Decameron: text - IntraText CT

a dreame of hers to him, and he another of his to her; whereupon

Gabriello fell downe sodainly dead in her armes. She, and her

Chamber-maide were apprehended, by the Officers belonging to the

Seigneury, as they were carrying Gabriello, to lay him before his owne

doore. The Potestate offering violence to the Virgin, and she

resisting him vertuously: it came to the understanding of her

Father, who approved the innocence of his daughter, and compassed

her deliverance. But she afterward, being weary of all worldly

felicities, entred into Religion, and became a Nun.

The Novell which Madam Philomena had so graciously related, was

highly pleasing unto the other Ladies; because they had oftentimes

heard the Song, without knowing who made it or upon what occasion it

was composed. But when the King saw that the Tale was ended: he

commanded Pamphilus, that he should follow in his due course:

whereupon he spake thus.

The dreame already recounted in the last Novell, doth minister

matter to me, to make report of another Tale, wherein mention is

made of two severall dreames; which divined as well what was to ensue,

as the other did what had hapned before. And no sooner were they

finished in the relation, by both the parties which had formerly

dreampt them, but the effects of both as soddainly followed.

Worthy Ladies, I am sure it is not unknowne to you, that it is,

and hath bene a generall passion, to all men and women living, to

see divers and sundry things while they are sleeping. And although (to

the sleeper) they seeme most certaine, so that when he awaketh, he

judgeth the trueth of some, the likelyhood of others, and some

beyond all possibility of truth: yet notwithstanding, many dreames

have bene observed to happen; and very strangely have come to passe.

And this hath bene a grounded reason for some men, to give as great

credit to such things as they see sleeping, as they do to others

usually waking. So that, according unto their dreames, and as they

make construction of them, that are sadly distasted, or merrily

pleased, even as (by them) they either feare or hope. On the contrary,

there are some, who will not credit any dreame whatsoever, untill they

be falne into the very same danger which formerly they saw, and most

evidently in their sleepe.

I meane not to commend either the one or other, because they do

not alwayes fall out to be true; neither are they at all times

lyars. Now, that they prove not all to be true, we can best testifie

to our selves. And that they are not alwayes lyars, hath already

sufficiently bene manifested, by the Discourse of Madame Philomena,

and as you shall perceive by mine owne, which next commeth in order to

salute you. Wherefore, I am of this opinion, that in matters of good

life, and performing honest actions; no dreame is to be feared

presaging the contrary, neither are good works any way to be hindred

by them. Likewise, in matters of bad and wicked quality, although

our dreames may appeare favourable to us, and our visions flatter us

with prosperous successe: yet let us give no credence unto the best,

nor addict our minds to them of contrary Nature. And now we wil.

proceed to our Novell.

In the Citie of Brescia, there lived somtime a Gentleman, named

Messer Negro da Ponte Cararo, who (among many other children) had a

daughter called Andreana, yong, and beautifull, but as yet

unmarried. It fortuned, that shee fell in love with a Neighbour, named

Gabriello; a comely young Gentleman, of affable complexion, and

graciously conditioned. Which love was (with like kindenesse)

welcommed and entertained by him; and by the furtherance of her

Chamber-maide, it was so cunningly carried, that in the Garden

belonging to Andreanaes Father, she had many meetings with her

Gabriello. And solemne vowes being mutually passed betweene them, that

nothing but death could alter their affection: by such ceremonious

words as are used in marriage, they maried themselves secretly

together, and continued their stolne chaste pleasures with equall

contentment to them both.

It came to passe, that Andreana sleeping in her bed, dreamed, that

shee met with Gabriello in the Garden, where they both embracing

lovingly together, she seemed to see a thing blacke and terrible,

which sodainely issued forth of his body, but the shape therof she

could not comprehend. It rudely seized upon Gabriello, and in despight

of her utmost strength, with incredible force snatched him out of

her armes, and sinking with him into the earth, they never after did

see one another. Whereupon, overcome with extremity of greefe and

sorrow, presently she awaked, being then not a little joyfull, that

she found no such matter as she feared, yet continued very doubtfull

of her dreame. In regard whereof, Gabriello being desirous to visite

her the night following: she laboured very diligently to hinder his

comming to her; yet knowing his loyall affection toward her, and

fearing least he should grow suspitious of some other matter, she

welcommed him into the Garden, where gathering both white and

Damaske Roses (according to the nature of the season) at length,

they sate downe by a very goodly Fountaine, which stoode in the

middest of the Garden.

After some small familiar Discourse passing betweene them, Gabriello

demanded of her, upon what occasion shee denyed his comming thither

the night before, and by such a sodaine unexpected admonition?

Andreana told him, that it was in regard of a horrid Dreame, wherewith

her soule was perplexed the precedent night, and doubt what might

ensue thereon. Gabriello hearing this, began to smile, affirming to

her, that it was an especial note of folly, to give any credit to idle

dreames: because (oftentimes) they are caused by excesse of feeding,

and continually are observed to be meere lyes. For (quoth he) if I had

any superstitious beleefe of Dreames, I should not then have come

hither now: yet not so much as being dismayed by your dreame, but

for another of mine owne, which I am the more willing to acquaint

you withall.

Me thought, I was in a goodly delightfull Forrest, in the Noble

exercise of sportfull hunting, and became there possessed of a young

Hinde, the verie loveliest and most pleasing beast that was ever

seene. It seemed to be as white as snow, and grew (in a short while)

so familiar with me, that by no meanes it would forsake mee. I could

not but accept this rare kindnes in the beast, and fearing least I

should loose it, I put a collar of Gold about the necke thereof, and

fastned it into a chaine of Gold also, which then I held strongly in

my hand. The blind afterward couched downe by me, laying his head

mildely in my lap; and on the sodaine, a black Grey-hound bitch came

rushing; on us (but whence, or how, I could not imagine) seeming halfe

hunger-starved, and very ugly to looke upon. At me she made her full

carreere, without any power in me of resistance, and putting her mouth

into the left side of my bosom, griped it so mainly with her teeth,

that (me thought) I felt my heart quite bitten through, and she tugged

on still, to take it wholly away from me; by which imagined paine

and anguish I felt, instantly I awaked. Laying then my hand upon my

side, to know whether any such harme had befalne me, or no, and

finding none, I smiled at mine owne folly, in making such a

frivolous and idle search. What can be said then in these or the

like cases?

Divers times I have had as ill seeming dreames, yea, and much more

to be feared, yet never any thing hurtfull to me, followed thereon;

and therefore I have alwayes made the lesse account of them.

The young Maiden, who was still dismayed by her owne Dreame,

became much more afflicted in her minde, when shee had heard this

other reported by Gabriello: but yet to give him no occasion of

distast, she bare it out in the best manner she could devise to doe.

And albeit they spent the time in much pleasing discourse,

maintained with infinite sweete kisses on either side: yet was she

still suspitious, but knew not whereof; fixing her eyes oftentimes

upon his face, and throwing strange lookes to all parts of the Garden,

to catch hold on any such blacke ugly sight, whereof he had formerly

made description to her. As thus she continued in these afflicting

feares, it fortuned, that Gabriello sodainly breathing forth a very

vehement sighe, and throwing his armes fast about her, said: O helpe

me dear Love, or else I dye; and, in speaking the words, fell downe

upon the ground. Which the yong Damosel perceiving, and drawing him

into her lappe, weeping saide: Alas sweete Friend, What paine doest

thou feele?

Gabriello answered not one word, but being in an exceeding sweate,

without any ability of drawing breath, very soon after gave up the

ghost. How greevous this strange accident was to poore Andreana, who

loved him as deerely as her owne life: you that have felt loves

tormenting afflictions, can more easily conceive, then I relate.

Wringing her hands, and weeping incessantly, calling him, rubbing

his temples, and using all likely meanes to reduce life: she found all

her labour to be spent in vaine, because he was starke dead indeed,

and every part of his body as cold as ice: whereupon, she was in

such wofull extremity, that she knew not what to do, or say. All about

the Garden she went weeping, in infinite feares and distraction in

soule, calling for her Chamber maid, the only secret friend to their

stolne meetings, and told her the occasion of this sodaine sorrow.

After they had sighed and mourned awhile, over the dead body of

Gabriello, Andreana in this manner spake to her maide.

Seeing Fortune hath thus bereft me of my Love, mine owne life must

needs be hatefull to me: but before I offer any violence to my

selfe, let us devise some convenient meanes, as may both preserve mine

honour from any touch or scandall, and conceale the secret love

passing betweene us: but yet in such honest sort, that this body

(whose blessed soule hath too soone forsaken it) may be honourably

enterred. Whereto her Mayde thus answered: Mistresse, never talke of

doing any violence to your selfe, because by such a blacke and dismall

deed, as you have lost his kind company here in this life, so shall

you never more see him in the other world: for immediately you sinke

downe to hell, which foule place cannot be a receptacle for his

faire soule, that was endued with so many singular vertues. Wherefore,

I hold it farre better for you, to comfort your selfe by all good

meanes, and with the power of fervent praier, to fight against all

desperate intruding passions, as a truly vertuous minde ought to

doe. Now, as concerning his enterrement, the meanes is readily

prepared for you here in this Garden, where never he hath bene seene

by any, or his resorting hither knowne, but onely to our selves. If

you will not consent to have it so, let you and I convey his body

hence, and leave it in such an apt place, where it may be found to

morrow morning: and being then carried to his owne house, his

friends and kindred will give it honest buriall.

Andreana, although her soule was extraordinarily sorrowfull, and

teares flowed abundantly from her eyes; yet she listned attentively to

hir maids counsell; allowing her first advice against desperation,

to be truly good; but to the rest thus she replyed. God forbid

(quoth she) that I should suffer so deere a loving friend, as he

hath alwayes shewed himselfe to me; nay, which is much more, my

husband; by sacred and solemne vowes passed betweene us, to be put

into the ground basely, and like a dog, or else to be left in the open

street. He hath had the sacrifice of my virgin teares, and if I can

prevaile, he shall have some of his kindreds, as I have instantly

devised, what (in this hard case) is best to be done. Forthwith she

sent the maid to her Chamber, for divers elles of white Damaske

lying in her Chest, which when she had brought, they spread it

abroad on the grasse, even in the manner of a winding sheete, and

therein wrapped the body of Gabriello, with a faire wrought pillow

under his head, having first (with their teares) closed his mouth

and eyes, and placed a Chaplet of Flowers on his head, covering the

whole shrowd over in the same manner; which being done, thus she spake

to her Maid.

The doore of his owne house is not farre hence, and thither

(betweene us two) he may be easily caried, even in this maner as we

have adorned him; where leaving him in his owne Porch, we may

returne back before it be day: and although it will be a sad sight

to his friends, yet because he dyed in mine armes, and we being so

well discharged of the body, it will be a little comfort to me. When

she had ended these words, which were not uttered without infinite

teares, the maid entreated her to make hast, because the night swiftly

passed on. At last, she remembred the Ring on her finger, wherewith

Gabriello had solemnly espoused her, and opening the shroud againe,

she put it on his finger, saying; My deere and loving husband, if

thy soule can see my teares, or any understanding do remaine in thy

body, being thus untimely taken from me: receive the latest guift thou

gavest me, as a pledge of our solemne and spotlesse marriage. So,

making up the shroud againe as it should be, and conveighing it

closely out of the Garden, they went on along with it, towardes his

dwelling house.

As thus they passed along, it fortuned, that they were met and taken

by the Guard or Watch belonging to the Potestate, who had bin so

late abroad, about very earnest and important businesse. Andreana,

desiring more the dead mans company, then theirs whom she had thus met

withall, boldly spake thus to them. I know who and what you are, and

can tell my selfe, that to offer flight will nothing availe me:

wherfore, I am ready to go along with you before the Seigneury, and

there will tell the truth concerning this accident. But let not any

man among you, be so bold as to lay hand on me, or to touch me,

because I yeeld so obediently to you; neyther to take any thing from

this body, except hee intend that I shall accuse him. In which

respect, not any one daring to displease her, shee went with the

dead bodle to the Seigneurie, there to answere all Objections.

When notice heereof was given to the Potestate, he arose; and shee

being brought foorth into the Hall before him, he questioned with her,

how and by what meanes this accident happened. Beside, he sent for

divers Physitians, to be informed by them, whether the Gentleman

were poysoned, or otherwise murthered? All of them affirmed the

contrarie, avouching rather, that some Impostumation had engendered

neere his heart, which sodainly breaking, occasioned his as sodaine

death. The Potestate hearing this, and perceiving that Andreana was

little or nothing at all faulty in the matter, her beauty and good

carriage, kindled a vitlanous and lustful desire in him towards her,

provoking him to the immodest motion, that upon granting his

request, he would release her. But when he saw, that all his

perswasions were to no purpose, hee sought to compasse his will by

violence; which like a vertuous and valiant Virago, shee worthily

withstood, defending her honour Nobly, and reprooving him with many

injurious speeches, such as a lustfull Letcher Justlie deserved.

On the morrow morning, these newes being brought to her Father,

Messer Negro da Ponte Cararo, greeving thereat exceedingly, and

accompanied with many of his friends, he went to the Pallace. Being

there arrived, and informed of the matter by the Potestate: he

demaunded (in teares) of his daughter, how, and by what meanes shee

was brought thither? The Potestate would needs accuse her first, of

outrage and wrong offered to him by her, rather then to tarry her

accusing of him; yet, commending the yong Mayden, and her

constancie, proceeded to say, that onely to prove her, he had made

such a motion to her; but finding her so firme, his liking was now

so addicted to her, that - if her Father were so pleased to forget

the remembrance of her former secret husband, he willingly would

accept her in marriage.

While thus they continued talking, Andreana comming before her

Father, the teares trickling mainly downe her cheekes, and falling

at his feete, she began in this manner. Deare Father, I shall not

neede to make an Historicall relation, either of my youthfull

boldnesse or misfortunes, because you have both seene and knowne them:

rather most humbly, I crave your pardon, for another errour by mee

committed, in that, both without your leave and liking, I accepted the

man as my troth-plighted husband, whom (above all other in the world I

most intirely affected. If my offence heerein doe challenge the

forfeite of my life, then (good Father) I free you from any such

pardon; because my onely desire is to dye your daughter, and in your

gracious favour: with which words, in signe of her humility, she

kissed his feete. Messer Negro da Ponte, being a man well in yeeres,

and of a gentle nature, observing what his daughter saide, could not

refraine from teares, and in his weeping, lovingly tooke her from

the ground, speaking thus to her.

Daughter, I could have wisht, that thou hadst taken such an Husband,

as (in my judgement) had bene best fitting for thee: yet if thou

madest election of one answerable to thine owne good liking, I have no

just reason to be offended therewith. My greatest cause of complaint

is, thy too severe concealing it from me, and the small trust thou

didst repose in me, because thou hast lost him before I knew him.

Neverthelesse, seeing these occasions are thus come to passe, and

accidents already ended, cannot possibly be re-called, it is my

will, that as I would gladly have contented thee, by making him my Son

in Law if he had lived, so I wil expresse the like love to him now

he is dead. And so turning himselfe to his kindred and friends,

lovingly requested of them, that they would grace Gabriello with

most honourable obsequies.

By this time, the kindred and friends to the dead man (uppon noise

of his death bruited abroad) were likewise come to the Pallace, yea,

most of the men and women dwelling in the Cittie, the bodie of

Gabriello being laide in the midst of the Court, upon the white

Damaske shrowd given by Andreana, with infinite Roses and other

sweet Flowers lying theron: and such was the peoples love to him, that

never was any mans death, more to be bemoaned and lamented. Being

delivered out of the Court, it was carried to buriall, not like a

Burgesse or ordinary Citizen, but with such pompe as beseemed a Lord

Baron, and on the shoulders of very noble Gentlemen, with great

honor and reverence.

Within some few dayes after, the Potestate pursuing his former

motion of mariage, and the father mooving it to his daughter, she

would not by any meanes listen thereto. And he being desirous to

give her contentment, delivered her and her Chamber-maid into a

Religious Abbey, very famous for devotion and sanctity, where

afterwards they ended their lives.