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alwaies to lend him。 He thus continuing in the Cittie of Millaine；
fastened his affection on a verie beautifull Gentlewoman； named
Mistresse Ambrosia； Wife unto a rich Merchant； who was called
Signior Gasparuolo Sagastraccio； who had good knowledge of him； and
respectively used him。 Loving this Gentlewoman with great
discretion； without the least apprehension of her husband： he sent
upon a day to entreate conference with her； for enjoying the
fruition of her love； and she should find him ready to fulfill
whatsoever she pleased to command him； as； at any time he would make
good his promise。
The Gentlewoman； after divers of these private solicitings；
resolutely answered； that she was as ready to fulfill the request of
Gulfardo； provided； that two especiall considerations might ensue
thereon。 First； the faithfull concealing thereof from any person
living。 Next； because she knew him to be rich； and she had occasion to
use two hundred Crowns； about businesse of important consequence： he
should freely bestow so many on her； and （ever after） she was to be
commanded by him。 Gulfardo perceiving the covetousnesse of this woman；
who （notwithstanding his doting affection） he thought to be intirely
honest to her Husband： became so deepely offended at her vile answere；
that his fervent love converted into as earnest loathing her；
determining constantlie to deceive her； and to make her avaritious
motion； the only means wherby to effect it。
He sent her word； that he was willing to performe her request； or
any farre greater matter for her： in which respect； he onely desired
for to know； when she would be pleased to have him come see her； and
to receive the money of him？ No creature hee acquainted with his
setled purpose； but onely a deere friend and kinde companion； who
alwayes used to keepe him company； in the neerest occasions that
concerned him。 The Gentlewoman； or rather most disloyall wife； uppon
this answer sent her； was extraordinarily jocond and contented；
returning him a secret Letter； wherein she signified： that
Gasparuolo her husband； had important affaires which called him to
Geneway： but he should understand of his departure； and then （with
safety） he might come see her； as also his bringing of the Crownes。
In the meane while； Gulfardo having determined what he would do；
watched a convenient time； when he went unto Gasparuolo； and sayde：
Sir； I have some businesse of maine importance； and shall neede to use
but two hundred Crownes onely： I desire you to lend me so many
Crownes； upon such profite as you were wont to take of mee； at other
times when I have made use of you； and I shall not faile you at my
day。
Gasparuolo was well contented with the motion； and made no more
adoe； but counted downe the Crownes： departing thence （within a few
dayes after） for Geneway； according to his Wives former message； she
giving Gulfardo also intelligence of his absence； that now （with
safety） hee might come see her； and bring the two hundred Crownes with
him。
Gulfardo； taking his friend in his company； went to visit
Mistresse Ambrosia； whom he found in expectation of his arrivall；
and the first thing he did； he counted downe the two hundred
Crownes； and delivering them to her in the presence of his friend；
saide： Mistresse Ambrosia； receive these two hundred Crownes； which
I desire you to pay unto your Husband on my behalfe； when he is
returned from Geneway。 Ambrosia； receyved the two hundred Crownes； not
regarding wherefore Gulfardo used these words： because shee verily
beleeved； that hee spake in such manner； because his friend should
take no notice； of his giving them to her； upon any covenant passed
betweene them； whereuppon； she sayde。 Sir； I will pay them to my
Husband for you； and cause him to give you a sufficient discharge： but
first I will count them over my selfe； to see whether the summe be
just； or no。 And having drawne them over upon the Table； the summe
containing truly two hundred Crownes （wherewith she was most highly
contented） she lockt them safe uppe in her Cuppeboord； and
Gulfardoes Friend being gone （as formerly it was compacted betweene
them） shee came to converse more familiarly with him； having
provided a banquet for him。 What passed between them afterward； both
then； and oftentimes beside； before her Husbande returned home； is a
matter out of y element； and rather requires my ignoance then
knowledge。
When Gasparuolo was come from Genway； Gulfardo observing a
convenient time； when he was sitting at the doore with his Wife； tooke
his Friend with him； and comming to Gasparuolo； said。 Worthy Sir；
the two hundred Crownes which you lent me before your journy to
Geneway； in regard they could not serve my turne； to compasse the
businesse for which I borrowed them： within a day or two after； in the
presence of this Gentle man my friend； I made repayment of them to
your Wife； and therefore I pray you crosse me out of your booke。
Gasparuolo turning to his Wife； demanded； Whether it was so； or
no？ She beholding the witnesse standing by； who was also present at
her receyving them： durst not make deniall； but thus answered。 Indeede
Husband； I received two hundred Crownes of the Gentleman； and never
remembred； to acquaint you therewith since your comming home： but
hereafter I will be made no more your receiver； except I carried a
quicker memory。 Then saide Gasparuolo： Signior Gulfardo； I finde you
alwaies a most honest Gentleman； and will be readie at any time； to
doe you the like； or a farre greater kindnesse； depart at your
pleasure； and feare not the crossing of my Booke。 So Gulfardo went
away merily contented； and Ambrosia was served as she justly
merited； she paying the price of her owne leudnesse to her Husband；
which she had a more covetous intent to keepe； questionlesse； not
caring how many like lustfull matches shee coulde make； to be so
liberally rewarded； if this had succeeded to her minde： whereas he
shewed himselfe wise and discreete； in paying nothing for his
pleasure； and requiting a covetous queane in her kinde。
THE EIGHT DAY； THE SECOND NOVELL
APPROVING； THAT NO PROMISE IS TO BE KEPT WITH SUCH WOMEN AS WILL
MAKE SALE OF THEIR HONESTY FOR COYNE。 A WARNING ALSO FOR MEN；
NOT TO SUFFER PRIESTS TO BE OVER FAMILIAR WITH
THEIR WIVES
A lustie youthfull Priest of Varlungo； fell in love with a pretty
woman； named Monna Belcolore。 To compasse his amorous desire； hee
lefte his Cloake （as a pledge of further payment） with her。 By a
subtile sleight afterward； he made meanes to borrow a Morter of her；
which when hee sent home againe in the presence of her Husband； he
demaunded to have his Cloake sent him； as having left it in pawne
for the Morter。 To pacifie her Husband； offended that shee did not
lend the Priest the Morter without a pawne： she sent him backe his
Cloake againe； albeit greatly against her will。
Both the Gentlemen and Ladies gave equall commendations； of
Gulfardoes queint beguiling the Millaine Gentle…woman Ambrosia；and
wishing all other （of her minde） might alwaies be so served。 Then
the Queene； smiling on Pamphilus； commaunded him to follow next：
whereupon； thus he began。
I can tell you （faire Ladies） a short Novell； against such as are
continually offensive to us； yet we being no way able to offend him；
at least； in the same manner as they do injurie us。 And for your
better understanding what and who they be； they are our lusty Priests；
who advance their Standard； and make their publike predications
against our wives； winning such advantage over them； that they can
pardon them both of the sinne and punnishment； whensoever they are
once subjected unto theyr perswasions； even as if they brought the
Soldane bound and captived； from Alexandria to Avignon。 Which
imperious power； we （poore soules） cannot exercise on them；
considering； we have neither heart nor courage； to do our devoire in
just revenge on their Mothers； Sisters； Daughters； and Friends； with
the like spirit as they rise in armes against our wives。 And
therefore； I meane to tell you a tale of a Country mans wife； more
to make you laugh