striving to bee in like manner affected of her: to which end, she
wanted no daily solicitings, Letters, Ambassages and Love-tokens,
all proving to no purpose.
This vertuous Lady, being wearied with his often temptations, and
seeing, that by denying whatsoever he demanded, yet he wold not give
over his suite, but so much the more importunatly stil pursued her:
began to bethinke her selfe, how she might best be rid of him, by
imposing some such taske upon him, as should bee impossible (in her
opinion) for him to effect. An olde woman, whom hee imployed for his
continual messenger to her, as shee came one day about her ordinary
errand, with her she communed in this manner. Good woman (quoth she)
thou hast so often assured me, that Signior Ansaldo loveth me above
all other Women in the world, offering me wonderfull gifts and
presents in his name, which I have alwayes refused, and so stil wil
do, in regard I am not to be woon by any such allurements: yet if I
could be soundly perswaded, that his affection is answerable to thy
peremptory protestations, I shoulde (perhaps) be the sooner wonne,
to listen to his suite in milder manner, then hitherto I have done.
Wherefore, if he wil give me assurance, to perform such a businesse as
I mean to enjoyne him, he shall the speedier heare better answer
from me, and I wil confirme it with mine oath.
Wonderfully pleased was Mistresse Maquerella, to heare a reply of
such comfortable hope; and therefore desired the Lady, to tel hir what
she wold have done. Listen to me wel (answerd Madam Dianora) the
matter which I would have him to effect for me, is; without the wals
of our City, and during the month of Januarie nexte ensuing, to
provide me a Garden, as fairely furnished with all kind of fragrant
flowers, as the flourishing month of May can yeelde no better. If he
be not able to accomplish this imposition, then I command him, never
hereafter to solicite me any more, either by thee, or any other
whatsoever: for, if he do importune me afterward, as hitherto I have
concealed his secret conspiring, both from my husband, and all my
friends; so wil I then lay his dishonest suite open to the world, that
he may receive punishment accordingly, for offering to wrong a
Gentleman in his wife.
When Signior Ansaldo heard her demand, and the offer beside
thereuppon made him (although it seemed no easie matter, but a thing
meerly impossible to be done) he considered advisedly, that she made
this motion to no other end, but onely to bereave him of all his hope,
ever to enjoy what so earnestly hee desired: neverthelesse, he would
not so give it utterly over, but would needs approve what could be
done. Heereupon, hee sent into divers partes of the world, to find out
any one that was able to advise him in this doubtfull case. In the
end, one was brought to him, who beeing well recompenced for his
paines, by the Art of Nigromancie would under take to do it. With
him Signior Ansaldo covenanted, binding himselfe to pay a great
summe of mony, upon performance of so rare a deed, awaiting (in
hopefull expectation) for the month of januaries comming. It being
come, and the weather then in extreamity of cold, every being
covered with ice and snow, the Magitian prevailed so by his Art,
that after the Christmas Holy dayes were past, and the Calends of
january entred: in one night, and without the Cittie Wals, the
goodliest Garden of flowers and fruites, was sodainely sprung up, as
(in opinion of such as beheld it) never was the like seen before.
Now Ladies, I think I need not demand the question, whether Signior
Ansaldo were wel pleased, or no, who going to beholde t, saw it most
plenteously stored, with al kind of fruit trees, flowers, herbes and
plants, as no one could be named, that was wanting in this artificiall
garden. And having gathered some pretty store of them, secretly he
sent them to Madam Dianora, inviting hir to come see her Garden,
perfected according to her owne desire, and uppon view thereof, to
confesse the integrity of his love to her; considering and
remembring withall, the promise shee had made him under solemne
oath, that she might be reputed for a woman of her word.
When the Lady beheld the fruites and flowers, and heard many other
thinges recounted, so wonderfully growing in the same Garden: began to
repent her rash promise made; yet notwithstanding her repentance, as
Women are covetous to see all rarities; so, accompanied with divers
Ladies and Gentlewomen more, she went to see the Garden; and having
commended it with much admiration, she returned home againe, the
most sorrowfull Woman as ever lived, considering what she had tyed her
selfe to, for enjoying this Garden. So excessive grew her griefe and
affliction, that it could not be so clouded or concealed: but her
Husband tooke notice of it, and would needs understand the occasion
thereof. Long the Lady (in regard of shame and modesty) sate without
returning any answer; but being in the end constrained, she disclosd
the whol History to him.
At the first, Signior Gilberto waxed exceeding angry, but when he
further considered withall, the pure and honest intention of his Wife;
wisely he pacified his former distemper, and saide. Dianora, it is not
the part of a wise and honest woman, to lend an eare to ambassages
of such immodest nature, much lesse to compound or make agreement
for her honesty, with any person, under any condition whatsoever.
Those perswasions which the heart listeneth to, by allurement of the
eare, have greater power then many do imagine, and nothing is so
uneasie or difficult, but in a lovers judgement it appeareth possible.
Ill didst thou therefore first of all to listen, but worse (afterward)
to contract.
But, because I know the purity of thy soule, I wil yeelde (to
disoblige thee of thy promise) as perhaps no wise man else would do:
mooved thereto onely by feare of the Magitian, who seeing Signior
Ansaldo displeased, because thou makest a mockage of him; will do some
such violent wrong to us, as we shal be never able to recover.
Wherefore, I would have thee go to Signior Ansaldo, and if thou
canst (by any meanes) obtaine of him, the safe-keeping of thy
honour, and ful discharge of thy promise; it shal be an eternall
fame to thee, and the crowne of a most victorious conquest. But if
it must needs be otherwise, lend him thy body onely for once, but
not thy wil: for actions committed by constraint, wherein the will
is no way guilty, are halfe pardonable by the necessity.
Madame Dianora, hearing her husbands words, wept exceedingly, and
avouched, that shee had not deserved any such especiall grace of
him, and therefore she would rather dye, then doe it. Neverthelesse,
it was the wil of her Husband to have it so, and therefore (against
her wil) she gave consent. The next morning, by the breake of day,
Dianora arose, and attiring her selfe in her very meanest garments,
with two servingmen before her, and a waiting Woman following, she
went to the lodging of Signior Ansaldo, who hearing that Madam Dianora
was come to visite him, greatly mervailed, and being risen, he
called the Magitian to him, saying. Come go with me, and see what
effect will follow upon thine Art. And being come into her presence,
without any base or inordinate appetite, he did her humble
reverence, embracing her honestly, and taking her into a goodly
Chamber, where a faire fire was readilie prepared, causing her to
sit downe by him, he sayde unto her as followeth.
Madam, I humbly intreat you to resolve me, if the affection I have
long time borne you, and yet do stil, deserve any recompence at all:
you would be pleased then to tel me truly, the occasion of your
instant comming hither, and thus attended as you are. Dianora,
blushing with modest shame, and the teares trickling mainly down her
faire cheekes, thus answered. Signior Ansaldo, not for any Love I
beare you, or care of my faithfull promise made to you, but onely by
the command of my husband (who respecting more the paynes and trave of
your inordinate love, then his owne reputation and honor, or mine;)
hath caused me to come hither: and by vertue of his command, am
ready (for once onely) to fulfill your pleasure, but far from any will
or consent in my selfe. If Signior Ansaldo were abashed at the
first, hee began now to be more confounded with admiration, when he
heard the Lady speake in such strange manner: and being much moved
with the liberall command of her husband, he began to alter his
inflamed heate, into most honourable respect and compassion, returning
her this answer.
Most noble Lady, the Gods forbid (if it be so as you have sayd) that
I should (Villain-like) soile the honour of him, that takes such
unusuall compassion of my unchaste appetite. And therefore, you may
remaine heere so long as you please, in no other condition, but as
mine owne naturall borne Sister; and likewise, you may depart freely
when you will: conditionally, that (on my behalfe) you render such
thankes to your husband, as you thinke convenient for his great bounty
towards me, accounting me for ever heereafter, as his loyall Brother
and faithfull servant. Dianora having well observed his answer, her
heart being ready to mount out at her mouth with joy, said. All the
world could never make mee beleeve (considering your honourable
minde and honesty) that it would happen otherwise to me, then now it
hath done, for which noble courtesie, I will continually remaine
obliged to you. So, taking her leave, she returned home honorably
attended to her husband, and relating to him what had happened, it
proved the occasion of begetting intire love and friendship,
betweene himselfe and the Noble Lord Ansaldo.
Now concerning the skilfull Magitian, to whom Ansaldo meant to
give the bountifull recompence agreed on betweene them, hee having
seene the strange liberality, which the husband expressed to Signior
Ansaldo, and that of Ansaldo to the Lady, hee presently saide. Great
jupiter strike me dead with thunder, having my selfe seene a husband
so liberall of his honour, and you Sir of true noble kindnesse, if I
should not be the like of my recompence: for, perceiving it to be so
worthily imployed, I am well contented that you shal keepe it. The
Noble Lord was modestly ashamed, and strove (so much as in him lay)
that he should take all, or the greater part thereof: but seeing he
laboured meerly in vaine, after the third day was past, and the
Magitian had destroyed the Garden againe, hee gave him free liberty to
depart, quite controlling all fond and unchaste affection in himselfe,
either towards Dianora, or any Lady else, and living (ever after) as
best becommeth any Nobleman to do.
What say you now Ladies? Shal wee make any account of the woman
wel-neere dead, and the kindnesse growne cold in Signiour Gentile,
by losse of his former hopes, comparing them with the liberality of
Signior Ansaldo, affecting more fervently, then ever the other did?
And being (beyond hope) possessed of the booty, which (above all
things else in the world) he most desired to have, to part with it
meerly in fond compassion? I protest (in my judgement) the one is no
way comparable to the other; that of Geitile, with this last of
Signior Ansaldo.
THE TENTH DAY, THE SIXT NOVELL
SUFFICIENTLY DECLARING, THAT HOW MIGHTY SOEVER THE POWER OF
LOVE IS: YET A MAGNANIMOUS AND TRULY GENEROUS HEART, IT CAN
BY NO MEANES FULLY CONQUER
Victioious King Chrles, sirnamed the Aged, and first of that Name,
fell in love with a yong Maiden, named Genevera, daughter to an
ancient Knight, called Signior Neri degli Uberti. And waxing ashamed
of his amorous folly, caused both Genevera, and her fayre Sister
Isotta, to be joyned in marriage with two Noble Gentlemen; the one
named Signior Maffeo da Palizzi, and the other, Signior Gulielmo della
Magna.
Who is able to expresse ingeniously, the diversity of opinions,
which hapned among the Ladies, in censuring on the act of Madame
Dianora, and which of them was most liberall, eithet Signior
Gilberto the Husband, Lord Ansaldo the importunate suiter, or the
Magitian, expecting to bee bountifully rewarded. Surely, it is a
matter beyond my capacity: but after the King had permitted their
disputation a long while, looking on Madam Fiammetta, he commanded
that she should report her Novel to make an end of their controversie;
and she (without any further delaying) thus began. I did alwaies
(Noble Ladies) hold it fit and decent, that in such an assembly as
this of ours is, every one ought to speake so succinctly and
plainly: that the obscure understanding, concerning the matters spoken
of, should have no cause of disputation. For disputes do much better
become the Colledges of Schollers, then to be among us, who hardly can
manage our Distaves or Samplers. And therefore I, who intend to relate
something, which (peradventure) might appeare doubtfull: will forbeare
(seeing you in such a difference; for that which hath bin spoken
alreadie) to use any difficult discourse; but will speake of one, a
man of no meane ranke or quality, being both a valiant and vertuous
King, and what he did, without any impeach or blemish to his honor.
I make no doubt, but you have often heard report, of king Charls the
Aged, and first of that name, by reason of his magnificent
enterprises, as also his most glorious victory, which he obtaind
against King Manfred, when the Ghibellines were expulsed foorth of
Florence, and the Guelphes returned thither againe. By which occasion,
an ancient knight, named Signior Neri degli Uberti; forsaking then the
City, with all his family and great store of wealth, woulde live under
any other obedience, then the awful power or command of King
Charles. And coveting to be in some solitary place, where he might
finish the remainder of his dayes in peace, he went to Castello da
Mare; where, about a Bow shoote distance from all other dwelling
houses, hee bought a parcel of ground, plentifully stored with variety
of Trees, bearing Olives, Chesnuts, Orenges, Lemons, Pomcitrons, and
