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in his minde； that if he discovered any such matter to him： He will
（quoth he） be jealous of me； and being her Gossip （which admitteth his
conference with her when himselfe pleaseth；） he may easily make her to
distaste me； and therefore I must rest contented as I am。
Their love continuing on still in this kinde； Tingoccio prooved so
fortunate in the businesse； that having better meanes then his
companion； and more prevayring courses； when； where； and how to
Court his Mistresse； which seemed to forward him effectually。 All
which Meucio plainely perceived； and though it was tedious and
wearisome to him； yet hoping to finde some successe at length： he
would not take notice of any thing； as fearing to infringe the amity
betweene him and Tingoccio； and so his hope to be quite supplanted。
Thus the one triumphing in his loves happinesse； and the other
hoping for his felicity to come； a lingering sickenesse seazed on
Tingoccio； which brought him to so low a condition； as at the length
he dyed。
About some three or foure nights after； Meucio being fast asleepe in
his bed； the ghoste of Tingoccio appeared to him； and called so
loude that Meucio awaking； demanded who called him？ I am thy friend
Tingoccio； replied the ghoste； who according to my former promise
made； am come again in vision to thee； to tell thee tidings out of the
nether world。 Meucio was a while somewhat amazed： but； recollecting
his more manly spirits together； boldly he said。 My brother and
friend； thou art heartily welcome： but I thought thou hadst beene
utterly lost。 Those things （quoth Tingoccio） are lost； which cannot be
recovered againe； and if I were lost； how could I then be heere with
thee？ Alas Tingoccio； replyed Meucio； my meaning is not so： but I
would be resolved； whether thou art among the damned soules； in the
painefull fire of hell torments； or no？ No （quoth Tingoccio） I am
not sent thither； but for divers sinnes by mee committed I am to
suffer very great and grievous paines。 Then Meucio demaunded
particularly； the punishments inflicted there； for the severall sinnes
committed heere： Wherein Tingoccio fully resolved him。 And upon
further question； what hee would have to be done for him here； made
answere； That Meucio should cause Masses； Prayers and Almes…deeds to
be performed for him； which （he said） were very helpefull to the
soules abiding there； and Meucio promised to see them done。
As the ghost was offering to depart； Meucio remembred Tingoccioes
Gossip Monna Mita； and raysing himselfe higher upon his pillowe； said。
My memorie informeth me friend Tingoccio； your kinde Gossip Monna
Mita； with whom （when you remained in this life） I knew you to be very
familiar： let me intreat you then to tell me； what punishment is
inflicted on you there； for that wanton sinne committed heere？ Oh
Brother Meucio； answered Tingoccio； so soone as my soule was landed
there； one came immediately to me； who seemed to know all mine
offences readily by heart； and forthwith commanded； that I should
depart thence into a certaine place； where I must weepe for my
sinnes in very grievous paines。 There I found more of my companions；
condemned to the same punishment as I was； and being among them； I
called to minde some wanton dalliances； which had passed betweene my
Gossip and me； and expecting therefore farre greater afflictions； then
as yet I felt （although I was in a huge fire； and exceedingly hot） yet
with conceite of feare； I quaked and trembled wondrously。
One of my other Consorts being by me； and perceiving in what an
extreame agony I was； presently said unto me。 My friend； what hast
thou done more； then any of us here condemned with thee； that thou
tremblest and quakest； being in so hot a fire？ Oh my friend （quoth
I） I am in feare of a greater judgement then this； for a grievous
offence by mee heretofore committed while I lived。 Then hee
demaunded of mee what offence it was； whereto thus I answered。 It
was my chance in the other world； to be Godfather at a childs
Christning； and afterward I grew so affectionate to the childs mother；
as （indeed） I kissed her twice or thrise。 My companyon laughing at
me in mocking manner； replyed thus。 Goe like an Asse as thou art；
and be no more afraid hereafter； for here is no punishment
inflicted； in any kinde whatsoever； for such offences of frailty
committed； especially with Gossips； as I my selfe can witnesse。
Now day drew on； and the Cockes began to crow； a dreadfull hearing
to walking spirits； when Tingoccio said to Meucio。 Farewell my
friendly companion； for I may tarry no longer with thee； and instantly
hee vanished away。 Meucio having heard this confession of his
friend； and verily beleeving it for a truth； that no punishment was to
be inflicted in the future world； for offences of frailty in this
life； and chiefly with Gossips： began to condemne his owne folly；
having bin a Gossip to many wives； yet modesty restrained him from
such familiar offending。 And therefore being sorry for this grosse
ignorance； hee made a vowe to be wiser hereafter。 And if Fryar Reynard
had been acquainted with this kind of shrift （as doubtlesse he was；
though his Gossip Agnesia knew it not） he needed no such
Syllogismes； as he put in practise； when he converted her to his
lustfull knavery； in the comparison of kinred by him moved； concerning
her husband； the childe and himselfe。 But； these are the best fruits
of such Fryerly Confessions； to compasse the issue of their inordinate
appetites； yet clouded with the cloake of Religion； which hath beene
the overthrow of too many。
By this time the gentle blast of Zephirus began to blow； because the
Sunne grew neere his setting； wherewith the King concluded his Novell；
and none remaining more to be thus imployed： taking the Crowne from
off his owne head； he placed it on Madame Laurettaes； saying；
Madame； I Crowne you with your owne Crowne； as Queene of our
Company。 You shall henceforth command as Lady and Mistresse； in such
occasions as shall be to your liking； and for the contentment of us
all； With which words he set him downe。 And Madame Lauretta being
now created Queene； shee caused the Master of the houshold to bee
called； to whom she gave command； that the Tables should be prepared n
the pleasant vally； but at a more convenient houre； then formerly
had beene； because they might （with better ease） returne backe to
the Pallace。 Then shee tooke order likewise； for all such other
necessary matters； as should bee required in the time of f Regiment：
and then turning her selfe to the whole Company； she began in this
manner。
It was the Will of Dioneus yesternight； that our discourses for this
day； should concerne the deceits of wives to their Husbands。 And
were it not to avoyde taxation； of a spleenitive desire to be
revenged； like the dog being bitten； biteth againe： I could command
our to morrows conference； to touch mens treacheries towards their
wives。 But because I am free from any such fiery humor； let it be your
generall consideration； to speake of such queint beguylings； as have
heretofore past； either of the woman to the man； the man to the woman；
or of one man to another： and I am of opinion； that they will yeeld us
no lesse delight； then those related （this day） have done。 When she
had thus spoken； she rose； granting them all liberty； to goe
recreate themselves untill Supper time。
The Ladies being thus at their owne disposing； some of them bared
their legges and feete； to wash them in the coole current。 Others； not
so minded； walked on the greene grasse； and under the goodly spread：
trees。 Dioneus and Madame Fiammetta； they sate singing together； the
love…warre between Arcit and Palemon。 And thus with diversity of
disports； in choice delight and much contentment； all were imployed；
till Supper drew neere。 When the houre re come； and the Tables covered
by the Ponds side： we need not question their dyet and dainties；
infinite Birds sweetly singing about them； as no musicke in the
world could be more pleasing； beside calme windes； fanning their faces
from the neighbouring hilles （free from flyes； or the least annoyance）
made a delicate addition to their pleasure。
No sooner we