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not a little joyfull； it jumping so justly with their intent。
Being come to the Widdowes house； they passed through a smal
nether Court； where lights stood ready to welcome him thither； and
entring into a goodly Hall； there was store of good wine and
banquetting； which the Bishop accepted in very thankefull manner：
and courteous complement being overpassed； one of the Brethren； thus
spake。 My good Lord； seeing it hath pleased you to honour our poore
Widdowed Sisters house with your presence； for which wee shall
thanke you while we live： We would intreate one favour more of you；
onely but to see a sight which we will shew you。 The Lord Bishop was
well contented with the motion： so the Brethren conducting him by
the hand； brought him into their Sisters Chamber； where the Provoste
was in bed with Ciutazza； both soundly sleeping； but enfolded in his
armes； as wearied （belike） with their former wantonning； and whereof
his age had but little need。
The Courtaines being close drawne about the bed； although the season
was exceeding hot； they having lighted Torches in their hands； drew
open the Curtaines； and shewed the Bishop his Provoste； close snugging
betweene the armes of Ciutazza。 Upon a sudden the Provoste awaked； and
seeing so great a light； as also so many people about him： shame and
feare so daunted him； that hee shrunke downe in the bed； and hid his
head。 But the Bishop being displeased at a sight so unseemely； made
him to discover his head againe； to see whom he was in bed withall。
Now the poore Provoste perceiving the Gentlewomans deceite； and the
proper hansome person so sweetly embracing him： it made him so
confounded with shame； as he had not the power to utter one word：
but having put on his cloathes by the Bishops command； hee sent him
（under sufficient guard） to his Pallace； to suffer due chastisement
for his sinne committed； and afterward he desired to know； by what
meanes hee became so favoured of Ciutazza； the whole Historie whereof；
the two brethren related at large to him。
When the Bishop had heard all the discourse； highly he commended the
wisedome of the Gentlewoman； and worthy assistance of her brethren；
who contemning to soile their hands in the blood of a Priest； rather
sought to shame him as hee deserved。 The Bishop enjoyned him a
pennance of repentance for forty dayes after； but love and disdaine
made him weepe nine and forty： Moreover； it was a long while after；
before he durst be seene abroad。 But when he came to walke the
streets； the Boyes would point their fingers at him； saying。 Behold
the Provoste that lay with Ciutazza： Which was such a wearisome life
to him； that he became （well neere） distracted in his wits。 In this
manner the honest Gentlewoman discharged her dutie； and rid her
selfe of the Provosts importunity： Ciutazza had a merry night of it；
and a new Smocke also for her labour。
THE EIGHT DAY； THE FIFT NOVELL
GIVING ADMONITION； THAT FOR THE MANAGING OF PUBLIQUE AFFAIRES； NO
OTHER PERSONS ARE OR OUGHT TO BE APPOINTED； BUT SUCH AS BE HONEST；
AND MEET TO SIT ON THE SEATE OF AUTHORITY
Three pleasant Companions； plaide a merry pranke with a Judge
（belonging to the Marquesate of Ancona） at Florence； at such time as
he sate on the Bench； and hearing criminall causes。
No sooner had Madam Aemillia finished her Novell； wherin； the
excellent wisdome of Piccarda； for so worthily punishing the luxurious
old Provoste； had generall commendations of the whole Assembly： but
the Queene； looking on Philostratus； said。 I command you next to
supply the place： whereto he made answere； that hee was both ready and
willing； and then thus began。 Honourable Ladies； the merry
Gentleman； so lately remembred by Madame Eliza； being named Maso del
Saggio； causeth me to passe over an intended Tale； which I had
resolved on when it came to my turne： to report another concerning
him； and two men more； his friendly Companions。 Which although it
may appeare to you somewhat unpleasing； in regard of a little grosse
and unmannerly behaviour： yet it will move merriment without any
offence； and that is the maine reason why I relate it。
It is not unknowne to you； partly by intelligence from our
reverend predecessours； as also some understanding of your owne；
that many time have resorted to our City of Florence； Potestates and
Officers； belonging to the Marquesate of Anconia； who commonly were
men of lowe spirit； and their lives so wretched and penurious； as they
rather deserved to be tearmed Misers； then men。 And in regard of
this their naturall covetousnesse and misery； the Judges would bring
also in their company； such Scribes or Notaries； as being paralelde
with their Masters： they all seemed like Swaines come from the Plough；
or bred up in some Coblers quality； rather then Schollers； or Students
of Law。
At one time （above all the rest） among other Potestates and
Judges； there came an especiall man； as pickt out of purpose； who
was named Messer Niccolao da San Lepidio； who （at the first beholding）
looked rather like a Tinker； then any Officer in authority。 This
hansome man （among the rest） was deputed to heare criminall causes。
And； as often it happeneth； that Citizens； although no businesse
inviteth them to Judiciall Courts； yet they still resort thither；
sometimes accidentally： So it fortuned； that Maso times del Saggio；
being one morning in search of an especiall friend； went to the
Court…house； and being there； observed in what manner Messer
Niccolao was seated； who looking like some strange Fowle； lately
come forth of a farre Countrey； he began to survay him the more
seriously； even from the head to the foot； as we use to say。
And albeit he saw his Gowne furred with Miniver； as also the hood
about his necke； a Penne and Inkehorne hanging at his girdle； and
one skirt of his Garment longer then the other； with more misshapen
sights about him； farre unfitting for a man of so civill profession：
yet he spyed one errour extraordinary； the most notable （in his
opinion） that ever he had seene before。 Namely； a paultry paire of
Breeches； wickedly made； and worse worne； hanging downe lowe as
halfe his legge； even as he sate upon the Bench； yet cut so
sparingly of the Cloath； that they gaped wide open before； as a
wheele…barrow might have full entrance allowed it。 This strange
sight was so pleasing to him； as leaving off further search of his
friend； and scorning to have such a spectacle alone by himselfe： hee
went upon another Inquisition； Namely； for two other merry Lads like
hirnselfe； the one being called Ribi； and the other Matteuzzo； men
of the same mirth…full disposition as he was； and therefore the fitter
for his Company。
After he had met with them； these were his salutations： My honest
Boyes； if ever you did me any kindnesse； declare it more effectually
now； in accompanying me to the Court…house； where you shall behold
such a singular spectacle； as （I am sure） you never yet saw the
like。 Forthwith they went along altogether； and being come to the
Courthouse； he shewed them the Judges hansome paire of Breeches；
hanging down in such base and beastly manner； that （being as yet farre
off from the Bench） their hearts did ake with extreamity of
laughter。 But when they came neere to the seat whereon Messer Niccolao
sate； they plainely perceived； that it was very easie to be crept
under； and withall； that the board whereon he set his feet； was rotten
and broken； so that it was no difficult matter； to reach it； and
pull it downe as a man pleased； and let him fall bare Breecht to the
ground。 Cheare up your spirits （my hearts） quoth Maso； and if your
longing be like to mine； we will have yonder Breeches a good deale
lower； for I see how it may be easily done。
Laying their heads together； plotting and contriving severall
wayes； which might be the likelyest to； compasse their intent： each of
them had his peculiar appointment； to undertake the businesse
without fayling and it was to be performed the next morning。 At the
houre assigned； they met there againe； and finding the Court well
filled with people； the Plaintiffes and Defendants earnestly pleading：
M