_Three pleasant Companions, plaide a merry pranke with a Judge (belonging to the Marquesate of_ Ancona) _at_ Florence, _at such time as he sate on the Bench, and hearing criminall causes._ The Fift Novell. _Giving admonition, that for the mannaging of publique affaires, no other persons are or ought to be appointed, but such as be honest, and meet to sit on the seate of Authority._ No sooner had Madam _Æmillia_ finished her Novell, wherein, the excellent wisedome of _Piccarda_, for so worthily punishing the luxurious old Provoste, had generall commendations of the whole Assembly: but the Queene, looking on _Philostratus_, said. I command you next to supply the place: whereto he made answere, that hee was both ready and willing, and then thus began. Honourable Ladies, the merry Gentleman, so lately remembred by Madame _Eliza_, being named _Maso del Saggio_; causeth me to passe over an intended Tale, which I had resolved on when it came to my turne: to report another concerning him, and two men more, his friendly Companions, which although it may appeare to you somewhat unpleasing, in regard of a little grosse and unmannerly behavior: yet it will move merriment without any offence, and that is the maine reason why I relate it. It is not unknowne to you, partly by intelligence from our reverend predecessours, as also some understanding of your owne, that many time have resorted to our City of _Florence_, Potestates and Officers, belonging to the Marquesate of _Anconia_; who commonly were men of lowe spirit, and their lives so wretched and penurious, as they rather deserved to be tearmed Misers, then men. And in regard of this their naturall covetousnesse and misery, the Judges would bring also in their company, such Scribes or Notaries, as being paralelde with their Masters: they all seemed like Swaines come from the Plough, or bred up in some Coblers quality, rather then Schollers, or Students of Law. At one time (above all the rest) among other Potestates and Judges, there came an especiall man, as pickt out of purpose, who was named _Messer Niccolao da San Lepidio_, who (at the first beholding) looked rather like a Tinker, then any Officer in authority. This hansome man (among the rest) was deputed to heare criminall causes. And, as often it happeneth, that Citizens, although no businesse inviteth them to Judiciall Courts, yet they still resort thither, sometimes accidentally: So it fortuned, that _Maso del Saggio_, being one morning in search of an especiall friend, went to the Court-house, and being there, observed in what manner _Messer Niccolao_ was seated; who looking like some strange Fowle, lately come forth of a farre Countrey; he began to survay him the more seriously, even from the head to the foot, as we use to say.