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all beheld her with admiration； to be so happily recovered from her
grave Signior Gentile lived long after； a loyall friend to
Nicoluccio and his Lady； and all that were well…willers to them。
What thinke you now Ladies？ Can you imagine； because a King gave
away his Crowne and Scepter； and an Abbot （without any cost to
himselfe） reconciled a Malefactor to the Pope； and an old
idle…headed man； yeelding to the mercy of his enemy： that all those
actions are comparable to this of Signior Gentile？ Youth and ardent
affection； gave him a just and lawfull title； to her who was free
（by imagined death） from Husband； Parents； and all friends else； she
being so happily wonne into his owne possession。 Yet honestly not
onely overswayed the heate of desire； which in many men is violent and
immoderate： but with a bountifull and liberall soule； that which he
coveted beyond all hopes else； and had within his owne command； he
freely gave away。 Beleeve me （bright Beauties） not any of the other
（in a true and unpartiall judgement ） are worthy to be equalled with
this； or stiled by the name of magnificent actions。
THE TENTH DAY； THE FIFT NOVELL
ADMONISHING ALL LADIES AND GENTLEWOMEN； THAT ARE DESIROUS TO
PRESERVE THEIR CHASTITY； FREE FROM ALL BLEMISH AND TAXATION： TO
MAKE NO PROMISE OF YEELDING TO ANY； UNDER A COMPACT OR
COVENANT； HOW IMPOSSIBLE SOEVER IT MAY SEEME TO BE
Madame Dianora； the Wife of Signior Gilberto； being immodestly
affected by Signior Ansaldo； to free her selfe from his tedious
importunity； she appointed him to performe （in her judgement） an act
of impossibility； namely； to give her a Garden； as plentifully
stored with fragrant Flowers in January； as in the flourishing
moneth of May。 Ansaldo； by meanes of a bond which he made to a
Magitian； performed her request。 Signior Gilberto； the Ladyes Husband；
gave consent； that his Wife should fulfill her promise made to
Ansaldo。 Who hearing the bountifull mind of her Husband； released
her of her promise： And the Magitian likewise discharged Signior
Ansaldo； without taking any thing of him。
Not any one in all the Company； but extolled the worthy Act of
Signior Gentile to the skies； till the King gave command to Madame
Aemillia； that she should follow next with her Tale； who boldly
stepping up； began in this order。
Gracious Ladies； I thinke there is none heere present among us；
but （with good reason） may maintaine； that Signiour Gentile
performed a magnificent deede； but whosoever saith； it is impossible
to do more； perhaps is ignorant in such actions； as can and may be
done； as I meane to make good unto you； by a Novell not overlong or
tedious。
The Countrey of Fretulium； better knowne by the name of Forum Julij；
although it be subject to much cold； yet it is pleasant； in regard
of many goodly Mountaines； Rivers； and cleare running Springs；
wherewith it is not meanly stored。 Within those Territories； is a City
called Udina； where sometime lived a faire and Noble Lady； named
Madame Dianora； WiFe to a rich and woorthie Knight； called Signior
Gilberto； a man of very great fame and merite。
This beautiful Lady； beeing very modest and vertuously inclined； was
highly affected by a Noble Baron of those parts； tearmed by the name
of Signior Ansaldo Gradense； a man of very great spirit； bountifull；
active in Armes； and yet very affable and courteous； which caused
him to be the better respected。 His love to this Lady was
extraordinary； hardly to bee contained within any moderate compasse；
striving to bee in like manner affected of her： to which end； she
wanted no daily solicitings； Letters； Ambassages and Love…tokens；
all proving to no purpose。
This vertuous Lady； being wearied with his often temptations； and
seeing； that by denying whatsoever he demanded； yet he wold not give
over his suite； but so much the more importunatly stil pursued her：
began to bethinke her selfe； how she might best be rid of him； by
imposing some such taske upon him； as should bee impossible （in her
opinion） for him to effect。 An olde woman； whom hee imployed for his
continual messenger to her； as shee came one day about her ordinary
errand； with her she communed in this manner。 Good woman （quoth she）
thou hast so often assured me； that Signior Ansaldo loveth me above
all other Women in the world； offering me wonderfull gifts and
presents in his name； which I have alwayes refused； and so stil wil
do； in regard I am not to be woon by any such allurements： yet if I
could be soundly perswaded； that his affection is answerable to thy
peremptory protestations； I shoulde （perhaps） be the sooner wonne；
to listen to his suite in milder manner； then hitherto I have done。
Wherefore； if he wil give me assurance； to perform such a businesse as
I mean to enjoyne him； he shall the speedier heare better answer
from me； and I wil confirme it with mine oath。
Wonderfully pleased was Mistresse Maquerella； to heare a reply of
such comfortable hope； and therefore desired the Lady； to tel hir what
she wold have done。 Listen to me wel （answerd Madam Dianora） the
matter which I would have him to effect for me； is； without the wals
of our City； and during the month of Januarie nexte ensuing； to
provide me a Garden； as fairely furnished with all kind of fragrant
flowers； as the flourishing month of May can yeelde no better。 If he
be not able to accomplish this imposition； then I command him； never
hereafter to solicite me any more； either by thee； or any other
whatsoever： for； if he do importune me afterward； as hitherto I have
concealed his secret conspiring； both from my husband； and all my
friends； so wil I then lay his dishonest suite open to the world； that
he may receive punishment accordingly； for offering to wrong a
Gentleman in his wife。
When Signior Ansaldo heard her demand； and the offer beside
thereuppon made him （although it seemed no easie matter； but a thing
meerly impossible to be done） he considered advisedly； that she made
this motion to no other end； but onely to bereave him of all his hope；
ever to enjoy what so earnestly hee desired： neverthelesse； he would
not so give it utterly over； but would needs approve what could be
done。 Heereupon； hee sent into divers partes of the world； to find out
any one that was able to advise him in this doubtfull case。 In the
end； one was brought to him； who beeing well recompenced for his
paines； by the Art of Nigromancie would under take to do it。 With
him Signior Ansaldo covenanted； binding himselfe to pay a great
summe of mony； upon performance of so rare a deed； awaiting （in
hopefull expectation） for the month of januaries comming。 It being
come； and the weather then in extreamity of cold； every being
covered with ice and snow； the Magitian prevailed so by his Art；
that after the Christmas Holy dayes were past； and the Calends of
january entred： in one night； and without the Cittie Wals； the
goodliest Garden of flowers and fruites； was sodainely sprung up； as
（in opinion of such as beheld it） never was the like seen before。
Now Ladies； I think I need not demand the question； whether Signior
Ansaldo were wel p