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of fortune； if in the whole course of my life； I had tasted the
least moity of that delight； which Guiscardo received by conversing
with faire Ghismonda。 Nor neede any of you to wonder thereat； or how
it can be otherwise； because hourely I feele a thousand dying
torments； without enjoying any hope of ease or pleasure： but referring
my fortunes to their owne poore condition； it is my will； that Madam
Pampinea proceed next in the argument of successelesse love； according
as Madam Fiammetta hath already begun； to let fall more dew…drops on
the fire of mine afflictions。 Madam Pampinea perceiving what a taske
was imposed on her； knew well （by her owne disposition） the
inclination of the company； whereof shee was more respective then of
the Kings command： wherefore； chusing rather to recreate their
spirits； then to satisfie the Kings melancholy humour； she
determined to relate a Tale of mirthfull matter； and yet to keepe
within compasse of the purposed Argument It hath bene continually used
as a common Proverbe； that a bad man taken and reputed to be honest
and good； may commit many evils； yet neither credited； or suspected：
which proverbe giveth me very ample matter to speake of； and yet not
varying from our intention； concerning the hypocrisie of some
religious persons； who having their garments long and large； their
faces made artificially pale； their language meeke and humble to get
mens goods from them； yet sowre； harsh and stearne enough； in checking
and controuling other mens errours； as also in urging others to
give； and themselves to take； without any other hope or meanes of
salvation。 Nor doe they endeavour like other men； to worke out their
soules health with feare and trembling； but； even as if they were sole
owners； Lords； and possessors of Paradice； will appoint to every dying
person； place （there） of greater or lesser excellency； according as
they thinke good； or as the legacies left by them are in quantity；
whereby they not onely deceive themselves； but all such as give credit
to their subtile perswasions。 And were it lawfull for me； to make
knowne no more then is meerely necessary； I could quickly disclose
to simple credulous people； what craft lieth concealed under their
holy habites： and I would wish； that their lies and deluding should
speed with them； as they did with a Franciscane Friar； none of the
younger Novices； but one of them of greatest reputation； and belonging
to one of the best Monasteries in Venice。 Which I am the rather
desirous to report； to recreate your spirits； after your teares for
the death of faire Ghismonda。
Sometime （Honourable Ladies） there lived in the City of Imola； a man
of most lewd and wicked life； named； Bertho de la messa； whose
shamelesse deedes were so well knowne to all the Citizens； and won
such respect among them； as all his lies could not compasse any
beleefe； no； not when he delivered a matter of sound truth。 Wherefore；
perceiving that his lewdnesse allowed him no longer dwelling there；
like a desperate adventurer； he transported himselfe thence to Venice；
the receptacle of all foule sinne and abhomination； intending there to
exercise his wonted bad behaviour； and live as wickedly as ever he had
done before。 It came to passe； that some remorse of conscience tooke
hold of him； for the former passages of his dissolute life； and he
pretended to be surprized with very great devotion； becomming much
more Catholike then any other man； taking on him the profession of a
Franciscane coldelier； and calling himselfe； Fryar Albert of Imola。
In this habite and outward appearance； hee seemed to leade an
austere and sanctimonious life； highly commending penance and
abstinence； never eating flesh； or drinking wine； but when he was
provided of both in a close corner。 And before any person could take
notice thereof； hee became （of a theefe） Ruffian； forswearer； and
murtherer； as formerly he had…beene a great Preacher； yet not
abandoning the forenamed vices； when secretly he could put any of them
in execution。 Moreover； being made Priest； when he was celebrating
Masse at the Altar； if he saw himselfe to be observed by any； he would
most mournefully reade the passion of our Saviour； as one whose teares
cost him little； whensoever hee pleased to use them； so that； in a
short while； by his preaching and teares； he fed the humours of the
Venetians so pleasingly； that they made him executor （well…neere） of
all their Testaments； yea； many chose him as depositary or Guardion of
their monies； because he was both Confessour and Councellor； almost to
all the men and women。
By this well seeming out…side of sanctity； the Wolfe became a
Shepheard； and his renowne for holinesse was so famous in those parts；
as Saint Frances himselfe had hardly any more。 It fortuned； that a
young Gentlewoman； being somewhat foolish； wanton and proud minded；
named Madam Lisetta de Caquirino； wife to a wealthy Merchant； who went
with certaine Gallies into Flanders； and there lay as Lieger long
time： in company of other Gentlewomen； went to be confessed by this
ghostly Father； kneel。 at his feete； although her heart was high
enough； like a proud minded woman； （for Venetians are presumptuous；
vaine…glorious； and witted much like to their skittish Gondoloes）
she made a very short rehearsall of her sinnes。 At length Fryar Albert
demanded of her； whether shee had any amorous friend or lover？ Her
patience being exceedingly provoked； stearne anger appeared in her
lookes； which caused her to returne him this answer。 How now Sir
Domine？ what？ have you no eyes in your head？ Can you not distinguish
between mine； and these other common beauties？ I could have Lovers
enow； if I were so pleased； but those perfections remaining in me； are
not to be affected by this man； or that。 How many beauties have you
beheld； any way answerable to mine； and are more fit for Gods； then
mortals。
Many other idle speeches shee uttered； in proud opinion of her
beauty； whereby Friar Albert presently perceived； that this
Gentlewoman had but a hollow braine； and was fit game for folly to
flye at； which made him instantly enamoured of her； and that beyond
all capacity of resisting； which yet he referred to a further； and
more commodious time。 Neverthelesse； to shew himselfe an holy and
religious man now； he began to reprehend her； and told her plainely；
that she was vain…glorious； and overcome with infinite follies。
Heereupon； him call。ed him a logger headed beast； and he knew not
the difference betweene an ordinary complexion； and beauty of the
highest merit。 In which respect； Friar Albert； being loth to offend
her any further； after confession was fully ended； let her passe
away among the other Gentlewomen； she giving him divers disdainfull
lookes。
Within some few dayes after； taking one of his trusty brethren in
his company； he went to the House of Madam Lisetta； where requiring to
have some conference alone with her selfe； shee tooke him into a
private Parlor； and being there； not to be seene by any body； he
fell on his knees before her； speaking in this manner。 Madam； for
charities sake； and in regard of your owne most gracious nature； I
beseech y