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The Fourth BookChapter VII.
Chapter VII.
Wherein Is Prosecuted The History Of The Curious - Impertinent
`"Even as it is commonly said, that an army seems not well without a
general, or a castle without a constable, so do I affirm, that it is much more
indecent to see a young married woman without her husband, when he is not
justly detained away by necessary affairs. I find myself so ill disposed in
your absence, and so impatient and impotent to endure it longer, as, if you do
not speedily return, I shall be constrained to return back unto my father,
although I should leave your house without any keeping; for the guard you
appointed for me, if it be so that he may deserve that title, looks more, I
believe, to his own pleasure, than to that which concerns you. Therefore,
seeing you have wit enough, I will say no more; nor ought I say more in
reason."
`Anselmo received the letter, and by it understood that Lothario had
begun the enterprise, and that Camilla had answered to him according as he had
hoped. And, marvellous glad at the news, he answered his wife by word of
mouth, that she should not remove in any wise from her house; for he would
return with all speed. Camilla was greatly admired at his answer, which struck
her into a greater perplexity than she was at the first, being afraid to stay
at home, and also to go to her father. For by staying she endangers her
honesty; by going she would transgress her husband`s command. At last she
resolved to do that which was worst, which was to remain at home, and not to
shun Lothario`s presence, lest she should give her servants occasion of
suspicion. And now she was grieved to have written what she did to her
husband, fearful lest he should think that Lothario had noted in her some
token of lightness, which might have moved him to lose the respect which
otherwise was due unto her. But, confident in her innocency, she cast her
hopes in God and her good thoughts, wherewithal she thought to resist all
Lothario`s words, and by holding her silent without making him any answer,
without giving any further account of the matter to her husband, lest thereby
she might plunge him in new difficulties and contention with his friend, and
did therefore bethink her how she might excuse Lothario to Anselmo, when he
should demand the occasion that moved her to write unto him that letter.
`With these more honest than profitable or discreet resolutions, she gave
ear the second day to Lothario, who charged her with such resolution, as her
constancy began to stagger, and her honesty had enough to do recurring to her
eyes to contain them, lest they should give any demonstration of the amorous
compassion which Lothario`s words and tears had stirred in her breast.
Lothario noted all this, and it inflamed him the more. Finally, he thought
that it was requisite [to] the time and leisure which Anselmo`s absence
afforded him, to lay closer siege to that fortress; and so he assaulted her
presumptuously, with the praises of her beauty, for there is nothing which
with such facility doth rend and raze to the ground the proudly - crested
turrets of women`s vanity, than the same vanity being dilated on by the tongue
of adulation and flattery. To be brief, he did with all diligence undermine
the rock of her integrity with so warlike engines, as although Camilla were
made of brass, yet would she be overthrown, for Lothario wept, entreated,
promised, flattered, persisted and feigned so feelingly, and with such tokens
of truth, as, traversing Camilla`s care of her honour, he came in the end to
triumph over that which was least suspected, and he most desired; for she
rendered herself - even Camilla rendered herself. But what wonder if
Lothario`s amity could not stand on foot? A clear example, plainly
demonstrating that the amorous passion is only vanquished by shunning it, and
that nobody ought to adventure to wrestle with so strong an adversary; for
heavenly forces are necessary for him that would confront the violence of that
passion, although human. None but Leonela knew the weakness of her lady, for
from her the two bad friends and new lovers could not conceal the matter; nor
yet would Lothario discover to Camilla her husband`s pretence, or that he had
given him wittingly the opportunity whereby he arrived to that pass, because
she should not imagine that he had gotten her lightly, and by chance, and did
not purposely solicit her.
`A few days after, Anselmo arrived to his house, and did not perceive
what wanted therein, to wit, that which it had lost, and he most esteemed.
From thence he went to see his friend Lothario, whom he found at home, and,
embracing one another, he demanded of him the news of his life or of his
death. "The news which I can give thee, friend Anselmo," quoth Lothario, "are,
that thou has a wife who may deservedly be the example and garland of all good
women. The words that I spoke unto her were spent on the air, my proffers
contemned, and my gifts repulsed, and besides, she hath mocked me notably for
certain feigned tears that I did shed. In resolution, even as Camilla is the
pattern of all beauty, so is she a treasury wherein modesty resides, courtesy
and wariness dwell, and all the other virtues that may beautify an honourable
woman, or make her fortunate. Therefore, friend, take back thy money, for here
it is ready, and I never had occasion to employ it; for Camilla`s integrity
cannot be subdued with so base things as are gifts and promises. And, Anselmo,
content thyself now with the proofs made already, without attempting to make
any further trial. And seeing thou hast passed over the sea of difficulties
and suspicions with a dry foot, which may and are wont to be had of women, do
not eftsoons enter into the profound depths of new inconveniences, nor take
thou any other pilot to make experience of the goodness and strength of the
vessel that Heaven hath allotted to thee, to pass therein through the seas of
this world; but make account that thou art harboured in a safe haven, and
there hold thyself fast with the anchor of good consideration, and so rest
thee until death come to demand his debt, from the payment whereof no nobility
or privilege whatsoever can exempt us." Anselmo rested singularly satisfied at
Lothario`s discourse, and did believe it as firmly as if it were delivered by
an oracle; but did entreat him notwithstanding to prosecute his attempt,
although it were only done for curiosity, and to pass away the time; yet not
to use so efficacious means as he hitherto practised; and that he only desired
him to write some verses in her praise under the name of Chloris, for he would
make Camilla believe that he was enamoured on a certain lady, to whom he did
appropriate that name, that he might celebrate her praises with the respect
due to her honour; and that if he would not take the pains to invent them,
then he himself would willingly compose them. "That is not needful," quoth
Lothario, "for the Muses are not so alienated from me, but that they visit me
sometimes in the year. Tell you unto Camilla what you have divined of my
loves, and as for the verses, I will make them myself; if not so well as the
subject deserves, yet at the least as artificially as I may devise them." The
impertinent - curious man and his treacherous friend having thus agreed, and
Anselmo returned to his house, he demanded of Camilla that which she marvelled
he had not asked before, that she should tell unto hie the occasion why she
sent unto him the letter? Camilla made answer, because it seemed unto her that
Lothario beheld her somewhat more immodestly than when he was at home; but
that now she did again dissuade herself, and believed that it was but a light
surmise, without any ground, because that she perceived Lothario to loathe her
presence, or [to] be by any means alone with her. Anselmo told her that she
might very well live secure for him, for that he knew Lothario`s affections
were bestowed elsewhere, and that upon one of the noblest damsels of the city,
whose praises he solemnized under the name of Chloris, and that although he
were not, yet was there no cause to doubt of Lothario`s virtue, or the amity
that was between them both. Here, if Camilla had not been premonished by
Lothario that the love of Chloris was but feigned, and that he himself had
told it to Anselmo to blind him, that he might with less difficulty celebrate
her own praises under the name of Chloris, she had without doubt fallen into
the desperate toils of jealousy; but being already advertised, she posted over
that assault lightly. The day following, they three sitting together at
dinner, Anselmo requested Lothario to repeat some one of the verses that he
had made to his beloved Chloris; for, seeing that Camilla knew her not, he
might boldly say what he pleased. "Although she knew her," quoth Lothario,
"yet would I not therefore suppress any part of her praises. For when any
lover praiseth his lady for her beauty, and doth withal tax her of cruelty,
her credit incurs no danger. But befall what it list, I composed yesterday a
sonnet of the ingratitude of Chloris, and is this ensuing:
"`A Sonnet.
"`Amidst the silence of the darkest night,
When sweetest sleep invadeth mortal eyes;
I poor account, to Heaven and Chloris bright,
Give of the richest harms, which ever rise.
And at the time we Phoebus may devise,
Shine through the roseal gates of the Orient bright,
With deep accents and sighs, in wonted guise,
I do my plaints renew, with main and might.
And when the sun, down from his starry seat,
Directest rays toward the earth doth send,
My sighs I double and my sad regret;
And night returns; but of my woes no end.
For I find always, in my mortal strife,
Heaven without ears, and Chloris likewise deaf.`"
`Camilla liked the sonnet very well, but Anselmo best of all; for he
praised it, and said, that the lady must be very cruel that would not answer
such perspicuous truths with reciprocal affection. But then Camilla answered,
"Why, then, belike, all that which enamoured poets say is true?" "Inasmuch as
poets," quoth Lothario, "they say not truth; but as they are enamoured, they
remain as short as they are true." "That is questionless," quoth Anselmo, all
to underprop and give Lothario more credit with Camilla, who was as careless
of the cause (her husband said so) as she was enamoured of Lothario; and
therefore with the delight she took in his compositions, but chiefly knowing
that his desires and labours were addressed to herself, who was the true
Chloris, she entreated him to repeat some other sonnet or ditty, if he
remembered any. "Yes, that I do," quoth Lothario; "but I believe that it is
not so good as the first, as you may well judge; for it is this:
"` A Sonnet.
"`I die, and if I cannot be believed,
My death`s most certain, as it is more sure
To see me, at thy feet, of life deprived;
Rather than grieve, this thraldom to endure.
Well may I (in oblivious shades obscure)
Of glory, life, and favour be denied.
And yet even there, shall in my bosom pure,
The shape of thy fair face, engraved, be eyed.
For that`s a relic, which I do reserve
For the last trances my contentions threaten,
Which `midst thy rigour doth itself preserve.
O woe`s the wight, that is by tempests beaten
By night, in unknown seas, in danger rife
For want of North, or haven, to lose his life.`"
`Anselmo commended also this second sonnet as he had done the first, and
added by that means one link to another in the chain wherewith he entangled
himself, and forged his own dishonour; seeing, when Lothario dishonoured him
most of all, he said unto him then that he honoured him most. And herewithal
Camilla made all the links, that verily served only to abase her down to the
centre of contempt, seem to mount her in her husband`s opinion up to the
height of virtue and good fame.
`It befel soon after, that Camilla, finding herself alone with her
maiden, said to her, "I am ashamed, friend Leonela, to see how little I knew
to value myself, seeing that I made not Lothario spend some time at least in
the purchasing the whole possession of me, which I, with a prompt will,
bestowed upon him speedily. I fear me that he will impute my hastiness to
lightness, without considering the force he used towards me, which wholly
hindered and disabled my resistance." "Let not that afflict you, madam," quoth
Leonela; "for it is no sufficient cause to diminish estimation, that be given
quickly which is to be given, if that in effect be good that is given, and be
in itself worthy of estimation; for it is an old proverb, `that he that gives
quickly, gives twice.`" "It is also said as well," quoth Camilla, "`that that
which costeth little is less esteemed.`" "That reason hath no place in you,"
quoth Leonela, "forasmuch as love, according as some have said of it, doth
sometimes fly, other times it goes; it runs with this man, and goes leisurely
with the other; it makes some key - cold, and inflames others; some it wounds,
and some it kills; it begins the career of his desires in an instant, and in
the very same it concludes it likewise. It is wont to lay siege to the
fortress in the morning, and at night it makes it to yield, for there`s no
force able to resist it; which being so, what do you wonder? or what is it
that you fear, if the same hath befallen Lothario, seeing that love made of my
lord`s absence an instrument to vanquish us? And it was forcible, that in it
we should conclude on it which love had before determined, without giving time
itself any time to lead Anselmo that he might return, and with his presence
leave the work imperfect. For love hath none so officious or better a minister
to execute his desires than is occasion. It serves itself of occasion in all
his act, but most of all at the beginning. And all this that I have said I
know rather by experience than hearsay, as I will some day let you to
understand; for, madam, I am likewise made of flesh and lusty young blood. And
as for you, Lady Camilla, you did not give up and yield yourself presently,
but stayed until you had first seen in Lothario`s eyes, his sighs, in his
discourses, in his promises, and gifts, all his soul, in which, and in his
perfections, you might read how worthy he is to be loved. And seeing this is
so, let not these scruples and nice thoughts assault or further disturb your
mind, but persuade yourself that Lothario esteems you as much as you do him,
and lives with content and satisfaction, seeing that it was your fortune to
fall into the amorous snare, that it was his good luck to catch you with his
valour and deserts; who not only hath the four S`s which they say every good
lover ought to have, but also the whole A B C, which if you will not credit,
do but listen to me a while, and I will repeat it to you by rote. He is, as it
seems, and as far as I can judge, Amiable, Bountiful, Courteous, Dutiful,
Enamoured, Firm, Gallant, Honourable, Illustrious, Loyal, Mild, Noble, Honest,
Prudent, Quiet, Rich, and the S`s which they say; and besides True, Valorous.
The X doth not quader well with him, because it sounds harshly. Y he is Young,
and the Z he is Zealous of thine honour." Camilla laughed at her maiden`s A B
C, and accounted her to be more practised in love - matters than she herself
had confessed, as indeed she was; for then she revealed to her mistress how
she and a certain young man, well - born, of the city, did treat of love one
with another. Hereat her mistress was not a little troubled in mind, fearing
that her honour might be greatly endangered by that means; she demanded
whether her affection had passed further than words? And the maid answered
very shamelessly and freely that they did; for it is most certain, that this
kind of reccheless mistress do also make their maidens careless and impudent;
who, when they perceive their ladies to falter, are commonly wont to halt
likewise themselves, and care not that the world do know it.
`Camilla, seeing that error past remedy, could do no more but entreat
Leonela not to reveal anything of their affairs to him she said was her
sweetheart, and that she should handle her matters discreetly and secretly,
lest they might come to Anselmo or Lothario`s notice. Leonela promised to
perform her will, but did accomplish her promise in such sort, as she did
confirm Camilla`s fears that she should lose her credit by her means. For the
dishonest and bold girl, after she had perceived that her mistress`
proceedings were not such as they were wont, grew so hardy, as she gave
entrance and brought her lover into her master`s house, presuming that,
although her lady knew it, yet would she not dare to discover it. For this
among other harms follows the sins of mistresses, that it makes them slaves to
their own servants, and doth oblige them to conceal their dishonest and base
proceedings, as it fell out in Camilla, who, although she espied Leonela, not
once only, but sundry times together, with her lover in a certain chamber of
the house, she not only dared not to rebuke her for it, but rather gave her
opportunity to hide him, and would remove all occasion out of her husband`s
way, whereby he might suspect any such thing.
`But all could not hinder Lothario from espying him once, as he departed
out of the house at the break of the day; who, not knowing him, thought at the
first it was a spirit, but when he saw him post away, and cast his cloak over
his face, lest he should be known, he, abandoning his simple surmise, fell
into a new suspicion which had overthrown them all, were it not that Camilla
did remedy it. For Lothario thought that he whom he had seen issue out of
Anselmo`s house at so unseasonable an hour, had not entered into it for
Leonela`s sake, nor did he remember then that there was such a one as Leonela
in the world, but only thought that, as Camilla was lightly gotten by him, so
belike she was won by some other. For the wickedness of a bad woman bringeth
usually all these additions, that she loseth her reputation even with him, to
whom prayed and persuaded she yieldeth herself; and he believeth that she will
as easily, or with more facility, consent to others, and doth infallibly
credit the least suspicion which thereof may be offered.
`And it seems that Lothario in this instant was wholly deprived of all
reasonable discourse, and quite despoiled of his understanding; for, without
pondering of the matter, impatient and kindled by the jealous rage that
inwardly gnawed his bowels, fretting with desire to be revenged on Camilla,
who had never offended him, he came to Anselmo before he was up, and said to
him, "Know, Anselmo, that I have had these many days a civil conflict within
myself whether I should speak or no, and I have used as much violence as I
might to myself, not to discover a thing unto you, which now it is neither
just nor reasonable I should conceal. Know that Camilla`s fortress is
rendered, and subject to all that I please to command; and if I have been
somewhat slow to inform thee this of truth, it was because I would first see
whether it proceeded of some light appetite in her, or whether she did it to
try me, and see whether that love was still constantly continued, which I
first began to make unto her by thy order and licence. I did also believe that
if she had been such as she ought to be, and her that we both esteemed her,
she would have by this time acquainted you with my importunacy; but seeing
that she lingers therein, I presume that her promises made unto me are true,
that when you did again absent yourself out of town, she would speak with me
in the wardrobe" (and it was true, for there Camilla was accustomed to talk
with him), "yet would not I have thee run rashly to take revenge, seeing the
sin is not yet otherwise committed than in thought, and perhaps between this
and the opportunity she might hope to put it in execution, her mind would be
hanged, and she repent herself of her folly. And therefore seeing thou hast
ever followed mine advice partly or wholly, follow and keep one counsel that I
ill give unto thee now, to the end that thou mayst after, with careful
assurance and without fraud, satisfy thine own will as thou likest best. Feign
thyself to be absent two or three days as thou art wont, and then convey
thyself cunningly into the wardrobe, where thou mayst very well hide thyself
behind the tapestry, and then thou shalt see with thine own eyes, and I with
mine, what Camilla will do; and if it be that wickedness which rather ought to
be feared than hoped for, thou mayst, with wisdom, silence, and discretion, be
the proper executioner of so injurious a wrong."
`Anselmo remained amazed, and almost besides himself, hearing his friend
Lothario so unexpectedly to acquaint him with those things in a time wherein
he least expected them; for now he esteemed Camilla to have escaped victress
from the forged assaults of Lothario, and did himself triumph for glory of her
victory. Suspended thus and troubled, he stood silent a great while looking on
the earth, without once removing his eyes from it; and finally, turning
towards his friend, he said, "Lothario, thou hast done all that which I could
expect from so entire amity, and I do therefore mean to follow thine advice in
all things precisely. Do therefore what thou pleasest, and keep that secret
which is requisite in so weighty and unexpected an event." "All that I do
promise," quoth Lothario; and so departed, wholly repented for that he had
told to Anselmo, seeing how foolishly he had proceeded, since he might have
revenged himself on Camilla very well, without taking a way so cruel and
dishonourable. There did he curse his little wit, and abased his light
resolution, and knew not what means to use to destroy what he had done, or
give it some reasonable and contrary issue. In the end he resolved to acquaint
Camilla with the whole matter, and by reason that he never missed of
opportunity to speak unto her, he found her alone the very same day; and she,
seeing likewise that she had fit time to speak unto him, said, "Know, friend
Lothario, that a certain thing doth pinch my heart in such manner, as it seems
ready to burst in my breast, as doubtlessly I fear me that in time it will, if
we cannot set a remedy to it. For such is the immodesty of Leonela, as she
shuts up a lover of hers every night in this house, and remains with him until
daylight, which so much concerns my credit, as it leaves open a spacious field
to him that sees the other go out of my house at so unseasonable times, to
judge of me what he pleaseth; and that which most grieves me is, that I dare
not punish or rebuke her for it. For she being privy to our proceedings, sets
a bridle on me, and constrains me to conceal hers; and hence I fear will bad
success befall us." Lothario at the first suspected that Camilla did speak
thus to make him believe that the man whom he had espied was Leonela`s friend,
and none of hers; but seeing her to weep indeed, and be greatly afflicted in
mind, he began at last to give credit unto the truth, and, believing it, was
greatly confounded and grieved for that he had done. And yet, notwithstanding,
he answered Camilla that she should not trouble or vex herself any more; for
he would take such order, as Leonela`s impudence should be easily crossed and
suppressed; and then did recount unto her all that he had said to Anselmo,
spurred on by the furious rage of jealous indignation, and how her husband had
agreed to hide himself behind the tapestry of the wardrobe, that he might from
thence clearly perceive the little loyalty she kept towards him; and demanded
pardon of her for that folly, and counsel to redress it, and come safely out
of the intricate labyrinth whereinto his weak - eyed discourse had conducted
him.
`Camilla, having heard Lothario`s discourse, was afraid and amazed, and
with great anger and many and discreet reasons did rebuke him, reviling the
baseness of his thoughts, and the simple and little consideration that he had.
But as women have naturally a sudden wit for good or bad, much more prompt
than men, although when indeed they would make discourses, it proves
defective; so Camilla found in an instant a remedy for an affair in appearance
so irremediable and helpless, and therefore bade Lothario to induce his friend
Anselmo to hide himself the next day ensuing, for she hoped to take commodity
out of his being there for them both to enjoy one another with more security
than ever they had before; and without wholly manifesting her proverb to him,
she only advertised him to have care that, after Anselmo were hidden, he
should presently come when Leonela called for him, and that he should answer
her as directly to every question she proposed, as if Anselmo were not in
place. Lothario did urge her importunately to declare her design unto him, to
the end he might with more security and advice obscure all that was necessary.
"I say," quoth Camilla, "there is no other observance to be had, than only to
answer me directly to what I shall demand." For she would not give him account
beforehand of her determination, fearful that he would not conform himself to
her opinion, which she took to be so good, or else lest he would follow or
seek any other, that would not prove after so well. Thus departed Lothario;
and Anselmo, under pretext that he would visit his friend out of town,
departed, and returned covertly back again to hide himself, which he could do
the more commodiously, because Camilla and Leonela did purposely afford him
opportunity. Anselmo having hidden himself with the grief that may be imagined
one would conceive, who did expect to see with his own eyes an anatomy made of
the bowels of his honour, and was in danger to lose the highest felicity that
he accounted himself to possess in his beloved Camilla; Camilla and Leonela,
being certain that he was hidden within the wardrobe, entered into it, wherein
scarce had Camilla set her foot, when, breathing forth of a deep sigh, she
spoke in this manner:
`"Ah, friend Leonela! were it not better that, before I put in execution
that which I would not have thee to know, lest thou shouldest endeavour to
hinder it, that thou takest Anselmo`s poniard that I have sought of thee, and
pass this infamous breast of mine through and through? but do it not, for it
is no reason that I should suffer for other men`s faults. I will know, first
of all, what the bold and dishonest eyes of Lothario noted in me, that should
stir in him the presumption to discover unto me so unlawful a desire as that
which he hath revealed, so much in contempt of his friend, and to my
dishonour. Stand at that window, Leonela, and call him to me, for I do
infallibly believe that he stands in the street awaiting to effect his wicked
purpose. But first my cruel yet honourable mind shall be performed." "Alas,
dear madam," quoth the wise and crafty Leonela, "what is it that you mean to
do with that poniard? Mean you perhaps to deprive either your own or
Lothario`s life therewithal? for whichsoever of these things you do, shall
redound to the loss of your credit and fame. It is much better that you
dissemble your wrong, and give no occasion to the bad man now to enter into
this house, and find us here in it alone. Consider, good madam, how we are but
weak women, and he is a man, and one resolute, and by reason that he comes
blinded by his bad and passionate intent, he may peradventure, before you be
able to put yours in execution, do somewhat that would be worse for you than
to deprive you of your life. Evil befall my master Anselmo, that ministers so
great occasion to Impudency thus to discover her visage in our house. And if
you should kill him by chance, madam, as I suspect you mean to do, what shall
we do after with the dead carcase?" What said Camilla? "We would leave him
here that Anselmo might bury him; for it is only just that he should have the
agreeable task of interring his own infamy. Make an end, then, and call him,
for methinks that all the time which I spend untaking due revenge for my
wrong, turns to the prejudice of the loyalty which I owe unto my spouse."
`Anselmo listened very attentively all the while, and at every word that
Camilla said, his thoughts changed. But when he understood that she was
resolved to kill Lothario, he was about to come out and discover himself, to
the end that such a thing should not be done; but the desire that he had to
see wherein so brave and honest a resolution would end, withheld him,
determining then to sally out when his presence should be needful to hinder
it. Camilla about this time began to be very weak and dismayed, and casting
herself, as if she had fallen into a trance, upon a bed that was in the room,
Leonela began to lament very bitterly, and to say, "Alas! wretch that I am,
how unfortunate should I be, if the flower of the world`s honesty, the crown
of good women, and the pattern of chastity should die here between my hands!"
Those and such other things she said so dolefully, as no one could hear her
that would not deem her to be one of the most esteemed and loyal damsels of
the world, and take her lady for another new and persecuted Penelope. Soon
after Camilla returned to herself, and said presently, "Why goest thou not,
Leonela, to call the most disloyal friend of a friend that ever the sun
beheld, or the night concealed? Make an end, run, make haste, and let not the
fire of my choler be through thy stay consumed and spent, nor the just
revenge, which I hope to take, pass over in threats of maledictions." "I go to
call him, madam," quoth Leonela; "but, first of all, you must give me that
poniard, lest you should do with it in mine absence somewhat that would
minister occasion to us, your friends, to deplore you all the days of our
lives." "Go away boldly, friend Leonela," said Camilla, "for I shall do
nothing in thine absence; for although I be in thine opinion both simple and
bold enough to turn for mine honour, yet mean I not to be so much as the
celebrated Lucretia, of whom it is recorded that she slew herself, without
having committed any error, or slain him first who was the principal cause of
her disgrace. I will die, if I must needs die, but I will be satisfied and
revenged on him that hath given me occasion to come into this place to lament
his boldness, sprung without my default."
`Leonela could scarce be entreated to go and call Lothario, but at last
she went out, and in the meantime Camilla remained, speaking to herself these
words: "Good God! had not it been more discretion to have dismissed Lothario,
as I did many times before, than thus to possess him, as I have done, with an
opinion that I am an evil and dishonest woman, at least all the while that
passeth, until mine acts shall undeceive him, and teach him the contrary? It
had been doubtlessly better; but then should not I be revenged, nor my
husband`s honour satisfied, if he were permitted to bear away so clearly his
malignity, or escape out of the snare wherein his wicked thoughts involved
him. Let the traitor pay with his life`s defrayment that which he attempted
with so lascivious a desire. Let the world know (if it by chance shall come to
know it) that Camilla did not only conserve the loyalty due to her lord, but
also took revenge of the intended spoil thereof. But yet I believe that it
were best to give Anselmo first notice thereof; but I did already touch it to
him in the letter which I wrote to him to the village, and I believe his not
concurring to take order in this so manifest an abuse, proceeds of his too
sincere and good meaning, which would not, nor cannot believe that the like
kind of thought could ever find entertainment in the breast of so firm a
friend, tending so much to his dishonour. And what marvel if I myself could
not credit it for a great many days together? Nor would I ever have thought
it, if his insolency had not arrived to that pass, which the manifest gifts,
large promises, and continual tears he shed do give testimony. But why do I
make now these discourses? Hath a gallant resolution perhaps any need of
advice? No, verily; therefore avaunt treacherous thoughts, here we must use
revenge. Let the false man come in, arrive, die, and end, and let after befall
what can befall. I entered pure and untouched to his possession, whom Heaven
bestowed on me for mine, and I will depart from him purely. And if the worst
befall, I shall only be defiled by mine own chaste blood, and the impure gore
of the falsest friend that ever amity saw in this world." And saying of this,
she pranced up and down the room with the poniard naked in her hand, with such
long and unmeasurable strides, and making withal such gestures, as she rather
seemed defective of wit, and a desperate ruffian than a delicate woman.
`All this Anselmo perceived very well from behind the arras that covered
him, which did not a little admire him, and he thought that what he had seen
and heard was a sufficient satisfaction of far greater suspicions than he had,
and could have wished with all his heart that the trial of Lothario`s coming
might be excused, fearing greatly some sudden bad success. And as he was ready
to manifest himself, and to come out and embrace and dissuade his wife, he
withdrew himself, because he saw Leonela return, bringing Lotharia in by the
hand. And as soon as Camilla beheld him, she drew a great stroke with the
point of the poniard athwart the wardrobe, saying, "Lothario, note well what I
mean to say unto thee, for if by chance thou beest so hardy as to pass over
this line which thou seest, ere I come as far as it, I will in the very same
instant stab myself into the heart with this poniard which I hold in my hand.
And before thou dost speak or answer me any word, I would first have thee to
listen to a few of mine; for after, thou mayest say what thou pleasest.
`"First of all, I would have thee, O Lothario! to say whether thou
knowest my husband, Anselmo, and what opinion thou hast of him? And next I
would have thee to tell me if thou knowest myself? Answer to this without
delay, nor do stand long thinking on what thou art to answer, seeing they are
no deep questions which I propose unto thee." Lothario was not so ignorant,
but that from the very beginning, when Camilla requested him to persuade her
husband to hide himself behind the tapestry, he had not fallen on the drift of
her invention; and therefore did answer her intention so aptly and discreetly,
as they made that untruth pass between them for a more than manifest verity;
and so he answered to Camilla in this form: "I did never conjecture, beautiful
Camilla, that thou wouldest have called me here to demand of me things so wide
from the purpose for which I come. If thou dost it to defer yet the promised
favour, thou mightest have entertained it yet further off, for the good
desired afflicteth so much the more, by how much the hope to possess it is
near. But because thou mayest not accuse me for not answering to thy demands,
I say that I know thy husband Anselmo, and both of us know one another even
from our tender infancy, and I will not omit to say that which thou also
knowest of our amity, to make me thereby a witness against myself of the wrong
which love compels me to do unto him, yet love is a sufficient excuse and
excuser of greater errors than are mine. Thee do I likewise know and hold in
the same possession that he doth; for were it not so, I should never have been
won by less perfections than thine, to transgress so much that which I owe to
myself and to the holy laws of true amity, now broken and violated by the
tyranny of so powerful an adversary as love hath proved." "If thou dost
acknowledge that," replied Camilla, "O mortal enemy of all that which justly
deserveth love! with what face darest thou then appear before that which thou
knowest to be the mirror wherein he looks, in whom thou also oughtest to
behold thyself, to the end thou mightest perceive upon how little occasion
thou dost wrong him? But, unfortunate that I am, I fall now in the reason
which hath moved thee to make so little account of thine own duty, which was
perhaps some negligent or light behaviour of mine, which I will not call
dishonesty, seeing that, as I presume, it hath not proceeded from me
deliberately, but rather through the carelessness that women which think they
are not noted do sometimes unwittingly commit. If not, say, traitor, when did
I ever answer thy prayers with any word or token that might awake in thee the
least shadow of hope to accomplish thine infamous desires? When were not thine
amorous entreaties reprehended and dispersed by the roughness and rigour of
mine answers? When were thy many promises and larger gifts ever believed or
admitted? But forasmuch as I am persuaded that no man can persevere long time
in the amorous contention, who hath not been sustained by some hope, I will
attribute the fault of thine impertinence to myself; for doubtlessly some
carelessness of mine hath hitherto sustained thy care, and therefore I will
chastise and give to myself the punishment which thy fault deserveth. And
because thou mightest see that I, being so inhuman towards myself, could not
possibly be other than cruel to thee, I thought fit to call thee to be a
witness of the sacrifice which I mean to make to the offended honour of my
most honourable husband, tainted by thee with the blackest note that thy
malice could devise, and by me, through the negligence that I used, to shun
the occasion, if I gave thee any, thus to nourish and canonise thy wicked
intentions. I say again, that the suspicion I have, that my little regard hath
engendered in thee these distracted thoughts, is that which afflicteth me
most, and that which I mean to chastise most with mine own hands; for if
another executioner punished me, then should my crime become more notorious.
But before I do this, I, dying, will kill, and carry him away with me, that
shall end and satisfy the greedy desire of revenge which I hope for, and I
have; seeing before mine eyes, wheresoever I shall go, the punishment which
disengaged justice shall inflict, it still remaining unbowed or suborned by
him, who hath brought me to so desperate terms."
`And having said these words, she flew upon Lothario with incredible
force and lightness, and her poniard naked, giving such arguments and tokens
that she meant to stab him, as he himself was in doubt whether her
demonstrations were false or true; wherefore he was driven to help himself by
his wit and strength, for to hinder Camilla from striking of him, who did so
lively act her strange guile and fiction, as to give it colour, she would give
it a blush of her own blood: for perceiving, or else feigning that she could
not hurt Lothario, she said, "Seeing that adverse fortune will not satisfy
thoroughly my just desires, yet at least it shall not be potent wholly to
cross my designs." And then striving to free the dagger hand, which Lothario
held fast, she snatched it away, and directing the point to some place of her
body, which might hurt her, but not very grievously, she stabbed herself, and
hid it in her apparel near unto the left shoulder, and fell forthwith to the
ground, as if she were in a trance. Lothario and Leonela stood amazed at the
unexpected event, and still rested doubtful of the truth of the matter, seeing
Camilla to lie on the ground bathed in her blood. Lothario ran, all wan and
pale, very hastily to her, to take out the poniard, and seeing how little
blood followed, he lost the fear that he had conceived of her greater hurt,
and began anew to admire the cunning wit and discretion of the beautiful
Camilla; but yet that he might play the part of a friend, he began a long and
doleful lamentation over Camilla`s body, even as she were dead, and began to
breathe forth many curses and execrations not only against himself, but also
against him that had employed him in that unfortunate affair. And knowing that
his friend Anselmo did listen unto him, he said such things as would move a
man to take more compassion of him than of Camilla herself, although they
accounted her dead. Leonela took her up between her arms, and laid her on the
bed, and entreated Lothario to go out, and find some one that would undertake
to cure her secretly. She also demanded of him his advice, touching the excuse
they might make to Anselmo concerning her mistress her wound, if he came to
town before it were fully cured.
[See Camilla And Lothario: She flew upon Lothario with the drawn dagger, with
such force that he was obliged to exert all his dexterity to excape a wound.]
`He answered, that they might say what they pleased, for he was not in a
humour of giving any counsel worth the following; and only said this, that she
should labour to stanch her lady`s blood; for he meant to go there whence they
should hear no news of him ever after. And so departed out of the house with
very great tokens of grief and feelings; and when he was alone in a place
where nobody perceived him, he blest himself a thousand times to think of
Camilla`s art, and the gestures, so proper and accommodated to the purpose,
used by her maid Leonela. He considered how assured Anselmo would remain that
he had a second Portia to wife, and desired to meet him, that they might
celebrate together the fiction, and the best dissembled truth that could be
ever imagined. Leonela, as is said, stanched her lady`s blood, which was just
as much as might serve to colour her invention and no more; and, washing the
wound with some wine, she tied it up the best that she could, saying such
words whilst she cured her as were able, though nothing had been done before,
to make Anselmo believe that he had an image of honesty in Camilla. To the
plaints of Leonela, Camilla added others, terming herself a coward of base
spirit, since she wanted time (being a thing so necessary) to deprive her life
which she hated so mortally; she demanded counsel of her maiden, whether she
would tell or conceal all that success to her beloved spouse. And she
answered, that it was best to conceal it, lest she should engage her husband
to be revenged on Lothario, which would not be done without his very great
peril, and that every good wife was bound, not to give occasion to her husband
of quarrelling, but rather to remove from him as many as was possible. Camilla
answered, that she allowed of her opinion, and would follow it; and that in
any sort they must study some device to cloak the occasion of her hurt from
Anselmo, who could not choose but espy it. To this Leonela answered, that she
herself knew not how to lie, no, not in very jest itself. "Well, friend,"
quoth Camilla, "and I, what do I know? for I dare not to forge or report an
untruth if my life lay on it. And if we know not how to give it a better
issue, it will be better to report the naked truth than to be overtaken in a
leasing." "Do not trouble yourself, madam," quoth Leonela; "for I will bethink
myself of somewhat between this and to - morrow morning, and perhaps the wound
may be concealed from him, by reason that it is in the place where it is; and
Heaven perhaps may be pleased to favour our so just and honourable thoughts.
Be quiet, good madam, and labour to appease your alteration of mind, that my
lord at his return may not find you perplexed; and leave all the rest to God`s
and my charge, who doth always assist the just."
`With highest attention stood Anselmo listening and beholding the tragedy
of his dying honours, which the personages thereof had acted with so strange
and forcible effects, as it verily seemed that they were transformed into the
opposite truth of their well - contrived fiction. He longed greatly for the
night and leisure to get out of his house, that he might go and congratulate
with his good friend Lothario, for the precious jewel that he had found in
this last trial of his wife. The mistress and maiden had as great care to give
him the opportunity to depart; and he, fearing to lose it, issued out in a
trice, and went presently to find Lothario, who being found, it is not
possible to recount the embracements he gave unto him, the secrets of his
contentment that he revealed, or the attributes and praises that he gave to
Camilla. All which Lothario heard, without giving the least argument of love;
having represented to his mind at that very time, how greatly deceived his
friend lived, and how unjustly he himself injured him. And although that
Anselmo noted that Lothario took no delight at his relation, yet did he
believe that the cause of his sorrow proceeded from having left Camilla
wounded, and he himself given the occasion thereof; and therefore, among many
other words, said unto him, that there was no occasion to grieve at Camilla`s
hurt, it doubtlessly being but light, seeing she and her maid had agreed to
hide it from him,; and that according unto this there was no great cause of
fear, but that from thenceforward he should live merrily and contentedly with
him, seeing that by his industry and means he found himself raised to the
highest felicity that might be desired; and therefore would from thenceforth
spend his idle times in writing of verses in Camilla`s praise, that he might
eternise her name, and make it famous in ensuing ages. Lothario commended his
resolution therein, and said that he for his part would also help to raise up
so noble an edifice; and herewithal Anselmo rested the most soothingly and
contentedly deceived that could be found in the world. And then himself took
by the hand to his house, believing that he bore the instrument of his glory,
the utter perdition of his fame. Camilla entertained him with a frowning
countenance, but a cheerful mind. The fraud rested unknown a while, until, at
the end of certain months, fortune turned the wheel, and the wickedness that
was so artificially cloaked, issued to the public notice of the world; and
Anselmo his impertinent curiosity cost him his life.`
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