DULIPPO

In good time have I spied my good master. Yet sir let me sometime do my duty unto you, especially where no body hears. Good. Yea excellent, we have as good as wone the wager. Hear you me, yesternight in the evening I wall ked out, and found Pasiphilo, and with small entreating I had him home to supper, where by such means as I v said, he became my great friend, and told me the whole or der of our adversaries determination: yea and what Dam mon does intend to do also, and hath promised me that from ̄ time to time, what he can espy he will bring me word of it. I know him very well, he can not deceive me, and this that he hath told me I know must needs be true. That Damon had purposed to give his daughter in marriage to this doctor, upon y e dower that he hath proffered. Stay awhile, you will understand me before you hear me. I answered to that, I was ready to make his the like dower. Abide, you hear not the worst yet. Worse? why what assurance could you suppose that I might make without some special consent from Phi logono my father? In deed you have lost your time: for the books that you toss now a days, treat of small science. I said further, that I received letters lately from my father, whereby I understood that he would be here very shortly to perform all that I had proffered: therefore I required him to request Damo ̄ on my behalf, that he would stay his promise to the doctor for a fourthnight or more. Comfort your self man, and trust in me: there is a salve for every soar, and doubt you not, to this mischief we shall find a remedy. Well, harken a while then: this morning I took my horse and road into the fields to solace my self, and as I passed the Ford beyonds S. Anthony's gate, I met at the foot of the hill a gentleman riding with two or three men, and as me thought by his habit and his looks, he should be none of the wise . He saluted me, and I him: I asked him from whence he came, and whither he would? he answered that he had come from Venice, then from Padua, now was going to Ferrara, and so to his country, which is Scienna: As soon as I know him to be a Scenese, suddenly lifting up mine eyes, as it were with and admiration I said unto him, are you a Scenese, and come to Ferrara? why not, said he: quoth I, half and more with a trembling voice, know you the danger that should ensue if you be known in Ferrara to be a Scenese? he more than half amazed, de sired me earnestly to tell him what I meant. I believe you, but Harken to me. I answered him in this sort: Gentleman, because I have heretofore found very courteous entertainment in your country, being a student there, I account my self as it were bound to a Scenese, and therefore if I knew of any mishap towards any of that country, God forbid but I should disclose it: and I marvel that you know not of the injury that your countrymen offered this other day to the Ambassadors of County Hercule. If you will harken a while, you shall find them no tales, but that they appertain to you more than you think for. I told him further, these Ambassadors of County Hercule had dyuers Mules, Wagons, and Cham rettes, laden with diverse costly jewels, gorgeous furniture, & other things which they carried as presents, passing that way to the king of Naples the which were not only stayed in Sciene by the officers who ̄ you call Customers, but searched, ransacked, tossed & turned, & in the end exacted for tribute, as if they had be the goods of a mean merchant. Oh how impacie ̄ to you are: I pray you stay a while. I proceeded, that upon these causes the Duke sent his Chancellor to declare the case unto the Senate there, of whom he had the most uncourteous answer that ever was herd, whereupon he was so enraged with all of that country, that for reue ̄ ge he had sworn to spoil as many of them as ever should come to Ferrara, and to send them home in their doublet and their hose. You shall hear by and by a thing as fit for our purpose, as any could have happened. You would fain leap over the style, before you come at the hedge: I would you had herd me, and seen the gestures that I inforced to make him believe this. Further I said, the duke had charged upon great penalties, that the Inholders and vitlers should bring word daily of as many Sceneses as came to their houses: the gentlema ̄ being (as I guessed at the first) a man of small sapientiam, when he herd these news, would have turned his horse and other way. Why not? when he had not been in his country for a month past, and I told him this had happened within these seven days. I think, of as little as may be: but best of all for our purpose, and good adventure it was, that I met with such and one. Now harken I pray Thee. He, as I say, when he hard these words, would have turned the bridle, & I say king a countenance as though I were somewhat pensive & careful for him, passed a while, and after with a great sigh said to him: gentleman, for the courtesy that (as I said) I have found in your country, and because your affairs shall be the better dispatched, I will find the means to lodge you in my house, and you shall say to every man, that you are a Sicilan of Cathanea, your name Philogono, father to me that am in deed of that con trey and city, called here Erostrato: and I (to pleasure you) will (during your abided here) do you reverence as you were my father. Well, and how Like you of it? What is that? As for that let me alone, I do entertain and will entertain him so well, that within these two or three days I will disclose unto him all the whole matter, and doubt not but to bring him in for performance of as much as I have promised to Damon: for what hurt can it be to him, when he shall bind a strange name and not his own? Yea why not, if it were ten thousand, as long as he is not in deed the man that is bound? Why, when we have done as much as we can, how can we do any more? At the Inn, because of his horses, he and his men shall lie in my house. I thought better to use your advise first. Content, look where he comes. Welcome, my deer father Philogano. That is well said, be mindful of your tonge, for these Ferareses be as crafty as the devil of hell. For if you should name Scene they would spoil you immediately, and turn you out of the town, with more shame, than I would should befall you for a thousand Crown S. Yea and trust not the servants of my household to far, for they are F rareses all, and never knew my father, nor came never in Sicilia: this is my house, will it please you to go in? I will follow. What noise, what a rule is this? Holla: no more of this. Dalio, do you make in a readiness those Pigeons, stock Doves, and also the breast of Veal: and let your vessel be as clear as glass against I return, that I may tell you which I will have roasted, & which boiled. Crapine, lay down that basket and follow me. O that I could tell where to find Pasiphilo, but look where he comes that can tell me of him. I have left him within, I would feign speak with Pasiphilo, can you tell me where he is? I would have him go tell Damon that Philogano my father is come and ready to make assurance of as much as he will require. Now shall I feach master donc or a school point, he travaileth to none other end but to catch Cornua, and he shall have them, for as old as he is, and as many sub tilties as he hath learned in the law, he can not go beyond me one ace. But where shall I find him? What should he do with them? In faith, and I will seek there for him. Whereat? And why not now? Crapine: hear you? come away, let his go with a vengeance, why come you not? Alas look where my mai ster Philogano comes: what shall I do? where shall I hide me? he shall not see me in these clothes, nor before I have spoken with the right Erostrato. Now can I hide me no longer, Alas what shall I do? I will set a good face on, to bear out the matter. Tell me that I know not, I have be with him and seen him already. Why, have you spoken with him? when saw you him I pray you? What says this honest man? To whom speaks he? As far as I remember Sir, I never saw you before. Gentleman, you take your marks amiss. Friend, my name is not Dulippo, ask you though rough out this town of great and small, they know me: ask this honest man that is with you, if you will not believe me. What name could you hear me called by, but by my right name? But I am wise enough to stand prating here with this old man, I think he be mad. Come in, come in, what Wilt thou do with this pestle? Away with it, & you sirrah, lay down these stones, come in at door every one of you, bear with him for his age, I pass not of his evil words. Pasiphilo, thou must do one thing for me if thou love me. Go then a little there, to Damons house, ask for Du lipo, and tell him. In prison? how comes that to pass? where is he in prison? Canst thou tell wherefore? If ever you will do any thing for me, tell me. More than thou thinkest Pasiphilo by God. Why Pasiphilo, is this the trust I have had in you? are these the fair promises you have always made me? There is nothing can grieve me more than ̄ Dulipos mishap, no not mine own, and therefore I am sure thou canst tell me no worse tidings. Alas, and doth Damon know it? Pasiphilo, go thy ways into the kitchen, command the cook to boil and roast what liketh Thee best, I make Thee supram visor of this supper. And what fault I pray Thee? Alas, I would this were the greatest fault. Thou hast reason Pasiphilo. There are within already, doubt you not, there shall lack nothing that is necessary. Oh father. Well Pasiphilo, either tell me, or at few words never think to be welcome to this house from hence forth.