Now day drew on, and the Cockes began to crow, a dreadfull hearing to walking spirits, when Tingoccio said to Meucio.Farewell my friendly companion, for I may tarry no longer with thee, and instantly hee vanished away.Meucio having heard this confession of his friend, and verily beleeving it for a truth, that no punishment was to be inflicted in the future world, for offences of frailty in this life, and chiefly with Gossips: began to condemne his owne folly, having bin a Gossip to many wives, yet modesty restrained him from such familiar offending.And therefore being sorry for this grosse ignorance, hee made a vowe to be wiser hereafter.And if Fryar Reynard had been acquainted with this kind of shrift (as doubtlesse he was, though his Gossip Agnesia knew it not) he needed no such Syllogismes, as he put in practise, when he converted her to his lustfull knavery, in the comparison of kinred by him moved, concerning her husband, the childe and himselfe.But, these are the best fruits of such Fryerly Confessions, to compasse the issue of their inordinate appetites; yet clouded with the cloake of Religion, which hath beene the overthrow of too many.
By this time the gentle blast of Zephirus began to blow, because the Sunne grew neere his setting, wherewith the King concluded his Novell, and none remaining more to be thus imployed: taking the Crowne from off his owne head, he placed it on Madame Laurettaes, saying, Madame, I Crowne you with your owne Crowne, as Queene of our Company.You shall henceforth command as Lady and Mistresse, in such occasions as shall be to your liking, and for the contentment of us all; With which words he set him downe.And Madame Lauretta being now created Queene, shee caused the Master of the houshold to bee called, to whom she gave command, that the Tables should be prepared n the pleasant vally, but at a more convenient houre, then formerly had beene, because they might (with better ease) returne backe to the Pallace.Then shee tooke order likewise, for all such other necessary matters, as should bee required in the time of f Regiment:
and then turning her selfe to the whole Company, she began in this manner.
It was the Will of Dioneus yesternight, that our discourses for this day, should concerne the deceits of wives to their Husbands.And were it not to avoyde taxation, of a spleenitive desire to be revenged, like the dog being bitten, biteth againe: I could command our to morrows conference, to touch mens treacheries towards their wives.But because I am free from any such fiery humor, let it be your generall consideration, to speake of such queint beguylings, as have heretofore past, either of the woman to the man, the man to the woman, or of one man to another: and I am of opinion, that they will yeeld us no lesse delight, then those related (this day) have done.When she had thus spoken, she rose; granting them all liberty, to goe recreate themselves untill Supper time.
The Ladies being thus at their owne disposing, some of them bared their legges and feete, to wash them in the coole current.Others, not so minded, walked on the greene grasse, and under the goodly spread:
trees.Dioneus and Madame Fiammetta, they sate singing together, the love-warre between Arcit and Palemon.And thus with diversity of disports, in choice delight and much contentment, all were imployed, till Supper drew neere.When the houre re come, and the Tables covered by the Ponds side: we need not question their dyet and dainties, infinite Birds sweetly singing about them, as no musicke in the world could be more pleasing; beside calme windes, fanning their faces from the neighbouring hilles (free from flyes, or the least annoyance)made a delicate addition to their pleasure.
No sooner were the Tables withdrawne, and all risen: but they fetcht a few turnings about the vally, because the Sunne was not (as yet)quite set.Then in the coole evening, according to the Queenes appointment: in a soft and gentle pace, they walked homeward: devising on a thousand occasions, as well those which the dayes discourses had yeelded, as others of their owne inventing beside.It was almost darke night, before they arrived at the Pallace; where, with variety of choice Wines, and abounding plenty of rare Banquetting, they out wore the little toile and wearinesse, which the long walke had charged them withall.Afterward, according to their wonted order, the Instruments being brought and played on, they fell to dancing about the faire Fountaine; Tindaro intruding (now and then) the sound of his Bagpipe, to make the musicke seeme more melodious.But in the end, the Queene commanded Madame Philomena to sing; whereupon the Instruments being tuned fit for the purpose, thus she began.
THE SONG
THE CHORUS SUNG BY THE WHOLE COMPANY
Wearisome is my life to me, Because I cannot once againe returne;Unto the place which made me first to mourne.
Nothing I know, yet feele a powerfull fire, Burning within my brest, Through deepe desire;To be once more where first I felt unrest, Which cannot be exprest.
O my sole good! O my best happinesse!
Why am I thus restrainde?
Is there no comfort in this wretchednesse?
Then let me live content, to be thus painde.
Wearisome is my life to me, etc,I cannot tell what was that rare delight, Which first enflamde my soule, And gave command in spight, That I should find no ease by day or night, But still live in controule.
I see, I heare, and feele a kinde of blisse, Yet find no forme at all:
Other in their desire, feele blessednesse, But I have none, nor thinke I ever shall.
Wearisome is my life to me, etc.
Tell me, if I may hope in following dayes, To have but one poore sight, Of those bright Sunny rayes, Dazeling my sence, did overecome me quite, Bequeath'd to wandring wayes.
If I be poasted off, and may not prove, To have the smallest grace:
Or but to know, that this proceeds from love, Why should I live despisde in every place?
Wearisome is my life to me, etc.
