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ordination： but rather do liberally graunt； that every one shall
devise and speake of arguments agreeing with your owne dispositions。
Besides； I am verily perswaded； that variety of matter uttered so
freely； will be much more delightfull； then restraint to one kinde
of purpose onely。 Which being thus granted by me； whosoever shal
succeede me in the government； may （as being of more power and
preheminence） restraine all backe againe to the accustomed lawes。
And having thus spoken； she dispensed with their any longer
attendance； untill it should be Supper time。
Every one commended the Queenes appointment； allowing it to
rellish of good wit and judgement： and being all risen； fell to such
exercises as they pleased。 The Ladies made Nosegaies and Chaplets of
Flowers； the men played on their Instruments； singing divers sweete
Ditties to them； and thus were busied untill Supper time。 Which beeing
come； and they supping about the beautifull Fountaine： after Supper；
they fell to singing and dauncing。 In the end； the Queene； to
imitate the order of her predecessors； commanded Pamphilus； that
notwithstanding all the excellent songs formerly sung： he should now
sing one； whereunto dutifully obeying； thus he began。
THE SONG
THE CHORUS SUNG BY ALL
Love； I found such felicitie；
And joy； in thy captivitie：
As I before did never prove；
And thought me happy； being in Love。
Comfort abounding in my hart；
Joy and Delight
In soule and spright
I did possesse in every part；
O Soveraigne Love by thee。
Thy Sacred fires；
Fed my desires；
And still aspires；
Thy happy thrall to bee。
Love； I found such felicity； etc。
My Song wants power to relate；
The sweets of minde
Which I did finde
In that most blissefull state；
O Soveraigne Love by thee。
No sad despaire；
Or killing care
Could me prepare；
Still thou didst comfort me。
Love； I found such felicity； etc。
I hate all such as do complaine；
Blaspheming thee
With Cruelty；
And sleights of coy disdaine。
O So raigne Love； to mee
Thou has bene kinde：
If others finde
Thee worse inclinde；
Yet I will honour thee。
Love； I found such felicitie；
And joy in thy Captivitie：
As I before did never prove；
But thought me happie； being in Love。
Thus the Song of Pamphilus ended； whereto all the rest （as a Chorus）
answered with their Voyces； yet every one particularly （according as
they felt their Love…sicke passions） made a curious construction
thereof； perhaps more then they needed； yet not Divining what
Pamphilus intended。 And although they were transported with variety of
imaginations； yet none of them could arive at his true meaning indeed。
Wherefore the Queene； perceiving the Song to be fully ended； and the
Ladies； as also the young Gentlemen； willing to go take their rest：
she commaunded them severally to their Chambers。
THE INDUCTION TO THE NINTH DAY
WHEREON； UNDER THE GOVERNMENT OF MADAME AIMILIA； THE ARGUMENT OF
EACH SEVERALL DESCOURSE； IS NOT LIMITTED TO ANY ONE PECULIAR
SUBJECT： BUT EVERY ONE REMAINETH AT LIBERTY； TO
SPEAK OF WHATSOEVER THEMSELVES BEST PLEASETH
Faire Aurora； from whose bright and chearefull lookes； the duskie
darke night flyeth as an utter enemy； had already reached so high as
the eight Heaven； converting it all into an Azure colour； and the
pretty Flowrets beganne to spred open their Leaves： when Madame
Aemillia； beeing risen； caused all her female attendants； and the yong
Gentlemen likewise； to be summoned for。 their personall appearance。
Who being all come； the Queen leading the way； and they following
her Majesticke pace； walked into a little Wood； not farre off
distant from the Palace。
Where the Queen； looking on Madam Philomena； gave her the honor of
beginning the first Novell for that day： whereto shee dutifully
condiscending； began as followeth。
THE NINTH DAY； THE FIRST NOVELL
APPROVING； THAT CHASTE AND HONEST WOMEN； OUGHT RATHER TO DENY
IMPORTUNATE SUITERS； BY SUBTILE AND INGENIOUS MEANES；
THEN FALL OF SCANDALL AND SLANDER
Madame Francesca； a Widdow of Pistoya； being affected by two
Florentine Gentlemen； the one named Rinuccio Palermini； and the
other Alessandro Chiarmontesi； and she bearing no good will to
eyther of them； ingeniously freed her selfe from both their
importunate suites。 One of them she caused to lye as dead in a
grave； and the other to fetch him from thence： so neither of them
accomplishing what they were enjoyned； fayled of obtaining his hoped
expectation。
Madame； it can no way discontent mee （seeing it is your most
gracious pleasure） that I should have the honour； to breake the
first staffe of freedome in this faire company （according to the
injunction of your Majesty） for liberty of our own best liking
arguments： wherein I dismay not （if I can speake well enough） but to
please you all as well； as any other that is to follow me。 Nor am I so
oblivious （worthy Ladies） but full well I remember； that many times
hath bene related in our passed demonstrations； how mighty and
variable the powers of love are： and yet I cannot be perswaded； that
they have all bene so sufficiently spoken of； but something may bee
further added； and the bottome of them never dived into； although we
should sit arguing a whole yeare together。 And because it hath beene
alreadie approved； that Lovers have bene led into divers accidents；
not onely inevitable dangers of death； but also have entred into the
verie houses of the dead； thence to convey their amorous friends： I
purpose to acquaint you with a Novell； beside them which have bene
discoursed； whereby you may not onely comprehend the power of Love；
but also the wisedome used by an honest Gentlewoman； to rid her
selfe of two importunate suiters； who loved her against her owne
liking； yet neither of them knowing the others affection。
In the City of Pistoya； there dwelt sometime a beautifull
Gentlewoman； being a Widdow； whom two of our Florentines （the one
named Rinuccio Palermini； and the other Alessandro Chiarmontesi；
having withdrawne themselves to Pistoya） desperately affected； the one
ignorant of the others intention； but each carrying his case
closely； as hoping to be possessed of her。 This Gentlewoman； named
Madame Francesca de Lazzari； being often solicited by their
messages； and troublesomely pestered with their importunities： at last
（lesse advisedly then she intended） shee granted admittance to heare
either of them speake。 Which she repenting； and coveting to be rid
of them both； a matter not easie to be done： she wittily devised the
onely meanes； namely； to move such a motion to them； as neither
would willingly undertake； yet within the compasse of possibility； but
they failing in the performance； shee might have the more honest
occasion； to bee free from all further mollestation by them； and her
politike intention was thus projected。
On the same day； when she devised this peece of service； a man was
buried