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so loude as he could； Stay the thiefe； Stop the Thiefe； he rides
away so fast； having robde me。
They being provided； some with Prongges； Pitchforkes and Spades； and
others with the like weapons fit for Husbandry； stept into the way
before Aniolliero： and beleeving undoubtedly； that he had robde the
man which pursued him in his shirt； stayed and apprehended him。
Whatsoever Aniolliero could doe or say； prevailed not any thing with
the unmannerly Clownes； but when Fortarigo was arrived among them；
he braved Aniolliero most impudently； saying。
What reason have I to spoyle thy life （thou traiterous Villaine）
to rob and spoyle thy Master thus on the high way？ Then turning to the
Countrey Boores： How much deare friends （quoth he） am I beholding to
you for this unexpected kindnesse？ You behold in what manner he left
me in my Lodging； having first playd away all my money at the Dice；
and then deceiving me of my horse and garments also： but had not you
（by great good lucke） thus holpe mee to stay him； a poore Gentleman
had bin undone for ever； and I should never have found him againe。
Aniolliero avouched the truth of his wrong received； but the base
peazants； giving credite onely to Fortarigoes lying exclamations：
tooke him from his horse； despoyled him of all his wearing
apparrell； even to the very Bootes from off his Legges： suffered him
to ride away from him in that manner； and Aniolliero left so in his
shirt； to dance a bare foote Galliard after him either towards Sienna；
or any place else。
Thus Aniolliero； purposing to visite his Cousin the Cardinal like
a Gallant； and at the Marquisate of Ancona； returned backe poorly in
his shirt unto Buonconvento； and durst not （for shame） repaire to
Sienna。 In the end； he borrowed money on the other horse which
Fortarigo rode on； and remained there in the Inne； whence riding to
Corsignano； where he had divers Kinsmen and Friends； he continued
there so long with them； till he was better furnished from his Father。
Thus you may perceive； that the cunning Villanies of Fortarigo；
hindred the honest intended enterprise of Aniolliero howbeit in fit
time and place； nothing afterward was left unpunished。
THE NINTH DAY； THE FIFT NOVELL
IN JUST REPREHENSION OF THOSE VAINEHEADED FOOLES； THAT ARE
LED AND GOVERNED BY IDLE PERSWASIONS
Calandrino became extraordinarily enamoured of a young Damosell；
named Nicholetta。 Bruno prepared a Charme or writing for him；
avouching constantly to him； that so soone as he touched the
Damosell therewith； she should follow him whithersoever hee would have
her。 She being gone to an appointed place with him； hee was found
there by his wife； and dealt withall according to his deserving。
Because the Novell reported by Madame Neiphila was so soone
concluded； without much laughter； or commendation of the whole
Company： the Queene turned hir selfe towards Madam Fiammetta；
enjoyning her to succeed in apt order； and she being as ready as
sodainly commanded； began as followeth。 Most gentle Ladies； I am
perswaded of your opinion in judgement with mine； that there is not
any thing； which can bee spoken pleasingly； except it be
conveniently suited with apt time and place： in which respect； when
Ladies and Gentlewomen are bent to discoursing； the due election of
them both are necessarily required。 And therefore I am not unmindfull；
that our meeting heere （ayming at nothing more； then to outweare the
time with our generall contentment） should tye us to the course of our
pleasure and recreation； to the same conveniency of time and place；
not sparing； though some have bin nominated oftentimes in our passed
arguments； yet； if occasion serve； and the nature of variety be well
considered； wee may speake of the selfesame persons againe。
Now； notwithstanding the actions of Calandrino have beene
indifferently canvazed among us； yet； remembring what Philostratus not
long since saide； That they intended to nothing more then matter of
mirth： I presume the boldlier； to report another Novell of him； beside
them already past。 And； were I willing to conceale the truth； and
cloath it in more circumstantiall maner： I could make use of
contrary names； and paint it in a poeticall fiction； perhaps more
probable； though not so pleasing。 But because wandring from the
truth of things； doth much diminish （in relatic the delight of the
hearers： I will build boldly on my fore…alledged reason； and tel you
truly how it hapned。
Niccholao Cornacchini was once a Citizen of ours； and a man of great
wealth； who； among other his rich possessions in Camerata； builded
there a very goodly house； which being perfected ready for painting：
he compounded with Bruno and Buffalmaco who bicause their worke
required more helpe then their owne； they drew Nello and Calandrino
into their association； and began to proceed in their businesse。 And
because there was a Chamber or two； having olde moveables in them；
as Bedding； Tables； and other Houshold stuffe beside； which were in
the custody of an old Woman that kepte the house； without the helpe of
any other servants else； a Son unto the saide Niccholao； beeing
named Phillippo； resorted thither divers times； with one or other
prety Damosell in his company （in regard he was unmarried） where he
would abide a day or two with her； and then convey her home againe。
At one time among the rest； it chanced that he brought a Damosell
thither named Nicholetta； who was maintained by a wily companion；
called Magione； in a dwelling which hee had at Camaldoli； and （indeed）
no honester then she should be。 She was a very beautifull young woman；
wearing garments of great value； and （according to her quality） well
spoken； and of commendable carriage。 Comming forth of her Chamber
one day； covered with a White veyle； because her haire hung loose
about her； which shee went to wash at a Well in the middle Court；
bathing there also her face and hands： Calandrino going （by chance） to
the same Well for water； gave her a secret salutation。 She kindly
returning the like courtesie to him； began to observe him advisedly：
more； because he looked like a man newly come thither； then any
handsomnesse she perceyved in him。
Calandrino threw wanton glances at her； and seeing she was both
faire and lovely； began to finde some occasion of tarrying； so that he
returned not with water to his other associates； yet neither knowing
her； or daring to deliver one word。 She； who was not to learn her
lesson in alluring； noting what affectionate regards （with
bashfulnesse） he gave her： answered him more boldly with the like； but
meerly in scorning manner； breathing forth divers dissembled sighs
among them： so that Calandrino became foolishly inveigled with her
love； and would not depart out of the Court； until Phillippo； standing
above in his Chamber window called her thence。
When Calandrino was returned backe to his businesse； he could do
nothing else； but shake the head； sigh； puffe； and blowe； which
being observed by Bruno （who alwayes fitted him according to his
folly； as making a meer mockery of his very best behaviour） sodainly
he said。 Why how now Calandrino？ Sigh； puffe； and blow man？ What may
be the reason of these unwonted qualities？ Calandrino immediately
answered； saying： My friendly Companion Bruno； if I had one to lend me
a little helpe； I should very quickely become well enough。 How？ quoth
Bruno； doth any thing offend thee； and wilt thou not reveale it to thy
friend Deare Bruno； said Calandrino； there is a proper handsome
woman here in the house； the goodliest creature that ever any eye
beheld； much fairer then the Queen of Fairies her selfe； who is so
deeply falne in love with mee； as thou wouldst thinke it no lesse then
a wonder； and yet I never sawe her before； till yer while when I was
sent to fetch water。 A very strange case； answered Bruno； take heede
Calandrino； that shee bee not the lovely friend to Phillippo； our yong
Master； for then it may prove a dangerous matter。
Calandrino stood scratching his head an indifferent while； and
then sodainly replyed thus。 Now trust me Bruno； it is to bee
doubted； because he called