THE FOURTH NOVELL

 

      IN COMMENDATION OF JUSTICE BETWEENE PRINCES; AND DECLARING

       WITHALL, THAT NEITHER FEARE, DANGERS, NOR DEATH IT SELFE,

                CAN ANY WAY DAUNT A TRUE AND LOYALL LOVER

 

  Gerbino, contrary to the former plighted faith of his

Grand-father, King Gulielmo, fought with a Ship at Sea, belonging to

the King of Thunis, to take away his Daughter, who was then in the

same Ship. Shee being slaine by them that had the possession of her,

he likewise slew them; and afterward had his owne head smitten off.

 

  Madam Lauretta having concluded her Novel, and the company

complaining on Lovers misfortunes, some blaming the angry and

jealous fury of Ninetta, and every one delivering their severall

opinions; the King, as awaking out of a passionate perplexity, exalted

his lookes, giving a signe to Madame Elisa, that shee should follow

next in order, whereto she obeying, began in this manner. I have heard

(Gracious Ladies, quoth she) of many people, who are verily perswaded,

that loves arrowes, never wound any body, but onely by the eyes lookes

and gazes, mocking and scorning such as maintaine that men may fall in

love by hearing onely. Wherein (beleeve me) they are greatly deceived,

as will appeare by a Novell which I must now relate unto you, and

wherein you shall plainely perceive, that not onely fame or report

is as prevailing as sight; but also hath conducted divers, to a

wretched and miserable ending of their lives.

  Gulielmo the second, King of Sicilie, according as the Sicilian

Chronicles record, had two children, the one a sonne, named Don

Rogero, and the other a daughter, called Madame Constance. The saide

Rogero died before his Father, leaving a sonne behind him, named

Gerbino, who, with much care and cost, was brought up by his

Grand-father, proving to be a very goodly Prince, and wonderously

esteemed for his great valour and humanity. His fame could not

containe it selfe, within the bounds or limits of Sicilie onely, but

being published very prodigally, in many parts of the world beside,

flourished with no meane commendations throughout all Barbarie,

which in those dayes was tributary to the King of Sicilie. Among other

persons, deserving most to be respected, the renowned vertues, and

affability of this gallant Prince Gerbino, was understood by the

beautious Daughter to the King of Tunis, who by such as bad seene her,

was reputed to be one of the rarest creatures, the best conditioned,

and of the truest noble spirit, that ever Nature framed in her very

choicest pride of Art.

  Of famous, vertuous, and worthy men, it was continually her cheefest

delight to heare, and the admired actions of valiant Gerbino, reported

to her by many singular discoursers: such as could best describe

him, with language answerable to his due deservings, won such

honourable entertainment in her understanding soule, that they were

most affectionately pleasing to her, and in recapitulating (over and

over againe) his manifold and heroycall perfections; meere speech made

her extreamely amorous of him, nor willingly would she lend an eare to

any other discourse, but that which tended to his honour and

advancement.

  On the other side, the fame of her incomparable beauty, with

addition of her other infinite singularities beside; as the World

had given eare to innumberlesse places, so Sicilie came at length

acquainted therewith, in such flowing manner, as was truly

answerable to her merit. Nor seemed this as a bare babling rumour,

in the Princely hearing of royall Gerbino; but was embraced with

such a reall apprehension, and the entire probation of a true

understanding: that he was no lesse enflamed with noble affection

towards her, then she expressed the like in vertuous opinion of him.

Wherefore, awaiting such convenient opportunity, when he might entreat

license of his Grand-father, for his owne going to Thunis, under

colour of some honourable occasion, for the earnest desire he had to

see her: he gave charge to some of his especiall friends (whose

affaires required their presence in those parts) to let the

Princesse understand, in such secret manner as best they could devise,

what noble affection he bare unto her, devoting himselfe onely to

her service.

  One of his chosen friends thus put in trust, being a jeweller, a man

of singular discretion, and often resorting to Ladies for sight of his

jewels, winning like admittance to the Princesse: related at large

unto her, the honourable affection of Gerbino, with full tender of his

person to her service, and that she onely was to dispose of him.

Both the message and the messenger, were most graciously welcome to

her, and flaming in the selfe-same affection towards him: as a

testimony thereof, one of the very choisest Jewels which she bought of

him, she sent by him to the Prince Gerbino, it being received by him

with such joy and contentment, as nothing in the world could be more

pleasing to him. So that afterward, by the trusty carriage of this

Jeweller, many Letters and Love-tokens passed betweene them, each

being as highly pleased with this poore, yet happy kind of

entercourse, as if they had seene and conversed with one another.

  Matters proceeding on in this manner, and continuing longer then

their love-sick passions easily could permit, yet neither being able

to finde out any other meanes of helpe; it fortuned that the King of

Thunis promised his daughter in marriage to the King of Granada,

whereat she grew exceedingly sorrowfull, perceiving, that not onely

she should be sent further off, by a large distance of way from her

friend, but also be deprived utterly, of all hope ever to enjoy him.

And if she could have devised any meanes, either by secret flight from

her Father, or any way else to further her intention, she would have

adventured it for the Princes sake. Gerbino in like maner bearing of

this purposed marriage, lived in a hell of torments, consulting

oftentimes with his soule, how he might be possessed of her by

power, when she should be sent by Sea to her husband, or private

stealing her away from her Fathers Court before: with these and

infinite other thoughts, was he incessantly afflicted, both day and

night.

  By some unhappy accident or other, the King of Thunis heard of

this their secret love, as also of Gerbinoes purposed policy to

surprize her, and how likely he was to effect it, in regard of his

manly valour, and store of stout friends to assist him. Hereupon, when

the time was come, that he would convey his daughter thence to her

marriage, and fearing to be prevented by Gerbino: he sent to the

King of Sicilie, to let him understand his determination, craving safe

conduct from him, without impeachment of Gerbino, or any one else,

untill such time as his intent was accomplished. King Gulielmo being

aged, and never acquainted with the affectiotiate proceedings of

Gerbino, nor any doubtfull reason to urge this security from him, in a

case convenient to be granted: yeelded the sooner thereto right

willingly, and as a signall of his honourable meaning, he sent him his

royall Glove, with a full confirmation for his safe conduct.

  No sooner were these Princely assurances received, but a goodly ship

was prepared in the Port of Carthagena, well furnished with all

thinges thereto belonging, for the sending his daughter to the King of

Granada, waiting for nothing else but best favouring windes. The young

Princesse, who understood and saw all this great preparation; secretly

sent a servant of hers to Palermo, giving him especiall charge, on her

behalfe, to salute the Prince Gerbino, and to tell him that (within

few dayes) she must be transported to Granada. And now opportunity

gave faire and free meanes, to let the world know, whether he were a

man of that magnanimous spirit, or no, as generall opinion had

formerly conceived of him, and whether he affected her so firmely,

as by many close messages he had assured her. He who had the charge of

this embassie, effectually performed it, and then returned backe to

Thunis.

  The Prince Gerbino, having heard this message from his divine

Mistresse, and knowing also, that the Kin his Grandfather, had past

his safe conduct to the King of Thunis, for peaceable passage

through his Seas: was at his wits end, in this urgent necessity,

what might best bee done. Notwithstanding, moved by the setled

constancy of his plighted Love, and the speeches delivered to him by

the messenger from the Princesse: to shew himselfe a man endued with

courage, he departed thence unto Messina, where he made ready two

speedy gallies, and fitting them with men of valiant disposition,

set away to Sardignia, as making full account, that the Ship which

carried the Princesse, must come along that Coast. Nor was his

expectation therein deceived: for, within few dayes after, the Ship

(not over-swiftly winded) come sailing neere to the place where they

attended for her arrivall; whereof Gerbino had no sooner gotten a

sight, but to animate the resolutes which were in his company, thus he

spake.

  Gentlemen, if you be those men of valour, as heretofore you have

bene reputed, I am perswaded, that there are some among you, who

either formerly have, or now instantly do feele, the all-commanding

power of Love, without which (as I thinke) there is not any mortall

man, that can have any goodnesse - or vertue dwelling in him.

Wherefore, if ever you have bene amorously affected, or presently have

any apprehension thereof, you shall the more easily Judge of what I

now aime at. True it is, that I do love, and love hath guided me to be

comforted, and manfully assisted by you, because in yonder Ship, which

you see commeth on so gently under saile (even as if she offered her

selfe to be our prize) not onely is the Jewell which I most esteeme,

but also mighty and unvalewable treasure, to be wonne without any

difficult labour, or hazard of a dangerous fight, you being men of

such undauntable courage. In the honour of which victory, I covet

not any part or parcell, but onely a Ladie, for whose sake I have

undertaken these Armes, and freely give you all the rest contained

in the Ship. Let us set on them, Gentlemen, and my deerest friends;

couragiously let us assaile the ship, you see how the wind favours us,

and (questionlesse) in so good an action, Fortune will not faile us.

  Gerbino needed not to have spoken so much, in perswading them to

seize so rich a booty, because the men of Messina were naturally

addicted to spoile and rapine: and before the Prince began his

Oration, they had concluded to make the ship their purchase.

Wherefore, giving a lowde shout, according to their Country manner,

and commanding their Trumpets to sound chearfully, they rowed on a

maine with their Oares, and (in meere despight) set upon the ship. But

before the Gallies could come neere her, they that had the charge

and managing of her, perceyving with what speede they made towards

them, and no likely meanes of escaping from them, resolvedly they

stood upon their best defence, for now it was no time to be slothfull.

The Prince being come neere to the Ship, commanded that the Patrones

should come to him, except they would adventure the fight. When the

Sarazines were thereof advertised, and understood also what he

demanded, they returned answer: That their motion and proceeding in

this manner, was both against Law and plighted faith, which was

promised by the King of Sicilie, for their safe passage through the

Sea by no meanes to be mollested or assailed. In testimony whereof,

they shewed his Glove, avouching moreover, that neither by force (or

otherwise) they would yeelde, or deliver him any thing which they

had aboorde their Ship.

  Gerbino espying his gracious Mistresse on the Ships decke, and she

appearing to be farre more beautifull then Fame had made relation of

her: being much more enflamed now, then formerly he had bin, replyed

thus when they shewed the Glove. We have (quoth he) no Faulcon here

now, to be humbled at the sight of your Glove: and therefore, if you

will not deliver the Lady, prepare your selves for fight, for we

must have her whether you will or no. Hereupon, they began to let flie

(on both sides) their Darts and arrowes, with stones sent in violent

sort from their slings, thus continuing the fight a long while, to

very great harme on either side. At the length, Gerbino perceiving,

that small benefit would redound to him, if he did not undertake

some other kinde of course: he tooke a small Pinnace, which

purposely he brought with him from Sardignia, and setting it on a

flaming fire, conveyed it (by the Gallies help) close to the ship. The

Sarazines much amazed thereat, and evidently perceiving, that either

they must yeeld or dye; brought their Kings daughter to the prow of

the ship, most greevously weeping and wringing her hands. Then calling

Gerbino, to let him behold their resolution, there they slew hir

before his face, and afterward, throwing her body into the Sea, saide:

Take her, there we give her to thee, according to our bounden duty,

and as thy perjury hath justly deserved.

  This sight was not a little greevous to the Prince Gerbino, who

madded now with this their monstrous cruelty, and not caring what

became of his owne life, having lost her for whom he onely desired

to live: not dreading their Darts, Arrowes, slinged stones, or what

violence els they could use against him; he leapt aboord their ship,

in despight of all that durst resist him, behaving himselfe there like

a hunger-starved Lyon, when he enters among a heard of beasts, tearing

their carkasses in pieces both with his teeth and pawes. Such was

the extreme fury of this poore Prince, not sparing the life of any

one, that durst appeare in his presence; so that what with the

bloody slaughter, and violence of the fires encreasing in the Ship;

the Mariners got such wealth as possibly they could save, and

suffering the Sea to swallow the rest, Gerbino returned unto his

Gallies againe, nothing proud of this so ill-gotten victory.

  Afterward, having recovered the Princesse dead body out of the

Sea, and enbalmed it with sighes and teares: he returned backe into

Sicilie, where he caused it to be most honourably buried, in a

little Island, named Ustica, face to face confronting Trapanum. The

King of Thunis hearing these disastrous Newes, sent his Ambassadors

(habited in sad mourning) to the aged King of Sicilie, complaining

of his faith broken with him, and how the accident had falne out.

Age being sodainly incited to anger, and the King extreamly offended

at this injury, seeing no way whereby to deny him justice, it being

urged so instantly by the Ambassadors: caused Gerbino to be

apprehended, and he himselfe (in regard that none of his Lords and

Barons would therein assist him, but laboured to divert him by their

earnest importunity) pronounced the sentence of death on the Prince,

and commanded to have him beheaded in his presence; affecting

rather, to dye without an heire, then to be thought a King voyde of

justice. So these two unfortunate Lovers, never enjoyed the very least

benefite of their long wished desires: ended both their lives in

violent manner.