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Salomon； the famous King of Great Britaine。 The one desiring to learne
what he should do； whereby to compasse and winne the love of men。
The other craved to be enstructed by what meanes hee might reclaime an
headstrong and unruly wife。 And what answeres the wise King gave
unto them both； before they departed away from him。
Upon the conclusion of Madame urettaes Novell； none now ained to
succeede next in er； but onely the Queene r viledge reserved；
granted to Dioneus； wherefore； after they had all smiled at the
folly of Blondello； with a chearfull countenance thus the Queene
began。
Honourable Ladies； if with advised judgement； we do duly consider
the order of all things； we shall very easily perceyve； That the whole
universall multiplicitie of Women； by Nature； custome； and lawes；
are and ought to be subject to men； yea； and to be governd by their
discretion。 Because every one desiring to enjoy peace； repose and
comfort with them； under whose charge they are； ought to be humble；
patient and obedient； over and beside her spotlesse honesty； which
is the crowne and honour of every good woman。 And although those
lawes； which respect the common good of all things； or rather use
and custome （as our wonted saying is） the powers wherof are very
great； and worthy to be reverenced； should not make us wise in this
case。 Yet Nature hath given us a sufficient demonstration； in creating
our bodies more soft and delicate； yea； and our hearts timorous；
fearefull； benigne and compassionable； our strength feeble； our voyces
pleasing； and the motion of our members sweetly plyant： all which
are apparant testimonies； that wee have neede of others government。
Now； it is not to be denyed； that whosoever hath need of helpe；
and is to bee governed： meerely reason commandeth； that they should
bee subject and obedient to their governour。 Who then should we have
for our helps and governours； if not men？ Wherfore； we should be
intirely subject to them； in giving them due honour and reverence； and
such a one as shall depart from this rule： she （in mine opinion） is
not onely worthy of grievous reprehension； but also severe
chastisement beside。 And to this exact consideration （over and above
divers other important reasons） I am the rather induced； by the
Novel which Madame Pampinea so lately reported； concerning the froward
and wilfull wife of Talano； who had a heavier punishment inflicted
on her； then her Husband could devise to doe。 And therefore it is my
peremptory sentence； that all such women as will not be gracious；
benigne and pleasing： doe justly deserve （as I have already said）
rude； rough and harsh handling； as both nature； custome and lawes have
commanded。
To make good what I have said； I wil declare unto you the counsell
and advise； given by Salomon； the wise and famous King of Great
Britaine； as a most wholesome and soveraigne medicine for the cure
of such a dangerous disease； in any woman so fouly infected。 Which
counsel （notwithstanding） all such women as have no need of this
Phisicke； I would not have them to imagine； that it was meant for
them； albeit men have a common Proverbe； to wit。
As the good horse and bad horse； doe both need the spurre。
So a good wife and bad wife； a wand will make stirre。
Which saying； whosoever doth interpret it in such pleasing manner as
they ought； shal find it （as you al wil affirm no lesse） to be very
true： especially in the morall meaning； it is beyond all
contradiction。 Women are naturally all unstable； and easily
enclining to misgovernment； wherefore to correct the iniquity of
such a distemperature in them that out…step the tearmes and bounds
of womanhood； a wand hath been allowed for especiall phisicke。 As in
the like manner； for support of vertue； in those of contrary
condition； shaming to be sullyed with so grosse a sinne： the
correcting Wand may serve as a walking staffe； to protect them from
all other feares。 But； forbearing to teach any longer； let mee proceed
to my purpose； and tell you my Novell。
In those ancient and reverend dayes； wherof I am now to speake；
the high renowne and admirable wisedome of Salomon； King of Great
Brittain； was most famous throughout all parts of the world； for
answering all doubtfull questions and demaunds whatsoever； that
possibly could be propounded to him。 So that many resorted to him；
from the most remote and furthest off countreyes； to heare his
miraculous knowledge and experience； yea； and to crave his counsell；
in matters of greatest importance。 Among the rest of them which
repaired thither； was a rich yong Gentleman； honourably descended；
named Melisso； who came from the City of Laiazzo； where he was both
borne； and dwelt。
In his riding towards France； as he passed by Naples； hee
overtooke another yong Gentleman； a native of Antioch； and named
Giosefo； whose journey lay the same way as the others did。 Having
ridden in company some few dayes together； as it is a custome commonly
observed among Travellers； to understand one anothers Countrey and
condition； as also to what part his occasions call him： so happened it
with them； Giosefo directly telling him； that he journyed； towards the
wise King Salomon； to desire his advise what meanes he should
observe in the reclaiming of a wilfull wife； the most froward and
selfe…willed woman that ever lived； whom neither faire perswasions；
nor gentle courtesies could in any manner prevaile withall。
Afterward he demaunded of Melisso； to know the occasion of his
travell； and whither。
Now trust me Sir； answered Melisso； I am a native of Laiazzo； and as
you are vexed with one great mis…fortune； even so am I offended with
another。 I am young； wealthy； well derived by birth； and allow
liberall expences； for maintaining a worthy table in my house； without
distinguishing persons by their rancke and quality； but make it free
for all commers； both of the city； and all places els。 Notwithstanding
all which bounty and honourable entertainement； I cannot meet with any
man that loveth me。 In which respect； I journey to the same place as
you doe； to crave the counsell of so wise a King； what I should doe；
whereby I might procure men to love me。 Thus like two well…met
friendly companions； they rode on together； untill they arrived in
Great Britaine； where； by meanes of the Noble Barons attending on
the King； they were brought before him。 Melisso delivered his minde in
very few words； whereto the King made no other answere； but this：
Learne to love。 Which was no sooner spoken； but Melisso was
dismissed from the Kings presence。
Giosefo also relating； wherefore he came thither； the King
replying onely thus： Goe to the Goose Bridge： and presently Giosefo
had also his dismission from the King。 Comming forth； he found Melisso
attending for him； and revealed in what manner the King had answered
him： whereupon； they consulted together； concerning both their
answeres； which seemed either to exceed their comprehension； or else
was delivered them in meere mockery； and therefore （more then halfe
discontented） they returned homeward againe。
After they had ridden on a few dayes together； they came to a River；
over which was a goodly Bridge； and because a great company of
Horses and Mules （heavily laden； and after the manner of a Caravan
of Camels in Egypt） were first to passe over the saide Bridge； they
gladly stayed to permit their passe。 The greater number of them
being already past over； there was one shie and skittish Mule
（belike subject to fearefull starting； as oftentimes we see horses
have the like ill quality） that would not passe over the Bridge by any
meanes； wherefore one of the Muletters tooke a good Cudgell； and smote
her at the first gently； as hoping so to procure her passage。
Notwithstanding； starting one while backeward； then againe forward；
side…wayes； and every way indeed； but the direct Roadway she would not
goe。
Now grew the Muletter extreamely angry； giving her many cruell
stroakes； on the head； sides； flancks and all parts else； but yet they
proved to no purpose； which Melisso and Giosefo seeing； and being
（by this meanes） hindred of their passage； they called to the
Muletter； saying。 Foolish fellow； what doest thou？ Intendest thou to
kill the Mule？ why dost thou not leade her gently； which is the
likelier course to prevaile by； then beating and misusing her as
thou dost？ Content your selves Gentlemen （answered the Muletter） you
know your horses qualities； as I doe my Mules； let mee deale with
her as I please。 Having thus spoken； he gave her so many violent
strokes； on head； sides； hippes； and every where else； as made her
at last passe over the Bridge quietly； so that the Muletter wonne
the Mastery of his Mule。
When Melisso and Giosefo had passed over the Bridge； where they
intended to part each from other； a sudden motion happened into the
minde of Melisso； which caused him to demaund of an aged man （who sate
craving almes of Passengers at the Bridge foot） how the Bridge was
called： Sir； answered the old man； this is called； The Goose Bridge。
Which words when Giosefo heard； hee called to minde the saying of King
Salomon； and therefore immediately saide to Melisso。 Worthy f