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should find out this precious stone； spending almost the whole morning
before they were all three met together。 For they were painting at the
Monastery of the Sisters of Faenza； where they had very serious
imployment； and followed their businesse diligently： where having
found them； and saluting them in such kinde manner； as continually
he used to doe； thus he began。
Loving friends； if you were pleased to follow mine advise； wee three
will quickely be the richest men in Florence； because； by
information from a Gentleman （well deserving to be credited） on the
Plaine of Mugnone： there is a precious stone to be found； which
whosoever carrieth it about him； walketh invisible； and is not to be
seene by any one。 Let us three be the first men to goe and finde it；
before any other heare thereof； and goe about it； and assure our
selves that we shall finde it； for I know it （by discription） so soone
as I see it。 And when wee have it； who can hinder us from bearing it
about us？ Then will we goe to the Tables of our Bankers； or money
Changers； which we see daily charged with plenty of gold and silver；
where we may take so much as wee list； for they （nor any） are able
to descrie us。 So； （in short time） shall wee all be wealthy； never
needing to drudge any more； or paint muddy walles； as hitherto we have
done； and； as many of our poore profession are forced to doe。
Bruno and Buffalmaco hearing this； began to smile； and looking
merily each on other； they seemed to wonder thereat； and greatly
commended the counsell of Calandrino。 Buffalmaco demaunding how the
stone was named。 Now it fortuned； that Calandrino （who had but a
grosse and blockish memory） had quite forgot the name of the stone；
and therefore said。 What neede have wee of the name； when we know； and
are assured of the stones vertue？ Let us make no more adoe； but
（setting aside all other businesse） goe seeke where it is to be found。
Well my friend （answered Bruno） you say wee may finde it； but how； and
by what meanes？
There are two sorts of them （quoth Calandrino） some bigge； others
smaller； but all carry a blacke colour： therefore （in mine opinion）
let us gather all such stones as are blacke； so shall we be sure to
finde it among them； without any further losse of time。
Buffalmaco and Bruno； liked and allowed the counsell of
Calandrino； which when they had （by severall commendations） given
him assurance of； Bruno saide。 I doe not thinke it a convenient time
now； for us to go about so weighty a businesse： for the Sun is yet
in the highest degree； and striketh such a heate on the plaine of
Mugnone； as all the stones are extreamly dryed； and the very
blackest will nowe seeme whitest。 But in the morning； after the dew is
falne； and before the Sunne shineth forth； every stone retaineth his
true colour。 Moreover； there be many Labourers now working on the
plaine； about such businesse as they are severally assigned； who
seeing us in so serious a serch： may imagine what we seeke for； and
partake with us in the same inquisition； by which meanes they may
chance to speed before us； and so wee may lose both our trot and
amble。 Wherefore； by my consent； if your opinion jumpe with mine； this
is an enterprize onely to be perfourmed in an early morning； when
the blacke stones are to be distinguisht from the white； and a
Festivall day were the best of all other； for then there will be
none to discover us。
Buffalmaco applauded the advice of Bruno； and Calandrino did no
lesse； concluding all together； that Sunday morning （next ensuing）
should be the time； and then they all three would go see the Stone。
But Calandrino was verie earnest with them； that they shold not
reveale it to any living body； because it was tolde him as an
especiall secret： disclosing further to them； what hee had heard
concerning the Countrey of Bengodi； maintaining （with solemn oaths and
protestations） that every part thereof was true。 Uppon this agreement；
they parted from Calandrino who hardly enjoyed anie rest at all；
either by night or day； so greedie he was to bee possessed of the
stone。 On the Sonday morning； hee called up his Companions before
breake of day； and going forth at S。 Galls Port； they stayed not； till
they came to the plaine of Mugnone； where they searched all about to
finde this strange stone。
Calandrino went stealing before the other two； and verilie perswaded
himselfe； that he was borne to finde the Helitropium； and looking on
every side about him； hee rejected all other Stones but the blacke；
whereof first he filled his bosome； and afterwards； both his
Pockets。 Then he tooke off his large painting Apron； which he fastened
with his girdle in the manner of a sacke； and that he filled full of
stones likewise。 Yet not so satisfied； he spred abroad his Cloake；
which being also full of stones； hee bound it up carefully； for
feare of loosing the very least of them。 All which Buffalmaco and
Bruno well observing （the day growing on； and hardly they could
reach home by dinner time） according as merrily they had concluded；
and pretending not to see Calandrino； albeit he was not farre from
them： What is become of Calandrino？ saide Buffalmaco。 Bruno gazing
strangely every where about him； as if hee were desirous to finde him；
replyed。 I saw him not long since； for then he was hard by before
us； questionlesse； he hath given us the slippe； is privilie gone
home to dinner； and making starke fooles of us； hath lefte us to picke
up blacke stones； upon the parching plaines of Mugnone。 Well （quoth
Buffalmaco） this is but the tricke of an hollow…hearted friend； and
not such as he protested himselfe to be； to us。 Could any but wee have
bin so sottish； to credit his frivolous perswasions； hoping to finde
any stones of such vertue； and here on the fruitlesse plains of
Mugnone？ No； no； none but we would have beleeved him。
Calandrino （who was close by them） hearing these wordes； and
seeing the whole manner of their wondering behaviour： became
constantly perswaded； that hee had not onely found the precious stone；
but also had some store of them about him； by reason he was so neere
to them； and yet they could not see him； therefore he walked before
them。 Now was his joy beyond all compasse of expression； and being
exceedingly proud of so happy an adventure： did not meane to speake
one word to them； but （heavily laden as hee was） to steale home
faire and softly before them； which indeede he did； leaving them to
follow after； if they would。 Bruno perceiving his intent； said to
Buffalmaco： What remaineth now for us to doe？ Why should not we go
home； as well as hee？ And reason too； replyed Bruno。 It is in vaine to
tarry any longer heere： but I solemnly protest； Calandrino shall no
more make an Asse of me： and were I now as neere him； as not long
since I was； I would give him such a remembrance on the heele with
this Flint stone； as should sticke by him this moneth； to teach him
a lesson for abusing his friends。
Hee threw the stone； and hit him shrewdly on the heele therewith；
but all was one to Calandrino； whatsoever they saide； or did； as
thus they still followed after him。 And although the blow of the stone
was painf