按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
depart thence into a certaine place； where I must weepe for my
sinnes in very grievous paines。 There I found more of my companions；
condemned to the same punishment as I was； and being among them； I
called to minde some wanton dalliances； which had passed betweene my
Gossip and me； and expecting therefore farre greater afflictions； then
as yet I felt （although I was in a huge fire； and exceedingly hot） yet
with conceite of feare； I quaked and trembled wondrously。
One of my other Consorts being by me； and perceiving in what an
extreame agony I was； presently said unto me。 My friend； what hast
thou done more； then any of us here condemned with thee； that thou
tremblest and quakest； being in so hot a fire？ Oh my friend （quoth
I） I am in feare of a greater judgement then this； for a grievous
offence by mee heretofore committed while I lived。 Then hee
demaunded of mee what offence it was； whereto thus I answered。 It
was my chance in the other world； to be Godfather at a childs
Christning； and afterward I grew so affectionate to the childs mother；
as （indeed） I kissed her twice or thrise。 My companyon laughing at
me in mocking manner； replyed thus。 Goe like an Asse as thou art；
and be no more afraid hereafter； for here is no punishment
inflicted； in any kinde whatsoever； for such offences of frailty
committed； especially with Gossips； as I my selfe can witnesse。
Now day drew on； and the Cockes began to crow； a dreadfull hearing
to walking spirits； when Tingoccio said to Meucio。 Farewell my
friendly companion； for I may tarry no longer with thee； and instantly
hee vanished away。 Meucio having heard this confession of his
friend； and verily beleeving it for a truth； that no punishment was to
be inflicted in the future world； for offences of frailty in this
life； and chiefly with Gossips： began to condemne his owne folly；
having bin a Gossip to many wives； yet modesty restrained him from
such familiar offending。 And therefore being sorry for this grosse
ignorance； hee made a vowe to be wiser hereafter。 And if Fryar Reynard
had been acquainted with this kind of shrift （as doubtlesse he was；
though his Gossip Agnesia knew it not） he needed no such
Syllogismes； as he put in practise； when he converted her to his
lustfull knavery； in the comparison of kinred by him moved； concerning
her husband； the childe and himselfe。 But； these are the best fruits
of such Fryerly Confessions； to compasse the issue of their inordinate
appetites； yet clouded with the cloake of Religion； which hath beene
the overthrow of too many。
By this time the gentle blast of Zephirus began to blow； because the
Sunne grew neere his setting； wherewith the King concluded his Novell；
and none remaining more to be thus imployed： taking the Crowne from
off his owne head； he placed it on Madame Laurettaes； saying；
Madame； I Crowne you with your owne Crowne； as Queene of our
Company。 You shall henceforth command as Lady and Mistresse； in such
occasions as shall be to your liking； and for the contentment of us
all； With which words he set him downe。 And Madame Lauretta being
now created Queene； shee caused the Master of the houshold to bee
called； to whom she gave command； that the Tables should be prepared n
the pleasant vally； but at a more convenient houre； then formerly
had beene； because they might （with better ease） returne backe to
the Pallace。 Then shee tooke order likewise； for all such other
necessary matters； as should bee required in the time of f Regiment：
and then turning her selfe to the whole Company； she began in this
manner。
It was the Will of Dioneus yesternight； that our discourses for this
day； should concerne the deceits of wives to their Husbands。 And
were it not to avoyde taxation； of a spleenitive desire to be
revenged； like the dog being bitten； biteth againe： I could command
our to morrows conference； to touch mens treacheries towards their
wives。 But because I am free from any such fiery humor； let it be your
generall consideration； to speake of such queint beguylings； as have
heretofore past； either of the woman to the man； the man to the woman；
or of one man to another： and I am of opinion； that they will yeeld us
no lesse delight； then those related （this day） have done。 When she
had thus spoken； she rose； granting them all liberty； to goe
recreate themselves untill Supper time。
The Ladies being thus at their owne disposing； some of them bared
their legges and feete； to wash them in the coole current。 Others； not
so minded； walked on the greene grasse； and under the goodly spread：
trees。 Dioneus and Madame Fiammetta； they sate singing together； the
love…warre between Arcit and Palemon。 And thus with diversity of
disports； in choice delight and much contentment； all were imployed；
till Supper drew neere。 When the houre re come； and the Tables covered
by the Ponds side： we need not question their dyet and dainties；
infinite Birds sweetly singing about them； as no musicke in the
world could be more pleasing； beside calme windes； fanning their faces
from the neighbouring hilles （free from flyes； or the least annoyance）
made a delicate addition to their pleasure。
No sooner were the Tables withdrawne； and all risen： but they fetcht
a few turnings about the vally； because the Sunne was not （as yet）
quite set。 Then in the coole evening； according to the Queenes
appointment： in a soft and gentle pace； they walked homeward： devising
on a thousand occasions； as well those which the dayes discourses
had yeelded； as others of their owne inventing beside。 It was almost
darke night； before they arrived at the Pallace； where； with variety
of choice Wines； and abounding plenty of rare Banquetting； they out
wore the little toile and wearinesse； which the long walke had charged
them withall。 Afterward； according to their wonted order； the
Instruments being brought and played on； they fell to dancing about
the faire Fountaine； Tindaro intruding （now and then） the sound of his
Bagpipe； to make the musicke seeme more melodious。 But in the end； the
Queene commanded Madame Philomena to sing； whereupon the Instruments
being tuned fit for the purpose； thus she began。
THE SONG
THE CHORUS SUNG BY THE WHOLE COMPANY
Wearisome is my life to me；
Because I cannot once againe returne；
Unto the place which made me first to mourne。
Nothing I know； yet feele a powerfull fire；
Burning within my brest；
Through deepe desire；
To be once more where first I felt unrest；
Which cannot be exprest。
O my sole good！ O my best happinesse！
Why am I thus restrainde？
Is there no comfort in this wretchednesse？
Then let me live content； to be thus painde。
Wearisome is my life to me； etc；
I cannot tell what was that rare delight；
Which first enflamde my soule；
And gave command in spight；
That I should find no ease by day or night；
But still live in controule。
I see； I heare； and feele a kinde of blisse；
Yet find no forme at all：
Other in their desire； feele blessednesse；
But I have none； nor thinke I ever shall。
Wearisome is my life to me； etc。
Tell me； if I may hope in follo