The Decameron (Day 6 to Day 10)
John de Barolo, _at the instance and request of his Gossip_ Pietroda Trefanti, _made an enchantment, to have his wife become a Mule.And when it came to the fastening on of the taile; Gossip_ Pietro _bysaying she should have no taile at all, spoyled the whole enchantment._
The Tenth Novell.
_In just reproofe of such foolish men, as will be governed byover-light beleefe._
This Novell reported by the Queene, caused a little murmuring among theLadies, albeit the men laughed heartely thereat: but after they wereall growne silent, _Dioneus_ began in this manner. Gracious Beauties,among many white Doves, one blacke Crow will seeme more sightly, thenthe very whitest Swanne can doe. In like manner, among a multitude ofwise men, sometimes one of much lesse wisedome and discretion, shallnot onely increase the splendour and Majestie of their maturity, butalso give an addition of delight and solace.
In which regard, you all being modest and discreet Ladies, and myselfe more much defective in braine, then otherwise able: in makingyour vertues shine gloriously, through the evident apparance of mineowne weakenesse, you should esteeme the better of mee, by how much Iseeme the more cloudy and obscure. And consequently, I ought to havethe larger scope of liberty, by plainely expressing what I am, andbe the more patiently endured by you all, in saying what absurdly Ishall; then I should be if my speeches favoured of absolute wisdome.I will therefore tell you a Tale, which shall not be of any greatlength, whereby you may comprehend, how carefully such things shouldbe observed, which are commanded by them, as can effect matters by thepower of enchantment, and how little delayance also ought to be insuch, as would not have an enchantment so be hindered.
About a yeare already past since, there dwelt at _Barletta_, an honestman, called _John de Barolo_, who because he was of poore condition;for maintenance in his contented estate, provided himselfe of a Mule,to carry commodities from place to place, where Faires and Markets werein request, but most especially to _Apuglia_, buying and selling in thenature of a petty Chapman. Travelling thus thorow the Countreyes, hegrew into great and familiar acquaintance, with one who named himselfe_Pietro da Trefanti_, following the same Trade of life as he did,carrying his commodities upon an Asse. In signe of amitie, accordingto the Countreyes custome, he never tearmed him otherwise, then bythe name of Gossip _Pietro_ and alwayes when he came to _Barletta_,he brought him to his own house, taking it as his Inne, entreatinghim very friendly, and in the best manner he could devise to doe.On the other side, Gossip _Pietro_ being very poore, having but onesimple habitation in the village of _Trefanti_, hardly sufficient forhim, and an handsome young woman which he had to his wife, as alsohis Asse: evermore when _John de Barolo_ came to _Trefanti_, he wouldbring him to his poore abiding, with all his uttermost abilitie ofentertainement, in due acknowledgement of the courtesie he afforded tohim at _Barletta_. But when he came to take repose in the night-season,Gossip _Pietro_ could not lodge him as gladly he would: because he hadbut one silly bed, wherein himselfe and his wife lay; so that _John deBarolo_ was faigne to lie on a little straw, in a small stable, closeadjoyning by his owne Mule and the Asse.
The woman understanding, what good and honest welcome, Gossip_John_ afforded her husband, when he came to _Barletta_, was oftenvery willing to goe lodge with an honest neighbour of hers, called_Carapresa di Giudice Leo_, because the two Gossips might both lietogether in one bed; wherewith divers times she acquainted her Husband,but by no meanes he would admit it.
At one time among the rest, as she was making the same motion againe toher Husband, that his friend might be lodged in better manner: Gossip_John_ thus spake to her. Good _Zita Carapresa_, never molest yourselfe for me, because I lodge to mine owne contentment, and so much therather, in regard that whensoever I list: I can convert my Mule into afaire young woman, to give mee much delight in the night-season, andafterward make her a Mule againe: thus am I never without her company.
The young woman wondring at these words, and beleeving he did not fablein them: she told them to her Husband, with this addition beside,_Pietro_ (quoth she) if he be such a deare friend to thee, as thou hastoften avouched to me; with him to instruct thee in so rare a cunning,that thou maist make a Mule of me; then shalt thou have both an Asseand a Mule to travell withall about thy businesse, whereby thy benefitwill be double: and when we returne home to our house; then thou maistmake mee thy wife againe, in the same condition as I was before. Gossip_Pietro_, who was (indeed) but a very Coxecombe; beleeved also thewords to be true, yeelding therefore the more gladly to her advise; andmoving the matter to his Gossip _John_, to teach him such a wonderfullsecret, which would redound so greatly to his benefit: but _John_began to disswade him from it, as having spoken it in merriment, yetperceiving, that no contradiction would serve to prevaile, thus hebegan.
Seeing you will needs have it so, let us rise to morrow morning beforeday, as in our travell we use to doe, and then I will shew you how itis to be done: onely I must and doe confesse, that the most difficultthing of all the rest, is, to fasten on the taile, as thou shalt see.
Gossip _Pietro_ and his wife, could hardly take any rest all the nightlong, so desirous they were to have the deed done; and therefore whenit drew towards day, up they arose, and calling Gossip _John_, he camepresently to them in his shirt, & being in the Chamber with them, hesaid. I know not any man in the world, to whom I would disclose thissecret, but to you, and therefore because you so earnestly desireit, I am the more willing to doe it. Onely you must consent, to doewhatsoever I say, if you are desirous to have it done. Faithfully theypromised to performe all, whereupon _John_ delivering a lighted Candleto Gossip _Pietro_, to hold in his hand, said. Marke well what I doe,and remember all the words I say: but be very carefull, that whatsoeverthou hearest or seest, thou doe not speake one word, for then theenchantment will be utterly overthrowne, onely wish that the taile maybe well set on, for therein consisteth all the cunning.
Gossip _Pietro_ holding the Candle, and the woman being prepared as_John_ had appointed her, she bowed her selfe forwardes with her handsset to the ground, even as if she stood upon foure feete. First withhis hands he touched her head and face, saying, Heere is the goodlyhead of a Mule: then handling her disheveld haire, termed them thegoodly mane of a Mule. Afterwardes, touching the body, armes, legs,and feete, gave them all the apt names (for those parts) belonging toa Mule, nothing else remaining, but onely the forming of the taile,which when _Pietro_ perceived, how _John_ was preparing to fasten iton (having no way misliked all his former proceeding) he called tohim, saying: Forbeare Gossippe _John_, my Mule shall have no taileat all, I am contented to have her without a taile. How now Gossip_Pietro_? answered _John_, What hast thou done? Thou hast mard all bythis unadvised speaking, even when the worke was almost fully finished.It is no matter Gossip (answered _Pietro_) I can like my Mule betterwithout a taile, then to see it set on in such manner.
The fond yong woman, more covetously addicted to gayne and commodity,then looking into the knavish intention of her Gossip _John_; began togrow greatly offended. Beast as thou art (quoth she to her Husband) whyhast thou overthrowne both thine own good Fortune and mine? Diddestthou ever see a Mule without a taile? Wouldst thou have had him mademe a monster? Thou art wretchedly poore, and when we might have binenriched for ever, by a secret knowne to none but our selves, thouart the Asse that hast defeated all, and made thy friend to becomethine enemy. Gossippe _John_ began to pacifie the woman, with solemneprotestations of his still continuing friendship, albeit (afterwards)there was no further desiring of any more Mule-making: but Gossip_Pietro_ fel to his former Trading onely with his Asse, as he was nolesse himselfe, and hee went no more with Gossip _John_ to the Fairesin _Apuglia_, neyther did he ever request, to have the like peece ofservice done for him.
* * * * *
Although there was much laughing at this Novell, the Ladiesunderstanding it better, then _Dioneus_ intended that they should havedone, yet himselfe scarsely smiled. But the Novels being all ended, andthe Sunne
beginning to loose his heate; the Queene also knowing, thatthe full period of her government was come: dispossessing her selfe ofthe Crowne, shee placed it on the head of _Pamphilus_, who was the lastof all to be honoured with this dignity; wherefore (with a gracioussmile) thus she spake to him.
Sir, it is no meane charge which you are to undergo, in making amends(perhaps) for all the faults committed by my selfe and the rest,who have gone before you in the same authority; and, may it proveas prosperous unto you, as I was willing to create you our King._Pamphilus_ having received the Honour with a chearfull mind, thusanswered. Madam, your sacred vertues, and those (beside) remaining inmy other Subjects, will (no doubt) worke so effectually for me, that(as the rest have done) I shall deserve your generall good opinion.And having given order to the Master of the Houshold (as all hispredecessors had formerly done, for every necessary occasion) he turnedto the Ladies, who expected his gracious favour, and said.
Bright Beauties, it was the discretion of your late Soveraigne &Queene, in regard of ease and recreation unto your tyred spirits, togrant you free liberty, for discoursing on whatsoever your selvesbest pleased: wherefore, having enjoyed such a time of rest, I amof opinion, that it is best to returne once more to our wonted Law,in which respect, I would have every one to speake in this mannerto morrow. Namely, of those men or women, who have done any thingbountifully or magnificently, either in matter of amity, or otherwise.The relation of such worthy arguments, will (doubtlesse) give anaddition to our very best desires, for a free and forward inclinationto good actions, whereby our lives (how short soever they bee) mayperpetuate an ever-living renowne and fame, after our mortall bodiesare converted into dust, which (otherwise) are no better then those ofbruite beasts, reason onely distinguishing this difference, that asthey live to perish utterly, so we respire to reigne in eternity.
The Theame was exceedingly pleasing to the whole Company; who being allrisen, by permission of the new King, every one fel to their wontedrecreations, as best agreed with their owne disposition; untill thehoure for Supper came, wherein they were served very sumptuously. Butbeing risen from the Table, they began their dances, among which,many sweet Sonnets were enterlaced, with such delicate Tunes as movedadmiration. Then the King commanded Madam _Neiphila_, to sing a song inhis name, or how her selfe stood best affected. And immediatly with acleare and rare voice, thus she began.
_THE SONG._
The Chorus sung by all the Companie.
_In the Spring season, Maides have best reason, To dance and sing; With Chaplets of Flowers, To decke up their Bowers, And all in honour of the Spring._
_I heard a Nimph that sate alone, By a Fountaines side: Much her hard Fortune to bemone, For still she cride: Ah! Who will pitty her distresse, That findes no foe like ficklenesse? For truth lives not in men: Poore soule, why live I then? In the Spring season, &c._
_Oh, How can mighty Love permit, Such a faithlesse deed, And not in justice punish it As treasons meed? I am undone through perjury, Although I loved constantly: But truth lives not in men, Poore soule, why live I then? In the Spring season,&c._
_When I did follow Dyans traine, As a loyall Maide, I never felt oppressing paine, Nor was dismaide. But when I listened Loves alluring, Then I wandred from assuring. For truth lives not in men: Poore soule, why live I then? In the Spring season, &c._
_Adiew to all my former joyes, When I lived at ease, And welcome now those sad annoies Which do most displease. And let none pitty her distresse, That fell not, but by ficklenesse. For truth lives not in men, Alas! why live I then?_
_In the Spring season, Maides have best reason, To dance and sing; With Chaplets of Flowers, To decke up their Bowers, And all in honour of the Spring._
This Song, most sweetly sung by Madame _Neiphila_, was especiallycommended, both by the King, & all the rest of the Ladies. Which beingfully finished, the King gave order, that everie one should repaire totheir Chambers, because a great part of the night was already spent.
_The end of the Ninth Day._