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have it： whereupon； seeming satisfied for that season； he tolde the
Damosell； that （being carefull of her credit） as hee had brought her
in unseene of any； so he would free her from thence againe； desiring
her to tarrie there （without making any noyse at all） untill such time
as he returned to her。
Going forth of the chamber； and locking it fast with the key； he
went directly to the Lord Abbots lodging； and delivering him the saide
key （as every Monke used to doe the like； when he went abroade out
of the Convent） setting a good countenance on the matter； boldly
saide； My Lord； I have not yet brought in all my part of the wood；
which lieth ready cut downe in the Forrest； and having now
convenient time to doe it； if you please to give me leave； I will
goe and fetch it。 The Abbot perswading himselfe； that he had not beene
discovered by the Monke； and to be resolved more assuredly in the
offence committed； being not a little jocund of so happy an
accident； gladly tooke the key； and gave him leave to fetch the wood。
No sooner was he gone； but the Abbot beganne to consider with
himselfe； what he were best to doe in this case； either （in the
presence of all the other Monkes） to open the Chamber doore； that so
the offence being knowne to them all； they might have no occasion of
murmuring against him； when he proceeded in the Monkes punishment；
or rather should first understand of the Damosell her selfe； how；
and in what manner shee was brought thither。 Furthermore； he
considered； that shee might be a woman of respect； or some such mans
daughter； as would not take it well； to have her disgraced before
all the Monkes。 Wherefore hee concluded； first to see （himselfe）
what shee was； and then （afterward） to resolve upon the rest。 So going
very softly to the Chamber； and entring in； locked the doore fast with
the key； when the poore Damosell thinking it had beene the gallant
young Monke； but finding it to be the Lord Abbot； shee fell on her
knees weeping； as fearing now to receive publike shame； by being
betrayed in this unkinde manner。
My Lord Abbot looking demurely on the Maide； and perceiving her to
be faire； feate； and lovely； felt immediately （although he was olde）
no lesse spurring on to fleshly desires； then the young Monke before
had done； whereupon he beganne to conferre thus privately with
himselfe。 Why should I not take pleasure； when I may freely have it？
Cares and molestations I endure every day； but sildome find such
delights prepared for me。 This is a delicate sweete young Damosell；
and here is no eye that can discover me。 If I can enduce her to doe as
I would have her； I know no reason why I should gaine…say it。 No man
can know it； or any tongue blaze it abroade； and sinne so concealed；
is halfe pardoned。 Such a faire fortune as this is； perhaps
hereafter will never befall me； and therefore I hold it wisedome； to
take such a benefit when a man may enjoy it。
Upon this immodest meditation； and his purpose quite altered which
he came for； he went neerer to her； and very kindly began to comfort
her； desiring her to forbeare weeping： and （by further insinuating
speeches） acquainted her with his amorous intention。 The Maide； who
was made neither of yron nor diamond； and seeking to prevent one shame
by another； was easily wonne to the Abbots will； which caused him to
embrace and kisse her often。
Our lusty young novice Monke； whom the Abbot imagined to bee gone
for wood； had hid himselfe aloft upon the roofe of the Dorter；
where； when he saw the Abbot enter alone into the Chamber； he lost a
great part of his former feare； promising to himselfe a kinde of
perswasion； that somewhat would ensue to his better comfort； but
when he beheld him lockt into the Chamber； then his hope grew to
undoubted certainty。 A little chincke or crevice favoured him； whereat
he could both heare and see； whatsoever was done or spoken by them：
so； when the Abbot thought hee had staide long enough with the
Damosell； leaving her still there； and locking the doore fast
againe； hee returned thence to his owne Chamber。
Within some short while after； the Abbot knowing the Monke to be
in the Convent； and supposing him to be lately returned with the wood；
determined to reprove him sharpely； and to have him closely
imprisoned； that the Damosell might remaine solie to himselfe。 And
causing him to be called presently before him； with a very stearne and
angry countenance； giving him many harsh and bitter speeches；
commanded； that he should be clapt in prison。
The Monke very readily answered； saying。 My good Lord； I have not
yet beene so long in the Order of Saint Benedict； as to learne all the
particularities thereto belonging。 And beside Sir； you never shewed
mee or any of my Brethren； in what manner we young Monkes ought to use
women； as you have otherwise done for our custome of prayer and
fasting。 But seeing you have so lately therein instructed mee； and
by your owne example how to doe it： I heere solemnely promise you；
if you please to pardon me but this one error； I will never faile
therein againe； but dayly follow what I have seene you doe。
The Abbot； being a man of quicke apprehension； perceived instantly
by this answere； that the Monke not onely knew as much as he did；
but also had seene （what was intended） that hee should not。 Wherefore；
finding himselfe to be as faulty as the Monke； and that hee could
not shame him； but worthily had deserved as much himselfe； pardoning
him； and imposing silence on eithers offence： they convayed the
poore abused Damosell forth of their doores； she purposing （never
after） to transgresse in the like manner。
THE FIRST DAY； THE FIFT NOVELL
DECLARING； THAT WISE AND VERTUOUS LADIES； OUGHT TO HOLD
THEIR CHASTITIE IN MORE ESTEEME； THEN THE GREATNESSE AND
TREASURES OF PRINCES： AND THAT A DISCREETE LORD SHOULD NOT
OFFER MODESTIE VIOLENCE
The Lady Marquesse of Montferrat； with a Banquet of Hennes； and
divers other gracious speeches beside； repressed the fond love of
the King of France。
The Tale reported by Dioneus； at the first hearing of the Ladies；
began to rellish of some immodestie； as the bashfull blood mounting up
into their faces； delivered by apparant testimonie。 And beholding
one another with scarse…pleasing lookes； during all the time it was in
discoursing； no sooner had he concluded： but with a few milde and
gentle speeches； they gave him a modest reprehension； and meaning to
let him know that such tales ought not to be tolde among women。
Afterward； the Queene commaunded Madam Fiammetta； （sitting on a
banke of flowers before her） to take her turne as next in order； and
she； smiling with such a virgin blush； as very beautifully became her；
began in this manner。
It is no little joy to mee； that we understand so well （by the
discourses already past） what power consisteth in the delivery of wise
and readie answeres； And because it is a great part of sence and
judgement in men； to affect women of greater birth and quality then
themselves； as also an admirable fore…sight in women； to keepe off
from being surprized in love； by Lords going beyond them in degree：
a matter offereth it selfe to my memory； well deserving my speech
and your attention； how a Gentlewoman （both in word and deede）
should defend her honor in that kind； when importunity laboureth to
betray it。
The Marquesse of Montferrat was a worthy and valiant Knight； who
being Captaine Generall for the Church； the necessary service required
his company on the Seas； in a goodly Army of the Christians against
the Turkes。 Upon a day； in the Court of King Philip； sirnamed the
one eyed King （who likewise made preparation in France； for a royall
assistance to that expedition） as many speeches were delivered；
concerning the valour and manhoode of this Marquesse： it fortuned；
that a Knight was then present； who knew him very familiarly； and he
gave an addition to the former commendation； that the whole world
contained not a more equall couple in marriage； then the Marquesse and
his Lady。 For； as among all knights； the Marquesse could hardly be
paraleld for Armes and Honour； even so his wife； in comparison of
all other Ladies； was scarcely matchable for beauty and vertue。
Which words were so weighty in the apprehension of King Philip； that
sodainly （having as yet never seen her） he began to affect her very
earnestly； concluding to embarke himselfe at Gennes or Genoua； there
to set forward on the intended voyage； and journying thither by
land； hee would shape some honest excuse to see the Lady Marquesse；
whose Lord being then from home； opinion perswaded him over fondly；
that he should easily obtaine the issue of his amorous desire。
When hee was come within a dayes journey； where the Ladie
Marquesse then lay； he sent her word that she should expect his
company on the morrow at dinner。 The Lady； being singularly wise and
judicious； answered the Messenger； that she reputed the Kings
comming to her； as an extraordinary grace and favour； and that he
should bee most heartily welcome。 Afterward； entring into further
consideration with her selfe； what th