The Decameron (Day 6 to Day 10)

  Gulfardo _made a match or wager, with the Wife of_ Gasparuolo, _for theobtaining of her amorous favour, in regard of a summe of money firstto be given her. The money hee borrowed of her Husband, and gave it inpayment to her, as in case of discharging him from her Husbands debt.After his returne home from_ Geneway, _hee told him in the presenceof his wife, how he had payde the whole summe to her, with charge ofdelivering it to her Husband, which she confessed to be true, albeitgreatly against her will._

  The First Novell.

  _Wherein is declared, that such women as will make sale of theirhonestie, are sometimes over-reached in their payment, and justlyserved as they should be._

  Seeing it is my fortune, Gracious Ladies, that I must give beginning tothis dayes discoursing, by some such Novel which I thinke expedient; asduty bindeth me, I am therewith well contented. And because the deceitsof Women to men, have beene at large and liberally related; I will tellyou a subtile tricke of a man to a Woman. Not that I blame him for thedeede, or thinke the deceyte not well fitted to the woman: but I speakeit in a contrarie nature, as commending the man, and condemning thewoman very justly, as also to shew, how men can as well beguile thosecrafty companions, which least beleeve any such cunning in them, asthey that stand most on their artificiall skill.

  Howbeit, to speake more properly, the matter by me to be reported,deserveth not the reproachfull title of deceite, but rather of arecompence duly returned: because women ought to be chaste andhonest, & to preserve their honour as their lives, without yeeldingto the contamination thereof, for any occasion whatsoever. And yet(neverthelesse, in regard of our frailty) many times we proove not soconstant as we should be: yet I am of opinion, that she which sellethher honestie for money, deserveth justly to be burned. Whereas on thecontrary, she that falleth into the offence, onely through intireaffection (the powerfull lawes of Love beeing above all resistance) inequity meriteth pardon, especially of a Judge not over-rigorous: as notlong since wee heard from _Philostratus_, in revealing what hapned toMadam _Phillippa de Prato_, upon the dangerous Edict.

  Understand then, my most worthy Auditors, that there lived sometime in_Millaine_ an _Almaigne_ Soldiour, named _Gulfardo_, of commendablecarriage in his person, and very faithfull to such as he served, amatter not common among the _Almaignes_. And because he made justrepayment, to every one which lent him monies; he grew to suchespeciall credit, and was so familiar with the very best Marchants;as (manie times) he could not be so ready to borrow, as they werewilling alwaies to lend him. He thus continuing in the Cittie of_Millaine_, fastened his affection on a verie beautifull Gentlewoman,named Mistresse _Ambrosia_, Wife unto a rich Merchant, who was calledSignior _Gasparuolo Sagastraccio_, who had good knowledge of him, andrespectively used him. Loving this Gentlewoman with great discretion,without the least apprehension of her husband: he sent upon a day toentreate conference with her, for enjoying the fruition of her love,and she should find him ready to fulfill whatsoever she pleased tocommand him, as, at any time he would make good his promise.

  The Gentlewoman, after divers of these private solicitings, resolutelyanswered, that she was as ready to fulfill the request of _Gulfardo_,provided, that two especiall considerations might ensue thereon.First, the faithfull concealing thereof from any person living. Next,because she knew him to be rich, and she had occasion to use twohundred Crowns, about businesse of important consequence: he shouldfreely bestow so many on her, and (ever after) she was to be commandedby him. _Gulfardo_ perceiving the covetousnesse of this woman, who(notwithstanding his doting affection) he thought to be intirely honestto her Husband: became so deepely offended at her vile answere, thathis fervent love converted into as earnest loathing her; determiningconstantlie to deceive her, and to make her avaritious motion, the onlymeans whereby to effect it.

  He sent her word, that he was willing to performe her request, or anyfarre greater matter for her: in which respect, he onely desired forto know, when she would be pleased to have him come see her, and toreceive the money of him? No creature hee acquainted with his setledpurpose, but onely a deere friend and kinde companion, who alwayesused to keepe him company, in the neerest occasions that concernedhim. The Gentlewoman, or rather most disloyall wife, uppon this answersent her, was extraordinarily jocond and contented, returning him asecret Letter, wherein she signified: that _Gasparuolo_ her husband,had important affaires which called him to _Geneway_: but he shouldunderstand of his departure, and then (with safety) he might come seeher, as also his bringing of the Crownes.

  In the meane while, _Gulfardo_ having determined what he would do,watched a convenient time, when he went unto _Gasparuolo_, and sayde:Sir, I have some businesse of maine importance, and shall neede to usebut two hundred Crownes onely: I desire you to lend me so many Crownes,upon such profite as you were wont to take of mee, at other times whenI have made use of you, and I shall not faile you at my day.

  _Gasparuolo_ was well contented with the motion, and made no more adoe,but counted downe the Crownes: departing thence (within few dayesafter) for _Geneway_, according** to his Wives former message; she giving_Gulfardo_ also intelligence of his absence, that now (with safety) heemight come see her, and bring the two hundred Crownes with him.

  _Gulfardo_, taking his friend in his company, went to visite Mistresse_Ambrosia_, whom he found in expectation of his arrivall, and the firstthing he did, he counted downe the two hundred Crownes; and deliveringthem to her in the presence of his friend, saide: Mistresse _Ambrosia_,receive these two hundred Crownes, which I desire you to pay unto yourHusband on my behalfe, when he is returned from _Geneway. Ambrosia_,receyved the two hundred Crownes, not regarding wherefore _Gulfardo_used these words: because shee verily beleeved, that hee spake in suchmanner, because his friend should take no notice, of his giving themto her, upon any covenant passed betweene them; whereuppon, she sayde.Sir, I will pay them to my Husband for you; and cause him to give you asufficient discharge: but first I will count them over my selfe, to seewhether the summe be just, or no. And having drawne them over upon theTable, the summe containing truly two hundred Crownes (wherewith shewas most highly contented) she lockt them safe uppe in her Cuppe-boord,and _Gulfardoes_ Friend being gone (as formerly it was compactedbetweene them) shee came to converse more familiarly with him, havingprovided a banquet for him. What passed between them afterward, boththen, and oftentimes beside, before her Husbande returned home, isa matter out of my element, and rather requires my ignorance thenknowledge.

  When _Gasparuolo_ was come from _Geneway, Gulfardo_ observing aconvenient time, when he was sitting at the doore with his Wife; tookehis Friend with him, and comming to _Gasparuolo_, said. Worthy Sir, thetwo hundred Crownes which you lent me, before your journy to _Geneway_,in regard they could not serve my turne, to compasse the businesse forwhich I borrowed them: within a day or two after, in the presence ofthis Gentleman my friend, I made repayment of them to your wife, andtherefore I pray you crosse me out of your booke.

  _Gasparuolo_ turning to his Wife, demanded; Whether it was so, or no?She beholding the witnesse standing by, who was also present at herreceyving them: durst not make deniall, but thus answered. IndeedeHusband, I received two hundred Crownes of the Gentleman, and neverremembred, to acquaint you therewith since your comming home: buthereafter I will be made no more your receiver, except I carried aquicker memory.

  Then saide _Gasparuolo_: Signior _Gulfardo_, I finde you alwaies a mosthonest Gentleman, and will be readie at any time, to doe you the like,or a farre greater kindnesse; depart at your pleasure, and feare notthe crossing of my Booke. So _Gulfardo_ went away merrily contented, and_Ambrosia_ was served as she justly merited; she paying the price ofher owne leudnesse to her Husband, which she had a more covetous intentto keepe, questionlesse, not caring how many like lustfull matches sheecoulde make, to be so liberally rewarded, if this had succeeded to herminde: whereas he shewed himselfe wise and discreete, in paying nothingfor his pleasure, and requiting a covetous queane in her kinde.