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her； and she told me； it was another pursuite of Philipello
Fighinolfi； who （quoth shee） upon such answers as you have caused me
to send him from time to time； perhappes doth gather some hope of
prevailing in the end； which maketh him still to importune me as he
doth。 And now he adventureth so farre； as to understand my finall
intention； having thus ordered his complot； that when I please； I must
meet him secretly in a house of this City； where he hath prepared a
Bath ready for me； and hopeth to enjoy the end of his desire； as
very earnestly he hath solicited me thereto。 But if you had not
commanded me； to hold him in suspense with so many frivolous
answers； I would ere this； have sent him such a message； as should
have bene little to his liking。
With patience Madam I endured all before； but now （me thinkes） he
proceedeth too farre； which is not any way to be suffered； and
therefore I intended to let you know it； that you may perceive； how
wel you are rewarded for the faithfull and loyall love you beare
him； and for which； I was even at deaths dore。 Now； because you may be
the surer of my speeches； not to be any lyes or fables； and that you
may （if you please） approve the truth by your owne experience； I
caused my wife to send him word； that she would meet him to morrow
at the Bathing…house appointed； about the houre of noone…day； when
people repose themselves in regard of the heates violence； with
which answer the woman returned very jocondly。 Let me now tell you
Lady； I hope you have better opinion of my wit； then any meaning in
me； to send my wife thither； I rather did it to this end； that
having acquainted you with his treacherous intent； you should supply
my wives place； by saving both his reputation and your owne； and
frustrating his unkind purpose to me。 Moreover； upon the view of his
owne delusion； wrought by my wife in meere love to you； he shall see
his foule shame； and your most noble care； to keepe the rites of
marriage betweene you still unstained。
Madame Catulla； having heard this long and unpleasing report；
without any consideration； either what he was that tolde the tale；
or what a treason he intended against her： immediately （as jealous
persons use to doe） she gave faith to his forgerie； and began to
discourse many things to him； which imagination had often misguided
her in； against her honest minded husband； and enflamed with rage；
suddenly replied； that shee would doe according as he had advised her；
as being a matter of no difficulty。 But if he came； she would so shame
and dishonour him； as no woman whatsoever should better schoole him。
Ricciardo highly pleased herewith； and being perswaded； that his
purpose would take the full effect： confirmed the Lady in her
determination with many words more； yet putting her in memory； to
keepe her faithfull promise made； without revealing the matter to
any living person； as shee had sworne upon her faith。
On the morrow morning； Ricciardo went to an auncient woman of his
acquaintance； who was the Mistresse of a Bathing…house； and there
where he had appointed Madame Catulla； that the Bath should bee
prepared for her； giving her to understand the whole businesse； and
desiring her to be favourable therein to him。 The woman； who had beene
much beholding to him in other matters； promised very willingly to
fulfill his request； concluding with him； both what should be done and
said。 She had in her house a very darke Chamber； without any window to
affoord it the least light； which Chamber she had made ready；
according to Ricciardoes direction； with a rich Bed thereir； so soft
and delicate as possible could bee； wherein he entred so soone as he
had dined； to attend the arrivall of Madame Catulla。 On the same
day； as she had heard the speeches of Ricciardo； and gave more
credit to them then became her； shee returned home to her house in
wonderfull impatience。 And Philippello her husband came home
discontentedly too； whose head being busied about some worldly
affaires； perhaps he looked not so pleasantly； neither used her so
kindly； as he was wont to doe。 Which Catulla perceiving； shee was
ten times more suspicious then before； saying to her selfe。 Now
apparent trueth doth disclose it selfe； my husbands head is troubled
now with nothing else； but Ricciardoes wife； with whom （to morrow）
he purposeth his meeting； wherein he shall be disappointed； if I live；
taking no rest at all the whole night； for thinking how to handle
her husband。
What shall I say more？ On the morrow； at the houre of mid…day
accompanied onely with her Chamber…mayde； and without any other
alteration in opinion； shee went to the house where the Bath was
promised； and meeting there with the olde woman； demaunded of her；
if Philippello were come thither as yet or no？ The woman； being well
instructed by Ricciardo； answered： Are you shee that should meete
him heere？ Yes； replied Catulla。 Goe in then to him （quoth the
woman） for he is not farre off before you。
Madame Catulla； who went to seeke that which shee would not finde；
being brought vailed into the darke Chamber where Ricciardo was；
entred into the Bath； hoping to finde none other there but her
husband； and the custome of the Country； never disallowed such
meetings of men with their wives； but held them to be good and
commendable。 In a counterfeit voyce he bad her welcome； and she； not
seeming to be any other then shee was indeed； entertained his
imbracings in as loving manner； yet not daring to speake； least he
should know her； but suffered him to proceede in his owne errour。
Let passe the wanton follies passing betweene them； and come to
Madame Catulla； who finding it a fit and convenient time； to vent
forth the tempest of her spleene； began in this manner。 Alas！ how
mighty； are the misfortunes of women； and how ill requited is all
the loyall love of many wives to their husbands？ I； a poore
miserable Lady； who； for the space of eight yeeres now fully
compleated； have loved thee： more dearely then mine owne life； finde
now （to my hearts endlesse griefe） how thou wastest and consumest
thy desires； to delight them with a strange woman； like a most vile
and wicked man as thou art。 With whom doest thou now imagine thy selfe
to be？ Thou art with her； whom thou hast long time deluded by false
blandishments； feigning to affect her； when thou doatest in thy
desires else…where。 I am thine owne Catulla； and not the wife of
Ricciardo； trayterous and unfaithfull man； as thou art。 I am sure thou
knowest my voyce； and I thinke it a thousand yeeres； until wee may see
each other in the light； to doe thee such dishonour as thou justly
deservest； dogged； disdainfull； and villainous wretch。 By conceiving
to have another woman in thy wanton embraces thou hast declared more
joviall disposition； and demonstrations of farre greater kindnesse；
then domesticke familiarity。 At home thou lookest sower； sullen or
surly； often froward； and seldome well pleased。 But the best is；
whereas thou intendest this husbandrie for another mans ground； thou
hast （against thy will） bestowed it on thine owne； and the water
hath runne a contrary course； quite from the current where thou
m