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and justly reprooved mine avarice； niggardnesse； and base folly。 And
trust me Bergamino； I never felt such a fit of covetousnesse come upon
me； as this which I have dishonestly declared to thee： and which I
will now banish from me； with the same correction as thou hast
taught mee。 So； having payed the Host all his charges； redeeming
also his robes or garments； mounting him on a good Gelding； and
putting plenty of Crownes in his purse； he referd it to his owne
choise to depart； or dwell there still with him。
THE FIRST DAY； THE EIGHT NOVELL
WHICH PLAINLY DECLARETH； THAT A COVETOUS GENTLEMAN； IS NOT
WORTHY OF ANY HONOR OR RESPECT
Guillaume Boursier； with a few quaint and familiar words； checkt the
miserable covetousnesse of Signior Herminio de Grimaldi。
Madam Lauretta； sitting next to Philostratus； when she had heard the
witty conceite of Bergamino； knowing； that she was to say somewhat；
without injunction or command； pleasantly thus began。
This last discourse （faire and vertuous company） induceth me to tell
you； how an honest Courtier reprehended in like manner （and nothing
unprofitably） base covetousnesse in a Merchant of extraordinary
wealth。 Which Tale； although （in effect） it may seeme to resemble
the former； yet perhaps； it will prove no lesse pleasing to you； in
regard it sorted to as good an end。
It is no long time since； that there lived in Genes or Geneway； a
Gentleman named Signior Herminio de Grimaldo； who （as every one wel
knew） was more rich in inheritances； and ready summes of currant money
then any other knowne Citizen in Italy。 And as hee surpassed other men
in wealth； so did he likewise excell them in wretched Avarice； being
so miserably greedy and covetous； as no man in the world could be more
wicked that way； because； not onely he kept his purse lockt up from
pleasuring any； but denied needfull things to himselfe； enduring
many miseries onely to avoid expences； contrary to the Genewayes
generall custom； who alwayes delighted to be decently cloathed； and to
have their dyet of the best。 By reason of which most miserable
basenesse； they tooke away from him the Sirname of Grimaldi； whereof
he was in right descended； and called him master Herminio the covetous
Mizer； a nickname very notably agreeing with his gripple nature。
It came to passe； that in this time of his spending nothing； but
multiplying daily by infinite meanes； that a civill honest Gentleman
（a Courtier of ready wit； and discoursive in Languages） came to
Geneway； being named Guillaume Boursier。 A man very farre differing
from divers Courtiers in these dayes； who for soothing shamefull and
gracelesse maners in such as allow them maintenance； are called and
reputed to bee Gentlemen； yea speciall favourites： whereas much more
worthily； they should be accounted as knaves and villaines； being
borne and bred in all filthinesse； and skilfull in every kinde of
basest behaviour； not fit to come in Princes Courts。 For； whereas in
passed times； they spent their dayes and paines in making peace；
when Gentlemen were at warre or dissention； or treating on honest
marriages； betweene friends and familiars； and （with loving
speeches） would recreate disturbed mindes； desiring none but
commendable exercises in Court； and sharpely reprooving （like Fathers）
disordred life； or ill actions in any； albeit with recompence
little； or none at all； these upstarts now adayes； employ all their
paines in detractions； sowing questions and quarrels betweene one
another； making no spare of lyes and falshoods。 Nay which is worse；
they wil do this in the presence of any man； upbraiding him with
injuries； shames； and scandals （true or not true） upon the very
least occasion。 And by false and deceitful flatteries and villanies of
their owne inventing； they make Gentlemen to become as vile as
themselves。 For which detestable qualities； they are better beloved
and respected of their misdemeanored Lords； and recompenced in more
bountifull maner； then men of vertuous carriage and desert。 Which is
an argument sufficient； that goodnesse is gone up to heaven； and
hath quite forsaken these loathed lower Regions； where men are drowned
in the mud of all abhominable vices。
But returning where I left （being led out of my way by a just and
religious anger against such deformity） this Gentleman； Master
Guillaume Boursier； was willingly seene； and gladly welcommed by all
the best men in Geneway。 Having remained some few daies in the City；
and amongst other matters； heard much talke of the miserable
covetousnesse of master Herminio； he grew very desirous to have a
sight of him。 Master Herminio had already understood； that this
Gentleman； Master Guillaume Boursier was vertuously disposed； and （how
covetously soever hee was inclined） having in him some sparkes of
noble nature； gave him very good words； and gracious entertainment；
discoursing with him on divers occasions。
In company of other Genewayes with him； he brought him to a new
erected house of his； a building of great cost and beauty； where；
after he had shewne him all the variable rarieties； he beganne thus。
Master Guillaume； no doubt but you have heard and seene many things；
and you can instruct me in some queint conceit or device； to be fairly
figured in painting； at the entrance into the great Hall of my
House。 Master Guillaume hearing him speake so simply； returned him
this answer： Sir； I cannot advise you in any thing； so rare or unseene
as you talk of： but how to sneeze （after a new manner） upon a full and
over…cloyed stomacke； to avoyde base humours that stupifie the braine；
or other matters of the like quality。 But if you would be taught a
good one indeede； and had a disposition to see it fairely effected；
I could instruct you in an excellent Emblem； wherwith （as yet） you
never came acquainted。
Master Herminio hearing him say so； and expecting no such answer
as he had； saide； Good Master Guillaume； tell me what it is； and on my
faith I will have it fairely painted。 Whereto Master Guillaume
suddenly replied； Do nothing but this Sir： Paint over the Portall of
your Halles enterance； the lively picture of Liberality； to bid all
your friends better welcome； then hitherto they have beene。 When
Master Herminio heard these words； he becam possessed with such a
sudden shame； that his complexion changed from the former palenesse；
and answered thus。 Master Guillaume； I will have your advice so
truly figured over my gate； and shee shall give so good welcome to all
my guests； that both you； and all these Gentlemen shall say； I have
both seene her； and am become reasonably acquainted with her。 From
that time forward； the words of Master Guillaume were so effectuall
with Signior Herminio； that he became the most bountifull and best
house…keeper； which lived in his time in Geneway： no man more
honouring and friendly welcoming both strangers and Citizens； then
he continually used to do。
THE FIRST DAY； THE NINTH NOVELL
GIVING ALL MEN TO UNDERSTAND； THAT JUSTICE IS NECESSARY
IN A KING ABOVE AL THINGS ELSE WHATSOEVER
The