one of the States chiefest Lords, to whom he saide. Sir, a man ought
to bestow his best paines and diligence, that the truth of things
should be apparantly knowne, especially, such men as hold the place
and office as you doe: to the end, that those persons which have
committed no foule offence, should not bee punished, but onely the
guilty and haynous transgressors. And because it will be no meane
honor to you, to lay the blame where it worthily deserveth, I am
come hither purposely, to informe you in a case of most weighty
importance. It is not unknowne to you, with what rigour the State hath
proceeded against Aldobrandino Palermini, and you think verily he is
the man that hath slaine Theobaldo Elisei, whereupon your Law hath
condemned him to die. I dare assure you Sir, that a very unjust course
hath beene taken in this case, because Aldobrandino is falsly
accused as you your selfe will confesse before midnight, when they are
delivered into your power, that were the murderers of the man.
The honest Knight, who was very sorrowfull for Aldobrandino,
gladly gave attention to the Pilgrime, and having conferred on many
matters, appertaining to the fact committed: the two Brethren who were
Theobaldoes Hostes, and their Chambermaid, upon good advice given,
were apprehended in their first sleep, without any resistance made
in their defence. But when the tortures were sent for, to understand
truly how the case went, they would not endure any paine at all, but
each aside by himselfe, and then altogether confessed openly, that
they did the deede, yet not knowing him to be Theobaldo Elisei. And
when it was demanded of them, upon what occasion they did so foule
an act, they answered, that they were so hatefull against the mans
life, because he would luxuriouslie have abused one of their wives,
when they both were absent from their owne home.
When the Pilgrim had heard their voluntary confession, he tooke
his leave of his Knight, returning secretly to the house of Madam
Hermelina, and there (because all her people were in their beds) she
carefully awaited his returne, to beare some glad tydings of her
father, and to make a further reconciliation betweene her and
Theobaldo, when sitting downe by her, he said: Deare Love, be of
good cheere, for (upon my word) to morrow you shall have your father
home safe, well, and delivered from all further danger: and to
confirme her the more confidently in his words, he declared at large
the whole carriage of the businesse. Hermelina being wondrously
joyfull, for two such succesefull accidents to injoy her husband alive
and in health, and also to have her father freed from so great a
danger; kissed and embraced him most affectionately, welcomming him
lovingly into her bed, whereto so long time hee had beene a stranger.
No sooner did bright day appeare, but Theobaldo arose, having
acquainted her with such matters as were to be done, and once more
earnestly desiring her, to conceale (as yet) these occurrences to
her selfe. So in his Pilgrims habit, he departed from her house, to
awaite convenient: opportunity, for attending on the businesse
belonging to Aldobrandino. At the usuall houre appointed, the Lords
were all set in the Signioria, and had received full information,
concerning the offence imputed to Aldobrandino, setting him at liberty
by publique consent, and sentencing the other malefactors with
death, who (within a few dayes after) were beheaded in place the
murther was committed. Thus Aldobrandino being released, to his
exceeding comfort, and no small joy of his daughter, kindred, and
friends, all knowing perfectly, that this had happened by the Pilgrims
meanes, they conducted him home to Aldobrandinoes house, where they
desired him to continue so long as himselfe pleased, using him with
most honourable and gracious respect, bilt especially Hermelina, who
knew (better then the rest) on whom she bestowed her liberall favours,
yet concealing all closely to her selfe. After two or three dayes were
over-past, in these complementall entercoursings of kindnesse,
Theobaldo began to consider, that it was high time for reconciliation,
to be solemnely past betweene his brethren and Aldobrandino. For, they
were not a little amazed at his strange deliverance, and went likewise
continually armed, as standing in feare of Aldobrandino and his
friends; which made him the more earnest, for accomplishment of the
promise formerly made unto him. Aldobrandino lovingly replied, that he
was ready to make good his word. Whereupon, the Pilgrime provided a
goodly Banquet, whereat he pursued to have present Aldobrandino, his
Daughter, Kindred, and their wives. But first, himselfe went in
person, to invite them in peace to his banquet, using many pregnant
and forcible reasons to them, such as are requisite in the like
discordant cases. In the end, they were so wise and prevailing with
them that they willingly condiscended, and thought it no disparagement
unto them, for the recovery of Aldobrandinoes kindnesse againe, to
crave pardon for their great error committed. On the morrow following,
about dinner time, the foure brethren of Theobaldo, attired in their
mourning garments, with their wives and frends came first to the house
of Aldobrandino, who purposely stayed for them; and having laid
downe their weapons on the ground, in the presence of all such as
Aldobrandino had invited as his witnesses, they offered themselves
to his mercy, and humbly required pardon of him, for the matter
wherein they had offended him. Aldobrandino shedding teares, most
lovingly embraced them, and (to be briefe) pardoned whatsoever
injuries he had received. After this, the sisters and wives, all
clad in mourning, courteously submitted themselves, and were
graciously welcommed by Madame Hermelina, as also divers other
Gentlewomen there present with her. Being all seated at the Tables,
which were furnished with such rarities as could be wished for; al
things else deserved their due commendation, but onely sad silence,
occasioned by the fresh remembrance of sorow, appearing in the habites
of Theobaldoes friends and kindred, which the Pilgrim himselfe plainly
perceived, to be the onely disgrace to him and his feast. Wherefore,
as before he had resolved, when time served to purge away this
melancholly, he arose from the Table, when some (as yet) had scarse
begun to eate, and thus spake.
Gracious company, there is no defect in this Banquet, or more debars
it of the honour it might else have, but onely the presence of
Theobaldo, who having bin continually in your company, it seemes you
are not willing to take knowledge of him, and therefore I meane my
selfe to shew him. So, uncasing himselfe out of his Pilgrimes clothes,
and standing in his Hose and Doublet, to their no little admiration,
they all knew him, yet doubted whether it were he, or no. Which he
perceiving, he repeated his brethrens and absent kindreds names, and
what occurrences hapned betweene them from time to time, beside the
relation of his owne passed fortunes, inciting teares in the eyes of
his brethren, and all else there present, every one hugging and
embracing him, yea, many beside, who were no kin at all to him.
Hermelina onely excepted: which when Aldobrandino saw, he said unto
her; How now Hermelina? Why doest thou not welcome home Theobaldo,
so kindly as the rest have done?
She making a modest courtesie to her Father, and answering so
loude as every one might her, There is not any one in this assembly
that more willingly would give him all expression of a joyfull
welcom home and thankefull gratitude for such especiall favours
received, then in my heart I could affoord to do, but onely in
regard of those infamous speeches noysed out against me, on the day
when we wept for him, who was supposed to be Theobaldo, which
slander was to my great discredit. Go on boldly, replied Aldobrandino,
doest thou think that I regard any such praters? In the procuring of
my deliverance, he hath approved them to be manifest lyars, albeit I
my selfe did never credit them. Go then I command thee, and- let me
see thee both kisse and embrace him. She who desired nothing more,
shewed her selfe not sloth full in obeying her father to do but her
duty to her husband. Wherefore being risen, as all the rest had
done, but yet in farre more effectuall manner, she declared her
unfained love to Theobaldo. These bountifull favours of
Aldobrandino, were joyfully accepted by Theobaldoes brethren, as
also to every one there present; so that all former rancour and hatred
which had caused heavie variances betweene them, was now converted
to mutuall kindnesse and solemne friendship on every side.
When the feasting dayes were finished, the garments of sad
mourning were quite laid aside, and those (becomming so generall a
joy) put on, to make their hearts and habites suteable. Now,
concerning the man slaine, and supposed to be Theobaldo, hee was
one, that in all parts of body, and truenesse of complexion so neerely
resembled him, as Theobaldoes owne brethren could not distinguish
the one from the other: but hee was of Lunigiana, named Fatinolo,
and not Theobaldo, whom the two Brethren Inne-keepers maliced, about
some idle suspition conceived, and having slaine him, layde his body
at the doore of Aldobrandino, where by reason of Theobaldoes
absence, it was generally reputed to be hee, and Aldobrandino
charged to doe the deede, by vehement perswasion of the brethren,
knowing what love had passed betweene him and his daughter
Hermelina. But happy was the Pilgrims returne, first to heare those
words in the Inne, the meanes to bring the murther to light, and
then the discreet carriage of the Pilgrime, untill he plainly approved
himselfe, to bee truely Theobaldo.
THE THIRD DAY, THE EIGHT NOVELL
WHEREIN IS DISPLAYED, THE APPARANT FOLLY OF JEALOUSIE: AND THE
SUBTILITY OF SOME RELIGIOUS CARNALL MINDED MEN, TO
BEGUILE SILLY AND SIMPLE MARIED MEN
Ferando, by drinking a certaine kinde of powder, was buried dead.
And by the Abbot, who was enamored of his Wife, was taken out of his
Grave, and put into a darke prison, where they made him beleeve,
that hee was in Purgatorie. Afterward, when time came that hee
should be, raised to life againe; he was made to keepe a childe
which the Abbot had got by his Wife.
When the long discourse of Madame Emilia was ended, not
displeasing to any, in regard of the length, but rather held too
short, because no exceptions could bee taken against it, comparing the
raritie of the accidents, and changes together: the Queene turned to
Madame Lauretto, giving her such a manifest signe, as she knew, that
it was her turne to follow next, and therefore shee tooke occasion
to begin thus. Faire Ladies, I intend to tell you a Tale of trueth,
which (perhaps) in your opinions, will seeme to sound like a lye:
and yet I heard by the very last relation, that a dead man was wept
and mournd for, in sted of another being then alive. In which respect,
I am now to let you know, how a living man was buried for dead, and
being raised againe, yet not as living, himselfe, and divers more
beside, did beleeve that he came forth of his grave, and adored him as
a Saint, who was the occasion thereof, and who (as a bad man.)
deserved justly to be condemned.
In Tuscanie there was sometime an Abbey, seated, as now we see
commonly they are, in a place not much frequented with people, and
thereof a Monke was Abbot, very holy and curious in all things else,
save onely a wanton appetite to women: which yet he kept so cleanly to
himselfe, that though some did suspect it, yet it was knowne to very
few. It came to passe, that a rich Country Franklin, named Ferando,
dwelt as neere neighbour to the said Abby, he being a man materiall,
of simple and grosse understanding, yet he fell into great familiarity
with the Abbot; who made use of this friendly conversation to no other
end, but for divers times of recreation; when he delighted to smile at
his silly and sottish behaviour.
Upon this his private frequentation with the Abbot, at last he
observed, that Ferando had a very beautifull woman to his Wife, with
whom he grew so deeply in love, as he had no other meditations
either by day or night, but how to become acceptable in her favour.
Neverthelesse, he concealed his amorous passions privately to
himselfe, and could plainely perceive, that although Ferando (in all
things else) was meerely a simple fellow, and more like an Idiot, then
of any sensible apprehension: yet was he wise enough in loving his
Wife, keeping her carfully out of all company, as one (indeede) very
jealous, least any should kisse her, but onely himselfe, which drove
the Abbot into despaire, for ever attaining the issue of his desire.
Yet being subtill, crafty, and cautelous, he wrought so on the
flexible nature of Ferando, that hee brought his wife with him
divers dayes to the Monasterie; where they walked in the goodly
Garden, discoursing on the beatitudes of eternall life, as also the
most holy deedes of men and women, long since departed out of this
life, in mervailous civill and modest manner. Yet all these were but
traines to a further intention, for the Abbot must needes be her
ghostly Father, and she come to be confessed by him; which the foole
Ferando tooke as an especiall favour, and therefore he gave his
consent the sooner.
At the appointed time, when the woman came to confession to the
Abbot, and was on her knees before him, to his no small contentment,
before she would say any thing else, thus she began: Sacred Father, if
God had not given me such an husband as I have, or else had bestowed
on me none at all; I might have beene so happy, by the meanes of
your holy doctrine, very easily to have entred into the way, whereof
you spake the other day, which leadeth to eternall life. But when I
consider with my selfe, what manner of man Ferando is, and thinke upon
his folly withall; I may well terme my selfe to be a widow, although I
am a maried wife, because while he liveth, I cannot have any other
