THE FOURTH NOVELL

 

   DECLARING THE DISCREETE PROVIDENCE OF PARENTS, IN CARE OF THEIR

            CHILDRENS LOVE AND THEIR OWNE CREDIT, TO CUT OFF

           INCONVENIENCES, BEFORE THEY DO PROCEEDE TOO FARRE

 

  Ricciardo Manardy, was found by Messer Lizio da Valbonna, as he sate

fast asleepe at his Daughters Chamber window, having his hand fast

in hers, and she sleeping in the same manner. Whereupon, they are

joyned together in marriage, and their long loyall love mutually

recompenced.

 

  Madam Eliza having ended her Tale, and heard what commendations

the whole company gave thereof; the Queene commanded Philostratus,

to tell a Novell agreeing with his owne minde, smiling thereat, thus

replyed. Faire Ladies, I have bene so often checkt and snapt, for my

yesterdayes matter and argument of discoursing, which was both tedious

and offensive to you; that if I intended to make you any amends, I

should now undertake to tell such a Tale, as might put you into a

mirthfull humour. Which I am determined to do, in relating a briefe

and pleasant Novell, not any way offensive (as I trust) but

exemplary for some good notes of observation.

  Not long since, there lived in Romania, a Knight, a very honest

Gentleman, and well qualified, whose name was Messer Lizio da

Valbonna, to whom it fortuned, that (at his entrance into age) by

his Lady and wife, called Jaquemina, he had a Daughter, the very

choycest and goodliest gentlewoman in all those places. Now because

such a happy blessing (in their olde yeeres) was not a little

comfortable to them; they thought themselves the more bound in duty,

to be circumspect of her education, by keeping her out of

over-frequent companies, but onely such as agreed best with their

gravity, and might give the least ill example to their Daughter, who

was named Catharina; as making no doubt, but by this their provident

and wary respect, to match her in marriage answerable to their liking.

There was also a yong Gentleman, in the very flourishing estate of his

youthfull time, descended from the Family of the Manardy da

Brettinoro, named Messer Ricciardo, who oftentimes frequented the

House of Messer Lizio, and was a continuall welcome guest to his

Table, Messer Lizio and his wife making the like account of him,

even as if hee [had] bene their owne Sonne.

  This young Gallant, perceiving the Maiden to be very beautifull,

of singular behaviour, and of such yeeres as was fit for marriage,

became exceeding enamoured of her, yet concealed his affection so

closely as he could, which was not so covertly carried, but that she

perceived it, and grew into as good liking of him. Many times he had

an earnest desire to have conference with her, which yet still he

deferred, as fearing to displease her; at the length he lighted on

an apt opportunity, and boldly spake to her in this manner. Faire

Catharina, I hope thou wilt not let me die for thy love? Signior

Ricciardo (replyed she suddenly againe) I hope you will extend the

like mercy to me, as you desire that I should shew to you. This

answere was so pleasing to Messer Ricciardo, that presently he

saide. Alas deare Love, I have dedicated all my fairest fortunes onely

to thy service, so that it remaineth soly in thy power to dispose of

me as best shall please thee, and to appoint such times of private

conversation, as may yeeld more comfort to my poore afflicted soule.

  Catharina standing musing awhile, at last returned him this answere.

Signio Ricciardo, quoth she, you see what a restraint is set on my

liberty, how short I am kept from conversing with any one, that I hold

this our enterparlance now almost miraculous. But if you could

devise any convenient meanes, to admit us more familiar freedome,

without any prejudice to mine honour, or the least distaste to my

Parents; do but enstruct it, and I will adventure it. Ricciardo having

considered on many wayes and meanes, thought one to be the fittest

of all; and therefore thus replyed. Catharina (quoth he) the onely

place for our more private talking together, I conceive to be the

Gallery over your Fathers Garden. If you can winne your Mother to

let you lodge there, I will make meanes to climbe over the wall, and

at the goodly gazing window, we may discourse so long as we please.

Now trust me deare Love (answered Catharina) no place can be more

convenient for our purpose, there shall we heare the sweete Birds

sing, especially the Nightingale which I have heard singing there

all the night long; I will breake the matter to my Mother, and how I

speede, you shall heare further from me. So, with divers parting

kisses, they brake off conference, till their next meeting.

  On the day following, which was towards the ending of the moneth

of May, Catharina began to complaine to her Mother that the season was

over-hot and tedious, to be still lodged in her Mothers Chamber,

because it was an hinderance to her sleeping; and wanting rest, it

would be an empairing of her health. Why Daughter (quoth the Mother)

the weather (as yet) is not so hot, but (in my minde) you may very

well endure it. Alas Mother, saide she, aged people, as you and my

Father are, do not feele the heates of youthfull blood, by reason of

your farre colder complexion, which is not to be measured by younger

yeeres. I know that well Daughter, replyed the Mother; but is it in my

power, to make the weather warme or coole, as thou perhaps wouldst

have it? Seasons are to be suffered, according to their severall

qualities; and though the last night might seeme hot, this next

ensuing may be cooler, and then thy rest will be the better. No

Mother, quoth Catharina, that cannot be; for as Summer proceedeth

on, so the heate encreaseth, and no expectation can be of temperate

weather, untill it groweth to Winter againe. Why Daughter, saide the

Mother, what wouldest thou have me to do? Mother (quoth she) if it

might stand with my Fathers good liking and yours, I would be spared

from the Garden Gallery, which is a great deale more coole lodged.

There shall I heare the sweete Nightingale sing, as every night she

useth to do, and many other pretty Birdes beside, which I cannot do

lodging in your Chamber.

  The Mother loving her Daughter dearely, as being somewhat

over-fond of her, and very willing to give her contentment; promised

to impart her minde to her Father, not doubting but to compasse what

shee requested. When she had mooved the matter to Messer Lizio whose

age made him somewhat froward and teasty; angerly said to his wife.

Why how now woman? Cannot our Daughter sleepe, except she heare the

Nightingale sing? Let there be a bed made for her in the Oven, and

there let the Crickets make her melody. When Catharina heard this

answere from her Father, and saw her desire to be disappointed; not

onely could she take any rest the night following, but also complained

more of the heate then before, not suffering her Mother to take any

rest, which made her go angerly to her Husband in the morning, saying.

Why Husband, have we but one onely Daughter, whom you pretend to

love right dearly, and yet can you be so carelesse of her, as to denie

her a request, which is no more then reason? What matter is it to

you or me, to let her lodge in the Garden Gallery? Is her young

blood to be compared with ours? Can our weake and crazie bodies, feele

the frolicke temper of hers? Alas, she is hardly (as yet) out of her

childish yeeres, and Children have many desires farre differing from

ours: the singing of Birdes is rare musicke to them, and chiefly the

Nightingale; whose sweete notes will provoke them to rest, when

neither Art or Physicke can do it.

  Is it even so Wife? answered Messer Lizio. Must your will and mine

be governed by our Daughter? Well be it so then, let her bed be made

in the Garden Gallerie, but I will have the keeping of the key, both

to locke her in at night, and set her at liberty every morning. Woman,

woman, yong wenches are wily, many wanton crotchets are busie in their

braines, and to us that are aged, they sing like Lapwings, telling

us one thing, and intending another; talking of Nightingales, when

their mindes run on Cocke-Sparrowes. Seeing Wife, she must needes have

her minde, let yet your care and mine extend so farre, to keepe her

chastity uncorrupted, and our credulity from being abused. Catharina

having thus prevailed with her Mother, her bed made in the Garden

Gallerie, and secret intelligence given to Ricciardo, for preparing

his meanes of accesse to her window; old provident Lizio lockes the

doore to bed-ward, and gives her liberty to come forth in the morning,

for his owne lodging was neere to the same Gallery.

  In the dead and silent time of night, when all (but Lovers) take

their rest; Ricciardo having provided a Ladder of Ropes, with grapling

hookes to take hold above and below, according as he had occasion to

use it. By helpe thereof, first he mounted over the Garden wall, and

then climbde up to the Gallery window, before which (as is every where

in Italie) was a little round engirting Tarras, onely for a man to

stand upon, for making cleane the window, or otherwise repairing it.

Many nights (in this manner) enjoyed they their meetings,

entermixing their amorous conference with infinite kisses and kinde

embraces, as the window gave leave, he sitting in the Tarras, and

departing alwayes before breake of day, for feare of being

discovered by any.

  But, as excesse of delight is the Nurse to negligence, and begetteth

such an overpresuming boldnesse, as afterward proveth to be sauced

with repentance: so came it to passe with our over-fond Lovers, in

being taken tardy through their owne folly. After they had many

times met in this manner, the nights (according to the season) growing

shorter and shorter, which their stolne delight made them lesse

respective of, then was requisite in an adventure so dangerous: it

fortuned, that their amorous pleasure had so farre transported them,

and dulled their senses in such sort, by these their continuall

nightly watchings; that they both fell fast asleepe, he having his

hand closed in hers, and she one arme folded about his body, and

thus they slept till broade day light. Old Messer Lizio, who

continually was the morning Cocke to the whole House, going foorth

into his Garden, saw how his Daughter and Ricciardo were seated at the

window. In he went againe, and going to his wives Chamber, saide to

her. Rise quickly wife, and you shall see, what made your Daughter

so desirous to lodge in the Garden Gallery. I perceive that shee loved

to heare the Nightingale, for she hath caught one, and holds him

fast in her hand. Is it possible, saide the Mother, that our

Daughter should catch a live Nightingale in the darke? You shall see

that your selfe, answered Messer Lizio, if you will make hast, and

go with me.

 She, putting on her garments in great haste, followed her Husband,

and being come to the Gallery doore, he opened it very softly, and

going to the window, shewed her how they both sate fast asleepe, and

in such manner as hath bene before declared: whereupon, shee

perceiving how Ricciardo and Catharina had both deceived her, would

have made an outcry, but that Messer Lizio spake thus to her. Wife, as

you love me, speake not a word, neither make any noyse: for, seeing

shee hath loved Ricciardo without our knowledge, and they have had

their private meetings in this manner, yet free from any blamefu

imputation; he shall enjoy her, and she him. Ricciardo is a Gentleman,

well derived, and of rich possessions, it can be no disparagement to

us, that Catharina match with him in mariage, which he neither

shall, or dare deny to do, in regard of our Lawes severity; for

climbing up to my window with his Ladder of Ropes, whereby his life is

forfeited to the Law, except our Daughter please to spare it, as it

remaineth in her power to doe, by accepting him as her husband, or

yeelding his life up to the Law, which surely she will not suffer,

their love agreeing together in such mutuall manner, and he

adventuring so dangerously for her. Madam Jaquemina, perceiving that

her husband spake very reasonably, and was no more offended at the

matter; stept side with him behinde the drawne Curtaines, untill

they should awake of themselves. At the last, Ricciardo awaked, and

seeing it was so farre in the day, thought himselfe halfe dead, and

calling to Catharina, saide.

  Alas deare Love! what shall we doe? we have slept too long, and

shall be taken here.

  At which words, Messer Lizio stept forth from behind the

Curtaines, saying. Nay, Signior Ricciardo, seeing you have found

such an unbefitting way hither, we will provide you a better for

your backe returning.

  When Ricciardo saw the Father and Mother both there present, he

could not devise what to do or say, his senses became so strangely

confounded; yet knowing how hainously he had offended, if the

strictnesse of Law should bee challenged against him, falling on his

knees, he saide. Alas Messer Lizio, I humbly crave your mercy,

confessing my selfe well worthy of death, that knowing the sharpe

rigour of the Law, I would presume so audaciously to breake it. But

pardon me worthy Sir, my loyall and unfeigned love to your Daughter

Catharina, hath bene the only cause of my transgressing.

  Ricciardo (replied Messer Lizio) the love I beare thee, and the

honest confidence I do repose in thee, step up (in some measure) to

plead thine excuse, especially in the regard of my Daughter, whom I

blame thee not for loving, but for this unlawfull way of presuming

to her. Neverthelesse, perceiving how the case now standeth, and

considering withall, that youth and affection were the ground of thine

offence: to free thee from death, and my selfe from dishonour,

before thou departest hence, thou shalt espouse my Daughter Catharina,

to make her thy lawfull wife in marriage, and wipe off all scandall to

my House and me. All this while was poore Catharina on her knees

likewise to her Mother, who (notwithstanding this her bold

adventure) made earnest suite to her Husband to remit all, because

Ricciardo right gladly condiscended, as it being the maine issue of

his hope and desire; to accept his Catharina in marriage, whereto

she was as willing as he. Messer Lizio presently called for the

Confessour of his House, and borrowing one of his Wives Rings,

before they went out of the Gallery; Ricciardo and Catharina were

espoused together, to their no little joy and contentment.

  Now had they more leasure for further conference, with the Parents

and kindred to Ricciardo, who being no way discontented with this

sudden match, but applauding it in the highest degree; they were

publikely maried againe in the Cathedrall Church, and very

honourable triumphes performed at the nuptials, living long after in

happy prosperity.