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disposition） by wrapping their bodies in such base clothing； they
condemned and despised all temporall occasions。 But now adaies they
make them large； deepe； glistering； and of the finest cloth or stuffes
to bee gotten； reducing those habites to so proude and pontificall a
forme； that they walke Peacock…like； rustling； and strouting with them
in the Churches； yea； and in open publike places； as if they were
ordinary secular persons； to have their pride more notoriously
observed。 And as the Angler bestoweth his best cunning； with one
line and baite to catch many fishes at one strike； even so do these
counterfeited habit…mongers； by their dissembling and crafty
dealing； beguile many credulous widdowes： simple women； yea； and men
of weake capacity； to credit whatsoever they doe or say； and herein
they doe most of all exercise themselves。
And to the end； that my speeches may not savor of any untruth
against them； these men which I speake of； have not any habite at
all of religious men； but onely the colour of their garments； and
whereas they in times past； desired nothing more then the salvation of
mens soules； these fresher witted fellowes； covet after women and
wealth； and employ all their paines by their whispering confessions；
and figures of painted fearefull examples； to affright and terrifie
unsetled and weake consciences； by horrible and blasphemous
speeches； yet adding perswasion withall； that their sinnes may be
purged by Almes…deedes and Masses。 To the end； that such as credit
them in these their dayly courses； being guided more by apparance of
devotion； then any true compunction of heart； to escape severe
penances by them enjoyned： may some of them bring bread； others
wine； others coyne； all of them matter of commoditie and benefit；
and simply say； these gifts are for the soules of their good friends
deceased。
I make not any doubt； but almes…deedes and prayers； are very mighty；
and prevailing meanes； to appease heavens anger for some sinnes
committed； but if such as bestow them； did either see or know； to whom
they give them： they would more warily keepe them； or else cast them
before Swine； in regard they are altogether so unworthy of them。 But
come we now to the case of your ghostly father； crying out in your
eare； that secret mariage was a most greevous sinne： Is not the breach
thereof farre greater？ Familiar conversation betweene man and man
and woman； is a concession meerely naturall： but to rob； kill； or
banish any one； proceedeth from the mindes malignity。 That thou did
rob Theobaldo； your selfe hath already sufficiently witnessed； by
taking that from him； which with free consent in mariage you gave him。
Next I must say； that by all the power remaining in you； you kild him；
because you would not permit him to remaine with you； declaring your
selfe in the very height of cruelty； that hee might destroy his life
by his owne hands。 In which case the Law requireth； that whosoever
is the occasion of an ill act committed； hee or she is as deepe in the
fault； as the party that did it。 Now concerning his banishment； and
wandring seaven yeeres in exile thorow the world； you cannot denie；
but that you were the onely occasion thereof。 In all which three
severall actions； farre more capitally have you offended； then by
contracting of mariage in such clandestine manner。
But let us see； whether Theobaldo deserved all these severall
castigations； or not。 In trueth he did not； your selfe have
confessed （beside that which I know） that hee loved you more deerely
then himselfe； and nothing could be more honoured； magnified and
exalted； then dayly you were by him； above all other women whatsoever。
When hee came in any place； where honestly； and without suspition
hee might speake to you： all his honour； and all his liberty； lay
wholly committed into your power。 Was hee not a noble young Gentleman？
Was he （among all those parts that most adorne a man； and appertaine
to the very choycest respect） inferiour to any one of best merit in
your Citie？ I know that you cannot make deniall to any of these
demands。 How could you then by the perswasion of a beast； a foole； a
villaine； yea； a vagabond； envying both his happinesse and yours；
enter into so cruell a minde against him？ I know not what error
misguideth women； in scorning and despising their husbands： but if
they entred into a better consideration； understanding triely what
they are； and what nobility of nature God hath endued man withall；
farre above all other creatures； it would bee their highest title of
glory； when they are so preciously esteemed of them； so dearely
affected by them； and so gladly embraced in all their best abilities。
This is so great a sinne； as the divine justice （which in an
equall Ballance bringeth all operations to their full effect） did
not purpose to leave unpunished； but as you enforced against all
reason； to take away Theobaldo from your selfe： even so your father
Aldobrandino； without any occasion given by Theobaldo； is in perill of
his life； and you a partaker of his tribulation。 Out of which if you
desire to be delivered； it is very convenient that you promise one
thing which I shall tell you； and may much better be by you performed。
Namely； that if Theobaido do returne from his long banishment； you
shall restore him to your love； grace； and good acceptation；
accounting him in the selfe…same degree of favour and private
entertainment； as he was at the first； before your wicked ghostly
father so hellishly incensed you against him。
When the Pilgrim had finished his speeches； the Gentlewoman who
had listned to them very attentively （because all the edged reasons
appeared to be plainly true） became verily perswaded； that all these
afictions had falne on her and her father； for the ingratefull offence
by her committed； and therefore thus is replied。 Worthy man； and the
friend to goodnesse； I know undoubtedly； that the words which you have
spoken are true； and also I understand by your demonstration； what
manner of people some of those religious persons are； whom
heretofore I have reputed to be Saints； but find them now to be far
otherwise。 And to speake truly； I perceive the fault to be great and
greevous； wherein I have offended against Theobaldo； and would （if I
could） willingly make amends； even in such manner as you have advised。
But how is it possible to be done？ Theobaldo being dead； can be ＇no＇
more recalled to this life； and therefore； I know not what promise I
should make； in a matter which is not to bee performed。 Whereto the
Pilgrime without any longer pausing； thus answered。
Madam； by such revelations as have beene shewne to me； I know for
a certainety； that Theobaldo is not dead； but living； in health； and
in good estate； if he had the fruition of your grace and favour。
Take heede what you say Sir （quoth the Gentlewoman） for I saw him
lye slain before my doore； his bodie having received many wounds；
which I folded in mine armes； and washed his face with my brinish
teares； whereby （perhaps） the scandall arose； that flew abroad to my
disgrace。 Beleeve me Madam； replyed the Pilgrim； say what you will；
I dare assure you that Theobaldo is