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the Cittie beside； and verily they did so in deede。 Wherefore； he
demanded of divers persons； who had good understanding of them both；
of what estate and condition they were。 And hearing by every one； that
they were but poore men and Painters： he greatly mervailed； how it
could be possible for them； that they should live so jocondly； and
in such poverty。 It was related to him further beside； that they
were men of a quicke and ingenious apprehension； whereby hee
politikely imagined； that theyr poore condition could not so well
maintaine them； without some courses else； albeit not publiquely
knowne unto men； yet redounding to their great commoditie and profite。
In which regard； he grew exceeding desirous； by what meanes he might
become acquainted； and grow into familiarity with them both； or any of
them； at the least： wherein （at the length） he prevailed； and Bruno
proved to be the man。
Now Bruno plainly perceiving （within a short while of this new begun
acquaintance） that the Physitian was a Loggerhead； and meerely no
better then a Gregorian Animall： he beganne to have much good
pastime with him； by telling him strange and incredible Tales； such as
none but a Coxcombe would give credit too； yet they delighted Doctor
Dunce extraordinarily； and Brunoes familiarity was so highly
pleasing to him； that he was a daily guest at dinner and supper with
him； and hee was not meanly proud of enjoying his company。 One day； as
they sate in familiar conference together； he told Bruno that he
wondred not a little at him and Buffalmaco； they being both so poore
people； yet lived far more jovially then Lords； and therefore
desired to understand； by what secret meanes they compassed such
mirthful maintenance。 Bruno； hearing the Doctors demaund； and
perceiving that it savoured more of the foole； then any the very least
taste of wisedome： smiled unto himselfe； and determined to returne him
such an answere； as might be fitting for his folly； whereupon； thus he
replied。
Beleeve me Master Doctor； I would not impart to many people； what
private helpes we have for our maintenance： but yet I dare boldly
acquaint you therewith； in regard you are one of our most intimate
friends； and of such secrecie； as （I know） you will not reveale it
to any。 True it is； that mine honest neighbor and my selfe； do leade
our lives in such merry manner as you see； and better then all the
world is aware of； for I cannot imagine you to bee so ignorant； but
are certainly perswaded： that if we had no better means； then our
poore manuall trade and profession； we might sit at home with bread
and water； and be nothing so lively spirited as wee are。 Yet Sir； I
would not have you to conceive； that wee do eyther rob or steale； or
use any other unlawfull courses： onely we travayle to Corsica； from
whence we bring （without the least prejudice to anie other） all things
we stand in need of； or whatsoever wee can desire。 Thus do we
maintaine our selves well and honestly； and live in this mirthfull
disposition。
Master Doctor hearing this Discourse； and beleeving it constantly；
without any further instruction or intelligence： became possessed with
verie much admiration； and had the most earnest desire in the world；
to know what this Travailing to Corsica might meane： entreating
Bruno with very great instances； to tell him what it was； and made
many protestations never to disclose it to anie one。 How now Master
Doctor？ answered Bruno； What a strange motion do you make to mee？ It
is too great a secret； which you desire to know； yea； a matter of mine
owne ruine； and an utter expulsion out of this Worlde； with
condemnation into the mouth of Lucifer da San Gallo； if any man
whatsoever should know it from me； wherefore I pray you to urge it
no more。 O my deer and honest neighbour Bruno （quoth the Doctor）
assure thy selfe upon my soul； that whatsoever thou revealest to me；
shall be under seale from all； but onely our selves。 Fie； fie Master
Doctor； answered Bruno； you are too pressing and importunate。 So
sitting smiling to himselfe； shaking his head； and beating his breast；
as if hee were in some straunge distraction of minde； stamping with
his feete； and beating his Fiste oftentimes on the Table； at ast he
started uppe； and spake in this manner。
Ah Master Doctor； the love I be to your capricious and rarely
circumcised experience； and likewise the confidence I repose in your
scrutinous taciturnitie； are both of such mighty and prevailing
power as I cannot conceale any thing from you； which you covet to
know。 And therefore； if you wil sweare unto me by the crosse of
Monteson； that never （as you have already faithfully promised） you
will disclose a secret so admirable； I will relate it unto you； and
not otherwise。 The Doctor sware； and sware againe； and then Bruno thus
began。
Know then my learned and judicious Doctor； that it is not long
time since； when there lived in this Citie of ours； a man very
excellent in the Art of Nigromancie； who named himselfe Michale Scoto；
because he was a Scottishman borne； of many woorthy Gentlemen （very
few of them being now living） hee was much honoured and respected。
When he grew desirous to depart from hence； upon their earnest
motion and entreaty； he left here two of his Schollers behinde him；
men of absolute skill and experience： giving them especial charge
and command； to do all possible services they could devise； for
those Gentlemen who had so highly honoured him。 The two famous
Schollers； were very helpefull to those Gentlemen； in divers of
their amorous occasions； and verie many other matters besides。
Not long after； they finding the Citie； and behaviour of the
people sufficiently pleasing to them； they resolved on their
continuance heere； entering into a league of love and friendshippe
with divers； never regarding； whether they were Gentlemen； or no； or
distinguishing the poore from the rich： but only in being conforme
to their complexions； sociable and fit for friendship。
They created a kinde Society； consisting of about five and twenty
men； who should meete together twice in a moneth； and in a place
reputed convenient for them： where being so assembled； every man
uttered his minde to those two Schollers； in such cases as they most
desired； to have wherwith they were all satisfied the self…same night。
It came so to passe； that Buffalmaco and I； grew into acquaintance
with those two worthy Schollers； and our private familiarity
together proved so prosperous； that we were admitted into the same
Society； and so have ever since continued。 Now Sir； I am to tell you
matter deserving admiration； and which （in very good judgements） would
seeme to exceed all beleefe。
For； at every time when we were assembled together： you are not able
to imagine； what sumptuous hangings of Tapistrie； did adorne the
Hall where we sate at meate； the Tables covered in such Royall manner；
waited on by numberless Noble and goodly attendants； both Women and
Men； serving readily； at each mans command of the company。 The Basins；
Ewers； Pots； Flaggons； and all the vessels else which stood before；
and for the service of our diet； being composed onely of Gold and
Silver； and out of no worse did we both eate and drinke： the viands
being very rare and dainty； abounding in plenty and variety； according
to the appetite of everie person； as nothing could be wished for；
but it was instantly obtained。
In good sadnesse Sir； I am not able to remember and tell you （within
the compasse of a thousand yeares） what； and how manie severall kindes
of Musicall Instruments； were continually played on before us； what
multiplicity of Waxe lights burned in all partes of the roomes；
neither the excessive store of rich Drugs； Marchpanes； Comfites； and
rare Banquetting stuffe； consumed there at one Feasting； wherein there
wanted no bounty of the best and purest wines。 Nor do I （Master
Doctor） repute you so weakly witted； as to think； that in the time
of our being thus assembled there； any of us al were cloathed in
such simple and meane Garments； as ordinarily are worne in the streets
on mens bodies； or any so silly as the verie best you have： No Sir；
not any one man among us； but a