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of his body； which proved so highly pleasing to his Master Amarigo；
that he made him a free man； and imagining him to be a Turke； caused
him to be baptized； and named Pedro； creating him superintendent of
all his affaires； and reposing his…chiefest trust in him。
As the other Children of Signior Amarigo grew in yeeres and stature；
so did a Daughter of his； named Violenta； a very goodly and beautifull
Damosell； somewhat over…long kept from marriage by her Fathers
covetousnesse； and casting an eye of good liking on poore Pedro。
Now； albeit shee loved him very dearly； and all his behaviour was most
pleasing to her； yet maiden modesty forbad her to reveale it； till
Love （too long concealed） must needes disclose it selfe。 Which Pedro
at the length tooke notice of； and grew so forward towards her in
equality of affection； as the very sight of her was his onely
happinesse。 Yet very fearefull he was； least it should be noted；
either by any of the House； or the Mayden her selfe： who yet well
observed it； and to her no meane contentment； as it appeared no
lesse （on the other side） to honest Pedro。
While thus they loved together meerely in dumbe shewes； not daring
to speake to each other； （though nothing more desired） to finde some
ease in this their oppressing passions： Fortune； even as if she
pittied their so long languishing； enstructed them how to finde out
a way； whereby they might both better releeve themselves。 Signior
Amarigo； about some two or three miles distance from Trapani； had a
Countrey…House or Farme； whereto his Wife； with her Daughter and
some other women； used oftentimes to make their resort； as it were
in sportfull recreation； Pedro alwayes being diligent to man them
thither。 One time among the rest； it came to passe； as often it
falleth out in the Summer season； that the faire Skie became
suddenly over…clouded； even as they were returning home towards
Trapani； threatning a storme of raine to overtake them； except they
made the speedier haste。
Pedro； who was young； and likewise Violenta； went farre more lightly
then her Mother and her company； as much perhaps provoked by love；
as feare of the sudden raine falling； and paced on so fast before
them； that they were wholly out of sight。 After many flashes of
lightning； and a few dreadfull clappes of thunder； there fell such a
tempestuous showre of hayle； as compelled the Mother and her traine to
shelter themselves in a poore Countrey…mans Cottage。 Pedro and
Violenta； having no other refuge； ranne likewise into a poore
Sheepecoate； so over…ruined； as it was in danger to fall on their
heads； and no body dwelt in it； neither stood any other house neere
it； and it was scarsely any shelter for them； howbeit； necessity
enforceth to make shift with the meanest。 The storme encreasing more
and more； and they coveting to avoyd it as well as they could；
sighes and drie hemmes were often inter…vented； as dumbly （before）
they were wont to doe； when willingly they could affoord another kinde
of speaking。
At last Pedro tooke heart； and saide： I would this showre would
never cease； that I might be alwayes where I am。 The like could I
wish； answered Violenta； so we were in a better place of safety。 These
wishes drew on other gentle language； with modest kisses and embraces；
the onely ease to poore Lovers soules； so that the raine ceased not；
till they had taken order for their oftner conversing； and absolute
plighting of their faiths together。 By this time the storme was
fairely over…blowne； and they attending on the way； till the Mother
and the rest were come； with whom they returned to Trapani； where by
wise and provident meanes； they often conferred in private together；
and enjoyed the benefit of their amorous desires； yet free from any
ill surmise or suspition。
But； as Lovers felicities are sildome permanent； without one
encountring crosse or other： so these stolne pleasures of Pedro and
Violenta； met with as sowre a sauce in the farewell。 For shee proved
to be conceived with childe； then which could befall them no heavier
affliction； and Pedro fearing to loose his life therefore；
determined immediate Right； and revealed his purpose to Violenta。
Which when she heard； she told him plainly； that if he fled；
forth…with she would kill her selfe。 Alas deare Love （quoth Pedro）
with what reason can you wish my tarrying here？ This conception of
yours； doth discover our offence； which a Fathers pity may easily
pardon in vou： but I being his servant and vassall； shall be
punished both for your sinne and mine； because he will have no mercy
on me。 Content thy selfe Pedro； replyed Violenta； I will take such
order for mine owne offence； by the discreete counsell of my loving
Mother； that no blame shall any way be taide on thee； or so much as
a surmise； except thou wilt fondly betray thy selfe。 If you can do so；
answered Pedro； and constantly maintaine your promise； I will not
depart； but see that you prove to bee so good as your word。
Violenta； who had concealed her amisse so long as she could； and saw
no other remedy； but now at last it must needes be discovered； went
privately to her Mother； and （in teares） revealed her infirmity；
humbly craving her pardon； and furtherance in hiding it from her
Father。 The Mother being extraordinarily displeased； chiding her
with many sharpe and angry speeches； would needes know with whom
shee had thus offended。 The Daughter （to keepe Pedro from any
detection） forged a Tale of her owne braine； farre from any truth
indeede； which her Mother verily beleeving； and willing to preserve
her Daughter from shame； as also the fierce anger of her Husband； he
being a man of very implacable nature： conveyed her to the Countrey
Farme； whither Signior Amarigo sildome or never resorted； intending
（under the shadow of sicknesse） to let her lye in there； without the
least suspition of any in Trapani。
Sinne and shame can never be so closely carryed； or clouded with the
greatest cunning； but truth hath a loop…light whereby to discover
it； even when it supposeth it selfe in the surest safety。 For； on
the very day of her detiverance； at such time as the Mother； and
some few friends （sworne to secrecy） were about the businesse； Signior
Amarigo； having beene in company of other Gentlemen； to flye his Hawke
at the River； upon a sudden； （but very unfortunately； albeit hee was
alone by himselfe） stept into his Farm…house； even to the next roome
where the women were； and heard the newborne Babe to cry； whereat
marvelling not a little； he called for his Wife； to know what young
childe cryed in his House。 The Mother； amazed at his strange comming
thither； which never before he had used to doe； and pittying the
wofull distresse of her Daughter； which now could bee no longer
covered； revealed what happened to Violenta。 But he； being nothing
so rash in beliefe； as his Wife was； made answere； that it was
impossible for his Daughter to be conceived with childe； because he
never observed the least signe of love in her to any man whatsoever；
and therefore he would be satisfied in the truth； as shee expected any
favour from him； or else there was no other way but death。
The Mother