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he did； carrying his commodities upon an Asse。 In signe of amitie；
according to the Countreyes custome； he never tearmed him otherwise
then by the name of Gossip Pietro and alwayes when he came to
Barletta； he brought him to his own house； taking it as his Inne；
entreating him very friendly； and in the best manner he could devise
to doe。 On the other side； Gossip Pietro being very poore； having
but one simple habitation in the village of Tresanti； hardly sufecient
for him； and an handsome young woman which he had to his wife； as also
his Asse： evermore when John de Barolo came to Tresanti； he would
bring him to his poore abiding； with all his uttermost abilitie of
entertainement； in due acknowledgement of the courtesie he afforded to
him at Barletta。 But when he came to take repose in the night
season； Gossip Pietro could not lodge him as gladly he would：
because he had but one silly bed； wherein himselfe and his wife lay；
so that John de Barolo was faigne to lie on a little straw； in a small
stable； close adjoyning by his owne Mule and the Asse。
The woman understanding； what good and honest welcome； Gossip John
afforded her husband； when he came to Barletta； was often very willing
to goe lodge with an honest neighbour of hers； called Carapresa di
Gludice Leo； because the two Gossips might both lie together in one
bed； wherewith divers times she acquainted her Husband； but by no
meanes he would admit it。
At one time among the rest； as she was making the same motion againe
to her Husband； that his friend might be lodged in better manner：
Gossip John thus spake to her。 Good Zita Carapresa； never molest
your selfe for me； because I lodge to mine owne contentment； and so
much the rather； in regard that whensoever I list： I can convert my
Mule into a faire young woman； to give mee much delight in the
night…season； and afterward make her a Mule againe： thus am I never
without her company。
The young woman wondring at these words； and beleeving he did not
fable in them： she told them to her Husband； with this addition
beside； Pietro （quoth she） if he be such a deare friend to thee； as
thou hast often avouched to me； wish him to instruct thee in so rare a
cunning； that thou maist make a Mule of me； then shalt thou have
both an Asse and a Mule to travell withall about thy businesse；
whereby thy benefit will be double： and when we returne home to our
house； then thou maist make mee thy wife againe； in the same condition
as I was before。 Gossip Pietro； who was （indeed） but a very Coxecombe；
beleeved also the words to be true； yeelding therefore the more gladly
to her advise； and moving the matter to his Gossip John； to teach
him such a wonderfull secret； which would redound so greatly to his
benefit： but John began to disswade him from it； as having spoken it
in merriment； yet perceiving； that no contradiction would serve to
Frevaile； thus he began。
Seeing you will needs have it so； let us rise to morrow morning
before day； as in our travell we use to doe； and then I will shew
you how it is to be done： onely I must and doe confesse； that the most
difficult thing of all the rest； is； to fasten on the taile； as thou
shalt see。
Gossip Pietro and his wife； could hardly take any rest all the night
long； so desirous they were to have the deed done； and therefore
when it drew towards day； up they arose； and calling Gossip John； he
came presently to them in his shirt； and being in the Chamber with
them； he said。 I know not any man in the world； to whom I would
disclose this secret； but to you； and therefore because you so
earnestly desire it； I am the more willing to doe it。 Onely you must
consent； to doe whatsoever I say； if you are desirous to have it done。
Faithfully they ey ；h promised to performe all； whereupon John
delivering a lighted Candle to Gossip Petro； to hold in his hand；
said。 Marke well what I doe； and remember all the words I say： but
be very carefull； that whatsoever thou hearest or seest； thou doe
not speake one word； for then the enchantment will be utterly
overthrowne； onely wish that the taile may be well set on； for therein
consisteth all the cunning。
Gossip Pietro holding the Candle； and the woman being prepared as
John had appointed her； she bowed her selfe forwardes with her hands
set to the ground； even as if she stood upon foure feete。 First with
his hands he touched her head and face； saying； Heere is the goodly
head of a Mule： then handling her disheveld haire； termed them the
goodly mane of a Mule。 Afterwardes； touching the body； armes； legs；
and feete； gave them all the apt names （for those parts） belonging
to a Mule； nothing else remaining； but onely the forming of the taile；
which when Pietro perceived； how John was preparing to fasten it on
（having no way misliked all his former proceeding：） he called to
him； saying： Forbeare Gossippe John； my Mule shal have no taile at
all； I am contented to have her without a taile。
How now Gossip Pietro？ answered John； What hast thou done？ Thou hast
mard all by this unadvised speaking； even when the worke was almost
fully finished。 It is no matter Gossip （answered Pietro） I can like my
Mule better without a taile； then to see it set on in such manner。
The fond yong woman； more covetously addicted to gayne and
commodity； then looking into the knavish intention of her Gossip John；
began to grow greatly offended。
Beast as thou art （quoth she to her Husband） why hast thou
overthrowne both thine owne good Fortune and mine？ Diddest thou ever
see a Mule without a taile？ Wouldst thou have had him make me a
monster？ Thou art wretchedly poore； and when we might have bin
enriched for ever； by a secret knowne to none but our selves； thou art
the Asse that hast defeated all； and made thy friend to become thine
enemy。 Gossippe John began to pacifie the woman； with solemne
protestations of his still continuing friendship； albeit
（afterwards） there was no further desiring of any more Mulemaking： but
Gossip Pietro fel to his former Trading onely with his Asse； as he was
no lesse himselfe； and hee went no more with Gossip John to the Faires
in Apuglia； neyther did he ever request； to have the like peece of
service done for him。
Although there was much laughing at this Novell； the Ladies
understanding it better； then Dioneus intended that they should have
done； yet himselfe scarsely smiled。 But the Novels being all ended；
and the Sunne beginning to loose his heate； the Queene also knowing；
that the full period of her government was come： dispossessing her
selfe of the Crowne； shee placed it on the head of Pamphilus； who
was the last of all to be honoured with this dignity； wherefore
（with a gracious smile） thus she spake to him。
Sir； it is no meane charge which you are to undergo； in making
amends （perhaps） for all the faults committed by my selfe and the
rest； who have gone before you in the same authority； and； may it
prove as prosperous unto you； as I was willing to create you our King。
Pamphilus having received the Honor with a chearfull mind； thus
answered。 Madam； your sacred vertues； and those （beside） remaining
in my other Subjects； will （no doubt） worke so eff