2-2 Rinaldo d'Asti

NOVEL II. 

Rinaldo d'Asti having been robbed, comes to Castle Guiglielmo, where he is entertained by a widow lady, makes good his loss, and returns safe home. 

The ladies all laughed immoderately at Martellino's adventure, as did the gentlemen likewise, but more especially Filostrato, who, as he sat next to Neiphile, was ordered by the queen to begin his novel, and he immediately complied as follows: - I am going to relate a story, consisting partly of misfortunes, end partly of love, which may be of use to such as walk in love's uncertain paths; in which it happens to those who have not said the Pater Noster of St. Julian, that they often get a bad night's rest, though they lie in a good bed. 

In the time of Azzo, marquis of Ferrara, a certain merchant, named Rinaldo d'Asti, came to Bologna to transact some affairs of his own, which being despatched, and being on his return home, it chanced, as he was riding from Ferrara towards Verona, that he fell in with some persons, who seemed to be merchants, also, but were in reality highwaymen, and he unguardedly joined them. They, finding him to be a merchant, and supposing, therefore, that he must have money about him, resolved to rob him as soon as an opportunity offered; and, that he should have no suspicion, they rode on discoursing with him like persons of reputation and character, showing themselves extremely complaisant and courteous, insomuch, that he thought himself happy in meeting with such good company, as he had with him only one servant. 

Talking of various things, they began at last to speak of prayers, and one of the rogues, there being three in number, turned towards Rinaldo, and said, "and pray, sir, what sort of prayer do you use when you are upon a journey?" "In good truth," answered Rinaldo, "I know little of those matters, and am master of very few prayers; but I live in an old-fashioned way, and can tell that twelve pence make a shilling; nevertheless, I always use, when I am upon a journey, before I go out of my inn, to say one Pater Noster and one Ave Maria for the souls of the father and mother of St. Julian, and after that I pray to God and St. Julian to send me a good lodging at night. And let me tell you, sir, very often have I met with great dangers upon the road, from all which I still escaped; and when night drew on I always came to a good lodging, which favour I firmly believe St. Julian, to whose honour I speak it, hath obtained of God for me: nor do I think I should ever travel securely, or succeed in my lodging at night, were I to forget this prayer." - "Then," said the other, "of course you offered up that prayer this morning?" - "Most certainly I did," answered Rinaldo. Said the rogue to himself, having determined now to handle him, "Thou wilt have need enough of it; for, if I mistake not, thy lodging is like to be none of the best:" and afterwards he added, "I have travelled much myself, yet did I never say that prayer, though I have heard it often commended, and I have always fared well; and now this night shall you see which of us will get the better lodging. I must own, however, that instead of it I have used the Dirupisti, or the Intemerata, or the De profundis, which, as my grandmother was wont to tell me, are of singular virtue." 

Thus they travelled along, discoursing upon many subjects, and the rogues waiting for a fit time and place to put their wicked purpose in execution. At length the hour growing late, they arrived at a lonely place, closely screened from view, just at the ford of a river near Castle Guiglielmo. There they made their assault, robbed and stripped Rinaldo to the shirt; and leaving him there on foot, they said to him, "Go, see if thy St. Julian will provide as good a lodging for thee to-night, as we shall have: "so, passing the river, away they went. The servant, like a rascal as he was, seeing his master attacked, rode away without offering the least assistance, and never stopped till he came to Castle Guiglielmo, where, it being late when he got in, he took up his lodging without giving himself any further trouble. Rinaldo remained in his shirt, without shoes or stockings; the weather was extremely cold, and it snowed incessantly. Not knowing what to do, the dark night coming on apace, and he all over in a tremble, with his teeth chattering for cold, he now began to look round for some shelter under which he might continue that night, for fear of being frozen to death; but he saw none (the whole country being laid waste by the late war), and being forced away by the cold, he trudged on towards Castle Guiglielmo, not knowing whether his servant was gone thither or elsewhere; but supposing, if he got admittance, that he should meet with relief. But before he came within a mile of the town, it grew quite dark; and it was so late when he got thither, that the gates were already locked, and the bridge drawn up, and he could obtain no entrance. Grieving much at this, and now quite disheartened, he looked wo fully about to see if he could find a cover from the snow; when by chance he spied a house projecting a little way over the walls of the castle, under which he proposed to stand till daylight. There he found a door in the wall, but fast locked, and gathering some straw together which was lying about, he sat down thereon, all pensive and sad, and making loud complaints to St. Julian, telling him, that this was not according to the confidence he had always reposed in him.

But St. Julian, who had a regard for him, soon provided a better lodging. There was a widow lady in that castle, of great beauty, whom the Marquis Azzo loved as his life, and kept in that house under which Rinaldo had taken shelter. That very day the marquis was come to stay all night with her, she having secretly provided a bath for him, and a most elegant supper. Everything being now ready, and only the marquis's company wanting, an express arrived with dispatches, which required him to take horse instantly: he therefore sent to the lady to excuse him, and posted away.

She was much concerned at this, and not knowing how to pass her time, she resolved to go herself into the bath which she had provided for the marquis, and then to sup and go to bed. Now it happened that the bath was near the door where poor Rinaldo was sitting; so that she could hear him moaning and chattering his teeth at such a rate that one would have thought he had a stork's beak instead of jaws. 

Whereupon she called her maid, and ordered her to look over the wall and see who was that at the door, and what did he want. The servant went, and by the clearness of the sky could just discern Rinaldo sitting in the manner before described. To her question, Who was he, he made answer as well as he could, trembling all the while so much that she could scarcely understand him, telling her how he came thither, and entreating her not to let him perish with cold. The girl was moved to compassion, and hastened to relate the whole story to her mistress, who had pity on him likewise; and recollecting that she had the key of the door, which served for the private admission of the marquis, she said, "Go and open the door gently: we have victuals enough, and nobody to sit down, and we may also spare him a lodging." The maid commended her great charity, and having opened the door and found Rinaldo almost frozen to death, 

she said, "Make haste, good man, and get into this bath, which is yet warm." He immediately complied without waiting for any farther invitation, and found himself so much refreshed by the warmth, that he seemed restored from death to life. Then the lady sent him some clothes, which had been her husband s, and which fitted him as well, in all respects, as if they had been made for him. Expecting her further commands, he began to thank God and St. Julian, who had delivered him from the prospect of a most terrible night, and brought him at last where he was likely to meet with good entertainment. 

The lady, having now reposed a little, ordered a great fire to be made in the hall, and coming thither, she inquired concerning the honest man, what sort of a person he was? 

The maid replied, "Madam, now he is clothed, he is a handsome man, and appears to be very well bred." - "Go then," said the lady, "and bid him come to the fire, and he may also sup with me, as I know he has had no supper." When Rinaldo came into the hall, and saw the lady, who appeared to him to be a woman of consequence, he made her a very low bow and thanked her in the wannest and most respectful terms he could find for the favours he had received at her hand. The lady, finding him to answer to the report made of him by her maid, received him graciously, made him sit down familiarly by the fireside with her, and inquired concerning the misfortunes which had brought him thither. Of these he gave her a faithful account, to which she readily gave credit, having previously heard something of the servant's adventure. She then told him what she knew of the matter, and how the fellow was to be met with in the morning. 

Supper being now served up, they washed their hands, and sat down together. He was tall in person, agreeable enough both in countenance and behaviour, and in the prime of life. The lady's eyes took frequent note of all this; and it by no means tended to allay certain emotions which the marquis's visit had bootlessly excited. As soon, therefore, as supper was ended, she advised with her maid whether she might not fairly (since the marquis had put such a slight upon her) make use of the opportunity which fortune had thrown in her way. The girl, who knew how to please her mistress, readily concurred. The lady now returned to the fire, where she liad left Rinaldo by himself, and, looking pleasantly at him, she said, "Why so thoughtful, Rinaldo? does the loss of your horse and a few clothes affect you so much? comfort yourself, you are in your own house; and I can tell you farther, that, seeing you in my late husband's clothes, I could not help thinking, several times to-night, that he himself was present. I was more than once on the point of embracing and kissing you, and but for my fear of offending you, I should certainly have done so." Rinaldo was too great a connoisseur in love-matters not to take her meaning. The affair, therefore, was soon settled, and to bed they went, and were as happy as the night was long. 

In the morning, to prevent the least suspicion, she gave him some old clothes, filled his pocket with money, begging of him to keep the matter secret; and having directed him where to find his servant, she let him out of the door he had come in at. As soon, therefore, as it was broad day, he entered into the castle as if he had come from a great way off, found his servant, and soon clothed himself out of his portmanteau. Just as he was going to mount his man's horse, it happened by great fortune that the three rogues, who had robbed him the day before, were brought into the castle, having been taken up on some other account. In consequence of their own confession, he got back his horse, 

clothes, and money, and lost nothing but a pair of garters, of which the robbers could give no account. Rinaldo now thanked God and St. Julian, and, mounting his horse, arrived safe at his own house; and the very next day the three villains were exhibited in public, dancing on nothing. 

[St. Julian was eminent for providing his votaries with good lodging: in the English title of his legend he is called the gode Herbejour; and Chaucer, in his "Canterbury Tales" bestows on the Frankelein, on account of his luxurious hospitality, the title of St. Julian. It is this novel of Boccaccio that has given rise to "L'oraison de St. Julien” of Lafontaine, and "Le Talisman,” a comedy, by La Motte. There is also some resemblance between it and part of the old English comedy "The Widow,” which was produced by the united labours of Ben Jonson, Fletcher, and Middleton. (See "Dodsley's Collection” vol. xii.)] 

THE SECOND DAY. Novel I.

THE SECOND DAY. 

Already had the sun ushered in a new day, the birds upon the blooming branches attesting it with their merry songs, when the ladies and gentlemen arose, and went into the garden. There they spent some time in walking, and weaving chaplets of flowers; and, as they had done before, after taking a repast in the open air, and dancing, they reposed till the clock struck nones; ("1: That is, the ninth hour from matins, or about three o'clock in the afternoon.) at which time they took their places, as the queen had appointed, in the same pleasant meadow, around her. She being of a most graceful person, and having on her head a crown of laurel, looked around in a most cheerful manner on the whole assembly, and then motioned to Neiphile, who, without offering any excuse, began as follows: 

NOVEL I. 

Martellino, feigning to be a cripple, pretends to be cured by being laid upon the body of Saint Arrigo; but his roguery being discovered, he gets soundly beaten, and is afterwards apprehended, and in danger of being hanged, but escapes at last. 

It often happens, that he who endeavours to ridicule other people, especially in things of a serious nature, becomes himself a jest, and frequently to his great cost. Of this you will have proof in what I am now going to relate, in obedience to the queen's command. It is an affair which had a very unlucky beginning, and which, beyond all expectation, ended happily enough to one of our city. 

There lived, not long since, at Triers, a German, called Arrigo, who was a poor man, and served as a porter, when any one pleased to employ him; yet was he reputed a person of a good life; on which account (whether it be true or false I know not) it was affirmed by the people of Triers, that, at the very instant of his death, the bells of the great church rang of their own accord, which was accounted a miracle, and all declared that this Arrigo was a saint. They flocked to the house where the corpse lay, and carried it as a sanctified body to the great church; bringing thither the halt, lame, and blind, in expectation that, by the touch of it, they would all recover. In so great a concourse of people, it happened, that three of our own city arrived there, one of whom was named Stecchi, another Martellino, and the third Marchese; persons that frequented the courts of princes, to divert them as buffoons and mimicks. Having none of them ever been 

there before, and seeing the great crowd of people running from all parts of the city, they were much surprised; and hearing the cause, they were very desirous of seeing the corpse. They left their baggage therefore at the inn, and Marchese said, "We will see this saint; but I do not know how we shall contrive to get near enough, for the street is full of soldiers and persons in arms, whom the governor has stationed there, to prevent any tumult in the city; and besides, the church is so thronged with people, that it will be impossible to get in." Martellino, who was eager to be a spectator, replied, "I will find a way, notwithstanding, to get close to the very body." - "How," said Marchese, "is that possible?” - I'll tell you," answered Martellino: "I intend to counterfeit a cripple, whilst thou shall support me on one side, and Stecchi on the other, as if I were unable to walk by myself, bringing me towards the saint to be cured; and you will see everybody make way for us to go on. 

The other two were much pleased with the contrivance, and they all went accordingly into a private place, where Martellino distorted his hands, fingers, arms, legs, mouth, eyes, and his whole countenance, in such a manner, that it was frightful to behold; and nobody that saw him would have imagined but that he was really so lamed and deformed. Being carried in that guise by Marchese and Stecchi, they directed their way to the church, crying out in a most piteous manner all the way, to make way for God's sake! which the people did with great readiness. In a little time they attracted the eyes of every one, and the general cry was Room! room! till at length they came where the body of St. Arrigo lay. Martellino was then taken from his friends by some persons that stood around, and laid all along upon the body, to the end that he might, by that means, receive the benefit of a cure. All the people's eyes were now upon him, expecting the event; when he, who was master of his business, first began to stretch his fingers, then his hands, afterwards his arms, and at last his whole body; which, when the people saw, they set up such shouts in praise of St. Arrigo, that a clap of thunder would hardly have been noticed in the din. 

Now it happened that a Florentine was not far off, who, knowing Martellino very well (not while his body was distorted, but after his pretended cure), burst out laughing, and cried "Good God! who would not have taken him to have been really a cripple?" Some of the bystanders hearing this, immediately said, "And was he not so?" - "No," answered the other, "as God is my judge, he was always as straight as any person here; but he has the art, as you have now seen, of turning his body into what shape he pleases." 

There needed nothing more to set them all on fire; they therefore pressed on most violently, crying out to "seize the villain, that blasphemer of God and his saints, who being in no wise disordered, comes here to make a jest of our saint and us." Whereupon they dragged him by the hair of the head, and threw him upon the ground, kicking him, and tearing the clothes off his back; nor was there one that did not endeavour to give hint a blow; whilst Martellino kept crying out for God's sake to have mercy; but all to no purpose, for the blows fell thicker and faster upon him. 

Marchese and Stecchi now began to be in some pain for themselves, and not during to help him, they cried out with the multitude, "Kill him! kill him!" contriving all the time how to get him out of their hands: nevertheless he had certainly been murdered, but for the following expedient. Marchese, knowing that the officers of justice were at the door, ran to the lieutenant that commanded, crying out, "Help, sir, help! for God's sake; here's a fellow that has picked my pocket of a hundred florins; I beg you will assist me in getting them back again." And immediately twelve of the serjeants ran to where Martellino was in the utmost jeopardy, and with the greatest difficulty got him away, all trodden under foot and bruised as he was, and carried him to the palace, followed by many of the people who had been incensed against him, and who now hearing that he was taken up for a cut-purse, and seeing no other way of revenging themselves, declared that they had also been robbed by him. 

On hearing these complaints, the judge, who was an ill-tempered man, took him aside and examined him; whilst Martellino answered him in a jesting manner, making no account of their accusations. This so incensed the judge, that he ordered him to be tied by the neck, and soundly lashed, that he might make him confess the crimes he was charged with, in order to hang him afterwards. Martellino being therefore bound down to the ground, and the judge asking him if those things with which he was accused were true, and telling him it would be in vain to deny them; he made answer, "My lord, I am ready to confess the truth; but please first to order all my accusers to say when and where I robbed them, and I will then tell you truly what I am guilty of, and what not." The judge readily consented, and having summoned some of them before him, one said he had picked his pocket eight days ago, another four days, and some averred that he had robbed them that same day. Martellino replied, "My lord, they are all liars; for I had not been here many hours (and would to God I had never come at all!) before I went to view this saint, where I got abused as you now see. That this is true, the officer who keeps your book of presentations, as also my landlord, will testify for me; therefore I beseech you not to torture and put me to death at the instance of these people." 

When Marchese and Stecchi heard what passed before the judge, and that their friend was severely handled, they began to be in great fear about him, saying to themselves, that they had taken him out of the frying-pan, to throw him into the fire: and they ran from place to place, to find out their landlord, whom they acquainted with what had happened. The landlord, laughing heartily at their story, took them to one Alexander Agolanti, a person of great interest in the city, to whom they related the whole affair, entreating him to have pity on poor Martellino. Alexander, after much laughter, went to the governor of the town, and prevailed upon him to have Martellino brought into his presence. The messenger that went for him, found him standing before the judge in his shirt, all terrified, because his worship would hear nothing in his favour, having an aversion perhaps to our country people, and being probably resolved to hang him at all events; and he refused to deliver him up, till he was compelled. Martellino being brought before the governor, told him everything that had happened, and entreated him as a special favour, that he would let him go, saying, that till he came to Florence, he should always think he had the rope about his neck. The governor was highly diverted with the story, and ordering every one of the three a suit of apparel, they escaped, beyond all their hopes, from the most imminent danger, and got home safe and sound. 

NOVEL X. Master Albert, of Bologna

NOVEL X. 

Master Albert, of Bologna, puts a lady to the blush, who thought to have done as much by him, because she perceived him to be amorously inclined towards her. 

After Eliza had finished, the last tale remained to be told by the queen, who, in the most becoming manner, began as follows: - Most virtuous ladies, as the stars are the ornament of heaven when the air is clear, and as flowers embellish the meadow in the spring, so lively sallies and appropriate anecdotes constitute the charm of polite conversation; and these are, from their very brevity, better suited to women than men, forasmuch as many words, when fewer would serve the purpose, are more unbecoming in our sex than in them. It is true there are few women now who understand anything that is smart and witty when they hear it; or, if they do understand, they scarcely know how to make a reply; which is much to the disgrace of our sex. For that culture which adorned the minds of women in former times, is devoted in our days to the body; and she whose habit is most gaudy, and set off with embroideries and fantastic ornaments, is most esteemed, not considering that, were you to load an ass with that finery, it would be able to carry more than any women, and, therefore, in that particular, they deserve not so much respect as the ass. I am ashamed to mention these things, because, whilst I censure other women, I am taxing myself. Such showy painted things, what are they else but statues, dull and insensible? or if they answer a question, they had better have been silent. Truly, they would have you think, that their not knowing how to converse with men of sense proceeds from their simplicity and purity of mind, and therefore they call their own foolishness by the name of modesty; as if there were no other honest woman but she who converses with her chambermaid, laundress, or kitchen-women; and as if nature designed them no other kind of conversation. Most sure it is, that in this, as well as in other things, you are to consider when, where, and with whom, you speak: for sometimes it happens, that a man or woman, intending by some jest or other to put a person to the blush, without having compared their strength of wit with that of the other person, may find it recoil upon themselves. Therefore, that we may be always upon our guard, and not verify the proverb which is in every one's mouth. That women always choose the worst, I desire that this day's last novel, which is to come from myself, may make us all wise; to the end that, as we are distinguished from others by birth and quality, we may not be behind them in discreetness of behaviour. 

It is not long since there was living at Bologna (and perhaps he may be there still), a physician of extraordinary note in his profession, called Master Albert, one of so sprightly a disposition, though he was nearly seventy years old, that notwithstanding his natural heat and vigour had quite forsaken him, yet disdained he not to receive the 

sparks of love. For having seen, at an entertainment, a most beautiful lady, a widow, called, as some say, Madam Malgherida de' Ghisolieri, he was no less smitten than if he had been a younger person: nor could he rest at nights, unless he had seen the fair one by day. This made him pass backwards and forwards, sometimes on foot, and sometimes on horseback, so often before her door, that she, and some other ladies of her acquaintance, could not help taking notice of it; and would often make themselves merry to see a person of his years and learning so ridiculously amorous; supposing love to be a passion peculiar to young people. Master Albert continuing his marches to and fro by the house, it happened, on a festival, that this lady was sitting at the door with some of her friends, and seeing him come at a distance, they all agreed to receive him handsomely, and afterwards to rally him on his passion. They rose up, therefore, and invited him into a pleasant room, where he was entertained with rich wine and sweetmeats; and at length they began to inquire of him, as modestly as possible, how he could ever think of being in love with so fine a lady, seeing how much she had been solicited by many brisk, gay young gentlemen. Master Albert, perceiving that they had drawn him in among them, only to make a jest of him, put a merry countenance on the matter, and replied: 

"Madam, it should seem no strange thing to any considerate person, that I am in love, especially with you, because you so well deserve it. And though the power be. taken away by age, yet is the will remaining, as also the judgment to distinguish those who are most worthy of our affection; and this in a greater degree, as age has more knowledge than youth. The hope that prompted me, who am old, to love you, who are courted by so many younger persons, is this; I have often, at an afternoon's collation, observed ladies eating lupines and leeks, and though in the leek there be no goodness at all, yet is the head least hurtful, as well as most agreeable to the taste: but you, guided by a wrong appetite, will generally hold the head between your fingers, and eat the stalk, which is not only good for nothing, but has also a bad relish. Suppose, therefore, you choose a lover in the same manner; I shall be the happy person, and the rest of your lovers all discarded." The lady was in some confusion, as well as her companions; and she said to him, "sir, you have given us a very just and reasonable reprimand: I shall always value your respect, as that of a learned and worthy person; and you may ever, as far as is consistent with my honour, command me." Master Albert rose, gave the ladies thanks, took his leave very merrily, and departed. Thus the fair dame, never considering whom she jested with, met with her match; of which, if you are wise, you will hereafter be careful. 

The sun was now descending in the west, and the heat of the day much abated, when the novels were all ended; upon which the queen pleasantly said, "Nothing more remains to be done during my administration for the present day, but to give you a new queen for tomorrow, who must take her turn, according to the best of her judgment, in ordering everything that may be necessary for the continuance of our mirth. And though the day ought to continue till it is night; yet, unless you take time a little beforehand, you cannot so well provide for what is to come; therefore, that there may be time enough to prepare whatever the queen shall think proper for the next day, I think the following days ought to begin at this hour. In regard then to Him, by whom all things live, and for our own well-doing, I appoint Filomena to be queen the second day." When she had thus spoken, she rose from her seat, and having taken the crown from her own head, she reverently placed it on Filomena's, humbly saluting her first herself, and afterwards the rest of the company did the same, submitting themselves cheerfully to her government. - Filomena saw herself crowned with a gentle blush; and calling to mind what Pampinea had just said, that she might not seem remiss in her duty, she confirmed all the officers whom Pampinea had appointed; then she ordered the morrow's provision, as also the supper, so near approaching (they being to continue where they were), and afterwards spoke in this manner 

"My dear friends, although Pampinea, more through her own courtesy than any merit of mine, has made me your queen, yet am I not disposed to follow my own judgment as to our manner of living, but rather to join my opinion with yours; and, therefore, that you may know what I intend to do, and so alter it at your pleasure, I shall declare it in few words. If I have well considered the method that has been taken today, it seems agreeable enough, and till we either grow weary, or find it inconvenient, I resolve not to change it. Continuing then as we have begun, we will rise and divert ourselves awhile by walking; when the sun is down we will sup in the open air, and after we have had some songs and other diversions, it will be time to go to bed. tomorrow morning whilst it is cool and pleasant, we will rise and take a walk, where we like best; and return, as we have done today, about dinner-time, and dance; then, after reposing as before, we will come here again to continue our novels, which to me seem equally entertaining and useful. There are some things, indeed, which Pampinea could not accomplish by reason of her late promotion, which I propose to perfect, namely, to keep you within the bounds of some particular subject, to which your novels are all to relate, and which is to be given you beforehand, that you may have time to think of some pretty story to the purpose; which, if you please, shall be this: As from the beginning of the world, people have been all along conducted by fortune through the various chances of life, an J will be so to the end of it; you are all of you to relate a case where a person, after going through a variety of troubles, at last meets with success beyond all hope and expectation." 

They all approved the order that was given, and determined to obey it; Dioneo only excepted, who, after the rest were silent, said: "Madam, I approve your order as the rest have done, and think it both pleasant and commendable; but one special favour I beg may be granted me, whilst this company continues together; namely, not to let me be constrained by the law you have made, to relate a story according to the given theme, unless I please; but that I may choose something I like better. And that you may not think that I request this, as if I were unfurnished with discourses of this kind, I am content to be the last in every day's exercise." The queen, knowing him to be a merry companion, and well considering that he would not have moved this request, but wit i a design to make the company laugh, when they were weary of any particular subject, agreed to what he desired with the consent of all. 

They now rose and went to a crystal stream, which fell from a little hill into a vale shaded with trees; where, washing both their hands and their feet, much mirth passed among them, till supper drawing near made them return to the palace. When that was over, the queen ordered the musical instruments to be brought, and that Lauretta should begin a dance, Emilia singing to her, and Dioneo playing upon the lute; with which Lauretta immediately complied, and Emilia sang the following song in a very fascinating manner: 

SONG. 

I. 

With my own charms so blest am I, 

Each other passion I defy; 

For ever as I gaze, I find 

That good which still contents the mind; 

Nor former flame, nor future love. 

The dear enjoyment can remove. 

II.

Nor does the good I thus possess 

Become by long admiring less; 

No - greater far 's the joy I feel, 

Than heart can think, or tongue reveal; 

How great it is, they only know, 

Who long have sweetly languish'd so. 

III. 

And I (the more I fix my eyes, 

And feel the pleasing passion rise) 

Each thought direct, and wish confine. 

To make the promis'd blessing mine. 

And hope ere long a greater joy: 

Where is the nymph so blest as I? 

All joined in the song, though the words occasioned some speculation; and after this and a few other little sonnets, a good part of the night being now spent, the queen thought proper to put an end to the first day; lights being consequently called for, she ordered every one to their respective chambers, to repose till the next morning.