them and afterwarâ— had his owne head smitten off 5. Nouell 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 maner brought away his head and putting it into a put of earth such as Flowers Basile or other sweet herbes are vsually set in she watered it a long while with her teares whereof her Brethren hauing intelligence soone after she died with meere conceite of sorow 6. Nouell A Beautifull yong virgin named Andreana became enamored of a young Gentleman called Gabriello In conference together shee declared a dreame of hers to him and he another of his vnto her whereupon Gabriello fell down sodainly dead She and her Chamber-maid were apprehended by the Officers be oâ—ging vnto the Seigneury as they were carrying Gabriello to lay them before his owne doore The Potestate offering violence to the virgin and she resisting him vertuously it came to the vnderstanding of her Father who approued the innocence of his daughter and compassed her deliuerance But she afterward being wearie of all worldly felicities entred into Religion became a Nun. 7. Nouell 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 she saw him do thereon she dyed also in the same manner 8. Nouell IEronimo affecting a yong Mayden named Syluestra was constrained by the earnest importunity of his Mother to take a iourney to Paris At his returne home from thence againe he found his loue Siluestra maried By secret meanes he got entrance into her house and dyed vpon the bed lying by her Afterward his body being caried vnto the Church to receiue buriall shee likewise died there instantly vpon his coarse 9. Nouell MEsser Guiglielmo of Rossiglione hauing slaine Messer Guiglielmo Guardastagno whom he imagined to loue his wife gaue her his hart to eat Which she knowing afterward threw her self out of an high window to the ground and being dead was then buried with her friend 10. Nouell A Physitians wife laid a Louer of her maids supposing him to be dead in a chest by reason that he had drunke water which vsually was giuen to procure a sleepy entrancing Two Lombard Vsurers stealing the chest in hope of a rich booty caried it into their owne house where afterwardes the man awaking was apprehended for a Theefe The Chamber-maid to the Physitians wife going before the bench of Iustice accuseth her self for putting the imagined dead body into the chest wherby he escaped hanging and the Theeues which stole away the chest were condemned to pay a very great summe of money The Fift day Gouerned by Madame Fiammetta 1. Nouell CHynon by falling in loue became wise and by force of Armes winning his faire Ladye Iphigema on the seas was afterward imprisoned at Rhodes Being deliuered by one name Lisimachus with him he recouered his Iphigenia againe and faire Cassandra euen in the middest of their mariage They fled with them into Candye where after they had maried them they wer called home to their owne dwelling 2. Nouell FAire Constance of Liparis fell in Loue with Martuccio Gonâ—â—to and hearing that hee was dead dâ—sperately she entred into a Barke which being transported by the winds to Susa in Barbary from thence she went to Thunis where she fouÌ„d him to be liuing There she made her selfe knowne to him and he being in great authority as a priuy Counsellor to the King he maried the saide Constance and returned richly home to her to the Island of Liparis 3. Nouell PEdro Bocamazzo escaping away with a yong Damosel which he loued named Angelina met with Theeues in his iourney The Damoseâ— flying fearfully into a Forest by chaunce commeth to a Castle Pedro being taken by the theeues hapning afterward to escape from them accidentally came to the same Castle where Angelina waâ— marying her they then returned home to Rome 4. Nouell RIcciardo Manardy was found by Messer Lizio da Valbonna as he sat fast asleep at his daughters chamber window hauing his hand fast in hirs and sleeping in the same manner Wherupon they were ioyned together in mariage and their long loyall loue mutually recompenced 5. Nouell GVidotto of Cremona departing out of this mortall life left a daughter of his with Iacomino of Pauia Giouanni di Seuerino and Menghino da Minghole fel both in loue with the yong Maiden and fought for her who being afterward knowne to be the sister to Giouanni shee was giuen in mariage to Menghino 6. Nouell GVion di Procida being found familiarly conuersing with a yong Damosel which he loued and had bene giuen formerly to Frederigo King of Sicily was bound to a stake to bee consumed with fire From which danger neuerthelesse hee escaped being knowne by Don Rogiero de Oria Lorde Admirall of Sicily and afterward marryed the Damosel 7. Nouelâ— THeodoro falling in loue with Violenta the daughter to his Master named Amarige and she conceyuing with childe by him was condemnd to be hanged As they were leading him vnto the gallowes beating and misusing him all the way hee happened to bee knowne by his owne Father whereupon he was released and afterward inioyed Violent a in mariage 8. Nouell ANastasio a Gentleman of the Family of the Honesti by louing the daughter to signior Pauâ—o Trauersario lauishly wasted a great part of his substance without receiuing any loue from her againe By perswasion of some of his kindred and friends he went to a countrey dwelling of his called Chiasso where hee saw a Knight desperately pursue a yong Damosell whom he slew afterward gaue her to be deuoured by his hounds A tastasio inuited his friends and herâ— also whom he so â—eâ—â—rly loued to take part of a dinner with him who likewise sawe the sâ—â—e Damosell so torne in peeces which his vnkind loue perceiuing fearing least the like ill fortune should happen to her she accepted Anastasio to bee her husband 9. Nouell FRederigo of the Alberighi Family loued a Gentlewoman and was not requited with like loue againe By bountiful expences and ouer liberal inuitations hee wasted and consumed all his lands and goods hauing nothing lefte him but a Hawke or Faulcon His vnkinde Mistresse happeneth to come visit him and he not hauing any other food for her dinner made a dainty dish of his Faulcon for her to feed on Being conquered by this his exceeding kinde courtesie she changed her former hatred towards him accepting him as her husband in marriage and made him a man of wealthy possessions 10. Nouell PEdro di Vinciolo went to sup at a friends house in the City His wife in the meane while had a
should both shamefully be put to death The Mother to this regardlesse Daughter hauing heard the angry words of her Husband and how hee would be reuenged on the faultie could not endure that he should be so seuere wherefore although shee was likewise much afflicted in minde and reputed her Daughter worthy for so great an offence of all cruell punishment â—yet shee hasted to her displeased husband who began to entreate that he would not runne on in such a furious spleene now in his aged yeares to be the murtherer of his owne childe and soile his hands in the blood of his seruant Rather he might finde out some milde course for the satisfaction of his Anger by committing them to close imprisonment there to remaine mourne for their follie committed The vertuous and religious Lady alledged so many commendable examples and vsed such plenty of moouing perswasions that she quite altred his minde from putting them to death and he commanded onely that they should separately bee imprisoned with little store of foode and lodging of the vneasiest vntill hee should otherwise determine of them and so it was done What their life now was in captiuity and continuall teares with stricter abstinence then was needefull for them all this I must commit to your consideration Iehannot and Spina remaining in this comfortlesse condition and an whole yeere being now out-worne yet Conrado keeping them thus still imprisoned it came to passe that Don Pedro King of Arragon by the meanes of Messer Iohn de Procida caused the Isle of Sicily to reuolt and tooke it away from King Charles whereat Conrado he being of the Ghibbiline faction not a little reioyced Iehannot hauing intelligence therof by some of them that had him in custody breathing foorth a vehement sigh spake in this manner Alas poore miserable wretch as I am that haue already gone begging through the world aboue fourteene yeares in expectation of nothing else but this opportunity and now it is come must I be in prison to the end that I should neuer more hope for any future happinesse And how can I get forth of this prison except it be by death onely How now replied the Officer of the Guard What doth this businesse of great Kings concerne thee What affaires hast thou in Sicily Once more Iehannot sighed extreamly and returned him this answer Me thinkes my heart quoth hee doth cleaue in sunder when I call to minde the charge which my Father had there for although I was but a little boy when I fled thence yet I can well remember that I sawe him Gouernour there at such time as King Manfred liued The Guard pursuing on still his purpose demanded of him what and who his Father was My Father replyed Iehannot I may now securely speake of him being out of the perill which neerely concerned me if I had beene discouered He was the named and so still if he be liuing Henriet Capece and my name is Geoffrey not Iehannot and I make no doubt but if I vvere free from hence and might be returned home to Sicily I should for his sake be placed in some authority The honest man of the Guard without seeking after any further information so soone as he could compasse the leysure reported all to Messer Conrado who hauing heard these newes albeit he made no shew therof to the reuealer went to Madam Beritola graciously demaunding of her if she had any sonne by her husband who was called Geoffrey The Lady replyed in teares that if her eldest sonne were as yet liuing hee was so named and now aged about two and twenty yeares Conrado hearing this imagined this same to be the man considering further withall that if it fell out to proue so he might haue the better meanes of mercie and closely concealing his daughters shame ioyfully ioyne them in marriage together Hereupon he secretly caused Iehannot to be brought before him examining him particularly of all his passed life and finding by most manifest arguments that his name was truly Geoffrey he the eldest son of Henriet Capece he spake to him alone in this manner Iehannot thou knowest how great the iniuries which thou hast done me my deare daughter gently entreating thee as became a good honest seruant that thou shouldest alwayes haue bin respectiue of mine honor and all that do appertain vnto me There are many noble gentlewomen who sustaining the wrog which thou hast offred me they would haue procured thy shameful death which pitty compassion wil not suffer in me Wherfore seeing as thou informest me that thou art honorably deriued both by father mother I will giue end to all thine anguishes euen when thy self art so pleased releasing thee from the misery captiuity wherein I haue so long time kept thee and in one instant reduce thine honor mine into compleat perfection As thou knowest my Daughter Spina whom thou hast embraced in kindnesse as a friend although farre vnfitting for thee or her is a widow and her mariage is both great and good what her manners and conditions are thou indifferently knowest and art not ignorant of her Father and Mother concerning thine owne estate as now I purpose not to speake any thing Therefore when thou wilt I am so determined that whereas thou hast immodestly affected her she shall become thy honest wife and accepting thee as my Son to remain with me so long as you both please Imprisonment had somewhat mishapen Iehannot in his outward forme but not impaired a iot of that noble spirit really deriued from his famous progenitors much lesse the true loue he bare to his faire friend And although most earnestly he desired that which Conrado now so franckly offered him and was in his power onely to bestow on him yet could he not cloude any part of his greatnesse but with a resolued iudgement thus replied My Lord affectation of rule desire of wealthy possessions or any other matter whatsoeuer could neuer make me a traytor to you or yours but that I haue loued do loue for euer shal loue your beautious daughter if that be treason I freely coÌ„fesse it wil die a thousand deaths before you or any else shal enforce me to denie it for I hold her highly worthy of my loue If I haue bin more vnmaÌ„nerly with her then became me according to the opinion of vulgar iudgment I haue committed but that error which euermore is so attendant vpon youth that to denie it is to denie youth also And if reuerend age would but remember that once he was young measure others offences by his own they would not be thought so great or greeuous as you many more account them to be mine being coÌ„mitted as a friend not as an enemy what you make offer of so willingly to do I haue alwayes desired if I had thought it would haue bin granted long since I had most humbly requested it and so much the more acceptable would it
in mine owne Countrey as now I am in yours I would as forwardly confesse my selfe your friend as here I must needes fall short of any such seruice but euen as you shall please to command me But plainely and without all further ceremonious complement I must agree to whatsoeuer you can request as thinking you to be more iniured by me then any great wrong that I haue sustained Concerning the young Damosell remaining in my House shee is not as many haue imagined either of Cremona or Pauia but borne a Faentine here in this Cirie albeit neither my selfe shee or he of whom I had her did euer know it or yet could learne whose Daughter shee was Wherefore the suite you make to me should rather in duty be mine to you for shee is a natiue of your owne doe right to her and then you can doe no wrong vnto mee When the Gentlemen vnderstood that the Mayden was borne in Faenza they maruelled thereat and after they had thanked Iacomino for his curteous answer they desired him to let them know by what meanes the Damosell came into his custody and how he knew her to be borne in Faenza when he perceiuing them attentiue to heare him began in this manner Vnderstand worthy Gentlemen that Guidotto of Cremona was my companion and deare friend who growing neere to his death tolde me that when this City was surprized by the Emperour Frederigo and all things committed to sacke and spoile he and certaine of his confederates entred into a House which they found to be well furnished with goods but vtterly forsaken of the dwellers onely this poore Mayden excepted being then aged but two yeeres or thereabout As hee mounted vp the steps with intent to depart from the House she called him Father which word moued him so compassionately that he went backe againe brought her away with him and all things of worth which were in the House going thence afterward to Fano and there deceasing he left her and all his goods to my charge conditionally that I should see her maried when due time required and bestow on her the wealth which he had left her Now very true it is although her yeeres are conuenient for mariage yet I could neuer find any one to bestow her on at least that I thought fitting for her howbeit I will listen thereto much more respectiuely before any other such accident shall happen It came to passe that in the reporting of this discourse there was then a Gentleman in the company named Guillemino da Medicina who at the surprizal of the City was present with Guidotto of Cremona and knew well the House which he had ransacked the owner whereof was also present with him wherefore taking him aside he saide to him Bernardino hearest thou what Iacomino hath related yes very wel replyed Bernardino and remember withall that in that dismall bloody combustion I lost a little Daughter about the age as Iacomino spake he Questionlesse then replied Guillemino shee must needes be the same young Mayden for I was there at the same time and in the House whence Guidotto did bring both the girle and goods and I doe perfectly remember that it was thy House I pray thee call to minde if euer thou sawest any scarre or marke about her which may reuiue thy former knowledge of her for my minde perswades me that the Maide is thy Daughter Bernardino musing a while with himselfe remembred that vnder her left care shee had a scarre in the forme of a little crosse which happened by the byting of a Wolfe and but a small while before the spoyle was made Wherefore without deferring it to any further time he stept to Iacomino who as yet staied there and entreated him to fetch the Mayden from his house because shee might be knowne to some in the company whereto right willingly he condiscended and there presented the Maide before them So soone as Bernardino beheld her he began to be much inwardly moued for the perfect character of her Mothers countenance was really figured in her sweete face onely that her beauty was somewhat more excelling Yet not herewith satisfied he desired Iacomino to be so pleased as to lift vp a little the lockes of haire depending ouer her left eare Iacomino did it presently albeit with a modest blushing in the maide and Bernardino looking aduisedly on it knew it to be the selfe same crosse which confirmed her constantly to be his Daughter Ouercome with excesse of ioy which made the teares to trickle downe his cheekes he proffered to embrace and kisse the Maide but she refusing his kindnesse because as yet shee knew no reason for it he turned himselfe to Iacomino saying My deare brother and friend this Maide is my Daughter and my House was the same which Guidotto spoyled in the generall hauocke of our City and thence he carried this child of mine forgotten in the fury by my Wife her Mother But happy was the houre of his becomming her Father and carrying her away with him for else she had perished in the fire because the House was instantly burnt downe to the ground The Mayden hearing his words obseruing him also to be a man of yeeres and grauity shee beleeued what he saide and humbly submitted her selfe to his kisses embraces euen as instructed thereto by instinct of nature Bernardino instantly sent for his wife her owne mother his daughters sonnes and kindred who being acquainted with this admirable accident gaue her most gracious and kind welcome he receiuing her from Iacomino as his childe and the legacies which Guidotto had left her When the Captaine of the City being a very wise and worthy Gentleman heard these tydings and knowing that Giouanni then his prisoner was the Son to Bernardino and naturall Brother to the newly recouered Maide he bethought himselfe how best he might qualifie the fault committed by him And entring into the Hall among them handled the matter so discreetly that a louing league of peace was confirmed betweene Giouanni and Menghino to whom with free and full consent on all sides the faire Maide named Agatha was giuen in marriage with a more honourable enlargement of her dowry and Grinello with the rest deliuered out of prison which for their tumultuous riot they had iustly deserued Menghino and Agatha had their wedding worthily sollemnized with all due honours belonging thereto and long time after they liued in Faenza highly beloued and graciously esteemed Guion di Procida being found familiarly conuersing with a young Damosell which he loued and had beene giuen formerly to Frederigo King of Sicilie was bound to a stake to be consumed with fire From which danger neuerthelesse he escaped being knowne by Don Rogiero de Oria Lord Admirall of Sicilie and afterward married the Damosell The sixth Nouell Wherein is manifested that loue can leade a man into numberlesse perils out of which he escapeth with no meane difficulty THe Nouell of Madam Neiphila being ended which
haue found no mean inducement to loue in regard of my husbands far distance from me medling in the rude vnciuill actions of warre when he should rather be at home in more sweet imployment You see Sir that these Orators aduance themselues here in your presence to acquaint you with the extremity of my ouer-commanding agony and if the same power hath dominion in you which your discretion questionlesse cannot be voide of then let me entreate such aduise from you as may rather helpe then hinder my hopes Beleeue it then for trueth Sir that the long absence of my husband from me the solitary condition wherein I am left ill agreeing with the hot blood running in my veines the temper of my earnest desires haue so preuailed against my strongest resistances that not onely so weake a woman as I am but any man of much more potent might liuing in ease and idlenesse as I doe cannot withstand such continuall assaults hauing no other helpe then flesh and blood Nor am I so ignorant but publique knowledge of such an error in me would be reputed a shrewd taxation of honesty whereas on the other side secret carriage and heedfull managing such amorous affaires may passe for currant without any reproach And let me tell you Noble Counte that I repute Loue highly fauourable to mee by guiding my iudgement with such moderation to make election of a wise worthy and honourable friend fit to enioy the grace of a farre greater Lady then I am and the first letter of his name is the Count D'Angiers For if error haue not misled mine eye as in Loue no Lady can be easily deceiued for person perfections and all parts most to be commended in a man the whole Realme of France containeth not your equall Obserue beside how forward Fortune sheweth her selfe to vs both in this case you to be destitute of a wife as I am of an husband for I count him as dead to me when he denies me the duties belonging to a wife Wherefore in regard of the vnfaigned affection I beare you and compassion which you ought to haue of Royall Princesse euen almost sicke to death for your sake I earnestly entreate you not to denie me your louing society but pittying my youth and fiery afflictions neuer to be quenched but by your kindnesse I may enioy my hearts desire As shee vttered these words the teares streamed aboundantly downe her faire cheekes preuenting her of any further speech so that deiecting her head into her bosome ouercome with the predominance of her passions shee fell vpon the Countes knee whereas else shee had falne vpon the ground When hee like a loyall and most honourable man sharply reprehended her fonde and idle loue and when shee would haue embraced him about the necke hee repulsed her roughly from him protesting vpon his honourable reputation that rather then hee would so wrong his Lord and Maister he would endure a thousand deathes The Lady seeing her desire disappointed and her fond expectation vtterly frustrated grewe instantly forgetfull of her intemperate loue and falling into extremity of rage conuerted her former gentle speeches into this harsh and ruder language Villaine quoth shee shall the longing comforts of my life be abridged by thy base and scornefull deniall Shall my destruction bee wrought by thy currish vnkindnesse and all my hoped ioyes be defeated in a moment Know slaue that I did not so earnestly desire thy sweet embracements before but now as deadly I hate and despise them which either thy death or banishment shall dearely pay for No sooner had shee thus spoken but tearing her haire and renting her garments in pieces shee ranne about like a distracted woman crying out aloude Helpe helpe the Count D'Angiers will forcibly dishonour mee the lustfull Count will violence mine honour D'Angiers seeing this and fearing more the malice of the ouer-credulous Court then either his owne conscience or any dishonourable act by him committed beleeuing likewise that her slanderous accusation would bee credited aboue his true and spotlesse innocency closely he conueyed himselfe out of the Court making what hast hee could home to his owne house which being too weake for warranting his safety vpon such pursuite as would be vsed against him without any further aduice or counsell he seated his two children on horsebacke himselfe also being but meanly mounted thus away thence hee went to Calice Vpon the clamour and noise of the Lady the Courtiers quickly flocked thither and as lies soone winne beleefe in hasty opinions vpon any silly or shallow surmise so did her accusation passe for currant and the Counts aduancement being enuied by many made his honest carriage in this case the more suspected In hast and madding fury they ran to the Counts houses to arrest his person and carry him to prison but when they could not finde him they raced his goodly buildings downe to the ground and vsed all shamefull violence to them Now as il newes sildome wants a speedy Messenger so in lesse space then you will imagine the King and Dolphin heard thereof in the Camp and were therewith so highly offended that the Count had a sodaine and seuere condemnation all his progeny being sentenced with perpetuall exile and promises of great and bountifull rewards to such as could bring his body aliue or dead Thus the innocent Count by his ouer-hasty and sodaine flight made himselfe guilty of this foule imputation and arriuing at Callice with his children their poore and homely habites hid them from being knowne and thence they crossed ouer into England staying no where vntill hee came to London Before he would enter into the City he gaue diuers good aduertisements to his children but especially two precepts aboue all the rest First with patient soules to support the poore condition whereto Fortune without any offence in him or them had thus deiected them Next that they should haue most heedfull care at no time to disclose from whence they came or whose children they were because it extended to the perill of their liues His Sonne being named Lewes and now about nine yeares old his daughter called Violenta and aged seauen yeares did both obserue their fathers direction as afterward it did sufficiently appeare And because they might liue in the safer securitie hee thought it for the best to change their names calling his sonne Perotto and his daughter Gianetta for thus they might best escape vnknowne Being entred into the Citty and in the poore estate of beggers they craued euery bodies mercy and almes It came to passe that standing one morning at the Cathedral Church-doore a great Lady of England being then wife to the Lord high Marshall cōming forth of the Church espied the Count and his children there begging Of him she demanded what Countrey-man he was and whether those children were his owne or no The Count replyed that he was borne in Picardy and for an vnhappy fact committed by his eldest sonne a stripling of more
to preserue his life but yet it was no meane griefe to them if it should so succeede as they feared namely the marriage betweene their Sonne and Gianetta The Physicion being gone and they repairing to their sicke Sonne the Mother began with him in this manner Sonne I was alwayes perswaded that thou wouldest not conceale any secret from me or the least part of thy desires especially when without enioying them thou must remaine in the danger of death Full well art thou assured or in reason oughtest to be that there is not any thing for thy contentment be it of what quality soeuer but it should haue beene prouided for thee and in as ample manner as for mine owne selfe But though thou hast wandred so farre from duty and hazarded both thy life and ours it commeth so to passe that Heauen hath been more mercifull to thee then thou wouldest be to thy selfe or vs. And to preuent thy dying of this disease a dreame this night hath acquainted me with the principall occasion of thy sickenesse to wit extraordinary affection to a young Maiden in some such place as thou hast seene her I tell thee Sonne it is a matter of no disgrace to loue and why shouldst thou shame to manifest as much it being so apt and conuenient for thy youth For if I were perswaded that thou couldst not loue I should make the lesse esteeme of thee Therefore deare Sonne be not dismayed but freely discouer thine affections Expel those disastrous drouping thoughts that haue indangered thy life by this long lingering sicknesse And let thy soule be faithfully assured that thou canst not require any thing to be done remaining within the compasse of my power but I will performe it for I loue thee as dearely as mine owne life Set therefore aside this nice conceit of shame and feare reuealing the truth boldly to me if I may stead thee in thy loue resoluing thy selfe vnfaignedly that if my care stretch not to compasse thy content account me for the most cruell Mother liuing and vtterly vnworthy of such a Sonne The young Gentleman hauing heard these protestations made by his Mother was not a little ashamed of his owne follie but recollecting his better thoughts together and knowing in his soule that no one could better further his hopes then shee forgetting all his former feare he returned her this answere Madam and my dearely affected Mother nothing hath more occasioned my loues so strict concealement but an especiall errour which I finde by daily proofe in many who being growne to yeeres of graue discretion doe neuer remember that they themselues haue bin yong But because heerein I find you to be both discreet and wise I will not onely affirme what you haue seen in me to be true but also will confesse to whom it is vpon condition that the effect of your promise may follow it according to the power remaining in you whereby you onely may secure my life His Mother desirous to bee resolued whether his confession would agree with the Physitians words or no and reseruing another intention to her selfe bad him feare nothing but freely discouer his whole desire and forthwith she doubted not to effect it Then Madame quoth hee the matchlesse beauty and commendable qualities of your maid Gianetta to whom as yet I haue made no motion to commisserate this my languishing extremity nor acquainted any liuing creature with my loue the concealing of these afflictions to my selfe hath brought mee to this desperate condition and if some meane bee not wrought according to your constant promise for the full enioying of my longing desires assure your selfe most noble Mother that the date of my life is very short The Lady well knowing that the time now rather required kindest comfort then any seuere or sharpe reprehension smiling on him saide Alas deere sonne wast thou sicke for this Be of good cheare and when thy strength is better restored then referre the matter to me The young Gentleman being put in good hope by his mothers promise began in short time to shew apparant signes of well-forwarded amendment to the Mothers great ioy and comfort disposing her selfe daily to prooue how in honor she might keepe promise with her Son Within a short while after calling Gianetta priuately to her in gentle manner and by the way of pleasant discourse she demanded of her whither she was prouided of a Louer or no. Gianetta being neuer acquainted with any such questions a scarlet Dye couering all her modest countenance thus replied Madam I haue no neede of any Louer and very vnseemly were it for so poore a Damosell as I am to haue so much as a thought of Louers being banished from my friends and kinsfolke and remaining in seruice as I do If you haue none answered the Lady wee will bestowe one on you which shall content your minde and bring you to a more pleasing kinde of life because it is farre vnfit that so faire a Maid as you are should remaine destitute of a louer Madam sayde Gianetta considering with my selfe that since you receiued me of my poore Father you haue vsed me rather like your daughter then a seruant it becommeth mee to doe as pleaseth you Notwithstanding I trust in the regard of mine own good and honour neuer to vse any complaint in such a case but if you please to bestow a husband on me I purpose to loue and honour him onely not any other For of all the inheritance left me by my progenitors nothing remaineth to me but honourable honesty and that shall bee my legacie so long as I liue These words were of a quite contrary complexion to those which the Lady expected from her and for effecting the promise made vnto hir Sonne howbeit like a wise and noble Lady much shee inwardly commended the maids answers and saide vnto her But tell me Gianetta what if my Lord the King who is a gallant youthfull Prince and you so bright a beauty as you are should take pleasure in your loue would ye denie him Sodainly the Maide returned this answer Madam the King perhaps might enforce me but with my free consent hee shall neuer haue any thing of me that is not honest Nor did the Lady mislike her Maides courage and resolution but breaking off all her further conference intended shortly to put her proiect in proofe saying to her son that when he was fully recouered he should haue priuate accesse to Gianetta whom shee doubted not but would be tractable enough to him for she held it no meane blemish to her honour to mooue the Maide any more in the matter but let him compasse it as he could Farre from the yong Gentlemans humour was this answer of his Mother because he aimed not at any dishonourable end true faithfull honest loue was the sole scope of his intention foule and loathsome lust he vtterly defied whereupon he fell into sickenesse againe rather more violently then before Which the Lady perceiuing
formerly tolde to her he deliuered againe in presence of the Soldane who seemed to be well pleased with it But after shee had once seene her Husband shee thought vpon her more serious businesse prouiding her selfe of an apt opportunity when shee entreated such fauour of the Soldane that both the men might be brought before him where if Ambroginolo would not confesse without constraint that which he had made his vaunt of concerning Bernardoes Wife he might be compelled thereto perforce Sicuranoes word was a Law with the Soldane so that Ambroginolo and Bernardo being brought face to face the Soldane with a sterne and angry countenance in the presence of a most Princely Assembly commanded Ambroginolo to declare the truth yea vpon peril of his life by what means he won the wager of the fiue thousand golden Duckets he receiued of Bernardo Ambroginolo seeing Sicurano there present vpon whose fauour he wholly relied yet perceiuing her lookes likewise to be as dreadfull as the Soldanes and hearing her threaten him with most greeuous torments except he reuealed the truth indeede you may easily guesse faire company in what condition he stood at that instant Frownes and fury he beheld on either side and Bernardo standing before him with a world of famous witnesses to heare his lie confounded by his owne confession and his tongue to denie what it had before so constantly auouched Yet dreaming on no other paine or penalty but restoring backe the fiue thousand Duckets of gold and the other things by him purloyned truly he reuealed the whole forme of his falshood Then Sicurano according as the Soldane had formerly commanded him turning to Bernardo saide And thou vpon the suggestion of this foule lie what didst thou to thy Wife Being quoth Bernardo ouercome with rage for the losse of my money and the dishonour I supposed to receiue by my Wife I caused a seruant of mine to kill her and as he credibly auouched her body was deuoured by rauenous Wolues in a moment after These things being thus spoken and heard in the presence of the Soldane and no reason as yet made knowne why the case was so seriously vrged and to what end it would succeede Sicurano spake in this manner to the Soldane My gracious Lord you may plainely perceiue in what degree that poore Gentlewoman might make her vaunt being so well prouided both of a louing friend and a husband Such was the friends loue that in an instant and by a wicked lye hee robbed her both of her renowne and honour and bereft her also of her husband And her husband rather crediting anothers falshood then the inuincible trueth whereof he had faithfull knowledge by long and very honourable experience caused her to be slaine and made foode for deuouring Wolues Beside all this such was the good will and affection borne to that woman both by friend and husband that the longest continuer of them in her company makes them alike in knowledge of her But because your great wisedome knoweth perfectly what each of them haue worthily deserued if you please in your euer knowne gracious benignity to permit the punishment of the deceiuer and pardon the party so deceiued I will procure such meanes that she shall appeare here in your presence and theirs The Soldane being desirous to giue Sicurano all manner of satisfaction hauing followed the course so industriously bad him to produce the woman and hee was well contented Whereat Bernardo stoode much amazed because he verily beleeued that she was dead And Ambroginolo foreseeing already a preparation for punishment feared that the repayment of the money would not now serue his turne not knowing also what he should further hope or suspect if the woman her selfe did personally appeare which hee imagined would be a miracle Sicurano hauing thus obtayned the Soldanes permission in teares humbling her selfe at his feete in a moment shee lost her manly voyce and demeanour as knowing that she was now no longer to vse them but must truely witnesse what she was indeede and therefore thus spake Great Soldane I am the miserable and vnfortunate Geneura that for the space of sixe whole yeares haue wandered through the world in the habite of a man falsly and most maliciously slaundered by this villainous traytour Ambroginolo and by this vnkinde cruell husband betrayed to his seruant to be slaine and left to be deuoured by sauage beasts Afterward desiring such garments as better fitted for her and shewing her brests she made it apparant before the Soldane and his assistants that she was the very same woman indeede Then turning her selfe to Ambroginolo with more then manly courage she demaunded of him when and where it was that he lay with her as villainously he was not ashamed to make his vaunt But hee hauing alreadie acknowledged the contrarie being stricken dumbe with shamefull disgrace was not able to vtter one word The Soldane who had alwayes reputed Sicurano to be a man hauing heard and seene so admirable an accident was so amazed in his minde that many times he was very doubtfull whether this was a dreame or an absolute relation of trueth But after hee had more seriously considered thereon and found it to be reall and infallible with extraordinary gracious praises he commended the life constancie conditions and vertues of Geneura whom till that time he had alwayes called Sicurano So committing her to the company of honourable Ladies to be changed from her manly habite he pardoned Bernardo her husband according to her request formerly made although hee had more iustly deserued death which likewise himselfe confessed and falling at the feete of Geneura desired her in teares to forgiue his rash transgression which most louingly she did kissing and embracing him a thousand times Then the Soldane strictly commaunded that on some high and eminent place of the Citie Ambroginolo should be bound and impaled on a Stake hauing his naked body anointed all ouer with honey and neuer to be taken off vntill of it selfe it fell in pieces which according to the sentence was presently performed Next he gaue expresse charge that all his mony and goods should be giuen to Geneura which valued aboue ten thousand double Duckets Forth-with with a solemne feast was prepared wherein much honour was done to Bernardo being the husband of Geneura and to her as to a most worthy woman and matchlesse wife he gaue in costly Iewels as also vessels of gold and siluer plate so much as amounted to aboue ten thousand double Duckets more When the feasting was finished he caused a Ship to be furnished for them graunting them licence to depart for Geneway when they pleased whither they returned most rich and ioyfully being welcommed home with great honour especially Madame Geneura whom euery one supposed to be dead and alwayes after so long as shee liued shee was most famous for her manifold vertues But as for Ambroginolo the very same day that he was impaled on the Stake annointed with honey and
her in trauaile not acquainting any one whether she went In no place stayed she vntill she was arriued at Florence where happening into a poore Widdowes house like a poore Pilgrim she seemed well contented therewith And desiring to heare some tydings of the Count the next day she saw him passe by the house on horse-backe with his company Now albeit shee knew him well enough yet she demanded of the good old Widdow what Gentleman he was She made answer that be was a stranger there yet a Nobleman called Count Bertrand of Roussillion a verie courteous Knight beloued and much respected in the City Moreouer that he was farre in loue with a neighbour of hers a yong Gentlewoman but verie poore and meane in substance yet of honest life vertuous and neuer taxed with any euill report onely her pouertie was the maine imbarment of her marriage dwelling in house with her mother who was a wise honest and worthy Lady The Countesse hauing wel obserued her words and considered theron from point to point debated soberly with her owne thoughts in such a doubtfull case what was best to be done When she had vnderstood which was the house the ancient Ladies name and likewise her daughters to whom her husband was now so affectionately deuoted she made choise of a fit and conuenient time when in her Pilgrims habit secretly she went to the house There she found the mother and daughter in poore condition and with as poore a family whom after she had ceremoniously saluted she told the old Lady that shee requested but a little conference with her The Ladie arose and giuing her courteous entertainment they went together into a withdrawing chamber where being both set downe the Countesse began in this manner Madame in my poore opinion you are not free from the frownes of Fortune no more then I my selfe am but if you were so well pleased there is no one that can comfort both our calamities in such manner as you are able to do And beleeue me answered the Lady there is nothing in the world that can bee so welcome to mee as honest comfort The Countesse proceeding on in her former speeches said I haue now need good Madame both of your trust and fidelity whereon if I should rely and you faile me it will be your owne vndooing as well as mine Speake then boldly replied the olde Ladie and remaine constantly assured that you shall no way be deceiued by me Heereupon the Countesse declared the whole course of her loue from the verie originall to the instant reuealing also what she was and the occasion of her comming thither relating euery thing so perfectly that the Ladie verily beleeued her by some reports which she had formerly heard and which mooued her the more to compassion Now when all circumstances were at full discouered thus spake the Countesse Among my other miseries and misfortunes which hath halfe broken my heart in the meere repetition beside the sad and afflicting sufferance two things there are which if I cannot compasse to haue all hope is quite frustrate for euer of gaining the grace of my Lord and Husband Yet those two things may I obtaine by your helpe if all be true which I haue heard and you can therein best resolue mee Since my comming to this City it hath credibly bene told me that the Count my husband is deeply in loue with your daughter If the Count quoth the Ladie loue my daughter and haue a wife of his owne he must thinke and so shall surely finde it that his greatnesse is no priuiledge for him whereby to worke dishonour vpon her pouerty But indeed some apparances there are and such a matter as you speake of may be so presumed yet so farre from a very thought of entertaining in her or me as whatsoeuer I am able to do to yeeld you any comfort and content you shall find me therein both willing and ready for I prize my daughters spotles pouerty as at high a rate as he can do the pride of his honor Madam quoth the Countesse most heartily I thanke you But before I presume any further on your kindnesse let me first tell you what faithfully I intend to do for you if I can bring my purpose to effect I see that your daughter is beautifull and of sufficient yeares for mariage and is debarred thereof as I haue heard onely by lack of a competent dowry Wherefore Madame in recompence of the fauour I expect from you I will enrich her with so much ready money as you shall thinke sufficient to match her in the degree of honor Pouerty made the poore Lady very well to like of such a bountifull offer and hauing a noble heart she said Great Countesse say wherein am I able to do you any seruice as can deserue such a gracious offer If the action bee honest without blame or scandall to my poore yet vndetected reputation gladly I will do it and it being accomplished let the requitall rest in your owne noble nature Obserue me then Madam replyed the Countesse It is most conuenient for my purpose that by some trusty and faithfull messenger you should aduertise the Count my husband that your daughter is and shall be at his command but because she may remain absolutely assured that his loue is constant to her and aboue all other shee must entreate him to send her as a testimony thereof the Ring which he weareth vpon his little finger albeit she hath heard that he loueth it dearly If he send the Ring you shal giue it me afterward send him word that your daughter is readie to accomplish his pleasure but for the more safety and secrecie he must repaire hither to your house where I being in bed insted of your daughter faire Fortune may so fauour mee that vnknowne to him I may conceiue with childe Vppon which good successe when time shall serue hauing the Ring on my finger and a child in my armes begotten by him his loue and liking may bee recouered and by your meanes I continue with my Husband as euerie vertuous Wife ought to doe The good old Ladie imagined that this was a matter somewhat difficult and might lay a blamefull imputation on her daughter Neuerthelesse considering what an honest office it was in her to bee the meanes whereby so worthy a Countesse should recouer an vnkinde husband led altogether by lust and not a iot of cordiall loue she knew the intent to be honest the Countesse vertuous and her promise religious and therefore vndertooke to effect it Within few dayes after verie ingeniously and according to the instructed order the Ring was obtayned albeit much against the Counts will and the Countesse in sted of the Ladies vertuous daughter was embraced by him in bed the houre prouing so auspicious and Iuno being Lady of the ascendent conioyned with the witty Mercury she conceiued of two goodly Sonnes and her deliuerance agreed correspondently with the iust time Thus the old Lady
to be knowne whereupon he gathered that doubtlesse this was shee for whom he hadde sought with such tedious trauaile and therefore going directly vnto her thus hee spake Gentle Princesse wherefore do you thus hide your selfe from mee Why do you haunt these retreats and desolate abodes hauing power to commaund ouer infinite men that cannot liue but by your presence What hath moued you Madame to flye from company to dwel among desert Rockes and serue as a slaue to such as are no way worthy of your seruice Why do you forsake a potent King whose onely daughter and hope you are leauing your countrey and royall traine of Ladies and so farre abasing your selfe to liue in the deiected state of a seruant and to some rusticke clowne or peazant What reason haue you to despise so many worthy Lords that dearely loue and honor you but aboue them all your poore slaue Ocharus who hath no spare of his owne life for the safety of yours and also for the defence of your honor Royal maid I am the same man that deliuered you from the villaine who would haue violated your faire chastity and since then haue not spared any payne or trauell in your search for whose losse King Siwalde is in extreme anguish the Danes in mourning habites and Ocharus euen at the doore of death being no way able to endure your absence Are you of the minde worthy Madame that I haue not hitherto deserued so much as one good looke or glance of your eye in recompence of so many good loyall seruices If Alas I am neither rauisher nor demander of any vniust requests or else inciuill in my motions I may merit one regard of my Mistresse I require onely so silly a fauour that her eyes may pay me the wages for all which I haue hitherto done in her seruice What would you do Madam if I were an importunate solicitor and requested farre greater matters of you in iust recompence of my labours I do not desire that you should embrace me I am not so bold as to request a kisse of Sericthaes more then immortall lips Nor doe I couet that she should any otherwise entreate mee then with such seuerity as beseemeth so great a Princesse I aske no more but onely to eleuate your chaste eyes and grace me with one little looke as being the man who for his vertue and loyall affection hath deserued more then that fauour yea a much greater and excellent recompence Can you then be so cruell as to denie me so small a thing without regarde of the maine debt wherein you stand engaged to your Ocharus The Princesse perceiuing that it auailed nothing to conceale hir selfe being by him so apparantly discouered began now to speake which she had neuer done before either to him or any other of her amorous suters answering him in this manner Lord Orharus it might suffice you that your importunity made me forsake my Fathers Court and causeth me to liue in this abased condition which I purpose to prosecute all my life time or so long at the least as you and such as you are pursue me so fondly as you haue presumed to do For I am resolued neuer to fauour you any otherwise then hitherto I haue done desiring you therfore that Serictha wanting an Interpreter to tell you her wil you would now receiue it from her owne mouth determining sooner to dye then alter a iot of her intended purpose Ocharus hearing this vnwelcome answer was euen vpon the point to haue slaine himselfe but yet not to lose the name of a valiant man or to be thought of an effeminate or cowardly spirite that a Woman should force him to an acte so farre vnfitting for a man of his ranke hee tooke his leaue of her solemnly promising not to forget her further pursuite but at all times to obey her so long as he liued although her commaund was very hard for him to endure So hee departed thence not vnto the Court she being not there that had the power to enioyne his presence but home to his owne house where he was no sooner arriued but he began to waxe wearie of his former folly accusing himselfe of great indiscretion for spending so much time in vaine and in her seruice who vtterly despised him and all his endeuours which he vndertooke He began to accuse her of great ingratitude laying ouer-much respect vppon her vertue to haue no feeling at all of his loyall sufferings but meerely made a mockery of his martyrdome Heereupon he concluded to giue ouer all further affection to languish no longer for her sake that hated him and all his actions While he continued in these melancholly passions the Princesse who all this while had persisted in such strict seuerity as astonished the courages of her stoutest seruants considering more deliberately on the sincere affection of Ocharus and that vertue onely made him the friend to her modesty and not wanton or lasciuious appetite she felt a willing readinesse in her soule to gratifie him in some worthy manner and to recompence some part of his trauailes Which to effect she resolued to follow him in some counterfeite habite euen to the place of his own abiding to try if easily he could take knowledge of her whom so lately he saw in the garments of a Shephearddesse Being thus minded shee went to her Mistresse whom she serued and who had likewise seen Lord Ocharus of whom she had perfect knowledge when hee conferred with the Shephearddesse and enquiring the cause why hee resorted in that manner to her Serictha returned her this answer Mistresse I make no doubt but you will be somewhat amazed and perhaps can hardly credit when you heare that she who now serueth you in the poore degree of Shephearddesse is the onely daughter to Siwalde King of the Danes for whose loue so many great Lords haue continually laboured and that I onely attracted hither Ocharus the Noble Sonne of valiant Hebonius to wander in these solitary deserts to finde out her that fled from him and helde him in as high disdaine as I did all the rest of his fellow riuals But if my words may not heerein sufficiently assure you I would aduise you to send where Ocharus dwelleth there make further enquiry of him to the end that you may not imagine me a lyar If my speeches do otherwise preuaile with you and you remain assured that I am she whom your Noble neighbour so deerely affecteth albeit I neuer made any account at all of him then I do earnestly intreat you so much to stand my friend as to prouide some conuenient means for me whereby I may passe vnknowne to the Castle of Ocharus to reuenge my selfe on his ciuill honesty smile at him hereafter if he proue not so cleerely sighted as to know her being neere him whom he vaunteth to loue aboue all women else The good Countrey-woman hearing these wordes and perceyuing that she had the Princesse in her house of whose
ladder to the strong stumpe of a tree being closely by it by meanes of the saide ladder he descended downe into the caue and there attended the comming of his Lady She on the morrow morning pretending to her waiting woman that she was scarsly well and therefore would not be diseased the most part of that day commanded them to leaue her alone in her Chamber and not to returne vntill she called for them locking the doore her selfe for better security Then opened she the doore of the caue and going downe the staires found there her amorous friend Guiscardo whom she saluting with a chaste and modest kisse caused him to ascend vp the stayres with her into her chamber This long desired and now obtained meeting caused the two deerely affecting Louers in kinde discourse of amorous argument without inciuill or rude demeanor to spend there the most part of that day to their hearts ioy and mutuall contentment And hauing concluded on their often meeting there in this cunning concealed sort Guiscardo went downe into the caue againe the Princesse making the doore fast after him and then went forth among her Women So in the night season Guiscardo ascended vppe againe by his Ladder of cords and couering the loope-hole with brambles and bushes returned vnseene of any to his owne lodging the caue being afterward guilty of their often meeting there in this manner But Fortune who hath alwayes bin a fatall enemy to louers stolne felicities became enuious of their thus secret meeting and ouerthrew in an instant all their poore happinesse by an accident most spightfull and malicious The King had vsed diuers dayes before after dinner time to resort all alone to his daughters Chamber there conuersing with her in most louing manner One vnhappy day amongst the rest when the Princesse being named Ghismonda was sporting in her priuat Garden among her Ladies the King at his wonted time went to his daughters Chamber being neither heard or seene by any Nor would he haue his daughter called from her pleasure but finding the windowes fast shut and the Curtaines close drawne about the bed he sate downe in a chaire behind it and leaning his head vpon the bed his body being couered with the curtaine as if he hid himselfe purposely hee mused on so many matters vntill at last he sell fast asleepe It hath bin obserued as an ancient Adage that when disasters are ordained to any one commonly they proue to be ineuitable as poore Ghismonda could witnesse too well For while the King thus slept shee hauing vnluckily appointed another meeting with Guiscardo left hir Gentlewomen in the Garden and stealing softly into her Chamber hauing made all fast and sure for being descried by any person opened the doore to Guiscardo who stood there ready on the staire-head awaiting his entrance and they sitting downe on the bed side according as they were wont to do began their vsuall kinde conference againe with sighes and louing kisses mingled among them It chanced that the King awaked both hearing and seeing this familiarity of Guiscardo with his Daughter he became extreamly confounded with greefe therat Once he intended to cry out for helpe to haue them both there apprehended but he helde it a part of greater wisedome to sit silent still and if hee could to keepe himselfe so closely concealed to the end that he might the more secretly and with far lesse disgrace to himselfe performe what hee had rashly intended to do The poore discouered Louers hauing ended their amorous interparlance without suspition of the Kings being so neer in person or any els to betray their ouer-confident trust Guiscardo descended againe into the Caue and she leauing the Chamber returned to her women in the Garden all which Tancrede too well obserued and in a rapture of fury departed vnseene into his owne lodging The same night about the houre of mens first sleepe and according as he had giuen order Guiscardo was apprehended euen as he was comming forth of the loope-hole in his homely leather habite Very closely was he brought before the King whose heart was swolne so great with greefe as hardly was hee able to speake notwithstanding at the last he began thus Guiscardo the loue respect I haue vsed towards thee hath not deserued the shameful wrong which thou hast requited me withall and as I haue seene with mine owne eyes this day Whereto Guiscardo could answer nothing else but onely this Alas my Lord Loue is able to do much more then either you or I. Whereupon Tancrede commanded that he should bee secretly well guarded in a neere adioyning Chamber and on the next day Ghismonda hauing as yet heard nothing heereof the Kings braine being infinitely busied and troubled after dinner and as he often had vsed to do he went to his daughters chamber where calling for her and shutting the doores closely to them the teares trickling downe his aged white beard thus he spake to her Ghismonda I was once grounded in a setled perswasion that I truely knew thy vertue and honest integrity of life and this beleefe could neuer haue bene altred in mee by any sinister reports whatsoeuer had not mine eyes seene and mine eares heard the contrary Nor did I so much as conceiue a thought either of thine affection or priuate conuersing with any man but onely he that was to be thy husband But now I my selfe being able to auouch thy folly imagine what an heart-breake this will be to me so long as life remaineth in this poore weak and aged body Yet if needs thou must haue yeelded to this wanton weakenesse I would thou hadst made choise of a man answerable to thy birth Nobility whereas on the contrary among so many worthy spirits as resort to my Court thou likest best to conuerse with that silly yong man Guiscardo one of very meane and base descent and by mee euen for Gods sake from his very youngest yeares brought vppe to this instant in my Court wherein thou hast giuen me much affliction of minde and so ouerthrowne my senses as I cannot wel imagine how I should deale with thee For him whom I haue this night caused to be surprized euen as he came forth of your close contriued conueyance and detaine as my prisoner I haue resolued how to proceed with him but concerning thy selfe mine oppressions are so many and violent as I know not what to say of thee One way thou hast meerly murthered the vnfeigned affection I bare thee as neuer any father could expresse more to his child and then againe thou hast kindled a most iust indignation in me by thine immodest and wilfull folly and whereas Nature pleadeth pardon for the one yet iustice standeth vp against the other and vrgeth cruell seuerity against thee neuerthelesse before I will determine vpon any resolution I come purposely first to heare thee speake and what thou canst say for thy selfe in a bad case so desperate and dangerous Hauing thus spoken he
so strongly back-ward that breaking the reines of his bridle he laboured to escape away from them But being beset on euery side and vtterly vnable to helpe himselfe he contended with his teeth feete in his owne defence till they haled him violently to the ground and tearing his body in peeces left not a â—ot of him but the bare bones and afterward ran ranging thorow the Forrest At this sight poore Pedro was mightily dismayed fearing to speed no better then his Horse had done and therefore could not deuise what was best to be done for he saw no likelihood now of getting out of the Forrest with life But day-light drawing on apace and he almost dead with cold hauing stood quaking so long in the Tree at length by continuall looking euery where about him to discerne the least glimpse of any comfort he espied a great fire which seemed to be about halfe a mile off from him By this time it was broade day when he descended downe out of the Tree yet not without much feare and tooke his way towards the fire where being arriued he found a company of Shepheards banquetting about it whom he curteously saluting they tooke pity on his distresse and welcommed him kindly After he had tasted of such cheare as they had and was indifferently refreshed by the good fire hee discoursed his hard disasters to them as also how he happened thither desiring to know if any Village or Castle were neere thereabout where he might in better manner releeue himselfe The Shepheards told him that about a mile and an halfe from thence was the Castle of Signior Liello di Campo di Fiore and that his Lady was now residing there which was no meane comfort to poore Pedro requesting that one of them would accompany him thither as two of them did in louing manner to ridde him of all further feares When he was arriued at the Castle and found there diuers of his familiar acquaintance he laboured to procure some meanes that the Damosell might be sought for in the Forrest Then the Lady calling for her and bringing her to him he ran and caught her in his armes being ready to swoune with conceit of ioy for neuer could any man be more comforted then he was at the sight of his Angelina and questionlesse her ioy was not a iot inferior to his such a simpathy of firme loue was sealed between them The Lady of the Castle after shee had giuen them very gracious entertainement and vnderstood the scope of their bold aduenture shee reproued them both somewhat sharpely for presuming so farre without the consent of their Parents But perceiuing notwithstanding all her remonstrances that they continued still constant in their resolution without any inequality on either side shee saide to her selfe Why should this matter be any way offensiue to me They loue each other loyally they are not inferiour to one another in birth but in fortune they are equally loued and allied to my Husband and their desire is both honest and honourable Moreouer what know I if it be the will of Heauen to haue it so Theeues intended to hang him in malice to his name and kinred from which hard fate he hath happily escaped Her life was endangered by a sharpe pointed Iaueline and yet her fairer starres would not suffer her so to perish beside they both haue escaped the fury of rauenous wild beasts and all these are apparant signes that future comforts should recompence former passed misfortunes farre be it therefore from me to hinder the appointment of the Heauens Then turning her selfe to them thus shee proceeded If your desire be to ioyne in honourable marriage I am well contented therewith and your nuptials shall here be sollemnized at my Husbands charges Afterward both he and I will endeauour to make peace between you and your discontented Parents Pedro was not a little ioyfull at her kind offer and Angelina much mâ—re then he so they were maried together in the Castle and worthily feasted by the Lady as Forrest entertainment could permit and there they enioyed the first fruits of their loue Within a short while after the Lady and they well mounted on Horse-backe and attended with an honourable traine returned to Rome where her Lord Liello and shee preuailed so wel with Pedroes angry Parents that all variance ended in loue and peace and afterward they liued louingly together till old age made them as honourable as their true and mutuall affection formerly had done Ricciardo Manardy was found by Messer Lizio da Valbonna as he sate fast asleepe at his Daughters Chamber window hauing his hand fast in hers and shee sleeping in the same manner Whereupon they were ioyned together in marriage and their long loyall loue mutually recompenced The fourth Nouell Declaring the discreete prouidence of Parents in care of their Childrens loue and their owne credit to cut off inconueniences before they doe proceede too farre MAdam Eliza hauing ended her Tale and heard what commendations the whole company gaue thereof the Queene commanded Philostratus to tell a Nouell agreeing with his owne minde who smiling thereat thus replyed Faire Ladies I haue beene so often checkt snapt for my yester dayes matter and argument of discoursing which was both tedious and offensiue to you that if I intended to make you any amends I should now vndertake to tell such a Tale as might put you into a mirthfull humour Which I am determined to doe in relating a briefe and pleasant Nouell not any way offensiue as I trust but exemplary for some good notes of obseruation Not long since there liued in Romania a Knight a very honest Gentleman and well qualified whose name was Messer Lizio da Valbonna to whom it fortuned that at his entrance into age by his Lady and wife called Iaquemina he had a Daughter the very choycest and goodliest gentlewoman in all those places Now because such a happy blessing in their olde yeeres was not a little comfortable to them they thought themselues the more bound in duty to be circumspect of her education by keeping her out of ouer-frequent companies but onely such as agreed best with their grauity might giue the least ill example to their Daughter who was named Catharina as making no doubt but by this their prouident and wary respect to match her in mariage answerable to their liking There was also a young Gentleman in the very flourishing estate of his youthfull time descended from the Family of the Manardy da Brettinoro named Messer Ricciardo who oftentimes frequented the House of Messer Lizio and was a continuall welcome guest to his Table Messer Lizio and his wife making the like account of him euen as if he had beene their owne Sonne This young Gallant perceiuing the Maiden to be very beautifull of singular behauiour and of such yeeres as was fit for mariage became exceedingly enamoured of her yet concealed his affection so closely as he could which was not so couertly caried
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
haue bin in great abundance to the vtter ruine almost of Italy And although they might then be knowne to very few yet the inhabitants of the Country generally vnderstoode little or nothing at all of them For there the pure simplicitie of their ancient predecessours still continuing they had not seene any Parrots or so much as heard any speech of them Wherefore the two crafty consorts not a little ioyfull of finding the Feather tooke it thence with them and beecause they would not leaue the Cabinet empty espying Char-coales lying in a corner of the Chamber they filled it with them wrapping it vp againe in the Taffata and in as demure manner as they found it So away came they with the Feather neither seene or suspected by any one intending now to heare what Friar Onyon would say vppon the losse of his precious Relique and finding the Coales there placed insted thereof The simple men and women of the country who had bin at morning Masse in the Church and heard what a wonderful Feather they should see in the after noone returned in all hast to their houses where one telling this newes to another and gossip with gossip consulting theron they made the shorter dinner and afterward flocked in maine troopes to the Castle contending who shold first get entrance such was their deuotion to see the holy feather Friar Onyon hauing dined and reposed a litle after his wine he arose from the table to the window where beholding what multitudes came to see the feather he assured himselfe of good store of mony Hereupon he sent to his Boy Guccio Imbrata that vppon the Bels ringing he should come and bring the wallet to him Which with much ado he did so soone as his quarrell was ended in the kitchin with the amiable Chamber-maid Nuta away then he went with his holy commodities where he was no sooner arriued but because his belly was readie to burst with drinking water he sent him to the Church to ring the bels which not onely would warme the cold water in his belly but likewise make him run as gaunt as a Grey-hound When all the people were assembled in the Church together Friar Onyon neuer distrusting any iniurie offered him or that his close commodities had bin medled withal began his predication vttering a thousand lies to fit his purpose And when he came to shew the feather of the Phoenix hauing first in great deuotion finisht the confession he caused two goodly torches to be lighted ducking downe his head three seuerall times before hee would so much as touch the Taffata he opened it with much reuerence So soone as the Cabinet came to be seen off went his Hood lowly he bowed downe his body and vttering especial praises of the Phoenix and sacred properties of the wonderfull Relique the Couer of the Cabinet being lifteâ— vppe he saw the same to bee full of Coales He could not suspect his Villaine boy to do this deede for he knew him not to be endued with so much wit onely hee curst him for keeping it no better and curst himselfe also for reposing trust in such a careles knaue knowing him to be slothfull disobedient negligent and void of all honest vnderstanding or grace Sodainly without blushing lest his losse should be discerned he lifted his lookes and hands to heauen speaking out so loude as euery one might easily heare him thus O thou omnipotent prouidence for euer let thy power be praised Then making fast the Cabinet againe and turning himselfe to the people with lookes expressing admiration he proceeded in this manner Lords Ladies and you the rest of my worthy Auditors You are to vnderstand that I being then very young was sent by my Superiour into those parts where the Sun appeareth at his first rising And I had receiued charge by expresse command that I should seeke for so much as consisted in my power to do the especiall vertues and priuiledges belonging to Porcellane which although the boyling thereof bee worth but little yet it is very profitable to any but vs. In regard whereof being vpon my iourney and departing from Venice passing along the Borgo de Grecia I proceeded thence on horseback through the Realme of Garbo so to Baldacca till I came to Parione from whence not without great extremity of thirst I arriued in Sardignia But why do I trouble you with the repetition of so many countries I coasted on still after I had past Saint Georges Arme into Truffia and then into Buffia which are Countries much inhabited and with great people From thence I went into the Land of Lying where I found store of the Brethren of our Religion and many other beside who shunned all paine and labour onely for the loue of God and cared as litlte for the paines and trauailes which others tooke except some benefit arised thereby to them nor spend they any money in this Country but such as is without stampe Thence I went into the Land of Abruzza where the men and women goe in Galoches ouer the Mountaines and make them garments of their Swines guts Not farre from thence I found people that carried bread in their staues and wine in Satchels when parting from them I arriued among the Mountaines of Bacchus where all the waters run downe with a deepe fall and in short time I went on so far that I found my selfe to be in India Pastinaca where I swear to you by the holy habit which I weare on my body that I saw Serpents flye things incredible and such as were neuer seene before But because I would be loth to lye so soone as I departed thence I met with Maso de Saggio who was a great Merchant there and whom I found cracking Nuts and felling Cockles by retale Neuerthelesse al this while I could not finde what I sought for and therefore I was to passe from hence by water if I intended to trauaile thither and so in returning back I came into the Holy Land where coole fresh bread is sold for foure pence and the hot is giuen away for nothing There I found the venerable Father blame me not I beseech you the most woorthie Patriarch of Ierusalem who for the reuerence due to the habite I weare and loue to our Lord Baron Saint Anthony would haue me to see al the holy Reliques which he had there vnder his charge wherof there were so many as if I should recount them all to you I neuer could come to a conclusion But yet not to leaue you discomforted I will relate some few of them to you First of all he shewed me the finger of the holy Ghost so whole and perfect as euer it was Next the nose of the Cherubin which appeared to Saint Frances with the payring of the naile of a Seraphin and one of the ribbes of Verbum caro fastened to one of the Windowes couered with the holy garments of the Catholique Faith Then he tooke me into a darke Chappel where he shewed
How Sir quoth she your Barber Vppon mine Honour there shall come no Barber heere Why â—ir it is such a rotten Tooth and standeth so fairely for my hand that without helpe or aduice of any Barber let mee alone for plucking it forth without putting you to any paine at all Moreouer let me tell you Sir those Tooth-drawers are so rude and cruell in performing such Offices as my heart cannot endure that you should come within compasse of their currish courtesie neither shall you Sir if you will be ruled by me If I should faile in the manner of their facilitie yet loue duty hath enstructed me to forbeare your least paining which no vnmannerly Barber will do Hauing thus spoken and he well contented with her kinde offer the instruments were brought which are vsed in such occasions all being commanded forth of the Chamber but onely Lesca who euermore kept still in her company So locking fast the doore and Nicostratus being seated as she thought fittest for her purpose she put the Tanacles into his mouth catching fast hold on one of his soundest teeth which notwithstanding his loud crying Lesca held him so strongly that forth she pluckt it and hid it hauing another tooth readie made hot bloody very much corrupted and rotten which she helde in the Tanacles and shewed to him who was well-neere halfe dead with anguish See Sir quoth she was this Tooth to be suffered in your head and to yeeld so foule a smell as it did He verily beleeuing what she said albeit hee had endured extreame paine and still complained on her harsh and violent pulling it out reioyced yet that he was now ridde of it and she comforting him on the one side and the anguish asswaging him on the other he departed forth of the Chamber In the mean while by Lesca she sent the sound tooth to Pyrrhus who wondering not a little at her so many strange attempts which hee vrged so much the rather as thinking their performance impossible and in meere loyall duty to his Lord seeing them all three to be notably effected he made no further doubt of her intire loue towardes him but sent her assurance likewise of his readinesse and seruiceable diligence whensoeuer she would command him Now after the passage of all these aduentures hardly to bee vndertaken by any other Woman yet she held them insufficient for his security in the grounded perswasion of her loue to him except shee performed another of her owne and according as shee had boldly promised Houres do now seeme dayes and dayes multiplicitie of yeeres till the kisse may be giuen and receyued in the presence of Nicostratus yet hee himselfe to auouch the contrary Madam Lydia vpon a pretended sicknesse keepeth her chamber and as women can hardly be exceeded in dissimulation so shee wanted no wit to seeme exquisitely cunning in all the outwarde apparances of sicknesse One day after dinner shee being visited by Nicostratus and none attending on him but Pyrrhus onely she earnestly entreated that as a mitigation to some inward afflictions which she felt they would helpe to guide her into the Garden Most gladly was her motion graunted and Nicostratus gently taking her by one arme and Pyrrhus by the other so they conducted her into the Garden seating her in a faire floury Grasse-plot with her backe leaning to a Peare-tree Hauing sitten there an indifferent while and Pyrrhus being formerly enstructed in the directions which she had giuen him thus shee spake some-what faintly Pyrrhus I haue a kinde of longing desire vpon a sodaine to taste of these Peares Wherefore climbe vp into the Tree and cast me downe one or two which instantly hee did Being aloft in the Tree and throwing downe some of the best and ripest Peares at length according to his premeditated Lesson looking downe he said Forbeare my Lord Do you not see in how weake and feeble condition my Ladie is being shaken with so violent a sicknesse And you Madam how kinde and louing soeuer you are to my Lord Are you so little carefull of your health being â—ut now come forth of your sicke Chamber to be ruffled and tumbled in such rough manner Though such dalliances are not amisse in you both being fitten for the priuate Chamber then an open garden and in the presence of a seruant yet time and place should alwaies bee respectiuely considered for the auoiding of ill example and better testimonie of your owne Wisedomes which euer should be like your selues But if so soone and euen in the heate of a yet turbulent sicknesse your equall loue can admit these kisses and embraces your priuate Lodginges were much more conuenient where no Seruants eye can see such Wantonnesse nor you be reproued of indiscretion for being too publique in your Familiaritie Madame Lydia sodainely starting and turning vnto her Husband sayde What doth Pyrrhus prate Is he well in his wittes Or is he franticke No Madame replyed Pyrrhus I am not franticke Are you so fond as to thinke that I do not see your folly Nicostratus wondering at his Words presently answered Now trust me Pyrrhus I think thou dreamest No my Lord replyed Pyrrhus I dreame not a iot neither do you or my Ladie but if this Tree could affoord the like kindnesse to me as you do to her there would not a Peare bee leâ—t vppon it How now Pyrrhus quoth Lydia this language goeth beyond our vnderstanding it seemeth thou knowest not what thou saist Beleeue me husband if I were as well as euer I haue bin I would climb this tree to see those idle wonders which hee talketh of for while he continueth thus aboue it appeareth hee can finde no other prattle albeit he taketh his marke amisse Heereupon he commanded Pyrrhus to come downe and being on the ground Now Pyrrhus quoth he tell me what thou saydst Pyrrhus pretending an alteration into much amazement straungely looking about him saide I know not verie well my Lord what answere I should make you fearing least my sight hath bin abused by error for when I was aloft in that Tree it seemed manifestly to me that you embraced my Lady though somewhat rudely in regard of her perillous sicknesse yet louingly and as youthfully as in your yonger daies with infinite kisses and wanton daelliances such as indeede deserued a far more priuate place in my poore opinion But in my descending downe mee thought you gaue ouer that amorous familiaritie and I found you seated as I left you Now trust mee Pyrrhus answered Nicostratus Thy tongue and wit haue very strangely wandred both from reason and all reall apprehension because we neuer stirred from hence since thou didst climbe vp into the Tree neither mooued otherwise then as now thou seest vs. Alas my Lord saide Pyrrhus I humbly craue pardon for my presumption in reproouing you for medling with your owne which shal make me hereafter better aduised in any thing what soeuer I heare or see Meruaile and amazement encreased in Nicostratus far
Serpent I purpose with my vtmost hatred and as an ancient enemy to all such as thou art to make my reuenge famous on thee I am not ignorant that whatsoeuer I haue already done vnto thee cannot properly be termed reuenge but rather chastisement because reuenge ought alwayes to exceede the offence which as yet I am farre enough from For if I did intend to reuenge my wrongs and remembred thy monstrous cruelty to me thy life if I tooke it from thee and an hundred more such as thy selfe were farre insufficient because in killing thee I should kill but a vile inhumane beast yea one that deserued not the name of a Woman And to speake truely Art thou any more or better setting aside thy borrowed haire and painted beauty which in few yeares will leaue thee wrinkled and deformed then the basest beggarly Chamber-stuffe that can bee Yet thou soughtest the death of a Gentleman and Scholler as in scorne not long since thou didst terme me whose life may hereafter be more beneficiall vnto the world then millions of such as thou art to liue in the like multiplicity of ages Therefore if this anguish be sensible to thee learne what it is to mocke men of apprehension and amongst them especially such as are Schollers to preuent thy falling hereafter into the like extremity if it be thy good lucke to escape out of this It appeareth to me that thou art verie desirous to come downe hither on the ground the best counsell that I can giue thee is to leape downe headlong that by breaking thy necke if thy fortune be so faire thy life and lothsome qualities ending together I may sit and smile at thy deserued destruction I haue no other comfort to giue thee but only to boast my happinesse in teaching thee the way to ascend that Tower and in thy descending downe euen by what means thy wit can best deuise make a mockery of me and say thou hast learned more then all my Schollership could instruct thee All the while as Reniero vttered these speeches the miserable Lady sighed and wept very grieuously the time running on and the Sunne ascending higher and higher but when she heard him silent thus she answered Vnkinde and cruell man if that wretched night was so greeuous to thee and mine offence appeared so great as neither my youth beautie teares and humble intercessious are able to deriue any mercy from thee yet let the last consideration mooue thee to some remorse namely that I reposed new confidence in thee whē I had little or no reason at all to trust thee and discouered the integritie of my soule vnto thee whereby thou didst compasse the meanes to punish me thus deseruedly for my sinne For if I had not reposed confidence in thee thou couldst not in this maner haue wrought reuenge on me which although thou didst earnestly couet yet my rash credulitie was thy onely helpe Asswage then thine anger and graciously pardon me wherein if thou wilt be so mercifull to me and free me from this fatall Tower I do heere faithfully promise thee to forsake my most false and disloyall friend electing thee as my Lord and constant Loue for euer Moreouer although thou condemnest my beauty greatly esteeming it as a trifle momentary and of slender continuance yet such as it is being comparable with any other womans whatsoeuer I am not so ignorant that were there no other reason to induce liking thereof yet men in the vigour of their youth as I am sure you think your selfe not aged do hold it for an especiall delight ordained by nature for them to admire and honour And notwistanding all thy cruelty extended to mee yet I cannot be perswaded that thou art so flinty or Iron-hearted as to desire my miserable death by casting my selfe headlong downe like a desperate madde woman before thy face so to destroy that beuty which if thy Letters lyed not was once so highly pleasing in thine eyes Take pitty then on mee for charities sake because the Sunne beginneth to heate extreamely and as ouer-much colde that vnhappy night was mine offence so let not ouer-violent warmth be now my vtter ruine and death The Scholler who onely to delight himselfe maintained this long discoursing with her returned her this answere Madame you did not repose such confidence in me for any good will or affection in you towards me but in hope of recouering him whom you had lost wherein you merit not a iot of fauour but rather the more sharpe and seuere infliction And whereas you inferre that your ouer-rash credulity gaue the onely meanes to my reuenge Alas therein you deceiue your selfe for I haue a thousand crochets working continually in my brain wherby to entrap a wiser creature then a woman yet veiled all vnder the cunning cloake of loue but sauced with the bitter Wormewood of hate So that had not this hapned as now it doth of necessity you must haue falne into another but as it hath pleased my happy stars to fauour mee therein none could prooue more to your eternall scandall and disgrace then this of your owne deuising which I made choise of not in regard of any ease to you but onely to content my selfe But if all other deuises els had failed my pen was and is my preuayling Champion where with I would haue written such and so many strange matters concerning you in your very dearest reputation that you should haue curst the houre of your conception wisht your birth had bin abortiue The powers of the pen are too many mighty wherof such weake wits as haue made no experience are the lesse able to vse any relation I sweare to you Lady by my best hopes that this reuenge which perhappes you esteeme great and dishonourable is no vvay compareable to the vvounding Lines of a Penne which can carracter downe so infinite infamies yet none but guilty and true taxations as will make your owne hands immediate instruments to teare the eyes from forth your head and so bequeath your after dayes vnto perpetuall darkenesse Now concerning your lost louer for whose sake you suffer this vnexpected pennance although your choise hath proued but bad yet still continue your affection to him in regard that I haue another Ladie and Mistresse of higher and greater desert then you and to whome I will continue for euer constant And whereas you thinke the warme beames of the Sunne will be too hot and scorching for your nice bodie to endure remember the extreame cold which you caused mee to feele and if you can intermixe some part of that cold with the present heat I dare assure you the Sun in his highest heate will be far more temperate for your feeling The disconsolate Lady perceiuing that the Schollers wordes sauoured of no mercy but rather as couering her desperate ending with the teares streaming downe her cheekes thus she replied Wel Sir seeing there is no matter of worth in me whereby to deriue any compassion from
consider with himselfe how he might cure the Abbot yet without any Bathe So commanding a good fire to be kept continually in his small Chamber and very good attendance on him the next morning he came to visite him againe bringing a faire white Napkin on his arme and in it two slices or toasts of fine Manchet a goodly cleare Glasse full of the purest white-Bastard of Corniglia but indeed of the Abbots owne prouision brought thither with him and then hee spoke to him in this manner My Lord when Ghinotto was yonger then now he is he studyed Physicke and he commanded me to tell you that the very best medicine he could euer learne against any disease in the stomacke was this which he had prouided for your Lordship as an especial preparatiue and which he should finde to be very comfortable The Abbot who had a better stomacke to eate then any will or desire to talke although hee did it somewhat disdainfully yet hee eate vp both the toastes and roundly dranke off the Glasse of Bastard Afterward diuers other speeches passed betweene them the one still aduising in Phisicall manner and the other seeming to care little for it but moued many questions concerning Ghinotto and earnestly requesting to see him Such speeches as sauoured of the Abbots discontentment and came from him in passion were clouded with courteous acceptance not the least signe of any mislike but ring his Lordship that Ghinotto intended very shortly to see him and so they parted for that time Nor returned he any more till the next morning with the like two toastes of bread and such another Glasse of white Bastard as he had brought him at the first continuing the same course for diuers dayes after till the Abbot had eaten and very hungerly too a pretty store of dryed Beanes which Ghinotto purposely yet secretly had hidden in the Chamber Wherevpon he demaunded of him as seeming to be so enioyned by his pretended master in what temper he found his stomacke now I should finde my stomacke well enough answered the Lord Abbot if I could get forth of thy masters fingers and then haue some good food to feed on for his medicines haue made me so soundly stomackt that I am ready to starue with hunger When Ghinotto was gone from him hee then prepared a very faire Chamber for him adorning it with the Abbots owne rich hangings as also his Plate and other moueables such as were alwayes vsed for his seruice A costly dinner he prouided likewise whereto he inuited diuers of the Towne and many of the Abbots chiefest followers then going to him againe the next morning he said My Lord seeing you doe feele your stomacke so well it is time you should come forth of the Infirmary And taking him by the hand he brought him into the prepared Chamber where he left him with his owne people and went to giue order for the dinners seruing in that it might be performed in magnificent manner The Lord Abbot recreated himselfe a while with his owne people to whom he recounted the course of his life since hee saw them and they likewise told him how kindly they had bin initeated by Ghinotto But when dinner time was come the Lord Abbot and all his company were serued with costly viands and excellent Wines without Ghinottoes making himselfe knowne to the Abbot till after he had beene entertained some few dayes in this order into the great Hall of the Castle Ghinotto caused all the Abbots goods and furniture to bee brought and likewise into a spacious Court wheron the windowes of the said Court gazed all his mules and horses with their sumpters euen to the very silliest of them which being done Ghinotto went to the Abbot and demaunded of him how he felt his stomacke now and whether it would serue him to venter on horse backe as yet or no The Lord Abbot answered that he found his stomacke perfectly recouered his body strong enough to endure trauell and all things well so hee were deliuered from Ghinotto Hereupon he brought him into the hall where his furniture was as also all his people commanding a window to be opned wherat at he might behold his horses he said My Lord let me plainely giue you to vnderstand that neither cowardise or basenesse of minde induced Ghinotto di Tacco which is my selfe to become a lurking robber on the high-wayes an enemy to the Pope and so consequently to the Romane Court but onely to saue his owne life and honour knowing himselfe to be a Gentleman cast out of his owne house and hauing beside infinite enemies But because you seeme to be a worthy Lord I will not although I haue cured your stomacks disease deale with you as I doe to others whose goods when they fall into my power I take such part of as I please bet rather am well contented that my necessities being considered by your selfe you spare me out a proportion of the things you haue heere answerable to your owne liking For all are present here before you both in this Hall and in the Court beneath free from any spoyle or the least impairing Wherefore giue a part or take all if you please and then depart hence when you will or abide heere still for now you are at your owne free liberty The Lord Abbot wondred not a little that a robber on the high wayes should haue such a bold and liberall spirit which appeared very pleasing to him and instantly his former hatred and spleene against Ghinotto became conuerted into cordiall loue and kindnes so that imbracing him in his armes he said I protest vpon my vow made to Religion that to win the loue of such a man as I plainely perceiue thee to be I would vndergo far greater iniuries then those which I haue receiued at thy hands Accursed be cruell destiny that forced thee to so base a kind of life and did not blesse thee with a fairer fortune After he had thus spoken he left there the greater part of all his goods and returned backe againe to Rome with few horses and a meaner traine Durig these passed accidents the Pope had receiued intelligence of the Lord Abbots surprizall which was not a little displeasing to him but when he saw him returned he demaunded what benefit he receiued at the Bathes Whereto the Abbot merrily smyling thus replyed Holy Father I met with a most skilfull Physitian neerer hand whose experience is beyond the power of the Bathes for by him I am very perfectly cured and so discoursed all at large The Pope laughing heartely and the Abbot continuing on still his report moued with an high and magnificent courage he demaunded one gracious fauour of the Pope who imagining that he would request a matter of greater moment then he did freely offered to grant whatsoeuer he desired Holy Father answered the Lord Abbot all the humble suit which I make to you is that you would be pleased to receiue into your grace and
Arragon being then become Lord of that Kingdom he made an admirable Feast Royall at Palermo accompanyed with his Lords and Barons In honour of which publique Feast the King kept a triumphall day of Iusts and Turnament at Catalana and whereat it chanced that the Daughter of Bernardo named Lisana was present Being in a window accompanied with other Gentlewomen she saw the King runne at the Tilt who seemed so goodly a person in her eye that being neuer satisfied with beholding him she grew enamoured and fell into extremity of affection towards him When the Feastiuall was ended she dwelling in the house of her Father it was impossible for her to thinke on any thing else but onely the loue which she had fixed on a person of such height And that which most tormented her in this case was the knowledge of her owne condition being but meane and humble in degree whereby she confessed that she could not hope for any successefull issue of her proud loue Neuerthelesse she would not refraine from affecting the King who taking no note of this kindnesse in her by any perceiuable meanes must needs be the more regardles which procured by wary obseruation her afflictions to be the greater and intollerable Whereon it came to passe that this earnest loue encreasing in her more and more and one melancholly conceit taking hold on another the faire Maide when she could beare the burden of her griefe no longer fell into a languishing sickenesse consuming away daily by euident appearance euen as the Snow melteth by the warme beames of the Sunne The Father and Mother much dismayed and displeased at this haplesse accident applying her with continuall comforts Phisicke and the best skill remayning in all the Phisitions sought all possible meanes wayes to giue her succour but all proued to no effect because in regard of her choyce which could sort to none other then a desper ate end she was desirous to liue no longer Now it fortuned that her parents offering her whatsoeuer remained in their power to performe a sudden apprehension entred her minde to wit that if it might possible be done before she dyed she would first haue the King to know in what manner she stood affected to him Wherefore one day she entreated her Father that a Gentleman named Manutio de Arezza might be permitted to come see her This Manutio was in those times held to be a most excellent Musitian both for his voyce in singing and exquisite skill in playing on Instruments for which he was highly in fauour with King Piero who made almost daily vse of him to heare him both sing and play Her tender and louing father conceiued immediately that shee was desirous to heare his playing and singing both being comfortable to a body in a languishing sickenesse whereupon he sent presently for the Gentleman who came accordingly and after he had comforted Lisana with kind and courteous speeches he played dexteriously on his Lute which purposely hee had brought with him and likewise he sung diuers excellent Ditties which insted of his intended consolation to the Maid did nothing else but encrease her fire and flame Afterward she requested to haue some conference with Manutio alone and euery one being gone forth of the Chamber she spake vnto him in this manner Manutio I haue made choyce of thee to be the faithfull Guardian of an especial secret hoping first of al that thou wilt neuer reueale it to any liuing body but onely to him whom I shall bid thee And nâ—xt to helpe me so much as possibly thou canst because my onely hope relyeth in thee Know then my dearest friend Manutio that on the solemne festiuall day when our Soueraigne Lord the King honoured his exaltation with the noble exercises of Tilt and Turney his braue behauiour kindled such a sparke in my soule as since brake forth into a violent flame and brought me to this weake condition as now thou seest But knowing and confessing how farre vnbeseeming my loue is to aime so ambitiously at a King and being vnable to controule it or in the least manner to diminish it I haue made choyce of the onely and best remedy of all namely to dye and so I am most willing to doe True it is that I shall trauaile in this my latest iourney with endlesse torment and affliction of soule except he haue some vnderstanding thereof before and not knowing by whom to giue him intelligence in so oft and conuenient order as by thee I doe therefore commit this last office of a friend to thy trust desiring thee not to refuse me in the performance thereof And when thou hast done it to let me vnderstand what he saith that I may dye the more contentedly and disburdened of so heauy an oppression the onely comfort to a parting spirit and so she ceased her teares flowing forth abundantly Manutio did not a little wonder at the Maides great spirit and her desperate resolution which moued him to exceeding commiseration and suddenly he conceiued that honectly he might discharge this duty for her whereupon he returned her this answer Lisana here I engage my faith to thee that thou shalt find me firme and constant and die I will rather then deceiue thee Greatly I doe commend thy high attempt in fixing thy affection on so Potent a King wherein I offer thee my vtmost assistance and I make no doubt if thou wouldest be of good comfort to deale in such sort as before three dayes are fully past to bring such newes as will content thee and because I am loath to loose the least time I will goe about it presently Lisana the yong Maiden once againe entreated his care and diligence promising to comfort her selfe so well as she could commending him to his good fortune When Manutio was gone from her hee went to a Gentleman named Mico de Sienna one of the best Poets in the composing of verses as all those parts yeelded not the like At his request Mico made for him this ensuing Dittie The Song sung in the hearing of King Piero on the behalfe of Loue-sicke Lisana Goe Loue and tell the torments I endure Say to my Soueraigne Lord that I must die Except he come some comfort to procure For tell I may not what I feele and why WIth heaued hands Great Loue I call to thee Goe see my Soueraigne where he doth abide And say to him in what extremity Thou hast for him my firm affection tryed To die for him it is my sole desire For liue with him I may not nor a spire To haue my fortunes thereby dignified Onely his sight would lend me life a while Grant it great loue mine anguish to beguile Goe loue and tell the torments c. Since the first houre that loue enthralled me I neuer had the heart to tell my griefe My thoughts did speake for thoughts be alwayes free Yet hopefull thoughts doe find but poore reliefe When Gnats will mount to Eagles in the ayre Alas
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