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benefit） the very best and choicest things of esteeme； in the most
vile and abject places of their houses； as being subject to least
suspition； and where they may be sure to have them at all times； for
supply of any necessitie whatsoever； because so base a conveyance hath
better kept them； then the very best chamber in the house could have
done。 Even so these two great commanders of the world； do many times
hide their most precious Jewels of worth； under the clouds of Arts
or professions of worst estimation； to the end； that fetching them
thence when neede requires； their splendor may appeare to be the
more glorious。 Nor was any such matter noted in our homely Baker
Cistio； by the best observation of Messer Geri Spina； who was spoken
of in the late repeated Novell； as being the husband to Madame Oretta；
whereby this accident came to my remembrance； and which （in a short
Tale） I will relate unto you。
Let me then tell ye； that Pope Boniface （with whom the fore…named
Messer Geri Spina was in great regard） having sent divers Gentlemen of
his Court to Florence as Ambassadors； about very serious and important
businesse： they were lodged in the house of Messer Geri Spina； and
he employed （with them） in the saide Popes negotiation。 It chanced；
that as being the most convenient way for passage； every morning
they walked on foot by the Church of Saint Marie d'Ughi； where
Cistio the Baker dwelt； and exercised the trade belonging to him。
Now although Fortune had humbled him to so meane a condition； yet shee
added a blessing of wealth to that contemptible quality； and （as
smiling on him continually） no disasters at any time befell him； but
still he flourished in riches； lived like a jolly Citizen； with all
things fitting for honest entertainment about him； and plenty of the
best Wines （both White and Claret） as Florence； or any part thereabout
yeelded。
Our frolicke Baker perceiving； that Messer Geri Spina and the
other Ambassadors； used every morning to passe by his doore； and
afterward to returne backe the same way： seeing the season to be
somewhat hot and soultry； he tooke it as an action of kindnesse and
courtesie； to make them an offer of tasting his white wine。 But having
respect to his owne meane degree； and the condition of Messer Geri：
hee thought it farre unfitting for him； to be so forward in such
presumption； but rather entred into consideration of some such meanes；
whereby Messer Geri might bee the inviter of himselfe to taste his
Wine。 And having put on him a trusse or thin doublet； of very white
and fine Linnen cloath； as also breeches； and an apron of the same；
and a white cap upon his head； so that he seemed rather to be a
Miller； then a Baker： at such times as Messer Geri and the Ambassadors
should daily passe by； hee set before his doore a new Bucket of
faire water； and another small vessell of Bologna earth （as new and
sightly as the other） full of his best and choisest white Wine； with
two small Glasses； looking like silver； they were so cleare。 Downe
he sate； with all this provision before him； and emptying his stomacke
twice or thrice； of some clotted flegmes which seemed to offend it：
even as the Gentlemen were passing by； he dranke one or two rouses
of his Wine so heartily； and with such a pleasing appetite； as might
have moved a longing （almost） in a dead man。
Messer Geri well noting his behaviour； and observing the verie
same course in him two mornings together； on the third day （as he
was drinking） he said unto him。 Well done Cistio； what； is it good； or
no？ Cistio starting up； forthwith replyed； Yes Sir； the wine is good
indeed； but how can I make you to beleeve me； except you taste of
it？ Messer Geri； eyther in regard of the times quality； or by reason
of his paines taken； perhaps more then ordinary； or else； because
hee saw Cistio had drunke so sprightly； was very desirous to taste
of the Wine； and turning unto the Ambassadors； in merriment he
saide。 My Lords； me thinks it were not much amisse； if we tooke a
taste of this honest mans Wine； perhaps it is so good； that we shall
not neede to repent our labour。
Heereupon； he went with them to Cistio； who had caused an handsome
seate to be fetched forth of his house； whereon he requested them to
sit downe； and having commanded his men to wash cleane the Glasses； he
saide。 Fellowes； now get you gone； and leave me to the performance
of this service； for I am no worse a skinker； then a Baker； and
tarry you never so long； you shall not drinke a drop。 Having thus
spoken； himselfe washed foure or five small glasses； faire and new；
and causing a Viall of his best wine to be brought him： hee diligently
filled it out to Messer Geri and the Ambassadours； to whom it seemed
the very best Wine； that they had drunke of in a long while before。
And having given Cistio most hearty thankes for his kindnesse； and the
Wine his due commendation： many dayes afterwardes （so long as they
continued there） they found the like courteous entertainment； and with
the good liking of honest Cistio。
But when the affayres were fully concluded； for which they wer
thus sent to Florence； and their parting preparation in due
readinesse： Messer Geri made a very sumptuous Feast for them； inviting
thereto the most part of the honourablest Citizens； and Cistio to be
one amongst them； who （by no meanes） would bee seene in an assembly of
such State and pompe； albeit he was thereto （by the saide Messer Geri）
most earnestly entreated。
In regard of which deniall； Messer Geri commaunded one of his
servants； to take a small Bottle； and request Cistio to fill it with
his good Wine； then afterward； to serve it in such sparing manner to
the Table； that each Gentleman might be allowed halfe a glasse…full at
their down…sitting。 The Serving…man； who had heard great report of the
Wine； and was halfe offended because he could never taste thereof：
tooke a great Flaggon Bottle； containing foure or five Gallons at
the least； and comming there…with unto Cistio； saide unto him。 Cistio；
because my Master cannot have your companie among his friends； he
prayes you to fill this Bottle with your best Wine。 Cistio looking
uppon the huge Flaggon； replyed thus。 Honest Fellow； Messer Geri never
sent thee with such a Message to me： which although the Serving…man
very stoutly maintained； yet getting no other answer； he returned
backe therwith to his Master。
Messer Geri returned the Servant backe againe unto Cistio； saying：
Goe； and assure Cistio； that I sent thee to him； and if hee make
thee any more such answeres； then demaund of him； to what place else I
should send thee？ Being come againe to Cistio； hee avouched that his
Maister had sent him； but Cistio affirming； that hee did not： the
Servant asked； to what place else hee should send him？ Marrie （quoth
Cistio） unto the River of Arno； which runneth by Florence； there
thou mayest be sure to fill thy Flaggon。 When the Servant had reported
this answer to Messer Geri； the eyes of his understanding beganne to
open； and calling to see what Bottle hee had carried with him： no
sooner looked he on the huge Flaggon； but severely reproving the
sawcinesse of his Servant； hee sayde。 Now trust mee； Cistio told
thee nothing but trueth； for neither did I send thee with any such
dishonest message； nor had the reason to yeeld or grant it。
Then he sent him with a bottle of more reasonable competencie； which
so soone as Cistio saw： Yea mary my friend； quoth he； now I am sure
that thy Master sent thee to me； and he shall have his desire with all
my hart。 So； commaunding the Bottle to be filled； he sent it away by
the Servant； and presently following after him； when he came unto
Messer Geri； he spake unto him after this maner。 Sir； I would not have
you to imagine； that the huge flaggon （which first came） did any jotte
dismay mee； but rather I conceyved； that the small Viall whereof you
tasted every morning； yet filled many mannerly Glasses together； was
fallen quite out of your remembrance； in plainer tearmes； it beeing no
Wine for Groomes or Peazants； as your selfe affirmed yesterday。 And
because I meane to bee a Skinker no longer； by keeping Wine to
please any other pallate