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really resembling the first made Ring； that himselfe （when he had them
in his hand） could not distinguish which was the right one。
Lying upon his death…bed； and his Sonnes then plying him by their
best opportunities； he gave to each of them a Ring。 And they （after
his death） presuming severally upon their right to the inheritance and
honor； grew to great contradiction and square： each man producing then
his Ring； which were so truely all alike in resemblance； as no one
could know the right Ring from the other。 And therefore； suite in Law；
to distinguish the true heire to his Father； continued long time；
and so it dooth yet to this very day。 In like manner my good Lord；
concerning those three Lawes given by God the Father； to three such
people as you have propounded： each of them do imagine that they
have the heritage of God； and his true Law； and also duely to performe
his Commandements； but which of them do so indeede； the question （as
of the three Rings） is yet remaining。
Saladine well perceyving； that the Jew was too cunning to bee caught
in his snare； and had answered so well； that to doe him further
violence； would redound unto his perpetuall dishonour； resolved to
reveale his neede and extremity； and try if hee would therein friendly
sted him。 Having disclosed the matter； and how he purposed to have
dealt with him； if he had not returned so wise an answere； the Jew
lent him so great a sum of money as hee demanded； and Saladine repayed
it againe to him justly； giving him other great gifts beside：
respecting him as his especiall friend； and maintaining him in very
honourable condition； neere unto his owne person。
THE FIRST DAY； THE FOURTH NOVELL
WHEREIN MAY BEE NOTED； THAT SUCH MEN AS WILL REPROVE THOSE
ERROURS IN OTHERS； WHICH REMAINE IN THEMSELVES； COMMONLY ARE
THE AUTHORS OF THEIR OWNE REPREHENSION
A Monke having committed an offence； deserving to be very greevously
punished； freed himselfe from the paine to be inflicted on him； by
wittily reprehending his Abbot； with the very same fault。
So ceased Madame Philotnena； after the conclusion of her Tale：
when Dioneus sitting next unto her； （without tarrying for any other
command from the Queene； knowing by the order formerly begun； that hee
was to follow in the same course） spake in this manner。
Gracious Ladies； if I faile not in understanding your generall
intention； we are purposely assembled heere to tell Tales； and
especially such as may please our selves。 In which respect； because
nothing shold be done disorderly； I hold it lawfull for every one
（as our Queene decreed before her Dignity） to relate such a
Noveltie； as in their owne judgement may cause most contentment。
Wherefore having heard that by the good admonitions of Jehannot de
Chevigny； Abraham the Jew was advised to the salvation of his soule；
and Melchisedech （by his witty understanding） defended his riches from
the traines of Saladine： I now purpose to tell you in a few plaine
words； without feare of receiving any reprehension； how cunningly a
Monke compassed his deliverance； from a punishment intended towards
him。
There was in the Country of Lunigiana （which is not far distant from
our owne） a Monastery； which sometime was better furnished with
holinesse and Religion； then now adayes they are： wherein lived （among
divers other） a yong Novice Monke； whose hot and lusty disposition
（being in the vigour of his yeeres） was such； as neither Fasts nor
prayers had any great power over him。 It chanced on a fasting day
about high noon； when all the other Monkes were asleep in their
Dormitaries or Dorters； this frolicke Friar was walking alone in their
Church； which stoode in a very solitarie place； where ruminating on
many matters by himselfe； hee espyed a prettie handsome Wench （some
Husbandmans daughter in the Countrey； that had beene gathering
rootes and hearbes in the field） upon her knees before in Altar；
whom he had no sooner seene； but immediately hee felt effeminate
temptations； and such as ill fitted with his profession。
Lascivious desire； and no religious devotion； made him draw neere
her； and whether under shrift （the onely cloake to compasse carnal
affections） or some other as close conference to as pernitious and
vile a purpose； I know not： but so farre he prevailed upon her
frailety； and such a bargaine passed betweene them； that from the
Church； he wonne her to his Chamber； before any person could
perceive it。 Now； while this yong lusty Monke （transported with
overfond affection） was more carelesse of his dalliance； then he
should have bene： the Lord Abbot being newly arisen from sleepe； and
walking softly about the Cloyster； came to the Monkes Dorter doore；
where hearing what noyse was made betweene them； and a feminine
voyce more strange then hee was wont to heare； he layed his eare close
to the Chamber doore； and plainly perceived； that a woman was
within。 Wherewith being much moved； he intended sodainly to make him
open the doore； but （upon better consideration） hee conceyved it farre
more fitting for him； to returne backe to his owne Chamber； and
tarry till the Monke should come forth。
The Monke； though his delight with the Damosell was extraordinary；
yet feare and suspition followed upon it； for； in the very height of
all his wantonnesse； he heard a soft treading about the doore。 And
prying thorow a small crevice in the same dore； perceived apparantly；
that the Abbot himselfe stood listening there； and could not be
ignorant but that the Maide was with him in the Chamber。 As after
pleasure ensueth paine； for the veniall Monke knew well enough （though
wanton heate would not let him heede it before） that most greevous
punishment must bee inflicted on him； which made him sad beyond all
measure： Neverthelesse； without disclosing his dismay to the yong
Maiden； he began to consider with himselfe on many meanes； whereby
to find out one that might best fit his turne。 And suddenly
conceited an apt stratagem； which sorted to such effect as he would
have it： whereupon； seeming satisfied for that season； he tolde the
Damosell； that （being carefull of her credit） as hee had brought her
in unseene of any； so he would free her from thence againe； desiring
her to tarrie there （without making any noyse at all） untill such time
as he returned to her。
Going forth of the chamber； and locking it fast with the key； he
went directly to the Lord Abbots lodging； and delivering him the saide
key （as every Monke used to doe the like； when he went abroade out
of the Convent） setting a good countenance on the matter； boldly
saide； My Lord； I have not yet brought in all my part of the wood；
which lieth ready cut downe in the Forrest； and having now
convenient time to doe it； if you please to give me leave； I will
goe and fetch it。 The Abbot perswading himselfe； that he had not beene
discovered by the Monke； and to be resolved more assuredly in the
offence committed； being not a little jocund of so happy an
accident； gladly tooke the key； and gave him leave to fetch the wood。
No sooner was he gone； but the Abbot beganne to consider with
himselfe； what he were best to doe in this case； either （in the
presence of all the other Monkes） to open the Chamber doore； that so
the offence being knowne to them all； they might have no occasion of
murmuring against him； when he proceeded in the Monkes punishment；
or rather should first understand of the Damosell her selfe； how；
and in what manner shee was brought thither。 Furthermore； he
considered； that shee might be a woman of respect； or some such mans
daughter； as would not take it well； to have her disgraced before
all the Monkes。 Wherefore hee concluded； first to see （himselfe）
what shee was； and then （afterward） to resolve upon the rest。 So going
very softly to the Chamber； and entring in； locked the doore fast with
the key； when the poore Damosell thinking it had beene the gallant
young Monke； but finding it to be the Lord Abbot； shee fell on her
knees weeping； as fearing now to receive publike shame； by being
betrayed in this unkinde manner。
My Lord Abbot looking demurely on the M