would as for wardly confesse my selfe your friend, as here I must
needes fall short of any such service, but even as you shall please to
command me. But plainely, and without all further ceremonious
complement, I must agree to whatsoever you can request; as thinking
you to be more injured by me, then any great wrong that I have
sustained. Concerning the young Damosell remaining in my House, she is
not (as many have imagined) either of Cremona, or Pavia, but borne a
Faentine, here in this Citie: albeit neither my selfe, she, or he of
whome I had her, did ever know it, or yet could learne whose
Daughter she was. Wherefore, the suite you make to me, should rather
(in duty) be mine to you: for shee is a native of your owne, doe right
to her, and then you can doe no wrong unto mee.
When the Gentlemen understood, that the Mayden was borne in
Faenza, they marvelled thereat, and after they had thanked Jacomino
for his curteous answer; they desired him to let them know, by what
meanes the Damosell came into his custody, and how he knew her to be
borne in Faenza: when hee, perceiving them attentive to heare him,
began in this manner.
Understand worthy Gentlemen, that Guidotto of Cremona, was my
companion and deare friend, who growing neere to his death, tolde me
that when this City was surprized by the Emperour Frederigo, and all
things committed to sacke and spoile; he and certaine of his
confederates entred into a House, which they found to bee well
furnished with goods, but utterly forsaken of the dwellers, onely this
poore Mayden excepted, being then aged but two yeeres, or
thereabout. As hee mounted up the steps, with intent to depart from
the House; she called him Father, which word moved him so
compassionately, that he went backe againe, brought her away with him,
and all things of worth which were in the House: going thence
afterward to Fano, and there deceasing, hee left her and all his goods
to my charge; conditionally, that I should see her married when due
time required, and bestow on her the wealth which he had left her.
Now, very true it is, although her yeeres are convenient for marriage,
yet I could never finde any one to bestow her on, at least that I
thought fitting for her: howbeit I will listen thereto much more
respectively, before any other such accident shall happen.
It came to passe, that in the reporting of this discourse, there was
then a Gentleman in the company, named Guillemino da Medicina, who
at the surprizall of the City, was present with Guidotto of Cremona,
and knew well the House which he had ransacked, the owner whereof
was also present with him, wherefore taking him aside, he said to him.
Bernardino, hearest thou what Jacomino hath related? Yes very well,
replyed Bernardino, and remember withall, that in that dismall
bloody combustion, I lost a little Daughter, about the age as Jacomino
speaketh. Questionlesse then replyed Guillemino, she must needs be the
same young Mayden, for I was there at the same time, and in the House,
whence Guidotto did bring both the Girle and goods, and I do perfectly
remember, that it was thy House. I pray thee call to minde, if
everthou sawest any scarre or marke about her, which may revive thy
former knowledge of her, for my minde perswades me, that the Maide
is thy Daughter.
Bernardino musing awhile with himselfe, remembred, that under her
left eare, she had a scarre, in the forme of a little crosse, which
happened by the byting of a Wolfe, and but a small while before the
spoyle was made. Wherefore, without deferring it to any further
time, he stept to Jacomino who as yet stayed there) and entreated
him to fetch the Mayden from his house, because shee might be knowne
to some in the company: whereto right willingly he condiscended, and
there presented the Maide before them. So soone as Bernardino beheld
her, he began to be much inwardly moved, for the perfect character
of her Mothers countenance, was really figured in her sweete face;
onely that her beauty was somewhat more excelling. Yet not herewith
satisfied, he desired Jacomino to bee so pleased, as to lift up a
little the lockes of haire, depending over her left eare. Jacomino did
it presently, albeit with a modest blushing in the Maide, and
Bernardino looking advisedly on it, knew it to be the selfe-same
crosse, which confirmed her constantly to be his Daughter.
Overcome with excesse of joy, which made the teares to trickle downe
his cheekes, he proffered to embrace and kisse the Maide: but she
refusing his kindnesse, because (as yet) she knew no reason for it,
hee turned himselfe to Jacomino, saying. My deare brother and
friend, this Maide is my Daughter, and my House was the same which
Guidotto spoyled, in the generall havocke of our City, and thence he
carried this childe of mine, forgotten (in the fury) by my Wife her
Mother. But happy was the houre of his becomming her Father, and
carrying her away with him; for else she had perished in the fire,
because the House was instantly burnt downe to the ground. The
Mayden hearing his words, observing him also to be a man of yeeres and
gravity: she beleeved what he saide, and humbly submitted her selfe to
his kisses and embraces, even as instructed thereto by instinct of
nature. Bernardino instantly sent for his wife, her owne Mother, his
daughters, sonnes, and kindred, who being acquainted with this
admirable accident, gave her most gracious and kinde welcome, he
receiving her from Jacomino as his childe, and the legacies which
Guidotto had left her.
When the Captaine of the City (being a very wise and worthy
Gentleman) heard these tydings, and knowing that Giovanni, then his
prisoner, was the Son to Bernardino, and naturall Brother to the newly
recovered Maide: he bethought himselfe, how best he might qualifie the
fault committed by him. And entring into the Hall among them,
handled the matter so discreetly, that a loving league of peace was
confirmed betweene Giovanni and Menghino, to whom (with free and
full consent on all sides) the faire Maide, named Agatha, was given in
marriage, with a more honourable enlargement of her dowry, and
Grinello, with the rest, delivered out of prison, which for their
tumultuous riot they had justly deserved. Menghino and Agatha had
their wedding worthily solemnized, with all due honours belonging
thereto; and long time after they had lived in Faenza, highly beloved,
and graciously esteemed.
THE FIFT DAY, THE SIXTH NOVELL
WHEREIN IS MANIFESTED, THAT LOVE CAN LEADE A MAN INTO NUMBERLESSE
PERILS: OUT OF WHICH HE ESCAPETH WITH NO MEANE
DIFFICULTY.
Guion di Procida, being found familiarly conversing with a young
Damosell, which he loved; and had beene given (formerly) to Frederigo,
King of Sicilie: was bound to a stake, to be consumed with fire.
From which h dan ger (neverthelesse) he escaped, being knowne by Don
Rogiero de Oria, Lord Admirall of Sicilie, and afterward married the
Damosell.
The Novell of Madame Neiphila being ended, which proved very
pleasing to the Ladies: the Queene commanded Madam Pampinea, that
she should prepare to take her turne next, whereto willingly
obeying, thus she began. Many and mighty (Gracious Ladies) are the
prevailing powers of love, conducting amorous soules into infinite
travels, with inconveniences no way avoidable, and not easily to be
foreseene, or prevented. As partly already hath bene observed, by
divers of our former Novels related, and some (no doubt) to ensue
hereafter; for one of them (comming now to my memory) I shall acquaint
you withall, in so good tearmes as I can.
Ischia is an Iland very neere to Naples, wherein (not long since)
lived a faire and lovely Gentlewoman, named Restituta, Daughter to a
Gentleman of the same Isle, whose name was Marino Bolgaro. A proper
youth called Guion, dwelling also in a neere neighbouring Isle, called
Procida, did love her as dearly as his owne life, and she was as
intimately affected towards him. Now because the sight of her was
his onely comfort, as occasion gave him leave, he resorted to Ischia
very often in the day time, and as often also in the night season,
when any Barke passed from Procida to Ischia; if to see nothing
else, yet to behold the walles that enclosed his Mistresse thus.
While this love continued in equall fervency, it chanced upon a
faire Summers day, that Restituta walked alone upon the Sea-shore,
going from Rocke to Rocke, having a naked knife in her hand, wherewith
she opened such Oysters as shee found among the stones, seeking for
small pearles enclosed in their shelles. Her walke was very solitary
and shady, with a faire Spring or Well adjoyning to it, and thither
(at that very instant time) certaine Sicilian young Gentlemen, which
came from Naples, had made their retreate. They perceiving the
Gentlewoman to be very beautifull (she as yet not having any sight
of them) and in such a silent place alone by her selfe: concluded
together, to make a purchase of her, and carry her thence away with
them; as indeed they did, notwithstanding all her out cryes and
exclaimes, bearing her perforce aboard their Barke.
Setting sayle thence, they arrived in Calabria, and then there
grew a great contention betweene them, to which of them this booty
of beauty should belong, because each of them pleaded a title to
her. But when they could not grow to any agreement, but doubted
greater disasters would ensue thereon, by breaking their former league
of friendship: by an equall conformity in consent, they resolved, to
bestow her as a rich present, on Frederigo King of Sicille, who was
then young and joviall, and could not be pleased with a better gift;
wherefore, they were no sooner landed at Palermo, but they did
according as they had determined. The King did commend her beauty
extraordinarily, and liked her farre beyond all his other Loves:
but, being at that time empaired in his health, and his body much
distempered by ill dyet; he gave command, that untill he should be
in more able disposition, she must be kept in a goodly house of his
owne, erected in a beautifull Garden, called the Cube, where she was
attended in most pompous manner.
Now grew the noyse and rumor great in Ischia, about this rape or
stealing away of Restituta; but the chiefest greevance of all, was,
that it could not be knowne how, by whom, or by what meanes. But Guion
di Procida, whom this injury concerned much more then any other: stood
not in expectation of better tydings from Ischia, but h earing what
course the Barke had taken, made ready another, to follow after with
all possible speede. Flying thus on the winged winds through the Seas,
even from Minerva, unto the Scalea in Calabria, searching for his lost
Love in every angle: at length it was told him at the Scalea, that
shee was carryed away by certaine Sicillian Marriners, to Palermo,
whither Guion set sayle immediately.
After some diligent search made there, he understood, that she was
delivered to the King, and he had given strict command, for keeping
her in his place of pleasure, called the Cube: which newes were not
a little greevous to him, for now he was almost quite out of hope, not
onely of ever enjoying her, but also of seeing her. Neverthelesse,
Love would not let him utterly despaire, whereupon he sent away his
Barque, and perceiving himselfe to be unknowne of any; he continued
for some time in Palermo, walking many times by that goodly place of
pleasure. It chanced on a day, that keeping his walke as he used to
do, Fortune was so favourable to him, as to let him have a sight of
her at her window; from whence also she had a full view of him, to
their exceeding comfort and contentment. And Guion observing, that the
Cube was seated in a place of small resort; approached so neere as
possibly he durst, to have some conference with Restituta.
As Love sets a keene edge on the dullest spirit, and (by a small
advantage) makes a man the more adventurous: so this little time of
unseene talke, inspired him with courage, and her with witty advice,
by what meanes his accesse might be much neerer to her, and their
communication concealed from any discovery, the scituation of the
place, and benefit of time duly considered. Night must be the cloud to
their amorous conclusion, and therefore, so much thereof being
spent, as was thought convenient, he returned thither againe, provided
of such grappling-yrons, as is required when men will clamber, made
fast unto his hands and knees; by their helpe hee attained to the
top of the wall, whence discending downe into the Garden, there he
found the maine yard of a ship, whereof before she had given him
instruction, and rearing it up against her Chamber window, made that
his meanes for ascending thereto, she having left it open for his
easier entrance.
You cannot denie (faire Ladies) but here was a very hopefull
beginning, and likely to have as happy an ending, were it not true
Loves fatal misery, even in the very height of promised assurance,
to be thwarted by unkind prevention, and in such manner as I will tell
you. This night, intended for our Lovers meeting, proved disastrous
and dreadfull to them both: for the King, who at the first sight of
Restituta, was highly pleased with her excelling beauty; gave order to
his Eunuches and other women, that a costly bathe should be prepared
for her, and therein to let her weare away that night, because the
next day he intended to visit her. Restituta being royally conducted
from her Chamber to the Bathe, attended on with Torchlight, as if
she had bene a Queene: none remained there behind, but such women as
waited on her, and the Guards without, which watched the Chamber.
No sooner was poore Guion aloft at the window, calling softly to his
Mistresse, as if she had bene there; but he was over-heard by the
women in the darke: and immediately apprehended by the Guard, who
forthwith brought him before the Lord Marshall, where being
examined, and he avouching, that Restituta was his elected wife, and
for her he had presumed in that manner; closely was he kept in
