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begin in this manner。
Worthy Ladies； it exceedeth the power of my capacitie； to censure in
the case whereof I am to speake； by saying； who sinned most； either
Nature； in seating a Noble soule in a vile body； or Fortune； in
bestowing on a body （beautified with a noble soule） a base or wretched
condition of life。 As we may observe by Cistio； a Citizen of our owne；
and many more beside； for； this Cistio beeing endued with a singular
good spirit； Fortune hath made him no better then a Baker。 And beleeve
me Ladies； I could （in this case） lay as much blame on Nature； as on
Fortune； if I did not know Nature to be most absolutely wise； and that
Fortune hath a thousand eyes； albeit fooles have figured her to bee
blinde。 But； upon more mature and deliberate consideration； I finde；
that they both （being truly wise and judicious） have dealt justly；
in imitation of our best advised mortals； who being uncertaine of such
inconveniences； as may happen unto them； do bury （for their own
benefit） the very best and choicest things of esteeme； in the most
vile and abject places of their houses； as being subject to least
suspition； and where they may be sure to have them at all times； for
supply of any necessitie whatsoever； because so base a conveyance hath
better kept them； then the very best chamber in the house could have
done。 Even so these two great commanders of the world； do many times
hide their most precious Jewels of worth； under the clouds of Arts
or professions of worst estimation； to the end； that fetching them
thence when neede requires； their splendor may appeare to be the
more glorious。 Nor was any such matter noted in our homely Baker
Cistio； by the best observation of Messer Geri Spina； who was spoken
of in the late repeated Novell； as being the husband to Madame Oretta；
whereby this accident came to my remembrance； and which （in a short
Tale） I will relate unto you。
Let me then tell ye； that Pope Boniface （with whom the fore…named
Messer Geri Spina was in great regard） having sent divers Gentlemen of
his Court to Florence as Ambassadors； about very serious and important
businesse： they were lodged in the house of Messer Geri Spina； and
he employed （with them） in the saide Popes negotiation。 It chanced；
that as being the most convenient way for passage； every morning
they walked on foot by the Church of Saint Marie d'Ughi； where
Cistio the Baker dwelt； and exercised the trade belonging to him。
Now although Fortune had humbled him to so meane a condition； yet shee
added a blessing of wealth to that contemptible quality； and （as
smiling on him continually） no disasters at any time befell him； but
still he flourished in riches； lived like a jolly Citizen； with all
things fitting for honest entertainment about him； and plenty of the
best Wines （both White and Claret） as Florence； or any part thereabout
yeelded。
Our frolicke Baker perceiving； that Messer Geri Spina and the
other Ambassadors； used every morning to passe by his doore； and
afterward to returne backe the same way： seeing the season to be
somewhat hot and soultry； he tooke it as an action of kindnesse and
courtesie； to make them an offer of tasting his white wine。 But having
respect to his owne meane degree； and the condition of Messer Geri：
hee thought it farre unfitting for him； to be so forward in such
presumption； but rather entred into consideration of some such meanes；
whereby Messer Geri might bee the inviter of himselfe to taste his
Wine。 And having put on him a trusse or thin doublet； of very white
and fine Linnen cloath； as also breeches； and an apron of the same；
and a white cap upon his head； so that he seemed rather to be a
Miller； then a Baker： at such times as Messer Geri and the Ambassadors
should daily passe by； hee set before his doore a new Bucket of
faire water； and another small vessell of Bologna earth （as new and
sightly as the other） full of his best and choisest white Wine； with
two small Glasses； looking like silver； they were so cleare。 Downe
he sate； with all this provision before him； and emptying his stomacke
twice or thrice； of some clotted flegmes which seemed to offend it：
even as the Gentlemen were passing by； he dranke one or two rouses
of his Wine so heartily； and with such a pleasing appetite； as might
have moved a longing （almost） in a dead man。
Messer Geri well noting his behaviour； and observing the verie
same course in him two mornings together； on the third day （as he
was drinking） he said unto him。 Well done Cistio； what； is it good； or
no？ Cistio starting up； forthwith replyed； Yes Sir； the wine is good
indeed； but how can I make you to beleeve me； except you taste of
it？ Messer Geri； eyther in regard of the times quality； or by reason
of his paines taken； perhaps more then ordinary； or else； because
hee saw Cistio had drunke so sprightly； was very desirous to taste
of the Wine； and turning unto the Ambassadors； in merriment he
saide。 My Lords； me thinks it were not much amisse； if we tooke a
taste of this honest mans Wine； perhaps it is so good； that we shall
not neede to repent our labour。
Heereupon； he went with them to Cistio； who had caused an handsome
seate to be fetched forth of his house； whereon he requested them to
sit downe； and having commanded his men to wash cleane the Glasses； he
saide。 Fellowes； now get you gone； and leave me to the performance
of this service； for I am no worse a skinker； then a Baker； and
tarry you never so long； you shall not drinke a drop。 Having thus
spoken； himselfe washed foure or five small glasses； faire and new；
and causing a Viall of his best wine to be brought him： hee diligently
filled it out to Messer Geri and the Ambassadours； to whom it seemed
the very best Wine； that they had drunke of in a long while before。
And having given Cistio most hearty thankes for his kindnesse； and the
Wine his due commendation： many dayes afterwardes （so long as they
continued there） they found the like courteous entertainment； and with
the good liking of honest Cistio。
But when the affayres were fully concluded； for which they wer
thus sent to Florence； and their parting preparation in due
readinesse： Messer Geri made a very sumptuous Feast for them； inviting
thereto the most part of the honourablest Citizens； and Cistio to be
one amongst them； who （by no meanes） would bee seene in an assembly of
such State and pompe； albeit he was thereto （by the saide Messer Geri）
most earnestly entreated。
In regard of which deniall； Messer Geri commaunded one of his
servants； to take a small Bottle； and request Cistio to fill it with
his good Wine； then afterward； to serve it in such sparing manner to
the Table； that each Gentleman might be allowed halfe a glasse…full at
their down…sitting。 The Serving…man； who had heard great report of the
Wine； and was halfe offended because he could never taste thereof：
tooke a great Flaggon Bottle； containing foure or five Gallons at
the least； and comming there…with unto Cistio； saide unto him。 Cistio；
because my Master cannot have your companie among his friends； he
prayes you to fill this Bottle with your best Wine。 Cistio looking
uppon the huge Flaggon； repl