Their love continuing on still in this kinde, _Tingoccio_ prooved so fortunate in the businesse, that having better meanes then his companion, and more prevayling courses, when, where, and how to Court his Mistresse, which seemed to forward him effectually. All which _Meucio_ plainely perceived, and though it was tedious and wearisome to him, yet hoping to finde some successe at length: he would not take notice of any thing, as fearing to infringe the amity betweene him and _Tingoccio_, and so his hope to be quite supplanted. Thus the one triumphing in his loves happinesse, and the other hoping for his felicity to come; a lingaring sickenesse seazed on _Tingoccio_, which brought him to so low a condition, as at the length he dyed.
About some three or foure nights after, _Meucio_ being fast asleepe in his bed, the ghoste of _Tingoccio_ appeared to him, and called so loude, that _Meucio_ awaking, demanded who called him? I am thy friend _Tingoccio_, replied the ghoste, who according to my former promise made, am come again in vision to thee, to tell thee tidings out of the nether world. _Meucio_ was a while somewhat amazed; but, recollecting his more manly spirits together, boldly he said. My brother and friend, thou art heartily welcome: but I thought thou hadst beene utterly lost. Those things (quoth _Tingoccio_) are lost, which cannot be recovered againe, and if I were lost, how could I then be heere with thee? Alas _Tingoccio_, replyed _Meucio_, my meaning is not so: but I would be resolved, whether thou art among the damned soules, in the painefull fire of hell torments, or no? No (quoth _Tingoccio_) I am not sent thither, but for divers sinnes by mee committed I am to suffer very great and grievous paines. Then _Meucio_ demaunded particularly, the punishments inflicted there, for the severall sinnes committed heere: Wherein _Tingoccio_ fully resolved him. And upon further question, what hee would have to be done for him here, made answere, That _Meucio_ should cause Masses, Prayers and Almes deeds to be performed for him, which (he said) were very helpefull to the soules abiding there, and _Meucio_ promised to see them done.
As the ghost was offering to depart, _Meucio_ remembred _Tingoccioes_ Gossip _Monna Mita_, and raysing himselfe higher upon his pillowe, said. My memorie informeth me, friend _Tingoccio_, of your kinde Gossip _Monna Mita_, with whom (when you remained in this life) I knew you to be very familiar: let me intreat you then to tell me, what punishment is inflicted on you there, for that wanton sinne committed heere? Oh Brother _Meucio_, answered _Tingoccio_, so soone as my soule was landed there, one came immediately to me, who seemed to know all mine offences readily by heart, and forthwith commanded, that I should depart thence into a certaine place, where I must weepe for my sinnes in very grievous paines. There I found more of my companions, condemned to the same punishment as I was, and being among them, I called to minde some wanton dalliances, which had passed betweene my Gossip and me, and expecting therefore farre greater afflictions, then as yet I felt (although I was in a huge fire, and exceedingly hot) yet with conceite of feare, I quaked and trembled wondrously.