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pleasing to mee； that any other （rather then my selfe） should have
begun to speake of this argument； which it hath pleased you to apoint。
But seeing it is your Highnesse pleasure； that I must make a passage
of assurance for all the rest； I will not be irregular； because
obedience is our cheefe Article。 I shall therefore （Gracious Ladies）
strive； to speake something； which may bee advantageable to you
heereafter； in regard； that if other women bee as fearfull as we；
especially of Spirits； of which all our sexe have generally bin
timorous （although； upon my credite； I know not what they are； nor
ever could meete with any； to tell me what they be） you may； by the
diligent observation of my Novell： learne a wholsome and holy
prayer； very availeable； and of precious power； to conjure and drive
them away； whensoever they shall presume to assault you in any place。
There dwelt sometime in Florence； and in the street of Saint
Brancazio； a woollen Weaver； named John of Lorrayne； a man more
happy in his Art； then wise in any thing else beside： because；
savouring somewhat of the Gregorie； and （in very deede）
little lesse then an Ideot； Hee was many times made Captain of the
Woollen Weavers； in the quarters belonging to Santa Maria Novella； and
his house was the Schoole or receptacle； for all their meetings and
assemblies。 He had divers other petty Offices beside； by the gnity and
authority whereof； hee supposed himselfe much exalted or elevated；
above the common pitch of other men。 And this humour became the more
tractable to him； because he addicted himselfe oftentimes （as being
a man of an easie inclination） to be a benefactor to the holy
Fathers of Santa Maria Novella； giving （beside his other charitable
Almes） to some one a paire of Breeches； to another a Hood； and to
another a whole habit。 In reward whereof； they taught him （by heart）
many wholsome prayers； as the Pater noster in the vulgar tongue； the
Song of Saint Alexis； the Lamentations of Saint Bernard； the Hymne
of Madame Matilda； and many other such like matters； which he kept
charily； and repeated usually； as tending to the salvation of his
soule。
This man； had a very faire and lovely wife； named Monna Tessa； the
daughter of Manuccio della Cuculia； wise and well advised； who knowing
the simplicity of her Husband； and affecting Frederigo di Neri
Pegolotti； who was a comely yong Gentleman； fresh； and in the floure
of his time； even as she was； therefore they agreed the better
together。 By meanes of her Chambermaid； Frederigo and shee met often
together； at a Countrie Farme of John of Lorraynes； which hee had
neere to Florence； and where she used to lodge all the Summer time；
called Camerata； whether John resorted somtimes to Supper； and lodge
for a night； returning home againe to his City house the next morning；
yet often he would stay there longer with his owne companions。
Frederigo； who was no meane man in his Mistresses favor； and
therefore these private meetings the more welcome to him； received a
summons or assignation from her； to be there on such a night； when hir
husband had no intent of comming thither。 There they supped merrily
together； and （no doubt） did other things； nothing appertaining to our
purpose； she both acquainting； and well instructing him； in a dozen
（at the least） of her Husbands devout prayers。 Nor did shee make any
account； or Frederigo either； that this should be the last time of
their meeting； because （indeede） it was not the first： and therfore
they set downe an order and conclusion together （because the
Chambermaide must be no longer the messenger） in such manner as you
shall heare。
Frederigo was to observe especially； that alwayes when hee went or
came from his owne house； which stood much higher then John of
Lorraynes did； to looke upon a Vine； closely adjoyning to her house；
where stood the scull of an Asses head； advanced upon an high pole；
and when the face thereof looked towards Florence； he might safely
come； it being an assured signe； that John kept at home。 And if he
found the doore fast shut； he should softly knocke three severall
times； and thereon bee admitted entrance。 But if the face stood
towards Fiesola； then he might not come； for it was the signe of Johns
being there； and then there might be no medling at all。
Having thus agreed upon this conclusion； and had many merry meetings
together： one night above the rest； when Frederigo was appointed to
suppe with Monna Tessa； who had made ready two fat Capons； drest in
most dainty and delicate manner： it fell out so unfortunately； that
John （whose Kue was not to come that night） came thither very late；
yet before Frederigo； wherewith she being not a little offended；
gave John a slight supper； of Lard； Bacon； and such like coarse
provision； because the other was kept for a better guest。 In the meane
time； and while John was at supper； the Maide （by her Mistresses
direction） had conveighed the two Capons； with boyled Eggs； Bread
and a Bottle of Wine （all folded up in a faire cleane table cloth）
into her Garden； that a passage to it； without entering into the
house； and where shee had divers times supt with Frederigo。 She
further willed the Maide； to set all those things under a Peach
tree； which adjoyned to the fields side： but； so angry she was at
her husbands unexpected comming； that shee forgot to bid her tarrie
there； till Frederigoes comming； and to tell him of Johns being there：
as also； to take what he found prepared readie for his Supper。
John and she being gone to bed together； and the Maide likewise；
it was not long after； before Frederigo came； and knocking once softly
at the doore； which was very neere to their lodging Chamber； John
heard the noise； and so did his wife。 But to the end； that John
might not have the least scruple of suspition； she seemed to be fast
asleepe； and Frederigo pausing a while； according to the order
directed； knockt againe the second time。 John wondering thereat very
much； jogd his wife a litle； and saide to her： Tessa； hearest thou
nothing？ Methinkes one knocketh at our doore。 Monna Tessa； who was
better acquainted with the knocke； then plaine honest meaning John
was； dissembling as if shee awaked out of a drowsie dreame； saide：
Alas Husband； dost thou know what this is？ In the name of our
blessed Ladie； be not affraid； this is but the Spirit which haunts our
Countrey houses； whereof I have often told thee； and it hath many
times much dismayed me； living heere alone without thy comfort。 Nay；
such hath bin my feare； that in divers nights past； so soone as I
heard the knockes： I was feigne to hide my selfe in the bedde
over…head and eares （as we usually say） never daring to be so bold； as
to looke out； untill it was broad open day。 Arise good wife （quoth
John） and if it be such a Spirit of the Countrey； as thou talkest
of； never be affraid； for before we went to bed； I said the Telucis；
the Intemerata； with many other good prayers beside。 Moreover； I
made the signe of the Crosse at every corner of our bed； in the name
of the Father； Son； and holy Ghost； so that no doubt at all needs to
be made； of any power it can have to hurt or touch us。
Monna Tessa； because （perhaps） Frederigo might receive some other
suspition； and so enter into distaste of her by anger or offence：
determined to arise indeede； and to let him covertly understand；
that John was there； and therefore saide to her husband。 Beleeve me
John； thy counsell is good； and every one of thy words hath wisedome
in it： but I hold it best for our owne safety； thou being heere；
that wee should conjure him quite away； to the end he may never more
haunt our house。 Conjure him Wife？ Quoth John； By what meanes？ and
how？ Bee patient good man （quoth Tessa） and I will enstruct thee； I
have learned an excellent kinde of conjuration； for； the last weeke；
when I went to procure the pardons at Fiesola； one of the holy recluse
Nuns； who （indeede John） is my indeered Sister and Friend； and the
most sanctimonius in life of them all； perceiving me to be troubled
and terrified by Spirits； taught me a wholsome and holy prayer； and
protested withall； that shee had often made experiment the