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present。 Misia my Chambermaid； and Licisca belonging to Philomena；
shall serve continually in the Kitchin； and diligently make ready such
Vyands； as shal be delivered them by Parmeno。 Chimera； waitingwoman to
Lauretta； and Stratilia appertaining to Fiammetta； shall have the
charge and governement of the Ladies Chambers； and preparing all
places where we shall be present。 Moreover； we will and commaund
everie one of them （as they desire to deserve our grace） that
wheresoever they goe or come； or whatsoever they heare or see： they
especially respect to bring us tydings of them。 After shee had
summarily delivered them these orders； very much commended of everie
one； she arose fairely； saying： Heere we have Gardens； Orchardes；
Medowes； and other places of sufficient pleasure； where every one
may sport and recreate themselves： but so soone as the ninth houre
striketh； then all to meet here againe； to dine in the coole shade。
This jocund company having received licence from their Queene to
disport themselves； the Gentlemen walked with the Ladies into a goodly
Garden； making Chaplets and Nosegayes of divers flowers； and singing
silently to themselves。 When they had spent the time limitted by the
Queene； they returned into the house； where they found that Parmeno
had effectually executed his office。 For； when they entred into the
hall； they saw the Tables covered with delicate white Napery； and
the glasses looking like silver； they were so transparantly cleere；
all the roome beside strewed with Flowers of Juniper。 When the Queen
and all the rest had washed； according as Parmeno gave order； so every
one was seated at the Table： the Viands （delicately drest） were served
in； and excellent wines plentifully delivered； none attending but
the three servants； and little or no lowd Table…talke passing among
them。
Dinner being ended； and the Tables withdrawne （all the Ladies； and
the Gentlemen likewise； being skilfull both in singing and dancing；
and playing on instruments artificially） the Queene commanded； that
divers Instruments should be brought； and （as she gave charge） Dioneus
tooke a Lute； and Fiammetta a Violl de gamba； and began to play an
excellent daunce。 Whereupon； the Queene with the rest of the Ladies；
and the other two young Gentlemen （having sent their attending
servants to dinner） paced foorth a daunce very majestically。 And
when the dance was ended； they sung sundry excellent Canzonets；
outwearing so the time； untill the Queene commanded them all to
rest； because the houre did necessarily require it。 The Gentlemen
having their Chambers farre severed from the Ladies； curiously strewed
with flowers； and their beds adorned in exquisite manner； as those
of the Ladies were not a jotte inferiour to them； the silence of the
night bestowed sweet rest on them al。 In the morning； the Queene and
all the rest being risen； accounting over much sleepe to be very
hurtfull； they walked abroad into a goodly Meadow； where the grasse
grew verdantly； and the beames of the Sun heated not overviolently；
because the shades of faire spreading Trees； gave a temperate
calmnesse； coole and gentle winds fanning their sweet breath
pleasingly among them。 All of them being there set downe in a round
ring； and the Queen in the middest； as being the appointed place of
eminency； she spake：
You see （faire company） that the Sunne is highly mounted； the
heate （elsewhere） too extreme for us； and therefore here is our
fittest refuge； the ayre being so coole； delicate； and acceptable； and
our folly well worthy reprehension； if we should walke further； and
speede worse。 Heere are Tables； Cards； and Chesse； as your
dispositions may bee addicted。 But if mine advice might passe for
currant； I would admit none of those exercises； because they are too
troublesome both to them that play； and such as looke on。 I could
rather wish； that some quaint discourse might passe among us； a tale
or fable related by some one； to urge the attention of all the rest。
And so wearing out the warmth of the day； one prety Novell will draw
on another； untill the Sun be lower declined； and the heates extremity
more diminished； to solace our selves in some other place； as to our
minds shall seeme convenient。 If therefore what I have sayde bee
acceptable to you （I purposing to follow in the same course of
pleasure；） let it appeare by your immediate answere； for； till the
Evening； I thinke we can devise no exercise more commodious for us。
The Ladies and Gentlemen allowed of the motion； to spend the time in
telling pleasant tales； whereupon the Queene saide： Seeing you have
approved mine advice； I grant free permission for this first day； that
every one shall relate； what to him or her is best pleasing。 And
turning her selfe to Pamphilus （who was seated on her right hand） gave
him favour； with one of his Novels； to begin the recreation： which
he not daring to deny； and perceiving generall attention prepared
for him； thus he began。