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other doubt beside； but （perceiving by her speeches） how hee was
become a scorne to al men： without returning other answer； confirmed
his wife to be both wise and honest； and now when he hadde just
occasion to be jealous indeede； hee utterly forsware it； and counted
them all Coxcombes that would be so misguided。 Wherefore； she having
thus wisely wonne the way to her owne desires； and he reduced into a
more humane temper： I hope there was no more neede； of clambring
over houses in the night time like Cats； nor walking in at gutter
Windowes； but all abuses were honestly reformed。
THE SEVENTH DAY； THE SIXTH NOVELL
WHEREIN IS MANIFESTLY DISCERNED； THAT IF LOVE BE DRIVEN TO A NARROW
STRAITE IN ANY OF HIS ATTEMPTS； YET HEE CAN
ACCOMPLISH HIS PURPOSE BY SOME OTHER SUPPLY
Madame Isabella； delighting in the company of her affected Friend；
named Lionello； and she being likewise beloved by Signior
Lambertuccio： At the same time as shee had entertained Lionello；
shee was also visited by Lambertuccio。 Her Husband returning home in
the very instant； shee caused Lambertuccio to run forth with a
drawne sword in his hand； and （by that meanes） made an excuse
sufficient for Lionello to her husband。
Wondrously pleasing to all the company； was the reported Novell of
Madame Fiammetta； every one applauding the Womans wisedome； and that
she had done no more； then as the jealous foole her husband justly
deserved。 But shee having ended； the King gave order unto Madame
Pampinea； that now it was her turne to speake； whereupon； thus she
began。 There are no meane store of people who say （though very false
and foolishly；） that Love maketh many to be out of their wits； and
that such as fall in Love； do utterly loose their understanding。 To
mee this appeareth a very ydle opinion； as already hath beene approved
by the related discourses； and shall also bee made manifest by another
of mine owne。
In our City of Florence； famous for some good； though as many bad
qualities； there dwelt （not long since） a Gentlewoman； endued with
choice beauty and admirable perfections； being wife to Signior
Beltramo； a very valiant Knight； and a man of great possessions。 As
oftentimes it commeth to passe； that a man cannot alwayes feede on one
kind of bread； but his appetite will be longing after change： so fared
it with this Lady； named Isabella； she being not satisfied with the
delights of her Husband； grew enamoured of a young Gentleman； called
Lionello； compleate of person and commendable qualities； albeit not of
the fairest fortunes； yet his affection every way sutable to hers。 And
full well you know （faire Ladies） that where the mindes irreciprocally
accorded； no dilligence wanteth for the desires execution： so this
amorous couple； made many solemne protestations； untill they should
bee friended by opportunity。
It fortuned in the time of their hopefull expectation a Knight；
named Signior Lambertuccio； fell likewise in love with Isabella： but
because he was somewhat unsightly of person； and utterly unpleasing in
the eye； she grew regardlesse of his frequent solicitings； and would
not accept either tokens； or letters。 Which when hee saw； （being
very rich and of great power） hee sought to compasse his intent by a
contrary course； threatning her with scandall and disgrace to her
reputation； and with his associates to bandie against her best
friends。 She knowing what manner of man he was； and how able to
abuse any with infamous imputations； wisely returned him hopefull
promises； though never meaning to performe any； but onely
（Lady…like） to flatter and foole him therewith。
Some few miles distant from Florence； Beltramo had a Castle of
pleasure； and there his Lady Isabella used to live all Summer； as
all other doe the like； being so possessed。 On a day； Beltramo being
ridden from home； and she having sent for Lionello； to take the
advantage of her Husbands absence； accordingly he went； not doubting
but to winne what he had long expected。 Signior Lambertuccio on the
other side； meeting Beltramo riding from his Castle； and Isabella
now fit to enjoy his company： gallops thither with all possible
speede； because hee would bee no longer delayed。 Scarcely was Lionello
entred the Castle； and receiving directions by the waiting woman； to
her Ladies Chamber： but Lambertuccio gallopped in at the Gate； which
the woman perceiving； ranne presently and acquainted her Lady with the
comming of Lambertuccio。
Now was shee the onely sorrowfull woman of the world； for nothing
was now to bee feared； but stormes and tempests； because Lambertuccio；
spake no other then Lightning and Thunder； and Lionello； （being no
lesse affraide then shee） by her perswasion crept behind the bed；
where he hid himselfe very contentedly。 By this time Lambertuccio
was dismounted from his Courser； which he fastened （by the bridle）
to a ring in the wall； and then the waiting woman came to him； to
guide him to her Lady and Mistresse： who stood ready at the staires
head； graced him with a very acceptable welcome； yet marvelling much
at his so sodaine comming。 Lady （quoth he） I met your Husband upon the
way； which granting mine accesse to see you； I come to claime your
long delayed promise； the time being now so favourable for it。
Before he had uttered halfe these words； Beltramo； having forgot
an especiall evidence in his Study； which was the onely occasion of
his journey； came gallopping backe againe into the Castell Court；
and seeing such a goodly Gelding stand fastened there； could not
redily imagine who was the owner thereof。 The waiting woman； upon
the sight of her Masters entring into the Court； came to her Lady；
saying： My Master Beltramo is returned back？； newly alighted； and
（questionlesse） comming up the staires。 Now was our Lady Isabella； ten
times worse affrighted then before； （having two severall amourous
suters in her house； both hoping； neither speeding； yet her credite
lying at the stake for either） by this unexpected returne of her
Husband。 Moreover； there was no possible meanes； for the concealing of
Signior Lambertuccio； because his Gelding stood in the open Court； and
therefore made a shrewde presumption against her； upon the least
doubtfull question urged。
Neverthelesse； as womens wits are alwayes best upon sudden
constraints； looking forth of her window； and espying her Husband
preparing to come up： she threw her selfe on her day Couch； speaking
thus （earnestly） to Lambertuccio。 Sir； if ever you loved mee； and
would have me faithfully to beleeve it； by the instant safety both
of your owne honour； and my life； doe but as I advise you。 Forth
draw your Sword； and； with a stearne countenance； threatning death and
destruction： run downe the staires； and when you are beneath； say。 I
sweare by my best fortunes； although I misse of thee now heere； yet
I will be sure to finde thee some where else。 And if my Husband
offer to stay you； or moove any question to you： make no other
answere； but what you formerly spake in fury。 Beside； so soone as
you are mounted on horsebacke； have no further conference with him；
upon any occasion whatsoever； to prevent all suspition in him； of
our future intendments。
Lambertuccio sware many terrible oathes； to observe her directions
in every part； and having drawne forth his Sword； grasping it naked in
his hand； and setting worse lookes on the businesse； then ever
nature gave him； because he had spent so much labour in vaine； he
failed not in a jot of the Ladies injunction。 Beltramo having
commanded his horse to safe custody； and meeting Lambertuccio
discending downe the staires； so armed； swearing； and most
extreamely storming； wondring extraordinarily at his threatning words；
made offer to imbrace him。； and understand the reason of his
distemper。 Lambertuccio repulsing him rudely； and setting foote in the
stirrup； mounted on his Gelding； and spake nothing else but this。 I
sweare by the fairest of all my fortunes； although I misse of thee
heere： yet I will be sure to find thee some where else； and so he
gallopped mainely away。
When Beltramo was come up into his wives Chamber； hee found