THE THIRTY-THIRD NOUELL.

_Great cruelties chaunced to the Lords of Nocera, for adultry

by one of them committed with the Captayne's wyfe of the forte

of that Citty, with an enterprise moued by the Captaine to the

Cittyzens of the same for Rebellion, and the good and dutyfull

aunswere of them: with other pityfull euents rysing of that

notable and outragious vyce of whoredom._

The furious rage of a Husband offended for the chastity violated

in his Wyfe, surpasseth all other, and ingendreth mallice

agaynst the doer whatsoeuer he be. For if a Gentleman, or one of

good nature, cannot abyde an other to doe him any kinde of

displeasure, and mutch lesse to hurt him in hys Body, how is he

able to endure to haue his honour touched, specially in that

part which is so neere vnto him as his owne Soule? Man, and Wyfe

being as it were one body and one will, wherein Men of good

Judgement cannot well like the Opinion of those which say that

the honour of a lusty and couragious person dependeth not vpon

the fault of a foolish woman: for if that wer true which they so

lightly vaunt, I would demaund why they be so animated and angry

against them which adorne their head with braunched Hornes, the

Ensignes of a Cuckolde: and truely nature hath so well prouided

in that behalfe, as the very sauage Beastes doe fight, and

suffer death for sutch honest Jealousie. Yet will I not prayse,

but rather accuse aboue al faulty men, those that be so fondly

Jealous, as eche thinge troubling their mindes, be afrayde of

the Flyes very shadowe that buzze about their Faces. For by

payning and molestinge theymselues with a thinge that so little

doth please and content them, vntill manifest, and euident

proofe appeare, they display the folly of their minde's

imperfection, and the weakenesse of their Fantasy. But where the

fault is knowne, and the Vyce discouered, where the husbande

seeth himselfe to receyue Damage in the soundest part of his

moueable goods, reason it is that he therein be aduised by

timely deliberation and sage foresight, rather than with

headlong fury, and raging rashnesse to hazard the losse of his

honour, and the ruine of his life and goods. And lyke as the

fayth and fidelity of the vndefiled Bed hath in all times

worthely ben commended and rewarded: euen so he that polluteth

it by Infamy, beareth the penaunce of the same. Portia the

Daughter of Cato, and wife of Brutus shall be praysed for euer,

for the honest and inuiolable loue which she bare vnto hir

beloued husband, almost like to lose hir life when she heard

tell of his certayne death. The pudicity of Paulina the wife of

Seneca appeared also, when she assayed to dy by the same kinde

of death wherewith hir Husband violently was tormented by the

vniust commaundement of the most cruel and horrible Emperoure

Nero. But Whores and Harlottes, having honest Husbands, and well

allied in Kin, and Ligneage by abandoning their bodyes, doe

prodigally consume their good Renoume: yea but if they escape

the Magistrates, or auoyde the wrath of offended husbandes for

the wrong done vnto them, yet they leaue an immortall slaunder

of their wicked life, and youth thereby may take example aswell

to shun sutch shamelesse Women, as to followe those Dames that

be Chaste, and Vertuous. Now of this contempt whych the Wyfe

beareth to hir Husband, do rise very many times notorious

slaunders, and sutch as are accompanied with passinge cruelties:

wherein the Husbande ought to moderate his heate, and calme his

choler, and soberly to chastise the fault, for so mutch as

excessiue wrath, and anger, doe Eclipse in man the light of

reason, and sutch rages doe make them to be semblable vnto

Brute, and reasonlesse Beastes: meete it is to be angry for

thinges done contrary to Right, and Equity, but Temperaunce,

and Modesty is necessary in al occurrentes, bee they wyth vs, or

against vs. But if to resist anger in those matters, it be hard

and difficulte, yet the greater impossibility there is in the

operation, and effect of any good thinge, the greater is the

glory that vanquisheth the affection and mastereth the first

motion of the minde which is not so impossible to gouerne, and

subdue to reason, as many do esteeme. A wise man then cannot so

farre forget his duety, as to exceede the Boundes, and Limits of

reason, and to suffer his mynde to wander from the siege of

Temperaunce, which if he doe after hee hath well mingled Water

in his Wyne, hee may chaunce to finde cause of Repentaunce, and

by desire to repayre his Offense augment his fault, sinne being

so prompt and ready in man, as the crime which might bee couered

with certayne Iustice, and coloured by some lawe or righteous

cause, maketh him many tymes to fall into detestable Vice and

Synne, so contrary to mildnesse and modesty, as the very

Tyraunts themselues woulde abhorre sutch wickednesse. And to the

ende that I do not trouble you with Allegation of infinite

numbres of examples, seruing to this purpose, ne render occasion

of tediousnes for you to reuolue so many bookes, I am contented

for this present, to bring in place an Hystory so ouer cruell,

as the cause was not mutch vnreasonable, if duty in the one had

bene considered, and rage in the other bridled and foreseene,

who madly murthered and offended those that were nothing guilty

of the Facte, that touched him so neare. And although that these

be matters of loue, yet the Reader ought not to bee grieued nor

take in evill parte, that we bee still in that Argument. For we

doe not hereby goe about to erect a Schoolehouse of Loue, or to

teache Youth the wanton Toyes of the same. But rather bryng

forth these Examples to withdraw the plyant, and tender Age of

this our time, from the pursuite of like Follies, which may

(were they not in this sort warned) ingender lyke effects that

these our Hystoryes do recoumpt, and whereof you shall bee

Partakers by reading the discourse that followeth. Yee must than

vnderstand, that in the time that Braccio Montone, and Sforza

Attendulo florished in Italy, and were the chiefest of the

Italian men of warre, there were three Lords and brethren which

held vnder their authority and Puissaunce Foligno, Nocera, and

Treuio, parcell of the Dukedome of Spoleto, who gouerned so

louingly their Landes together, as without diuision, they

maynetayned themselues in great Estate, and lyued in Brotherly

concorde. The name of the Eldest of these three Lordes was

Nicholas, the second Cæsar, the yongest Conrade, gentle

Personages, wise and wel beloued so well of the Noble men their

Neyghbours, as also of the Cittyzens that were vnder their

Obeysaunce, who in the ende, shewed greater loyalty towards

them, than those that had sworne their fayth, and had giuen

Pleadges for confirmation, as yee shal perceyue by reading what

insueth. It chaunced that the eldest oftentimes repayring from

Foligno to Nocera, and lodging still in the Castell, behelde

with a little to mutch wanton Eye, the Wyfe of his Lieutenaunt

whych was placed there with a good number of dead payes, to

Guard the Fort, and keepe vnder the Cittizens, if by chaunce

(as it happeneth vpon the new erection of Estates) they attemped

some new enterprise agaynst their Soueraygne Lordes. Nowe this

Gentlewoman was very fayre, singularly delighting to be looked

vpon: which occasioned the Lord Nicholas, by perceyuing the

wantonesse and good wyll of the Mystresse of the Castell, not to

refuse so good occasion, determining to prosecute the inioying

of hir, that was the Bird after which he hunted, whose Beauty

and good grace had deepely wounded his Mind, wherin if he forgot

his duety, I leaue for al men of good iudgement to consider. For

me thinke that this young Lorde ought rather singularly to loue

and cherysh his liuetenaunt that faithfullye and trustily had

kept his Castell and Forte, than to prepare agaynst him so

Trayterous an Attempt, and Ambushe. And if so bee hys sayd

Lieutenaunt had bene accused of felony, misprison, or Treason

(yet to speake the trouth) hee might haue deliuered the charge

of his Castell vnto an other, rather then to suborne his Wyfe to

folly. And ought likewise to haue considered that the

Lieuetenaunt by puttinge his trust in him, had iust cause to

complayne for Rauishing hys Honoure from hym in the Person of

hys Wyfe, whom hee ought to haue loued wythout any affection to

Infrindge the Holy Lawe of Amitye, the breakinge whereof

dissolueth the duety of ech Seruaunt towardes his Soueraygne

Lord and mayster. To be short, this blinded Louer yelding no

resistaunce to loue, and the foolish conceipt which altereth the

iudgements of the wisest, suffred his fansie to roue so farre

vnto hys Appetites, as on a daye when the Lieuetenaunte was

walked abroade into the Castel to view the Souldiours and deade

payes (to pleasure him that sought the meanes of his

displeasure) hee spake to the Gentlewoman his Wyfe in this

manner: "Gentlewoman, you being wise and curteous as ech man

knoweth, needefull it is not to vse long or Rethoricall

Orations, for so mutch as you without further supply of talk do

clearely perceyue by my Looks, Sighes, and earnest Viewes,

the loue that I beare you, which without comparison nippeth my

Hearte so neare as none can feele the parching paynes, that the

same poore portion of me doth suffer. Wherefore hauing no great

leysure to let you further vnderstand my mynde, it may please

you to shewe me so mutch Fauour as I may be receyued for him,

who hauing the better right of your good grace, may therewithall

enioy that secret Acquayntance, which sutch a one as I am

deserueth: of whom yee shall haue better experience if you

please to accept him for your owne." This mistresse Lieutenaunt

which compted hir selfe happy to be beloued of hir Lorde, and

who tooke great pleasure in that aduenture, albeit that shee

desyred to lette hym knowe the good will that she bare vnto him,

yet dissembled the matter a little, by aunswering him in this

wise: "Your disease Sir is sodayne, if in so little time you

haue felt sutch excesse of malady: but perchance it is your

heart that being ouer tender, hath lightly receyued the pricke,

which no doubt will so soone vanish, as it hath made so ready

entry. I am very glade (Sir) that your heart is so merily

disposed to daliaunce, and can finde some matter to contriue the

superfluitie of tyme, the same altering the diuersity of man's

complexion, accordingly as the condition of the hourely Planet

guideth the nature of euery wight." "It is altogither otherwise

(aunswered hee) for being come hither as a master and Lord, I am

become a seruaunt and slaue: and briefly to speake my minde, if

you haue not pitty vpon me, the disease which you call sodayne,

not only will take increase, but procure the death and finall

ruine of my heart." "Ah sir," (sayd the Gentlewoman) "your

griefe is not so deepely rooted, and death so present to

succeede as you affirme, ne yet so ready to gieue ouer the

place, as you protest, but I see what is the matter, you desire

to laugh mee to scorne, and your heart craueth something to

solace it selfe which cannot be idle, but must imploy the vacant

tyme vpon some pleasaunt Toyes." "You haue touched the pricke

(aunswered the Louer) for it is you in deede wherevpon my hearte

doth ioy, and you are the cause of my Laughter and passetime,

for otherwise all my delights were displeasures, and you also by

denying me to be your seruaunt, shall abbreuiate, and shorten my

liuing dayes, who only reioyseth for choyse of sutch a

mystresse." "And how (replied she) can I be assured of that you

say? The disloyalty, and infidelity of man being in these dayes

so faste vnited, so hastely following one another, as the Shadow

doth the Body, wheresoeuer it goeth." "Onely experience"

(sayed he) "shall make you know what I am, and shall teach you

wheather my heart is any thing different from my wordes, and I

dare bee bolde to say, that if you vouchsafe to do mee the

pleasure to receyue mee for your owne, you may make your vaunt

to haue a Gentleman so faythfull for your frend, as I esteeme

you to be discrete, and as I desire to let you taste the effect

of mine affection, by sutch some honest order as may be

deuised." "Sir" (sayd she) "it is well and aduisedly spoken of

you, but yet I thincke it straunge for sutch a Gentleman as you

be, to debase your honor to so poore a Gentlewoman, and to goe

about both to dishonor me, and to put my life in pearill." "God

forbid" (aunswered the Lord Nicholas) "that I be cause of any

slaunder, and rather had I dye my selfe than minister one simple

occasion whereby your fame should be brought in question. Only I

doe pray you to have pitty vpon me, and by vsing your curtesie,

to satisfie that which my seruice and faythfull friendship doth

constrayne, and binde you for the comfort of him that loueth you

better than himselfe." "We will talke more thereof hereafter"

(aunswered the lieuetenaunt's Wyfe) "and than will I tell you

mine aduise, and what resolution shall follow the summe of your

demaunde." "How now Gentlewoman" (sayd he) "haue you the heart

to leaue me voyde of hope, to make me languish for the

prorogation of a thing so doubtful as the delayes bee which loue

deferreth? I humbly pray you to tell me whereunto I shall trust:

to the intent that by punishing my heart for proofe of this

enterprise, I may chastise all mine Eyes by reuing from them the

meanes for euer more to see that which contenteth me best, and

wherein resteth my solace, leauing my minde full of desires, and

my heart without final stay, vppon the greatest Pleasure that

euer man coulde choose." The Gentlewoman would not loose a Noble

man so good and perfect: whose presence already pleased hir

aboue all other thinges, and, who voluntarily had agreed to hys

request, by the onely signe of hir Gests, and Lookes, sayde vnto

him smilinge with a very good grace: "Doe not accuse my heart of

lightnesse, nor my minde of infidelity and treason, if to please

and obey you, I forget my duty, and abuse the promise made unto

my Husband, for I sweare vnto you (sir) by God, that I haue more

forced my thought, and of long time haue constrayned mine

appetites in dissembling the loue that I beare you, than I haue

receiued pleasure, by knowing my selfe to be beloued by one

agreeable to mine affection. For which cause you shall finde me

(being but a poore Gentlewoman) more ready to do your pleasure,

and to be at your commaundement, than any other that liueth be

shee of greater Port, and regarde than I am. And who to satisfie

your request, shal one day sacrifice that fidelity to the

iealous fury of hir husband." "God defend" (sayd the young Lord)

"for we shal be so discrete in our doings, and so seldome

communicate, and talke togeather, as impossible for any man to

discry the same. But if mishap will haue it so, and that some

ill lucke doe discouer our dealinges, I haue shift of wayes to

coloure it, and power to stop the mouthes of them that dare

presume to clatter and haue to do with our priuate conference."

"All that I know wel inough sir" (sayd she) "but it is great

simplicity in sutch thinges for a man to trust to his authority,

the forced inhibition whereof shall prouoke more babble, than

rumor is able to spreade for all his tattling talk of our secret

follies. Moreouer I would be very glad to do what pleaseth you,

so the same may be without slaunder. For I had rather dy, than

any should take vs in our priuities and familier pastimes: let

vs be contented with the pleasure that the ease of our ioy may

graunt, and not with sutch contentation as shal offend vs, by

blotting the clerenesse of our good name." Concluding then the

time of their new acquayntaunce, which was the next day at

noone, when the Lieutenaunt did walke into the Citty, they

ceased their talke for feare of his enteruiew. Who (upon his

retourne) doing reuerence vnto his Lord, tolde him that hee

knewe where a wilde Boare did haunte, if it pleased him to see

the pastime. Whereunto the Lord Nicholas fayned louingly to

gieue eare (although agaynst his will) for so mutch as hee

thought the same Huntinge should be a delay for certayne dayes

to the enioying, (pretended and assured) of his beloued. But she

that was so mutch or more esprysed with the raging and

intollerable fire of loue, speedily found meanes to satisfie hir

louer's sute, but not in sutch manner as was desired of eyther

partes, wherefore they were constrayned to defer the rest vntill

an other time. This pleasaunt beginning so allured the Lord of

Nocera, as vnder the pretence of huntinge, there was no weeke

that passed, but hee came to visite the Warrener of hys

Lieutenaunt. And this order continuing without any one little

suspition of their loue, they gouerned theymselues wisely in

pursute thereof. And the Lord Nicholas vsed the game and sporte

of Hunting, and an infinite number of other exercises, as the

running of the Ring, and Tennis, not so mutch thereby to finde

meanes to enioy his Lady, as to auoyde occasion of Iealosie in

hir Husband, being a very familiar vice in all Italians, the

Cloake whereof is very heauy to beare, and the disease

troublesome to sustayne. But what? Like as it is hard to beguile

an Vsurer in the accoumpt of his money, for his continuall watch

ouer the same, and slumbring sleepes vpon the Bookes of his

recknings and accoumpts, so difficult it is to deceyue the heart

of a iealous man, and specially when he is assured of the griefe

which his head conceyueth. Argus was neuer so cleere eyed for

all his hundred Eyes ouer Iupiter's Lemman, as those Louers be,

whose opinions be ill affected ouer the chastity of their Wyues.

Moreouer what Foole, or Asse is hee, who seeing sutch vndiscrete

familiarity of two Louers, the priuy gestures and demeanors

without witnesse, theyr stolne walkes at vntymely houres, and

sometimes theyr embracements to, strayght and common before

seruants, that would not doubt of that whych most secretly did

passe? True it is that in England (where liberty is so honestly

obserued as being alone or secrete conuersation gyueth no cause

of suspition) the same mighte haue bene borne withall. But in

Italy, where the Parents themselues be for the most part

suspected, (if there had bene no facte in deede committed) that

familiarity of the Lord Nicholas, with hys Lieutenaunte's Wyfe

was not suffrable, but exceded the Bounds of reason, for so

mutch as the Commoditie which they had chosen for possessing of

theyr loue, (albeit the same not suspitions) animated them

afterwards to frequent their familiarity and dysporte to

frankly, and wythout discretion: which was the cause that

fortune (who neuer leaueth the ioyes of men wythout giuing

thereunto some great alarme,) being enuious of the mutuall

delightes of those two louers, made the husband to doubt of that

which hee would haue dissembled, if honor could so easily be

loste wythoute reproch, as bloud is shed without peryll of Lyfe,

but the matter being so cleare, as the fault was euident,

specyally in the party which touched him so neare as hymselfe,

the Lieuetenaunt before he would enterpryse any thing, and

declare what he thought desired throughly to bee resolued of

that whych hee sawe as it were but in a Cloude, and by reason of

hys conceyued Opynion hee dealt so warely and wisely in those

affaires, and was so subtil an espiall, as one day when the

louers were at theyr game, and in their most straite and secrete

embracements, he viewed them coupled with other leash, than he

would haue wished, and colled with straighter bands then reason

or honesty did permit. He saw with out beeing seene, wherein he

felt a certaine ease and contentment, for being assured of that

he doubted, and purposed to ordeyne a sowre refection after

their delightsome banket, the simple louers ignoraunt by signe

or coniecture, that their enterpryses were dyscouered. And

truely it had ben more tollerable and lesse hurteful for the

Lieuetenaunte, if euen then hee had perpetrated his vengeaunce,

and punyshed them for theyr wyckednesse, than to vse the Cruelty

wherewith afterwardes he blotted his renoume, and soyled his

hands by Bedlem rage in the innocent bloud of those that were

not priuye to the folly, and lesse guilty of the wronge don vnto

him. Now the Captain of the Castel for al his dissimulation in

couering of his griefe, and his fellony and Treason intended

against his soueraigne Lord, which he desired not yet manifestly

to appeare, was not able any more from that time forth to speake

so louingly vnto him, nor with sutch respect and reuerence as he

did before, which caused his Wife thus to say vnto hir Louer:

"My Lord I doubt very mutch least my husband doth perceiue these

our common practizes, and secrete familiar dealings, and that he

hath some Hammer working in his heade, by reason of the

Countenaunce,{ }and vncheareful entertaynement which he sheweth

to your Lordship, wherefore myne aduyse is, that you retire for

a certaine tyme to Foligno. In the meane space I wil marke and

espye if that his alteration be conceiued for any matter against

vs, and wherefore his wonted lookes haue put on this new

alteration and chaunge. All which when I haue (by my espial and

secret practize sounded) I will spedily aduertise you, to the

end that you may provide for the sauegard of your faithfull and

louing seruaunt." The young Lord, who loued the Gentlewoman wyth

al his heart, was attached with so great gryefe, and dryuen into

sutch rage by hearyng those wycked Newes, as euen presently he

woulde haue knowne of hys Lieuetenaunt, the cause of his

dyswonted cheare. But weighing the good aduyse whych his woman

had giuen him, paused vppon the same, and promysed hir to doe

what she thought best. By reason whereof, gyuynge warnyng to his

Seruantes for hys departure, he caused the Lyeuetenaunte to be

called before him, vnto whome hee sayd: "Captayne, I had

thoughte for certayne Dayes to sporte and passe my tyme, but

hearing tell that the Duke of Camarino commeth to Foligno, to

debate with vs of matters of importaunce, I am constrained to

departe, and do pray you in the meane time to haue good regard

vnto our affaires, and if any newes doe chaunce to aduertise the

same wyth all Expedytion." "Sir" (sayd the Captayne) "I am

sorrye that now when our passetime of hunting myght yelde some

good recreation vnto your honour, that you doe thus forsake vs,

notwithstanding sith it is your good pleasure, we will cease the

chase of the wylde Bore till your retourne. In the meane time,

I will make ready the Coardes and Tramelles, that vppon your

comming, nothing want for the Furniture of our sport." The Lord

Nicholas, seeing his Lieuetenaunt so pleasauntly disposed, and

so litle bent to Choller, or iealous fantasie, was persuaded,

that some other toy had rather occupyed his Minde, than any

suspition betweene his Wife and hym. But the subtyll Husband

searched other meanes to be reuenged, than by kylling him alone,

of whom he receyued that dishonour, and was more craftie to

enterpryse, and more hardie to execute, than the Louers were

wyse or well aduised to preuent and wythstande his sleightes and

pollicies. And albeit that the Wyfe (after the departure of hir

Fryend) assayed to drawe from him the cause of his altered

cheare yet coulde shee neuer learne, that hir husband had any

ill opinion of theyr Loue. For so many tymes as talke was moued

of the Lord Nicholas, hee exalted his prayse vp into the

Heauens, and commended hym aboue all his Brethren. All whych hee

dyd to beguyle the pollycies of hir, whome he saw to blush, and

many times chaunge Colour, when she heard him spoken of, to whom

she bare better affection than to hir Husband, vnto whom

(in very dede) she did owe the faith and integritie of hir body.

This was the very toile which he had laid to intrap those

amorous persons and purposed to rid the world of them by that

meanes, to remoue from before his eyes, the shame of a

Cuckolde's title, and to reuenge the iniurie don to his

reputation. The mistresse of the Castel seeynge that hir husband

(as shee thought) by no meanes did vnderstande hir follies,

desired to continue the pleasure, which either of them desired,

and which made the third to die of phrenesie, wrote to the Lord

Nicholas, the letter that followeth.

"My Lord, the feare I had, that my husband should perceyue our

loue, caused me to intreat you certaine dayes past, to

discontinue for a time, the frequentation of your owne house,

whereby I am not little agrieued, that contrary to my wil, I am

defrauded of your presence, which is far more pleasaunt vnto me,

than my husband's flatteries, who ceaseth not contynually to

talke of the honest behauiour, and commendable qualyties that be

in you, and is sorry for your departure, bicause he feareth that

you mislyke youre entertainement, whych should be (sayth he) so

gryeuous and noysome vnto him, as death it selfe. Wherefore,

I pray you sir, if it be possible, and that your affayres doe

suffer you, to come hither to the ende I may enioy your amayable

presence, and vse the Liberty that our good hap hath prepared,

through the litle iealousie of my husband your Lieuetenaunt:

who I suppose before it be long wil intreat you, so great is his

desire to make you passetime of hunting within your owne Land

and territory. Fayle not then to come I beseech you, and we wyll

so well consider the gouernment of our affaires, as the best

sighted shall not once discry the least suspicion thereof,

recommending my selfe most humbly (after the best maner I can)

to your good Lordship."

This Letter was deliuered to a Lackey to beare to the Lord

Nicholas, and not so priuily done, but the Lieutenaunt

immediately espied the deceipt which the sooner was disciphred,

for so mutch as he dayely lay in wayte to find the meanes to

reuenge the wrong done vnto him, of purpose to beate the iron so

long as it was hotte, and to execute hys purpose before his Wife

tooke heede, and felte the endeuor of his Enterpryse. And

bicause that shee had assayed by diuers wayes to sound his

heart, and fele whether he had conceiued displeasure against the

Lord hir louer, the Day after wherein she had written to hir

friend, hee sent one of his Men in poste to the three Lordes,

to requyre them to come the nexte Day to see the pastime of the

fayrest and greatest wild Bore, that long tyme was bred in the

Forrests adioyning vnto Nocera, Albeit that the Countrey was

fayre for coursinge, and that dyuers tymes many fayre Bores haue

ben encountred there. But it was not for this, that he had

framed his errand, but to trap in one toyle and snare the thre

brethren, whom he determined to sacrifice to the aulter of his

vengeance, for the expiation of theyr elder brother's trespasse,

and for soyling the Nuptial bed of his seruaunt. He was the

wylde Bore whome he meant to strike, hee was the pray of his

vnsaciable and cruell Appetite. If the fault had ben generall of

all three togethers, he had had some reason to make them passe

the bracke of one equall fortune, and to tangle them within one

net, both to preuent thereby (as he thought) his further hurt,

and to chastise their leude behauiour. For many tymes

(as lamentable experience teacheth) Noble men for the onely

respecte of their Nobility, make no Conscience to doe wrong to

the honor of them, whose reputation and honesty, they ought so

wel to regard as their owne. Herein offended the good Prynce of

the Iewes Dauid, when to vse his Bersabe without suspition, he

caused innocent Vrias to bee slayne, in lieu of recompence for

his good seruice, and diligent execution of his behests. The

children of the proud Romane king Tarquinius, did herein greatly

abuse them selues, when they violated that noble Gentlewoman

Lucrece, whom al histories do so mutch remembre, and whose

chastity, al famous writers do commend. Vppon sutch as they be,

vengeance ought to be don, and not to defile the hands in the

bloud of innocents, as the Parents and Kinsemen of deade Lucrece

did at Rome, and this Lieutenaunt at Nocera, vppon the brethren

of him that had sent him into Cornwal, without passing ouer the

Seas. But what? Anger proceding of sutch wronge, surmounteth al

phrenesie, and exceedeth al the bounds of reason, and man is so

deuoyd of Wyts, by seeing the blot of defamation, to lyght vpon

him, as he seeketh al meanes to hurt and displease him that

polluteth his renoume. Al the race of the Tarquines for like

fact were banyshed Rome, for the onely brute whereof, the

husband of the faire rauished wife, was constrayned to auoid the

Place of his natiuity. Paris alone violated the body of

Menelaus, the Lacedemonian kyng, but for reuenge of the rauyshed

Greeke, not onely the glory and Rychesse of stately Troy, but

also the most parte of Asia and Europa, was ouertourned and

defaced, if credyte may be gyuen to the recordes of the

Auncyent. So in this fact of the Lieutenaunt, the Lord Nicholas

alone, had polluted his bed, but the reuenge of the cruel man

extended further, and his fury raged so farre, as the guiltlesse

were in greate Daunger to beare the penaunce, which shall be

well perceiued by the discourse that foloweth. The Captaine then

hauing sent his message, and beyng sure of his intent (no lesse

than is he already had the brethren within his hold, vpon the

point to couple them together with his wife, to send them all in

pilgrimage to visite the faithfull forte, that blason their

loues in an other worlde, with Dydo, Phyllis, and sutch like,

that more for dispayre than loue, bee passed the straictes of

death) caused to be called before him in a secrete place, al the

souldiers of the Fort, and sutch as with whome he was sure to

preuayle, to whom not without sheading forth some teares, in

heauie Countenaunce, he spake in this maner: "My Companions and

Fryends, I doubt not but yee bee abashed to see me wrapt in so

heauy plyght, and appeare in this forme before you (that is to

say) bewept, heauy, panting with sighes, and all contrary to my

custome, in other state and maner, than my courage and degree

requyre. But when ye shall vnderstand the cause I am assured

that the case whych seemeth straunge to you, shall be thought

just and ryght and so will perfourme the thing wherein I shall

employe you. Ye knowe that the first point that a Gentleman

ought to regarde, consisteth not onely in repelling the iniury

done vnto the body, but rather it behoueth that the fight begin

for the defense of his honor, which is a thinge that proceedeth

from the Minde, and resorteth to the Body, as the Instrument to

worke that which the spyryte appointeth. Now it is honour, for

conseruation whereof, an honest man and one of good Courage

feareth not to put hymselfe in all perill and daunger of death

and losse of goodes, referring himselfe also to the guarde of

that whych toucheth as it were oure owne reputation. In sutch

wyse as if a good Captaine do suffer hys souldier to be a wycked

man, a Robber, a Murderer, and an exacter, he beareth the note

of dyshonor albeit in all his doings he gouerneth his estate

after the rule of honesty, and doth nothing that is vnworthy his

vocation. But what? he being a head vnited to sutch members, if

the partes of that vnited thing be corrupt and naught, the head

must needes bear the blot of the fault before referred to the

whole Body. Alas (sayd he sighing) what parte is more neare, and

dearer to Man, than that which is giuen vnto him for a Pledge

and Comfort duryng his Life, and which is conioyned to be bone

of his bone, and flesh of his flesh, to breath forth one Mynde,

and to think with one heart and equall wil. It is of the Wyfe

that I speake, who being the moytie of hir husband, ye ought not

to muse if I say, that the honoure of the one is the rest of the

other, and the one infamous and wycked, the other feeleth the

troubles of sutch mischiefe, and the Wife being carelesse of hir

honour, the husband's reputation is defiled, and is not worthy

of prayse, if he suffer sutch shame vnreuenged: I must

(Companions and good friends) here dyscouer that whych my heart

would faine kepe secrete, if it were possible, and must rehearse

a thing vnto you, which so sone as my Mouth would faine kepe

close, the Minde assayeth to force the ouerture. And loth I am

to do it, were it not that I make so good accompt of you, as ye

being tied to me with an vnseparable Amity, will yeld me your

comfort and Ayde against him that hath done mee this Villany,

sutch as if I be not reuenged vpon, needes must I be the

Executioner of that vengeance vppon my selfe, that I am loth to

lyue in this dishonor, whych all the dayes of my life (without

due vltion) like a Worme wyll torment and gnaw my conscyence.

Wherefore before I goe any further, I woulde knowe whether I

myght so well trust your aide and succour in this my businesse,

as in all others I am assured you would not leaue mee so long as

any breath of life remained in you. For without sutch assurance,

I do not purpose to let you know the pricking naile that

pierceth my heart, nor the gryefe that grieueth me so neare,

as by vttering it without hope of help I shall open the Gate to

death, and dye without reliefe of my desire, by punishing him,

of whome I haue receyued an iniury more bloudy than any man can

doe." The Souldiers whych loued the Captaine as theyr owne Lyfe,

were sorry to see him in sutch estate, and greater was theyr

dolour to heare wordes that tended to nothing else but to fury,

vengeaunce, and murder of hymselfe. Wherefore all wyth one

accorde promysed theyr helpe and mayne force towardes and

against all men for the bryngyng to passe of that whych hee dyd

meane to requyre. The Lieutenaunt assured of his Men conceyued

heart and Courage, and continuing his Oration and purpose,

determyned the slaughter and ouerthrowe of thre Trinicien

Brethren, (for that was the surname of the Lordes of Foligno,)

who pursued his Oration in this maner: "Know ye then

(my Companions and good Friends) that it is my Wife, by whome I

haue indured the hurt and losse of myne honour, and she is the

party touched, and I am he that am most offended. And to the

ende that I do not hold you longer in suspence, and the party be

concealed from you, whych hath don me thys Outrage: ye shall

vnderstand that Nicholas Trinicio, the elder of the three Lordes

of Folingno and Nocera, is he, that against all ryght and equity

hath suborned the Wife of his Lieuetenaunt, and soyled the Bed

of him, whereof he ought to haue ben the defender and the very

bulwarke of his reputation. It is of hym my good Fryends, and of

his that I meane to take sutch Vengeaunce, as eternall memory

shall display the same to all posterity: and neuer Lord shal

dare to doe a like wrong to mine, without remembraunce what his

duety is, which shall teach hym how to abuse the honest seruice

of a Gentleman that is one of his owne trayne. It resteth in you

both to holde vp your hand, and keepe your promise, to the end

that the Lord Nicholas, deceiuyng and mocking me, may not trust

and put affiance in your force, vnto whych I heartily do

recommend my selfe." The Souldiers moued and incited with the

wickednesse of theyr Lord and with the wrong done to him, of

whom they receyued wages, swore agayne to serue his turne in any

exploit he went about, and requyred him to be assured, that the,

Trinicien Brethren should be ouerthrowne, and suffer deserued

penaunce, if they might lay hands vpon them, and therefore

willed him to seke meanes to allure them thither, that they

might be dispatched. The Lieuetenaunt at these words renuing a

chearefull Countenaunce, and shewing himself very ioyfull for

sutch successe after he had thanked his Souldyers, and very

louingly imbraced the chiefest of them, reuealed hys deuised

pollicy, and hoped shortly to haue them at his commaundement

within the Fort, alleaging that he had dispatched two Messengers

vnto them, and that his wife also priuily had sent hir page:

vnto whome he purposed to gyue so good a recompense, as neuer

more she should plant his hornes so hygh, vnder a colour of

gentle entertaynement of hir ribauld and Friend. They were

scarce resolued vpon this intent, but newes were brought him,

that the next day morning, the three lords accompanied with

other nobility would come to Nocera, to hunt that huge wylde

Bore, whereof the Lieutenaunt had made so greate auant. These

newes did not greatly please the Captaine, for so mutch as he

feared, that his purpose could not (conueniently) be brought to

passe, if the company were so great. But when he considered that

the Lords alone, should lodge within the Fort, he was of good

cheare again, and staied vpon his first intent. The Triniciens

the next day after came very late, bicause the Lord Berardo of

Verano duke of Camerino, desired to be one, and also the two

brethren taried for Conrade, who was at a mariage, and could not

assist the Tragedie that was played at Nocera, to his great hap

and profit. So this troupe came to Nocera late, and hauing

supped in the City, the Lord Nicholas, and the Duke of Camerino

went to Bed in the Fort, Cæsar the brother of Trinicio tarying

behind with the Trayne, to lodge in the city. Stay here a while

(ye Gentlemen) ye I say, that pursue the secrete stelths of

loue, neuer put any great trust in fortune, which seldome kepeth

hir promise with you. Ye had neede therfore to take goode heede,

least ye be surprysed in the place, wher priuily you giue the

assault, and in the acte wherein ye desire the assistance of

none. See the barbarous cruelty of a Lieutenant, which loued

rather to kill his corriual in his cold bloud, than otherwise to

be reuenged, when he saw him a bed with his Wife, purposely that

the example of his fury myght be the better knowne, and the

secret sclander more euident, from the roote whereof did spryng

an infinite number of Murders and mischiefs. About midnight

then, when all thinges were at rest vnder the darke silence of

the nyght, the Lieutenant came to the Chamber of the Lord

Nicholas, accompanied with the most part of the Watch, and

hauyng stopt vp the yeoman of hys Chaumber, hee so dressed the

Companion of hys Bedde, as for the first proofe of his

courtesie, he caused hys Membres and priuy partes to be cut of,

saying vnto him with cruell disdayne: "Thou shalt not henceforth

(wycked wretch) weld this launce into the rest, thereby to

batter the honour of an honester man than thy self." Then

lanching his stomacke with a piercing blade, he tare the heart

out of his belly, saying: "Is this the trayterous Heart that

hath framed the plot and deuysed the enterprise of my shame,

to make this infamous villaine without Life, and his renoume

without prayse?" And not content with this Cruelty, he wreakt

the like vpon the remnaunt of his body, that sometimes the

runnagate Medea did vpon hir innocent brother, to saue the Lyfe

of hir selfe, and of hir friend Iason. For she cut him into an

hundred thousand pieces, gyuing to euery Membre of the poore

murdred soule hir word of mockery and contempt. Was it not

sufficient for a tirannous husband to be reuenged of hys shame,

and to kill the party which had defamed him, without vsing so

furious Anotamie vpon a dead body, and wherein there was no

longer feeling? But what? Ire beyng wythout measure, and anger

wythout Brydle or reason, it is not to be wondred, if in al his

actes the Captayne ouerpassed the iust measure of vengeance.

Many would thinke the committed murder vppon Nicholas, to be

good and iust: but the Iustice of an offense, ought not so longe

time to be conceyled, but rather to make him feele the smart at

the very tyme the deed is done, to the ende that the nypping

gryefe of pestilent treason wrought against the betrayed party,

be not obscured and hydden by sodayne rage and lacke of reason

rising in the mindes first motions, and thereby also the faulte

of the guilty, by hys indiscretion couered: otherwyse there is

nothyng that can colour sutch vice. For the law indifferently

doth punish euery man, that without the Magistrates order taketh

authority to venge his own wrong. But come we againe vnto our

purpose. The Captayne all imbrued in bloude, entred the Chaumber

of the Duke of Camerino, whom with al the rest of the strangers

that were wythin the Castle, hee lodged (without speakynge any

worde) in a deepe and obscure pryson. Beholde, what reste they

tooke that nyghte, whych were come to hunt the Wylde Boare. For

wythout trauaylyng farre, they were intrapped in the subtill

engines and Nettes of the furious Lieuetenaunte, who when the

morning bedecked with hir vermilion cleare began to shewe hir

selfe, when all the Hunters dyd put them selues in readynesse,

and coupled vp theyr Dogges to marche into the Fielde, beholde,

one of the Captayne's cruell Ministers wente into the City,

to cause the Lord Cæsar to come and speake with hys brother

Nicholas, and intreated him not to tarry, for that he and the

Duke were dysposed to shewe hym some disport. Cæsar whych neuer

suspected the least of these chaunced murders, desired not to be

prayed agayne, but made haste to the Butcherie like a lamb, and

in the company of the Wolues themselues that were in readynesse

to kyll hym. He was no sooner in the Court of the Castle, but

seuen or eyght Varlets apprehended hym and hys Men, and carryed

hym into the Chaumber (bound lyke a thefe) wherin the Membres of

hys Myserable Brother were cut of and dispersed, whose corpse

was pitifully gored and arrayed in Bloud. If Cæsar were abashed

to see himselfe bound and taken prysoner he was more astonned

when he perceyued a body so dysmembred, and which as yet he

knewe not. "Alas," (sayd he) "what sighte is this? Is thys the

bore whych thou hast caused vs to come hyther to hunt within our

very Fort?" The Captayne rising vp, al imbrued wyth bloud, whose

face and voyce promised nothing but Murder to the miserable

young Gentleman sayd: "See Cæsar, the Body of thine adulterous

brother Nicholas, that infamous whoremonger, and marke if this

be not his head: I woulde to God that Conrade were here also

that ye might all three be placed at this sumptuous Banket,

which I haue prepared for you. I sweare vnto thee then, that

this should be the last day of all the Trinicien race, and the

end of your Tirannies and wicked Life. But sith I cannot get the

effect of that whych my heart desireth, my minde shal take

repast in the triumph which Fortune hath ordeined. Curssed be

the mariage and Wedding at Trevio, that hath hyndred me of an

occasion so apte, and of the meanes to dispatch a matter of

sutch importance as is the ouerthrow of so many tirants." Cæsar

at this sentence stode so stil, as whilom dyd the wyfe of Loth,

by seing the City on fire, and consume into ashes: by the sight

whereof she was conuerted into a stone of Salt. For when he sawe

that bloudy Pageant, and knew that it was his brother Nicholas,

pity and feare so stopt the pipes of his speach, as without

complayning himself or framing one word, he suffred his throte

to be cut by the barbarous captaine, who threw him halfe dead

vpon the corps of his brother, that the bloud of either of them

might cry vp to the heauens for so loud vengeance as that of

Abel dyd, being slain by the treason of his nearest brother.

Beholde the dreadful begynnings of a heart rapt in fury, and of

the mind of him that not resisting his fond affections, executed

the terrible practizes of his owne braine, and preferring his

fantasie aboue reason, deuised sutch ruine and decay, as by

these Examples the Posteritye shall haue good cause to wonder.

The lyke Cruelty vsed Tiphon towards his brother Osyris by

chopping his body in xxvi. gobbets, whereby ensued the decay of

him and his, by Orus whome some doe surname Appollo. And troweth

the Captayne to loke for lesse mercy of the Brother of the other

twayne that were murdered and of the Dukes kindred whome he kept

Prysoner? But he was so blynded with Fury, and it may be, led by

ambition and desyre to be made Lord of Nocera, that he was not

contented to venge his shame on hym whych had offended, but

assayed to murder and extinguysh all the Trinicien bloud: the

enheritaunce only remaining in them. And to come to the end of

his Enterprise, this Italyan Nero, not content wyth these so

many slaughters, but thereunto adioyned a new Treason assaying

to win the Citizens of Nocera to moue rebellion agaynst their

Lord, causing them to assemble before the Forte, vnto whome

vppon the Walles, he vsed this or like Oration: "I haue hitherto

(my Maisters) dissembled the lyttle pleasure that my heart hath

felt to see so many true and faithful Citizens, subiecte vnder

the wyll and unbrydeled lustes of two or three Tyraunts: who

hauing gotten Power and authority ouer vs, more through our owne

folly and cowardyse, than by valiance, vertue and iustice,

either in them or those which haue dispoyled this countrey of

their auncient liberty. I will not deny but pryncipalities of

longe entraunce and Foundation deryued by succession of

inherytaunce, haue had some spyce and kynde of Equity, and that

Lordes of good lyfe and conuersation ought to be obeyed,

defended and honored. But where inuasion and seasure is against

ryght, where the people is spoyled and Lawes violated, it is no

conscience to disobey and abolish sutch monsters of nature. The

Romanes in the prime age of their Common Wealth ful wel declared

the same, when they banished out of their City that proud race

of the Tirant Tarquine, and when they went about to exterminate

al the rootes of cruelty and tyrannical power. Our Neighbors the

Sicillians once dyd the like vnder the conduct of Dion, against

the disruled fury and wilful cruelty of Denis the tyrant of

Syracusa, and the Atheniens against the Chyldren of Pisistratus.

And ye that be sorted from the stocke of those Samnites, which

in times past so long heald vp their Heades against the Romane

force, will ye be so very cowardes and weake hearted for respect

of the title of your seigniorie as ye dare not with me to

attempt a valiant enterprise for reducing your selues into

libertye, and to expell that vermyne broode of Tyraunts which

swarme through out the whole regyon of Italy. Wyll yee bee so

mated and dumped, as the shadow alone of a fond and inconstant

young man, shall holde your Nose to the Grindstone, and drawe

you at his lust lyke an Oxe into the stall? I feare that if ye

saw your Wiues and Daughters haled to the passetyme and pleasure

of these Tirauntes, to glutte the whoredome of those styncking

Goate Bucks, more Lecherous and filthy than the senseles

sparrowes: I feare (I say) that ye durst not make one Sygne for

demonstratyon of your Wrath and dyspleasure. No, no (my maysters

of Nocera,) it is hyghe tyme to cutte of the Hydra hys heads,

and to strangle hym wythin hys Caue. The tyme is come (I say)

wherein it behoueth you to shewe your selues lyke Men, and no

longer to dissemble the case that toucheth you so neare.

Consyder whether it bee good to follow myne aduyse, to repossede

agayne the thyng whych is your owne, (that is) the Freedome

wherein your Auncesters gloryfied so mutch, and for which they

feared not to hazarde theyr Goodes and Lyues. It wyll come good

cheape, if you be ruled by me, it wyll redound to your treble

Fame, if lyke Men ye follow my aduyse, whych I hope to let you

shortely see wythout any great peryll or losse of your Citizens

Bloud. I haue felt the effect of the Trinicien Tirannye, and the

rigor of their vnrighteous gouernment, which hauing begonne in

me, they will not faile, if they be not chastised in time, to

extend on you also, whome they deeme to be their slaues. In lyke

manner I haue first begon to represse their boldnesse, and to

wythstande their leud behauior: yea and if you Mynde to

vnderstande ryght from wrong, an easy matter it will be to

perfourme the rest, the time beinge so commodious, and the

discouery of the thinge whereof I haue made you so priuy, so

conuenient. And know ye, that for the exploit of mine intent,

and to bryng you agayne altogether in Liberty, I haue taken the

two Lords Nicholas and Cæsar prysonners, attending till fortune

do bryng to me the third, to pay him with like money and equals

guerdon, that not onely you may bee free and setled in your

auncient priuiledge, but my heart also satisfied of the wrong

which I haue receiued by their iniustice. Beleue (Maisters) that

the thing whych I haue done: was not wythoute open iniury

receiued, as by keepyng it close I burst, and by telling the

same I am ashamed. I wil kepe it secrete, notwithstanding, and

shal pray you to take heede vnto your selues, that by vniuersal

consent, the mischiefe may be preuented. Deuise what answer you

wyll make me, to the intent that I by following your aduise, may

also be resolued vpon that I haue to do, without Preiudice but

to them to whome the case doth chyefly appertayne." Duryng al

this discourse, the wycked Captayne kept close the Murder which

hee had committed, to drawe the Worme out of the Nocerines Nose,

and to see of what Mynde they were, that vppon the intellygence

thereof, he myght woorke and follow the tyme accordyngly. Hee

that had seene the Cytizens of Nocera after that sedytious

Oration, would haue thought that he had heard a murmure of Bees,

when issuing forth their Hyues, they light amidst a pleasaunt

Herber, adorned and beautyfied with diuers coloured floures. For

the people flocked and assembled togythers, and began to grudge

at the imprysonment of ther Lord, and the treason committed by

the Lieuetenaunte, thynking it very straunge that he which was a

houshold seruaunt durst be so bold to sease on those to whome he

dyd owe all honour and Reuerence. And do assure you that if he

had ben below, as he was vpon the rampire of the Walles, they

had torne him into so many pieces, as he had made Gobbets of the

Lord Nicholas body. But seing that they could not take him, they

went about to seeke the deliueraunce of them, whome they thought

to be yet aliue: and one of the chyef of the City in the Name of

them all shortly and bryefly, aunswered him thus: "If malice did

not well discouer it selfe in the sugred and Traiterous

composition of thy woordes (O Captayne) it were easy inough for

an inconstant People (bent to chaunge, and desirous of

innouations,) to heare and do that, which sutch a traitor and

flatterer as thou art dost propose: but we hauing til now

indured nothing of the Triniciens that sauoreth of Tiranny,

cruelty, or excesse, we were no lesse to be accused of felony,

than thou art guilty of Rebels cryme, by seasyng vpon the

Persons of thy Lords, if we shoulde yelde credyt to thy Serpents

hissing, or lend aide to thy traiterous practise, thou goest

about against them who innoblyng thee are trayterously berieued

of that which concerned their reputation and greatnesse. We be

an honest People and faithfull Subiects. We wyll not be both

Wicked and vnhappy at once, and without cause expell our heads

out of our common Wealth. No though they should perpetrate the

mischiefes whych thou hast alleadged. Vppon sutch Nouelties and

straunge facts we shall take newe aduise and Councell. To be

short, thou shalt pleasure vs to set our Lordes at Lyberty, and

thou like a wyse man shalt doe thy duety, and satisfy a People

which easily can not endure that a subiecte do wrong to those to

whome he oweth obedience. And feare not to receiue anye euill of

them, nor yet to feele anoyaunce, for wee wyll take vppon vs by

honest meanes to craue pardon for thy fault how haynous so euer

it be. But if thou continue thine offence, be sure that the Lord

Conrade shall be aduertised, and with all our power we shall

succour him by force, to let thee feele the Nature of Treason,

and what reward is incydent to the practizers of the same." The

Captaine albeit he was abashed with that aunswere, and saw that

it would not be wel wyth him if he did not prouid spedy remedy

and order for his affayres, aswell for the comming of the Lord

Conrade, as of the brother of the Duke Camerino, told the

Citizens that within three or foure dayes he would giue them a

resolute aunswer, and so it might be, yelde vnto theyr wylles,

and delyuer them whom he had in holde. Thys gentle aunswere dyd

nothyng stay the Citizens for the accomplyshment of that which

they thought best to do, knowing also that the gallant had not

commenced that Tragedy, but for other toyes whych his vngracious

head had framed for a further intended Myschiefe, for which

cause they assembled their Councell, and concluded that one

should ryde in poste to the Lord Conrade, (the third and

remnaunt of the Brethren,) that hee myghte come to take order

for the delyueraunce of Nicholas and Cæsar whome they thought he

had reserued still alyue in Captiuity. The Nocerines shewed this

curtesie (not but that they woulde gladly haue bene at lyberty,

if the way had bene better troden,) aswell for the lyttle trust

they reposed in the Captayne, who they thoughte would be no more

gentle and faithfull, than he shewed himselfe to be loyall to

his Maisters, and for that Conrade was well beloued of the

Lordes his Neighbors, and specially of the imprysoned Duke and

his Brother Braccio Montone, who had the Italian men of Warre at

his pleasure, and that the Noble men woulde assiste him wyth all

their power. Wherefore they considered that theyr fairest and

best way, for auoiding of factions, was to kepe themselues

trusty and true, and by not hearkening to a Traitor, to bynd

their soueraigne Lord with sutch duety and obedience, as the

vnkindest man of the world would confesse and acknowledg for the

consequence of a matter of sutch importance. The seditious

captaine on the other side, void of hope, and in greater rage

than hee was before, persisted in hys folly, not without

foreseeyng howe hee myghte saue himselfe, which hee had

pollitikely brought to passe, if God had not shortened his waye,

by payment of Vsury for hys Wyckednesse, and by very dilygence

of them in whome hee reposed his truste, the manner and howe,

immedyately doeth follow. So soone as he had gyuen ouer the

Councell of the Citizens and a lyttle bethought him what he had

to do, he called before him two yong Men, whom aboue al others

he trusted best. To these yong men he deliuered all his Gold,

Syluer and Iewels, that they mighte conuey the same out of the

iurisdiction of his Lords, to the intente that when he saw

hymself in daunger, he myght retire to the place where those

gallants had before carryed his furniture, and mountinge them

vpon two good steedes, he let them forth at the Posterne gate,

praying them so soone as they could to retourne aduertysement of

their abode, and that spedily he would send after them hys

Chyldren and the rest of his moueables, tellyng them that he

specially committed his Lyfe and goodes into their hands, and

that in time and place he would acknowledg the Benefite don vnto

him in that distresse. The two that were thus put in trust for

sauegard of hys thyngs, promised vnto him Golden Hilles and

Miracles: but so soone as they had lost the sight of theyr

maister, they deuised another complotte and determined to breake

faith to him, which was forsworne, and who made no conscience

not onely to reuolt, but also cruelly to kill his soueraigne

Lordes. They thought it better to ryde to Treuio, to tell the

Lord Conrade the pitifull end of his brethren, and the

imprysonment of the Duke of Camerino, than to seeke rest for

him, whome God permitted not to be saued, for his heinous sinne

already committed, and for that which he mente to do vppon hys

Wyfe. For all the dyligence that the Nocerines had made, yet

were the Lieuetenaunte's Men at Treuio before them, and hauyng

filled the Eares of Conrade with those heauy Newes, and hys Eyes

with Teares, his Mynde with sorrow, and Spyrite with desyre to

be reuenged, and as Conrade was about to mount on horse backe

wyth the Trayne hee had, the Citizens were arryued to disclose

the Imprysonment of his brethren. To whome Conrade made

aunswere: "I would to GOD (my friends) that the tirant had ben

contented with the litle cruelty wherof you speake, for then I

would find the meanes to agree the parties vpon the knowledge of

their variance. But (alas) his malice hath passed further, and

hath beastly slain my brethren: but I swear by the almighty God,

that if he giue me life, I wil take sutch, and so cruell

vengeaunce on him, as he shall be a Glasse to all his lyke, for

punishment of a fault so horrible. Depart my frends, depart and

get you home, dispose your watch and gard about the Castell,

that the traiter do not escape: and assure your selues that this

your loue shall neuer be forgotten, and you shall haue of me not

a Tirant as he maliciously hath protested, but rather sutch a

Lord, and better also, than hytherto ye haue me proued." If

Conrade had not ben pressed with heauinesse, he had chaunted

goodly Songes against the Treason of the Lieuetenaunt, and would

haue accused his Brother of indiscretion, for trusting him,

whose wyfe hee had abused, and wel did know that he espyed the

same. But what? The businesse requyred other things than Words:

and extreame folly it is to nippe the Dead with taunts, or with

vayne words to abuse the absent, speciall where vltion and

reuenge is easy, and the meanes manifest to chastise the

temerity of sutch, and to be acquited of the wrong done vnto him

that cannot do it hymselfe. Conrade then toke his way to

Tuderto, where then remained the Lord Braccio, and thereof was

Lord and Gouernour, and had also vnder his gouernement Perugia,

and many other Cityes of the Romane Church, and who wyth the

dignity of the great Constable of Naples, was also Prynce of

Capua, to him the Trinicien Brother, all be sprent wyth Teares

and transported wyth choller and griefe, came to demaunde succor

for reuenge of the Lieuetenaunt's trespasse, saying: "For what

assurance (my Lord) can Prynces and great Lordes hope

henceforth, when their very seruaunts shall ryse, and by

constraining their Maisters, make assay to vsurp their

seigniories wherein they haue no title or interest? Is this a

reuenge of wrong, in steede of one to kill twaine, and yet to

wishe for the third to dispatch the World of our race? Is this

to pursue his ennimy, to seeke to catch hym in trappe, whych

knoweth nothing of the quarell, and to make hym to suffer the

payne? My two Brethren be dead, our Cosin Germaine the Duke is

in pryson, I am heere comfortlesse, all sad and pensife before

you, whome lykewyse this matter toucheth, although not so near

as it doeth me, but yet with lyke dishonor. Let vs go (my Lorde)

let vs goe I beseech you to visite our good hoste that so rudely

intreateth his Ghests which come to visite him, and let vs beare

him a reward, that he may taste of our comming, let vs goe

before hee saue himselfe, that with little trauayle and lesse

harme to an other the ribauld may be punished, who by his

example if he longer liue, may increase courage both in

Seruaunts to disobey, and in Subiects to rebell, without

conscience, agaynst their heads, and gouerners? It is a case of

very great importaunce, and which ought to be followed with all

rigor and cruelty. And he ought neuer to bee supported,

comforted or fauored, which shall by any meanes attempt to

reuolt or arme himselfe agaynst his Prince, or shall constrayne

him or hir that is his Soueraygne Lord, or Mistresse. Is not a

Prynce constituted of GOD to be obeyed, loued, and cherished of

his Subiects? Is it not in him to make and ordaine lawes, sutch

as shalbe thought needefull and necessary for Common wealth?

Ought not he then to be obeyed of his subiectes and vassals?

Ought they then to teach the head, and commaund the chiefest

Member of their body? I do remember a tale (my Lord) recited by

Menenius Agrippa that wyse, and Notable Romayne, who going about

to reconcile the commons with the Senate, alleaged a fit and

conuenable example. In time past (quod he) when the partes of

Mankinde were at variaunce, and euery member would be a Lord

generally conspiring, grudging and alleaging how by their great

trauayle, paynes, and carefull ministery, they prouided all

furniture, and mayntenaunce for the belly, and that he like a

sluggish Beast stoode still, and enioyed sutch pleasures as were

geuen him, in this murmure and mutine, al they agreed that the

hands should not minister, the Mouth should not feede, the Teeth

should not make it seruiceable, the Feete should not trauayle,

nor Heade deuise to get the same: and whylest euery of them did

forsake their seruice and obedience, the belly grew so thin, and

the Members so weake and feeble, as the whole body was brought

to extreme decay, and ruine, whereby (sayd Agrippa) it appeareth

that the seruice due vnto the Belly (as the chiefe portion of

man) by the other Members is most necessary, the obeying and

nurssing of whom doth instil force and vigor into the other

parts through which we doe liue, and bee refreshed, and the same

disgested and dispearsed into the vaynes, and vitall powers

ingendreth mature and fine bloud, and mayntaineth the whole

state of the body, in comely forme and order. By which trim

comparison, applyed to ciuile warre was deflected and mollified

the stout corage and attempts of the multitude. Euen so agreing

with Agrippa, if the Members grudge, and disobey against their

chiefe, the state must grow to ruine. To be short, in certaine

haps a Trayter may be chearished, and that hath falsified his

first fayth: but treason and periury euermore be detested as

vices execrable. In this deede neyther the thing, nor yet the

doer hath any colour of excuse, the trespasse and cause for

which it is don being considered. Suffiseth it Sir, for so mutch

as there is neyther time nor cause of further discourse, what

neede we to decide the matter, whych of it selfe is euident?

Beholde mee heere a poore Trinician Brother without brethren,

ioylesse without a Fort at Nocera. On the other part confider

the Duke of Camerino in great distresse and daunger, to passe

that strait of death my Brethren did. Let vs goe (I pray you) to

deliuer the Captiue, and by reuenging these offenses and

murders, to settle my Citty in former State, and freedome, which

the villayne goeth about to take from me, by encouraginge my

Subiects to reuolt and enter armes, thereby to expel our house

from the Title of the same." As Conrade spake these woords, and

wyth great grauity, and constancy pronouncing sundry tokens of

sorrow, the Conestable of Naples, wroth beyond measure for these

vnpleasant newes, and full of griefe and choller against the

trayterous Lieutenaunt, swore in the hearing of them all, that

he would neuer rest one good sleepe vntill that quarell were

auenged, and had quited the outrage done to the Lord Conrade,

and the wrong which he felt in him for the imprisonment of the

Duke of Camerino. So he concluded, and the Souldiours were

assembled thorough out all the parts of the Conestable's Lands,

vpon the ende of the weeke to march against the Fort of Nocera,

the Cittizens whereof had layd diligent Scout, and watch for the

escape of the Captayne, who without bashfulnesse determined with

his men to defend the same and to proue fortune, making himselfe

beleeue that his quarell was good, and cause iust to withstand

them that shoulde haue the heart to come to assayle him. The

Constable in the mean time sent a Trumpet to Nocera to summon

the Captaine to surrender, and to tell the cause of his reuolt,

and at whose prouocation hee had committed so detestable a

Treason. The Captaine well assured and boldned in his

Wyckednesse, aunswered that he was not so well fortified to make

a surrender so good cheape, and for so small a pryce to forgo

his honor and reputation: and furthermore, that his wit was not

so slender, but hee durst deuise and attempt sutch a matter

without the councel of any other, and that all the deedes and

deuises passed till that time, were of his owne inuention. And

to be enen with the wrong done to his honor by the Lord Nicholas

Trinicio, for the violation of his Wiue's Chastity, he had

committed the Murders (tolde to Braccio) beyng angry, that all

the Tirannous race was not in his hand to spyll, to the end he

mighte deliuer his Countrey, and put the Citizens in Liberty,

albeit that fondly they bad refused the same as vnworthy of

sutch a Benefite, and well deserued that the Tyrants should taxe

them at theyr pleasure, and make them also theyr common slaues

and Drudges. The Trumpet warned hym also to render to hym the

Duke, bicause he was guiltlesse of the facte, whych the Captayne

regarded so little as he did the first demaundes, whych was the

cause (the Company being arriued at Nocera, and the Constable

vnderstandyng the litle accompte the Castell Gentleman made of

his summons) that the battry the very day of theyr arriuall was

laid and shotte against the place with sutch thunder and

dreadfull thumpes of Canon shot, as the hardiest of the

Mortpayes within, began to faint. But the corage and litle feare

of theyr chyefe, retired theyr hearts into theyr bellyes. The

breach being made againe, the Constable who feared to lose the

Duke in the Captaine's Fury, caused the Trumpet to summon them

wythin to fall to Composition, that Bloudshed might not stirre

theyr Souldioures to further cruelty. But so mutch gayned this

second warnyng as the first, for which cause the nexte day after

the assault was gyuen, where if the assaulte was valiant, the

resistaunce was no lesse than bolde and venturous. But what can

Thirtie or Fortie Men doe agaynste the Force of a whole

Countrey, and where the Generall was one of the most valiaunte,

and wisest Captaynes of hys tyme and who was accompanied with

the floure of the Neapolitane Fotemen. The assault continued

four or fiue Houres, but in the end the Dead payes not able to

sustayne the force of the assaylants, forsooke the Breache, and

assaying to saue themselues, the Lieuetenaunt retired to the

Kipe of the Fort, where his Wife continued prisoner, from the

time that the two brethren were slaine. Whiles they without,

ruffled in together in heapes amonges the defendauntes, the Duke

of Camerino, with his Men, found meanes to escape out of Pryson,

and therewithal began furiously to chastise the ministers of the

disloyal Captaine, which in little tyme were cut al to pieces.

Conrade being within found the Captayn's Father, vppon whom he

was reuenged, and killed him with his owne hands. And not

content with that, caried into further rage, and fury, he

slashed him into gobbets, and threwe them to the dogs. Truly a

straunge maner of reuenge, if the Captain's cruelty had not

attempted like inhumanity. To bee shorte, horrible it is to

repeate the murders done in that sturre, and hurly burly. For

they that were of the Captayne's part, and taken, receyued all

the straungest and cruellest punishment that man could deuise.

And were it not that I haue a desire in nothing to beely the

Author, and lesse will to leaue that which he had wrytten vpon

the miserable end of those that were the ministers and seruaunts

to the barbarous tirrany of the Captayne, I would passe no

further, but conceale that which doth not deserue remembraunce,

except to auoide the example, which is not straunge, the Cruelty

of reuenging heart in the nature of Man, in al times growinge to

sutch audacity, as the torments which seeme incredyble, be

lyable to credite as wel for those we reade in auncient

Historyes, as those we heare tell of by heare say, and chauncyng

in our tyme. Hee that had the vpper hand of his Enimy, not

content to kyll, but to eate with his rauenous teeth the heart

disentraylde from his aduersary, was hee lesse furious than

Conrade, by makinge Anatomy of the Captayn's Father? And he that

thrust Galleazze Fogase in to the mouth of a Canon, tying his

Head vnto his Knees and causing him to be caried by the violent

force of Gunpouder into the City from whence he came, to bribe

and corrupt certayne of hys enemies army, did he shew himselfe

to be more curteous than one of these? Leaue we a part those

that be past, to touch the miserable ende wherewith Conrade

caused the last tribute of the Captain's souldyers to bee payd.

Now amongs these some were tied to the Tayles of wilde Horses,

and trayned ouer Hedges, and Bushes, and downe the stiepnes of

high Rocks, some were haled in pieces, and afterwards burnt with

great Martyrdome, some were deuyded and parted aliue in four

quarters, other sowed naked wythin an Oxe Hyde, and so buried in

Earth, vp to the Chin, by whych torments they finished their

Liues with fearful gronings. Will ye say that the Bull of

Perillus, or Diomedes Horsses, were afflictions more cruell than

these? I know not what ye cal cruelty, if these acts may beare

the title of modesty. But all thys, proceeded of wrath and

disdayne of eyther partes. The one dysdayned that the seruaunt

should be his head, and the other was offended, that his

soueraygne Lord should assay to take that from him, which his

duty commaunded him to keepe. Conrade toke in ill part the

treason of the Captayn, who beyond measure was angry, that the

Lord Nicholas had made him a brother of Vulcan's order, and

regestred him in the booke of husbands, which know that they

dare not speake. In summe, the one had right, and the other was

not without some reason, and notwithstanding both surmounted the

boundes of man's milde nature. The one ought to content hymselfe

(as I haue sayd) for being reuenged on him that had offended

him, and the other of the murder done, duringe the assault

without shewing so bloudy tokens of cruelty and so apparent

euidence of tiranny, vpon the ministers of the brutall and

bloudy Captayne, who seeing his father put to death with sutch

Martirdome, and his men so straungely tormented, was vanquished

with choller, dispayre and impacyence. And albeit the Captayne

had no greate desire to hurt his Wyfe, yet was he surmounted

with sutch rage, as apprehending hir, and binding hir hands and

feete, she styl crying him mercy, and crauing pardon for hir

faultes at the hands of God and him, he threw hir downe from the

highest Toure of the Kipe vpon the pauement of the Castle

courte, not without teares and abashment of al, which saw that

monstrous and dreadful sight, which the Souldiers viewing, they

fired the Toure, and with fire and smoke forced the Captaine to

come forth, and by lyke meanes made him, his Brother and

Chyldren to tread the daunce that his Wyfe before had don.

Conrade by and by caused those bodies to be throwne forth for

Foode to the Wolues, and other raueninge Beasts, and Byrdes

liuing vpon the pray of Carrion, causing also his Brethren

honourably to bee buryed, and the Gentlewoman that had home the

penaunce worthy for hir fault. Sutch was the end of the most

myserable, and worst gouerned loue, that I thinke man hath euer

red in wryting, and which doth clearely witnesse, that there is

no pleasure so great but Fortune by chaunging and turning hir

Wheele maketh a hundred times more bitter than desire of sutch

ioy doth yelde delyght. And farre better it were (besides the

offence done to God) neuer to cast Eye on Woman, than to bord or

proue them, to rayse sutch Sclaunders and Facts which cannot be

recounted but with the horrour of the Hearers, nor wrytten but

to the great griefe of those that muse and study vpon the same:

Notwithstanding for instruction of our life, both good and bad

Examples bee introduced and offred to the view of ech degree,

and state. To the end that Whoredome may bee auoyded, and bodily

Pleasure eschued, as most Mortal and pernicious Plagues that doe

infect as well the Body and Reputation of man, as the integrity

of the Minde. Besides that ech man ought to possesse his own

Vessel, and not to couet that is none of hys, vnseemely also it

is to solicite the Neyghbor's Wyfe, to procure thereby the

disiunction and defaite of the whole bond of mariage, which is a

Treasure so deare and precious, and carieth so greate griefe to

him that seeth it defaced, as our Lord (to declare the grauity

of the Fact) maketh a comparison of his Wrath agaynste them

which run after straunge GODS, and applyeth the honour due vnto

him to others that doe not deserue the same, with the iust

disdayne, and ryghtfull Choller of a Iealous Husbande, Fraught

wyth despyght to see himselfe dispoyled of the Seasure, and

Possession onely giuen to him, and not subiect to any other,

whatsoeuer he be. Learne here also (O yee husbands) not to fly

with so nimble Wing, as by your owne authority yee seeke reueng

without fearing the follies and sclaunders that may insue. Your

sorrow is iust, but it behoueth that reason doe guide your

fantasies, and bridle your ouer sodayne passions, to the intent

that yee come not after to sing the doleful Song of repentaunce,

like vnto this foolish man, who hauing done more than he ought,

and not able to retire without his ouerthrow, threw himselfe

into the bottomlesse gulfe of perdition. And let vs all fixe

fast in memory, that neuer vnruled rage, and wilful choller

bringeth other benefit than the ruine of him that suffereth

himselfe to runne headlonge into the same, and who thinketh that

all that is naturall in vs, is also reasonable, as though Nature

were so perfect a worckwoman, as in man's corruption she could

make vs Aungels, or halfe Gods. Nature following the instinct of

that which is naturall in vs, doth not greatly stray from

perfection, but that is giuen to few, and those whom God doth

loue and choose. And Vertue is so seldome founde, as it is

almost impossible to imitate that perfection. And briefly to

say, I will conclude with the Author of this present Hystory.

Angre is a fury short,

To him that can the same excell:

But it is no laughing sport

In whom that senselesse rage doth dwell.

That pang confoundeth ech man's wits

And shameth him with open shame,

His honour fades in frantike fits,

And blemisheth his good name.