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the roome； where Calandrino and his other Consorts were at worke；
and said to them。 Honest friends； I have certaine occasions which
command mine instant being at Florence： worke hard while I am
absent； and I will not be unthankefull for it。 Away hee departed
from them； and hid himselfe in a convenient place； where he could
not be descryed； yet see whatsoever Calandrino did： who when he
imagined Phillippo to be farre enough off； descended downe into the
Court； where he found Nicholetta sitting alone； and going towards her；
began to enter into discoursing with her。
She knowing what remained to bee done on her behalfe； drew
somewhat neere him； and shewed her selfe more familiar then formerly
she had done： by which favourable meanes； he touched her with the
charmed Parchment； which was no sooner done； but with out using any
other kinde of language； hee went to the hay…Barne； whither
Nicholletta followed him； and both being entred； he closed the Barne
doore； and then stood gazing on her； as if hee had never seene her
before。 Standing stil as in a study； or bethinking himselfe what he
should say： she began to use affable gesture to him； and taking him by
the hand； made shew as if shee meant to kisse him； which yet she
refrained； though he （rather then his life） would gladly have had
it。 Why how now deare Calandrino （quoth she） jewell of my joy； comfort
of my heart； how many times have I longed for thy sweet Company？ And
enjoying it now； according to mine owne desire； dost thou stand like a
Statue； or man alla morte？ The rare tunes of the Gitterne； but （much
more） the melodious accents of thy voyce； excelling Orpheus or
Amphion； so ravished my soule； as I know not how to expresse the depth
of mine affection； and yet hast thou brought me hither； onely to looke
babies in mine eyes； and not so much as speake one kinde word to me？
Bruno and Buffalmaco； having hid themselves close behinde
Philippo； they both heard and saw all this amourous conflict； and as
Calandrino was quickning his courage； and wiping his mouth； with
intent to kisse her： his wife and Nello entred into the Barne； which
caused Nicholetta to get her gone presently； sheltring her self
where Philippo lay scouting。 But the enraged woman ranne furiously
upon poore daunted Calandrino； making such a pitiful massacre with her
nailes； and tearing the baire from his head； as hee meerely looked
like an infected Anatomy。 Fowle loathsome dog （quoth she） must you
be at your minions； and leave mee hunger…starved at home？ An olde
knave with （almost） never a good tooth in thy head； and yet art thou
neighing after young wenches？ hast thou not worke enough at home；
but must bee gadding in to other mens grounds？ Are these the fruites
of wandring abroad？
Calandrino being in this pittifull perplexity； stood like one neither
alive nor dead； nor daring to use any resistance against her； but fell
on his knees before his Wife； holding up his hands for mercy； and
entreating her （for charities sake） not to torment him any more： for
he had committed no harme at all； and the Gentlewoman was his
Masters Wife； who came with no such intent thither； as shee fondly
imagined。 Wife； or wife not （quoth she） I would have none to meddle
with my I but I that have the most right to him。
Bruno and Buffalmaco； who had laughed all this while heartily at
this pastime； with Phillippo and Nicholetta； came running in haste
to know the reason of this loude noise； and after they had pacified
the woman with gentle perswasions： they advised Calandrino； to walke
with his Wife to Florence； and returne no more to worke there
againe； least Phillippo hearing what had hapned； should be revenged on
him with some outrage。 Thus poore Calandrino miserably misused and
beaten； went home to Florence with his Wife； scoulded and raild at all
the way； beside his other molestations （day and night） afterward：
his Companions； Phillippo and Nicholetta； making themselves merry at
his mis…fortune。
THE NINTH DAY； THE SIXT NOVELL
WHEREIN IS MANIFESTED； THAT AN OFFENCE COMMITTED IGNORANTLY；
AND BY MISTAKING； OUGHT TO BE COVERED WITH GOOD ADVISE； AND
CIVILL DISCRETION
Two yong Gentlemen； the one named Panuccio； and the other Adriano；
lodged one night in a poore Inne； where one of them went to bed to the
Hostes Daughter； and the other （by mistaking his way in the darke）
to the Hostes Wife。 He which lay with the daughter； happened afterward
to the Hostes bed and told him what he had done； as thinking he
spake to his own companyon。 Discontentment growing betweene them；
the Mother perceiving her errour； went to bed to her daughter； and
with discreete language； made a generall pacification。
Calandrino； whose mishaps had so many times made the whole
assembly merry； and this last passing among them with indifferent
commendations： upon a generall silence commanded； the Queene gave
order to Pamphilus； that hee should follow next； as indeed he did；
beginning thus。 Praiseworthy Ladies； the name of Nicoletta； so
fondly affected by Calandrino； putteth mee in minde of a Novell；
concerning another Nicoletta； of whom I purpose to speake： to the ende
you may observe how by a sudden wary fore…sight； a discreet woman
compassed the meanes to avoyde a notorious scandall。
On the plaine of Mugnone； neere to Florence； dwelt （not long
since） an honest meane man； who kept a poore Inne or Ostery for
travellers； where they might have some slender entertainement for
their money。 As he was but a poore man； so his house affoorded but
very small receit of guests； not lodging any but on necessity； and
such as he had some knowledge of。 This honest poore hoste had a
woman （sufficiently faire） to his wife； by whom hee had also two
children； the one a comely young maiden； aged about fifteene yeares；
and the other a sonne； not fully （as yet） a yeare old； and sucking
on the mothers brest。
A comely youthfull Gentleman of our City； became amorously
affected to the Damosell； resorting thither divers times as hee
travelled on the way； to expresse how much he did respect her。 And she
accounting her fortune none of the meanest； to bee beloved by so
youthfull a Gallant； declared such vertuous and modest demeanour； as
might deserve his best opinion of her： so that their love grew to an
equall simpathy； and mutuall contentment of them both； in
expectation of further effects； he being named Panuccio； and she
Nicholletta。
The heate of affection thus encreasing day by day； Panuccio grew
exceedingly desirous to enjoy the fruits of hi； long continued liking；
and divers devises mustred in his braine； how he might compasse one
nights lodging in her fathers house； whereof hee knew every part and
parcell； as not doubting to effect what hee desired； yet
undiscovered by any； but the maide her selfe。
According as his intention aymed； so he longed to put it in
execution； and having imparted his mind to an honest loyall friend；
named Adriano； who was acquainted with the course of his love：
hyring two horses； and having Portmantues behind them； filled with
matters of no moment； they departed from Florence； as if