The Woman hearing this, and perceiving the manifolde confirmations thereof, protested (on solemne oath) by _Zeppa_; hir beliefe grew setled, and thus she answered. My loving neighbour** _Zeppa_, seeing this kinde of revenge is (in meere justice) imposed on mee, and ordained as a due scourge, as well to the breach of friendship and neighbour-hood, as abuse of his true and loyall wife: I am the more willing to consent: alwaies provided, that it be no imbarrement of love betweene your wife and mee, albeit I have good reason to alledge, that she began the quarrell first: and what I do is but to right my wrong, as any other woman of spirit would do: Afterwards, we may the more easily pardon one another. For breach of peace (answered _Zeppa_) between my wife and you, take my honest word for your warrant. Moreover, in requitall of this favour to mee, I will bestowe a deare and precious Jewell on you, excelling all the rest which you have beside.
In delivering these words, he sweetly kissed and embraced her, as she sat on the Chest wherein her husband lay: now, what they did else beside, in recompence of the wrong received, I leave to your imagination, as rather deserving silence, then immodest blabbing. _Spinelloccio_, being all this while in the Chest, hearing easily all the words which _Zeppa_ had uttered, the answer of his wife, as also what Musicke they made over his head: you may guesse in what a case he was, his heart being ready to split with rage, and, but that hee stood in feare of _Zeppa_, he would have railde and exclaimed on his wife, as thus hee lay shut up in the Chest. But entering into better consideration, that so great an injury was first begun by himselfe, & _Zeppa_ did no more, then in reason and equity he might well do (having evermore carried himselfe like a kinde neighbour and frend towards him, without the least offer of distaste) he faithfully resolved, to be a firmer friend to _Zeppa_ then formerly hee had bin, if it might be embraced and accepted on the other side.
Delights and pleasures, be they never so long in contenting and continuance, yet they come to a period and conclusion at last: So _Zeppa_, having ended his amorous combate, and over the head of his perfidious friend, thought himselfe sufficiently revenged. But now, in consideration of a further promise made on the bargaine; _Spinelloccioes_ wife challengeth the Jewell, then which kind of recompence, nothing can be more welcome to women. Heereupon, _Zeppa_ calling for his owne wife, commanded her to open the Chest; which shee did, and he merrily smiling, saide. Well wife, you have given mee a Cake insted of bread, and you shall lose nothing for your labour. So _Spinelloccio_ comming forth of the Chest, it requireth a better witte then mine, to tell you, which of them stood most confounded with shame, either _Spinelloccio_ seeing _Zeppa_, and knowing well enough what he had done: or the woman beholding her husband, who easily heard all their familiar conference, and the action thereupon so deservedly performed.