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because he was somewhat unsightly of person； and utterly unpleasing in
the eye； she grew regardlesse of his frequent solicitings； and would
not accept either tokens； or letters。 Which when hee saw； （being
very rich and of great power） hee sought to compasse his intent by a
contrary course； threatning her with scandall and disgrace to her
reputation； and with his associates to bandie against her best
friends。 She knowing what manner of man he was； and how able to
abuse any with infamous imputations； wisely returned him hopefull
promises； though never meaning to performe any； but onely
（Lady…like） to flatter and foole him therewith。
Some few miles distant from Florence； Beltramo had a Castle of
pleasure； and there his Lady Isabella used to live all Summer； as
all other doe the like； being so possessed。 On a day； Beltramo being
ridden from home； and she having sent for Lionello； to take the
advantage of her Husbands absence； accordingly he went； not doubting
but to winne what he had long expected。 Signior Lambertuccio on the
other side； meeting Beltramo riding from his Castle； and Isabella
now fit to enjoy his company： gallops thither with all possible
speede； because hee would bee no longer delayed。 Scarcely was Lionello
entred the Castle； and receiving directions by the waiting woman； to
her Ladies Chamber： but Lambertuccio gallopped in at the Gate； which
the woman perceiving； ranne presently and acquainted her Lady with the
comming of Lambertuccio。
Now was shee the onely sorrowfull woman of the world； for nothing
was now to bee feared； but stormes and tempests； because Lambertuccio；
spake no other then Lightning and Thunder； and Lionello； （being no
lesse affraide then shee） by her perswasion crept behind the bed；
where he hid himselfe very contentedly。 By this time Lambertuccio
was dismounted from his Courser； which he fastened （by the bridle）
to a ring in the wall； and then the waiting woman came to him； to
guide him to her Lady and Mistresse： who stood ready at the staires
head； graced him with a very acceptable welcome； yet marvelling much
at his so sodaine comming。 Lady （quoth he） I met your Husband upon the
way； which granting mine accesse to see you； I come to claime your
long delayed promise； the time being now so favourable for it。
Before he had uttered halfe these words； Beltramo； having forgot
an especiall evidence in his Study； which was the onely occasion of
his journey； came gallopping backe againe into the Castell Court；
and seeing such a goodly Gelding stand fastened there； could not
redily imagine who was the owner thereof。 The waiting woman； upon
the sight of her Masters entring into the Court； came to her Lady；
saying： My Master Beltramo is returned back？； newly alighted； and
（questionlesse） comming up the staires。 Now was our Lady Isabella； ten
times worse affrighted then before； （having two severall amourous
suters in her house； both hoping； neither speeding； yet her credite
lying at the stake for either） by this unexpected returne of her
Husband。 Moreover； there was no possible meanes； for the concealing of
Signior Lambertuccio； because his Gelding stood in the open Court； and
therefore made a shrewde presumption against her； upon the least
doubtfull question urged。
Neverthelesse； as womens wits are alwayes best upon sudden
constraints； looking forth of her window； and espying her Husband
preparing to come up： she threw her selfe on her day Couch； speaking
thus （earnestly） to Lambertuccio。 Sir； if ever you loved mee； and
would have me faithfully to beleeve it； by the instant safety both
of your owne honour； and my life； doe but as I advise you。 Forth
draw your Sword； and； with a stearne countenance； threatning death and
destruction： run downe the staires； and when you are beneath； say。 I
sweare by my best fortunes； although I misse of thee now heere； yet
I will be sure to finde thee some where else。 And if my Husband
offer to stay you； or moove any question to you： make no other
answere； but what you formerly spake in fury。 Beside； so soone as
you are mounted on horsebacke； have no further conference with him；
upon any occasion whatsoever； to prevent all suspition in him； of
our future intendments。
Lambertuccio sware many terrible oathes； to observe her directions
in every part； and having drawne forth his Sword； grasping it naked in
his hand； and setting worse lookes on the businesse； then ever
nature gave him； because he had spent so much labour in vaine； he
failed not in a jot of the Ladies injunction。 Beltramo having
commanded his horse to safe custody； and meeting Lambertuccio
discending downe the staires； so armed； swearing； and most
extreamely storming； wondring extraordinarily at his threatning words；
made offer to imbrace him。； and understand the reason of his
distemper。 Lambertuccio repulsing him rudely； and setting foote in the
stirrup； mounted on his Gelding； and spake nothing else but this。 I
sweare by the fairest of all my fortunes； although I misse of thee
heere： yet I will be sure to find thee some where else； and so he
gallopped mainely away。
When Beltramo was come up into his wives Chamber； hee found her cast
downe upon her Couch； weeping； full of feare； and greatly
discomforted； wherefore he said unto her； What is hee that Signior
Lambertuccio is so extreamely offended withall； and threatneth in such
implacable manner？ The Lady arising from her Couch； and going neere to
the Bed； because Lionello might the better heare her； returned her
Husband this answere。 Husband （quoth she） never was I so dreadfully
affrighted till now； for； a young Gentleman； of whence； or what he is；
I know not； came running into our Castle for rescue； being pursued
by Signior Lambertuccio； a weapon ready drawne in his hand。
Ascending up our stayres； by what fortune； I know not； he found my
Chamber doore standing open； finding me also working on my Sampler；
and in wonderfull feare and trembling。
Good Madame （quoth hee） for Gods sake helpe to save my life； or else
I shall be slaine heere in your Chamber。 Hearing his pittious cry； and
compassionating his desperate case； I arose from my worke； and in my
demaunding of whence； and what he was； that durst presume so boldly
into my bed…chamber： presently came up Signior Lambertuccio also； in
the same uncivill sorte； as before I tolde you； swaggering and
swearing； where is this traiterous villaine？ Heereupon； I stept
（somewhat stoutly） to my Chamber doore； and as hee offered to enter；
with a womans courage I resisted him； which made him so much enraged
against mee； that when hee saw mee to debarre his entrance； after many
terrible and vile oathes and vowes； hee ranne downe the stayres
againe； in such like manner as you chaunced to meete him。
Now trust mee deare wife （said Beltramo） you behaved your selfe very
well and worthily： for； it would have beene a most notorious
scandall to us； if a man should bee slaine in your bed…chamber： and
Signior Lambertuccio carryed himselfe most dishonestly； to pursue
any man so outragiously； having taken my Castle as his Sanctuary。
But alas wife； what is become of the poore affrighted Gentleman？
Introth Sir （quoth she） I know not； but （somewhere or other）
heereabout hee is hidden。 Where art you honest friend〃 said plaine
meaning Beltramo； Come forth and feare not； for thine enemy is gone。
Lionello； who had heard all the forepassed discourse； which shee had
delivered to her Husband Beltramo； came creeping forth amazedly （as
one now very fearefully affrighted indeede） from under the further
side of the bedde； and Beltramo saide to him； What a quarrell was
this； between thee and furious Lambertuccio？ Not any at all Sir；
replyed Lionello； to my knowledge； which verily perswadeth me； that
either he is not well in his wits； or else he mistaketh me for some
other； because； so soone as he saw me on the way； somewhat neere to
this your Castle； he drew forth hi Sword； and swearing an horrible
oath； said。 Traitor thou art a dead man。 Upon these rough words； I
stayed not to question the occasion of mine offending him： but fied
from him so fast as possibly I could； but confesse my selfe
（indeede） over…bold； by presuming into your Ladies bed chamber；
which yet （equalled with her mercie） hath bin the onely meanes at this
time； of saving my life She hath done like a good Lady； answered
Beltramo； and I do verie much commend her for it。 But； recollect thy
dismayed spirits together； for I will see thee safely secured
lience； afterward； looke to thy selfe so well as thou canst。 Dinner
being immediately made ready； and they having merrily feasted
together： he bestowed a good Gelding on Lionello； and rode along
with him to Florence； where he left him quietly in his owne lodging。
The selfe…same Evening （according as Isabella had given enstruction）
Lionello conferred with Lambertuccio： and such an agreement passed
betweene them； that though some rough speeches were noised abroad；
to set the better colour on the businesse； yet al matters were so
cleanly carried； that Beltramo never knew this queint deceitfull
policy of his Wife。
THE SEVENTH DAY； THE SEVENTH NOVELL
WHEREBY IS DECLARED； T