least as the men of Trevers themselves affirmed) in the very instant
houre of his departing, all the Belles in the great Church of Trevers,
(not being pulled by the helpe of any hand) beganne to ring: which
being accounted for a miracle, every one saide; that this Arriguo
had bene, and was a Saint. And presently all the people of the City
ran to the house where the dead body lay, and carried it (as a
sanctified body) into the great Church, where people, halt, lame,
and blind, or troubled with any other diseases, were brought about it,
even as if every one should forth-with be holpen, onely by their
touching the body.
It came to passe, that in so great a concourse of people, as
resorted thither from all parts; three of our Citizens went to
Trevers, one of them being named Stechio, the second Martellino, and
the third Marquiso, all being men of such condition, as frequented
Princes Courts, to give them delight by pleasant and counterfetted
qualities. None of these men having ever beene at Trevers before,
seeing how the people crowded thorow the streetes, wondered greatly
thereat: but when they knew the reason why the throngs ranne on heapes
in such sort together, they grew as desirous to see the Shrine, as any
of the rest. Having ordered all affaires at their lodging, Marquiso
saide; It is fit for us to see this Saint, but I know not how we shall
attaine thereto, because (as I have heard) the place is guarded by
Germaine Souldiers, and other warlike men, commanded thither by the
Governour of this City, least any outrage should be there committed:
And beside, the Church is so full of people, as we shall never
compasse to get neere. Martellino being also as forward in desire to
see it, presently replied. All this difficulty cannot dismay me, but I
will go to the very body of the Saint it selfe. But how? quoth
Marquiso. I will tell thee, answered Martellino. I purpose to go in
the disguise of an impotent lame person, supported on the one side
by thy selfe, and on the other by Stechio, as if I were not able to
walke of my selfe: And you two thus sustaining me, desiring to come
neere the Saint to cure me; every one will make way, and freely give
you leave to go on.
This devise was very pleasing to Marquiso and Stechio, so that
(without any further delaying) they all three left their lodging,
and resorting into a secret corner aside, Martellino so writhed and
mishaped his hands, fingers, and armes, his legges, mouth, eyes, and
whole countenance, that it was a dreadfull sight to looke upon him,
and whosoever beheld him, would verily have imagined, that hee was
utterly lame of his limbes, and greatly deformed in his body. Marquiso
and Stechio, seeing all sorted so well as they could wish, tooke and
led him towards the Church, making very pitious moane, and humbly
desiring (for Gods sake) of every one that they met, to grant them
free passage: whereto they charitably condiscended.
Thus leading him on, crying; Beware there before, and give way for
Gods sake, they arrived at the body of Saint Arriguo, that (by his
helpe) he might be healed. And while all eyes were diligently
observing, what miracle would be wrought on Martellino, he having
sitten a small space upon the Saints body, and being sufficiently
skilfull in counterfeiting, began first to extend forth the one of his
fingers, next his hand, then his arme, and so (by degrees) the rest of
his body. Which when the people saw, they made such a wonderfull noyse
in praise of Saint Arriguo, even as if it had thundered in the Church.
Now it chanced by ill fortune, that there stood a Florentine neere
to the body, who knew Martellino very perfectly; but appearing so
monstrously mishapen, when he was brought into the Church, hee could
take no knowledge of him. But when he saw him stand up and walke,
hee knew him then to be the man indeede; whereupon he saide. How
commeth it to passe, that this fellow should be so miraculously cured,
that never truly was any way impotent? Certaine men of the City
hearing these words, entred into further questioning with him,
demanding, how he knew that the man had no such imperfection? Well
enough (answered the Florentine) I know him to be as direct in his
limbes and body, as you; I, or any of us all are: but indeede, he
knowes better how to dissemble counterfet trickes, then any man else
that ever I saw.
When they heard this, they discoursed no further with the
Florentine, but pressed on mainely to the place where Martellino
stood, crying out aloude. Lay hold on this Traytor, a mocker of God,
and his holy Saints, that had no lamenesse in his limbes; but to
make a mocke of our Saint and us, came hither in false and counterfeit
manner. So laying hands uppon him, they threw him against the
ground, having him by the haire on his head, and tearing the
garments from his backe, spurning him with their feete, and beating
him with their fists, that many were much ashamed to see it.
Poore Martellino was in a pittifull case, crying out for mercy,
but no man would heare him; for, the more he cryed, the more still
they did beat him, as meaning to leave no life in him: which Stechio
and Marquiso seeing, considered with themselves, that they were
likewise in a desperate case; and therefore, fearing to be as much
misused, they cryed out among the rest, Kill the counterfet knave, lay
on loade, and spare him not; neverthelesse, they tooke care how to get
him out of the peoples handes, as doubting, least they would kill
him indeede, by their extreame violence.
Sodainly, Marquiso bethought him how to do it, and proceeded thus.
All the Sergeants for Justice standing at the Church doore, hee ran
with all possible speede to the Potestates Lieutenant, and said unto
him. Good my Lord Justice, helpe me in an hard case; yonder is a
villaine that hath cut my purse, I desire he may bee brought before
you, that I may have my money againe. He hearing this, sent for a
dozen of the Sergeants, who went to apprehend unhappy Martellino,
and recover him from the peoples fury, leading him on with them to the
Palace, no meane crowds thronging after him, when they heard that he
was accused to bee a Cutpurse. Now durst they meddle no more with him,
but assisted the Officers; some of them charging him in like manner,
that hee had cut their purses also.
Upon these clamours and complaints, the Potestates Lieutenant (being
a man of rude quality) tooke him sodainly aside, and examined him of
the crimes wherewith he was charged. But Martellino, as making no
account of these accusations, laughed, and returned scoffing answeres.
Whereat the Judge, waxing much displeased, delivered him over to the
Strappado, and stood by himselfe, to have him confesse the crimes
imposed on him, and then to hang him afterward. Being let downe to the
ground, the Judge still demaunded of him, whether the accusations
against him were true, or no? Affirming, that it nothing avayled him
to deny it: whereupon hee thus spake to the Judge. My Lord, I am heere
ready before you, to confesse the truth; but I pray you, demaund of
all them that accuse me, when and where I did cut their purses, and
then I wil tell you that, which (as yet) I have not done, otherwise
I purpose to make you no more answers.
Well (quoth the Judge) thou requirest but reason; and calling
divers of the accusers, one of them saide, that he lost his purse
eight dayes before; another saide six, another foure, and some saide
the very same day. Which Martellino hearing, replyed. My Lord, they
all lie in their throats, as I will plainly prove before you. I
would to God I had never set foot within this City, as it is not
many houres since my first entrance, and presently after mine
arrivall, I went (in evill houre I may say for me) to see the Saints
body, where I was thus beaten as you may beholde. That all this is
true which I say unto you, the Seigneurie Officer that keeps your
Booke of presentations, will testifie for me, as also the Host where I
am lodged. Wherefore good my Lord, if you finde all no otherwise, then
as I have said, I humbly entreate you, that upon these bad mens
reportes and false informations, I may not be thus tormented, and
put in perill of my life.
While matters proceeded in this manner, Marquiso and Stechio,
understanding how roughly the Potestates Lieutenant dealt with
Martellino, and that he had already given him the Strappado; were in
heavy perplexity, saying to themselves; we have carried this businesse
very badly, redeeming him out of the Frying-pan, and flinging him into
the fire. Whereupon, trudging about from place to place, and meeting
at length with their Host, they told him truly how all had happened,
whereat hee could not refraine from laughing. Afterward, he went
with them to one Master Alexander Agolante, who dwelt in Trevers,
and was in great credite with the Cities cheefe Magistrate, to whom
hee related the whole Discourse; all three earnestly entreating him,
to commisserate the case of poore Martellino.
Master Alexander, after he had laughed heartily at this hotte
peece of service, went with him to the Lord of Trevers; prevailing
so well with him, that he sent to have Martellino brought before
him. The Messengers that went for him, found him standing in his shirt
before the Judge, very shrewdly shaken with the Strappado, trembling
and quaking pitifully. For the Judge would not heare any thing in
his excuse; but hating him (perhaps) because hee was a Florentine:
flatly determined to have him hanged by the necke, and would not
deliver him to the Lord, untill in meere despight he was compeld to do
it.
The Lord of Trevers, when Martellino came before him, and had
acquainted him truly with every particular: Master Alexander
requested, that he might be dispatched thence for Florence, because he
thought the halter to be about his necke, and that there was no
other helpe but hanging. The Lord, smiling (a long while) at the
accident, and causing Martellino to be handsomely apparrelled,
delivering them also his Passe, they escaped out of further danger,
and tarried no where, till they came unto Florence.
THE SECOND DAY, THE SECOND NOVELL
WHEREBY WEE MAY LEARNE, THAT SUCH THINGS AS SOMETIME SEEME
HURTFULL TO US, MAY TURNE TO OUR BENEFIT AND COMMODITY
Rinaldo de Este, after hee was robbed by Theeves, arrived at
Chasteau Guillaume, where he was friendly lodged by a faire Widdow,
and recompenced likewise for all his losses; returning afterward
safe and well home unto his owne house.
Much merriment was among the Ladies, hearing this Tale of
Martellinos misfortunes, so familiarly reported by Madam Neiphila, and
of the men, it was best respected by Philostratus, who sitting neerest
unto Neiphila, the Queene commanded his Tale to be the next, when
presently he began to speake thus.
Gracious Ladies, I am to speake of universall occasions, mingled
with some misfortunes in part, and partly with matters leaning to
love, as many times may happen to such people, that trace the
dangerous pathes of amorous desires, or have not learned perfectly, to
say S. Julians pater noster, having good beddes of their owne, yet
casually meete with worser Lodging.
In the time of Azzo, Marquesse of Ferrara, there was a Marchant
named Rinaldo de Este, who being one day at Bologna, about some
especiall businesse of his owne; his occasions there ended, and riding
from thence towards Verona, he fell in company with other Horsemen,
seeming to be Merchants like himselfe, but indeede were Theeves, men
of most badde life and conversation; yet he having no such mistrust of
them, rode on, conferring with them very familiarly. They perceiving
him to be a Merchant, and likely to have some store of money about
him, concluded betweene themselves to rob him, so soone as they
found apt place and opportunity. But because he should conceive no
such suspition, they rode on like modest men, talking honestly and
friendly with him, of good parts and disposition appearing in him,
offering him all humble and gracious service, accounting themselves
happy by his companie, as hee returned the same courtesie to them,
because hee was alone, and but one servant with him.
Falling from one discourse to another, they beganne to talke of such
prayers, as men (in journey) use to salute God withall; and one of the
Theeves (they being three in number) spake thus to Rinaldo. Sir, let
it be no offence to you, that I desire to know, what prayer you most
use when thus you travell on the way? Whereto Rinaldo replyed in
this manner. To tell you true Sir, I am a man grosse enough in such
Divine matters, as medling more with Merchandize, then I do with
Bookes. Neverthelesse, at all times when I am thus in journey, in
the morning before I depart my Chamber, I say a Pater noster, and an
Ave Maria for the soules of the father and mother of Saint Julian; and
after that, I pray God and S. Julian to send me a good lodging at
night. And let me tell you Sir, that very oftentimes heeretofore, I
have met with many great dangers upon the way, from all which I
still escaped, and evermore (when night drew on) I came to an
exceeding good Lodging. Which makes mee firmely beleeve, that Saint
Julian (in honour of whom I speake it) hath beggd of God such great
grace for me; and mee thinkes, that if any day I should faile of
this prayer in the morning: I cannot travaile securely, nor come to
a good lodging. No doubt then Sir (quoth the other) but you have saide
that prayer this morning? I would be sory else, said Rinaldo, such
an especiall matter is not to be neglected.
He and the rest, who had already determined how to handle him before
they parted, saide within themselves: Look thou hast said thy
praier, for when we have thy money, Saint Julian and thou shift for
thy lodging. Afterward, the same man thus againe conferd with him.
As you Sir, so I have ridden many journies, and yet I never used any
such prayer, although I have heard it very much commended, and my
lodging hath proved never the worser. Perhaps this verie night will
therein resolve us both, whether of us two shall be the best lodged,
