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making him as desirous of her loving acceptance； as possibly she could
be of his： so that the commanding power of love； could not easily be
distinguished in which of them it had the greater predominance。 For
every day as he brought her fresh supply of woolles； and found her
seriously busied at her wheele： her soule would vent forth many
deepe sighes； and those sighes fetch floods of teares from her eyes；
thorough the singular good opinion she had conceyved of him； and
earnest desire to enjoy him。 Pasquino on the other side； as leysure
gave him leave for the least conversing with her： his disease was
every way answerable to hers； for teares stood in his eyes； sighes
flew abroad； to ease the poore hearts afflicting oppressions； which
though he was unable to conceale； yet would he seeme to clowd them
cleanly； by entreating her that his Masters worke might be neatly
performed； and with such speed as time would permit her； intermixing
infinite praises of her artificiall spinning； and affirming withall；
that the Quilles of Yearne received from her； were the choisest beauty
of the whole peece； so that when other workewomen played； Simonida was
sure to want no employment。
Hereupon； the one soliciting； and the other taking delight in
being solicited； it came to passe； that often accesse bred the
bolder courage； and over…much bashfulnesse became abandoned； yet no
immodesty passing betweene them： but affection grew the better
setled in them both； by interchangeable vowes of constant
perseverance； so that death onely； but no disaster else had power to
divide them。 Their mutuall delight continuing on in this manner；
with more forcible encreasing of their Loves equall flame： it
fortuned； that Pasquino sitting by Simonida； told her of a goodly
Garden； whereto he was desirous to bring her； to the end； that they
might the more safely converse together； without the suspition of
envious eyes。 Simonida gave answer of her wellliking the motion； and
acquainting her Father therewith； he gave her leave； on the Sunday
following after dinner； to go fetch the pardon of S。 Gallo； and
afterwards to visit the Garden。
A modest yong maiden named Lagina； following the same profession；
and being an intimate familiar friend； Simonida tooke along in her
company； and came to the Garden appointed by Pasquino； where she found
him readily expecting her comming； and another friend also with him；
called Puccino （albeit more usually tearmed Strambo） a secret
well…willer to Lagina； whose love became the more furthered by his
friendly meeting。 Each Lover delighting in his hearts chosen
Mistresse； caused them to walke alone by themselves； as the
spaciousnesse of the Garden gave them ample liberty： Puccino with
his Lagina in one part； and Pasquino with his Simonida in another。 The
walke which they had made choise of； was by a long and goodly bed of
Sage； turning and returning by the same bed their conference ministred
occasion； and as they pleased to recreate themselves； affecting rather
to continue still there； then in any part of the Garden。
One while they would sit downe by the Sage bed； and afterward rise
to walke againe； as ease and wearinesse seemed to invite them。 At
length； Pasquino chanced to crop a leafe of the Sage； wherewith he
both rubbed his teeth and gummes； and champing it betweene them
also； saying； that there was no better thing in the world to cleanse
the teeth withall； after feeding。 Not long had he thus champed the
Sage in his teeth； returning to his former kinde of discoursing； but
his countenance began to change very pale； his sight failed； and
speech forsooke him； so that （in briefe） he fell downe dead。 Which
when Simonida beheld； wringing her hands； she cryed out for helpe to
Strambo and Lagina； who immediately came running to her。 They
finding Pasquino not onely to be dead； but his body swolne； and
strangely over…spred with foule black spots； both on his face；
hands； and all parts else beside： Strambo cried out； saying； Ah wicked
maide； what hast thou poisoned him？
These words and their shrill out…cries also were heard by Neighbours
dwelling neere to the Garden； who comming in sodainly uppon them；
and seeing Pasquino lying dead； and hugely swoln； Strambo likewise
complaining； and accusing Simonida to have poysoned him； she making no
answer； but standing in a gastly amazement； all her senses meerely
confounded； at such a strange and uncouth accident； in loosing him
whom she so dearely loved： knew not how to excuse…her selfe； and
therefore every one verily beleeved； that Strambo had not unjustly
accused her。 Poore wofull maide； thus was she instantly apprehended；
and drowned in her teares； they led her along to the Potes。 tates
Palace； where her accusation was justified by Strambo； Lagina； and two
men more； the one named Atticciato； and the other Malagevole； fellowes
and companions with Pasquino； who came into the Garden also upon the
out…cry。
The Judge； without any delay at all； gave eare to the busines； and
examined the case very strictly： but could by no meanes comprehend；
that any malice should appeare in her towards him； nor that she was
guiltie of the mans death。 Wherefore； in the presence of Simonida；
he desired to see the dead body； and the place where he fell downe
dead； because there he intended to have her relate； how she saw the
accident to happen； that her owne speeches might the sooner condemne
her； whereas the case yet remained doubtfull； and farre beyond his
comprehension。 So； without any further publication； and to avoid the
following of the turbulent multitude； they departed from the bench
of Justice； and came to the place； where Pasquinoes body lay swolne
like a Tunne。 Demanding there questions； concerning his behaviour；
when they walked there in conference together； and； not a little
admiring the manner of his death； while he stood advisedly considering
thereon。
She going to the bed of Sage； reporting the whole precedent history；
even from the originall to the ending： the better to make the case
understood； without the least colour of ill carriage towardes
Pasquino； according as she had seene him do； even so o she plucke
another leafe of the Sage； rubbing her teeth therewith； and champing
it as he formerly did。 Strambo； and the other intimate friends of
Pasquino； having noted in what manner she used the Sage； and this
appearing as her utmost refuge； either to acquit or condemne her： in
presence of the Judge they smiled thereat； mocking and deriding
whatsoever she saide； or did； and desiring （the more earnestly） the
sentence of death against her； that her body might be consumed with
fire； as a just punishment for her abhominable transgression。
Poore Simonida； sighing and sorrowing for her deere loves losse； and
（perhappes） not meanly terrified； with the strict infliction of
torment so severely urged and followed by Strambo and the rest
standing dumb still； without answering so much as one word； by tasting
of the same Sage； fell downe dead by the bed； even by the like
accident Pasquino formerly did； to the admirable astonishment of all
there present。
Oh poore infortunate Lovers； whose Starres were so inauspicious to
you； as to finish both your mortall lives； and fervent love； in
lesse limitation then a dayes space。 How to censure of your deaths；
and happines to ensue thereon； by an accident so strange and
inevitable： it is not within the compasse of my power； but to hope the
best； and so I leave you。 But yet concerning Simonida her selfe； in
the common opinion of us that remaine living： her true vertue and
innocency （though Fortune was otherwise most cruell to her） would
not suffer her to sinke under the testimony of Strambo； Lagina；
Atticciato； and Malagevole； being but carders of wool； or perhaps of
meaner condition； a happier course was ordained for her； to passe
clearely from their infamous imputation； and follow her Pasquino； in
the very same manner of death； and with such a speedy expedition。
The Judge standing amazed； and all there present in his company；
were silent for a long while together： but； uppon better
recollection of his spirits； thus he spake。 This inconvenience which
thus hath ha