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preparation whereof； and to kindle your zeale with the greater
fervencie： he put the Casket with the Coales into my hand； meaning；
let you see the Feather； at some more fitting season。 And therefore my
blessed Sonnes and Daughters； put off your Bonnets； and come hither
with devotion to looke upon them。 But first let me tell you； whosoever
is marked by any of these Coales； with the signe of the Crosse： he
or she shal live all this yeare happily； and no fire whatsoever
shall come neere to touch or hurt them。 So； singing a solemne
Antheme in the praise of S。 Anthony； he unveyled the Casket； and
shewed the Coales openly。
The simple multitude； having （with great admiration and reverence）
a long while beheld them； they thronged in crouds to Fryar Onyon；
giving him farre greater offerings； then before they had； and
entreating him to marke them each after other。 Whereupon； he taking
the coales in his hand； began to marke their garments of white； and
the veyles on the Womens heads； with Crosses of no meane extendure：
affirming to them； that the more the Coales wasted with making those
great crosses； the more they still encreased in the Casket； as often
before hee had made triall。
In this manner； having crossed all the Certaldanes （to his great
benefit） and their abuse： he smiled at his sodaine and dexterious
devise； in mockery of them； who thought to have made a scorne of
him； by dispossessing him of the Feather。 For Bragoniero and
Pizzino； being present at his Learned predication； and having heard
what a cunning shift he found； to come off cleanly； without the
least detection； and all delivered with such admirable
protestations： they were faine to forsake the Church； least they
should have burst with laughing。
But when all the people were parted and gone； they met Friar Onyon
at his Inne； where closely they discovered to him； what they had done；
delivering him his Feather againe： which the yeare following； did
yeeld him as much money； as now the Coales had done。
This Novell affoorded equall pleasing to the whole companie； Friar
Onyons Sermon being much commended； but especially his long
Pilgrimage； and the Reliques he had both seene； and brought home
with him。 Afterward； the Queene perceiving； that her reigne had now
the full expiration； graciously she arose； and taking the Crowne
from off her owne head； placed ＇it＇ on the head of Dioneus； saying。 It
is high time Dioneus； that you should taste part of the charge and
paine； which poore women have felt and undergone in their soveraigntie
and government： wherefore； be you our King； and rule us with such
awefull authority； that the ending of your dominion may yeelde us
all contentment。 Dioneus being thus invested with the Crowne； returned
this answer。
I make no doubt （bright Beauties） but you many times have seene as
good； or a better King among the Chessemen； then I am。 But yet of a
certainty； if you would be obedient to me； as you ought in dutie
unto a true King： I should grant you a liberall freedome of that；
wherein you take the most delight； and without which； our choisest
desires can never be compleate。 Neverthelesse； I meane； that my
government shal be according to mine owne minde。 So； causing the
Master of the Houshold to be called for； as all the rest were wont
to do for conference with him： he gave him direction； for al things
fitting the time of his Regiment； and then turning to the Ladies； thus
he proceeded。
Honest Ladies； we have alreadie discoursed of variable devises；
and so many severall manners of humane industry； concerning the
busines wherewith Lacisca came to acquaint us： that her very words；
have ministred me matter； sufficient for our morrowes conference； or
else I stand in doubt； that I could not have devised a more convenient
Theame for us to talke on。 She （as you have all heard） saide； that
shee had not anie neighbour； who came a true Virgin to her Husband；
and added moreover； that she knew some others； who had beguiled
their Husbandes； in very cunning and crafty manner。 But setting
aside the first part； concerning the proofe of children； I conceive
the second to bee more apte for our intended argument。 In which
respect； my will is （seeing Lacisca hath given us so good an occasion）
that our discoursing to morow； may onely concerne such slye cunning
and deceits； as women have heeretofore used； for satisfying their owne
appetites； and beguiling their Husbands； without their knowledge； or
suspition； and cleanly escaping with them； or no。
This argument seemed not very pleasing to the Ladies； and
therefore they urged an alteration thereof； to some matter better
suting with the day； and their discoursing： whereto thus he
answered。 Ladies； I know as well as your selves； why you would have
this instant argument altered： but to change me from it you have no
power； considering the season is such； as shielding all （both men
and women） from medling with any dishonest action； it is lawfull for
us to speake of what wee please。 And know you not； that through the
sad occasion of the time； which now overruleth us； the judges have
forsaken their venerable benches； the Lawes （both divine and humane）
ceasing； granting ample license to every one； to do what best
agreeth with the conservation of life？ Therefore； if your honesties
doe straine themselves a little； both in thinking and speaking； not
for prosecution of any immodest deede； but onely for familiar and
blamelesse entercourse： I cannot devise a more convenient ground； at
least that carrieth apparant reason； for reproofe of perils； to
ensue by any of you。 Moreover； your company； which hath bin most
honest； since the first day of our meeting； to this instant： appeareth
not any jot to be disgraced； by any thing either said or done； neither
shal be （I hope） in the meanest degree。
And what is he； knowing your choise and vertuous dispositions； so
powerfull in their owne prevailing； that wanton words cannot
misguide your wayes； no nor the terror of death it selfe； that dare
insinuate a distempred thought？ But admit； that some slight or shallow
judgements； hearing you （perhaps sometimes） talke of such amorous
follies； should therefore suspitiously imagine you to be faulty； or
else you would bee more sparing of speech？ Their wit and censure are
both alike； savouring rather of their owne vile nature； who would
brand others with their basebred imperfections。 Yet ther is another
consideration beside； of som great injury offered to mine honor； and
whereof I know not how you can acquit your selves。
I that have bin obedient to you all； and borne the heavy load of
your businesse； having now （with full consent） created mee your
King； you would wrest the law out of my hands； and dispose of my
authoritie as you please。 Forbeare （gentle Ladies） all frivolotis
suspitions； more fit for them that are full of bad thoughts； then you；
who have true Vertue shining in your eyes； and therefore； let every
one freely speake their minde； according as their humors best pleaseth
them。
When the Ladies heard this； they made answer； that all should bee
answerable to his minde。 Whereupon； the King gave them all leave to
dispose of thems