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very long； to the end that he might the better know him the next
morning； and so returned backe to his lodging againe。 The Querry；
who partly saw； but felt what was done to him； perceived plainely
（being a subtill ingenious fellow） for what intent he was thus marked。
Wherefore； without any longer dallying； up he rose； and taking a paire
of sheares； wherewith they used to trim their Horses； softly he went
from bed to bed； where they all lay yet soundly sleeping； and clipt
away each mans locke from his right eare； in the selfe same manner
as the King had done his； and being not perceived by any one of
them； quietly he laide him downe againe。
In the morning； when the King was risen； he gave command that before
the Pallace gates were opened； all his whole Family should come before
him； as instantly his will was fulfilled。 Standing all uncovered in
his presence； he began to consider with himselfe； which of them was
the man that he had marked。 And seeing the most part of them to have
their lockes cut； all after one and the selfe same manner；
marvailing greatly； he saide to himselfe。 The man whom I seeke for；
though he be but of meane and base condition； yet it plainely
appeareth； that he is of no deject or common understanding。 And
seeing； that without further clamour and noyse； he could not find
out the party he looked for； he concluded； not to win eternall
shame； by compassing a poore revenge： but rather （by way of
admonition） to let the offender know in a word； that he was both noted
and observed。 So turning to them all； he saide； He that hath done
it； let him be silent； and doe so no more； and now depart about your
businesse。
Some other turbulent spirited man； no imprisonments； tortures；
examinations； and interrogations； could have served his turne； by
which course of proceeding； he makes the shame to be publikely knowne；
which reason requireth to keepe concealed。 But admit that condigne
vengeance were taken； it diminisheth not one tittle of the shame；
neither qualifieth the peoples bad affections； who will lash out as
liberally in scandal； and upon the very least babling rumor。 Such
therfore as heard the Kings words； few though they were； yet truly
wise； marvelled much at them； and by long examinations among
themselves； questioned； but came far short of his meaning； the man
onely excepted whom indeed they concerned； and by whom they were never
discovered； so long as the King lived； neither did he dare at any time
after； to hazard his life in the like action； under the frownes or
favour of Fortune。
THE THIRD DAY； THE THIRD NOVELL
DECLARING； THAT THE LEWD QUALITIES OF SOME PERSONS； OFTENTIMES
MISGUIDE GOOD PEOPLE； INTO GREAT AND GREEVOUS ERRORS。
Under colour of Confession； and of a most pure conscience； a faire
yong Gentlewoman； being amourously affected to an honest man；
induced a devoute and solemne religious Friar； to advise her in the
meanes （without his suspition or perceiving） how to enjoy the
benefit of her friend； and bring her desires to their full effect。
When Madam Pampinea sate silent； and the Querries boldnesse equalled
with his crafty cunning； and great wisedom in the King had passed
amongst them with a generall applause； the Queene turning her selfe to
Madam Philomena； appointed her to follow next in order as the rest had
done before her： whereupon Philomena began after this maner。
It is my purpose； to acquaint you with a notable mockerie； which was
performed （not in jest； but earnest） by a faire Gentlewoman； to a
grave and devoute Religious Friar； which will yeelde so much the
more pleasure and recreation； to every secular understander； if but
diligently he or she doe observe； how commonly those Religious persons
（at least the most part of them） like notorious fooles； are the
inventers of new courses and customes； as thinking themselves more
wise and skilful in all things then any other； yet prove to be of no
worth or validity； addicting the verie best of all their devices； to
expresse their owne vilenesse of mind； and fatten themselves in
their styes like to pampered Swine。 And assure your selves worthy
Ladies； that I doe not tell this tale onely to follow the order
enjoyned me； but also to informe you that such Saint…like holy Sirs；
of whom we are too opinionate and credulous； may be； yea and are
（divers times） cunningly met withall； in theyr craftinesse； not
onely by men； but likewise some of our owne sexe； as shall make it
apparant to you。
In our owne City （more full of craft and deceit； then love or
faithfull dealing） there lived not many yeeres since； a Gentlewoman of
good spirit； highly minded； endued with beauty and all commendable
qualities； as any other woman （by nature） could be。 Her name； or any
others； concerned in this Novel； I meane not to make manifest；
albeit I know them； because some are yet living； and thereby may be
scindalized； and therefore it shall suffice to passe them over with
a smile。 This Gentlewoman； seeing her selfe to be descended of very
great parentage； and （by chance） married to an Artezan； a Cloathyer or
Draper； that lived by the making and selling of cloth。 Shee could
not （because he was a Tradesman） take downe the height of her minde；
conceiving； that no man of meane condition （how rich soever） was
worthy to enjoy a Gentlewoman in marriage。 Observing moreover； that
with all his wealth and treasure； he understood nothing better； then
to open skeines of yarne； fill shuttles lay webbes in his Loomes； or
dispute with his Spinsters； about their businesse。
Being thus over…swayed with her proud opinion； she would no longer
be embraced or regarded by him in any manner； saving only because
she could not refuse him； but would find some other for her better
satisfaction； who might seeme more worthy of her respect； then the
Draper her Husband did。 Heereupon shee fell so deepe in love with a
verie honest man of our City also； and of indifferent yeeres； as
what day shee saw him not； shee could take no rest the night
ensuing。 The man himselfe knew nothing hereof； and therefore was the
more carelesse： and she being curious； nice； yet wisely considerate；
durst not let him understand it； neither by any womans close
conveyed message； nor yet by Letters； as fearing the perils which
happen in such cases。 But her eye observing his dayly walkes and
resorts； gave her notice of his often conversing with a religious
Friar； who albeit he was a fat and corpulent man； yet notwithstanding；
because he seemed to leade a sanctimonious life； and was reported to
be a most honest man； she perswaded her selfe； that he might be the
best meanes betweene her and her friend。
Having considered with her selfe； what course was best to be
observed in this case； uppon a day apt and convenient； she went to the
Convent where he kept； and having caused him to be called； shee told
him； that if his leysure so served； very gladly would she be
confessed； and onely had made her choice of him。 The holy man seeing
her to be a Gentlewoman （as indeed she was） willingly heard her； and
when she had confessed what she could； she had yet another matter to
acquaint him withall； and thereupon thus she began。
Holy Father； it is no more then convenient that I should have
recourse to you； to be assisted by your helpe and counsell； in a
matter which I will impart unto you。 I know； that you are not ignorant
of my parents and husband； of whom I am affected as deerely as his
life； for proofe whereof； there is not any thing that I can desire；
but immediately I have it of him； he being a most rich man； and may
very sufficiently affoord it。 In regard whereof； I love him equally as
my selfe； and （setting aside my best endevours for him） I must tell
you one thing quite contrary to his liking and honour： no woman
could more worthily deserve death； then my selfe。 Understand then
（good Father） that there is a man； whose name I know not； but he
seemeth to be honest； and of good worth； moreover （if I am not
deceived） he resorteth oftentimes to you； being faire and comely of
person； going alwayes in blacke garments of good price and value。 This
man； imagining （perhaps） no such minde in mee； as truely there is；
hath often attempted mee； and never can I be at my doore； or window；
but hee is alwayes present in my sight； which is not a little
displeasing to me； he watcheth my walks； and much I mervaile； that
he is not now heere。
Let me tell you holy Sir； that such behaviours doe many times lay
bad imputations upon very honest women； yet without any offence in
them。 It hath often run in my mind； to let him have knowledge
thereof my min by my brethren： but afterward I considered； that men
（many times） deliver messages in such sort； as draw on very ungentle
answers； whereon grow words； and words beget actions。 In which regard；
because no harme or scandall should ensue； I thought it best to be
silent； determining； to acquaint you rather therewith； then to any
other； as wel because you seem to be his friend； as also in regard
of your office； which priviledgeth you to correct such abuses； not
onely in friends； but also in strangers。 Enow other women there are；
（more is the pitty