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his hands： but things ill done； and so long time since； are more
easily controulled； then amended。
Being left so young at Palermo； and growing （well neere） to the
stature as now you see me； my Mother （being wealthy） gave me in
marriage to one of the Gergentes Family； a Gentleman； and of great
revennues； who in his love to me and my mother； went and dwelt at
Palermo： where falling into the Guelphes Faction； and making one in
the enterprize with Charles our King； it came to passe； that they were
discovered to Fredericke King of Arragon； before their intent could be
put in execution： Whereupon； we were enforced to flye from Sicily；
even when my hope stoode fairely； to have beene the greatest Lady in
all the Island。 Packing up then such few things as wee could take with
us； （few I may well call them； in regard of our wealthy possessions；
both in Pallaces； Houses； and Lands； all which we were constrained
to forgo：） we made our recourse to this Citty； where we found King
Charles so benigne and gracious to us； that recompencing the greater
part of our losses； he bestowed Lands and houses on us here； beside
a continuall large pension to my husband your brother in Law； as
heereafter himselfe shall better acquaint you withal。 Thus came I
hither； and thus remaine here； where I am able to welcome my brother
Andrea； thankes more to Fortune； then any friendlinesse in him。 With
which words she embraced and kissed him many times； sighing and
weeping as she did before。
Andrea hearing this Fable so artificially delivered； composed from
point to point with such likely protestations； without faltring or
failing in any one words utterance； and remembring perfectly for
truth； that his Father had formerly dwelt at Palermo； knowing also （by
some sensible feeling in himselfe） the custome of young people； who
are easily conquered by affection in their youthfull heate； seeing
beside the tears； trembling speeches； and earnest embracings of this
cunning commodity； he tooke all to be true by her thus spoken； and
upon her silence； thus replyed。 Lady； let it not seeme strange to you；
that your words have raysed marvell in me； because （indeed） I had no
knowledge of you； even no more then as if I had never seene you： never
also having heard my father speak either of you or your mother （for
some considerations best known unto himselfe：） or if at any time he
used such language； either my youth then； or defective memory since；
hath utterly lost it。 But truely； it is no little joy and comfort to
me； to finde a sister here； where I had no such hope or expectation；
and where also myselfe am a meere stranger。 For to speake my minde
freely of you； and the perfections gracefully appearing in you I
know not any man of how great repute or qualitie soever； but you may
well beseeme his acceptance； much rather then mine； that am but a mean
Merchant。 But faire Sister； I desire to be resolved in one thing； to
wit； by what means you had understanding of my being in this City？
whereto readily she returned him this answer。
Brother； a poore Woman of this City； whom I employ sometimes
houshold occasions； came to mee this morning； and （having seene you）
tolde me； that shee dwelt a long while with our Father； both at
Palermo and Perouse。 And because I held it much better beseeming my
condition； to have you visite me in mine owne dwelling； then I to come
see you at a common Inne； I made the bolder to send for you hither。
After which words； in very orderly manner； she enquired of his
chiefest kindred and friends； calling them readily by their proper
names； according to her former instructions。 Whereto Andrea still made
her answere； confirming thereby his beliefe of her the more
strongly； and crediting whatsoever she saide； farre better then
before。
Their conference having long time continued； and the heate of the
day being somewhat extraordinary； she called for Greeke wine； and
banquetting stuffe； drinking to Andrea； and he pledging her very
contentedly。 After which； he would have returned to his lodging；
because it drew neere supper time； which by no meanes shee would
permit； but seeming more then halfe displeased； shee saide。 Now I
plainely perceive brother； how little account you make of me；
considering； you are with your owne Sister； who （you say） you never
saw before； and in her owne House； whether you should alwayes resort
when you come to this City； and would you now refuse her； to goe and
sup at a common Inne？ Beleeve me Brother； you shall sup with me； for
although my Husband is now from home； to my no little
discontentment： yet you shall find Brother； that his wife； can bid you
welcome； and make you good cheere beside。
Now was Andrea so confounded this extremity of courtesie； that he
knew not what to say； but onely thus replied。 I love you as a Sister
ought to be loved； and accept of your exceeding kindnesse： but if I
returne not to my lodging； I shall wrong mine Host and his guests
too much； because they will not sup untill I come。 For that （quoth
shee） we have a present remedy； one of my servants shall goe and
give warning； whereby they shall not tarry your comming。 Albeit； you
might doe me a great kindnesse； to send for your friends to sup with
us here； where I assure ye； they shall finde that your Sister （for
your sake） will bid them welcome； and after supper； you may all
walke together to your Inne。 Andrea answered； that he had no such
friends there； as should be so burthenous to her： but seeing she urged
him so farre； he would stay to sup with her； and referred himselfe
solely to her disposition。
Ceremonious shew was made； of sending a servant to the Inne； for not
expecting Andreas presence at Supper； though no such matter was
performed； but； after divers other discoursings； the table being
covered； and variety of costly viands placed thereon； downe they
sate to feeding； with plenty of curious Wines liberally walking about；
so that it was darke night before they arose from the table。 Andrea
then offring to take his leave； she would （by no meanes） suffer it；
but tolde him； that Naples was a Citie of such strict Lawes and
Ordinances； as admitted no night…walkers； although they were
Natives； much lesse strangers； but punnished them with great severity。
And therefore； as she had formerly sent word to his Inne； that they
should not expect his comming to supper； the like had she done
concerning his bed； intending to give her Brother Andrea one nights
lodging； which as easily she could affoord him； as shee had done a
Supper。 All which this new…caught Woodcocke verily crediting； and that
he was in company of his owne Sister Fiordeliza （for so did she
cunningly stile her selfe； and in which beleefe he was meerely
deluded） he accepted the more gladly her gentle offer； and concluded
to stay there all that night。
After supper； their conference lasted very long； purposely dilated
out in length； that a great part of the night might therein be wasted：
when； leaving Andrea to his Chamber； and a Lad to attend； that he
should lacke nothing； she with her women went to their lodgings； and
thus our Brother and supposed Sister were parted。 The season then
being somewhat hot and soultry； Andrea put off his hose and doublet；
and being in his shirt alone； layed them underneath the beds boulster；
as seeming carefull of his money。 But finding a provocation to the
house of Office； he demanded of the Lad； where hee might find it；
who shewed him a little doore in a corner of the Chamber； appointing
him to enter there。 Safely enough he went in； but chanced to tread
upon a board； which was fastened at neither； ende to the joynts
whereon it lay； being a pit…fall made of purpose； to entrap any such
coxcombe； as would be trained to so base a place of lodging； so that
both he and the board fell downe together into the draught； yet such
being his good fortune； to receive no harme in the fall （although it
was of extraordinary height） onely the filth of the place； （it being
over full） had fowly myred him。
Now for your better understanding the quality of the place； and what
ensued thereupon； it is not unnecessary to describe it； according to a
common use； observed in those parts。 There was a narrow passage or
entrie； as often we see reserved betweene two houses； for eithers
benefit to such a needfull place； and boards loosely lay upon the
joynts； which such as were acquainted withall； could easily avoide any
perille in passing to or from the stoole。 But our so newly created
Brother； not dreaming to find a Queane to his Sister； receiving so
foule a fall into the vault； and knowing not how to helpe himselfe；
being sorrowfull beyond measure； cryed out to the boy for light and
aide； who intended not to give him any。 For the crafty wag； （a meete
attendant for so honest a Mistresse） no sooner heard him to be fallen；
but presently he ran to enforme her thereof； and shee as speedily
returned to the Chamber； where finding his cloathes under the beds
head； shee needed no instruction for search of his pockets。 But having
found the gold； which Andrea indiscreetely carried alwayes about
him； as thinking it could no where else be so safe： This was all
shee aymed at； and for which she