of his fellowes, what was the cause that the Duke his maister did bear suche displeasure unto hym, deuised all the meanes he could, as well by meditation by his fellowes, as otherwise by petitions, and supplications to the Duke, that he would suspende his Iudgemente, till perfecte proofe were had in the matter, and then if any maner of thyng did fall out againste him, wherby the Duke had cause to take any greef, he would confesse hymself worthie not onely of imprisonmente, but also of most vile and shamefull death: with these petitions he daiely plied the Duke, but all in vaine, for the duke thought he had made so good proofe, that he was throughlie confirmed in his opinion against his man.

But the Ladie Iulina wonderying what made Siluio, that he was so slacke in his visitation, and why he absented hym self so long from her presence, beganne to thinke that all was not well, but in the ende, findyng her self to bee with child, fearyng to become quite bancroute of her honour, did thinke it more then tyme to seeke out a Father, and made suche secret searche, and diligent enquirie, that she learned the truthe how Siluio was kepte in prison, by the Duke his Maister, and mindyng to finde a present

remedie, as well for the loue she bare to Siluio, as the maintainaunce of her credit and estimation, she .speedily hasted to the Pallace of the Duke, to whom she saied as followeth.

Sir Duke, it maie bee that you will thinke my commyng to your house in this sorte, doeth somethyng passe the limites of modestie, the whiche I protest before GOD, proceadeth of this desire, that the worlde should knowe how iustly I seke meanes to maintaine my honour, but to the ende I seeme not tedious with prolixitie of woordes, not to vse other then direct circumstaunces, knowe sir, that the loue I beare my onely beloued Siluio, whom I doe esteeme more then all the Iewells in the worlde, whose personage I regard more then my owne life, is the onely cause of my attempted iourney, besechyng you, that all the whole displeasure, whiche I vnderstand you haue conceiued against hym, maie be imputed vnto my charge, and that it would please you louingly to deale with him, whom of my self I haue chosen rather for the satisfaction of mine honest likyng, then for the vaine preheminences or honourable dignities looked after by ambicious myndes.

Siluio presently to be sent for, and to be brought before hym, to whom he saied: Had it not been sufficient for thee, when I had reposed myself in thy fidelitie, and the trustinesse of thy seruice, that thou shouldest so traiterously deale with me, but since yt time haste not spared, still to abuse me with so many forgeries, and periured protestations, not onely hatefull vnto me, whose simplicitie thou thinkest to bee suche that by the plotte of thy pleasaunt tongue, thou wouldest make mee beleeue a manifest vntrothe; but moste habominable bee thy doynges in the presence and sight of God, that hast not spared to blaspheme his holy name, by calling hym to bee a witnesse to maintaine thy leasynges, and so detestably wouldest forsweare thyself, in a matter that is so openly knowne.

Poore Siluio whose innocencie was suche yt he might lawfully sweare, seing Iulina to be there in place, aunswered thus:

Moste noble Duke, well vnderstandyng your conceiued greefe, moste humbly I beseche you patiently to heare my excuse, not mindyng thereby to aggrauate or heape vp youre wrathe and displeasure, protestyng before God, that there is nothying in the worlde, whiche I regarde so much, or

dooe esteeme so deare, as your good grace and fauour, but desirous that your grace should know my innocencie, and to cleare my self of suche impositions, wherewith I knowe I am wrongfully accused, whiche as I vnderstande should be in the practisyng of the Ladie Iulina, who standeth here in place, whose acquitaunce for my better discharge, now I moste humbly craue, protestyng before the almightie God, that neither in thought, worde, nor deede, I haue not otherwise vsed my self then accordyng to the bonde and duetie of a seruaunte that is bothe willing & desirous, to further his Maisters sutes, which if I haue otherwise saied then that is true, you Madame Iulina, who can verie well deside in the depthes of all this doubte, I moste humbly beseche you to certifie a trothe, if I haue in any thyng missaied, or haue otherwise spoke, then is right and iust.

Tulina hauyng heard this discoorse whiche Siluio had made, perceiuing that he stoode in greate awe of the Dukes displeasure, auswered thus: Think not my Siluio that my commyng hither is to accuse you of any misdemeanour towardes your Maister, so i dooe not denaie but in all suche Imbassages wherein towardes me you haue been imployed, you

haue vsed the office of a faithfull and trustie messenger, neither am I ashamed to confesse, that the first daie that mine eyes did beholde the singuler behauiour, the notable curtesie, and other innumerable giftes wherwith my Siluio is endued, but that beyonde all measure my harte was so inflamed, that impossible it was for me, to quenche the feruente loue, or extinguishe the least parte of my conceiued torment, before I had bewraied the same vnto hym, and of my owne motion craued his promised faithe and loialtie of marriage, and now is the tyme to manifest the same vnto the worlde, whiche hath been done before God, and betwene our selues: knowyng that it is not needefull to keepe secret that, whiche is neither euill doen, nor hurtfull to any persone, therefore (as I saied before) Silio is my housbande by plited faithe, whom I hope to obtaine without offence, or displeasure of any one, trustyng that there is no manne that will so farre forget hym self as to restraine that whiche God hath left at libertie for euery wight, or that will seeke by crueltie to force Ladies to marrie otherwise then accordyng to their owne likyng. Feare not then my Siluio to keepe your faith and promise, whiche you haue made vnto me, and as for the