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then sodainly replyed thus。 Now trust me Bruno； it is to bee
doubted； because he called her at his Window； and she immediatly
went up to his Chamber。 But what doe I care if it be so？ Have not
the Gods themselves bene beguiled of their Wenches； who were better
men then ever Phillippo can be； and shall I stand in feare of him？
Bruno replied： Be patient Calandrino； I will enquire what Woman she
is； and if she be not the wife or friend to our young master
Phillippo； with faire perswasions I can over…rule the matter；
because shee is a familiar acquaintance of mine。 But how shall wee
doe； that Buffalmaco may not know heereof？ I can never speake to
her； if hee be in my company。 For Buffalmaco （quoth Calandrino） I have
no feare at all； but rather of Nello； because he is a neer Kinsman
to my wife； and he is able to undo me quite； if once it should come to
his hearing。 Thou saist well； replyed Bruno； therefore the matter hath
neede to be very cleanly carried。
Now let me tell you； the Woman was well enough knowne to Bruno； as
also her quality of life； which Phillippo had acquainted him
withall； and the reason of her resorting thither。 Wherefore；
Calandrino going forth of the roome where they wrought； onely to gaine
another sight of Nicholetta； Bruno revealed the whole history to
Buffalmaco and Nello； they all concluding together； how this amorous
fit of the foole was to be followed。 And when Calandrino was
returned backe againe； in whispering maner Bruno said to him。 Hast
thou once more seene her？ Yes； yes Bruno； answered Calandrino： Alas；
she hath slaine me with her very eye； and I am no better then a dead
man。 Be patient said Bruno； I will goe and see whether she be the same
woman which I take her for； or no： and if it prove so； then never
feare； but refer the businesse unto me。
Bruno descending downe the staires； found Phillippo and Nicholetta
in conference together； and stepping unto them； discoursed at large；
what manner of man Calandrino was； and how farre he was falne in
love with her： so that they made a merry conclusion； what should be
performed in this case； onely to make a pastime of his hot begun love。
And being come backe againe to Calandrino； he saide。 It is the same
woman whereof I told thee； and therefore wee must worke wisely in
the businesse： for if Phillippo perceive any thing； all the water in
Arno will hardly serve to quench his fury。 But what wouldst thou
have me say to her on thy behalfe； if I compasse the meanes to
speake with her？ First of all （quoth Calandrino） and in the prime
place； tell her； that I wish infinite bushels of those blessings；
which makes Maides Mothers； and begetteth children。 Next； that I am
onely hers； in any service she wil command me。 Dooest thou
understand me what I say？ Sufficiently answered Bruno； leave all to
me。
When supper time was come； that they gave over working； and were
descended downe into the Court： there they found Phillippo and
Nicholetta readily attending to expect some beginning of amorous
behaviour； and Calandrino glanced such leering lookes at her； coughing
and spetting with hummes and haes； yea in such close and secret
manner； that a starke blinde sight might verie easily have perceyved
it。
She also on the other side； returned him such queint and cunning
carriage； as enflamed him farre more furiously； even as if hee were
ready to leape out of himselfe。 In the meane while； Phillippo；
Buffalmaco and the rest that were there present； seeming as if they
were seriouslie consulting together； and perceived nothing of his
fantastick behavior； according as Bruno had appointed； could scarse
refraine from extremity of laughter； they noted such antick trickes in
Calandrino。
Having spent an indifferent space in this foppish folly； the houre of
parting came； but not without wonderful affliction to Calandrino；
and as they were going towards Florence； Bruno saide closely to
Calandrino。 I dare assure thee； that thou hast made her to consume and
melt； even like ice against the warme Sunne。 On my word； if thou
wouldst bring thy Gitterne； and sit downe by us； singing some few
amorous songs of thine owne making； when we are beneath about our
businesse in the Court： shee would presently leape out of the
Window； as being unable to tarry from thee。
I like thy counsell well Bruno； answered Calandrino； but shall I
bring my Gitterne thither indeed？ Yes； in any case； replied Bruno； for
Musicke is a matter of mighty prevailing。 Ah Bruno （quoth
Calandrino） thou wouldst not credit me in the morning； when I tolde
thee； how the very sight of my person had wounded her： I perceived
it at the very first looke of her owne； for shee had no power to
conceale it。 Who but my selfe could so soone have enflamed her
affection； and being a woman of such worth and beauty as shee is？
There are infinite proper handsome fellowes； that daily haunt the
company of dainty Damosels； yet are so shallow in the affayres of
love； as they are not able to win one wench of a thousand； no； not
with all the wit they have； such is their extreame follie and ill
fortune。
Then pausing a while； and sodainely rapping out a Lovers Oath or
two； thus he proceeded。 My dearest Bruno； thou shalt see how I can
tickle my Gitterne； and what good sport will ensue thereon。 If thou
dost observe me with judgement； why man； I am not so old as I seeme to
be； and she could perceive it at the very first view； yea； and she
shall finde it so too； when we have leysure to consult upon further
occasions： I finde my selfe in such a free and frolicke jocunditie
of spirit； that I will make her to follow me； even as a fond woman
doth after her child。
But beware； saide Bruno； that thou do not gripe her over…hard； and
in kissing； bee carefull of biting； because the teeth stand in thy
head like the pegges of a Lute； yet make a comely shew in thy faire
wide mouth； thy cheekes looking like two of our artificiall Roses；
swelling amiably； when thy jawes are well fild with meat。 Calandrino
hearing these hansome comnendations； thought himselfe a man of
action already； going； singing； and frisking before his companie so
lively； as if he had not bin in his skin。
On the morrow； carrying his Gitterne thither with him； to the no
little delight of his companions； hee both played and sung a whole
Bed…role of himselfe to any worke all the day： but loitering
fantastically； one while he gazed out at the window； then ran to the
gate； and oftentimes downe into the Court onely to have a sight of his
Mistresse。 She also （as cunningly） encountred all his ollies； by
such directions as Bruno gave her； and many more beside of her owne
devising； to quicken him still with new occasions： Bruno plaid the
Ambassador betweene them； in delivering the messages from
Calandrino； and then returning her answers to him。 Sometimes when
she was absent thence （which often hapned as occasions called her）
then he would write letters in her name； and bring them； as if they
were sent by her； to give him hope of what hee desired； but because
she was then among her kindred； yet she could not be unmindfull of
him。
In this manner； Bruno and Buffalmaco （who had the managing of this
amorous businesse） made a meere Gregory of poore Calandrino； causing
him somtimes to send her； one while a pretty peece of Ivory； then a
faire wrought purse； and a costly paire of knives； with other such
like friendly tokens： bringing him backe againe； as in requital of
them； counterfetted Rings of no valew； Bugles and bables； which he
esteemed as matters of great moment。 Moreover； at divers close and
sodain meetings； they made him pay for many dinners and suppers；
amounting to indifferent charges； onely to be careful in the
furtherance of his lovesuit； and to conceale it from his wife。
Having worne out three or foure months space in this fond and
frivolous manner； without any other successe then as hath bene
declared； and Calandrino perceiving； that the worke undertaken by
him and his fellowes； grew very neere uppon the finishing； which would
barre him of any longer resorting thither： hee began to solicite Bruno
more importunately； then all the while before he hadde done。 In regard
whereof Nicholett