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answered。 Madam； your sacred vertues； and those （beside） remaining
in my other Subjects； will （no doubt） worke so effectually for me；
that （as the rest have done） I shall deserve your generall good
opinion。 And having given order to the Master of the Houshold （as
all his predecessors had formerly done； for every necessary
occasion； he turned to the Ladies； who expected his gracious favour；
and said。
Bright Beauties； it was the discretion of your late Soveraigne and
Queene； in regard of ease and recreation unto your tyred spirits； to
grant you free liberty； for discoursing on whatsoever your selves best
pleased： wherefore； having enjoyed such a time of rest； I am of
opinion； that it is best to returne once more to our wonted Law； in
which respect； I would have every one to speake in this manner to
morrow。 Namety； of those men or women； who have done any thing
bountifully or magnificently； either in matter of amity； or otherwise。
The relation of such worthy arguments； wil （doubtlesse） give an
addition to our very best desires； for a free and forward
inclination to good actions； whereby our lives （how short soever
they bee） may perpetuate an ever…living renowne and fame； after our
mortall bodies are converted into dust； which （otherwise）
are no better then those of bruite beasts； reason onely
distinguishing this difference； that as they live to perish utterly；
so we respire to reigne in eternity。 Theame was exceedingly pleasing
to the whole Company； who being all risen； by permission of the new
King； every one fel to their wonted recreations； as best agreed with
their owne disposition； untill the houre for Supper came； wherein they
were served very sumptuously。 But being risen from the Table； they
began their dances； among which； many sweet Sonnets were enterlaced；
with such delicate Tunes as moved admiration。 Then the King
commanded Madam Neiphila； to sing a song in his name； or how her selfe
stood best affected。 And immediatly with a cleare and rare voice； thus
she began。
THE SONG
THE CHORUS SUNG BY ALL THE COMPANIE
In the Spring season；
Maides have best reason；
To dance and sing；
With Chaplets of Flowers；
To decke up their Bowers；
And all in honour of the Spring。
I heard a Nimph that sate alone；
By a fountaines side：
Much her hard Fortune to bemone；
For still she cride：
Ah！ Who will pitty her distresse；
That findes no foe like ficklenesse？
For truth lives not in men：
Poore soule； why live I then？
In the Spring season； etc。
Oh； How can mighty Love permit；
Such a faithlesse deed；
And not in justice punish it
As treasons meed？
I am undone through perjury；
Although I loved constantly：
But truth lives not in men；
Poore soule； why live I then？
In the Spring season； etc。
When I did follow Dyans traine；
As a loyall Maide；
I never felt oppressing paine；
Nor was dismaide。
But when I listened Loves alluring；
Then I wandred from assuring。
For truth lives not in men：
Poore soule； why live I then？
In the Spring season； etc。
Adiew to all my former joyes；
When I lived at ease；
And welcome now those sad annoies
Which do most displease。
And let none pitty her distresse；
That fell not； but by ficklenesse；
For truth lives not in men；
Alas！ why live I then？
In the Spring season；
Maides have best reason；
To dance and sing；
With Chaplets of Flowers；
To decke up their Bowers；
And all in honour of the Spring。
This Song； most sweetly sung by Madame Neiphila； was especially
commended； both by the King； and all the rest of the Ladies。 Which
being fully finished； the King gave oder； that everie one should
repaire to their Chambers； because a great part of the night was
already spent。
THE INDUCTION TO THE TENTH AND LAST DAY
WHEREON； UNDER THE GOVERNMENT OF PAMPHILUS； THE SEVERALL
ARGUMENTS DO CONCERNE SUCH PERSONS； AS EITHER BY WAY OF
LIBERALITY； OR IN MAGNIFICENT MANNER； PERFORMED ANY WORTHY
ACTION； FOR LOVE； FAVOUR； FRIENDSHIP； OR ANY OTHER
HONOURABLE OCCASION
Already began certaine small Clouds in the West； to blush with a
Vermillion tincture； when those in the East （having reached to their
full heighth） looked like bright burnished Gold； by splendour of the
Sun beames drawing neere unto them： when Pamphilus being risen； caused
the Ladies； and the rest of his honourable companions to be called。
When they were all assembled； and had concluded together on the place；
whither they should walke for their mornings recreation： the King
ledde on the way before accompanied with the two Noble Ladies
Philomena and Fiammetta； all the rest following after them；
devising； talking； and answering to divers demands both what that
day was to be don； as also concerning the proposed imposition for
the forthcoming day。
After they had walked an indifferent space of time； and found the
rayes of the Sunne to be over…piercing for them： they returned backe
againe to the Pallace； as fearing to have their blood immoderately
heated。 Then rinsing their Glasses in the coole cleare running
current； each tooke their mornings draught； and then walked into the
milde shades about the Garden； untill they should bee summoned to
dinner。 Which was no sooner over…past； and such as slept； returned
waking： they mette together againe in their wonted place； according as
the King had appointed； where he gave command unto Madame Neiphila；
that shee should （for that day） begin the first Novell； which she
humbly accepting； thus began。
THE TENTH DAY； THE FIRST NOVELL
WHERIN MAY EVIDENTLY BE DISCERNED； THAT SERVANTS TO PRINCES AND
GREAT LORDS； ARE MANY TIMES RECOMPENCED； RATHER BY THEIR GOOD
FORTUNE； THEN IN ANY REGARD OF THEIR DUTIFULL SERVICES
A Florentine knight； named Signior Rogiero de Figiovanni； became a
servant to Alphonso； King of Spaine； who （in his owne opinion）
seemed but sleightly to respect and reward him。 In regard whereof；
by a notable experiment； the King gave him a manifest testimony；
that it was not through any defect in him； but onely occasioned by the
Knights ill fortune； most bountifully recompencing him afterward。
I doe accept it （Worthy Ladies） as no mean favour； that the King
hath given me the first place； to speake of such an honourable
Argument； as Bounty and Magnificence is； which precious Jewell； even
as the Sunne is the beauty； or ornament and bright glory of al heaven；
so is bounty and magnificence the Crowne of all vertues。 I shall
then recount to you a short Novell； sufficiently pleasing； in mine
owne opinion； and I hope （so much I dare rely on your judgements） both
profitable； and worthy to be remembred。
You are to know then； that among other valiant Knights； which of
long have lived in our City； one of them； and （perhappes） of as
great merit as any； was one； named Signior Rogiero d'Figiovanni。 He
being rich； of great courage； and perceiving； that （in