times met in this manner, the nights (according to the season) growing
shorter and shorter, which their stolne delight made them lesse
respective of, then was requisite in an adventure so dangerous: it
fortuned, that their amorous pleasure had so farre transported them,
and dulled their senses in such sort, by these their continuall
nightly watchings; that they both fell fast asleepe, he having his
hand closed in hers, and she one arme folded about his body, and
thus they slept till broade day light. Old Messer Lizio, who
continually was the morning Cocke to the whole House, going foorth
into his Garden, saw how his Daughter and Ricciardo were seated at the
window. In he went againe, and going to his wives Chamber, saide to
her. Rise quickly wife, and you shall see, what made your Daughter
so desirous to lodge in the Garden Gallery. I perceive that shee loved
to heare the Nightingale, for she hath caught one, and holds him
fast in her hand. Is it possible, saide the Mother, that our
Daughter should catch a live Nightingale in the darke? You shall see
that your selfe, answered Messer Lizio, if you will make hast, and
go with me.
She, putting on her garments in great haste, followed her Husband,
and being come to the Gallery doore, he opened it very softly, and
going to the window, shewed her how they both sate fast asleepe, and
in such manner as hath bene before declared: whereupon, shee
perceiving how Ricciardo and Catharina had both deceived her, would
have made an outcry, but that Messer Lizio spake thus to her. Wife, as
you love me, speake not a word, neither make any noyse: for, seeing
shee hath loved Ricciardo without our knowledge, and they have had
their private meetings in this manner, yet free from any blamefu
imputation; he shall enjoy her, and she him. Ricciardo is a Gentleman,
well derived, and of rich possessions, it can be no disparagement to
us, that Catharina match with him in mariage, which he neither
shall, or dare deny to do, in regard of our Lawes severity; for
climbing up to my window with his Ladder of Ropes, whereby his life is
forfeited to the Law, except our Daughter please to spare it, as it
remaineth in her power to doe, by accepting him as her husband, or
yeelding his life up to the Law, which surely she will not suffer,
their love agreeing together in such mutuall manner, and he
adventuring so dangerously for her. Madam Jaquemina, perceiving that
her husband spake very reasonably, and was no more offended at the
matter; stept side with him behinde the drawne Curtaines, untill
they should awake of themselves. At the last, Ricciardo awaked, and
seeing it was so farre in the day, thought himselfe halfe dead, and
calling to Catharina, saide.
Alas deare Love! what shall we doe? we have slept too long, and
shall be taken here.
At which words, Messer Lizio stept forth from behind the
Curtaines, saying. Nay, Signior Ricciardo, seeing you have found
such an unbefitting way hither, we will provide you a better for
your backe returning.
When Ricciardo saw the Father and Mother both there present, he
could not devise what to do or say, his senses became so strangely
confounded; yet knowing how hainously he had offended, if the
strictnesse of Law should bee challenged against him, falling on his
knees, he saide. Alas Messer Lizio, I humbly crave your mercy,
confessing my selfe well worthy of death, that knowing the sharpe
rigour of the Law, I would presume so audaciously to breake it. But
pardon me worthy Sir, my loyall and unfeigned love to your Daughter
Catharina, hath bene the only cause of my transgressing.
Ricciardo (replied Messer Lizio) the love I beare thee, and the
honest confidence I do repose in thee, step up (in some measure) to
plead thine excuse, especially in the regard of my Daughter, whom I
blame thee not for loving, but for this unlawfull way of presuming
to her. Neverthelesse, perceiving how the case now standeth, and
considering withall, that youth and affection were the ground of thine
offence: to free thee from death, and my selfe from dishonour,
before thou departest hence, thou shalt espouse my Daughter Catharina,
to make her thy lawfull wife in marriage, and wipe off all scandall to
my House and me. All this while was poore Catharina on her knees
likewise to her Mother, who (notwithstanding this her bold
adventure) made earnest suite to her Husband to remit all, because
Ricciardo right gladly condiscended, as it being the maine issue of
his hope and desire; to accept his Catharina in marriage, whereto
she was as willing as he. Messer Lizio presently called for the
Confessour of his House, and borrowing one of his Wives Rings,
before they went out of the Gallery; Ricciardo and Catharina were
espoused together, to their no little joy and contentment.
Now had they more leasure for further conference, with the Parents
and kindred to Ricciardo, who being no way discontented with this
sudden match, but applauding it in the highest degree; they were
publikely maried againe in the Cathedrall Church, and very
honourable triumphes performed at the nuptials, living long after in
happy prosperity.
THE FIFT DAY, THE FIFTH NOVELL
WHEREIN MAY BE OBSERVED, WHAT QUARRELS AND CONTENTIONS ARE
OCCASIONED BY LOVE; WITH SOME PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION,
CONCERNING THE SINCERITY OF A LOYALL FRIEND
Guidotto of Cremona, out of this mortall life, left a Daughter of
his, with Jacomino of Pavia. Giovanni di Severino, and Menghino da
Minghole, fell both in love with the young Maiden, and fought for her;
who being afterward knowne to be the Sister to Giovanni, she was given
in mariage to Menghino.
All the Ladies laughing heartily, at the Novell of the
Nightingale, so pleasingly delivered by Philostratus, when they saw
the same to be fully ended, the Queene thus spake. Now trust me
Philostratus, though yesterday you did much oppresse mee with
melancholly, yet you have made me such an amends to day, as we have
little reason to complaine any more of you. So converting her speech
to Madam Neiphila, shee commanded her to succeede with her
discourse, which willingly she yeelded to, beginning in this manner.
Seing it pleased Philostratus, to produce his Novell out of Romania: I
meane to walke with him in the same jurisdiction, concerning what I am
to say.
There dwelt sometime in the City of Fano, two Lombards, the one
being named Guidotto of Cremona, and the other Jacomino of Pavia,
men of sufficient entrance into yeares, having followed the warres (as
Souldiers) all their youthfull time. Guidotto feeling sicknesse to
over-master him, and having no sonne, kinsman, or friend, in whom he
might repose more trust, then he did in Jacomino: having long
conference with him about his worldly affaires, and setled his whole
estate in good order; he left a Daughter to his charge, about ten
yeeres of age, with all such goods as he enjoyed, and then departed
out of this life. It came to passe, that the City of Faenza, long time
being molested with tedious warres, and subjected to very servile
condition; beganne now to recover her former strength, with free
permission (for all such as pleased) to returne and possesse their
former dwellings. Whereupon, Jacomino (having sometime bene an
inhabitant there) was desirous to live in Faenza againe, convaying
thither all his goods, and taking with him also the young Girle, which
Guidotto had left him, whom hee loved, and respected as his owne
childe.
As shee grew in stature, so she did in beauty and vertuous
qualities, as none was more commended throughout the whole City, for
faire, civill, and honest demeanour, which incited many amorously to
affect her. But (above all the rest) two very honest young men, of
good fame and repute, who were so equally in love addicted to her,
that being. jealous of each others fortune, in preventing of their
severall hopefull expectation; a deadly hatred grew suddenly
betweene them, the one being named Giovanni de Severino, and the other
Menghino de Minghole. Either of these two young men, before the
Maide was fifteene yeeres old, laboured to be possessed of her in
marriage, but her Guardian would give no consent thereto: wherefore,
perceiving their honest intended meaning to be frustrated, they now
began to busie their braines, how to forestall one another by craft
and circumvention.
Jacomino had a Maide-servant belonging to his House, somewhat
aged, and a Manservant beside, named Grinello, of mirthfull
disposition, and very friendly, with whom Giovanni grew in great
familiarity, and when he found time fit for the purpose, he discovered
his love to him, requesting his furtherance and assistance, in
compassing the height of his desire, with bountifull promises of
rich rewarding; wheret Grinello returned this answere. I know not
how to sted you in this case, but when my Master shall sup foorth at
some Neighbours house, to admit your entrance where shee is:
because, if I offer to speake to her, she never will stay to heare
mee. Wherefore, if my service this way may doe you any good, I promise
to performe it; doe you beside, as you shall finde it most
convenient for you. So the bargaine was agreed on betweene them, and
nothing else now remained, but to what issue it should sort in the
end. Menghino, on the other side, having entred into the
Chamber-maides acquaintance, sped so well with her, that she delivered
so many messages from him, as had (already) halfe won the liking of
the Virgin; passing further promises to him beside, of bringing him to
have conference with her, whensoever her Master should be absent
from home. Thus Menghino being favoured (on the one side) by the by
Chamber-maide, and Giovanni (on the other) by trusty Grinello; their
amorous warre was now on foote, and diligently followed by both
their sollicitors. Within a short while after, by the procurement of
Grinello, Jacomino was invited by a Neighbour to supper, in company of
divers his familiar friends, whereof intelligence being given to
Giovanni; a conclusion passed betweene them, that (upon a certaine
signale given) he should come, and finde the doore standing ready
open, to give him all accesse unto the affected Mayden.
The appointed night being come, and neither of these hot Lovers
knowing the others intent, but their suspition being alike, and
encreasing still more and more; they made choyce of certaine friends
and associates, well armed and provided, for eithers safer entrance
when need should require.
Menghino stayed with his troope, in a neere neighbouring house to
the Mayden, attending when the signall would be given: but Giovanni
and his consorts, were ambushed somewhat further off from the house,
and both saw when Jacomino went foorth to supper. Now Grinello and the
Chambermaide began to vary, which should send the other out of the
way, till they had effected their severall invention; wherupon
Grinello said to her. What maketh thee to walke thus about the
house, and why doest thou not get thee to bed? And thou (quoth the
Maide) why doest thou not goe to attend on our Master, and tarry for
his returning home? I am sure thou hast supt long agoe, and I know
no businesse here in the house for thee to doe. Thus (by no meanes)
the one could send away the other, but either remained as the others
hinderance.
But Grinello remembring himselfe, that the houre of his
appointment with Giovanni was come, he saide to himselfe. What care
I whether our olde Maide be present, or no? If she disclose any
thing that I doe, I can be revenged on her when I list. So, having
made the signall, he went to open the doore, even when Giovanni (and
two of his confederates) rushed into the House, and finding the
faire young Maiden sitting in the Hall, laide hands on her, to beare
her away. The Damosell began to resist them, crying out for helpe so
loude as she could, as the olde Chamber-maide did the like: which
Menghino hearing, he ranne thither presently with his friends, and
seeing the young Damosell brought well-neere out of the House; they
drew their Swords, crying out: Traytors, you are but dead men, here is
no violence to be offered, neither is this a booty for such base
groomes. So they layed about them lustily, and would not permit them
to passe any further. On the other side, upon this mutinous noyse
and outcry, the Neighbours came foorth of their houses, with lights,
staves, and clubbes, greatly reproving them for this out-rage, yet
assisting Menghino: by meanes whereof, after a long time of
contention, Menghino recovered the Mayden from Giovanni, and placed
her peaceably in Jacominoes House.
No sooner was this hurly burly somewhat calmed, but the Serjeants to
the Captine of the City, came thither, and apprehended divers of the
mutiners: among whom were Menghino, Giovanni, and Grinello, committing
them immediately to prison. But after every thing was pacified, and
Jacomino returned home to his house from supper; he was not a little
offended at so grosse an injury. When he was fully informed, how the
matter happened, and apparantly perceived, that no blame at all
could be imposed on the Mayden: he grew the better contented,
resolving with himselfe (because no more such inconveniences should
happen) to have her married so soone as possibly he could.
When morning was come the kindred and friends on either side,
understanding the truth of the errour committed, and knowing beside,
what punishment would be inflicted on the prisoners, if Jacomino
pressed the matter no further, then as with reason and equity well
he might; they repaired to him, and (in gentle speeches) entreated
him, not to regard a wrong offered by unruly and youthfull people,
meerely drawne into the action by perswasion of friends; submitting
both themselves, and the offendors, to such satisfaction as [he]
pleased to appoint them. Jacomino, who had seene and observed many
things in his time, and was a man of sound understanding, returned
them this answer.
Gentlemen, if I were in mine owne Country, as now I am in yours, I
