_Didaco a Spaniarde, is in loue with a poore maiden of Valencia, and
secretly marieth her, afterwardes lothinge his first mariage, because
she was of base parentage, he marieth an other of noble birth. His
first wyfe, by secrete messenger prayeth his company, whose request
he accomplisheth. Beinge a bedde, shee and her maide killeth him. She
throweth him into the streate: shee in desperate wise confesseth the
facte before the Maiestrates, and is put to death._
There is no man but doth knowe, that Valencia is at this day, the chiefe
and onelye Rampar of Spaine, the true seate of Faith, Iustice and
humanity. And amonges all the rare and excellent ornamentes, that Citie
is wel furnished with so trimme Ladies and curteous gentlewomen, as they
know how to baite and feede yong men with foolish daliaunce, and idle
passetime. So that if there be any beetlehead or grosse person, the
better to allure and prouoke him to those follies, they tell him by a
common Prouerbe: That he must go to Valencia. In this citie there was in
old time as it is at this day, a verye aunciente stocke and familie
called Ventimiglia, oute of which be descended a great nomber of riche
and honourable knightes. Amonges whom, not long time paste, there was
one named Didaco, verye famous and renowmed to be the most liberall and
familiar gentleman of the City, who (for want of better businesse)
walked vppe and downe the citie, and so consumed his youth in triumphes,
maskes, and other expences, common and apte for such pilgrimes,
addressing his loue indifferently to al women, without greater affection
to one, then to an other, and continued that order, till vppon an holy
daye, he espyed a yonge maide of fimal yeares, but of very exquisite
beauty: which maiden sodainlye castinge her eye vppon him, so pearced
the knighte Didaco with her looke, that from that time forth shee entred
more neare his hart than any other. And after he had well marked her
dwelling place, he many times passed and repassed before the doore, to
espie if he might get some loke or other fauour of her, that began
already to gouerne the bridle of his thoughtes, and if it chaunced that
the gentleman beheld her, she shewed herselfe curteous and amiable,
indued with grace so good as he neuer departed ill contented out of the
streate. The gentleman continuing certaine time in those vanities, was
desirous to know a far of what she was, of what lineage and of what
vocation. And after he had curiously searched out all her original, he
vnderstoode by diuers reporte, that she was a Goldsmithes doughter,
whose father was dead certaine yeares before, hauinge no more but her
mother aliue, and two brethren, both of their father’s science.
Notwithstanding, of life she was chaste and honest, defamed with none,
although she was pursued of many. Her outward beautie did not so much
set her forth, as her grace and order of talke, who although brought vp
in a Citizen’s house, yet no Lady or gentlewoman in the Citie, was
comparable to her in vertue and behauiour. For from her tender yeares,
she was not onely giuen to her nedle (a meete exercise for mayds of her
degre,) but also was trayned vp to write and reade, wherein she toke so
greate pleasure, as ordinarilie shee caried a booke in her hande, which
she neuer gaue ouer, till she had gathered som fruit thereof. This
knight hauing receyued that first impression, of the valor and vertue of
Violenta (for that was her name) was further in loue then before: and
that which added more oile to the matche, was the continuall lookes,
wherewith she knew how to delighte him: and wyth them shee was so
liberall, that so oft as he passed through the streate she shot them
forth so cruelly, as his poore hart (feeling it selfe so tormented)
could not indure that new onset. By reason whereof, thincking to quench
the fire, that by litle and litle consumed him, he attempted her
chastity, with giftes, letters, and messengers, which he continued the
space of halfe a yeare or more. Whereunto Violenta geuing no place, in
the ende hee was constrayned to assayle her with his owne presence: and
one daye finding her alone at the doore, after he had made a verye
humble reuerence vnto her, he sayde: “Maistresse Violenta, considering
your order and the colde regard that you haue to my letters and
messages, I do remember the subtiltye that is attributed to the
Serpente, who with his taile stoppeth his eares, because he will not
heare the words, which hath power to constraine him to do against his
wil, which hath made me to leaue to write vnto you, and to desire
specially to speake vnto you, that mine affectuous accentes, my sorowful
words and feruent sighes mighte certifie you better then paper, the rest
of my passion, beleuing verely, that if the heauy sound of my greuous
complaints, may come to your delicate eares, they will make you to
vnderstand a part of that good and euill, which I feele continually in
my harte, although the loue which I beare you, be such as I cannot giue
such liuely experience outwardly, being but litle in comparison of them,
which may be seene within.” And pronouncing those words, there followed
so many teares, sobbes and sighes, as they gaue sufficient testimony,
that his tongue was the true and faithfull messenger of his hart.
Whereof Violenta some what ashamed, with a constante grace said vnto
him: “Senior Didaco, if you do yet remember your life past, and mine
honesty (which peraduenture you haue thought either rude or cruell) I
doubt not, that you haue any cause to maruaile of my presumption and to
attribute that to vice, which is familiar with vertue. For although that
you haue sollicited mee to loue you, by an infinite nomber of letters
and messages, yet it is so, that following the nature of maydes of my
degree, I haue neither allowed them, nor yet condempned them, as
wherunto accordingly I haue made no aunswere: not for despite or
contempt, but to let you know more certainly, that by fauouring your
enterprises, I should increase your griefe, which can receiue none ende
by the waye you pretende. For although that I haue made the firste
proofe vpon my selfe, and therefore of reason I ought to lamente them,
whiche be in semblable paine, yet I will not let slippe the bridle in
suche wise to my passion, that mine honestie shall remain in an other
man’s power, and (so it may be) at the mercie and curtesie of them, who
not knowing howe dere it is to me, shall thinke they haue made a pretie
conquest. And that I maye haue no cause to repent to late, I haue
stopped mine eares for feare, that I be not arested and stayed with the
violence of your charmes, a thing as you say proper to Serpentes. But I
haue fortefied my harte, and so armed my inwarde minde, as if God
continue that grace in me, which hitherto he hath done, I hope not to be
surprised. Although that I must needes confesse (to my shame) that I
haue receiued marueilous assaultes of loue, not onely for the common
renowme of your vertues, and through the curtesie and gentlenesse dayly
imparted to me by your letters, but specially by your presence, whiche
hath yelded vnto me experience and assuraunce of that, whiche all the
letters of the world could not do, nor all other messages were not able
to conceiue. And to the ende that I may not be vtterly ingrate, and that
you doe not departe from me, altogether miscontent, I doe promise you
nowe that from henceforth, you shall inioye the first place of my harte,
whereunto another shall neuer enter: if so be you can be content with
honest amitie, wherein you shall finde me in time to come so liberall,
in all that whiche honestie shall permitte, that I am contente to forgoe
the name of a presumptuous or cruell Damosell for your sake. But if you
meane to abuse me, or hope for anye thing of me, contrarie to mine
honour, you be meruailously deceiued. Wherefore if you thinke your
worthinesse to great to cary away a recompence so small, you shall doe
very wel both for me and yourselfe, in forgetting that is past, to cut
of all hope in time to come.” And she thinking to prolonge a further
discourse, the mother of Violenta which stil stode at the wyndowe al the
time that Senior Didaco was with her doughter, came downe to the doore,
interrupting their talke, saide to Didaco: “Sir, I suppose you take
great pleasure in the follie of my doughter, because you tarie and abide
here, rather to contriue your tyme, then for any other contentacion you
can receiue. For she is so euill taught, and of suche rude behauiour,
that her demeanour will rather trouble you, than geue you cause of
delight.” “Maistresse,” said Didaco, “although in the beginning I
purposed not to tary so long, yet when I entered in more familiar
acquaintaunce and had well experienced her good graces, I confesse that
I haue staied here longer then I thought. And were hee neuer so great a
Lorde, that liueth at this daie, I dare auouche that he might thinke his
tyme well spente, in hearing suche sober and honest talke, wherewith I
thinke my selfe so well satisfied and instructed, as all the daies of my
life I wyll witnesse, that vertue, curtesie, and sober behauiour is to
bee founde, as well in meane degrees and houses, as in them that be
right noble, amonges which meane families, although she be one (it maye
so be) that one more illustre and noble, can not bee more excellente,
and accomplished with better manners, then she: whiche is nowe well
manifested to me in this little discourse.” And after certaine other
common talke, Didaco took his leaue, and went home to his house, where
hee lyued fourtene or fiftene monethes without any reste, assaying by
all meanes to mortifie his desires, but it auayled not: For although he
was ryche, a trymme Courtiar, and an eloquent gentleman, and had
opportunitie to speake vnto her many times, and she gentle enough to
heare him, and to vnderstande his errantes, and was assured by frendes
that she for her part was also in loue, yet he was not able by humane
arte and pollicie, to conuerte her to his mynde. Wherewithall hee was
long tyme molested, and at lengthe pressed with griefe and annoyance,
hee was aduised to sende sixe hundred ducates to the mother, for a
reliefe to the mariage of her doughter, promising besides, that he would
assigne her an honest dowrie, when she found a man worthy to be her
husbande: vppon condicion that she would yelde to him some comforte, to
ease his affection. But shee whiche could not be wonne with loue, was
not able to be recouered with money: and was offended that Senior Didaco
had forgotten himselfe so farre as to thinke to gaine that for money,
which with so great paine, teares and sighes, had bene denied him. And
to make him vnderstande howe she was offended, shee sent woorde by him
that brought her the money, that he should goe and proue hereafter to
deceiue them that measured their honour with the price of profite, and
not to sette trappes to deceiue other that would buye nothing hurtfull
to vertue. And after Didaco was aduertised of her minde, and perceiued
that he lost time in all his enterprises, and was able no longer to
susteine his extreme paine and sorowe, whiche daily augmented, and when
hee had debated in his minde all the successe of his loue, he resolued
in the end vpon that which he thought moste profitable for his quiet,
whiche was to marye her. And although she was of no suche house, and yet
lesse indowed with substaunce, as he deserued, yet her beautie and
vertue, and other giftes of grace, wherewith she was inriched, made her
worthie of a great lorde. And resolued vpon this, hee repaired to
Violenta, to whom he said: “Maistresse Violenta, if the true touchstone
to knowe them that be perfecte louers (amonges other) is mariage,
certainly you haue gotten a husbande of me, if it please you to accepte
me for suche one, whom in time you shall make to vnderstande the
difference betweene goodes and vertue, and betweene honestie and
richesse.” Violenta then rauished with ioye, and incredible
contentation, somewhat abashed, sayd vnto him: “Senior Didaco, I knowe
not whether you pretende by woordes to proue my constancie, or els to
bring me into fooles paradise: but of one thing I can assure you, that
although I acknowledge my selfe inferiour to you in merites, goodes and
vertue, yet if that come to passe which you promise, I will not geue
place to you in loue, trusting if God sende us life together, you shall
well vnderstande one daye that you would not exchaunge my persone for a
greater Ladie, what so euer she be.” For confirmation whereof, Didaco
plucked from his finger an Emeralde of great value, which (when he had
kissed her) he gaue vnto her in the waye of mariage, praying her that
she would not disclose it for a certaine time, vntill he him selfe had
made all his frendes priuie vnto it. Notwithstanding, he willed her to
imparte the same to her twoo brethren, and to her mother, and he would
get some Priest of the countrie to solempnize the mariage within their
house: which was doen in a chamber, about fower of the clocke in the
morning, being onely present the mother, the brethren, the Prieste, and
a seruaunt of the house, brought vp there from her youthe, and his own
man, without making any other preparation of coste, requisite for suche
a matter. In this sorte they spent the day in great ioye and mirthe
(which they can conceiue, that be of base birth, and exalted to some
highe degree of honour) till night was come, and then euery man
withdrewe them selues, leauing the bride and her husbande to the mercie
of loue, and order of the night. Who being alone receiued equal ioye,
and like contentation, which they fele that being pressed with ardent
and greuous thirste, doe in the ende afterwardes with liuely ioye, and
all kinde of libertie, quenche that cruell discommoditie. And continued
in those pleasures till morning, that daye began to appeare, to whome
Violenta saide: “My honourable Lorde and dere husbande, sithe that you
be nowe in possession of that which you haue so greatly desired,
I humbly beseeche you, to consider for the time to come, howe and what
wyse your pleasure is that I shall vse my selfe. For if God graunt me
the grace to be so discrete in pleasing you, as I shalbe readie and
desirous to obey you, in all that you shall commaunde mee, there was
neuer gentleman’s seruaunt, that did more willingly please his maister,
then I hope to doe you.” Whereunto Didaco aunswered: “My sweete and
welbeloued wife, let vs leaue this humblenesse and seruice for this
time, to them whiche delight in them: for I promise you of my faith,
that I haue you in no lesse reuerence and estimation, then if you had
come of the greatest house in Cathalongne: as I will make you
vnderstande some other time, at more leasure. But till I haue giuen
order to certaine of mine affaires, I praye you to kepe our mariage
secrete, and bee not offended if many times I do resorte home to mine
own house, although ther shall no day passe (by my wil) but at night I
wil kepe you companie. In the mean time to buye you necessaries, I will
sende you a thousande, or twelue hundred Ducates, to imploye not vpon
apparell, or other things requisite to your degree (for I will prouide
the same my selfe at an other time) but vpon small trifles, such as be
apt and conuenient for householde.” And so departed Senior Didaco from
his wiue’s house: who did so louingly interteigne him as by the space of
a yeare, there was no daye wherein he was content without the view and
sight of his wife. And vpon his ofte resorte to their house, the
neighbours began to suspect that he kept the mayden, and rebuked her
mother and brethren, but specially Violenta, for suffering Didaco to vse
their house in suche secrete wise: and aboue al they lamented the ill
happe of Violenta, who being so wel brought vp till she was twentie
yeares of age, and maiden of such beautie, that there was none in all
the citie of Valencia but greatly did esteme her to be of singuler
honestie and reputation. Notwithstanding, degenerating from her
accustomed vertue, they iudged her to be light of behauiour, giuen to
lasciuious loue: and albeit that verie many times, such checkes and
tauntes were obiected, yet she made smal accompte of them, knowing that
her conscience by anye meanes was not charged with such reproch: hoping
therwithall that one daye she would make them to give ouer that false
opinion when her mariage should be published and knowen. But certaine
times feeling her selfe touched, and her honestie appaired, could not
conteine but when she sawe time with her husband, she prayed him verie
earnestlie to haue her home to his own house, to auoyde slaunder and
defamacion of neighbours. But sir Didaco knewe so well howe to vse his
wife by delaies and promises, as she agreed vnto him in all thinges, and
had rather displease the whole world together then offende him alone.
Being now so attached with the loue of the knight as she cared for
nothing els, but to please and content him in al things wherunto she
sawe him disposed, and like as in the beginning she was harde and very
slacke in loue, nowe she became so feruent and earnest in her affections
as she receiued no pleasure but in the sight of Didaco, or in that which
might content and please him best. Which the knight did easely perceiue,
and seing him selfe in full possession of her harte, began by litle and
litle to waxe cold, and to be grieued at that which before he compted
deare and precious, perswading himself that he should do wrong to his
reputation, if that mariage vnworthy of his estate, were discouered and
knowen in the citie: and to prouide for the same, he more seldome tymes
repaired to visite his wife Violenta: yea and when soeuer he resorted to
her, it was more to satisfie his carnall pleasure, then for any loue he
bare her. And thus forgetting both God and his own conscience, he
frequented other companies in diuerse places, to winne the good will of
some other gentlewoman. In the ende by sundrie sutes, dissimulations,
and hipocrisies, he so behaued him self, as he recouered the good wil of
the doughter of Senior Ramyrio Vigliaracuta, one of the chiefest
knightes, and of moste auncient house of Valentia. And (as we haue
declared before) because he was ritche and wealthie, and issued of a
noble race, her parentes did easely agree to the mariage: and the father
hauing assigned an honourable dowrie to his doughter, the Nupcials were
celebrated publikely with greate pompe and solemnitie, to the singuler
contentation of all men. The mariage done and ended, Sir Didaco and his
newe wife continued at the house of his father in lawe, where he liued a
certaine time in suche pleasure and delectation as they do that be newly
maried. Wherof the mother and brethren of Violenta being aduertised,
conceiued like sorowe, as accustomably they doe, that see the honor of
them that be issued of their owne bloud vniustly and without cause to be
dispoiled. And these poore miserable creatures, not knowing to whom to
make their complainte, liued in straunge perplexitie, bicause they knew
not the priest which did solempnise their mariage. On the other side
they had no sufficient proofe of the same. And albeit they were able to
verifie in some poinctes the first mariage of Didaco, yet they durst not
prosecute the lawe against two of the greatest Lordes of their citie:
and knowing the stoute hart of Violenta, they thought to conceale the
same from her for a time, but it was in vaine: for not long after shee
was certified thereof, not onely by the next neighbours, but by the
common brute of the Citie, which reported that in tenne yeres space,
there was not seen in Valencia, a Mariage more honourable or royall, nor
frequented with a nobler companie of Gentlemen and Ladies, then the same
was of the yong knight Didaco, with the doughter of Senior Ramyrio.
Wherewithall Violenta vexed beyonde measure pressed with yre and furie,
withdrewe herselfe into her chamber alone, and there began to scratche
and teare her face and heare, like one that was madde and out of her
wittes, saying: “Alas, alas, what payne and trouble, what vnmeasurable
tormentes suffreth nowe my poore afflicted mynde, without comfort or
consolation of any creature liuing? what dure and cruell penaunce doe I
susteine, for none offence at all? Ah! fortune, fortune, the enemy of my
felicitie and blisse, thou haste so depriued me of all remedie, as I
dare not so muche as to make any man know or vnderstand my mishap that
the same might be reuenged, which being doen would render such content
to my minde, that I should departe out of this worlde the beste
satisfied mayden that euer died. Alas, that the Goddes did not graunte
me the benefite, that I might haue come of noble kinde, to the intente I
might haue caused that trayterous ruffien, to feele the grieuous paine
and bitter tormentes, which my poore harte susteineth. Ah wretched
caitife that I am, abandoned and forlorne of all good fortune: nowe I
doe see that with the eies of my minde, which with those of my body
daseled and deceiued I could not see or perceiue. Ah cruell enemy of all
pitie, doest thou not knowe and feele in thy minde, the heauie and
sorowfull sounde of my bitter plaintes? Vnderstandest not thou my voyce
that crieth vengeaunce vpon thee for thy misdede? Can not thy crueltie
in nothing be diminished seing me dismembred with the terrour of a
thousand furious martirdomes? Ah ingrate wretche, is this nowe the
rewarde of my loue, of my faithfull seruice, and mine obedience?” And as
she thus bitterly tormented her selfe, her mother and brethren, and her
maide, whiche was brought vp with her from her tender yeres, went vp to
the chamber to Violenta, where they found her then so deformed with rage
and furie, that almoste she was out of their knowledge. And when they
went about to reduce her by al meanes possible from those furious
panges, and saw that it nothing auailed, they lefte her in the keeping
of the olde maiden, whom she loued aboue any other. And after the maiden
had vttered vnto her particularly many reasons, for the appeasing of her
griefe, she told her that if she would be quiet a litle while, she would
go and speake to the knight Didaco, and make him to vnderstand his
fault. And would with discrete order so deale with him, that he should
come home to her house, and therefore shee prayed her to arme herselfe
against this wickednes, and to dissemble the matter for a time, that
hereafter she might vse vpon him iust reuenge. “No, no Ianique” answered
Violenta, “that offence is very small and lighte, where counsaile is
receiued: and albeit that I cannot chose, but confesse thine aduise to
be very meete, yet there wanteth in me a minde to followe it: that if I
did feele any part in me disposed to obeye the same, I would euen before
thy face, separate that minde from my wretched bodie: for I am so
resolued in the mallice and hatred of Didaco, as he cannot satisfie me
without life alone. And I beliue the gods did cause me to be borne with
mine owne hands to execute vengeaunce of their wrath and the losse of
mine honour. Wherefore, Ianique, if from my youth thou diddest euer loue
me, shew now the same to me by effect, in a matter whereunto thy helpe
is moste necessary: for I am so outraged in my mischiefe, as I do enuie
the miserablest creatures of the world, remayning no more in me to
continue life in wailing and continuall sighes, but the title of a vile
and abhominable whore. Thou art a straunger and liuest here a beastly
life, ioyned with continuall labour: I haue twelve hundred crownes with
certaine Iewelles, which that false traitour gaue me, which he
predestinated by the heauens for none other purpose but to paie them
their hire, which shall do the vengeaunce vpon his disloyall persone.
I doe put the same money nowe into thy hands, if thou wilte helpe mee to
make sacrifice with the bodye of poore Didaco: but if thou doest denie
me thy helpe I will execute the same alone: and in case he do not die,
as I do intende, he shalbe murdred as I may, for the first time that I
shal see him with mine eyes, come of it what will, his life shalbe
dispatched with these two trembling hands which thou seest.” Ianique
seing her maistresse in these termes, and knowinge her stoute nature,
indued with a manly and inuincible stomacke, after shee had debated
manye thinges in her minde, she determined wholie to imploye herselfe
for her maistres in that shee was able to doe. Moued partly with pitie
to see her maistres dishonored with a defamed mariage, and partly
prouoked with couetousnes to gaine so great a summe of money, which her
maistres did offer if she would condiscende to her enterprise (thinking
after the facte committed, to flee into some other countrie.) And when
shee was throughlye resolued vppon the same, shee imbraced Violenta, and
said vnto her: “Maistres, if you will be ruled by mee, and giue ouer the
vehemencie of your wrathe and displeasure, I haue found a way for you to
be reuenged vppon Didaco, who hath so wickedly deceyued you: and albeit
the same cannot be doen secretly, but in the end it must be knowen, yet
I doubte not but the cause declared before the iudges, and they
vnderstandinge the wronge hee hath doen you, they wil haue compassion
vpon your miserie: who know right well that alwayes you haue been knowen
and esteemed for a very honest and vertuous maiden: and to the ende that
you be informed how this matter may be broughte to passe, first you must
learne to dissemble your griefe openlye, and to faine your selfe in anye
wise not to bee offended with the new mariage of the knight. Then you
shall write vnto him a letter with your owne hande, letting him therby
to vnderstande the paine that you suffer for the great loue you beare
him, and ye shal humblie beseech him, some times to come and visite you.
And sithe that frowarde fortune will not suffre you to be his wife, yet
that it would please him to vse you as his louer, that you maye possesse
the second place of his loue, sith by reason of his new wife you cannot
inioy the first. Thus the deceiuour shalbe begiled by thinkinge to haue
you at his commaundment as he was wont to doe: and being come hither to
lie with you, we will handle him in such wise, as I haue inuented, that
in one nighte he shal lose his life, his wife, and her whom hee thinketh
to haue for his louer: for when he is a bedde with you, and fallen into
his first sleepe, we will sende him into another place where in a more
sonder sleepe hee shall euerlastinglie continue.” Violenta all this time
which fed her bloudie and cruell harte with none other repaste but with
rage and disdaine, began to bee appeased, and founde the counsaile of
Ianique so good, as she wholy purposed to follow the same. And to begin
her enterprise, shee prayde Ianique for a time to withdrawe her selfe,
vntill shee had written her letter, by the tenor whereof shee should
vnderstande with what audacitie shee would prosecute the reste: and
being alone in her chamber, takinge penne and paper, she wrote to
Didaco, with fayned hart as followeth. “Senior Didaco I am perswaded,
that if you wil vouchsafe to read and peruse the contentes of these my
sorowful letters, you shalbe moued with some compassion and pitie, by
beholdinge the true Image of my miserable life, pourtrayed and painted
in the same, which through your disloyaltie and breach of promise is
consumed and spent with so many teares, sighes, tormentes and griefes,
that diuers times I maruaile howe Nature can so long support and defende
the violente assaultes of so cruell a martyrdome, and that she hath not
many times torne my feeble spirite out of this cruell and mortall
prison: which maketh me to thinke and beleeue by continuinge life, that
death himselfe hath conspired my miserie, and is the companion of my
affliction: considering that by no torment she is able to make diuision
betweene my soule and body. Alas, how many tenne hundred thousande times
in a day haue I called for death, and yet I cannot make her to recline
her eares vnto my cries. Alas, how many times am I vanquished with the
sharpe tormentes of sorowe, readie to take my leaue and last farewell of
you, being arriued to the extreme panges of death. Behold Didaco mine
ordinary delites, behold my pleasures, behold all my pastime. But yet
this is but litle in respect of that which chaunceth in the night: for
if it happen that my poore eyes doe fall a sleepe, weary with incessaunt
drawing forth of well springes of teares, slombring dreames cease not
then to vexe and afflict my minde, wyth the cruellest tormentes that are
possible to be deuised, representing vnto me by their vglie and horrible
visions, the ioye and contentacion of her, which inioyeth my place:
wherby the greatest ioy which I conceiue is not inferior to cruell
death. Thus my life maintayned with continuacion of sorowes and griefes,
is persecuted in most miserable wise: now (as you know) I dailye passe
my sorow, vnder painefull silence, thinkinge that your olde promisses,
confirmed with so many othes, and the assured proof which you still haue
had of my faith and constancie, would haue brought you to some order,
but now seing with mine eyes, the hard metall of your harte, and the
crueltie of my fate, which wholie hath subdued mee to your obedience,
for respect of mine honour: I am forced to complaine of him that beateth
mee and thereby despoileth mee both of mine honour and life, not
vouchsafing onely so much as ones to come vnto mee. And vncertaine to
whom I may make recourse, or where to finde redresse, I appeale vnto
you, to thende that seing in what leane and vglie state I am, your
cruelty maye altogether be satisfied, which beholdinge a sighte so
pitifull, wherein the figure of my tormente is liuely expressed, it may
be moued to some compassion. Come hither then thou cruell manne, come
hither I saye, to visite her whom with some signe of humanitie, thou
maiest staye or at least wise mollifie and appease the vengeaunce which
shee prepareth for thee: and if euer sparke of pitie did warme thy
frosen hart, arme thy selfe with greater crueltie then euer thou was
wont to doe, and come hither to make her sobbe her laste and extreme
sighes, whom thou haste wretchedly deceiued: for in doing otherwise thou
maiest peraduenture to late, bewaile my death and thy beastlye
crueltie.” And thinking to make a conclusion of her letter, the teares
made her woords to die in her mouth, and woulde not suffer her to write
any more: wherefore she closed and sealed the same, and then calling
Ianique vnto her she said: “Holde, gentle Ianique, carye these letters
vnto him, and if thou canste so well play thy part as I haue doen mine,
I hope wee shall haue shortly at our commaundemente him that is the
occasion of this my painfull life, more greuous vnto me then a thousand
deathes together.” Ianique hauing the letter, departed with diligence,
and went to the house of the father in lawe of Didaco, where quietly
shee waited till shee mighte speake with some of the house, which was
within a while after: for one of the seruauntes of Didaco whom she knew
right well, wente about certaine his maisters busines, and meeting
Ianique was abashed. Of whom she demaunded if the Lord Didaco were
within, and saide that she would faine speake with him: but if it were
possible she would talke with him secretly. Whereof Didaco aduertised,
came forth to her into the streate, to whom smilingly (hauing made to
him a fayned reuerence) she said: “Senior Didaco, I can neither write
nor reade, but I dare laie my life, ther is sute made vnto you by these
letters, which Madame Violenta hath sent vnto you. And in deede to say
the truth, there is great iniurie doen vnto her of your parte, not in
respecte of your new mariage: (for I neuer thought that Violenta was a
wife meete for you, considering the difference of your estates) but
because you wil not vouchsafe to come vnto her, seeming that you make no
more accompte of her and speciallye for that you prouide no mariage for
her in som other place. And assure your selfe she is so farre in loue
with you, that she is redie to die as she goeth, in such wise that
making her complaint vnto me this day weeping, she said vnto me: ‘Well,
for so much then as I cannot haue him to be my husbande, I would to God
he would mainteigne me for his frende, and certaine times in the weeke
to come to see mee specially in the night, lest he should be espied of
the neighbours.’ And certainly if you would followe her minde herein,
you shall do very well: for the case standeth thus, you may make your
auaunte that you be prouided of so faire a wife, and with so beautifull
a frende as any gentleman in Valentia.” And then Ianique deliuered him
the letter, which he receiued and redde, and hauing well considered the
tenor of the same he was incontinently surprised with a sodaine passion:
for hatred and pitie, loue and disdaine (as within a Cloude be conteined
hotte and colde, with many contrary winds) began to combate together,
and to vexe his hart with contrary minds, then pawsinge vpon answere, he
said vnto her: “Ianique, my dere frende recommende mee to the good grace
and fauour of thy maistres, and say vnto her, that for this time I will
make her no answere, but to morow at fower of the clocke in the morning
I will be at her house, and keepe her companie all the daye and nighte,
and then I will tell her what I haue doen sithens I departed last from
her, trusting shee shall haue no cause to be offended with me.” And then
Ianique taking her leaue, retourned towarde Violenta, telling her what
shee had doen. To whom Violenta answeared: “Ianique, if thou hast made a
good beginninge to our plotted enterprise, I likewise for my part haue
not slept. For I haue deuised that wee must prouide for a stronge roape,
which wee will fasten to the beddes side, and when hee shalbe a sleepe,
I will caste the other ende of the rope to thee, ouerthwart the bedde,
that thou maiest plucke the same with all thy mighte, and before thou
beginnest to pull I will with a knife cutte his throate, wherefore thou
muste prepare two great kniues, what soeuer they cost, but I pray thee
let me alone with doing of the facte, that I may dispatche him of his
life, which alone did make the first assault to the breach of mine
honour.” Ianique knew so well how to prouide for all that was requisite
for the execution of their enterprise, as there rested nothing but
opportunitie, to sort their cruel purpose to effect. The knight sir
Didaco, at the houre appointed, tolde his new wife that he must go into
the countrie, to take order for the state of his land, and that he could
not retourne, til the next day in the morning. Which she by and by
beleued: and the better to couer his fact, he caused two horse to be
made redie, and rode forth when the clocke strake iiii. And when he had
riden through a certain streat, he said to his man, which was wonte to
serue his tourne in loue matters: “Carie my horse to such a manour in
the countrie, and tarrie there all this day, and to morowe morning come
seeke mee in suche a place, when I am gone from the house of Violenta.
In the meane time set my horse in some Inne: for in any wise I will haue
no man know that I doe lie there.” Which doen the maister and the
seruaunte wente two seuerall wayes. The knight being come to the house
of Violenta, he found Ianique tarying for him, with good deuocion to vse
him according to his desert, and conueyed him to the chamber of
Violenta, and then she retourned about her busines. The knighte kissed
Violenta and bad her good morowe, asking her how she did? Whom Violenta
aunsweared: “Sir Didaco, you bid me good morrow in words, but in deede
you go about to prepare for me a heuie and sorowfull life. I beleeue
that your minde beareth witnes, of the state of my welfare: for you haue
broughte me to such extremitie, that you see right wel how nothing els
but my voice declareth me to be a woman, and therewithall so feeble a
creature, as I still craue and call for death or for pitie, although
both of thone and of the other, I am not heard at all: and yet thincke
not Didaco, that I am so farre out of my wittes to beleeue that the
cause of my writing the letter was for hope, that (you remembring my
bitter paines, and your owne hainous crime) I coulde euer moue you to
pitie: for I am perswaded that you wil neuer cease to exhauste and sucke
the bloud, honor, and life of them that credite your trumperies and
deceiptes, as nowe by experience I know by my selfe, with such deadly
sorow that I still attende and loke for the sorowful ende of my life.”
Didaco seing her thus afflicted, fearing that her cholere woulde further
inflame, began to cull her, and to take her now into his armes, telling
her that his mariage with the doughter of Vigliaracuta, was concluded
more by force then his owne will and minde, because they pretended to
haue a gift of all the lande and goods he had in succession after his
father was dead, which if they did obtain by law he should be a begger
all the dayes of his life, and that the same was doen to prouide for the
quiet state of them both, and notwithstanding hee had maried an other
wife, yet hee purposed to loue none but her, and meant in time to poison
his wife, and to spend the rest of his life with her. And thus seeming
to remedie his former fault, by surmised reports, chauntinge vppon the
cordes of his pleasaunt tongue, hee thought with Courtlike allurements,
to appease her, which had her wittes to well sharpened to be twise taken
in one trap, howbeit for feare of driuing him awaye, and to loose the
meane to accomplish that which she intended, she said vnto him with
forced smiling: “Sir Didaco, although you haue so ill vsed mee in time
paste, as I haue no greate cause to beleeue your presente woordes, yet
the loue that I beare you, is so rooted in my harte, as the faulte muste
be verye greate, which shoulde remoue the same: in consideration
whereof, I will constraine myselfe to beleeue that your woords be true,
vpon condicion that you will sweare and promise to lie with me here ones
or twyse a weeke. For me thinke that if I might at times inioye your
presence, I should remaine in some part of your grace and fauour, and
liue the best contented woman a liue.” Whereunto hee willingly agreed,
with a great nomber of other like protestations, prompte and redy in
them which meane deceipt. But in the poore miserable woman had perced
the same in the depth of her harte, and had credited all that he spake,
no doubte he woulde haue chaunged his minde. Thus either partes spente
the daye in cold and dissembled flatteries till darke nighte, with his
accustomed silence, did deliuer them the meane to exercise their cruell
facte. So sone as supper was doen, Didaco and Violenta walked vp and
downe together, talking of certaine common matters, till the knight
(pressed with slepe) commaunded his bed to be made redie: it neded not
then to inquire with what diligence Violenta and Ianique obeyed his
requeste: in whome onely as they thought consisted the happe, or
mishappe of their intent: to whom because Violenta might shewe her selfe
more affectionate, went first to bedde, and so sone as they were layde,
Ianique drewe the curteines and tooke away Didaco his swoorde, and
making as though she had a thing to do vnder the bedde, she fastened the
rope and raked vp the fire which was in the chimney, carying a stoole to
the beddes side, and layd vpon the same twoo great kechin knifes, which
doen she put out the candle, and, fayning to goe out of the chamber, she
shut the dore and went in againe. And then the poore infortunate knight,
thinking that he was alone in the chamber with Violenta, began to clepe
and kisse her, whereunto she made no refusal, but desirous to renew his
old priuate toies, she prayed him of al loue that he bare vnto her to
kepe truce for twoo or three howers, for that the night was long inough
to satisfie his desires, affirming that it was impossible for her to
wake, because fiue or sixe dayes before by reason of her griefes, she
had not slept at all, notwithstanding, she said, that after her first
sleepe she would willingly obey him: wherunto the gentleman was easely
perswaded, aswell bicause he hadde els where sufficiently staunched his
thurst, as also for that he was loth to displease her: and faining her
selfe to sleepe, she turned her face to the other side, and in that wyse
continued, till the poore gentleman was fallen into his sound slepe.
Then Ianique softly conueyed the rope ouer his bodye, and gaue it to
Violenta, and after she had placed it according to her minde, as they
together had deuised before, she deliuered thende to Ianique, who being
at the beddes side satte down vpon the grounde, and folding the rope
about her armes, hoisted her twoo feete against the bedde to pull with
greater force when nede required. Not long after, Violenta toke one of
the great knifes, and lifting her selfe vp softlye, she proued with her
hand, to seke a place most meete for her to stabbe a hole into her
enemies fleshe. And inchaunted with wrath, rage and furie, like another
Medea, thrust the poincte of the knife with suche force into his throte
as shee perced it through, and the poore vnhappie man thinking to
resiste the same, by geuing some repulse against that aduerse and heauie
fortune, was appalled, who feeling a new charge geuen vpon him againe,
specially being intricated with the roape, was not able to sturre hande
nor foote, and through the excessiue violence of the paine, his speache
and power to crie, was taken away: in such sorte that after he had
receiued tenne or twelue mortall woundes one after an other, his poore
martired soule departed from his sorowfull body. Violenta hauing ended
her determined enterprise, commaunded Ianique to light the candle, and
approching nere the knightes face, shee sawe by and by that he was
without life. Then not able to satisfie her bloudye harte, ne yet to
quenche her furious rage which boiled in her stomacke, she with the
poinct of the knife tare out the eyes from his head, crying out vpon
them with hideous voice, as if they had ben aliue: “Ah traiterous eyes,
the messengers of a minde most villanous that euer seiorned within the
bodie of man: come out of your shamelesse siege for euer, for the spring
of your fained teares is now exhausted and dried vp.” Then shee played
the Bocher vppon those insensible members, continuing still her rage,
and cruelly seazed vpon the tongue, which with her bloudy handes she
haled out of his mouth, and beholding the same with a murderous eie as
she was cutting it of, sayd: “Oh abhominable and periured tongue, how
many lies diddest thou frame in the same, before thou couldest with the
canon shot of this poysoned member, make breache into my virginitie:
whereof now being depriued by thy meanes, I franckly accelerate my self
to death, wherunto thou presently hast opened the way.” And when shee
had separated this litle member from the reste of the body (insaciable
of crueltie) with the knife ripped a violent hole into his stomacke, and
launching her cruel handes vpon his harte she tare it from the place,
and gashing the same with many blowes, she said: “Ah, vile hart, harder
then the Diamont whose andeuile forged the infortunate trappes of these
my cruel destenies! oh that I could haue discoured thy cogitations in
time past, as I doe now thy materiall substaunce, that I might haue bene
preserued from thine abhominable treason, and detestable infidelitie.”
Then fleashing her selfe vpon the dead body, as a hungry lion vpon his
praye, she lefte no parte of him vnwounded: and when shee had mangled
his bodye all ouer, with an infinite number of gashes, she cried out: “O
infected carrion, whilom an organ and instrumente of the moste
vnfaithfull and trayterous minde that euer was vnder the coape of
heauen. Nowe thou art payed with deserte, worthy of thy merites!” Then
shee sayed to Ianique (whiche with great terrour, had all this whyle
viewed her play this pageant) “Ianique I feele my selfe now so eased of
payne that come death when he will, he shal find me strong and lustie to
indure his furious assault, which of long time I haue assaied. Helpe me
then to traine this corps out of my father’s house, wherein I was first
defloured, then will I tell thee what thou shalt doe: for like as mine
honestie is stayned and published abrode, euen so will I the reuenge to
be manifeste, crauing that his bodie may be exponed to the viewe of all
men.” Whose request Ianique obeied: and then she and Violenta toke the
body, and threwe it out at one of the chamber wyndowes down vpon the
pauement of the streate, with all the partes which she had cut of. That
done she sayd to Ianique: “Take this casket with all the money within
the same, and shippe thy selfe at the next port thou shalt come to, and
get thee ouer into Africa to saue thy life so spedely as thou canst, and
neuer come into these partes again, nor to any other wher thou art
knowen.” Which Ianique purposed to doe, although Violenta had not
consailed her thereunto: and ready to departe, shee gaue a sorowefull
farewell to her maistres, and betoke her selfe to her good fortune: and
from that time forth, no man could tell whether she went, for all the
persute made after her. So sone as daye appeared, the firste that passed
by the streate espied the dead bodie, whiche by reason of the noyse and
brute made throughout the towne, caused many people to come and see it:
but no man knew what he was, being disfiguered as well by reason of the
eyes torne out of his head, as for other partes mutilated and deformed.
And about eight of the clocke in the morning, there was suche a
multitude of people assembled, as it was in maner impossible to come
nere it. The moste parte thought that some theues in the nighte had
committed that murder: whiche opinion seemed to be true, because he was
in his shurte: other some were of contrary opinion: and Violenta, whiche
was at the wyndowe, hearing their sundrie opinions came downe and with a
bolde courage and stoute voyce, that euery man might heare, said; “Sirs,
you do contend vpon a thing whereof (if I were demaunded the question of
the magistrates of this citie) I am able to render assured testimonie:
and without great difficultie this murder can not be discouered by any
other but by me.” Whiche woordes the people did sone beleue, thinking
that diuers gentlemen ielous of Violenta had made a fraye: for she had
now loste her auncient reputacion by meanes of Didaco, who (as the fame
and common reporte was bruted) did keepe her. When she had spoken those
wordes, the Iudges were incontinently aduertised as well of the murder
as of that whiche Violenta had said, and went thither with Sergeauntes
and Officers, where they founde Violenta, more stoute then any of the
standers by: and inquired of her immediatlye howe that murder came to
passe, but shee without feare or appallement, made this aunswere: “Hee
that you see here dead, is the Lorde Didaco: and because it apperteineth
to many to vnderstand the trouth of his death (as his father in lawe,
his wife and other kinsmen) I would in their presence, if it please you
to cause them to be called hither declare what I knowe.” The Magistrates
amased to see so great a Lorde so cruelly slayne, committed her to warde
til after dinner, and commaunded that all the before named should bee
summoned to appeare: who assembled in the palace, with such a number of
the people, as the iudges could skant haue place: Violenta in the
presence of them all, without any rage or passion, first of all
recompted vnto them the chast loue betwene Didaco and her, whiche hee
continued the space of fourtene or fiftene monethes, without receiuing
any fruicte or commoditie thereof. Within a whyle after (he being
vanquished with loue) maried her secretly at her house, and solempnized
the nuptialles by a Prieste vnknowen: declaring moreouer, how they had
liued a yere together in householde, without any occasion of offence, on
her part geuen vnto him. Then she rehersed before them his seconde
mariage with the doughter of such a man, being there present, adding for
conclusion, that sith he had made her to lose her honestie, shee had
sought meanes to make him to loose his life: which she executed with the
helpe of Ianique her mayde: who by her aduise being loth to liue any
longer, had drowned her selfe. And after she had declared the true state
of the matter, passed betwene them, shee sayd for conclusion, that all
that she had rehersed was not to incite or moue them to pitie or
compassion, thereby to prolong her life, whereof shee iudged her self
vnworthy: “For if you (quoth she) do suffer me to escape your handes,
thinking to saue my body, you shalbe the cause and whole ruine of my
soule, for with these mine owne handes, which you see before you, I will
desperatly cut of the thred of this my life.” And with those wordes she
held her peace: wherat the people amased, and moued with pitie, let fall
the luke warme teares from their dolourouse eyes and lamented the
misfortune of that poore creature: imputing the fault vppon the dead
knight, which vnder colour of mariage had deceiued her. The Magistrates
determining further to deliberate vpon the matter, caused the dead bodie
to be buried, and committed Violenta againe to warde, taking away from
her kniues and other weapons, wherewith they thought shee might hurt her
selfe. And vsed such diligent search and inquirie, that the Priest which
maried them was found out, and the seruaunt of Didaco that was present
at the mariage of Violenta, being examined, deposed how by his maister’s
commaundement he caried his horse into the countrie, and how he
commaunded him to come to him againe the nexte morning to the house of
Violenta. And all thinges were so well brought to light, as nothing
wanted for further inuestigation of the truthe, but onely the confession
of him that was dead. And Violenta by the common opinion of the Judges
was condempned to be beheaded: not only for that she had presumed to
punishe the knightes tromperie and offence, but for her excessiue
crueltie doen vpon the dead body. Thus infortunate Violenta ended her
life, her mother and brethren being acquited: and was executed in the
presence of the duke of Calabria, the sonne of king Frederic of Aragon:
which was that time the Viceroy there, and afterwardes died at Torry in
Fraunce: who incontinently after caused this historie to be registred,
with other thinges worthy of remembraunce, chaunced in his time at
Valencia. Bandell doth wryte, that the mayde Ianique was put to death
with her maistres: but Paludanus a Spaniard, a liue at that time,
writeth an excellent historie in Latine, wherin he certainly declareth
that she was neuer apprehended, which opinion (as most probable) I haue
folowed.