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onely for ransacking dead mens graves in the night season； but many
other abhominable Villanies committed by him； which so fearfully
assaulted him； that his haire stoode on end； every member of him
quaked； and every minute he imagined Scannadio rising； with intent
to strangle him in the grave。 But his fervent affection overcoming all
these idle feares； and lying stone still； as if he had beene the
dead man indeede； he remained to see the end of his hope。
On the contrary side； after midnight was past； Rinuccio Palermini
departed from his lodging； to do what hee was enjoyned by his hearts
Mistresse； and as hee went along； divers considerations also ran in
his minde； concerning occasions possible to happen。 As； falling into
the hands of Justice； with the body of Scannadio upon his backe； and
being condemned for sacriledge； in robbing graves of the dead；
either to be burned； or otherwise so punished； as might make him
hatefull to his best friends； and meerely a shame to himselfe。
Many other the like conceits mollested him； sufficient to alter
his determination： but affection was much more prevayling in him；
and made him use this consultation。 How now Rinuccio？ Wilt dare to
deny the first request； being mooved to thee by a Gentlewoman； whom
thou dearly lovest； and is the onely meanes； whereby to gaine
assurance of her gracious favour？ Undoubtedly； were I sure to die in
the attempt； yet I will accomplish my promise。 And so he went on
with courage to the grave。
Alessandro hearing his arrivall； and also the removall of the bords；
although he was exceedingly affraid； yet he lay quietly stil； and
stirred not； and Rinuccio beeing in the grave； tooke Alessandro by the
feete； haling him forth； and （mounting him uppon his backe） went on
thus loden； towards the house of Madam Francesca。 As he passed along
the streets； unseene or unmet by any； Alessandro suffered many
shrewd rushings and punches； by turnings at the streets corners； and
jolting against bulkes； poasts； and stalles； which Rinuccio could
not avoyd； in regard the night was so wonderfully darke； as hee
could not see which way he went。
Being come somewhat neere to the Gentlewomans house； and she
standing readie in the Window with her Maide； to see when Rinuccio
should arrive there with Alessandro； provided also of an apt excuse；
to send them thence like a couple of Coxcombes； it fortuned； that
the Watchmen； attending there in the same streete； for the
apprehension of a banished man； stolne into the City contrarie to
order； hearing the trampling of Rinuccioes feete； directed their
course as they heard the noise； having their Lanthorne and light
closely covered； to see who it should be； and what he intended； and
beating their weapons against the ground； demanded； Who goes there？
Rinuccio knowing their voyces； and that now was no time for any long
deliberation： let fall Alessandro； and ran away as fast as his legs
could carry him。
Alessandro being risen againe （although he was cloathed in
Scannadioes Garments； which were long and too bigge for him） fledde
away also as Rinuccio did。 All which Madame Francesca easily discerned
by helpe of the Watchmens Lanthorne； and how Rinuccio carried
Alessandro on his backe； beeing attired in the Garments of
Scannadio： whereat she mervailed not a litle； as also the great
boldnesse of them both。 But in the midst of her mervailing； she
laughed very heartily； when she saw the one let the other fall； and
both to runne away so manfully。 Which accident pleasing her beyond all
comparison； and applauding her good Fortune； to bee so happily
delivered from their daily mollestation： she betooke her selfe to
hir Chamber with the Maide； avouching solemnly to her； that
（questionlesse） they both affected her dearely； having undertaken such
a straunge imposition； and verie neere brought it to a finall
conclusion。
Rinuccio； being sadly discontented； and curssing his hard fortune；
would not yet returne home to his Lodging： but； when the watch was
gone forth of that streete； came backe to the place where he let
fall Alessandro； purposing to accomplish the rest of his enterprize。
But not finding the body； and remaining fully perswaded； that the
Watchmen were possessed thereof； hee went away； greeving extreamly。
And Alessandro； not knowing now what should become of him：
confounded with the like griefe and sorrow； that all his hope was thus
utterly overthrowne； retired thence unto his owne house； not knowing
who was the Porter which carried him。
The next morning； the grave of Scannadio being found open； and the
body not in it； because Alessandro had thrown it into a deep ditch
neere adjoyning： all the people of Pistoya were possessed with
sundry opinions； some of the more foolish sort verily beleeving；
that the divell had caried away the dead body。 Neverthelesse； each
of the Lovers severally made knowne to Madam Francesca； what he had
done； and how disappointed； either excusing himselfe； that though
her command had not bin fully accomplished； yet to continue her favour
towards him。 But she； like a wise and discreet Gentlewoman； seeming
not to credit either the one or other： discharged her selfe honestly
of them both； with a cutting answere； That shee would never
（afterward） expect any other service from them； because they had
fayled in their first injunction。
THE NINTH DAY； THE SECOND NOVELL
WHEREBY IS DECLARED； THAT WHOSOEVER IS DESIROUS TO REPREHEND
SINNE IN OTHER MEN； SHOULD FIRST EXAMINE HIMSELFE； THAT HE
BE NOT GUILTIE OF THE SAME CRIME
Madame Usimbalda； Lady Abbesse of a Monastery of Nuns in
Lombardie； arising hastily in the night time without a Candle； to take
one of her Daughter Nunnes in bed with a yong Gentleman； whereof she
was enviously accused； by certaine of her other Sisters： The Abbesse
her selfe （being at the same time in bed with a Priest） imagining to
have put on her head her plaited vayle； put on the Priests breeches。
Which when the poore Nunne perceyved； by causing the Abbesse to see
her owne error； she got her selfe to be absolved； and had the freer
liberty afterward； to be more familiar with her frend； then formerly
she had bin。
By this time； Madame Philomena sate silent； and the wit of
Francesca； in freeing her selfe from them whom she could not fancie；
was generally commended： as also on the contrary； the bold presumption
of the two amorous suiters； was reputed not to be love； but meerely
folly。 And then the Queene； with a gracious admonition； gave way for
Madam Eliza to follow next； who presently thus began。
Worthy Ladies； Madame Francesca delivered her selfe discreetly
from trouble； as already hath bin related： but a yong Nun； by the
helpe and favour of Fortune； did also free her selfe （in speaking
advisedly） from an inconvenience sodainly falling on her。 And as you
well know； there wants none of them； who （like bold Bayards） will be
very forward in checking other mens misdemeanors； when themselves；
as my Novell will approve； deserve more justly to bee corrected。 As
hapned to a Lady Abbesse； under whose governement the same young Nunne
was； of whom I am now