THE FIFTH NOVELL

 

       WHEREIN MAY BE OBSERVED, WHAT QUARRELS AND CONTENTIONS ARE

         OCCASIONED BY LOVE; WITH SOME PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION,

              CONCERNING THE SINCERITY OF A LOYALL FRIEND

 

  Guidotto of Cremona, out of this mortall life, left a Daughter of

his, with Jacomino of Pavia. Giovanni di Severino, and Menghino da

Minghole, fell both in love with the young Maiden, and fought for her;

who being afterward knowne to be the Sister to Giovanni, she was given

in mariage to Menghino.

 

  All the Ladies laughing heartily, at the Novell of the

Nightingale, so pleasingly delivered by Philostratus, when they saw

the same to be fully ended, the Queene thus spake. Now trust me

Philostratus, though yesterday you did much oppresse mee with

melancholly, yet you have made me such an amends to day, as we have

little reason to complaine any more of you. So converting her speech

to Madam Neiphila, shee commanded her to succeede with her

discourse, which willingly she yeelded to, beginning in this manner.

Seing it pleased Philostratus, to produce his Novell out of Romania: I

meane to walke with him in the same jurisdiction, concerning what I am

to say.

  There dwelt sometime in the City of Fano, two Lombards, the one

being named Guidotto of Cremona, and the other Jacomino of Pavia,

men of sufficient entrance into yeares, having followed the warres (as

Souldiers) all their youthfull time. Guidotto feeling sicknesse to

over-master him, and having no sonne, kinsman, or friend, in whom he

might repose more trust, then he did in Jacomino: having long

conference with him about his worldly affaires, and setled his whole

estate in good order; he left a Daughter to his charge, about ten

yeeres of age, with all such goods as he enjoyed, and then departed

out of this life. It came to passe, that the City of Faenza, long time

being molested with tedious warres, and subjected to very servile

condition; beganne now to recover her former strength, with free

permission (for all such as pleased) to returne and possesse their

former dwellings. Whereupon, Jacomino (having sometime bene an

inhabitant there) was desirous to live in Faenza againe, convaying

thither all his goods, and taking with him also the young Girle, which

Guidotto had left him, whom hee loved, and respected as his owne

childe.

  As shee grew in stature, so she did in beauty and vertuous

qualities, as none was more commended throughout the whole City, for

faire, civill, and honest demeanour, which incited many amorously to

affect her. But (above all the rest) two very honest young men, of

good fame and repute, who were so equally in love addicted to her,

that being. jealous of each others fortune, in preventing of their

severall hopefull expectation; a deadly hatred grew suddenly

betweene them, the one being named Giovanni de Severino, and the other

Menghino de Minghole. Either of these two young men, before the

Maide was fifteene yeeres old, laboured to be possessed of her in

marriage, but her Guardian would give no consent thereto: wherefore,

perceiving their honest intended meaning to be frustrated, they now

began to busie their braines, how to forestall one another by craft

and circumvention.

  Jacomino had a Maide-servant belonging to his House, somewhat

aged, and a Manservant beside, named Grinello, of mirthfull

disposition, and very friendly, with whom Giovanni grew in great

familiarity, and when he found time fit for the purpose, he discovered

his love to him, requesting his furtherance and assistance, in

compassing the height of his desire, with bountifull promises of

rich rewarding; wheret Grinello returned this answere. I know not

how to sted you in this case, but when my Master shall sup foorth at

some Neighbours house, to admit your entrance where shee is:

because, if I offer to speake to her, she never will stay to heare

mee. Wherefore, if my service this way may doe you any good, I promise

to performe it; doe you beside, as you shall finde it most

convenient for you. So the bargaine was agreed on betweene them, and

nothing else now remained, but to what issue it should sort in the

end. Menghino, on the other side, having entred into the

Chamber-maides acquaintance, sped so well with her, that she delivered

so many messages from him, as had (already) halfe won the liking of

the Virgin; passing further promises to him beside, of bringing him to

have conference with her, whensoever her Master should be absent

from home. Thus Menghino being favoured (on the one side) by the by

Chamber-maide, and Giovanni (on the other) by trusty Grinello; their

amorous warre was now on foote, and diligently followed by both

their sollicitors. Within a short while after, by the procurement of

Grinello, Jacomino was invited by a Neighbour to supper, in company of

divers his familiar friends, whereof intelligence being given to

Giovanni; a conclusion passed betweene them, that (upon a certaine

signale given) he should come, and finde the doore standing ready

open, to give him all accesse unto the affected Mayden.

  The appointed night being come, and neither of these hot Lovers

knowing the others intent, but their suspition being alike, and

encreasing still more and more; they made choyce of certaine friends

and associates, well armed and provided, for eithers safer entrance

when need should require.

  Menghino stayed with his troope, in a neere neighbouring house to

the Mayden, attending when the signall would be given: but Giovanni

and his consorts, were ambushed somewhat further off from the house,

and both saw when Jacomino went foorth to supper. Now Grinello and the

Chambermaide began to vary, which should send the other out of the

way, till they had effected their severall invention; wherupon

Grinello said to her. What maketh thee to walke thus about the

house, and why doest thou not get thee to bed? And thou (quoth the

Maide) why doest thou not goe to attend on our Master, and tarry for

his returning home? I am sure thou hast supt long agoe, and I know

no businesse here in the house for thee to doe. Thus (by no meanes)

the one could send away the other, but either remained as the others

hinderance.

  But Grinello remembring himselfe, that the houre of his

appointment with Giovanni was come, he saide to himselfe. What care

I whether our olde Maide be present, or no? If she disclose any

thing that I doe, I can be revenged on her when I list. So, having

made the signall, he went to open the doore, even when Giovanni (and

two of his confederates) rushed into the House, and finding the

faire young Maiden sitting in the Hall, laide hands on her, to beare

her away. The Damosell began to resist them, crying out for helpe so

loude as she could, as the olde Chamber-maide did the like: which

Menghino hearing, he ranne thither presently with his friends, and

seeing the young Damosell brought well-neere out of the House; they

drew their Swords, crying out: Traytors, you are but dead men, here is

no violence to be offered, neither is this a booty for such base

groomes. So they layed about them lustily, and would not permit them

to passe any further. On the other side, upon this mutinous noyse

and outcry, the Neighbours came foorth of their houses, with lights,

staves, and clubbes, greatly reproving them for this out-rage, yet

assisting Menghino: by meanes whereof, after a long time of

contention, Menghino recovered the Mayden from Giovanni, and placed

her peaceably in Jacominoes House.

  No sooner was this hurly burly somewhat calmed, but the Serjeants to

the Captine of the City, came thither, and apprehended divers of the

mutiners: among whom were Menghino, Giovanni, and Grinello, committing

them immediately to prison. But after every thing was pacified, and

Jacomino returned home to his house from supper; he was not a little

offended at so grosse an injury. When he was fully informed, how the

matter happened, and apparantly perceived, that no blame at all

could be imposed on the Mayden: he grew the better contented,

resolving with himselfe (because no more such inconveniences should

happen) to have her married so soone as possibly he could.

  When morning was come the kindred and friends on either side,

understanding the truth of the errour committed, and knowing beside,

what punishment would be inflicted on the prisoners, if Jacomino

pressed the matter no further, then as with reason and equity well

he might; they repaired to him, and (in gentle speeches) entreated

him, not to regard a wrong offered by unruly and youthfull people,

meerely drawne into the action by perswasion of friends; submitting

both themselves, and the offendors, to such satisfaction as [he]

pleased to appoint them. Jacomino, who had seene and observed many

things in his time, and was a man of sound understanding, returned

them this answer.

  Gentlemen, if I were in mine owne Country, as now I am in yours, I

would as for wardly confesse my selfe your friend, as here I must

needes fall short of any such service, but even as you shall please to

command me. But plainely, and without all further ceremonious

complement, I must agree to whatsoever you can request; as thinking

you to be more injured by me, then any great wrong that I have

sustained. Concerning the young Damosell remaining in my House, she is

not (as many have imagined) either of Cremona, or Pavia, but borne a

Faentine, here in this Citie: albeit neither my selfe, she, or he of

whome I had her, did ever know it, or yet could learne whose

Daughter she was. Wherefore, the suite you make to me, should rather

(in duty) be mine to you: for shee is a native of your owne, doe right

to her, and then you can doe no wrong unto mee.

  When the Gentlemen understood, that the Mayden was borne in

Faenza, they marvelled thereat, and after they had thanked Jacomino

for his curteous answer; they desired him to let them know, by what

meanes the Damosell came into his custody, and how he knew her to be

borne in Faenza: when hee, perceiving them attentive to heare him,

began in this manner.

  Understand worthy Gentlemen, that Guidotto of Cremona, was my

companion and deare friend, who growing neere to his death, tolde me

that when this City was surprized by the Emperour Frederigo, and all

things committed to sacke and spoile; he and certaine of his

confederates entred into a House, which they found to bee well

furnished with goods, but utterly forsaken of the dwellers, onely this

poore Mayden excepted, being then aged but two yeeres, or

thereabout. As hee mounted up the steps, with intent to depart from

the House; she called him Father, which word moved him so

compassionately, that he went backe againe, brought her away with him,

and all things of worth which were in the House: going thence

afterward to Fano, and there deceasing, hee left her and all his goods

to my charge; conditionally, that I should see her married when due

time required, and bestow on her the wealth which he had left her.

Now, very true it is, although her yeeres are convenient for marriage,

yet I could never finde any one to bestow her on, at least that I

thought fitting for her: howbeit I will listen thereto much more

respectively, before any other such accident shall happen.

  It came to passe, that in the reporting of this discourse, there was

then a Gentleman in the company, named Guillemino da Medicina, who

at the surprizall of the City, was present with Guidotto of Cremona,

and knew well the House which he had ransacked, the owner whereof

was also present with him, wherefore taking him aside, he said to him.

Bernardino, hearest thou what Jacomino hath related? Yes very well,

replyed Bernardino, and remember withall, that in that dismall

bloody combustion, I lost a little Daughter, about the age as Jacomino

speaketh. Questionlesse then replyed Guillemino, she must needs be the

same young Mayden, for I was there at the same time, and in the House,

whence Guidotto did bring both the Girle and goods, and I do perfectly

remember, that it was thy House. I pray thee call to minde, if

everthou sawest any scarre or marke about her, which may revive thy

former knowledge of her, for my minde perswades me, that the Maide

is thy Daughter.

  Bernardino musing awhile with himselfe, remembred, that under her

left eare, she had a scarre, in the forme of a little crosse, which

happened by the byting of a Wolfe, and but a small while before the

spoyle was made. Wherefore, without deferring it to any further

time, he stept to Jacomino who as yet stayed there) and entreated

him to fetch the Mayden from his house, because shee might be knowne

to some in the company: whereto right willingly he condiscended, and

there presented the Maide before them. So soone as Bernardino beheld

her, he began to be much inwardly moved, for the perfect character

of her Mothers countenance, was really figured in her sweete face;

onely that her beauty was somewhat more excelling. Yet not herewith

satisfied, he desired Jacomino to bee so pleased, as to lift up a

little the lockes of haire, depending over her left eare. Jacomino did

it presently, albeit with a modest blushing in the Maide, and

Bernardino looking advisedly on it, knew it to be the selfe-same

crosse, which confirmed her constantly to be his Daughter.

  Overcome with excesse of joy, which made the teares to trickle downe

his cheekes, he proffered to embrace and kisse the Maide: but she

refusing his kindnesse, because (as yet) she knew no reason for it,

hee turned himselfe to Jacomino, saying. My deare brother and

friend, this Maide is my Daughter, and my House was the same which

Guidotto spoyled, in the generall havocke of our City, and thence he

carried this childe of mine, forgotten (in the fury) by my Wife her

Mother. But happy was the houre of his becomming her Father, and

carrying her away with him; for else she had perished in the fire,

because the House was instantly burnt downe to the ground. The

Mayden hearing his words, observing him also to be a man of yeeres and

gravity: she beleeved what he saide, and humbly submitted her selfe to

his kisses and embraces, even as instructed thereto by instinct of

nature. Bernardino instantly sent for his wife, her owne Mother, his

daughters, sonnes, and kindred, who being acquainted with this

admirable accident, gave her most gracious and kinde welcome, he

receiving her from Jacomino as his childe, and the legacies which

Guidotto had left her.

  When the Captaine of the City (being a very wise and worthy

Gentleman) heard these tydings, and knowing that Giovanni, then his

prisoner, was the Son to Bernardino, and naturall Brother to the newly

recovered Maide: he bethought himselfe, how best he might qualifie the

fault committed by him. And entring into the Hall among them,

handled the matter so discreetly, that a loving league of peace was

confirmed betweene Giovanni and Menghino, to whom (with free and

full consent on all sides) the faire Maide, named Agatha, was given in

marriage, with a more honourable enlargement of her dowry, and

Grinello, with the rest, delivered out of prison, which for their

tumultuous riot they had justly deserved. Menghino and Agatha had

their wedding worthily solemnized, with all due honours belonging

thereto; and long time after they had lived in Faenza, highly beloved,

and graciously esteemed.