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said； being well neere ready to burst with laughter； considering；
how confidently he stood upon it； that he had found the wonderful
stone； and lost it by his wives speaking onely to him。 But when they
saw him rise in fury once more； with intent to beat her againe： then
they stept betweene them； affirming； That the woman had no way
offended in this case； but rather he himself： who knowing that women
cause all things to lose their vertue； had not therefore expresly
commanded her； not to be seene in his presence all that day； untill he
had made full proofe of the stones vertue。 And questionles； the
consideration of a matter so availeable and important； was quite taken
from him； because such an especiall happinesse； should not belong to
him only； but （in part） to his friends； whom he had acquainted
therewith； drew them to the plaine with him in companie； where they
tooke as much paines in serch of the stone； as possibly he did； or
could； and yet （dishonestly） he would deceive them； and beare it
away covetously； for his owne private benefit。
After many other； as wise and wholesome perswasions； which he
constantly credited； because they spake them； they reconciled him to
his wife； and she to him： but not without some difficulty in him；
who falling into wonderfull greefe and melancholy； for losse of such
an admirable precious stone； was in danger to have dyed； within
lesse then a month after。
THE EIGHT DAY； THE FOURTH NOVELL
WHEREIN IS DECLARED； HOW LOVE OFTENTIMES IS SO POWERFULL IN AGED
MEN； AND DRIVETH THEM TO SUCH DOATING； THAT IT
REDOUNDETH TO THEIR GREAT DISGRACE AND PUNISHMENT
The Provost belonging to the Cathedrall Church of Fiesola； fell in
love with a Gentlewoman； being a widdow； and named Piccarda； who hated
him as much as he loved her。 He imagining； that he lay with her： by
the Gentlewomans Bretheren； and the Byshop under whom he served； was
taken in bed with her Mayde； an ugly； foule； deformed Slut。
Ladie Eliza having concluded her Novell； not without infinite
commendations of the whole company： the Queen turning her lookes to
Madame Aimillia； gave her such an expresse signe； as she must needs
follow next after Madame Eliza； whereupon she began in this manner。
Vertuous Ladies； I very well remember （by divers Novels formerly
related） that sufficient hath beene sayde； concerning Priests and
Religious persons； and all other carrying shaven Crownes； in their
luxurious appetites and desires。 But because no one can at any time
say so much； as thereto no more may be added： beside them alreadie
spoken of； I wil tel you another concerning the Provost of a Cathedral
Church； who would needes （in despight of all the world） love a
Gentlewoman whether she would or no： and therefore； in due
chastisement both unto his age and folly； she gave him such
entertainment as he justly deserved。
It is not unknowne unto you all； that the Cittie of Fieosola； the
mountaine whereof we may very easily hither discerne； hath bene （in
times past） a very great and most ancient City： although at this day
it is wellneere all ruined： yet neverthelesse； it alwaies was； and yet
is a Byshops See； albeit not of the wealthiest。 In the same Citie； and
no long while since； neere unto the Cathedrall Church； there dwelt a
Gentlewoman； being a Widdow； and commonlie there stiled by the name of
Madame Piccarda； whose house and inheritance was but small；
wherewith yet she lived very contentedly （having no wandering eye；
or wanton desires） and no company but her two Brethren； Gentlemen of
especiall honest and gracious disposition。
This Gentlewoman； being yet in the flourishing condition of her
time； did ordinarily resort to the Cathedrall Church in holie zeale；
and religious devotion； where the Provost of the place； became so
enamored of her； as nothing （but the sight of her） yeelded him any
contentment。 Which fond affection of his； was forwarded with such an
audacious and bold carriage； as hee dared to acquaint her with his
love； requiring her enterchange of affection； and the like opinion
of him； as he had of her。 True it is； that he was very farre entred
into yeares； but yong and lustie in his own proud conceite；
presuming strangely beyond his capacity； and thinking as well of his
abilitie； as the youthfullest gallant in the World could doe。
Whereas （in verie deede） his person was utterly displeasing； his
behaviour immodest and scandaious； and his usuall Language；
savouring of such sensualitie； as； very fewe or none cared for his
company。 And if any Woman seemed respective of him； it was in regard
of his outside and profession； and more for feare； then the least
affection； and alwayes as welcome to them； as the head…ake。
His fond and foolish carriage stil continuing to this Gentlewoman；
she being wise and vertuously advised； spake thus unto him。 Holy
Sir； if you love me according as you protest； and manifest by your
outward behaviour： I am the more to thanke you for it； being bound
in dutie to love you likewise。 But if your Love have any harshe or
unsavourie taste； which mine is no way able to endure； neyther dare
entertaine in anie kinde whatsoever： you must and shall hold mee
excused； because I am made of no such temper。 You are my ghostly and
spirituall Father； an Holy Priest。 Moreover； yeares have made you
honorably aged； all which severall weighty considerations； ought to
confirme you in continency and chastity。 Remember withall （good sir）
that I am but a child to you in years； and were I bent to any wanton
appetites； you shold justly correct me by fatherly counsell； such as
most beautifieth your sacred profession。 Beside； I am a Widdow； and
you are not ignorant； how requisite a thing honestie is in widdowes。
Wherefore； pardon mee （Holy Father：） for； in such manner as you make
the motion： I desire you not to love mee； because I neither can or
will at any time so affect you。
The Provoste gaining no other grace at this time； would not so
give over for this first repulse； but pursuing her still with
unbeseeming importunity； many private meanes he used to her by
Letters； tokens； and insinuating ambassages； yea； whensoever shee came
to the Church； he never ceased his wearisome solicitings。 Whereat
she growing greatly offended； and perceyving no likelyhood of his
desisting； became so tyred with his tedious suite； that she considered
with her selfe； how she might dispatch him as he deserved； because she
saw no other remedy。 Yet shee would not attempte anie thing in this
case； without acquainting her Bretheren first therwith。 And having
tolde them； how much shee was importuned by the Provost； and also what
course she meant to take （wherin they both counselled and encouraged
her：） within a few daies after； shee went to Church as she was wont to
do； where so soone as the Provost espyed her： forthwith he came to
her； and according to his continued course； he fell into his amorous
courting。 She looking upon him with a smiling countenance； and walking
aside with him out of any hearing： after he had spent many impertinent
speeches； shee （venting foorth manie a vehement sighe） at length
returned him this answer。
Reverend Father； I have often heard it saide： That there is not
any Fort or Castle； how strongly munited soever it bee； but by
continuall assayling； at length （of necessity） it must and will be
surprized。 Which comparison； I may full well allude to my selfe。
For； you having so long time solicited me； one while with affable
language； then againe with tokens and entisements； of such
prevailing power： as have broken the verie barricado of my former
deliberation； and yeelded mee uppe as your prisoner； to be commanded
at your pleasure for now I am onely devoted yours。
Well may you （Gentle Ladies） imagine； that this answere was not a
little welcome to the Provost； who； shrugging with conceyte of joy；
presently thus replyed。 I thanke you Madame Piccarda； and to tell
you true； I held it almost as that you could stand upon such long
resistance； considering； it never so fortuned to mee with anie
other。 And I have many times saide to my selfe； that if women were
made of silver； they hardly could be worth a pennie； because there can
scarsely one be found of so good allay； as to endure the test and
essay。 But let us breake off this frivolous conference； and resolve
upon a conclusion； How； when and where we may safely meete together。
Worthy Sir； answered Piccarda； your selfe may appoint the time
whensoever you please； because I have no Husband； to whom I should
render any account of my absence； or presence： but I am not provided
of any place。
A pretty while the Provoste stood musing； and at last saide。 A place
Madame？ where can be more privacie； then in your owne house？ Alas
Sir （quoth she） you know that I have two Gentlemen my brethren； who
continually are with me； and other of their friends beside： My house
also is not great； wherefore it is impossible to be there； except
you could be like a dumbe man； without speaking one word； or making
the very least noyse； beside； to remaine in darkenesse； as if you were
blinde； and who can be able to endure all these？ And yet （without
t