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to relate； will likewise condemne all the like kind of men； but more
especially such as thinke themselves endued with more strength then
Nature meant to bestow on them； foolishly beleeving； that they can
cover their owne defects by fabulous demonstrations； and thinking to
fashion other of their owne complexions； that are meerely strangers to
such grosse follies。
Know then； that there lived in Pisa （some hundred yeeres before
Tuscany and Liguria embraced the Christian faith） a judge better
stored with wisedome and ingenuity； then corporall abilities of the
body； named Signior Ricciardo di Cinzica。 He being more then halfe
perswaded； that hee could content a woman with such satisfaction as
hee daily bestowed on his studies； being a widdower； and extraordinary
wealthy； laboured with no meane paines； to enjoy a faire and youthfull
wife in marriage： both which qualities hee should much rather have
avoyded； if he could have ministred as good counsell to himselfe； as
he did to others； resorting to him for advice。 Upon this his amorous
and diligent inquisition； it came so to passe； that a worthy
Gentlewoman； called Bertolomea； one of the fairest and choisest yong
maids in Pisa； whose youth did hardly agree with his age； but muck was
the motive of this mariage； and no expectation of mutuall contentment。
The Judge being married； and the Bride brought solemnly home to his
house； we need make no question of brave cheare and banquetting；
well furnished by their friends on either side： other matters were now
hammering in the judges head； for thogh he could please all his
Clients with counsel； yet now such a suit was commenced against
himselfe； and in Beauties Court of continuall requests； that the Judge
failing in plea for his own defence； was often nonsuited by lack of
answer； yet he wanted not good wines； drugs； and all sorts of
restoratives to comfort the heart； and encrease good blood： but all
availed not。
But well fare a good courage； where performance faileth； hee could
liberally commend his passed joviall daies； and make a promise of as
faire felicities yet to come； because his youth would renew it selfe
like to the Eagle； and his vigour in as full force as before。 But
beside all these ydle allegations； would needs instruct his wife in an
Almanacke or Kalender； which he had （formerly） bought at Ravenna；
and wherein he plainely shewed her； that there was not one day in
the yeere； but it was dedicated to some Saint or other。 In reverence
of whom； and for their sakes； he approved by divers arguments and
reasons； that a man and his wife ought to abstaine from bedding
together。 Adding withall； that those Saints dayes had their Fasts
and Feasts； beside the foure seasons of the yeer； the vigils of the
Apostles； and a thousand other holy dayes； with Fridayes；
Saterdayes； and Sundayes； in honor of our Lords rest； and al the
holy time of Lent； as also certain observations of the Moone； and
infinit other exceptions beside； thinking perhaps； that it was as
convenient for men to refraine from their wives conversation； as he
did often time from sitting in the Court。 These were his dayly
documents to his young wife； wherewith （poore soule） she became so
tyred； as nothing could be more irksom to her； and very careful he
was； lest any other should teach her what belonged to working daies；
because he would have her know none but holy daies。 It came to
passe； that the season waxing extremely hot； Signior Ricciardo would
go to recreate himselfe at his house in the country； neere to the
blacke Mountaine； where for his faire wives more contentment； he
continued divers daies together。 And for her further recreation； he
gave order to have a day of fishing； he going aboord a small Pinnace
among the Fishers； and she in another； consorted with divers other
Gentlewomen； in whose company she was very well pleased。 Delight
made them launch further into the Sea； then either the Judge was
willing they should have done； or agreed with their owne safety。 For
sodainly a Galliot came upon them； wherein was one Pagamino a famous
Pyrate； who espying the two Pinnaces； made presently to them； and
seized on that wherein the women were。 When he beheld there so faire a
young Woman； he coveted after no other purchase； but mounting her into
his Galliot； in the sight of Signior Ricciardo； who by this time was
fearefully landed； he carried her away with him。 When Signior Judge
had seene this theft （he being so jealous of his wife； as scarsely
he would let the ayre breathe on her） it were needlesse to know
whether he was offended； or no。 He made complaint at Pisa； and in
other places beside； what injurie he had sustained by those Pyrates；
in carrying away his wife from him： but all in vaine； he neither （as
yet） knew the man； nor what was become of him。 Pagamino perceiving
what a beautifull woman shee was； made the more precious esteeme of
his purchase； and being himselfe a Batchelor； intended to keepe her as
his owne； comforting her with kinde and pleasing speeches； not using
any ill demeanor to her； because she wept and lamented greevously。 But
when night came； her husbands Kalender falling from her girdle； and
all the fasts and feasts quite out of her remembrance； she received
such curtesies from Pagamino； that before they could arrive at Monaco；
the Judge and his Law cases were almost out of memory； such was his
affable behaviour to her； and she began to converse with him in more
friendly manner； and he entreated her as honourably； as if she had bin
his espoused wife。
Within a short while after； report had acquainted the Judge； where
and how his wife was kept from him； whereupon hee determined； not to
send； but rather to go himselfe in person； and to redeeme her from the
Pyrate； with what summes of money he should demand。 By sea he passed
to Monaco； where he saw his wife； and she him； as （soone after） shee
made known to Pagamino。 The next morning； Signior Ricciardo meeting
with Pagamino； made meanes to be acquainted with bim； and within lesse
then an houres space； they grew into familiar conference； Pagamino yet
pretending not to know him； but expected what issue this talke would
sort to。 When time served； the Judge discoursed the occasion of his
comming thither； desiring him to demand what ransome he pleased； and
that he might have his wife home with him。 Whereto Pagamino answered。
My Lord Judge； you are welcome hither； and to answer you breefely
very true it is； that I have a yong Gentlewoman in my house； whom I
neither know to be your wife； or any other mans else whatsoever： for I
am ignorant both of you and her； albeit she hath remained a while here
with me。 If you be her husband； as you seeme to avouch； I will bring
her to you； for you appeare to be a worthy Gentleman； and
（questionlesse） she cannot chuse but know you perfectly。 If she do
confirme that which you have saide； and be willing to depart hence
with you： I shal rest well satisfied； and will have no other
recompence for her ransome （in regard of your grave and reverend
yeeres） but what your selfe shall please to give me。 But if it fall
out other then you have affirmed； you shal offer me great wrong； in
se