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honour； that they wil containe those principles of constancie； which
men are meerely carelesse of； and I justifie my wife to be one of
them。 Beleeve me Bernardo； replyed Ambroginolo； if so often as thy
wives minde is addicted to wanton folly； a badge of scorne should
arise on thy forehead； to render testimony of hir female frailty； I
beleeve the number of them would be more； then willingly you would
wish them to be。 And among all married men in every degree； the
notes are so secret of their wives imperfections； that the sharpest
sight is not able to discerne them： and the wiser sort of men are
willing not to know them； because shame and losse of honour is never
imposed； but in cases evident and apparant。
Perswade thy selfe then Bernardo； that what women may accomplish
in secret； they will rarely faile to doe： or if they abstaine； it is
through feare and folly。 Wherefore； hold it for a certaine rule；
that that is onely chaste； that never was solicited personally； or
if she endured any such suite； either shee answered yea； or no。 And
albeit I know this to be true； by many infallible and naturall
reasons； yet could I not speak so exactly as I doe； if I had not tried
experimentally； the humours and affections of divers Women。 Yea； and
let me tell thee more Bernardo； were I in private company with thy
wife； howsoever thou presumest to thinke her to be； I should account
it a matter of no impossibility； to finde in her the selfesame
frailty。
Bernardoes blood now began to boyle； and patience being a little put
downe by choller； thus he replyed。 A combat of words requires
over…long continuance； for I maintaine the matter which thou
deniest； and all this sorts to nothing in the end。 But seeing thou
presumest； that all women are so apt and tractable； and thy selfe so
confident of thine owne power： I willingly yeeld （for the better
assurance of my wifes constant loyalty） to have my head smitten off；
if thou canst winne her to any such dishonest act； by any meanes
whatsoever thou canst use unto her； which if thou canst not doe；
thou shalt onely loose a thousand duckets of Gold。 Now began
Ambroginolo to be heated with these words； answering thus。 Bernardo；
if I had won the wager； I know not what I should doe with thy head；
but if thou be willing to stand upon the proofe； pawne downe five
thousand Duckets of gold； （a matter of much lesse value then thy head）
against a thousand Duckets of mine； granting me a lawfull limited
time； which I require to be no more then the space of three moneths；
after the day of my departing hence。 I will stand bound to goe for
Geneway； and there winne such kinde consent of thy Wife； as shall be
to mine owne content。 In witnesse whereof； I will bring backe with
me such private and especiall tokens； as thou thy selfe shalt confesse
that I have not failed。 Provided； that thou doe first promise upon thy
faith； to absent thy selfe thence during my limitted time； and be no
hinderance to me by thy Letters； concerning the attempt by me
undertaken。
Bernardo saide； Be it a bargaine； am the man that will make good
my five thousand Duckets； and albeit the other Merchants then present；
earnestly laboured to breake the wager； knowing great harme must needs
ensue thereon： yet both the parties were so hot and fiery； as all
the other men spake to no effect； but writings was made； sealed； and
delivered under either of their hands； Bernardo remaining at Paris；
and Ambroginolo departing for Geneway。 There he remained some few
dayes； to learne the streetes name where Bernardo dwelt； as also the
conditions and qualities of his Wife； which scarcely pleased him
when he heard them； because they were farre beyond her Husbands
relation； and shee reputed to be the onely wonder of women； whereby he
plainely perceived； that he had undertaken a very idle enterprise； yet
would he not give it over so； but proceeded therein a little further。
He wrought such meanes； that he came acquainted with a poore
woman； who often frequented Bernardoes house； and was greatly in
favour with his wife； upon whose poverty he so prevailed； by earnest
perswasions； but much more by large gifts of money； that he won her to
further him in this manner following。 A faire and artificiall Chest he
caused to be purposely made； wherein himselfe might be aptly
contained； and so conveyed into the House of Bernardoes Wife； under
colour of a formall excuse； that the poore woman should be absent from
the City two or three dayes； and shee must keepe it safe till she
returne。 The Gentlewoman suspecting no guile； but that the Chest was
the receptacle of all the womans wealth； would trust it in no other
roome； then her owne Bed…chamber； which was the place where
Ambroginolo most desired to bee。
Being thus conveyed into the Chamber； the night going on apace；
and the Gentlewoman fast asleepe in her bed； a lighted Taper stood
burning on the Table by her； as in her Husbands absence shee ever used
to have： Ambroginolo softly opened the Chest； according as cunningly
hee had contrived it； and stepping forth in his sockes made of cloath；
observed the scituation of the Chamber； the paintings； pictures； and
beautifull hangings； with all things else that were remarkable；
which perfectly he committed to his memory。 Going neere to the bed； he
saw her lie there sweetly sleeping； and her young Daughter in like
manner by her； she seeming then as compleate and pleasing a
creature； as when shee was attired in her best bravery。 No especiall
note or marke could hee descrie； whereof he might make credible
report； but onely a small wart upon her left pappe； with some few
haires growing thereon； appearing to be as yellow as gold。
Sufficient had he seene； and durst presume no further； but taking
one of her Rings； which lay upon the Table； a purse of hers； hanging
by on the wall； a light wearing Robe of silke； and her girdle； all
which he put into the Chest； and being in himselfe； closed it fast
as it was before； so continuing there in the Chamber two severall
nights； the Gentlewoman neither mistrusting or missing any thing。
The third day being come； the poore woman； according as formerly was
concluded； came to have home her Chest againe； and brought it safely
into her owne house； where Ambroginolo comming forth of it；
satisfied the poore woman to her owne liking； returning （with all
the forenamed things） so fast as conveniently he could to Paris。
Being arrived there long before his limmitted time； he called the
Merchants together； who were present at the passed words and wager；
avouching before Bernardo； that he had won his five thousand
Duckets； and performed the taske he undertooke。 To make good his
protestation； first he described the forme of the Chamber； the curious
pictures hanging about it； in what manner the bed stood； and every
circumstance else beside。 Next he shewed the severall things； which he
brought away thence with him； affirming that he had received them of
her selfe。 Bernardo confessed； that his description of the Chamber was
true； and acknowledged moreover； that these other things did belong to
his Wife： But （quoth he） this may be gotten； by corrupting some
servant of m