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secretly visite his Nunne； wherewith she seemed no way discontented：
and this visitation was not for once or twice； but verie often； and
closely concealed to themselves。
At length it came to passe； that either through their owne
indiscreete carriage； or jelous suspition in some others： it was
espied by one of the Sisters； both the Gentlemans comming and
departing； yet unknowne to him or Isabella。 The saide Sister；
disclosing the same to two or three more： they agreed together； to
reveale it to the Lady Abbesse； who was named Madame Usimbalda； a holy
and devout Lady； in common opinion of all the Nunnes； and whosoever
else knew her。
They further concluded （because Isabella should not deny theyr
accusation） to contrive the businesse so cunningly： that the Ladle
Abbesse should come her selfe in person； and take the yong Gentleman
in bed with the Nun。 And uppon this determination； they agreed to
watch nightly by turnes； because by no meanes they wold be
prevented： so to surprise poore Isabella； who beeing ignorant of their
treachery； suspected nothing。 Presuming thus still on this secret
felicitie； and fearing no disaster to befall her： it chaunced （on a
night） that the yong Gentleman being entred into the Nuns Dorter；
the Scowts had descried him； and intended to be revenged on her。
After some part of the night was overpast； they divided themselves
into two bands； one to guard Isabellaes Dorter doore； the other to
carry newes to the Abbesse； and knocking at her Closet doore； saide。
Rise quickely Madame； and use all the hast you may； for we have
seene a man enter our Sister Isabellaes Dorter； and you may take her
in bed with him。 The Lady Abbesse； who （the very same night） had the
company of a lusty Priest in bed with her selfe； as oftentimes
before she had； and he being alwayes brought thither in a Chest：
hearing these tidings； and fearing also； lest the Nunnes hastie
knocking at her doore； might cause it to fly open； and so （by their
entrance） have her owne shame discovered： arose very hastily； and
thinking she had put on her plaited vaile； which alwayes she walked
with in the night season； and used to tearme her Psalter； she put
the Priests breeches upon her head； and so went away in all hast
with them； supposing them verily to be her Psalter： but making fast
the Closet doore with her keye； because the Priest should not be
discovered。
Away shee went in all haste with the Sisters； who were so forward in
the detection of poore Isabella； as they never regarded what manner of
vaile the Lady Abbesse wore on her head。 And being come to the
Dorter doore； quickly they lifted it off from the hookes； and being
entred； found the two Lovers sweetly imbracing： but yet so amazed at
this sudden surprisall； as they durst not stirre； nor speake one word。
The young Nunne Isabella； was raised forthwith by the other Sisters；
and according as the Abbesse had comanded； was brought by them into
the Chapter…house： the yong Gentleman remaining still in the
Chamber； where he put on his garments； awaiting to see the issue of
this businesse； and verily intending to act severe revenge on his
betrayers； if any harme were done to Isabella； and afterward to take
her thence away with him； as meaning to make her amends by marriage。
The Abbesse being seated in the Chapter house； and all the other
Nunnes then called before her； who minded nothing else but the poore
offending Sister： she began to give her very harsh and vile
speeches； as never any transgressor suffered the like； and as to her
who had （if it should be openly knowne abroad） contaminated by her
lewde life and actions； the sanctity and good renowne of the whole
Monastery； and threatned her with very severe chastisement。 Poore
Isabella； confounded with feare and shame； as being no way able to
excuse her fault； knew not what answer to make； but standing silent；
made her case compassionable to all the rest； even those
hard…hearted Sisters which betrayed her。
And the Abbesse still continuing her harsh speeches； it fortuned；
that Isabella raising her head； which before she dejected into hir
bosome； espied the breeches on her head； with the stockings hanging on
either side of her； the sight whereof did so much encourage her；
that boldly she said。 Madam； let a poore offender advise you for to
mend your veile； and afterward say to me what you will。
The Abbesse being very angry； and not understanding what she
meant； frowningly answered。 Why how now saucy companion？ What vaile
are you prating of？ Are you so malapert； to bee chatting already？ Is
the deed you have done； to be answered in such immodest manner？
Isabella not a jot danted by her sterne behaviour； once againe said。
Good Madam let me perswade you to sette your vaile right； and then
chide me as long as you will。 At these words； all the rest of the
Nunnes exalted their lookes； to behold what vaile the Abbesse wore
on her head； wherewith Isabella should finde such fault； and she her
selfe lift up her hand to feele it： and then they all perceyved
plainly； the reason of Isabellas speeches； and the Abbesse saw her
owne error。
Hereupon； when the rest observed； that she had no help to cloud this
palpable shame withall； the tide began to turne； and hir tongue
found another manner of Language； then her former fury to poore
Isabella； growing to this conclusion； that it is impossible to
resist against the temptations of the flesh。 And therefore she
saide： Let all of you take occasion； according as it offereth it
selfe； as both we and our predecessors have done： to be provident
for your selves； take time while you may； having this sentence alwaies
in remembrance； Si non caste； tamen caute。
So； having granted the yong Nunne Isabella free absolution： the Lady
Abbesse returned backe againe to bed to the Priest； and Isabella to
the Gentleman。 As for the other Sisters； who （as yet） were without the
benefit of friends； they intended to provide themselves so soone as
they could； being enduced thereto by so good example。
THE NINTH DAY； THE THIRD NOVELL
DISCOVERING THE SIMPLICITY OF SOME SILLY WITTED MEN； AND HOW
EASIE A MATTER IT IS TO ABUSE AND BEGUILE THEM
Master Simon the Physitian； by the perswasions of Bruno； Buffalmaco；
and a third Companion； named Nello； made Calandrino to beleeve； that
he was conceived great with childe。 And having Physicke ministred to
him for the disease： they got both good fatte Capons and money of him；
and so cured him； without any other man of deliverance。
After that Madame Eliza had concluded her Novell； and every one of
the company given thankes to Fortune； for delivering poore Isabella
the faire young Nunne； from the bitter reprehensions of the as
faulty Abbesse； as also the malice of her envious Sisters； the
Queene gave command unto Philostratus； that he should be the next in
order； and hee （without expecting anie other warning） began in this
manner。
Faire Ladies； the paltry Judge of the Marquisate； whereof
yesterday I made relation to you； hindred mee then of another
Novell； concerning silly Calandrino； wherewith I purpose now to
acquaint you。 And because whatsoever hath already bin spoken of him；
tended to no other end but matter of meriment； hee and his
companions duly considered； the Novel which I shal now report； keepeth
within the selfesame compasse； and aimeth also at your contentment；
according to the scope of imposed variety。
You have already heard what manner of man Calandrino was； and
likewise the rest of his pleasant Companions； who likewise are now
againe to be remembred； because they are actors in our present
discourse。 It came so to passe； that an Aunt of Calandrinoes dying；
left him a legacy of two hundred Florines； wherewith he purposed to
purchase some small Farme…house in the countrey； or else to enlarge
the other； whereof he was possessed already。 And； as if bee were to
disburse some ten thousand Florines； there was not a Broker in all
Florence； but understood what he intended to doe： and all the worst
was； that the strings of his purse could stretch no higher。 Bruno； and
Buffalmaco （his auncient Confederates） who heard of this good
Fortune befalne him； advised him in such manner as they were wont to
do； allowing it much better for him； to make merrie with the money
in good cheare among them； then to lay it out in paltry Land；
whereto he would not by any meanes listen； but ridde himselfe of
them with a dinners cost； as loath to bee at anie further charge
with them。
These merry Laddes meant not to leave him so； but sitting one day in
serious consultation； and a third man in their companie； named
Nello； they all three layde their braines in steep； by what means to
wash their mouths well； and Calandrino to bee at the cost thereof。
And having resolved what was to bee done； they met togither the next
morning； even as Calandrino was comming foorth of his house； and
sundering themselves； to avoyd all suspition； yet beeing not farre
distant each from other； Nello first met him； and saide unto him； Good
Morrow Calandrino： which he requited backe agayne with the same
salutation。 But then Nello standing still； looked him s