The Chorus sung by allLove, if I can scape free from forth thy holde, Beleeve it for a truth, Never more shall thy falshoode me enfolde.
When I was yong, I entred first thy fights, Supposing there to finde a solemne peace:
I threw off all my Armes, and with delights Fed my poore hopes, as still they did encrease.
But like a Tyrant, full of rancorous hate, Thou tookst advantage:
And I sought refuge, but it was too late.
Love, if I can scape free, etc.
But being thus surprized in thy snares, To my misfortune, thou madst me her slave;Was onely borne to feede me with despaires, And keepe me dying in a living grave.
For I saw nothing dayly fore mine eyes, But rackes and tortures:
From which I could not get in any wise.
Love, if I can scape free, etc.
My sighes and teares I vented to the winde, For none would heare or pittie my complaints;My torments still encreased in this kinde, And more and more I felt these sharpe restraints.
Release me now at last from forth his hell.
Asswage thy rigour, Delight not thus in cruelty to dwell.
Love, if I can scape free, etc.
If this thou wilt not grant, be yet so kinde, Release me from those worse then servile bands, Which new vaine hopes have bred, wherein I finde;Such violent feares, as comfort quite withstands.
Be now (at length) a little moov'd to pittie, Be it nere so little:
Or in my death listen my Swan-like Dittie.
Love, if I can scape free from forth thy holde, Beleeve it for a truth, Never more shall thy falshood me enfolde.
After that Madame Eliza had made an end of her Song, which shee sealed up with an heart-breaking sigh: they all sate amazedly wondering at her moanes, not one among them being able to conjecture, what should be the reason of her singing in this manner.
But the King being in a good and pleasing temper, calling Tindaro, commaunded him to bring his Bagge-pipe, by the sound whereof they danced divers daunces: And a great part of the night being spent in this manner, they all gave over, and departed to their Chambers.
THE INDUCTION TO THE SEVENTH DAY
WHEN THE ASSEMBLY BEING MET TOGETHER, AND UNDER THE REGIMENT OFDIONEUS: THE DISCOURSES ARE DIRECTED, FOR THE DISCOVERIE OF SUCHPOLICIES AND DECEITES, AS WOMEN HAVE USED FOR BEGUILING OF THEIRHUSBANDES, EITHER IN RESPECT OF THEIR LOVE, OR FOR THE PREVENTIONOF SOME BLAME OR SCANDALL, ESCAPING WITHOUT SIGHT, KNOWLEDGE, OR OTHERWISEAll the Starres were departed out of East, but onely that, which commonly cal bright Lucifer, the Day-Star, gracing the morning very gloriously: when the Master of the household, being risen, went with all the provision, to the Valley of Ladies, to make everie thing in due and decent readines, according as his Lord over-night had commanded him.After which departure of his, it was not long before the King arose, beeing awaked with the noise which the carriages made;and when he was up, the other two Gentlemen and the Ladies were quickly readie soone after.
Such as were so disposed, were licensed by the King to take their rest: and they that would not, he permitted them to their wonted pastimes, each according to their minds.But when they were risen from sleepe, and the rest from their other exercises, it seemed to be more then high time, that they should prepare for talke and conference.So, sitting downe on Turky Carpets, which were spred abroad on the green grasse, and close by the place where they had dined: the King gave command, that Madam Aemillia should first begin, whereto she willingly yeelding obedience, and expecting such silent attention, as formerly had bin, thus she began.
THE SEVENTH DAY, THE FIRST NOVELL
REPREHENDING THE SIMPLICITY OF SOME SOTTISH HUSBANDS: ANDDISCOVERING THE WANTON SUBTILTIES OF SOME WOMEN, TO COMPASSETHEIR UNLAWFULL DESIRES
John of Lorraine heard one knocke at his doore in the night time, whereuppon he awaked his Wife Monna Tessa.She made him beleeve, that it was a Spirit which knocked at the doore, and so they arose, going both together to conjure the Spirit with a prayer; and afterwardes, they heard no more knocking.
My Gracious Lord (quoth Madame Aemillia) it had bene a matter highly pleasing to mee, that any other (rather then my selfe) should have begun to speake of this argument, which it hath pleased you to apoint.
But seeing it is your Highnesse pleasure, that I must make a passage of assurance for all the rest; I will not be irregular, because obedience is our cheefe Article.I shall therefore (Gracious Ladies)strive, to speake something, which may bee advantageable to you heereafter, in regard, that if other women bee as fearfull as we, especially of Spirits, of which all our ***e have generally bin timorous (although, upon my credite, I know not what they are, nor ever could meete with any, to tell me what they be) you may, by the diligent observation of my Novell: learne a wholsome and holy prayer, very availeable, and of precious power, to conjure and drive them away, whensoever they shall presume to assault you in any place.