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that he must refraine all places wheresoever I am； and forbeare to
send me any more Letters； or messages。
Having done so； then repaire to Rinuccio Palermini； and say。 My
Mistresse Francesca is ready to make acceptance of your love；
provided； that you will do one thing for her sake。 Namely； this
ensuing night； in the midst and stillest season thereof； to go to
the grave where Scannadio was this morning buried； and （without making
any noise） or speaking one word； whatsoever you shall heare or see： to
take him forth of the grave； and bring him home to her house； wher you
shal know the reason of this strange businesse； and enjoy her freely
as your owne for ever。 But if he refuse to do it； then I commaund him；
never hereafter to see me； or move further suite unto mee； by any
meanes whatsoever。
The Chamber…maide went to them both； and delivered the severall
messages from her Mistresse； according as she had given her in charge；
whereunto each of them answered； that they woulde （for her sake） not
onely descend into a Grave； but also into hell； if it were her
pleasure。
She returning with this answer unto her Mistresse； Francesca
remained in expectation； what the issue of these fond attemptes in
them； would sort unto。 When night was come； and the middle houre
thereof already past； Alessandro Chiarmontesi； having put off all
other garments to his doublet and hose； departed secretly from his
lodging； walking towards the Church…yard； where Scannadio lay in his
grave： but by the way as he went； hee became surprized with divers
dreadfull conceites and imaginations； and questioned with himselfe
thus。
What a beast am I？ What a businesse have I undertaken？ And whither
am I going？ What do I know； but that the Kinsman unto this Woman；
perhappes understanding mine affection to her； and crediting some such
matter； as is nothing so： hath laide this politicke traine for me；
that he may murther me in the grave？ Which （if it should so happen） my
life is lost； and yet the occasion never knowne whereby it was done。
Or what know I； whether some secret enemy of mine （affecting her in
like manner； as I do） have devised this stratagem （out of malice）
against mee； to draw my life in danger； and further his owne good
Fortune？ Then； contrary motions； overswaying these suspitions； he
questioned his thoughts in another nature。
Let me （quoth he） admit the case； that none of these surmises are
intended； but her Kinsman （by and in this manner devised） must bring
me into her house： I am not therefore perswaded； that he or they do
covet； to have the body of Scannadio； either to carry it thither； or
present it to her； but rather do aime at some other end。 May not I
conjecture； that my close murthering is purposed； and this way
acted； as on him that （in his life time） had offended them？ The Maid
hath straitly charged me； that whatsoever is said or done unto me； I
am not to speake a word。 What if they pul out mine eies； teare out
my teeth； cut off my hands； or do me any other mischiefe： Where am I
then？ Shall all these extremities barre me of speaking？ On the other
side； if I speake； then I shall be knowne； and so much the sooner
（perhaps） be abused。 But admit that I sustaine no injurie at all； as
being guilty of no transgression： yet （perchance） I shall not be
carried to her house； but to some other baser place； and afterward she
shall reprove me； that I did not accomplish what shee commanded； and
so all my labour is utterly lost。
Perplexed with these various contradicting opinions； he was
willing divers times to turne home backe againe： yet such was the
violence of his love； and the power thereof prevailing against all
sinister arguments； as he went to the grave； and removing the
boordes covering it； whereinto he entred； and having despoiled
Scannadio of his garments； cloathed himselfe with them； and so laid
him down； having first covered the grave againe。 Not long had hee
tarryed there； but he began to bethinke him； what manner of man
Scannadio was； and what strange reports had bene noised of him； not
onely for ransacking dead mens graves in the night season； but many
other abhominable Villanies committed by him； which so fearfully
assaulted him； that his haire stoode on end； every member of him
quaked； and every minute he imagined Scannadio rising； with intent
to strangle him in the grave。 But his fervent affection overcoming all
these idle feares； and lying stone still； as if he had beene the
dead man indeede； he remained to see the end of his hope。
On the contrary side； after midnight was past； Rinuccio Palermini
departed from his lodging； to do what hee was enjoyned by his hearts
Mistresse； and as hee went along； divers considerations also ran in
his minde； concerning occasions possible to happen。 As； falling into
the hands of Justice； with the body of Scannadio upon his backe； and
being condemned for sacriledge； in robbing graves of the dead；
either to be burned； or otherwise so punished； as might make him
hatefull to his best friends； and meerely a shame to himselfe。
Many other the like conceits mollested him； sufficient to alter
his determination： but affection was much more prevayling in him；
and made him use this consultation。 How now Rinuccio？ Wilt dare to
deny the first request； being mooved to thee by a Gentlewoman； whom
thou dearly lovest； and is the onely meanes； whereby to gaine
assurance of her gracious favour？ Undoubtedly； were I sure to die in
the attempt； yet I will accomplish my promise。 And so he went on
with courage to the grave。
Alessandro hearing his arrivall； and also the removall of the bords；
although he was exceedingly affraid； yet he lay quietly stil； and
stirred not； and Rinuccio beeing in the grave； tooke Alessandro by the
feete； haling him forth； and （mounting him uppon his backe） went on
thus loden； towards the house of Madam Francesca。 As he passed along
the streets； unseene or unmet by any； Alessandro suffered many
shrewd rushings and punches； by turnings at the streets corners； and
jolting against bulkes； poasts； and stalles； which Rinuccio could
not avoyd； in regard the night was so wonderfully darke； as hee
could not see which way he went。
Being come somewhat neere to the Gentlewomans house； and she
standing readie in the Window with her Maide； to see when Rinuccio
should arrive there with Alessandro； provided also of an apt excuse；
to send them thence like a couple of Coxcombes； it fortuned； that
the Watchmen； attending there in the same streete； for the
apprehension of a banished man； stolne into the City contrarie to
order； hearing the trampling of Rinuccioes feete； directed their
course as they heard the noise； having their Lanthorne and light
closely covered； to see who it should be； and what he intended； and
beating their weapons against the ground； demanded； Who goes there？
Rinuccio knowing their voyces； and that now was no time for any long
deliberation： let fall Alessandro； and ran away as fast as his legs
could carry him。
Alessandro being risen againe （although he was cloathed in
Scannadioes Garments； which were long and too bigge for him） fledde
away also as Rinuccio did。 All which Madame Francesca easily discerned
by helpe of the Watchmens Lanthorne； and how Rinuccio carried
Alessandro on his backe； beeing attired in the Garments of
Scannadio： whereat she mervailed not a litle； as also the great
boldnesse of them both。 But in the midst of her mervailing； she
laughed very heartily； when she saw the one let the other fall； and
both to runne away so manfully。 Which accident pleasing her beyond all
comparison； and applauding her good Fortune； to bee so happily
delivered from their daily mollestation： she betooke her selfe to
hir Chamber with the Maide； avouching solemnly to her； that
（questionlesse） they both affected her dearely； having undertaken such
a straunge imposition； and verie neere brought it to a finall
conclusion。
Rinuccio； being sadly discontented； and curssing his hard fortune；
would not yet returne home to his Lodging： but； when the watch was
gone forth of that streete； came backe to the place where he let
fall Alessandro； purposing to accomplish the rest of his ente