any deliverance. But in the meane time, while Pasimondo was ordering
his nuptiall preparation, Fortune seeming to repent the wrongs she had
done to Chynon, prepared a new accident, whereby to comfort him in
this deepe distresse, and in such manner as I will relate unto you.
Pasimondo had a Brother, yonger then he in yeeres, but not a jot
inferiour to him in vertue, whose name was Hormisda, and long time the
case had bene in question, for his taking to wife a faire young
Gentlewoman of Rhodes, called Cassandra; whom Lysimachus the Governour
loved very dearly, and hindred her marriage with Hormisda, by divers
strange accidents. Now Pasimondo perceiving, that his owne Nuptials
required much cost and solemnity, hee thought it very convenient, that
one day might serve for both their Weddings, which else would lanch
into more lavish expences, and therefore concluded, that his brother
Hormisda should marry Cassandra, at the same time as he wedded
Iphigenia. Hereupon, he consulted with the Gentlewomans parents, who
liking the motion as well as he, the determination was set downe,
and one day to effect the duties of both.
When this came to the hearing of Lysimachus, it was very greatly
displeasing to him, because now he saw himselfe utterly deprived of al
hope to attaine the issue of his desire, if Hormisda received
Cassandra in marriage. Yet being a very wise and worthy man, he
dissembled his distaste, and began to consider on some apt meanes,
whereby to disappoint the marriage once more, which he found
impossible to be done, except it were by way of rape or stealth. And
that did not appeare to him any difficult matter, in regard of his
Office and Authority: onely it would seeme dishonest in him, by giving
such an unfitting example. Neverthelesse, after long deliberation,
honour gave way to love, and resolutely he concluded to steale her
away, whatsoever became of it.
Nothing wanted now, but a convenient company to assist him, and
the order how to have it done. Then he remembred Chynon and his
friends, whom he detained as his prisoners, and perswaded himselfe,
that he could not have a more faithfull friend in such a busines, then
Chynon was. Hereupon, the night following, he sent for him into his
Chamber, and being alone by themselves, thus he began. Chynon (quoth
he) as the Gods are very bountifull, in bestowing their blessings on
men, so do they therein most wisely make proofe of their vertues,
and such as they finde firme and constant, in all occurrences which
may happen, then they make worthy (as valiant spirits) of t very
best and highest merites. Now, they being willing to have more certain
experience of thy vertues, then those which heretofore thou hast
shewne, within the bounds and limits of thy fathers possessions, which
I know to be superabounding: perhaps do intend to present thee other
occasions, of more important weight and consequence.
For first of all (as I have heard) by the piercing solicitudes of
love, of a senselesse creature, that made thee to become a man
endued with reason. Afterward, by adverse fortune, and now againe by
wearisome imprisonment, it seemeth that they are desirous to make
tryall, whether thy manly courage be changed, or no, from that which
heretofore it was, when thou enjoyedst a matchlesse beauty, and lost
her againe in so short a while. Wherefore, if thy vertue be such as it
hath bin, the Gods can never give thee any blessing more worthy
acceptance, then she whom they are now minded to bestow on thee: in
which respect, to the end that thou mayst re-assume thy wanted
heroicke spirit, and become more couragious than ever heretofore, I
will acquaint thee withall more at large.
Understand then Noble Chynon, that Pasimondo, the onely glad man
of thy misfortune, and diligent sutor after thy death, maketh all hast
hee can possibly devise to do, to celebrate his marriage with thy
faire Mistresse: because he would plead possession of the prey,
which Fortune (when she smiled) did first bestow, and (afterward
frowning) tooke from thee againe. Now, that it must needs be very
irkesome to thee (at least if thy love bee such, as I am perswaded
it is) I partly can collect from my selfe, being intended to be
wronged by his brother Hormisda, even in the selfesame maner, and on
his marriage day, by taking faire Cassandra from me, the onely
Jewell of my love and life. For the prevention of two such notorious
injuries, I see that Fortune hath left us no other meanes, but onely
the vertue of our courages, and the helpe of our right hands, by
preparing our selves to Armes, opening a way to thee, by a second rape
or stealth; and to me the first, for absolute possession of our divine
Mistresses. Wherefore, if thou art desirous to recover thy losse, I
will not onely pronounce liberty to thee (which I thinke thou dost
little care for without her) but dare also assure thee to enjoy
Iphigenia, so thou wilt assist me in mine enterprize, and follow me in
my fortune, if the Gods do let them fall into our power.
You may well imagine, that Chynons dismayed soule was not a little
cheared at these speeches; and therefore, without craving any long
respit of time for answer, thus he replyed. Lord Lysimachus, in such a
busines as this is, you cannot have a faster friend then my selfe,
at least, if such good hap may betide me, as you have more then
halfe promised: and therefore do no more but command what you would
have to be effected by mee, and make no doubt of my courage in the
execution: whereon Lysimachus made this answer. Know then Chynon
(quoth he) that three dayes hence, these marriages are to bee
celebrated in the houses of Pasimondo and Hormisda: upon which day,
thou, thy friends, and my selfe (with some others, in whom I repose
especiall trust) by the friendly favour of night, will enter into
their houses, while they are in the middest of their joviall feasting;
and (seizing on the two Brides) beare them thence to a Shippe, which I
will have lye in secret, waiting for our comming, and kill all such as
shall presume to impeach us. This direction gave great contentment
to Chynon, who remained still in prison, without revealing a word to
his owne friends, untill the limited time was come.
Upon day, performed with great and magnificent Triumph, there was
not a corner in the Brethrens houses, but it sung joy in the highest
key. Lysimachus, after he had ordred all things as they ought to be,
and the houre for dispat approached neere; hee made a division in
three parts, of Chynon, his followers, and his owne friends, being all
well armed under their outward habites. Having first used some
encouraging speeches, for more resolute prosecution of the enterprize,
hee sent troope secretly to the Port, that they might not bee
hindred of going aboord the ship, when the urgent necessity should
require it. Passing with the other two traines of Pasimondo, he left
the one at the doore, that such as were in the house, might not shut
them up fast, and so impeach their passage forth. Then with Chynon,
and the third band of Confederates, he ascended the staires up into
the Hall, where he found the Brides with store of Ladies and
Gentlewomen, all sitting in comely order at Supper. Rushing in roughly
among the attendants, downe they threw the Tables, and each of them
laying hold of his Mistris, delivered them into the hands of their
followers, commanding that they should bee carried aboord the ship,
for avoiding of further inconveniences.
This hurrie and amazement being in the house, the Brides weeping,
the Ladies lamenting, and all the servants confusedly wondering;
Chynon and Lysimachus (with their Friends) having their weapons
drawn in their hands, made all opposers to give them way, and so
gayned the stair head for their owne descending. There stood
Pasimonda, with an huge long Staffe in his hand, to hinder their
passage downe the stayres; but Chynon saluted him so soundly on the
head, that it being cleft in twaine, he fell dead before his feete.
His Brother Hormisda came to his rescue, and sped in the selfe-same
manner as he had done; so did divers other beside, whom the companions
to Lysimachus and Chynon, either slew out-right, or wounded.
So they left the house, filled with blood, teares, and outcries,
going on together, without any hinderance, and so brought both the
Brides aboord the ship, which they rowed away instantly with their
Oares. For, now the shore was full of armed people, who came in rescue
of the stolne Ladies: but all in vaine, because they were lanched into
the main, and sayled on merrily towards Candye. Where being arrived,
they were worthily entertained by honourable Friends and Kinsmen,
who pacified all unkindnesses betweene them and their Mistresses: And,
having accepted them in lawfull marriage, there they lived in no meane
joy and contentment: albeit there was a long and troublesome
difference (about these rapes) betweene Rhodes and Cyprus.
But yet in the end, by the meanes of Noble Friends and Kindred on
either side, labouring to have such discontentment appeased,
endangering warre betweene the Kingdomes: after a limited time of
banishment, Chynon returned joyfully with his Iphigenia home to
Cyprus, and Lysimachus with his beloved Cassandra unto Rhodes, each
living in their severall Countries, with much felicity.
THE FIFT DAY, THE SECOND NOVELL
WHEREIN IS DECLARED, THE FIRME LOYALTIE OF A TRUE LOVER: AND HOW
FORTUNE DOTH SOMETIME HUMBLE MEN, TO RAISE THEM
AFTERWARD TO A FARRE HIGHER DEGREE
Faire Constance of Liparis, fell in love with Martuccio Gomito:
and hearing that he was dead, desperately she entred into a Barke,
which being transported by the windes to Susa in Barbary, from
thence she went to Thunis, where she found him to be living. There she
made her selfe knowne to him, and he being in great authority, as a
privy Counsellor to the King: he married the saide Constance, and
returned richly home with Air, to the Island of Liparis.
When the Queene perceived, that the Novell recited by Pamphilus
was concluded, which she graced with especiall commendations: shee
commanded Madam Aemilia, to take her turne as next in order; whereupon
she thus began. Me thinkes it is a matter of equity, that every one
should take delight in those things, whereby the recompence may be
noted, answerable to their one affection. And because I rather
desire to walke along by the paths of pleasure, then dwell on any
ceremonious or scrupulous affectation, I shall the more gladly obey
our Queene to day, then yesterday I did our melancholly King.
Understand then (Noble Ladies) that neere to Sicily, there is a
small Island, commonly called Liparis, wherein (not long since)
lived a yong Damosell, named Constance, born of very sufficient
parentage in the same Island. There dwelt also a yong man called
Martuccio Gomito, of comely feature, well conditioned, and not
unexpert in many vertuous qualities; affecting Constance in harty
manner: and she so answerable to him in the same kinde, that to be
in his company, was her onely felicity. Martuccio coveting to enjoy
her in marriage, made his intent knowne to her Father: who
upbraiding him with poverty, tolde him plainly that he should not have
her. Martuccio greeving to see himselfe thus despised, because he
was poore: made such good meanes, that he was provided of a small
Barke; and calling such friends (as he thought fit) to his
association, made a solemne vow, that he would never returne backe
to Liparis, untill he was rich, and in better condition.
In the nature and course of a Rover or Pirate, so put thence to sea,
coasting all about Barbarie, robbing and spoyling such as he met with;
who were of no greater strength then himselfe: wherein Fortune was
so favourable to him, that he became wealthy in a very short while.
But as felicities are not alwayes permanent, so he and his
followers, not contenting themselves with sufficient riches: by greedy
seeking to get more, happened to be taken by certaine ships of the
Sarazins, and so were robbed themselves of all that they had gotten,
yet they resisted them stoutly a long while together, though it proved
to the losse of many lives among them. When the Sarazens had sunke his
ship in the Sea, they tooke him with them to Thunis, where he was
imprisoned, and lived in extreamest misery.
Newes came to Liparis, not onely by one, but many more beside,
that all those which departed thence in the small Barke with
Martuccio, were drowned in the Sea, and not a man escaped. When
Constance, heard these unwelcome tydings (who was exceeding full of
greefe, for his so desperate departure) she wept and lamented
extraordinarily, desiring now rather to dye, then live any longer. Yet
she had not the heart, to lay any violent hand on her selfe, but
rather to end her dayes by some new kinde of necessity. And
departing privately from her Fathers house, she went to the Port or
Haven, where (by chance) she found a small Fisher-boate, lying distant
from the other vessels, the owners whereof being all gone on shore,
and it well furnished with Masts, Sailes, and Oares, she entred into
it; and putting forth the Oares, being somewhat skilfull in sayling,
(as generally all the Women of that Island are) she so well guided the
Sailes, Rudder, and Oares, that she was quickly farre off from the
Land, and soly remained at the mercy of the windes. For thus she had
resolved with her selfe, that the Boat being uncharged, and without
a guide, would either be overwhelmed by the windes, or split in peeces
against some Rocke; by which meanes she could [not] escape although
she would, but (as it was her desire) must needs be drowned.
In this determination, wrapping a mantle about her head, and lying
downe weeping in the boats bottome, she hourely expected her finall
expiration: but it fell out otherwise, and contrary to her desperate
intention, because the wind turning to the North, and blowing very
gently, without disturbing the Seas a jot, they conducted the small
Boat in such sort, that after the night of her entering into it, and
