French fiction -- Translations into English; Italian fiction -- Translations into English
that behaueth himselfe like a coward, and doth not obserue the
lawes of armes and manlike dueties incident to a combat. This
History then is a Mirrour for Loyall Louers and Chaste Suters,
and maketh them detest the vnshamefastnesse of those, which vpon
the first view do followe with might and mayne, the Gentlewoman
or Lady that gieueth them good Face, or Countenaunce whereof any
gentle heart, or mynde, noursed in the Schoolehouse of vertuous
education, will not bee squeymishe to those that shall by chaste
salutation or other incountry, doe their curteous reuerence.
This History also yeldeth contempt of them, which in their
affection forget themselues abasing the Generosity of their
Courages to be reputed of fooles the true champions of loue,
whose like are they that desire such regarde. For the perfection
of a true Louer consisteth in passions, in sorrows, griefes,
martirdomes, or cares, and mutch lesse arriueth he to his
desire, by sighes, exclamations, Weapings, and childishe
playnts: For so mutch as vertue ought to be the bande of that
indissoluble amity, which maketh the vnion of the two seuered
bodies of that Woman man, which Plato describeth, and causeth
man to trauell for hys whole accomplishment in the true pursute
of chaste loue. In which labour truly, fondly walked Dom Diego,
thinking to finde the same by his dispayre amiddest the sharpe
solitary Deserts of those Pyrene Mountaynes. And truely the
duety of his perfect friende, did more liuely disclose the same
(what fault so euer he did) than all his Countenaunces, eloquent
letters or amorous Messages. In like manner a man doth not know
what a treasure a true Friende is, vntill hee hath proued his
excellency, specially where necessity maketh him to taste the
swetenes of sutch delicate meate. For a frend being a seconde
himselfe, agreeth by a certayne naturall Sympathie and
attonement to th’affections of him whom he loueth both to
particpate his ioyes and pleasures, and to sorrowe his
aduersity, where Fortune shall vse by some misaduentures,
to shewe hir accustomed mobility.
THE THIRTIETH NOUELL.
_A Gentleman of Siena, called Anselmo Salimbene, curteously
and gently deliuereth his enemy from death. The condemned
party seeing the kinde parte of Salimbene, rendreth into his
hands his sister Angelica, with whom he was in loue, which
gratitude and curtesie, Salimbene well markinge, moued in
Conscience, woulde not abuse hir, but for recompence tooke hir
to his wyfe._
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