Sir Duke, for that from this tyme forwardes I am no longer of my self, hauing giuen full power and authoritie ouer to an other, whose wife I now remaine by faithfull vowe and promise: and albeeit, I knowe the world will wonder, when thei shall vnderstande the fondnesse of my choice, yet I trust you your self will nothyng dislike with me, sithe I haue ment no other thing, then the satisfiyng of myne owne contentation and likyng.

The duke hearyng these woordes, aunswered: madam, I must then content my self, although against my wil, hauing the lawe in your owne handes, to like of whom you liste, and to make choise where it pleaseth you.

Iulina giuing the duke greate thankes, that would content himself with suche pacience, desired hym likewise, to giue his free consent and good will, to the partie whom she had chosen to be her housebande.

Naie surely madam (q[uoth] the duke) I will neuer giue my consent, that any other man shall enioye you but my self, I haue made too greate accompt of you, then so lightly to passe you awaie with my good will: but seeyng it lieth not in me to let you, hauyng (as you saie) made your owne choise, so from hence forwardes I leaue you to your owne likyng, alwaies willyng you well, and thus will take my leaue.

The duke departed towardes his owne house verie sorrowfull, that Iulina had thus serued hym, but in the meane space that the duke had remained in the house of Iulina, some of his seruantes fell into talke and conference, with the seruantes of Iulina, where debatyng betwene them, of the likelihood of the mariage, betweene the duke and the ladie, one of the seruantes of Iulina saide: that he had neuer sawe his ladie and mistres, vse so good countenaunce to the duke hym self, as she had doen to Siluio his manne, and began to report with what familiaritie and courtesie she had receiued hym, feasted hym, and lodged hym, and that in his opinion, Siluio was like to speede before the duke or any other that were suters.

This tale was quickly brought to the duke hymself, who makyng better enquirie into the matter, founde it to be true that was reported, and better consideryng of the woordes, whiche Iulina had vsed towardes hymself, was verie well assured that it could be no other then his owne manne, that had thrust his nose so farre out of ioynte, wherefore without any further respect, caused hym to be thrust into a dongeon, where he was kept prisoner, in a verie pitifull plight.

Poore Siluio, hauyng gotte intelligence by some of his fellowes, what was the cause that the duke his maister did beare suche displeasure unto hym, deuised all the meanes he could, as well by meditation [mediation] 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 wonderyng 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, perceiuyng no decoction of her former surfette, receiued, as you haue heard, and assuryng 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