againe as greatly condemne Fortune, for not making her more happy in
her birth.
So, after he had stayed there a good while, and given her many
comfortable speeches, he returned backe to the Court. This humanity in
the King, was reputed a great honour to the Apothecary and his
daughter, who (in her owne mind) received as much joy and
contentment thereby, as ever any wife could have of her owne Husband.
And being assisted by better hopes, within a short while after,
she became recovered, and farre more beautifull (in common judgment)
then ever she was before.
Lisana being now in perfect health, the King consulted with his
Queene, what meete recompence he should gratifie her withall, for
loving and affecting him in such fervent manner. Upon a day
determined, the King mounting on horsebacke, accompanied with many
of his cheefest Lords and Barons, he rode to the Apothecaries house,
where walking in his beautifull Garden, hee called for Bernardo and
his daughter Lisana. In the meane space, the Queene also came thither,
Royally attended on by her Ladies, and Lisana being admitted into
their company, they expressed themselves 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 love which you bare to us, calleth
for as great honour from us to you; in which respect, it is our Royall
desire, by one meanes or other to requite your kinde Love. In our
opinion, the chief honour we can extend to you. is, that being of
sufficient yeares for marriage, you would grace us so much, as to
accept him for your Husband, whom we intend to bestow on you. Beside
this further grant from us, that (notwithstanding whatsoever else) you
shall call us your Knight; without coveting any thing else from you,
for so great favour, 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
converted 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 serve for me to fixe my love on, I should have
been termed the foole of all fooles: they perhaps beleeving, 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 even in the very
instant, when Loves 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 unfitting it was for me, to be so
ambitious in my loves presuming. But I am sure your Majestie 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 prevailing, I presumed to love, did, and so for
ever shall doe, your Majestie.
Now Royall Soveraigne, I must needes confesse, that so soone as I
felt my selfe thus wholly conquered by loving you, I resolved for ever
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 have me to
live 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
Soveraigne; you are not ignorant, how farre unfitting a word that were
for me to use: As also the kisse which you request, in requitall of my
love to you; to these two I will never give consent, without the
Queenes most gracious favour and license first granted. Neverthelesse,
for such admirable benignity used to me, both by your Royall selfe,
and your vertuous Queene: heaven 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 whatsoever 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
receive, caused him there to espouse Lisana. To whome the King gave
immediately (besides Chaines and jewels of inestimable valew,
delivered by the Queene to the Bride) Ceffala and Calatabelotta, two
great territories abounding in divers wealthy possessions, saying to
Perdicano. These wee give thee, as a dowry in marriage with this
beautifull Maid, and greater gifts we will bestow on thee hereafter,
as we shal perceive thy love and kindnesse to her.
When he had ended these words, hee turned to Lisana, saying: Heere
doe I freely give over all further fruits of your affection towards
me, thanking you for your former love: so taking her head betweene his
hands he kissed her faire forhead, which was the usuall custome in
those times. Perdicano, the Father and Mother of Lisana, and she her
selfe likewise, extraordinarily joyfull 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 lived) he alwales
termed himselfe by the name of her Knight, and in al actions of
Chivalry by him undertaken, he never carried any other devise, but
such as he received still from her.
By this, and divers other like worthy deeds, not onely did he win
the hearts of his subjects; but gave occasion to the who 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
understanding: but rather how to bee cruell and tyrranous Lords, and
thereby win the hatred of their people.
THE TENTH DAY, THE EIGHT NOVELL
DECLARING, THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THE FROWNES OF FORTUNE,
DIVERSITY OF OCCURRENCES, AND CONTRARY ACCIDENTS HAPPENING:
YET LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP OUGHT TO BE PRECIOUSLY PRESERVED
AMONG MEN
Sophronia, thinking her selfe to be the maried wife of Gisippus, was
(indeed) the wife of Titus Quintus Fulvius, and 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 save the life of Gisippus, charged himself to have done
the bloody deed. Which the murderer himself (standing then among the
multitude) seeing, truly confessed the deed. By meanes whereof, all
three were delivered by the Emperor Octavius; and Titus gave his
Sister in mariage to Gisippus, giving them also the most part of his
goods and inheritances.
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 unto such as
most they should declare their magnificence? He then that performeth
what he ought to do, when it is within his owne power, doth well.
But it is not so much to bee admired, neither deserveth 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 have so extolled king Piero, as appearing not
meanly meritorious in your judgements; 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 Novel, concerning an honorable curtesie of two worthy
friends.
At such time as Octavius Caesar (not as yet named Augustus, but only
in the office called Triumveri) governed the Romane Empire, there
dwelt in Rome a Gentleman, named Publius Quintus Fulvius, a man of
singular understanding, who having one son, called Titus Quintus
Fulvius, of towardly yeares and apprehension, sent him to Athens to
learne Philosophy, but with letters of familiar commendations, to a
Noble Athenian Gentleman, named Chremes, being his ancient friend, of
long acquaintance. This Gentleman lodged Titus in his owne house, as
companion to his son, named Gisippus, both of them studying
together, under the tutoring of a Philosopher, called Aristippus.
These two yong Gentlemen living thus in one Citty, House, and Schoole,
it bred betweene them such a brother-hoode and amity, as they could
not be severed from one another, but only by the accident of death;
nor could either of them enjoy any content, but when they were both
together in company.
Being each of them endued with gentle spirits, and having begun
their studies together: they arose (by degrees) to the glorious height
of Philosophy, to their much admired fame and commendation. In this
manner they lived, to the no meane comfort of Chremes, hardly
distinguishing the one from the other for his Son, and thus the
Schollers continued the space of three yeares. At the ending wherof
(as it hapneth in al things else) Chremes died, whereat both the young
Gentlemen conceived such hearty griefe, as if he had bin their
common father; nor could the kinred of Chremes discerne, which of
the two had most need of comfort, the losse touched them so equally.
It chanced within some few months after, that the kinred of Gisippus
came to see him, and (before Titus) avised him to marriage, and with a
yong Gentlewoman of singular beauty, derived from a most noble house
in Athens, and she named Sophronia, aged about fifteen years. This
mariage drawing neere, Gisippus on a day, intreated Titus to walk
along with him thither, because (as yet) he had not seene her.
Commingto the house, and she sitting in the midst betweene them, Titus
making himselfe a considerator of beauty, and especially on his
friends behalfe; began to observe her very judicially, and every
part of her seemed so pleasing in his eie, that giving them al a
privat praise, yet answerable to their due deserving; he becam so
enflamed with affection to her, as never any lover could bee more
violentlie surprized, so sodainly doth beauty beguile our best senses.
After they had sate an indifferent while with her, they returned
home to their lodging, where Titus being alone in his chamber, began
to bethink himselfe on her, whose perfections had so powerfully
pleased him: and the more he entred into this consideration, the
fiercer he felt his desires enflamed, which being unable to quench, by
any reasonable perswasions, after hee had vented foorth infinite
sighes, thus he questioned with himselfe.
Most unhappie Titus as thou art, whether doost thou transport thine
understanding, love, and hope? Dooest thou not know as well by the
honourable favours, which thou hast received of Chremes and his house,
as also the intire amity betweene thee and Gisippus (unto whom faire
Sophronia is the afflanced friend) that thou shouldst holde her in the
like reverent respect, as if shee were thy true borne Sister? Darest
thou presume to fancie her? Whether shall beguiling Love allure
thee, and vaine immaging hopes carrie thee? Open the eyes of thy
better understanding, and acknowledge thy selfe to bee a most
miserable man. Give way to reason, bridle thine intemperate appetites,
reforme all irregulare desires, and guide thy fancy to a place of
better direction. Resist thy wanton and lascivious will in the
beginning, and be master of thy selfe, while thou hast opportunity,
for that which thou aimest at, is neyther reasonable nor honest. And
if thou wert assured to prevaile upon this pursuite, yet thou
oughtst to avoide it, if thou hast any regard of true friendship,
and the duty therein justly required. What wilt thou do then Titus?
Fly from this inordinate affection, if thou wilt be reputed to be a
man of sensible judgement.
After he had thus discoursed with himselfe, remembring Sophronia,
and converting his former allegations, into a quite contrarie sense,
in utter detestation of them, and guided by his idle appetite, thus he
began againe. The lawes of love are of greater force, then any other
whatsoever, they not only breake the bands of friendship, but even
those also of more divine consequence. How many times hath it bin
noted, the father to affect his own daughter, the brother his
sister, and the stepmother her son in law, matters far more monstrous,
then to see one friend love the wife of another, a case happening
continually? Moreover, I am yong, and youth is wholly subjected to the
passions of Love: is it reasonable then, that those should be bard
from me, which are fitting and pleasing to Love? Honest things, belong
to men of more years and maturity, then I am troubled withall, and I
can covet none, but onely those wherein Love is directer. The beauty
of Sophronia is worthy of generall love, and if I that am a yongman do
love her, what man living can justly reprove me for it? Shold not I
love her, because she is affianced to Gisippus? That is no matter to
me, I ought to love her, because she is a woman, and women were
created for no other occasion, but to bee Loved. Fortune had sinned in
this case, and not I, in directing my frends affection to her,
rather then any other; and if she ought to be loved, as her
perfections do challenge, Gisippus understanding that I affect her,
may be the better contented that it is I, rather then any other.
With these, and the like crosse entercourses, he often mockt
himselfe, falling into the contrary, and then to this againe, and from
the contrary, into another kind of alteration, wasting and consuming
