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Chests side； that （it standing on an un…even ground） it began to
totter； and after fell downe。 In which fall； it made so loud a
noise； as the women （lying in the beds standing by） awaked； and were
so overcome with feare； that they had not the power to speake one
word。 Ruggiero also being affrighted with the Chests fall； and
perceiving how by that meanes it was become open； he thought it
better； least some other sinister fortune should befall him； to be
at open liberty； then inclosed up so strictly。 And because he knew not
where he was； as also hoping to meete with his Mistresse； he went
all about groping in the darke； to find either some staires or
doore； whereby to get forth。
When the Women （being then awake） heard his trampling； as also his
justling against the doores and windowes； they demaunded； Who was
there？ Ruggiero； not knowing their voyces； made them no answer；
wherefore they called to their husbands； who lay very soundly sleeping
by them； by reason of their so late walking abroad； and therefore
heard not this noise in the house。 This made the Women much more
timorous； and therefore rising out of their beddes； they opened the
Casement towards the streete； crying out aloude； Theeves； Theeves。 The
neighbours arose upon this outcry； running up and downe from place
to place； some engirting the house； and others entering into it： by
means of which troublesome noise； the two Lombards awaked； and seizing
there upon poore Ruggiero （who was well…neere affrighted out of his
wittes； at so strange an accident； and his owne ignorance； how he
happened thither； and how to escape from them） he stood gazing on them
without any answer。
By this time； the Sergeants and other Officers of the City；
ordinarily attending on the Magistrate； being raised by the tumult
of this uproare； were come into the house； and had poore Ruggiero
committed unto their charge： who bringing him before the Governor； was
forthwith called in question； and known to be of a most wicked life； a
shame to all his friends and kindred。 He could say little for
himselfe； never denying his taking in the house； and therefore
desiring to finish all his fortunes together； desperately confessed；
that he came with a fellonious intent to rob them； and the Governor
gave him sentence to be hanged。
Soone were the newes spread throughout Salerne； that Ruggiero was
apprehended； about robbing the house of the two usuring Lombardes：
which when Mistresse Doctor and her Chamber…maide heard； they were
confounded with most strange admiration； and scarsely credited what
they themselves had done the night before； but rather imagined all
matters past； to be no more than meerely a dreame； concerning
Ruggieroes dying in the house； and their putting him into the Chest；
so that by no likely or possible meanes； he could be the man in this
perillous extreamitie。
In a short while after； Master Doctor Mazzeo was returned from
Malfy； to proceede in his cure of the poore mans legge； and calling
for his glasse of Water； which he left standing in his owne Chamber
window； it was found quite empty； and not a drop in it： whereat he
raged so extreamly； as never had the like impatience bene noted in
him。 His wife； and her Maide； who had another kinde of businesse in
their braine； about a dead man so strangely come to life againe；
knew not well what to say； but at the last； his Wife thus replyed
somewhat angerly。 Sir （quoth she） what a coyle is here about a
paltry glasse of Water； which perhaps hath bene spilt； yet neyther
of us faulty therein？ Is there no more such water to be had in the
world？ Alas deere Wife （saide he） you might repute it to be a common
kinde of Water； but indeed it was not so； for I did purposely compound
it； onely to procure a dead seeming sleepe： And so related the whole
matter at large； of the Pacients legge； and his Waters losse。
When she had heard these words of her husband； presently she
conceived； that the water was drunke off by Ruggiero； which had so
sleepily entranced his sences； as they verily thought him to be
dead； wherefore she saide。 Beleeve me Sir； you never acquainted us
with any such matter； which would have procured more carefull
respect of it： but seeing it is gone； your skill extendeth to make
more； for now there is no other remedy。 While thus Master Doctor and
his Wife were conferring together； the Maide went speedily into the
City； to understand truly； whither the condemned man was Ruggiero； and
what would now become of him。 Being returned home againe； and alone
with her Mistresse in the Chamber； thus she spake。 Now trust me
Mistresse； not one in the City speaketh well of Ruggiero； who is the
man condemned to dye； and； for ought I can perceive； he hath neither
Kinsman nor Friend that will doe any thing for him； but he is left
with the Provost； and must be executed to morrow morning。 Moreover
Mistresse； by such instructions as I have received； I can well…neere
informe you； by what meanes he came to the two Lombards house； if
all be true that I have heard。
You know the joyner before whose doore the Chest stoode； wherein
we did put Ruggiero； there is now a contention betweene him and
another man； to whom （it seemeth） the Chest doth belong； in regard
whereof； they are ready to quarrell extreamly each with other。 For the
one owing the Chest； and trusting the joyner to sell it for him； would
have him to pay him for the Chest。 The joyner denieth any sale
thereof； avouching； that the last night it was stolne from his
doore。 Which the other man contrarying； maintaineth that he solde
the Chest to the two Lombard usurers； as himselfe is able to
affirme； because he found it in the house； when he （being present at
the apprehension of Ruggiero） sawe it there in the same house。
Hereupon； the joyner gave him the lye； because he never sold it to any
man； but if it were there； they had robd him of it； as he would make
it manifest to their faces。 Then falling into clamerous speeches
they went together to the Lombardes house； even as I returned home。
Wherefore Mistresse； as you may easily perceive； Ruggiero was
（questionlesse） carried thither in the Chest； and so there found；
but how he revived againe； I cannot comprehend。
The Mistresse understanding now apparantly； the full effect of the
whole businesse； and in what manner it had bene carried； revealed to
the Maide her husbands speeches； concerning the glasse of sleepie
Water； which was the onely engine of all this trouble； clearly
acquitting Ruggiero of the robbery； howsoever （in desparate fury；
and to make an end of a life so contemptible） he had wrongfully
accused himselfe。 And notwithstanding this his hard fortune； which
hath made him much more infamous then before； in all the dissolute
behaviour of his life： yet it could not quaile her affection towards
him； but being loath he should dye for some other mans offence； and
hoping his future reformation； she fell on her knees before her
Mistresse； and （drowned in her teares） most earnestly entreated her；
to advise her with some such happy course； as might be the safety of
poore Ruggieroes life。 Mistresse Doctor； affecting her Maide
dearely； and plainely perceiving； t