. Whereuppon hearing him in such wise to
prayse you, and knowing righte well your affectionate minde and
disposition towards mee, my hart attached with loue, forced me
to sende for you that I mighte hereafter auoyde disdaine and
other scornefull demeaner, to impeache or hinder your loue: and
this briefely is the cause." "Is this true?" said Galgano. "Most
certaine and true," aunsweared the Lady." "Was there no other
occasion?" "No, verely:" said the lady. "God defend," (quoth
Galgano,) "that I should recompence the curtesie and good will
of so noble a gentleman (as your husband is) with reproch and
villany. Is it meete that good turnes should be requited with
vnkindnes? If euer man had cause to defende the honor of his
vnknowen frend, cause haue I right good and apte. For now
knowinge such a frende, that would by vertuous reportes haue
aduaunced me to higher matters, than wherof I am in possession,
should I reward with pollucion of his stocke and wife? No, no,
lady! my raginge sute by loue, is by vertue quenched. Vertue
onely hath staunched the flames of vile affections. Seeke
another frende, to glut your lecherous minde. Finde out some
other companion, to coole thy disordinate loue. Shal I be
disloyal to him, that hath been faithfull vnto me? Shall I be
traytor to him, that frendly hath commended me? What can be more
required of humane hearte, or more desired of manlike mind, but
wilfull bente, and fixed to do him good, that neuer erst by
iuste desert deserued the same." With which wordes sodenly hee
lept out of the bed, and when he had furnished himselfe againe
with his apparell, hee also put vppon him vertuous friendship,
and takinge his leaue of the Lady, neuer after that time he gaue
himself to matters of Loue. And maister Stricca he continually
obserued both with singuler loue and dutifull friendship:
whereby it is vncertaine whether was most singuler in him, his
continency at the very instante by refrayning that vehement
heate of loue, which so long time with great trauaile and coste
he had pursued, or his regard of frendship to sir Stricca vppon
wordes of commendacion spoken behinde his backe. Both no doubte
be singuler vertues meete for all men to be obserued: but the
subduing of his affections surmounted and passed.

THE FORTY-EIGHTH NOUELL.

_Bindo a notable Architect, and his sonne Ricciardo, with all his
familie, from Florence went to dwell at Venice where being made
Citizens for diuers mon