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hapned to a Lady Abbesse； under whose governement the same young Nunne
was； of whom I am now to speake。
You are then to understand （Gracious Auditors） that in Lombardie
there was a goodly Monastery； very famous for Holinesse and
Religion； where； among other sanctified Sisters； there was a yong
Gentlewoman； endued with very singular beautie； being named
Isabella； who on a day； when a Kinsman of hers came to see her at
the grate； became enamored of a young Gentleman； being then in his
company。
He likewise； beholding her to be so admirably beautifull； and
conceyving by the pretty glances of her eye； that they appeared to bee
silent intelligencers of the hearts meaning； grew also as
affectionately inclined towards her； and this mutuall love continued
thus concealed a long while； but not without great affliction unto
them both。 In the end； either of them being circumspect and
provident enough； the Gentleman contrived a meanes； whereby he might
secretly visite his Nunne； wherewith she seemed no way discontented：
and this visitation was not for once or twice； but verie often； and
closely concealed to themselves。
At length it came to passe； that either through their owne
indiscreete carriage； or jelous suspition in some others： it was
espied by one of the Sisters； both the Gentlemans comming and
departing； yet unknowne to him or Isabella。 The saide Sister；
disclosing the same to two or three more： they agreed together； to
reveale it to the Lady Abbesse； who was named Madame Usimbalda； a holy
and devout Lady； in common opinion of all the Nunnes； and whosoever
else knew her。
They further concluded （because Isabella should not deny theyr
accusation） to contrive the businesse so cunningly： that the Ladle
Abbesse should come her selfe in person； and take the yong Gentleman
in bed with the Nun。 And uppon this determination； they agreed to
watch nightly by turnes； because by no meanes they wold be
prevented： so to surprise poore Isabella； who beeing ignorant of their
treachery； suspected nothing。 Presuming thus still on this secret
felicitie； and fearing no disaster to befall her： it chaunced （on a
night） that the yong Gentleman being entred into the Nuns Dorter；
the Scowts had descried him； and intended to be revenged on her。
After some part of the night was overpast； they divided themselves
into two bands； one to guard Isabellaes Dorter doore； the other to
carry newes to the Abbesse； and knocking at her Closet doore； saide。
Rise quickely Madame； and use all the hast you may； for we have
seene a man enter our Sister Isabellaes Dorter； and you may take her
in bed with him。 The Lady Abbesse； who （the very same night） had the
company of a lusty Priest in bed with her selfe； as oftentimes
before she had； and he being alwayes brought thither in a Chest：
hearing these tidings； and fearing also； lest the Nunnes hastie
knocking at her doore； might cause it to fly open； and so （by their
entrance） have her owne shame discovered： arose very hastily； and
thinking she had put on her plaited vaile； which alwayes she walked
with in the night season； and used to tearme her Psalter； she put
the Priests breeches upon her head； and so went away in all hast
with them； supposing them verily to be her Psalter： but making fast
the Closet doore with her keye； because the Priest should not be
discovered。
Away shee went in all haste with the Sisters； who were so forward in
the detection of poore Isabella； as they never regarded what manner of
vaile the Lady Abbesse wore on her head。 And being come to the
Dorter doore； quickly they lifted it off from the hookes； and being
entred； found the two Lovers sweetly imbracing： but yet so amazed at
this sudden surprisall； as they durst not stirre； nor speake one word。
The young Nunne Isabella； was raised forthwith by the other Sisters；
and according as the Abbesse had comanded； was brought by them into
the Chapter…house： the yong Gentleman remaining still in the
Chamber； where he put on his garments； awaiting to see the issue of
this businesse； and verily intending to act severe revenge on his
betrayers； if any harme were done to Isabella； and afterward to take
her thence away with him； as meaning to make her amends by marriage。
The Abbesse being seated in the Chapter house； and all the other
Nunnes then called before her； who minded nothing else but the poore
offending Sister： she began to give her very harsh and vile
speeches； as never any transgressor suffered the like； and as to her
who had （if it should be openly knowne abroad） contaminated by her
lewde life and actions； the sanctity and good renowne of the whole
Monastery； and threatned her with very severe chastisement。 Poore
Isabella； confounded with feare and shame； as being no way able to
excuse her fault； knew not what answer to make； but standing silent；
made her case compassionable to all the rest； even those
hard…hearted Sisters which betrayed her。
And the Abbesse still continuing her harsh speeches； it fortuned；
that Isabella raising her head； which before she dejected into hir
bosome； espied the breeches on her head； with the stockings hanging on
either side of her； the sight whereof did so much encourage her；
that boldly she said。 Madam； let a poore offender advise you for to
mend your veile； and afterward say to me what you will。
The Abbesse being very angry； and not understanding what she
meant； frowningly answered。 Why how now saucy companion？ What vaile
are you prating of？ Are you so malapert； to bee chatting already？ Is
the deed you have done； to be answered in such immodest manner？
Isabella not a jot danted by her sterne behaviour； once againe said。
Good Madam let me perswade you to sette your vaile right； and then
chide me as long as you will。 At these words； all the rest of the
Nunnes exalted their lookes； to behold what vaile the Abbesse wore
on her head； wherewith Isabella should finde such fault； and she her
selfe lift up her hand to feele it： and then they all perceyved
plainly； the reason of Isabellas speeches； and the Abbesse saw her
owne error。
Hereupon； when the rest observed； that she had no help to cloud this
palpable shame withall； the tide began to turne； and hir tongue
found another manner of Language； then her former fury to poore
Isabella； growing to this conclusion； that it is impossible to
resist against the temptations of the flesh。 And therefore she
saide： Let all of you take occasion； according as it offereth it
selfe； as both we and our predecessors have done： to be provident
for your selves； take time while you may； having this sentence alwaies
in remembrance； Si non caste； tamen caute。
So； having granted the yong Nunne Isabella free absolution： the Lady
Abbesse returned backe againe to bed to the Priest； and Isabella to
the Gentleman。 As for the other Sisters； who （as yet） were without the
benefit of friends； they intended to provide themselves so soone as
they could； being enduced thereto by so good example。
THE NINTH DAY； THE THIRD NOVELL
DISCOVERING THE SIMPLICITY OF SOME SILLY WITTED MEN； AND HOW
EASIE A MATTER IT IS TO ABUSE AND BEGUILE THEM
M