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more importunately； then all the while before he hadde done。 In regard
whereof Nicholetta being one day come thither； and Bruno having
conferred both with her and Phillippo； with ful determination what was
to be done； he began with Calandrino； saying。 My honest Neighbour
and Friend； this Woman hath made a thousand promises； to graunt what
thou art so desirous to have； and I plainly perceive that she hath
no such meaning； but meerely plaies with both our noses。 In which
respect； seeing she is so perfidious； and will not perfourme one of
all her faithfull…made promises： if thou wilt consent to have it so；
she shall be compelled to do it whether she will or no。 Yea marry
Bruno； answered Calandrino； that were an excellent course indeede；
if it could be done； and with expedition。
Bruno stood musing awhile to himselfe； as if he had some strange
stratagem in his braine； and afterward said。 Hast thou so much
corage Calandrino； as but to handle a peece of written parchment；
which I will give thee？ Yes； that I have answered Calandrino； I hope
that needed not to be doubted。 then； saide Bruno； procure that I may
have a piece of Virgin Parchment brought mee； with a living Bat or
Reremouse； three graines of Incense； and an hallowed Candle； then
leave me to effect what shal content thee。 Calandrino watched all
the next night following； with such preparation as he could make；
onely to catch a Bat； which being taken at the last； he broght it
alive to Bruno （with all the other materials appointed） who taking him
alone into a backer Chamber； there hee wrote divers follies on the
Parchment； in the shape of strange and unusuall Charracters； which
he delivered to Calandrino； saying： Be bold Calandrino； and build
constantly uppon my wordes； that if thou canst but touch her with this
sacred Charractred charme； she will immediately follow thee； and
fulfil whatsoever thou pleasest to command hir。 Wherefore； if
Phillippo do this day walke any whither abroad from this house；
presume to salute her； in any manner whatsoever it be； and touching
her with the written lines； go presently to the barn of hay； which
thou perceivest so neere adjoyning； the onely convenient place that
can be； because few or none resort thither。 She shall （in despight
of her blood） follow thee； and when thou hast her there； I leave
thee then to thy valiant victory。 Calandrino stood on tiptoe； like a
man newly molded by Fortune； and warranted Bruno to fulfil all
effectually。
Nello； whom Calandrino most of all feared and mistrusted； had a hand
as deepe as any of the rest in this deceite； and was as forward also
to have it performed； by Brunoes direction； hee went unto Florence；
where being in company with Calandrinoes Wife； thus hee began。
Cousine； thine unkinde usage by thine husband； is not unknown to me；
how he did beate thee （beyond the compasse of all reason） when he
brought home stones from the plain of Mugnone； in which regard； I am
very desirous to have thee revenged on him： which if thou wilt not do；
never repute me heereafter for thy Kinsman and Friend。 He is falne
in love with a Woman of the common gender； one that is to be hired for
money： he hath his private meetings with her； and the place is
partly knowne to me； as by a secret appointment （made very lately） I
am credibly given to understand； wherefore walke presently along
with me； and thou shalt take him in the heat of his knavery。
All the while as these words were uttering to her； shee could not
dissemble her inward impatience； but starting up as halfe franticke
with fury。 she said。 O notorious villaine！ Darest thou abuse thine
honest wife so basely？ I sweare by blessed Saint Bridget； thou shalt
be paid with coyne of thine owne stampe。 So casting a light wearing
Cloake about her； and taking a yong woman in her company； shee went
away with Nello in no meane haste。 Bruno seeing her comming a farre
off； said to Phillippo： You Sir； you know what is to be done； act your
part according to your appointment。 Phillippo went immediately into
the roome； where Calandrino and his other Consorts were at worke；
and said to them。 Honest friends； I have certaine occasions which
command mine instant being at Florence： worke hard while I am
absent； and I will not be unthankefull for it。 Away hee departed
from them； and hid himselfe in a convenient place； where he could
not be descryed； yet see whatsoever Calandrino did： who when he
imagined Phillippo to be farre enough off； descended downe into the
Court； where he found Nicholetta sitting alone； and going towards her；
began to enter into discoursing with her。
She knowing what remained to bee done on her behalfe； drew
somewhat neere him； and shewed her selfe more familiar then formerly
she had done： by which favourable meanes； he touched her with the
charmed Parchment； which was no sooner done； but with out using any
other kinde of language； hee went to the hay…Barne； whither
Nicholletta followed him； and both being entred； he closed the Barne
doore； and then stood gazing on her； as if hee had never seene her
before。 Standing stil as in a study； or bethinking himselfe what he
should say： she began to use affable gesture to him； and taking him by
the hand； made shew as if shee meant to kisse him； which yet she
refrained； though he （rather then his life） would gladly have had
it。 Why how now deare Calandrino （quoth she） jewell of my joy； comfort
of my heart； how many times have I longed for thy sweet Company？ And
enjoying it now； according to mine owne desire； dost thou stand like a
Statue； or man alla morte？ The rare tunes of the Gitterne； but （much
more） the melodious accents of thy voyce； excelling Orpheus or
Amphion； so ravished my soule； as I know not how to expresse the depth
of mine affection； and yet hast thou brought me hither； onely to looke
babies in mine eyes； and not so much as speake one kinde word to me？
Bruno and Buffalmaco； having hid themselves close behinde
Philippo； they both heard and saw all this amourous conflict； and as
Calandrino was quickning his courage； and wiping his mouth； with
intent to kisse her： his wife and Nello entred into the Barne； which
caused Nicholetta to get her gone presently； sheltring her self
where Philippo lay scouting。 But the enraged woman ranne furiously
upon poore daunted Calandrino； making such a pitiful massacre with her
nailes； and tearing the baire from his head； as hee meerely looked
like an infected Anatomy。 Fowle loathsome dog （quoth she） must you
be at your minions； and leave mee hunger…starved at home？ An olde
knave with （almost） never a good tooth in thy head； and yet art thou
neighing after young wenches？ hast thou not worke enough at home；
but must bee gadding in to other mens grounds？ Are these the fruites
of wandring abroad？
Calandrino being in this pittifull perplexity； stood like one neither
alive nor dead； nor daring to use any resistance against her； but fell
on his knees before his Wife； holding up his hands for mercy； and
entreating her （for charities sake） not to torment him any more： for
he had committed no harme at all； and the Gentlewoman was his
Masters Wife； who came with no such intent thither； as shee fondly
imagined。 Wife； or wife not （quoth she） I would have none to meddle
with my I but I that have the most right to him。
Bruno and Buffalmaco； who had laughed all this while heartily at
this pastime； with Phillippo and Nicholetta； came running in haste
to know the reason of this loude noise； and after they had pacified
the woman with gentle perswasions： they advised Calandrino； to walke
with his Wife to Florence； and returne no more to worke there
againe； least Phillippo hearing what had hapned； should be revenged on
him with some outrage。 Thus poore Calandrino miserably misused and
beaten； went home to Florence with his Wife； scoulded and raild at all
the way； beside his other molestations （day and night） afterward：
his Companions； Phillippo and Nicholetta； making themselves merry at
his mis…fortune。
THE NINTH DAY； THE SIXT NOVELL
WHEREIN IS MANIFESTED； THAT AN OFFENCE COMMITTED IGNORANTLY；
AND BY MISTAKING； OUGHT TO BE COVERED WITH GOOD A