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things thence as belonged to hir； taking hir also with them to their
dwelling； and threatning Tofano with further infliction of punishment；
both for his drunkennesse； and causlesse jealousie。
Tofano perceyving how curstly they had handled him； and what crooked
meanes might further be used against him； in regard her Kindred and
Friends were very mightie： thought it much better； patiently to suffer
the wrong alreadie done him； then by obstinate contending to proceed
further； and fare worse。 He became a suter to her Kindred； that al
might be forgotten and forgiven； in recompence whereof； he would not
onely refraine from drunkennesse； but also； never more be jelous of
his wife。 This being faithfully promised； and Cheta reconciled to
her Husband； all strife was ended； she enjoyed her friends favour；
as occasion served； but yet with such discretion； as it was not noted。
Thus the Coxcombe foole； was faine to purchase his peace； after a
notorious wrong sustained； and further injuries to bee offered。
THE SEVENTH DAY； THE FIFT NOVELL
IN JUST SCORNE AND MOCKERY OF SUCH JEALOUS HUSBANDS； THAT WILL BE
SO IDLE HEADED UPON NO OCCASION。 YET WHEN THEY HAVE GOOD REASON
FOR IT； DO LEAST OF ALL SUSPECT ANY SUCH INJURY
A jealous man； clouded with the habite of a Priest； became the
Confessour to his owne Wife； who made him beleeve； that she was
deepely in love with a Priest； which came every night； and lay with
her。 By meanes of which confession； while her jealous Husband
watched the doore of his house； to surprize the Priest when he came：
she that never meant to do amisse； had the company of a secret Friend；
who came over the toppe of the house to visite her； while her
foolish Husband kept the doore。
Madam Lauretta having ended her Novell； and every one commended
the Woman； for fitting Tofano in his kinde； and； as his jealousie
and drunkennesse justly deserved： the King （to prevent all losse of
time） turned to Madame Fiammetta； commaunding her to follow next：
whereuppon； very graciously； shee beganne in this manner。
Noble Ladies； the precedent Novell delivered by Madame Lauretta；
maketh me willing to speake of another jealous man； as being halfe
perswaded； that whatsoever is done to them by their Wives； and
especially upon no occasion given； they doe no more then well
becommeth them。 And if those grave heads； which were the first
instituters of lawes； had diligently observed all things； I am of
the minde； that they would have ordained no other penalty for Women；
then they appointed against such； as （in their owne defence） do offend
any other。 For jealous husbands； are meere insidiators of their
Wives lives； and most diligent pursuers of their deaths； being lockt
up in their houses all the Weeke long； imployed in nothing but
domesticke drudging affayres： which makes them desirous of high
Festivall dayes； to receive some litle comfort abroad； by an honest
recreation or pastime； as Husbandmen in the fields； Artizans in our
Citie； or Governours in our judiciall Courtes； yea； or as our Lord
himselfe； who rested the seaventh day from all his travailes。 In
like manner； it is so willed and ordained by the Lawes； as well divine
as humane； which have regard to the glory of God； and for the common
good of every one； making distinction betweene those dayes appointed
for labour； and the other determined for rest。 Whereto jealous persons
（in no case） will give consent； but all those dayes （which for other
women are pleasing and delightfull） unto such； over whom they command；
are most irksome； sadde and sorrowful； because then they are lockt up；
and very strictly restrained。 And if question wer urged； how many good
women do live and consume away in this torturing het of affliction：
I can make no other answere； but such as feele it； are best able to
discover it。 Wherefore to conclude the proheme to my present
purpose； let none be over rash in condemning women： for what they do
to their husbands； being jealous without occasion； but rather
commend their wit and providence。
Somtime （faire Ladies） there lived in Arimino； a Merchant； very rich
in wealth and worldly possessions； who having a beautifull Gentlewoman
to his wife； he became extreamly jelous of her。 And he had no other
reason for this foolish conceit； but； like as he loved hir dearly； and
found her to be very absolutely faire： even so he imagined； that
althogh she devised by her best meanes to give him content； yet others
would grow enamored of her； because she appeared so amiable to al。
In which respect； time might tutor her to affect some other beside
himselfe： the onely common argument of every bad minded man； being
weake and shallow in his owne understanding。 This jelous humor
increasing in him more and more； he kept her in such narrow restraint：
that many persons condemned to death； have enoyed larger libertie in
their imprisonment。 For； she might not bee present at Feasts；
Weddings； nor goe to Church； or so much as to be seen at her doore：
Nay； she durst not stand in her Window； nor looke out of her house；
for any occasion whatsoever。 By means whereof； life seemed most
tedious and offensive to her； and she supported it the more
impatiently； because shee knew her selfe not any way faulty。
Seeing her husband still persist in this shamefull course towards
her； she studied； how she might best comfort her selfe in this
desolate case： by devising some one meane or other （if any at all were
to bee founde） wherby he might be requited in his kind； and wear
that badge of shame whereof he was now but onely affraid。 And
because she could not gain so small a permission； as to be seene at
any window； where （happily） she might have observed some one passing
by in the street； discerning a litle parcell of her love： she
remembred at length； that； in the next house to her Husbands （they
both joyning close together） there dwelt a comely yong proper
Gentleman； whose perfections carried correspondencie with her desires。
She also considered with her selfe； that if there were any partition
wall； such a chinke or cranny might easily be made therein； by which
（at one time or other） she should gaine a sight of the young
Gentleman； and finde an houre so fitting； as to conferre with him； and
bestow her lovely favour on him； if he pleased to accept it。 If
successe （in this case） proved answerable to her hope； then thus she
resolved to outrun the rest of her wearisome dayes； except the frensie
of jealousie did finish her husbands loathed life before。
Walking from one roome to another； thorough every part of the house；
and no wall escaping without diligent surveying； on a day； when her
Husband was absent from home； she espyed in a corner very secret； an
indifferent cleft in the Wall； which though it yeelded no full view on
the other side； yet she plainly perceived it to be an handsome
Chamber； and grew more then halfe perswaded； that either it might be
the Chamber of Philippo （for so was the neighbouring yong Gentleman
named） or else a passage guiding thereto。 A Chambermaid of hers； who
compassioned her case very much； made such observance； by her
Mistresses directi