Sister Fulvia in marriage to Gisippus, when he saw him reduced to such
extreame poverty, disgrace and misery, but onely infinite Amity? To
what end doe men care then, to covet and procure great multitudes of
kinred, store of brethren, numbers of children, and to encrease
(with their owne monyes) plenty of servants: when by the least losse
and dammage happening, they forget all duty to Father, Brother, or
Master? Amity and true friendship is of a quite contrary nature,
satisfying (in that sacred bond) the obligation due to all degrees,
both of parentage, and all alliences else.
THE TENTH DAY, THE NINTH NOVELL
DECLARING WHAT AN HONOURABLE VERTUE COURTESIE IS, IN THEM
THAT TRUELY KNOW HOW TO USE THEM
Saladine, the great Soldan of Babylon, in the habite of a
Merchant, was honourably received and welcommed, into the house of
Signior Thorello d'Istria. Who travelling to the Holy Land, prefixed a
certaine time to his Wife, for his returne back to her againe,
wherein, if he failed, it was lawfull for her to take another Husband.
By clouding himselfe in the disguise of a Faulkner, the Soldan tooke
notice of him, and did him many great honours. Afterward, Thorello
falling sicke, by Magicall Art, he was conveighed in one night to
Pavia, when his Wife was to be married on the morrow: where making
himselfe knowne to her, all was disappointed, and shee went home
with him to his owne house.
Adam Philomena having concluded her discourse, and the rare
acknowledgement, which Titus made of his esteemed friend Gisippus,
extolled justly as it deserved by all the Company: the King, reserving
the last office to Dioneus (as it was at the first granted him)
began to speake thus. Without all question to the contrary (worthy
Ladies) nothing can be more truely said, then what Madame Philomena,
hath delivered, concerning Amity, and her complaint in the
conclusion of her Novell, is not without great reason, to see it so
slenderly reverenced and respected (now a dayes) among all men. But if
we had met here in duty onely for correcting the abuses of iniquity,
and the malevolent courses of this preposterous age; I could proceed
further in this just cause of complaint. But because our end aimeth at
matters of other nature, it commeth to my memory to tel you of a
History, which (perhaps) may seeme somewhat long, but altogether
pleasant, concerning a magnificent act of great Saladine: to the
end, that by observing those things which you shall heare in my
Novell, if we cannot (by reason of our manifold imperfections)
intirely compasse the amity of any one; yet (at least) we may take
delight, in stretching our kindnesse (in good deeds) so farre as we
are able, in hope one day after, some worthy reward will ensue
thereon, as thereto justly appertaining.
Let me tell you then, that (as it is afermed by many) in the time of
the Emperour Frederick, first of that name, the Christians, for the
better recovery of the holy land, resolved to make a generall voyage
over the Seas. Which being understood by Saladine, a very worthy
Prince, and then Soldan of Babylon: he concluded with himselfe, that
he would (in person) goe see, what preparation the Christian
Potentates made for this Warre, that hee might the better provide
for himselfe. Having setled all things orderly in Aegypt for the
busines, and making an outward appearance, as if he purposed a
pilgrimage to Mecha: he set onward on his journey, habited like a
Merchant, attended onely with two of his most Noble and wisest
Baschaes, and three waiting servants.
When he had visited many Christian Provinces, and was riding
thorow Lombardle, to passe the mountaines; it fortuned, in his
journeying from Millaine to Pavia, and the day being very farre spent,
so that night hastened speedily on him: he met with a Gentleman, named
Signior Thorella d'Istria, but dwelling at Pavia, who with his men,
Hawkes and Hounds, went to a house of his, seated in a singular place,
and on the River of Ticinum. Signior Thorello seeing such men making
towardes him, presently imagined, that they were some
Gentle-strangers, and such hee desired to respect with honor.
Wherefore, Saladine demanding of one of Thorelloes men, how farre
(as then) it was to Pavia, and whether they might reach thither by
such an houre, as would admit their entrance into the Citty:
Thorello would not suffer his servant to returne the answer, but
replyed thus himselfe. Sir (quoth he) you cannot reach Pavia, but
night will abridge you of any entraunce there. I beseech you then Sir,
answered Saladine, favour us so much (because we are all strangers
in these parts) as to tell us where we may be well lodged. That shal I
Sir, said Thorello, and very gladly too.
Even at the instant Sir, as we met with you, I had determined in
my mind, to send one of my servants somewhat neere to Pavia, about a
businesse concerning my selfe: he shall go along with you, and conduct
you to a place, where you will be very well entertayned. So,
stepping to him, who was of best discretion amongst his men, he gave
order to him what should bee done, and sent him with them. Himselfe,
making hast by a farre neerer way, caused Supper to be prepared in
worthy manner, and the Tables to be covered in his Garden; and all
things being in good readinesse, he sate downe at his doore, to attend
the comming of his guests. The Servingman, discoursing with the
Gentlemen on divers occasions, guided them by such unusuall
passages, as (before they could discerne it) he brought them to his
Masters house; where so soone as Thorello saw them arrived, he went
forth to meet them, assuring them all of most hearty welcome.
Saladine, who was a man of accute understanding, did well
perceive, that this Knight Thorello misdoubted his going with him,
if (when he met him) hee should have invited him; and therefore,
because he would not be denied, of entertaining him into his house; he
made choise of this kinde and honourable course, which caused him to
returne this answer. Gentle Sir, if courtesie in one man to another,
do deserve condemning, then may we justly complaine of you, who
meeting us upon the way, which you have shortened by your kindnesse,
and which we are no way able to deserve, wee are constrained to
accept, taking you to bee the mirrour of courtesie. Thorello being a
Knight of ingenious apprehension, and wel languaged, replyed thus.
Gentlemen; this courtesie (seeing you terme it so) which you receive
of me, in regard of that justly belonging to you, as your faces do
sufficiently informe mee, is matter of very slender account. But
assuredly out of Pavia, you could not have any lodging, deserving to
be termed good. And therefore let it not bee displeasing to you, if
you have a little gone forth of the common rode way, to have your
entertainment somewhat bettered, as many travaylers are easily induced
to do.
Having thus spoken, all the people of the house shewed themselves,
in serviceable manner to the Gentlemen, taking their horses as they
dismounted, and Thorello himselfe, conducted the three Gentlemen, into
three severall faire Chambers, which in costly maner were prepared for
them, where their boots were pluckt off, faire Napkins with Manchets
lay ready, and delicate Wines to refresh their wearied spirits, much
prety conference being entercoursed, til Supper time invited them
thence.
Saladine, and they that were with him, spake the Latine tongue
very readily, by which meanes they were the better understoode; and
Thorello seemed (in their judgement) to bee the most gracious,
compleate, and best spoken Gentleman, as ever they met with in all
their journey. It appeared also (on the other side) to Signiour
Thorello, that his guests were men of great merit, and worthy of
much more esteeme, then there he could use towards them: wherefore, it
did highly distast him, that he had no more friends there this night
to keepe them company, or himselfe better provided for their
entertainment, which hee intended (on the morrow) to recompence with
larger amends at dinner.
Heereupon, having instructed one of his men with what hee
intended, he sent him to Pavia, which was not farre off (and where
he kept no doore shut) to his Wife, named Madam Adialetta; a Woman
singularly wise, and of a Noble spirit, needing little or no
direction, especially when she knew her husbands minde. As they were
walking in the Garden, Thorello desired to understand, of whence,
and what they were? Whereto Saladine thus answered. Sir, wee are
Cyprian Marchants, comming now from Cyprus, and are travalling to
Paris, about affaires of importance. Now trust me Syr, replyed
Thorello, I could heartily wish, that this Countrey of ours would
yeeld such Gentlemen, as your Cyprus affordeth Marchants. So,
falling from one discourse unto another, Supper was served in; and
looke howe best themselves pleased, so they sate at the Table, where
(we need make no doubt) they were respected in honourable order.
So soone as the Tables were withdrawne, Thorello knowing they
might be weary, brought them againe to their Chambers, where
committing them to their good rest, himselfe went to bed soone
after. The Servant sent to Pavia, delivered the message to his Lady;
who, not like a woman of ordinary disposition, but rather truely
Royall, sent Thorelloes servants into the City, to make preparation
for a Feast indeed, and with lighted Torches (because it was
somewhat late) they invited the very greatest and noblest persons of
the Citie, all the roomes being hanged with the richest Arras, Clothes
and Golde worke, Velvets, Silkes, and all other rich adornments, in
such manner as her husband had commanded, and answerable to her owne
worthy mind, being no way to learne, in what manner to entertaine
strangers.
On the morrow morning, the Gentlemen arose, and mounting on
horsebacke with Signior Thorello, he called for his Hawkes and Hounds,
brought them to the River, where he shewed two or three faire flights:
but Saladine desiring to know, which was the fayrest Hostery in all
Pavia, Thorello answered. Gentlemen, I wil shew you that my selfe,
in regard I have occasion to ride thither. Which they beleeving,
were the better contented, and rode on directly unto Pavia; arriving
there about nine of the clocke, and thinking he guided them to the
best Inne, he brought them to his owne house; where, above fifty of
the worthiest Citizens, stood ready to welcome the Gentlemen,
imbracing them as they lighted from their Horsses. Which Saladine, and
his associates perceiving, they guessed as it was indeede, and
Saladine sayd. Beleeve me worthy Thorello, this is not answerable to
my demand; you did too much yester night, and much more then we
could desire or deserve: Wherefore, you might wel be the sooner
discharged of us, and let us travaile on our journey.
Noble Gentlemen, replyed Thorello (for in mine eye you seeme no
lesse) that courtesie which you met with yester-night, I am to
thanke Fortune for, more then you, because you were then straited by
such necessity, as urged your acceptance of my poore Country house.
But now this morning, I shall account my selfe much beholding to you
(as the like will all these worthy Gentlemen here about you) if you do
but answer kindnes with kindnes, and not refuse to take a homely
dinner with them.
Saladine and his friends, being conquerd with such potent
perswasions, and already dismounted from their horses, saw that all
deniall was meerly in vaine: and therefore thankfully condiscending
(after some few ceremonious complements were over-past) the
Gentlemen conducted them to their Chambers, which were most
sumptuously prepared for them, and having laid aside their riding
garments, being a little re reshed with Cakes and choice Wines; they
descended into the dining Hall, the pompe whereof I am not able to
report.
When they had washed, and were seated at the Tables, dinner was
served in most magnificent sort; so that if the Emperor himself had
bin there, he could not have bin more sumptuously served. And although
Saladine and his Baschaes were very Noble Lords, and wonted to see
matters of admiration: yet could they do no lesse now, but rather
exceeded in marvaile, considering the qualitie of the Knight, whom
they knew to bee a Citizen, and no Prince or great Lord. Dinner
being ended, and divers familiar conferences passing amongst them:
because it was exceeding hot, the Gentlemen of Pavia (as it pleased
Thorello to appoint) went to repose themselves awhile, and he
keeping company with his three guests, brought them into a goodly
Chamber, where, because he would not faile in the least scruple of
courtesie, or conceale from them the richest jewell which he had; he
sent for his Lady and wife, because (as yet) they had not seene her.
She was a Lady of extraordinary beauty, tall stature, very
sumptuously attired, and having two sweet Sonnes (resembling Angels)
she came with them waiting before her, and graciously saluted her
guests.
At her comming, they arose, and having received hir with great
reverence, they seated her in the midst, kindly cherishing the two
Children. After some gracious Language past on eyther side, she
demanded of whence, and what they were, which they answered in the
same kind as they had done before to her husband. Afterward, with a
modest smiling countenance, she sayd. Worthy Gentlemen, let not my
weake Womanish discretion appeare distastable, in desiring to crave
one especiall favour from you, namely, not to refuse or disdaine a
small gift, wherewith I purpose to present you. But considering first,
that women (according to their simple faculty) are able to bestow
but silly gifts: so you would be pleased, to respect more the person
that is the giver, then the quality or quantity of the gift.
Then causing to be brought (for each of them) two goodly gowns or
Robes (made after the Persian manner) the one lyned thorough with
cloth of Gold, and the other with the costlyest Fur; not after such
fashion as Citizens or Marchants use to weare, but rather beseeming
