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more； then his meanes and ability could maintaine； and no supplies any
way redounding to him； or his faculties （as very easily they might）
diminished in such sort； that became so poore； as he had nothing
left him； but a small poore Farme to live upon； the silly revenewes
whereof were so meane； as scarcely allowed him meat and drinke； yet
had he a faire Hawke or Faulcon； hardly any where to be fellowed； so
expeditious and sure she was of flight。 His low ebbe and poverty； no
way quailing his love to the Lady； but rather setting a keener edge
thereon； he saw the City life could no longer containe him； where most
he coveted to abide： and therefore； betooke himselfe to his poore
Countrey Farme； to let his Faulcon get him his dinner and supper；
patiently supporting his penurious estate； without suite or meanes
making to one； for helpe or reliefe in any such necessity。
While thus he continued in this extremity； it came to passe； that
the Husband to Madam Giana fell sicke； and his debility of body
being such； as little； or no hope of life remained： he made his last
will and testament； ordaining thereby； that his Sonne （already
growne to indifferent stature） should be heire to all his Lands and
riches； wherein he abounded very greatly。 Next unto him； if he chanced
to die without a lawfull heire； he substituted his Wife； whom most
dearely he affected； and so departed out of this life。 Madam Giana
being thus left a widdow； as commonly it is the custome of our City
Dames； during the Summer season； she went to a house of her owne in
the Countrey； which was somewhat neere to poore Frederigoes Farme； and
where he lived in such an honest kind of contented poverty。
Hereupon； the young Gentleman her Sonne； taking great delight in
Hounds and Hawkes； grew into familiarity with poore Frederigo； and
having seene many faire flights of his Faulcon； they pleased him so
extraordinarily； that he earnestly desired to enjoy her as his owne；
yet durst not move the motion for her； because he saw how choycely
Frederigo esteemed her。 Within a short while after； the young
Gentleman； became very sicke； whereat his Mother greeved
exceedingly； （as having no more but he； and therefore loved him the
more entirely） never parting from him night or day； comforting him
so kindly as she could； and demanding； if he had a desire to any
thing； willing him to reveale it； and assuring him withall； that （it
were within the compasse of possibility） he should have it。 The
youth hearing how many times she had made him these offers； and with
such vehement protestations of performance； at last thus spake。
Mother （quoth he） if you can do so much for me； as that I may have
Frederigoes Faulcon； I am perswaded； that my sicknesse soone will
cease。 The Lady hearing this； sate some short while musing to her
selfe； and began to consider； what she might best doe to compasse
her Sonnes desire： for well she knew； how long a time Frederigo had
most lovingly kept it； not suffering it ever to be out of his sight。
Moreover； shee remembred； how earnest in affection he had bene to her；
never thinking himselfe happy； but onely when he was in her company；
wherefore； shee entred into this private consultation with her owne
thoughts。 Shall I send； or goe my selfe in person； to request the
Faulcon of him； it being the best that ever flew？ It is his onely
Jewell of delight； and that taken from him； no longer can he wish to
live in this World。 How farre then voyde of understanding shall I shew
my selfe； to rob a Gentleman of his sole felicity； having no other joy
or comfort left him？ These and the like considerations； wheeled
about her troubled braine； onely in tender care and love to her Sonne；
perswading her selfe assuredly； that the Faulcon were her owne； if she
would but request it： yet not knowing whereon it were best to resolve；
shee returned no answer to her Sonne； but sate still in her silent
meditations。 At the length； love to the youth； so prevailed with
her； that she concluded on his contentation； and （come of it what
could） shee would not send for it； but go her selfe in person to
request it； and then returne home againe with it： whereupon thus she
spake。 Sonne； comfort thy selfe； and let languishing thoughts no
longer offend thee： for here I promise thee； that the first thing I do
to morrow morning； shall bee my journey for the Faulcon； and assure
thy selfe； that I will bring it with me。 Whereat the youth was so
joyed； that he imagined； his sicknesse began instantly a little to
leave him； and promised him a speedy recovery。
Somewhat early the next morning； the Lady； in care of her sicke Sons
health； was up and ready betimes； and taking another Gentlewoman
with her； onely as a morning recreation； shee walked to Frederigoes
poore Countrey Farme； knowing that it would not a little glad him to
see her。 At the time of her arrivall there； he was （by chance） in a
silly Garden； on the backe…side of the a si House； because （as yet） it
was no convenient time for flight： but when he heard； that Madam Glana
was come thither； and desired to have some conference with him； as one
almost confounded with admiration； in all hast he ran to her； and
saluted her with most humble reverence。 She in all modest and gracious
manner； requited him with the like salutations； thus speaking to
him。 Signior Frederigo； your owne best wishes befriend you； I am now
come hither； to recompence some part of your passed travailes； which
heretofore you pretended traval I to suffer for my sake； when your
love was more to me； then did well become you to offer； or my selfe to
accept。 And such is the nature of my recompence； that I make my
selfe your guest； and meane this day to dine with as also this
Gentlewoman； making no doubt of our welcome： whereto； with lowly
reverence； thus he replyed。
Madam； I doe not remember； that ever I sustained any losse or
hinderance by you； but rather so much good； as if I was worth any
thing； it proceeded from your great deservings； and by the service
in which I did stand engaged to you。 But my present happinesse can
no way be equalled； derived from your super…abounding gracious favour；
and more then common course of kindnesse； vouchsafing （of your owne
liberall nature） to come and visit so poore a servant。 Oh that I had
as much to spend againe； as heretofore riotously I have runne
thorow： what a welcome would your poore Host bestow upon you； for
gracing； this homely house with your divine presence？ With these
wordes； he conducted her into his house； and then into his simple
Garden； where having no convenient company for her； he said。 Madam；
the poverty of this place is such； that it affoordeth none fit for
your conversation： this poore woman； wife to an honest Husbandman will
attend on you； while I （with some speede） shall make ready dinner。
Poore Frederigo； although his necessity was extreame； and his greefe
great； remembring his former inordinate expences； a moity whereof
would now have stood him in some stead； yet he had a heart as free and
forward as ever； not a jotte dejected in his minde； though utterly
overthrowne by Fortune。 Alas！ how was his good soule afflicted； that
he had nothing wherewith to honour his Lady？ Up and downe he runnes；
one while this way； then againe another； exclaiming on his
disastrous Fate； like a man enraged； or bereft of senses： for he had
not one peny of mony neither pawne or pledge； wherewith to procure
any。 The time hasted on； and he would gladly （though in meane measure）
expresse his honourable respect of the Lady。 To begge of any； his
nature denied it； and to borrow he could not； because his neighbours
were all as needie as himselfe。
At last； looking round about； and seeing his Faulcon standing on her
pearch； which he felt to be very plumpe and fat； being voyde of all
other helpes in his neede； and thinking her to be a Fowle meete for so
Noble a Lady to feede on： without any further demurring or delay； he
pluckt off her necke； and caused the poore woman presently to pull her
Feathers： which being done； he put her on the spit； and in short
time she was daintily roasted。 Himselfe covered the Table； set bread
and salt on and laid the Napkins；