Gracious Lord why thus I counsell you is to this end When the Archers on the Enemies side haue shot their Arrowes at your men and yours in the like maner at them it followeth that vpon meere constraint they must gather vp your Arrowes to shoote them backe againe at you for so long while as the battell endureth as no doubt but your men wil do the like to them But your enemies will finde themselues much deceiued because they can make no vse of your peoples Arrowes in regard that the nockes are too narrow to receiue their boysterous strings Which will fall out contrary with your followers for the pliant strings belonging to your Bowes are as apt for their enemies great nockt Arrowes as their owne and so they shall haue free vse of both reseruing them in plentifull store when your aduersaries must stand vnfurnished of any but them that they cannot any way vse This counsell pleased the King very highly and hee being a Prince of great vnderstanding gaue order to haue it accordingly followed and thereby valiantly vanquished his enemies Heereupon Martuccio came to be great in his grace as also consequently rich and seated in no meane place of authority Now as worthy and commendable actions are soone spread abroad in honor of the man by whome they hapned euen so the fame of this rare got victory was quickly noysed throughout the Countrey and came to the hearing of poore Constance that Martuccio Gomito whom she supposed so long since to be dead was liuing and in honourable condition The loue which formerly he bare vnto him being not altogether extinct in her heart of a small sparke brake foorth into a sodaine flame and so encreased day by day that her hope being before almost quite dead reuiued againe in chearfull manner Hauing imparted all her fortunes to the good olde Lady with whome she dwelt she told her beside that she had an earnest desire to see Thunis to satisfie her eyes as well as her eares concerning the rumor blazed abroad The good olde Lady commended her desire and euen as if she had bene her mother tooke her with her aboord a Barke and so sayled thence to Thunis where both she and Constance found honourable welcome in the house of a kinsman to the Sarazin Lady Carapresa also went along with them thither and her they sent abroad into the Citie to vnderstand the newes of Martuccio Gomito After they knew for a certaintie that hee was liuing and in great authority about the King according as the former report went of him Then the good old Lady being desirous to let Martuccio know that his faire friend Constance was come thither to see him went her selfe to the place of his abiding and spake vnto him in this manner Noble Martuccio there is a seruant of thine in my house which came from Liparis and requireth to haue a little priuate conference with thee but because I durst not trust any other with the message my selfe at her entreaty am come to acquaint thee therewith Martuccio gaue her kinde and hearty thankes and then went along with her to the house No sooner did Constance behold him but shee was ready to dye with conceite of ioy and being vnable to containe her passion sodainely she threw her armes about his necke and in meere compassion of her many misfortunes as also the instant solace of her soule not being able to vtter one word the teares trickled abundantly downe her cheekes Martuccio also seeing his faire friend was ouercome with exceeding admiration stood awhile as not knowing what to say till venting forth a vehement sighe thus he spake My deerest loue Constance art thou yet liuing It is a tedious long while since I heard thou wast lost and neuer any tydinges knowne of thee in thine owne Fathers house With which wordes the teares standing in his eyes most louingly he embraced her Constance recounâ—ed to him all her fortunes and what kindnesse she hadde receyued from the Sarazine Lady since her first houre of comming to her And after much other discourse passing betweene them Martuccio departed from her and returning to the King his master tolde him all the historie of his fortunes and those beside of his Loue Constance beeing purposely minded with his gracious liking to marry her according to the Christian Law The King was much amazed at so many strange accidents and sending for Constance to come before him from her own mouth he heard the whole relation of her continued affection to Martuccio whereuppon hee saide Now trust me faire Damosell thou hast dearly deserued him to be thy husband Then sending for very costly Iewels and rich presents the one halfe of them he gaue to her and the other to Martuccio graunting them license withall to marry according to their owne mindes Martuccio did many honors and gaue great giftes to the aged Sarazine Lady with whom Constance had liued so kindly respected which although she had no neede of neither euer expected any such rewarding yet conquered by their vrgent importunity especially Constance who could not be thankfull enough to her she was enforced to receiue them and taking her leaue of them weeping sayled backe againe to Susa Within a short while after the King licensing their departure thence they entred into a small Barke and Carapresa with them sailing on with prosperous gales of winde vntill they arriued at Liparis where they were entertained with generall reioycing And because their marriage was not sufficiently performed at Thunis in regard of diuers Christian ceremonies there wanting their Nuptials were againe most honourably solemnized and they liued many yeares after in health and much happinesse Pedro Bocamazzo escaping away with a yong Damosell which he loued named Angelina met with Theeues in his iourney The Damosell flying fearfully into a Forrest by chance arriueth at a Castle Pedro being taken by the Theeues and happening afterward to escape from them commeth accidentally to the same Castle where Angelina was And marrying her they then returned home to Rome The third Nouell Wherein the seuerall powers both of Loue and Fortune is more at large approued THere was not any one in the whole company but much commended the Nouell reported by Madam Emillia and when the Queene perceiued it was ended she turned towards Madam Eliza commanding her to continue on their delightfull exercise whereto shee declaring her willing obedience began to speak thus Courteous Ladies I remember one vnfortunate night which happened to two Louers that were not indued with the greatest discretion But because they had very many faire and happy dayes afterwardes I am the more willing for to let you heare it In the Citie of Rome which in times past was called the Ladie and Mistresse of the world though now scarsely so good as the waiting maid there dwelt sometime a yong Gentleman named Pedro Boccamazzo descended from one of the most honorable families in Rome who was much enamoured of a beautifull Gentlewoman called
before which and calling him to witnesse that suffered such bitter and cruell torments on his Crosse putting a Ring vpon his finger there she faithfully espoused him refusing all the World to be onely his which being on either side confirmed solemnely by an holy vow and chaste kisses shee commanded him backe to his Chamber and shee returned to her bed againe sufficiently satisfied with her Loues acceptation and so they iournied on till they came to Rome When they had rested themselues there for some few dayes the supposed Abbot with the two Knights and none else in company but Alessandro went before the Pope and hauing done him such reuerence as beseemed the Abbot began to speake in this manner Holy Father as you know much better then any other euery one that desireth to liue well and vertuously ought to shunne so farre as in them lieth all occasions that may induce to the contrary To the ende therefore that I who desire nothing more then to liue within the compasse of a vertuous conuersation may perfect my hopes in this behalfe I haue fled from my Fathers Court and am come hither in this habite as you see to craue therein your holy and fatherly furtherance I am daughter to the King of England and haue sufficiently furnished my selfe with some of his treasures that your holinesse may bestow me in marriage because mine vnkind Father neuer regarding my youth and beauty inferior to few in my natiue Country would marry me to the King of Northwales an aged impotent and sickly man Yet let me tell your sanctity that his age and weakenesse hath not so much occasioned my flight as feare of mine owne youth and frailety when being married to him instead of loyall and vnstained life lewd and dishonest desires might make me to wander by breaking the diuine Lawes of wedlocke and abusing the royall blood of my Father As I trauailed hither with this vertuous intention our Lord who onely knoweth perfectly what is best fitting for all his creatures presented mine eyes no doubt in his meere mercy and goodnesse with a man meete to be my husband which pointing to Alessandro is this young Gentleman standing by me whose honest vertuous and ciuill demeanour deserueth a Lady of farre greater worth although perhaps nobility in blood be denied him and may make him seeme not so excellent as one deriued from Royall discent Holy and religious vowes haue past betweene vs both and the Ring on his finger is the firme pledge of my faith and constancie neuer to accept any other man in marriage but him onely although my Father or any else doe dislike it Wherefore holy Father the principall cause of my comming hither being already effectually concluded on I desire to compleat the rest of my pilgrimage by visiting the sanctified places in this City whereof there are great plenty And also that sacred marriage being contracted in the presence of God onely betweene Alessandro and my selfe may by you be publiquely confirmed and in an open congregation For seeing God hath so appointed it and our soules haue so solemnely vowed it that no disaster whatsoeuer can alter it you being Gods vicar here on earth I hope will not gaine-say but confirme it with your fatherly benediction that wee may liue in Gods feare and dye in his fauour Perswade your selues faire Ladies that Alessandro was in no meane admiration when hee heard that his wife was daughter to the King of England vnspeakeable ioy questionlesse wholly ouercame him but the two Knights were not a little troubled and offended at such a strange and vnexpected accident yea so violent were their passions that had they beene any where else then in the Popes presence Alessandro had felt their fury and perhaps the Princesse her selfe too On the other side the Pope was much amazed at the habite she went disguised in and likewise at the election of her husband but perceiuing there was no resistance to be made against it hee yeelded the more willingly to satisfie her desire And therefore hauing first comforted the two Knights and made peace betweene them the Princesse and Alessandro he gaue order for the rest that was to be done When the appointed day for the solemnity was come hee caused the Princesse cloathed in most rich and royall garments to appeare before all the Cardinals and many other great persons then in presence who were come to this worthy Feast which hee had caused purposely to be prepared where she seemed so faire goodly a Lady that euery eye was highly delighted to behold her commending her with no mean admiration In like manner was Alessandro greatly honored by the two Knights being most sumptuous in appearance and not like a man that had lent money to vsury but rather of very royall quality the Pope himselfe celebrating the marriage betweene them which being finished with the most magnificent pompe that could be deuised hee gaue them his benediction and licenced their departure thence Alessandro his Princesse and her traine thus leauing Rome they would needes visite Florence where the newes of this accident was long before noysed and they receiued by the Citizens in royall manner There did shee deliuer the three brethren out of prison hauing first payed all their debts and reseated them againe with their wiues in their former inheritances and possessions Afterward departing from Florence and Agolanto one of the Vncles trauailing with them to Paris they were there also most honourably entertained by the King of France From whence the two Knights went before for England and preuailed so succesfully with the King that hee receiued his daughter into grace and fauour as also his Sonne in law her husband to whom hee gaue the order of Knighthoode and for his greater dignitie created him Earle of Cornewall And such was the noble spirit of Alessandro that he pacified the troubles betweene the King and his sonne whereon ensued great comfort to the Kingdome winning the loue and fauour of all the people and Agolanto by the meanes of Alessandro recouered all that was due to him and his brethren in England returning richly home to Florence Counte Alessandro his kinsman hauing first dubd him Knight Long time hee liued in peace and tranquility with the faire Princesse his wife prouing to be so absolute in wisedome and so famous a Souldier that as some report by assistance of his Father in law hee conquered the Realme of Ireland and was crowned King thereof Landolpho Ruffolo falling into pouerty became a Pirate on the Seas and being taken by the Genewayes hardly escaped drowning Which yet neuerthelesse he did vpon a little Chest or Coffer full of very rich Iewels being caried thereon to Corfu where he was well entertained by a good woman And afterward returned richly home to his owne house The fourth Nouell Whereby may be discerned into how many dangers a man may fall through a couetous desire to enrich himselfe MAdame Lauretta sitting next to Madame Pampinea and seeing
he had very seriously viewed him he knew him perfectly and the teares trickling downe his cheekes partly with remorsefull shame and ioy also for his so happy recouery he tooke vp the Count from kneeling kissing and embracing him very kindely welcomming Perotto in the selfesame manner Immediately also he gaue commaund that the Count should be restored to his honors apparrell seruants horses and furniture answerable to his high estate and calling which was as speedily performed Moreouer the King greatly honoured Sir Roger Mandeuile desiring to be made acquainted with all their passed fortunes When Sir Roger had receiued the royall reward for thus surrendring the Count and his Sonne the Count calling him to him saide Take that Princely remuneration of my soueraigne Lord the King and commending me to your vnkinde Father tell him that your Children are no beggars brats neither basely borne by their Mothers side Sir Roger returning home with his bountifull reward soone after brought his Wife and Mother to Paris and so did Perotto his Wife where in great ioy and triumph they continued a long while with the noble Count who had all his goods and honours restored to him in farâ—e greater measure then euer they were before his Sonnes in Law returning home with their Wiues into England left the Count with the King at Paris where he spent the rest of his dayes in great honour and felicity Bernardo a Merchant of Geneway being deceiued by another Merchant named Ambrosio lost a great part of his goods And commanding his innocent Wife to be murthered shee escaped and in the habite of a man became seruant to the Soldane The deceiuer being found at last shee compassed such meanes that her Husband Bernardo came into Alexandria and there after due punishment inflicted on the false deceiuer shee resumed the garments againe of a woman and returned home with her Husband to Geneway The ninth Nouell Wherein is declared that by ouer-liberall commending the chastity of Women it falleth out oftentimes to be very dangerous especially by the meanes of treacherers who yet in the ende are iustly punished for their treachery MAdam Eliza hauing ended her compassionate discourse which indeede had moued all the rest to sighing the Queene who was faire comely of stature and carrying a very maiesticall countenance smiling more familiarly then the other spake to them thus It is very necessary that the promise made to Dioneus should carefully be kept and because now there remaineth none to report any more Nouels but onely he and my selfe I must first deliuer mine and he who takes it for an honour to be the last in relating his name last let him be for his owne deliuerance Then pausing a little while thus shee began againe Many times among vulgar people it hath passed as a common Prouerbe That the deceiuer is often trampled on by such as he hath deceiued And this cannot shew it selfe by any reason to be true except such accidents as awaite on treachery doe really make a iust discouery thereof And therefore according to the course of this day obserued I am the woman that must make good what I haue saide for the approbation of that Prouerbe no way I hope distastfull to you in the hearing but aduantageable to preserue you from any such beguiling There was a faire and good Inne in Paris much frequented by many great Italian Merchants according to such variety of occasions and businesse as vrged their often resorting thither One night among many other hauing had a merry Supper together they began to discourse on diuers matters and falling from one relation to another they communed in very friendly manner concerning their wiues lefte at home in their houses Quoth the first I cannot well imagine what my wife is now doing but I am able to say for my selfe that if a pretty female should fall into my company I could easily forget my loue to my wife and make vse of such an aduantage offered A second replyed And trust me I should do no lesse because I am perswaded that if my wife be willing to wander the law is in her owne hand and I am farre enough from home dumbe walles blab no tales offences vnknowne are sildome or neuer called in question A thirde man vnapt in censure with his former fellowes of the Iury and it plainly appeared that al the rest were of the same opinion condemning their wiues ouer-rashly and alledging that when husbands strayed so far from home their wiues had wit enough to make vse of their time Onely one man among them all named Bernardo Lomellino dwelling in Geneway maintained the contrary boldly auouching that by the especiall fauour of Fortune he had a wife so perfectly compleat in al graces and vertues as any Lady in the world possibly could be and that Italy scarsely contained her equall For she was goodly of person and yet very young quicke quaint milde and courteous and not any thing appertaining to the office of a wife either for domesticke affayres or any other imployment whatsoeuer but in woman-hoode shee went beyond all other No Lord Knight Esquire or Gentleman could bee better serued at his table then himselfe dayly was with more wisedome modesty and discretion After all this hee praised her for riding hawking hunting fishing fowling reading writing enditing and most absolute keeping his Bookes of accounts that neither himselfe or any other Merchant could therein excell her After infinite other commendations he came to the former point of their argument concerning the easie falling of women into wantonnesse maintaining with a solemne oath that no woman possibly could be more chaste and honest then she in which respect he was verily perswaded that if he stayed from her ten yeares space yea all his life time out of his house yet neuer would shee falsifie her faith to him or be lewdly allured by any other man Among these Merchants thus communing together there was a young proper man named Ambroginolo of Placentia who began to laugh at the last praises which Bernardo had vsed of his wife and seeming to make a mockerie thereat demaunded if the Emperour had giuen him this priuiledge aboue all other married men Bernardo being somewhat offended answered No Emperour bath done it but the especiall blessing of heauen exceeding all the Emperours on the earth in grace and thereby haue receiued this fauour whereto Ambroginolo presently thus replied Bernardo without all question to the contrary I beleeue that what thou hast said is true but for ought I can perceiue thou hast slender iudgement in the nature of things because if thou didst obserue them well thou couldst not be of so grosse vnderstanding for by comprehending matters in their true kinde and nature thou wouldst speake of them more correctly then thou doest And to the end thou mayest not imagine that wee who haue spoken of our wiues doe thinke any otherwise of them then as well and honestly as thou canst of thine nor that
as loath to continue so long in his aâ—mes but rather euident signes of hearty contentment yet in very bashfull and modest manner willing enough to accept his louing kindnesse yet not wandring from her wonted chaste carriage He being fauourably excused for the outward expression of his amourous behauiour to her and certified withall that since the time of freeing her from the wretch who sought the violating of her chastity shee had entirely respected him albeit to shun suspition of lightnesse and to win more assurance of what shee credited sufficiently already shee continued her stiffe opinion against him yet alwayes this resolution was set downe in her soule neuer with her will to haue any other Husband but Ocharus who aboue all other had best deserued her by his generosity vertue manly courage and valiancy whereof he might the better assure himselfe because of her owne voâ—untary disposition shee followed to find him out not for any other occasion but to reuenge her selfe by this honest Office for all that he had done or vndertaken to winne the grace and loue of the King of Denmarkes Daughter to whom he presented such dutifull seruice Ocharus who would not loose this happinesse to be made King of all the Northerne Ilands with more then a thankfull heart accepted all her gracious excuses And being desirous to waste no longer time in vaine lest Fortune should raise some new stragatem against him to dispossesse him of so faire a felicity left off his counterfet intended marriage and effected this in good earnest and was wedded to his most esteemed Serictha Not long had these louers liued in the lawfull and sacred rites of marriage but King Siwalde was aduertised that his Daughter had giuen her consent to Ocharus and receiued him as her noble Husband The party was not a iot displeasing to him hee thought him to be a worthy Son in Law and the condition did sufficiently excuse the match onely herein lay the errour and offence that the marriage was sollemnized without his knowledge and consent he being not called thereto or so much as acquainting him therewith which made him condemne Ocharus of ouerbold arrogancy he being such a great and powerfull King to be so lightly respected by his Subiect and especially in the marriage of his Daughter But Serictha who was now metamorphosed from a maide to a wife and had lyen a few nights by the side of a Soldiour was become much more valiant and aduenturous then she was before She took the matter in hand went to her Father who welcommed her most louingly and so pleasing were her speeches carried with such wit and womanly discretion that nothing wanted to approue what she had done Matters which he had neuer knowne or so much as heard of were now openly reuealed how Ocharus had deliuered her from the rauisher what worthie respect he then vsed towards her and what honour he extended to her in the deserts where she tended her flocke as a Shephearddesse with manie other honourable actions beside that the Kings anger became mildely qualified and so farre he entred into affection that he would not do any thing thence-forward without the counsell and aduise of his Sonne in Law whom so highly he esteemed and liked so respectiuely of him and his race that his Queene dying hee married with the Sister to Ocharus going hand in hand with the gentle and modest Princesse Serictha This Nouell of Dioneus was commended by all the company and so much the rather because it was free from all folly and obscoennesse And the Queene perceiuing that as the Tale was ended so her dignitie must now be expired she tooke the Crowne of Laurell from off her head graciously placed it on the head of Philostratus saying The worthy Discourse of Dioncus being out of his wonted wanton element causeth mee at the resignation of mine Authority to make choise of him as our next Commander who is best able to order and enstruct vs all and so I yeeld both my place and honour to Philostratus I hope with the good liking of all our assistants as plainly appeareth by their instant carriage towards him with all their heartiest loue and sufferages Whereupon Philostratus beginning to consider on the charge committed to his care called the Maister of the houshold to knowe in what estate all matters were because where any defect appeared euerie thing might be the sooner remedied for the better satisfaction of the company during the time of his authority Then returning backe to the assembly thus he began Louely Ladies I would haue you to knowe that since the time of ability in me to distinguish betweene good and euill I haue alwayes bene subiect perhaps by the meanes of some beautie heere among vs to the proud and imperious dominion of loue with expression of all duty humility and most intimate desire to please yet all hath prooued to no purpose but still I haue bin reiected for some other wherby my condition hath falne from ill to worse and so still it is likely euen to the houre of my death In which respect it best pleaseth me that our conferences to morrow shal extend to no other argument but only such casesas are most conformable to my calamity namely of such whose loue hath had vnhappy ending because I await no other issue of mine nor willingly would I be called by any other name but onely the miserable and vnfortunate Louer Hauing thus spoken he arose againe granting leaue to the rest to recreate themselues till supper time The Garden was very faire and spacious affoording large limits for their seuerall walkes the Sun being already so low descended that it could not be offensiue to any one the Connies Kids and young Hindes skipping euery where about them to their no meane pleasure and contentment Dioneus Fiammetta sate singiâ—g together of Messire Guiglielmo and the Lady of Vertue Philomena and Pamphilus playing at the Chesse all sporting themselues as best they pleased But the houre of Supper being come and the Tables couered about the faire fountaine they sate downe and supt in most louing manner Then Philostratus not to swerue from the course which had beene obserued by the Queenes before him so soone as the Tables were taken away gaue command that Madam Lauretta should beginne the dance and likewise to sing a Song My gracious Lord quoth shee I can skill of no other Songs but onely a peece of mine owne which I haue already learned by heart may well beseeme this faire assembly if you please to allow of that I am ready to performe it with all obedience Lady replyed the King you your selfe being so faire and louely so needs must be whatsoeuer commeth from you therefore let vs heare such as you haue Madam Lauretta giuing enstruction to the Chorus prepared and began in this manner The Song NO soule so comfortlesse Hath more cause to expresse Like woe and heauinesse As I poore amorous Maide He that did forme
in the City of Laiazzo and the other Giosefo of Antioche trauailed together vnto Salomon the famous King of Great Britaine The one desiring to learne what he should do whereby to compasse and winne the loue of men The other craued to be enstructed by what meanes hee might reclaime an headstrong and vnruly wife And what answeres the wise King gaue vnto them both before they departed away from him The Ninth Nouell Containing an excellent admonition that such as couet to haue the loue of other men must first learne themselues how to loue Also by what meanes such women as are curst and self-willed may be reduced to ciuill obedience VPon the conclusion of Madame Laurettaes Nouell none now remained to succeede next in order but onely the Queene her selfe the priuiledge reserued granted to Dioneus wherefore after they had all smiled at the folly of Blondello with a chearfull countenance thus the Queene began Honourable Ladies if with aduised iudgement we do duly consider the order of all things we shall very easily perceyue That the whole vniuersall multiplicitie of Women by Nature custome and lawes are ought to be subiect to men yea and to be gouernd by their discretion Because euery one desiring to enioy peace repose and comfort with them vnder whose charge they are ought to be humble patient and obedient ouer and beside her spotlesse honesty which is the crowne and honour of euery good woman And although those lawes which respect the common good of all things or rather vse custome as our wonted saying is the powers wherof are very great and worthy to be reuerenced should not make vs wise in this case Yet Nature hath giuen vs a sufficient demonstration in creating our bodies more soft and delicate yea and our hearts timorous fearefull benigne and compassionable our strength feeble our voyces pleasing and the motion of our members sweetly plyant all which are apparant testimonies that wee haue neede of others gouernment Now it is not to be denyed that whosoeuer hath need of helpe and is to bee gouerned meerely reason commandeth that they should bee subiect and obedient to their gouernour Who then should we haue for our helps and gouernours if not men Wherfore we should be intirely subiect to them in giuing them due honour and reuerence and such a one as shall depart from this rule she in mine opinion is not onely worthy of grieuous reprehension but also seuere chastisement beside And to this exact consideration ouer and aboue diuers other important reasons I am the rather induced by the Nouel which Madame Pampinea so lately reported concerning the froward and wilfull wife of Talano who had a heauier punishment inflicted on her then her Husband could deuise to doe And therefore it is my peremptory sentence that all such women as will not be gracious benigne and pleasing doe iustly deserue as I haue already said rude rough and harsh handling as both nature custome and lawes haue commanded To make good what I haue said I wil declare vnto you the counsell aduise giuen by Salomon the wise and famous King of Great Britaine as a most wholesome and soueraigne medicine for the cure of such a dangerous disease in any woman so fouly infected Which counsel notwithstanding all such women as haue no need of this Phisicke I would not haue them to imagine that it was meant for them albeit men haue a common Prouerbe to wit As the good horse and bad horse doe both need the spurre So a good wife and bad wife a wand will make stirre Which saying whosoeuer doth interpret ioin such pleasing manner as they ought shal find it as you al wil affirm no lesse to be very true especially in the morall meaning it is beyond all contradiction Women are naturally all vnstable and easily enclining to misgouernment wherefore to correct the iniquity of such a distemperature in them that out-step the tearmes and bounds of womanhood a wand hath been allowed for especiall phisicke As in the like manner for support of vertue in those of contrary condition shaming to be sullyed with so grosse a sinne the correcting Wand may serue as a walking staffe to protect them from all other feares But forbearing to teach any longer let mee proceed to my purpose and tell you my Nouell In those ancient and reuerend dayes wherof I am now to speake the high renowne and admirable wisedome of Salomon King of Great Brittain was most famous throughout all parts of the world for answering all doubtfull questions and demaunds whatsoeuer that possibly could be propounded to him So that many resorted to him from the most remote and furthest off countreyes to heare his miraculous knowledge and experience yea and to craue his counsell in matters of greatest importance Among the rest of them which repaired thither was a rich yong Gentleman honourably descended named Melisso who came from the City of Laiazzo where he was both borne and dwelt In his riding towards France as he passed by Naples hee ouertooke another yong Gentleman a natiue of Antioch and named Giosefo whose iourney lay the same way as the others did Hauing ridden in company some few dayes together as it is a custome commonly obserued among Trauellers to vnderstand one anothers Countrey and condition as also to what part his occasions call him so happened it with them Giosefo directly telling him that he iourneyed towards the wise King Salomon to desire his aduise what meanes he should obserue in the reclaiming of a wilfull wife the most froward and selfe-willed woman that euer liued whom neither faire perswasions nor gentle courtesies could in any manner preuaile withall Afterward he demaunded of Melisso to know the occasion of his trauell and whither Now trust me Sir answered Melisso I am a natiue of Laiazzo and as you are vexed with one great mis-fortune euen so am I offended with another I am young wealthy well deriued by birth and allow liberall expences for maintaining a worthy table in my house without distinguishing persons by their rancke and quality but make it free for all commers both of the city all places els Notwithstanding all which bounty and houourable entertainement I cannot meet with any man that loueth me In which respect I iourney to the same place as you doe to craue the counsell of so wise a King what I should doe whereby I might procure men to loue me Thus like two well-met friendly companions they rode on together vntill they arriued in Great Britaine where by meanes of the Noble Barons attending on the King they were brought before him Melisso deliuered his minde in very few words whereto the King made no other answere but this Learne to loue Which was no sooner spoken but Melisso was dismissed from the Kings presence Giosefo also relating wherefore he came thither the King replyed onely thus Goe to the Goose Bridge and presently Giosefo had also his dismission from the King Comming forth he found Melisso
Church where finding their entrance to be easie they approached neere the Tombe which was very great being all of Marble and the couer-stone weighty yet with crowes of yron and other helps they raised it so high that a man might without perill passe into it Now began they to question one another which of the three should enter into the Tombe Not I said the first so said the second No nor I answered Andrea Which when the other two heard they caught fast hold of him saying Wilt not thou goe into the Tombe Be aduised what thou sayest for if thou wilt not goe in we will so beat thee with one of these yron crowes that thou shalt neuer goe out of this Church aliue Thus poore Andrea is still made a property and Fortune this fatall night will haue no other foole but he as delighting in his hourly disasters Feare of their fury makes him obedient into the graue he goes and being within thus consults with himselfe These cunning companions suppose me to be simple make me enter the Tombe hauing an absolute intention to deceiue me For when I haue giuen them all the riches that I finde here and am ready to come forth for mine equall portion away will they runne for their owne safety and leauing me here not onely shall I loose my right among them but must remaine to what danger may follow after Hauing thus meditated he resolued to make sure of his owne share first and remembring the rich Ring whereof they had tolde him forthwith hee tooke it from the Archbishops finger finding it indifferently fitte for his owne Afterward hee tooke the Crosse Miter rich garments Gloues and all leauing him nothing but his shirt giuing them all these seuerall parcels protesting that there was nothing else Stil they pressed vpon him affirming that there was a Ring beside vrging him to search diligently for it yet still he answered that hee could not finde it and for their longer tarying with him seemed as if he serched very carefully but all appeared to no purpose The other two fellowes as cunning in craft as the third could be still willed him to search and watching their aptest opportunity tooke away the props that supported the Tombe-stone and running thence with their got booty left poore Andrea mewed vp in the graue Which when he perceiued and saw this misery to exceede all the rest it is farre easier for you to guesse at his greefe then I am any way able to expresse it His head shoulders yea all his vtmost strength he employeth to remoue that ouer-heauy hinderer of his liberty but all his labour beeing spent in vaine sorrow threw him in a swoond vpon the Byshoppes dead body where if both of them might at that instant haue bene obserued the Arch-byshops dead body and Andrea in greefe dying very hardly had bene distinguished But his senses regaining their former offices among his silent complaints consideration presented him with choyse of these two vnauoydable extremities Dye staruing must he in the tombe with putrifaction of the dead body or if any man came to open the Graue then must he be apprehended as a sacrilegious Theefe and so be hanged according to the lawes in that case prouided As he continued in these strange afflictions of minde sodainely hee heard a noise in the Church of diuers men who as he imagined came about the like businesse as hee and his fellowes had vndertaken before wherein he was not a iot deceiued albeit his feare the more augmented Hauing opened the Tombe and supported the stone they varied also among themselues for entrance and an indiffrent while contended about it At length a Priest being one in the company boldly said Why how now you white-liuer'd Rascals What are you affraid of Do you thinke he will eate you Dead men cannot bite and therefore I my selfe will go in Hauing thus spoken he prepared his entrance to the Tombe in such order that he thrust in his feete before for his easier descending downe into it Andrea sitting vpright in the Tombe and desiring to make vse of this happy opportunity caught the Priest fast by one of his legges making shew as if he meant to dragge him downe Which when the Priest felt he cryed out aloud getting out with all the hast he could make and all his companions being well neere frighted out of their wits ranne away amaine as if they had bene followed by a thousand diuelsâ— Andrea little dreaming on such fortunate successe made meanes to get out of the graue and afterward forth of the Church at the very same place where he entred Now began day-light to appeare when hee hauing the rich Ring on his finger wandred on hee knew not whether till comming to the Sea-side he found the way directing to his Inne where all his company were with his Host who had bene very carefull for him Hauing related his manifold mischances his Hoste friendly aduised him with speede to get him out of Naples As instantly he did returning home to Perouse hauing aduentured his fiue hundred Crownes on a Ring where-with hee purposed to haue bought Horses according to the intent of his iourney thither Madame Beritola Caracalla was found in an Island with two Goates hauing lost her two Sonnes and thence trauailed into Lunigiana where one of her Sonnes became seruant to the Lord thereof and was found somewhat ouer-familiar with his Masters daughter who therefore caused him to bee imprisoned Afterward when the Country of Sicily rebelled against K. Charles the aforesaid Sonne chanced to be knowne by his Mother and was married to his Masters daughter And his Brother being found likewise they both returned to great estate and credit The sixt Nouell Heerein all men are admonished neuer to distrust the powerfull hand of Heauen when Fortune seemeth to be most aduerse against them THe Ladies and Gentlemen also hauing smiled sufficiently at the seuerall accidents which did befall the poore Traueller Andrea reported at large by Madame Fiametta the Lady Aemillia seeing her tale to be fully concluded began by commandement of the Queene to speake in this manner The diuersitie of changes and alterations in Fortune as they are great so must they needs be greeuous and as often as we take occasion to talk of them as often do they awake and quicken our vnderstandings auouching that it is no easie matter to depend vpon her flatteries And I am of opinion that to heare them recounted ought not any way to offend vs be it of men wretched or fortunate because as they instrust the one with good aduise so they animate the other with comfort And therefore although great occasions haue beene already related yet I purpose to tell a Tale no lesse true then lamentable which albeit it sorted to a successefull ending yet notwithstanding such and so many were the bitter thwartings as hardly can I beleeue that euer any sorrow was more ioyfully sweetened You must vnderstand then most gracious Ladies
instructions which Antigonus had giuen her answered her father in this manner Sir about the twentith day after my departure from you a verie terrible and dreadfull tempest ouer-tooke vs so that in dead time of the night our ship being split in sunder vpon the sands neere to a place called Varna what became of all the men that were aboord I neither know or euer heard of Onely I remember then when death appeared and I being recouered from death to life certaine pezants of the countrey comming to get what they could finde in the ship so wrackt I was first with two of my women brought and set safely on the shore No sooner were we there but certaine rude shagge-haird villaines set vpon vs carrying away from me both my women then haling me along by the haire of my head neither teares or intercessions could draw any pitty from them As thus they dragd me into a spacious Woodd foure horsemen on a sodaine came riding by who seeing how dishonourably the villaines vsed me rescued me from them and forced them to flight But the foure horsemen seeming in my iudgement to bee persons of power and authority letting them go came to mee vrging sundry questions to me which neither I vnderstood or they mine answers After many deliberations held among themselues setting me vpon one of their horses they brought me to a Monastery of religious women according to the custome of their law and there whatsoeuer they did or sayde I know not but I was most benignely welcommed thither and honoured of them extraordinarily where with them in deuotion I dedicated my selfe to the Goddesse of chastity who is highly reuerenced and regarded among the women of that Countrey and to her religious seruice they are wholly addicted After I had continued some time among them and learned a little of their language they asked me of whence and what I was Reason gaue me so much vnderstanding to be fearfull of telling them the trueth for feare of expulsion from among them as an enemy to their Law and Religion wherefore I answered according as necessity vrged that I was daughter to a Gentleman of Cyprus who sent me to bee married in Candie but our fortunes meaning such as had the charge of mee fell out quite contrary to our expectation by losses Shipwracke and other mischances adding many matters more beside onely in regard of feare yeelding obediently to obserue their customes At length she that was in cheefest preheminence among these Women whom they termed by the name of their Lady Abbesse demaunded of me whither I was willing to abide in that condition of life or to returne home againe into Cyprus I answerd that I desired nothing more But she being very carefull of mine honour would neuer repose confidence in any that came for Cyprus till two honest Gentlemen of France who hapned thither about two moneths since accompanied with their wiues one of them being a neere kinswoman to the Lady Abbesse And she well knowing that they trauelled in pilgrimage to Ierusalem to visit the holy Sepulcher where as they beleeue that he whom they held for their God was buried after the Iewes had put him to death recommended me to their louing trust with especial charge for deliuering me to my Father in Cyprus What honourable loue and respect I found in the company of those Gentlemen and their wiues during our voyage backe to Cyprus the history would be ouer-tedious in reporting neither is it much materiall to our purpose because your demand is to another end Sayling on prosperously in our Ship it was not long before wee arriued at Baffa where being landed and not knowing any person neither what I should say to the Gentlemen who onely were carefull for deliuering me to my Father according as they were charged by the reuerend Abbesse it was the will of heauen doubtlesse in pitty and compassion of my passed disasters that I was no sooner come on shore at Baffa but I should there haply meete with Antigonus whome I called vnto in our countrey Language because I would not be vnderstood by the Gentlemen nor their wiues requesting him to acknowledge me as his Daughter Quickly he apprehended mine intention accomplishing what I requested and according to his poore power most bounteously feasted the Gentlemen and their wiues conducting me to the K. of Cyprus who receiued me royally and sent me home to you with so much honour as I am no way able to relate What else remaineth to be said Antigonus who hath oft heard the whole story of my fortunes at better leisure wil report Antigonus then turning to the Soldan said My Lord as shee hath often told me and by relation both of the Gentlemen and their wiues she hath deliuered nothing but trueth Onely shee hath forgotten somewhat worth the speaking as thinking it not fit for her to vtter because indeede it is not so conuenient for her Namely how much the Gentlemen and their wiues with whom she came commended the rare honesty and integrity of life as also the vnspotted vertue wherein she liued among those chaste Religious women as they constantly both with teares and solemne protestations auouched to me when kindly they resigned their charge to mee Of all which matters and many more beside if I should make discourse to your Excellencie this whole day the night ensuing and the next dayes full extendure are not sufficient to acquaint you withall Let it suffice then that I haue said so much as both by the reports and mine owne vnderstanding may giue you faithfull assurance to make your Royall vaunt of hauing the fayrest most vertuous and honest Lady to your Daughter of any King or Prince whatsoeuer The Soldane was ioyfull beyond all measure welcomming both him and the rest in most stately manner oftentimes entreating the Gods very heartily that he might liue to requite them with equall recompence who had so graciously honoured his daughter but aboue all the rest the King of Cyprus who sent her home so maiestically And hauing bestowne great gifts on Antigonus within a few dayes after hee gaue him leaue to returne to Cyprus with thankfull fauours to the King as well by Letters as also by Ambassadours expresly sent both from himselfe and his daughter When as this businesse was fully finished the Soldane desiring to accomplish what formerly was intended and begun namely that shee might be wife to the King of Cholcos he gaue him intelligence of all that had happened writing moreouer to him that if he were so pleased hee would yet send her in Royall manner to him The King of Cholcos was exceeding ioyfull of these glad tydings and dispatching a worthy trayne to fetch her she was conuayed thither very pompously and she who had beene embraced by so many was receiued by him as an honest virgine liuing long time after with him in much ioy and felicity And therefore it hath beene said as a common Prouerbe The mouth well kist comes
on foote out of the vally When he came to his Maister and had deliuered him her garments he assured him that he had not onely accomplished his commaund but also was most secure from any discouery because he had no sooner done the deede but foure or fiue very rauenous Wolfes came presently running to the dead body and gaue it buriall in their bellies Bernardo soone after returning to Geneway was much blamed for such vnkinde cruelty to his wife but his constant auouching of her treason to him according then to the Countries custome did cleare him from all pursuite of law Poore Geneura was left thus alone and disconsolate and night stealing fast vpon her shee went to a silly village neere adioyning where by the meanes of a good olde woman she got such prouision as the place afforded making the doublet fit to her body and conuerting her petticote to a paire of breeches according to the Mariners fashion then cutting her haire and queintly disguised like to a Sayler shee went to the Sea coast By good fortune she met there with a Gentleman of Cathalogna whose name was Signior Enchararcho who came on land from his Ship which lay hulling there about Albagia to refresh himselfe at a pleasant Spring Enchararcho taking her to be a man as shee appeared no otherwise by her habite vpon some conference passing betweene them shee was entertained into his seruice and being brought aboord the Ship she went vnder the name of Sicurano da Finale There shee had better apparell bestowne on her by the Gentleman and her seruice proued so pleasing and acceptable to him that hee liked her care and diligence beyond all comparison It came to passe within a short while after that this Gentleman of Cathalogna sayled with some charge of his into Alexandria carying thither câ—rtaine peregrine Faulcons which hee presented to the Soldane who oftentimes welcommed this Gentleman to his table where hee obserued the behauiour of Sicurano attending on his Maisters treâ—cher and therewith was so highly pleased that he requested to haue him from the Gentleman who for his more aduancement willingly parted with his so lately entertained seruant Sicurano was so ready and discreete in his dayly seruices that he grew in as great grace with the Soldane as before he had done with Enchararcho At a certaine season in the yeare as customarie order there obserued had formerly beene in the Citie of Acres which was vnder the Soldanes subiection there yearely met a great assembly of Merchants as Christians Moores Iewes Sarrazines and many other Nations beside as at a common Mart or Fayre And to the end that the Merchants for the better sale of their goods might be there in the safer assurance the Soldane vsed to send thither some of his ordinarie Officers and a strong guard of Souldiers beside to defend them from all iniuries and molestation because he reaped thereby no meane benefit And who should be now sent about this businesse but his new elected fauourite Sicurano because she was skilfull and perfect in the languages Sicurano being come to Acres as Lord and Captaine of the Guard for the Merchants and for the safety of their Merchandizes she discharged her office most commendably walking with her traine through euery part of the Fayre where shee obserued a worthy company of Merchants Sicilians Pisanes Genewayes Venetians and other Italians whom the more willingly shee noted in remembrance of her natiue Countrey At one especiall time among other chancing into a Shop or Boothe belonging to the Venetians she espied hanging vp with other costly wares a Purse and a Girdle which suddainly shee remembred to be sometime her owne whereat she was not a little abashed in her mind But without making any such outward shew courteously she requested to know whose they were and whether they should be sold or no. Ambroginolo of Placentia was likewise come thither and great store of Merchandizes hee had brought with him in a Carrack appertaining to the Venetians and hee hearing the Captaine of the Guard demaund whose they were stepped foorth before him and smiling answered That they wâ—re his but not to be solde yet if hee liked them gladly hee would bestowe them on him Sicurano seeing him smile suspected least himselfe had by some vnfitting behauiour beene the occasion thereof and therefore with a more setled countenance hee said Perhaps thou smilest because I that am a man professing Armes should question after such womanish toyes Ambroginolo replied My Lord pardon me Ismile not at you or your demaund but at the manner how I came by these things Sicurano vpon this answere was ten times more desirous then before and said If Fortune fauoured thee in friendly manner by the obtaining of these things if it may be spoken tell me how thou hadst them My Lord answered Ambroginolo these things with many more beside were giuen me by a Gentlewoman of Geneway named Madame Geneura the wife to one Bernardo Lomellino in recompence of one nights lodging with her and she desired me to keepe them for her sake Now the maine reason of my smiling was the remembrance of her husbands folly in waging fiue thousand Duckets of golde against one thousand of mine that I should not obtaine my will of his wife which I did and thereby wone the wager But hee who better deserued to be punished for his folly then shee who was but sicke of all womens disease returning from Paris to Geneway caused her to be slaine as afterward it was reported by himselfe When Sicurano heard this horrible lye immediatly shee conceiued that this was the occasion of her husbands hatred to her and all the hard haps which she had since suffered whereupon shee reputed it for more then a mortall sinne if such a villaine should passe without due punishment Sicurano seemed to like well this report and grew into such familiarity with Ambroginolo that by her perswasions when the Fayre was ended she tooke him higher with her into Alexandria and all his Wares along with him furnishing him with a fit and conuenient Shop where he made great benefit of his Merchandizes trusting all his monies in the Captaines custody because it was the safest course for him and so he continued there with no meane contentment Much did shee pitty her Husbands perplexity deuising by what good and warrantable meanes she might make knowne her innocency to him wherein her place and authority did greatly sted her and shee wrought with diuers gallant Merchants of Geneway that then remained in Alexandria and by vertue of the Soldans friendly Letters beside to bring him thither vpon an especiall occasion Come he did albeit in poore and meane order which soone was better altered by her appointment and he very honourably though in priuate entertained by diuers of her worthy friends till time did fauour what shee further intended In the expectation of Bernardoes arriuall shee had so preuailed with Ambroginolo that the same tale which he
If it be in regard of some vow which you haue consecrated to virginity and to some one of our Gods I seeke not therein to hinder your disseignes neither will bereaue the celestiall powers of whatsoeuer appertaineth to them Albeit I could wish that it should bee kept in a place more straited and separate from the resort of men to the end that so bright a beauty as yours is should cause no discords among amorous suters neither my Court proue a Campe destinied vnto the conclusion of such quarrels or you be the occasion of ruining so many whose seruice would beseeme a much more needfull place then to dye heere by fond and foolish opinion of enioying a vaine pleasure yet remaining in the power of another bodie to grant If therefore I shall perceiue that these behauiours in you do proceede from pride or contempt of them who endeuour to do you both honor and seruice and in sted of granting them a gracious looke in arrogancie you keepe from them making them enemies to your folly and my sufferance I sweare to you by our greatest God that I will take such due order as shall make you feele the hand of an offended Father and teach you hencefoorth to bee much more affable Wherefore deere daughter you shall do me a singular pleasure freely to acquaint me with your minde and the reasons of your so stricte seuerity promising you vpon the word and faith of a King nay more of a louing and kinde Father that if I finde the cause to bee iust and reasonable I will desist so farre from hindering your intent as you shal rather perceiue my fatherly furtherance and rest truly resolued of my help and fauour Wherefore faire daughter neither blush or dismay or feare to let me vnderstand your will for euidently I see that meere virgin shame hath made a rapture of your soule beeing nothing else but those true splendors of vertue deriued from your Auncestors and shining in you most gloriously gracing you with a much richer embellishing thē those beauties bestowed on you by Nature Speake therefore boldly to your Father because there is no law to prohibit your speech to him for when he commandeth he ought to bee obeyed promising vppon mine oath once againe that if your reasons are such as they ought to be I will not faile to accommodate your fancy The wise and vertuous Princesse hearing the King to alledge such gracious reasons and to lay so kinde a command on her making him most lowe and humble reuerence in signe of dutifull accepting such fauour thus she answered Royall Lord and Father seeing that in your Princely Court I haue gathered whatsoeuer may be termed vertuous in me you being the principall instructer of my life from whom I haue learned those lessons how maides of my age ought to gouerne and maintaine themselues you shall apparantly perceiue that neither gazing lookes which I ought not to yeelde without your consent nor pride or arrogancie neuer taughr me by you or the Queene my most honourable Lady and Mother are any occasion of my cariage towards them which come to make ostentation of their folly in your Court as if a meere look of Serictha were sufficient to yeeld assurance effectually of their desires victory Nothing my most Royall Lord and Father induceth mee to this kinde of behauiour but onely due respect of your honour mine owne and to the end it may not be thought that I belye my selfe in not eying the affectionate offers of amorous pursuers or haue any other priuate reserued meaning then what may best please King Siwalde my Father let it suffice Sir that it remaineth in your power onely to make an apt election and choice for me for I neither ought nor will allowe the acceptance of any suters kindnesse so much as by a looke much lesse then by words vntill your Highnesse shall nominate the man to be a meete husband for Serictha It is onely you then my Lord that beares the true life-blood of our Ancestors It is the vntainted life of the Queene my Mother that sets a chaste and strict restraint on mine eyes from estranging my heart to the idle amorous enticements of young giddy-headed Gentlemen and haue sealed vp my soule with an absolute determination rather to make choise of death then any way to alter this my warrantable seuerity You being a wise King and the worthie Father of Serictha it is in you to mediate counsell and effect what best shall beseeme the desseignes of your daughter because it is the vertue of children yea and their eternall glory and renowne to illustrate the liues and memories of their parents It consisteth in you either to grant honest license to such Lords as desire me or to oppose them with such discreete conditions as both your selfe may sit free from any further afflicting and they rest defeated of dangerous dissentions according as you foresee what may ensue Which yet neuerthelesse I hold as a matter impossible if their discord should be grounded on the sole apprehension of their soules and the onely preuention therof is not to yeeld any signe glance of the eie or so much as a word more to one man then another for such is the setled disposition of your daughters soule and which shee humbly entreateth may so be still suffered Many meanes there are whereby to winne the grace of the greatest King by employing their paines in worthy occasions answerable vnto their yeeres and vertue if any such sparkes of honour doe shine in their soules rather then by gaining heere any matter of so meane moment by endeauouring to shake the simplicity of a bashfull maide Let them cleare the Kings high-wayes of Theeues who make the passages difficult or let them expell Pirates from off the Seas which make our Danish coasts euery way inaccessible These are such Noble meanes to merit as may throw deserued recompence vppon them and much more worthily then making Idols of Ladies lookes or gazing for babies in their wanton eyes So may you bestowe on them what is your owne granting Serictha to behold none but him who you shall please to giue her for otherwise you know her absolute resolue neuer to looke any liuing man in the face but onely you my gracious Lord and Father The King hearing this wise and modest answer of his daughter could not choose but commend her in his heart and smiling at the counsell which she gaue him returned her this answer Vnderstand me wel faire daughter neither am I minded to breake your determination wholly nor yet to gouerne my selfe according to your fancie I stand indifferently contented that vntill I haue otherwise purposed you shall continue the nature of your ancient custome yet conditionally that when I command an alteration of your carriage you faile not therin to declare your obedience What else remaineth beside for so silly a thing as a Woman is and for the priuate pleasing of so many great Princes and Lords
speeches she made not any doubt in regard of her stout countenance grauity and faire demeanor began to rellish something in her minde farre differing from matter of common vnderstanding and therfore roundly replied in this kind of language Madam for seruant I may no longer call you I make no question to the contrary but that you are deriued of high birth hauing obserued your behauiour and womanly carriage And so much the more I remaine assured thereof hauing seene such great honor done vnto you by the Noble Lord and worthy Warriour Ocharus wherefore it lieth not in my power to impeach your desseignes much lesse to talke of your longer seruice because you are the Princesse Serictha whom I am to performe all humble dutie vnto as being one of your meanest subiects And although you were not shee yet would I not presume any way to offend you in regarde of the true and vertuous loue which that good Knight Ocharus seemeth to beare you If my company bee needefull for you I beseech you to accept it if not take whatsoeuer is mine which may any way sted you for to make you passe vnknowne I can and will prouide sufficiently euen to your own contentment and in such strange manner as Ocharus were he neuer so cleerely sighted shal be deceiued you being attired in those fashion garments which heere in these parts are vsually worne Serictha being wonderously ioyfull at her answer suffred hir to paint or rather soile her faire face with the iuice of diuers hearbes and rootes and cloathed her in such an habite as those women vse to weare that liue in the mountaines of Norway vpon the sea-coast fronting Great-Britain Being thus disguised confidently she went tobeguile the eie of her dearest friend and so to returne backe againe from him hauing affoorded him such a secret fauour in requitall of his honourable seruices deliuering her out of so great a danger and comming to visite her in so solitarie a life Nor would she haue the womans company any further then till she came within the sight of Ocharus his Castle where when she was arriued he being then absent the mother vnto the Noble Gentleman gaue her courteous welcom and notwithstanding her grosse homely outward appearance yet she collected by her countenance that there was a matter of much more worth in her then to bee a woman of base breeding When Ocharus was returned home he receiued aduertisement by his mother concerning the arriuall of this stranger when as sodainely his soule halfe perswaded him of some kinde courtesie to proceede from his sweet rebell pretending now some feigned excuse in recompence of all his trauailes and passed honest offices Obseruing all her actions and gestures her wonted rigour neuer bending one iot or gaue way to her eye to looke vpon any man he grew the better assured that she was the daughter to King Siwalde Yet feigning to take no knowledge thereof he bethought himselfe of a queint policy whereby to make triall whether secret kindnesse had conducted this Lady thither or no to conclude his torments and giue a final end to his greeuous afflictions Vpon a watch-word giuen to his Mother he pretended and so caused it to be noised through the house that he was to marry a very honorable Lady which the constant and chaste maide verily beleeued and therefore gaue the more diligent attendance as a new-come seruant to see all things in due decency as no one could expresse her selfe more ready because she esteemed him aboue all other men Yet such was the obstinate opinion she conceiued of her owne precisenesse as she would rather suffer all the flames of loue then expresse the least shew of desire to any man liuing Neuerthelesse she was inwardly offended that any other should haue the honour to make her vaunt of enioying Ocharus whom indeed she coueted and thought him only worthy in her heart to be Son in law to the King of Denmarke Now as the Mother was very seriously busied in preparing the Castle for receiuing the pretended Bride shee employed her new Mayde Serictha I meane as busily as any of the rest In the meanewhile Ocharus was laid vpon a bed well noting all her carriage and behauiour shee hauing a lighted Candle in her hand without any Candlesticke to hold it in As all the seruants both men and maids were running hastily froÌ„ place to place to cary such occasions as they were commanded the candle was consumed so neere to Sericthaes fingers that it burned hir hand She not to faile a iote in her height of mind and to declare that her corage was inuincible was so farre off from casting away the small snuffe which offended her that she rather graspt it the more strongly euen to the enflaming of her owne flesh which gaue light to the rest about their businesse A matter almost as maruellous as the acte of the noble Romane who gaue his hand to be burned in presence of the Tuscane King that had besiedged Rome Thus this Lady would needs make it apparantly knowne by this generous acte of hers that her heart could not be enflamed or conquered by all the fires of concupiscence in suffering so stoutly and couragiously the burning of this materiall fire Ocharus who as we haue already saide obserued euery thing that Serictha did perceiuing that she spake not one worde albeit her hand burned in such fierce maner was much astonished at her sprightly mind And as he was about to aduise her to hurle away the fire so much offending her Cuâ—iositie meerely naturall vnto Women made the Ladie lift vppe her eyes to see by stealth whether her friend had noted her inuincible constancy or no. Heereby Ocharus won the honour of his long expected victory and leaping from off the bed hee ranne to embrace her not with any such feare as he had formerly vsed in not daring so much as to touch her but boldly now clasping his armes about her he said At this instant Madam the King your Fathers decree is fully accomplished for I am the first man that euer you lookt in the face you are onely mine without making any longer resistance You are the Princely Lady and wife by me so constantly loued and desired whom I haue followed with such painefull trauels exposing my life to infinite perils in your seruice you haue seene and lookt on him who neuer craued any thing of you but onely this fauour whereof you cannot bereaue me againe because the Gods themselues at such time as I least expected it haue bestowne it on me as my deserued recompence and worthy reward In the deliuery of these words he kissed and embraced her a thousand times shee not vsing any great resistance against him but onely as somewhat offended with her selfe either for being so rash in looking on him or else for delaying his due merit so long or rather because with her good will shee had falne into the transgression Shee declared no violent or contending motion
not any part or parcell but onely a Ladie for whose sake I haue vndertaken these Armes and freely giue you all the rest contained in the shippe Let vs set on them Gentlemen and my dearest friends couragiously let vs assaile the ship you see how the wind fauors vs and questionlesse in so good an action Fortune will not faile vs. Gerbino needed not to haue spoken so much in perswading them to seize so rich a booty because the men of Messina were naturally addicted to spoile and rapine and before the Prince began his Oration they had concluded to make the ship their purchase Wherefore giuing a lowde shout according to their Countrey manner and commaunding their Trumpets to sound chearefully they rowed on amain with their Oares and in meere despight set vpon the ship But before the Gallies could come neere her they that had the charge and managing of her perceyuing with what speede they made towards them and no likely meanes of escaping from them resoluedly they stood vppon their best defence for now it was no time to be slothfull The Prince being come neere to the Ship commanded that the Patrones should come to him except they would aduenture the fight When the Sarazines were thereof aduertised and vnderstood also what he demanded they returned answer That their motion and proceeding in this manner was both against Law and plighted faith which was promised by the King of Sicily for their safe passage thorow his Sea by no meanes to be mollested or assailed In testimony whereof they shewed his Gloue auouching moreouer that neyther by force or otherwise they would yeelde or deliuer him any thing which they had aboorde their Ship Gerbino espying his gracious Mistresse on the Ships decke and she appearing to be farre more beautifull then Fame had made relation of her being much more enflamed now then formerly he had bin replyed thus when they shewed the Gloue Wee haue quoth he no Faulcon heere now to be humbled at the sight of your Gloue and therefore if you wil not deliuer the Lady prepare your selues for fight for we must haue her whether you will or no. Hereupon they began to let flie on both sides their Darts and arrowes with stones sent in violent sort from their slings thus continuing the fight a long while to very great harme on either side At the length Gerbino perceyuing that small benefite would redound to him if he did not vndertake some other kinde of course he tooke a smal Pinnace which purposely he brought with him from Sardignia and setting it on a flaming fire conueyd it by the Gallies help close to the ship The Sarazines much amazed thereat and euidently perceiuing that eyther they must yeeld or dy brought their Kings daughter vpon the prow of the ship most greeuously weeping and wringing her hands Then calling Gerbino to let him behold their resolution there they slew hir before his face and afterward throwing her body into the Sea said Take her there we giue her to thee according to our bounden duty and as thy periury hath iustly deserued This sight was not a little greeuous to the Prince Gerbino who madded now with this their monstrous cruelty and not caring what became of his owne life hauing lost her for whom hee onely desired to liue not dreading their Darts Arrowes slinged stones or what violence els they could vse against him he leapt aboord their ship in despight of all that durst resist him behauing himself there like a hunger-starued Lyon when he enters among a heard of beastes tearing their carkasses in pieces both with his teeth and pawes Such was the extreme fury of the poor Prince not sparing the like of any one that durst appeare in his presence so that what with the bloody slaughter and violence of the fires encreasing in the Ship the Mariners got such wealth as possibly they could saue and suffering the Sea to swallow the rest Gerbino returned vnto his Gallies againe nothing proud of this so ill-gotten victory Afterward hauing recouered the Princesses dead body out of the Sea and enbalmed it with sighes and teares hee returned backe into Sicilie where he caused it to be most honourably buried in a little Island named Vstica face to face confronting Trapanum The King of Thunis hearing these disastrous Newes sent his Ambassadors habited in sad mourning to the aged King of Sicily complaining of his faith broken with him and how the accident had falne out Age being sodainly incited to anger and the King extreamly offended at this iniury seeing no way whereby to deny him iustice it being vrged so instantly by the Ambassadours caused Gerbino to be apprehended and hee himselfe in regard that none of his Lords and Barons would therein assist him but laboured to diuert them by their earnest importunity pronounced the sentence of death on the Prince and commanded to haue him beheaded in his presence affecting rather to dye without an heire then to be thought a King void of iustice So these two vnfortunate Louers neuer enioying the very least benefite of their long wished desires ended both their liues in violent manner The three Brethren to Isabella slew a Gentleman that secretly loued her His ghost appeared to her in her sleepe and shewed her in what place they had buried his body She in silent manner brought away his head and putting it into a pot of earth such as Flowers Basile or other sweet hearbes are vsually set in she watered it a long while with her teares Whereof her Brethren hauing intelligence soone after she dyed with meere conceite of sorrow The fift Nouell Wherein is plainly proued that Loue cannot be rooted vppe by any humane power or prouidence especially in such a soule where it hath bene really apprehended THE Nouell of Madame Eliza being finished and some-what commended by the King in regard of the Tragicall conclusion Philomena was enioyned to proceede next with her discourse She beeing ouercome with much compassion for the hard Fortunes of Noble Gerbino and his beautifull Princesse after an extreme and vehement sighe thus she spake My tale worthy Ladies extendeth not to persons of so high birth or quality as they were of whom Madame Eliza gaue you relation yet peraduenture it may prooue to be no lesse pittifull And now I remember my selfe Messina so lately spoken of is the place where this accident also happened In Messina there dwelt three yong men Brethren and Merchants by their common profession who becoming very rich by the death of theyr Father liued in very good fame and repute Their Father was of San Gemignano and they had a Sister named Isabella young beautifull and well conditioued who vpon some occasion as yet remained vnmaried A proper youth being a Gentleman borne in Pisa and named Lorenzo as a trusty factor or seruant had the managing of the Brethrens businesse and affaires This Lorenzo being of comely personage affable and excellent in his behauiour grew so gracious in the
lamented Being deliuered out of the Court it was carried to buriall not like a Burgesse or ordinary Citizen but with such pompe as beseemed a Lord Baron and on the shoulders of very noble Gentlemen with very especiall honor and reuerence Within some few dayes after the Potestate pursuing his former motion of marriage and the Father mouing it to his daughter she wold not by any meanes listen thereto And he being desirous to giue her contentment deliuered her and her Chamber-maid into a Religious Abbey very famous for deuotion and sanctity where afterwardes they ended their liues Faire Simonida affecting Pasquino and walking with him in a pleasant garden it fortuned that Pasquino rubbed his teeth with a leafe of Sage and immediately fell downe dead Simonida being brought before the bench of Iustice and charged with the death of Pasquino she rubbed her teeth likewise with one of the leaues of the same Sage as declaring what shee saw him do and thereon she dyed also in the same manner The seauenth Nouell Whereby is giuen to vnderstand that Loue Death do vse their power equally alike as well vpon poore and meane persons as on them that are rich and Noble PAmphilus hauing ended his Tale the King declaring an outward shew of compassion in regard of Andreanaes disastrous Fortune fixed his eye on Madam Emillia and gaue her such an apparant signe as expressed his pleasure for her next succeeding in discourse which being sufficient for her vnderstanding thus she began Faire assembly the Nouel so lately deliuered by Pamphilus maketh me willing to report another to you varying from it in any kinde of resemblance onely this excepted that as Andreana lost her louer in a Garden euen so did shee of whome I am now to speake And being brought before the seate of Iustice according as Andreana was freed her selfe from the power of the Law yet neither by force or her owne vertue but by her sodaine and inopinate death And although the nature of Loue is such according as wee haue oftentimes heeretofore maintained to make his abiding in the houses of the Noblest persons yet men and women of poore and farre inferiour quality do not alwayes sit out of his reach though enclosed in their meanest Cottages declaring himselfe sometimes as powerfull a commaunder in those humble places as he doth in the richest and most imperious Palaces As will plainly appeare vnto you either in all or a great part of my Nouell whereto our Citie pleadeth some title though by the diuersity of our discourses talking of so many seuerall accidents we haue wandred into many other parts of the world to make all answerable to our owne liking It is not any long time since when there liued in our City of Florence a young and beautifull Damosell yet according to the nature of hir condition because she was the Daughter of a poore Father and called by the name of Simonida Now albeit shee was not supplied by any better meanes then to maintaine her selfe by her owne painfull trauell earne her bread before shee could eate it by carding and spinning to such as employed her yet was she not of so base or deiected a spirit but had both courage and sufficient vertue to vnderstand the secret solicitings of loue and to distinguish the parts of well deseruing both by priuate behauiour and outward ceremony As naturall instinct was her first tutor thereto so wanted she not a second maine and vrging motion a chip hewed out of the like Timber one no better in birth then her selfe a proper young springall named Pasquino whose generous behauiour and gracefull actions in bringing her daily wooll to spin by reason his master was a Clothier preuailed vpon her liking and affection Nor was he negligent in the obseruation of her amorous regards but the Tinder tooke and his soule flamed with the selfe-same fire making him as desirous of her louing acceptance as possibly she could bee of his so that the commanding power of loue could not easily be distinguished in which of them it had the greater predominance For euerie day as he brought her fresh supply of woolles and found her seriously busied at hir wheele her soule would vent forth many deepe sighes and those sighes fetch floods of teares from her eyes thorough the singular good opinion she had conceyued of him and earnest desire to enioy him Pasquino on the other side as leysure gaue him leaue for the least conuersing with her his disease was euery way answerable to her for teares stood in his eyes sighes flew abroad to ease the poore hearts afflicting oppressions which though he was vnable to conceale yet would hee seeme to clowd them cleanly by entreating her that his masters worke might be nearly performed and with such speed as time would permit her intermixing infinite praises of her artificiall spinning and affirming withall that the Quilles of Yearne receiued from her were the choisest beauty of the whole peece so that when other worke-women played Simonida was sure to want no employment Heereupon the one soliciting and the other taking delight in beeing solicited it came to passe that often accesse bred the bolder courage ouer-much bashfulnesse became abandoned yet no immodestie passing betweene them but affection grew the better setled in them both by interchangeable vowes of constant perseuerance so that death onely but no disaster else had power to diuide them Their mutuall delight continuing on in this manner with more forcible encreasing of their Loues equall flame it fortuned that Pasquino sitting by Simonida tolde her of a goodly Garden whereto hee was desirous to bring her to the end that they might the more safely conuerse together without the suspition of enuious eyes Simonida gaue answer of her well-liking the motion and acquainting her Father therewith he gaue her leaue on the Sunday following after dinner to go ferch the pardon of S. Gallo and afterwards to visit the Garden A modest yong maiden named Lagina following the same profession and being an intimate familiar friend Simonida tooke along in her company and came to the Garden appointed by Pasquino where shee found him readily expecting her comming and another friend also with him called Puccino albeit more vsually tearmed Strambo a secret well-willer to Lagina whose loue became the more furthered by this friendly meeting Each Louer delighting in his hearts chosen Mistresse caused them to walke alone by themselues as the spaciousnesse of the Garden gaue them ample liberty Puccino with his Lagina in one part Pasquino with his Simonida in another The walke which they had made choise of was by a long and goodly bed of Sage turning and returning by the same bed as their conference ministred occasion and as they pleased to recreate themselues affecting rather to continue still there then in any part of the Garden One while they would sit downe by the Sage bed and afterward rise to walke againe as ease or wearinesse seemed to inuite
sight was so irkesome to Rinaldo that being ouercom with extreame rage hee could hardly containe from running on them with a violent intent to kill them both but feare of his owne life caused his forbearance meaning to be reuenged by some better way Such was the heate of his spleene and fury as setting aside all respect of his owne shame he would needs prosecute the rigour of the deadly Edict which he held lawfull for him to do although it extended to the death of his Wife Heereupon hauing witnesses sufficient to approoue the guiltinesse of her offence a day being appointed without desiring any other counsell he went in person to accuse her and required iustice against her The Gentlewoman who was of an high and vndauntable spirite as all such are who haue fixed their affection resoluedly and loue vppon a grounded deliberation concluded quite against the counsell and opinion of her Parents Kindred and Friends to appeare in the Court as desiring rather to dye by confessing the trueth with a manly courage then by denying it and her loue vnto so worthy a person as he was in whose arms she chanced to be taken to liue basely in exile with shame as an eternall scandall to her race So before the Potestate shee made her apparance worthily accompanied both with men and women all aduising her to deny the acte but she not minding them or their perswasions looking on the Iudge with a constant countenance and a voyce of setled resolue craued to know of him what hee demaunded of her The Potestate well noting her braue carriage her singular beautie and praise-worthy parts her words apparantly witnessing the heighth of her minde beganne to take compassion on her and doubted least shee would confesse some such matter as should enforce him to pronounce the sentence of death against her But she boldly scorning all delayes or any further protraction of time demanded again what was her accusation Madame answered the Potestate I am sory to tel you what needs I must your husband whom you see present heere is the cōplainant against you auouching that he tooke you in the act of adultery with another man and therefore he requireth that according to the rigour of the Statute heere in force with vs I should pronounce sentence against you and consequently the infliction of death Which I cannot do if you confesse not the fact and therefore be well aduised how you answer me and tell me the truth if it be as your Husband accuseth you or no. The Lady without any dismay or dread at all pleasantly thus replied My Lord true it is that Rinaldo is my Husband and that he found me on the night named betweene the Armes of Lazarino where many times heeretofore he hath embraced mee according to the mutuall loue re-plighted together which I deny not nor euer will But you know well enough and I am certaine of it that the Lawes enacted in any Countrey ought to be common and made with consent of them whom they concerne which in this Edict of yours is quite contrarie For it is rigorous against none but poore women onely who are able to yeeld much better content and satisfaction generally then remaineth in the power of men to do And moreouer when this Law was made there was not any woman that gaue consent to it neither were they called to like or allow thereof in which respect it may deseruedly be termed an vniust Law And if you will in preiudice of my bodie and of your owne soule be the executioner of so vnlawfull an Edict it consisteth in your power to do as you please But before you proceede to pronounce any sentence may it please you to fauour me with one small request namely that you would demand of my Husband if at all times and whensoeuer he tooke delight in my company I euer made any curiosity or came to him vnwillingly Whereto Rinaldo without tarrying for the Potestate to mooue the question sodainly answered that vndoubtedly his wife at all times and oftner then he could request it was neuer sparing of her kindnesse or put him off with any deniall Then the Lady continuing on her former speeches thus replyed Let me then demand of you my Lord being our Potestate and Iudge if it be so by my Husbands owne free confession that he hath alwaies had his pleasure of me without the least refusall in me or contradiction what should I doe with the ouer-plus remaining in mine owne power and whereof he had no need Would you haue mee cast it away to the Dogges Was it not more fitting for me to pleasure therwith a worthy Gentleman who was euen at deaths doore for my loue then my husbands surfetting and hauing no neede of me to let him lye languishing and dye Neuer was heard such an examination before and to come from a woman of such worth the most part of the honourable Pratosians both Lords and Ladies being there present who hearing her vrge such a necessary question cryed out all aloud together with one voice after they had laughed their fill that the Lady had saide well and no more then she might So that before they departed thence by comfortable aduice proceeding from the Potestate the Edict being reputed ouercruell was modified and interpreted to concerne them onely who offered iniurie to their Husbands for money By which meanes Rinaldo standing as one confounded for such a foolish and vnaduised enterprize departed from the Auditorie and the Ladie not a little ioyfull to bee thus freed and deliuered from the fire returned home with victorie to her owne house Fresco da Celatico counselled and aduised his Neece Cesca That if such as deserued to be looked on were offensiue to her eyes as she had often told him she should forbeare to looke on any The Eighth Nouell In iust scorne of such vnsightly and ill-pleasing surly Sluts who imagine none to be faire or well-fauoured but themselues ALL the while as Philostratus was re-counting his Nouell it seemed that the Ladies who heard it found themselues much mooued thereat as by the wanton blood monting vp into their cheekes it plainly appeared But in the end looking on each other with strange behauiour they could not forbeare smiling which the Queene interrupting by a command of attention turning to Madame Aemillia willed her to follow next When she puffing and blowing as if she had bene newly awaked from sleepe began in this manner Faire Beauties My thoughts hauing wandred a great distance hence and further then I can easily collect them together againe in obedience yet to our Queene I shall report a much shorter Nouell then otherwise perhappes I should haue done if my minde had beene a little neerer home I shall tell you the grosse fault of a foolish Damosell well corrected by a witty reprehension of her Vnckle if shee had bin endued but with so much sence as to haue vnderstood it An honest man named Fresco da Celatico had a
greater then before hearing him to auouch still so constantly what he had â—eene no contradiction being able to alter him which made him rashly sweare and say I will see my selfe whether this Peare-tree bee enchanted or no and such wonders to be seene when a man is vp in it as thou wouldst haue vs to beleeue And being mounted vp so hy that they were safe froÌ„ his sodaine comming on them Lydia had soone forgotten her sicknes and the promised kisse cost her aboue twenty more beside verie kinde and hearty embraces as louingly respected and entertained by Pyrrhus Which Nicostratus beholding aloft in the tree cryed out to her saying Wicked woman What doest thou meane And thou villain Pyrrhus Darst thou abuse thy Lord who hath reposed so much trust in thee So descending in haste downe againe yet crying so to them still Lydia replyed Alas my Lord Why do you raile and raue in such sort So hee found her seated as before and Pyrrhus waiting with dutiful reuerence euen as when he climbed vp the Tree but yet he thought his â—ight not deceyued for all their demure and formall behauiour which made him walke vp and downe extreamely suming and fretting vnto himselfe and which in some milder manner to qualifie Pyrrhus spake thus to him I deny not my good Lord but freely confesse that euen as your selfe so I being aboue in the Tree had my fight most falsely deluded which is so so apparantly confirmed by you and in the same sort as there needeth no doubt of both our beguiling in one and the same suspitious nature In which case to be the more assuredly resolued nothing can be questioned but whether your beleefe do so farre misleade you as to thinke that my Ladie who hath alwayes bene most wise loyall and vertuous would so shamefullie wrong you yea and to performe it before your face wherein I dare gadge my life to the contrary Concerning my selfe it is not fit for mee to argue or contest in mine owne commendation you that haue euer knowne the sincerity of my seruice are best able to speake in my behalfe and rather wold I be drawne in peeces with foure wilde horses then hee such an iniurious slaue to my Lord and Master Now then it can be no otherwise but we must needs rest certainely perswaded that the guile and offence of this false appearance was occasioned by thee onely For all the world could not make me otherwise beleeue but but that I saw you kisse and most kindely imbrace my Lady if your owne eyes had not credited the like behauiour in me to her of which sinne I neuer conceiued so much as a thought The Lady on the other side seeming to be very angerly incensed starting faintly vp on her feet yet supporting her selfe by the tree said It appeareth Sir that you haue entertained a goodly opinion of me as if I were so lewde and lasciuiously disposed or addicted to the very least desire of wantonnesse that I would bee so forgetfull of mine owne honour as to aduenture it in your sight and with a seruant of my house Oh Sir such women as are so familiarly affected need learne no wit of men in amourous matters their priuate Chambers shall be better trusted then an open blabing and tell-tale Garden Nicostratus who verily beleeued what they had both said and that neither of them would aduenture such familiarity before his face would talke no more of the matter but rather studyed of the rarity of such a miracle not seene but in the height of the tree and changing againe vp on the descent But Lydia containing still her collourable kinde of impatience and angerly frowning vpon Nicostratus stearnely saide If I may haue my will this villanous and deceiuing tree shall neuer more shame me or any other woman and therefore Pyrrhus runne for an Axe and by felling it to the ground in an instant reuenge both thy wrong and mine Doest not thou serue a worthy Lord And haue not I a wise Husband who without any consideration will suffer the eye of his vnderstanding to be so dazeled with a foolish imagination beyond all possibility For although his eyes did apprehend such a folly and it seemed to be a truth indeed yet in the depth of setled iudgement all the world should not perswade him that it was so Pyrrhus had quickely brought the Axe and he wing downe the tree so soone as the Lady saw it fall turning her selfe to Nicostratus she said Now that I haue seene mine honour and honesties enemy laid along mine anger is past and Husband I freely pardon you intreating you heartily henceforward not to presume or imagine that my loue eyther is or can bee altred from you Thus the mocked and derided Nicostratus returned in againe with his Lady and Pyrrhus where perhaps although the Peare-tree was cut downe they could find as cunning meanes to ouer-reach him Two Citizens of Siena the one â—amed Tingoccio Mini the other Meucio di Tura affected hoth one woman called Monna Mita to whom the one of them was a Gossip The Gossip dyed and appeared afterward to his companion according as he had formerly promised him to doe and tolde him what strange wonders he had seene in the other world The Tenth Nouell Wherein such men are couertly reprehended who make no care or conscience at all of those things that should preserue them from sinne NOw there remained none but the King himselfe last of all to recount his Nouell who after hee heard the Ladies complaints indifferently pacified for the rash felling downe of such a precious Peare-tree thus he began-Faire Ladies it is a case more then manifest that euery King who will be accounted iust and vpright should first of all and rather then any other obserue those Lawes which he himselfe hath made otherwise he ought to be reputed as a seruant worthy of punishment and no King Into which fault and reprehension I your King shall well neere be constrained to fall for yesterday I enacted a Law vpon the forme of our discoursing with full intent that this day I would not vse any part of my priuiledge but being subiect as you all are to the same Law I should speake of that argument which already you haue done Wherein you haue not onely performed more then I could wish vpon a subiect so sutable to my minde but in euery Nouell such variety of excellent matter such singular illustrations and delicate eloquence hath flowne from you all as I am vtterly vnable to inuent any thing notwithstanding the most curious search of my braine apt or fit for the purpose to paragon the meanest of them already related And therefore seeing I must needs sinne in the Law established by my selfe I tender my submission as worthy of punishment or what amends else you please to enioyne mee Now as returned to my wonted priuiledge I say that the Nouell recounted by Madame Eliza of the Fryar Godfather and his Gossip Agnesia as
being admitted into their company they expressed themselues very gracious to her Soone after the King and the Queene cald Lisana and the King spake in this manner to her Faire Virgin the extraordinary loue which you bare to vs calleth for as great honour from vs to you in which respect it is our Royall desire by one meanes or other to requite your kinde Loue. In our opinion the chiest honour we can extend to you is that being of sufficient yeares for marriage you would grace vs so much as to accept him for your Husband whom we intend to bestow on you Beside this further grant from vs that nowithstanding whatsoeuer else you shall call vs your Knight without coueting any thing else from you for so great fauour but only one kisse and thinke not to bestow it nicely on a King but grant it the rather because he begges it Lisana whose lookes were dyed with a vermillian tincture or rather conuerted into a pure maiden blush reputing the Kings desire to be her owne in a low and humbled voyce thus answered My Lord most certaine am I that if it had beene publikely knowne how none but your highnes might serue for me to fixe my loue on I should haue been termed the foole of all fooles they perhaps beleeuing that I was forgetfull of my selfe in being ignorant of mine owne condition and much lesse of yours But the Gods are my witnesses because they know the secrets of all hearts that euen in the very instant when Loues fire tooke hold on my yeelding affection I knew you to be a King and my selfe the daughter of poore Bernardo the Apothecary likewise how farre vnfitting it was for me to be so ambitious in my loues presuming But I am sure your Maiestie doth know much better then I am able to expresse that no one becommeth amourous according to the duty of election but as the appetite shapeth his course against whose lawes my strength made many resistances which not preuailing I presumed to loue did and so for euer shall doe your Maiestie Now Royall Soueraigne I must needes confesse that so soone as I felt my selfe thus wholly conquered by louing you I resolued for euer after to make your will mine owne and therefore am not onely willing to accept him for my Husband whom you shall please to appoint befitting my honor and degree but if you will haue me to liue in a flaming fire my obedience shall sacrifice it selfe to your will with the absolute conformity of mine owne To stile you by the name of my Knight whom I know to be my lawfull King and Soueraigne you are not ignorant how farre vnfitting a word that were for me to vse As also the kisse which you request in requitall of my loue to you to these two I wil neuer giue consent without the Queenes most gracious fauour and license first granted Neuerthelesse for such admirable benignity vsed to me both by your Royall selfe and your vertuous Queene heauen shower downe all boundlesse graces on you both for it exceedeth all merit in me and so she ceased speaking in most dutifull manner The answer of Lisana pleased the Queene exceedingly in finding her to be so wise and faire as the King himself had before informed her who instantly called for her Father and Mother and knowing they would be well pleased with whatsoeuer he did he called for a proper yong Gentleman but somewhat poore being named Perdicano and putting certaine Rings into his hand which he refused not to receiue caused him there to espouse Lisana To whome the King gaue immediately besides Chaines and Iewels of inestimable valew deliuered by the Queene to the Bride Ceffala and Calatabelotta two great territories abounding in diuers wealthy possessions saying to Perdicano These wee giue thee as a dowry in marriage with this beautifull Maid and greater gifts we will bestow on thee hereafter as we shal perceiue thy loue and kindnesse to her When he had ended these words hee turned to Lisana saying Heere doe I freely giue ouer all further fruits of your affection towards me thanking you for your former loue so taking her head betweene his hands he kissed her faire forhead which was the vsuall custome in those times Perdicano the Father and Mother of Lisana and she her selfe likewise extraordinarily ioyfull for this so fortunate a marriage returned humble and hearty thankes both to the King and Queene and as many credible Authors doe affirme the King kept his promise made to Lisana because so long as he liued he alwaies termed himselfe by the name of her Knight and in al actions of Chiualry by him vndertaken he neuer carried any other deuise but such as he receiued still from her By this and diuers other like worthy deeds not onely did he win the hearts of his subiects but gaue occasion to the whole world beside to renowne his fame to all succeeding posterity Whereto in these more wretched times of ours few or none bend the sway of their vnderstanding but rather how to bee cruell and tyrranous Lords and thereby win the hatred of their people Sophronia thinking her selfe to be the maried wife of Gisippus was indeed the wife of Titus Quintus Fuluius departed thence with him to Rome Within a while after Gisippus also came thither in very poore condition and thinking that he was despised by Titus grew weary of his life and confessed that he had murdred a man with ful intent to die for the fact But Titus taking knowledge of him and desiring to saue the life of Gisippus charged himself to haue done the bloody deed Which the murderer himself standing then among the multitude seeing truly confessed the deed By meanes whereof all three were deliuered by the Emperor Octauius and Titus gaue his Sister in mariage to Gisippus giuing them also the most part of his goods inheritances The eight Nouell Declaring that notwithstanding the frownes of Fortune diuersity of occurrences and contrary accidents happening yet loue and frendship ought to be preciously preserued among men BY this time Madam Philomena at command of the King Madam Pampinea ceasing prepared to follow next in order whereupon thus she began What is it Gracious Ladies that Kings cannot do if they list in matters of greatest importance and especially vnto such as most they should declare their magnificence He then that performeâ—h what he ought to do when it is within his owne power doth well But it is not so much to bee admired neither deserueth halfe the commendations as when one man doth good to another when least it is expected as being out of his power and yet performed In which respect because you haue so extolled king Piero as appearing not meanly meritorious in your iudgements I make no doubt but you will be much more pleased when the actions of our equals are duly considered and shal paralell any of the greatest Kings Wherefore I purpose to tell you a Nouel concerning an honorable curtesie