IVLIETTA and RHOMEO disclose the harty affections of two incomparable louers, what secret sleights of loue, what danger either sort incurre which mary without the aduise of Parentes.
Two Gentlewomen of VENICE, the wisedom and pollicy of Wiues to chastice and restrain the follies of husbands, and the stoutnes they ought to vse in their defense.
The Lord of VIRLE, and the widow ZILIA, geue lessons to Louers, to auoyde the immoderate panges of loue, they prognosticate the indiscretion of promised penance, they warne to beware al vnseemly hestes, lest the penaltyes of couetise and vayn glory be incurred.
The Lady of BOEME, schooleth two noble Barons that with great boast assured themselues to impair her honor.
DOM DIEGO and GINEVRA, record the cruelty of women bent to hate and the voluntarye vow performed by a passionate Knight, with the parfect friendship of a true frend in redresse of a frend’s mishap.
SALIMBENE and ANGELICA, the kindnes of a gentleman in deliuerie of his ennemy, and the constant mynd of a chast and and vertuous mayden.
Mistresse HELENA of Florence discouereth what lothsom lustes do lurk vnder the bark of fading beauty, what stench of filthy affection fumeth from the smoldring gulfe of dishonest Loue what prankes such dames do play for deceit of other, and shame of themselves.
CAMIOLA reproueth the mobility of youth such chiefly as for noble auncestry regarded ritches more than vertue, she lyke a mistresse of constancye lessoneth her equalles from wauering myndes, and not to aduenture vpon vnstedie contracts: with those that care not (vnder what pretence) they com by riches.
The lords of NOCERA fortel the hazardes of whordom, the rage of Ielousy, the difference of duty betwene Prince and subiect, the fruites of a Rebell, the endes of Traitery and Tiranny, and what monstruous successe such vices do attain.
The king of MAROCCO describeth the good nature of the homely and loial subiect, the maruaylous loue of a true and symple Countryman towarde his liege and soueraygne Lorde, and the bounty of a curteous Prince, vpon those that vnder rude attyre, be garnisht with the floures of vertue.