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Madame Helena； to colour this misfortune of her owne： as also the
great mishap of her woman： forged an artificiall and cunning tale；
to give some formall apparance of hir being in the Tower； perswading
the poore simple Country people； that in a straunge accident of
thunder and lightning； and by the illusions of wicked spirits； all
this adventure hapned to her。 Then Physitians were sent for； who；
not without much anguish and affliction to the Ladie （by reason of her
fleshes flaying off； with the Medicines and Emplaysters applyed to the
body） was glad to suffer whatsoever… they did； beside falling into a
very dangerous Feaver； out of which she was not recovered in a long
while after； but continued in daily dispayre of her life； beside other
accidents hapning in her time of Physicke； utterly unavoydable in such
extreamities： and hardly had Ancilla her legge cured。
By this unexpected pennance imposed on Madame Helena； she utterly
forgot her amorous friend； and （from thence forward） carefully kept
her selfe from fond loves allurements； and such scornfull behaviour；
wherein she was most disorderly faulty。 And Reniero the Scholler；
understanding that Ancilla had broken her leg； r ； which he reputed as
a punishment sufficient for her； held himselfe satisfyed； because
neither the Mistresse nor her Maide； could now make any great boast；
of his nights hard entertainment； and so concealed all matters else。
Thus a wanton…headed Lady； could finde no other subject to worke her
mocking folly on； but a learned Scholler； of whom shee made no more
respect； then any other ordinary man。 Never remembring； that such
men are expert （I cannot say all； but the greater part of them） to
helpe the frenzie of foolish Ladies； that must injoy their loose
desires； by Negromancy； and the Divelles meanes。 Let it therefore
（faire Ladies） be my loving admonition to you； to detest all unwomanly
mocking and scorning； but more especiallie to Schollers。
THE EIGHT DAY； THE EIGHT NOVELL
WHEREIN IS APPROVED； THAT HE WHICH OFFERETH SHAME AND DISGRACE TO
HIS NEIGHBOUR； MAY RECEIVE THE LIKE INJURY （IF
NOT IN WORSE MANNER） BY THE SAME MAN
Two neere dwelling Neighbours； the one beeing named Spineloccio
Tavena； and the other Zeppa di Mino； frequenting each others company
daily。 together； Spinelloccio Cuckolded his Friend and Neighbour。
Which happening to the knowledge of Zeppa； he prevailed so well with
the Wife of Spinelloccio； that he being lockt up in a Chest； he
revenged his wrong at that instant； so that neyther of them complained
of his misfortune。
Greevous； and full of compassion； appeared the hard Fortunes of
Madame Helena to be； having much descontented； and （well…neere）
wearied all the Ladies in hearing them recounted。 But because they
were very justly inflicted upon her； and according as （in equity） shee
had deserved； they were the more moderate in their commisseration：
howbeit； they reputed the Scholler not onely over…obstinate； but
also too strict； rigorous and severe。 Wherefore； when Madame
Pampinea had finished hir Novell； the Queene gave command to Madame
Fiammetta； that she should follow next with her discourse； whereto
shee shewing obedience； thus beganne。
Because it appeareth in my judgement （faire Ladyes） that the
Schollers cruelty hath much displeased you； making you more
melancholly then this time requireth： I holde it therefore very
convenient； that your contristed spirits should be chearfully revived；
with matter more pleasing and delightfull。 And therefore； I mean to
report a Novell of a certaine man； who too an injury done him； in much
milder manner； and revenged his wrong more moderately； then the
furious incensed Scholler did。 Whereby you may comprehend； that it
is sufficient for any man； and so he ought to esteeme it； to serve
another with the same sawce； which the offending party caused him
first to taste of： without coveting any stricter revenge； then agreeth
with the quality of the injury received。
Know then （Gracious assembly） that； as have heretofore heard；
there lived not long since in Sienna； two young men； of honest
parentage and equall condition； neither of the best； nor yet the
meanest calling in the City： the one being named Spinelloccio
Tavena； and the other tearmed Zeppa di Mino； their houses Neighbouring
together in the streete Camollia。 Seldome the one walked abroade
without the others Company； and their houses allowed equall welcome to
them both； so that by outward demonstrations； and inward mutuall
affection； as far as humane capacity had power to extend； they lived
and loved like two Brethren； they both beeing wealthy； and married
unto two beautifull women。
It came to passe； that Spinelloccio； by often resorting to the house
of Zeppa； as well in his absence； as when he abode at home； beganne to
glance amorous looks on Zeppaes wife； and pursued his unneighbourly
purpose in such sort： that hee being the stronger perswader； and she
（belike） too credulous in beleeving； or else overfeeble in
resisting； from private imparlance； they fell to action； and continued
their close fight a long while together； unseene and without
suspition； no doubt to their equall joy and contentment。
But； whether as a just punishment； for breaking so loving a league of
friendship and neighbour…hood； or rather a fatall infliction； evermore
attending on the closest Cuckoldry； their felicity still continuing in
this kinde： it fortuned on a day； Zeppa abiding within doors； contrary
to the knowledge of his wife； Spinelloccio came to enquire for him；
and she answering （as she verily supposed） that he was gon abroad：
uppe they went both together into the Hall； and no bodie being there
to hinder what they intended； they fell to their wonted recreation
without any feare； kissing and embracing as Lovers use to do。
Zeppa seeing all this； spake not one word； neither made any noise at
all； but kept himselfe closely hidden； to observe the yssue of this
amorous conflict。 To be briefe； he saw Spinelloccio goe with his
wife into the Chamber； and make the doore fast after them； whereat
he could have beene angry； which he held to be no part of true
wisedome。 For he knew well enough； that to make an out crie in this
case； or otherwise to reveale this kinde of injury； it could no way
make it lesse； but rather give a greater addition of shame and
scandall： he thought this no course for him to take； wiser
considerations entred his braine； to have this wrong fully revenged；
yet with such a discreete and orderly carriage； as no neighbours
knowledge should by any meanes apprehend it； or the least sig of
discontent in himselfe blabbe it； because they were two dangerous
evils。
Many notable courses whee。ed about his conceit； every one
promising fairely； and ministring meanes of formall apparance； yet one
（above the rest） wonne his absolute allowance； which he intended to
prosecute as best he might。 In which resolution； he kept still very
close； so long as Spinelloccio was with his Wife； but hee being
gone； he went into the Chamber； where he found his wife； amending
the forme of her head attyre； w