throughout Bologna, doe verily thinke you to be dead, wherefore
there is not any one, that will make any inquisition after you: in
which regard, the favour I desire from you, is no more but to abide
here secretly with my Mother, untill such time as I returne from
Modena, which shall be very speedily. The occasion why I move this
motion, aymeth at this end, that in presence of the chiefest persons
of our City, I may make a gladsome present of you to your Husband. The
Lady knowing her selfe highly beholding to the Knight, and the request
he made to be very honest: disposed her selfe to doe as he desired
(although she earnestly longed, to glad her parents and kindred with
seeing her alive) and made her promise him on her faith, to effect
it in such manner, as he pleased to appoint and give her direction.
Scarcely were these words concluded, but she felt the custome of
women to come upon her, with the paines and throwes incident to
childing: wherefore, with helpe of the aged Lady, Mother to Signior
Gentile, it was not long before her deliverance of a goodly Sonne,
which greatly augmented the joy of her and Gentile, who tooke order,
that all things belonging to a woman in such a case, were not wanting,
but she was as carefully respected, even as if she had been his owne
Wife. Secretly he repaired to Modena, where having given direction for
his place of authority; he returned back againe to Bologna, and
there made preparation for a great and solemne feast, appointing who
should be his invited guests, the very chiefest persons in Bologna,
and (among them) Signior Nicoluccio Caccianimico the especiall man.
After he was dismounted from horsebacke, and found so good company
attending for him (the Lady also, more faire and healthful then
ever, and the Infant lively disposed) he sate downe at the Table
with his guests, causing them to be served in most magnificent manner,
with plenty of all delicates that could be devised, and never before
was there such a joviall feast. About the ending of dinner, closely he
made the Lady acquainted with his further intention, and likewise in
what order every thing should be done, which being effected, he
returned to his company, and used these speeches.
Honourable friends, I remember a discourse sometime made unto me,
concerning the Countrey of Persia, and a kind of custome there
observed, not to be misliked in mine opinion. When any one intended to
honour his friend in effectuall manner, he invited him home to his
house, and there would shew him the thing, which with greatest love he
did respect; were it Wife, Friend, Sonne, Daughter, or any thing
else whatsoever; wherewithall hee spared not to affirme, that as he
shewed him those choyce delights, the like view he should have of
his heart, if with any possibility it could be done; and the very same
custome I meane now to observe here in our City. You have vouchsafed
to honour me with your presence, at this poore homely dinner of
mine, and I will welcome you after the Persian manner, in shewing
you the jewell, which (above all things else in the world) I ever have
most respectively esteemed. But before I doe it, I crave your
favourable opinions in a doubt, which I will plainely declare unto
you.
If any man having in his house a good and faithfull servant, who
falling into extremity of sickenesse, shall be throwne forth into
the open street, without any care or pitty taken on him: A stranger
chanceth to passe by, and (moved with compassion of his weakenesse)
carryeth him home to his owne house, where using all charitable and
not sparing any cost, he recovereth the sicke person to his former
health. I now desire to know, if keeping the said restored person, and
imploying him about his owne businesse: the first Master (by
pretending his first right) may lawfully complaine of the second,
and yeeld him backe againe to the first master, albeit he doe make
challenge of him?
All the Gentlemen, after many opinions passing among them, agreed
altogether in one sentence, and gave charge to Signior Nicoluccio
Caccianimico, (because he was an excellent and elegant speaker) to
give answere for them all. First, he commended the custome observed in
Persia, saying, he jumpt in opinion with all the rest, that the
first Master had no right at all to the servant, having not onely
(in such necessity) forsaken him, but also cast him forth into the
comfortlesse street. But for the benefits and mercy extended to him;
it was more then manifest, that the recovered person, was become
justly servant to the second Master, and in detayning him from the
first, hee did not offer him any injury at all. The whole Company
sitting at the Table (being all very wise and worthy men) gave their
verdict likewise with the confession of Signior Nicoluccio
Caccianimico. Which answere did not a little please the Knight; and so
much the rather, because Nicoluccio had pronounced it, affirming
himselfe to be of the same minde.
So, sitting in a pretended musing a while, at length he said. My
honourable guests, it is now more then high time, that I should doe
you such honour, as you have most justly deserved, by performing the
promise made unto you. Then calling two of his servants, he sent
them to Madame Catharina (whom he had caused to adorne her self in
excellent manner) entreating her, that she would be pleased to grace
his guests with her presence. Catharina, having deckt her child in
costly habiliments, layed it in her armes, and came with the
servants into the dyning Hall, and sate down (as the Knight had
appointed) at the upper end of the Table, and then Signior Gentile
spake thus. Behold, worthy Gentlemen, this is the jewell which I
have most affected, and intend to love none other in the world; be you
my judges, whether I have just occasion to doe so, or no? The
Gentlemen saluting her with respective reverence, said to the
Knight; that he had great reason to affect her: And viewing her
advisedly, many of them thought her to be the very same woman (as
indeed she was) but that they beleeved her to be dead.
But above all the rest, Nicoluccio Caccianimico could never be
satisfied with beholding her; and, enflamed with earnest desire, to
know what she was, could not refraine (seeing the Knight was gone
out of the roome) but demaunded of her, whether she were of Bologna,
or a stranger? when the Lady heard her selfe to be thus questioned,
and by her Husband, it seemed painefull to her, to containe from
answering: Neverthelesse, to perfect the Knights intended purpose, she
sate silent. Others demaunded of her, whether the sweet Boy were hers,
or no; and some questioned, if she were Gentiles Wife, or no, or
else his Kinsewoman; to all which demaunds, she returned not any
answere. But when the Knight came to them againe, some of them said to
him. Sir, this woman is a goodly creature, but she appeareth to be
dumbe, which were great pitty, if it should be so. Gentlemen (quoth
he) it is no small argument of her vertue, to sit still and silent
at this instant. Tell us then (said they) of whence, and what she
is. Therein (quoth he) I will quickely resolve you, upon your
conditionall promise: that none of you do remove from his place,
whatsoever shall be said or done, untill I have fully delivered my
minde. Every one bound himselfe by solemne promise, to perform what he
had appointed, and the Tables being voided, as also the Carpets
laid; then the Knight (sitting downe by the Lady) thus began.
Worthy Gentlemen, this Lady is that true and faithfull servant,
wherof I moved the question to you, whom I tooke out of the cold
street, where her parents, kindred and friends (making no account at
all of her) threw her forth, as a thing vile and unprofitable.
Neverthelesse, such hath been my care and cost, that I have rescued
her out of deaths griping power; and, in a meere charitable
disposition, which honest affection caused me to beare her; of a body,
full of terror and affrighting (as then she was) I have caused her
to become thus lovely as you see. But because you may more
apparantly discerne, in what manner this occasion happened; I will lay
it open to you in more familiar manner. Then he began the whole
history, from the originall of his unbeseeming affection to her (in
regard she was a worthy mans wife) and consequently, how all had
happened to the instant houre, to the no meane admiration of all the
hearers, adding withall. Now Gentlemen (quoth he) if you varry not
from your former opinion, and especially Signior Nicoluccio
Caccianimico: this Lady (by good right) is mine, and no man els by any
just title, can lay any claime to her.
All sate silent, without answering one word, as expecting what he
intended further to say: but in the meane while, Nicoluccio, the
parents and kindred, but chiefely the Lady her selfe, appeared as
halfe melted into teares with weeping. But Signior Gentile, starting
up from the Table, taking the Infant in his arme, and leading the Lady
by the hand, going to Nicoluccio, thus spake. Rise Sir, I will not
give thee thy wife, whom both her kindred and thine, threw forth
into the street: but I will bestow this Lady on thee, being my Gossip,
and this sweet Boy my God-sonne, who was (as I am verily perswaded)
begotten by thee, I standing witnesse for him at the Font of Baptisme,
and give him mine owne name Gentile. Let me entreat thee, that,
although she hath lived here in mine house, for the space of three
monethes, she should not be lesse welcome to thee, then before: for
I sweare to thee upon my soule, that my former affection to her (how
unjust soever) was the onely meanes of preserving her life: and more
honestly she could not live, with Father, Mother, or thy selfe, then
she hath done here with mine owne Mother.
Having thus spoken, he turned to the Lady, saying. Madame, I now
discharge you of all promises made me, delivering you to your
Husband franke and free: And when he had given him the Lady, and the
child in his armes, he returned to his place, and sate downe againe.
Nicoluccio, with no meane joy and hearty contentment received both his
wife and childe, being before farre from expectation of such an
admirable comfort; returning the Knight infinite thankes (as all the
rest of the Company pany the like) who could not refraine from weeping
for meere joy, for such a strange and wonderful accident: every one
highly commending Gentile, and such also as chanced to heare
thereof. The Lady was welcommed home to her owne house, with many
moneths of joviall feasting, and as she passed through the streets,
all beheld her with admiration, to be so happily recovered from her
grave Signior Gentile lived long after, a loyall friend to
Nicoluccio and his Lady, and all that were well-willers to them.
What thinke you now Ladies? Can you imagine, because a King gave
away his Crowne and Scepter; and an Abbot (without any cost to
himselfe) reconciled a Malefactor to the Pope; and an old
idle-headed man, yeelding to the mercy of his enemy: that all those
actions are comparable to this of Signior Gentile? Youth and ardent
affection, gave him a just and lawfull title, to her who was free
(by imagined death) from Husband, Parents, and all friends else, she
being so happily wonne into his owne possession. Yet honestly not
onely overswayed the heate of desire, which in many men is violent and
immoderate: but with a bountifull and liberall soule, that which he
coveted beyond all hopes else, and had within his owne command; he
freely gave away. Beleeve me (bright Beauties) not any of the other
(in a true and unpartiall judgement ) are worthy to be equalled with
this, or stiled by the name of magnificent actions.
THE TENTH DAY, THE FIFT NOVELL
ADMONISHING ALL LADIES AND GENTLEWOMEN, THAT ARE DESIROUS TO
PRESERVE THEIR CHASTITY, FREE FROM ALL BLEMISH AND TAXATION: TO
MAKE NO PROMISE OF YEELDING TO ANY, UNDER A COMPACT OR
COVENANT, HOW IMPOSSIBLE SOEVER IT MAY SEEME TO BE
Madame Dianora, the Wife of Signior Gilberto, being immodestly
affected by Signior Ansaldo, to free her selfe from his tedious
importunity, she appointed him to performe (in her judgement) an act
of impossibility; namely, to give her a Garden, as plentifully
stored with fragrant Flowers in January, as in the flourishing
moneth of May. Ansaldo, by meanes of a bond which he made to a
Magitian, performed her request. Signior Gilberto, the Ladyes Husband,
gave consent, that his Wife should fulfill her promise made to
Ansaldo. Who hearing the bountifull mind of her Husband; released
her of her promise: And the Magitian likewise discharged Signior
Ansaldo, without taking any thing of him.
Not any one in all the Company, but extolled the worthy Act of
Signior Gentile to the skies; till the King gave command to Madame
Aemillia, that she should follow next with her Tale, who boldly
stepping up, began in this order.
Gracious Ladies, I thinke there is none heere present among us,
but (with good reason) may maintaine, that Signiour Gentile
performed a magnificent deede; but whosoever saith, it is impossible
to do more; perhaps is ignorant in such actions, as can and may be
done, as I meane to make good unto you, by a Novell not overlong or
tedious.
The Countrey of Fretulium, better knowne by the name of Forum Julij;
although it be subject to much cold, yet it is pleasant, in regard
of many goodly Mountaines, Rivers, and cleare running Springs,
wherewith it is not meanly stored. Within those Territories, is a City
called Udina, where sometime lived a faire and Noble Lady, named
Madame Dianora, WiFe to a rich and woorthie Knight, called Signior
Gilberto, a man of very great fame and merite.
This beautiful Lady, beeing very modest and vertuously inclined, was
highly affected by a Noble Baron of those parts, tearmed by the name
of Signior Ansaldo Gradense; a man of very great spirit, bountifull,
active in Armes, and yet very affable and courteous, which caused
him to be the better respected. His love to this Lady was
extraordinary, hardly to bee contained within any moderate compasse,
