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and purposed to deale with him as they pleased： apparantly saw； that
sighing and sorrow did nothing availe him。 Moreover； to fall into
his wives tempestuous stormes of chiding； would bee worse to him
then racking or torturing： he gladly therefore gave them money； to buy
the two couple of Capons and Wine； being heartily contented
likewise； that hee was so well delivered from them。 So the merry
Priest； Bruno； and Buffalmaco； having taken good order for salting the
Brawne； closely carried it with them to Florence； leaving Calandrino
to complaine of his losse； and well requited； for mocking them with
the invisible stones。
THE EIGHT DAY； THE SEVENTH NOVELL
SERVING AS AN ADMONITION TO ALL LADIES AND GENTLEWOMEN； NOT TO
MOCK OR SCORNE GENTLEMEN…SCHOLLERS； WHEN THEY MAKE MEANES OF
LOVE TO THEM： EXCEPT THEY INTEND TO SEEKE THEIR OWNE
SHAME； BY DISGRACING THEM
A young Gentleman being a Scholler； fell in love with a Ladie； named
Helena； she being a Widdow； and addicted in affection to another
Gentleman。 One whole night in cold Winter； she caused the Scholler
to expect her comming； in an extreame frost and snow。 In revenge
whereof； by his imagined Art and skill； he made her to stand naked
on the top of a Tower； the space of a whole day； and in the hot moneth
of July； to be Sunburnt and bitten with Waspes and Flies。
Greatly did the Ladies commend Madame Philomenaes Novell； laughing
heartily at poore Calandrino； yet grieving withall； that he should
be so knavishly cheated； not onely of his Brawne； but two couple of
Capons； and a Flaggon of Wine beside。 But the whole discourse being
ended； the Queene commanded Madame Pampinea； to follow next with her
Novell； and presently she thus began。 It hapneth oftentimes （bright
beauties） that mockery falleth on him； that intended the same unto
another： And there。 fore I am of opinion； that there is very litle
wisedom declared on him or her； who taketh delight in mocking any
person。 must needs confesse； that we have smiled at many mockeries and
deceits； related in those excellent Novels； which we have already
heard： without any due revenge returned； but onely in this last of
silly Calandrino。 Wherefore； it is now my determination； to urge a
kind of compassionate apprehension； upon a very just retribution；
happening to a Gentlewoman of our Citie； because her scorne fell
deservedly upon her selfe； remaining mocked； and to the perill of
her life。 Let Me then assure you； that your diligent attention may
redound to your benefit； because if you keepe your selves
（henceforward） from being scorned by others： you shall expresse the
greater wisedome； and be the better warned by their mishaps。
As yet there are not many yeares overpast； since there dwelt in
Florence； a yong Lady； descended of Noble parentage； very
beautifull； of sprightly courage； and sufficiently abounding in the
goods of Fortune； she being named Madame Helena。 Her delight was to
live in the estate of Widdowhood； desiring to match her selfe no
more in marriage； because she bare affection to a gallant young
Gentleman； whom she had made her private election of； and with whom
（having excluded all other amorous cares and cogitations） by meanes of
her Waitingwoman； she had divers meetings； and kinde conferences。
It chanced at the verie same time； another young Gentleman of our
Citie； called Reniero； having long studied in the Schooles at Paris；
returned home to Florence； not to make sale of his Learning and
experience； as many doe： but to understand the reason of things； as
also the causes and effects of them； which is mervailously fitting for
any Gentleman。 Being greatly honoured and esteemed of every one； as
well for his courteous carriage towards all in generall； as for his
knowledge and excellent parts： he lived more like a familiar
Citizen； then in the nature of a Courtly Gentleman； albeit he was
choisely respected in either estate。
But； as oftentimes it commeth to passe； that such as are endued with
the best judgement and understanding in naturall occasions； are
soonest caught and intangled in the snares of Love： so fel it out with
our Scholler Reniero； who being invited to a solemne Feast； in company
of other his especiall Friends； this Lady Helena； attyred in her
blacke Garments （as Widowes commonly use to wear） was likewise there a
Guest。 His eye observing her beauty and gracious demeanour； she seemed
in his judgement； to be a Woman so compleate and perfect； as he had
never seene her equall before： and therefore； he accounted the man
more then fortunate； that was worthy to embrace her in his armes。
Continuing this amorous observation of her from time to time； and
knowing withall； that rare and excellent things are not easily
obtained； but by painefull study； labour； and endeavour： hee
resolved with himselfe constantly； to put in practise all his best
parts of industry； onely to honour and please her； and attaining to
her contentation； it would be the means to winne her love； and
compasse thereby his hearts desire。
The yong Lady； who fixed not her eyes on inferiour subjects （but
esteemed her selfe above ordinary reach or capacity） could moove
them artificially； as curious women well know how to doe； looking on
every side about her； yet not in a gadding or grosse manner： for
she was not ignorant in such darting glaunces； as proceeded from an
enflamed affection； which appearing plainely in Reniero； with a pretty
smile； shee said to her selfe。 I am not come hither this day in vaine；
for； if my judgement faile me not； I thinke I have caught a
Woodcocke by the Bill。 And lending him a cunning looke or two；
queintly caried with the corner of her eye； she gave him a kinde of
perswading apprehension； that her heart was the guide to her eye。
And in this artificial Schoole…tricke of hers； shee carryed
therewith another consideration； to wit； that the more other eyes
fedde themselves on her perfections； and were （well…neere） lost in
them beyond recovery： so much the greater reason had he to account his
fortune beyond comparison； that was the sole master of her heart；
and had her love at his command。
Our witty Scholler having set aside his Philosophicall
considerations； strove how he might best understand her carriage
toward him； and beleeving that she beheld him with pleasing regards；
hee learned to know the house where shee dwelt； passing daily by the
doore divers times； under colour of some more serious occasions：
wherein the Lady very proudly gloried； in regard of the reasons before
alleadged； and seemed to affoord him lookes of goode liking。 Being led
thus with a hopefull perswasion； bee found the meanes to gaine
acquaintance with her waiting…woman； revealing to her his intire
affection； desiring her to worke for him in such sort with her Lady；
that his service might be gracious in her acceptance。 The
Gentlewoman made him a very willing promise； and immediately did his
errand to her Lady； who heard her with no small pride and
squemishnesse； and breaking forth into a scornefull laughter； thus she
spake。
Ancilla （for so she was named） dost thou not observe； ho