When they were come to the Court, and the King made acquainted
with the words, which Rogiero spake to his Mule; he was called into
the presence, where the King shewed him a gracious countenance, and
demanded of him, why he had compared him to his Mule? Signior
Rogiero nothing daunted, but with a bold and constant spirit, thus
answered. Sir, I made the comparison, because, like as you give, where
there is no conveniency, and bestow nothing where reason requireth:
even so, the Mule would not stale where she should have done, but
where was water too much before, there she did it. Beleeve me
Signior Rogiero, replyed the King, if I have not given you such gifts,
as (perhaps) I have done to divers other, farre inferiour to you in
honour and merit; this happened not thorough any ignorance in me, as
not knowing you to be a most valiant Knight, and well-worthy of
speciall respect: but rather through your owne ill fortune, which
would not suffer me to doe it, whereof she is guilty, and not I, as
the truth thereof shall make it selfe apparant to you. Sir, answered
Rogiero, I complaine not, because I have received no gift from you, as
desiring thereby covetously to become the richer: but in regard you
have not as yet any way acknowledged, what vertue is remaining in
me. Neverthelesse, I allow your excuse for good and reasonable, and am
heartely contented, to behold whatsoever you please; although I doe
confidently credit you, without any other testimony.
The King conducted him then into the great Hall, where (as hee had
before given order) stood two great Chests, fast lockt; in the
presence of all his Lords, the King thus spake. Signior Rogiero, in
one of these Chests is mine imperiall Crowne, the Scepter Royall,
the Mound, and many more of my richest girdles, rings, plate, and
jewels, even the very best that are mine: the other is full of earth
onely. Chuse one of these two, and which thou makest election of; upon
my Royall word thou shalt enjoy it. Hereby shalt thou evidently
perceive, who hath bin ingreatful to the deservings, either I, or
thine owne bad fortune. Rogiero seeing it was the kings pleasure to
have it so; chose one of them, which the King caused presently to be
opened, it approving to be the same that was full of earth, whereat
the King smyling, said thus unto him. You see Signior Rogiero, that
what I said concerning your ill fortune, is very true: but
questionlesse, your valour is of such desert, as I ought to oppose
my selfe against all her malevolence. And because I know right, that
you are not minded to become a Spaniard; I will give you neither
Castle nor dwelling place: but will bestow the Chest on you (in meer
despight of your malicious fortune) which she so unjustly tooke away
from you. Carry it home with you into your Countrey, that there it may
make an apparant testimoney, in the sight of all your well-willers,
both of your owne vertuous deservings, and my bounty. Signior
Rogiero humbly receiving the Chest, and thanking his Majestie for so
liberall a gift, returned home joyfully therewith, into his native
Countrey of Tuscane.
THE TENTH DAY, THE SECOND NOVELL
WHEREIN IS DECLARED THAT GOOD MEN DOE SOMETIMES FALL INTO BAD
CONDITIONS, ONELY OCCASIONED THERETO BY NECESSITY: AND WHAT
MEANES ARE TO BE USED, FOR THEIR REDUCING TO GOODNESSE
AGAINE
Ghinotto di Tacco; tooke the Lord Abbot of Clugni as his prisoner,
and cured him of a grievous disease, which he had in his stomacke, and
afterwards set him at libert. The same Lord Abbot when hee returned
from the Court Rome, reconciled Ghinotto to Pope Boniface; who made
him a Knight, and Lord Prior of a goodly Hospitall.
The magnificence and Royall bounty, which King Alphonso bestowed
on the Florentine knight, passed through the whole assembly with
mean applause, and the King (who gave the greatest praise of al)
commanded Madame Eliza, to take the second turne in order;
whereupon, thus she began. Faire Ladies, if a king shewed himselfe
magnificently minded, and expressed his liberall bounty to such a man,
as had done him good and honourable services: it can be termed no more
then a vertuous deed well done, and becomming a King. But what will we
say, when we heare that a Prelate of the Church, shewed himselfe
wondrously magnificent, and to such a one as was his enemy: can any
malicious tongue speake ill of him? Undoubtedly, no other answere is
to be made, but the action of the King was meerely vertue, and that of
the Prelate, no lesse then a miracle: for how can it be otherwise,
when they are more greedily covetous then women, and deadly enemies to
all liberality? And although every man (naturally) desireth revenge
for injuries and abuses done unto him: yet men of the Church, in
regard that dayly they preached patience, and commaund (above all
things else) remission of sinnes: it would appeare a mighty blemish in
them, to be more froward and furious then other men. But I am to
speake of a reverend Prelate of the Church, as also concerning his
munificent bounty, to one that was his enemy, and yet became his
reconciled friend, as you shall perceive by my Novell.
Ghinotto di Tacco, for his insolent and stout robberies, became a
man very farre famed, who being banished from Sienna, and an enemy
to the Countes Disanta Flore: prevailed so by his bold and
headstrong perswasions, that the Towne of Raticonfani rebelled against
the Church of Rome, wherein he remaining; all passengers whatsoever,
travelling any way thereabout, were robde and rifled by his theeving
Companions. At the time whereof now I speake, Boniface the eight,
governed as Pope at Rome, and the Lord Abbot of Clugni (accounted to
be one of the richest Prelates in the world) came to Rome, and there
either by some surfeit, excesse of feeding, or otherwise, his stomacke
being grievously offended and pained; the Phisitians advised him, to
travell to the Bathes at Sienna, where he should receive immediate
cure. In which respect, his departure being licenced by the Pope, to
set onward thither, with great and pompous Cariages, of Horses, Mules,
and a goodly traine, without hearing any rumour of the theevish
Consorts.
Ghinotto di Tacco, being advertised of his comming, spred about
his scouts and nettes, and without missing so much as one Page, shut
up the Abbot, with all his traine and baggage, in a place of narrow
restraint, out of which he could by no meanes escape. When this was
done, he sent one of his most sufficient attendants (well accompanyed)
to the Lord Abbot, who said to him in his Masters name, that if his
Lordship were so pleased, hee might come and visite Ghinotto at his
Castle. Which the Abbot hearing, answered chollerickly, that he
would not come thither, because hee had nothing to say to Ghinotto:
but meant to proceed on in his journy, and would faine see, who
durst presume to hinder his passe. To which rough words, the messenger
thus mildely answered. My Lord (quoth he) you are arrived in such a
place, where we feare no other force, but the all-controlling power of
heaven, clearely exempted from the Popes thunder-cracks, of
maledictions, interdictions, excommunications, or whatsoever else: and
therefore it would bee much better for you, if you pleased to do as
Ghinotto adviseth you.
During the time of this their interparlance, the place was
suddenly round ingirt with strongly armed theeves, and the Lord
Abbot perceiving, that both he and all his followers were surprized:
tooke his way (though very impatiently) towards the Castle, and
likewise all his company and carriages with him. Being dismounted, hee
was conducted (as Ghinotto had appointed) all alone, into a small
Chamber of the Castle, it being very darke and uneasie: but the rest
of his traine, every one according to his ranck and quality, were
all well lodged in the Castle, their horses, goods and all things
else, delivered into secure keeping, without the least touch of injury
or prejudice. All which being orderly done, Ghinotto himselfe went
to the Lord Abbot, and said. My Lord, Ghinotto, to whom you are a
welcome guest, requesteth, that it might be your pleasure to tell him,
whither you are travelling, and upon what occasion?
The Lord Abbot being a very wise man, and his angry distemper more
moderately qualified; revealed whither he went, and the cause of his
going thither. Which when Ghinotto had heard, hee departed courteously
from him, and began to 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 provision 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 ever learne, against any disease in the stomacke,
was this which he had provided for your Lordship, as an especial
preparative, 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 up both
the toastes, and roundly dranke the Glasse of Bastard. Afterward,
divers other speeches passed betweene them, the one still advising
in Phisicall manner, and the other seeming to care little for it:
but moved many questions concerning Ghinotto, and earnestly requesting
to see him. Such speeches as savoured of the Abbots discontentment,
and came from him in passion; were clouded with courteous
acceptance, and not the least signe of any mislike: but assuring 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 divers
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. Whereupon he demaunded of him (as seeming to be
so enjoyned 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 have
some good food to feed on: for his medicines have made me so soundly
stomackt, that I am ready to starve 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 moveables, such as were alwayes used for
his service. A costly dinner he provided likewise, whereto he
invited divers 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 give order for the dinners serving 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 served 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,
even 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 serve him to venter on horsebacke as yet, or
no? The Lord Abbot answered, that he found his stomacke perfectly
recovered, his body strong enough to endure travell, and all things
well, so hee were delivered from Ghinotto.
Hereupon, he brought him into the hall where his furniture was, as
also all his people, and commanding a window to be opned, wherat he
might behold his horses, he said. My Lord, let me plainely give you to
understand, 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 save his owne life and honour knowing
himselfe to be a Gentleman cast out of his owne house, and having
(beside) infinite enemies. But because you seeme to be a worthy
Lord, I will not (although I have 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: but rather am well
contented, that my necessities being considered by your selfe, you
spare me out a proportion of the things you have 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, give 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 have such a bold and liberall spirit, which appeared
very pleasing to him; and instantly, his former hatred and spleene
against Ghinotto, became converted into cordiall love and kindnes,
so that (imbracing him in his armes) he said. I protest upon my vow
made to Religion, that to win the love of such a man, as I plainely
