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to visite him againe so often as they pleased。
Now； it came to passe； that about the beginning of May； it being
then a very milde and serrene season； and he leading there a much more
magnificent life； then ever hee had done before； inviting divers to
dine with him this day； and as many to morrow； and not to leave him
till after supper： upon the sodaine； falling into remembrance of his
cruell Mistris； hee commanded all his servants to forbeare his
company； and suffer him to walke alone by himselfe awhile； because
he had occasion of private meditations； wherein he would not （by any
meanes） be troubled。 It was then about the ninth houre of the day； and
he walking on solitary all alone； having gone some halfe miles
distance from his Tents； entred into a Grove of Pine…trees； never
minding dinner time； or any thing else； but onely the unkind requitall
of his love。
Sodainly he heard the voice of a woman； seeming to make most
mournfull complaints； which breaking off his silent considerations；
made him to lift up his head； to know the reason of this noise。 When
he saw himselfe so farre entred into the Grove； before he could
imagine where he was； hee looked amazedly round about him； and out
of a little thicket of bushes and briars round engirt with spreading
trees； hee espyed a young Damosell come running towards him； naked
from the middle upward； her haire dishevelled on her shoulders； and
her faire skinne rent and torne with the briars and brambles； so
that the blood ran trickling downe mainely； she weeping； wringing
her hands； and crying out for mercy so lowde as she could。 Two
fierce Bloodhounds also followed swiftly after； and where their
teeth tooke hold； did most cruelly bite her。 Last of all （mounted on a
lusty blacke Courser） came gallopping a Knight； with a very sterne and
angry countenance； holding a drawne short Sword in his hand； giving
her very vile and dreadfull speeches； and threatning every minute to
kill her。
This strange and uncouth sight； bred in him no meane admiration；
as also kinde compassion to the unfortunate woman； out of which
compassion； sprung an earnest desire； to deliver her （if he could）
from a death so full of anguish and horror： but seeing himselfe to
be without Armes； he ran and pluckt up the plant of a Tree； which
handling as if it had bene a staffe； he opposed himselfe against the
Dogges and the Knight； who seeing him comming； cryed out in this
manner to him。 Anastasio； put not thy selfe in any opposition； but
referre to my Hounds and me； to punish this wicked woman as she hath
justly deserved。 And in speaking these words； the Hounds tooke fast
hold on her body； so staying her； untill the Knight was come neerer to
her； and alighted from his horse： when Anastasio （after some other
angry speeches） spake thus unto him： I cannot tell what or who thou
art； albeit thou takest such knowledge of me； yet I must say； that
it is meere cowardize in a Knight； being armed as thou art； to offer
to kill a naked woman； and make thy dogges thus to seize on her； as if
she were a savage beast； therefore beleeve me； I will defend her so
farre as I am able。
Anastasio； answered the Knight； I am of the same City as thou art；
and do well remember； that thou wast a little Ladde； when I （who was
then named Guido Anastasio； and thine Unckle） became as intirely in
love with this woman； as now thou art of Paulo Traversarioes daughter。
But through her coy disdaine and cruelty； such was my heavy fate； that
desperately I slew my selfe with this short sword which thou beholdest
in mine hand： for which rash sinfull deede； I was； and am condemned to
eternall punishment。 This wicked woman； rejoycing immeasurably in mine
unhappy death； remained no long time alive after me； and for her
mercilesse sinne of cruelty； and taking pleasure in my oppressing
torments； dying unrepentant； and in pride of her scorne； she had the
like sentence of condemnation pronounced on her； and sent to the
same place where I was tormented。
There the three impartiall judges； imposed this further infliction
on us both； namely； that she should flye in this manner before me； and
I （who loved her so deerely while I lived） must pursue her as my
deadly enemy； not like a woman that had a taste of love in her。 And so
often as I can overtake her； I am to kill her with this sword； the
same Weapon wherewith I slew my selfe。 Then am I enjoyned； therewith
to open her accursed body； and teare out her hard and frozen heart；
with her other inwards； as now thou seest me doe； which I give unto my
Hounds to feede on。 Afterward； such is the appointment of the supreame
powers； that she re…assumeth life againe； even as if she had not
bene dead at all； and falling to the same kinde of flight； I with my
Hounds am still to follow her； without any respite or intermission。
Every Friday； and just at this houre； our course is this way； where
she suffereth the just punishment inflicted on her。 Nor do we rest any
of the other dayes； but are appointed unto other places； where she
cruelly executed her malice against me； being now （of her deare
affectionate friend） ordained to be her endlesse enemy； and to
pursue her in this manner for so many yeares； as she exercised moneths
of cruelty； towards me。 Hinder me not then； in being the executioner
of divine justice； for all thy interposition is but in vaine； in
seeking to crosse the appointment of supreame powers。
Anastasio having attentively heard all this discourse； his haire
stood upright like Porcupines quils； and his soule was so shaken
with the terror； that he stept backe to suffer the Knight to do what
he was enjoyned； looking yet with milde commisseration on the poore
woman。 Who kneeling Most humbly before the Knight； and stearnely
seized on by the two blood…hounds； he opened her brest with his
weapon； drawing foorth her heart and bowels； which instantly he
threw to the dogges； and they devoured them very greedily。 Soone
after； the Damosell （as if none of this punishment had bene
inflicted on her） started up sodainly； running amaine towards the
Sea shore； and the Hounds swiftly following her； as the Knight did the
like； after he had taken his sword； and was mounted on horsebacke；
so that Anastasio had soone lost all sight of them； and could not
gesse what was become of them。
After he had heard and observed all these things； he stoode a
while as confounded with feare and pitty； like a simple silly man；
hoodwinkt with his owne passions； not knowing the subtle enemies
cunning illusions in offering false suggestions to the sight； to worke
his owne ends thereby； and encrease the number of his deceived
servants。 Forthwith he perswaded himselfe； that he might make good use
of this womans tormenting； so justly imposed on the Knight to
prosecute； if thus it should continue still every Friday。 Wherefore；
setting a good note or marke upon the place； he returned backe to
his owne people； and at such time as he thought convenient； sent for
divers of his kindred and friends from Ravenna； who being present with
him； thus he spake to them。
Deare Kinsmen and Friends； ye have a long while importuned me； to
discontinue my over…doating love to her； whom you all thinke； and I
find to be my mortall enemy： as also； to give over my lavish expences；
wherein I confesse my selfe too prodigall； both which requests of
yours； I will condiscend to； provided； that you will performe one
gracious favour for me； Namely； that on Friday next； Signior Paulo
Traversario； his wife； daughter； with all other women linked in linage
to them； and such beside onely as you shall please to appoint； will
vouchsafe to accept a dinner heere with wi me； as for the reason
thereto mooving me； you shall then more at large be acquainted
withall。 This appeared no difficult matter for them to accomplish：
wherefore； being returned to Ravenna； and as they found the time
answerable to their purpose； they invited such as Anastasio had
appointed them。 And although they found it some…what an hard matter；
to gaine her company whom he so deerely affected； yet notwithstanding；
the other women won her along with them。
A most magnificent dinner had Anastasio provided； and the ta