THE THIRD NOVELL

 

       WHEREIN, THE SEVERALL POWERS BOTH OF LOVE AND FORTUNE, IS

                         MORE AT LARGE APPROVED

 

  Pedro Bocamazzo, escaping away with a yong Damosell which he

loved, named Angelina, met with Theeves in his journey. The Damosell

flying fearfully into a Forrest, by chance arriveth at a Castle. Pedro

being taken by the Theeves, and happening afterward to escape from

them; commeth (accidentally) to the same Castle where Angelina was.

And marrying her, they then returned home to Rome.

 

  There was not any one in the whole company, but much commended the

Novell reported by Madam Aemilia, and when the Queene perceived it was

ended, she turned towards Madam Eliza, commanding her to continue on

their delightfull exercise: whereto she declaring her willing

obedience, began to speake thus. Courteous Ladies, I remember one

unfortunate night, which happened to two Lovers, that were not

indued with the greatest discretion. But because they had very many

faire and happy dayes afterwards, I am the more willing for to let you

heare it.

  In the City of Rome, which (in times past) was called the Lady and

Mistresse of the world, though now scarsely so good as the waiting,

maid: there dwelt sometime yong Gentleman, named Pedro Boccamazzo,

descended from one of the most honorable families in Rome, who was

much enamoured of a beautifull Gentlewoman, called Angelina,

Daughter to one named Gigliuozzo Saullo, whose fortunes were none of

the fairest, yet he greatly esteemed among the Romanes. The

entercourse of love betweene these twaine, had so equally enstructed

their hearts and soule, that it could hardly be judged which of them

was the more fervent in affection. But he, not being inured to such

oppressing passions, and therefore the lesse able to support them,

except he were sure to compasse his desire, plainly made the motion,

that he might enjoy her in honourable mariage. Which his parents and

friends hearing, they went to conferre with him, blaming him with

over-much basenesse, so farre to disgrace himselfe and his stocke.

Beside, they advised the Father to the Maid, neither to credit what

Pedro saide in this case, or to live in hope of any such match,

because they all did wholly despise it.

  Pedro perceiving, that the way was shut up, whereby (and none other)

he was to mount the Ladder of his hopes; began to wax weary of

longer living: and if he could have won her fathers consent, he

would have maried her in the despight of all his friends.

Neverthelesse, he had a conceit hammering in his head, which if the

maid would bee as forward as himselfe, should bring the matter to full

effect. Letters and secret intelligences passing still betweene, at

length he understood her ready resolution, to adventure with him

thorough all fortunes whatsoever, concluding on their sodaine and

secret flight from Rome. For which Pedro did so well provide, that

very early in a morning, and well mounted on horsebacke, they tooke

the way leading unto Alagna, where Pedro had some honest friends, in

whom he reposed especiall trust. Riding on thus thorow the countrey,

having no leysure to accomplish their marriage, because they stood

in feare of pursuite: they were ridden above foure leagues from

Rome, still shortning the way with their amorous discoursing.

  It fortuned, that Pedro having no certaine knowledge of the way, but

following a trackt guiding too farre on the left hand; rode quite

out of course, and came at last within sight of a small Castle, out of

which (before they were aware) yssued twelve Villaines, whom

Angelina sooner espyed, then Pedro could do; which made her cry out to

him, saying: Helpe deere Love to save us, or else we shall be

assayled. Pedro then turning his horse so expeditiously as he could,

and giving him the spurres as need required; mainly he gallopped

into a neere adjoyning Forrest, more minding the following of

Angelina, then any direction of way, or them that endeavoured to bee

his hindrance. So that by often winding and turning about, as the

passage appeared troublesome to him, when he thought him selfe free

and furthest from them, he was round engirt, and seized on by them.

When they had made him to dismount from his horse, questioning him

of whence and what he was, and he resolving them therein, they fell

into a secret consultation, saying thus among themselves. This man

is a friend to our deadly enemies, how can wee then otherwise

dispose of him, but dreame him of all he hath, and in despight of

the Orsini (men in nature hatefull to us) hang him up heere on one

of these Trees?

  All of them agreeing in this dismall resolution, they commanded

Pedro to put off his garments, which he yeelding to do (albeit

unwillingly) it so fell out, that five and twenty other theeves,

came sodainly rushing in upon them, crying, Kill, kill, and spare

not a man.

  They which before had surprized Pedro, desiring now to shift for

their owne safetie, left him standing quaking in his shirt, and so

ranne away mainely to defend themselves. Which the new crew

perceyving, and that their number farre exceeded the other: they

followed to robbe them of what they had gotten, accounting it as a

present purchase for them. Which when Pedro perceyved, and saw none

tarrying to prey uppon him; hee put on his cloathes againe, and

mounting on his owne Horse, gallopped that way, which Angelina

before had taken: yet could he not descry any tracke or path, or so

much as the footing of a Horse; but thought himselfe in sufficient

security, being rid of them that first seized on him, and also of

the rest, which followed in the pursuite of them.

  For the losse of his beloved Angelina, he was the most wofull man in

the world, wandering one while this way, and then againe another,

calling for her all about the Forrest, without any answere returning

to him. And not daring to ride backe againe, on he travailed still,

not knowing where to make his arrivall. And having formerly heard of

savage ravenous beasts, which commonly live in such unfrequented

Forrests: he not onely was in feare of loosing his owne life, but also

despayred much for his Angelina, least some Lyon or Woolfe, had

torne her body in peeces.

  Thus rode on poore unfortunate Pedro, untill the breake of day

appeared, not finding any meanes to get forth of the Forrest, still

crying and calling for his fayre friend, riding many times

backeward, when as hee thought hee rode forward, untill hee became

so weake and faint, what with extreame feare, lowd calling, and

continuing so long awhile without any sustenance, that the whole day

being thus spent in vaine, and darke night sodainly come uppon him, he

was not able to hold out any longer.

  Now was he in farre worse case then before, not knowing where, or

how to dispose of himselfe, or what might best be done in so great a

necessity. From his Horse he alighted, and tying him by the bridle

unto a great tree, uppe he climbed into the same Tree, fearing to be

devoured (in the night time) by some wilde beast, choosing rather to

let his Horse perish, then himselfe. Within a while after, the Moone

beganne to rise, and the skies appeared bright and cleare: yet durst

hee not nod, or take a nap, least he should fall out of the tree;

but sate still greeving, sighing, and mourning, desparing of ever

seeing his Angelina any more, for he could not be comforted by the

smallest hopefull perswasion, that any good Fortune might befall her

in such a desolate Forrest, where nothing but dismall feares was to be

expected, and no likelihood that she should escape with life.

  Now, concerning poore affrighted Angelina, who (as you heard before)

knew not any place of refuge to flye unto: but even as it pleased

the horse to carry her: she entred so farre into the Forrest, that she

could not devise where to seeke her owne safety. And therefore, even

as it fared with her friend Pedro, in the same manner did it fall

out with her, wandering the whole night, and all the day following,

one while taking one hopefull tracke, and then another, calling,

weeping, wringing her hands, and greevously complaining of her hard

fortune. At the length, perceiving that Pedro came not to her at

all, she found a little path (which she lighted on by great good

fortune) even when dark night was apace drawing, and followed it so

long, till it brought her within the sight of a small poore Cottage,

whereto she rode on so fast as she could; and found therin a very

old man, having a wife rather more aged then he, who seeing her to

be without company, the old man spake thus unto her.

  Faire Daughter (quoth he) whether wander you at such an unseasonable

houre, and all alone in a place so desolate? The Damosell weeping,

replied; that she had lost her company in the Forrest, and enquired

how neere shee was to Alagna. Daughter (answered the old man) this

is not the way to Alagna, for it is above six leagues hence. Then shee

desired to know, how farre off she was from such houses, where she

might have any reasonable lodging? There are none so neere, said the

old man, that day light will give you leave to reach. May it please

you then good Father (replied Angelina) seeing I cannot travalle any

whether else; for Gods sake, to et me remaine heere with you this

night. Daughter answered the good old man, we can gladly give you

entertainement here, for this night, in such poore manner as you

see: but let mee tell you withall, that up and downe these woods (as

well by night as day) walke companies of all conditions, and rather

enemies then friends, who do us many greevous displeasures and harmes.

Now if by misfortune, you being here, any such people should come, and

seeing you so lovely faire, as indeed you are, offer you any shame

or injurie: Alas you see, it lies not in our power to lend you any

help or succour. I thought it good (therefore) to acquaint you

heerewith, because if any such mischance do happen, you should not

afterward complaine of us.

  The yong Maiden, seeing the time to be so farre spent, albeit the

old mans words did much dismay her, yet she thus replyed. If it be the

will of heaven, both you and I shall be defended from any

misfortune: but if any such mischance do happen, I account the

meanes lesse deserving grief, if I fall into the mercy of men, then to

be devoured by wild beasts in this Forrest. So, being dismounted

from her horse, and entred into the homely house; shee supt poorely

with the old man and his wife, with such meane cates as their

provision affoorded: and after supper, lay downe in her garments on

the same poore pallet, where the aged couple tooke their rest, and was

very well contented therewith, albeit she could not refraine from

sighing and weeping, to be thus divided from her deare Pedro, of whose

life and welfare she greatly despaired.

  When it was almost day, she heard a great noise of people travailing

by, whereupon sodainly slie arose, and ranne into a Garden plot, which

was on the backside of the poore Cottage, espying in one of the

corners a great stacke of Hay, wherein she hid her selfe, to the

end, that travelling strangers might not readily finde her there in

the house. Scarsely was she fully hidden, but a great company of

Theeves and Villaines, finding the doore open, rushed into the

Cottage, where looking round about them for some booty, they saw the

Damosels horse stand ready sadled, which made them demand to whom it

belonged. The good old man, not seeing the Maiden present there, but

immagining that she had made some shift for her selfe, answered

thus. Gentlemen, there is no body here but my wife and my selfe: as

for this Horse, which seemeth to be escaped from the Owner; hee came

hither yesternight, and we gave him house-roome heere, rather then

to be devoured by Wolves abroad. Then said the principall of the

Theevish crew: This horse shall be ours, in regard he hath no other

Master, and let the owner come claime him of us.

  When they had searched every corner of the poore Cottage, and

found no such prey as they looked for, some of them went into the

backeside; where they had left their Javelins and Targets, wherwith

they used commonly to travaile. It fortuned, that one of them, being

more subtily suspitious then the rest, thrust his javelin into the

stacke of Hay, in the very same place where the Damosell lay hidden,

missing very little of killing her; for it entred so farre, that the

iron head pierced quite thorough her Garments, and touched her left

bare brest: whereupon, shee was ready to cry out, as fearing that

she was wounded: but considering the place where she was, she lay

still, and spake not a word. This disordered company, after they had

fed on some young Kids, and other flesh which they brought with them

thither, they went thence about their theeving exercise, taking the

Damosels horse along with them.

  After they were gone a good distance off, the good old man began

thus to question his Wife. What is become of (quoth hee) our young

Gentlewoman, which came so late to us yesternight? I have not seen her

to day since our arising. The old woman made answer, that she knew not

where she was, and sought all about to finde her. Angelinaes feares

being well over-blowne, and hearing none of the former noise, which

made her the better hope of their departure, came forth of the

Hay-stack; wherof the good old man was not a little joyfull, and

because she had so well escaped from them: so seeing it was now

broad day-light, he said unto her. Now that the morning is so

fairely begun, if you can be so well contented, we will bring you to a

Castle, which stands about two miles and an halfe hence, where you

will be sure to remaine in safety. But you must needs travaile thither

on foot, because the nightwalkers that happened hither, have taken

away your horse with them.

  Angelina making little or no account of such a losse, entreated them

for charities sake, to conduct her to that Castle, which accordingly

they did, and arrived there betweene seven and eight of the clock. The

Castle belonged to one of the Orsini, being called, Liello di Campo di

Fiore, and by great good fortune, his wife was then there, she being a

very vertuous and religious Lady. No sooner did she looke upon

Angelina, but she knew her immediately, and entertaining her very

willingly, requested, to know the reason of her thus arriving there:

which she at large related, and moved the Lady (who likewise knew

Pedro perfectly well) to much compassion, because he was a kinsman and

deare friend to her Husband; and understanding how the Theeves had

surprized him, she feared, that he was slaine among them, whereupon

she spake thus to Angelina. Seeing you know not what is become of my

kinsman Pedro, you shall remaine here with me, untill such time, as

(if we heare no other tidings of him) you may with safety be sent

backe to Rome.

  Pedro all this while sitting in the Tree, so full of griefe, as no

man could be more; about the houre of midnight (by the bright

splendour of the Moone) espied about some twenty Wolves, who, so soone

as they got a sight of the Horse, ran and engirt him round about.

The Horse when he perceived them so neere him, drew his head so

strongly back-ward, that breaking the reines of his bridle, he

laboured to escape from them. But being beset on every side, and

utterly unable to helpe himself, he contended with his teeth and feete

in his owne defence, till they haled him violently to the ground,

and tearing his body in pieces, left not a jot of him but the bare

bones, and afterward ran ranging thorow the Forest. At this sight,

poore Pedro was mightily dismaied, fearing to speed no better then his

Horse had done, and therefore could not devise what was best to be

done; for he saw no likelihood, of getting out of the Forest with

life. But day-light drawing on apace, and he almost dead with cold,

having stood quaking so long in the Tree; at length by continuall

looking every where about him, to discerne the least glimpse of any

comfort; he espied a great fire, which seemed to be about halfe a mile

off from him.

  By this time it was broad day, when he descended downe out of the

Tree, (yet not without much feare) and tooke his way towards the fire,

where being arrived, he found a company of Shepheards banquetting

about it, whom he curteously saluting, they tooke pity on his

distresse, and welcommed him kindly. After he had tasted of such

cheare as they had, and was indifferently refreshed by the good

fire; he discoursed his hard disasters to them, as also how he

happened thither, desiring to know, if any Village or Castle were

neere there about, where he might in better manner releeve himselfe.

The Shepheards told him, that about a mile and an halfe from thence,

was the Castle of Signior Liello di Campo di Fiore, and that his

Lady was residing there; which was no meane comfort to poore Pedro,

requesting that one of them would accompany him thither, as two of

them did in loving manner, to rid him of all further feares.

  When he was arrived at the Castle, and found there divers of his

familiar acquaintance: he laboured to procure some meanes, that the

Damosell might bee sought for in the Forrest. Then the Lady calling

for her, and bringing her to him; he ran and caught her in his

armes, being ready to swoune with conceite of joy, for never could any

man be more comforted, then he was at the sight of his Angelina, and

questionlesse, her joy was not a jot inferiour to his, such a simpathy

of firme love was settled betweene them. The Lady of the Castle, after

she had given them very gracious entertainment, and understood the

scope of their bold adventure; she reproved them both somewhat

sharpely, for presuming so farre without the consent of their Parents.

But perceiving (notwithstanding all her remonstrances) that they

continued still constant in their resolution, without any inequality

of either side; shee saide to her selfe. Why should this matter be any

way offensive to me? They love each other loyally; they are not

inferiour to one another in birth, but in fortune; they are equally

loved and allied to my Husband, and their desire is both honest and

honorable. Moreover, what know I, if it be the will of Heaven to

have it so? Theeves intended to hang him, in malice to his name and

kinred, from which hard fate he hath happily escaped. Her life was

endangered by a sharpe pointed Javeline, and yet her fairer starres

would not suffer her so to perish: beside, they have both escaped

the fury of ravenous wild beasts; and all these are apparant signes,

that future comforts should recompence former passed misfortunes;

farre be it therefore from me, to hinder the appointment of the

Heavens.

  Then turning her selfe to them, thus she proceeded. If your desire

be to joyne in honourable marriage, I am well contented therewith, and

your nuptials shall here be solemnized at my Husbands charges.

Afterward both he and I will endeavour, to make peace betweene you and

your discontented Parents. Pedro was not a little joyfull at her kinde

offer, and Angelina much more then he; so they were married together

in the Castle, and worthily feasted by the Lady, as Forrest

entertainment could permit, and there they enjoyed the first fruits of

their love. Within a short while after, the Lady and they (well

mounted on Horsebacke, and attended with an honourable traine)

returned to Rome; where her Lord Liello and she prevailed so well with

Pedroes angry Parents: that the variance ended in love and peace,

and afterward they lived lovingly together, till old age made them

as honourable, as their true and mutuall affection formerly had done.