesse eternall life； which saying； he kept
perfectly in his memory： and as he was commanded； at dinner time； he
came to the Inquisitor； finding him （among his fellowes） seated at the
Table。 The Inquisitor presently demaunded of him； whether he had heard
Masse that morning； or no？ Yes Sir； replyed the man very readily。 Hast
thou heard any thing therein （quoth the Inquisitor） whereof thou art
doubtfull； or desirst to be further informed？ Surely Sir； answered the
plaine…meaning man； I make no doubt of any thing I have heard； but
do beleeve all constantly： onely one thing troubleth me much； and
maketh me very compassionate of you； and of all these holy Fathers
your brethren； perceiving in what wofull and wretched estate you
will be； when you shall come into another world。 What words are these；
quoth the Inquisitor？ And why art thou moved to such compassion of us？
O good Sir； saide the man； do you remember the wordes in the Gospell
this morning； You shall receive an hundred for one？ That is verie true
replyed the Inquisitor； but what mooveth thee to urge those words？
I will tell you Sir； answered the plain fellow； so it might please
you not to be offended。 Since the time of my resorting hither； I
have daily seene many poore people at your doore； and （out of your
abundance） when you and your Brethren have fed sufficiently； every one
hath had a good messe of Pottage： now Sir； if for every dishfull
given； you are sure to receive an hundred againe； you will all be
meerely drowned in pottage。 Although the rest （sitting at the Table
with the Inquisitor） laughed heartily at this jest； yet he found
himselfe toucht in another nature； having hypocritically received for
one poore offence； above three hundred peeces of Gold； and not a mite
to be restored againe。 But fearing to be further disclosed； yet
threatning him with another Processe in law； for abusing the words of
the Gospel； he was content to dismisse him for altogither； without
any more golden greasing in the hand。
THE FIRST DAY； THE SEVENTH NOVELL
APPROVING； THAT IT IS MUCH UNFITTING FOR A PRINCE； OR GREAT
PERSON； TO BEE COVETOUS； BUT RATHER TO BE LIBERALL TO
ALL MEN
Bergamino； by telling a tale of a skilfull man； named Primasso；
and of an Abbot of Clugni； honestly checked a new kinde of
Covetousnesse； in Mayster Can de la Scala。
The courteous demeanor of Madam Aemilia； and the quaintnesse of
her discourse； caused both the Queene； and the rest of the company； to
commend the invention of carrying the Crosse； and the golden
oyntment appointed for pennance。 Afterward； Philostratus； who was in
order to speake next； began in this manner。
It is a commendable thing （faire Ladies） to hit a But that never
stirreth out of his place： but it is a matter much more admirable；
to see a thing suddainely appearing； and sildome or never frequented
before； to bee as suddenly hit by an ordinary Archer。 The vicious
and polluted lives of Priests； yeeldeth matter of it selfe in many
things； deserving speech and reprehension； as a true But of wickednes；
and well worthy to be sharply shot at。 And therefore； though that
honest meaning man did wisely； in touching Master Inquisitor to the
quicke； with the hypocriticall charity of Monkes and Friars； in giving
such things to the poore； as were more meete for Swine； or to be worse
throwne away； yet I hold him more to be commended； who （by occasion of
a former tale； and which I purpose to relate） pleasantly reprooved
Master Can de la Scala； a Magnifico and mighty Lord； for a sudden
and unaccustomed covetousnesse appearing in him； figuring by other
men； that which hee intended to say of him； in manner following。
Master Can de la Scala； as fame ranne abroad of him in all places；
was （beyond the infinite favours of Fortune towards him） one of the
most notable and magnificent Lords that ever lived in Italy； since the
daies of Fredericke the second； Emperor。 He determining to procure a
very solemne assembly at Verona； and many people being met there
from divers places； especially Gentlemen of all degrees； suddenly
（upon what occasion I know not） his minde altred； and hee would not
goe forward with his intention。 Most of them he partly recompenced
which were come thither； and they dismissed to depart at their
pleasure； one onely man remained unrespected； or in any kinde sort
sent away； whose name was Bergamino； a man very pleasantly disposed；
and so wittily readie in speaking and answering； as none could
easily credit it； but such as heard him； and although his recompence
seemed over…long delayed； yet hee made no doubt of a beneficiall
ending。
By some enemies of his； Master Can de la Scala was incensed； that
whatsoever he gave or bestowed on him； was as ill imployed and utterly
lost； as if it were throwne into the fire； and therefore he neither
did or spake any thing to him。 Some few dayes being passed over； and
Bergamino perceiving； that hee was neither called； nor any account
made of； notwithstanding many manly good parts in him； observing
beside； that hee found a shrewd consumption in his purse； his Inne；
horses； and servants； being chargeable to him； he began to grow
extremely melancholly； and yet hee attended in expectation day by day；
as thinking it farre unfitting for him； to depart before he was bidden
farewell。
Having brought with him thither three goodly rich garments； which
had beene given him by sundrie Lords； for his more sightly
appearance at this great meeting； the importunate Host being greedie
of payment； first he delivered him one of them； and yet not halfe
the score being wiped off； the second must needes follow； and
beside；