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imaginations； and to make no meane estimation of himselfe： As
（undoubtedly） that he was an hansome proper man； and of such cariage
and perfections； as had attracted the amorous eye of this Gentlewoman；
and induced her to like and love him beyond all other； Naples not
containing a man of better merit。 Whereupon he answered the Mayde；
that he was ready to attend her Mistresse； desiring to know； when it
should be； and where the Gentlewoman would speake with him？ So soone
as you please Sir； replied the Damosell； for she tarrieth your comming
in her owne house。
Instantly Andrea （without leaving any direction of his departure
in his lodging； or when he intended to returne againe） said to the
Girle： Goe before； and I will follow。 This little Chamber…commodity；
conducted him to her Mistresses dwelling； which was in a streete named
Malpertuis； a title manifesting sufficiently the streetes honesty： but
hee； having no such knowledge thereof； neither suspecting any harme at
all； but that he went to a most honest house； and to a Gentlewoman
of good respect； entred boldly： the Mayde going in before； and guiding
him up a faire payre of stayres； which he having more then halfe
ascended； the cunning young Queane gave a call to her Mistresse；
saying； Signior Andrea is come already； whereupon； she appeared at the
stayres…head； as if she had stayed there purposely to entertaine
him。 She was young； very beautifull； comely of person； and rich in
adornements； which Andrea well observing； and seeing her descend two
or three steps； with open armes to embrace him； catching fast hold
about his neck； he stood as a man confounded with admiration； and
she contained a cunning kinde of silence； even as if she were unable
to utter one word； seeming hindered by extremity of joy at his
presence； and to make him effectually admire her extraordinary
kindnesse； having teares plenteously at commaund； intermixed with
sighes and broken speeches； at last； thus she spake。
Signior Andrea； you are the most welcome friend to me in the
world； sealing this salutation with infinite sweet kisses and
embraces： whereat （in wonderfull amazement） he being strangely
transported； replied； Madame； you honour me beyond all compasse of
merit。 Then； taking him by the hand； shee guided him thorough a goodly
Hall； into her owne Chamber； which was delicately embalmed with Roses；
Orenge flowers； and all other pleasing smelles； and a costly bed in
the middest； curtained round about； verie artificiall Pictures
beautifying the walles； with many other embellishments； such as
those Countries are liberally stored withall。 He being meerely a
novice in these kinds of wanton carriages of the World； and free
from any base or degenerate conceite； firmely perswaded himselfe； that
（questionlesse） she was a Lady of no meane esteeme； and he more then
happy； to be thus respected and honored by her。 They both being seated
on a curious Chest at the beds feete； teares cunningly trickling downe
her Cheekes； and sighes intermedled with inward sobbings； breathed
foorth in sad； but verie seemely manner； thus shee beganne。
I am sure Andrea； that you greatly marvell at me； in gracing you
with this solemne and kinde entertainment； and why I should so melt my
selfe in sighes and teares； at a man that hath no knowledge of mee； or
perhaps； sildome or never heard any speeches of mee： but you shall
instantly receive from mee matter to augment your greater marvaile；
meeting heere with your owne Sister； beyond all hope or expectation in
eyther of us both。 But seeing that Heaven hath beene so gracious to
me； to let mee see one of my Brethren before I dye （though gladly I
would have seene them all） which is some addition of comfort to me；
and that which （happily） thou hast never heard before； in plaine and
truest manner； I will reveale unto thee。
Piero； my Father and thine； dwelt long time （as thou canst not
choose but to have understood） in Palermo； where； through the
bounty； and other gracious good parts remaining in him； he was much
renowned； and to this day； is no doubt remembred； by many of his
loving Friends and Wellwillers。 Among them that most intimately
affected Piero； my mother （who was Gentlewoman； and at that time a
widow） did deerest of all other love him； so that： forgetting the
feare of her Father； Brethren； yea； and her owne honour； they became
so privately acquainted； that I was begotten； and am heere now such as
thou seest me。 Afterward； occasions so befalling our Father； to
abandon Palermo； and returne to Perouse； he left my mother and me
his little daughter； never after （for ought that I could learne）
once remembring either her or me： so that （if he had not beene my
Father） I could have much condemned him； in regard of his
ingratitude to my mother； and love which hee ought to have shewne me
as his childe； being borne of no Chamber…maide； neyther of a Citty
sinner； albeit I must needes say； that she was blame…worthy； without
any further knowledge of him （rioved onely thereto by most loyal
affection） to commit both her selfe； and all the wealth shee had； into
his hands： but things ill done； and so long time since； are more
easily controulled； then amended。
Being left so young at Palermo； and growing （well neere） to the
stature as now you see me； my Mother （being wealthy） gave me in
marriage to one of the Gergentes Family； a Gentleman； and of great
revennues； who in his love to me and my mother； went and dwelt at
Palermo： where falling into the Guelphes Faction； and making one in
the enterprize with Charles our King； it came to passe； that they were
discovered to Fredericke King of Arragon； before their intent could be
put in execution： Whereupon； we were enforced to flye from Sicily；
even when my hope stoode fairely； to have beene the greatest Lady in
all the Island。 Packing up then such few things as wee could take with
us； （few I may well call them； in regard of our wealthy possessions；
both in Pallaces； Houses； and Lands； all which we were constrained
to forgo：） we made our recourse to this Citty； where we found King
Charles so benigne and gracious to us； that recompencing the greater
part of our losses； he bestowed Lands and houses on us here； beside
a continuall large pension to my husband your brother in Law； as
heereafter himselfe shall better acquaint you withal。 Thus came I
hither； and thus remaine here； where I am able to welcome my brother
Andrea； thankes more to Fortune； then any friendlinesse in him。 With
which words she embraced and kissed him many times； sighing and
weeping as she did before。
Andrea hearing this Fable so artificially delivered； composed from
point to point with such likely protestations； without faltring or
failing in any one words utterance； and remembring perfectly for
truth； that his Father had formerly dwelt at Palermo； knowing also （by
some sensible feeling in himselfe） the custome of young people； who
are easily conquered by affection in their youthfull heate； seeing
beside the tears； trembling speeches； and earnest embracings of this
cunning commodity； he tooke all to be true by her thus spoken； and
upon her silence； thus replyed。 Lady； let it not seeme st