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poore Ruggieroes life。 Mistresse Doctor； affecting her Maide
dearely； and plainely perceiving； that no disastrous fortune
whatsoever； could alter her love to condemned Ruggiero； hoping the
best hereafter； as the Maide her selfe did； and willing to save life
rather then suffer it to be lost without just cause； she directed
her in such discreet manner； as you will better conceive by the
successe。
According as she was instructed by her Mistresse； she fell at the
feete of Master Doctor； desiring him to pardon a great error；
whereby she had over…much offended him。 As how？ said Master Doctor。 In
this manner （quoth the Maide） and thus proceeded。 You are not ignorant
Sir； what a lewde liver Ruggiero de Jeroly is； and notwithstanding all
his imperfections； how deerely I love him； as he protesteth the like
to me； and thus hath our love continued a yeere； and more。 You being
gone to Malfy； and your absence granting me apt opportunity； for
conference with so kinde a friend； I made the bolder； and gave him
entrance into your house； yea even into mine owne Chamber； yet free
from any abuse； neither did he （bad though he be） offer any。 Thirsty
he was before his comming thither； either by salt meat； or distempered
diet； and I being unable to fetch him wine or water； by reason my
Mistresse sat in the Hall； seriously talking with her Sisters；
remembred； that I saw a violl of Water standing in your Chamber
Window； which he drinking quite off； I set it empty in the place
againe。 I have heard your discontentment for the said Water； and
confesse my fault to you therein： but who liveth so justly； without
offending at one time or other？ And I am heartily sory for my
transgression； yet not so much for the water； as the hard fortune that
hath followed thereon； because thereby Ruggiero is in danger to lose
his life； and all my hopes are utterly lost。 Let me entreat you
therefore （gentle Master） first to pardon me； and then to grant me
permission； to succour my poore condemned friend； by all the best
meanes I can devise。
When the Doctor had heard all her discourse； angry though he were；
yet thus he answered with a smile。 Much better had it bin； if thy
follies punishment had falne on thy selfe； that it might have paide
thee with deserved repentance； upon thy Mistresses finding thee
sleeping。 But go and get his deliverance if thou canst； with this
caution； that if ever hereafter he be seene in my house； the perill
thereof shall light on thy selfe。 Receiving this answer； for her first
entrance into the attempt； and as her Mistresse had advised her； in
all hast she went to the prison； where she prevailed so well with
the Jaylor； that hee granted her private conference with Ruggiero。 She
having instructed him what he should say to the Provost； if he had any
purpose to escape with life； went thither before him to the Provost；
who admitting her into his presence； and knowing that shee was
Master Doctors Maid； a man especially respected of all the City； he
was the more willing to heare her message； he imagining that shee
was sent by her Master。
Sir （quoth shee） you have apprehended Ruggiero de Jeroly； as a
theefe； and judgement of death is （as I heare） pronounced against him：
but hee is wrongfully accused； and is clearly innocent of such a
heinous detection。 So entring into the History； she declared every
circumstance； from the originall to the end： relating truly； that
being her Lover； shee brought him into her Masters house； where he
dranke the compounded sleepy water； and reputed for dead； she laide
him in the Chest。 Afterward； she rehearsed the speeches betweene the
Joyner； and him that laide claime to the Chest； giving him to
understand thereby； how Ruggiero was taken in the Lombards house。
The Provost presently gathering； that the truth in this case was
easie to be knowne； sent first for Master Doctor Mazzeo； to know；
whether he compounded any such water； or no： which he affirmed to be
true； and upon what occasion he prepared it。 Then the Joyner； the
owner of the Chest； and the two Lombards； being severally questioned
withall： it appeared evidently； that the Lombards did steale the Chest
in the night season； and carried it home to their owne house。 In the
end； Ruggiero being brought from the prison； and demanded； where he
was lodged the night before； made answer； that he knew not where。
Onely he well remembred； that bearing affection to the Chamber…maide
of Master Doctor Mazzeo della Montagna； she brought him into a
Chamber； where a violl of water stoode in the Window； and he being
extreamly thirsty； dranke it off all。 But what became of him afterward
（till being awake； he found himselfe enclosed in a Chest； and in the
house of the two Lombards） he could not say any thing。
When the Provost had heard all their answers； which he caused them
to repeate over divers times； in regard they were very pleasing to
him： he cleared Ruggiero from the crime imposed on him； and
condemned the Lombards in three hundred Ducates； to be given to
Ruggiero in way of an amends； and to enable his marriage with the
Doctors Mayde； whose constancie was much commended； and wrought such a
miracle on penitent Ruggiero； that after his marriage； which was
graced with great and honourable pompe； he regained the intimate
love of all his kindred； and lived in most Noble condition； even as if
he had never bene any disordered man。
If the former Novels had made all the Ladies sad and sighe； this
last of Dioneus as much delighted them； as restoring them to their
former jocond humor； and banishing Tragicall discourse for ever。 The
King perceiving that the Sun was neere setting； and his government
as neere ending； with many kinde and courteous speeches； excused
himselfe to the Ladies； for being the motive of such an argument； as
expressed the infelicity of poore Lovers。 And having finished his
excuse； up he rose； taking the Crown of Lawrell from off his owne
head； the Ladies awaiting on whose head he pleased next to set it；
which proved to be the gracious Lady Fiammetta； and thus he spake。
Here I place this Crowne on her head； that knoweth better then any
other； how to comfort this faire assembly to morrow； for the sorrow
which they have this day endured。
Madame Fiammetta； whose lockes of haire were curled； long； and
like golden wiers； hanging somewhat downe over her white and
delicate shoulders； her visage round； wherein the Damaske Rose and
Lilly contended for priority； the eyes in her head； resembling those
of the Faulcon messenger； and a dainty mouth； her lippes looking
like two little Rubyes； with a commendable smile thus she replyed。
Philostratus； gladly I do accept your gift； and to the end that ye
may the better remember your selfe； concerning what you have done
hitherto： I will and command； that generall preparation be made
against to morrow； for faire and happy fortunes hapning to Lovers；
after former cruell and unkinde accidents。 Which proposition was
very pleasing to them all。
Then calling for the Master of the Houshold； and taking order with
him； what was most needfull to be done； she gave leave unto the
whole company （who were all risen） to go recreate themselve