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gallopped mainely away。
When Beltramo was come up into his wives Chamber； hee found her cast
downe upon her Couch； weeping； full of feare； and greatly
discomforted； wherefore he said unto her； What is hee that Signior
Lambertuccio is so extreamely offended withall； and threatneth in such
implacable manner？ The Lady arising from her Couch； and going neere to
the Bed； because Lionello might the better heare her； returned her
Husband this answere。 Husband （quoth she） never was I so dreadfully
affrighted till now； for； a young Gentleman； of whence； or what he is；
I know not； came running into our Castle for rescue； being pursued
by Signior Lambertuccio； a weapon ready drawne in his hand。
Ascending up our stayres； by what fortune； I know not； he found my
Chamber doore standing open； finding me also working on my Sampler；
and in wonderfull feare and trembling。
Good Madame （quoth hee） for Gods sake helpe to save my life； or else
I shall be slaine heere in your Chamber。 Hearing his pittious cry； and
compassionating his desperate case； I arose from my worke； and in my
demaunding of whence； and what he was； that durst presume so boldly
into my bed…chamber： presently came up Signior Lambertuccio also； in
the same uncivill sorte； as before I tolde you； swaggering and
swearing； where is this traiterous villaine？ Heereupon； I stept
（somewhat stoutly） to my Chamber doore； and as hee offered to enter；
with a womans courage I resisted him； which made him so much enraged
against mee； that when hee saw mee to debarre his entrance； after many
terrible and vile oathes and vowes； hee ranne downe the stayres
againe； in such like manner as you chaunced to meete him。
Now trust mee deare wife （said Beltramo） you behaved your selfe very
well and worthily： for； it would have beene a most notorious
scandall to us； if a man should bee slaine in your bed…chamber： and
Signior Lambertuccio carryed himselfe most dishonestly； to pursue
any man so outragiously； having taken my Castle as his Sanctuary。
But alas wife； what is become of the poore affrighted Gentleman？
Introth Sir （quoth she） I know not； but （somewhere or other）
heereabout hee is hidden。 Where art you honest friend〃 said plaine
meaning Beltramo； Come forth and feare not； for thine enemy is gone。
Lionello； who had heard all the forepassed discourse； which shee had
delivered to her Husband Beltramo； came creeping forth amazedly （as
one now very fearefully affrighted indeede） from under the further
side of the bedde； and Beltramo saide to him； What a quarrell was
this； between thee and furious Lambertuccio？ Not any at all Sir；
replyed Lionello； to my knowledge； which verily perswadeth me； that
either he is not well in his wits； or else he mistaketh me for some
other； because； so soone as he saw me on the way； somewhat neere to
this your Castle； he drew forth hi Sword； and swearing an horrible
oath； said。 Traitor thou art a dead man。 Upon these rough words； I
stayed not to question the occasion of mine offending him： but fied
from him so fast as possibly I could； but confesse my selfe
（indeede） over…bold； by presuming into your Ladies bed chamber；
which yet （equalled with her mercie） hath bin the onely meanes at this
time； of saving my life She hath done like a good Lady； answered
Beltramo； and I do verie much commend her for it。 But； recollect thy
dismayed spirits together； for I will see thee safely secured
lience； afterward； looke to thy selfe so well as thou canst。 Dinner
being immediately made ready； and they having merrily feasted
together： he bestowed a good Gelding on Lionello； and rode along
with him to Florence； where he left him quietly in his owne lodging。
The selfe…same Evening （according as Isabella had given enstruction）
Lionello conferred with Lambertuccio： and such an agreement passed
betweene them； that though some rough speeches were noised abroad；
to set the better colour on the businesse； yet al matters were so
cleanly carried； that Beltramo never knew this queint deceitfull
policy of his Wife。
THE SEVENTH DAY； THE SEVENTH NOVELL
WHEREBY IS DECLARED； THAT SUCH AS KEEPE MANY HONEST SEEMING
SERVANTS； MAY SOMETIME FINDE A KNAVE AMONG THEM； AND ONE
THAT PROVES TO BE OVERSAWCY WITH HIS MASTER
Losovico discovered to his Mistresse Madame Beatrix； how amorously
he was affected to her。 She cunningly sent Egano her Husband into
his garden； in all respects disguised like her selfe； while （friendly）
Lodovico conferred with her in the meane while。 Afterward； Lodovico
pretending a lascivious allurement of his Mistresse； thereby to
wrong his honest Master； insted of her； beateth Egano soundly in the
Garden。
This so sodaine dexterity of wit in Isabella； related in verie
modest manner by Madame Pampinea； was not onely admired by all the
company； but likewise passed with as generall approbation。 But yet
Madam Philomena （whom the King had commanded next to succeede）
peremptorily sayde。 Worthy Ladies； if I am not deceived； I intend to
tell you another Tale presently； as much to be commended as the last。
You are to understand then； that it is no long while since； when
there dwelt in Paris a Florentine Gentleman； who falling into decay of
his estate； by over…bountifull expences； undertooke the degree of a
Merchant； and thrived so well by his trading； that he grew to great
wealth； having one onely sonne by his wife； named Lodovico。 This
Sonne； partaking somewhat in his Fathers former height of minde； and
no way inclineable to deale in Merchandize； had no meaning to be a
Shopman； and therefore accompanied the Gentlemen of France； in
sundry services for the King； among whom； by his singular good
carriage and qualites； he happened to be not meanly esteemed。 While
thus he continued in the Court； it chanced； that certaine Knights；
returning from Jerusalem； having there visited the holy Sepulcher； and
comming into company where Lodovico was： much familiar discourse
passed amongst them； concerning the faire women of France； England；
and other parts of the world where they had bin； and what delicate
beauties they had seene。
One in the company constantly avouched； that of all the Women by
them so generally observed； there was not any comparable to the Wife
of Egano de Galluzzi； dwelling in Bologna； and her name Madam Beatrix；
reputed to be the onely faire woman of the world。 Many of the rest
maintained as much； having bin at Bologna； and likewise seene her。
Lodovico hearing the woman to be so highly commended； and never （as
yet） feeling any thought of amorous inclination； became sodainely
toucht with an earnest desire of seeing her； and his minde could
entertaine no other matter； but onely of travailing thither to see
her； yea； and to continue there； if occasion so served。 The reason for
his journey urged to his Father； was to visit Jerusalem； and the
holy Sepulcher； which with much difficulty； at length he obtained
his leave。
Being on his journey towards Bologna； by the name of Anichino； and
not of Lodovico； and being there arrived； upon the day following；
and having understood the place of her abiding： it was his good happe；
to see the Lady at her Window； she appearing in his eye farre more
faire； then all reports had made her to be。 Heereupon； his affection
became so enflamed to her； as he vowed； never to depart from
Bologna； untill he had obtained her love。 And devising by what
meanes he might effect his hopes； he grew perswaded （setting all other
attempts aside） that if he could be entertained into her Husbands
service； and undergo some businesse in the house； time might tutor him
to obtaine his desire。 Having given his attendants sufficient
allowance； to spare his company； and take no knowledge of him； selling
his Horses also； and other notices which might discover him： he grew
into acquaintance with the Hoste of the house where he lay；
revealing an earnest desire in himselfe； to serve som Lord or worthy
Gentleman； if any were willing to give him entertainment。
Now beleeve me Sir （answered the Hoste） you seeme worthy to have a
good service indeede； and I know a Noble Gentleman of this Cittie； who
is named Egano：