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THE NINTH DAY； THE FIRST NOVELL
APPROVING； THAT CHASTE AND HONEST WOMEN； OUGHT RATHER TO DENY
IMPORTUNATE SUITERS； BY SUBTILE AND INGENIOUS MEANES；
THEN FALL OF SCANDALL AND SLANDER
Madame Francesca； a Widdow of Pistoya； being affected by two
Florentine Gentlemen； the one named Rinuccio Palermini； and the
other Alessandro Chiarmontesi； and she bearing no good will to
eyther of them； ingeniously freed her selfe from both their
importunate suites。 One of them she caused to lye as dead in a
grave； and the other to fetch him from thence： so neither of them
accomplishing what they were enjoyned； fayled of obtaining his hoped
expectation。
Madame； it can no way discontent mee （seeing it is your most
gracious pleasure） that I should have the honour； to breake the
first staffe of freedome in this faire company （according to the
injunction of your Majesty） for liberty of our own best liking
arguments： wherein I dismay not （if I can speake well enough） but to
please you all as well； as any other that is to follow me。 Nor am I so
oblivious （worthy Ladies） but full well I remember； that many times
hath bene related in our passed demonstrations； how mighty and
variable the powers of love are： and yet I cannot be perswaded； that
they have all bene so sufficiently spoken of； but something may bee
further added； and the bottome of them never dived into； although we
should sit arguing a whole yeare together。 And because it hath beene
alreadie approved； that Lovers have bene led into divers accidents；
not onely inevitable dangers of death； but also have entred into the
verie houses of the dead； thence to convey their amorous friends： I
purpose to acquaint you with a Novell； beside them which have bene
discoursed； whereby you may not onely comprehend the power of Love；
but also the wisedome used by an honest Gentlewoman； to rid her
selfe of two importunate suiters； who loved her against her owne
liking； yet neither of them knowing the others affection。
In the City of Pistoya； there dwelt sometime a beautifull
Gentlewoman； being a Widdow； whom two of our Florentines （the one
named Rinuccio Palermini； and the other Alessandro Chiarmontesi；
having withdrawne themselves to Pistoya） desperately affected； the one
ignorant of the others intention； but each carrying his case
closely； as hoping to be possessed of her。 This Gentlewoman； named
Madame Francesca de Lazzari； being often solicited by their
messages； and troublesomely pestered with their importunities： at last
（lesse advisedly then she intended） shee granted admittance to heare
either of them speake。 Which she repenting； and coveting to be rid
of them both； a matter not easie to be done： she wittily devised the
onely meanes； namely； to move such a motion to them； as neither
would willingly undertake； yet within the compasse of possibility； but
they failing in the performance； shee might have the more honest
occasion； to bee free from all further mollestation by them； and her
politike intention was thus projected。
On the same day； when she devised this peece of service； a man was
buried in Pistoya； and in the Church…yard belonging unto the gray
Friars； who being descended of good and worthie parentage： yet
himselfe was very infamous； and reputed to be the vilest man living；
not onely there in Pistoya； but throughout the whole World beside。
Moreover； while he lived； he had such a strange mishapen body； and his
face so ugly deformed； that such as knew him not； would stand gastly
affrighted at the first sight of him。 In regarde whereof； shee
considered with her selfe； that the foule deformitie of this loathed
fellow； would greatly avayle in her determination； and consulting with
her Chamber…maid； thus she spake。
Thou knowest （my most true and faithfull servant） what trouble and
affliction of minde I suffer dayly； by the messages and Letters of the
two Florentines； Rinuccio and Alessandro； how hatefull their
importunity is to me； as being utterly unwilling to hear them
speake； or yeeld to any thing which they desire。 Wherefore； to free my
selfe from them both together； I have devised （in regard of their
great and liberall offers） to make trial of them in such a matter；
as I am assured they will never performe。
It is not unknowne to thee； that in the Church…yard of the Gray
Friars； and this instant morning； Scannadio （for so was the ugly
fellow named） was buried； of whom； when he was living； as also now
being dead； both men； women； and children； doe yet stand in feare；
so gastly and dreadfull alwayes was his personall appearance to them。
Wherefore； first of all go thou to Alessandro； and say to him
thus。 My Mistris Francesca hath sent me to you； to tell you； that
now the time is come； wherein you may deserve to enjoy her love； and
gaine the possession of her person； if you will accomplish such a
motion as she maketh to you。 For some especiall occasion； wherewith
hereafter you shall bee better acquainted； a neere Kinsman of hers；
must needs have the body of Scannadio （who was buried this morning）
brought to her house。 And she； being as much affraid of him now he
is dead； as when he was living； by no meanes would have his body
brought thither。
In which respect； as a Token of your unfeigned love to her； and
the latest service you shall ever do for her： shee earnestly
entreateth you； that this night； in the very deadest time thereof； you
would go to the grave； where Scannadio lyeth yet uncovered with
earth untill to morrow； and attyring your selfe in his garments；
even as if you were the man himselfe； so to remaine there untill her
kinsman doe come。
Then； without speaking any one word； let him take you foorth of
the grave； and bring you thence （insted of Scannadio） to hir house：
where she will give you gentle welcome； and disappoint her Kinsman
in his hope； by making you Lord of her； and all that is hers； as
afterward shall plainly appeare。 If he say he wit do it； it is as much
as I desire： but if hee trifle and make deniall； then boldly tell him；
that he must refraine all places wheresoever I am； and forbeare to
send me any more Letters； or messages。
Having done so； then repaire to Rinuccio Palermini； and say。 My
Mistresse Francesca is ready to make acceptance of your love；
provided； that you will do one thing for her sake。 Namely； this
ensuing night； in the midst and stillest season thereof； to go to
the grave where Scannadio was this morning buried； and （without making
any noise） or speaking one word； whatsoever you shall heare or see： to
take him forth of the grave； and bring him home to her house； wher you
shal know the reason of this strange businesse； and enjoy her freely
as your owne for ever。 But if he refuse to do it； then I commaund him；
never hereafter to see me； or move further suite unto mee； by any
meanes whatsoever。
The Chamber…maide went to them both； and delivered the severall
messages from her Mistresse； according as she had given her in charge；
whereunto each of them answered； that they woulde （for her sake） not
onely descend into a Grave； but also into hell； if it were her
pleasure。
She returning with this answer unto her Mistresse； Francesca
remained in expectation； what the issue of these fond attemptes in
them； would sort unto。 When night was come； and the middle houre
thereof already past； Alessandro Chiarmontesi； having put off all
other garments to his doublet and hose； departed secretly from his
lodging； walking towards the Church…yard； where Scannadio lay in his
grave： but by the way as he went； hee became surprized with divers
dreadfull conceites and imaginations； and questioned with himselfe
thus。
What a beast am I？ What a businesse have I undertaken？ And whither
am I going？ What do I know； but that the Kinsman unto this Woman；
perhappes understanding mine affection to her； and crediting some such
matter； as is nothing so： hath laide this politicke traine for me；
that he may murther me in the grave？ Which （if it should so happen） my
life is lost； and yet the occasion never knowne whereby it was done。
Or what know I； whether some secret enemy of mine （affecting her in
like manner； as I do） have devised this stratagem （out of malice）
against mee； to draw my life in danger； and further his owne good
Fortune？ Then； contrary motions； overswaying these suspitions； he
questioned his thoughts in another nature。
Let me （quoth he） admit the case； that none of these surmises are
intended； but her Kinsman （by and in this manner devised） must bring
me into her house： I am not therefore perswaded； that he or they do
covet； to have the body of Scannadio； either to carry it thither； or
present it to her； but rather do aime at some other end。 May not I
conjecture； that my close murthering is purposed； and this way
acted； as on him that （in his life time） had offended them？ The Maid
hath straitly charged me； that whatsoever is said or done unto me； I
am not to speake a word。 What if they pul out mine eies； teare out
my teeth； cut off my hands； or do me any other mischiefe： Where am I
then？ Shall all these extremities barre me of speaking？ On the other
side； if I speak