Good wines and comfortable broathes shee cherished him withall, that
his sences being indifferently restored, hee knew the place where
hee was; but not in what manner he was brought thither, till the
good woman shewed him the Cofer that had kept him floating upon the
waves, and (next under God) had saved his life. The Chest seemed of
such slender weight, that nothing of any value could be expected in
it, either to recompence the womans great paines and kindnesse
bestowne on him, or any matter of his owne benefit. Neverthelesse, the
woman being absent, he opened the Chest, and found innumerable
precious stones therein, some costly and curiously set in Gold, and
others not fixed in any mettall. Having knowledge of their great worth
and value (being a Merchant, and skil'd in such matters) he became
much comforted, praysing God for this good successe, and such an
admirable meanes of deliverance from danger.
Then considering with himselfe, that (in a short time) hee had beene
twice well buffeted and beaten by Fortune, and fearing, least a
third mishap might follow in like manner, hee consulted with his
thoughts, how he might safest order the businesse, and bring so rich a
booty (without perill) to his owne home. Wherefore, wrapping up the
jewels in very unsightly coloures, that no suspition at all should
be conceived of them, hee saide to the good woman, that the Chest
would not doe him any further service; but if shee pleased to lende
him a small sacke or bagge, shee might keepe the Cofer, for in her
house it would divers way stead her. The woman gladly did as he
desired, and Landolpho returning her infinite thankes, for the
loving kindnesse shee had affoorded him, throwing the sacke on his
necke, passed by a Barke to Brundusiam, and from thence to Tranium,
where Merchants in the City bestowed good garments on him, he
acquainting them with his disasterous fortunes, but not a word
concerning his last good successe.
Being come home in safety to Ravello, he fell on his knees, and
thanked God for all his mercies towards him. Then opening the sacke,
and viewing the jewels at more leysure then formerly he had done, he
found them to be of so great estimation, that selling them but at
ordinary and reasonable rates, he was three times richer, then when
hee departed first from his house. And having vented them all, he sent
a great summe of money to the good woman at Corfu, that had rescued
him out of the Sea, and saved his life in a danger so dreadfull. The
like he did to Tranium, to the Merchants that had newly cloathed
him; living richly upon the remainder, and never adventuring more to
the Sea, but ended his dayes in wealth and honour.
THE SECOND DAY, THE FIFT NOVELL
COMPREHENDING, HOW NEEDFULL A THING IT IS, FOR A MAN THAT
TRAVELLETH IN AFFAIRES OF THE WORLD, TO BE PROVIDENT AND
WELL ADVISED, AND CAREFULLY TO KEEPE HIMSELFE FROM THE
CRAFTY AND DECEITFULL ALLUREMENTS OF STRUMPETS
Andrea de Piero, travelling from Perouse to Naples to buy Horses,
was (in the space of one night) surprised by three admirable
accidents, out of all which he fortunately escaped, and with a rich
Ring, returned home to his owne house.
The precious Stones and jewels found by Landolpho, maketh mee to
remember (said Madam Fiammetta, who was next to deliver her discourse)
a Tale, containing no lesse perils, then that reported by Madam
Lauretta: but somewhat different from it, because the one happened
in sundry yeeres, and this other had no longer time, then the compasse
of one poore night, as instantly I will relate unto you.
As I have heard reported by many, there sometime lived in Perouse or
Perugia, a young man, named Andrea de Piero, whose profession was to
trade about Horses, in the nature of a Horse-courser, or
Horsemaster, who hearing of a good Faire or Market (for his purpose)
at Naples, did put five hundred Crownes of gold in his purse, and
journeyed thither in the company of other Horse-coursers, arriving
there on a Sunday in the evening. According to instructions given
him by his Host, he went the next day into the Horse-market, where
he saw very many Horses that he liked, cheapening their prices as he
went up and downe, but could fall to no agreement; yet to manifest
that he came purposely to buy, and not as a cheapener onely,
oftentimes (like a shallow-brainde trader in the world) he shewed
his purse of gold before all passengers, never respecting who, or what
they were that observed his follie.
It came to passe, that a young Sicillian wench (very beautifull, but
at commaund of whosoever would, and for small hire) pass then by,
and (without his percieving) seeing such store of gold in his purse;
presently she said to her selfe: why should not all those crownes be
mine, when the foole that owes them, can keepe them no closer? And
so she went on. With this young wanton there was (at the same time) an
olde woman (as commonly such stuffe is alwayes so attended) seeming to
be a Sicillian also, who so soone as shee saw Andrea, knew him, and
leaving her youthfull commodity, ranne to him, and embraced him very
kindly. Which when the younger Lasse perceived, without proceeding any
further, she stayed to see what would ensue thereon. Andrea conferring
with the olde Bawde, and knowing her (but not for any such creature)
declared himselfe very affable to her; she making him promise, that
shee would come and drinke with him at his lodging. So breaking off
further speeches for that time, shee returned to her young
Cammerado; and Andrea went about buying his horses, still cheapning
good store, but did not buy any all that morning.
The Punke that had taken notice of Andreas purse, upon the olde
womans comming backe to her (having formerly studied, how shee might
get all the gold, or the greater part thereof) cunningly questioned
with her, what the man was, whence hee came, and the occasion of his
businesse there? wherein she fully informed her particularly, and in
as ample manner as himselfe could have done: That shee had long time
dwelt in Sicily with his Father, and afterward at Perouse;
recounting also, at what time she came thence, and the cause which now
had drawne him to Naples. The witty young housewife, being thorowly
instructed, concerning the Parents and kindred of Andrea, their names,
quality, and all other circumstances thereto leading; began to frame
the foundation of her purpose thereupon, setting her resolution
downe constantly, that the purse and gold was (already) more than
halfe her owne.
Being come home to her owne house, away shee sent the olde Pandresse
about other businesse, which might hold her time long enough of
employment, and hinder her returning to Andrea according to promise,
purposing, not to trust her in this serious piece of service.
Calling a young crafty Girle to her, whom she had well tutoured in the
like ambassages, when evening drew on, she sent her to Andreas
lodging, where (by good fortune) she found him sitting alone at the
doore, and demanding of him, if he knew an honest Gentleman lodging
there, whose name was Signior Andrea de Piero; he made her answere,
that himselfe was the man. Then taking him aside, she said. Sir, there
is a worthy Gentlewoman of this Citie, that would gladly speake with
you, if you pleased to vouchsafe her so much favour.
Andrea, hearing such a kinde of salutation, and from a
Gentlewoman, named of worth; began to grow proud in his owne
imaginations, and to make no meane estimation of himselfe: As
(undoubtedly) that he was an hansome proper man, and of such cariage
and perfections, as had attracted the amorous eye of this Gentlewoman,
and induced her to like and love him beyond all other, Naples not
containing a man of better merit. Whereupon he answered the Mayde,
that he was ready to attend her Mistresse, desiring to know, when it
should be, and where the Gentlewoman would speake with him? So soone
as you please Sir, replied the Damosell, for she tarrieth your comming
in her owne house.
Instantly Andrea (without leaving any direction of his departure
in his lodging, or when he intended to returne againe) said to the
Girle: Goe before, and I will follow. This little Chamber-commodity,
conducted him to her Mistresses dwelling, which was in a streete named
Malpertuis, a title manifesting sufficiently the streetes honesty: but
hee, having no such knowledge thereof, neither suspecting any harme at
all, but that he went to a most honest house, and to a Gentlewoman
of good respect; entred boldly: the Mayde going in before, and guiding
him up a faire payre of stayres, which he having more then halfe
ascended, the cunning young Queane gave a call to her Mistresse,
saying; Signior Andrea is come already, whereupon, she appeared at the
stayres-head, as if she had stayed there purposely to entertaine
him. She was young, very beautifull, comely of person, and rich in
adornements, which Andrea well observing, and seeing her descend two
or three steps, with open armes to embrace him, catching fast hold
about his neck; he stood as a man confounded with admiration, and
she contained a cunning kinde of silence, even as if she were unable
to utter one word, seeming hindered by extremity of joy at his
presence, and to make him effectually admire her extraordinary
kindnesse, having teares plenteously at commaund, intermixed with
sighes and broken speeches, at last, thus she spake.
Signior Andrea, you are the most welcome friend to me in the
world; sealing this salutation with infinite sweet kisses and
embraces: whereat (in wonderfull amazement) he being strangely
transported, replied; Madame, you honour me beyond all compasse of
merit. Then, taking him by the hand, shee guided him thorough a goodly
Hall, into her owne Chamber, which was delicately embalmed with Roses,
Orenge flowers, and all other pleasing smelles, and a costly bed in
the middest, curtained round about, verie artificiall Pictures
beautifying the walles, with many other embellishments, such as
those Countries are liberally stored withall. He being meerely a
novice in these kinds of wanton carriages of the World, and free
from any base or degenerate conceite; firmely perswaded himselfe, that
(questionlesse) she was a Lady of no meane esteeme, and he more then
happy, to be thus respected and honored by her. They both being seated
on a curious Chest at the beds feete, teares cunningly trickling downe
her Cheekes, and sighes intermedled with inward sobbings, breathed
foorth in sad, but verie seemely manner, thus shee beganne.
I am sure Andrea, that you greatly marvell at me, in gracing you
with this solemne and kinde entertainment, and why I should so melt my
selfe in sighes and teares, at a man that hath no knowledge of mee, or
perhaps, sildome or never heard any speeches of mee: but you shall
instantly receive from mee matter to augment your greater marvaile,
meeting heere with your owne Sister, beyond all hope or expectation in
eyther of us both. But seeing that Heaven hath beene so gracious to
me, to let mee see one of my Brethren before I dye (though gladly I
would have seene them all) which is some addition of comfort to me,
and that which (happily) thou hast never heard before, in plaine and
truest manner, I will reveale unto thee.
Piero, my Father and thine, dwelt long time (as thou canst not
choose but to have understood) in Palermo; where, through the
bounty, and other gracious good parts remaining in him, he was much
renowned, and to this day, is no doubt remembred, by many of his
loving Friends and Wellwillers. Among them that most intimately
affected Piero, my mother (who was Gentlewoman, and at that time a
widow) did deerest of all other love him; so that: forgetting the
feare of her Father, Brethren, yea, and her owne honour, they became
so privately acquainted, that I was begotten, and am heere now such as
thou seest me. Afterward, occasions so befalling our Father, to
abandon Palermo, and returne to Perouse, he left my mother and me
his little daughter, never after (for ought that I could learne)
once remembring either her or me: so that (if he had not beene my
Father) I could have much condemned him, in regard of his
ingratitude to my mother, and love which hee ought to have shewne me
as his childe, being borne of no Chamber-maide, neyther of a Citty
sinner; albeit I must needes say, that she was blame-worthy, without
any further knowledge of him (rioved onely thereto by most loyal
affection) to commit both her selfe, and all the wealth shee had, into
his hands: but things ill done, and so long time since, are more
easily controulled, then amended.
Being left so young at Palermo, and growing (well neere) to the
stature as now you see me; my Mother (being wealthy) gave me in
marriage to one of the Gergentes Family, a Gentleman, and of great
revennues, who in his love to me and my mother, went and dwelt at
Palermo: where falling into the Guelphes Faction, and making one in
the enterprize with Charles our King; it came to passe, that they were
discovered to Fredericke King of Arragon, before their intent could be
put in execution: Whereupon, we were enforced to flye from Sicily,
even when my hope stoode fairely, to have beene the greatest Lady in
all the Island. Packing up then such few things as wee could take with
us, (few I may well call them, in regard of our wealthy possessions,
both in Pallaces, Houses, and Lands, all which we were constrained
to forgo:) we made our recourse to this Citty, where we found King
Charles so benigne and gracious to us, that recompencing the greater
part of our losses, he bestowed Lands and houses on us here, beside
a continuall large pension to my husband your brother in Law, as
heereafter himselfe shall better acquaint you withal. Thus came I
hither, and thus remaine here, where I am able to welcome my brother
Andrea, thankes more to Fortune, then any friendlinesse in him. With
which words she embraced and kissed him many times, sighing and
weeping as she did before.
Andrea hearing this Fable so artificially delivered, composed from
