第80章

Every one commended the Queens deliberation, concluding that it shold be accordingly prosecuted: and thereupon, the master of the houshold was called, to give him order for that evenings Table service, and what else concerned the time of the Queenes Royalty, wherein he was sufficiently instructed: which being done, the company arose, licensing every one to doe what they listed.The Ladies and Gentlemen walked to the Garden, and having sported themselves there a while; when the houre of supper came, they sate downe, and fared very daintily.Being risen from the Table, according to the Queenes command, Madam Aemilia led the dance, and the ditty following, was sung by Madam Pampinea, being answered by all the rest, as a Chorus.

THE SONG

And if not I, what Lady else can sing, Of those delights, which kind contentment bring?

Come, come, sweet Love, the cause of my chiefe good, Of all my hopes, the firme and full effect;Sing wee together, but in no sad mood, Of sighes or teares, which joy doth countercheck:

Stolne pleasures are delightfull in the taste, But yet Loves fire is oftentimes too fierce;Consuming comfort with ore-speedy haste, Which into gentle hearts too far doth pierce.

And if not I, etc.

The first day that I felt this fiery heate, So sweete a passion did possesse my soule, That though I found the torment sharp, and great;Yet still me thought t'was but a sweete controule.

Nor could I count it rude, or rigorous, Taking my wound from such a piercing eye:

As made the paine most pleasing, gracious, That I desire in such assaults to die.

And if not I, etc.

Grant then great God of Love, that I may still Enjoy the benefit of my desire;And honour her with all my deepest skill, That first enflam'd my heart with holy fire.

To her my bondage is free liberty, My sicknesse health, my tortures sweet repose;Say shee the word, in full felicity All my extreames joyne in an happy close.

Then if not I, what Lover else can sing, Of those delights which kind contentment bring?

After this Song was ended, they sung divers other beside, and having great variety of instruments' they played to them as many pleasing dances.But the Queene considering that the meete houre for rest was come, with their lighted Torches before them, they all repaired to their Chambers; sparing the other dayes next succeeding, for those reasons by the Queene alledged, and spending the Sunday in solemne devotion.

THE INDUCTION TO THE THIRD DAY

UPON WHICH DAY, ALL MATTERS TO BE DISCOURSED ON, DOE PASSEUNDER THE REGIMENT OF MADAM NEIPHILA: CONCERNING SUCH PERSONSAS (BY THEIR WIT AND INDUSTRY) HAVE ATTAINED TO THEIR LONGWISHED DESIRES, OR RECOVERED SOMETHING, SUPPOSED TO BE LOSTThe morning put on a vermillion countenance and made the Sunne to rise blushing red, when the Queene (and all the faire company) were come abroad forth of their Chambers; the Seneshall or great Master of the Houshold, having (long before); sent all things necessary to the place of their next intended meeting.And the people which prepared there every needfull matter, suddainely when they saw the Queene was setting forward, charged all the rest of their followers, as if it had beene prepatation for a Campe; to make hast away with the carriages, the rest of the Familie remaining behind, to attend upon the Ladies and Gentlemen.

With a milde, majesticke, and gentle pace, the Queene rode on, being followed by the other Ladies, and the three young Gentlemen, taking their way towards the West; conducted by the musicall notes of sweete singing Nightingales, and infinite other pretty Birds beside, riding in a tract not much frequented, but richly abounding with faire hearbes and flowres, which by reason of the Sunnes high mounting, beganne to open their bosome.

But, after the dayes warmth was more mildely qualified, and every one had made benefit of their best content: they went (by order sent from the Queene) into the Meadow where the Fountaine stood, and being set about it, as they used to do in telling their Tales (the argument appointed by the Queene being propounded) the first that had the charge imposed, was Philostratus, who began in this manner.

THE THIRD DAY, THE FIRST NOVELL

WHEREIN IS DECLARED, THAT VIRGINITY IS VERY HARDLY TO BEKEPT IN ALL PLACES

Massetto di Lamporechio, by counterfetting himselfe to be dumbe, became a Gardiner in a Monastery of Nunnes, where he had familiar conversation with them all.

Most worthy Ladies, there wants no store of men and women, that are so simple, as to credit for a certainty, that so soon as a yong virgin hath the veile put on hir head, and the black Cowle given to cover withall, she is no longer a woman, nor more sensible of feminine affections, then as if in turning Nun, shee became converted to a stone.And if (perchance) they heard some matters, contrary to their former perswasion; then they grow so furiously offended, as if one had committed a most foule and enormous sinne, directly against the course of Nature.And the torrent of this opinion burries them on so violently, that they wil admit no leisure to consider, how (in such a scope of liberty) they have power to doe what they list, yea beyond all meanes of sufficient satisfying, never remembring how potent the priviledge of idlenes is, especially when it is backt by solitude.In like manner, there are other people now, who verily beleeve, that the Spade and Pickaxe, grosse feeding and labour, do quench al sensual and fleshly concupiscence, yea, in such as till and husband the ground, by making them dull, blockish, and (almost)meere senslesse of understanding.But I will approve (according as the Queene hath commanded me, and within the compasse of her direction) by a short and pleasant Tale; how greatly they are abused by errour, that build upon so weake a foundation.