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Table according as Signior Neri had ordained。 When the Damosels saw
the Fishes service performed； and perceived that they had fished
sufficiently： they came forth of the water； their garments then （being
wet） hanging close about them； even as if they hid no part of their
bodies。 Each having taken those things againe； which at first they
brought with them； and saluting the king in like humility as they
did before； returned home to the mansion house。
The King and Count likewise； as also the other attending
Gentlemen； having duely considered the behavior of the Damosels：
commended extraordinarily their beauty and faire feature； with those
other perfections of Nature so gloriously shining in them。 But （beyond
all the rest） the King was boundlesse in his praises given of them；
having observed their going into the water； the equall carriage
there of them both； their comming forth； and gracious demeanor at
their departing （yet neither knowing of whence； or what they were）
he felt his affection very violently flamed； and grew into such an
amourous desire to them both； not knowing which of them pleased him
most； they so choisely resembled one another in all things。
But after he had dwelt long enough upon these thoughts； he turned
him selfe to Signior Neri； and demanded of him； what Damosels they
were。 Sir （answered Neri） they are my Daughters； both brought into the
world at one birth； and Twinnes； the one being named Genevera the
faire； and the other Isotta the amiable。 The King began againe to
commend them both； and gave him advise to get them both married：
wherein he excused himselfe； alleadging； that he wanted power to doe
it。 At the same time instant； no other service remaining to be brought
to the table； except Fruit and Cheese； the two Damosels returned
againe； attyred in goodly Roabes of Carnation Sattin； formed after the
Turkish fashion； carrying two fayre Silver dishes in their hands；
filled with divers delicate Fruites； such as the season then afforded；
setting them on the Table before the King。 Which being done； they
retyred a little backeward； and with sweet melodious voyces； sung a
ditty； beginning in this manner。
Where Love presumeth into place：
Let no one sing in Loves disgrace。
So sweet and pleasing seemed the Song to the King （who tooke no
small delight； both to heare and behold the Damosels） even as if all
the Hirarchies of Angels were descended from the Heavens to sing
before him。 No sooner was the Song ended； but （humbly on their
knees） they craved favour of the King for their departing。 Now；
although their departure was greatly grieving to him； yet （in
outward appearance） he seemed willing to grant it。
When Supper was concluded； and the King and his Company remounted on
horsebacke： thankefully departing from Signior Neri； the King returned
to his lodging； concealing there closely his affection to himselfe；
and whatsoever important affaires happened： yet he could not forget
the beauty； and gracious behaviour of Genevera the faire （for whose
sake he loved her Sister likewise） but became so linked to her in
vehement maner； as he had no power to think on any thing else。
Pretending other urgent occasions； he fell into great familiarity with
Signior Neri； visiting very often his goodly Garden； onely to see
his faire Daughter Genevera； the Adamant which drew him thither。
When he felt his amourous assaults； to exceed all power of longer
sufferance： he resolved determinately with himselfe； （being unprovided
of any better meanes） to take her away from her Father； and not
onely she； but her Sister also； discovering both his love and intent
to Count Guy de Montforte； who being a very worthy and vertuous
Lord； and meet to be a Counseller for a King； delivered his mind in
this manner。
Gracious Lord； I wonder not a little at your speeches； and so much
the greater is my admiration； because no man els can be subject to the
like； in regard I have knowne you from the time of your infancy；
even to this instant houre； and alwayes your carriage to bee one and
the same。 I could never perceive in your youthfull dayes （when love
should have the greatest meanes to assaile you） any such oppressing
passions： which is now the more novell and strange to me； to heare
it but said； that you being old； and called the Aged； should be growne
amorous； surely to me it seemeth a miracle。 And if it appertained to
me to reprehend you in this case； I know well enough what I could say。
Considering； you have yet your Armour on your backe； in a Kingdome
newly conquered； among a Nation not knowne to you； full of falsehoods；
breaches； and treasons； all which are no meane motives to care and
needfull respect。 But having now wone a little leisure； to rest your
selfe a while from such serious affaires； can you give way to the idle
suggestions of Love？ Beleeve me Sir； it is no act becomming a
magnanimious King； but rather the giddy folly of a young braine。
Moreover you say （which most of all I mislike） that you intend to
take the two Virgines from the Knight； who hath given you
entertainment in his house beyond his ability； and to testifie how
much he honoured you； he suffered you to have a sight of them； meerely
（almost） in a naked manner： witnessing thereby； what constant faith he
reposed in you； beleeving verily； that you were a just King； and not a
ravenous Woolfe。 Have you so soone forgot； that the rapes and
violent actions； done by King Manfred to harmelesse Ladies； made
your onely way of entrance into this Kingdome？ What treason was ever
committed； more worthy of eternall punishment； then this will be in
you： to take away from him （who hath so highly honoured you） his
chiefest hope and consolation？ What will be said by all men； if you
doe it？
Peradventure you thinke； it will be a sufficient excuse for you；
to say： I did it； in regard hee was a Ghibelline。 Can you imagine this
to be justice in a King； that such as get into their possession in
this manner （whatsoever it be） ought to use it in this sort？ Let me
tell you Sir； it was a most worthy victory for you； to conquer King
Manfred： but it is farre more famous victory； for a man to conquer
himselfe。 You therfore； who are ordained to correct vices in other
men； learne first to subdue them in your selfe； and （by brideling this
inordinate appetite） set not a foule blemish on so faire a fame； as
will be honour to you to preserve spotlesse。
These words pierced the heart of the King deepely； and so much the
more afflicted him； because he knew them to be most true： wherefore；
after he had ventred a very vehement sigh； thus he replyed。 Beleeve me
noble Count； there is not any enemy； how strong soever he be； but I
hold him weake and easie to be vanquished； by him who is skilfull in
the warre； where a man may learne to conquere his owne appetite。 But
because he shall find it a laborious taske； requiring inestimable
strength and courage； your words have so toucht me to the quicke； that
it becommeth me to let you effectually perceive （and within the
compasse of few dayes） that as I have learned to conquer others； so
I am not ignorant； in expressing the like power upon my selfe。
Having thus spoken； within some few dayes after； the King being
returned to Naples； he determined； as we to free himself from any
the like ensuing follie； as also to recompence Signior Neri； for the
great kindnesse he had shewne to him （although it was a difficult
thing； to let another enjoy； what he rather desired for himselfe） to
have the two Damosels married； not as the Daughters of Signior Neri；
but even as if they were his owne。 And by consent of the Father； he
gave Genevera the faire； to Signior Maffeo da Palizzi； and Isotta
the amiable； to Signior Gulielmo della Magna； two Noble Knights and
honourable Barons。 After he had thus given them in marriage； in sad
mourning he departed thence into Apuglia； where by following worthy
and honourable actions； he so well overcame all inordinate
appetites： that shaking off the enthraling fetters of love； he lived
free from all passions； the rest of his life time； and dyed as an
honourable King。
Some perhaps will say； it was a small matter for a King； to give
away two Damosels in marriage； and I confesse it： but I maintaine it
to be great； and more then great； if we say； that a King； being so
earnestly enamoured as this King was； should give her away to another；
whom he so dearely affected himselfe； without receiving （in recompence
of his affection） so much as a leaffe； flowre； or the least fruit of
love。 Yet such was the vertue of this magnificent King； expressed in
so highly recompencing the noble Knights courtesie； honouring the
two daughters so royally； and conquering his owne affections so
vertuously。
THE TENTH DAY； THE SEVENTH NOVELL
WHEREIN IS COVERTLY GIVEN TO UNDERSTAND； THAT HOWSOEVER A PRINCE
MAY MAKE USE OF HIS ABSOLUTE POWER AND AUTHORITY； TOWARDS MAIDES
OR WIVES THAT ARE HIS SUBJECTS： YET HE OUGHT TO DENY AND REJECT
ALL THINGS； AS SHALL MAKE HIM FORGETFULL
OF HIMSELFE； AND HIS TRUE HONOUR
Lisana； the Daughter of a Florentine Apothecary； named Bernardo
Puccino； b