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Phisicke； I would not have them to imagine； that it was meant for
them； albeit men have a common Proverbe； to wit。
As the good horse and bad horse； doe both need the spurre。
So a good wife and bad wife； a wand will make stirre。
Which saying； whosoever doth interpret it in such pleasing manner as
they ought； shal find it （as you al wil affirm no lesse） to be very
true： especially in the morall meaning； it is beyond all
contradiction。 Women are naturally all unstable； and easily
enclining to misgovernment； wherefore to correct the iniquity of
such a distemperature in them that out…step the tearmes and bounds
of womanhood； a wand hath been allowed for especiall phisicke。 As in
the like manner； for support of vertue； in those of contrary
condition； shaming to be sullyed with so grosse a sinne： the
correcting Wand may serve as a walking staffe； to protect them from
all other feares。 But； forbearing to teach any longer； let mee proceed
to my purpose； and tell you my Novell。
In those ancient and reverend dayes； wherof I am now to speake；
the high renowne and admirable wisedome of Salomon； King of Great
Brittain； was most famous throughout all parts of the world； for
answering all doubtfull questions and demaunds whatsoever； that
possibly could be propounded to him。 So that many resorted to him；
from the most remote and furthest off countreyes； to heare his
miraculous knowledge and experience； yea； and to crave his counsell；
in matters of greatest importance。 Among the rest of them which
repaired thither； was a rich yong Gentleman； honourably descended；
named Melisso； who came from the City of Laiazzo； where he was both
borne； and dwelt。
In his riding towards France； as he passed by Naples； hee
overtooke another yong Gentleman； a native of Antioch； and named
Giosefo； whose journey lay the same way as the others did。 Having
ridden in company some few dayes together； as it is a custome commonly
observed among Travellers； to understand one anothers Countrey and
condition； as also to what part his occasions call him： so happened it
with them； Giosefo directly telling him； that he journyed； towards the
wise King Salomon； to desire his advise what meanes he should
observe in the reclaiming of a wilfull wife； the most froward and
selfe…willed woman that ever lived； whom neither faire perswasions；
nor gentle courtesies could in any manner prevaile withall。
Afterward he demaunded of Melisso； to know the occasion of his
travell； and whither。
Now trust me Sir； answered Melisso； I am a native of Laiazzo； and as
you are vexed with one great mis…fortune； even so am I offended with
another。 I am young； wealthy； well derived by birth； and allow
liberall expences； for maintaining a worthy table in my house； without
distinguishing persons by their rancke and quality； but make it free
for all commers； both of the city； and all places els。 Notwithstanding
all which bounty and honourable entertainement； I cannot meet with any
man that loveth me。 In which respect； I journey to the same place as
you doe； to crave the counsell of so wise a King； what I should doe；
whereby I might procure men to love me。 Thus like two well…met
friendly companions； they rode on together； untill they arrived in
Great Britaine； where； by meanes of the Noble Barons attending on
the King； they were brought before him。 Melisso delivered his minde in
very few words； whereto the King made no other answere； but this：
Learne to love。 Which was no sooner spoken； but Melisso was
dismissed from the Kings presence。
Giosefo also relating； wherefore he came thither； the King
replying onely thus： Goe to the Goose Bridge： and presently Giosefo
had also his dismission from the King。 Comming forth； he found Melisso
attending for him； and revealed in what manner the King had answered
him： whereupon； they consulted together； concerning both their
answeres； which seemed either to exceed their comprehension； or else
was delivered them in meere mockery； and therefore （more then halfe
discontented） they returned homeward againe。
After they had ridden on a few dayes together； they came to a River；
over which was a goodly Bridge； and because a great company of
Horses and Mules （heavily laden； and after the manner of a Caravan
of Camels in Egypt） were first to passe over the saide Bridge； they
gladly stayed to permit their passe。 The greater number of them
being already past over； there was one shie and skittish Mule
（belike subject to fearefull starting； as oftentimes we see horses
have the like ill quality） that would not passe over the Bridge by any
meanes； wherefore one of the Muletters tooke a good Cudgell； and smote
her at the first gently； as hoping so to procure her passage。
Notwithstanding； starting one while backeward； then againe forward；
side…wayes； and every way indeed； but the direct Roadway she would not
goe。
Now grew the Muletter extreamely angry； giving her many cruell
stroakes； on the head； sides； flancks and all parts else； but yet they
proved to no purpose； which Melisso and Giosefo seeing； and being
（by this meanes） hindred of their passage； they called to the
Muletter； saying。 Foolish fellow； what doest thou？ Intendest thou to
kill the Mule？ why dost thou not leade her gently； which is the
likelier course to prevaile by； then beating and misusing her as
thou dost？ Content your selves Gentlemen （answered the Muletter） you
know your horses qualities； as I doe my Mules； let mee deale with
her as I please。 Having thus spoken； he gave her so many violent
strokes； on head； sides； hippes； and every where else； as made her
at last passe over the Bridge quietly； so that the Muletter wonne
the Mastery of his Mule。
When Melisso and Giosefo had passed over the Bridge； where they
intended to part each from other； a sudden motion happened into the
minde of Melisso； which caused him to demaund of an aged man （who sate
craving almes of Passengers at the Bridge foot） how the Bridge was
called： Sir； answered the old man； this is called； The Goose Bridge。
Which words when Giosefo heard； hee called to minde the saying of King
Salomon； and therefore immediately saide to Melisso。 Worthy friend；
and partner in my travell； I dare now assure sure that the counsell
given me by King Salomon； may fall out most effectall and true： For
I plainely perceive； that I knew not how to handle my selfe…will'd
wife； untill the Muletter did instruct me。 So； requesting still to
enjoy the others Company； they journeyed on； till at the length they
came to Laiazzo； where Giosefo retained Melisso still with him； for
some repose after so long a journey； and entertained him with very
honourable respect and courtesie。
One day Giosefo said to his Wife： Woman； this Gentleman is my
intimate friend； and hath borne me company in all my travell： such
dyet therfore as thou wilt welcome him withall； I would have it
ordered （in dressing） according to his direction。 Melisso perceiving
that Giosefo would needs have it to be so； in few words directed her
such a course； as （for ever） might be to her Husbands contentment。 But
she； not altring a jote from her former disposition； but rather
farre more froward and tempestuous： delighted to vexe and crosse
him； doing every thing quite contrary to the order appointed。 Which
Giosefo observing； angerly he said unto her。 Was it not tolde you by
my friend； in what manner he would have our Supper drest？ She
turning fiercely to him； replyed。 Am I to be directed by him or
thee？ Supper must and shall bee drest as I will have it： if it
pleaseth mee； I care not who doth dislike it； if thou wouldst have
it otherwise； goe seeke both your Suppers where you may have it。
Melisso marvelling at her froward answere； rebuked her for it in
very kind manner： whereupon； Giosefo spake thus to her。 I perceive
wife； you are the same woman as you were wount to be： but beleeve me
on my word； I shal quite alter you from this curst complexion。 So
turning to Melisso； thus he proceeded。 Noble friend； we shall try
anone； whether the counsell of King Salomon bee effectuall； or no； and
I pray you； let it not be offensive to you to see it； but rather
hold all to be done in merriment。 And