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suddenly replied； Do nothing but this Sir： Paint over the Portall of
your Halles enterance； the lively picture of Liberality； to bid all
your friends better welcome； then hitherto they have beene。 When
Master Herminio heard these words； he becam possessed with such a
sudden shame； that his complexion changed from the former palenesse；
and answered thus。 Master Guillaume； I will have your advice so
truly figured over my gate； and shee shall give so good welcome to all
my guests； that both you； and all these Gentlemen shall say； I have
both seene her； and am become reasonably acquainted with her。 From
that time forward； the words of Master Guillaume were so effectuall
with Signior Herminio； that he became the most bountifull and best
house…keeper； which lived in his time in Geneway： no man more
honouring and friendly welcoming both strangers and Citizens； then
he continually used to do。
THE FIRST DAY； THE NINTH NOVELL
GIVING ALL MEN TO UNDERSTAND； THAT JUSTICE IS NECESSARY
IN A KING ABOVE AL THINGS ELSE WHATSOEVER
The King of Cyprus was wittily reprehended； by the words of a
Gentlewoman of Gascoignie； and became vertuously altered from his
vicious disposition。
The last command of the Queene； remained upon Madam Elissa； or
Eliza； who （without any delaying） thus beganne。 Young Ladies； it
hath often beene seene； that much paine hath beene bestowed； and
many reprehensions spent in vaine； till a word happening at adventure；
and perhaps not purposely determined； hath effectually done the deede：
as appeareth by the Tale of Madame Lauretta； and another of mine owne；
where with I intend briefly to acquaint you； approving that when
good words are discreetly observed； they are of soveraigne power and
vertue。
In the dayes of the first King of Cyprus； after the Conquest made in
the holy Land by Godfrey of Bullen； it fortuned that a Gentlewoman
of Gascoignie； travelling in pilgrimage to visit the sacred
Sepulcher in Jerusalem； returning home againe； arrived at Cyprus；
where shee was villanously abused by certaine base wretches。
Complaining thereof； without any comfort or redresse； shee intended to
make her moane to the King of the Country。 Whereupon it was tolde her；
that therein shee should but loose her labour； because hee was so
womanish； and faint…hearted； that not onely he refused to punish
with justice the offence of others； but also suffered shamefull
injuries done to himselfe。 And therefore； such as were displeased by
his negligence； might easily discharge their spleene against him；
and doe him what dishonour they would。
When the Gentlewoman heard this； despairing of any consolation； or
revenge for her wrongs； shee resolved to checke the Kings deniall of
justice； and comming before him weeping； spake in this manner。 Sir；
I presume not into your presence； as hoping to have redresse by you；
for divers dishonourable injuries done unto me； but； as full
satisfaction for them； doe but teach me how you suffer such vile
abuses； as daily are offered to your selfe。 To the end； that being
therein instructed by you； I may the more patiently beare mine owne；
which （as God knoweth） I would bestow on you very gladly； because
you know so well how to endure them。
The King； who （till then） had beene very bad； dull； and slothfull；
even as sleeping out his time of governement； beganne to revenge the
wrongs done to this Gentlewoman very severely； and （thence forward）
became a most sharpe Justicer； for the least offence offered against
the honour of his Crowne； or to any of his subjects beside。
THE FIRST DAY； THE TENTH NOVELL
WHEREIN IS DECLARED； THAT HONEST LOVE AGREETH WITH PEOPLE
OF ALL AGES
Master Albert of Bullen； honestly made a Lady to blush； that thought
to have done as much to him； because shee perceived him； to be
amorously affected towards her。
After that Madam Eliza sate silent； the last charge and labour of
the like employment； remained to the Queene her selfe； whereupon
shee beganne thus to speake： Honest and vertuous young Ladies； like as
the Starres （when the Ayre is faire and cleere） are the adorning and
beauty of Heaven； and flowers （while the Spring time lasteth） doe
graciously embellish the Meadowes； even so sweete speeches and
pleasing conferences； to passe the time with commendable discourses；
are the best habit of the minde； and an outward beauty to the body：
which ornaments of words； when they appeare to be short and sweete；
are much more seemely in women； then in men； because long and
tedious talking （when it may be done in lesser time） is a greater
blemish in women； then in men。
Among us women； this day； I thinke few or none have therein
offended； but as readily have understood short and pithy speeches； as
they have beene quicke and quaintly delivered。 But when answering
suteth not with understanding； it is generally a shame in us； and all
such as live； because our moderne times have converted that vertue；
which was within them who lived before us； into garments of the body；
and shew whose habites were noted to bee most gaudy； fullest of
imbroyderies and fantastick fashions： she was reputed to have most
matter in her； and therefore to be more honoured and esteemed。 Never
considering； that whosoever loadeth the backe of an Asse； or puts upon
him the richest braverie； he becommeth not thereby a jot the wiser； or
meriteth any more honor then an Asse should have。 I am ashamed to
speake it； because in detecting other； I may （perhaps） as justly taxe
my selfe。
Such imbroydered bodies； tricked and trimmed in such boasting
bravery； are they any thing else but as Marble Statues； dumbe； dull；
and utterly insensible？ Or if （perchaunce） they make an answere；
when some question is demanded of them； it were much better for them
to be silent。 For defence of honest devise and conference among men
and women； they would have the world to thinke； that it proceedeth but
from simplicity and precise opinion； covering their owne folly with
the name of honesty： as if there were no other honest woman； but
shee that conferres onely with her Chambermaide； Laundresse； or
Kitchin…woman： as if nature had allowed them； （in their owne idle
conceite） no other kinde of talking。
Most true it is； that as there is a respect to be used in the action
of things； so； time and place are necessarily to be considered； and
also whom we converse withall； because sometimes it happeneth； that
a man or woman； intending （by a word of jest and merriment） to make
another body blush or be ashamed： not knowing what strength of wit
remaineth in the opposite； doe convert the same disgrace upon
themselves。 Therefore； that we may the more advisedly stand upon our
owne guard； and to prevent the common proverbe； That Women （in all
things） make choyse of the worst： I desire that this dayes last
tale； which is to come from my selfe； may make us all wise。 To the
end； that as in gentlenesse of minde we conferre with other； so by
excellency in good manners； we may shew our selves not inferiour to
them。
It is not many yeares since （worthy assembly） that in Bulloigne
there dwelt a learned Physitian； a man famous for skill； and farre
renowned； whose name was Master Albert； and being growne aged； to
the estimate of threescore and tenne yeares： hee had yet such a
sprightly disposition； that though naturall heate and vigour had quite
shaken hands with him； yet amorous flames and desires had not wholly
forsaken him。 Having seene （at a Banquet） a very beautifull woman；
being then in the estate of widdowhood； named （as some say） Madam
Margaret de Chisolieri； shee appeared so pleasing in his eye； that his
sences became no lesse disturbed； then as if he had beene of farre
younger temper； and no night could any quietnesse possesse his
soule； except （the day before） he had seene the sweet countenance of
this lovely widdow。 In regard whereof； his dayly passage was by her
doore； one while on horsebacke； and then againe on foot； as best might
declare his plaine purpose to see her。
Both shee and other Gentlewomen； perceiving the occasion of his
passing and repassing； would privately jest thereat together； to see a
man of such yeares and discretion； to be amorously addicted； or
overswayed by effeminate passions。 For they were partly perswaded；
that such wanton Ague fits of Love； were fit for none but youthfull
apprehensions； as best agreeing with their chearefull complexion。
Master Albert continuing his dayly walkes by the widdowes lodging；
it chaunced upon a Feastivall day； that shee （accompanied with
divers other women of great account） being sitting at her doore；
espied Master Albert （farre off） comming thitherward； and a resolved
determination among themselves was set downe； to allow him
favourable entertainement； and to jest （in some merry manner） at his
loving folly； as afterward they did indeede。
No sooner was he come neere； but they all arose； and courteously
invited him to enter with them； conducting him into a goodly Garden；
where readily was prepared choyse of delicate wines and banquetting。
At length； among other plea