laboured to escape from them. But being beset on every side, and
utterly unable to helpe himself, he contended with his teeth and feete
in his owne defence, till they haled him violently to the ground,
and tearing his body in pieces, left not a jot of him but the bare
bones, and afterward ran ranging thorow the Forest. At this sight,
poore Pedro was mightily dismaied, fearing to speed no better then his
Horse had done, and therefore could not devise what was best to be
done; for he saw no likelihood, of getting out of the Forest with
life. But day-light drawing on apace, and he almost dead with cold,
having stood quaking so long in the Tree; at length by continuall
looking every where about him, to discerne the least glimpse of any
comfort; he espied a great fire, which seemed to be about halfe a mile
off from him.
By this time it was broad day, when he descended downe out of the
Tree, (yet not without much feare) and tooke his way towards the fire,
where being arrived, he found a company of Shepheards banquetting
about it, whom he curteously saluting, they tooke pity on his
distresse, and welcommed him kindly. After he had tasted of such
cheare as they had, and was indifferently refreshed by the good
fire; he discoursed his hard disasters to them, as also how he
happened thither, desiring to know, if any Village or Castle were
neere there about, where he might in better manner releeve himselfe.
The Shepheards told him, that about a mile and an halfe from thence,
was the Castle of Signior Liello di Campo di Fiore, and that his
Lady was residing there; which was no meane comfort to poore Pedro,
requesting that one of them would accompany him thither, as two of
them did in loving manner, to rid him of all further feares.
When he was arrived at the Castle, and found there divers of his
familiar acquaintance: he laboured to procure some meanes, that the
Damosell might bee sought for in the Forrest. Then the Lady calling
for her, and bringing her to him; he ran and caught her in his
armes, being ready to swoune with conceite of joy, for never could any
man be more comforted, then he was at the sight of his Angelina, and
questionlesse, her joy was not a jot inferiour to his, such a simpathy
of firme love was settled betweene them. The Lady of the Castle, after
she had given them very gracious entertainment, and understood the
scope of their bold adventure; she reproved them both somewhat
sharpely, for presuming so farre without the consent of their Parents.
But perceiving (notwithstanding all her remonstrances) that they
continued still constant in their resolution, without any inequality
of either side; shee saide to her selfe. Why should this matter be any
way offensive to me? They love each other loyally; they are not
inferiour to one another in birth, but in fortune; they are equally
loved and allied to my Husband, and their desire is both honest and
honorable. Moreover, what know I, if it be the will of Heaven to
have it so? Theeves intended to hang him, in malice to his name and
kinred, from which hard fate he hath happily escaped. Her life was
endangered by a sharpe pointed Javeline, and yet her fairer starres
would not suffer her so to perish: beside, they have both escaped
the fury of ravenous wild beasts; and all these are apparant signes,
that future comforts should recompence former passed misfortunes;
farre be it therefore from me, to hinder the appointment of the
Heavens.
Then turning her selfe to them, thus she proceeded. If your desire
be to joyne in honourable marriage, I am well contented therewith, and
your nuptials shall here be solemnized at my Husbands charges.
Afterward both he and I will endeavour, to make peace betweene you and
your discontented Parents. Pedro was not a little joyfull at her kinde
offer, and Angelina much more then he; so they were married together
in the Castle, and worthily feasted by the Lady, as Forrest
entertainment could permit, and there they enjoyed the first fruits of
their love. Within a short while after, the Lady and they (well
mounted on Horsebacke, and attended with an honourable traine)
returned to Rome; where her Lord Liello and she prevailed so well with
Pedroes angry Parents: that the variance ended in love and peace,
and afterward they lived lovingly together, till old age made them
as honourable, as their true and mutuall affection formerly had done.
THE FIFT DAY, THE FOURTH NOVELL
DECLARING THE DISCREETE PROVIDENCE OF PARENTS, IN CARE OF THEIR
CHILDRENS LOVE AND THEIR OWNE CREDIT, TO CUT OFF
INCONVENIENCES, BEFORE THEY DO PROCEEDE TOO FARRE
Ricciardo Manardy, was found by Messer Lizio da Valbonna, as he sate
fast asleepe at his Daughters Chamber window, having his hand fast
in hers, and she sleeping in the same manner. Whereupon, they are
joyned together in marriage, and their long loyall love mutually
recompenced.
Madam Eliza having ended her Tale, and heard what commendations
the whole company gave thereof; the Queene commanded Philostratus,
to tell a Novell agreeing with his owne minde, smiling thereat, thus
replyed. Faire Ladies, I have bene so often checkt and snapt, for my
yesterdayes matter and argument of discoursing, which was both tedious
and offensive to you; that if I intended to make you any amends, I
should now undertake to tell such a Tale, as might put you into a
mirthfull humour. Which I am determined to do, in relating a briefe
and pleasant Novell, not any way offensive (as I trust) but
exemplary for some good notes of observation.
Not long since, there lived in Romania, a Knight, a very honest
Gentleman, and well qualified, whose name was Messer Lizio da
Valbonna, to whom it fortuned, that (at his entrance into age) by
his Lady and wife, called Jaquemina, he had a Daughter, the very
choycest and goodliest gentlewoman in all those places. Now because
such a happy blessing (in their olde yeeres) was not a little
comfortable to them; they thought themselves the more bound in duty,
to be circumspect of her education, by keeping her out of
over-frequent companies, but onely such as agreed best with their
gravity, and might give the least ill example to their Daughter, who
was named Catharina; as making no doubt, but by this their provident
and wary respect, to match her in marriage answerable to their liking.
There was also a yong Gentleman, in the very flourishing estate of his
youthfull time, descended from the Family of the Manardy da
Brettinoro, named Messer Ricciardo, who oftentimes frequented the
House of Messer Lizio, and was a continuall welcome guest to his
Table, Messer Lizio and his wife making the like account of him,
even as if hee [had] bene their owne Sonne.
This young Gallant, perceiving the Maiden to be very beautifull,
of singular behaviour, and of such yeeres as was fit for marriage,
became exceeding enamoured of her, yet concealed his affection so
closely as he could, which was not so covertly carried, but that she
perceived it, and grew into as good liking of him. Many times he had
an earnest desire to have conference with her, which yet still he
deferred, as fearing to displease her; at the length he lighted on
an apt opportunity, and boldly spake to her in this manner. Faire
Catharina, I hope thou wilt not let me die for thy love? Signior
Ricciardo (replyed she suddenly againe) I hope you will extend the
like mercy to me, as you desire that I should shew to you. This
answere was so pleasing to Messer Ricciardo, that presently he
saide. Alas deare Love, I have dedicated all my fairest fortunes onely
to thy service, so that it remaineth soly in thy power to dispose of
me as best shall please thee, and to appoint such times of private
conversation, as may yeeld more comfort to my poore afflicted soule.
Catharina standing musing awhile, at last returned him this answere.
Signio Ricciardo, quoth she, you see what a restraint is set on my
liberty, how short I am kept from conversing with any one, that I hold
this our enterparlance now almost miraculous. But if you could
devise any convenient meanes, to admit us more familiar freedome,
without any prejudice to mine honour, or the least distaste to my
Parents; do but enstruct it, and I will adventure it. Ricciardo having
considered on many wayes and meanes, thought one to be the fittest
of all; and therefore thus replyed. Catharina (quoth he) the onely
place for our more private talking together, I conceive to be the
Gallery over your Fathers Garden. If you can winne your Mother to
let you lodge there, I will make meanes to climbe over the wall, and
at the goodly gazing window, we may discourse so long as we please.
Now trust me deare Love (answered Catharina) no place can be more
convenient for our purpose, there shall we heare the sweete Birds
sing, especially the Nightingale which I have heard singing there
all the night long; I will breake the matter to my Mother, and how I
speede, you shall heare further from me. So, with divers parting
kisses, they brake off conference, till their next meeting.
On the day following, which was towards the ending of the moneth
of May, Catharina began to complaine to her Mother that the season was
over-hot and tedious, to be still lodged in her Mothers Chamber,
because it was an hinderance to her sleeping; and wanting rest, it
would be an empairing of her health. Why Daughter (quoth the Mother)
the weather (as yet) is not so hot, but (in my minde) you may very
well endure it. Alas Mother, saide she, aged people, as you and my
Father are, do not feele the heates of youthfull blood, by reason of
your farre colder complexion, which is not to be measured by younger
yeeres. I know that well Daughter, replyed the Mother; but is it in my
power, to make the weather warme or coole, as thou perhaps wouldst
have it? Seasons are to be suffered, according to their severall
qualities; and though the last night might seeme hot, this next
ensuing may be cooler, and then thy rest will be the better. No
Mother, quoth Catharina, that cannot be; for as Summer proceedeth
on, so the heate encreaseth, and no expectation can be of temperate
weather, untill it groweth to Winter againe. Why Daughter, saide the
Mother, what wouldest thou have me to do? Mother (quoth she) if it
might stand with my Fathers good liking and yours, I would be spared
from the Garden Gallery, which is a great deale more coole lodged.
There shall I heare the sweete Nightingale sing, as every night she
useth to do, and many other pretty Birdes beside, which I cannot do
lodging in your Chamber.
The Mother loving her Daughter dearely, as being somewhat
over-fond of her, and very willing to give her contentment; promised
to impart her minde to her Father, not doubting but to compasse what
shee requested. When she had mooved the matter to Messer Lizio whose
age made him somewhat froward and teasty; angerly said to his wife.
Why how now woman? Cannot our Daughter sleepe, except she heare the
Nightingale sing? Let there be a bed made for her in the Oven, and
there let the Crickets make her melody. When Catharina heard this
answere from her Father, and saw her desire to be disappointed; not
onely could she take any rest the night following, but also complained
more of the heate then before, not suffering her Mother to take any
rest, which made her go angerly to her Husband in the morning, saying.
Why Husband, have we but one onely Daughter, whom you pretend to
love right dearly, and yet can you be so carelesse of her, as to denie
her a request, which is no more then reason? What matter is it to
you or me, to let her lodge in the Garden Gallery? Is her young
blood to be compared with ours? Can our weake and crazie bodies, feele
the frolicke temper of hers? Alas, she is hardly (as yet) out of her
childish yeeres, and Children have many desires farre differing from
ours: the singing of Birdes is rare musicke to them, and chiefly the
Nightingale; whose sweete notes will provoke them to rest, when
neither Art or Physicke can do it.
Is it even so Wife? answered Messer Lizio. Must your will and mine
be governed by our Daughter? Well be it so then, let her bed be made
in the Garden Gallerie, but I will have the keeping of the key, both
to locke her in at night, and set her at liberty every morning. Woman,
woman, yong wenches are wily, many wanton crotchets are busie in their
braines, and to us that are aged, they sing like Lapwings, telling
us one thing, and intending another; talking of Nightingales, when
their mindes run on Cocke-Sparrowes. Seeing Wife, she must needes have
her minde, let yet your care and mine extend so farre, to keepe her
chastity uncorrupted, and our credulity from being abused. Catharina
having thus prevailed with her Mother, her bed made in the Garden
Gallerie, and secret intelligence given to Ricciardo, for preparing
his meanes of accesse to her window; old provident Lizio lockes the
doore to bed-ward, and gives her liberty to come forth in the morning,
for his owne lodging was neere to the same Gallery.
In the dead and silent time of night, when all (but Lovers) take
their rest; Ricciardo having provided a Ladder of Ropes, with grapling
hookes to take hold above and below, according as he had occasion to
use it. By helpe thereof, first he mounted over the Garden wall, and
then climbde up to the Gallery window, before which (as is every where
in Italie) was a little round engirting Tarras, onely for a man to
stand upon, for making cleane the window, or otherwise repairing it.
Many nights (in this manner) enjoyed they their meetings,
entermixing their amorous conference with infinite kisses and kinde
embraces, as the window gave leave, he sitting in the Tarras, and
departing alwayes before breake of day, for feare of being
discovered by any.
But, as excesse of delight is the Nurse to negligence, and begetteth
such an overpresuming boldnesse, as afterward proveth to be sauced
with repentance: so came it to passe with our over-fond Lovers, in
being taken tardy through their owne folly. After they had many
