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especially Madam Catulla； becam perswaded； that his former
fruitlesse love to her was quite changed； and the new elected Lady had
all the glory of his best endevours； persevering so long in this
opinion； as now it passed absolutely for currant。 Thus seemed he now
as meere a stranger to her； whose house before he familiarly
frequented； yet as a neighbour gave her the daies salutations；
according as he chanced to see her； or meet her。
It came so to passe； that it being now the delightfull Summer
season； when all Gentlemen and Gentlewomen used to meete together
（according to a custome long observed in that Country） sporting
along on the Sea Coast； dining and supping there very often； Ricciardo
Minutolo happened to heare； that Madam Catulla （with a company of
her friends） intended also to be present there among them； at which
time； consorted with a seemely traine of his confederates； he resorted
thither； and was graciously welcommed by Madam Catulla； where he
pretended no willing long time of tarrying； but that Catulla and the
other Ladies were faine to entreate him； discoursing of his love to
his new elected Mistresse： which Minutolo graced with so solemne a
countenance； as it ministred much more matter of conference； all
coveting to know what she was。
So farre they walked； and held on this kinde of discoursing； as
every Lady and Gentlewoman； waxing weary of too long a continued
argument； began to separate her selfe with such an associate as shee
best liked； and as in such walking women are wont to doe； so that
Madam Catulla having few females left with her； stayed behind with
Minutolo； who sodainly shot forth a word concerning her husband
Philipello； and of his loving another woman beside her selfe。 She that
was overmuch jealous before； became so sodainely set on fire to know
what shee was of whom Minutolo spake； as she sat silent a long
while； til being able to containe no longer； shee entreated
Ricciardo even for the Ladies sake； whose love he had so devoutly
embraced； to resolve her certainly in this strange alteration of her
husband； whereunto thus he answered。
Madam； you have so straitly concured me； by urging the remembrance
of her； for whose sake I am not able to deny any thing you can demand；
as I am readie therein to pleasure you。 But first you must promise me；
that neither you； or any other person for you； shall at any time
disclose it to your Husband； untill you have seene by effect； that
which I have told you proveth to be true： and when you please； I wil
instruct you how your selfe shall see it。 The Ladie was not a little
joyfull to be thus satisfied in her Husbands folly； and constantly
crediting his words to be true； shee sware a solemne oath； that no one
alive should ever know it。 So stepping a little further aside； because
no listening eare should heare him； thus he beganne。
Lady； if I did love you now so effectually as heeretofore I have
done； I should be very circumspect； in uttering any thing which I
immagined might distast you。 I know not whether your husband
Philipello； were at any time offended； because I affected you； or
beleeved that I received any kindnes from you： but whether it were
so or no； I could never discerne it by any outward apparance。 But
now awaiting for the opportunity of time； which he conceived should
affoord me the least suspition； he seekes to compasse that； which （I
doubt） he feares I would have done to him； in plaine termes Madam；
to have his pleasure of my wife。 And as by some carriages I have
observed； within few daies past he hath solicited and pursued his
purpose very secretly； by many Ambassages； and meanes； as （indeed） I
have learned from her selfe； and alwaies she hath returned in such
answers； as she receyved by my direction。
And no longer ago Madam； then this very morning； before my comming
hither； I found a woman…messenger in my house； in very close
conference with my Wife； when growing doubtfull of that which was true
indeede； I called my Wife； enquiring； what the woman would have with
her； and she told me； it was another pursuite of Philipello
Fighinolfi； who （quoth shee） upon such answers as you have caused me
to send him from time to time； perhappes doth gather some hope of
prevailing in the end； which maketh him still to importune me as he
doth。 And now he adventureth so farre； as to understand my finall
intention； having thus ordered his complot； that when I please； I must
meet him secretly in a house of this City； where he hath prepared a
Bath ready for me； and hopeth to enjoy the end of his desire； as
very earnestly he hath solicited me thereto。 But if you had not
commanded me； to hold him in suspense with so many frivolous
answers； I would ere this； have sent him such a message； as should
have bene little to his liking。
With patience Madam I endured all before； but now （me thinkes） he
proceedeth too farre； which is not any way to be suffered； and
therefore I intended to let you know it； that you may perceive； how
wel you are rewarded for the faithfull and loyall love you beare
him； and for which； I was even at deaths dore。 Now； because you may be
the surer of my speeches； not to be any lyes or fables； and that you
may （if you please） approve the truth by your owne experience； I
caused my wife to send him word； that she would meet him to morrow
at the Bathing…house appointed； about the houre of noone…day； when
people repose themselves in regard of the heates violence； with
which answer the woman returned very jocondly。 Let me now tell you
Lady； I hope you have better opinion of my wit； then any meaning in
me； to send my wife thither； I rather did it to this end； that
having acquainted you with his treacherous intent； you should supply
my wives place； by saving both his reputation and your owne； and
frustrating his unkind purpose to me。 Moreover； upon the view of his
owne delusion； wrought by my wife in meere love to you； he shall see
his foule shame； and your most noble care； to keepe the rites of
marriage betweene you still unstained。
Madame Catulla； having heard this long and unpleasing report；
without any consideration； either what he was that tolde the tale；
or what a treason he intended against her： immediately （as jealous
persons use to doe） she gave faith to his forgerie； and began to
discourse many things to him； which imagination had often misguided
her in； against her honest minded husband； and enflamed with rage；
suddenly replied； that shee would doe according as he had advised her；
as being a matter of no difficulty。 But if he came； she would so shame
and dishonour him； as no woman whatsoever should better schoole him。
Ricciardo highly pleased herewith； and being perswaded； that his
purpose would take the full effect： confirmed the Lady in her
determination with many words more； yet putting her in memory； to
keepe her faithfull promise made； without revealing the matter to
any living person； as shee had sworne upon her faith。
On the morrow morning； Ricciardo went to an auncient woman of his
acquaintance； who was the Mistresse of a Bathing…house； and there
where he had appointed Madame Catulla； that the Bath should bee
prepared for her； giving her to understand the whole businesse； and
desiring her to be favourable therein to him。 The woman； who had beene
much beholding to him in other matters； promised very willingly to
fulfill his request； concluding with him； both what should be done and
said。 She had in her house a very darke Chamber； without any window to
affoord it the least light； which Chamber she had made ready；
according to Ricciardoes direction； with a rich Bed thereir； so soft
and delicate as possible could bee； wherein he entred so soone as he
had dined； to attend the arrivall of Madame Catulla。 On the same
day； as she had heard the speeches of Ricciardo； and gave more
credit to them then became her； shee returned home to her house in
wonderfull impatience。 And Philippello her husband came home
discontentedly too； whose head being busied about some worldly
affaires； perhaps he looked not so pleasantly； neither used her so
kindly； as he was wont to doe。 Which Catulla perceiving； shee was
ten times more suspicious then before； saying to her selfe。 Now
apparent trueth doth disclose it selfe； my husbands head is troubled
now with nothing else； but Ricciardoes wife； with whom （to morrow）
he purposeth his meeting； wherein he shall be disappointed； if I live；
taking no rest at all the whole night； for thinking how to handle
her husband。
What shall I say more？ On the morrow； at the houre of mid…day
accompanied onely with her Chamber…mayde； and without any other
alteration in opinion； shee went to the house where the Bath was
promised； and meeting there with the olde woman； demaunded of her；
if Philippello were come thither as yet or no？ The woman； being well
instructed by Ricciardo； answered： Are you shee that should meete
him heere？ Yes； replied Catulla。 Goe in then to him （quoth the
woman） for he is not farre off before you。
Madame Catulla； who went to seeke that which shee would not finde；
being brought vailed into the darke Chamber where Ricciardo was；
entred into the Bath； hoping to finde none other