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returning the like courtesie to him； began to observe him advisedly：
more； because he looked like a man newly come thither； then any
handsomnesse she perceyved in him。
Calandrino threw wanton glances at her； and seeing she was both
faire and lovely； began to finde some occasion of tarrying； so that he
returned not with water to his other associates； yet neither knowing
her； or daring to deliver one word。 She； who was not to learn her
lesson in alluring； noting what affectionate regards （with
bashfulnesse） he gave her： answered him more boldly with the like； but
meerly in scorning manner； breathing forth divers dissembled sighs
among them： so that Calandrino became foolishly inveigled with her
love； and would not depart out of the Court； until Phillippo； standing
above in his Chamber window called her thence。
When Calandrino was returned backe to his businesse； he could do
nothing else； but shake the head； sigh； puffe； and blowe； which
being observed by Bruno （who alwayes fitted him according to his
folly； as making a meer mockery of his very best behaviour） sodainly
he said。 Why how now Calandrino？ Sigh； puffe； and blow man？ What may
be the reason of these unwonted qualities？ Calandrino immediately
answered； saying： My friendly Companion Bruno； if I had one to lend me
a little helpe； I should very quickely become well enough。 How？ quoth
Bruno； doth any thing offend thee； and wilt thou not reveale it to thy
friend Deare Bruno； said Calandrino； there is a proper handsome
woman here in the house； the goodliest creature that ever any eye
beheld； much fairer then the Queen of Fairies her selfe； who is so
deeply falne in love with mee； as thou wouldst thinke it no lesse then
a wonder； and yet I never sawe her before； till yer while when I was
sent to fetch water。 A very strange case； answered Bruno； take heede
Calandrino； that shee bee not the lovely friend to Phillippo； our yong
Master； for then it may prove a dangerous matter。
Calandrino stood scratching his head an indifferent while； and
then sodainly replyed thus。 Now trust me Bruno； it is to bee
doubted； because he called her at his Window； and she immediatly
went up to his Chamber。 But what doe I care if it be so？ Have not
the Gods themselves bene beguiled of their Wenches； who were better
men then ever Phillippo can be； and shall I stand in feare of him？
Bruno replied： Be patient Calandrino； I will enquire what Woman she
is； and if she be not the wife or friend to our young master
Phillippo； with faire perswasions I can over…rule the matter；
because shee is a familiar acquaintance of mine。 But how shall wee
doe； that Buffalmaco may not know heereof？ I can never speake to
her； if hee be in my company。 For Buffalmaco （quoth Calandrino） I have
no feare at all； but rather of Nello； because he is a neer Kinsman
to my wife； and he is able to undo me quite； if once it should come to
his hearing。 Thou saist well； replyed Bruno； therefore the matter hath
neede to be very cleanly carried。
Now let me tell you； the Woman was well enough knowne to Bruno； as
also her quality of life； which Phillippo had acquainted him
withall； and the reason of her resorting thither。 Wherefore；
Calandrino going forth of the roome where they wrought； onely to gaine
another sight of Nicholetta； Bruno revealed the whole history to
Buffalmaco and Nello； they all concluding together； how this amorous
fit of the foole was to be followed。 And when Calandrino was
returned backe againe； in whispering maner Bruno said to him。 Hast
thou once more seene her？ Yes； yes Bruno； answered Calandrino： Alas；
she hath slaine me with her very eye； and I am no better then a dead
man。 Be patient said Bruno； I will goe and see whether she be the same
woman which I take her for； or no： and if it prove so； then never
feare； but refer the businesse unto me。
Bruno descending downe the staires； found Phillippo and Nicholetta
in conference together； and stepping unto them； discoursed at large；
what manner of man Calandrino was； and how farre he was falne in
love with her： so that they made a merry conclusion； what should be
performed in this case； onely to make a pastime of his hot begun love。
And being come backe againe to Calandrino； he saide。 It is the same
woman whereof I told thee； and therefore wee must worke wisely in
the businesse： for if Phillippo perceive any thing； all the water in
Arno will hardly serve to quench his fury。 But what wouldst thou
have me say to her on thy behalfe； if I compasse the meanes to
speake with her？ First of all （quoth Calandrino） and in the prime
place； tell her； that I wish infinite bushels of those blessings；
which makes Maides Mothers； and begetteth children。 Next； that I am
onely hers； in any service she wil command me。 Dooest thou
understand me what I say？ Sufficiently answered Bruno； leave all to
me。
When supper time was come； that they gave over working； and were
descended downe into the Court： there they found Phillippo and
Nicholetta readily attending to expect some beginning of amorous
behaviour； and Calandrino glanced such leering lookes at her； coughing
and spetting with hummes and haes； yea in such close and secret
manner； that a starke blinde sight might verie easily have perceyved
it。
She also on the other side； returned him such queint and cunning
carriage； as enflamed him farre more furiously； even as if hee were
ready to leape out of himselfe。 In the meane while； Phillippo；
Buffalmaco and the rest that were there present； seeming as if they
were seriouslie consulting together； and perceived nothing of his
fantastick behavior； according as Bruno had appointed； could scarse
refraine from extremity of laughter； they noted such antick trickes in
Calandrino。
Having spent an indifferent space in this foppish folly； the houre of
parting came； but not without wonderful affliction to Calandrino；
and as they were going towards Florence； Bruno saide closely to
Calandrino。 I dare assure thee； that thou hast made her to consume and
melt； even like ice against the warme Sunne。 On my word； if thou
wouldst bring thy Gitterne； and sit downe by us； singing some few
amorous songs of thine owne making； when we are beneath about our
businesse in the Court： shee would presently leape out of the
Window； as being unable to tarry from thee。
I like thy counsell well Bruno； answered Calandrino； but shall I
bring my Gitterne thither indeed？ Yes； in any case； replied Bruno； for
Musicke is a matter of mighty prevailing。 Ah Bruno （quoth
Calandrino） thou wouldst not credit me in the morning； when I tolde
thee； how the very sight of my person had wounded her： I perceived
it at the very first looke of her owne； for shee had no power to
conceale it。 Who but my selfe could so soone have enflamed her
affection； and being a woman of such worth and beauty as shee is？
There are infinite proper handsome fellowes； that daily haunt the
company of dainty Damosels； yet are so shallow in the affayres of
love； as they are not able to win one wench of a thousand； no； not
with all the wit they have； such is their extreame follie and ill
fortune。
Then pausing a while； and sodainely rapping out a Lovers Oath