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was the more willing to heare her message； he imagining that shee
was sent by her Master。
Sir （quoth shee） you have apprehended Ruggiero de Jeroly； as a
theefe； and judgement of death is （as I heare） pronounced against him：
but hee is wrongfully accused； and is clearly innocent of such a
heinous detection。 So entring into the History； she declared every
circumstance； from the originall to the end： relating truly； that
being her Lover； shee brought him into her Masters house； where he
dranke the compounded sleepy water； and reputed for dead； she laide
him in the Chest。 Afterward； she rehearsed the speeches betweene the
Joyner； and him that laide claime to the Chest； giving him to
understand thereby； how Ruggiero was taken in the Lombards house。
The Provost presently gathering； that the truth in this case was
easie to be knowne； sent first for Master Doctor Mazzeo； to know；
whether he compounded any such water； or no： which he affirmed to be
true； and upon what occasion he prepared it。 Then the Joyner； the
owner of the Chest； and the two Lombards； being severally questioned
withall： it appeared evidently； that the Lombards did steale the Chest
in the night season； and carried it home to their owne house。 In the
end； Ruggiero being brought from the prison； and demanded； where he
was lodged the night before； made answer； that he knew not where。
Onely he well remembred； that bearing affection to the Chamber…maide
of Master Doctor Mazzeo della Montagna； she brought him into a
Chamber； where a violl of water stoode in the Window； and he being
extreamly thirsty； dranke it off all。 But what became of him afterward
（till being awake； he found himselfe enclosed in a Chest； and in the
house of the two Lombards） he could not say any thing。
When the Provost had heard all their answers； which he caused them
to repeate over divers times； in regard they were very pleasing to
him： he cleared Ruggiero from the crime imposed on him； and
condemned the Lombards in three hundred Ducates； to be given to
Ruggiero in way of an amends； and to enable his marriage with the
Doctors Mayde； whose constancie was much commended； and wrought such a
miracle on penitent Ruggiero； that after his marriage； which was
graced with great and honourable pompe； he regained the intimate
love of all his kindred； and lived in most Noble condition； even as if
he had never bene any disordered man。
If the former Novels had made all the Ladies sad and sighe； this
last of Dioneus as much delighted them； as restoring them to their
former jocond humor； and banishing Tragicall discourse for ever。 The
King perceiving that the Sun was neere setting； and his government
as neere ending； with many kinde and courteous speeches； excused
himselfe to the Ladies； for being the motive of such an argument； as
expressed the infelicity of poore Lovers。 And having finished his
excuse； up he rose； taking the Crown of Lawrell from off his owne
head； the Ladies awaiting on whose head he pleased next to set it；
which proved to be the gracious Lady Fiammetta； and thus he spake。
Here I place this Crowne on her head； that knoweth better then any
other； how to comfort this faire assembly to morrow； for the sorrow
which they have this day endured。
Madame Fiammetta； whose lockes of haire were curled； long； and
like golden wiers； hanging somewhat downe over her white and
delicate shoulders； her visage round； wherein the Damaske Rose and
Lilly contended for priority； the eyes in her head； resembling those
of the Faulcon messenger； and a dainty mouth； her lippes looking
like two little Rubyes； with a commendable smile thus she replyed。
Philostratus； gladly I do accept your gift； and to the end that ye
may the better remember your selfe； concerning what you have done
hitherto： I will and command； that generall preparation be made
against to morrow； for faire and happy fortunes hapning to Lovers；
after former cruell and unkinde accidents。 Which proposition was
very pleasing to them all。
Then calling for the Master of the Houshold； and taking order with
him； what was most needfull to be done； she gave leave unto the
whole company （who were all risen） to go recreate themselves untill
supper time。 Some of them walked about the Garden； the beauty
whereof banished the least thought of wearinesse。 Others walked by the
River to the Mill； which was not farre off； and the rest fell to
exercises； fitting their owne fancies； untill they heard the summons
for Supper。 Hard by the goodly Fountaine （according to their wonted
manner） they supped altogether； and were served to their no meane
contentment： but being risen from the Table； they fell to their
delight of singing and dancing。 While Philomena led the dance； the
Queene spake in this manner。
Philostratus； I intend not to varie from those courses heretofore
observed by my predecessors； but even as they have already done； so it
is my authority； to command a Song。 And because I am well assured；
that you are not unfurnished of Songs answerable to the quality of the
passed Novels： my desire is； in regard we would not be troubled
hereafter； with any more discourses of unfortunate Love； that you
shall sing a Song agreeing with your owne disposition。 Philostratus
made answer； that hee was ready to accomplish her command； and without
all further ceremony； thus he began。
THE SONG
Chorus。 My teares do plainly prove；
How justly that poore heart hath cause to greeve
Which （under trust） findes Treason in his Love。
When first I saw her； that now makes me sigh；
Distrust did never enter in my thoughts。
So many vertues clearly shin'd in her；
That I esteem'd all martyrdome was light
Which Love could lay on me。 Nor did I greeve；
Although I found my liberty was lost。
But now mine error I do plainly see：
Not without sorrow； thus betray'd to bee。
My teares do； etc。
For； being left by basest treachery
Of her in whom I most reposed trust：
I then could see apparant flatterie
In all the fairest shewes that she did make。
But when I strove to get forth of the snare；
I found my selfe the further plunged in。
For I beheld another in my place；
And I cast off； with manifest disgrace。
My； etc。
Then felt my heart such hels of heavy woes；
Not utterable。 I curst the day and houre
When first I saw her lovely countenance；
Enricht with beautie； farre beyond all other：
Which set my soule on fire； enflamde each part；
Making a martyrdome of my poore hart。
My faith and hope being basely thus betrayde；
I durst not moove； to speake I was affrayde。
My teares do； etc。
Thou canst （thou powerfull God of Love） perceive；
My ceasselesse sorrow； voyde of any comfort：
I make my moane to thee； and do not fable；
Desiring； that to end my misery；
Death may come speedily； and with his Dart
With one fierce stroke； quite passing through my heart：
To cut off future fell contending strife；
An happy end be made of Love and Life。
My teares do； etc。
No other meanes of comfort doth remaine；
To ease me of such sharpe afflictions；
But onely death。 Grant then that I may die；
To finish greefe and life in one blest houre。
For； being bereft of any future joyes；
Come； take me quickly from so false a friend。
Yet in my death； let thy great power approve；
That I died true； and constant in my Love。
My teares do； etc。
Happy shall I account this sighing Song；
If some （beside my selfe） do learne to sing it；
And so consider of my miseries；
As may incite them to lament my wrongs。
And to be warned by my wretched fate；
Least （like my selfe） themselves do sigh too late。
Learne Lovers； learne； what tis to be unjust；
And be betrayed； where you repose best trust。
The words contained in this Song； did manifestly declare； what
torturing afflictions poore Philostratus felt； and more （perhaps）
had beene perceived by the lookes of the Lady whom he spake of；
being then present in the dance； if the sodaine ensuing darknesse
had not hid the crimson blush； which mounted up into her face。 But the
Song being ended； and divers other beside