Classic Poem

The Argument for the discourse of
Rinaldo and Giletta Good reader (to continue thy delight) I have made chaunge of thy exercise of reading bad verse, with the proffer of worsser prose; requesting (as earst I have) that thou wilt vouchsafe my well meaning, and mend what thou findest amisse. This discourse was first written in Italian by an unknowne authour, the argument of whose woorke insueth. Rinaldo, masking with faire Giletta (at her brothers marriage) was so straungly surprised with the love of her, that necessitie inforst him to discover his sorrowes: Giletta, sufficiently persuaded of his constancie (after long suite by Rinaldo made) was in the end contented to love. After these two (secretely) had thus assured themselves, Rinaldo fel sicke, in whose absence one Seigner Frizaldo (by her parentes consent) was an earnest suter to Giletta, who (inferring on the familiaritie between Rinaldo and Giletta) became jealous: to quench whose mistrust, Giletta (for feare of her friendes displeasure) was forst to make a shewe of good will towardes Frizaldo, whome she loved not, and to hate Rinaldo, whome she liked as hir life. Rinaldo (unacquainted with his maistresse meaning) by the perverse practises of Frizaldo was driven into despaire, in so muche as he leapt into the river of Poo, of purpose to drowne him selfe; but wearie of this enterprise (labouring for life) he recovered the shoare: afterwards was knowne unto Giletta, and, having notice of Frizaldos trecherie, he slue him in a combat, and after that, with the consent of her friendes, married Giletta.