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inflict it on them: for as faults doe justly require punishment; so
doe good turnes as equally merit grace and requitall。 Knowest thou
what and who they are; whom thou hast so dishonourably condemned to
the fire? Not I; quoth the King。 Why then I will tell thee; answered
the Admirall; that thou mayest take the better knowledge of them;
and forbeare hereafter; to be so over violently transported with
anger。
The young Gentleman; is the Sonne to Landolfo di Procida; the
onely Brother to Lord John di Procida; by whose meanes thou becamest
Lord and King of this Countrey。 The faire young Damosell; is the
Daughter to Marino Bulgaro; whose power extendeth so farre; as to
preserve thy prerogative in Ischia; which (but for him) had long since
bene out…rooted there。 Beside; these two maine motives; to challenge
justly grace and favour from thee; they are in the floure and pride of
their youth; having long continued in loyall love together; and
compelled by fervency of endeared affection; not any will to displease
thy Majesty: they have offended (if it may be termed an offence to
love; and in such lovely young people as they are。) Canst thou then
finde in thine heart to let them die; whom thou rather ought to
honour; and recompence with no meane rewards?
When the King had heard this; and beleeved for a certainty; that
the Admirall told him nothing but truth: he appointed not onely;
that they should proceede no further; but also was exceeding
sorrowfull for what he had done; sending presently to have them
released from the Stake; and honourably to be brought before him。
Being thus enstructed in their severall qualities; and standing in
duty obliged; to recompence the wrong which he had done; with
respective honours: he caused them to be cloathed in royall
garments; and knowing them to bee knit in unity of soule; the like
he did by marrying them solemnly together; and bestowing many rich
gifts and presents on them; sent them honourably attended home to
Ischia; where they were with much joy and comfort received; and
lived long after in great felicity。
THE FIFT DAY; THE SEVENTH NOVELL
WHEREIN IS DECLARED; THE SUNDRY TRAVELS AND PERILLOUS ACCIDENTS;
OCCASIONED BY THOSE TWO POWERFULL COMMANDERS; LOVE AND FORTUNE;
THE INSULTING TYRANTS OVER HUMANE LIFE。
Theodoro falling in love with Violenta; the Daughter to his
Master; named Amarigo; and she conceiving with child by him; was
condemned to be hanged。 As they were leading him to the Gallowes;
beating and misusing him all the way: he happened to be knowne of
his owne Father; whereupon he was released; and afterward enjoyed
Violenta in marriage。
Greatly were the Ladies minds perplexed; when they heard; that the
two poore Lovers were in danger to be burned: but hearing afterward of
their happy deliverance; for which they were as joyfull againe; upon
the concluding of the Novell; the Queene looked on Madame Lauretta;
enjoyning her to tell the next Tale; which willingly she undertooke to
do; and thus began。
Faire Ladies; at such time as the good King William reigned in
Sicily; there lived within the same Dominion; a young Gentleman; named
Signior Amarigo; Abbot of Trapani; who among his other worldly
blessings; (commonly termed the goods of Fortune) was not
unfurnished of children; and therefore having neede of servants; he
made his provision of them the best he might。 At that time; certaine
Gallies of Geneway Pyrates comming from the Easterne parts; which
coasting along Armenia; had taken divers children; he bought some of
them; thinking that they were Turkes。 They all resembling clownish
Peazants; yet there was one among them; who seemed to be of more
tractable and gentle nature; yea; and of a more affable countenance
than any of the rest; being named Theodoro: who growing on in
yeeres; (albeit he lived in the condition of a servant) was educated
among Amarigoes Children; and as enstructed rather by nature; then
accident; his conditions were very much commended; as also the feature
of his body; which proved so highly pleasing to his Master Amarigo;
that he made him a free man; and imagining him to be a Turke; caused
him to be baptized; and named Pedro; creating him superintendent of
all his affaires; and reposing his…chiefest trust in him。
As the other Children of Signior Amarigo grew in yeeres and stature;
so did a Daughter of his; named Violenta; a very goodly and beautifull
Damosell; somewhat over…long kept from marriage by her Fathers
covetousnesse; and casting an eye of good liking on poore Pedro。
Now; albeit shee loved him very dearly; and all his behaviour was most
pleasing to her; yet maiden modesty forbad her to reveale it; till
Love (too long concealed) must needes disclose it selfe。 Which Pedro
at the length tooke notice of; and grew so forward towards her in
equality of affection; as the very sight of her was his onely
happinesse。 Yet very fearefull he was; least it should be noted;
either by any of the House; or the Mayden her selfe: who yet well
observed it; and to her no meane contentment; as it appeared no
lesse (on the other side) to honest Pedro。
While thus they loved together meerely in dumbe shewes; not daring
to speake to each other; (though nothing more desired) to finde some
ease in this their oppressing passions: Fortune; even as if she
pittied their so long languishing; enstructed them how to finde out
a way; whereby they might both better releeve themselves。 Signior
Amarigo; about some two or three miles distance from Trapani; had a
Countrey…House or Farme; whereto his Wife; with her Daughter and
some other women; used oftentimes to make their resort; as it were
in sportfull recreation; Pedro alwayes being diligent to man them
thither。 One time among the rest; it came to passe; as often it
falleth out in the Summer season; that the faire Skie became
suddenly over…clouded; even as they were returning home towards
Trapani; threatning a storme of raine to overtake them; except they
made the speedier haste。
Pedro; who was young; and likewise Violenta; went farre more lightly
then her Mother and her company; as much perhaps provoked by love;
as feare of the sudden raine falling; and paced on so fast before
them; that they were wholly out of sight。 After many flashes of
lightning; and a few dreadfull clappes of thunder; there fell such a
tempestuous showre of hayle; as compelled the Mother and her traine to
shelter themselves in a poore Countrey…mans Cottage。 Pedro and
Violenta; having no other refuge; ranne likewise into a poore
Sheepecoate; so over…ruined; as it was in danger to fall on their
heads; and no body dwelt in it; neither stood any other house neere
it; and it was scarsely any shelter for them; howbeit; necessity
enforceth to make shift with the meanest。 The storme encreasing more
and more; and they coveting to avoyd it as well as they could;
sighes and drie hemmes were often inter…vented; as dumbly (before)
they were wont to doe; when willingly they could affoord another kinde
of speaking。
At last Pedro tooke heart; and saide: I would this showre would
never cease; that I might be alwayes where I am。 The like could I
wish; answered Violenta; so we were in a better place of safety。 These
wishes drew on other gentle language; with modest kisses and embraces;
the onely ease to poore Lovers soules; so that the raine ceased not;
till they had taken order for their oftner conversing; and absolute
plighting of their faiths together。 By this time the storme was
fairely over…blowne; and they attending on the way; till the Mother
and the rest were come; with whom they returned to Trapani; where by
wise and provident meanes; they often conferred in private together;
and enjoyed the benefit of their amorous desires; yet free from any
ill surmise or suspition。
But; as Lovers felicities are sildome permanent; without one
encountring crosse or other: so these stolne pleasures of Pedro and
Violenta; met with as sowre a sauce in the farewell。 For shee proved
to be conceived with childe; then which could befall them no heavier
affliction; and Pedro fearing to loose his life therefore;
determined immediate Right; and revealed his purpose to Violenta。
Which when she heard; she told him plainly; that if he fled;
forth…with she would kill her selfe。 Alas deare Love (quoth Pedro)
with what reason can you wish my tarrying here? This conception of
yours; doth discover our offence; which a Fathers pity may easily
pardon in vou: but I being his servant and vassall; shall be
punished both for your sinne and mine; because he will have no mercy
on me。 Content thy selfe Pedro; replyed Violenta; I will take such
order for mine owne offence; by the discreete counsell of my loving
Mother; that no blame shall any way be taide on thee; or so much as
a surmise; except thou wilt fondly betray thy selfe。 If you can do so;
answered Pedro; and constantly maintaine your promise; I will not
depart; but see that you prove to bee so good as your word。
Violenta; who had concealed her amisse so long as she could; and saw
no other remedy; but now at last it must needes be discovered; went
privately to her Mothe