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fortune。
Then pausing a while； and sodainely rapping out a Lovers Oath or
two； thus he proceeded。 My dearest Bruno； thou shalt see how I can
tickle my Gitterne； and what good sport will ensue thereon。 If thou
dost observe me with judgement； why man； I am not so old as I seeme to
be； and she could perceive it at the very first view； yea； and she
shall finde it so too； when we have leysure to consult upon further
occasions： I finde my selfe in such a free and frolicke jocunditie
of spirit； that I will make her to follow me； even as a fond woman
doth after her child。
But beware； saide Bruno； that thou do not gripe her over…hard； and
in kissing； bee carefull of biting； because the teeth stand in thy
head like the pegges of a Lute； yet make a comely shew in thy faire
wide mouth； thy cheekes looking like two of our artificiall Roses；
swelling amiably； when thy jawes are well fild with meat。 Calandrino
hearing these hansome comnendations； thought himselfe a man of
action already； going； singing； and frisking before his companie so
lively； as if he had not bin in his skin。
On the morrow； carrying his Gitterne thither with him； to the no
little delight of his companions； hee both played and sung a whole
Bed…role of himselfe to any worke all the day： but loitering
fantastically； one while he gazed out at the window； then ran to the
gate； and oftentimes downe into the Court onely to have a sight of his
Mistresse。 She also （as cunningly） encountred all his ollies； by
such directions as Bruno gave her； and many more beside of her owne
devising； to quicken him still with new occasions： Bruno plaid the
Ambassador betweene them； in delivering the messages from
Calandrino； and then returning her answers to him。 Sometimes when
she was absent thence （which often hapned as occasions called her）
then he would write letters in her name； and bring them； as if they
were sent by her； to give him hope of what hee desired； but because
she was then among her kindred； yet she could not be unmindfull of
him。
In this manner； Bruno and Buffalmaco （who had the managing of this
amorous businesse） made a meere Gregory of poore Calandrino； causing
him somtimes to send her； one while a pretty peece of Ivory； then a
faire wrought purse； and a costly paire of knives； with other such
like friendly tokens： bringing him backe againe； as in requital of
them； counterfetted Rings of no valew； Bugles and bables； which he
esteemed as matters of great moment。 Moreover； at divers close and
sodain meetings； they made him pay for many dinners and suppers；
amounting to indifferent charges； onely to be careful in the
furtherance of his lovesuit； and to conceale it from his wife。
Having worne out three or foure months space in this fond and
frivolous manner； without any other successe then as hath bene
declared； and Calandrino perceiving； that the worke undertaken by
him and his fellowes； grew very neere uppon the finishing； which would
barre him of any longer resorting thither： hee began to solicite Bruno
more importunately； then all the while before he hadde done。 In regard
whereof Nicholetta being one day come thither； and Bruno having
conferred both with her and Phillippo； with ful determination what was
to be done； he began with Calandrino； saying。 My honest Neighbour
and Friend； this Woman hath made a thousand promises； to graunt what
thou art so desirous to have； and I plainly perceive that she hath
no such meaning； but meerely plaies with both our noses。 In which
respect； seeing she is so perfidious； and will not perfourme one of
all her faithfull…made promises： if thou wilt consent to have it so；
she shall be compelled to do it whether she will or no。 Yea marry
Bruno； answered Calandrino； that were an excellent course indeede；
if it could be done； and with expedition。
Bruno stood musing awhile to himselfe； as if he had some strange
stratagem in his braine； and afterward said。 Hast thou so much
corage Calandrino； as but to handle a peece of written parchment；
which I will give thee？ Yes； that I have answered Calandrino； I hope
that needed not to be doubted。 then； saide Bruno； procure that I may
have a piece of Virgin Parchment brought mee； with a living Bat or
Reremouse； three graines of Incense； and an hallowed Candle； then
leave me to effect what shal content thee。 Calandrino watched all
the next night following； with such preparation as he could make；
onely to catch a Bat； which being taken at the last； he broght it
alive to Bruno （with all the other materials appointed） who taking him
alone into a backer Chamber； there hee wrote divers follies on the
Parchment； in the shape of strange and unusuall Charracters； which
he delivered to Calandrino； saying： Be bold Calandrino； and build
constantly uppon my wordes； that if thou canst but touch her with this
sacred Charractred charme； she will immediately follow thee； and
fulfil whatsoever thou pleasest to command hir。 Wherefore； if
Phillippo do this day walke any whither abroad from this house；
presume to salute her； in any manner whatsoever it be； and touching
her with the written lines； go presently to the barn of hay； which
thou perceivest so neere adjoyning； the onely convenient place that
can be； because few or none resort thither。 She shall （in despight
of her blood） follow thee； and when thou hast her there； I leave
thee then to thy valiant victory。 Calandrino stood on tiptoe； like a
man newly molded by Fortune； and warranted Bruno to fulfil all
effectually。
Nello； whom Calandrino most of all feared and mistrusted； had a hand
as deepe as any of the rest in this deceite； and was as forward also
to have it performed； by Brunoes direction； hee went unto Florence；
where being in company with Calandrinoes Wife； thus hee began。
Cousine； thine unkinde usage by thine husband； is not unknown to me；
how he did beate thee （beyond the compasse of all reason） when he
brought home stones from the plain of Mugnone； in which regard； I am
very desirous to have thee revenged on him： which if thou wilt not do；
never repute me heereafter for thy Kinsman and Friend。 He is falne
in love with a Woman of the common gender； one that is to be hired for
money： he hath his private meetings with her； and the place is
partly knowne to me； as by a secret appointment （made very lately） I
am credibly given to understand； wherefore walke presently along
with me； and thou shalt take him in the heat of his knavery。
All the while as these words were uttering to her； shee could not
dissemble her inward impatience； but starting up as halfe franticke
with fury。 she said。 O notorious villaine！ Darest thou abuse thine
honest wife so basely？ I sweare by blessed Saint Bridget； thou shalt
be paid with coyne of thine owne stampe。 So casting a light wearing
Cloake about her； and taking a yong woman in her company； shee went
away with Nello in no meane haste。 Bruno seeing her comming a farre
off； said to Phillippo： You Sir； you know what is to be done； act your
part according to your appointment。 Phillippo went immediately into
the roome； where Calandrino and his other Consorts were at worke；
and said to them。 Honest friends； I have certaine oc