wander, by breaking the divine Lawes of wedlocke, and abusing the
royall blood of my Father.
As I travailed hither with this vertuous intention, our Lord, who
onely knoweth perfectly, what is best fitting for all his creatures;
presented mine eyes (no doubt in his meere mercy and goodnesse) with a
man meete to be my husband, which (pointing to Alessandro) is this
young Gentleman standing by me, whose honest, vertuous, and civill
demeanour, deserveth a Lady of farre greater worth, although (perhaps)
Nobility in blood be denied him, and may make him seeme not so
excellent, as one derived from Royall discent. Holy and religious
vowes have past betweene us both, and the Ring on his finger, is the
firme pledge of my faith and constancie, never to accept any other man
in marriage, but him onely, although my Father, or any else doe
dislike it. Wherefore (holy Father) the principall cause of my comming
hither, being already effectually concluded on, I desire to compleat
the rest of my Pilgrimage, by visiting the sanctified places in this
City, whereof there are great plenty: And also, that sacred
marriage, being contracted in the presence of God onely, betweene
Alessandro and my selfe, may by you be publikely confirmed, and in
an open congregation. For, seeing God hath so appointed it, and our
soules have so solemnely vowed it, that no disaster whatsoever can
alter it: you being Gods Vicar here on earth, I hope will not
gainesay, but confirme it with your fatherly benediction, that wee may
live in Gods feare, and dye in his favour.
Perswade your selves (faire Ladies) that Alessandro was in no
meane admiration, when hee heard, that his wife was daughter to the
King of England, unspeakable joy (questionlesse) wholly overcame
him: but the two Knights were not a little troubled and offended, at
such a straunge and unexpected accident, yea, so violent were their
passions, that had they beene any where else, then in the Popes
presence, Alessandro had felt their furie, and (perhaps) the Princesse
her selfe too. On the other side, the Pope was much amazed at the
habite she went disguised in, and likewise at the election of her
husband; but, perceiving there was no resistance to be made against
it, hee yeelded the more willingly to satisfie her desire. And
therefore, having first comforted the two Knights, and made peace
betweene them, the Princesse, and Alessandro, he gave order for the
rest that was to be done.
When the appointed day for the solemnity was come, hee caused the
Princesse (cloathed in most rich and royall garments) to appeare
before all the Cardinals, and many other great persons then in
presence, who were come to this worthy Feast, which hee had caused
purposely to bee prepared, where she seemed so faire and goodly a
Lady, that every eye was highly delighted to behold her, commending
her with no meane admiration. In like manner was Alessandro greatly
honoured by the two Knights, being most sumptuous in appearance, and
not like a man that had lent money to usury, but rather of very royall
quality; the Pope himselfe celebrating the marriage betweene them,
which being finished, with the most magnificent pompe that could be
devised, hee gave them his benediction, and licenced their departure
thence.
Alessandro, his Princesse and her traine thus leaving Rome, they
would needes visite Florence, where the newes of this accident was
(long before) noysed, and they received by the Citizens in royall
manner. There did shee deliver the three brethren out of prison,
having first payed all their debts, and reseated them againe (with
their wives) in their former inheritances and possessions.
Afterward, departing from Florence, and Agolanto, one of the Uncles
travailing with them to Paris; they were there also most honourably
entertained by the King of France. From whence the two Knights went
before for England, and prevailed so successefully with the King; that
hee received his daughter into grace and favour, as also his Sonne
in law her husband, to whom hee gave the order of Knighthoode, and
(for his greater dignitie) created him Earle of Cornewall.
And such was the noble spirit of Alessandro, that he pacified the
troubles betweene the King and his sonne, whereon ensued great comfort
to the Kingdome, winning the love and favour of all the people; and
Agolanto (by the meanes of Alessandro) recovered all that was due to
him and his brethren in England, returning richly home to Florence,
Count Alessandro (his kinsman) having first dub'd him Knight. Long
time he lived in peace and tranquility, with the faire Princesse his
wife, proving to be so absolute in wisedome, and so famous a Souldier;
that (as some report) by assistance of his Father in law, he conquered
the Realme of Ireland, and was crowned King thereof.
THE SECOND DAY, THE FOURTH NOVELL
WHEREBY MAY BE DISCERNED, INTO HOW MANY DANGERS A MAN MAY
FALL, THROUGH A COVETOUS DESIRE TO ENRICH HIMSELFE
Landolpho Ruffolo, falling into poverty, became a Pirate on the
Seas, and being taken by the Genewayes, hardly escaped drowning: Which
yet (neverthelesse) he did, upon a little Chest or Coffer, full of
very rich Jewels, being carried thereon to Corfu, where he was well
entertained by a good woman; And afterward, returned richly home to
his owne house.
Madam Lauretta, sitting next to Madam Pampinea, and seeing how
triumphantly she had finished her discourse; without attending any
thing else, spake thus. Gracious Ladies, we shall never behold (in
mine opinion) a greater act of Fortune, then to see a man so suddainly
exalted, even from the lowest depth of poverty, to a Royall estate
of dignity; as the discourse of Madam Pampinea hath made good, by
the happy advancement of Alessandro. And because it appeareth
necessary, that whosoever discourseth on the subject proposed,
should no way vary from the very same termes; I shall not shame to
tell a tale, which, though it containe far greater mishapes then the
former, may sort to as happy an issue, albeit not so noble and
magnificent. In which respect, it may (perhaps) merit the lesse
attention; but howsoever that fault shall be found in you, I meane
to discharge mine owne duty.
Opinion hath made it famous for long time, that the Seacoast of
Rhegium to Gaieta, is the onely delactable part of all Italy, wherein,
somewhat neere to Salerno, is a shore looking upon the Sea, which
the inhabitants there dwelling, doe call the coast of Malfy, full of
small Townes, Gardens, Springs, and wealthy men, trading in as many
kindes of Merchandizes, as any other people that I know. Among which
Townes, there is one, named Ravello, wherein (as yet to this day there
are rich people) there was (not long since) a very wealthy man,
named Landolpho Ruffolo, who being not contented with his riches,
but coveting to multiply them double and trebble, fell in danger, to
loose both himselfe and wealth together. This man (as other
Merchants are wont to doe) after hee had considered on his affaires,
bought him a very goodly Ship, lading it with divers sorts of
Merchandizes, all belonging to himselfe onely, and making his voyage
to the Isle of Cyprus. Where he found, over and beside the
Merchandizes he had brought thither, many Ships more there arrived,
and all laden with the same commodities, in regard whereof, it was
needefull for him, not onely to make a good Mart of his goods; but
also was further constrained (if hee meant to vent his commodities) to
sell them away (almost) for nothing, endangering his utter destruction
and overthrow. Whereupon, grieving exceedingly at so great a losse,
not knowing what to doe, and seeing, that from very aboundant
wealth, hee was likely to fall into as low poverty: he resolved to
die, or to recompence his losses upon others, because he would not
returne home poore, having departed thence so rich.
Meeting with a Merchant, that bought his great Ship of him; with the
money made thereof, and also his other Merchandizes, hee purchased
another, being a lighter vessell, apt and proper for the use of a
Pirate, arming and furnishing it in ample manner, for roving and
robbing upon the Seas. Thus hee began to make other mens goods his
owne, especially from the Turkes he tooke much wealth, Fortune being
alwayes therein so favourable to him, that hee could never compasse
the like by trading. So that, within the space of one yeare, hee had
robd and taken so many Gallies from the Turke; that he found
himselfe well recovered, not onely of all his losses by Merchandize,
but likewise his wealth was wholly redoubled. Finding his losses to be
very liberally requited, and having now sufficient, it were folly to
hazard a second fall; wherefore, conferring with his owne thoughts,
and finding that he had enough, and needed not to covet after more: he
fully concluded, now to returne home to his owne house againe, and
live upon his goods thus gotten.
Continuing still in feare of the losses he had sustained by
traffique, and minding never more to imploy his money that way, but to
keep this light vessell, which had holpen him to all his wealth: he
commanded his men to put forth their Oares, and shape,their course for
his owne dwelling. Being aloft in the higher Seas, darke night
over-taking them, and a mighty winde suddainly comming upon them: it
not onely was contrary to their course, but held on with such
impetuous violence; that the small vessell, being unable to endure it,
made to land-ward speedily, and in expectation of a more friendly
wind, entred a little port of the Sea, directing up into a small
Island, and there safely sheltred it selfe. Into the same port which
Landolpho had thus taken for his refuge, entred (soone after) two
great Carrackes of Genewayes, lately come from Constantinople. When
the men in them had espied the small Barke, and lockt up her passage
from getting forth; understanding the Owners name, and that report had
famed him to be very rich, they determined (as men evermore addicted
naturally, to covet after money and spoile) to make it their owne as a
prize at Sea.
Landing some store of their men, well armed with Crossebowes and
other weapons, they tooke possession of such a place, where none durst
issue forth of the small Barke, but endangered his life with their
Darts and Arrowes. Entering aboord the Barke, and making it their owne
by full possession, all the men they threw over-boord, without sparing
any but Landolpho himselfe, whom they mounted into one of the
Carrackes, leaving him nothing but a poore shirt of Maile on his
backe, and having rifled the Barke of all her riches, sunke it into
the bottome of the sea. The day following, the rough windes being
calmed, the Carrackes set saile againe, having a prosperous passage
all the day long; but upon the entrance of darke night, the windes
blew more tempestuously then before, and sweld the Sea in such rude
stormes, that the two Carracks were sundered each from other, and by
violence of the tempest it came to passe, that the Carracke wherein
lay poore miserable Landolpho (beneath the Isle of Cephalonia) ran
against a rocke, and even as a glasse against a wall, so split the
Carracke in peeces, the goods and merchandize floating on the Sea,
Chests, Coffers, Beds, and such like other things, as often hapneth in
such lamentable accidents.
Now, notwithstanding the nights obscurity, and impetuous violence of
the billowes; such as could swimme, made shift to save their lives
by swimming. Others caught hold on such things, as by Fortunes favour,
floated neerest to them, among whom, distressed Landolpho, desirous to
save his life, if possibly it might be, espied a Chest or Coffer
before him, ordained (no doubt) to be the meanes of his safety from
drowning. Now although the day before, he had wished for death
infinite times, rather then to returne home in such wretched
poverty; yet, seeing how other men strove for safety of their lives by
any helpe, were it never so little, bee tooke advantage of this favour
offred him, and the rather in a necessitie so urgent. Keeping fast
upon the Coffer so well as he could, and being driven by the winds and
waves, one while this way, and anon quite contrary, he made shift
for himselfe till day appeared; when looking every way about him,
seeing nothing but clouds, the seas and the Coffer, which one while
shrunke from under him, and another while supported him, according
as the windes and billowes carried it: all that day and night thus
he floated up and downe, drinking more then willingly hee would, but
almost hunger-starved thorow want of foode. The next morning, either
by the appointment of heaven or power of the Windes, Landolpho who was
(well-neere) become a Spundge, holding his armes strongly about the
Chest, as we have seene some doe, who (dreading drowning) take hold on
any the very smallest helpe; drew neere unto the shore of the Iland
Corfu, where (by good fortune) a poore woman was scowring dishes
with the salt water and sand, to make them (housewife like) neate
and cleane.
When shee saw the Chest drawing neere her, and not discerning the
shape of any man, shee grew fearefull, and retyring from it, cried out
aloude. He had no power of speaking to her, neither did his sight
doe him the smallest service; but even as the waves and windes
pleased, the Chest was driven still neerer to the Land, and then the
woman perceyved that it had the forme of a ofer, and looking more
advisedly, beheld two armes extended over it, and afterward, she
espied the face of a man, not being able to judge, whether he were
alive, or no. Moved by charitable and womanly compassion, shee stept
in among the billowes, and getting fast holde on the hayre of his
head, drew both the Chest and him to the Land, and calling forth her
Daughters to helpe her, with much adoe she unfolded his armes from the
Chest, setting it up on her Daughters head, and then betweene them,
Landolpho was led into the Towne, and there conveyed into a warme
Stove, where quickly he recovered by her pains, his strength
benummed with extreame cold.
