_Two Barons of Hvngarie assuring themselues to obtayne their
sute to a fayre Lady of Boeme, receyued of hir a straung and
maruelous repulse, to their great shame and Infamy, cursinge
the tyme that euer they aduentured an Enterprise so foolish._
Penelope, the woful Wife of absent Vlisses, in hir tedious
longing for the home retourne of that hir aduenturous knight,
assayled wyth Carefull heart amid the troupe of amorous Suters,
and within the Bowels of hir royall Pallace, deserued no greater
fame for hir valiaunt encountries and stoute defence of the
inuincible, and Adamant fort of hir chastity than this Boeme
Lady doth by resisting two mighty Barrons, that canoned the
Walles, and well mured rampart of hir pudicity. For being
threatned in his Princes Court, whether al the well trayned crew
of eche science and profession, dyd make repayre, beyng menaced
by Venus' band, which not onely summoned hir fort and gaue hir a
camisado by thick _Al' Armes_, but also forced the place by
fierce assault, she lyke a couragious and politike captayne,
gaue those braue and lusty Souldiers, a fowle repulse, and in
end taking them captiues, vrged them for their victuals to fall
to woman's toyle, more shamefull than shamelesse Sardanapalus
amid hys amorous troupe. I neede not amplifie by length of
preamble, the fame of this Boeme Lady, nor yet briefly recompt
the Triumph of hir Victory: vayne it were also by glorious
hymnes to chaunte the wisedome of hir beleuing maake, who not
carelesse of hir Lyfe, employed hys care to serue hys Prynce,
and by seruice atchieued the cause that draue him to a
souldier's state. But yet for trustlesse faith in the pryme
conference of his future porte, hee consulted wyth a Pollaco,
for a compounded drugge, to ease his suspect mind, whych
medicine so eased his maladie, as it not onely preserued hym
from the infected humour, but also made hir happy for euer.
Sutch fall the euents of valiaunt mindes, though many tymes
mother iealosie that cancred Wytch steppeth in hir foote to anoy
the well disposed heart. For had he ioyned to his valyaunce
credite of his louynge wife, without the blynde aduyse of sutch
as professe that blacke and lying scyence, double glorye hee had
gayned: once for endeuoryng by seruice to seeke honour: the
seconde, for absolute truste in hir, that neuer ment to beguyle
him, as by hir firste aunswere to his first motion appeareth.
But what is to be obiected against the Barons? Let them answere
for their fault, in this discourse ensuing: whych so lessoneth
all Noble Myndes, as warely they ought to beware how they
aduenture upon the honour of Ladies, who bee not altogither of
one selfe and yelding trampe, but wel forged and steeled in the
shamefast shoppe of Loyaltie, which armure defendeth them
against the fond skirmishes and vnconsidred conflicts of Venus'
wanton band. The maiesties also of the king and Queene, are to
be aduaunced aboue the starres for their wise dissuasion of
those Noblemen from their hot and hedlesse enterpryse, and then
their Iustice for due execution of their forfait, the
particularity of whych discourse in this wyse doth begynne.
Mathie Coruine, sometime king of Hungarie, aboute the yeare of
oure Lorde 1458, was a valiaunt man of Warre, and of goodly
personage. Hee was the first that was Famous, or feared of the
Turks, of any Prynce that gouerned that kingdome. And amongs
other his vertues, so well in Armes and Letters, as in
Lyberallyty and Curtesie he excelled al the Prynces that raygned
in his time. He had to Wyfe Queene Beatrice of Arragon, the
Daughter of olde Ferdinando kyng of Naples, and sister to the
mother of Alphonsus, Duke of Ferrara, who in learnyng, good
conditions, and all other vertues generally dispersed in hir,
was a surpassing princesse, and shewed hirself not onely a
curteous and Liberall Gentlewoman to king Mathie hir husband,
but to all other, that for vertue seemed worthy of honour and
reward: in sutch wise as to the Court of these two noble
Princes, repayred the most notable Men of al Nations that were
giuen to any kind of good exercise, and euery of them according
to theyr desert and degree welcomed and entertained. It chaunced
in this time, that a knight of Boeme the vasall of Kinge Mathie,
for that he was likewyse kyng of that countrey, born of a noble
house, very valiant and wel exercised in armes, fell in loue
with a passing faire Gentlewoman of like nobility, and reputed
to be the fairest of al the country, and had a brother that was
but a pore Gentleman, not lucky to the goods of fortune. This
Boemian knight was also not very rich, hauing onely a Castle,
wyth certain reuenues thervnto, which was scarce able to yeld
vnto him any great maintenance of liuing. Fallyng in loue then
with this faire Gentlewoman, he demaunded hir in mariage of hir
brother, and with hir had but a very little dowrie. And this
knight not wel forseeing his poore estate, brought his wyfe home
to his house, and there, at more leisure considering the same,
began to fele his lacke and penury, and how hardly and scant his
reuenues were able to maintein his port. He was a very honest
and gentle person, and one that delighted not by any meanes to
burden and fine his tenants, contenting himself with that
reuenue which his ancesters left him, the same amounting to no
great yerely rent. When this gentleman perceiued that he stode
in neede of extraordinary relyefe, after many and diuers
consyderations with himself, he purposed to folow the Court, and
to serue king Mathie his souerain lord and master, there by his
diligence and experience, to seke meanes for ability to sustaine
his wife and himself. But so great and feruent was the loue that
he bare vnto his Lady, as he thought it impossible for him to
liue one houre without hir, and yet iudged it not best to haue
hir with him to the court, for auoidinge of further Charges
incydente to Courtyng Ladyes, whose Delight and Pleasure resteth
in the toyes and trycks of the same, that cannot be wel auoyded
in poore Gentlemen, without theyr Names in the Mercer's or
Draper's Iornals, a heauy thyng for them to consyder if for
their disport they lyke to walke the stretes. The daily thynkyng
thereupon, brought the poore Gentleman to great sorrow and
heauinesse. The Lady that was young, wise and discrete, marking
the maner of hir husband, feared that he had some misliking of
hir. Wherefore vpon a day she thus sayd vnto hym: "Dere husband,
willingly would I desire a good turne at your hand, if I wist I
should not displease you." "Demaund what you will," (said the
knighte) "if I can, I shall gladly performe it, bicause I do
esteeme your satisfaction, as I do mine owne lyfe." Then the
Lady very sobrely praied him, that he would open vnto hir the
cause of that discontentment, which hee shewed outwardly to
haue, for that his mynd and behauiour seemed to bee contrary to
ordinary Custome, and contriued Daye and Nyghte in sighes,
auoydinge the Company of them that were wont specially to
delyght him. The Knight hearing his Ladyes request, paused a
whyle, and then sayd vnto hir: "My wel beloued Wyfe, for so
mutch as you desyre to vnderstand my thoughte and mynde, and
whereof it commeth that I am sad and pensife, I wyll tell you:
all the Heauinesse wherewith you see me to be affected, doth
tend to this end. Fayne would I deuyse that you and I may in
honour lyue together, accordyng to our calling. For in respect
of our Parentage, our Liuelode is very slender, the occasion
whereof were our Parents, who morgaged their Lands, and consumed
a great part of their goods that our Auncestors lefte them.
I dayly thynking hereupon, and conceiuyng in my head dyuers
Imaginations, can deuise no meanes but one, that in my fansie
seemeth best, which is, that I go to the Court of our soueraine
lord Mathie who at this present is inferring Warres vpon the
Turk, at whose hands I do not mistrust to receyue good
intertainment, beynge a most Lyberal Prynce, and one that
esteemeth al sutch as be valiant and actiue. And I for my parte
wyll so gouerne my selfe (by God's grace) that by deserte I wyll
procure sutch lyuing and fauour as hereafter we may lyue in oure
Olde Dayes a quyet Lyfe to oure great stay and comforte: For
althoughe Fortune hitherto hath not fauored that state of
Parentage, whereof we be, I doubt not wyth Noble Courage to win
that in despyte of Fortune's Teeth, which obstinately hitherto
she hath denyed. And the more assured am I of thys
determination, bycause at other tymes, I haue serued vnder the
Vaiuoda in Transiluania, agaynst the Turke, where many tymes I
haue bene requyred to serue also in the Courte, by that
honourable Gentleman, the Counte of Cilia. But when I dyd
consider the beloued Company of you (deare Wyfe) the swetest
Companyon that euer Wyght possessed, I thought it vnpossible for
me to forbeare your presence, whych yf I should doe, I were
worthy to sustayne that dishonour, which a great number of
carelesse Gentlemen doe, who following their pryuate gayne and
Wyll, abandon theyr young and fayre Wyues, neglectinge the fyre
which Nature hath instilled to the delycate bodies of sutch
tender Creatures. Fearing therewythall, that so soone as I
shoulde depart the lusty yong Barons and Gentlemen of the
Countrey would pursue the gaine of that loue, the pryce whereof
I do esteeme aboue the crowne of the greatest Emperour in all
the World, and woulde not forgoe for all the Riches and Precious
Iewels in the fertyle Soyle of Arabie, who no doubte would
swarme togyther in greater heapes then euer dyd the wowers of
Penelope, within the famous graunge of Ithaca, the house of
Wandering Vlisses. Whych pursute if they dyd attayne, I shoulde
for euer hereafter be ashamed to shewe my face before those that
be of valour and regard. And this is the whole effect of the
scruple (sweete wyfe) that hyndreth me, to seeke for our better
estate and fortune." When he had spoken these words, he held his
peace. The Gentlewoman which was wyse and stout, perceyuing the
great loue that her husband bare hir, when hee had stayed
himselfe from talke, with good and merry Countenance answered
hym in thys wyse: "Sir Vlrico," (which was the name of the
Gentleman) "I in lyke manner as you haue done, haue deuysed and
thoughte vpon the Nobilitye and Byrth of our Auncestors, from
whose state and port (and that wythout oure fault and cryme) we
be far wyde and deuyded. Notwythstanding I determined to set a
good face vpon the matter, and to make so mutch of our paynted
sheath as I could. In deede I confesse my selfe to be a Woman,
and you Men doe say that Womens heartes be faynt and feeble: but
to bee playne wyth you, the contrary is in me, my hearte is so
stoute and ambitious as peraduenture not meete and consonant to
power and ability, although we Women will finde no lacke if our
Hartes haue pith and strength inough to beare it out. And faine
woulde I support the state wherein my mother maintayned me. Howe
be it for mine owne part (to God I yeld the thanks) I can so
moderate and stay my little great heart, that contented and
satisfied I can be, with that which your abilitye can beare, and
pleasure commaund. But to come to the point, I say that debating
with my selfe of our state as you full wisely do, I do verily
think that you being a yong Gentleman, lusty and valiaunt, no
better remedy or deuyse can be found than for you to aspyre and
seeke the Kyng's fauor and seruice. And it must needes ryse and
redounde to your gaine and preferment, for that I heare you say
the King's Maiestye doth already knowe you. Wherefore I do
suppose that hys grace (a skilfull Gentleman to way and esteeme
the vertue and valor of ech man) cannot chose but reward and
recompence the well doer to his singular contentation and
comfort. Of this myne Opinion I durst not before thys time vtter
Word or signe for feare of your displeasure. But nowe sith your
selfe hath opened the way and meanes, I haue presumed to
discouer the same, do what shal seeme best vnto your good
pleasure. And I for my parte, although that I am a woman
(accordingly as I saied euen now) that by Nature am desirous of
honor, and to shew my selfe abrode more rich and sumptuous than
other, yet in respect of our fortune, I shal be contented so
long as I lyue to continue with you in this our Castell, where
by the grace of God I will not fayle to serue, loue and obey
you, and to keepe your House in that moderate sorte, as the
reuenues shall be able to maintayne the same. And no doubt but
that poore liuing we haue orderly vsed, shal be sufficient to
finde vs two, and fiue or sixe seruaunts with a couple of
horsse, and so to lyue a quyet and merry Lyfe. If God doe send
vs any Children, tyl they come to lawfull age, we will with our
poore liuing bryng them vp so well as wee can and then to prefer
them to some Noble mens seruices, with whome by God's grace they
may acquire honoure and lyuing, to keepe them in their aged
dayes. And I doe trust that wee two shall vse sutch mutuall loue
and reioyce, that so long as our Lyfe doth last in wealth and
woe, our contented mindes shall rest satisfied. But I waying the
stoutnesse of your minde, doe know that you esteeme more an
Ounce of honor, than all the Golde that is in the world. For as
your birth is Noble, so is your heart and stomacke. And
therefore many tymes seeing your great heauinesse, and manyfolde
muses and studies, I haue wondred with my selfe whereof they
should proceede, and amongs other my conceipts, I thought that
either my behauior and order of dealyng, or my personage did not
lyke you: or else that your wonted gentle minde and disposition
had ben altered and transformed into some other Nature: many
times also I was contente to thynke that the cause of your
disquiet mynde, dyd ryse vppon the disuse of Armes, wherein you
were wonte dailye to accustome youre selfe amonges the Troupes
of the honourable, a company in dede most worthy of your
presence. Reuoluing many times these and sutch lyke cogitations,
I haue sought meanes by sutch alurementes as I could deuyse, to
ease and mitigate your troubled minde, and to wythdraw the great
vnquiet and care wherewith I sawe you to be affected. Bycause I
do esteeme you aboue all the Worlde deemyng your onely gryefe to
be my double Payne, your aking Fynger, a feruent Feuer fit, and
the least Woe you can sustayne moste bytter Death to me, that
loueth you more dearelye than my selfe. And for that I doe
perceyue you are determyned to serue our Noble King, the sorrowe
which without doubte wyll assayle mee by reason of your absence,
I wyll sweeten and lenifie wyth Contentatyon, to see your
Commendable desyre appeased and quiet. And the pleasaunt Memory
of your valyaunt facts beguyle my pensife thoughts, hopyng our
nexte meetyng shall bee more ioyfull than thys our dysiunctyon
and departure heauy. And where you doubt of the Confluence and
repayre of the dyshoneste whych shall attempt the wynnyng and
subduing of myne heart and vnspotted bodye, hytherto inuyolably
kepte from the touch of any person, cast from you that feare,
expel from your minde that fonde conceipt: for death shall
sooner close these mortall Eyes, than my Chastitye shall bee
defyled. For pledge whereof I haue none other thyng to gyue but
my true and symple fayth, whych if you dare trust it shal
hereafter appeare so firme and inuiolable as no sparke of
suspition shal enter your careful minde, which I may wel terme
to be carefull, bicause some care before hand doth rise of my
behauior in your absence. The tryall wherefore shall yelde sure
euidence and testimony, by passing my careful life which I may
with better cause so terme in your absence, that God knoweth wil
be right pensife and carefull vnto mee, who ioyeth in nothinge
else but in your welfare. Neuerthelesse all meanes and wayes
shall bee agreeable vnto my minde for your assurance, and shall
breede in me a wonderful contentation, which lusteth after
nothing but your satisfaction. And if you list to close me vp in
one of the Castell towers til your return, right glad I am there
to continue an Ankresse life: so that the same may ease your
desired mind." The knight with great delyght gaue ear to the
aunswere of his Wife, and when she had ended hir talke, he began
to reply vnto hir: "My welbeloued, I doe lyke wel and greatly
commended the stoutnesse of your heart, it pleaseth me greatly
to see the same agreeable vnto mine. You haue lightned the same
from inestimable woe by vnderstanding your conceiued purpose and
determination to gard and preserue your honor, praying you
therein to perseuere, still remembring that when a Woman hath
lost hir honor, shee hath forgone the chiefest Iewel she hath in
this Life, and deserueth no longer to be called woman. And
touching my talke proposed vnto you although it be of great
importaunce, yet I meane not to depart so soone. But if it do
come to effect I assure thee Wife, I will leaue thee Lady and
mistresse of all that I haue. In the meane time I will consider
better of my businesse, and consult with my fryendes and
kinsmen, and then determine what is best to be done. Til when
let vs lyue and spend our tyme so merely as we can." To bee
shorte there was nothing that so mutch molested the knight, as
the doubt he had of his wife, for that she was a very fine and
faire yong Gentlewoman: And therefore he stil deuised and
imagined what assurance he myght finde of hir behauior in his
absence. And resting in this imagination, not long after it cam
to passe that the knight being in company of diuers Gentleman,
and talking of sundry matters, a tale was tolde what chaunced to
a gentleman of the Countrey whych had obtained the fauoure and
good wyll of a Woman, by meanes of an olde man called Pollacco,
which had the name to be a famous enchaunter and Physitian,
dwelling at Cutiano a Citie of Boeme, where plenty of siluer
mines and other metals is. The knight whose Castle was not far
from Cutiano, had occasion to repaire vnto that Citye, and
according to his desire found out this Pollacco, which was a
very old man, and talking with him of diuers things, perceiued
him to be of great skil. In end he entreated him, that for so
mutch as he had don pleasure to many for apprehension of their
loue, he wold also instruct him, how he might be assured that
hys wife did keepe hir self honest all the time of his absence,
and that by certaine signes hee might have sure knowledge
whether she brake hir faith, by sending his honesty into
Cornwall. Sutch vaine trust this knight reposed in the lying
Science of Sorcery, whych although to many other is found
deceitful, yet to him serued for sure euidence of his wiue's
fidelity. This Pollacco which was a very cunning enchaunter as
you haue heard sayd vnto him: "Sir you demaund a very straunge
matter, sutch as wherwyth neuer hitherto I haue bene acquainted,
ne yet searched the depthe of those hydden secrets, a thyng not
commonly sued for, ne yet practized by me. For who is able to
make assurance of a woman's chastity, or tel by signes except he
were at the deede doing, that she had don amisse? Or who can
gaine by proctors wryt, to summon or sue at spiritual Courte,
peremptorily to affirme by neuer so good euydence or testimony,
that a woman hath hazarded hir honesty, except he sweare Rem to
be in Re, which the greatest Ciuilian that ever Padua bred neuer
sawe by processe duely tried? Shall I then warrante you the
honesty of such slippery Catell, prone and ready to lust, easy
to be vanquished by the suites of earnest pursuers? But
blameworthy surely I am, thus generally to speake: for some I
know, although not many, for whose poore honesties I dare
aduenture mine owne. And yet that number how small so euer it
be, is worthy all due Reuerence and Honoure. Notwythstandyng
(bycause you seeme to bee an Honeste Gentleman) of that
Knowledge which I haue, I will not bee greatelye squeimyshe,
a certayne secrete experiment in deede I haue, wherewith
perchaunce I may satisfy your demaund. And this is it: I can by
mine Arte in smal time, by certaine compositions, frame a
Woman's Image, which you continually in a lyttle Boxe may carry
about you, and so ofte as you list behold the same. If the wife
doe not breake hir maryage faith, you shall still see the same
so fayre and wel coloured as it was at the first making, and
seeme as though it newly came from the painter's shop, but if
perchaunce she meane to abuse hir honesty the same wil waxe
pale, and in deede committing that filthy Fact, sodainly the
colour will bee blacke, as arayed with Cole or other filth, and
the smel thereof wyl not be very pleasaunt, but at al times when
she is attempted or pursued, the colour will be so yealow as
Gold." This maruellous secrete deuyse greatly pleased the Knyght
verely beleuing the same to be true, specially mutch moued and
assured by the same bruted abrode of his science, whereof the
Cytyzens of Cutiano, tolde very straunge and incredyble things.
When the pryce was paied for this precious Iewel, hee receiued
the Image, and ioyfully returned home to his Castell, where
tarryinge certain dayes, he determined to repayre to the Court
of the glorious king Mathie, making his wife priuy of hys
intent. Afterwards when he had disposed his household matters in
order, he committed the gouernment therof to his Wife, and
hauinge prepared all Necessaries for his voyage, to the great
sorrow and grief of his beloued, he departed and arryued at Alba
Regale, where that time the king lay with Beattrix his Wife, of
whom hee was ioyfully receiued and entertayned. He had not long
continued in the Court, but he had obtained and won the fauor
and good wyll of all men. The king which knew him full well very
honorably placed him in his Courte, and by him accomplished
diuers and many waighty affairs, which very wisely and trustely
he brought to passe according to the king's mind and pleasure.
Afterwards he was made Colonell of a certain number of footmen
sent by the king against the Turks to defende a holde which the
enimies of God began to assaile vnder the conduct of Mustapha
Basca, which conduct he so wel directed and therin stoutly
behaued himself, as he chased al the infidels oute of those
coasts, winning therby the name of a most valiaunt soldier and
prudent Captaine, whereby he merueylously gayned the fauor and
grace of the king, who (ouer and besides his dayly
intertaynment) gaue vnto him a Castle, and the Reuenue in fee
farme for euer. Sutch rewards deserue all valiaunt men, which
for the honour of theyr Prince and countrey do willingly imploy
their seruice, worthy no doubt of great regard and chearishinge,
vpon their home returne, because they hate idlenes to win Glory,
deuisinge rather to spende whole dayes in fielde, than houres in
Courte, which this worthy knight deserued, who not able to
sustayne his poore Estate, by politick wisdome and prowesse of
armes endeuored to serue his Lord and countrey, wherein surely
hee made a very good choyse{.} Then he deuoutly praysed God, for
that he put into his minde sutch a noble enterprise, trusting
dayly to atchieue greater Fame and Glory: but the greater was
his ioy and contentation, bicause the Image of hys Wyfe inclosed
wythin a Boxe, whych still hee caried about him in hys pursse,
continued freshe of coloure without alteration. It was noysed in
the Court how thys valiaunt Knight Vlrico, had in Boeme the
fayrest and goodliest Lady to his Wife that liued eyther in
Boeme, or Hungary. It chaunced as a certaine company of young
Gentlemen in the Courte were together (amongs whom was this
Knight) that a Hungarian Baron sayd vnto him: "How is it
possible, syr Vlrico, being a yeare and a halfe since you
departed out of Boeme, that you haue no minde to returne to see
your Wife, who, as the common fame reporteth, is one of the
goodliest Women of all the Countrey: truely it seemeth to me,
that you care not for hir, which were great pitty if hir beauty
be correspondent to hir Fame." "Syr," (quod Vlrico) "what hir
beauty is I referre vnto the World, but how so euer you esteeme
me to care of hir, you shall vnderstand that I doe loue hir, and
wil do so duringe my lyfe. And the cause why I haue not visited
hir of long time, is no little proofe of the great assurance I
haue of her vertue and honest lyfe. The argument of hir vertue I
proue, for that she is contented that I should serue my Lord and
king, and sufficient it is for me to giue hir intelligence of my
state and welfare, whych many tymes by Letters at opportunity I
fayle not to do: The proofe of my Fayth is euydent by reason of
my bounden duety to our Soueraigne Lord of whom I haue receyued
so great, and ample Benefites, and the Warrefare which I vse in
his grace's seruice vpon the Frontiers of his Realme agaynst the
enimies of Christe, whereunto I bear more good will than I doe
to Wedlocke Loue, preferring duety to Prince before mariage:
albeit my Wiue's fayth, and constancy is sutch, as freely I may
spend my lyfe without care of hir deuoyr, being assured that
besides hir Beauty shee is wise, vertuous and honest, and loueth
me aboue al worldly things, tendring me so dearely as she doth
the Balles of hir owne eyes." "You haue stoutly sayd," (answered
the Baron) "in defence of your Wiue's chastity, whereof she can
make vnto hir selfe no great warrantice, because a woman some
tymes will bee in minde not to be mooued at the requests, and
gifts offred by the greatest Prince of the World who afterwards
within a day vpon the onely sight, and view of some lusty youth,
at one simple worde vttered with a few Teares, and shorter
suite, yeldeth to his request. And what is she then that can
conceyue sutch assuraunce in hir selfe? What is hee that knoweth
the secretes of heartes which be impenetrable? Surely none as I
suppose, except God him selfe. A Woman of hir owne nature is
mooueable and plyant, and is the moste ambitious creature of the
Worlde. And (by God) no Woman doe I know but that she lusteth
and desireth to be beloued, required, sued vnto, honored and
cherished? And oftentimes it commeth to passe that the most
crafty Dames which thincke with fayned Lookes to feede their
diuers Louers, be the first that thrust their heads into the
amorous Nets, and lyke little Birdes in hard distresse of
weather be caught in Louer's Limetwigges. Whereby, sir Vlrico,
I do not see that your Wyfe (aboue all other Women compact of
flesh and bone) hath sutch priuiledge from God, but that she may
be soone entised and corrupted." "Well sir," (sayd the Boeme
Knight) "I am persuaded of that which I haue spoken, and verely
doe beleue the effect of my beliefe most true. Euery man knoweth
his owne affayres, and the Foole knoweth better what hee hath,
than hys neighbors, do, be they neuer so wise. Beleue you what
you thincke for good. I meane not to disgresse from that which I
conceyue. And suffer me (I pray you) to beleue what I list, sith
beliefe cannot hurt me, nor yet your discredite can hinder my
beliefe, being free for ech man in semblable chaunces to thinke,
and belieue what his mynde lusteth and liketh." There were many
other Lordes and Gentlemen of the court present at there talke,
and as we commonly see (at sutch like meetinges) euery man
vttereth his minde: whereupon sundry opinions were produced
touching that question. And because diuers men be of diuers
natures, and many presuminge vpon the pregnancy of their wise
heads there rose some stur about that talke, each man obstinate
in hys alledged reason, more froward peraduenture than reason,
more rightly required: the communication grew so hot and talke
brake forth so loude, as the same was reported to the Queene.
The good Lady sory to heare tell of sutch strife within hir
Court, abhorring naturally all controuersie and contention, sent
for the parties, and required theym from poynct to poynct to
make recitall of the beginning, and circumstaunce of their
reasons, and arguments. And when she vnderstoode the effect of
al their talke, she sayd, that euery man at his owne pleasure
might beleeue what he list, affirming it to be presumptuous and
extreme folly, to iudge all women to be of one disposition, in
like sort as it were a great errour to say that all men bee of
one quality and condicion: the contrary by dayly experience
manifestly appearing. For both in men and women, there is so
great difference and variety of natures, as there bee heades,
and wits. And how it is commonly seene that two Brothers, and
Sisters, borne at one Byrth, bee yet of contrary Natures and
Complexions, of Manners, and Conditions so diuers, as the thinge
which shall please the one, is altogeather displeasaunt to the
other. Wherevppon the Queene concluded, that the Boeme knight
had good reason to continue that good and honest credit of his
Wyfe, as hauing proued hir fidelity of long time, wherein she
shewed hirself to be very wise and discret. Now because (as many
times we see) the natures and appetites of diuers men be
insaciable, and one man sometimes more foolish hardy than
another, euen so (to say the troth) were those two Hungarian
Barons, who seeming wise in their owne conceiptes, one of them
sayd to the Queene in this manner: "Madame, your grace doth wel
maintaine the sexe of womankinde, because you be a Woman. For by
nature it is gieuen to that kinde, stoutly to stand in defence
of themselues, because their imbecillity, and weakenes otherwise
would bewray them: and although good reasons might be alledged
to open the causes of their debility, and why they be not able
to attayne the hault excellency of man, yet for this tyme I doe
not meane to be tedious vnto your grace, least the little heart
of Woman should ryse and display that conceit which is wrapt
within that little Moulde. But to retourne to this chaste Lady,
through whom our talke began, is we might craue licence of your
Maiesty, and saulfe Conduct of thys Gentleman to knowe hir
dwelling place, and haue leaue to speake to hir, we doubt not
but to breake with our batteringe talke the Adamant Walles of
hir Chastity that is so famous, and cary away that Spoile which
victoriously we shall atchieue." "I know not," aunswered the
Boeme Knight, "what yee can, or will doe, but sure I am, that
hitherto I am not deceyued." Many things were spoken there,
and sundry opinions of eyther partes alledged, in ende the two
Hungarian Barons persuaded them selues, and made their vaunts
that they were able to climbe the Skyes, and both would attempt
and also bring to passe any enterprise were it neuer so great,
affirming their former offer by othe, and offering to Guage all
the Landes, and goods they had, that within the space of 5
moneths they woulde eyther of them obtayne the Gentlewoman's
good will to do what they list, so that the knight were bound,
neyther to returne home, ne yet to aduertise hir of their
determination. The Queene, and all the standers by, laughed
heartely at this their offer, mocking and iesting at their
foolish, and youthly conceites. Whych the Barons perceiuiug,
sayde: "You thinke Madame that we speake triflingly, and be not
able to accomplish this our proposed enterprise, but Madame, may
it please you to gieue vs leaue, wee meane by earnest attempt to
gieue proofe thereof." And as they were thus in reasoninge and
debating the matter, the kinge (hearinge tell of this large
offer made by the Barons) came into the place where the queene
was, at such time as she was about to dissuade them from the
frantik deuise. Before whom he being entred the chamber, the two
Barons fell downe vpon their Knees, and humbly besought his
Grace, that the compact made betwene sir Vlrico and them might
proceede, disclosing vnto him in few wordes the effect of all
their talke, which franckly was graunted by the king. But the
Barons added a Prouisio, that when they had won their Wager, the
Knight by no meanes shoulde hurt his Wyfe, and from that tyme
forth should gieue ouer hys false Opinion, that women were not
naturally gieuen to the sutes and requests of amorous persons.
The Boeme Knight, who was assured of hys Wyue's great Honesty,
and Loyall fayth, beleeued so true as the Gospell, the
proportion and quality of the Image, who in all the tyme that
hee was farre of, neuer perceyued the same to bee eyther Pale or
Black, but at that tyme lookinge vpon the Image, hee perceiued a
certayne Yealow colour to rise, as hee thought his Wyfe was by
some loue pursued, but yet sodeynly it returned agayne to his
naturall hewe, which boldned him to say these words to the
Hungarian Barons: "Yee be a couple of pleasaunt, and vnbeleeuing
Gentlemen, and haue conceyued so fantasticall opinion, as euer
men of your calling did: but sith you proceede in your obstinate
folly, and wil needes guage all the Lands, and goods you haue,
that you bee able to vanquishe my Wyue's Honest, and Chaste
heart, I am contented, for the singuler credite which I repose
in hir, to ioyne with you, and will pledge the poore lyuinge I
haue for proofe of mine Opinion, and shall accomplishe al other
your requestes made here, before the maiesties of the Kinge and
Queene. And therefore may it please your highnesse, sith this
fond deuice can not be beaten out of their heads, to gieue
Licence vnto those Noblemen, the Lords Vladislao and Alberto,
(so were they called) to put in proofe the mery conceipt of
their disposed mindes (whereof they do so greatly bragge) and I
by your good grace and fauoure, am content to agree to their
demaundes: and wee, answered the Hungarians, do once agayne
affirme the same which wee haue spoken." The king willing to
haue them gyue ouer that strife, was intreated to the contrary
by the Barons: whereupon the kinge perceyuinge their Follies,
caused a decree of the bargayne to be put in writing, eyther
Parties interchaungeably subscribiug the same. Which done, they
tooke their leaues. Afterwards, the two Hungarians began to put
their enterprise in order and agreed betweene themselues,
Alberto to bee the firste that should aduenture vppon the Lady.
And that within sixe Weekes after vpon his returne, the lord
Vladislao should proceede. These things concluded, and all
Furnitures for their seuerall Iorneys disposed, the lord Alberto
departed in good order, with two seruaunts directly trauayling
to the castle of the Boeme Knight, where being arriued, hee
lighted at an Inne of the towne adioyning to the Castle, and
demaunding of the hoste, the Conditions of the lady, hee
vnderstoode that shee was a very fayre Woman, and that hir
honesty, and loue towards hir husbande farre excelled hir
beauty. Which wordes nothing dismayede the Amorous Baron, but
when hee had pulled of his Bootes, and richely arayed hymselfe,
he repayred to the Castle, and knockinge at the Gates, gaue the
Lady to vnderstand that he was come to see hir. She which was a
curteous Gentlewoman, caused him to be brought in, and gently
gaue him honourable intertaynment. The Baron greatly mused vppon
the beauty, and goodlinesse of the Lady, singularly commending
hir honest order and Behauiour. And beinge set down, the young
Gentleman sayd vnto hir: "Madame, mooued with the fame of your
surpassing Beauty, which now I see to bee more excellent than
Fame with hir swiftest Wyngs is able to cary: I am come from the
Court to view and see if that were true, or whether lyinge
Brutes had scattered their Vulgar talke in vayne: but finding
the same farre more fine and pure than erst I did expect,
I craue Lycence of your Ladyship, to conceyue none offence of
this my boulde, and rude attempt." And herewithall hee began to
ioyne many trifling and vayne words, whych dalyinge Suters by
heate of Lusty bloude bee wont to shoote forth, to declare theym
selues not to be Speachlesse, or Tongue tied. Which the Lady
well espying speedily imagined into what Porte hys rotten Barke
would arriue: wherefore in the ende when shee sawe his Shippe at
Roade, began to enter in prety louinge talke, by little, and
little to incourage his fond attempt. The Baron thinkinge hee
had caught the Ele by the Tayle, not well practised in Cicero
his schoole, ceased not fondly to contriue the time, by making
hir beleeue, that he was farre in loue. The Lady weary (God
wote) of his fonde behauiour, and amorous reasons, and yet not
to seeme scornfull, made him good countenaunce, in sutch wyse as
the Hungarian two or three dayes did nothing else but proceede
in vayne Pursute, Shee perceyuing him to bee but a Hauke of the
first Coate, deuysed to recompence hys Follies with sutch
entertaynement, as during his life, he shoulde keepe the same in
good remembraunce. Wherefore not long after, fayning as though
his great wisedome, vttered by eloquent Talke, had subdued hir,
shee sayd thus vnto him: "My Lord, the reasons you produce, and
your pleasaunt gesture in my house, haue so inchaunted mee, that
impossible it is, but I must needes agree vnto your wyll: for
where I neuer thought during lyfe, to stayne the purity of
mariage Bed, and determined continually to preserue my selfe
inuiolably for my Husbande: your noble grace, and curteous
behauiour, haue (I say) so bewitched mee, that ready I am to bee
at your commaundement, humbly beseeching your honour to beware,
that knowledge hereof may not come vnto myne Husband's eares,
who is so fierce and cruell, and loueth me so dearely, as no
doubt he will without further triall eyther him selfe kill me,
or otherwise procure my death: and to the intent none of my
house may suspect our doings, I shall desire you to morrow in
the morninge about nyne of the Clock, which is the accustomed
time of your repayre hither, to come vnto my Castle, wherein
when you be entred, speedily to mount vp to the Chaumber of the
highest Tower, ouer the doore whereof, yee shall finde the armes
of my Husband, entayled in Marble: and when you be entred in,
to shut the Doore fast after you, and in the meane time I will
wayte and prouyde, that none shall molest and trouble vs, and
then we shall bestowe our selues for accomplishement of that
which your loue desireth." Nowe in very deede this Chaumber was
a very strong Pryson ordayned in auncient time by the
Progenitours of that Territory, to Impryson, and punishe the
Vassals, and Tenants of the same, for offences, and Crimes
committed. The Baron hearynge this Lyberall offer of the Ladye,
thinking that he had obteined the summe of al his ioy, so glad
as if he had conquered a whole kingdome, the best contented man
aliue, thanking the Lady for hir curteous answere, departed and
retourned to his Inne. God knoweth vppon howe merry a Pinne the
hearte of this young Baron was sette, and after he had liberally
banketted his hoste and hostesse, pleasantly disposing himselfe
to myrth and recreation, he wente to bed, where ioy so lightned
his merry head, as no slepe at all could close his eyes, sutch
be the sauage pangs of those that aspyre to like delyghts as the
best reclaimer of the wildest hauk could neuer take more payne
or deuise mo shiftes to Man the same for the better atchieuing
of hir pray than dyd this braue Baron for brynging hys
Enterprise to effect. The nexte day early in the morning hee
rose, dressing himselfe with the sweete Perfumes, and puttinge
on hys finest suite of Apparell, at the appoincted houre hee
went to the Castell, and so secretly as he could, accordinge to
the Ladies instruction, hee conueyed himselfe vp into the
Chaumber which hee founde open, and when he was entred, hee shut
the same, the maner of the Doore was sutch, as none within
coulde open it without a Key, and besides the strong Locke, it
hadde both barre and Bolt on the outside, wyth sutch fasteninge
as the Deuill himselfe being locked within, could not breake
forth. The Lady whych wayted hard by for his comming, so soone
as she perceyued that the Doore was shut, stept vnto the same,
and both double Locked the Doore, and also without she barred,
and fast Bolted the same, caryng the Key away with hir. This
Chamber was in the hyghest Tower of the House (as is before
sayd) wherein was placed a Bedde wyth good Furniture, the Wyndow
whereof was so high, that none coulde looke out wythout a
Ladder. The other partes thereof were in good, and conuenient
order, apt and meete for an honest Pryson. When the Lorde
Alberto was within, hee sat downe, wayting (as the Iewes do for
Messias) when the Lady according to hir appoynctment shoulde
come. And as he was in this expectation building castles in the
Ayre, and deuising a thousand Chimeras in his braine, behold he
heard one to open a little wicket that was in the doore of that
Chamber, which was as straight, as scarcely able to receiue a
loafe of bread, or cruse of Wyne, vsed to be sent to the
prysoners. He thinking that it had ben the Lady, rose vp, and
hearde the noyse of a lyttle girle, who looking in at the hole,
thus sayd vnto him: "My Lord Alberto, the Lady Barbara my
mistresse (for that was hir name) hath sent me thus to say vnto
you: 'That for as much as you be come into this place, by
countenaunce of Loue, to dispoyle hir of hir honour, shee hath
imprysoned you like a theefe, accordinge to your deserte, and
purposeth to make you suffer penance, equall to the measure of
your offence. Wherefore so long as you shal remain in thys
place, she mindeth to force you to gaine your bread and drinke
with the arte of spinning, as poore Women doe for gayne of theyr
lyuinge, meanynge thereby to coole the heate of your lusty
youth, and to make you tast the sorrow of sauce meete for them
to assay, that go about to robbe Ladyes of theyr honour: she bad
me lykewise to tell you, that the more yarne you spin, the
greater shall be the abundance and delycacie of your fare, the
greater payne you take to earne your foode, the more lyberall
she will be in dystrybutyng of the same, otherwise (she sayeth)
that you shall faste wyth Breade and Water.' Which determinate
sentence she hath decreed not to be infringed and broken for any
kinde of sute or intreaty that you be able to make." When the
maiden had spoken these Wordes, she shut the lyttle dore, and
returned to hir Ladye, the Baron which thought that he had ben
commen to a mariage, did eate nothing al the mornyng before,
bycause he thought to be enterteyned with better and daintier
store of viandes, who nowe at those newes fared like one out of
his wittes and stoode still so amazed, as though his leggs would
haue fayled him, and in one moment his Spyrites began to vanysh
and hys force and breath forsoke hym, and fel downe vpon the
Chamber flore, in sutch wise as hee that had beheld hym would
haue thought him rather dead than liuyng. In this state he was a
great tyme, and afterwardes somewhat commynge to himselfe, he
could not tel whether hee dreamed, or else that the Words were
true, which the maiden had sayde vnto hym: In the end seeing,
and beynge verely assured, that he was in a Pryson so sure as
Bird in Cage, through disdayne and rage was like to dye or else
to lose his wits, faring with himselfe of long time lyke a madde
Man, and not knowing what to do, passed the rest of the Day in
walking vppe and downe the Chaumber, rauing, stamping, staring,
Cursynge and vsing Words of greatest Villanie, lamenting and
bewailinge the time and day, that so like a beast and Brutysh
man, he gave the attempt to dispoyle the honesty of an other
man's Wyfe. Then came to his mind the losse of all his Lands and
Goods, which by the king's authority were put in comprimise,
then the shame, the scorne, and rebuke whych hee should receiue
at other mens handes, beyonde measure vexed him: and reporte
bruted in the Courte (for that it was impossible but the whole
Worlde should knowe it) so gryeued hym, as his heart seemed to
be strained with two sharp and bityng Nailes: the Paynes
whereof, forced hym to loose hys wyttes and vnderstandynge. In
the myddes of whych Pangs furiously vauntyng vp and downe the
Chaumber, hee espied by chaunce in a Corner, a Dystaffe
furnyshed with good store of flaxe, and a spyndle hangyng
thereuppon: and ouercome wyth Choler and rage, hee was aboute to
spoyle and break the same in pieces: but remembryng what a harde
Weapon Necessitye is, hee stayed his wysedome, and albeyt he
hadde rather to haue contryued hys leysure in Noble and
Gentlemanlyke pastyme, yet rather than he would be idle he
thought to reserue that Instrument to auoyde the tedious lacke
of honest and Familiar Company. When supper time was come, the
mayden retourned agayne, who opening the Portall dore, saluted
the Baron, and sayde: "My Lord, my mistresse hath sent mee to
vysite your good Lordshyp, and to receiue at youre good Handes
the effecte of your laboure, who hopeth that you haue sponne
some substanciall store of threede for earning of your Supper,
whych beynge done, shall be readily brought vnto you." The Baron
full of Rage, Furie, and felonious moode, if before he were
fallen into choler, now by protestation of these words, seemed
to transgresse the bounds of reason, and began to raile at the
poore wench, scolding and chiding hir like a strumpet of the
stews, faring as though he would haue beaten hir, or don hir
some other mischiefe: but his moode was stayed from doyng any
hurt. The poore Wench lessoned by her mistresse, in laughing
wise sayd vnto him: "Why (my Lord) do you chase and rage
againste mee? Me thinks, you do me wrong to vse sutch reprochful
words, which am but a seruaunt, and bounde to the commaundement
of my mistresse: Why sir, do you not know that a pursiuaunt or
messanger suffreth no paine or blame? The greatest Kyng or
Emperour of the Worlde, receiuing defiaunce from a meaner
Prynce, neuer vseth his ambassador with scolding Wordes, ne yet
by villany or rebuke abuseth his person. Is it wisdome then for
you, being a present prysoner, at the mercy of your kepers, in
thys dishonorable sorte to reuile me with disordred talke? But
sir, leaue of your rages, and quiet your selfe for this present
tyme, for my mistresse maruelleth much why you durst come (for
al your Noble state) to giue attemptes to violate hir good name,
which message shee requyred me to tell you, ouer and besides a
desire shee hath to know whether by the Scyence of Spynning, you
haue gained your meat for you seeme to kicke against the wynd,
and beat Water in a morter, if you think from hence to goe
before you haue earned a recompense for the meat which shal be
giuen you. Wherefore it is your lot paciently to suffer the
penance of your fond attempt, which I pray you gently to
sustaine, and think no scorn thereof hardely, for desperate men
and hard aduentures must needes suffer the daungers thereunto
belonging. This is the determinate sentence of my mistresse
mynd, who fourdeth you no better fare than Bread and Water, if
you can not shewe some prety Spyndle full of yarne for signe of
your good wyll at this present pynch of your distresse." The
Mayden seeying that hee was not dysposed to shewe some part of
wylling mind to gaine his lyuing by that prefixed scyence shut
the portall Doore, and went her way. The unhappy Baron (arryued
thether in very yll tyme) that Nyght had Neyther Breade nor
Broth, and therefore he fared accordynge to the Prouerbe: He
that goeth to bed supperlesse, lyeth in his Bed restlesse, for
during the whole night, no sleepe could fasten hys Eyes. Now as
this Baron was closed in pryson faste, so the Ladye tooke order,
that secretly wyth great cheare hys Seruauntes should be
interteyned, and his Horsse wyth sweete haye and good prouender
well mainteined, all his furnitures, sumpture horse and caryages
conueyed within the Castle, where wanted nothyng for the state
of sutch a personage but onely Lyberty, makyng the host of the
Inne beleue (wher the Lord harbored before) that he was returned
into Hungarie. But now turne we to the Boeme knight, who
knowynge that one of the two Hungarian Competitors, were
departed the Court and ridden into Boeme, dyd still behold the
quality of the inchaunted Image, wherein by the space of thre or
foure Dayes, in whych time, the Baron made his greatest sute to
his Ladie: he marked a certaine alteration of Coloure in the
same, but afterwards returned to his Natiue forme: and seeing no
greater transformation, he was wel assured, that the Hungarian
Baron was repulsed, and imployed his Labor in vaine. Whereof the
Boeme knight was excedingly pleased and contented, bycause he
was well assured, that his Wyfe had kept hir selfe ryghte pure
and honest. Notwithstandyng hys Mynde was not wel settled, ne
yet hys heart at rest, doubting that the lord Vladislao, which
as yet was not departed the courte, would obtayne the thing,
and acquite the faulte, which his Companion had committed. The
imprysoned Baron which all this tyme had neither eaten nor
dronken, nor in the night could sleepe, in the mornyng, after he
had considred his misaduenture, and well perceyued no remedy for
him to goe forth, except hee obeyed the Ladie's hest, made of
Necessity a Vertue, and applyed himselfe to learne to Spynne by
force, which freedome and honour could neuer haue made him to
do. Whereuppon he toke the distaffe and beganne to Spynne.
And albeyt that hee neuer Sponne in al hys Lyfe before, yet
instructed by Necessity, so well as he could, he drewe out his
Threede, now small and then greate, and manye times of the
meanest sort, but verye often broade, yl fauored, yll closed,
and worse twisted, all oute of fourme and fashyon, that sundry
tymes very heartely he laughed to himselfe, to see his cunning,
but would haue made a cunning Woman spinner burst into Ten
Thousand laughters, if she had ben there. Thus all the morning
he spent in spynning, and when dynner came, his accustomed
messenger, the mayden, repayred vnto him againe, and opening the
wyndow demaunded of the Baron how his worke went foreward, and
whether he were disposed to manifest the cause of hys comming
into Boeme? Hee well beaten in the schoole of shame, vttered
vnto the Maide the whole compact and bargayne made betweene him
and his Companion, and the Boeme knyghte hir mayster, and
afterwards shewed vnto hir his Spyndle ful of threde. The young
Wenche smylyng at hys Woorke, sayd: "By Sainct Marie this is
well done, you are worthy of victual for your hire: for now I
well perceiue that Hunger forceth the Woulf oute of hir Denne.
I conne you thanck, that like a Lord you can so puissantly gayne
your lyuing. Wherefore proceeding in that which you haue
begonne, I doubt not but shortely you will proue sutche a
workeman, as my mistresse shall not neede to put oute hir flax
to spinne (to hir great charge and coste) for making of hir
smockes, but that the same may wel be don within hir own house,
yea althoughe the same doe serue but for Kitchen Cloathes, for
dresser bordes, or cleanynge of hir Vessell before they bee
serued forth. And as your good deserts doe merite thankes for
this your arte, now well begonne, euen so your new told tale of
comming hyther, requyreth no lesse, for that you haue dysclosed
the trouth." When she had spoken these Woords, she reached hym
some store of meates for hys dynner, and bade hym fare well.
When shee was returned vnto hir Lady, shee shewed vnto hir the
Spyndle full of threde, and told hir therewythall the whole
story of the compact betwene the knight Vlrico, and the two
Hungarian barons. Whereof the Lady sore astonned, for the snares
layd to entrappe hir, was notwithstanding wel contented, for
that shee had so well forseene the same: but most of all
reioysed, that hir husband had so good opinion of hir honest
lyfe. And before she would aduertise hym of those euents, she
purposed to attend the commyng of the lord Vladislao to whome
she ment to do like penance for his carelesse bargayne and
dishonest opinion, accordyngly as he deserued, maruelling very
mutch that both the Barons, were so rash and presumptuous,
daungerously (not knowing what kind of Woman she was) to put
their Landes and goodes in hazard. But considering the Nature of
diuers brainsick men, which passe not how carelesly they
aduenture their gained goods, and inherited Lands, so they may
atchieue the pray, after which they vainely hunt, for the
preiudice and hurt of other, she made no accompt of these
attemptes, sith honest Matrones force not vppon the sutes, or
vayne consumed time of lyght brained Cockscombs, that care not
what fond cost or ill imployed houres they waste to anoy the
good renoume and honest brutes of Women. But not to discourse
from point to point the particulers of this intended iorney,
this poore deceiued Baron in short time proued a very good
Spinner, by exercise whereof, he felt sutch solace, as not onely
the same was a comfortable sporte for his captiue time, but also
for want of better recreation, it seemed so ioyfull, as if he
had bene pluming and feding his Hawke, or doing other sports
belongyng to the honourable state of a Lord. Which his wel
attriued labour, the Maiden recompensed with abundance of good
and delycate meates. And although the Lady was many times
requyred to visite the Baron, yet she would neuer to that
request consent. In whych tyme the knyght Vlrico ceased not
continually to viewe and reuewe the state of his Image, which
appeared styll to bee of one well coloured sorte, and although
thys vse of hys was diuers times marked and seene of many, yet
being earnestly demaunded the cause thereof hee would neuer
disclose the same. Many coniectures thereof were made, but none
could attayne the trouthe. And who would haue thought that a
knight so wyse and prudente had worne within his pursse any
inchaunted thyng? And albeyt the Kyng and Queene had
intelligence of thys frequent practyse of the knight, yet they
thought not mete for the priuate and secrete Mystery, to demaund
the cause. One moneth and a halfe was passed now that the Lorde
Alberto was departed the Court, and become a Castle knyghte and
cunning Spynster: which made the Lord Vladislao to muse, for
that the promise made betweene them was broken, and hearde
neyther by Letter or messenger what successe he had receiued.
After diuers thoughts imagyned in his mynde, he conceyued that
his companion had happily enioyed the ende of his desired ioy,
and had gathered the wyshed fruicts of the Lady, and drowned in
the mayne Sea of his owne pleasures, was ouerwhelmed in the
bottome of Obliuion: wherefore he determined to set forward on
his iourney to giue onset of his desired fortune: who without
long delay for execution of his purpose, prepared all
necessaries for that voyage, and mounted on horsebacke with two
of his men, he iourneyed towards Boeme, and within a few daies
after arryued at the Castle of the fayre and most honest Lady.
And when hee was entred the Inne where the Lord Alberto was
first lodged, he dilygently enquyred of him, and heard tell that
he was returned into Hungarie many dayes before, whereof mutch
maruelling, could not tel what to say or think. In the end
purposing to put in prose the cause wherefore he was departed
out of Hungarie, after dilygent searche of the maners of the
Lady, he vnderstoode by general voyce, that she was without
comparison the honestest, wisest, gentlest, and comelyest Lady
within the whole Countrey of Boeme. Incontinently the Lady was
aduertised of the arriual of this Baron, and knowing his
message, she determyned to paye him also wyth that Money whych
she had already coyned for the other. The next Day the Baron
went vnto the Castle, and knocking at the Gate, sent in woord
how that he was come from the Court of king Mathie, to visite
and salute the Lady of that Castle: and as she did entertayne
the first Baron in curteous guise, and with louing Countenaunce,
euen so she dyd the second, who thought thereby that he had
attayned by that pleasaunt entertaynment, the game which he
hunted. And discoursing vppon dyuers matters, the lady shewed
hir selfe a pleasaunt and Familyar Gentlewoman, whych made the
Baron to thynk that in short tyme he should wyn the pryce for
which he came. Notwithstanding, at the fyrste brunt he would not
by any meanes descend to any particularity of his purpose, but
hys Words ran general, which were, that hearynge tell of the
fame of hir Beauty, good grace and comelinesse, by hauing
occasion to repayre into Boeme to doe certayne his affaires, he
thought it labor wel spent to ride some portion of his iourney,
though it were besides the way, to dygresse to do reuerence vnto
hir, whom fame aduaunced aboue the Skyes: and thus passing his
first visitation he returned againe to his lodging. The lady
when the Baron was gone from hir Castle, was rapt into a rage,
greatlye offended that those two Hungarian Lordes so
presumptuously had bended themselues lyke common Theeues to
wander and roue the Countreys, not onely to robbe and spoyle hir
of hir honour, but also to bryng hir in displeasure of hir
husband, and thereby into the Daunger and Peryll of Death. By
reason of which rage (not without cause conceived) she caused an
other Chamber to be made ready, next Wall to the other Baron
that was become sutch a notable Spynster, and vpon the nexte
returne of the Lord Vladislao, she receiued him with no lesse
good entertainement than before, and when Nyght came, caused him
to be lodged in hir owne house in the Chamber prepared as
before, where he slept not very soundly all that Night, through
the continuall remembraunce of hys Ladies beauty. Next morning
he perceiued himself to be locked fast in a Pryson. And when he
had made him readye, thinking to descend to bid the Lady good
Morrow, seeking meanes to vnlock the Doore, and perceiuing that
he could not, he stoode styll in a dumpe. And as hee was thus
standyng, maruelling the cause of his shuttyng in so fast, the
maiden repaired to the hole of the dore, giuing his honor an
vnaccustomed salutation, which was that hir mistresse commaunded
hir to giue him to vnderstand, that if hee had any lust or
appetyte to his breakfast, or if he minded from thenceforth to
ease his hunger or conteine Lyfe, that he should giue him selfe
to learne to reele yarne. And for that purpose she willed him to
looke in sutch a corner of the Chamber, and he should find
certaine spindles of thred, and an instrument to winde his yarn
vpon. "Wherefore" (quod she) "apply your self thereunto, and
loose no time." He that had that tyme beholden the Baron in the
Face, would haue thought that hee had seene rather a Marble
stone, than the figure of a man. But conuerting his could
conceyued moode, into mad anger, he fell into ten times more
displeasure with himselfe, than is before described by the other
Baron. But seeinge that his mad behauiour, and beastly vsage was
bestowed in vayne, the next day he began to Reele. The Lady
afterwardes when shee had intelligence of the good, and
gaynefull Spinning of the Lord Alberto, and the wel disposed,
and towardly Reeling of the Lord Vladislao, greatly reioyced for
makinge of sutch two Notable Workemen, whose workemanship
exceeded the labours of them that had been Apprentyzes to the
Occupation seuen Yeares togeather. Sutch bee the apt and ready
Wyts of the Souldiers of Loue: wherein I would wishe all Cupides
Dearlings to be nousled and applied in their youthly time: then
no doubt their passions woulde appease, and rages assuage, and
would giue ouer bolde attempts, for which they haue no thancke
of the chaste and honest. And to thys goodly sight the Lady
brought the Seruaunts of these noblemen, willing them to marke
and beholde the diligence of their Maysters, and to imitate the
industry of their gallant exercise, who neuer attayned meate
before by labour they had gayned the same. Which done, shee made
them take their Horse, and Furnitures of their Lords, and to
depart: otherwise if by violence they resisted, she would cause
their choller to be caulmed with sutch like seruice as they saw
their Lordes doe before their Eyes. The Seruaunts seeing no
remedy, but must needes depart, tooke their leaue. Afterwards
she sent one of hir Seruaunts in poast to the Courte, to
aduertise hir husband of all that which chaunced. The Boeme
knight receyuing these good newes, declared the same vnto the
King and Queene, and recited the whole story of the two
Hungarian Barons, accordingly as the tenor of his Wyues letters
did purport. The Princes stoode still in great admiration, and
highly commended the wisedome of the Lady, esteeming hir for a
very sage and polliticke woman. Afterwards the knight Vlrico
humbly besought the king for execution of his decree and
performaunce of the Bargayne. Whereupon the king assembled his
counsell, and required euery of them to saye their minde. Vpon
the deliberation whereof, the Lord Chauncellor of the Kingdome,
with two Counsellers, were sent to the Castle of the Boeme
knight, to enquire, and learne the processe and doinges of the
two Lordes, who diligently accomplished the kinge's
commaundement. And hauinge examined the Lady and hir mayden with
other of the house, and the barons also, whom a little before
the arriuall of these Commissioners, the Lady had caused to be
put together, that by Spinning and Reeling they might comfort
one another. When the Lord Chauncellor had framed and digested
in order the whole discourse of this history, returned to the
Court where the king and Queene, with the Pieres and Noblemen of
his kingdome, caused the acts of the same to be diuulged and
bruted abroade, and after mutch talk, and discourse of the
performaunce of this compact, pro, and contra, the Queene taking
the Ladie's part, and fauoring the knight, the kinge gaue
sentence that sir Vlrico should wholly possesse the landes and
goods of the two Barons to him, and to his Heyres for euer, and
that the Barons should be banished the kingdomes of Hungary and
Boeme, neuer to returne vpon payne of death. This sentence was
put in execution, and the vnfortunat Barons exiled, which
specially to those that were of their consanguinity and bloud,
seemed to seuere, and rigorous. Neuerthelesse the couenaunt
being most playne and euident to most men, the same seemed to
bee pronounced with greate Iustice and equity, for example in
time to come, to lesson rash wits how they iudge and deeme so
indifferently of Womens behaviours, amongs whom no doubt there
bee both good and bad as there bee of men. Afterwards the 2
princes sent for the Lady to the Court, who there was
courteously intertayned, and for this hir wise and polliticke
fact had in great admiration. The Queene then appoynted hir to
be one of hir women of honor, and esteemed hir very deerely.
The knight also daily grew to great promotion well beloued and
fauored of the king, who with his lady long time liued in greate
ioy and felicity, not forgetting the cunning Pollacco, that made
him the image and likenes of his wife: whose frendship and labor
he rewarded with money, and other Benefits very liberally.