wittily reprehending his Abbot； with the very same fault。
So ceased Madame Philotnena； after the conclusion of her Tale：
when Dioneus sitting next unto her； （without tarrying for any other
command from the Queene； knowing by the order formerly begun； that hee
was to follow in the same course） spake in this manner。
Gracious Ladies； if I faile not in understanding your generall
intention； we are purposely assembled heere to tell Tales； and
especially such as may please our selves。 In which respect； because
nothing shold be done disorderly； I hold it lawfull for every one
（as our Queene decreed before her Dignity） to relate such a
Noveltie； as in their owne judgement may cause most contentment。
Wherefore having heard that by the good admonitions of Jehannot de
Chevigny； Abraham the Jew was advised to the salvation of his soule；
and Melchisedech （by his witty understanding） defended his riches from
the traines of Saladine： I now purpose to tell you in a few plaine
words； without feare of receiving any reprehension； how cunningly a
Monke compassed his deliverance； from a punishment intended towards
him。
There was in the Country of Lunigiana （which is not far distant from
our owne） a Monastery； which sometime was better furnished with
holinesse and Religion； then now adayes they are： wherein lived （among
divers other） a yong Novice Monke； whose hot and lusty disposition
（being in the vigour of his yeeres） was such； as neither Fasts nor
prayers had any great power over him。 It chanced on a fasting day
about high noon； when all the other Monkes were asleep in their
Dormitaries or Dorters； this frolicke Friar was walking alone in their
Church； which stoode in a very solitarie place； where ruminating on
many matters by himselfe； hee espyed a prettie handsome Wench （some
Husbandmans daughter in the Countrey； that had beene gathering
rootes and hearbes in the field） upon her knees before in Altar；
whom he had no sooner seene； but immediately hee felt effeminate
temptations； and such as ill fitted with his profession。
Lascivious desire； and no religious devotion； made him draw neere
her； and whether under shrift （the onely cloake to compasse carnal
affections） or some other as close conference to as pernitious and
vile a purpose； I know not： but so farre he prevailed upon her
frailety； and such a bargaine passed betweene them； that from the
Church； he wonne her to his Chamber； before any person could
perceive it。 Now； while this yong lusty Monke （transported with
overfond affection） was more carelesse of his dalliance； then he
should have bene： the Lord Abbot being newly arisen from sleepe； and
walking softly about the Cloyster； came to the Monkes Dorter doore；
where hearing what noyse was made betweene them； and a feminine
voyce more strange then hee was wont to heare； he layed his eare close
to the Chamber doore； and plainly perceived； that a woman was
within。 Wherewith being much moved； he intended sodainly to make him
open the doore； but （upon better consideration） hee conceyved it farre
more fitting for him； to returne backe to his owne Chamber； and
tarry till the Monke should come forth。
The Monke； though his delight with the Damosell was extraordinary；
yet feare and suspition followed upon it； for； in the very height of
all his wantonnesse； he heard a soft treading about the doore。 And
prying thorow a small crevice in the same dore； perceived apparantly；
that the Abbot himselfe stood listening there； and could not be
ignorant but that the Maide was with him in the Chamber。 As after
pleasure ensueth paine； for the veniall Monke knew well enough （though
wanton heate would not let him heede it before） that most greevous
punishment must bee inflicted on him； which made him sad beyond all
measure： Neverthelesse； without disclosing his dismay to the yong
Maiden； he began to consider with himselfe on many meanes； whereby
to find out one that might best fit his turne。 And suddenly
conceited an apt stratagem； which sorted to such effect as he would
have it： whereupon； seeming satisfied for that season； he tolde the
Damosell； that （being carefull of her credit） as hee had brought her
in unseene of any； so he would free her from thence againe； desiring
her to tarrie there （without making any noyse at all） untill such time
as he returned to her。
Going forth of the chamber； and locking it fast with the key； he
went directly to the Lord Abbots lodging； and delivering him the saide
key （as every Monke used to doe the like； when he went abroade out
of the Convent） setting a good countenance on the matter； boldly
saide； My Lord； I have not yet brought in all my part of the wood；
which lieth ready cut downe in the Forrest； and having now
convenient time to doe it； if you please to give me leave； I will
goe and fetch it。 The Abbot perswading himselfe； that he had not beene
discovered by the Monke； and to be resolved more assuredly in the
offence committed； being not a little jocund of so happy an
accident； gladly tooke the key； and gave him leave to fetch the wood。
No sooner was he gone； but the Abbot beganne to consider with
himselfe； what he were best to doe in this case； either （in the
presence of all the other Monkes） to open the Chamber doore； that so
the offence being knowne to them all； they might have no occasion of
murmuring against him； when he proceeded in the Monkes punishment；
or rather should first understand of the Damosell her selfe； how；
and in what manner shee was brought thither。 Furthermore； he
considered； that shee might be a woman of respect； or some such mans
daughter； as would not take it well； to have her disgraced before
all the Monkes。 Wherefore hee concluded； first to see （himselfe）
what shee was； and then （afterward） to resolve upon the rest。 So going
very softly to the Chamber； and entring in； locked the doore fast with
the key； when the poore Damosell thinking it had beene the gallant
young Monke； but finding it to be the Lord Abbot； shee fell on her
knees weeping； as fearing now to receive publike shame； by being
betrayed in this unkinde manner。
My Lord Abbot looking demurely on the Maide； and perceiving her to
be faire； feate； and lovely； felt immediately （although he was olde）
no lesse spurring on to fleshly desires； then the young Monke before
had done； whereupon he beganne to conferre thus privately with
himselfe。 Why should I not take pleasure； when I may freely have it？
Cares and molestations I endure every day； but sildome find such
delights prepared for me。 This is a delicate sweete young Damosell；
and here is no eye that can discover me。 If I can enduce her to doe as
I would have her； I know no reason why I should gaine…say it。 No man
can know it； or any tongue blaze it abroade； and sinne so concealed；
is halfe pardoned。 Such a faire fortune as this is； perhaps
hereafter will never befall me； and therefore I hold it wisedome； to
take such a benefit when a man may enjoy it。
Upon this immodest meditation； and his purpose quite altered which
he came for； he went neerer to her； and very kindly began to comfort
her； desiring her to forbeare weeping： and （by further insinuating
speeches） acquainted her with his amorous intention。 The Maide； who
was made neither of yron nor diamond； and seeking to prevent one shame
by another； was easily wonne to the Abbots will； which caused him to
embrace and kisse her often。
Our lusty young novice Monke； whom the Abbot imagined to bee gone
for wood； had hid himselfe aloft upon the roofe of the Dorter；
where； when he saw the Abbot enter alone into the Chamber； he lost a
great part of his former feare； promising to himselfe a kinde of
perswasion； that somewhat would ensue to his better comfort； but
when he beheld him lockt into the Chamber； then his hope grew to
undoubted certainty。 A little chincke or crevice favoured him； whereat
he could both heare and see； whatsoever was done or spoken by them：
so； when the Abbot thought hee had staide long enough with the
Damosell； leaving her still there； and locking the doore fast
againe； hee returned thence to his owne Chamber。
Within some short while after； the Abbot knowing the Monke to be
in the Convent； and supposing him to be lately returned with the wood；
determined to reprove him sharpely； and to have him closely
imprisoned； that the Damosell might remaine solie to himselfe。 And
causing him to be called presently before him； with a very stearne and
angry countenance； giving him many harsh and bitter speeches；
commanded； that he should be clapt in prison。
The Monke very readily answered； saying。 My good Lord； I have not
yet beene so long in the Order of Saint Benedict； as to learne all the
particularities thereto belonging。 And beside Sir； you never shewed
mee or any of my Brethren； in what manner we young Monkes ought to use
women； as you have otherwise done for our custome of prayer and
fasting。 But seeing you have so lately therein instructed mee； and
by your owne example how to doe it： I heere solemnely promise you；
if you please to pardon me but this one error； I will never faile
therein againe； but dayly follow what I have seene you doe。
The Abbot； being a man of quicke apprehension； perceived instantly
by this answere； that the Monke not onely knew as much as he did；
but also had seene （what was intended） that hee should not。 Wherefore；
finding himselfe to be as faulty as the Monke； and that hee could
not shame him； but worthily had deserved as much himselfe； pardoning
him； and imposing silence on eithers offence： they convayed the
poore abused Damosell forth of their doores； she purposing （never
after） to transgresse in the like manner。
THE FIRST DAY； THE FIFT NOVELL
DECLARING； THAT WISE AND VERTUOUS LADIES； OUGHT TO HOLD
THEIR CHASTITIE IN MORE ESTEEME； THEN THE GREATNESSE AND
TREASURES OF PRINCES： AND THAT A DISCREETE LORD SHOULD NOT
OFFER MODESTIE VIOLENCE
The Lady Marquesse of Montferrat； with a Banquet of Hennes； and
divers other gracious speeches beside； repressed the fond love of
the King of France。
The Tale reported by Dioneus； at the first hearing of the Ladies；
b